Kaieteur News

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Bandit tells owner, NEWS workers to wear face masks while robbing store

Friday Edition

AIETEUR

April 17, 2020 -Vol. 22 No. 15

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Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80

Online readership yesterday

GECOM Chair to

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announce details of recount today Commonwealth 15p.

Observer Group urges GECOM to stick to law during recount

Ithca man stabs wife Govt. dossier lists Pres Granger as US to death, citizen, Ministry says not so then tries to kill mother-in-law, self Greenidge not fired; p.

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“Upset” coalition supporters funding Gov’t-hired USA p.2 PR firm - Harmon

Dead: Vanessa Benjamin

Constitutional crisis looms - Bar over new parliament Association p. 2

removal associated with ‘cleaning 14p. the slate’ – Harmon

“Clear conflict of interest” by

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World Bank in relation to certain

Exxon-linked contractors here a violation of the bank’s procurement and public disclosure rules - says German

directors’ immediate intervention required Human Rights Agency

Kaieteur News

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Friday April 17, 2020

“Upset” coalition supporters Constitutional crisis looms funding Gov’t - hired USA PR firm over convening of new parliament - Bar Association

T

he pressure is continuing to mount on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to hurry up and start a recount the ballots of the March 2nd General and Regional Elections.

Yesterday, the Guyana Bar Association warned that the next session of Parliament is mandated to begin no later April 30, 2020, with the constitutional clock ticking.

It is likely that the recount and declarations would take more than two weeks, placing Guyana in yet more uncharted waters.

According to the body, Article 69 of the Constitution of Guyana mandates that, on dissolution, the next session of Parliament must commence no later than four months from the end of the preceding session.

In fact, the Association says, the last session of Parliament was dissolved on December 30, 2019.

“The next session of Parliament must therefore begin no later than April 30, 2020. It is in pursuance thereto, that the Bar Council of The Bar Association of Guyana calls on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) inclusive of its Secretariat to do all acts and things necessary in the shortest possible time to ensure the accurate, credible and transparent declaration of the results of the General and Regional Elections held on March 2, 2020, so that the next session of Parliament can commence as constitutionally prescribed, that is, no later than April 30, 2020,” the entity explained in a statement.

The Bar Council made it clear that effect can only be

given to the provisions of the Constitution for Parliament to be summoned by the constitutionally mandated timeline, if GECOM and its Secretariat act immediately in a manner evincing transparency, impartiality and fairness.

“Time is of the essence.

The Constitution of Guyana is the supreme law of Guyana to which all persons and bodies are subject.

Timelines laid down by the Constitution are not merely matters of principle which one can simply choose to abide by or ignore. The failure to abide by the Constitution has farreaching consequences, both n a t i o n a l l y a n d internationally, inter alia for

absence of parliamentary oversight of those who purport to exercise executive powers, whether de facto or de jure, is of grave concern, as it places the rule of law under siege.”

The Bar Council said that it is deeply concerned by what appears to be a laissezfaire approach taken by GECOM and its Secretariat.

“The absence of a declared election result some six weeks after the General and Regional Elections, in addition to being outside of the statutory prescribed period, is disgraceful and inexcusable. Court proceedings in the interim were dealt with dispatch.

Counsel for all the parties adhered to timelines and

good governance and the rule of law.”

According to the Bar Council, prior to the dissolution of Parliament on December 30, 2019, the National Assembly, which comprises Parliament, last sat on May 23, 2019.

“That is, almost 11 months ago. Soon, it will be one year since the last sitting of Parliament. Such a record is not one for which any country would wish to be known. Guyana is a parliamentary democracy based on the rule of law. The

both the High Court and Court of Appeal even sat on Sundays to ensure the timely determination of the matters.”

The Bar Council was also critical of that fact that there was a decision of GECOM over a week ago to effect a recount of the votes cast in all 10 districts, and GECOM has not yet even begun to do so, as it continues to grapple with mundane decisions while precious time continues to be lost.

“The integrity of any (Continued on page 16)

By Shikema Dey Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, sought to clarify reports that taxpayer dollars were used in the hiring US lobbying firm JJ&B, LLC. A string of documents, including a detailed dossier entitled “Guyana Elections 2020” were made public as per the requirement of the US Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires the company to publish details of the agreement between their clients.

The Director-General is listed in documentation filed as the government contact, and it states clearly that they were hired by the Government of Guyana. The public documents can be found online via the United States Department of Justice website.

Per the agreement entered into on March 31, 2020; the lobbyist firm is expected to facilitate resolution of disputes regarding the recent presidential election in Guyana, and to improve relations between Guyana and the United States.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e documents show that the firm, hired on a part-time basis, was paid an initial retainer fee of US$40,000 for April.

Harmon claimed that “upset” coalition supporters were the ones who are funding the government hire. At a media engagement yesterday, Harmon said “I would say to you that this is not funds from the government.”

He added that “we have supporters from around the world who are very incensed, who are upset that

Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon

this kind of narrative continues to be perpetuated on a daily basis and have come forward to say ‘what can we do to help?’.”

“Our supporters come together and put they ‘lil $100, $1000 and things like that and they are paying for this…no money has come from the government.”

The Public Relations Firm was contracted by the incumbent to revert the “false narratives” being peddled by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party C iv ic ( P P P /C ) in th e international community through its PR firm, Mercury Public Relations.

Government has insisted that condemnation from the international community of the controversial Region Four results tabulation has been orchestrated by the PPP and its public relations firm.

This firm, Harmon stressed, was hired to perpetuate those very “false narratives”.

The Director General pointed out that it was necessary for government to hire a Public Relations firm to dispel the narratives that

the PPP was peddling to the international community. “ We b e l i e v e a s government that it was our duty, our responsibility to ensure that our narrative, the facts as they occur, should be placed there in these capitals, and therefore we felt it was necessary to have a company that has that access to be able to put out our side of the story,” he disclosed.

Added to that, Harmon made it clear that “we have a right to ensure that the developments which have taken place in this country; that they ought not to be derailed by virtue of a narrative which goes out there that is contrary to the facts of what is happening here in Guyana.”

Further, the dossier being circulated, according to Harmon, was prepared some time ago and circulated to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Prime Ministers of Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines who had visited Guyana recently.

Kaieteur News

Friday April 17, 2020

PAGE 03

German Human Rights Agency says…

“Clear conflict of interest” by World Bank in relation to certain Exxon-linked contractors here

By Kiana Wilburg rgewald, a German proenvironment organization, is calling for the immediate intervention o f t h e Wo r l d B a n k ’s Directors, as it relates to contracts the international institution is funding in Guyana.

According to the nongovernmental organization, some officials at the World Bank seem to be giving their blessings for certain ExxonMobil-linked contractors to grab up contracts that will determine what laws and policies would be used to regulate Guyana’s oil industry.

Urgewald said that this is a clear conflict of interest, and therefore represents a violation of the Bank’s procurement and public disclosure rules.

In its letter to the World Bank’s directors, Urgewald said that at least two contractors cleared by the World Bank should have been disqualified due to conflict of interest.

Expounding further, the non-governmental organization reminded that the World Bank would have provided Guyana with US$20M to fund a Petroleum Resource and Management Project (P166730). Part of the Bank’s financial assistance targeted the drafting of new

- a violation of the bank’s procurement and public disclosure rules - directors’ immediate intervention required

U

Development in Guyana.

Using reports that would have been produced by Kaieteur News, the Human Rights Organization told the World Bank that the hiring of Warner was further criticised because he has no track record of independently producing a local content policy for any country.

With further reference to Kaieteur News’ articles, Urgewald reported in its letter to the World Bank Directors that the revised Local Content Policy developed by Mr. Warner i g n o r e d k e y recommendations which were intended to improve transparency and give locals the upper hand in the industry.

Urgewald also told the d i r e c t o r s t h a t Wa r n e r injected into the final policy, a provision which allows for Local Content reports submitted to the government by foreign oil companies to remain confidentia , while only a “summary” of those reports would be made public.

Urgewald in its letter said, “Stakeholders have criticized that such confidentiality would hinder the public’s ability Friday, April 17, 2020, the to hold the companies, following is implemented: r e g u l a t o r s a n d government to account Parika-Bartica (Return Trip) Three return trips will be allowed to Bartica on the following days -Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday with the timings as follows: On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the ferry will depart Parika for Bartica at 05:00 AM and will depart Bartica at 12:30PM. On Saturdays, the ferry will leave Parika at 06:00 AM and depart Bartica at 12:30PM. Leguan-Parika (Return Trip) Ferry services will only operate on Wednesdays and Sundays from Leguan to Parika. The ferry will depart Leguan at 07:00 AM and (Continued on page 14)

policies and laws, including the Local Content Policy and Petroleum Taxation and Fiscal Regulations.

However, in a clear breach of legal and ethical standards, the NGO said that multiple contractors hired under the World Bank Project to draft these laws are linked to ExxonMobil, the developer of Guyana’s giant Stabroek offshore oil block.

In February 2019, the NGO reminded that the coalition administration had announced that an oil consultant, Mr. Michael Warner, was hired to finish the drafting of the new Local Content Policy which would apply to new oil projects’ requirements surrounding the participation of Guyanese labour, services and goods.

The organization noted that there was public criticism of the hiring of Mr. Warner, as he is the same contractor who was hired and paid by ExxonMobil to run the oil giant’s Local Content Centre for

New measures introduced for E’bo ferry services

R

elative to the recent outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Guyana, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, under the direction of the Government of Guyana, said it is continuing to implement measures to reduce the transmission of the deadly virus.

The ministry said there are new operational timings for ferry services travelling from Parika to Leguan, Supenaam, Bartica and Wakenaam.

“Please note that the schedule has been amended to facilitate the increased carriage and transport of goods and food supplies to the respective communities, while in compliance with the imposed national curfew.”

Effective from today,

UK Local Content Consultant, Dr. Michael Warner

TT Local Content Expert and Energy Advisor, Anthony Paul

and would prevent them from being able to analyze either compliance with the law or the degree of local economic contributions.”

The NGO added, “The independent national newspaper, Kaieteur News, reports that the confidentiality provisions were not included in the first two drafts of the policy that were done by Trinidadian Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul. The confidentiality provisions were only added after the ExxonMobil-linked oil consultant, Mr. Warner, was hired to revise the new policy.”

When questioned about the procurement process surrounding the hiring of Mr. Warner, the NGO told Directors that the government responded that it used a limited competitive selection process to expedite the award of the contract

consistent with the World B a n k ’s P r o c u r e m e n t Regulations. In addition, an evaluation report was completed and sent to the World Bank for its noobjection.

Urgewald further informed the World Bank Directors that Kaieteur News had since confirmed with the former Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin, that this contract was never advertised. In addition to the clear conflict of interest and resulting policy changes that undermine governance in favour of oil companies, Urgewald said that this contract that was awarded to Warner also raises the important question of why, if Guyana already had a local content expert drafting the new policy, did the World Bank Project fund another contractor under a limited, non-transparent process.

Turning its attention to

another questionable contract, Urgewald noted that the law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth was hired for US$1.2 million to draft new petroleum laws for Guyana, covering, inter alia, tax regime, production sharing c o n t r a c t s , a n d environmental regulations.

Urgewald was keen to note, however, that this very law firm has been representing ExxonMobil for some 40 years.

On this premise, the NGO said the hiring of Hunton Andrews Kurth and Mr. Warner for the drafting of new laws involving oil development, clearly v i o l a t e s t h e B a n k ’s Procurement Regulations.

It said that Section 3.17 of the regulations regarding Conflict of Interest for consulting services, states: “Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower.”

In light of this, the proenvironment agency believes it is high time that the World Bank Directors intervene to remedy the violation of Procurement Regulations, as it believes the current state of affairs would undermine efforts at (Continued on page 15)

Daily @14:00hrs

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Friday April 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Oil, virus and politics Hard, desperate men take gambles that often turn up results which are the opposite of what was calculated.

Recently, in international combat chambers, this was what unfolded relative to oil, even a frightening virus. In Guyana, men have done so on the local political chessboard. Like the international experiences, there will be the haunting that comes with reckoning domestically.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin gambled that the Saudis would blink; that they would retreat from challenging his gambit.

The Russian erred terribly. For as we know, the Saudis delivered its massive retaliation by deliberately flooding supply lanes and driving down oil prices. This it did to everyone’s economic distress, including their own. The thinking of the Saudis was that two can play at this game, and let’s see who could last longer.

Mistake number one necessitated the unlikely intervention of the American leader, whose own oil sector and the related 10 million direct and indirect jobs (in a reeling, suddenly shaky economy) came under attack. To that could be added the wave of bankruptcies that menaced shale producers, who could no longer compete at the near bottoms which the retaliatory action of the Saudis had driven the industry.

From a pariah of a leader came rare wisdom, a powerful example of always present keen business acumen and instincts. Tents have now folded with agreed-upon supply cuts totaling almost 10 million barrels or 10 percent of daily global output. It should help to stabilize prices in the short run, but it may not be enough, as demand for oil is down by 35%, which means that a considerable gap still exists between demand and supply. It is one that does not appear to be narrowing anytime soon. And this merges smoothly with the second set of mistakes made by powerful men that made life deadly.

Whereas the oil war was over money and supremacy, the pestilence of coronavirus is about life itself, as to one’s chances of being infected by it, and then managing to survive it. The word from China was that top leaders knew early, but withheld information and action until it was too late. The analyses and post-mortems lead in the same direction, and with the same harrowing results in Italy and, to a lesser extent, in Spain. It was of many sick, much lost, and too many dead because of leadership sloth, leadership failure, leadership misjudgments. No number of revealing post-mortems is going to reverse the sicknesses and deaths that come to families, and which confirm the unpardonable mistakes of hubristic men that make for misery and madness.

And with oil and virus as contexts, we come to Guyana and politics. Frankly, it is about nothing else here, since that is all that matters to most Guyanese. To repeat for emphasis: there is nothing else that matters beside elections. Like the Middle Eastern, Asian, and European scenarios, powerful men here gamble on envisioned outcomes. They gamble with numbers, with where they could and should take, should calculations come out along settled preconceptions. And like all of those faraway places that have paid heavy prices in their consequential human and national tolls, here in Guyana, political men do the same while they gamble with the lives of citizens.

They linger purposefully (tracing), they stonewall calculatingly (information), they lift finger late (prioritizing) and the results reflect the mistakes that other men made with oil and the same virus now present here. As Guyanese leaders stare down, they bring down the same troubles that haunted sheiks, the democratically elected, the politically powerful.

Oil markets sometimes resist the whims of men and the wands they wave; prices still drift. And so, too, viruses do not bow before leaders with higher priorities, such as retention of power, or assumption of power.

They have a life of their own and humble man in his follies. Fools we are made to be, found wanting when the sternest tests come.

Given where our politics have condemned us, where our elections have imprisoned us, a virus now stalks us and finds us diminished. Local leaders should remember that one about the best laid plans of mice and men….

Coalition officials’ ever changing narrative DEAR EDITOR, When one examines the behaviour and the recent utterances of some members of the coalition you can only come to the conclusion that they are suffering from some sort of malady.

Schizophrenia is diagnosed as a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behaviour that impairs daily functioning and can be a disability. I am no medical expert, but the behaviour of some members of the coalition leads one to believe that help in this area may be needed. If the hats fit, right.

We had the CEO of the GECOM Secretariat, Keith Lowenfield presenting a 156 day plan for the recount of all the votes. This plan was defended by the government nominated Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, and strongly criticized by the opposition-nominated Commissioners, and rightly

so. Strangely enough a few days later the new narrative from the coalition was that the 156 days proposal emanated from the PPP. This despite a counter proposal from the opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioners, which drastically differed from the one Lowenfield presented. Someone is interpreting reality abnormally here.

We then had the new narrative from the coalition that the PPP does not want the recount of all the 10 regions as it would show a larger margin of victory for the coalition than the fraudulent one presented by GECOM. There are numerous occasions where the PPP General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has called for the recount of all the votes. He even signed on to an agreement with Caricom to do so.

The PPP/C and many other NGOs have been saying that since there were no objections to the declaration of the result of the other nine regions, to resolve our current situation in a timely

manner, focus should be on the contentious Region 4.

What is wrong with that?

Even so, however, the PPP has however consistently stated that it has no objection to all the regions being recounted.

In fact it was the APNU/AFC coalition who asked for a recount in Region 5 and Region 6, which they abandoned soon after the recount started.

It would be interesting to hear from them why they stopped. There is obviously some disordered thinking in the APNU/AFC Coalition’s camp, as is evidenced by their actions.

Finally one has to find it quite strange that the coalition would hire a firm to lobby on its behalf with the authorities in the US. Wasn’t it this same coalition who ridiculed the US for getting into our business? Calling them colonizers and other derogatory terms and telling them to stay out of our election business. Now they are seeking assistance from these same persons to prop up their illegal government and to stave off sanctions.

The APNU/AFC coalition is in such a confused state that they have both its leaders David Granger and Joseph Harmon listed as US citizens in the dossier prepared by their lobbyist.

This means that either Harmon lied when he stated that he had given up his citizenship with the US or he is confused. David Granger would need to explain why he was listed as a US citizen. It is clear that persons in the coalition are not operating with stable minds.

The alternative to this reasoning is that they are unbothered about exhibiting utter contempt for the Guyanese people.

Outside of the APNU/ AFC Coalition’s performance in government their recent behaviour - including the abysmal failure that is their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, should disqualify them from being in office.

It is time to get on with the recount of votes in Region 4, so that Guyana could move forward.

Yours truly, S. Greaves

The Private Sector – a study in contradictions DEAR EDITOR, The private sector is increasingly a more outspoken and formidable presence in the public domain. Local politics monopolizes all attention and its every vision and word. As I examine its sprawling presence, I question not merely its motives, I weigh-in also as to its fitness to stand as advocate for any clean continuing, for any new beginning.

As I read and absorb its positions, I discern a clash of conflicts, that it is a study in continuing contradictions.

The same people, large segments from the sector, have a long sordid history. It was of interminable agitations, the endless subterfuges employed to resist, evade, and breach successfully regulations; of how they were a law onto themselves in concealment and deceptions. These are the people, who now step forward for righteous governance when their previously self-denouncing record is of anything approaching such.

Voices now raised in broadening holiness about democracy and transparency have a history going back to a massacre when abundant self-help occurred; but today they speak of justice and truth. There is an even more piercing history from the early years of this century, when swaths of the private sector gave assets and helping

hands in the recruitment of mercenaries. Crime fighters they were called. Now men who were part of the raging disorders and lawlessness lecture local and foreign communities about the undemocratic and injustice.

How about removing the masks first? More than a few of them are now on the radars of concerned foreign intelligence units, of the same foreign governments appealed to for intervention via the sword of sanctions.

With that sweeping sword in mind, they talk today in cautionary notes of the possible catastrophic consequences of sanctions.

My first questions are: Why call for them in the first place?

Why incite the whipped up outsiders to burn down the family hearth, and then turn around and lead the chorus of wailings at the wake, lamenting the loss of it all? I go further: why waste the thought, time, and effort to press for penalties that would make wretched the life of the ordinary man, when all that matters are profits, or is it more about the “decay of businesses”- a reality not to be dismissed at all - that takes center stage?

Since that specter rears its Gorgon-like face, there is hoping for local listening from the obstinate power apparatus. I suggest that such should have been the first commitment, the earliest and unending expressions of dedication to finding a workable solution, to

suppress the flagrant partisan leanings for the bigger betterment. So, why the cry now when the fallouts should have been the primary consideration?

Why not and wither the priority of expending energy, capital, goodwill, conscience (the last two in severe short supply), to carve out a way towards some temporary half-cure that offers a glimmer of a more lasting wholesome settlement?

Having been intertwined tightly with it, I respect the role of businesses, and appreciate that they exist in virtual perpetuity, while I remind that the starving man doesn’t. I remind, also, that businesses bounce back inevitably, no matter how long the downturn cycle, while families have no such luxury and, at best, are mostly condemned to a lifetime of poverty in the aftermath of any recovery.

I submit that local businesspeople have earned a sterling reputation, a palpably dubious one, of swaying with the political times, of tangoing with tyrants, and dancing with democratic abusers. Now having led the charge in calling for swinging this society in the wind to punish a stubborn government by external forces, it doubles back and doubles down to raise alarms from the inside about the dire straits into which those could lead. Be careful what is wished for, it sometimes comes to pass.

The long castigated Cheddi Jagan was laid low because he went against

vested Guyanese business interests that conspired with overseas ideological warriors to run him into the ground and then excommunicated him into deep darkness.

Today, the capitalist leaning David Granger stares at the same fate from the same hands that were raised against the avowed Marxist of old now gone. History does repeat itself, and like a chameleon Guyanese are being told that it is not a spotted creature, but a giraffe of the highest ideals allowed by its elongated neck, of high-minded thinking in the altruistic and patriotic. That would be the day that the devil made! What a bunch of deceivers the ranks of the private sector have metamorphosed into? Cloven hooves are revealed.

I take no issue with the partisan. Come out of the cellophane closet and say it publicly; have the balls to take a stand. I did. Not a single voice was raised, not a single issue that troubled was tabled, when the now opposition was at the helm.

The going was too good, democratic norms were the order of the day. The media can attest.

What I take serious issue with is the private sector seeking many bites out of the apple by pretending at concerns for country and citizens. With friends like these, who needs enemies!

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Friday April 17, 2020

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Recount numbers must approximate numbers from original SOPs DEAR EDITOR, Reporting on the GECOM Chair, a news outlet said, “Importantly, she also sought to dispel any worry that the previous declarations will be used.

The retired Justice noted that once a decision is taken to do a recount, the previous declarations are no longer relevant. When we would have gone into the recount stage, we will no longer come back to those declarations,” she said.

I have a concern with this statement by the Chair as any numbers from the recount must match closely with the numbers on the original statements of poll that the PPP and media have released, but the PNC refused to release. On election night, polling officials and agents were very meticulous in making sure the counts were accurate and they were signed by the polling agents present.

This is borne out in the fact that there were no objections or problems with

the counts in nine regions and 421 boxes in Region 4, until when Apostle Mingo introduced the “rigsheet.” So, the original SOPs are as valid and accurate as can be. Vastly different numbers in the recount would be evidence of rigging.

You can bet your bottom dollar that once the recount is completed and it is verified that the PPP is the winner, that a vexatious, frivolous, spurious lawsuit would be filed by the PNC, to further drag out the process and cling on to power. Burnham’s rigging virus has no cure.

I don’t know why the opposition parties agreed to a total recount as that seems totally unnecessary, and presents an opportunity for centralized rigging and more GECOM/PNC mischief. The only problem in the count was Mingo’s abortion of the Region 4 tallies using the SOPs and substituting a “rigsheet.” The Chief Justice ordered GECOM to complete the Region 4 count using the SOPs, and that was never

DISCLAIMER DEAR EDITOR, Early yesterday morning I received several telephone calls at my home in the US pertaining to a letter appearing in yesterday’s Kaieteur News under the caption ‘We are still struggling and spiraling downwards in 2020’’, penned by one Avinash Bhagwandin.

I wish to categorically

state that I, Avinaish Bhagwandin, formerly of the Ministry of Trade and Laparkan, am not the author of this letter and wish to so inform your readers.

I would appreciate your publishing this disclaimer at the earliest opportunity.

Many thanks, Avinaish Bhagwandin

Could it be?

DEAR EDITOR, Six weeks and counting since National and Regional elections were held and no final result yet.

The many machinations and shenanigans being played out by GECOM with a

chairperson in place give rise to query is it possible, just possible, the former opposition leader must be ruing his decision to nominate the current chair for the position?

Shamshun Mohamed

Useful information DEAR EDITOR, A classmate of mine was kind enough to send me a link to information on the virus which has global figures. Recently a letter writer in the press was commenting on the survival rate and death rate associated with the virus.

A lot of the information was incorrect when compared to the global figures and runs the risk of misleading the public.

According to Worldometer which is tracking the coronavirus via a global database, there is a 6.5% death rate for those infected if open cases are included. However, for closed

cases there is a 21% death rate.

I would encourage all those interested to take a look at the data online to avoid anyone misleading you.

The database also allows you to search by country.

This may prove useful when decisions are being made to open up access to the Guyana.

Given the current high death rate it is important that a premature decision isn’t made in relaxing the safety measures currently in place.

Stay safe, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

done.

The PPP should activate the contempt actions. A total recount seems so unnecessary and allows for the illegal PNC dictatorship to squat in power and continue misusing state resources.

Already the government has contracted with a US company to do PR work for the PNC. They are using propaganda to say they are pro-USA and better than the PPP, and despite cussing out the international community to butt out of Guyana’s affairs, they are asking the international community to side with them and look the other way as they rig against the PPP. Essentially they are admitting they lost but want international help to stay in power, notwithstanding the results showing the PPP won.

This latest action shows

the PNC is up to no good and will not relinquish power, unless there is mass protest, agitation, and sanctions.

Someone needs to file a lawsuit against that rape of the treasury and against former Ministers pretending to be Ministers still. GECOM better make sure there are no tricks that would cause the recount number to be vastly different from the original numbers on the original SOPs in possession of all parties, the media, foreign embassies and organizations who were provided with copies, and by private individuals who took pictures of the SOPs posted at the polling places.

Current indications are that GECOM is still carrying water for the PNC as evidenced by Lowenfield’s 156-day proposal for the recount.

I don’t know why the

Guyanese nation deserves such torture and cruelty from the Lowenfield/Alexander duo, and the Chair does nothing. GECOM is doing everything and more to make sure we do not have a fair credible count with the utmost speed, as a constitutional deadline for the new parliament to be sworn in looms upon us.

And the Chair does nothing! The longer this process drags out, the war of attrition increases the PNC’s chance of pulling off a successful rig. All the contesting parties must hold a joint position and fight for many observers, live media coverage, and open transparency. We must watch them as a hawk, or as someone said like “four eye” fishes. They are doing the recount kicking and screaming and both GECOM

and the PNC are up to no good.

If Lowenfield is not bright enough or unable to come up with a plan using many counting stations and completion in a short time, the Chair needs to replace him and assign the task to another. How can he keep showing up at meetings without revised plans and he is still employed.

The Convention Center has lots of room space and hallway space to set up multiple stations. Or the chair can adopt Mr. Gunraj’s plan or that of the Guyana Budget & Policy Institute.

There is simply no trust in GECOM being honest brokers and the PNC having any honesty, integrity or decency. We all need to be as vigilant as ever! Madame Chair, do your job!

Jerry Singh

The duplicity of Mr. Harmon’s statements DEAR EDITOR, Over the course of the past few weeks, Mr Joseph Harmon has repeatedly stated that the David Granger Government complies with the rule of law and the constitution.

The duplicity of Mr Harmon’s statements can be exposed by considering the following: 1. In Gomes v Attorney General- The High Court ruled that instructions given by Simona Broomes to the Police Service Commission were unlawful and

unconstitutional.

2. In matters filed by Berbice Rice Farmers- The Court ruled that directions given by the President to the MMA to cancel their leases were unconstitutional.

3. In Jaigobin v AttorneyGeneral- Court rules that directions given by former US citizen, Joseph Harmon to the Police Service Commission were unconstitutional.

Clearly, Mr Harmon did not learn from the Broomes’ fiasco as he committed the identical error.

4. No confidence casesthe CCJ rejected the government’s argument that 33 is not a majority of 65 and also ruled that the no confidence motion was validly passed. Yet, the government refused to hold elections in 3 months.

5. Morian v AG- Court of Appeal rules that the President’s appointments of Felix and Scott as technocrats were unconstitutional.

These are only a few examples that exposes Harmon’s statement as asinine. Now, if Mr Harmon is

serious about the rule of law, which mandates that the public’s access to information is unhindered, then I challenge him to do 2 things within 24 hours: 1. Release APNU AFC’s statements of poll for public consumption and scrutiny.

2. Provide evidence that he has relinquished his US citizenship.

Unless he does these things, Mr Harmon has no right to say that APNU AFC complies with the rule of law.

Yours faithfully, Krishnanandat Arjune

Minister Norton expresses condolences on passing of literary icons DEAR EDITOR, The Hon. Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton wishes to express his sincerest condolences on the passing of Guyanese literary icons, Dr. Michael Gilkes and Mr. Samuel Rudolph Seymour, better known as ‘Rudy’.

Dr. Gilkes was a celebrated poet, actor, playwright, director, and literary critic. According to reports, Gilkes passed away on Tuesday morning after spending three nights in the

intensive care unit fighting the Covid-19 coronavirus in England.

He died at the age of 86.

His last piece of work was a film titled, “Maira and the Jaguar People”, which was directed and produced in collaboration with the Makushi community of Surama.

There were also reports on the passing of former Guyanese newspaper cartoonist, Rudy Seymour who succumbed in New York City at the age of 93.

Both Dr. Gilkes and Mr. Seymour have made indelible contributions to the Cultural and Creative Arts industry in Guyana and we hope that their

families take comfort in the fact that their work will forever be cherished as tangible aspects of Guyana’s history.

May their souls find eternal rest.

Ministry of Social Cohesion

PAGE 6

Friday April 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

Will big businesses help the vulnerable during Corona pandemic?

DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to “Corporate Social Responsibility?” (KN Apr 14).

Hemdutt Kumar rightly presents the caption as a question and pointedly asked in concluding paragraph: Are large business partners in development or are they predators? The latter seems more like it based on my experience with seeking assistance from those who control ‘larger’ businesses and from conversations with volunteers who run charitable NGOs to aid the poor and promote national development. I approached many business owners to assist in projects in Guyana to help the vulnerable, but I could not raise a cent. The poor gave of their labour and time. Others related similar experience stating that only a few small business owners and a handful of professionals helped with projects. I am aware Glenn Lall and a few others give generously.

Anyone who studies economics would know that proprietors (with rare exception) of ‘big’ businesses are hardly interested in national development; they are only interested in profits for shareholders or their

family members to enjoy the good life at the expense of the middle and lower classes (or the poor). Proprietors of ‘small’ businesses turn out to be the genuine partners in development and are far more helpful in aiding the poorer class. The ‘rich’ hardly or reluctantly gives while the poorer classes pour forth kindness and charities from the heart. Take note of who have been leading the charge to help the vulnerable during the Corona crisis. It is not the wealthy class! The volunteers who seek to help the vulnerable are not from the wealthy class. Those who put their health at risk to help others are not from the rich class. And when the rich gives to the poorer sections of society or to any charitable cause, it generally becomes a ‘showpiece’ for media attention; they invite media for coverage. When the lower or middle class or poor gives, they don’t crave attention.

Whenever ‘poorer’ Guyanese from abroad visit ‘home’, they would take gifts (hundreds of dollars worth) for neighbours, friends, families and there is no media coverage.

Whenever I visited Guyana, at least six times a year over many years, I took at least two (sometimes three or four) suitcases of items for charity.

Do the rich emulate such kindness and generosity when they return from their trips abroad? During the pandemic, one small businessman made shields for doctors that were given free to Georgetown public hospital and it goes unreported. Small farmers and businesses are taking the lead in giving out assistance to help feed the vulnerable (including those who lost their jobs from Corona).

Regrettably for this Corona pandemic, I could only give financial assistance as I am stuck in New York, and I am an educator, not a businessman. A small bakery in Port Mourant gives out bread daily to the poor.

A Cambio owner has been very generous to the poor over many years and has come forward to helping financially during this pandemic crisis. Glen Lall of KN helps a lot of people over decades. Another media owner also helps the poor. Both give from their heart but don’t put it in the media.

I remember when we had the flooding some fifteen years ago, it was the working class and the small businesses that rushed to aid stricken families. The poorer sections of society and the working class and volunteers

from small NGOs bore the burden to feed and shelter people while the wealthier business class largely shuttered their doors. And when the rich gives, they recover their ‘donation’ as business expense or costs of doing business to lower their tax responsibility; in effect, the larger businesses are not really aiding the victims of calamities out of kindness from the heart. It is all part of business.

And they always seek something in return. Some years ago I went to a cousin of mine to seek assistance for destitute ancestral relatives in a village in India. This businessman, with no children, and proprietor of multiple businesses, among the largest in the country, asked me, how would his giving financial assistance to the poor benefit his business? I walked away never to ask for anything again. I give whatever I can afford.

With regards to the current pandemic, notice who have been leading the movement to assist people: the smaller businesses and working class. The rich, with a few exceptions, are not aiding the vulnerable. People (seamstresses and tailors) stitching from their homes or small businesses are volunteering to make masks that are being doled out for free to the public; some small business owners are making medical outer protective garments giving out to medical personnel. Big businesses are not freely coming forth to help with covering costs of mask preparations or making protective equipments for medical personnel.

It should be noted that big businesses don’t have a shortage of money to donate to corrupt politicians. They give freely because the returns (in acquiring land, business deals, contracts) are larger than what they give. But the middle and lower class and those who give small amounts of money get virtually nothing in return from the corrupt politicians. The ‘small man’ or poor volunteer gives a million times more in free labour and service than the big business, but politicians don’t remember the small man or the poor. Only those who give big money are remembered and rewarded with land and contracts. The poor are made to suffer. Will big business step up to help the vulnerable during the pandemic?

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Friday April 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 07

Local millers under pressure from $1.4B owed by Panama for two years L

ocal rice millers are upping the pressure for the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) to find an urgent resolution to an outstanding matter of more than a billion dollars owed to them from Panama.

Under the governmentto-government arrangement, the GRDB would have been the facilitator. However, for more than two years now, rice millers have not been receiving payments.

Yesterday, Essequibo r i c e m i l l e r, R o o p a n ‘Fowlcock’ Ramotar complained to Kaieteur News that he has read that there have been increased purchases from neighbouring Venezuela, and enough supplies for the local market.

Ramotar said he is owed a significant sum.

The statements were attributed to General Manager, Nizam Hassan, who also indicated of an excellent harvest.

The Panamanian market, about six years old, has been

an emerging one.

Guyana had lost the Venezuela market in 2015, but it has been recovered, with a major trade ongoing.

With regards to Panama and the outstanding money, of about US$7M, millers are saying that for two years now, there have been no payments for rice supplied to that Spanish-speaking country.

According to Ragindra Persaud, Chairman of the Guyana Rice Millers and Exporters Association, the matter indeed has been engaging operations. He said that the money had been outstanding about two years now, with a governmentchange in Panama last July compounding the situation.

“We understand that the local dealer in Panama has not been paid. So too Guyana has not been paid.”

According to Persaud, whose family controls Nand Persaud Group of Companies, one of the country’s biggest rice millers, the association and GRDB had sought the

intervention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It was disclosed that headway was made with the Panamanian government, indicating that provisions would be made for the payments in its national budget. The budget appeared to have been passed only recently.

“It is a government-togovernment arrangement, so we are working to resolve this matter,” the official explained.

In fact, Kaieteur News was told that the millers’ body has even sent a lawyer’s letter to GRDB asking for the money.

However, it appears that GRDB does not have the money.

Kaieteur News was unable to make contact with GRDB’s General Manager, Nizam Hassan, for a comment.

Gold and rice, and now oil, have been the mainstay for the country’s revenues in recent years, with the fallout from COVID-19 placing more importance on food.

Rice millers are fighting to get paid about US$7M owed to them by the Panamanian government. It has been outstanding for two years now.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Friday April 17, 2020

EPA’s report on our compliance unduly delayed -Troy Resources - Mining company rejects narrative that safety is not a high priority

F

ollowing reports of a fuel spill and most recently, a collapsed wall at the Karouni Mining pit, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams has told Kaieteur News that a rigourous

operations audit is hanging over the head of Australian mining company, Troy Resources Inc. According to the EPA Head, the “poor safety performance” of the company appears to indicate that production is of a higher

priority to the company.

Troy Resources, on the other hand, is in total disagreement with this narrative, while reminding that it has won the national safety award from the Guyanese government, two years in a row (2018 and

2019).

Further to this, Troy disclosed that its records indicate that the last time the EPA was at the Karouni site was on March 17-20, where it facilitated two senior EPA Environmental officers, Collis Primo and Roger Simon, who identified no significant issues. It was also keen to note that the official r e p o r t f r o m t h e E PA regarding that compliance audit has been “unduly delayed.”

Speaking to the fuel spill that occurred at its Karouni mine, Troy recalled that indeed, the company, along with its subcontractor, Rubis Guyana Inc., was fined for the incident. It was keen to note, however, that the EPA was not aware that Rubis was actually the entity that was in the wrong.

Kaieteur News understands that it is Rubis that actually operates the fuel farm under contract to Troy, and is expected to provide the Aussie firm with needed maintenance service.

Be that as it may, Troy said that it assumed the proper stance and immediately acted to rectify the fuel spill when it occurred, before it even received a letter from the EPA on how it should proceed.

The company told Kaieteur News that it took responsibility regarding measures to protect the environment and personnel, as it should, and immediately deployed an emergency response plan, which included retraining of the fuel farm operators.

In fact, Troy said that this was almost complete before the EPA letter arrived. “It is complete now, except for long term remediation,” the company said.

COLLAPSED WALL With regard to the slippage on the North Wall of the Hicks Four Phase Two pit at Karouni which has caught the attention of the EPA Head, Troy Resources told Kaieteur News that this was a completely managed, riskmitigated slippage that was identified by the Senior Mine Engineer on his daily pit safety inspection on April 9, last.

The company said that this is a required duty of the engineer in line with its philosophy of safe production. Troy said, “Our actions which he initiated immediately upon noticing the crack, was to pull all workers and equipment away from the wall to make it safe.

This area was flagged off to prevent any exposure to workers.

We then immediately commenced a joint mine engineering and geology team to design a cutback remediation that was sent to our Geotechnical Engineering Advisors on Sunday the 12th for approval, where it is being evaluated at the moment with additional information required including hydrogeological groundwater information and diamond drill mapping.”

The Aussie firm added, “The wall sloughed, as predicted on the 12th in a

EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams fully managed and safe manner. Once the cut-back design around the fault zone is received, we will share it with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission prior to recommencing mining, as always.”

Kaieteur News understands that Troy’s Karouni Project and the Rosebel Gold Mine in Suriname mine are in similar unique and complex geologic conditions. Both mines are in the same Guiana Shield that extends from Venezuela to the east of the Amazon.

Troy Resources explained that the mines face the same challenges, with rocks that are deeply weathered with saprolite and transition sap-rock extending to depths in excess of 70 metres.

Pit wall stability is therefore a challenge due to highly faulted relict structures, groundwater, rainfall and protolith.

Kaieteur News

Friday April 17, 2020

PAGE 09

The curve which cannot be bent The belated attempt by APNU+AFC to swing official US opinion in Washington is a clear case of the Coalition lacking a proper understanding of international politics. If it had such an understanding, the Coalition’s approach to the issue of the electoral impasse would have been different.

The problems with Guyana’s general and regional elections emerged six weeks ago. Three days after the elections, the United States, European Union, Canada and the United Kingdom questioned the credibility of the results given the problems which emerged during the tabulation of District 4.

On 14th March, the same western countries, having witnessed Mingo at work, threatened international isolation if a President was sworn-in on the basis of

discredited results. In the days and weeks that followed, the international c o m m u n i t y, i n c l u d i n g C A R I C O M , t h e Commonwealth and the Organization of American States, made known their concerns over the elections.

They had nothing but unflattering words to say f o l l o w i n g M i n g o ’s mingimingi tabulations.

The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom and the Secretary of State of the United States, two of the most powerful men in the world, made it clear that anything other than credible results would invite serious implications.

APNU and the AFC ignored these warnings, no doubt believing that they would stretch out the elections controversy until they would have worn their opponents down, and until the international community

forgot the conspiracy which had taken place with the electoral process.

Things got to a stage where the government became so cocky in their belief that they could rule on the basis of rigged elections, that they alleged external interference in the internal affairs of the state and, in response to the criticisms levelled, said that Guyana was a sovereign state. The local US Embassy issued a stinging rebuke to them on this score, lecturing the government on the principle of non-interference.

The government still seemed unbothered by the threat of sanctions emanating from western capitals. They actually believed they could get away with stealing the elections.

So what now accounts for this about-turn?

They were wrong. And it has taken them six weeks to

Dem boys seh...

GECOM people back in de disco Dem boys did warn y’all that you can’t put cat fuh watch milk. Dem seh that the OAS seh the same thing, but in different words.

Bruce de Goldfish, the former Jamaica leader, tell GECOM that the OAS nah want fuh see bias people involve in the recount. He mean all of dem who been engaged in rigging should play no part in the recount. Dem boys agree wid he.

But dem boys know how some of dem gat no sham… like you know who.

Dem boys seh too much fancy footwork tekkin’ place with this recount. It look like the old crooks up to dem old tricks again. Dem believe dem back in de disco and on the dance floor – skatin’, slippin’ and slidin’.

No name, no warrant! But dem boys know who should be there and who should not be. Dem boys know that some of dem

only pretending dem want recount.

Dem real plan is to create a kerfuffle – a big commotion. Dem dragging it out to put things in place.

Dem boys feel the foot-dragging with the recount could change overnight.

All dem US embassy got to do is ask some of dem scamps in GECOM to bring in dem passports. Yuh gun see how quick dem guh get sense.

Wah miss some a dem, nah guh pass dem.

Dem holding de country to ransom with dem shadiness. And dem boys know that the whole world seeing wha going on, and that dem embassy gun tek action when the time is right. Every man jack who try to rig elections gun gat to face the music.

Talk half and wait fuh see who spouse and pickney gun get letter from de embassy soon.

realize the folly of their ways. They have had a rude awakening. And it is not easy to guess the reasons why they have now come to their senses.

The pressure may have moved from the mere threat of sanctions to the actual imposition of targeted sanctions. It is quite possible that some government officials and their immediate family members may have already received notification about possible revocation of their visas. Some of them with funds in foreign banks may have received red flags on their accounts, thus triggering the last-minute attempt to lobby Washington.

APNU+AFC is now scurrying to do what should have been done five weeks prior. It is too late. The infection of illegitimacy has risen to a level where it cannot be reversed; the curve cannot be bent.

The hiring of a legal firm to undertake lobbying on behalf of the government is a waste of time and money.

The government says that the funds are being sourced f r o m t h e C o a l i t i o n ’s

supporters. It is highly improper for partisan funds to be used to finance representation on behalf of government.

The lobbying will not change the narrative.

We s t e r n n a t i o n s a r e cemented in their conviction about the conduct of the general and regional elections. The misconduct in the District 4 tabulation process was done in full view of international observers and the representatives of the western countries.

Nothing which the government’s lobbyists can do now will change what the o b s e r v e r s a n d representatives saw. They had a front seat view of the rigging. They saw the players. They know who was threatening who, within and outside Ashmin’s building.

They know who was locked away in their offices. They know who did not intervene.

They know who came and threatened to withdraw the accreditation of the observers, and by now they would have known who sent that person to do so.

The United States

Secretary of State does not make a public statement threatening serious consequences, unless he has at his disposal all the facts, and unless those facts have been properly vetted. He would have been thoroughly briefed, as would have been his colleague in the United Kingdom, the Foreign Secretary.

The only way out for APNU+AFC would be for it to accept the democratic will of the people and step down.

S o m e o f t h e m k n o w, however, that given their age and discredited reputations, they will not have another chance. And therefore they do not want to step down.

They and their families will have to face the consequences. They may already be doing so.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Friday April 17, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

JJ&B’s jalebi task The traditional saying that you give someone a basket to fetch water hardly applies to what APNU+AFC is asking the American lobbying firm, JJ&B, to do. I would more liken the task to the nature of the Hindi sweet meat, jalebi. I grew up in a Hindu home where jalebi was common.

I have had jalebi all my life. It is a very soft item, which if you hold it, it gets sticky and if you don’t hold it properly, parts of it can fall

out your hand, because it is a very soft sweet. The jalebi that APNU+AFC is paying JJ&B thousands of US dollars for, will soon drop out of the hands of JJ&B. The jalebi JJ&B is holding is so soft that maybe it is running all over the palms of its holders in Washington, D.C. How about likening the jalebi that JJ&B is holding to McArthur Park? That is the title of one of the most wonderful ballads ever

composed. The song was world famous in the late sixties, and I remember liking it when the hippie days descended on the world.

Here are a few lines that when you make the analogy to JJ&B, then you will see that JJ&B cannot save APNU+AFC. No one can save APNU+AFC. The recipe cannot be found, so MacArthur’s Park cannot be baked again.

MacArthur’s Park is

melting in the dark All the sweet, green icing flowing down Someone left the cake out in the rain I don’t think that I can take it ‘Cause it took so long to bake it And I’ll never have that recipe again What is APNU+AFC asking JJ&B to do? One hopes the key players in JJ&B are familiar with the reverse meaning of the Midas Touch. Once you are dealing with Guyanese, anything you negotiate with them does not turn to gold but feces. First, it is virtually impossible to secure material through research to prove that APNU+AFC won the poll. One does not have to compile a dossier on what every foreign observer group has pronounced on. Now this group includes even the CARICOM team.

From March 4 until this date, APNU+AFC has used the most asinine stratagems, the most idiotic mechanisms, the most imbecilic tools, to rig the election - beginning with the ugliest, crudest methods of tabulating the Region 4 votes, methods that when shown to JJ&B they have to be shocked.

We need not describe t h o s e c l o w n i s h masturbations and take up space. The world is familiar with Mingo’s minglemangle; Lowenfield’s sixmonth counting blueprint,

the AFC’s Russian ghosts and Alexander’s discovery that there cannot be a winner even if you do a recount.

How in the midst of these mountainous asininities, plus the data on the GECOM ugliness that the international observers found, can JJ&B convince any human with a working brain that APNU+AFC won the 2020 poll?

In my column of Sunday, April 12, 2020; “156 days: The intellectual bankruptcy of election riggers,” I wrote the following; “Of course, there are weeks ahead and the recount is still to be done.

T h e re f o re t h e re i s a ubiquitous curiosity making the rounds – what more foolishness, clownish sickness, shockingly embarrassing antics do the GECOM conspirators and the PNC - AFC monarchs have up their sleeves? Will Mingo’s replacement be a worse acrobat?”

So we did not have to wait too long. We now have the jalebi JJ&B is holding in its hand. Guyanese are seeing the most sickening foolishness in electoral politics that has never been seen before in the modern world.

First, a government that does not participate in elections is paying an American consultancy thousands of US dollars to provide Guyanese with the evidence that it won the 2020 poll. Do governments win elections? That is not only

Frederick Kissoon arrogance it is dangerous totalitarianism. The Guyana Government has no constitutional and legal basis for paying a foreign firm to prove to the nation that APNU+AFC won the general election. That is never and should never be the role of central government. It is APNU+AFC that has to find money, employ a PR firm, and let them do their work.

A foolish-looking Joe Harmon now informs the nation that “incensed” supporters paid JJ&B. He did not mention which supporters – PNC or AFC, or both. So if they did pay, why did he sign as DirectorGeneral of the Ministry of the Presidency? He is the General-Secretary of APNU. Why he didn’t sign in that capacity?

And Granger had to see the dossier that was submitted to JJB which states that he, Granger, is a citizen of the US. Granger, the PNC and AFC have fallen apart, but why the continuing asininities?

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

Kaieteur News

Friday April 17, 2020

PAGE 11

Guyana among countries recognised for commitment to CCJ as final appellate Court Guyana is among four CARICOM States being recognised for commitment to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as a final court of appeal.

In a statement issued to mark the Court’s 15th Anniversary, President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders noted that in its Appellate Jurisdiction, the CCJ is the final court of appeal for criminal and civil matters for those countries in the Caribbean that alter their national constitutions to enable the CCJ to perform that role.

Justice Saunders said that at present, four states access the Court in its Appellate Jurisdiction, these being Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Guyana.

He said “by signing and ratifying the agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice, Member States of the Community have demonstrated a commitment to making the CCJ their final court of appeal.

The Court is the realisation of a vision of our

President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders ancestors, an expression of independence and a signal of the region’s coming of age.

Saunders, who leads a panel of seven judges, admitted that “while the current global environment is a sombre one as we fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to acknowledge this milestone”.

“It is important that we thank all of the countries that have allowed us to serve them, both in the original and

appellate jurisdictions. We also thank counsel both from the region and outside the region who have appeared before the Court and assisted us with their submission.

Your faith in us is our driving force as we continue to work towards “providing accessible, fair and efficient justice for the people and states of the Caribbean Community”.

The CCJ President said that since its inauguration in 2005, the Court has worked on the premise that it is more just than a building, it is a service.

“This is a service that we have taken seriously, as the establishment of the CCJ was a defining moment in the history of the people of the region.

For those countries that embrace our appellate jurisdiction, it symbolises the end of colonial ties. Even for those states that only operate under the Court’s original jurisdiction, the CCJ signalled a new and different approach to regionalism.”

As such, Saunders said the Court has adopted its

vision “To be a model of judicial excellence.”

“We have risen to the challenge, ensuring that we produce quality judgments that are responsive to the needs of the region and are reflective of our history, values and traditions.”

According to Saunders, the CCJ has also promoted a culture that supports legal development, one that enhances the quality of judges and court administration throughout

the region.

This has resulted in capacity-building bodies such as the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers, the CCJ Academy for Law and The Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening Project, each of which helps to transform the legal profession and justice sectors across the wider Caribbean.

The Court has been one that long responded to the need to meet its peoples

virtually, Saunders added.

For quite some time now, technology has afforded all of the Court’s filing and case processing and management systems to be conducted electronically or automatically.

“Many hearings are conducted via video conferencing. Our new Practice Directions allow for emergency hearings so that we can continue our work seamlessly in both sure and uncertain times,” he said.

Blood bank experiences severe shortage due to COVID-19 fears

T

he National B l o o d Transfusion Service (NBTS) is experiencing a severe shortage of blood as a result of growing concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 infectious disease.

Kaieteur News understands that persons have not been visiting the blood bank which is located

in the compound of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to

donate.However, the NBTS has nonetheless assured that individuals are not at risk of contracting COVID-19 by virtue of visiting the facility if they desire to lend a helping hand by donating the life-saving substance.

The NBTS usually holds nationwide blood drives.

A sufficient blood supply is necessary to achieve (Continued on page 15)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Friday April 17, 2020

GECOM Chair to announce details of recount today G

By Kemol King uyana Elections Commission ( G E C O M ) C h a i r, ( r e t ’ d ) J u s t i c e Claudette Singh SC is set to inform the Commission, today, of her final decisions on the modalities of the recount. Those modalities are key to determining the duration of the recount.

This is what was communicated to reporters

by Commissioners Vincent Alexander and Sase Gunraj, following the Commission’s meeting yesterday. GECOM was set to make these determinations a few days ago, but the decisions have been postponed time after time for varying reasons, even as Commissioners have noted the growing frustration and impatience of the electorate.

The two Commissioners said that there would be no meeting of the Commission today. Singh is expected communicate her decisions to them via email.

The Commissioners aired their proposals

exhaustively during yesterday’s meeting and the Chair has opted to take all of the proposals under advisement.

Commonwealth Senior Technical Advisor Dr. Afari Gyan was present in the meeting, according to Gunraj, and the Chair is expected to consult with the advisor before making her decision. The Chair will also consult with CARICOM, who is expected to field a mission to validate the recount.

Alexander explained that

stations are to be used. He informed reporters that she briefly adjourned the meeting yesterday to communicate with CARICOM, after which she reconvened the meeting.

She reportedly revealed that CARICOM expressed c o n c e r n a b o u t Commissioner Gunraj’s proposal of 20 workstations, because it would involve many persons being in one compound.

In the context of COVID-19, Alexander disagrees with the proposal.

Chung Conference Centre.

This did not bother Gunraj, as he opined that the Centre had sufficient space to maintain the necessary social distance.

Gunraj said that he believed he had sufficiently justified his proposal in both his written and oral supplements.

Alexander had made a very different proposition on behalf of the Governmentnominated Commissioners.

Alexander had made a proposal for eight workstations, following the visit to the centre. With his proposal, there would be two stations in the eastern wing

Table showing proposals made by Commissioners the decisions the Chair has to make, all surround the duration of the exercise, especially as it relates to how long it would take on average to examine one ballot box and how many counting

Gunraj had said that he estimated there would be about 15 persons per workstation, which meant 300 persons would have to be present in the compound of the Arthur

of the auditorium, two in the western wing, one in the

GECOM Chair, Claudette Singh, after a site visit at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Wednesday dining hall, one in the western half of the courtyard, and consideration for two on the eastern and western patios. He also suggested dining be done in the eastern half of the courtyard.

He had a lot to say in opposition to the proposal by the Opposition-nominated Commissioners.He explained that Gunraj

considered his [Alexander’s] proposal for workstations inside the centre, and suggested adding more on the lawns of the centre to add up to the 20 stations that he proposed.Alexander said that Commissioner Robeson Benn appeared to assume Gunraj’s proposal as his own, at one point, and proposed that all of the 20 (Continued on page 16)

Gov’t dossier lists Granger as US citizen, Ministry says not so

By Shikema Dey “The President is not a dual citizen!” Ministry of the P r e s i d e n c y ’ s Communications Director, Mark Archer, stated emphatically yesterday to Kaieteur News.

However, a government dossier entitled “Guyana 2020 Election” would have one believe otherwise, as it clearly has the incumbent President, David Granger, listed as a United States citizen.

The dossier was among public documents released; prepared on behalf of the government by Washington lobbyist firm JJ&B, LLC who was contracted to change the narrative being peddled by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in the international community.

When the dossier was circulated, questions were raised as to why the President was listed as a US citizen, when the constitution explicitly bars candidates for the general elections from holding dual citizenship.

All candidates who contested the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections were required to make sworn decrees that they were aware of a provision in the constitution that prohibits dual citizens from participating in the presidential elections.

President David Granger

That provision is Article 155 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Guyana which states, that “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who is, by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”

However, the dossier on page on page 135 has “President and Chief of State, H i s E x c e l l e n c y, D a v i d Granger: United States Citizen, U.S & British military training, Prolific Author, Former Chief of Staff of Guyana’s Defense Force.”

Prior to the elections, Dr. Vi s h n u B a n d h u , C a r l Greenidge, Valerie Leung, Gail Teixeira and Lenox Shuman were among those who held dual citizenship and

relinquished same in order to be eligible to contest in the elections.

Pressure was especially placed on Shuman, Presidential Candidate for the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) when it was discovered that he was still a dual citizen.

Shuman told Kaieteur News that if there is any truth to the listing in the dossier, the President has “perjured himself” and needs to immediately correct it, as the constitution is clear.

The dual citizenship issue emerged in December 2018 when Alliance For Change (AFC) member Charrandass Persaud voted in favour of a No Confidence Motion brought by the opposition.

Hours after, Persaud, who is also a Canadian citizen, left the country.

Kaieteur News

Friday April 17, 2020

PAGE 13

Bandits tell owner, workers to wear face masks, while robbing store Investigators at the crime scene

The robbery took place at this store Two gunmen make good their escape yesterday afternoon around 15:00hrs after robbing a cellular phone store located on Regent Street.

At the time of the incident, owner of Cellular Connection Gift and Variety Store, Wendy Seepersaud

and four of her employees were in the store.

Kaieteur News understands that upon entering the establishment, the men told everyone present to put on their face masks so that they (bandits) would be protected from the deadly Coronavirus.

In an interview with Kaieteur News, Ms. Seepersaud explained that prior to the incident, two men came on a motorcycle and parked some distance away from the store.

About one minute later, one of the men entered the store and told one of the

Health Ministry confirms two new cases of COVID-19 - total moves to 57

A

s of yesterday, April 15, two more individuals have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID19) in Guyana, increasing the total number of confirmed cases to 57.

This was disclosed by Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, during her COVID-19 update to the nation. Up to press time, the number of deaths remained at six.

Minister Lawrence disclosed that between February 26 and April 16, some 260 individuals were evaluated for coronavirus, of which 203 tests came back negative.

She added that in the Ministry’s quarantine and isolation facilities, the numbers are 14 and 42, respectively.

Four individuals who have developed worsened conditions are now patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Furthermore, the health official was keen to emphasize that nine persons have recovered thus far.

“Of the 57 positive COVID-19 cases, four are known to have a travel history and the other 53 persons contracted the Coronavirus Disease in Guyana,” Minister Lawrence

explained, while noting that Region 4 represents more than 80% of cases.

To date, most of those who tested positive are males. In the over-50 age group, males and females are almost equally affected.

However, in the 30 – 49 age group, most of those who

COVID-19.

Let me remind you of those conditions: chronic lung diseases such as Asthma & Bronchitis as well as those associated with smoking high blood pressure and heart diseases, diabetes or high blood sugar, and diseases associated with immune-

have tested positive are almost 4:1 when comparing males to females The Health Ministry’s COVID-19 hotline continues to receive calls from concerned citizens which now total 2,066. “We thank you for these calls and wish to remind you to use the COVID-19 App as well as the hotline in your regions to seek information on this disease,” the Minister said.

“Yesterday (Wednesday), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), spoke to you about those persons with underlying conditions that are at additional risk for developing the more complicated form of

compromised conditions s u c h a s H I V, c a n c e r s especially persons on treatment, Lupus among others.” “ D r. P e r s a u d a l s o mentioned that in Guyana there is a large group of persons as early as their midtwenties who have these conditions.

So, I am appealing to all those persons who fall in this group to take all precautions to prevent this disease.

Further, if you have signs and symptoms of COVID-19, act promptly and seek medical assistance via our hotline, the COVID-19 app and/or the nearest Health Facility,” Minister Lawrence concluded.

salesgirls that he wanted to purchase an iPhone charger.

“She told him to wait at the front of the store…He came walking behind her and came straight up to me and pull out the gun. He pull the drawer, take out the money…but he wasn’t satisfied, he said this is not all the money, and I said this is all the money I sold for the day.”

The men were wearing black face masks.

Ms. Seepersaud said that after robbing the store, the bandits then ordered that nobody should move or else it would “end deadly”.

The duo escaped with cell phones, electronic tablets and colognes in a suitcase. They also took the employees’ personal handbags.

The store owner also said that the incident left her in a state of shock, and that for the past two weeks the doors of her store had been partially closed in keeping with the measures put in place to tackle Covid-19.

Investigators are collected CCTV footage from the crime scene. Up to press time no arrest had been made.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Greenidge not fired; removal associated with ‘cleaning the slate’ – Harmon Carl Greenidge was not fired from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nor was he terminated. Rather, his removal from the Ministry is part of the President’s endeavour to clean the slate, in anticipation of a possible new term for the government, dependent on the eventual outcome of the March general and regional elections.

This was the assertion of Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon, when asked yesterday whether Greenidge was fired.

A report in another section of the media had indicated that the Foreign Affairs Minister turned Foreign Secretary was no longer with the Ministry.

Harmon explained yesterday that the President is “doing what he has to do” in terms of bringing the engagements of Ministers,

Former Foreign Secretary, Carl Greenidge advisors and other such personnel to an end.

“This is what you call cleaning the slate,” he said.

Harmon explained that, thereafter, those persons would be invited to meet with the President to determine what their role would be in a possible future cabinet or government, as “the President has to make a determination as to what his cabinet will look like, and his Ministers in that way”.

He explained that the

persons would contemplate their role and say to the President “this is my proposal, let us discuss it”.

The question some would ask at this point is: Why hasn’t the slate yet been cleaned entirely?

Harmon said that his understanding is that letters were prepared for everybody “but because of the situation that occurred afterwards with recount for Region four and so on, the President was not able to complete sending off to all the other persons involved”.

Any question about Greenidge being fired would “certainly” just be an attempt to single out the persons who have already received the letter, Harmon posited. He said that it is just a general procedural matter, after which there will be a discussion on the way forward.

Friday April 17, 2020

Another flight leaves with US citizens, permanent residents

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch (at right) watches some of the departing passengers

A

US Marine guard was among 200 persons who left Guyana earlier this week on board an Eastern Airlines flight to the United States.

The special charter was coordinated by the US Embassy in Georgetown, with the Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch and her Deputy Chief of Mission stopping by the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to wish the departing Americans and their families well.

“The Embassy has helped nearly 1000 Americans and

their families return home through these repatriation flights over the last few weeks,” the embassy said in a statement.

The embassy had requested authorities for the special flight. It has been about six weeks now since the country’s airports have been ordered closed as part of the COVID-19 measures to halt the spread of the virus.

The authorities had given permission for special flights to leave and come in. All commercials flights have been banned.

New measures introduced...

From page 3 Parika at 4:00 PM. Wakenaam-Parika (Return Trip) For Wakenaam, two trips will be permitted per week on Mondays and Fridays. The ferry is scheduled to depart Wakenaam at 06:00 AM and leave Parika at 4:00 PM. Supenaam-Parika (Return T r i p ) One return trip will be permitted on weekdays from Supenaam to Parika. The ferry will depart Supenaam at 07:00 AM and leave the Parika Stelling for Supenaam at 2:00 PM. *** According to the ministry, as a matter of compliance with international and national guidelines in observance of social distancing, these vessels plying the various

routes will only transport half of the passengers.

This means, no more than 200 persons will be allowed on the ferry to ensure proper adherence to health and safety measures at this time.

“The Ministry sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience these measures may cause but reminds the travelling public that it is of paramount importance that the health and safety of the Guyanese populace be taken into consideration, as persons continue to lose their lives as a result of the Coronavirus. We implore persons to stay at home for their own safety at this time and obey the curfew and directions for the health of the population at large.”

There was no work on the ferry that runs on the Region One route.

Kaieteur News

Friday April 17, 2020

PAGE 15

Ithaca man stabs Oil closes under US$20 a barrel for a second day wife to death, then tries to kill mother-in-law, self

(Bloomberg) — Oil closed under US$20 a barrel for a second day, yesterday, as projections that demand will fall to a 30-year low outweighed an agreement by the world’s biggest producers to curb supply.

Futures in New York ended the day unchanged from the 18-year low set Wednesday.

OPEC said it expects demand for its crude to fall to the lowest in three decades as the coronavirus outbreak freezes the global economy, underscoring the urgency of t h e g r o u p ’s p r o m i s e d production cuts. OPEC and its allies have agreed to curb output by 10% next month.

But even with full compliance, the group would still be pumping more than the market requires in the second quarter.

The cuts “certainly aren’t going to be near enough to balance the market,” said Bart Melek, head of commodity strategy at TD Securities.

“There is a good chance, that over the short run, we might even be lower here.”

Inventories from America to Europe and Singapore have all ballooned this week, sending some localized crude prices below $10 a barrel.

The glut is looking so severe that the Trump administration is considering paying American companies to leave crude in the ground.

The stock builds come as the International Energy

Agency said 2020 may be the worst year in the history of the oil market as lockdowns globally lead to the biggest hit to demand ever. ”This OPEC deal is great and good, but it doesn’t help us over the next thirty days,” Rebecca Babin, senior equity trader at CIBC Private Wealth Management, said by phone.

“Even with the OPEC agreement, the size and timing of it is not enough to alleviate potential storage issues in the near term.”

All the while physical oil prices, particularly in Europe, are trading far below those of futures.

Key North Sea crude swaps are trading at the biggest discount to the headline Brent futures price in almost a decade.

The critically important Dated Brent benchmark, which shapes the price of millions of barrels, was assessed by S&P Global Platts at $18.08 on Wednesday, with cargoes across Europe trading at a discount to that value.

As real crude prices and futures markets dislocate, some investors are eyeing a bottom in WTI, with almost $700 million flowing into a key ETF so far this week.

In response to the market downturn, U.S producer ConocoPhillips said it will cut North American output by more than one-fourth and halt all fracking in the continent.

Prices:

“Clear conflict of interest”...

From page 3 good governance of Guyana’s oil sector.

Urgewald is a non-profit environmental and human rights organization that is based in Sassenberg, a small town in western Germany. It also runs an office in Berlin.

For 25 years, Urgewald has been fighting against environmental destruction and for the rights of people harmed by corporate profit interests.

During these 25 years, Urgewald has evolved from a small group of people to a powerful organization.

Blood bank experiences...

From page 11 universal and timely access to safe blood transfusions in the nation’s health system. The World Health Organisation [WHO] has said that “an adequate and reliable supply of safe blood can be assured by a s t a b l e b a s e o f r e g u l a r, voluntary, unpaid blood donors.

These donors are also the safest group of donors as the prevalence of blood-borne infections is lowest among this group.”Also the World Health Assembly [WHA], an arm of the WHO, on its website, “urges all member states to develop national blood

systems based on voluntary unpaid donations and to work towards the goal of selfsufficiency”.

The global body has also made it clear that the risk of transmission of serious infections, including HIV and hepatitis, through unsafe blood and chronic blood shortages brought global attention to the importance of blood safety and availability.

“With the goal of ensuring universal access to safe blood and blood products, WHO has been at the forefront to improve blood safety and availability,” the website also highlights.

· West Texas Intermediate futures settled unchanged at $19.87 a barrel in New York, the same as yesterday’s lowest close since 2002 · Brent for June delivery rose 13 cents to $27.82 ”What will be the most important determinant for oil markets in the short term is how quickly governments relax social distancing measures,” boosting consumption, said Rystad Energy AS’s head of analysis Bjornar Tonhaugen.

Other oil-market news: · At least five Chinese refiners are seeking full contractual crude volumes for May from Saudi Aramco, according to traders who asked not to be identified. · The Kremlin may have succeeded in ending its oil war with Saudi Arabia, yet the pain of crude’s crash is only just starting to hit Russia’s budget. · Royal Dutch Shell Plc plans to eliminate all net emissions from its own operations and the bulk of greenhouse gases from fuel it sells to customers by 2050. · In Fargo, North Dakota, cheap fuel has never been so unwelcome. · Cargoes of gasoline and jet fuel are starting to sit for days at a time on tankers in the North Sea as the coronavirus destroys demand for the two petroleum products, and available space to store supplies on land dwindles fast.

The quiet village of Ithaca, West Bank Berbice, was rocked yesterday by the brutal murder of a 23-yearold woman, reportedly at the hands the father of her two children. The man also injured the woman’s mother before attempting suicide.

The victim, an Ithaca resident, has been identified as Vanessa Benjamin, the mother of a four-year-old son and a one-year-old d a u g h t e r. S h e w a s employed as a cleaner at the recently opened Ithaca Day Care Centre.

The 24-year-old suspect resides in another village.

He is said to have been unemployed for years, and would regularly abuse the

Dead: Vanessa Benjamin young woman.

Reports are that the couple was involved in a heated argument when the man armed himself with a

knife, and stabbed the woman multiple times. She was found lying in a trench next to her home. The enraged man also injured the woman’s mother, Debra Hannibal, stabbing her twice as she tried to intervene to assist her daughter.

The man then plunged the knife into the left side of his chest in an apparent attempt to commit suicide.

Benjamin was rushed to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Her mother and the suspect were transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.Investigations are ongoing.

Port Mourant vendor shot during attempted robbery A 45-year-old vendor is currently a patient at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, nursing a gunshot wound to the arm. Injured is Roshnie Singh called “Coreen” of Lot 88 Free Yard Port Mourant, Berbice.

Reports are that just around 20:30 hrs last night, two men - one armed with a gun and another with a cutlass - barged into the home she shares with husband Joel Benn, and began to demand that the couple hand over all their cash and jewellery.

Singh told police that one of the men spoke in a foreign language, while the other

made demands. She added that her husband in an attempt to ward off the men, picked up a spade, and dealt the bandit with a cutlass, a lash to the head. However, the other intruder discharged a round towards his wife and it hit her on her right arm. The suspects then fled.

The injured Singh was rushed to the Port Mourant Public Hospital where she was examined by a doctor on duty, who treated and referred her to New Amsterdam Public Hospital where she was further treated and admitted to the female ward.

Two live .32 rounds and one .32 spent shell were found in Singh’s home.

Commonwealth Observer Group urges GECOM to stick to law during recount

T

he Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) yesterday urged the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to follow provisions of the Representation of the People Act, whenever it conducts a recount of ballots from the March 2, General and Regional Elections.

Below is the full statement from the observer group.

“The Commonwealth Observer Group accredited for the 2 March 2020 General and Regional Elections notes the 15 April 2020 statement of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) indicating that the Commission has decided to conduct a national recount of all ballots cast (Regions 1-10).

It is expected GECOM will ensure that a general final count is undertaken and concluded in strict accordance

with the relevant provisions of the Guyana Representation of the People Act (RoPA).

Further, it is imperative GECOM ensures that this is done in a credible, transparent and timely manner, bearing in mind that the people of Guyana have now waited an unconscionable 45 days to bring this electoral process to finality.

This delay in credibly concluding the electoral process is now even more

alarming as the entire world seeks to contend with the disruptive and devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on economic, social and political life.

The RoPA is unambiguous and specific on the technical modalities by which a general final count is bound and we strongly urge the leadership of GECOM not to depart from these legal stipulations.

The Commonwealth Observer Group commends the people of Guyana for peacefully exercising their right to vote for the Government of their choice on 2 March.

This is a sacred constitutional and universal human right.

The rights of the Guyanese people will be respected when a general final count is credibly administered in accordance with the law and given full effect.”

PAGE 16

Friday April 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

Constitutional crisis looms over convening of...

From page 2 system is as good as the integrity of the persons who operate the system. The recent open disregard for truth and decency by certain members of the GECOM Secretariat leaves a feeling of great distaste in the mouths of ordinary Guyanese who have been subjected to scorn, disdain and ridicule by the rest of the world, even as we SERVICES Visa Forms Preparer.

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stitutional abyss to which the country was pushed by GECOM on March 21, 2019 when it failed to hold General and Regional Elections within the constitutionally mandated period on the valid passing of the ‘No Confidence Motion’ on December 21, 2018.”

Following the holding of peaceful and orderly elections on March 2nd, things went downhill when it came to tabu-

lation of the results for Region 4, the largest voting district.

The Opposition complained of an illegal process and went to court on a number of occasions.

It was finally decided by GECOM that a supervised recount will be conducted.

On Monday, it will be six weeks since the elections were held.

GECOM Chair to announce details of...

From page 12 workstations be erected on the lawns.

He said that Benn, at one point, even argued that it would take 30 minutes to examine one ballot box. But One Business place at Alexander, who said Benn’s D’Urban Street Wortmanville. assertion of 30 minutes is riTel 616-2445. diculous, interpreted it to mean Benn considered the FOR SALE count as a mere numerical White German Shepherd count, which he maintained it pups.Ruimzeight Gardens would not be.

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TOLET

struggle to come to terms with the COVID-19 disaster. More will be said later about the continued relevance or function of GECOM when this chaos is over.”

The Bar Council also stressed that time is of the essence.

“The constitutional clock is ticking. There are a mere 14 days left before Guyana delves further into the con-

ing their veracity, and balancing the numbers.

Though Benn reportedly briefly attempted to build on Gunraj’s proposal, Alexander stressed that Gunraj’s proposal set the time to be taken on one ballot box at one hour, not 30 minutes.

Whichever proposals of the two Opposition-nominated Commissioners are considered, Alexander said that his contention continues to be that a large number of persons being in the compound would not contend well with the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines necessary to maintain everyone’s safety.

Alexander reiterated his statements from the day before, that the proposal of 20

working stations included working in tents, and that that would pose a security risk. On the other hand, if rooms are used, there would be better control of the operations, and less of a likelihood for the confusion of a “mob situation” as it had ensued at the Hadfield Street command centre weeks ago, he had argued.

On behalf of the Government-nominated Commissioners, Alexander said he presented, for the Chair’s convenience, the different durations his proposal of eight workstations would carry the recount, if the time taken for each ballot boxes averaged one hour, one and a half hours, and two hours.

Alexander said he laid “square on the table” that if

the exercise he envisages is to take two hours per ballot box, the recount would require about 64 days; if the exercise takes an hour and a half per box, the recount would last about 48 days; and if the exercise took an hour per box, the recount would last 32 days. He said that the amount of time spent on one ballot box is a vital factor in evaluating the proposals.

Alexander did not indicate how many daily working hours these calculations contemplated. However, Commissioners previously noted that the Secretariat’s plan for the recount proposed working 10 hours per day. A calculation considering that proposal showed that Alexander’s calculations made sense, with a little time to spare.

He said yesterday that it appears as though the consensus on average time taken per ballot box would be an hour and a half. This would carry the recount less than 48 days, if the Chair decides to use eight workstations.

Besides the proposals by the two Commissioners, there is the Secretariat’s proposal which suggests the use of five workstations. That proposal was made before the field visit on Wednesday, but was not modified after the visit. The Chief Elections Officer did not indicate how long the recount would take under the Secretariat’s proposal. Otherwise, the GECOM Chair reportedly told the Commission that CARICOM floated the idea of streaming the recount in real time to the CARICOM team or the observers if they could not be present. There is no confirmation of the CARICOM team’s presence for the recount.

Gunraj said that the Chair is still expected to make a decision on a proposal to have the recount live-streamed to the public as well, but that was not a suggestion made

by CARICOM. The Chair is also expected to communicate with the COVID-19 task force for clearance to conduct the recount.

Alexander said, should the next few days go smoothly, the public should look forward to a gazetted order for the recount over the weekend.

Friday April 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday April 17, 2020

Friday April 17, 2020

PAGE 19

Kaieteur News

FIFA rejects proposal to have single arbitrator in TTFA dispute Port of Spain, Trinidad, CMC – A proposal that a single arbitrator be appointed to hear the dispute between FIFA and the ejected executive of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has been rejected by football’s world governing body.The proposal had been made by attorneys representing the TTFA in its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to reverse FIFA’s decision last month to appoint a normalization committee to oversee the association’s operations. The lawyers had

identified British sports lawyer Mark Hovell, who has been an arbitrator at the CAS, as the man for the job.

But according to a report on Sportsmax, on the April 14 deadline to submit a response

to that request, FIFA wrote to the Head of Arbitration at CAS, Antonio De Quesada, saying it preferred to have a three-member panel hearing the matter.

“We do not agree with the

Friday April 17, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This is a good day for you to analyze information, Aries. You have an especially acute business sense, which you should use to your advantage.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You're a conscientious, hard worker, Taurus, but today your thoughts are more on home than work. You feel especially close to your family and friends. They mean the most to you.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today is likely to be another busy one for you, Gemini. You might have a volunteer activity in the morning and then get roped into running errands in the afternoon.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You have a strong spirit of cooperation today, Cancer.

It inspires you to pitch in and help others without being asked. Your romantic partner could be surprised to see you show up and help with a chore.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Keep your eyes and ears open to all new possibilities, Leo. Even if it isn't your habit to read the "Help Wanted" section of the newspaper, do so today.

You might be surprised at what you find there.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today your strong sense of nostalgia likely has you leaning toward all things old. If you do some furniture shopping, you'll be drawn to antique shops rather than contemporary stores.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This is bound to be a wonderful day, Libra, as everybody seems to be in a warm and congenial mood. You and your romantic partner, in particular, are feeling especially close and connected today.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You have much to be grateful for, Scorpio. Why not go out tonight and celebrate with friends? Forget about work and family troubles and kick up your heels.

Have a high old time.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You're eager and optimistic today, Sagittarius, which works well with your strong, capable nature.

You're likely to find that things begin to click into place at work.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today should be devoted to paperwork and getting your financial affairs and budgets in order, Capricorn.

Once this is done, you can relax in the evening with friends and loved ones.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) All financial undertakings have good aspects today, Aquarius. It could be that you have been thinking of starting a new business venture.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) This is bound to be a wonderful day, Pisces. You're looking and feeling great and it shows! This is a day of kindness and cooperation. You could find that your family pitches in to help at home without being asked.

Appellant’s proposal to appoint a sole arbitrator in the matter at hand. Indeed, the present dispute concerns an exceptional situation that has led FIFA to take important governance-related measures in one of its members in accordance with the FIFA Statutes,” FIFA said in its correspondence.

The President of the CAS Appeals Arbitration Division Corinne Schmidhauser or her deputy will make the final decision on how many arbitrators will hear the dispute. The lawyers are expected to file their appeals

E-sports pull in more viewers...

From page 21 tournaments has also seen a significant increase from January to March. The March 29 race at the Texas Motor Speedway in the eNASCAR iRacing series, a popular simulation racing game, is the most viewed e-sports event ever on linear television as of March 30, according to Nielsen Sports.

Simulation racing games in e-sports provides an opportunity for professional drivers who are stuck home missing the competition and camaraderie on the tracks, said Steve Hood, president at Motorsport Games.

But sports fans are hungry for any competitive action. Last week, ESPN said here it would broadcast League of Legends’ 2020 Championship Series Spring Split Playoffs, highlighting the online multi-player battle game and venturing beyond traditionally broadcasted sports like NBA, FIFA and NASCAR’s iRacing.

The move to League of Legends shows a real paradigm shift, said Charles Conroy, vice president of gaming at The Switch, a live video production firm.

“They’re no longer just pandering to normal sports fans and giving them a replacement (for live sports)”, he said. They’re actually showing true hardcore esports”.

Riot Games’ League of Legends is the most-watched game on Twitch in the first quarter of 2020, according to Superdata.

brief by today.

Three weeks ago, FIFA announced it was replacing the TTFA with a normalization committee, after a joint assessment of the association, carried out by itself and CONCACAF, found “extremely low overall financial management methods, combined with a massive debt”, which left the local body “facing a very real risk of insolvency and illiquidity”.

The committee will have

up to two years to carry out its work, including creating a debt repayment plan which the TTFA can implement, reviewing the local governing body’s statutes and ensuring their adherence to FIFA regulations, and overseeing new elections.

The appointment of the normalisation committee was criticised by TTFA president William Wallace who said the decision was unconstitutional and took his challenge to the CAS.

Adams is focused on...

From page 23 keep improving on my strengths and challenges and I am confident, once given the opportunity, of doing well for my country in all formats of the game.”

The left-handed batsman undoubtedly is one of the hardest and cleanest strikers of the cricket ball in Guyana; he now plays for Hyde Park on the East Bank of

Essequibo and Police Sports Club in Georgetown.

His message to fellow Guyanese is to stay safe from the coronavirus by staying home and having fun indoors. Adams has extended condolences to former Guyana U19 cricketer Richie Looknauth whose mother passed away recently on the West Coast of Demerara.

PAGE 20

Friday April 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

Premier League clubs to discuss a possible 30 June deadline to the season BBCsport - Premier League clubs will discuss the option of putting a 30 June deadline on the 2019-20 season at a meeting today.

Not all clubs have been involved in informal discussions at this stage but, with a hoped-for May resumption to the season unlikely, club owners are looking at how to avoid potentially difficult contractual situations.

Numerous players’ present deals expire on 30 June, notably Chelsea midfielder Willian and Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen. In addition, Liverpool are due to change shirt manufacturers from New Balance to Nike, while Watford and Newcastle are also changing kit suppliers.

World governing body Fifa is aware of the problem and is looking at alternatives, like rolling contract extensions, with the season currently suspended

indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, legally, players cannot be forced to sign them, raising the possibility of clubs losing key parts of their squad before the campaign has been concluded. It has led to an increasing body of opinion that, no matter what the state of the Premier League at that point, 30 June should be the final day.

Such a move would also bring more clarity to the 202021 season, which BBC Sport has been told by numerous sources is more important than the current one. Brighton owner Tony Bloom said on Thursday, he does not want 30 June to automatically mark the end of the season, even though it would be “difficult” to play beyond then.

“There does come a point when you can’t keep waiting, but I don’t think 30 June is that point,” he said. “It is difficult to play after 30 June because of contracts but we are in

such a unique situation, every option should be looked at.”

Putting a deadline on this season is fraught with problems, particularly surrounding relegation and promotion. One idea being pushed forward again is to promote current Championship top two Leeds and West Brom, not relegate anyone from the top flight and go with a 22-team competition, which would increase the number of TV games and potentially avoid the need to repay this season’s broadcast money.

However, that would create a problem for the Football League as it would lead to an imbalance in their numbers.

These are all issues that will be debated by Premier League executives on Friday, although a definitive decision seems unlikely given Uefa has pleaded for leagues to give them time to return with their own proposals for ending the

Premier League clubs will meet to discuss what should happen to the remainder of this campaign at a meeting today. season across Europe, something they expect to do by mid-May at the latest.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder though does not expect a deadline to be set for the end of the campaign. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I’m sure that we will adjust accordingly. I think for the integrity of the

competition and competitions, especially the top end of English football and European football, they’ll want to finish the season.

“I believe that there will be an ability next year to adjust, with international breaks, with moving a few games into midweek.

We have that ability

through organisation and planning to finish this season off.

But only as everybody said, and I’ll reiterate that, when it’s safe to do so for everybody. And that obviously we have to take our lead off the government and what they suggest and want us to do.”

Player of the Year awards with Champions League final: Uefa gala dinner CANCELLED plans for final on 29 August voting off - PFA’s for the first time in 47 years Mailonline - The prospect of there being no PFA Player of the Year for the first time since 1973 has significantly increased after the voting process was suspended. It had been the PFA’s plan to crown the campaign’s top performer – and the outstanding young player – at a gala dinner in Manchester ’s Victoria Warehouse on April 26; the ceremony had been held for the 25 previous years at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.

Jordan Henderson, Liverpool’s captain, had been the long-time favourite for the prize, with his team-mate Sadio Mane and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne also in the running. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Henderson’s team-mate, had been the leading candidate for the Young Player gong.

Henderson’s claims to become the third consecutive Liverpool player to win the award, after Mohamed Salah (2018) and Virgil van Dijk (2019), have arguably been strengthened in recent weeks, as he was the driving force behind the #PlayersTogether initiative to raise money for NHS charities.

However, there is now a real possibility the awards – which have been running for 46 years – will not be presented due to the impact of the coronavirus. The gala dinner has been cancelled and

Liverpool, the Champions League holders, were knocked out of this season’s competition by Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk (right) won the PFA’s Player of the Year Award for 2019. (PA) no date in the future has been suggested as an alternative.

The PFA are not even in a position to unveil their sixman shortlist and proceed without an audience.

Ballot papers sent out in the middle of March – before football was forced to shut down – to begin the voting process but not every club in the country has received their

allocation.

As a result, the PFA have made a decision to put the awards to the back of their list of priorities. They are currently being consumed with helping those players in League One and League Two, who are facing financial difficulties and other challenges without any games.

BBCsport - Uefa is working to plans that would see the Champions League final end the 2019-20 season on 29 August. European football’s governing body will meet on 23 April for more discussions about how to complete a campaign which has been disrupted by coronavirus.

It is likely one decision will be to agree that leagues could finish early, although only with Uefa’s approval.

But the idea is still to finish the season as a whole at the end of August, with all

outstanding games played.

That would mean the Champions League final taking place in Istanbul on 29 August, with the Europa League final in Gdansk t h r e e d a y s e a r l i e r. Two scenarios for getting to that situation are under consideration.

The first is to play the quarter-finals and semi-finals as two-legged matches as normal, in July and August.

The second would be for the games to be played as one-off fixtures after the end of the domestic seasons,

potentially condensing the end of the competition into a week-long mini tournament.

Four of the eight Champions League quarterfinalists are already known, with Manchester City’s highprofile encounter with Real Madrid one of the ties still to be concluded.

In the Europa League, scheduling is more complicated because all eight last-16 second-leg ties are still to be played, with two matches, involving Spanish and Italian teams, yet to play the first legs.

Friday April 17, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Anthony Joshua throws down the gauntlet GMR&SC executive to Tyson Fury - ‘If you really want to say you’re No 1, come fight me’ and Team CAMS continue fight against covid-19

Mailonline - Anthony Joshua has thrown down the gauntlet for a heavyweight title showdown with Tyson Fury as the WBO, WBA and IBF champion made his case for an all-British unification bout.

All heavyweight belts reside in the UK, with Joshua recapturing his three belts after avenging his shock defeat by Andy Ruiz Jr in December, while Fury blitzed Deontay Wilder in February to win the WBC belt.

It means that, should Joshua and Fury face off in the ring, the victor will be the first unified champion of the division since Lennox Lewis.

And Joshua has made his case for the all-British showdown.

‘If you really want to say you’re No 1, come fight me.

Let’s get it on,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘I’ve got the rest of the belts so it only makes sense.

‘I’m the unified heavyweight champion of the world, he’s the WBC champion. What it will prove, me and him fighting? There will be one dominant figure in the heavyweight division that will have all of the belts and become undisputed.

‘Logically to prove yourself as No 1, I have to fight Tyson Fury. He has to fight Anthony Joshua.’

While both fighters have expressed their desire to fight as soon as possible, some obstacles stand in the way of

AJ holds the WBO, WBA, IBO and IBF belts while Fury is the WBC heavyweight champion. the fight happening. Wilder has triggered a rematch clause to face Fury for a third time while Joshua is to defend his belts against Kubrat Pulev.

Speculation has been rife that Bob Arum, the promotor of Fury and Pulev, could arrange for the pair to skip their bouts so Joshua and Fury can fight. Joshua fired shots at Wilder, who has for some time obstructed the path to a unification bout with a series of farcical negotiations between his and Joshua’s teams.

‘It would be amazing to tell Pulev ‘I think it’s best if you step aside for now’ and to tell Wilder “we have bigger

Fury’s blitzing win over Deontay Wilder has left many believing he is the best heavyweight. fish to fry”,’ he added. ‘“Enjoy your Alabama chicken while we get cracking in the UK!”

That fight needs to happen because there will never be another time like this again.’

E-sports pull in more viewers as coronavirus halts live sports matches

Reuters - Sports fans and players across the world frustrated by canceled matches because of the coronavirus epidemic are turning to e-sports, with professional real-world athletes joining virtual game tournaments of football, auto racing and basketball.”We’ve seen a dramatic increase in viewership” for e-sports broadcasts, said Todd Sitrin, senior vice president of Electronic Arts Inc’s Competitive Gaming Division, adding that the maker of battle-royale sensation “Apex Legends” saw an increase of two to three times its normal viewership in the first quarter of 2020.

“All the traditional sports have suspended their seasons and their broadcasts, so what we’ve seen is that fans are really searching for a way to get their sports fix”, Sitrin said.

E-sports tournaments are largely available on game streaming platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, Facebook Gaming and Mixer

A look into Renault F1’s esports facility. Photo: Reuters File Photo and are also broadcasted on TV channels including ESPN and Fox Sports.

Online streaming platforms recorded a 43% jump in viewership to nearly 495 million hours in the week starting March 29, compared

to the week at the beginning of 2020, according to analytics firm Stream Hatchet.

Amazon.com Inc’s Twitch, which dominates the market for game streaming, recorded a nearly 60% jump in veiwership in March with over

1,300 million hours watched, compared to a year earlier, according to Superdata, a Nielsen company.

Besides online streaming platforms, viewership across TV broadcasts of (Continued on page 19)

The Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) with support from Team CAMS in the United States of America, has come good on its promises to help flatten the curve in the fight against coronavirus in Guyana with another donation to the West Demerara Hospital this week.

In a correspondence to the media, the club’s vicepresident Shiraz Roshandin, noted that the club’s aim currently is to support the frontline healthcare workers in the public system by ensuring they have a steady supply of basic amenities.

Roshandin noted that, “To limit the spread (of coronavirus) it takes the whole of Guyana to act responsibly and it is equally important we ensure that

those who are trying to safeguard the nation are not preoccupied with where they will get some basic things to do their job. As such, we as a group are ensuring these healthcare workers are stocked with hand sanitisers, gloves and masks along with various food items.”

The GMR&SC along with team CAMS and other persons have already made donations to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Diamond Diagnostic Centre and the West Demerara institution once before.

Currently, the club is seeking to build several protective ‘aerosol boxes’ for healthcare workers.

They are encouraging persons to come on board and assist in the construction of such boxes.

Spotlight on WNBA, as league navigates draft on lockdown New York (Reuters) - All eyes will be on the WNBA this Friday as it becomes the first major professional league in North America to carry out a “virtual draft” since the coronavirus outbreak that put the start of its season on hold.

Oregon’s guard Sabrina Ionescu is all but assured to be the first overall pick, going to the New York Liberty, as the league navigates the challenges of a draft with coaches and personnel on lockdown.

“If things start to happen on draft night – trade talks, moving up, moving down – those things are a little unique this year, because you just can’t turn to your left or your right and have those conversations,” Connecticut Sun general manager and head coach Curt Miller told reporters on Wednesday.

“I look at it as we’re trailblazers and not guinea pigs,” said Miller. “It keeps eyes on our league, it keeps momentum in our league.”

Miller, whose team lost in the finals against the

Washington Mystics last year, said the “top-heavy” draft has its deepest position at point guard.

For the Dallas Wings, who have the second, fifth and seventh overall picks, that could mean a chance to turn around the ugliness of last season that saw the team go 10-24.

“We certainly could use depth at the point guard position,” Wings general manager Greg Bibb told Reuters.

“If the right player is there, we certainly will act upon the opportunity.”

Knowing his team would have plenty of moves to make on draft night, Bibb said he “doubled down” on travel and scouting months before the coronavirus pandemic forced team personnel indoors.

For the reigning champion Washington Mystics, their most dramatic move came on Wednesday, when they gave up their first-round pick in a threeteam deal to acquire seventime all-star Tina Charles from the Liberty.

PAGE 22

U.S. teen Gauff says stronger now after battling depression Mumbai (Reuters) American teenager Coco Gauff says she struggled to deal with the hype and mental pressure brought on by her rapid rise in the tennis world and that she had to rediscover her love for the game after becoming depressed.

The Florida-based 16year-old has enjoyed a sensational run on the professional circuit since July last year when she reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in her first major championship appearance.

She also reached the fourth round on her Australian Open debut this year, paving the way to breaking into the top 50 in the WTA rankings — the first 15year-old to do so in 15 years.

“Throughout my life, I was always the youngest to do things, which added hype that I didn’t want,” Gauff wrote in a post for Behind The Racquet. “It added this pressure that I needed to do well fast.

“Right before Wimbledon, going back to around 2017/ 18, I was struggling to figure out if this was really what I wanted.

I always had the results so that wasn’t the issue, I just found myself not enjoying what I loved.

“I realised I needed to start

File Photo - Coco Gauff. REUTERS/Monica Almeida playing for myself and not other people. For about a year I was really depressed. That was the toughest year for me so far.”

Gauff said she felt friendless due to her “dark mindset” and considered taking a year off just to focus on life.

“Choosing not to obviously was the right choice but I was close to not going in that

USTA to oversee $50 million commitment to tennis amid COVD-19 Reuters - The United States Tennis Association (USTA) said yesterday it will oversee a commitment of more than $50 million in spending to help the sport weather what it described as the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the plan, the governing body for tennis in the United States said it will identify more than $20 million in savings by reducing salaries of its management and eliminating programmes in player development and operations. The USTA, along with its partners, will offer economic assistance packages, increased support to navigate government assistance for facilities and coaches, as well as webinars and phone support to help individuals impacted from COVID-19.

“We recognised helping tennis facilities, community tennis programs, and teaching professionals navigate the multitude of government grants and loans was of immediate importance,” USTA Chief

Friday April 17, 2020

Kaieteur News

Executive Mike Dowse said in a statement.

“The foundation of our sport begins with these stakeholders and we need to ensure they can weather the storm and remain viable as the storm recedes. This is all about ‘relief, recovery and rebuild’ for our industry.”

The USTA, which runs the U.S. Open, says the extent of its future support will be determined by the financial performance of the Grand Slam, which is currently scheduled for Aug. 31-Sept.

13 in New York.

The USTA also said it still plans to stage the U.S. Open, which is the main source of revenue for the organisation, and that all decisions regarding the tournament will be guided by federal and local governmental agencies.

Both the men’s ATP Tour and the WTA, which runs the women’s circuit, have suspended all tournaments until June 7 after countries started locking down borders to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

direction. I was just lost,” she said. “I was confused and overthinking if this was what I wanted or what others did.

“It took many moments sitting, thinking and crying. I came out of it stronger and knowing myself better than ever.”

Gauff has been already touted as a long-term successor to Serena Williams at the top of U.S. women’s tennis and while she said she was getting used to people viewing her as a role model she did not like being compared to Serena or her sister Venus.

“First, I am not at their level yet. I always feel like it’s not fair to the Williams sisters to be compared to someone who is just coming up,” she added.

Hall hails launch of Concacaf Center of Refereeing Excellence Miami, Florida – This week Concacaf and the Concacaf Refereeing Department announced the launch of the Concacaf Center of Refereeing Excellence (CCRE). The CCRE will provide referee education for all FIFA Referees, Instructors and Assessors from Concacaf’s 41 Member Associations via an online portal and will include various features including video quizzes, discussions boards and presentations from Concacaf courses and programs.

“We always talk about providing our referees with more tools and this will allow us to do that on an annual basis when our referees and assessors are not in classes and instructors are not in classes and the MA needs help,” said Concacaf Director of Refereeing Brian Hall.

“This allows us to engage them on a continual basis to challenge them and ultimately provide uniformity in interpretation and application of the laws of game management and player management on the field of play,” added Hall.

The CCRE will include several key features, including analyzing video clips, plus discussion forums for various refereeing groups within Concacaf.

“Some of the things we’ll be doing is video clip analysis. Whenever we have a course, we have videos quizzes, we show X number of video quizzes and the referees provide their answers and then after we have all the answers, we analyze it and we go back and discuss the ones that were

Brian Hall - Concacaf Director of Refereeing not so clear for everyone.

“Say for example I’m in El Salvador and I have a controversial decision on the field of play. I can send a video clip to Concacaf in a discussion group and we can all analyze it and come up with an official interpretation that can help all referees around the Confederation, not just El Salvador, and give them a better grasp on decisionmaking.

“We can also have discussion groups on the laws of the game, discussion groups on sports science, fitness and nutrition, discussion groups for women referees. We can create a forum for the heads of referees in the Member Associations,” said Hall.

The roll-out of the CCRE will occur in phases with Concacaf ’s top referees receiving priority access to the portal until eventually all of the referees, instructors and assessors throughout the 41 MAs have access. Once the roll-out is complete, those referees will have access to the kind of information that was previously only readily available by attending courses or programs on-site.

“For example, if we have a presentation on positioning and movement, we can take the Powerpoint presentation, put it on our Center of Excellence and anyone can download it. We can also videotape the instructor giving the actual presentation, so now an MA instructor has a completed presentation and also the message as it was delivered by the expert instructor so then I know what the key points that I need to deliver when I present this to my domestic referees,” said Hall.

In addition to the CCRE, the Concacaf Refereeing Department also plans to launch a Concacaf Refereeing channel on YouTube that will include training videos with voice and video clips which fans will be able to access.

It is all part of Hall’s objective to raise the level of excellence of refereeing in the region.

“For the last three years, our referees have worn a shirt that has the word “Excellence” written on the sleeve, and this is our goal: excellence in everything that we do, so we want to use this Center to help drive them to further fulfill our objective of excellence.

This is the first time this is being done by an organization within Concacaf and I’m really proud. The fact that we’re going to be providing a tool to the entire referee family that we hope makes their job easier.

It makes brings them one step closer to excellence and gives us ongoing interaction with people who are regularly asked to direct games,” concluded Hall.

CONCACAF-Member Associations to get easier access to aid amid COVID-19 pandemic Kingston, Jamaica, CMC – The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has fast-tracked the process of financial aid for member associations who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic, says president Victor Montagliani.

The global spread of the virus has resulted in several sports, including football, being brought to a standstill, resulting in sporting associations being unable to host incomegenerating competitions.

Saying that he acknowledged some member associations had financial obligations and might be anxious in the circumstances,

Montagliani told the Jamaica Observer that the continental body has eased the requirements of accessing the One CONCACAF Development Fund, a financial assistance programme set up to help member associations boost their development portfolios.

“For instance, before you could not use One CONCACAF for human resources, so what we have done is that during this period where there is no programming, we will allow it,” the vice-president of world football governing body FIFA told the newspaper.

“At the end of the day, football is about people and everybody will be wanting to keep their staff on as much as possible, so we are allowing that

funding to target that.”

Additionally, Montagliani said, additional assistance is being crafted in conjunction with FIFA and other continental governing bodies.

“We have already started bilateral discussions with all our members and stakeholders trying to take an inventory, as we are also working with FIFA, whose ultimate intention will be to help out world football,” he said.

“We are working hand in glove with not only FIFA, but other confederations because I think it’s important it be done in a holistic and responsible way.” However, he stressed, FIFA had to be responsible in the use of its funds.

“This can’t be like the Government bailing out the

auto industry, because FIFA doesn’t have that kind of money. What’s important is for us to look to see what the real damage is, who is eligible, and how they are eligible, what’s the application process and all that kind of stuff,” Montagliani said.

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the Caribbean football calendar, resulting in the suspension of the FLOW Caribbean Club Championship scheduled for May, along with the 2021 Gold Cup qualifiers scheduled for June.

The CONCACAF Nations League Finals carded for June 4-7 in Texas has also been postponed.

Kaieteur News

Friday April 17, 2020

PAGE 23

Adams is focused on personal fitness during Covid-19 lockdown - Wants to see more cricket in Essequibo

By Zaheer Mohamed Even though talented Essequibo all-rounder Ricardo Adams is not on the cricket field, he is working hard to ensure that his body remains fit by working out and performing his fitness drills on a daily basis at his home during the ongoing lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The COVID-19 has induced lockdowns in the sporting world, but this has not dented the spirit of the all-rounder as he works to keep his fitness intact.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, Adams said fitness is important and that he has placed a lot of emphasis in this area.

“As athletes we have to find a way to stay fit so that when the season resumes we will be in a position to execute to the best of our ability, stay fit, stay healthy,” he posited, as he urges fellow athletes not to forget about their personal fitness during the quarantine.

Ricardo Richard Adams was born on October 23rd, 1994 in Zeelandia, Wakenaam and started his career at the club and school levels there. He played for

the Zeelandia Sports Club and his talent was spotted at a tender age; he was chosen to lead Essequibo at the U15 level before going on to represent the Guyana U15s.

He later turned out for Guyana at the U19 level and scored a century against Trinidad and Tobago in the regional competition.

Adams then represented Guyana’s senior team in the Regional one-day tournament after performing outstandingly for Essequibo in the local franchise league in 2017.

His match winning 145 not out and his 5-51 against Lower Corentyne remains one of the best all-round performances at this level while his unbeaten 116 versus Georgetown at Tuschen was responsible for Essequibo taking the title, after they lost four early wickets, chasing 193.

Essequibo continued their dominance at this level as they went on to take the 50over title with Adams contributing significantly.

The all-rounder was the leading wicket taker in the last CGI 50-over franchise league and narrowly missed out on national selection.

Adams said that he was pleased with his bowling performance in this competition in which he picked up two five-wicket hauls. “I just put the ball in the right areas so as to contain the batsmen. I tried to bowl with variation and control so as to keep the batsmen thinking and things worked well for me,” he stated.

The all-rounder noted that even though he got a couple of half centuries in that tournament, he would have liked to contribute more with that bat. “I was a bit over confident and my shot selection wasn’t to the best. I got some fine starts, but I would have liked to carry on. I intend to work harder in this area, especially with my concentration so as to bat for longer periods, scoring and keeping my wicket intact, thereby helping Essequibo to take the title in the next tournament.”

Adams is part of the CGI Academy system and feels that with the likes of Kemol Savory, Anthony Adams, Ronsford Beaton, Keemo Paul, Quentin Sampson, Kevin Boodie and Nokta

Moses among others, Essequibo have what it takes to continue their dominance in franchise cricket. “We have a talented bunch of cricketers in our set up and we all have a good relationship whereas we support each other both on and off the field, so we gel together nicely and this helps us to play as team whenever we step on the green turf.”

The Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) is made up of eight area committees; Wakenaam, Leguan, East Bank, Central, North, South, Pomeroon and Bartica.

However, cricket at the club and inter association levels is responsible for producing the goods for the county’s franchise system and Adams feels more cricket needs to be played at this level.

“We need to see more cricket being played in Essequibo so the players can be given more opportunities to showcase their talent there which will also help them to improve. Due to the geography of Essequibo, staging a tournament there can be difficult since sponsorship is hard to come by, so I would like to see the business community

Ricardo Adams throwing their support behind the board so Essequibo can continue to produce talented cricketers.”

The ECB hosted a camp in 2019 and Adams said this is a move in the right direction so the young talent can be harnessed. “Those players at the age group level must take the game seriously and give their best whenever they turn out for their county and country,” he said, adding that such camps will help to instill discipline and

encourage hard work.

Prior to the birth of local franchise cricket, the 25-year old Adams performed well at the inter-county level, scoring a fluent 97 against Demerara at Bourda and he continues to be one of the leading players in Essequibo.

He remains a permanent fixture in the senior team and is confident of regaining his spot in the Guyana senior team. “I am working hard to (Continued on page 19)

Tokyo Games must focus on ‘must haves’ to cut costs: Coates To k y o ( R e u t e r s ) Olympics organisers must reduce costs related to the postponed Tokyo Games by focusing on the “musthaves”, IOC Coordination Commission chief John Coates said following a remote meeting with Japanese planners yesterday.

The International Olympics Committee (IOC) and the Japanese government made the unprecedented decision last month to postpone the Games, scheduled to start in July, until next year because of the worldwide coronavirus crisis.

Olympics organisers must now replan the Games without running up huge additional costs. In an interview with German newspaper Welt on Sunday, IOC President Thomas Bach said his organisation faces several hundred million dollars in supplementary costs.

“We will be exploring all

opportunities to optimise and streamline the scope and service levels at the Games, and reduce the costs that have been caused by the postponement,” Coates said following the meeting with the Tokyo 2020 organising committee.

“All of the athletes services will remain the same but there must be other areas of hosting a Games that we can look at and decide what are the must-haves and what are the nice-to-haves.”

Any changes to venues, hospitality, advertising or the swathe of other aspects that make up an Olympic Games will need to be negotiated.

The Olympic Games in To k y o w e r e a l r e a d y expected to cost $12.35 billion even before the postponement. “Do we need to make provision for as much hospitality for sponsors, broadcasters and National Olympic Committees? We will be asking them that,” added

Coates.

Coates also said that additional costs will be incurred by provisions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was too early to know what these might be. The Australian struck a more optimistic tone when speaking about the potential positive impact the Games might have on a Japanese economy.

“Next year, in 2021, if Japan is anywhere like the rest of the world, there is an economic downturn, a recession maybe, these Games are a very positive opportunity for an economic stimulus,” said Coates.

“These Games can be how you kickstart the economy again. These Games could be the re-birth of the tourism industry, these Games could provide opportunities for hotel operators, for your airlines.”

Coates praised Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s

A man wearing a protective face mask, following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Tokyo, Japan. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo possible foresight in deciding to postpone the Games. “I think that Prime Minister Abe is a very smart man and I have no doubt that when he put it to the IOC that we postpone the Games... he had in mind a positive economic stimulus for

Tokyo and Japan in what would otherwise be a downturn,” said Coates.

“I think there will be a lot of countries and cities around the world wishing for a similar opportunity.”

Ye s t e r d a y, J a p a n w a s preparing to widen a state of

emergency to the entire nation, beyond just major cities, as it battles the coronavirus outbreak.

There have been 9,000 coronavirus confirmed infections in Japan and nearly 200 deaths nationwide.

rt Spo

GMR&SC executive and Team CAMS continue fight against covid-19

Some of the supplies recently donated by the GMR&SC and Team CAMS.

Spotlight on WNBA, as league navigates draft on lockdown

Adams is focused on personal fitness during Covid-19 lockdown - Wants to see more cricket in Essequibo

WNBA will conduct a virtual draft during the lockdown. AP

Tokyo Games must focus on ‘must haves’ to cut costs: Coates

Ricardo Adams

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