Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR Pres. Granger Saturday Edition NEWS skirts criticism he cherry-pickedp.

CARICOM report 8 July 04, 2020 - Vol. 14 No. 26

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

Price $80

Online readership yesterday 139,517

NICIL fails to address

key concerns in relation to Ogle land deals - falsely claims that developer had effected payment p.

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Lowenfield had Take the good but said in 2019, the avoid mistakes Commission by other oil nations order instructs - British High made Commissioner GECOM CEO One year later…

Gonsalves assumes US$9M E'bo power CARICOM Chair; Granger absent from plant experiencing virtual ceremony mechanical problems p.

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Principal Magistrate summons Lowenfield after 'no show' at court Marshals prevented from serving court notice p.

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charges being drafted for other GECOM officials - lawyers new fraud charge filed for Lowenfield

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Kaieteur News

Saturday July 04, 2020

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves defends Prime Minister Mia Mottley

“ Her helpful initiatives,” said Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, “to assist in the preservation of democracy in Guyana within the terms of the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society will be long remembered despite unwarranted, vulgar and opportunistic criticisms of her from assorted jaundiced sources who ought to know better. ”

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 04, 2020

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NICIL fails to address key concerns in Ogle land deal - falsely claims that developer had effected payment

By Mikaila Prince

N

ot only did the N a t i o n a l Industrial Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), in a response yesterday to a Kaieteur News article, fail to address key concerns on 30 prime acres of Ogle lands, but the agency claimed that payments made by the d e v e l o p e r, N a v i g a n t Builders Incorporated, as having been effected when they were not.

In an article published yesterday, Kaieteur News had exposed how NICIL issued 30 acres of prime Ogle lands to housing developer Navigant Builders- which built the East Bank-located gated c o m m u n i t y, W i n d s o r Estates- despite the company suspending the project on three separate occasions.

The highly questionable transactions covering the transfer of the lands which are located near a major planned highway that would link the East Coast to the East Bank transportation network were conducted even though Navigant Builders made no payments to NICIL for the land.

NICIL, in a statement to the press yesterday afternoon, said that Navigant Builders had responded to an Expression of Interest (EOI) put out by NICIL in 2018 and submitted a proposal for 80 acres of vacant lands at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, to build a residential housing community including a bank, shopping plazas, restaurants and medical facilities.

“NICIL,” the statement said, “after conducting its due diligence accepted the proposal and offered Navigant a 30-acre plot within the Ogle development. Navigant accepted all the terms and conditions of this offer on February 3rd, 2020.”

The agency claimed that on March 13th, 11 days after the March 2, General and Regional Elections, Navigant paid the initial fees required, causing the agency to complete the other phases of the transaction including having the vesting orders signed by the Minister of Finance and gazetted.

NICIL Head, Colvin Heath London

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan The agency said: “To date, NICIL has not received any official retraction of the acceptance of the offer from Navigant”, while adding that should Navigant communicate its retraction in writing, they are prepared to take all the necessary steps to undo the transaction in the best interest of both parties.

In addition, NICIL released what were purported to be three cheques issued by Navigant Builders for initial fees. One cheque showed a payment of $912,000 (February 27, 2020); another cheque showed a payment of $180M (February 27, 2020), while the third $912,000 (March 13, 2020).

When the housing developer was contacted yesterday by this publication, a senior officer reiterated Navigant Builders paid no monies to NICIL. While the company had in fact issued the cheques toward NICIL for the land deal, it emphasized that it had stopped payments made on all three cheques.

NICIL also failed to address other key issues in

Cheques issued by Navigant Builders to NICIL - the company says that payments were stopped on all three.

Kaieteur News' article, most notably the fact that in a letter dated on June 16, NICIL wrote to the estate developer that Navigant needed to complete its payment of some $924M for the 30 acres of lands before the lands could be transferred and subsequently gazetted.

“The following account summary,” the letter had noted, “reflects the total balance due on your account a s r e g a r d s t h e

aforementioned transaction… On settlement of the above-mentioned balances, the Order to transfer title in the name of Navigant Builders Inc., will then be sent for publication in the Official Gazette and Title to the property will be effected.”

The Navigant Builders' senior officer was adamant that not only had the company stopped payment on the three cheques, but the balance payment requested

as a prerequisite to finalise the transaction had not been made.

Despite this, a vesting order dated June 11 was (continued on page 15)

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Saturday July 04, 2020

Kaieteur News

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

Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

The enlivening return of live sports There is joyful distraction and relief at the returning of sports in our lives. The world hungered for this moment, now more and more come, and here in Guyana many long for anything, any sport that could turn our eyes and minds away from the ugliness and barbarities that have taken up uninterrupted 24-hour residence in the form of elections.

From the British Isles, the English Premier league sprung into long awaited action a few matches ago. Already there have been some scintillating performances and goals in both the top tier and the FA Cup now at the semi-final stage.

There is a lot of pent-up energy, and mostly stay-athome viewers limited to television and cyberspace. It will have to do, and is better than nothing. The world needs the thrill and momentary immersion offered by sports, if only to anesthetize from pandemic pains and losses.

The Italian, German, and Spanish football leagues already took to the fields throughout Europe. Messi and Ronaldo reminding us Guyanese how backward and wayward we are, and the heavy prices we pay for our electoral farces and the failures that come from them.

Guyanese need sports-truth be told, anything-to refocus them on the real world and away from this dark and nasty one that is ours in this ruptured state, to drag us away from shrewd and scandalous political leaders, and back to living again. Daily we die with our eyes blank and on our knees.

In the United States, Major League Baseball is about ready to go, with other big time sports weighing and readying carefully. Time to get down to business, to get it on. Let the games begin.

Still, empty stadiums have to be an eerie experience, whether in close audience, or more distant television viewing. That excited surge of volumes at high decibel and ringing cheers are not there, but it is the best that is permissible at the moment. Starving sports fans will take whatever comes their way, while they long for more, quick return to goal line and boundary line and the line drawn at not deigning to dabble with wrestling.

The bottom line is that, like other closed sectors, sport is hurting. Association football, American Football, basketball, and the like across almost all sports are bleeding financially. Once prosperous sports businesses are under siege and are under pressure to do some serious reengineering.

On the cricket front, the covers are being gently removed from grounds that have been fallow. The thwack of bat and ball bounced, the roar of the crowd, the heat of battles fought in the fiercest of fires. English Count cricket, a much followed, much watched mainstay of the sport is scheduled for a start on August 1. Keen spectators will have to be content with more watching from a greater distance than was the norm.

There is no old norm anymore; for the time being, this is the new norm. It is time for the men and women of the game to suit up and slash and slog away at whatever is hurled their way or spins away from them. No matter how far away, it is a sight for sore eyes, a thrill to just read in the dailies and on the internet. Bring it on. And this is just what the West Indies test team is in England to do: bring their A game.

The West Indies tour of England is underway and involves a three match test series; and players had their first intra-squad knock-up at Old Trafford recently. It will have to do, as we gear up for the real thing soon. We will know soon if they are ready and can compete with the bigger dogs at higher levels.

Additionally, the virus-decimated Pakistani test team readies for its own introduction and baptism in August.

The team needs this, hundreds of millions in this psychologically drained and spirit starved world could use any respite that they get. Bring it on down.

There has been enough of the nostalgic material from the archives and memory lanes of past glory. All the outlets from ESPN to some local media entities have presented flashbacks of what was. It is time for the real thing.

Everyone knows that the time has come for the madness to end DEAR EDITOR, What the de facto President and party is playing out cannot be taken lightly. It appears very likely, that all this meandering and posturing has an orchestrated conclusion.

I fail to see why anyone will go to such lengths if it didn’t. The local and international media has already repeatedly demonstrated why APNU/ AFC has lost the elections and pronounced clearly what will be the consequences of an illegal swearing-in. It is now time for all honest and fair-minded Guyanese to come out and physically demonstrate peacefully and in solidarity to stop the abuse our nation is experiencing.

It is crystal clear that there is a large segment of our

population who wants this nightmare to end and our country return to normalcy. Of course, complete “Normalcy” is not quite what we will return to for some time but at least it is what we all hope and look forward to.

This is by far the greatest post-elections distress this nation has been put through and we need to call on every political party, business organizations, religious and other social groups to speak out on it, by demonstrating collectively that we can take no more.

We must in this effort call on, and demand from the new government to immediately organize a National Dialogue as one of its first orders of business and which must exclude none. The findings must then form the basis for

any necessary change or amendments to the National Constitution if and where necessary so that there is a greater sense of inclusion for all concerned as we move forward.

Political parties on their own cannot be trusted to deal with this highly sensitive and inflammatory situation.

I agree with A. A. Fenty that there is no racism here but I do feel that there is a strong element of ethnic fear and superiority on both sides which has been strongly driven and kept alive by political forces to be used as they see fit.

Our younger generation of political party leaders seems not to have been contaminated by this plague and should

therefore have a much better chance going forward to completely extinguish the ravishing flames that have been destroying our peoples.

Much of the political situations which we experience are driven and encouraged by the older heads. Everyone knows that the time has come for the madness to end.

As is, the situation has created a much broader platform for vile obscenities and crude attacks which are hurled from both sides. This is obviously not a good place for us as a nation to be and by ignoring it any further, is to be courting greater disasters and obstacles in our path to development.

Sincerely, B.A. Ramsay

Erudition on display at CCJ DEAR EDITOR, Not since the time I clerked in the Bronx Supreme Court in the early 1980s that I listened to or watched so many brilliant oral arguments from both sides in a court case. I also heard similar reviews as mine from others with whom I interacted. (I also listened or watched the other election related cases including the no confidence matter). It was a glory of fine arguments. When all the legal issues are resolved and a legally elected government is in place, Kashir Khan and Timothy Jonas (of course Anil Nandlall also) must be recommended for Senior Counsel (Silk) for their erudition in the law. I have my take on how the CCJ judges would rule. They would not disappoint.

This case has far reaching implications for the Commonwealth and the stakes are also high for the government that needs a favourable ruling or else it is gone. Lawyers who watched the proceedings would have been able to learn a few things from the presentations and what not to do when making oral arguments. In my limited experience as a clerk in a Supreme Court, I learn the procedure of presentations and watched judges and lawyers in action; clerks often commented who impressed the most. In oral arguments, lawyers are not supposed to read a script. US Supreme Court or Privy Council judges don’t like lawyers reading their arguments. And judges like to ask questions for clarity especially from written submissions. I noticed quite a bit of reading from notes. Notes are key words to

remind the lawyer what to say, not to be read verbatim.

Lawyers are expected to know the subject matter of presentation. In oral arguments, lawyers may glance at notes but it is generally not acceptable to read the argument, which is exactly what some lawyers did in entirety or at various times.

Oral arguments in apex court are what they are supposed to be – oral, not read. One has to be able “to argue from the feet”. Some lawyers have honed this practice and are flamboyant. Douglas Mendes seems to display that art. The late Sir Fenton Ramsahoye and Karl Hudson Phillips and Ramesh Maharaj (who regularly appears before the Privy Council, winning almost all of them), among others are perfect examples. They were among the best litigators who honed their craft of oral persuasion to an art; with experience comes improvement. Dr Frances Alexis (appearing in Guyana) practiced that art but stumbled a lot and was not as effective as say a Maharaj or Fenton or Karl or Mendes.

A brilliant lawyer must be able to stand up before the court and advocate a position (make arguments) in a manner that is logical, precise and compelling. Lawyers before an apex court are expected to display charm, charisma, flair, flamboyance; all were on display except from one lawyer. Some lawyers were amiable and spoke with wisdom; judges would have respect for them. All the lawyers in Wednesday’s oral arguments were terrific and made very good presentations, except one, from Trinidad who came

across as schlub (virtually talentless) and limited in his knowledge of constitutional law or election law and or legal research and to think he received a SC – for what and why waste lawyer fees on him). Some arguments were lucid and some obfuscating or glib. Some points were persuasive. Overall, the court was lively.

Some lawyers were more outstanding and convincing than others. The lawyers who impressed me most were Kashir Khan, Ralph Ramkarran, and Timothy Jonas – all in support of the appellants (Jagdeo, Irfaan Ali) speaking with clarity and citing appropriate cases as precedents (stare decisis).

They really stood out with their demeanor and diction.

They all spoke with clarity and were logical.

Mendes was his very good usual self with sound arguments of why the CCJ has jurisdiction, and why it must strike down the Court of Appeal ruling (whether wrong or not for taking on an election matter for which it lacked jurisdiction). They spoke clearly in a distinct manner.

Ramkarran and Jonas were soft, cultured and gentle as was Mendes. Ramkarran’s requests were specific and spot on — bring this election to an end. As he was in the CoA, Khan was scholarly and did not speak in a monotone voice as some lawyers for the respondents did; vocal variety impress the most and keep judges focused.

Not to be outdone were the sound presentations of Justin Simon, Reginald Armour, and Basil Williams on the respondent side. Simon and Armour made intelligent

arguments in a very difficult case. Fyard Hosein brought the curtain down when he appealed to the court to become the Marbury Vs Madison of the Caribbean (CCJ) that established American jurisprudence.

Having taught American constitutional law for decades, I am very familiar with this case that gave the US Supreme Court (Apex Court) the authority (power) of judicial review (final arbiter of the US constitution) on whether a lower (superior court) erred in a ruling. Would there be a Marbury moment, as Hosein urged the court, to set precedent? This is a historic and unique opportunity for the court to make law.

The court asked appropriate probing questions and it was crystal clear in which direction it was moving. Some lawyers did not directly answer the court’s questions. The Belize judge did not ask much questions but he was pointed in the few he asked although irritated in the end

by Hosein’s ongoing presentation that were no longer required after his Marbury injection; Hosein did speak from the heart and was persuasive.

Anyone who watched or listened to the proceedings can predict the outcome. It would be 5-0, an erudite ruling. In the 2-1 ruling of the CoA, would two judges be embarrassed and ridiculed (as happened in the ruling that 33 is not majority of 65) or one judge be viewed as not being in tune with the right reading of the constitution?

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Saturday July 04, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Invalidating votes on the basis of a bloated OLE without credible evidence stretches the limits of my comprehension DEAR EDITOR, It is very plausible that 464,565 Guyanese cast their ballots in 2020. This number represents 89% of the estimated 523,838 citizens, 18 years and over, living in Guyana in 2020 who were thereby eligible to vote (see Table). This level of turnout may be startling for Guyanese but is not unusual globally, turnouts in recent elections were above 80% in 20% of countries. Uruguay (90%), Bolivia (89%), Ecuador (82%), and Argentina (81%) among 13 South America countries and Antigua & Barbuda (90%), Bahamas (87%), Cuba (86%), and Aruba (81%) among 19 Caribbean countries are regional examples of high turnouts. (www.idea.int/sites/default/ files/publications/voter-turnout-trends-around-theworld.pdf#) Election Year Total Population % Population 18+ 18+ Population Registered Voters Bloat Votes cast Votes as % of 18+

are based on algorithms which factor in birth rates, death rates, migration, aging, etc. drawn from domestic census data such as that presented by Guyana’s Statistics Bureau (I could not find locally generated estimates). h t t p s : / / statisticsguyana.gov.gy/wpcontent/uploads/2019/10/ 2012_Census_Life_Table.pdf) During this same period voter turnout increased (from 346K to 464K = 118K) substantially.

This is not unreasonable given the heightened interest (76% to 89%) of the population, fuelled in part by social media and the increasingly more penetrative and pervasive electioneering of the two major parties. Given the generally perceived poor performances of the governments during this period it is no surprise that the three elections

2011 2015 749,436* 767,432 60.8%* 64.1% 455,657 491,924 475,496 583,444 19,839 91,520 346,717 415,788 76% 85%

Notes: *2010 population and 18+ data from Worldometer and UN. The Guyana Population is estimated by Worldometer’s RTS algorithm ( h t t p s : / / www.worldometers.info/ demographics/guyana-demographics/), which processes data collected from the United Nations Population Division (https://population.un.org/ wpp/). Caribbean Elections { h t t p : / / www.caribbeanelections.com/ elections/gy) provides comprehensive information on the electoral process, politics, and citizenship in the Caribbean.

Current estimates by the UN shows Guyana has grown (from 749K to 786K = 36K) and aged (from 60.8% to 66.6% more in 18+) over the past 10 years. The estimates reflect more young people are moving into the voting age group, less working age citizens are migrating, and the elderly are living longer. These estimates

2020 786,543 66.6% 523,838 661,028 137,190 464,565 89%

have been the most competitive (one seat majorities/minorities for the winner) in the history of Guyana’s elections.

The closeness of these elections are explained by the changing demographics in Guyana. As some writers have suggested, Guyana’s elections are dynamic be-

cause of the increased Mixed and Indigenous citizens, influx of youthful voters unburdened by loyalty or distrust, and older voters willing to give third (e.g. AFC) parties a voice in parliament. Voting dynamics were also influenced by internal migration.

The regional population changes, according to Roopnarine (Guyana Population Movement and Social Development, 2012), are explained by both internal and external migration.

One cannot ignore the exponential growth in the electoral lists, i.e.” bloat”, which has seen registered voters exceeding the voting (18+) age population by as many as 137,190 in 2020. I am mindful that many considered “bloat” are living members of Guyana’s diaspora who have the right to be registered and to vote.

So, there are obviously significant problems with the voters list, not least of which are the inclusion of large numbers of dead and disinterested migrants. GECOM, the body tasked to provide an appropriate OLE has not done so despite major activities over the past 10 years: three general elections, two local government elections, claims and objection periods and an aborted partial house-tohouse registration.

It is telling that both major parties had turns in office and their appointees occupied all seven seats in GECOM. The OLE for the 2020 elections was discussed by the

President and GECOM commissioners. The President said the government is satisfied that preparations are onstream for a timely elections process. (https:// newsroom.gy/2019/12/27 / president-satisfied-withgecoms-preparations-forelections/).

“I got the clear impression from the Chairman (retired Justice Claudette Singh) and all of the Commissioners that

they were quite satisfied that the preparations for elections were onstream and that we can all look forward to having a credible and efficient election by the 2nd of March,” Given the above, I am convinced all parties went into the 2020 election accepting the OLE and were well aware of the “bloat”. One imagines they would have all developed plans to deal with

any negative exigencies.

Statements from observers and almost all the contesting parties suggest that GECOM election day staff and processes effectively thwarted most of the efforts to use the OLE illegally. GECOM’s CEO invalidating votes on the basis of a bloated OLE without credible evidence stretches the limits of my comprehension.

Rory Fraser

Pay attention to manoeuvre successfully DEAR EDITOR, On Wednesday July 1 at 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time , there were 10, 717:96 cases and 516, 904 death from COVID-19 , globally. Guyana had 245 cases and 12 deaths from COVID-19. This pandemic has precipitated many socioeconomic changes. In June 2020, the World Economic Forum announced that in January 2021, there will be a conference in Davos Switzerland called the Great Reset. This conference of the global ruling elite, aims to usher in a new social contract and a new global socioeconomic system. The global elites argue that the global health crisis revealed that the current system is inadequate. Most people in the Caribbean and Guyana do not pay attention to the

propaganda of the global elite but in this serious time it is required. Both local and global elites will not let a crisis go to waste.

The United Kingdom will engage in a no deal Brexit which means trade between the European Union will follow World Trade Organization rules. This mean the UK will pivot towards its former colonies to increase its international power. In June, Boris Johnson, prime minister of the UK, announced the merger of the department of international development and the Foreign Service. It will be called the Foreign, Commonwealth and development office. The name indicates the interest in commonwealth countries and will merge UK national interest with foreign aid. It is widely accepted that politicians in

Guyana are susceptible to foreign aid. They usually put personal and party benefits over national interest.

The Caribbean but not Guyana is heavily indebted.

Guyana’s debt to GDP ratio has reached over 55%. With tourism and global trade being very weak for at least few years, Guyana will likely seek debt relief or seek the aid of international financial institutions. They will want some concessions.

Before World War 1, passport was not generally required for international travel. Similarly, international travel will require more bureaucracy. Globally and locally personal freedom will be further limited after this pandemic. Pay attention to manoeuvre successfully.

Yours truly, Brian Ellis Plummer

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Saturday July 04, 2020

Kaieteur News

Can you for once be truthful and honest, even to yourself?

DEAR EDITOR, Brazilian lyricist/writer/ novelist, Paulo Coelho de Souza, best known for his novel “The Alchemist,” wrote, “Telling the truth and making someone cry is better than telling a lie and making someone smile.” In Guyana, this beautiful and rich country of heart-warning people and fertile soil, the landscape is also contaminated with sprinkles of ugliness that tend to dampen an almost picture perfect portrait of beauty beyond the boundary of nature’s charm. Is beauty only decided on an outward appearance without consideration for the hidden looks of the mind, concealed inwardly? Diminished beauty is not necessarily translated in terms of physical glamour but also the personality that inhibits good behaviour and the unacceptable impediments that hinder society’s norm for law and order. Then again, “beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder” and so, everyone is physically beautiful because man was made from an image of the Creator.

“Covet not/ bear no false witness against your neighbour/do not steal,” these are the pillars that laid a foundation to which the caretaker President subscribe to. Guyana remains a hostage in the grip of greed,

covetousness, dishonesty and power hunger. The love for lies, deceits and corruption remain high on the agenda for those embroiled in conspiring in an attempt to fool the people and misguide them. It is said, “Do not mix truth with falsehood or hide the truth when you know it.”

You would expect that the leader of a nation would set the perfect example for the people to follow and he or she would remain almost flawless. But that is definitely not the case in Guyana and is in fact, contrary to the rule.

Here we have a situation where the caretaker president sets a precedent and enjoys himself in indulging in tongue twisting, back tracking, flawlessly and constantly too.

His campaign of “honesty, decency, integrity,” is as sour as green tamarind and all the sugar cane in Guyana (unfortunately limited now) cannot change the taste of fallacy for dishonesty.

Remember on the election night of March 2nd at their HQ, victory was declared by the APNU+AFC Party and now he is denying that he never claimed victory? Still playing hide and seek with the SOP’s? Those very SOP’s dictated the installation of Plan B! That was just the beginning of the trend that he created and what followed is a trail of a genius at work,

displaying his mastery...

Really, a fact finding exercise would disclose that there isn’t enough paper to record the amount of lies he has uttered in quality and quantity. Is this the kind of leader we want to lead this nation? Never again Guyana will allow this monstrous behaviour.

It is written, “A humble leader, before ruling people, had to rule their hearts,” that is a sign of a true leader. Mr. ‘G’ you have been called out by your own kit and kin, by the people of Guyana and the international community, especially our and your own brothers and sisters in the Caribbean. They once held you in good standing but now, they see you... for what you really are and it is not honourable. They want to have nothing to do with you and your cabal. You are a disgrace to the ethics of free and fair election and they are ashamed that you chose to support fraud and deny transparency of a legitimate and valid result. Now your propaganda programme, including using the state machinery, an expense to the people, is so vile that it is laced with everything that is missing in any of the holy books! COVID-19 is here, why not use that money for a better purpose? Did you forget, people are literally starving? You are spending

Let our spiritual and moral convictions take precedence over personal predilections or predispositions DEAR EDITOR, I applaud Claudia Heywood for her courage to write the June 28th KN letter, “We must prepare to embrace truth no matter our race or personal preference”.

Ms. Heywood’s stated desire is to “embrace truth”, and implores Guyanese to be “prepared to applaud the true winner and encourage the

loser while we all work together for the good of the Nation”, resulting in all of us being “winners.”

The letter writer warms of tribalism and encourages us to respect and listen to each other – and to uphold genuine righteousness.

This missive and letterwriter make a greater optimist

out of me. I believe that the Guyanese people would eventually experience the power of truth over untruth.

May we, like our sister Claudia Heywood, let our spiritual and moral convictions take precedence over personal predilections or predispositions.

Yours truly, Dr. Devanand Bhagwan

over a billion dollars on a building that will probably become a white elephant.

That money could have been spent on relieving the people who are currently suffering.

That money could have been spent on a programme that can prevent and contain the spreading of the virus. There are many make shift buildings that can be structured temporarily to accommodate this need. But no, this is another avenue that this syndicate found possibly to funnel exorbitant expenses without transparency, dollars flowing to itchy palms, all at the last moment before departure. Refusing to build a multi- purpose hospital that could have served this very need shows a classic example of hindsight at its best. Only one with a mind that is heartless, merciless and unscrupulous will function in such a cruel capacity and remain aloof of the reality of

the gravity of the situation!

Gandhi said, “Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained.”

Mr. ‘G’, if you are an ardent reader, a religious person, a God fearing individual, a poet, writer, author, a family man, husband and father, how would you like your legacy to be written?

You have associated yourself intimately with the works and lives of Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-Moon, Barack Obama, Stalin, Hitler, Sadam Hussein, etc. Man’s nature is such that he is remembered by the 1% of bad things he or she did and not the 99% of good things performed. You have created history and broken a number of records, all flatteringly positive, negative or both, depends on who is looking through the lens. Can you for once be truthful and honest,

even to yourself? Here is an interesting quote that has influenced many world leaders like yourself, “Carefully watch your thoughts, for they become your words. Manage and watch your words, for they will become your actions.

Consider and judge your actions, for they have become your habits.

Acknowledge and watch your habits, for they shall become your values.

Understand and embrace your values, for they become your destiny.” It is never too late for anything, a lesson all of us can adhere to. Do the right thing, Sir, so that you can regain pride and dignity in the eyes of all.

Guyana sleeps with her eyes wide open, tears flowing, waiting and hoping.

Sanctions are not coming, they are here, already!

Respectfully, Jai Lall

No sensible leader should contribute to the creation of this kind of environment DEAR EDITOR, I note that my friend and CARICOM Brother, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the new CARICOM Chairman, seem determine to throw stones towards Guyana.

Statements which are certainly premature.

As one of the most experienced leaders in the Region, and the longest serving Prime Minister, I remain disappointed that he has not taken a page out of the Book of many other CARICOM Heads of Government and Leaders of political and social groupings.

That is to maintain a level of cohesion and comradery within CARICOM. When we behave this way, we earn the disrespect of outsiders and weaken the foundation pillars of CARICOM. No sensible leader should contribute to the creation of this kind of environment.

I read a report by the Opposition Leader of St. Vincent. He certainly did not glorify democracy in St. Vincent.

Mr. Gonsalves and others used the term ‘democracy’ with gay abandon. He must know that throughout modern history, democracy is a chameleon term used for a variety of reasons and those of us ought to know better should be careful not to ply this term without providing detail and credible information.

The truth is democracy means different things to different people and experienced political figures ought to be careful when we apply the term without providing data.

We will be celebrating the Independence anniversary of the United States of America.

A country and the people I believe the majority of Guyanese cherish. A place where Guyanese have a family-member, relative, or friend resident there and in the majority of cases, enjoying the American way of life with the many avenues for upward mobility and where we happily refer to as “the land of opportunities.”

There and elsewhere the struggle to define and refine democracy is ongoing.

I quote from the Book, The Challenge of Democracy written by Janda, Berry and Goldman which states in the first chapter of the second edition, as follows: “Which is better: to live under a government that allows individuals freedom to do whatever they please or under one that enforces strict law and order? Which is better: to allow businesses and private clubs to discriminate in choosing their customers and members or to pass laws that enforce equality among races and sexes?”

“For many people, none of these alternatives is satisfactory. All of them pose difficult dilemmas of choice.

The dilemmas are tied to opposing philosophies that place different values on freedom, order, and equality.” End of quote.

Even before we cut the umbilical cord with Great Britain, Demerarians (as Guyanese were then called) looked to the US for guidance and succor.

We can be reminded, however, that the first twelve Presidents beginning with George Washington, James Maddison, James Munroe, Andrew Jackson and others were slave owners in that democracy prompting Martin Luther King (Jnr.), a century after the American Civil War to note and I quote “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed We hold these truths to be self -evident, that all men are created equal.”

President David A. Granger has neither violated our Constitution nor broken our laws but yet we see so many throwing stones at him and the government he leads.

And I wonder, Dear Editor, if the underlying philosophy of these stone throwers is that they regard our erect and proper leader as being one of the other folks.

I wonder, for I confine no valid reasons for this relentless stone-throwing by a few people in the US, Guyana and the Caribbean. I wonder.

Hamilton Green

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 04, 2020

PAGE 07

Principal Magistrate summons Lowenfield after 'no show' at court - Marshals prevented from serving court notice - Charges being drafted for other GECOM officials - lawyer - New fraud charge filed (From left) Dr. Daniel Josh Kanhai, Desmond Morian and Attorney-at-law Glenn Hanoman

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summons was yesterday issued

by Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty for the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Keith Lowenfield to appear in court on July 24 to answer to private criminal charges that were filed against him for allegedly providing false results from the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections to the Chair of GECOM Opposition People's Progressive Party (PPP) member Desmond Morian and The New Movement Party (TNM) executive Dr. Daniel Josh Kanhai are the ones who filed the private criminal charges against Lowenfield. The charges are Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, and Misconduct in Public Office. Morian is

GECOM CEO: Keith Lowenfield being represented by attorney-at-law Glenn Hanoman, while attorneysat-law Mark Conway and George Thomas are representing Kanhai. Both Morian and Kanhai were present in court when the matter was called.

According to the particulars of the first charge, Lowenfield between the 5th day of March and 23rd day of June, 2020, at Georgetown, he conspired with person(s) unknown to

commit the common law offence of fraud, to wit, by representing to the Guyana Elections Commission, that tables attached to his Election Report dated 23rd June, 2020, accurately reflected the true results of the said election, in order to materially alter the results of the said election, with intent to defraud, knowing the said tabulation to be false.

And the latter charge particulars alleged that, Lowenfield between the

5thday of March and 23rd day of June, 2020, while performing his duty as The Chief Elections Officer of

The Guyana Elections Commission, without lawful excuse or justification, willfully misconducted

himself at Georgetown, by ascertaining results of the 2nd March, 2020 General (continued on page 16)

Take the good but avoid mistakes other oil nations made

By Kiana Wilburg

W

hen it comes to the e f f e c t i v e management and development of oil and gas resources, nations across the world have made their fair share of mistakes while, in other instances, they managed to get a few things right.

Guyana's CARICOM sister, Trinidad and Tobago, is one such e x a m p l e . T h e Tw i n - I s l a n d Republic made sure that its citizens were integrated to the maximum extent in its oil industry and they are well paid at all levels.

On the flipside however, Trinidad failed to diversity its other industries. In fact, its dependence on oil ended up having a damaging effect on its economic growth year on year.

Taking this into account, British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn argues that it's critical for Guyana's leaders to take the good others in the industry have done with oil while paying close attention to their

mistakes. The High Commissioner passed on this salient piece of advice during his first appearance on Kaieteur Radio's Programme,' Guyana's Oil and You'.

Quinn said that when one reflects on where Guyana started with the discovery of oil, it was clear that those in the system were and still are “trying to find their feet.”

He continued, “…I think that this is one of the reasons why we worked so hard to link together Aberdeen for example with Georgetown but also with the broader administration here. But if you look at how we did oil and gas in the United Kingdom, it wasn't always good. Let us be honest here, we did not manage our oil and gas in the North Sea as well as we would have liked to have done, in retrospect.”

The diplomat said that, notwithstanding, there are lessons, from places like Aberdeen and elsewhere around the world, of what has and has not worked, lessons that would be useful to

- British High Commissioner urges Guyana.

He said, “…Certainly, I encourage as much as possible, those leaders, whether they be at a senior political level, at the business level, to sort of listen to what others have done. Take the good stuff but also take the bad stuff as well and try to ensure that you do not repeat the mistakes of others, like we have done.”

Good Leadership Further, the High Commissioner gave credence to the notion that good leadership will be key to Guyana's success with oil.

Part of good leadership, he opined, is the ability to admit when you do not know and seeking the relevant help in that area.

“I think any leader,” Quinn offered, “who says that they don't need to learn anything, or think that they no longer need to learn

anything does not display good leadership. A good leadership quality is accepting the fact that you never always know everything and there is always room to expand and to improve your abilities.”

Quinn said it will be critical for Guyana to make connections with other experienced oil producing nations so as to build capacity.

He noted that every citizen has a role to play in ensuring the country continues in the right direction.

One of the key ways citizens can play their role is by pointing out when things are good and when things are not that great the High Commissioner said, adding that this is where civil society, for example, comes into play.

The High Commissioner said that there are obviously going to be a lot of new points from citizens while noting that, in the end, any political leader or business leader is going to have to take the decision

British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn they think is best at the time. He stressed nonetheless that good leadership will ensure that citizens are heard. He said that the value of those opinions will get Guyana in the place it needs to be.

“Ultimately,” he stated, “all of this money that comes in from oil and gas has to be used in a way that benefits that man and woman in the street. So they also have a right to say, 'This is not what you should be doing and this is what I think you should be doing'.”

Saturday July 04, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Pres. Granger skirts criticism he cherry-picked CARICOM report

By Shikema Dey

D

e facto President David Granger, during an encounter with the press on We d n e s d a y, s k i r t e d questions concerning his selective reference to sections of the CARICOM Observer report during an exclusive interview with Benschop Radio earlier in the week.

Granger, in making his argument in support of GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield's latest

submission of altered figures showing a Granger win, c i t e d s e v e r a l recommendations made by the three-member CARICOM Scrutineering Team in their report.

He, however, came under heavy criticisms by many who accused him of “cherrypicking” integral parts of the report, and disregarding those that stated that recount results reflected the will of the electorate.

For example, Granger had claimed in the Benschop interview that the report

Lowenfield submitted to the GECOM Chair Claudette Singh took into account the “possibility of the contaminations” of the votes due to “anomalies and irregularities” in the March 2 electoral process that were made in the report done by the CARICOM team.

“If you view the recommendations of the CARICOM Team, you would see how serious this issue is...the team recommended an investigation into missing documents; it also

recommended a total reregistration of all voters in Guyana,” Granger had claimed.

The report stated, in contrast, however, that “while there were 'instances of irregularities', the majority of which were raised by Coalition party agents, the team does not view the irregularities identified, amounted to s u ff i c i e n t g r o u n d s t o invalidate the tabulation of the votes at the recount and therefore these irregularities do not constitute sufficient

De Facto President David Granger grounds to challenge the integrity of the recount process.”

During the interview with Benschop, Granger had repeatedly stated that those who were citing sections of the report that came out in support of the recount “did not read the entire report”, advising that persons do so in order to arrive at an 'accurate' picture of what was said.

As was carried in this paper's reporting however, a full reading of the report directly contradicts Granger's conclusions that the report vindicated Lowenfield's actions and his support of Lowenfield's actions.

Asked to respond to these very criticisms after the appointment and promotion ceremony of acting Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, Granger simply stated that the excerpts he presented in support of Lowenfield are exactly what were stated in the CARICOM report: “My response is that every word I issued came from the recommendations of the CARICOM report.

If you want you can double check, the recommendations of the CARICOM report and you will see my words are faithfully represented there.

Those words, didn't come from the sky, they are in the recommendations.”

The CARICOM team had said, in its report, that it viewed the exercise undertaken by the Granger coalition agents as “a fishing expedition” to gather data for an elections petition. It also called the exercise an “abuse of the system.” The CARICOM team also wrote t h a t “ We f o u n d n o intentional miscounting of

the ballots which would constitute an election fraud necessitating further action…Nothing that we witnessed warrants a challenge to the inescapable conclusion that the recount results are acceptable and should constitute the basis of the declaration of the results of the March 02, 2020 elections.”

Granger, in the Benschop interview, had claimed that CARICOM report “recommends that the structure of the Election Commission be changed, the present structure will not work and it finally recommended that given all the irregularities which occurred during the period of the electoral cycle, we highly recommend that a political audit be conducted in the operations.”

What the CARICOM report said was, “While GECOM is described as an independent body, it is undoubtedly a political Commission, and herein lies most of the problems, the paralysis, and the factionalism experienced by that body. The level of internal discord which is acutely manifested in the public posturing of individual Commissioners is the norm in Guyana and unfortunately was on full and ugly display in the 2020 elections and its aftermath.”

The President's representation of select aspect of the CARICOM report is in direct conflict with the overall conclusion made by the CARCIOM team, which was, “While we acknowledge that there were some defects in the recount of the March 2, 2020 votes cast for the General and Regional elections in Guyana, the team did not witness anything which would render the recount and by extension the casting of the ballots on March 2, so grievously deficient procedurally or technically, (despite some irregularities), or sufficiently deficient to have thwarted the will of the people and consequently preventing the election results and its declaration by GECOM from reflecting the will of voters.”

Reminded of the excerpt above, the President was asked once again to respond specifically to the question of whether he read the entire report – he again failed to (continued on page 14)

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 04, 2020

PAGE 09

A Rigging in Six Acts T

he conspiracy to rig the General and Regional Elections was a plot in six acts. It commenced prior to the no-confidence motion of December 2018. It is not finished as yet.

It will continue after the decision of the Caribbean Court of Justice this week. It is now crystal clear that the APNU+AFC is determined to hold on to power regardless of the costs to the nation. It is a most selfish, brazen and despotic decision.

The First Act of the rigging conspiracy involved the seizure of the Guyana Elections Commission and its Secretariat. The government insisted that the person who should head the Commission must be a judge or retired judge. Then there was the suggestions that “fit and proper” must include “judge-like” qualities.

When these criteria were rejected by the Courts, there was a unilateral imposition

of a Chairman on the Commission. By the time the CCJ reversed this decision, the damage had been done.

The Secretariat had already been seized. The APNU+AFC was effectively in control of the Elections Commission.

The Second Act of the rigging process involved delays in holding elections.

The Opposition, following its electoral triumph in November 2018, moved quickly to consolidate its position by tabling in the National Assembly a noconfidence motion. The APNU+AFC needed to buy time to put measures in place to steal the elections.

Legal challenges were made to the constitutionality of the no-confidence motion.

Who can forget the argument that 33 was not a majority of 65 within the meaning of the Constitution? The legal challenges reached all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice which rubbished the arguments about 33 not

being a majority of 65.

After the High Court had upheld the vote in the House, the government insisted on house-to house registration while they launched an appeal to the decision of the High Court. This ensured that the elections would not have been held.

Even after the CCJ ruled that the initial appointment of Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission was unconstitutional, the government insisted on going into its third act.

That Third Act involved the government demanding that it must be able to nominate persons for the post of Chairperson.

Eventually, the APNU+AFC got the candidate it wanted because Jagdeo became frustrated and was outfoxed.

He did not realize that the plan of the APNU+AFC was to wear him down until he conceded to what they wanted.

The Fourth Act involved

Dem boys seh...

MISS-ILL selling fuh nuttin and Lolo-field is President

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hen dem boys write dem GCE, dem examiner ask some hard questions. Dem boys get vex and dash back a question at de examiner, telling de examiner: “Yuh asking hard question? See if you could solve this one.”

Dem boys hear that de examiners bright bad and no matter wha question you ask them, dem gun find de answer. But dem boys gat a problem which dem boys know none ah dem examiner at the CXC and GCE or at de SAT can solve.

Here goes: MISS-ILL is the seller of government land.

It write to a private company on June 16 asking dem fuh pay fuh land and telling them that as soon as dem pay, de sale gun gazette.

De company write back a few days later and tell MISSILL dat them nat interested at this time because de country nah gat political stability and that when it become stable de gun get in contact with MISS-ILL. Explain in yo own words, how it is then that even before de company was

asked to pay fuh de land, it dun gazette in dem name (15 marks).

Dem picknee write de Common Entrance examination dis week. Some ah dem seh de examination hard; some seh it come easy.

But all of dem complain about one question: Who is de President of Guyana?

Some of dem put de Rigga-dier; some ah dem put Ir-faat.

But wan lil boy smile when he see de question. He put Lolo-field.

Talk half and wait fuh see which one of dem right!

Fire victim receives donations from civil society

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mother of eight, who lost everything to a fire that occurred June 23 at her lot 54 Duncan Street, has received donations by Mommy's Corner, a non-profit organization known for helping women. The woman, Natasha Gittens, was residing with her husband Jerry Jones and their eight children at the property when the entire top flat of the building was gutted by the fire. The woman sustained injuries due to her jumping from the building with her baby in an attempt to save their lives.

Mommy's Corner is a non-profit organization headed by Madonna Ghanie and the organization is presently notorious for

coming to the rescue of women who are extremely in need.

Just a few weeks ago they aided an abused Cummings Lodge woman by helping her with her medical procedures to fix her injuries from the beating.

She also received clothing and accommodation after she feared going back to her home. The organization has donated food supplies, clothing items, as well as items for the baby of the mother of eight.

The family of ten is currently being sheltered by an aunt of Gittens until they are able to get back on their feet again. Gittens is also recovering from her injuries sustained.

the manipulation of the results of the count of District 4 and now in terms of the perversion of the results needed for the formal declaration.

The Fifth Act involved an attempt to turn the Recount exercise into an audit and, thru that, into a sham. All manner of unsubstantiated allegations were made about impersonation and electoral manipulation. These were described by the Caricom Team which monitored the Recount as a fishing expedition. The attempt laid the foundation for the 'invalidation' of a quarter of

all the ballots. This is the most bizarre development in the elections process.

The Sixth Act involved attempts at frustrating the work of independent election observers. The Carter Center was denied permission to return for the Recount. During the tabulations of the District 4 votes, there was a threat to the Observers that their accreditations could be rescinded. Some of them did not take this lightly.

The country is now at its present crisis because of these six acts, all of which have contributed to undermining electoral

democracy. This was no ordinary attempt at perverting the elections. It was grand conspiracy which has been carefully plotted.

Democracy is being raped. The APNU+AFC is not interested in free and fair elections. It is interested only in fairy tale elections – one which will give it victory by hook or by crook.

(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

Saturday July 04, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Threats to democracy or dangerous and stupid minds

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o s e s Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan spoke to the Chronicle about social media manipulations in Guyana elections. They both refer to the presence of Cambridge Analytica (CA) and Mercury company.

Nagamootoo claimed that CA developed software which it used in Guyana “that allowed the most intimate interference with the behaviour of our people, and set them up for manipulation on the basis of their race, culture and political persuasion. In effect, the PPP

paid handsomely to compromise and undermine what the Guyana Constitution guarantees as the sovereignty of the people.”

Obviously CA is amazingly incompetent because writing in the Chronicle shortly after Mingo was caught inserting fictional numbers in his tabulation; Nagamootoo wrote that the APNU+AFC won the election. In a small country like this with only 400, 000 voters going to the poll, how did such a formidable research company made the PPP lose the election? After

all, it is Nagamooto himself who wrote that the PPP lost thus calling into question the competence of CA It would be nice if Nagamootoo could explain how the research firm failed.

The trouble with Nagamootoo is that he doesn't face the media so we will never know why Lincoln Lewis and David Hinds were removed from the Chronicle as columnists when he was the subject minister. So we will never get an explanation from him as how the company failed the PPP. Here is Nagamootoo again; “As long as political

parties are allowed to utilise the services of unprincipled companies which harness social media and personal data to influence elections, countries like Guyana will never be able to assure its citizens untarnished democratic processes and political equality.” But these companies are failures because Nagamootoo said his party won. There is another question the answer to which makes Nagamootoo looks like an asinine politician.

This columnist knows that the PPP won the election by one seat and almost 8000 votes went to the smaller parties. Those small organizations collected votes that would never have gone to the PNC and the AFC and would have been given to the PPP if these small entities did not contest. If these research firms manipulated people's thinking then how come almost 8000 voters did not give their ballot to the PPP? Let's go to Ramjattan.

Despite the power Nagamootoo assigns to CA, its presence was almost nonexistent in Guyana because even the Minister of Security did know about CA's work here and only learnt of it on June 14 when one of CA's former employees in an interview supposedly touched on Guyana Now interestingly, the

Chronicle also quotes Ramjattan as saying that it was only on Election Day (March 2) that that members of the government knew that Mercury was in Guyana. (see the article; “Democracy in Danger: Nagamootoo, Ramjattan say involvement of Cambridge Analytica, Mercury, threat to elections in Guyana”, Chronicle, 22, 2020) This is a mountain of elephant dung. This is a small country where the population is concentrated in Region 4 and the majority of Region 4's residents can be found in Georgetown and its environ.

How can two foreign firms be operating in Guyana, tampering with people's social media postings, hacking into people's smart phones and manipulating their Facebook postings to positively shape their perceptions of the PPP and no one from the time of the announcement of the date of the election until voting day itself knew anything about these two firms? And the minister whose portfolio is security tells the Chronicle the government only knew on Election Day of the presence of CA. Here are the words of Ramjattan; “If you now know what Cambridge Analytica can do, what Mercury can do, what interference can come from people of that ilk, who can throw your psycho-

Frederick Kissoon demographics and then push nasty disinformation and fake news and all of that.

That's probably where we got distracted from and that is where our gaze ought to have been” My analysis of the election reveals that the PPP won. But if Nagamootoo and Ramjattan are informing us that these two companies were in Guyana and their power to get into voters head were displayed during the election campaign then they have to tell us how their party beat the PPP. They have to give an explanation, but they will not do so because because Nagamootoo and Ramjattan are sprouting asininities.

Their verbal miasma does not influence anyone. Do you know why only two politicians from the entire fortress of APNU+AFC are telling us about Mercury and CA? Because they have to find a scapegoat for not bringing votes to the APNU+AFC campaign.

They are the reason poor Granger lost the election.

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

Saturday July 04, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Saturday July 04, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Lowenfield had said in 2019, the Commission by order instructs GECOM CEO

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hief Elections Officer (CEO) K e i t h Lowenfield, had stated on Friday last, that he is not bound by the directives of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair nor the Commission; however back in 2019, he sang a different tune, stating clearly that it was the Commission who by constitutional “order” instructs him.

In an attempt to justify his decision to present a final election report to the Commission, invalidating 115,844 votes and granting the win to the Coalition, Lowenfield said in a press statement on Friday last that “While the Commission makes certain policy decisions and provides guidance to the Chief Election Officer for implementation by the Secretariat, I have to execute my duties as a Constitutional Officer, particularly in the conduct of Elections.”

However, at a press conference in February 2019

at the GECOM Headquarters, Lowenfield offered a starkly different perspective.

In a short video published by online media outfit, News Room, the CEO stated that it was the GECOM Commission who is constitutionally mandated to direct the Secretariat, which he controls.

In his explanation , Lowenfield stated “I think I need to remind sometimes, that this agency, this c o n s t i t u t i o n a l a g e n c y, established constitutionally, Article 161, speaks very clearly to the establishment of the Commission, the Chairman and to the members of that Commission and their responsibility.”

He added that it is the Commission who is responsible for the efficient conduct of general and regional elections, local government elections and for the conduct of registration in Guyana.

Lowenfield argued that, “The Commission by order instructs the Chief Elections Officer for the conduct of all

these subsets; they are contained in the constitution where the Commission shall direct the Secretariat to so do so it is not a creation of an attitude on the part of the CEO that he have to be provided with guidance.”

“So,” he added “they direct – move, don't move, act, don't act – as is contained in the Constitution.”

The CEO pointed out that, he, being a “student of management” understands fundamentally what is required by the Secretariat in the execution of their duties.

“So sometimes when,” he stated at the press conference, “one hears that the CEO cannot meet with a team at location X or Y, I have not yet, as constitutionally mandated, been provided with the guidance from the Commission, Chairman and Commissioners, so I think we need to understand that from jump street.”

Lowenfield in his June 2020 press statement maintained that he acted in “conformity” with the constitutional provisions that

guide him. He, however, failed to mention which specific provisions in the Constitution grant him the powers to act outside of the directions of the Commission and the Chair.

It should be pointed out that the only section of the Constitution that speaks to the duties of the Chief Elections Officer is Article 177 (2) (b).

That provision states that “Where – there are two or more Presidential candidates, if more votes are cast in favour of the list in which a person is designated as Presidential candidate than in favour of any other list, that Presidential candidate shall be deemed to be elected as President and shall be so declared by the Chairman of the Elections Commission acting only in accordance with the advice of the Chief Election Officer, after such advice has been tendered to the Elections Commission at a duly summoned meeting.”

Lowenfield was initially instructed to submit a report based on the CARICOMsupervised election recount.

Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield That report places the PPP/C in the lead by some 15,000 votes.

What he did submit was a report which placed the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+ AFC) government in a considerable lead ahead of the Opp o s i t i o n , P e o p l e ' s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

H is actions were supported by the Coalition

who, shortly after his press statem e n t , s e n t o u t a statement stating that the “CEO is clearly empowered and instructed by the Constitution and Laws of Guyana, not by any other entity or person and that he has discharged his functions within the ambit of the law.”

De facto President, David Granger, in an interview earlier this week, further defended Lowenfield's position and actions.

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 04, 2020

PAGE 13

All mining activities Charges withdrawn against PPP/C protesters for breaching suspended in Moruca and Aranka due to Covid-19 COVID-19 guidelines - travel restrictions applied

PPP/C protestors lined off in front the Ministry Foreign of Affairs, South Road

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he charges against former People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Parliamentarian, Neil Kumar, and Raphael Boodhoo, for allegedly breaching the COVID-19 guidelines have been withdrawn after the police prosecutor failed to provide substantial evidence.

During the trial, the police prosecutor was unable to provide concrete evidence for some of the charges that

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were instituted against Kumar and Boodhoo. As such the Magistrate withdrew the charges against the defendants.

On their first court appearance, Kumar and Boodhoo were arraigned before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts to answer the charge, which stated that on May 16, 2020 they breached the C O V I D - 1 9 e m e rg e n c y

measures. Kumar was also charged for hosting a meeting of a fraternal, civic organization.

The men were arrested during a PPP/C-organised protest in front of the Foreign Affairs Ministry calling for the Carter Center to be allowed into the country to complete their observation of the March 02 General and Regional Elections. Kumar and Boodhoo were put on $25,000 bail each.

ollowing an alarming increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of Public Health has extended the emergency measures to July 16, with additional restrictions for Regions One and Seven which are the two Regions with the highest number of cases.

In the notice put out by the Ministry, it is stated that “all mining operations shall cease” in locations outlined in the document, Moruca in Region One, and Aranka/Arangoy Landing in Region Seven. It also restricts travel to and from these areas.

“No person shall travel into or out of the areas listed in the Schedule during the period 3rd July 2020 to the 16th July, 2020 without the authorisation of the Minister of Public Health,” the notice

stated. Among the “special measures” for specific Hinterland & Mining communities are also restrictions on public gathering with a limitation of five persons maximum while maintaining six feet distance between each person, sanitization of all public places including shops, landing, means of transportation and conveyances, and the wearing of mask fitted to cover the nose and mouth when in public.

Business owners are mandated to ensure that their employees and customers adhere to all sanitary measures and also inform the health authorities of anyone who presents flu like symptoms. The notice gives power to the police to coordinate and mobilise the

security of quarantine and isolation sites, materials or goods and screening and testing checkpoints, provide escort for mobile teams; and ensure the security of entry and exits points of the areas.

According to an official, a task force comprising of police ranks and co-wardens are expected to go into these areas on Sunday to assist the officers who are already stationed there with enforcement.

Among other changes to the order is the addition of medical schools, public sector construction, manufacturers, and distributors to the list of essential services, allowing them to now operate in keeping with the 6pm to 6am curfew which remains in effect until July 16th. All previous measures put in place are still in effect.

Saturday July 04, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

PM Gonsalves assumes CARICOM Chairmanship

- Granger absent from virtual ceremony

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rime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, D r. R a l p h G o n s a l v e s , yesterday assumed the Chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) during a virtual conference, even as de facto President of Guyana, David Granger was absent from online regional event.

During the Special Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government, held virtually yesterday, the new CARICOM Chair stated that the challenges of nature and the global political economy must serve as driving forces to build a stronger, better CARICOM. While he acknowledged that the union was “far from perfect”, and that there were both possibilities and limitations in the design of the integration movement, Prime Minister Gonsalves praised the Community's impressive achievements.

His tenure follows that of Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, whom he

praised for her “brilliant leadership”.

Present at that virtual conference was the Prime Minister of St, Kitts and the Nevis, Dr. Keith Mitchell; Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Allan Chastanet; CARICOM SecretaryGeneral, Irwin La Rocque; Belize Ambassador to CARICOM, Lawrence A. S y l v e s t e r ; a n d Vi c e Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Sir Hilary Beckles; among other heads of governments, ambassadors and regional dignitaries.

Even as Gonsalves acknowledged that the union was “far from perfect”, and that there were both possibilities and limitations in the design of the integration movement, Prime Minister Gonsalves praised the Community's impressive achievements.

“Our CARICOM has chalked up impressive achievements in its four pillars of integration: functional cooperation, coordination of foreign

policy, security collaboration, and economic integration, including Single M a r k e t t r a d i n g arrangements. But the design of CARICOM itself highlights its possibilities and limitations…

CARICOM was conceived and fashioned as a Community of independent, sovereign states entirely combined to pursue a series of objectives, measures and tasks,” he said.

That design and practical functioning of CARICOM meant that some “enduring problems” had not been solved. Those challenges included regional governance, institutional political representation and non-automaticity of financing regional institutions including the CARICOM Secretariat, he pointed out.

Prime Minister Gonsalves said that the quickening pace of the challenges of nature and the global economic challenges had made it imperative that “we build a CARICOM that is better and stronger” while recognising its inbuilt and operational limitations.

CARICOM, he maintained, was central to the Region's salvation given the explosion of pandemics,

climate change and matters of global political economy.

On that note, he singled out Community Institutions for praise, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), CARICOM IMPACS. “ T h e h e r o i c contributions of CARPHA, IMPACS, CDEMA – all CARICOM Institutions – and the RSS, a sub-regional security umbrella, is a sufficient testimony in this regard. Accordingly, I reiterate our profound gratitude to the regional public servants at CARICOM, the OECS and at all allied regional institutions,” Mr. Gonsalves said.

Accepting the Chairmanship of the Community with “humility and enduring obligation”, he listed his priorities as, C O V I D - 1 9 a n d interconnected-ness to health, the economy, society and security; coordination of regional air transport; socioeconomic recovery of the Region; strengthening the Region's resilience against multiple vulnerabilities; s h a p i n g a n e w, m o r e inclusive global order; and

New CARICOM Chairman, St. Vincent PM, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves uplifting the Caribbean civilization.

N o t a b l y, e v e n a s CARICOM is headquartered in Guyana, the country's Head of State, President David Granger, did not take part in the meeting. Instead, de facto Foreign Affairs Minister Karen Cummings sat in for the President.

In her remarks, Cummings offered no excuse for Granger's absence.

“I wish to place on record,” Cummings said in her brief address, “on behalf of His Excellency David G r a n g e r, P r e s i d e n t o f Guyana, sincere appreciation to the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, for her earnest and

energetic efforts to enhance regional integration during her tenure as Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.”

She went on to praise Mottley's “exemplary leadership”, highlighting the Barbadian PM's role in tackling a variety of issues, from economic concerns to the region's COVID-19 response. She closed by welcoming the incoming Chair: “We join other delegations in welcoming the new Chairman of C o n f e r e n c e , D r. t h e Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the (continued on page 15)

Granger skirts criticism he cherry-picked...

From page 8 give a direct answer, repeating only that he read from the recommendations of the report.

“I quoted from the recommendations of the CARICOM observer team,” he said “and my words are accurately reflected in those recommendations, I don't know if you are asking a question outside of that but as far as I am concerned, the report of the tabulation is only one aspect of the report which the CEO needs to submit to the Commission.”

He added that “The CEO has the responsibility to make note of the legitimate observations which have been made, and present those observations to the Commission but as far as my citation is concerned, I read from the recommendations of the CARICOM team.”

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 04, 2020

Refrain from acts, remarks that could incite hostility or violence - UN Resident Coordinator

T

he United Nations R e s i d e n t Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka, has called for peace to prevail as Guyana awaits the ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that could lead to a declaration of the results for the March 2, Elections.

Tanaka in a statement yesterday said “As the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice is awaited, we call on all political leaders and their supporters to remain patient and refrain from acts and remarks that could incite hostility or violence.”

“I would like to reiterate the United Nations' commitment to continue to support the people of Guyana,” the UN rep added.

After a 2-1 ruling handed down by the Appellate Court which would allow for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to calculate the results of the elections based on “valid

United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka votes”, the Opposition People's Progressive Party (PPP) moved to the CCJ, in an attempt to overturn the decision in its entirety.

The Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo and Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, in their application sought from the Caribbean Court, an order restraining

Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield from issuing his report on the elections, pursuant to Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, or any other report based on the Court of Appeal's ruling yesterday.

They also sought an order restraining GECOM from taking any steps to determine “a final credible count” of the recounted elections results, or from enquiring into the validity or credibility of the votes cast, and an order restraining GECOM from usurping the exclusive authority of the High Court, as granted by Article 163 of the Constitution, to determine the lawful conduct of the elections.

After a single marathon session of oral submissions last Wednesday, the CCJ is expected to present a ruling on the Bharrat, Ali et al recount appeal case next Wednesday.

PM Gonsalves assumes...

From page 14 Grenadines. We assure him of the support of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana during his tenure of office.”

It should be noted that both Mottley and Gonsalves had come under brutal attacks from the Granger administration and its supporters for their position that the CARICOMscrutineered GECOM elections recount accurately reflected the outcome of the polls. The certified validated recount figures show the opposition People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) winning the election with 15,000 votes ahead of the Granger coalition, while Granger has come out in support of altered figures produced by GECOM ChiefElections-Officer, Keith

Lowenfield, showing the Coalition winning by removing a total of 115,000 votes – most awarded to the PPP/C – from the recount figures.

Following a statement by Mottley last week questioning under “what executive fiat” Lowenfield had acted, Coalition membership engaged in a social media campaign of derogatory attacks on the outgoing Chair. Granger himself had accused Gonsalves and Mottley of interfering, despite previous commitments to respect CARICOM's role in the process.

The new Chair took the time to defend his predecessor in light of those attacks. “Her helpful initiatives,” said Dr. Gonsalves, “to assist in the

preservation of democracy in Guyana within the terms of the CARICOM Charter Civil Society will be long remembered despite unwarranted, vulgar and opportunistic criticisms of her from assorted jaundiced sources who ought to know better.”

According to the rotation schedule prepared and shared

by CARICOM, PM Gonsalves will assume the CARICOM chairmanship for six months, after which the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago will assume the title.

Kaieteur News reached out to the President's press advisor, Arianna Gordon, for an explanation regarding why Granger was absent from yesterday's proceedings but no response was given.

NICIL fails to address key concerns in Ogle land deal From page 3 gazetted on June 30, awarding the prime lands to the company.

The company was not aware that it had the lands transferred already since on June 11, because as far as it was concerned, it had suspended the transaction.

It meant that NICIL would have likely breached a number of regulations by trans ferring the lands without the transaction not

being completed and payments being made.

The vesting order, which was signed by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, also stated that 123 acres of lands were given to eight other developers.

These companies include Supergraphics (5.058 acres); GUYOIL (1.500 acres); the Residences at Earl's Court Incorporated (10.281 acres); Navigant Builders Incorporated (30.000 acres);

Premier Sales and Services Incorporated (5.015 acres); Trinuyana Investments Incorporated (19.678 acres), Caribbean Marketing Enterprise Incorporated (21.096 acres), American Marine Services Incorporated (20.000 acres) and Cardiology Incorporated (8.000 acres). A number of the developers above had indicated plans to build hotels, with sod-turning days before the March 2 elections.

PAGE 15

Pedal cyclist killed after struck down by minibus

A

24-year-old pedal cyclist of Enterprise, East Coast Demerara died after he was struck down by a minibus, on Thursday last.

According to police, David Shepherd was struck down after he swerved into the path of the minibus, number plate BXX4563. The fatal accident took place at around 14:00Hrs along the East Coast Public Road at Non Pareil.

The driver claimed that he was proceeding east along the public road when he saw the cyclist some distance away, riding

at the side of the road towards him.

The man went on to say that he tooted his horn before the man came closer. However, as he was about to accelerate, Shepherd made a dash to cross the road at the same time, resulting in the collision. The impact flung him a few meters away, after which he was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Doctors there pronounced Shepherd dead on arrival. His body was later identified by relatives who learnt of his demise. The driver of the minibus is currently in custody.

PAGE 16

Saturday July 04, 2020

Kaieteur News

Food hampers to assist vulnerable residents of Santa Rosa The Ministry of Indigenous People's Affairs on Friday donated several food hampers to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to be distributed to the residents of Santa Rosa, Region One (Barima-Waini) which is scheduled to undergo a SERVICES

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pace with which the infection is climbing – therefore the next step is to go on another lockdown,” she explained.

Cautioning that while the number of deaths from the virus remains relatively low, Minister Garrido-Lowe cautioned that citizens must adhere to the guidelines outlined for their safety.

“It is for their benefit.

Wear your mask, sanitise and you keep your distance – that is what we are asking the villager of Santa Rosa to do,” she said.

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The minister noted that the decision to have the community go on a lockdown comes as a result of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases recorded in the area. “It is quite frightening the rapid

The donation was made possible through collaboration between the government and several agencies whom Minister Garrido-Lowe thanked. The food hampers cater for a family of four for three weeks.

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Minister within Ministry of Indigenous People's Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe (r) handing over food hampers to Major Loring Benons attached to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC)

Principal Magistrate summons Lowenfield after 'no show' at...

From page 7 and Regional Elections for Guyana knowing the said results to be false, the said willful misconduct amounting to a breach of the public's trust in the Office of the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission.

After Lowenfield failed to make his appearance, Hanoman explained to the Magistrate that the court bailiff made several attempts to serve him with the private criminal charges, all of which ended in vain since the GECOM CEO kept evading the notice.

Two attempts were made to serve him at his office at GECOM Headquarters in Kingston and twice at his home address in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

According to Hanoman, “The Magistrate agreed that the court will now summons Mr. Lowenfield because all diligent attempts to serve him have failed.” Hanoman added that it appears as though some of the security personnel that are guarding the CEO's office and home(s) are complicit in him avoiding being served.

“We are going to try again using the police to serve Mr.

Lowenfield and hopefully the police that are protecting Lowenfield will facilitate that process because that is the role of the police and, as we speak, charges are being drafted for other GECOM officials,” Hanoman stated.

Morian yesterday filed an additional charge against Lowenfield. The charge alleges that Lowenfield accepted falsified figures from the District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, knowing that the said figures do not match the results from the National Recount.

The particulars of that charge alleges that Lowenfield, between the 5th day of March and 23rd day of June, 2020, at Georgetown, conspired with person(s) unknown to commit the common law fraud, to wit, by representing to the Guyana Elections Commission, that tables attached to his Election Report dated 14th day of March, 2020 accurately reflected the true results of the said election, in order to materially alter the results of the said election, with intent to defraud, knowing the said tabulation to be false.

Lowenfield has been ac-

cused by opposition parties and other stakeholders of making four separate documented attempts to present results to the Elections Commission which did not reflect the will of the voting populace as expressed on March 2.

While the recount shows the PPP/C to have amassed a national lead of 15,416 valid General Election votes over APNU+AFC, each of Lowenfield's attempts would hand victory to the APNU+AFC Coalition.

The fourth attempt by Lowenfield is currently in play.

It involves a report which seeks to dump 115,844 valid General Election votes. He presented this report, against the direction of the Chair, Justice Claudette Singh, who had instructed him to present a report using the results of the recount.

The offences that the CEO is slapped with are indictable and attract a penalty of life imprisonment. After the summons is served on Lowenfield, or someone in close professional or personal relationship to him, the magistrate can further issue an arrest warrant for the CEO if he refuses to show up in court on July 24.

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 04, 2020

Six new COVID-19 cases recorded - total now 256

One year later…

US$9M E'bo power plant experiencing mechanical problems

- Region Eight records first case

T

The newly commissioned Turkish made engines at the Anna Regina power plant

T

h e n e w l y commissioned $1.8 billion Power plant on the Essequibo Coast is already in jeopardy, now that two of the three new generator sets are reportedly experiencing mechanical problems.

In 2019, the Guyana Power and Light, commissioned the 5.4 megawatt power plant on the Essequibo Coast, with the goal of bringing an end to the blackout woes which previously plagued the region. This was however short-lived as frequent load-

shedding has been hitting the Essequibo Coast over the past week.

The three newly installed engines at the Anna Regina Power Plant are MAN diesel turbo engines, which were supplied and installed by Turkish company iLTEKNO. Each engine produces 1.8 megawatt of power, amounting to a total of 5.4 megawatts.

D u r i n g t h e commissioning of the power plant in April, 2019, the Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson had pointed out

PAGE 17

that the three generator sets are a permanent solution to solving the blackout woes.

He also stressed the need for proper maintenance so that the engines can see their 20years life span.

Patterson went on to say during the ribbon cutting last y e a r, “ I w a s r e l i a b l y informed that the electricity supply has vastly increased.

The peak demand for generated power is 5.1 megawatts and we're producing 5.4 megawatts, so there is a reserve. Also we have on standby three Caterpillar sets, which will

give an additional 5 megawatts. So in all Essequibo has about 100% redundancy, which is even better than Demerara.”

Based on information sourced from within the power plant, two of the three newly purchased units are presently experiencing mechanical problems. With just one proper functioning engine, and two backup Caterpillar sets, the Anna Regina plant has been producing an average of 4.6 megawatts, which is below the peak demand for power on the Essequibo Coast.

he Ministry of Public Health in its daily update stated there have been 6 new cases, bringing the country's total number of positive cases to 256. There have been 117 recoveries, with 14 deaths to date. Further, there are currently 125 persons in institutional isolation, 16 persons in institutional quarantine, and 1 person in the COVID Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Secretary of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Imran Khan, yesterday confirmed that that among the new cases is the one from the mining town of Mahdia, Region Eight's first case.

Kaieteur News understands that the patient, who is currently in isolation travelled from Moruca, which is the current epicenter of the virus.

During the update Dr. Karen Boyle, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) referring to the latest Covid19 related fatality said “the

death has occurred in Region 7, in a family where the spouse and the children are now left without a father, the breadwinner, and the one on whom the family looked for comfort and protection.”

She added “I am pleading with you, therefore, to consider your actions and envisage that life could change in a wink. Avoid the COVID-19 trauma and cooperate fully with the compliance division of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Civil Defence Commission, the Army, and the Police who will be working collaboratively with the Ministry of Public Health to contain the spread of this fatal disease in your communities.”

According to the World Health Organization, as of June 3rd, 2020 the total number of cases is 10,533,779 with 512,842 deaths globally. Meanwhile, in the Region of the Americas, the total number of cases is 5, 317,792 with 252, 340 deaths.

PAGE 18

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Saturday July 04, 2020

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Kaieteur News

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Saturday July 04, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Sir Everton Weekes one of our greatest champions

By Rudi V. Webster Sir Everton Weekes, the last surviving member of the legendary “Three Ws” - Wo r r e l l , Wa l c o t t a n d We e k e s - d i e d o n Wednesday, July 1st at his home in Barbados at the age of 95.

People in the Caribbean are mourning his loss with sad and heavy hearts. Sir Donald Bradman who first saw him in Australia in the early Nineteen Fifties thought that he was the best of the Three Ws. Sir Everton who played in 48 Tests, finished his Test career with an average of 58.6, scoring 15 centuries, five of them in consecutive innings, a record that still stands. He was denied a

sixth century in Madras when he was unfortunately run out on 90. He never believed in hitting the ball in the air and throughout h i s d i s t i n g u i s h e d Te s t career only hit one six!

Former Australian captain Richie Benaud once said that Weekes was a “butcher” of fast and slow bowling and was similar to Bradman in his stroke play and his attitude to batting. Sir Everton holds the distinction of scoring his first 1000 Test runs in 12 innings, beating Sir Donald who did so in 13 innings – to date an unbroken Test record.

Sir Everton was loved, admired and respected by cricket lovers around the

world who had the pleasure of watching him and meeting him. A humble man from modest beginnings, he became one of cricket’s a n d We s t I n d i e s ’ b e s t known and most d i s t i n g u i s h e d ambassadors. A wise and wonderful human being, he had the unique capacity to see situations and challenges from different perspectives without distorting or magnifying them in any way. That was a measure of his wisdom and greatness. As someone once said, “The true measure of wisdom is the capacity to see and understand things from many different perspectives.”

Saturday July 04, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You have always tried to build up your health using traditional methods, and you take great care of yourself. But this morning you might feel a little curious.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today you'll have the strange feeling that something is floating in the air.

The time is right to try to understand the different needs of your family circle.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Sometimes, it's amazing to see how your relationships can spin so easily out of control, Taurus. Today you may have to deal with a lot of tension within your group.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) As the dawn of another quiet and peaceful day appears, you will be in the best disposition to observe and appreciate the lightness of things.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You sometimes have difficulty making up your mind. You don't always know exactly what you want. Today, you'll be at peace with yourself.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You will find a clean page on the agenda today, Sagittarius. You should try to think only about yourself.

This will allow you to meditate about your life and be at peace with yourself.

CANCER(June21–July22) Sometimes we all feel a little lost, Cancer. We often want to move mountains and use all our energy and enthusiasm to try to do so. But a few moments later we could feel that all efforts have been in vain.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You have a natural ability to accomplish a great deal rather easily, Leo. But today you may feel snowed under with projects. Things around you might be moving quickly, and perhaps you're having difficulty dealing with it all.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your day has finally come, Virgo. You have your own vision of life and you like sharing it with others. You're far from thinking that you're any sort of new messiah, but you feel the need to talk to children or young people about your views.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You will wake up today on cloud nine, Capricorn. Your morale is at a peak. You will feel totally free and be able to clearly perceive the essentials of life.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The astral energy will have you reminiscing all day long over childhood memories.

These memories will take you to the houses and places where you were raised and where your personality and character were formed.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You love interacting with people others might consider eccentric. You can't help it. You're simply attracted to them. You will probably encounter one of these people today, Pisces.

Years ago, I had the privilege of talking to him about cricket, particularly about the mental aspects of the game. When I asked him how he coped with pressure he said, “I always looked at pressure as a chance to show everyone how good a player I was. It gave me an opportunity to become a star for my team and country. I often got a high from pressure.”

A few years ago, MS Dhoni, successful captain o f Te a m I n d i a , e c h o e d similar comments when he told me: “Lots of negative things are said about pressure. Pressure to me is just added responsibility.

How can it be pressure when God gives you an

opportunity to be a hero for your team and your country?

That is exhilaration.”

As a young boy, Sir Everton often batted on unprepared wickets without the protection of batting pads. He told me that was excellent training because it helped him to develop effective footwork, and that it taught him to watch the ball closely and carefully from the bowler’s hand on to the bat.

Sometimes he batted for days without losing his wicket. That was excellent training for keeping his wicket intact later on.

About two decades ago, the West Indies team was travelling to Jamaica by air and one of the Test players was seated next to Sir Everton. At the end of the flight the player, who was very impressed with Sir Everton’s knowledge, allegedly asked a team member if he knew the old

man who was sitting next to him. His friend told him that he was Sir Everton Weekes!

It would be interesting to learn how much our current Test players know about the great man and his enormous achievements. One must wonder if in our current system enough is being done to educate our players about West Indies’ cricket history and about We s t I n d i e s ’ c h a m p i o n teams and players.

There is nothing in this life that we can have for very long. People come into our lives and then leave us, sad and aching because of our attachment.

In the Caribbean, we tend to belittle the achievements and stature of our own people, but in the case of Sir Everton, I don’t think that will happen. Sir Everton will be missed but never forgotten.

He was one of our greatest champions!

PAGE 22

Hamilton makes a statement as F1 gets back on track SPIELBERG, Austria (Reuters) - Formula One got back on track in changed circumstances but familiar fashion at the seasonopening Austrian Grand Prix yesterday, with Mercedes and six times world champion Lewis Hamilton picking up where they left off last year.

The Briton and team mate Valtteri Bottas responded to the ‘new normal’ resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic by finishing one-two in both free practice sessions on the sport’s latest start to a campaign.

Hamilton, wearing a ‘Black Lives Matter’ helmet in a black Mercedes with ‘End Racism’ written on it, set a best time of one minute 04.304 after also going fastest in opening practice with a time of 1:04.816.

Bottas was 0.356 adrift in the morning but cut the gap to 0.197 in the afternoon.

Racing Point, whose Mercedes-powered RP20 has been dubbed the ‘Pink Mercedes’ because of its striking similarity to Hamilton’s title-winning 2019 car, were third fastest with Mexican Sergio Perez.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, starting his last season in the Italian team’s red colours, was

fourth fastest on his 33rd birthday with Australian Daniel Ricciardo fifth for Renault and McLaren’s Lando Norris sixth.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, winner of the last two races at his team’s home track, was third in the first session but spun twice and finished up eighth after lunch.

Tomorrow’s race, the first of two in Austria on successive weekends, became the opener after the new coronavirus laid waste to the calendar and forced the cancellation of the scheduled Australian opener on March 15 before a wheel had turned.

Yesterday marked the first time all the drivers had been on track together since the end of pre-season testing in Barcelona last February.

The last time any of them raced was in Abu Dhabi in December last year, when Hamilton won from pole position and set the fastest lap.

“Motor Sport is back!,” said International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Jean Todt on Twitter, moments after the cars left the Spielberg pitlane.

“It’s good to hear the engines and see cars again and almost get back to some

phase of normality,” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Sky F1 television.

“We all look like we’re in some kind of hospital programme, with all the face masks and the PPE (personal protective equipment)... but other than that working practices are very much as normal.”

The race is being run under strict health and safety conditions, with teams operating in ‘bubbles’ and isolated from each other, with drivers wearing face masks even when talking to the media by video link.

The race will be run completely without spectators for the first time in Formula One history.

“We are all used to a lot of fans in the campsites, grandstands... but the most important thing is we are finally back on track and can put up a good show,” said McLaren principal Andreas Seidl on a Zoom call.

McLaren triggered the abandonment of the Australian race in Melbourne after an employee tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Seidl said the entire team had a clean bill of health after the latest round of tests.

‘All I can do is continue being consistent with bat & gloves and...

From page 23 Keeper but in my second match at U-15 the Keeper got hit in his face and I kept for the remainder of the match.

Skeldon Cricket Club was sending six players to the Berbice U-15 trials and the boy who was picked as the Keeper did not want to go so I took the gloves and that’s how I became a Wicketkeeper,” informed Bramble who has played for Scottsburg, Skeldon and Albion where he is presently.

Bramble, whose favourite cricketer is Ab DeVillers, resides at 76 Village, Corentyne, Berbice and is the father of two.

“My most memorable match was when I scored my first First-Class century (196*) against the Leewards to help Guyana to victory after me and Motie put on over 100 runs for the last wicket,” said the pugnacious right-handed batsman.

Bramble, hoping to join Sew Shivnarine, Narsingh Deonarine, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul and become the sixth player from Albion to play Test Cricket, wants to get into Coaching after his on-field career is com-

Saturday July 04, 2020

Kaieteur News

pleted to help the youngsters coming up.

The most successful gloveman in the CWI First-Class Franchise League, Bramble says the best spinner he has kept to is Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa who he played with for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in CPL T20 cricket, while the fastest bowler he has kept to is Blairmount, Berbice, Guyana and West Indies pacer Brandon Bess who played his only Test match against South Africa in Barbados in 2010.

On what he thinks he needs to do to at least gain selection of West Indies ‘A’ team, Bramble said, “All I can do is to continue being consistent with the bat and gloves in Regional First-Class cricket and leave it up to the selectors to make their decision.”

A man of few words, the hardworking cricketer says that he was looking forward to the 2020 CPL with is in limbo due to the Global pandemic caused by the COVID19 Virus.

“Yes I have been affected by the Corona Virus. It has kept me away from cricket, training-wise. Guyana Jaguars physiotherapist and fit-

ness trainer Neil Barry has been doing a great job with the team as we train from our homes,” explained Bramble.

In terms of names, Albion Cricket Club, located in Corentyne Berbice about 20 miles from Guyana’s first Town New Amsterdam, has the strongest first division team in Berbice.

“Since moving to Albion my cricket has improved, since Keeping and batting at practice at Albion is like a Guyana net session. The standard of club cricket in Berbice has been very good.

The BCB ensures a lot of cricket is played here,” Bramble informed.

The Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) inaugurated the Franchise System in 2015 and Bramble said, while there are several outstanding players and many good teams, the general standard could be better in terms of performances since this is the step just below the First-Class level.

The local three-day and 50-over CWI Franchise League replaced the senior Inter-County which was last played in May 2015.

Messi unwilling to renew Barca contract - report BARCELONA (Reuters) Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has called off negotiations over renewing his contract with the club and is ready to leave the Catalans when his current deal expires in 2021, according to a report

by Spanish radio station Cadena Ser yesterday.

The report said Messi and his father Jorge had begun discussing renewing his last deal with the club, which was signed in 2017, but that he no longer wishes to stay at the Camp Nou. The report added that Messi is angry about leaked media reports that appeared to make him seem responsible for events at the club, such as the January sacking of coach Ernesto Valverde, and that he is frustrated about the squad’s lack of quality.

The Argentine’s representatives and Barcelona did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi during the match, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

(REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo) Messi, who turned 33 last month, scored his 700th career goal on Tuesday against Atletico Madrid, but the milestone strike ended in

disappointment as Barca drew the game 2-2 in the latest blow to their bid to retain the Spanish title.

Barca trail Real Madrid by four points in the title race with five games remaining after Real beat Getafe 1-0 on Thursday.

Previously known for his shy personality off the pitch, Messi has become more vocal in his criticism of the club in the last year.

In January he hit out at sporting director Eric Abidal, who he said had implied players had led to Valverde being sacked.

In a February interview with newspaper Mundo Deportivo, he declared the team were not good enough to win this season’s Champions League.

Then in April he criticised the board for implying players were not willing to accept a pay-cut to help the team’s financial difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic.

Djokovic, wife Jelena test negative for COVID-19 BELGRADE (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic and his wife Jelena have tested negative for COVID-19, nine days after returning a positive test, the world number one tennis player’s media team said on Thursday.

Djokovic, along with Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki, tested positive after playing in the Adria Tour, an exhibition tournament organised by the 17-times Grand Slam champion.

“Novak Djokovic and his wife Jelena tested negative for COVID-19, as the most recent test they took in Belgrade showed.

They felt no symptoms of the virus and took the test after consultations with the doctors,” the statement said.

“They spent the past 10 days in self-

isolation upon returning from Zadar (in Croatia), having adhered to all COVID-19 protocols and safety measures.”

The tournament witnessed packed stands during the opening leg staged at Djokovic’s tennis complex in Belgrade from June 13-14, with players hugging at the net, playing basketball, posing for pictures and attending press conferences together.

The second leg was held in Zadar from June 20-21. The players did not break any Serbian or Croatian government protocols, as neither country required the athletes to maintain any social distancing However, Djokovic, who was heavily criticised for staging the event, issued an apology, saying he was extremely sorry for the harm that had been caused.

Serbia has over 15,000 registered cases and 287 deaths due to the pandemic.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic with his wife Jelena in the stands during Adria Tour at Novak Tennis Centre in Belgrade, Serbia, June 14, 2020. (REUTERS/Marko Djurica)

Saturday July 04, 2020

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

West Indies batting form a ‘worry’, admits Simmons has CWI’s full backing, says Estwick president Skerritt ESPNcricinfo - Roddy Estwick, West Indies assistant coach, has admitted he is slightly troubled by the top-order’s form ahead of the Test series against England but insists there is no concern over captain Jason Holder’s form.

While many have made scores of substance in the two intra-squad matches at Emirates Old Trafford in the last couple of weeks, there was some alarm when their frontline batsmen capitulated to the firstchoice bowlers on Wednesday.

A top-five of Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Shamarh Brooks, Shai Hope and Roston Chase subsided to 9 for 3 and 49 for 5 in their final competitive innings before next week’s first Test at the Ageas Bowl.

“I would have loved to see the batsmen spend a little bit more time in the middle,” Estwick told the PA news agency. “That would be one of the biggest

worries, that none of the batsman in the Test squad got a score in this innings.

“In the first game players got scores so it’s not a major concern but I would love to see a couple getting scores in this match. They’ve still got a little bit more time.

“In England you’ve got to get used to leaving the ball, especially early on. The ball’s obviously going to nip around so you’ve got to be able to know where your off stump is, know what to leave and what to play at. We’re obviously going down to a different surface at Southampton, we’ve got to assess that surface as quickly as possible and hit the ground running.”

Holder’s woes with the bat continued on Thursday after his move to open the innings backfired when he was dismissed for 2 off 15 balls, leaving one from Anderson Phillip that nipped back in and clipped his off bail.

That means he has scored just seven runs and faced fewer than 30 deliveries in three innings while he has

bowled only five overs across the internal matches after an ankle niggle. Estwick, though, believes Holder, No. 1 in the ICC Test allrounder rankings, will not be undercooked at Southampton.

“Anybody that knows Jason Holder well wouldn’t be worried. He is a strong and tough competitor and he’s mentally very, very strong as well. Jason knows how to prepare for Test match cricket, he’s been the number one allrounder for a number of years so he’ll be ready come July 8, no worries at all.”

Joshua Da Silva was the star performer with the bat for the Holder XI in the drawn four-day contest against a side led by Brathwaite, the 22year-old following up his unbeaten first-innings century with 56 not out in the second dig as he amassed 189 runs without dismissal.

It will not be enough to be catapulted into the Test squad from the reserves but Estwick has been impressed by the youngster. “He played very well in the game and I’m sure that his time will come,”

Estwick said.

Estwick had been leading the side this week as head coach Phil Simmons was self-isolating in his hotel room after recently attending his father-in-law’s funeral. Simmons was back presiding over the warm-ups on Thursday morning after testing negative for coronavirus for a third time, allowing him to link up with the rest of the touring party.

Estwick added: “We’ve missed him, obviously. But he’s back now with us and everything is good to go. It wasn’t a disruption because it happened in the game. You tend to miss more hands on deck in practice but if there’s a game going on, you’ve only got to monitor preparation and the odd person going into the nets.

“But as our leader, we’re happy to have him back and it’s very important that he’s back for us because now we can sit down, plan and prepare. We’ve been here now for three weeks so it’s all about good, solid planning and letting the players execute properly.”

National Senior Track & Field Championships

AAG awaits directive from Health Ministry

AAG awaiting approval from Health Ministry to run off Senior Championships.

The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) through its head Aubrey Hutson has shared with Kaieteur Sport that the news of the phased opening of Guyana’s Airports being pushed back to August is an ominous sign for the hosting of the National Senior Track & Field Championships, which has been scheduled for August 8-9.

During the invited comment, the administrator explained that the Ministry of Health will make the final call on whether the AAG can go ahead with any competition.

He further divulged that the AAG has already wrote to the Ministry outlining World Athletics’ (Track & Field

Aubrey Hutson. governing body) competitions and they are currently awaiting a response from the body.

Following World Athletics’ return to

competition guidelines in May, the AAG decided that they would try to have as much as three meets by August month-end, inclusive of the Senior, Youth & Junior and a road race, but the local health authorities in Guyana will have the final say on whether competition will be possible. However, the AAG are forging ahead with plans so that they would be prepared if the greenlight would be given to host the Championships next month.

Hutson confirmed Guyana’s non-hosting of the South America under-23 championships this year due to the fact that Brazil is experiencing a very high surge of cases of the

coronavirus and their participation will be highly unlikely. Hutson posited that, “We can’t truly have a South American Championships without Brazil.”

He erased any doubts of Guyana losing hosting rights and mentioned that the only way Guyana would be unable to host the South American under-23 championships next year would be if the ‘land of many waters’ voluntarily gave up their hosting rights.

That will also be the case with the 50th Carifta Championships which Guyana will now host in 2022 instead of next year, following the cancellation of the 49th edition this year. (Calvin Chapman)

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – President Ricky Skerritt has assured men’s head coach Phil Simmons he has the full backing of Cricket West Indies, ahead of the start of the three-Test series against England next week and against the backdrop of a call for his removal from a prominent CWI director.

Simmons has come under fire from Barbados Cricket Association president, Conde Riley, for his decision to break isolation at Old Trafford in Manchester to attend the funeral of his father-in-law last Friday.

Riley slammed Simmons’s move as “inconsiderate and reckless” and in a letter to board members quoted by ESPN Cricinfo, called for the Trinidadian’s “immediate removal as head coach”.

But Skerritt said Simmons’s job was “not in any way threatened by that letter”, describing the former Test player as “still the best man” to lead West Indies.

“I want to assure West Indies cricket fans that Phil Simmons still has the full backing of Cricket West Indies no matter what has been said,” Skerritt said.

“When all is said and done, Phil’s job is not in any way threatened … he went through a very vigorous recruitment process nine months ago and was the best man we could have found for the job. He’s still the best man.”

He added: “It is a wellestablished policy for CWI players and officials while on tour to be given permission for compassionate leave as and when needed.

“The matter of coach Simmons’ exiting and returning to Old Trafford should never have been controversial in any way.”

The England tour is being played in a “biosecure” environment because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which has already resulted in 300 000 infections and nearly 44 000 deaths across the United Kingdom.

Under tour protocols, Simmons was forced to self-isolate for five days after attending the funeral, during which time he twice

tested negative for COVID19.

CWI announced Thursday he had returned to the squad after being cleared.

Skerritt, under whose tenure Simmons returned as head coach after being sacked under the previous Dave Cameron administration, said providing controversy was not the ideal way to help West Indies prepare for their upcoming assignment.

“Cricket administrators have to understand that our role is to provide the best possible environment for cricket and to give the best possible support and resources available to our cricketers and management team,” said Skerritt.

“And giving them a sense of controversy and possible distrust and confusion is one of the worst gifts you can give.

I’m talking as someone who has been there in the trenches and have fought against it … and I’m confident this will turn into a wonderful cricket tour in the final analysis.”

Skerritt labelled Riley’s letter as an “unnecessary and hasty burst of emotion”.

“I’m stunned that the letter reached the public,” he said.

West Indies have spent the last month in Manchester since their arrival preparing for the upcoming series, which will see Tests at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton and the last two at Old Trafford.

They wrapped up the last two of two ‘intersquad’ warm-up matches on Thursday and will travel to England’s south coast yesterday to begin final preparation.

Simmons said he did not believe the controversy would impact the squad’s preparations.

“It won’t disrupt us. It will just make us a little stronger going into the Test series. Our focus is still on the series,” he said.

“I had to do what is right for my family, just as I will do what is right for CWI for the series.”

PAGE 24

Saturday July 04, 2020

Kaieteur News

Contrasting fates for Blackwood, Holder as DaSilva extends form MANCHESTER, England, CMC – Jermaine Blackwood finally tasted form in a breezy knock but captain Jason Holder will enter next week’s first Test short of a significant score after failing again on Thursday’s final day of the four-day ‘inter-squad’ warmup match.

With scores of three, 15 and one in his previous innings on tour, Blackwood put that dismal form behind him to stroke 43 off 48 balls with seven fours as Holder’s XI ended their second innings on 171 for four at Old Trafford.

There was no joy with the bat for Holder, however, managing only two after opening the batting. The knock follows scores of five in the first innings and a firstball ‘duck’ in last week’s threeday game.

Yet again, the day belonged to reserve batsman Joshua DaSilva, the righthander top-scoring with an

unbeaten 56 to lead his side’s batting.

The 22-year-old on Wednesday carved out a superb unbeaten 133 to impress in the Holder’s XI first innings.

Reserve fast bowler Anderson Phillip knocked over both openers Shayne Moseley (6) and Holder cheaply to leave the innings tottering on 13 for two.

But Blackwood combined with fellow Jamaican Nkrumah Bonner who made 47, to repair the damage in a third wicket stand of 55.

Bonner batted patiently, hitting three fours and a six off 114 balls in 2-½ hours at the crease.

When Blackwood was bowled by part-time offspinner Roston Chase, DaSilva joined Bonner to post a further 80 for the fourth wicket.

DaSilva faced 83 deliveries in just over an hourand-a-half, and counted three

fours and a six.

Earlier, reserve batsman Kyle Mayers struck an unbeaten 74 as Kraigg Brathwaite’s XI were dismissed for 178 in their first innings after resuming the morning on 112 for seven.

The left-handed Mayers, on 40 overnight, continued his counter-attack to hit seven fours and three sixes overall off a mere 56 deliveries.

He inspired a 54-run eighth wicket stand with tailender Keon Harding who made a busy 22 from 26 balls.

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel added another wicket to his tally to finish with four for 42, while his new-ball partner Kemar Roach (2-25) and Alzarri Joseph (2-64) ended with two wickets apiece.

West Indies headed to Southampton yesterday to finalise preparations for the first Test set to bowl off at the Ageas Bowl next Wednesday.

Jermaine Blackwood on the go at Old Trafford.

Red Bull protest Mercedes’ DAS system at F1 opener (Reuters) - Red Bull lodged an official protest against Mercedes at Formula One’s season-opening Austrian Grand Prix yesterday after the champions used a controversial new Dual Axis Steering (DAS) system in practice.

The action concerned the cars of six-times world champion Lewis Hamilton and team mate Valtteri Bottas, with team representatives summoned to stewards at the Red Bull Ring.

Mercedes, who dominated practice with Hamilton fastest in both sessions, were running the system for the first time at a race weekend after it raised questions in pre-season testing.

The governing FIA has said already that DAS will not be allowed next year, despite the cars remaining the same

due to new rules being postponed to 2022, but has not banned it for 2020.

“I think the fundamental question for us is ‘does it comply with the regulations in what is a fundamentally grey area?’” Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told reporters.

“We do want clarity on it because it does have an impact regarding the rest of this year. It’s something that’s been outlawed for next year but the question is ‘Is it right for this year?” DAS allows a driver to change the ‘toe angle’ of the front wheels by pushing and pulling on the steering wheel, rather than just moving it sideways.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said a clarification would be welcome.

“We think we are on the right side. There was a lot of talking and exchange with the FIA, that is the reason why

we have it on the car. So we will both bring our arguments forward and then, let’s see,” he added. “We are aware that we don’t want to end up with a big debate on Sunday night.

I think Red Bull, I think Christian is going to take the right actions.

“You know, controversy and different judgement on engineering innovation has always been part of Formula One. This is what’s to be expected in a way. It’s part of the racing.”

Formula One has a longestablished process for challenging innovations that exploit loopholes in the rules, with teams making a protest and presenting their arguments. The stewards then make a ruling, which can in turn be appealed.

Mercedes are chasing a seventh successive title double this season. Red Bull were third overall last year but could be the German manufacturer’s biggest challengers in 2020.

McLaren’s Lando Norris during practice as F1 resumes following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). (Darko Bandic/Pool via Reuters)

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 04, 2020

PAGE 25

‘All I can do is continue being consistent - Says the Region’s with bat & gloves and hope’ most successful

By Sean Devers

B

erbice, Guyana and West Indies ‘ B ’ t e a m Wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble keeps putting in the hard work but despite claiming the most dismissals for the past four Regional First-Class seasons, he keeps getting ignored for even West Indies ‘A’ teams as was the case last year when Jamal Hamilton was the preferred gloveman for the ‘A’ team series between West Indies and India in the Caribbean.

In 66 First Class matches, Bramble scored 2,742 runs with a highest score of 196 not out with three tons and 12 fifties. He also had 252 dismissals including 28 stumpings.

He also has 53 catches and 11 stumpings from 51 List A games, while he has 10 dismissals from 12 T20 matches.

Bramble (256) joined Milton Pydanna (188), Derwin Christian (123), Vishal Nagamootoo (116) and Robert Christiani (108) are the Guyanese keepers with 100 First-Class dismissals.

He also joined Cammie Smith, Jeffrey Dujon and Thelston Payne as Keepers who scored a century and had five dismissals in an innings.

Bramble’s batting was

blamed for his non selection in the past but in December 2017 he scored his maiden century, an unbeaten 196 with 23 fours and five sixes in an innings that lasted seven and a half hours against the Leewards at Providence.

When Gudakesh Motie, who shared in a record 110run last wicket stand with Bramble, was dismissed for 44, it left Bramble four short of joining Grenadian Junior Murray (218 against Guyana in 1997 in Grenada) as the only Wicketkeepers to score a First-Class double century in West Indies First-Class Cricket.

Bramble (256), Milton Pydanna (188), Derwin Christian (123), Vishal Nagamootoo (116) and Robert Christiani (108) are the Guyanese keepers with 100 First-Class dismissals, while Cyril Christiani, Robert Christiani, Clifford McWatt, Ivor Mendonca and Rohan Kanhai are the only Guyanese to keep in a Test match. Pydanna played three ODIs. Bramble made his debut for Guyana U-19s in the 2008 TCL Group Regional U-19 competition in Barbados, scoring 51 in his very first innings. He played again in the 2009 TCL Group Regional Under-19 competition in Jamaica. In 13 Regional U-19 matches he scored 352 runs with 78

Keeper in PCL cricket

Bramble celebrates his maiden ton at Providence in 2017. being the highest of his three fifties. With the gloves he held 16 catches and effected two stumpings.

He made his senior InterCounty debut for Berbice in 2009 and represented the Rest Team in the 2009 inter county T20 Tournament before making his 50-over debut for Guyana in the 2010 West Indies Cricket Board Cup, in Jamaica, with moderate success.

His first-class debut came during the 2012–13 Regional Four Day Competition when he replaced Christian in the team as he was selected for the President’s X1 side.

Bramble scored his maiden first-class halfcentury during the 2013–14 season, an innings of 64 not out against the Combined Campuses and Colleges.

On 30 June 2016 he made his Twenty20 debut in the

Caribbean Premier League in St Kitts for Guyana Amazon Warriors against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

In December 2017, he scored his maiden first-class century, batting for Guyana against the Leeward Islands in the 2017–18 Regional Four Day Competition.

In the 2017-2018 Regional 4-Day season, Bramble finished with 613 runs in 10 matches. His best season saw him scoring a career-best 196* and four half-centuries, at an average of 47.15.

In June 2018, he was named as Captain for the West Indies B Team for the inaugural edition of the Global T20 Canada tournament.

In June 2019 Bramble was ignored for the ‘A’ team series between West Indies and India in the Caribbean.

Although Bramble had the

Bramble and Gayle before the start of the T20 final in Canada in 2018. most dismissals (43) in the 2019 season and 45 in the previous season while Jamar Hamilton who just had nine and 16 dismissals during the same period, was the preferred choice behind the stumps.

In the 2019 season, Bramble was one of only four batsmen to score two centuries and over 580 runs at an average of 57.2.

In July 2019, he was named in the West Indies’ Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for the first two T20 Internationals against India at Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida in August 2019 but Nicolas Pooran did the job with the gloves.

In 2019 Bramble was picked for the Hero CPL for the first time in three years by his home franchise, Guyana Amazon Warriors after playing 12 matches for

them previously.

In the aborted 2020 season which was cut short by the Global Pandemic COVID-19, Bramble had 45 dismissals and 339 runs with three fifties including 91 against T&T at Providence.

Bramble was born on December 11, 1990 to Colette Flats and Anthony Bramble in the Village of Skeldon in the Town of Corriverton in Berbice just across Guyana’s Martine border the Dutch Nation of Suriname.

One of 11 siblings including a sister, Bramble attended the Skeldon Primary and the Skeldon High school and cricket was the only sport he played at school.

He played his first club cricket for Scottsburg Cricket Club in 2004 in the U-15 side. “I did not start as a (Continued on page 19)

Trophy Stall supports Pre-Caricom Day dominoes tourney

Bramble jumps for joy as Warriors win in Cpl 2019.

Trophy Stall has thrown its support behind the PreCaricom Day dominoes competition which is set for Sunday at R and R Sports Club, 76 Meadowbrook Gardens. The organisers were yesterday presented with the second place trophy

by Feeyah Zamal of Trophy Stall at a simple ceremony held at their Bourda Market location. Zamal wished the teams well and said she is looking forward to a successful tournament, while Gaitree Bissessar thanked Trophy Stall for their input.

The first place trophy is being sponsored by Ryan Boodhoo, while the third place prize was donated by Wayne Harry Griffith. Gold

is Money has also joined the list of sponsors.

Wiltshire stated that among the teams to have confirmed their participation are Mix Up, Gold for Money, R and R, Providence, Fresh C a s h , Tu r n i n g P o i n t , Gangster, Executive, Quiet Storm and Beacons.

The competition is set to commence at 13:30hrs and entrance fee is $15,000; teams are asked to be on time to facilitate a prompt start.

The winning team will take home a trophy and $175,000, runner up a trophy and $75,000 and third place a trophy and $35,000. The Most Valuable Player in the final will pocket $5,000.

All GNDA rules in be in effect and prizes are subject

Feeyah Zamal (left) of Trophy Stall presents the second place prize to Gaitree Bissessar. to change.

According to Wiltshire, play will conclude before 18:00hrs in keeping with the curfew and that a number of

rules will be implemented so as to ensure the safety of players. Teams can contact Wiltshire on 659-8672 for registration.

Kemar Roach bowls on the final day of West Indies’ warm-up. (Getty Images)

rt o p S

Head coach Phil Simmons has CWI’s backing.

Simmons has CWI’s full backing, says West Indies batting form president Skerritt a ‘worry’, admits Estwick ‘All I can do is continue being consistent with bat & gloves - Says the Region’s most and hope’ successful Keeper in PCL cricket

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during practice, as F1 resumes following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). (Joe Klamar/Pool via REUTERS)

Hamilton makes a statement as F1 gets back on track Lewis Hamilton made a powerful statement of intent as the Formula 1 world champion was fastest in both practice sessions at the Red Bull Ring. (Getty Images)

Bramble plays a punishing drive.

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