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Region Six health NEWS officials await COVID-19 test results on ailing retired nurse

Monday Edition

AIETEUR

March 30, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 13

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NEW AMSTERDAM GOES ON PARTIAL LOCKDOWN TODAY - CHURCHES, BARS, RUM SHOPS, BEAUTY PARLOURS ORDERED CLOSED - RESIDENTS MUST BE OFF MAIN ROADS BY 7.00 P.M Members of the GPF who assist the Region Six COVID Task Force

Fuel spill by Troy Resources was

Nagamootoo wants Some businesses int’l inquiry into hit by shortage of ‘foreign interference’ sheer recklessness It appears keeping up production stocks, others closing in Guyana’s was more important than ensuring due to lack of sales 2020 Elections safe operations – EPA Head COVID-19 crisis…

Search for Consultant to market Guyana’s share of Liza crude extended for second time

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Kaieteur News

Monday March 30, 2020

Monday March 30, 2020

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Kaieteur News

New Amsterdam goes on partial lockdown today Churches, entertainment and drinking spots, and beauty salons in New Amsterdam, Berbice will be closed from today, and residents must clear all main roads by seven PM. That’s the order that has come from the New Amsterdam Town Council, which is putting the township into partial lockdown mode to keep its citizens safe from the COVID19 pandemic.

And officials have warned that “the Guyana Police Force will be informed, to take necessary action,” with those who fail to comply with the new guidelines.

Among its measures, the Council has also ordered that restaurants close off their delivery services by 16:00 hrs.

For the open markets, owners are urged to close by 16:30

- churches, bars, rum shops, beauty parlours ordered closed - residents must be off main roads by 7.00 p.m

Winston Roberts, Mayor of Corriverton hrs. Pharmacies will be closed at 18:00 hrs.

One of the busiest streets in the heart of NA has been ordered closed, with sanitization of the main shopping area to commence

on Tuesday.

The major market located in the commercial hub of the township will be closed at noon on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Markets will be closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Only persons selling essential products, such as vegetables and meat, will be allowed to vend in the market.

The New Amsterdam Municipal Business Complex will also be closed today for sanitization.

The monthly outreach at the New Amsterdam Post office on April 1 for pensioners has been “cancelled” until further

notice.

Prior to this, businesses were ordered closed by 18.00 hrs and pharmacies by 20.00 hrs.

Meanwhile, the Council is advising residents to promote healthy practices in the home and to boost their immune systems by eating lots of fruits.

The new measures come in the wake of concerns of the

possible infection of an elderly woman in the township.

On Friday, the 75-year-old and some family members were placed in quarantine after she reportedly exhibited symptoms of the novel corona virus.

She had returned from overseas on March 17.

Meanwhile in Corriverton, the Mayor and

Town Council has ordered that the market there will operate until noon on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The market will be closed on Wednesdays and Sundays, which have been set aside for sanitizing.

On Saturdays the market will operate as normal. The Rose Hall Town Council is yet to reveal their plan.

Region Six health officials await COVID-19 test results on ailing retired nurse Health Officials in Region Six are awaiting the results on tests carried out on a remigrant nurse from New Amsterdam, who is suspected to have contracted the deadly coronavirus.

Director of Health in Region Six, Jevaughn Stephens told Kaieteur News that he is awaiting results on samples which were forwarded to the National Public Health Laboratory.

The Regional Health Director said that once the results are known, officials from the Ministry of Health will reveal the findings.

“As it stands we have taken as many precautions as possible since the case was reported.”

Stephens noted that in addition to the nurse, the Region has six other persons, who have been in contact with the patient including persons from her household, under observation.

“Those persons were placed in self -isolation but they are being monitored on an hourly basis by surveillance officers.”

The retired nurse is said to have recently travelled to New York to attend the funeral of her brother. She became ill after she returned to New Amsterdam and was in the care of a close relative.

The relative decided to call the New Amsterdam Hospital after the woman’s condition worsened.

An ambulance came and the ailing woman was taken to a health facility for treatment. She remains under observation.

Meanwhile, a voice note which was circulated to

Kaieteur News related that the nurse (name given) would usually spend six month in Guyana and six months abroad. She recently returned home from New York and fell ill. As her condition worsened, a relative called the hotline number as advised by the Ministry of Public Health but the numbers rang out.

As a result, contact was made with the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Soon after, an ambulance and health workers, dressed in protective gear arrived and took the nurse away.

According to the information contained in the voice note, the nurse‘s condition is even more troubling since she belongs to one of the largest church denominations in New Amsterdam.

She might have been in contact with those persons.

A cousin, who stays with her, goes to another large denomination and another family to another large church as well.

“These are three big denominations in New Amsterdam. The fact that they may have come into contact with members is scary. Then a young boy that would be with her, his mother has a hair salon in the market… then there are the folks in the scheme, also her driver who lived in Town Council Scheme… so we are in a mess.”

They may have to lock down the entire block as another occupant of the house is a fireman. We are in a mess, pray for us. God alone knows,” the voice note added.

In the meantime, the MoPH has confirmed that Guyana has three new cases of COVID-19. This brings the number of cases confirmed here to eight, inclusive of one death – Patient Zero.

Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence during her daily COVID-19 update done via Facebook live stream noted the total number of persons who have been tested has moved from 39 to 44.

“With regard to persons in institutional quarantine, the number is now 32, while the number of persons on home quarantine has not changed. Six persons are now in institutional isolation by the Ministry, and the Ministry continues to offer psychosocial support for those in need of these services,” said the Minister.

Regarding the country’s health capacity, the Minister said that in addition to the four facilities, which are ready to provide services for 350 persons, all regions now have capacity centrally to cater for an additional 134 persons.

Further, the Minister updated the public on measures undertaken to safeguard the prisons and elderly homes.

She noted that recognizing the vulnerability of these groups, Infection Control measures are already being instituted and monitoring is ongoing.

According to the Minister too, the regional task force has been established and sensitisation sessions continue with business places, banks and other stakeholders.

Members of the GPF who assist the Region Six COVID Task force.

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Monday March 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Bipartisanship is beaten out of existence “Making democracy work during this crisis requires everyone to compromise”was an opinion from the New York Post editorial board dated March 18. Compromise is needed in marriage, friendships, and life to make those work well. Yet that same compromise is the dirtiest word in Guyana when national politics is involved.

“One result of the coronavirus pandemic is a healthy dose of bipartisanship” was what was expressed in a separate opinion from Michael Goodwin (New York Post on March 18). Try presenting bipartisanship to most Guyanese, be they political leaders or impatient loyalists and spittle and a kick follow.

For here we may have a possibly grave crisis and there is indifference in many quarters, and even contempt from people in those same places. For the needed urgencies before us, we have suspended governance or, at best, limited government. Still, we have lost any inclination to reason, that we need each other now to stand in an unbreakable line before a lethal scourge and overcome it.

Instead of seizing the crisis to prioritize working together, there is unflagging belief that one could succeed alone.

What we speak of is not of elections. Yet in the tangled mess that is Guyana, it also has everything to do with elections and where that has brought us. We do not talk to each other, unless it’s in the presence of outside referees.

We do not hear each other, at any level, in this society, only the threnodies of our ceaseless screaming that drowns all else out, but our own voices and our own messages We have to be the most unhearing and unlearning people around. We like being so, and when we wallow in our appalling ignorance, we are proud to keeping erecting layer after layer upon the shoddy foundations that now stand as testimonies to Guyanese stupidities. Instead of joining to face down with strength this national threat, we face each other with rancidness in our hearts. Which society so lacking in self-protective wisdom could conquer its challenges? We are the laughing stock of the worldleaders and citizens-and we are so shameless that we join with the foreigners in laughing at ourselves.

Because of all these reasons and many left unpresented, we can say with some confidence that “compromise” that may lead to “bipartisanship” died an unnatural death a long time ago. There is neither thinking of any of that, or working towards that, for the common wellbeing of all, or at least most, in the population. Even in the overheated United States now deeply, perhaps irreversibly, polarized, the houses of Congress and the president were able in record time to put together a relief package for those reeling from the virus. Here it is the norm of hostility and hate.

Compromise and bipartisanship have both been beaten into a state of senselessness and sent packing in hurried withdrawal. There is no room for either, no scope, no time, no stirring, or leaning for either. It is out the top floor window for those, and into the furnace for us.

So, we sizzle and like overburnt flesh, we smell pungently. A handful of thinking and conscientious Guyanese hold their noses, the rest of the outside world is way ahead of us in putting as much distance between themselves and us. Caricom’s specially handpicked tribunes who came with goodwill and in good faith had to beat a hasty retreat, while the international people shrink away.

It is why we are left where we are: with our caprices and artifices. All present here are guilty, and all who feed the frenzies have reserved for themselves the blistering label of cardinal malefactors. We need most urgently as in right now, those vital compromises and bipartisanship to assist us to manage ourselves in some way to some place. What is being fought bitterly over will not get us to that different place that offers some hope that is national in vision and scale. We had better find our senses quickly. For even if we manage to scrape past the coronavirus menace, there are still the sicknesses that come from living next to one another. Compromise and bipartisanship, as treasonous as that sounds, must be our religion to carry forward.

THE WAKE UP CALL DEAR EDITOR, Coronavirus or better known as COVID-19 is a wakeup call to the entire world. We are rightfully scared, confused and worried about the future because no one has the answer to this crisis which is affecting every aspect of normal life and it seems to be getting worse.

We are scrambling to find a cure or solution to come back to normal life and courting every glimmer of hope in our desperation to come out with some news of comfort, but, so far, we are still in the dark.

In the beginning, Mr. Mike Pence, the vice president of the great power of U.S.A., said, “we are putting all the resources of our nation to fight this situation.” I listened to him but knew that his powerful claim lacked the power to deliver. By now we all realize that all the

resources of the entire universe combined stand helpless to combat this universal crisis.

We are finally realizing that this virus is greater than our ability to respond and no one knows if he or she will survive until there is a cure and as a result most of us are now accepting that God is the answer but because we are so accustomed to putting science and technology to work, we are not focusing on the One who can speak to it and dismiss its presence.

I am not a theologian, but any reasonable person can understand that every leader of the world need to tell his or her nation to cry out to God but we are so proud that we prefer to live in our stress.

Sending messages on Whatsapp, Facebook, Tweet, radio, TV or email is okay but appealing to God for relief

should never be an option or last resort.

My dear fellow human being of different race, colour and culture, this is my message to you: God has gotten our attention. God is real and He is not a religion.

He is holy and merciful. He welcomes us into his presence and I invite everyone to make good use of this opportunity, but we need to prepare ourselves to come into His holy presence for our prayers to be accepted.

The bible says: “Isaiah 59: 2 But your sins have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Psalm 66: 18 If I regard sin in my heart, the Lord would not hear me.”

Oh! You are now saying what the bible says. Why should I accept the bible?

Now, let us reason this whole situation outside of the bible.

No one is an angel and that includes you and me. We are all sinners with thoughts, desires and motives that do not please God. Do you think that you and I can come to God in o u r sinful state and place our order like we do on Amazon or at the restaurant? Do you think you and I will be accepted in our sinful state into God’s holy presence? Don’t you think it is only reasonable to appreciate and understand that we need to confess our sins and repent to come into His presence? Will God forgive me and listen to me?

Of course He will and you will be happy that you asked.

Yes, this is a wake up call and I call on the entire world to. WAKE UP AND PRAY. Harold Beharry

I hope that this falls on fertile ears DEAR EDITOR, I am writing about the current political stand-off in my beloved country Guyana.

As an elder who saw the country torn apart by violence in the 1960s I fear that we are on that path heading into the future. I offer my perspective as the former publisher and CEO of the Guyana Graphic, the largest newspaper in Guyana during the tumultuous period before it was taken over by the Burnham Government in 1974.

I am someone who contributed to my country as an actor and playwright including the play “Guyana Legend” which was the official theatrical cultural presentation at Guyana’s

Independence celebrations in 1966.

Last week, the Working People’s Alliance, a member of Guyana’s coalition government, and political commentator and academician, Mr. Dhanpaul, expressed grave concern over the health of Guyana’s democracy and called for a shared governance model to avoid severe consequences in the racially polarized country.

These represent the first thoughts from anyone to help solve the political impasse in Guyana. It is clear that neither of the two political entities can effectively govern Guyana without the involvement of the other.

We need to remember that Guyana was built on the blood, sweat and tears of an enslaved people who had their cultural identity, religious beliefs and their very children torn from them.

Those who came after them, owe them a debt which they must never forget.

The descendants of these slaves and their mixed-blood descendants still suffer today from the insecurities which this loss of identity inculcated and which has resulted in our crippling incapacity to help each other and any others.

Those indentured servants who came after slavery was abolished had the luxury of retaining their cultural identity, their

religious beliefs and their ability to make and keep their families, thus building a sense of community which the slaves and their descendants never had. Our indentured brothers and sisters had the luxury of knowing who they are and thus how to help each other.

If Guyana is to survive and prosper then we have to accommodate these two realities and accept that neither one nor the other identity can prosper without the involvement of the other.

Shared governance - as Mr. Dhanpaul had suggested - is the only way to start this process. It will be fraught with difficulties, but (Continued on page 6)

The actual manipulation of elections results is ‘Criminal’ DEAR EDITOR, Free, fair, and regular elections are the cornerstone of democracy. But elections cannot be free and fair when one public official in the election body meddles with the rules or unfairly tilts the playing field in favour of one political party. In the recent elections, there have been alarming incidents of public officials exercising improper influence in the elections process.This abuse of power threatens the integrity of our electoral process and strikes at the heart of the Guyana democracy.

Protecting Democracy is a commitment to prevent election manipulation by public officials that would take concrete action to preserve free and fair elections.Even if it is not possible to influence the outcome of an election, attempts at manipulation will

at least cause frustration and uncertainty.

Since the assumption of the presidency in 2015, David Granger has failed in numerous ways to be the leader Guyana demands to charter us into the future.

Many loyalists of Granger may want to differ from the facts that he has failed Guyanese, but it is evident that the majority of Guyanese have spoken through their ballots in the just concluded General and Regional elections on the 2nd March 2020, leaving David Granger and the APNU/AFC cabal shocked with defeat.

David Granger’s APNU/ AFC is facillitating the refusal process not to allow a recount of the ballots, deliberately leaving it to the judicial system to ratify a decision that is preconceived. Careful attention must be given to the emphasis and relevance David Granger is giving the

court’s decision that would illegally facilitate him to be a “constitutional dictator”, that will ensure Guyana is sanctioned by the international partners. David Granger weak and fragile leadership, is the main reason why the APNU/AFC has failed Guyanese.

If Granger was a man of strong leadership capabilities he would not have allowed a candidate of his party APNU/ AFC to stop a commitment he made with the opposition leader Bharrat Jagdeo and the other Caricom leaders.

Despite Granger’s public disassociation of not interfering with the elections process and GECOM, it is a know fact that APNU/AFC political operatives are in GECOM. These facts are poisonous for any democracy, as they erode the foundations of our political system — namely the need for basic confidence in the

legality of electoral decisions and respect of the wishes of the majority. They can raise questions about democracy itself — and that in a time when it faces powerful adversaries, including autocrats, populists or other opponents of pluralism. If we allow cheating in our democratic process, and we allow this now, what about next time and the time after that? This is a breach of the law. The actual manipulation of elections results is “Criminal”, and must never be allowed in Guyana future elections again.

Guyana must urge that Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C set up a COI into GECOM and ensure all those who are responsible for what is happening in the country pertaining to the elections results, be given the maximum penalties.

Regards, Zamal Hussain

Monday March 30, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Voters did not sign up for a dictatorship Open Letter to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

DEAR EDITOR, Ms. Claudette Singh has finally informed our courts (Local Press, March 28/2020) that she has the necessary authority to order a recount, ‘if necessary.’ With all of this authority at her disposal, she did not then, nor has she now, seen it fit to scrap the two sets of fraudulent results prepared and published by Mingo & Company? Is Ms. Singh aware that fraudulent results have been declared under her authority? And that she is soon expected to be coerced or influenced to approve those fraudulent results?

Has the legal mind of Ms. Claudette Singh sorted out the ramifications of her inaction thus far? Is she really

waiting to see what will happen before she makes a decision to stop the fraud under her watch? Guyana is closing in on her recalcitrance, as are the ABCEs, not to mention the international renown she has achieved these last few weeks. Ms. Singh will very likely be unable to salvage her name or reputation should she approve the fraud that has transpired under her at GECOM. The time for her to act has long past. She is currently trying to salvage whatever she considers important to her as a professional, and how she will be recorded in the history books.

Ms Claudette Singh has

one option, which is not tied to anything that is transpiring in our courts: squash the two fraudulent results already declared and immediately issue an order for the completion of the tabulation/ verification process for region 4 results.

There can be little dispute by now regarding the expected outcome of our verified and officially declared election results.

While the Coalition might have received a significant portion of our votes, these voters did not sign up for a dictatorship in the event of the Coalition’s loss at the polls.

Regards, Craig Sylvester

In Memoriam DEAR EDITOR, Since the beginning of the year, there have been several articles/letters in the media about people who have made a sterling contribution to Guyana but have, sadly, “passed on.” Permit me to add the following whom I remember fondly. * Mrs Marjorie Carr. She was a teacher with a long and distinguished career. She was principal at Christ Church Secondary School, Georgetown, for many years.

Many young lives were touched, and no doubt improved, by the dedication of this lady. She was married to Bill Carr of UG fame and was buried in June 2019 in the USA. * Mr Oswald Kendal. He too was principal at Christ Church Secondary School.

He went on to a senior post in the Ministry of Education where he coauthored the broad and varied curriculum used today in Guyana’s schools.

Of quick and ready smile, he assisted many young teachers to climb the professional ladder.

His students, lovingly but irreverently, called him, “Shaft,” in a nod to the good looking, well-dressed actor in the eponymous “blacksploitation” films of the 70’s.

He was buried in November in the St Jamesthe -Less Anglican churchyard, K i t t y,

Georgetown. *Father Keith Hardless. This English Roman Catholic priest made Guyana his home. He was parish priest at St. Teresa’s RC, Campbellville, for many years. During that time he worked hard to develop the St Winefride’s catholic primary school, Newtown. People of all faiths and none would receive a sympathetic ear and a helping hand from him.

He once joked that the people of Kitty, C/Ville, Newtown, often mispronounced his name “heartless,” but after he underwent major surgery for a heart attack they realised that he indeed had a heart.

In spite of his declining health, he moved on to the Mount Carmel RC church at Meadow Bank, where he died last October. He was cremated and his ashes are kept in Meadow Bank. * Edward Widmer. This son of Scranton, Pennsylvania, also made Guyana his home for many years. He too was a religious man. He came to Guyana in 1970 as a “pioneer,” (i.e. missionary) of the Baha’i Faith.

Among other endeavours, he attended UG; worked with Lady Rose (wife of Sir David) at the Georgetown skin clinic, helping lepers; became a

community development officer, serving on the east bank Demerara and later in the North West. Finally, he opened his own businessthe Professional Guard Service. All the while he served the Baha’i Faith with the utmost dedication.

He was a great support to his wife, Ellen, who worked in physiotherapy at the Georgetown hospital and later taught Biology at UG. S h e a l s o t a u g h t Literature at the School of the Nations, New Amsterdam. Their three children were born in Guyana and grew up at their home in Spaarendam, east coast Demerara.

U l t i m a t e l y, this polymath moved back to the USA where he served at the Chicago office of the United Nations. He kept up a lively and informative, daily internet post in which he frequently mentioned his life and work in Guyana. He died in October 2019 after experiencing a major stroke. He was buried according to Baha’i funeral rites.

Now that they have gone to “the other Kingdom,” let us remember them with affection and pray that many more will rise up to emulate them and, like them, render service to the world of humanity.

Sincerely, T. C.

DEAR PRIME MINISTER, I write pursuant to the matter at caption. I am the brother of a quarantined individual who is currently in Government imposed quarantine on the basis that he may have COVID-19. He attends University in Canada and shows no signs or symptoms of COVID-19. He left Canada in order to reach to his home (Guyana) before the airports were closed. He had not been in contact with any person who has been confirmed to have the virus and took all the relevant precautions while travelling.

To this date, he nor the other passengers have been tested and none of them have shown any signs of COVID19.

On the 25th March, 2020, passengers arrived on the Trans-Guyana owned airplane with registration 8RGAQ. These passengers were screened by officials in Barbados for COVID-19 before entering the plane. My brother had been in Barbados when his flight to Guyana was cancelled on Wednesday 18th March, 2020, and had since been in self isolation in a hotel room. As far as I understand this flight was allowed entry into Guyana since some British Nationals needed to be transported to Barbados. Upon the arrival of the flight in Guyana, the pilots, stewards and other flight crew were allowed to leave after receiving a simple temperature scan. The passengers were taken to somewhere to be quarantined and they, nor their parents/ relatives, were informed about the location or particulars of this quarantine arrangement.

The reason for this letter is to inform and highlight to you, the inhumane conditions of the quarantine facility in Guyana. I understand, from my brother, that he is being made to stay along with 10 persons in one room and are made to share the basic necessities to live. Some of these persons were brought previously and subsequently to his arrival and most of them are strangers to each other. This room contains an even greater amount of bunk beds which may be filled with more persons in accordance with orders from the National Task Force on COVID-

19. The persons that are kept in this room are restricted to two atrocious bathrooms that they are forced to clean themselves.

The quarantined individuals are given food at odd times of the day and the meals are not proper to sustain the health of these persons.

The concern about this arrangement is that it defeats the purpose of mandatory quarantine since healthy persons in this facility may become infected with the virus. There is no way that persons can employ the necessary safety procedures to protect themselves from COVID-19 in this facility. In addition, this facility is not in accordance with the standards published by the Word Health Organisation in the article, “Consideration for quarantine for individuals in the context for containment of the Corona Virus Disease” dated 29th February, 2020. Moreover, there is no proper line of communication between the passengers and persons of authority, who I understand is either the Ministry of Public Health or the Army. I understand that on Thursday 26th March, 2020 there was an attempt to start some communication but this was short-lived as it descended into arguments. If this was done, then the passengers and their families may have been able to propose some help for effectively carrying out this quarantine exercise. Further, I’m sure that some arrangement could be made for better meals to be acquired for the passengers. However, the relevant authorities are not accessible.

With regards to these matters, I simply ask you to pay attention to the protocols that are being employed by the National Task Force on COVID-19. This facility seems to be more of a contamination zone rather

than quarantine. It is felt that all the protocols that these passengers followed, prior to entering Guyana, have gone out of the window. I constantly ask myself whether it is reasonable to think that all the healthy individuals in there will become infected if only one person indeed has the virus.

These protocols infringe on the human rights of the individuals and should be employed with this in mind.

The pilots and other flight crew, who were in direct contact with these passengers during the flight, were allowed to leave the airport without being quarantined. Further, the nurses and other authorities at this facility are allowed to go home every day, to their families, after being in contact with these quarantined individuals whilst not wearing protective wear. I am of the opinion that this defeats the whole purpose of this quarantine exercise. On behalf of these passengers and other concerned persons, I appeal to you to make some effort to ensure that ALL persons are safe and are not contaminated with the deadly disease of COVID-19. I respectfully challenge you to visit the facilities or request further information about the conditions of the quarantined individuals. I hope this letter reaches you in good spirit.

Thank you.

Khalif Gobin

PAGE 6

We, the people of the world, have a choice to mitigate our global suffering DEAR EDITOR, We humans are strange creatures. We often tend to put off making important decisions and taking vital action until we hit a crisis point. We do this in both our individual and collective lives.

The problem is that in today’s world some of the decisions we have steadfastly refused to make can spell the difference between life and death. We are learning this the hard way with the coronavirus pandemic and its twin, the growing global economic crisis.

And yet, there are still constructive choices we can make. Rather than stumbling blocks, we can choose to treat these crises as steppingstones helping us build an effective system of global governance fit to respond to our collective needs in the 21st century and beyond. We have known for a long time that climate change poses a dire threat to life on earth in many different ways. We have also known that the continuing proliferation of nuclear weapons increases the threat of a nuclear war, which, whether deliberate or accidental, will have horrific consequences. Yet, we have been content to stick our heads in the sand and abdicate responsibility for making collective, global decisions that will ensure that these nightmares are mitigated or never come to

Monday March 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

pass.

We have made the same mistake with respect to the looming threat of pandemics.

For years, we have talked about the possibility of such an event, and yet we have failed to take the necessary steps to ensure that we were prepared to tackle such a crisis swiftly and effectively.

While some voices have for many years been calling for the creation of a limited form of global government, most of our leaders have been unwilling to countenance such an idea. Yet, finally, in the face of the enormous physical, economic, and mental suffering we have begun enduring in the wake of the coronavirus, we are starting to hear voices among the world’s leaders calling for the creation of some kind of system of global governance that is capable of responding to the needs of the 21st century. Such voices should be encouraged and applauded.

What an incredible call to action! This is precisely the kind of leadership we need — one that is willing to acknowledge and dispense with systems that are not working and no longer ensure the well-being of those they were created to serve. And one that recognizes the need for collective consultation in order to conceive of new global structures: capable of managing collective problems

that impact humanity as a whole.

Also recently, the views of Gordon Brown, the former prime minister of Britain were clearly laid out in an article published by The Guardian.

He cut straight to the chase, urging world leaders “to create a temporary form of global government to tackle the twin medical and economic crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

He highlighted the obvious yet often unacknowledged fact that “this is not something that can be dealt with in one country,” rather it is something that requires “a coordinated global response,” starting with “some sort of working executive.” This kind of call confirms world historian Arnold Toynbee’s predictions in the last century that — despite our strenuous resistance to any notion of a world government — once we faced an existential threat, we would rapidly, though reluctantly, abandon our resistance in favour of a world government, albeit limited in scope to what is absolutely necessary to effect the global management of global challenges. We, the people of the world, have a choice to mitigate our global suffering and to ensure that our hardships have not been in vain. It is up to us, one and all, to demand of our leaders that they seize this opportunity to demonstrate the statesmanship, vision, and courage required to build those global decision-making and enforcement institutions we so desperately need to meet the urgent needs of an inextricably interconnected world.

Yours, Rooplall Dudhnath

There are lingering and unanswered questions surrounding the March 2, elections DEAR EDITOR, I applaud the wisdom, integrity and judicial acumen of the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Justice Claudette Singh and unreservedly support her every decision and action thus far. We all would agree that there are lingering and unanswered questions surrounding the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections in Guyana which have attracted international attention and condemnation and serious, and potentially violent, domestic concern. A major concern has been the deliberate and protracted misinformation peddled by some observer groups, political parties, media and civil society alleging that the post-poll process in District 4, unlike the other 9 districts, exhibited “serious and persistent electoral malpractice”, was unlawful and lacking in transparency and credibility, and that President Granger and Chairperson Singh were largely responsible for this deterioration. This has led to public insult, character assassination, allegations of improper conduct and political misadventure, and invitations to, and threats of, international sanction.

The practiced purveyors of misinformation and disinformation could not be concerned that it is factually incorrect that the Returning Officer (RO) of District 4 made two unlawful declarations, that he failed to comply with the March 11 rules made by the Chief Justice, or that the process for ascertaining the declared results were not

transparent, inclusive and lawful. While there seems to be sufficient evidence, not limited to District 4, to suggest that the electoral system has been compromised, the real issue for them appears to be the significance of the RO’s declared results in determining the Presidency and the realization that it must be discredited, overthrown and substituted if the PPP/C were to win these elections.

The alternative narrative promoted by the PPP/C and allied political parties is that the PPP/C increased its District 4 electoral support in these elections by over 14% 70,203 (2015) to 80,344 (2020) – while APNU+AFC increased its support by 0.4% - 113,856 (2015) to 114,345 (2020) when the electoral role grew by over 16% in what is universally considered its main stronghold. That is not remotely believable or credible even for foreign observers who care little for professionalism and fairness.

Moreover, the RO’s allegedly suspect and unlawful ascertaining of the results for District 4 do not provide any electoral benefit to APNU+AFC which would maintain the 4/3 regional seat advantage it always had, while the PPP/C’s supposedly accurate tabulation for District 4 would gift them an additional top-up seat and the Presidency, if the declared results for the other 9 districts are accepted without question. It is also not the case that the processes employed by the ROs of the other 9 districts were demonstrably more inclusive

and transparent, or that the declared results were more credible than the vilified District 4 results. All that is known is that they were spared the same degree of scrutiny and, except for the RO of District 10, who attached a computergenerated spreadsheet to his election return, detailing the number, division and names of each polling station in the district, the number of electors, total votes cast, voter turnout and the votes cast for each political party, which can be checked and verified by anyone, no other RO has formally provided any information to support their declaration.

The magnitude of the discrepancy between the competing declarations for District 4, by the RO and PPP/ C, of over 22,000 votes (which is more than the vote in 7 of the 10 districts) is credibly suggestive of major electoral malpractice, including the introduction of irregular Statements of Poll and incorrect tabulations, which have compromised these elections. Almost every stakeholder, foreign and domestic, have expressed their concerns about the integrity of these elections and have urged that GECOM undertake a full and transparent recount of every vote cast in order to restore public and international confidence and acceptance of our electoral process. Justice Singh is committed to doing exactly that with fidelity to the constitution and her office.

Sincerely, Oscar Dolphin

I hope that this...

From page 4 the alternative is infinitely worse.

As my old grandmother used to say, “THERE IS BAD... AND WORSER THAN BAD”. We have no option but to choose the former.

Constitution reform is essential, and must include under the PR system, the right of constituents to choose their own to represent their constituency in elections. A new constitution must also include: the right of parties to form coalitions AFTER elections.

I am hoping to provoke

further positive comments to assist Guyana in solving its problems.

Otherwise, I fear that the road to El Dorado will lead us to the gates of this fabled country with riches untold but we will spend the time destroying each other in order to climb the walls to be first inside, instead of working together to break the gates so that we can all enter together and benefit from the riches therein. I hope that this falls on fertile ears, especially young Guyanese.

Ricardo Smith

Monday March 30, 2020

PAGE 7

Kaieteur News

Fuel spill by Troy Resources was sheer recklessness It appears keeping up production was more important than ensuring safe operations – EPA Head The recent spill of approximately 5000 litres of fuel by Troy Resources Guyana Inc. at its Karouni Mine was a case of recklessness, says head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams.

During an interview with Kaieteur News last evening, Dr. Adams said that a cursory report submitted by the mining company revealed that the key person involved in the incident was a new employee who was not trained.

“Of course that is no excuse but that is not even the worse part.” According to Dr. Adams, Troy Resources had two safety systems at its disposal which could have prevented the incident but they were not in operation.

In explaining the chain of events that took place, Dr. Adams said, “It was supposed to be a transfer of fuel into a storage tank. The fuel comes in for them to use and they put it into a tank and when the tank gets full there is an actuator which shuts off the flow into the tank when it is full, but that was not operational and it overflowed.”

The EPA head added, “Then there is a pipe for emergency that leads out of the secondary containment area that they have to receive the fuel. That pipe was supposed to have a valve on it but it was missing.”

Dr. Adams said that based on telephone conversations with company officials, they were not even aware that the valve went missing. Dr.

preach in every one of my presentations. I always say we cannot allow this to happen. Safety has to be of a much higher priority than production and in this case, it was not. Safety has to be a culture of every operation in this country.”

FURTHER REPORTING

EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams

Adams also said that there is normally supposed to be an experienced person overseeing such operations.

“But there was no one overlooking and it had to be running for hours for 5000 litres to escape. It means nobody was paying attention.

These are the things that could cause fires, explosions and even death. So it was a case of sheer recklessness,” the EPA official said.

On this note, Dr. Adams expressed concern that Troy Resources’ operations was being conducted in this matter when just a few months ago, it was forced to suspend works following the death of its geologist, Ryan Taylor.

When Taylor passed away, Troy Resources told the Guyanese public via a paid advertisement in November last that it would make every effort to improve its worker’s

safety practices. The company said too that all employees would be retrained in the basics of safety before returning to the pit.

Considering this, Dr. Adams said, “So imagine my dismay after hearing that they were not sure when one of the valves went missing.

They said it could have been missing during the time it had shut down operations following Taylor’s death.

Now how you can start up and not check to ensure everything is in place? It leaves one to question what else is not there that could cause a higher safety risk.”

What is also troubling for the EPA head is the fact that continuing production seems to be more important to Troy Resources than the safety of its workers.

Dr. Adams said, “And as you know, this is something I

Dr. Adams noted that this is indeed the first time Troy Resources is before the EPA for such an issue and will be fined approximately $1M for its careless behaviour. He also noted that it was made aware of the incident by the Australian company. Dr. Adams said that the

company’s permit requires that it reports immediately, any spill or upset in the operations.

As a result of the coronavirus crisis, the EPA head said that he would not be able to send a team to do an independent assessment.

Continued on page 8

PAGE 8

Monday March 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

Search for Consultant to US Embassy sends over 800 market Guyana’s share of Liza American citizens home from crude extended for second time Guyana in two weeks

The search for a Consultant to market Guyana’s share of the oil from the Liza Phase One Development Project has been pushed back for a second time.

Instead of April 12, applicants now have up to April 21 to send in their Expressions of Interest to the Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Berkley Wickham.

It was noted that the applicant must demonstrate that he/she has at least five years of experience in Crude Oil marketing and trading and provide copies of its Certificate of Incorporation. The applicant must also provide details of his or her capabilities and the volume of crude oil trading and marketing that was done by geography over the last five years.

Further to this, the Energy Department wants to see details of previous experience in introducing a new grade into the market as well as the applicant’s Code of Conduct Statement.

Significantly, the bidder has to make provisions to allow the Department of Energy to verify all claims made in submission, and also, to verify that the bidder’s organization is not in receivership, nor the subject of any form of insolvency of bankruptcy proceedings or the subject of any form of winding up petition or proceedings.

A written statement confirming that bidder does not have any Director who has been convicted in any country for a criminal offence relating to fraud or any financial impropriety or criminal misrepresentation of falsification of facts relating to any matter also has to be provided along with details of any pending litigation the bidder may or may not have.

Kaieteur News understands that the successful candidate will be required to provide support to the Energy Department in all operating and back office responsibilities of managing crude sales and for each

- in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

Energy Dept. Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe individual lift from the Liza Destiny ,Guyana’s first Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel.

The successful Crude Marketing Agent will also have to support the Energy Department in the first year of introduction of the Liza grade in multiple geographies and refinery systems, and work closely with the Department in understanding the behaviour and yields of the Liza Blend and how these affect pricing differentials.

Of note is the fact that the bidder will have to conduct training sessions for personnel attached to the department in matters relating to Crude oil Supply and Trading fundamentals, and more specifically, those relevant to the Liza grade pricing. Kaieteur News understands that the Crude Marketing Agent would have to use all reasonable efforts to provide relevant information, documentation and/or training in a timely manner for Energy Department personnel. The contract is expected to last for 12 months.

The United States Embassy in Georgetown announced on Saturday that it had already helped over 800 US citizens and their families to reach the US safely in the last two weeks, and that it will continue to assist where needed.

The Embassy has already provided a procedure for citizens living in Guyana who want to return home.

“The State Department is rising to meet the historic challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, every day, all over the world. The US Government has no higher duty than to protect American citizens,” it said on its Facebook page.

Only recently, it stated its intention to help facilitate travel for US citizens on an Eastern Airlines flight slated to have left Cheddi Jagan International Airport to Miami, last Saturday afternoon.

US Ambassador SarahAnn Lynch recently released a statement, telling all Americans in Guyana how hard the embassy has been working to assist those who would like to return home.

“Our diplomats and Guyanese colleagues at the US embassy in Georgetown are working around the clock to help US citizens in Guyana who need assistance at this historic time in our world’s history,” she said.

Further, Lynch noted that Guyana has closed its airspace until April 1, 2020.

Despite this, the Embassy has been working with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to get special permissions for certain flights.

“I would just like to thank both Guyana’s Civil Aviation Authority and Eastern Airlines in making these flights available to US citizens,” Lynch said.

Ly n c h a l s o t o o k t h e opportunity to draw attention to the public ordinance issued by President Granger, which grants authority to the Ministry of Public Health to take strong measures for the prevention and control of COVID-19.

She urged strongly that Americans follow the laws and directives established by the Ministry at this time.

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch “I strongly encourage all US citizens in Guyana to practice social distancing and follow the Ministry of Public Health guidelines to stay healthy.”

“Please take them seriously.”

Guyana has so far recorded 8 cases of COVID19, with one death.

As of a 4:40 pm CNN update yesterday, there had been 135,856 cases of COVID-19 detected in the US, with 2,391 deaths. Cases have been recorded in virtually every US state.

Fuel spill by Troy Resources was...

From page 7 For now, the agency would have to rely on discussions as well as further reports from the company.

According to Dr. Adams, Troy Resources has to submit a comprehensive report today on the impact of the spill on the environment, whether it got into the surface or ground water, what clean up action was taken and what mechanisms will be put in place to prevent a reoccurrence. Another report on the incident would also be required on April 3, 2020.

Once the coronavirus issue settles, Dr. Adams said a team will be sent to the mine to ensure what was submitted was accurate.

OPERATIONS WILL CONTINUE In spite of the operational mishap, the EPA

head confirmed that the company will not halt works. It is however required to re-sensitize every worker on understanding that safety has to be of a higher priority, higher than production. He said too that Troy Resources was asked to empower every employee to have shut down authority.

“This means that if they see anything that raises a question of safety they can stop everything. I would have liked to see them pause all work for two days and sensitize all workers but the current situation doesn’t allow for that because they are rotating people and some are flying in and going out back. So it would be difficult to get all 270 employees at once for training,” Dr. Adams told Kaieteur News.

Monday March 30, 2020

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

WHO WILL CUT AND RUN! The PNCR, the only substantive political force in the APNU, is locked into the past at a time when it should be reorganizing for the future.

The party is widely believed to have lost the 2020 general elections and it must begin to assess its future chances of being restored to government and the make-up of the leadership team that are necessary to achieve this objective.

The party has shot itself in the foot by reverting to discredited and disgraceful electoral manipulation with help from its friends within GECOM. This will hurt any future chances the party’s present leadership has of

retaining the confidence of a key block of its supporters.

Decent people do not support electoral fraud. The decent elements within the PNCR are bound to be appalled by the party’s electoral shenanigans of recent weeks.

Whatever the fallout from the elections, the PNCR cannot be written off as a political force. Unlike the COVID-19 coronavirus, it is not a political party which is likely to disappear off of the local map or can it be discounted as the representative of a substantive constituency.

The PNCR survived 23 years in opposition under the

PPPC without imploding or suffering any substantive decline in political support.

Except for 2006, under Robert Corbin, when it gained 34% of the votes, the party has consistently polled more than 40% of the electorate.

Following that devastating defeat of the party to the PPPC under Bharrat Jagdeo, the party decided to widen its appeal by forming an alliance, with a number of electorally miniscule parties, which it called the A Partnership for National Unity.

The APNU secured just under 41% of the votes cast in the 2011 elections, the last time it would contest a general elections outside of a

Dem Boys Seh

Dem vagabonds losing faith.

Dem boys seh how this coronavirus mekkin’ people lose faith. Ah man went to church yesterday. When the time come fuh give testimony, he jump up. He tell the whole church how the day before he tested positive for the coronavirus but dat he pray and the Lord answer he pray and cured him of the virus.

While the man talking, he notice the congregation getting restless. But he finish he testimony thanking the Lord fuh curing he of the coronavirus.

When he finished he tried to hand the microphone to another man who been waiting to give testimony.

But the other man refused to take the microphone, saying, “I have no testimony, give it to the pastor.”

The pastor turned to the man with the microphone and said, “I am not in charge

of testimonies, so give it to the senior pastor.”

So the man went with the microphone to the senior pastor. The senior pastor turned to him and said, “Brother in Christ, the microphone is yours. It is a gift from the Church for your marvelous testimony. Please take it home with you!”

Dem boys seh, “Don’t lose faith. The Creator watching over everything. He knows wuh fuh do.”

Dem boys hear how dem gat lockdown in South Africa wuh start on the 26th March, 2020.

Is den dem boys remember Isiah 26:20 which says, “Go home, my people and lock your doors. Hide yourself a little until the Lord’s anger has passed.”

Dem boys remember dem Sunday school lessons when they were taught how the Lord commanded ah lockdown during the

Passover in Egypt…and when the Angel of Death passed over, the Israelites were protected by the blood of the Lamb.

Dem boys friend in South African remind dem how the Passover ending on 16th April, the same day that the lockdown is due to end. Dem boys know that this is no coincidence.

Dem boys say have faith in the Creator. He will protect awe during this terrible time. But do not have faith in Man because while God appoints, Man disappoints.

Dem boys disappointed with dem vagabonds in GECOM who conspiring to rig elections. Dem boys seh the Lord watching dem and deh wickedness. The righteous shall be exalted and the wicked condemned.

Tek half and leff half for dem scamps who trying to rig elections!

coalition with the AFC. The APNU+AFC is believed to have lost the 2020 general and regional elections.

This would be the third successive elections that the PNCR would have lost to the PPPC in the past four years.

It took a hammering in the 2011 local government elections, losing the popular vote by more than 25,000 votes.

It did nothing over the next two years which would suggest that it was serious about reversing its poor showing in local government elections. Its management of the 2018 local government campaign came in for criticism after the party, for the second election in a row, took a severe beating from the PPPC, losing the popular vote by almost 45,000 votes, or almost double their margin of defeat two years earlier.

Despite these setbacks, the APNU seemed unbothered. It had a falling out with the AFC which led to its contesting the 2018 elections without its coalition partner. The PPPC brimming

with confidence then delivered a jackhammer blow to the APNU+AFC when it successfully passed a noconfidence motion in December 2018.

The APNU undertook steps which effectively allowed it to stave off resigning from government and calling elections within 3 months. But despite the problems these measures attracted, the APNU chose the approach of the elections to pick a fight with its coalition partner, the AFC, over the number of seats the latter would obtain should the coalition win the 2020 elections. Strong differences also arose over the AFC’s right to the Prime Ministerial slot. The APNU therefore should therefore not be surprised by the election results. It continued to shoot itself in the foot from 2015 onwards.

The PNCR will not have to make decisions about its future leadership. The present top-brass of the party is not getting younger and cannot be expected to lead the party

into any future elections.

Some of the present leadership may not be able to cope with the physical and mental demands of leading the party. Some of them are past their political prime.

It is time for change with the PNCR. But who will step up to assume the mantle of leadership. Who will step forward to replace the old guard? And will the old guard give way to a fresh team which can be the face of the party in the future?

When you are in government, a great many persons flock to your side.

But when you are in opposition, those persons suddenly make themselves scarce. It is left to be seen who will cut and run now that the PNCR seems destined to be on the opposition benches, and who will commit to leading the party into the next elections in 2025.

PAGE 10

Monday March 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Not convinced of unchanging governments in future elections I will suggest to persons reading about Guyana’s future and the current election depravities to digest the AFC column in yesterday’s issue of Kaieteur News. It is titled, “The days of comfortable House Majority appear to be clearly over.”

Here is the first quote; “For those who might not have been paying attention, the days of any government governing with a comfortable House majority appear to be definitely and clearly over. No longer can one, led by the People’s National Congress (PNC) or by the PPP govern the nation with the ease of five clear parliamentary seats. The results from the past three elections seem to bear this

out. The Coalition will not dominate the PPP and the PPP will not be able to do likewise either.”

Now pay attention to the second quote, because it is from this extract one can theorize that the era has dawned in Guyana that neither the Indian PPP nor the African PNC can win consecutive terms. I will elaborate after the quote; “The unofficial or preliminary indications are that the Coalition will enjoy a second term, with maybe no more than two parliamentary seats separating it from the opposition People’s Progressive Party.”

There is no need to waste space on the AFC’s

contention of a narrow victory. What is important is that the AFC is arguing that small parliamentary shape will be the future pattern - not exceeding two seats.

In theorizing on the AFC’s prediction, one can or two seats, then why can’t the loser pick up steam over the five-year period in the opposition and win by one or two sets the next time around.

There is a huge naivety present in the polemics of those who argue that the PNC had to tamper with the elections in 2020 because it just does not have the ethnic numbers the PPP has to win, and it only won in 2015 because of a tiny number the AFC brought. This was

reality of the ‘60s and ‘70s that Burnham faced. But 60 years after, that demography died a natural expiration.

The percentage difference is nine between Indians and Africans (39 versus 30). Therefore each party can win or lose, depending on the nature of governance. The PPP can pull in 11 percent non-Indian votes and the PNC can harness 21 percent to take them over the 51 percent. The PPP lost in 2011 and 2015 and the PNC lost in 2020 not because of numbers, but type of governance.

The AFC is right. The future of elections success will be slim, but what the AFC left out is that based on its demographical perceptions, this slimness can work for both sides – PPP, PNC. In reality then, one-term government is not a just probability and possibility, but highly realistic. In the theoretical explanation of why the PPP lost in 2011 and 2015, lies the prediction of one-term success.

In 2011, the rural Indians scattered over Regions 2, 3, 4

and 5, but mostly in 6, were disenchanted with 15 years of Jagdeo’s style of power and like in the Hoyte days, where ordinary Blacks did not see the light of day, poor Indians were left behind by Jagdeoite neo-liberalism.

In 2015 multi-racial groups, though small in numbers, put APNU+AFC over the line. Those votes were not traditional PNC ballots, but people who wanted a third force in government. They got it in 2015, only that the third force disappeared.

APNU+AFC lost in 2020 because of the very reason the PPP lost in 2011 and 2015 – governance. I will enumerate the causes in another column - suffice it to say there was no reason for the small-minded, narrowminded, scare-minded unrealistic, unthinking hierarchy of both the PNC and AFC to generate the kind of instability Guyana is currently drowning in.

There are two reasons why I believe the elections were tampered with – the PNC felt that it could not gather

Frederick Kissoon the numbers it wanted from the mixed race groups and the Amerindians, and feared this will exacerbate in 2025.

Secondly, with oil money to spend, the party in power in 2020 will splurge and splurge its way to 2025, thus getting power perpetually.

With these two conceptualizations, the PNC and AFC did on March 4 what few people, except in those two kingdoms, will deny.

I reject this mental state of the mandarins in the PNC and AFC. I will leave it for another column. But briefly; poor, incompetent, visionless use of power cost the PNC and the AFC the 2020 election. With better, thinking leaders, the PNC and AFC could have won.

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

Monday March 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 14

Monday March 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

Coronavirus: Hospital consultant becomes first NHS frontline worker to die from virus Hospital consultant Amged El-Hawrani has become the first NHS frontline worker to die after contracting coronavirus.

An ear, nose and throat consultant has become the first hospital frontline worker to die after contracting coronavirus.

Amged El-Hawrani died at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester on Saturday (March 28), University Hospitals of Derby and Burton said.

The 55-year-old Associate Clinical Director and consultant at Queen’s Hospital Burton had tested positive for COVID-19, the trust said.

NHS England said that he is the first confirmed hospital frontline worker to die.

Tributes have poured in for El-Hawrani from his family and wider NHS officials, who warned of the importance for people to practice social distancing to help limit the spread of the virus.

A statement from his family described him as a loving and much-loved husband, son, father, brother, and friend whose greatest passions were his family and his profession.

“Amged reached the very top of his profession and we know he made a difference to thousands of lives during his career,” his family said.

“He viewed his role as a doctor as one of life’s most noble pursuits. He was also a leader, who educated many doctors who have subsequently become ENT consultants. We are incredibly proud of the legacy he has left behind and all that he has achieved.

“We would like to thank all those involved in his care for their kindness and compassion during his illness. They worked tirelessly for their patient, as he would have done for his own.”

El-Hawrani’s son Ashraf added: “Most of my Dad’s time was dedicated towards his family, and the rest of that time was dedicated towards his profession.

“He taught me the significance of respect and equality. He also stressed the importance

of not worrying about the things I cannot control, which he displayed to me right up until the end of his life.

“He did not seek the praise and approval of others, he was satisfied by viewing the positive effects of his actions and the wellbeing of his family. I am incredibly proud to say that for 18 years of my life, Amged ElHawrani was my father.”

Gavin Boyle, chief executive of University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, described ElHawrani as “extremely hard working” and “well liked” and said he had played a leading role in the merger between the hospitals in Burton and Derby.

“He was known for his dedication and commitment to his patients,” he said. “He had also raised funds for the hospitals, including climbing in the Himalayas with a group of friends some years ago. The whole UHDB family are desperately saddened at losing Amged who was such a valued and much loved colleague.”

NHS national medical director Professor Stephen Powis added: “The NHS is a family and we all feel deeply the loss of any of our colleagues, but as we all continue to unite and work together to tackle the spread of coronavirus, I know that the whole of the NHS and the public we serve will want to extend our sympathies to the El-Hawrani family.

“Nobody can be in any doubt about the scale of the challenge we face with this virus, and Amged’s death is not just an individual human tragedy but a stark reminder to the whole country that we all must take this crisis seriously, which means everyone abiding by the government’s clear instructions to stay indoors, self-isolate, keep strictly to social distancing advice and practise good hygiene, which means washing hands more often and for longer.

“The advice issued by government and the health service can be the difference between life and death, so this is everybody’s chance to be a lifesaver.

German State Finance Minister ‘kills himself’ as officials claim he was in despair over the Coronavirus crisis

By Faith Ridler For Mailonline and Associated Press A German state finance minister has been found dead in an apparent suicide which has been linked to the coronavirus crisis, officials said. Thomas Schaefer, 54, minister for the Hesse region, was found dead on railway tracks at Hochhein, near Frankfurt, on Saturday.

Authorities said Mr. Schaefer appeared to have killed himself, with state governor Volker Bouffier suggesting on Sunday he was in despair over the coronavirus crisis.

Police and prosecutors said witness statements and observations at the scene had led them to believe the minister, who was a member of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union, had killed himself.

Mr. Bouffier added that Mr Schaefer was worried about ‘whether it would be possible to succeed in fulfilling the population’s huge expectations, particularly of financial help’ amid the coronavirus crisis.

‘I have to assume that these worries overwhelmed him,’ Mr. Bouffier said. ‘He apparently couldn’t find a way out. He was in despair and left us.’

- Despite virus hitting business hard explained to Kaieteur News that the Association met with officials from the Maritime Administration Department and came to consensus to aid ‘social distancing.

Belle said “someone had suggested that we reduce the

number of passengers to two per seat but that would only leave twelve passengers per trip and that is not feasible.”

But the members of the Association agreed to a maximum of twenty-three passengers in a 30-seater

Germany’s federal and state governments have drawn up huge aid packages to cushion the blow of largely shutting down public life to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Mr. Schaefer had been Hesse’s state finance minister for a decade. (Daily Mail)

Jamaica Boosting COVID-19 Testing Capacity

The Gleaner - Come today, technicians will begin installing a machine at the National Public Health Laboratory to test for the coronavirus (COVID-19) This will significantly increase Jamaica’s capacity to test samples in another two to three weeks, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie.

Currently, testing is only

Bartica Boat Owners Association implements measures against COVID-19 The Bartica Boat Owners Association has implemented several strict measures and rules to be followed by passengers traversing the waterways due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has found its way to Guyana.

President of the Association Stephen Belle

German State Finance Minister Thomas Schaefer

boat. Along with that reduction in passengers, strict sanitation measures were put in place.

“We have set up sinks at both the Parika and Bartica Stellings and all passengers are required to wash their hands before and after leaving the vessels. Also, the Continued on page 17

Members of the Bartica Speedboat Owners Association with MARAD Officials.

being conducted at the National Influenza Centre where 3,000 tests are available, 250 of which have been used.

On Saturday night, the Health Ministry reported that Jamaica has now confirmed 32 cases of COVID-19 with one death.

Meanwhile, Bisasor McKenzie said 10,000 tests have been ordered for COVID testing at the National Public Health Laboratory.

During a digital press conference Friday, she said, too, that Jamaica is being supported by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in expanding its testing capacity.

Bisasor McKenzie said, in the coming weeks, the organisation will provide 6,000 tests.

The World Health Organisation has recommended increased testing as a measure of containing the virus.

According to the chief medical officer, while the ministry does not expect a shortage of test kits in the medium term, it will expand

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline BisasorMcKenzie capacity as it becomes necessary.

In the meantime, all hospital patients and health care workers with severe acute respiratory infections are now being tested for COVID-19.

A sample of patients who visited health centres or accident and emergency departments will also be tested.

Up to Friday, 61 of these people had been tested and 60 returned negative results with the finding of one person still outstanding.

Monday March 30, 2020

PAGE 15

Kaieteur News

GUYANESE HORROR FICTION KAMARANG…

Something in this Silent Room

by Michael Jordan Michael’s unease returned as he climbed the stairs to Lucille’s room. He reached the second floor, and the light and sounds from the brothel were cut off abruptly.

Sometimes, he could catch a whiff of her perfume even before he reached her room.

Tonight, though, there was nothing; just the musty smell of old boards and the silence and the darkness. Unbidden, the image of Lucille’s strange, silent aunt floated before him.

The thought of bumping into her, hearing that strange, sniffing sound, caused goose bumps to break out on his skin.

A lamp-post in Harel Street threw weak light through an open window at the end of the corridor. He went to the door, meaning to rap, but saw that it was open.

The room was in darkness.

He felt for the switch near the door, and light filled the room.

She was naked, sprawled limply on the bed, her upper body shiny with sweat, the rest of her covered, but he could see the imprint of the rest of her through the bedsheet. Her eyes were closed, but he knew she wasn’t asleep.

“You’re late,” she said, stretching her lips in a halfsmile, half-pout. Tiredness in her voice, and a strange hoarseness. The smell of her blotted out all thought. But then she raised a hand to brush the hair from her face, and the sheet slipped down, and he saw the bruise.

It was just above her left hip; a large, ugly purple bruise about the width of his palm.

For some reason, the sight of it sent apprehension churning in his gut.

“What happen to you?”

The words were out almost before he knew he had spoken.

The girl’s eyes flickered open. The edges of her mouth curled downwards in a way that made her face seem hard and cruel. But he must have imagined it, because what he now saw was a tired, shamefaced smile.

“I nearly fell down the steps,” she said.

“What?”

“About an hour ago. I…I was going to see if you were here.”

In an instant he was by her side. He ignored her protests and she allowed him to examine the bruise. It was the strangest bruise he had ever seen. It was as if a beaded pattern had been burned into the girl’s flesh. And part of him sensed that if she had never lied to him, she was lying now; but why she would lie about something like this

he had no— . “You came to look at my bruise, or at this?”

She guided his hand to her thighs.

Turn…off the light.”

The promise in her voice sent his thoughts spinning.

He switched the light off, then came back to her in the darkness… * He could feel her twisting against him.. He sensed that he had dozed off, but he couldn’t remember falling asleep. Had no sense of time.

Didn’t care. Tiredness like a rock on his chest.

He sensed her shifting off the bed. Felt her return, and smelt the fermented odour of cassiri. She held his chin, and he tried to turn away, because he was so tired. But she clasped his chin and pulled his lower lip back. He felt the cold earthenware bottle touch his mouth. He coughed as the pungent wine trickled down his throat. He felt some of it trickle down the sides of his mouth and onto his chest.

And still she kept the bottle to his lips. He gulped once…twice.

Almost immediately, came the rush of blood. As he slipped back into the deep chasm of sleep, he felt her clamber onto him… * He was on a rocky expanse of land. Red rocks beneath his bare feet. Naked, except for a loincloth.. He saw a troolie hut, and a woman hanging out blankets, while her daughter stood over a huge, bubbling fireside pot. The smell of their cooking came to him. He knew the smell from somewhere and he felt water spring to his mouth. He was about to rush to them

because he felt terribly ravenous, and these good bush folks would be glad to feed him, when the girl dipped her claw into the bubbling pot and pulled out the head of the man they had killed. She bit down on the skull, as if feeding on a large, juicy fruit. The sound of her teeth sinking into bone came clearly to him. The head cracked open like an egg, and brain-matter trickled onto her fingers. She licked it off (“Soft and sweet like snot,” she fluted to herself)…

She lifted the head to her

lips, sucking noisily at the cracked skull, while bits of brain matter trickled down the corners of her mouth.

And now he felt a stinging, numbing pain at the top of his own skull. He put his hand there, then stared at his fingers as they came away white and sticky.

And, as he looked down again into the valley—no, not in a valley, he realised now, he was actually floating—he saw that the girl was staring at him, her mouth a half-smile as she sucked on the skull, while her mother hung out her brown blankets, not wet with creek –water, but with dripping blobs of blood, and now he knew that the blankets had come from that strange heap of white sticks by the fire, and the sticks were the bones of the man on whose skull the girl was feeding, and the head, its face blistered and contorted in agony, was his… * He woke with tears leaking from beneath his halfclosed eyelids; his brain foggy, the forest and the hut

and cannibals fading. He was in a room. It wasn’t his…the light was too dull, the bed felt strange. He smelt cassiri, and remembered.

He felt hazy…groggy… weak. He sensed that something had changed since he fell asleep, and he finally gathered what it was.

The girl was not in bed. He was wondering where she was, when he heard whispering near the door.

The girl stood in front of the mirror. She was laughing softly to herself, then breaking off to burst into that dialect again. And then he realised that she was talking to someone. The other person came into view, and he saw that one of the creatures from his dream was in the room.

Its elongated mouth was filled with teeth that curved in like a piranha’s. From that mouth came a high, fluting sound like no speech he knew.

You’re dreaming, he thought. Wake up!

It came towards Lucille on backward-turned feet. It stretched out a hand to her, and he was screaming, but somehow making no sound, when she turned and smiled at it.

The creature touched her breasts, her face, her hair, fluting softly to her. The girl nodded as if in response and laughed silently, tracing a hand again down her stomach. She turned to the mirror, her shoulders shaking with her silent laughter, while the creature touched her back, lingering at the spot with the dimpled scar, only now he could see no scar, what what what— They turned towards Michael. And though he’d closed his eyes, he could feel the weight of their stares, knew that they had now stepped closer to the bed, because of the mingled smell of the girl, and the smell of meat that his mother had left too long in the fridge. But he kept his eyes shut and his breathing steady until a small,

Cover design and illustrations by Harold Bascom rough hand that wasn’t Lucille’s touched his stomach.

He gave a yelp and opened his eyes. He thought he saw something flit away from the bed, thought he saw the door close, but now there was no sign of the creature; just Lucille standing naked by the bed, shaking him, but be couldn’t stop screaming, and he tried to flinch away; he didn’t want her to touch him, she had let that thing touch her— “Michael!”

The sharpness of her voice broke through some of his hysteria. She was staring at him, looking puzzled and anxious.

“What is the matter, Michael?”

“Suhsome…thing…in…room.”

She looked around the room, then turned back to him.

“Nobody else here, Michael.”

“Some-thing…was…in the…room.

Touched… me…through…the…door…”

“Something went through the door?” Now there as a hint of laughter

in her voice. She smiled at him, shaking her head. “No, Michael. You were dreaming.”

Dreaming. When he had seen it…felt its touch. The smell of it was still on him…on her!

He thought of how that creature had touched her. The thought made him flinch away from her, and he felt a scream rising in him again.

For a moment, he saw a flash of anger in her eyes. But then she was staring anxiously at him again.

“I’m sorry I laughed at you. But you were dreaming.”

“I wasn’t dreaming,” he said, surprised to find that he was on the verge of tears. “I …”

(I saw it with you) “The cassiri makes you imagine things, sometimes. I made it stronger tonight because I wanted you.” She bent her head. “I’m sorry.”

Now he saw that there was a bead of blood by one of her nostrils. He wondered if he had struck out at her in his fear. She held him, soothing him, telling him that Continued on page 16

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

COVID-19 crisis…

Some businesses hit by shortage of stocks, others closing due to lack of sales Several local businesses have been complaining of a shortage of stocks, while some are even closing due to the decline in sales following the Covid-19 outbreak.

Based on checks done by Kaieteur News, it was found that pharmacies are running out of basic supplies such as Vitamin C tablets and sanitary products such as rubbing alcohol, spirits, sanitizers, disinfecting agents among other supplies.

Popular Pharmacy Medicare has put up notices in their building that read “No Vitamin C, no Rubbing alcohol, No Lysol Sprays/wipes until further notice.”

Further, a few days ago proprietor of Gandhi’s Variety Store, Seeon Satrohan, told Kaieteur news that due to the pandemic and the lockdown in Trinidad & Tobago, management is unable to source similar products from their supplier.

Additionally, several businesses around Georgetown have indicated that due to the decline in sales, they were forced to shut up shop or will be doing so soon. These include fast food outlets, roadside vendors, stores along Regent Street, restaurants and supermarkets along the West Bank and West Coast Demerara.

It was also noted that several businesses that remain open have reduced their business hours these include Survival Supermarket on Vlissengen Road. They are also not restocking perishable and slow selling items.

Notices on display at Medicare Pharmacy.

Something in this Silent Room From page 15 it was just a dream, a dream, a dream, Michael, and what she was saying made so much more sense than what he was sure he’d seen, because such things only existed in dreams, and he really did feel strange and weak and disoriented, but if it was a dream, why was that smell on her, and that made him think of how she had stood laughing as the dai dai touched her, and that small, claw-like hand on him, and all that he wanted to do was scream again and run from this place.

He shifted out of her arms.

He groped for his clothes, thrown over the bedrail, shutting his eyes momentarily as a spell of dizziness hit him.

Putting on his clothes was an effort. He did it sitting on the bed, fighting against the dizziness and an awful, draining weariness; so weary that he hardly heard her pleas

to stay until the effects of the cassiri wore off; too weary to see the flash of contempt in her eyes.

He finally staggered to his feet, but his knees buckled.

Lucille caught him.

She placed something under his nostrils. He sniffed it, and felt his strength returning momentarily.

She followed him outside, past the barman, who gave him an anxious glance, but said nothing. They went outside, where a black, shiny Morris Oxford waited. She followed him to the car, opened the back door for him.

He heard her say something to the driver in the dialect she used with her aunt.

He entered, and that was when the weakness returned full force, and he knew he was going to collapse. Something, however, kept him from fainting, and that something was the persistent smell of the

thing he had seen in the room, a smell that he thought should have been left behind, a smell that was just as strong in the car, even as its silent driver put distance between him and the brothel. And even in his halfconscious state he wondered how the driver seemed to know the route to his home, though he could not recall telling him; and looking at the man’s shaggy head, a dread gripped him. * The car turned into his street, headed slowly down the unpaved road and stopped outside his home. He fumbled the door open, wanting to escape the smell, and just as he was exiting, the driver made a strange, familiar, sniffing sound, and he did not want to, but he turned and looked into the car, at the driver’s face, then at his feet.

He stared in disbelief, then staggered back and

headed for his gate—feeling as if he was floating, his world spinning, the ground shifting beneath. He reached the gate and held onto it, as an even more intense bout of vertigo hit him. Through it he heard his dogs howling, heard the front door open, heard his mother…his father…he must not faint in front of them…he must not faint.

(Taken from the Guyanese supernatural novel Kamarang by Michael Jordan. Book design and illustrations by Harold Bascom.)

Copies of the illustrated edition of Kamarang are on sale at Austin’s Book Store, and on Amazon in Kindle and paperback.

The author can also be contacted for autographed copies on +592 645 2447 or by email: kmarangnight@gmail.com)

Monday March 30, 2020

EVERYWHERE, THE MASKED...

From page 12 grandmother’s room, sneezing, and now my grandmother also has the cold.”

Since the pandemic reached Guyana’s shores, things have changed so drastically that one gets the sense of having slipped into some ominous, postapocalyptic novel or movie.

I am constantly amazed at how accurately the fantasy writers got it.

There are the pharmacies with signs that read: “No Vitamin C tablets available until further notice;” (how the heck do you run out of Vitamin C tablets?); the almost empty dining places, the frantic supermarket shoppers with carts stacked with every conceivable grocery; store employees telling customers to remain six feet away, a woman shopper asking for sanitary wipes to clean her small son’s hands after he falls on the floor; the National Library with its gates and doors shut; schools and churches closed or almost empty; the religious predicting the Second Coming and End Times; pictures of groups of mainly young people, like expendable extras in a horror movie, defying the lockdowns and heading to the beaches; the fear of sitting near to someone who is sneezing or coughing; the fear of coughing yourself, and everywhere, everywhere, the masked people.

Etched in my mind is the image of a biker riding past me in a black mask, and looking very much like a knight from a dark fantasy series.

I have found myself thinking of the first Edgar Allan Poe story I ever heard, “The Masque of the Red Death.”

That’s the story of prince named Prospero, who built a wall around his city to protect himself and wealthy subjects from a mysterious, fast-killing plague, which turned the faces of the victims blood-red.

But in the midst of a banquet in his castle, a mysterious, masked dancer appears. The dancer

turns out to be the plague itself, and one by one, Prince Prospero, and all the guests, fall dead, “and the Red Death held sway over all.”

Then there is my favourite Stephen King novel, The Stand. King wrote about a manengineered super-flu that decimates the world, leaving only a few survivors.

Some begin dreaming of a sinister man known by many names, including Randall Flagg or the Walkin’ Dude.

Others are called in dreams to seek out an elderly African woman named Mother Abigail. They will eventually confront each other in one final stand between Good and Evil.

Coming to mind also is the movie Contagion, about a virus that wipes out millions, and the ensuing social chaos that ensues before a cure is found.

At the age of 60, I survived two pandemics. One was a polio outbreak in the late fifties that killed mostly children and left many others crippled. Many survivors are still around.

I remember, quite vividly, around age four, accompanying my other siblings to the Suddie Hospital, and being given a sweet tasting liquid to protect us from poliomyelitis.

I wanted to savour the taste, so I kept it in my mouth long after we had left the clinic, until my eldest brother, understanding the gravity of the outbreak, realised what I was doing and ordered me to swallow it.

I was also a survivor of the 1968 Hong Kong Flu which is believed to have killed at least a million people worldwide.

All I remember from that time is having a fever and experiencing a listlessness that kept me in bed for what seemed to be a month.

I am praying that we survive this pandemic, and the National Library opens once again, that I no longer mentally flinch every time someone sneezes nearby, that we can once again shake hands rather than touch elbows, and I cease to see masked people everywhere.

Monday March 30, 2020

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

Nagamootoo wants int’l inquiry into ‘foreign interference’ in Guyana’s 2020 elections

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Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has said that he hopes there will be support for an international inquiry into foreign interference in Guyana’s 2020 general and regional elections.

He made these and other comments in the most recent edition of his column, My Turn, in the state newspaper, Guyana Chronicle.

He also hopes that such an inquiry could examine a purported attempt at a regime

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change of a “friendly government”.

Nagamootoo believes that “foreign electoral engineers and their local lackeys” have attempted to “dislodge a democratically elected government”.

He submitted that he met Dean Rusk in 1995, a former American Secretary of State, “who had reportedly played an infamous role in the earlier destabilisation of a legally elected government in the then British Guiana.”

Of today, Nagamootoo said there are threats of sanctions and “an undeclared war of terror”.

“The PPP, once the victim of foreign intervention, has become the Trojan Horse of erstwhile geo-strategic interests. Its pseudo leaders are gleefully inviting more foreign interference.”

Foreign powers have urged that the elections results produced in a credible manner. The collation has responded to threats of sanctions for electoral fraud by insisting that its hands are clean.

Statements have come from officials of the US, Canada, The United Kingdom, India, Norway and a few more, expressing concern for the integrity of Guyana’s electoral process, beginning after region four returning officer Clairmont Mingo unlawfully declared the results for the largest and most contentious district.

Most recently, the Acting Assistant Secretary for the US Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak had tweeted that he had summoned Guyana’s Ambassador to the US, Dr. Riyad Insanally, to make clear the position of the US on the swearing in of an illegitimate government in Guyana, and of the consequences that would follow.

Noting this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo Guyana is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law, and that government has never interfered intervened in the work of Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“It is interesting to note the number of times that the American Deputy Secretary of State [Kozak] has intervened to issue threats against Guyana, even as the United States is battling its own challenges in the fight against COVID-19, as all of our countries are doing at this time. The urgency of the Guyana mission appears to take precedence,” Nagamootoo said. The governing coalition has also alleged that there have been attempts to interfere in Guyana’s electoral process, aided by Russian operatives.

These allegations were put forward by the Prime Ministerial hopeful and Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan and Executive Member of the Alliance for Change (AFC),

Bartica Boat...

From page 14 boat captains have a strict sanitization policy they have to follow.”

The President of the Association pointed out that the COVID-19 has severely affected the flow of business, with the new policy of social distancing. But this, he said, can be seen as a positive.

“The cut down on passengers is affecting business, but what can you do, you can only see it as a good thing and it means that people are taking this thing seriously, they are staying home and practicing social distancing and that’s what we need, everybody has to play a part.”

Cathy Hughes, days after the elections were held. Fingers were pointed at the main opposition party.

The governing coalition has also been putting forward the argument that Mercury Public Affairs LLC may have somehow meddled in the electoral process.

Nagamootoo said “They [the PPP/C] have earlier contracted a controversial foreign U.S.-based company to set its agenda, and they have since joined the wolfpack of anti-nationalist elements who want sanctions against Guyana.”

Mercury was hired by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) starting last year to represent its interests internationally.

While Mercury has been implicated in a scheme to hide foreign influence peddling in the US 2016 election, no evidence has been put forward to support assertions that it has had any untoward interference in Guyana’s electoral process.

A passenger washing his hands at the Parika Stelling

PAGE 18

Monday March 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

Attacks restraining orders did not stop

29-year-old Dhanwantie Ram

Alleged killer: Ganesh Dhanraj

Imagine a scenario where you, having faced years of abuse from your significant other, bravely foster some courage to fight back, via the legal system.

You take your abuser to court and the Magistrate grants you a restraining order against him. You breathe a sigh of relief thinking, I am

finally safe.

But this turned out to be nothing but an illusion.

That is the reality faced by many Guyanese women who managed to get restraining orders against their boyfriends or spouses; some were left seriously maimed; others, ended up being savagely murdered.

Subrina Lakhan and her reputed husband Ramesh Ramdeen in happier times.

21-year-old Omwattie Gill and her killer, Gavin Gill

Bhartie Udho lying in the hospital bed after being attacked by her boyfriend.

Udho’s boyfriend, Shamar Mohamed

Marc Angoy

Little Arian Gill who was killed in the attack

In those cases, the restraining order was seen as nothing but a piece of paper, carrying neither weight nor power.

In this Kaieteur News special compilation, we look back at some of the gruesome attacks restraining orders could not stop.

Dhanwantie Ram – DEAD In April of 2017, 29-yearold Dhanwantie Ram, a mother of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) disclosed to her neighbours that her husband of 12 years had beat her and that she feared for her life. Ram later got a temporary restraining order against her abuser, Ganesh Dhanraj to keep away from her; a measure to ensure the safety of herself and her children.

But just a week later, as she was heading to the Parika Police Station, her husband allegedly dragged her into the couple’s Parika Façade, home and strangled her with a bedsheet before fleeing.

Rather than face the court, he took the coward’s way out and hanged himself.

Neighbours would later disclose that the restraining order was merely a piece of paper that angered Ram’s husband and did not stop the 30-year-old labourer, described as abusive from taking the woman’s life.

Bhartie Udho – SCARRED FOR LIFE In December of 2016, 23year-old Bhartie Udho and her mother, Amika, were severely chopped about their bodies. The attacker was allegedly Udho’s boyfriend, Shamar Mohamed.

Her family had managed to secure a restraining order from the court, Mohamed, according to officials, is incarcerated awaiting his trial.

Shelly Norton – SCARRED FOR LIFE Back in October of 2015, Shelly Norton lost her oneyear-old grand-daughter, Arian Gill, after her estranged husband, Marc Angoy, violated his restraining order and injured their 14-year-old daughter Ashley Wellington in the process.

Angoy had reportedly made several attempts to shoot Norton after she took out a restraining order against him. When he did not succeed with this, he promised to hurt the “closest thing to her”.

He was remanded to prison after turning himself in to the police with a lawyer and is currently serving a hefty sentence for his crime.

Subrina Lakhan – DEAD Twenty-nine-year-old Subrina Lakhan throat was slit by her cutlass wielding reputed husband, 42-year-old Ramesh Ramdeen, mere hours after she took out a restraining order against him, He then used that very same weapon to slit his own throat at the couple’s Chesney, New Scheme, Corentyne home in August of 2018.

The couple reportedly shared a relationship marred with abuse and constant accusations of infidelity.

Subrina had just returned home from the Albion Magistrate’s Court after filing

a restraining order against Ramdeen.

A neighbour heard her screams and alerted police who turned up at the home to find a bloody scene with both abuser and victim dead.

Omwattie Gill – DEAD The story of 21-year-old Omwattie Gill tells a sad and all too familiar tale of a young mother who faced years of abuse at the hands of her husband, 31-year-old Gavin Gill, before she finally filed a restraining order against him and moved out of their Williamsburg, Corentyne home.

But while walking down the public road in March of 2019, the young woman was allegedly run over by her husband and then hacked to death in the full view of residents and relatives.

Family members disclosed that the two shared a turbulent and toxic relationship although they shared a seven-month-old child together.

The suspect is currently on remand awaiting his trial.

Monday March 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Monday March 30, 2020

Monday March 30, 2020

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Ex world title contender Clive Atwell is a fighter in and outside...

From page 23 insisted that the second surgery could be done here despite the unavailability of adequate facilities. At the time only my grandmother, my wife, who has been my rock and tower of strength and my Mother-in-law Karen Young were there supporting me. It was very hard for the family especially finding funds for my second Surgery,” said Atwell, presently the Lay Pastor of the Remo Methodist Church in Agricola.

“God said he would take care of his own and I am grateful that God has put people in my life who have been there for me when I needed support the most since nothing was happening

for me,” added Atwell, who owns the AAA Printing and Documentation Services and CJ’s Pluming & Electrical Maintenance Services.

Pastor Atwell said that an article in the Kaiteur News done by a sport Journalist who himself had a brain Surgery, highlighted the issues he was facing and got the ball moving in a big way.

“He understood the stress I was under since as someone who also represented Guyana in Sports he had experienced the same frustrations when he was going for his Surgery and has been with me ever since,” Informed Atwell.

Now a Boxing Coach at the Ricola Gym, Atwell said Gwen Williams, Joey from the

Payless Varity who heads the Guyana Community of Services, Lady Ira Lewis in New York, Ring 10 Boxing Foundation in NY, Dr James Kurt in New Jersey, Dr Monica Sanchez and her Assistant Bibi were among those who played a huge role in him being able to do his corrective surgery in the USA. “When I got back from the USA I was told that I would take six months to heal but after two weeks I wanted to do things for myself and I started going for morning walks. I remember one day my amazing wife told me she was going to market and not to go downstairs. When she left I went for jog and could not remember where I lived.

Another time I climbed to the

Monday March 30, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A financial goal you've been hoping to reach very soon might seem right around the corner, Aries, but there still seem to be a thousand things you have to do before it's actually realized.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Expect a hectic pace today.

Some of your colleagues may have been procrastinating a little and now everything has to be done at once. Don't get too frustrated, however.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Have you been planning to travel, perhaps for business, Gemini? You might receive word that your trip has to be postponed, which could be disappointing.

CANCER(June21–July22) A proposed get-together with a love interest might have to be postponed until much later tonight or perhaps another evening, %. This could make you a little blue.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Are you expecting a close friend or love partner to visit you at home, Leo? Don't panic if your friend doesn't show up at the allotted time. It doesn't mean that no one is coming!

There probably has been a traffic jam.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) An emotional phone call could come from a close friend or love partner. This person has a lot of worries, and is apt to lay them all on you if you let it happen. You won't want to drop everything that you'd planned to work on today.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Financial worries could plague you today, Libra. This is unfortunate, because your concerns are probably misplaced.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Love matters could have you feeling uptight and somewhat fearful today.

Perhaps this involves a relationship that hasn't really manifested yet, or maybe you and your beloved have had a dispute of some kind.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Idealized romantic feelings could pour out today when talking to your love interest.

That's fine, but you should exercise restraint. If it's a new relationship, your partner could be scared off.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Money worries could cause you to resist attending a group event with some friends. Are you afraid you'll be tempted to spend more than you can afford now?

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Someone you know from work could suddenly seem to have romantic feelings for you. At first this might make you a little uncomfortable, since you've never thought of this person in that way before.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Is your love interest out of town, Pisces? If so, you might spend much of the day feeling lonely and gloomy. Your friend misses you, too, so don't think you'll be alone for long.

top of a Coconut tree and could not come down since my body started to shake.

Just after my surgery I suffered from short term memory loss, was affected by noise, was easily irritated and I would start trembling if I did too much work or if I was hungry,” informed Atwell, who wrote and passed his theology exams against Doctors orders.

“It wasn’t an easy road…seeing my wife cry many days. After my Surgery she could not find a job despite her qualifications and she did not want me to work.

I had spent all my savings on my surgery…..I had done so much for my Country and got no support from those I expected to help but God is good and my wife now works at the Ministry of Natural Resources,” Atwell said.

“I have some contact with my mother but she has not

Caribbean jockeys sidelined as...

From page 20 will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves and will provide regular updates throughout.”

The 46-year-old Husbands is the most successful Caribbean rider at the Woodbine colony, having won the Sovereign Award for Canada’s top jockey on seven occasions and clinched the storied Canadian Triple Crown with Wando in 2003.

Last season, he finished fifth with 83 wins and CAN$4 million dollars in winnings.

Fellow Barbadian jockeys Christopher and Simon Husbands, Keveh Nicholls and Juan Crawford, along with Jamaican Kirk Johnson, all campaign at Woodbine.

played a role in my life, while my father was never there, even when I successful and fighting for titles. But when I was at rock bottom he came alive and reached out to me and I am grateful for that,” said Atwell who does not like speaking about his parents.

It was former Mayor and Church member, the late Ranwell Jordon who was a father figure in his life. Jordon was a big supporter of positive Youths engagements and a big boxing fan.

“He would come to almost all of my fights and my leadership drive comes from my association with him,” said Atwell who is the Mission Administrator of the Methodist Churches in Guyana.

Atwell said that although at times it seemed like a delayed process the journey is what’s important. Although it was an unfortunate journey it validates that God will make a way when there seems to be no way.

“Although I have so much faith in God there were times when I was at my lowest Physically and emotionally I felt like giving up, I even though of killing myself but through determination and faith I am determined to make a difference in the lives of others,” said the Boxing Coach.

“Even five years later I get moments that try to pull you back into thoughts of what could have been but I know I have gotten a second chance to be in the ring as a Coach and make a difference through Boxing and the Ministry of God,” said Atwell.

His biggest disappointment, apart from missing the crowd shouting his name as he dances to another victory in the Boxing ring, is that most of the youths who came the Ricola Boxing Gym want to be a world Champion overnight and are not prepared to put in the hard work in their training.

(Sean Devers)

PAGE 22

Monday March 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

Caribbean stars set for pay cut amidst COVID-19 fallout MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – The coronavirus pandemic is set to deal a harsh blow to the earnings of Caribbean stars in the Australia Super Netball League, after the players association here struck a deal with organisers for a reduction in player salaries.

With the start of the league suspended until at least June 30 because of the COVID-19 outbreak, all contracted players have been

forced to take two weeks leave from their respective clubs starting from today.

They will then be placed on “active rest” for seven hours each week for the three weeks following, and have their pay reduced by 70 per cent.

“These are difficult and unprecedented times, not only in netball, but right across the world,” said Super Netball CEO Chris Symington.

“In a less than ideal

situation, our players have shown maturity and understanding throughout these discussions and we’re pleased to have reached an outcome for the near future.

“The league has put measures in place to ensure that all players have wellbeing support during this time, and, over the next five weeks, we will have further discussions with the ANPA to determine any further changes to conditions that might need to

be made.”

Jamaican stars Shamera Sterling, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Jodi-Ann Ward, Jhaniele Fowler, Romelda Aiken and Shimona Nelson, along with Trinidadian Samantha Wallace, all currently campaign in the league.

Wallace, a 26-year-old goal-shooter, was voted Most Valuable Player in last season’s grand final when New South Wales Swifts

defeated Sunshine Coast Lightning.

Players Association CEO, Kathryn Harby-Williams, said the economic fallout for players was inevitable, especially as the COVID-19 persisted across the globe.

“Our sport is not immune.

Over the past few days we have endured some of our most difficult times when faced with the harsh reality of an uncertain future,” HarbyWilliams said.

“We fully understand we need to play our role to enable netball to get through these bleak times, hence we have agreed to take a pay cut.

“Our game has worked really hard to continue to increase the minimum wage

and allow players to be contracted for 12 month periods, but the brutal truth is that our minimum wage is $30 000 per annum and this pay reduction will be severely felt.

“However, we know we are not alone and many others throughout our community are suffering.”

She added: “On a positive note, the players feel well supported and are particularly grateful that the sport has introduced a wellbeing taskforce to help them through this extraordinary period.

We look forward to getting to the other side to do what we do best – and that is play the game we love.”

Caribbean jockeys sidelined as Woodbine delays season

Barbadian jockey Patrick Husbands.

TORONTO, Canada, CMC – Highly-rated veteran Patrick Husbands and several Caribbean riders will find themselves sidelined after Woodbine authorities moved to delay the start of the 2020 thoroughbred season because of the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The season was due to get underway on April 18 at the prestigious western Canada oval but Woodbine authorities scrapped the date after the Ontario provincial government recently ordered all non-essential businesses closed by last Tuesday.

“Considering we will only be allowing for the essential care of the horses on our backstretch, we will not be in a position to open the season as scheduled on April 18,” Woodbine Entertainment chief executive, Jim Lawson, said.

“As previously communicated, we are currently in discussions with government agencies to help provide the support needed

for horse people and the horses during this time of no racing.”

Woodbine said once restrictions were eased by government, operations at the racetrack would resume, then allowing officials to determine a new start date for the season.

The postponement comes after the Jockey Club of Canada earlier this month also scrapped its 45th Annual Sovereign Awards – an event which traditional heralds the start of the new season – due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

In a statement, Club officials said the situation would be monitored, with the hope of staging the event once it was safe to do so.

“The health and safety of our finalists, our guests and their families are of the utmost importance and we feel this is a necessary precaution in the current situation,” the statement said.

“We would like to assure all our stakeholders that we (Continued on page 19)

Monday March 30, 2020

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

African football date-juggling looms amid coronavirus pandemic AFP - The May semifinals and finals of the two annual African club competitions are likely to fall victim to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the continent.

After two-leg semi-finals in the competitions between May 1 and 10, the Champions League final is set for May 29 in Douala, five days after Rabat hosts the Confederation Cup title decider.

But the postponement of both competitions seems inevitable as the full impact of the COVID-19 disease has still to be felt in the continent with the most fragile public health systems.

Already, two rounds of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the African Nations Championship in Cameroon have been postponed due to the killer COVID-19 disease.

Here, AFP Sport considers the date-juggling options in the major African national team and club

Senegalese Sadio Mane (L) of Liverpool and Ghanaian Thomas Partey (C) of Atletico Madrid are among the stars set to light up the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. (AFP / Paul Ellis) competitions: World Cup — Home and away preliminary round ties last September reduced the number of contenders from 54 to 40 for five places at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Next comes 10 six-

matchday groups between October 5, 2020, and October 12, 2021, with the tabletoppers paired in five two-leg showdowns to decide who represents Africa.

Group dates this October and November may have to accommodate delayed 2021

Dindyal guides G Square Cavaliers to six-wicket win A fine all-round performance from Marlon Dindyal guided G Square Cavaliers to a six-wicket victory over Good Success/ Sans Souci/Jaguars combined when the Wakenaam Cricket Committee U19 40-over competition continued on Sunday last.

Medium pacer Marlon Dindyal picked up three wickets before returning with the bat to hit an unbeaten half century as his team inched further to a final berth.

Dindyal, a former Essequibo U15 cricketer, had Azeer Ramratan caught for three before uprooting the stumps of Nazam Mohamed without scoring to reduce Good Success/Sans Souci/ Jaguars to 8-2.

However, Mahase Ramnarine and Ramesh Ramnarine stabilised the innings well with a third wicket stand of 45 before Ramnarine was dismissed hit-wicket off Sachin Chulai for 21 which contained two fours and a similar number of sixes.

Ramesh Ramnarine then put on 41 with Gladewin Henry on a slow track, but their resistance was ended when Ramnarine charged down the pitch to Chulai and was stumped for 30 which contained two fours.

Following his dismissal, Good Success/Sans Souci/ Jaguars suffered a collapse as

Cup of Nations qualifiers instead, but there are sufficient international windows next year to catch up.

Africa Cup of Nations — Qualifiers for the 24nation tournament in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6 2021 have fallen two rounds behind after fixtures scheduled for this month were cancelled.

It is hard to imagine the single round set for June 1-9

taking place and there must also be doubts about matches planned for August 31September 8.

CAF will hope they can stage double matchdays between October 5-13 and November 9-17 — dates currently allocated to World Cup group games — and complete qualifying.

African Nations Championship — The April 4-25 tournament in Cameroon, which is restricted to footballers playing in their country of birth, has been postponed due to the coronavirus.

With no foreign-based stars involved, the tournament does not have to fit into a FIFA international window, creating flexibility when it comes to finding new dates.

Apart from the football, the Nations Championship offers Cameroon an opportunity to test whether they are ready for a much more demanding task — staging the 2021 Cup of Nations.

CAF Champions League — The semi-finals pit Casablanca clubs Raja and Wydad against Cairo outfits Zamalek and Al Ahly

respectively, raising the possibility of a first final between clubs from the same country.

While a May 29 conclusion seems unlikely, the matches can be staged until September 6, with the last-32 first legs of the 2020/ 2021 season scheduled to kick off five days later.

The competition could also be shortened by turning the semi-finals into single matches in Douala, the Cameroon port city chosen to host the final.

CAF Confederation Cup — The semi-finals in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League will see Pyramids of Egypt meet Horoya of Guinea and Renaissance Berkane face fellow Moroccans Hassania Agadir.

Like the Champions League, the semi-finals are due to be home-and-away affairs, followed by a singlematch final in Rabat, giving Berkane or Agadir a distinct advantage. CAF will likely seek new dates, and possibly reduce the semi-finals to single matches, between June and September 6, five days before the 2000/2021 season gets into full swing.

Star batsman Smith’s leadership ban ends

Marlon Dindyal

Komesh Sudin

they lost Davendra Hansraj caught for 12, Kemol Harackram stumped (10), Mohan Ali caught (03) and Shahid Mohamed run out (01) before Henry was last dismissed for 20 with two fours and one six; Good Success/ Sans Souci/Jaguars were bowled out for 142 in 25.2 overs. Dindyal claimed 326, Ameer Mohamed 2-18 and Chulai 2-20.

Pacer Hansraj produced a fiery opening spell and could have had the breakthrough in the first over, but wicketkeeper Ramratan floored the chance after Hansraj induced Komesh Sudin to nick one that came back from outside off-stump. However, Mahase Ramnarine disturbed the stumps of Anesh Persaud, while Hansraj bowled Mohamed Ameer for one to

reduce G Square Cavaliers to 15-2. But Sudin and Dindyal steadied the chase nicely with a third wicket stand of 86 with sensible batting. Sudin was removed by Ramratan for 28 with two fours before Ramnarine uprooted the stumps of Tekeshwar Nankoo for two to give his team some hope.

However, Marlon Dindyal and Andy Dindyal took their team home with an unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 31 as their team ended on 143-4 in 21.1 overs.

Dindyal hammered 10 fours and one six in a top score of 62 while Andy Dindyal made eight; Mahase Ramnarine took 2-25.

The competition is being sponsored by Star Sports, GCB, Anil Persaud and Khan’s Trading Enterprise.

AFP - A two-year leadership ban slapped on Steve Smith after the balltampering scandal in South Africa ended y e s t e r d a y, l e a v i n g t h e master batsman free to skipper Australia again.

The 30-year-old captained the team until he was suspended for 12 months over a brazen attempt to alter the ball with sandpaper under his watch during a Test in Cape Town in 2018.

Part of his punishment included a further yearlong exile from any leadership role, which has now expired.

Co-conspirator and former vice-captain David Warner was banned from any leadership role for life, although both have successfully resumed their international careers.

There have been calls for Smith to take back the

Test captaincy from Tim Paine, but it remains unclear whether he wants to, with the 35-year-old seemingly intent on playing on.

Coach Justin Langer last year praised Paine’s leadership as “brilliant” and said Smith may not want the “burden” of captaincy on top of batting pressures.

Aaron Finch is skipper of the Twenty20 and oneday teams.

Smith told Channel Nine television yesterday he was focused only on trying to stay physically and mentally fit during the coronavirus shutdown of Australian cricket.

He was supposed to be preparing for a big-money payday at the Indian Premier League, but the tournament has already been delayed until April 15 in response to the pandemic.

With India in a threeweek lockdown in a bid to contain a spread of the

virus, Smith admitted the IPL appeared unlikely to go ahead.

“I think the country’s basically shut its borders until the 15th of April,” he said.

“It’s obviously not looking likely at the moment, I think there might be some meetings over the next couple of days to discuss what the go is with it all.

“But just trying to stay physically fit and mentally fresh,” he added. “If it goes ahead at some point, then great. If not, then there’s plenty going on in the world at the moment. Just play it day by day.”

All cricket in Australia has been cancelled, with the team’s three-match T20 series against New Zealand this month a casualty after just one game.

Australia has a Test tour to Bangladesh scheduled for June and a subsequent one-day campaign in England, but both appear to be at risk.

PAGE 24

Delayed Tokyo Olympics likely to open in July 2021: media TOKYO (Reuters) - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Japanese organizers are in final stages of talks to set the opening date for the Tokyo Games in July next year, Japanese media said.

The Tokyo event, postponed last week due to the coronavirus pandemic, will most likely have its opening ceremony in 2021 on July 23 and closing ceremony on Aug. 8, each a day earlier on the calendar than the original 2020 plan, said public broadcaster NHK yesterday, citing unnamed sources.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced a delay of about one year on Tuesday after a call with IOC President Thomas Bach. It is the first postponement in the 124-year history of the modern Olympics, although several including the 1940 Tokyo Games - were canceled due to war.

The delay is a huge blow to Japan, which has invested $12 billion in the run-up, although financial markets initially cheered by the

The Olympic rings are pictured at dusk through a steel fence, at the waterfront area of the Odaiba Marine Park, after the postponing of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, due to the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID 19), in Tokyo, Japan March 25, 2020. (REUTERS/Issei Kato) decision, as some investors had anticipated cancellation.

Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said yesterday the government, now compiling economicstimulus measures that Abe

said will be the biggest ever, will take into account that the Olympic delay will push back several trillions of yen (tens of billions of dollars) of demand to next year.

“If demand is being

pushed back until next year, that means the same amount of demand will evaporate this year. We’ll take this into account” in compiling the stimulus package, Nishimura told a television programme.

Eight West Ham players have virus symptoms says Brady AFP - West Ham have eight players in self-isolation after showing mild symptoms of the coronavirus, according to the club’s vice-chairwoman Karren Brady.

The Hammers are the latest Premier League club to be hit by the pandemic.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi — both now recovered — and several unnamed Leicester players tested positive for the virus.

“I am relieved to say they are all showing mild symptoms and, along with their families, seem to be well,” Brady told The Sun newspaper on Saturday.

“But it is no more than a handshake, sneeze or cough away from any of us, so no one should be complacent.”

West Ham’s players are training at home and the club hopes to resume regular sessions at its base when Britain’s lockdown period ends on April 13.

The Premier League season is suspended until at least April 30, with reports suggesting there will be a further delay or even cancellation of the remaining fixtures.

But Brady hopes the domestic season can resume

Monday March 30, 2020

Kaieteur News

Eight unnamed West Ham players have shown symptoms of coronavirus. (AFP/File / Ian Kington) and reach a conclusion, even if games have to be played behind closed doors until July.

“When we - all Prem clubs - last spoke, we agreed to get going again as soon as

possible,” Brady said.

“And that games will run into July, if required, to get this campaign finished. This is the plan. This is what we want to deliver.

“It may be games have to

be played behind closed doors, which no one wants especially the players and fans. “But we hope it might just be possible to go ahead once the sharp graph of it bottoms out.”

Tokyo organisers eye July 2021 for delayed Olympics: reports AFP - Tokyo Olympics organisers are eyeing next July as a start date for the postponed Games, Japanese media reported yesterday, following the historic decision to delay the event due to the coronavirus.

Given the ongoing pandemic and need for preparation time, the most likely plan would be for the Games to begin on July 23, 2021, public broadcaster NHK said, citing sources within the organising panel.

It came after Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike raised the idea on Friday of moving the event to a less hot and humid time of year.

She argued that this would make marathons and other races easier to endure, meaning they could be held in the capital instead of in northern Sapporo city, where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had decided to move them.

The Tokyo 2020 team led

by Yoshiro Mori is currently discussing possible dates with the IOC, according to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.

On Saturday, Mori told a Japanese TV station that “some kind of conclusion” would be reached within a week.

The Olympics were scheduled to open on July 24 this year with the Paralympics on August 25, but Japan announced last week it had secured agreement from the IOC to postpone the Games — a decision unprecedented in peacetime.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said they would be held in around a year instead as a testament to humanity’s victory over the pandemic.

The decision had been seen to open options for Tokyo, with IOC chief Thomas Bach saying that “all the options are on the table” and rescheduling “is not restricted just to the summer months”. Meanwhile, NHK said the Olympic flame would be displayed for a month at the J-Village sports complex in Fukushima, which was used as a base camp for thousands of relief workers in radiation protection suits during the 2011 nuclear disaster.

Alex Marquez outshines champion brother to win MotoGP’s virtual Mugello race Omnisport - Alex Marquez got one over on his MotoGP champion brother Marc Marquez with a resounding victory in yesterday’s Virtual Race.

This year will be Alex Marquez’s first in the MotoGP ranks, after winning last season’s Moto2 championship, but racing on the track is on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Yet star riders scratched a competitive itch while hunkering down at home by taking part in the console simulation of a six-lap grand prix at Mugello.

The Italian circuit is one where both Marquez brothers have tasted success, with Alex winning in Moto2 last year and Marc landing a MotoGP triumph in 2014 - as well as previous Moto2 and 125cc victories.

The Marquez siblings are teaming up this year with Repsol Honda, after Jorge Lorenzo’s retirement, and will hope to soon be engaging in wheel-to-wheel action rather than such

pseudo-racing.

Yesterday’s race was every rider for himself nevertheless, and 23-yearold Alex Marquez left his 27year-old brother standing.

Pramac Ducati rider Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia was second, Maverick Vinales took third, and Fabio Quartararo finished fourth, with Marc Marquez down in fifth position.

D u b b e d the #StayAtHomeGP by MotoGP organisers, the virtual race began dramatically with Quartararo taking out Vinales at the first corner.

Quartararo had started from pole position and he also produced the fastest lap of the race - one minute and 44.454 seconds.

However, at one stage he sat last of all 10 riders and had to settle for a finish just short of the podium places after a surge through the field. Marquez’s margin of victory was an imposing 7.093 seconds.

Monday March 30, 2020

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

Ex world title contender Clive Atwell is a fighter in and outside the ring Born on November 11, 1988 to Lloyd Douglas and Samantha Atwell in Friendship, East Coast Demerara before being sent to live with his grandmother Margaret Douglas in the East Bank Demerara Village of Agricola as a three-week old baby, Clive Junior Atwell did not have an auspicious start to his life.

But the 31-year-old Atwell is a fighter; both in and outside of the ring and has rose from many knock-downs in his life with more determination, both as Boxer and as person.

It’s not often that you hear of a Pastor who likes to fight and it is God who has helped this ‘Fighting Preacher’ get back on his feet after being battered and bruised physically and emotionally.

The former world rated pugilist, with a professional record of 17 fights, 13 wins, 3 losses with 7 KOs after winning a bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Games as an Amateur in the bantamweight division wants to make a difference in society.

Atwell attended the Agricola Nursery and St Ann’s Primary also in Agricola which in those days had a lot of crime and drugs and many parents were afraid to send their children to school.

But it was an afternoon in 2002 while going home from the Houston Community high school that Atwell’s life changed.

Clive and his wife Altavi.

Atwell, now 14 at that time, was far from typical youth living in the ‘getho’ since he was not involved with drugs or gangs, he did like any sports (he liked bicycle racing on the street) and was already actively involved in the Church life.

“I was going home from school and as I was passing the Ricola Boxing Gym I saw some boys boxing and out of curiosity I stopped went to the door.

The late Donald Allison, the Coach at the Gym asked if I had ever boxed. He told me to sit and watch and if I liked it, ask my mother if I could join and I will make you a champion,” Atwell explained how he got interested in Boxing.

He said the next day he was back but he did not join the Gym thinking he could become an International Boxer, but to use it as a passport to get away from house chores.

“But I soon fell in love with Boxing…it was like a drug. All I did was school, Gym, Church. I had my first

fight as a 14-year-old and that’s how my Boxing career began,” Atwell explained.

While Boxing he attended the Guyana Industrial Training Center (where he graduated Best Student in Plumbing), Government Technical Institute of Guyana and did Long Distance Education at the University of Guyana.

“I give it my all since I realised that Boxing was a way out for me. The invitation from the late Coach Allison gave me a new perspective on life. I knew that I was created to do more than what I saw on the streets in my Community,” Atwell said.

“I wanted to see myself as someone better…I was determined to be different. I was one of nine children, I did not know my mother until I was eleven, my grandmother was my backbone,” Atwell disclosed.

In 2007 Clive Atwell obtained a diploma in Amateur boxing from the Pan American Athletic Organization after returning from the World Championship

Atwell’s scores to the head of Dexter Gonsalves in his last fight on Nov 24, 2015. in Italy.

“I started dominating at the Amateur level and winning a bronze medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil made me an Olympic qualifier for the 2008 Olympics. But a lack of funding and support prevented me from going to the Olympics. I felt it was an injustice for me that after I had come so close, the powers that be did not see it fit to invest in me,” lamented Atwell.

Atwell got married to Altavi and in 2009 moved to Dominica where his only son, Alexander was born in February 2014. He turned Pro a year later while he and his family resided in the Dominica from 2009 to 2015.

While living on the nature Isle he completed a leadership

Atwell on the stretcher as the medical team (including former deputy Major Mrs Patricia Chase Green in her capacity as Head Nurse) attends to him.

and Human Resource Management course at the Dominican campus and studied Theology in Dominica while still boxing.

“I remember coming home and beating Carlton Skeete on January 29, 2010 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on my Professional debut,” said Atwell, who fought as a Featherweight, Super featherweight, Lightweight and Super lightweight.

Due to the low standard of boxing in Dominica, Atwell’s career was put on hold for almost one year but he never gave up on the sport. After weeks and months of discussion and negotiation with boxing promoters back in Guyana he was finally set to enter the ring once again. October 2011 he fought Orlando Rogers, and won by a unanimous decision.

Atwell gained a TKO verdict over T&T’s Prince Lee Isidore June 29, 2012 at CASH to capture the vacant WBC– CABOFE super lightweight title before beating Rafael Hernandez on April 20, 2013 at the Princess Hotel, Guyana for the vacant WBC– CABOFE featherweight title.

Atwell challenged Jhonny González on May 24, 2014 at the Convention Center, Acapulco, Mexico for the WBC featherweight title; the bout ended in a Unanimous TD after González was cut from an accidental head clash.

“I left Dominica two weeks before that fight to train at the Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn and thinking back I got a hard punch, while sparring there on the right side of my head,” revealed Atwell,who fought in Australia, Brazil, the USA, Mexico, Italy, Trinidad, Barbados, St Kitts and Dominica.

He passed his medical for the title fight in Mexico but on reflection that could have been the hit that caused Atwell to faint in the last fight of his career.

Atwell, a former Caribbean Featherweight Champion, defeated Jamaican Sakima Mullings in February 2015 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to take the vacant WBC–CABOFE super lightweight title, before his life changing bout against Dexter Gonzales for the vacant WBC–CABOFE lightweight title at the Giftland Office Max on October 28, 2015 would end his Boxing career.

Atwell seemed ahead in the fight before he fainted in the ninth round and had to stretchered off in an unconscious state to Hospital with bleeding in his brain as faith floored him with a harder blow than he had ever received in the ring. Atwell, a true fighter, beat the referee’s count in the battle for his life…. but only just.

Atwell was bleeding in his brain and an emergency surgery to decompress the swelling which was jamming on his central nervous system. The Doctor cut his scalp to release the pressure and the ‘patch’ (hole in his head) had to be left open for several days to ensure that the swelling decreased.

The surgeon discarded the piece of bone from his skull which should have been used to cover the hole in his head which meant that during his ‘Corrective Surgery, done at the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, a titanium mesh or plate had to be used instead.

“The doctor threw away the bone he removed from my skull since he said there was no bone bank in Guyana and (Continued on page 19)

t r o Sp

Caribbean stars set for pay cut amidst COVID-19 fallout

Trinidadian Samantha Wallace (left)

Star batsman Smith’s leadership ban ends

Steve Smith’s ban on leading Australia has ended.

(AFP/Christiaan Kotze)

Ex world title contender Clive Atwell is a fighter in and outside the ring

Alex Marquez outshines champion brother to win MotoGP’s virtual Mugello race

Alex Marquez outshines champion brother to win MotoGP’s virtual Mugello race.

Tokyo organisers eye July 2021 for delayed Olympics :reports

The Tokyo 2020 team is discussing possible dates with the International Olympic Committee, reports say.

(AFP/Charly Triballeau)

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