Kaieteur News

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All COVID-19 NEWS spending to be ...Ocean View hotel is of audited particular concern - Auditor General AIETEUR

p. 8

Tuesday Edition May 05, 2020 - Vol. 13 No. 18

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

Price $80

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Carter Center seeks Govt. clarity on Observer Team’s return p. 3

Emergency Bridge repairs causes p. 7 hours-long traffic chaos from GT park to Providence, EBD (Photo by Vena Mookram)

Embankment GECOM UG Road, p. gazettes between Conversation 11 order for Tree to close for recount recount from today p. 19

Four charged for delivery truck robbery p. 8

$25,000 for illegal vending; $5,000 for not wearingp. mask - City Mayor 18

Unsure if corrupt history disqualifies companies from - Energy Department marketing Guyana’s crude Head, Mark Bynoe p. 11

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday May 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Tuesday May 05, 2020

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Carter Center seeks government clarity on Observer Team's return - Government maintains official silence on reason for refusal By Shikema Dey

T

he Carter Center E l e c t i o n s Observation Mission has expressed continued commitment to its role in Guyana's 2020 Regional and General Elections even as the government of Guyana remains silent on its refusal so far to grant the mission's observers re-entry into the country. An Eastern Airlines flight departed Miami, Florida for Guyana yesterday morning without Carter Center personnel even as representatives of the European Union, the government of Canada, and the White House itself tweeted support for the observers' return over the weekend. “The Center deployed an observer to Miami who was prepared to travel to Georgetown today, but unfortunately, his flight was denied approval to carry international election observers,” the Carter Center said in a tweet yesterday. In the tweet, the Center sought clarity from government officials on what requirements are needed to allow the team into Guyana to observe the recount of the ballots from the March 2, 2020 polls. It said that “The Carter Center continues to reach out to government officials to understand what is required to allow Center observers to return to Guyana to witness the recount process.”

Commissioner Sase Gunraj

President of the Georgetown Chamber & Industry The US Embassy in their statement on Sunday revealed that the National COVID-19 Task Force denied their request to allow the accredited observer team along with representatives from the International Republican Institute (IRI) to enter Guyana for the recount

process. Several questions were then raised on the return of the IRI representatives who are not on the list of accredited observers. Kaieteur News understands that the IRI was contracted by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to provide technical support to the Commission in the March 2, 2020 elections by aiding the civic and voter education package. Embassy Spokesperson, Violeta Talandis relayed to this paper that the local mission made the request for both organisations since both Carter Center and IRI were reportedly extended an invitation from the Chair of the GECOM, Ret'd Justice Claudette Singh and the electoral process was not in fact over. 'The U.S. Embassy's reference to accredited international observer missions includes technical

Local body, the Guardians of Democracy, yesterday protested at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advisors. International Republic Institute (IRI) advisors were invited by GECOM in September 2019 to provide expert advice on an election process that has not been completed,” the Embassy spokeswoman said. Sh e c o n t i n u e d “ I n several conversations between the Embassy and

GECOM during the month of April 2020, we greatly appreciated Chairperson Singh's indication that IRI advisors would be 'welcomed' to the recount process. On that basis, the U.S. Embassy included IRI in our diplomatic note request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the interests of reinforcing a

transparent and credible conclusion to Guyana's 2020 elections.” The incumbent Coalition, up to press time, had not issued an official response stating why the Carter Center Observer Team was barred from entering Guyana. In the US Embassy's statement on (continued on page 20)

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Tuesday May 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Arrival after other arrivals After almost two centuries of sometimes subservient existing, the hope that springs in the breast of the watching and expecting faithful is that this could be the grand moment of true arriving. It is of anticipating an arrival like no other from before, a long-delayed, long-suppressed shot at taking democratically nodded place, among those who have been at the helm of this state called Guyana. Will it be? Can it legitimately be? It has been the longest journey of uncounted steps, longer than the nautical miles of ocean that separated from the mists of ancestral communities. The travels of the Guyanese Indian from logie to the legislature look closer, but they have been purposely sabotaged before. Such is the thinking of the few grizzled veterans, who covered the interminable distances from the punishing fields of the estate to the more punishing region of the executive suite. The reality is that on this Indian Arrival Day, there is absolute necessity of sharing spaces of power with brethren not from the arid Asian subcontinent, but from the killing slavery fields of Africa. They arrived here long before, with unmoving claims of priority endowment by the primogeniture of enslaving plantations. Their past is even more laced with the illustrious, the many histories of sacrifices compelled by shackles and whips, by the haemorrhaging of will and spirit that never fully surrendered or that was ever completely conquered. These are the clashing, existential truths of arrival after arrival based on time, powered by memories of incomparable sacrifice, afflicted by more fears. Those are the fears from both sides that drive the pistons in the minds of torn and troubled Guyanese Indians and Africans, that make mandatory this sharing of space, this grasping for the levers that lead away from the past, from the chains that continue to cripple. We look at our brothers, Indians first today, because it is their special day carved out of belated recognition of a tortured past, of the occasional understanding that has been the story of the rest of stories still untold. It has been from there to here, with the essences of the looming challenge best captured in two simple words. They are: to where? There are off to where alone, at the helm, and exclusively so. There are no easy answers on this day of celebration of Indian Arrival, no ready resolutions at this time of poising before the threshold of so much. For, it is part and parcel of the savaging dichotomy of Guyana that any realized ecstasy of true Indian Arrival would signify the piercing agony of those in the house next door, the car in front, the desk behind. Those so despairing would be an almost equivalent number of African brethren, who are of the irreversible outlook that this process, this ideal, this reality called democracy renders them impotent, dependent, and virtually nonexistent. Relative to the latter, this vision powers the fears, which now saturate and overpower the peoples of this society, and none more than the large Indo and Afro segments long associated with the few ups and the many descents of this nation. There are only the sharp despondencies that originate from our tight and tightening racial demographics that bring out the worst in both groups. Their low self-esteems and still lower confidence in the other have powered the terrible distrusts, the savaging thrusts that flow so smoothly, now so unthinkingly, in the reciprocal abuses that surface and are hurled. Not unsurprisingly, on this Indian Arrival Day, the language and passions are inextricably intertwined in disputes and impasses over who is better suited to rule the roost, who has qualified by the weight of numbers still contested and, therefore, should emerge to lead the way forward alone. These arguments pollute any celebrations, the joys that should come from remembrance of sacrifices made and journeys completed are tarnished by a contest that sucks the life out of adversaries and all the rest standing by and watching over. Even if victory is declared, its thrill is empty, its promise limited, its reality undermined. Some arrival this one is.

Exploiting and profiting in an unbearable time DEAR EDITOR, The observations, experiences, and reports keep piling up and further confirming what went before. I detect again this mentality and culture of restrained chaos, of what is corrupting and strangling, of what is devastating and destroying us. Cumulatively, they are of the cultivated disorderliness that makes us still more dreadful at a bad time. First, I take the local market places. Prices have gone up here, just as in the US, where even the wellestablished and wellregarded and well-supported name brand supermarkets have increased prices at least twofold for foodstuffs and other essentials. I go to order some things online from here and the electronic warehouses are either without or, when available the prices bring cursing; well, not quite, but definitely some hard teeth-grinding. I think I can understand the smaller shops and little guys hustling to make a quick dollar. But does it have to be so many dollars, so much of a triple-digit percentage increase? As examples, prices for anything remotely pandemic related has gone through the roof, if found. Oranges, one of the recommended

(especially now) Vitamin C fortifications, were $80 a head, then $100; now they are 3 for $700. Take them or leave them, with the same being the sharp, savaging story for lemons, now a healthy $600 a piece, at last check. Other items and other places have increased, but to the extent that the working man still can access and obtain. Those forts hold, but rather shakily. I got some stuff from the wellstanding (Sterling, Farfan, and Mattai’s, among others) and the price levels are the same. I thank God for meaningful mercies; may there be more such places dedicated to serving, not gouging, fellow citizens. As we struggle to cope amid coalesced and coalescing national disasterssome manmade, some still unraveling locally (elections) and overseas (virus origins), there are the continuing abuses from the law enforcing and their associates from the ranks of the law-violating. Three men are in the back seat of a private car proceeding at 16:30hrs from Parfait Harmonie, when the driver is pulled over and threatened with violating seating restrictions in place. I stand to be corrected on this, but my knowledge is that the seating arrangements and

requirements apply to public transportation facilities only, such as minibuses and taxis. I must wonder how that standard will be enforced when the norm is encountered. That is, of three in the backseat (parent and two small children) of privately operated SUV or car. I don’t think that that fast one will be pulled; at least, it will be attempted with those who look inhospitable to overtures for what follows. What followed was that the team of workers, led by the driver forked over the ‘leff sumting’ tribute that was the whole objective of this sordid affair. That was two thousand dollars handed over and pocketed, and it proceed and on to the next yielding victim. Meanwhile, in broad daylight some bus drivers pay heed to the numerical limitations, while many do not and crowd their vehicles as normal. The dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed is ignored by many on the East Bank roadway, with a near unending stream of loaded minibuses and private passenger vehicles going back and forth without a care in the world. How is it that those numerous violators are not pulled over? Never seen? I believe that either the private tolls have been paid

by virtue of existing beneficial relationships, or through senior police linkages still in place. In aggregate, these are but a tight snapshot of the troubles that swamp this country and its law-abiding citizens. In so many respects, there are these chronic inversions of intentions, these ongoing negations of the observations and implementations that ought to occur, but are not and not by some negligible margin, but the opposite. We are dealing with the viral while distracted by the political and sabotaged by environmental, with the latter two being, arguably, worse viruses in and of themselves. Whether the profiteering from unconscionable prices or the exploitation from the noncompliant, there is this draining of the spirit, of those who can least spare it, those who cannot afford it. It is about the worst excesses of the capitalistic at work, and the underpinnings of the freedoms and challenges of things democratic also. There are only rights and opportunities, there are no c o m m e n s u r a t e responsibilities, no individual and civic obligations. Sincerely, GHK Lall

A SALUTE TO INDIAN GUYANESE DEAR EDITOR, May 5, 2020 marks the 182nd anniversary since the first group of Indian indentured labourers arrived in then British Guiana. This is one of the important dates in our country’s history since it could be safely regarded as the period which added to the multi-ethnic culture of Guyana. Indians arrived at a very important junction in the history of our country. In less than three months after their arrival the complete abolition of slavery took place. That created what the colonial powers were expecting and, by bringing Indians to our shores, were preparing for, a massive exodus of slaves from the sugar cane fields. The conditions that the Indians were place in were not much different from those of the African who were held in bondage for centuries. They had to live in the same houses and toiled in the cane fields under the same conditions. The Indian immigrants were brutally exploited. When the price of sugar went down on the world market, the planters compensated their losses by lowering the wages of the Indian workers. Indeed, in this sense Indian

immigrants were cheaper for the planters than slavery. The planters did not have to find food nor clothing for them, while being in a position to cut their wages. It is important to note that from the time that Indians arrived in British Guiana they became the most discriminated against in Guyanese society. Many of the rights that were won by the freed slaves and their descendants and indeed the rest of the society did not apply to Indians. A good example of this was education. Even though legislation was passed in 1876 for the compulsory education of children, it did not apply to the Indian children. In fact, from the point of view of the planters, Indian children were a source of cheap labour as they had to go into the fields early to assist their parents whose wages were insufficient. Even after indentureship was abolished Indians were discouraged from moving into the urban areas so that they could remain a source of cheap labour for the plantations. It was because they were so cruelly exploited that they played such a revolutionary

role in Guyanese society. From very early on they sought to promote unity with the working people. The shooting in Ruimveldt in 1924 was one case in point when they struck in solidarity with Water Front workers and marched to the city to show their solidarity while also pushing their own demands. It was the Indians who first raised the demand for universal adult suffrage as far back as the 1920s. The continued discrimination and exploitation they faced and the position they held in the economy turned them into revolutionaries. They have, in the main, always supported progressive causes. They led the struggle for industrial democracy from the 1940s. The killing of the five at Enmore in 1948 could well be regarded as the beginning of the end of colonial domination. Even in the 1960s when colonialism and imperialism together with local reactionary forces launched a massive attack on the independence movement led by the PPP, the vast majority of Indian Guyanese did not waver in their determination to end colonialism. Even though the

combination of forces, internal and external, fought to halt independence and attacked PPP supports, Black and Indians, but mainly Indians, they did not respond in kind. Under strong patriotic leadership of the PPP, Indians only took defensive actions. They recognised that a large part of the working people was being misled and fought against their own best interests. The PPP supporters never stopped reaching out and working for national unity as the foundation of a strong and prosperous country. The struggle is continuing today and prospect are improving in this regard. The fight today for the protection of democracy and its straightening is vital to the cause of freedom and democracy. Unity cannot be forged in an undemocratic atmosphere. As we salute our IndoGuyanese brothers and sisters on their important achievements against great odds we must resolve to continue the fight for real freedom, political, economic and social for all Guyanese! This how we will build a truly united and prosperous state! Donald Ramotar

Tuesday May 05, 2020

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Kaieteur News

Freddie Kissoon can’t compromise my love for country and the working class DEAR EDITOR, I note the Kaieteur News (KN) newspaper is not uncomfortable with Frederick Kissoon using this media to abuse me. I hope said paper will not be uncomfortable with my response. Reference is made to his letter, “Lincoln Lewis’ credibility is over” (KN, 4th May 2020). First, let me remind Freddie that I shall stand in his and the lawless cabal way to make sure they respect rights and the rule of law in this country. The election management and governance will have to be conducted within the purview of the law and not what he and the lawless societal crew feel. I don’t care about the 17, 000 votes he claims to know the PPP won by. I note the PPP leadership quoted different numbers- 20k, 18k, 15k. The Coalition has too said it won and the declarations before GECOM supports this view. The National Recount, which I am interested in, will allow for laying the issue to rest and must be allowed to proceed lawfully in an environment of peace. I shall not be silent by those seeking to intimidate

and threaten the workers of GECOM and their families with various acts of subversion and interference. Kissoon should be the last to speak of credibility because if credibility falls on his lap he won’t recognise same. This is a man who went on sabbatical and received money to do research, did not do it nor had the common decency to return the funds. When he was asked by the University of Guyana (UG) about the failure to submit his work, his response was “go read the newspapers,” suggesting that his writing a column could suffice for serious academic work. A recommendation came to the UG Council for his services to be terminated. As Labour’s representative on the Council in principle, I represented him as a worker. I questioned due process and the management’s position could not withstand the test of scrutiny because they had failed to write him on the matter. That is how he was allowed continuity in employment. His problem with me is

multi-dimensional. Any man, like me, who writes or takes a position, particularly if strident, he feels his is the task to seek to discredit him for he must be the only one to speak for and interpret the reality of this community. Readers are invited to examine his record, be it from Burnham, Hoyte, Corbin, Hinds, Kwayana, Ogunseye. I have been his recent target since I expressed a dissenting view to his on an industrial matter at UG. I say to him the gloves are off and I am prepared to come into his crab-hole habitat, where his mind dwells, and do battle with him. I remind Kissoon that I am a trade unionist. All my life I know to fight when fighting becomes necessary. I suspect one of his problems is me writing for KN and the influence he perceives I derive from so doing. On the matter of integrity unapologetically I say Kissoon cannot hold a candle to me. All I ask and demand of every administration is good governance, respect for workers/citizens’ right and the rule of law. He who accuses me of

plagiarising Trump and Salvini, though there is no need to, should be afraid and ashamed to use this word. It is this academic shame of plagiarism that serves to demonstrate the history and depth of his credibility that caused him not to complete his PhD. Further, when I accused the PPP government of economic genocide in the African community it was Kissoon who took me on as a columnist and influenced another media house not to carry my letters mentioning this term or delete same even though the situation I described fitted the United Nations’ classification. But then again he appoints himself the sole authority to speak to the welfare of the African community. Instructively, when Bharrat Jagdeo took him to court for libel he reached out to me for my writings on the issue and used same without attributing credit, claiming it to be his. Today he toes the line due to Jagdeo dropping the court case and according to him he cannot reveal the agreement signed that resulted in the case being dropped. I say to Freddie,

I support Peeper to allow Carter Center Observers in DEAR EDITOR, I endorse the call by Peeping Tom (May 4) for the government to grant landing clearance to the observers from the Carter Center and other international nongovernment as well as regional organizations. These international bodies were invited by the government and GECOM to observe the electoral process. They accepted the invitation and were in Guyana witnessing the electoral process. They left before the process could be completed because of judicial dispute and unresolved issues at GECOM that prevented the completion of the counting exercise. I don’t think the Carter team or any observer really needs another approval to land in Guyana. They were invited to witness the process. The election is not over. The process is ongoing. The accreditation remains and is not cancelled. The observers should operate on that basis and proceed to come to Guyana. It would be appropriate to come with certificate of Corona negative test since that was a requirement to grant approval to the Caricom team. If Caricom could be granted approval, why not the observers? Out of courtesy, Carter Center made a request for approval to come to Guyana in light of COVID-19

and the lockdown of the airport. It is now two months after the elections. No reasonable government or anyone at GECOM really expected the observers to remain in Guyana for that lengthy period. They had to return to their families and regular line of work. Now the recount process has been established and a date is fixed to restart the process. The observers are willing to return to be witnesses. Decency requires that they be allowed to return. Their presence is necessary to validate the recount in light of the fraudulent count that took place on March 4 and a week later. Unless the recount is validated as credible by international observers, the ABCE countries, Commonwealth, UN, Caricom, UNASUR, OAS, and other international organizations would not recognize the government arising out of it. Without foreign observers, the recount would not be deemed to be credible. Thus, it is in the interests of the government to allow observers to land in Guyana. The government has nothing to hide to allow observers. Separately, I also support calls for live streaming of the recount as well as access to use of cell phones which are now part of a person’s life.

Live streaming of the process and cell phones can’t really be used to tamper with ballots or influence the recounting of ballots. At any rate, people will not be using the phone in course of duty when undertaking the recount. Cell phones would not interfere with work or observing the process or compromise it. The secrecy of the ballot is not violated in a live coverage of the recounting process. Ballots don’t have a name of the voter. So no one would be exposed on how they vote. All the live streaming does is show the votes for each of the parties. It is also a deterrent against shenanigans, skullduggery and attempted fraud. The

presence of cameras helped exposed the Mingo. The government and GECOM have nothing to hide in having a transparent process. Finally, is anyone willing to wager a bet on how the recount would go and how long it will take? Will it come to a completion? One does not have to be a political scientist like me to draw a conclusion. If after nine weeks, there was no resolution to the count and key figures at GECOM were involved in counting fraud and even willing to use the fraudulent count to prepare a final report, and they are still there, what outcome does one really expect? Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

reveal the agreement. Unlike him, no one in this society has anything on me that will compromise the principles I hold dear and the love I have for the working class of this country. To his obsession with my age I do not have to defend same. I recognised age as honour and testimony of not only genetic but ability to stave off challenging conditions that could affect longevity. As a representative of labour I pay homage to all our labour force- past, present and potential- and will not do as Freddie does, seek to denigrate anyone based on age, race and other factors over which they have no control. I leave that to small minds like him. Let us debate performance, which is the essence of person and their career. Even if I was in my late 90s, as I am likely to live given my genetic makeup, what matters is my performance. To date, at this matured age, I have had no complaints in any area of performance. I have doubts Freddie can speak so definitively about all

round performance. So while this fellow pensioner, someone of my generation, the midwife who cannot remember my age is obsessed with same, I judge him on performance, and his university and public performance leaves much to be desired. Let me also remind him that Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan and David Granger attained the presidency older than me. And since he thinks he knows when is the time for me to leave the Guyana Trades Union Congress he should resign from his job at KN and hand it over to a younger person. Finally, I stand by my position of his mischief making antics in referencing trade unionist Coretta McDonald being a candidate for the coalition and ignoring a fellow trade unionist, who is alive and a candidate for the PPP. Intelligent people aren’t fooled by the deception he practiced in referencing Chand who is deceased. Lincoln Lewis

The burning question is why? DEAR EDITOR, It was applauded when certain decisions by the NCTF concerning the recount and observers coming to observe the process were overturned and varied without coercion or intimidation. Now the same consideration cannot be extended to the Carter Centre even with all the appeals, for the team to return to complete its work which was paused due to circumstances not of its making. The burning question is why? Why was the invitation and by extension accreditation withdrawn?. ..cancelled?...revo ked?...rescinded?... to an

internationally recognized organization which has been in the forefront of democracy here and elsewhere. This definitely does not augur well and speculation will abound. Shamshun Mohamed

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Tuesday May 05, 2020

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Granger stands to leave personal legacy COVID-19 and the NIS of electoral fraud Dear Editor, It was reported shortly after the political parties met with GECOM that the APNU+AFC is the only political party which is not in favour of the recount to be live-streamed. Transparency would naturally breathe public trust into the process which, in turn, would lead to a credible result. Any result which is not credible will lead to an illegitimate government

and serious consequences, discussed ad nauseum. The APNU-AFC’s objection to live-streaming confirms in my mind (and in the minds of many others) that the APNU-AFC is still seeking to rig the election and still seeking to assume government on the basis of fraudulent results, regardless of the threat of serious consequences by the international community and

the harm it will bring to the country. David Granger must come to realise that if the riggers succeed in tampering with the recount, then it is he, as the presidential candidate for the APNU+AFC, who will not only become the illegitimate president but the face of electoral fraud around the world and that will remain his legacy for all time. Granger must understand that in this scenario he stands alone. The ones who are seeking to rig at all costs fall

into two camps. One camp has nothing to lose and everything to gain. The second camp has everything to lose. If they succeed, both camps would be beneficiaries of electoral fraud as Granger would, but neither camp will be the face of electoral fraud as Granger would be. Granger must quickly decide how he wants to be remembered and if he prepared to bequeath that legacy to his family. Sincerely, Charles S. Ramson

We need honest and all COVID-19 information DEAR EDITOR, I have, since the first case, looked at the statics released by the government on the COVID-19. What the record shows is that our curve may be declining. week MAR 12 - 18 MAR 19 - 25 MAR 26-AP 1 AP 2-AP 8 4 AP 9 - AP15 AP 16 - AP22 AP 23 - AP 29 AP30 - MAY

We are now at week eight whence the first reported case. What the numbers show is that weeks 4 and 5 we had reported cases of 18 and 20 respectively. Weeks 6, 7 and 8 show the curve

New 1 2 3 18 5 6 7 8

cases 5 0 14 37 20 10 11 4

coming down. What we have been told is that for the second month we saw a 110% increase. This is statistically correct, however, what is needed is a daily and weekly tracking and these graphs be released.

Total 5 5 19 3 57 67 78 82

Deaths 1 0 2 6 0 1 2

total 1 1 3 6 7 9 9

When one follows the COVID-19 around world, in democratic countries, records and analysis, are readily given. Singapore, South Korea credit their effectiveness to the provision of information. The worse hit country, USA, you receive daily updates and analysis. What we had was the caretaker Minister using aggregate numbers for the first two months and then launching into a rebuke of people. We are told where the hot spots are, what we need to know are the numbers across all areas of incidence in the city and country. The lockdown is extended without any analysis and information of the fact based considerations and timeline for the way forward. The Big Question is Why? Manzoor Nadir

DEAR EDITOR, One hopes that the matter is being actively discussed by the management of the National Insurance Scheme and by the decision-makers to whom they report. It is also a matter that will be of concern to a number of employers, who have been forced to suspend business activities on the instructions of the political directorate – as part of the tactics to contain the current pandemic – that could, however, last for an indefinite period of time. How does an employer deal with the issue of suspended joint contributions to the NIS when closed at the instance of a directive? How is the NIS expected to advice on applications for benefits during this period of

enforced unemployment? Does any treatment of illnesses of persons, whether or not affected by the virus, qualify for NIS’ positive consideration? This is a totally new dispensation that requires serious examination; not only locally, but logically also at the level of the Caricom Community, and of course from a legal standpoint that takes account of the foreseeable future. Hopefully, the most urgent attention would be given to the sustainability of the health employees, and consequently of the future viability of the employer organisations. In the earlier regard therefore the Private Sector must offer some productive proposals. E.B. John

The Coalition must move early during the recount to confirm its victory DEAR EDITOR, From its pronouncements on the recount, the coalition expects two outcomes: (i) confirmation of its electoral victory, and (ii) exposure of PPP rigging in the districts the PPP won. Most recently, the AFC’s David Patterson spoke convincingly on both outcomes. And while I support his case on (ii) above, I would advise the coalition that nothing must distract it

and its election workers from attaining the first objective, i.e., verification of its victory. Its scrutineers at the ten recount stations, therefore, must not get bogged down in prolonged arguments over, for example, spoilt votes (only 816 observed in Region 4, for example), as these likely affected all parties similarly. Nor should they chase after vague evidence of PPP (Continued on page 26)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday May 05, 2020

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Emergency Bridge repairs causes hours-long traffic chaos from GT park to Providence, E.B.D. Congestion on the drive up to the bridge

Traffic backed up along the highway leading to Georgetown

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two-hour scheduled closure at the Demerara Harbour Bridge yesterday afternoon sparked a backup in traffic that extended all the way to the Stabroek area and even onto

Sheriff Street.Some commuters complained that they were stationary for more than one hour. With Indian Arrival Day being celebrated today, it appears that many rushed to the city for last

minute shopping and business. The traffic backup was made worse by the fact that traffic from the East Bank Demerara highway on the western carriageway was reduced to a one-way.

The bridge's management had announced that the traffic would be closed for two hours – 14:00hrs16:00hrs- to facilitate maintenance works – however, the traffic jam lasted until close to 18:00 hours, the

closing hours of the daily curfew. The bridge is the main link between East Demerara and the capital city to the West Side, Essequibo Islands and Region Two (E'bo Coast) and Region Seven.

Traffic extending from the bridge to further up the East Bank

Kaieteur News

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All COVID-19 spending to ...Ocean View is of particular be audited concern - Auditor General

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uditor-General Deodat Sharma has informed Kaieteur News that his office intends to conduct a special audit of all COVID-19 expenditure, with special focus to be placed on government's flagship infrastructural project. In March, President David Granger had issued an order under the Public Health Ordinance which allows him, in the case of emergency, to expend public funds such as may be necessary for the effective carrying out of any and all of the provisions which concern notable infectious diseases. Kaieteur News had observed several projects being undertaken which had not shown up in this newspaper's weekly coverage of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). Asked whether this is concerning, Sharma noted that a section of the Procurement Act applies in cases of emergency. Section 28 (c) of the Act which allows the Government to engage in

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma single-source procurement “owing to a catastrophic event, [where there is] an urgent need for the goods, services or construction, making it impractical to use other methods of procurement because of the time involved in using these methods…” However, the AG stated that due diligence checks must still be carried out with regard to such expenditure. He noted his office has sent out circular to all public

agencies indicating a need for separate accounts to be kept for all money received and spent during this time. Of particular concern to Sharma is the matter of the Ocean View Hotel, a project Government will be funneling and as yet undetermined amount of public funds into. Finance Minister Winston Jordan had said that more than $1B will be spent on its retrofitting the property to make it a COVID-19 hospital. Sharma said that the $1B is a lot of money, and that his office “will have to go through it and see what happened.” In addition to that expenditure, an order was signed recently by Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence for compulsory acquisition of the property. No sum was given with regard to the price to be paid or who the current owner of the property is. The hotel had once been used to store medical supplies for the Ministry of Public Health. Back in 2013, high tides had caused considerable damage to the

property, making it a flood risk as high tides are becoming an increasing threat. Sharma also mentioned the issue of a rat infestation. President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Nicholas DeygooBoyer had recently said that it is shocking that so much money is being spent, and that he wanted to see the engineer's estimate to determine the veracity of the costs. He noted that a previous report highlighted certain findings which were concerning to the Auditor General's office. AG Sharma said that the audit cannot be done at this time because of the partial lockdown, but that the office will begin as soon as it is lifted. Notably, it is not just Guyana that will undergo special audits due to the COVID-19 crisis. Sharma, speaking as Chairman of the Caribbean Organisation of Supreme Auditing (CAROSAI), said that each country in the region will be audited.

Four charged for delivery truck robbery

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our men were yesterday charged for the delivery truck robbery that happened last Thursday at Rasville, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown. The men were arrested on Saturday and a motorcycle that was suspected to be used in the robbery was confiscated by

the police. A c c o r d i n g t o information provided by the Guyana Police Force, on the day in question the truck – occupied by a driver and two porters – went into the area to make a delivery. A video shared on social media shows two men pulling up behind the vehicle on a

motorcycle. In the footage, one man is seen entering the truck - the GPF information says that the bandit was armed with a handgun. It is unclear where the other two men charged were at the time. The three occupants of the vehicle were allegedly assaulted and forced to hand

over cash and valuables they were transporting. The bandits then escaped while the victims were taken to receive medical attention and the matter subsequently reported. According to the GPF, the four men are expected to make their court appearance soon.

This still capture photo from the video shows two of the Rasville robbers (right) near the delivery truck

Tuesday May 05, 2020

Coronavirus:

World leaders pledge billions for vaccine fight

Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, pictured last year, are among the world leaders who signed the letter (BBC) - More than $8bn (£6.5bn) has been pledged to help develop a coronavirus vaccine and fund research into the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Some 40 countries and donors took part in an online summit hosted by the EU. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the money would help kickstart unprecedented global cooperation. She said it showed the true value of unity and humanity, but warned much more would be needed in the days ahead. In total, more than 30 countries, along with UN and philanthropic bodies and research institutes, made donations. Donors also included pop singer Madonna, who pledged €1m ($1.1m), said Ms von der Leyen, who set out the Brussels-led initiative on Friday. The European Commission pledged $1bn to fund research on a vaccine. Norway matched the European Commission's contribution, and France has pledged €500m, as have Saudi Arabia and Germany. Japan pledged more than $800m. The US and Russia did not take part. China, where the virus originated in December, was represented by its ambassador to the European Union. Of the money raised, $4.4bn will go on vaccine development, some $2bn on the search for a treatment and $1.6bn for producing tests, the EU said. In her opening remarks at the summit, Ms von der Leyen said everyone must chip in to finance "a truly global endeavour". "I believe 4 May will mark a turning point in our fight against coronavirus because today the world is coming together," she said. "The partners are many, the goal is one: to defeat this virus." UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, another co-

host of the conference, said the "more we pull together" in sharing expertise, "the faster our scientists will succeed" in developing a vaccine. Mr Johnson, who spent three nights in intensive care with Covid-19, was to confirm the UK's pledge of £388m for vaccine research, testing and treatment during the conference. Along with the European Commission, the conference is being co-hosted by the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway and Saudi Arabia. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are also among those who have signed up to the initiative. In the open letter published in weekend newspapers, the leaders said the funds raised would "kickstart an unprecedented global cooperation between scientists and regulators, industry and governments, international organisations, foundations a n d h e a l t h c a r e professionals". "If we can develop a vaccine that is produced by the world, for the whole world, this will be a unique global public good of the 21st Century," they added. At the same time, the signatories gave their backing t o t h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Organization in the face of US criticism of its handling of the outbreak. The UN says a return to normal life will only be possible with a vaccine. Dozens of research projects trying to find a vaccine are currently under way across the world. Even with more financial commitment, it will take time to know which ones might work and how well. Most experts think it could take until mid-2021, about 12-18 months after the new virus first emerged, for a vaccine to become available.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday May 05, 2020

PAGE 09

Put your house in order before criticizing your neighbour's home

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rade unionism is not a political vocation. As far back as 1952, the International Labour Organization (ILO) recognized the convergence of objectives between trade unions and political parties. Trade unions often find themselves having to move beyond industrial negotiations to agitate for economic benefits, including reduced taxation, retention of subsidies and demands for a living wage. This often puts them against governments and leads to the appearance of unions having a political agenda. In pre-independent Guyana, the struggle for improved living and working conditions became intertwined in the large political struggle to end foreign exploitation. Conversely, many trade unions often use industrial disputes for political ends.

This is true in Guyana and elsewhere. As such, the ILO recognized the need to provide guidance on what should be the relationship between trade unionism and politics. It issued a Resolution in 1952 concerning the independence of the trade union movement. The ILO stressed that trade unions have a role to play in cooperating with other elements in promoting social and economic development and the advancement of the community as a whole. The ILO, however, was wary of the dangers of such cooperation eroding the independence of the union. The ILO, in its 1952 Resolution, stressed the essential need for the trade union movement to preserve its independence, irrespective of the political changes in its country. The litmus test unions'

Dem boys seh...

Kranicle gat wan new hatchet man

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magine Uncle Adam climbin police step fuh report threat. He shud be the last wan fuh do suh. Dem boys seh he tun wan hatchet man since he gone over to the Kranicle. He operating like wan hired pen – he assassinating other people character. He mek dem boys hand fall. He bin round dem boys ah lang, lang time now. Dem boys de expect better from he. He bin lef dem boys because he seh he getting old and he tired. But it look like is dem boys he get tired

of. He fine de strength to tek out he pen fuh hire. Dem boys wan he fuh know dat dem who putting he up fuh do dem dutty wuk gun turn dem back pun he. Dem gun fuget he de same way dem fuget that the same Kranicle nah bin pay he pension. He gan lef standing alone, like how Bencock used to stand alone in dem one-man picket. Right now is only Bencock wah standing by he side. And Bencock dun twist. Talk half and wait till the baby party bruk up!

independence in such relations is their ability to carry out their work without compromising their functions. The ILO predicted that occasions would arise where relations will have to be established with political parties or where unions would have to “undertake political action as a means towards the advancement of their economic and social objectives.” It urged, however, that such actions should not compromise the unions' functions irrespective of political changes in the country.” Politics and trade unionism have been entwined. In some instances trade unions have been enlisted to undertake political action on behalf of political parties. GAWU has always had an association with the PPP and the Guyana Labour Union was associated, until a few years ago, with the PNC. A right to work movement was established in the 1980s and eventually evolved into a political party called the Democratic Labour Movement. Some unions continue to be used as political footballs by political parties. Some unions are extremely dormant at this time. But just wait and see when a new government comes, in how

quickly they will suddenly become militant. Given this strong historic association between trade unions and political parties, it is not surprising that some union leaders would gravitate to leadership positions within political parties. But it is one thing for individual trade union leaders to be politically affiliated and another thing for the umbrella body of the trade union movement to be partisan. The Guyana Trade Union Congress (TUC) is the umbrella body of trade unions in Guyana. It is supposed to represent all its constituent unions. As the principal body representing trade unions in the country. It is therefore unacceptable for high officials of the TUC to be running for political office, much less to be endorsing a political party and openly canvassing for that party on the campaign trail. In any other part of the world, those who did this would have been asked to resign. If ever there was a place where a code of conduct was needed, it is in the trade union movement. Any such code should insist on the independence of the umbrella body for trade unions. A new dispensation is needed in the relationship

between trade unions and political parties. It would be desirable for trade union leaders to not assume positions within political parties, period. Many years ago, a trade union leader took collateralfree personal loan from an employer to buy a car. The car was imported and registered in the name of the trade union leader. When this fact was made public, it caused a stir. There were reports that some workers actually signed forms revoking their membership because of what they perceived as an improper relationship between a union official and the company with which he would have had to negotiate on the workers' behalf.

It is impossible to divorce politics and trade unionism. But there are principles which ought to guide the relationship between political parties and unions and between union leaders and employers. The ILO has offered guidance in this area. Before the trade union movement calls on other organizations to have codes of conduct, it should seek to regulate its own affairs and that of its affiliate unions, under its own code of conduct. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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Tuesday May 05, 2020

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

On Indian Arrival Day, African Guyanese must denounce injustice

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have been viciously attacked for my activism against an Indian government – the PPP (1992 -2015) during which my family suffered. Twice my life was endangered. I lost my job at UG. I spent three days in Brickdam station holding cell for an insignificant traffic offence (with Mark Benschop). The PPP government sent the GRA after me. It remains one of the most disgraceful acts in the history of taxation in this country. A church mouse like me, struggling with a low

salary at UG without assets and properties in my life was asked to pay millions in property tax. President Jagdeo sued me for libel and that writ stands out as a world record. Not even in the most efficient judicial system in the richest country in the world, a libel trial begins eleven months after the writ is filed. The Indianised PPP government that I fought was indeed a brutal regime that singled out me for special bestial treatment but this Indianised government went too far when it targeted

my family. I grew extremely rough in a south Georgetown ward (Wortmanville) where poverty hardens you and you don't back down from a fight. I was totally unconcerned with the consequences of my activism but I never thought the PPP government would focus on my wife and daughter. Even my nephew came into their sight. He was just an ordinary pump attendant at Guyoil. In my struggles against the PPP government only Harry Gill of the PPP has written to me about what the PPP did to me but his words

were extremely cautious and diplomatic and for that reason I dismissed his note. He wrote; “I am aware of your grievances with the former PPP administration and some of its leaders. I cannot do anything about that….” I knew and know he could not and cannot do anything about that but at least he can have admitted that wrongs were done to me. I think he chose deliberately not to commit himself. That of course is the nature of the PPP. In my years of struggle against the PPP government, I was joined by countless African Guyanese, many of whom became personal friends. I was delighted when they stood by me with their constant attendance at the Jagdeo libel trial. These African Guyanese I welcomed into my world of praxis because we were fighting a philosophical battle. I saw my struggle against the PPP as a philosophical battle not designed or invented just to topple the PPP but to end racial discrimination, class domination, and uphold human dignity and decency. A university colleague of mine during my days as a lecturer at UG who I regard

as having the most hilarious sense of humour among any other human I have met in this world once said to me; “Freddie, one day when you look over your shoulders, all your soldiers will be gone.” I will never forget that statement he made while he had the largest laughter on his face that you could ever see on a person. He is right. The PPP lost power in 2015. The PNC and AFC leaders who were in the wilderness for so long, proved to be just as immoral, unprincipled, incestuous, incompetent, corrupt, authoritarian like the PPP. These people were identical to the PPP. The PPP regime cleaned the long trench outside my home and left out the part in front my house. The APNU+AFC regime replaced the bulbs on every lamp post on the Railway Embankment from Sheriff Street to Ogle and the only defective one not replaced was the bulb on the post directly outside my home. My soldiers are gone. I have been looking over my shoulders since 2015, and they are all gone. Those African Guyanese lost their voice and conscience after 2015. They wanted the PPP

Frederick Kissoon out. I wanted a better, freer Guyana. But I didn't see that narrow-mindedness in them (not talking about African Guyanese in general but those I struggled with). What has taken place since March 4 has absolutely nothing to do with how the PPP governed under Jagdeo. There is no connection. What happened on March 4 and is still continuing with GECOM's refusal to make public the statements of poll for Region 4, the refusal for live streaming of the recount, the refusal to have the Carter Centre observers return to Guyana, is part of an evil plan to deny countless Guyanese their right to elect a government of their choice. Evil is evil. The PPP was evil in power so was APNU+AFC. Evil has been taking place since March 4. African Guyanese in large numbers must speak out now! (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday May 05, 2020

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Unsure if corrupt history disqualifies companies from marketing Guyana's crude - Energy Department Head, Mark Bynoe By Kiana Wilburg

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h e n t h e E n e r g y Department had advertised a few months ago for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to market Guyana's crude oil, it had asked all applicants to provide details of any pending litigation or to state if they are under investigation. What remains unclear however is if evidence pointing to a corrupt past would be seen as an immediate reason for disqualification. Kaieteur News has reported extensively that of the 34 companies who responded to the EOI advertisement, almost half have had a well-documented history of being in some of the most corrupt trading schemes. Public documents show for example that three of them, some of the world's largest commodities trading firms – Vitol SA, Glencore PLC, and Mercuria Energy Group –have used intermediaries to funnel over

US$31 million in bribes to corrupt employees of Brazilian state oil firm, Petrobras. This was done in order to win massive contracts, along with acquiring other benefits, and resulted in one of the largest corruption scandals in recent history, the Operation Car Wash affair, the fallout of which was hundreds of indictments, and over a hundred corruption convictions including that of former President of Brazil, Luis Inacio Lula Da Silva. It is against this background that this newspaper asked Energy Department Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe, to state if a company's sordid past would disqualify them from being able to trade on Guyana's behalf, during an online press conference yesterday. Dr. Bynoe said that he would have to speak with his procurement officer on the subject and make subsequent contact on the advice received. Further to this, he was asked to share details on who

Energy head, Dr. Mark Bynoe were the evaluators that would be instrumental in selecting the winning company. This was asked to ascertain the competence of the individuals and whether there were possible connections to who would be the eventual winner. The official said, “...This is not something that the Department of Energy can speak to. What happens normally in a procurement

Embankment between UG Road, Conversation Tree to close for recount from today

The roads around the Arthur Chung Convention Centre will be closed until further notice

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he Guyana Police F o r c e Tr a ff i c Department has announced that it will close the roads around the Arthur Chung Convention Centre at Liliendaal as part of the security measures to facilitate the elections recount. The Guyana Police Force issued an advisory yesterday announcing the closure, beginning this afternoon – the recount is scheduled to begin

tomorrow at 8 AM at the Centre. “In this regard,” stated the release,” the following Traffic arrangements will be put in place from 06:00hrs on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 until further notice. Railway Embankment between UG Road and Conversation Tree, Bel Air will be closed to vehicular Traffic.” The police advised that persons proceeding to CARICOM Secretariat and persons residing to the east

of the Convention Centre will be given access to enter the Embankment from UG Road, while persons residing to the west will be given access from Bel Air. “The compound of the Aquatic Centre will be used to facilitate parking for the observers, agents and other officials. The Guyana Police Force wishes to apologise for any inconvenience that may be caused,” the statement said.

process is that we will make a recommendation to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) and they will look at the evaluators and make a decision based on the names proposed. But I don't know that it is common practice for the names of the individuals to be divulged at this stage…. I am not in a position to share those names and I would have to discuss it with NPTAB.” When Kaieteur News had questioned NTPAB about the identities and qualifications of the evaluators last week, we were referred to the Department of Energy with the assurance that an answer would be provided during yesterday's press conference. Dr. Bynoe said after the 34 EOIs have been evaluated, 20 will be shortlisted to submit technical proposals along with a financial offer that would be on a fee per barrel basis. He said that those will then be assessed before a final firm is selected.

BIDDERS TO MARKET GUYANA'S CRUDE 1. Gunvor 2. Bonroy Tetchem Co Ltd & Guyana Crude Oil 3. China Offshore Oil Singapore Int'l PTE 4. Enteq Resources 5. MAB Oil Limited 6. Hartree Partners LP 7. Mercuria Energy Trading 8. Shell Western Supply and Trading 9. Sacoil Energy Equity Resources 10. Mercantile and Maritime 11. Unipec America 12. BP Products North America 13. ExxonMobil 14. PPT Energy Trading 15. BB Energy 16. Freepoint Commodities 17. Sinochem 18. Cathay Petroleum Int'l 19. Heritage Petroleum 20. Concord Energy 21. PetroCo Oil 22. Totsa Total Oil Trading 23. Lukoil Oil Trading and Litasco 24. Core Petroleum 25. AISAA Petroleum Shipping 26. Century Tamara Energy Services 27. PetroChina International Brazil 28. Gladius Commodities 29. Equinor 30. Vitol 31. Glencore 32. Petrobras Global Trading BV 33. Interchem PTE 34. Aramco Trading

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Tuesday May 05, 2020

Energy Dept. instructs ExxonMobil to improve Payara Field Development Plan

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nergy Department Director, Dr. Mark Bynoe disclosed yesterday that approval of ExxonMobil s Payara Field Development Plan (FDP) has been delayed as it has asked the American oil giant to make a number of improvements. The official declined to reveal the details of the changes or adjustments ExxonMobil was instructed to make. He did note however that when those have been completed, he will return to the media to provide an update. The Director made the foregoing disclosure during an online press conference. He was asked by the media to comment on the recent statement by ExxonMobil s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Darren Woods that the political uncertainty is responsible for the project approval being delayed. The Director was very clear in stating that it is way more than this, while adding that nothing about their

approach is unusual as addendums were also required for Liza One and Two FDPs which captured improvements that were necessary. According to documents submitted to the Environmental Protection A g e n c y ( E PA ) b y ExxonMobil s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), the Payara development will be located in the eastern area of the Stabroek Block which is approximately 190 km (118 miles) from Georgetown. The operator notes that oil production from Payara is expected to last at least 20 years with startup of the facilities expected to occur approximately in mid-2023. EEPGL noted that it will drill approximately 35 to 45 wells offshore to support extraction of the oil from below the seafloor. It said that each well will be drilled using a floating drill ship. Also, each well will be directionally drilled to

specific reservoir targets generally 4,000 to 5,500 meters (m) below the sea level. Further to this, EEPGL said it will install some of the oil production facilities on the seafloor at approximately 1,500-1,980 m (4,900-6,500 ft) water depth. It said that these subsea facilities include various types of pipes and hardware. Kaieteur News understands that the subsea facilities allow the oil from the wells to be gathered and moved to the surface of the ocean for further processing. EEPGL will then install other oil production facilities on a vessel which floats on the surface of the ocean. The vessel is called a Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO). It will be moored on location in approximately 1,800-1,980 m (5,900-6,500 ft) of water depth and will remain on location throughout the life of the facility. EEPGL said that oil

production facilities on the FPSO will further process the oil extracted from below the seafloor. The operator also stated that the FPSO will have the

capacity to produce up to approximately 180,000 to 220,000 barrels of oil per day. During the early stage of production operations, the FPSO is anticipated to

produce up to an average of approximately 5,700,000 to 6,600,000 barrels of crude oil per month. These estimates are preliminary and are subject to change.

Wife of dead Pomeroon farmer seeking justice - recalls harrowing incident involving Coast Guard vessel

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t has been more than two weeks since thirty-two year old Ryan Khayum lost his life in t h e P o m e r o o n R i v e r, following a tragic boat accident which involved a Coast Guard vessel. Chandanie Khayum, Ryan's wife, is still traumatized following the incident. Despite her state of shock, however, Chandanie is still seeking justice for her dead husband. On Monday, April 20th 2020, a vessel being piloted by the Coast Guard reportedly ran over Khayum's boat. At the time of the accident, Chandanie, her husband and two cousins, were traveling in the 40-foot boat, which was shaded in the rear, and was powered by a 15hp engine. She told Kaieteur News that everything happened so suddenly that no one was given an opportunity to react. The now widowed woman said, “One of my cousin shouted ' Boat! Boat!' I was sitting flat under the boat shed, so I raise my head to see where the boat was coming from, but before I

could've seen anything the boat was on top of us.” She went on to relate, “The Coast Guard boat crashed into the stern, hitting my husband first – he did not have any time to jump or escape. That boat fitted flush in our boat, sitting in our boat until it eventually sinks it. The Coast Guard's boat pinned my other cousin that was at the bow with the light. That is to say their boat covered our entire boat after rushing in from the back. He had to wait until our boat sink to swim out. The cousin that screamed 'boat' said he jumped flat into the boat next to me.” She went on to detail her harrowing struggle to survive and what she said were 'sloppy' rescue efforts by members of the Coast Guards: “I cannot swim, but I remembered clinging to dear life, I remembered I held on to a fat man but that person kept losing my fingers and pushing me down, but I was not giving up. I gathered all my energies and yelled help with everything I had left in me before I lost consciousness.

What was left of the Khayums' boat

The Khayums in happier days

I was later told a nearby resident that came to our rescue that two of the coast

guards held each of my ankles, and swimming with me towards their boat, my

face facing downward in the water.” Based on information reaching Kaieteur News, the Coast Guard captain originally arrested in relation to the incident has been released after spending

72 hours in police custody. The case file has reportedly sent to the Department of Public Prosecution for legal advice. Family members told Kaieteur News that they will continue to pursue the matter until justice is served.

Tuesday May 05, 2020

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Tuesday May 05, 2020

Long live Midwives! T

oday, May 5, 2020, Guyana joins the rest of the world to observe International Day of the Midwife under the theme: “Midwives with women: celebrate, demonstrate, mobilize, unite – our time is NOW!” Below is a Message by Hon. Volda Lawrence, Minister of Public Health, in commemoration of this auspicious day. Today May 5th, 2020 marks the International Day

of the Midwife, and I wish to join the world in recognizing this special cadre of health Care professionals – our Midwives, expressing praise and thanks to you for the tremendous work you are doing for the people of our nation in providing the essential care and services to our mothers and their newborns. The International Confederation of Midwives has chosen as its theme for 2020 “Midwives with women: celebrate,

demonstrate, mobilize, unite – our time is NOW!” and I wish to elaborate on this theme as we celebrate International Day of the Midwife. Amidst this COVID-19 crisis in our country, one may ask, what is there to celebrate? As a Ministry we celebrate the dedication of Midwives for: - the safe delivery of a life into this world which takes a lot of skill and dedication. - their bravery in

traversing the Pomeroon and Essequibo rivers, and even the Kwakwani and Bartica rough roads in the wee hours of the morning and sometimes late at nights to get their patients to higher levels of care. - their care in emergency settings and important role in Guyana in helping us to achieve our Sustainable Development Goals especially # 3 and Universal Health Coverage. - their dedication in ensuring that every child is

protected against vaccinepreventable diseases such as polio, measles, and whooping cough. - their role in helping our young girls to achieve their full potential by ensuring they have the necessary services so they can be protected against the HPV and return to school to fulfill their dreams. Yes, we celebrate you Midwives. W h a t a r e w e demonstrating this year 2020? Even as we battle COVID-19, our Midwives are part of the team in our communities helping to trace our Case contacts demonstrating that they are strong and brave and that their care extends beyond midwifery to the general health and wellbeing of all people. Worthy of note is the fact that Midwives have a special role to play in the antenatal care, delivery and post natal care of women who may be suspected or confirmed cases of COVID19. Our records do show that while others are skeptical, the midwife dons his/her PPE and stands brave, side by side with the mother! Hats off to you midwives! And yes, our midwives have been in the mobilization mode even as another vaccination episode is on stream in our country. I salute you our brave soldiers as you strive to achieve that (more than) 90% coverage. I extend my gratitude to all as you move out of your comfort zone and into the communities to meet patients and for your efforts in health promotion, disease prevention and delivering primary and community care. Above all, there is always the opportunity for greater unity for the implementation of initiatives such as our Safe Mother Initiative – that encourages us to provide essential services that meet the needs of the adolescent girl, the pregnant woman and her infant – throughout the life cycle. Ladies and gentlemen, I am cognizant of the fact that

Minister Volda Lawrence achieving “health for all” will depend on there being sufficient numbers of welltrained and educated, regulated and well supported nurses and midwives, who receive pay and recognition commensurate with the services and quality of care that they provide. This Government is committed in this mandate for all of our health care professional including our midwives. Investing in nurses and midwives is good value for money. We believe (as the report of the UN High Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth stated) that investments in education and job creation in the health and social sectors will result in a triple return of improved health outcomes, global health security, and inclusive economic growth. In conclusion, let me again join with the world in expressing heartfelt congratulations to all midwives on this International Day of the Midwife 2020. Thank you for the work you do and I encourage you to continue to fight for the protection and defense of women, girls and midwives irrespective of the varying challenges we experience and even in the face of COVID-19. The Government of Guyana via the Ministry of Public Health is committed to joining you Midwives along with our women as we celebrate, demonstrate, mobilize, unite for a healthy Guyana– our time is NOW! Long live the Midwives Association of Guyana! Long live Midwives! Happy International Day of the Midwife!

Tuesday May 05, 2020

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Tuesday May 05, 2020

COVID-19 postpones Inaugural Mr. India Guyana Name: Ranjeet Bramnarain Age: 23 Years Old Occupation: Accountant Academic Pursuit: Finance & Creative Arts

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ageant-industry veteran and promoter, Hashim Alli has unfortunately had to postpone the inaugural Mr. India Guyana pageant originally slated for today. A release from Mr. Alli expressed disappointment in the development, considering the social and cultural significance of the event. “The organization believes that this platform will be a solid support system in allowing our men of Indian origin to better be equipped with our traditional values and actively share these teachings to the wider community. It will also allow them to use this title to establish or enhance any form of cultural, social or entertainment platforms of their own. Our history has a fusion of successful men in all areas of Indian Culture and it is our hope that by creating this title it will be

a b l e t o introduce many more iconic Name: Avishkar names to add to Jaikaran. that prestigious Age: 25 Years Old legacy. As we Occupation: wait for the Teacher Covid-19 Academic Pursuit: pandemic to Bachelor degree subside the in education o rg a n i z a t i o n w i l l continue working with the guys and begin preparation for their journey to the title while contributing towards the prevention campaigns for Covid 19.� The organisation nevertheless took the opportunity to introduce the pageant's five finalists: Avishkar Jaikaran, Mario Moonsammy, Paul Dwarka, Ranjeet Bramnarain and Shazam Somwar.

Name: Paul A ndrew Dwarka Age: 23 Years Old Occupation: Accounts Clerk Academic Pursuit: Business Management

Name: Shazam Somwar Age: 23 Years Old Occupation: Student Academic Pursuit: Medicine

Name: Mario Moonsammy Age: 23 Years Old Occupation: Group Sales Manager Academic Pursuit: Business Management

Kaieteur News

Tuesday May 05, 2020

GTT reopening stores

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eeks after the closure of its retail stores in a bid to support the global call for physical distancing during this pandemic, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has decided to reopen its doors to serve its customers, effective tomorrow. “Our decision to close was in the best interest of the health and well-being of our staff and customers. During closure, we took the time to consider and implement recommended safety measures – and to procure the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for our team,” explained Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Justin Nedd. GTT stores located at 55 Brickdam, Fogarty's building, Beterverwagting, New Amsterdam, Linden and Essequibo will be open from 8am to 3:30pm from Monday to Friday. GTT has dedicated 8am to 9am to serving senior citizens and essential workers. “Persons opting to make bill payments and access

services at the stores, are asked to abide by the special arrangements that will be in place to honor the company's commitment to support physical distancing.” GTT said that this includes the wearing of masks, washing or sanitizing of hands, standing on markers 4-6 feet apart, temperature checks and the understanding that only a limited number of persons will be permitted within a store at any given time, (inclusive of staff present). The GTT team serving customers, as well as the security guards, will be equipped with masks and others protective gear. “These are challenging times and we are adjusting to the changing circumstances around us. I'd like to publicly thank the GTT team for agreeing to return to the stores to serve our customers who would prefer in-person transactions. However, e-commerce is the new normal and the way of the future. I also encourage customers to continue using our MMG app to pay all of their bills in the interest of convenience and safety,” Nedd said.

Guyana's COVID-19 cases move to 92; 27 recover

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fter failing to report the updated status of the Coronavirus (COVID19) in Guyana for two days, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) yesterday recorded ten new cases of the disease, carrying the number of cases to 97. Up to press time, the number of deaths remained at nine. During the update to the nation yesterday afternoon, Health Minister Volda Lawrence was keen to highlight that 27 persons have recovered from the disease. Six hundred and thirtynine persons have thus far been tested, of whom 547 are negative. Additionally, three persons have developed

worsened conditions and are being given further treatment in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). To date the total number of patients seen in the COVID19 ICU is 25 with seven deaths. Three ICU patients have recovered and were discharged. Meanwhile there are seven in institutional quarantine and 56 in institutional isolation. During her update the Health Minister stressed that, “Our healthcare workers continue to work selflessly in order to protect us all, but you continue to behave very selfishly, with total disregard for your own safety and for your own life. With regard to the social (continued on page 19)

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Tuesday May 05, 2020

Georgetown City Council to implement $25,000 for illegal stiffer pandemic penalties vending, $5,000 for not

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e g i n n i n g tomorrow, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC) will be fining city vendors for not wearing masks and penalizing illegal vendors with stiff fines as well, says Mayor Ubraj Singh. A few weeks ago Kaieteur News reported that the GM&CC)was contemplating possible

penalties for vendors who continue to disregard precautionary measures set out by the Council and the Ministry of Public Health in light of Covid-19. Updating this paper yesterday, City Mayor Ubraj Narine said that the Council's Task Force has decided that more stringent initiatives should be implemented to safeguard the health of citizens. To this

end, as of Wednesday May 6 several new measures will be implemented to ensure the adherence of the Ministry's Covid-19 orders. Notable among these measures is the directive that stallholders/vendors and their staff are required to wear face masks throughout the duration of their operations. Failing failure to do so will result in a $5,000 fine.

M e a n w h i l e , unauthorized vending has been strictly prohibited and anyone found in breach of this will have to pay a removal fee of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25.000). The Mayor explained to this paper that these fines were made necessary because several vendors, primarily in the Stabroek and Bourda Market areas, have been ignoring precautionary

wearing mask – Mayor measures and continue to vend without the use of a face mask and other necessary safety equipment and sanitary requirements. He added that these fines are relatively “small” because the council is aware of the economic situation but it is necessary to keep the population safe. “The Council reviewed and know the crisis, but we have to save lives,” the Mayor said. Narine further stated that “the national level (government) and we (the council) have been pleading with people but they are not adhering. The vendors were even given warnings but they continue to disregard these. If you look at Vlissingen Road, I was wondering if another little market was opening up there. They were warned several times but still they continue to vend illegally.” The Mayor added that “we don't want to add any additional strain on the citizens but we are forced to take this step.” According to a statement put out by the M&CC also taking effect on the above mentioned date are the following measures: only one main gate will be opened at all the Municipal Markets.; a limited amount of Shoppers will be allowed to enter each Market at a given time and as persons exit others will be allowed to enter; all Shoppers entering the Municipal Market will not be allowed to enter if

Georgetown Mayor & City Council (GM&CC), Mayor Ubraj Narine they are not wearing a face mask, with no exemptions applicable; social distancing of six feet must be adhere to, with absolutely no crowding at stalls is permitted and stall holders responsible and liable for breaches; and the operational hours for all of the municipal markets will be from 07:00 hours (7am) to 16:00 hours (4 pm). The Mayor explained to Kaieteur News that the first measure is a temporary move by the council which can be reconsidered if individuals adhere to the restrictions on the number of persons entering the market at a time. “We had two gates open at a time but because persons were not adhering we closed one, but this is temporarily and can be reconsidered. However, the number of persons entering the market at one time still remains about 15-20,” he said.

Kaieteur News

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GECOM gazettes order for recount - President welcomes recount; PPP blasts T his statement as 'hollow' and 'placatory'

he Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) finally gazetted an order for the national recount of votes cast in the March 2 general and regional elections yesterday, beckoning responses from the President and the Opposition. GECOM has activated its powers under Article 162 of the Constitution of Guyana, and Section 22 of the Election Laws (Amendment) to give legal cover to the recount. The order notes the initial agreement by the President and the Leader of the Opposition to have the recount done, and notes the involvement of the CARICOM scrutinizing team. It gives a general idea of the procedure of the recount, including the sections of the Representation of the People Act which inform those procedures. The Commission is given supervisory power over every aspect of the recount,

and denotes that the Commission is the final arbiter in the chain of command. The recount is set to begin tomorrow from 8am, going until 7pm, and will continue within that period every day until the exercise ends. The persons entitled to attend this process are the representatives of the political parties, the accredited local and international observers, the CARICOM scrutinizing team, advisors to the electoral commission and the members of the Commission. The provisions for the live streaming of the recount are also described. President David Granger, in a rare a p p e a r a n c e y e s t e r d a y, welcomed the gazetted order by GECOM, adding that he will accept the declarations

Guyana's COVID-19 cases move to 92... From page 17 distancing guidelines, you have interpreted them to suit your own agenda. Not only are you continuing to congregate in large numbers, but you are also there way past the curfew time and with no face mask for your protection and those around you.” She continued, “It is extremely unfair to those who are following the guidelines to be placed at unnecessary risk. From the inception you were all told that we can stop COVID-19 from spreading; by simply staying home and following all the precautionary guidelines; that advice is still in effect. You know all these guidelines, so please adhere to them so that we can get on with our lives and our livelihood.” According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there are 3,435,894 cases globally, with 239,604 deaths. In the region of the Americas, the number of confirmed cases are 1,433,756 cases with 77,827 deaths. Also during that update, the President of the Midwives Association of Guyana (MAG), Maria Francois, took the o p p o r t u n i t y t o

commemorate the importance of International Day of the Midwives, which is being celebrated today under the theme “Midwives with women: celebrate, demonstrate, mobilize, unite – our time is now!” She explained, “We mark this special occasion under the theme with support from the United Nations Population Fund. The Association was formed in 2010 to ensure that international commitments in relation to midwifery were realized, particularly since empowering of midwives was considered, and still is, the key to help in stopping preventable maternal and newborn deaths. Like so many countries in the world, The Midwives' Association of Guyana can boast that it is among the first set of countries registered with the International Confederation of Midwives.” To date, midwifery support groups and regional focal points are established in all 10 administrative regions of Guyana.

which will allow for a democratically elected government. The President said that the elections were free, fair and orderly, but alluded to subsequent events which resulted in the prolongation of the electoral process beyond the deadline set out by the law. The delay, he said, was occasioned by legal challenges in the

Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. He sought to offer his usual elocution; that he has always complied with the rulings of the Courts, that he has never intervened in GECOM's work, and that he has always upheld the Constitution. The main opposition, the People's Progressive Party (PPP), in a release sent out

last night, called the President's address 'sterile' and 'placatory'. The opposition release blasted the President's notation of the delay caused, without acknowledging the involvement of members of the APNU+AFC coalition and Commissioners he nominated to GECOM. The party also stated that the President, contrary to his words, has violated the Constitution and the Court in instances such as the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the no-

confidence motion and the unilateral appointment of former GECOM Chairman, James Patterson. The PPP said that Granger's promise to accept GECOM's declarations is a hollow one and requested that the President release his party's copies of the Region Four statements of poll, to instruct his “rigging cabal” not to undermine the recount, and to intervene and allow the Carter Center and other accredited observers to come to Guyana for observation of the recount.

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Tuesday May 05, 2020

Carter Center seeks... From page 3 Sunday, it said that it has escalated the request to the level of the Presidency. However, when contacted by this paper, the Director of Public Information and Press Service (PIPS) Unit of the Ministry of the Presidency, Arianna Gordon referred questions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the COVID19 Task Force. While no question was posed to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Task Force was asked to justify their refusal. Up to press time, however, a response was yet to be received. GECOM Chair to approach Task Force Opposition appointed Commissioner, Sase Gunraj revealed to the media that the GECOM Chair is expected to make contact with the Task Force to address the return of the Carter Center team. H o w e v e r, G o v e r n m e n t Commissioner, Vincent Alexander gave a different response. Alexander said “That was not my understanding specifically… We did say to the Chairperson that it would be useful for GECOM to indicate to the relevant authorities that the observers,

their accreditation is still intact, and therefore, they have more or less, an entitlement to be allowed to observe.” Gunraj went on to express disappointment in the team's delay arrival and stressed that the accreditation for observers remains intact. He said “The Carter Centre and the other international observer bodies remain accredited for the process and this is just – I said earlier on in relation to the COVID-19 regulations that what we are seeing here and what we're experiencing is that as an active participant in this process, persons who seek office as a consequence of these elections are allowed to take steps under the guise of administrative steps w h i c h a ff e c t p e r s o n s ' participation in this and that is quite unfortunate.” Commission Gunraj added that the administration is attempting to fetter on the participation of the Carter Center while noting that the issue has to be dealt with by the Task Force. When asked why he believed this was so, Gunraj continued “The less scrutiny makes it more open to persons who are interested in engaging in skullduggery to do that… My belief is everyone who wants to see this process

(left to right) Carter Center team member, Carlos Valenzuela; Former Prime Minister of Senegal and Co-leader of the Carter Center team, Dr. Aminata Touré; Chair of the Carter Center's Board of Trustees, Jason Carter, Carter Center team member, Brett should be allowed to see it… It's a public process.” Commenting on the issue of other observers returning for the recount, Gunraj told the media that a communication has been dispatched to all local observers on the relevant protocols needed to be adopted for the recount. According to him, GECOM intends to brief the observers to be present at the recount today. Speaking to the role of Commonwealth Senior Technical Adviser Dr. Afari Gyan, a Ghanaian academic, political scientist and election administrator in the recount, Commissioner Gunraj said that he will continue to provide technical support through the process. “Dr. Afari Gyan has

been part of almost all of our meetings, making suggestions, providing technical support, etc. throughout, very meaningful contributions as well and will continue to play that role through these proceedings.” Calls for Carter Center's return The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI) along with the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has both issued calls on the government and the COVID-19 Task Force to allow the return of the Carter Center Observer Team. The GCCI in its statement pointed out that international observers are integral to the

democratic process and also reinforce the credibility of the electoral process. It urged that permission be granted to the Carter Centre to travel into to continue to observe the recount process. “The presence of the Carter Centre, a recognized body for ensuring credibility of the democratic process internationally and a long-standing partner and friend of Guyana, will be important for bolstering the process in Guyana.” FITUG shared similar sentiments while noting that the government's refusal to let the Carter Center and the IRI states implicitly that they have something to hide. “The inexplicable denial is yet only further confirmation

that the governing Coalition clearly has something to hide. Certainly how else could one explain the refusal of having more eyes on the process?” FITUG urged for the return of both teams to Guyana. The statement said that “Both organisations, incidentally, were invited by the Coalition to observe the elections in the first place and should not be shut out from this next stage in the ongoing electoral process.” Yesterday afternoon, a small but vocal group of protestor gathered on South Road outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanding that the government give permission to the Carter Center team.

Tuesday May 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

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PAGE 22

The Humbling of ExxonMobil Continued from yesterday’s edition

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Some of them were a short drive from Exxon’s Irving, Texas, headquarters. Exxon, meanwhile, was taking chances on faraway lands. Consider western Canada, where Exxon invested in the Kearl oil sands project. If you believed the world was short of crude, it sounded great: millions and millions of barrels waiting to be squeezed from Alberta sand, and Exxon’s technical prowess to plumb them. But upfront costs ran 18% higher than expected, and in 2014 oil prices began a nearly twoyear swoon as OPEC flooded the world with oil in the hope of suffocating American shale drillers. With crude dipping below $40 a barrel, Exxon’s hand was forced. In early 2017, after in-

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Tuesday May 05, 2020

Kaieteur News

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vesting more than $16 billion, the company had to erase 3.3 billion barrels from its listing of crude reserves, most of it from Alberta. The company couldn’t control oil prices, of course, but the oil sands write-off was nevertheless part of the deepest reserves cut in Exxon’s modern history. (Exxon last year rebooked some of the Alberta reserves.) Russia seemed more of a sure thing. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tillerson had a history. In 2003, under then-CEO Lee Raymond, Exxon had come close to buying into Yukos Oil Co., the Russian oil producer owned by Putin adversary Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Putin balked at the prospect of Exxon calling the shots on production and other matters; Tillerson, then an Exxon senior vice president, was just as wary of Putin meddling with Yukos. He helped persuade Raymond to back off, which forged a bond between Putin and Tillerson that no other Western oil company executive enjoyed. In 2011, Putin and Tillerson agreed on the first piece of what was envisioned as a $300 billion exploration deal that opened vast tracts of the Russian Arctic thought to contain billions of barrels of oil. It was an ideal match: Exxon wanted the natural resources, Putin the expertise and money. Then, in 2014, the Obama administration imposed sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea. The sanctions prevented Exxon from continuing work on most of the Russia project. Another big fish had gotten away. Again, Exxon probably couldn’t have predicted Crimea—nor was it alone in seeking access to Russian crude. But maybe that’s what you get for trusting Putin. By the time Tillerson departed to join the Trump administration, Exxon looked a lot different than it did when it reported those record earnings. Revenue and profit were a fraction of what they’d been, and the stock had lost its premium to other S&P 500 Index energy companies for the first time since 1997. Worse, for the first time since the Great Depression, Standard & Poor’s had stripped Exxon of its top credit rating. And the company faced a New York state lawsuit alleging that it had intentionally misled investors about the dangers of climate change. (The company won the case in December 2019.) When Woods became CEO in January 2017, there were the predictable media stories about him stepping out of Tillerson’s shadow. That wasn’t going to be easy given the big write-off, the S&P downgrade, and the other unfortunate circumstances Woods inherited. But he was determined to rebuild Exxon with projects in Brazil, Guyana, Mozambique, and Papua New Guinea—the sorts of efforts that for some shareholders conjured unpleas-

ant memories of Canada and Russia. Exxon also had finally jumped into shale oil with a $6 billion acquisition of acreage— negotiated by Tillerson—in West Texas’ prodigious Permian Basin. Other supermajors weren’t as eager to embark on new endeavors. Like Exxon, they’d spent heavily, then paid for it during the 2014-16 crash. Burned investors were cooling on energy stocks and diverting their money into tech, pharma, and other sectors. Energy now makes up less than 3% of the S&P 500 Index, compared with more than 10% in 2009. The growing movement to transition away from fossil fuels to solar, wind, and other energy sources was also peeling away investment. Such is the clamor in Europe that Royal Dutch Shell Plc and BP both have pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050 and invest heavily in renewable energy sources. Exxon has made no such pledge, instead investing in early-stage green technologies while insisting that the world will need more and more oil and gas until at least 2040, driven by China and India. Some on Wall Street see demand peaking as early as 2030.

2020 BREAKEVEN PRICES At his first annual Investor Day, in March 2017, Woods vowed to spend more on new ventures so Exxon would be ready when the market turned. “We are confident,” he declared before dozens of analysts and shareholders in New York City. “Our job is to compete and succeed in any market, irrespective of conditions or price.” Even then, a lot of institutional investors were inclined to take an Exxon CEO’s word as gospel. But an odd turning point came a year into Woods’s tenure. Wall Street analysts threw a little tantrum about the lack of forwardlooking data in Exxon’s quarterly reports. They were growing weary of sunny promises belied by a lackluster share price. With the company planning to spend so much money on stuff rivals saw little need for, the analysts zeroed in on why Exxon’s CEO never appeared on quarterly conference calls to answer their questions, as the top bosses at almost every other S&P 500 company did. “We think times have changed, and that Exxon may not necessarily be able to expect the market will continue to offer it the benefit of the doubt,” a Barclays Plc analyst wrote in a February 2018 investor note. In other words, Exxon was no longer a special case. Two months later, Jeff Woodbury, Exxon’s then-investor relations vice president, promised that Woods

would soon start participating in conference calls, saying, “We believe that the investment community did not have a very good understanding of what our value growth potential was.”

TAKING ON DEBT “Good morning, everyone,” Woods said when he stepped onstage at Exxon’s most recent Investor Day, on March 5 in New York. He waited for a response. When none came, he said, “Good morning, everyone?” Still nothing. “Come on now,” Woods said. “A little bit of energy here.” Nervous titters rippled through the audience. On that Thursday, the coronavirus had only begun to wreak havoc with America’s health and economic well-being. Social distancing wasn’t yet happening widely, though guests at the Exxon presentation were offered small bottles of hand sanitizer. Woods mentioned the virus as part of a “very challenging short-term-margin environment” facing Exxon in 2020. It was a new twist on a familiar spiel that investors could have heard Tillerson spinning years before. “The longer-term horizon is clear, and today our focus is on that horizon,” Woods said. Exxon was for the most part sticking with its plan. Woods said he intended to pare spending barely 6%, to a maximum of $33 billion for the year, and emphasized the company’s “optionality”—a word he uses a lot—to adjust spending to react to market conditions. While others retrench, Woods said, “We believe the best time to invest in these businesses is during a low, which will lead to greater value capture in the coming upswing. You can do that if you have the opportunities and the financial capacity, which we do. This is a key competitive advantage of ours.” Within 48 hours, Woods’s plan was in trouble. The Russians and Saudis, unable to agree on how much crude to pump, started pushing oil prices down. At the same time, demand was spiraling lower as lockdowns proliferated around the world. Storage tanks and pipelines were overwhelmed with unwanted oil, refineries reduced their inflows of raw crude, high-cost wells were shut. Analyst Paul Sankey of Mizuho Securities USA observed in an investor note that Exxon was “stepping up when the industry was stepping back. Turns out, they were stepping off a cliff.” On March 16, S&P again downgraded Exxon’s credit rating, to AA from AA+, and said it could happen again “if the company does not take adequate steps to improve cash flows and leverage.” A week later the stock closed at $31.45, the lowest since 2002. Investors started to wonder

whether Exxon might end its string of 37 straight yearly increases in its dividend. To cover that $14.7 billion payment—third-highest among S&P 500 companies—along with its aggressive capital spending, Exxon needed crude to fetch about $77 a barrel, the highest breakeven among oil majors, according to RBC Capital Markets. The stock began to recover in early April, but it was all too much. On April 7, Woods said Exxon would cut 2020 capital spending to $23 billion—a drop of an additional $10 billion, or 30%— and shave operating expenses by 15%. The bulk of the cuts would be aimed at the Permian. Exxon would defer some activities in its Guyana project while postponing investment decisions elsewhere. “They cried uncle,” says Rice University’s Medlock. With the cuts, the breakeven dropped to $60 a barrel, still tops among the biggest companies. You could almost feel Woods gritting his teeth in the company’s statement that day: “The long-term fundamentals that underpin the company’s business plans have not changed—population and energy demand will grow, and the economy will rebound.” Despite the cuts, Exxon still expected Permian production would rise. In other words, the company wasn’t abandoning its strategy; it was just hitting pause in deference to Covid-19. Woods certainly can’t be faulted for not foreseeing the oil carnage of April, with the industry abandoning fracking and laying off more than 50,000 workers in March alone. And Exxon isn’t seeking government intervention to help save U.S. shale oil as Hamm, Sheffield, and others are. With as many as one in three shale players expected to exit the market one way or another, Exxon could be in a position to snap up cheap acreage after the virus retreats. “The large companies might actually get bigger on the back of this,” says Medlock. For now, though, it’s hard not to see Exxon as just another company getting tossed around by the market. After the recent Investor Day, a reporter asked Woods if Exxon was still capable of navigating today’s up-anddown-and-down-some-more energy business. “I don’t think you stay in business for 135 years,” Woods said, “without being attentive to the needs of your customers, your stakeholders, and the communities that you operate in.” It wasn’t actually an answer. (https:// www.bloomberg.com/features/2020-exxonmobilcoronavirus-oil-demand/)

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Kaieteur News

Happy Arrival Day PPP Arrival Day 2020 Message PRESIDENT DAVID GRANGER The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends greetings to all Guyanese on the occasion of Arrival Day. This occasion is of great significance in commemorating the arrival of our ancestors who came to these shores from various parts of the world. They were brought here under harsh circumstances at various points in our history and laboured as they made this land their home. In the face of many adversities, they were resolute in their endeavours to preserve their culture, traditions and values, which gave birth to a culturallydiverse Guyana. Many of our fore-parents paid the ultimate price to ensure our freedoms as a people. Unfortunately, as we celebrate Arrival Day today, there are some who are attempting to deprive our people of their fundamental right to elect a government of their choice and erode our freedoms and democracy. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us as Guyanese to stave off any attempt to steal our rights and return us to the abyss of dictatorship. Despite these adversaries to democracy and freedom, our Party takes this opportunity to commend all those who have worked

steadfastly over the years and who continue to do so in the promotion of activities designed to foster and preserve our history, values and cultural traditions which have become shared; demonstrative of the strength in our diversity. As we observe Arrival Day, our Party urges reflection on the valiant efforts of all of our fore-parents so that we can continue to be inspired and to better contextualize the value of our gains. This will ensure that we remain determined to build upon our gains and that our country remains a place for all of its sons and daughters. Happy Arrival Day to all! PPP Arrival Day 2020 Message The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends greetings to all Guyanese on the occasion of Arrival Day. This occasion is of great significance in commemorating the arrival of our ancestors who came to these shores from various parts of the world. They were brought here under harsh circumstances at various points in our history and laboured as they made this land their home. In the face of many adversities, they were resolute in their endeavours to preserve their culture, traditions and values, which gave birth to a

culturally-diverse Guyana. Many of our fore-parents paid the ultimate price to ensure our freedoms as a people. Unfortunately, as we celebrate Arrival Day today, there are some who are attempting to deprive our people of their fundamental right to elect a government of their choice and erode our freedoms and democracy. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us as Guyanese to stave off any attempt to steal our rights and return us to the abyss of dictatorship. Despite these adversaries to democracy and freedom, our Party takes this opportunity to commend all those who have worked steadfastly over the years and who continue to do so in the promotion of activities designed to foster and preserve our history, values and cultural traditions which have become shared; demonstrative of the strength in our diversity. As we observe Arrival Day, our Party urges reflection on the valiant efforts of all of our foreparents so that we can continue to be inspired and to better contextualize the value of our gains. This will ensure that we remain determined to build upon our gains and that our country remains a place for all of its sons and daughters. Arrival Day Messages

THE PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS On the occasion of the 182nd Anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Guyana, the PNCR salutes all Guyanese of East Indian descent and those in the Diaspora who are celebrating this milestone in the nation’s historical calendar. The Party recognises the valuable contribution that our East Indian brothers and sisters have made to the development of our country and the shaping of the cultural tapestry of this nation. The PNCR, therefore,

salutes all our East Indian brothers and sisters on this special commemorative day. When the PNCR in the 1980’s inaugurated the concept of celebrating the arrival of the respective ethnic groups of this nation the intention was to deepen an understanding of the culture of these groups and so promote greater understanding and racial harmony as tools for nation building. The Party held at all times that such a course of action was absolutely

necessary for welding the nation into a single whole out of the various groups which emigrated here from the various continents of the world. As we reflect on this historical milestone, it is the wish of the PNCR that the occasion would be used to indulge ourselves in activities designed at forging and moulding a destiny of racial and cultural cohesion so necessary for building an economically strong and vibrant nation.

PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends greetings to all Guyanese on the occasion of Arrival Day. This occasion is of great significance in commemorating the arrival of our ancestors who came to these shores from various parts of the world. They were brought here under harsh circumstances at various points in our history and laboured as they made this land their home. In the face of many adversities, they were resolute in their endeavours to preserve their culture, traditions and values, which gave birth to a culturally-diverse Guyana. Many of our fore-parents paid the ultimate price to ensure our freedoms as a people. Unfortunately, as we celebrate Arrival Day today, there are some who are attempting to deprive our people of their fundamental right to elect a government of their choice and erode our freedoms

and democracy. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us as Guyanese to stave off any attempt to steal our rights and return us to the abyss of dictatorship. Despite these adversaries to democracy and freedom, our Party takes this opportunity to commend all those who have worked steadfastly over the years and who continue to do so in the promotion of activities designed to foster and preserve our history, values and cultural traditions which have become shared; demonstrative of the strength in our diversity. As we observe Arrival Day, our Party urges reflection on the valiant efforts of all of our fore-parents so that we can continue to be inspired and to better contextualize the value of our gains. This will ensure that we remain determined to build upon our gains and that our country remains a place for all of its sons and daughters. Happy Arrival Day to all!

Indian Arrival Day is celebrated each year on 5th May. The East Indians who arrived came largely from the Uttar Pradesh and Southern Indian regions of India. The first ship to arrive in British Guiana – Whitby – sailed from Calcutta (now Kolkata) on 13th January 1838 with 249 immigrants and, after a voyage of 112 days, landed on 5th May 1838. This began their indentureship experience. This year marks the 182nd anniversary of the arrival of Indians in our country. Nearly 240,000

Indians immigrated to British Guiana between 1838 and 1917 when indentured immigration ended. The majority of immigrants opted to remain and to make the country their home. Indian religious rituals, cuisine, customs and traditions enriched the country’s cultural mosaic. Indian enterprise diversified the local economy. Indian descendants ventured successfully into politics and were active in social organizations and in sport. Indians have achieved prominence in all aspects of national life. They cultivated

respectful relations with other races and, in so doing, fostered the development of a more cohesive nation. They are an integral part of the political system and, together with other ethnic groups, contributed to the evolution of Guyana’s demography, economy and society. Guyana pays tribute to the contribution of Indian indentured immigrants and their descendants. I extend best wishes to all Guyanese on the occasion of Indian Arrival Day. David Granger President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union As our country once again observes Arrival Day, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) takes the opportunity to extend greetings and best wishes to the people of Guyana. The observances always serve to remind us of the rich diversity and the unique multi-cultural composition of our nation. Indeed, it adds to the specialness of Guyana that people of different backgrounds can co-exist in harmony and unity as they all seek to improve their lives a goal linked to building our country which will surely augur well for the future generations. While Arrival Day – May 05 – though largely associated with the arrival of East Indians, the day reminds us of all indentured immigrants brought to our land. Our research advises us that outside of the East Indians, the Madeiran Portuguese came in May 1835, the Chinese in 1853, as well as a few other ethnicities during that phase of colonialism. We are aware that the colonialists brought also labourers from Malta, Ireland, Germany and England. Arrival Day also reminds us of the reasons for the

indentureship system. The then immigrants who replaced the emancipated slaves were made to toil in the fields of the sugar plantations to enrich the foreign owners of the plantations. Indentured labourers and their families were forced to exist in inhumane and atrocious conditions. And, like their compatriots, they were forced to engage in several struggles, which gave us several martyrs, in order to bring about small improvements and meagre benefits in their lives and work conditions. Today as we celebrate Arrival Day, the GAWU cannot fail to observe that the industry that occasioned our diversity is finding itself in difficult times. We are disheartened to note that the sugar industry, a large source of sustenance for thousands of Guyanese has been significantly minimised. For the workers and their families, the cane farmers, the shop owners, the market vendors, the bus drivers and others, their days are filled with hardship, misery and difficulty. Even worse, is that they have been left to fend for themselves as the powersthat-be have largely ignored their plight.

It is disturbing that, at this time, when our nation celebrates a day set aside to recognize the contributions of the indentured immigrants to our nation, that their heirs along with other fellow workers are forced to contend with harrowing circumstances arising from closure and the intended miniaturization of the sugar industry. It is especially disturbing for the Union that such thoughts were entertained especially when they were unnecessary. Sugar, we reiterate, has all possibilities of success but, among other things, requires the active and material support and confidence of the powers-that-be. As we celebrate Arrival Day, the GAWU urges all Guyanese to spare a moment to reflect on how far as a people we have come, the challenges we overcame, and the successes we have recorded. At this time, when we ought to looking to be reach new and higher plateaus we see concerted efforts that will very likely reverse much of the progress we have made and rightly can take pride in. Let us resist such efforts and get back on the development track. GAWU joins with all Guyana to celebrate Arrival Day.

THE ETHNIC RELATIONS COMMISSION The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) extends best wishes to all Guyanese on the observance of Arrival Day 2020, marking 100 years of the end of Indentureship.This Day, May 5, commemorates the profound historical period of Indentureship lasting from 1838 until 1920- the year that the British Parliament officially ended the contractual scheme to then British Guiana.

The ERC therefore, wishes to take the opportunity on this centennial milestone to reiterate the need for all to build together upon our gains and to continue robustly the process of fostering unity and harmony.Today, we celebrate the enrichment of diversity that Arrival Day embodies in the shaping of modern Guyana. Arrival Dayis most significant for what it represents in the context of

the multi-faceted mosaic it created and for which our country is known. Our hodgepodge of multiculturalism was as a result of the untold sacrifices, desires and steadfastness of our ancestors, to practice and preserve their rich and colourful cultural traditions, having come to this land from different parts of the world at different times in our history. In doing so individually (Continued on page 26)

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It serves feminism no good promoting weakness or openly encouraging wrongdoings DEAR EDITOR, I must start off by saying I generally do not read the state newspaper unless someone sends me a news item. Such was the case yesterday, May 04, 2020, when I was forwarded an article headlined ‘Enough is Enough’, a headline that incidentallyharkensbacktoaPNC campaign jingle. This article claims thatanadvertisementthatinmyview provides clear evidence of the chairwoman of GECOM, Ms. Claudette Singh’s attempt to undermine/derail a recount process, was “cowardly, nasty and misogynistic” – I say to these professional women, really? Where were these ‘professional’ women (Bullen, Seelochan, Ramotar) when three women from the Guyana Gold Board were daily, for almost a full month, attacked in the newspapers, slandered and stripped of their professional reputation for simply doing their jobs and what was required of them by law, to increase the gold declarations of this country – a declaration of 714,000 ounces of gold which to date has not been matched by the Gold Board? Where were these ‘professional’ women when three women were removed from their jobs because of two their names (Ramotar, Seelochan) and their perceived political affiliations? Why were these ‘professional’ women not lending support to these three women when the head of SOCU who headed the investigation against them was himself removed from office due to corruption? I will tell you where they were, they were nowhere because I dare say that the concept of professionalism has been eroded by the PNC in Guyana and those ‘professional’ women do not understand professionalism, they view the world through the prism of

politics. When it comes to issues of crime and corruption women are mostly not seen to perpetuate these acts so when a woman perpetuates a heinous crime the act is magnified. And what more heinous crime on democracy than rigged elections! Most people in my generation would have heard from their parents and read about rigged elections of the 70s and 80s in Guyana. Many people who lived through those rigged days suspected the PNC would resort to their old rigging ways, but many, including me dismissed those suspicions thinking that such cannot happen in our 21st Century Guyana – what a mistaken thought! Claudette Singh as the chairwoman of GECOM has had over 60 days to deliver to Guyanese a free and fair election process which includes a credible, fair and transparent tabulation process but to date, 63 days later she has not done so. Instead, under her chairmanship a few days after the March 2nd elections, and with cameras recording there was a fraudulent declaration of those elections using a spreadsheet. The courts subsequently ruled that the SOPs must be used to declare District 4 results yet under Claudette Singh’s chairmanship GECOM ignored a court ruling and attempted once again to declare the results based on the same spreadsheet. This caused protests from the Guyanese population and the international community. The Opposition leader Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and APNU/AFC’s Presidential Candidate Mr. David Granger attempted to save the election with an agreed CARICOM witnessed recount of votes, but under Claudette Singh’s chairmanship while she was reported to have undertaken such recount, with her commitment being bolstered by

a request of Mr. Granger, she dragged a simple recount decision process out putting up hurdles and to many she was perceived giving enough time for a PNC candidate to object to the recount. I will not even speak about the shame and embarrassment she has caused to decent minded Guyanese to have senior CARICOM officials wasting their time sitting around for almost one week awaiting for a recount to commence. As chairperson of GECOM Claudette Singh has voted against every resolution proposed by the PPP that would lend transparency to this elections process. The Mingo declarations have been rejected by the courts, yet Claudette Singh is not throwing out those declarations, instead they are held in abeyance. Now, we hear that a recount will commence on Wednesday May 6th. Thanks to her past conduct it will be very hard pressed to find any fair thinking Guyanese believing that the recount will actually begin on Wednesday. It serves feminism no good promoting weakness or openly encouraging wrongdoings of women. If a woman commits an act that is damaging to a society she must be roundly condemned because at the end of the day gender equality is done no favours when a wrong by a woman is given a free pass. It would have been heartening if those same women spoke up when my colleagues and I were, baselessly slander women to raise our collective voices for what is right and fair. Let us demand that the people’s voice will be heard. Let us demand that this recount be credible, free, fair and transparent, so that our people, women and men, can live in a society that upholds democracy and the rule of law. Yours faithfully, Lisaveta Ramotar

The Coalition must move early... From page 6 cheating. The far more important objective is to confirm its victory. And in that regard, the coalition must focus on a critical aspect of the recount. The process will not identify an election winner until extremely late or only at its very end. The coalition must not wait that long for the truth to be revealed. It must find a way to demonstrate far earlier in the process that GECOM’s previous numbers are credible (especially in Region 4) in terms of who won this election. The lesson learnt during the first attempt to tabulate the SOPs of Region 4 at Ashmin’s building should not be ignored. Although 421

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SOPs (48% of the total) easily passed muster, the subsequent disruptions of the process cast doubt on the eventual total tally and on the declared winner. The coalition must not permit any such disruption or derailment of the recount to prevent the legitimization of its victory. Even should there be no such trouble, it should not allow the opposition parties and critics to out-PR it as regards the trends and evidence in the early recount results. The coalition must pro-actively substantiate its claim of victory well before the final ballot boxes are opened. In particular, it has to show

that there was no inflation of its votes on the SOPs for Region 4. That the accusation of SOP tampering is a figment of the imagination of conspiracy theorists and the politically paranoid. To pursue this objective effectively, however, would require the release of its own or GECOM’s SOPs. Without a credible basis for comparison, I see no other way for the coalition to make its case early and thus avoid the severe risk of waiting on GECOM to complete the entire recount sometime in June or July. The coalition must know that others will not wait. Yours faithfully, Sherwood Lowe

Our workers deserve better! DEAR EDITOR, During this crisis we must all continue to celebrate the importance of our workers and acknowledge the difficulties that they face in today’s environment. Our unions must continue to be strengthened and the NIS must be financially reinforced to support the future and current needs of those who make the development of Guyana possible. Over the years we have seen the disregard for many of our workers’ needs in terms of safety, wages, benefits and secure employment. Many of these actions have led to strikes in the recent past. It is for this reason CRG joins with our workers for the call for a better labour market and working environment that is not only safe, but also sustainable. A working environment that safeguards the health of our workers, by placing their lives above profits. A labour market that places the worker’s family above personal government officials’ perks. CRG believes that the time has come for both industry and the government to increase its sensitivity to the needs of our workers and trust in the development of human resources. No nation’s future can be secured without placing the future and job security of its working people as a top priority when making decisions on its future course. We h a v e s e e n t h e downfall of our sugar industry and lack of concern for the sugar workers and their families while leaders pursue personal gain via the privatization of estates. We have seen the unsafe working conditions within our Gold Mining Industry

and the deaths of workers due to mercury poisoning being swept under the rug. We h a v e s e e n t h e disregard for the safety of our indigenous communities due to manganese mining which has also led to the death of workers. This also they have tried to sweep under the rug. Our workers lives should not be neglected while pursuing profitable growth. We have seen the disregard for our bauxite workers and the continual unhealthy conditions their families endure that have led to many kidney issues. We have seen our teachers continue to struggle to make ends meet while enduring an unsafe work environment that has left a number of them experiencing assault while in the classroom. We h a v e s e e n t h e workers in the rice industry suffer unnecessarily due to poor administrative decisions that have increased expenses. We have seen the increased taxation of our workers at a time when tax breaks were needed. This has led to one of the most unfavourable labour markets our country has seen in decades. For these reasons and given the current pandemic, CRG calls upon all the decision makers in government to stand with the workers and request a repeal of the tax increases of the recent past and request the implementation of a worker retention programme that redevelops our core industries while ensuring the basic safety considerations and compensation benefits provided to our workers are standard across all

industries. Our workers should be confident that when they leave for work in the morning they will safely return home in the same healthy conditions in which they left. Our workers should be confident that when they enter a job that their work will benefit the profitable longevity of the company they have joined without risk of inappropriate government interference or government pillaging of the company’s profits. Our workers should be confident that when they work in our Cooperative Republic that they have the security of a benefits package that takes into consideration their health, the health of their families and their financial security for today as well as tomorrow when they have retired, regardless of which company or industry they pursue. Our workers should be confident that when they receive their pay that most of their earnings will go into their pockets and not be taken from them in the form of excessive taxation which is squandered via corruption. Our workers must be respected by our institutions and our government must adjust its posture to embrace and empower our workers for the future benefit of the development of Our Nation. It is with this hope that CRG joins with Our Nation’s workers in a call for a better approach to the treatment of all Guyanese workers during and beyond the next Administration. Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

...THE ETHNIC RELATIONS COMMISSION From page 23 through the various ethnic groups, sharing and participation in each other’straditionsforged our dear nation to become multiethnic, multi-religious and multicultural.That is evident as all participate meaningfully in each other’s festivities which have transcended religious and ethnic boundaries to become truly national observances. Over time, that rich, beautiful and vibrant diversity has become our strength and the common bond in the process of becoming one people in this our nation working towards a common destiny.While there have been challenges along the way, our Guyanese brothers and sisters have

always found ways to foster togetherness through tolerance and respect. Herein lies the desire of all of our people for harmony and unity to be strengthened and for it to continue to prevail across this land that is home to all. This is imperative in the interest of our nation and all its peoples so that our diversity must never be made a tool for division but one that will continue to reflect our strength and bonds of togetherness.May 5 also marks the anniversary of the arrival of our East Indian ancestors who reached these shores on that day in 1838 while two days ago on May 3, Portuguese Arrival Day was observed. The colourful commemorative events

across the country will once again serve to bring our people together, allowing opportunities to not only participate, but for the continuation of that important process of educating for a better understanding and appreciation of our cultural traditions. This builds tolerance which is the bedrock of harmony and unity as we strive for one people out of many cultures. As Guyanese record another milestone amidst the difficult and threatening COVID-19 crisis, the ERC nevertheless emphasizes the importance of continuing to observe all the necessary precautions and regulations.Happy Arrival Day to all Guyanese here and in the Diaspora!

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‘Shocked’ US women stars to appeal equal pay defeat

The US women’s soccer team plans to file an appeal against a judge’s ruling in their equal pay lawsuit. (AFP/File/Lionel Bonaventure)

Tuesday May 05, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You’ve always had psychic ability, and today it’s at a peak. Perhaps not coincidentally, you’re likely to be contacted by a close friend or lover from your past. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Prosperity is just around the corner, Taurus, if it isn’t here already. All your efforts are about to pay off and in a big way.It may be that a big proposal gets accepted at work. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) There is passion in the air and you’re convinced that you’re the one electrifying the air around you. To be blunt, you can think of little else but sex today. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You have an innate psychic ability that only needs some fine-tuning and strengthening for it to develop into a formidable power. Even now you sometimes find yourself reading other people's thoughts. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You surprise yourself by signing up for a group lesson rather than a private one. This is unlike you; nevertheless, you find you enjoy the social interaction. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You’ve been working especially hard and you’re beginning to wonder if all your effort has been for naught. A restructuring at work leaves you wondering just exactly where you fit in or if you even fit in at all.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You’re bubbling over with confidence and enthusiasm, Libra. Not surprisingly, those around you respond in kind. Your smile is contagious, and you have people joking and laughing with you throughout the day. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your natural intuition and sensitivity will be heightened today, Scorpio. You’re able to read the thoughts and feelings of others and interpret them accurately. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A new relationship is likely to form soon, and it will probably be with someone who’s already in your life. Perhaps it’s someone you knew in high school and you just recently got back in touch with. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your head is somewhat in the clouds today, Capricorn. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it just means that it’s difficult for you to get any work done. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your heart and intuition will rule today much more than your mind. Trust what your instincts tell you. If you’re in a sales profession, you can expect the orders to come rolling in today PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your creative nature will no longer be repressed. As you look around your home, you realize you feel the need to spruce it up a bit.

AFP - Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan said the US women’s national team will appeal against defeat in their equal pay lawsuit yesterday, describing the judge’s ruling in the case as “shocking”. In a widely unexpected decision on Friday, Judge Gary Klausner rejected the US women’s claim of pay discrimination, finding in favour of the United States Soccer Federation. Although the judge said claims of gender discrimination in areas such as travel, housing and medical support could proceed to trial, the equal pay part of the lawsuit — the central plank of the women’s case — had been dismissed. Speaking on ABC television’s Good Morning America program on Monday, Rapinoe and Morgan voiced dismay at the outcome but pledged to fight on. “We were just shocked,” Morgan said. “This decision was out of left field for us. I think for both sides it was very unexpected. We will definitely be appealing and moving forward. “If anyone knows anything about the heart of this team, we are fighters and we will continue to fight

FA faces ‘worst-case... From page 30 rights to the FA Cup and England matches, of 262.6 million. “The reality is that we just don’t know how things are going to pan out, but with social distancing in place for some time to come we do face substantial changes to the whole football ecosystem,” said Clarke. “For example it’s hard to foresee crowds of fans, who are the lifeblood of the game, returning to matches any time soon.”

F1 agrees $145 million... From page 31 cars would definitely be coming for 2022, despite some teams pushing for another year’s delay. “Initiatives we are bringing with these new regulations are to make the sport more economically viable in terms of the complexity,” he said. “The cars we have now are so complex that the more you spend, the quicker you will go. We need to level off that slope and create a situation where money is not the only criteria for how competitive you’ll be.”

together for this.” In dismissing the equal pay claim, Judge Klausner said the case was unwarranted because there was evidence the women had previously turned down an offer in the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations to be paid along the lines of the US men’s team. However Rapinoe challenged that part of the judge’s decision. “The men’s contract was never offered to us and certainly not the same amount of money,” Rapinoe said. “I think so many women can understand what this feeling is of going into a negotiation, knowing equal pay is not on the table, knowing anywhere close to your male counterparts is not even on the table.” Rapinoe also said the fact that the women had earned more than the US men during the period where pay discrimination was alleged

was also misleading. In the period in question, the women’s team played 111 games and earned $24.5 million. The men played 87 games and made $18.5 million. The men’s figure however would likely have been substantially higher had they qualified for the 2018 World Cup. “If we were under the men’s contract, we would be making three times more,” Rapinoe said. “So you can look at the total compensation. In that time that we’ve made just a little bit more, we’ve won two World Cups and we’ve won just about every single game that we’ve played in. “So the rate of pay is just so different. It’s just so frustrating.” The US women, who clinched back-to-back World Cup wins with victory at last year’s finals in France, had been seeking back pay of $66 million under the US Equal Pay Act.

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Haiti FA president accused of sexually abusing young female footballers - Jean-Bart denies all allegations made against him

The national training centre at Croix-des-Bouquets, in a suburb of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. (Photograph: @cxdesbouquets/Twitter) The Guardian - The president of the Haitian football federation has been accused of sexually abusing young female footballers at the country’s national training centre. Yves Jean-Bart, known as “Dadou”, the president of the Fédération Haïtienne De Football (FHF) since 2000, denies accusations that he coerced several players at the Centre Technique National in Croix-des-Bouquets into having sex. The alleged incidents are understood to have taken place within the last five years. The claims have been made to the Guardian by numerous sources involved with the centre, including alleged victims and their families. “There is a lady who works there who puts pressure on the girls to have sex with Dadou,” one alleged victim told the Guardian. “He will see a nice girl who is attractive and he sends the lady to tell her that she is going to be thrown out of the centre. She starts crying and then the lady says: ‘The only way to resolve this is to speak to Dadou.’ At that moment, the young girl has no choice

but to put up with the sexual abuse.” Jean-Bart said there had “never been any complaint against the federation, nor against the staff engaged in our academy, nor against my person. This kind of practice of sexual abuse is almost impossible in our camp centre given the physical structures, the principles of education and continuous awareness that we have put in place.” He said the allegations were “clearly a manoeuvre to destabilise the FHF, the character of the president and his family”. According to sources in Haiti, several players who have now left the centre were coerced by Jean-Bart into having sex with him, including one who was forced to have an abortion. “She was put under pressure not to talk,” a former player at the centre said. “Another of our best young players lost her virginity to Dadou when she was 17 in 2018 and also had to abort. These girls who live at the Fifa centre … it’s such a shame because they want to play for the country but if they speak about this situation they will be fired. They are

hostages.” Jean-Bart said: “I would not encourage such practices in Haitian football, much less in the centre which is under my responsibility. If there were such cases, I would encourage the victims to file a complaint with the federation and the judicial authorities of the country. We are ready, at the level of the federation, to support them.” Another player, one of Haiti’s rising stars who plays professionally, has claimed that a friend of Dadou tried to rape her when she was living at the centre, in a suburb of the country’s capital, Port-auPrince. “She managed to get away from him and her parents know the situation,” said another source who is close to the player’s family. ”But Dadou has tried everything to keep it quiet.” Another alleged victim said: “I’m so afraid. Dadou Jean-Bart is a very dangerous person. There are a lot of people who want to talk but they’re so afraid, especially for the parents who are still in Haiti.” In reply, Jean-Bart said: “To date, in women’s football in Haiti, where there are

generations of players who are now 50 or 60 years old, there has never been, to my knowledge, even suspicions of this kind. Personally I am and I have been a non-violent man. I don’t understand how someone can make me look like an executioner to the point where families would feel intimidated by me.” The FHF said that it took ”such serious allegations very seriously. To date, we have never received any complaints to this effect.” It added: “Our project is first of all a human project which aims to change the future of young people, to roll back the exclusion through play even if we know that in this country and even in the world some spirits are always at war against the beautiful and the good.” Players usually move to the centre when they are teenagers, often rescued from a life on the streets. Funded by Fifa’s “Goal” programme to support football development, the centre was described as an opportunity to “level the international playing field” by the former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner when established in 2001. Haiti’s men’s team confounded expectations by reaching the semi-finals of last year’s Concacaf Gold Cup, but several witnesses have alleged to the Guardian the facility is in a dilapidated state after years of neglect despite having received up to $6m from Fifa’s “Forward” programme since 2016. “The last time I set foot there, I wanted to vomit,” said a coach who used to work there regularly. “It is despicable. Ten kids sleep in every room, there are no sheets, no clean toilets. It’s unimaginable. Where did the money go? The federation received millions, and they didn’t even buy sheets.” The coach added: “This centre is a nightmare. Fifa’s inspectors came, we thought they were going to say something, but it didn’t happen. It’s impossible. How

Yves Jean-Bart speaking at the Fifa Congress in Brazil in June 2014. (Photograph: Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images) can they say nothing? The young people have no medical monitoring, they eat the same thing every day – rice, pasta, bananas, chicken – drink water that you wouldn’t ever drink and in the meantime the FA officials have their own doctor and organise banquets. It is obscene.” In response to the allegations of neglect, the FHF’s statement provided a list of new facilities that have been built at the centre, including an air-conditioned apartment block for senior players. “These are modern and more than decent facilities and all our foreign visitors come out amazed by the beauty of the place and the efforts made by our young people and our managers to keep it very correct,” it said. “We are making a lot of effort to increase the self-esteem of our young people and their supervisors, otherwise they would not have been able to achieve such beautiful feats in the face of the countries of America and the Caribbean, clothing and other needs all year round.” A Fifa spokesman said the FHF was asked about allegations of sexual abuse at the centre following questions by the Guardian. The Fifa spokesman said the questions were raised by a member of staff from the office of Véron Mosengo-Omba, Fifa’s chief member associations officer. “Fifa was in contact recently with the Haiti Football Association as part of a general round of contacts with Fifa’s 211 member associations in relation to the current coronavirus pandemic,” said the Fifa spokesman. “The purpose of the call was to inquire about

the situation of Haitian football as a consequence of the pandemic. During the conversation, the Fifa representative raised concern about alleged sexual abuses in Haiti and pointed to the dedicated programme and toolkit for member associations – Fifa Guardians – designed to enhance child safeguarding standards within football.” Jean-Bart received a message of congratulations from Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, when re-elected as president of the FHF for the sixth time in February. Fifa told the Guardian the FHF had yet to fall in line with its statutes which recommend federation presidents serve a maximum of three terms. “As is currently the case with member associations in other regions around the world, Fifa is in contact with the FHF with a view to review their statutes and incorporating inter-alia good governance standards, including termlimits.” In response to the allegations of neglect and misuse of funds at the centre, Fifa told the Guardian it is “in discussion with the FHF about the improvements being made at the technical centre. In particular, we have noted that overall conditions and facilities at the centre have improved as a result of funding provided through the Fifa Forward programme and will continue to work with the FHF to ensure the right conditions and football infrastructure are provided for players at the centre. “Fifa has put in place several measures to monitor and oversee the proper use of funds by confederations and member associations.”

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Sudesh Dhaniram scored the last Shell Shield ton - Says Marshall fastest bowler he faced By Sean Devers Born on January 14, 1967 in Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, 53 yearold right-handed Guyana and West Indies ‘B’ team opener Sudesh Dhaniram played the first of 46 FirstClass matches for Berbice in 1986 in the Guystac Trophy final against Demerara. He made 2,040 runs with a highest score of 131 with four centuries all made for Guyana in the 37 First-Class games he played for his Country. Dhaniram also has eight fifties at First-Class level. When he scored two back-to-back centuries against Barbados and the Leewards in his first Regional season in 1987, at an average of 78.66, the classy 20-year-old looked good enough to join his great predecessors from Port Mourant (Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher and Joe Solomon) the three batsmen among the six Test players produced by Corentyne Club, to play at the highest level. In 1989 he scored five First-Class fifties and averaged 41.22 with a highest score of 93 and 75 against the Indian touring team for the West Indies U23 team, while he scored a century and a fifty in the 1993 First-Class season at an average of 43.42. Despite scoring his fourth and final century in 1995 that would the last time he would play First-Class cricket. He would migrate to USA shortly after that and explained why he made that move.

Sudesh Dhaniram at work in NY. “After I was badly treated by the Guyana Cricket Board and was kicked out, there was nothing left for me there. At that time, I was only 29 and still very young with so much more to give. Plus, I was now a family man and needed to care for the wellbeing of my family,” said Dhaniram, who scored two half centuries in 37 List ‘A’ games in a career which lasted between 1987 to 1996 before making his T20 debut for the USA in 2010 when he played three matches in the ICC T20 Qualifiers in Abu Dhabi. The stylish Dhaniram attended the Albion Primary school where he first developed an interest in cricket. “While growing up I watched my father and uncle play club cricket which inspired and motivated me to pursue my career in the field. Growing up back home as a little boy we literally went to bed and woke up in the morning just thinking about cricket,” said Dhaniram. Dhaniram, who represented Berbice U-19, Guyana and West Indies U19s, Guyana, West Indies U23, West Indies ‘B’ and USA,

played for Albion and Port Mourant in Berbice and GCC and GDF club in Georgetown in local club cricket. Dhaniram, who along with younger brother Sunil played First-Class cricket together in 1993, made his U-19 debut for Berbice against Essequibo in 1982 and made 98 and an unbeaten 104. In those days, no U-19 limited overs games were played. In fact, it was not until the washed out 1998 regional U-19 three-day tournament in Trinidad, that a 50-over tournament was played to give the youngsters some cricket. “In 1983 I scored my highest score for Guyana at the U-19 level when I made 170 against Barbados. Back then the standard was very high and very competitive with players like Carl Hooper dominating in 1985 when we won at home,” said Dhaniram, who represented Guyana at youth level from 1983 to 1986. His highest First-Class score was the last ever century scored in the Shell Shield Championship and Dhaniram said that match brought back lots of good memories. “My most memorable moment while playing for Guyana was in 1987 when I made my second Shell Shield century, 131 against Leeward Island in the final. I think I was the last person to score a Shell Shield 100 because Red Stripe took over as sponsors afterwards in 1988. So, it definitely was a memorable moment for me,” said Dhaniram who had

Sudesh Dhaniram was dismissed for 102 against B’dos at Bourda in 1987.

scored his maiden century, an even hundred, that season against Barbados at Bourda. He said it was very difficult to get into the West Indies team as an opening batsman since there was a lot of good opening batsman at that time. “I think my biggest challenge as an opener was staying injured free and being very consistent,” informed the Berbician, who bowled decent off-spin. “Playing for the West Indies B team was a tremendous experience. I had a good series with an aggregate of 228 against young Zimbabwe. In 1989 just before I went to Zimbabwe, I made 75 against the Indian touring team for the West Indies under 23,” disclosed Dhaniram who stated that Malcolm Marshall was the fastest bowler he had ever faced. “I just really enjoyed

being apart and playing with a great bunch of guys. Now, most players go where the money is. It’s no longer the same as how it was in the 80’s. Now cricket is more like a business and commercialized, back then it was more for the love of the game,” informed Dhaniram. Dhaniram was easy on the eyes and a ‘caresser’ of the ball, especially past cover all along the ground. “I loved playing four-day cricket, I love batting for long hours and days,” Dhaniram explained. In 2010 Dhaniram, who was among the runs on the matting tracks in the USA for many seasons, finally joined several former Guyanese First-Class players to make their International debut for America when he played three matches in the ICC T20 Qualifiers in Abu Dhabi. In that team were fellow Guyanese players Ex-USA

skipper Steve Massiah, Lennox Cush and Kevin Darlington. “In 2010 I was 43 years old and was getting on in age. Plus, it was time to make room for younger players,” he added. “I love T20 cricket but my style is more suited to the longer version of the game,” said Dhaniram, who this year was selected for an ‘unofficial’ West Indies over-50 side to play in the second edition of over-50 World Cup. “I was approached by Raj Singh. It was a good trip unfortunately due to the corona virus the tournament was cancelled. However, they’re planning on having another over-50 World Cup in March 2021 and the West Indies team has been invited once again,” said Dhaniram who is employed as an appliance technician supervisor at Best Buy in New York.

St. Margaret’s Scout Group/Hand in Hand Group make donation during COVID-19

The hampers provided by the St. Margaret’s Scout Group and Hand in Hand Group of Companies.

A scout is a friend to all and one of their mandates is service to the community. Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need to assist our communities has never been greater. In April 2020, the St. Margaret’s Scout Group partnered with Hand in Hand Group of Companies to donate food hampers and cleaning supplies to various underprivileged areas. It is with great pride that Hand in Hand Group of Companies embarked on this project to fulfill its corporate and social responsibilities, a release from the two bodies informed. Approximately 170 hampers were packaged and distributed in several communities across Georgetown and Berbice. Significant contributions

were also made to the Dharamshala, located near the Canje Bridge, and Camal’s Home for homeless children and battered women, which is located in Albion, Berbice. The distribution team ensured that the necessary safety precautions were adhered to at all times during their endeavor. Both St. Margaret’s Scout Group and Hand in Hand Group of Companies would like to express their sincere gratitude to all who dedicated their efforts throughout this generous project. Let us continue to maintain social distancing and exercise proper hygienic practices as we collectively fight against COVID-19, the release noted.

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday May 05, 2020

Double hands Joseph “Orlando Cup 3 can still play,” Sadeo share of Gulfstream lead

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ALLANDALE B E A C H , Florida, CMC – Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr continued to make waves at the renowned Gulfstream Park by recording two wins on Saturday’s 12-race card, to grab a share of the lead in the standings. The 33-year-old opened his account in race six when 5-2 favourite Loriloupies beat the three-year-old fillies, and he followed up in race eight as 3-1 choice Overdeliver got the better of the four-year-olds and upward. Joseph has nine wins for the season, alongside the experienced Todd Pletcher, with Juan Alvarado one back in third on eight wins. With a disappointing second-last finish in his only previous race in the day’s c u r t a i n - r a i s e r, J o s e p h reached the winners’ enclosure when jockey Emisael Jaramillo carried roan filly Loriloupies to a smashing nine-length victory. Going six furlongs in the US$33,000 claiming, 4-1 bet Sweetheart Deal and 13-1 both broke quickly to pull

Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. the field through a sharp 22.61 seconds for the quarter, with Jaramillo bringing Loriloupies up to join the leaders approaching the turn. The Joseph-trained filly snatched the lead passing the five-sixteenth pole and then dominated the stretch run to reach the wire without a challenger, in a time of one minute, 11.01 seconds. Joseph returned to the winners’ circle courtesy of four-year-old chestnut gelding Overdeliver who brushed aside his rivals by 2¼ lengths in a mile trip. Jockey Irad Ortiz, the multiple-time Breeders Cup

winner, raced Overdeliver off the pace early as Gump and Just For One Day disputed the lead in splits of 23.17 seconds for the quarter and 45.76 for the half. Beau Luminarie tracked from third with Cool Bobby chasing from fourth, and Overdeliver nicely placed along the rails. Beau Luminarie came away from the backstretch with a two-length lead into the lane as the early leaders faded but Ortiz produced a driving finish with Overdeliver in the middle of the track to reach the wire first in a time of 1:35.28.

FA faces ‘worst-case scenario’ of 300 million pounds deficit over four years General view of match balls on the pitch before the match Southampton v Aston Villa - St Mary’s Stadium. (Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs)

Chairman of the Board of Directors for Orlando Softball Cricket League (OSCL) Rajendra Sadeo is very optimistic the Orlando Cup 3 can still be played at a reschedule date once things get back to normal sooner rather than later. The three-day tournament which was set to bowl off in mid-March in Orlando, USA, has been called off owing to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. According to the former Guyana Under-19 cricketer Sadeo, 24 teams had already signed up to participate in this mega softball extravaganza but he is confident the actions could prevail even as late as June/July time. “I [am] certainly optimistic the tournament can play once we see a change and all the airports are open back and things get back to normal; obviously, it looks doubtful with the steady spread but at the same time we have to expect that life will return to normalcy,” Sadeo explained. In 2018 when the tournament was held at the aforementioned venue, Regal X1 of Guyana emerged victorious in the All-Star Category, while Guyana Floodlights came up triumphant in the Over-45 Division and Orlando with the Over-50 trophy. “Like the two previous years, we have seen tremendous successes and with our team at the OSCL ready and raring to go again in running off a softball tournament of this magnitude, we were very

Rajendra Sadeo excited to have teams from Florida, New York, Guyana and Canada taking part once again but the world at a standstill and we are waiting patiently to see what happens,” Sadeo, who plays for Venom Cricket Club in Orlando, stated. Notably, there are other experienced softball players from Guyana play for Venom on an annual basis including Leonard Harprashad. Meanwhile, the Berbician Sadeo, who recently represented debutant West Indies at the Over-50, 50-over World Cup tournament in South Africa, took the opportunity to say that it was a great “privilege” to represent the team at the global event. However, the tournament was also affected due to the devastation of GOVID-19. West Indies was placed in Group B and already suffered two defeats at the hands of New Zealand and defending champions Australia while they were engaging with Canada when proceedings were halted. “It was a privilege to play for West Indies in a World Cup tournament; it was

turning out to be a great experience but things just changed around because of the virus; all our players were very thrilled to be a part of the actions too and it was very competitive cricket as well,” Sadeo revealed. Sadeo also stated that he is enjoying his game in North America having started out with hardball but now he is heavily involved with softball. He is delighted also to be an administrator reflecting on when his cricketing careers began back home. He represented Port Mourant Cricket Club and was ecstatic to play among several players who went on to feature for Guyana at various levels. Some of those names are: Sudesh and Sunil Dhaniram, Andrew Gonsalves, Arjune Nandu, David Fingal, Mahendra and Vishaul Nagamootoo and Andre Percival. Sadeo, who had a career best of score of 226 not out at local cricket in his native country, is appealing to everyone to stay safe and would be anxious to have Orlando Cup 3 bowling off this year.

Coronavirus: 10 positive results from top two flights in Germany LONDON (Reuters) The English Football Association (FA) plans to slash its annual budget by 75 million pounds ($93.20 million) to tackle a possible deficit of 300 million pounds over the next four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chairman Greg Clarke also warned FA Council members in a letter published on the governing body’s website that it would be some time before fans were allowed to attend matches again. “The Board has agreed that a sensible cut to the annual budget is 75 million

pounds,” he said. “In a worst-case scenario, this would be necessary for the next four years to offset a 300 million pounds deficit. “Clearly that will impact many of our plans as every area of the game will be touched and projects that we all value will be affected. There is no other way and I ask for all of you to help us to build this revised plan.” The Council is next due to meet on May 21. Professional soccer has been suspended since midMarch due to the new coronavirus pandemic

which has killed nearly 28,500 people in Britain. Premier League clubs held a conference call on Friday in which they looked at plans for a resumption of training later in May followed by a possible return to competitive action behind closed doors in June. Events held at Wembley Stadium in 2018-19 generated income of 70.6 million pounds out of the FA’s total turnover of 467 million. T h e FA a l s o h a d broadcast income, from domestic and international (Continued on page 27)

BBC Sport - Clubs in the top two German divisions have returned 10 positive results from 1,724 coronavirus tests, says the German football league. Clubs have been training in groups, with the tests taken before a planned return to training as teams.Measures including “the isolation of the affected person” have been taken, said the DFL. Top-flight side Cologne have had no further Covid-19 infections after three people tested positive last week. The trio are “symptom-free” but remain in quarantine for 14 days, said the club. The Bundesliga is set to become the first major football league in Europe to return to competition. Officials suggested resuming on 9 May but the government delayed the decision and a restart may now be on 16 or 23 May. Cologne said in a statement that “only

players who have been tested negatively twice in succession are allowed to train and play”. The DFL added: “A second wave of tests will be carried out this week - here too there may be isolated positive test results, especially since one of the tasks of this second round is to reduce the likelihood of ‘false negative’ findings that can never be completely ruled out.” Last week, chancellor Angela Merkel said that any decision on if and when sports activities could resume would be taken on Wednesday, 6 May. The league has been suspended since mid-March because of the global coronavirus pandemic. The DFL has warned that many topdivision teams will be in an “existencethreatening” financial position if play does not resume by June.

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Tuesday May 05, 2020

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Crowds, not teams, the big issue - Australian sports minister on men’s T20 World Cup

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SPNcricinfo The fate of the men’s T20 World Cup in Australia, slated for later this year, could yet come down to the likely absence of crowds rather than the challenge of getting teams into the country. The shape of the 2020-21 season in Australia remains in significant doubt, but there have been a few positive indications in recent days that the scheduled cricket may yet be able to take place with Australia being one of the countries managing to effectively tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. The strongest indications revolve around the visit by India - the cancellation of which could cost Cricket Australia A$300 million [US$192 million approx.] but there also remains a chance of the T20 World Cup still happening. At its recent meetings, the ICC said that preparations were still on for the 16-team tournament due to start on October 18 with a final decision not expected to be taken until August. Discussions continue between CA and the federal government about what needs to be put in place for international cricket to take place later in the year, and on Friday the Australian Institute of Sport published a framework for the return of sport at all levels in the

The Australia v New Zealand ODI on March 13 was played to empty stands at the SCG. (Getty Images)- Australian sports minister, Richard Colbeck country. While a bilateral series has huge logistical and biosecurity challenges to overcome in the current climate - the first indication of how they are tackled could come in the English season they are multiplied many times over for a 16-team world event, some from countries severely hit by the pandemic. However, the Australian government sports minister, Richard Colbeck, believes a solution could be possible, meaning a decision would need to be made about the value of a global event behind closed doors. “I’d love to see an Australia-India Test series this summer and I’d really like to be able to see the World Cup go ahead, but that will be quite a complex

protocol to bring that number of countries in from around the world,” Colbeck told SEN Radio. “The issue [for the World Cup] is not so much the teams as the crowds and that’s probably one of the hurdles we really have to consider and probably one that world cricket will look at pretty closely as well. “ We a l l k n o w t h e difference in atmosphere when you see a filled stadium verses one that’s empty… they will be some o f t h e b r o a d e r considerations, but in a team sense I’d like to think that we can build some protocols with the cooperation of the sport and the players, that’s going to be extremely important, with appropriate quarantine and bio-security protocols to see if we can

make the competition go ahead.” In one of the first signs in sport that the overall situation is improving in Australia, the Warriors rugby team from New Zealand arrived in Tamworth, New South Wales, on Sunday to prepare for the resumption of the NRL later this month. However, New Zealand has also had significant success tackling Covid-19, to the extent that the country recorded zero new cases on Monday. Expanding travel exemptions to a wider spread of nations would need to be a careful process. “Those conversations are being had, discussions about what the protocols might look like,” Colbeck said. “They will be difficult because one of the things that

has been a key part of our success is that we limited access to Australia from areas where there were significant outbreaks of C o v i d - 1 9 a n d t h a t ’s contributed to the low rate of spread we have now. But we would have to be prepared to consider appropriate plans put forward by the various codes.” Asked more broadly about crowds returning to sports events when socialdistancing regulations are eased, Colbeck said it was hugely reliant on being able to trace possible cases. “Our capacity to be able to open up sport to crowds and all those sorts of things is going to be really dependent on our capacity to track and trace then quarantine community spread.” A us tralia and N ew

Zealand played an ODI behind closed doors at the SCG in March shortly before restrictions were ramped up. Players have spoken about how it was a strange experience, but are confident that it would not detract from the spectacle if it meant a chance to resume the sport. “If this is the case and we have to play behind closed doors, the more and more that happens we’ll get more used to it and understand it,” Marnus Labuschagne said. “I don’t think it takes anything away from the actual game. For us it’s just about being ready and making sure that we’re ready to make any sacrifices that we can to get cricket back on TV and cricketers back out there playing.”

F1 agrees $145 million cap for teams in 2021, says Brawn Action in the early part of the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix. (Formula One)

LONDON (Reuters) Formula One has agreed a $145 million budget cap for teams next year and will continue to try and tighten that for future seasons, managing director Ross Brawn said yesterday. The Briton also told Sky Sports television after a teleconference with teams and the governing FIA that a much fairer prize fund would feature in a new commercial agreement due by the end of this year. “The budget cap initial objectives were a more competitive field and I think with the situation we have now the sustainability, the economic sustainability, of

Formula One is a priority,” said Brawn. “That counts as much for the big teams as it does for the small teams.” Formula One’s season has yet to start, with the first 10 races postponed or cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic. A major rewrite of the technical regulations has been delayed to 2022, with teams carrying over this year’s cars to 2021. The budget cap had been set initially at $175 million but some teams had wanted a more drastic limit closer to $100 million to ensure the sport survives the crisis. Ferrari, the oldest and

most successful constructor, had opposed any reduction below $145 million. The cap does not include drivers’ salaries, with Britain’s six times world champion Lewis Hamilton on an estimated $35 million a year at Mercedes. “The message is clear we’ve got to cut costs,” said Brawn. “We started at $175 (million), that was a long battle to get it there, and with the current crisis we are now going to start at 145 and the discussion really is how much further down we can drive the next few years.” Brawn said the new-look (Continued on page 27)

Sudesh Dhaniram scored the last Shell Shield ton

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- Says Marshall fastest bowler he faced

The hampers provided by the St. Margaret’s Scout Group and Hand in Hand Group of Companies.

St. Margaret’s Scout Group/Hand in Hand Group make donation during COVID-19

Ex Guyana and-USA opener Sudesh Dhaniram bats for West Indies in over-50 World Cup.

Coronavirus: 10 positive results from top two flights in Germany

Clubs in Germany have been training in groups and observing social distancing guidelines. (Getty Images)

Haiti FA president accused “Orlando Cup of sexually abusing young 3 can still play,” Sadeo female footballers ·Jean-Bart denies all allegations made against him

Rajendra Sadeo

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