PAGE 4
Kaieteur News
Sunday May 24, 2020
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
Corruption: Are we doing anything about it anymore? The better question is this: Do we care anymore to do anything about it? And still better, do those who have a constitutional mandate to investigate reports and gather evidence, to institute charges and prosecute those so accused have the interest and will to deliver what is so urgently required? Why is such a gaping hole in so many segments of governance still largely untouched in this society? Why is it that even when the national costs and disgraces continue to mount, there is no determination to forge ahead in the required manner? The problem with most of those questions is that they prompt yet more questions, the chief of which is this: Are they-the probers and hearers of facts-clean enough to be genuinely committed enough to go after the national corruption industry, wherever it leads, and regardless of who is involved? Do we have the political will, the political cleanliness to move after those who wound this land? Going after wherever corruption leads is like looking for sand on the seashore: it is that plentiful in dirty Guyana, but the problem is that those going after the cheaters and stealers become so transformed by their targets that they become indistinguishable from them, and impotent to address the needs of this society. The real issue, the heart of the corruption problem in this country, is that it is all over and the so-called ‘big fish’ go exceedingly high. They have a lot of power, and those who do not have such power do not suffer from any deficiency, as they have more than enough money power to make good things happen. That is, good for them, and good also for those on the receiving end of their rich bargaining for the pass of looking the other way, or pretending not to find anything after all the digging, or of making certain positive outcomes possible in a difficult situation. They make for role models worthy of imitation. Here it is that there is official knowledge, and endless street intelligence, of corrupt public servants, corrupt political people and across the board, corrupt documentations (GECOM, as the latest example, corrupt process (GECOM again), corrupt participants (still with GECOM). Reputations have been soiled, some ruined. On this, we hasten to govern and build but we continue as usual. Amidst all of this, we still wonder how and why that we have such a corrupt and fraudulent electoral process. The irony is that some of the same people crying the loudest of a corrupted electoral process themselves flourished from the lavish benefits of corrupt practices in other fields for many long years. The Auditor General furnished some general information that confirms the standards and practices that are part of the professional and cultural norms of this country. On Thursday last, one of our front-page captions was “Guyana’s poor systems spell disaster for oil money” (KN May 21). There is that seductive word (money) that never fails to drain any principled resistance out of numerous Guyanese. It is also a reflection of how poor our systems which are aimed at risk management controls are adhered to currently and have been for the longest time. The article spoke of an era of poor systems for governance, procurement and management that has existed for decades. Anything that is so weak in governance (oversight), procurement (public spending), and so negative in results that is allowed to survive for so long (“an era” and “decades”) is a menu leading to national financial madness and a recipe for the many governance disasters in the spotlight. GECOM stands as the public pinnacle; there are others. In responses to his annual reports, the Auditor General noted that, “yearly recommendations to Ministries, Departments and Regions to improve systems and practices for governance and accountability are not acted upon.” For emphasis: NOT ACTED UPON! To highlight further
the depth of the problem, Guyana’s chief auditor pointed out “that 76 percent (76 PERCENT!) of his recommendations were not fully implemented with many of them being repeated each year.” This can only happen when senior bureaucrats in the service of state and taxpayers are part of many cover-ups and conspiracies to thwart progress towards a cleaner governance system. When corruption is king, then paupers are made of all of us. In our impoverished state, we go to international agencies with documented appeals and they disdain us and distance from us. From the outside, the World Bank issued its own voiceless and wordless report that frowns at Guyana’s elections ‘hijinks’: it has been the blankness of banishment from favourable consideration of a loan application. Clearance is being withheld unless a convincing effort is made to produce a credible elections result. The international lending agency has been muted in the instance of Guyana, while its eloquence is captured in continuing approvals of emergency COVID-19 relief applications to ease financial burdens that come with the pandemic. Applications from some 100 countries have been handled with alacrity and the courtesy due at this urgent time. Guyana’s application was several months ago, but it has been treated like a skunk. Put differently, a corrupt pariah nation riddled by acute and chronically poor governance systems that now extend glaringly into its national elections process. The World Bank has not uttered a single word of objection relative to GECOM; its drawn out and studied silence speak thunderously. The message is unmistakable: clean up the process. Let the recount produce the credible. Then there will be movement of application lodged. Now an entire country is held hostage internationally because it fostered a climate of chronic corruption that is widely accepted domestically. Now the proceedings and developments-every one of them-within the publicized confines of GECOM are being monitored with eagle’s eyes. The handiwork of Guyanese political wolves is being watched and scrutinized like never before. GECOM and its officials are under the microscope. From our perspective, the sum of what has unfolded is a byproduct of all the malpractices that have prospered in law enforcement, courtyards of the judiciary, longstanding political and governance practices, and
in the ranks of those with obligations to pursue lawbreakers and end their chronic illegalities. The problem is that nobody has been policing those with a duty to oversee some satisfactory degree of lawabiding stability in this society. Not surprisingly, the watchers and protectors (protesters too) have been among the worst of offenders, who have operated with great impunity. We could identify more than a few constitutional offices that have lapsed to the great detriment of this society, with particular emphasis on two counts. First, the country is impoverished and, worse still, many are endangered, since the guilty are, in essence, set free by private decree to continue to wreak havoc on an exposed and victimized populace. In the excitements about elections and the settled fears over the COVID-19 virus, concerns about corruption and all of its countless byproducts have been forced to the back of a long bus. That back is so far from the front burners of focus and energies that corrupt practices and corrupt people have been given a free hand. To be more accurate, they were given a free hand before the advent of the two current viruses. Thus, in effect, what is noticed, experienced, protested loudly and bitterly about at a national, even international, level, are representative of merely what is the norm in everyday Guyana, and which is now firmly cultural and overwhelmingly political. It is so embedded and cultural that even in the midst of pandemic anxieties, there is exploitation of our vulnerable by our guardians. Most new policies put into practice are seen as opportunities to capitalize by squeezing something of a leaking system. To take this to its natural conclusions, what we complain squabble over relative to elections and the incredible barefaced thievery of our oil wealth, is the climaxing of the now generational corruptions that have poisoned at lower, less visible levels in society. What rages at the political heights before the world (elections) cascade down into the social tiers with most operating by their own law and own hand. It is usually an unclean hand. Thus, we reap in public what we sowed in secret. Oil and elections stand as our two warped and wasteful children before a world that thought it had seen everything that was dirty and profane. Then Guyana came. The equivalent of who and how we are has rarely been encountered before.
Sunday May 24, 2020
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
President Granger and Chairwoman Singh should let the Carter Center back in
After COVID-19, an opposition-led, bipartisan parliamentary committee on pandemics should be established
DEAR EDITOR, On behalf of our native nine tribal ancestral peoples, The Amerindians, with reference to the political situation in Guyana, I am calling on caretaker President David Granger and retired Justice Claudette Singh, Chairwoman of the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) to make assurances and acceptance for the Carter Center to be returned to Guyana to participate for the
observance of the recounts of Guyanas General Election held on Monday March 2, 2020, so that the election recounts will prevail by a system of transparency and credibility, including a nationwide live screening for the public since only a transparent credible recount can be accepted. Yours truly Dennis Abraham A native of the Arawak Tribe of Moruka
We talk about women leading the transformation and healing of Guyana but where are they? DEAR EDITOR I wish to begin this short contribution by asking two simple questions: (1) Why are Guyanese women so absent in the history of Guyana and (2) why are women leaders in civil society, government, the public sector, academia and private sector and religious bodies deafeningly silent in the face of abuse meted out the Chairwoman of GECOM, our female health workers and those women who have are physically, mentally and emotionally abused by their spouses post COVID-19? It appears to me that organizations such as Red Thread, Help and Shelter, Women Across Differences and womens rights advocates such as Vanda Radzik, Danuta Radzik, Jocelyn Dow, Karen
DeSouza, Raquel ThomasCaesar, Sherlina Nageer, Melissa Ifill and others have suddenly lost their voices. It is sad that these advocates and activists have conveniently decided not to speak out against and demand justice for women who have either been the target of partisan driven threats and verbal abuse such as nonother than the Chairwoman of GECOM, Dr. Helen Imhoff who was allegedly physically assaulted by a politician, women who struggle daily with domestic violence, too many of whom have been injured or lost their lives since the increase of COVID-19 in Guyana and other women who are on the front line providing health and critical care services.
Where are the online platforms dedicated to different topics and concerns of interest to all Guyanese women? Where are the voices of our women or is it that you are afraid that you will suffer a similar experience as that of Nageer, who was threatened to be slapped and stripped by Bheri Ramsarran, former Health Minister of Guyana? We are living in a new era of Guyana. You have a remarkable opportunity to use information communication technology and online platforms such as Zoom to conduct trainings and discussion sessions for women by women from all walks of life in Guyana. Why isnt this happening? Sincerely Gloria Singh-Enloe
David Hinds presents a skewed perspective on electoral rigging DEAR EDITOR, Dr. David Hinds in his letter, “The Western powers have chosen a side in elections impasse” (Kaieteur News, May 20, 2020) indicates he is writing “to correct the narrative that is being promoted that electoral rigging is a one-sided phenomenon.” He states that “to give the younger generation the impression that it is only one party that has been accused of rigging elections is a blatant falsification of history”. Like Dr. Hinds, I too, and I believe the majority of Guyanese, would not like to see the falsification of history for such falsification contributes to the mistrust and racial divide, thereby preventing national unity and economic development. Unfortunately, his letter conflates two issues, i.e. actual rigging of elections based on evidence and accusations of riggings from a disgruntled loser in an election. The former is based on documented facts, the latter being simply a belief or claim. Those who have read the Bible may be familiar with the story of Simon Magus. Simon claimed he could fly and decided to prove it to his followers so he
climbed a tall tower and jumped over the edge. However, instead of soaring through the air, poor Simon dropped to the ground and his body splattered all over the place. Claims must be proved before they can be accepted. Dr Hinds notes, “There is enough evidence that given our ethnic geography both parties have benefited from tampering with the process in areas where their support base predominates”. As I read that excerpt, I recalled Eusi Kwayana’s 2003 article, “Cycling to a better place Kean Gibson and the cycle of racial oppression in Guyana”. In that article Kwayana states, “Dr. Gibson’s political anecdotes and history are highly selective. Although she may be on to something in her diagnosis of religion as the key component of our problems, she has not made the argument”. Likewise, I believe Dr. Hinds has not made the case he argues. It would be extremely beneficial if Dr. Hinds could provide the evidence from independent sources that both major parties have tampered with elections.
So far, I am aware only of documentary evidence from independent sources indicating that elections under the PNC were fraudulent as the following list shows: UK’s Granada TV documentaries on the 1968 and 1973 elections; Report by Lord Avesbury, head of an international team of observers for the 1980 election; Report by Lord Avesbury and Lord Chitnis on the 1985 election, as well as report in the New York Times on the roughing up of Dr. Cheddi Jagan and the UK Guardian reporter, Anthony Jenkins. I seem to recall too that the WPA had protested the handling of the 1985 election and the Caribbean Council of Churches, among others, was accused of meddling in Guyana’s internal affairs. Now for the 2020 election, we see the observers representing the Commonwealth, the OAS, the European Union (EU), the Carter Center and the diplomats from the US, UK, Canada, and the EU all claiming that the tabulation of results for Region 4 was tainted and Clairmont Mingo’s declaration not credible. As well, Guyana’s Chief (Continued on page 6)
DEAR EDITOR, Allow us, once more, to discuss and place COVID-19 into perspective as it relates to the local reality in Guyana, as we learn from press reports and other sources. This idea occurred during the good fortune we had to listen to a public forum on the Implications of COVID-19, a Public and Private Law Perspective, hosted by the Faculty of Law of the University of the West Indies (UWI) on May 19, last. We are but laymen in legal parlance but were enlightened by the presentations in general, and particularly one by Dr. Tracy S. Robinson, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at Mona, Jamaica. She posited that, “in times of crises, there is a shift in our thinking and behaviour”. She alluded to Prof. Sigal Barsade of the Wharton Business School in Pennsylvania, USA, in an article she published titled, Emotional Contagion in Organizational Life in the Journal of Research in Organizational Behavior, who concluded that “one of the things we know from research literature is that negative emotions, particularly fear and anxiety, cause us to become very rigid in our decision making. We are not creative; we are not as analytical, so we actually make worse decisions. Emotional contagion affects everyone, which means that it can also affect leaders. It can also affect policymakers.” Experts may provide factual advice and recommendations, but many are oblivious to the effect emotional contagion has on their decisionmaking process. Indeed, press reports from around the world on decision making processes do not appear to have been based on facts or reality. Emotional contagion connotes feelings of fear, anxiety and panic spread and impacts how we perceive and respond to risk. The same can be applied to one who is awaiting the result of a test, for which there is no specific treatment and the outcome is unknown. These persons and their families are all at risk and the outcome can range from being asymptomatic to death. We do not recognize it, but everyone is tense, their gait is affected, speech becomes slower, and the normally jovial type becomes quiet. That was the situation with HIV infected patients in the past and is also now true of patients infected with the COVID-19 virus. Dr. Robinson further pos-
ited that we value action over deliberation. The governments ability to act swiftly and decisively often becomes superior to limitations on governmental powers and individual rights, so the latter are trampled upon. She referred to Prof. Owen Gross book, Laws in Times of Crisis, 2006, in which he suggested that “crises (pandemics, national security threats, citizen insecurity, natural disasters etc.); produce an expansion of governmental powers and the concentration of powers in the hands of the executive”. She went on to quote Prof. Anne Twomey of the University of Sydney, Australia, who stated that, “In an emergency, maintaining public confidence in the government is essential especially when you are asking very hard things of people, especially when you are restricting their civil liberties, their ordinary day to day freedoms and taking decisions that affect them economically…and to do that you need some kind of level of parliamentary scrutiny. Parliamentary committees are a good way of doing that.” This now brings us to press reports of May 21 last, which noted that 1269 tests were done so far with127 persons being tested positive and 10 have died because of the virus in Guyana. This begs the question whether the number of tests have been sufficient and covers all the
regions. In comparison with the wider Caribbean, there have been 84 deaths; Barbados tested 4322 persons, identified 90 cases and reported 7 deaths; Trinidad and Tobago, 2720 tests with 116 positives and 8 deaths; Jamaica 520 positives and 9 deaths and Suriname 11 positives with 1 death. We need to reflect on the number and places where tests are being done in Guyana. Our population, although concentrated along the coastal belt, covers a much greater area and given the land size, poses a greater and more difficult challenge to our planners, whoever and wherever they may be. The population needs to be made aware of the guidance of the National Task Force, regarding the location of at-risk sections of the population, the need for self-identification and criteria used for testing. There are reports that in Guyana, Georgetown is the epicenter of the disease but, as the proverb goes, seek and you shall find. It is worth highlighting that Barbados, with approximately one third of our population and five hundred times smaller than Guyana, has done three times the number of tests. In Barbados, everyone is near a laboratory. This should not be an excuse but our challenge. This crisis is a good opportunity to identify the need for (Continued on page 7)
PAGE 6
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Why are the Americans flexing their Guyanese women key to transitioning Guyana from political divisiveness an military muscles near Venezuela, Recently, we have seen the global leadership of the Prime Ministers of New inclusive nation Suriname and Guyana? Zealand Mrs. Jacinda Ardern and Germany DEAR EDITOR
DEAR EDITOR, According to news source, the May News Navy 2020 Naval Maritime Defence Industry, the US military is currently engaged in the deployment of its SOUTHCOM, the US Southern command, in the southern Caribbean just offshore Venezuela and Guyana. This military force consists of hardware including littoral combat ships and destroyers, AWACS surveillance aircraft and ground Special Forces. The last time the Americans deployed such a large flotilla of war ships in the Caribbean was in 1989 when Panama was invaded to remove Manuel Noriega from power on the grounds he was a dictator who controlled the outcomes of elections, and that he faced drug charges in the USA. The Americans have stated that the reason for the current military build up is against the Nicolas Maduro Government of Venezuela where Maduro is accused by the Americans of rigging the last elections and drug running. But it would appear that this military build up has wider implications for the region. Venezuela sits on the world’s largest proven oil reserves and ,with the new discoveries offshore in Guyana and Surinam, has catapulted the northern part of South America into an area of geopolitical interest where the powerful countries juggle to get a piece of the action. Wherever there is massive oil resources the big players are bound to get involved. The Chinese have developed a strong economic presence in Suriname and there is a strong Russian military presence in Venezuela. Elections are due in Suriname on the 25th May 2020 where the current President Desi Bouterse is defending a very slim parliamentary majority. He was convicted of murder and drug running and his son is currently in prison in the US for drug smuggling . President Desi Bouterse is no friend of the USA and the Americans will be watching the outcome of this elections
very closely. In Guyana, both the Americans and Chinese have built up presence in the oil sector and both the Chinese and the Americans have plans to assist in the development of Guyana , but the American offer for assistance is premised on the return of full democracy something which the Chinese government cares less about. The Chinese have a policy of non-interference in the political structure of a country as long as they can foster their economic interest through their Belt and Road Initiative. Should Granger be sworn in on the basis of fictitious election results and a government is formed, this would mean that the US offer for assistance to develop Guyana will be truncated and the door will be open wide for the Chinese to move in unhindered. From a geo-political standpoint, this would not sit comfortably with the US as this would mean that they would have diminished geo-political influence in their own backyard, with the Russians in Venezuela and the Chinese in Guyana and Surinam. From a Guyanese perspective, the loss of a major player at a time when Guyana can make astronomical strides in its development to quickly move from the status of a third world country to a highly developed state would be greatly hindered. Over eighty days have passed without the declaration of final election results in Guyana. Fraudulent declaration of Region Four tabulation by Clairmont Mingo, the Returning officer, as witnessed by election observers including the Ambassadors of the US, UK, EU, CARICOM, The Carter Center, the OAS and others have led to a recount of all ballots. The current recount of the ballots for Region Four , where the fraud took place, have so far mirrored the statement of polls issued at the polling stations after the votes were counted on March 2nd, confirming Mingo’s subsequent fraudulent tabulation. Given the current and fast moving election see-saw currently at play , the Americans, as the promoter and defender of democracy in the West, are bound to take action if Granger railroads democracy in Guyana . Only recently the Ambassador of the US to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch says that the threat of sanctions hangs over Guyana over electoral fraud .
She also refers to the strong statements coming from Washington, The National Security Council , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Assistant Secretary Michael Kozak. Secretary Mike Pompeo pointed to serious consequences if the democratic process , the rule of law, and the principles of democracy are not followed in Guyana. Granger has signalled to the Guyanese people and the world his clear intentions - he intends to control the outcome of the elections just like what Manuel Noreiga did in Panama in 1989. But he will not succeed given the geo-political importance of Guyana to the Americans and the West. Granger stopped the Carter Center and the International Republican Institute from observing the re-count using Covid-19, but what he cannot stop is the American fleet which is anchored just off the shores of Guyana equipped with combat ships and ready to take action should he attempt to swear himself in as the President of Guyana based on fraudulent election results. Yours truly, Harry Beharry
Notwithstanding the COVID-19 and the dark political cloud hanging over Guyana as a result of widespread electoral fraud and politically constructed divisiveness, Guyana is experiencing one of those historic moments where the right decision can propel the country towards even greater prosperity, togetherness and inclusive and representative governance at the national, regional and local levels. Contrarily, the wrong decision could take us backwards toward more politically constructed divisiveness, an even wider gap between the wealthy and poor Guyanese and societal violence of the kind we witnessed in 1964 and from 2000-2010. It is time for Guyanese women to take the lead in charting a new course for Guyana. Several international publications and analyses have pointed to the fact that women are more productive and make better use of resources and political power when compared with men. Women tend to make judgments in the best interest of all as opposed to squandering resources and opportunities. This is why you usually hear both men and women reverence their mothers for their commitment to their wellbeing and success as children and young adults. Could it be a mothers love for children, could it be the way many females are socialized to care for others, sometimes putting others before themselves? Regardless of the reasons generally speaking, it is a proven fact that women are visionaries, more resourceful, resilient and better managers than men. The problem is that in many societies, women do not have equal access to the same opportunities as most men do. But once they do, we see that almost all women success and make the most of their opportunities.
Mrs. Angela Merkel on display in several areas but most notably their response to combatting COVID-19. Here in Guyana, Minster Volda Lawrence is leading the charge in our response to the global pandemic with support from many others but in and out of Guyana. We have seen Madame Claudette Singh, Chairwoman of GECOM provide vision, direction and balance since her appointment as Chairwoman. Mrs. Singh, perhaps even more so than Mr. Lawrence, is not only the Chairwoman of GECOM, she holds the future of Guyana in her hands figuratively speaking. Justice Claudette Singh is a legal scholar and former Chief Justice of Guyana who ought to have been Chancellor of the Judiciary. She is also a mother and a woman of impeccable integrity.Notwithstanding the phenomenal achievements and place in Guyanese history that belongs to our former Chief Justice and present Chairwoman of GECOM, notwithstanding her integrity, she was and continues to be the target of threats and disrespect, albeit by a group of persons aligned to one of the political stakeholders in the March 2, 2020 elections national recount process.We have a unique and great opportunity to propel Guyana toward becoming a modern, inclusive and prosperous State. I have seen and experienced otherwise and it is not working. The one percent of Guyanese politicians and business interests who conspired to engineer widespread electoral fraud in return for favours by the party they sought to help, does not speak for neither represents the 99% of Guyanese who genuinely want to live well and prosper together. R. Chung-A-On
David Hinds presents a skewed perspective on... From page 5 Justice has ruled that the laws were not followed by Mingo. And once again, the old PNC play-book has been revisited foreigners are meddling in Guyana’s internal affairs. While I am aware of allegations by PNC/APNU of fraudulent elections under the PPP, I have not seen any confirmation by credible independent sources. In fact, the results of all the elections were considered credible by foreign observers although processes could have been improved. Following protests by the opposition parties in 1997 and the most vulgar and disgraceful display ever seen in Georgetown by some of their women supporters, the results of the 1997 election were audited by an independent team of CARICOM nationals, headed by eminent Trinidadian Lawyer, Ulric Cross. No significant variance from the declared results was found. However, the election was soon declared unconstitutional by Justice Claudette Singh, now retired, and current Chairperson of GECOM, because of the use of voter registration card as the only means of identification for voting. Interestingly, this was a feature voted into
law unanimously by all party members in the legislature, including the Leader of the PNC, Mr. Desmond Hoyte. Later, the election was challenged in court by a PNC supporter, after the party lost the election. Dr. Hinds has mentioned that in 1961, the PNC was able to “prove” that the PPP had rigged that election. Here is what I have been able to determine. The 1961 election was conducted under the first past the post system where the country was divided into a number of constituencies. Guyana was still a colony with the Governor, Sir Ralph Grey, as the Administrator. The PPP had limited control over the affairs of the colony, Cheddi Jagan’s title being Chief Minister, and the election was under the control of the Commissioner of Elections, a British civil servant. After the results were declared, the PNC filed six election petitions. Five were dismissed, one upheld, and the election for that constituency declared void because there were thirteen underage voters and one who impersonated someone else. Even if those fourteen votes were discounted from the winner, a PPP candidate, he would
have still won by over 400 votes, but the judge ruled the election void. Regarding his claim that “the ABCE countries have openly chosen a side in the current standoff - they have taken the PPPs side”, a logical mind would ask why would they have given full support to the APNU+AFC in 2015 when the Coalition won and now side with the PPP. In fact, the US International Republican Institute takes pride in its role in effecting change in 2015 (“Guyanese youth gain a voice”, The Hill, 08/06/ 15, Mark Green, President of the IRI). And then, when the PPP protested the results, the US Chargé dAffaires, Mr. Brian Hunt, defended the results saying “The final results of the election accurately reflected the votes cast by the Guyanese people. All political parties should respect the outcome of the democratic process.” Was Mr. Hunt taking side? Dr. Hinds opines, “Now in 2020, the primary interest of the West in Guyana is its newly found oil wealth. All other interests are in the service of that primary interests.” This may be true but was this not the case when the oil in large commercial quantity was first discovered in 2015?
And how would the PPP put Guyana in a worse economic situation when APNU+AFC has already signed major oil contracts, contrary to the advice of the two independent international experts who were consulted, thereby giving away billions ($ US) to the foreign oil giants and leaving paltry sums for the Guyanese people together with the potential for catastrophic environmental consequences? Dr. Hinds has evaded this issue. Finally, I agree with Dr. Hinds when he states that a “factor at play is the underlying ethnic problem which both parties know exists but for obvious reasons they downplay”. This is David Hinds the academic speaking. Unfortunately, in the 2020 election, David Hinds was a politician in one of the two major ethnic parties and therefore part of the problem he identified. No other than his friend Freddie Kissoon notes, “If the PNC had won, then David was partly responsible for widening the race chasm because he campaigned for ethnic domination (“50 Shades of David Hinds”, Kaieteur News, May 13, 2020). Yours truly, Harry Hergash
Sunday May 24, 2020
ASSALAAMU ‘ALAIKUM The Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG) wishes to inform all Muslims that the crescent for the month of Shawwal has been sighted; therefore, Eid ul Fitr will be celebrated today, Sunday 24th May, 2020.The President, executives and the staffers of the Central Islamic Organization of
Guyana (CIOG) takes this opportunity to wish the entire Muslim community, EID MUBARAK! Wasalaam, Shaykh Moeenul Hack Director of Dawah and Education CIOG
Message of His Excellency David Granger President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana Eid Mubarak! I extend greetings to all Muslims and to all other Guyanese on the joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. This sacred festival commemorates the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan during which Muslims performed acts of abstinence and engaged in ritual fasting and prayer. Eid-ul-Fitr reminds us of how divine worship is connected to social responsibility and personal sacrifice. It compels us to continue to demonstrate compassion and kindness to one another. These personal expressions of goodwill and concern for our fellow citizens reinforce social cohesion and mutual respect. Eid-ul-Fitr emphasizes the values of
temperance, perseverance and self-denial during the holy month of Ramadan, which provided a time for devotees of Islam to engage in spiritual reflection and the reaffirmation of their faith. Eid-ul-Fitr is significant to all Guyanese. The festival’s exuberance has been tempered this year by the social and personal restrictions, which have been adopted, out of necessity, in order to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The pandemic has witnessed sacrifices by our medical and essential workers in their efforts to administer lifesaving care and ensure the health and safety of others. Eid-ul-Fitr, nevertheless, is a happy occasion for both Muslims and non-Muslims. Let us all celebrate our faith and fellowship. Eid Mubarak!
GAWU MESSAGE The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) wishes to extend warm greetings to our Muslim brothers and sisters and indeed all Guyanese as we once again celebrate Eid-ulFitr. Eid-ul-Fitr signifies the ending of the period of Ramadan, a period dedicated to fasting. But we are aware that Eid-ul-Fitr is not only about fasting, but it’s a time for love, perseverance, kindness, forgiveness and tolerance. These qualities are the essence of Islam. While the period of Ramadan is a time of worship,
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
reflection and meditation, Eid is a time of celebration to mark the conclusion of the holy month and it is also a time to rejuvenate bonds of kinship, friendship, peace and demonstrate tolerance and love. Those values that come to the fore in such times remind us in a timely way of our humanity and what are necessary in our continuing quest for social justice, apart from underlining the variety of religions that make up our nation and which add to our cultural richness. So let this celebratory occasion provide us all with
an opportunity to stretch our hands out to each other as we pursue enduring harmony in our relationships. Let us transcend our differences and disagreements and reach out to one another with a new spirit of peace, and tolerance. May the spirit of Eid inspire us all to renew our determination to support and promote the cause of peace, worldwide. May Allah shower his blessings on mankind and guide people globally onto a path that would lead to a world where tolerance, empathy, and general betterment will prevail.
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF CIOG Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Faith and humanity, Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh. May the Peace, Mercy, and Blessing of Allah (SWT) be upon you all! Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak, Eid Mubarak! On this joyous day of Eid ul Fitr, the Executives and Staff of CIOG join with you in spiritual celebration. The Holy Quran, which was revealed to our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during the Blessed month of Ramadan, is the source of truth and wisdom: “And We sent down in the Quran such things that have healing and mercy for the believers” (Al-Isra, 17:82) Ramadan was an exercise in patience, discipline, and cleansing. We restrained ourselves physically and mentally, and subdued our egos, in order to get closer to Allah (SWT). We devoted ourselves to various forms of Ibadaat (worship) and prayed for forgiveness, mercy, and healing for the entire world. Congratulations for having fulfilled the honourable obligation of fasting in the Holy month of Ramadan. Now comes the time of celebration, reflection and gratitude. In our celebration, let us not forget our less fortunate brothers and sisters who face difficulties and hardship, those facing the challenges of illness, hunger, and despair. Open your hearts, reach out, find ways to help, be a good example. Let us comfort and
After COVID-19, an opposition-led... From page 5 expansion of testing capability of various diseases in the country. It is reported that the Regional Democratic Council is the supreme Local Government in each region, with responsibility for the overall management and administration of the Region and coordination of the activities of all Local Democratic Organs within its boundaries. Its main functions are to administer all services required within its boundaries (services such as health, education, public works etc.). We now learn, however, that the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) denied a request by the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Nine, Mr. Carl Parker, for a total lockdown, based on a recommendation from the Regional Health Committee (RHEC). We understand the request was because the Rupununi residents are con-
sidered extremely vulnerable to importation of cases on two fronts: persons coming from Georgetown as well as those crossing the border from Brazil. It should be emphasized that on May 20, last, Brazil reported approximately 300,000 cases of COVID-19, the third highest in the world and 19,000 related deaths. In Roraima State, bordering Guyana, there are 2,170 cases with 68 reported deaths. We now wonder whether the National Task Force acted too swiftly albeit decisively in considering the request from the Regional Health Committee for a total lockdown, and if this is a good example of emotional contagion leading to a poor decision. On the other hand, it could be that in Guyana we are unfortunate to have never had a natural disaster like a hurricane or an earthquake, during which responses must be made at the local level.
As we come closer to the results of the National Election (of March 2nd), we ponder whether the Task Force is affected by the emotions of fear and anxiety and have lost the ability to be creative and analytical policy makers, assuming, of course, that the policymakers do have good knowledge of the facts. Georgetown may be the epicenter of the disease, but the Task Force cannot focus only on Georgetown. We have not yet seen any reports in the press of the deliberations and/or policies emanating from the Task Force. As stated during the public forum, Extraordinary situations call for specific solutions to ensure appropriate parliamentary scrutiny. New Zealands parliament was exemplary in this respect when it established a Response Committee on matters relating to the governments management of the
COVID-19 epidemic. Notably, that committee was chaired by the Leader of the Opposition. We hope the results of the elections will break the current impasse with the installment of a new parliament and tamper partisanship inclinations so that we can follow the New Zealand Parliaments example of establishing a COVID-19 R e sponse Committee. It would consider and report on any matters relati n g t o t h e g o v ernments management of the COVID-19 epidemic to the house. When COVID-19 becomes history, we would recommend that a Committee on Epidemics and Outbreaks be established by Parliament, and chaired by the Leader of the Opposition, as a first step of an inclusive government in Guyana about which we hear much talk. Yours sincerely, Keith H. Carter, MD Raj. N. Mungol, MA
sustain others, while filling them with hope and reminding them that Allah (SWT) is Gracious and Merciful. Today does not herald the end of worship. On the contrary, it heralds a new beginning of heightened Taqwa (piety) for the believers who sacrificed a lot during Ramadan and are ready to transform their lives as a result. O servants of the Most Merciful, this is the reason for joy and celebration today. The fast of Ramadan reminded us about the pangs of hunger and thirst and Eid ul Fitr reminds us of the value of selflessness, goodwill, and community. Muslims have a moral responsibility to work towards uniting the peoples of our country by promoting peace and harmony. This noble act attracts tremendous blessings from the creator and is beneficial to the creation. ‘And who is better in speech than the one who calls [his brethren] unto Allah, and does what is just and right, and says, “Verily, I am of those who have surrendered themselves to Allah”…’ (Al Quran, 41:33). As we celebrate the Eid festival virtually, let us embrace our brothers and sisters in faith as well as our brothers and sisters in humanity. It is our duty to promote the core Islamic values of peaceful co-existence, tolerance, and service to others. Let us nurture harmonious relationships among our families, communities, and our nation. This will allow us to reap material benefits grounded in spiritual and ethical values. This is the foundation of Islam. Protecting each other is a religious obligation. It would be remiss if I do not reflect on the current health crisis due to COVID-19, a pandemic which has gripped our world. While we observe the rules laid out by Health officials, we should use this time of social and physical distancing to
40
reflect on the fragility of life. What is it that is really important to us? As the earth goes into reset mode, displaying evidence of reduced pollution and less stress on the environment, so too must we reset our views on what is important in our lives. Family, friends, neighbours, associates, and employees all make up the fabric of our lives - the question is, are we leaving a positive and lasting impression on others? Are we a medium of hope and mercy for people? Are we fulfilling the roles we were placed on earth to perform with integrity, kindness, justice and compassion for all, even the animals? These questions we answer for ourselves. With the permission of Allah (SWT), this crisis will end, but we must never forget those who risked their lives on the frontlines to protect us and put themselves at the forefront of protecting us the physicians, nurses, and other critical care workers – as well as those who ensured our food supply – the farmers, shippers, truckers, and store personnel. These are the courageous agents of mercy; so please pray for them. May Allah (SWT) Bless and have Mercy on us all. May Allah (SWT) Bless and have Mercy on our country and the entire world. We beseech Allah (SWT) to accept all our good deeds and forgive our shortcomings. May Allah (SWT) graciously grant us His Help, Guidance and Healing. (Ameen). I close with the pillar of reliance of trust in Allah (SWT): Hasbunnallah Wa Ni’ Mal Wakeel. Allah (SWT) is sufficient for us; and how excellent a guardian is He! WA S S A L A A M U ALAIKUM WA R A H M AT U L L A A H I WABARAKAATUHU! And may the Peace, Mercy and Blessings of God be with you. Al-Hajj Shahabudeen Ahmad President CIOG
PAGE 8
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
Appoximately 300 Guyanese stranded abroad approved for return - must undergo COVID-19 tests The National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) on Friday greenlighted the conditional return of about 300 Guyanese stranded abroad. During a special meeting to consider the applications of various groups of Guyanese stranded overseas as a result of COVID-19 emergency measures, the Task Force said that within the controlled re-entry policy, it has approved the return of approximately 300 Guyanese nationals. It was disclosed that approved person would have been registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the country’s embassies, High Commissions and Honorary Consuls. The approval targets Guyanese nationals in Trinidad and Tobago, New York, New Jersey, Florida and other states in the United States of America and also in other countries. Scores of Guyanese were left stranded as authorities in Guyana, back in March, gave mere hours’ notice to close the borders and country’s airports as part of the measures to fight COVID-19 measures. There have been increasing calls for Government to intervene to bring the persons back. According to the Task Force, the approval for the return of the 300 persons is strictly subjected to a num-
Bibi Hussain and her relatives in Miami Stranded: Damian Jagroop
ber of conditions. These include to only Guyanese nationals who reside in Guyana and who are stranded overseas and who registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as at Thursday, May 21, 2020. It was made clear that the approval is not applicable, at this time, to Guyanese nationals who are resident in other countries. The conditions will affect Guyanese nationals who are in possession of a valid Guyanese passport. The Task Force noted too that the Immigration Department of Guyana will also accept any passenger whose Guyanese passport expired within six months prior to arrival. However, returning persons will have to fulfill a num-
ber of health requirements. They will have to provide results of COVID-19 tests (PCR with results in English language) at least 48 hours prior to their arrival in Guyana. The Task Force said that the applicants or their employers will have to cover all costs for their return with only entry by air allowed. ”The NCTF re-iterates that no person who tests positive for COVID-19 will be permitted entry into Guyana and that all arriving passengers must undergo the PCR tests and submit the results (which must be in English) at least 48 hours prior to their arrival in Guyana.” Persons who qualify to return to Guyana under this approval are asked to make urgent contact with their nearest Guyanese diplomatic mis-
sion and complete the necessary paperwork and submit the relevant documents and information. It was also made clear that the Guyana’s airspace remains closed and that the flight applications for each arriving flight related to this approval of the return of the approximately 300 stranded Guyanese must be submitted, by the airline or operator, to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority for approval. “The NCTF empathizes with Guyanese who have been stranded overseas for several weeks and some of whom have been sheltering in challenging circumstances. The NCTF sincerely thanks Guyanese residents overseas and other persons who have provided shelter and accommodation for these persons.
The NCTF anticipates that these persons will return to Guyana over the course of the next two weeks.” The Task Force said that within the controlled re-entry policy, it is eager to ensure that every Guyanese who is stranded overseas returns home within the shortest possible time. This would be even as the country continues to ensure that the health and safety of Guyanese in Guyana are maintained and not compromised in any way. Earlier this week, several stranded Guyanese banded together to appeal to the Task Force to allow them to return. The stranded Guyanese had formed a group, collectively lobbying to the NCTF to get approval to be re-united with their families.
Guyana has been approving special flights especially to residents from Trinidad, US, Canada and Britain for citizens who were stranded here. Dr. Bibi Hussain, a surgical resident seconded to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, (GPHC), is currently among nationals stuck in the US. Dr. Patrick Lindo, Dr. Latchmi Nandalall, Kimmey Buchoon, Mohamed Hussain, Saiyad Hussain, Devika Lall , Kelvin Sitaram , Azim Abrahim , Hansranie Abrahim , Rehana Abrahim, Kairav Arshad Khatoon and Vaneeta Ajodhea are also listed among a group that has been leading efforts to get persons home. Speaking to Kaieteur News, Dr. Hussain said that she has been in constant contact with the Guyana Consul in Miami and with the NCTF. She said she has written to the Task Force four times appealing to them about the dire situation. In her fifth letter, Dr. Hussain pleaded with Task Force again, outlining the difficulty that fellow Guyanese stuck in the US and Caribbean have been forced to endure. She noted, “There are persons who have now become financially paralyzed as a result of being compelled to live in a foreign land, with no (Continued on page 9)
Sunday May 24, 2020
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
125 COVID-hit E’bo families benefit from food hampers One hundred and twentyfive food hampers were last Monday distributed to families along the Essequibo Coast. The families who benefitted are reportedly feeling the blunt effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative was birthed by Sergeant Gladwin Handover, who was named best cop in Guyana last year. Kaieteur News understands that the gesture was supported heavily by Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, businessman Neil Sukhlall of Impressions and the Guyana Police Force. Handover, who works at the Police Training College,
Suddie, said that the initiative is geared at bringing relief to families who may be going through a “rough” time through the present pandemic. “I have since embarked on this project in an effort to help my fellow Guyanese through this rough time.” The hampers include essential items like toilet papers, potatoes, garlic, onions and chowmein. According to the Best Cop, the initiative will be continuous as long as donations are readily accessible. Amongst the communities that benefited from last Monday’s
The food hampers which were distributed last Monday.
distribution were Sandpit, the Red Village, Pomona and Cullen.Just last month, Handover spearheaded an initiative, which resulted in the installation of 24 sinks at various locations on the
Food rushed to flood-stricken Konashen Heavy rains have flooded farms and home at Konashen in Region 9.
Essequibo Coast. This was part an effort to promote sanitization in the fight against COVID-19 on the Essequibo Coast. During an interview with this publication, the policeman urged that citizens come on board to assist the less fortunate. “I am not rich but I can still do little things to help others. Anyone can give to the needy no matter how small it is. It doesn’t have to be by way of hamper nor money but can be by offering a simple service like helping an elderly fetch water or go to the shop for them.
Best Cop, Gladwin Handover
Appoximately 300 Guyanese stranded...
Senior Response Officer in the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Captain Salim October, yesterday led a humanitarian mission to Masakenari, Konashen, in Region 9, following severe flooding caused by persistent rainfall. According to reports emanating from the village, farm lands are currently inundated since the Essequibo River over topped its banks and has affected more than fifty farmers. The CDC, in partnership with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, delivered food supplies to 56 families and according to Captain October, while on the ground, the team will be conducting a rapid assessment for further impacts to the community.
Masakenari, which is predominantly occupied by the Wai-Wai nation, depend solely on agriculture, fishing and hunting as their main sources of livelihood. Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, on Friday said, “this is needed at this time” as Guyana not only battles with COVID-19, but villages in the hinterland must also cope with nature related challenges, particularly during the rainy season.The Ministry and the CDC said it will continue to monitor the situation as the Government takes the necessary steps to bring relief to those affected. It was reported that the farms in the WaiWai village of Konashen are under water.
Dem boys seh...
De bank hires bandits fuh guard de money Dem oil companies gat deep pockets. Dem also like octopus. Dem gat lang tentacles which does reach deep into guvments. Imagine dem gat a law firm in America. It mek its name from fighting down environmental laws. Tough environment law does mek oil companies lose money. De law firm used to wuk fuh dem oil company. When Trump come in, he mek one of de law firm’s former employees de head of the environmental protection agency. For dem boys and gyals overseas, it was like putting a bandit to guard a bank. Is no wonder dem had so much environmental de-regulation in America. De man mek changes to benefit de oil companies wha he use to wuk fuh. Guyana tun round and mek de same
mistake. Imagine de country gat to revise its petroleum laws to prevent dem oil company from shafting de people. Guess what de Henergy Department do? Dem hire a law company, which had more than 40 years relationship with Exxon to help revise we oil laws. Is wha yuh think gon happen? Is just like asking Exxon fuh draft de laws. Dem had relationship with the company. In whose interest yuh think dem gon mek the new laws? But is suh when yuh gat square pegs in round holes. All kinds of jiggery-puggery does happen. Cat does be put fuh watch milk; a rat fuh watch cheese and thief fuh guard de money. Talk half, fold yuh hand, plait yuh foot and wait fuh see de fuss draft wha de law firm gon produce.
From page 8 source of income since we cannot legally work here, and hence are on the brink of starvation. Some persons are left with no other option but to solicit financial aid from family and friends, most of whom are also facing intolerable levels of economic hardship due to COVID 19.”
”Guyana‘s Consul in Miami, Mr. Ramzan Ali, has indicated that he can arrange to have COVID 19 tests done at a cost that we will bear. The consul will also help organise a flight with Eastern Airlines, only for citizens of Guyana, again at a cost to us. We just need approval,” she added.
PAGE 10
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
Address the crisis but keep the receipts
Ocean View Hotel, which is being converted to an infectious disease facility.
- IMF to Govts on COVID-19 expenditures In a special series on fiscal affairs, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) called on governments across the globe “to do what it takes” in launching emergency measures to address the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people. However, IMF is warning governments to “but to keep the receipts.” The financial institution, which provided emergency assistance to more than 59 countries facing the magnitude of the economic and health crisis due to COVID19, has stressed on the need for transparency in expenditure. According to the IMF, commensurate with the massive fiscal support packages is a variety of revenue and expenditure measures- additional expenditure on healthcare, cash transfers to households and businesses, loan guarantees- and equity injections. Noting too the misuse of funds during humanitarian crises are common, the IMF said fiscal transparency, public accountability, and institutional legitimacy are the main pillars of “keeping the re-
ceipts.” It provides guidance and best Public Financial Management (PFM) practices, drawing on cross-country examples. For example, in 2015, the Sierra Leone Auditor General released an audit of domestic donations made to the government for the Ebola relief effort providing evidence of mismanagement by public officials in the distribution of these funds. Payments for supplies and sensitization efforts were duplicated and undocumented, money was paid out to private individuals rather than to organizations and procurement procedures were widely disregarded. Audits of international development organization spending showed there was also failure to provide rightful healthcare workers’ salaries and bonuses which were paid out to private individuals by those charged with distribution. In the United States, corruption and misuse of funds in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Maria in 2017 have led to more than a thousand prosecutions, the ousting of govern-
ment officials, and the adoption of new practices by U.S government agencies to reduce such vulnerabilities. Transparency and public accountability play a crucial role in this respect, the IMF said. While the Guyana’s Government did not apply to IMF for emergency funding, they have received flak on the local front for its initial spending on COVID-19. For one, Government‘s flagship infrastructural project is a sanatorium costing in excess of US$5M. Additionally, 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—another reason for concern about public spending. As a result, Auditor-Gen-
eral (AG) Deodat Sharma told 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. Added to that, Kaieteur News had observed several projects being undertaken which had not shown up in newspaper’s weekly coverage of the National Procurement
and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). Sharma had addressed the issue. He noted that a section of the Procurement Act applies in cases of emergency. Section 28 (c) of the Act allows the Government to engage in 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.
EPA engages businesses on proposed ban of single-use plastics
T
he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday engaged representatives from the Private Sector Commission (PSC), along with executive members of the Georgetown, as well as, the regional Chambers of Commerce on the proposed single-use plastics ban. The ban was supposed to go into effect next year. The virtual consultation aimed to apprise the private sector of the ban, discuss the potential impacts on members of the private sector, along with opportunities for businesses, and recommendations to remedy any possible social and economic gaps, which may arise as a result of the ban. According to the EPA, prior to the prevailing COVID19 pandemic, it conducted a series of consultations with several business stakeholders including supermarkets and importers of single-use plastics. “However, due to the
COVID-19 restrictions, the EPA transitioned to hosting virtual consultations on the ban since April 2020, with a wide cross-section of stakeholders, including financial institutions, the tourism sector, and international partner organisations.” Among the major concerns emanating from the engagements with the private sector were relative to viable alternatives for the proposed items to be banned; increased education and awareness campaigns targeting the business community; and fiscal incentives to support the local development of alternatives. “At the most recent consultation, representatives of the Private Sector Commission and the regional Chambers of Commerce endeavoured to confer with their members and other related committees, to provide more coherent feedback and recommendations on the implementation of the ban.” EPA said that its remains
committed to ensuring the proposed single-use plastics ban adequately captures and addresses the concerns of key stakeholders, so as to ensure the smoothest possible transition and more effective compliance. The agency is planning an upcoming virtual consultation next Thursday, with representatives from bars, restaurants and hotels. “The agency is making every effort to meet with as many stakeholders as possible, including members of the public, and importers/ manufacturers of single-use plastics and/or alternatives. We encourage you to contact us if you have feedback to provide. Please also participate in our public survey made accessible on our social media pages.” Single use plastic has been blamed for the causes of severe environmental damage with Guyana experiencing significant hurdles with clogged drainage.
Sunday May 24, 2020
PAGE 17
Kaieteur News
---Hinds’ Sight by Dr. David Hinds---
The unintended consequence of the 2020 Election I have concluded that there is at least one unintended consequence of the 2020 election. I had joined others in dubbing the election the “mother of all elections,” because I felt that the imminence of oil wealth meant that the intense competition between the parties of our two major ethnic groups would reach unprecedented fever pitch. I expected a hardfought election, the result of which would be awfully close. I expected that as was the case in previous elections, after some shadow-boxing and post-election charges, the declared winner would form the government and the country would move on. How wrong was I! It is now ten weeks and the election is still to be decided. There is a strong prevailing view that is shared by the PPP, its supporters, and many independents that this outcome is due to a crude attempt by the PNC to rig the election. I have refused to join that chorus partly because I do not have the information and partly because I know that rigged elections in Guyana cannot be determined by a single moment in the process. What I didn’t know and what most of Guyana could not know was that ten weeks later, Guyana would witness the real-time unfolding of something that we knew but never could get the two major parties to simultaneously
demonstrate in the public sphere. I refer here to the unintended consequence I hinted at in the first sentence of this column. What am I talking about? Prior to 2020 there has been an unspoken informal agreement between the two major parties to mutually tolerate elections tampering; that when one party wins it ignores the tampering of the other. What it meant was that the loser would stridently charge the winner with rigging but in the end would find a way to fall in line. However, in 2020 that changed. What we are seeing is that both parties are simultaneously exposing the tampering of the other. After charging the PNC with trying to rig the election by tampering with the tabulation of the Region 4 votes, the PPP galvanized support for its cause, including those of the observer groups and the diplomatic community. The party moved to the courts and subsequently demanded a recount of Region 4 votes. Attempts by sections of the PNC to block the recount proved unsuccessful and the party I suspect reluctantly agreed to join the process. What has transpired since then was not anticipated by the PPP. The PNC transformed the PPP’s preference for a simple count of the Region 4 votes into a comprehensive audit of the votes in the boxes of all regions. The
battle was now joined. Whereas the PPP has continued to rely on the votes in the Region 4 boxes to prove the PNC’s tampering, the PNC has used the recount thus far to prove that the process by which the votes got into the boxes in all regions was tampered with by the PPP. The PPP and most of the media have been somewhat slow or reluctant to recognize what is unfolding. They kept asking the PNC to produce their evidence that the PPP tampered with the elections. Having embraced the PPP’s narrative that it has the SOP’s of Region 4 to prove that the PNC rigged the results, many are using that standard to judge the PNC’s charges. What they seem to miss is that we have now entered the
phase of numbers versus process. The PNC is claiming that if for example there are five votes in a box by persons who were out of the jurisdiction on March 2, that compromises the entire box. And if a high percentage of the boxes are compromised, the credibility of the entire election is called into question. So, the recount has unexpectedly brought us to the point where we may find out at the end of the recount that both parties tampered with the election. What do we do at that point? For, me the best solution would be to declare the elections a “draw” based on the fact that it was not credible. But both parties are likely to reject that option as they would view it as robbing them of victory. I still hold
strongly to the view that once a winner is declared, it would lead to an extreme form of oneparty rule as the winner and loser if they choose to negotiate would do so as what Dr. Roger Luncheon once called unequals. So, I say, accept the draw, sit down, and work out an amicable solution as equals. I am sure to hear from the defenders of “democracy” that I am supporting the change of the rules of the game. I shall address that in a future column. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessar-
Dr David Hinds ily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) More of Dr. Hinds’ writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.news. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com
PAGE 18
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
Murder at the Player’s Club By Michael Jordan Brentnol Figueira was probably the last person in the Player’s Club to notice the gunmen, even though the short one with the shotgun was standing just behind him. Figueira didn’t notice because he was backing the entrance, and because he was absorbed in a domino game, and because he was slightly intoxicated. Perhaps things might have turned out differently that Friday night of June 10, 2005, had he not been drinking. But perhaps not. The gunmen who had spawned the country’s ‘crime wave’— into its fourth year at the time — sometimes seemed to kill just for the fun of it. When they weren’t targeting civilians, they were targeting the police, and when they weren’t targeting the lawmen, they were targeting each other. Maybe it was just Figueira’s time. Now don’t let the fancy name fool you. The Player’s
Club, or Nicky’s Shop, as it was also called, was just a small, roughly-built structure with a few benches and a television set. Part shop, part beer garden, it was the only hangout spot in ‘E’ Field, Sophia, one of the most impoverished sections of the community. There’s still no electricity in the area, though the proprietor of the Player’s Club had a generator. Figueira and his wife, Dianne, a teacher by profession, lived some 300 metres away in ‘D’ Field, Sophia, in a two-storey concrete house. A regular patron of the Club, he was a jovial, free-handed individual, who seldom had to be asked twice to buy a round or two. At around 14:00 hrs on June 10, 2005, Figueira arrived home and handed his salary to his wife.He explained to her that he was going to complete some work before going for a drink with friends. Figueira returned home at around 18:00 hrs, while his wife was preparing dinner.
Brentnol Figueira ”You want to go to the Fish Shop?” he asked Dianne. Dianne looked at her husband and immediately realized that he had taken one drink too many.No, she replied. She didn’t want to go to the Fish Shop. “You see how you stay? I wan’ go out and I got to beg you like we still courting,” Brentnol teased. Dianne, a Seventh Day Adventist, pointed out that her ‘Sabbath’ was approaching. Besides, she said, it was
dark. She suggested that Brentnol take an early rest. But Figueira would have none of that. He told his wife that he was going “up the road”.Telling Dianne he would send a ‘runner’ (one of the youths in the community) with a mosquito coil and a Malta for her, Brentnol then left for the Player’s Club. On arrival, Figueira bought a bottle of Banko wine, settled into a corner with a few friends and became engaged in a game of dominoes. Other patrons focused on a movie that was being shown on the television set. And so none of them saw when the five men suddenly appeared. Four of them had handguns. The fifth, a short individual, brandished a shotgun. Three of the gunmen remained on guard outside while the other two, including the one with the shotgun, entered the night spot. One of the men walked over to the section of the shop which the proprietor and his wife occupied. The short man with the shotgun took up position a few feet from Figueira. By now, some of the patrons had become aware of their presence. However, many assumed that the men were police ranks. After all, the cops conducted regular raids in the area. Figueira, though, backing the entrance, was still engrossed in his wine and his domino game.Some of the patrons were reacting too slowly for the bandits’ liking and the short bandit with the shotgun said: “Like y’all want I shoot”. He was within earshot of Figueira, who now became aware of the men’s presence. Turning around in his seat, Figueira said loudly: “Is who deh talking ‘bout shooting?” ”Shut yuh mouth,” the short bandit with the shotgun said menacingly.Still unaware of the danger, the slightly intoxicated Figueira said jovially: “Y’all is police? Y’all want play? Is twenty dollar ah love.”
The short gunman edged closer to Figueira. ”Game?” he said. “We …doan… play… games.” He pointed the shotgun at Figueira. He cocked his weapon. And still, it seemed, Figueira didn’t sense the danger. He said: “Jus suh you gun shoot me?” The gunman squeezed the trigger. The blast hurled Figueira from his seat. He was dead before he hit the ground. “IT SOUNDED LIKE A CANNON” After her husband left for the club, Dianne decided to go over to a female neighbour who was also one of her best friends. Father’s Day was two Sundays away, but the two women were already making plans.They eventually decided to buy shirts for their husbands.At around 21:00 hrs, Dianne informed the friend that she was leaving. But just as she reached the door, both women heard a loud explosion nearby. ”That sound like a cannon,” Dianne said. “Girl, how they gun got cannon in Guyana?” the friend retorted. “That is a gunshot.” Dianne immediately hurried home. She was taking a bath when she heard someone calling outside. Finishing her bath, Mrs. Figueira hurried to her door. Two boys from the community were standing by her gate.She greeted them. ”Yu husband get shoot,” one of the boys said. She had heard the boom of the shotgun just minutes before, yet Dianne refused to connect that gunshot to her husband.”You mad,” she told the boys. “My husband can’t get shoot.””Yes,” the boys replied. “He get shoot and he dead.”Accompanied by the
youths, Dianne rushed over to the Player’s Club. There, she saw her husband lying motionless on the ground. She shook him. She tried to revive him. But, from the huge hole in his chest, she knew that he was dead. Some of the victims would later recall that after killing Figueira, the gunmen relieved the beer garden owner, Linden Headley, of $30,000 and also took his wife’s earrings. They also relieved the patrons, numbering about 20, of small sums of cash after ordering them to lie on the ground. Some claimed they were beaten. They also took coins from some children who were at the shop with their parents. The eyewitnesses said that the men also tried to cart off a generator, but eventually ditched it nearby and wended their way further into ‘E’ Field, Sophia. Word of the killing spread quickly, and a squad of ‘black clothes’ policemen, guns at the ready, made their way in pitch darkness through the backlands to the murder scene.But by then, the gunmen had vanished.They have never been identified.Within a week the Player’s Club was closed. The owners packed up and left, never to return. Some other residents also left the area. Dianne old me, in an interview shortly after, that she still had not recovered from the trauma of her husband’s violent death. ”I am not afraid,” she told me. “I just feel a sadness, a great loss. It affected me (tremendously). I have to do everything on my own. My husband was always there to assist me.”And she still wonders what fate has befallen the gunmen who killed him. She takes some comfort in the belief that they might have been slain over the past few years, during encounters with the Joint Services’, which has apparently wiped out many of the key players in the crime wave. “I guess that these guys might have died, the Force was working overtime (to catch the criminals). Every bad man gets his day.” If you have any further information on this case or any other, please contact us at Lot 24 Saffon Street or by telephone. We can be reached on telephone numbers 2258491, or 225-8473. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s kamarangnight@gmail.com
Sunday May 24, 2020
PAGE 19
Kaieteur News
==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==
A song for me and the heroes I see from my window My bedroom window faces the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. Since the recount began, I often look through the window at the people who brave the elements to fight for rights that humans are entitled to have and to right the wrongs done to humans. One rainy morning, I looked out to see if those guardians of freedom would come. And there they were, running out of their cars with their umbrellas to resume the duty of guarding the ballot boxes so election riggers cannot get into them, and defying the coronavirus to see the recount is transparently done. That morning I was deeply moved. I called my wife to the window and said to her- “look the unsung heroes of Guyana.” These are young men and women at the tender age of 20, 22, 25. They remind me of me, 50 years ago. I saw so many wrongs in my young life growing up in poverty in Wortmanville that I wanted to right the wrongs of the world. I dreamt of a stage where I could speak to people about what I see and what was wrong about my country. My desire for the stage was motivated by what I saw happened to my father. Dark-skinned, poor and hardly educated, he worked as the groundsman for two White/Portuguese dominated clubs – Saint Stanislaus and the GCC. My father spoke out for his rights and was fired. Our poverty in-
creased because he had no alternative income. Where, with his low education and age, would he find a job? I wanted to speak out like my father. I wanted the stage, but I wanted to own the stage and not borrow it from someone who wouldn’t lend me the next day if he didn’t like what I said. The key to ownership was education. I acquired that and my dream of having the stage came alive. Since then I have spoken my mind and I don’t care what people think of me. I hope in my heart those young dreamers I see daily at the Conference Centre will keep the dream in their heart of going into the limelight to speak their minds and right the wrongs of this world. I came back to Guyana in 1984 after service in the Grenada Revolution. The next year, I heard a song, produced in that very year, that tells the story of my dream to get a pulpit to denounce wrongdoings. It is named “Limelight” done by The Alan Parson Project with vocals by Gary Brooker who in 1967 sang one of the greatest evergreen love songs that is now rated as one of the five best songs ever sung -”A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procul Harum. In those days, they didn’t have CD player. I would go on the seawall often and listen to “Limelight” on my walkman. Last Friday, strangely after not playing it for years, my wife
and I set off to go shopping and I pushed in the Alan Parson Project CD in the car player. It was while driving, I got the idea to dedicate this song to me as I am getting older and fading from the stage and to the heroes who I see at the Conference Centre every day. Go to Youtube and listen to “Limelight.” The meaning is hard to grasp. Hope you discover it after listening. LIMELIGHT “I can see the glow of a distant sun I can feel it inside Maybe this day could be the one I can hear the roar of a distant crowd They are waiting for me Calling my name Shouting out loud Holding on isn’t always easy I ain’t gonna change my mind Limelight you were all I ever wanted Since it all began Limelight shining on me Telling the world who I am Limelight don’t let me slip right through your fingers There’s a long way to fall After all the years of waiting I’m gonna show them all I can see the world in a different light Now it’s easy to say Where I went wrong What I did right I can hear the beat Of a different drum Take it all in my stride Hold my head high
Second to none Holding on wasn’t always easy Nothing can change my mind Limelight you were all I ever wanted since it all began Limelight shining on me Telling the world who I am Limelight don’t let it slip right through your fingers There’s a long way to fall
After all the years of waiting, I’m gonna show them all Maybe the role’s not easy Maybe the prize is small After all the years of waiting, I’m gonna show them all” (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Frederick Kissoon
PAGE 20
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
GECOM is going to have to make some tough decisions in the coming weeks
I
n a matter of weeks, maybe days, the beleaguered Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will be called upon to take what will be perhaps the deepest and most critical look ever at a general elections held in Guyana, given the increasing number of irregularities being discovered during the recount and audit of the March 2, General and Regional Elections. The governing Coalition, led by President David Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, has been receiving daily reports about the massive and systematic irregularities being discovered by our counting agents. To say that the level of systematic fraud heaped upon this nation by the main opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is stunning and unbelievable, would be the understatement of the year. But haven’t fraud and malfeasance been part of the PPP’s DNA for decades? Evidence of dozens of dead or migrated people mysteriously voting for the PPP is being unearthed daily. Agents of the PPP and the plethora of insignificant small parties lined up behind the PPP are understandably quiet about these discoveries as these are beginning to show an uncomfortable pattern of deceit and fraud that will more than likely come back to haunt the PPP and many of its supporters, many of whom have taken to social media to brag and boast about fraud committed by people who are loyal to the Coalition. We are told that many of the leaders of these very same smaller parties have bought
into promises of cabinet and other high-level positions from the PPP and have abandoned any pretenses that they are looking after their own party interests rather than that of the PPP. But time will tell. Many on social media have demanded that the Coalition not only publishes its Statements of Polls from March 2 but also provide proof that hundreds, if not thousands, of dead and migrated people had voted for the PPP. We have also seen that PPP agents had refused to stamp ballots in traditional and well known political strongholds of the Coalition, placed Coalition votes in PPP envelopes, declared votes as invalid for illegal reasons and or hid important polling day documents that should have been safely and securely placed in ballot boxes for a day like today. Coalition leaders have said that these documents, including the evidence of massive and systematic fraud by the PPP would be unveiled to the public at the right time, not at anyone else’s bidding or urgings. From what we are seeing, the commission is going to have its work cut out for it in the coming weeks. “Based on the GECOM data, logical explanations ought to be provided to the public, for all interested parties to be able to ascertain the credibility of the electoral system and processes . Clear and unambiguous answers are needed,” said a document produced by the Coalition in recent days. Coalition parliamentary candidate and retired army chief Gary Best made the point clearly on social media that the recount is not merely about numbers but rather based more on credibility of
the elections. “So far our agents have discovered numerous occasions of variance in the number of electors ticked off by presiding officers and polling clerks as voted at 39 polling stations. This is a serious case of concern. The number of valid votes cast at these polling stations amount to 9,395. The number of persons who vote at a polling station must be a statistical certainty. Given the fact that the results of a winner of an election are based on which party receives the most votes, the process that leads to the numerical results must therefore be credible. Variations in the number of electors ticked off as voted amounts to this process not being credible. And we now see an emerging pattern of fraud at these polling stations facilitated by the presiding officers and polling agents. The results of the March 2, General Elections cannot be about numbers only. More importantly, it has to be about whether the process that led to the numbers was credible. So far the data shows that the process was “not credible,” Best made clear in a social media post. GECOM Chair, Madam Claudette Singh has also set the stage for a proving process that could blow the whole plan to rig the elections and steal a country in broad daylight wide open. “I am of the view that, he who asserts must prove,” Singh noted, reminding all, the PPP especially, that no decision has as yet been made by her outfit regarding tabulations, a winner, credibility and the level of fraud and irregularities. Coalition Commissioner Desmond Trotman also stepped up to the plate noting that “if it is that you are speaking about credibility and you want to ascertain that the elections were credible, if you have information that something occurred that shouldn’t have taken place, you have to look at it. There is going to be a summation of all the anomalies that were put forward and those of merit will be looked at,” he said. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Sunday May 24, 2020
PAGE 21
Kaieteur News
The establishment and development of the Institute of Internal Auditors - Guyana Chapter By John Seeram The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Global has declared the month of May - International Internal Audit Awareness Month, as have been the practice over the years. Hence, I have chosen to enlighten readers on the Establishment and the Development of the Guyana Chapter, and its relationship with IIA Global. WHAT IS THE IIA GLOBAL? The IIA Global was established in 1941 in New York City by a small group of dedicated internal auditors who wanted a professional organization that would represent their profession; and to provide educational activities and standards for the professional practice of internal auditing. Since then, the IIA has become a dynamic international organization that meets the needs of a worldwide body of internal auditors. Its Mission is to be the primary international professional association, organized on a worldwide basis, and dedicated to the promotion and development of the practice of internal auditing. With over 180,000 members in approximately 190 countries globally, the IIA is proud to be the world leader in certification, education, research, and technological guidance for the profession globally. Headquartered in Altamonte Springs, Florida, USA, the IIA is obligated to meeting the needs and development of Internal Auditors worldwide. This Global Institute is committed to: · Providing on an international scale, comprehensive professional development activities, standards for the practice of internal auditing, a code of ethics, and certification of its examinations. · Researching, disseminating, and promoting to its members and to the public throughout the world, knowledge and information concerning, among others, governance, risk management and controls. · Having international conferences worldwide in order to educate members and others about the current practice of internal auditing as it exists in various countries throughout the world. · Bringing together internal auditors from all countries to share information and experiences in internal auditing and promoting education in the field of auditing through local (Guyana), regional (Caribbean) and international meetings. · Providing a Code of Ethics in order to promote an ethical culture in the profes-
sion of internal auditing. This Code is necessary and appropriate for this profession, founded as it is, on the trust placed in its objective assurance about governance, risk management, and control. THE GUYANACHAPTER The establishment of the Institute of Internal Auditors – Guyana Chapter (IIAGC) was approved by the IIA Global on April 30, 2000 and is now in its 21st year of existence. This Chapter attained a major landmark on July 11, 2019 when it became an International Chapter of IIA Global. Prior toJuly 11, it was a member of the North American Chapter which comprises the United States of America, Canada, and eleven Caribbean Countries which include Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Barbados, Trinidadand Tobago, only to name a few. The Chapters around the world are the building block of the IIA Global. This Chapter’s aim is to serve the IIA membership as well as commercial, industrial and governmental organizations. Auditors from both the private and public sectors make up the membership of this Chapter. Representatives from public accounting organizations, educators from the University of Guyana and students interested in the internal auditing field are welcomed to be members. This member diversification provides a real forum for a rich interchange of ideas and information. INTERNATIONALCHAPTER (IC) – GUYANA Guyana is now a global partner of the IIA, joining over 190 Countries and Territories across the world, and is no longer under the ‘umbrella’ of IIA North America Chapter. In order to be an IC, this Chapter must maintain a minimum of 50 members. In effect, this is not a problem area. Additionally, members will benefit in the following ways; ·Members can now renew their membership for a fee of US$100, as against the former fee of approximately US$265. With such a significant reduction (62 percent), it is expected that its membership should surpass 100 shortly. · There will be on demand 24/7 a webinar playback. In so doing, its members will now have access to an extensive library of an archived webinar which will include topics such as audit fundamentals and soft skills technology. · Archived webinars will also be eligible for Continuing Professional Education Credits, which is a key annual requirement for holders and
as well for other IIA Certifications. GUYANACHAPTER’S DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH Over the past 20 years, the Guyana Chapter has been recognised by the IIA Global for its continuing development and contribution to the internal auditing profession locally. In this context, this profession has been benefiting from: · Training Seminars and Workshops which are presented by well qualified and experienced Facilitators with a focus on current global best practices. · Maintaining a membership over its second decade of approximately 60-80 members, and actively conducting membership recruitment. In year 2000, this Chapter had started with a membership of 15. · Providing a Chapter Website and other technology resources to serve its members as determined by the IIA Global. · Developing and providing the services as it deems most appropriate to serve internal audit professionals. · Ensuring that the International Professional Practices Framework (IPPF) is made available to all its members. · Marketing and increasing the demand for IIA’s Certification Programmes. Worthy of mention, in 2005, Guyana had its first certification-Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), in 2020 it now has 16 CIA’s. · The strategic alignment of the activities of this Chapter since its existence with that of the IIA Global. · Promoting outreach programmes in both the Private and Public Sectors entities on the current best practices of the internal auditing profession. · Allowing members holding executive positions to be given the opportunity to attend IIA’s overseas conferences with a view to sharing their knowledge obtained with Chapter members. Chapter’s Hurdles s till to Cross After 20 years of this Chapter’s existence, the role of the internal auditor has not been fully recognised despite the Chapter promoting its mandate from the IIA Global. Evidence of this, and this not a full list, is that · Management in both the public and private sectors is yet to fully accept the important role the internal auditor is in an organisation. · The internal audit profession is not fully receiving the recognition it deserves from its stakeholders.
· The auditing emphasis is yet to fully focus on, among others, governance, controls and risk management. Further, preference is still being given to appoint auditors with an accounting background, however such a unit needs to be also staffed with non-accountants in order to add value and improve the organisation’s operations. · There is still the view that the internal auditor and the external auditor is one and the same. · The internal auditor is not being allowed to perform and act independently at all times. As an example, the reporting function is to a senior line staff and not to an Audit Committee of the Board of Directors in order to preserve the auditor’s independence. · More funds should be provided in the training budget for internal auditors in both sectors since the audit scope has been constantly expanding. That budget should also provide adequate funding for ongoing research and development of this profession. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CHAPTER’S SUCCESS Contributors to the successful growth path of the Guyana Chapter are: · The Board of 10 Governors which became operational in year 2017. · The Executive Committee which is head by a President and supported by 3 to 4 members. · Ad Hoc Committees to support the Executive Committee. · Stakeholders in both the Private and Public Sectors who can be classified as partners with the Guyana Chapter. With the exception of the stakeholders, the above-mentioned contributors are Chapter volunteers, tasked with providing services in accordance with the IIA’s mandate. The leadership of the Guyana Chapter over the 20 years, holding the President’s position in ascending order has been John Seeram, Deodat Indar, Jaigopaul Ram, Jaisree Lam, Devi Kaladeen. And presently 2019 -20, Mandie Mickel, who is both the President and Chair of this Chapter’s Board. The previous Chair from 2017 -19 was John Seeram. It should be mentioned that this Chapter’s leaders over the years have been/are selected for their competence, professionalism and leadership qualities. Recognition must also be given to the significant contributions made towards the early development of IIAGC. And they are Lal Balkaran of the Toronto, Canada Chapter, the late Barry Robinson of the Jamaica Chapter, Claire Gomez
of the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter, and Kevin Mead, Field Services Manager, IIAG. The goalswhich are attained to date are a team effort, involving the Board of Governors, the Executive Committee, its Members, and its Stakeholders. THE WAY FORWARD The Guyana Chapter is fully aware of the areas, which it needs to focus. It is the hope that the internal audit profession will continue to receive the recognition it deserves from its stakeholders, and that the importance of the profession is understood and embraced by all. T oday’s internal auditors must be seen as a partner, instead of a watchdog, assisting management to increase its organisation’s effectiveness as promoted by the IIA Global. In 2020, IIAGC will continue to intensify its promotion of the profession and in partnership with the global body. It has to encourage all internal auditors to follow the IPPF. This IPPF is reviewed and updated every year which is excellent. One of the major challenges being faced is that internal audit is still not well-understood in some quarters, and one way to overcome this is for auditors to be guided by using the IPPF. We in Guyana have to keep abreast with the developments of this profession and to focus on not only on risk-based auditing, but also on value-based auditing and performance improvement. Internal auditors need to keep advancing this profession
John Seeram, Member IIAG within their respective organizations, so that they can be viewed as not only relevant, but also as an indispensable asset. The IIAGC Guyana is committed to continue moving this profession forward. IIA Global is recognised for the sharing of knowledge and raising the level of the auditing profession worldwide over the past seven decades. This Chapter continues to follow the Global Institute’s motto which is “Progress Through Sharing.” And finally, I close by stating that the members of the IIAGC take pride in the profession and want to make a difference for the future. In so doing, this Chapter is forward-thinking, takes a stand for professionalism and competency, and is committed to elevating the practice of internal auditing in Guyana to the required quality assurance standards. That being said, the continuing development and growth of the internal auditing profession in Guyana is heavily dependent on this vital servicing unit - IIAGC, as well as partnering with its many stakeholders, and will continue along this path for the development of this noble profession.
PAGE 22
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
Ensuring that people remain at the centre of economic and social transformation (A review of David Granger’s, Guyana’s decade of development. Overcoming crime, disease, ignorance and poverty) David Granger’s Guyana’s presidency. He said, during decade of development. Over- his address at his inauguracoming crime, disease, igno- tion celebration on 26th May rance and poverty is a work 2015: of thoughtful foresight. David “We must now look to the Granger lays out a visionary future. We must turn our efplan for his country’s devel- forts and energy not towards opment for 2020-2029 – one destroying one another but that bridges the gap between towards defeating the real short-term necessity and enemies of our people –crime, long-term strategy. disease, ignorance and povThe President of Guyana erty – the four horsemen of launched his ‘Decade of De- the Guyanese Apocalypse.” David Granger pursued velopment’ on 1st January 2020 – the start of the second his human development decade of the new century. It agenda steadfastly. He prowas also his country’s elec- mulgated enlightened policies tion year but the ‘Decade’ was aimed at enhancing human not a political ploy intended safety, expanding public eduto woo the electorate with a cation, improving public basket of promises. It repre- health and eliminating extreme sented David Granger’s inten- poverty during his first-term tion to ensure that human as President. Crime, disease, ignorance development remained at the forefront of national develop- and poverty may appear to be inescapable but they are not ment. David Granger enunciated ineradicable. Given the his human development myriad social and economic agenda at the start of his problems which he inherited
on being elected President, he would not have been expected to eradicate them within his first five years in office. He acted decisively to reverse the ills he found while, at the same time, pursuing a people-centered agenda by successfully piloting four transformative processes during his first term. David Granger set his country on the path of a green trajectory of development aimed at the realization of a ‘green state.’ He steered his country towards becoming a ‘digital state.’ He strengthened the foundation for an ‘education nation’ and he is erecting the pillars for building a ‘petroleum state.’ These four processes portend bright prospects. The President recognizes, however, that human development could be detoured easily while pursuing these goals. David Granger’s clear intention – as presented in Guyana’s decade of development. Overcoming crime, dis-
ease, ignorance and poverty–is to ensure that every citizen could share in the benefits of these four transformative processes during the next ten years and beyond. The book explains how he intends to deliver tangible benefits to the Guyanese people, thereby improving the quality of their lives and well-being. He cares for common folk and his ‘Decade of Development’ is a blueprint to ensure that the poor will not be left behind in the expected wealth creation which the four transformative processes will engender. The book – ‘The Decade of Development’–consists of five addresses which President Granger delivered to different audiences and could hardly have been seen as an electioneering expedient. Its promulgation predated the elections campaign and was conceptualized with the country’s prospects of economic and social transformation in mind. There was, evidently, a great deal of forethought in the formulation of the concept of a Decade of Development, a key element being its alignment with the country’s national development objectives with its international obligations. The President, as early as his first year in office in 2015, proclaimed Guyana ‘a green state’ as the country signed the ‘Paris Agreement’ on 12th December 2015. The ‘Decade’ is consistent with the Green State Development Strategy – the country’s blueprint for embracing a green economy.
It adopted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Decade is peoplecentred. The President, earlier in 2019, addressed residents of a new housing scheme at Perseverance Village, East Bank Demerara, promising that one of the objectives during the ‘Decade’ would be to ensure that there would be “...a roof over every head”. The President’s ten-point programme anticipates that, by the end of 2029, Guyana would be a country of “happy people, happy families, happy households and happy com-
munities.” The Decade is businessfriendly. The President, addressing the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association, later in 2019, pointed out that the ‘Decade’ would expand business opportunities. The President’s concept of a ‘Decade’ has been pilloried by his opponents who accused him of sloganeering. They point to the absence of a plan defining the concept. But Guyana’s Decade of Development. Overcoming crime, disease, ignorance and poverty is a plan that refutes these criticisms. The book demonstrates that the ‘Decade’, far from being hollow political rhetoric, is a solid plan, replete with policies and objectives, for the next 10 years. The President’s plan for the ‘Decade’ answers a fundamental question of political economy by addressing the means by which wealth-generation can be transformed into human development. Inequality in wealth distribution has been one of the notorious problems plaguing countries enjoying unexpected economic expansion. This book has set out priorities and policies to ensure that greater equality would accompany economic growth.The book – Guyana’s decade of development. Overcoming crime, disease, ignorance and poverty – should be of interest to the wider academic community. This book serves as a guide for ensuring that people remain at the centre of economic and social transformation. It is highly recommended.
Sunday May 24, 2020
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
Dr. Zulfikar Bux – an ER Specialist on a mission to help end COVID-19 By Sharmain Grainger
O
riginating in Wuhan, China in late 2019, COVID19, the novel coronavirus, within a matter of months, was able to spread its contagious tentacles across the globe, not only crippling many health sectors but crumbling economies by virtue of necessitated lockdowns. Quelling its spread has been a trying task even for developed countries with astounding medical and scientific advances. To date, there are still many unknowns about the disease and the best of experts have conceded to this fact. But being resilient and never willing to back away from a challenge, mankind has kept the wheels of laboratories turning. They have become hubs of experimental activities aimed at finding a solution, multiple even, that can bring, perhaps, a definitive end to the dreaded COVID-19. Once there is a will, mankind will always ensure there is a way to outwit any perceived threat that presents itself as invincible. While some countries have been seeing more successes than others, all have a few quiet geniuses who have been analysing the threat in the quest to understand its weaknesses. The intent, quite pellucid, is to conquer the threat in order to resume some semblance of normalcy. UNSUNG HERO Here in our 83,000 square miles, we have Emergency Medicine Specialist, Dr. Zulfikar Bux, an unsung hero if you will, who since learning of the disease has been plotting its demise. Dr. Bux on a weekly basis, in these very pages, has been sharing some tactical moves that can help thwart the spread of the disease, if adhered to. “From day one, I have realized that this is a disease where the biggest impact lies in preventative measure rather than in hospital care. The more preventative measures we take as a country, the more lives will be saved and the easier it will be for me and all the health professionals who are on the firing line,” Dr. Bux recently shared. In fact, he embraces the belief that “We all have a role to play when it comes to this pandemic, I have just been doing my part. The more awareness there is about this disease, the more lives we may be able to save.” Among the measures being valiantly pushed by this Emergency Medicine Specialist, is the importance
“Countries with responsible citizens have better control of the disease spread. We need to sacrifice a bit to save a lot. The faster we all sacrifice and behave responsible, the quicker we will have control of this disease spread and be able to minimize on the restrictive life and save so many lives.” of boosting the immune system, mask wearing for all, staying at home, social distancing, and very importantly, the practising of proper hygiene. Promoting these are crucial, Dr. Bux said, since as an Emergency Room (ER) physician, “I am in the business of saving lives. It will be wrong for me to not share what I know especially knowing that it may be able to save lives.” Dr. Bux sits at the helm of the ER Department at the country’s premier public health institution, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). THE PREPARATION Recognising the potential of the coronavirus disease reaching our shores, Dr. Bux said that the GPHC decided to initiate a theoretical COVID-19 response plan in early February. This plan, he said, was operationalise after patient zero was diagnosed with the disease in March. “It (the response plan) has of course evolved over time as we learn more about the disease and its presentations,” said Dr. Bux who revealed that the hospital’s response is guided by its COVID-19 taskforce which meets daily to review recommendations and plans, taking into consideration challenges and other factors that may arise. But even as medical experts grasp a bit more knowledge about the disease daily, there remains a challenge to characterise a suspected case. This, Dr. Bux said, is due to the fact that the disease continues to have a varied spectrum of symptoms and signs. Nevertheless, the hospital utilises a screening checklist to determine the possibility of a case. “We rely on the checklist, our medical training and our evolving knowledge of the disease to filter characteristics that may indicate that the patient may have COVID-19 or not, (but) the only way to be certain is to have a test done. This of course takes longer than we would like, but it is the reality of having a new, unknown disease. When we are not sure, we err on the side of caution to ensure other patients, and staff, are not placed at risk of exposure,” he intimated.
Dr. Bux’s department, understandably, is the first to assess all cases, COVID-19 or not, that arrive at the hospital. Because of the dynamic nature of the department and the spectrum of cases that present, Dr. Bux said that, “we always have to be on the alert for patients with atypical presentations who end up being COVID-19 positive.” Although there are specific areas within the ER to manage COVID-19 cases, he explained that the entire team on duty is always in COVID-19 response mode. “Sometimes we have multiple suspected cases presenting and it takes multiple staff to deal with each case. At the same time, we have to balance our staffing to ensure that we also have sufficient staff for non-COVID-19 cases as well,” he added. Essentially, the ER Department does not have the luxury of dedicating staffers to only COVID-19 cases. Moreover, doctors and nurses assigned to that department are expected to cater to a COVID-19 case, and then return to attend to a nonCOVID-19 case after they would have changed their protective gear without breaking a proverbial sweat. A RISKY SITUATION The risk that ER staffers face every day has been amplified since the COVID-19 outbreak. From time immemorial, adhering to safety measures in the ER has been paramount. But with COVID19, these measures have been ramped up to the point of all patients being thoroughly screened upon presentation. “We now have a team at the entrance of the ER that screens and performs primary triage (sorting out) of patients,” said Dr. Bux. This initiative was fast-tracked, he explained, after several of his staffers were exposed to COVID-19 cases that were not typical upon presentation. Those staffers had to be quarantined but none have tested positive. To ensure safety in the department too, he revealed that suspected COVID-19 cases are managed in a separate section while the other cases are managed through the normal preexisting channels. Though admitting that this approach is not fool proof, Dr. Bux
insisted that, “it is the best way of triaging and managing patients given the circumstances”. Operating in the forever bustling ER is a not an easy role to play since specialists like Dr. Bux are not only expected to think on their feet but oftentimes win a mental battle that can easily beset their flow. “Being a member of the ER team, especially now, requires that you fight your protective instincts and be mentally strong,” said Dr. Bux. Seeking to further quality the intense nature of the ER, he explained that while patients on hospital wards are already stabilized or differentiated for the most part allowing doctors a controlled environment in which to work, the ER demands a more “fast lane” approach. “The patients who come to us are undifferentiated and sometimes unstable. Anyone that comes off the street can have COVID-19. They can have COVID-19 and be involved in an accident and present with multiple injuries. There is no way we will be able to determine that it’s a COVID19 case. At the same time, we cannot wait to find out that patient’s status. Time is not on our side and there are times when we have to put ourselves at risk to save that person,” the ER Specialist asserted. WILLING TO SACRIFICE Interestingly though, there are some who do not have an appreciation for the tedious work of those operating out of the ER. Asked to share his thoughts on this, Dr. Bux said, “You have to be heartless to not appreciate what we are doing and how much we are sacrificing to ensure we keep as many persons healthy as possible. There isn’t much I can say to those who do not appreciate what we do during this time.”
Turning his attention to those who continue to be irresponsible by failing to adhere to measures to safeguard themselves and others, Dr. Bux made it clear that “This is a disease where it only takes one irresponsible citizen to put the lives of everyone else at risk. I cringe when I’m going to work and see so many persons socializing, not wearing masks and taking risks that they shouldn’t be taking at this time.” Considering too that recently “we have gotten more relaxed”, the ER Specialist worried whether “we need to see more devastation” before the need for adherence is fully embraced. “I hope that we all come to our senses and be responsible citizens before it’s too late,” he added. More than two months since Guyana recorded its first case, the numbers have steadily increased to upwards of 120, with 10 deaths at the time of writing this article. Unless persons embrace precautionary measures, Dr. Bux fears that the cases will continue to soar. “Countries with responsible citizens have better control of the disease spread. We need to sacrifice a bit to save a lot. The faster we all sacrifice and behave responsible, the quicker we will have control of this disease spread and be able to minimize on the restrictive life and save so many lives,” he asserted. GOING FORWARD But there are not only risks to consider in wake of COVID-19. In fact, according to Dr. Bux, the local public health sector, the GPHC in particular, is poised to have a stronger focus on
ER Specialist, Dr. Zulfikar Bux
communicable or infectious diseases in the future. He, with confidence, assured that “once this is over, we would have put systems in place to deal with outbreaks in a more efficient and effective manner than previously.” In testing the resilience of the local health sector, Dr. Bux believes that COVID-19 has helped to create some changes that many didn’t even know were needed. “It has pushed us to the brink and has brought unity among teams of providers that has helped us to be more efficient in healthcare delivery. It has made it more difficult for us to approach patients without having that fear of risk. It is a mental battle with each patient, but it is helping us to evolve our minds to see the good during the tough times,” said Dr. Bux. This outstanding medical practitioner also embraces the view that “this will help boost the relationship between patients and healthcare providers. Of course, a lot of us are mentally scarred and hopefully we use it as an experience to build our resilience with the right support.” Even as he eyes the future, his focus continues to be in the present and often it is trained on his hardworking staffers who work beyond the call of duty. “I do worry for my staff...at this time, we cannot go on leave and I worry how long we can sustain this level of commitment without needing breaks. Hopefully, our citizens behave responsibly and help curb the spread so that we can get enough breathing space to take small breaks and catch up with our lives,” said an optimistic Dr. Bux.
PAGE 24
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
SUNDAY NATIONALELECTION RECOUNT ‘ILLEGAL’ – AG WILLIAMS, FORDE …PARTY WILLACCEPT RESULT – AMNAALLY Attorney General, Basil Williams, has claimed that the national recount exercise currently ongoing at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre is in fact illegal, a position supported by his fellow party member, attorney-at-law Roysdale Forde, SC. “Our law did not cater for a national recount,” Williams told reporters Saturday at the recount media center, at Liliendaal, on the Railway Embankment. His position mirrors that of Guyana’s Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Charles Fung-a-Fat, who back in March, had advised the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) against drafting the recount order on the premise that it would be a breach of the Constitution of Guyana and the Representation of the People Act. Forde, also speaking at the Conference Centre Saturday, sided with Williams on the view that the recount is not legitimate. Both Williams’ and Forde’s position directly clash with the previous ruling from the Appeal Court and the provisions made by Guyana Elections Commission paving the way for the recount to commence, now in its 12th day. Williams reiterated that “no law” makes provisions for the recount and pointed out that a winner for the March 2, 2020 general and regional elections cannot be declared from the figures emerging from that process. He told the press that “GECOM had to erect, build in roads for the purposes of this national recount because none exists”. The Attorney-General noted that the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of GECOM, Keith Lowenfield, has ten legal declarations in his possession. He argued that sole purpose of the recount is to examine the events on polling day, not to determine a winner. “So far, it has shown clearly massive deficiencies on the part of the Opposition so much that one can conclude that they attempted to gerrymander the elections,” Williams said. He pointed out that the ten previous declarations, including the controversial Region Four declarations by Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, are still “valid and subsisting”.
GUYANA SHOULD HAVE SAY IN ALL OIL COMPANIES’ SPENDING – TT EXPERT, ANTHONY PAUL When the Stabroek Block deal was released in 2017, several international experts cringed upon noting the alarming loopholes the Coalition Government left unaddressed. Two years later, fresh eyes continue to find more areas of concern. Two weeks ago, Kaieteur News would have reported that international energy lawyer, J. Jay Park, alluded to the fact that Guyana is supposed to have a say in the approval of the budgets these oil companies draft. It is the same as if a mother drafts a shopping list on how her daughter is supposed to spend $60,000 on groceries for the home. Naturally, the mother is supposed to have some say over what her daughter would purchase for the home, which supermarket she would go to so they can get the most value, and how many of the items she should get. The mother is supposed to get a say- after all, she is paying for it. But this is not taking place in Guyana’s case. Park found that Guyana’s Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil gives the country no say over what the operator budgets to spend on the Stabroek Block. This is in spite of the fact that Guyana will be footing the bill. The contract only gives the country the right to audit. One can also say that this is the same as the mother allowing her daughter to spend on whatever she
wants, whether it is $60,000 or $1M and the daughter saying, “If you have a problem, you can check all my receipts. The cost for the items is on par with international prices.” The lawyer noted that the absence of legal approval for ExxonMobil’s budgets is actually an odd feature in the Guyana-ExxonMobil PSA, He is not the only one who shares this view. In agreement with him is Trinidadian expert, Anthony Paul. During a recent appearance on Kaieteur Radio’s show, Guyana’s Oil and You, Paul categorically stated that Guyana should have the power to influence how the oil companies spend the money and not only the power to audit what is already expended. CARTER CENTER PROTEST QUELLEDAS ONE ARRESTED An early morning protest that was staged Saturday by members of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/ C) saw one being arrested. PPP/C supporters turned up with placards in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanding that members of the Carter Center be allowed to re- enter the country to observe the ongoing National Recount process. This comes after Government, for the third time, turned down a request for the return of the members of the Carter Centre. Protestors chanted and called for the Ministry and those in the COVID-19 Task Force to grant the GECOM accredited observers
permission to come back to scrutinize the recount process. However, their chants and ranting were short-lived after police ranks closed in and told them to leave. An inspector was seen asking them what they were doing. He then followed up his question by telling them that they need to leave and return to their homes. Protestors refused to adhere and asked the reasons why. The officer explained that they were in breach of the Gazetted COVID-19 lock down measures. He said that crowds were prohibited. However, the protestors said they were and were standing six feet apart and therefore complying. One vocal demonstrator was arrested and the rest of the supporters dispersed from the South Road location. Later, in a Facebook post, former Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, said that two protestors were arrested. Also condemning the police actions was General Secretary of the PPP/C, Bharrat Jagdeo. He said, in a press conference Saturday afternoon, that he sees nothing illegal done by protestors. MONDAY I WILLACCEPT ‘ANY’ DECLARATION FROM GECOM – PRESIDENT Incumbent President David Granger Sunday said that he will accept ‘any’ declarations made by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The President has made the statement against the
backdrop of members of his party questioning the legality of the recount, while others have made claims about the credibility of the March 2 elections. During a rare media engagement following a meeting with the Commission and the CARICOM scrutinizing team at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the President was asked directly if he would accept the results emerging from the recount process. To this, President Granger said, “Whatever declaration is made by the Chairman, [Justice Claudette Singh] of the Elections Commission would be regarded as legitimate by the Coalition Government.” Asked about the contradictory statements made by Attorney General Basil Williams and Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde who both questioned the legality of the recount and the legitimacy of any results coming out of the process, President Granger stated emphatically that it was he who had ultimate authority for speaking on behalf of the governing Coalition. “As President of Guyana and leader of the Government, it is my policy that any declaration coming from the Chairman of GECOM will be accepted by the Government of Guyana,” the Head of State told reporters. It is left to the Elections Commission to decide whether Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield should use the final figures emerging from the recount to declare the winner. At present, GECOM holds a pair of declarations for each
of the 10 regions. Those are being held “in abeyance”. A declaration from the recount will not be produced until all regions have been counted, according to Commissioners on the order for the recount. Commissioners and the Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward said that the declaration coming out of the recount will automatically replace those which are held in abeyance. Pointed to claims against the credibility of the elections, Granger said that the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections were conducted in a “free, fair and orderly” manner, and that the question of the credibility of the process is still to be determined. ROOM STILL EXISTS FOR GUYANATO HAVE A SAY ON OIL COMPANIES’ SPENDING – TT EXPERT, ANTHONY PAUL The Stabroek Block contract does not contain a single provision, which secures Guyana’s right to approve how much ExxonMobil and its partners intend to spend. In fact, Guyana can only check the oil companies’ bills to ensure the costs incurred were not inflated and that they are in keeping with international benchmarks. But even with such a gaping loophole in the Stabroek Block deal, Energy Expert and International Consultant, Anthony Paul, said Guyana still has a few good opportunities to increase its influence. Paul noted that ExxonMobil is moving at (Continued on page 25)
Sunday May 24, 2020
From page 24 break neck speed to monetize its discoveries. In doing so, it will need approval from the government for its Field Development Plans. It is at this point, Paul noted, that Guyana can say, “In exchange for the approval, these are the conditions you have to comply with.” The Trinidadian Energy Strategist made these and other comments during a recent appearance on Kaieteur Radio’s Programme, Guyana’s Oil and You. There, Paul said the county has numerous opportunities to claw back some of the value lost in the lopsided ExxonMobil deal. He noted, however that this is only doable to the extent that the government has the ability of understanding what it wants and deserves and the confidence to ask for it. He said that at the end of the day, it really boils down to willpower. The international consultant said, “…If you haven’t got the will power to do it (then more value is lost). And we know when the contract was renegotiated in 2015 -2016; the opportunity was there with different information to make some significant changes. How that occurred gives you a sense of the will to make changes…” Prior to the 2020 elections saga and the COVID-19 pandemic, ExxonMobil has been pushing for the approval of its Payara Field Development Plan. Once those two issues are behind them, ExxonMobil’s partner on the Stabroek Block, Hess Corporation, said that getting the approval for Payara will be their “number one, two and three priority.” GOVT. BARRED CARTER CENTER OUT OF CONCERNS ABOUT COVID-19 – PRESIDENT GRANGER The strict measures implemented to safeguard Guyana against the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is the sole reason behind Government not clearing the Carter Center Observer Mission to return for the ongoing national recount of ballots. During a rare appearance Sunday, his first in almost two months, President Granger told journalists that the Carter Center should respect the decision his administration has taken. He also asked that the public health situation be considered before new requests are made. The President referenced the partial countrywide curfew implemented in March to restrict travel and public
PAGE 25
Kaieteur News
gatherings as a response to the rising number of COVID19 cases. That number now stands at 117. “This was followed up on April 3. And this was followed up every single week. The Ministers, not as a Cabinet but as Council, meet to deliberate on those measures and we take those measures very seriously.” “We are very careful, and we ask people to respect the emergency measures which have been implemented by the Government of Guyana,” the Head of State told the media. May 15 marked the third time that the Carter Center Observer Team had been denied permission to enter Guyana. After being refused on their second attempt, the National COVID-19Task Force Task Force gave the mission renewed hope after Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Joseph Harmon relayed that the team could reapply. He however stated that their application must “go through the right process.” The same was done with requests coming from United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, and to five Senators of the United States who called for the Carter Center’s return. In two letters addressed to the above stakeholders, Foreign Affairs Minister Karen Cummings who wrote on behalf President David Granger, explicitly stated that
“…it may not be possible for the Carter Center and the IRI Advisor to participate in the overseeing of the recount of the votes cast on the 2nd March General and Regional Elections which as you are aware had already commenced.” Providing justification for the move, Cummings cited the travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 virus. TUESDAY KAIETEUR NEWS ANALYSIS MINGO’S WIDESPREAD MANIPULATION OF REGION FOUR FIGURES IN 17 BALLOT BOXES … ADDS 778 VOTES TO APNU+AFC, TAKES 331 VOTES FROM PPP/C … RECOUNT VINDICATES STATEMENTS OF POLL A Kaieteur News analysis of information covering 17 Region Four ballot boxes has shown a pattern of inflation of votes for APNU+AFC and of deflation of votes for PPP/ C during the Kingston tabulation by Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo. Between just 17 boxes, Mingo’s general election tabulation subtracted 331 votes from PPP/C and added 778 votes to APNU+AFC. This indicates that, for just those 17 ballot boxes, Mingo’s general election
tabulation produced a total variance of 1,109 votes from the figures on the corresponding statements of poll.While members of the governing coalition have consistently dismissed the figures on the statements of poll (SOPs) which have been made public by political parties, and which have been posted outside each and every polling station for public scrutiny, the statements of recount produced by the GECOM work stations during the National Recount for these 17 ballot boxes, are overwhelmingly in correlation with the numbers on the SOPs provided. It should be noted that the coalition has so far refused to provide copies of the SOPs in its possession and which various representatives have claimed to be in alignment with Mingo’s figures. Slight variations of just a few votes between the statements of poll and the statements of recount, have been accounted for b y G E C O M ’s P u b l i c Relations Officer Yolanda Wa r d , and GECOM Commissioners, who have noted that GECOM is actively reconsidering certain ballots which were rejected at the polling station, once the intention of the voter is clear. This would account in the
variation of a small number of votes per polling station. Background Allegations that there might be attempts to rig the elections began mid-March shortly after the contentious pair of declarations of the Region Four results by Mingo was ruled as unlawful by Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire. FLOODGATES WILL BE OPEN TO CORRUPTION, POOR GOVERNANCE IF LAWS NOT ROOTED IN POLICY –TT PETROLEUM EXPERT If Guyana does not ensure that its laws are rooted in good policy, then it would only be opening the floodgates to corruption says Trinidadian Petroleum Expert, Anthony Paul. His comments come in wake of a recent Kaieteur News article which exposed that the Energy Department is pursing the review of Guyana’s oil and gas laws without a national oil and gas Policy in place. In spite of advice given to Guyana since 2016 to pursue a policy first, the Energy Department is in the process of fine-tuning a US$1.2M contract with American law firm, Hunton, Andrews, Kurth LLP. That company also enjoys a 40year relationship with ExxonMobil which is the
largest player in Guyana’s oil industry. Reflecting on this state of affairs during a discussion on Kaieteur R a d i o ’s programme, ‘Guyana’s Oil and You’, Paul said it is critical that Guyana has a policy in place to ensure the principles of transparency and accountability take root in the governance structure for the industry. To illustrate the importance of having a policy in place, he offered the following example: “When you are putting together a budget, you are faced with all kinds of decisions. How much to save, how much to spend. But that is determined by what you want to achieve. Let’s say you want to buy a h o u s e . Yo u h a v e t o consider what the market looks like. Are prices going up or down?” Based on what the prices are at the time, Paul said one may choose to rent for a while until prices are more affordable, adding, “Now that you know what you want to achieve, you have essentially outlined a policy. And that policy says what you are going to do, which is rent for a while and save up until prices are more affordable. Your policy is essentially fit for purpose.” With that policy, Paul said (Continued on page 32)
PAGE 26
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
Big Tech Censorship amid a Global Pandemic By Glenville Ashby, PhD
“If all Americans want is security, they can go to prison. They will have enough to eat and a bed over their heads. But if an American wants to preserve his dignity and his equality as a human being, he must not bow his neck to any dictatorial government.” - Dwight Eisenhower As a global pandemic stirs debate over civil liberties, I cannot help but envision history’s most fabled philosophers drawing their own conclusions. Amid the economic paralysis caused by coronavirus (Covid-19), many have begun to question the once hallowed health guidelines of policy makers. The monolithic approach to flattening the curve touted as gospel is being challenged by a growing segment of the population. That social media platforms, such as YouTube and Twitter have sided with the official position adopted by the World Health Organization and the Centres for Disease Control by taking the contentious step to ban dissenting views is a disturbing development. Of this, what would the likes of Immanuel Kant and Jean Jacques
Rousseau say? I ponder. And I recall the pronouncement of French Enlightenment writer and philosopher Francois-Marie Arouet, known by the nom de plume Voltaire: “I do not agree with what you say but I will defend to the death for your right to say it.” As warring, inconclusive opinions on the virus continue, some are clamouring for reason, not unbending government edicts. It was Kant who defined reason as “synthesizing into unity, the concepts that are provided by the intellect.” Reason allows us to adapt to beliefs and practices based on new or existing information. What is noteworthy is that those defying government have made their own educated assessment on the mandated guidelines. Protestors in Britain have challenged the statistical modeling designed by epidemiologist Neil Ferguson who has had the ear of government and has been notoriously wrong on every virus (See “So the real scandal is: Why did anyone ever listen to this guy?”) - Statistical Modelling, Causal Inference and Social Science, posted May 18, 2020 - https:// statmodeling.stat.columbia.edu. Not surprisingly, many are
asking, “Why are dissenting videos, such as the one posted by licensed California physicians Dan Ericsson and Artin Massihi in the crosshairs of Facebook and YouTube?” And, “why were insightful views of Dr. Judy Mikovits suddenly clipped by these big tech companies?” Many are drawing their conclusions based on their own research. The question continues: Why are liquor stores considered essential while hair salons (highly manageable by every standard) are forced to close? Why are the faithful not allowed to worship in religious houses? Can they not practice social distancing as they do in supermarkets? Why are there so many conflicting medical opinions on wearing face masks and the transmission of the virus? Why are open spaces, such as beaches and parks, off limits when epidemiologists have stated that being outdoors carries a lower risk for coronavirus transmission than being indoors. In an interview with the New York Times, Dr. Julia L. Marcus is quoted as saying, “On a sunny, beautiful weekend, I think going outside is important but I also think there are things to do to reduce our risk.”
Dr. Glenville Ashby Many have begun to cite Sweden’s policy that has kept large sectors of the economy open. Schools remain open and civil liberties have not been curtailed. Notably, the painful price predicted by virologists in neighbouring countries has not materialized. In fact, Dr. Michael Ryan, the WHO’s emergency expert praised the social experiment of the Scandinavian nation. Moreover, he noted that Sweden trusted its own communities to implement social distancing, a trust not accorded US citizens. In Oregon, churches have legally challenged stay-athome orders. In New Jersey,
gym owner, Ian Smith, facing a phalanx of police officers in front of his business, vented, “We are sick and tired of [of having our rights] trampled on. We will not stand down.” And there is Dallas resident Shelley Luther who was arrested for opening her hair salon. She told the court, “Feeding my kids is not selfish. If you think kids getting fed is, then please go ahead with your decision, but I am not going to shut the salon.” And yet another salvo has been fired by 600 doctors in a letter asking the US president to end the national shutdown, stating that state mandates are causing a “mass casualty incident” with “exponentially growing health consequences.” Daily, the chorus of resistance grows. Paradoxically, censorship by big tech companies will only ignite the very conspiracies and ‘false information’ they profess to combat. Expectedly, anticipating a social media crackdown, dissenting videos are going viral. David Icke, a well-known conspiracy theorist, long a thorn in the side of orthodoxy, recently cited Winston Smith’s famous saying, “Freedom is the freedom to say that
two plus two equals four,” meaning that objective truths should not be suppressed. Should we not be allowed to reason and determine truth from falsehood? “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains,” Jean-Jacques Rousseau once said. And I cannot help but think of Rousseau’s, “Every person has a right to risk their own life for the preservation of it,” when the Dallas hairdresser addressed the court. In his essay, ‘Theory and Practice,’ Emmanuel Kant said, “Freedom of the pen is the sole palladium of the people’s rights.” He argued that the curtailment of rights limits the ability of the commander (state official) to fulfil his or her obligation to the people. So called conspiratorial videos that big tech companies have banned are very much alive in the minds of millions, a place that is off limits to the overreach of power. And this might well be the enduring lesson of this pandemic. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.) F e e d b a c k : glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby
PAGE 32
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
From page 25 that one can go about setting rules to ensure the vision becomes a reality. He said one might set a rule (law) to only go out to the club with friends once a week. Stemming from that law, he said one would design a regulation that is more detailed. REGION TWO RECOUNT COMPLETED – CONTROVERSIAL IT TECHNICIAN PROMOTED TO RECOUNT SUPERVISOR Monday, on the 13th day of the National Recount exercise, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) managed to complete the recount of 54 ballot boxes, raising the total to 642 ballot boxes. The recount notable saw the completion of all 135 boxes in Region Two, the second regional recount to be recounted after Region One was concluded on Friday, with the certification of the results was completed on Sunday. Monday saw the beginning of the counting of boxes from Region 6, with the count for Region 7 anticipated to commence today. GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward announced Monday evening that the 54 boxes counted Monday included nine ballot boxes counted for Region 2; 17 for Region 3; 13 for Region 4’ and 12 for Region 5; and three for Region 6. She went on to say that 608 ballot boxes have been tabulated for the General Elections, while 609 were completed for the regional elections. Additionally, Ward disclosed that the Commission, during a meeting conducted Monday, spoke about the allegations of deceased and migrant people voting, which are allegations that are being made by the incumbent APNU+ AFC. However, no decisions have yet been made on how to address the aforementioned issues, she noted. On the other hand, two additional workstations were approved by the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF), Monday, with the aim of ramping up the pace of the recount— one station to Region 6 and the other to 7. Meanwhile, GECOM has promoted to recount supervisor an IT technician, Enrique Livan, who was involved in the controversial removal of a flash drive at the Ashmin’s Building, the then site office of the Region Four Returning Officer, during the
initial tabulation process after the March 2 General and Regional Elections. According to Ward, Livan’s elevation occurred after a GECOM staffer left for Moruca, Region One for a period of seven days and, with the aim of alleviating and continuing work, Livan was promoted. WEDNESDAY THREE MORE BOXES DIFFER FROM MINGO’S TABULATION Three more ballot boxes were recounted, and the findings add to the mounting evidence of the systemic manipulation of votes by the Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo. Kaieteur News’ analysis now covers 20 ballot boxes, showing that Mingo’s tabulation subtracted 331 votes from PPP/C, and added 938 votes to APNU+AFC. This amounts to a total variance of 1,269 votes from the corresponding statements of poll, for those 20 boxes. The three ballot boxes include the following information. For ballot box #4144, the statement of poll showed 100 votes for PPP/C, and 190
votes for APNU+AFC. Mingo’s tabulation added 40 votes to APNU+AFC, increasing the count to 230. The statement of recount showed a decrease from the statement of poll, of one vote for PPP/C, to 99, likely due to a previously valid vote, now rejected at the recount. For ballot box #4145, the statement of poll showed 102 votes for PPP/ C, and 180 votes for A P N U + A F C . M i n g o ’s tabulation added 90 votes to APNU+AFC, increasing the count to 270. The statement of recount showed the same result as the statement of poll. For ballot box #4163, the statement of poll showed 155 votes for PPP/ C, and 63 votes for A P N U + A F C . M ingo’s tabulation added 30 votes to APNU+AFC, increasing the count to 93. The statement of recount showed the same result as the statement of poll. The other 20 ballot boxes, detailed in the previous story in this series, are of data taken, 13, from The Citizenship Initiative (TCI), and four from Head of Organisation of American States (OAS) Electoral Observer Mission Bruce Golding. Kaieteur News has
verified the veracity of all of the statements of recount. COUPLE COALITION CLAIMED WAS “OUT OF COUNTRY” WAS PRESENTAND VOTED ON ELECTIONS DAY A married couple that the A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition claimed was out of the jurisdiction on Election Day is denying those claims. Kaieteur News spoke to Shirley Nicholson who confirmed that she and her husband, Aubrey Augustus Nicholson, voted at a Sister’s Village Primary School polling station, and spent the rest of the day home with their grandchildren. The APNU/AFC, since the commencement of the national recount, raised a string of allegations that persons who have supposedly migrated or were otherwise out of the jurisdiction appeared to have voted at the March 2, 2020 elections. The party tasked with providing proof, submitted a list of five people, including the Nicholsons, to Workstation 3 of the National Recount. That list, signed by APNU/AFC agent, Yonette
Obermuller, contained also included the supposed dates of departure of those voters, all from ballot box 6007. The list had what purported to be records of the couple both leaving Guyana on July 29, last year at 10 AM. Shirley Nicholson explained to Kaieteur News that she and her husband left Guyana’s shores on August 1, 2019 to visit her daughter who lives in Suriname. The couple returned to Guyana on August 29 and has been residing at their Sister’s Village family home ever since. Mrs. Nicholson told Kaieteur News that she and her husband remain resident in Guyana and have not migrated. She says that she was in fact tending to her garden when this publication contacted her. TWO MONTHS LATER… GUYANA STILLBEING IGNORED AS WORLD BANK GIVES AID TO 100 COUNTRIES The World Bank has reached a milestone in its quest to ensure countries respond effectively to COVID-19. Its emergency operations to fight COVID-19 have reached 100 developing countries. But Guyana is excluded.
It has been more than two months since Guyana went to the Bank with open arms, asking for US$5M to aid its COVID-19 response. There has been no response. Finance Minister Winston Jordan had, in response, claimed that even the countries that got earmarked so far would have to wait months to get their aid, but the Bank said that its assistance has already reached these countries. Concerns continue to mount that the US-based Bank, which has been instrumental to the development of Guyana’s petroleum sector, may now be restricting aid from Guyana due to its protracted election process. The electoral process has dragged on for two and a half months, and Guyana has barred the Carter Center from coming back to observe the recount. The restriction has been noted by American, British, Canadian and European Ambassadors to Guyana. They have all floated the likelihood of sanctions for any electoral fraud. Guyana holds its hand out for aid, while the World Bank continually scales up its response to help other countries. “The scale and (Continued on page 33)
Sunday May 24, 2020
From page 32 speed of the Bank Group’s response is critical in helping countries mitigate the adverse impacts of this crisis and prioritize the human capital investments that can accelerate recovery,” the Bank said. THURSDAY MINGOALTERED GROVE PRIMARY SCHOOL VOTES IN FAVOUR OF COALITION – SOR, SOP REVEAL As the National Recount continues, yet another ballot box has been completed and verified to carry figures different from the tabulation of Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo. Kaieteur News’ analysis now covers 21 ballot boxes, showing that Mingo’s tabulation subtracted 331 votes from PPP/C, and added 978 votes to APNU+AFC. This amounts to a total variance of 1,309 votes from the corresponding statements of poll, for those 21 boxes. For ballot box #4159, the statement of poll showed 97 votes for PPP/C, and 65 votes for APNU+AFC. Mingo’s tabulation added 40 votes to APNU+AFC, increasing the count to 105. The statement of recount showed the same result as the statement of poll. Ballot box #4159 came from Grove Primary School, Grove, and adds to a string of boxes all coming from the East Bank of Demerara, which were clearly manipulated in the Region Four Tabulation.GATHER THE EVIDENCE, FOCUS ON THE RECOUNT Kaieteur News spoke to two Commissioners from GECOM Wednesday, at the National Recount Media Centre, on the Mingo matter. Both Commissioners Sase Gunraj and Vincent Alexander expressed the view that the recount is the focus at this point, and that anything else would have to be dealt with when it is over.Gunraj said, speaking as a lawyer, that his preference is to wait until the entire body of evidence has been gathered before any action is taken. Speaking to questions of criminal fraud, Alexander said that matters which require prosecution, where the electoral process is concerned, would be referred to the police, as GECOM does not have its own prosecutorial arm. Alexander said that he doesn’t know whether there is explicit legislation which expressly prohibits altering of election results, but figures there would be a provision which relates. He noted that GECOM has not yet discussed the
PAGE 33
Kaieteur News
Mingo matter, as the recount is the focus. Other matters, he said, will come after that. EIGHT PRESIDENTIAL GUARDS TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 Eight ranks from the Presidential Guard Unit are now in quarantine after they recently tested positive for Covid-19. According to a statement from the Police Public Relations Department, officials from the Ministry of Public Health carried out random testing exercises on ranks from the unit. Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Police Force stressed that the ranks are not responsible for personally protecting the president. He explained that their roles are to guard the president’s office, his residence and state house. A statement released by the Ministry of the Presidency also echoed the PRO’s advisory that President David Granger was not in contact with the eight ranks who have now tested positive. The statement iterated that the Uniform Section is not part of the protective arm of the President. It also stated that the President has been working remotely for some time now and has not been in the presence of these guards, who are normally stationed at the President’s office on Vlissengen Road. It was also advised that these are not new cases but cases that have already been recorded by the Ministry of Public Health. In just a matter of two days Guyana’s confirmed Coronavirus cases have jumped from 117 cases to 125. On May 16th, The Ministry of Public Health reported on its Facebook page that there were 117 confirmed cases in Guyana. However in a subsequent report on May 18th that number rose significantly to 124 cases. One more case was added to the list on May 19th bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana to 125. GUYANA’S POOR SYSTEMS SPELL DISASTER FOR OIL MONEY Guyana ushers in its newfound oil wealth in an era of poor systems for governance, procurement and management that has existed for decades. The reports from the Audit Office, the guardian of the nation’ purse, testify to this on an annual basis. Those reports speak to numerous cases of rampant
corruption and procurement breaches across ministries and regional departments. Up to last year September 2019, Auditor General, Deodat Sharma expressed dismay with the fact that the majority of his yearly recommendations to Ministries, Departments and Regions to improve systems and practices for governance and accountability are not acted on. In fact, Sharma said that 76 percent of his recommendations were not fully implemented with many of them being repeated each year. As a result of the inaction, Sharma has said that weaknesses and issues that impact negatively on Government’s governance and accountability mechanisms continue to occur. This state of affairs remains an area of serious concern for many transparency advocates, especially when taken in context of advice recently provided by Trinidadian Energy Expert, Anthony Paul. During a recent taping of Kaieteur Radio’s Programme, “Guyana’s Oil and You”, Paul said it is critical that Guyana gets proper management systems for the expenditure of oil money; otherwise, it will risk losing significant
revenue. Further to this, Paul said that proper management systems for governance and procurement would help to ensure Guyana does not find itself in the same boat with other major oil producing nations such as Nigeria and Angola that are now at the doorsteps of international financial institutions with appeals for funding to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The Energy Expert, who is currently helping the government of Mozambique, said that there are several mistakes these countries made but there is a key one Guyana should pay attention to. He said, “Governments tend to track their budgets with their revenues rather than, and I would suggest, the ability to spend money efficiently and that has been a challenge in countries that have oil and gas. FRIDAY CARTER CENTER HITS GOVT. ON COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY - SAYS UNABLE TO FINISH REPORT After three weeks of intensifying attempts for its observers to return to Guyana to participate in the
elections recount observation, the Carter Center appears to have given up. In a statement released Thursday, it expressed deep disappointment in the Granger administration’s rejection of its requests, saying that the rejection illustrated the government’s lack of commitment to transparency. The Center reiterated its previous position that the conduct of the elections was transparent and credible up until and except for the Region Four tabulation process. The full release is as follows: “The Carter Center is deeply disappointed by the government of Guyana’s decision not to approve its recent requests to allow two accredited international observers to return to Guyana to observe the ongoing recount and the remainder of Guyana’s electoral process. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has consistently confirmed that the accreditation of The Carter Center and other international observation groups remains valid, that the electoral process is not complete, and that international observers are welcome. The Center acknowledges the important role being
played during the recount by the three-person CARICOM team, as well as that of Guyanese national observers, political party scrutineers, the Organization of American States, and the Commonwealth’s technical advisor, all of whom also are accredited by GECOM. GRAVE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE LOOMS – GERMAN NGO WARNS - EXXON FLARES 9 BILLION CUBIC FEET OF GAS - EPA GAVE APPROVAL FOR FLARING DURING INTERVALS FOR 20 YRS A German NonGovernmental Organization (NGO) called Urgewald is of the firm opinion that grave environmental damage looms for Guyana as it pursues the exploitation of its oil and gas resources in the Stabroek Block. In its most recent statement, the NGO was particularly concerned about recent revelations by the local media that ExxonMobil was still flaring offshore Guyana. Flaring is a process that entails burning associated, unwanted or excess gases. As a result of this, harmful gases are released into the (Continued on page 34)
PAGE 34
From page 33 atmosphere, thereby contributing directly to global warming. When contacted Thursday, Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams, confirmed that the company was found flaring nine billion cubic feet of gas as a result of issues with the gas compressor for the Liza Destiny FPSO. Dr. Adams said that this matter has been addressed while adding that it should come to an end this week. In spite of Dr. Adams’ remarks, environmental activists remain concerned about the revelation. International Lawyer, Melinda Janki for example, told Urgewald if ExxonMobil cannot operate safely without flaring over two billion cubic feet of natural gas, then its operation in Guyana should be shut down immediately. Janki opined that flaring is utterly irresponsible, destructive and contrary to law. She also took a jab at the EPA, stating that its job is to protect the people and environment of Guyana, and not make excuses for ExxonMobil. SMOOTHEST RECOUNT DAY SO FAR…NO OBJECTIONS, NO COMPLAINTSNANDLALL On the 16th day of the National Recount exercise, the Guyana Elections Commission (GEC O M ) managed to record a smooth day without complaints and hiccups in
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
the process, according to executive of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Anil Nandlall. This rather quiet day pushed GECOM to complete the recount of an additional 88 ballot boxes, the highest number since the recount commenced. This now raises the total number of recounted ballot boxes to 877, with some 1,462 remaining to be counted in nine days. G E C O M ’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward, informed members of the media last evening that 25 boxes were counted for Region Three (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara); 19 for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 17 for Region Five (Mahaica- Berbice); 18 for Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and nine for R e g i o n Seven (CuyuniMazaruni). She went on to say that of the total, 844 Statements of Recount were tabulated for the General Election, while some 820 were done for the Regional Election. SATURDAY COALITION STARTS CAMPAIGN AGAINST ELECTIONS CREDIBILITY The APNU+AFC coalition has now embarked on a campaign against the credibility of the March 2 General and Regional Elections, with tabulations of all of the irregularities it claims have been unearthed during the National Recount, with
the clearest case so far being made so far by PNCR Executive Aubrey Norton while addressing the media Friday. “Now, what this is illustrating,” Norton said, “is that the process teems with irregularities. From the inception, I said it cannot be considered to be anomalies anymore. This is a clear case of elec t o r a l f r a u d a n d rigging.” Norton statement represents the most explicit argument against the credibility of an election that observers have labeled as free and fair, and until only recently, the Coalition was ready to swear in incumbent President David Granger on. For two weeks, the party has been asked by reporters to provide an accumulation of the irregularities it claimed it
began noticing since late last year, during the claims and objections exercise. Though the party has now provided a purported b r e a k d own such an accumulation, it has not provided any evidence to support the 1,602 claims it is making. Speaking to reporters last evening at the National Recoun t M e d i a C e n t r e , Norton sought to draw a nexus between ballots more likely to be rejected and votes cast in favour of APNU+AFC. He also sought to draw a nexus between ballots likely to be rejected and APNU+AFC strongholds. When Guyana overcomes its electoral issues, one of the biggest challenges the new government will face relates to addressing the demands that will intensify for shorebase services, according to former Energy Minister for Trinidad and Tobago, Kevin Ramnarine. The party has published numbers using different media. One table was posted by the APNUAFC Facebook page, used widely to put out information and carry live feeds from the party. Another table was posted by PNC/R executive member, James Bond. GUYANANEEDS TO PREPARE FOR INTENSE SHOREBASE DEMANDS – EX TT MINISTER When Guyana overcomes its electoral issues, one of the biggest challenges the new government will face relates to addressing the demands that will intensify for shorebase services, according to former Energy Minister for Trinidad and Tobago, Kevin Ramnarine. During his first appearance on Kaieteur Radio’s ‘Guyana’s Oil and You’, Ramnarine noted that Guyana is expected to have five floating production
storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the next five years. Ramnarine said that the shorebase demands that these oil ships will need is expected to be significant. Expounding further, the former Minister said that Guyana has the Liza Destiny FPSO offshore and another, the Liza Unity, is under construction. Along with the Liza Destiny, there are four drill ships and about 25 support vessels. “So there is quite an armada out there. Support is being provided by the Muneshwers shorebase at Houston but there will be a need for more shorebase services by 2025,” Ramnarine expressed. The former minister said that Guyana has to lend serious thought to getting shorebase infrastructure in place. Further to this, Ramnarine said that Guyana is expected to reach its production peak which would be sometime in the later part of this decade. In this regard, he recalled that international consultancy firm and trusted data provider, Wood Mackenzie, had said that Guyana would become the 11th nation in the history of the world to produce over one million barrels of oil per day. Ta k i n g this into consideration, he said that Guyana has to prepare its industry to be equipped with robust institutional capacity and legislation. He acknowledged that the Energy Department has made some moves in this direction but noted at the same time that it should have been in place since 2015. 17-YR-OLD CHARGED WITH MURDER OF FEMALE GUARD IN CEMETERY – OTHER TEEN, TAXI DRIVER RELEASED The 17-year-old boy who
claimed he was present when 68-year-old security guard, Margaret Dawson, was attacked in Le Repentir Cemetery has been charged with her murder. The teen, who was unrepresented, appeared Friday before Magistrate Dylon Bess in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Because of his age, he is being kept at the Kitty Police Station with other juveniles until he returns to court on June 25. Another 17-year-old who was arrested in connection with Mrs. Dawson’s murder has been released. Police have also released the taxi driver whose car was found in the cemetery on the same day that Dawson’s body was found. Meanwhile, investigators are questioning another youth, known as ‘Lil Grumbs’, who has been implicated in the elderly g u a r d ’s m u r d e r – t h e young suspect shot in the leg during a confrontation with police on Thursday. Kaieteur News understands that police picked up another teen Friday after receiving reports that he had one of t h e m u r d e r e d w o m a n ’s rings. The teen who has been charged reportedly stated that he accompanied ‘Lil Grumbs’ into Le Repentir Cemetery on a CG motorcycle the evening of last week Sunday. They allegedly saw Mrs. Dawson walking and he claimed ‘Lil Grumbs’ attacked and robbed her of jewellery and other valuables. The teen claimed that he fled on the motorcycle after ‘Lil Grumbs’ began to drag the woman further into the c e m e t e r y. D a w s o n ’s b o d y w a s discovered battered, halfnaked and sprawled in a clump of bushes in the cemetery the following day.
Sunday May 24, 2020
NEW SHOW ALERT! ENETWORKS ALL SET TO AIR “I MAY DESTROY YOU” SERIES NEXT MONTH For all the television fanatics in search of the next big hit, the Enetworks team has selected another promising series that you wouldn’t want to miss. It’s called, “I May Destroy You,” a sexual consent drama from rising British star Michaela Coel. Kaieteur Entertainment understands that it is set to debut on HBO on Sunday June 7 at 10:30pm. The series, which was previously known as January 22nd, explores the question of sexual consent in contemporary life and how, in the new landscape of dating and relationships, we make the distinction between liberation and exploitation. It was created by Chewing Gum creator and Black Earth Rising star Coel. It also stars Weruche Opia (Inside No9), Paapa Essiedu (Kiri) Aml Ameen (Yardie), Adam James (Belgravia), Sarah Niles (Catastrophe) and Ann Akin (Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams), Harriet Webb (Plebs), Ellie James (Giri/Haji), Franc Ashman (Peep Show), Karan Gill (Flesh & Blood), Natalie Walter (Horrible Histories) and newcomer Samson Ajewole. Make sure you mark your calendars for this one of a kind drama.
Home Entertainment... Five easy cocktails to make with Grey Gosse Vodka is one of the most essential cocktails ingredients – its subtle taste makes it a great way to add alcohol to fruit juices or other mixers without overwhelming their flavours. But just because vodka is a delicate flavour, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t effect the taste of your cocktail! A quality vodka will be smooth and just a little bit sweet and will make for a finer tasting drink in the end.Today, we’re sharing recipes for some simple, fruity vodka cocktails with one of our favourite vodkas – Grey Goose. Grey Goose (which is distributed by Ansa McAL Trading Limited) is known for being one of the classiest vodkas, with a crisp and clear taste and a subtle hint of almonds. It makes for great cocktails, so try it in one of the drinks below and you’re sure to be delighted. Cosmopolitan This tart, fruity classic is always a hit at a party. The combination of sweet orange Cointreau and sharp cranberry juice is delicious with smooth Grey Goose, and the little hit of citrus adds an acidic note. When in doubt, you can never go wrong with a Cosmo. 3 parts Grey Goose Vodka 1 part Cointreau 2 parts Cranberry juice Squeeze of lime juice Orange rind twist to garnish Pomegranate Martini This variation on a Cosmopolitan uses pomegranate juice for a distinctive sour, slightly floral taste which complements the sweetness of Grey Goose. If you’re feeling really fancy, you can even get a fresh pomegranate, chop it open, and drop a few of the seeds into your drink. This cocktail can be mixed in advance, so if you have a bunch of vodka lovers coming round you can prepare a pitcher of this ready for drinking. 2 parts Grey Goose Vodka
PAGE 35
Kaieteur News
1 part Cointreau 2 parts pomegranate juice Squeeze of lemon juice Orange rind twist to garnish Caipiroska This is a twist on a Caipirinha, the classic cocktail of Brazil – but this version uses vodka in place of the Brazilian cachaça. A vodka like Grey Goose is less sweet than cachaça, so you might want to up the amount of sugar that you use if you have a sweet tooth. You need to muddle the lime with the sugar – that means that you put them both in a class and crush them together to release the lime juices, before adding crushed ice and pouring the Grey Goose over the top. Grey Goose Vodka Lime wedges Brown sugar Vodka Gimlet Gimlets are usually made with gin, but this version uses vodka for a crisp flavour. You can add more or less simple syrup depending on how sweet you want the final drink to be, but we’ve found that using less syrup allows the almond flavours of the Grey Goose to shine. 3 parts Grey Goose Vodka 2 parts fresh lime juice 2 parts simple syrup Lime wheel to garnish Sea Breeze This cocktail is a summer classic; just as refreshing as its name suggests and ideal for a hot day. Now spring is finally here we’re getting ready for the warm weather, and this drink is at the top of our to-do list! Grab the Grey Goose and start mixing pitchers for those summer picnics. 1 part Grey Goose Vodka 1 part grapefruit juice 1 part cranberry juice Lime wedge to garnish Happy Mixing this weekend Guys and remember to drink responsibly. (https:// www.urban-drinks.co.uk/)
WINE OF THE WEEK APOTHIC RED : A MASTERFUL BLEND OF INTENSE FLAVOURS According to Wine.com, the Apothic Red is a masterful blend of intense flavors and luscious texture creates a truly unique experience. Zinfandel lends notes of dark fruit and subtle spice while Merlot and Syrah bring hints of black fruit and a smooth mouthfeel. They are complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon that contributes a firm structure and bold flavors. Also, all of the varietals combine to offer layers of dark fruit that are enhanced by soft vanilla and mocha tones leading to a soft, lasting finish. This gorgeous selection is available for purchase at the exquisite Twee Gourmet Shoppee located in the Giftland Mall. Be sure to grab a bottle for your entertainment needs this weekend. (Remember to drink responsibly)
PAGE 36
Kaieteur News
Sunday May 24, 2020
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 37
PAGE 38
Kaieteur News
Sunday May 24, 2020
Sunday May 24, 2020
PAGE 39
Kaieteur News
PLACING THE SPOTLIGHT ON DIABETI EYE DISEASE A vast majority of persons living in Guyana above the age of forty suffer from some form of elevated blood sugar or Diabetes Mellitus. Additionally, a fraction of these have poor control over it, which leads to a number of issues, one being diseases affecting the eye and vision. Diabetic eye disease is actually a group of conditions due to symptoms of diabetes. These can take two major forms: 1. Diabetic retinopathywhich affects blood vessels in the retina (the light sensitive area that lines the back of the eye). It is the premier underlying cause of visual impairment and blindness in adults suffering from diabetes. 2. Diabetic macular edema or DME- this is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy, and is basically swelling in an area of the retina called the macula. Diabetic eye disease also includes cataract and glaucoma. What exactly causes diabetic retinopathy? When blood sugar is chronically high from diabetes mellitus, there is widespread damage to the tiny blood vessels in the body, including the retina, leading to what is known as diabetic retinopathy. The retina works in the capacity to detect light and converting it to nervous impulses that are sent via the optic nerve to the brain. Diabetic retinopathy can further lead to blood vessels in the retina to leak fluid or bleed after blood vessel destruction, thus enhancing the distortion of vision. When in the advanced stages, new abnormal blood vessels grow back and increase in number on the retina’s surface. This leads to scarring and cell loss and thus further vision loss. It goes through four stages: · Mild non-proliferative retinopathy- This occurs when small areas in the blood vessels in the retina begin to swell and may leak fluid into the retina. · Moderate non-proliferative retinopathy. As there is progression, there is also swelling and distortion of the blood vessels that bring nutrients to the cells of the retina. This loss in ability to transport blood causes a characteristic change in the appearance of the retina and can lead to DME. · Severe non-proliferative retinopathy- The progression leads to many more blood vessels being blocked, preventing blood from reaching
certain areas of the retina. These specific areas compensate for this by secreting compounds known as growth factors that stimulate the retina to grow new blood vessels. · Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)- At this stage, the growth factors secreted by the retina triggers the growth and multiplication of new blood vessels, which grow along the inside surface of the retina and into the vitreous gel, which is the fluid that fills the eye and gives it its shape. These new blood vessels are very fragile, and are more likely to break and bleed. Scar tissue that has developed can contract and cause retinal detachment. This leads to permanent vision loss. What is Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)? DME occurs when there is a build-up of fluid in a part of the retina known as the macula. What makes the macula so important is the fact that it is necessary for the sharp, straight-ahead vision that is used for reading, facial recognition and driving. A little known fact is that DME is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetic retinopathy. Also, approximately half of all people with diabetic retinopathy will develop DME. It also occurs at any stage but is more prominent in the latter stages. What are the risk factors? · Diagnosis of either type1 or 2 diabetes. · Diagnosis of diabetes at an earlier age · Females are at a higher risk than men · Age 40 and above · Obesity · Hypertension · Pregnancy What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy and DME? The early stages of diabetic retinopathy are usually asymptomatic, notwithstanding symptoms of diabetes and some small amount of blurred vision that occurs on and off and is often confused as being normal eye shifts. The illness usually gets worse and is not noticed until vision is constantly affected. Due to bleeding of the retinal vessels, persons may complain of seeing numerous floating spots in their visual fields. These may dissipate but if not treated there is always a recurrence, thus increasing the risk of blindness. If DME simultaneously occurs, it can lead to blurred vision. How are diabetic retinopathy and DME detected? The diagnosis of these
two diseases must actually be done using a comprehensive dilated eye exam that includes each of the following compo-
lowing a doctor to look at the retina and the optic nerve. 4. Optical coherence tomography (OCT)- As com-
nents: 1. Visual acuity testingWe all know this as the eye chart test that measures how well a person sees at different istances. 2. Tonometry- This test is done to measure the pressure inside of the eye. 3. Pupil dilation- When a specific type of drop is placed on the eye’s surface, it causes the pupils to widen, thus al-
plex as the name sounds, the technique used is very similar to ultrasound but uses light waves instead of sound to capture images of body tissue. OCT helps to provide detailed images of tissues that can be penetrated by light, such as the eye. If there are suspicions of DME or severe diabetic retinopathy, a fluorescein angiogram may be done to ascer-
tain the presence of damaged or leaky blood vessels. How can people withdiabetes protect their vision? Prevention is always better than cure, especially when the damages are irreversible as in the case of vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy. It is important to detect the disease early so as to treat it early and because the early stages are so asymptomatic, everyone with diabetes should be screened or get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once yearly. Of course, people diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy will need eye exams more frequently. Also, pregnant women with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam as soon as possible. How is DME treated? DME can be treated using several different therapies. These could be used solely or in conjunction with each other. ·Anti-VEGF Injection Therapy- These Anti-VEGF drugs are injected into the vitreous gel to block a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which can stimulate abnormal blood vessels to grow and leak fluid. Thus by blocking VEGF, the growth of abnormal vessels could be re-
Is your hand sanitizer safe? The FDA wants to know Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are everywhere these days, and the Food and Drug Administration wants to know more about them. It requested more scientific evidence Wednesday to prove that hand sanitizers are both safe and effective. In particular, the FDA will be investigating whether sanitizers might be harmful to pregnant women and children. Used by millions of Americans daily and often repeatedly, over-the-counter sanitizers are meant to reduce bacteria when hand-washing is either inconvenient or impossible. Specifically, the agency wants to know more about three ingredients in these products: ethanol (or ethyl alcohol), isopropyl alcohol and benzalkonium chloride. Ethyl alcohol is a primary alcohol and isopropyl a secondary alcohol; though related, they have different chemical properties and absorbency. High-concentration exposure to ethyl alcohol (PDF) may harm a fetus, while isopropyl alcohol (PDF) can irri-
tate the eyes and skin, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. Benzalkonium chloride, which is in a range of products from burn treatments to spermicides to floor cleaners, possesses antimicrobial properties. In animal studies, benzalkonium chloride had lethal effects on rodent s w h e n taken orally in repeated large doses, according to the European Medicines Agency (PDF). The FDA’s c o n c e r n s are based on those of the agency’s independent advisory committee, which reviewed scientific data on these ingredients. H o w e v e r, t h e f e d e r a l agency has not called for the products to be re-
moved from the market. Originally, the FDA reviewed these antiseptics in the 1970s. Since then, many things have changed, including how frequently people use them. Also, new technologies can detect low levels of antiseptics in the body, and the FDA knows more about how that might affect a person’s health. Over the past seven years, 90% of all antiseptic rubs have used ethanol or ethyl alcohol as their active ingredient. More information is needed about how repeated exposure to this and the other active ingredients impacts the body, the agency noted. http:// edition.cnn.com.
versed. Some of these include Avastin, Lucentis, and Eylea · Focal/grid macular laser surgery- In this form of surgery, just a few to hundreds of small laser burns are made to leaking blood vessels in areas where there is edema near the center of the macula. These laser burns for DME help to slow the leakage of fluid, reducing swelling in the retina. It is a one session procedure but some persons may need more than one. · Corticosteroids- These common drugs can either be injected or implanted into the eyeand may be used in solitude or in conjunction with other drugs or laser surgery. The Ozurdex (dexamethasone) implant is done for short-term use, while the Iluvien(fluocinoloneacetonide) implant is longer lasting. How is proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) treated? Laser surgery is the mainstay of treatment and it has been very successful given the fact that it has vastly remained unchanged for many decades. The treatment involves making about 1,000 to 2,000 tiny laser burns in areas of the retina away from the macula. These are done in an attempt to cause abnormal blood vessels to shrink.
Kaieteur News
RAIN
Sunday May 24, 2020
Junior page Recycled Egg Carton Flower Arrangement
Instructions:
BEST Super heroes color me
What Independence means to me
by Uncle Roy
Kaieteur News
Sunday May 24, 2020
TEEN TIME
PAGE 41
Independence Day reminds us that we each
need to move towards our own independence Oh how happy With Independence only imparted to you, plus what provide for yourself all that personal resources to move two days away, all Guyanese will be celebrating our n a t i o n ’s r e l e a s e f r o m colonial rule that was achieved 54 years ago. We know that our countrymen usually expend a lot toward celebrating having achieved this freedom that enables our people to decide on the future of our country. It is fitting that we do so because this is the direct result of the efforts of many of our ancestors who were convinced that we should be allowed to look after our own affairs as a free nation. As a young person, you are on the same road to make your own way in the world. Your parents have been taking care of you since birth, giving you what you need to develop in body, mind and spirit. I expect that the training they have
you have learnt from school and other sections of your c o m m u n i t y, w i l l w o r k towards equipping you to do the same for yourself when
would be necessary to live a successful life. The values that were taught to you, the skills that you learnt along the way, the good sense and
you are old enough to make your own way. First of all, you have to make sure that you derived the full benefit of this training, and you will soon have the duty to use this to
the proper way of reasoning, will all combine to help you in this effort to take care of your own affairs. The time will soon be here when you will have to make use of all these
towards the freedom and independence that is the right of every human being. You now have to ensure that you use the time from now until you have to take full responsibility for yourself to equip yourself to be able to do so. You must also be aware that the chances are that you will have to provide for others who will be sharing your future life. If you fulfil this obligation, then the time will come when, like our nation, you will be able to truly celebrate your own independence as you become older and accept more responsibility for taking care of yourself and helping others to do the same. A Happy 54th Independence to all!
can Guyana be! by Chris Prashad Oh how happy can Guyana be, One people, one nation, one destiny; Oh how happy can Guyana be, If we live and work in unity. It’s another Independence anniversary When people of all shades join in festivity, So let’s by our hands and spirit form a union, And make this a time of true celebration. Let us all strive to build this country, Bury all hatred and enmity, Self-reliance in all that we need, With the help of God we will succeed. Many are the battles we have to win, Resist laziness, it’s a natural sin, Let’s cooperate and eradicate Every evil deed we contemplate.
We must all realise that with Independence comes the duty to fulfil all our obligations as a free and lawful citizen. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Solutions to last week’s
Mathdoku
MAZE
Colour the picture
Sunday May 24, 2020
PAGE 47
Kaieteur News
STANDARDS IN FOCUS THE NEW DAWN OF DISEASE CONTROL – USING STANDARDS TO REDUCE RISKS AND ERRORS
SERVICES Visa Forms Preparer. Tel#626-7040, Publish your Death Annoucements & In Memoriams online. Email: dthmemo@gmail.com ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 For House Plans/Building Designs & Estimates. Contact Skylines Architecture @ 6471500/612-0468
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Self contain rooms to rent in Prashad Nagar. Tel#227-2993 Bottom Flat to rent North Rd/ Ornoque St, Flat Full furnished, Domestic/ Business. Call: 226-7012 (3) Bedroom apartment, fully carpet, parking, kitty. Tel# 616-0427 One furnished bedroom apt & two bedroom apts, Providence & Diamond. #6721906/216-2299 One Apartment for rent at Mon Repos EBD, Market Street. Tel# 220-7330/614-0005
FOR SALE
Nonie leaves, mango leaves $100 per lb each, Soursop leaves $150 per lbs. Tel#6933003 Rav 4 Black all extra, Excellent condition bargain. Tel#6160427 Two black & tan pure breed German Shepherd pups, eight week old ( female) Price $75,000. Tel# 650-9998/6260953 R6 for sale, like new 23191km sweet #602-3943 also elite scrambler for sale House for sale Lot 22 Fair's Rust, Linden. Price Negotiable for info. Call: 622-6392/ (718) 868-8602/ +1 (917)771-0931
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS) EDUCATION ACCA Private Tutorship available, papers F1-F9. Damien Sooklall BSc, MSc Finance #655-4959
in western diseases, such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes, and the healthcare industry, which comprises medical science, biotechnology, medical devices, services and pharmaceuticals, will have to come up with creative solutions to the issue of chronic disease. When healthcare systems come under pressure, it is important to ensure that patient safety remains at the same high level. Nevertheless, error and adverse events can always occur in medical procedures. World Health Organization (WHO) data and statistics for the European Union, for example, show that “medical errors and healthcare-related adverse events occur in 8 % to 12 % of hospitalizations”. All of this underscores the need for efficient risk management systems. What tools are at hand to reduce the risks associated with medical devices, including the risk of human error? Many ISO standards are involved in risk management in the healthcare industry. ISO 14971 is a standard for the application of risk management to the design and manufacture of medical
devices. According to Jos van Vroonhoven, Senior Manager Standardization at electronics multi-national Philips, the standard is globally recognized by regulatory authorities as the best standard for risk management of medical devices. This, he says, is one of the major benefits for companies like Philips of using ISO 14971. Risk management in the healthcare industry also extends to medical laboratories, which are a key component in healthcare. Essential work is done in these laboratories in testing clinical specimens to get information about the health of a patient regarding the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. The credibility of medical laboratories is paramount to the health and safety of the patients relying on the testing services provided by these labs. The ISO 22367 standard (in development), deals with the reduction of error in medical laboratories through risk management and continual improvement. Willem Huisman, registered in Europe as a medical laboratory specialist in clinical chemistry, explains that the new edition of ISO 22367 lays out quite extensively in its an-
nexes how risk management can be applied in the medical laboratory. “It helps to understand,” he says, “how the risk management approach can really contribute to patient safety without spending more money and efforts than is necessary. It helps to focus on the processes that are most risky and to be more lenient on others.” He cites as an example the frequency of internal quality control samples: frequent where needed and less frequent where possible. The end results, he says, “can lead to lower costs in total with higher quality for patients”. Finally, what we can all agree is that when it comes to healthcare, there is no room for errors as these can heighten risks to those depending on treatment provided in the sector. The International Organisation for Standardisation continues to develop the requisite standards that are adopted and used globally to mitigate risks in the use medical products, practices, and equipment available to treat patients who are seeking healthcare solutions.
Ambulance Driver, Oswald Bedlow, is our ...
1500 lb 5 inch palatine, 1 winch. Tel#667-8921/220-7655 Price Negotiable 400 lb catguts 400,000, 5 inch catguts sane. #220-9826/6766002 1 month, price negotiable
In our evermore complex, inter-connected world, with health systems undergoing new challenges and stresses, risk management in the healthcare industry has never been more important. ISO standards play a significant role in matching clinical quality with patient safety and best practice, helping not only to deal with risks but also to prevent them in the first place. The reality is only the lucky few get through life in continuously good health, free from the aches and pains of growing older. However, not many of us escape painful and debilitating ailments, such as sore joints that eventually require artificial replacements, which cause us to resort to health professionals and the healthcare industry in search of cures. According to Forbes magazine, between 2015 and 2030, the number of people in the world age 60 or over is expected to grow by 56 %, from just over 900 million to nearly 1.5 billion. This is many older people, with olderpeople ailments, that will present the healthcare industry with huge challenges. Further, diets high in processed foods have led to an increase
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Suzuki Escudo.Excellent condition, Low Mileage (50,000Km).$3.4M Neg.Call #649-0956. TO LET Available 4 bedroom apartment at Pike Street, Kitty G/town. Price $140,000. Call: 622-5336/656-6877/500-6210 1 bedroom apartment for working couple/single person $32,000 monthly, light & water included, 2 months security.Tel#623-0076 VACANCY Receptionist. Contact# 2235273/223-5274 Security Guard. Day & night shifts. Written applications & police clearance by 2nd June 2020 - Security Guard, Cameron & Shepherd 2 Ave of Rep, G/town. Email: c s m a i n @ cameronandshepherd.com 1 Female Office Assistance, must be computer literate, knowledge in PAYE, NIS etc 25 years up. Tel#615-7784 Driver/Expediter. Contact#223-5273/223-5274 Dragger operator. Contact#223-5273/223-5274
From page 43 with Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) including a face shield, mask, gloves and gown “because you never know what you might encounter, so you always have to be ready. Each case has to be treated as a suspect but without discrimation,” he divulged. Since COVID-19, a typical workday sees him decontaminating after each trip he makes. “One shift, I had to decontaminate about nine times; it all depends on the day...we had to learn how to put on and take off PPEs, how to bathe and every thing so that we stay safe in order to keep doing our thing,” said Bedlow in a quite relaxed tone. Assuring that he has
VACANCY Dragger Cook. Contact# 2235273/223-5274 Senior Construction Supervisor, Junior Supervisor- Earthworks, Concrete works, Masons, Steel benders, Labourers, Guards with personal firearm. Tel#613-9218/6474427
“conquered his COVID-19 fear”, Bedlow said that he keeps focused on the importance of his job since his actions too could help determine the outcome of a case. “An ambulance driver is very important because people depend on you to take their loved ones safely to and from point A to point B…and you have that role to play to the best of your abilities.” But even as he wait some days to be summoned to make a trip, Bedlow said that he finds time to indulge in humourous conversations with his colleagues or sometimes he just shares his daily experience with a few. When away from work, Bedlow, who lives alone at Vigilance, East Coast Demerara, spends a lot of his time sleeping and listening to music. He confided too that he no longer makes physical time for friends and family and he doesn’t mind since “me staying away from them is for their own safety”. But this doesn’t mean he isn’t able to make contact with them. According to Bedlow, he takes full advantage of social media and video calling platforms to reach out to his loved ones. “It is different but necessary”, said this young man of his how he spends his time.
Ushered into the world on October 30, 1987 as the third of seven children born to his parents’ Oswald Bedlow Senior, a retired policeman, and Audrey Assaye, a housewife, he grew at Beterverwagting on the East Coast of Demerara. He attended the Roman Catholic Primary and Beterverwagting Community High schools. “As a child growing up, I always had a passion for driving and for some reason, I always liked helping others too, and I still do to this date, and look at me now, that is exactly what I am doing,” he joked during a telephone conversation. SAFETY A MUST Even when not at work he adheres to strict sanatising meaures and never leaves home without a mask. But even as he recognises the importance of adherence, he is disappointed that many people, despite knowing of the COVID-19 threat, continue to be carefree. “It’s messed up when people see on the news what this virus is doing, literally killing people, and they can still walk around with no mask and refuse to practice social distancing endangering other people. That is like the most unfair thing you can do, you’re not only putting yourself at risk but other people as well, even your own family and friends...” Bedlow lamented.
A keen advocate for social and physical distancing. But there is no way this frontline worker is going to give up on those who need his help, and by extension his country, although he thinks it is “hopeless” to get some people to practice precautionary measures. “Quitting, for me, is not an option and apart from being an ambulance driver the world depends on us to work together as a team,” said Bedlow whose faith in God helps to keep him steadfast and focused on the work he is entrusted to do. “I learnt that without God we are nothing and only He can carry us through this crisis,” he asserted.
Sunday May 24, 2020
PAGE 49
Kaieteur News
Coalition’s claim about “dead voter” debunked By Shikema Dey Chitnandani Ramdass, a Region Two woman who died on June 6, 2015 and whom the APNU+AFC Coalition alleged to have been ticked off as having voted at the March 2, 2020 polls has in fact not voted according to evidence seen and reviewed by Kaieteur News. The claim was initially made in a Guyana Chronicle article on May 20 with the headline “Coalition provides proof of dead persons voting”, where the party presented a death certificate of Chitnandani Ramdass, terming it ‘evidence’ of her having voted at the March 2 polls. APNU+AFC counting agent, Ganesh Mahipaul during an exclusive interview told the Chronicle “From ballot box 210, serial number 257
was registered as 81-year-old Chitnandani Ramdass, but the party has a death certificate confirming that Ramdass died on June 6, 2015.” PNC Executive Amna Ally had told the media that the party “searched every nook and cranny” to gather information in order to compile their list with persons who migrated from Guyana and those who died. Mahipaul also confirmed that the Coalition through their ‘field operations’ receive second hand information which is used as the basis for their claims. Throughout the National Recount, ongoing at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the Coalition claimed to have in their possession ‘evidence’ to support the allegations made that ‘countless’ instances of dead persons being recorded as voting exclusively in People’s
Progressive Party (PPP) strongholds and ‘countless’ instances of persons who have long migrated from Guyana and who were not in Guyana on Election Day being recorded as voting. Despite the string of allegations, no credible evidence was produced by Amna Ally to back up the claims by the party. Additionally, Mahipaul when pressed to provide evidence of the claims, on the same day he had spoke to Chronicle about Ramdass had told reporters, “I am not claiming death, I don’t make the claim, I objected to migration…I don’t have access to immigration record.” The evidence debunking the claims made by the Coalition, posted to Facebook by PPP candidate Deodat Indar, showed the observation report for Station Four counting ballots from box #2107
Recounted Grove, Providence boxes...
From page 3 publish verifiable numbers, which were clearly manipulated in the tabulation which led to Mingo’s Kingston declarations of Friday, March 13, 2020. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is currently holding Mingo’s Region Four General and Regional Elections declarations “in abeyance” with no definitive decision made on whether they will be discarded. PPP/C’S TABULATION Kaieteur News also examined a spreadsheet supplied by PPP/C’s Robin Singh, using figures from 87 ballot boxes, as of May 21, 2020. A comparison of the trend emerging from this newspaper’s tabulation and that of PPP/C shows that the patterns of deflation of PPP/ C’s votes and inflation of APNU+AFC’s votes are largely similar. A summation of the statements of poll showed 10,454 votes for PPP/C, and 10,036 for APNU+AFC. The party claims that Mingo’s tabulation subtracted 758 votes from
PPP/C. However, the party’s tabulation incorrectly notes the difference between 10,454 and 758 as 9722, while the correct different is 9,696. The party claims that Mingo’s tabulation added 4,495 votes to APNU+AFC, increasing the count to 14,534. The party’s tabulation incorrectly notes the summation of 10,036 and 4,495 as 14,534, while the correct summation is 14,531. The errors aforementioned amount to a difference of 27 votes from the mathematically correct figures.The party’s tabulation claims that the total variance for those 87 boxes from the corresponding statements of poll, caused by Mingo’s manipulation, is 5,253 votes. Kaieteur News examined the figures this newspaper has verified for 23 ballot boxes, against the figures for the same 23 boxes in the PPP/ C’s tabulation. The figures were largely similar with a few differences. For ballot box #4105, PPP/ C incorrectly notes that the statement of recount lists its
total as 115, while the correct figure is 113. This resulted in the PPP/C listing the reduction by Mingo, two votes higher. For ballot box #4105, PPP/ C incorrectly notes that the statement of recount lists APNU+AFC’s total as 96, while the correct figure is 98. This resulted in the PPP/C listing the inflation by Mingo, two votes lower. For ballot box #4106, PPP/ C incorrectly notes Mingo’s tabulation of PPP/C’s vote as 142, while the audio recording published by TCI indicates that Mingo’s tabulation of its vote is 148. This resulted in the PPP/C listing the deflation by Mingo, six votes lower. For ballot box #4139, PPP/ C incorrectly notes Mingo’s tabulation of PPP/C’s vote as 146, while the audio recording provided by TCI indicates that it is 145. The party’s incorrect notation resulted in it listing no deflation, though there was a deflation of one vote. These errors, in those four boxes, account for a difference of 11 votes, from the figures verified by Kaieteur News.
from polling station, 221223A, at Mariah’s Hall Nursery School. The Coalition alleged that serial number 257 (Ramdass) was ticked off on the list indicating that the person voted although he/she was a deceased person. An official copy of the polling station’s Official List of Electors (OLE) commonly known as the Pink List, showed however, that the woman’s name was not ticked as voted, which meant that she did not cast her ballot nor did anyone vote in her place. The question of how Ramdass’ name was on the list despite dying in 2015 may be linked to a fault in the system used to update the National Register of Registrants. The claims and objections period before an election allows citizens and stakeholders to question entries on a Preliminary List of Electors, a database of persons who would be 18 and older at the proposed date of elections, and hence eligible to vote. Individuals who have had changes in their particulars, including addresses and names can also utilise the period to make the necessary adjustments. It also provides the opportunity for objections to particulars in the PLE, which includes the removal of dead persons, like Ms. Ramdass, from the list but this system is not always accurate. GECOM’s Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward explained that the Commission had a system in place where the Guyana Registry Office (GRO) would supply them with monthly reports of all deaths within the reporting period.
Copy of the death certificate tendered as evidence “The accuracy at which a death certificate...I think those reports reach us,” said what you have to do is to pay Ward, “is something I will not about $300 and you can acbe able to pronounce on but cess a death certificate.” we do have a system in place According to former Atwhere the GRO provides us torney General, Anil Nandlall, with a monthly death report.” however, for the Coalition to She continued, “We also have possession of ‘counthave cases too where there less’ death certificates would are persons who may die but be in direct conflict with the their deaths are not registered law. at all or possibly not regisNandlall cited Section 33 tered at that time so we also (3) of the Access to Informahave to consider those fac- tion Act 2011 of Guyana, tors.” which states that, “A docuIt was Coalition Executive ment referred to in subsection Amna Ally, when asked how (1) shall not be released withthe party got access to the out the notarized consent of ‘countless’ death certificates the person who is the subject in their possession, who of the information in the docustated that they can be easily ment. Pursuant to subsection purchased at the Guyana (6), in the case of a deceased Registry Office. Ally told the person, only his next of kin media “Anybody can access can give consent to access.
1, 049 ballot boxes recounted in 18 days
Table illustrating processed and outstanding ballot boxes On the 18th day of the National Recount exercise, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) managed to complete the recount of an additional 85 ballot boxes, the second highest number since the recount commenced. This now raises the total number of recounted ballot boxes to 1,049 with some 1,290 remaining to be counted in eight days. GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Yolanda Ward informed the media last evening
that 16 boxes were counted for Region Three (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara); 23 for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 15 for Region Five (Mahaica- Berbice); 20 for Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) and 11 for Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni). She said that of the total, 999 Statements of Recount (SORs) were tabulated for General Elections, while some 1,015 for the Regional Elections.
PAGE 50
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
Brazil becomes global epicentre for COVID-19, as political turmoil hampers medical response (CBC) - ‘A lot of people are going to die until we solve the political situation,’ says health expert With cases rising rapidly, a military general with no medical experience leading the Ministry of Health, and a president admitting there’s no proof his preferred treatment will work, Brazil has become one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus. As health systems, from Sao Paulo to the Amazon, strain under the growing number of cases, policy experts say there’s little hope that the country can change course when the president is one of their biggest obstacles. “It’s unbelievable what’s happening in Brazil. When the biggest science denier in the country is the president himself, what can we scien-
tists do?” said Natalia Pasternak, a microbiologist and researcher at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Sao Paulo. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been among the world leaders most dismissive of the coronavirus, initially downplaying it as a “little flu,” then later responding “so what” when asked about the country’s rising death toll.His own Ministry of Health had opposed him, promoting physical distancing and quarantines, but Bolsonaro fired popular Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta in April, and then forced his replacement Nelson Teich to resign last week. Both were trained doctors. “I don’t see any hope in the short term,” Pasternak said. “I think the numbers are going to keep piling up and a
lot of people are going to die until we solve the political situation.” ‘A grave situation’ The World Health Organization (WHO) now considers South America the new epicentre of the pandemic, in large part because this week Brazil overtook the United Kingdom for third place in the overall number of COVID-19 cases. Brazil has more than 310,000 cases and more than 20,000 deaths, according to statistics kept by Johns Hopkins University. The country’s Ministry of Health believes the numbers are likely higher because of a lack of effective testing. “Are people dying? Yes they are, and I regret that. But many more are going to die if the economy continues to be destroyed because of these (lockdowns),” Bolsonaro
It’s court’s jurisdiction to probe election irregularities, not GECOM- Nandlall Former Attorney General and executive of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/ C), Anil Nandlall, believes that it is out of the jurisdiction of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to examine and probe the election irregularities that have been raised during the recount exercise by the incumbent A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC). During an engagement with the press outside of the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) late last evening, he referenced an article published by another media house where it was stated that GECOM Chair, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh, invited submissions of evidence from the Coalition which would be aimed to supporting their claims of dead and migrant voters. Nandlall argued: “The Chairperson, by inviting evidence, is not only lending credence to those allegations, but the Chairperson is now expanding the scope of this recounting exercise far outside its parameters and that is wrong; it is unlawful.” He said that if GECOM goes out of the scope of that recount then the commission would be exceeding its jurisdiction. “They would be violating the very order GECOM published and took to be governed by to conduct the recount,” he added. Nandlall insisted that there is no provision in the Gazetted order to provide for the proving or disproving of the Coalition’s allegations. He referenced the Constitution of Guyana, specifically Article 163, where it explicitly
stipulates the role of the High Court and the Elections Commission. Article 162 stipulates that “the Elections Commission shall have such functions connected with or relating to the registration of electors or the conduct of elections as are conferred upon it by or under this Constitution or, subject thereto, any Act of Parliament…”. According to Article 163 (1)(a)(i) , “… the High Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine any question… either generally or in any particular place, an election has been lawfully conducted or the result thereof has been, or may have been, affected by any unlawful act of omission.” Since the recount commenced some 19 days ago, the APNU+AFC has raised hundreds of objections including about migrant and dead Guyanese who voted on March 2 for the General and Regional Elections. The Coalition also claimed that they are in possession of “countless” death certificates, and has solid documentation of thousands of Guyanese who were out of the jurisdiction, but still managed to vote on E-Day. Despite these numerous claims, APNU+AFC have been reluctant to submit proof, even to the media, so that independent verification can be conducted, and whereas specific instances have been put into the public domain, this newspaper has been able to fact check them. Examples range from a couple, the Coalition claimed was out of the jurisdiction, as well as a ballot box that was claimed to be containing er-
rors- when in fact it had not been opened as yet, as well as to the claim that someone had voted in place of a dead woman. All proved to be untrue. Notably, the GECOM Chair just some three days ago emphatically stated that “He who asserts must prove”- she was referring to the irregularities raised primarily by the Coalition. Singh noted that the Commission, with no current decision on the issue at hand, is still in discussion on the allegations made in the observation reports and that when such a decision is made, there would be an official communication of same to the political parties, media and other stakeholders. The APNU+AFC Coalition, on Friday, embarked on a campaign against the credibility of the March 2 General and Regional Elections, with tabulations of all of the irregularities it claims have been unearthed during the National Recount, with the clearest case so far being made so far by PNCR Executive, Aubrey Norton, while addressing the media on Friday. “Now, what this is illustrating,” Norton said, “is that the process teems with irregularities. From the inception, I said it cannot be considered to be anomalies anymore. This is a clear case of electoral fraud and rigging.” Norton statement represents the most explicit argument against the credibility of an election that observers have labeled as free and fair. The Coalition had been ready to swear in incumbent President David Granger on the very elections.
said earlier this month. On Thursday, Brazil reported more than 18,500 infections, while also suffering a record 1,188 daily coronavirus deaths, eclipsing its previous high set earlier in the week. “It’s a very grave situation,” said Humberto Costa, a Brazilian senator and former health minister under former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. In Sao Paulo, the country’s largest city, fresh graves continue to be dug up in the sprawling Formosa cemetery. Health officials say they’re losing the battle against the virus and the system will be overrun. City and state officials moved holidays up from June and July to this weekend to create an extended break to encourage physical distancing.In Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon rainforest, the mayor is warning that Indigenous tribes will be decimated by the coronavirus. Amazonas state, where Manaus is located, is one of the hardest hit regions of the country. “I fear genocide and I want to denounce this thing to the whole world. We have here a government that does not care about the lives of the Indians,” Manaus Mayor Arthur Virgilio Neto said. ‘Politicizing the Problem’ While other countries have waited for some signs of the virus slowing down before reopening the economy, Bolsonaro has continually pushed for Brazilians to get back to work, putting him at odds with state governors and mayors trying to curb the spread through lockdowns and quarantines. “He denies the severity of the disease and he only makes political calculations about what’s best for him,” Costa said.Observers say Bolsonaro is thinking first about re-election in two years, promoting an economic agenda that resonates with the country’s poorest, who can’t afford to isolate themselves at home. “He’s following his instinct that the economy needs to reopen and the country cannot face an economic crisis so deep,” said Marcio Coimbra, a political strategist in the capital, Brasilia.“The middle class and upper class are against the president,” Coimbra said. “But on the other side, the poor people who need to work, they are there supporting the president.” Costa said Bolsonaro’s actions now are laying the groundwork for what will happen in a few months’ time if the country’s economy continues to suffer because of lockdowns meant to stop the spread of COVID-19. Bolsonaro “will say, ‘I
told you that the virus was a little problem, the governors and mayors made the wrong measures,’” Costa said. ‘Problems at the Health Ministry’ Some of Bolsonaro’s highest profile clashes have been with his own Ministry of Health. In April, he fired Health Minister Luis Henrique Mandetta who had gained in popularity with his daily technical briefings. His replacement, Nelson Teich, resigned last week, after refusing to promote Bolsonaro’s desire for wider use of the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19. Interim Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello immediately approved the plan, going against the recommendations of WHO experts in Brazil. “We are at war: Worse than being defeated is the shame of not having fought,” Bolsonaro wrote in a post on his official Facebook page in response to his critics. Pazuello is a military general known as a logistics expert, with no health background. Costa said Pazuello is staffing the ministry with people with military experience, rather than health expertise, which will further hamper the country’s efforts to fight the virus. “They are politicizing the problem, it’s not a question of science, it’s not a question of medicine, it’s just a question of politics,” Costa said. Like his ally U.S. President Donald Trump, Bolsonaro has pushed hydroxychloroquine as a solution to the pandemic, despite admitting that there’s no proof it works.Health policy expert Miguel Lago said Bolsonaro’s support for the drug is more about politics than medicine. “Bolsonaro is a very smart politician and he’s trying to understand what can fit a narrative where he appears to be a great leader,” said Lago, executive director of the Institute for Health Policy Studies, a nonprofit group based in Rio de Janeiro. Profanity-laced video On Friday, a profanitylaced video showing Bolsonaro expressing frustration at his inability to get information from police and vowing to change cabinet ministers if needed to protect his family was released at the order of a Supreme Court justice.The two-hour video of a cabinet meeting, with portions redacted, was released as part of a probe into allegations that the president was trying to improperly meddle in the federal police, a claim made by former Justice Minister Sergio Moro when he resigned last month. Moro told investigators
that Bolsonaro openly demanded he make changes in key federal police positions, including the head of the agency. Moro resigned after Bolsonaro fired the federal police director-general without consulting him. The video shows the president complaining, “I already tried to change our security in Rio de Janeiro and I couldn’t. That is over. I will not wait [for them] to [profanity] my entire family just for fun, or a friend of mine.” Bolsonaro has insisted he was referring to the head of his security detail, though he had successfully changed that position recently. Moro said the president was alluding to the head of police operations in Rio, who presumably might have been involved in investigations into the president’s sons, who live there. Hope in local governments Lago said the only hope for Brazil’s efforts lies in state governors and local politicians ignoring directives from the president. States have enforced their own measures in defiance of Bolsonaro’s views, including mandatory masks in public and limits on traffic in major cities “After two months, we shouldn’t be expecting anything good from the federal government in the sense we should only rely on our local governments.” Impeachment has been discussed in Brazil. The speaker of the lower house, Rodrigo Maia, has more than 30 requests to remove Bolsonaro, but hasn’t acted on them.The president has maintained control of a fractured Congress, by striking a deal with a centrist group of parties that represent about 40 per cent of votes. “If he keeps delivering power for votes in Congress, he’ll be able to stay in power until the end of his term,” Coimbra said. ‘No light at the end of the tunnel’ Costa said the peak of COVID-19 cases could come sometime in the middle of June; some projections show Brazil could end up with more than 100,000 dead and more than a million people infected. According to statistics from the Brazlian tech company Inloco, just over 42 per cent of Brazilians are practising physical distancing, down from a high of around 62 per cent around the end of March.Pasternak said the president’s example, holding rallies, shaking hands and hugging supporters, sends the wrong message to Brazilians who look to him for leadership. She worries about the direction the country is headed.“I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel right now.”
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
PAGE 51
PAGE 52
Kaieteur News
Sunday May 24, 2020
Sunday May 24, 2020
PAGE 53
Kaieteur News
Not cut out for this! Gladbach crash in front of 13,000 ‘cardboard fans’
A banner reading “Silent Faces”, surrounded by cardboard cut-out of Borussia Moenchengladbach fans, during Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Leverkusen. (Pool/AFP / Ina Fassbender)
Still life: Cardboard cut-outs of fans at Borussia Moenchengladbach v Bayer Leverkusen. (Pool/AFP/Ina Fassbender)
Sunday May 24, 2020 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You're filled with vitality today, which means you're going to feel great about yourself! You're less afraid of introducing yourself to people and making requests.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This would be a good day for sorting out your business, Libra. File important papers and get rid of extraneous materials cluttering up your home workspace.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may have gotten a financial boost lately in the form of some sort of raise or reward. The day ahead will make you realize that more discipline and work is necessary if you want to continue prospering.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Doctors are crazy busy during this horrible pandemic, Scorpio, but you don't have to be sick for a non-urgent conversation with your health care provider.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You're almost certainly in a phase of psychological transformation, Gemini, and you've recently seen major changes in your circle of friends and associates.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) This should be a peaceful day for you. Be sure to make the most of it, because it's the calm before the storm. Look forward to discussions and exchanges with colleagues or close friends.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) You might feel a little worn out right now, Cancer, as if you haven't been getting enough vitamins or rest. This isn't the best time to let your health falter!
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) “Evidence” is your word of the day, Capricorn. Everyone knows that you have a facility for spending your time thinking and analyzing. Today, on the other hand, you'll actually be seeing things with great clarity.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If you're in love, you'll love today. You could plan for almost anything from a little post-lockdown trip together (hopefully that day comes soon!) to a lifetime full of children and grandchildren.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You will sail through this day on the gentlest of breezes, Aquarius. Even though you've been sheltering in place way too long, it's like you've just come back from a week in the country.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Virgo, you may feel a little tired and depressed over breakfast this morning. Domestic responsibilities sometimes overload your spirit. How about treating yourself to a short staycation?a little free time just for you?
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If you're looking for a new job, Pisces, perhaps this is the day you find it. "Lucky” is the word that sums up today! Without encouraging you to play the lottery, you can be pretty sure that you'll feel a surge of confidence.
AFP - Despite having 13,000 cardboard cut-outs of watching home fans, Borussia Moenchengladbach lost ground in the Bundesliga title race with a 3-1 defeat at home to Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday behind closed doors. With football fans in Germany locked out in a bid to halt the spread of the coronavirus, Gladbach fans have come up with a novel way of showing their support. Season ticket holders can have their cardboard lookalike allocated to their regular spot at Borussia Park. “We have 13,000 figures mounted (on card), but we have had around 20,000 orders,” said Thomas Ludwig, a Gladbach supporter over-seeing the fan project. “Our volunteers were busy here on Friday.” On the second weekend since the Bundesliga
restarted, the figures were spread out around the Gladbach stadium along with banners, some of which were protesting against games behind closed doors. Visitors Leverkusen also got in on the act with a handful of away supporters having paid 19 euros ($20.72) to have their cut-outs appear in the away end. However, the cut-outs couldn’t inspire the hosts as rising Germany star Kai
Havertz, 20, netted an early goal for Leverkusen and converted a second-half penalty. Gladbach forward Marcus Thuram pulled a goal back for the hosts but defender Sven Bender put the result beyond doubt when a late free-kick struck his shoulder but flew into the net. The result allowed Leverkusen to claim third place while Gladbach dropped to fourth in the table.
PAGE 54
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
Joseph remains in contention with La Liga can resume behind closed doors from 8 June, says double HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida, CMC – Talented Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph Jr won twice on Thursday’s 10-race card at Gulfstream Park, to keep tabs on leader Todd Pletcher. The 33-year-old, one of the youngest trainer at the southeastern Florida oval, saddled winners in the US$17,000 race three with hot favourite Brasstown and in the $16,000 race five with another favourite Big Spender. Joseph has 17 wins for the season and winnings of $344,000. Pletcher, won notched a single winner on the day’s card, is two clear at the top in the six-month summer meet which wraps September 27. With no entrants in the day’s first two races, Joseph tasted success with his first attempt when Brasstown crushed the three-year-olds and upward by six lengths going a mile and sixteenth. Going off at odds of 1-2 under jockey Irad Ortiz,
Spain’s prime minister
Barbadian trainer Saffie Joseph. Brasstown stumbled at the start but recovered to track from third on the outside as 3-1 choice Monmouth Dr pulled the seven-horse field through fractions of 24.29 seconds for the quarter. Ortiz then sent the fiveyear-old brown gelding to the front approaching the halfmile completed in 47.82, and left the backstretch with a near six-length lead. The race was over in the stretch as Ortiz geared down the gelding allowing him to cruise to the wire unchallenged. Joseph’s second win came over six furlongs when jockey
Edgard Zayas made all the running with Big Spender to get the 4-5 bet to the wire three-quarters of a length clear. Zayas outgunned Broadway Pete and Poppy’s Destiny to snatch a narrow lead and produce splits of 22.30 for the quarter and 45.19 for the half-mile. Coming off the final turn with a half-length lead, Big Spender came under attack from 41-1 longshot Taylors initiation and the two dueled to the finish before the fouryear-old bay gelding Big Spender held on for the win.
BBC Sport - La Liga can resume behind closed doors from 8 June, says Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez. The league’s president Javier Tebas said he had hoped Spain’s top flight would restart on 12 June, although La Liga is yet to confirm a restart date. La Liga players this week started training in groups of no more than 10. “Spain has done what it should and now new horizons are opening for everyone. The time has come to bring back many day-to-day activities,” said Sanchez. “From 8 June, La Liga will be back. Spanish football has a huge following but it will not be the only recreational activity that will return.”
The Spanish second division is also set to resume at the same time as the top flight, with reports in Spain suggesting the derby between Sevilla and Real Betis will be the first La Liga game to take place. “We are very pleased with the decision,” said Tebas. “It is the result of the great work of clubs, players, coaches, CSD (National Sports Council) and agents. “But we cannot lower our guard, it is important to follow health regulations and ensure the pandemic doesn’t come back.” Football in Spain was suspended on 12 March because of the coronavirus pandemic. The players in the top two
divisions were only able to return to individual training in early May after being tested for the virus. Five players tested positive f o r t h e v i r u s a c r o s s S p a i n ’s t o p t w o divisions and went into isolation prior to the first phase of group training being allowed from 18 May. La Liga teams have 11 games to play this season, with leaders Barcelona two points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the division. Meanwhile, Portugal’s Primeira Liga will resume on 3 June, with Portimonense against Gil Vicente and Famalicao hosting leaders Porto. Porto lead rivals Benfica by a point with 10 rounds left.
Fury hopes to ‘give fans what they want’ with Joshua showdown
Mike’s still got it! US heavyweight Johnson marvels at Tyson Omnisport Age shouldn’t mean a thing to Mike Tyson according to Kevin Johnson – with the US heavyweight the latest boxer to give the two-time world champion’s comeback bid his seal of approval. Tyson has set tongues wagging over recent weeks, teasing a return to the ring with a series of explosive pad workouts. While there are obvious concerns that a 53-year-old with such a chequered past is considering lacing gloves again – even if only for exhibition or charity bouts – current unified heavyweight king Anthony Joshua, all-time great Larry Holmes and WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman are among those to have given their backing. Johnson, who challenged Vitali Klitschko for the WBC title in 2009 and has shared the ring with Joshua, Tyson Fury and Andy Ruiz Jr among others, is impressed by the speed Tyson appears to have retained, alongside his trademark power. “I love it. As you can see in those videos, he’s still got it,” Johnson told Stats Perform News. “The punch never goes away. George Foreman proved that to the world. Age doesn’t mean nothing, it’s all about your conditioning and
Mike Tyson is still impressive. what you have left. “Of course, you can see he’s still got the speed and power. That’s the crazy part – I wouldn’t think he had the speed – he’s got it still!” Evander Holyfield has spoken of a possible third meeting between the old rivals, despite the ‘Real Deal’ himself being 57 and the fact Tyson infamously bit off a chunk of his ear in their 1997 rematch. Johnson crossed paths with both men as a young fighter and holds them both in the highest regard. “I lived in Atlanta, so me and Evander always bumped into one another,” Johnson recalled. “He had a gym in Atlanta, I had a gym in Douglasville, so we always were at events and stuff together. “Mike Tyson trained in Jersey, I trained in Jersey as well. I met Mike Tyson early
on. It was iconic for me, like a person meeting Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant. I admired those guys.” While any Tyson bouts remain a matter for speculation or fantasy at this stage, Johnson is in the unique position of having a fight date confirmed and ready to go amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 40-year-old will face fellow former world title challenger Mariusz Wach at Palac w Konarach in Konary, Poland, as part of a behindclosed-doors event on June 12. “We want the world to know that fights can still happen,” Johnson said. “We’re the first ones to do it. “This is a time right now where we’re both putting our life on the line and it shows the tremendous heart and warrior spirit of two great fighters.”
Anthony Joshua celebrates winning the fight against Andy Ruiz Jr. at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia. (REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo) (Reuters) - Tyson Fury said he was eager to give British boxing fans what they want by fighting Anthony Joshua for the undisputed world heavyweight title but he said the duo must focus on their immediate opponents to make such a match happen. Fury won the WBC title in Las Vegas three months ago with a seventh-round stoppage of Deontay Wilder. Joshua defeated MexicanAmerican Andy Ruiz Jr in a December rematch in Saudi Arabia to reclaim his IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles. Joshua’s next fight is with mandatory IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev, but their bout scheduled for June 20 was postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis. Fury will take on Wilder in a rematch later this year. “If I get knocked out by Wilder, then it won’t be on, will it,” Fury told Sky Sports. “It’ll be another fight with Wilder... If he loses to Pulev, so close, but so far. In heavyweight boxing, you can never count your chickens before they hatch, so one fight at a time, one victory at a time. Fury said a meeting with Joshua had the potential to be the biggest match since Britons Lennox Lewis and Frank Bruno fought in 1993.
Tyson Fury celebrates winning the fight against Deontay Wilder at The Grand Garden Arena at MGM Grand, Las Vegas. (REUTERS/Steve Marcus/File Photo) “All going well, god willing, we get on the big fight with me and Joshua, the all-British showdown, and I can give the fans what they want to see, especially the British fans.”
Sunday May 24, 2020
PAGE 55
Kaieteur News
Angus is only Guyanese to make First-Class debut as Captain - Says he never got support from some senior players By Sean Devers Sixty-year-old Left-arm spinner Jerry Angus represented Guyana at the U19 level from 1976 to 1979 before making his first class debut for Berbice in the 1980 Jones Cup inter county tournament. He represented Berbice at U-19 level and was appointed captain in 1977 at Bourda against Demerara and got Andrew Jackman out twice in that match. Angus Captained Guyana U-19s in 1978 and ’79 when Clayton Lambert, Roger Harper, Garfield Charles, Andrew Jackman, Ray Joseph, Orin Samuels and Rabindranath Seeram played at that level. “Back then the gap between youth cricket and the national team was enormous, so many good players never made it to the national team after youth cricket. I finished youth cricket in 1979 and played in the Geddes Grant 50 overs in 1980,” said Angus who was Captain at every level he played. Angus played seven First-Class matches for Berbice and had nine wickets between 1980 and 1989 since before 1990 the Inter-County final enjoyed First-Class status. Angus captured 21 FirstClass wickets from 14 games. Twelve of those wickets, including his best of 3-60, were taken for Guyana in a seven-match career which spanned from 1988 to 1990. He was the first Guyanese to make his Regional FirstClass debut as Captain, and the second person to do so in West Indies regional matches, after Trinidadian Rolph Grant. His best season was in the 1989 Red Stripe Cup when he played all five games and made his highest score of 33, batting as night watchman and had 10 wickets including bowling Brian Lara in Trinidad, while his best matches figures were 4-132. Angus took five wickets in three 50-overs games for Guyana. He played two of those games in 1980 in the Geddes Grant/Harrison Line Trophy including the one in which Guyana won its first Regional 50-over title when they beat the Leewards at the ARG in Antigua. A decade later he returned to Captain Guyana in his last 50-over game in 1988 when Guyana beat Trinidad at Hampton Court. But his national career, which was in two phases, a decade apart, was filled with
Angus (sitting left) before a game in England. controversy and heartbreak. Angus spoke about growing up in the ‘Country’, his non selection for his FirstClass debut in 1981, the lack of support from some senior players when he was appointed Captain on his First-Class debut, the importance of a proper School’s cricket programme and reasons for the inconsistency shown by the West Indies team. Contrary to what is written on several cricket web sites claiming he was born in Belladrum, West Coast Berbice, Angus was in fact born on May 12, 1960 in Georgetown where he lived for his first nine years and was qualified to represent Demerara. Angus was the first player to represent Guyana in cricket from West Coast Berbice, while pacer Keon Joseph is the last. The sixth of eight children (five boys and three girls) Angus resided in Duncan Street Campbellville in Georgetown and attended Campbellville Government School. Angus developed a love for the game of cricket at an early age when his eldest brother (Ivor Joseph Angus) played cricket for the Campbellville Government School and he took him to watch him play. When his father died he moved to Berbice where he attended Belladrum Government School and later, the Belladrum Community high school. “I represented my school in football and cricket and was captain for both sports. I was more recognised for my footballing ability. I represented West Berbice and Belladrum village at football but it was more
difficult to acquire the necessary gears for football and cricket was always the number one sport in the village,” said Angus. “The late sports announcer BL Crombie broke the news of my selection for the youth side in 1976 and words cannot express my feelings that night. I made my debut at Albion and my first wicket was that of the late Malcom Marshall. As was the case when I was appointed as youth captain, I felt honoured, proud, elated. What greater honour can a man have than to lead his country in battle? Whenever I played for my country I felt like a soldier. Leading the Guyana cricket team onto the field in 1988 and making my debut in the same game was very nerve racking but I always knew I had the ability to lead. I felt good and I believed that I had the ability to combine individual talents into one winning force. There were, however, some negative aspects that came with the job, however, I don’t wish to elaborate too much on the negative side of things other than to say there were players who weren’t always on board with me being at the helm. Some of the senior players felt that they should have been appointed as captain. You can only be successful if the team support the captain and we all play as a team. I didn’t think I got the support that was needed from some of the senior players who at the time were having their own struggles with the GCB. What was sadly overlooked by some individuals was that I did not appoint myself as
captain. I think it is selfevident that leadership is a skill, and not because someone is a great player necessarily means that they would make a great leader. To be a great captain one has to put one’s self interest aside and put the interest of the team first. One such selfless leader is Clive Lloyd. That was indeed a terrible experience. I felt dejected because not only we lost to Jamaica but also because of the lack of support from some senior players. Frankly it was embarrassing. There was the extra pressure of being the captain which did not help when I looked around the dressing room and it was abundantly evident that the support was sparse from some quarters of the team. From the outset it was clearly a no win situation for me. Thankfully I have moved on with time and I hold no grudges,” Angus lamented. “In the Geddes Grant Harrison Line 50-over in Essequibo, I Captained Guyana to victory against Trinidad, I took 2-30 which included the wicket of Larry Gomes. With a smile on my face and with the knowledge that we had won a very important game I was eagerly looking forward to playing against Trinidad in the Red Stripe four-day game. Clyde Butts was on tour with the WI team in Pakistan and the selectors weren’t certain if he would arrive on time for the game. A few hours prior to the game I was still the captain. Unknown to me, news started to circulate that Clyde would be coming for the game and I was promptly removed as captain and dropped from the team.
So here you have a player who was good enough to captain your team, however, with the inclusion of another player he was no longer good enough to be in the team?” asked Angus, who revealed that he suffered his worst experience of his career at the age of 21. “The national team had returned from Barbados and there was an article in the newspaper that said ‘Shivnarine out Angus in’ I was scheduled to make my debut in 1981, which incidentally was the game Clive Lloyd arrived via helicopter and scored a century. It was a match I was very much looking forward to, given the successes I had leading up to that game it was widely anticipated that I would have been a part of that fixture, however as we now know it wasn’t to be. The day prior to match day, whilst I was practicing at Bourda, the late Les Amsterdam informed me that they would not consider me anymore for that game because they received a report that I behaved in an unprofessional manner. I did not think he was being serious given that I was never indiscipline or unprofessional as it relates to cricket or life. That was an extremely sad day for me. I went back to the changing room and sat in the players’ enclosure hoping and praying that someone was going say to me that it was a mistake. The players came into the dressing room after the practice session and saw me sitting in the players’ enclosure and totally ignored me. What was even more baffling to me was that those were the players; I was on tour
with only a few days earlier. I was totally excluded, and was not allowed to go into the dressing room until the team meeting was finished. I left the ground that night a broken 21-year-old feeling embarrassed and thinking I had let myself and my family, friends and supporters down. Looking back as a young man, clearly there was no support ever coming from those who were in charge of Guyana cricket. There was never a followup and no one could say when the punishment would be over and why I was being punished. The stress of the treatment led to me giving up the sport for over a year. What is indeed significant is that to date no official of the GCB has said to me what offence I was being disciplined for. What was the alleged offence I was supposed to have committed? No one has ever officially given a reason for my exclusion. Ye a r s l a t e r i t w a s rumoured that I was excluded because I sang a song on the Bus by the Bob Marley which says “They running and they running and they running away.” It was also rumoured that Alvin Kallicharran was impressed by Clyde Butts during a practice session and decided that he wanted him to play hence I had to be removed from the team. Most interestingly was that the period I spent away from the game, I never received a phone call from any member of the GCB or GCC, except from three players during that horrible year; Ray Joseph, Andy Jackman and the late Andrew Lyght,” Angus informed. To be continued
PAGE 56
Sunday May 24, 2020
Kaieteur News
Dortmund beat Wolfsburg to close in on Bayern ahead of title showdown AFP - Borussia Dortmund warmed up for their looming top-of-the-table clash against Bayern Munich with a 2-0 win at Wolfsburg yesterday in the second weekend of the Bundesliga’s restart from the coronavirus-enforced suspension. Goals by Raphael Guerreiro and Achraf Hakimi sealed an away win in front of empty stands to leave them a point behind league leaders Bayern. On Tuesday, Dortmund host defending champions Bayern — who host Eintracht Frankfurt later on Saturday — in a showdown behind closed doors. This was the second weekend of the Bundesliga’s restart, following a two-month hiatus, as the first top European league to resume during the coronavirus pandemic. A minute’s silence was held before kick-off in the afternoon’s four matches to remember the victims of COVID-19, which has so far claimed 8,216 lives in Germany. In Wolfsburg, Portugal winger Guerreiro, who netted twice in last week’s 4-0 derby thrashing of Schalke, scored his third goal in two games to open the scoring in the 32nd minute. Erling Braut Haaland, who had scored 10 goals in nine league games since joining in January from Red Bull Salzburg, mistimed his attempt to meet the cross, but Guerreiro was on hand to tap home.
With the players calls echoing around the nearempty stadium, Dortmund had a let off early in the second-half when Wolfsburg winger Renato Steffen clipped the crossbar. England winger Jadon Sancho helped sealed the win when he dribbled at the Wolfsburg defence, then laid a pass off to Hakimi, who fired home 12 minutes from time. In the final minutes, Wolfsburg had replacement Felix Klaus sent off for fouling Hakimi. Bayer Leverkusen built on Monday’s drubbing of Werder Bremen by moving up to third place with a 3-1 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach, who dropped to fourth. With the terraces at Borussia Park decked with 13,000 cardboard cut-outs of home fans, Leverkusen’s rising star Kai Havertz, who also scored twice in the 4-1 rout of Bremen, again netted twice. Playing up front as a striker, the 20-year-old Germany winger darted onto Karim Bellarabi’s pass into the area and fired home with seven minutes played. French forward Marcus Thuram levelled with his eighth league goal of the season for Gladbach just after the break. Havertz netted a penalty soon after when the video assistant referee spotted a foul on Bellarabi in the area, before Sven Bender unwittingly sealed the win with his shoulder nine minutes from time.
Raphael Guerreiro (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal in Borussia Dortmund’s 2-0 win at Wolfsburg in a near-empty stadium. (Pool/AFP/Michael Sohn) Second-from-bottom Werder Bremen gained a valuable win in the relegation fight with a 1-0 win at Freiburg to claim their first victory in eight league games. Midfielder Leon Bittencourt hit the winner in the 19th minute when his long-range shot flew hit the far corner. In the action-packed
dying stages, Bremen had defender Philipp Bargfrede sent off for a second yellow card and Freiburg had a goal ruled offside. The result leaves Bremen two points from 16th — which carries a relegation play-off at the end of the season — but six points from 15th, which guarantees safety. Bottom side Paderborn
are now nine points from safety with seven games left after their 1-1 draw at home to Hoffenheim. On Friday, Hertha Berlin drubbed neighbours Union Berlin 4-0 at the Olympic Stadium in the capital’s derby. Hertha’s new coach Bruno Labbadia celebrated a second win in as many games to lift his team up to 10th.
In results from the matches: B Mgladbach 1 - B Leverkusen 3 Paderborn 1 – Hoffenheim 1 Freiburg 0 - Werder Bremen 1 Wolfsburg 0 - B Dortmund 2 Bayern Munich 5 – Frankfurt 2
French Open organizers working with authorities to avoid U.S. Open clash PARIS (Reuters) - French Open director Guy Forget said he was working hand in hand with tennis authorities to make sure the dates of the claycourt Grand Slam tournament and those of the U.S. Open do not clash, adding that Flushing Meadows would make an announcement next month. The French Open had originally been due to start today, but the new coronavirus crisis forced organizers to postpone the start to Sept. 20, one week after the scheduled final of the U.S. Open, leading to criticism within the tennis world.
Earlier this month, the French tennis federation said it was in talks with the ATP, WTA and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) over a revised calendar for the season. “The official announcement has not been made yet. It (the French Open) will probably be between the end of September and the beginning of October. We’ve been working closely with the ATP, the WTA and the ITF to make a global announcement on what the circuit will be like until the end of the year,” Forget told French radio Europe 1 yesterday. “There are so many
question marks. The city of New York is more affected by the coronavirus than France. They also have a lot of organization problems, they will make an announcement mid-June to say how it’s going to be like for the U.S. Open.” Meanwhile, Forget is confident the French Open will be played in good conditions. “We’ll see how the situation is in a couple of months. We will adapt to what the government will say. We have to be ambitious and optimistic,” he said. France has banned events involving 5,000 or more people until the end of August.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal poses with the trophy after his final match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. (REUTERS/Charles Platiau)
Kaieteur News
Sunday May 24, 2020
PAGE 55
Reebok CrossFit Games 2020
Mahadeo and Adonis out as organisers drastically reduce field owing to Covid-19 By Franklin Wilson
T
he organisers of t h e w o r l d ’s biggest fitness competition, the Reebok CrossFit Games has announced that the field of competitors which is usually over 250 athletes (including national champions) has been drastically slashed to just the top 30 male and female athletes for the 2020 edition. The ongoing challenges that have hit the world in terms of social gatherings being outlawed including at sports events for the foreseeable have taken its toll and the games which were scheduled at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin in August will now be held on “The Ranch” in Aromas, California (specific dates still to be determined). Guyana’s fittest male and female athletes, Dillon ‘The Beast’ Mahadeo and Delice Adonis were all set and training consistently even amid the coronavirus pandemic to represent the Golden Arrowhead once again but that have all come to naught now as they have, like many other athletes around the world, been withdrawn from the competition. Both fitness champions and their Coach, Jamie McDonald have expressed disappointment but are in agreement that they hadn’t no control over the situation and believes that they’ll come even stronger for the 2021 competition, once it is held. Dillon Mahadeo: “I was definitely a bit disheartened hearing the news, not having the chance to compete again this year on the world stage after experiencing such a stupendous competition last year, I was really looking forward to showcasing all the hard work and training that has been put into this season in preparing for the Crossfit Games. I was also relishing the opportunity to see where I tally up against the best in the world by improving my ranking from 2019. Mahadeo said that even before CrossFit released an official statement, he was prepared for the restructuring of the Games, “Knowing that there is a possibility we might not
Manager Coach Jamie McDonald (right) with Dillon Mahadeo and Delice Adonis at the Reebok Fitness Games, 2019.
get to compete this year and I believe it may have been the best possible solution for the dilemma we are facing”. “However, looking at the bigger picture, I cannot complain, due to the unprecedented pandemic globally, persons are being affected immensely and are losing so much more, it’s fatal for some or for their loved ones. I count myself lucky that my family and I are safe from Covid-19 and this is of utmost importance currently.” The reigning Kares Crossfit and Caribbean Fitness Challenge champion believes that it is imperative that all stay optimistic and plan for the future with a view of coming out of this pandemic stronger on the other side. “My goal is to keep putting in the same hard work and discipline it takes to get to the next level and qualify and earn my spot to compete at the pinnacle of our sport in 2021, to represent my country to the best of my abilities so I can once again hoist the Golden Arrowhead proudly on the world stage.” Like Mahadeo, Delice Adonis who also trains at Crossfit 592 is aiming to come back even stronger. “ O b v i o u s l y, I ’ m disappointed that Crossfit rescinded their invitation to the games but I completely understand... with everything going on in the world right now and especially the U.S which is proving to be the new
epicenter of the pandemic, it’s probably in the best interest of the athletes to not have a CrossFit Games 2020 at all, but we’ll see about that. For me, this is effectively the end of my 2020 season. Preparations have now begun to fight to earn that invite again for 2021. I’ve been pushing my body quite a bit since last October so I’m actually a little happy to have a break where I can focus on properly rehabbing my injury, and on gaining strength and developing some of my skills without feeling like I’m jeopardizing my competition prep. I don’t know what the 2021 season is going to look like and I can’t make any assumptions this early on, but my hope is that the crossfit season can return to normal by then.” The duo is coached by qualified CrossFit Instructor Jamie McDonald who spoke with Kaieteur Sport. “We’ve all agreed that the general way to deal with this is just to take it in stride like everybody else in sports is and just use the extra time to build upon your weaknesses so that when the opportunity arises later in the year to do the requalification competition online, they’ll do even better that they did last year. Hopefully, when all of this covid stuff is over we can go back to the same international format again next year and they’ll get a chance to represent Guyana on a kind of grander stage once again. That’s how we
Dillon Mahadeo and 4-time USA Crossfit Champion (2016-2019) Mat Fraser pictured at the 2019 presentation ceremony.
Dillon Mahadeo proudly displays the Golden Arrowhead.
Reebok CrossFit Games 2020
Mahadeo and Adonis out as organisers drastically reduce field owing to Covid-19
rt Spo Delice Adonis proudly displays the Golden Arrowhead.
Jamie Mc Donald
Angus is only Guyanese to make First-Class debut as Captain Says he never got support from some senior players
La Liga players started training in groups of no more than 10 at the start of the week. (Getty Images)
(from L-R) ex Guyana players Garfield Charles, Andy Jackman, Colwin Cort & Jerry Angus at an indoor nets in England.
La Liga can resume behind closed doors from 8 June, says Spain’s prime minister
Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.