Guyana Times -- Friday August 28, 2020

ExxonMobil P15 supports GMSA Digital Platform to promote agroprocessing sector Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4391

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

PRICE

12th Parliament convenes next ...President Ali issues Tuesday proclamation

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

47 new P10 COVID-19 cases recorded …death toll now 32, WCB man latest victim

See story on page 3

Ponzi scheme principals slapped with 19 charges Local Content Panel launched

APNU/AFC to file elections petition on August 31 – P9 Harmon

See story on page 13

Shyam Nokta

Carl Greenidge

Kevin Ramnarine

Carvil Duncan

Floyd Haynes

See story on page 16

– Nandlall says move is “atrocious”

...ignores conclusive proof uncovered in recount

Mingo asks High Court P14 to order his immediate release from Police custody

Dr Anthony Paul

...Nokta, Greenidge, fmr T&T Energy Minister among expert members

APNU/AFC backflips and now seeks int’l community’s “interference”

P7 Mingo’s tampering with poll results “nonsensical” – Harmon

Page 11

SOCU’s financial investigator under probe for – presented certificate with forgery allegedly forged signatures Page 15

Officials who committed P12 electoral fraud will be held accountable – new GECOM Commissioner

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 in custody after Police operations Man evades Police after tossing unearth ganja, suspected stolen items bag with ganja over fence

Some of the items found during the raids

rested pending additional investigations.

At the third location, the Police found one transparent plastic bottle with 55 small ziplock bags containing ganja, one HP laptop computer, one Black ZTE cellphone, one flash drive, a quantity of electrical appliances, and an undisclosed sum of cash.

All the items found were seized and a 35-year-old man was arrested pending charges.

These operations by the Police are conducted quite regularly as they search for illegal firearms and ammunition, narcotics, and stolen articles.

The shopping bag

The area where the man dropped the bag

Some of the items found during the raids

The ganja that was found in the bag

hree persons were arrested after ganja and suspected stolen items were found in their possession during three separate Police operations on Wednesday.

Based on reports received, the operations were conducted between 17:30h and 20:40h

he Police are on the hunt for a man who reportedly disposed of a bag containing over three kilograms of ganja at ViveLa-Force, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Wednesday.

Based on reports received, about 12:30h on the day in question, a policeman while in his private vehicle observed some suspicious movements, prompting him to trail a white Toyota

T

in the Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice area.

At the first two locations, nothing illegal was unearthed, but two men, a 20-year-old and a 34-year-old, were ar-

T

The electrical tools that were found during one of the searches

Premio motor car from Patentia Public Road to Vive-La-Force, where the car stopped.

A as the car came to a halt, a passenger exited carrying a bulky shopping bag. The individual went through a track while the car drove off.

Still curious, the Policeman followed the man through the track, but upon seeing him, the man threw the bulky shopping bag over an eight-foot fence and then escaped using the sea dam.

The Policeman reportedly went over the fence and retrieved the bag, which was found to contain three packages wrapped in brown tape.

The packages turned out to contain the illegal substance. He immediately contacted the AntiCrime Patrol ranks, who arrived in the area and conducted a search for the suspect, but he was nowhere to be seen.

The bag containing the cannabis was taken to the La Grange Police Station, where it was weighed, amounting to 3.272 kilograms. The Police are continuing their investigations.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, August 28 – 01:00h-02:30h and 13:30h-15:00h and Saturday, August 29 – 02:00h-03:30h and 14:30h-16:00h.

12th Parliament convenes next Tuesday

...President Ali issues proclamation

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, August 28 – 12:50h-14:20h and Saturday, August 29 –13:55h-15:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions will prevail during the day, interrupted by light rain showers in the midmorning hours until noon. Clear to partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to West SouthWesterly between 1.34 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 12:52h reaching a maximum height of 2.13 metres.

Low Tide: 06:12h and 18:42h reaching minimum heights of 0.97 metre and 1.12 metres.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2020

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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$362.00/ton

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Change

+7.90

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President Irfaan Ali

is Excellency, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday proclaimed that the 12th Parliament will convene on September 1, 2020 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The Proclamation stated that President Ali, in pursuance of the powers conferred upon him by Article 69 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana, has issued Proclamation Number 1 of 2020 declaring September 1, 2020 as the date for the sitting of the Twelfth Parliament.

President Ali, also in pursuance of Article 69 (1) of the Constitution, has designated the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at 5E Half Orchid Drive, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown as the place where the opening of the Twelfth Parliament will be held at 10:00 hours, it further stated.

The Proclamation also states that this venue shall begin and remain as such until advice is received from the Public Health Minister that the safety measures, including social distancing with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, are no longer necessary.

It adds that once this is done, sittings will be held in the Parliament Chamber of the Public Building on Brickdam, Georgetown.

By Proclamation dated December 27, 2019 issued under Article 70 (2) of the Constitution, the Eleventh Parliament of Guyana was dissolved on December 30, 2019.

All arrangements have been made for the convening of the 12th Parliament, for which measures have been put in place to ensure social distancing and other COVID-19 precautionary measures among parliamentarians.

This was confirmed by Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs.

He had, earlier in the week, told Guyana Times that “I am prepared. I have received the declaration from the Guyana Elections Commission, role calling, mailing lists and so on. I have prepared the register.

I just met with the Army, the Police, the Ministry

of Health, discussing the convening of Parliament and subsequent sittings.

[I have met] with Protocol Officers of the Office of the President, Foreign Affairs…”

There has been no Parliament since May 23, 2019, mainly because of the successful passage of a no-confidence motion against the APNU/ AFC Administration on December 21, 2018. But although the motion was passed, the APNU/AFC Government refused to demit office, and brought a slew of legal challenges to the validity of the motion.

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) later affirmed the no-confidence motion.

During that time,

Sherlock Isaacs

But GECOM failed to hold General and Regional Elections within the constitutionally mandated period, mainly because it was

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland

parties –A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), and The New Movement

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Parliament will now be held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

only members on the governing side attended Parliamentary sittings.

Members of the Opposition PPP/C had committed to not attending sittings until after elections were held, as the successful passage of the motion required that elections be held three months thereafter, on March 21, 2019.

not prepared for the snap elections. Parliament was later dissolved on December 30, 2019, paving the way for the March 2, 2020 elections.

The Elections results are as follows: PPP/C will hold a majority in the National Assembly with 33 seats; the APNU/AFC Coalition have 31 seats, while the joinder

(TNM) – will have one seat.

Once Parliament reconvenes, its Members will select a Speaker of the National Assembly. The last Speaker was Dr. Barton Scotland. High on the agenda will be the passage of the National Budget, since the last one was passed in December 2018 to the tune of $267.1 billion.

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Opportunity to be a respected Opposition party

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or five months following the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change senior officials and supporters robustly unleashed attacks on the international community, diplomats resident in Guyana, and everyone else who spoke out against the undemocratic road upon which they had embarked. The political situation that was created wholly by the APNU/AFC, who were in self-denial over their defeat, led to the humiliation of the country at an international level.

Today, the likely Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon, now writes the heads of states of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, United Nations, Commonwealth, Caribbean Community (Caricom), Organisation of American States (OAS) among numerous international organisations, on Guyana’s elections.

It is almost absurd that the very APNU will now seek to ask these nations and organisations to support what Harmon is now describing as the “restoration of democratic values in Guyana”.

Lest we forget, the world watched and heard in disgust the continued pushing of a false narrative by the APNU/AFC that the March 2 polls were rigged in favour of the People’s Progressive Party. This continual stream of allegations of electoral fraud is contrary to the position taken by the then President, David Granger, all the international and local organisations, along with the Guyana Elections Commission itself: that the elections were “free, fair, and orderly”. It was Harmon himself who, earlier in June, launched an attack on Chair of Caricom, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, after the St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister made it clear that Caricom would not tolerate the stealing of an election, nor would the regional bloc allow the results from the national recount process to be set aside. As this newspaper had previously said, everyone – whether it be the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, Commonwealth, Organisation of American States, or everyone else – has had an attack launched on them for ‘interference’ in Guyana, all because these nations have called for a democratically elected Government to be installed in Guyana. The APNU/ AFC even threatened to revoke the accreditation of foreign organisations observing the elections. A perverse attack was even launched on the notable sons of the region, former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur and former Jamaica Prime Minister Bruce Golding. Like the others, they, too, called out APNU/AFC and certain senior officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on their malfeasance.

The collusion between APNU/AFC and Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo to thwart the will of the Guyanese people came to the fore after the recount. This was settled by the recount, which was valid and credible, based on Caricom’s assessment.

Instead of focusing energies on what would inevitably be a colossal waste of time to attempt to get international support for this new campaign, Harmon and that party should spend that same vigour to reconnect with their support base, whom they fooled and manoeuvred into believing that they were in some way shortchanged at the March 2, 2020 polls.

That party’s credibility is at a crossroads, and has decreased significantly, with its support base hurting as their trust was betrayed by their leadership, which lied to them.

APNU/AFC should now go to Parliament and seize the opportunity to redeem itself by being a respected Opposition party.

From left to right: Newly sworn-in Commissioner on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Manoj Narayan; His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali; Chairperson of GECOM, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh and Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall at State House on Thursday

Harmon’s letter to the international community Dear Editor, Joseph Harmon’s letter to the international community, informing of APNU’s intention to file two election petitions, provides insight to the mind of the man who will lead the Opposition members in Parliament, and it is not a welcome picture.

Joe Harmon speaks of “an illegitimate and fraudulent government that was not lawfully or democratically elected.” It is clear that David Granger has chosen someone who shares his delusions, and we can expect a continuation of that wilful ignorance which began when James Patterson was unilaterally selected; when 32 was deemed equal to 33 and SOPs were replaced with spreadsheets and bedsheets.

Harmon has provided the international community with a dossier that he claims contains “The conclusion of the Chief Elections Officer and our

own analysis show that these instances of irregularities are materially sufficient to vitiate the elections on the ground of widespread fraud.”

Harmon seems to have forgotten that the entire international community was present throughout the electoral process (except the Carter Center, who were denied permission

by Granger’s COVID-19 Task Force) and are fully cognisant of the actions of all parties involved, particularly the Chief Elections Officer. And consequently, Keith Lowenfield’s testimony on ‘fraudulent activity would be confined to his defence of charges of criminal conduct.

As for “our own analysis”, one would have to ask if this refers to statements of poll in the possession of APNU and GECOM, or Harmon’s sixty letters to Chair Claudette Singh containing random and unfounded claims during the re-

count process. Either way, delusion reigns supreme.

Parliamentary democracy works best as a governance system when the people are represented by the parties they voted for at the polls. Are the two hundred and fifteen thousand people who cast ballots for APNU+AFC best served by the continued denial of the truth, as evidenced by SOPs and the painstaking recount?

Guyanese on all sides of the political divide want a credible opposition that keeps the ruling party under tight scrutiny, an opposition that earns its keep! Joseph Harmon’s first step out of the box is a tumble.

Harmon accuses the Guyana Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, and other state agencies of targeting and prosecuting members of the Opposition.

To date, only one person (Chris Jones) belonging to the Opposition has been charged,

unless, of course, Messrs Mingo and Lowenfield own PNC party cards (Volda Lawrence is facing private criminal charges).

The international community is well aware of the norms associated with political appointees, who demit office instantly when there is a change in administration. Harmon’s attempt to stay on as DirectorGeneral of Dr. Irfaan Ali’s Administration provided levity after five months of struggle for democracy, but, in retrospect, may be an indication of the depth of delusion the man suffers.

Joe Harmon has labelled himself “presumptive Leader of the Opposition”. Surely, he meant Presumptuous: defined as a person who shows little respect for others by doing things they have no right to do.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Put Payara on hold until…

Dear Editor, I agree that sanctity of contract is important. That contract has terms and conditions that are grossly unfair to Guyana. We do not fully understand the full extent of the unfairness. The only way we can find out is over time, during which Exxon will be producing oil. They have Lisa 1 and 2. Let them develop it fully and go into full production, and let us see the true impact of these terms and conditions before we approve anything else.

It’s like you give a man a house to build. You get all kinds of problems with him while he is working to finish that one house, and you are unable to resolve the problems you are getting on the one house. Should you hurry up and give him a second house to build? I think not.

That same sanctified contract that Exxon is relying on says that Guyana owns the oil, and only Guyana can decide if, how, and when the oil should

be extracted. The real problem is that we do not know how the terms and conditions would affect Guyana, but so far, we do not like what we know.

We do not like the flaring.

Not only is it poisoning us, it is poisoning the world and accelerating climate change. It will make it more difficult for us to meet our climate change goals.

Exxon says they will stop, but they continue, and we can do nothing about it.

Exxon is dumping contaminated water in the ocean, when the water should be re-injected into the well. This affects us and our climate change goals.

We can do nothing about it.

Exxon refuses to recognise our EPA laws. Either EPA has jurisdiction, or it does not.

It’s the case of you cannot be slightly pregnant. Exxon is saying don’t take us to court, as it will cost you more than you will recover. In the meantime, they are using their highpriced lawyers to support their conduct. And guess who pays

their lawyers? Guyana.

Indeed, this is a lose-lose for Guyana and a win-win for Exxon, while ignoring our laws. Do this to the United States and they will be prepared to go to war.

There are many other deficiencies in the contract with respect to oil spill and responsibility for cleaning up after. We can do nothing about it.

Our experience so far with Local Content provisions in the sanctified contract is not good.

So far, what we have we do not like, and Exxon is saying that we cannot do anything about it.

Now, however, Exxon is suggesting, as part of the review of Payara, there might be areas in local content that need additional capacity building, and that they can accelerate this so that all Guyanese can reap the benefit from the oil industry as soon as possible.

I agree. I want to see Guyanese reap the benefits from the oil industry as soon

as possible. Let us take them at their word. As usual, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Let us agree to see the results of what Exxon can really do about local content for Guyanese. They have Lisa 1 and 2 to develop and demonstrate how Guyanese will benefit. If we like it, all well and good. Let us not chase after Exxon and beg for crumbs. We own the oil. Let them use what has already been approved to demonstrate what they can do for us. Until then, Payara should be put on hold.

During the hold period, we can indeed look at how much money we can earn by leaving the Payara production in the ground and compare it to what the current PSA is getting us.

In the meantime, Exxon can take its intended investment in Payara elsewhere. Win for Exxon and win for Guyana.

Respectfully, Sase Shewnarain

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Abolish the death penalty Update the mental health ordinance also Dear Editor, The Caribbean Voice (TCV) is thrilled that the need for updated Public Health legislation will be addressed during the next sitting of the National Assembly, according to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. We sincerely hope that this process will also see two other things: A legislative framework for the integration of mental health into the current health-care system, as advocated for by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which stated in a 2008 report on Guyana that, “The current mental health system in Guyana is fragmented, poorly resourced, and not integrated into the general health-care system. Care of the mentally ill is provided under the legislative framework of the Mental Health Ordinance of 1930, which is antiquated and fails to make provisions for the protection of the rights of people with mental disorders”.

This situation remains basically true twelve years later.

According to the LANCET Psychiatry website, “The need to integrate mental and physical healthcare is indisputable. Healthcare professionals know that people with severe mental illness are dying up to 20 years earlier than the general population, partly due to physical ill health, and they now know that this mortality gap is widening despite current efforts. Meanwhile, a high proportion of people with long-term physical conditions continue to be diagnosed with mental illness, around 30%, and as many as one in three primary care consultations can concern medically unexplained symptoms.”

With an estimated 25% (empirical evidence suggests that this figure is much higher today) of the Guyana population affected by mental illness, this integration is especially critical for developing nations like Guyana, where mental health specialists are in very short supply, but the need for the delivery of mental health-care is acute and the cost of private mental health-care is astronomical.

According to the WHO, “By making health-care workers sensitive to the presence of mental health problems, and by equip-

ping them with skills to deal with those problems, much wastage of efforts in general health care can be avoided, and health-care can be made more effective”.

Furthermore, “research has shown that emotional and psychological distress may be an early manifestation of physical disease processes, or may itself cause such diseases (the mind/body connection).” Thus “an important concept in primary health-care is that health activities should develop horizontally to involve other sectors working within the community…intersectoral collaboration, involving governmental and non-governmental organisations is important in all areas of health.”

We are aware that this process of integration was started under the previous PPP/C government, but it has been travelling at a snail’s pace while the mentally ill, by and large, continue to be abandoned, isolated, ignored, and suffer acutely while issues like suicide, sexual and gender-based abuse, and alcoholism continue to bestride Guyana at great costs.

Meanwhile, TCV hopes that as Attorney General Nandlall pilots the updating of Public Health legislation, cognizance would also be taken of the need to update the 1930 Mental Health Ordinance, not only to protect the rights of the mentally-ill, as the WHO pointed out, but also to ensure that outdated practices would no longer have legislative support; new technology, including virtual and telehealth practices, would be embraced; and attitudes to mental health would be ‘updated,’ so stigmas, taboos, myths, misinformation, labelling, discrimination, and lack of understanding, empathy and compassion will all be coherently and consistently addressed. Protocols to license counselors must be put in place to prevent all sorts of quacks from portraying themselves as clinical counsellors and causing greater harm, a reality that TCV can testify to with numerous examples. And reputable NGOs with the requisite skills ought to be embraced and their work fostered, so as to make mental health-care accessible across the land.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

SEE ADDITIONAL LETTERS ON PAGE 17

Dear Editor, Now that the new Government is in place, with an efficient Attorney General, it is widely believed that the Constitutional Reform Commission would begin to do real work. Those who have been clamouring for Constitutional Reform will get the opportunity to put forward their proposals and have them seriously considered.

So far, almost all the calls for Constitutional Reform have been woefully short of specifics, so I am proposing a concrete issue that needs to be considered: Capital Punishment. It is a contentious matter, the debate has raged here before; it is not an issue restricted to Guyana, but one that has been vigorously contested abroad. Therefore, much information and statistics are available to help authorities to come to some conclusion, and provide enough information for serious debate.

I believe that the time has come in Guyana when Capital Punishment should be abolished. I appreciate the fact that, for the families of victims, this is a sore issue; the deep feelings are understandable when the hurt of losing a loved one by such deliberate actions of another person occur.

For some, the immediate response is to ‘do them back’. A lot of people feel that a murderer has given up his/her own right to life when such a crime is committed. They feel that the death penalty would deter and reduce the incidents of murder.

However, looked at from a wider angle and from less emotional circumstances, I think that one of the important tasks we have as a nation is to further humanise our own society. While it is true that many factors need to come together to accomplish that task, I am convinced that removing the death penalty is an important step on that road.

Furthermore, the evidence internationally has shown conclusively that Capital Punishment does not slow down or stop murders from occurring. This is

an important fact that is often not given the consideration it deserves; it is sometimes even ignored.

Extensive research has been done in many countries of the world, including in Europe and North America.

Much work on the issue was also done by the UN as well.

All of those studies have concluded that the Death Penalty is not a deterrent for capital crimes.

Indeed, in many cases, it has been observed that in countries and states in Europe and the US where the death penalty was abolished, the murder rate was lower than those countries/ states in which it was retained. it is almost the norm.

At a minimum, abolition does not lead to increase in murders.

There is also a moral argument that should be considered. If we conclude that taking another person’s life is wrong, then, by extension, we can say that the state taking lives of people cannot therefore be right. With the best will in the world, mistakes would be made and innocent people would be executed. This is not a rare occurrence. We have seen the frequency with which innocent persons were executed in various parts of the world. The US, which is a very open society, shows this with alarming regularity. The situation is pervasive enough for some politicians and political commentators to conclude there is more than an element of racism in this, since the majority of those who have been innocently executed and incarcerated were African- Americans and other minorities; for example, Latinos.

A lot of this is the result of poverty. Because the families of those accused of murder are often unable to afford the best lawyers to give the accused the best representation, the accused persons are very often poorly represented in court. That leads to them being found guilty, when in fact many were innocent. Even now, many innocent people are in jail and on death row.

This leads me to the oth-

er general point that should be seriously considered and lead us to abolish Capital Punishment; that is, the social composition of those who have been executed.

Almost 100% came from the poor and the working poor. These are persons who faced unbelievably difficult circumstances and challenges every day. These are persons who literally live almost in a pressure cooker.

Those circumstances are responsible for crimes and the creation of criminals.

On the other hand, perpetrators of other types of crime, who continuously kill people daily and silently, get away scot free with their deeds. These are the corrupt bureaucrats, or some corrupt business people who make millions and billions of dollars by all kinds of crimes. Such actions help to perpetuate poverty, deprive children of proper foods, induce malnutrition, and retard intellectual development.

In almost all these cases, these people walk free.

According to the Mighty Sparrow, these criminals are ‘high in society’, and are the ‘good citizens’ of the world.

In this regard, another dangerous trend has arisen in politics generally. Many politicians like to create the impression that they are tough. We all watch American television and see how Democrats and Republicans are vying to create the impression of being tough. Tough on Crime, tough on Russia, tough on China, tough on Cuba, tough on Iran, tough on Venezuela,

etc. the talk of being tough has become a big seller for many politicians.

This is not confined to the US. Globalisation is not just about economics, but also about ideas. Because the US have the biggest economy and an unbelievably powerful mass media, their ideas, good and bad, are widely disseminated through the world, and have great influence.

Many of the political tactics used in the US are often adopted outside. So, we will hear the same talk of being tough repeated from the north to the south. And using the death penalty is one of the easiest ways to project the image of ‘toughness’.

Therefore, to portray such an image, some persons could face the gallows, some could be innocent. In my view, if one such person is wrongly murdered, because that’s what it is, then we should stop this practice throughout the world. One innocent person being sent to his/her death is far too many.

My own position should be clear by now: I stand for those forms of punishment that would discourage crimes, and deter capital crimes in particular.

However, we must be humane; we must demonstrate to our people humaneness.

Setting the correct example is important in moulding a free and democratic country.

We must oppose the death penalty completely!

This is for the sake of our nation as a whole.

Donald Ramotar Former President

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

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Foundation

SUMMER OF LEARNING

◄

Æsop’s Fables

L

ike denominators are exactly the same. For example, 1/5 and 3/5 have like denominators.

But 1/5 and 1/6 do not have like denominators.

To add fractions with like denominators, just add the numerators. Place the total over the denominator.

Example: Add 1/5 + 3/5 + 4/5 Step 1: Add 1 + 3 + 4 = 8

FOR CHILDREN Exercises: Add fractions 1) 5/3+ 1/3 2) 1/9 + 7/8 3) 3/4+ 1/2

Step 2: Place the total over the like denominator. 8/5 You may notice your total is an improper fraction. But you have learnt how to change that into a mixed number if you need to.

Remember: Like denominators are the same, and are sometimes called common denominators.

“T

he greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” — Coretta Scott King Community starts with kindness. Being kind might sometimes feel like a muscle that needs to be exercised. Here’s a simple idea for you to try.

Find an old jar and decorate it if you like. Write down a random act of kindness on a strip of paper and add it to the kindness jar. You can add more than one strip at a time if you are inspired, or you can go more slowly and contribute one idea each day, until the jar is filled up.

Next, dip into the jar to choose a kindness idea. Talk about it with parents and decide if this is something you can do right away, or plan to do in the near future.

What will your kindness notes say?

Here are a few ideas, in case you need to get the brainstorming going: • Make a handmade card for a family member or friend

4) 6/12 + 19/32

5) 5/7 + 3/7

6) 27/3+ 18/27

• Offer a hug to someone and tell them why you like them so much • Write a silly poem Try this!

You can also use a kindness jar to collect kindness: collect change to donate funds to help others or use your jar to grow a plant that everyone takes care of. (adapted from startwithabook.com)

A

hare was making fun of the tortoise one day for being so slow.

“Do you ever get anywhere?” he asked with a mocking laugh.

“Yes,” replied the tortoise, “and I get there sooner than you think. I’ll run you a race and prove it.”

The hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.

The hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the tortoise should catch up.

The tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time, passed the place where the hare was sleeping. But the hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the tortoise was near the goal. The hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the tortoise in time.

WORD SEARCH • Do a chore without being asked (for example, putting toys away) • Ask someone to share their “roses and thorns” from that day • Invite a child to join your game — someone who may be shy or lonely

NEWS

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mingo’s tampering with poll results “nonsensical” – Harmon ...ignores conclusive proof uncovered in recount

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lthough local and international stakeholders condemned the actions of District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo to blatantly tamper with the results of the March 2 General and Regional Elections, APNU/AFC’s General Secretary Joseph Harmon has labelled an ongoing probe into the matter as “nonsensical”.

“The Police know, and so does Mr (Attorney General Anil) Nandlall, that the actions of the elections officers…are provided for under the law, and you cannot go and say that you are mounting any enquiry in all of that.

It’s nonsensical,” Harmon said during a recent programme aired on the APNU/ AFC’s Facebook page.

The Coalition’s strongman posited that “all of this harassment” that is taking place against Mingo, other senior officials at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and former Government Minister Volda Lawrence, “In my view they are all unlawful, all of them”.

Attorney-at-law and member of the PPP/C, Charles Ramson, had filed private criminal charges against Mingo and Lawrence on March 13. Those charges are in relation to fraudulent elections’ declarations for Region Four.

Mere days after

APNU/AFC Campaign Manager Joseph Harmon

the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had ordered the Guyana Police Force to investigate reports of electoral fraud, Mingo was on Tuesday arrested and was interrogated in relation to allegations levied against him. In addition, his Deputy Carolyn Duncan was also taken into custody.

Mingo is being investigated for alleged criminal misconduct after allegations were raised that he attempted to alter the March 2 elections’ results in favour of the former APNU/AFC Administration.

In fact, it was Mingo’s attempts to alter the results of the elections that led to the National Recount exercise which ultimately proved the

major irregularities in figures being called by the Returning Officer when compared to the actual numbers of votes cast.

Other senior officials of GECOM are also being investigated, including Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield – who is also currently facing private criminal fraud charges before the courts.

The Police had said that “formal reports” were received alleging “criminal conduct” by Lowenfield and Mingo, as well as others in relation to the elections and the events that followed thereafter.

“As a result, legal advice was obtained from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), and the Guyana Police Force was advised to launch a comprehensive investigation into these allegations” in accordance with its mandate.

On March 2, counting of the ballots cast had proceeded smoothly, and had been completed in nine (9) regions, with the PPP/C in a commanding lead. But the tabulation of Statements of Poll (SoPs) was interrupted in District Four (Demerara-Mahaica) after Returning Officer Mingo switched from the legal procedure – which ensures transparency – whereby each SoP had to be exhibited to the stakeholders present to enable comparison with their copies.

Persons caught making prank calls to COVID-19 hotlines will be penalised

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he Health Ministry has warned that persons found guilty of making prank calls to the COVID-19 hotlines would be penalised.

This decision came after a series of pranks calls was made to the COVID-19 hotline numbers.

As such, the Health Ministry is appealing to members of the public to stop making prank calls.

“Members of the public are reminded that Paragraph 16 of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures states that persons shall not call a COVID-19 hotline number without a justifiable reason. Persons found guilty of making prank calls to the COVID-19 hotlines WILL BE PENALISED,” the Ministry stated.

In addition, subject minister, Dr Frank Anthony wishes to remind the general public of the importance of the COVID-19 hotlines to the nation’s efforts to prevent and manage the spread of COVID-19.

“The COVID-19 hotlines are used to receive information that allows for the provision of healthcare services to persons possibly affected by the virus,” he added.

Finally, the Ministry noted that prank calls would disrupt the communication process between persons

who are legitimately in need of vital service and healthcare providers.

“Such an outcome has negative consequences for

persons in need of care. Let us all work together to effectively stop the spread of COVID-19 in Guyana.”

However, Mingo diverted to a procedure wherein the purported numbers from the SoPs were incorporated into a consolidated spreadsheet.

This led to immediate calls for transparency from both local and international observers.

This led to the High Court case, when all the parties excepting APNU/AFC protested the sleight of hand that facilitated an inflation of the votes for that party.

Following the High Court’s decision, Mingo was ordered to revert to the prescribed procedure, but he repeated his subterfuge in another guise and submitted totals that varied substantially from those of other parties, and had the APNU/ AFC ahead, rather than the PPP/C. The Chairman of GECOM, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, agreed to a recount of the votes, which had been proposed by then caretaker President David Granger and agreed to by then Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo after an intervention by several Caricom leaders.

In June, the Region Four results gave the People’s Progressive Party/Civic a total victory margin of more than 15,400 votes over their nearest rivals, the APNU/ AFC. The difference was noted by the Head of the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Guyana, Bruce Golding, who had stated that he has never seen such a “transparent effort to alter the results of an elec-

Clairmont Mingo while in Police custody

tion”.

Moreover, it showed that the numbers produced by Mingo were heavily inflated to have a rigged win for the coalition.

On Monday morning, former Government Minister Volda Lawrence also appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer private criminal fraud charges.

Lawrence, along with Mingo, was charged in relation to the unverified declaration of results for Region

Four. They were accused of forging official electoral documents in an effort to defraud the country.

The particulars of the charge stated that Mingo, having been procured by Lawrence on or about March 5 at the GECOM Command Centre on High and Hadfield Streets, uttered to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield the election results for Region Four, knowing same to be forged with intent to defraud the people of Guyana.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mahaica man beaten during misunderstanding dies

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lmost two weeks after being brutally beaten, an East Coast resident succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Thursday.

The dead man has been identified as Remo Roopnarine, 42, of Supply Mahaica, ECD. Based on reports received, the now dead man was found at about 16:00h on August 15 lying in an unconscious state at the

Dead: Remo Roopnarine

back of his yard, with injuries to his head.

He was picked up and taken to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where he was treated and transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. He remained a patient at that medical facility until his demise.

Investigations revealed that Roopnarine and the suspect had a misunderstanding, during which the suspect became annoyed and kicked and cuffed the victim to the head.

The suspect, Linden Mc Curdy, also called “Ganga Saka”, of Lot 77 Supply Mahaica, ECD, was later arrested and charged for attempted murder.

He reportedly appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on August 20 before Magistrate Mettelholzer, who read the charge to him. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge, and was remanded to prison until September 4, 2020.

Wanted man injured in shootout with Police

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man who was wanted by the Police was on Thursday evening shot during an exchange of gunfire with the Police in Warlock, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The injured man has been identified as Dwayne Castello, also called “Top Cat”, of Warlock East Ruimveldt. Based on information received, Police were patrolling the area when they noticed Castello,

Wanted: Dwayne Castello, also called “Top Cat”

but upon seeing the lawmen, he opened fire in their direction.

The Police returned fire, hitting him to his knee. He was apprehended and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he has been admitted under guard.

An unlicensed .9mm pistol with matching rounds was retrieved from the scene.

Pension payment to commence on September 1

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he Human Services and Social Security Ministry has announced that payment of Old Age Pensions will begin on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at post offices countrywide.

The Ministry is cognisant that in previous months, payment would commence approximately one week before the actual month’s disbursement.

The early payment system was implemented to ensure that Old Age Pensions and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Pensions disbursement schedules did not overlap to prevent overcrowding at the post offices.

However, Old Age Pensions and NIS Pensions payments would not coincide for the month of September. The early pension payment system would resume for October.

The Ministry stated that the alphabetical system using surnames/last names will be employed for senior citizens to receive their payment during the first five payment days of the month at post offices in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10.

Senior citizens will be paid as follows: * Surnames/last names beginning with the letters A to D on Tuesday, September

1, 2020 * Surnames/last names beginning with the letters E to K on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 * Surnames/last names beginning with the letters L to P on Thursday, September 3, 2020 * Surnames/last names beginning with the letters Q to T on Friday, September 4, 2020 * Surnames/last names beginning with the letters U to Z on Monday, September 7, 2020 (the fifth payment day) The Ministry also reiterated that the alphabetical system would only be used during the first five pay-

ment days. However, senior citizens will be allowed to cash his/her coupon/s on any day after the fifth payment day.

In keeping with the guidelines provided by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), post offices continue to enforce physical distancing between individuals accessing their services. This measure limits the number of individuals who can enter any post office at any given time. Persons visiting the offices are asked to wear protective masks and sanitise their hands before entry.

Motorcyclist in serious condition after crashing into minibus at Lethem

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motorcyclist is in serious condition after he reportedly crashed into a minibus along the Lethem Public Road, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) on Wednesday.

The injured man has been identified as 27-yearold Kellon Arthur of Lethem Central, Rupununi. Based

on information received, the accident occurred around 18:00h and involved a minibus bearing registration number BVV 5217 driven by a 28-year-old man and the motorcycle.

The minibus had been reportedly parked behind a truck which was parked on the side of the road when the driver attempted to

make a U-turn, but failed to ensure the road was clear and drove into the path of the motorcycle.

As a result, the motorcyclist collided with the front of the minibus. He was reportedly thrown into the air and landed on the road’s surface, sustaining injuries.

He was picked up in a

conscious state and taken to the Lethem Regional Hospital, where he was admitted to the male ward.

The driver of the minibus was arrested and taken to the station, where a breathalyser test was conducted, and he was found to be above the prescribed limit. Police are continuing their investigations.

Body of missing man found at Semang Creek

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he body of 63-year-old Clement Morgan was on Wednesday pulled from the Semang Creek, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) one day after the boat in which he was travelling capsized.

The body, which was in a state of decomposition and clad in a blue long-sleeve shirt and a pair of black sweatpants, was examined by the Police. The Police

noted that several superficial lacerations were seen about the torso and back.

The body was transported to the Issano Police Station and thence to the Bartica Regional Hospital for a post-mortem.

It was reported that the pensioner joined a ninefoot aluminium boat around 10:00h on Monday with another occupant, Sanaika Jacobs, and the captain, Marvin Andrews, of Cane

Grove, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.

At the time, the vessel was heading to the office of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) at Issano.

However, the vessel then left the GGMC office around 15:30h and was en route to Semang Backdam.

Further, it was reported that about 20:30h, while passing through Gatie Falls, the boat’s 40-horsepow-

er outboard engine encountered mechanical problems and ground to a halt. As a result, given the rapids in the area and the heavy current, the boat capsized.

Andrews and Jacobs managed to swim to safety, but Morgan disappeared in the murky water. Police subsequently received a report of the incident and a team was immediately deployed to the area.

Follow the leader…

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…but which PNC leader?? our Eyewitness is pleased to announce that Volda Lawrence’s GoFundMe account was shared with 3500 persons and has now inched up to US$480 towards her goal of US$20,000. With another US$20, she’ll be able to cover the Gy$100,000 bail money she had to cough up at the Magistrate’s Court! Even though she’s promised to use the funds to battle the sneaky PPP, maybe she can now buy some fried rice for her die-hard supporters. They’re sure to be there when she next shows up in Court to face the criminal charge of conspiring to forge documents to show her PNC coalition won the March 2 elections!

The Chairwoman of the PNCR, played her cards better than her accomplice Mingo, with whom she’d signed the cocked-up SOP tabulation for Reg 4. He had to be arrested and brought to Police HQ, since he kept dodging service.

Wasn’t a pretty sight to see him in handcuffs, but heck, look at what he did to so many others after his dirty deed.

Also wasn’t a pretty sight when Commissioner Robeson Benn was splayed on the ground at the ACCC during the recount with the Police dragging him.

But it looks like Volda will be needing a much largest war chest that US$480 if she’s to get back to the centre of the action. Cause while she’s worrying about facing jail time, her bete noir, Lil Joe Harmon, announced that the PNC’s 31 MPs-to-be have already met and informally agreed to choose him as Opposition Leader when Parliament convenes next Tuesday. Volda surely must’ve hoped that she had some support among that lot, who would’ve balked at ex-army man Lil Joe usurping the role she should be playing.

So, with Granger as Leader of the PNC, and his protégé Lil Joe as Opposition Leader controlling the official levers of the PNC, as your Eyewitness emphasised yesterday, it looks like Volda’s only hope is to launch a populist challenge against her nemeses from her Georgetown base. The opportunity will present itself on Tuesday when Lil Joe has announced he’ll be presenting the Elections Petition to the Courts and has called for PNC supporters to come out in force to show the PNC means business.

What Volda should be doing is to make her own call to her supporters – she’s still PNC chair, ain’t she? – and show Lil Joe whose support is bigger!! PNC(V) versus PNC(G)? shades of Burnham versus Jagan in the old PPP!!

The COVID-19 regulations?? Not to worry!!

Volda and Lil Joe will both be raring to show who’s “more PNC” - to bait the Police more effectively. …to Parliament?

If all goes as planned, Lil Joe has a busy week ahead.

Right after he announced he’ll then be presenting the PNC’s Elections Petition on Monday, Parliamentary Clerk Issacs revealed Parliament will be convened on the very next day!! This means Lil Joe and his crowd – plus Volda and her crowd? – will be at the Courts on Monday morning and will have to get ready to mosey over to Parliament on Tuesday.

Trouble is, because of the COVID-19 restrictions – which, unlike the PNC, the powers-that-be are obeying Parliament’s been moved from the Public Buildings - across from the Magistrates Court - all the way to the ACCC over at Liliendaal. Lil Joe will therefore be arriving there all hot and sweaty if he wants supporters on the scene. And bothered, if Volda shows up and shows him up!! Now, this was supposed to be the scene of his crowning glory, since he only becomes Opposition Leader if the PNC’s MPs vote for him at that first meeting!!

A possible slip between the cup and the lip?? …in seclusion In the meantime, PNC leader David Granger’s staying true to form and doing his best imitation of Greta Garbo studiously remaining secluded behind his high green walls.

Or is it the Wizard of Oz - just a wizened old man behind a curtain??

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC to file elections petition on August 31 – Harmon T

he A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition is set to file its elections petition on Monday, August 31, 2020. This petition challenges the results of the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

This was announced in a post on Thursday by Joseph Harmon, who served as the party’s Campaign Manager and an elections agent during elections.

“The petition will be filed on Monday 31st August, 10 am, supreme Court Building,” the social media post stated.

When contacted, Harmon confirmed that the petition is ready, before disconnecting the call, stating that he was in a meeting with the party’s leaders.

Moreover, in his Facebook post, Harmon called on party supporters to “mobilize in numbers to lend support to our party. We want a big manifestation against this persecution that is going on.”

However, many have come out bashing his move, especially given the fact that the emergency measures currently in place to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus here prohibit any public gathering in large numbers.

In recent weeks, the Guyana Government has embarked on a massive testing drive across the country, which has resulted in an increasingly high num-

Presumptive Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

ber of cases being detected. Currently, the country’s COVID-19 cases have exceeded 1,000, with over 30 deaths recorded to date.

Nevertheless, on Wednesday Harmon confirmed that he would be the new Opposition Leader when the 12th Parliament convenes next week. He said the party’s Members of Parliament have already agreed to have him serve in the post, and will formally nominate him at the upcoming parliamentary sitting scheduled for Monday.

On Thursday, the Coalition said in a missive that the Presumptive Opposition Leader has formally written to the Heads of several international organisations as well as diplomatic partners, outlining that “based on the vast amount of evidence” the

APNU+AFC Coalition “believes, and intends to prove, that the elections held on March 2 lacked credibility and legitimacy”.

However, a national recount which was agreed to by former President David Granger and then Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo showed that the PPP/C secured 233,336 votes while the APNU/AFC obtained 217,920 votes – a difference of some 15,416 votes.

Despite the certified results of the national recount, the Coalition still insists on alleged voter irregularities, claiming dead and migrated persons had voted at the March polls.

But after five months of a series of litigation and delayed tactics, the PPP/C were finally declared winners of the March 2, 2020 elections by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and Dr Irfaan Ali was sworn in as Guyana’s 9th Executive President on August 2.

The Coalition had signalled its intention to file an elections petition – something which it was advised to do by the various courts in the many legal proceedings filed.

According to the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Act, an election petition must be filed in the High Court within 28 days of the election results being declared and published in the Guyana Gazette under Section 99

of the Representation of the People Act. Today marks 26 days since the declaration of the elections results. However, even as it moves to challenge the elections results, the APNU/AFC Coalition has been trying to keep its wits together since its defeat at the March polls.

In fact, the PNCR, which is the leading party in the APNU faction of the Coalition, has been embroiled in disunity and power struggles among its members. Reports are that senior members within the PNC are dissatisfied with the performance of current Leader and former President, David Granger.

A few days ago, there was uproar over the APNU/AFC formulated list of Members of Parliament. The list was handpicked by Granger with little to no consultation within the coalition, and has been intensely criticised by party members.

Notably, PNCR stalwarts such as Chairwoman Volda Lawrence; the party’s General Secretary and Chief Whip in the 11th Parliament, Amna Ally; and former Attorney General Basil Williams were excluded from the Coalition’s list of MPs. This sparked outrage among some party mem-

APNU Leader and former President David Granger

bers, including former MP James Bond, who himself was also left out of the parliamentary list. Bond went on a tirade against Granger on social media. Bond criticised the PNC and its current leadership for not consulting with the party’s membership before making its decision on the parliamentarians.

The lawyer went further to blame Granger’s leadership for making the party lose the March 2 General and Regional Elections, as he threatened to rewrite the former President’s legacy and dismantle Granger’s “cabal.”

Following this, a former PNCR Executive Committee Member on Tuesday also wrote a stinging rebuke against the party leader, and blamed him for the current disunity and power struggle within the party.

According to that member, Lurlene Nestor, under Granger’s leadership, the party has been beset with power struggles; an aloof leader, who failed to reconnect with those who put him in power; and an unwillingness to accommodate criticism from within the party.

Meanwhile, the process for selecting the Parliamentary list was cited as one of the reasons why the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) broke away from the five-party APNU. In fact, one of the partnership’s remaining four member parties: Justice For All Party (JFAP), has also said it is reconsidering its membership within the APNU after it was not allotted any parliamentary seat.

During the five months in which the country was embroiled in a political and electoral impasse after the March 2 elections, the Chandra Narine Sharmaled JFAP had called on Granger and the Coalition to concede defeat and demit office.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

47 new COVID-19 cases recorded …death toll now 32, WCB man latest victim

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total of 47 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed as of Thursday, raising the total to 1140 to date.

The data was released via the Health Ministry’s dashboard, which also showed a rise in the death toll to 32.

The latest victim is a 52-yearold man, who was identified as Alfred Humphrey of Kingelly Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

He succumbed on August 24 at the Georgetown Public Hospital, after being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Meanwhile, other statistics showed that there are now 10 persons in the designated ICU – an increase of one. There are 102 persons in institutional isolation, 119 in institutional quarantine and 380 in home isolation. The total recovered cases stand at 616 – a difference of 82.

Meanwhile, a breakdown of new cases shows that one was detected in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); 10 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); two in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and 34 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

To date, 563 males have contracted the virus, as opposed to 577 women. The number of persons who have been tested since the first case was detected stands at 7654.

While dispelling rumours

about testing, Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) Representative to Guyana, Dr William Adu-Krow has recently assured the public that his

organisation ensured that test kits met all the necessary standards before being dispatched to countries for use.

“I can assure the pub-

lic that the tests being done in Guyana are secure, safe, and quality assured, so if you get a positive, it’s a true positive… All the testing kits that we have have to go through a quality assurance first, then go through PAHO and then it comes here monitored, temperature-sensitive monitored, so by the time we get them, we know they are in good stead,” he had explained in a report from the Department of Public Information (DPI).

According to Dr Adu-Krow, “To the best of my knowledge, the kits that were graciously given by the Government of China came to us about six to eight weeks ago. Those were used and we did not have any problems. Now, there is someone suddenly saying we are getting increases because of that; that is a lie.”

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has repeatedly urged persons to go out and get tested and not let the rumours circulating be a deterrent. Since widespread testing has been increased, the number of positive cases being identified is a true reflection of the COVID-19 situation in the country.

It was reported on Wednesday that Government has secured a whopping $4.5 billion to aid in the coronavirus relief, which will be used to help households, procure medical supplies, and resources in other areas of need.

Armed bandits rob Chinese supermarket at Amelia’s Ward – escape with almost $1M in cash

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wo armed bandits committed a daring daylight robbery on a Chinese supermarket at Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden on Thursday and escaped with almost $1 million in cash.

Based on reports received, the suspects who are yet to be apprehended invaded the Xing Wang Supermarket, which is owned by 35-year-old Chinese national Gua Xiang at approximately 09:00h on the day in question.

They reportedly held the owner at gunpoint and demanded cash and other valuables. The two men ended up behind the counter and collected two bags containing $950,000 in cash. The cash was intended to stock up the supermarket with goods. The men also escaped with an iPhone 6S belonging to the Chinese national.

According to the victim, he was at the counter in his supermarket when he observed a male with a hoodie rushing inside. Upon entering the supermarket, the suspect then pointed a silver firearm at him, while an accomplice went around the counter and grabbed the money which was in two black plastic bags.

The suspects then ran out of the supermarket and made good their escape on foot.

One of the suspects was reportedly clad in a pair of black pants and a mauve long-sleeve jersey with yellow stripes and yellow Nike logo with while the other was reportedly clad in a blue hoodie and black pants.

Police were summoned to the scene and managed to obtain Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage. An investigation has been launched into the incident.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Local Content Panel launched ...Nokta, Greenidge, fmr T&T Energy Minister among expert members

GMSA President Shyam Nokta

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali has assembled a high-level team of experts to advise his government on the formulation of a strong local content policy that will ensure all citizens benefit from the country’s lucrative oil and gas sector.

The ‘Local Content Advisory Panel’ will be chaired by President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Shyam Nokta and will include former Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, former Energy Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kevin Ramnarine, and former Chairman of the Public Service Commission Carvil Duncan.

Also sitting on the panel are Floyd Hayne and Dr Anthony Paul.

In a statement on the appointments, President Ali explained that the panel is expected to conduct expansive consultation and review and devise recommendations that will inform the country’s Local Content Policy.

“I strongly believe that Guyanese must play an integral role and benefit from the fortunes of the sector,” President Ali said.

While the Head-of-State acknowledged that there is much to be done in terms of capacity building among local stakeholders, he believes that with the right mix, which includes technology transfer and partnership between experienced companies and the local private sector, a sustainable and lucrative pathway can be achieved for Guyanese within the Local Content Policy.

The Office of the President explained that the Government has continuously assured that they will approach the development of the oil and gas sector in a non-partisan manner.

In this regard, it was noted that these appointments are part of the Government’s drive to fulfil its manifesto promises as it relates to se-

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

Former Energy Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kevin Ramnarine

Former Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Carvil Duncan

Floyd Haynes

Dr Anthony Paul

curing the benefits of oil and gas for all Guyanese.

“The critical areas which are central to the overall strategy in the Oil and Gas Sector are a framework for proper management of resources, transparency and accountability and securing benefits for Guyanese,” the statement from the President’s Office noted.

Only recently, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo underscored the importance of having a strong local content policy, noting that the country’s principal offshore operator, ExxonMobil must play a greater role in developing local capacity.

Jagdeo had said that the PPP/C Government intends to address the issues of local content frontally and will take all the necessary steps to ensure that Guyanese benefit and are included in the development of the oil and gas sector.

tives such as the establishing of Guyana’s National Protected Areas System, and has chaired several national boards and committees in the areas of tourism, conservation and climate change and green growth. Nokta has also held the position of President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and currently serves as the Chief Representative for the Caribbean for the Delhibased Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

Greenidge is an Economist who has served as Guyana’s Finance Minister from 1983-1992.

An international public servant, he has served in several top-level positions including as Secretary-General of the ACP Group of States and in the 10th Parliament, he served as the Opposition Spokesman on Finance and International Economic

Cooperation and as Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Haynes is Guyanese born professional with over 30 years of executive-level experience. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) who holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Haynes is an adjunct Professor in Finance, and Accounting at the University of the District of Columbia and a Public lecturer in Leadership and Management. He is also the founder and President of Haynes Incorporated, a Washington-based international accounting and management consulting firm, and a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Ramnarine served as the Minister of Energy of

Trinidad and Tobago (2011 to 2015). During his tenure he created a positive climate for investment, including the fiscal reforms, which resulted in major investments in deep-water exploration. Prior to being appointed Energy Minister, he held positions in the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago and at British Gas where he worked as the Lead Economist.

Ramnarine holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry a Master’s of Science in Petroleum Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Business (M.B.A.).

Since leaving Ministerial office, he has worked as an energy consultant and as a lecturer at the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business. In 2014, he was named “Energy Executive of the Year” by the Petroleum Economist magazine.

Dr Paul is the Principal

Consultant, Energy and Strategy, Association of Caribbean Energy Specialist Limited. He spearheaded a Rapid Analysis of the State of Readiness of Guyana’s Hydrocarbon Regulatory Framework study, facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2016 and played a lead role in the formulation of Guyana’s draft Local Content Policy framework, which is currently under review. He has worked with the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Energy, Petrotrin, Amoco, BP T&T and BP plc in London. He has also advised clients in East, West and Southern Africa, the Middle East, Central and Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Duncan is the former Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Bios

Nokta holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Environmental Assessment and Management from the University of Oxford– Brookes and a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Studies from the University of Guyana. He is the recipient of several awards and scholarships including the Fulbright Scholarship to pursue Doctoral studies. Nokta has accumulated over 20 years’ experience working in the areas of environmental assessment and management, conservation, tourism development, and climate change.

Nokta has also served as an Adviser to the President and as Head of the Office of Climate Change where he coordinated Guyana’s response to climate change, the development and implementation of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and REDD+ Partnership with the Kingdom of Norway.

He was also involved in key conservation initia-

(G11)

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Officials who committed electoral fraud will be held accountable – new GECOM Commissioner …cites policies to prevent recurrence

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ttorney-at-Law Manoj Narayan was on Thursday sworn in by President Dr Irfaan Ali to serve as a Commissioner on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

He expressed strong conviction that officials who assisted to derail the outcome of the March 2 General and Regional Elections would be held to account.

Narine replaces Robeson Benn, who has taken up the portfolio of Home Affairs Minister in the new administration. Narayan joins Commissioners Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shadick as representatives of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) at the GECOM Secretariat.

After a simple ceremony at State House, the new Commissioner affirmed his commitment to fulfilling his purpose on the Commission.

According to Narayan, the country’s electoral democracy was under siege for at least five months, and he believes that work must commence to repair the damage.

“From 2nd March to 2nd August, we have witnessed a most heinous assault on our electoral democracy, and therefore my work begins immediately, because we have to do a lot of things at GECOM. The very survival of our electoral democra-

cy requires that we solve those,” he declared.

In moving forward, he said those who aided in the abetment of electoral fraud must be held accountable, since it is not a ‘trivial’ matter.

“I think the first one is that those who have undermined that electoral process must be held responsible. They all took oaths of office under the Representation of the People’s Act and they blatantly and flagrantly breached that oath which they took…Their actions are not trivial or trifling, (such) that we can sweep under the carpet,” the new Commissioner detailed.

Narayan shared that policies need to be created to ensure there is no recurrence of such actions, as they seek to rebuild the image of GECOM on the local and international stage. In the post-electoral drama, GECOM was heavily criticised as the population was forced to wait five months for a declaration. However, he insisted that the Commission has far-reaching powers to institute disciplinary actions.

“We will need to implement policies at the level of the Commission to insulate the commission from these occurrences in the future.

We also need to rebuild the public confidence in GECOM, not only lo-

New GECOM Commissioner Manoj Narayan taking the oath before HE President Irfaan Ali (not pictured)

cally, but internationally, because that has suffered a great dent after what transpired. The Commission has wide powers under Article 161A of the Constitution. The Commission is empowered to institute disciplinary proceedings against officers of the Elections Commission.”

Only last Tuesday, controver-

sial former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo was arrested and interrogated in relation to allegations levied against him, citing that he committed electoral fraud. In addition, his Deputy, Carolyn Duncan, was also taken into custody.

He was arrested at his Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara

(ECD) home and escorted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where he was grilled. Mingo is being investigated for alleged criminal misconduct after allegations were raised that he attempted to alter the March 2 elections’ results in favour of the former Administration – the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change coalition.

It was Mingo’s attempts to alter the results of the elections that led to the National Recount exercise which ultimately proved the major irregularities in figures being called by the Returning Officer when compared to the actual numbers of votes cast.

In June, the Region Four results gave the People’s Progressive Party/Civic a total victory margin of more than 15,400 votes over their nearest rivals, the APNU/ AFC. The difference was noted by the Head of the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in Guyana, Bruce Golding, who had stated that he has never seen such a “transparent effort to alter the results of an election”. Moreover, it showed that the numbers produced

by Mingo were heavily inflated to have a rigged win for the coalition.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New PSC Commissioner urges public servants to act professionally

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ormer Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud was on Thursday sworn in to serve as Commissioner on the Public Service Commission, and has pledged to ensure that public servants act in a more professional manner.

At a ceremony at State House, he was conferred with his instruments of appointment by President Irfaan Ali. Persaud, who replaces Geeta ChandanEdmond, will serve for three years in this capacity.

Speaking after his swearing in, the former Minister said he will work along with the Commission without turning a blind eye to issues which need intervention.

“My commitment is reflected in the oath that I took…I am known to be a team player, but not necessarily a team follower. I can assure you that the interest of every public servant within Guyana’s Public Service will be my focus,

and I will do so in keeping with the team and with the Public Service Commission’s rules and the Constitution of Guyana,” he said.

Persaud acknowledged that there are a number of issues to be addressed in enhancing the functions of public servants. However, he assured that as long as their duties are carried out professionally, without any political mingle, the jobs of public servants will be secured.

“There are a lot of issues out there. I have read some in the public domain. I’ve heard some. Some of these issues are very surprising, because the guidelines, rules and procedures of the Public Service Commission are very clear. Definitely, as these matters come to the floor, the Commission, on deliberation, will seek to deliberate and pronounce…

We have to continue to give that comfort to public servants that you can work ir-

Commissioner Ganga Persaud with President Dr Irfaan Ali

respective of the political season, and you can work as a professional and your tenure will be assured and secured.”

Meanwhile, Attorney General Anil Nandlall explained that these appoint-

ments are in keeping with the Government’s mandate to ensure that constitutional functions are fulfilled.

“We continue to ensure that constitutional vacancies are filled, so that there is no hiatus in the perfor-

mance of constitutional functions, because constitutional functions are integral to the working of democracy.

We are committed to constitutional governance and to ensure that the Government operates in compliance with the Constitution and under the rule of law,” the new Attorney-General highlighted.

The Public Service Ministry is also under organisational reconstruction to enhance its effectiveness, after it was found that the human resource is not functioning at the zenith of its capabilities.

Speaking during her first press conference on Monday, newly-appointed Public Service Minister Sonia Parag said the Ministry had been working on a low scale to get tasks and procedures completed. This was fuelled by the non-existent timeframe to process applications, vacancies and applications, thus resulting in them

being done leisurely.

While recognising that changes need to be made, she signalled at reforming the public service into a professional outfit through the introduction of a code of ethics and code of conduct. This will allow for periodic assessments of public servants, to determine their level of performance.

“The Public Service Ministry is committed under my command to foster a professional public service, instilled with, and committed to, a culture of excellence by driving change and innovating, facilitating continuous professional development; implementing administrative reforms, creating conditions for conducive work environments, promoting and maintaining accountability.”

She added, “We will also do a periodic evaluation on public servants…It will allow us to be able to inform them when they’re lapsing.”

Ponzi scheme principals slapped with 19 charges

Persons protesting at the Vigilance Magistrate's Court on Thursday

Cuban national Yuri Garcia-Dominguez and Ateeka Ishmael during their court appearance on Thursday

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uban national Yuri Garcia-Dominguez and his Guyanese wife Ateeka Ishmael appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on Thursday to answer a total of 19 fraud charges in relation to the operation of an alleged Ponzi scheme in Guyana.

The couple, who resides at Track ‘A’ Coldingen, East Coast Demerara (ECD), ran the company – Accelerated Capital Firm Incorporated (ACFI) – and enrolled thousands of Guyanese citizens in the alleged Ponzi scheme, whereby the company claimed that it used a foreign exchange platform to trade the investments, which amount to millions of dollars.

Dominguez and Ishmael were arraigned on 13 charges which alleged that they obtained the sum of $24.7 million from 13 persons by false pretence.

They were each placed on $3.9 million bail by Magistrate Marissa Mittelholzer, and will return to Court on September 18.

Meanwhile, via Skype, the couple was also arraigned before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court

on an additional six charges.

They were not required to plead to the allegations that they obtained just over $1 million from six victims under false pretence. The duo was remanded to prison until September 21 for this second set of charges.

Following Thursday’s arraignment, one of the couple’s two attorneys, Dexter Todd, told reporters that the prospect of success in this matter is very slim.

He contended that the prosecution’s case is faulty, since the issue is not a criminal matter but is in fact a civil matter, given that the complainants had each entered into a contract with the company.

“What the State have done is to impose themselves as a third party to a private contract, and they are forcibly allowing the course of a criminal nature to take shape, which ought not to be… The parties have signed themselves to an agreement, and they have dictated in that contract as to how their businesses are to be conducted,” Todd posited.

According to the attorney, there are legal ramifications for the fact

the Directors are being charged instead “for actions of the company”.

He said the Police are yet to pass this hurdle.

“To bring the parties in their personal capacity before the court for a criminal charge that they’re saying was clothed by a company invites a number of legal questions,” the lawyer noted.

He further questioned why the parties seeking redress did not approach the civil court to enforce their agreements.

“If the legal position is that the contracts entered into by both parties – the victim and the company – was an unlawful contract, then that will first have to be determined by a court, and that court will treat the contract as void because of its illegality. Now, we have not gotten that hurdle… The parties are placed before the court for a criminal matter that should be dealt with in a civil arrangement,” Todd stated.

Moreover, the attorney told reporters that his clients were told that the State would facilitate the opening of a bank account for monies to be transferred from overseas, so that the victims can be paid. However, he noted that that account is yet to be opened.

Dominguez, the principal of ACFI, had claimed that monies collected from Guyanese investors are stored in offshore accounts in several foreign jurisdictions, in-

cluding Belize, the United States, and Germany.

ACFI, in a recent statement, said funds are available in its Bitcoin Wallet to refund investors, and asked for authorities to allow them to reopen a bank account to be able to issue the reimbursements.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall had written to Attorney Glen Hanoman, Dominguez other attorney, indicating that the Government is willing to facilitate that request so that Guyanese can get back their money.

But Guyanese authorities said they have found no monies in bank accounts in Belize belonging to the ACFI principals.

This is according to the multi-stakeholder group, headed

by AG Nandlall, established by the Government of Guyana to investigate the allegations of fraud and other criminal activities connected to the alleged illegal pyramid scheme.

In a statement on Wednesday, the stakeholder group said, “Intelligence accumulated from reliable counterparts in Belize confirm that no company bearing the name “FK Choice” is registered with the local or the international Registry of Companies in that jurisdiction, as alleged by Yuri Garcia Dominguez.”

Nevertheless, during Thursday’s arraignment, dozens

of persons showed up outside the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, protesting for the couple’s release.

They were chanting “Free Yuri!” and calling for the financial company to be licensed. Several of the protestors told reporters that the company had helped many of them financially, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As such, Attorney Todd asserted that the presence of those protestors is testimony that dealings with his client’s company has not been a sham.

“It has been a real deal. People have been getting their returns on their investments, and they’ve been quite satisfied,” he asserted.

The operation of the alleged Ponzi scheme came to the fore after numerous complaints were made by persons who had invested with the company.

The Guyana Securities Council (GSC) had informed the new Government that ACFI is not licensed to collect monies from the public, and that its operation violates several pieces of legislation across the fiscal regulatory architecture.

Under the Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act, it is required for all investors to provide the source of funds and ensure that the financial activities and money laundering risks associated with a customer are properly recorded.

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mingo asks High Court to order his immediate release from Police custody – Mingo’s constitutional rights were not breached – Police Force – says lawyer was unprofessional

Region 4 Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo

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cting Chief Justice Rishi Persaud will, today at 10:0h, hear an application by embattled Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, who has asked the court to order the Police to immediately release him from custody, where he has been held since Tuesday pending investigations into electoral fraud.

By way of writ of habeas corpus, Mingo’s lawyers, Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, who is one of the Coalition’s Members of Parliament, and Darren Wade moved to the High Court asking that their client be immediately released from Police custody. Mingo is still employed

Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade

Enrique Livan

with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as the Registration Officer for Region 5.

Mingo’s wife, Waveney Mingo, who retained the lawyers, argues that the Police are in breach of her husband’s constitutional rights to his liberty, as guaranteed by virtue of Article 144 of the Constitution of Guyana, and that he has been held without lawful excuse, which is a violation of his constitutional rights.

The woman argues that his arrest and continued detention is unlawful, unconstitutional, and an abuse of power. She further argues that unless the Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie, is directed to

forthwith release her husband, who resides at Lot 13 Little Abary, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, her husband will suffer gross violations of his guaranteed and protected constitutional rights for a protracted period of time.

According to the lawyers, although their client was arrested purportedly on fraud allegations, he was never told of any such allegations, neither was he told of his right to a lawyer. Against this backdrop, they are adamant that their client has committed no fraud of any sort, and that his arrest and detention are politically motivated.

In an affidavit seen by this publication, Waveney

Deputy Returning Officer Carolyn Duncan

Mingo said that when she visited her husband, he appeared very timid, afraid, depressed, stressed and confused, and did not appear as the same person to whom she has been married for 23 years.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force in a statement on Thursday categorically refuted repeated allegations made in the media by lawyers for Mingo, to the effect that his constitutional rights were breached. In fact, the Police have said this assertion is far from the truth. The Police said that shortly after Mingo arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters (CID), Eve Leary, Georgetown on Tuesday, Wade turned up and demanded an immediate conference with Mingo, whom he said was his client.

According to the missive, the Police rank on duty directed the lawyer to a designated area where access to his client would be granted after the rank had completed making the necessary entries in the Police records. However, instead of waiting in the area indicated, and without any explanation, Wade immediately left the CID Headquarters compound and met with several members of the media on the roadway, where he spoke with them, during which he proceeded to make some false allegations.

Noteworthy, however, the police stated, is the fact that after this, Wade returned into the CID Headquarters, where he met with Mingo.

The Guyana Police Force stated that while it remains ready, able and willing to engage with members of the legal profession to ensure that the constitutional rights of those persons they represent are respected at all times, there is due process.

In this regard, the Police Force said it expects that attorneys-at-law conduct themselves in a professional manner and with a due sense of responsibility, in keeping with the ethical standard required of the legal profession.

Unfortunately, that expected

level of professionalism was not evident in this instance, the Police noted.

Finally, the Police further noted that there are designated areas at Police locations which allow for privileged conversations.

Consequently, the statement added, members of the public and of the legal profession who engage members of the Police Force at any Police location ought to follow the directions of any Police rank/ ranks on duty as those relate to access to persons in Police custody.

Contacted on Thursday for a response to the Police’s statement, Wade said, “My attorney will be instituting legal proceedings against the State for defamation of character.” He refused to give any further comment on the matter.

Other arrests

Also, arrested by the Police were four election officials who worked closely with Mingo. They were taken into Police custody this week. The persons of interest have been identified as 42-year-old Carolyn Duncan, a Registration Officer attached to the Better Hope, East Coast Demerara Office of the Elections Commission.

According to the Police Force, Duncan was also attached to Mingo’s Secretariat which was located in the Ashmin’s Building at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown.

The other two persons are Sheffern February and Michelle Miller. They were arrested on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Police arrested an Information Technology staff attached to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Enrique Livan. Livan was previously questioned by Police on the evening of March 4, 2020 when the tabulation of votes for District Four at the Office of the Returning Officer was obstructed.

Party agents and other observers became suspicious when Livan, after complaining of feeling tired and wanting to conclude the tabulation process, left the room with a flash drive and computer – both of which were being used during the tabulation process.

In the meantime, Guyana Times understands that more persons would be detained for questioning as the investigation continues.

Electoral fraud

Mingo attempted to give the APNU/AFC 25,000 votes that the party did not gain at the elections. He attempted to do so by using spreadsheets and not the Statements of Polls to tabu-

Acting Chief Justice Rishi Persaud

late the votes for Region 4, Guyana’s largest voting district. But by then the PPP/C had already gained a huge lead in the other nine regions to compensate for the votes the party lost in Region 4.

The PPP/C won the 2020 General and Regional Elections by over 15,000 votes. The APNU/AFC government was refusing to accept defeat, and had been accused of attempting to undermine the will of the people. Last Friday, the Police Force announced that it was investigating alleged criminal conduct by Mingo and others, including Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, who is currently facing private criminal fraud charges.

It was Mingo’s attempts to alter the results of the elections that led to the National Recount exercise, which ultimately proved the major differences in the figures being called by the Returning Officer and the actual numbers of votes cast.

The difference was noted by the Head of the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Guyana, Bruce Golding, who had stated that he had never seen such a “transparent effort to alter the results of an election”.

The international community had continuously urged the APNU/AFC to accept defeat at the polls, and had warned that any government sworn in based on non-credible elections results would face serious consequences and sanctions.

In fact, the United States began by revoking the visas of Government officials it blamed for refusing to hand over power to the PPP/C following the recount of all ballots cast in the elections. The APNU/AFC had even moved to the court to invalidate the votes tabulated during the recount exercise.

All of its bids failed, with its supporters who instituted the proceedings ending up having to pay out millions in court costs.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SOCU’s financial investigator under probe for forgery – presented certificate with allegedly forged signatures

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he financial investigator of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Police Superintendent Althea Padmore is now under the spotlight after it was revealed that she might have provided a false certificate purporting that she holds a Master’s Degree with honours in Business Administration.

Based on reports received, the certificate was reportedly signed by the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ashworth College in 2015 even though the CEO passed away in 2012. In addition, the certificate was purportedly signed by the Vice President of the American College, but Dr Leslie Gargiulo left the educational institution back in 2014.

With this new revelation, eyebrows were raised and an investigation has since commenced. It is believed that the signatures on the certificate are forged.

Another revelation is the year on the certificate was incorrectly spelt.

Padmore’s certificate was issued in 2015 and spelt “Twentieth day of June Two Thousand and Fifth-teen”.

Padmore was appointed by SOCU as a financial investigator and received a salary of $468,563. Her contract with the Government was renewed in May 2020 and will come to an end in October 2022.

Padmore also served as acting Head of the Unit after then Head Sydney James was sent on administrative leave amid allegations of mismanagement of funds at the Unit.

The decision to send him on leave came months after a special audit had unearthed several instances of mismanagement of funds and falsification of documents at the entity. The audit had also found some unaccounted-for expenditure which could not be verified by a paper trail.

Nevertheless, following

cluded matters involving the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).

Sheronie James tendered her resignation after

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PAHO Country Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow

end of August, the current 21:00h to 05:00h (9pm to 5am) curfew will expire. An extension of two weeks will reduce the positives to 25 per cent with about 115,000 cases.

Dr Adu-Krow said 85 per cent of contract cases could be treated at home while 15 per cent would require hospitalisation. He said the situation would become worrying, given that the country would not have the capacity to treat everyone at a hospice.

“That number comes to 3482 and the ICU [number] alone is 940. We don’t have the capacity to contain that.

However, if the curfew and airport opening is pushed all the way to September ending, the number of cases we’re looking at is 16,850,” the representative explained.

The PAHO representa-

The matter reportedly came to a head and she tendered her resignation, stating that her qualifications were a matter of national security.

ExxonMobil supports GMSA Digital Platform to promote agro-processing sector

Financial investigator at SOCU, Althea Padmore

her appointment as acting Head, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) did not release her credentials and qualifications.

Back in 2019, a British specialist investigator who was second in command of the Unit had resigned after questions were raised over her qualifications.

She was part of the team investigating multibillion-dollar cases. These in-

473,000 cases predicted by October if curfew ends – PAHO rep ith authorities under the new administration intensifying testing across the country, the number of COVID-19 cases being recorded is naturally rising.

But as authorities contemplate reopening the economy, experts are warning that the lifting of the national curfew can result in a major spike in positive cases by October.

In fact, the internationally approved model designed by the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) to calculate the projected number of COVID-19 cases shows that some 473,000 cases are predicted by October if the curfew is not extended.

This was according to PAHO Country Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow as he assessed the local situation. He said cases would increase further with the reopening of the airports.

“No region is spared…If the curfew ends at the end of this month and the way things are going with the increasing numbers that we are getting; we will have by October ending 473,000 cases. If the curfew ends and we open the airport, assuming we get one case per day from importation, that number moves from 473,000 to 482,000,” he shared.

Another model focuses on the extension of the curfew into mid-September, which reduces the estimated number of positive cases. At the

she was questioned about her credentials to give expert testimony. She reportedly did not tender her qualifications to SOCU and the Public Security Ministry when asked to present them.

tive has contended that the longer the curfew remained in place, the fewer chances the virus has of spreading.

Guyana has so far recorded over 1000 positive cases, including 32 deaths.

However, he noted that the country cannot be under lockdown forever, as livelihoods and activities must be continued.

“There is something to be gained by delaying. The question is ‘Can we delay all the time?’. The answer is no.

There has got to be a point in time that we have to balance our lives with livelihoods.

People are losing their income and people are also dying. Therefore, where do we find the common ground? I think COVID-19 is going to be with us for a long time and, therefore, it is high time that we find a middle ground,” Dr Adu-Krow said.

He said the middle ground ensured that everybody could leave their home, under the condition that they wear a mask. One of his recommendations was to change the start of the curfew from 21:00h (9pm) back to 18:00h (6pm) for better monitoring.

Back in April, PAHO had already formulated their statistics, which showed that 10,777 cases were the likely figure by June 15 if the lockdown and curfew were indeed relaxed. However, these numbers were in the event that the country did nothing to curtail the spread.

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xxonMobil Guyana has partnered with the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) in its local manufacturing and agro-processing drive.

Through a sponsorship of $10 million, ExxonMobil Guyana is supporting GMSA’s programme to pilot a web platform to facilitate information sharing, connectivity and communication, linking product and service providers with potential clients nationally, regionally, and internationally.

The initiative is focused primarily to help Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) recover and grow during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has had a devastating effect on small businesses. A recent survey by the GMSA among its members revealed that 17 per cent of those polled have stopped operations, with SMEs being impacted the hardest.

GMSA Vice President Ramsay Ali noted that “while

there are initial efforts to reopen businesses and get the economy going again, given the COVID pandemic, new and innovative ways of promoting and doing business will need to be adopted”. He noted that meetings, large gatherings, and expos are unlikely to happen in the near term.

“Embracing technology is, therefore, critical going forward. The GMSA intends to pilot this initiative starting with the agro-processing sector and, with the lessons learned, expand to the forestry and wood products and services sectors in subsequent phases. We see this not only as a COVID response, but also as an opportunity to embark on the use of ICT [Information Communication Technologies] as part of Guyana’s strategic direction of moving to a green economy. We welcome the continued support by ExxonMobil, which has been a principal sponsor for GMSA’s UncappeD Initiative,” Ali related.

ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge noted, “We are glad to be able to play a part in supporting the recovery of agro-processing and small businesses in Guyana affected by the pandemic.”

The GMSA and ExxonMobil Guyana had previously teamed up to implement the successful UncappeD initiative which increased awareness in the public domain and among key stakeholders on the wide range of quality agro-products being produced in Guyana and the entrepreneurs behind these products.

In addition to raising the profile of over 100 agro-processors and their products, UncappeD facilitated the linking of producers, suppliers and support service providers to enhance the development of synergies. It was accompanied by an active education, awareness and capacity building programme to enable small agro-processors to better manage and grow their businesses.

GTT, pioneers in e-billing platform in Guyana

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TT has endorsed its e-billing platform as the safest and easiest way to receive billing details.

The e-billing platform is in keeping with the company’s thrust to be environmentally conscious while driving the frontiers of technology in Guyana.

The company introduced e-billing in 2014, and while this form of bill access has not replaced the paper-based billing system, the company continues to forge ahead in advocating for a complete transition to e-billing.

Customers still have the option to receive paper bills delivered through the post, but GTT Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Justin Nedd has promoted the use of e-billing, citing its advantages of being fast, simple and reliable.

“E-billing isn’t the future, it is our present reality; it is here,” Nedd said.

“As the pioneers of e-billing in Guyana, we will continue

GTT CEO Justin Nedd

to develop this option of bill access and eventually move for this service to be the only form of billing offered by the company to fulfil our mandate to contribute to the wellness and prosperity of Guyana through efficiencies – while also honouring the environment.”

GTT has made signifi-

cant investments to develop the e-billing system to ensure customers are provided with an accurate representation of charges on time.

“We are happy that we are able to give our customers options. Electronic billing is the future and we are proud to lead our customers there.

The postal service has been a very good partner to GTT for three decades and we are keen to strengthen our relationship with GPOC [Guyana Post Office Corporation] to offer more than bill delivery,” Nedd said.

“Many companies in Guyana are now switching to an e-billing platform and as a country, we need to advance towards this. With our growing economy, we must advance aggressively as a country towards a digital state and not settle in the paper age,” Nedd added.

GTT promises to implement technologies to advance the customer’s experience in the coming months.

16 NEWS APNU/AFC backflips and now seeks int’l community’s “interference” FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– Nandlall says move is “atrocious”

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fter launching a vicious attack campaign against the international community over the past five months, A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Coalition has apparently flip-flopped on that position and is now looking to lobby global agencies and foreign governments.

The party on Thursday said its “presumptive” Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, has written several heads of government and the international organisations, outlining that “based on the vast amount of evidence” the APNU+AFC Coalition “believes, and intends to prove, that the elections held on March 2 lacked credibility and legitimacy”.

However, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has called out the coalition over this new approach. In a post, Nandlall posited that “anyone living in this hemisphere would have been fa-

miliar with Harmon and his rigging cabal’s relentless efforts for over five (5) successive months, day in and day out, to steal an entire Government, hijack the will of the majority expressed by the ballot, slaughter democracy, trample upon the Constitution, and make a mockery of the rule of law.

All of this was showcased on a global platform.”

He went on to remind that, “During that period, anyone who dared uttered a word in defence of righteousness was publicly vilified, verbally abused, and their character assassinated in the most vile, vulgar, and in some cases racist fashion. Caribbean brothers and sisters, foreign friends and international organisations were denigrated and accused of “interference” and “attacking sovereignty”.”

In fact Nandlall, who played an instrumental role for the now governing PPP/C during those five months of political and electoral impasse, recalled that even the

judiciary was not spared, with judges who ruled against the Coalition also facing vicious and scurrilous ridicule publicly.

“Guyanese were accosted, threatened and abused in person and on social media platforms in the nastiest possible ways. So, I ask again, to whom is Mr. Harmon preaching? And then again, what is he preaching? I have read the statement. It is one of the rare occasions where the message is as atrocious as the messenger,” he asserted.

In the missive, the APNU/ AFC said Harmon wrote the Secretaries General of the United Nations (UN), Commonwealth, Amnesty International, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of American States (OAS) as well as the Presidents of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Inter-Parliamentary Union and ParlAmericas, the Chair of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association,

Housing Ministry to review land allocation in WCB

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he Housing and Water Ministry has commenced a review exercise for questionable allocations, following complaints by allottees that they feel duped out of their hard-earned money for lands they are still to identify.

The issue was brought to the attention of the subject Minister, Collin Croal, on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 as he was conducting a series of community meetings in the West Berbice Region.

Initial checks into these recent allocations have revealed that the ownership of these lands by a Ministry agency remains in limbo.

This is compounded by the fact that these lands have no infrastructure in place and allottees cannot even identify

Minister Collin Croal

their lots.

“Given the time frame when these allocations were made, the assumption can be

made that these allocations were a mere political gimmick. Until such time when the review process is completed in the best interest of our citizens, a decision has been taken to simply put a hold on accepting payments for these allocations,” the Ministry stated in a release to the media.

Meanwhile, the Ministry added that it remained committed to the delivery of serviced lots, with all basic infrastructure in place, inclusive of fair-weather access roads and water distribution, drainage, and electrical networks.

“We, therefore, want to reassure all applicants that the status of their applications will in no way be affected and they will be processed in due time.”

EPA Head sent on 126 days’ leave

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ead of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams, was Thursday sent on 126 days’ leave with immediate effect.

In an invited comment, Dr Adams told Guyana Times that although he is entitled to only 77 days, he was given 126, and thought that it could have been an error.

He noted that the days were accumulated, and as such, he was ordered to take them.

He received the letter from Permanent Secretary of the Office of the President, Abena Moore, who also advised him to hand over to Sharifa Razack, a Director of Education, Information and Training.

He nevertheless stated that presently he has a fiveyear contract that ends on September 30, 2023. While he does not see this as a termination, he noted that in the

Dr Vincent Adams

present atmosphere, he would have preferred not to proceed on leave.

He added that the PS was obviously working with directives, and as such, he has no option other than to take his leave.

Dr Adams is an Energy Expert and Scientist who has a PhD in Environmental Engineering and is a PhD Candidate in Petroleum and Geological Engineering, among other oil- related qualifications.

He acquired 30 years of service in the US Department of Energy (DoE) Environmental Management, including 10 years as a member of the Senior Executive Service Corps (highest ranking civilians, equivalent to the military Generals running the daily operations of Government) heading Offices in both Headquarters and the Field.

His being sent on leave comes at a time when the Government of Guyana contracted several experts to evaluate a review of the Payara Field Development Plan, which would clear the way for ExxonMobil to move ahead with the project.

among others.

Harmon, who on Wednesday confirmed that he has been selected to be the Opposition Leader of the Coalition, has also written to several foreign countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and to the Prime Ministers and Leaders of the Opposition of all CARICOM countries and the European Union (EU), as well as to the InterAmerican Development Bank and a number of local organisations, including the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce (GCCI), among others.

In the correspondence, he complained about “a discriminatory and vindictive witch-hunt of professionals and public servants is underway” in Guyana, and that the APNU+AFC Coalition views all of the foregoing as “grave, worrisome and very disturbing” developments.

After discrepancies following the March 2 General and Regional Elections, a National Recount – agreed to by then President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo – was conducted. It showed that the PPP/C secured 233,336 votes while the

Presumptive Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

APNU/AFC obtained 217,920 votes – a difference of 15,416 votes.

However, despite a team of scrutineers from CARICOM, a block deemed the “most legitimate interlocutors” by the Coalition, certifying the results, the APNU/AFC refused to accept the outcome of the recount exercise.

This behaviour by then Coalition regime was condemned by CARICOM – in both its former Chair, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, and current Chair, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves – as well as the ABCE (United States, United Kingdom, Canada and EU)

diplomatic community here, among others, all of whom insisted that the recount results must form the basis of a declaration by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

However, everyone came under attack by the Grangerled Coalition, who accused them of interfering in Guyana’s internal affairs and electoral process.

In fact, in one occasion in June, Harmon had accused then incoming CARICOM Chair, Dr Gonsalves, of being prejudicial, after he declared during an interview that the regional bloc would not accept the setting aside of the results emanating from the recount, and further, will not “tolerate anybody stealing an election.”

Harmon had also previously criticised former Jamaica Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who had led the OAS observer team to monitor the electoral process.

Presenting his preliminary findings on the Electoral Observation Mission to the OAS Permanent Council on May 13, Golding said, “I have never seen a more transparent effort to alter the results of an election…it takes an extraordinarily courageous mind to present fictitious numbers when such a sturdy paper trail exists.”

Cuban nationals fined, to be deported after entering Guyana illegally

Amouri Roden Roboina

Erneydys Rodriguez Gomez

F

ive Cuban nationals who were busted while entering Guyana illegally have been charged and ordered deported.

Amouri Roden Roboina, Yuriesqui Pena Lledis,

Yuriesqui Pena Lledis

Yonisleydis Cedeno Blanco

Yonisleydis Cedeno Blanco and Erneydys Rodriguez Gomez were charged for illegal entry after they reportedly entered Guyana via Springlands, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on August 5 without the consent of an immigration officer.

After the defendants admitted to the offence at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Alex Moore told them they had an option of paying a $20,000 fine each or serving a three-week jail sentence.

The Cubans used a Police interpreter to tell the court that they were going to pay the fines.

In addition, Magistrate Moore ordered that they be deported to their last lawful port of entry.

The illegal entry of foreign nationals into Guyana has become a worrying concern for authorities in Region Six amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to police, 24 for-

eign nationals have entered the country illegally using the Corentyne River for the month of August thus far.

There are more than two dozen entry points stretching from Crabwood Creek to Port Mourant which is about a forty-mile stretch making it difficult for Police to stem illegal entry into Guyana.

More so, since the borders have been closed as part of COVID-19 measures, the immigrants have been travelling by night.

Apart from that, money for the illegal crossings for which some pay up to US$500 is allegedly being collected by a senior Government official in Corriverton.

Only on Tuesday Regional Chairman David Armogan told the media that the illegal foreigners posed a danger to the country in terms of worsening the health crisis.

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

17

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

It will take more than mass testing to flatten the curve in Guyana Dear Editor, Permit me to express my concerns pertaining to the COVID-19 response in Guyana. It will be remiss of me not to lend my voice and offer potential solutions at this critical time in our history.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of people across the globe.

Some felt its effects more severely than others. In the Guyanese context, we were unfortunate to be stricken with both a health crisis and an election crisis at the same time. I am thankful that the latter has since been resolved, which means that the new administration has the full capacity to address the former more frontally.

From March 5th, 2020, I have watched in dismay at the response of both the Government and the citizens to COVID-19 in Guyana. While many Guyanese are still apathetic to the guidelines, the cases continue to rise.

Based on the information available on the Ministry of Public Health’s dashboard at the time of penning this letter, the total positive tests of COVID-19 in Guyana was at 1060. Likewise, the total tests conducted was 7,373, of which 14.4 percent were positive. Also, of those test-

ed positive, 2.9 percent (31) have died. To date, Guyana is yet to test more than 1 percent of its estimated population of 748,000.

Considering these glaring revelations, it means that we should expect our cases to rise well into the tens of thousands, and thousands of Guyanese would lose their lives to COVID-19 if we continue along this trajectory. In this regard, I welcome the plan by the new administration to increase both the capacity (human and technical resources) and testing of the public for COVID-19. I believe the data gathered from mass testing will help to propel the development of a more robust approach towards the management of the virus in Guyana.

However, while it is commendable, there are still significant deficiencies in the Government’s approach to curbing the spread of COVID-19. For example, the Health Emergency order gazetted on August 14, 2020 fails to address the deficiencies in the previous administration’s response.

Sadly, if said deficiencies are not addressed at the soonest, we can expect the infection and death rates to climb exponentially in the months to come.

As a medical practi-

tioner, I believe any response to a health crisis should focus on not only curative methods, but preventative methods. Further, steps must be taken to address the psychosocial and socio-economic impacts of this virus on the Guyanese people. It is against this backdrop that I believe the following steps can be taken to significantly improve Guyana’s response to COVID-19, and ultimately flatten the curve: 1. Build capacity for mental health services – Capacity around counselling, therapy, and facilities for mental health assessments should be built and strengthened. Additionally, train staff, potentially beginning with persons already familiar with mental health services (doctors, nurses, etc). Over the next years, we can anticipate a further deterioration in the mental health of the Guyanese people due to the socio-economic and psychosocial impact of COVID-19.

Without adequate avenues to address this, another health crisis will be created – a mental health crisis.

2. Employ a community- directed approach to prevention of the spread.

The creation of community watch groups, coupled with targeted information

An “underwater tunnel” may revolutionise Guyana’s infrastructure

Dear Editor, The PPP/C Government has indicated that it would move the location of the proposed new Demerara River crossing, as the current Houston location has seen increased shore-based oil & gas activities that may pose possible traffic congestion for commuters in the future.

Understanding that the new Harbour Bridge is a priority for the Irfaan Aliled Administration, and as Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said recently, “Whatever is the final design, it will be what is best for the Guyanese people…

We are looking at all options, and that might mean getting additional advice. You can’t have a bridge that encumbers other aspects of development.”

An underwater tunnel may revolutionise Guyana’s infrastructure. Even though underwater tunnels seem fantastical and futuristic, they have existed since 1843. since then, more underwater tunnels have opened in and between the world’s wealthy cities, from Hong Kong’s Cross Harbour Tunnel to the Channel between England

and France.

Port cities like San Francisco and New York City build subsea tunnels to allow subways and vehicles to speed underwater while ships continue to sail overhead without the potential obstructions caused by bridges. As the world continues to speed up, submarine travel facilitates the ceaseless movement of people, goods and capital.

In their fuelling of constant connectivity, underwater tunnels seem like sensible infrastructure to build in the Guyana non-stop metropolises. The association between tunnels and speed is, however, one reason why the emergence of a dense network of subsea and onshore tunnels gives us the perfect opportunity here to create the best sustainable solutions for Guyana’s future infrstructure.

The advantage of having a tunnel is that it’s open 24 hours a day. There’s no waiting for the ships to pass, there’s more mobility; it’s getting more dynamic. The construction of Guyana’s first subsea tunnel would open an opportunity to par-

ticipate in the development of Guyana’s Deepwater port facility in the Demerara River to service the emerging offshore oil and gas sector.

The Government of Guyana and the Minister of Public Works must have a clear idea and understanding of the site for the deep-water port. However, with the construction of a tunnel across the Demerara River, our options increase and we better understand what is required to make the Guyana-Brazil land transport link a reality.

As Guyana looks towards the future with oil and gas, the Guyana-Brazil land transportation link, hundreds of ships and vessels will be passing through the busiest water stretch of the Demerara River. This means it is simply not feasible to build a bridge with the guaranteed clearance for every ship, so going low may be the best option. Building underwater tunnel, the materialisation of a project of this magnitude, will change the entire economic landscape of Guyana.

Sincerely, David Adams

about COVID-19 and Public Service Announcements that cater to the specific communities, is needed urgently.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , Neighbourhood Democratic Councils can develop their own management protocols in keeping with standards adopted from national and/ or international guidelines.

Such protocols should include steps to monitor and mitigate the movement into, out of, and throughout the communities. This can be monitored with oversight from Regional Democratic Councils and Government.

3. Completely lockdown hotspot areas. It is imperative to restrict the movement of people in hotspot areas. This, with effective contact tracing, can alleviate the spread of the virus in those areas. This cannot be achieved without enforcement of such restrictive protocols. To offset the economic impact this will have on these communities, it will require support from central government to finance such.

4. Increase testing and capacity. Of course, testing in hotspot areas, with data gathering to identify the degree of community spread, is imperative to managing COVID-19 as well as general testing. The data gathered can then be used to establish protocols to make point 3 effective, as well as to gauge the effectiveness of the overall COVID-19 response.

5.

Institutional isolation. I do not believe home isolation is ideal in the Guyanese context, as Guyanese do not grasp the concept of self-isolation. It is evident with the number of persons still flouting the ‘stay at home’ orders. This could be due to poor education on COVID-19, or just

ignorance of consequences.

Therefore, institutional isolation for at least 14 days in the first instance. In more humane societies, quarantining facilities would be ideal and more practical. Maybe the use of hotels, the new hospital, and Government-approved facilities that meet the criteria can be used.

6. Protect the border.

Protecting and patrolling of the borders with Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname should be a priority. Most of the cases in the hinterland region are as a result of these borders being poorly patrolled and protected.

Therefore, by limiting the use of these borders through instituting more robust patrols, we can significantly reduce our imported cases.

7. Let the creative industry play a role. To offset the psychosocial impact and to educate the general public, the government should seek to further engage the creative industries. I do note the programme by the Ministry of Public Health, Quintin Quarantine Quartet. Getting the creative industry involved in creating PSAs and other programmes that would educate as well as bring much needed entertainment relief for Guyanese would be helpful. Such programmes should be reproducible in creole and the various indigenous dialects to deepen the impact and reach a wider audience. Recreational activities, whether virtual or in physical spaces, (with strict physical distancing) are needed. The monthly Spice and Clove show is a good example.

8. The health response – At the forefront of managing this pandemic is the healthcare sector. It is abhorrent that healthcare workers are working and

putting their lives at risk daily without any risk allowances. Healthcare workers do not have access to adequate PPE, and put themselves and their families at risk as a result.

Further, the healthcare facilities need a more robust protocol on treatment of patients in general, and for COVID-19 patients in particular. All patients admitted to hospitals across the country should be swabbed.

Additionally, the use of virtual consultations should be explored to limit the need for patients to attend physical clinics. I have noticed that GPHC was using the plasma from recovered patients to treat positive patients. Maybe more research should go into developing this and to assessing the impact it has and productivity of such a treatment plan.

Also, Guyana should look to other regions with successes and see what can be adapted in the Guyanese context.

While I am cognisant that I am not privy to steps being taken to address the pandemic, I believe the suggestions above can help to shape such protocols and guidelines. I still implore all Guyanese to practise social and physical distancing.

Practise proper hand hygiene, and wear a mask in public correctly. As much as it is the responsibility of the Government to keep its citizens safe, the social contract dictates that the citizens act responsibly to ensure their own safety, survival and prosperity.

In the end, it will take ‘one one dutty to build this dam’. As a result, it will require the efforts of all Guyanese to flatten the curve.

Yours faithfully, Dr Terrence Isaacs, MBBS

A remigrant’s dilemma Dear Editor, Many of us nearing retirement in the USA have been looking forward to the time when we would feel comfortable contemplating relocating to the land of our birth, or to visit for longer periods of time.

We also look forward to showing off our dear Guyana to our adult children and grandchildren, who have been told that their monies would be better spent on vacations in the Caribbean, Costa Rica or Europe, due to the security situation in our country.

The current political situation in the US has made the thought of remigrating all the more urgent, and we do hope that the day is near when deciding where to spend our golden years is not such a dilemma.

The new Government, by all accounts, has hit the ground running, and many of the Ministries have already put forth their agendas. We are waiting to hear from the Ministry of Security, and sincerely hope that meaningful, holistic changes are forthcoming, especially for the countryside. No country will ever be completely free of crime, but there is no doubt that the law enforcement agencies need much more in the way of resources, so as to have a fighting chance against the seemingly ever-increasing number of criminals.

The day we have a fully operational 911 system with fast response times to crime scenes would be the day we can say there is improvement.

To get to that day will take a concerted effort to ensure that Police officers are

among the highest paid and best trained civil servants, so the Force would attract better qualified personnel, who will be accountable to the department.

It will also take professional oversight of the agency, highly trained prosecutors, and a judicial system that is reflective of the 21st century. These changes may be only the tip of the iceberg, but if we see some attempts at employing them, then we can have some hope. We do not expect to build our houses without all the fancy grill work over the windows and doors right away, but we would feel comfortable knowing that the Force will serve and protect if the need ever arises.

Respectfully, S Ibrahim

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

Regional

Brazil reports 44,235 World Bank provides millions new coronavirus cases, to strengthen agriculture death toll at 118,649 and food security in Belize

B

elize will strengthen its response to the socioeconomic hardship caused by COVID-19 with a US$8 million reallocation of funds from the World Bank to support the country’s agricultural sector and improve food security in the context of the pandemic.

The programme will benefit more than 8700 agricultural households in the country.

“Agriculture is essential to support lives and livelihoods in Belize, particularly during this challenging period. This financing will assist farmers who have been

Military members work on disinfection of the Christ the Redeemer statue ahead of its re-opening amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 13, 2020

B

razil reported 44,235 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 984 deaths from the disease caused by the virus in the past 24 hours, the

Health Ministry said on Thursday.

Brazil has registered 3,761,391 cases of the virus since the pandemic began, while the official

death toll from COVID-19 has risen to 118,649, according to Ministry data, in the world’s worst coronavirus outbreak outside the United States. (Reuters)

Iranian vessel loads with Venezuelan alumina, amid closer ties – sources

A

n Iranian-flagged vessel loaded a cargo of alumina in Venezuela this month after delivering supplies for an Iranian supermarket in the South American nation, three sources familiar with the shipment said, in the latest sign of closer ties between the US-sanctioned nations.

Reuters could not determine who the customer for the alumina cargo was, nor where it was destined. The Golsan, a general cargo ship with a capacity to carry 22,882 tonnes, is currently sailing east across the Atlantic Ocean, but still signals its destina-

tion as the La Guaira port in Venezuela, according to Refinitiv Eikon data.

The vessel is owned by Mosakhar Darya Shipping Co and managed by Rahbaran Omid Darya, both Tehran-based companies blocked in November 2018 when the Trump Administration reimposed sanctions on hundreds of Iranian banking and shipping companies as it withdrew from a multilateral nuclear deal.

The companies share an address. Rahbaran Omid Darya did not respond to an email requesting comment.

Reuters could not reach Mosakhar for comment.

Neither Venezuela’s Information Ministry nor Iran’s mission to the United Nations responded to requests for comment on the shipment.

The two Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) countries have escalated their trade links in recent months as the US sanctions have squeezed their economies. Iran sent Venezuela five fuel tankers in April to help resolve paralysing gasoline shortages and airlifted in equipment to help restart output at Venezuela’s largest petroleum refining complex. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Record number of new infections in Argentina

Ten days ago, thousands of Argentines defied lockdown measures to take to the streets in antigovernment protests

A

rgentina has for the first time registered more than 10,000 new daily coronavirus cases since the pandemic began.

The health authorities said on Wednesday that the number of infections registered in the past 24 hours was 10,550,

up from 8871 on Tuesday.

It has not been a good week for Argentina, which on Monday had its highest daily death toll with 381 COVIDrelated fatalities.

A strict lockdown imposed early on in the pandemic kept the number of cases relatively

low in Argentina for months, especially compared with its neighbour Brazil, but its infection curve is now rising steeply. The Government said it would announce in the next 48 hours what measures it would take to curb the recent spike.

(BBC News)

affected by COVID-19 and drought and increase farmers’ ability to provide food for the nation,” said World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean, Tahseen Sayed.

Measures taken to prevent the further outbreak of the pandemic, such as the closing of borders, have caused interruptions in agricultural supply chains and a decline in economic activity.

Many farmers have lost revenue due to the decline in tourism, disruption in export markets, and reduction in domestic spending caused by job losses. The agricultural sector has also experienced

drought since last year.

The World Bank said the reallocated funds will provide support for agricultural households severely affected by the pandemic or drought and whose commodities contribute to food security and socioeconomic development.

The support to affected farmers will include funds for the purchase of eligible agricultural inputs, cash transfers to small farmers and women involved in agriculture, provision of small agricultural equipment and protective equipment, as well as technical support. (Excerpt from CMC)

UK tells citizens not to travel to Jamaica after COVID-19 surge

T

he United Kingdom on Thursday issued a travel advisory to its citizens against all non-essential travel to Jamaica.

The advisory, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said, is based on the current assessment of

COVID-19 risks in the country.

“The FCO is not advising those already travelling in Jamaica to leave at this time. You should follow the advice of the local authorities on how best to protect yourself and others, includ-

ing any measures that they bring in to control the virus,” the office told its citizens.

It added that citizens returning to the UK from Jamaica on or after August 29, may need to self-isolate on return. (Jamaica Observer)

St Kitts economy suffers major revenue loss

Dr Timothy Harris

S

t Kitts Prime Minister, Dr Timothy Harris says Government expects an EC$188 million (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) fallout in revenue over the first six months of this year as compared to the same period last year, owing to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted our lives, put persons out of work, and undermined the ability of fathers and mothers to care for themselves and their families,” Harris said on his weekly radio and television programme “Leadership Matters’, saying “this health and economic crisis has no precedent and no template to guide us.

“No leader before has faced such a monumental crisis or challenge. I promise to do all in my power

with the grace of God to lead our people to the Canaan land. A brighter day is at hand. Working together, we will succeed,” he said,

noting that the twin-island Federation is also preparing to observe its anniversary of political independence from Britain in September.

“As we approach our 37th year of independence, we pause to reflect on our strengths and weaknesses as we explore alternative approaches for enhancing our nation’s growth and prosperity, post-COVID-19.”

Harris said that the strategy has been to contain the economic recession, avoid the loss of lives and restore the country to pre-COVID-19 levels of economic activity followed by expanding growth rates.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Trinidad: No Independence Day parade this year

T

he current COVID situation in Trinidad has led to the cancellation of this year’s Independence Day parade.

In a press release issued Thursday afternoon, the National Security Ministry stated that the safest option would be to forego having any parade this year.

“The Minister of National Security wishes to advise that having regard to the current situation with re-

spect to COVID-19, there will be no Independence Day parade this year,” the release said.

“After careful consideration, it was felt that the safest option would be to forego having any parade this year.

“Persons are reminded to abide by the Public Health (2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)) Regulations currently in place and to stay safe.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS US oil prices suffer 1st loss in 4 sessions as traders bet on quick output recovery from Gulf storm

O

il futures declined Thursday, putting an end to a threesession streak of gains in US prices, as traders bet on a quick recovery for the energy market in the Gulf of Mexico region after one of strongest hurricanes in years made landfall near the heart of the US refining industry.

“Historically, hurricanes lead to widespread shut-ins, but production is immediately restored within a matter of days, therefore, leading to little long-term supply disruption,” said Manish Raj, chief financial officer at Velandera Energy.

Hurricane Laura came ashore in the early hours Thursday, near the Texas-Louisiana border, as a Category 4 storm after achieving sustained winds of around 150 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center said Laura has since weakened to a tropical storm as it moved further inland over Louisiana and Arkansas Thursday afternoon.

The Interior Department’s Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement on Thursday estimated that 84.3 per cent of current oil production in the Gulf of Mexico was shut in, unchanged from a day earlier. It also said 60.1 per cent natural-gas production was shut in Thursday, down from 60.9 per cent a day earlier. Over 45 per cent of total US petroleum refining capacity is located along the Gulf Coast, according to the Energy Information Administration. Around three million barrels a day of US refining capacity was closed or reduced, estimated JBC Energy, a Vienna-based consulting firm.

“Gulf Coast oil production facilities, refineries and energy infrastructure projects are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions like these,” Raj told MarketWatch. Given that, “there is no expectation of a widespread damage to facilities, other than temporary shut-ins.”

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for October delivery declined by 35 cents, or 0.8 per cent, to settle at US$43.04 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. October Brent crude, the global benchmark, declined 55 cents, or 1.2 per cent, to US$45.09 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe. (Excerpt from Market Watch)

Hurricane Laura’s winds batter Louisiana, killing 4

A

t least four people have been killed by falling trees as Hurricane Laura battered the US state of Louisiana.

Winds of up to 240 kilometres per hour (km/h) caused severe damage, with power cuts to more than half a million homes and a chemical fire from an industrial plant.

But the feared 6-metre storm surge was avoided as the hurricane, the state’s biggest, tracked further east.

Laura has now been downgraded to tropical storm status and has crossed into Arkansas.

President Donald Trump was briefed at the Federal Emergency Management

Laura had threatened a huge storm surge, but it was less than feared

Agency Washington would go to weekend.

He said

(Fema) in and said he the area at the he had been

prepared to postpone his speech at the Republican National Convention later on Thursday to travel to the region, but added: “We

got a bit lucky. It was very big and very powerful, but it passed quickly.”

Laura and another storm, Marco, earlier swept across the Caribbean, killing 24 people.

Governor John Bel Edwards gave a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, confirming four deaths so far from the hurricane.

The victims, killed in separate incidents by trees falling on their homes, included a 14-year-old girl in the Leesville area.

Edwards said that as rescue work continued. “I’m concerned we are going to find more fatalities. I hope and pray not.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

US, China trade jibes as military tensions worsen

T

he United States and China traded jibes as military tensions grow between the world’s two largest economies, with the US defence chief vowing not to “cede an inch” in the Pacific and China saying Washington was risking soldiers’ lives.

Both are at loggerheads over issues from technology and human rights to

Chinese military activities in the disputed South China Sea, with each accusing the other of deliberate provocative behaviour.

In the latest US move against China ahead of November’s presidential election, Washington on Wednesday blacklisted 24 Chinese companies and targeted individuals over construction and military ac-

tions in the busy South China Sea waterway.

On Thursday, a US Navy warship carried out a routine operation near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, something frequently criticised by Beijing as threatening its sovereignty.

In Hawaii, US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said the ruling Chinese

Communist Party (CCP) wanted Beijing to project power globally via its military.

“To advance the CCP’s agenda, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to pursue an aggressive modernisation plan to achieve a world-class military by the middle of the century,” Esper said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Greece ratifies deal with Egypt; Turkey to hold drills

G

reece has ratified an accord on maritime boundaries with Egypt, hours after Turkey extended the operation of a seismic survey vessel in the Eastern Mediterranean and said it will hold firing exercises in the region next week.

The Athens-Cairo agreement is seen as a response to a Turkish-Libyan ac-

cord signed in 2019 allowing Turkey access to areas in the region where large hydrocarbon deposits have been discovered.

Under their treaty, Egypt and Greece are now allowed to seek maximum benefit from the resources available in an exclusive economic zone, including oil and gas reserves.

A similar accord between

Italy and Greece was approved on Wednesday.

Greek Government spokesman Stelios Petsas on Thursday said “their ratification is urgent” given “Turkey’s illegal activities”.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told Parliament another bill would extend Greece’s coastal zone in the Ionian Sea from six (about 11km) to 12

nautical miles (22km) under international maritime conventions.

Turkey and Greece – both NATO allies – are at odds over the rights to potential hydrocarbon resources in the eastern Mediterranean area, based on conflicting claims over the extent of their continental shelves.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

COVID-19 cases spike in US Midwest as deaths reach over 180,000 Calm in Kenosha, violence in

S

everal US Midwest states reported record one-day increases in the number of new coronavirus cases on Thursday as nationwide deaths from the virus topped 180,000 and officials braced for the possibility of another surge with school openings.

Meanwhile, the Governors of several states said they would not reduce testing as recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a change many health officials say was based on political pressure and not science.

Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota all recorded on Thursday the biggest one-day increases in new infections since the pandemic started.

Nationally, metrics on new cases, deaths, hospitalisations and test positivity rates are all declining but there are emerging hotspots in the Midwest.

North Dakota, where cases rose 30 per cent last week, re-

ported a record 333 new cases on Thursday. Neighbouring South Dakota, where cases rose 50 per cent last week, reported a record 623 new infections.

Infections have been rising since an annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota drew more than 365,000 people from all over the country from August 7 to 16. The South Dakota health department said 40 cases have been traced to the Sturgis rally.

Iowa reported 1288 new cases on Thursday after seeing infections rise nearly seven per cent last week. Minnesota reported 1154 new cases and saw its new cases rise four per cent last week, according to a Reuters analysis. Cases are also rising in Illinois.

Minnesota’s health department said 265 of the new cases were due to delayed test results from one lab and the backlog would affect future reports as well.(Excerpt from Reuters)

Minneapolis as protests continue

Protesters march in Minneapolis during a demonstration against Police brutality and racism on August 24, after Jacob Blake was shot by Police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with his children nearby [File: Kerem Yucel/AFP]

R

elative calm returned to Kenosha, Wisconsin, overnight Wednesday into Thursday after two people were shot dead during protests the night before, while unrest in Minneapolis prompted the Governor to declare a state of emergency, as the

United States continues to grapple with racial injustice.

Kenosha authorities had on Wednesday identified the officer who fired seven shots at the back of Jacob Blake, paralysing the Black man, and sparking anti-racism protests.

After three nights of civil strife – including arson, vandalism and the shootings that killed two people on Tuesday night – calm appeared to take hold in Kenosha.

Violent protests had erupted on Wednesday night in the Midwestern city of Minneapolis, 598km (372 miles) northwest of Kenosha, following the death of a Black homicide suspect who, Police say, shot himself.

The Governor of Minnesota declared a state of peacetime emergency.

The city has been the centre of protests following the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man, who died in May after a Police Officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

Floyd’s death and further violence against Black people have led to broader anti-racism protests and demonstrations against Police brutality in cities across the US. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey imposed a curfew following what he described as mass looting of businesses, destruction of property, and unrest.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Do your part to help get things done. Don’t let anyone goad you into an argument. Take care of business and move on to more enjoyable pastimes. Engage in moderate physical activity.

Get the lowdown before you agree to something. Put your plans first and foremost. You are responsible for what you accomplish, so make it count. Romance is in the stars.

Make adjustments to your living space or arrangements.

Don’t put up with something or someone who brings you down or causes you grief.

Keep your life simple, affordable and clutter-free.

It’s up to you how you use pent-up emotional energy. You can blame others for things you don’t have or didn’t do, or you can embrace what life has to offer and make your dreams a reality.

Being prepared will help you alleviate setbacks and interference. Someone from your past will vouch for you or recommend you for a job that is a perfect fit. Be strategic in all things.

Shoot for the stars. Take on a new project or take care of unfinished business.

Today is about progress, closing deals and being responsible for your happiness. Join in with gusto.

Face facts. If something isn’t right, recognize the problem and do something about it. The longer you let someone push you around, the harder it will be to break away and do your own thing.

Serious talks will resolve problems. Learn from experience and take care of business before someone beats you at your own game. You have plenty to gain if you do things your way.

Envision what needs to be done and get started.

Enlist people who can contribute valuable information. Someone close to you may give you false hope; be realistic.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Reconnecting with someone who has inspired you will be enlightening. An open conversation will lead to a dynamic partnership. A romantic celebration is encouraged.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Don’t feel you have to abide by someone’s rules or follow someone’s lead. Aim to please yourself. Living a lie will not help you get ahead. Someone will reveal a secret.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Take the helm, run the ship and don’t look back. Say what’s on your mind to gain ground quickly. Share your feelings and intentions with a loved one. A commitment will lead to a new beginning.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

21

West Indies name 18-member squad for women's tour to England C

ricket West Indies have named an 18-member squad for the Sandals West Indies Women’s Tour to England next month. The West Indies Women will play five T20 Internationals (T20I) against England Women from September 21-30, at the Incora County Ground in Derby.

Missing from the squad is spinner Anisa Mohammed, who declined the invitation to join the squad, while Kaysia Schultz is the only newcomer. Members of this touring party, who will all be tested for COVID-19 this week, are scheduled to fly to England on a private charter on August 30.

The West Indies Women’s squad will live, train and play in a “bio-secure” environment during the four weeks of the tour, as part of the comprehensive medical and operational plans to ensure player and staff safety, which will restrict movement in and out of the venues.

Tour schedule: Monday, September 21: 1st Vitality IT20, England v West Indies Wednesday, September 23: 2nd Vitality IT20, England v West Indies Saturday, September 26: 3rd Vitality IT20, England v West Indies Monday, September 28: 4th Vitality IT20, England v West Indies Wednesday, September 30: 5th Vitality IT20, England v West Indies

Fourteen players of the touring party were part of the West Indies Women’s Squad that participated at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia earlier this year.

“It is with pleasure that we are able once again to have our West Indies Women's Team involved at the international level. This tour to England gives our players a great opportuni-

ty,” said Lead Selector for Women’s and Girls Cricket, Ann Browne-John.

“The larger 18-member squad also gives an opportunity to have young developing players involved, like the two players from Guyana, left-arm bowler Kaysia Shultz and all-rounder Shabika Gajnabi. It also gives the opportunity to the young Trinidadian off-spinner Karishma Ramharack to

get some international experience.”

CWI’s Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, said CWI was grateful for the opportunity provided by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

“CWI is pleased to be restarting its international women’s programme with a tour to England, where the standard of women’s cricket has grown tremendously.

We thank the ECB for their

invitation, and the added opportunity to travel with a larger squad affords us the chance to introduce a few younger players to this level of the game and fast track their development,” he said.

“With so much uncertainty surrounding cricket scheduling currently, this is a timely opportunity for our women to resume competitive cricket at the highest level.”

West Indies Women are scheduled to arrive in Derby on August 31, and will be

based at the Derbyshire Cricket Ground for the duration of the tour.

Full squad: Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Hayley Matthews, Aaliyah Alleyne, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Natasha McLean, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi, Chedean Nation, Britney Cooper, Sheneta Grimmond, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell, Chinelle Henry, Kaysia Schultz, Deandra Dottin, Lee Ann Kirby and Shakera Selman.

NBA, MLB, MLS postpone games after Bucks' walkout over Jacob Blake shooting in USA

T

he NBA postponed Wednesday's three playoff games after the Milwaukee Bucks called off their fixture in protest at the shooting of Jacob Blake.

Blake, a black man, was shot seven times in the back by Police on Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin near Milwaukee.

In baseball, three MLB games were called off after teams decided not to play, and five MLS matches have been postponed.

Tennis player Naomi Osaka pulled out of a WTA match on Thursday.

She tweeted that she would no longer play her semi-final in the Western and Southern Open in New York, saying that, "as a black woman I feel as though there are much more important matters at hand that need immediate attention, rather than watching me play tennis".

The US Tennis Association, ATP and WTA subsequently announced it was pausing play at the Western and Southern Open on Thursday and would resume on Friday, adding that, "tennis is collectively taking a stance against racial inequality and social injustice".

Former world number one Osaka later confirmed she would play her semi-final against Belgian 14th seed Elise Mertens on Friday, thanking the governing bodies for their support and adding in a statement: "I was [and am] ready to concede my match to my opponent. However, after my announcement and lengthy consultation with the WTA and USTA, I have agreed at their request to play on Friday. They offered to postpone all matches until Friday, and that in my mind brings more attention to the movement."

After calling off their game against the Orlando Magic, the Bucks players released a statement that said: "Despite the overwhelming plea for change, there has been no action, so our focus today cannot

be on basketball.

"When we take the court and represent Milwaukee and Wisconsin, we are expected to play at a high level, give maximum effort, and hold each other accountable. We hold ourselves to that standard, and in this moment, we are demanding the same from our lawmakers and law enforcement.

"We are calling for justice for Jacob Blake, and demand the officers be held accountable."

The Houston Rockets' game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers' match-up with the Portland Trail Blazers were also postponed, and will be rescheduled.

It has been reported that NBA players in the bubble will meet at 16:00 BST to discuss how to proceed with the play-offs.

The Seattle Mariners announced they had decided not to play the second game in their MLB series against the San Diego Padres. The decision was based on a unanimous vote from the players, Mariners player Dee Gordon tweeted.

The Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds also postponed their home MLB game, scheduled to take place on Wednesday.

"The players from the Brewers and Reds have decided not to play tonight's baseball game," said a statement issued by the Brewers. "With our community and our nation in such pain, we wanted to draw as much attention to the issues that really matter, especially racial injustice and systemic oppression."

California rivals the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers postponed their scheduled game and issued a joint statement that said: "Throughout our country's history, sport has been a powerful vehicle towards change.

"The Dodgers and Giants proudly join our players in the shared goal for a more equitable and

just society."

Jason Heyward of the Chicago Cubs, Matt Kemp of the Colorado Rockies and both Dexter Fowler and Jack Flaherty of the St Louis Cardinals, all of whom are black or mixed race, opted out of their sides' games on Wednesday.

The WNBA has postponed all three games scheduled for Thursday, after Wednesday's three games, due to take place in the bubble in Bradenton, Florida, were also called off.

"Information regarding rescheduling of yesterday’s and today's games will be provided when available," read a WNBA statement on Thursday.

The night before, players linked arms on court, with a group wearing T-shirts that spelled out Blake's name and also seven holes in them representing how many times he was shot by Police.

"We stand in solidarity with our brothers in the NBA, and we continue this conversation with our brothers and sisters across all leagues, and look to take collective action," said Atlanta Dream's Elizabeth Williams in a statement on behalf of all WNBA players.

"If you truly believe that black lives matter, then go and vote."

Major League Soccer said the following matches had been postponed: FC Dallas v Colorado Rapids, San Jose v Portland, LAFC v Real Salt Lake, LA Galaxy v Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami v Atlanta United.

Milwaukee Bucks' senior vice-president Alex Lasry tweeted: "Some things are bigger than basketball. The stand taken today by the players and organisation shows that we're fed up. Enough is enough. Change needs to happen. I'm incredibly proud of our guys, and we stand 100% behind our players, ready to assist and bring about real change."

After the postponement, a statement on behalf of the Bucks' owners read: "We fully support our players and the decision they made. Although we did not know beforehand, we would have wholeheartedly agreed with them.

"The only way to bring about change is to shine a light on the racial injustices that are happening in front of us. Our players have done that, and we will continue alongside them and demand accountability and change."

Former US President Barack Obama, a dedicated basketball fan, tweeted his support of the walkout.

The Lakers' LeBron James tweeted: "We demand change. Sick of it." Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves added: "Shoot hoops, not people", while Denver Nuggets player Jamal Murray said: "We demand justice!"

Prior to the scheduled game, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said: "Myself, my players and our organisation are very disturbed by what happened in Kenosha.

"It is a great challenge to have an appreciation and a desire to want change, to want something different and better in Kenosha, Milwaukee and Wisconsin, and then to go out and play a game."

Earlier in the day, NFL's Detroit Lions cancelled their practice session. Players then gathered in front of the team facility, holding signs which read: "We Won't be Silent" and "The World Can't Go On." The Washington Football Team, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers all cancelled practice on Thursday.

After the NBA walkout, the NHL held a 'moment of reflection' before the games between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning in Toronto, and the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche in Edmonton.

(BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

Cornwall and Nabi star as Zouks overpower Patriots M

ohammad Nabi’s career-best figures, the third-best in Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) history, led a spin demolition of the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots.

He was well supported by Rahkeem Cornwall and Zahir Khan, and Cornwall followed up with a brief but brilliant assault that took any remaining tension out of the chase for the St Lucia Zouks.

After Zouks’ captain Daren Sammy put them in, the Patriots had yet to score when Nabi dismissed both Chris Lynn and Nick Kelly. Lynn continued his run of being dismissed by

for a third Hero Maximum, but should have been stumped in the same over.

After 13 overs, Dunk had 32 of the Patriots’ 59/5, and the pressure on him finally told as Cornwall’s extra bounce saw the Australian splice a pull to deep midwicket.

Even a Mark Deyal full toss didn’t result in the match’s first four. After 15 overs the Patriots were 66/6, and it got worse as Nabi returned to complete his five-for remarkably, the first of his 10-year and 264 game T20 career - as Tanvir scooped a sweep to Zahir at short fine-leg.

Kesrick Williams came on for the 18th, off which

The Patriots surprisingly started with seamer Tanvir, whom Cornwall hammered for two fours and two towering Hero Maximums. Emrit gave Jon-Russ Jaggesar an aggressive field, but Jaggesar’s first ball was poor and Fletcher cut it easily for four. Cornwall smashed Imran clean over the roof, and while he was bowled two balls later, the fact that he alone hit more fours and almost as many boundaries as the entire Patriots team told the story.

After a brief shower, the Zouks resumed needing just 81 at well under 5 an over, which made Deyal’s hoicked first

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Ronston Chase hit the winning runs for the Zouks

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Mohammad Nabi Ben Dunk held the Patriots’ innings together

spinners, pushing a simple catch back to the bowler, and Kelly edged to the safe hands of Rahkeem Cornwall at slip.

Nabi soon made it four.

Denesh Ramdin sought to follow a Hero Maximum over long-on with one over square leg, but top-edged to Najibullah Zadran, and next ball Patriots leading scorer of Hero CPL 2020, Evin Lewis, spooned a sweep to Roston Chase at square leg to leave the Patriots 11/4 off just 3 overs and Nabi on a hat-trick.

Chase’s introduction with the ball was not a surprise, and he went for just three off his first over.

Jahmar Hamilton just about survived the hat-trick ball, but he and Ben Dunk managed no further boundaries as the Patriots reached the Powerplay at 22/4.

Another tight over came and went, this time from Zahir Khan. Dunk finally broke the drought as Chase overpitched; he sent the off-spinner high over the sightscreen. Oddly, after eight overs the Patriots had hit two Hero Maximums but no fours.

That block-block-slog approach brought Hamilton’s downfall, as he prodded at a Zahir googly and edged behind. Cornwall closed out the first half of the innings well, and at drinks the Patriots were 43/5 with a lot resting on Dunk once more.

Dunk hit Zahir straight

captain Rayad Emrit for 14 including, at last a four. Emrit fell over, Deyal taking a

took long next run-

ball all the stranger. Emrit took a good catch to leave Imran on a hat-trick, which the ever-calm Chase denied

Chris Lynn is caught and bowled by Mohammad Nabi

ning catch at long-on, but Kuggeleijn dropped short off his last ball and Alzarri Joseph sent him into the stands.

Imran Khan sacrificed himself to get Joseph on strike, and the Antiguan responded with a second Hero Maximum. 37 off the last 3 overs, all bowled by seam, only delayed the inevitable.

him comfortably.

With Cornwall having taken the pressure off, the Zouks found strike rotation easy, and that relaxed feeling gave Fletcher confidence to smash Jaggesar into the top of the Carib Stand to end the Powerplay at 47/2. The opener’s dismissal was a surprise when it came with a pull straight

to midwicket, giving Imran a third wicket.

Najibullah reverse-swept two fours, and good running meant Imran’s last over went for seven. Emrit brought himself on, but Chase and Najibullah each took him for a boundary, and the Zouks cruised to 79/3 at halfway.

A desperate Emrit turned to Dunk’s part-time off-spin, so part-time Dunk bowled in his sunhat, and Najibullah smashed his de-

livery for four as the over went for eight. Najibullah dished out further punishment in Dunk’s next over, lifting him for a Hero Maximum over long-off, but Dunk got a small measure of joy as the Afghan topedged to deep midwicket.

It was Dunk’s first Hero CPL wicket, just the third of his T20 career, but it was scant consolation as the Zouks sealed victory with 32 balls to spare, and without even needing Nabi to bat. (CPL T20)

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SCOREBOARD ST KITTS AND NEVIS PATRIOTS INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) BATSMEN CA Lynn c & b Mohammad Nabi E Lewis c Chase b Mohammad Nabi NF Kelly c Cornwall b Mohammad Nabi D Ramdin † c Najibullah Zadran b Mohammad Nabi JN Hamilton c †Fletcher b Zahir Khan BR Dunk c Kuggeleijn b Cornwall Sohail Tanvir c Zahir Khan b Mohammad Nabi RR Emrit (c)c Deyal b Kuggeleijn AS Joseph not out I Khan c Chase b Williams JL Jaggesar not out Extras (b 2, lb 1, w 6)

0 1 0 9 9 33 12 16 21 0 0 9

TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 5.5) 110/9 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Chris Lynn, 0.3 ov), 2-0 (Nick Kelly, 0.5 ov), 3-11 (Denesh Ramdin, 2.5 ov), 4-11 (Evin Lewis, 2.6 ov), 5-38 (Jahmar Hamilton, 8.5 ov), 6-62 (Ben Dunk, 13.6 ov), 7-70 (Sohail Tanvir, 16.3 ov), 8-91 (Rayad Emrit, 18.4 ov), 9-100 (Imran Khan, 19.1 ov) BOWLING Mohammad Nabi SC Kuggeleijn RL Chase Zahir Khan RRS Cornwall M Deyal KOK Williams

4-0-15-5 2-0-16-1 3-0-17-0 4-0-18-1 4-0-14-1 1-0-4-0 2-0-23-1

ST LUCIA ZOUKS INNINGS (TARGET: 111 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) BATSMEN RRS Cornwall b Khan 26 ADS Fletcher † c Kellyb Khan 16 M Deyal c Emrit b Khan 0 RL Chase not out 27 Najibullah Zadran c Joseph b Dunk 33 J Glen not out 8 Extras (w 1) 1 TOTAL (14.4 Ov, RR: 7.56) 111/4 Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Rahkeem Cornwall, 2.5 ov), 2-30 (Mark Deyal, 2.6 ov), 3-52 (Andre Fletcher, 6.6 ov), 4-99 (Najibullah Zadran, 12.6 ov) BOWLING Sohail Tanvir JL Jaggesar I Khan RR Emrit BR Dunk

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1-0-20-0 4-0-25-0 4-0-23-3 3-0-14-0 2.4-0-29-1

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

TKR record 5th straight win as Warriors continue downhill ends up.

Shimron Hetmyer and Ross Taylor came and attempted to rebuild the innings, but Taylor was removed with the score on 44-4. Taylor, who had played some sweet shots earlier on, departed for 26.

Hetmyer continued to play cautiously as TKR kept the bowling tight. Sherfane Rutherford continued to fail, like many of the Warriors’ batsmen. Rutherford’s was the fifth wicket to fall, with the score on 57-5 in 12.1 overs.

Tion Webster pulled off a good catch to remove Rutherford on the boundary after his 15-ball six.

26 balls along with Romario Shepherd, who scored 11 not out. They took Warriors past 100, which laboriously crept to 112-7 in 20 overs.

Pierre ended with 3-18 in four top overs; while Pollard, Bravo and Raza each had one wicket.

Tahir strikes gold, but Bravo, Seifert control

As TKR began their chase, that target of 113 had that proverbial "teeth in it."

L e n d l

Khary and co celebrate a Warriors wicket (Photos CPL T20)

By Brandon Corlette

K

ieron Pollard and his Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) team continue their dream season, registering five wins in as many matches. The Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) suffered a seven-wicket defeat against the arch-rival TKR, who displayed an allround effort at the Queen’s Park Oval in match 16 of the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League.

TKR restricted the Warriors to 112-7 in 20 overs, and closed off the match in 18.2 overs on 1153.

t w o fours, ending on 39 from 30 balls as TKR ended on the winning side on 115-3 in 18.2 overs.

Warriors will play the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Sunday, August 30, from 14:15 hours as they seek momentum.

Shimron Hetmyer goes big into the leg-side

Relapse into collapse

TKR Captain Kieron Pollard asked the Warriors to bat first. His option reaped dividends for his slower bowlers, who reduced the Warriors to 12-3.

Sikandar Raza sent the rusty Brandon King back in the hut when his off-spin-

Simmons, who freed his arms along with Tion Webster, took the score to 34-1, but the magical Imran Tahir removed Simmons and Colin Munro in consecutive balls.

Tahir produced a googly, and followed it up with a classical leg-break, and TKR were reduced to 34-2 in the sixth over.

W e b s t e r looked promising before he was undone by a brilliant Hetmyer catch off Captain Green at 52-3 in 10.2 overs.

Darren Bravo and Tim Seifert took control of the innings and combated the challenge Warriors posted with ball in hand.

Bravo played some elegant shots, ending with an unbeaten 26 while Seifert sealed the m a t c h with

Imran Tahir continued to be the star for Warriors

ner clipped the bails after

King had scored just six.

Chandrapaul Hemraj, looking ordinary, was bowled by the impressive Khary Pierre.

This left-arm spinner continued to impress. He cleaned up his countryman Nicholas Pooran, who played forward and was beaten all

Hetmyer had looked strong combating some good TKR bowling, but he departed for 26 as the Warriors slumped further. Keemo Paul hit some big shots in the latter part of the innings, scoring an unbeaten 28 from

Cricket South Africa (CSA) sacks CSO Thabang Moroe

S

outh African cricket's governing body has sacked its chief executive officer Thabang Moroe for what it says were "acts of serious misconduct."

Cricket South Africa (CSA) says the decision was based on legal advice after an independent investigation.

Moroe was initially suspended in December over the allegations.

In a statement, CSA said Moroe had "sufficient opportunity" to make representations to the CSA board, which he "failed and/or refused to utilise."

Acting Chief Executive Kugandrie Govender is to continue in the role until a permanent replacement is appointed.

In December, a number of journalists had their media passes revoked, with Moroe saying he was unhappy with their reporting on the governing body. The passes were later reinstated, but the South African Cricketers' Association (SACA) called on Moroe and the CSA board to resign, saying poor leadership had put South African Cricket in a "disastrous position".

Standard Bank also decided not to renew its sponsorship deal of the men's team because of the issues at CSA. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD GAW Innings BA King b Sikandar Raza 6 C Hemraj b Pierre 2 SO Hetmyer c Simmons b DJ Bravo 26 N Pooran † b Pierre 1 LRPL Taylor run out (†Seifert) 26 SE Rutherford c Webster b Pierre 6 KMA Paul not out 28 R Shepherd c †Seifert b Pollard 11 Naveen-ul-Haq not out 1 Extras (lb 2, w 3) 5 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 5.6) 112/7 Did not bat: CJ Green (c), Imran Tahir Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Brandon King, 1.6 ov), 2-10 (Chandrapaul Hemraj, 2.1 ov), 3-12 (Nicholas Pooran, 2.4 ov), 4-44 (Ross Taylor, 7.5 ov), 5-57 (Sherfane Rutherford, 12.1 ov), 6-74 (Shimron Hetmyer, 15.2 ov), 7-100 (Romario Shepherd, 18.4 ov)

Thabang Moroe (left, with former Test bowler Morne Morkel) was appointed chief executive in July 2018

BOWLING Ali Khan Sikandar Raza K Pierre Fawad Ahmed KA Pollard DJ Bravo

1-0-6-0 4-0-30-1 4-0-18-3 4-0-18-0 3-0-15-1 4-0-23-1

TKR Innings LMP Simmons b Imran Tahir T Webster c Hetmyer b Green C Munro b Imran Tahir DM Bravo not out TL Seifert † not out Extras (lb 2, w 2)

19 27 0 26 39 4

TOTAL (18.2 Ov, RR: 6.27) 115/3 Did not bat: KA Pollard (c), DJ Bravo, Sikandar Raza, K Pierre, Fawad Ahmed, Ali Khan Fall of wickets: 1-34 (Lendl Simmons, 5.4 ov), 2-34 (Colin Munro, 5.5 ov), 3-52 (Tion Webster, 10.2 ov) BOWLING C Hemraj CJ Green Imran Tahir Naveen-ul-Haq KMA Paul R Shepherd

2-0-13-0 4-0-15-1 4-0-25-2 3-0-19-0 3.2-0-24-0 2-0-17-0

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

guyanatimesgy.com

Pg 23

TKR record

5th straight win as Warriors continue downhill

West Indies name Cornwall and Nabi star as 18-member squad Zouks overpower Patriots for women’s tour to England

Pg 21

Pg 22

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