Guyana Times -- Saturday, September 12, 2020

Schools open on Monday via TV, radio P11 & online classes – Education Ministry Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 4406

guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

Persons caught spewing race hate, hostility on social media to face full brunt of law – President Ali See story on page 9

Murder of WCB teens may be gangrelated – families tell Head of State See story on page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

High Court orders forfeiture of over $6M found in paint cans P10 …monies came from unspecified criminal conduct – Justice Barlow

Govt seeking supermarkets, shops to supply groceries for COVID-19 public assistance P15 P2 13 new COVID-19 cases recorded Keith Lowenfield’s fraud charges trial to begin on October 26 P16 …DPP a no-show at court

…5 remain in custody as Police now probe gang theory President Irfaan Ali visited Gladston Henry, father of murdered teen Isaiah Henry, at his home at Number 3 Village, West Coast Berbice on Friday (Office of the President)

Human Rights body approaches UN for forensic experts to probe WCB murders Clairmont Mingo finally turns up at court to face fraud charges See story on page 14

See story on page 7

…case against him, Lawrence adjourned

Disappearance of case files, fraud, victimisation P13 complaints made against Judiciary – Ombudsman reports

Poultry producers welcome Budget P16 measures …say will help industry recover from tremendous losses

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

13 new COVID-19 cases; death toll now at 52

T

he Health Ministry announced on Friday that 13 new novel coronavirus cases were reported, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases recorded in Guyana now up to 1763.

This was reflected in the Ministry’s updated COVID-19 dashboard. Of the total number of cases, 867 are males and 896 are females.

Currently, there are only

567 active cases in Guyana.

This includes 13 patients in the designated COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and 554 persons in isolation – 46 in institutional isolation and the remaining 508 in home isolation.

Additionally, there are 92 persons in institutional quarantine.

The total number of persons who have recovered

from the life-threatening disease is now 1144. This is 56 more recoveries than the figure last reported.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry reported on Friday that the COVID-19 deaths have gone up to 52 – one more than Thursday’s figure of 51. However, it was explained that the Ministry’s Surveillance Department did a complete reconciliation of its data and discovered that its list does not

include a COVID-related death which was reported early August.

Hence, its master sheet was updated to correctly reflect the number of COVIDrelated deaths recorded in Guyana. The country’s death toll went up on Thursday after three more persons died from complications caused by the novel coronavirus.

On the other hand, of

the 13 new cases recorded on Friday, one is from Region One (Barima-Waini); eight from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and the remaining four in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). The COVID-19 figures in the other seven regions remained unchanged.

To date, Guyana has tested a total of 10,592 persons for the novel coronavi-

rus.

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated countries around the world – not only infecting millions of persons and causing nearly one million deaths but also heavily impacted the global economy, including the major developed countries.

The region of the Americas, which is inclusive of the Caribbean, is among one of the hardest hit.

Today, the citizens within the region will be observing Caribbean Wellness Day 2020 under the theme “Power Through Collective Action — Stronger Together 2020”.

In his message on this occasion, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony noted that the annual observance of Caribbean Wellness Day seeks to promote healthy living through activities and programmes that support wellness and overall healthy living.

However, he pointed out that this year, the focus is on raising awareness about mental illness and mental health, addressing stigma and discrimination — especially toward frontline, essential and/or healthcare workers; and promoting coping strategies aimed at reducing stress, in particular, during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

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NEWS

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, September 12 – 13:30h – 15:00h and Sunday, September 13 – 12:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, September 12 – 12:40h – 14:10h and Sunday, September 13 – 13:40h – 15:10h.

Murder of WCB teens may be gangrelated – families tell Head of State …5 remain in custody as Police now probe gang theory

their investigations.

The President has assured the parents and relatives of the dead teen, and to an extent, the residents, that he will do everything in his powers to make sure justice is served.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

5 remain in custody

Expect sunshine during the day. There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-Westerly to South-Easterly to Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 3.57 metres.

Isaiah Henry

Joel Henry

Haresh Singh

Meanwhile, when contacted, a police source told Guyana Times that they were told of the relatives’ suspicions and are working on that theory while processing other information and clues at their disposal.

The source said that the crime scene has been revis-

High Tide: 12:13h reaching a maximum height of 2.1 metres.

Low Tide: 06:06h reaching a minimum height of 1.15 metre.

President Irfaan Ali speaking with relatives of Prittipaul Hargobin at their Bath Settlement residence

ited several times as they gather information to crack the case.

Already, the Guyana Government has reached out to the international community to assist with the investigations. President Ali announced on Wednesday that they will be enlisting the British Government and the Regional Security System to come to support the Guyana Police Force’s investigative capacity regarding these murders.

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

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Crude Oil

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President Ali speaks to family members of the Henry boys

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President Ali speaking with relatives of 17-year-old Haresh Singh

T

he parents of Isaiah and Joel Henry, who were found brutally murdered on Sunday last, told President Irfaan Ali that they believe that the teens’ murders were gang-related and not political or race hate.

President Ali was at the time visiting the relatives of the teens at No 3 Village, West Coast Berbice, on Friday. The relatives reportedly told the President that Joel, Isaiah and Haresh Singh were all friends along with another teen.

Now that three of the four are dead, concerns are being raised about the fourth.

It is believed that the four boys, who hung out together, might have seen some illegal activities in the backdam and became targets.

As such, the parents of the boys have called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation which would reveal the real perpetrators of the heinous crime. The relatives stated that they all want to see justice being served and called on others to allow the police to conduct

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 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

COVID-19 and NCDs

O

n Friday, Guyana observed Caribbean Wellness Day 2020 under the theme, “Power Through Collective Action — Stronger Together 2020.”

The observance was mandated by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Conference of Heads of Government in 2007.

This year, Guyana joined the observation as the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impacts on individuals and communities as a whole became yet another stark reminder that both the health authorities and citizens must continue to take the issue of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) very seriously.

Based on what the medical professionals have found so far, most persons who have died because of contracting COVID-19 had had some kind of underlying health complications, many of which are related to NCDs. Guyana’s COVID-19 death rate at the moment is 52. For a small population such as ours, this is quite disturbing, to say the least.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony confirmed, during his address on Caribbean Wellness Day 2020, that NCDs are responsible for most of the deaths occurring in Guyana, and they are linked to sedentary lifestyles.

They are driven primarily by four major risk factors: tobacco use, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, and unhealthy diets.

NCDs pose devastating health consequences for individuals, families and communities, and they continue to severely impact the health, economy and development of Guyana, and the rest of the Caribbean as a whole.

The Government recently pointed out that, since 2017, critical areas in the nation’s healthcare delivery were ignored to a large extent, and this is why renewed efforts have to be made to bring all levels of health sector up to par, including putting effective and efficient systems in place to tackle NCDs. According to PAHO/WHO, people with underlying health conditions, such as NCDs including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer, have a higher risk of contracting a severe form of the COVID-19 disease, and are more likely to die from COVID-19. Risk factors for NCDs can make people more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with COVID-19. For example, smokers may have reduced lung capacity, which would greatly increase risk of serious illness.

PAHO/WHO has suggested that informing populations about these health risks posed by COVID-19 is critical. In addition, health services need to be adapted to maintain essential NCD services, to ensure continuity of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to poor lifestyle choices - tobacco use, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity - NCDs have resulted in large numbers of people falling sick and dying.

In 2007, CARICOM leaders signed what they described as the “groundbreaking” Port of Spain Declaration, aimed at uniting countries to stop the epidemic of NCDs. The declaration was recently evaluated by a team of regional and international experts.

A few months back, leading health expert Dr Alafia Samuels disclosed that, based on a recent study, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago were found to have the highest mortality rates for premature cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the Americas.

In relation to Guyana’s case, while there have been some positive moves in tackling NCDs, such as finalising the Tobacco Control Legislation etc., some experts believe that enough was not being done in the fight against NCDs. It could be recalled that there was an NCD Strategy in the years 20032008, and again in the years 2008-2015, which outlined a comprehensive and effective programme to fight NCDs. It is not clear if these are still being used as a guide by health authorities.

Former Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy was quoted in this newspaper as saying that some of the crucial programmes that were previously in place to tackle NCDs appear to have been reduced or totally abandoned during the tenure of the previous administration. Dr Ramsammy, in particular, had pointed to the aggressive education and awareness campaigns that were very much visible some years ago. Also, community health fairs and school programmes and other initiatives which were used to address issues such as positive lifestyles had become less visible.

These are all useful strategies in ensuring the message of healthy lifestyles continues to reach everyone in every community across the country, and it is hoped that the new Minister of Health would engage in a serious review of what currently obtains at the Ministry. From all indications, some of these measures are being taken, but they are being done in a limited fashion.

We believe that discussions surrounding NCDs should constantly be kept on the national development agenda, where serious efforts are made at all levels to reduce the large numbers of persons suffering or facing death. On this basis, there is need for more collaborative efforts among all stakeholders - including support from private sector bodies - to tackle NCDs, since all of them are affected by the losses in the labour force etc.

That said, while the various stakeholders are involved in the battle to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, it is hoped that they would redouble their efforts to effectively address NCDs and their risk factors with a medium-tolong-term vision.

Americans held a moment of silence on the 19th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. In photo, a girl places a flower on the edge of the North Pool during ceremonies (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)

Guyana’s election standoff underlines urgency of institutional reform Dear Editor, The marathon 5-month stand-off that held Guyana in limbo leaves lingering questions in regard to the soundness and stability of the country’s political environment. The country can breathe a collective sigh of relief, and the new Government can get on with the business of running the country; but it is clear that the fragility and disorder of the political system, and other institutional vulnerabilities that underpin the crisis, remain to be addressed.

Have we resolved underlying social and political problems that have been at the root of the political distress and instability that the country has faced for decades? Or can we expect unrest to erupt at the next election, if not before?

What is to be done to establish stable political conditions to enable a vibrant investment and development climate?

It is clear that whatever plans the new Government has for economic development, these questions are priority issues it cannot ignore.

The Government faces a demanding agenda of issues. The fight to suppress the spread of COVID-19 stands out as an immediate hurdle that has to be crossed, and a recent sharp increase in cases, with deaths in August surpassing the combined total for all the previous months of the pandemic, is reason for serious alarm.

As in other countries, combatting the virus while providing economic relief for the most vulnerable and maintaining support to economic activity will pose tough choices for a Government with limited resources.

The experience of other countries demonstrates that keeping this peril at bay calls for comprehensive and uncompromising social interventions.

Government would want to do all it can to stimulate the economy and keep it functioning, subject to the limitations which the struggle against the virus would require.

Dealing with the burgeoning oil industry is also among the Government’s foremost challenges. The discovery of large, lucrative oil deposits since 2015, with production starting in late 2019,

has been one of the most transformative events in the country’s history. It has brought the prospect of phenomenal increases in incomes and revenue for the country, which could lift it from its position in the development doldrums, and change dramatically the living standards of Guyanese people.

However, it has to be considered a mixed blessing. By raising the stakes on control of the Government, the oil discoveries became a significant factor motivating the actions of leading political players following the elections.

Now, with that matter mostly settled, long-held dissatisfaction with the terms of production-sharing agreements that the outgoing Government signed with ExxonMobil and its partners has re-emerged.

Pressures are mounting for the Government to insist on a larger share of revenue accruing to the local population. No doubt, with a mind to the country’s long-held reputation as an investment destination, the new Government has already signalled that it would not seek to renegotiate the terms of the existing PSA, but would be looking to make changes to future agreements.

Government’s independent review and approval delays of the field development plan for the Payara Project, the third major ExxonMobil oil production project in the country, and issues related to gas flaring and disposal of waste water, are just some of the issues arising to test the working relationship of the company in the country. The handling of these issues will set the tone for a relationship that strikes a workable balance between the company’s profit motives and the country’s economic development and environmental objectives.

The question of an appropriate Local Content Policy has also come into focus. Outside of the pervasive impact of the oil industry on the country, other demanding challenges lie ahead. The Government must address institutional and capacity obstacles which affect the business environment, including a reputation of corruption and security issues.

Oil revenues will bring within reach necessary infrastructural improvements in

education and health, energy production, transport, communication and technology, and Government will be banking on these improvements to bring an upsurge in economic activity that would benefit citizens.

However, being effectively able to execute such a programme of projects would require enormous capacity-building and institutional overhaul. Attention needs to be paid to rebuilding the permanent professional foundations of the public services, depleted by years of emigration and political interference.

A regulatory framework has to be set in place to address a reputation of corruption, and to reverse the politicisation of public service management that has transpired over a period of decades. A strong, professional Public Service corps will provide separation between policy-making and programme execution, thereby giving a backbone of continuity that is less subject to the swings of political change.

The Government will need local commitment as well as diaspora and international community support to build this capacity and institutional framework.

President Irfaan Ali has made encouraging announcements committing to constitutional reform, but it remains to be seen what actual steps will be taken.

A recommended starting point for institutional strengthening is electoral reform - with a strong dose of civil society involvement – given its role in setting the stage for further change with stability. The post-election events underline its urgency, and respected election observers and commentators have recommended it for decades. It is necessary to settle underlying social distresses before the next election, due by 2025. A new system must seek to eliminate the winner-takeall nature of the present system, and establish a more performance-oriented, consensus-based system that fosters inclusion and engagement.

Sincerely, Dr Desmond Thomas Retired international economist, based in Guyana and Florida

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

5

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

PNC leaders must learn from Gladston Henry’s humility Dear Editor, Gladston Henry, father of the late Isaiah Henry - who was murdered in a gruesome manner with his cousin Joel - stood like the Gibraltar Rock, and accepted his loss like a real man, in the true spirit of altruistic brotherhood, and as a magnanimous Guyanese.

He wept, but did not wimp like the cowards who, a while ago, weaseled their way into the Henrys’ home and discharged their garbage to weaponise the crowd; then disappeared in the still of the night, leaving behind agitated women and men to wreak havoc with their own neighbours.

He imploringly appealed to the rest of the nation, and called for a cessation of the violent acts that have unravelled a racial bias because of the devious agenda from the visiting PNC politicians. The sincerity of Mr Henry overflowed when he declared, “I am not a racist; I still love my Indian brothers and sisters. I am not supporting immoral protesting, because I went out in Number 5 Village and I told them straight: ‘If you want to protest, is our right; let we do it peacefully.”

What a lesson for all, especially the leaders of the PNC Party, to learn! Had they adopted Mr Henry’s humble attitude and honestly broached the matter in the same natural vein, this blazing inferno may have been completely avoided, and none of the horrible damage might have occurred. The men in disguise

planted the diseased seed of conflict, not peace; but, as a true Guyanese, the mourning father blurted out, “I am not a racial person. I born in Number Three (Village).

The community I live in, I live among Indian people.

We eat together, we sleep together. The majority of my friends that I move with are Indian. We move like brothers; big men, older men than me, and because of how I was moving with them, they give me a nickname, “Geera”, and “Geera” is because it have to go in the dhal, seeing that me is the only black one that living in there.”

This is what “One People” means, coming from a similar background landscaped with a friendly and brotherly relationship, knitted and bonded with mutual respect, sharing a camaraderie that embraces love and caring for each other’s welfare.

The likes of Granger and Harmon cannot speak such simple language explicitly, because their roots are grounded in Burnham’s fascism that condones preferential, ethnic differences.

Harmon’s seeing “eyeball to eyeball” meant, “an eye for an eye.”

A conscientious advocate for peace, Mr Henry further painfully pointed out, “We, the nation, cannot be fighting against one another, because this is going on too long.” Hitting the nail on the head, he has unabashedly demonstrated with such simplicity what the acclaimed intelligent city technocrats failed to realise. As

a humble rural civilian, he can mentor those anointed in their high seats with selfishness as foresight and falsity as hindsight.

The PNC Party has always placed their troubled party paramount to the nation, and “politricks” above people. The policies of the party have inculcated a culture that accommodates greed and vindictiveness as its base, and purports to divide-and- rule as its instrument. No wonder its followers are misguided with its lies and brainwashed with its deceptions.

As a result of Mr Henry’s attitude, the mass has been chastised for its misbehaviour and castigated for undue consequences.

Granger and cabal are committed to breaking, and not making.

The language of a tiring Gladston Henry is neither flavoured nor favoured.

He unapologetically admonished: “Let we not see this thing as Black, White, Chinese or Putagee (Portuguese) because if Blackman did do this, or a Chinese man did do this, or any man did do this, and if is not my family, I believe that he will have to pay the penalty, and not no other people who looked like him and get the texture of hair like him, but the person who committed the act should pay for the crime.”

Mr Henry is the gentleman who is involved in this disrupted fracas, and has lost his son, but yet he is tempered, and still wishes for justice, but in a free and

Is this gang-related violence?

Dear Editor, When I saw pictures of the two butchered Black youths, I knew right away they were not ordinary killings. I immediately told friends. We all agreed the heinous murders were not the work of any farmer. No farmer could have killed that way and not dispose of the bodies. No one gets killed that way for coconuts. Something else was at play. The bodies had visible marks that suggest something other than a normal murder.

The Police, detectives, and national security officials should have immediately recognised that it was not a routine, run-ofthe-mill chopping to death.

I don’t wish to prejudge what happened. Gangsters kill people savagely. They leave marks to send a clear message to others. Could the killings be gang-related? Something went horribly wrong. Could the youths have known, or held, some secrets, and were eliminated to bury the secrets? The Police must look at these

angles. What is clear is the murders were not politically or praedial larceny-related.

As an educator who taught for over 35 years, working with youngsters; and as a dean and administrative figure, and with administration including at the college level, I can recognise signs of gangs and their activities. Educators are trained to detect these activities, and file reports. In the classroom, some even tried to get me to emulate their gang signs.

My sociology training also equips me to identify these kinds of crimes and propose measures to deter them. Gang violence is routine, and gangs are present in all societies. Guyanese are known to emulate bad trends in America, where gang violence is institutionalised. There are gangs in Guyana, in the schools and communities. I didn’t realise they have reached the rural areas already.

The Police must not dismiss this angle, and the Ministry of Education

needs to direct attention to gang-related activities among students, and take measures to stamp them out.

Gang activities in today’s world may appear as normal teen-related activities, but they are not. They can lead to violence, as happened at several schools and at a school at No 8 Village, where a teenager beat up a female head teacher a few years ago.

Whoever did this atrocity must be brought to justice; the death penalty must be considered. And whoever supported the revenge violence, killing two innocent people in the process, must also be brought to justice.

They are no different from the perpetrators of the murder of the two Henry boys.

Let me applaud Volda Lawrence and her team once again for condemning the race revenge violence and those associated with it. The latter doesn’t belong in our politics.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

fair environment, not an atmosphere sidetracked with prejudice and contaminated with convoluted corruption.

He has 20-20 vision, which is not obscured with any enshrouded clarity. He is not disoriented with illusions, nor can he be befuddled with thwarted perplexities.

The Police should be allowed to perform their duties unhindered by political interference, so that justice may prevail. The PNC Party finds it difficult to call a “spade a spade” and to allow the law to “run its course.”

It is most interesting to see how Granger has awakened from a slumber, availed himself conveniently, all of a sudden made his presence known in a scandalous manner, mudded his feet and mouth in dirty

water, and then departed, again to hibernate. Walking with a knee strengthened with discrimination, he is kneeling on the voice of conscience. Harmon has spoken with the forked tongue, and poisoned the twisted minds of the community. Volda Lawrence, perfecting a performance, has polluted the ambience with her self-interest, popularised a promotion, performed an act of pretence, declared power flexing, and populated only her vanity.

In a press statement issued by Home Affairs Minister Robertson Benn, he was right on target with a bullseye, stating, “This escalation in violence rests squarely at the doors of these two gentlemen and specific known political ag-

itators of their ilk!! The emergence of these political vultures and associated criminal opportunists (has) led to a deteriorating spiral in safety and security in the areas! Granger and Harmon bear the prime responsibility for the escalation in violence, injuries and death.”

This sentiment is echoed by many Guyanese, and reverberates in every nook and cranny in Guyana. All lives matter, and as we mourn the loss of all lives, let us contemplate on the words of Jane Elliot, “We learn to be racist, therefore we can learn not to be racist. Racism is not genetical.

It has everything to do with power.”

Respectfully, Jai Lall

2020 National Budget provides money directly to Guyanese pockets Dear Editor, It has been 20 months since National Budget 2019 was adopted in the National Assembly; 628 days since the No-Confidence Motion was successfully passed on December 21st, 2018; 475 days since sitting of the National Assembly; 191 days since the March 2nd, 2020 General and Regional Elections; and 38 days following declaration of those election results on August 2, 2020, with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) being sworn in as the legitimate Government of Guyana.

The National Budget 2020 was finally presented before the Honourable House after one of the most testing, convoluted, complicated, and traumatic periods of Guyana’s post-Independence history, with the COVID-19 pandemic still here with us and in the entire world.

However, today we have seen a different approach from the PPP/C Administration, aggressively and scientifically addressing this pandemic at the national level by refocusing financial and other resources to improve testing capacity.

As I listening to the presentation of the 2020 National Budget, made by the Honourable charismatic Minister Juan Edghill, I kept saying to myself that this must bring a smile to every Guyanese face, since, for the first time in the past five years, Guyanese were given the opportunity, through the budget, to see money return directly to their pockets.

Let me take this opportunity to thank our highly professional and motivated budget team, whose members dedicated their time every day and night for long hours to achieve this National Budget 2020 under the lead-

SEE ADDITIONAL LETTERS ON PAGE 17

ership of former President, and now Vice President, the Honourable Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

This budget is expected to benefit every Guyanese and every sector. Normally, the National Budget takes more than 150 days to prepare; however, this achievement was significant, since the 2020 National Budget demanded a quick response.

As promised the people of Guyana by the PPP/C - that once the election results are declared, it would hit the road at a fast speed to restore normalcy and stability - programmes and policies will be implemented to quickly turn around the situation which the PPP/C inherited, and set the stage for implementation of the many transformative projects promised the people in the PPP/C manifesto.

Guyanese, this budget embodies a no-nonsense, nofrills, no-fluff, people- centred, pro-poor, results- oriented approach to launch this nation back on its positive developmental trajectory, where every Guyanese would benefit from this budget. Our nation has been tried and tested over the past five years, but was not defeated. We were under severe duress, but Guyanese endured, and we remained resolute and peaceful in our defence of democracy.

We, as a people, were provided with positive support from the local and international communities to defend the will of the people to elect a Government of their choice; now under the leadership of President Dr Irfaan Ali, which is a clear indication that democracy prevails always. We are all aware of the tremendous potential of our nation. many people from around the world will come to see for themselves the human and phys-

ical richness with which our wonderful land and people have been blessed.

At the same time, the country is faced with many challenges inherited from the previous APNU/AFC Government: reducing poverty, developing human resources, growing with equity, rebuilding infrastructure, overcoming the debt burden, protecting the environment, and managing our resources better. Overcoming these challenges would take a concerted and ongoing effort.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government has already made great strides in rebuilding the country, and has restored our people’s confidence in a bright future.

Guyanese, we are acutely aware that the transition we are going through will be a little difficult. In the last five years, our people have endured much hardship.

Their impatience for rapid improvement in their living standards is very understandable. Our new PPP/C Government has begun working, and will continue to work tirelessly to meet the aspirations of every citizen, so that each and every Guyanese can fulfill his or her potential.

At the same time, we should recognise that these problems cannot be solved overnight. While Government continues to campaign vigorously for comprehensive peace and harmony, the harsh reality is that our people must come together as if we are going to acquire social and economic development. The Government has set aside over 30% of the $330 billion 2020 National Budget for the health and education sectors Sincerely, David Adams

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

Page

Foundation

SUMMER OF LEARNING

Æsop’s Fables

W

hen is a recycled product better than the original? When it’s paper that turns into flowers.

Here is a good way to recycle used paper and make a beautiful greeting card for someone special.

Make your own artsy paper that has wildflower seeds in it! Use coloured markers to paint a design or message on it. Give it to someone special to plant in a pot or in the ground. Keep it wet and warm, and it will “recycle” into something far better than old, used paper.

What you need:

Used printer paper, cross-cut into tiny pieces by a paper shredder or scissors. Use 1-1/2 cups for each card.

Large bowl of warm water Window screen material Small embroidery hoop Food colouring (optional) Blender 9 x 13-inch baking pan Packet of wildflower or other seeds Bath towels or several layers of felt squares Waxed paper Coloured markers

What to do:

Soak the paper pieces in the bowl of water overnight.

Put the soaked paper into the blender, then fill the blender halfway with fresh water.

Blend until the mixture is soupy.

Add food colouring, if desired, and blend some more.

Fill the baking pan one-quarter full of water, then pour in the blended paper mixture — or pulp.

Slip the embroidery hoop with screen in from the side so that it slides beneath the pulp and seeds. If necessary, spoon some of

the pulp over the screen.

Lift the screen gently, catching the pulp mixture evenly on top and letting the water drain off.

Lay the screen on a bath towel or felt layers to drain.

Sprinkle some seeds on top of the wet pulp, and gently pat them into the surface of the pulp.

When the bath towel or felt has soaked up as much water as it can, pick up the hoop and turn it over onto a sheet of waxed paper to dry.

You may have to gently hit the hoop on the table or counter surface to loosen the pulp from the screen. If the pulp does not stick together, try putting more pulp on the screen next time.

Let the paper dry for at least 24 hours.

If the paper does not lie flat, place a heavy object (like a book) on it for a few hours to flatten it.

Decorate it with markers on the un-seeded side.

FOR CHILDREN

To plant the paper:

When you plant the paper, lay it on the surface of the soil and sprinkle about a onequarter-inch thick layer of soil on top. Water the soil lightly and keep the seeds wet until they sprout and have a few days to grow roots.

Good luck and happy recycling! (climatekids.nasa.gov)

A

farmer was driving his wagon along a miry country road after a heavy rain. The horses could hardly drag the load through the deep mud, and at last came to a standstill when one of the wheels sank to the hub in a rut.

The farmer climbed down from his seat and stood beside the wagon looking at it, but without making the least effort to get it out of the rut. All he did was to curse his bad luck and call loudly on Hercules to come to his aid.

Then, it is said, Hercules really did appear, saying: “Put your shoulder to the wheel, man, and urge on your horses. Do you think you can move the wagon by simply looking at it and whining about it? Hercules will not help unless you make some effort to help yourself.”

And when the farmer put his shoulder to the wheel and urged on the horses, the wagon moved very readily, and soon the farmer was riding along in great content and with a good lesson learnt.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Clairmont Mingo finally turns up at court to face fraud charges …case against him, Lawrence adjourned

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mbattled Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo was Friday morning arraigned on the fraud charges filed by PPP’s agent, Charles Ramson Jr, back in March.

He was charged jointly with Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – the leading party of the APNU fraction of the coalition – Volda Lawrence.

The charges against Mingo and Lawrence are in relation to the unverified declaration of results for Region Four – the country’s largest voting district.

They are being accused of forging official electoral documents in an effort to defraud the country.

While Lawrence was arraigned last month and

Embattled Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo at court on Friday

PNCR Chairperson Volda Lawrence after Friday’s court hearing

placed a $100,000 bail, Mingo, however, did not make a court appearance as he was never served with the private criminal charges filed against them on March 16.

Hence, he was arraigned on Friday and was not required to plead to the indictable charge of conspiracy to commit fraud.

One of his lawyers, Attorney Darren Wade, told reporters that “this was the first time the charges were read against Mr Mingo and he was placed on self-bail – on his own recognisance”, According to Wade, the matter was adjourned to October for statements and November 16 for case management.

Meanwhile, Lawrence, who was the lone party representative whose signature was found on the fraudulent declaration, also made her second court appearance on Friday during which additional time was given to the prosecution to prepare their case.

“The prosecutors are not ready. They claim that they have several pieces of evidence which they’re putting

together etc… My lawyer [Nigel Hughes] has argued that they set a longer date so that the prosecutor will have the time to gather all the evidence so that when we come back, he can present those pieces of evidence to the court so we can move on with this matter,” Lawrence told reporters following the hearing.

Both Lawrence and Mingo will return to court on November 16.

Back in March, Ramson Jr, who had served as PPP/C’s Counting Agent, had filed private criminal charges against Mingo and Lawrence following the RO’s declaration of unverified results for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

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

GECOM, despite being barred by an injunction, went ahead and published the Form 24s [which is the election declaration] for all regions on its website. This included the Region Four unverified declaration.

Mingo’s declaration, which was subsequently set aside by Chief Justice Roxane George, was signed by him and Lawrence – the lone representative from the political parties that contested the elections. The other parties had objected to the declaration after the verification process was not fully complied to by the Returning Officer.

Meanwhile, the embattled Returning Officer is already facing other electoral fraud charges over his attempts to alter the March 2 elections results in favour of the APNU/AFC coalition.

He was arraigned last week on four counts of misconduct in public office and was placed on $600,000 bail.

The first two charges against him allege that on March 5, 2020, at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, while being a public officer, he willfully misconducted himself by declaring a result for District Four without ascertaining the total votes cast in favour of each list in the said District Four Regional and General Elections.

The other two charges allege that he committed the same offences, this time around on March 13, 2020, at the same GECOM High and Cowan Streets, Kingston Head Office, when he wilfully misconducted himself by declaring a result for District Four in the Regional Election of the said March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. (G8)

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 Lindeners remanded for robbing supermarket

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wo Lindeners were on Friday remanded to prison by Magistrate Wanda Fortune when they appeared at the Linden

Magistrate’s Court charged with armed robbery and conspiracy-related charges.

The duo, 19-year-old Shamar Prince of Self-Help

Scheme, Amelia’s Ward, Linden, and 23-year-old Schimell Doris of Lot 1692 Central Amelia’s Ward, was remanded to prison.

Doris was charged along with Prince for conspiracy to commit an armed robbery while Prince was charged with robbery under arms at an Amelia’s Ward Chineseowned supermarket. The charge against Prince stated that on August 27, he robbed the Xing Wang supermarket of $950,000 and an iPhone 6S valued $80,000, while he was armed with a gun in the presence of others.

The cash and phone, which amounted to a total value of $1,030,000, were the property of Guan Xiang.

Meanwhile, the charge against the duo is that they conspired along with others to commit an armed robbery at the said supermarket. The case will continue on September 28, 2020 (G13)

8 to do community service for breaching COVID-19 restrictions

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ight Kwakwani (Upper Berbice River), Region 10 residents were sentenced to perform community service by Magistrate Wanda Fortune when they appeared virtually at the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court to answer to the charge of breaching restriction on social activities. Joshua Grannum, Jermaine Downer, Kevin Plass, Treasha Downer, Naisha Hyderkhan, Atiya Smith and Nichola and Sheon Gordon all pleaded guilty to the charge and were each sentenced to three hours of community service.

The Magistrate ordered that the community service is to be completed by September 18, failure in which will result in a default sentence of one week’s imprisonment.

The morning after…

I …the bloodletting t looks like the storm (of anger and hate) broke yesterday… after washing over and ravaging us coastlanders from Sunday afternoon to late Wednesday night.

Your Eyewitness says “coastlanders” because he’s not sure our Indigenous Peoples are susceptible to this particular avalanche of emotions. So, is it too early for a retrospective look at those four days of hate and horror after the murders of young Joel and Isaiah Henry??

Maybe…but we can’t look to what’s ahead unless we know what baggage we may have either picked up or added to, can we?? Yesterday, your Eyewitness described the shaping of the several ethnic lenses through which we look at each other and analyze what happens between us.

We saw a spectrum of sentiments on the African-Guyanese side, starting from Mr Gladston Henry on one end and reaching to that person who hammered that IndianGuyanese man on the head. On the Indian-Guyanese side, there was just a shocked and numbed disbelief at the violence directed at them after the assumption that the murders were “racial”. The niece of the bludgeoned Indian-Guyanese man happened to be a young doctor, and she expressed her disbelief and anger eloquently.

The other Indian-Guyanese victims were Ganesh Singh and Prettipaul Hargobin. The first appeared to be a revenge killing; and the latter, who had an altercation with protestors, went home, got a shotgun, and returned to vent his frustration. He shot in their general direction, knowing he was out of range; and he paid the price, as they bludgeoned him to death.

Your Eyewitness wonders what the Pastor, who’d ministered to many of the same people who stoned his vehicle and battered him and his Mixed wife, is thinking today. In the latter incident and so many others, however, individual African-Guyanese protestors helped those being attacked. And for this, your Eyewitness has hope that some good might come out of this; but not without reflection.

No one can pussyfoot around the reality that there are deep fears and anxieties anchored in the ethnic identities we’ve all assumed. Folks don’t just up and beat their neighbours on the head with a hammer, unless there’s something serious going on in the recesses of their minds.

So how do we deal with that reality?

We can do worse that have a national catharsis. There have been calls for the setting up of a National Peace and Reconciliation Commission for decades - since the interethnic violence started at the beginning of the millennium.

In this forum, folks don’t look for retributive justice…just restorative justice.

Not to take revenge on the “other”, but simply to hear and acknowledge the fears and hurts on both sides.

We can talk, can’t we?? …the politicking After Volda came out with her call to recognise our common humanity, and for the “protestors” to do so peacefully, and not to block the roads (which is illegal) and presumably not bop folks on the heads with hammers, (which is even more illegal!) Granger and Harmon started backpedalling so fast that your Eyewitness was certain they’d fall on their a55es! Their tough (and irresponsible) talk about West Berbicians forming “self defence societies” was thrown overboard, and they became all warm and cuddly.

What happened?? Did they have an epiphany, like the one that Saul had on the way to Damascus and was converted to Paul?? And stopped persecuting the Christians and became one himself? Hardly!! It was all to do with politics. Volda’s statement struck a chord in the hearts of a wide swathe of Guyanese - including many in the PNC camp - who’d been turned off by Granger and Harmon’s race-baiting.

They’re simply - and desperately - trying to head off a palace coup by Volda!! …and a need for peace The rapturous reception Volda’s message received signals that most Guyanese are tired of PNC hardliners Granger and Harmon. Ironically, yesterday, a date for Volda’s case of abetting Mingo’s rigging was set.

Oh, how things have changed!!

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

NEWS

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Persons caught spewing race hate, hostility on social media to face full brunt of law – President Ali

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali has warned that persons who are engaged in race-baiting or caught spewing racial hate and hostility will face the full brunt of the law.

On Friday, the Head of State said it deeply saddens him when he sees, almost every day on social media, the degree of race-baiting, racial hate and racial hostility which pervades the social media platforms.

As such, the President pointed out that he is determined to do everything within his power, and to use all the laws at his disposal, to put an end to this behaviour, which can only result in dividing the country and its people.

“The use of social media for the promotion of racial hate for political purpose is wholly unacceptable to me as your President and as a person, and my Government will not tolerate it. I have spoken with my Attorney

President Irfaan Ali with residents of Belladrum village

General (Anil Nandlall) and I have directed him to ensure that the full force of our laws is employed and is applied to those who pursue this criminal behaviour,” he said in a statement.

President Ali went on to remind persons guilty

of this abuse of social media that freedom of expres-

sion guaranteed by the Constitution, as a fundamental right and freedom, does not relate nor extend to hate speeches or other expressions, in whatever form, capable of exciting hostility or ill-will against any person or class of persons.

“I further remind that such conduct, publications and utterances constitute grievous criminal offences under the Racial Hostilities, Cybercrime and other similar penal legislation and the State will not hesitate to resort to these provisions in our laws in appropriate circumstances,” the Head of State further stressed in the missive.

According to Ali, as President of Guyana, he is “unequivocally committed” to governing the country

and its people, regardless of political affiliation or ethnic origin and will do so without reservation.

In fact, he related similar sentiments to residents of Paradise/Belladrum, West Coast Berbice (WCB), during a visit to Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) on Friday.

The Head of State told the residents that he wants to work with every community, not only to foster development and improve residents’ lives but also to unify the country. This was after residents raised concerns over increasing inciteful comments on social media that foster division and which they view as “disgusting and distasteful,” and which only serve to create tension in the communities.

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10 NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

High Court orders forfeiture of over $6M found in paint cans

…monies came from unspecified criminal conduct – Justice Barlow

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igh Court Judge Jo Ann Barlow has ordered that the sum of €24,530, equivalent to $6,064,554 be forfeited to the State, since it can be inferred that the monies which were concealed in cans of paint, came from unspecified criminal conduct. The monies were found in the possession of Michael Bagot, a Guyanese, who was intercepted at Springlands, Berbice, crossing from Suriname on March 12, 2020.

The Springlands, Berbice crossing is not the official designated immigration point of entry between Guyana

Justice Jo Ann Barlow

and Suriname. Bagot was arrested by Police for failure to present himself to the

Immigration authorities and failure to declare foreign currency over the prescribed limit set out by the Foreign Exchange (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Chapter 86:01, Laws of Guyana.

Guyana’s laws require persons to declare any currency in excess of US$10,000.

Customs is empowered to seize only large sums equivalent to more than US$10,000 at any port of entry.

Subsequent to his arrest, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) approached the High Court for an interim order to detain the monies in accordance with Section

37 (2) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act Chapter 10:11, Laws of Guyana.

Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, granted the detention order for the police to lawfully detain the currency on March 17, 2020, and the order was further extended on June 12, 2020, for three months pending the hearing and determination of forfeiture proceedings filed by SOCU. The Commissioner of Police, through the Chambers of the Attorney General, commenced legal proceedings for

The large sum of undeclared Euros found in cans of paint that were seized by law enforcement (CANU pic)

the civil forfeiture of the said sum. Written submissions were made before Justice Barlow. The Judge eventually found that based on the manner of concealment of the monies in paint cans, it could be inferred that the monies came from unspecified criminal conduct.

The court further found that Bagot failed to provide information disclosing the source of the monies. In ad-

dition, the court noted that Bagot had, on previous occasions, exited the jurisdiction from the designated immigration point, however, when he re-entered Guyana, it was through the “backtrack” route.

As a consequence, Justice Barlow ordered that the sum of monies be forfeited to the State.

There was no order as to costs.

Murder of WCB teens...

Nevertheless, Guyana Times was told that five persons remain in Police custody and are assisting with investigations.

Only on Thursday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum reported that four of the seven persons who were initially arrested were released on station bail since their 72hour detention period had expired. In addition, he stated that a few others were arrested between Wednesday and Thursday evening.

With respect to Singh’s murder, no arrests have been made.

On Sunday last, the mutilated bodies of the Henry cousins were found aback Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB). They had left their Number Three Village, WCB home two Fridays ago to pick coconuts in the backdam, but did not return home.

Their butchered bodies were found in clumps of bushes partially covered in mud after relatives went in search of them on Sunday.

Post-mortem examinations conducted on Wednesday show that the teenagers died from haemorrhage and shock. In the case of 16-year-old Isaiah, he sustained a severed spine between the second and third vertebrae, and a number of chop wounds to his head.

The body of 19-yearold Joel had a total of 18 wounds. He, too, suffered a severed spine between the first and second vertebrae.

It is believed that after sustaining wounds to the head, he fell to the ground and then got the wound that severed his spine.

Following the gruesome discovery, the police had arrested seven persons, including the owner of an estate upon which bloodstains were found, his son, two coconut vendors, and several employees. Three more persons are also being sought

by Police.

FROM PAGE 3

The murders have sparked widespread protest action, particularly along the West Coast Berbice corridor, with persons blocking the roads and burning debris while calling for justice.

The situation escalated as protesters blocked traffic along the WCB roadway while robbing, beating and extorting from innocent commuters. Millions of dollars were also lost as vehicles went up in flames.

As the unrest continued, 17-year-old Haresh Singh of Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), was found dead hours after he had left home on his motorcycle to attend his farm in the backdam.

It was reported that the sound of Haresh’s motorcycle stopped along the dam and shortly after, his family members saw a fire blazing on the dam. Suspicious that it was the motorcycle, relatives went to investigate, and discovered the motionless body of the teenager and the torched motorbike.

The teen was bleeding through his nose and had wounds to his head, ears, neck and hands. According to the family, there was also an “X” on his neck. They then rushed the 17-yearold to the New Amsterdam Hospital, but he succumbed on the way.

Initially, it was suspected that Singh’s murder was in retaliation for the deaths of Isaiah and Joel since one of his close relatives was among those arrested after the cousins’ murder.

However, family members are now claiming that the three teenagers’ horrific deaths might have been gang-related.

Meanwhile, during his visit to West Berbice, President Ali also met with the family of 34-year-old Prettipaul Hargobin of Bath Settlement, WCB, who was also killed during the unrest on Wednesday.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Schools open on Monday via TV, radio & online classes – Education Ministry

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ducation Minister Priya Manickchand on Friday updated the nation on the multi-faceted approach which Government has undertaken to ensure that students are engaged to complete the respective curriculums.

On Monday, students across the country will resume classes through various mediums. This comes months after classroom activities were put on hold since March after the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

The Minister informed during a press conference that following consultations, it was decided that there cannot be a single approach to facilitate classes.

As such, there will be a blended method to address challenges of epidemiological patterns, internet access, and availability of resources through the usage of radio, the internet, the learning channel and work papers. In the hinterland regions, adequate workbooks and materials will be provided where electricity and internet access are limited. Toolkits are also being procured with added textbooks to distribute to students. On Monday, the Ministry will be launching a programme to train teachers in online delivery to meet demands.

“On the Guyana Learning Channel for all the grades,

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

there will be a scheduled timetable and that will be published. That schedule reflects what would be taught ordinarily in the classroom if kids were to return now,” she noted.

Minister Manickchand recognised that these mediums will never be able to fully replace the face-to-face classroom but was generated to minimise learning loss among children. As it relates to the tertiary institutions, the University of Guyana and Cyril Potter College of Education will also use an online modality as campuses remain closed.

“What we’re trying to do is new as you can imagine.

It is never going to be able

to replace face-to-face teaching and learning. But we can’t throw up our arms and do nothing. Too many of our children have gone disengaged from March to now…

Studies have shown that learning loss which could result in high drop out rates and regressing and so on should be a concern to any education sector,” the new Minister posited.

She added, “While we do not know what the outcomes will be, what we hope is that we can see learning loss minimised and see any potential dropout figures rising be stabilised.”

The Ministry is currently assessing the environment of schools across the country, to look at sanitisation stations, ventilation and other important aspects of reopening which needs to be catered for during a pandemic. She noted that while the Ministry can keep students safe in a classroom environment, transportation and other issues need to be ironed out.

She signalled at diagnostic tests when the classrooms are finally reopened, to assess what has been learned and aspects of the curriculum which needs work.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will

be reintroducing the school children’s cash grant as well as doubling the allowance for school uniform vouchers from January 2021.

This was announced by President Ali at a press conference on Monday where he announced a slew of measures to be implemented following the presentation and passage of the emergency budget for the remainder of the 2020 fiscal year.

The “Because We Care” project was launched back in 2014 by then Education Minister Priya Manickchand and was issued to parents for each child in the public school system. It was implemented with the aim of providing support to parents with school-age children and increasing their disposable income, with a view to raising enrolment and attendance rates.

However, after taking office in 2015, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government scrapped the project and displaced thousands of students and parents.

The President said that not only would the grant be restored and increased to $15,000 but also, his Administration would be doubling the allowance for uniforms. This means that the uniform voucher allowance will be $4000 per child

in the public school system.

Just last month, days after taking office, Minister Manickchand said the grants are expected to provide relief for approximately 187,000 students in the system and are, therefore, expected to channel a $1.87 billion allocation.

To further expand, the President announced that

$200 million has been set aside to support the expansion efforts. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo noted that spending the $200 million would see better ways of connecting with the students. He noted that they are also thinking of the students in the hinterland who may not have access to a television. (G12)

Tour guides trained in CPR delivery, first aid

The CPR training in progress

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he Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) this week facilitated a first aid and CPR training for 19 tour guides, tour operators and employees of established hotels, in strengthening efforts to protect travellers during their stay

in the country.

The session saw participants of Roraima Duke Lodge, Caribbean Inn, Trailmasters, Adventure Guianas and the Jungle Bug, in addition to GTA members.

TURN TO PAGE 13

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Labour Ministry probing death of pork-knocker in mining accident …as miners urged to comply with protocols

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he Labour Ministry has launched an investigation in relation to the 59year old man who lost his life after a mining pit collapsed on Wednesday.

Donston John died at a mining pit at Konawaruk Backdam at Whitewater Mountain, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), after rocks caved in on him. In light of the accident, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Department will be working in conjunction with the Labour Ministry for an urgent but thorough investigation of this matter, a statement revealed on Friday.

After the probe is completed, a report will be compiled and submitted. Meanwhile, the

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat has since encouraged miners to comply with all protocols and guidelines in accordance with the Mining Act and regulations. Both Ministries have since extended condolences to the bereaved family.

According to reports, John, also called “Rambo” of St Francis Mission, Mahaicony River, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and a 63-year-old Pork-knocker of Kamarang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), were working as punters with a three-inch pump and their detectors at Whitewater Backdam.

They were, however, joined by two other punters - a 52-yearold of Samantha Point, Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara

(EBD), and a 49-year-old man of Wakapao, Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

As the men were working at the edge of a hill, several big rocks reportedly fell on the victim while the others managed to run to safety. Moments after, the men returned to the scene and after several hours of digging out the debris, the lifeless body of John was pulled.

The police were summoned to the scene and the body was escorted to Mahdia Regional Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem. The police are continuing their investigations.

This is not the first time such an accident has occurred, and it has been happening in mining sites across the country. In the latest incident, a pit-

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

man attached to a private mining company at Blackwater Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), was killed last July after the mining pit in which he was working collapsed.

Louis Armstrong, 55, of Meadowbank, Greater

Georgetown, was working on a six-inch dredge when the pit caved in, thus pinning him.

Last October, a geologist attached to Troy Resources mining operations at Karouni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), was killed after the mining pit in which he was working collapsed.

Ryan Taylor, 33, of Alberttown, Georgetown, and three others were working on the construction of a “bench” in a mining pit, when there was a slippage, which allegedly resulted in him falling and being covered.

It was later disclosed by the company that at about 02:25h on the night shift, the geologist was standing above an ex-

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton

cavated working face when the three-metre embankment he was standing on collapsed and he suffered fatal injuries as a consequence.

It took some time to get Taylor from under the rubble and by the time he was pulled, it was too late. (G12)

NEWS

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Disappearance of case files, fraud, victimisation complaints made against Judiciary – Ombudsman reports

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isappearance of case files, fraud, victimisation during trials and dissatisfaction with the court’s decision were among the complaints made by citizens against the Judiciary (court system) during the period May 17, 2017, to December 31, 2018, Ombudsman, Retired Justice Winston Patterson stated in his most recent report tabled in Parliament on Wednesday.

According to the report, citizens also complained of injustice, too many postponements of court matters, failure to get a date for hearing after a request for hearing was filed, delays in Judges’ decisions, delays in appeal hearings and trials because of records not being ready. While these complaints were advised accordingly, the Ombudsman said that his office is precluded by the Constitution of Guyana from investigating the commencement or conduct of civil or criminal proceedings in court.

Complaints were also filed against Magistrates for rendering unfair decisions, sexual insults in court, denial of the right to have an attorney-at-law and behaving in an aggressive and abusive manner in court. According to the report, persons also made complaints against legal practitioners (lawyers) for failure to attend court and represent their client, too many requests for postponement, lack of communication with clients, deficiency and lack of profes-

Ombudsman, Retired Judge Winston Patterson

sionalism.

“In some of these situations, I contacted the attorneys-at-law, informing them of the complainant’s grievances and sought to obtain the information needed. In other cases, I referred the complainants to the relevant authority to advance their concerns,” Justice Patterson noted in the report.

Complaints against the police include wrongful dismissal, denial of benefits and Police not taking action after a complaint was lodged. These cases were, however, referred to the Police Complaint Authority and the Commissioner of Police for action to be taken.

In addition, persons also made complaints on behalf of prisoners. Those complaints had to do with the delay of preliminary inquiry and trials before the High Court; query of their parole and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) benefits. The relevant authorities were in-

Tour guides trained...

FROM PAGE 11

Instructor attached to the Guyana Training College for International Skills (GTCI), Melissa Alstrom would have facilitated both days of training at Duke Lodge.

As part of the Authority’s licensing system, tour guides and tourism accommodation establishments are required to have first aid and CPR certification before a licence can be issued. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown a greater need for such skills.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced how important it is for persons within the tourism industry to be very well trained in administering an above-average level of first aid and CPR care in emergency situations. For two days, these sessions aimed to ensure that once travel restarts, the industry will be adequately prepared to safely host local and international travellers,” the GTA insisted.

Over the two-day sessions, participants were guided through practical, hands-on scenarios involving coaching each other to maximise individual skills.

Through this, and the mandatory practical examination, they will be able to

implement a coordinated response in emergency scenarios which will ultimately build confidence to respond to emergency situations.

This caters for time management and reducing the potential for fatalities.

Some of the critical areas of the training session included breathing and airway obstruction emergencies, cardiac emergencies and CPR chest compressions, soft tissue injuries, muscle, bone and joint injuries and positioning and moving a casualty, among others.

“The GTA remains committed to elevating the quality of service provided by the tourism sector and will be hosting a series of training programmes throughout 2020 to strengthen the capacity of the travel and tourism industry workforce. To support businesses and tour guides affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Authority has waived all training fees for GTA-led training programmes and is offering a 50 per cent subsidy for first aid training led by recognised training institutions.” This offer is open until December 31, 2020.

(G12)

formed of these complaints and complainants were advised accordingly.

Meanwhile, the Ombudsman disclosed that complaints were received from members of the public in relation to land disputes among family members and between neighbours, landlord and tenant and business transactions. The report pointed out that these complaints were not investigated because the Constitution precludes the Ombudsman from carrying out investigation against certain institutions, and in certain matters.

The investigation of the Ombudsman is done by correspondence. While some of them are answered within a reasonable time, others are answered after several reminders and some remain unanswered, the report pointed out.

In this regard, Justice Patterson has commended the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Prison Service

among others for their cooperation and prompt response to most of his correspondences. He stated that he hopes that other Government departments and agencies will emulate them.

The main task of the Office of the Ombudsman is to investigate whether there is or there is not, any act of maladministration eg error,

negligence, delay, discrimination, misapplication or misinterpretation of the law.

In that regard, for the period May 17, 2017, to December 31, 2018, the Office of the Ombudsman received a total of 229 complaints. Of the 229 complaints, 91 of them were outside of the jurisdiction of his Office and were referred

to the relevant authorities. One hundred and thirty-eight (138) of these complaints were investigated, of which 30 are still pending with the relevant authorities.

More than 70 per cent of the complaints made were by persons who walked in seeking advice and assistance.

Single parents, young professionals will own homes – Rodrigues

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inister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, while speaking on the NCN programme “Budget 2020”, assured that single parents, young professionals and all categories of earners will not only receive keys to their own homes but will have the necessary assistance throughout the process.

Minister Rodrigues is quoted in a Department of Public Information (DPI) report as saying, “the agenda we are trying push at Housing and Water, is not just to boast that we give away many house lots, thousands of house lots but rather, give it to persons who need assistance for financing or maybe they can’t even afford the land that they are allocated, where it is allocated or what category.”

She explained that work

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues

will be executed on a case by case basis, to help persons to not just receive their land allocation, but to build and own their own houses, to shelter their families and be comfort-

able in life.

“We are looking at single parents and young professionals, trying to give them a home. To those who may have constant finance strain and

are in a career, may not have the time to go and build but may be ready to move into a home through a loan and we can provide that home for them,” the DPI report quoted Rodrigues as saying.

The Minister added that packages will be designed to benefit all categories, the low income, the very low income and high income.

“Our Government is of the belief that the construction industry can drive the economy and create jobs, we also promised to create fifty thousand jobs and a lot of those jobs will come from the construction sector. So, we want to drive that industry, so that the contractors, carpenters, masons, and trucks owners, retail stores, everybody gets to participate in building a home and an economy, because we want to create jobs and get monies back into persons’ pockets.”

Persons caught spewing race hate...

FROM PAGE 9

President Ali reminded of his stance on this issue and pointed to his recent, public statement, condemning such acts.

He said, “I addressed racist statements on social media and I just came from other communities who have the same fear. If we all have the same fear then we should all work on the same solution. That is why I said in my statement that we will address very sternly, using all the laws, those who are using social media to spread hate, those who are using social media to spread racism and those who are using social media to divide us. That is why I

also said, through the international Commission of Inquiry (CoI), we have to examine all these statements.

It does not help you, it does not help me, it does not help the community, it does not help the country. That is why I am out here today, to tell you that as President, I am leading a Government that wants to work with everybody”.

President Ali’s meeting with the Paradise/ Belladrum community followed his visit to the relatives of slain teenagers Haresh Singh and cousins Joel Henry and Isaiah Henry in Number Three Village, WCB, and the fam-

ily of Prettipaul Hargobin, who was also killed during the protest action that erupted along the West Coast Berbice corridor.

Earlier in the week, the President had called on Guyanese not to use the horrific and gruesome deaths of the teenagers to divide or separate citizens. He had stressed that persons need to be conscious of the implications that their statements, comments and social media posts can have.

This came on the heels of inciting statements made by Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon and APNU Leader, former President David Granger, who have

been heavily criticised over the past days for using the deaths of teenagers for political gain.

The murders of the Henry cousins, whose bodies were found on Sunday, had sparked widespread public outrage and resulted in residents along the West Coast Berbice corridor protesting for several days. However, those protests turned violent after persons began setting fire to debris on the roadways and attacking commuters attempting to pass.

Reports were made of persons being beaten and robbed while vehicles were burnt and destroyed, causing millions in losses. (G8)

14 NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Human Rights body approaches UN for forensic experts to probe WCB murders

T

he Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) has approached the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka, with a view of having international forensic experts investigate the recent heinous murders of young men in West Coast Berbice (WCB).

In making the announcement via a statement on Thursday, the GHRA said the UN is currently reviewing its request as well as the “logistical implications of it”.

The young men who have been brutally murdered are cousins 16-year-old Isaiah Henry and 19-year-old Joel Henry, as well as 17-yearold Haresh Singh.

According to the Human Rights body, the chief purpose of this initiative is to provide the families and the entire country with a trustworthy version of the events surrounding the murders “in order to counter the problem that every political incident in Guyana generates two narratives”.

The human rights group explained that “without an impartial version of the truth, acceptable to all right-minded Guyanese, these events will inevitably join the catalogue of unresolved atrocities embedded in Guyanese ethnic folklore. Such events are never allowed to be conclusively buried. They survive in a mythical realm leaving the listener unsure whether the event had occurred in

Isaiah Henry

the 1960s, 1997, 2003 and so on.”

The organisation also explained that the international forensic investigation aims to bring the society “to recognise how close to the precipice we, as a society, have brought ourselves.”

“While instinctive horror at the murders is widespread across ethnic divides, no one, particularly the political leaderships, can claim to be really shocked. All thinking Guyanese have spent the last five months fearful that reckless political rhetoric, inflamed by the pernicious use of social media, would ignite this titfor-tat vigilante justice – our modern-day version of “lynching,” the GHRA explained.

Thirdly, the organisation noted that the assistance

from the international community will “serve as a confidence-building measure to re-assure ourselves that we can bring crises of this nature to a peaceful resolution”.

Additionally, the Association said the forensic expertise will boost the investigation of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), specifically, “to have the back-up of independent international expertise to ascertain the circumstances of the murders and to facilitate the implementation of the process of justice”.

The GHRA added that another aim of this initiative is preventative, noting that a visit of this nature would inject an impartial international element into the situation, deterring any momentum towards a greater national crisis.

However, the organisation noted that a number of conditions have to be met for a visit of this nature to occur. Some are specific to United Nations involvement since Guyana is a Member State while other requirements would apply to experts from any source. These include authorisation by the Government; access to medical records; authorisation to conduct an independent autopsy which requires access to a medical lab and all that goes with it; permission from the family; security assessment for possible need to protect the expert; coordination with the police

Joel Henry

and Judiciary; collaboration from local, legal and medical actors; access to any independent local investigation; cooperation from relevant civil society actors; and responsible support from the mainstream press and social media.

The police had initially arrested seven persons for the murders of the Henry boys. But on Thursday, four of those suspects were released on station bail after their 72-hour detention period had expired.

In relation to the murder of Singh, as of Thursday, no arrest has yet been made.

The badly-mutilated bodies of the Henry boys were discovered in a backdam in West Berbice on Sunday while the body of Singh was found in another backdam on Wednesday.

All three teens suffered brutal deaths. The Henry boys died as a result of haemorrhage and shock, and their spines were severed.

Singh died as a result of a brain haemorrhage, blunt trauma to the head, compounded by compression injuries to the neck.

As it relates to the autopsy performed on the bodies of the Henry boys, the family’s lawyer, Nigel Hughes, took photos and videos, which he has since indicated he will be sending to overseas experts for further evaluation.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has also announced that he will be seeking international help to probe the murders as well as the unrest which followed.

In an address to the nation on Wednesday, President Ali said he will be reaching out to the British Government and the Regional Security System to come to Guyana in support of the Police Force’s investigative capacity.

The Head of State also

Haresh Singh

announced that he was exploring the commissioning of an International Commission of Inquiry (CoI) “to look at every aspect of this situation, to look beyond what took place on the ground, to look at the behaviours that came about as a result of statements made”.

And thirdly, President Ali said he has asked Attorney General Anil Nandlall to explore, within the United Nations system, all means available to hold to account all those who spread race hate and instigate racial strife. (G11)

Family attacked, beaten at Mahaicony during unrest

Pensioner beaten, robbed, car set alight during WCB protest

P

ersons are continuing to come forward to relate their horror after being attacked during the West Coast Berbice (WCB) unrests over the past few days.

The protesters were demanding justice for cousins 16-year-old Isaiah and 19-yearold Joel Henry, whose mutilated bodies were found at a backdam at Cotton Tree, WCB, on Sunday.

On Friday, Jerome Basdeo, a pensioner, related that he was stripped of his clothes, robbed, beaten and his car set ablaze by protesters at Mahaicony, Region Five.

The 65-year-old man of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, came under attack while he was stuck at one of the roadblocks.

Basdeo reportedly left his home on Wednesday morning to drop a Jamaican friend, who was left stranded in Guyana due to the coronavirus pandemic, to Mahaicony.

However, as he entered Mahaicony, the car was intercepted by angry protesters, who punctured all four of the tyres. Shortly after, bricks were hurled at the car and soon after, they were pulled from the vehicle.

During the ordeal, the pensioner was relieved of his pouch containing $15,000 in cash and a 15-pennyweight gold chain. They then took off all of his clothes, leaving him with just his boxers. He was also beaten repeatedly with cutlasses, and was gun-butted. Basdeo said his Jamaican friend tried to help him, but he too was slapped to the face, and robbed of his wallet. <<<Guyana Times>>> understands that the angry protesters did not stop there. They then doused Basdeo’s car with a flammable substance and set it alight. His NIS card, ID card, driver’s license and old age pension book were all burnt in the fire.

The lorry that came under attack

N Chop wounds on the pensioner’s arm

During the ordeal, Basdeo attempted to escape but the protesters started to stone him. He was also chopped on his forearm in his escape bid.

The man and his friend reportedly ran for some distance until they were rescued by residents in the area. He and his friend were both given $500, a pair of pants and a shirt.

They eventually got a lift to Mahaica where they made a report to the police.

Basdeo was subsequently sent to the hospital to receive medical treatment. The man is presently home and is recuperating but is still traumatised by the ordeal.

ew details have emerged about a motor lorry driver and his family who were attacked and their vehicle destroyed at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

This occurred during a roadblock at the Mahaicony area, as persons were protesting for justice after the brutal murders of 16-year-old Isaiah Henry and 19-yearold Joel Henry whose bodies were found at a coconut farm at Cotton Tree, almost one day after they went missing.

Jagdesh Narine and his family were heading to Black Bush Polder to pick up their “load” to take to the market, when they were attacked.

The incident occurred in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

“We were attacked by about seven to ten armed

The lorry’s windows that were broken during the attack

person. They were armed with cutlass, wood, another stuff. We were on our way to Black Bush to pick up load to take to the market, because we live up the East Coast”, the man said.

Narine said they would usually leave early in the morning to make it up to Berbice in time, hence the reason for them going in that direction that early.

However, Guyana Times understands that as they approached the area, they were attacked by the angry mob and their vehicle windows were shattered.

“We narrowly escape death that morning. Where is the police when you need them?”

Also, a man, and his family, which included a baby, came under attack at the same location on Thursday

evening. They were all beaten and robbed of their monies and jewellery.

The child reportedly received injuries to her head while the other occupants received injuries about their bodies.

The protests which started off as a movement to demand justice for the Henry boys in West Coast Berbice, quickly descended into lawlessness where persons were being attacked and robbed.

Only on Wednesday, a US citizen and her family were terrorised and robbed, and their car almost set on fire amid the protests in West Berbice.

The woman and her family were robbed of $300,000, a cellphone, and other items after the car they were travelling in came under attack at Hopetown, WCB.

NEWS

15

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt seeking supermarkets, shops to supply groceries for COVID-19 public assistance T

he Government of Guyana is seeking shops and supermarkets to supply canned and bottled food products, and dry and fresh ration for Phase Two of the COVID-19 public assistance voucher programme. The objective of the programme is to provide relief to vulnerable citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic through the supply of hampers and care items.

Through newspaper advertisements, the Government invited supermarkets and shops in all re-

gions to partake. Interested suppliers are being asked to submit Expressions of Interest to supply bottled and canned food products, as well as dry and fresh ration at an estimated value between $25,000 and $32,000 monthly per voucher.

According to the ad, suppliers who are successful will have to ensure that their business has adequate space that is in compliance with the Health Ministry’s social distancing guidelines and the establishment of

sanitation facilities.

Expression of Interest Forms and Selection Criteria can be uplifted from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) in Georgetown or the office of the Regional Executive Officers between 09:00h and 15:00h from September 1029, 2020. Expressions may also be requested via email from pavpgy@gmail.com.

Interested persons or authorised representatives are advised to submit completed forms along with valid Business

Collaborative approach needed to clear Corentyne Highway of derelict vehicles – Minister

This truck was parked at Number 47 Village Corentyne for more than three years

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collaborative approach between several Ministries is needed to clear the Corentyne Highway, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), of derelict vehicles. This is according to Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall.

Residents use the shoulders of the roads as a vehicle cemetery on the Corentyne and authorities have been shirking the blame. The police and by extension the Home Affairs Ministry have said that the roads belong to

This large combine was dumped at Number 65 Village more than a decade ago

This dragline, which is out of order and belongs to an NDC, was left on the road for more than three years

the Public Works Ministry, hence, it is that Ministry’s responsibility to have the road’s shoulders cleared.

However, the Public Works Ministry said it is the Local Government Ministry through the local Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) which have the responsibility, while the NDCs point to the police.

The huge number of derelict vehicles left on the

bers injured when the car in which they were travelling slammed into a parked truck at Number 58 Village.

Every year there are persons who die on the Corentyne Highway as a result of derelict vehicles which continue to pose a danger for all road users.

Minister Dharamlall, during a visit to the Region, said that no one Ministry is responsible while noting that a collaborative ap-

shoulders on the Corentyne Highway has been a worrying issue and comes to the fore whenever a road accident occurs as a result of some derelict vehicle.

On New Year’s Day 2019, a hire car driver, Jaggernauth Ramkarran, of Crabwood Creek died after slamming into a parked tractor at Number 67 Village.

On April 18, 2018, a mother of one was killed and other family mem-

proach must be implemented.

“I don’t think it is the police’s responsibility. I think it has to be a collaborative approach between the Ministry of Public works and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development with support from the police. I think the onus is on our Ministry to make sure that we clear the road of derelict vehicles or derelict pieces which is a work in hand which will be enhanced next year,” Dharamlall said.

Some hire car owners leave their unwanted vehicles on the parapet and revisit it only if they need a part while heavy-duty machinery is also discarded by being placed on the road’s shoulders.

In fact, the 52-74 NDC last month publicly stated that it has an unwanted dragline which they chose to leave on the road’s shoulder for years.

Registration or Certificate of Registration and recent National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Compliance Certificates to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Main and Urquhart Streets, Georgetown, or before 09:00h on Wednesday, September 30, 2020.

The documents must be placed in a sealed envelope and clearly marked “Expression of Interest to supply items under the COVID-19 Voucher Assistance Programme - Phase 2” and deposited into the Tender Box at NPTAB offices. Expression of Interest forms submitted via email will not be accepted. The CDC reserves the right to accept or reject any Expression of Interest.

Meanwhile, in May 2020, the then Government

had also advertised for eligible shops and supermarkets to submit Expression of Interest for the supply of canned and bottled food products, and dry and fresh ration.

That initiative had focused on homes where one or more individuals experienced a loss in earnings as a result of the COVID pandemic, single-parent homes, elderly persons and those living with disabilities. In early July, it was announced that 12,000 applications for assistance were received. A majority of persons who applied for Government’s assistance hailed from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Most of the applicants’ primary need was food. At the time, however, it was unclear where the then APNU/AFC Government was sourcing funds for the programme since the country’s last national budget

was passed since December 2018 and the post-elections dilemma and the limits placed on the Contingency Fund stymied the economy.

In its emergency budget presented on Wednesday, the PPP/C Government allocated $4.5 billion to cater for a $25,000 per household COVID-19 relief.

Government said it is cognisant of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on life in every single community. While some communities may not feel the impact as significantly as others, it said that the damage to local economies is real.

As such, Government has set aside $25,000 per household for COVID-19 relief. It is Government’s hope that this will help in some way to support families in ensuring that all Guyanese are able to put basic food items on the table.

Family of burnt teen calls out Police for dragging feet on probe

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lmost a month after a South Sophia, Greater Georgetown teen was doused with gasoline and set alight by 15 men, his family has expressed disappointment at the manner in which Police are handling the probe.

As such, Handel Payne, 18, of Lot 75 Block E Sophia, and his relatives are frustrated since the police are giving them a royal-run-around.

The family revealed that since the incident, no arrests have been made and the suspects continue to roam the street freely.

They said Payne has been making several visits to the police station, and he is being told that they are still investigating.

Recently, one of the suspect’s vehicle was towed away by Police in efforts to capture him but they were not informed if the suspect was eventually arrested.

“There are no new developments so far, it is just stagnant right now, everything is at standstill, and we are not getting no information. The other guys have not been arrested as yet, it’s just at a standstill,” a relative stated.

“They told us sometime back that they were waiting on something to get them arrested but I don’t know what happened. I don’t even know if they give back the boy his vehicle. It is frustrating to know that you have to be up, down and you’re not getting proper follow-up on what is happening”.

The teen’s family said they are so frustrated to the point that they want to give up and forget about the incident.

It was reported that Payne was at a friend’s house on the day of the inci-

Burnt: Handel Payne

dent when the group of men pulled up and accused him of being involved in an offence, to which he is clueless.

Shortly after, they picked him up from where he was and took him to a location somewhere in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, where they dragged him out of the car and began to beat him.

The teen alleged that whilst he was being beaten, his abductors doused him with gasoline and set him alight. He had told this publication that he recognised two of the men who committed the act while stating that one of them resides not far away from his home.

Payne narrated that after he was lit afire, he fought to get his clothes off.

However, after a while, the

men quenched the fire on the young man’s body by throwing water on him. He claimed that his attackers then threw him into the car, and took him to the police station.

While at the police station, Payne alleged that he was thrown at the back of a police truck by some officers and the same persons who set him ablaze and taken to the Georgetown Hospital.

He sustained first and second degree burns to his neck, torso, arms, hands, and back.

While the lad remains adamant that he did not commit the crime, he said he continues to fear for his life with the men still on the loose.

Meanwhile, efforts made to contact Commander of A division Simon McBean on Friday were futile.

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Keith Lowenfield’s fraud charges trial to begin on October 26

…DPP a no-show at court

T

he case against embattled Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield was adjourned on Friday after the representative of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) did not turn up at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Lowenfield, along with Senior Counsel Neil Boston, showed up at the courthouse where the decision of the DPP, Shalimar Ali-Hack, on whether the charges will be withdrawn, was supposed to be presented. His attorney had previously written the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to review the charges in a bid to dismiss them.

However, the parties were asked to have all files ready

by October 9, and the trial will follow thereafter, on October 26.

Private charges were initially filed by citizens, Josh Kanhai and Desmond Morian, accusing Lowenfield of three counts of fraud. On July 24, the Chief Elections Officer made his first court appearance, where he was slapped

with three private criminal charges regarding conspiracy to commit fraud, misconduct in public office and breach of trust. The case was postponed on August 14 after his lawyers asked the DPP to review the charges in a bid to dismiss them.

The National Recount exercise showed the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic winning the elections with 233,336 votes. But Lowenfield had repeatedly refused to submit his final elections report with those figures despite being so directed by the GECOM Chair.

Kanhai, a member of The New Movement party, filed a charge which stated that between March 5 and June 23, 2020, the CEO conspired with person(s) unknown to commit the common law offence of fraud when he submitted his election report dated June 23 to include figures that altered the results of the elections.

Meanwhile, Morian contended that Lowenfield, while performing his du-

Compelling evidence

File photo: Embattled Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

ties as CEO of GECOM, ascertained the results of the March 2 elections “knowing the said results to be false, the said wilful misconduct amounting to a breach of the public’s trust in the office which he presides.

Morian later filed another private criminal charge, contending that Lowenfield conspired with a person or persons un-

13 new COVID-19...

FROM PAGE 2

“COVID-19 has no doubt disrupted and changed our lives. For many Guyanese, living through the pandemic has led to heightened anxiety and unease. Some are still trying to cope with the new realities of working from home, working on a temporary basis, taking of our children all day, or homeschooling our young ones. Some are still trying to come to grips with new guidelines which restrict social activities and, in some cases, have led to a lack of physical contact with family members and friends,” the Minister stated.

Dr Anthony went on to say that as a consequence of the struggles of being isolated, flattening the curve and reducing the spread of COVID-19 require sacrific-

es and adaptation of new strategies to stay connected with loved ones virtually.

As the number of COVID-19 cases increases, he outlined that the number of healthcare providers involved in managing the crisis is increasing.

“Our healthcare and essential workers who put their lives on the line every day to care for and treat COVID-19 patients are faced with challenges of stigma and discrimination.

Many of our healthcare workers have been denied entry to public transportation and the community due to the perception that they may be infected and could transmit the virus to others. This puts them at higher risk of developing psychological problems,” he posited.

Further, the Health Minister noted that the occasional absence of doctors, nurses and other essential workers from daily operations at medical facilities can have a shattering impact on service delivery.

As such, he asserted that stigma and discrimination must be rooted out of society.

On this note, he highlighted that the Health Ministry, through its Mental Health Unit, will continue to work with its partners in health to provide psychological support to those affected by the deadly COVID-19 disease.

In fact, they have begun providing guidance and advice for healthcare workers, people in isolation and those in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit.

“We are committed to creating an environment in which everyone has someone to turn to for psychological support. As we observe Caribbean Wellness Day, we, therefore, urge everyone to stay well… Check on people around you, and stay connected despite social distancing. In the absence of being able to see your friends and family in person, a video call could help to bridge the gap. Let us stay stronger and healthier together at all times, and even more so during these COVID-19 times in which we live,” Dr Anthony stated.

The Caricom Conference of Heads of Government in 2007 had declared the second Saturday in September as Caribbean Wellness Day. (G8)

known to use Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo’s fraudulent figures to prepare a report that was submitted to the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh, back in March.

After Lowenfield was released on $450,000 bail, the attorney-at-law representing the litigants, Glenn Hanoman, told Guyana Times in a telephone interview that they have compelling evidence to support the charges filed against the GECOM official. These statements came after Boston hurled allegations that the litigants were unprepared.

Last month, the DPP discontinued private criminal charges that were filed against GECOM Chairwoman, Retired Justice Claudette Singh by three APNU/AFC supporters. In the letter, dated August 3, the DPP invoked Article 187 (1) (c) of the Constitution of Guyana.

She informed the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, that in the exercise of her constitutional power, she was discontinuing the misconduct in pub-

lic office charges against Justice Singh – charges that were criticised for being devoid of legal basis and “below nuisance value”.

Meanwhile, Lowenfield is also under Police investigation. The Guyana Police Force had said it launched a probe into criminal conduct by Lowenfield and others in relation to the events of the March 2 elections.

He is accused of attempting to undermine the will of the people by repeatedly refusing to submit the verified recount results to the GECOM Chair for a declaration. Legal advice was obtained from the DPP and the Force was advised to launch a comprehensive investigation into these allegations in accordance with its mandate. On August 24, it was indicated that the DPP was still reviewing documents from the Lowenfield case. This was disclosed after the CEO showed up for his third court appearance. (G12)

Poultry producers welcome budget measures …say will help industry recover from tremendous losses

T

he Guyana Poultry Producers Association (GPPA) on Friday expressed its gratitude to President Dr Irfaan Ali for the budget measures announced to sustain the industry.

GPPA, which represents thousands of small, medium and large-scale farmers countrywide, said that it is aware that the current economic situation, which is further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to difficult circumstances and challenges for the Government and so these measures are greatly appreciated.

These measures, the Association added, will go a long way toward helping the industry to recover from the tremendous losses felt in the first half of 2020.

“These important measures will benefit the non-traditional agricultural sector immensely and we hope that the industry will use these concessions in an effort to make the sector more efficient and ultimately benefit the consumer,” GPPA stated, adding that the incentives for the largescale cultivation of corn and soya bean can be a transformative development for the livestock industry in the

Caribbean.

On Monday, during the presentation of the emergency budget, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who has responsibility for Finance, said that with regards to reducing production costs, VAT has already been removed on key inputs in the poultry industry, in addition to reverting it to zero-rated status, and incentives have been created for the production of corn and soybeans, key feedstock inputs. He added that there has already been the removal of VAT on fertilisers, agrochemicals, pesticides, and key inputs in the poultry industry and zero-rating of the poultry industry.

“In order to ensure that all inputs into poultry production are made affordable, with effect from October 1st, 2020, there will be no VAT on fertilisers, agrochemicals, pesticides and key inputs in the poultry sector including poultry feed, building materials and packaging. We will also be reverting the poultry industry to zero-rated VAT status,” the Minister said, adding that this will boost the sector’s production across small, medium and large-scale producers.

“Poultry farmers across the country can now accelerate expansion plans so that they can take advantage of the increased demand for poultry while keeping prices to consumers affordable,” he added.

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 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

Preying on the dead Dear Editor, A friend made the following remark, “Isn’t it odd and strangely coincidental that morbid and ghastly things happen at certain juncture of PNC’s political life?”

This thought was put to me during a conversation with a fellow Guyanese in New York, and after careful examination of the events, I must admit that they all give the same cryptic revelation: Are we preying on the dead?

So, let us examine a few of these events.

We begin with the year 1992, when the PNC lost the election to the PPP/C. Immediately thereafter, there were riots and other horrendous acts which left buildings burnt to the ground, and there were lootings and killings. This went on for some months, before good sense prevailed and the PPP/C Government of the day could get on with nation building.

Election 1997, and again the PPP/C won by a landslide. This brought out the ire of the PNC, and they took to the streets, looting and burning. Georgetown became a towering inferno. For two long years, they kept up this savagery, driving fear and foreboding in the city. Persons dreaded coming into the city to conduct business for fear of being attacked, or even killed.

I pause here to mention the name Donna McKinnon, a central figure in the 1997-1999 riots. She was a pregnant woman from Buxton, who died in childbirth - whether it was in Buxton or wherever - but not at the place where her body was located. Her body was miraculously found in the vacant lot next to Freedom House. The PNC rumour mill immediately went to work, spreading the erroneous news that Mrs Jagan shot the victim dead. This was a boldfaced lie, but

Hoyte used that opportunity to intensify the armed struggle in the streets of Georgetown. It is seemingly a national pastime of the PNC to prey on the dead.

There are a few things we must note in the McKinnon case. It must be noted that she did not die in the place where her body was found. In fact, the post-mortem examination revealed that she had died a long time before her body was found, and rigor mortice had already begun.

This is similar to the Henry Boys’ situation. Those boys were not murdered at the location where their bodies were found, nor can motive for their killing be attributed to race or politics, yet the PNC is injecting those very allegations to fuel the hate. This dance with death, this exploitation of the dead, is another appalling strategy used by the PNC to divide us.

I am tempted to believe that that party’s motive is to divide us.

Let us fast forward to the 2015 Election and the brutal murder of Courtney CrumEwing, and I ask this question: Was this another strange coincidence? Was this another preying-on-the-dead situation?

You are talking about a strong supporter of the PNC Party being gunned down three (3) days before the election. The Granger forces blamed it squarely on the PPP/C, and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Well, as was expected, the PNC won the election and took control of the reins of power, but instead of making the investigation of Crum-Ewing’s murder a priority, Granger went along his merry way as if that murder/death never occurred. It makes me wonder who were the real intellectual authors behind Crum-Ewing’s death. To so callously treat the death of a supporter of your cause speaks volumes of your Judas-type concern for his death,

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as if you ever had concern for him in the first place?

It tells me how brutal these PNC people can be just to get a grab at power.

So, back to the point: It is strangely coincidental that at certain critical junctures these morbid things tend to take centre stage. Very suspicious are the goings-on when these killings occur.

What is taking place right now is a repeat of bygone years, wherein the losers, PNC, refused to accept defeat, and are now using the morbid experiences of the dead to mount deadly protests.

Why use the dead to make a political statement? Why go out to campaign at the home of the dead? At the news of the death of these boys, Granger and Harmon descended on Number 3 Village, preaching hate. Harmon is quoted as saying, “We have to defend ourselves,” which is indicative of Hoyte’s armed approach in the 1997 riots; and, “We will remove this Government from office.” These are statements which all add up to violence and racial segregation.

Is this another case of The Rwandan Experience, wherein Tutsis and Hutus were pitted against each other: neighbour against neighbour, friend against friend, and race against race? Is this the Guyana we are building, or the place that we want our children to grow up in?

Instead of going gracefully into retirement, Mr Granger is exploiting these boys’ deaths to foment strife and discord.

Is this really about the Henry boys, or is it just another PNC rabid obsession with power? I leave this matter in the hands of The Almighty!

Tenets of many faiths speak to common humanity, sanctity, dignity Dear Editor, The nation has been rocked by the tragic and senseless deaths of Isaiah Henry and Joel Henry in Region Five, and the aftershocks of the deaths of others. No one would be more shaken than the parents and families of the victims: by the sudden separation from their loved ones, compound by the gruesome means by which they met their demise.

First and foremost, our prayers, condolences and empathy go out to these families. The nation ought to be very troubled by these events, and we have seen a widely shared consternation and indignation. Some of this has been channelled into peaceful expressions of protestation, grief, and solidarity with the families. But we have also seen, and sadly so, responses that have been violent, irresponsible, divisive, and exploitative.

When the disciples were arguing about who among them was the greatest, Jesus intervened and said emphatically, “This must not happen to you. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves” (Lk 22:26).

While what has been happening over the last few days has had elements of persons or groups motivated to dominate, the words of Jesus fall on the whole nation: to call on attitudes and actions that would express protection and care affirmation for each other.

In many of the responses to the recent events, I have heard reference to times past: when good relations, neighbourly gestures, and care in communities were very present; and there has been a lament that such ways of being seem now to be sparse.

This must not happen to us. The tenets or our many faiths speak eloquently of our common humanity, its sanctity and dignity; and it is the people of faith who are called upon to give life to these tenets.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Sincerely, Bishop Francis Alleyne Roman Catholic Church

SYMPTOMS

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

Fever People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice. They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.

If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people.

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

Muscle pain

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have New loss of taste mild illness. or smell

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

Regional

Peruvian lawmakers debate HRW: Terrorism charges against Morales “politically motivated” Vizcarra impeachment over leaked tapes T

P

eruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Friday faced a fresh challenge to his leadership after leaked audio recordings of him discussing a fraud case with staffers prompted lawmakers to call for him to be impeached.

Members of Congress heard recordings of two private conversations between Vizcarra and Government officials about his meetings with Richard Cisneros, a little-known singer.

Cisneros, also known as Richard Swing, was awarded Government contracts for motivational talks worth 175,400 soles (US$49,500) which are now being investigated by Congress and the Auditor General because of his alleged links to the presidency.

Lawmakers said the recordings showed Vizcarra attempting to downplay his meetings with Cisneros. On Friday, they sought congressional approval to begin impeachment proceedings against the President for “moral incapacity.”

The latest fracas between

Peru’s President Martin Vizcarra addresses the nation, as he announces he was dissolving Congress, at the Government palace in Lima, Peru, September 30, 2019

Vizcarra and Congress, a mosaic of parties from the left and right with no overall majority, risks plunging the world’s second-largest copper producer further into crisis. It is already reeling from one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks on the continent and faces the worst recession in three decades.

Vizcarra took office two years ago after former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski’s resignation over allegations of corrup-

tion. Last September, he faced down a previous attempt to impeach him for incapacity.

He claimed on Thursday night that the recordings had been doctored and accused Congress of seeking to “destabilize democracy, to take control of the government to allow the reelection of congressmen and postponement of elections,” due next year. He has already confirmed he will not run again. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Colombia Minister issues apology, seeks to restore calm after deadly protests

C

olombia’s Defence Minister apologised on Friday on behalf of the police for the death of a man in custody that has sparked two nights of protests in capital Bogota and satellite city Soacha, leaving 13 dead and hundreds injured.

Demonstrators have taken to the streets for consecutive nights to protest the death on Wednesday of Javier Ordonez, 46. A widely-shared video filmed by Ordonez’s friend showed the father of two being repeatedly shocked with a stun gun by Police. He died later in a hospital.

The video of Ordonez shows him pinned to the ground by police officers

and subjected to successive electric shocks early on Wednesday as he begs, “please, no more.”

Police said Ordonez was found drinking alcohol in the street with friends in violation of coronavirus distancing rules. Two police officers implicated in Ordonez’s death face charges of abusing authority and homicide. They have already been suspended and will be fired from the Force.

A further five officers have been suspended in connection with Ordonez’s death, Trujillo said.

Seven people aged between 17 and 27 years old died after being shot in

Bogota during protests on Wednesday, according to the Mayor’s office, while the national Government says three were killed the same night in Soacha.

Three further people died in connection with the protests on Thursday night, including a woman who was hit by a stolen public bus, officials said. Hundreds of civilians have been injured during clashes between protesters and the police, with 73 wounded by gunshots in Bogota, according to local authorities. Just under 200 police officers have also been injured, according to the national Government. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago record deaths from COVID-19

T

he Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago Friday registered two deaths each from the coronavirus as the Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Health in The Bahamas said that there were 93 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2814.

It said that New Providence has 1869 confirmed cases followed by Grand Bahama with 593

and 95 in Abaco. Bimini has 54 confirmed cases.

Trinidad and Tobago health authorities said that the two deaths pushed the total to 45 without providing any more details on the deceased.

They said the island now has 2777 positive cases with 1970 being active cases.

Meanwhile, the main opposition United National Congress (UNC) said while it supports the measures being advocated by the authorities for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and

urge all citizens to continue to practise social distancing, frequent hand washing and mask-wearing, the increasing number of deaths amongst those citizens “who have been unfortunate enough to contract the SARS CoV 2, is worrisome”.

UNC spokesman on health, Dr Lackram P Bodoe said that an issue surrounding one of these recent deaths is the fact that the COVID-19 test result took 17 days to reach the attending physicians. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

errorism charges against former Bolivian President Evo Morales over violence that erupted in the country after he fled the country last year, appear to be “politically motivated”, a rights group has said in a report.

“We looked at the whole case file,” Cesar Munoz, Americas senior researcher at Human Rights Watch (HRW) and author of the report, said on Friday. “We found that the evidence that he [Evo Morales] committed terrorism acts is zero, there is no evidence,” Munoz told Al Jazeera.

“We believe that the case against him is not based on an

interest in upholding the law, but appears to be politically motivated,” he said.

HRW also found that the 20-year prison term sought for Morales’s alleged offence is “wholly disproportionate”.

Morales, Bolivia’s first Indigenous President, was pressured to resign in November last year amid allegations that he committed election fraud, charges that have since been disputed.

The rights group said it had found evidence that Morales, the longest-serving President of the Andean nation and founder of the popular leftwing Movement of Socialism

party (MAS), had used the justice system against his opponents during his 13-year mandate.

Jeanine Anez, a right-wing leader who took over as interim President in a power vacuum last year, promising swift new elections, “had a chance to break with the past and strengthen judicial independence”. “Instead, it turned the justice system into a weapon to be used against their political rivals, and we have seen a wave of criminal investigations and prosecutions of people who are connected to Evo Morales, and Evo Morales himself,” he said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

North American travel advisors say cumbersome Caribbean COVID-19 protocols deterring visitors

A

s several Caribbean destinations try to revive a tourism and hospitality sector ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic and attract visitors and the invaluable tourism dollars they bring, travel experts across the region are blaming cumbersome travel protocols and poor communication as major hurdles.

But, while closing borders was necessary and easy, it’s the protocols of reopening that are the problem. Travel experts in North America reached by this writer for their ideas on the current environment and what they see the travel and tourism sector looking like in the near future are generally optimistic, most assuring that people from the

main related source travel outlets do want to travel.

But, they insist, the last thing those willing and wanting to travel want is what many easily see as uncertainty and unrealistic requirements.

Susan Lange, a travel advisor from Massachusetts in the United States puts it this way: “The constant changing of requirements and protocols, while necessary, are however causing people to be hesitant to book and travel.” In an atmosphere already rife with uncertainty, such a hodge-podge of protocols does little to assure travellers — and at the heart of it all is the issue of testing requirements.

The regional tourism and travel authorities are advised by the travel experts — who

interact with customers on a daily basis — to have clearly-defined policies and ensure they are effectively advertised and communicated in time to the travelling public.

Meanwhile, President and CEO of the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC) Gloria Guevara has urged Governments the world over to rethink testing requirements.

“We urgently need to replace blanket quarantine measures with rapid, comprehensive and cost-effective test and trace programmes,” Guevara said, adding, “This investment will be significantly less than the impact of blunt quarantines which have devastating and far-reaching socio-economic consequences.” (Excerpt from Antigua News Room)

Mexican airport site emerges as major graveyard of Ice Age mammoths

A

mid busy construction crews racing to build an airport in Mexico, scientists are unearthing more and more mammoth skeletons in what has quickly become one of the world’s biggest concentrations of the now-extinct relative of modern elephants.

More than 100 mammoth skeletons have been identified spread across nearly 200 excavation sites, along with a mix of other Ice Age mammals, in the area destined to become the Mexican capital’s new commercial airport.

Lead archaeologist Ruben Manzanilla explained on Tuesday that around 24,000 years ago mammoth herds reached this spot where sprawling grasslands and lakes would have enticed them to reside.

“Then over many years the same story repeated itself: The animals ventured too far, got trapped and couldn’t get their legs out of the muck,” said Manzanilla.

He speculates that most of

Mammoth bones are pictured at a site where archaeologists and workers of Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) work and where more than 100 mammoth skeletons have been identified, along with a mix of other Ice Age mammals, at an area where a new international airport is currently being built, in Zumpango, near Mexico City, Mexico, September 8, 2020

the mammoths died this way, though he adds that there is some evidence that around 10,000 years ago early humans may have also hunted the 20-tonne beasts with flint arrows and spears, or dug rudimentary shallow water pits to snare them.

“We had the idea that we’d find mammoth remains, but not this many,” he said.

Once the excavations are

finished, Manzanilla said the site, located about 30 miles (50km) north of downtown Mexico City, could rival others in the United States and Siberia as the planet’s biggest deposit of mammoth skeletons.

He noted that a museum-style mammoth exhibit is being planned for the airport’s main terminal. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil steady on weak US stock market, heads for weekly loss

O

il prices were little changed on Friday, but posted their second straight weekly loss as investors expect a global glut to persist due to sagging demand with COVID-19 cases rising in some countries.

Brent LCOc1 ended the session down 23 cents, or 0.6 per cent, at US$39.83 a barrel while US crude CLc1 settled up 3 cents at US$37.33 a barrel. Both benchmarks were down about 6 per cent for the week.

Infections are growing faster in India than anywhere else, and the Health Ministry reported another record daily jump of 96,551 new cases on Friday, taking the official total to 4.5 million.

US stock markets also posted their second straight weekly decline as recent economic indicators suggested a long and difficult recovery from the pandemic.

“The financial markets are continuing to set the tone, including on the oil market... fears about an oversupply have added to the general feeling of uncertainty,” Commerzbank analysts said in a note.

Also dampening market sentiment, the US Senate killed a Republican bill that would have provided around US$300 billion in new coronavirus aid.

In the United States, crude stockpiles rose 2 million barrels last week, against expectations, as refineries slowly returned to operations after production sites were shut due to storms in the Gulf of Mexico.

US drillers also have lately been adding to oil and gas rigs, but the count dipped this week to 238.

In a further bearish sign, traders were starting to book tankers again to store crude oil and diesel, amid a stalled economic recovery as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Increasing stockpiles are likely to be a subject at a meeting on Sept 17 of the market monitoring panel of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia.

The group known as OPEC+ has been withholding supply to reduce stockpiles. Following Saudi Arabia, Kuwait also lowered its official selling price to Asia for October, to counter slower demand. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Huge explosions rock military facility in Jordan, army blames heatwave

A

series of massive explosions that rocked Jordan’s second-largest city early on Friday was caused by mortar shells stored at an army munitions depot warping in an intense heatwave, the army said.

The Government had earlier blamed an electric short circuit for the dawn blasts, which lit the desert sky and could be seen in the capital Amman, 35 km (22 miles) to the southwest. Both it and the army command said there were no reports of injuries.

Army spokesman Brigadier General Talal al Ghobain said investigations now indicated the intense heat caused the “thermal expansion of mortar shells” in the arms depot on the eastern outskirts of the sprawling city of 1.5 million people.

The blast site lies within a high-security zone where some of the country’s major US-equipped army bases are located, military sources say.

Government spokesman

Amjad Adailah said earlier that mortars stored at the facility were old and not usable. An army source said on condition of anonymity that some of the weapons at the site were precision-guided anti-aircraft missiles; an army spokesman said no such missiles were stored there.

Temperatures in the kingdom, along with neighbours Syria, Israel, Palestinian territories and Iraq, have topped 45 degrees Celsius (113°F) this month, levels not seen in decades.

Army Chief of Staff Major General Yusef al Huneiti told state media the speedy response in dealing with the accident had lessened losses. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Bahrain follows Emirates in normalising ties with Israel

B

ahrain joined the United Arab Emirates in agreeing to normalise relations with Israel on Friday, a move forged partly through shared fears of Iran, but one that threatens to leave the Palestinians further isolated. US President Donald Trump tweeted the news after he spoke by phone to Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said.

“Opening direct dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability, security, and prosperity in the region,” the United States, Bahrain and Israel said in a joint statement.

A month ago, Bahrain’s fellow Gulf Arab State, the

US President Donald Trump speaks after it was announced Bahrain has joined the United Arab Emirates in striking an agreement to normalise relations with Israel during a brief appearance in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, US, September 11, 2020

United Arab Emirates, agreed to normalise ties with Israel under a US-brokered deal which is scheduled to be signed at a White House ceremony hosted by Trump on Sept 15.

The Israel-UAE ceremony will be attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh

Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan. The joint statement said Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani would join that ceremony and sign a “historic Declaration of Peace” with Netanyahu.

On Friday, Netanyahu said Bahrain’s decision marks a “new era of peace.”

But Palestinians were dismayed, fearing the moves by the UAE and now Bahrain will weaken a long-standing pan-Arab position that calls for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory and acceptance of Palestinian statehood in return for normal relations with Arab countries.

A statement issued in the name of the Palestinian leadership condemned the agreement as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the Palestinian Ambassador to Bahrain was called back for consultations.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

“Heinous, barbaric”: Pakistan highway Oregon wildfires: Half rape sparks outrage a million people flee dozens of infernos

More than 10 per cent of Oregon's population are fleeing, according to the Oregon Office of Emergency Management

M

ore than half a million people in the US state of Oregon are fleeing deadly wildfires that are raging across the Pacific Northwest, authorities say.

Fanned by unusually hot, dry winds, dozens of fires are sweeping the state. At least one is being treated as suspected arson.

Governor Kate Brown said the exact number of fatalities was not yet known, though at least four were confirmed.

More than 100 wildfires are currently scorching 12 western US states.

The worst affected are Oregon, California and Washington, where entire

towns have been destroyed.

Some 4.4 million acres have been razed, according to the National Interagency Fire Center - an area larger than Connecticut and slightly smaller than Wales.

The victims in Oregon include a 12-year-old boy and his grandmother, who died in a wildfire near Lyons, 70 miles (110km) south of Portland.

Wyatt Tofte, his dog, and his grandmother Peggy Mosso died in the family car trying to escape the blaze. The child's mother was severely burnt.

One of the most destructive blazes, the Almeda Fire, which started in Ashland near the California border, is being treated as suspicious. It has been linked to at least two deaths and destroyed hundreds of homes in the towns of Phoenix and Talent.

In California, authorities in Butte County north of Sacramento have found 10 bodies in the last two days, and there are fears the toll will rise as 16 people remain unaccounted for.

There, some 64,000 people were under evacuation orders while 14,000 firefighters battled 29 major fires. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Protest taking place in Karachi against the gang rape of a woman while driving on a highway in Punjab province [Akhtar Soomro/ Reuters]

P

olice in Pakistan have arrested 15 people believed to be linked to the rape of a woman on a major highway, an incident that has attracted national outcry with demands for greater justice for victims of sexual violence.

The woman was attacked when her car broke down in the early hours of Thursday while she was driving from the city of Lahore, capital of Punjab province, to Gujranwala with her children.

Unidentified assailants attacked her as she stopped her vehicle, smashing her car window before raping her in a nearby field and robbing her of cash and jewellery.

Local media reported that her children were made to watch.

None of the 15 people arrested is believed to be part of the group that attacked her, Police told the Associated Press.

On Friday, provincial police said the newly constructed highway did not have any Police deployed to protect travellers, and that they would be commencing those duties.

Shortly after the incident, Lahore police chief Umar Shaikh became the subject of national outrage when he appeared to blame the victim for the rape, saying the woman should not have been travelling alone at that time.

Shaikh, newly appointed to the post after some political controversy, is facing demands to resign.

Prime Minister Imran Khan's office said the protection of women was a priority for the Government, adding that "such brutality and bestiality cannot be allowed in any civilised society. Such incidents are a violation of our social values and a disgrace to society".

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Thousands protest after Greece's Moria refugee camp burns down

T

housands of protesting refugees left homeless on the Greek island of Lesbos after fires destroyed the Moria camp gathered on a road leading to the island's main town on Friday, demanding to be allowed to leave.

Clapping and chanting songs, the protesters, most of whom appeared to be from African countries and from Afghanistan, were boister-

ous but peaceful. Some held up signs pleading for help from Germany, a common destination for many refugees and migrants who arrive in Greece by boat from the nearby Turkish coast.

The nearly 13,000 people who had been living in and around the notoriously overcrowded Moria camp have been left homeless by two consecutive fires on Tuesday and Wednesday night.

Greek officials say the blazes were deliberately set by camp residents angered by isolation orders issued to prevent the spread of the coronavirus after 35 residents were found to have been infected. The camp had been under lockdown due to last until mid-September.

Thousands of former camp residents slept in the open for a third night on Thursday, some cutting

down reeds and using salvaged blankets to make rudimentary shelters to protect them from the nighttime chill and the scorching day-time sun.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Greek authorities have "moved very fast" and are working on a temporary facility to shelter the residents from the gutted camp. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Be a leader. Know your worth and don’t back down.

Your strength and conviction will encourage others to listen to what you have to say. Don’t let emotions interfere with common sense.

TAURUS You’ll have decisions to make regarding how you (April 20May 20) balance your time. Look at the possibilities and consider what will help you appease everyone, including yourself.

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)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Pay more attention to your fitness and diet.

Protect yourself from risky situations that could affect your finances, contracts or health. Keep matters in perspective. Love and romance are on the rise.

Say less and do more.

Your reputation depends on your actions, not on empty promises. Look for innovative solutions to volatile situations. Anger will not be the answer.

Charm, intelligence, kindness and common sense will be the way to go. Put your energy into what matters to you and focus on using what you have going for you instead of trying unproven methods.

Consider what someone asks you to do and then determine the risks. A change is necessary. Figuring out what’s best for you will be the key to your success.

Work with what you have.

Overdoing it will lead to financial and emotional problems. Do your best to get along with others, but not at the expense of going into debt or putting your health at risk.

You’ll see situations differently if you are open-minded, seek knowledge and information, and are dedicated to finding out the truth. Don’t let a change someone makes upset you.

Spend more time taking care of your financial and physical well-being. Refuse to let anyone handle personal matters for you. Stay in control. Avoid joint ventures and risky situations.

You’ll change your mind regarding a lifestyle or domestic matter. Call on someone you trust to give you good advice regarding your options to come up with a workable solution.

Channel your energy into clearing up unfinished business. Look at personal investments as a safety net. A backup plan will ease your mind and make it easier for you to deal with everyday life.

Look for alternative ways to socialize that will not jeopardize your health or financial well-being.

Share your feelings with a loved one and put a plan in place that gives you incentive to work hard.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

21

CPL victory has lifted TT’s spirits, says PM Rowley P

rime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League has lifted the morale of TT after the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) won their fourth CPL title.

TKR clinched the title with an eight-wicket win over St Lucia Zouks in a match played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on Thursday.

In a Facebook video, Dr Rowley said, “My heartiest congratulations to the TKR, amazing champions once again.” He thanked all those who made the tournament a success, as it was the first time the entire CPL had been held in TT. “I want to congratulate all the organisers of this tournament, both local and international, and all our international guests who came as players…TKR congratulations and my very special congratulation goes out to Shah Rukh Khan (TKR owner) wherever you are. We’ve won again.”

COVID-19 cases in TT have risen over the past six weeks. Rowley said the country needed a boost.

“It was a pretty good tournament. It did not have the best of every component, but it had a lot of good cricket, and it is a good lifter of our spirits here in TT, and our country was on show for the last three and a half weeks, and I think everything went very well from that standpoint. We are pleased to have hosted the international players and our local players, and we did have a very good tourna-

Lendl Simmons (2L) and Trinbago Knight Riders team-mates celebrate winning the Hero Caribbean Premier League 2020 at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, on Thursday

ment,” he said.

Rowley also had some words for St Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet. With a

smile on his face, Rowley said, “At the end of the day, Prime Minister of St Lucia, wherever you are, the Zouks have been defeated

by the Trinbago Knight Riders – take that!

Congratulations to our Trinbago Knight Riders.”

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Shamfa Cudjoe, was elated, and relieved that the CPL was held successfully during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an interview with Newsday, Cudjoe said, “I am very happy to see TKR win this tournament once again. I look forward to CPL every single year. I am most excited to see, and happy to see, TT host CPL during this trying time as it relates to COVID and all the planning that would have gone into it over the months.”

Shah Rukh Khan tweeted, “Thank you Trinidad and Tobago and the @CPL for the tournament.”

He commended the performance of the players and staff of TKR. “Ami TKR we rule. Awesome display boys…u make us proud, happy and make us party even without a crowd. Love u team. @TKRiders @54simmo and my fav @ DMBravo46 well done @KieronPollard55 and my man @DJBravo47 love you how many now 4!!! @Bazmccullum come to IPL lov u.”

Minister of Finance Colm Imbert also shared his joy on Twitter.

“Trinbago Knight Riders have won the 2020 Caribbean Cricket League. A fantastic performance. 12 straight wins. No losses. A perfect record. All hail Pollard and (Dwayne) Bravo.” (TT Guardian)

Sammy demands Record-setting cricket pay attention Gayle closing in to racism problem on 1000 T20 sixes F ormer West Indies skipper Darren Sammy has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) and other bodies to prioritise addressing racism in the sport with as much gusto as issues regarding integrity of the game are tackled.

The issue of societal racial inequality barged its way into public discourse after an unarmed

W

est Indies T20 star Chris Gayle could become the first batsman to hit 1000 T20 sixes if his uncanny obsession for clearing the boundary rope continues in the upcoming IPL season.

Currently, the 40-year-old big-hitter has tallied a total of 978 sixes in T20 cricket so far. If he can add another 22 to his 326 IPL sixes, the batsman will repeat the all-too-familiar habit of writing his name in the T20 cricket record books.

Gayle will be odds-on favourite to achieve the feat as well. In 11 seasons of IPL cricket to date, he has never failed to hit 22 sixes. Last season he cleared the boundary rope 34 times, and in the previous season, he did so 27 times. Should he

reach the tally, it would only add to an already impressive resume racked up for the format.

Gayle has scored the most runs in T20 cricket (13,296); has the highest score (175); made the most sixes in an innings (18); and has scored the fastest century. He has also hit the most fours: 1,026.

The West Indian is currently in training camp in Dubai, where he is preparing to face the new IPL season with Kings XI Punjab.

The batsman had been slated to participate in the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament playing for the beaten finalist St Lucia Zouks, but pulled out of the competition because of personal reasons. (Sportsmax)

A f r i c a n American man, George Floyd, was killed in the United States by White Police officers a few months ago.

As part of the process of reckoning, Sammy had himself reacted with anger when he discovered that the name previously used to refer to him by Indian Premier League (IPL) teammates a few seasons ago was the equivalent of the derogatory term “blackie”.

Several players have since admitted that they too have been impacted by racism in the sport. Sammy, who has found himself at the forefront of the cricket movement, believes a lot more can be done to address the issue.

“We made the recommendations. You know racism is real. It’s not something that we can hide,” Sammy told Reuters news agency in a recent interview. “So, I urge them: the same emphasis they put on protecting the integrity of the game, why not protect the integrity of the human being?”

(Sportsmax)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

Inaugural Minor League Cricket Draft completed T

he first-ever Minor League Cricket Draft has been successfully completed last week, and two additional franchise squads have been announced: the DC Hawks and the New England Eagles.

These franchises have completed the player selections for their own regions, thus 17 of the 24 teams are

ers have been drafted, including Team USA Captain Saurabh Netravalkar, who will line up for the Golden State Grizzlies. He will face off against teammates Monank and Timil Patel and Elmore Hutchinson, who will play for the Hollywood Master Blasters in the Western Conference.

Over on the eastern coast,

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contact to finalise a potential draft date and schedule. Given fluidity of the COVID-19 situation across the country, Minor League Cricket is taking a pragmat-

Gajanand Singh

Assad Fuddadin

sional player, two domestic professional players, and a minimum of three under-21 players.

The inaugural season of Minor League Cricket will commence in the Spring 2021, but there are plans for “franchise exhibition matches” to be held in September and October 2020. Those would be held in jurisdictions where playing recreational sports has been deemed safe.

Several Team USA play-

Aaron Jones, Xavier Marshall and Akshay Homraj have all been signed by the New Jersey Somerset Cavaliers; while quick bowler Ali Khan, who had been a member of the Trinbago Knight Riders in the recently-concluded Caribbean Premier League, is a stand-out signing for the Houston Hurricanes in the Central Conference.

Steven Taylor will head south to play for the Atlanta Param Veers in the Southern Conference.

Sameer Mehta and Vijay Srinivasan of Minor League Cricket have been delighted with the success of the draft.

“We would like to congratulate all players drafted as well as the 17 teams that have now completed their squad selections. In spite of the significant challenges that 2020 has presented to teams, we are very pleased with the outcome of the inaugural Minor League Cricket Draft. It represents a sig-

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nificant achievement that the majority of our franchises now have full squads selected, and we will continue to work with our teams and the relevant regional au-

now confirmed to participate in the inaugural season of Minor League Cricket (MiLC).

More than 2,400 players had registered for the Draft through the Player Registration Process, and 306 of those were selected as part of the 17 MiLC teams whose squads were finalised for the first time.

Every Minor League Cricket franchise team includes one wildcard profes-

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thorities to determine when Exhibition Matches will be possible during 2020.

“We would also like to thank everyone in the American cricket community for their interest and support in establishing Minor League Cricket. The strong amount of interest from both the Northwest region around Seattle and New York has meant that we are actively looking at options to accommodate an additional franchise in each of these regions ahead of the inaugural season next year, and others may eventuate to meet demand.”

The Chicago Blasters and Chicago Catchers from the Central Conference have drafted their squads in a regional draft that was held on September 10th, while the Michigan Cricket Stars will select a team of registered players from within their selection zone. This regional draft will be covered on USA Cricket’s social media channels.

The remaining three Florida-based franchises currently await a regional draft date, which is yet to be confirmed.

The owners of the Florida franchises met with Minor League Cricket last week, and continue to stay in close

ful delivery of the inaugural Minor League Cricket Draft, and congratulate all players who were selected in what is a real landmark development for the sport.

“USA Cricket is committed to developing Minor League Cricket in close partnership with American Cricket Enterprises. This tournament will become a critical component of the player development pathway that ultimately leads to the USA T20 national team and squad selection, with player performance in Minor League Cricket to be closely monitored by the Men’s National Selection Panel”, it was related.

“But it isn’t just about developing a clear player pathway. Over recent months and through a robust and objective process, a diverse group of passionate owners has been identified and engaged,

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Christopher Vantull

ic approach and is actively working with owners to ensure a fair process for all 24 teams.

“USA Cricket is delighted with the progress that has been made with Minor League Cricket in these challenging times over the recent months,” said USA Cricket Board Member and Chair of the ACE Relations Committee, Suraj Viswanathan.

“In particular, we want to acknowledge the success-

all of whom have bought into the bigger vision for the sport in this country.

“To that end, owners have signed up to obligations to contribute to the growth of the cricketing ecosystem in their respective communities, through which we will create a lasting legacy for cricket in their regions and across America.”

The Eastern Conference consists of a total of 6 squads, which contain a number of Guyanese players.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

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he Guyana Amazon Warriors left the cricketing world in a state of shock and mourning when the St Lucia Zouks steamrolled them for a mere 55 runs in a semi-final match, and caused them to be unceremoniously bundled out of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2020 tournament.

The microscope, periscope and telescope have since been trained on the team, and many have been left with more questions than answers.

Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson, one equipped with a wealth of cricketing knowledge, has opined that the Warriors’ batting this season lacked depth. In his virtual appearance on the recent Mason and Guest show, Johnson said that, in a semifinal game, he was expecting the Warriors to peak, especially at this stage of the tournament.

"To get bowled out for 55 is disheartening, but that's the game," Johnson said. "Guyana have been lacking batting depth in this tournament.

If you look at

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23

Keemo P a u l batting at six, I p e rs o n a l l y feel it is too high for him (because of) the way he plays.

So, I think they lacked batting depth, the tail is long," Johnson advanced.

J o h n s o n gave the team a passing grade in his overall assessment of the tournament, considering the pandemic.

In regard to the pitches, Johnson said the situation was a bit tough, especially since the Queen’s Park pitch favoured spinners. Nevertheless, he firmly believes the batsmen could have given a better account of themselves, although the spinner made full use of conditions that were favourable to them.

The left-hander expressed disappointment with the performances of some

Leon Johnson

all around. He produced only 116 runs, although he played in all 11 matches.

Sherfane Rutherford came into this tournament with the stated intention to finish off games in the lower-middle order. He played only seven matches Nicholas a n d Pooran scored 39 runs; hence Keemo Paul was asked to bat higher than usual. Paul made 77 runs, but that was below par. (Brandon Corlette)

Shimron Hetmyer

International players and some local ones. "I thought they would have led by example and the others would follow, but it did not happen. TKR international players have done very well, and that gave the young players confidence."

For the Warriors this season, Shimron Hetmyer was the leading batsman with 267 runs, while Nicholas

Ross Taylor

Pooran scored 245 runs and produced the tournament’s only century this season. Ross Taylor, who came to play the role of Shoaib Malik, scored only 164 runs at a poor average of 23.42; while

Chandrapaul Hemraj made 140 runs.

Last year's breakout star Brandon King had failures

Decoding Trinbago Knight Riders' CPL 2020 dominance well."

rinbago Knight Riders' unbeaten streak in CPL 2020 culminated in an unprecedented fourth title on Thursday. ESPNcricinfo looks at the various factors behind Knight Riders' dominance.

Home, toss advantages

With the entire tournament having been played in Trinidad across two venues in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Knight Riders had a massive home advantage, which played a part in their success as well. All 11 of their local players, right from rookies Amir Jangoo and Tion Webster to leaders Pollard and Bravo, are based out of Trinidad and Tobago. In addition to that, some of those players had the chance to train outside the bubble, before the start of the tournament, when other squads were cooped up in their hotel rooms.

Knight Riders also had tosses go their way. They won seven tosses this season - no other side had won as many.

Experience and depth

When Brendon McCullum was asked if coaching was easier than captaincy, he said that having the rich "experience of two-anda-half thousand" T20 games in the squad made his job much easier. However, at different stages in the tournament, Knight Riders were without some of their key players - Sunil Narine (kidney stones), Ali Khan (hamstring tear) and Colin Munro (finger fracture). While Khan, the USA quick, recovered in time for the knockouts, Munro, who was the MVP when Knight Riders had clinched the title in 2018, was sidelined from the knockouts.

Narine, too, missed the final on Thursday with an injury while Dwayne Bravo did not bowl at all in the match because of a knee complaint. Despite the injury-enforced absence of their first-choice players, Knight Riders found a way to win. The margin of victory in the final - eight wickets - will not tell you the full story, but Knight Riders were put under serious pressure by Daren Sammy's St Lucia Zouks. Andre Fletcher regularly backed away outside leg, and messed with the lines and lengths of the bowlers as Zouks zipped away to 60 for 1 the highest powerplay score against Knight Riders this season.

The pressure told when Knight Riders dropped at least three chances in the field and, with Bravo not available to bowl, Zouks were setting up for a total in excess of 170.

Kieron Pollard, though, took matters into his own hands and claimed 4 for 30, includ-

ing the vital wickets of Fletcher and Roston Chase, with his assortment of cutters, restricting Zouks to 154.

Knight Riders' was the only squad that didn't have any changes after the draft and all 17 members got a game this season.

However, nobody was dropped because of performance or lack thereof, according to Pollard. Just how strong was their bench?

Akeal Hosein, their fourth-choice spinner, stepped up in the semi-final with a Playerof-the-Match performance.

Pollard's captaincy

When Pollard was in charge of Barbados Tridents in 2014 and 2015, he made some funky moves. Case in point: bringing himself in at silly point and pulling off an outstanding low catch to get rid of Jamaica Tallawahs' Mahela Jayawardene in 2015.

Some of that out-of-the-box thinking reappeared in CPL 2020. Notably, Pollard installed himself at silly point or short leg for Guyana Amazon Warriors' Ross Taylor in

the opener and Daren Sammy in the final, amplifying the threat of his spinners.

Pollard was also quite savvy with his match-ups, unleashing his legspinners and left-arm spinners on right-handers and largely using his offspinners against lefthanders. In the second leg of the tournament at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, the tracks became better for batting, but Pollard and Bravo shifted their lines wider to stop batsmen from lining up the smaller boundary.

"Those guys [Pollard and Bravo] bounce off each other so well," McCullum had said.

"We rely on them as a team as captain and vice-captain structure. In most teams if you replaced the captain or the captain opted out and went to a vice-captain role, you wouldn't necessarily get the same synergy that we've seen on the field from both DJ Bravo and Kieron Pollard. Both incredible men - I adore them as people as well as cricketers and leaders. The actual tactical prowess of Pollard is something unique as

Adaptability of batsmen

While the 2019 champions Barbados Tridents were routed for three successive sub-100 scores on turning tracks - and other teams similarly struggled to force the pace - Knight Riders and runners-up Zouks were the only sides to breach 170 this CPL. While Zouks did it just once, Knight Riders topped 170 four times, all while batting first.

It helped that they had bonafide power-hitters in the middle order who could take the pitch out of the equation. Pollard and Darren Bravo often took the opposition attack out of the equation as well, shellacking 20 sixes each. After a sedate start in the tournament and even in the final, in isolation, opener Lendl Simmons made up for his lackadaisical running between the wickets with some brutal six-hitting when everything was on the line. He, too, finished with 20 sixes this season, and went past Chris Gayle to became the leading run-getter across seasons in the CPL. (ESPNcricinfo)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

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Warriors lacked batting depth this season

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— says Leon Johnson

Decoding Trinbago Knight Riders’ CPL 2020 dominance

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CPL victory has lifted TT’s spirits, says PM Rowley

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