Guyana Times --Thursday, September 3, 2020

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4397

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

APNU/AFC election petition will expose its own attempts to rig elections – Nandlall

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

La Grange mason killed in hit-and-run accident P10 …suspects nabbed as Police find car in mechanic shop

Page 3

1st batch of patients shifted to COVID-19 hospital See story on page 16

... as 9 new cases reported; 14 in ICU

Govt to rehire 2000 hinterland CSOs fired by APNU/AFC

Page 15

Page 12

President distributes 1100 hampers to Linden––Soesdyke Highway residents Linden

Clerk Jones, finally Duncan behaved receives recklessly, endangered Harmon’s proof all lives at Parliament of citizenship – Health Minister renunciation After testing positive for COVID-19

Page 9

Page 2

WPA admits it is now without parliamentary P7 representation …as Sarabo-Halley now among APNU MPs

Handyman P10 stabbed to death over $200 debt

Majority of P12 racially-insensitive complaints involve Facebook posts – ERC …some matters referred to Police

11 new charges for Ponzi scheme P11 operators …on $23.6M bail for 46 charges

Businessman relieved of gun, shot during P7 attempted murder

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

After testing positive for COVID-19

Jones, Duncan behaved recklessly, endangered all lives at Parliament – Health Minister

H

breach those orders and law that ealth Minister, Dr Frank we have and attend Parliament Anthony affirmed that in person,” the Health Minister the two A Partnership said via a video released by the for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Members Department of Public Information of Parliament who tested positive (DPI) on Wednesday.

Dr Anthony reminded that the for COVID-19 acted recklessly as law clearly stated that if anyone they endangered the lives of othknowingly spreads an infectious ers when they chose to participate disease, that person has commitin-person, in Tuesday’s parliamented an offence. tary session.

“From the information that I Setting the record straight, have received…they (Jones and Dr Anthony noted that priDuncan) were tested, they were ador to the convening of the 12th vised that they should have stayed Parliament on Tuesday, the Clerk home for at least 13 days, the first of the National Assembly, Sherlock ten, and then the second three Isaacs had written to all Members once they were asymptomatic, that of Parliament notifying them that they would then finish their home if they had tested positive for the isolation,” he explained. virus, they should not attend the Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony According to Dr Anthony, both sitting in-person, they should do so virtually.

(Tuesday) was two Members of Jones and Duncan were still supDr Anthony asserted that Parliament who have tested pos- posed to be in home isolation.

“At the time when as Health Minister they got the positive he had an obligato when Mr Jones tion to notify the “So, this is unacceptable behaviour. It is very test and Mr Duncan were in Clerk that both highly irresponsible for them to know that they Parliament, it’s within Opposition Members of Parliament gave a positive test and yet show up in the Par- that timeframe, so both Christopher Jones them would have liament…and as the Minister of Health, when of breached the rules that and Sherod Duncan I see that the public is put in danger in such a we have for self-quarhad tested positive for the virus. way, then I have a right to inform the relevant antine,” the Health Minister asserted.

Both Jones and authority, and in this case, it’s the persons “So, this is unacDuncan interacted who are managing the Parliament. That is why ceptable behaviour. It with a number of parthe Clerk was informed” – Dr Frank Anthony is very highly irresponliamentarians as well sible for them to know as ancillary staffers. that they gave a posIt was reported that Jones had a private meeting with itive and instead of staying in itive test and yet show up in the Speaker Manzoor Nadir and Clerk self-isolation as is required by the Parliament.

Isaacs.

“And as the Minister of Health, Order and is required by the law, “What we had yesterday decided that they are going to when I see that the public is put

Opposition MP Christopher Jones

Opposition MP Sherod Duncan

in danger in such a way, then I have a right to inform the relevant authority, and in this case, it’s the persons who are managing the Parliament. That is why the Clerk was informed yesterday,” Dr Anthony contended.

“So I hope they would stay at home, self-quarantine and stop endangering the lives of other Guyanese.”

The Health Minister further disclosed that he was following up with an official letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly, because persons who would have been exposed to the two Members of Parliament would now have to take the necessary precautions.

Dr Anthony explained that persons who were in very close proximity to Jones and Duncan may

now be required to self-quarantine and eventually after five to seven days, they may be asked to take a COVID-19 test.

In relation to Jones, the APNU/ AFC coalition issued a statement Tuesday evening saying that he tested positive for COVID-19 more than 15 days ago. The coalition also explained that Jones underwent the recommended period of self-isolation, and observed all protocols established by the Health Ministry and his private healthcare professional.

The two Government ministers – Hugh Todd and Oneidge Walrond Allicock – who had tested positive for COVID-19 were quarantined for the stipulated period and were subsequently re-tested.

Their tests returned as negative.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, September 3 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, September 4 – 05:00h-06:30h.

APNU/AFC election petition will expose its own attempts to rig elections – Nandlall

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, September 3 – 04:55h-06:25h and Friday, September 4 – 05:30h-07:00h.

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Attorney General Anil Nandlall

A

ttorney General Anil Nandlall said he was happy that the Opposition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) has an election petition challenging the results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections as it will create the platform needed to bring to light the coalition’s own attempts to rig the elections.

Speaking during a televised programme on the State-owned National Communications Network (NCN), Nandlall pointed out that the election petition filed by the APNU/AFC was bound to fail, since it was based on the coalition’s unsubstantiated claims of voters’ fraud.

“I am happy that they have brought the petition, because they give us another opportunity to get certain members of staff of GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) in a witness box and get some of their members – like Volda Lawrence, for example, to come and tell us under oath and under cross-examination how her signature is on a declaration made by [Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont] Mingo.

All of that information and how that spreadsheet, from whence did it come, that Mingo used as his basis of the declaration…,” he noted.

According to Nandlall, who was one of the PPP/C’s leading legal advisors over the past five months during the electoral impasse, his party always wanted this matter to go before the courts but by the proper process, that is, through an election petition and not the series of litigation that were filed by the coalition post elections to delay the declaration of the final results.

“But now all that which they were avoiding and that which their agents are hiding at GECOM – all that will come out now in the court and for that reason, I am very happy that they are now in a court where orders will be made,” Nandlall said.

One of those orders, the Attorney General contended, will have to be for the release of the Statements of Poll (SoPs) that emanated from the initial vote count

following the March 2 polls.

The APNU/AFC coalition filed its election petition in the High Court on Monday to challenge the elections as well as the national recount exercise.

However, while the petition documents evidence of the coalition’s claims of voters’ irregularities, this did not include the SoPs, which the APNU/AFC has been refusing to release for months.

According to Nandlall, a large part of winning any case in court is proving you have just cause.

“The basis of any election is the Statements of Poll. Now you are going to the court to tell a judge or to ask a judge to set aside a whole election and put a government out of office – set aside that political party’s results as fraudulent and you are not putting forward your results? You are not putting forward your case? So you want this judge to throw this Government out, set aside all this results that his party claimed they got and the Elections Commission declared, but you are not showing why and what is your evidence that you have. You want to go in there as the next government and you are not showing your qualification, and you’re not putting your case out?” he questioned.

Nandlall, who is now serving his second tenure as Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister after previously holding the post from 2011 to 2015, went on to say that the coalition lacked moral underpinning and foundation.

“In law and in litigation, like everything else, your credibility matters… A large part of winning court is at least persuading the court

Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde with AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon and APNU Leader David Granger moments after filing the coalition’s election petition on Monday

that you are sincere, that you have a real just cause, that your case is based upon good faith, that you have a genuine loss that you have suffered and you have to create that impression. To do so, you can’t approach the court with unclean hands. You can’t approach the court and withhold material information; you are enjoined to make a full and frank disclosure of all the facts – even those that are against you and that is how you win the court over without even uttering a word,” Nandlall posited.

Despite initially claiming victory at the March 2 polls, the APNU/AFC has stubbornly refused to re-

lease its SoPs. However, after the 33day recount, which was agreed to by then President and coalition Leader David Granger and then Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, established that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) won the elections by 15,416 votes, the APNU/AFC alleged that the elections were marred by voters’ fraud – claiming that dead and migrated people voted.

After filing the petition on Monday, the coalition’s leading lawyer, Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde contended that the SoPs no longer had any relevance.

(G8)

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 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

Challenges facing Amerindians

I

n an impassioned address on the occasion of the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month on Tuesday, President Irfaan Ali laid out his administration’s plans and programmes for the development of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples for the next five years.

It was indeed a detailed plan, which included several critical components aimed at ensuring that Guyana’s First Peoples are not excluded in any way from the national development agenda; and many are optimistic that the President’s vision will indeed come to fruition.

The Amerindian Heritage Month theme this year, “Fostering traditional practices for a safe environment”, is fitting in the context of the challenges presently facing our country. According to the President, the theme emphasises the key role which cultural assets, including Indigenous knowledge, traditions and customs, and lifestyles, can play in ensuring a safe environment.

The President correctly pointed out that as Guyana confronts the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, Indigenous traditional practices will form a key part of the arsenal of measures intended to stem the spread of the virus.

That said, it is quite clear from the President’s message that he has a full grasp of the challenges facing hinterland communities.

There is no doubt that much more needs to be done, both in terms of policy design and implementation and in resource allocation, to ensure that economic vibrancy is returned to Indigenous communities, and that the rights of Indigenous Peoples are fully protected.

For example, the issue of land titling has always been a matter of concern to Indigenous communities. However, over the last five years or so, no real progress has been made in ensuring that Amerindian lands are demarcated and titled. After the APNU/AFC Government took office in 2015, the project ground to a halt.

To its credit, the new Government has acknowledged that land is central to Indigenous peoples’ development, and always treated Amerindian lands’ demarcation and titling as a priority. In this regard, the President has promised to immediately restore the Land Project and establish a special mechanism to resolve land disputes.

Further, it was very encouraging to hear that several development projects which were scrapped would be restored by the new Government. These include rehiring of the approximately 2000 Community Support Officers (CSOs) who were terminated by the previous APNU/AFC Government when it took office in 2015; reintroducing Community Development Plans (CDPs) to ensure that Amerindians are able to determine the sustainable livelihoods they desire; and returning to the ground-breaking partnership forged through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and advance the innovative “OPT IN” feature which allowed villages to benefit directly from the proceeds of carbon-trading services.

In his address, the President also promised that Amerindians can look forward to improvements in social services such as education, health care and water. He said health facilities would be increased, upgraded, and better equipped to provide enhanced and more accessible healthcare across the hinterland. This indeed is badly needed, as many hinterland residents have to travel extremely long distances to access basic medical services.

Many health institutions in the hinterland still do not offer the level of services required by patients, and hence patients are forced to travel to Georgetown at very high cost.

The same situation exists relative to educational opportunities for Amerindian students. Many hinterland schools still do not have their full complement of trained teachers, and are not equipped with IT technologies, thereby limiting the students’ ability to achieve their full potential. Amerindian students must be able to have the same access to educational opportunities as others in any part of the country.

That said, we believe there is need for more collaboration between the Government and other development agencies to support and fund community development projects and skills training etc, which would see Amerindians having better access to opportunities to advance their lives.

Also, the relevant Ministries, such as the Amerindian Affairs and Labour, along with the responsible NGOs, must step up their efforts to ensure that Amerindians are not exploited in any way. Over the years, there have been several complaints that Amerindians have been forced to work in terrible conditions, sometimes even being abused by their employers.

Two young ladies from Kuru Kururu on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway take a selfie with President Dr Irfaan Ali during his visit to the community on Wednesday. During the visit, Ali said his Government was serious about improving the lives and livelihoods of citizens, and would, therefore, take to the villages and communities across the country to listen and understand what the needs of the people are (Office of the President photo)

New Parliament should enact “policy exempt” rules to deal with political appointments

Dear Editor, In every election cycle, we have this problem of people from the old Government being deemed “political appointees” and being let go; and that generates charges of political and racial discrimination.

The old Government uses that as political fodder to rile up its supporters and burn things on the road, but the new Government says it needs its own new, loyal people to guarantee that the new Government’s policies and programmes would be carried out.

That’s a valid, reasonable justification.

Just as with the problem of lack of diversity in employees in Government agencies, successive Governments have done nothing to solve this recurring Government transition problem, which creates much ill-will in the society.

We need to adopt some American-type solutions, such as when a new President or new Governor is elected, they bring in their own new team, and the old team leaves. This is possible because there is a governance design, where the rules allow for the creation of what are called “policy exempt” positions. These are specially identified and designated positions, so anyone who is in a “policy exempt” position knows that when the Government that appointed them leaves, they leave also.

You take such a job know-

ing you are exempted from the usual “due process” rights, entitlements, and protections of the usual public service rules.

These “policy exempt” positions are “at will” positions, and you serve at the pleasure of the Government of the day.

With this formalised “policy exempt” framework, all the acrimony, ill-will and charges of racism and discrimination are no longer tenable, and it would be silly for the Opposition to cry foul. If or when these jobs are advertised, they carry a notation that they are “policy exempt” positions, so the applicant knows going in that the job is time-limited. For such positions, if they are done as contracted positions, an outgoing Government cannot renew them to go beyond that Government’s term (as the PNC calculatingly did). That would be improper to do. So, any legislation to create such “policy exempt” positions must cover all these things.

The advantage of having a certain number (say, 100 or 200) of positions and certain specific positions formally designated by law as “policy exempt” means a Government cannot hire unlimited numbers of friends and family, and resurrect old dinosaurs, the long retired, the feeble and the maimed to just squat on the national payroll (as our Governments like to do).

Lastly, the renewal and continuation of “policy exempt”

employees from the previous Government is a case-by-case decision, done at the discretion of the new Government, as was done with Dr Greenidge, Dr S S Ramphal, Dr Bynoe, Dr Ganga, etc.

If the Government retains you, great! If not, you leave willingly and go to your Plan B; you don’t do a “Harmon.”

Any new Government would always let the extreme toxic ones go in haste, such as those who worked hard at subverting democracy, and that’s understandable. However, affiliation with an Opposition party should not necessarily be an automatic disqualification. According to the “New Declaration of Sophia” promulgated by Volda, “The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I could give work to is PNC. And, right now, I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese and ah want one that is PNC.” I may have missed it, but I do not recall the ERC, the Coalition or churches denouncing this apartheid notion. All lives matter, and everyone has the right to eat.

The Constitution says we have the “right to work.”

The Government should consider that our country loses an estimated 80% of its UG graduates. Lack of human resources has affected implementation of projects.

There is an extreme shortage and unavailability of spe-

cialised high-science skills in the STEM fields, including oil and gas, and that’s a big factor why we are still a Third World, “shole” country.

Successive Governments have failed to implement practices to recruit and make it attractive for highly qualified members of the diaspora to return and serve.

Usually, the parties wax eloquent about how the members of the diaspora are important, but they are treated merely as a large fundraising and lobbying farm.

It was reported that President Ali said recently, “We must welcome back to their homeland our diaspora who played such a positive and constructive role in defense of our democracy,” Dr Ali noted that while many Guyanese reside abroad, their love and commitment to their country have not changed, and this was “passionately demonstrated” over the last five months.

“My Government intends to embrace Guyanese abroad, as we enlist them here at home,” Dr Ali asserted. We have heard such messages before, so we are watching to see some actions, as Dr. Ali seems sincere.

Nation, there is a solution to this “political appointment” problem. Will the Government lead this time around?

Dear Editor, The Opposition talks a lot about keeping the Irfaan Ali Administration in check, but that APNU/AFC-orchestrated walkout indeed shows that pettiness will always triumph patriotism.

They were not happy with the election of Lennox Shuman as Deputy Speaker, but that does not justify a walkout while the allocation and subsequent expenditure of billions of dollars were being considered.

Members of Parliament must be reminded that they were not elected to serve their party’s interests, but the interests of the people. The oaths they took have been desecrated by their actions.

I’ve listened to the pledges made by newcomers to the National Assembly, and was therefore appalled that they would allow themselves to be persuaded by those who do not have the backs of their supporters, and those who resort to gutter, tit-for-tat politics.

The walkout was done even as billions of dollars were being considered for allocation to constitutional offices. Not a cent of those allocations was scrutinised by the APNU+AFC. The coalition ought to be ashamed of itself to allow billions of dollars - our money to be allocated to offices without scrutiny. They have done no justice to the new roles as MPs they have assumed, nor to the people who voted for them.

What were the monies being allocated for? Were the monies too much? Too little? What were the monies going to procure? A donkey?

Furniture? What? We may never know, because the coalition chose pettiness over their responsibility to the people.

Coalition, get your act together. We need you as much as we need the new administration.

Sincerely, Dr Jerry Jailall

Coalition chose pettiness over responsibility

Sincerely, M Hope

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

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

PNC’s stranglehold on Parliament has ended

Dear Editor, With 31 seats in the National Assembly, the PNC are at it again; it is their intention to use those seats to frustrate the government of the PPP/C at every available turn.

It is vintage PNC all over again. With nothing constructive to do with their time, they are on a campaign to stir up trouble and prevent all Government projects aimed at developing this country. it is crystal clear now that the PNC are up to no good, they are out to promote and cause a standstill on all Government activities aimed at moving the country forward.

But they are mistaken, as that window of opportunity was locked on March 1st.

That sinister plan came crashing down when the Deputy Speaker of the House was selected. The name of Mr Lenox Shuman was nominated by the Prime Minister, and, by majority vote, Shuman was elected to the position of Deputy Speaker.

At that stage, pandemonium broke loose in the PNC

side of the Opposition, when they realised that their homeboy Raphael Trotman was not going to hold that position.

The PNC promptly walked out in protest of the selection.

Now, Harmon and friends have to understand certain fundamental facts here: The Deputy Speaker holds a sacred and important position, and equally so when carrying out the functions of the state.

We cannot allow a circus of events that characterised the Eleventh Parliament to take root here again. There will be no place for idleness and hooliganism from this point onward.

Secondly, and most importantly, is the fact that the one chosen for Deputy Speaker comes into office untainted by the tribalism and division that is so prevalent in PNC politics.

Make no mistake, Mr Shuman is a Guyanese in every sense of the word, and he does not bear allegiance to a foreign power, as others do. We are still grappling with the status of some in the Opposition PNC. Mr Shuman has the in-

alienable right to high office in this country.

We are here in discussions about active cooperation and inclusive government. The Government is saying we are prepared to work hand-inhand with those of the progressive thinkers in all of the political parties represented in Parliament, not with those of the rabble-rousing, ghetto-type hooligans that are so pervasive in the PNC Camp.

We are destined to move forward with winners and not with sore losers, Guyana must move on the upward trajectory.

I must sound the advice to those in the PNC-led Coalition, that no more would we tolerate retrogression in this 12th Parliament. All forms of backwardness would be foiled and put in the dung heap. Guyana is on the threshold of a bright and prosperous future, and all those bearing the signature stamp of retrogression would be left behind.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Critchlow opposed franchise for Indians Dear Editor, I write to clarify a remark by Mr Lincoln Lewis in another media (Aug 31) in which he stated that Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow championed adult universal suffrage (meaning, every adult has the right to vote).

The statement needs amplification. During the early part of his years as a trade unionist, Critchlow, as did Indian leaders, championed adult universal franchise; but, later on, he did what Clem Seecharan described as “a volte face” or about face, opposing it.

Dwarka Nath, Cheddi Jagan, Clem Seecharan, Baytoram Ramharack, among others, in acclaimed books, noted that after Critchlow was appointed (nominated on account of his class status) to the National Assembly, he opposed universal franchise. Jagan, Ashton Chase, J Hubbard, JB Singh, Daniel Prabhudas Debidin, JP Lachmansingh, Ayub Edun, among others, consistently championed universal franchise. JB Singh and others called for the franchise since 1919, when Jagan was not even one year old.

As scholars noted, Critchlow was motivated by ‘racial” considerations in opposing universal franchise. Critchlow was worried that Indians would outvote Africans because of their greater numbers.

The British Guiana East Indian Association (BGEIA), from the outset, called for adult universal franchise, and reiterated the position in commemorative ceremonies in 1938, on the centenary of Indian arrival in

Guyana. On the demand for universal franchise, a specific commission was appointed to study the issue. JB Singh and Critchlow were on the commission, taking opposing sides, and it was split down the middle. Critchlow and others called for a census and training of people to vote, etc.

It was a stalling tactic to deny Indians the right to vote.

In the 1940s, Critchlow went to England and met with members of the League of Coloured People to discuss the issue of universal franchise. Thereafter, he did his volte face on the franchise.

During a parliamentary debate, Critchlow championed African political interest and opposed Indians getting the franchise. His position disappointed JB Singh and others who championed the franchise.

Later, Critchlow himself would be alienated from the politics after the franchise was granted, and he lost his exalted position as a nominated member in the Assembly. Even Burnham avoided him at labour rallies.

It was Cheddi and Janet who embraced him as he stood on the sidelines of May Day rallies, taking him by his hands and brining him into workers marches.

I also note that Mr Lincoln Lewis opposed the democratic way of choosing a government through free and fair elections on March 2. Many are disappointed in the position taken by Lewis, who abandoned the movement for free and fair elections. He attempted to create a myth surrounding the court challenges and judicial rulings, stretching their meanings and in-

tent to defend electoral fraud.

He also saw nothing wrong in the behaviour of Mingo and Lowenfield in engaging in electoral fraud.

Lewis did not condemn, in fact he excused, the electoral fraud that took place in public glare. He went along with Mingo’s and then Lowenfield’s subverting of democracy.

Lewis also speaks of inclusive Government. I agree and support inclusion. There is no better inclusive Government than one elected by the voters in a free and fair election.

Lewis ought to know water.

The country would never forget that five-month ordeal to respect the will of voters, the epitome of inclusiveness.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

Why APNU/AFC lost the 2020 elections (Part 1)

Dear Editor, I wish to make it pellucid that a person who gives open advice must not be labelled as a source of bad news, but as a person providing sound guidance. Therefore, I am writing this missive, not as a political antagonist, but as an Ambassador for Peace.

As an Ambassador for Peace, peace is all that I am interested in, along with justice and fairness to all citizens. Whether they voted for a Government or not, these citizens must be protected and cared for.

Additionally, caring for those who did not support you is a hallmark of not only goodwill, but that of excellent governance.

You may note that I did not say ANPU+AFC in my caption; this was intentional.

I think the PNC/APNU was extremely kind to the AFC to give them nine (9) seats. It is my view, and that of most ‘political pundits,’ that the AFC did not bring even a single seat to the PNC/APNU. And, as time progresses, they will go into disintegration, unless the PNC/APNU clings to them. In all honesty, the undersigned has little respect for the leadership of the AFC, except maybe for Cathy Hughes and Mr. Dominic Gaskin.

Allow me to express my opinions as to why I think the APNU/PNC lost the 2020 General Election. My thoughts are as follows: 1. You lost because you isolated yourselves from the masses. In my opinion, an impenetrable golden barrier separated the people from the leadership of the APNU/ PNC. 2. You forgot that the people are the true bosses of the country, and that the people can bring down any Government they want; they can bring the Government out of power anytime they wish, and particularly at the end of their term.

3. The promises you made were left unfulfilled. As one who travelled the land, I heard the cries and lamen-

tations of the people. Since taking the reins of power following the elections of 2015, instead of putting the people first, you boosted the salaries of ministers and Parliamentarians even as the economy broke. This was a bitter pill for the electorate.

Something should have been done for the people first! And to add salt to the wounds of the citizens, the words of one of your officials which followed were harsh to the people’s ears: “We have no apologies to make.”

4. You failed to see the message of your supporters in the 2018 Local Government Elections, where you received a very sound thrashing from the electorate.

5. No housing schemes were established, although credit was used for the housing schemes of the former administration, and now the Government of Guyana. The few core homes were neither here nor there.

6. Rice, sugar, bauxite, gold and other significant foreign exchange-earners went under.

7. People were very bitter about the blatant effort by your coalition to cover the US$18 million ($18,000,000) signing bonus received from ExxonMobil. When your Government was forced to talk on the subject, it was as though the effort was to pull the wool over the eyes of the people. Never underestimate the intelligence of the man in the street.

8. You alienated friends and supporters by behaving as if they did not exist.

9. You had some boisterous party activists, one of them a minister, acting ridiculously and most vulgarly in the streets, counting of the votes, and many times thereafter. This led to disrepute and a severe decline in the PNC faction.

10. You denied appointments and recognitions to the positive and credible persons in society as if these instruments were the personal purview/property of the ‘Bigger Boys’ in your political

domain.

11. You failed to win friends and influence people. I wrote openly in the media and made commentaries on TV programmes and social media about how important it is to master the technique of winning friends and influencing people. I wrote letters about this to senior Government officials, and recommended Dale Carnegie’s book of the same title, “How to win friends and influence people.” I have advised that the purpose must not only be to look out for whoever you consider your own, even though I, the undersigned, felt that you sometimes forgot your own.

You engaged in this Stalinist/Burnhamite technique of aggressively pulling the feathers off of a chicken, leaving it bloody and frail, cold and thirsty; but when you throw a few bits of crumbs at it, it will still follow you everywhere you go, because you keep throwing crumbs. Well, this time, this technique could not have succeeded. In my view, it was social media that disrupted your Stalinist strategy of power and dominance.

12. I believe that you, the PNC/APNU, isolated yourselves from your own supporters, and did not attract any of the supporters of the then Opposition, and now the Government. If you observe well, you would see that the new Government and its President, with his team, are travelling most generously to areas that are not normally their stronghold. This, dear APNU/AFC, is the mastery of the art of winning friends and influencing others.

13. The closure of the sugar estates was the most terrible decision, affecting tens of thousands of lives and the nation indirectly and directly. It affected the lives of at least ten thousand workers and their families. This was a huge mistake that the APNU+AFC have paid for dearly.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan

Politically-affiliated GTU General Secretary should step down Dear Editor, During the Elections campaign, and after the March 02, 2020 electoral process, all sorts of drama started to unfold, along with all sorts of people who hold offices and positions that mandate neutrality in order for them to hold those specific positions, politicised themselves and compromised the trust of those whom they are supposed to serve.

I must firstly commend the President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) for his professionalism in executing his duty throughout the electoral process. He never showed to the public any political affiliation or any sign of being compromised.

While we’re at it, there is one out of many persons in the Guyana Teachers Union Executive that showed tremendous signs of being compromised and politically affiliated; that is, General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers Union,

Coretta McDonald, who took to the stage at the ‘Area H’ ground in Rose Hall and campaigned for the then caretaker APNU+AFC Administration.

And on that campaign trail, the very same GTU General Secretary McDonald bombarded and “lambasted” the newly elected Government and all of its members via social media.

Let it not be forgotten that McDonald is the General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers Union, and it brings into question whether the deals made on behalf of teachers in 2018 with the then APNU+AFC Administration, in which she was a negotiator for the teachers of this great country, were fair, and whether any other “underhand” business was carried out to broker that deal.

There is the evidence of Ms McDonald, in early 2020, surfacing on the list of candidates of the very same APNU/AFC that

she sat down with to negotiate for the teachers of Guyana in 2018.

Ms McDonald, I encourage you to leave the position of General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers Union for someone who is not politically-affiliated and is neutral. It should be noted that the Guyana Teachers Union is not a political Union; moreso, politicians cannot negotiate or lobby for the teachers of this great country. Furthermore, politicians who do not support the “government of the day” will always have their own agenda in terms of making deals for those whom they represent.

All eyes are on the Guyana Teachers Union Executive body, to see what would be their next move in regard to dealing with this matter.

Yours truly, Randy Da Silva

6

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

Page

Foundation

SUMMER OF LEARNING

◄

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

Subtracting mixed numbers with unlike denominators

To subtract mixed numbers, first subtract the whole numbers, then subtract the fractions.

Example: Subtract 12 3/4 - 7 5/8 Step 1:

Subtract the whole numbers: 12 - 7 = 5

Step 2: Change the fractions with unlike denominators to fractions with a common denominator.

The lowest common multiple of 8 and 4 is 8.

In this case, 4 x 2 = 8. The best common multiple is the higher number.

Exercises: Subtract 1) 2 1/21 - 1 1/3 2) 5 4/5 - 8 4/10 3) 13 1/2 - 9 7/14 4) 4 1/2 - 4 2/6 5) 6 5/10 - 5 7/12 6) 25 1/8 - 7 8/24

T

Step 3: Subtract the fractions 6/8 - 5/8 = 1/8

he lion had been badly hurt by the horns of a goat, which he was eating. He was very angry to think that any animal that he chose for a meal, should be so brazen as to wear such dangerous things as horns to scratch him while he ate. So he commanded that all animals with horns should leave his domains within twenty-four hours.

The command struck terror among the beasts. All those who were so unfortunate as to have horns, began to pack up and move out. Even the hare, who, as you know, has no horns and so had nothing to fear, passed a very restless night, dreaming awful dreams about the fearful lion.

And when he came out of the warren in the early morning sunshine, and there saw the shadow cast by his long and pointed ears, a terrible fright seized him.

“Goodbye, neighbour cricket,” he called. “I’m off. He will certainly make out that my ears are horns, no matter what I say.”

Step 4: Add your two differences: 5 + 1/8 = 5 1/8

P

etroglyphs are rock carvings. Makatau Mountain, located some three kilometres (1.7 miles) from central Aishalton, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in Guyana, where hundreds of petroglyphs, some dating to 5000 BC, have been found. They showcase the interactions of the first people with their surroundings and wildlife.

Materials:

Plaster of Paris Styrofoam plate String Scissors Plastic ziplock bag Butter knife Paint (sandstone colour) Paintbrush Pencil or nail Measuring cup

Instructions

Step 1: Pour 3/4 cups of water into the ziplock bag.

Add 1 1/2 cups plaster.

Step 2: Squish and squash it until all the bumps are gone and it resembles pancake batter.

WORD SEARCH Step 3: Cut one corner off the bag.

Step 4: Squirt the plaster through the hole onto the plate.

Step 5: Spread the plaster out and smooth it as best you can. Place a loop of string inside the plaster right at the top for hanging later. Let it dry about 30 minutes.

Step 6: Paint it and then wait for it to dry completely…good time to get a snack.

Step 7: Scratch out your images using the pencil and then the nail.

TA-DAAA! (Adapted from natureforkids.net)

NEWS

7

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WPA admits it is now without parliamentary representation …as Sarabo-Halley now among APNU MPs

O

pposition Leader Joseph Harmon has defended the inclusion of former Working People’s Alliance (WPA) executive member Tabitha Sarabo-Halley on the list of coalition Parliamentarians, notwithstanding the withdrawal of her party from the coalition and her own subsequent resignation.

Harmon was asked about Halley on Tuesday during the first sitting of the 12th Parliament, and he said Sarabo-Halley’s name was extracted as an A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Member of Parliament (MP), not as a WPA MP. Harmon noted that she was therefore recognised by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as part of the wider APNU/ AFC slate. It was on this basis that her name was sent

ever,” Harmon explained to the media. “So, she was extracted from that list, and it is based on her submission to GECOM as part of that list, it is based on that that she was extracted. So we believe she is in her rightful place in Parliament.”

WPA admits

Former WPA Executive member Tabitha Sarabo-Halley

to the National Assembly to form part of the parliamentary contingent.

“Mrs Sarabo-Halley is on a list that was submitted to GECOM. She is part of a list, APNU/AFC. We did not have a specific list called WPA, PNC (People’s National Congress) or what-

Meanwhile, WPA Secretary Tacuma Ogunseye, in a brief interview with this publication, admitted that former Chairperson SaraboHalley’s decision to leave the party, and the events thereafter, mean the party is now without parliamentary representation.

Sarabo-Halley’s selection for Parliament by APNU/ AFC played a critical role in the WPA’s fallout with its coalition partner last month.

In a letter announcing the party’s decision to leave the coalition, Ogunseye had crit-

WPA Secretary Tacuma Ogunseye

icised the lack of consultation. According to Ogunseye, Sarabo-Halley was selected without any consultation with the WPA. “To our utter embarrassment, not for the first time, the WPA was informed by the media that APNU had decided on its representa-

Businessman relieved of gun, shot during attempted murder in the process. We can’t say, because we don’t have much information to say, whether or not it is a robbery. We haven’t had a chance to inter-

Robinson’s General Store at Drysdale & Lombard Streets, Georgetown

T

he owner of Robinson’s General Store at the corner of Drysdale & Lombard Streets in Georgetown is now battling for his life at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) after he was shot by two men in front of his business premises.

Reports are that at about 12:10h on Wednesday, the 70-year-old businessman, who is a licensed firearm holder, was sitting on a chair in front of his establishment when he was confronted by the two men. According to Police, an argument quickly ensued and escalated into a physical altercation, during which the businessman was relieved of his firearm and shot by one of the suspects.

The businessman fell to the ground, and the suspects picked up his firearm and made good their escape on a bicycle.

Meanwhile, an eyewitness told this publication that the two men, who were armed with knives, walked

up to the businessman and a scuffle ensued. They were soon able to overpower him and throw him to ground.

The source said one of the suspects immediately grabbed the businessman’s gun and shot him.

The eyewitness said one of the men was clad in a red hoodie, while the other had covered his face with a white shawl.

When Guyana Times visited the scene, one of the man’s employee said she was inside having lunch when she heard a loud explosion.

Upon checking, she saw her boss lying in a pool of blood shouting “I was shot!”

Robinson was picked up and rushed to a city hospital in an unconscious state.

When contacted, Regional Commander Simon Mc Bean said: “We don’t know if it is a robbery, we don’t have much information. What we have is that there was a scuffle between two persons and the proprietor, and he was shot

view the proprietor. He was undergoing medical treatment”.

Investigations are ongoing. (G9)

tives for the next National Assembly. It was only after we sent a letter to you enquiring about the state of affairs that we were informed by the General Secretary of the PNCR (Amna Ally), that the Chairperson of the WPA is one of the selected persons,” Ogunseye had written at the time.

“This, of course, was done without any engagement with WPA, thus denying the party an opportunity to determine who its representative should be. We view this as uncomradely, disrespectful, insulting, a gross disregard for principle, and therefore unacceptable,” he had also written.

In the letter, Ogunseye explained that the WPA requested that the names of its two nominees for Parliament and the Region Four Regional Democratic Council seats be removed from the APNU list.

It was later revealed that the WPA had expected to get two seats, with each seat being rotated between two persons. Sarabo-Halley was one of four persons shortlisted by the party.

Soon after the WPA broke away from APNU/ AFC, it was revealed that Sarabo-Halley herself had resigned from the WPA.

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

In its letter, the WPA had also laid out the conditions for reconciliation with the APNU/AFC. These conditions had included the WPA being granted the right to choose who it will send to Parliament, and that the recommendations of the Corbin Report be implemented.

At the time, the WPA had stipulated that these conditions must be met within the next two months in order for it to reconsider its decision to leave. When asked by this publication whether the APNU/AFC had reached out to his party, however, Ogunseye said that it was “early days yet.” (G3)

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Trio serving 80 years jail time seeking to overturn murder conviction

T

hree men, who are each serving 80-year sentences for the 2012 murder of Glen Xavier are appealing their convictions and sentences.

In 2017, a 12-person jury convicted Steffon Campbell, Faisal Moore, and Ray Yokum of the May 9, 2012 murder of Xavier, which occurred at the Cornbread Mini Mart at D’Urban and Lime Streets, Georgetown.

The sentences were imposed by High Court Judge Navindra Singh. The trio have now moved to the Court of Appeal complaining that their convictions had several problems owing to errors made by the trial judge. As a consequence, they are contending that the convictions could not stand, and were asking that they be set aside along with the sentences.

Based on reports, 26-yearold Xavier of Harlem, West Coast Demerara, was fatally shot when the trio, who were armed with guns, stormed the Mini Mart. After the robbery, they escaped with

Attacking the lion...

Y

Steffon Campbell

Faisal Moore

Ray Yokum

an undisclosed sum of cash on two Honda CG motorcycles. Xavier was shot to his chest and left arm and later died. His cause of death was given as haemorrhage and shock due to gunshot injuries.

In passing the sentence, Justice Singh underscored that such violent acts would not be tolerated by the courts. He noted that a strong message needed to be sent to potential offenders and the scourge which

seemed to have overtaken society would not be tolerated by the courts. In fact, one of the men’s lawyers begged the court to temper justice with mercy, but Justice Singh declared that “there will be no mercy”.

In doing so, Justice Singh started the sentences at a base of 60 years, and made several additions, all of which amounted to another 20 years. The Judge added on more years to the base sentence for the use of guns

during the commissioning of the crime, public endangerment and other factors. The jailed men will only become eligible for parole after serving 40 years.

During their trial at the High Court in Demerara, 14 witnesses were called by State Prosecutors. The jury deliberated for a little over six hours, and only emerged once for further directions, before returning the unanimous guilty verdicts, in relation to each of them.

Legal Aid Clinic should be accessible to hinterland communities – UNDP

H

uman Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud recently met with officials from the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic (GLAC), and noted the need to publicise the services available to the public.

During the virtual meeting, Minister Persaud met with Chairman of the Board, Bishwa Panday; Director and Board Secretary Josephine Whitehead and Director Kashir Khan.

GLAC provides free or subsidised legal aid to persons who cannot afford to employ the services of a member of the Bar. The Clinic, which opened its doors in March 1994, receives an annual subvention from the Government.

It has five locations: King and Charlotte Streets, Georgetown, Region Four; Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Vrymens Ervin, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Its objectives include: provision of public education about the basic legal rights and duties and the legal process, and collaborating and networking with the Government and NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs) providing similar or complementary services. It has a complement of eight Attorneys-at-Law and is governed by a Board of Directors.

The Minister expressed her desire to “see an expansion of legal aid services across the country, an increase in the complement of

dismissal of charges, arranging diversion where appropriate or arguing for bail, and generally avoiding procedural delays, the UNDP report added.

Stats

lawyers, not only for accessibility ,but [to] have court matters completed.” Also, at the meeting, discussions ensued on ways to embolden additional lawyers to volunteer their services, bolster the GLAC’s public image and financial support. At the meeting’s conclusion, Panday indicated that he would submit a proposal to the Minister for review.

Universally accessible

Meanwhile, a recent needs assessment of the criminal justice system of nine Caribbean countries conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has recommended that Guyana make legal aid universally accessible in all geographic locations, including the hinterland.

“In addition to Georgetown, legal aid services can be accessed at offices at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast; Vrymens Ervin, New Amsterdam, Berbice, and Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice. The view has been expressed that the number of prisoners on remand is affected by lack of access to legal counsel. It is recommended to make legal aid

universally accessible to all geographic locations…,” the report noted.

The report disclosed that while the Legal Aid Clinic receives an annual subvention from the Government which covers most of its expenditure, it also receives financing through donations including from the Rights of the Child Commission to assist with representation of children and from clients who are assessed as being able to contribute toward the cost of their legal representation.

According to the report, the services of the Legal Aid Clinic are available free of charge to all children and adults who are assessed as being eligible for legal aid in that they cannot afford to pay more than 75 per cent of the amount they would have to pay to a member of the Bar. “As noted in Guyana’s Voluntary National Report, “the legal aid programme in particular, provides assistance to per sons accused of minor, non-violent offences currently in pre-trial detention.”

The legal aid programme comprises a team of lawyers and paralegals who seek the

For the period January to June 2020, the GLAC extended its services to 765 persons, according to statistics published on its website.

One hundred and twenty-eight persons, including 74 males, were seen by the Region Two office. A total of 531 persons, of which 353 were female, were seen at the Georgetown office. Over at the Region Five office, 23 persons received assistance, of which 15 were females, while 83 individuals received assistance from the Region Six office; 48 of them were females.

For this year, the Clinic predominantly dealt with civil matters including divorce, domestic violence, Deed Polls and Affidavit, division of property, custody and access, trespass, employment, landlord and tenant, property disputes, prescriptive titles, injunction, , bigamy, and personal injury/ death claims.

Criminal matters which persons sought assistance with included: murder, manslaughter, robbery, theft, narcotics trafficking, assault, threatening language, rape, carnal knowledge, disorderly behaviour and illegal firearm possession. In cases where persons did not qualify for legal aid, they were referred to the Bar. Ever since its opening in March 1994, almost 27 years ago, the Legal Aid Clinic has extended its services to 45, 522 individuals.

…but sparing the wolf our Eyewitness has noticed that the activistcitizens, both foreign and domestic, have intensified their drumbeats of war against EXXON for a “renegotiation” of the contract which the latter signed with Raphael Trotman on behalf of his PNC government.

What has always bothered him was the free pass they’ve given Trotman and the PNC!! After all, the essence of a “contract” is a meeting of the minds between two parties to produce the set of mutually-agreed obligations. So, if the contract is lopsided in favour of Exxon - and it really is! - but Trotman insists it’s okay, what’s the problem from a legal perspective??

If Trotman were an “infant” or a “moron” - which are both terms of art, incidentally! - maybe we could get out of the contract, since there would be no “mind” from our side to meet!! But last time your Eyewitness looked, the PNC insisted Trotman’s mind was so sound, they nominated him to be the next Deputy Speaker of Parliament. That he lost to a fella in a loincloth is neither here nor there!! Another fella in loincloth overthrew the entire British Empire when the lion had teeth, didn’t he??

Anyhow, back to the contract. Another way we would’ve been able to renegotiate for better terms was if Exxon had committed what the lawyerly fellas call a “material breach”. Like, for instance, not being able to bring up the oil by developing the oil field as they’d promised. But Exxon have instead been ahead of their commitments shipping oil months before the first quarter of this year, as had been projected.

Another reason we could’ve used to demand renegotiation is if the circumstances under which we’d agreed to the contract had changed dramatically. With this one, however, the changed circumstances since 2016 - collapsed markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and plunging prices - have all been in favour of Exxon. In fact, they’ve used this reason to renegotiate with some of their suppliers in Nigeria to hold up drilling, for instance!

We always have the right to unilaterally break the contract, of course, but this would open us to paying damages to Exxon for all their expenses and projected profits. Let’s say our profits would be big enough to pay those damages, do we have the capacity to run the deepsea oil production, or even manage a contractor??

Let’s face it, dear readers...all we can hope for is for Exxon to feel sorry for us and give us a “top up” on their own.

But with their bottom line bleeding red ink and their stocks taking a dive, even altruism is unlikely.

We have a lemon, folks, so let’s make some lemonade!! …Parliament Granger has created a new PNC is his own image, and they’ve been sworn in by the Clerk to do battle against the PPP in Parliament. They are, after all, the official “Opposition”. In England, they’re called the “loyal opposition” …but in Guyana, neither the PPP nor the country can expect any loyalty from that lot.

First of all, Lil Joe Harmon has already declared he doesn’t recognize the PPP as being legally elected, since their elections petition has been filed. Expect the PNC in Parliament to follow Trotman’s 2002 call to “expose, oppose and depose” the PPP as their mission.

We can also expect them to follow Granger’s lead to ignore not only our constitutional conventions, but to flagrantly break even its explicitly stated articles. Imagine Granger and Harmon waited in the blazing sun to give aid and comfort to Mingo - the man who committed fraud in front of the entire Diplomatic Corps and the international and domestic elections observers. They exalt illegality.

There will be no quarter given in the 12th Parliament!! …and placing MPs at risk Christopher Jones has been appointed the PNC’s Chief Whip in Parliament - responsible for keeping PNC MPs in line, and coordinating business with the PPP’s Whip.

He’s also responsible for exposing everyone to COVID-19!

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

NEWS

9

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Clerk finally receives Harmon’s proof of citizenship renunciation

…Shuman tells Clerk documents overseas, to submit by weekend

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

C

lerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, is now in receipt of proof that Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon has renounced his dual citizenship, leaving just one Member of Parliament (MP) with his proof outstanding.

This was confirmed when this publication made contact with Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs.

Issacs revealed that he received Harmon’s proof of renunciation on Wednesday morning.

As for the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lenox Shuman, who was known in the past to be a Canadian citizen, Isaacs said he is yet to receive anything.

However, he explained that he has met with the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) leader, and certain undertakings were given.

“I received from Joseph

Harmon at 10:45am… Mr. Shuman was here to see me, and he said there was a slight problem. His documents were submitted to the Elections Commission, but were sent back to Canada. He’s working towards getting something to me by the end of this week,” Issacs said.

“His letter of renunciation was sent back as well, but he’s going to get a letter from the Canadian High Commission to me by the end of this week, and he’ll use that until his certificate can be returned to him.”

Issacs had previously sent out a notice instructing MPs who renounced their citizenship to submit proof of this.

When the 1st sitting of the 12th Parliament was held on Tuesday, only one MP known to have been a dual citizen had so done. That MP was Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Government Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, who was previously a citizen of Canada and had renounced her citizenship since last year.

Harmon, who was formerly a US citizen, was adamant on Tuesday that he had submitted his proof.

“The Clerk of the National Assembly yesterday wrote to all Parliamentarians on this issue of dual citizenship.

This morning, I wrote to the Clerk and submitted to him the original sealed copy of my revocation certificate, as

well as a copy and asked that he return my sealed certificate,” Harmon declared on Tuesday.

“I am hopeful that all those other persons who are so affected - and I can recall two who are so affected, including the Government Chief Whip and the (Deputy Speaker) - I trust that, by the end of today, he circulates to all these MPs the certificates he asked for, so we can be sure every-

one is in their rightful place in the National Assembly,”

Harmon also said.

Article 155 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana makes it clear that MPs who are dual citizens would be disqualified from sitting in the National Assembly. The issue of dual citizenship came up after December 21, 2018, when Alliance For Change (AFC) MP Charrandas Persaud voted in favour of the NoConfidence Motion which toppled and effectively led to the booting of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition from Government.

At that time, a number of dual-citizen MPs were sitting in the National Assembly on both sides of the aisle.

From the APNU/AFC coalition, those MPs were Minister of State Joseph Harmon (United States citizenship), Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, and Public Service Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine (all British citizens); along with Persaud,

Deputy Speaker & LJP Leader Lenox Shuman

who held Canadian citizenship. They all had to resign as MPs. OnthePeople’sProgressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) side, Adrian Anamayah, Odinga Lumumba, and Gail Teixeira all held foreign citizenship.

The APNU/AFC used Persaud’s dual citizenship as a weapon in its arsenal seeking to overturn the NoConfidence Motion, arguing in vain that Persaud was not qualified to be in the National Assembly, and as such, his vote in favour of the motion was invalid. (G3)

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

La Grange mason killed in hit-and-run accident …suspects nabbed as Police find car in mechanic shop

A

young mason from Unity Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) died on Tuesday night after he was struck down by a speeding car on the La Grange Public Road.

Dead is 25-year-old Imran Abdul of Lot 24 Unity Street. The accident occurred just about 21:40h.

The Police, in a statement, said that while walking home along the Public Road, Abdul was hit from behind by a speeding vehicle which was proceeding in the same direction. As a result of the collision, the

young man fell to the eastern parapet, where he sustained injuries to his head and back, and the vehicle drove away leaving him there.

He was later picked up and taken by the Police to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

When Guyana Times visited the home of the dead man, his grieving father, Shazamudeen Azeez, related that his son had left home to go visit friends and family. He said they were informed that Abdul met

his demise after he left his brother’s home and visited a friend at Palmer Street, on the border of the La Grange and Meerzorgen villages.

“Around 9 something, a car come and stop in front here and say he get accident and he lay down pon the road. So, the mother send the elder son, because he could hoist he and move he and thing. When he go there, he just called back and said he didn’t make it,” Azeez related.

Azeez explained that persons in the area said they heard a loud noise and saw a silver-coloured car

speeding away.

“Like the car pick he up and pelt he across the road.

He leff home and went couple other places. He went

by Goed Fortuin Squatting Area and then we went by some other friend in Sideline Dam and from there he was coming out and that was when the car pick he up.

“The people them said that them nah see how he get the accident, but them hear a big noise and see a silver-ish car driving away.

But we hear that them Police get the car,” the grieving man related.

Dead: Imran Abdul

Car found

The Police said they have found a vehicle they suspected was involved in the accident. They have since

taken it from a mechanic shop in Belle West, Canal Number Two, WBD, and are investigating the incident. According to Police, the 32-year-old driver of Stanleytown, WBD, has been taken into custody along with two other persons.

The family is contending that the car belongs to the son of a popular funeral home owner, but was rented to the driver who operated it as a taxi.

Azeez described his son as a peaceful child.

The body is presently at Ezekiel Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The investigation is ongoing. (G2)

Handyman stabbed to death over $200 debt

Ovid Chester’s covered body at Bourda Market, Georgetown, where he collapsed and died after being stabbed

A

52-year-old man was on Wednesday morning stabbed to death during an argument over money at Bourda Market, Georgetown.

Dead is Ovid Chester, also known as “Bruckie” or “Wannie”, of South Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD). He often did odd jobs around the Bourda Market, Guyana Times was told.

Reports are on Wednesday morning around 10:12h, Chester was involved in an argument over a $200 debt with another man who also did odd jobs.

Police said the suspect took a construction net to the Bourda Market to sell on Monday. However, upon his arrival, “Bruckie” offered to sell it. The suspect handed over the net to the now-deceased man who left shortly after, looking for a sale. The suspect told Police he waited for the man to return, but he never did. Police stated that on Wednesday, the suspect armed himself with a kitchen knife, and returned to Bourda Market in search of Chester. He subsequently met him through a “track” leading to North Road, Georgetown where a confrontation occurred over the net as Chester refused to answer the suspect, according to Police. The suspect then whipped out the

knife and stabbed Chester to his left upper chest, in the vicinity of the heart.

After receiving the injury, Chester ran and collapsed a short distance away. He was pronounced dead on the scene by a medical doctor.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses told this publication that the suspect walked up to the victim through the “track”, and asked him for the $200 he owed. They told reporters that the victim then told the man that he did not have any money.

According to eyewitnesses, an argument ensued, and the suspect stabbed Chester before fleeing from the scene. He was later caught by Police who were on patrol in the vicinity, with the help of public-spirited citizens.

When this publication arrived on the scene, Chester’s brother, Mark, said, “I got a phone call that my brother get stab up on Bourda Market, and I get my cousin to come down to check to see it was true or just a rumour. He basically lives around the Market square.

Only yesterday (Tuesday) morning he come to see his mother. Now to hear this, she would be distraught.”

The body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour to await a post-mortem examination. (G9)

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

11 new charges for Ponzi scheme operators ‌on $23.6M bail for 46 charges

turn to court on September 7, 2020.

On Tuesday, they appeared virtually before Magistrate Fabayo Azore, who read 12 similar charges to them. Those charges stated that between the aforementioned dates, with intent to commit a felony, they conspired with persons, known and unknown, to obtain over $30 million in total from 12

Cuban national Yuri Garcia-Dominguez and his Guyanese wife, Ateeka Ishmael during their first court appearance

C

uban national Yuri Garcia-Dominguez and his Guyanese wife, Ateeka Ishmael, are now facing a whopping 52 charges in relation to a massive Ponzi Scheme they have been allegedly running in Guyana, swindling persons of some $190.7 million.

While they were granted bail totalling $23.6 million on 46 of the charges, they were remanded to prison on six of them.

The husband-and-wife duo are associated with Accelerated Capital Firm Incorporated (ACFI), which is currently under investigation for illegal activities in which the company claimed that it used a foreign exchange platform to trade the investments, which amount

to millions of dollars.

On Wednesday, the couple were slapped with 11 new charges when they appeared via Skype before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

This time, Police are alleging that Dominquez, 34, and Ishmael, 32, both of Track A Coldingen, East Coast Demerara, between May and July 2020 with intent to commit a felony, conspired with persons, known and unknown, to obtain more than $75 million overall from 11 victims under false pretence.

They were not required to plead to this set of charges and were granted bail to the tune of $3.3 million each.

They were instructed to re-

persons under false pretence.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of $3.6 million each. They will make their next court appearance for these charges on September 21.

Only on Monday, the couple were slapped with 10 charges, which alleged that between May 2020 and July 2020, with intent to com-

mit a felony, they conspired with persons, known and unknown, to obtain in excess of $60 million in total from 10 persons under false pretence.

They were granted bail in the sum of $1 million each and were ordered to return to court on October 5.

Meanwhile, on Thursday last, a total of 19 charges were read to them in two

separate courts. In this matter, the Police stated that the couple collected $24.7 million from 13 persons, and another $1 million from six persons. They were granted $3.9 million bail each on 13 of the charges. They were remanded to prison on six of the charges.

The couple are being represented by lawyers Glen Hanoman and Dexter Todd.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt to rehire 2000 hinterland CSOs fired by APNU/AFC

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resident Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has announced a series of measures which would be implemented by his Administration to bring back economic vibrancy in Indigenous communities, including rehiring of the approximately 2000 Community Support Officers (CSOs) who were terminated by the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government when it took office in 2015.

During his address to mark the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month 2020, President Ali made it clear that all the benefits aimed at empowering Amerindian communities which were “heartlessly snatched away” would be restored.

In this regard, he said that Community Development Plans (CDPs) would be reintroduced to ensure that Amerindians were able to determine the sustainable livelihoods they desire.

The President further added that his Administration would return to the ground-breaking partnership forged through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and advance the innovative “opt in” feature which allowed villages to benefit directly from the proceeds of carbon trading services.

The Head of State noted that Amerindian Heritage Month 2020 was being commemorated this year in unusual circumstances. He said that while the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has tempered this year’s observances, “it has failed to totally cripple our ability to honour and celebrate with our Amerindian brothers and sisters”.

President Ali assured that as soon as the situation permitted, he would return to the various communities to listen to the concerns of residents so that their development needs could be addressed.

On this basis, he not-

President Irfaan Ali speaking with residents of Swan Village, Linden-Soesdyke Highway on Wednesday

ed that very soon the Government would be rolling out a detailed programme to bring relief to hinterland communities to cope with the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I assure you that your Government remains reso-

lute in ensuring the safety of indigenous communities, not just at an individual level but the issues of food security.

“We will be announcing measures very shortly that are aimed directly at every household in the hinterland to bring relief, to bring ease

and to improve your living standards,” the President said.

Ali added that he has since directed Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony to fast-track hinterland interventions and relief measures and he has since advised that follow-

ing sweeping consultations currently underway with Amerindian leaders, emergency measures would be announced shortly.

In the coming years, President Ali promised that Amerindians could look forward to improvements in social services.

He noted that health facilities would be increased, upgraded and better equipped to provide enhanced and more accessible health care across the hinterland.

Ali said Indigenous children could look forward to a higher quality of education, including through the use of Information Communication Technologies, the provision of more and better-trained teachers and the award of scholarships.

He added that the hinterland water infrastructure and the electrification programme that was started would be expanded through the use of alternative energy such as solar and hydro power.

Majority of racially-insensitive complaints involve Facebook posts – ERC …some matters referred to Police

E

ighty-seven per cent of the complaints received by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) regard incidents on social media; more specifically Facebook, with a total of 89 out of 102 complaints.

This revelation was made on Wednesday by the ERC, which said its capacity to productively probe these incidents is limited by factors such as the use of fake profiles to make racially-insensitive posts or comments.

Other factors limiting its capacity to investigate include challenges such as private user profiles, or the unavailability of the accused person’s legal name, address or contact information; or the accused residing out of Guyana, making jurisdiction an issue — this is for active profiles.

As a result of those limitations, the ERC has adopted two courses. First, it has published the posts and faces of persons against whom

complaints have been made through social media in the “Persons of Interest” initiative. This has generated positive feedback, with the public’s assistance and in some cases the co-operation of the accused.

The ERC has said that individuals such as Chaitram Goberdhan, called “Bounty”; Lucra Adams, Lashana Chester, Mollyann Moonsammy, Marcel Haymer and Tifany Greene have contacted the Commission. The practice of publishing the posts and faces of persons of interest will be done periodically, and the Commission is relying on the public’s assistance in identifying offenders.

Nevertheless, the ERC said it has been diligently conducting investigations into complaints received, and has been adopting measures to bring amicable resolutions to racial and ethnic issues in the discharge of its constitutional mandate.

Anonymous

According to the ERC, anonymous complaints have been made to the Commission involving state

entities. In particular, an anonymous complaint was made citing racially-prejudiced promotion practices of the Guyana Police Force.

However, during the course of the investigations, that matter has since resolved itself.

An anonymous complaint was also made against the recruitment practices of the Bureau of Statistics.

Nevertheless, although the Commission is committed to treating certain information as confidential, there has been little progress in that investigation, as persons are not coming forward with information.

Investigation

Secondly, the Commission met with the Cyber Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown. The two agencies are on a productive path of collaboration.

Some complaints received by the Commission do not offend the Racial Hostility Act or the Representation of the People Act, but instead are crimi-

nal offences to be investigated by the Police.

Those complaints have been referred to the Police for necessary action. Eight Facebook incidents fall in that category (7.8%). One complaint of an incident in the real world fell under the jurisdiction of the Police and evoked summary court proceedings (0.98%).

Furthermore, one complaint (0.98%) fell outside of the ambit of the ERC, but is a matter to be investigated by the Women and Gender Equality Commission.

The Commission has also investigated complaints made against public officials. For instance, the Mayor of Bartica is currently under investigation. Since the publication of his name in the “Persons of Interest”, he has undertaken to co-operate with the ERC.

Mediation

The Commission, through its Investigative Sub-Committee arm, has conducted mediation sessions touching and concerning adversities surrounding racism in the work force, and racial conflicts in land occupation and land allocation.

A mediation exercise was completed at the Fort Wellington Dental Department, West Coast Berbice, where accusations were made of racial partiality in the performance of professional duties and discriminatory discipline of staff on the basis of race.

During the mediation, the health officials gave an undertaking to work

in unison, and emotional apologies were made. The Commission, through that exercise, has made recommendations for departmental changes, which include effective systems of record keeping and human and social development of staff through counselling and training.

A team recently mediated in the community of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, where land conflict evolved into racial tensions. In addition to the mediation session, the Commission has been working in conjunction with the Lands and Surveys Commission to settle allegations of land encroachment, a matter in which the ERC expects an imminent resolution.

Racial allegations have also been made surrounding the unlawful repossession and allocation of land under the control of a co-operative society, ERC noted. In this regard, the investigative team of the Commission is working closely with the Co-operative Development and Societies Department to address the concerns of the members. This matter is currently still under investigation as the Commission awaits the submission of important documents in the case.

Despite the many impediments, some beyond the control of the ERC, the Commission has said it has been tirelessly working to promote harmony and good relations in our ten administrative regions.

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Sherwyn Greaves is new CEO of CH&PA …former Harbour Master now MARAD Director General

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he Housing and Water Ministry has appointed Sherwyn Greaves as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

Greaves has replaced Lelon Saul, who was relieved

of his duties on August 25 when he received his letter of termination with one month’s notice. However, Saul vacated his office with immediate effect in order to proceed on leave.

In a statement on Wednesday, the CH&PA

said the newly appointed CEO brings with him a wealth of knowledge in the areas of effective leadership and communication, as he holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Australia Institute of Business, a di-

ploma in banking from the Associate Institute of Canadian Bankers, and a certificate in People and Team Management from the Canadian Securities Institute.

Greaves has a career in banking that spans more

More stringent COVID-19 measures for incoming passengers

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he Guyana Government intends to implement strict health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when the country’s airports are fully reopened to commercial traffic.

This is according to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, who indicated that although persons coming to Guyana would have done a test at their place of origin, they would still be required to undergo another test upon their arrival here.

He said the health authorities here are hoping to develop the capacity to conduct testing at the airport, and provide passengers with their results within two to three hours, before they are released into the public.

Dr Anthony was quick to point out, though, that even if the passenger is tested negative, he or she is still required to self-quarantine at home for a period of no less than seven days.

According to the Health Minister, because of the way the disease operates, somebody can test negative now,

and that person can develop the disease a couple of days later. He explained that PCR test is sensitive to the amount of virus in one’s body.

“So, if you just got exposed and just got infected, you might not have enough virus in your body for the test to detect. So, (from) the point of exposure to the time of detection generally, the experts advise that at least we look at about five days, and around the fourth or fifth day after that exposure, that is the best time when you have adequate viral loads for the test to work

properly. So even if we (tested) you at the airport, we would still want you to be in self-quarantine for the next seven days,” Dr Anthony explained.

Meanwhile, the Health Minister added that Guyanese who are stuck overseas and want to return home can still do so, provided that they have a negative COVID-19 test result within the last five days. He detailed that an application would have to be made, and once approval is granted, the person can go ahead and purchase their travel ticket etc.

Due to the sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Guyana, the Government, once again on Monday, extended the closure of the country’s international airports until September 30.

Previously, scheduled international flights to Guyana had been continuously suspended since March 18. The most recent gazetted order, however, explained that limited repatriation flights, outgoing flights, cargo flights, medivac flights, technical stops, and special authorised flights would continue to operate.

GCAA had previously implemented regulations and standard operating procedures (SoPs) to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 virus. This had changed the way in which airports and aeroplanes were allowed to operate, including the number of passengers they could carry.

New CH&PA CEO, Sherwyn Greaves

New head of MARAD, Stephen Thomas

than 27 years, and has held key managerial positions throughout the country, the CH&PA has said.

Greaves is also trained in the areas of Change Management, Security and Fraud Awareness, Highperformance Management, and Business Continuity Planning, among other areas.

Meanwhile, former Harbour Master Stephen Thomas has been appointed new Director General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill.

Former MARAD Director Claudette Rogers is now an adviser on maritime affairs.

According to a Department of Public Information report, Edghill has since said that within the next 10 days, the imme-

diate task of the administration is to conduct a review of all its systems, functions, and to assess the capacity and skill sets of its employees. The announcement of the new appointments as well as the policy directions that were given were warmly received by both the management and rank and file workers.

Thomas has served for more than three decades in the ports and maritime sector, with the majority of that time being as a senior officer with the Transport & Harbours Department (T&HD) and the Maritime Administration Department.

As Harbour Master, Thomas was responsible for the management of all the harbours in accordance with the Transport & Harbours Act.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Local Content Panel a step in right direction – Dookhoo …says Carl Greenidge a “great gift” to panel

Former PSC Chairman Ramesh Dookhoo

T

he appointment by President Dr Irfaan Ali of several experts to a Local Content Panel is being hailed by a veteran Private Sector figure as a step in the right direction: towards building a framework to ensure more Guyanese are able to benefit directly from oil and gas opportunities.

In an interview with this publication, former Private Sector Commission Chairman Ramesh Dookhoo weighed in on this development. He was optimistic that the presence of such a diverse group of experts augers well for Guyana’s efforts to create a robust local content framework.

He singled out the presence of Trinidadian Local Content expert Anthony Paul on the panel. Paul has played a critical role in the formulation of local content policies in Ghana, and has been vocal about local content issues in Guyana.

Paul is the Principal Consultant, Energy and Strategy, Association of Caribbean Energy Specialist

Limited. He spearheaded a Rapid Analysis of the State of Readiness of Guyana’s Hydrocarbon Regulatory Framework study facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2016.

“I see that there’s a lot of intellect on the panel, there’s a good distribution of sectors. There’s a representative of labour. There’s a representative from the Private Sector; there’s expertise from Anthony Paul, whom I’ve met personally.

Anthony Paul has actually written the Ghanaian legislation which has been very successful.”

“We, the Private Sector, have been complaining for a very long time about the lack of a robust local content policy under the previous Government. But here we are. We seem to have reconciled to the fact that we need legislation. And I believe we could not have selected a better panel,” Dookhoo added.

Dookhoo also lauded the inclusion of former Foreign Affairs Minister under the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) government, Carl Greenidge, on the panel. Greenidge, an economist by profession, also served as Finance Minister from 1983 to 1992.

According to Dookhoo, this is a gesture of inclusion that should be sustained.

“Greenidge is a great gift to that panel, and I’m very happy to see he’s sitting on that panel willingly.

And I also see it as an expression of reaching out to the Opposition and the PNC party. And I hope a lot more of that happens for issues that affect all of Guyana, and we can demonstrate we

have a non-partisan attitude about issues that affect the whole country,” he said.

Apart from Paul and Greenidge, the panel also includes former Trinidad Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine. Ramnarine is no stranger to these shores, having given speeches and been vocal on energy related issues affecting Guyana.

Ramnarine served as the Minister of Energy of Trinidad and Tobago (2011 to 2015). During his tenure, he created a positive climate for investment, including the fiscal reforms, which resulted in major investments in deep-water exploration.

Prior to being appointed Energy Minister, he held positions in the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago and at British Gas, where he worked as the Lead Economist.

Ramnarine holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry; a Master’s of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering; and a Master’s Degree in Business (M.B.A.). Since leaving Ministerial office, he has worked as an energy consultant and as lecturer at the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business.

In 2014, he was named “Energy Executive of the Year” by the Petroleum Economist magazine.

Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) head and former Presidential advisor Shyam Nokta will be the Chairman of the panel. Nokta also previously served as Head of the Office of Climate Change, where he coordinated Guyana’s response to climate change, the development and implementation of the Low Carbon

Development Strategy (LCDS), and REDD+ Partnership with the Kingdom of Norway.

The panel also includes Finance Professor Floyd Haynes and trade unionist Carvil Duncan. Haynes is an adjunct Professor in Finance and Accounting at the

University of the District of Columbia, and he is a public lecturer in Leadership and Management.

He is also the founder and President of Haynes Incorporated, a Washington-based international accounting and management consulting firm,

and he is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Meanwhile, Duncan is former Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and current President of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG). (G3)

Govt to engage former EPA Director professionally – President

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he Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will still be engaging former Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Vincent Adams, at a professional level. This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali. Dr Vincent Adams, former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency, was sent on 126 days’ leave after the PPP/C Administration assumed office. Dr Adams was asked to hand over to Sharifa Razack, who is currently the Permit Review and Authorisation Manager at the EPA. President Ali explained that the EPA is an agency with a wide scope of institutional capacity, hence Dr Adams being sent off will not affect the EPA’s ability in the decision-making process.

Further, President Ali pointed out that Dr Adams’s qualifications are not directly in the environmental field, but are rather in oil and gas.

“So, somebody is holding there now who has 20 years’

Dr Vincent Adams

experience in EPA, so I don’t see the work of the EPA being affected in any way. We have just also appointed a new board. We have to place people where their skill sets are best suited,” Ali said.

The Head of State also pointed to some actions of Dr Adams which the current administration has taken note of.

“While (Dr) Vincent Adams is a professional, and we will be engaging him, he also had a political role.

Sometimes we knowingly forget that some of these

persons were actually on the campaign trail and were on the stage; that is why I said that we need to have a professional pool in our country that work in a professional manner, and when you cross into the political realm, you have to understand that there are consequences.”

Dr Adams is an Energy Expert and Scientist who has a PhD in Environmental Engineering, and is a PhD Candidate in Petroleum and Geological Engineering, among other oil-related qualifications. (G4)

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Sweeping COVID-19 relief intervention measures to be announced

President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday distributing hampers along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway

President Irfaan Ali with frontline workers

resident Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, accompanied by Cabinet members and other Government officials, on Wednesday visited several communities along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway to engage with residents and provide much needed relief for those affected by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

During the discussions with the residents, President Ali assured that, before the end of the week, a wide range of interventions will be announced to bring relief to vulnerable communities across Guyana.

The President said that while the exercise was aimed

to you. We want to be able to understand your needs, and to work with you in finding long term solutions,” the Head of State said.

President Ali assured that officials will take the necessary action to ensure that Government meets the needs of the people. He also committed to ensuring that Education Minister Priya Manickchand is briefed on the critical issues affecting the communities’ children from accessing educational and learning materials, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President assured that interventions will be made to ensure the education system benefits all of

P

at identifying the challenging issues, a high-level team would soon be appointed to provide redress in a more comprehensive manner.

“We will come up with a master list (of issues) plaguing the communities, which a taskforce will address.

This activity will give us an idea of the magnitude of work your Government is expected to deliver on,” President Ali is quoted by the Office of the President’s Public Information and Press Services Unit as saying.

The President and his team visited several communities, including Silver Hill, Kairuni, Loo Creek, Tigerbone Banakari,

Kuru Kuru College, and Swan, where he assured those gathered that his Government stands firm in ensuring that the promises made during the elections campaign would be fulfilled.

Several priority areas were identified for access to potable water, electricity, health services, creation of jobs, land allocation and access to education for children in vulnerable communities.

“We are pleased to be back here with you, and we want to work with you and reach out to all of you, including the young people, to be a part of the developmental agenda. We remember the promises that we made

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

Guyana’s children, and he reiterated that no effort will be spared to address the issues plaguing the various communities, which are as a direct result of the bad policies of the previous Government.

President Ali also extended greetings on the occasion of Amerindian Heritage Month, and reminded residents of the recent strides made in recognition of the contributions of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana.

“I want to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy Amerindian Heritage [Month], and to say that you can be proud that five talented Amerindians were

sworn in as Members of the National Assembly to comprise the 12th Parliament, as well as the Deputy Speaker, Mr Lenox Shuman, who is also of Amerindian descent,” the President said.

A total of 1,100 hampers were provided to communities. The distribution exercise will continue today in the communities of Laluni, River’s View and St. Cuthbert’s Mission/ Pakuri .

On Monday, the President and his team also visited several communities in East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) to bring much needed relief to residents enduring challenges due to the pandemic.

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

New loss of taste or smell

Muscle pain Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness.

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

1st batch of patients shifted to COVID-19 hospital ... as 9 new cases reported; 14 in ICU

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention located at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown

Indian High Commissioner Dr K.J. Srinivasa handing over the medical supplies to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Wednesday at the Ministry’s Drug Bond in Diamond

A

s the testing drive continues countrywide, Guyana has recorded another nine new cases of the novel coronavirus.

This was revealed by the Health Ministry’s updated COVID-19 Dashboard on Wednesday. According to the dashboard, Guyana now has a total of 1,382 confirmed cases, comprising of 683 females and 699 males.

Of this number, however, only 562 cases are currently active, with a record 14 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) located at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

The other 548 active cases are in isolation, that is, 71 cases in institutional isolation and the remaining 477 persons in home isolation.

Meanwhile, the number of persons in institutional quarantine is now 106.

Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll is now at 43, with the two latest deaths announced on Tuesday. In addition, some 779 persons have recovered from the life-threatening disease

thus far – 37 more than the figures recorded the previous day.

To date, a total of 8,918 persons have been tested for the novel coronavirus, with 96 of them being tested within the last 24 hours before Wednesday’s update.

Of the nine new cases recorded on Wednesday, three are from Region One (Barima-Waini) and another three from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), which now have 198 and 495 cases respectively.

The other cases are: one from Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), which now has 229 cases, and two from Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), with now has a total of 243 cases.

The other six regions remain at 14 cases in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); 81 case in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); eight cases in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 16 cases in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 23 cases in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and 74 cases in

Region 10 (Upper DemeraraUpper Berbice).

Meanwhile with increasing cases being recorded, the Health Ministry has now begun utilising the billion-dollar Centre for Disease Control and Prevention located at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, with the first batch of COVID-19 patients shifting there on Tuesday.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Dr Anthony disclosed that six patients from the maternity section of the GPHC were transferred to the new health facility on Tuesday.

However, he noted that other sections of the $1.6 billion COVID-19 Hospital will gradually be occupied.

“Today (Wednesday), more patients will be transferred to the Liliendaal facility. Our intentions are to add persons who are in the transition ward of GPHC, and these would be positive cases with mild forms of COVID-19”, Dr Anthony explained in a DPI report.

The Health Minister toured and inspected the fa-

cility on Sunday last, and revealed that the facility currently has 197 beds, and will grant 50 percent usage during Phase One. This, he pointed out, will remove the burden from GPHC, thus allowing them to cater for more severe cases and nonCOVID-19 patients.

During his inspection, Minister Anthony also identified electricity, water availability, and proper sewage disposal as hurdles that have delayed the transfer of patients to the new facility, which was formerly the Ocean View International Hotel.

Nevertheless, the Health Ministry has been working assiduously with the Public Works and Housing and Water Ministries to fix issues that have posed challenges to the facility becoming properly and fully equipped to accommodate COVID-19 patients.

Doctors have already been transferred to work at this health facility.

The facility possesses an isolation unit and a section to house patients awaiting their COVID-19 test results.

Dr Anthony conveyed that other works are in progress to ensure the facility is suitably prepared in the event that more patients need to be transferred from the GPHC. Moreover, as Guyana continues to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak here, it continues to receive support from its bilateral partners to aid in this fight.

US$1 million assistance

Only on Wednesday, the Government of India give Guyana some US$1 million in assistance aimed at improving health infrastructure and capacities in Guyana, and to enable the people of Guyana to receive more COVID-19-related medical care and health ser-

vices, as well as to procure life-saving medical supplies and equipment.

Under this assistance, 29 ventilators, 4800 PPEclothing coverall, 4799 masks, 4366 face shields, 70 examination gloves, and various other supplies will

and the guidelines of the Sustainable Development Goals.

be procured.

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K.J Srinivasa, handed over these medical supplies and medicines to Dr Anthony during a simple ceremony on Wednesday. It was witnessed by PAHO/WHO Guyana Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow and other officials.

In a statement, the Indian High Commission in Georgetown said each of the other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states has received similar assistance from the Indian Government.

According to the missive, Guyana’s proposal for assistance and collaboration in fighting the coronavirus pandemic was processed under India-UNDP Fund managed by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)

the United Nation General Assembly, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced three offers of assistance to the Caribbean, including US$ 14 million Grant (US$1 million per CARICOM member state) for quick-impact community development projects in CARICOM countries.

However, following the outbreak of the coronavirus here, Guyana had requested that the funding be redirect towards its fight against the life-threatening disease.

The High Commission has said that India’s partnership with developing countries across the world, and especially in the Caribbean region, continues. India’s expertise in healthcare and manufacture of pharmaceuticals will be utilised to help its partners. (G8)

During the first IndiaCaricom (Caribbean Community) Summit in New York in September 2019, on the sidelines of

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GAWU, NAACIE engage Agriculture Minister O

fficials of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) which represent the majority of the unionised workforce in the sugar industry, on Wednesday engaged Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and the ministry’s Director-General, Madanlall Ricky Ramraj, on a wide range of matters.

According to a statement from the Ministry, the Minister, in commencing the engagement, commented that he also having roots in the trade union movement, having been associated with the GAWU for many years, he is pleased to have the opportunity to meet the workers’ organisations.

He shared that he holds workers in high esteem, as he recognises their manifold contributions at the workplace as well as at the com-

GAWU’s and NAACIE’s delegation meeting with Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

munity, regional and national levels.

High on the agenda was the state of the sugar industry and the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation

Inc (GuySuCo). Both Unions expressed deep apprehensions as they lamented the decline witnessed over the last few years.

The Minister shared that he understands the frustra-

tions of the Unions and the workers. He noted that, over the years, during his interactions with workers, he heard the horror stories of what took place and could not help but be in a state of disbelief.

Minister Mustapha noted that it was against this background that he took up the role as Minister, and though he has been in the post for a short period, he has sought to bring some alleviation to the pains faced by the sugar industry, as he pointed to the recent release of $600M to assist GuySuCo in the short term. The Unions welcomed this measure, as they pointed to several important considerations that should be taken on board to staunch the industry’s decline.

Turning to the closed estates, the Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to reopen the closed Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore Estates. He shared that at Wales the factory has largely been cannibalised as its parts were sent to be used at the operable estates.

Of course this contradicts the Coalition, which said the Wales factory was old; advancing that contention as part of the justification for

closing that estate at the end of 2016.

The Agriculture Minister shared with GAWU and NAACIE that a conditional survey has been undertaken by a joint GuySuCo/NICIL team, and their report is presently being prepared.

He committed to sharing with the Unions a copy of that report for their information and comments.

Both GAWU and NAACIE expressed their pleasure at the estates’ re-opening, and shared their desire to play an active role in the process.

At Wales, both unions pointed to the need for establishment of some economic activity to remove the depressive climate that has descended since closure almost four (4) years ago. On this score, the Minister said the Government is actively considering several models to breathe new life into that section of the country, and for the thousands who depend on the Wales Estate.

US states told be ready to distribute COVID-19 deepened income COVID-19 vaccine by Nov 1 inequality and can stunt future growth — IDB study T he Trump administration has urged US states to get ready to distribute a potential COVID-19 vaccine

by November 1, in the latest sign of the accelerating race to deliver a vaccine by year’s end.

“CDC urgently requests your assistance in expediting applications for these distribution facilities,” read an August 27 letter from Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dallas-based wholesaler McKesson Corp has a deal with the federal government to set up centers to distribute a coronavirus

vaccine when it becomes available.

The CDC, “if necessary, asks that you consider waiving requirements that would prevent these facilities from becoming fully operational by Nov 1, 2020,” two days before the US presidential election, said the letter.

The US Food and Drug Administration has raised the possibility that a vaccine might be given emergency approval before the end of trials designed to ensure its safety and effectiveness.

A request for such extraordinary approval would have to come from the vaccine developer,

FDA chief Stephen Hahn told the Financial Times in an interview published Sunday.

The CDC provided states with documents giving details of a vaccine rollout plan, adding that vaccines would either be approved as licensed vaccines or under emergency use authorisation.

Recipients would probably require a second “booster” dose, according to the documents.

“Vaccine and ancillary supplies will be procured and distributed by the federal Government at no cost to enrolled Covid-19 vaccination providers,” the documents say. (AFP)

International Criminal Court officials sanctioned by US

T

he US has imposed sanctions on senior officials in the International Criminal Court (ICC), including chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused the court of “illegitimate attempts to subject Americans to its jurisdiction”.

The Hague-based ICC is currently investigating whether US forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan.

The US has criticised the court since its foundation and is one of a dozen states which have not signed up.

Balkees Jarrah, senior counsel at the non-governmental organisation Human Rights Watch, condemned the sanctions as a “shameful new low for US commitments to justice for victims of the worst crimes”.

Mr Pompeo’s move marked a “stunning perversion of US sanctions, devised to penal-

ize rights abusers and kleptocrats, to target those prosecuting war crimes”, she tweeted.

Created by a UN treaty in 2002, the ICC investigates and brings to justice those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, intervening when national authorities cannot or will not prosecute.

The treaty has been ratified by 123 countries, including the UK. But the US - along with China, India and Russia has refused to join, while some African nations have accused the body of being unfairly focused on Africans.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order in June, which allows the US to block the assets of ICC employees and stop them entering the country.

Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Pompeo said Bensouda and Phakiso Mochochoko, the head of the Jurisdiction,

Complementarity and Cooperation Division, were to be sanctioned under this order.

Dismissing the ICC as a “thoroughly broken and corrupted institution”, he said those who continued to “materially support those individuals risk exposure to sanctions as well”.

The US state department has also restricted the issuance of visas for ICC staff involved in “efforts to investigate US personnel”.

When President Trump issued his executive order in June, the ICC denounced what it called “further threats and coercive actions” against it.

“An attack on the ICC also represents an attack against the interests of victims of atrocity crimes, for many of whom the Court represents the last hope for justice,” its statement read. (BBC)

A

household survey of 230,540 respondents conducted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in 17 developing countries (T&T included) documented that the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been concentrated among those with lower incomes prior to the pandemic. The IDB contended that this finding is important from both social and economic perspectives, noting that inequality is an important social outcome in itself and also has important economic implications.It argued, “Although further research is needed, several studies have found that current inequality is negatively correlated with future economic growth, and in particular, inequality driven by the lower tail of the income distribution stunts economic growth.” The findings of the survey implied that the unequal economic impacts of this short-term public health pandemic could have longterm implications for economic growth. In addition, the IDB’s analysis of the survey indicates that country-level rates of informality in labour markets are linked

to stronger negative impacts and low resilience, suggesting that prompt policy responses are needed to protect informal workers. The study also found that the relationship between job loss and business closure is always decreasing and never increasing with income prior to the pandemic, which worsens and deepens existing inequality. These unequal labour market impacts, according to the IDB, lead to unequal impacts beyond income, including food security and nutrition. It added that Cross-country comparisons suggest that the impacts of the pandemic are stronger in countries with higher rates of informality.

The IDB disclosed, “Not only are households from high-informality countries losing their livelihoods at higher rates, but they are also less resilient to those negative shocks.” The study reported that in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, governments have implemented regulations that require social distancing, close non-essential businesses, restrict travel, and in many cases require residents to remain in their homes. The IBD authors noted that the hu-

man interactions that drive the economy, such as working together in enclosed areas and enjoying entertainment activities, have been discouraged, restricted, or banned. The report added that residents are complying with the restrictive measures, report strong support for these regulations and actively seek out information.

It continued to note that although these measures are necessary for public health, recent evidence from developed countries suggests that they have negative economic impacts in the short run, and that they can potentially deepen pre-existing gaps.

Furthermore, the study argued that labour market impacts affect policy preferences, as support for policies to contain the coronavirus is weaker among those experiencing job loss or business closure. The IDB noted that its results are among the first and only estimates of the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on households outside of developed nations. It also stated that it found “impacts that are larger than those reported in developed countries.”

(T&T Guardian)

New UK High Commissioner arrives in TT

N

ewly appointed British High Commissioner to TT Harriet Cross has arrived in TT and is undergoing two weeks’ quarantine.

Cross is the first ever female British High Commissioner to TT. She succeeds Tim Stew,

who served from August 2015-August 2020.

Cross posted on Twitter on Tuesday, “I have arrived in Trinidad & Tobago as British High Commissioner.

What utterly gorgeous islands! Two weeks quarantine then I can start to explore this wonderful coun-

try.”

Previously, Cross served as the British ConsulGeneral in Boston in the US. She has also worked in Yemen, Morocco and New York with the United Nations. She entered the diplomatic service in 1997.

(T&T Newsday)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

Regional

After months of heartache, Amazon fires likely worst in 10 years, August data incomplete, signs of COVID-19 Government researcher says easing in Brazil

T

W

ith nearly four million confirmed cases, the virus has killed over 120,000 people in Brazil. But the level of average daily deaths dropped below 900 per day last week – the lowest in three and a half months and below the rate of both the United States and India, according to a Reuters tally.

Researchers at Imperial College London also calculate that the transmission rate in Brazil, at which each person infected with the coronavirus infects another person, is now below one, the level required for new infections to slow.

However, the rate previously fell below one in August, only to rebound a week later, according to Imperial.

The Government statistics are also volatile. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Brazil registered more than 1100 deaths each day, and experts say it is too early to say the worst is over.

“We are on a downward

A man wearing a protective mask walks past graffiti reading “Stay at Home”, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 2, 2020

trend compared to the previous high plateau,” said Roberto Medronho, an infectious diseases expert at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. “But, the numbers are still high and we have to remain vigilant so that it doesn’t grow again.”

Epidemiologists see Brazil’s example as a warning to some countries, like India, that are now seeing cases surge. “Brazil is a cautionary tale,” said Albert Ko, a professor at the Yale School of Public Health

who has decades of experience in Brazil. “The epidemic hit hard and many evidence-based interventions were not implemented or done properly in many places.”

Social distancing, held by most public health experts as the key tool for containing the spread of the virus while no vaccine exists, was poorly implemented from the start in Brazil, sustaining the long peak in infections and deaths, experts say. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Mexico violence: Gunmen kill 6 at wake in Morelos

There have been a series of deadly shootings in Cuernavaca over the past year (file photo)

G

unmen have killed at least six people in an attack on mourners at a wake in the Mexican city of Cuernavaca.

The armed men fired more than 60 shots at a group of people gathered to mourn the death of a youth who was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Police said the possible motive for the attack was not known, but that the wake was held in a neighbourhood with a high crime

rate.

It is the latest in a series of mass shootings in the city this year.

It came just hours after Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said in his state of the nation address that murders and extortion by organised crime gangs had increased since he came to power.

A Police search for those behind Tuesday’s shooting has so far not led to any arrests.

Local media report that four people died at the wake and one more on the way to hospital. Fifteen more people were injured in the attack, which occurred at 22:35 local time (03:35 GMT).

Among those injured are two children.

Last month, six people were shot dead when gunmen opened fire on a group who had gathered to have a drink in a street in Cuernavaca. The motive for that attack is not clear either.

Earlier this year, the bishop of Morelos, Ramón Castro Castro, said that the state had been “overrun” by crime.

Crime figures for the state shot up last year – a 35 per cent rise in murders, a 68 per cent increase in kidnappings and 363 per cent more extortions compared to 2018, official figures suggest. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he official August data on the number of fires in Brazil’s Amazon needs to be corrected and will likely show an increase over last year, meaning that blazes surged to a decade high, a scientist responsible for the figures told Reuters on Wednesday.

Brazilian media has reported that fires in Brazil’s section of the Amazon rainforest fell by five per cent in August, citing data currently on the website of Government space research agency Inpe that has not been corrected.

P

eru will restart passenger air transport internationally on October 1 after it was suspended in March due to the coronavirus outbreak, Transport and Communications Minister Carlos Estremadoyro said on Wednesday.

Estremadoyro said his team had made proposals to airlines around biosecurity protocol and would look to resume flights to countries with open borders such as the United States, Mexico and Spain.

The Government also on Wednesday approved the

transfer of 500 million soles (US$141.5 million) into a guarantee fund for small companies working in the tourism sector.

Peru has the second-highest number of infections in South America after Brazil, rising to 652,037 on Tuesday and 28,944 deaths. (Reuters)

will increase. Maybe up to one or two per cent, I would guess,” Setzer said, referring to spots of heat registered on satellite images.

Inpe’s press office directed a request for comment to Setzer, who gave more details on his calculations and cautioned that a shift of one or two per cent is within the margin of error.

The Science and Technology Ministry, which oversees the space research agency, did not immediately respond to request for comment. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T mother of 4 chopped to death

A

self-employed mother of four was chopped to death and her body found half naked at her home in Laventille, on Wednesday morning.

The victim has been identified as 29-year-old Sherian Huggins, 29, of #52 Dan Kelly, Laventille.

Police are now searching for the suspect, who is said to be a close male relative of the victim.

According to a Police report, about 04:00h, a close female relative of the suspect reportedly told Police that she heard Huggins and the suspect in an argument.

Upon checking, the female relative saw the suspect armed with a cutlass and chopping Huggins about her body.

When she called out for help, Police said, the suspect ran away.

Police Officers who were called to the scene found Huggins dead with multiple chop wounds to the upper torso and neck.

Police said Huggins’ body was clad only in a multi-coloured top. The body was naked from the waist, downwards.

A party of officers visited the scene, along with homicide officers.

Investigations are continuing.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Barbados moves to digital ID cards

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology, Charley Brown (left), and General Manager of Productive Business Solutions (Barbados) Ltd, Elvin Nash, signing the contract to start the Barbados Digital ID and National ID Card Replacement Project (BGIS)

T Peru looks to reopen international passenger air travel

Alberto Setzer, a senior scientist at Inpe who is involved in producing the official fire data, said that the reporting of finalised data had been delayed by an error with a NASA satellite.

But once that issue is corrected, it will likely show that fires increased by between one per cent and two per cent in August 2020 compared to the same month a year ago, Setzer said. That would mean it is the worst spate of fires for the month since August 2010.

“It’s going to be up. The number of fires, fire pixels,

he Barbados Digital ID and National ID Card Replacement Project officially started with the signing of a contract between the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology (MIST) and Productive Business Solutions (PBS) (Barbados) Ltd. The signing took place recently, at the Ministry’s office at Baobab Tower, Warrens, St Michael.

PBS will be the supplier of software, ID cards, printers and profession-

al services for the project, which is estimated to last four months.

The Digital ID and National ID Card Replacement Project is a major transformational initiative of Government that will be executed by MIST and the Electoral Department. On completion of this project, the Digital Identity System will provide user authentication in online transactions and facilitate the signing of documents electronically.

The system will also facilitate the secure electronic transfer of information for a range of activities, such as e-commerce, Internet banking and e-communications.

It will use new smart card technology (plastic cards with embedded computer chips) as well as mobile phone technology to enhance the security and integrity of Barbados’ National ID system and support a wide range of public and private sector services. (Nation News)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS US oil prices settle at lowest in nearly a month

O

il futures declined on Wednesday, with US prices settling at their lowest in nearly a month, pressured by a sharp but temporary drop in domestic crude supplies and production, as output in the Gulf of Mexico sees a strong recovery from Hurricane Laura.

The supply declines from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) were “not surprising,” as Hurricane Laura caused a “bigger draw than what was forecasted in crude and gasoline” supplies, Tariq Zahir, managing member at Tyche Capital Advisors, told MarketWatch.

The EIA reported Wednesday that US crude inventories fell by 9.4 million barrels for the week ended August 28, marking a sixth weekly decline in a row.

That compared with an average forecast by analysts polled

by S&P Global Platts for a fall of 1.2 million barrels. The American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday reported a drop of 6.4 million barrel.

The EIA data also showed crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma storage hub edged up by about 100,000 barrels for the week.

Total US crude production also dropped by 1.1 million barrels last week to stand at 9.7 million barrels a day. The drop coincides with the output shut-ins related to Hurricane Laura, which touched down on the US Gulf Coast early on August 27.

Against that backdrop, West Texas Intermediate crude for October delivery fell US$1.25, or 2.9 per cent, to settle at US$41.51 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. That was the lowest front-month finish since August 7, according to FactSet data.

November Brent crude, the global benchmark, lost US$1.15, or 2.5 per cent, at US$44.43 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe. (Excerpt from Market Watch)

Thailand’s King reinstates his consort after her fall from grace

International Criminal Court decries US sanctions on officials T

he International Criminal Court (ICC) has condemned “unprecedented” sanctions imposed by the United States on Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and one of her top aides in retaliation for a probe into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan.

The Hague-based tribunal said the sanctions announced by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo against Bensouda and another senior official, Phakiso Mochochoko, were “serious attacks” against the rule of law.

Pompeo announced the moves on Wednesday, saying that “the ICC continues to target Americans”.

The ICC said in a statement the new measures “are another attempt to interfere with the Court’s judicial and

Public Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda is investigating whether war crimes were committed in Afghanistan by the Taliban, Afghan military and US forces [File: Eva Plevier/Pool via Reuters]

prosecutorial independence and crucial work to address grave crimes of concern to the international community”.

The sanctions include a freeze on assets held in the US or subject to US law and target Bensouda and the

court’s head of jurisdiction, Mochochoko.

Pompeo also said individuals and entities that continue to materially support Bensouda and Mochochoko would risk exposure to sanctions as well.

“We will not tolerate its il-

legitimate attempts to subject Americans to its jurisdiction,” Pompeo said.

The war crimes court said it “continues to stand firmly by its personnel and its mission of fighting impunity for the world’s most serious crimes”.

The ICC will continue its probe into possible war crimes by the United States and its allies in Afghanistan.

The State Department also restricted the issuance of visas for individuals Pompeo said were involved in the court’s efforts to investigate US personnel, though he did not name those affected.

Member countries of the International Criminal Court hit out against the “unacceptable” sanctions.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Putin critic Navalny was poisoned with Novichok nerve agent, Merkel says

K

remlin critic Alexei Navalny, who is in intensive care in a Berlin hospital, was poisoned with a Soviet-style Novichok nerve agent in an attempt to murder him, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday.

She said Berlin now expected Moscow to explain itself and that Germany would consult its NATO allies about how to respond, raising the prospect of

new Western sanctions on Russia, sending Russian asset prices tumbling.

Moscow has denied involvement in the incident and the Russian Foreign Ministry said Germany’s assertion was not backed by evidence, complaining about the way Germany had chosen to release information about Navalny.

“This is disturbing information about the attempted murder through poisoning

against a leading Russian Opposition figure,” Merkel told a news conference.

“Alexei Navalny was the victim of an attack with a chemical nerve agent of the Novichok group.”

Novichok is the same substance that Britain said was used against a Russian double agent and his daughter in an attack in England in 2018. The deadly group of nerve agents was developed by the Soviet military in the

1970s and 1980s.

Navalny, 44, is an outspoken opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has specialised in high-impact investigations into official corruption. He was airlifted to Germany last month after collapsing on a domestic Russian flight after drinking a cup of tea that his allies said was poisoned. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Two-State solution needed for Palestine, Qatar Emir tells Kushner

Q Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi became the first royal consort in Thailand for almost a century

T

hailand’s king has reinstated his royal consort to the position, nearly a year after she was stripped of her titles in a dramatic fall from grace.

King Vajiralongkorn returned Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi’s rank and titles on Wednesday, the Royal Gazette announced.

Sineenat was stripped of her rank in October 2019, only months after being named as the king’s companion.

The palace had said that she was being punished for trying to elevate herself to “the same state as the queen”.

Sineenat was the first royal consort for almost a century in Thailand, where the term refers to a partner in addition to the king’s wife.

Last year’s announcement also accused her of “misbehaviour and disloyalty against the monarch”. She has not been seen in public since and her whereabouts have not

been confirmed.

The king’s latest decision means that “Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi is not tarnished”, the Royal Gazette announced.

“Henceforth, it will be as if she had never been stripped of her military ranks or royal decorations.”

Born in 1985, she is from northern Thailand and worked as a nurse before entering a relationship with the then-crown prince Vajiralongkorn.

She eventually became a bodyguard, pilot and parachutist, and joined the royal guards. In early 2019, she was appointed a Major-General.

She received the official title of first Royal Noble Consort in July that year, shortly after the king married his fourth wife Queen Suthida, who had been the deputy head of his personal security detail.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

atar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has told White House adviser Jared Kushner that Doha supports a two-state solution, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state, to end the conflict with Israel.

The emir met US President Donald Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in Doha on

Wednesday following a USbrokered accord last month between the United Arab Emirates and Israel to normalise ties.

Sheikh Tamim told Kushner that Qatar remained committed to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, in which Arab nations offered Israel normalised ties in return for a statehood deal with the Palestinians and full

Israeli withdrawal from territory captured in the 1967 Middle East War. “During the meeting, they reviewed the close strategic relations between the State of Qatar and the United States of America, in addition to discussing a number of issues of common concern, especially the peace process in the Middle East region,” Qatar News Agency reported.

Kushner visited the UAE this week with an Israeli delegation for normalisation talks before also travelling to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The UAE is the third Arab country to reach such an agreement with Israel after Egypt and Jordan. Kushner hopes another Arab country will normalise ties within months. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Belarus to hit Baltics with sanctions, Russia steps up support

B

elarus will impose travel bans on senior officials in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in retaliation for measures targeting its own officials, the foreign minister said on Wednesday, as Russia stepped up support for the Belarusian government.

More than three weeks after a political crisis erupted in Belarus over allegations of vote rigging in a presidential election which incumbent Alexander Lukashenko said he had won, Minsk and close ally Moscow are pushing back hard against Lukashenko’s domestic and foreign critics.

In Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart, Belarusian Foreign

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei attend a news conference following their talks in Moscow, Russia, September 2, 2020

Minister Vladimir Makei said his country had agreed to impose retaliatory sanctions on a list of individuals in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

The move was pay back, he said, after the three Baltic countries on Monday said they were imposing travel bans on Lukashenko and 29 other Belarusian officials to pun-

ish them for their role in the alleged vote-rigging and in a crackdown against protesters.

Makei declined to say who was on the sanctions list, but said it targeted individuals who had tried to interfere in his country’s internal affairs, made what he called unacceptable political statements, and spoken of funding the opposition.

“For us this is absolutely unacceptable,” he said, warning Minsk would impose sanctions on any other countries who put sanctions on Belarus.

The European Union has been working on a list of individuals to target with sanctions, but is expected to exclude Lukashenko.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

20

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Spend more time making things happen and less time talking and trying to convince others to help you.

Don't waste time arguing with someone who isn't likely to budge.

You'll crave change. Don't TAURUS expect or wait for something to (April 20happen. Take charge and put May 20) your plan in motion. How you deal with matters that affect work and home will determine how much you achieve.

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)

Be careful who you let into your circle. Don't be fooled by someone promising the impossible. You cannot move forward until you take care of the past.

Freedom is your ticket to new beginnings.

Dream a little dream, and turn it into reality. Approach uncertainty with an open mind, and you will discover a way to reach your objective.

Serious discussions will bear fruit.

Take the lead and do whatever it will take to live up to your promises.

Recognize when someone is trying to take advantage of you. Hard work and honesty will be crucial.

Your happiness is your responsibility, so make sure you do the things that bring you comfort and joy.

Relationships look promising. Romance is favored.

Action may be required.

Sit back and observe.

Have patience when dealing with unreasonable individuals. Pay more attention to your health and emotional well-being. Be quiet until you have a solid plan in place.

Take pleasure in the people and things that bring you joy. Be imaginative; what you come up with will capture the attention of someone special. Romance is featured.

Keep your thoughts to yourself. Don't take a risk when it comes to money, health or contractual dealings. Make physical fitness and health your priorities.

Take a moment to remember what's happened in the past before you make a move. Change is favored, but it has to be for the right reasons. Talk to someone you trust and love for help.

Your intuition will be right on target. Let your feelings lead the way, and you will avoid making a mistake. It's a very good time to make physical improvements, so get moving.

Do something entertaining. Join an online dance or fitness class, or reach out to someone you enjoy spending time with and share your feelings. Romance looks promising.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

21

England cricketer Tammy Beaumont “so grateful” to West Indies for touring — as women's summer prepares for late beginning

2

020 was meant to be a huge year for women's cricket in England and Wales.

Following a T20 World Cup with a favourable group draw, England were set to play home series against South Africa and India; 40 new domestic contracts would be awarded as the new professional domestic structure shifted into place; and the launch of the Hundred would put women's cricketers on the same platform with the men.

However, things have not panned out as planned. After their T20 World Cup hopes were wiped out by the Sydney weather, England returned home, and were in lockdown within a matter of days as the world began to face the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bad news has since been relentless: The Hundred was postponed; full domestic contracts were mothballed, albeit with 25 players signing summer retainers; and India and South Africa pulled out of their tours.

In that light, you could forgive Tammy Beaumont's cynicism when England's enlarged squad were told that the ECB hoped to bring West Indies women over for a lateseason tour.

"It felt like they might have just been trying to soften the blow of some really rubbish news," Beaumont admitted. "We thought that was a carrot, but something that might not necessarily happen. As far as I was concerned, it looked like we weren't going to get any international cricket."

But not for the first time this year, Cricket West Indies (CWI) came to the rescue. Fixtures were ratified and announced less than two weeks after the ECB had first made contact with Johnny Grave, CWI CEO; and the touring squad arrived in Derby on Monday, ahead of five T20Is at the end of the season.

"All we'd had this year was bad news: India pulling out of the tri-series; then South

England opener Tammy Beaumont

Africa; and the 2021 World Cup not going ahead," Beaumont said. "For quite a while, it was knockback after knockback. For the West Indies to pull through and help us out was a relief more than anything.

"I thought it was an amazing effort by their men's team to come, as well as their women's team now agreeing to. They've had hardly any training, either together or even within islands, so it's a really big commitment.

“We're so grateful to them for taking up this opportunity to come and play; we really would have had nothing without their generosity and willingness to come."

For Beaumont, the break came at a good time. She is only 29, but has now been playing international cricket for more than 10 years,

and the disappointment of the World Cup semi-final washout at the end of another busy winter left her feeling "a bit burned out".

She hopes that an enforced sabbatical from the game during the early weeks of lockdown would eventually prolong her international career; though having waited for so long since returning to individual training in June, she was itching to play competitively before making 2 and 51 in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy's opening weekend.

"We started training before the men had their first Test of the summer. We've been doing an awful lot of waiting. For a while it was quite hard to keep going with training, thinking there might be nothing at the end of it.

"It was like I'd never held a bat before when I came back, but I think I actually got rid of a couple of bad habits just through how long it had been since I'd played. Having a break was a bit of a blessing in disguise: it was the longest I've had off cricket for over 10 years. I was getting towards a stage where I was almost resenting cricket: I was never at home, never seeing my mates, and it was always one thing after the next. I was always on the go, and it was feeling a bit relentless.

“As much as it's a privilege to play cricket as your job, it does get quite tiring; you get a bit burned out. It was a good time to have a mental break from it, which reminded me why I play the game. Cricket being taken away from me helped me to really start to appreciate it and be grateful again. It's a shame to miss six months of playing at my age, but, hopefully, in the long run, it will make me a lot more grateful that my job is to play cricket for my country.

"It felt like they might have just been trying to soften the blow of some really rubbish news. We thought that was a carrot,

but something that might not necessarily happen," she explained.

Beaumont was initially doubtful whether West Indies would agree to tour. As for the series itself, Beaumont hopes that the narrative that dominated England's World Cup campaign about her batting position - she was initially used out of position as a finisher, before shifting up to open - will be put to bed.

Despite England's convincing wins against West Indies last summer, she is taking nothing for granted against a "very dangerous" side containing some "outrageous T20 players", and tipped Sophia Dunkley as a fringe player who could enjoy a breakout summer.

"It's a really interesting time for our T20 team: it's a new cycle, and there are a few spots up for grabs. I don't think you can ever really complain about your role, particularly with the world-class players we've got at the minute. Personally, I enjoy opening the most, and that's where I'd like to be; but if the team needs me to do something else, then so be it," Beaumont has said.

But perhaps the most significant feature of this reduced summer is that women's international cricket will be shown live on free-to-air TV for the first time since 1993, with the BBC due to broadcast the third T20I. With a peak audience of 2.7 million during the men's T20I against Pakistan last weekend, Beaumont has high hopes that it would prove to be a seminal moment.

"Getting it on terrestrial TV will open so many doors," she said. "Hopefully, young girls watching will tune in, see some role models, and maybe see a path for them(selves). It's such a massive step for the women's game to have that exposure. Sky have been incredibly supportive of women's cricket over the years, but to get it onto free-to-air TV is the next step." (ESPNcricinfo)

European Professional Club Rugby Champions Cup tourney…

Schedule squeezed to kick off week after Eight Nations tourney

E

uropean Professional Club Rugby officials have revealed the format of a revised 24-team tournament for next season, with two-leg quarter-finals and a final in Marseille on 22 May 2021 now scheduled as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The top eight sides from the three main European leagues will all qualify for the tournament, which will consist of two pools of 12, rather than the usual five pools of four.

In an effort to fit the competition into the tightly packed fixture calendar, each club will have a reduced number of four pool games – two home and two away – against opponents drawn solely from rival leagues.

The Champions Cup quarter-finals, previously sudden-death affairs, will now be contested on a home-and-away basis.

The new-look tournament is due to extend over eight weekends, and kicks off on the weekend of 11-13 December, less than a week after the final of the proposed Eight Nations autumn international event. With the leading English players also entitled to an official period of rest over the Christmas period, it is a tight

Saracens’ players celebrate their win in the European Champions Cup final against Leinster in the 2018-19 season

squeeze, even by rugby’s saturated standards.

The four highest-ranked clubs in each of

the two pools will advance to the quarterfinals, with clubs ranked numbers five to eight

joining the knock-out stages of the Challenge Cup. European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) is hoping the new-look competition will prove popular, not least among supporters who dislike European pool games featuring two teams from the same nation.

“With an expanded knockout stage and no repeat of domestic matches during the pool stage, this format creates brand new competitive opportunities for Europe’s elite clubs and their fans,” said Simon Halliday, EPCR Chairman. “In this time of change, the Heineken Champions Cup, with its global stars, passionate supporters, and unique match-day atmosphere, undoubtedly remains ‘The One’ to win.”

The rejigged Challenge Cup will kick off with 14 clubs – six from the TOP 14, four from the Premiership, and four from the PRO 14 – being in a single pool. Each club will also be permitted an unlimited number of ‘non-European players’ in their squad for the 2020/21 season. This year’s interrupted event, meanwhile, is due to resume at the quarter-final stage on 19/20 September. (The Guardian)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

Simmons fires as TKR crush SKN Patriots T

he Trinbago Knight Riders showed they are a formidable squad, not just a starting XI, as Kieron Pollard rested both himself and Sunil Narine from an experimental lineup that was still far too good for the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots.

Lendl Simmons found form, Sikandar Raza and Pravin Tambe were excellent with the ball, and the Patriots are all but out of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) semifinal contention.

The Patriots paired Sheldon Cottrell and Alzarri Joseph with the new ball, but they leaked boundaries to Simmons and Amir Jangoo. Jangoo’s senior T20 debut was, however, cut short by an excellent pick-upand-throw off his own bowling

by Cottrell to run him out.

Joseph hit Colin Munro on the hand, and when play resumed after a short shower, Munro was unable to continue.

Simmons took 11 off Rayad Emrit, including a Hero Maximum, and then lofted JonRuss Jaggesar over midwicket.

He followed up with a cut for four, and the Knight Riders were well set at 52/1 off the Powerplay.

Jaggesar and Dominic Drakes kept the Knight Riders boundary-less between the Powerplay and drinks, and Darren Bravo edged just short of Chris Lynn at short third man. At halfway, the Knight Riders had progressed to only 68/1.

Simmons and Darren Bravo managed only singles off Emrit.

Joseph hit Darren Bravo in the head, but all was well, and Bravo ended a 35-ball streak without a boundary with a pull for four. Simmons, too, broke free, pulling Emrit for another Hero Maximum before bringing up 50 off 42 balls with a single.

Simmons hitting Jaggesar straight over his head for his fourth Hero Maximum, to bring up the Knight Riders’ hundred, then cut for four as the Knight Riders took 15 off the over.

Emrit went to Cottrell, but he went for 17, as Darren Bravo lofted a Hero Maximum and Simmons picked up two fours.

After 15 overs, the Knight Riders were 125/1.

Darren Bravo also hit Drakes for six, bringing up the 100 partnership off just 66 balls.

Simmons pulled another Hero Maximum and Bravo creamed a four through extra-cover, making the 16th over another productive one.

Emrit went for just four off his last, and Joseph started the 18th well, but Simmons bludgeoned two Hero Maximums to take himself into the 90s, and the Knight Riders went past 150.

A Patriots’ bowler finally got a wicket, Cottrell getting Darren Bravo strangled down the legside in a good 19th over that went for just 3.

Drakes got two

wickets in two balls, as Simmons pulled to Cottrell to fall short of a century, and Tim Seifert leading-edged and was well caught by Lynn.

Raza survived the hat-trick ball, and stand-in captain DJ Bravo smashed the last ball of the innings for a Hero Maximum.

Akeal Hosein and Khary Pierre took the new ball for the Knight Riders, and the latter picked up the dangerous Lewis.

Tambe, belying his 48 years, took an athletic catch.

Lynn and Joshua da Silva

broke free off Pierre, each hitting a Hero Maximum, with Da Silva also sweeping for four, but even an over of 18 took the Patriots to only 34/1 after six.

Tambe and Anderson Phillip put the squeeze back on, and only one boundary was scored between the Powerplay and drinks; and at halfway, the Patriots needed almost 12 an over. A Tambe maiden pushed that above 13, and with Da Silva going at barely a run a ball and Lynn going at well under four an over, there had to be an

Lendl Simmons scored a handy 96

acceleration soon.

It didn’t come off DJ Bravo, and while Da Silva drove Tambe for four, he was deceived by the Indian leg-spinner and drove a catch back to the bowler.

At the end of Tambe’s outstanding spell, the Patriots were 67/2 off 13, and needed well over 15 an over.

Lynn climbed into a DJ Bravo full toss, but then sliced high in the air and was well caught by Raza, to end a disappointing innings. Ben Dunk smashed Raza’s first ball for four, but, off his second, got a reverse sweep all wrong and popped up a simple catch to Seifert.

With five overs left, Drakes and Ramdin were staring at a required run rate of 18. That figure jumped above 20 as Pierre’s last over went for just seven, and Ramdin could only find midwicket when he tried to take on Raza. Raza did the work himself to pick up his third, taking a good diving caught-andbowled as Drakes toe-ended an attempted straight hit. After 17, Raza had figures of 3/8 and the Patriots needed 27 an over.

Hosein picked up a deserved wicket late in his spell, getting Joseph stumped with one flung wide of off-stump. He celebrated by running to hug his childhood friend Khary Pierre. Imran found himself with three slips for company as Hosein finished off the 18th over, and the game was now officially unwinnable.

Emrit added to the Hero Maximum Charity Fund off Anderson Phillip’s 20th, but the Patriots didn't come close to winning this one, and the Knight Riders had made it eight wins from eight without breaking sweat. (CPLT20)

Windies anxious to begin preparation SCOREBOARD following COVID-19 testing

TRINBAGO KNIGHT RIDERS INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) LMP Simmons c Cottrell b Drakes 96 AA Jangoo run out (Cottrell) 6 C Munro retired hurt 9 DM Bravo c †Ramdin b Cottrell 36 TL Seifert †c Lynn b Drakes 2 Sikandar Raza not out 3 DJ Bravo (c) not out 6 Extras (lb 9, w 7) 16 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.7) 174/4 Did not bat: AJ Hosein, K Pierre, A Phillip, PV Tambe Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Amir Jangoo, 2.2 ov), 1-29* (Colin Munro, retired not out ), 2-159 (Darren Bravo, 18.3 ov), 3-165 (Lendl Simmons, 19.2 ov), 4-165 (Tim Seifert, 19.3 ov) BOWLING SS Cottrell AS Joseph RR Emrit JL Jaggesar DC Drakes

4-0-32-1 4-0-34-0 4-0-30-0 4-0-34-0 4-0-35-2

ST KITTS AND NEVIS PATRIOTS INNINGS (TARGET: 175 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) E Lewis c Tambe b Pierre 5 CA Lynn c Sikandar Raza b DJ Bravo 34 J Da Silva c & b Tambe 29 BR Dunk c †Seifert b Sikandar Raza 9 D Ramdin † c Hosein b Sikandar Raza 4 DC Drakes c & b Sikandar Raza 7 AS Joseph st †Seifert b Hosein 1 RR Emrit (c) not out 13 I Khan not out 5 Extras (lb 4, w 4) 8 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 5.75) Did not bat: JL Jaggesar, SS Cottrell

115/7

Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Evin Lewis, 1.5 ov), 2-65 (Joshua Da Silva, 12.3 ov), 3-73 (Chris Lynn, 13.2 ov), 4-83 (Ben Dunk, 14.2 ov), 5-92 (Denesh Ramdin, 16.1 ov), 6-94 (Dominic Drakes, 16.4 ov), 7-98 (Alzarri Joseph, 17.5 ov) BOWLING AJ Hosein K Pierre PV Tambe A Phillip DJ Bravo Sikandar Raza

4-0-15-1 4-0-28-1 4-1-12-1 3-0-24-0 2-0-17-1 3-0-15-3

W

est Indies Women are awaiting the results of novel coronavirus testing, after arriving here Derby, England — on Monday for their five-match Twenty20 International series against England, which bowls off later next month.

The touring party, comprising 18 players and a 12-member management unit, were all tested prior to departing the Caribbean, and once the second tests are also negative, will begin their preparation in a bio-secure “bubble” identical to the set-up that obtained for the recent men's tour. “(The hotel) is wellthought- out, (and) well laid out. We had a briefing around the protocols and so on,” Head Coach Andre Coley said, following the side's arrival.

“We had our first COVID tests, so we're awaiting the results of those, as well as issuing some equipment and gear, and we'll start our recovery from tomorrow.

“The players are in good spirits; everybody is fine –

Head Coach Andre Coley

management staff as well.

We're looking to get ready to get on the park.”

West Indies will take on England behind closed doors in the series, which runs from September 21-30 at the Incora County Ground here, and which replaces scheduled tours by South Africa and India.

The series takes place amidst the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, and signals the return of women's cricket to the international schedule since all cricket was suspended globally last March due to the

outbreak.

The United Kingdom has been hard hit by the novel coronavirus, with 336,000 cases and 41,500 deaths, but the country has slowly begun to reopen following months of lockdown.

For West Indies, the series will be the first bilateral fixture in nearly a year, following their series against India in the Caribbean last November.

West Indies will be led by regular captain Stafanie Taylor, but will miss veteran off-spinner and ViceCaptain Anisa Mohammed after the Trinidadian opted out due to COVID-19 concerns.

SQUAD – Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Hayley Matthews, Aaliyah Alleyne, Cherry Ann Fraser, Natasha McLean, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi, Chedean Nation, Britney Cooper, Sheneta Grimmond, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell, Chinelle Henry, Kaysia Schultz, Deandra Dottin, Lee Ann Kirby, Shakera Selman. (CMC)

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23

3 in a row! Hetmyer, bowlers help Warriors qualify for play-offs Sinclair.

At 76-7 in 16.4 overs, a 33-run partnership between Javelle Glenn and Scott Kuggeleijn took the Zouks

seamer Chemar Holder in a 24-run over. Hetmyer began with two sixes and followed up with three fours, displayng shots off the back-foot and the front-foot.

On air, Hetmyer was described by Ian Bishop as an investment that’s worth it.

Warriors continued to cruise in finesse on their journey to qualify in pursuit of 110. Hetmyer reached his third fifty of the season with a sweet

boundary along the ground, while the in-form Nicholas Pooran struck two crisp boundaries but switch- hit one down Boucher's throat at deep point to make it 98-3 in 12.2 overs.

Hetmyer and Ross Taylor ensured the Warriors ended with a comfortable win. The leftie Hetmyer ended unbeaten on 56 from 36 balls, which was decorated with six fours and three sixes.

The Warriors will lock horns with the Tridents, today September 3, at the same Brian Lara Cricket Academy from 17:30h.

Naveen Ul Haq celebrates with his team-mates after his wicket maiden

By Brandon Corlette

T

he Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) made it three wins in as many matches to qualify for the playoff rounds, completing a seven-wicket win against the St Lucia Zouks at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League.

Led by a collective bowling effort, Warriors restricted the second-placed Zouks to 109-7 in 20 overs, while Shimron Hetmyer highlighted the chase with an unbeaten half-century as Warriors ended victorious on 110-3 in 13.5 overs.

Kevin Sinclair began proceedings. In Sinclair's first over, he struck gold with the wicket of the Spiceman, Andre Fletcher.

At 8-1 in the second over, Fletcher scored one, and his wait to 2000 CPL runs continues.

Right-arm seamer Naveen-Ul-Haq, fresh from a “player of the match” performance, began his spell in style: with a wicket maiden and removing Leniko Boucher for one.

Rahkeem Cornwall, who deposited sixes off Sinclair and Green, was squared up by the probing Romario

Chandrapaul Hemraj returned with a promising innings

Warriors contain Zouks on damp night

After a rain delay, the Warriors took the field first, and the familiar new-ball pair of Chris Green and

Shepherd as Zouks were reduced to 26-3. Naveen was instrumental again, completing a fine catch to see the back of Cornwall. The big-hitting Cornwall scored a 13-ball 21 which includ-

Rahkeem Cornwall goes big in his cameo at the top (Photos: CPL T20) Kevin Sinclair takes a brilliant catch in the outfield

ed two sixes and an equal number of boundaries.

Playing his first match of the season, Kaveem Hodge, who replaced the injured Roston Chase in the Zouks team, was joined by Najibullah Zadran. The duo took the score to 57-4 in 11.4 overs as Warriors kept the Zouks’ scoring rate in the balance.

After scoring a 22-ball 19, Zadran got a bottom edge to become Tahir's first wicket in two matches.

The introduction of Keemo Paul saw the downfall of Hodge, who scored a 24-ball 13. Hodge, who expected more bounce from Paul, got a bottom edge, and became the second man to fall on 57. With half of the side back in the hut, Paul continued to probe, and got one to zip back into Darren Sammy, who was trapped in front at the crease for one.

Sammy, who continued to struggle in this CPL, batting at number seven, departed with his team at 59-6 after 13 overs.

Mohammad Nabi is the dangerous all-rounder who was struck twice for four, but Naveen got his senior Afghanistan team mate caught by the impressive

to 109-7 in 20 overs. The Jamaican Glenn top-scored with 23 for the Zouks.

The damp conditions proved challenging to an extent to the Warriors’ seamers in the latter part, but at the half-way stage, the Warriors were confident of gunning down this total.

Hetmyer highlights chase

In a small chase, the Warriors lost Brandon King early for five. The adventurous King was bowled all ends up by Kiwi pacer Kuggeleijn at 19-1. On the other end, the returning Chandrapaul Hemraj looked comfortable at the crease, playing some delightful shots as he and Hetmyer pushed the Warriors past 50.

Hemraj’s innings concluded when he was bowled as the ball took the inside edge and ricocheted on the stumps. This came off the bowling of veteran off-spinner Nabi. The left-handed Hemraj struck two sixes and one four in his 25-ball 26.

Warriors were 58-2 in 8.5 overs. Hetmyer came and lit up the Brian Lara Stadium, tearing apart

SCOREBOARD ZOUKS INNINGS RRS Cornwall c Naveen-ul-Haq b Shepherd 21 ADS Fletcher † c Hemraj b Sinclair 1 LS Boucher c Green b Naveen-ul-Haq 1 KAR Hodge c †Pooran b Paul 13 Najibullah Zadran c †Pooran b Imran Tahir 19 Mohammad Nabi c Sinclair b Naveen-ul-Haq 13 DJG Sammy (c) lbw b Paul 1 J Glen not out 23 SC Kuggeleijn not out 13 Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 2) 4 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 5.45) Did not bat: KOK Williams, CK Holder

109/7

Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Andre Fletcher, 1.3 ov), 2-15 (Leniko Boucher, 2.5 ov), 3-26 (Rahkeem Cornwall, 5.3 ov), 4-57 (Najibullah Zadran, 11.4 ov), 5-57 (Kavem Hodge, 12.1 ov), 6-59 (Daren Sammy, 12.6 ov), 7-76 (Mohammad Nabi, 16.4 ov) BOWLING CJ Green K Sinclair Naveen-ul-Haq Imran Tahir R Shepherd KMA Paul

4-0-22-0 2-0-16-1 4-1-24-2 4-1-10-1 2-0-11-1 4-0-25-2

WARRIORS INNINGS BA King b Kuggeleijn C Hemraj b Mohammad Nabi SO Hetmyer not out N Pooran † c Boucher b Glen LRPL Taylor not out Extras (lb 1, w 5)

5 26 56 10 7 6

TOTAL (13.5 Ov, RR: 7.95) 110/3 Did not bat: R Shepherd, KMA Paul, CJ Green (c), Naveen-ulHaq, K Sinclair, Imran Tahir Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Brandon King, 2.3 ov), 2-58 (Chandrapaul Hemraj, 8.5 ov), 3-98 (Nicholas Pooran, 12.2 ov) BOWLING SC Kuggeleijn Mohammad Nabi RRS Cornwall KOK Williams CK Holder J Glen

3-0-17-1 4-0-23-1 2.5-0-19-0 1-0-8-0 2-0-33-0 1-0-9-1

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

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3 in a row! Hetmyer, bowlers help Warriors qualify for play-offs

Simmons fires as TKR crush Windies anxious SKN to begin preparation following COVID-19 testing Patriots Pg 22

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