Guyana Times - Friday, April 3, 2020

Granger orders P14 curfew for entertainment spots, but THAG calls for complete closure Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4245

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

PRICE

GECOM, APNU/AFC destruction of democracy: Day 32

Chair asserts commitment to court to conduct full recount ...dismisses APNU/AFC’s motion to consider flawed elections results See story on page 3

Commonwealth finds transparent count of votes is persistently frustrated See story on page 12

APNU/AFC’s latest court action meant to stall electoral process ꟷ Nandlall Page 7

...as ‘Ministerial Caucus’ convenes …as APNU/AFC lawyer signals CCJ bid over Guyana’s election impasse if case is dismissed by Appeals Court

Guyana still to finalise royalty payment for January oil sales

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P15 M&CC buckles, limits public gatherings to 5 persons …public places, markets to be closed

Fire guts P13 Belle West home, several homeless

P16 Bosai scales down workforce in light of COVID-19 pandemic

APNU/AFC duplicity exposed

P10

…recommits to recount on same day its lawyer appeals same

Caricom P16 should help, but Guyana must save itself

Page 12

…as Finance Ministry projects earnings at US$1.2M that month …to receive payment at the end of April

US digs in on vote ..."good diplomacy" not recount "interference" on democracy Page 11

P11 ParikaSupenaam speedboat services suspended

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FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, April 3 – 01:30h and 13:00h-14:30h and Saturday, April 4 – 01:30h and 13:30h-15:00h.

Chair asserts commitment to court to conduct full recount ...dismisses APNU/AFC’s motion to consider flawed elections results

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, April 3 – 12:00h-13:30h and Saturday, April 4 – 13:10h-14:40h .

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Lightly cloudy conditions will prevail during the day interrupted in the morning until midday with light to thundery rain showers and in the late afternoon by sunny intervals. Partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 12:45h reaching a maximum height of 2.25 metres.

Low Tide: 06:13h and 18:56h reaching minimum heights of 1.11 metres and 0.88 metre.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

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FREE TICKET

17 Bonus Ball

THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2020

DAILY MILLIONS

04 06

10 21 25

LUCKY 3

5

7

0

5

Afternoon Draw

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2

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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PAY DAY

18 SUPER

PAY DAY FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$29.34/barrel

- 0.60

Rough Rice

$257.67 /ton

+0.47

London Sugar

$340.00/ton

- 0.41

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1611.90

$1612.90

Low/High

$1583.30

$1634.00

Change

+1.70

+0.11

Opposition-nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj

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uyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n ( G E C O M ) Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh on Thursday used her casting vote and threw out a motion brought

by Government-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander for the seven-member Commission to, among other things, go ahead and consider the final report of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), which contains the contentious results from the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) district.

A statement from GECOM noted that the Chair explained during the meeting that she could not allow the CEO, Keith Lowenfield, to present his report at this point in time since a contempt motion brought by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) restrains her from so doing. She sought to remind the Commission members too that she had also given an undertaking to the court to facilitate a recount at the level of the seven-member body. “… [Justice Singh] explained that the contempt matter brought against her has not concluded, but has been shelved due to her giving an undertaking to conduct a full national recount of all votes cast in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections at the level of the Commission. In light of the foregoing, Justice Singh requested for the Commission to discuss the possibility of the recount within the framework of the law,” the GECOM missive detailed.

The GECOM missive noted that the meeting was adjourned to 10:00h today following a request by Government Commissioner Charles Corbin to seek legal guidance on the matter. An earlier suggestion by Corbin for the Commission to approach the court on the way forward, given varying legal advice, was also dismissed.

While no decision was taken on the way forward, it is expected that a decision will be taken at today’s meeting and there seems to be a consensus to have the recount done.

In fact, Oppositionnominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj told reporters that he expected today’s meeting to deal with the recount.

“When it is commencing and finetuning the modalities

for operationalising [the recount],” he posited.

Gunraj further noted that he has already prepared a list of suggestions, including health precautions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic to be taken during the recounting process, and was waiting to present it to the Commission.

Earlier on Thursday, during the morning session of the GECOM meeting, Opposition Commissioner Robeson Benn had tabled a motion for the Commission to move ahead with the recount, but this was later withdrawn.

The Oppositionnominated Commissioners contended that GECOM had already approved having a recount supervised by the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and there was nothing that precluded the Commission from moving ahead in this regard now that the court has paved the way for it to finalise its deliberation on conducting the recount.

“The Chairman, and this is to her credit… she has given, this morning and this afternoon, detailed reasons for her position in relation to this matter, because she has given an undertaking to the court and she has narrated over and over, the circumstances that led to her making that decision [for the recount],” Gunraj stated.

Meanwhile, even after bringing the motion to sideline the national recount, Commissioner Alexander told reporters that he would support a recount. “…I would certainly be disposed to voting for a motion for the recount,” the Government-nominated Commissioner posited, adding that “in the meantime, the CEO has been asked to start to address his mind to

Government-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander

the question of the procedures that can be employed if we are to undertake a recount, and so that should be reported on tomorrow”.

According to Alexander, the return of the Caricom team to supervise the recount would be a “good way to go.”

Following the contentious declaration of Region Four’s results by embattled Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo on March 13, Caricom Chair, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley had intervened and brokered a national recount, which was requested by President David Granger and agreed to by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

A five-member independent high-level team was deployed to Guyana on March 15. Two days later, the regional team was forced to withdraw its services after an A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) candidate, Ulita Moore, had obtained an injunction from the High Court, blocking GECOM from commencing the recounting process.

On Tuesday, acting Chief Justice Roxane George, who

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

presided in the Full Court along with Justice Nareshwar Harnanan, ruled that the Court has no jurisdiction to hear the application filed by Moore.

The Full Court took into account the fact that the GECOM Chair had given a public undertaking that the votes would be recounted to ensure that the results of the polls were credible and accepted by the various stakeholders.

As such, the interim injunction blocking the recount has since been discharged, paving the way for GECOM to go ahead with the process.

However, Moore’s lawyers have since appealed the Full Court ruling, and that matter is currently pending in the Appeals Court.

The now dismissed motion brought by Alexander had also sought to have the Elections Commission await this decision by the Appeals Court before deciding on a way forward.

Several local and international observers, as well as Governments, have denounced the declarations made by RO Mingo, citing them as lacking credibility.

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 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

Jermaine Ifill: Answers needed!

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uyana is currently battling to deal with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with rising fatalities and more confirmed positive cases almost daily. One suspects that, due to the ratio of positive cases when compared to the level of testing, there could very well be quite a number of persons who are infected and are still interacting and moving around as per normal, due to the fact that they are unaware that they may be carrying the virus.

Inspite of the commendable work being done by health care workers on the frontline, saving lives and helping to contain the virus, it is quite evident that there are still major lapses in the system, which must be addressed urgently if Guyana is to be effective in the manner in which it responds to the outbreak. The health authorities must act quickly and make the necessary modifications to the response, as time is of the essence. Improving every aspect of our response to COVID-19 could result in fewer infections and fewer deaths.

Over the past few days, the case of Jermaine Ifill, the 38-yearold who died recently from the coronavirus, sparked much discussions on social media about Guyana’s level of preparedness to adequately respond to the pandemic. Many persons, more notably the relatives and friends of the victim, took to social media to vent their frustration regarding the manner in which the Ifill case was handled.

To begin with, it was reported in sections of the media that prior to his death, Ifill, who was experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, had made about three calls to the Coronavirus Hotline, but did not receive the kind of help he had sought. His relatives claim that persons who were manning the hotlines promised to act on his case, but from all indications, they never did. Ifill’s sister recalled that he (Ifill) even administered saline on himself while at home in the hope that the medical personnel would have responded to his pleas for help.

Instead, from reports gathered, they (first responders) gave a lacklustre approach to an issue which required immediate and maximum attention with the involvement of the most competent medical personnel available. Even after three calls, they reportedly never showed, and Ifill was left to be cared for by his six-monthpregnant wife, putting her and other family members at severe risk.

After the situation got worse, it was reported that this forced Ifill to check himself in to GPHC on March 25, where he was admitted and being treated for pneumonia in the Male ward. Since he had already suspected he was infected with COVID-19, it is reasonable that he would have so informed the doctor, so the first question is: why was he sent to an open ward? According to Ifill’s sister, she managed to convince the doctors for her brother to take a COVID-19 test, which was reportedly only done three days after he was admitted to the hospital; this is even after he had showed symptoms of having the virus.

Even after he was tested positive on March 28, and reportedly began experiencing increasing respiratory distress even while receiving oxygen via (an incorrectly-sized) face mask, he was not subsequently intubated and placed on a ventilator. He succumbed on March 31 in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

While we are cognizant of the challenges facing the health sector at the moment due to the sudden emergence of this pandemic, it is clear that in Ifill’s case in particular, the basic element in the Ministry’s response – the hotlines – and GPHC did not deliver as expected.

Assuming that the media reports are accurate, there are several questions which remain unanswered. The Ministry must be aware of the views being expressed on social media etc. To date, it has not provided any clarity on the issues raised. For example, who are involved in answering or managing the hotlines? Are these personnel competent and qualified enough to make the necessary judgment calls? Do they have a medical background to do so, or are they simply ‘telephone operators’ tasked with making medical decisions on the spot? Do these hotline ‘operators’ have a strict protocol to follow? And if so, were those protocols followed in Ifill’s case?

Another question which must be answered is: why wasn’t Ifill placed on a ventilator even after he had tested positive for the virus and showed deterioration? Are the doctors in the GPHC COVID- 19 unit following the WHO guidelines on admitting patients?

If it hasn’t already done so, the Ministry must immediately lunch a probe to find out exactly what occurred in Ifill’s case.

If needed, it must make changes immediately to ensure that, going forward, every level of its response to COVID-19 pandemic, including operating the hotlines, is as efficient and professional as far as is possible. Lives are at stake.

Open letter to Guyanese here and abroad Dear Guyanese, As a former member of the Central Executive Committee of the People’s National Congress, Minister of the Government and representative of the Guyanese Overseas, I have been moved to make the following statement regarding our current situation.

Our country has never been so existentially poised – appalling ethnic cleavages, COVID-19, and the sudden and sharply contrasting economic prospects, with their attendant social dysfunctions. And yet these very challenges can birth the seeds of an empathetic, if robustly contested, unity among our six races, that overcoming adversity can so beautifully surface.

And the principal burden must be shouldered by those who birthed this enduring blight – the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and People’s National Congress (PNC).

Firstly, I am deeply concerned about the free-flow of vitriol in the social media expressed by persons claiming to be supporters of either side. The unfortunate absence of any suggestion of dissuasion from the leadership of either party is most distressing. This is a most unfortunate abandonment of the worthy objectives of inclusiveness, togetherness and social cohesion so vigorously espoused at recent campaign rallies.

I congratulate the Cde. President and Leader of the Opposition on their agreement to a recount. This is the first step and the best, perhaps only, manner in which our country could extract itself from this most unfortunate situation.

However, parallel to this exercise must be the dialogue between the authorised representatives of the People’s

National Congress and the People’s Progressive Party under the co-chairmanship of two eminent “elders” of the country, one from each of these two parties, following consultation with minority groups: to begin a process of trust-building that is eventually public and demonstrably well-intentioned.

Some form, and there are many from which to choose, of competitively distributed management of society and the economy is inevitable. But first we must learn to work together, even where we do not trust. We must be practical. A demonstrable willingness to work beyond pre-conceptions is a prerequisite to ensuring that supporters can gradually replace entrenched mutual distrust and fear with a willingness to treat each other with empathy and respect. We have witnessed that without these shared values, laws and courts have diminishing resonance or practical authority with either party.

I propose strongly that serious consideration be given to the implementation of sharing the governance of key aspects of the economy and wider society. Sharing the governance is about dealing with mistrust within a framework of rules and practices which guarantee equality of authority and protection.

Both the People’s National Congress and People’s Progressive Party have had the experience of serving in the Opposition, and have leadership capable of representing and protecting their constituencies using the institutions and offices which can be established through the mechanism of shared governance.

Everyone in this, our Dear Land, has grown up with the dream of our

huge patrimony of gold, bauxite, now oil, and most of all human capital, being used to banish poverty and ignorance; to make the Small Man a Real Man, in the language of my time; and to see our country “bust open”.

The current leadership in both parties have this unique and historic opportunity to prove themselves worthy of being successors to the mantle of leadership once worn by Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan. These principal founders of our nation had agreed on audacious, patriotic and pragmatic governance arrangements shortly before the untimely passing of the Comrade Leader in 1985. I so often regret, and feel ashamed, that we who were members of the Central Executive Committee of the People’s National Congress did not struggle to ensure the materialization of this agreement.

Guyana would by now have grown into a truly cohesive nation.

Fellow Guyanese, we are about to enter a phase in our country in which the sharing of limited resources should not be an excuse/reason for internecine division. There will be enough for all and some, with honest, competent and patriotic management. Our leaders must NOT “threaten” us with the fear of domination by either side; rather, they must face the tape using their wisdom and resolve to ensure equality and opportunity for us and succeeding generations. In time, the practice of working together will diminish and, may eventually eradicate, mistrust, and thus birth a truly united, prosperous and proud Guyana.

Comrades, there is much to be done; let us get to work!

Dear Mr Granger, At this challenging moment in Guyana’s history, with election results still to be transparently declared a month after the event, and with the situation being exacerbated by the global threating pandemic of this time (COVID-19), I urge you to be fair and just in treating with the election results, 2020.

Since March 2nd, there have been moments in time when this would have been possible and much anticipated, but alas, the good name of Guyana has been besmirched nationally, regionally and internationally, as this has not been done.

As I compellingly write today, April 2nd 2020, this may be another opportunity to demonstrate the character of your leadership. In the four elapsed weeks since the elections, the people of Guyana have been subjugated to constitutional legality from our leaders in office, from many eminent lawyers, and from the courts. Some can be applauded for this.

But where is the morality of leadership that will not allow for the simplest of things, viz: Recount of the ballots cast in the full light of day; if not for all ten Regions (as nine Regions do not appear in dispute) but for Region Four only – Demerara-Mahaica?

This wish has been expressed by our CARICOM leaders, eminently led

by PM Mia Mottley of Barbados; echoed by friendly countries globally; and most importantly, agreed to by yourself, Mr President, and Chair of GECOM. The High Court of Guyana has now cleared the legality for this. Now please show moral leadership and courage and do the right and just thing today.

We must all be reminded of Benjamin Franklin’s wise words, “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it”.

Leadership is often a testing time for all of us, but our morality of integrity, accountability, humility and fairness among other values must be our compass, steering our decision-making. The country and the world look to your fair and transparent leadership in this matter today.

Mr. President, we share a common bond, educated in great schools of leadership – the venerable Queen’s College of Georgetown and the esteemed regional University of the West Indies.

We were schooled in problem-solving and critical-thinking, all driven by the search for truth. Very simply therefore, count the ballots in the open and then let the truth and only the truth be known. This will solve the impasse that we face.

With humility, I wish you can both be reminded by Psalm 26:4-5: “I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I con-

sort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evil doers and I will not sit with the wicked.” Show your leadership, discard the evil doers, as they know who they are.

Mr. President, national elections are crucial for a nation’s future governance and direction. But like any contest, you lose some and win some.

Guyana has witnessed this before, and will witness this again. But take heart from current US Presidential Candidate Senator Bernie Sanders, who said, “Election days come and go, but the struggle of the people to create a government which represents all of us and not just the 1% - a government based upon the principles of economic, social, racial and environmental justice, that struggle continues.” Be assured we are in this together.

Mr. President, Madam Chairperson, please do the fair and just thing. Please count the ballots in the fullness of light, as this must be your legacy. “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.”

(Proverbs 11:3)

Malcolm Parris, CCH

Do be fair and just; please count the ballots in the fullness of light!

Professor Clement K Sankat President, University of Belize; Former Principal and Pro- Vice Chancellor, UWI St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 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

Guyana has entered the realm of political disgrace Dear Editor, I have made it pellucid in the past, as I would like to again in the present and always will futuristically: I am a lover of Guyana, and I, Hajji Roshan Khan, am a lover of all peoples of my country. Those narrow-minded thinkers can accuse that whatever I do I do for the benefit of my business, as many opportunistic business people normally do.

The politicians would know I have never asked anyone in politics for any favour, except maybe for an appointment to be able to serve those who are in need and those being abused by those appointed with power to assist the retirees and those in need.

At times in politics, you are even accused of racism, because you might not share a similar political position of persons with certain dirty hearts, and see everything in brown or black.

My heart broke when, as an Observer, I witnessed blatant skullduggery at the GECOM Secretariat in High Street.

The games, the lies, the fake illnesses; the trickery of seeing double and triple as if to pull wool over the eyes of brilliant ABCE Observers and high-level diplomats of various embassies, and those who were not there but observing from far away; for example, African Caribbean

and Pacific Nations Association and India.

On March 2nd, 2020 to the morning of the 3rd and 4th, Guyana’s smoothness of practical election process in the infrastructure of what I would like to term as class administration and GECOM poured love and respect down on its officers, officials and general staff. The smiles of the returning officers and the general staff were so profound that one felt a sense of jubilation in the heart.

As an Observer travelling, and my colleagues as well, indicated similar kinds of experience throughout the country as we observed. It was truly hours of joy and excitement for all Guyanese, even as the counting started and all the regions were called.

But when it came to about forty percent (40%) of Region Four results, one could have witnessed in the faces of those who were obviously conspirators of deceit and evil at work with phones in their hands sending messages; the entire mindset changed, instructions were being passed to fabricate results and to play games as though there were zombie attacks with triple and quadruple vision. Suddenly, everyone working became tired.

There was no contingency plan in place, there were no beds set for backup ROs to sleep in GECOM’s head-

quarters, which was huge enough to facilitate same; nor hotels nearby to rest with proper meals; (nourishing meals were being provided for all observers, staffers and legal visitors). In the event of one of them being attacked by some spiritual force to cause double digit sights, or tiredness penetrated their consciousness, there were staff they could have turned to to ensure the count proceed in elegance and respect.

And because of this, Guyana has entered the realm of international disgrace and degradation. Once again, Guyana becomes a pariah nation in the Caribbean, where people are beginning to mock us as was the reality during the 60s and 70s and early 80s.

In conversation with fellow Observers locally and internationally, one could have seen the disappointment in their faces. Some were murmuring amongst us colleague Observers that they have never seen such behaviour and antics in any other country in the world, even those known to be more corrupt than Guyana.

The crescendo of national degradation commenced when the RO, along with the assistant, after many hours of delay and mental shenanigans, indicated that out of twenty-one polling places, seventeen were deemed un-

The legacy of thievery continues

Dear Editor, People’s influence and traits can linger long after they have passed to the Great Beyond. Their teachings, whether inspirational or serpentine, oftentimes wind their way into the very psyche of the human existence.

Religion is the most profound example. Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis compromise other segments.

In Guyana today, the Founder Rigger is very much alive, and his successors are making some really lopsided copying of his perfected rigging apparatus. The engines that drive the Guyana election process seem to have the wrong type of fuel, incorrect speed, and an incompetent driver; not to mention the passengers who are either kicked out or are barely holding on.

The ongoing gross atrocities are both shameless and are an international sore that has resurfaced.

Why is it that the Police prevented PPP Commissioners from entering GECOM facilities and from checking up on the containers holding ballot boxes, while other parties were allowed free passage? The Chair does nothing!

When ballot box containers are moved around for counting/storage, why are the commissioners and others contesting not informed?

Here again, the Chair does nothing.

The Chair has enormous power, and can still put the counting process back on track. The Chair is the boss of Lowenfield, Mingo, and HAS FULL AUTHORITY OVER GECOM commissioners. Once the CJ ruled

against Mingo’s illegal actions, the Chair should have removed Mingo immediately, and censured the Chief Officer for not supervising him properly. Yet, from the Chair, the only response is one of paralysis.

Top functionaries have gone into hiding, claiming to be tired, away from their offices, pretending to be sick, and waiting on abused and misused court processes.

There is only one conclusion: The Chair of GECOM seems to be awaiting instructions from high places on what course to take, and the Coalition is doing anything and everything to stay in power. Burnham’s legacy lives on!

Dear Editor, Military operations by the USA have commenced in Venezuelan waters with a very strong focus on eliminating both the Government and the drug traffickers; which have been viewed as one and the same.

It is imperative that our major national parties take a strong dose of realism and

establish a pragmatic approach to obtaining a peaceful resolution to this year’s election process.

Ensuring that credible and acceptable democracy is established is essential to maintaining our stronghold on our territory of Essequibo. Mr. Guiado continues to benefit from USA support, and this escalation

in our Region will increase the risk Guyana is exposed to over the coming months.

It is now the time for past grievances to be set aside, even if on a temporary basis, to ensure our ICJ efforts are not undermined.

Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine New York

Military operations have begun

Regards, Jamil Changlee

acceptable and were being cast aside without a count.

Incidentally, those seventeen were areas where the Opposition, upon investigation, had garnered more votes than others in the country. This is what started to shake the hearts of Observers and party scrutineers started to tremble; except one party.

The Observers and the heads of the ABCE countries were in confusion as we witnessed the evil that was being perpetrated by GECOM obviously to favour the outcome of the results for some political force that they preferred. With these things happening, a patriot, a lover of the country, would start to see why certain officials were employed, why certain chairpersons were wanted, and why some other officials over the last few years were being replaced, and at times sent off with indignation with contracts not being renewed.

It was being said right there that certain persons were party hacks of a particular political party, who were being groomed for just this kind of scenario to take place. On one occasion the laptop with the data was stolen by a youthful RO, who was good with the use and possible manipulation of the computer, the flashdrive was also stolen clandestinely.

A word about invasion of which the presidential candidate of the PPPC was accused of entering with guns: I must mention the words in use; invasion and MOB. The presidential candidate was already there, and there

was nobody there with guns.

I put my neck on the block, and I would ask also why were those with guns not arrested at the secretariat? All these statements were being made to pacify supporters of a particular political affiliation, and possibly to create a true invasion mentality in the minds of those party loyalists.

When voices were being raised about an illegal declaration being made without 50% of the votes being counted, persons who were there protested by raising their voices. There was no mob, there was no invasion.

I speak the truth from the depths of my heart, from which I say if I tell a lie, the Creator, Lord of the worlds, can suck my life out and destroy me. I know that for saying these words here today, sadly, some people would do the evil they did in the past in trying to wipe me out and destroy me in business. Such things I rest in the hands of God. For those who wave the hands of injustice, they will face the justice of the universe on themselves, and sadly maybe on siblings and offspring.

I beg God not to allow others to suffer the ripple effects of whatever injustice may be meted out to me in the future for the words I say here today, but I speak the truth from the depths of my heart.

The court case that was brought by Ms. Ulita Moore: one can see it was more than a Guyanese bringing a case against an institution. She is definitely a party candi-

date, and that in itself was a logistical error. My advice to them, as a layman in such things, is that an ordinary man, and not a party candidate, should have brought the case to stop CARICOM from doing the recount.

Friends and family around the world, I urge you to consider the fate our country would face, considering we are sanctioned by international bodies. Take our neighbouring Venezuela for example; sanctions reduced the public’s caloric intake, increased disease and mortality (for both adults and infants), and displaced millions of Venezuelans, who fled the country as a result of the worsening economic depression and hyperinflation.

Sanctions have inflicted very serious harm to human life and health, including an estimated more than 40,000 deaths from 2017-2018.

However, I do believe in light of the most recent court ruling, justice in my opinion has been dispensed well by the courts, and those who want to manipulate plans of God along with His universe must know that the Creator and His universe will stand for goodwill and justice at this juncture of Guyana’s history, from what I have seen and the little that I know of God and the universe. I am asking for those who are being biased to stop it, and let the universe reveal itself. What is for you, you will get.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr Roshan Khan (Sr)

The Western nations have been on the side of freedom and democracy Dear Editor, The consistent feature of Kean Gibson’s writings is that they never cease to amaze the reader with her outrageous claims.

Let us take a careful examination of the first three sentences of her latest missive, “PPP and West are of the view our Supreme Court must not participate in solving electoral problem” (SN 03-01-20), where she made copious references to history to support her premises.

Gibson writes, “I have been looking on with interest at the PPP and their alignment with Foreign governments (United States, Canada, Britain and the Organization of American States). “The PPP”, and “their alignment of (Western) governments” – are these not a contradiction of terms, judging from history? It is a known fact that the U.S.A. has sided

with the PNC in the past, and had a strong hand in the 1964 elections that catapulted Forbes Burnham into power.

Gibson is deplored for her capricious research methods in the academic world, so it is no surprise that she omitted the European Union in her list of foreign governments to “align” with the PPP. The EU observers are a significant entity in this conversation. Their representatives were present (along with other distinguished international observers) when the commotion erupted as Mr. Mingo was manufacturing his final figures to declare the APNU/AFC party “victorious”.

Gibson claims, “Our Constitution has worked well for us in the past…”.

Who is the pronoun “us” referring to? Mr. Granger and his party? The Guyanese people? A select few, when it

is politically expedient?

Ms. Gibson asserts that the Western nations want us to “put aside our Supreme Law and go with their own agendas.” The ABC/EU countries (along with the OAS and CARICOM) do not have an international conspiracy for the country of Guyana to adhere to.

Instead, the international observers have had a vital role as mere observers – to oversee that the elections are free and fair and conducted transparently.

The Western nations (along with the OAS and CARICOM) are not siding with the PPP; they are on the side of freedom and democracy – entities that are treasured and apprized in the civilized world.

Yours truly, Dr Devanand Bhagwan

SEE ADDITIONAL LETTERS ON PAGE 17

6

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

Page

Foundation

Guyana Times is pleased to publish the National Grade Six Assessment Past Papers. This is the second part of Science Paper 1, 2013.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT PAPER 1

SCIENCE

TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. 1. WRITE YOUR CANDIDATE NUMBER ON THE ANSWER SHEET AND UNDERLINE THE SUBJECT. 2. This test contains 40 questions. You are 19. Soil erosion is not caused by (A) over grazing.

(C) planting trees.

required to answer ALL questions.

Four responses are given for each question.

The responses are A, B, C and D. Only ONE response is correct.

3. If you are not sure of the answer to a question, then choose the one which you think is BEST. On your answer sheet, shade the letter you have chosen.

4. BE SURE THAT THE QUESTION NUMBER IN THE BOOKLET IS THE SAME AS THE ONE

YOU HAVE USED ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET. Here is an example done for you.

1. Carbon dioxide is a (A) mixture.

ANSWER SHEET (B) liquid.

A B C D (C) gas.

(D) solid.

Note: The letter C is shaded on the answer sheet because gas, the correct answer, is next to C.

Study the diagram below, then answer questions 24 and

(B) strong winds.

(D) running water.

20. The soil type that contains small particles and retains a lot of water is called (A) loam.

(B) clay.

(C) gravel.

(D) sand.

24. The lamps and the battery are (1) connected in parallel. (ii) connected in series. (iii) parts of a simple circuit.

21. Which waste materials stated below are biodegradable? (i) Newspaper (ii) Plastic bottle (iii) Glass bottle (iv) Fruit skins

(A) i only (C) i and ii

(A) iii and iv (B) i and ii (C) ii and iii (D) i and iv

(B) ii only (D) ii and iii

25. If the part labelled X is closed (A) the lamps will light.

(C) only one lamp will light.

(B) the lamps will not light.

(D) the current will not flow.

The diagram below shows an instrument in use. Study it, then answer question 22.

28.

Study the diagrams below then answer questions 26 to

22. The instrument is used to measure (A) weight.

(B) distance.

(C) mass.

(D) volume.

23. The relationship between the earth and the moon is that the (A) earth is the moon’s satellite.

(B) earth gives the moon light.

(C) earth spins around the moon.

(D) moon is the earth’s satellite.

26. The names of the instruments A and B are _________________ respectively.

(A) anemometer and wind vane (B) barometer and wind cock (C) anemometer and barometer (D) wind vane and wind cock 27. Diagram B shows that the wind is blowing in a/an

5. If you make a mistake, erase the shaded letter cleanly, then shade the letter next to the answer you have now chosen.

6. REMEMBER, each answer MUST only be shown by the shading on your Answer Sheet.

7. Remember only ONE answer must be shaded for each question.

DO NOT TURN OVER THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

___________ direction.

(A) northerly (C) easterly

(B) southerly (D) westerly

28. Diagram A is measuring the of the wind.

(A) direction (B) distance (C) speed (D) volume 29. To measure changes in the weather a meteorologist does not use a/an (A) anemometer.

(B) hydrometer.

(C) barometer.

(D) ammeter.

The diagrams below show substances in two containers.

Study them carefully, then answer questions 30 and 31.

30. Which property best describes the substance in diagram A? (A) Particles are very large.

(B) Particles are closely packed together.

(C) It can be poured into another container.

(D) It does not have a definite shape.

31. Which property does not describe the substance in diagram B? (A) Its molecules move constantly.

(B) It must be stored.

(C) It takes the shape of the container.

(D) It can be poured.

32. Electrical wires are often covered with a layer of plastic because plastic (A) conducts electricity (B) breaks the flow of the current.

(C) serves as an insulator.

(D) is resistant to heat.

The features below describe a certain animal. Study them carefully, then answer question 33. i. Body covered with fine hair ii. Has wings iii. Breathes by lungs iv. Is warm blooded.

33. The animal is most likely a (A) moth.

(B) manatee.

(C) bat.

(D) honeybee.

34. The functions of the reproductive system of living things are (i) production of sex cells (ii) fertilization (iii) development of embryo (iv) circulation of hormones.

(A) (I), (ii) and (iii) (B) (I), (iii) and (iv) (C) (ii), (iii) and (iv) (D) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) The diagrams below show three examples of food. Study them, then answer question 35.

35. In which group would you place the foods shown?

(A) Carbohydrates (B) Proteins (C) Vitamins (D) Fats

7 APNU/AFC’s latest court action meant to stall electoral process ꟷ Nandlall NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…as APNU/AFC lawyer signals CCJ bid if case is dismissed by Appeals Court

Justice Dawn Gregory

Justice Rishi Persaud

urther litigation challenging a national recount of the votes cast at the March 2 General and Regional Elections has been dismissed as frivolous, vexatious and meant to stall the electoral process thereby further preventing a declaration of verified results.

This is the position of Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall after an appeal hearing was called up Thursday in the Court of Appeal

by Justices Dawn Gregory, Rishi Persaud and Michael Brassington.

The appeal was filed by A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) candidate Ulita Moore, whose case challenging a decision by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to agree to a recount was thrown out by the Full Court on Tuesday.

Moore had originally filed for an injunction against the Commission, which was ordered by Justice Franklyn Holder.

The Full Court on appeal from Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had found that Justice Holder did not have jurisdiction to hear the case and subsequently vacated the orders paving the way for a recount.

Moore has since challenged this decision and Attorneys Thursday made submissions for and against the appeal. The Attorneys have since been scheduled to present oral arguments today when the hearing resumes.

Justice Gregory has since committed to handing down a ruling on the matter today.

Speaking with reporters following an adjournment on Thursday, Nandlall reminded that there was nothing preventing the GECOM Chairperson in the interim, from going ahead with the recount.

He observed that the Attorneys for the APNU/AFC Candidate did not make an ap-

plication for a stay of the Full Court’s ruling.

“Our position is that there is nothing stopping the recount from taking place, no injunction exists, none has been applied for, no stay of execution of any sort has been applied for in relation to the Full Court decision and of course, none has been granted,” he said.

The former Attorney General, in dismissing the latest court action as only meant to stall the electoral process, posited that “they have stalled it enough and it’s time that we conclude the elections and the rightful results be declared.”

Roysdale Forde, Attorney-at-Law for the APNU/AFC Candidate, in defending the decision to appeal the ruling of the Full Court, pointed out that the mechanisms exist and should the need arise to appeal at the level of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), that mechanism also exists given that “that is part of the legal system”. The court system, he said, “recognises further appeals”.

Forde told reporters it was the belief of the APNU/AFC team that the Chief Justice (ag) erred in her ruling that the High Court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case before it.

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George had at the time also denied a stay of her orders, on the grounds that an appeal was without merit.

Asked for details of the new submissions, Forde indicated that “our position is that the ruling of the Full Court, that it was wrong in law and we expect the Court of Appeal to set aside the decision”.

Speaking to the impact of the case on the work of GECOM, Forde said he expected that the Chairperson “would honour what she always says: that she would await the

F

hearing of the process”.

The Chief Justice (ag) in handing down the Full Court ruling now being challenged had observed that Moore, in her petition to Justice Holder, contended that any order for a recount must be within the constitutional jurisdiction of GECOM, while Justice Holder held that the High Court remained that guardian of the constitution.

The acting Chief Justice also observed for the court the circumstances that have led to the failure to have election results one month after the polls, including difficulties with the declarations made by a Returning Officer, and the refusal of recounts.

In handing down her ruling, the acting Chief Justice was adamant, however, that article 162 (1) (B) of the Constitution gives wide powers to GECOM to ensure an impartial and fair process while Section 22 of Act 15 of 2000 supplies and supplements one of many mechanisms to ensure that there was compliance with Article 162.

According to Justice George, Section 22 of that law operationalises the functions of GECOM as mandated in Article 162 and specifically permits GECOM to address any difficulties encountered.

She noted that in situations such as these where Parliament is dissolved, there is no need for an order to be subjected to the National Assembly to deal with matters arising from the election.

Accordingly, Justice George ruled that it could not be in the jurisdiction of the High Court to prevent GECOM from meeting and discussing whatever was relevant to ensure that Article 162’s provision for an impartial and fair conduct of elections was carried out.

Justice Brassington Reynolds

To do so would be to overreach and trespass on the functions of the Commission, she declared.

As such, the Chief Justice (ag) said the Full Court was of the view that Justice Holder would have erred in failing to fully take into consideration or apply the considering of similar cases.

She concluded in her analysis that any decision and function of GECOM in determining the results of an election would fall under Article 162 which speaks to inquiry into an act of the Commission.

According to the Chief Justice (ag), the Court is of the view that the filing of judicial review as done by Moore undermines the legislative process which affects finality in the election process and as such, the appeal is allowed and the order of Justice Holder that he has jurisdiction to hear the injunction case is vacated.

Starr Computers on shutdown for 14 days I

n light of the present challenges of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Starr Computers will temporarily close its store at Lot 59 Brickdam with immediate effect for the next 14 days.

The company stated that the health and safety of its

customers, colleagues and staff was its top priority.

“We regret all inconvenience caused and invite you to visit our Starr Computers website and Facebook page for regular updates on our alternative customers’ pickup on-line orders, health guidelines and technology

options,” the company stated in a release.

In the meantime, it urges Guyanese to follow the guidelines of the Public Health Ministry, or visit the company’s Facebook page for more information as it becomes available.

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Marcus Bisram case reopens upon instruction from DPP

ꟷ Magistrate maintains lack of evidence to commit accused

Opportunity…

T

Magistrate Renita Singh

Marcus Bisram leaving the court on Thursday

L

ess than one week after a no-case submission was upheld by Magistrate Renita Singh in the Marcus Bisram murder preliminary inquiry (PI), this magistrate was or-

dered to reopen the case on Thursday; but she is maintaining that there is not sufficient evidence to commit the accused to stand trial in the High Court.

Bisram was, earlier in

the week, freed of the indictment of murder committed on Faiyaz Narinedatt, who was killed between October 31 and November 1, 2016.

Bisram was implicated in the murder, and was extradited from the United States, after which he was charged.

After he was freed on Monday last, Bisram maintained that he was in-

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack

nocent of the allegation.

Nevertheless, hours after he was freed, Bisram was rearrested upon the instruction of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack.

However, at the court on Thursday, the decision to reopen the care sparked much debate, as was anticipated.

TURN TO PAGE 10

…for authoritarian power grab he COVID-19 pandemic has certainly grabbed the attention of world leaders more than anything on their agenda for a helluva long time!! Threat of personal extinction will do that to you!! And this COVID-19 is personal to the max!! Boris Johnson got it…

Trudeau’s wife got it…and unless you decide to blast off for the moon, pretty much all of us will get it sooner or later. We won’t all die…at most probably .5%. But that’s the catch…isn’t it? We just don’t know which one of us is out of that .5%!

It’s like playing Russian Roulette, excepting that microscopic viruses are pulling the trigger!!

Now with such a threat looming over them – talk about sanctions!! – you’d think these leaders would start focusing a bit more on the “greater good”, wouldn’t you?? Not because of any epiphany on morality, mind you, but because of good, old-fashioned, naked selfinterest of the Ann Raynd school!! The “greater” the good increases their chances of survival, no?? But sadly, while that’s true for most, some leaders are seizing the opportunity presented by COVID-19 to grab more power for themselves.

Ostensibly, the accretion of power is justified as necessary to deal with the COVOD-19 threat. It is a trite observation that during times of catastrophe and disaster, there’s a need for swift and directed action. You really can’t engage in too much Hamlet-like soliloquies on “to respond or not to respond; that is the question”!

Most folks understand this, and will go along. And that’s where the tyrants-in-waiting will seize the moment to serve their own political ends!!

Remember the “war on drugs”?? The “war on terrorism”? Well, this “war on COVID-19” is gonna be bigger and better for men on horseback, who’ll ensure that after the war, they cannot be challenged. And this is the double-barrelled clear and present danger that confronts us in Guyana today: there’s not only a threat to our health, but an existential threat to our democracy!!

In China, Egypt, Turkey, Russia etc, we’re seeing the consolidation of power regimes that won’t go away with the crisis. In Algeria, for instance, protests for democratic reforms that have been going on for a year have now been halted. And it’s against this background that we must consider this caretaker PNC-regime’s moves: those “burn and destroy” and “detain at will” edicts, for instance.

The COVID-19 crisis, of course, caught us smack in the middle of the PNC flagrantly and blatantly trying to rig itself back into power in front of the whole world. If they could do that without a pandemic, the mind boggles at what’s ahead.

You don’t need firestick to see in broad daylight!

Burnham’s legacy in spades!! …to understand GECOM There’s a whole lotta folks who see building new institutions of governance as the silver bullet for what ails our body politic. But your Eyewitness doesn’t set too much store on institutions – seen as rules for effectuating some value or other. Take GECOM. And, as the late great Rodney Dangerfield would quip, “Please!!”

GECOM was organised between 1992 and 2000 to fix the rigging of elections we’d had under Burnham and the PNC during the previous 3 decades. All sorts of rules were excruciatingly set up and legislated: autonomy, separate budget, choosing a Chair, counting at the place of poll etc, etc. But have all of these institutional rules delivered for us free and fair elections?? Just look around!

And what this shows beyond a shadow of doubt is that where there aren’t the necessary moral and cultural consciousness in the PEOPLE who man ORGANISATIONS, the outcome will remain the same ole, same ole.

In Guyana, we still don’t have a class that puts the state before their group. …for more graft And we arrive at the institution that’s supposed to be the panacea for our political logjam writ large: the grand coalition of all the parties in parliament.

The institution may be okay, but what about the folks in the organisation!?

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

9

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC duplicity exposed …recommits to recount on same day its lawyer appeals same

T

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

he A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition on Thursday reiterated its commitment to a national recount of the votes cast in the March 2, General and Regional Elections, but its Attorney, Roysdale Forde, has approached the court for a second appeal challenging the recount.

APNU+AFC, in a statement to the media on Thursday, said the Coalition continues to maintain its stated position that

any constitutionally permitted recount of votes must be of all regions, beginning at Region One and continue numerically to Region Ten, until all votes are counted.

“We have also stated that GECOM must fulfill its constitutional mandate and declare the winner of the March 2, 2020 election, and those who are dissatisfied and aggrieved thereafter should use the mechanisms established in law to seek redress.”

Additionally, the coalition, in its statement, re-

APNU/AFC representative Ulita Moore

Marcus Bisram case reopens...

Defense Attorney Glenn Hanoman argued that certain procedures must be followed before the matter could be reopened. Referring to the relevant section of the law, Hanoman said the DPP must receive the deposition and other evidence, and only after assessing that evidence can the DPP direct the court to reopen the case. As such, he requested that the court enquire about the deposition.

Magistrate Singh, leaning on the side of caution, said she did not send the deposition to the DPP, but State Prosecutor Stacy Goodings told the court that the DPP had received the deposition on Monday, and that had prompted the DPP’s letter to

reopen the case.

However, Hanoman argued that it was only the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who can sign a letter instructing the court to reopen a case, and since Goodings had received the deposition only late on Monday evening, it was impossible for the deposition to have been sent to the DPP. He said Bisram was therefore being wrongfully detained. However, he said he could not ask the court to release Bisram, since the court had not been responsible for his arrest.

It was then that the Police Prosecutor informed the court that she was not aware of the reason for Bisram’s re-

arrest.

Referring to the letter which was sent to the court from the DPP, Hanoman said it stated that the court must reopen the case with the view to committing Bisram to stand trial in the High Court.

This, he said, is an infringement of the rights of the accused. The Defense, he noted, intends to raise those issues in the High Court.

In response, Goodings explained that, by law, if the DPP issues an instruction to reopen a case, that instruction must be complied with.

She further noted that if the court, which is a creature of the State, wishes to disregard the DPP’s instructions, the law gives the DPP other

FROM PAGE 8

options on the way forward.

The Bisram matter was eventually adjourned to Monday, April 6, because the Magistrate informed that she has to be properly advised.

One of Bisram’s attorneys, Dexter Todd, told the media that the case was no longer about Bisram.

However, he noted that the Defense team would challenge the directions of the DPP under sections 72:1 and 2 of the law, which does not give her an unfettered power.

“So, we will definitely have to challenge the directions under those sections in relation to the matter,” Todd said. He added that the case will be an interesting one for all Guyanese.

minded that President David Granger has already indicated his willingness to abide by the decision of GECOM. The stated position has since been observed as a delaying tactic meant to forestall the electoral process.

Attorney-at-law Anil Nandlall gave the supposition on Thursday when APNU+AFC lawyer Roysdale Forde provided additional submissions, this time to the Court of Appeal, in another challenge to the recount by GECOM. Forde told media operatives that “(the appeal) is part of the legal system.”

The court system, he said, “recognizes further appeals.”

The Full Court had on Tuesday thrown out a case filed by APNU+AFC Candidate Ulita Moore, challenging the recount on ground that the High Court did not have jurisdiction to hear the matter.

Forde has appeared for both the APNU+AFC and its Candidate, Ulita Moore.

Incidentally, a Special Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group that was convened in relation to Guyana’s political impasse on Thursday also weighed in on Guyana’s Judiciary and its role in the political impasse currently facing the country as a result of

Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde

the delayed elections.

The 54-nation bloc noted that Guyana’s judiciary continues to be seized with protracted litigation on issues of national importance.

It drew reference to the passing of the December 21, 2018 no confidence motion which triggered the constitutional requirement for a General Election; to the conduct of the Region Four Returning Officer in the March 2 election; and the issue of a recount in Region Four.

“In this regard,” the Commonwealth Ministers reaffirmed the Commonwealth principle “that an independent, effective and competent legal system is integral to upholding the rule of law, engendering public confidence and dispensing justice.”

NEWS

11

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US digs in on vote recount …“good diplomacy” not “interference” on democracy

U

nited States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, in a scathing statement on Thursday, criticised those who labelled the United States’ calls for democracy to prevail in Guyana as interference in the country’s sovereignty.

Several international observers, as well as Governments, have denounced the Region Four results declared by Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, citing it as lacking credibility and warning that any government sworn-in based on those results would face “serious consequences”.

In response to this mounting foreign pressure, the caretaker APNU/ AFC Government on Saturday last reminded the international community that Guyana is a sovereign state.

However, Ambassador Lynch pointed out the difference between interference and diplomacy when it comes to democracy.

“A common criticism of diplomatic statements during politically charged election cycles is that they amount to “foreign interference.” But in foreign policy, the difference between meddling and practising good diplomacy is that the latter involves sticking to bed-

rock principles of human rights, good governance, and transparency and, whenever possible, underscoring the values that bind the country you represent to the country in which you serve,” she posited.

According to the U.S. diplomat, Guyana’s March 2. 2020 elections and the events that followed have “quite properly” attracted a lot of attention from the U.S. She pointed to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 and noted that Article 21 underscores that “Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.”

It makes clear that the “will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government”, the U.S. diplomat stated.

Moreover, she outlined that in this hemisphere, Article 3 of the Charter of The Organization of American States (OAS) correctly observes that solidarity among the American States requires “the political organization of those States on the basis of the effective exercise of representative democracy.”

Ambassador Lynch added, “The Guyanese Constitution also underscores democratic principles.”

She went on to further high-

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch

light that Guyana has displayed its leadership in defense of representative government recently by joining other Lima Group members from the Americas to strive for a democratic resolution to the crisis in Venezuela.

To this end, the US diplomat reminded that along with 12 other countries, Guyana proclaimed in January 2019, “We reiterate that the electoral process that took place in Venezuela on May 20, 2018, lacked legitimacy as it neither included the participation of all political actors in Venezuela, nor did it

have the presence of independent international observers, nor did it comply with the necessary guarantees or international standards for a free, fair and transparent election. Accordingly, we do not recognize the legitimacy of the new presidential term of Nicolas Maduro, or his regime, which commences on January 10, 2019.”

Ambassador Lynch noted that, “such statements are not foreign interference, they amount to good diplomacy by members of the hemisphere’s democratic club. My hope and expectation is that Guyana maintains its good standing as a member of this club by counting all the election day votes through a transparent and credible process. Guyana is certainly not Venezuela; let’s keep it that way.”

The US envoy responded to those who criticised her government for speaking out by suggesting that it first get its own house in order. She said: “To that I respond, democracy, or rule by the people, is almost always noisy. The democratic cacophony is home to our competing values and political identities in the public square. At its heart, democracy is the expression of our freedom to be represented. As such, each adult citizen must have one

vote and each vote must have one value.”

Nevertheless, Ambassador Lynch contended that the U.S. Government is entirely non-partisan about which party wins Guyana’s 2020 elections. She added that the major parties – and the smaller ones too – all offer the opportunity to continue an excellent bilateral relationship based on a shared commitment to supporting improved governance, prosperity, and security in Guyana.

“Let’s get on with that important work,” the diplomat asserted.

The U.S. has been in the forefront of international pressure, calling for a recount to be done to accurately reflect the will of the Guyanese people, who exercised their franchise just over a month ago.

In fact, only two weeks ago, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the North American powerhouse is closely monitoring the tabulation of votes here. “…it’s important to note that the individuals who seek to benefit from electoral fraud and form illegitimate Governments, regimes will be subject to a variety of serious consequences from the United States,” Pompeo had cautioned.

Parika-Supenaam speedboat services suspended

A

mid the coronavirus threat, authorities have suspended all speedboat services from Parika in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) to Supenaam in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), effective today.

The decision was made based on recommendations provided by the

Regional Health Emergency Committee of Region Two, and the order was issued by Regional Executive Officer Dennis Jaikarran.

“A meeting was held [on Thursday] between the REO, the Regional Commander, Parika-Supenaam Speedboat Association, Otis Roberts and other key stakeholders, where the decision

was made to cease all speedboat operations from Friday 3rd April 2020, until further notice,” the Department of Public Information (DPI) noted.

Head of the Speedboat Association welcomed the move. He is quoted as saying: “I think it is an excellent gesture. I think it is much needed. Overall, I would say

we are in full cooperation (with) this gesture and the precautionary measures put in place.”

In the meantime, the

Parika-Good Hope ferry service will continue to operate two round trips per day – one in the morning and another in the evening - with

no more than 100 passengers on each vessel. This will continue, unless otherwise directed by the Transport and Harbours Department.

12 NEWS Guyana still to finalise royalty payment for January oil sales FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…as Finance Ministry projects earnings at US$1.2M that month of January. …to receive payment at the end of April On the other hand, the

T

he Finance Ministry’s Report on Petroleum Production and Revenues January 2020 documents that to date, no royalty has been paid to the Guyana Government, although it projects earning US$1.2 million from sales in the first month of the year.

According to the report, ExxonMobil and its partners, China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) and Hess Corporation Guyana Inc, produced in that month 1,745,930 barrels of oil, at a rate of about 56,320 barrels per day.

The Guyana Government, the report said, has elected to receive its two per cent royalty in cash and under the contract inked with the US oil major, the royalty due for that month is 20,506 barrels.

There were no royalty payments due in January

2020 as no petroleum was produced and sold in the previous quarter.

It was noted, however, that at the time of publication of the report, “the Government and the Contractor were still finalising the procedures…

However, based on the current draft of the procedure, the average fair market price of crude for January 2020 would be US$61.87 per BBL (barrel).

As such, the value of the royalty for January 2020 would be US$1,268,706.

Under the Petroleum Production Agreement (PPA), royalty is to be paid 30 days after the end of each quarter, meaning payments for January, February and March will be made at the end of this month.

Providing a breakdown of the royalty payment due, the Finance Ministry, in its report, said during January 2020, there was one car-

go lifted from Liza Destiny, by ExxonMobil, which amounted to 1,046,897 barrels.

It was explained that this lift included the 21,592 barrels of Marine Gas Oil and Intermediate Fuel Oil that was loaded onto the Liza Destiny in Singapore for commissioning activities and the remaining 1,025,305 barrels of crude lifted in January 2020.

The report said that the cost recovery ceiling – capped at 75 per cent of production – minus production costs and losses, amounted to 1,308,682 barrels.

According to the Ministry, given that recoverable costs are far in excess of the cost recovery ceiling for January 2020, all 1,025,305 barrels produced and sold from the Liza field was allocated to cost oil.

As such, the 719,605 barrels remaining after the allocation to cost oil,

contractor lifted one cargo in January 2020, but was still under lifted by 338,211 barrels and when combined

Caretaker Finance Minister Winston Jordan

(ie 1,744,910 – 1,025,305) is classified as profit oil, of which the Government is entitled to 50 per cent, or 359,802 barrels.

The report noted further that since Government was not allocated any cargoes in January 2020, it would have under lifted 359,802 barrels that month, which, when combined with the previous month’s under lift of 92,633 barrels gives a cumulative under lift of 452,435 barrels at the end

with the previous month’s under lift of 71,040 barrels, the contractor cumulatively under lifted 409,251 barrels at the end of January 2020.

Commonwealth finds transparent count of votes is persistently frustrated

...as ‘Ministerial Caucus’ convenes over Guyana’s election impasse

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S p e c i a l Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group has been convened in relation to Guyana’s political impasse over the protracted delay in the declaration of the General and Regional Elections results, and the 54-nation bloc has reminded that any Government which is sworn in without a credible and fully transparent vote count and tabulation process would lack legitimacy.

The Ministers at the conclusion of the 56th Meeting of the Action Group “expressed grave concern that the credible and transparent counting and tabulation of every vote in Region Four has been persistently frustrated, with a declaration by the Returning Officer having been ruled to be unlawful by the acting Chief Justice”.

The group in a joint statement following the special meeting observed that the Constitution of Guyana clearly states that sovereignty belongs to the people of Guyana.

“In this regard, Ministers noted and welcomed the public undertaking of the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission [GECOM], Justice Claudette Singh (Ret’d) that the votes would be recounted.”

The Commonwealth Ministers have since called upon GECOM to immediately fulfil its constitutional mandate and to ensure the sovereign right of the people of Guyana to duly elect their Government is respected through a transparent and credible counting and tabulation process.

Additionally, it was noted too that Guyana’s Judiciary continues to be seized with protracted litigation on issues of national importance.

The Ministers observed the passing of the December 21, 2018 no-confidence motion which triggered the constitutional requirement for a General Election, the conduct of the Region Four

Returning Officer in the March 2 election and the issue of a recount in Region Four.

“In this regard, Ministers reaffirmed the Commonwealth principle that an independent, effective and competent legal system is integral to upholding the rule of law, engendering public confidence and dispensing justice.”

The group has since committed to keep Guyana on the formal agenda, and, where necessary, to convene an extraordinary meeting to discuss the situation and explore appropriate options.

It was recalled that in 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government recognised the valuable role of Commonwealth Elections Observation in supporting member countries to improve democratic processes and institutions.

The Group also used the occasion to commend the Good Offices efforts of the Commonwealth Secretary General in Guyana, including the deployment of two Senior Electoral Advisers to support GECOM towards the holding of credible, transparent and inclusive General and Regional Elections on March 2, 2020.

The Ministerial Action Group has also affirmed the Commonwealth’s readiness, along with its partners, to provide assistance to ensuring a credible and transparent conclusion to the electoral process in accordance with the will of the people as expressed on March 2, 2020.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fire guts Belle West home, several homeless

A

Belle West, Canal Number Two Polder family of nine is now

contemplating members’ next move after a mid-morning fire completely gutted

their home on Thursday.

The structure located at Lot 1386 Belle West,

Ex-convict slapped with larceny charge …tells court he only stole a phone

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x-convict Gary Grant, 41, of Lot 24 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown who was convicted of robbery, made yet another court appearance on Thursday where he was arraigned on a simple larceny charge.

Grant pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on April 1, 2020 at Waterloo Street, Georgetown, he stole one cellphone valued $30,000 from Denika Albert.

According to facts, on the day in question, the former convict visited the business place of the Virtual Complainant (VC) and asked to purchase a pair of footwear, which the victim went to fetch. The court heard that after Albert left,

Charged: Ex-convict Gary Grant

the defendant picked up her phone which she had left on a table, and made good his escape. The victim raised an alarm after she observed Grant running away and her phone missing. A constable

nearby responded and arrested the defendant.

After presenting the facts, the prosecution objected to bail being granted on the grounds that the defendant was convicted and sentenced for similar offences.

However, in his defence, Grant told the Magistrate that he only stole the phone and not ‘murder something’ as he pleaded for bail.

As such, the Magistrate released the defendant $25,000 bail and adjourned the case until May 21, 2020.

Grant was previously convicted and sentenced to 12 months in prison for four charges, including larceny and escaping from lawful custody. He was recently released from prison.

The gutted one-storey concrete structure

Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was completely razed by the blaze. The home was owned

by Julie Yipsam and Ken Joseph.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Yispsam’s sister-inlaw, Gwynette Ashby explained that just before 12:00h, she saw smoke emanating from the ceiling, and rushed to cut the electricity supply to the building, but it was too late.

She added that the occupants of the house ran to

safety after which they stood in despair watching their home become engulfed in flames.

“Well, just before 12 o’clock when I went in the backroom, I saw the smoke coming from the ceiling, I ran and switch off the main switch …. after we saw the smoke, we all run for safety and we called for help, some neighbours come and try to see what we could save, but we couldn’t save much,” Ashby said.

According to the young

woman, the Fire Service arrived at the scene when the house had already been burnt completely.

“We called the Fire Service and they took about 45 minutes to get here; by the time they got here, everything was done…the fire didn’t out, they out it when they reached.”

Of all their valuables, the family only managed to save two pieces of a chair set, a computer, and a television.

They are estimating the losses to be over $8 million.

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19

Granger orders curfew for entertainment spots, but THAG calls for complete closure …current quarantine facilities can house 1000 persons …Guyana can see 20,000 new cases by May 5

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aretaker President David Granger on Thursday announced curfews for entertainment hubs across the country.

However, a major tourism organisation is calling for a complete shutdown of these businesses.

In an Address to the Nation, the Head-of-State said these measures have to be implemented due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country, which currently stands at 19, including four deaths.

“The Government, in order to strengthen containment measures, will close public gatherings at places of entertainment, including bars, clubs, gymnasiums, night clubs, restaurants and swimming pools, between the hours of 18:00 hours and 06:00 hours (6:pm and 6:am) with effect from midnight (23:59h) on Friday 3rd April 2020,” Granger stated.

But even as it welcomes this initiative, the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) says a better move would be to completely close the entertainment hubs.

“THAG appeals for a full closure of bars and all places of entertainment for an initial period of two weeks, after which the situation should be reassessed,” the tourism organisation said in a press release.

Justifying its stance, THAG referred to a recent study by the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) which revealed that Guyana can see over 20,000 cases of the new coronavirus by May 5, 2020.

THAG says these figures are “worrying, to say the least”.

Granger, in his prerecorded message to the public, said Government has implemented a number of

Caretaker President David Granger

actions in its fight against this global public health threat. Among these measures, he said, are the sweeping powers he conferred upon the caretaker ministers through the extraordinary issue of the Official Gazette, to destroy one’s property and other belongings where necessary, along with other initiatives.

Additionally, he said the Public Health Ministry, along with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), has been mobilising medical staff and marshalling resources to fight the disease.

Moreover, the caretaker President referred to initiatives being taken by other entities, including the business community, to modify operations, postpone major educational examinations, close the University of Guyana’s campuses, and shut down the country’s international airports, among other things.

He also noted that public servants have been placed on a rotational shift system, so as to adhere to the concept of social distancing.

Granger has warned that additional restrictions to safeguard public health will be announced from time to time, as the needs arise.

Quarantine

As at April 2, 2020, Guyana recorded 19 confirmed cases of the COVID-19, including four deaths.

The first death was 52-year-old Ratna Baboolall, which occurred on March 11. On March 31, Guyana recorded its second death when 38-yearold Jermaine Ifill, who was in the Intensive Care Unit, died. The third death came shortly after, when 78-yearold Osa Collins, who was also an ICU patient, met

COVID-19 precautions

Alternative arrangements being sought for ‘immuno-compromised patients’ – DCMO

NA M&TC washes roads A amid spread of COVID-19

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he Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam on Thursday commenced washing of the main access roads of the town amid the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.

The project started with the washing of Main Street, New Amsterdam, and is expected to include Strand and Republic Road.

Mayor Winifred Haywood on Thursday said the exercise is a measure to reduce the spread of the virus, which has already claimed the life of one person in the town.

She noted that while persons are being asked to adhere to the concept of social distancing, washing of the town’s streets should add to the preventative measures being taken.

“We are washing it (the street) with soap powder and bleach,” she explained.

She expressed appreciation to the New Amsterdam Fire Service, the Police Force, the business community and the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) for their collaborative effort in making the project a reality.

“Our motive today was to ensure that we wash the three main roads. However,

because it is a very time-consuming exercise, we are going to do Strand over the weekend, and after this is over, we are going to see our best how we can get it cleaned on a regular basis,” she explained.

This is the first time in decades that the streets of New Amsterdam are being washed.

her demise on April 1.

Subsequently, on April 1, a 59-year-old man died as a result of the disease.

To date, 31 persons are in institutional quarantine, while 11 are in isolation.

One person has been moved to the ICU. Isolation and quarantine facilities have been established at the West Demerara Regional Hospital; the Diamond Diagnostic Centre; the Georgetown Public Hospital; the Madewini Youth Centre; Ocean View International Hotel; the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and the National Gymnasium.

These facilities collectively are able to accommodate 1,000 persons.

s the risk of contracting the coronavirus surges, the Public Health Ministry will be considering other alternatives to treat patients who are suffering from chronic diseases or immune-related complications.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen Gordon Boyle, during a recent engagement, stated that persons with medical conditions should take additional precautions to protect themselves from the virus, which is considered by the World Health Organisation as a global pandemic.

These include persons suffering from the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), cancer, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, among other illnesses.

“As it relates to our citizens with medical conditions, I wish to focus on our cancer, HIV, tuberculosis and sickle cell patients, who all fall into the category of the immuno-compromised.

The guidelines are the same for them, but they must take extra precautions,” Dr Boyle indicated.

She said the Ministry is working to formulate mechanisms by which these persons can easily access medications without showing up at their respective hospitals and clinics for same. These efforts are being done collaboratively with the regional administrations countrywide.

“We are in the process of organizing alternative arrangements so that they are provided with the medications without putting themselves at additional risk. The regions are actively work-

Deputy CMO, Dr Karen Gordon Boyle

ing on developing a system where all patients, especially those with chronic diseases and other specialty conditions, can be seen. At-risk groups would not need to come out, and the best mode to operate would be shared at a later date,” she asserted.

The DCMO reminded that testing for COVID-19 in Guyana remains in compliance with standards set out by the WHO. As the number of positive cases progresses locally, many Guyanese have voiced their concerns about the lack of testing. Thus far, less than 100 persons were tested for the disease.

“There still remains some lingering doubts in the minds of our population (regarding) who should be tested. I wish to reiterate that the Ministry of Public Health continues to follow the testing guidelines provided by the World Health Organization,” she said.

The WHO has determined that while the virus affects persons of all ages, evidence to date suggests that two groups of people are at a

higher risk of getting severe COVID-19 disease. These are older people, and those with underlying medical conditions.

“The risk of severe disease gradually increases with age, starting from around 40 years. It’s important that adults in this age range protect themselves and, in turn, protect others that may be more vulnerable,” the agency revealed.

The Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) is projecting that 1400 persons will be infected by COVID-19. However, health authorities are yet to put systems in place to cater for this number of cases, should this projected figure become reality.

With cases now spread to two other regions across Guyana, authorities have outlined action plans in response to the infectious disease. In Region One (BarimaWaini), the Mabaruma Regional Hospital has developed an external triage area and a coloured hand-band system for the differentiation of cases.

A separate isolation facility has been identified with capacity for 8-10 persons and quarantine capacity for two persons, which would be expanded as the situation progressed. The cleaning staff has also started sanitising floors and surfaces every two hours.

In Region Six, authorities have expanded the quarantine facility to cater for 30 additional persons.

Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), however, still continues to head the list for the highest number of cases.

15 M&CC buckles, limits public gatherings to 5 persons NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…public places, markets to be closed

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uckling under pressure, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council has announced the closure of public facilities and mandated that gatherings should be limited to just a few persons amid the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.

In a press release, the Council has stated that with the exception of the City Constabulary or stakeholders engaged in essential services, no more than five persons would be allowed at once in public gatherings.

Apart from essential services, gymnasiums, movie theatres, libraries, play parks and other recreational facilities are to be closed until indicated otherwise.

Bars and restaurants are to be closed, except between 06:00h and 18:00h. Except for take-out delivery services, dining or cluster of patrons at public restaurants and bars is prohibited.

Meanwhile, hotels are to remain open, but are required to close other supplementary services, such as pools, spas, gyms, tennis courts, and other recreational facilities where there is a cluster of persons.

“The Council wishes to implore persons to refrain from congregating in public places, for all public and private offices to operate for no more than four “hours daily, limit your presence at banks and other institutions, unless the transactions are abso-

lutely necessary; and continue to practise social distancing,” the Council has said.

For more clarity, a list has been provided of all services considered essential during this time. These can remain open, and professionals falling into these mentioned brackets can continue to perform their duties: Caregivers such as nurses and home helpers; persons involved in collection, storage, purification and distribution of water for public use; hospitals, clinics and pharmacies; media and broadcasting services; medical and paramedical professionals. Others include those individuals responsible for the handling or burial of deceased persons, or disposal

Dead: David Babb

Guyana Times that he last saw his grandson, who lives in the same house with him, around 15:00h on the day in question and was unaware of the accident until Thursday morning.

He related that around 07:00h, the Police visited his home and informed him that David had been in an accident and died. His body is at the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination as Police continue their investigations.

Campbellville man dies after losing control of motorcycle

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Campbellville, Georgetown man was killed in a motorcycle accident on Wednesday evening.

Dead is 31-year-old David Babb of Lot 31 J Duncan Street, Campbellville. The accident occurred on Denis Street near the Campbellville Fire Station.

According to reports, Babb was riding his motorcycle at a fast pace when he lost control.

The dead man’s grandfather, Kenneth Babb, told

Guyanese ignoring COVID-19 advisories – Volda Lawrence

Former Health Minister Volda Lawrence

F

ormer Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence has expressed concern that many Guyanese have been breaching the advisories promulgated to keep the population safe.

During her daily update on Thursday, she outlined that many persons do not realize the seriousness of the virus because they continue their daily activities without adhering to the precautionary measures promulgated.

“I have been noticing that, despite the countless messages appealing to you to be responsible; to comply with the advisory measures that the Ministry of Public Health, along with other partners, has put in place in the interest of mitigating the spread and keep us all safe, you are s till breaching the proto-

cols and behaving as if you are immune to the disease,” Lawrence said.

With four deaths from this disease already recorded in the country, Lawrence is urging stakeholders to practise measures that would ensure their safety during the pandemic.

“Let me remind you that COVID-19 has no boundaries. Its firing power is aimed directly at all of us; therefore, I am urging you; rather, I am begging you, to play your civic part and adhere to all credible advisories that have been circulating in the media for your protection and for mine,” the caretaker minister added.

Guyana’s recorded positive cases of the virus as at April 1 stand at 19; and Lawrence noted that this number remains constant, but 31 persons are in quarantine, 11 in isolation, 121 in home quarantine, and one is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

During this time, persons are asked to maintain social distancing and stay at home as much as possible, unless there arises need to go out.

Additionally, the proper hand washing technique – wash for 20 seconds -- along with regular sanitization of the surroundings should be practised.

Since testing is not being done on a mass scale in which

the infected can be identified, it is now proven that some persons who are infected exhibit none of the symptoms (asymptomatic), but can yet transmit the virus. It is advisable that masks be worn by all in public spaces, in addition to the other steps being implemented.

On Wednesday, Guyana recorded two more deaths from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Osa Collins, a 78-year-old resident of New Amsterdam Berbice in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), died on Wednesday afternoon at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after testing positive for the infectious disease.

In a statement, the Public Health Ministry noted that Collins was considered an ‘imported case’, as she had recently travelled to Guyana from the United States of America.

Then, later in the evening, a 59-year-old man identified only as “Mr Stoll” died at the GPHC. He initially was at the Diamond Regional Hospital but was transferred to the GPHC, where he succumbed.

The deaths of Collins and Stoll have been added to Guyana’s death toll at a time when the country had also seen an increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Mayor Ubraj Narine

of dead animals; disposal of sewage; garbage or refuse; security services (private); emergency first responders, the Joint Services; staff of pharmaceutical agencies; telecommunications providers; transport services and waterfront workers; supermarkets and gas stations.

Meanwhile, a notice seen by this publication indicated that with effect from Saturday, April 4, all markets will be closed until further notice. This includes street vending, farmers, night sellers, snackettes and

other categories of vendors.

Farmers will be permitted to ply their trade at the Stabroek and Bourda Markets on Friday from 07:00h to 13:00h. At the Stabroek Market, this provision will be opened west of the Guyana Fire Service; and over at Bourda, it will be at the Merriman Mall between Orange Walk and Light Street.

No street selling is allowed on Sunday at the Albouystown Market.

This announcement comes just a few days after Mayor Ubraj Narine said he would not institute a total lockdown of the capital city. Defending his decision not to implement curfews or other lockdown initiatives, he had said that the city cannot be operated as if its light switch is suddenly turned off.

There has been one confirmed case of the coronavirus in Region One (BarinaWaini), six in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and one in Region Six (East

Berbice-Corentyne). Mayor Narine has said he will work along with stakeholders on the way forward.

“The city is not a lightbulb, where you can flick a switch and lock it down like that. We will not lock down the city, we will work closely with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, including the Private Sector Commission, the Chamber of Commerce, the Commercial Banks and all other organisation,” he asserted during a press conference at City Hall on Monday.

The Mayors of New Amsterdam, Linden and Bartica have each already instituted a curfew on businesses under Subsection 31 D of the Municipal and District Councils Act, which empowers them under the provisions of the Public Health Ordinance (d) to establish, erect, maintain, let, control and manage markets and market buildings, shops, stalls and stands to control the occupation thereof.

COVID-19

GCCI condemns public’s discrimination against health workers

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n light of the immense discrimination medical professionals are now facing, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has joined calls urging members of the public to desist from displaying this type of behaviour.

In a strongly worded statement condemning these actions, the GCCI noted that it observed reports from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) of the level of discrimination the public is displaying towards its staffers.

“Officials of the GPHC have said that healthcare workers are being refused entry into public and private transportation, and have even been asked to leave supermarkets when in uniform and badge… The GCCI strongly condemns and discourages coronavirus-related stigma and discrimination of healthcare workers, as these persons are the nation’s first line of defense against the

coronavirus outbreak,” the statement read.

The GCCI, in its statement, went on to remind citizens that these health workers are putting their lives on the line daily while providing invaluable and selfless service.

It noted that “Healthcare workers are essentially the glue that holds Guyana’s response to COVID-19 together.”

As such, it called on all Guyanese to show appreciation to this class of persons, who also have families but yet risk they’re lives. “It is important for the public to avoid using stigmatizing language and desist from discriminatory behaviours targeted towards our healthcare professionals. Instead, the GCCI asks that we honour and thank these persons for doing lifesaving work while putting themselves at great personal risk.”

Persons are being encouraged to continuously educate

GCCI President Nicholas Boyer

themselves on the novel coronavirus, in order to end the stigmatisation.

Manager/Head of Strategic Planning and Communication at GPHC, Chelauna Providence, previously stated that the stigma that is being displayed is due to lack of knowledge, and as such, persons should educate themselves of the necessary precautionary measures set out by the Health Ministry and the Pan American Health Organization.

GTT urges MMG agents not to exploit customers

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fter announcing that it would be closing its stores from April 1 amidst the growing threat from the COVID-19 pandemic, the telecommunication giant GTT is admonishing agents of the MMG not to exploit customers.

GTT, after the announcement of closure, had encouraged customers to use the MMG service to transact any business, but it has been reported that some Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) agents have increased their fees for bill payments.

GTT’s Public Relations

Manager Jasmin Harris has explained that while all bill payments are free through an individual’s MMG account, some bills attract a small fee, Gy$40-Gy$100, when being paid through an agent.

“MMG agents are representatives of GTT, and have agreed to certain terms and conditions when providing service to the customer. We urge customers to visit https:// bit.ly/39Bf1Ad to familiarize themselves with the fees associated with different bill payments,” Harris has said.

The company has stated that agents found to be devi-

ating from the fixed fee schedule would be subject to suspension. “The list of MMG agents who are required to follow the fee schedule can be found at http://bit.ly/MMGAGENTS. Further, Harris noted that any agent found deviating from the fixed fee schedule would be subject to suspension. Customers can make reports of increased fees to 0488 or through the live chat option.

GTT is encouraging all customers to sign up for MMG, so that they would be able to pay their bills.

16 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Caricom should help, but Guyana must save itself

By Sir Ronald Sanders

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he image and standing of Guyana are being tarnished throughout the world. Yet, a small window of opportunity remains open for the country to be regarded as democratic, and for its Government to be hailed as legitimate.

All the players in Guyana – the political parties and their leaders, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Judiciary, and civil society groups – should work toward that noble goal. For if Guyana is not respected internationally as a democratic state, and its Government is not seen as credibly elected, it will be isolated from regional, hemispheric and international activities, and that would hurt its people irreparably.

The first indication of the gravity with which the international community regards Guyana’s situation was given by the Commonwealth of 55 nations on April 2, exactly one month after the general elections were held on March 2 without a declared result.

Through the Ministerial Action Group (MAG), its watchdog for abuses of human rights and democracy, the Commonwealth “strongly iterated that any government which is sworn in without a credible and fully transparent vote count and tabulation process would lack legitimacy”. And they “called upon the GECOM to immediately fulfill its constitutional mandate and ensure the sovereign right of the people of Guyana to duly elect their government is respected through a transparent and credible counting and tabulation process”.

While offering “to provide assistance to ensuring a credible and transparent conclusion to the electoral process in accordance with the will of the people as expressed on March 2”, the Commonwealth ministers were clear that, were it to become necessary, they would “convene an extraordinary meeting to discuss the situation and explore appropriate options”. Take that to mean the exclusion of Guyana from the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth action would be replicated by the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the European Union.

Collectively, the member states of these three groupings represent Guyana’s major trading partners and the countries that provide it with access to the global trading and financial system. Practically, they could cripple Guyana, and its “sovereignty” – much proclaimed over the last month by those who reject the concerns of the global community – would be meaningless. That “sovereignty” would not save Guyana from sanctions bilaterally applied by the powerful countries, international organisations, and financial

Drivers continue to overcrowd minibuses, hire cars …as speedboat operators follow social distancing guidelines

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Sir Ronald Sanders, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto

institutions with the capacity to do so.

What would be the benefit to Guyana as a nation, or to its people as individuals, for such a scenario to unfold? Neither those courting sanctions nor those urging their application would gain in any way. It would be far better for all players to uphold the principles and values enshrined in the nation’s Constitution and in the Charters of the Commonwealth, the InterAmerican System, and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to which Guyana is a signatory.

By so doing, GECOM would order a recount of all the votes cast under the supervision of a high-level Caricom team, consistent with the agreement of March 16, signed by President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo. The result of the elections would then be credible to all – domestically, regionally and internationally.

Then a much-needed Government could be established to get on with looking after the wellbeing of the Guyanese people, especially now when the country, like all other nations, is gripped by the deadly tragedy of COVID-19 and urgent measures are required to save lives.

Incidentally, in playing a role in Guyana’s elections, Caricom is doing no more than carrying out the requirements of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (the Caricom Treaty), by which, in its preamble, Caricom governments accepted their various agreements based, in part, on the Charter of Civil Society which the conference of heads of government adopted on February 19, 1997.

At Article VI, under the heading, “Political Rights”, the Charter states that “The States shall ensure the existence of a fair and open democratic system through the holding of free elections at reasonable intervals by secret ballot, underpinned by an electoral system in which all can have confidence and which will ensure the free expression of the will of the people in the choice of their representatives”. The language could not be clearer.

Caricom’s role is not “interference” in the domestic affairs of a foreign country;

it is participation in “community affairs”, which is the essence of the revised Caricom Treaty and the Charter of Civil Society that preceded it. It is often overlooked that “Caricom” is the acronym for “Caribbean Community”.

And, by helping Guyana to maintain its democracy, Caricom nations would also be strengthening their own collective standing as proud democracies where human, political and civil rights are preserved, protected and promoted.

It is also significant that the Commonwealth ministers, in their April 2 statement, “encouraged Caricom to remain seized of the situation in Guyana”. The Commonwealth recognised that Caricom, more than any other body, has a clear right to be involved in Guyana.

What Guyana must remember is that its leaders were among the key Founding Fathers of Caricom, of “Caribbean Community”, of regional integration, and of all that comes with it. No one played a greater role in its creation than Guyana’s first independence Prime Minister, Forbes Burnham. Every head of government of Guyana since then, including the present Opposition Leader Jagdeo, has remained faithful to it.

Caricom still has a role to play in supervising a transparent recount of all the votes of March 2, so that a credible election result can be declared acceptable to all.

It owes it to itself as much as to Guyana to play that role.

It was not by chance that the Commonwealth and the OAS both appointed two former prime ministers, of Barbados and Jamaica, to lead their Elections Observation Missions.

Neither Owen Arthur nor Bruce Golding would have anything but Guyana’s best interests at heart.

If Guyana’s leaders fail to take advantage of this narrowing window of opportunity to produce a credible election result, certified by Caricom, it will have closed every chance to maintain its democracy. Worse, it will itself invite the sanctions that will certainly come, and the ostracization and pain that would follow.

Caricom should help, but Guyana must save itself.

(CNG Media)

espite calls for social distancing to be practised amidst significant health threats, public transportation drivers continue to overcrowd their vehicles, ignoring signs and the impact which COVID-19 could have on the population.

In recent time, the idea of social distancing has assumed great significance as cases of the novel coronavirus continue to increase in Guyana.

Government has already imposed restrictions on operators of minibuses, cars and other public transportation, directing that the number of passengers should be slashed by half.

However, even after these notices, current transportation practices in the public sector has continued as per normal.

On Wednesday, Guyana Times checked out key bus parks at the Stabroek Market and found that passengers were crammed next to each other as obtained in normal circumstances.

It was observed that many persons at the Route 44 (Mahaica) bus park did not object to this practice.

Minibuses at Stabroek Market have failed to implement social distancing for the public

While a majority of passengers adhered to the ‘four persons per seat’ rule, one woman took up her concerns with the driver.

Instead, he rebutted that they would have to increase the fare should they transport less persons per trip.

Another driver, Kissoon (only name provided) said he could not possibly reduce the load by half, but opted to three per row instead. Along with that, he said, the bus is sanitized after each trip.

“We can’t do that, cause people already not coming out to go nowhere; and remember, we making no kinda money now. If we cut down by half, that’s only about eight people. Right

now, I doing 12 to make back the money, and (the conductor) wipe up and so after we done make a trip,” he explained.

Other than taxi drivers, hire car operators continued their daily activities without any changes.

Meanwhile, over at the Stabroek Wharf, water taxis have taken the social distancing initiative seriously and are mandating that passengers sit some distance away from each other. They are also reducing the number of persons they carry per trip. This was accompanied by frequent sanitization of the speedboats and limiting physical contact between operators and passengers.

situation demands.

The company, via the letter which was signed by Senior Personnel Officer Truedel Marks, also assured employees that they would receive their termination benefit of 4 percent of their Gross earnings for the period in which they worked.

In an invited comment, National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) Branch Chairman Whitney Graham assured that the decision was taken in an effort to maintain safety of the employees in light of the pandemic.

While he could not confirm the number of employees that are being affected, Graham, who is also employed with the company, said workers are generally cooperating with the decision.

“On our shift, the employees seem to understand what is going on. And with this recent pandemic that we have here, it concerns everybody… so, at least the ones from our shift, they didn’t really take

it that hard…”, he told this publication.

Graham noted that more contract employees were expected to be sent home on Wednesday evening, including retirees and casual workers. He said workers are expected to gradually be sent home over the next few days.

Graham further indicated that he was not aware of any agreement for the contract workers to be paid during their time off from work.

“Once you’re home you won’t be paid, I was told”, he related. Graham said while he was in agreement with the decision, given its safety aspect, there should eventually be some form of compensation to assist affected workers.

“I would say the move is Bosai’s way to protect individuals, both management and staff. I don’t see a problem with trying to do that, but then, at the same time, be reminded that all of the workers have families. Later down, they should be able to consider…some kind of compensation…”, Graham said.

Bosai scales down workforce in light of COVID-19 pandemic

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n light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the Linden-based bauxite company Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Incorporated (BMGGI) has scaled down its workforce as of April 1st, 2020.

The private, Chineseowned company, one of the largest employers in the community, in a letter which was issued on Tuesday, March 31, indicated that its management made the decision to temporarily reduce the workforce in an effort to maintain a safe workplace and to protect the health of employees.

The company also cited that it wants to ensure the continuity of business operations during the pandemic.

This publication understands that contract workers are the ones being sent home, and according to the letter, the move will be effective from April 1 to April 30, 2020.

The letter assured employees that, depending on how the the pandemic is controlled, they would be recalled earlier or later as the

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FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

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

MoPH needs to explain the figures arrived at for COVID-19

Dear Editor, The caretaker Minister within the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reported that her ministry has used a PAHO/WHO model to project 1,400 COVID-19 cases in Guyana. This Minister has also reported that the MoPH has determined that 81% of Guyana’s COVID-19 cases will be moderate, while 14% will be severe and 5% critical.

I wonder how accurate these numbers are? Can anyone trust these numbers? This is the same minis-

ter who allegedly signed form 24 for Region 4, in breach of electoral laws.

How can Guyanese trust this minister, or anyone in her Government?

It needs to be pointed out that any projections generated from the PAHO/WHO model are directly dependent on the nature of information imputed into this model. The MoPH needs to explain how it arrived at its figures. It is our right to know. Our lives are important.

Has the MoPH imputed any information regarding Guyana’s abnormal

social, political and economic dynamics into the PAHO/WHO model? This unique dynamic will certainly alter predictions in raising the number of COVID-19 cases.

Those numbers outputted by the MoPH have to be treated with a grain of salt. At this time, Guyana is governed by an illegal Government.

There is no Health Minister, and the Mayor of Georgetown does not even understand the importance of a lock-down in saving lives. These are all variables among a slew of others

which will unnecessarily cause the number of COVID-19 cases to climb.

Further, we all know that Guyana is unprepared to handle the COVID-19 pandemic largely because the illegal APNU/PNC/AFC Government continues to deplete public funds to hire pricy lawyers in fighting a series of court cases to remain in power on rigged election figures manipulated by GECOM. Because of such cruelty, there are hardly funds for life-saving medical supplies like ventilators and econom-

ic support for a necessary lock down in reducing the viral spread.

This government should never be allowed to take advantage of Guyanese like this. To this end, I appeal for sanctions to be applied to all members of the disgraced APNU/ PNC/AFC Government and the disgraced GECOM officials as a form of behavioural modification in bringing relief to Guyanese people.

Sincerely, Annie Baliram (PhD)

Mask up Guyana – save Coronavirus and your mental health lives and flatten the curve!

Dear Editor, With every new virus that emerges as a pandemic, there is a learning curve about the virus itself: its mode of transmission; symptoms; complications; treatment, if any; and yes, based on these, how to prevent and contain it.

The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has evolved into a pandemic and continues to overwhelm many of the more developed countries. Three months after the alarm was sounded by China, there have been more than 100,000 deaths from the pandemic.

There is a tiny window to learn. As the world grapples with the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPEs) for health workers and life-saving machines and ventilators, enough time has elapsed for Guyana to learn from other countries about what is effective to “flatten the curve”. We currently know of over 140 cases under surveillance, 2 deaths and 12 confirmed cases in three short weeks, coupled with limited testing and information.

We needed to act decisively yesterday, as unknowns remain unknown and the numbers climb. Using knowledge of what drove wide-scale transmission and what countries with fewer cases did differently, and implementing the most effective of those measures within our economic or accessibility limitations are necessary.

We can, in addition to handwashing, social distancing and cleaning surfaces, emphasize that persons stay at home; but there must be some movement towards partial lockdowns of non-essential places to prevent large congregations or liming.

Many countries have moved to total or partial lockdowns for 14-21 days to contain spread.

The Czech Republic has enforced the compulsory wearing of masks outdoors; Taiwan, Japan and South Korea pushed large public mask use – the effect smaller numbers of deaths relative to population. In the absence of the controversial shutdown and a national call for self-isolation and social distancing, compulsory public masking is emerging as a quiet hero! The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is considering widespread masking.

WHO maintains that only sick persons, caregivers and health workers should wear masks. The point is: what we know of the COVID-19 virus is evolving, so guidelines will also change. People move, and the COVID-19 virus moves with them.

Guyanese have not been implementing social distancing, have not been staying at

home, or self-isolating on a large scale for many reasons, including financial or disbelief. Guyana, like any country, faces the practical reality that healthy individuals, especially those with essential jobs, who cannot avoid public transportation or close interaction with others, are out there on a daily basis and are at risk.

Identifying and isolating people with infections plays a major role in breaking the chain of transmission. People who do not have any symptoms, or do not develop symptoms until later, may continue to inadvertently spread the disease. As many as 6 in 10 people infected with the coronavirus may be unaware they have the disease, according to a number of papers studying the outbreak. It is difficult to determine conclusively who is truly asymptomatic, as many asymptomatic persons go on to develop symptoms a few days later.

Asymptomatic cases are silent carriers of COVID-19. A third of China’s positive cases were asymptomatic. Of the 700 passengers tested positive on the Diamond Princess cruise ship,18% of those never showed symptoms. Iceland, where a high proportion of citizens in the country have been tested, have found similarly high percentages of asymptomatic infection.

Of 13 infected Japanese citizens evacuated from Wuhan in early February, four of them had never developed symptoms. Individuals can shed the virus about 48 hours before they develop symptoms, and masking can prevent transmission from those individuals.

Droplet transmission occurs when persons cough or sneeze, yes; but also does when persons speak.

One sneeze gives out 1000+ particles. People standing less than 6 feet away may become covered with these virus particles while they are still in the air. After the droplets fall, the virus particles can remain active for up to nine days on some surfaces. Infection occurs when someone breathes in airborne droplets, or when they touch their mouth, nose or eyes with hands covered in virus particles that have fallen out of the air onto counters, hand rails, floors, or other surfaces.

Newer data suggests that compulsory masking when leaving the home can help to cope with this grim reality, even by using self-made masks. Self-made masks, while not definitive or without risk, provide protection to the public. Wearing a mask can reduce the likelihood of transmission

from early asymptomatic cases or asymptomatic cases. This is practical and necessary for individuals working in certain essential industries, where they still have to go out every day.

Wearing a face mask stops people from becoming infected by blocking most airborne droplets filled with virus from being inhaled. Protection only comes when the masks are used properly. They must be put on clean, taken off carefully, and paired with rigorous hand washing, and the discipline not to touch the face.

If people have well-constructed masks with appropriate materials that fit well, there are benefits. With the shortage of medical grade PPEs for healthcare personnel who desperately need them, leaving the manufactured disposable masks for them and making our own masks is our contribution to flattening the curve. It is cost effective and requires fabric we may already have. Sneeze and cough droplets are usually between 7 and 100 microns. Surgical masks and some cloth masks will block 7-micron particles. The COVID-19 virus particles are 0.06 to 0.14 microns.

Homemade masks with certain materials may capture as much as 50% of those virus particles, and they are also reusable as they can be washed.

Fabrics that are best for virus-capture include vacuum cleaner bags (95%), 100% tightly woven cotton or poly-fabric or cotton blends (70-75%) and two layers of dish cloths (called tea-towels in the UK) in the 90% range.

In addition to protection, one must breathe and be comfortable to wear the mask for long periods; so, after much testing, the advice is that the best fabric to use is 100% tightly woven cotton found in pillowcases, bedsheets and 100% cotton t-shirts. As you stay at home, get the family together and make masks for all the adults and children.

In the event you become sick, having a supply of masks to use will give some level of protection to family, and if you go out, to others around you while you seek medical advice.

For N95 masks: While homemade masks are not a substitute for N95 masks, or other medical/surgical grade masks, they will certainly be better than no mask at all. Let us call for compulsory masking outdoors, and let us start the movement ourselves, one person and one household at a time.

Dr Vindhya Vasini Persaud

Dear Editor, Panic, fear, uncertainty, anxiety, stress, depression, hopelessness, helplessness, cabin fever, frustration, disconnection, isolation, obsessive-compulsive behaviours, mood swings, inability to relax, feeling overwhelmed and loneliness are among mental health issues related to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

So how can we protect our mental health?

News diet

Long periods away from news websites and social media help to manage anxiety.

For social media, turn off notifications; set message boxes to ignore, hide, mute or unfollowing accounts and posts. For news, stick to trusted sources such as Government and reputable health websites like the US- based Center for Diseases Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Share only reliable information.

Protective measures

Without being obsessive, wash your hands as often as necessary with soap and water for 20 seconds. Make sure the washing is thorough: the entire palms, backs of the hands, in between fingers, and the wrists.

Use 60 per cent or greater alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your face. Cough into your elbow or disposable tissue.

Put clothing in a laundry bag or other container. Do not shake them before washing.

Wash them in detergent and hot water. Change and wash clothing once you return home from outside. Leave containers, packages, envelopes in a designated corner of the kitchen or inside a cabinet for three days if you don’t have time to disinfect them. Sanitize the containers with take-out food before opening them, but the safest measure is to not order take-out.

Since the coronavirus could survive on rubber, leather, and PVC-based soles for five days or more, some experts suggest that individuals wear shoes that are machine-washable. In any case, take shoes off before entering the home. If possible, leave them outside for six days before wearing again, or sanitize them after each wear.

Use masks and gloves once you head outside the home.

Practise social/safe distancing – three feet minimum, six feet recommended. Do not hug; do not shake hands; clasp hands Hindu-style, or bow if you prefer. Sanitize any space you share with others, as well as personal items such as wallets and cell phones. Wash all surfaces with alcohol-based products.

The coronavirus could be detected up to three hours once

in the air; up to four hours on copper; up to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. So use this as a guide to determine what and when you wash/sanitize.

Make sure the vulnerable are taken care of: the elderly, children, those with mental health issues, anyone who has a pre-existing medical condition - diabetes, heart conditions, asthma, kidney diseases, chronic diseases and weakened immune systems - as they are more vulnerable.

Display empathy, use appropriate language when speaking about COVID-19, and be frank about social distancing. Reassure them. Protective measures help ease anxiety and panic and eliminate helplessness and hopelessness.

Manage quarantine

Fear of contracting the virus can cause some people to become socially withdrawn, but maintaining relationships and social support are vital when combating anxiety. Thus, if you are self-isolating or in mandatory quarantine, keep up social interaction as much as possible using the various mediums such as Whatsapp, Skype, phone calls, text messages, Messenger, Facetime, Google Hangout and the like.

Work through your to-do list, engage in projects around the house, read a book or watch a movie. Play games. Engage in writing, art, singing or music.

Involve family as much as possible. All of this eliminates boredom and loneliness.

Focus on health

Exercise provides a healthier mental and physical state, no matter what’s going on around you. It’s calming, and helps to boost the immune system. So, take a walk outside with the family. Stretch, practise yoga or some other indoor routine. Take a nice, relaxing bath, or just sleep. Adequate rest helps build immune systems.

Take more alkaline foods such as lemon, limes, grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, avocados, garlic, mangoes, pineapples, ginger. Stay hydrated.

Manage your sugar and salt intake. Before cooking, clean the kitchen – every surface, area, and utensil. Wash fruits and vegetables with soap and water. Sanitize packages enclosing food before opening them.

Stress can sometimes cause people to turn to drugs or alcohol. Get rid of these substances if you have them in the house, and reach out to family members, neighbours and/or friends to help keep you grounded.

Knowing that all necessary measures are being taken to protect yourself and your loved ones helps to ease stress

and anxiety, and boosts mental health on the whole.

Seek help; help yourself!

If you are struggling to cope with the anxiety or panic, seek help from your general practitioner or mental health specialist. If you are worried about going to the clinic, request for virtual (Skype, Zoom etc) sessions. Or reach out to Government helplines/hotlines and NGOs that may offer free or low-cost counselling.

If you think you have coronavirus symptoms (fever, breathing difficulties, tiredness, symptoms of flu and cold) call your doctor for advice. Do the same if you experience loss of sense of smell and diminished sense of taste.

If you are quarantined at home, designate yourself a “sick room” and use a separate set of dishes, cups, cutlery, bedding and towels. Wash them regularly. Let someone who is not sick sanitize common areas and frequently-touched surfaces (the remote control, door knobs, light fixtures) while you tend to your “sick room.”

As well, helping others can give you a sense of purpose and control. Do you have an elderly or sick neighbour you can offer your services to? “The idea is to get out of the helpless zone. If you can get out of that, then be an agent,” says Dr Ken Duckworth, medical director of National Alliance on Mental Illness (UK).

Coping with mental health fallout

Dr. Cacioppo, the director of the Brain Dynamics Laboratory at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, studies the effects of loneliness on the brain.

“The first thing we need to do is to think about right now, and not let our minds wander to the future,” she said. “Right now, you can control your environment” - the food you decide to eat, the clothing you decide to wear. That gives you a sense of stability.” In other words, practise mindfulness.

Also, while panic and anxiety are understandable, do remember that neither actually helps the situation; they simply negatively affect you. If needs be, take a few minutes each day to pray, meditate, and/or practise this simple but effective breathing exercise: bring your attention to your breath and your body. Focus all of your attention on the here and now: noticing the sights, sounds, and smells around you and what you’re feeling in your body.

Continue to breath slowly in and out — gently bringing your mind back to your body, and breath every time it drifts — until you feel calmer.

Caribbean Voice

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

Around the World

OILNEWS

Global virus cases top a million as Spain, Britain see record deaths

Oil rockets as C Trump signals end to price war

O

il prices rocketed Thursday, posting the largest per cent increase ever, after US President Donald Trump said Russia and Saudi Arabia planned to end their price war by slashing output.

But the initial surge cooled after Russia denied it had spoken with Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest exporter of crude.

After Trump tweeted that Saudi and Russia could slash production by up to 15 million barrels, Brent hit US$36.29 a barrel, up almost 46 per cent, and West Texas Intermediate soared around 35 per cent to US$27.39.

Gains were trimmed soon after, with Brent up 21 per cent to US$29.94 per barrel and WTI showing an increase of nearly 25 per cent to US$25.32 – still the largest increase in a single session for both types of crude.

David Madden, analyst at trading group CMC Markets UK, said “traders are taking the view the two feuding nations... will come to some agreement in term of lowering output”.

Trump said he had spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who he claimed had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I expect & hope that they will be cutting back approximately 10 million barrels, and maybe substantially more which, if it happens, will be GREAT for the oil & gas industry!” said Trump.

“Could be as high as 15 million barrels,” he added in a subsequent post.

But the Kremlin denied Putin had spoken to the Crown Prince.

“No, there was no conversation,” Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax news agency, adding that “so far” there were no plans for such talks.

Saudi Arabia did though call for a meeting of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting CountriesPlus (OPEC+) oil producers to “stabilise the oil market”, just one day after the Kingdom boosted supplies to record levels.

The Kingdom, which is the cartel’s kingpin, launched last month a vicious price war, after the OPEC and Russia failed to clinch a deal to slash output as the deadly coronavirus battered oil demand.

Slashed global demand, along with the price war, sent oil prices to their lowest levels in 18 years this week. WTI slumped below US$20, having lost around 65 per cent of its value in the first quarter.

Prices began rebounding Thursday before Trump’s tweet, thanks to hopes of a Saudi-Russia deal and as China looks to increase its oil reserves.

China’s move helped to boost prices in a week when the oil market experienced an extremely rare situation.

Despite evaporating demand, production has continued apace as Russia and Saudi Arabia vie for market share, with the excess oil struggling to find space in overstretched storage facilities around the world.

This has resulted in some oils, including Wyoming Asphalt Sour, turning negative on price.

Western Canadian Select had earlier this week traded at “four to five dollars. With the transport cost it means that the price is negative”, Per Magnus, head of analysis at Rystad Energy, told AFP. Analysts meanwhile said the market remained hobbled by sliding demand because of business shutdowns, the grounding of air travel and other social distancing measures put in place to contain the deadly COVID-19 outbreak.

US shale oil producers, which had made the country self-sufficient, have been particularly hard hit by diving prices.

ANZ Bank, however, said that US prices were being bolstered also by reports that the US Energy Department may rent space in the country’s emergency oil reserves to local producers.

“This would help drillers store excess crude,” it said.

(AFP)

onfirmed coronavirus cases around the world topped one million on Thursday and the number of deaths soared past 50,000 as Europe reeled from the pandemic and the United States reported record numbers of people out of work.

Despite more than half the planet imposing some form of lockdown, the virus claimed thousands more lives, with Spain and Britain seeing the highest number of daily fatalities yet.

And it continued to wreak havoc on the global economy, with the US announcing a record 6.65 million workers filed for unemployment benefits last week and Spain reporting its biggest monthly increase in jobless claims ever.

The pandemic caused further disruption to the US election calendar as the Democratic Party announced it was postpon-

Medical staff move bodies from the Wyckoff Heights Medical Centre to a refrigerated truck in Brooklyn, New York

ing its convention to choose a November opponent for President Donald Trump, to August 17.

The decision came after the likely nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden said the convention, originally scheduled for July 1316 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, would probably need to be

delayed.

Also in the US, a virus-stricken cruise ship, the Zaandam, which has dozens of ill passengers and crew on board, was finally allowed to dock in Florida after being stranded at sea for weeks.

Since emerging in China in December, COVID-19 has

Acting Prime Minister, Santia Bradshaw also revealed that another case of COVID-19 had been recorded, after 33 more tests were conducted overnight.

Barbados’ count now stands at 46 positive infections.

The fact that Barbadians continued to exhibit panic-buying appeared to have forced the administration’s hand. Bradshaw told the media Cabinet’s sub-committee that deals with COVID-19 had been forced

to meet with supermarket and gas station owners, as businesses were struggling to keep things under control.

Meanwhile, three more people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Jamaica, its Health and Wellness Ministry has reported.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Jamaica to 47.

The Ministry said the new cases included a couple, a 79-year-old female

infected at least 1,000,036 people – including more than half a million in Europe – and claimed 51,718 lives, according to a tally by AFP from official sources.

There have been 236,339 infections and 5648 deaths reported in the United States, where COVID-19 is currently spreading the most rapidly.

Italy, the hardest-hit country in terms of deaths, has 115,242 reported cases, 13,915 of them fatal, while Spain reported 110,238 cases and 10,003 fatalities.

The number of actual infections is believed to be higher since many countries are only testing severe cases or patients requiring hospitalisation.

The crisis has put enormous strain on national health care systems and medical staff working in the most difficult of circumstances. (Excerpt from AFP)

Barbados going under 24-hour curfew

A

24-hour curfew will come into effect for Barbados today as Government continues to fight against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The decision to increase restrictions on Barbadians less than 24 hours after Government had imposed new hours of business and restricted movement.

All restaurants will be closed until midnight April 14, but bakeries and bread depots will remain open.

and a 73-year-old male, with a travel history from New York.

The other case is a 32-year-old male from Portland with no travel history. His mode of transmission is under investigation, the Ministry said.

In Trinidad, the Health Ministry reported five COVID-19 deaths, with one patient recovered and discharged, from 89 confirmed cases up to Wednesday morning. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Duterte tells Philippine Police to shoot dead lockdown troublemakers

P

hilippine President Rodrigo Duterte has told security forces they should shoot dead anyone causing “trouble” in areas locked down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

About half the country’s roughly 110 million people are currently under quarantine – including millions in deep poverty, left jobless by tough restrictions on movement.

Hours before Duterte gave the order in a speech late Wednesday, nearly two dozen people from a slum community in the capital Manila were arrested for holding a protest that accused the Government of failing to provide food aid to the poor.

The Philippines has so far detected 2311 cases and reported 96 deaths, but the country has only begun ramp-

ing up testing and so the number of confirmed infections is expected to keep rising.

Duterte, who came to power in a landslide 2016 election victory, is known internationally for his foulmouthed tirades and deadly crackdown on drugs, which is overwhelmingly supported by Filipinos.

Philippine National Police Chief Archie Gamboa said on Thursday that of-

ficers would not begin shooting troublemakers dead.

“Probably the President just overemphasised on implementing the law in this time of crisis,” he added.

The quarantine, which affects Manila’s 12 million people, has shuttered most businesses and brought nearly all social, religious and business activity to a halt. (Excerpt from AFP)

son Gabriel with Maaths required her to re-learn long division because, like many adults, she hasn’t done it in years.

Gabriel and his siblings are joined by an estimated 95 per cent of Latin America’s children whose school has been cancelled due to the outbreak, according to the United Nations children’s agency Unicef.

That is particularly worrisome for Latin America,

where educational inequalities can be stark and access to reliable Internet patchy.

“I have internet that’s not very good, when it doesn’t work I use the data on my phone,” said Jaimes, 33, in a living room cramped with furniture and computers that Gabriel and his brother Mateo also use for soccer practice in the afternoons.

The school cancellations are an unprecedented interruption in education for

Latin America, Unicef said this month, threatening to fuel drop-out rates and worsen inequalities between poor kids and their wealthier counterparts.

Denisse Gelber, a researcher with Chile’s Centre for Educational Justice, said it was unfeasible for parents, some of whom continue doing manual jobs outside the home, to continue supporting their children’s education.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Latin America adjusts to home schooling as coronavirus halts class

V

anesa Jaimes studied to become an administrative worker in Venezuela’s healthcare system, but these days she could be more accurately described as a teacher – to her four kids.

Since the country went into quarantine to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Jaimes has spent her days juggling competing demands for internet access and monitoring homework.

Helping her eight-year-old

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

19

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Focus on whom you know and how best to utilize your connections. Discuss your intentions and listen to suggestions. Romance is favored, and positive change is within reach.

Take a step back and a deep breath, and consider what's worth fighting for and what isn't. Your time and energy will be better spent pursuing romance or physical improvements.

Listen and learn. What you offer others will be reciprocated. Visiting someone who has influenced your life will be insightful. Don't make a premature change.

Keep your cash and possessions tucked away someplace safe. The best results will come from nurturing a relationship that offers equality and brings you joy. Make love and romance priorities.

Emotions will surface if you try to please everyone.

Take a step back and satisfy yourself. Aim for personal growth instead of trying to change others. You are overdue for a break.

Don't be disheartened if someone lets you down. It's essential to stay focused on what's important to you and to strive for personal perfection. A change is encouraged.

A personal adjustment will help you recognize your talents and value. Distance yourself from people who don't appreciate you or who take advantage of you. Put yourself first.

Don't let uncertainty set in because someone gives you a hard time. Follow your heart and make smart choices that will bring you the results you are striving for.

Plan your schedule careSAGITTARIUS fully and your actions wise(Nov. 23ly. Refrain from making Dec. 21) comments or sharing opinions that may not be favored by others. Protect your reputation, personal information and possessions.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

A change will lift your spirits. Plan to do something special with a loved one. Make a promise that will have a positive influence on your life.

Get back to basics. You've been running yourself ragged trying to do too much for too many. Don't get into an emotional or financial bind by taking on, or spending, too much.

Traveling, spending time with people who bring out the best in you or helping a cause you believe in will be enlightening. A romantic gesture will lift your spirits.

20

A

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

recent review of the first year of the Skerritt/Shallow administration on the popular Mason and Guest radio programme highlighted the administration’s pluses and minuses. Curiously, its most significant achievement was hardly mentioned, an omission that did not escape the alert and clever mind of Dr. Don Marshall.

Changing the hostile, autocratic and constricting environment of the last administration in which players, governments and other stakeholders were forced to operate, was not an easy task. The culture of hostility, secrecy, suspicion, mistrust, poor communication, infighting and litigation is giving way to a culture of caring, sharing, learning and transparency. Cricket West Indies (CWI) still has a way to go but the path forward to self-mastery, group synergy, continuous organizational learning and sustainable development is now clear.

The Skerritt/Shallow administration knew that it had to introduce a cricket-centric focus and a new way of thinking to escape a destructive cul-desac and a longstanding failure spiral. They created a new paradigm that is in accord with Albert Einstein’s thinking about

problem solving: “The problems we have created as a result of the level of thinking we have done thus far creates problems that we cannot solve at the same level as they were created.”

Not everyone will accept the president’s new paradigm. Many of them will oppose it and place obstacles in the way to derail it.

That’s the norm. However, he should understand that when he is dealing with people, he is not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotions, limiting beliefs and prejudices; creatures who are motivated by self-importance, pride, greed and fear.

Management of diversity and interdependence inside and outside CWI are critically important; the vertical relationships and especially the lateral relationships over which the board has no direct power or control. In that respect CWI has mended lots of fences and has made significant progress in building cooperative and harmonious relationships. Most people issues are not new. They have been around for a long time. Constantly rediscovering them and making them relevant for today’s circumstances and challenges are extremely significant. People are often enamoured by and drawn to what’s new and sometimes unproven, but they must never forget what actually works.

They should also remember that conventional wisdom and conventional approaches still have great value. Regarding people issues, the fundamentals of what works have not changed; they have remained constant throughout the years.In the case of critics and pessimists, the leadership of CWI should listen to them, but at the same time should remember the smart words of Robert Frost: “Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t, and the other half have nothing to say and keep saying it.”

Managing conflicts Preventing and managing conflict should be a first important priority of the current administration. MS Dhoni, the former captain of Team India, once told me that the main difference between great teams and the others is the interval between mistakes. Great teams make a mistake, learn from it and hardly ever repeat it. But lesser teams make several mistakes and keep repeating them at regular intervals. Repeating the mistakes of the Cameron administration would be the greatest sin that the current leaders of CWI can commit.There are basically four ways to prevent and manage conflict. The Cameron administration used two of them, both of which intensified rather than decrease conflict. First is the fight/litigate approach, the preferred method of the last

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

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)

administration. It was the worst of the four options because it resulted in hostility, resentment poor communication, and win/ lose outcomes.

Second The second method is bargaining and compromise where both sides give up something in order to gain something else. Because of toxic hostility between the board and its players this method hardly came into play.

Third…

The third approach, identify and remove the cause of the problem was CWI’s second choice. This approach assumes that once the perceived cause is removed, things would automatically return to normal. We know that in a complex organisation this does not happen. The removal of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Bravo, Daren Sammy and Phil Simmons did not improve the performance or internal dynamics of the team.

Removing the dictator does not guarantee an automatic return to democracy. Hence, we should not expect the performance of a sports organization to automatically improve when its autocratic president is removed.

Complex systems do not work that way. While the autocrat is in power, the effects, adjustments, bad habits and negative forces become so widespread that removing him would not by itself

be enough to change and improve the culture, function or performance of the organization.

Loyalty to the deposed leader, acquired bad habits and negative forces linger on for a while until the new leadership neutralises them. In medical parlance these negative remnants could be likened to the metastases of a cancerous growth.

Fourth…

The fourth approach, the design idiom, is the best way to prevent and handle conflict; a method that was entirely foreign to the last administration.

While adversarial thinking, compromise, analysis and problem solving by removing the cause are about the past, design or creative thinking is about the future. Design thinking is about creating something that wasn’t there before, something that has a sense of purpose and a sense of fit. Things are brought together in a way that fulfills some purpose or vision. In the design idiom, form and structure should always follow and fit purpose and function. This approach encourages exploratory thinking and usually results in win/win outcomes from which all parties benefit. So how can CWI change its perspective and alter its approach to solving problems, handling setbacks and capitalising on opportunities? It can do so by looking at them differently and by assessing them as situations

that require a special kind of thinking - design thinking.

Too often we in the Caribbean believe that we are not good enough; something is not working and needs to be fixed; something is missing; something needs to be added to make us worthwhile. These limiting beliefs often hide the wealth within us.

Let's not waste time searching for a secret to success.

That secret already lies within us. Let's work instead to develop our own system of success.

Let's focus on what we can learn, achieve and become; the attitude and vision that Worrell and Lloyd imprinted in the minds of their players during their twenty-year reign as world champions.

What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

Finally, our cricket supporters should understand that success in cricket must first be created in the mind, then planned and pursued diligently over time. It does not happen all at once or in a straight line. It is a journey that takes time, energy, patience and perseverance and is punctuated by ups and downs, successes and failures. Enjoyment of that journey is a powerful stimulus for change, growth, and development. (CWI)

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thletes already qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will need to be picked again by their respective National Olympic Committees to compete at the postponed Games in 2021, the International Olympic Committee said on Thursday.

The IOC and Japanese government succumbed to intense pressure from athletes and sporting bodies around the world last week by agreeing to postpone the Games by a year to 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Some 57% of the 11,000 athletes had already qualified for the Tokyo Games this year before qualification tournaments were scrapped as the virus spread in recent months.

Those athletes, the IOC said, would keep their qualification but would need to be re-selected for next year by their National Olympic Committee again as they represented a nation and not themselves.

“All of the qualifications that have been achieved by National Olympic Committees and individual athletes remain in place,” IOC Sports director Kit McConnell said in a conference call.

“Any athlete needs to be individually selected because they represent their NOC. In all sports the NOC retains the right to select the athletes.”

McConnell said the IOC was also in talks with world soccer’s governing body FIFA to decide on the tournament next year, as only players aged under 23 are allowed to compete apart from a limited number of over-age players per team.

In many cases footballers will be above the age limit next year although having qualified this year.

“In several sports there are specific age regulations, minimum or maximum, for health safety or to provide an age group as in men’s football

with under-23.”

“We are in discussions with FIFA... We have to finalize that in the coming weeks.”

The IOC is also efforting to make the athletes’ village available again after it was planned to be sold off as apartments after this year’s Games.

“The village is part of the first priority,”

tasks to re-secure this fantastic property. Yes, it is absolutely on that urgency list”.

Dubi said those first priority venues, including the dozens of sports venues, convention sites and thousands of hotel rooms, would need to be re-secured quickly.

“All of this has to be re-secured for one year

the IOC’s Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi said.

“The village is the home away from home, a fantastic development. It is one of the very first

later,” Dubi said. “It is a massive undertaking to get back to fundamentals.” He added that the IOC planned to have finalised talks for those “priority” locations in a matter of weeks. (Reuters)

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ennis may not return until 2021 after the coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of the entire grasscourt season and most of the claycourt campaign, All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) chief executive Richard Lewis said on Thursday.

The outbreak has played havoc with the global sporting calendar and the Wimbledon championships were cancelled by the AELTC on Wednesday for the first time since the second World War. Lewis, who is set to step down in July, said he hoped the situation will stabilise in the coming months to allow the hardcourt season to get underway before the U.S. Open begins on Aug. 24.

“The optimist in me – and I’m often not optimistic – still hopes that the American hardcourt season will take place,” Lewis said.

“One hopes that things have settled down a bit and those big 1,000-point tournaments — Montreal, Toronto, Cincinnati — can happen in the lead-up to the U.S. Open. We all know that’s probably tenuous at the moment.

“I don’t think it’s unrealistic to say that there may be no more tennis this year. But let’s hope that the U.S. Open and Roland Garros can take place.”

The French Open, originally due to be played from May 24-June 7, was postponed and controversial-

T

iger Woods and Phil Mickelson will play a coronavirus relief golf match next month with Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, CNBC reported on Wednesday.

The report, which sourced an unnamed person familiar with the negotiations, said the charity match would be held at an undisclosed location without fans and is being organised by the PGA Tour and AT&T’s WarnerMedia.

The negotiations are still being finalised but the match pitting 15-times major champion Woods and Manning against five-times major winner Mickelson and Brady could be aired on live TV and is unlikely to be featured on pay-per-view, the report said.

“Discussions along these lines have been ongoing for quite some time, but nothing has been approved by the tour,” the PGA Tour said in a statement.

A matchup featuring two of the most famous golfers of their era and two of the all-time greatest NFL quarterbacks would be a rare sporting event during the coronavirus pandemic which has brought the sporting world to a halt.

Simona Halep is the current holder of The event will feature a small the women’s Wimbledon title production crew to film it and each individual will obey the social-distancing en-times winner Serena Williams, recommendations to stay six-feet apart, expressed their disappointment at the report said.

Mickelson was asked recently on not being able to play at Wimbledon Twitter about the chances of a round of this year. golf against Woods being live streamed in The two 38-year-olds are nearing the near future, and the American replied: the end of their careers and Lewis “Working on it”. is hoping they will return to the All When another fan tweeted to England Club in 2021.

Mickelson asking him not to “tease”, the “We’d love to see both of them 49-year-old responded: “I don’t tease. I’m back,” Lewis said. “It’s something to kinda a sure thing”.

Woods, 44, last competed in midlook forward to, and we’ll hopefully February and then withdrew from a enjoy it all the more, a silver lining number of tournaments with a back injury to come out of it.” (Reuters) before the PGA Tour decided to cancel a slew of events because of the coronavirus. ly rescheduled by the French tennis federation for Sept. 20-Oct. 4 — a week after the U.S. Open concludes.

Top players, including eightt i m e s champion Roger Federer and sev-

Mickelson finished third in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in early February and missed the cut in his next two starts.

Woods and Mickelson played each other in a winner-takes-all $9 million matchplay exhibition in November, 2018 that was golf’s first venture into pay-per-

view.

That event was hyped like a Las Vegas prize fight but proved more of a pillow fight with both golfers in jovial mood, playing for a purse that was put up by sponsors and went to a charity of Mickelson’s choice.

Brady recently joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 20 years with the New England Patriots during which he won an NFL-record six Super Bowl titles.

Manning, who played for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, retired in 2016 as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns and yards and is the only five-times winner of the league’s Most Valuable Player award.(Reuters)

22

FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 pandemic…

I

n face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tucber Park Cricket Club has, with immediate effect, suspended all club practice sessions for the foreseeable future.

Recognising the gravity of the situation and the paramountcy of the safety and general wellbeing of its members and supporters, this New Amsterdam-based cricket club is encouraging everyone to take every precaution

protect themselves and families from contracting the deadly coronavirus.

In this regard, the club is suggesting that consuming vitamins and drinking a lot of water are essential.

The club is also suggesting that this time of suspended activities presents an opportunity for athletes to engage in strength and conditioning work, and to maintain a regime of cardiovascular exercises.

A statement released by the Tucber

Park Cricket Club read as follows: “To the Public: We, at Tucber Park, would like to urge all to observe the regulations put forward by the relevant authorities, such as social distancing, self-quarantining and basic hygiene, as we all do our part to fight and prevent the spread of this dreaded virus. We salute the healthcare workers, and pray

for them during this time, as they are on the frontline. You guys are the real MVPs; God's

richest blessings (be on you), and guidance to us all through this dark phase. Remember:

The night is darkest just before dawn. This, too, shall pass. Until then, stay safe.”

to

Team Tucber Park

T

he Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has advised of the suspension of a number of its scheduled programmes, workshops and activities as a result of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

These initiatives, previously scheduled for the March– May period, had included sessions at various locations

across the Confederation.

In a correspondence to its Member Associations, CONCACAF listed the events as follows: Regional C License Coaching Course in Honduras, Domestic D License Coaching Course in Nicaragua, Concacaf-English FA Coach Education Mentorship Programme Phase 2 in Grenada, CONACAF Coach Education Panel in Miami, Domestic D License Coaching Course in Puerto Rico, Next Play Academy Festival In Guatemala (April 4), Domestic D License Coaching Course in Dominican Republic (April 14–18), Regional B License Course For Technical Development Directors/Leaders of Coach and Education In Jamaica (April 27–May 3).

CONCACAF has said the hope is to reschedule the listed activities to alter-

native dates later in the year, and noted that: “All decisions concerning rescheduling of the above activities would be made in close consultation with all participating and hosting Member Associations for each of the respective events.”

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY APRIL 3, 2020

23

− eyeing CGI Academy contract

By Brandon Corlette

S

eon Glasgow is hoping for a spectacular 2020 when he dons the Guyana colours in the Regional U-19 cricket tournament for the last time.

Born on February 7, 2002, this Guyana Under-19 allrounder is determined to see his dream become reality.

Speaking exclusively and at length with this publication, the Blairmont cricketer gave an insight into his future, reflected on his Regional U-19 stint in 2019, and detailed his experience at the franchise level of Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI), where he played for West Berbice f o r Seon Glasgow, batting in his U-19 t h r e e years. outfit He also revealed his intention to work towards obtaining a CGI Academy contract.

"I think I can get and train hard a contract this year, and believe in because I have been God. if I do the putting in a lot of right things, I cricket, and his best bowling figure as an off-spinner work, and when U-19 can be a West is 5 for 26. He certainly is a great prospect for the future. cricket comes, I should Indies player." be able to score fifties and hundreds; taking wickets and keeping focus is the main aim," Glasgow highlighted.

Speaking about participating in the Guyana U-19 tournament for last year, Glasgow noted that it was a very special feeling for him, because of the hard work he had put Shabeer Baksh and Glasgow in coming through the ranks from the U-15 level.

This left-handed batsman, Having had the good fortune of playing for who bowls right-arm off-spin, Guyana U-19 twice, Glasgow explained that his regards the experience he has biggest goal is to be consistent in his play from the gained in playing at the senior inter-county level. level as priceless. He has played "Staying fit and being disciplined is the key, and among the likes of Gudakesh I know the hard work will pay off," Glasgow posited. Motie and West Indies batsman Glasgow at the inter-county level Onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has made Shimron Hetmyer.

As an aside, Baksh gave this publication the things difficult for Glasgow and many other "They have moulded me as a cricketer, and cricketers to ply their trade. Glasgow, however, helped me along my journey as a junior cricketer following information about Glasgow's journey at noted that he has been training indoors: doing coming up, scoring a half-century against the Blairmont. He noted that Glasgow was transformed short sprints, push-ups and pull-ups, and he has Lower Corentyne team and picking up four wickets from a short stumpy wicket-keeper/batsman to a always been thinking about the game. against the East Bank team; so, it was a wonderful well-built, hard-hitting, all-round cricketer.

"He was 10 years old when he came at Concerning his mental preparation for the experience," Glasgow added. game’s challenges, Glasgow said, "I need to keep Glasgow thanks God, his parents, and all his Blairmont. He was, and still is, a committed player; I it simple: go out and do my best. I know (that) if I coaches, especially Julian Moore, Andre Percival have always encouraged him," Baksh said.

Baksh noted that Glasgow has what it takes focus, things will work out for me." and Shabeer Baksh. He noted that Baksh has, over to play at the highest level, once he plays smart Asked about his chances at being selected the years, stood by him as a mentor and brother. to represent the West Indies at the U-19 level, Glasgow has a high-score of 106 at the inter- cricket. He said Glasgow has the ability of a threeGlasgow posited: "I know I can make it, once I work county level; 138 against Upper Corentyne in local dimensional player, and this is coupled with his high level of fitness.

R

egarded as one of the most feared and fearless cricketers in the world, Deandra Dottin will go down in the history books as the first woman to score a T20 International century and also the fastest to that century in only 38 balls versus South Africa in 2010.

Since then, she has added a second century to the tally column, also becoming the first women to achieve such a feat.

Despite her diminutive stature, Deandra packs a punch with both bat

Deandra Dottin

and ball. Her counterparts from across the globe count her as one of the most destructive players they have ever had to play against. With Deandra an innings can take a few deliveries to get going or it can be “bang bang” from the very first delivery.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies in 2018 showed how versatile and destructive can be. In her team’s low scoring match against Bangladesh with their backs seemingly up against the wall, captain

Stafanie Taylor entrusted the bowling to Deandra, and she certainly did not let her captain nor her team down. Like a dart to a bullseye, Deandra’s bowling was accurate in line and length. She had the St. Lucia crowd jumping and dancing out of their seats, as wickets started tumbling. At the end of the match, Deandra finished with figures of 5/5, her first five wicket haul in T20 Internationals.

2019 was a tough year for Deandra as she had reconstructive surgery to

her shoulder which caused her to miss international cricket for eight months.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia in early 2020, was her return to international cricket, and while she is going to take some time to “get her feet wet again”, Deandra is continuing to work with her coaches to keep her physical conditioning to an optimum level.

No doubt Deandra is raring and waiting to get back to full strength and destruction on the 22 yards. (CWI)

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− eyeing CGI Academy contract CWI President Ricky Skeritt

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