Guyana Times - Friday, June 19, 2020

Guyana has opportunities for “all of Caricom” P – Ali …says T&T must foster mutualist 12

partnership, not only in petroleum Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4321

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

PRICE

“Disguised” election petition filed in finalditch effort to thwart the will of Guyanese – Jagdeo

WHAT'S INSIDE:

See stories on pages 3, 14 and 15

12 more COVID-19 P10 cases recorded in Region 1 …6 teachers among new cases

…as APNU/AFC supporter seeks injunction to halt election declaration

CEO flouts constitutional duty to deliver report

…Guyana is hurting – PPP GECOM commissioner Page 7 …notice of injunction another APNU/AFC gambit to delay declaration

GECOM is fully aware of what world expects – President-elect Granger has Region 9 severely disgraced affected by flooding office, lied to supporters – Jonas Page 11

Page 14

See story on page 11

…APNU/AFC has “fundamental problem” with obeying laws – former AG

$80 VAT INCLUDED

Body found in trench

2 confess to killing man P13 with hammer, dumping body

Pedal cyclist dies after being struck by speeding P8 car

National Park reopens P7 from today

Teen’s body pulled from Berbice River

– family suspects foul play P16

2

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

3

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, June 19 – 03:30h and 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, June 20 – 04:00h and 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, June 19 – 15:40h-17:10h and Saturday, June 20 –16:20h-17:50h.

“Disguised” election petition filed in final-ditch effort to thwart the will of Guyanese – Jagdeo …as APNU/AFC supporter seeks injunction to halt election declaration

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers will prevail throughout the day followed by light rain showers in the afternoon hours into the evening. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly to South South-easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 15:27h reaching a maximum height of 2.46 metres.

Low Tide: 0900h and 21:14h reaching minimum heights of 0.67 metre and 0.77 metre.

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$41.51/barrel

+1.93

Rough Rice

$254.394/ton

- 0.25

London Sugar

$371.20/ton

- 3.86

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1728.50

$1729.50

Low/High

$1727.50

$1729.80

+5.60

+0.33%

Change

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that the Notice of Motion filed in the Court of Appeal by a supporter of the caretaker APNU/AFC Coalition, Eslyn David, is a “disguised” elections petition.

The Appeal Court is expected to hear the application at 13:30h today. It is asking for a series of orders to stop the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from moving ahead with the declaration of the results from the March 2 elections.

However, Jagdeo, who is also the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic – the party that has emerged with the most votes from the March 2 elections – contends that the Court has no jurisdiction to hear the matter.

“Our position is that the Court of Appeal has no jurisdiction on this matter. This is a disguised elections petition… We hope this matter would be thrown out in the interest of moving forward,” he stated during a virtual briefing on Thursday.

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield was expected to submit his final elections report to GECOM on Thursday, but deferred so doing after he was served with the legal notice. This, coupled with the fact that the seven-member Commission did not have the quorum to convene its meeting due to the absence of two of the three government-nominated commissioners, forced

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards

GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh, to postpone the much- anticipated meeting that would have paved the way for a final declaration and eventual swearing in of PPP/C’s Irfaan Ali as the new President of Guyana.

Jagdeo believes the events that played out on Thursday were “well-coordinated”, especially since the two Commissioners did not show up for the scheduled meeting.

He contends that the caretaker Coalition is trying to make the Court direct Lowenfield to use fraudulent figures to declare the results of the elections.

CEO Lowenfield, in his summary report, had used the allegations made by the APNU/AFC of dead and migrated voters to disenfranchise thousands of Guyanese, and provided figures which he concludes are credible. His calculation awarded the Coalition 125,010 votes and the PPP/C 56,627 votes.

However, the GECOM Chair has since ruled that the Commission does not have the jurisdiction to address the allegations of irregularities, which should be ventilated in the High Court, and as such directed Lowenfield to use the results emanating from the National Recount – which put the PPP/C ahead with 233,336 votes and APNU/AFC with 217,920 – to prepare his final elections report.

The CEO had also present-

ed these figures in his report, but says he is unable to ascertain their credibility. However, many stakeholders say that he has overstepped his mandate by making such a pronouncement.

According to Jagdeo, this new move by the caretaker administration is worse than the fraud perpetuated by embattled Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, who had heavily inflated votes in favour of the APNU/AFC for Region Four – Guyana’s largest voting district.

“That is what they’re trying to get the Court to do. But clearly, you can’t win an election on technicality,” he asserted.

This comes on the heels of the Coalition’s Prime Ministerial Candidate Khemraj Ramjattan telling the Stabroek News on Wednesday that he believes

“certain legal technicalities can tip the electoral scale in the Coalition’s favour”.

But the PPP/C, in a statement, said this utterance by Ramjattan, who himself is a lawyer, is “utterly disgraceful” and shows the level to which he, and the Coalition by extension, is prepared to descend for political power.

The party reminded of the admonitions expressed by the Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal in the case of Anthony Ribeiro v Kennedy Simmons (1979): “I do not think that the intention of the law is that an election should be won or lost on technicalities in Court, but rather, the wish of the people expressed through the ballot box should prevail. The Court should put first and foremost, in my view, the intention of the electorate.”

TURN TO PAGE 12

4

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 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

Granger has lost his way T

he APNU/AFC Coalition will stop at nothing in their cynical and illegal attempt to hold on to power. It is crystal clear that the Coalition have been massively defeated at the polls. The recount results have confirmed this, all the international and local stakeholders have accepted the results are a true reflection of the will of the people.

It is well over a hundred days since the elections were held, and yet Guyanese are forced to wait longer to have a Government which the majority voted for to take its place. The caretaker Government have not given any indication that they would concede defeat, and are in fact playing a dangerous game with their supporters by misleading them to believe that the Coalition had won the elections.

As if that were not enough, the defeated President has gone silent. After rejecting the request of the Carter Center and other international observers, he had made several empty promises about accepting the results of the National Recount and the findings of the Caricom Observer Team. Now that the team, which he himself agreed to, has endorsed the recount as being credible and has made it clear that the figures therein should be the basis of the final declaration, he has not said a single word.

In fact, what we are seeing now is a sustained effort by several of the President’s trusted coterie to engage in personal attacks on the members of the Caricom team and discredit their work. It is quite unfortunate that the three respected Caribbean personalities who have made such great personal sacrifices, leaving their families behind during a pandemic to come to Guyana to help safeguard our democracy, would have to endure such assault.

The president had also said that he would accept “any declaration by the Chairman of the Elections Commission”. The Chairman on Tuesday made it clear what that declaration would be when she directed the Chief Elections Officer to prepare his final report, pursuant to Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, and in accordance with the numbers emanating from the recentlyconcluded National Recount.

The entire nation knows what the results of the recount are.

Here again, the President has not made any moves which suggest that he will accept defeat and allow the rightful winner to be declared without all the drama involved. It is Joseph Harmon, his top aide, who seems to be doing all the talking. And if we are to go by what he (Harmon) has said as the President’s position on the matter, it confirms that the embattled leader is not committed to abiding by what he had promised he would do.

In the meantime, the entire country is on standstill. On Thursday, the nation was hoping that, finally, the official results of the elections would have been declared and the duly elected government sworn in, but this was not to be. After exploring all avenues to rig the elections and to prevent the will of the people from being respected, in another desperate move, the Coalition has moved to the Appellate Court to somehow find a “technicality” through which they could cling on to power; or, even worse, be declared the winner of the elections.

Over the weeks, we have seen multiple attempts at rigging the elections being played out through various personalities and through various activities. It was Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo at first. When that attempt failed, the Coalition engaged in pushing a false narrative of alleged voter impersonation and ghost voting etc, in order to annul the elections. These allegations were proven to be baseless.

In making her pronouncements also, the Chair made it clear that she had no jurisdiction to annul the elections, as that is a matter for the High Court by way of an elections petition.

Now that all of those efforts have proven to be unsuccessful, the Coalition is now moving to utilise the court system but to have the benefit of a petition through the back door. This again, we are confident, will not succeed, as it is against what is morally and legally right for the nation.

The GECOM Chair must take a stand on the side of democracy. Guyana is counting on her to make the right decisions in bringing this process to its finality based on her professionalism and integrity.

That said, it is becoming increasingly clear that the President has lost his way. He has lost the confidence of most Guyanese a long time ago. By holding on to power, he is further damaging his credibility, or what is left of it.

APNU/AFC attempting to also lose a republic

Dear Editor, The Coalition is not only attempting to win an election, but is also attempting to lose a republic. It is making one argument to our body politic: No Republican form of government is possible in Guyana, unless the PNCR is allowed to occupy the Executive Office.

This is what is being promoted once the public peels away the layers of dead souls voting with fingers intact, back-track voters, and the “bloated list” that all contestants ratified on Nomination Day. The Coalition is not interested in being a robust parliamentary opposition. It appears to be arguing that our Constitution, starting from its Preamble, would be

repealed or simply cast aside where it prohibits any automatic PNCR/Coalition rule in Guyana. In other words, if the Coalition is to again become a parliamentary opposition, the electors would find a country in which they may be compelled to say, “WE, THE PEOPLE OF THE PNCR…” instead of “WE, THE GUYANESE PEOPLE…”, as in the Preamble.

No one else is allowed to govern Guyana, regardless of free and fair elections. To preserve PNCR occupancy of Executive Office, the Coalition seems willing to destroy the Republic and its republican form of government.

ANUG, LJP, and all other parties are put on no-

tice. It is no longer critical to have a government of, by, and for the people. Instead, it is imperative to have a government of, by, and for the Coalition.

Sovereignty no longer “belongs to the people, who exercise it through their representatives,” as stated in the Constitution; rather, it is automatically destroyed if the PPP/C (or any opposition party) lawfully ascends to the Executive Office. This is the message that was promoted by the Coalition recently on a radio programme.

While, by its Supreme Court, the Republic of the United States of America has now upheld the civil rights of all gays, lesbians, and transgender persons in

the workplace pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, our Republic is being held hostage by one political organ.

The electorate arguably are being told that they must strip the independent judiciary of its exclusive jurisdiction over elections; disregard or end free and fair elections; and dispatch with representational democracy as a means of exercising a right to self-rule, and allow the PNCR-led Coalition to return to Executive Office.

Yes, say it loud and say it proud: Guyana must have a one-party Government for all time, or no Government for any time.

Sincerely, Rakesh Rampertab

Lowenfield, stop playing “hide-and-seek”

Dear Editor, If, for some reason, you were born in Guyana before 1970, in growing up, your parents taught you that right is right and wrong is wrong. Our parents taught us that we should be honest in all our dealings, even at the price of us having to lose.

I am sure many parents today still teach their children these values. But how many of them live by that example?

A difficult, unpleasant and embarrassing political predicament has now emerged after the Chairperson had made it excruciatingly clear that GECOM has no jurisdiction to determine the credibility of an election, or to arrogate to itself the jurisdiction to annul an election. The Chair has already directed the Chief Elections Officer to use the results of the recount to prepare and submit a Report “for consideration by the Commission” pursuant to Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act. David Granger, Joseph

Harmon, Mr Lowenfield and the PNCR rigging cabals are, even at this late stage, refusing to concede that they have lost the 2020 General and Regional Elections. They continue to fabricate one specious argument after another in their futile efforts to hold out the illusion of hope to misguide their 40% support base. Joseph Harmon continues to preach his new narrative: that section 96 of the Representation of the People Act confers upon the Chief Election Officer a power to ascertain the validity of votes, and that he can only calculate votes that he determines to be valid.

Editor, is Joseph Harmon for real? This is the moral dilemma we have seen historically facing this nation and inflicted by the PNCR. Guyanese, what Forbes Burnham got away with in 1968, 1973, and 1980 will not repeat itself; Guyana’s newly elected president, Ifraan Ali, has emerged from a legitimate process.

The shameless and barefaced actions which are being promoted by the PNCR are symptomatic of the mor-

al crisis facing this nation.

Until we are able to fix this moral crisis which faces our nation, we will continue to move backwards. Once we have such elements as the PNCR engaged in our political process, no amount of oil wealth would be able to help develop this nation. Persons like Joseph Harmon are knee-deep in the marshes of dishonesty and unprincipled behaviour.

It is public knowledge that Mr Lowenfield has already submitted to the Commission the total valid votes cast for each List of Candidates for the General and Regional Elections, as generated by the National Recount exercise. I am attaching two documents submitted by the Chief Election Officer in which these tabulations are contained. It should be noted that each of these documents bears a caption: “total valid votes cast”.

Mr Lowenfield, any report prepared without using the totals of the votes cast, which you have already submitted to the Commission, would amount to a conspiracy to commit electoral fraud

in Common Law, and that is a most grievous offence which can attract a penalty as severe as life imprisonment.

Those who are in the conspiracy with you would be exposed to the same criminal liabilities. Lowenfield, stop playing “hide-and-seek”, be a man and face the nation, and present the true report to the GECOM Chairman.

Guyanese, in event that Mr. Lowenfield persists in subverting the elections results by using erroneous figures in the preparation of his report, GECOM has sufficiently wide powers under Article 162 of the Constitution to declare the results of the elections, as produced by the National Recount exercise.

Shame on you, Mr Granger, Joseph Harmon and Mr Lowenfield, the world and the people of Guyana are looking on. As a historian, Mr David Granger, you will go down in history as Guyana’s President of failures.

Sincerely David Adams

Shame! Shame and more shame!

Dear Editor, Well! Well! Well! Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, up springs another “jaws”, gripping the nation in its vice and readying to rip the nation’s guts out.

Who is surprised, and who is sitting back rocking and laughing non-stop, smirking and jumping up to the sweet sound of “Fire, fire in your wire”, flipping from Rose to Sparrow’s version!

Is this the action of the animal being led to the slaughter? The writer of this play has, at the last moment, added a new chapter, premeditating if there is an island in the sea where a lonely man sits and waits for the bell to toll,

or if there is a plot for “only where eagles dare”, led by a daredevil who clamours for an adventure that would take his band of merry men over the red hill. The path is in dangerously unchartered and deep water, and the test of patience is once again tempted.

The antics of a “motion” has brought lots of commotion in conjunction with the preplanned conspiracy of the ingenuity of “mischief afoot.” It is blatantly clear that this nation is once again being taken for a ride, held under siege with the knee on its neck in front seat view of the world, disrespecting a global appeal from the world’s dignitaries to do what is fit and proper!

The waiting game has res-

onated in tumultuous reverberation, being the hostage, and threating the upsurge of resilience by a nation as its ransom. Frustration is at volcanic level, waiting to overflow in turbulent agitation.

But how do you compromise a peeved nation that is currently starving for a next meal, struggling for survival and coping with the repercussions of COVID-19?

One has to wonder whether the past two days had brought a sense of relief, or did it attribute to an escalation in the heartbeat? Many indulged in ambiguity, transparency, uncertainty, convolution, and complacency, guided by an inhibition of mixed and missed informa-

tion, to bathe the mind and body in tension, scrub with hypotheses, dry with potential, and anoint with burden. The days were glued to the media recklessly wanting what was not required, and the sleepless nights were awakened by trauma with an expectation for more drama.

The election saga certainly played havoc with the lives of Guyanese, and brought out the best and the worst in the young and not-so-young, the tempered and the aggressive, the collective and the nonchalant, the gullible and the genius, the naïve and the guiled, the innocent and the guilty.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

5

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

Feedback on the Shame!...

CXC decision Dear Editor, In response to the decision of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) to move forward with the sitting of the CAPE and CSEC examinations in July 2020, the Guyanese Youth Ambassadors Alumni 2019 executed a survey for students in all regions of the country, to share their views on writing examinations during this pandemic.

We would like to point out that the survey conducted is in no way a directive, nor is it a product of the US Embassy or the Caribbean Examinations Council. It is, rather, an initiative of the said Alumni.

A sample of two hundred and twenty-eight (228) students from thirty-six (36) schools participated in the survey; sixty-four percent (64%) consisted of CSEC candidates & thirty-six percent (36%) consisted of CAPE candidates.

These students represented nine of the 10 administrative regions of Guyana: one (1) student from Region One, eight (8) students from Region Two, fourteen (14) students from Region Three, one hundred (100) students from Region Four, twenty (20) students from Region Five, sixty-five (65) students from Region Six, eleven (11) students from Region Seven, one student (1) from Region nine, and eight (8) students from Region Ten. Among the questions the students were asked was whether they were prepared to write their examinations in July 2020. Eighty-two percent (82%) responded with ‘no’.

The unpreparedness of the majority of students in the country was the first negative indication given. If most of the students are not prepared, then performance will not be at its best, and pass rates may drop.

Secondly, the students were asked whether they planned to write examinations in July 2020, and the most popular response was they’re unsure, which received forty-nine-point-one percent (49.1%) of the total

responses.

Why do these students feel unprepared? Why are students unwilling to write examinations in July 2020?

Our research revealed that the COVID-19 outbreak in Guyana, which resulted in the extended closure of schools, has a negative impact on the vast majority of students in a number of ways.

The leading cause of unpreparedness, as stated by thirty-five percent (35%) of the students, is their uncompleted syllabi. Despite the fact that teachers are trying their best to have online classes, these classes are not effective because of uncontrollable factors, such as power outages and poor or no internet connectivity.

Further, for many students, the home environment is not conducive for learning.

This is so because of a number of reasons, mainly being they may not have the requisite textbooks, given that many would borrow from libraries. Also, there are many distractions in their homes, and those make it difficult for them to focus. Ten percent (10%) of the students also indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their mental health, as they are fearful that they and/or their family members might contract the virus, resulting in their being unable to focus on their studies, and even less on their examinations at this point in time.

Another noteworthy cause for the unpreparedness of students is the difficult situations some families are facing relative to earning an income. Students have taken up the responsibility of helping their parents in a number of ways; for example, making masks to sell, or having to babysit younger siblings, or cooking and/or cleaning while their parents are trying to make ends meet.

Additionally, students are concerned about many other things associated with writing these examinations.

There are two general concerns of the surveyed students: contracting the virus,

Are our laws so badly written that they cannot be readily followed?

Dear Editor, Do we prefer to have our elections determined by legal technicalities instead of by ballots cast? Are our laws so badly written that they cannot be readily followed? Is there no way to discipline those who are trampling on our election laws? Where is the enforcement of our electoral laws?

What kind of Government should we expect from people who seem to think that laws do not apply to them? How long more

will our intelligence be insulted by those who keep changing their stories every time they are caught out? Why are the hundreds of thousands of us allowing our livelihoods to be violated by the few kidnappers?

Have we lost our sense of fairness and justice? When will we all come together and publicly show our disgust at what the few claim they are doing for our good?

Sincerely, Patsy Downey

and whether the examinations they write would be considered credible by universities and future employers.

Many students travel to and from school by public transportation, and this is an issue that is not being addressed. Students fear this increased risk of contracting the virus and thereafter unknowingly passing it on to their families.

Students, moreover, are unsure of the credibility of the examinations because of the absence of the ‘long paper’ (paper two), and fear that qualification obtained in this exam may be rejected by universities outside of the Caribbean and employers in the future after they would have risked their lives to write an examination that may not assist them in their future endeavours.

Taking into consideration a number of both external and internal factors, the 228 students surveyed made recommendations as to when CXC could administer examinations that would be most beneficial to the stakeholders who would be directly affected by them. From their responses, the most popular option, with 36% of the total, was that exams be administered in January 2021. The second option was that exams be held from the end of August through September 2020, which received the favour of 28.5% of students.

Some 15.8% of respondents opted for total cancellation of these exams and replacing them with a predicted grading system, while 13.2% favoured the exams being administered in July 2020; and the remaining 6.6 gave no time period, but only recommended exams be carried out when it is declared safe to do

so by the relevant authorities.

Further, the Kaieteur News published an article on June 4, 2020 under the caption “Amerindian Peoples Association worried about Indigenous, Hinterland students’ preparedness for exams”. This article sought to inform the Ministry of Education of the difficulties faced by students of the hinterland region, and their unpreparedness for the upcoming examinations.

The Amerindian Peoples’ Association stated in that article that “while the efforts to bridge the technological gap between the coast and the hinterland through the establishment of ICT hubs and e-government internet access is commendable, very few of those stations provide reliable internet to sustain e-learning.”

This article and many others, published recently by students and even adults, all strengthen the united voice of the students of Guyana in declaring that the pandemic has, and continues to have, numerous negative effects on them, and these effects need to be comprehensively considered before making decisions that directly affect these students.

To conclude, since students are the future of our country, it is important that students’ voices are heard, and their opinions as well as their mental and physical health be taken into consideration. Students have real concerns and serious challenges to overcome; wouldn’t consulting them on a matter that directly affects their future be the best option?

Youth Ambassadors Alumni 2019 – Guyana

The silence was perturbing, deafening, as a nation remained in limbo, once again a non-functional charge d’affaires sunk into an abyss that rattled with nerve-racking concealment as a disdained recluse!

Shunning responsibility or lost for words and actions, he failed to once again address the nation with a rebut, or agreement, or caution; with a word of reservation, despite the flow of worldly advice from prominent emissaries, local and international. No wonder many of his supporters have lost faith and are unhesitatingly accepting the conclusion that they were betrayed because of lies, deceits and misguidance.

They are finally seeing the brilliant daylight and are coming on board, ready and willing to turn their backs on a regrettable past and move forward with a light heart, determined to work and build a nation that all can enjoy in a peaceful and progressive atmosphere.

The ball has been knocked out of the field, and there is a holdup in play.

The indomitable Madam Chair of GECOM has again been placed in an uncomfortable position, and her seat is on fire.

Why did the two Coalition Commissioners conveniently absent themselves

FROM PAGE 4

from today’s meeting?

Premeditation is certainly a preplan to subvert the smooth flow of the electoral process, and to hold the will of the people at the neck. The unacceptable madness continues, and the spoke is in the wheel as the nightmare thwarts its way, preventing a fairytale end.

A nation goes to sleep, deprived of a meal and bed, left standing at a window looking out at a heavy storm in which cats and dogs are raining with heavy thunder and lightning, knowing that this is the end of another beginning! A nation waits in mourning.

What next, Mr. Stranger? You are shining brilliantly in the darkest of nights.

Indeed, the vampires and Dracula will have a feast! Where is the conscience of honesty and integrity? It is the blood bank that needs the blood, and the people have already been sucked dry. Who will have the last laugh?

Shame, Shame, that is my name; what a lad seeking fame, from the dark I came; you thought I’m tame, slowly hopping lame; to drive all of you insane with my dirty game!

Respectfully, Jai Lall

6

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

Page

Foundation

Guyana Times is pleased to publish the Education Ministry’s National Grade Six Assessment Past Papers and CXC questions.

Below are the Social Studies Paper 2, 2008 and CXC English.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT Reading Time: 10 minutes Writing Time: 45 minutes

SOCIAL STUDIES

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. 1. WRITE YOUR CANDIDATE NUMBER CLEARLY ON EACH PAGE.

2. This paper contains SIX questions. You are required to answer QUESTIONS ONE and THREE others. EACH question is worth 5 marks.

Be sure to answer FULLY the FOUR questions.

3. Write your answer in the space provided in the booklet.

Read the caption below, then answer Question 1.

Question one is compulsory

4. Drawings and handwriting MUST be clear at ALL TIMES. 5. Each step of your work MUST be CLEARLY shown in the booklet.

6. If you have to erase, do so cleanly.

7. Look over your work when you have finished.

8. DO NOT take away ANY part of this question paper.

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

(b) Give two reasons for the location of capital cities and important towns close to oceans and seas. marks) (c) Explain two ways how global warming may affect people who live in cities and towns in coastal areas.

(2 marks)

1 (a) State one reason for cocaine being labelled as an illegal drug.

(1 mark)

Study the picture below, then answer question 3.

(b) Give two consequences that the man may have to face.

(2 marks)

4. (a) What word other than round could be used to describe the shape of the earth?

(1 mark)

(c) Suggest two measures that government could take to prevent persons from trafficking in illegal drugs.

(2 marks)

(b) (i) Name the body of water at X.

Study the map below, then answer question 2.

2.a) Name the continent in which more than half of the world's population live.

(1 mark)

(ii) What name is given to the land mass at Z?

(1 mark) (1 mark)

3. (a) (i) Under what system did the labourers in the picture work before 1838?

(1 mark)

(c) Give two reasons for the people who live at Z wearing different clothing from those at Y during certain times of the year.

(2 marks)

(ii) What term was used to describe the end of the period of work by the labourers on the plantations?

(1 mark)

TO BE CONTINUED

(b) Explain three difficulties that the labourers above experienced on the sugar plantation.

(3 marks) Study the following picture, then answer question 4.

CXC ENGLISH

By Sylvia Plath

"Mirror"

I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions.

Whatever I see I swallow immediately Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike.

I am not cruel, only truthful, The eye of a little god, four-cornered.

Most of the time I meditate on the opposite wall.

It is pink, with speckles. I have looked at it so long I think it is part of my heart. But it flickers.

Faces and darkness separate us over and over.

Now I am a lake. A woman bends over me, Searching my reaches for what she really is.

Then she turns to those liars, the candles or the moon.

I see her back, and reflect it faithfully.

She rewards me with tears and an agitation of hands.

I am important to her. She comes and goes.

Each morning it is her face that replaces the darkness.

In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman Rises toward her day after day, like a terrible fish.

1. a) Summarise the poem b) What is the main idea in the poem? c) What is the most dominant literary device used in this poem? d) Discuss the state of mind of the woman in the poem

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

NEWS

7

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CEO flouts constitutional duty to deliver report …Guyana is hurting – PPP GECOM Commissioner …notice of injunction another APNU/AFC gambit to delay declaration

T

he much-anticipated final declaration of the results of the March 2 General and Regional Elections has been further delayed after the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was forced to adjourn its meeting that was intended to discuss the final report of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), who failed to comply with his constitutional duty, in a series of dramatic events on Thursday.

The CEO, Keith Lowenfield, was instructed by GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh to prepare and submit his report pursuant to Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03. He was given until 13:00h on Thursday to make that submission. However, in a blatant insubordination move, Lowenfield failed to present the report. Rather, he informed the Chair that he was on his way, but failed to turn up two and a half hours later.

This coupled with the fact that the seven-member Elections Commission did not have the required quorum to hold the meeting left the Chair with no other choice than to adjourn the meeting.

According to Article 226 of the Constitution, the quorum for a meeting of the Elections Commission which shall be the Chairman and not less than four members of the Commission – two each, appointed by the President and the Opposition respectively.

“If at any stage of a duly-summoned meeting, a quorum is not present due to the absence of members

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

ed any plausible reason for their absence.

Alexander told media operatives that he did not know why the other two APNU/ AFC Commissioners did not show up for the meeting.

Pushed further by the media for an answer about his colleagues’ absence and whether this was another delaying tactic by APNU/AFC, he responded: “It is not my intention to respond to what has become a norm on social media and places… if I would respond to that, then I would be dead.”

Notice of Motion

without good cause to be determined by the Chairman, then the meeting is to be adjourned for two calendar days. If the meeting was to determine the declaration of the results of the presidency, and there is no quorum, then the meeting shall be adjourned to the next day.

If at the adjourned meeting, there is still no quorum, then the members then present, being not less than four members, including the Chairman, shall be deemed to be a quorum and any decision made at any such adjourned meeting shall be valid and binding,” the Constitution states.

Those present at Thursday’s meeting were the Chairman; the three People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Commissioners – Sase Gunraj, Robeson Benn and Bibi Shadick; and only Vincent Alexander of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Commissioners.

APNU/ AFC-aligned Commissioners Desmond Trotman and Charles Corbin were noshows and have not provid-

Lowenfield’s decision to flout his constitutional duties comes on the heels of a mere notice of an application that has been filed in the Court of Appeal. The notice is not an injunction and, therefore, could not have prevented or blocked him from carrying out his duties. Such a notice simply notifies the parties that a case has been filed.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall argued that the Notice of Motion has no merit and must be rejected

by GECOM. Lowenfield was expected to submit the report pursuant to Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03.

This would have paved the way for the PPP/C to be declared the winner of the 2020 elections held more than three months ago.

sure that social distancing is adhered to and maintained at all times. Additionally, walking and jogging will be done in an anti-clockwise direction.

Also, no contact sport, cycling, or special events will be allowed during this phase. The athletic/sports fields, tarmac, and PlayLand will remain closed. Primary school-age children and those below must be accompanied and supervised by adults at all times.

Moreover, all dogs must be kept on a leash while no gathering of more than five persons at any time in any area of the Park will be permitted. As such, the Park encourages patrons to avoid unnecessary loitering or lingering.

PAC also noted that parking will be free as a measure

to reduce human-t- human contact. Additional sanitisation measures will be in place – two sanitised washrooms will be available to the public, and all staff will continue to follow sanitisation protocols.

The Commission concluded by encouraging patrons to use the Park wisely, to adhere to the guidelines while remaining mindful of each other, and to complete one’s exercise routine within a reasonable time to ensure others could benefit from the use of the Park.

The Botanical Gardens, Zoo, and Joe Vieira Park will remain closed to the public until further notice.

The PAC had closed these public spaces on April 1, in an effort to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Nation bleeding

Meanwhile, PPP/Cnominated Commissioner Shadick upon leaving the adjourned meeting said that Guyanese should not be allowed to wait any longer for

National Park reopens from today

F

ollowing the announcement by the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) on the reopening of the country in phases, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) on Thursday stated that the National Park would be reopened to the general public as of today.

According to PAC, the Park will be opened from 06:30h to 17:00h from Monday to Friday, with it remaining closed on weekends.

In order to keep the public and staff safe, visitors will only be allowed through the Thomas Road and Carifesta Avenue gates – the Albert Street entrance will remain closed to the public.

Further, admission to the Park will depend on the number of persons already in the facility so as to en-

credible results of the March 2 General and Regional Elections to be officially declared.

Commissioner Shadick was responding to questions from the media in relation to Lowenfield’s failure to submit his report.

“We will follow the law; the nation can’t be waiting on the likes of Lowenfield,” Shadick fumed.

“This whole country is hurting and bleeding, and the likes of Lowenfield is going to stop this whole thing?” the Commissioner questioned.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , Commissioner Gunraj, who was also visibly upset, when questioned about what sort of action he would take should the CEO persist in being non-compliant with

carrying out his legal responsibility, responded that certain legal options were being mulled at this time.

Several stakeholders have expressed that this latest move is an abuse of the court process and yet another blatant attempt by APNU/AFC to prevent the official declaration of the results which would see the PPP/C forming the next Government.

The Chair had initially adjourned the Commission’s meeting to today at 13:00h in accordance with the quorum provisions, but an hour later GECOM’s spokeswoman, Yolanda Ward, notified the media that the Commission will no longer be meeting at that time as planned owing to the hearing of the Notice of Appeal set for the same

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

time today.

The data generated from the national recount show the PPP/C won the elections with a total of 233,336 votes.

This is 15,416 more votes than its main political rival, the caretaker APNU/AFC, which received 217,920 total votes.

8 NEWS FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pedal cyclist dies after being struck by speeding car

A

pedal cyclist has become the latest road fatality after he was struck down while riding along the Providence Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Wednesday evening.

The dead man has been identified as 53-year-old Andray Simmons of Lot 94 Parker Street, Providence.

Based on information received, the accident occurred around 18:00h and involved a motor car bearing registration number PVV 1380, driven by a 30-year-old resident of Belle

West Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Guyana Times understands that the car was proceeding north along the roadway at a fast pace and while in the vicinity of the National Stadium, the driver claimed that the pedal cyclist rode across the road from West to East and ended up in his path.

He reportedly applied brakes, but hit Simmons, who was thrown into the air before ending up on the front windscreen of the motor car and then falling to the roadway.

The injured cyclist was picked up and taken to the Diamond hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A breathalyser test conducted on the driver of the motor car found that there was no trace of alcohol in his system. He was taken into Police custody and was assisting with the investigations.

This is the second fatal accident in two days – on Tuesday, 18-yearold Elijah Bollers was struck down by a motor car at Delph Avenue, Campbellville, Georgetown.

Man wanted by Police for Kuru Kururu robbery

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has issued a wanted bulletin for Delon Wilson for questioning in relation to an armed robbery committed on Joann Wilson at Kuru Kururu, Linden-Soesdyke Highway on June 13, 2020.

The last known address for the suspect has been given as Kuru Kururu.

It was reported that Wilson, along with two others, terrorised and robbed the 44-year-old housewife on Tuesday last.

On the day in question

Wanted: Delon Wilson

around 13:00h, the men invaded the woman’s property and held her at gunpoint while she was in her bedroom. She was reportedly dragged from the bedroom as the men made their demands.

As she was kept hostage by one of the bandits, the others collected a 49-inch TCL television, an HP laptop, a Nintendo PS4, and a yellow metal ring. Not satisfied, they also relieved the woman of a sum of cash.

The Police stated that the men then made good their

escape in a Nissan Tida motor car that belonged to one of the occupants of the home.

The vehicle was later recovered by Police at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Meanwhile, anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Delon Wilson is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers: 2261389, 227-2128, 911 or the nearest police station.

According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), all information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

19 Officer Cadets promoted to Ensigns

The Cadet Officers who were promoted to Ensigns on Thursday

Army Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West taking the salute from the ranks at Camp Stephenson on Thursday

G

uyana Defence Force (GDF) Chiefof-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West on Thursday promoted a batch of Officer Cadets undergoing training on the Standard Officer Course Number 52, to the rank of Ensign signalling the half-way point of the course, which was extended to 24 months.

This allows for them to benefit from an improved and restructured programme, which extends the range of knowledge and skills training for potential officers.

The Ensigncy Parade was held at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS) Drill Square at Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Major Jose Ferriera

is the commanding officer of the course. Owing to COVID-19 precautions, Thursday’s parade was conducted minus the traditional pomp and ceremony that previously allowed for the close relatives of the soldiers to be in attendance.

However, relatives were able to view the parade, as it occurred, on the GDF Facebook page.

The 19 Cadets were adorned with their new badges of rank by Brigadier West, assisted by Commanding Officer of the Training Corps, Lieutenant Colonel Ken-Lloyd Roberts.

Four of the cadets were from the Belize Defence Force and Belize Coast Guard respectively, two from the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, one from St Kitts and Nevis

Defence Force, one from the Guyana Fire Service, one from the Guyana Prison Service, while the remaining 10 will serve the GDF. In his address to the newly-promoted Ensigns, Chief-of-Staff West noted that he has been observing their training at different phases and stages and seeing them achieve core competencies.

He commended the Ensigns for their determination and persistence, and said it was the same tenacity that would get them through year two and ultimately, to commissioning.

“In your quiet moments, when you reflect on your training, you will realise that it targeted your weaknesses and made you overcome failures to become better versions of yourselves.

You are tougher, stronger, physically and mentally fitter and better prepared for officership,” Brigadier West pointed.

He reminded them that their second year of training would push them more academically so that they could achieve an Associate Degree in General Studies from the University of Guyana. “I challenge SOC 52 to ensure that at graduation in 2021, none of you should graduate with a pass... I expect credits and distinctions only…I believe in you... I just need you to believe in yourselves and work hard to support that belief!” he urged the Ensigns.

The Chief-of-Staff also urged the newly promoted Ensigns to begin to envision how they could make their contributions to the transformation of the Force and, in this regard, suggested that they get involved in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Brigadier West reminded the Ensigns that they must commit to finishing the course strong and remain steadfast in their determination to complete the final leg of their journey.

As part of the proceedings, the Ensigns also performed a Silent Drill Display. This first year of the programme focused on military studies.

This confounded…

I

…nonsense won’t stop n the old cartoon “Peanuts”, there was a running gag with Lucy holding a football for the hapless Charlie Brown to kick. But at the last second, Lucy whips away the ball and Charlie lands of his butt. No matter how many times she pulls the stunt…Charlie always falls for it, because he’s the kind of fella who always hopes other folks will do the right thing. Well, in Guyana, it’s clear that the PNC and its myrmidons in GECOM really believe that the Guyanese people - including your Eyewitness - are suckers like Charlie Brown.

Yesterday, you could tell from the tone of the piece from yours truly that he felt at last we’d turned the corner to glimpse some daylight at the end of this long tunnel of Stygian darkness. But this being the PNC involved, he did conclude, “even a dead frog has Galvanic twitches”! Meaning that we should expect some kickback from the PNC and its helpers in this elections heist - even when we think they’d arrived at the end of their rope.

And kickback there was!! We’re all the way back to square one, with Lowenfield now doing a Mingo throwing a wrench so egregiously into the works, all you can say with a hand over your open mouth is, “OMG!!!” Jeez!! All the fella had to do was hand his report according to his constitutionally defined duties - of which the Chairwoman reminded him was just to add up the recount numbers from the ten districts.

But Lowenfield had been given enough time to huddle with his controllers in the PNC for them to launch the latest Hail Mary - go to the Courts for an injunction to stop him from delivering his report!! It looks like there was no one in the High Court to listen to their nonsense, so guess what? They fell back on their always friendly Appellate Court - acting in its original jurisdiction as a constitutional court. And they gave notice to GECOM that an injunction was being sought for the aforementioned Hail Mary!!

And just to make sure we knew who were pulling the strings, the two PNC Commissioners didn’t show up.

So, in any case, even if the Chairwoman had decided to issue a declaration from Lowenfield’s old submission, there wasn’t a quorum!! …humiliation What does this nonsense say about us, the Guyanese people?? We don’t have to wonder about the PNC they’re acting true to form. They say, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me”. But what happens, as with the PNC, they fooled us dozens of time?? It means something is seriously wrong with us at least with those who support that party.

Now, don’t get your Eyewitness wrong, no political party is above exploiting a situation for its own benefit; but when your party goes out to rig an election so barefacedly, it really shows that it has absolutely no respect for you, its supporters. After all, you’re the ones who have to mix and mingle with other Guyanese every day, and have to defend the nonsense your party is going on with. As Rodney once asked in a similar context back in the day: When a PNC supporter goes home at the end of the day, how does he answer his kids who ask: “Do we support that schupidness, dad?” …Eye-pass So what exactly does the PNC think the Court - even an Appeal Court that agreed with them that 33 wasn’t the majority of 65! – would order?

That Lowenfield should act as judge, jury and tabulator to deny the franchise to 275,000 Guyanese?

Blasted eye-pass!

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

9

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12 more COVID-19 cases recorded in Region 1 …6 teachers among new cases

G

uyana has recorded 12 new positive COVID-19 cases within one day – all of which were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini). Of the 12 new cases, six are teachers, this newspaper has confirmed.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud, giving a breakdown of the country’s statistics on Thursday, announced that there are now 183 cases, with 12 deaths.

These 12 new cases were confirmed after 42 samples were sent for testing. On

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

Tuesday there were 12 positive cases, followed by none

on Wednesday.

“All the new positive cas-

es for today are from Region One, which showed a 100 per cent increase in their number of positive cases,” the CMO highlighted.

Meanwhile, out of 2048 tests done so far, 1865 were returned negative. There are 102 recoveries to date, with 69 active cases in institutional isolation and 24 cases in institutional quarantine. From all positive cases, the gender ratio is 52 per cent male and 48 per cent female.

Dr Persaud also provided the regional break-

down, showing that Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) has 56 per cent of the cases, followed by Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) with 16 per cent, and Region One with 13 per cent.

The three regions represent 85 per cent of all the COVID-19 cases, while the other five regions have 15 per cent of the cases. The age groups with the most cases are the 20-29, 30-39 and 40-49.

Dr Persaud pointed out that many Caribbean countries have seen a decline in positive cases, resulting in the relaxation of COVID-19 measures – which were instituted to protect the population.

“If you are following the updates in the Caribbean and the rest of the world, you are aware by now that some of the countries that managed to stop transmission have begun to report the emergence of new cases; a clear indication, in most instances, that persons have returned to the practices of life before COVID-19, with the relaxation of some measures instead of maintaining the practices that we must adapt in embracing living with COVID-19.”

However, he said it is the opposite in Guyana, and a decision to reduce the na-

tional restrictions has resulted in a proliferation of confirmed cases. According to the CMO, a behavioral change is needed for persons within the 20-29 age group.

“Within a few hours, Guyana will begin the process of relaxing some measures, and the experiences of countries that have embarked upon this before us must be taken into consideration. We must use their lessons as a guide. Worthy of note is the recognition that Guyana’s cases have never stopped climbing. We need you to understand that you are much more vulnerable than those countries that were able to reduce their cases,” he explained.

Dr Persaud shared that the conduct of many persons is still ‘out of order’. With 24 cases being recorded in just a few days, he again urged persons – especially those in the hinterland communities - to adhere to the guidelines and curfew measures.

“We continue to plead with our residents in the hinterland communities to act responsibly. Your health, as well as that of your family, is at great risk; for studies have shown that for every person that is positive, approximately three persons will be infected by that individual. We ask that you seek medical attention immediately, so that the essential care and treatment you need can be provided,” the health official advised.

He added, “Fellow Guyanese, the Ministry of Public Health continues to implore you to take stock of your actions. Our numbers indicate very clearly that our behaviour is still ‘out of order’. We are in COVID times, and so it requires COVID behaviour- adjustment: handwashing, wearing a mask, and practising physical distancing.”

Globally, the total number of cases is 8,061,550, with deaths being 440,290. In the Region of the Americas, the total number of positive cases is 3,899,859, with deaths being 205,555.

NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

11

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GECOM is fully aware of what world expects – President-elect

T

he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) is not acting in isolation, it is fully aware of the expectations of the Caricom Region and the entire world, as it relates to the electoral body carrying out its mandate in a credible manner, and in keeping with the constitutional requirements in bringing the electoral process to an end.

This is according to President-elect, Dr Irfaan Ali, who, during an interview with Fazeer Mohamed of Trinidad’s CCN 6 Television, explained the next statutory steps that GECOM was expected to follow that would see the conclusion of the 2020 electoral process, almost four months after citizens voted.

“The Caricom report was very stern …they used the words “unshakeable belief” that the recount was a

President-elect, Dr Irfaan Ali

demonstration of the will of the people…so it’s not that they (GECOM) are acting in isolation, they have a full understanding of what the world is thinking.

“Every single organisation has spoken out and made it very clear that the recount was transparent and credible, and the re-

count results demonstrate the will of the people,” Ali told viewers.

GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh on Tuesday directed the CEO to prepare his final report, pursuant to Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, and in accordance with the numbers emanating from the recently-concluded national recount.

Those numbers show the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) winning the elections by over 15,000 votes and effectively ousting the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition from the seat of power.

Lowenfield’s report was due Thursday afternoon and legal experts have argued that, contrary to what

is being touted by elements within the APNU/AFC coalition, he (Lowenfield) has no authority to “willy-nilly” determine the validity of votes cast in the elections, rather he should be guided by the prescribed laws.

Earlier on Thursday, the PPP/C warned that Lowenfield could face severe penalties, including being jailed for life, if he persisted in including erroneous numbers in his report, since this would amount to “conspiracy to commit electoral fraud”.

“Any report prepared without using the totals of the valid votes cast, which he has already submitted to the Commission, would amount to a conspiracy to commit electoral fraud at Common Law, a most grievous offence, which can attract a severe a penalty as life imprisonment. Those

Fazeer Mohamed of Trinidad’s CCN 6 Television

who are in the conspiracy with him are exposed to the same criminal liabilities,” the PPP/C, said via a press release issued Thursday morning.

Notwithstanding, Dr Ali explained that if Lowenfield decided to act outside of the Constitution and outside the Commission’s instruc-

tions, then the Commission has the power to “take action and make decisions as to what they do in relation to Mr Lowenfield and in relation to moving the process forward”.

“So, although we have seen a manipulation of the system itself, we are hoping that the CEO of GECOM would act in a manner in which it is befitting to his office and have the final report presented,” Dr Ali said.

Dr Ali also cited Article 177 (2) B of the Constitution which says that the candidate who heads the list with the most votes is “deemed” the President and shall be so declared by the Chairman of GECOM. He said his Party is hopeful that GECOM would do “the right thing”, and then steps would be taken to have the President sworn in immediately.

Granger has disgraced office, lied to supporters – Jonas

…APNU/AFC has “fundamental problem” with obeying laws – former AG

ANUG Chairman Timothy Jonas

A

New and United Guyana (ANUG) Chairman Timothy Jonas has lamented that caretaker President David Granger has disgraced the office of President and lied to his party’s supporters regarding the outcome of the March 2, 2020 elections.

The outspoken lawyer was at the time speaking during a live programme hosted on the Globespan platform.

He said Granger, who represents the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change coalition, has been dishonest with his supporters, especially concerning which party won the March 2, 2020 polls. In the same breath, however, he contended that there needed to be cooperation and collaboration between the two major political parties that amass the majority of the country’s voting-base.

“I believe that individual

(Granger) has hurt his party, lied to his followers and disgraced the office. I think a lot of work needs to be done in APNU…To the 45 per cent APNU supporters, I am saying to you that you have a right to a say and the fact is, your leaders have not been honest with you. Mr Ali has won these elections.

The PPP have won this election,” Jonas directed.

To this end, Jonas pointed out that as long as Granger represents the coalition, which has 45 per cent of the voter base, the new PPP/C Government would have no choice but to work along with him.

“As long as Mr Granger represents APNU and APNU represents 45 per cent, there is no choice. You have to work with the person who represents the party that has the support of 45 per cent.”

Meanwhile, Presidential Candidate of The New Movement (TNM), Dr Asha Kissoon, also shared similar sentiments. She committed to working with Dr Ali. “He will have my support and I’m going to work with all political parties that are improving our nation going forward. I urge the public and the population to accept that the recount results are valid and have shown who has won the elections.

I urge them to keep calm and I urge non-violence on the way forward,” she acclaimed.

Obeying the law

Also appearing on the

election or a vote in confidence, they simply do not want to play by the rule of the game and that is a difficulty. Civilisation is based upon the rule of law.”

Nandlall, who committed to his Party’s intention

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

programme was former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who pointed out that the coalition has a ‘fundamental problem’ with obeying the law, causing a series of difficulties in accepting the verified results.

He cited that the APNU/AFC has used the Constitution as a tool to inflict ‘turmoil’ during the elections process, by creating additional hurdles.

“I’m not entertaining anything about Constitution being defeated in relation to what these people are doing.

They have a problem, a fundamental problem in their brain when it comes to obeying the law and obeying the Constitution; and they have put this nation into mental turmoil and anguish over words in the Constitution and that is a fundamental difficulty,” Nandlall positioned.

He added, “You can give them the most perfect constitution. If they lose the

to bring about constitutional change, said it was a step which must be accepted by the population before being enacted.

“The people of Guyana will drive that process. We, of course, in Government

will create the mechanism and lay the foundation for the constitutional reforms to take place, but we are not going to choose a constitutional model and impose it on our people.”

12 NEWS FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana has opportunities for “all of Caricom” – Ali …says T&T must foster mutualist partnership, not only in petroleum

W

ith Dr Irfaan Ali set to become Guyana’s ninth Executive President, he has assured that under a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, there will be many opportunities for investments, including for Caribbean Community (Caricom) Member States.

During an interview with Trinidad and Tobago’s CNC3, Dr Ali spoke about his plans for Guyana when he assumes executive office and particularly responded to questions about foreign investors wanting to capitalise on the country’s lucrative oil industry.

While opportunities will be made available through better relationships with

foreign Private Sectors, he noted that Guyana could not continue to serve as the Region’s breadbasket without any net benefit in return.

These clarifications came after claims that Trinidadian stakeholders are coming to capitalise on Guyana’s newfound oil wealth.

As such, the Presidentelect highlighted, “We have to be careful how we manage relationships. The future has a lot of opportunities in Guyana not only for Guyana and Guyanese. These opportunities will be there for all of Caricom, including Trinidad and Tobago.

What we want to see is a better relationship in terms of how the Private Sector in Trinidad and the Private Sector in Guyana collabo-

CNC3 host Hema Ramkissoon interviews Guyana’s President-elect, Dr Irfaan Ali

rate.”

He went on to say that while Trinidadian firms are coming to offer technical

support in oil – an area in which they are experienced – the partnerships must not be restricted to only petroleum.

This was brought up, since the country has faced many difficulties in shipping its produce or services from other sectors to the twin-island republic. Dr Ali said Trinidadians must come with the intention of establishing local capacity to handle the oil resource and also be open to partnerships in other sectors.

“While Trinidad is ahead on oil and gas and have the capacity and capability, we have to turn to you in the short term of course…What I think is that we need to establish a model relationship, where Trinidad work with local sector to develop that capacity. But we have to realise there is also a historical context to things.

You have many Guyanese, over the years, [who] would have complained about how difficult it is and still is to get agricultural produce

from Guyana into Trinidad.

These are things we have to fix,” he voiced.

With the closure of its oil refinery Petrotrin, all eyes in Trinidad and Tobago were on Guyana for assistance, as thousands are now said to be on the breadline.

In 2018, former Prime Minister and current Opposition Leader of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla PersadBissessar had stated that her country should attempt to partner with Guyana as oil production was looming.

Persad-Bissessar had said that even if Guyana moves to build its own refinery in the future, the Petrotrin facility could still be used in the initial years of oil production.

Since oil production started in the Liza field in the Stabroek Block in December of 2019, Guyana has produced over eight million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), with plans to ramp up production this month.

This comes on the heels of Guyana’s first lift of its one-million-barrel share of the crude oil in February of this year.

“Disguised” election petition...

F ROM PAGE 3

Against this background, Jagdeo asserted that the Coalition cannot use the court to compel the Commission to accept anything other than the results emanating from the National Recount, which was the instruction of GECOM Chair to the CEO. “They seem to think that whatever Lowenfield submits to the Commission, the Commission must dutifully accept that and declare on the basis of that. Then you don’t need the elections [Commission] in the future in Guyana. You can get a Chief Elections Officer who is sympathetic to a party

and he goes declare whatever he wants or not, based on the count… Clearly, you can’t disguise everything now which should come under an elections petition, put it before the Court of Appeal and say they must hear the matter and rule on technicality,” he posited.

Meanwhile, the PPP/C, in its missive on Thursday, contended that any report presented outside of the figures from the recount could be considered a conspiracy to commit electoral fraud.

“Any report prepared without using the totals of the valid votes cast, which he has already submitted

to the Commission, would amount to a conspiracy to commit electoral fraud at Common Law; a most grievous offence, which can attract as severe a penalty as life imprisonment. Those who are in the conspiracy with him are exposed to the same criminal liabilities,” the party detailed.

Moreover, the PPP/C noted that even if Lowenfield persists in this direction, the Elections Commission has sufficiently wide powers under Article 162 of the Constitution to declare the results of the elections as produced by the National Recount exercise.

13 APNU/AFC supporters allowed to flout COVID-19 orders NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…Police in NA assist smooth flow of protest

APNU/AFC protesters standing in front of Police at Main Street, Georgetown

and charged for not adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Interestingly, in Berbice on Thursday, Police were seen assisting the protesters in New Amsterdam as they diverted traffic and had a Guyana Police Force (GPF) vehicle driving slowly ahead of the protesters.

In a statement on Thursday, the Police Force

said that Police quickly arrived at the location in Berbice and dispersed the crowd. Further, instead of an immediate arrest, the GPF claimed that ranks were able to identify a number of individuals in the gathering and summons were being prepared for charges against them for breach of the national public order restriction.

Body found in trench

S

cores of supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) coalition have been allowed to flout COVID-19 orders as they gather in the vicinity of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The COVID-19 measures, which have been extended

APNU/AFC protesters in New Amsterdam

until July 2, prohibit large gatherings in public places.

On Thursday, GECOM was expected to make a declaration of the results of the 2020 elections – paving the way for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s Dr Irfaan Ali to be sworn in as President.

Meanwhile, in New Amsterdam, about 100

APNU/AFC supporters are once again allowed to gather in large numbers.

With banners in hand, they marched the streets of New Amsterdam from the GECOM office at Princess Elizabeth Road to Strand and St Magdalene Street, where the coalition’s regional office is located.

While the Police said that

no permission was granted for the protest, the APNU/ AFC protesters were not promptly arrested as done in May when a handful of PPP/C supporters gathered outside the Foreign Affairs Ministry to protest against the Administration’s decision to block the Carter Center from returning to Guyana. They were arrested

Palms trio celebrates victory against COVID-19

The three residents who recovered from COVID-19

care, and love were the attributing factors for the successful recoveries of the three residents.

It was reported that a total of 12 persons at the institution were infected with the virus. Unfortunately, two died – one on May 1 and the other on May 30. There are currently seven residents in the Home whose ages are between 55 and 90 that are still infected with the virus.

These residents are being monitored continuously and would be retested today.

COVID-19 Coordinator for the Home, Doneth Mingo is optimistic that the results would be negative. She revealed that once the green-light was given by the doctors, all safety meas-

The team of doctors and nurses who helped the infected residents receive the best medical care

Zorie De Mattos, age 105, being celebrated

T

hree elderly residents of the Palms Geriatric Home have completely recovered after battling the deadly novel coronavirus which has taken the lives of 12 persons in Guyana and over 400,000 worldwide.

Zorie De Mattos, 105; Sheila Gill, 78, and Fazil Mohamed, 68, were

joined by doctors and nurses for a celebratory treat in the Home’s infirmary before they are reintegrated into the general ward.

While the trio was indulging in chocolate treats, the staff of the Palms, including resident doctors, Dr Laura Perera and Dr Iliana Reyes were enthused that their hard work had paid off since they had worked feverishly to ensure that the infected persons received the best medical care.

Dr Perera disclosed that a specialised diet, vitamins, around-the-clock

ures will be implemented to ensure the residents join the others in the general ward.

The Social Protection and Health Ministries were applauded for providing crucial expertise and equipment to the Palms to fight the spread of the virus.

The Public Health Ministry, through the Georgetown Public Hospital, has 30 doctors in its COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and two doctors from the said Unit visit and monitor the Palms’ patients on a daily basis.

2 confess to killing man with hammer, dumping body

A

fisherman and his friend have confessed to the brutal killing of 45-year-old Andy Williams, whose partially-decomposed body was discovered in a canal at Tarla Dam, MetenMeer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD) on June 8.

According to Police sources, the 34-year-old fisherman claimed he and Williams were involved in an altercation some two months ago, which turned physical. On the day of the murder, the duo offered Williams a drink and after accepting, they started imbibing at a street corner.

He was later taken to the fisherman’s house, located at De Willem Squatting Area, WCD – a short distance from where the body was found.

According to the confession details, the three men continued drinking for some time.

But soon after, the construction worker was struck multiple times to the head with a hammer, so he collapsed and started to bleed profusely. The suspects then placed a plastic bag over his head to prevent the blood from leaking onto the floor.

The men took the body over to the trench and dumped it and the murder weapon. They reportedly returned to the crime scene a while after to clean up any evidence linking them to the murder. After being detained on Tuesday by law enforcement, the men gave a thorough confession and took Police ranks to the area where the body was dumped.

Williams was discovered on June 8 at approximately 13:55h by residents with a black plastic bag over his

Murdered: Andy Williams

head – which was submerged in the canal. The body was clad in a burgundy t-shirt, long white track pants, and a pair of black socks.

In an interview with Guyana Times last week, one of the man’s relatives stated that he recently returned to Guyana after living in Venezuela for over 20 years. She said that on June 6, Williams left home to go to work, but never returned.

However, after he did not return home, relatives launched a search and visited a few places he normally frequented, but to no avail.

According to the relative, on June 8 when they heard that a body was retrieved from the canal, they had no idea that it was him until Sunday when Police arrived at their home with a photograph of him.

A Post-Mortem Examination (PME) done by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh revealed that Williams died owing to blunt trauma to the head.

14 NEWS FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Gangsterism, crookery, deceit of APNU/AFC cause delays – Jagdeo in the elections.

“When the Chair made it clear that she had no jurisdiction to annul the elections, now that it is approaching the declaration stage; through their instrument Lowenfield and others, they have now approached the Court of Appeal in a disguised elections petition, hoping to thwart the will of the people,” he added.

Technicality

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

A

fter waiting for more than 100 days for election results to be officially declared, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday said that the David Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) has used gangsterism, crookery, and deceit in its attempts to rig the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Jagdeo, who is also the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), on Thursday afternoon, following another episode of drama at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), said that by now all of Guyana knew that the PPP/Civic has convincingly won the elections, based on the verified results of the Caricom-supervised national recount.

He explained that “multiple attempts at rigging the elections have played out through various personalities and through various activities”, but assured supporters that the Party would

not relent in its efforts to ensure that the will of the people was respected.

He lamented during a virtual media engagement that many citizens were wondering why was it that even though the results of the elections were widely known and accepted by all international and local observers, that after more than 100 days since the elections were held, the duly-elected Government was yet to be sworn in.

“The simple answer is the gangsterism, crookery of APNU/AFC, and the deceit that they have practised from the beginning, through Mingo’s inflation of numbers in their favour,” Jagdeo highlighted.

The PPP General Secretary said that when those efforts by Mingo failed to secure a win for the coalition, it then changed its narrative and moved to the Commission to pressure the Chairperson to annul the elections based on its unsubstantiated claims that dead and migrated persons voted

Referring to a statement

by AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan, Jagdeo highlighted that the coalition is hoping that somehow, “based on a technicality and possibly a favourable ruling of the Court, they can be declared the winner… not based on the elections, not based on the number of votes that people got, but on the basis of a technicality”.

“You can’t win elections on a technicality,” the former President argued.

Jagdeo related that citizens were anxiously hoping that the results would have been declared, paving the way for PPP/C’s Dr Irfaan Ali to be officially sworn in as Guyana’s ninth Executive President.

CEO Lowenfield on Thursday flouted his constitutional responsibility, which required him to submit his report of the results of the March 2 General and Regional Elections, as directed by the GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

The Commission was expected to meet on Thursday after being in receipt of the CEO’s report and then proceed to make an official declaration.

Caretaker President David Granger

However, the Commission was unable to do so as the CEO did not submit his report, and also with the absence of APNU/AFCappointed Commissioners Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman, there was no quorum for the meeting to proceed.

Several stakeholders have expressed that this latest move by the APNU/AFC coalition is an abuse of the court process and another blatant attempt to prevent the official declaration of the results which would see the PPP/C forming the next Government.

Region 9 severely affected by flooding

Several areas under water in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo)(CDC photos)

T

he Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has mobilised resources, and is on standby to offer support to Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo), which have been experiencing adverse effects from heavy rainfall over the past few days.

According to Head of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, at this time, Region Nine is the most severely affected, with flooding in several communities while several others are on the watchlist for possible evacuation.

Lethem Town Clerk Keisha Vincent said the level of the Takutu River was rap-

idly increasing and it has inundated the bridge between Lethem and the Tabatinga Housing Scheme. She noted that floodwaters in the village were estimated to be between four and five feet high and 15 households have been directly affected.

Meanwhile, the Lethem to Hiawa Village road and the surroundings of the Lethem Market have been submerged and residents of Mango Grove are on standby to be evacuated if floodwaters continue to rise.

Additionally, the inundation of the Manari Bridge has resulted in large vehicles being prohibited from entry to Lethem until the water recedes, while small trucks and pedestrians are being asked to detour.

In Region Six, reports have indicated that 30 households have been affected in Number 47 Village, 40 in Number 19 Village, and 60 in Swamp Area, Rose Hall.

The regional chairpersons are monitoring the situation in their respective regions and are in contact with the CDC. Residents who are experiencing flooding during this period can contact the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) 24-Hour Hotline Service on 623-1700 and 600-7500 for assistance.

Residents are also being asked to pay heed to flood warnings issued by the Hydrometeorological Office and to take all preventative measures.

NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

15

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC supporter seeking injunction to halt elections declaration

…case a legal frivolity – Nandlall

I

n a new turn of events in the protracted electoral process, a supporter of the caretaker A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Coalition has moved to the Court of Appeal seeking a series of orders to block the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from moving ahead with the declaration of the final results from the March 2 elections.

The legal action was filed by Attorney Mayo Robertson on behalf of APNU/AFC supporter Eslyn David of Pike Street, North Sophia, Georgetown. It named Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield; GECOM Chair (retired) Justice Claudette Singh; the Guyana Elections Commission, and Attorney General of Guyana as respondents.

The Court is being asked to make a declaration that GECOM has failed to “determine a final credible count and/or the credibility of the results of the General and Regional Elections” in accordance with Order No. 60 of 2020 and the amended Order dated the 29th day of May, 2020.

David also wants the court to issue an order for an interpretation of the words “more votes are cast” in Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution.

Already, Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate Dr Irfaan Ali has been deemed, according to Article

177(2) (b), the President-elect of Guyana, given that the party has secured the most votes at the March 2 polls.

Article 177 (2) (b) states: “… where there are two or more Presidential candidates, if more votes are cast in favour of the list in which a person is designated as Presidential candidate than in favour of any other list, that Presidential candidate shall be deemed to be elected President and shall be so declared by the Chairman of the Elections Commission…”

Moreover, the Coalition supporter is also asking the court for an Order restraining the CEO from “complying with the Direction of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission…to submit to the Guyana Elections Commission an Elections Report under Article 177 (2) ( b) of the Constitution of Guyana [and under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act] without the Guyana Elections Commission determining the final credible count and/ or the credibility of the General and Regional Elections…”

The Coalition supporter also wants an Order restraining the CEO from submitting to GECOM his elections report which contains votes that are not valid and credible within the meaning of Order No. 60 of 2020, and under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act.

The Notice of Motion was served on the CEO before 13:00h on Thursday – the deadline that he was given by the GECOM Chair to submit his final elections report. GECOM Spokeswoman Yolanda Ward told reporters, “The Notice restrains the CEO from complying with the directions of the Chairperson, and as a consequence, a report was not submitted.”

However, several legal luminaries have argued that there was no order or injunction obtained from the court to stop the Elections Commission from proceeding with receiving the CEO’s report, thus paving the way for the declaration, which would see the PPP/C being named the winner of the 2020 elections by over 15,416 votes.

Frivolous and vexatious

In fact, former Attorney General and PPP/C Executive, Anil Nandlall, said the legal action raises no serious questions of law and is “absolutely frivolous and vexatious”. He added that it will be dismissed.

“This is a nuisance-value litigation. It has absolutely no prospects of success… It is filed by one lawyer, who hardly has a practice in Guyana. It must be ignored by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The nation’s important business cannot be stalled on the basis of such legal frivolities. It confirms APNU/

CORONAVIRUS

(COVID-19) INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

AFC’s pandemonium!” Nandlall asserted.

He surmised that this litigation is simply designed to stall the declaration process, and must be rejected by GECOM. “The Chairperson, an experienced former Court of Appeal Judge, would clearly see it for what it is: specious, wholly without merit, and an abuse of the process of the Court,” he contended.

Moreover, Nandlall told the Guyana Times that by moving to the Appeal Court, which has special jurisdiction, the applicant is trying to us to judiciary to commit a coup, since they are attempting to shortcut the legal provisions to deal with such matters, that is, via an elections petition which has to be filed in the High Court after the swearing-in

of the new Government.

“They don’t want to do that. They want to stay in the Government, so they are trying to circumvent that procedural and legal pathway. So now they wrongly invoke this special process in the Court of Appeal and are seeking reliefs that can only be claimed in an elections petition. All these issues concatenate to question the validity of the elections process, but this can only be done by way of an elections petition,” the former AG pointed out.

Nevertheless, he noted that the PPP/C has been joined in the proceedings, and was further informed by the court to attend today’s hearing at 13:30h, and must have their submissions prepared.

SYMPTOMS

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

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

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

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

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

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

Muscle pain

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

16 NEWS FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

distributes cleaning Teen’s body pulled CDC supplies to flood-affected from Berbice River communities in Region 6 – family suspects foul play

Undertakers removing the body on Thursday evening

T

he body of a teenager whose face was mutilated beyond recognition was pulled from the Berbice River on Thursday morning, more than 12 hours after she had been reported missing.

The dead teenager has been identified as 17-yearold Melissa Shomia of Lot 58 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne).

Based on information gathered, the now dead teen was last seen on Wednesday evening, travelling with a male workmate in a small boat. After some time had elapsed, the male worker had returned to shore without the teen, and had claimed she had jumped overboard.

On Thursday morning, the teen’s body was discovered floating in the vicinity of De Veldt, some 50 miles up the Berbice River.

At the time of the discovery, the face had been mutilated beyond recognition, but identification was determined by the clothes with which the body was clad.

Guyana Times understands that the right hand no flesh, mere bones were seen.

From left: REO of Region Six Kim William-Stephens, CDC Senior Response Officer, Captain Salim October and Regional Chairman David Armogan

exercise. So, these cleaning supplies will also not only respond to the attendant issue of flooding but will also help to sanitise residences and by extension address some concerns with COVID-19”.

Captain October used the opportunity to remind residents to practise the necessary precautions – of elevating items off their floors, unplugging electronics and ensuring drains are clean – to protect their homes from flooding during this rainy season.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman David Armogan disclosed that he made contact with the agency after receiving calls about flooding in several areas in the region including Number 47 Village, Whim and Manchester.

The Chairman thanked

T

The male co-worker of the now dead teen being taken into custody

Upon making this gruesome discovery, the teen’s father, Paul Shomia, explained that from all indications, it looked as if his daughter’s head had been set on fire.

“It doesn’t look like fish eat her face; it is too black, and the whole one side hand the flesh gone from it.”

The grieving father said.

He added that the teen’s body was identified by the leggings with which it was clad and by the body structure.

The teenager, according to reports gathered, had left home three months ago to take up work at a bar. The mother of a 2-year-old son had

not made contact with her parents since leaving home.

Her mother, Shondell Cobena, noted that her daughter was living with her boyfriend and the suspect in the same house at De Veldt, and as such, she suspected that her daughter was murdered.

The teen’s father is urging the Police to conduct a thorough investigation. “It doesn’t look like she drowned, to me.

I think is a murder,” he told this publication.

The teen’s body was taken to the Arokium Funeral Parlour to await a post mortem.

he Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Thursday handed over a number of cleaning hampers to the municipality of Rose Hall Town and the Region Six Regional Democratic Council, Region to distribute to households affected by flooding due to the heavy rainfall.

Senior Response Officer, Captain Salim October told Department of Public Information (DPI) that the agency partners closely with regional officials as part of the Regional Disaster Risk Management system to assist residents who are affected by disasters.

“We are responding to the flooding situation which we had in Region 6 as a result of continuous rainfall associated with the current weather pattern,’ October said.

He noted also the supplies which included disinfectants, wipes and other cleaning agents will also support sanitisation efforts

CDC Senior Response Officer, Captain Salim October presents cleaning hampers to the Town Clerk of Rose Hall Town, Natasha Griffith

in dealing with the current global pandemic.

“We trust that it will aid the residents who are engaged in their own cleanup

the agency noting that the timely donation will assist the residents to return their homes to normalcy.

Stranded Guyanese in Caribbean set to arrive today

T

he next repatriation flight, Caribbean Airlines flight BW 3461, is scheduled for today (Friday), and will be bringing home Guyanese stranded in the Caribbean.

Guyana Times was told that that the flight will depart Piarco International Airport in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago and travel to Barbados, before heading to Guyana.

On Tuesday, 48 Guyanese returned home from the United States of America after being stranded in that country for more than four months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another 168 Guyanese were two Wednesdays ago brought home on an Eastern Airlines flight – the third

such repatriation flight.

The two previous flights had departed from Miami International Airport, whereas this Wednesday flight had departed from the JFK Airport in New York.

The National COVID-19 Task Force has approved the controlled re-entry of ap-

proximately 300 Guyanese through the nation’s international airports, provided they followed a series of strict guidelines, including securing a negative COVID-19 test before travelling to Guyana, and agreeing to self-quarantine on arrival here.

NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

17

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Getting back to normal life after COVID-19

Dr Tariq Jagnarine B.Sc., MD, MMed FAM Medicine, CCFP

W

hile some people are still waiting for things to go “back to normal”, it is becoming increasingly clear to many of us that the world will not be the same once COVID-19 passes, whenever that may be. COVID-19 will not be the end of cities and humanity as some may think.

Nevertheless, it will take time, effort, and preparation to safely return to “normal” as soon as possible. As persons continue to stay at home to flatten the curve so that hospitals are not overwhelmed with unnecessary cases and more people die, we need to be looking ahead to the future. Specifically, we need to focus on our communities in the wake of the pandemic and start planning to safely reopen after the curfew is lifted and safety measures are relaxed.

SOME MEASURES THAT CAN HELP TO REOPEN A COMMUNITY OR ORGANISATION The unprecedented nature of the situation means that there are no proven best practices or guidelines. Leaders have a lot of trial and error ahead of them, to figure out what works. Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution, measures still need to be in place to help us transition to the ‘NEW Normal’.

1. Develop a phased timeline A gradual approach allows communities and organisations to prioritize health and safety while taking progressive steps to restore regular operations. It also provides flexibility for regular monitoring and revision of their work plans.

2. Prioritise health and safety Follow the World Health Organisation (WHO), Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) guidance in implementing measures such as:

• Temperature checks at various checkpoints. This method is currently been applied in countries such as China and Scotland with positive results and continued increase in recovery rates.

Temperature checks and health screens are important in helping to identify persons with possible viral infection from COVID-19.

• Personal protective equipment. Use of protective facemask should not be discontinued, since studies show that using the combination of mask, gloves, protective gear and hand washing reduced the SARS virus by 90%.

Additionally, it is important to continue to protect our vulnerable groups within society such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and frontline workers.

• Design for social distancing in public facilities. It is important that schools, places of work, supermarkets, fast food restaurants and any area that houses large gathering of people to put measures in place to reduce crowding and maintain social distancing. Clearly defined demarcation on the floors along with legible and easy to read instructions encouraging patrons to stay 3-6 feet apart should be enforced. More drive thru and delivery services are needed to reduce the need for the congregation of persons.

• Restrict excessive contact. As part of the phased approach, consider how to limit person-to-person contact, monitor the number of visitors, and restrict or prohibit access to certain areas of a facility. Suggesting the use of facemask mandatory before entering any building.

3. Personalised service provision Each organisation whether public or private that provides a service needs to put appropriate measures in place to help screen persons, these include: temperature checks, health checks, health screens, design for social distancing, protective gear for employees and protective gear for participants.

4. The remote era is upon us Anyone who can is working remotely today. Moreover, while this will not necessarily be the case forever, a study in the United Kingdom found that nearly half of employees are expected to go back to limited flexibility once lockdown ends. It is a near certainty that remote work is going to be more widespread than it was before the pandemic. This reduces excessive contact with other possible infected persons while at the same time getting work done. The situation we are experiencing now is far from normal and requires adap-

tation, flexibility and new ways of communication and collaboration through remote workstations.

5. Focus on Employees Mental Health COVID-19 is bringing into sharp focus the importance of maintaining the mental health of the workforce. Experts anticipate a substantial increase in the prevalence of mental health concerns.

A recent JAMA study predicts increased “anxiety and depression, substance use, loneliness, and domestic violence; and with schools closed, there is a very real possibility of an epidemic of child abuse.”

Employers cannot afford to sit back and hope that their employees are not affected or that they will be able to manage everything on their own. For the workforce to stay engaged and productive, people need to be healthy. Employers both public and private need more than ever to support their staff in this new reality, introduce initiatives that focus on mental and physical wellbeing, open lines of support, and reinforce frequent and open communication.

6. Adopt a flux mind-set A flux mind-set demands that we make plans with the assumption that those plans will change.

Rather than not making plans at all, this means getting used to continuous change as the new default.

This will allow people to be better positioned to navigate the weeks and months ahead far better than those who are simply waiting for the whole situation to be over.

7. Turn homes into good workplaces The current crisis also draws attention to employers’ responsibilities when it comes to providing their remote workers with the tools they need to work effectively at home. To make sure employees are working in good conditions, employers should expand their definition of the workplace to officially include the home office and make sure their teams have all the

necessary tools, equipment, and moral support they need to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing.

Communities are currently being pressured and tested to the extreme with the coronavirus pandemic. Simultaneously, an underlying health crisis, social crisis, and economic crisis, COVID-19 is laying bare how well cities are planned and managed. Its impact is showing the extent to which each community is able to function effectively especially during times of crisis. COVID-19 is a massive challenge for all countries, developed and underdeveloped alike.

The measures taken to control the spread of the virus are having massive implications on these due to their economic structure; their preparedness for such a crisis, especially the state of their public health and service delivery systems; and the extent to which their population’s health and livelihoods are vulnerable.

Much of any country’s economy, like Guyana and other developing countries is based on services provided and the creative economy, which are structured around people-to-people interactions.

Creative industries, the arts, travel, tourism, sports events, entertainment industries and the startup scene have started feeling the impact of COVID-19 deeply. In addition, the inability to engage with others in an urban environment and the cancelation of events and the resulting impact on services takes a toll on people’s mental health.

The course of urbanisation and the age of cities will not alter due to this crisis. Innovation, creativity and capital will keep gravitating and drawing people towards cities. People will keep having a continuous need for a community and each other. Digitalization will offer new solutions that will make the global community of cities even more interconnected.

US sees nearly 10 Indian soldiers reportedly released by China 700 more C virus deaths in 24 hours

T

he United States lost another 687 people to the new coronavirus in the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 pm Thursday, according a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

It marks the eighth day in which the daily toll from the virus has been fewer than 1,000, even as the US remains the country hardest-hit by the pandemic with a total of 118,381 deaths out of a total of 2,187,876 official cases.

Some 20 states have seen a rebound in infections as the epicentre of the country's outbreak has moved from New York and the country's Northeast to the South and West.

But the White House's chief infectious disease expert said Thursday he does not think new widespread containment measures will be necessary.

"I don't think we're going to be talking about going back to lockdown," said Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, when asked if some states should re-issue stay-at-home orders.

"I think we're going to be talking about trying to better control those areas of the country that seem to be having a surge of cases." (AFP)

hina has freed 10 Indian soldiers following a deadly clash between the two sides on Monday, according to Indian media reports.

The Hindu newspaper, quoting military sources, said those released included a lieutenant-colonel and three majors.

The Indian government has not confirmed the news, nor confirmed that any of its troops were missing.

The fight in the Galwan Valley left at least 20 Indian soldiers dead and raised tensions between the two powers.

China did not acknowledge any casualties among its forces, while at least 76 Indian soldiers were injured. Both sides accused the other of an incursion.

The border between the two nations in the region is poorly demarcated and can shift with topographical changes.

According to Shiv Aroor, a senior editor at India Today, the release of the Indian troops formed a key point of negotiations between the two sides on Wednesday. The news comes

The cremation ceremony for one of the Indian soldiers killed took place on Thursday

after an image emerged on Thursday of the crude weapons reportedly used in the fight.

The photograph, which appears to show iron rods studded with nails, was passed to the BBC by a senior Indian military official on the IndiaChina border, who said the weapons had been used by the Chinese.

Defence analyst Ajai Shukla, who first tweeted the image, described the use of such weapons as "barbarism".

The absence of firearms in the clash dates back to a 1996 agreement between the two

sides that guns and explosives be prohibited along the disputed stretch of the border, to deter escalation.

The image was widely shared on Twitter in India, prompting outrage from many social media users. Neither Chinese or Indian officials have commented on it.

Media reports said troops clashed on ridges at a height of nearly 4,300m (14,000 ft) on steep terrain, with some soldiers falling into the fast-flowing Galwan river in sub-zero temperatures.

The two sides have brawled

along the disputed border in recent weeks, but Monday's clash was the first to lead to fatalities in at least 45 years.

Unconfirmed reports in Indian media said at least 40 Chinese soldiers died, but China is yet to issue any information about casualties.

Indian officials said all of their soldiers involved in the clash have been accounted for, following reports some were missing.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said India had crossed the border twice, "provoking and attacking Chinese personnel, resulting in serious physical confrontation between border forces on the two sides", the AFP news agency reported.

China on Wednesday claimed "sovereignty over the Galwan Valley region" - a claim rebutted by India as "exaggerated and untenable". Members of the public in both nations have since staged protests over the clashes in the disputed Himalayan border area, while officials have spoken cautiously and moved towards a diplomatic resolution. (BBC)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

Regional

slaps sanctions on Mexican Brazil: Bolsonaro's crisis US firms, individuals linked deepens with arrest of ally to Venezuelan oil trade A T

former aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's eldest son has been arrested as part of an investigation into alleged corruption.

Fabrício Queiroz is suspected of being part of a scheme to embezzle the salaries of phantom employees in the Rio de Janeiro assembly when Flávio Bolsonaro was a state lawmaker.

He had been on the run, but was arrested at a property of a personal lawyer to the Bolsonaro family near São Paulo.

Flávio Bolsonaro denies any wrongdoing.

The case could be embarrassing for the far-right president, who came to office in January 2019 after running on an anti-corruption campaign and promising to be tough on crime.

President Bolsonaro is already facing an investigation into an alleged attempt to interfere with the Police, and has seen some allies being targeted by a separate inquiry over an alleged fake news scheme.

The political crisis has deepened as the coronavirus

President Jair Bolsonaro was elected on an anti-corruption platform

continues to spread across Brazil, which has now the world's second-highest number of cases – over 955,000 – and deaths, more than 46,500. Bolsonaro, who initially described the virus as a "little flu", has been heavily criticised for his handling of the outbreak.

Brazilian authorities identified 1.2 million reais (US$220,000 in current figures) in bank transactions in an account belonging to

Queiroz between 2016 and 2017, when Flávio Bolsonaro was a Rio state lawmaker.

State Prosecutors say 54-year-old Queiroz – a former policeman and ex-driver to Flávio – ran a scheme involving phantom employees in Flávio's office. They allege that part of the salaries was diverted, with the proceeds being laundered through a chocolate shop franchise and two flats. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Iconic Amazon chief dies of coronavirus

Paulinho Paiakan was a chief of the Kayapó people

O

ne of the best-known Indigenous defenders of the Amazon rainforest has died with coronavirus in Brazil, where the disease continues its rapid spread.

Paulinho Paiakan, chief of the Kayapó people, came to international attention in the 1980s in the fight against Belo Monte, one of the world's largest dams.

He was around 65.

COVID-19 has hit Brazil's vulnerable Indigenous com-

munities hard.

The country is among the world's worst affected, and the outbreak is believed to be weeks away from its peak.

Brazil has the second-highest numbers of infections – over 955,000 – and deaths, more than 46,500, after the US. Paiakan was one of the most important indigenous voices during Brazil's return to democracy in the 1980s, and helped lead the campaign for the creation of large indig-

enous reserves in the Amazon.

Alongside Kayapó chief Raoni and musician Sting, he brought attention to the impact of the construction of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam on the Xingu river, in the Amazon. After many hurdles, a modified project was eventually built, and operation started in 2016.

He also fought to expel illegal miners and loggers from Indigenous areas.

But his image was stained in 1992, after a student accused him of rape, a case that had worldwide repercussions.

His allies argued the claim was fabricated to tarnish Paiakan's reputation and to silence him.

After a long legal process, he was sentenced to six years in jail in 1998, but served only part of it under house arrest on his Indigenous reserve in the northern state of Pará. His wife was found guilty of assisting him in the attack. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Cuba to ratify regional commitment at ACS ministerial meeting

C

uba's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Rogelio Sierra ratified on Thursday Cuba's commitment to the Region at the preparatory meeting for the 25th Regular Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

“Only unity and joint cooperation will allow us to face the current challenges,” tweeted the diplomat, specifying that in the virtual meeting today, the island will reaffirm its will-

ingness to cooperation.

Sierra highlighted the role of the ACS as a regional and international benchmark for collaboration among peoples and governments, which is reinforced in the current fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Association has shown that together we can manage to face any threat, said the Deputy Minister, who recognised on Twitter Barbados' role as leading the body's Council of Ministers.

Current challenges

demonstrate the importance of the ACS as a body of consultation, agreement and cooperation to advance the unity and integration of the Greater Caribbean, he added in another message.

Cuba's Foreign Ministry informed that it would participate in the 25th Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the ACS, to exchange information on actions in the fields of tourism, trade, transport, and prevention and mitigation of natural disasters.(Prensa Latina)

he United States on Thursday blacklisted Mexican company Libre Abordo and a related firm, accusing them of helping Caracas evade US sanctions in the first formal action taken by the US Treasury Department against Mexican companies involved in trading Venezuelan oil.

The Treasury said in a statement it imposed sanctions on three individuals, eight foreign entities, and two vessels for activities related to a network attempting to skirt US sanctions on Venezuela aimed at pressuring leftist President Nicolás Maduro.

Among those blacklist-

ed were Mexico-based Libre Abordo and related Schlager Business Group, as well as their co-owners, Olga Maria Zepeda Esparza and Veronica Esparza Garcia.

The Treasury also targeted Mexican Joaquin Leal Jimenez, accusing him of having worked with Alex Saab, recently arrested in Cape Verde, Libre Abordo and Schlager Business Group for brokering the resale of millions of barrels of Venezuelan crude.

“Leal is the critical conduit between Libre Abordo, Schlager Business Group, and their owners, and PDVSA and Saab.

Leal has been coordinating the purchase and sale

of Venezuelan-origin crude oil from PDVSA,” Treasury said.

Leal did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Libre Abordo said its lawyers will evaluate the Treasury’s decision, which it said wrongly linked the firm to unrelated entities.

“Our exchange of humanitarian aid with Venezuela should not be subject of sanctions,” Libre Abordo told Reuters in a statement.

The sanctions freeze any US assets of the individuals and entities, and generally prohibit Americans from dealing with them. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Deportee scolds Jamaican Govt

A

Jamaican man who was deported from the United States 16 years ago is insisting that the Government there accepts responsibility for some of the crimes perpetrated by people involuntarily sent back to the country, following the shooting death of two Policemen last week, allegedly by a deportee.

Charlie Brown, who served in the United States military but was sent back to Jamaica in January 2004, made the point in an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Monday, three days after the killing of Detective Corporal Dane Biggs and Constable DeCardo Hylton, and the serious wounding of two oth-

er cops, allegedly by Damion Hamilton, who was deported from Canada in 2017.

Brown, who is also a former Jamaica Constabulary Force member, said the Government has failed to help reintegrate deportees into society, leaving several who have no ties to the island to the mercy of criminal elements.

According to Brown, in most instances, people being deported to the island should be readily presented with a taxpayer registration number (TRN) and a national identification card.

He said those who are found to have no ties to the island or have committed a criminal offence in the coun-

try they are being deported from must be assisted through a halfway house.

A halfway house is a centre for rehabilitating former prisoners, psychiatric patients, or others unused to non-institutional life.

The advantage of this, he argued, is the benefit the Government has of being better able to monitor those returning.

The 56-year-old, who told the Observer that he was wrongfully detained and arrested for 40 months in the US before being sent back to the island, said the Government seems far removed from the issues facing deportees. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Former T&T Minister denies switching to PNM

F

ormer Trade Minister Vasant Bharath is denying he has switched political allegiance from the United National Congress (UNC) to the People’s National Movement (PNM).

Bharath, who is part of the Government’s roadmap to economic recovery committee, was forced to defend his loyalty to his party after a video was circulated on social media. It showed him standing behind his former Cabinet colleague, now contender for the Moruga Tableland seat for the PNM Winston Gypsy Peters. Peters appeared to be campaigning.

However, Bharath – a former UNC Member of Parliament and Minister – took to Facebook to dismiss the circulation of the video as pure mischief.

“Friends," he wrote, "there appears to be a lot of mischief making in the cooking pot as the election fire heats up. There is currently a video doing the rounds suggesting that I am campaigning for the PNM in the Moruga/ Tableland Constituency.

Former Trade Minister Vasant Bharath

“Nothing could be further from the truth.”

He explained his visit to Moruga last Friday was solely to meet with the Tableland Pineapple Farmers on how they could use the Moruga agro- processing facility.

“Mr Winston Peters turned up as a guest of the president and addressed the farmers.”

Before the 2015 General Election, Peters left the UNC, after serving as

Culture Minister in the PP Administration under Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar.

He has recently joined the PNM and has been selected to contest the seat previously held by Dr Lovell Francis, Minister in the Ministry of Education.

Bharath said over 50 farmers can attest to his presence at the meeting and his reason for being there. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS Oil prices finish higher as OPEC+ looks to make up for missed output-cut targets

C

rude-oil prices finished higher on Thursday after major producers at an Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)-led meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) stressed the importance of full compliance with pledged production cuts and made moves to ensure that certain countries make up for failing to fully meet their reduction targets last month.

The JMMC, which monitors compliance with OPEC output quotas, held its gathering via video-conference Thursday, with technical difficulties preventing a livestream of the meeting.

Earlier this month, the OPEC and its allies, a group known as OPEC+, agreed to extend cuts of 9.7 million barrels per day to July and monitor compliance to those reduction efforts monthly.

In a press release Thursday, the JMMC pegged its compliance with those production cuts at 87 per cent in the month of May. It reiterated the importance of all participating countries reach 100 per cent of their pledged cuts and that they make up for any previous shortfalls in the upcoming months of July, August, and September.

The Committee said Iraq and Kazakhstan have already submitted “compensations schedules”, and other “underperforming participants” will have until June 22 to submit their schedules for compensation.

“The big news is that Iraq and Kazakhstan will over comply to cuts,” which is a sign that OPEC+ will continue to work together, Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at The Price Futures Group, told MarketWatch. “Now that Saudi Arabia and Russia have convinced Iraq and Kazakhstan to over comply, we should see overall compliance to the world’s biggest production cut go to over 100 per cent in the next few weeks.”It also means that there is a very good chance that the JMMC will extend the cuts beyond July, said Flynn.

The JMMC scheduled its next meeting for July 15.

On Thursday, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for July delivery, the US benchmark, climbed 88 cents, or 2.3 per cent, to settle at US$38.84 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Global benchmark Brent oil for August delivery picked up 80 cents, or two per cent, at US$41.51 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe.

Meanwhile, energy demand remains in question as several US states have seen a record number of new COVID-19 cases and a new outbreak in Beijing led the Chinese capital city to shut schools and cancel commercial flights.

“The news had traders wondering about a potential new second wave of the [COVID-19] virus,” said Flynn, in a Thursday report.

“They feared that what had been an impressive comeback in global energy demand could be thwarted.” (Excerpt from MarketWatch)

Jean Kennedy Smith: Last JFK sibling and US envoy dies aged 92

Jean Kennedy Smith

J

ean Kennedy Smith, a US envoy who played a key role in Northern Ireland peace process, has died aged 92.

Her daughter Kym confirmed her death to US media on Thursday.

Smith was the second youngest of the nine Kennedy siblings, who included President John F Kennedy and Senator Robert F Kennedy.

A diplomat, activist and humanitarian, Smith was the last-surviving child of Joseph P Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald.

Smith served as the US Ambassador to Ireland in the 1990s, playing an important

role in attempts to end sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.

On Thursday, Mick Mulvaney, US special envoy to Northern Ireland, said: "Ambassador Smith played a critical role in advancing peace in Northern Ireland, leveraging deep personal empathy and courage.

"We join with colleagues and friends to offer condolences to her family on her passing."

In 2011, US President Barack Obama awarded Smith the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour in the country.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Global coronavirus death toll exceeds 450,000

M

ore than 450,000 people have died as a result of the new coronavirus, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

Over 8.4 million people have been confirmed to have the new coronavirus around the world and more than four million have recovered.

The United States has the most cases and deaths, followed by Brazil.

Indonesia reported 1331 new coronavirus infections, its biggest daily increase since the outbreak started locally, taking its total number of cases to 42,762.

The World Health

Organisation (WHO) has announced that testing of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in its large multi-country trial of treatments for COVID-19 patients had been halted after new data and studies showed no benefit.

Meanwhile, a person's blood type and other genetic factors may be linked with severity of coronavirus infection, according to European researchers looking for further clues about why COVID-19 hits some so much harder than others.

The findings, published in The New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday,

Over 8.4 million people have been confirmed to have the new coronavirus around the world and more than four million have recovered

suggest people with type A blood have a higher risk of being infected with the

coronavirus and developing worse symptoms.(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Trump's bid to end Obama-era immigration policy ruled unlawful

T

he US Supreme Court has ruled against President Donald Trump's bid to end a programme that protects hundreds of thousands of young immigrants from deportation.

The Justices upheld lower court rulings that found his move to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) programme was "un-

lawful".

It protects "Dreamers", who entered the US without documents as children.

The Trump Administration has sought to end the Obamaera policy since 2017.

The Supreme Court took up the case after lower courts ruled that the Trump Administration did not adequately explain why it was ending the programme, criti-

cising the White House's "capricious" explanations.

On Thursday, the Justices voted 5-4 to uphold the lower courts' findings that the Administration's order violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which says a government action cannot be "arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion or otherwise not in accordance with law" or "unsupported by sub-

stantial evidence".

The ruling, which does not prevent the Trump Administration from continuing in its efforts to end the programme, affects an estimated 700,000 young people who entered the US without documents as children.

President Trump denounced the decision in a series of tweets. (Excerpt from BBC News)

China not forthcoming in Hawaii talks, but made commitment on trade – US diplomat

C

hina’s attitude in talks with the United States this week in Hawaii cannot be described as forthcoming, although it did commit to following through on Phase One of the US-China trade deal, the senior US diplomat for East Asia said on Thursday.

David Stilwell, who spoke after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met China’s top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, in Hawaii on Wednesday, told reporters the next couple of weeks would show whether the talks were productive.

“The PRC (People’s Republic of China) side could not be described as really forthcoming,” said Stilwell.

“Whether or not (they) were productive … look at what comes up in the next couple of weeks. Do we see a reduction in aggressive be-

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (right) speaks as Chinese Communist Party Office of Foreign Affairs Director Yang Jiechi listens as the two countries hold a joint news conference after participating in a second diplomatic and security meeting at the US Department of State, Washington, US, November 9, 2018 (file photo)

haviour or not?”

Stilwell said recent Chinese actions, over India, in the South China Sea and over Hong Kong had not

been constructive. He said Washington looked forward to seeing China reconsider plans to impose new national security legislation on

Hong Kong.

The world’s two largest economies have been at loggerheads over multiple issues and ties have dipped to what many experts see as their lowest ebb in decades in recent months as the coronavirus pandemic that began in China hit the United States hard.

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump who has made rebalancing trade with China a top priority, renewed a threat to cut ties with Beijing.

China’s Foreign Ministry said Yang told Pompeo that Washington needed to respect Beijing’s positions on key issues, halt its interference on matters such as Hong Kong, Taiwan and Xinjiang, and work to repair relations. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Canada hits 100,000 coronavirus cases, major challenges remain

C

anada officially racked up 100,000 cases of the novel coronavirus on Thursday and although the outbreak is slowing, health experts said major challenges remain.

Authorities admit they were not prepared for how fast the virus ripped through nursing homes, where more than 80 per cent of the deaths occurred.

While the 10 provinces are slowly reopening their econ-

omies, major restrictions remain in place in Montreal and Toronto, Canada’s two biggest cities.

“We haven’t done brilliantly, we’ve done acceptably,” said Dr Camille Lemieux, University of Toronto epidemiologist and Head of the COVID-19 testing centre at the city’s University Health Network, adding the outbreak was “a very big wakeup call” about shortfalls in a fragmented healthcare sys-

tem.

Canada has recorded at least 8266 deaths, in 12th place worldwide, according to data compiled by Reuters.

Meanwhile, China has found the trading sections for meat and seafood in Beijing’s wholesale food market to be severely contaminated with the new coronavirus and suspects the area’s low temperature and high humidity may have been contributing factors, officials said on

Thursday.

Their preliminary report comes as the country’s capital tackles a resurgence of COVID-19 cases over the past week linked to the massive Xinfadi food centre, which houses warehouses and trading halls in an area the size of nearly 160 soccer pitches.

The latest outbreak infected more than 100 people and raised fears of wider contagion in China. (Excerpts from Reuters)

20

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

Your memory will not let you down. An aggressive approach to getting what you want will help to speed up the process. A commitment someone makes will please you.

Offer something in return.

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

Say what's on your mind and get on with your life. It's time to make a change that will get you back on track.

Revisit your dreams, hopes and wishes.

(March 21April 19)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

A change of pace will perk you up and encourage you to try doing things differently. Enjoy the moment while you turn a challenge into an adventure. Expand your mind.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Coordinate with an organization that helps those in need. Your input and vitality will inspire others to contribute to a worthy cause. Don't let an unexpected change bring you down.

PEANUTS

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Added discipline will help you reach your goal.

Fitness, better health and improving meaningful relationships are encouraged.

The changes you make will alter the way you live and what you do.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Keep an open mind, but don't feel you have to give in to someone who is playing emotional mind games with you. Change begins with you, not with someone else.

Put your energy into personal growth, self-improvement, fitness, health and educational pursuits.

Keep up with technology, and you'll find a way to use your skills productively.

Don't be fooled by what someone else is professing to do. Dance to your beat, and you'll find the path that leads to peace of mind.

Avoid joint ventures.

Do something beautiful SAGITTARIUS for someone you love. Keeping (Nov. 23the peace will make your life Dec. 21) easier. Compromise when necessary and avoid getting into an unnecessary argument.

Physical fitness is encouraged.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) LAST PUBLISHED WORD

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Use your imagination, intelligence and experience to make your life and surroundings better. Do the work yourself and save money. An unexpected gain is heading your way.

Spend more time with the one you love. Challenging times will bring you closer together. Working toward a common domestic goal will add to your comfort and ease stress.

Protect against injury and illness. Abide by the rules and don't take a risk that can leave you in a precarious position. Use your intuition and intelligence to keep you safe.

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

21

− at growing depth in team’s Test side comments about being a wicketkeeperbatter, and also said he wants to keep his options open for any other routes into the team, such as playing as a specialist batsman, which of course he has done," Smith said.

"I think that's absolutely in line with the conversations I've had with him, during which we've emphasised the more routes he has into the team, the better for him. That doesn't mean to say there's anything wrong with pursuing one goal more than another. We have very strong depth in wicketkeeper-batters.

“On the last selected tour, obviously the two wicketkeeperbatsmen were Jos Buttler and Ben Foakes. Jonny's also played this winter as a specialist batter in that one Test match (in South Africa, when he played as an injury replacement for Ollie Pope). Beyond that, I wouldn't speculate," Smith said.

England will name a Test squad plus a number of reserves following the practice match in Southampton. How many players will be kept on for the three-Test series is still to be confirmed, but the three county coaches seconded to the management team - Lancashire's Glenn Chapple, Gloucestershire's Richard Dawson and Kent's Matt Walker are likely to remain with the squad throughout the series.

"We will name a Test squad in something like the normal way; it might be a little bit bigger than normal," said Smith. "Then there'll probably be some reserves that stay with us too. I expect it will be a little bit less than 30, but we're not exactly clear how many players we'll want or need at this stage, and we will be adaptive and nimble and make sure we have all the bases covered," Smith explained.

Smith also confirmed that decisions about which of England's multi-format players -- such as Ben Stokes, Bairstow and Buttler -might play white-ball cricket later in the summer had not yet been made. "That hasn't come up at this point," he confirmed. "At the moment, we are just preparing to get ready for the Windies as a group, and we will come to the white ball prep and make an announcement in due course."(Cricbuzz)

E

ngland's Chief Selector Ed Smith is "very excited" about what he believes is a growing depth in the Test squad. His comments come after a promising red-ball winter for the full Test side and the England Lions.

A young Test team that was shorn of James Anderson, Jack Leach, Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali and Rory Burns beat South Africa 3-1 at the start of the year; while the Lions’ second string team also had a successful tour of Australia, the highlight of which was a first-ever fourday victory - by nine wickets - over ‘Australia A’ in February at the MCG. A number of players involved in that Lions trip were named alongside many of England's established Test players in a 30-man training group that would assemble in Southampton on June 23 for two weeks' preparation ahead of the West Indies Test series next month.

With eight uncapped players involved, that group would be whittled down into a formal England squad ahead of the first Test, which begins at the Ageas Bowl on July 8.

"I actually am very excited about what I am seeing!" Smith said.

"I go back to that Lions’ experience to watch how England played at the MCG, to watch how England played throughout that tour; England Lions, that is. There are some exciting players coming through and some people with the character who have a good fit for international cricket,” he declared."That's also something we saw in South Africa.

England played a very young side at Cape Town, (with) five people 24-or-younger, (and) we saw how well they did. I arrived for that Cape Town Test, and you sensed very clearly the energy and the dynamism of those young players.

“Their ambition, their determination, that's what we are looking for in the next generation of England players. We believe there are some good ones coming through."

An intra-squad three-day practice match will be held during the pre-series training camp. Although Smith said selection for the final Test squad would be based on a "general picture" rather than on oneoff performances in that game - suggesting a Dan Lawrence hundred or an Ollie Robinson five-for would not suddenly catapult them into the Test side –it is nevertheless an opportunity for the younger players to impress."It is a great opportunity for that group of players to join up with an England training group and rub shoulders with the best players in the country," Smith said. "For younger bowlers to bowl at the best batsmen, and for younger batsmen to face the best bowlers, what a fantastic opportunity for them, and (also) for some of them to play in that internal match!

“We are excited about the depth we have in English cricket!"

Smith declared.Of the more established players, Moeen Ali has been included in the squad following a winter in which he made himself

S

trike player Timo Werner has agreed personal terms with the Blues, and subject to passing a medical, will join them in July after the German league season ends.

Werner, 24, who joined Leipzig from Stuttgart in 2016, has so far scored 32 goals in all competitions this season.

"I am delighted to be signing for Chelsea,” the German international said. “It is a proud moment for me to be joining this great club."

Known for his pace and his ability to play as a winger, Werner thanked the club and fans at Leipzig, and said they "would always be in my heart".

His July move also confirms that Werner would not play for Leipzig in the Champions League quarter-finals in August.

Ed Smith and Joe Root

unavailable for Test cricket in order to refresh and reset.

"He's a valued member of the England set-up, and across formats, he's been a significant contributor," Smith said. "In a number of conversations over the winter and also more recently, Moeen has indicated he wants to be considered for selection in all formats. That's good news!

"One thing I've always felt as a selector is that it's always good news if you increase the talent pool. Whether that's Adil Rashid returning to Test cricket or Moeen Ali saying he's available for Test cricket again, or whoever it might be; as a selector, we always want the most amount of talent to pick from. So, we're pleased Moeen is available again," Smith declared.Jonny Bairstow, who asked to be left out of the Test squad for the aborted tour to Sri Lanka in order that he might rest and recharge, has also been included in the 30man group. Bairstow said on Tuesday (June 16) that he still harbours ambitions of regaining the wicket-keeping role in Test cricket, after Jos Buttler was given the job for the winter. ears that, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Smith emphasised that Bairstow strict health protocols could deter the biggest would also be considered as a names in tennis from competing at this year’s specialist batsman.

US Open were somewhat allayed on Wednesday "Jonny obviously made his when Serena Williams confirmed her participation in that event, which will be played in New York.

During a United States Tennis Association (USTA) news conference called to announce that its marquee tournament will be played from August 31 to September 13 without fans, Williams, in a video message, said she misses the excitement of competition. “Ultimately, I really cannot wait to return to New York and play the US Open 2020,” the seven-times champion said. “I feel like the USTA is going to do a really good job of ensuring everything is amazing, and everything is perfect, and everyone is safe.” A number of top players, including world number one players Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Ashley Barty of Australia, along with reigning US Open men’s champion Rafa Nadal, are among those who have expressed concerns about attending the US Open.

One sticking point is the number of support staff a player can bring on site, which the USTA has said it is still trying to sort out. The decision will impact the upper echelon of players, who typically travel to events with a coach, hitting

US Open 2020 tennis season…

F

Timo Werner (left) joined RB Leipzig from his hometown club Stuttgart in 2016

He also said: "I look forward to next season with my new team-mates, my new manager, and of course the Chelsea fans. Together we have a successful future ahead of us."

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia has said the club is "excited" to have one of Europe's "most coveted

players" heading to Stamford Bridge. "He has that rare mix of being young and exciting and yet established and proven," she declared.

Werner is Chelsea's second signing for next season, after completing a £37m deal for Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech in February.

(BBC Sport)

Serena Williams

p a r t n e r , physiotherapist and fitness guru.

“We understand the needs of athletes,” US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster said during a video conference from the Centre Court at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“We just need to make sure that we navigate physical distancing and ensure that we keep everyone spread out, and also (that) everyone gets the proper training and preparation that they need.”

Allaster also said players who do not want to stay at one of the two designated hotels can rent homes in the New York area, but cannot stay in Manhattan.

Understanding the risk The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home to the US Open, will also host the Western & Southern Open, which is normally held in Ohio from August 22 to August 28. As part of efforts to stem the spread of the virus, testing will be conducted on players before they travel to the United States, and one or two times per week at both events. Daily temperature checks will also be done.

During the US Open, which this year will not include a mixed doubles tournament, players and guests must wear masks when onsite, unless practising or competing. There will be linespersons for matches inside both Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, but none will be on the other courts, where a chair umpire will work with the electronic line-calling system HawkEye Live.Should an athlete test positive, that athlete would be isolated and cared for by a USTA medical professional, who would determine whether treatment can be done at the hotel, or if the individual needs to be hospitalised. “We all go into this understanding the risk and our responsibility,” Allaster said. “As in every year, the health and wellbeing of our athletes, their safety, is paramount to our medical team, and (commitment to that goal) will be unwavering during this event.” (Reuters)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR LEASE Approximately 10,000 sq ft Land. 25 Public Road, Agricola, front and rear access (Perfect for Storage Bond). US $3,000 Neg. (Long Term available).

647-572-3378 / 289-980-2711

FOR SALE Puppies for Sale. Pure-Bred German Shepherd Pups. Vaccinated and Dewormed. 622-0015/220-8559 Mixed-Breed Puppies for Sale.

Contact: Tel- 253-3114/692-0126.

All Tools, Equipment and Accessories for setting up small Brass and Aluminium Foundry. Tel.: 227-1830/227-1813 LAND AND BUILDING: Location!

Location!

Location!Excellent location and proximity situated at ogle airport. Building in good condituoin, Land ¼ acre, Now available at pete’s real estate, Lot 2 george and hadfield street, 2236218 Or 6237805.

SERVICE Washing Machine Repairs.

Mahaicony/Berbice/Corentyne area. 232-0616/638-1829

TAXI SERVICES GR TAXI, 24 HOURS. PHONE: 225-7878, 219-5000, 227-2100

TO RENT Bottom Flat to Rent, Fully Furnished, window/door mesh, grill, Business / Domestic, 25 North Rd. Oronoque St. Bourda. 226-7012

wanted Live in Family Husband – Driving, semi-mechanic, Wife- Sales Person, Tel.: 227-1813/227-1830

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

NOW! NOT RECEIVING YOUR DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES OF THE

GUYANA TIMES

in your area?

Contact our

Circulation Department on

Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55

S

hortly after Alzarri Joseph, on IPL debut, had taken 6 for 12 for Mumbai Indians last year, a reporter asked him why he doesn't show much emotion when he gets a wicket. A little grin usually does the trick, or maybe a small fist bump; no Imran Tahir histrionics. Sometimes you wouldn't even know he has just got someone out.

"I don't really celebrate wickets," Joseph replied. "I celebrate wins." It was a revealing answer.

There has been plenty of hype surrounding Joseph since he burst onto the scene as part of West Indies' Under-19 World Cup-winning squad four years ago. A Test debut followed soon after, accompanied by a heavy dose of expectation; after all, the next great West Indian fast-bowler is long overdue.

It would have been easy then to get carried away with all the compliments and accolades, but Joseph's priorities have remained very much down-to-earth: family, community and team; wins, not wickets.

That Joseph is one of the most exciting fast-bowling talents in world cricket is not in doubt. He has all the right attributes: genuine pace; steep bounce from his 6' 4" frame; lovely shape- away from the right-hander; an action to die for, simultaneously smooth and explosive.

He has already displayed significant improvement during his short career, and there's no reason to think there isn't more to come. If he can stay fit and remain hungry, who knows how much he might achieve?

Although it took a little while for Joseph to realise it, he was always destined to play for the West Indies; at least, according to his grandmother, Eileen.

"I remember my grandmother telling me she always knew that the next person from Antigua to play for the West Indies was going to be me," Joseph tells Cricbuzz. "She was really happy when she got the opportunity to see that."

Eileen is an ardent cricket fan, and used to tell Joseph bedtime stories about the greats of West Indian and Antiguan cricket: Richards, Roberts and Ambrose.

Both his late mother, Sharon, and his father Alva played cricket. Growing up in All Saints, a town smack bang in the middle of Antigua, cricket was a constant in his life. "I would never miss a game in Antigua, once it's being played," Joseph says. "I would always be in the stands watching."

Moreover, he would wake up at 3am to watch Dale Steyn bowl for South Africa, and he would try to pick up some tips from his idol.

In addition to cricket, the importance of family has been a constant theme of Joseph's life. His mother passed away last February, on the second day of the second Test against England. Sharon had been ill for some time, but that didn't make it any less of a shock.

J o s e p h chose to play on, picking up vital wick-

"I remember my grandmother telling me she always knew that the next person from Antigua to play for the West Indies was going to be me" © Getty

ets on the third day. Although he was wracked by grief, he still wanted to be out there, doing his mom proud. His

"I remember my grandmother telling me she always knew that the next person from Antigua to play for the West Indies was going to be me." captain, Jason Holder, dedicated the West Indies' series win to Sharon.

Grief is still there of course, and it’s a daily challenge. Understandably, it's still tough to talk about this loss, so the topic is avoided in conversation.

However, when Joseph dons the maroon cap of the West Indies, thoughts of Sharon and his family are never far away.

"My family is one of my biggest motivations, because they are always behind me," Joseph says. "They look up to me to always do my best and represent them well. When I am playing, I am not just playing for myself; I represent my family, my country, and the whole West Indies," he explained.

Joseph commenced his cricketing career playing for Empire CC, the club for which his father played, but returned to play for his local club in All Saints after a couple of seasons.

"I decided I wanted to play for my village and represent my community," he says. "That's just something you always want to do, represent where you are from."

He didn't really take cricket seriously until he was 14 or so, and re-

alised he might have a talent for the game only when he started playing Under-17s for the Leeward Islands.

"I was bowling pretty quick and started to put in some really hard work," he says. "I was like, 'Okay, this could really be my calling', (so) I decided I was going to put in some extra work,” he explained.

Taking cricket seriously

“It was a pretty quick jump for me,” he said. “From the start of taking cricket seriously at 14 to playing Test cricket at 19, it was just something that you would never think is possible in such a short period of time."

Former West Indian fast bowler Winston Benjamin played a key role in Joseph's rise. When he started working with Benjamin, Joseph used to run up from 35 yards, jump really high, and hurl the ball down the other end. "Wherever it went it went," he declared.

He could swing the ball, but did not know how to control it, so Benjamin helped him make changes to his run-up, wrist position, and delivery stride. It took time, but the improvement was substantial.

"He really put everything together to what you see now, which is my bowling action," Joseph says.

Joseph was a key part of the West Indies' Under-19 World Cup-winning side in 2016, taking 13 wickets at 13.76, with an economy rate of 3.31.

Too quick and too good, his performances prompted Ian Bishop to call for his immediate inclusion in the senior squad; and six months later, as a 19-year-old, he made his Test debut against India in St Lucia.

He wasted little time in making his presence felt. In his third over in Test cricket, a quick, spiteful ball reared up sharply at Virat Kohli, who could only fend to first slip. "It was a fairly

good delivery," Joseph says, as if, at 19, dismissing one of the world's best was an everyday occurrence.

Joseph has since played only nine Tests, partly as a result of injuries. He suffered a stress fracture of the back at the end of 2017, and then dislocated his shoulder during last year's IPL His scarcity in Tests is also partly because it took time for him to adapt to the demands of Test cricket. He played one match on West Indies' last tour of England, the day/night Test at Edgbaston, registering figures of nil for 109 from 22 overs. He was quick but erratic, and was consequently dropped for the rest of the series.

The bowler England encountered 18 months later was, however, much improved. Coming on first change, instead of taking the ball as he had done in all his previous appearances, Joseph was still quick, still able to swing the ball, and still aggressive, but with the control and accuracy he had lacked in Birmingham. He took 10 wickets at 23.80 as West Indies reclaimed the Wisden Trophy.

"It's a lot harder than I expected," Alzarri Joseph says of Test cricket.

"You have to go through different conditions, (and) play against different types of players. Sometimes you come across a batsman that's playing really well; so, while you're in a condition (of fitness) that suits you, you still don't get the success that you really want.

It's a tough game, it's a patient game.

I had to learn some patience after my first couple of games. But it's a challenge, and that's just what the job is.

"It's always been a dream of mine to play Test cricket for the West Indies. Ever since I started to play, that's been my goal. That was, and still is, my favourite format. I don't think you can get any higher than Test cricket, so this was where I always wanted to be. This is the (format) that I love playing, because I get to show all my abilities to the world.”

Joseph hasn't played Test cricket since that series against England in the Caribbean. The West Indies have played only three Tests in that time, and the injury Joseph suffered at last year's IPL ruled him out of two of those. He has impressed in ODI cricket of late, though, picking up 24 wickets in his last 12 matches, and West Indies coach Phil Simmons has spoken highly of his developing maturity and consistency. He would hope to transfer that form to the Test arena in next month's series against England.

Doing his mother proud

There is a lovely photo of Joseph and his mother, taken at the airport in Antigua after he arrived home from that Under-19 World Cup. He has his arm wrapped around her, pulling her close to him as he sports a wide grin and happy eyes. Sharon, too, is smiling from ear to ear, her pride and happiness evident. Representing his family, his community and his team, her son had done her proud. He continues to do just that. (cricbuzz)

Umpire Steve Bucknor says of Brian Lara…

L

egendary West Indies Umpire Steve Bucknor has admitted that watching iconic batsman Brian Lara was always somewhat of a guilty pleasure for him, and that behind the stumps was the best place to be when this batsman was on the go.

The 74-year-old Jamaican-born official stood in 128 Test matches and 181 One Day Internationals (ODI) in a career that spanned 20 years; and

while admitting an affinity for the destructive power of Viv Richards, he confesses there was something otherworldly about Lara.

“Viv Richards, the Master Blaster, I rate him very highly on my list, because he destroyed every type of bowling… Then there is Brian Lara, who I think is the best thing the eyes can behold when he is on the go. He was poetry in motion, he did things that others couldn’t do,” Bucknor told the Mason and Guest radio programme.

"Once (Lara) was on the go, then

Lara is the batsman that I enjoyed umpiring. In other words, I didn’t want to be a spectator when Lara is batting, I wanted to be in the middle to enjoy the cricket there. As someone who has played the game, you must enjoy the game out there,” he added.

“Umpires enjoy the game. In your heart you cheer, you clap in your heart to see a good shot, you clap in your heart to see a good delivery. You enjoy that, but you cannot show it on your face, in your eyes, or anywhere.”

(Sportsmax)

Steve Bucknor

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

By Brandon Corlette

I

n his virtual press conference on Thursday, West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel disclosed that the incident involving him and England captain Joe Root in the Caribbean last year was blown out of proportion.

Recalling that incident, which occurred the last time England played the West Indies, Gabriel had asked Root if he liked boys.

"That was in the past,” Gabriel said. “I don't think about it too much. I am just looking forward for the future now, to come out and play good cricket, if selected."

He opined that the way in which that inci- dent was dealt with suggested that it had been blown out of proportion.

"The story that was told wasn't entirely truth, (but) I just want to move on," he said.

Asked if there would be ‘anything’ between himself and Root, Gabriel responded: "No hard feelings! We come here to play cricket, and whether it’s Root or Ben Stokes

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

the list of reserves as he seeks to find his feet proverbially and regain full fitness to participate in this all-important Test series.

The 32-year-old last played a Test match in September 2019, and has since been in recovery mode, after sustaining an ankle injury.

Confronting questions about his fitness, Gabriel has rated himself at 85-90% fit.

With a host of bowlers on tour, Gabriel believes any one of them could put the Englishmen under pressure. "I came to England to give myself the opportunity to play a Test match," he said.

With Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick emphasising that fitness would be essential for the pacemen, Gabriel is determined to work harder.

Gabriel reacting after Root was dropped Joe Root and Shannon Gabriel making gestures

"I’m not focused on the past, but the Root story was blown out of proportion" - Gabriel

Shannon Gabriel in his stride Gabriel celebrating with his team-mates

o r whoever, I will just do my best to try and get them out.

So, it's not like targeting players or anything like that."

Gabriel is currently on

23

"…well, right now, I think about 85-90% fit. In terms of match readiness, I still have a lot more work to do.

“Thankfully,” Gabriel declared, “we have at least three weeks before the first test.

My rhythm feels good, but it’s just about getting that feeling coming back in second and third spell. Thankfully, we have two warm- up games, and this would be all new."

"After staying away from the game for so long, almost six to seven months, you are hungry to get out on the park,” he said. “I know (that) once I improve my fitness, it would be less stress on the ankle, so it would extend my career," Gabriel highlighted.

This series will be played behind closed doors, and the stump microphones will certainly be in full echo.

Gabriel has said the banter would be confined to within the rules of the game, and he anticipates that both teams would go hard at each other.

"It would be a little different, but I think this would be the new norm for a while. When you step on the field, you are playing for your country, so I think we will give it

our all and try (to) win the series," Gabriel explained.

With fast bowlers being prohibited from using saliva on the ball, Gabriel and other pacemen have been placed at a disadvantage.

"It's hard using sweat, but this is the new norm, and we have to get on with it. We just have to work with what we have, and try and shine the ball as best as possible," he explained.

With Gabriel as it were supervising the young fast bowlers on tour, he noted that this is a new role for him, but he said the fast bowlers are exciting, and it suggests a ‘positive’ for the West Indies.

West Indies will play their first Test match on July 8, but two practice matches will be played on June 22 and June 29.

“Dream 11 St Lucia Blast” to be played on June 23…

World Blood Donor Day observance…

T

P

resident of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde, on Wednesday donated one unit of blood to the National Blood Transfusion Service as part of World Blood Donor Day observances.

The day was observed on June 14 under the theme “Safe Blood Saves Lives” and carried the tagline, “Give blood and make the world a healthier place.”

Following his donation, Forde shared a personal story that highlighted the importance of giving blood.

“I have had the firsthand experience of (seeing) how frightening it can be for a patient when they are faced with the possibility of not being able to access blood for life-saving

GFF President Wayne Forde donating blood

medical procedures. Almost 32 years ago, I watched my aunt, who eventually passed (away), having to wait until family members donated blood before she could be treated.

This can be any of us,” he warned.

Forde urged persons to be regular and voluntary in donating blood. He said, “…

you could be saving your own life.”

World Blood Donor Day is set aside to honour blood donors and, among other things, raise awareness of the importance of voluntarily donating safe, non- remunerated blood. It is believed that one unit of blood can save up to three lives. (GFF)

wo-time World Cupwinning captain Daren Sammy, Johnson Charles, and West Indies U19 Captain Kimani Melius have all been confirmed for the “Dream 11 St Lucia Blast”, a T10 tournament set to bowl off at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia on Tuesday, June 23.

The confirmations come as the St Lucia National Cricket Association released details of the tournament on Thursday.

Thirty matches, including a bestof-three women’s competition, are set to be played from June 23 to July 8, 2020, with two matches being played each day. Match times are 12:30 and 2:30 pm ECT respectively.

Local media entity Winners TV station will live stream and broadcast t h e tourney, t h e

association has said.

In addition to the West Indies trio, several other top regional players from St Lucia would feature in the tournament. This will be the first competitive sporting activity to take place in St. Lucia since the imposition of coronavirus-related restrictions in March.

Ackeem Auguste, Zayee Antoine, Caleb Thomas, Stephen Abraham, Keddy Lesporis, Jamaal James, Jonnel Eugene, Jaden Elibox, Keygan Arnold, Audy Alexander, Dalton Polius, Larry Edward, Tarryck Gabriel and Garvin Serieux are among the other players confirmed for participation.

Meanwhile, two women’s teams comprising of a number of Windward Islands selectees will battle in a best-of-three format. Among the players expected to be involved are Under-19 player Zaida James, U19 Vice-Captain Makada Dubois, Sunelli Dorius, Shernia Cooper and Skyy Smith, who is a reserve player. The senior women will include Q i a n a Joseph, Ashlene

Edward - Senior Vice-Captain, Yasmine St Ange, Nerissa Crafton (reserve) and Malika Edward.

“This will be a historic event as the embattled sports world comes to grips with the new COVID-19 norm, thrust unceremoniously upon humanity across the globe, and the sporting fraternity makes the necessary adjustments to return to active sports,” SLNCA President Carol Henry.

“Excitement is building up among players, officials and cricket lovers alike as June 23, 2020 draws closer. It promises to be a very special occasion indeed.” (Sportsmax)

Sammy and Charles are the biggest cricket stars in St Lucia

FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Pg 23

Gabriel celebrates with his team-mates

Pg 23

World Blood Donor Day observance…

Pg 23

“Dream 11 St Lucia Blast” to be played on June 23…

Daren Sammy and Johnson Charles are confirmed to participate

GFF President Wayne Forde donating blood

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.