Guyana Times - Friday April 10, 2020

Our next publication will be on Sunday, April 12, 2020 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4252

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

PRICE

GECOM, APNU/AFC destruction of democracy: Day 39

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Lowenfield ordered to revise 156-day plan

P8 Welder beaten, robbed by masked gunmen

See story on page 3

...to incorporate PPP’s proposals

PPP demands recount in 10 days, beginning with Reg 4

See story on page 9 – proposes increase in workstations – wants compromised staff removed from recount process

APNU/AFC holds power through “coup d’état” – ex-PNCR MP Page 7

…says Lowenfield guilty of treason

$80 VAT INCLUDED

Jamaica’s CAFFE group calls for recount to be transparent See story on page 14

Page 13

PPP’s "Mask Up" campaign in full swing

Govt extends exemptions under issued curfew

Page 11 – as nationwide lockdown gazetted 1 week later – Irfaan Ali identifies needed support for affected groups

Food and Drug Dept recalls Purcill hand sanitisers P12

Police destroy 35,000 P14 ganja plants during raid in Berbice River

2 allegedly confess to P2 murdering Timehri man

No arrests P2 for murder of Belle West cattle farmer

2 NEWS 2 allegedly confess to murdering Timehri man T FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

wo men who were being interrogated for the murder of 24-yearold Lawrence Raymond Benjamin of Lot 5 Icehouse

Road, Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD) have allegedly confessed to the heinous crime.

This was confirmed by

Dead: Lawrence Raymond Benjamin

Police Commander of Region Four (B), Kurleigh Simon, who stated that the duo remained in custody assisting with the investigations.

He told Guyana Times that the detectives were able to arrest the two men after reviewing the surveillance video from Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, along with information received from persons in the area.

He noted that the file would be sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice to determine the way forward.

Benjamin was stabbed

at least three times – once to his neck and twice to his chest by three men in the vicinity of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.

After the stabbing incident, Benjamin, the father of a five-month-old baby, walked to a nearby shop where he sat in a chair.

Persons recalled the young man panting for breath and he subsequently died.

Benjamin was last seen by

his family on Sunday around 09:00h when he left home. As he left home that morning, he reportedly told his mother “yuh gon cry fuh meh”.

The now-dead man, according to information received, was walking the streets in Timehri on Sunday morning “picking trouble” with everyone. He was a known substance user and it was believed that he had taken an illegal substance before his death.

No arrests for murder of Belle West cattle farmer

D

Dead: Sohan Ramdial

ays after the body of 68-year-old Sohan Ramdial, also called “Nancy”, a cattle farmer of Lot 69 Claybrick Road, Belle West, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was found in a shallow grave, the Police are yet to arrest any suspects.

However, as investigations continue into the murder, an autopsy done on the body of the pensioner proved that he died as a result of perforation of the lung and heart owing to multiple penetrated wounds. The body was discovered on Monday.

The autopsy was done by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh at the Ezekiel

Funeral Home on Friday.

When contacted, Police Commander of Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean told Guyana Times that the Police had no leads, but they were continuing to pursue the matter.

It was reported that the now dead pensioner left home on Sunday last at approximately 17:00h to check on his cattle, and did not return home.

This resulted in worried family members launching a search for him on Monday.

As the family intensified the search, one of the man’s children saw a freshly cut bush and disturbed dirt which raised his suspicions.

He started to dig at the spot and made the gruesome discovery. The Police arrived at the scene after they were contacted and upon examination of the body, they discovered stab wounds to the chest.

Family members stated that the man tended to his cattle on a daily basis and they were not aware that he had enemies.

NEWS

3

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, April 10 – 05:30h – 07:00h and Saturday, April 11 – 05:30h – 07:00h.

Lowenfield ordered to revise 156-day plan

...to incorporate PPP’s proposals

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, April 10 – 05:50h – 07:20h and Saturday, April 11 – 06:30h – 08:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Expect sunny intervals during the day. There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to North NorthEasterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 5:59h and 18:26h reaching maximum heights of 2.93 metres and 2.79 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:59h reaching a minimum height of 0.28 metre.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS I

03

06

09

19

20

21

FREE TICKET

7 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

01

14

16 24

25

2

0

LUCKY 3

7

0

Afternoon Draw

1

2

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01

12

13

14

15

16

PAY DAY

21 SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2020

01 04 08 12 14

08 12 15 19 21

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$31.48/barrel

-4.14

Rough Rice

$261.76 /ton

+1.47

London Sugar

$348.50/ton

+2.68

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1685.60

$1686.60

Low/High

$1647.40

$1698.60

Change

+36.70

+2.23

PPP Commissioner Sase Gunraj

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

Government Commissioner Vincent Alexander

hief Elections Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield, was on Monday instructed to rework his initial 156-day national recount plan, taking into consideration a proposal made by Oppositionnominated Commissioners for the activity to be completed in as little as 10 days.

Lowenfield’s 156-day recount plan was widely rejected by a number of stakeholders, including the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C).

During a marathon meeting held at the Commission’s Kingston headquarters, the Opposition Commissioners presented their counter-proposal which demonstrated how the countrywide recount could be done in the shortest period of time.

Lowenfield’s work-plan had contemplated using three work stations and had allotted two hours each per ballot boxes.

The Opposition GECOM Commissioners’ plan, however, proposes as many as 20 work station so as to fasttrack the process, with regions being tabulated simultaneously.

Speaking with media operatives following the meeting, PPP Commissioner Sase Gunraj estimated that a possible recount of all the districts in the March 2 General and Regional Elections could be done in as little as 10 days.

He explained by pointing out first that Lowenfield’s original plan contemplated three counting stations while the PPP’s proposal contemplated using as many as 20.

According to Gunraj, while Lowenfield has estimated each ballot box to require about two hours each to be completed, “we have reduced that number in half”.

He told media operatives “there are over 1000 ballot boxes in which there are less than 200 ballots cast”.

In fact, Gunraj pointed out that there were in excess of 200 ballot boxes that contain less than 50 ballots and as a consequence, the time for the counting of those boxes “could not be as burdensome as two hours all things considered”.

The PPP Commissioner noted too that Lowenfield’s new plan for an elections recount would now have to take into consideration the physical space available and suggested that there had been consensus to use the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

“It is our intention to look at that venue, to maximise its use in relation to either a

combination of either inside and/or outside for the conduct of this process,” Lowenfield said.

He noted that there has been some level of consensus on the counting modalities and reporting mechanisms, but more concrete decisions were to be made at the time when Lowenfield resubmitted his plan for consideration.

The PPP Commissioner did indicate to the media that the 10-day proposal submitted to GECOM did not immediately find favour, but there were still a number of modalities to be worked out.

Asked whether he believed Lowenfield would budge on the 156-day deadline already presented, Gunraj responded in the affirmative stating “yes; in all fairness to the CEO, the CEO’s suggestion of three tables was informed by his understanding that each table should be manned by two Commissioners.”

This, he explained, provided a significant restriction on Lowenfield, since the Commission has six Commissioners meaning only three counting stations could be used in such a scenario.

According to Gunraj, “with the removal of that restriction, I believe that the number of tables can be expanded very easily.”

Government-nominated

Commissioner Vincent Alexander gave a similar observation to members of the media in explaining that Lowenfield’s limiting the counting stations to just three was based on what he understood to be an instruction from the Commission, to have two members at each counting station.

He did seek to point out that a firm decision had not been made as yet on the matter, “but it has been clearly understood that that will be included by a number of factors, the time to count the box still a pertinent factor, the venue and how many we can do at one time is still a pertinent factor”.

Alexander suggested that it was very likely that the number of counting stations to be used for the recount would be increased.

Meanwhile, speaking to the issue of observers, especially from the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the PPP Commissioner reported: “we have taken a decision to inform particularly the overseas observers that it is still our desire – and that includes Caricom – to have them participate in this process taking into consideration the prevailing circumstance”, referencing COVID-19 and the international travel and other restrictions.

He said that the accreditations previously approved would remain valid.

Gunraj was quick to point out that, as was presented to the Commission, “we have to treat carefully with any elevated role that Caricom is ascribed”.

Alexander in weighing in on Caricom’s participation said that it would be similar to what was envisaged originally.

According to him, the need for Caricom’s participation stems from the fact “we need that third party even if it’s advisory to say to GECOM that they saw the process and they think that it’s a valid process and we think that that will give credence and credibility to the process”.

This, he said, is in light of the pronouncements by the local courts even as he reminded that the Caricom High-level Delegation – though not being a part of the original cadre of observers— will still have to have their roles in the recount process finalised.

On the matter of having the recount broadcast live, the Commissioner noted that while the discussions did commence, they remain inconclusive and that the GECOM Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, would need to vote on the issue.

C

4

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 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

Good Friday in COVID-19 pandemic T

oday, as Christians around the world commemorate the suffering of Jesus Christ and His death on the Cross, the world in undersigned by the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19). Good Friday is a quiet day, with no celebration, as Christians are reminded of the brutality Jesus suffered at the hands of the worldly authorities. It will be the first time in decades that persons will not be heading to church, because of emergency declarations all around the world to prohibit gatherings in order to help contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public.

Christians in Guyana will likewise join in observing Good Friday, but they will not have any mass gatherings at churches, as COVID-19 has had a harsh impacted on religion: all faiths have been affected, with everyone being required to cancel their worship services.

During disasters like COVID-19, which threaten humanity, it will be underscored that God – no matter what form we serve or believe - is still sovereign.

However, that does not mean that we can be reckless and disregard genuine health advice in the name of faith. According to the Gospel, Jesus was betrayed by Judas on the night of the Last Supper, commemorated on Holy Thursday.

As Christians remember the Life and eventual Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, one must also consider that the church is a hospital for sinners, and not an exclusive club for saints; and, as such, it is where people seek refuge when in need of “spiritual fixing”. With all the weight and pressures of their world weighing down on their minds, people expect the church – Christian, Hindu, Muslim, etc - to provide answers which no other institution can provide.

COVID-19 has now forced churches to be more creative in the way they reach people. Archbishop Peter Comensoli of Melbourne, Australia brought home this point when he said in a recent interview, “Forget about the future, it’s happening already…in this last week alone, the shift between doing things in one particular way to now doing things differently is quite extraordinary.”

One important concept, Comensoli said, is to keep in mind that the opportunity the church has now “is not just to move what we already did onto an online platform, but to find genuinely different ways of evangelizing, of reaching out to people.”

The church, whether home here in Guyana or anywhere else in the world, plays an important public service role. COVID-19 has now certainly changed the dynamics of that role.

Religion, more so religious leaders, are taking faith online to ensure that God’s word gets to the millions stranded by the pandemic. Good Friday - the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary - is generally observed in a very quiet and solemn way, as Christians reflect on His suffering and death on the cross.

This year, as we reflect on Christ’s Life, we must also remember and say a prayer for health workers around the world, who are putting their lives at risk to save millions of lives.

We must be grateful to them for their sacrifice. We must also say a prayer for those who have lost their lives to this pandemic.

COVID-19 reminds us that we cannot function alone, and as such, we must remember that we all depend on each other.

Therefore, we all can play our part and adhere to the health requirements and social distances. Too many lives have already been lost to this deadly virus. During this time of darkness, let us act responsibly.

Fire Mingo, Myers and Lowenfield now

Dear Editor, Guyanese are going through the roughest times ever. With the impending attack by the COVID-19 virus in the air, they cast their votes on March 2nd and voted for a government of their choice; and with minor hiccups during the polling day, they expected that their votes would have been counted within a reasonable timeframe and the winner declared. This was not to be!

What is now clear is that both the COVID-19 situation and the election results stalemate have begun to wreak havoc on the lives of all Guyanese.

While Guyanese have nothing at their disposal to protect them from the virus itself, it has become more evident that they are now faced with the threat of hunger and deprivation. With more than 75% of workers living from paycheck to paycheck, it was inevitable that the lockdown to fight the virus would result in deprivation and starvation for Guyanese and their families.

It is clear the Coalition always put the cart before the horse, since they did not implement any economic measure to assist these workers and their families, who will be negatively affected.

While teachers and other public servants would receive their monthly salaries, work-

ers of GuySuCo and other entities will have to depend on handouts from friends and families, mostly from abroad, since they have zero savings.

In addition, many have loans to pay, and that is an additional burden. Moreover, while other countries are receiving assistance from international donor agencies such as the World Bank and their governments, the Coalition has guaranteed that Guyana receives nothing, due to its aversion to bring a speedy resolution to our tainted electoral process, and its shameless bid to remain illegally in Government.

The Coalition Government has also done nothing to financially assist the vulnerable groups of our society. Therefore, it can be seen that a resolution to our current electoral crisis can bring immediate relief to our COVID-19 situation, since a legally appointed Government would receive the vital international assistance needed.

But is the Coalition willing to bring an end to this crisis? The answer is a resounding, ‘NO!’ Everyone knows that GECOM is supposed to be an independent body, and the Court of Appeal ruling just reinforced that. No one has ever denied that GECOM is independent, but is the Chief Elections Officer acting independently? Is his

Deputy acting independently? The answer is, ‘NO!’ We must not be like the proverbial ostrich and deny this. In the same vein, no one can deny that the Returning Officer for Region 4 is compromised and is not acting independently. What has played out in full view of the local and international observers and everyone at Ashmin’s Mall certainly would support this view.

In addition, the fact that two separate and different results were declared for Region 4 would also lend credence to the fact that Mr Mingo, the Returning Officer for Region 4, acted fraudulently and should face criminal charges. This result was endorsed by Lowenfield, even though it was clear that the electoral process was fraudulent, and he should face charges as well. This was done in complete defiance of the Chief Justice’s rulings, since the electoral process was not followed. We must now add contempt of court to fraud.

Mingo, Myers and Lowenfield should be fired immediately, and replaced with independent and capable people. Guyana cannot risk placing its future in the hands of these clearly corrupt persons, who are evidently compromised.

Adamantly persisting in involving these people is a

travesty to the notion of free and fair elections in Guyana, now and in the future. It is now clear for all to see why Roxanne Myers was chosen above Vishnu Persaud, even though the latter is more qualified; and why Lowenfield’s contract was renewed just before these elections.

The illegally appointed Chairman Justice Patterson had done his job well in Myers’ appointment, and the current Chairperson, Justice Claudette Singh, did hers in ensuring that Lowenfield’s contract, which was supposed to come to an end in March 2020, was renewed.

That there is a correlation between what happened then and now is undeniable.

The Guyana Elections Commission has the power to hire and fire, and should act now in the interest of all Guyanese. The Commission has ample evidence to fire these people. This trio should not be allowed to hold an entire country to ransom in order to reinstall the PNC in Government. The GECOM Chairperson must act now to save Guyana. A recount must be done expeditiously in a free and transparent manner! Guyanese should not be made to suffer anymore!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Time for Dr David Hinds to modernise his thought set Dear Editor, Timely and transparently free and fair elections are key criteria for evaluating whether a nation is democratic or otherwise. But a critical outcome of that process, as is clearly outlined in Section 84 of the Representation of the People Act, Chap 1:03, is that we must ascertain and tabulate the results in a credible manner, and arrive at the final tally by extracting those numbers from the respective statements of poll (SoPs); not a self-created spreadsheet that is a figment of the Returning Officer’s imagination.

So this idea that Dr David Hinds has spawned: that we must “Scarp this election; destroy those boxes; install an Interim Government, led by Granger as President and the PPP man as Prime Minister; divide the Cabinet equally between the two sides…”, are all ideas designed to deny the people of Guyana the right to “one man/one vote”.

Such intellectually bankrupt ideas, that lack a foundation in democracy, must never be countenanced.

I had a conversation with a young doctor/politician who is not a member of the PPPC or APNU-AFC, and that conversation revealed much. From that conversation, I gathered that he did not vote for either the PPPC or APNU-AFC in 2020, and I respect his right

to do so. But he demanded that his vote must be counted and his voice must be heard.

But if we are allowed to follow the David Hinds model, then we are denying this young Guyanese his voice, and that is a travesty of the worst kind.

This young Guyanese has a right to choose a political party outside of the PPP or PNC, and if we are to follow David Hinds’s theory, then he would not get that chance to exercise his franchise. Elections provide opportunities for political participation by all, not just a group that David Hinds seeks to represent. The electorate has a right to choose their government by way of their votes. These votes empower the electorate politically, and their votes become an essential determinant of who should win political office.

So Dr Hinds’s suggestion is nothing but unsound and erroneous, and is based on no logical global best practice. Rather, it is grounded in tyranny and injustice. It is similar to a scenario where one who is playing a game of street cricket, because he got clean bowled, picks up the bat, the stumps and the ball and claims that because he lost his wicket, the game is over. What nonsense is this from David Hinds?

This lack of objectivity and deliberate narrow-mind-

edness on the part of these types of so-called thinkers expose their agenda. They have no skin in the game, but they are choosing to incite this nation. For their information, these 2020 elections will not be scrapped. Those boxes will not be destroyed. All of those votes will be counted. There shall not be an interim government in 2020.

David Granger will know his fate as to whether he won or not very soon. There shall be no sharing of cabinet positions between the PNC and PPP as a precondition to the declaration of the results. The PPP will not serve as a Prime Minister to Mr. Granger because they are not rubber stamps to this process; they are winners in this nation.

The only reason the declaration of the results for Guyana in these 2020 General Elections has been problematic is because one Mr. Mingo chose not to follow the rule of law and did his own thing in an attempt to blatantly cheat the nonAPNU-AFC political parties.

This is not a zero-sum game, the losers must know their place, and they must come to the table, not as a superior force, but as equals within a framework that the majority of the people of Guyana did not choose them to be the next government. Let us tabulate first, and then talk.

So, those like David Hinds, who speaks unintelligently to the philosophy of “ethno-domination”, they really need to reboot their brains, because, in 2020, the ethnic landscape of Guyana is as follows: 39% Indo-Guyanese; 29% Afro-Guyanese; 21% Mixed Guyanese, and 11% Amerindian Guyanese. So, what ethnic majority is David Hinds talking about?

Everyone in Guyana is a minority.

The PPPC could never have won those 2020 General Elections on the vote of their traditional base (IndoGuyanese) because 39% can never be 51%; plus, not all of the 39% of the Indo-Guyanese would have voted for the PPPC. So, this theory of “ethno-domination”, as is being pushed by David Hinds, has no merit.

Where was the difference of 14% or so of eligible votes that voted for the PPPC derived or sourced in these 2020 General Elections, Dr. David Hinds?

It is time for Dr David Hinds to modernize his thought set. He is a yesterday’s man with yesterday’s ideas. It is time for him to update to the latest political settings in Guyana.

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 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

The future of the PNC

Dear Editor, On March 2, 2020, a little over two hundred and fifteen thousand Guyanese exercised their franchise in support of the APNU/AFC ticket. I witnessed the ringing of bells, banging of pots and calling out the vote as early as 4.30 am in C Field, Sophia.

Good cheer and high spirits were on display even as the good-natured grumbles of those who would rather have slept in were heard. There was a clear belief in democracy and the right to elect a government of their choosing.

Now that the party that these people voted for has turned its back on democracy, who represents them? And who can, or will, in the immediate future?

There is a leadership vacuum in the Peoples National Congress, and it must be filled by someone of impeccable character. For democracy to work best, a strong Opposition is a vital component.

Only a small percentage of these voters would endorse a system of government

where the winner is pulled out of Mr. Mingo’s hat; and even then, only if their side were guaranteed to win that ‘Bingo’ every time. The vast majority, including the large block of Christian church goers, must be appalled at the machinations of David Granger, the man sold to them via countless images of him on his knees in church pews, devoutly praying; piousness personified in the picture, but all false piety in reality.

Various party members, supporters, and influencers are engaged in frustrating the electoral process whilst selling various ideas of shared governance. A few others have made statements of integrity, among them Dominic Gaskin (AFC Executive and Former Minister of Business) and CN Sharma, political leader of the JFAP, an APNU member party.

To those willing to subvert democratic ideals for ‘sharing of corn’, I recommend the following lines from Churchill’s address to the Commons in 1947: “Many

forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe.

No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise.

Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time…”

The silence by the most senior member of the PNC, Mr. Carl Greenidge, is loudest by its absence of comment. There has been repeated denial that he has been fired as Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; however, there was no paycheck issued during the last payday, and his name has been removed from the payroll of the Ministry.

I have it on good authority that Greenidge was asked

by David Granger to perform ‘damage control’ after Minister Karen Cummings’s disastrous intervention at the GECOM Region 4 headquarters during the Mingo fiasco.

Mr. Greenidge inquired of the President in what possible capacity he could engage

the diplomatic community and observer missions, and bluntly refused to engage in untoward conduct that in his opinion could only exacerbate an already bad situation and bring further disrepute to the nation’s international reputation.

Carl Greenidge is a former victim of a rigged election. His challenge for the leadership of the PNC and the ensuing brouhaha are well known, including gunplay by Granger’s personal bodyguard Mr. Primo. I believe that a partnership with Greenidge and former PNC Chairman Basil Williams has to be formed to lead the reformation of the PNC and its rebirth following the actions of Granger, who usurped power in the PNC and is now replicating that on a national scale.

Those 215,000 people need honest and decent leadership urgently, before they lose their souls to the demons of dictatorship.

Dear Madam Chair, Our members and a plethora of other persons have been advocating that the process of the recount of the ballots of the last Elections be televised or put on line, so that the entire Guyanese population could have a close-up view of the entire proceedings.

In televising the counting process, the methodology used should be published in the print media and also

from time to time during the broadcast media.

The advantages of such a full broadcast of the recounting process are: (i) It would involve the Guyana population in the Election process. (ii) It would achieve transparency (iii).

It would eliminate the usual disagreements and acrimony in which the Election affairs have been enveloped over the last month. (iv) It would bring new hope to

the Guyanese population and the international community, that Guyana is a democratic country working to strengthen democracy.

Accordingly, Madam Chairman, the GCA would like to respectfully and strongly advocate that you order the proceedings and process of the forthcoming Election re-count be put on live TV broadcast.

Yours respectfully, Jainarine Deonauth MA Secretary, Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) For Patrick P Dial CCH, AA, JP President GCA

Respectfully, Robin Singh

GCA wants recount to be televised

Remain vigilant and observe all international guidelines in fighting COVID-19 Dear Editor, As you and my fellow laboratory professionals are aware, we are in the midst of a deadly pandemic caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19).

This virus is leaving a trail of fatalities in almost every country that it touches, and healthcare workers are in its immediate path.

Our laboratory professionals are on the frontline of defense in this global fight to “save lives by our skills”, as the CASMET motto says.

Whether employed as a Medical Technologist (MT), Laboratory Technician (MLT), Laboratory Assistant, Phlebotomist, Cytologist, Histologist or Specialist, it is our job at times to collect samples, and always to process and test samples to provide patients’ results. I urge you to remain vigilant, and to observe all international guidelines while practising standard precautions and transmission-based precautions on all patients and laboratory samples.

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical at this time. Let’s take extra precautions: with frequent handwashing and frequent glove removal; with the use of face shields, masks and disposable gowns, wherever possible. We must also protect against aerosols and spills, and use centrifuges with sealed lids.

If these protective measures are not available to you, I urge you to petition your employers to make them available, as the landscape as we knew it has dramatically changed.

For private medical laboratories that may not have the necessary PPEs for this pandemic, I urge you to petition your Ministry of Public Health to supplement your lab with these items until you receive the appropriate inventory.

Most governments within the Caribbean have stockpiles in the event of a pandemic, and whether public or private, laboratories are an essential part of the healthcare system. During these times, our laboratory professionals should not be exposed to any patients while they are without the proper personal protective equipment.

On behalf of The Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists, I wish to thank all medical laboratory professionals for staying the course and providing the essential services of accurate, timely, quality results to the COVID-19 healthcare teams and to the patients and physicians at large.

Respectfully, Bonaventia Culmer, MT (AMT) (ASCP) President of The Caribbean Association of Medical Technologists (CASMET)

Passing of a stalwart Dear Editor, I was profoundly saddened when I heard that Komal Chand had passed away. I knew that he had been ailing for a while, and was recently receiving medical treatment in Cuba, where he demised to the great beyond.

I have known Komal since 1996, when thereafter as GuySuCo’s Chief Industrial Relations Manager/ Industrial Relations and Human Resource Director, we were engaged in numerous negotiations and meetings at various levels on matters related to pay increase, strikes, and the general welfare of sugar workers. He was a very shrewd and stubborn negotiator, who would go to the extreme in the process to get even the last penny and benefit for the sugar workers.

He was always a soft-spoken, composed person with well-articulated presentations, and despite the robustness, fierceness, and sometimes unfriendly exchanges, he had never left those meetings with animosity. We always parted with some degree of amicability.

Komal was a keen listener with a very analytical mind; one who would diligently peruse data, be it on production, finance or operations, and probe with great intent to get plausible answers to his doubts and queries; and only when he was

genuinely satisfied would he move on.

He was an avid reader on subjects ranging from health to biographies to trade unionism, and economic global affairs.

After I left GuySuCo in 2015, we became great friends. It was a period when I experienced a different side of Komal; a period of brotherhood, kindness and wisdom. He shared with me his thoughts and extensive learnings on health, medicine, politics and trade unionism. We had many exchanges on the phone, social get-togethers at his famous watering hole at NAACIE, and visits to his office.

Komal, on many occasions, described to me oneon-one, with sincerity, how much he was saddened, depressed and disappointed with the closure of some sugar estates. He honestly and genuinely had the sugar workers’ welfare to his heart.

I can only describe him as a true and patriotic trade union leader. Sugar workers, the trade union confederation, and this nation would certainly miss him, and I would miss a dear friend.

I offer my sincere condolences to his bereaved family, and pray that Comrade Komal’s kind and honourable soul may have eternal peace.

Yours faithfully, Jai Petam

Some observations of David Hinds’s “shared governance” rhetoric Dear Editor, I have examined Dr. David Hinds’s column, “Scrap the election and install an interim government” (KN, 04-05-20), and listened attentively to the entire video broadcast by Globespan 24x7 Program, “the Election Update & Discussion on Interim Government” (04-06-20), with the panel consisting of Prof. Charles Sugrim (Moderator), Dr. Hinds, Mr. Derrick Arjune, and Mr. Timothy Jonas.

Space does not allow me to articulate all my observations from these two sources, but here are a few that are particularly cogent: • Hinds surmised that for the social/political impasse “to end nice”, it is essential to ignore the results of the 2020 elections and embark on a system of “shared governance,” with Mr. Granger as President and the “PPP man” as PM. • Jonas debunked the notion of ignoring the results of the election in favour of a model foisted by

Hinds. He argued that the principle of the election is paramount and sacred in our society, and voters should have the opportunity to change their leaders if they feel this is necessary.

• Arjune claimed that ANUG’s info regarding alleged rigging came as second-hand info - from the PPP. Jonas countered that he was a primary source regarding the SOPs (at the places of poll), and that he was present with local and foreign observers who walked out in protest at the blatant rigging undertaken

by Mr. Mingo.

• Jonas emphasized that the volume and tone of the conversation of shared governance within the last month have been virtually absent from 2015, and that Hinds’s argument that shared governance has been the mantra of the WPA since 1974 does not hold water, given the silence since the coalition came to power.

• Jonas accused Hinds of being “intellectually dishonest” for not uphold-

ing the truth (regarding the election results) and pointed out that irresponsible rhetoric could give ordinary people something to “grab on to” in fueling violence.

• Responding to the ethnic/social/political dilemma, Jonas concluded: “So, how do we solve this problem? The only way to solve the problem is for the powers that be to say to their people, ‘We will honour this fair result, and we will walk away, and you must not do anything about it.

And when the PPP wins – (as we all know, they have won), [then] cater, quarrel, negotiate for shared governance…’”

I agree with Jonas’s premise: that political leaders need to proclaim to their supporters that they will respect and accept the results of fair, free, and transparent election results, and then commence the conversation towards shared governance.

Yours truly, Dr Devanand Bhagwan

SEE ADDITIONAL LETTERS ON PAGE 16

6

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

Page

Foundation

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

This is the first part of Maths Paper 1, 2011.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. 1. WRITE YOUR CANDIDATE NUMBER ON THE ANSWER SHEET AND UNDERLINE THE SUBJECT. 2. This test contains 40 questions. You are required to answer ALL questions. Four responses are given for each question.

MATHEMATICS

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

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

4. BE SURE THAT THE QUESTION NUMBER IN THE BOOKLET IS THE SAME AS THE ONE YOU HAVE USED ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET.

1. What is the value of the underlined digit in 88888 (A) 8000 (B) 800 (C) 80 (D) 8 2. Which is a prime number?

(A) 7 (B) 9 (C) 15 (D) 21 3. Which is a Roman Numeral?

(A) * (B) 0 (C) 9 (0) X 4. Angles are measured in (A) litres.

(B) squares.

(C) degrees. (D) grams.

5. A multiple of 12 is (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 21 (D) 24 6.

(A)

(C)

8.

Here is an example done for you: 1. The opposite of interior is ANSWER SHEET A B C D (A) inside (B) outside (C) below (D) above A heavy black line has been drawn through the letter B on the answer sheet because Georgetown, the correct answer, is next to B. 5. If you make a mistake, erase the line cleanly,

Which set is equal to donkeys that can fly?

9. A subset of {A, B, C} is (A) {A, C, D} (B) {B, C, A} (C) {B, A, E} (D) {C, A, G} 10. Which one of the following represents a ratio relationship?

(A) (C)

8÷5 85%

(B) (D)

8:5 8.5

12 . Which one represents a line graph? ( A ) (B)

( C )

(D)

Use Figure 2 below to answer question 13.

Figure 2

Use Figure 1 below to answer question 11.

Figure 1

Which is an acute angle?

13. How many edges are in the cuboid above?

(A) 4 (8) 8 (C) 12 (D) 16

(B)

14. One million five hundred thousand two can be written as (A) 15 500 002 (8) 1 502 000 (C) 1 500 020 (D) 1 500 002

(D)

(D)

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

(A) { } (B) {bat} (C) {eagle} (D) {flying fish}

7. Which of the following is a triangular base pyramid?

(A) (B)

(C)

then draw a heavy black line through the letter next to the answer you have now chosen.

6. REMEMBER, each answer MUST only be shown by a heavy black line on your Answer Sheet 7. Remember only one answer must be provided for each question.

15. 32.28 ÷100 is (A) 0.3228 (8) (C) 32.28 (D) 11. The formula for finding the perimeter for the regular pentagon in figure 1 is (A) 2s (B) 3s (C) 4s (D) 5s

3.228 322.8

16. Which of the following is equal to 90 450?

(A) 900 + 400 + 50 (B) 9000 + 400 + 50 (C) 90 000 + 400 + 50 (D) 90 000 + 4000 + 50 17. 3/4 x 4/7= (A) 6/10 (C) 8/10

(B) (D)

/14 /21

18 8

18. Which digits will complete the question in the division sum below?

7 8 5679

-56 07 (A) 709 (B) 097 (C) 97 (D) 09 19. Which diagram shows the chord of the circle?

(A) (B)

(C)

(D)

20. 6.579 m express in centimetres is (A) 0.6579 (B) 65.79 (C) 657.9 (D) 6579

NEWS

7

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC holds power through “coup d’état” – ex-PNCR MP …says Lowenfield guilty of treason

F

ormer People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) parliamentarian and party financier Anthony Vieira believes the international community will have no option now but to declare that they see that a coup has been carried out in Guyana

by David Granger and the other military men he has surrounded himself with since 2015.

Vieira gave the damning conclusion in a public missive on Monday and also accused Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield of treason by depriving the rightful winner of the legitimate election result he is entitled to, and putting Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo to post a totally fictitious result. He said by doing so, Lowenfield and Mingo have, in fact, overthrown the winner.

Defending his coup d’état allegation, Vieira construed the notion as an illegal, unconstitutional seizure of power by a political faction, the military, or a dictator when the usurpers seize and hold power for at least seven days.

As such, Vieira reasons, “it has been 37 days (yesterday); I am saying that all of these shenanigans are part of a coup d’état, because our democratic system has failed to identify the legitimate winner in the 2020 elections after 37 days, and has deprived me

Former PNC parliamentarian and party financier, Anthony Vieira

and the majority of the people in this country who, like me, voted for a political party which has been deprived of assuming power.”

According to the former PNCR Member of Parliament, for an accusation of a coup to be valid, one must establish that the people who have seized power are in fact benefiting from it and noted that Ministers –whose period of function expired on March 2 – are continuing in those positions.

Speaking to the CEO’s proposed plan of 156 days for a national recount of the March 2 General and Regional Elections, the former PNCR parliamentarian said: “Anyone who now believes that 156 days will be required to count the 400,000+ votes of the 2020 elections would be very naive and would have had to be blindfolded since 2018.”

He qualified the 2018

timeline by accusing Lowenfield of violating the Constitution of Guyana by not holding an election within 90 days of the passage of the no-confidence motion and then telling the country that he needed 181 days to hold the general election, “when in fact it was delayed, due to every conceivable delay possible, for 438 days.”

According to Vieira, “… anyone in this country still believes that we need 156 days to recount 400,000 votes and that even this ridiculous time frame will be honoured is sadly living in fantasy land; these desperate people will find a way to delay much longer and how can they do it? Well, they seem to have the armed Guyana Defence Force under control, so not only is this a coup d’état, it is a military coup d’état, with no end in sight.”

He was adamant “we have to find a way to stop this charade…This is no longer a situation which simply seeks to delay the publishing of a credible result of the 2020 elections in Guyana which will be acceptable to the international community; this has gone much further”.

Vieira served as a PNCR MP under the PNC List of Candidates headed by David Granger as Opposition Leader, and held the portfolio of Shadow Minister of Agriculture.

8 NEWS Welder beaten, robbed by masked gunmen A FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

25-year-old welder is now nursing wounds to his head after he was attacked, beaten and robbed by three masked gunmen who broke into his 245 Grove Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home in the wee hours of Thursday.

Based on information received, around 01:30h, Ameer Ally was asleep in his bed when the bandits woke him and demanded that he hand over cash and other valuables. Initially, the welder put up a fight, but was overpowered by

the three armed men who assaulted him as they demanded money.

One of the gunmen reportedly used his weapon to beat the welder in his head.

The two accomplices ransacked the man’s house.

The men escaped with mobile phones, jewellery and other items. Police investigations revealed that the three men gained entry to the welder’s house by removing the louvre panes from a window.

Police are continuing the investigations. No arrests have been made.

The war of attrition…

J

…by the PNC erome Khan was one of a slew of new faces Desmond Hoyte brought into the PNC when he decided in 2001 to launch a “Reform” component to dull the raw edges of the party - typified by Hamilton Green, who’d been forced out in 1992. These worthies – like Stanley Ming, Eric Phillips, and Jerome Khan - gradually faded from the front lines, but maintained their linkages from their perches.

Khan, who informs us he had campaigned for the PNC-as-APNU as late as 2015, recently offered an analysis about what’s going down in the present power-grab by the occupants of Congress Place. Among other things, he claims that a “Burnhamite faction” - suppressed by Hoyte and later Corbin - has now seized the party and is calling the shots in the assault on democracy inside the ballot boxes. Problem is, in the estimation of your Eyewitness, Khan is making a distinction in search of a difference when he excludes Granger from this “faction” – which in itself is a problematic label.

“Twice before,” Khan insists, “this small but influential gang within the PNCR was thwarted in its efforts to seize control of the party… “This faction, I predict, will fight to the bitter end as their good life is threatened. They simply do not care about the threat of sanctions; they believe they can ride it out.”

Now, it’s quite true that when Hoyte succeeded Burnham, he went after the Burnhamites, and either banished or emasculated them so that he could control the PNC. David Granger was one of the Burnhamites banished.

Even though he wasn’t in the PNC proper, he’d always been one of Burnham’s henchmen – and confessed after he was elected president that he was always a member of the PNC, and was committed to “fulfilling Burnham’s legacy”.

Now, while Hoyte mightn’t have been a Burnhamite, in the sense that he didn’t hold to all that socialist cant, he was always committed to the raison d’etre of the PNC – to keep out the PPP by any means necessary.

What he’s never been forgiven for by the Burnhamites, however, is that he blinked in 1992 and accepted his loss to the PPP at the ballot boxes. Never mind it took a call from the White House for him to make that “concession”.

Since that time, the cry from the PNC has been “NEVER AGAIN!!” That is, they will never again ALLOW the PPP to win another election. And it is from this perspective that there are no “factions” in the PNC on the question of POWER. And it is Granger who’s leading this “war of attrition”, as Khan puts it, against the PPP! And he doesn’t intend to blink to the US. …on the ballot boxes The war of attrition started when RO Mingo “mingoed” the tabulation of the Reg 4 SOPs. But subsequent to several court orders from the full hierarchy of the Guyana judicial system – High Ct; Full Ct; Appellate Ct and then back again – the war has moved into the ballot boxes. The PNC-as-APNU has now demanded not only the counting of EVERY one of the 450,000 or so ballots cast on March 2nd, but even to examine all the other documents in the boxes - including cross matching them. Which, according to the finagler-in-chief Lowenfield, would drag the war of attrition on for another 156 days!!

Well, while the PPP had magnanimously gone along with the complete recount and not just Reg 4, which is where the “mingoing” occurred, they drew the line at Lowenfield’s ridiculous proposal. The Opposition Leader just announced that their Commissioners will demand that the exercise not take more than 10 days, and gave suggestions on how it can be done.

Not that this will stop the war of attrition. …and plagues The Jews are now observing “Passover” by remembering the 10 Plagues that had been visited on Egypt so that they might be set free.

In Guyana, we have to confront just 2: COVID-19 and the PNC!!

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

NEWS

9

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PPP demands recount in 10 days, beginning with Reg 4 – proposes increase in workstations – wants compromised staff removed from recount process

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

T

he Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is demanding that the national recount of votes cast in the recent General and Regional Elections, being embarked on by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), be conducted within a 10-day period, commencing firstly with the tabulation of the contentious Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) votes.

This is according to the party’s General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday, as he rejected the 156-day recount proposal recently made by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield.

“We made it clear…that we will never accept any of these elements coming from GECOM or anywhere else to delay the announcement of the legitimate, credible results for the elections,” he posited during a virtual press conference.

He argued that the laws of Guyana had allowed three months to prepare for elections after the December 2018 passage of the No Confidence Motion, but now the Chief Elections Officer wants more than five months to just do a recount – which under the electoral laws are supposed to be done within a 15-day period, upon which election results are to be declared.

There are provisions, he added, after those declarations for further recourse.

Jagdeo argued that it is transparent that the Lowenfield proposal is a deliberate ploy to lengthen the stay of observers and ultimately make then want to quit before the end, as well as to possibly frustrate the protracted recount with even more litigation.

He added that during this entire period, the caretaker APNU/AFC Coalition will remain in office illegally. “(They will) exercise the powers of office illegally, and they’re hoping by being there in a de facto way, they will avoid, by claiming that the process of recount is going on, the sanctions [from the international community] and claim that they’re still legally there…So it is very, very transparent what the proposal was all about. The proposal was part of the plan to steal the elections,” the PPP General Secretary asserted.

Nevertheless, Jagdeo went on to disclose that the party, through the Oppositionnominated Commissioners, has tabled to GECOM a counter-proposal that could see the recount being conducted within two weeks.

According to the PPP’s

‘Draft Plan for Recount’, which was made public, the number of workstations should be increased from three (as proposed by Lowenfield) to 20. It explained that since there are 2339 ballot boxes to be re-tabulated, this increase in workstations would allow for one hour to be spent on one box. It also suggested that the recount be a 12-hour process daily, commencing at 09:00h.

The eight-page document also outlined that there be a limited number of persons present at each workstation; that is, only two GECOM staff, one representative from each political party, and one from each observer group.

It further detailed that each workstation be assigned a single ballot at a time with Statements of Recount (SoR) prepared based on the tally.

These SORs will then be prepared electronically and displayed on a screen, and once agreed upon, it is printed and signed by party representatives and the GECOM staff who did the count. A copy of the SOR would also be given to each party representative.

The draft plan also recommended that a separate ‘tabulation workstation’ be set up with the same limited number of persons at each recount station. After the completion of each SOR and public declaration by the Deputy Returning Officer (DRO), the original SOR is taken to the dedicated tabulation desk to be manually and electronically tabulated.

“At the end of each count per district, the very team…will prepare a matrix of all SORs signed by at least 2 [GECOM] Commissioners. The matrices of the final count for all 10 Districts will be submitted to the Commission to determine the finality of the count.

The Commission shall then instruct the Chief Elections Officer to use the results for the districts provided in the matrices…to ascertain the result of the elections…,” the plan stated.

The party further suggested that, “The recount will begin with counting of ballots cast for Elections District #4 since the tabulation of the Region 4 results is the basis of the controversy which erupted and the reasons for the recount.”

GECOM had indicated last week, when it announced that it was going ahead with the recount, that the process would be conducted in chronological order – from Region One to 10.

Moreover, the draft plan stated that the count would be conducted and supervised by the Elections Commission, and only in the event that the authenticity of a ballot is questioned should there be further investigation into the ballot itself.

It was also recommended that the recount be conducted at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, which was the location cited for the Caricombrokered recount last month, before it was abandoned after the now dismissed injunction was obtained by APNU/AFC candidate Ulita Moore, blocking GECOM from going ahead with the process.

Meanwhile, the party also noted in its proposal that the recount should be televised,

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

broadcasted and live streamed

by GECOM, as well as for the Audit Office of Guyana or an accredited audit firm oversee the process. This, it noted, will enhance transparency and credibility of the process, as well as allow public scrutiny.

Added to these, however, Jagdeo, during his briefing on Friday, also joined calls by stakeholders for compromised GECOM staff who had previously frustrated the process to be removed from the process.

These include Lowenfield, the Deputy CEO, Roxanne Myers, and controversial Region Four Returning Officer (RO)

Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo

Clairmont Mingo.

“We’re arguing that the compromised staff of GECOM must not be part of this process, and there are about four or five persons we have identified. Mr. Lowenfield has proven that he is part of the problem, because of his actions. He knew of the plot and he is an active part of this plot to undermine legitimate results being announced at GECOM. So, we would not like these people to be present, because they will undermine the recount as they undermined the process of declaration…,” the PPP General Secretary contended.

10 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

As flight suspension is lifted

AGM workers express concern over risk of COVID-19

…persons flying in to work in centralised location

Aurora Gold Mine

E

mployees at Guyana Goldfields’ Aurora Gold Mine (AGM) location are of the view that not enough is being done to protect them from the

dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19) , even as the suspension of flights has been lifted, clearing the way for employees to be shuttled in and potentially exposing

those at the camp.

In an interview with one such employee who spoke on the condition of anonymity, he expressed fears that enough was not being done

for their safety. While he admitted that the company has provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), he noted that they were still at risk.

“Everyone intermingling within the same confines, when it comes to the lunch room, the cafeteria, the dormitories. People are intermingling a lot with each other. Sometimes you have six persons using one washroom facility. Then you got six will come in after and another six,” the employee said.

“So, we are saying if one person contracts this thing and flies in and for whatever reason they miss it at the airport, it will be devastating for all of us here. We’re thinking the Government or some authority needs to look at this, ‘cause people coming from all over and meeting in this one central location.”

Another employee ex-

ed for all employees who are due or overdue to be rotated to or from the site. AGM operates on a rotational shift system, with some employees working on site and some being transported home on a schedule.

Measures

Aurora Director Peter Benny

plained that at any given time 200 to 300 persons are on site at the Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) location.

The mills would contain approximately 100. According to him, expats have been evacuated. They want a similar arrangement.

“Why is it Guyana Goldfields extract the foreign workers, but choose to carry locals to site? If they were not cognisant of the situation at hand, why did they remove the expats? Let me give you another example.

“Let’s say I work bulldozer. The confines of the working space 10 square feet or so. Now someone could have worked that machine before me and touch every part of that machine. You spent hours in there. You would want be relaxed, take off your PPE. I could come into contact with what you left,” he said.

Memo

In a memorandum seen

by Guyana Times that was dated April 4 and captioned ‘temporary flights suspension’, AGM Human Resources Director Emma Geist had announced that as a result of the Government’s announcement on COVID-19, Trans Guyana flights between Ogle and the Aurora mine site would be suspended.

“This suspension will remain in effect until Tuesday, April 7, 2020 while we discuss options with the Government. Therefore, all employees due to fly to site during those dates must remain home (unpaid leave).”

“All employees due to fly from site to Georgetown will be required to stay at site and will be paid for the extra days spent working at site,” the company had also announced.

This memo was then superseded by one dated April 6, in which Geist said that flights have been reinstated as of April 7, 2020.

In this new memo, it was noted that the planned turnarounds would be complet-

Meanwhile, this publication made contact with Aurora’s Director of Corporate Office and Compliance, Peter Benny, who emphasised that the company has made several efforts to protect its workers against the coronavirus.

According to Benny, not only are temperature checks done on workers before they get on the plane and after they disembark, but workers are also subjected to questionnaires that seek to ascertain whether they were exposed to the virus prior to coming to the location.

“We’ve implemented temperature checks, wearing masks, keeping social distances on the flight… if they have a cough or runny nose, they’re not allowed to travel. When they go into camp, they are one person per room as against before when we had three and four persons per room. That’s no longer the case. Employees live in self-contained rooms, with air conditioning” he explained.

“We’ve suspended playing games in the playfield, because that is close contact.

The commissaries – only one person can be at the counter at one time. For us, our employees are important. They are our most valued asset.”

Asked whether steps have been taken to reduce the number of persons on site, Benny noted that they were working with the normal complement of workers.

“We have the right number of persons per shift. We cannot afford to have more than the normal amount of people there or less. Because we have to keep the mill going. Production requires a certain number of people. Everything we’re doing is considering what impact it will have on the fight against COVID. “So, it’s not that we’re thinking about production alone. If it comes to that: that things don’t work out, we may relook at the way we do business. But so far, we have put a number of things in place to deal with these issues.”

Up to press time on April 8, Guyana recorded 37 cases of coronavirus and six deaths. A total of 145 persons were tested, with 30 in institutional isolation and 27 in institutional quarantine. There were also eight recovered cases.

NEWS

11

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt extends exemptions under issued curfew – as nationwide lockdown gazetted 1 week later – Irfaan Ali identifies needed support for affected groups

O

ne week after the caretaker Government, through the Ministry of Public Health, issued wide, sweeping restrictions and a national curfew, the directive has finally been gazette, but it has failed to establish a socio-economic policy plan to cushion the impact of the lockdown on non-essential workers, who are unable to earn during this period.

The Coalition has come under heavy criticism over its lack of such contingency plans, and while it revealed on Wednesday that it is now making assessments to determine the impact on the operations of local businesses to shape an informed economic policy, this does not include the ‘common man’.

On the contrary, however, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali has already proactively outlined proposed measures to cushion the economic impact of the COVID-19 virus and ease the financial hardship on not just businesses, but Guyanese people as well.

Among the reliefs suggested that specifically target the affected working class is the payment of minimum wage through tax rebates for three months for those who have been laid off or are unable to attend work due to COVID-19 lockdown.

In terms of tax relief, Ali recommended a refund of the past six months PAYE to all hospitality businesses to allow for the transfer of stipends to laid-off employees in the sector; relax withholding tax on gold and diamond miners for three months; remove value-added tax (VAT) on essential goods and services, including water, electricity, data, pharmaceutical, and medical supplies; and suspend the collection and remittance of VAT for three months.

Lower tariff for electricity in line with global oil prices, and provide fuel and farming supplies to small farmers over the next three months, to ensure that sufficient food is grown locally to cater for the potential reduction in food imports, were some of the economic relief he outlined.

Ali had also suggested financial and debt relief for these affected persons. This

includes using moral suasion to encourage lending institutions and hire-purchase to waiver late fees and postpone repayments on credit card debts, loans, and mortgages; and postpone loan for the next three months as well as reschedule bad loans and waiver late fees and other penalties for the next three months. These institutions can be provided with tax rebates and tax credits equivalent to the forgone income.

Nevertheless, the legal supplement published in the Official Gazette on Thursday amended the emergency measures to include an expanded list of some additional specific agencies and categories of businesses and workers under essential services to be allowed exemptions under the curfew.

The emergency measures were put into effect by the ‘caretaker’ administration on April 3, pursuant to the direction of the President under the Public Ordinance Act, in an effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, but has been met with mixed reaction.

The original order has since been revoked and replaced with the newly gazetted directives.

Under the Emergency measures directive, “any person who fails to comply with any of the new measures commits an offence”, and shall be liable to summary conviction.

Some of the measures outlined in the Govt directive include directives to stay at home, stating that “every person shall remain in the confines of his or her home and its yard space”, except or as otherwise provided.

All persons employed within the Public Service, a statutory body or a Stateowned enterprise shall also work remotely from home,

except as may otherwise be directed by the Public

Health Minister, acting on the advice of the responsible Ministers and Heads of Agencies.

With regards to essential services, these will carry on with 24-hour operations.

These include hospitals, healthcare and medical services, including pharmacies, drug stores and private veterinary services; nursing homes, orphanages, shelters and other related care centres; immigration; Guyana Revenue Authority

(GRA); electricity services; water supply services; the Disciplined Forces; Guyana Prison Services; solid waste management, sewerage and janitorial services; air traffic control (ATC); the Demerara Harbour Bridge and Berbice River Bridge; hotels and accommodation; and factories, manufacturers or distributors of food supplies and essential goods, including medical supplies where the Minister of Public Health has determined that the

continuation of these operations do not pose a risk to public health.

Telecommunications and media are also included in the essential services category. Other services deemed essential include those included in mineral and petroleum exploration and development, including those involved in the supply chain.

Security, certain port and transportation services have also been included as essential.

12 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Food and Drug Dept recalls Purcill hand sanitisers

T

he Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) issued an immediate recall of Purcill hand sanitisers from the local market, owing to its substandard quality.

The brand of hand sanitisers only has 53 per cent alcohol, not 62 per cent as stated on the labels.

The Department said this was way below the stipulated strength of at least 60 per cent of alcohol as is required for efficacy. This constitutes a direct violation of

the laws of Guyana, specifically the Food and Drug Act of 1971, Chapter 34:03, Section III, Part 10 (1) and the Food and Drug Regulation of 1977, Section 58 (2), the Department said in a statement.

According to the GAFDD said it received a consumer complaint regarding the sanitiser’s use and efficacy, so it was analysed in the Department’s laboratory where the misrepresentation was discovered.

“Our Excise Laboratory

on the 26th March, 2020 issued results which revealed that the percentage (%) alcohol is only 53 per cent in the Purcill Brand Hand Sanitiser and not 62 per cent as stated on the label.

This is way below the stipulated strength of at least 60 per cent of alcohol as is required for efficacy. This constitutes a direct violation of the Laws of Guyana, Food and Drug Act of 1971, Chapter 34:03, Section III, Part 10 (1) and the Food and Drug Regulation of 1977, Section 58 (2),” the state-

ment related.

The Department was able to peruse invoices furnished

by Andrews Enterprise of Lot 00 Hadfield Street, Wortmanville & 1 E 1/2 Durey Lane & Austin Street, Campbellville, representing the sale of 2350 bottles of 237ml. The Department’s efforts to effect seizure of this product from the shelves of retail outlets and visits to the alleged distributors were stymied because of the current COVID-19 situation Consumers are, therefore, advised not to use this product since the expected results cannot be guaranteed, particularly for the sanitizing of hands during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the alleged distributors will be contacted and asked to make immediate contact with the Department, the GA-FDD stated.

“This product is purportedly made in China as claimed by the label ‘Made in China’ and ‘Distributed

by Congreat Enterprises Inc, Miami, FL-33178 U.S.A.’

Manufacturers and importers of sanitisers are asked to ensure labels of sanitising agents are duly approved by the Department and obtained the necessary licence or permits before releasing for sale on our local market.

Consumers are reminded to ensure that labels of sanitisers declare the percentage (%) alcohol and the name of all the active ingredients,” the GA-FDD reminded.

Earlier, the GA-FDD

warned that any manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, distributor or retailer found in the practice of diluting any sanitising agent or marketing a sanitising agent that is substandard (less than 60 per cent ethyl alcohol or 70-75 per cent Isopropanol) will be prosecuted according to the Food and Drug Act, Chapter 34:03, Part III, Section 10 and the Food and Drug Regulation, Regulation 72.

Denying healthcare workers access to transportation is absurd – GPSU

…urges public transportation providers to implement systems to address concerns

T

he Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has come out swinging at operators of public transportation for their discrimination against health workers, particularly nurses clad in their uniforms.

The Union said this action was absurd and called on the public transportation providers to put measures in place to address their concerns and not to deny the healthcare workers their right to transportation.

“The GPSU acknowledges the right of every individual or entity to ensure that anyone who is anticipated to be in close proximity observe certain health protocols and, is positive that healthcare workers observe all the necessary requirements before leaving their home or work.

However, if there is a concern by the operators of public transport, the Union suggest that they implement appropriate systems considered practicable and, similar to those adopted by agencies.

A dispenser with hand sanitiser is not too much to ask.

However, to deny them access to the minibus is downright absurd, unlawful, completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated. As a licensed public transportation operator, there should be no discrimination and all passengers should be treated equally and any acts of discrimination should be dealt with by the law,” the Union said in a statement on Thursday.

The GPSU is also advising all healthcare workers to record the registration number of any public transportation vehicle that deny them their right to join the vehicle

to be transported. This information should be forwarded to the GPSU so that adequate action could be taken.

The Union said it was offended by the attitude displayed by some operators of the public transportation system to the healthcare workers, particularly nurses. They called for the condemnation of the behaviour of the minibus drivers and/or conductors.

“COVID-19 has been declared by WHO/PAHO [World Health Organisation/ Pan American Health Organisation] as a pandemic.

This pandemic is so pervasive that almost every country is grappling with its devastating effect. In the frontline battling this contagion are our healthcare workers and other public servants who provide the backup logistical work for these healthcare systems.

“Our healthcare workers render patient care to those afflicted, and all assistance should be given to ensure that they arrive at work on time to relieve their tired and sometimes overworked colleagues, and to take home those who have just completed their shift. The service these workers provide is priceless and they should be commended and every effort should be made by the public to display appreciation for the work they do, to encourage and motivate them to make their lives comfortable,” the GPSU noted.

The Union said that minibuses serve as an integral part of the public transportation system in Guyana and workers depend on the minibuses to get to work on time and get home after a hard day/night providing health care.

NEWS

13

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PPP’s "Mask Up" campaign in full swing

race, religion or political affiliation, come together and fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think we can help each other and save each other by at least wearing these masks, observing the social distancing, ensuring that we wash our hands regular-

T

he People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP’s) ‘Mask Up’ campaign is in full swing, with volunteers distributing masks and other essential items to citizens in several regions across the country to help contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Several persons have come on board and are helping to sew thousands of cloth masks for free distribution.

Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali is leading the initiative, which will see over 10,000 masks being distributed to persons across Guyana. The programme was launched last Saturday at the Leonora Market.

The team continued its countrywide distribution exercise today (Thursday) in areas around Georgetown (Region 4). Dr Ali is also appealing to all citizens to

wear the masks so as to protect themselves and others from contracting the virus.

According to Dr Ali, it is now more important than ever that all Guyanese, regardless of their

ly, and sanitise. Let us do [this] together, we have to protect each other,” he posited.

In an effort to play its part in the fight against the novel coronavirus, the PPP/C has established a National COVID-19 Multistakeholders’ Response Forum.

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jamaica’s CAFFE group calls for recount to be transparent

A

Jamaican group known as Citizens Action For Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE) has expressed deep concerns over Guyana’s current electoral impasse, and has called for the national recount process to be transparent.

Established in 1997, CAFEE is a Jamaica-based non-profit organisation with a major focus on monitoring elections and commitment to the democratic process in all countries.

In a statement on Thursday, the group called the current situation here “disturbing”, noting that its

concern is heightened since Guyana, like Jamaica, is a Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (CARICOM) and Commonwealth member state which has pledged its commitment to the maintenance of a fair electoral system.

According to CAFFE, it is fully five weeks since Guyanese voted and the elections’ results remain unclear and high-

Police destroy 35,000 ganja plants during raid in Berbice River

ly controversial, largely as a result of the mishandling of the tabulation of votes from one region – Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

“This is because officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have proceeded to present results that are alleged to be in conflict with the figures from the Statements of Poll (SoPs) which were obtained from the count of votes at the polling locations – without any credible explanation for the variance,” the group noted.

It went on to recognise that GECOM is now undertaking a total recount of the votes in all 10 regions; but added, “Whatever the approach taken, CAFFE is firmly of the view that the process must be transparent

and the results should reflect some congruency with the Statements of Poll that were observed at the initial counting of the ballots.”

CAFFE further stressed that while the court has ruled against GECOM being subjected to supervision in this process, it does not consider this to rule out the presence of independent observers, which is a well-accepted feature in democratic countries.

“Anything less than this will expose the declared results of the elections to controversy, and any Government sworn into office on this basis would have questionable legitimacy,” the group contended.

Against this backdrop, the Jamaica-based organisation welcomed the announcement that the re-tabulation will be conducted with the presence of the CARICOM high-level team as observers.

“CAFFE considers that the conduct of the re-tabulation in this way will provide

legitimacy and transparency to the process, so that the results will be credible. This will facilitate Guyana taking its rightful place as a fully democratic member of the CARICOM Community devoted to the maintenance of a free and fair electoral system,” it posited.

Moreover, the group referred to the warning of former Commonwealth Secretary General and prominent Guyanese citizen, Sir Shridath Ramphal, who two weeks ago said, “Choose a path that will either lead to a good Guyana or a failed state”.

“The Guyanese people deserve better than this,” the group asserted.

CAFFE says it felt an incumbency to express its concern about Guyana’s situation as a civic society organisation which, since its 1997 establishment, was provided with invaluable technical support and advice by the Guyanese Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB).

ICD joins call for "expeditious recount" …calls for Lowenfield’s removal from the process

T

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force on Thursday conducted a drug eradication operation in the Berbice River, during which four fields of cannabis cultivation were found.

Based on information received, at Morgunston Village, the first farm was found with about five thousand (5,000) plants ranging from one foot to four feet in height.

The second farm, with approximately five thousand plants, was reportedly found at Gaettroy Village; while the third farm, with about fifteen thousand (15,000) plants ranging from one foot to six feet in height, was found at Gaettroy Village. At the third farm, a 40-year-old resident of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice was arrested and charged for the cultivation of the

prohibited plants.

Meanwhile, a fourth farm was found at Bartica Village, Berbice River, with about ten thousand (10,000) plants ranging between one foot and six feet in height.

The plants were already harvested and left to dry in the field and under the camp.

On each farm there was at least one camp. The plants and camps were destroyed by fire.

he International Center for Democracy (ICD) has expressed deep concerns at the announcement of Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield that the votes cast in the recent General and Regional Elections would take 156 days to be recounted.

The ICD is calling for him to be removed from his respective portfolio.

After the court challenges, a recount of the votes was ordered, for which Lowenfield was mandated to submit a work plan. On Wednesday, he arrived at the conclusion that the process can be done in 156 days, putting the process to an end sometime in September.

The Center, via a statement, responded to this position by urging GECOM Chairperson Justice Claudette Singh to take charge of the process and prepare a schedule to facilitate an expeditious recount.

The timeline suggested

by Lowenfield should be rejected, owing to political bias displayed with support from the District Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo and Deputy Returning Officer Roxanne Myers. The ICD is demanding that these three persons be removed from the process.

“The ICD demands that Madam Chair Claudette Singh take full responsibility to prepare and present to the Commission and all political parties a schedule for an expeditious recount…The ICD demands that the proposed 156 days’ timeframe proposed by CEO Lowenfield be rejected.

“The ICD demands that

because of the dishonesty, lack of trust, failure to be impartial, and political bias displayed by Mr Lowenfield, Mr Mingo and Ms Myers, they all be relieved from their duties forthwith, and should not have anything to do with the recount process,” the statement posited.

These GECOM officials were also labelled as masterminds behind manipulation of the District Four Statements of Poll, which resulted in ‘fraudulent’ election declaration in favour of the caretaker coalition.

The recount, the agency said, should be conducted in the presence of representatives from all competing parties, international and local observers, the Caribbean Community, and other involved stakeholders. It expressed that the new timetable for the recount must be discussed and agreed upon by all competing parties.

It went on to say that all eyes from the international domain are on Guyana, as calls mount for the restoration of democracy and the swearing in of a democratically elected president.

“The ICD, International and Local Observer Groups, ABCE countries, CARICOM and other countries’ representatives worldwide will be paying close attention to ensure that the GECOM Chairwoman Claudette Singh execute her duties and responsibilities that were bestowed upon her by the Constitution of Guyana and by the people of Guyana to ensure that the recount of the ballots is done in a free, fair and transparent manner within the shortest possible timeframe, not to be

misguided or misled by any political parties and or staff within GECOM, and to ensure that the three senior GECOM staff mentioned above are immediately relieved of their duties and responsibilities.”

It emphasized that since December 2018, the No Confidence Motion paved the way for elections within 90 days. The elections were not facilitated during that time, and Lowenfield was fingered for his role in this delay – cementing his intentions since the inception.

“The No Confidence Motion (NCM) that was passed in the Guyana Parliament in December 2018 constitutionally required that General Elections must be held within ninety (90) days. The General Elections were delayed for over one year. The CEO for GECOM played an integral role in this delay.

For an entire year, Guyana was governed by a caretaker government,” the ICD recognized.

It further highlights the role of the incumbent caretaker coalition, the A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), for its illegal tactics to remain in power without contributing to the resolution of fair elections.

“Just like the NCM, where the current regime remained in office for an entire year without Elections being held, the current regime again has remained in office but this time under blatant illegal manoeuvres by a few senior GECOM staff that resulted in no final Election declaration.”

NEWS

15

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Stakeholders urge recount Wismar Hospital to be used as isolation facility for COVID-19 patients be done within 2 weeks …156 days “grossly unacceptable” – political parties

H

ighlighting that the nation has been hanging in a balance since the March 2 polls, the Guyana Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) has proposed a plan which can see the countrywide recount of votes cast in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections completed in as little as 12 days.

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield has since been tasked with reworking his 156 days national recount plan with an aim to reducing the timeframe.

The GBPI, a non-partisan and not-for-profit organisation that promotes evidence-based policies, has presented a plan which it says is efficient and will guarantee a transparent and credible process.

This plan was even recommended by some smaller political parties which wrote the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Justice (retd) Claudette Singh, expressing their displeasure at the CEO’s initial 156 days recount timeline.

The Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), in a joint correspondence with Change Guyana directed to the GECOM Chair, argued that Lowenfield’s initial plan is “utterly and grossly unacceptable”. Explaining that the country has been without “constitutional office bearers” in the Executive for

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

over 16 months, these parties underscored the importance of a less time-consuming work plan.

“With due consideration of the dire need to be expeditious in concluding these elections, we are of the view that the plan presented by the Guyana Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) is executable and would serve to see this country returning to a state of democratic and constitutional compliance in the shortest time possible,” the two parties stated.

The United Republican Party (URP), in a separate letter to the GECOM Chair, also recommended the plan presented by GBPI: “Our party executive has meet and we are endorsing the attached document prepared by the Guyana Policy and Budget Institute (GPBI) as a framework to accelerate the time line necessary to complete the recount,” the URP stated.

GBPI’s plan

Based on the Institute’s plan, it will take on average 1 hour and 5 minutes to recount each ballot box.

Further, for each 12-hour shift, a maximum of 3 hours can be used for administration (e.g. lunch breaks, shift change, etc.) and 9 hours for actual recounting of the ballots.

GBPI posited that it takes at most 20 seconds to validate each ballot, noting that this is a very liberal estimate, since the actual time taken on elections night was significantly less.

This involves the Presiding Officer calling out the vote on each ballot and showing it to all stakeholders for validation. The 20 seconds also include 5 seconds that is the average per ballot for other types of administrative processes that can slow the process, e.g. lunch break, short breaks, changing over to another shift, etc.

In providing an example, GBPI pointed out that in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), which has 73,432 valid votes, 6 teams are required to work on a 12-hour shift rotation system, 2 teams at a time, to complete the recount process in 8 days.

Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), because it is the largest electoral district,

would require a total of 12 teams to complete the recount exercise in 12 days.

The ballots for Region 4 would be split into four main groups (South Georgetown, North Georgetown, East Bank, and East Coast). Each group would have 3 teams assigned to it (Teams 4A, 4B, and 4C).

“Let’s take, for example, the South Georgetown group. Team 4A will start the recounting process and work for 12 hours. Team 4B will relieve Team 4A, and continue for 12 hours, and Team 4C will relieve Team 4B and continue for 12 hours, and the process continues,” the organisation explained.

“This shift system allows each team to work for 12 hours and rest for 24 hours without interrupting the process. What is more important is that, while the recount is happening for South Georgetown, it is also happening simultaneously for all the other groups in Region 4,” GBPI added.

Taking into consideration the threat of COVID-19, the Institute proposed the Arthur Chung Conference Centre be used as the venue for the recount, since it is large enough to accommodate the required number of people in a spacious setting.

When it comes to human resources, GBPI asserted, GECOM has enough personnel required for the job.

“Setting aside other administrative support staff and focusing only on the staff needed to undertake the national recount, a total of 74 staff are required for the 37 teams (each team having 2 staff members; 1 presiding officer and 1 clerk). That is a total of 37 presiding officers and 37 clerks. This is an insignificant amount of human resources, given GECOM’s personnel size,” the Institute stated.

In regard to live streaming the activity, the organisation contends, this should no longer be a matter of debate.

“The process has thus far been fraught with endless delays and qualms that have eroded public confidence and credibility. To ensure that the recount exercise is open, fair, transparent and credible, live coverage of the recount is necessary,” GBPI said.

DCMO Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle interacting with Medical Superintendents of both Mackenzie and Wismar Hospitals

H

ealth authorities in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have taken a decision to use the Wismar Hospital as an isolation facility for COVID-19 patients.

This announcement came two days after a Lindener who had been transferred from the Mackenzie Hospital to the Georgetown Public Hospital on Monday had been tested positive for COVID-19. The patient had reportedly visited the Mackenzie Hospital with several respiratory issues, and after his condition had worsened, a decision was taken to have him transferred to the city hospital.

At a meeting between Public Health Ministry officials and Region 10 Health officials Dr Pansy Armstrong, Dr Joseph London and Dr Steve Mark, it was decided, after the various locations had been reviewed, to use the Wismar Hospital.

Accompanied by the officials from Georgetown, the Region 10 team toured the facility, and it was revealed that 14 rooms, along with other facilities, would be installed in the first phase to aid the region in its isolation

plan for COVID-19 patients.

Emergency Medicine Specialist Dr Tracey Bovell expressed satisfaction with the standards and readiness of Region 10, and stressed that COVID-19 patients would be placed at a location where doctors would be in a position to better treat them.

Dr Bovell also identified the required systems that needed to be implemented to ensure that those in isolation are properly cared for, while ensuring that the rest of the hospital can continue its operation without any interference and/or interruption.

Dr Armstrong stressed that the Linden Hospital would continue to render several services, while noting that COVID-19 would be just another service being provided to the people of Region Ten. To ensure the health sector in Region 10 is not overloaded, she disclosed, three of the services currently being offered at the Wismar Hospital would be moved to the Mackenzie Hospital.

Dr Bovell, who met with the engineers attached to the RDC, disclosed that the first phase would be ready within a week’s time.

She said that all systems and measures are being taken to ensure that the health officials of Region Ten remain alert, proactive, and ready to handle any situation that may arise as a result of the disease.

She commended the unified position taken by the three top medical officials of Region 10, and declared that it would certainly further advance health within the region.

She declared how very impressed she was with the overwhelming support and assistance being offered by the REO and team, and stressed that despite limited financing being available because of the constraints currently affecting funding for the budget, the REO has demonstrated his commitment and determination to ensure that Region Ten is not only ready, but is aggressively moving ahead so as to ensure that they can effectively and adequately address the issues of COVID-19 when these present themselves.

Meanwhile, Region 10 Executive Officer (REO) Orrin Gordon has assured that the facilities would be fully ready and operational within two to three weeks’ time.

“Dutty” arraigned for Corentyne businessman’s murder

D

aniel McLennon, also called “Dutty”, was on Thursday arraigned for the murder of Corentyne businessman Lomenzo Jhonny, whose body was discovered on February 27 near his Portuguese Quarters home.

McLennon appeared before New Amsterdam Magistrate Peter Hugh, and was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that he murdered the businessman. Several men have already been charged and remanded to prison for the murder.

McLennon was remanded to prison until June 2, and the matter has been transferred to the Albion Magistrate’s Court.

It was reported that on February 27, 2020, Jhonny’s body was discovered in a yard about 400

Murdered: Lomenzo Jhonny

metres from his home. His feet were bound together with a shoelace, and the sweater he was seen wearing the evening before was found a few feet away from the body. A pair of scissors and a piece of wood were also found near to the body.

There was a wound to his

back and bruises to his hand, while his head and face appeared to be swollen.

When Police went to his home, they found that the front door was not locked.

The inside of the house was ransacked, and a safe and other items were reportedly removed from the building.

Investigators subsequently received information about the whereabouts of the safe, which contained an undisclosed amount of cash.

The safe was subsequently recovered and approximately $2M in cash was found.

Navendra Narine, Gopaul Ramgobin, Satram Khuslay and Bilal Mc Lennon were jointly charged with murder when they made a court appearance in March, and were remanded until April 17.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

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

Police Commissioner advised to arrest Words of hope and seeds of faith and charge Mingo and Lowenfield Dear Editor, Keith Lowenfield’s recent proposal on the recount of the March 02, 2020 Elections, while outrageous, is not unexpected, as such has been the incumbent Government’s strategy of remaining in office since December 22, 2019.

Both Mingo and Lowenfield are acknowledged to have made chargeable false declarations and issued a report based on those numbers. There is little question that neither of these gentlemen is commit-

ted to generating a fair and accurate account and report on our elections, and neither should anymore be involved in further activities at GECOM. As a matter of information, it should be noted that, on April 03, 2020, the Democratic National Congress filed a letter with the Commissioner of Police documenting the chargeable instances of procedural violations by Mr Mingo and Keith Lowenfield, and recommending that they be arrested and charged.

It is appropriate at this point to urge the Commissioner to move to conduct any investigation he may deem necessary, and proceed to have both of these men arrested and removed from the Guyana Elections Commission in the interest of generating credible results.

We continue to lose billions of dollars in business and investment as a result of the political instability generated by the coalition administration’s unwillingness to concede defeat in

an election to which it is already in possession of the results.

We urge them to issue a formal declaration of concession soon, as they should by now realize that any effort to install an illegitimate Government has already failed and lack domestic and international support.

Maintain our democracy, and return power to the people.

Sincerely, Craig Sylvester Democratic National Congress

The strange evolution of Dr Hinds

Dear Editor, Within a matter of weeks, Dr. Hinds has gone from the appearance of an impartial observer to now openly advocating breaking the laws of Guyana; from “letting the process work its way through the courts” to now “scrapping the ballot boxes and installing Mr. Granger as President.

What could account for this strange evolution of Dr. Hinds?

From election date to now, Dr. Hinds cannot not bring himself to admit that which not some, or even a few, but ALL of the election observers have asserted: that the tabulation of votes

by Mr. Mingo was fraudulent.

While some have blamed many in the international community of being biased in favour of the Opposition, it strains credulity to believe that ALL in the internation-

al community -- including our Caribbean brothers and sisters, of whom most are black -- are in on this conspiracy. Even Dr. Hinds cannot believe this.

Unable to accept the reality of the outcome, Dr. Hinds seeks refuge in his usual “both sides are guilty of rigging” statement.

Perhaps he is correct, but to my knowledge, to date, neither Dr. Hinds, nor anyone else has presented evidence that supports this assertion, as it pertains to the election of March 2nd, 2020.

If Dr. Hinds has this evidence, I challenge him to present it for the benefit of the Guyanese people and for the world to see. I think he owes it to the Guyanese people. Without presenting any shred of evidence, or without any place to hide, Dr. Hinds has simply abandoned any pretense at open-mindedness and has laid bare his

true feelings.

Here is Dr. Hinds in his own words: “Count your votes and declare your winner: I will see you in 2025 shouting for democracy again” “I am not joining the rhetoric that reduces the current impasse before us to “rigging”: I know better” “Scrap the election and install an interim government with David Granger as President.”

While Dr. Hinds is entitled to his opinion, here are a few questions Hinds and his conscience must grapple with: Why hold elections at all? why not simply assert a winner? Why make this call now? Why shout for democracy in 2025? What about democracy now? Couldn’t this call have been made before spending millions of dollars on an election? If you truly believe in shared governance, why didn’t you sug-

gest this to your coalition partners after they won in 2015. In fact, didn’t you remind us through your many articles that you were campaigning for the coalition?

I assumed you believed in elections then. what has changed your mind?

Aren’t you an advocate for the sanctity and integrity of GECOM? Where in the GECOM charter can you find scrapping ballot boxes as a solution?

You see, Editor, this is the kind of rank hypocrisy that has kept our country from moving forward. The game is okay once my side is winning; but when the tables are turned, then we should end the game and declare me the winner. Something is rotten in the minds of people who subscribe to this kind of thinking.

Sincerely, Courtney Lane

Dear Editor, Guyana is ‘secluded’, ‘boxed-in’, ‘comfortable’, and has a ‘tribal notion’ of God. This is all about to change.

I was ecstatic to hear a pastor from India declare that, in a population of 1.3 billion, the divide between the ‘untouchables’ and the rest of India has been seriously dented, thanks to COVID-19.

No one can escape; we are all at the mercies of God. What will you do now?

It’s time to change your talk, your walk, your behaviour, your attitudes, etc. It’s great to see that no one is immune to fear, worry, and even death. No more idols of money, work, cars, and the list goes on.

The fight in Guyana is spiritual. Think about it: someone got caught ‘sacrificing’ his daughter to evil spirits for money. Darkness and evil are pervading Guyana in the most wicked way; and it has been going on for some time. Many had warned against evil practices on the land, but no one took heed. I bet you are now heeding; lockdown will teach many hard lessons of life.

Lockdown in Guyana – this is a welcome move, as we need a ‘pause’ desperately. Pause from politics, elections, coronavirus, accidents, people’s bad attitudes, bad customer service; everything in Guyana.

What can you/we do while in lockdown mode?

1. Give some serious thought to the current state and direction of yourself and this country; we have to move on.

2. God is not only for Christians; God is for everyone who would cry out in desperation at all times 3. Get your leader of any kind to give all citizens a grocery hamper and cheque every two weeks. The political parties wasted millions on themselves with posters, signs, flags, tee-shirts, hats, umbrellas, etc. How has that helped us?

4. Stay home and work; get your leader to beef-up internet, telephone and electricity services in the nation.

5. Children of the 60s (including me) will remember Mass Games. Push to have Mass Clean-Ups (did you see what is going on in Russia?), and can we have Mass Farming? In life after COVID-19, the world would need food; Guyana has the land. This is no time to waste time; COVID will pass, it did in 1918. Get busy. Take free online courses, there are many being offered. The godly and righteous men in our society need to stepup BIG TIME. Guyana will live, and not DIE.

Dear Editor, I was deeply shocked to learn of the death of John Lewis. Long before I became President of the Rugby Union, John served for some ten (10) years as President; and before that, played for and captained Guyana’s Rugby Team. He was, as far as I know, the longest serving President of the Rugby Union, having served for ten (10) years, then again one (1) year later.

During my years as President, John was a tower of strength, serving, if my memory serves me correctly, for one (1) year as my Vice President, and then in the thankless task as Match

Secretary. He also served for some years as Team Manager of our enormously successful Sevens Team.

On my retirement, John succeeded me as President, and thereafter continued to serve in various executive positions, until the time of his death.

I know that whenever Rugby resumes, the Guyana Rugby Football Union would have lost its greatest stalwart.

See you in Rugby Heaven, John.

Sincerely, Denise Murray

GRFU has lost its greatest stalwart

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento Former President, GRFU

news@guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

Regional

Brazil's Amazonas state warns its health system overwhelmed by coronavirus

B

razil’s Amazonas state warned on Thursday that its health system has been overwhelmed by the coronavirus epidemic, with all intensive care beds and ventilators already taken as a result of the outbreak.

As the virus spreads across the country from its epicentre in Brazil’s wealthiest city of Sao Paulo, it is highlighting the huge discrepancies in healthcare provisions in this continent-sized country.

Manaus, a city of two million in the heart of the Amazon rainforest and the capital of Amazonas, has been particularly hard hit, with 800 confirmed cases.

The state as a whole has had 40 deaths out of around 900 confirmed cases.

Manaus is the only city in the state with intensive care units (ICUs).

Rosemary Pinto, head of the state health system, pleaded for people to heed social distancing orders aimed at shutting down all but essential activities.

17

People with protective masks walk during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, near the Port of Manaus, Brazil, April 9, 2020

“There are still too many people in the streets,” she said at a news conference.

“Families are sitting out on chairs in front of their homes. There are lines at the banks, including elderly people who are at risk, and that is why so many are dying,” she said.

The crisis led the state governor to replace his Health Secretary on Wednesday.

“Most of the cases are concentrated in Manaus, but when the virus spreads

to the interior of the state and reaches the Indigenous communities, it will be a catastrophe,” said Marcelo Ramos, a federal lawmaker representing Amazonas.

Health experts and anthropologists have warned of the danger of the pandemic decimating Brazil’s 850,000 Indigenous people because they have no immunity to external diseases and live in communal homes where social distancing is not possible. (Excerpt from Reuters)

from the Government, despite promises no one would go hungry during the more than month-long lockdown and additional payments to those on welfare programs.

The quarantine, which restricts most people to outings for food shopping and financial transactions, is set to run until April 27.

Colombia has more than 2000 confirmed new coronavirus infections and 55 deaths.

“The aid hasn’t reached us here, now we don’t have food and my husband is out of work,” said Sierra, 52, who herself is unable to work because of joint problems.

Her son, she said, “is low on defences. I haven’t been able to give him even a piece of fish or chicken – he needs them.”

Some people in the working-class satellite city of Soacha on the outskirts of Bogota have taken to hanging red cloth in their windows as a signal they need food and other necessities.

The hope is that neighbours who still have food will see it and share with those who do not, said Mario Palacios, a community representative for the La Maria neighbourhood.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Chilean authorities scold elite escaping city by helicopter for Easter amid coronavirus outbreak

C

hileans have a “moral duty” to stay home for the Easter holiday to stave off the spread of the coronavirus, Interior Minister Gonzalo Blumel said on Thursday, after reports surfaced of wealthy Santiago residents sneaking off to coastal enclaves by helicopter and private plane.

Chile has confirmed nearly 6000 coronavirus cases, among the highest tallies in Latin America. The hardest-hit regions of capital Santiago, a city of six million, are posh, high-end

neighbourhoods at the foot of the Andes Mountains.

Quarantine measures in many of those normally bustling communities require residents to shelter in place.

Chilean health officials said earlier this week they planned to cordon off the city, setting up road checkpoints manned by Police and military, to prevent city dwellers from fleeing to second homes in rural areas at the risk of spreading the virus.

But Santiago Mayor Felipe Guevara told State

television on Thursday that the city had received complaints “that people are using their own or leased helicopter or aircraft to leave the metropolitan region for their second home”.

Guevara said aviation officials would ask tough questions of any pilot seeking to leave the city.

The country’s nearby Pacific coast and several picturesque small mountain villages and ski towns are year-round tourist destinations for residents of the capital.(Excerpt from Reuters)

COVID-19 cases at 66 in Barbados

T

here are three new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 66 in Barbados.

Figures released by the Ministry of Health and Wellness a short while ago said recoveries are now at 11. The number of deaths remains at three.

Of the 66 confirmed

cases of the virus, 34 are females and 32 are males.

The ages range from seven to 95.

There are 52 people in isolation.

Meanwhile, Bermuda's Premier David Burt has issued a stark warning to Bermudians after announcing the island's third death from COVID-19, saying hundreds more

could die if residents flouted lockdown regulations.

Bermuda's third casualty, an 80-year-old man, died in hospital on Wednesday and the source of transmission is still under investigation, Burt said at the Government's daily press briefing on Wednesday night. (Nation News and CMC)

Despite some aid, poor Pandemic gives shot in the arm Colombians fall through cracks during coronavirus lockdown to Cuba's medical missions

S

andra Sierra is praying for someone to bring her and her family food amid Colombia’s coronavirus quarantine.

Her teenage son Kevin is at higher risk of serious illness if infected with COVID-19, the respiratory ailment caused by the virus, which has killed at least 90,000 worldwide.

Kevin, 16, has obliterative bronchiolitis, which causes airway inflammation and means he is connected permanently to an oxygen tank.

The family is among many low-income Colombians who have yet to receive help

C

uban doctors are back in global demand as overwhelmed national healthcare services tap their crisis experience as they battle with the coronavirus pandemic.

Communist-run Havana has long used its "white coat diplomacy" as an arm of its foreign policy, but has fallen foul of a changing political landscape in right-leaning Latin America and the Trump White House in Washington.

But with the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world, Cuba's doctors are seen as a key resource for overwhelmed national

Former THA Head wants all Tobagonians tested for COVID-19

T

he head of One Tobago Voice Hochoy Charles wants all 60,000 Tobagonians tested for COVID-19.

Charles spoke with Guardian Media on Thursday at Breeze Hall, Scarborough. Charles said this would allow for the better management of the virus in Tobago.

Charles said he believed the situation with the virus was worse than what was being portrayed.

He said that early on the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) had information on the virus and communicated with hoteliers in Tobago and asked

them to report foreigners showing symptoms of the disease.

Charles said: “We allowed Carnival to take place, not only that, there was a particular person, there is information CARPHA has, there was a particular individual who came in from New York into Trinidad.”

Charles said the individual developed symptom of the disease and returned to New York. He said it was unknown who that individual came into contact with.

Charles was very critical of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).

He said the Assembly remained very quiet on the

Former THA Chief Secretary Hochoy Charles says all Tobagonians should be tested for the coronavirus

COVID-19 status of the is-

land and only regurgitated what was said by the Government rather than being proactive.

He said if Tobago had internal self-governance, the matter would have been handled differently and the island would have been able to take care of its own and make better provisions.

He said: “If Trinidad is overwhelmed, as is going to be, as is happening, overwhelmed they would not have any time to see about us over here; we should have our self-government, still remain a nation and be able to protect our people.”

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Cuban doctors and nurses arrive in Jamaica

healthcare systems.

"We have been talking about the possibility of a pandemic since the beginning of the century, and Cuba has its army of white coats prepared," said Arturo Lopez-Levy, a Cuban professor at Holy Names University in California.

The ideals of the Cuban revolution of the 1950s mean free health care and education have long been considered societal pillars of the socialist island.

"At the end of the Cold War, Cuba developed this capacity and therefore it's logical that it became a very important tool in its foreign policy," Lopez-Levy told AFP. Italy, with more than 17,000 COVID-19 deaths, is one of 14 nations that so far have called on Cuba to help out their beleaguered

healthcare systems.

Havana sent its Henry Reeve humanitarian brigade, named after an American combatant in Cuba's war of independence, that specialises in natural disasters and epidemics.

Their arrival was greeted with applause as they filed into an Italian airport.

Havana sent a 39-strong team of medics to Andorra after the principality reported that scores of its own doctors were quarantined.

Cuba has also sent teams to Venezuela, Nicaragua, Grenada, Suriname, Jamaica and Belize.

And France has now authorised Cuban doctors to work in some of its overseas territories in order to fill the gaps in hard-hit local health care systems.

(Excerpt from AFP)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

Around the World

EU Ministers agree half-a-trillioneuro coronavirus rescue plan E

uropean Union (EU) Finance Ministers agreed on Thursday on half-a-trillion euros worth of support for their coronavirus-battered economies, but left open the question of how to finance recovery in the bloc headed for a steep recession.

The agreement was reached after EU powerhouse Germany, as well as France, put their feet down to end opposition from the Netherlands over attaching economic conditions to emergency credit for Governments weathering the impacts of the pandemic, and offered Italy assurances that the bloc would show solidarity.

But the deal does not mention using joint debt to finance recovery – something Italy, France and Spain pushed strongly for, but which is a

red line for Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Austria.

It only defers to the bloc’s 27 national leaders whether “innovative financial instruments” should be applied, meaning many more fraught discussions on the matter were still ahead.

“Europe has shown that it can rise to the occasion of this crisis,” said French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, praising what he said was the most important economic plan in EU history.

Earlier on Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte warned that the EU’s very existence would be under threat if it could not come together to combat the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Oil producers agree to cut production by a 5th

O

A man wearing a face mask walks past the European Commission headquarters as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Brussels, Belgium, April 9, 2020

UK coronavirus toll jumps as Johnson leaves ICU

T

he United Kingdom's coronavirus death toll rose by 881 in 24 hours, officials said on Thursday, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved out of intensive care, but remained in hospital to receive treatment for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Spain reported 683 additional deaths, a

lower number compared to the previous two days, while the overall number of fatalities in the United States linked to the coronavirus topped 15,000.

There are now more than 1.5 million confirmed cases of coronavirus around the world. More than 90,000 people have died and some

339,000 have recovered.

Meanwhile, Egypt reported 139 new cases, bringing its total since the start of the outbreak to 1699, according to a Health Ministry statement.

It recorded 15 new deaths, raising the total number of fatalities to 118.

In a Twitter post,

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni "discouraged" people from jogging in groups.

"You do not have to go outdoors to exercise. Here is my demonstration of how you can exercise indoors and stay safe," he wrote in a post, above a video demonstration. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Virus claims record dead, but Trump sees light at end of tunnel

T

he coronavirus pandemic notched up another round of record death tolls in the United States and Europe, dousing the optimism of US President Donald Trump who insisted there was light at the end of the tunnel.

The virus has now killed more than 87,000 people and infected over 1.5 million, according to an AFP tally on Thursday, sparing almost no country and tipping the world into a devastating economic crisis as global commerce shudders to a halt.

For the second straight day, the US grieved nearly 2000 deaths on Wednesday, as flags flew at half-mast in hardest-hit New York.

And the pandemic is marching into areas previ-

ously only lightly affected: in Africa, Ethiopia declared a state of emergency and Liberia said it was locking down its capital Monrovia.

Its deadly tentacles also crept deep into the Amazon rainforest, with the first case detected among the Yanomami, an Indigenous people isolated from the world until the mid-20th Century and vulnerable to disease.

Nevertheless, some glimmers of hope shone in the darkness, with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo saying the epidemic curve seemed to be flattening.

"We are hopefully heading towards a final stretch, the light at the end of the tunnel," said Trump.

All around the world, medical facilities are at

I

Iran-backed paramilitary groups have regularly been shelling bases in Iraq that host US forces, and the area around the US Embassy in Baghdad.

On Monday, three Katyusha rockets landed near a district in southern Iraq that houses workers for foreign oil companies, including US oil service company Halliburton. No casualties or damage were reported.

Last week, Trump said

rganisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) producers and allies have agreed to cut output by more than a fifth to counter the slump in demand caused by coronavirus lockdowns.

The group said it would cut output in May and June by 10 million barrels to help prop up prices. The cuts will then be eased gradually until April 2022.

OPEC+, made up of OPEC producers and allies including Russia, held talks on Thursday via video conference.

Talks were complicated by disagreements between Russia and Saudi Arabia.

The group and its allies agreed to cut 10 million barrels a day or 10 per cent of global supplies. Another five million barrels is expected to be cut by other nations.

It said the cuts would be eased to eight million barrels a day between July and December. Then they would be eased again to six million barrels between January 2021 and April 2022.

Oil prices slumped in March after OPEC+ failed to agree cuts.

In the wake of the March meeting, Saudi Arabia and Russia moved to boost production in order to retain market share amid falling global demand.

That, together with the collapse in demand for oil amid the coronavirus pandemic, help to push oil prices to 18-year lows by the end of March.

Prices have recovered some ground since then. Last week, prices jumped 20 per cent after US President Donald Trump said he expected Saudi Arabia and Russia to end their feud.

Thursday's talks will be followed by a conference call today between Energy Ministers from the G20 countries. It will be hosted by Saudi Arabia.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's wealth fund and one of Moscow's top oil negotiators, told Reuters: "We are expecting other producers outside the OPEC+ club to join the measures, which might happen tomorrow during G20."

The US has not committed itself to any cuts although it did say that its oil output was gradually reducing anyway due to plunging oil prices.

President Donald Trump had warned Saudi Arabia that the US would impose sanctions if it did not cut oil production.

(BBC News)

Coronavirus: WHO chief and Taiwan in row over 'racist' comments A mural painted by artist Kai “Uzey” Wohlgemuth featuring a nurse as Superwoman on a wall in Hamm, Germany

bursting point as they struggle with a relentless proces-

Iran or its proxies planned a sneak attack on US targets in Iraq, and warned they would pay a “very heavy price”, but gave no details.

US-Iranian relations have been bitter since the Islamic Revolution toppled the US-backed shah of Iran in 1979 and ushered in an era of theocratic rule.

While there was a detente with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, relations have deteriorated with Trump’s decision nearly two years

A

row has erupted after the Chief of the World Health Organisation (WHO) accused Taiwan's

the WHO, the United Nations health agency, because of China's objections to its membership.

sion of critically-ill patients.

(Excerpt from AFP)

Threat from Iran to US forces in Iraq remains “significant” – senior US diplomat

ranian-backed militia pose a “significant” threat to US forces in Iraq, the State Department’s top diplomat for the Middle East said on Thursday, about a week after US President Donald Trump warned of an attack by Iran or its proxies.

Assistant Secretary of Near Eastern Affairs, David Schenker did not give details about the threat, but told reporters in a teleconference: “It continues to be significant.”

OILNEWS

ago to abandon that international agreement and reimpose US sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy.

Worsening tensions, a January 3 US drone strike in Iraq killed Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force. It also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who founded Iraq’s Shi’ite Kataib Hezbollah militia after the 2003 USled invasion. (Excerpt from Reuters)

President Tsai Ing-wen (left) said Taiwan opposed any form of discrimination

leaders of spearheading personal attacks on him.

WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he had been subjected to racist comments and death threats for months.

But President Tsai Ingwen said Taiwan opposed any form of discrimination, and invited Dr Tedros to visit the island.

Taiwan said it had been denied access to vital information as the coronavirus spread. The WHO rejects this.

Taiwan is excluded from

The Chinese Communist Party regards Taiwan as a breakaway province and claims the right to take it by force if necessary.

The WHO has also been criticised by US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to withdraw US funding to the agency.

The WHO chief said the abuse had originated from Taiwan, "and the Foreign Ministry didn't disassociate" itself from it. (Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

19

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Lighten up and be willing to compromise if necessary.

You’ll accomplish far more if you get along with others and contribute to the general welfare. Embrace life instead of hiding out.

Get-togethers are favored.

Physical activities will provide a beneficial challenge.

Taking better care of your health and well-being will also improve your attitude as well as your friendships.

Stick to your plans, budget and promises. A project that interests you should stimulate you mentally and bring you in contact with people who share your sentiments.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

You’ll make a good connection if you get involved in events that make you feel passionate. A good deed will boost your reputation, but don’t go overbudget to impress someone.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Don’t worry about what others are doing.

Concentrate on your image and on being the best that you can be. Youngsters and seniors will offer unexpected insight.

LIBRA

Someone from your past will come to mind. Don’t be too eager to let this person back into your life. Distance yourself from anyone who is a bad influence.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Instill confidence and self-assurance in the people you want on your team, and success will follow.

Competitive challenges will be an excellent way to blow off steam. Make plans with a loved one.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Judge others and others will judge you. Give people the same freedom you want for yourself. Channel your energy into something you enjoy doing instead of being critical of what everyone else is up to.

Don’t be fooled by a deal SAGITTARIUS that sounds too good to be (Nov. 23true. Focus on how to imDec. 21) prove your appearance and enhance your important relationships.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

If you lend a helping hand, you will benefit. A positive change at home will boost your morale and bring you closer to someone who shares your personal goals.

Emotional problems will surface if you make a change without consent. Use your imagination and offer solutions that will satisfy everyone’s needs. Personal discipline will result in better health.

Speak up and press forward. How you deal with others will be vital in bringing about positive change.

Work hard, play hard and reap the rewards.

20

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

Premier League players' NHS initiative not knee-jerk reaction - Francis

Bournemouth captain Simon Francis

T

he Premier League players' initiative supporting the NHS was "not a knee-jerk reaction" to Health Secretary Matt Hancock talking about their wages, says Bournemouth captain Simon Francis.

Francis says Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson pitched the idea to his fellow Premier League captains.

Donations to the initiative will be anonymous and depend on what players are "comfortable with donating".

"It's the power of everyone coming together," Francis, 35, told BBC Sport.

The initiative - named #PlayersTogether - has been set up to "help those fighting for us on the NHS frontline" amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Francis said top-flight club captains had discussed the idea in

R

oger Harper, the Chairman of the West Indies selectors believes the team needs many more world-class players if it is going to be able to consistently compete with the best teams in the world. He also believes the individual territories need to a better job of creating those types of players.

The 57-year-old former West Indies spinner made the points while he was a guest on Isports on i95.5fm with host Andre Errol Baptiste on Saturday.

“We need to have World Class players in our West Indies teams, players who will compete in terms of performance and in terms of the world teams and that is how our cricket and our teams will get to the top of the pile,” Harper said.

“What we have to encourage our players to do is think bigger, aim higher and think of putting in World Class performances to match with World Class players.”

However, for this to happen the regional territories need to take more responsibility.

“The West Indies team comes from the territories, they don’t fall out of the sky so we are always pointing to the West Indies board but I think the territories have a serious responsibility as well, they are the ones who need to take responsibility,” he said.

He said that perhaps the time has come to go back to the past to move forward.

Chairman of the West Indies selectors, Roger Harper

“You need to get back to what was done in the past and take the responsibility to develop quality and World Class players. We have several World Class players, we have a number of them in the shortest format of the game and shortest format in particular but we also have World Class players in the Test format. You just look at the Test captain Jason Holder, who has been ranked the number one all-rounder in Test cricket for a while and then Kemar Roach up there for a while, and Shannon Gabriel whose has been doing pretty well but we need to have a team of World Class players not a scattering of World Class players." (Sportsmax)

group discussions on Whatsapp and Zoom.

"Jordan took the initiative to pitch the idea to the rest of the lads and it was a no-brainer for us," the defender told BBC sports news correspondent Natalie Pirks.

"It shows so much support within the football community to show we are one.

"We don't know when that will get up and running, so in the meantime it's a great chance for players to show how much the NHS means to us - a cause that is close to a lot of players' hearts."

Each club will organise their own donations, which will be distributed across the country, though the level of contributions has not been announced.

"It'll come down to talks with everybody within their own clubs what they're comfortable with donating," Francis said.

"There's a lot of players that play overseas and have family overseas and they may choose to donate back to where their families are from, which is understandable and absolutely fine.

"The talks are due to take place with each club, Jordan has the fund set up, and then hopefully it'll be distributed across the country."

Francis said it was "important" that donations are anonymous, adding: "It's not about who's put in more. We are not competing with the top teams, it's about helping first and foremost. We don't need it coming out in the press who has done what."

Meanwhile, Hancock praised the "big-hearted" gesture when it was announced on social media on Wednesday evening.

He had previously said footballers should "do their part and take a pay cut", which Francis described as "disappointing."

"I don't want it to seem like it was a kneejerk reaction to what has been said in the media - it wasn't that at all," Francis said.

"I spoke to Jordan in the morning of the day Matt Hancock came out and made his comments, so it was bad timing.

"With the problems we have across the country, for him to pick out footballers was disappointing."

More than 150 top-flight players posted a joint statement on social media on Wednesday confirming they were collaborating on a voluntary initiative, "separate to any other league and club conversation".

Premier League clubs previously said they would ask players to take a 30% pay cut in order to protect jobs, However, the Professional Footballers' Association said that would hit tax contributions to the NHS. On Thursday, Southampton became the first Premier League club to announce their players will defer part of their salaries.

Francis said the Premier League's request was "hasty" and said discussions at Bournemouth over wage deferrals were "positive."

Last week, Francis' manager Eddie Howe was the first Premier League boss to take a voluntary pay cut, with Brighton's Graham Potter following suit. (BBC Sport)

"I see light at the end of the tunnel" – Michael Holding on West Indies cricket

N

icholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope. These three men from three different islands in the Caribbean are the reason Michael Holding can see "light at the end of the tunnel" for West Indies cricket, which he feels can once again become a global force if the young talent is nurtured properly.

"I see light at the end of the tunnel because I see talent," Holding said on the Mason & Guest podcast, aired on Tuesday.

"It is a matter now if we can garner that talent, if we can produce the best of that talent, and then produce, of course, a good team. Because individual talent ain't gonna go as far as a good team with a good team spirit and a good management structure around that team."

Holding said the reason he was confident about Pooran, Hetmyer and Hope being the flagbearers of a bright West Indies future was that they could be picked in most teams around the world right now."Most people can look at teams and look at people and say, 'Yeah, that guy looks as if he knows what he is doing.' And I can call three names immediately that I think have a lot of talent in the batting department. Pooran, Hetmyer, Hope.

Anyone going to tell me that three guys cannot bat? And there are others, but I am picking those three because those three I think are the most talented in the last twothree years. It's now about making sure that these guys exhibit the right discipline to get the best out of themselves. And I'm absolutely sure that there are other youngsters around the Caribbean that can come around that nucleus and give us a good team."When I look at cricketers I look at who amongst these guys can make to other teams around the world.

That is how I look to see that we have talent. And those three guys I think can make most teams around the world as batsmen."Part of Clive Lloyd's worldbeating West Indies side in the 1970s and 80s, Holding watched Caribbean cricket's subsequent downfall in the first decade of the 21st century, especially in Test cricket.

In the 2000s, West Indies played 108 Tests, winning 18 and losing 59 with a win-loss ratio of 0.305. In the 2010s, their win-loss ratio improved to 0.511 with 22 wins and 43 losses in 83 Tests.

Jason Holder, the Test captain, has been the backbone of West Indies' gradual rise in the longest format. Along with being the leading Test allrounder in the ICC's Test rankings, Holder is third on the bowling rankings, where teammates Kemar Roach, at 11th, and Shannon Gabriel, at 19th, also occupy the top 20.

Among Pooran, Hetmyer and Hope, only Pooran, 24, is yet to play Test cricket but has already shown the potential to be one of the better finishers in limited-overs cricket. Hetmyer, who is the youngest among the three at 23, has featured in 16 Tests. Although he does not have a century in Test cricket, he has also been singled out by Lloyd as one to watch out for.Hope, who is 26, is the most experienced of the three, having played 31 Tests and scored two centuries, both of which came in West Indies' historic series-levelling victory at Headingley in 2017. Hope's twin centuries in that Test made him the youngest West Indies player to achieve the feat, beating Gordon Greenidge's record.According to Holding, one big difference between his era and the current one was that modern West Indies teams did not have the burden of carrying the hopes of the Caribbean public, something Lloyd's team had to carry. Today's players, Holding said, were vested in self-pride. "The pressure is not there to prove yourself so much now as it was before. It's now just a matter of each individual, your own pride of performance, which I think creates less of a significance of the player himself."But when you know the millions of people are looking at you to give them that extra impetus to get up in the morning to feel that worth and feeling they are a significant part of this entire world that just makes you lift yourself a little bit more. I don't think these guys are made up any different from us, but they are growing up in a different world."

Holding emphasised that cricket administrators across the Caribbean islands needed to make sure they were "not just looking to build cricketers, but we must look beyond that".

Holding gave an example from his playing days when former Barbados prime minister Errol Barrow addressed the West Indies squad at the invitation of Rudi Webster, who was the team manager at the time. Holding recollected that despite being "big men", each player left "as if they had grasped, as if they learnt something" about wider life.

Holding suggested Cricket West Indies could look at helping the young talent become psychologically adept by inviting former players and mentors from other walks of life. "The focus now is not so much about representing the millions of people; the focus now is more about representing yourself and the immediate people around you. So as I said, it's up to us, the older folk, whether you are a board member or a respected person around the Caribbean, to help in that regard. That is why I was suggesting the talks by wellrespected people around the Caribbean to talk to these kids because that's a very important part of building the team and team psyche."

Incidentally, the current CWI administration led by former West Indies team manager Ricky Skerritt (president) and Kishore Shallow (vice-president) has plans to engage the former Caribbean greats to mentor players across the teams. In a review published this month at the completion of one year in office, the Skerritt-Shallow leadership group said it was looking to create a legendsoriented 'Cricket First' advisory group subject to the financial resources. "Such a group will make relevant and insightful recommendations on cricket-specific matters, and be engaged for other constructive purposes such as fundraising, sponsor appearances, and player mentoring," CWI said in the review.

(ESPNcricinfo)

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

Coronavirus in Guyana rugby…

CLASSIFIED ADS ACCOMMODATION Aracari Hotel, W.B.D. Accommodation Rates from USD$25. Amenities: Pool, Bar, Restaurant, Gym, Free Parking, Free WiFi. Spend 7 Nights and Get 1 Free. Tel: 2642946.

ASTROLOGY & SPIRITUALITY Having Problems with Marriage/ Love Relationships, Health, Job, Money, Removal of Obstacles of any kind. Meet me once and change your life. Call 688-2135 Are you suffering from Health, Money, Job, Marriage Relationships problems, Removal of Blockage/ Evil Spirits, Clear Negative Energy, Permanent Protection. Call: 6961857 for appointment.

SPIRITUALITY Having Problems with Marriage/ Love Relationships, Health, Job, Money, Removal of Obstacles of any kind. Meet me once and change your life. Call 688-2135

SPIRITUALITY Are you suffering from Health, Money, Job, Marriage Relationships problems, Removal of Blockage/ Evil Spirits, Clear Negative Energy.

Permanent Protection. Call: 6961857 for appointment.

FOR SALE Mix Breed Puppies for Sale. Contact: Tel- 253-3114/692-0126.

Purebred Rottweiler Puppies, 6 Weeks old, $140,000,6631295/639-8924

LAND FOR SALE W.B.D, Versailles, Gated Community Lot 14 - 10214 SQ FT. Ph # 264-2948 / 615-2270.

Transported Land for Sale, Lot 15 Public Road. #2 Village, West Coast Berbice. 5 mins away from Berbice River Bridge. Contact #- 648-7109.

PUPPIES FOR SALE Pure-bred Rottweiler Puppies, 6 Weeks old. $140,000. 6631295/639-8924

VACANCIES Pump attendant-680-3863, Store helper-624-003, Driver for water canter-680-3863, Porter for water canter-680-3863, House keeper-624-0033 Call or Whatsapp

Rugby fraternity mourns the passing of Colonel John Lewis T he Guyanese Rugby fraternity was on Thursday plunged into a state of mourning as news of the death of Colonel (retd) John Lewis was made public.

The late Colonel (retd) Lewis is reportedly Guyana’s sixth victim of the deadly coronavirus, and not an ill word could be said about this dedicated individual who had served sport and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) with distinction.

Having enlisted in the GDF back in 1968, John Lewis steadily improved his ranking even as he dabbled in a number of sporting disciplines, such as basketball, football and badminton.

The sport he loved most was rugby, and Lewis was a stalwart in the fraternity, playing the sport at the national level and later serving as President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) for a number of years.

The retired Colonel was also a Civil Engineer by profession, and the Sheriff Street/Mandela Avenue road expansion project was his most recent work.

According to many rugby coaches and players who are currently in mourning, Lewis was a staunch supporter of the

sport, and often lent a helping hand, even after his tenure as President had expired.

President David Granger, who served alongside Lewis in the GDF for many years, also expressed words of condolence at receiving news of Lewis’s passing: “In over 30 years of military service to Guyana, Colonel Lewis greatly enriched the life and development of the Militia. Colonel Lewis was an avid sportsman, and represented the GDF at rugby. He also played soccer, badminton and basketball,” The President’s release stated.

Colonel John Percy Lewis died at the age of 77 on April 7, 2020, just weeks after the passing of his wife.

he English Football League season can be completed in 56 days when it is safe to resume amid the coronavirus pandemic, clubs have been told.

But it is assumed that matches will be played behind closed doors.

A letter sent to all 71 EFL clubs by chairman Rick Parry, and obtained by the BBC, said no training should resume until at least 16 May.

F1 must run eight races for a season to be classed as a world championship (Getty Images)

F

Store helper- 624-003 Driver for water canter- 680-3863 Porter for water canter- 680-3863 House keeper- 624-0033. Call or Whatsapp.

WANTED

NOT RECEIVING YOUR DAILY & SUNDAY COPIES OF THE

GUYANA TIMES

in your area?

Contact our

Circulation Department on

Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55

John Lewis

English Football League: Season Formula 1 could begin championship in October "can be finished in 56 days" T

One (1) General Domestic to work in the interior to cook, clean, wash, etc. Accommodation and meals provided. Please contact: 680-2702 Pump attendant -680-3863

ONE KITCHEN ASSISTANT TO WORK FROM 5AM, MONDAY TO SATURDAY. AGE: 26-36 CALL ONLY BETWEEN 8AM AND 12 NOON ON TELEPHONE #231-6982

21

The last round of EFL matches took place on 10 March

The EFL is hopeful the campaign can finish in the summer, but there is no indication when it might begin again.

The 56 days is based on teams playing twice a week followed by the play-offs.

All 24 sides in the Championship still had nine matches to play when the league was suspended on 13 March.

Some clubs in League One and League Two have 10 games left.

If the campaign had carried on as normal, the remaining fixtures would have been completed in 73 days up until the Championship play-off final on 25 May. The EFL estimates it can now finish all matches within two months, including the play-offs, although plenty of sides have already played as many games in such a timeframe earlier in the season.

"How and when we return (including training) is clearly subject to change and any decisions will be taken in conjunction with the government and relevant health authorities," the letter said.

"It is our working assumption at this stage that matches will be played behind closed doors when we eventually return and as part of our contingency planning we are absolutely mindful of the need to try and mitigate the cost of this to clubs as best we can."

Next season delayed?

The EFL season is currently suspended indefinitely with the last handful of games taking place in League One and League Two on 10 March.

Several sides have already put players and staff on furlough or temporary leave.

However, a £125m advance from the Premier League to the EFL and National League will not be distributed "while additional clarity is sought on other financial matters, particularly in respect to player wages".

The letter also suggested the start of next season could be delayed.

"Looking more long-term, the EFL must remain mindful of the implications that the extension of this season may have on the commencement of the 2020-21 campaign, although we will ensure there is a suitable break between the two, so as to allow clubs and staff sufficient time to regroup and prepare accordingly," it added.

"I think there will be a sigh of relief as and when we reach that point, and what is clear right now is that Covid-19 continues to present hugely challenging and uncertain times for everyone, and our thoughts are with all those directly affected by the pandemic." (BBC Sport)

ormula 1 could still hold a world championship this year even if the season cannot start until October, managing director Ross Brawn says.

Brawn said F1 was looking at closeddoor races as a way to start the season once the coronavirus crisis eases and "every permutation is being discussed".

F1 must run eight races for a season to be classed as a world championship.

"If you wanted a drop-dead point (deadline), it would be October," Brawn said.

"But then there's always the possibility we could run into next year, and that's being explored - could we stray into January to finish the season."

Brawn, talking t o

Sky, said there was no point starting the season unless it could be

kept going and pointed out that races on permanent circuits were easier to re-schedule than those on temporary tracks such as street circuits.

The Monaco Grand Prix has already cancelled permanently this year, while the other eight races called off so far have only been postponed, with the hope of rescheduling them later on.

Brawn said he believed the 2020 season could include anywhere between eight and 19 races and that plans for how to approach a season were changing almost every day. "It's a very dynamic and volatile situation," he said.

An F1 spokesman said Brawn views October as the final

possible starting date for a season that contains eight races and finishes be-

fore the end of the year.

To get 19 races into the schedule, the season would have to start in July with the likelihood of running into January 2021.

"We're looking at the logistics of a closed race, how we would get the people there, how we would protect them, how we would make it safe," Brawn said.

"We could have a very enclosed environment where the teams come in on charters (flights), we channel them into the circuit, we make sure everyone's tested, cleared, there's no risk to anyone and we have a race without spectators.

"That's not great but I think it's still better than no racing at all.

"I think we have to remember there's millions of people that follow the sport sat at home... to be able to put on a sport and entertain people would be a huge bonus with this crisis we have." (BBC Sport)

22

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Wisden 2020 Almanack names Andre Russell 2019's leading T20 cricketer I

n its 2020 Almanack, Wisden has named Andre Russell as their leading Twenty20 cricketer in the world for 2019.

Following an outstanding year in both a franchise and international level, Russell scoring 1,080 runs in total in T20 cricket, at a strike rate of 182, while also taking 46 wickets.

According to Wisden: “His exploits with Kolkata Knight Riders – 510 runs and 11 wickets – won him the Most Valuable Player award. His tally of 52 sixes was 18 clear of the next (Chris Gayle), and

not far off Gayle’s IPL record 59, in 2012. Yet it was Russell’s ability to overhaul seemingly impossible targets that set him apart.”

Russell credited his rise to the lessons learned while serving a one-year anti-doping ban between 2017 and 2018, the suspension triggered after he missed three tests,” W i s d e n said.

“I changed my mentality since I got banned,” Russell said. “I was slacking off. I was big. I was lazy. I wasn’t practising hard. I came back stronger, leaner, more muscular. I’m hit-

Andre Russell

ting the ball effortlessly for six.”

The Jamaican all-rounder competed in five domestic T20 competitions, from the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL to

T

he Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), in effort to ease the financial pressure facing clubs in the Red Stripe Premier League, has decided to forego payments due from clubs on office rental, utilities, registration fees, contract administrative fees as well as home match levies, yellow and red card fees for the 2019-2020 season.

The move will provide relief in excess of JMD$6million for the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) and consequently, the clubs that have been unable to meet their obligations to their players, technical and administrative staff.

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) said it recognizes the Red Stripe Premier League as the only professional arm of the sport of football in Jamaica. The JFF is also cognizant of the tremendous economic fallout being experienced by leagues and clubs around the world during the current global pandemic.

JFF President Michael Ricketts revealed the decision to the Chairman of the PLCA, the Hon. Mike Henry in a letter dated April 8, 2020.

"The JFF is cognizant of the economic pressures on our football stakeholders including our parish associations and the 12 clubs competing in our top league which can be considered as professional since more than 95 per cent of the players and coaches are contracted,” the president’s letter said.

“It is our hope that by the JFF foregoing on the above entitlements, the clubs will have a little more oxygen with cash flow in order to meet budgetary obligations,” the JFF’s letter said.

The JFF said that the meantime, they all continue to monitor and evaluate the situation in the country and outside Jamaica’s borders in order to determine a restart to normal football activities. “We intend to have dialogue on an ongoing basis with all stakeholders so that synchronization takes place as it relates to the domestic football calendar and a smooth transition towards normalcy.

“These unprecedented times require that we work closely together in the interest of football, the League, the Clubs, players, staff and the many persons that benefit from the beautiful game in Jamaica.

I look forward to our discussions,” the JFF president said. (Sportsmax)

U

mar Akmal has foregone the right to defend himself against the PCB's corruptions charges and will instead wait for a sanction to be confirmed.

His case will go directly to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel after Akmal decided against requesting a hearing before the AntiCorruption Tribunal. All that remains, then, is for the charges to be confirmed by the Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Justice (retired) Fazal-eMiran Chauhan and the sanction handed out.

The confirmation of the offences will be followed by levying applicable sanctions, which in Akmal's case range from a six month suspension to a life ban. Though the PCB confirmed there had been no formal or informal discussions with Akmal surrounding the charges, his decision to, in effect, accept whatever sanctions come his way, could potentially impact any punishment incurred favourably.

The PCB formally charged Akmal with two breaches of its anti-corruption code for two

unrelated incidents on March 20. The charges come under Article 2.4.4, which deals with: "Failing to disclose to the PCB Vigilance and Security Department (without unnecessary delay) full details of any approaches or invitations received by the Participant to engage in Corrupt Conduct under this Anti-Corruption Code".

Akmal had been provisionally suspended on February 20, and was issued the notice of charge on March 17. "Until the Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel has announced his decision, the PCB will not comment on the matter," a PCB media release said.

This isn't Justice Chauhan's first involvement in high-profile cases affecting Pakistan cricket over the recent past. He was on the AntiCorruption Trial tribunal that the PCB referred Nasir Jamshed's case for adjudication to, as well as the independent adjudicator on the case concerning a misconduct complaint against PCB Board of Governors member Numan Butt. (ESPN Cricinfo)

the Dhaka Dynamites in the Bangladesh Premier League, making the most of every opportunity to stamp his authority as one of the best players in the world in the format.

Refused helmets: "What better way is there to go?" – Richards ...never feared dying on pitch

W

est Indies legend Viv Richards has revealed the reason he never wore a helmet when facing some of the most fearsome fast bowlers the game has ever seen was that he never minded dying on the pitch.

The Master Blaster was certainly adept at sending the best deliveries of huffing bowlers crashing back into the stands.

But surely, any slight miscalculation, particularly with no restrictions yet implemented on bouncers, could have sent a 90mph delivery crashing into his skull.

Richards, however, believes the risk was simply a part of the game.

“The passion for the game I felt was such that I wouldn’t mind dying playing something that I love. If this is what I chose and I go down here, what better way is there to go,” Richards told former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson on a recent podcast.

The big West Indian was known for relying on reflex, quickness of eye, and tech- Sir Viv Richards nique to keep him out of trouble. to which Watson jokingly replied, “Facing “I have looked at other sportsmen and 150kph without a helmet?” women who I have a lot of respect for doRichards who scored 8540 runs in Test ing it to an extreme level. I see a guy driv- cricket, had a high score of 291 and averaged ing a Formula 1 racing car, what could be 50.23. In ODIs, he scored 6721 with a highmore dangerous than that?” said Richards, est of 189 and an average of 47. (Sportsmax)

Umar Akmal played a big role in Quetta Gladiators' title win last season (PSL)

23

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Page 20

“I see light at the end of the tunnel” – Michael Holding on West Indies cricket Coronavirus in Guyana rugby…

Rugby fraternity mourns the passing of Colonel John Lewis

Page 21

Page 20

John Lewis

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.