Guyana Times - Saturday, June 20, 2020 New

NIS halts sickness, accident benefits for sugar workers – GAWU P

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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 4322

guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020

PRICE

APNU/AFC petition to stop declaration

Throw out Notice of Motion blocking elections declaration

– GECOM Chair tells Appeal Court …says CEO cannot evaluate alleged "irregularities" See stories on pages 2, 3 and 15

…motion has no merit, will cause COA to fall into constitutional error – Jagdeo

No reasonable basis on which APNU/AFC can claim they won more votes than PPP/C – Dominic Gaskin

… says party fooled supporters

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: COVID-19 pandemic

P9 Health “mingled with politics” in Guyana – PAHO Rep

11 Region 1 teachers test positive for COVID-19 P11 …Santa Rosa on complete lockdown

Salesgirl P8 gagged, bound, beaten by gun-toting bandits Fire ravages Prashad P17 Nagar home

See story on page 15

“Enough is enough” – APNU coalition partner JFAP concedes defeat

Page 7

“It is the end” of APNU/AFC Govt – Ramjattan concedes defeat Page 16

…admits PPP/C beats coalition by over 15,000 votes

P8 Bartica vendor found dead in home KnifeP17 wielding bandits rob delivery man

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Notice of Motion stopping elections declaration for arguments today

Justice Dawn Gregory

Justice Rishi Persaud

Justice Brassington Reynolds

he hearing into the Notice of Motion filed in the Appeal Court by APNU/AFC supporter, Eslyn David, who is seeking to block the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from moving ahead with the declaration of the results from the March 2 elections, commenced on Friday.

However, the matter was adjourned to 11:00h today as that first hearing dealt with case management issues.

Friday’s session saw the Court of Appeal panel – which consists of appellate Judges, Justices Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud, as well as High Court Judge, Justice Brassington Reynolds – granting permission for several political parties to join in the proceed-

ings.

The Notice of Motion filed by the APNU supporter named Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; GECOM Chair (retired) Justice Claudette Singh; the Guyana Elections Commission, and Attorney General of Guyana as respondents.

While the COA panel was present in court on Friday, the lawyers representing the various parties joined in virtually.

During the hearing, the applicant was represented

by Attorneys-at-Law Mayo Robertson, Roysdale Forde and Keith Scotland, SC, led

by John Jeremie (latter two from Trinidad and Tobago); GECOM Chair was represented by Attorney-at-

Law Kim Kyte; while Basil Williams appeared in person alongside Maxwell Edwards.

There was no representation entered on behalf of the CEO or GECOM. This is although Lowenfield was present at the GECOM headquarters along with Justice Singh as they joined the proceedings.

Meanwhile, Justice Gregory, who led the appellate panel, allowed for representatives from the other political parties to join in the proceedings as respondents.

These include Presidential Candidate for the List of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, Dr Irfaan Ali, and the party’s General Secretary, Dr

T

Bharrat Jagdeo, on behalf of the PPP/C; the three-joiner parties – A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and The New Movement (TNM); as well as The Citizen Initiative (TCI) and Change Guyana (CG).

The PPP/C legal team was led by Trinidadian Senior Counsel, Douglas Mendes, SC, and included Attorneys Mohabir Anil Nandlall, Sanjeev Datadin and Devindra Kissoon.

The joiner parties were represented by Attorney Ralph Ramkarran, SC, in association with Timothy Jonas; while TCI and CG also joined the proceedings with Attorney Kashir Khan leading their case.

All the lawyers were ordered to file and serve their respective affidavits and written submissions before 06:00h, today. The case is adjourned for oral hearing of submissions at 11:00 am.

The court directed that each lead Counsel will be permitted 30 minutes to present their oral submissions, in addition to their written submissions.

Meanwhile, the court also ordered the lawyers for the various parties in the matter to file and serve their respective affidavits and written submissions by

06:00h today, so that the court, as well as the parties involved, can have a chance to be familiar with each other’s case before the hearing of the substantive case.

Justice Gregory impressed upon the Counsels to adhere to the timelines given as well as to condense their submissions to the court given the importance of the matter.

“We are concerned about time,” Justice Gregory stated. She also voiced the court’s concerns about repetition in the submissions of some of the respondents in the matter.

Nevertheless, at the end of Saturday’s hearing, the Appeal Court is expected to indicate a date for a decision on the matter.

In the meantime, GECOM has suspended its highly-anticipated meeting for CEO Lowenfield to submit his final elections report to the seven-member Commission pending the outcome of the court proceedings.

Lowenfield was scheduled to present his report since Thursday at 13:00h but failed to do this after being served with the Notice of Motion – although there was no order or injunction granted by the court to stop GECOM from still meeting.

APNU/AFC supporter Eslyn David, who is seeking to block GECOM from making its official declaration

The CEO was directed by the GECOM Chair to use the figures from the National Recount to compile his recount, which will show that the PPP/C has won the March 2020 elections by over 15,416 votes.

The Notice of Motion filed in the name of David, a Pike Street, North Sophia, Georgetown resident, is asking for a series of orders to stop GECOM from making a declaration of the results from the March 2 elections.

On Thursday, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo contended that the legal action is a “disguised” elections petition and should be dismissed by the Appeal Court.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, June 20 – 04:00h – 05:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Sunday, June 21 – 04:30h – 06:00h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, June 20 – 16:20h – 17:50h and Sunday, June 21 – 16:50h – 18:20h.

APNU/AFC petition to stop declaration

Throw out Notice of Motion blocking elections declaration – GECOM Chair tells Appeal Court

…says CEO cannot evaluate alleged "irregularities" Court which is so vested…

Further, when one reads the entire Article 177, the Article contemplates a person already declared by GECOM as President. It is respectfully submitted that the electoral process has not reached this stage. In any event, the Order sought… [in] the Notice of Motion amounts to the interpretation of an Order and not the Constitution,” Kyte contended in her submission.

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

WEATHER TODAY Expect sunshine during the day. Light rain showers will prevail at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 16:07h reaching a maximum height of 2.50 metres.

Low Tide: 09:40h and 21:53h reaching minimum heights of 0.60 metre and 0.73 metre.

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

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n her written submission to the Court of Appeal, Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (retired) Justice Claudette Singh is asking the Court of Appeal to reject the Notice of Motion filed by APNU/AFC supporter, Eslyn David, who is seeking to block GECOM from moving ahead with the much-anticipated declaration of the March 2 elections results. “…the Notice of Motion should be rejected by this Honourable Court and the Commission should be permitted to execute its constitutional role and functions to bring finality to the 2020 Elections,” detailed the submission filed

by Attorney Kim Kyte on behalf of the GECOM Chair on Friday. She reminded the court that the Constitution is no ordinary statute but the source of legislative and executive authority.

To this end, Kyte “…submitted that the duty of the court is not to re-write the Constitution but to interpret what is already stated in the Constitution clearly.

The words themselves best declare the intention of the framers.”

Appellate Court lacks jurisdiction

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She argued that Article 177 (4), under which the Notice of Motion was filed, clothes the Court of Appeal with a “narrow special exclusive jurisdiction” to hear and determine any question as to the validity of an election of a President in so far as that question turns upon the qualification of any person for election or the interpretation of this Constitution.

Article 177 (4) states: The Court of Appeal shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question as to the validity of an election of a President in so far as that question depends upon the qualification of any person for election or the interpretation of this Constitution; and any decision of that Court under this paragraph shall be final.

“The Court of Appeal is therefore not vested with original jurisdiction to hear questions on the interpretation of the Constitution outside of this narrow special jurisdiction. It is the High

Orders sought bad in law

Meanwhile, Justice Singh’s lawyer further posited that Article 133 (1), instead, vests the Court of Appeal to hear appeals from the High Court on questions on constitutional interpretation. Hence, she added, the first two orders sought a Declaration that GECOM failed to act in accordance with its order and secondly an interpretation of the words “more votes are cast”, and the affidavit filed in support do not touch and concern the qualification of a person elected President.

“It is respectfully submitted that the application is misconceived and ought to be struck out forthwith,” she argued.

With regards to the relief sought in the Notice of

CEO Keith Lowenfield

Attorney-at-Law Kim Kyte

Motion, Attorney Kyte said this cannot be determined by the Appeal Court but instead

must be pursued by an election petition.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 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

Maliciously abusing the court of law

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fter waiting with bated breath for over three months for a formal declaration of Guyana’s March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, there was finally some light at the end of the tunnel on Thursday, but that was again snatched away by an A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) supporter.

This decision by the APNU/AFC supporter to move to the court to block the declaration was not only very well-orchestrated, but was intended to once again hold Guyanese to ramson. By now there should be no doubt that the David Granger-led APNU/AFC will stop at nothing to illegally hold on to power. The orchestration was clear, as the plaintiff was given time to file the motion when the Chief Elections Officer and two APNU/AFC commissioners failed to attend the meeting. Had that meeting been duly constituted, it would have cleared the way for the Peoples’ Progressive Party to be declared the winner of the election, and Dr Irfaan Ali being appointed the 9th Executive President of Guyana.

This newspaper has consistently reiterated that the constant cry of the APNU/AFC, who fully well know from the recount that they have lost the 2020 General and Regional Elections, is a clear indication that they have no respect for democracy, and more so the will of the Guyanese people. Since March 2, they have fooled and manoeuvred their supporters into believing that they were in some way short-changed, despite the international, regional and local observers pointing to the fact that the elections were free and fair. All of the observers have publicly stated that the elections were free, fair and credible up until the tabulation of the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) results. Caretaker President David Granger has always claimed that he would abide by the Constitution, but his Government has been defeated since December 21, 2018 and his party has lost the 2020 election, and yet he is attempting to have a firm grip on power. When the clumsy efforts by Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo collapsed in front of their eyes, the Coalition found other avenues to delay the inevitable. As expected, no one bought their story that dead and migrated persons ‘voted’. From day one, when the claims were made, they were shut down and the relevant evidence was provided, showing otherwise. Today, they continue to peddle this falsehood of voter fraud in spite of the fact that they have never provided a shred of evidence.

It is unfortunate that Granger has not helped, in any way, to provide leadership and guidance or the necessary moral support to his followers, and stop misleading them.

As the matter now faces the Court of Appeal, we agree with GECOM’s Chair, Justice Claudette Singh, who, in her submissions to the COA, said: “The Notice of Motion should be rejected by the Court, and the Commission should be permitted to execute its constitutional role and functions to bring finality to the 2020 Elections… the duty of the court is not to re-write the Constitution, but to interpret what is already stated in the Constitution clearly. The words themselves best declare the intention of the framers.”

It is sad that the APNU/AFC, via its supporters – Ulita Moore and now Eslyn David – are maliciously abusing the judiciary by filing mischievous cases in the hope of helping their leaders to cling illegally to power. To quote Justice (retired) Claudette Singh in her submissions: “The application (filed by David) is misconceived and ought to be struck out forthwith.”

Coalition downplayed Enmore Martyrs’ observances since taking office

Dear Editor, On June 16, 2020, we observed the 72nd anniversary of the Enmore Massacre which resulted in the gunning down of Harry, Lallabajie, Pooran, Dookie and Surujballi.

The five, who have become known as the Enmore Martyrs, are recognised by the State as national heroes. Since the late 1970s, following the construction of a monument in their honour at Enmore, activities are organised by the Government to recognise their heroism and contribution to the Guyanese people.

That tradition has remained practically uninterrupted all those years until this year. For the first time ever, we recognise that apart from messages from the now outgoing Minister of Social Cohesion and the outgoing Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, no activity was organised by the State.

Those tasked with organising the activities may well point to the COVID-19 pandemic. While we accept this is a factor, we contend, at the same time, that some activity, in a miniaturised form could have been held.

This is not beyond the realm of Government.

Moreover, we are aware that an activity was planned and monies were expended to spruce up the Martyrs’ gravesite at the Le Repentir Cemetery. It begs the question of why whatever activity was planned was subsequently abandoned.

It is our sincere view, that the fact that there was even a lack of emphasis on the Martyrs’ commemoration is yet another confirmation of the coalition’s disdain for the sugar industry and the several and varied contributions of the industry’s

workers, past and present.

We have recognised since the coalition took office, it has downplayed and watered-down the Martyrs’ observances to the point it became ritualistic and no effort was placed on organising a befitting programme.

Of course, the FITUG itself, a few years ago, was without rhyme or reason ostracised from the State’s activities though it had been participating for many years.

Yours faithfully, Dawchan Nagasar General Secretary FITUG

David Granger is without shame Dear Editor, It is clear as daylight on a bright sunny day, that David Granger, in power as a de facto President, with the full support of the police and army under his command, if not in absolute control, is most certainly complicit in an obvious and determined decision of APNU/AFC to remain in Government regardless of the expressed will of our people in the March 2 elections.

It is equally clear that the GECOM Secretariat, in the persons of Keith Lowenfield and Clairmont Mingo and others in command, have conspired to serve the determination of Granger and the APNU/AFC to remain in power.

I first witnessed this when Mingo set out to rig the tabulation of District Four. I said then that “in all my life, considerable life and career, in and out of politics in this country, I have never seen such a bare-faced, ugly and deliberate attempt to rig an election. Yes, I have seen and I am aware of attempts where elections were rigged but not in

this kind of manner. It was utterly disgusting”.

It is also, now, perfectly clear that Keith Lowenfield, as the Chief Elections Officer of GECOM, aided and abetted by three (3) GECOM Commissioners serving the interest of the APNU/AFC leadership, is prepared even to defy the explicit directions of Chairman Claudette Singh when all else has failed to keep Granger in power.

It was as long ago as March 17 that I wrote that “it must be either that Mr Granger has lost control of the party of which he is the Presidential Candidate or that he has acted in a manner that brings into question his personal credibility and honesty”. That was when Granger had invited the first Caricom delegation to our country to “supervise” a recount of the electoral result and his party candidate, Ulita Moore, sabotaged the Caricom visit. I was castigated by APNU/AFC supporters for having dared to question Granger’s honesty.

Again, on March 22, I wrote that “it has become

increasingly clear that Mr Granger is a hypocrite in all that he says and does”.

In April, I wrote expressing my “deep apprehension of what is yet to follow from the ugly and unveiled determination of the APNU/AFC leadership to prevent the conclusion of an election which they know they have lost” and their invention of “a narrative which reads as a tissue of lies”. It is that narrative of alleged, unproven “anomalies” that they pursued throughout the recount and which has been adopted wholesale by Lowenfield in his report submitted to the Chairman of GECOM in violation of the law. It is that narrative that is now before the court in a final desperate attempt to escape Chairman Singh’s decision to recognise the fact that the recount has confirmed the PPP/C as the choice of the electorate.

Not once, but on a number of occasions, Granger had promised all of Guyana that “whatever declaration is made by the Chairman of the Elections Commission would be recognised as legitimate

by the coalition Government”.

He added that “as President of Guyana and leader of the Government, it is my policy that any declaration coming from the Chairman of GECOM would be accepted by the Government of Guyana”.

But, Granger, faced with the Chairman leaving no option to Lowenfield but to report on the result of the balloted recount and her announcing a declaration of the PPP/C as winning the elections, has broken even that promise when he summoned the clan at State House on Wednesday to move to the Appeal Court and to denude the Chairman of her authority to pronounce on the elections result.

David Granger is without shame, is without morose, is without care, is without concern in his grasp to rule regardless of the consequences to our country. We must now hope that our courts, at least, are ready to recognise the will of the people.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Increase testing for coronavirus Dear Editor, The surprising increase in COVID-19 cases raises concerns of an underdetection of the virus. The level of testing in the ten administrative regions should be increased to a level where it is statistically significant as a percentage of the population in each Region. Once a better understanding of the level of the virus in society is understood, the timing of the phased reopening of the country will be more safely accomplished.

Recent increased infections in the teaching community raise concern. The consequences of over-testing are less severe than those of an undetected increase in infected persons.

On a per-capita ba-

sis, our testing should be pushed to hundreds per day.

Our world in data website shows that in key locations in South America, as the level of testing has increased so has the number of infections per number of tests.

If held constant, an assumed rate of increase in the spread of the virus can be calculated. However, more importantly, the data provides a clearer view of the level of infection within the populace. Containment of the virus will benefit from this approach of increased testing and will also help better prepare the Ministry of Public Health to cater for the needed level of corrective measures to be taken in addition to determining the required supplies.

The flattening of the infection curve, provided associated containment is implemented, should follow once the level of detection testing becomes more statistically significant within each region. The Ministry should allow for the sample size to have a confidence level of 95 per cent ± 5 per cent of the measured value. For example, if we assumed that each sparsely populated region is at minimum 10 per cent of the population then 139 tests should be carried out in that region. Similar assumptions can be made along the spectrum of percentage of population.

However, it is best to err on the side of over-testing and create a minimum testing level in each region

of approximately 400, with triple that amount in Region Four.

This creates a factor of safety that benefits the public and can be applied to the testing/percentage of the population spectrum. Once the infection rate within the regional sample is determined then expansion of the associated regional testing should follow accordingly with the frequency of testing and retesting driven by the reduction and increase in the infection rate. I am hopeful that the Ministry’s in-house statisticians will be able to add some additional insight into this matter.

With concern, Jamil Changlee

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020

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

The declaration and swearing-in must go on Dear Editor, There is no sugar-coating now because it is crystal clear what the cabal at GECOM is prepared to do, they are hell-bent on creating an obstruction to the smooth transition to a new Government.

Lowenfield and by extension others at GECOM are party hacks who are on a bold move to rig the election in favour of the loser incumbent APNU/ AFC. What Mingo did not succeed in achieving in that

fraudulent declaration, Lowenfield is now trying his utmost to accomplish. The distressing thing about it is that he is doing so while he is an employee of GECOM, on our time and being paid by the taxpayer; if this is not a criminal act then what is? We are talking about a paid servant of the people in an autonomous body carrying out the biased, partisan wishes of his party, again, if this does not test the limits of one’s revulsion then what is?

Granger is a bad loser who does not want to leave office - that’s a foregone conclusion - and he is using his minions at the commission headquarters to do his dirty work, Lowenfield is one such individual.

However, we are not going to countenance a CEO practicing his jaundiced party views on our electoral process; we are not going to stand idly by and allow our democracy to be taken away from us. In this regard, the Chairwoman ought to

have fired Lowenfield forthwith and order his arrest, for his withholding of the Commission’s documents as well as his failure to carry out a legitimate order.

These are all criminal acts which should be met with the most stringent of measures. GECOM’s code of conduct is spelt out in clear language and must be adhered to.

Yes, the incumbent can make for redress the many grouses and allegations that they are so clamorous about,

Uphold truth and disavow falsehood

Dear Editor, “Let he who believes in God and the Last Day either speak good or keep silent.”

Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him).

The March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections was hailed by Justice Claudette Singh, Chairman of GECOM on the night of March 2, 2020, as being free, fair and credible. This was endorsed by all the local and international observers and all political parties that were contenders of the election.

Tabulations of Statements of Poll for all districts except District Four were completed to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. The District Four tabulations became controversial and a source for dispute when then the process was infected with fraudulent data.

This infected District Four declaration made on March 5, 2020, was declared by the Chief Justice as being unlawful. Following orders from the Chief Justice, the process was continued, in an opaque manner, causing deliberate confusion. It produced a District Four Declaration on March 13, 2020, that was unaccept-

able by eight of the nine contesting political parties, by local and international observers due to its infection with fraudulent data and lack of transparency.

After much public outcry and condemnation locally and internationally, “The President and Leader of the Opposition and all contesting political parties agreed to a Caricom proposal for a total recount of all electoral districts as a means of assuaging the contesting political parties and determining a final credible count.”

This recount commenced on May 6, 2020, and concluded on June 9, 2020. The recount produced matrices of certified valid votes cast for each list of electors from each electoral district. In a report produced by the Chief Election Officer on June 13, 2020, a summary of these matrices stated that 460,352 valid votes were cast in the General Elections, with 233,336 valid votes in favour of the PPP/C, 217,920 valid votes in favour of the APNU/ AFC with 9096 valid votes for the other parties.

This summary of the certified tabulation identified

the PPP/C as the clear winner. The Caricom observer team concluded that the recount process, “despite some of its administrative failings, despite some of the minor flaws, is not an indictment of the 2020 polls and the team categorically rejects the concerted efforts to discredit the 2020 poll up to the disastrous Region Four tabulation.

Despite our concerns, nothing that we witnessed warrants a challenge to the inescapable conclusion that the recount results are acceptable and should constitute the basis of the declaration of the results of the March 02, 2020 elections. Any aggrieved political party has been afforded the right to seek redress before the courts in the form of an election petition.”

Justice Singh in her decision to the Commission on June 16, 2020 “Asserted that the Commission does not have the powers of a Court of Law to examine and re-examine witnesses or to procure official documents to determine the truth of allegations contained therein” in an apparent reference to the observation reports generated during the re-

count.

Based on the above summary of the events emanating from the General and Regional Elections held on March 2, 2020, it is without a doubt that the incumbent APNU/ AFC party has lost the elections, status as Government and the Presidency.

Corinthians reminds us that we must take pains to do what is right not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

And, Hindus worship Lord Vishnu as Satyanarayana, the Lord of Truth and our Hindu scriptures tell us to embrace dharma (ethics, honesty and integrity).

It is in this regard that we the members of the Centre for Inter-Religious Dialogue of Guyana, call on President David Granger to concede these elections with grace and dignity.

Our religions teach us to uphold truth and to disavow falsehood. So it was said and so shall it be.

Sincerely, Centre for InterReligious Dialogue Guyana

but that is for an election petition. There is no impediment, real or imaginary that should in any way stop the proceeding as it relates to a declaration and swearing-in of the next President, none whatsoever! So, the planned court injunction has no bearing on GECOM fulfilling its mandate, it is just another one of their desperate attempts to disrupt the smooth transition into a new Government.

Now, hot on the news is the call for Granger to issue a state of emergency proclamation, in this way he hopes to throw the State into a state of confusion, thus giving himself more time to hold office illegally. But he is mistaken, that planned coup d’état would only seek to hasten

sanctions on an already pariah State. I must also tell Granger that the courts will not allow it nor would the international community countenance it.

A little lesson for Granger, please take note, what took place in Liberia with your good friend Charles Taylor, don’t make a fool of yourself and think that you can get away with it here in Guyana, please disabuse your mind of this fact, it just “can’t happen hey in this country.”

So, my advice to the GECOM Chairwoman is to stop the tomfoolery and get on with the declaration and swearing-in of our new President.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

More drama than a soap opera Dear Editor, The March 2, 2020 elections, whose official results are eagerly awaited, has more drama than a soap opera.

Everyone except the PNC-led APNU/AFC and their ardent supporters knows the PPP/C won the election.

Yet, they are either in denial or something else.

What do people expect from the PNC-led APNU/AFC?

Common sense? There is a court order asking for the meaning of the words “more votes cast”. Really?

Back in May 2015, they knew the meaning of those words but in June 2020 they are asking for clarification?

The PNC-led APNU/AFC needs to stop trying to subvert the will of the Guyanese people.

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

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SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020

Page

Foundation

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

Below are the conclusion of Social Studies Paper 2 2008, English Language Paper 2 2016, and CXC Maths.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

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

SOCIAL STUDIES

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

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

Be sure to answer FULLY the FOUR questions.

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

Study the map of the Caribbean below, then answer question 5.

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

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

(c) Explain two effects that the natural - disaster could have on some Caribbean countries.

(2 marks) (d) Suggest one way by which Caribbean citizens may protect themselves against this natural disaster.

(1 mark) Study the scene below, then answer question 6.

7. Look over your work when you have finished.

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

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

ENGLISH LANGUAGE SECTION A Answer ONE question in this section OR ONE question in Section B In about 120-150 words, write a letter based on the information below.

1. Write a letter to your headteacher requesting permission for your class to go on a field trip. Give three reasons which could convince him to give permission for the trip. or 2. A learning resource centre contains a library, computers and access to internet services. Write a letter to the chief education officer outlining three benefits of having a learning resource centre in your village. or

(a) What name is given to the man in black trousers behind the wicket?

(1 mark) (b) Describe the attitude of the players on the field.

(1 mark)

5. (a) Name the natural disaster that affects Caribbean countries from the 1st June to 30th November every year.

(1 mark) (b) Identify one Caribbean country, other than those named on the map, that may be affected by the natural disaster named at 5 (a).

(1 mark)

(c) Explain two responsibilities that the man named at 6 (a) carries out on the cricket field, other than ruling that the batsman is out.

(2 marks) (d) A batsman, after being given out, threatened and verbally abused the players. What course of action should the players take against him?

(1 mark)

3. You did something hurtful to your friend. Write a letter apologising to your friend and giving three reasons why the two of you should make every effort to resume the friendship. or 4. Write a letter to the headteacher of the school in your area in which you complain about the pupils who steal mangoes from the tree in your yard. In your letter, outline three ways you are affected by the action of the pupils.

TO BE CONTINUED

1.

BC.

CXC MATHS

BH is perpendicular to AC. Find x the length of

END OF TEST

2.

ABC is a right triangle with a right angle at A. Find x the length of DC.

3.

In the figure below AB and CD are perpendicular to BC and the size of angle ACB is 31°. Find the length of segment BD.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Enough is enough” – APNU coalition partner JFAP concedes defeat …says Guyanese exhausted, suffering

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he Justice For All Party (JFAP), one of the parties within the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), has become the first coalition party to concede defeat and break away from the coalition’s denial of its loss at the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

On Friday evening, JFAP founder CN Sharma made it clear that enough is enough and it is time Guyana moves on. He chastised those bent on dragging out the process and extended congratulations to the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) on their win.

“With that being said, an election has taken place under the watchful eyes of local and international observers. A National Recount was carried out under the eyes of Caricom. All votes were counted. There is a clear winner. The recount shows that the PPP/C has won the election,” the statement from the JFAP said.

Sharma in his statement said that Dr Irfaan Ali should be allowed to be sworn in without delay. “I am appealing to the persons who are determined on delaying the process of a declaration; It has been an exhausting 108 days for all the sons and daughters of this nation. Enough is

enough I say! It is time for Guyana to move on!”

Sharma reminded that Guyanese are suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the country needs a fully constituted Government that can make decisions for the good of Guyana. He noted that whether they stand on the majority or minority, they are all Guyanese.

“Guyana is a democratic country where our people have the freedom to vote, freedom to elect a new Government every 5 years and interestingly enough, our people have the freedom to be disappointed in the outcome of an election too,” Sharma said.

He pointed out that Guyanese are starving and suffering due to unemployment caused by the pandemic. “The country needs its Government to make decisions. This is a time we must be strong and stand together. I simply cannot remain silent on this any longer - my love for country is unwavering.”

Sharma also spoke about his motivations in entering politics and recalled his background on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), to his entry into politics.

According to him, his concern for Guyana and making a positive difference in society has always been his

motivator.

“20 years ago, turning to the world of Guyana politics was unavoidable. Voices were being highlighted but action was necessary. A little party - with a big voice, I pushed ahead to make a difference in our society, in my country Guyana,” Sharma also said in his statement.

“I faced many ups and downs along the way… But my will, my patriotism and my love for country never once wavered! The last 5 years the JFAP joined the coalition APNU/AFC Government to make a difference for Guyanese and to help the poor and often voiceless people of Guyana.

For this, we are thankful for the opportunity to have been able to serve.”

In the run-up to this year’s election, Sharma’s son and caretaker Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Jaipaul Sharma had broken away from his father’s party and had joined the People’s National Congress (PNC) list.

In a landmark decision, retired Justice Singh had decided on Tuesday last to use the results from the recently concluded recount and have the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) declared the winner of the 2020 General and Regional Elections, a dec-

Throw out Notice...

It was further pointed out that Article 163 (1) (b) of the Constitution confers on the High Court the exclusive jurisdiction to determine the validity of an election. In this regard, the lawyer argued that GECOM could not have thereby clothed itself with jurisdiction to establish itself as a court of law to determine the credibility of an election when Article 163 (1) stipulates that the High Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine the legality of an election.

“It is submitted that the Commission cannot arrogate onto itself a jurisdiction to determine the credibility [of] an election or any unlawful act since no specific power was conferred on it under Article 162 (1) (b) to so do,” she posited.

Kyte submitted that it is only a competent Court with jurisdiction that can listen to the allegations and determine what weight they have, not GECOM and certainly not the Chief Elections Officer.

CEO Keith Lowenfield in his summary report to GECOM had used the allegations made by the APNU/

AFC of dead and migrated voters to disenfranchise thousands of Guyanese and provided figures, which he concluded are credible. His calculation awarded the coalition 125,010 votes and the PPP/C 56,627 votes.

However, the GECOM Chair’s lawyer questioned that if GECOM is to embark on this credibility exercise then what basis should be used to determine the issues of validity and credibility.

“The letters from one party? The opinion of the CEO? Can GECOM just use the CEO’s opinion without giving interested parties an opportunity to be heard? Is GECOM to hold court and take evidence?

The Applicant is asking GECOM to embark on a trial. The court should not be asked to act in vain. Even if the court grants the orders sought, what is the next position? Can this court direct GECOM what to decide? Can this court order GECOM to hold a fresh election? Are these orders even sought? The short answer is no since this is not an election court,” Kyte asserted.

FROM PAGE 3

Elections petition after declaration

The GECOM Chair’s attorney went on to submit that the Notice of Motion cannot be entertained at this time as it is premature.

She outlined that any challenges to the validity of an election and any dispute or any irregularities or illegalities in relation to an election can only lawfully form the basis of an election petition after the result of the election has been made known.

“Therefore in accordance with the statutory requirements and in order not to cause the election proceedings to be unduly retarded or protracted, any challenge to the validity of an election and any dispute or claim of any irregularities or illegalities in relation to an election must be brought by way of an election petition after the result of the election has been made known… In the circumstances, there is no merit in… the Notice of Motion and as such the application for injunctive reliefs must fail,” Kyte submitted on behalf of the GECOM Chair.

JFAP founder CN Sharma

laration overdue by over three months.

At one point during the Commission’s deliberations, APNU/AFC Commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman had made an attempt to have the entire elections scrapped.

However, the motion was defeated and Justice Singh wrote Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield to have him deliver the final report. This would have allowed for a declaration of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) as the winners of the elections, the party having won by 15,416 votes over its main rival APNU/ AFC. Instead, Lowenfield failed to fulfil his constitutional duty and did not deliver the report. In addition, APNU/AFC-appointed Commissioners Trotman and Corbin absented themselves from Thursday’s meeting, resulting in GECOM failing to have a quorum.

APNU/AFC supporter, Eslyn David, who inexplicably had a battery of lawyers representing her that

included Mayo Robertson, also filed a court case on Thursday seeking to block the declaration. The case continues today before Appeals Court Judges Rishi Persaud, Dawn Gregory and Brassington Reynolds.

Caretaker President David Granger had a clandestine meeting with APNU/AFC officials on Wednesday at State House.

Among those he met were AFC leader and former Prime Ministerial hopeful Khemraj Ramjattan and Cathy Hughes.

While the coalition has not publicly conceded defeat despite clear evidence that they lost the elections, there have been reports of various Ministers clearing out their effects in preparation for a transition of power.

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Salesgirl gagged, bound, beaten by gun-toting bandits A

27-year-old salesgirl was on Tuesday gagged, tied up, and beaten by three armed men at Quartz Stone Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The victim is of Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara (WCD), and is employed to operate a shop at Quartz

Stone waterfront.

According to information received, three men entered the shop at approximately 20:30h and purchased three bottles of beer.

In the process of being served, two of the men whipped out handguns and forced the wom-

an into a room where they gagged her while tying her feet and hands with scotch tape. The men dealt the woman a slap while demanding that she reveal where the cash and jewellery were hidden. In fear, the woman handed over a Digicel Modem valued $160,000, a $100,000 gold

chain, a gold ring valued at $30,000 along with $100,000.

The bandits made good their escape in an awaiting car. The salesgirl managed to free herself and went to her employer. She was subsequently taken to the Bartica Police Station.

about 09:00h.

Guyana Times was told that at about 07:00h, the now dead man had invited a friend who lives close by to “lime” but the friend never showed up since he claimed he had several house chores.

That was the last time he said he saw Persaud alive.

However, after completing his chores, the friend walked over to Persaud’s home.

The man reported-

ly told detectives that he called out several times for Persaud but there was no response. As such, he entered the man’s yard since he thought that it was usual for Persaud to be at home and not respond to his calls.

As he approached the steps, he saw Persaud lying in a motionless state.

In a panic, he immediately raised an alarm and the police were summoned to the scene.

Upon checking the body,

the investigators discovered abrasions on Persaud’s upper right shoulder, right elbow and swelling on the right side of his forehead.

He was taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital where he was confirmed dead by doctors on duty. His body was later transported to Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem.

The results of the autopsy will determine whether the police will treat the man’s death as a homicide.

Bartica market vendor found dead in home

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he lifeless body of a Bartica market vendor was on Thursday morning found at his house with several bruises by his friend who had turned up at his house on an invitation to “have a drink”.

Dead is Chandrika Persaud, 53, of Lot 96 West Indian Housing Scheme, Bartica, Essequibo River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni). Based on reports received, the man’s body was discovered at

Campbellville fatal accident

“I am dying since my son died” – father

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our days after 18-year-old Elijah Bollers died in an accident at Delph Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, his father remains devastated as he tries to come to grips with reality.

Verron Bollers in an interview with Guyana Times on Friday posited that his now dead son was his “everything” On Tuesday, the young Bollers was reportedly heading home from work on his motorcycle at a fast rate of speed when he lost control and collided with a

motor car bearing registration number HC 1527. It is believed that the driver of the motor car failed to adhere to a stop sign thus resulting in the collision.

As a result, Bollers was flung off his motorcycle and landed on the roadway. He was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where he succumbed while undergoing emergency surgery.

With tears in his eyes, his distraught father recalled receiving the news of his son’s death when he returned from work.

Dead: Elijah Bollers

“Somebody came to the house and tell me that my son lying on the road unconscious and that he was struck down. By the time I reach the scene, he was already taken to the hospital so I went there and they told me that my son came in bleeding and they were unable to save him.”

The teen’s father explained that he is not just struggling with the reality of his son’s death, but also with the thought of how he would be able to foot the expenses for the funeral.

“I am distraught, I am broken, I don’t even know what to think… that little boy was my promise. I am dying, I am dying for my little son. I am dying since my son died. I suffer from low blood pressure and I weed people yard for a living. I can’t even go to work because I wouldn’t be able

to focus. I can’t handle it.

I don’t even have money to bury him,” the man cried.

Since the accident, neither the driver of the motor car nor any of his family members visited the grieving family. He noted that he is waiting to get “word” from the police on how they will deal with the matter.

The teen’s father also expressed disappointment, as he revealed that his son was relieved of his valuables on the day of the accident by persons who went to assist.

“There is a video which showed a guy holding my son after he was hit down.

The guy took my son’s money - about $270,000 and a phone valued $160,000…

When I went to the man’s house, he told me that he threw away the phone but when I went in the yard, I saw the phone on his table”, the father explained.

He further stated, “It is so sad. You are gonna thief money from a guy that is on his last?”

Bollers described his son as a remarkable and loving child who was on the path of achieving great things in his life.

“He wasn’t studying, but he was in the process of building a house, and he was just 18.” He called on the police to bring the person responsible for this son’s death to justice since he believes that the young man who was full of life did not deserve to die.

How many times…

T

…must Guyana suffer social death?? he historian Orlando Patterson, of Harvard – via our own University of the W.I.! – famously defined the “social death” experienced by those unfortunate Africans who had been dragged across the Atlantic and enslaved to labour on the plantations of the “New World”.

“Social death” was a consequence of the slaves being denied the freedom that is the sine qua non for being human and living in a society with other humans.

We, in Guyana, had that experience during the slave regimes of both the Dutch and British for hundreds of years.

It was to become free men and enjoy the rights that were inherent in that condition that our ancestors – both slaves and bondsmen – shed their blood throughout that shameful period. In 1966, we received Independence, and there was hope that with our “own” at the helm, we would at last experience “freedom”.

Sadly, it was not to be. Forbes Burnham, more to satisfy his overweening ambition than anything else, had split the united freedom movement and connived with the erstwhile departed colonial power to assume power over our destinies. Which, he insisted, he would “mould”.

And this should have been the first tip-off as to what was ahead.

Ontologically, a freedom that’s born out of a Faustian bargain with the Devil could not but lead to hell. And wasn’t the colonial rationale for keeping us in subjugation the need to also “mould” us into worthwhile subjects??

And so, for 28 years, the PNC made all Guyana suffer “social death”, which eerily echoed the experience of the era of slavery and indentureship. Instead of the whip, we had gargantuan armed forces that made Guyana into a concentration camp writ large. We were promised to be “housed, clothed and fed” – just as in the old, degraded days - but we ended up homeless, naked and hungry.

But at the root of this modern social death of the Guyanese people was that most fundamental freedom of all – the freedom to choose those who would govern them.

This had been snatched from them via rigged elections.

And where there isn’t this choice, then inevitably slavery follows in some guise or other. The choice is always between freedom and enslavement.

And this is precisely where the new PNC iteration under David Granger is about to deliver us once again, with their refusal to accept the verdict of the people and their willingness to go down the Burnhamite road of elections rigging to remain in power.

That Granger has not brought out the troops to snatch the ballot boxes is a mere detail. That will come if he’s allowed to get away with this foul deed.

…will the Courts be invoked?

Just as we didn’t need the courts to tell us that 33 was the majority of 65, do we really need the Courts to tell us the meaning of one party getting “more votes” than another party to win the Presidency? Yes, dear reader, that’s what this latest move by the PNC is all about. Back then, they claimed that a “majority” wasn’t just a “majority”, as the Constitution state - but could be a “simple” majority or an “absolute” majority, This time, they’re claiming “more votes” as used in the Constitution to decide elections mean “more valid votes”.

But we know you’re gagging over your coffee, dear reader, as you think, “Wasn’t this what the recount was all about??”

And which produced ten statements with the “valid votes” in each of the ten regions for the various parties?

But this is the PNC we’re dealing with…an entity that believes its base has an infinite capacity for being led down the garden path.

The Court will rule: “Gwan da side!!” …will offices be looted?

PNC’s minions in high and low offices are looting the said offices - like they did in 1992.

Unlike Jagan, the PPP must deal with them condignly.

If they could charge a hapless accountant for an act of omission, what about this plunder??

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

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 pandemic

Health “mingled with politics” in Guyana – PAHO Rep

PAHO Country Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow

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ountry Representative of the Pan American Health Organisation, Dr William Adu-Krow has positioned that Guyana’s COVID-19 situation is heavily influenced by politics, which is having a negative effect on how the country manages the pandemic.

Speaking during a forum by the Texila American University on Friday, the health official insisted that, “Health is mingled with politics and it is difficult…It is a shame that in the last 48 hours, we had about 24 cases. My fear is come September when schools open and the end of September when we will have more air travel.”

The platform was created to discuss the next steps for the tertiary education unit, which has been affected by the current pandemic. Given his expertise, Dr Adu-Krow

shared that every country has been responding differently to the virus, and in Guyana, a higher percentage of youths are being infected that the elderly population.

“We’ve realised that a lot of our youths are getting it. All ages up to 60, it’s more than the elderly. it’s behaving differently…We’ve seen it over and over again, in every country it’s different.”

According to him, there are many facets of the virus which need to be studied, including its reaction to climate differences.

“We still don’t know the effects of the climate and we’re still battling with that…It is something that warrants more study…It’s a big issue.

It’s an issue that we need to continue to study. There are many unknowns…I think there is a lot to learn and we need to open our eyes.”

He went on to say that the incorrect use of masks has posed a great threat and there are many instances locally where individuals are guilty of this practice.

“Persons use the mask and you’re not using it properly. You see people touching the outside of the masks where all the particles would have settled…It’s good to use masks, but it must be used properly. People feel that ‘I have a mask, I can do whatever I want to’,” the PAHO representative highlighted.

With questions raised

the doctors, who are treating the patients.

The National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) on Wednesday extended the 18:00h to 06:00h (6 pm to 6

Former Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence

about a surge in mental health issues during this lockdown, he lamented that the caretaker Administration’s input in psychosocial support has been “not good”. There has been a greater need for these services, as families are faced with many strains of supporting a household despite limited employment.

Last month, the Country Representative would have advised health authorities to prioritise sample testing in order to yield better results. At that time, 90 per cent of the tests were returning negative.

After the first COVID-19 case was discovered in Guyana, the caretaker Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence came in for mounting criticism and pressure from various stakeholders over the fact that the results from the tests were being sent to her instead of going back to

am) curfew, while announcing a phased reopening for Guyana. The six-phase reopening plan will be rolled out with Phase 1 and the final phase of this plan will be com-

pleted on August 28.

It was noted that the current 18:00h to 06:00h (6 pm to 6 am) curfew will remain in effect for Phase 1 in all administrative regions.

10 NEWS SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice River boat collision

Suspects granted bail on manslaughter charges that he and the other occupants were in the boat when they noticed the other vessel coming towards them.

As such, he reportedly swerved to avoid a collision but instead collided headon with the other vessel, as its captain also pulled in the same direction.

The boats collided and

The suspects: Marvin Kissoon, Kevin Archer, Ramnarine Punwasie, Carl Williams and Nateram Punwasie

Pensioner found dead tangled in mosquito net

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Dead: Julian McKenzie

Dead: Romario Denheart

Dead: Freeman Denheart

Dead: Kidman Lindie

ive men who were charged with manslaughter in connection with the deaths of four men following a boat collision in the Berbice River on April 28, 2020, were granted bail by Magistrate Wanda Fortune when they made a virtual appearance at the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

The accused, Marvin Kissoon, 39, also called

“Coolie Boy” of Lot 8 Sheet Anchor Village, Corentyne, Berbice; 26-year-old Kevin Archer also called “Carl” or “Buckman” of Maria Henrietta, Berbice River; 33-year-old Ramnarine Punwasie of Lot 12 Number 2 Village, East Canjie, Berbice; 51-yearold Carl Williams also called “Aguttie” of Lot 6 Adelphi Settlement, East Canjie, Berbice, and

Nateram Punwasie, 38, of Lot 12 Number 2 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, were each granted bail in the sum of $500,000.

The five men were charged with the death of 44-year-old Julian McKenzie; 23-year-old Romario Denheart; 60-yearold Godfrey Denheart and 37-year-old Kidman Lindie.

It was reported that the four men were killed when a

boat transporting marijuana collided with their vessel in the Upper Berbice River.

The men were passengers in a boat travelling in the vicinity of Friendship Village in the Berbice River when another vessel transporting marijuana slammed into theirs and fled the scene.

Kissoon, who was the boat’s captain at the time of the collision, indicated

subsequently capsized but the accused reportedly quickly reentered their boat and fled the scene after the others failed to surface.

The accused will make their next court appearance on July 12 when the case will be called for statements.

91-year-old pensioner was on Thursday found dead with his body tangled in his mosquito net in his bedroom. The discovery was made by his grandson at about 10:55h on the day in question.

Dead is Siegsfred Fraser of Itaballi Landing, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Based on reports received, the now dead man lived alone and from time to time, his grandson would check on him. However, on Thursday, the man went to the home only to find it locked from inside.

As such, he called for the elderly man but his calls went unanswered. Thinking that something was amiss, the grandson managed to pierce a window open and made his way into the house. While in the house, he reportedly continued to

call for the elderly man but still, there were no answers.

Upon entering the man’s bedroom, his grandfather was found in a motionless state while being tangled in the mosquito net. He was reportedly lying face down on the bed.

As a result, the man’s grandson raised an alarm and immediately contacted ranks at the Itaballi Police Checkpoint.

A detective and a party of Police ventured off to the location and examined Fraser but there were no visible marks of violence.

The body was taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital where the doctors on duty confirmed his death.

The body was then transported to the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem.

Investigations are ongoing.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

11 Region 1 teachers test positive for COVID-19 …Santa Rosa on complete lockdown

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ne day after six teachers of Region One (Barima-Waini) tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), it was revealed that a total of 11 teachers in the area are positive.

An official statement from the Education Ministry revealed that all of the 11 teachers are from the Santa Rosa Primary School, Moruca sub-district, Region One. A few weeks ago, one teacher from the region had also contracted the disease.

It is unclear whether the individual was included in the statistics.

They would have volun-

teered on May 25 to distribute hampers to parents in the community and it is believed that this is where the contraction occurred. The remaining 26 teachers from the school were asked to self-quarantine.

The Ministry also sought to clarify that schools in Region One were never opened on June 8 and claimed the affected teachers “never came into contact with neither children nor teachers from that school or any other school.” Schools throughout the region were closed on March 16. When contacted by Guyana Times, President of the Guyana

Lockdown measures reintroduced in Regions 5, 8

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decision was taken to reverse the lifting of non-curfew measures in Regions Five (DemeraraMahaica) and Eight (PotaroSiparuni). This comes one day after the Public Health Ministry announced that these measures would be lifted. On Friday, the Ministry sent out a notice saying that the 18:00h to 06:00h (6 pm-6 am) curfew measures remain in all administrative regions until directed otherwise.

These were the only two coronavirus-free regions in the country, but given the surge in cases, officials opted to reinforce the measures.

Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud on Friday announced that there have been zero new cases of COVID-19, with the numbers remaining at 183.

On Thursday, there were 12 new cases and 24 for the week thus far. Presently, deaths remain at 12. Health officials have conducted 2048 tests so far with 1865 returning negative.

Presently, 102 persons have recovered, while there are 69 cases in institutional isolation and 24 cases in Institutional quarantine.

There are no patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Dr Persaud reminded that in Guyana the male population is most affected by the disease, along with Regions One (Barima-Waini), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

In their analysis, the mining community is now one of the “most vulnerable groups” for the spread of the disease.

“I wish to remind you that we are at a much higher risk because COVID-19 is rampant in our bordering countries and we have not seen a reduction but a constant increase in the number of positive cases. Residents in Region Seven, I wish to make a special appeal to you as the situation in your community is of grave concern to the Ministry,” he highlighted.

He said the CuyuniMazaruni region, notably Aranka, has the second-high-

CMO Dr Shamdeo Persaud

est number of confirmed cases. The mining activities, the continuous movement of people and services in and out of the area also makes it extremely likely for the disease to spread.

As such, the health official urged, “Unless you, the residents in this area wish to see an alarming spike in the number of positive cases and even deaths, I plead with you to act responsibly. Once you are positive you must go to an isolation facility which must be manned by the relevant and competent health workers.”

For the Father’s Day weekend, the public was asked to be mindful of restrictions and safety guidelines while in the midst of their celebrations. Persons were urged to utilise virtual platforms to see their relatives and friends.

“I’m sure your burning question is how can you celebrate and not meet in groups of over five, or how can you celebrate wearing a mask?

Those are relevant questions, but you have had the opportunity to acquire new skills and there are many platforms available for celebrating without being there in person. We do urge you to utilise these platforms because this is surely one way to ensure that you remain COVID free and are alive next year to celebrate once more.”

Globally, the total number of cases is 8,242,999 cases with 445,535 deaths. In the region of the Americas, there are 4,015,386 confirmed cases with 208,991 deaths.

An aerial view of Santa Rosa, Moruca, Region One

Teachers Union Mark Lyte refused to comment on the issue. Calls to General Secretary of the Union, Coretta McDonald went unanswered.

Community transmission

Meanwhile, with the surge in cases among the teaching fraternity and a regional contraction rate of 23 cases, the Regional Health Officer (RHO) has since labelled the situation as a “community transmission”.

As a result, there will be a

community lockdown for the next two weeks to curb the spread of the virus. This lockdown includes all school activities being cancelled.

On the issue of upcoming examinations, the Education Ministry has since said that alternative measures are being undertaken to keep students abreast, while claiming that their safety is being addressed. Additionally, it stated that the situation will be closely monitored.

The area has 359 Grade Six students preparing for the National Grade Six

A health worker fumigating a house in Santa Rosa (Indigenous Peoples Affairs Ministry photo)

Assessment and 214 for CXC. Zeroing in on the matter, former Opposition Member of Parliament, Africo Selman on Friday told Guyana Times that the hinterland communities need greater resources to effectively continue educational activities in a safe manner.

She further contended that the same guidelines cannot work for schools on the coastland and hinterland, since the latter is greatly disenfranchised due to geographical location and in-

ternet access.

“It is extremely alarming that the Ministry of Education has failed to identify the measures the officials intended to implement to protect the teachers and children of Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takautu-Upper Essequibo). They cannot use the same measures for all the regions given the demographics of Guyana,” Selman explained.

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NIS halts sickness, accident benefits for sugar workers – GAWU

NIS General Manager Holly Greaves

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he Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU), has sounded the alarm following the revelation that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) has decided to stop paying sugar workers their sickness or accident benefit claims.

According to the Union on Friday, NIS’ decision stems from the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) indebtedness to it. However, GAWU was of the view that NIS could not arbitrarily take it upon itself to stop paying employees their rightful benefits.

“The Union understands that the NIS stance takes account of the GuySuCo’s indebtedness to the Scheme.

The Union, as part of its services, makes representation to the NIS, through its local and central offices, regarding outstanding claims of workers, among other things,” GAWU said on

Friday.

According to GAWU, it recently collaborated with fellow union National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) to write NIS General Manager Holly Greaves about the matter.

GAWU maintained that NIS is legally obligated to honour these workers’ claims and stated that in their May 22 letter they made reference to the NIS Act Section 17 (1, c), “For treating, for the purposes of any right to benefit, contributions payable by an Employer on behalf of an Insured person, but not paid as paid, where the failure to pay is shown not to have been with consent or connivance of or attributable to any negligence on the part of such person.”

GAWU pointed out that the law is clear in that a contributor cannot be denied benefits on the grounds of non-payment by his employer, as long as they are not culpable in defrauding NIS. According to GAWU, it is clear that GuySuCo workers are innocent and not responsible for the corporation’s debt to NIS. “Workers are undoubtedly not involved in any fraudulent intrigues and their contributions to the NIS are evidenced by their payslips which indicate deductions were made from their wages and salaries. At this time, our letter to the NIS GM has not been even greeted with an acknowledgement much

pated receiving benefits from the scheme having been unable to work, sometimes for long periods, arising from sickness or accident. The Scheme and GuySuCo should work out the Corporation’s indebtedness but workers should not be unfairly penalised,” the Union said.

When contacted, NIS

GAWU General Secretary Seepaul Narine

less a response,” GAWU said.

“Our Union, in the meantime, continued to follow up matters with the NIS when it was informed by an official of the Scheme, a few days ago, that a decision was taken to only honour claims made up to December 31, 2019. It, therefore, means that for the year, so far, the NIS, contrary to its own Statues, has failed in its obligation to provide social protection to the thousands of sugar workers.”

According to GAWU, this decision is likely to affect contributions of sugar workers since it will in all likelihood not be credited to their records. This could have a devastating effect on workers who are nearing pensionable age, denying them their rightful pension.

GAWU called on NIS to honour claims made by workers.

“Undoubtedly, they would have antici-

Chairman John Seeram referred this publication to General Manager Holly Greaves. However, repeated attempts to contact Greaves proved futile.

It was only last year that the Finance Ministry’s Half Year Report revealed that NIS is in a worsening position, as its multimillion-dollar deficit continues to grow

while revenue collection increases.

According to the report, NIS recorded an overall deficit of $748.4 million for the year, compared to the $715.6 million it recorded in the same half-year period for 2018. Revenue collection so far for 2019 was $11.9 billion, 9.7 per cent more than the same period for 2018.

Over 9000g ganja found during Police raids

Cannabis which was found in the pork-knocker’s possession

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anks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Friday discovered a large quantity of cannabis at an East Coast Demerara property, after acting on information provided.

According to information received, officers would have visited 13th Street, Dazelle Housing Scheme, ECD, where a search was conducted at an unfinished concrete structure. There, a bag containing nine “bulky” parcels of suspected cannabis was discovered.

After weighing the content, it amounted to 9525 grams. Police are continuing their investigation and did not arrest anyone at that time.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation, ranks arrested a 24-year-old Mahdia resident, for possession of suspected cannabis. The pork-knocker was stopped during a police patrol at 11 Miles, Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), where 20 grams of the illegal drug was found in his custody.

He was arrested and is expected to be charged soon for the offence.

Parcels of cannabis seized from the ECD property

13 No confidence in Lowenfield – GCCI tells GECOM Chair NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…actions of staff show a compromised GECOM – FITUG

T

he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has written Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, expressing a loss of confidence in her Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield.

In a letter written by GCCI President Nicholas Boyer, he informed the GECOM Chair that Lowenfield’s report submitted last week lacks credibility. In that report, Lowenfield had injected his opinion and argued that coalition unproven claims of migrant and dead voters were enough to invalidate the elections.

GCCI said it was incredible that Lowenfield could mention election credibility and A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change’s (APNU/AFC) unproven allegations in one breath, but then make no mention of the blatantly fraudulent figures declared

by Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

“We are concerned not only about the credibility of this process but also what the CEO’s actions mean for public perception of the integrity of the March 2, 2020 GRE. The CEO appears to have used the authority that comes with the post of Chief Elections Officer to take unverified information and legitimise it to both the Commission, and obviously, the public,” GCCI said.

This, the letter said, conforms wholly with a public campaign that the APNU/ AFC has been waging to dis-

risdiction. They sometimes called serial numbers not related to the ballot box.”

“GECOM staff would then tell the APNU+AFC agents whether any of those serial numbers were marked as voted on the Official List of Electors (OLE). No one was afforded the opportunity to witness the OLEs and verify whether the information being given by GECOM staff was authentic. The APNU+AFC agents never asked. Requests by other party agents were denied.”

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

credit the entire March 2, 2020 elections now that the recount exercise has proven beyond doubt that GECOM did indeed declare fraudulent District Four elections results.

GCCI pointed out that they were not allowed to verify that these alleged illegal voters were, in fact, issued ballots. The Chamber said that when they asked to see the names ticked off on the Official List of Electors, this was denied. According to GCCI, however, GECOM staff appeared to be assisting APNU/AFC by providing information about voters using the Official List of Electors.

“During the recount exercise, at the beginning of the recount for each ballot box, APNU+AFC agents would call out a large list of serial numbers and object to those voters on the grounds that they impersonated the dead or were out of the ju-

No evidence

Despite the lack of evidence, these objections were still recorded in the objection reports. GCCI raised objections to the prominence Lowenfield placed in these allegations. The Chamber criticised the fact that the verification process of these claims cited by Lowenfield failed to meet basic standards of transparency.

“It failed to meet basic standards of transparency in allowing persons against whom claims were being made the opportunity to know and respond, as would be afforded in a basic claims and objections process. Therefore, there is no credibility whatsoever at any level of this exercise or to anything for which the information was used,” GCCI said.

“In his treatment of the APNU-AFC objections in his report to the Commission on the recount, the CEO omitted to mention that all political party agents present objected to the APNU+AFC objections. He treats the

CORONAVIRUS

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

GCCI President Nicholas Boyer

FITUG President Carvil Duncan

APNU+AFC objections as credible and goes on to claim that through an opaque bilateral process with relevant authorities, GECOM was able to receive information confirming these allegations to be true.”

GCCI, therefore, called for GECOM to exclude Lowenfield’s summary of the observation reports from consideration. Legal luminaries have already said that GECOM cannot verify the claims made by APNU/ AFC, rather this must be done in court via an elections petition.

“We have lost confidence entirely in Mr Lowenfield as the CEO and manager of the Secretariat of GECOM. We believe that it would be keeping with the purpose of free and fair elections to exclude the prejudicial report on Observation Reports submitted by the CEO to the Commission in your consideration of the results of the

election.”

FITUG

Meanwhile, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has slammed the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield for his failure to deliver his report and has urged that the courts not be used to delay the inevitable.

FITUG made its feelings known in a statement on Friday. According to the Union, CEO Lowenfield’s actions are unacceptable and moreover, Lowenfield’s failure to hand over the report complicates GECOM’s work and has national implications.

The Union noted that GECOM’s failure to declare the election results adds to the frustration of the nation. They pointed out that Guyanese generally want to put the elections, held over three months ago, behind them.

“It appears to us, at least, that some elements in the (GECOM) Secretariat are very much compromised and will leave no stone unturned to thwart the will of the Guyanese electorate. This, for us, is a most unfortunate development and represents a naked and blatant attack on our democracy and institutions charged with upholding our democratic culture,” FITUG said.

Meanwhile, FITUG was critical of the motivations behind the court case filed by Eslyn David. The Union said that while it supports everyone’s right to judicial process, that right must not be abused.

They noted that the court must be approached in a responsible manner. FITUG, therefore, expressed hope that the court quickly addresses the matter. FITUG made it clear that the court must not be abused to delay the inevitable declaration GECOM must make.

On Tuesday, GECOM Chair Claudette Singh had asked Lowenfield to deliver a final report by Thursday, which would have allowed for a declaration of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) as the winners of the elections.

Instead, Lowenfield chose not to deliver the report.

David, an APNU/AFC supporter, who inexplicably had a battery of lawyers representing her that included Mayo Robertson, filed a court case seeking to block the declaration. The case continues today, before Appeals Court Judges Rishi Persaud, Dawn Gregory and Brassington Reynolds.

SYMPTOMS

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

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

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

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

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

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

New loss of taste or smell

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

14 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

327 stranded Guyanese return home from Trinidad, Barbados

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Onita Edwards

Tenesha Collins

Levi Holmes

total of 327 Guyanese who were stuck in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados owing to the coronavirus pandemic returned home on Friday.

These passengers were scheduled to return home on June 11, but the flights were cancelled as the Foreign

Affairs Ministry failed to submit the list of passengers to the airlines.

Nevertheless, the Caribbean Airlines flights landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Friday with jubilation on the faces of the Guyanese who have been away from home

for more than four months.

Upon landing at the CJIA, one of the passengers who has been stuck in Trinidad for over three months stated that the process she had to endure to return home was “terrible”.

“I have been in Trinidad for three months and a week.

My experience was terrible,

2 more Lindeners charged for violating COVID-19 guidelines

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wo Lindeners who made their virtual appearances before Linden Magistrate Wanda Fortune were fined for violating the countrywide COVID-19 curfew.

Terrence Godette and

Jarriel Crawford were charged for breach of curfew which occurred on April 27, 2020.

They were both found guilty of the offence following a trial and as such, were ordered to pay $16,000 each.

Failure to pay the fines will result in an alternative sentence of 3 months’ imprisonment.

Over 40 persons have since been charged and placed before the Linden Magistrate’s Court as Police in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) continue the crackdown on persons who violate the national curfew and restrictions on social activities put in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This has resulted in fines ranging from as high as $20,000 to $5000. A number of persons found guilty were also sentenced to community service.

Passengers being sanitised after arriving at CJIA on Friday

and the process was very aggravating; it came to the point where I wanted to give up, but I am here, and I am very happy to be home, and I never missed Guyana this much,” Onita Edwards stated.

Another passenger, Levi Holmes, added, “I have a business in Barbados, and I was there for four months, and because of COVID-19 pandemic, I was stuck there, and I am happy to be back home.”

A student who was stuck in Trinidad stated she is relieved to finally be home. “I have been in Trinidad for about two months now. I was there for University, and I am happy to be home,” Tenesha Collins concluded.

One employee of the Royal Cruise Liner who was on the ship since March said that he was elated when he boarded that CAL flight in Barbados.

“I knew for certain; I am heading home… I personally am delighted to be back home with my family and I do hope intend to spend some real family time with them,” he added.

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

Prior to that, 168 Guyanese came back two Wednesdays ago on an Eastern Airlines flight – the third such repatriation flight.

Those flights had departed from Miami International Airport, whereas the flight on Wednesday last had departed from the JFK Airport in New York.

The National COVID-19 Task Force has approved the controlled re-entry of approximately 300 Guyanese through the nation’s international airports, provided they follow a series of strict guidelines, including securing a negative COVID-19 test before travelling to Guyana and agreeing to self-quarantine on arrival here.

Another repatriation flight out of the US is expected sometime in the new week as there are some 1000 stranded Guyanese in that country.

GBTI staff donate 25 units of blood in annual blood drive

Veteran donor Christopher Mackintosh donating blood on Thursday

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he Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) on Thursday hosted its annual blood drive at its Water Street branch, garnering 25 units of blood, all donated by staff of its Georgetown branches.

This was the eighth year that the blood drive was held in collaboration with the Public Health Ministry/ National Blood Transfusion Service to coincide with the observance of World Blood Donor Day on June 14.

Water Street Branch Manager, Juanita Persaud said the bank decided to proceed with the activity as it sees it as a Corporate Social Responsibility and the necessary health and safety COVID-19 precautions were in place and practiced.

“For a while, we wanted to postpone the activity, but we saw the calls by the

Christine Chin-Kanhai, Esther Marville, Yuvraj Bhagwandeen, Adeeb Bacchus, Mercedes LowKoon, Sherisha Adams, Godwin Fernandes and Mahendra Deonarine.

Among the first-time donors were Susan Ghanie, Raneesha Ramnanan, Mickelo Dodson and Scott Johnson.

“I always wanted to donate, I always wanted to feel what it is like,” Ghanie said.

Dodson echoed similar sentiments while

Mercedes Low-Koon at the blood drive hosted by GBTI

blood bank for blood especially during this time and we wanted to make a contribution. We are happy we heeded the call. The staff responded well, as usual, and we wish to thank them for donating so selflessly,” she said.

Among those donating were veteran donors Christopher Mackintosh,

Ramnanan, who was eager but fearful, said, “It was a good feeling and a wonderful experience. I would definitely be donating again.”

The bank expressed its gratitude to the staff and its partnership with the National Blood Transfusion Service and the Ministry of Public Health.

NEWS

15

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Notice of Motion should be dismissed – PPP/C in submissions …has no merit, will cause COA to fall into constitutional error

ply no evidence for the court to determine which votes are “not valid and credible” as it is being asked to do in the Motion.

“This test of validity and credibility which is not

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has stated that the Notice of Motion seeking to block the Guyana Elections Commission from declaring the results of the March 2 elections should be dismissed since there is no jurisdiction for the Court of Appeal to entertain it.

This was indicated in the PPP/C’s – which has emerged as the party with the most votes from the 2020 elections – written submission to the Appeal Court that was filed on Friday. Today, the court will hear oral submissions from the various parties in the matter that was filed

by APNU/AFC supporter, Eslyn David.

The party’s leaders, Presidential Candidate Dr Irfaan Ali and General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, were joined in the legal proceedings on Friday with Trinidadian Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes leading their case in association with Attorneysat-Law Anil Nandlall, Devindra Kissoon and Sanjeev Datadin.

According to SC Mendes, the grounds of the Motion are “all without merit and invite this Court of Appeal to fall into serious constitutional error... Every complaint which has been raised is capable of being in an election petition which will ultimately be subject to the oversight of this Court of Appeal.”

In his submissions, Mendes argued that the Court has no jurisdiction under Article 177 (4), under which the Motion was filed, to hear the matter since Parliament failed to make provision for the exercise of the court’s jurisdiction.

Article 177 (4) states: The Court of Appeal shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any question as to the validity of an election of a President in so far as that question depends upon the qualification of any person for election or the interpretation of this Constitution; and any decision of that Court under this paragraph shall be final.

“As such, there is no provision which indicates whether the Applicant is a person by whom proceedings for the determination of any question mentioned

in Article 177 (4) may be instituted in the Court of Appeal, nor is there any indication as to the manner in which and the conditions upon which proceedings for the determination of any such question may be instituted in the Court of Appeal.

These Respondents respectfully submit that this omission is fatal to the creation of the jurisdiction intended to be vested in the Court of Appeal under Article 177 (4),” the Senior Counsel posited.

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Premature

He further submitted that the challenge filed is premature as no President has been elected – which is only done by GECOM making such a declaration – thus the court’s jurisdiction under Article 177 (4) cannot be invoked.

“While Dr Irfaan Ali is the Presidential Candidate in respect of the list which obtained the greatest number of votes, he has not yet been so declared by the Chairman of GECOM. Were it otherwise, President Granger would no longer be in office, and Dr Irfaan Ali would now be the President… There is simply no basis for any determination under Article 177 (4) as the election is a sine qua non to the exercise of any Article 177 (4) jurisdiction.

This application is premature,” he outlined.

Another point that was underscored by SC Mendes is that the nature of the relief sought by David in the Motion falls outside of Article 177 (4), which he noted is “carefully delineated and restricted”, and is not at large.

He noted that the relief does not ask the court to determine any question as to the validity of an election of a President and, therefore, without more, cannot be considered under Article 177 (4).

“There is no jurisdiction under Article 177 (4) for the Court of Appeal to invalidate a presidential election except where such invalidation depends upon the qualification of the candidate or the interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution.

There is no jurisdiction under the Article for the Court of Appeal consider the question of the validity of a pres-

Douglas Mendes SC

idential election which depends on an interpretation of other laws or items of delegated legislation, such as any Order of GECOM, nor can it embark upon a generalised roving commission as to the credibility of votes.

But that is precisely what the Applicant invites this Honourable Court to do in this case,” the SC argued.

Mendes further posited that the relief asking for an interpretation of the words “more votes are cast” is also not an exercise that can be undertaken under Article 177 (4) since it is not the interpretation of the Constitution, but is really an encroachment upon the jurisdiction of the High Court under Article 163.

He went on to note that, “If, as is asserted by the Applicant, GECOM or the CEO could legitimately engage in a determination as to validity of the votes cast, and that the Court of Appeal under Article 177 (4) could also make such a determination, it would effectively render the well-established machinery of the election petition otiose…

The jurisdiction of an election court is well established in Guyana and in the wider Commonwealth.”

According to Mendes, the machinery of an election petition cannot be usurped by any action of GECOM or the Chief Elections Officer or of the Court of Appeal acting under Article 177 (4), which is precisely what the Applicant is asking the Court to do.

“The Applicant wishes to have a determination that the recount and therefore the entire electoral process is invalid for the reasons given in the complaints made by [APNU/AFC]. Those complaints include allegations of persons voting who were dead or had migrated and of missing election documents. For these reasons, it is said that the election was not credible and the recount should not be acted upon. But these are precisely the types of questions which the election court is given exclusive jurisdiction to determine under Article 163. They are not questions which the Court of Appeal is to determine under Article 177 (4),” the Trinidadian SC contended.

In any event, he added, it is clear that there is sim-

found in the Constitution, cannot be met on the basis of the evidence which Ms Eslyn David has placed before the Court… She also references the report of the CEO which also lists various complaints which the CEO had apparently observed. None of this is evi-

dence of invalidity. It is evidence only of the views and opinions which certain persons hold. It is impossible for the Court of Appeal, receiving evidence in such a summary fashion, to make any sort of determination as to whether any invalidity occurred,” Mendes submitted.

“No reasonable basis on which APNU/AFC can claim they won more votes than PPP/C” – Dominic Gaskin

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s Guyanese breathlessly await the outcome of yet another court battle, Caretaker President David Granger’s son-in-law Dominic Gaskin, a former Minister in his Government point blankly told him on Friday evening that there is no reasonable basis on which APNU/AFC can claim they won more votes than the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic at the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Gaskin in a Facebook post said that having stayed silent for the past three months while the National Recount was ongoing, he can no longer wait quietly and politely while Guyana gets “hijacked, ridiculed and torn apart.”

According to Gaskin, the coalition supporters were misled into believing that the caretaker Administration had won the election.

“No one elected us to remain in office forever. There is no reasonable basis on which you can claim to have won more votes than the PPP-C in these elections.

Level with your supporters and start directing your energies towards becoming a credible opposition party in time for 2025. Above all, try to regain the trust of the swing voter. You will never win another election without their support,” he told his APNU/AFC colleagues.

Gaskin pointed out that having won the 2015 elections by a slim majority, it was never a valid assumption that the APNU/AFC would easily win the 2020 elections.

“It was always going to be tough fight. I’m no political analyst, but it’s fairly obvious that the swing vote has determined the results of the last three General Elections in Guyana. Having failed at the polls for over two decades, the PNC never commanded the electoral strength to win an election on its own, and was only able to squeeze past the PPP-C because of its alliance with the AFC,” he noted.

Moreover, the former Minister contended that there was a deliberate attempt to discredit the entire elections. Having paid close attention to the tabulated results of the 2020 elections, and having done some projections of his own, Gaskin said he knew by March 4 that a coalition victory was unlikely.

“I was aware that we had

Former Business Minister and Caretaker President David Granger’s son-in-law Dominic Gaskin

lost the East Coast Demerara sub-district by several thousand votes and the East Bank Demerara sub-district by close to one thousand votes.

At the time, the Returning Officer for District Four, Mr Clairmont Mingo, had completed the tabulations for the Georgetown area, showing the coalition ahead in District Four by nearly forty thousand votes. This was clearly not enough to close the more than fifty thousand vote lead that the PPP-C had gained in the other nine electoral districts, which had already been tabulated,” he stated.

However, Gaskin said that he became “deeply suspicious” when he heard the actual numbers that the embattled RO finally declared as there was no way his numbers could have been correct.

“Much to my disappointment, the leaderships of both APNU and the AFC claimed that Mingo’s numbers were consistent with our own Statements of Poll. They also insisted that a final declaration be made on the basis of those numbers, and supported the court action to prevent a recount. The recount went ahead and the results showed clearly that Mingo’s numbers could not have been based on actual Statements of Poll. At the very least APNU+AFC’s supporters deserve an explanation from its leadership as to the basis on which they claimed to have won the election prior to the recount,” he posited.

Further, Gaskin asserted that no evidence has been provided to support the claim of vast numbers of rejected ballots among those of the disciplined services, let alone the allegation of a deliberate attempt to invalidate the votes of the disciplined services.

“The claims of fraud were grossly exaggerated and, unfortunately, designed to fool party supporters, who had placed their faith in the coalition, into believing that there was actual evidence of serious elections rigging by the PPP-C. The claim that vast numbers of disciplined services ballots were deliberately not stamped, and therefore rejected, is a case in point.

The so-called intermixing stations are known, and it is a fairly simple task to sum up all the unstamped rejected ballots in those stations to support the allegation. This, however, was not done and the ominous suggestion was left to torment the minds of the men and women responsible for the defence and protection of our country and its citizens,” the former Minister surmised.

He went on to note that despite putting faith in the high-level Caricom scrutineers, in the end, the team’s report, which endorsed the elections and results of the recount as “credible”, was rejected by the coalition in favour of a “devious piece of reasoning by Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield.”

He further credited the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, for clearly instructing Lowenfield to submit his final elections report using the results of the recount.

Nevertheless, Gaskin concluded that there is no power on earth which can convince the APNU/AFC leadership that it lost the election.

“All of this leads me to a very uncomfortable conclusion. The APNU+AFC has no intention of relinquishing control of government. Five years after winning an election and gaining office with a fair amount of goodwill, the coalition is saying to the people who put us there, the equivalent of “unless and until WE are satisfied beyond a shadow of a doubt that “more votes are cast” in favour of another party in an election that WE deem credible, WE ain going nowhere”. That condition will never be satisfied,” he asserted.

Regardless, he pointed out that all that has occurred since March 4 will make it “extremely difficult” now for APNU and/or the AFC to defeat the PPP/C in 2025 elections.

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“It is the end” of APNU/AFC Govt – Ramjattan concedes defeat …admits PPP/C beat coalition by over 15,000 votes

Leader of the Alliance For Change and Prime Ministerial Candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan

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nticipating being ousted from Executive power soon, caretaker Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has finally conceded defeat, telling his employees that the figures clearly show that the PPP/C has won the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

“The numbers were against us…the PPP has beaten us by some 15,000 votes,” Ramjattan, told

his staff during a farewell speech this week.

Ramjattan is an executive member of the Alliance For Change (AFC), the smaller faction of the APNU/AFC coalition; he was also the party’s Prime Ministerial Candidate for the elections held more than three months ago.

Like many other senior coalition officials, Ramjattan, who was the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the APNU/ AFC, had refused to accept defeat and had joined the bandwagon, peddling unsubstantiated claims in a desperate attempt to cling on to power – effectively denying the will of the people.

From making allegations of Russians interfering in the elections to claims of dead and migrated persons voting, Ramjattan has now admitted that “it is the end” of the APNU/AFC coalition Government.

“I am prepared to ac-

cept and move on,” he expressed, noting that the loss of an election is “not the death penalty”.

The PPP/C has won the March 2 elections by 15,416 votes over its nearest political rival, the APNU/ AFC coalition – which has been refusing to accept defeat and has attempted, on many occasions, to alter the results of the elections.

Now, in what has been described as a last-ditch effort to thwart the will of the people, the APNU/AFC – through one of its supporters – has filed legal action to block the elections declaration.

That case comes up for hearing at 11:00h today in the Court of Appeal; GECOM Chair Justice Claudette Singh has since asked for the motion to be rejected.

Notwithstanding the falsehoods the coalition has been feeding its supporters,

Ramjattan expressed hope for a “soft landing” once the declaration is made.

In fact, the caretaker Minister said he already spoke with the Police Commissioner, Leslie James, to ensure everything would be under control post declaration.

On Tuesday, hours after Guyana Elections Commission Chair, Claudette Singh, directed the Chief Elections Officer to prepare his final elections report using recount tabulation results, Ramjattan said the APNU/ AFC would have to accept the declaration.

Ramjattan is quoted by local online news entity Demerara Waves as saying: “We’ll have to respect her decision. I have indicated that I certainly will; that’s my position, and we all agree that we are going to respect her decision.”

He is quoted by

Demerara Waves as saying that the party is bound by the constitutional entity and, “…we are bound to by law, and we are bound by the procedures.”

“That constitutional entity is GECOM, and if GECOM makes the declaration, whether it’s by majority 4-3, or if it is a majority of seven; whatever it is, we respect that and we move on as a country.

There’ll be lots to say by all politicians, but we’ll have to move on,” Ramjattan is

quoted by the local online news entity as saying.

On April 21, Ramjattan told the media that if the National Recount shows that People’s Progressive Party/Civic wins the General and Regional Elections, he will be the first to congratulate the party’s Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali. “I would immediately congratulate Irfaan Ali and tell him, ‘God bless,’ and, ‘I am here to give as much support as possible’,” Ramjattan had said.

Police unearth 5.5 kg ganja hidden underground

Coomacka homes inundated following heavy downpour

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he police have launched an investigation into the discovery of more than 5.5 kilograms of cannabis at a location at Prince William Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Friday.

Based on reports received, Police ranks acted

One of the homes under water on Friday

everal homes at Coomacka Mines, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), were inundated on Friday afternoon after two culverts and a dam reportedly overtopped following a heavy downpour.

Guyana Times understands that approximately 10 homes were severely affected and were under water as a result of the late afternoon storm.

Chairman of the Coomacka Community Development Council (CDC), Dexter Harding when contacted explained that $48 million was spent on the dam done by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) several

months ago.

“This thing really started about a month ago. We had a breach in the dam which was constructed. They did some work on the beach to desilt the beach area and between the beach and the dam was $48 million… the water flooded homes, causing damage to household items”, Harding explained.

According to Harding, he attempted to contact the regional officials but to no avail. Nevertheless, he noted that as the water receded later in the evening, the residents were relieved.

The CDC Chairman said recommendations would have to be made moving forward. The community has suffered tremendous flood-

The water as it gushes onto land due to the overtopping

ing and erosion in the past which has prompted intervention both at the regional and national levels.

In January last year, engineers attached to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) visited the community to brainstorm effective methods of dealing with the constant flooding in the area.

As a result of severe erosion, more than half of the community’s river was deemed impassible with residents being affected due to intense flooding.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian had noted at the time that the issue was compounded by years of bauxite mining in the community.

on information received and swooped down on the location where they reportedly dug up an area and found two five-gallon containers.

The containers were subsequently cut open and the ganja was found.

No arrests were made but an investigation is underway.

NEWS

17

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fire ravages Prashad Berbice woman found in house was murdered – PME Nagar home

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everal persons are now homeless after a fire of unknown origin destroyed a family property at Lot 328 Sachibazaar and Rohinital Streets, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, on Friday.

Owner of the property, 70-year-old Gertude Vieira had reportedly left to transact business in the city and upon her return, she learnt that her home was destroyed by fire.

“I knew for a fact that the fire could not have started from upstairs, it had to come from downstairs”, the woman said.

Vieira, who lives with her son in the upper flat of the house, explained that at the time of the fire, two

would also have lost cherished memories of her parents.

“I had a lot of antique things from my parents that I cherished. I had things that were about 100 years old from my great, great grandparents, that my parents passed down to me, everything is now gone”, she cried.

Vieira revealed that she has been living at the property since she was a child, and it was passed down to her as a gift from her parents.

“When my parents died, they left this house for me.

This doesn’t make sense; everything is now gone.”

She also confirmed that the house was not insured.

Murdered: Chandarie Budhoo

Gertude Vieira

scene. They would have received the report at about 14:30h.

“The fire looked as though it was accidental and it looks as though it started

T

he post-mortem examination performed on the body of 83-yearold Chandarie Budhoo, who was found dead in her Tain, Corentyne, Berbice home on Wednesday has proven that she was murdered.

The autopsy was performed by Government

Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, who gave the cause of death as asphyxiation due to ligament strangulation, and suffocation due to blunt trauma to the head.

Budhoo, called “Auntie Dayo”, of Lot 83 Sixth Street Tain, was found with her hands and feet bound by a caretaker who had gone to take her breakfast.

At the time of the discovery, two bags were packed with items suspected to have been taken from the home but left behind by the perpetrators.

Following the discovery, several persons were arrested including an unemployed man who lives behind Budhoo’s house.

Budhoo had been living alone for the past two decades. Her home had been broken into twice this year,

and on both occasions, she had been tied up.

Earlier in the year, passersby heard the woman screaming for assistance and as persons ran to check, she was found with both of her feet and hands bound.

That time, the perpetrators had assaulted her while demanding valuables. They would have escaped with an undisclosed sum of local and foreign currencies, together with a gold chain and a gold bangle.

This newspaper was told that the woman had been a frequent visitor to the United States, but had spent most of her time in Guyana.

Meanwhile, two persons remain in custody for the murder, and the police are hunting a third person as they continue their investigations.

2 charged for murder of construction worker found in trench

The gutted house

children and an adult were at home. She noted that the lower flat of the building is being rented.

The elderly woman further stated that not only did she lose millions of dollars in household items, but she

Meanwhile, Divisional Officer in charge of operations in Georgetown, Dwayne Scotland told this newspaper that upon receiving the report of a fire, the Guyana Fire Service deployed three tenders to the

somewhere in the top floor, but that is not confirmed because we are still carrying out an investigation”, he explained. At that time, Scotland said they were unable to determine the origin of the fire that destroyed the dwelling house.

Knife-wielding bandits rob delivery man …escape with motorcycle, cash

A

n employee attached to Xpress Delivery Service was on Friday held at knifepoint and relieved of his motorcycle, an undisclosed sum of cash and mobile phones in South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown.

The incident reportedly occurred at about 10:45h and was recorded on CCTV cameras in the area.

Owner of the company, Natasha Goodridge when contacted told Guyana Times that the victim was in the process of making deliveries on motorcycle CK 4139 when he was intercepted and robbed.

She explained that as the employee was making his way out of South Ruimveldt, he noticed two men wearing masks walking in front of him but did not pay heed since practically everyone wears a mask due to the

pandemic.

“He slowed down because he didn’t want to splash water on the two persons who were in front of him but as he did so, they turned around and attacked held onto him”, she explained.

The proprietress noted that the two phones that were taken cost about $140,000 while the motorcycle is estimated at $185,000.

The men also relieved him of $20,000 in cash belonging to the company.

In the CCTV footage, the victim was seen wrestling with one of the men as he was trying to resist attempts to steal his cellphones. They nevertheless managed to overpower him and rode away with the motorcycle.

Goodridge told this publication that her employee walked back to his customer’s home and made contact

Dead: Andy Williams

T

Remanded: Afrazudeen Ally

Remanded: Yudesh Kissoon

wo men were on Friday arraigned for the murder of 45-year-old Andy Williams, whose partially decomposed body was discovered in a trench at Tarla Dam, Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara, on June 8.

Afrazudeen Ally, 35, also called “Afraz”, a fisherman and 29-year-old Yudesh Kissoon, also known as “Chuckey,” both of De Willem Village, WCD, appeared before Magistrate Zameena Ali-Seepaul at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court and were not required to plea to the indictable charge.

The police stated that on June 8, 2020, they murdered Andy Williams. In

court, the prosecution stated that two months prior to the man’s death, the two suspects were involved in an altercation with him.

However, on the day of the murder, the duo allegedly offered Williams a drink as they were consuming alcohol at a street corner in the village.

The now dead man reportedly ended up joining them and they continued to imbibe until an argument erupted among them.

The duo then struck Williams multiple times to the head with a hammer, which resulted in him collapsing on the roadway. He started to bleed profusely.

The court heard that Ally and Kissoon then

placed a plastic bag over his head to prevent the blood from leaking. After realising that the man was unconscious, the two suspects picked up the man and dumped him in a trench along with the murder weapon.

They reportedly returned to the crime scene shortly after to clean any evidence linking them to the incident. Following the discovery of the man’s body, the two men were arrested and interrogated during which they confessed to the heinous crime.

As such, charges were instituted. The two men were remanded to prison and will make their next court appearance on August 24, 2020, at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

GTT rolls out Blaze service in EBD area The motorcycle that was taken during the robbery

with her who in turn contacted the police.

She revealed that a report was made to the East La Penitence Police Outpost and an investigation is underway.

Anyone with information about the motorcycle bearing registration number CK 4139 is asked to contact 6000500 or the nearest police station.

R

esidents and businesses within the Green Acres Providence, East Bank Demerara area can now apply for GTT’s Blaze service.

According to GTT’s Product Lead of Fixed Broadband services, Jamal Inniss, there has been a significant demand for Blaze by the residents, and a feasibility study positively justified the rollout.

Blaze is synonymous with faster internet speeds,

easy connectivity, greater reliability, and added security which is capable of supporting multiple users.

Inniss also revealed that “...the service introduction will also be of benefit to residents in the Diamond/ Grove, EBD areas in the coming months, once all infrastructure is in place.”

Inniss also noted that at least two more areas are scheduled to receive the Blaze service this year.

“Among those areas

to benefit from the service are Parika, Essequibo Islands, West Demerara in September and Skeldon, East Berbice-Corentyne in September/October,” he said.

The service expansion to Green Acres and environs was scheduled for earlier this year but was delayed as a result of COVID-19 related restrictions. Persons interested in the Blaze service can apply online at https:// www.gtt.co.gy/blaze/apply

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020

Regional

Mexico freezes bank accounts Haiti nears the 5000 of entities sanctioned by US mark in COVID-19 cases

T

he Mexican Government’s Financial Crime Department has frozen the bank accounts of companies and people blacklisted by the United States under accusations of having evaded the sanction regime imposed on Venezuela, its chief said on Friday.

Santiago Nieto, chief of Mexico’s Financial Intelligence Unit, did not elaborate on details, but told Reuters that bank accounts of “all those listed” by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control were frozen.

Washington on Thursday blacklisted Mexico-based Libre Abordo and related firm Schlager

Business Group, accusing them of helping Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s Administration evade sanctions, in the first formal action by the US Treasury against Mexican firms involved in trading Venezuelan oil.

The United States also imposed sanctions on four firms linked to Mexicans Joaquin Leal Jimenez, Veronica Esparza and Olga Zepeda, which it accused of having cooperated with Libre Abordo, Schlager and businessman Alex Saab, arrested last week in Cape Verde, to evade sanctions.

Nieto said the accounts of Zepeda were among those that were frozen.

Libre Abordo told

Reuters on Friday it was working on its legal defence before the United States and Mexico.

Libre Abordo and Schlager began receiving Venezuelan oil for resale in Asian markets in 2019 after signing an oil-forfood pact with Maduro’s Government framed as a humanitarian provision.

While the companies supplied about 500 water trucks to Venezuela, 210,000 tons of corn originally included in the pact were not delivered, Libre Abordo said, adding that very low oil prices modified a schedule agreed by the parties. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Costa Rica halts reopening as coronavirus infections keep rising

C

osta Rica’s Government will halt reopening the country’s economy due to an increase in the number of coronavirus cases over recent days, a senior official said on Friday.

“These are not numbers to think that nothing is wrong and that we can continue with the reopening,” Health Minister Daniel Salas told reporters during a news conference, referring to the uptick in the numbers.

Over the last 24 hours, Costa Rica has registered a record 119 new coronavirus infections, bringing the total

number of confirmed cases to 12,058. Twelve people have died from the highly-contagious respiratory disease caused by the virus.

“Stores and shopping malls, beaches, churches and other activities will

have to wait until we have a sustained decrease in cases,” said Salas.

Costa Rica’s national soccer league is also suspended “until further notice,” he added. (Excerpt from Reuters)

All Jamaicans abroad can now return home – Samuda

Jamaicans arrive at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston last month under the Government’s controlled re-entry programme implemented to help limit the spread of COVID-19

M

inister without portfolio in the Ministry of National Security, Senator Matthew Samuda, said that all Jamaicans abroad who wish to return home can now do so.

“It is now safe to say that all Jamaicans who wish to come home, can do so. But they must follow the process that we have put in place to safeguard the health of all Jamaicans,” Senator

Samuda said on Friday in a comprehensive statement updating the Senate on the re-entry programme.

“It is a matter of public record that the process of reopening our tourism sector is underway with the opening of our borders to non-nationals. Members of the Senate should indeed be proud of the work of the member agencies of the task force, who contend daily with the challenges with

the new normal brought on

by COVID pandemic,” he stated.

“We are working assiduously to continue to improve efficiencies, through automation of the varying systems. The process may be lengthy, but it is a robust one that we believe helps to mitigate the risks. The people of Jamaica deserve nothing less to keep them safe,” Senator Samuda noted.

He said that it is important that the process at the ports of entry, sea or air, is the same for all persons entering Jamaica, resident or non-resident, except for persons coming from countries which have been designated as part of the ‘travel bubble’.

“The countries in this ‘bubble’ are the countries that the Ministry of Health and Wellness has assessed to cause very little risk, as they have little to no spread and, generally, very low case numbers in their countries,” he added. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

H

aiti continued to record more cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on Friday with the authorities saying that the total had reached just shy of 5000 cases since the first case was detected on March 19, this year.

The Ministry of Public Health in its daily bulletin said that 228 new cases were recorded over the past

24 hours, pushing the total to 4916.

It said there were also two deaths in the west and north-west of the country, bringing the total to 84.

The Ministry said that 24 people had been healed of the virus that was first detected in China last December and blamed for 451,000 deaths and 8.39 million people being infected

worldwide.

The health authorities here said that the number of active cases here stood 4808 and that all 10 departments of the country recorded increases in their number of new cases.

They said that the number of suspected cases investigated since March 19, was now 813. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Bermudians jailed for life for Trinidadian’s murder

A

Supreme Court Judge has handed life sentences to two Bermudians convicted of the “chilling and merciless” murder of a Trinidadian guest worker in 2006.

Katrina Burgess, 49, and Cleveland Rogers, 53, will be required to serve at least 25 years behind bars for the murder of 32-yearold Marcus Gibbings, who was stabbed to death, before they are eligible for parole. The two were convicted by a unanimous jury verdict of premeditated murder in March.

In a victim impact statement, Gibbings’ family had

asked the court to show the defendants “no mercy” for their actions that left three children without their father.

Sentencing the pair on Friday, Puisne Judge Craig Attridge said he would have considered an even harsher penalty for the “senseless” killing of the Trinidadian, if he was able.

“It’s clear that Mr Gibbings was many things to many people. A beloved son and father, a trusted friend and a responsible and well-liked colleague. He didn’t deserve to die in this violent and depraved manner,” the Judge said.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Carrington Mahoney, said the murder was “deliberate, planned and coldly executed” by the defendants.

The court heard Rogers had been imprisoned previously for theft, assault and sexual exploitation, while Burgess had multiple convictions for dishonesty and forging cheques.

The Gibbings family statement said: “We would give anything to have Marcus with us, to take away the pain and terror he suffered that night.” (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Brazil to exceed 1 million COVID-19 cases as virus rages

B

razil was on track to surpass 1 million confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday, second only to the United States, with total deaths fast approaching 50,000 as the country struggles with a tense political climate and worsening economic outlook.

Brazil confirmed its first case of the virus on Feb 26.

It has spread relentlessly across the continent-sized country, eroding support for right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro and raising fears of economic collapse after years of anaemic growth.

The true extent of the outbreak in Brazil far exceeds official figures released after 6 pm (2100 GMT) on

most evenings, according to many experts, who cite a lack of widespread testing in the country as a factor adding to many uncertainties about the disease.

“That number of 1 million is much less than the real number of people who have been infected, because there is under-reporting of a magnitude of five to ten times,” said Alexandre Naime Barbosa, a medical professor at the São Paulo State University. “The true number is probably at least 3 million and could even be as high as 10 million people.”

But by Friday afternoon, a consortium of Brazilian news outlets keeping an independent tally of COVID-19

statistics from State health officials reported the country had already passed the benchmark of 1 million confirmed cases.

Bolsonaro has shunned social distancing, calling it a job-killing measure that was more dangerous than the virus itself. He has promoted two anti-malarial drugs as remedies, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, despite little evidence they work.

Pressure from Bolsonaro and public fatigue after months of ineffective state and local isolation orders has led Governors and Mayors to begin lifting restrictions on commerce and other economic activity. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Caribbean will have a different tourism product after COVID outbreak

T

he acting Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Neil Walters, said tourism in the Caribbean and the rest of the world will be considerably different as countries begin to reopen their borders to international traffic following the forced closures occasioned by the onset of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Walters predicted closer alignment of tourism and health functions as destinations seek to reassure potential visitors that their health, safety and well-being are being taken seriously.

The CTO official said the virus, in addition to pausing in tourism activity, hurting Caribbean economies and disrupting lives, also allowed Caribbean countries to retrain workers across the sector and improve the product.

“But one thing that has become critical is that the tourism that emerges from this pause will be different from the tourism that paused at the end of March.

And the key way it will be different is that now tourism will be living and functioning with COVID-19.

That means that there will be a significant integration

of tourism and health functions across the world – not just in the Caribbean – and the Caribbean as arguably the most tourism-dependent region in the world has had to do the same thing: integrate tourism functions to ensure the safety and health of visitors and locals alike,” said Walters who was speaking in the final episode of the CTO podcast, COVID-19: The Unwanted Visitor.

The acting Secretary General also emphasised the level of collaboration among member countries, saying he hopes this will continue.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS Oil tallies a nearly 10% weekly gain as OPEC+ tightens reins on output cuts, global demand outlook improves

O

il futures on Friday settled higher for the session, with US prices up nearly 10 per cent for the week as OPEC members and allies tightened the reins on output cuts and some signs of improvement in the global economy brightened the outlook for energy demand.

The Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, or JMMC, which monitors compliance with OPEC output quotas, held a gathering Thursday via videoconference, saying Iraq and Kazakhstan have already submitted “compensations schedules,” to make up for falling short of their pledges to reduce output. Other “underperforming participants” will have until June 22 to submit their plans to compensate for production above their targeted levels.

The OPEC+ decision “helped renew confidence that members will further cut production to comply with the 9.7 million [barrel per day] agreement,” said Paola Rodriguez Masiu, senior oil markets analyst at Rystad Energy. The cuts officially kicked in at the start of May and were extended to run through July.

“The compliance level has already been higher than most of the market participants expected and it seems that a better level is achievable,” she said in emailed commentary.

OPEC+ pegged compliance with the cuts at 87 per cent in May. Complying with the full 9.7 million barrels per day in cuts “means shutting another million barrels of daily production,” said Masiu. “That’s not negligible and it is definitely a boost factor for prices.”

West Texas Intermediate crude for July delivery, the US benchmark, climbed 91 cents, or 2.3 per cent, to settle at US$39.75 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange after tapping a high of US$40.50. Front-month contract prices logged their highest finish since March 6, according to Dow Jones Market Data. For the week, they rose 9.6 per cent.

Global benchmark Brent oil for August delivery added 68 cents, or 1.6 per cent, at US$42.19 a barrel on ICE Futures Europe, for a weekly advance of 8.9 per cent.

Commodity analysts also said that renewed talks about a recovery fund to help Europe’s troubled economies and easing Sino-American relations were helping to lift the outlook for crude demand.

European Union leaders relaunched negotiations on Friday over a €750 billion (US$840 billion) recovery fund to revive the eurozone but divisions remain.

“The EU 750-billion-euro recovery fund will support the economic recovery in Europe and help the prospects for stronger crude demand later this summer,” wrote Edward Moya, senior market analyst at Oanda, in a daily research note.

A report that China-US trade tensions might be easing also helped to boost crude prices.

“Globalization is also important for crude demand and if the U.S. and China can continue a healthy trade relationship that should also be positive for oil prices,” Moya wrote.

Still, there were concerns about a possible resurgence of COVID-19 cases and the effect that would have on global energy demand.

“Demand conditions remain the real risk factor in the current market, highlighted most recently by a sharp fall in driving activity in Beijing as China works to curtail a wider outbreak of COVID-19 in the capital city,” said Robbie Fraser, senior commodity analyst at Schneider Electric, in a daily note. “That comes as a number of U.S. states are seeing their number of new cases peak, adding risks to an economy attempting to rebound.”

Pandemic-related declines in energy demand pushed US production down from record levels. The Energy Information Administration on Wednesday reported that domestic crude output fell by 600,000 barrels per day to 10.5 million barrels per day for the week ended June 12.

On Friday, data from Baker Hughes showed that the number of active US rigs drilling for oil edged down by 10 to 189 this week. They’ve posted declines each week since mid-March.

Back on Nymex, petroleum product futures moved up along with oil, with July gasoline added 1.1 per cent to US$1.2716 a gallon, settling up 13 per cent for the week.

July heating oil tacked on 1.1 per cent to US$1.2114 a gallon, for a weekly rise of 10 per cent. (Excerpt from MarketWatch)

Modi denies Chinese incursion into India before deadly clash

I

ndia's Prime Minister has said the country is "hurt and angry" at the killing of 20 soldiers by Chinese forces in a disputed Himalayan border region, but appeared to downplay the incident in a public address, denying there had been any incursion into Indian territory.

"Nobody has intruded into our border, neither is anybody there now, nor have our posts been captured," Narendra Modi said in a televised speech on Friday after he spent the day meeting representatives of parties from across the political spectrum in a bid to build consensus to tackle the rising tensions with China.

He assured political lead-

ers "that our forces will spare no effort to protect our nation".

China and India, both nuclear-armed countries, accuse each other of instigating the fight this week in the Galwan Valley. There is little evidence of what led to Chinese and Indian soldiers engage in the brawl on Monday. It was the deadliest incident between the two sides in 45 years, although China has not said whether it suffered any casualties.

Modi's comments contrasted with his Government's earlier statements on the clash.

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar had told a senior Chinese diplomat that

Anti-China protests have broken out across India in the wake of the deadly clash in Galwan Valley

the dispute was triggered after "the Chinese side sought to erect a structure in Galwan valley on our side of the LAC", according to a Ministry statement, referring to the Line of Actual Control, the de facto border.

China on Friday main-

tained its position that India was to blame.

"The right and wrong is very clear and the responsibility lies entirely with the Indian side," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Pompeo says way US New York City declares Juneteenth treats Hong Kong depends an official holiday on how China does

A large group holding a Juneteenth prayer in Atlanta on Friday

N

ew York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced that Juneteenth - the June 19 date which marks the end of US slavery - will become an official holiday.

It comes as millions of Americans plan to commemorate, with marches and personal observances, the 1865 date when the last US slaves were freed.

Several states already observe the day as an official holiday and there is a push to declare it a national holiday.

The date's significance has grown this year amid Black Lives Matter protests.

Mayor de Blasio said in a press conference on Friday that the date would be marked as an official city holiday beginning in 2021, and will also be a public school holiday.

Earlier this week, New

York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an order making Juneteenth - also known as Emancipation Day and Freedom Day - a paid holiday for state workers.

Cuomo said he would introduce legislation to make the day a holiday for all New Yorkers by 2021.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam also promised to make Juneteenth a holiday by 2021 in the former capitol of the Confederacy which rebelled against the US during the Civil War for the legal right to enslave black people.

In Pennsylvania, Gov Tom Wolf has also signed an order making Juneteenth a holiday for state workers.

Texas was the first US state to declare Juneteenth a holiday in 1980. Now all but four US states observe or recognise the date in some form.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke during a joint briefing about an executive order from US President Donald Trump on the International Criminal Court at the State Department in Washington, US, June 11, 2020

U

S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday the United States would in future treat Hong Kong as a Chinese city rather than an autonomous one to the extent that China treats the territory as a Chinese city.

Pompeo told the online Copenhagen Democracy Summit that elections due in Hong Kong in September would “tell us everything that we need to know about the Chinese Communist Party’s intentions with respect to freedom in Hong Kong.”

He also said Washington was working its way through a decision-making process over who would be held accountable over curbs to Hong

Kong’s freedoms.

Pompeo spoke two days after his first face-to-face meeting in months with China’s top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, at which the latter said Washington needed to respect Beijing’s positions on key issues and halt its interference in matters such as Hong Kong, while working to repair relations.

Pompeo said his conversations with Yang had been “very frank” and Washington still did not have answers it wanted from China over the outbreak.

Among multiple points of friction are China’s moves to impose new security legislation on Hong Kong, which have prompted Trump to initiate a process to eliminate special economic treatment that has allowed the territory to remain a global financial centre.

“To the extent that the Chinese Communist Party treats Hong Kong as it does Shenzhen and Shanghai, we will treat them the same,” Pompeo said.

Pompeo urged more European governments to speak out about China, saying the US and its allies needed to “take off the golden blinders of economic ties” and see the risks of dealing with Beijing. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Coronavirus: Quarantine rules for some countries set to be relaxed

T

he Government is planning to relax its travel quarantine rules in early July for some countries.

UK officials are talking to their counterparts in Portugal, France, Italy, Greece and Spain.

However, the UK hopes to make an announcement on June 29 that it has secured a number of "travel corridors".

The Government had previously said that the quar-

antine would be reviewed every three weeks and June 29 marks the end of the first three-week period.

A travel corridor would mean that two people travelling in both directions between two countries would not have to self-isolate after they travel.

The first travel corridors could come into force on July 4, although that date is by no means confirmed.

Even if certain routes are exempt, the travel quarantine for people arriving from other destinations will remain in place.

A senior aviation source has told the BBC that the quarantine could remain throughout the summer for anyone arriving from countries which do not have a travel corridor with the UK. However, the broader travel quarantine is expected to

remain in place.

Anyone arriving from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man does not have to complete a form or enter quarantine upon arrival in the UK. There are also exemptions for workers in some industries such as road haulage and medical professionals who are providing essential care. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020

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Stick to the rules. You'll get further faster if your documents are up to date. Being prepared will ease stress and give you more time to focus on what's important.

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

Money matters will be a concern if you let someone handle your investments.

Take a hands-on approach when it comes to finances, earning power and the way you live.

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Invest some time in a project that excites you. Keep your intentions to yourself until you have something tangible to show off. Stop anyone who tries to meddle in your affairs.

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Do what you can to help others without putting yourself in danger. You have to watch out for people who don't stick to the rules. A virtual reunion will lift your spirits.

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Refuse to let anyone mess with your emotions.

Don't fall for manipulative tactics or sob stories or give in to pressure. Stand up for your rights and proceed.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

If you want something done, do it yourself. Take the initiative and don't rely on anyone for anything.

What you accomplish will be a learning experience that pays off.

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Hunker down and put your blood, sweat and tears to work. What you accomplish will make you proud and boost your ego.

Look on the bright side of life, and you'll discover something that sparks your interest and gets you moving in a direction that lets you use your attributes innovatively.

Don't push anyone likeSAGITTARIUS ly to push back. Stay focused (Nov. 23on self-improvement, getting Dec. 21) along with the people you live with and making the most of whatever situation you encounter.

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Figure out a way to use your skills and services to fit current trends, and you'll find your bliss. Idle time is the enemy, and being productive is your saving grace.

Change isn't what you need. Concentrate on working with what you have, and you will come up with a plan that brings out the best in you. Romance is favored.

Dream on, but when it comes to getting things done, rely on your physical ability to make it happen. Less talk and more action will help you avoid complaints.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020

T

GreenEdge Cycling ends week-old partnership with Manuela Fundacion

he Australian World Tour team GreenEdge Cycling has ended its association with the Spanish not-forprofit organization Manuela Fundacion after a partnership that lasted for only one week.

This partnership actually came to an end before it began, and GreenEdge Cycling never even got close to contesting a race in the recently proposed title sponsor’s blue and purple colours.

Founder and principal of GreenEdge Cycling, Gerry Ryan, announced on Friday that the entity would not pursue the agreement reached with the Fundacion, but would continue under the banner of MitcheltonScott for the rest of the year.

Ryan also revealed that GreenEdge riders would return on full wages once the World Tour season resumes in August, after having been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We felt a strong initial connection with Mr Francsico Huertas, the Manuela Fundacion, and their noble aims,” Ryan said. “However, as the negotiations evolved after the initial announcement on Friday, we have concluded that the relationship will not proceed.

“We wish Mr Francsico Huertas and the Manuela Fundacion all the best for the future.”

This U-turn comes after last week’s joint announcement of a “long-term agreement” that would see GreenEdge Cycling being called Team Manuela Fundación for the re-

mainder of the 2020 season, and “fully incorporate a new look” when racing resumed.

In an interview with Ride Media on Wednesday, Ryan hinted that all was not well when he said the press release “proba-

abide by it.

“It was agreed that we were already the owners, and that, from 1 January 2021, we also took over the team’s licence, once the season ended on 31 December and once the reg-

bly went a bit early” and also reiterated he remained the owner of the team.

But the Manuela Fundación has responded to those claims with surprise, telling Spanish news agency EFE a change of ownership agreement had been signed on 5 June, and that GreenEdge were bound t o

ulatory procedures and audits with the UCI had been completed,” Emilio Rodríguez, director of sports for the Manuela Fundación, said.

Manuel Calvente, the Manuela Fundación under-23 team director, told Cyclingnews the Granada-based outfit believed a deal had been done, and that it had taken practical steps to-

D

A

ustralia batsman Marnus Labuschagne has signed for an extra year with Glamorgan, until the end of the 2022 season.

But even if domestic cricket resumes, the 25-year-old Labuschagne will not play in the UK in 2020, because of international commitments and travel restrictions.

Having scored 1,114 Championship runs in just 10 matches for Glamorgan in 2019, Labuschange starred in the Ashes series and beat Steve Smith to be named Australia men's Test Player of the Year. Labuschagne has an average of 63 across 14 Test matches, and an average of 50 in seven One-Day International matches.

"It's great news, and shows that Marnus wants to spend a period of time here, so we're looking forward to having him whenever cricket gets back to normal," said Glamorgan director of cricket Mark Wallace.

"Marnus really enjoyed his time at Glamorgan, and saw the benefits that he got

21

allas

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban hopes NBA players are allowed to kneel during the national an-

out of it as a cricketer. He loved his time in Wales, so both he and Glamorgan want it to be a long-term association."

Long-term hopes

Glamorgan will now hope the international schedule allows Labuschange a big enough window to repeat his successful first spell in Wales, which came after he was called up as a deputy for fellow countryman Shaun Marsh.

"It's an old-fashioned setup to keep an overseas player (with a UK county) for a long

period of time," Wallace told BBC Sport Wales. "Marnus performed really well for us, got on really well with the coaching staff, enjoyed playing with the guys, and could see the process of where the club's trying to go.

"We won't have him every game for those two years, but the Australians don't tend to play a lot in the (British) summer, unless it's an Ashes series; and we'll have to navigate that and make sure we get adequate replacements in when he's not here," Mark Wallace has said. (BBC. COM)

wards its future as a partner of GreenEdge.

“The team buses are in the workshop, stripped of their team colours and waiting for the new publicity and team stickers. We even received photos showing us how it was all going,” Calvente said. “But, above all, they’ve signed something. It’s been signed since 5 June, and it went public on 12 June.”

GreenEdge Cycling has been racing on the World Tour under the banner of MitcheltonScott since 2018, but the team had been searching for a new naming rights holder since the team’s original title sponsor, Orica, pulled out in 2017.

Ryan, who owns Mitchelton Wines, sought to draw a line under the Manuela Fundacion deal on Friday. He said, “The COVID-19 global crisis has thrown up many new challenges, but our primary focus remains on our worldclass athletes and support staff. This will include a return to full wages for all riders and staff once World Tour racing commences in August, and a commitment to the year 2021 as we search for a suitable sponsorship.

“We believe in this team, and the people and culture that have made it so successful these past eight years. Our riders have been inspiring in their commitment and motivation in what has been an uncertain season, and our staff (have been) loyal and determined to provide the best service possible in what will be a busy and challenging end to the year.

“We can’t wait to get back on the road and start winning more races.” (Guardian)

However, several NFL players have said they plan to kneel during the anthem in protest against police brutality and racism. This practice was ini-

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban

them of the USA. NBA rules state that players, coaches and trainers "must stand and line up in a dignified posture along the foul lines during the playing of the American and/or Canadian national anthems".

tially started by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016.

Cuban wants NBA players to be given the choice if they want to do likewise during their season.

"Whether it's holding

their arm up in the air, whether it's taking a knee, whatever it is, I don't think this is an issue of respect or disrespect to the flag or to the anthem or to our country," he told ESPN on Thursday. "I think this is more a reflection of our players' commitment to this country, and the fact that it's so important to them that they're willing to say what's in their heart and do what they think is right.

"I'll defer to [commissioner] Adam [Silver] on any final judgments, and [National Basketball Players Association executive director] Michele Roberts; but the reality is, my hope is, we'll let the players do exactly what they think is the right thing to do." (Sportsmax)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020

Gabriel’s advisory to the Windies selectors…

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STICK WITH THE PACE! W

hen the West Indies wrested the Wisden Trophy from English hands in the Caribbean last year, it was through a resurgent pace-bowling attack, spearheaded by Kemar Roach and including Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph and skipper Jason Holder.

Now that the Windies are in England to defend the trophy in a three-Test series, Gabriel doesn’t think the team should stray too far from a strategy that has worked well for them. A proliferation of exciting young fast-bowlers has also boosted Gabriel’s confidence in the team’s bowling attack, and is driving him to work even harder on his own game, and helping the upcoming pacers to do the same.

Among the rookies on this tour is former West Indies Under-19 fast-bowler Chemar Holder, who is in the Test squad.

Meanwhile, Keon Harding, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Anderson Phillip and Oshane Thomas are part of the reserves, along with Gabriel. Although he is in the reserve squad and still working his way back to full fitness, after ankle surgery last September, Gabriel has said the three weeks between now and the first Test would be crucial in determining whether he would be match-fit in time for the series opener.

“The ankle is good at the moment. It is just about (me) getting back to playing Test cricket and getting used to those long hours on the field,” the 32-year-old told the media during a Zoom press conference yesterday.

“Based on how the next couple of weeks go, and based on the practice games, that will determine if I am ready to start a Test match,” he said.

“Right now, I think I am about 85-90 percent fit in terms of

bowling fitness and match readiness.

There is still a little more work to do in terms of my rhythm, but that will come the more I bowl.

“Thankfully, we still have at least three weeks before the first Test match, so there is a lot of time still to continue the hard work,” he explained. “My rhythm feels good, but (the issue) is just about getting back into the groove of coming in for a second spell and a third spell. So, as I (said), we have two warm-up games, and when we get out there, it will be sort of new, after being out of the game for so long, but I will see how the body holds up.”

Asked about the Windies’ attack, Gabriel said: “I don’t think the plans should shift too much from what we did in the Caribbean. What we did was successful, and you shouldn’t try to fix something that is not broken. If it doesn’t work, then we will go to Plan B. “There are a lot of young fast bowlers coming through, and it is exciting for West Indies Cricket. Other than just trying to get myself prepared, I am trying to pass on any advice or any knowledge and experience that I have to them, so they can take it into the game.

“There are a lot of fast-bowlers here, and they are very exciting; and basically, they can put anyone (batsman) under pressure. So, I am just trying to get back fit, and I will leave my selection up to the selectors and the coaching staff. I came here to play cricket and give myself the best opportunity to play a Test match,” Gabriel added.

Gabriel put the recent successes of the fast-bowlers down to improved fitness and more experience.

“I think one is more experi-

ence, and I think the team has bought into the whole idea of getting fitter and stronger to stay on the park longer, and to be able to be more successful.

And all the knowledge (is shared), and we kind of feed off each other.”

On a personal note, Gabriel felt the exchange between himself and Joe Root, which was picked up by a stump microphone during last year’s Caribbean tour, had been blown out of proportion; and he said he preferred to put it behind him. “To be honest, that was in the past; and whatever happened and was said, I don’t really want to harp on that. I am looking to the future now, and to come out and play good cricket in the series and do what I can for West Indies cricket.

“The story that was told wasn’t entirely true, but like I said, I just want to move on, and I am looking forward to the future. No hard feelings; I came here to play cricket, and whether it is Joe Root or Ben Stokes or whoever it is, I am going to do my best to get them out. So it’s not like I am targeting one player or anything like that.”

With the series being played before empty stands, players would have to be more guarded in terms of the banter on the field, a trend Gabriel believes would be difficult to stop.

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no-one will be going on to go half-hearted. We’ve come here to try and win the series, and we’ll fight as hard as we can,” he concluded. (TT Guardian)

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“You can’t get away from a bit of banter, as long as it stays within the rules of the game and it’s not disrespectful. I don’t think much will change,” Gabriel has said.

He added that while it would be a different feeling playing in front of empty stands, the players would still be going hard for the win.

“When you step on the field, you are playing for your country; and if you are not going out there to give 100 percent, I don’t think you should be on the field. So,

Shai Hope

W

est Indies batsman Shai Hope believes that if the team is to have success on the upcoming tour of England, it would be crucial for the top order to meet the challenge of carrying on from starts to post ample totals.

The inconsistency of the batting unit, particularly the top order, has been a sore point for the Caribbean team for the past several years, with the top often being accused of not spending enough time at the crease.

As expected, the performance of the top order has been crucial to the outcome of matches against England in recent outings. In the last two series, the top order has averaged somewhere around 158 in wins for the West Indies, and around 66 in losses.

“We’re missing some key players right now, so it’s very important for us, as top-order batters, to get those runs on the board, see off the new ball, and make it easier for batters coming down the line,” Hope told members of the media.

“As soon as we get those starts, we have to capitalise and go big for the side,” he added.

“It’s the first series back for us; it’s the perfect opportunity for us to showcase our skills and win the series.”

Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite were two of the standout performers for the regional team on their last tour of England. In the only Test match that the team won, Hope scored 147 and 118, while opening batsman Brathwaite made 134 and 95. (Sportsmax)

est Indies assistant coach Roddy Estwick believes uncapped right-handed batsman Nkrumah Bonner can make an impact in the Test arena, despite his belated call-up at age 31.

The Jamaican stroke-maker has been included in the 14-man Test squad to face England in next month’s three-Test series, and Estwick has said Bonner deserves his place in the squad, but it is now up to him to leverage the opportunity he has been given.

“He’s worked hard to get here. At 31, you look back at the number of players who made their Test careers in the 30s,” Estwick told reporters. “So we’re encouraging him and saying, ‘Look, all is not lost, you’ve been given a great opportunity, you’ve just got to continue to work hard, continue to stay disciplined, and continue to do the things you’ve been doing for the last two years’.”

Estwick said of Bonner: “Over the last two years, he’s averaged 40-odd, (and) he averaged 50-odd this year; so obviously he’s in some kind of form. Some people tend to mature a little later, and he seems to have done that.

“At the moment, in the nets, we’re seeing a player who is willing to knuckle down and get accustomed to the conditions in England, and obviously stake a claim for a Test play.

“He’s got the opportunity, and it’s up to him to grab it with both hands.”

Bonner played a couple of Twenty20 Internationals for West Indies eight years ago, but was never in the reckoning for the longer format. In the recent first-class season in the Caribbean, however, he carved out over 500 runs

at an average of 58, with two hundred for his native Jamaica Scorpions, to get the attention of selectors.

The previous season he was limited to just four innings, but still managed two half-centuries and an average of 44.

Bonner is a product of the West Indies youth system, having represented the region at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia.

Estwick has said that despite his age, it was important that Bonner used his call-up to gain precious international experience.

“Bonner has been around for a while. He was in the [High Performance Centre] with Jason Holder back in 2012 or thereabouts,” Estwick explained. “He had a very good first-class season…and obviously, the selectors are rewarding people who have done well. Bonner has been given this opportunity, and hopefully he can continue to work. He’s 31, but he still needs to gain experience and continue to work.”

Bonner is one of two uncapped players in the West Indies squad, with fast bowler Chemar Holder also named in the unit. West Indies take on England in the first Test at the Ageas Bowl starting on July 8. The second Test will be played at Old Trafford here in Manchester, beginning July 16, with the third Test carded for the same venue eight days later. (CMC)

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Joe Root comments “blown way out of proportion” – Shannon Gabriel

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est Indian quick Shannon Gabriel believes that his controversial comments to Joe Root during the St Lucia Test in February 2019 were "blown way out of proportion".

He says he would not hold back in the coming series, if given the opportunity to play.

Gabriel was handed a four-match ban and issued an "unreserved apology" after the stump microphone at the Daren Sammy Stadium overheard Root rebuking him with the words, "There's nothing wrong with being gay", following a mid-pitch altercation. Gabriel later claimed that he had asked Root, "Do you like boys?"

However, speaking in the build-up to the first Test of West Indies' bio-secure series in England - for which he has been selected among the reserves, as he recovers from an ankle injury - Gabriel was unrepentant, adding that he and his team-mates were simply focused on retaining the Wisden Trophy that they secured with their 2-1 win on home soil.

"To be honest, that (incident) was in the past," Gabriel said. "I don't really think about it too much. Whatever happened or whatever was said, I don't really want to harp on about that, I'm just looking to the future now. I've just come here to play good cricket if selected, and do my best for West Indies cricket.

"I just think the way they dealt with it was blown way out of proportion," he added. "The story that was told was not entirely true, but I just want to move on and forget that."

The circumstances of the coming series may

require players on both sides to be more guarded on the field, given that the lack of a crowd may lead to more of their conversations being picked up by the stump microphones.

Gabriel, however, was adamant that the chat would keep flowing between the two teams, and that the intensity of a Test match would not be lost, despite the emptiness of the stands.

"You can get away from a bit of personal banter," he said.

"As long as it stays in the rules of the game, and it's not disrespectful. I don't think much will change. It'll be a different feeling from playing in front of a packed crowd to no-one in the stands apart from players and the support staff.

"But when you step on the field, you are playing for your country, and if you are not going out there to give 100%, I don't think you should be on the field. So, no-one will be going on to go half-hearted.

We've come here to try and win the series, and we'll fight as hard as we can.

"There'll be no hard feelings, we've come here to play cricket, whether it's against Ben Stokes or whoever. I just want to play to the best of my ability and get them out. It's not about targeting one player or anything like that."

Gabriel may struggle to get an opportunity to feature in the Tests, given the strength of West Indies' current crop of fast bowlers - among them Kemar Roach, who is on the verge of becoming the first West Indian since the retirement of Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh to reach 200 Test wickets - and the new young star Chemar Holder, who impressed for Barbados in the Regional Four-Day competition.

However, at the age of 31, and with 45 Tests under his belt, Gabriel knows that he has plenty to offer the squad, even while he's not playing.

"It's a good experience," he said. "There are a lot of young fast bowlers coming through, which is exciting for West Indies cricket. So, rather than just get myself prepared, I'm trying to lend any knowledge and experience in them that they can take into their game.

"The ankle is good. At the moment (there is) no pain, no aches. I'm about 85-90 percent fit, but in terms of bowling fitness and match readiness, I still have some more work to do to hit my rhythm; but there are still three weeks and two warm-up games before the first Test match.

"Of course, I came to England to give myself the best opportunity to play a Test match, but there's a lot of fast bowlers here, which is exciting," he added. I've been looking after them for the first week basically, then trying to get back my fitness, and after that, it's up to the selectors and the coaching staff."

West Indies' victory in 2019 was built around the success of their fast bowlers, with Roach to the fore and Gabriel playing a key support role, alongside Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph. And looking ahead to the return series, he said he sees little need to change the recipe.

"I don't think the plan should shift too much from what we did in the Caribbean," he said."What we did was successful, we shouldn't fix anything that's not broken, if it doesn't work, we go to plan B." (ESPNcricinfo)

DCC congratulates Nedd on maiden first-class call-up

BCB sets milestone by distributing P 1000+ food hampers during COVID-19 – Father’s Day distribution programme launched

Hilbert Foster

T

he joint Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) MS, and the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Coronavirus Committee continue to play an integral role in the lives of all Berbicians.

These Hilbert Foster-led organisations recently prepared another set of food hampers for distribution to the less-fortunate across Berbice. Some 100 hampers were prepared, and a team led

by President Foster made the distributions.

The cricket clubs that benefited from receipt of these hampers are: Big

Star Cricket Club, Block Four Tain CC, Tamarind Root, Ramnarine Memorial CC, Toopoo CC, Courtland CC, Rose Hall Town Tigers CC, Kendall Union CC, Belvedere United and Kendall Union Sports Star CC. Hampers would also be sent to the Blairmont CC, UCCA, Cotton Tree CC, Sisters CC, Edinburgh CC and D’Edward CC. The RHTY&SC also received a major a contribution from Food for the Poor (Guy) Ltd, and that would assist in reaching more families across Berbice.

Additionally, over 400lbs of chicken products would be distributed to families across the ancient county, compliments of Bounty Farm Ltd. “As part of our 2020 Father’s Day project, some 300 hampers would be distributed to father figures. The BCB and RHTY&SC extends gratitude to Terry Pike, Philbert Wilburgh, Major James Fraser, Anil Beharry, Mark Macoon, Ashley Ramnauth, O. Outar, Khemraj Mahadeo, Surendra Kissoonlall, Denise Ramdhial, Pamela Brush, Javed Mohammed, Junior Williams, Gavin Narine, George Papannah, C. Roopnarine, Ashmini Munisar, Albert Smith, Brian Baker, Anil Beharry, Rana Persaud, Dr. Cecil Beharry, Ryan Tillak, Trisha Hardat, Michael Newland, Mark Sampson, Keith Hicks, Kevin Ramnarine, Sydney

Jackman, Devendra Ramdhial, Kawal Mangal, John Percival, Suresh Gopilall, Lakeram Latchman, Deonarine Shane and Shabika Gajnabi.

Special gratitude is extended to each of the donors. At the end of the exercise, the total value of the three-month-long programme would approximate $4M. President Foster, who has worked beyond the call of duty to raise the necessary funds for this massive programme, has said he hopes the clubs make sure that the poor benefits. The President said he was unsure whether more hampers would be shared out in the future, as the three-month-long programme has left the bank account of the RHTY&SC, MS, drained.

Many persons and clubs have contributed, but the club has undertaken most of the expenses under its Charity Outreach Programme. The President expressed disappointment that some former cricketers and officials have failed to support Berbice Cricket over the years, despite benefiting from the hard work of the board over the decades.

He made it quite clear that it would take a collective effort to restore our cricket after the coronavirus crisis is over, and people should not expect him and a few others to do it again. Foster also expressed special thanks to all who assisted in this final effort.

resident Roger Harper and executive and ordinary members of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) have extended congratulations to the club’s young sensation, Ashmead Nedd, who recently earned his maiden first-class call up.

Following the 2020-2021 West Indies Professional Players Draft for the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup and the West Indies Championship, Nedd was snapped up by the Leeward Islands Hurricanes for the upcoming season.

The DCC, which has always facilitated the young man’s development, is keen on continuing to do so, even as he would be resident abroad. Needless to say, this opportunity with the Hurricanes set-up would land him in good stead moving forward, and he is being urged by members of DCC to grasp this opportunity with both hands, and use it as a stepping stone to earn opportunities at the highest level.

There is no doubt that he would continue to do well, since the 19-year-old leftarm spinner was one of the West Indies’ leading performers at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa

Roger Harper

earlier this year. He was also part of the West Indies Emerging Players unit that won the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup last November. Before then, Nedd had been one of the flagship players of the club.

Like so many others, he came though the junior ranks, ironically via a programme designed and implemented by his father and coach, Gavin Nedd. He went on to play, captain and acquit himself well for Guyana at all the age group levels, and so his transition to the first-class level comes as no surprise.

Once again, DCC congratulates Nedd, and wishes him well as he strives to make his family, club, and Guyana proud.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

BCB sets milestone by distributing 1000+ food hampers during COVID-19

DCC congratulates Nedd on maiden firstclass call-up

Pg 23

– Father’s Day distribution programme launched

Pg 23

Ashmead Nedd

Joe Root comments “blown way out of proportion” – Shannon Gabriel

Pg 22

Hope says Windies top order must be hungry for runs Pg 23

– batsmen must be eager to build on starts

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