for murder of WCD P handyman

26 NEWS SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM COVID-19 cases rise to 154

…as 1 new case detected

After five days of week, residents of Regions constant statisOne (Barima-Waini), Seven tics, Guyana has (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight recorded one new case of (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine the Coronavirus Disease (Upper Takutu-Upper (Covid-19) – moving the Essequibo) were remindnumber of positive cases to ed to desist from crossing 154. the borders as COVID-19

The country’s rapture continues to affect Brazil, of no new cases was shortSuriname and Venezuela. lived and adds to the evident “We wish to remind the growing curve. Through the residents of Regions One, Public Health Ministry’s Seven, Eight and Nine to dashboard on Saturday, figdesist from crossing the borures show that the number ders as COVID-19 continues of deaths remains at 12. to strike viciously and take

The total number of perlives in Brazil. Let us continsons tested is 1797 with the total number of negative cases being 1643. ue to pray for guidance and protection for health workers worldwide and espe

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Gordon-Boyle

Another three persons cially our frontline workers ders can bring more cashave recovered, which adds who are heroically waging es into the country, some of to a total of 80 recoveries. the war against COVID-19,” which might go undetected. Meanwhile, there are still 62 Director of Primary Meanwhile, Deputy active cases in institutional Healthcare Services, Dr Chief Medical Officer, Dr isolation, three patients in Ertinesa Hamilton had Gordon-Boyle said on Friday the COVID Intensive Care urged on Tuesday. that residents of Region Unit (UNIT) and; 14 perIn Brazil, authorities are Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) sons in institutional quarbattling with over 500,000 are at an increased vulneraantine – a decrease by nine. cases and more than 30,000 bility to the virus, given in

Throughout the past deaths. Crossing the borcreased cases in Venezuela.

Village leaders were asked to refuse any permission to enter their communities from persons who crossed the borders.

“We are calling on the Toshaos and other authorities to ensure that residents do not cross borders and that persons from those other countries are not entering your community. Community members must report any migrant entering your community & anyone who has signs and symptoms, and immediately bring this to the attention of the health authorities,” she had explained.

Persons experiencing the signs and symptoms associated with the disease are asked to contact the hotline or the closest health facility to access the necessary services. The same is being asked of persons who have been in contact with a positive case.

Globally the total number of cases stand at 6,535,354 with 387,155 deaths. In the Region of the Americas,

The 17-year-old, a fisherman/labourer of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), made a virtual appearance before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool at the Vreed-enHoop Magistrate’s Court.

According to reports, on May 18, 25-year-old McCurchin of Zeeburg was found in a pool of blood along the foreshore. He reportedly worked at the dock

Teen charged for murder of WCD handyman

Ajuvenile was on Friday arraigned for the murder of Andrew McCurchin, a handyman, whose lifeless body was discovered at the Zeeburg seawall, West Coast Demerara (WCD), last month.

there are 3,084,517 cases with 172,276 deaths.

ing area for fishing boats as they came in from the sea. Reports are the man was last seen by his girlfriend at around 19:00h on May 17 as he was heading in the direction of the Zeeburg seawall., but he never made his way back home.

However, on May 18, his motionless body was discovered lying in a pool of blood by a passerby. Police were summoned to the scene, and it was found that there were lacerations to the man’s head.

The teen was remanded to the Juvenile Holding Centre and the case will continue on July 27, 2020.

School reopening

Start new semester in phases – Caribbean Public Health Agency tells Govt T he Caribbean Public would probably have some Health Agency persons coming in on dif(CARPHA) has adferent days, maybe altervised the Education nate days or we might have Ministry to start the new a shift system. Our younger school semester in a phased children of the early childapproach, as the COVID-19 hood level and the special crisis continues to affect ededucation needs would be ucation delivery. the last set of persons to be

According to Chief gin the school year, at a latEducation Officer Ingrid er date,” Trotman informed. Thomas on Friday, they will While the Ministry is On Monday, teachers are August 4, while 852 are reglook at integrating the seplanning to move forward required to report for school istered to write CAPE from nior levels first of both secCARPHA which says that opens,” she informed. with the reopening and sitto prepare for the National July 13 to July 31. For the ondary and primary schools. we should return in a phased According to the CEO, ting of exams next month, Grade Six Assessment NGSA, four core subject arFor now, the assumption is manner. So we’re looking at a large volume of students the Guyana Teachers’ Union (NGSA), the Caribbean eas will be tested on July 1 that the new school year will having the senior or the oldmeans that classes will al(GTU) has opposed this deSecondary Education and 2. start in September. er students in first. The secternate throughout the cision. After a meeting Certificate (CSEC) and The Ministry is assur

“Let us assume that we ondary and the Grade Four week, to curb a crowded with education officials on the Caribbean Advanced ing that all safety protocols begin in September. We and Five of the primary levlearning environment. Later Friday, the representative Proficiency Examination will be implemented to enare following the guidelines el would start to go in the in the semester, childhood body said in a statement (CSEC). On June 15, stusure both students and edthat were recommended by beginning when school reinstitutions and special that this is putting both students sitting these exams ucators are safe during this 3 Berbicians needs will return.

“In a phased manner, we would look if we have to have dents and teachers at risk. As such, educators were urged to continue working will be required to attend school.

Reginald Motie, 24, a cattle farmer of High Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, was hauled before Magistrate Peter Hugh at New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to Charged: Devon Pydana him. causing death by dangerous

During the court heardriving after he drove a car ing, the prosecutor told the filled with party-goers into court that on May 30 at two parked trucks along the about 15:00h, Police ranks, Golden Grove Public Road, acting on information reat West Coast Berbice, and ceived, swooped down on a one count of refusing to unlocation at Vryheid, West dergo a breathalyser test. Canje, Berbice, and caught Additionally, 54-yearMotie tending to the acre old Bibi Habida Yakub of of marijuana plants which Johanna North, Black Bush measured between two and Polder, whose house was five feet in height. Also, searched and a quantity of 6500 cannabis seedlings marijuana was found hidden were found and subsequentin a gas stove and concealed ly destroyed. in two bottles, was also

According to Police, hauled before the Mibicuri the estimated street valCourt in Black Bush Polder ue of the cannabis plants to answer to a marijuana is $5,824,000. Magistrate charge. Hugh released Motie on The widow appeared be$100,000 bail. The case will fore Magistrate Alex Moore continue on June 30. and pleaded guilty to the of

Meanwhile, 27-yearfence when it was read to old Devon Pydana of her. Adelphi Village, East Canje The court heard that and Stanleytown, New when the plastic bottles Amsterdam, Berbice, also were opened, ranks disappeared before Magistrate covered several foil wrapHugh. pings containing what was

The charge stated that suspected to be the leaves, on May 30, at Stanleytown, seeds, and stems of the canhe had in his possession 27 nabis sativa plant, which grams of cocaine for the purweighed a total of 65 grams. pose of trafficking. After listening to the

He too denied the prosecutor, Magistrate charge and was released on Moore ordered Yakub to pay $100,000 bail. His case will a fine of $30,000. Failure to continue on July 8, 2020. pay the fine will result in

In 2015, Pydana was her serving three weeks in charged with three counts of prison.

A total of 11,998 students time. According to education officials, every scenario has been catered for ‘from the charged for cocaine, them in big schools where there is a big enrollment, we from their homes through online means. are registered to write the CSEC exams from July 13 to gate to the classroom and back’. ganja trafficking T wo men and a widow from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were on Friday arraigned for the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

PPP/C holds GECOM Chair to “every vote will be counted” commitment Full statement from People’s Progressive Party/Civic:

It is public knowledge that during the course of yesterday, at the National

Recount Exercise, certain ballot boxes were recounted from a particular part of the East Coast of Demerara. These boxes contained only ballots cast which when recounted, matched the Statements of Poll. Other documents that were supposed to be included in the ballot boxes were excluded. A Presiding Officer who worked in one of these very Polling Stations published on social media that the Presiding Officers, including herself, were specifically instructed by the Deputy Returning Officer to place the ballots cast into the ballot boxes and to exclude all other materials in separate packages for transmission to the Returning Officer.

We also noted that a letter addressed to the Chairperson of GECOM was written by Mr Paul Jaisingh, a Deputy Returning Officer, who worked in that specific geographic area. This letter was also published on social media. In this letter, Mr Jaisingh confirmed receiving the very same instructions pertaining to the used, unused and rejected ballots outlined above, from Miss Carlyn Duncan, Clerk, to the Returning Officer, Mr Clairmont Mingo. Mr Jaisingh further pointed out that as a result, the other documents were placed in a bag provided and delivered to Mr Mingo.

Rather than deal with the issue internally, with what is clearly an inhouse matter, the GECOM Secretariat chose to make a public statement that it received yet another letter from a group of Deputy Returning Officers, apparently from the East Coast of Demerara but it is unclear who these DROs are and whether they are from the same geographical area under review, where the DROs’ dispute the controversial instructions. This public statement seems to be in concert with the narrative and false allegations peddled by the APNU+AFC, aimed at disenfranchising electors in PPP/C strongholds.

The matter is made even more complicated by another statement issued by the PRO Yolanda Ward later today, informing the public that the investigation of the matter is not yet completed since “the CEO has also contacted some of the Deputy Returning Officers (DROs) responsible for those areas for a meeting and while they have committed to meet with the CEO today, 6th June 2020: as at 16:00 hours, no DRO showed up to be interviewed.” It is clear that the Secretariat intends to create unnecessary public confusion and excite tension in the public domain by including these issues in a press statement.

We wish to make it abundantly clear that whatever is the outcome of GECOM’s investigations of their internal issues, not a single Guyanese elector must lose their franchise in the process.

It is hoped that the Commission will address this matter satisfactorily

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

in accordance with the purpose of the exercise, which is a recount of the ballots cast on 2nd March 2020, and consistent with the comment of the Chairperson at the commencement of this exercise: “Every vote will be counted”.

NEWS 29 SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM 10 murders in 5 months in Region 6

Dead: Chanderpaul Dhoman

Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has recorded 10 murders for the first five months of the year, compared with seven for the corresponding period last year.

Among those murders were a woman, who was killed and stuffed into a barrel, which was later dumped into a trench; a businessman who was killed when he went down the street to jog; his house later ransacked and a labourer who was killed by a teenager who wanted a place to sleep. In fact, that senseless murder was the first murder for

the year.

On January 3, Dave Jacobs, 19, attacked and killed 43-year-old Persaud Kamaldeo, called “Tyie” at a stand at the Corriverton Market because Kamaldeo was sleeping on the stand he wanted to sleep on. Kamaldeo had been sleeping on the streets for a number of years and Jacobs was having his first night on the streets after arriving from Orealla a few days prior. The matter is currently engaging the attention of the Magistrate’s Court. While it was the first murder for the year, it is not the first on the record books.

On January 1, Chanderpaul Dhoman called “Jack” of Johanna North, Black Bush Polder, succumbed to his injuries after being beaten by two villagers on December 30, who made allegations that his animals were grazing in their farm. The two men are also before the court.

On February 1, a rice and cattle farmer, forty-year-old Parmanand Lakeram, also

Dead: Lomenzo Johnny

called “Bachan” or “Fancy”, of Number 58 Village, Corentyne, was shot and killed on his farm. With his dying breath, he reportedly told two of his workers who it was that shot him. Two men are before the court for his murder.

On February 25, Anthony Permaul, 41, called “Banks”, of Clifton Settlement, Port Mourant, and his 52-yearold reputed wife were imbibing at their home when they had a misunderstanding which developed into a heated argument.

Permaul reportedly assaulted his spouse, who allegedly picked up a cutlass and chopped him. He died two days later. The wife is currently before the court.

On February 27, the battered body of a Rose Hall Town businessman, 49-yearold Lomenzo Johnny, was discovered in a yard where a building was under construction; it was located some 400 metres from his home.

His feet were bound together with a shoelace. The sweater he was seen wearing the evening before was found a few feet away from the body.

A pair of scissors and a piece of wood were also found near to the body. There was a wound to the back, bruises to his hand, while his head and face appeared to be swollen.

When Police went to his home, they found that the front door was not locked and the inside of the house was ransacked. A safe along with other items were reportedly removed from the building.

Four persons were sub

sequently arrested after a professional was called in to open the safe. Police later issued a wanted bulletin for a fifth suspect. All five are now before the court.

On March 7, Keron Nicholson, 33, of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, was reportedly engaged in a heated argument that escalated into an altercation with another man. However, Nicholson reportedly left the scene and went to another location, where he was attacked with a piece of wood. Nicholson was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital but was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he subsequently died.

Police later issued a wanted bulletin for 29-yearold Donald Sheriff. He has since been arrested and is before the court.

On April 6, Mahindra Mangru also called “Papo” of Port Mourant was involved in a scuffle with one of his employees over payment for work done. The businessman was found in an uncon

Dead: Parmanand Lakeram

scious state in front of his gate after the fight. He died shorter after. The worker was arrested and is before the court. On the morning of April 11, the gruesome discovery of the body of a woman was made at Hampshire Village, Corentyne. 24-yearold Devika “Vanessa” Narinedatt was killed two days prior and stuffed into a barrel which was thrown into a nearby trench.

Her husband, Suraj Veersammy, called “Radesh” or “Rabbit” was later charged with the murder after confessing to hanging her.

Premier League rounds of coronavirus testing…

There has been no positive result for coronavirus from 1,195 tests on 17 June, when Aston Villa host Sheffield United at 18:00 BST, and Manchester City en

There have been six rounds of testing in the Premier League

done in the latest round of Premier League testing. The sixth round of twice-weekly screening of players and club staff took place on 4 and 5 June.

One person tested positive in the previous round, and there has been a total of 13 positive results in total from 6,274 tests done since testing commenced.

Suspended since 13 March, the Premier League is set to resume behind closed doors

tertain Arsenal at 20:15.

Liverpool are 25 points clear at the top of the table, while Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Norwich City are in the relegation zone.

There are 92 games remaining this season.

World number one Novak Djokovic has called the coronavirus safety protocols, planned in order for the US Open to take place, “extreme”.

The hard-court Grand Slam tournament is scheduled to start on 31 August at Flushing Meadows in New York.

“We would not have access to Manhattan, we would have to sleep in hotels at the airport, to be tested twice or three times per week,” said Djokovic.

“Also, we could bring one person to the club which is really impossible.”

T h e 33-year-old, s p e a k i n g to Prva TV in his native Serbia, added: “I mean, you need your coach, then a fitness trainer, then a physiotherapist.”

World number two Rafael Nadal said on Thursday he currently has little desire to travel to New York to defend his US Open title.

The Spaniard does not think tournaments should restart until every single player is able to travel freely and safely.

No tour events will be staged until the end of July - at the very earliest.

Djokovic, a three-time US Open winner, added: “I had a telephone conversation with the leaders of world tennis, there were talks about the continuation of the season, mostly about the US Open due in late August, but it is not known whether it will be held.

“The rules that they told us that we would have t o

Novak Djokovic is a threetime winner of the US Open

respect to be there, to play at all, they are extreme.”

Analysis

Russell Fuller, tennis correspondent

This could prove to be a very significant intervention by the world number one, who is president of the ATP Player Council.

The US Tennis Association (USTA) is seeking government approval for its plans to stage the US Open behind closed doors. But a green light would not amount to much in the face of sustained opposition from players, especially the leading lights of the game.

Giving up a favoured Manhattan hotel or eating spot seem like a small price to pay for the chance to win and earn again. But given the size of the teams that travel

the world with the top players, an entourage of one may prove impossible to sell.

The ATP is currently soliciting the views of their players, with the USTA expected to decide whether the US Open can go ahead in the second half of June. (BBC Sport)

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Two promising national footballers returned home last evening after being stranded in Miami for over 10 weeks.

Jeremy Garrett and Kurtez Kellman breathed a sigh of relief as they landed on Guyanese shores following their inability to return home owing to travel restrictions at Guyana’s National ports. The pair of defensive players were in the U n i t e d States on Scholarships;

Garrett pursuing a d i - p l o m a in Rehabilitation Science at the Louisiana State U n i v e r s i t y and Kellman a Business Administration major at tional boxers are still stuck in Cuba. Colin Lewis, Keevin A l l i c o c k ,

Kurtez Kellman and Jeremy Garrett on board their flight to Guyana

Eastern Florida State College.

Cognizant of the closure of Guyana’s airports back in March, Garrett and Kellman had booked flights

but the ports in Trinidad and Tobago, where they were scheduled to in-transit had already shut its doors, thus affecting the flight. The pair were figurative

ly rescued by the Guyanese Consulate in Miami, who put them up in a hotel until their departure at noon on Saturday.

On the other hand, 4 naDesmond A m s t e r d a m and Dennis Thomas initially travelled to the Spanish island for the purpose of training (for three months) in preparation for the Americas 2020 Olympic Boxing Qualifiers, which has since been cancelled.

However, before the could get a flight home the ports were closed. the boxers have since received permission from the National Covid-19 Task Force to return home and preparations are being made for such. The boxers have been in Cuba since

guyanatimesgy.com End of the GAPLF-imposed one-year suspension…

Guyana’s celebrated strongman, the irrepressible Carlos Peterson-Griffith, and Junica Pluck, two athletes of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) who had violated the rules of the GAPLF and the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) by participating in a StrongFit competition in Barbados on May 4-5, 2019, have each served the one-year suspension imposed on them by the powerlifting entities.And now that the suspension has been lifted, it is more of a bittersweet moment for these two athletes, because of the threatening presence of the deadly novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which has rocked the entire world.Guyana has been affected with more than 150 cases of this disease, and has been forced to suspend all sporting disciplines indefinitely. In 2019, as one would recall, this pair of athletes had participated in an unauthorized powerlifting competition, and the GAPLF had said it would need to make a decision on their future in the sport. They were suspended for having violated the rules of both the IPF and the GAPF. Article 14.9 of the IPF Constitution states under Participating in non-IPF Competition: “Any lifter, coach, referee or official who competes or participates in an international powerlifting or bench press competition not organised, sanctioned or approved by the IPF shall not be permitted to take part in any IPF international or regional competition for a period of 12 months from the date of that non-approved competition.”That aside, the GAPLF Constitution states in Section 12, Article 1, point 4: “The stated reasons for suspension are not a closed list, and the executive members shall collectively exercise their discretion when opting to suspend a member of the GAPLF.

Junica Pluck

The following may be subject to suspension: “Any lifter who participates in a contest with other countries without the permission of the GAPLF.”Neither athlete had informed the Federation of their intention to participate in a competition in Barbados. Had the Federation been made aware, it would have been able to let them know that Barbados was not an affiliate of the IPF, and the event in which they had competed was not sanctioned by the IPF. Nevertheless, when the deadly COVID-19 pandemic has passed, the pair would be rearing to go in an effort to again shatter records and retake their position on the powerlifting throne.

S t r o n g F i t

Carlos Peterson-Griffith

CPL Trophy

Local team the Guyana Amazon Warriors

-young cyclist Jeremiah Joseph anticipating return of racing T he CPL has received a proverbial shot in the arm after the

Trinidad & Tobago Government indicated that it is "very, very much open" to hosting the 2020 edition of the tournament in that country.

However, Shamfa Cudjoe, the Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, stressed that a final decision would be subject to permission from the Health Ministry and the CPL providing a "commitment" to stick to the guidelines.

Earlier this week, the CPL submitted a proposal to hold the entire tournament, comprising 34 matches, at two main grounds in Trinidad.

Originally the CPL, which Randolph Roberts (right) receiving face masks from Ryan Alexander comprises six teams, was scheduled R yan Alexander, Senior Vice-President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA), presented the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) of East Berbice with 30 face masks during the past week.

The FACC has also recently benefited from the receipt of food hampers as the dreaded novel coronavirus continues to menace all sporting activities.

Led by Cycling Coach Randolph Roberts, the FACC has expressed gratitude to those who have donated to the cause of its members in such a trying time as this; and Roberts has explained that, despite the menacing threat posed by COVID-19, cyclists have been engaging in training under his watchful eyes, in order to prepare themselves for the resumption of competition. Coronavirus cases are mostly being found in regions other than Six (East Bce/ Corentyne), but the cyclists under Roberts’ charge are taking all precautions while training in small numbers.

Young and promising cyclist Jeremiah Joseph declared that he trains on a daily basis. In a comment invited from this daily publication, Joseph said he is anxiously awaiting the return of competitive racing. "The only thing I can do is keep my body fit, and continue to be prepared," Joseph noted. He posited that his goal will always remain the same: to be positive in his approach. "I want to be the best; to always ride and keep my head up and win races," Joseph explained.

He is calling on his fellow cyclists to protect themselves while staying f i t , and to equip themselves with a neversay-never attitude; and the able coach Randolph Roberts is calling on more business entities to come on board the effort to assist Flying Ace cyclists during this period of the pandemic.

Flying Ace cyclist Jeremiah Joseph

to take place between August 19 and September 26 at six venues. In its proposal, the CPL mentioned that it would conduct the tournament across 25 days with several double headers.

The CPL had, in 2018, signed a three-year contract with the T&T Government to host the semi-finals and the finals in addition to home matches of the local team, the Trinbago Knight Riders. Last year,

Trinidad hosted eight matches comprising five of the TKR home matches along with the knockouts in addition to two T10 women's exhibition matches. As per the contract T&T government is meant to pay US $ 1 milion to CPL to facilitate the matches in the country.

CPL had, on June 4, its first meeting with the T&T Government, which was attended by Cudjoe along with the country's Chief Medical Officer and officials from the Ministry

of Health. According to Cudjoe, the CPL proposal, which she called a "draft document", primarily focused on health protocols and travel arrangements for the six franchises to follow. "They wish to hold CPL in Trinidad and Tobago only," Cudjoe told I95.5FM, a Trinidad-based radio station hosted by local broadcaster Andre Errol Baptiste, hours after the meeting. "The proposal speaks primarily to the health protocol, and doesn't cover budget or anything of that sort.

“I must commend CPL for taking this time out to touch on and examine each and every part of the health protocol - from quarantine period after the players land, as to how they are going to be housed, how they are fed and how to maintain social distancing, even rules as to whether saliva or sweat can be used on the ball - they went into detail."

Despite both parties walking out optimistic from Thursday's meeting, Cudjoe said without the health ministry's green light nothing would move forward. "Most importantly, we are asking the Ministry of Health to give us clearance, and guidelines, to see if this is even possible, and what's the best way to execute these games. But we are open to hosting, and as long as our numbers (Covid-19 cases) remain low, and we can establish the right health protocols and guidelines, and get the commitment from CPL to abide and adhere to those guidelines, then we are very much, very, very much open to hosting the CPL at this point in time."

Cudjoe did not reveal tournament dates, but said CPL was "recommending mid-August, very early in September, playing games almost every day". Cudjoe reiterated that the government would not gamble with the safety of the people at a time when the pandemic has caused close to 400,000 deaths worldwide. T&T has remained vastly unaffected so far with 117 people having tested positive for Covid-19 with 8 deaths. "All of that (the tournament dates) would have to be looked at based on the health guidelines and the protocols from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of National Security," Cudjoe said. "You don't want to chance anything. Our priority is safeguarding the athletes, the workers and all the stakeholders, most importantly the wider public of Trinidad and Tobago. "So we will not be taking any chances, we have to examine these protocols very, very meticulously, and then we will come up with a way forward as to whether this makes sense, whether we can remain healthy, whether this is safe, before we give the go-ahead. We will be deliberating on the matter during the next week, and we hope to come up with a proper and solid response to CPL soon."

Cudjoe said, as part of the next step, the CPL has been asked to present the "budgetary items", which would be initially examined by the Sports Company of Trinidad & Tobago, the government arm administering various sport in the country. A "concrete position", Cudjoe said, is likely to be taken next week once CPL returns with further details in the proposal. That then would be heard by the T&T government cabinet before taking a decision. (ESPNCricinfo)