Guyana Times Friday March 20, 2020

Trump P3 directs FDA to consider chloroquine to treat COVID-19 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4231

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

PRICE

GECOM, APNU/AFC destruction of democracy: Day 19

Jagdeo warns of plot to swear in Granger this weekend See story on page 3

…says PPP/C will not legitimise illegal presidency; will pursue sanctions

APNU-sponsored injunction to block recount has no merit – political parties …support calls for recount See story on page 9

…concerned about separate storage of ballot boxes

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana’s P7 COVID-19 pandemic fight off to false start – Jagdeo …says cannot take effect since country without Ministers

Guyana: P12 Future leader or outcast?

Linden woman, lover found stabbed to P2 death in home

Police forbid Giftland from pointing cameras towards Conference Centre Page 2

...had been OK before recount ballots stored there

MoPH directives may exacerbate COVID-19 spread ...regurgitated colonial era measures Page 15

Ramjattan implies Granger stymieing recount Page 11

... says Joe Singh wrong, party not hijacked

Linden youth critical after slamming P14 motorcycle into house

Counted ballots only way to end election uproar – PSC Chairman P16 …says "truth always triumphs"

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden woman, lover found stabbed to death in home

– suspect was placed on bond for threatening to kill ex-lover

Dead: Imogene Gordon

P

olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a couple whose bodies were discovered with multiple stab wounds in a home at Linden, Region Ten. Dead are 59-year-old Imogene Gordon of Wismar, Linden and Royston John of East Berbice Corentyne. Their dead bodies were discovered on Wednesday at some time after 21:00h.

John’s body was reportedly lying face-up by the door of the lower flat of the incomplete two-storey home, while Gordon’s body was discovered lying facedown.

Each body was examined and discovered to have multiple stab wounds to the upper torso.

Police canvassed the scene and reportedly discovered a knife which is suspected to be the murder weapon. Several persons in the area were questioned by ranks in relation to the incident.

A neighbour told detectives that she had heard screams emanating from Gordon’s house, and had attempted to contact Gordon to enquire, but her phone had gone unanswered. As such, she immediately contacted the Wisroc Outpost and informed them of the unusual occurrence.

The bloodied bodies of the couple were subsequently transported to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), where they were examined by a doctor on duty, who pronounced them dead on arrival.

Information revealed that, some time ago, Gordon had filed a complaint against her ex-lover, who had reportedly threatened to chop off her hands and feet. He was arrested and charged on March 10, 2020 in connection with the allegations, and later appeared in the Linden Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Dylon Bess, before whom he pleaded guilty to the charge.

On such a serious charge, he was placed on a six-month bond to keep the peace.

Dead: Royston John

The suspect was later arrested and placed in Police custody after he was discharged from the Linden Hospital Complex, where he had been treated for a wound to his hand, suspected to have been caused by the murder weapon as he killed his ex-lover and her fiancé.

His arrest was confirmed by Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Divisional Commander Hugh Winter, who noted that a thorough investigation will be conducted.

The commander also confirmed that the suspect was reportedly caught heading back to the scene of the crime.

Police forbid Giftland from pointing cameras towards Convention Centre ...had been OK before recount ballots stored there

G

iftland Mall proprietor Roy Beepat has said that a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) informed him that the mall’s security cameras which are facing the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) are illegally placed and their positions would have to be altered.

The Giftland Mall is located in close proximity to the ACCC at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, and the Conference Centre is currently housing containers with ballot boxes used in the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

However, in a statement, Beepat highlighted that his cameras were installed since the inception of the operations of the mall, and that he only recently added extra cameras in light of the elections season, after receiving advice from his security experts.

“The locations and focus on these cameras are based upon advice I received from security experts. In light of the dire circumstances that have ensued the March 2nd, 2020 elections, which continue to prevail, my security experts have advised that I install additional cameras to enhance monitoring and the security of my premises,” Beepat said in a statement issued on Friday.

He said he would not be altering the positions of his cameras. He explained that after consulting with his attorneys, he has been advised that no laws have been violated.

“I have consulted with my attorneys-at-law in respect of the Police’s request. They have advised me that I have not violated any laws known to Guyana,” he posited.

According to Beepat, the security of his business, vendors, employees and visitors remains his top priority.

Roy Beepat

Only recently, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) condemned the Police Force for its perceived intent on following political directives.

On Monday last, Police officers unjustifiably evicted from the ACCC compound persons who were entitled to keep watch on the ballot boxes placed there.

To date, it is unclear who gave the Police the orders to have party representatives, elections observers and other stakeholders removed from the premises.

Even retired Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud issued an open letter to the GPF, reminding both senior and junior ranks of the Force’s responsibility to protect the civil rights of citizens.

Persaud, who served some 33 years in the Force, urged the officers: “Let us not throw our honour to the dogs”.

He reminded that the society must rely on the Police for the immediate and effective protection of people’s constitutional guarantees. “Let us not fail them,” Persaud admonished.

Meanwhile, attempts to make contact with the Police for a comment proved futile, and up to press time, GPF did not respond to the missive issued by Beepat.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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

Friday, March 20 – 03:00h – 04:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Saturday, March 21 – 03:30h – 05:00h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, March 20 –14:15h – 15:45h and Saturday, March 21 –15:05h – 16:35h.

Jagdeo warns of plot to swear in Granger this weekend …says PPP/C will not legitimise illegal presidency; will pursue sanctions

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

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There will be clear to partly cloudy skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North NorthEasterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 14:29h reaching a maximum height of 2.25 metres.

Low Tide: 08:03h and 20:31h reaching minimum heights of 1.08 metres and 0.91 metre.

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pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has warned Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) supporters that the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition is preparing to swear in David Granger as President this weekend.

Jagdeo sounded the alarm yesterday during a press engagement at his party’s Headquarters, Freedom House on Robb Street, and he said that should this be realised, the PPP/C would not be recognising a David Granger presidency as legitimate.

“We expect that the same forces will want to push this all through tomorrow (today) in the court to have Granger sworn in by the weekend.

From all that we are seeing, we are heading in that direction,” he said.

Jagdeo was at the time referring to an injunction filed by APNU candidate Ulita Grace Moore, who successfully petitioned Justice Franklyn Holder to halt the countrywide recount of votes cast in the 2020 General and Regional Elections, which was part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Initiative.

He was adamant, howev-

er, that “We intend to vigorously pursue this matter in the court. We are very disappointed that the court would give an injunction to stall a regional initiative, but we know what the forces at play here are.”

Outlining the PPP’s position in pellucid language, Jagdeo was adamant that, “If Granger is sworn in, the PPP will not recognise him (as President).”

Additionally, he said the party will be pursuing international sanctions against individuals and the country.

“That will create hardships for lots of people, but it will make it very uncomfortable for the cabal, the same ones who are hell-bent on swearing in a president on the basis of these fraudulent results.

Jagdeo said the PPP will, in such a case, be pressing for a stoppage of “all the funds flowing from the multilateral institutions”, and he pointed to what he termed a bilateral curtailment, with Norway deciding to withhold its assistance to Guyana.

He said, too, that the PPP would approach institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) “to shut down all

O

O

Evening Draw

07

CARICOM Chair Mia Mottley

Incumbent President David Granger

that of the President’s.

Jagdeo insists, however, “Clearly, Granger cannot distance himself from this. He is not powerless…I believe that Granger tacitly approves this whole process.”

The PPP General Secretary suggested that President Granger can in fact publicly declare what he intimated to the Bajan Prime Minister: that he would not be sworn in based on results that are not transparent.

Jagdeo reminded that the President himself had conceded that the stalling of the recount would not lead to the transparent conclusion of the electoral process.

The PPP General Secretary also used the occasion to lament the position taken by the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, who has advised the Guyana Elections Commission against gazetting the order for the recount.

According to Jagdeo, however, the CPC is in the employ of Attorney General Basil Williams, and he reminded that the two were together on the campaign trail.

“He is no different from any of the APNU people, and I am sure that he himself is either taking orders from Basil Williams or he is part of this cabal.”

Trump directs FDA to consider chloroquine to treat COVID-19

6

DRAW DE LINE

03

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

disbursements to Guyana.”

According to Jagdeo, the party would be looking to also ensure that oil proceeds “do not flow to the Government.”

Jagdeo used the occasion to recall that when Granger requested the Caribbean Community’s Chairperson, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Motley, to supervise the recount, he intimated, “I do not want to be sworn in on the basis of results that are not properly verified and do not have the acceptance.”

Jagdeo noted that when he received a call from Prime Minister Mottley, he readily agreed to have the CARICOM team come to Guyana.

“This team came to Guyana upon his request, which I agreed to,” he reiterated.

He said that Granger, in his statement recently, had even pointed to the injunction filed and noted that it would curtail the thrust toward reaching a transparent conclusion to the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The PPP/C General Secretary rubbished the President’s arguments of “independent court action”, and pointed to the fact that the injunction was filed by an APNU candidate.

He was adamant that the President has refused to take responsibility for the delays in the election results’ tabulation, and is in fact providing tacit support.

“He talks about the stalling of his own initiative, and he talks about it being curtailed based on an independent court action, when the court action was brought by his people…Clearly, Granger is at the centre of everything,” Jagdeo declared.

The PPP/C General Secretary dismissed assertions of an emerging cabal within the ranks of the APNU, whose views and positions are divergent from

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ne day after the NEW GPC announced that it was ramping up production of chloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19, US President Donald Trump urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to eliminate barriers to getting therapeutics for coronavirus to patients.

He said a drug currently used as an antimalarial – hydroxychloroquine -- would be made available almost immediately to treat coronavirus.

“It’s been around for a long time, so we know if things don’t go as planned it’s not going to kill anybody,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

“We have to remove every barrier or a lot of barriers that were unnecessary and they’ve done that to get the rapid deployment of safe, effective treatments and we think we have some good answers,”

US President Donald Trump

Trump said.

Early evidence from human cells suggests that chloroquine – which is used to treat malaria and autoimmune diseases – may have some activity against the novel coronavirus.

Doctors in China, the US

and other countries have used the drug experimentally in COVID-19 patients, but there is not yet sufficient clinical evidence that it’s effective in humans.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing company NEW GPC on Wednesday announced that in response to the outbreak of novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19), it has ramped up production of chloroquine tablets.

In a press release, the company said that while there was no vaccine for the virus at this time and one was not expected for at least another year, chloroquine is one of the drugs that have been cited as an effective treatment for COVID-19.

The drug, NEW GPC said, has tested favourably in the US, Japan, Italy, France, and other European countries in the front line in battling the pandemic.

“Studies have shown that chloroquine blocks the viral infection by increasing the endosomal pH needed for viral attachment,” the press release said.

Chloroquine is a 70-yearold drug, which as mentioned earlier, is used to fight malaria and autoimmune diseases. It is safe to use and relatively cheap. NEW GPC is licensed to manufacture this product and has been doing so for many years. This drug requires a doctor’s prescription.

NEW GPC is the Caribbean’s largest manufacturer of pharmaceuticals. The company has manufactured anti-retrovirals to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic and Tamiflu to treat the outbreak of bird flu. NEW GPC is US FDA approved and is licensed by the Government AnalystFood and Drug Department.

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 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

Bringing burden to Guyanese

S

ix political parties, and now joining them a partner from the Government’s coalition, have all reinforced calls for a recount of ballots cast at the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The repeated calls were made one day after The Commonwealth Observer Group announced its withdrawal from Guyana, citing serious and persistent electoral malpractice and the failure of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to stop the blatant disregard for the rule of law and electoral ethics.

These sentiments expressed by The Commonwealth group have from the inception been the basis that led to the initial call for a recount, given the fact that the tabulation processes conducted by the Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo, were not credible and transparent.

Throwing cold water on the notion being peddled by sympathizers of the coalition, that it was the political parties that disrupted the process, The Commonwealth Group said: “It is the Group’s clear view that robust exchanges between political party agents in the room only occurred when the Guyana Elections Commission repeatedly halted the tabulation process…” Rightly so, decision by Mr Mingo to declare unverified results were challenged, and the Chief Justice gave clear and unambiguous directions on how that Constitution of Guyana directs the process to be conducted.

However, Mr Mingo and GECOM proceeded following the Chief Justice’s ruling, displayed blatant disregard for transparency and credibility, as, in some instances, this resulted in tabulation totals reflecting more voters than were entered on the list of eligible electors for certain polling stations.

This, coupled with the lack of intervention by the leadership of GECOM to halt or rectify these blatant instances of disregard for the rule of law and electoral ethics, confirms that rigging of the 2020 General and Regional Elections was orchestrated by forces that were working within the confines of GECOM. This was done in the full view of the media and the world watching.

As was stated before by this newspaper, Guyana now stands on the verge of returning to a full-fledged dictatorship that oppressed the nation from 1964-1992.

Guyana’s democracy was blatantly snatched, and the free will of the Guyanese people is being suppressed by a selfish few who are holding on to power at any cost.

But can Guyanese really survive the burden and consequences that this selfish, power drunk few will have descend upon the nation? Any right-thinking Guyanese will answer with a resounding “No”.

Already, the international community, and more so the United States Government, have warned that those who participate and benefit from electoral fraud, undermine democratic institutions, and impede a peaceful transition of power in Guyana can be subject to a variety of consequences. This warning also included the fact that de facto regimes do not receive the same treatment as democratically elected governments.

A first taste of such consequences has already hit Guyana’s tongue bitterly, as Norway’s Government has indicated that, given the volatile political situation, it has put the brakes on the release of NOK 393 million (US$36.2M) climate aid to this country. We do not have to look far to see the consequences of international sanctions and the consequences it has on the ordinary citizens of a nation.

All we have to do is take off the political blindfold and look next door to our neighbor, Venezuela.

The actions of GECOM, Mr Mingo and President David Granger, along with his cohorts with APNU/AFC, over the past 18 days could only be viewed as a blatant and deliberate attempt to destroy the democratic gains made over the last two decades.

AIDING THE COVID-19 FIGHT – Harish’s Variety Store on America Street, Georgetown stepped up to the plate and distributed antibacterial supplies to the public on Wednesday as part of its effort in aiding the fight against the further spread of COVID-19

Madam Chair, your credibility has been tarnished Dear Editor, This letter is directed to Justice (retd) Claudette Singh.

You are one of our nation’s distinguished daughters. You were called to the Bar in London in 1973, and admitted to the Bar in Guyana in 1976. During your many years of service to this country, you served as the Deputy Solicitor General, as a Puisne Judge, and as Justice of Appeal. During your tenure at the Chamber of the Attorney General (AG), you spearheaded the Modernisation of the Justice Reform Project.

Justice Singh, you also famously presided over the Elections Petition case which Esther Pereira, in the interest of the People’s National Congress (PNC) party, brought against the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in 1998. In your ruling, you declared that the Elections Law Amendment Act No. 22 of 1997 was ultra vires Articles 59 and 159 of the Guyana Constitution, and as a consequence, the said act was null and void.

You also declared that the elections were not conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03 and articles 59 and 159 of the Constitution of Guyana, and were therefore unlawful.

You ruled unambiguously, and did not leave wiggle room for GECOM to defy the law. It is clear, Justice Singh, that you are no stranger to our electoral laws and our Constitution. We, under most circumstances, are lucky to have someone of your reputation and calibre at the helm of GECOM. We also recall that you were famously quoted in the January 11, 2020 edition of Kaieteur News as saying, “I will not sell my integrity

for all of the oil in Guyana.”

Sadly, since March 3, the country has not witnessed the leadership of which we know you are capable. Since said date, we have witnessed a number of unusual events.

A fictitious bomb threat was made, which plainly served the purpose of clearing the room and breaking the chain of custody for the Region 4 Statements of Poll (SOPs). Mr. Mingo hurriedly declared election results for Region 4 after circumventing the lawful process, and was subsequently whisked away from the building under heavy police escort.

Accredited observers and party agents were manhandled by Riot Police who appeared to be acting under external instructions. GECOM decided to project tabulation results on a makeshift screen, which obstructed the view of party agents and observers in a bid to avoid a transparent verification process for Region 4 results. And finally, the GECOM hired lawyers who were closely aligned to one of the political parties that contested the elections.

To add insult to injury, in the midst of the chaos that had ensued, a Minister of Government thought it appropriate to disclose on public television that staff of the GECOM had expressed concerns regarding their safety directly to him, bypassing the command structure at GECOM. The fact that

GECOM’s staff were relaying their concerns to a member of one of the contesting parties and not the Chairperson of GECOM is deeply troubling.

Further there were theatrics that transpired at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) as the high-level CARICOM team, accredited observers and representatives of all political parties (notably, except APNU) gathered and waited peacefully all day for a recount to commence.

After hours of waiting with no update from the GECOM, it became clear that the process would once again be delayed.

The nation suffered another disappointment although you, Justice Singh, had given your word that a transparent and lawful recount of the Region 4 results would be conducted, and you had supported the CARICOM intervention.

There will be enough legal luminaries on Friday morning to explain why a transparent and fair count of Region 4 and all other regions is possible. However, our intent here is to beseech you, a woman of high esteem and regard, to take control and ensure that GECOM delivers transparent and credible election results to the Guyanese electorate.

Justice Singh, you have an intimate knowledge of the Constitution and you know that the only way to have a

credible election is for GECOM to undertake a free, fair and transparent process for the tallying of Region 4 results, as well as a complete recount of all other regions if that is the threshold that satisfies the public. Any political party that has declared victory in these elections should also want to have a transparent recount in order to avoid doubt being cast on their legitimacy.

Justice Singh, your job is not enviable, and it cannot be easy, given what you inherited. However, as Chairperson of the GECOM, you have one supreme purpose - to deliver credible elections. For this, Justice Singh, the full force of the law is behind you, and we at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), as spokespeople and representatives of a business community, stand with you and believe that you still can and will do the right thing to honour your sacred role of delivering credible elections.

Justice Singh, you once said that you would not willingly trade your integrity for all of the oil in Guyana, and we must believe that your unwavering conviction still stands.

Yours sincerely, Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer President Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Has Granger lost control?

Dear Editor, It is unbelievable that President David Granger invites the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Motley, to send a Caribbean delegation to our country to “supervise” a recount of the

electoral results, and then his party’s lawyers proceed to challenge the Elections Commission from conducting the recount.

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.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

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Sanctions will hurt the average Guyanese more than those who are prepared to steal elections

Dear Editor, No less a person than Micheal Pompeo, Secretary of State of the United States, has threatened sanctions if David Granger is sworn-in as our head of state based on fraudulent results.

It is evident from the reaction of our citizens they are ignorant of the implications of sanctions. Were they aware, I am confident, mass protests would have ensued when the USA threatened such actions?

However, the citizens seem unbothered as David Granger and his cabal are working through GECOM to be returned to office, even though they have lost the elections.

Sanctions can devas-

tate our country and punish everyone, including citizens who are currently fighting to stop the swearing-in of Granger. Should Granger be sworn-in, he and those close to him will suffer directly by individ-

Two viable avenues to allow GECOM to declare a winning presidential candidate Dear Editor, It is now clear to all that GECOM and APNU are complicit in preventing a transparent tabulation of the Region 4 votes, or to allow a recount of the votes.

The Chairman appears to have abdicated her responsibility, and seems incapable of commanding the release of information or directing what has been clearly articulated by the Courts.

At this time, most persons have moved to focusing on the recount of the votes. I would like to state that this option, while the final test, does not negate a proper tabulation of the votes for Region 4, for a proper tabulation in line with the law and the Chief Justice’s ruling has never been done.

We all know that the tabulation twice completed by Regional Officer Mingo is not credible. The spreadsheet exercise and the opaque display of “SOPs” at bullet speed, where no one could question or validate the process or inspect the SOPs, are all well known facts.

The tabulation was fraudulent and farcical. We know that neither GECOM nor APNU have released the SOPs for Region 4. Not even the Board of GECOM appears to have an official copy from GECOM. The EU has written

GECOM asking for a copy of the Region 4 SOPs, but to date have received nothing.

But we all know that on the day of elections, GECOM, the main political parties, many of the small parties, the international and local observers, and the Police, all received some or all of the SOPs. The PPP have published these SOPs for Region 4 along with the Tally Sheets.

No one has disputed these numbers. Some of the small parties, including Change Guyana’s Nigel Hinds, who independently of the PPP obtained about 160 SOPs for Region 4, have confirmed publicly that their copies are in line with that of the PPP, but differed from that called out in the “bullet train” tabulation that Mingo effected.

So, it is not too late! Have the Chief Justice order a proper completion of Section 84 of the Representation of the Peoples Act (Chap 1:03) and have the SOPs shown to all, so that a proper tabulation can be completed.

Complete the “contempt proceedings” against Mingo, and extract a clear written directive on how to comply with her earlier ruling of last week, which was so blatantly ignored by Mr. Mingo and company. This proper tabulation can proceed in parallel with the mat-

ter before Justice Franklin Holder, dealing with a recount of votes.

The recount of Region 4 votes can also be done. My fear is that all the APNU and GECOM antics may still scuttle this process.

Given that GECOM is compromised, I fear that once the various containers are opened, there are many forces at work that may scuttle a proper completion of a proper recount. Such risks include attempts to torch the ballots, bomb scares, fumigation, relabelling, mixing up the ballots, power outages, confusion with the ballot boxes when they are removed from the container. These are just a short list of the APNU/ GECOM playbook.

With the GECOM and APNU actors retaining any form of responsibility, and given that they are still intent on preventing a proper count, there are innumerably more possibilities to derail a proper recount when compared with the tabulation exercise. And with the observers and parties not being treated to a fair and transparent process, and many gone with the COVID-19 exit, who will say if this process will be properly completed?

In the circumstances, I believe all efforts should be made to maintain both av-

enues open to obtaining the truth. A proper tabulation is much less difficult that a vote recount; yet this has been thwarted at every stage. Imagine what they can do to a less-than-independent ballot recount.

Of course, if all the observers and non-Government parties were to meet, independent of GECOM, to do a Region 4 tabulation, we know the result. But since they are not part of GECOM, the statutory body empowered to declare the result, but which organization today has so clearly lost their independence and obligation to be fair and impartial, a third-party exercise is academic.

Any layperson knows that the PPP has won by over 17,000 votes. It is for this reason that not a single observer or Party has disputed the SOPs released by the PPP. It is for this reason that all have seen the many statements from the international observers and other Parties condemning the GECOM process as a farce and lacking credibility and transparency.

Let’s keep all options on the table. Do both a proper tabulation of the SOPs and recount the votes.

Dear Editor, As a 17-year-old student who has been keenly observing this elections fiasco unfold, I have realized that keeping a silent stance is not an option. It hurts and aggravates me to witness this truly pathetic but abhorrent debacle. Imagine, general and regional elections were held on March 2nd, and to this date, no official declaration of results was made.

Of course, we saw attempts being made, with “results” clearly lacking in credibility. That’s not my view alone; it is the view of the Commonwealth Observer Group (which has now withdrawn from Guyana) published on March 18th. In their statement, they clearly established that the tabulation processes conducted by the Returning Officer for Region 4, Clairmont Mingo, were not credible, transparent and inclusive.

Eventually, after all the obvious malpractice that

occurred from March 3-14.

Mr. Granger and Mr. Jagdeo agreed to a recount. This positive move welcomed CARICOM officials to oversee the recounting. But now it seems that this process has been blocked too, prompting the officials to depart from our land.

Moreover, we are heading on a one-way ticket to Venezuela. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned that there will be serious consequences for persons here engaged in electoral fraud and seeking to establish an illegitimate government. Clearly the sternest warning yet from the Trump administration, it should be enough to impose fear on those involved in the fraudulent electoral process.

Norway has now blocked Guyana from NOK 393 million in climate aid. Our image is, without doubt, deteriorating in the eyes of the world. Guyana has now ap-

proached the World Bank for US$5M to help in response to COVID-19. I wouldn’t be surprised if that plea is rejected.

Further, it is truly embarrassing to read about individuals protesting the recount outside GECOM’s Kingston HQ. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley put it best when she said there are forces that do not want the votes to be counted.

Let me guess, she’s a PPP supporter as well? Like all the small parties, the OAS, the EU, Norway, France, the USA? I urge those individuals to wake up from their bias and see the truth.

They must put their political differences aside and see that our elections are being hijacked, and that we will be plunged into darkness if those efforts are successful.

This is a country that I have vowed to serve. This is my homeland. I feel that, as a law-abiding citizen and as

a student who intends to develop this country, it is my duty and my right to speak out about the grave injustices taking place. For if I stay silent, I would only be considered an enabler. This is the country in which I’d want to raise my children. Is this the kind of nation that they must grow up and witness?

A developing dictatorship? Am I seriously going to tell my grandchildren decades from now that this malarkey unfolded in my homeland and I stood by and watched? As democracy was raped? I say no.

Democracy must be upheld.

Righteousness must prevail.

I am calling on President Granger to block those who compromised GECOM from tampering with the tabulation process. We are a beautiful nation, and we must prosper.

Sincerely, A Grant

From a younger perspective

Yours truly, Nikhil Sankar

ual sanctions such as jail sentence, fines, travel restriction, and restriction on their assets.

While Granger and his illegal ministers may survive these sanctions, it is doubtful whether his business associates will be able to cope with the same. It wouldn’t be long before Granger suffers isolation from his associates as the sanctions bite in.

Outside of the individual sanctions, there will be economic sanctions that would manifest in restrictions on imports and exports. These sanctions will affect all and sundry. Since we are heavily dependent on a few export sectors, the economy will suffer significant contraction, and many will lose their jobs and incomes.

Given the fact that we do not have adequate international reserves, any restriction on exports will curtail our ability to generate foreign exchange to service our external debt and pay for imports. Coupled with joblessness, we will therefore risk bankruptcy and shortages of essential goods, e.g., food items, fuel, drugs, medical supplies, etc. With fuel shortages, we will have to brace ourselves for frequent and extended power outages worse than those in the 70s and 80s.

The economic sanctions will also see Guyana being cut-off from the international financial system.

Guyanese will not be able to make overseas payments or receive money from abroad. All businesses will therefore suffer, especially those into imports and exports.

Military sanctions can also be part of the menu of penalties that may be imposed by the USA on our country. These sanctions can take the form of military interventions and/or arms embargo to restrict supplies of weapons. The latter will severely diminish our ability to maintain internal security and fight off any external threats.

Since the international community will not recognize the Government, it would be difficult to seek help from the USA, Europe, OAS, Commonwealth, and UN if hostile neighbours, e.g., Venezuela, invade the country. Just imagine fighting a giant like Venezuela without the support of our friendly allies with superior capabilities.

International lending agencies such as the EU, IMF, IDB, World Bank will cease doing business with Guyana. Maintenance of our sea defence can be jeopardized if the EU stops doing business with Guyana.

Our efforts to strengthen the security and financial sectors can also be affected if the IDB puts a halt to business with Guyana.

Based on the foregoing, it is clear that sanctions would destroy us more than it would hurt Granger and his cabal, who have failed to improve our lives while they were in office.

The question is: “Are we willing to suffer the consequences of sanctions? Or will we add our voices in the call for Granger and his cabal to respect the will of the people?”

Concerned citizen

6

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

Page

Foundation

Guyana Times is pleased to publish the Education Ministry’s 2020 National Grade Six Assessment Practice Tests, complete with answers. This is the second part of Mathematics Paper 1 and the answer key. The 2020 Paper Two Practice Test for all the subjects will be published in the Sunday Magazine of March 22.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT PRACTICE TEST

MATHEMATICS

PAPER 1

MARCH 12, 2020 Reading Time: 10 minutes Writing Time: 60 minutes

READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY 1. This test has 40 questions. You have 1 hour 10 minutes to answer them.

2. Each question has four possible answers:

(A), (B), (C) and (D). Read each question carefully then choose the correct answer.

3. On your answer sheet, find the number that matches the question you intend to answer.

4. Shade the circle which has the same letter A, B, C or D, next to the answer you have chosen.

(A) 525 (C) 300

21. Sanjeev had 350 marbles and he gave 1/5 of them to his friend, Rayson. How many marbles does he have remaining?

(A) 60 (B) 70 (C) 240 (D) 280

(B) R (D) T

23. What are the missing numbers in the factor tree below?

(A) 36 and 3 (B) 36 and 13 (C) 13 and 3 (D) 13 and 27 Study the diagrams below then answer questions 24 and 25.

28. What is the value of the angle marked x in the figure below?

(A) 800 (B) 700 (C) 600 (D) 500

29. If 1 egg tray holds 12 eggs, approximate the number of trays that will be needed to place 163 eggs.

(A) 12 (B) 13 (C) 14 (D) 15 40?

24. The perimeter of the square is ______ the perimeter of the rectangle.

(A) more than (B) less than (C) equal to (D) exactly half 25. The area of the square is ______ the area of the rectangle.

(A) more than (B) less than (C) equal to (D) exactly half 26. How many minutes are there from 09:10 hours to 14:35 hours?

(B) 325 (D) 225

27. How many lines of symmetry does the shape below have?

(A) 12 (B) 6 (C) 3 (D) 1

22. Which point on the number line below represents 11/5?

(A) Q (C) S

Sample Question 1. The sum of 4 and 5 is (A) 1 ANSWER SHEET (B) 9 A B C D (C) 20 (D) 45 The correct answer is “9”, so (B) has been shaded.

5. If you want to change your answer erase it completely before you fill in your new choice.

30. What is the sum of the prime numbers between 20 and (A) 104 (C) 141

(B) 120 (D) 159

31. The average of 10 numbers is 65. If the average of 9 numbers is 63, what is the 10th number?

(A) 83 (B) 93 (C) 128 (D) 137 32. 0.5 x 0.7 ÷ 0.9 = (rounded to 2 decimal places).

(A) 3.38 (B) 3.08 (C) 0.39 (D) 0.38 33. Himant is 5 years younger than his sister, Kia. Kia is

6. When the supervisor tells you to begin, turn the page and work as quickly and as carefully as you can.

7. If you try a question and find that you cannot answer it, leave it and go on to the next one.

You may return to that question later.

8. You must not use calculators for this assessment.

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

1/3 their mother’s age. If their mother is 39 years old, what is Himant’s age?

(A) 5 (B) 6 (C) 7 (D) 8 The chart below shows the number of cars in a parking lot during last weekend. Study it carefully then answer questions 34 and 35.

lot.

34. On Sunday there were ______ less cars in the parking (A) 3 (C) 12

(B) 6 (D) 24

35. If parking costs $200 per car how much money was collected for the two days?

(A) $20 800 (B) $12 800 (C) $2 600 (D) $1 600 36 Antonio spent $600 every week of the term for 13 weeks.

At the end of the term he had $1 200 left. How much money did he have at the beginning of the term?

(A) $9 000 (B) $8 000 (C) $7 800 (D) $7 000 12 37. How many packets each weighing 180 grams can be made from a quantity of sugar weighing 28.8kg?

(A) 160 (B) 155 (C) 6.50 (D) 6.25 38. A medicine bottle contains 3/4 litre of mixture which is to be taken daily in 3 doses. If one dose is 5 millilitres, how many days would the mixture last?

(A) 250 (B) 50 (C) 40 (D) 15 Study the diagram below then answer questions 39 and 40.

39. The angle marked x is ______ degrees.

(A) 26 (B) 38 (C) 64 (D) 128 40. The angle marked y is ______ degrees.

(A) 26 (B) 38 (C) 64 (D) 128

1. B 2. B 3. D 4. A 5. C 6. A 7. C

Mathematics PAPER 1 ANSWER KEY 8. A 9. D 10. B 11. D 12. C 13. B 14. B

15. D 16. B 17. A 18. D 19. C 20. C

NEWS

7

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s COVID-19 pandemic fight off to false start – Jagdeo …says cannot take effect since country without Ministers

H

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

ead of State, David Granger’s appointment of a Ministerial Task Force and signing of a Public Health Ordinance in a bid to tackle the spread of the coronavirus pandemic are off to a false start, since he did not take into consideration the fact that none of the ministerial positions are in force.

This is according to General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who on Thursday during a media engagement at Freedom House told reporters that under the Constitution of Guyana the only powers that remain were those of the Executive President.

Those powers, he said, are preserved until another swearing-in is held.

“I see (Winston) Jordan saying he is going to apply to the World Bank for resources, I have heard about Ministerial Task Force,” the former President said.

He was adamant, however, “there is no minister right now, Jordan is not a Minister of the Government; Volda Lawrence is not a Minister of the Government … once the elections are over, only one position is preserved, that of the President, that is until the new president is sworn in.”

He surmised that given the legal position with regard to the ministerial portfolios, “they should not be

going into the Ministries; they should not be using the resources of the Ministries –even the vehicles.”

Turning his attention to the Public Health Ordinance, Jagdeo told Guyana Times “the order can’t be effected because there is no minister”.

Speaking to the need to confront the coronavirus, Jagdeo noted that there must be measures put in place, but those powers should be handed to technical personnel and not ministerial portfolios and that there must be limitations.

“The way it is structured now, it could be done capriciously by a Minister, particularly a partisan minister like Volda Lawrence,” said Jagdeo and pointed to her “track record as a Minister and track record in rigging and her continued pretence at being a minister and using the ministry to undermine the pro-

cesses even in election.”

He used as an example the fumigating of the courts and the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in an attempt to delay the recount of the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The Public Health Ordinance that purports to confer the Public Health Minister with new far-reaching ministerial powers in order to confront the coronavirus pandemic is being met with public consternation and many expressed concern – through social media and other platforms – calling the new measures “overkill” and “draconian” with the potential to be abused to control the populace for reasons not related to the stated purposes.

The directive authorises the Public Health Minister and other Government functionaries to commit certain acts, which if there was no exception, would have been breach of citizens’ constitutional rights and freedoms, according to the Attorney General, Basil Williams who defended the Ordinance on Wednesday.

The Attorney General, in responding to the widespread concerns over the draconian nature of the proposal, has since contended the provisions “will not be utilised whimsically or capriciously”. In view of other abuse of power by the

Administration over the last five years, the assurance was viewed with scepticism by most analysts.

According to the Official Gazette, under the order, the Public Health Ministry shall take measures to “restrain, segregate and isolate persons suffering from the disease, or who may be, likely from exposure to the infection, suffer from the disease”.

Additionally, the Public Health Ministry “shall speedily bury or cremate the corpse of per-sons that died as a result of the coronavirus in addition to providing curative care”.

More alarmingly, it directed that the Public Health Minister may “remove, disinfect, and destroy the personal effects, goods, buildings and any other article, material or thing exposed to infection from the disease”. In no other country was any such authority given.

The Minister has also been empowered to prohibit or restrict the movement of persons within, to and from an infected area.

The Order also empowers the Minister to call on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to provide enforcement assistance, as it relates to its duties under the Order.

The Order has also

Former Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

called on the Ministries of Education and Health to take measures to control the spread of COVID-19 across educational institutions and with respect to immigration matters.

The Order, which has since been gazetted, states that the “President considers that immediate action is necessary to address COVID-19 and declares COVID-19 as an infectious disease” warranting the special orders.

The Executive Order is to remain in force until withdrawn by the President.

Former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy who on Thursday added his voice to the debate on the Public Health Ordinance, said: “When David Granger made an order a few days ago placing these enor-

mous responsibilities in the hands of Volda Lawrence and others, he acted illegally, because none of these persons have any legal standing to carry out those responsibilities.”

He noted that Guyana is battling COVID-19 and “Volda Lawrence has vulgarly used the fight against COVID-19 in a political manner, using it to, for example, prevent people from using ferry services to vote on March 2, 2020”.

He said too she used it to stop the recount of the ballots this past Monday when she ordered the fumigation of the Conference Centre.

“The fight against COVID-19 so far has been worrisome, because Volda Lawrence has mixed this public health crisis with the rigging of the elections.”

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Hess sheds US operations to bank on Guyana’s oil amid global crude battle

T

he price of oil on the international market has in recent days plummeted to its lowest in two decades and is projected to dip as low as US$20 per barrel, but this has not daunted ExxonMobil Guyana’s partner Hess Corporation, which despite drastically shedding its US operations, continues with its investments in Guyana unabated.

The company on Tuesday last said it has revised its capital investments downward by 25 per cent or US$2.2 billion.

The company has six rigs running in the Bakken Shale in the US, but plans to shed five of them by the end of May, it said in a statement.

The company said too it would also defer most discretionary exploration and offshore drilling, but that won’t apply to Guyana, indicating that exploration,

appraisal, and development will continue in this country’s prolific offshore, where the company has made 16 discoveries in the Stabroek Block along with block operator ExxonMobil and China’s CNOOC, another partner.

The company’s Guyana investment, along with ExxonMobil’s, has been described as “a clear sky amid the stormy conditions of uncertain oil demand and battered crude prices.

Investment bank Goldman Sachs had recently pronounced that Hess Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Greg Hill has noted that a third development in the Stabroek Block, would likely be sanctioned soon after results of the recent national election are finalised.

The Stabroek partners have, to date, made 16 discoveries offshore Guyana, and project five offshore developments in the country by

2025 that will produce more than 750,000 bpd.

First oil was achieved in December from the Liza

Field, the ExxonMobil-led consortium’s first find in the country’s offshore in 2015.

1 convicted of 2016 Lethem rape, 2 others freed

Rape convict Nick Skeete

N

ick Skeete, called “Jason Blair” and “Shatta”, was on Thursday found guilty of raping a woman when he appeared before the Sexual Offences Court in Demerara.

Skeete, alongside Harold Anderson and John Lee Edmond, was jointly charged for the offence of rape.

The indictment read that between July 8 and July 9, 2016 in Essequibo, they had sexual intercourse with the woman without her consent.

The incident took place in Lethem (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) when the woman was only 20 years old at the time and had just left a disco.

She had reportedly called a taxi to take her home and as she was entering the taxi, Skeete dealt one blow to the driver’s head and dragged her into the car.

The court was told that the suspect took the woman to a swampy area where he had sex with her without her consent.

Edmond was freed of the charge after the jury returned a 10-2 not guilty verdict; he was represented by Attorney Maxwell McKay. In the interim, Anderson was freed of the charge on Monday last after Judge Jo Ann Barlow upheld a nocase submission by his lawyer, Ravindra Mohabir.

Skeete, who was also represented by Mohabir was remanded to prison as the court awaits a probation report and victim impact statement.

The rape convict will return to court on April 6, 2020 for sentencing.

Responding…

C

…to COVID-19 OVID-19 might be a new disease, but it definitely looks like it’ll be the Black Plague of the 21st century. Folks may think – because of our Eurocentric bias - that Plague only hit Europe, but, in reality, it killed between 75-200 million persons in both Europe AND Asia - from where it originated, like coronavirus.

But today we live in a globalised world – one with instantaneous communication, where a fella sneezes in Siberia and you can know about it in Timbuktu at the same instant, so COVID-19 isn’t exactly an unknown phenomenon. In the four months since it erupted in Wuhan China, scientists were able to know it was from the same family as the one that caused SARS and MERS a few years back. They also broke down its RNA structure so that they – and scientists across the world – could move to the next step and create a vaccine.

That process, unfortunately, will take at least a year – because of trials and all that.

In the meantime, the WHO has taken the lead in advising the world of what we can do in the meantime – both in terms of Public Health Measures (PHM) like isolation, washing hands, etc…and medical treatments that can help alleviate some of the clinical symptoms of the disease, like pneumonia and other damage to the lungs. But here in Guyana, you could be forgiven for thinking we’re still living in Medieval times facing the Black Plague.

After all, why else would the MoPH be given the power to “remove, disinfect and destroy the personal effects, goods, buildings and any other article, material or things exposed or thing exposed to infection from the disease”?? What next? Burning people at the stake??

C’mon folks, we’re dealing with a virus which, like all viruses, can only survive outside a host AT MOST for a couple of days. So why would the Ministry of Public Health want to burn “goods and buildings”??

Now, you may say they’re erring on the side of caution; but this isn’t just using a cannon to destroy a virus – the cannon isn’t even AIMED at the virus!! So why the order?? Just laziness and no one took it upon themselves to look up what the rest of the world is doing to contain the spread of the disease, until we get that vaccine?

It’s a sign of the times – the time of the PNC – that folks are worried the PNC might just use the Ordinance to get back at those opposing their barefaced rigging.

After all, the MoPH – headed by Volda Lawrence – is empowered to call directly upon the Police to enforce her orders.

She doesn’t even need Ramjattan!! …to the rigging Well, it’s not only the Opposition parties that are calling for a recount – one of the members of APNU, the JFAP, has joined their ranks. Now we know the PNC only used the small parties – the WPA and JFAP and some one-man outfits like NDF and NFA – as a fig leaf to hide their discredited name. But Granger insisted it was a real “coalition” – especially after the AFC came aboard.

So, Granger’s being hoisted by its own petard now that one of its “partners” has broken with the party line. What will they do now?? Expel the JFAP?? But what about the others?? The WPA have been dancing between the raindrops – but now being all wet, they couldn’t have been all that successful!! And the AFC??

They seemed to have dropped off a cliff. Until now.

Ramjattan just chastised Major General Joe Singh for his open letter to Granger to do the right thing and have the recount. Insisting he’s “not in the clouds” he huffed, “That’s tantamount to accepting there’s rigging!

No, he’s in la la land!! …to threats from APNU/AFC loyalists The western embassies have cordoned off their buildings with local Police after all the threats coming their way from Government supporters.

But can they trust the Police to “hold the line”??

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

NEWS

9

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU-sponsored injunction to block recount has no merit – political parties …support calls for recount …concerned about separate storage of ballot boxes

J

oining the mounting calls for a national recount of all the ballots cast during the recent elections, eight political parties are contending that the injunction filed to stop the process has no merit.

The political parties calling for a recount are the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic, Change Guyana, The Citizenship Initiative, The New Movement, the United Republican Party, and the A New and United Guyana.

In a joint press statement issued on Thursday, the parties explained that there was an urgent need for a recount, arising from the unlawful and/or illegal actions highlighted by declarations from the Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo.

In fact, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh had committed to having the recount done under a Caricom-supervised process initiated by President David Granger and agreed to by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

However, this process was halted before it even began, firstly with several unexplained delays such as a fumigation exercise and then finally with an injunction.

The injunction was filed by an A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) supporter and candidate, Ulita

Moore.

The six political parties argue that the injunction has no merit.

They asserted that: “We feel strongly that the injunction is without merit as it seeks to undermine the clear statement made by the Chairperson of GECOM to have a recount of the votes, and the joint agreement signed by President David Granger and Opposition Leader, Mr Bharrat Jagdeo.”

As such, the parties have jointly or individually applied as respondents to the interim ex parte application granted

by Justice Franklin Holder, which is set for hearing at 09:00h today.

The parties made it clear that they were working for a peaceful and legal resolution to this situation and that they remained committed to respecting the results emanating from the recount, once done transparently.

“We call on all Guyana to understand that the political parties outside of APNU/ AFC are working for a peaceful and legal resolution to this situation and we remain committed to respecting the results emanating from the recount and for democratic norms to prevail,” the parties explained.

In underscoring the importance of a recount, the parties pointed out that other organisations, both regional

and international, have supported this cause.

According to the parties, these organisations include Caricom; the Organisation of American States (OAS); European Union; Commonwealth Secretariat; Carter Center, and their representatives: such as Caricom Chairperson and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, and other Caribbean Prime Ministers; US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch; EU Ambassador Fernando Ponz Cantó; UK High Commissioner Greg Quinn, and Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee.

Meanwhile, the political parties expressed concern over the absence of ballot boxes from specific districts at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

“At the time of writing of this press release, the Container with Region 6 Ballots and the Container with the Region 4 East Coast Ballots are not stored at the [Centre] in Liliendaal, where all the other containers for the other regions and sub-regions are stored. We urgently request that this irregularity be corrected immediately,” the parties explained.

When contacted, GECOM Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward explained that some containers were being stored at the entity’s head-

quarters at High Street.

But the parties contended that it was of paramount importance that the security of the containers containing the ballots be preserved.

“This is best achieved by all containers being stored at a central location and to permit party scrutineers to be on site and guard against any tampering with the ballot boxes,” they expressed.

Moreover, the parties say they have taken note of the threats of sanctions from the international community in general and the ABCE countries in particular, which can include personal sanctions against all those who participated in the process to un-

dermine democracy by acting outside the rule of law.

Additionally, the political parties said they “strongly support” the statement from the US Department of State which emphasised that the people of Guyana deserve a credible election and transfer of power that reflects the will of the people in accordance with the laws of Guyana.

On another note, the parties called on the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to act professionally to de-escalate ongoing tensions arising from the election process and to perform its duties in the best interest of all Guyanese.

General and Regional Elections were held on March

2, 2020 and to date, there has been no declaration of a winner. In fact, the electoral process has been marred by a number of irregularities, which some stakeholders argue are clear attempts at rigging.

Against this backdrop, the six political parties called on citizens of Guyana to remain “calm and peaceful” as these matters continue to engage the attention of the courts.

“We continue to work with the local and international community to ensure the recounting of the votes cast at Guyana’s General and Regional Elections held on March 2, 2020,” the parties said.

10 NEWS ExxonMobil taking precautions against coronavirus – Public Affairs Advisor FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…union calls for attention to be paid to gold miners’ COVID risks

ExxonMobil Public Affairs Advisor Janelle Persaud

W

ith five cases, including one death, of coronavirus confirmed in Guyana, employers including those in the extractive sector have to take measures. United States (US) oil giant ExxonMobil has said that it has taken precautions to secure the well-being of its employees offshore Guyana.

In an invited comment to Guyana Times, ExxonMobil Public and Government Affairs Advisor Janelle Persaud explained that the company was monitoring the situation closely. She detailed some of the measures that have since been taken.

“ExxonMobil Guyana continues to monitor this situation closely, and has implemented several measures to keep our entire workforce safe and healthy, including appropriate restrictions on business travel. We have well-established processes in place to manage impacts related to infectious disease outbreaks,” Persaud explained.

“Some of the measures being incorporated include minimising staff, enhanced screening, and temperature scans prior to going offshore.

As a further precaution, medical personnel onboard our off-

shore facilities will continue to monitor the health of the workers and provide appropriate treatment,” she added.

Meanwhile, a statement from ExxonMobil also spoke about its preparations against COVID-19. In the statement, the company said it was closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and has adjusted work arrangements to ensure a healthy work environment and support communities where it operates.

Exxon Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darren Woods had stressed that the company would maintain its ongoing commitment to safety and environmental performance.

“We are confident that we will manage through these challenging times by taking deliberate action to keep our people safe, our environment protected, and our company strong,” Woods had said in the statement.

Meanwhile, a union representing miners has urged that Government be proactive in protecting another section of the extractive industries.

In a statement, President of the National Mine Workers’ Union (NMWU), Sherwyn Downer noted the risk to miners and the need for attention to be paid to them owing to their remote locations and potential challenges accessing health care.

“The National Mine Workers’ Union of Guyana notes with grave concerns of the (cases) of positive COVID-19 virus citizens of Guyana and is calling for a national response from our professional health-care personnel who must be equipped with unlimited resources from the Government of Guyana to combat the COVID-19 virus.”

“NMWU is deeply concerned for the health safety

Union leader Sherwyn Downer

of mining workers across the mining districts in the industry and not just those who fall under our representation but all mining workers in the interior at mining companies and camps...in some areas, some workers have (limited) access to health-care services (and) communication.”

Downer, whose union was approved last year to represent workers at the Canadianowned Aurora Gold Mines, urged that health care professionals fan out across the various mining districts if need be to access such workers.

Since Guyana recorded its first coronavirus case on March 11, there have been four more confirmed cases.

Globally, the spread of the virus has resulted in more than 200,000 confirmed cases and 8000 deaths.

During a press conference on Tuesday by the ministerial taskforce dealing with COVID-19, head of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Colonel Kester Craig had noted that efforts would be made to have supplies and training made available to outlying regions. Specific mention was, however, not made of miners.

(Jarryl Bryan)

NEWS

11

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramjattan implies Granger stymieing recount …says Joe Singh wrong, party not hijacked

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

L

eader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), the minority party in the incumbent Coalition, Khemraj Ramjattan, has rebuffed claims by Major General (ret’d) Joseph Singh that sections of the party have hijacked the party.

In an open letter to President David Granger on Wednesday, Singh posited that the incumbent Head of State is “being manipulated by persons who do not have the best interest of our beloved Guyana at heart, and who are prepared to hold you hostage to their own evil intentions, and to manipulate you and the Constitution of this country to achieve their own personal and collective goals, unbothered by the catastrophic impact their actions to date are having on national morale; on the fears and anxieties of all Guyanese, whether or not they are supporters of your political party.”

Singh had gone on to say to the President: “You are at the crossroads, where you have to now choose between pampering a cabal who bode you no good and who certainly have neither the national interest nor your interest at heart. In their warped, self-centred way, they are manipulating the Constitution, the Supreme Law, and their allies in various national institutions and services of this land to serve their purposes.”

The letter from Singh, a former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force and Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), came on the heels of an independent high-level CariCom team abandoning the much-anticipated recounting process in Guyana.

After receiving a request from President David Granger, and with the agreement of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, had fielded a five-member team to supervise a national recount of the votes cast in the recent elections. However, the regional team was forced to withdraw their services on Tuesday, after a series of delaying tactics had been employed by GECOM and, finally, after the High Court had blocked the recounting process from moving forward by granting a series of injunctions sought by a candidate of

the APNU/AFC coalition putatively as a “private citizen”.

Since then, Granger has come in for mounting criticism over what has been described as a “duplicitous” move.

However, in response to Singh’s letter on Thursday, Ramjattan, who is also the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the Coalition, denied that the party has been hijacked.

“So Joe Singh…has already made up his mind that some faction of the party has hijacked the process from His Excellency. This is outrageous!!!... Unless I am behind the clouds,” the AFC leader asserted.

He went on to concede that while Singh’s letter was a “powerful” one, for him personally, the best policy and posture in moments like these is the “law and history”.

He went on to argue that there must be a “presumption of regularity” of what GECOM does, and, as such, the only recourse must be the filing of an elections petition after claims of irregularity.

He ignored that the CJ had already pronounced on this matter, which was now res judicata.

“We may suspect, have our concerns, be going crazy with what we believe might have gone wrong. But we have to believe until that presumption is rebutted. It is rebutted after an election ends and is completed by a swearing in of a President, and then by a Court with jurisdiction to hear witnesses, open and recount boxes…the whole gamut.”

The “lesson of history” he cited was the 1997 elections which were voided by then Justice Claudette Singh, but he failed to concede that the PNC‘s claims of PPP rigging were debunked by a CariCom forensic audit, and the election petition had to do with use of IDs in the election -something the PNC and the PPP had agreed on before the elections.

The AFC leader further appeared to be appealing to expediency when he predicted that, “This country will be in huge problems whichever party wins. And we must not abdicate any responsibility to ensure these problems are solved. The surest way there is is being guided by the law and lessons of history.”

While the incumbent leaders continue to display an adamant stance on the ongoing elections debacle, Guyana continues to face international condemnation over its electoral processes.

In fact, only Wednesday, The Commonwealth Observer Group announced that it has withdrawn from Guyana, citing serious and persistent electoral malpractice following the March 2 polling day and the failure of GECOM to stop the blatant disregard for the rule of law and electoral ethics.

The Observer Group, which was headed by former Prime Minister of Barbados Owen Arthur, contended that the tabulation process-

es conducted by the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, were not credible, transparent and inclusive.

The Mission noted that the series of events that the Group observed in the tabulation of Region Four results between March 3 and 14 are of grave concern, and pointed specifically to the failure of the RO to comply with the Court orders of the acting Chief Justice, Roxane George.

The Mission stated that even after the March 13 hearing, the RO refused all requests from those entitled to

Former Army Chief and GECOM Chairman, Retired Major General Joe Singh

be present to view the actual statements of poll, and did not display the spreadsheet being tabulated.

“This compromised the process of ascertaining the credibility of the statements of poll relied on by Mr. Mingo to tabulate the results; and, it was impossible for party agents and those entitled to be present to observe that the numbers being called out were being accurately entered on the spreadsheet. In multiple instances, the number of votes announced by Mr. Mingo on 13 March differed from those which had previously been agreed by all parties present during the first 4 March tab-

ulation process. In some cases, this resulted in tabulation totals reflecting more voters than were entered on the list of eligible electors for certain polling stations.”

According to the Commonwealth Group, at no point during all of this did the leadership of GECOM halt or rectify these blatant instances of disregard for the rule of law and electoral ethics.

Nevertheless, the Group commended Guyanese for exercising their franchise on March 2, noting that this constitutional right will only be respected when every vote is transparently and credibly counted.

12 NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana: Future leader or outcast?

By: Sir Ronald Sanders

G

uyana is in grave danger of being ostracised in the regional, hemispheric and global communities. As I write, the general elections, which were held on March 2, still have no final count, and certainly not one that international observers have declared as credible, transparent and lawful.

I have seen many comments, statements, and assertions from some who should know better, and those who seem to have adopted a herd mentality, that international approval is unnecessary and international disapproval; however, demonstrated,

is both unimportant and incapable of harming the country. Nothing could be further from reality.

Should the Guyana general elections be declared, and a government established, without the blessing of the international organisations that the government invited to observe those elections: Guyana could face suspension from the Commonwealth and from the Organisation of American States (OAS) – two of the most important organisations to which it belongs, for breaches of the Commonwealth 1991 Harare Declaration on the protection and promotion of the fundamental political values of

the Commonwealth; and the Inter-American Democratic Charter that guides the OAS. Once the machinery of the Commonwealth and the OAS are invoked – as it certainly will be – suspension of Guyana from the councils of both organizations will assuredly follow. The European Union will also take separate action that will be directed at suspending normal terms of trade, aid, and investment relations. The latter will have an immediate effect that will be immediately apparent in Guyana.

Of great significance is that both the Commonwealth and the OAS Observer missions were led by two former

Caribbean prime ministers, Owen Arthur of Barbados and Bruce Golding of Jamaica.

Therefore, those who look to racism to blame for positions of these organisations that don’t suit them, are hardly able to do so in this case.

And, those who might say that suspension of Guyana from the councils of the OAS and the Commonwealth is of no account, it is worth reminding that these two Organizations have been extremely important to Guyana in defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity in face of claims by Venezuela.

When Guyana does not have a voice in these Organisations, it is in no position to argue its

case and to secure the support it has received in the past.

Note should be taken that, in the OAS, the ostensible representative of Venezuela is Juan Guaidó’s nominee, and the opposition in Venezuela has been especially virulent in its claim to twothirds of Guyana. Therefore, in the OAS, Guyana will have left the OAS field clear for the Venezuela opposition to sow its seeds.

Similarly, if the Guyana elections are condemned by the international community, Guyana’s high moral standing in its case against Venezuela at the International Court of Justice, on the border contention, will be weakened.

Based on the recommendations of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group and the OAS Permanent Council, members of the 55 nation Commonwealth and the 34 nation OAS will be strengthened in taking any individual actions against Guyana that they consider appropriate.

Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, has already said that: “Individuals who seek to benefit from electoral fraud and form illegitimate governments/regimes will be subject to a variety of serious consequences from the United States”. That is usually the first step before the US unleashes sanctions against the operations of state-owned companies and their operations. Guyana would be hurt by actions taken against individual states from the EU, the Commonwealth, and the OAS. Sadly, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries – 12 in the Commonwealth and 14 in the OAS – that would normally defend and fight for the interest of Guyana, as they have consistently done in the past, will be estopped from doing so by the shabby treatment accorded to CARICOM in its attempt to help to resolve the general elections process at the request of both president David Granger and opposition leader, Bharat Jagdeo.

Current CARICOM chair, Mia Mottley, prime minister of Barbados, led a high-level team to Guyana of four other prime ministers that included three of the longest-serving leaders, Dr Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Keith Mitchell of Grenada, Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica and Dr Keith Rowley of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana’s immediate CARICOM neighbour.

In good faith, the leaders thought they had brokered an agreement with president Granger and opposition leader, Jagdeo.

Essentially, it was agreed that the tabulation process had been widely viewed as not

Sir Ronald Sanders, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London

being transparent or credible, and CARICOM was invited to supervise a recount as an independent body and one that wanted Guyana to come out of the situation, boasting legitimacy of the electoral process.

A CARICOM team, dispatched to supervise tabulation of the votes on March 15, was forced to leave the country after three days of patiently waiting in vain. Mottley was compelled to conclude that, despite CARICOM’s valiant efforts, “It is clear that there are forces that do not want to see the votes recounted for whatever reason”. She did not end there, she pointedly added: “Any Government which is sworn in without a credible and fully transparent vote count process would lack legitimacy”.

So, there is now the matter of what CARICOM will do. Given all these circumstances, it is unlikely to be business as usual with a government, established on the back of elections that are not deemed credible and transparent by any of the international Observers, including CARICOM. Even the continuation of the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana could come into question.

No one in CARICOM wishes this fate for Guyana.

At a moment in history when Guyana’s fortunes are set to be transformed by the exploration of oil and gas, all in CARICOM were looking forward to a vibrant Guyana, taking-up the leadership role it played in the Community’s original formation.

By the time this commentary is published in some places (it was written on 19 March), measures may have been taken to take the action necessary to tabulate the votes in Guyana through a transparent and credible process – with CARICOM re-invited to supervise it.

If that happens, Guyana will enjoy international respect amid its new-found wealth; if it doesn’t, the path ahead will be strewn with difficulties and hardships. (CNG MEDIA)

13

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Statement from the Commonwealth Observer Group to Guyana The Commonwealth Observer Group to the 2 March 2020 General and Regional Elections was constituted and deployed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, following an invitation from the Government of Guyana. The Group withdrew from Guyana on 15 March 2020.

It is the clear and considered view of the Group that the tabulation processes conducted by the Returning Officer for Region 4, Mr Clairmont Mingo, were not credible, transparent and inclusive.

The series of events that the Group observed in the tabulation of Region 4 results between 3-14 March are of grave concern. Specific issues include: • The repeated cessation of the tabulation process for a variety of irregular reasons.

• The Group did not observe any material or substantive impediments inside the tabulation room, which might have prevented the resumption of the tabulation process. It is the Group’s clear view that robust exchanges between political party agents in the room only occurred when the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) repeatedly halted the tabulation process.

• The unlawful declaration made by Mr Mingo on 5 March at about 2pm, despite the tabulation process being halted.

• The unlawful 5 March declaration of Mr Mingo was undertaken under heavy police guard; and his departure from the tabulation centre was guided and guarded by six police officers.

• The continued failure of the Returning Officer, Mr Mingo, to comply with the 11 and 13 March orders and judgements of the Acting Chief Justice. On 13 March, The Chief Justice made it patently clear that actual statements of poll should be shown to entitled parties present. For the avoidance of doubt, the Acting Chief Justice demonstrated herself how this should be done and enquired “what was the difficulty in doing so” during the contempt of court proceedings.

• However, on resuming the tabulation after leaving the Court on 13 March, Mr Mingo refused all requests from those entitled to be present to view the actual statements of poll and did not display the spreadsheet being populated. This compromised the process of ascertaining the credibility of the statements of poll relied on by Mr Mingo to tabulate the results; and, it was impossible for party agents and those entitled to be present to observe that the numbers being called out were being accurately entered on the spreadsheet.

• In some cases, the tabulation totals announced by Mr Mingo on 13 March reflected more voters than were entered on the list of eligible electors for certain polling stations.

• At no point did the leadership of the Guyana Elections Commission halt or rectify these blatant instances of disregard for the rule of law and electoral ethics, despite its vested authority to independently ensure credible elections.

14 NEWS NAMILCO advises customers to cease ‘panic buying’ of flour FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden youth critical after slamming motorcycle into house and I see a set of people running. And this lady over here she called me and she said, ‘Ulti, your brother!’ And I hear everybody start screaming and calling for me…. He lost control and he run into dem people house over deh,” she explained.

She said that after realizing what had happened, she sent her sister to the location; and she returned to tell her that their brother was lying out-

…says there will be adequate supply for normal demand

the time the young man crashed.

“The children were in the room and I was at the sink. So then I hear this big impact and the house shake.

So I wondering what happened…then I run out here. When I come outside, I saw him lying down on the ground and the motorbike into the house. It stopped there and he lie down off of the motorbike and blood start coming out he mouth and he body start twist-

The injured teen, Eon "Junior" Patterson

T

he National Milling Company of Guyana Incorporated (NAMILCO) has advised its customers to end their panic buying of flour, which has been prevalent among many households during the Covid-19 threats.

In a notice to the public, NAMILCO indicated that the hoarding of flour is not endorsed at this time. With the normal buying pattern, there would be a constant supply of Thunderbolt and Maid Marian products.

“Namilco is advising all customers and consumers that there should be no panic buying or hoarding of flour. We guarantee you that we have adequate quantities of all Namilco Thunderbolt and Maid Marian products, providing your normal pattern of buying is maintained. We also have adequate quantities of all raw materials necessary to maintain production,” the company stated.

Apart from this, NAMILCO have indicated that prices remain the same for their prod-

ucts, and implored retailers to maintain the same prices.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the virus, safety measures have been employed at the facility to ensure that staffers are kept safe from contracting the disease.

Presently, Guyana has recorded five cases of the Covid-19 virus. Ever since the announcement of the first case, Guyanese flocked the supermarkets and stores to stock up on food supplies, especially flour and canned goods. Items such as toilet paper and disinfectants were also flying off the shelves.

For two weeks, businesses will remain closed, hence many sought to buy adequate amounts of food supplies. This also limits their interaction and contact at a time when schools and other entities have been closed or have restricted their operations.

The panic buying of goods among the population has left many shelves empty, until businesses can restock supplies for their customers.

A

Linden youth is in critical condition at the Linden Hospital Complex after he lost control of the motorcycle he was riding and it slammed into a house at Block 22, Wismar, Linden.

This publication understands that the accident occurred at approximately 9:00h on Thursday a short distance away from his Block 22 home, and 19-year-old Eon ‘Junior’ Patterson was rushed to the LHC, but was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

When contacted, the young man’s sister told Guyana Times that she had asked him to purchase an item at a nearby shop, but she was unaware that he had intended to utilise her fiancé’ motorcycle, which was parked under the house.

She explained that it was not until shortly after he had gone downstairs that she heard him starting up the motorcycle. After some time had elapsed and he did not return home, the young man’s sister said, she started to call out for him.

“I stand up here looking to see where he deh, and I shouting for he, and me ain’t hear he answering. And I stand up down there, from here you can see the road, and I see he fly past with the bike. I said ‘Junior!’ I see he speeding...and all I hear is ‘bladdam’

The house into which the teen crashed

side the house in an unconscious state.

“He ride the bike and like he run into the house and fall down. He pitched off the bike and roll over and knock he head. At the said time it get a pickup that was passing, and dem boys flag the pickup and carry he to the hospital. They say like blood keep gushing out he mouth…”, she continued.

According to this sister, her brother was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, and she noted that if he had picked up the helmet from inside the house, she would have known his intentions and would have prevented him from leaving with the motorcycle.

Relatives of the young man rushed to the hospital following the incident.

Owner of the house, Marlyn David, related that she was inside the flat, concrete house with her children at

ing up. So then I hollered for help and the boys dem on the road come in and assist”, the woman related.

She also pointed out that this is not the first time an incident of this nature had occurred at her Lot 569 Block 22 home. However, she said it was the first time that the house was hit. She noted that given that the house is situated in an area where three roads meet, it has been subjected to several incidents involving speeding drivers.

When this publication visited the scene, spots of blood were seen in the yard along with fragments from the motorcycle. There was also visible damage to the bottom front of the house.

Police visited the scene and removed the motorcycle. An investigation has been launched into the incident.

NEWS

India calls for credible, transparent electoral processes in Guyana

A

nother one of Guyana’s major bilateral partner, India, has also joined those in the international community in calling for Guyana’s electoral processes to be credible and transparent.

This call was sounded

by Spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Raveesh Kumar.

According to reports coming out of New Delhi, Kumar said that they are closely following the developments in Guyana’s elections.

He was at the time responding to media queries on Guyana’s electoral fiasco.

“As a democracy itself, and a time-tested friend of Guyana, India would underline that it is important that Guyana's electoral processes are credible, fair and transparent.”

Moreover, the Spokesperson went onto say that it is in the interest of all parties that the elections are assessed both by the people of Guyana and the international community.

India’s External Affairs Ministry has direct responsibility for the High Commission office here in Georgetown. This is one of the few times the country has spoken out on Guyana’s domestic affairs.

The emerging Asianpowerhouse is currently funding several projects, including major infrastructural programmes such as the East Bank-East Coast Demerara bypass road project, here.

India is the latest of Guyana’s bilateral partners as well international and regional bodies that have called for the electoral process here to be conducted transparently to reflect the will of the Guyanese people.

Already partners like the United States have warned

Home of murder accused attacked by gunmen

T

Spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar

of serious sanctions should a new government be formed based on electoral fraud.

In fact, only Tuesday, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, warned that “individuals who seek to benefit from electoral fraud and form illegitimate Government, [or] regimes will be subject to a variety of serious consequences from the United States.”

Speaking at media conference on South American affairs, Secretary Pompeo noted that the U.S. has been closely monitoring the tabulation of votes in Guyana.

The US, he added, joins other international and regional organisations including the Organisation of American States (OAS), The Commonwealth, the European Union (EU) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in calling for an accurate count of the March 2 elections results.

Meanwhile, Guyana is already seeing the effects of the warnings from the international community. It has been reported that Norway has put the brakes on the release of NOK 393 million (US$36.2M) climate aid to Guyana in light of the current post elections chaos and fiasco.

Development Today, an independent online journal specialising in political, busi-

ness and environmental issues, reported the Climate Ministry in Oslo as saying, “No further decisions will be made on…planning or spending” of this money until a legitimate government is in place.

In December 2019, Government had announced that the remaining payments under the Guyana Norway Agreement to the tune of Gy$9.1 billion (US$50 million) had been released, but Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had tempered expectations by pointing out that Guyana will not have access to this money until after the General and Regional Elections.

Those elections were held on March 2, 2020 but the results have been marred by discredited tabulation of votes in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

This saw the intervention of the CARICOM Chair, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who fielded a five-member high-level team to supervise a national recount following a request by President David Granger and the agreement of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

However, the regional team was forced to withdraw their services on Tuesday after the High Court blocked the recounting process from moving forward.

15

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

he home of a murder suspect came under gunfire on Wednesday evening by several men who subsequently escaped in a waiting motorcar. The gunshots were discharged at about 20:00h at the Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) home.

Based on reports received, two men arrived in motorcar and opened fire in the direction of the house in a move suspected to have been a warning to the murder suspect, who is wanted by the Police.

The suspect is wanted for the murder of 33-yearold Keron Nicholson, who was lashed to the head with

Dead: Keron Nicholson

a piece of wood on March 7, 2020, and died while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

It was reported that on

the night of the incident, the suspect and the victim were engaged in a heated argument, while escalated to an altercation.

However, Nicholson reportedly left the scene and went to another location, where the suspect attacked him with a piece of wood.

Nicholson was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital, and was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he subsequently died.

His relatives have expressed some concerns that the Police failed to arrest any of the other men who were reportedly involved in the argument, to ascertain what had transpired.

Rape case aborted after accused commits suicide

J

ustice Simone MorrisRamlall was forced to abort a rape case in the Berbice High Court after the accused allegedly committed suicide.

Twenty-four-year-old Gavin Sammy Moonsammy, a lorry driver called ‘Anil’ and ‘Rastaman’, of Ankerville, Port Mourant Corentyne, had been on trial for the rape of a girl under 16 years old, but reportedly ingested a poisonous substance on Monday evening ahead of the finalization of his court hearing.

His grandmother Eena Moonsammy told Guyana Times that, at about 23:00h, she discovered him lying on the ground in a motionless state. According to her, earlier in the evening she had asked him if he wanted anything to eat and he had replied in the negative.

Dead: Gavin Sammy Moonsammy, called “Anil” and “Rastaman”

However, a few hours later, she heard him coughing, and as she opened the door, she saw him vomiting.

Family members had rushed to assist, but he did not give them a reason for consuming the poisonous substance.

According to his stepmother, Moonsammy had been with her for most of the

time on Monday, and he had not acted in an abnormal manner.

Moonsammy had been before the court for allegedly raping a 13-year-old. On Monday, the victim had testified as the matter continued.

Now that the accused has died, the trial has been aborted.

COVID-19 – The power to stop the Virus begins with you!

By: Tariq Jagnarine, MD, MMED Family Medicine, CCFP

A

t the end of 2019, a novel coronavirus was identified as the cause of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, a city in the Hubei Province of China.

It rapidly spread, resulting in an epidemic throughout China and is now a pandemic as declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO), affecting 170 countries and territories with 206893 cases and 8272 deaths to date (CDC STATS).

COVID-19 is not a new virus, the new strain of coronavirus is called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), previously referred to as 2019-nCoV. The virus causes coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19).

COVID-19 mainly affects: i. People who have serious chronic medical conditions like: • Heart disease • Diabetes • High Blood Pressure

• Lung disease ii. Older adults- 60+, 80+ (worst) iii. Young Children- 2% cases (3% critical) iv. Persons living with HIV v. Persons traveling to endemic regions Coronavirus is highly infectious, but the mortality rate is quite low. It is significantly less severe than 2003 SARS (MR: 10%) or 2012 MERS (MR: 35%) outbreaks.

The incubation period from exposure to an infected person is 2-14 days (WHO), with a mean incubation of 5 days. Recognising that the COVID-19 is an infectious condition, it can spread, directly or indirectly, from one person to another through various ways, such as: • Eye, nose, and mouth, via droplets produced by coughing or sneezing • Close contact with infected person • Contact with contaminated surface • Kisses, e.g., Mother to Child

• Pets (1 Case) Almost 80% of people have mild symptoms, such as Fever, Dry Cough, Shortness of breath, Fatigue, Sputum Production, recent travels from regions with COVID-19 and recover from the disease in 2 weeks. Most of the symptoms can be treated with timely medical care. Not everyone needs to be tested, only persons with these symptoms.

Once someone is suspected of having COVID-19 symptoms, contact the national COVID-19 Disease hotline on 227-4986 or 6243067, after which, the person will be screened by a medical team. If confirmed of COVID-19 via testing done only at the National Reference Laboratory, the infected person will be quarantined at one of the four designated quarantine facilities and receive readily available treatment and care. Currently there is NO CURE nor readily available VACCCINES, the treatment is symptomatic.

Popular Questions Asked i. Can Garlic Help?

• There is no science-based evidence that proves its ability to protect against the coronavirus 19. ii. Does Warm weather Help?

• Experts in the field suggests that heat and warm weather is likely to decrease the Spread of COVID-19 but DOES NOT PREVENT THE DISEASE. Temperature needs to be > 56◦C as in Steam Baths- Inhalation/ Sauna which helps to decrease the transmission.

• Corona virus can survives up to 8-10 hours over porous surfaces (like paper, untreated wood, cardboard, sponge and fabric) and a little more than this over nonporous surfaces (like glass, plastics, metals, varnished wood).

• Dies Quickly in the SUN and Hot surfaces. iii. Does everyone need to wear a Facemask?

• Not for everyone, only persons with suspected

Case or Health care worker dealing with suspected cases. iv. What Can I do to protect myself from COVID-19?

• Disinfect surfaces around your home and Workstations using any of the following: Bleach, vinegar, Alcohol (isopropyl), iodine, chlorhexidine, Dettol.

(IMPORTANT: Avoid mixing cleaning agents) • Wash hand often for at least 20 seconds using soap and water or alcohol hand sanitizers (60% -70%) • If sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth with tissue and dispose in trash bin. Also, sneeze or cough in the inside of your elbow and not hands.

• Avoid close contact with flu like symptoms (3-5 feet) • Practise social distancing • Follow no-touch greeting for no germs contracted. Prefer “namaste” or hand waving to handshake.

• Wear a regular face mask if sick with flu like symptoms or if taking care of

someone with flu symptoms • If you feel unwell, seek medical attention. If you have a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, stay indoors. Call healthcare professionals and follow their advice using hotlines • Do not share “just any forwarded message”.

Only share authentic information coming through medical experts While COVID-19 is worrisome, 80% of people have recovered from the disease without needing special treatment. All of us can be safe if we protect our loves ones and ourselves by practising social distancing and basic hygiene.

We are in this together, so let us do the right things with calm and protect and look out for each other.

Preparedness and not panic is key to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

For up-to-date information, visit the Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) coronavirus disease 2019 web page.

NEWS

16

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MoPH directives may exacerbate COVID-19 spread …colonial-era measures regurgitated T he Ministry of Public Health has been empowered by a gazetted directive from caretaker President David Granger to take several public health measures (PHM) to address the COVID-19 pandemic that has reached Guyana – in which 1 person has died and 5 persons were infected. However, there are concerns that several measures are not only antiquated, but can actually worsen the situation locally.

PHM, according to the Canadian Government’s response, “include non-pharmaceutical interventions that can be used to reduce and delay community transmission of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Implemented early, PHM seek to reduce the speed with which cases are occurring, to delay and to reduce the peak of virus

Caretaker President David Granger

activity in the community, and reduce the demand for health care services.”

However, it would appear that the Government merely regurgitated measures from the colonial era; more specifically, from the response that addressed the 1918 flu epidemic that

killed millions worldwide and 12,000 in Guyana. As such, the directive for the Ministry to “remove, disinfect and destroy the personal effects, goods, buildings and any other article, material or things exposed or thing exposed to infection from the disease” is

JFAP joins calls for recount of all ballots

JFAP Leader CNS Sharma

I

n a move that has been described as “breaking ranks”, the Justice For All Party (JFAP) – one of the five parties that make up the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) component of the incumbent coalition – has joined calls for there to be a recount of all the ballots cast at the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

“We believe that the recounting process should be permitted and ALL ballots should be immediately recounted in an expeditious and transparent manner,” the Chandra Narine Sharmaled party said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the JFAP, it stands for democracy and believes in the will of the people.

In fact, it is for this reason that its leader spent most of his life highlighting issues affecting Guyanese through his “Voice of the People” television programme.

This missive noted that Sharma and his wife, Savitree Singh-Sharma, the General Secretary of JFAP, both hold incumbent President David Granger in high regard. They believe

that he is a man of integrity hence he requested the high-level Caricom team to supervise the counting process, which has since been blocked by the High Court resulting in the regional team withdrawing their services.

Nevertheless, the JFAP leader contended the recount was a crucial step given all that has happened over the past several days.

On this note, Sharma posited that any party that wins the elections through a transparent process will have the support of JFAP. “We are uncertain of the party dynamics at this time, but we appeal to Mr Granger to do the right thing and allow the recounting process to be immediately completed to honour the will of the people of Guyana,” the missive from JFAP stated.

Sharma is not the only coalition stakeholder to speak out about the current electoral fiasco.

Last week, Executive Member of the Alliance For Change (AFC), the minority partner of the incumbent coalition, Dominic Gaskin, who had served as Business Minister between 2015 and 2019, questioned the credibility of the results for Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), which have been marred by allegations of fraud.

Gaskin, who is also President Granger’s son-inlaw, in a social media post last Friday said that “given all that has taken place over the last 12 days, I am not sufficiently convinced that the results of the Region Four elections as declared by the GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) RO [Returning

Dominic Gaskin

Officer Clairmont Mingo] last Thursday (March 5) accurately reflect the results recorded on the various Statements of Poll collected from the 879 Polling Stations” .

In fact, he surmised: “I have a difficulty accepting that all the persons and organisations who have so far deemed the process to lack credibility have somehow gotten it wrong. I have a difficulty understanding why GECOM, specifically the Region Four RO, would not be bending over backwards to convince the various observers that his tabulation process was sound and all his results credible.”

According to Gaskin, GECOM needs to publish its SoPs for all to see, otherwise, it can never hold credible elections in Guyana again.

Asked the following day about this statement by an Executive Member, AFC’s Chairman, Raphael Trotman, contended that it was Gaskin’s personal view and did not reflect the view of the party leadership or the “majority” of membership.

definitely irrelevant under the modern understanding of viral infections, which do not persist for more than a few days on surfaces on which the virus may have been deposited. In the present political climate in Guyana, it is also giving the authorities draconian powers that may be abused.

The second questionable measure was the directive to “restrain, segregate and isolate persons suffering from the disease, or who may, likely from exposure to the infection, suffer from the disease.”

While mandatory quarantine might be a response to asymptomatic high risk of exposure (e.g. close, unprotected contact) this demands that there are facilities to isolate the individuals from each other, and have the support systems in place to take care of

all the needs of the quarantined individuals. At present, persons would be actually discouraged from disclosing their exposure to infected persons for fear of the substandard facilities.

In the absence of these, the authorities would merely be increasing the probability of these individuals infecting each other.

At this time, self-isolation

might be the best option, combined with education about hand washing, social distance, and recognition of the symptoms of the disease.

At this time, the authorities should be ready to treat infected individuals medically with pharmaceuticals and anti-viral that have shown positive results clinically.

Counted ballots only way to end election uproar – PSC Chairman

…says "truth always triumphs"

C

hairman of the Private Sector Commission, Captain Gerry Gouveia on Thursday addressed the current elections debacle facing the nation, where he emphasized the need for a count of all ballots casted during the March 2 National and Regional elections.

Appearing on a live stream on his social media page, Gouveia indicated that this is the only way to return Guyana to normalcy and restore its democratic powers. Presently, with parties claiming their victories, he said this count will seek to reveal the actual winner.

“There is only one way this will end in Guyana.

The only way this will end is with the counting of the ballots in those boxes. That is only one way and we don’t know; I certainly don’t know who is the winner of these elections. Everybody thinks they will win. There is only one way we would know and there is only one way we will protect the truth, the democracy and return Guyana to a place like that,” he asserted.

He added, “Regardless of what anybody says, regardless of how long it takes, those ballots will be counted. And anybody that believe otherwise, that believe you could stop it, I would say you could run but you can’t hide…Anyone that argues against transparency in a democratic election cannot be on the right side.”

Zeroing in on the last three weeks, the PSC Chair said that there are forces acting against the truth, and this is being viewed internationally. According to

PSC Chairman Gerry Gouveia

him, the truth will come to light.

“There are some forces that is trying to take Guyana back into some dark times but the truth will prevail…If you listen to the people around the world talking about what is happening, you cannot not believe and you cannot continue to stand on the side of the forces that are against the truth. I’m not even talking about democracy. I’m talking about the forces of the truth.”

Speaking about the operations of the Guyana Elections Commission, Gouveia pointed out that there are persons imbedded in the secretariat whose actions have ignited conflicts and as such, they must be contained.

“The truth always triumphs. I don’t see this yet as a conflict between political parties. I see this as a conflict with GECOM. I see this where there are people in GECOM that needed to be corralled. We need to ensure that these people are contained,” he shared.

Mere hours after President David Granger and Leader of the

Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, inked an agreement to have a Caribbean Community (Caricom) team of specialists supervise a recount of the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections, an APNU/AFC candidate petitioned the High Court for any injunction to block the activity on Tuesday.

Stakeholders had expected this process to bring the delayed conundrum to an end.

On Tuesday afternoon, the high-level Caricom team along with SecretaryGeneral Irwin LaRoque, visited the GECOM Secretariat, where they formally withdrew from the recounting – a process which they would have offered oversight.

This was later confirmed by the Secretariat, which indicated via a statement, “The high-level independent Caricom delegation has indicated that they would withdraw from the process.”

The smooth elections process was railroaded into disaster after Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo started using a spreadsheet to verify the District Four data, instead of using the Statement of Polls.

guyanatimesgy.com

OILNEWS Major credit agency

slashes oil price outlook to reflect a record glut

F

itch Ratings has slashed its short- and medium-term oil price assumptions, expecting a record glut in 2020 that will keep the market off balance at least in the next two years.

Fitch slashed its average base-case 2020 price assumption for Brent Crude to US$41 a barrel from US$62.50 expected before the coronavirus pandemic and the OPEC+ deal collapse. For WTI Crude, Fitch now assumes an average price of US$38 per barrel this year, down from an earlier assumption of US$57.50.

In Fitch’s stress-case scenario, Brent Crude is expected to average US$36 a barrel while WTI Crude is seen averaging US$33 per barrel in 2020.

The enormous demand destruction from the coronavirus outbreak and the all-out oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia will lead to a massive record-breaking oversupply on the market this year, according to Fitch Ratings.

“This could keep the Brent price below USD40/bbl for the rest of this year, as the magnitude of oversupply in 2020 in various scenarios is likely to be much larger than the maximum of 1 million barrels a day (mmbpd) seen in the past decade,” the credit rating agency said.

Fitch sees the market gradually rebalancing over the next two-three years when demand would have recovered from the pandemic, US shale would have declined because of unsustainable current prices, and OPEC possibly forging a new deal as both Saudi Arabia and non-OPEC Russia would feel the pain from their oil price war.

“Both Saudi Arabia and Russia, the key parties to OPEC+, have fiscal break-even Brent prices above current market prices, at USD91/bbl and USD53/bbl, respectively,” Fitch said.

Apart from slashing near and medium-term price assumptions, the rating agency also cut its long-term assumptions “to reflect continued efficiency gains, low breakeven oil prices of many greenfield projects and a potential for demand to slow due to energy transition.”

For the long term, Fitch’s current assumptions are Brent at US$55, down from US$57.50 expected earlier, and WTI at US$52 a barrel, down from US$55 previously. (Oil Price)

Oil rebounds as Trump hints at intervention, but still 60% down

O

il surged the most ever in New York as the US President said he could get involved in the standoff between Saudi Arabia and Russia that has rocked crude markets.

US futures rose 24 per cent on Thursday, the most since trading began in 1983. Prices are still down almost 60 per cent this year, with the slide accelerating following a failed OPEC+ meeting in early March, after which major producers pledged to pump more in a battle for market share just as the coronavirus crisis crushes demand.

US President Donald Trump said he was searching for “medium ground” in the impasse.

“It’s very devastating to Russia, because the whole economy is based on that, and they have the lowest prices in decades,” he said. “I would say it’s very bad for Saudi Arabia.

But they’re in a fight, they’re in a fight on price, they’re in a fight on output. At the appropriate time I’ll get involved.”

“Trump getting involved was bound to happen with the existential threat to the oil industry,” said Walter Zimmermann, chief technical strategist at ICAP Technical Analysis. “This rebound may not have a future though unless Saudi and Russia stop digging their heels in.”

Despite the prospect of the US intervening in Riyadh and Moscow’s price battle, fears of severe virus-induced demand destruction loom. “I don’t think this is over yet,” said Bart Melek, head of commodity strategy at TD Securities. “Even if the Saudis cut here, it doesn’t matter much. We still have some very bad demand numbers because of COVID-19. Demand could fall 10 to 11 million barrels a day.” (Excerpt from Bloomberg)

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

17

Around the World

Coronavirus: Italy's death toll overtakes China's

C

oronavirus has killed more people in Italy than in any other country, after deaths there rose by 427 in a day.

The number of deaths now stands at 3405, which is more than in China where the virus originated last year.

There have been 3245 reported deaths in China, but there have been questions over the reliability of its data.

A lockdown imposed on March 12 in Italy has been extended beyond the original March 25 end date.

Nearly all Italians have been told to stay at home.

Despite these measures, the number of new cases and deaths has continued to spiral.

There have been 220,000 cases of the virus worldwide with more than 9000 deaths.

China confirmed it had no new domestic cases on Wednesday for the first time since the outbreak began, a major milestone.

But it reported 34 new cases among people who had recently returned to the country.

The number of cases in China – more than 81,000 – is still far higher than in Italy, which has 41,035.

Italy shut down most

A lockdown imposed on March 12 in Italy has been extended

businesses and banned public gatherings nationwide on March 12 as it tried to halt the spread of the virus.

Bars, restaurants and most shops have closed, as have schools and universities.

The lockdown has been extended, and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said it had helped prevent "the collapse of the system".

But he told the Corriere Della Sera newspaper that "we will not be able to return immediately to life as it was before" even when the measures were ended.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has launched an emergency €750 billion

(US$820 billion) package to ease the impact of the pandemic, with boss Christine Lagarde tweeting "there are no limits" to its commitment to the euro.

France began its lockdown on Tuesday morning.

It requires citizens who are in public places to carry official paperwork stating why they are not at home or face a fine.

Elsewhere, the number of deaths in Spain rose by 209 in a single day. The number of infected people there rose by 3431, reaching 17,147.

Spain is the world's fourth-worst affected country and is under nationwide

lockdown.

Germany has not imposed stringent measures, although it has closed schools and many businesses and public spaces. But a speech by Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday appeared to be a final warning to avoid mandatory lockdowns.

In other developments, Asian countries such as South Korea, China and Singapore were told to expect a second wave of infections from people returning home In hard-hit Iran, the authorities urged people to stay home for Nowruz (Persian New Year) instead of going to public celebrations Meanwhile, Australia and New Zealand closed their borders to non-residents.

EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier tested positive for virus, but said he was "doing well and in good spirits" US President Donald Trump signed a US$100 billion bill to cover free testing and some paid sick leave, and said he would move to rush the development of treatments "as fast as it can possibly be done". (Excerpt from BBC News)

Coronavirus: Iran told to take threat seriously as death toll passes 1000

T

he official death toll in Iran from the coronavirus disease has risen to 1135, after 147 new deaths were reported in the past 24 hours.

Another 1192 cases have also been confirmed, bringing the total to 17,361 - the third highest in the world.

Despite that, the Deputy Health Minister warned that some Iranians

were still not taking the disease seriously.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Middle East chief has called on countries to share more information.

Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari said the agency's teams had observed "uneven approaches across the region", adding that much more ought to be done.

"The countries that

have made the most progress are those that have engaged all ministries and sectors effectively," he told a briefing in Cairo.

"They are the ones that are providing accurate, transparent and timely information for their people about the current status of the pandemic, the actions being taken, and the measures individuals can take themselves."

He warned that the disease could only be controlled if experts had the information that allowed them to understand its dynamics in the region.

"Unfortunately, even today, as the situation is becoming critical, information on cases is insufficiently communicated by countries to WHO," he said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Rich nations pump aid 4 men executed for 2012 into battered economy Delhi bus rape and murder

F

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned that a global recession, “perhaps of record dimensions”, was a near certainty

T

he world’s richest nations poured unprecedented aid into the global economy on Thursday as coronavirus cases ballooned in the new epicentre Europe, with the number of deaths in Italy outstripping those in mainland China, where the virus originated.

With over 236,000 infections and more than 9700

deaths, the epidemic has stunned the world and drawn comparisons with painful periods such as World War Two, the 2008 financial crisis and the 1918 Spanish flu.

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned that a global recession, “perhaps of record dimensions”, was a near certainty.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

our men convicted of the gang rape and murder of a student in Delhi in 2012 have been hanged.

Akshay Thakur, Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta and Mukesh Singh were sentenced to death by a trial court in 2013.

The four were hanged in the capital’s high-security Tihar prison in the first executions in India since 2015.

The victim died from her injuries days after being raped by six men on a moving bus. The incident caused outrage and led to new anti-rape laws in India.

The 23-year-old physiotherapy student was dubbed Nirbhaya – the fearless one – by the press as she could not be named under Indian law.

Six people were arrested for the attack. One of them, Ram Singh, was found dead in jail in March 2013, having apparently taken his own life.

Another, who was 17 at the time of the attack, was released in 2015 after serving three years in a reform facility – the maximum term possible for a juvenile in India. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

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FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

A problem with a loved one will add to your responsibilities. Use good judgment -- if something doesn’t sound correct, do your due diligence before you get involved.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Put in the time and reap the rewards. Don’t expect to get help from someone who talks big but does little. If you run the show, you will be successful.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Take a moment to gather your thoughts. Taking a spa day or attending an event that will take your mind off stressful situations will give you a chance to reflect and put things in perspective.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Memories will prompt you to visit an old, familiar place. If you want something, ask for it, and if you don’t like something, say so.

Honesty is in your best interest.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Say no to anyone trying to use you. Make choices that will bring about a positive change. A romantic gesture will bring you closer to a loved one.

LIBRA

If you explain your intentions, you will get the help and support you need to move forward. A look at different locations and opportunities will inspire you to make a change.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Take a closer look at an offer and what you have to do, and find a way to adapt your skills to fit the goal you have in mind. Present what you have to offer with finesse.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Spend time with people who are enthusiastic about the same things you are.

Love is prevalent, but it can also be daunting if you are feeling uncertain. Shopping will lead to a great buy.

You won’t be able to SAGITTARIUS please everyone, so take care (Nov. 23of yourself first. Consider Dec. 21) partnering with someone who is trying to do something similar to you personally or professionally.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR YESTERDAY’S PUZZLE AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Avoid a controversial topic with friends or relatives. Remain neutral and concentrate on what you can achieve. Being productive will bring higher rewards.

Romance is favored.

Emotions will be close to the surface. Refuse to let anyone pressure you into doing something that you don’t feel good about. You don’t have to impress anyone, so be true to you.

Listen more and say less. If you give someone too much personal information, they will use it against you.

Let your intuition lead the way when dealing with sensitive issues.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

19

Coronavirus: English football suspension extended until at least April 30 FA chairman Greg Clarke also expressed his concern that it might prove impossible for the season to be concluded.

However Brighton chief executive Paul Barber told the BBC that it would be "unjust" if runaway leaders Liverpool were denied the title, and suggested increasing the league to 22 teams for 2020-21.

Fifa has also established a working group to tackle the issues facing football as a result of the pandemic. The group will look at the international fixture calendar, and issues around player contracts.

Player contracts typically expire on 30 June but many leagues, if resumed, look likely to continue beyond that date.

E

nglish football will be suspended until at least 30 April because of the continued spread of coronavirus.

All games in England's Premier League, EFL, Women's Super League and Women's Championship, and all fixtures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, are currently postponed.

The Football Association has also agreed that the current season can be "extended indefinitely".

Under current rules the season had been scheduled to end on 1 June.

A joint statement issued by the FA,

'We could have finished our season'

Premier League and EFL expressed "a commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019-20 season" and completing all domestic and European matches "as soon as it is safe and possible to do so".

The postponement of Euro 2020 has opened up a window for domestic league fixtures to take place in June.

However, the UK government has effectively banned sports events for the time being by advising against mass gatherings.

Last week, West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady said the current season should be declared null and void.

Forest Green Rovers owner Dale Vince said suspending all professional matches on 13 March was a "mistake" because the virus had "barely impacted the country" by that stage.

"I think cancelling all games until 3 April was a mistake," Dale told BBC Sport.

"I think it was an error of judgment - there were a few cases in the Premier League of self-isolation.

"In that three to four week period we could have virtually finished our season playing Saturday to Tuesday.

"Instead of shutting down I would have doubled down and said let's play our way to

the end of the season as soon as possible because the virus and the rate of infection across the county is not going to get better in two, three or four months."

Forest Green are 11th in League Two, nine points outside the play-offs, and Dale has welcomed the EFL's financial effort to supports its clubs as "all good positive stuff".

"My appreciation is not purely personal at all. It is for the whole of the league, the whole of the EFL. It is a good thing," he added. "They have done the right thing for all of us."

Premier League Arsenal support the decision to further postpone play until 30 April, after their manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for coronavirus.

Since the confirmation of Arteta's illness, the club say their "training centres in London Colney and Hale End were closed for deep cleaning".

"We have now reopened with a small workforce to maintain the facilities and training pitches, while a number of staff, including Mikel and the men's first team squad, are currently isolating at home,?" said a club statement.

"We're pleased to say that Mikel is feeling much better. He's in good spirits, doing detailed planning with the coaches and speaking to the players regularly." (BBC Sport)

Tokyo Olympics chief attended meeting with official who now has coronavirus

F1 announces Dutch, Spanish and Monaco GPs are postponed T T he Dutch, Spanish and Monaco Grands Prix have been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, Formula 1 bosses have announced.

The first four races in Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam and China had already been called off due to the pandemic.

The sport's governing body, the FIA, says it expects the 2020 season to begin "as soon as it is safe to do so after May".

And it will look at "potential alternative dates later in the year".

In a joint statement with F1 and the race promoters, it said decisions were taken "to ensure the health and safety of travelling staff, participants and fans".

The decision comes at the end of a seismic week of developments in F1.

The season-opening Australian Grand Prix last weekend had to be called off after a McLaren team member tested positive for coronavirus in Melbourne and a total of 16 members of that team had to go into quarantine.

The decision to call off the following races in Bahrain and Vietnam followed within a few hours, while the Chinese Grand Prix had already been postponed in February following the virus outbreak in that country.

Since then, the sport has shifted its "summer break" forward to March and April to free up time to fit as many races into this year as possible once the season can resume, and the teams, F1 and the FIA have agreed to delay the introduction of a major set of rule changes by a year until 2022 to keep costs down.

A year has to have a minimum of eight grands prix to count as a World Championship.

F1 has a working plan to try to start the season with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on 7 June, but this may not be possible given the rapidly escalating coronavirus problem around the world.

Bosses are considering all possibilities - it is likely races will be run on a number of consecutive weekends, and be grouped together geographically as much as possible to facilitate that approach.

And some races are more likely than others to fall by the wayside as the calendar shifts.

The most vulnerable are the Monaco, Spanish, Brazilian, Chinese and Australian Grands Prix.

(BBC Sport)

Lewis Hamilton won the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix

okyo 2020 Olympics chief Yoshiro Mori attended a meeting on March 10 that included the deputy head of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) who tested positive for the new coronavirus this week, officials said.

Mori, who is 82 and has lung cancer, has not been tested because he has no symptoms of the virus and does not meet testing requirements, an official from Mori’s office said.

Mori and JOC deputy head Kozo Tashima attended a board meeting regarding the Rugby World Cup. Tashima tested positive for the virus on Tuesday.

At the meeting, about 60 people were in a room and Mori was seated about 10 meters away from Tashima on the opposite side of the table, according to Jun Kusumoto, a spokesman for the Rugby World Cup organizing committee.

Local health authorities have contacted those believed to be at risk of contracting the virus from Tashima but that does not include Mori, the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee told Reuters.

“He goes to hospital three times a week for dialysis, so if he develops fever or has other symptoms, a doctor will be able to test for it,” the official from Mori’s office said.

Doubts are mounting that the Olympics can proceed as planned given disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic but Tokyo Games and Japanese government officials have said the event will go ahead as scheduled and will not be held behind closed doors.

Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori speaks to the media

Hiroshi Iijima, deputy governor of Saitama prefecture, who also attended the meeting decided to self-quarantine and will not return to work until March 23, Ryoji Hiraiwa, a prefectural official said.

Iijima does not have any coronavirusrelated symptoms and tested negative after taking a test on Wednesday, he added.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met Mori on March 16, without providing details.

He did not directly address a question about whether Abe will test for the virus.

“Health centers are taking the necessary measures once people test positive for the coronavirus, including identifying who has been in contact with them,” Suga said. (Reuters)

20

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

England switching West Indies Test series to Caribbean "unrealistic"

S

witching this summer's Test series from England to the Caribbean is "an unrealistic option", says Cricket West Indies chief Johnny Grave.

The three-Test series, set to start at The Oval on 4 June, is in doubt because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Grave is reported as saying a switch was a possibility but he told BBC Sport: "I have not had any discussions with England over whether we can host.

"It would be strange that England can't have cricket but the Caribbean can."

He added: "Realistically, without knowing anything about pandemics, if England can't hold cricket then it almost certainly means the rest of the world can't hold cricket either. I think it is an unrealistic option."

Grave did say the West Indies are being as "flexible as possible" to get the series played.

The ECB will discuss the possible rescheduling of the season at a meeting on Thursday.

England's Test tour of Sri Lanka was called off last week with captain Joe Root saying the decision was a "relief" because players were distracted, thinking about families in the UK. The sporting calendar has been decimated by the pandemic with football's

General view of the olympic flame during the olympic flame handover ceremony for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics

T

Test Captains Joe Root and Jason Holder

European Championship one of many events already called off.

The first Test in London is set to be followed by matches at Edgbaston and Lord's starting on 12 and 25 June respectively.

"I have been in contact with [England and Wales Cricket board chief executive] Tom Harrison a few times over the last week," Grave said.

"The only discussions we have had are, in principle, having flexibility

over warm-up games, when the series would start and how many rest days [there would be].

"We have given the ECB assurances that we will be as flexible as we can.

We have not had any discussion about not playing them in June.

"We have not had any discussion about playing them later in the English summer. We have not had any discussion about hosting the matches here."

(BBC Sport)

Lord Coe says too early to decide on cancellation

I

t is too early to decide whether to cancel the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but "nobody is saying we're going to the Games come what may," says World Athletics chief Lord Coe. The International Olympic Committee has said the Games could still begin on 24 July despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Coe told BBC Sport: "Let's not make a precipitous decision when we don't have to four months out.

"If you had to ease that date, you'd have to ease it. Anything is possible."

Speaking on the Today Programme on BBC Radio 4, Coe, who was chair of the London 2012 organising committee, also said: "Events are changing by the hour but it is not a decision that has to be made at the moment.

"We're trying to manage the situation with the information we have but there is not a great deal of information."

The IOC says it held "constructive" talks with athlete representa-

Tokyo 2020 organisers receive Olympic flame for troubled Games

tives about the coronavirus crisis earlier this week.

President Thomas Bach admitted he was "confronted with many questions" over qualification and restrictions but insisted that "everybody realised that we still have more than four months to go" until Tokyo 2020.

The British Athletes Commission said on Thursday that the situation was "significantly impacting the preparation of athletes" for the Games.

"We encourage information to be made readily available and that timely decisions are made in the best interests of athletes," the BAC statement added.

On Thursday, Tokyo 2020 organisers received the Olympic flame in a scaled-down ceremony in Athens' Panathenaic stadium, site of the first modern Games in Greece in 1896.

The flame was then transferred into a small holder to travel to Japan on a special aircraft named 'Tokyo 2020 Go.' In a video message Tokyo 2020 or-

ganising chief Yoshiro Mori said he hoped the flame's arrival would help "shake off the dark clouds hanging over the world".

When asked about the prospect of pushing the Olympics back a year to 2021, Coe replied: "It seems on the surface an easy proposition but athletics has its worlds on that date, the Euros in football have been moved back a year.

"The sporting calendar is a complicated matrix and it is not easy to move from one year to the next. It would be ridiculous to say anything is ruled out at the moment. The whole world wants clarity; we're no different from any other sector.

"In athletics we've postponed three Diamond League meetings but not all, because we don't have to make that decision. Everybody accepts this is a fast-moving environment. I need to be careful I'm not removing the earning potential from athletes any more than I need to at this moment."

okyo 2020 organizers received the Olympic flame in a scaled-down handover ceremony in the Greek capital on Thursday, amid the coronavirus spread that has cast doubt on the global, multi-billion dollar event.

In a brief ceremony closed to spectators in Athens’ Panathenaic stadium, site of the first modern Games in 1896, the torch was received by Tokyo Games representative Naoko Imoto.

It will arrive in Japan on Friday and kick off a domestic relay on March 26, with the Games set to take place from July 24-Aug. 9.

A six-day torch relay through Greece was canceled last week, with the country largely in lockdown having recorded 418 cases of the virus and five deaths.

The scale of the spreading coronavirus, which has infected more than 200,000 people and killed more than 8,700 across the world, has forced the cancellation of numerous sporting events, raising concerns about whether the Olympics will be able to open as planned.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Japanese government, however, have insisted the Games will go ahead and have publicly rejected any talk of cancellation or postponement.

Greece’s Olympic Committee chief Spyros Capralos handed over the lit torch to the Japanese former Olympic swimmer Imoto in front of empty stands inside the vast 50,000-capacity horseshoe-shaped marble stadium.

The flame was then transferred into a small receptacle to travel to Japan aboard a special aircraft named “Tokyo 2020 Go.” Only a few dozen officials were allowed into the central Athens stadium as the country has imposed strict measures to contain the spread of the virus.

The eerie mood during the ceremony, which normally attracts thousands of Athenians and visitors, reflected the problems facing Tokyo 2020, with athletes and national Olympic committees questioning whether the Games should be held this year.

Despite the IOC’s commitment to the Games, several athletes have cast doubt on the quality of competitions in Tokyo, given that thousands cannot train at the moment due to restrictions placed upon them in many countries.

Tokyo Games chief Yoshiro Mori said in a video message he hoped the flame’s arrival would help lift Japan’s spirits.

“Tokyo 2020 commits to be in readiness for the Games as planned...,” Mori said. “The concept of the Tokyo relay is ‘Hope lights our way’. I hope that the light will shine on the hearts of people all over in Japan and that will shake off the dark clouds hanging over the earth.”

The plane carrying the flame will land at JASDF Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi Prefecture on Friday.

The domestic relay will start from Fukushima Prefecture, site of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, and will last for 121 days.

It is planned to end at the Games’ opening ceremony with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. (Reuters)

ATP and WTA Tours extend suspension until June 7 T he suspension of the professional tennis tours because of coronavirus has been extended to 7 June, ruling out the entire clay-court season.

The ATP and WTA Tours were already off until 27 April and 2 May respectively.

The extension covers joint tournaments in Madrid and Rome, plus women's events in Strasbourg and Rabat and men's events in Munich, Estoril, Geneva and Lyon.

All men's and women's rankings have been frozen until further notice.

On Tuesday, the French Open, due to begin on 24 May, announced it would move and instead start in September, one week after the end of the US Open.

Announcing the latest suspension, a statement from the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and Women's Tennis Association (WTA) said "now is not a time to act unilaterally, but in unison".

"The challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic to professional tennis demand greater collaboration than ever from everyone in the tennis community in order for the sport

to move forward collectively in the best interest of players, tournaments and fans," the statement added.

"We are assessing all options related to preserving and maximising the tennis calendar based on various return dates for the Tours, which remains an unknown at this time. We are committed to working through these matters with our player and tournament members, and the other governing bodies, in the weeks and months ahead.

"All decisions related to the impact of the coronavirus require appropriate consultation and review with the stakeholders in the game, a view that is shared by ATP, WTA, International Tennis Federation, All England Lawn Tennis Club, Tennis Australia, and United States Tennis Association."

Tournaments beginning on 8 June onwards are planning to go ahead as scheduled. Nottingham is due to host a WTA event that week, with tournaments at Queen's on 15 June and Eastbourne on 20 June.

Wimbledon is scheduled to take place from 29 June until 12 July. (BBC Sport)

Rafael Nadal has been regarded as the Clay Court King

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Road to UFC 249 gets tough for Khabib Nurmagomedov as AKA closes doors U

FC 249 has an undecided fate. UFC President, Dana White, has given the assurance that the show will happen. The venue is one of the many issues to deal with regarding the event. One half of the main event, Khabib Nurmagomedov, has bigger issues to worry about. He will have to find a new place to train as his gym, AKA, has shut down its doors.

The American Kickboxing Academy is where Khabib Nurmagomedov trains while he is in the USA. The message posted on the official website notified that the gym will be closed indefinitely. “We are following the mandates given by the country to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus”.

Khabib Nurmagomedov will, hopefully, battle Tony Ferguson on April 18th.

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Apply to Mima Décor, Lot 8 Sheriff St, GTown or mimadecor12@gmail. com (227-0186) Pump attendant-680-3863, Store helper-624-003, Driver for water canter-680-3863, Porter for water canter-680-3863, House keeper-624-0033 Call or Whatsapp One (1) General Domestic to work in the interior to cook, clean, wash, etc. Accommodation and meals provided. Please contact: 680-2702 Office Assistant - Maths and English required. Knowledge of Excel and Quickbooks would be an asset.

Apply to Mima Décor, 8 Sheriff Street, Georgetown, Or Email: mimadecor12@gmail.com. Tel: 2270186/227-0176 Pump attendant -680-3863 Store helper- 624-003 Driver for water canter- 680-3863 Porter for water canter- 680-3863 House keeper- 624-0033. Call or Whatsapp.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

swered regarding the event.

However, with his usual place not being available, Khabib will have to stir things up a bit in training.

Khabib Nurmagomedov isn’t the only UFC champion coming out of AKA. Former UFC two-division champion, Daniel Cormier, also fights out of the California based gym. He and Khabib are long time friends and

training partner. Also former UFC Heavyweight champion, Cain Velasquez, trained at AKA. It was due to Cain’s presence at the Heavyweight division that Cormier fought at Light Heavyweight. He did it so that he wouldn’t have to face his friend and training partner in the quest for UFC gold. This is the testimonial of the fact that the Academy houses one of the best relationships among professional competitors.

Apart from these, Luke Rockhold, Germaine de Randamie, Gray Maynard, Andre Arlovski and Lyoto Machida are other big names that have trained at the gym.

Khabib’s father believes that Tony vs Khabib can take place in Dubai. If that is the case, then Khabib will be closer to the fight location if he trains from his home itself in Dagestan. That was he can be under the tutelage of his father. Furthermore, he can have his father in his corner for advice as well.

Something he hasn’t been able to have if the fight takes place in the USA.

Former Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham dies aged 35

Authorising the Grant to me of a Money Lender License to carry on the business of a Pawn Shop at Lot ‘Y’ Blankenburg Public Road West Coast Demerara.

VACANCIES

21

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s the coronavirus flare-up keeps on grasping Italy, the family behind Ferrari F1 and its related organizations have declared a progression of measures to help with the emergency.

Above all, Italy is the second-most noticeably terrible hit nation on the planet with COVID-19. Moreover, Ferrari has just suspended all tasks at the processing plant in Maranello, including the F1 group.

Formula 1 groups are working with government and wellbeing specialists to build the stock of ventilators during the coronavirus emergency.

Ventilators help to supply more air to patients with breathing challenges. It is one of the impacts of serious coronavirus indications.

Most of the F1 groups are intending to work out ways to utilize their building offices to help the production.

F1 said the aim was to “provide as much help and assistance as we can”.

A spokesman said: “The F1 community is engaged in

T discussions with all the relevant stakeholders regarding this issue. We will provide further details in due course.”

The Agnelli family donates 10 million euros in support of the Covid-19 crisis. Ferrari, together with other companies from the EXOR Group, source and provide urgently needed medical equipment. Ferrari, EXOR and the Agnelli family united against Coronavirus.

The Agnelli family, who control the Ferrari F1 group and street vehicle business, just as the FIAT Chrysler organization and Juventus football club, have uncovered they will make a €10 million donation to the Italian Civil Protection Department, and a social help association called Specchio dei Tempi/La Stampa, to enable the two specialists to manage the wellbeing and social needs in the city of Turin and the district of Piedmont as the infection keeps on spreading.

The family’s organizations have likewise sourced and bought a sum of 150 ventilators, close by oth-

er clinical gear from different abroad providers. They are getting ready for their prompt air transport to Italy to ease the burden on the health administrations.

Moreover, they have given the Italian Red Cross and ANPAS with an armada of vehicles for the dispersion of nourishment and medication. It is for the debilitated, the older and individuals needing help across Italy.

“At a time like this, my gratitude goes first and foremost to Ferrari’s women and men. Who, with their tremendous commitment over the past few days, have demonstrated the passion and dedication that defines our marque,” said Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri at the time.

“Together with our suppliers, they have ensured the company’s production.

And it is out of our respect for them. For their peace of mind and those of their families that we have decided on this course of action. Our clients and fans are also top of mind for us at this time.”

(Essentially Sports)

he former Cardiff City and Aston Villa midfielder Peter Whittingham has died at the age of 35, the Welsh club have said. Whittingham had what South Wales police described as “an accidental fall” at a Barry pub on 7 March and had been in hospital with head injuries.

The former England Under-21 international started his career at Villa before joining Cardiff in 2007. He played more than 450 times for Cardiff and finished his career at Blackburn Rovers, whom he left in August 2018.

“It is with an immeasurable amount of sorrow that we must inform supporters that Peter Whittingham has passed away at the age of 35,” Cardiff said. “We are heartbroken. The news of Peter’s sudden and untimely passing has shaken us to our very foundation.

“Our love goes out to his wife, Amanda, their young

son and family. They are at the forefront of our thoughts and, on their behalf, we ask for their privacy to be respected at this unfathomably cruel and difficult time.

“First and foremost, Peter was a family man – and somebody who could light up a room with his sense of humour, warmth and personality. Then, as a professional footballer – as a Bluebrid – he excelled with talent, ease, grace and humility. Nobody did it better.

“The loss of Peter will be painfully felt by our city, supporters and indeed all who ever had the pleasure of knowing him. We love you Pete and your memory will eternally stay with us.”

(The Guardian)

Peter Whittingham

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FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Stalled preparations, bounce back and boss moves…

Forde speaks on effect of COVID19 on Gold Cup Qualifiers

By Jemima Holmes

T

he outbreak of coronavirus in Guyana has proven to be detrimental for many sports, by stalling local activities and cancelling international engagements altogether.

One fraternity that was preparing for an international stint, and an important one at that, is the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), whose officials were readying a team for

The Golden Jaguars’ local players while in training back in February (Jemima Holmes Photo)

the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2021 Qualifier.

Guyana’s journey to participate in their second CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament would have begun in Barbados on March 26th and then continued in their homeland on March 31st, with Guyana needing to supersede Barbados in order to go on to play the next leg of the qualifier.

However, that was brought to a sudden halt when COVID-19 made its grand entrance into the Caribbean region.

With cases reported in both Barbados and Guyana, and ports of entry being closed temporarily, the possibility of the Qualifiers being staged this month was completely quashed

by CONCACAF, who put all their tournaments on hold.

In this regard, GFF President Wayne Forde, speaking exclusively with Guyana Times Sport, disclosed the effect that this postponement has had on the preparedness of the Senior National Men’s Team.

“I think the cancellation of the upcoming Gold Cup Qualifiers has really affected the preparation of the National Team. Of course, the cancellation was due to the preventative measures introduced by FIFA and CONCACAF, which meant that we had to abort all training of the National Team,” Forde said.

Probed about the preparedness of the National Team, should the virus be contained and the climate in the Caribbean return to normalcy, Forde explained that the Golden Jaguars would need ample time to get back on track after the break they’ve had. He expressed confidence that FIFA and CONCACAF would be cognizant of this and make the necessary adjustments.

“We definitely would need ample notice once the corona issue is brought under control globally and nationally as well. At a minimum, we would need about 6 weeks’ notice prior. The team would not be match-fit, after being away for even one week, to be preparing for a home-and-away fixture as is with the case of Barbados.

“Even one week is too much for the team to be inactive, so we would need a minimum of six weeks to get the team back up to speed and at the required level of fitness before we can undertake that fixture,” GFF President Forde explained.

He disclosed that the members of the National Team have been instructed to train personally while they are not preparing in the team setup.

“All of the players have been given homework. They’ve been given a training regimen by our fitness coach Mr. Wilson Toledo, and it’s expected that they will have the necessary discipline to follow that programme over the next couple of days,” Forde disclosed.

The Guyana Boxing Association had last week found themselves in a similar position: with an international tournament being cancelled, and they having to deal with the

GFF President Wayne Forde

loss of airfares that had already been paid.

Forde shared that the Football Federation is conscious enough to make the necessary provisions so that they would not operate at a loss.

“Well, we have also paid for flights,” Forde said, “but we also approached the payment for flights in a very businesslike way, where we sat with the supplier and we negotiated terms. So, while we weren’t able to travel, based on the itinerary, we were able to secure the investment with the carrier, and we have up until one year to use it.”

In the face of all that is going on, Forde expressed genuine concern for the nation’s players, citing that the priority is for them to remain healthy.

“But the priority of course is for them to take care of themselves, exercise some of the preventative measures that the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the World Health Organization (WHO), have issued to ensure that they remain healthy,” he noted.

When the Gold Cup Qualifiers are eventually staged, should Guyana surpass Barbados, Guyana would then go on to lock horns with Trinidad and Tobago in order to punch their tickets to the 2021 event.

CARIFTA Chess Championships officially postponed at the Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, and had attracted about 125 players from 10 Caribbean nations, as well as Suriname.

The organizing committee is said to have been in contact with the principal stakeholders, who have expressed full support for the GCF’s decision and have agreed to extend the franchise to a later date.

In these championships, Guyana

T

he CARIFTA Junior Chess Championships have now joined the Track and Field and Swimming Championships in being cancelled in wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the Caribbean Region.

It had already been inferred that the Junior Chess Championships would be postponed or cancelled, but official notification

came on Thursday through a correspondence from the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), wherein it was declared that the tournament has been postponed until further notice, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The release noted that the Federation would be “monitoring the progress of the pandemic with the hope of soon seeing a downward trend in the infection curve.”

Hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) in association with the Confederation of Chess for the Americas, this tournament was scheduled to take place from April 10th to 13th

plans to field 100 players whose ages range from 6 years old to 19 years old.

These players have all been in training, or playing developmental tournaments for the past few months, and most of them are products of the GCF’s ‘Chess in Schools’ programme.

Formal training sessions over the past weeks have been cancelled, but the National Coaches have organized online training and tournaments to keep their skills sharp.

The GCF is assuring all sponsors, players, and parents or care-givers that the 9th CARIFTA Junior Chess Championships will be held in Guyana, and will be conducted with the health

and safety of all players, delegates and officials as the primary priority.

The Organizing Committee plans to use this time of postponement to review all arrangements; hopefully, attract new sponsors; and to provide extended training for the junior players.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

23

CWI/PCL Regional 4-Day tournament…

Pride delighted to be on top of 4-Day tree

Chemar Holder

By Brandon Corlette

F

or the past five seasons in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League

(PCL) Regional 4-Day tournament, Barbados Pride have finished as proverbial bridesmaids, in second position.

Pride have not won the Regional 4-Day title since 2013, because the fivetime defending champions, Guyana Jaguars, began their quest to sweet success in that season.

Despite Pride being the second-best team for most seasons, they have had the most players in the West Indies teams over the past seasons.

After eight rounds in this 2020 season of the Regional 4-Day tournament, Pride have looked a class above all, topping the points’ table with 134.8 points culled from six wins out of eight matches.

Pride’s most memorable win came against their arch-rivals, Jaguars. Pride defeated the Jaguars in their own backyard by a whopping 235 runs.

After that dominant performance, Pride Head Coach

CWI PCL Regional 4-Day tournament…

Blackwood, Permaul are top performers after 8 rounds

A

fter eight rounds of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional 4-Day tournament, Jermaine Blackwood and Veerasammy Permaul have topped the respective batting and bowling charts.

The Jamaican Blackwood, who has scored 768 runs, with the tournament’s high score of 248, is aiming to break into the West Indies Test Team for the England series. He has an average of 51.20, and has recorded six half-centuries.

Kyle Mayers is the second-highest run-scorer with 654 runs, while the ever-consistent Devon Smith oc- cupies the third spot with 649 runs, which include one century and four half-centuries.

Nkrumah Bonner is next in line with 523 runs, while rising star Joshua Da Silva of Trinidad and Tobago Red Force has 507 runs.

West Indies Test opener John Campbell has 491 runs, with two centuries, while Shayne Mosely has 490 runs. Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson has 472 runs, while Kraigg Brathwaite has 468 runs.

Other batsmen who have scored more than 400 runs this season are: Kaveem Hodge (454), Christopher Barnwell

(435), Keron Cottoy (432), Kieran Powell (429) and Jason Mohammed (424).

In terms of bowling performance, Permaul has taken 50 wickets, 14 more than the bowlers who occupy second position.

Permaul has a best bowling figure of 8-18 and a match haul of 15-77. He also has three 5-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls, with a stunning average of 12.98 and a strike rate of 37.2.

Right-arm fast-bowler Chemar Holder and leftarm spinner Akeal Hosein sit in second position with 36 wickets each, while Preston McSween has taken 31 wickets, and Kemar Roach and Rahkeem Conrwall have each taken 30 wickets from the five match-

es they played.

Other notable wicket takers are Keon Harding (29), Marquino Mindley (24), Derval Green (22), Patrick Harty (22), Anderson Phillip (21), and Nial Smith (20).

And Guyana Jaguars’ wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble has recorded the most dismissals, with 22 catches and five stumpings.

Emmerson Trotman, speaking exclusively to this daily publication, expressed great satisfaction with the team’s performance.

“We worked very hard all year,” he said. “We didn’t take too much time off in the off-season, we continued to practice after the last season. It is a fantastic feeling (the win). We deserve it, because we put in all the effort. I am happy for the young guys especially, who executed well.”

Further, he praised the captaincy of Test opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who has been cool and calm in executing his plans to perfection. With Pride finishing second best in previous seasons, Trotman noted, it is a nice feeling to be on top this season.

“We were flirting with the top spot for a number of seasons, and at some time the guys had to come through. They have been putting in that hard work,” Trotman explained.

With Kemar Roach being Pride’s destroying weapon against Jaguars with the pink-ball in hand, Trotman noted that Roach is simply a “pro”. He noted that watching Roach wreaking havoc with the ball was a pleasing sight. Trotman was also happy with Roach’s consis-

Barbados Pride Head Coach Emmerson Trotman

tency. The pacer was consistent in his testing line and lengths against the Jaguars.

The biggest find for Pride this season has been Kyle Mayers. The all-rounder has resurrected himself with the bat, scoring 654 runs, with two centuries and five half-centuries. He has a high score of 140 and an average of 50.30.

Meanwhile, Shayne Mosely has been a quiet performer with 490 runs, while Brathwaite has 468 runs.

West Indies wicket-keeper Shane Dowrich has scored 360 runs, while young pace sensation Chemar Holder has been

the man with the ball. He has taken 36 wickets, with three five-wicket hauls, while Kemar Roach has taken 30 scalps in only five matches. Keon Harding, another youngster, has taken 29 wickets. The fast-bowling points for Pride have been a huge bonus this season.

With two rounds remaining, Pride are expected to win the tournament, their having a lead of 40.2 points over their nearest rival. Trinidad and Tobago Red Force are is second position with 94.6 points, while Jamaica Scorpions and Jaguars are tied in third position with 91.8 points.

Kennard Memorial March 29 horse-race meet postponed Veerasammy Permaul

T

Jermaine Blackwood

he Kennard Memorial Turf Club’s grand one-day horse race meet, which was set for staging on March 29, has been postponed amidst the situation regarding the outbreak of the coronavirus and the political turmoil in Guyana.

Justice (retd) Cecil Kennard, who made this disclosure, has said he is looking to run off the event at a later date; and if the situation in Guyana improves, he would be hosting the event on May 31.

Six events would be carded whenever the meet is staged. The major event is the C & Lower race over one mile, for which the champion horse would be awarded $600,000. The fee for entry to this race is set at $73,000.

Kennard explained that the meet would commence with the combined K Non-Winner & L-Open race, which would be run over six furlongs, with the top horse receiving $120,000. Entry to that race is set at $13,000.

The second event on the card is the combined H3-Winner of One Race and the GuyanaBred Open category. This race will be run over seven furlongs, with the horse placing first being awarded $250,000. The entry fee is set at $30,000.

The third event on the card is the L NonEarners race, which would be run over five furlongs for the winner’s prize of $100,000.

The fourth race on the card is the J3 and Lower, to be run over six furlongs for a winner’s purse of $160,000. Entry to this event is set at $18,000.

In the Three-year-old Guyana- Bred Open race, which would be run over seven furlongs, the winning horse would be awarded $250,000.

Entry fee to this race is set at $30,000.

Sponsors of this meet include the following entities: Metro Office and Computer Supplies; Torginal Paints Inc; Dalip Trading Limited; Silvie’s General Store; Poonai Pharmacy, of Rose Hall Town; Rohan Auto Spares; Rohan Oudit; ANSA McAL, and Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL).

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Team Barbados Pride (Brandon Corlette photos)

Page 23

CWI/PCL Regional 4-Day tournament…

Pride delighted to be on top of 4-Day tree Page 22

Stalled preparations, bounce back and boss moves…

Forde speaks on effect of COVID-19 on Gold Cup Qualifiers

See story on page 22

CARIFTA Chess Championships officially postponed

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