Guyana Times Monday April 6, 2020

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Issue No. 4248

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

GECOM, APNU/AFC destruction of democracy: Day 35

GECOM can proceed with recount, but must supervise – Court of Appeal ...orders to be issued today See stories on pages 3, 7 & 9

– Let’s get on with it; this country waits – PPP Commissioner – Mingo should play no further role in electoral process – Nandlall

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Former GDF rank dies in motorcycle P10 accident

P15 Berbice pensioners feel brunt of increased prices

Fishermen escape quarantine facility Justice Rishi Persaud

Justice Dawn Gregory

Justice Brassington Reynolds

Father of 1 stabbed to death in Timehri Page 8

Grassroot mobilisation against COVID-19

Page 11

– coordinated by Nat'l COVID-19 Stakeholders Response Forum

“PNC diehards waging war of attrition” – fmr PNCR Executive Page 12

… says cabal does not care about sanctions, bent on retaining power

– MoPH withholding information from P7 Police

GPL worker dies after falling off transmission P8 tower

CDC commences distribution of relief hampers amid COVID-19 pandemic P13

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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, April 6 – 04:00h – 05:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Tuesday, April 7 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

GECOM can proceed with recount but, must supervise – Court of Appeal ...orders to be issued today

Monday, April 6 – 15:05h – 16:35h and Tuesday, April 7 – 15:55h – 17:25h.

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Low Tide: 09:14h and 21:36h reaching minimum heights of 0.50 metre and 0.41 metre.

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Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

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he Appeals Court on Sunday refused to grant the orders sought by lawyers for A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) candidate Ulita Moore, clearing the way for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to go forward with its recount.

Moore was appealing the Full Court’s decision to throw out the High Court injunction against the recount, which was granted

by Justice Franklyn Holder.

Moore and her lawyers were seeking an order from the Appeals Court setting aside the Full Court’s ruling.

They were also seeking an order reinstating Judge Holder’s previous ruling which had halted the recount GECOM was about to conduct. In addition, they were seeking costs.

Appeal Court Judges Dawn Gregory, Rishi Persaud and Brassington Reynolds, who oversaw Sunday’s matter, refused to reinstate those injunctions as sought by Moore through her lawyers.

However, Judges Reynolds and Gregory expressed the view that the Caribbean Community (Caricom) could not supervise the process as this arrangement would impinge on GECOM’s responsibilities.

The court also ruled that indeed, GECOM’s decision to have Caricom oversee the process is subject to review from the High Court.

However, the court said that the matter is not being sent back to the High Court in the interest of time and expediency. In addition, it was communicated that consequential orders will be issued sometime today.

No usurpation In an interview with the media afterwards, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who represents Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, expressed the view that they never argued that Caricom would usurp GECOM’s role. Rather, it was always expected that the arrangement would be a collaboration. He made it clear that GECOM now has a clear path to conduct a recount.

“Importantly, the re-

Justice Rishi Persaud

Justice Dawn Gregory

Justice Brassington Reynolds

count has not been stopped by the court. So, the recount is expected to proceed. The injunctions that were granted by Justice Holder, preventing the recount from taking place, were not resurrected by this court,” Nandlall said.

“The matter is also not going back to Justice Holder for his consideration. So, the matter has ended here.

And the only point the court made is that GECOM must be in charge of the recount and must not cede that responsibility to any other agency. It doesn’t mean GECOM cannot act in collaboration with other agencies. It doesn’t mean that observers cannot be present.”

“The court ruled that that decision, being in charge of the process, is one that is reviewable by the High Court. So far as GECOM, they interpreted the arrangement between

GECOM and Caricom as Caricom supervising the recount and GECOM playing a secondary role.”

“Of course, we disagree with that interpretation.

That was not the arrangement. The recount was always going to be conducted

by GECOM, but observed by Caricom playing a less than active role. That was the arrangement. And that will still be the arrangement, I hope, when GECOM decides to begin the recount.”

declaration. However, a second declaration was made by Mingo which again lacked transparency. A few days ago, Government-aligned GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander unsuccessfully tried to move a motion to have GECOM consider the final report with that second less than credible declaration.

According to Nandlall, GECOM has already discarded the declarations made by the ten Returning Officers and has decided to conduct a recount. He noted that all that is left is for the Commission to determine the logistics of the recount.

“There was a motion moved by Vincent Alexander for that report of Lowenfield, which contains the declaration made by Mingo, to be considered by the Commission. That motion was not passed.”

Declarations

As of March 8, GECOM Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield had prepared a final report based on the declarations made by the 10 Returning Officers (ROs), including Clairmont Mingo’s controversial declaration.

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, through a ruling, then invalidated Mingo’s

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 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

Keeping control: fascist style

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he news that the results from COVID-19 tests of our citizens must first be submitted to Volda Lawrence, the Caretaker Minister of Health, has been shocking enough. From the standpoint of lives being placed at risk when a critical diagnostic finding is kept from the healthcare professionals who are fighting a disease that can kill in a matter of days, to facilitating the transmission of the virus to spread exponentially, it is criminal in its impact.

This is a threat to our nation’s health that should not be taken lightly and Lawrence must explain the reason for the insertion of herself to the apex of the efforts to actually medically fight against COVID-19. Lawrence is bereft of any medical expertise. Why exactly would she need to have these test results?

But we do not expect Lawrence to reveal what was actually behind her decision, since this would blow the cover off what we only warned against in this space only yesterday: the PNC has reverted to form and is now openly firmly possessed of its authoritarian mindset. In his novel “1984”, George Orwell wrote expansively on the “compulsion to control” as the defining feature of totalitarianism. And control of information as its foundation stone: “The Party controls every source of information, managing and rewriting the content of all newspapers and histories for its own ends.

The Party does not allow individuals to keep records of their past, such as photographs or documents.” And as we are now seeing, the party will even control medical information to decide who will be saved or who will die.

Yesterday, we alluded to the control of information by Burnham’s PNC regime during the 1970s and ‘80s. But even with his controlling the economy by nationalising 80 per cent of the economy; wiping out the private business sector; the trade unions; social and cultural organisations and even culture, today the PNC represents a new and even more dangerous type of authoritarian control: fascism. We cannot fail to note the PNC’s open avowal of race-based politics – which it had practised since 2015 but insisted otherwise – following the election of March 2, which it is still in the process of rigging in broad daylight.

This sectarian orientation has been buttressed by massive spending on the armed forces and the bureaucracy, which are once again being deployed to impose “order” on the society through the doctrine of “Total Defence”.

The People’s Militia has been resuscitated and is at full strength of 1500 personnel distributed among the populace and ready at all times to be mobilised. But even more ominously, Granger has recruited retired army officers and placed them strategically in every government and state department, just as the fascists in Germany and Italy had done.

Consider the simple description of the essence of fascism and compare it to what we are seeing unfolding today: “Fascists believe that liberal democracy is obsolete and regard the complete mobilisation of society under a totalitarian one-party state as necessary to prepare a nation for armed conflict and to respond effectively to economic difficulties.

Such a state is led by a strong leader – such as a dictator and a martial government composed of the members of the governing fascist party – to forge national unity and maintain a stable and orderly society. Fascism rejects assertions that violence is automatically negative in nature and views political violence, war and imperialism as means that can achieve national rejuvenation.”

As with Burnham, Granger genuflects to the notion of “multi-party democracy”, but we now know this to be completely hollow, since like his mentor, he is prepared to rig elections to maintain power. While there may be other parties in the race, there is a wall that prevents them from ever reaching the finish line. What we have is a de facto oneparty state, which the other parties ironically legitimise.

Of what use are elections if the winner must always be the PNC? We could burn the ballot boxes, as one proposed.

We must focus on the silver lining Dear Editor, The coronavirus has brought global life to a near standstill – Disney is out of magic, Paris is no longer romantic, New York doesn’t stand up anymore, The Chinese wall is no longer a fortress and Mecca is empty.

Businesses and schools are closed. There are shortages of basic necessities, panic is being provoked amongst people, large gatherings have been cancelled (such as religious events, weddings, sports events, concerts), travelling is restricted, curfews are placed and it is obligatory for every individual to remain at home.

These advisories are unfortunate but necessary and requisite actions that must be followed in order to battle this widespread plague and rid the grave consequences that are occurring.

According to World Health Organisation/Pan American Health Organisation (WHO/ PAHO), COVID-19 has affected 206 countries and territories around the globe, attacking over a million people and causing approximately more than 60,000 deaths and counting. The world is left with self-isolation, a blunt tactic to slow the virus, potentially sparing the hospitals from catastrophic overloads of patients.

While it is natural to panic, do not allow fear to limit our attempts to battle this virus. Fear suppresses immune function by triggering stress hormones which will increase the susceptibility of viruses to attack our bodies. Therefore, precautions must be taken – stay indoors, do not be in close contact with anyone as this virus is so distinctive individuals do not know if they are infected until late stages when it has attacked or is attacking the lungs. Wash your hands with soap frequently, practice effective waste disposal, disinfect homes daily and be cautious when handling currency. Ensure you are having sufficient rest, practice personal cleanliness, maintain healthy diets by replacing fast-foods with foods containing vital minerals and nutrients that strengthen the body. Replace panic with reason and strengthen your immune system with enhancers such as Vitamin C, Zinc supplements, fever grass, black seed oil, honey, and citric fruits.

It is very important to note that disabled, asthmatic and HIV/AIDS-infected persons are at very high risks of suffering from critical conditions or even death if infected by this virus. These individuals have very weak immune systems which increase their chance of becoming susceptible to this life-threatening illness. It is vital that such individuals, especially those suffering from Rett

Syndrome, Autism and other disabilities, are safe, sheltered and offered support if necessary. Parents and family members must make it their primary duty to ensure safety and health measures are in place for themselves and loved ones. They should remain indoors and if deemed necessary to leave, they must make sure to dress in the protective wear (gloves, masks).

When individuals are trapped and silenced by a disability, they have no means of communicating their feelings, which makes it very difficult for this virus to be detected and before any treatment can be taken, it may be too late. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the Ministry of Health to share mitigation tips and protective measures for not only non-disabled individuals, but also older folks, pregnant mothers, children, disabled people, asthmatic patients and HIV/AIDS-infected individuals. Not forgetting, people with psychological/mental disabilities may be in particular distress due to this pandemic.

The Government of Guyana should ensure that mental health support services, personal assistance and physical and communication accessibility are in place for everyone. Guyana’s Government should advise and instruct people that this virus is not to be taken lightly and jokingly.

If the population is not concerned, we will have a repeat of events of previous plagues that happened in other countries, where the streets were flooded with dead bodies and the burial grounds were filled.

Considering the current state of our economy, we may never recover after losing hundreds or even thousands of our population. Guyana can never survive such a death-dealing virus, especially with the lack of treatment for infected persons as well as how carelessly and naively we are taking such a serious issue.

Even though our elections period has not concluded, the Government should channel their focus on the safety of our people and urge every Guyanese to stay away from crowds and gatherings.

They should reassure the nation that their safety comes first and the only way to rid this catastrophe is self-isolation and social distancing.

Additionally, just as shirts and flags were widely distributed during campaigning periods, they should ensure that basic necessities, hand sanitisers, masks, medications and foods are distributed to the less fortunate.

As a current Administration of Guyana, they should ensure that better treatments for COVID-19 patients are in place in order to safeguard the lives of our people.

Many Governments around the world have found

that the best way to prevent and reduce cases of this virus is not only to implement curfews but to order total lockdowns, where people are only allowed to leave for food, household items or medications. Such democratic Governments are making it their institutional duty to protect their citizens so that people with serious illnesses can seek medical care, and infectious persons wouldn’t pass it on. While Guyana may not be ‘a light switch’ that can easily be shut on or off, ceasing most human contact is the only way to eliminate this virus and to keep the population safe. It may be extreme and nearly impossible, but desperate times calls for desperate measures.

One of the most important things Governments can do to protect people during pandemics or crisis is to consult with them regularly to make sure policies meet their needs, for transparent Governments are essential.

We, as Guyanese, should isolate ourselves and maintain social distancing. We can all sacrifice shopping sprees, salon and spa days, clubbing/ partying, travelling and social mixing for the health of ourselves and others.

No one knows when life will be unfrozen or when we will be able to walk the streets without masks/gloves and relieve ourselves from the fear of someone sneezing or coughing around us. We must try as hard as possible to stay safe and pray, as prevention and prayer are powerful. There

will come a time when all of this will be a distant memory. There will be a ‘corona baby-boom’ because all the lovers were loving and there will be a rise of businesses because all the entrepreneurs had a moment of stillness to muster their creativity and innovation.

We will remember when we were given the opportunity to spend quality time with our families and loved ones because time stopped for us.

We will remember the time our health was our first priority and we will learn from that experience. Since we had no other means of coming together, we will remember the laughs and memorable moments we shared on social media. We will remember a time we took for granted the true heroes – doctors, nurses, attendants and ambulance crews, and how we have come to respect them. We will remember how we aided in the termination of the virus because we stayed at home. We will remember how we created a global community and we gave our earth a break, causing a decrease in climate change.

We will remember that there was a global rise in solidarity and while the streets were quiet, our homes were filled with love and laughter.

Although the situation is serious, we must focus on the silver lining, we are all in this together and after hardship comes ease.

Thank you, Hadiyyah Mohamed

APNU/AFC master plan to rig was GECOM Secretariat Dear Editor, GECOM is an autonomous body that was supposed to ensure that the March 2020 elections was being managed in a free, fair, transparent, and impartial manner. This autonomous entity has shown that nothing it does is in keeping with transparency or impartiality.

The present management structure at GECOM is being compromised and controlled by the APNU/AFC cabal and that was initiated with President Granger’s unilateral appointment of James Patterson that paved the way in the installation of all the “crooked manipulators” to be appointed in ensuring that David Granger and his cabal remains in power.

The appointment of DCEO, the PRO, etc and the gifting of millions to the CEO of GECOM are main reasons why it should be concluded that David Granger is in control of this perceived autonomous body, GECOM. The decisions and functions of GECOM over the last few weeks is a testimony that It is closely aligned with APNU/AFC, the signing of the Region Four declaration re-

sults by Volda Lawrence, the false declaration of 458 SoPs

by RO Mingo, the deliberate stalling of the recount by CEO Lowenfield until a court order was granted to APNU/ AFC candidate Ulita Moore, the snail’s pace of the modality for the recount, the refusal of GECOM to make the Sops public on the website etc.

The reality of getting a credible result in this election lies in the verification of the 458 SoPs that were left to be verified when Lowenfeild and Mingo introduced a fabricated spreadsheet.

How can everyone except the APNU/AFC agree that there were fabricated results in Region Four?

Granger and APNU/AFC have been surviving in power since December 21, 2018, through”judicial bullism”.

Suzy Kassem said “Our freedoms are vanishing. If you do not get active to take a stand now against all that is wrong while we still can then maybe one of your children may elect to do so in the future, when it will be far riskier - and much much harder”.

With regards, Zamal Hussain

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

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An open letter to Khemraj and Moses Dear Khemraj and Moses, It is with great remorse and through my long-standing friendship with you both that I choose to write to you regarding the ongoing electoral standoff in Guyana.

We have ploughed the fields of injustice and reaped the wrath of shameless electoral fraud; we have shared far too many moments in the political journey to obtain credible elections in Guyana for me to remain silent.

With utmost respect as a comrade in the struggles for free and fair elections and as a friend, nay, as a brother, the time has come for me to indicate you have twisted the very concepts of honesty we shared for decades.

Moses, my admiration for you took a nosedive in 2019 in the milieu of the NoConfidence Motion when, after acquiescing to the fall of the coalition, you performed a back somersault.

From savvy politics to peculiar math, you concocted an unheard-of formula con-

sisting of 32 ½ men rounded to a full man = 33; a majority is 33+1 = 34. One year later, wasting millions of Guyanese taxpayers’ money, it took 5 Judges in Trinidad to declare that 33 is greater than 32! To my brother Moses, I say “you cannot lead people out of bondage then chain them to deceit’.

Khemjaj, I recall around 2012 I attended a meeting (you were the main speaker) at the real estate office of the late Sankar Nirahu, one of the founders of the AFC, and rekindled my association with you. (Our first encounter was at the BO Adams Commission of Enquiry in the aftermath of the 1992 Elections). At that time many in the diaspora were very frustrated over the PPP’s governance and felt compelled to align with a new political movement, the so-called third force. I felt your movement would relegate racial voting to the sidelines, prevent highhandedness and abuse

of power and uplift Guyana to prominence from Third World status. I joined your party. It was a decision I regret.

Many persons became ‘aligned’ to the AFC and were inspired by regular visits by yourself, Nigel Hughes and Moses. Following the death of Sankar, my office became the prime location for AFC meetings and fundraisers; the highpoint being a huge 2014 Christmas party with Lenno Craig being the featured speaker. Even at that juncture, the concept of a coalition of forces with the PNC was unthinkable: in fact, you had insisted this would ‘make the AFC into dead meat’.

However, in February you (Khemraj) indicated a joining of forces with APNU in which the PNC was the dominant player, I disagreed but reluctantly complied; the main rationale being in your words “dem can’t run Guyana as dem please because the AFC will keep dem in their place!” I envis-

aged, with Mr Granger as the Presidential Candidate, the transformation of Saul into Paul the Apostle. I was wrong.

Through many fundraising activities, at my office, members’ residences and the culmination of the grand event with Granger and Moses, notwithstanding a crowd of PPP protesters, AFC gained support and millions of dollars was raised between February and May 2015. Such was my convictions that I abandoned my office and projects and rushed to Guyana to campaign for a change of Government in the hopes that we will see a better Guyana. I was wrong.

Today I feel ashamed as I reflect on the words in May 2015 of my poor, now deceased, mother: “Why you going to support these people who made me line up in hot sun and rain for oil and soap, don’t you have shame!?” “Son, remember tiger does get old but he don’t lose he stripes!” I did

not pay heed to her words.

My response was, “this is a different time, people can change”. I was wrong.

I know the humiliation you both suffered from Freedom House; I understand the venom you carry, but you cannot allow your personal feelings to stifle the duty you have to our country. Be guided by the immortal words of the great Mahatma Gandhi: I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.

Let not your personal aggrandisement obscure your higher moral values to collide with anyone to harm to our beloved country.

While no one person can change the tide of history, you have both time and opportunity to smooth and even prevent the impeding waves of scorn that will eventually become the hallmark of your life. There can be no compromise between good and evil. The quest for transparency today is no different from pre-1992, nor are the underlying prin-

ciples of truth and honour whether you stand in Robb Street or Sophia. Neither is it of any consequence if you wear yellow or green instead of red.

In closing, remember the immortal words of Ralph Waldo Emerson “We do not inherit this world from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children”. I ask of you: is the title of Honorable Prime Minister more meaningful than the quality of being Khemraj, a man of honour? Khemraj, I know you are waiting to embark on your Prime Ministerial maiden voyage, (if you get it) however, to sail on such a ship of deceit and thievery is selling your birthright for a mess of pottage.

Your mentor and predecessor embarked on the same journey in 2015 as the captain; today he steps off as a crew member. The same fate awaits you.

Sincerely, Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine

The law-abiding future Time for this sick joke to come to an end

Dear Editor, The APNU/AFC will never allow the votes in the containers to be counted. I have taken the time to listen to what the representatives of those parties are saying, and it is clear from word and action that they will not be moved to respect democracy and the will of the people as expressed on ballots will never be counted while there is breath in their bodies.

Where then does this leave Guyana and its law-abiding citizens?

APNU/AFC is engaged in a game of ‘hold me, loose me’ using the courts and a compromised Elections Commission Secretariat, these stars are never in alignment, now we can add COVID-19 and curfew to the group of impediments to a count. There is a reason for hope, however, after the marvellous Mr Mingo’s mysterious methodologies produced figures that gifted a victory to David Granger on March 13, he did not immediately move to be swornin as President; he declined to do so on March 14 and on March 15, Granger announced that given the claims of fraud, he had invited Caricom to supervise a recount. What then were the estoppels on those three days? There was no court case and I can assure you that had Mr Granger wanted to, a swear-in would have taken place, Chief Election Officer’s report and the GECOM Commission be damned.

Had Granger claimed that the Commission received the CEO’s report, certified the election and declared him the winner, and thereby provided him with the authority to be sworn, who would have been able to contradict him? And it what

fora? The only humbug was the little matters of recognition of his Government by other Governments and the actions of an enraged population. And here we are, dancing to Granger’s Cs, but for how long? Granger himself said, “The longest night is broken by the dawn” and I concur.

The civilised world is promising personal sanction to anyone who benefits from the electoral fraud; to those who are accepting contracts or in contact with the undemocratic cabal, a Caribbean phrase comes to mind “yuh can’t go crab-dance and don’t expect mud’.

In considering where this leaves Guyanese, I am minded of the tale of Saddam Hussein, the legendary strongman of Iraq. Faced with increasing suspicion of a nuclear weapons programme, Saddam was being forced to accept frequent United Nations inspection teams, given that no programme existed, Hussein should not have resisted, instead, he chose to stall, obfuscate, and even play mindgames, moving truckloads of equipment from facilities before inspections in full view of US spy satellites.

This all culminated in a destructive war against Iraq and with Saddam being pulled out of a hole in the ground and ignominiously hanged by the neck until dead in a subway station of a country he once ruled with more power than a king. This tale from a fellow ‘oil-producing nation’ is as instructive as it is cautionary; it is the best advice I can offer to the obdurate incumbent.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Dear Editor, It all started with the No-Confidence Motion on December 21, 2018, and persists to this very day, I speak of a Government that was defeated but refuses to go. With the passage of that NCM, Guyana should have had an election ninety (90) days after, which took us to March 2019. However, Granger refused to budge and held on to power illegally, only calling elections (after being pressured) one year later. The telltale signs were there that this PNC-led cabal was prepared to frustrate the democratic process to the very end.

Now, we did have General Elections on March 2, 2020, however, Guyana is still

without a constitutionally elected Government, reasons being that same illegal regime continues to foist itself on us. The burdensome legacy of a dinosaur leader continues to haunt us. Granger has been voted out of office but to date has turned up his nose on the democratic process that tossed him out.

The people of this country have shown by their ballots that they do not want a PNC Government to lead them.

Knowing this, he has embarked on that vindictive and spiteful route of trying every which way to stay in power. But with every costly legal proceeding (millions has been expended) he is rebuffed. When will this fool-

ishness come to an end?

When would this nonsense meet its final, is it going to end with a recount or is it going to be the much-dreaded sanctions?

Why should a country with such a promising future be burdened by a fossil?

Why should the progress of our country be hampered by an obstinate dictator? Why? These are all searching questions that we as a nation have to man up to. Are we going to roll over and accept an illegal regime and allow the dictator free reign or are we going to confront him with the firm resolve that the people’s will must be respected, which one of these scenarios? The law dictates

the latter case scenario must be fulfilled and that is what we are sticking to. With no backing away from this resolve, we demand that every vote be counted. Every last vote must be counted, nothing more nothing less.

So, Granger, this is it, we have gone way past the limit of our human endurance and we call upon you. In fact, we demand that you bring this sick joke to an end. Our votes have to be counted, every last one, and the new President sworn in. It is high time we bring closure to this chapter of dictatorship and usher in an era of peace and progress.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Why does GECOM have to recount all 10 regions?

Dear Editor, Why does GECOM have to recount all 10 regions? All they have to recount are the votes of the Polling Stations for which Mr Mingo changed the procedure. Then resume verification of the Statements of Poll, for which we have already paid GECOM to train and employ people to compile and reconcile transparently on Election Day, using the ballot security features, for which we also had to pay.

And who was watching the ballot boxes while the presumably trained Mr Mingo was committing his brazen errors? GECOM, who aided and abetted him?

Several times I submitted myself for training as a Returning Officer (RO) for GECOM and wrote exams.

I have said before and I say again, the results of those exams were denied me. I was once selected to be a Polling Clerk and was never ever selected again. I wonder what

training Mr Mingo had, what his exam results were like, and what the results of the other candidates were like.

I have been a long-serving educator in this country, including 21 years at the University of Guyana (UG) (from where I retired in 2003). While teaching large classes in Natural Sciences there I was told that many students were scared to be in those classes, because I insisted they demonstrate sufficient competence in the subject for them to be unloaded into responsible positions in society. UG always let them know their grades, and I afforded them the opportunity to know their marks and see where they went wrong so that they could become convicted of the right way to do those things. The Guyanese who submitted themselves to all educational disciplines afforded by the country ought to become convicted of the rightness of the election

results.

I was surprised that a David Granger-led Government could go along with these election malpractices. He had employed my services just before the millennium to get the phases of the moon for a heritage calendar he was publishing.

We did not have internet then, and available computers were not what they are now, but I delivered an accurate set of moon phases for the next year’s calendar to meet the printing deadline. I was the only person remaining in the country capable of performing calculations (and regrettably, still am, in these days of ready internet information) to generate such data. Mr Granger the scholar recognised my scholarship. Why couldn’t he overrule those in his parties that wanted to make us look stu-

pid in calculating a simple majority?

The same goes for GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander, whose erudition I used to value while on the UG Academic Board.

Surely Mr Alexander knows that the right thing to do is not to use the insufficiencies of the extant legislation to litigate political time, but to do what I recommend at the start of this letter. Come on gentlemen, restore democracy, honesty and decency, and retake your places as elder statesmen in Guyanese history.

Sincerely, Alfred Bhulai Still Local Election Observer Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI)

SEE ADDITIONAL LETTERS ON PAGE 16

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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

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Foundation

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

This is the first part of Social Studies Paper 1, 2012.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

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

SOCIAL STUDIES

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

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

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

Here is an example done for you:

1. The capital of Guyana is ANSWER SHEET (A) Linden A B C D (B) Georgetown (C) Rose Hall (D) Lethem A heavy black line has been drawn through the letter B on the answer sheet because Georgetown, the correct answer, is next to B.

5. If you make a mistake, erase the line cleanly, then draw a heavy black line through the letter next to the answer you have now chosen.

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

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

1. The Europeans came in search of a ‘Golden City’ called (A) Demerara.

(B) Georgetown.

(C) El-Dorado.

(D) Essequibo.

Use the caption below to answer question 7.

2. Plantation Northbrook was bought in 1839 by the (A) ex-slaves.

(B) white planters.

(C) Portuguese merchants. (D) East-Indian

immigrants.

7.

3. The currency used in Brazil is the (A) Bolivar. (B ) Pound.

(C) Guilder. (D) Real.

8. The green on our National Flag represents (A) agricultural activities. (B) mineral wealth.

(C) nation building activities. (D) water potential.

13. The ocean numbered 10 on the map is the ____ Ocean.

(A) Pacific (B) Atlantic

(C) Arctic (D) Indian

4. The capital of Haiti is (A) Bridgetown.

(B) Port-Au-Prince (C) Port of Spain.

(D) Castries.

9. Wearing a seat belt is a ___________________ rule.

(A) safety (B) workshop (C) health (D) factory

Use the logo below to answer question 5.

10. Which of the following natural disasters does not occur in the Caribbean?

(A) Earthquakes (B) Hurricanes (C) Cyclones (D) Volcanic eruptions

14. Ravi wants to open a business in a CARICOM member state and he is learning Dutch. It is most likely that he will do business in

(A) Haiti.

(B) Jamaica.

(C) Belize.

(D) Suriname.

Grow more Food Which of the following industries is involved in the campaign above?

(A) Tourism (B) Mining (C) Agriculture (D) Manufacturing

Study the map below, then answer questions 11, 12 and 13.

5. Which of the following institutions is associated with the logo above?

(A) CARIFI’A (B) Federation (C) CARICOM (D) United Nations 6. Guyan a ‘s immediate continental neighbour is (A) Colombia.

(B) Peru.

(C) Chile.

(D) Brazil.

11. The continent numbered 2 on the map is (A) Asia.

(B) South America.

(C) North America. (D) Europe.

12. The only English-speaking country on the continent numbered 2 is

(A) Brazil.

(B) Venezuela.

(C) Guyana.

(D) Chile.

Study the picture below, then answer question 15.

15. Which leisure activity is reflected in the

picture above?

(A) Basketball

(B) Football

(C) Hockey

(D) Rounders

Sports and Games

16. Which is not an over the counter drug?

(A) Alcohol.

(B) Marijuana

(C) Cafeine (D) Aspirin

Map of the World

Read the caption below, then answer questions 17.

GUYANA BUYS CARS FROM JAPAN 17. Which word best describes the activity mentioned in the caption above?

(A) Import (B) Export

(C) Barter (D) Exchange Study the map below, then answer questions 18 and 19.

18. The country numbered 2 on the map is (A) St. Lucia (B) Barbados

(C) Haiti (D) Grenada 19. The main export of the country numbered 3 is

(A) bananas.

(B) timber.

(C) sugar.

(D) petroleum.

TO BE CONTINUED...

NEWS

7

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Let’s get on with it; this country waits – PPP Commissioner

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he decision to recount all of the ballots cast in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections has already been made by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and a ruling by the Court of Appeal in the matter on Sunday now means there’s no legal impediment to this process beginning.

This was the summation given by the Opposition Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, in a public post to his social media account following the ruling by Court of Appeal President, Justice Dawn Gregory.

She was joined by Justices Brassington Reynolds and Rishi Persaud.

The PPP Commissioner reiterated that “it is, and always was, the intention for GECOM to be in charge and control of this process...the due process of observers notwithstanding.”

In light of the ruling, Gunraj is insisting, “let’s get on with it…this country waits.”

Gunraj’s sentiments were also shared by Presidential Candidate for A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Ralph Ramkarran, who in a similar post on Sunday following the ruling said, “the recount itself by GECOM has not been ruled unconstitutional.”

He observed too that a previous injunction granted

by Justice Franklyn Holder in the lower High Court against GECOM carrying out the recount has not been restored.

According to Ramkarran, “Confusing though it might appear from listening to the

GECOM’s PPP Commissioner, Sase Gunraj

decision, the majority of the Court of Appeal appear only to be saying that it is unconstitutional for Caricom to supervise GECOM in the recount and that Justice Holder has jurisdiction to enquire into that.”

The appeal being heard related to a ruling that had been handed down by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George in the Full Court to discharge the injunction granted to A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) candidate, Ulita Moore by High Court Judge Franklin Holder.

That injunction had prevented a national recount under an agreement that was brokered by the Caribbean Community’s Chairperson, Barbadian President, Mia Mottley and agreed to by President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

Justice Gregory-Barnes ruled that the appeal would be allowed in part in that it would be unconstitutional for GECOM to cede its supervisory powers over an election to anybody.

Moore in her chal-

lenge had contended that GECOM’s decision to do a recount was at the behest and supervision of Caricom.

According to GregoryBarnes, the High Court did have jurisdiction to hear issues related to decisions taken in regards to breaches of the constitutionally mandated procedures in the election.

GECOM’s Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh in her submission to the court, through Attorneyat-Law Kim Kyte-Thomas had said, “if the court grants the reliefs sought, it is contended that the court would be making decisions for GECOM, which is certainly not the lawful role of the court”.

In urging the court to set aside the APNU/AFC candidate’s request, she noted former Chief Justice Desiree Bernard in a related ruling had said: “In the present volatile situation, which pervades our country, no effort must be snared to assure everyone that the process was fair and impartial. Lingering doubts that hang like a Sword of Damocles over the head of

the Commission must be removed. Confidence in the electoral process must be restored.”

As such, Justice Singh has since requested that the “Court and the Commission should be permitted to execute its constitutional role and functions with or without the Caricom Agreement.”

Singh, in her submissions – a copy of which was seen by Guyana Times – observed that the most important order that was sought by the APNU/AFC candidate was that the recounting of the votes was unconstitutional and that the basis of the contention was that the Commission could not do so on the terms contained in an aide-memoire signed by the President and Opposition

GECOM’s Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

Leader, or at all.

She was adamant, however, that once there was evidence that the electoral process was compromised, to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance

with the provisions of the Constitution or of any Act of Parliament, the Commission is constitutionally mandated to intervene to ensure public confidence in the electoral process.

Fishermen escape quarantine facility – MoPH withholding information from Police

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wo fishermen who were in a quarantine facility in East Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have escaped and are on the run.

The men were reportedly part of a group of a five-member crew that Suriname authorities had dropped off at the Number 63 Beach.

The catch and equipment, inclusive of the boat and engine of persons found fishing illegally in Suriname waters, were also confiscated.

So far, two separate crews have been brought to the Number 63 Beach by Surinamese authorities as the country stepped up measures to prevent persons from entering the country.

The first crew of seven was located by local law enforcement officers and taken to a quarantine facility at Mahaica, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) but after the stipulated fourteen-day mandatory quarantine pe-

riod had passed, they were sent home.

However, the second crew of five was taken into quarantine at the facility at Rosehall, East Canje, but with the lack of proper security, they managed to escape.

The police were able to recapture three of the men who have agreed to return to the facility but two are still at large.

Presently, the facility is equipped with Police ranks who have expressed concern of not being provided with adequate protective gear.

Meanwhile, Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus has accused the officials at the Public Health Ministry of withholding information from them with respect to the COVID-19 cases in the region.

This was revealed recently when he was asked to provide security to the family members of Osa Collins

called “Dale Collings” who died from the virus. He noted that this request was made after the woman had passed and the family members had refused to follow the restriction rules.

The Commander said they were provided with updated information four days after the confirmation of the COVID-19 case.

“I am not preview to the information as to whether or not the person is indeed positive. I know there was suspected to be infected with the virus and the medical staff took her away to do their test but we were never informed afterwards if the tests were positive or not,” the Commander said.

However, the police are being called out to visit homes and carry out an investigation to determine whether persons who are suspected to be infected with COVID-19 are at home before medical personnel arrive to take them away.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Father of 1 stabbed to death in Timehri

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father of one was on Sunday morning stabbed to death after he was reportedly attacked by three men in the vicinity of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dead is Lawrence Raymond Benjamin, 24, of Ice House Road, Timehri.

Based on information received, Benjamin was stabbed at least three times – once to his neck and twice to his chest by his assailants. After the stabbing incident, Benjamin, the father of a five-month-old baby, went to a nearby shop and sat on a chair.

He was seen panting for breath and died subsequently. Althea McPherson, a sister of the dead man, told Guyana Times, when contacted, that she was at a friend’s house in the area

Dead: Lawrence Raymond Benjamin

when she received the news that her brother had been stabbed to death. She immediately rushed to the scene only to see her brother’s motionless body in an upright position on the plastic chair.

“All I see is blood oozing from his neck and his whole body was soaked in blood,” the grieving sister noted.

Upon enquiring what took place, she was told that her brother had a confrontation with the three suspects and one of them pulled out a knife and stabbed him.

She believes that although people witnessed the stabbing, they would not come forward despite the protection policies in place by the Guyana Police Force. In fact, she stated that there were CCTV cameras around the area.

She called on the Police to conduct a thorough investigation into her brother death. “Even if he troubled someone, they had no right to murder him,” she contended.

The young man was last seen on Sunday about 09:00h.

Before leaving

home, he reportedly told his mother “yuh gon cry fuh meh”. The sister noted that her mother did not bother to enquire what he meant since he left in haste.

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

He leaves to mourn his parents, seven siblings, five-month-old child, and reputed wife.

Meanwhile, Regional Commander Senior Superintendent Kurleigh Simon told Guyana Times that ranks are still trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together but are working with a few leads.

Investigations are ongoing.

GPL worker dies after falling off transmission tower

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contractor attached to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) met

Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Dead is 52-year-old Leon Adams of Tarlogie Village,

Samuel and a driver went to inspect the tower on Sunday morning.

The younger Adams mounted the tower first and when he was half way up, his father followed.

As he was making his way to the top of the tower, the now dead man lost his grip and fell to the ground.

It is estimated that he was about 150 feet up the tower.

An alarm was raised and the Police were contacted.

His grieving son explained that by the time assistance arrived at the location, his father was already dead.

He was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where doctors on duty confirmed his demise. Efforts to get a comment from GPL on Sunday were futile.

However, the Police have confirmed that the matter was reported and they have launched an investigation.

GECOM can...

Leon Adams (the now deceased man) on one of the towers recently

his death on Sunday morning after he fell off a transmission tower at Ithaca, West Bank Berbice, Region

Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Based on information received, Adams, his son

“So, we have passed that stage. So, there is no issue now about Mingo’s declaration of Lowenfield report. All those issues are behind us.

We’re now at a position of proceeding with the recount and what are going to be the rules to be used to conduct

FROM PAGE 3

the recount.”

Nandlall laid out his expectation for the recount, which is for it to be done in accordance with law, transparency and fairness. He said that once this is done, all the political parties will be duty-bound to accept the outcome.

Consequential orders

Meanwhile, Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, who represents Moore, could not say what their next step will be. He noted that this will be determined based on the consequential orders granted by the Appeals Court and as such, he related that they are in communication with the court.

“Because I believe it is necessary for us to understand what are the consequential orders that will be granted. Bearing in mind this is a partial appeal that has been allowed and what exactly is the ruling of the court.”

“Because in one interpretation it could be found that there are two decisions in our favour by Justices Gregory and Reynolds, which will have to be operationalised.

So, we have asked the court for an opportunity to consider what actually the court has ordered. But as far as it stands, the court has ruled that the [Caricom supervision] agreement is unconstitutional,” Forde said.

And the beat goes on…

S

…on the recount o, all Guyana waited with bated breath – no easy task in the age of COVID-19! – once again for a decision by a court, which your Eyewitness had assumed followed the rule of “never on a Sunday!” But here it was on a Sunday morning the Appellate Court did meet to consider the appeal of APNU Candidate Ulita Moore to insist that the Full Court was wrong to allow GECOM to go ahead with their recount, and moreso to allow her leader David Granger to agree with Bharrat Jagdeo to have Caricom “supervise” the said recount! Maybe it was because the governmental lockdown banned all church services??

Anyhow, thankfully, the Court allowed a sound feed so that all of us, having knocked off our bake-and saltfish with bush tea – could listen to the judgements. Judgement Day?? Your Eyewitness is once again not going to torture you with the details of the procedural questions of whether the lower courts of Justice Holder (High Court) or Full Court of Justices George and Harnanan had or didn’t have that critical power called “jurisdiction” to hear and pronounce on the cases they did.

It didn’t matter. ‘Cause while on one hand the critical casting judgement of Justice Gregory insisted that the Full Court was correct to rule that the recount could proceed – as did Justice Persaud and so carry the majority. By Art 162 and Art 62, GECOM’s omnipotent – can do whatever it wanted to ensure elections were transparent and fair!!

On the other hand, she gave jurisdiction to Justice Holder of the High Court jurisdiction to pronounce on whether Granger and Jagdeo’s agreement was kosher. Thing was – Holder hadn’t even considered the matter much less pronounce on it!!

But Gregory figured that since the matter had been raised by Moore in Holder’s court, then SHE would tell him what he should have ruled!! That is only GECOM can supervise its elections so that Caricom’s SUPERVISION was out!! This one kinda threw your Eyewitness for a loop – not only because Gregory was putting words into Holder’s mouth, but she was answering a philosophical conundrum that couldn’t be answered for millennia!!

To wit, if God (like GECOM) is omnipotent, why can’t he destroy evil (or in GECOM’s case delegate supervision)??

Gregory insists omnipotent GECOM can’t delegate however. So, does this mean God can’t destroy evil?? Well, we know he can’t, since it’s flourishing quite well, thank you – what with the PNC dragging this election count out till the end of never, and all that!!

So, in conclusion, Dear Readers, don’t get your hopes up on some quick resolution to our election crisis.

COVID-19 will be solved first!!… on the COVID-19 slackness One of the reasons why some countries have gotten ahead of the dreaded COVID-19 spike, is they reacted very quickly to impose restrictions on movement of the citizenry all the way to a complete lockdown. Simple as that. In any contagious disease, if you can’t get close to others, you can’t transmit or contract the germ! Also, while folks mightn’t take the order seriously at first, by the time the disease starts to really break out, they’d have fallen into line.

Simple?? Well, evidently not to this government. They dillied and dallied for an eternity, even as Rowley next door gave them cues, which they studiously ignored. Was it because he was miffed after he was lured to come to Guyana to break the Grangerian knot (of rigging) but was then taken for a ride – literally and figuratively??

Anyhow, we’re now finally in lockdown mode, but it’ll take a while before folks get serious.

They should imitate the former govt ministers – who’re all evidently in self-isolation!?! …but no CCJ appeal!!

The Appellate Court giveth while also taketh!! By giving Granger’s stalking horse, Ulita Moore, the crumb of “no supervised” recount, it took away her right to appeal to the CCJ! No 33 less than 32 dilemma!!

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

NEWS

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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mingo should play no further role in electoral process – Nandlall – calls for recount to be televised to prevent more controversy

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n the wake of the Appeals Court paving the way for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to proceed with a recount, lawyer for one of the litigants, Anil Nandlall has urged that Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo be excluded from the process.

Nandlall, who is one of the lawyers representing Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo in the matter, was at the time addressing the media following the Court of Appeal’s ruling on Sunday.

He pointed out that Mingo is at the centre of many of the controversies that followed the elections.

“I believe that Mingo has demonstrated to the world and to GECOM that he must not be part of any electoral process, ever again, in the history of this country.

He has tainted [the process] and the world saw him, declaring results from a piece of paper that bears no connection to the Statements of Poll and the ballots cast.”

“How can you entrust such an individual to be

Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo

part of the process again?

He is part of the problem; he is not the solution. We are looking for a solution. So, he must be removed, completely, from the exercise. That’s our position.”

According to Nandlall, Mingo is by no means indispensable since the Representation of the People Act provides for him to be replaced by his Deputy should the need arise.

“The law says that a Deputy Returning Officer can perform all the functions of a Returning Officer.

So, Mingo is by no means

or measure, indispensable,” the former AG pointed out to the media.

He also urged GECOM to consider televising the recount. While it would be unprecedented, it would also clear doubt and remove the uncertainty that has accompanied previous tabulations

by GECOM for the elections held over a month ago.

“One would expect that the recount process would be done in accordance with law, would be done fairly and transparently and be observed by all. Once that is done, then we all will be duty-bound to bind themselves to the outcome of the recount and the results.”

“I can’t imagine that we are going to undertake a recount and when the decision of the recount is disclosed, then someone has a problem with it… once it is done in a fair, free, transparent manner. That’s why we are calling for it to be televised. You can’t get fairer and more transparent than that.”

Nandlall described GECOM allowing Guyana and the world to watch the recount live as the hallmark of transparency and accountability. But he noted that Mingo’s role in the

process may lead to further controversy.

“We all know what aspect of the process is complained against. And it is only the tabulation of Mingo of the Region Four results.

No other part of the process is tainted,” the attorney-at-law explained.

After the General and Regional Elections were held on March 2, the tabulation process went relatively smoothly for all the regions.

That is, until the process started in Region four, the most populous region in the country.

Strange things began happening as the tabulation got underway at the Returning Office at Ashmins building, with Mingo complaining of feeling unwell and being rushed to the hospital, his staff refusing to continue the tabulation for various reasons, a GECOM staff being whisked away by Police after surreptitiously going into a room with a flash drive and computer and eventually, the count being suspended.

Mingo then returned with a piece of paper and declared results over the objections of all the party agents present. That decla-

ration was subsequently declared unlawful by the High Court, but Mingo would return to make another controversial declaration, this time at GECOM’s office in Kingston.

Prior to his second declaration, agents at the GECOM office complained of being impeded from observing the counting process. Mingo’s refusal to show agents the original Statements Of Poll (SoPs) is reported to have hampered the transparency of the process.

He then made his declaration and was whisked away under Police protection. Both of these declarations differed in numbers, were reportedly not tabulated from the official SoPs and have been rejected by everyone except A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).

A unified international community has already warned Guyana that it could be isolated and even sanctioned if a President is sworn in on the flawed results, resulting in an uneasy standoff between the international community and the Government.

10 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PSC writes Govt to remove VAT on medical items, food supplies …proposes financial relief measures

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he Private Sector Commission has proposed a number of economic relief measures which could be implemented by the caretaker coalition to cushion the impact of the coronavirus as the crisis deepens.

A correspondence was sent to Head of the National COVID-19 Task Force, former Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, highlighting key areas in which measures can be taken to relieve Guyanese, especially through tax waivers and suspension of financial household commitments.

In the list of noteworthy recommendations made to the caretaker Administration was the removal of mortgage interests and payments during this time, and to immediately raise the threshold to accommodate no taxation for employees earning $65,000 to $100,000 who were sent off the job.

Additionally, there were calls for a reduced spread at commercial banks, that is, the difference between the lending rate and the savings rate of interest.

With many persons asked to remain at home throughout the quarantine period, the PSA urged Government to consider the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on food items, detergents, mobile data services and household and medical cleansers.

Along with this, the document suggested a temporary removal of the requirement to pay income and corporation taxes upfront, an extension of deadlines

PSC Chairman, Captain Gerry Gouveia

for utility bills and hire purchase debts, reduced excise taxes on fuel, and emergency funding for small establishments or businesses at risk of closure.

For the medical sector, the PSC requested the removal of taxes on personal protection equipment such as masks, gowns and gloves; ventilators for hospitals, testing kits and PCR machines. This tax removal was also requested for fuel prices, so that the public transportation network can benefit from a corresponding reduction of fares.

The Private Sector body recommended that utility companies defer payments and/or reduce by 50 per cent; the suspension of income and corporation taxes until September, direct payment to citizens – unemployment payments or payroll subsidy, liquidity support for banks, loans and financing for businesses, administrative relief on statutory obligations, tax

measures to lower material cost for sanitisation and lastly, the encouragement to private stakeholders for the importation of masks, test kits and ventilators.

While it has been some time since these ‘urgent’ recommendations were forwarded to the caretaker Prime Minister, little has been done from the list to improve the current situation.

In a bid to mitigate the financial fallout from the coronavirus, which is expected to hit some households hard, the entity recently moved to set up a COVID-19 response fund. It was set up to assist persons in financial hardships and also to provide critical supplies to the population. It acknowledged the closure of several businesses and the growing public panic, which could lead to a

large number of persons becoming unemployed.

“As such, the PSC has taken the initiative to coordinate with its stakeholders and the wider public to gather donations to assist persons experiencing financial hardship,” the notice said, adding that monetary donations can also be made to a Demerara Bank account number 4023420, in the name of the Private Sector Commission of Guyana Limited - COVID-19 fund.

This decision came shortly after the PSC voiced concerns over the functionality of the high-level Task Force and disappointment in the coalition Government’s approach in dealing with the rampant disease.

During the first course of the epidemic in Guyana, some measures were taken by authorities to slow the

spread of the virus and provide funding to the Public Health Ministry. But little has been done to ease the burden of the common man, especially those that were forced to stay home.

These measures included the closure of schools and the Bank of Guyana interceding with local banks to make conditions favourable to allow customers to stay home and practice social dis-

tancing without a financial blowback.

In addition, the Finance Ministry had disbursed $120 million from the Consolidated Fund to the Ministry of Public Health.

This money was expected to go towards purchasing medical equipment to outfit quarantine sites and also to procure masks and oxygen tanks

Former GDF rank dies in motorcycle accident

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n ex-soldier was on Sunday morning killed after he lost control of the motorcycle he was driving along the Coverden Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

Dead is 33-year-old Dexter Cole, a father of one, of Dowding Street, Kitty, Georgetown. He was also a member of the Assassin Riders Motorcycle Club.

Based on information received, the accident occurred between 08:00h and 09:30h as the now dead man and a few of his club members were heading to Georgetown.

Guyana Times understands that the young man

Dead: Former GDF rank Dexter Cole

raced ahead of the group and from all indications, the front wheel of the motorcycle fell into a hole, thus caus-

ing him to lose control. As a result, he was flung off the motorcycle into the air and eventually landed on the roadway.

The helmet he was wearing at the time was not properly strapped on and as he went into the air, it fell off.

As he landed on the roadway, it is suspected that he would have suffered a broken neck.

His friends stood helplessly looking at him on the roadway as he was already dead. He was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where a doctor confirmed his death.

Friends of the dead young

man took to social media expressing their sadness and offered words of comfort to his family.

“Father I pray that you comfort his siblings and his mom and all his love ones, that are in shock and grieving right now. Comfort his many friends Lord God, especially those that were riding with him. They are a group of decent young men, who just went for a Sunday morning ride. Probably to ease from the stress of confinement and all the negatives flying around, who knows, but God you know and you’re still in charge,” one friend stated.

Tapping into private health sector to boost COVID-19 testing is needed – Dr Anthony

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ormer shadow Public Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony is calling for Government to tap into the resources of the private health sector to boost its testing capacity for COVID-19.

“We need the Private Sector to come on board and they need the Ministry to allow them - giving them the permission to go ahead so that they can add to the testing capacity of the country,” he posited.

Dr Anthony is one of the key stakeholders in the National COVID-19 Response Forum that was established by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to aid in the fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The Ministry had recently stated that efforts were being made to have the necessary lab equipment available in order to increase the number of tests being done.

However, Dr Anthony

Dr Frank Anthony

explained that many of the private hospitals and laboratories here in Guyana have the human capacity as well as the equipment readily available, as such, they just need to get the supplies in order to conduct tests for COVID-19 themselves.

According to Dr Anthony, currently, if any of these private health institutions need

a test conducted then they first have to seek permission from the Public Health Ministry, and some of these requests have been denied.

“So we have one public health lab that is supposed to be doing all the tests for the country and they’re not able to cope, and they get all kinds of restrictions. But here is it, the private hospitals and laboratories can do these tests and they’re not giving these people permission to do the tests. So something is wrong with that,” the former shadow Health Minister contended.

He went on to further lament the fact that private health institutions do not readily have access to COVID-19 test kits.

Dr Anthony stressed that these private hospitals must be able to get testing for the deadly virus done immediately since delays with this can endanger the lives of not just the patients but the medical professionals as

well.

“So that’s another bottleneck... either they have to send the patient to testing site at the Georgetown Public Hospital or if that person is hospitalised then they need to get permission from the Ministry to get a test kit, that is, a swab to collect samples from the patients,” he noted.

But even this process has more bureaucracies, the former shadow Health Minister stated. He revealed that when samples, even those from public hospitals, are sent to the State lab for testing, then a request first has to be made to the Public Health Minister’s office and only when permission is granted then the test is conducted.

Already, controversy has been raised over the fact that the results of all COVID-19 tests first goes to caretak-

er Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence before anyone else, including the doctors who requested the tests.

To end this, Dr Anthony asserted that the private institutions have to face more bureaucracies.

“So for the private hospitals to get the swab and the medium [to] conduct the test they have to make a special request to the Ministry.

But all of that will take substantial time - this could be hours or days for them to even get permission to get the kit to collect the samples. So there’s a big delay here especially a lot more for the private hospitals,” he

contended.

According to Dr Anthony, in both the public and private health sectors, people are not getting access to COVID-19 testing readily.

In its updates on Friday, the Ministry disclosed that a total of 83 tests were conducted. As of Saturday, Guyana’s number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus was at 24 with the number of deaths still four.

Guyana had its testing capacity increased to 1800 after a donation of some 1100 test kits from PAHO/ WHO.

NEWS

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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Grassroot mobilisation against COVID 19 – coordinated by Nat’l COVID-19 Stakeholders Response Forum

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n Tuesday March 31, 2020 the National COVID-19 Stakeholders’ Response Forum launched two campaigns- “stay at home/ self-isolation” and “everyone wear a mask”. This Forum which was started on March 28th by Presidential candidate Irfaan Ali established 4 sub-committees focusing on information, education and awareness; health and medical issues; resource mobilization and logistics, and, social, economic and financial measures.

A facebook account was launched on March 29th, 2020 Doctorsonline24hours on COVID-19 which continues to attract hundreds of people seeking advice.

Due to the pressure of time, we are grateful to Ram and McRae’s for their offer to manage our donations and accounts. Those persons/ companies who are willing to donate to the “wear mask campaign” and to acquire much need Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for health practitioners please send to:Name of bank: Republic Bank Account name: Ram & McRae - client account Account Number: 96235654299 Persons making deposits should retain a receipt

PPP members in Region Eight making face masks for distribution

and send it by WhatsApp or email it to chrisram@ramandmcrae.com as soon as possible after the deposit is made.

We also purchased, and, received some donations, of 100% cotton fabric, that has been distributed to community sewing initiatives in Regions # 1, 2, 4 and Georgetown, 5, 7 ( part of ) , Region 8 ( part of ), 9 and 10 (attached are photographs of women working voluntarily in a number of regions ) as well as to many individuals volunteering and the Guyana Prisons Service.

There were difficulties of reaching into some interior areas due to the cessation of scheduled flights, speed

boat and ferry services such as in Regions # 1, 2 and 9.

Despite these logistical challenges, we have been able to overcome them even though it slowed down materials getting into these areas as fast as we would have liked.

Individuals and communities in Region 3, under Irfaan Ali’s initiative, have been mobilized and have produced several thousand masks already.

Mr. Ali started distribution 2,500 over the weekend to Vreed-en-Hoop market and car park, and Canals polder, and Tiger Bay. This region is well organized and mobilized and will continue to distribute as masks are sewn. (photographs at-

Markets to be opened after sanitisation – Mayor

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he Mayor and City Council (M&CC) had announced that the reopening of marketplaces around the city will be possible by today after they were closed last week for sanitisation amid the COVID-19 situation.

Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Narine indicated via a statement that the closure was to facilitate the sanitisation of the area, as well as for the installation of hygienic facilities.

“This current closure will facilitate the sanitisation of the markets and the surrounding environment, sinks and other hygienic facilities will be installed and the space between stalls out-

Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine

be closed until further notice.

This included street vending, farmers, night sellers, snackettes and other categories of vendors.

Farmers were only per-

Bourda Market

side of the markets will be reexamined…Monday, April 6, 2020, is a possible date for reopening,” the statement said.

An issued notice distributed by the Georgetown municipality would have indicated that with effect from April 4, all markets would

mitted to ply their trade at the Stabroek and Bourda Markets on Friday from 07:00h to 13:00h.

At the Stabroek Market, this provision was opened west of the Guyana Fire Service; and over at Bourda, it was at the Merriman Mall

between Orange Walk and Light Street. No street selling was allowed on Sunday at the Albouystown Market.

But with this imposed timeline, shoppers have been flocking markets within these hours to purchase perishable items for the upcoming days ahead.

There have been confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (DemeraraMahaica), and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Since then, a list has been provided of all services considered essential during this time. These can remain open, and professionals falling into these mentioned brackets can continue to perform their duties: Caregivers such as nurses and home helpers; persons involved in collection, storage, purification and distribution of water for public use; hospitals, clinics and pharmacies; media and broadcasting services; medical and paramedical professionals.

Others include those individuals responsible for the handling or burial of deceased persons, or disposal of dead animals; disposal of sewage, garbage or refuse; security services (private); emergency first responders, the Joint Services; staff of pharmaceutical agencies; telecommunications providers; transport services and waterfront workers; supermarkets and gas stations.

tached) Region 6 is coming on board also by tomorrow. The balance of the materials for Region 7 and 8 are also being sent in. By these efforts alone about 27, 000 masks will be sewn in a week’s time.

As we obtain more donations and buy more fabric we shall continue to distribute to communities and sew masks.

We also want to acknowledge and thank the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the Muslim Youth Organization and the RC Church who are also contributing using their broad networks to also sew masks under the “everyone wear mask” / MaskUpGuyana campaign.

The Forum is heartened by the fact that many small non-governmental organizations have contacted us and joined the campaign and on their own they are mobilized to make their own contribution.

We are pleased to learn that Rotary International is globally supporting the mask campaign and will be

assisting the Rotary Guyana initiative of making masks.

This campaign can grow even faster if each of the 80 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils make 1000 masks with the resources they have available in their revenue.

These measures, we emphasize, do not replace social distancing of 6 feet apart, no any hand shaking or hugs, frequent washing of hands and cleaning of surfaces, and staying at home as much as possible only venturing out for essentials – food, cleaning supplies,money and pharmaceuticals.

Further we have purchased some 200 N 95 masks for health workers and will send these into outlying hospitals who have been working with very limited supplies. We expect more masks for health workers to arrive in the coming week.

We have produced several health infomercials on social media to educate and inform our people on how to protect themselves and their families, where to seek medical advice, how to donate, as well as providing a

pattern to sew a mask and guidelines on how to care one’s mask.

The Forum will shortly launch its social, economic and financial measures which it believes will bring relief to our people at this time.

Finally, the Forum is overwhelmed by good will from all quarters of people who want to help from across Guyana. This demonstrates that despite what many people think, and some even propagate, that we are a divided and polarized people, the response to this campaign once again shows that we as Guyanese can rise and work together to protect our people at this time against COVID19.

In the days and weeks ahead, we will be further challenged as the virus spreads. Last week and this coming week are critical to heighten the protection of as many people as possible and reduce the transmission in the future and help to protect our health workers.

Precious time was lost in the last 10 weeks since WHO warned about a new virus, later called Covid-19, however, if everyone stays at home and wears their mask when he/she steps out f their home, and wear it all times while out, at same time practicing the cleansing and sanitation required we can make a dent on those who will be severely ill in the future.

Over the next week and weeks to come, the Forum anticipates that new demands will arise and we will do our best to meet those new challenges to protect and care for our people and our nation during this terrible pandemic.

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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“PNC diehards waging war of attrition” – fmr PNCR Executive – says cabal does not care about sanctions, bent on retaining power

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ince the many controversies that accompanied the Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) declarations of results in Region Four, political analysts have criticised and theorised on the People’s National Congress (PNC) dominated coalition’s tacit approval of the results, in the face of international threats of sanctions.

Only the President’s son-

in-law, Dominic Gaskin, has broken ranks with the coalition to criticise the lack of transparency in the now discredited declaration by Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo. However, former PNC Member of Parliament and Executive, Jerome Khan has now spoken up about the situation.

According to him, PNC is not championing a transparent process because it

Former PNC MP Jerome Khan

has indeed been hijacked by die-hard members who are bent on A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) remaining in power, regardless of the price Guyana pays or how this is done.

“I have posited to my colleagues and friends that the current election impasse has evolved to a war of attrition between Congress Place and the rest of the world,” Khan said. “The group that Freddie Kissoon describes as the Burnhamite faction is real, they exist and they have taken over control of the PNCR, aided and abetted, by a compliant protege of the founder leader.”

Former Prime Minister and President Forbes

Burnham stayed in power from 1968 to 1985 through elections that many local and foreign observers described as fraudulent.

During that time, Guyana’s economy deteriorated and it was not until reforms from his successor, President Hugh Desmond Hoyte, that the economy began to recover.

According to Khan in a statement on Sunday, members of this ‘die-hard’ faction are adherents to a ‘Burnhamite’ philosophy and were prevented

by Burnham’s successors, Hugh Desmond Hoyte and Robert Corbin, from seizing control of the party.

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

“I am convinced that there will be further deterioration and the war of attrition will continue, to force some power-sharing arrangements. The most difficult question for all is whether the world would accept a small bunch of thieves

President David Granger is also the leader of the PNC

who have stolen the inalienable rights of citizens.”

Khan emphasised the importance of Guyanese being able to elect a Government of their choice, through free and fair elections. According to him, he has personally clashed with this cabal during his time in the party, because of his more democratic views.

“The supporters of all political parties will suffer. But the masterminds do not care and will continue to enjoy the good life. I do not have a crystal ball to predict how it will all end but I see the leadership struggle in the PNCR being played out on TV post [David Arthur Granger].”

Moreover, he noted that the talks now emanating from persons aligned with the party about power-sharing are tantamount to a smokescreen. Political analysts have already highlighted the timing for such calls, as APNU/AFC failed to advance power-sharing and constitutional reform during their four years in Government from 2015.

“You see, if your rights are stolen from you, it is tantamount of taking your life away; this is not any social interaction from which something positive can emerge, but equivalent of a bandit robbing you and then you have to agree to share with the robber in order to live in peace with the bandit,” Khan said in his statement.

“The mindset is to wage a war of attrition, observers have left, locals will get fed up, weary and abandon [the] cause. The region will hypocritically posit themselves as peace brokers and events like COVID-19 will shift focus to survival. This is not about Guyana but about a handful of greedy individuals who caricature Jagdeo as the enemy. If Jagdeo was not around they would have found another scapegoat.”

NEWS

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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CDC commences distribution of relief hampers amid COVID-19 pandemic

Trump seeks Modi's help to release hydroxychloroquine ordered by US to treat COVID-19 patients

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he Civil Defence Commission (CDC) commenced its national mobilisation of resources that will support vulnerable persons and communities during the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on Sunday.

The initiative was conducted at Plastic City on the West Coast of Demerara and Tiger Bay in Georgetown.

Director General of the CDC, Lieutenant (Lt) Colonel Kester Craig explained that as part of the distribution initiative, the organisation will be going from house to house in targeted communities.

This is in light of the month-long emergency measures instituted by the Public Health Ministry in

that the residents wait until we would have removed from directly in front of their house to pick up the supplies.

The supplies are expected to last through the one month, however, larger families will receive additional supplies once the numbers are pooled.

The Commission has also urged persons or businesses who are willing to make donations to do so at the CDC’s Headquarters at Thomas Lands, or make cash or cheque deposits into CDC’s Republic Bank account A scenes from CDC’s distribution 962356519938.

Meanwhile, donations teams and once they indicate the fight against COVID-19. can be broken down into food that they would accept the According to Craig, residents are being encour- hamper, it would be left at supplies, personal hygiene care, sanitation supplies, aged to look out for the CDC their gate or front door.

The hampers will consist and monetary support.

Last Saturday the CDC of food and cleaning essentials and the most vulnera- offered to deliver items that ble communities across the were sent by persons to their country will be targeted first. relatives in quarantine at no Craig said that the CDC cost.

Persons who were desirwill be going house to house in the targeted communities. ous of sending items to their “To ensure social distancing, relatives in institutional there will be no face to face quarantine or isolation were interaction between the CDC asked to do so through the officials and the citizens they Civil Defence Commission will be supporting,” the re- (CDC) Headquarters located at Thomas Lands, Thomas lease said.

The Director further said: Road, Georgetown.

This is due to the high “We are going to be blowrisk of exposure to families ing our horns and coming through the streets and the and friends of persons in insupplies are going to be left stitutional quarantine or isoat the gate. We are asking lation.

A representative of a family receiving their hamper

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump

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resident Donald Trump has sought help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow the sale of hydroxychloroquine tablets ordered by the United States to treat the growing number of coronavirus patients in his country, hours after India banned the export of the anti-malarial drug.

Trump said he spoke to Prime Minister Modi on Saturday morning and made a request to release hydroxychloroquine – an old and inexpensive drug used to treat malaria – for the US. "I called Prime Minister Modi of India this morning.

They make large amounts of hydroxychloroquine. India is giving it a serious consideration," Trump said at his daily news conference at the White House on Saturday.

India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade on April 4 banned the export of hydroxychloroquine and its formulations with immediate effect and made it clear

that there would be no exceptions.

Trump said he would appreciate if India released the amount of Hydrocoralline that the US has ordered.

"And I said I would appreciate if they (India) would release the amounts that we ordered,” he said, without mentioning the quantity of hydroxychloroquine that has been ordered by US companies from India.

With more than three lakh confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and over 8000 fatalities, the US has emerged as the global epicentre of the deadly coronavirus disease for which there is no cure.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended the anti-malarial drug for those involved in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of the coronavirus and also, for the asymptomatic household contacts of laboratory confirmed cases. (The Economic Times)

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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19

Drivers welcome TCL Guyana employees complain Guyoil's reduction about unhealthy working environment in fuel prices

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orkers attached to Mexico’s global firm CEMEX and its subsidiary, Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) Guyana Incorporated are dissatisfied with the manner in which the management is handling the COVID-19 situation.

The workers have contended that despite the company preaching about safety, it does not have a plan to deal with staff if one is to contract the virus.

“This is what they always preach throughout their operations and all of their plans. Now in relations to the coronavirus, we all know that it is a pandemic, but the Health and Safety Department has not [come] up with one single idea on how to protect the employees whether they are permanent or temporary on their facility,” one of the employees told Guyana Times.

According to the dis-

CEMEX and let we don’t bother to that,” another employee relayed to this publication.

Union

Mexico’s global firm CEMEX, and its subsidiary, Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) Guyana Incorporated Office in Guyana

tressed staff, the highest number of deaths is from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) where TCL’s office is located.

“We have been asking for nine days for the place to be sanitised, wash down and clean, but management paid us no mind. After that, the workers insisted that they wanted the place sanitise and we asked the workers to put themselves into two groups and the Union was called in after 10 years

of pleading. This is the first time the Union had to come,” the employee explained.

The workers are alleging that senior officials within the company are on rotation, but junior workers are not getting to tap into this option.

“The workers asked for a rotation, but the senior staff at the admin building is on rotation over a week now. When the Union [queried] they said that was the decision given to them by

Guyana Labour Union’s Trecia Hamer when contacted stated that they only received the workers’ recognition certificate a month ago and have not gotten into a state of bargaining, however, a team from the Union will be having talks with the company today since TCL Guyana has made a move to terminate the services of most of the staff who spoke out about the issues they are facing.

“Most of the staff that who spoke out on the issue they terminated their services using the COVID-19 as a means of termination and baring in mind, they also employed contracts in the position for persons who they sent home,” the Union representative explained.

Urban Life & MVP Sport Stores donate 5000 gloves to health workers

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opular local men’s store, Urban Life, and sports store, MVP Sports, both located at Giftland Mall, have thrown their support behind the Public Health Ministry’s effort to fight the current COVID-19 pandemic facing Guyana and the rest of the world.

The businesses have generously donated in excess of 5000 pairs of gloves valued just over $500,000 to the MoPH to be used by the frontline health workers at this critical time. The dona-

tion was handed over to the Ministry on Friday last.

Owners of the stores, Ian and Crystal Ramdeo said “We cannot begin to express our appreciation for the health workers worldwide, especially here in Guyana.

We are more than happy to help in assisting in their safety as they put themselves in danger on a daily basis in the battle against this pandemic. We feel that it is critical that the entire business community gives its full support to planking the curve in the spread of this pandemic.”

They noted that it is heartening to see that many have already started doing this and as such called on everyone to play their part, in whatever way they can.

“We urge all Guyanese to be responsible and follow the guidelines of local and international health organisations by staying at home and washing hands amongst other directives. We would also like to thank our customers for their continuous support which has made it possible for us to support this cause.”

The two men’s stores are

closed for the month of April with no income during this period.

The Ramdeos said their first priority was ensuring that their employees are taken care of financially and can stay safely at home for the period of closure, even if it extends beyond April 30.

The proprietors stated that in addition to this donation, they are trying to source surgical masks overseas which are in high demand worldwide, as well as support local efforts of persons producing masks by funding some of the materials for these.

One of Guyoil’s fuel stations on the East Bank of Demerara

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rivers welcome Guyoil’s reduction in fuel prices As Guyana Oil Company reduced the cost of fuel, drivers believe it is a timely move given the coronavirus pandemic.

The reduction in the cost for Super 95 gasoline, Gas Oil, and kerosene took effect on Friday. Guyoil attributed the reductions to the decline in the acquisition cost. There is a $71 per litre decrease for Super 95 gasoline, a $45 per litre decrease for Gas Oil and $42 per litre decrease for kerosene.

These reductions are applicable to all Guyoil stations nationwide. The cost for Super 95 gasoline has moved from $201 to $139, Kerosene from $142 to $100, while Gas Oil moved from $196 to $148.

Guyana Times spoke with minibus operators in Georgetown who said that the reduction was timely.

Joseph Marks, a driver who operates the East Coast to Georgetown route, stated, “This will really help us because it will take a lot off of our shoulders. This a

great move by Guyoil and the Government to reduce the price of fuel”.

Stephen Sam, a taxi driver, noted that he is thankful for the reduction since it will help him a lot during this slow period.

“Right now, nobody is really using cars, everybody is staying at home and all day we have to be driving around looking for fine work. But now that the fuel reduces we will be able to at least manage until this virus goes away.”

“This is good for everybody because of how hard the road is. The Guyana Oil Company has recently announced significant reductions in the cost of fuel, drivers believe it is a timely move given the coronavirus pandemic,” another driver stated.

The most recent price reduction was announced on March 18, 2020, while this new initiative reflects a 38 per cent discount overall.

Guyoil said that it hopes to bring significant relief to businesses, the public transportation network and families as the nation tries to combat COVID-19.

NEWS

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MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden RHEC Head dispels shutdown rumours Berbice pensioners feel

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he Region 10 Regional Health and Emergency Committee Head, REO Orrin Gordon has issued an appeal for residents of Region 10 to ignore the ‘shut down’ rumours that are being circulated.

He said that the RHEC has not met and as such, the Committee cannot support such a call. The REO who heads the RHEC, which was established by the Ministry of Communities said that businesses are free to close their businesses if they so desire but stressed that all businesses must be closed by 6 pm until 6 am the following day.

“We cannot tell businesses in Region 10 that they must close during the day, as there is no order that says so. As a matter of fact, our role is to support and endorse what the Minister of Public Health has issued, thus we will continue lending valuable support and assistance in this regard.

However, no person can instruct any businesses to close during the day as it is unlawful,” he warned.

REO Gordon said that while RHEC is aware of the intentions of some businesses to have a complete shutdown, this needs to first be discussed at the Regional Committee level involving the Chamber and other stakeholders. He further said that the Committee can make

Regional Executive Officer and Head of the Regional Health and Emergency Committee, Orrin Gordon

a proposal to the National Committee for consideration but in no way has the authority or mandate to limit the business hours for businesses operating from 6 am to 6 pm.

“We have received the order and we are seeking to provide support to the various items outlined and will support through the RDC, Mayor and Town Council and all other stakeholders,” he said.

He, however, dismissed the report circulating in some sections of the media stating that the lockdown comes into effect on Monday, April 6, warning that with the ‘misinformation’, it has the potential of increasing undue panic. “We do not have the powers to tell any business to open as if a businessman

wants to close all day then that’s his/her decision as they are in right to take whatever decision they want, however, to circulate that the entire town and/or region will shut down is not responsible as we are cognisant that there are several businesses that supports a 6 pm to 6 am curfew but not a shutdown,” he said.

Meanwhile, President of the Linden Chamber of Commerce, Victor Fernandes is calling the report printed in a section of the media as being sensational and motivated by certain persons within the community.

“There are some persons who will benefit if there is a complete shutdown because while they are calling for a complete shutdown only essential businesses will remain open and we as a Chamber have not discussed this and for the Linden Business Network to say that they are speaking on behalf of the entire business community is certainly irresponsible and unlawful,” Fernandes said.

The longstanding businessman warned that there is a Regional Committee in place and as such, its actions must be supporting the Minister not superseding her as this will certainly have adverse effects. “I think that the Chamber and more so the RHEC’s role is to provide support to the national curfew

not to be superseding what the Minister of Public Health has sought to do in terms of instituting a curfew and I would like to urge businesses that chooses not to close during the day that they have the authority to do so, we as a Chamber stands united with a curfew. However, our position is clear that we do not support a complete shutdown now,” he declared.

The Chamber President said that since the announcement of the Linden Business Network, it has resulted in undue panic and panic buying among several residents with a number of them wondering what systems are in place to assist those who are unable to sustain themselves during a lockdown.

He, however, appealed to the Network to be mindful of its actions, while acting responsibly in this very serious but delicate time. “We have to fight COVID-19 together and as such, our actions and decisions must be fully thought out while we must also consult with all stakeholders before implementing decisions willy nilly,” he reiterated.

REO Gordon said that as the Regional Executive Officer, his position along with that of the Committee remains the same, no decision has been made for any shutdown and therefore residents should dismiss it.

Police face challenges in enforcing curfew in Berbice

Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus

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lthough the residents in New Amsterdam, Region Six, are required to be off the roads by 19:00h, this has not been happening, thus creating a challenge for Police ranks who are mandated to enforce the order.

Regional Commander,

with persons who disregard the order.

“We are still trying to educate persons and to keep them from engaging in large gatherings as directed by our Administration. We have not been issuing permits for social events such as weddings and Barbeques right across the region. We know of incidents where persons have been engaged in those kinds of activities but as soon as we hear of it, if it is early enough, we go and prevent them from having the activity or if they are already in session, we would shut them down,” Brutus explained.

Brutus said that there are incidents in the town on a daily basis, forcing them to take action.

“We have to go around the area to enforce it. Persons are closing their businesses and accepting certain customers within, such as bars

The ‘Back Track’ ports of entry on the Corentyne

Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus explained that the Force has been following the guidelines set out by the Health Ministry as it relates to the curfews.

He noted that the Force is having difficulty dealing

and restaurants and they are engaged in selling and drinking alcohol with quite a number of persons inside but we are enforcing that now and checking on them physically to ensure that

New Amsterdam under curfew

that is not happening and we are having more compliance now.”

“We have also been taking calls from members of the public who suspect that there are persons and the community whether it be family or otherwise to be infected with the virus.”

That information, he said, is being filtered to the Public Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, the GuyanaSuriname border closure remains in effect but the Commander stated that the police have been monitoring those areas to ensure they adhere to the orders.

But this has not stopped the smuggling business.

In addition to goods being smuggled through the bor-

ders, five Chinese nationals arrived at Number 62 Village and were assisted by a local fisherman.

“As you know, both borders are closed... but persons are still looking for all the areas to ply their trade. We have had instances where they have look up the Number 63 Beach: made an arrest, currently before the DPP on advice. They are using the entire stretch of the coastland all the way down to Number 43 Village, so wherever we deployed, they’re looking for other areas to ply their trade.”

As such, the Regional Commander guaranteed that the police will continue to patrol the area.

brunt of increased prices

Pensioners in Berbice on Friday

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n light of the purported “panic shopping” and increased demands for certain common items, pensioners in Berbice are now battling to make ends meet as many businesses have increased the prices for their commodities.

Since the first reported case of COVID-19 in Guyana on March 12, prices for essential items on the shelves have skyrocketed. At one supermarket, the price for flour has jumped from $415 a sack to $485.

This is just one example of what pensioners – many who live off of their monthly pension which stands at $20,500 monthly – are experiencing.

Monique (only name given), a pensioner from New Amsterdam, told Guyana Times that the prices at the supermarkets have increased from the initial price.

“All I know is that the prices raise. I don’t know if it is because of the coronavirus or the elections... We have to cope with it,” another pensioner told this publication.

Meanwhile, 87-year-old Olga Campbell, who lives

alone, said she has noticed the price for milk and margarine have raised drastically.

“It is not the usual price that you pay. Now you have to pay something more.

Soap and one and two other things gone up,” she added.

However, Monique stated that once she needs the products, she will have no alternative but to purchase same. Toilet tissue, she noted, has increased from $90 per roll to $120.

“The little that you get you have to spend on those things; you use them more.

So, you have to buy it, you can’t eat the money. We have to buy the little things that we need and try to economise.”

President of the Berbice Pensioners Association, Burchell Archer noted that the hike in prices is worldwide.

“Because of the shortage of these items, all the entrepreneurs have been increasing their prices but for what reason, I don’t know. The COVID-19 has nothing to do with prices at supermarkets and the other areas,” he related.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

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

Time to look beyond racism and foster collective action Dear Editor, The current wave of post-election protests in the country is a clarion call for all well-meaning citizens to, as a matter of urgency, look at the issue of racism as the ‘Achilles

heel’ of this beautiful nation we all call home.

Crisis in nations, which not long ago were unified and prosperous has led to forced migration of its citizens to faraway lands where they are no longer

welcome. Ethnic and racial violence have never resolved differences but killed the dreams of thriving nations. There is, therefore, the need for us all, to resist attempts by others who wish to see the gains we have

made as a nation go down the drain.

It is a call especially on civil society organisations to not take sides but rather use their influence to address an age-old canker that has eaten the fab-

Guyanese extol diplomatic support for democracy

Dear Editor, Guyanese applaud the support from so many countries for their commitment to democracy. The US Ambassador (GT April 3) demonstrated publicly where the US stood at this critical juncture in the political life of Guyana. America, like other countries, is against electoral fraud. The world was unfortunately treated to that tawdry public spectacle of electoral fraud on March 4 that denigrates Guyana and that sought to deny a PPP victory. The world wants Guyana to count the votes properly.

Guyanese want Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch and other diplomats to know they are not alone in the struggle for democratic vote count in Guyana. They salute her behaviour as well as those of the other (BCE) diplomats and international observers extraordinary and exemplary, a model to emulate and have joined the call to count every ballot. All the diplomats have distinguished their behaviour in the conduct of diplomacy.

Their diplomacy and words of support of democracy have earned respect and won accolades in Guyana, the diaspora, and around the world (international observers) for her (their) efforts in defending democracy in Guyana. Guyanese extol the diplomats for standing on the side of democracy.

Working in Guyana is not easy especially in dealing with

undemocratic retrenchment as well as the seeming quietness of some prominent Guyanese in the face of electoral fraud and display of authoritarian instincts. The diplomats did not stand down. They have earned their stripes. Contrary to what some may feel, they are successfully advancing their country’s interests in Guyana by speaking up for good governance and credible elections.

With regards to Sarah-Ann Lynch, Guyana is fortunate to have her as US Ambassador.

In a very short period of time, she has distinguished herself in the country by improving US relationship with Guyana.

She offered a smart, reasoned explanation of the US position on democratic elections.

Contrary to what some said, she has a right under international law to express the opinion of her country on affairs in Guyana. She has remained within the norms of diplomacy. She complied with all State Department rules and regulations.

Ambassador Lynch, like other diplomats, spoke candidly and from the heart on her support for democracy.

It is unprecedented for a diplomat to speak so forcefully on that subject in Guyana.

As a political scientist, I study international diplomacy. The statement from Her Excellency is a rare wash down of a country by a diplo-

mat in any part of the world.

Only Zimbabwe and a few other dictatorships received such scolding by a diplomat. South Africa also was lectured by the US for not ending apartheid and not giving Blacks equal rights including the right to vote.

In Guyana, people have a right to vote but not a right to a count of the vote. Ambassador Lynch’s statement sought to reinforce the right to vote and to its count. Her statement is a pattern issued by those of so many other Governments except that hers was lengthy and businesslike. It was penned from the heart.

Guyana Government’s criticism of the diplomats’ position on democracy is misguided and unfortunate. Guyana is a major recipient of US aid and goodwill. The criticism of the US on democratic elections will only seek to harm relations. It is hoped that relations that have been frayed with the US over the American demand for a proper elections count would make an easy mend.

The US will not close its eye to electoral fraud.

The statement of US commitment to democracy has shone a light on the US foreign service that people are increasingly seeing as being different from the days of supporting dictatorships through the 1980s. The statement heralds the professionalism and courage that US foreign ser-

vice diplomats exhibit when faced with serious challenges such as violations of human rights and democratic concepts.

There is no doubt that Ambassador Lynch and her other diplomatic colleagues went through a lot of stress during the election period, but that did not break down her (their) fortress to stand up to electoral injustice.

Guyanese thank the professionalism and commitment of Ms Lynch and other diplomats on democracy for Guyana. They pay glowing tribute to their dedication, commitment, and relentless effort in standing up for democracy in Guyana.

The latest US statement has exuded confidence among Guyanese that US-Guyana strategic ties will be enhanced when the election fiasco has been resolved with a proper count of ballots.

Guyanese salute the great work of all the diplomats who have now become a promoter of democracy. They thank the US Government and other countries for being a beacon of hope for democracy in Guyana.

And they especially thank Ms Lynch for that strong statement and for the professionalism and exceptional skills exhibited in the field of diplomacy during this crisis.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

Guyana – a nation in crisis with limited financial reserves

Dear Editor, With life as we know it turned upside down by COVID-19, small states like Guyana face unprecedented disruptions and challenges ranging from public health, political uncertainty, and a looming global economic crisis that will have both direct and indirect impacts on life in Guyana.

Recently, Finance Minister Jordan requested a US$5 million dollar loan from the International Monetary Fund to combat COVID-19. Prior to that, Guyana received $55 million for the first sale of oil.

Why are Natural Resource Funds not appropriated for COVID-19 programmes rather than applying for an IMF loan?

Unlike countries such as Norway with Sovereign Wealth Funds from oil revenues, Guyana has limited assets to deploy in the COVD19 war and the ensuing global economic downturn.

Norway's US$950 billion ($1.35 trillion) Sovereign Wealth Fund is the world's biggest. However, Norway faces its worst economic shock in half a century and has less income for crisis measures which means that it will withdraw substantial sums form it’s SWF (Bloomberg).

As Guyana faces an unprecedented set of negative circumstances and threats the situation can worsen.

Remittances of US$400 million to Guyana represent 17-23 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product. These numbers are set to drop significantly over the next six months because of the looming business failures, bankruptcies, and unemployment in areas of high concentration of Guyanese such as New York, Atlanta, Toronto, and London due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 effect will undoubtedly drive down remittances to Guyana and affect revenue generation in other sectors for a long time.

Additionally, restrictions on travel and exports will reduce tourism and export revenue to Guyana.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will take a hit because of slumping global demand and global business downturn. China, which is the second-largest importer and exporter to the Caribbean and a major contributor of FDI faces a downturn in its economy that will directly impact Guyana.

In 2015, 70 per cent of small and medium-sized businesses failed in Guyana when the global economic landscape was normal. The Private Sector, which is the engine of growth in Guyana is expected

to undergo a significant downturn because of travel restrictions, reduced global demand and indigenous problems - the result will see the loss of jobs and business downturn.

Impact of the Venezuelan dispute: Guyana continues to defend its sovereignty in a battle with Venezuela for twothirds of Guyana’s territory.

TheVenzuelan dispute is further compounded by the perception of the international community that the elections results are not valid and credible. Sir Ronald Sanders in a recent article noted that if the elections are condemned by the international community, Guyana’s moral standing in its case before the International Court of Justice will be weakened.

Guyana’s national image needs urgent repair.

Guyana’s national image as a law-abiding, self-respecting nation in the Caribbean community and among the African, Caribbean and Pacific States is in question by the international community.

Political uncertainty reduced investment, business contraction and a tarnished image will have dire consequences on productivity and the economy.

One might say that oil revenues will buffer economic shocks in Guyana - but the oil market is also facing over-sup-

ply and reduced demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With oil prices down 55 per cent and oversupply topping 20 per cent this year, the expected windfall for Guyana will decrease significantly.

Oil prices fell by 25 per cent on March 9, and on March 18, prices fell by 24 per cent - the two largest single-day movements for WTI in more than 20 years. Experts in the industry predict that oil demand could fall by more than 25mb/d (million barrels per day) by the third quarter.

However, Guyana also has competition in the neighbourhood. On Thursday, April 2, the Apache Corporation (NYSE, Nasdaq: APA) and Total SA (NYSE: TOT) announced a significant oil discovery at the Sapakara West-1 well drilled offshore Suriname on Block 58 - a second for Suriname. Production from these reserves will drive up supply in a low-demand environment and compete directly with Guyana.

It will take strong transformation leadership to extricate Guyana from the myriad of complex problems, restore a favourable national image and navigate a new strategic course in a changing global world order.

Sincerely, Wayne Forde

ric of our rich cultural, ethnic and racial diversity as a nation.

We have witnessed for decades how racism is tearing this nation apart, and for the religious society to allow this issue to persist without any form of national reconciliation to address the matter before it metamorphoses into something indescribable would be a failure by those who we the youths look up to for guidance.

For as long as one can remember, our society has experienced an accumulation and incorporation of long-standing racist practices into our social and economic structures. An act perpetuated by Afro and Indo Guyanese. The time to challenge and erode all manifestations of racism is now or never. For far too long, our society has knowingly institutionalised racism within all forms of social life; in schools, communities and the cultural framework of our nation.

This situation obviously does not augur well for the future of Guyana, a country I am very proud of as a national. Where did we actually go wrong? The ‘oil curse’ others might say, but I believe otherwise. I am confident we can look beyond the greed, hate and the dire need of one race to feel superior over the other. The majority of the world is moving beyond racism and so should we. Because of the economic implications, the turmoil and havoc that acts of racism leave in their path remain for decades.

The question we should be asking is Are we ready as a nation to bear the consequences of the acts of racism we are fostering? Or one may also ask if we have taken the bait and bitten more than we can swallow, because as espoused by Mathew Bonick and Anotonio Farfan-Vallespin in their 2016 working paper “On The Origins And Consequences Of Racism”, the colonial powers instilled racism among the population of their colonies in order to weaken their ability for collective action.

We certainly seem to have lost that collective action as a nation, because what is even more revealing is the fact that the two writers mentioned above point to the extractive

industries as the ultimate cause of racism in the former colonies. Recent occurrences in Guyana attest to these assertions. In our situation, the main predictors are cultural and socio-economic factors, however, we cannot downplay the fact that racism was deliberately instilled in extractive colonies including Guyana to facilitate the continuous exploitation of our rich natural resources whilst we go at each other’s throat.

The consequences which are with us today are the racial biases experienced by the ordinary Guyanese on a daily basis, the belief that some racial groups have a lower level of abilities than others, hatred and distrust for other racial groups, targeted policies leading to active opposition. At the micro level, we have all seen the impact of racism on our economy, as it acts as an internal tariff to keep prices of goods at different levels, reducing the market size of each racial sub-market and causing the economy to forgo important gains from trade. The impact on our institutions including security and education cannot be overemphasised.

The time to look beyond racism and foster collective action is now. Our problems are not an enigma. We know them and the time to confront them head-on is now. It is at this critical time that we should face our fears and come together as a nation, illustrated by the local Guyanese artistes who at one point competed against each other, let go all grudges and came together to do a mix of the song “One Voice” addressing the nation as Guyanese to build a better, stronger and prosperous Guyana that generations to come would be proud of.

Guyana is a country blessed with abundant resources and so it will be a shame if we the citizens continue to antagonise each other whilst other nations benefit from the minerals extracted from our land and territory. The national dream, which we all aspire to would be fulfilled only if we take collective action to abhor all forms of racism in its entirety.

Sincerely, Tanza McAlmont

Why beg APNU? Dear Editor, After one long month, the APNU/AFC monarchy is still squatting in Government at the expense of taxpayers’ money, which would have been better used to fight the COVID-19 pandemic at this time.

I ask de facto President Granger, why at the local and international levels, individuals and organisations have to beg a clan of APNU and GECOM rascals and miscreants to verify and tabulate the SoPs and/or recount the votes for Region/District No Four in a transparent and credible manner for March 2, 2020 General Elections, more so, for the national recount of votes (an undertaking you initiated and signed to for Caricom to supervise)?

Stop running behind the courts for cover and buying time to delay your departure from office. And, just to remind you that you have done the same before, by using the courts to throw out a valid No-Confidence Motion of December 2018, and you didn’t succeed.

So, what makes you feel you will succeed this time with rigging the results of a national election?

In concluding, I wish to offer some words of advice from an ancient religious text, “When sound dialogue fails to resolve an issue; citizens’ actions (in whatever form) become necessary”. So why beg?

Sincerely yours, Paul Ramrattan

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

17

Regional

killed in Mexico Haiti reports 1st coronavirus death Several drug cartel violence H A aiti on Sunday reported its first novel coronavirus death, a 55-year-old man who had underlying health conditions.

The Health Ministry said the man suffered from diabetes and hypertension.

He was one of only 21 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 in Haiti, a demographically young country where over half those diagnosed with the disease have been under age 45.

Only 218 tests for the new coronavirus have been carried out in Haiti since the first two cases were confirmed March 19, however, leading to criticism from the

The density of the population of Port-au-Prince, the most populous capital in the Caribbean, with three million people, makes strategies like social distancing impractical

national medical community of the Government's handling of the pandemic.

Since the virus first appeared, the Government has announced stringent mea-

sures to contain it, but they have not been rigorously followed or enforced.

A ban on gatherings of 10 or more people is routinely violated, notably in the country's crowded public transportation system.

Stay-at-home measures, like those in place in Italy and France, are difficult to apply in Haiti, because the vast majority of its inhabitants depend on the informal economy to survive.

The density of the population of Port-au-Prince, the most populous capital in the Caribbean, with three million people, also makes strategies like social distancing impractical. (AFP)

7 COVID-19 deaths in Trinidad and Tobago, 58 cases in Jamaica

T

he Health Ministry of Trinidad is reporting that seven of its citizens have died after testing positive for the coronavirus.

As of the morning of Sunday, April 5, 2020, the Ministry reported the following: Number of samples submitted to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing for

COVID-19 – 797 Number of samples which have tested positive – 104 Number of deaths – 7 Number of persons discharged – 1 One additional person has tested positive for COVID-19 – pending epidemiological investigation.

One additional death (in Tobago) has been confirmed – elderly male with

pre-existing medical condition.

Of the total number of positive cases, 49 of these positive cases came from the group of nationals who recently returned from a cruise: 46 positive cases from the group of 68 nationals who returned from the cruise together 3 positive cases from the group of nationals who

returned from the same cruise separately from the other 68 nationals.

Meanwhile, the Health and Wellness Ministry in Jamaica is reporting that three more people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the island to 58. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian and Jamaica Observer)

Mexico's President to lay out “unorthodox” coronavirus plan to help economy, poor

M

exico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Sunday outlined measure to alleviate the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak with a focus on shielding the poor, but resisted calls to borrow heavily for a giant stimulus package.

Governments across the globe have unleashed unprecedented spending pledges to minimise the damage to their economies from the fallout from the coronavirus, including a US$2 trillion package by Mexico’s biggest trading partner, the United States.

Lopez Obrador, a leftist, has shown little appetite to follow in the footsteps of Mexico’s northern

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador talks to the media after touring a family clinic in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, April 4, 2020 (Mexico Presidency/Handout via Reuters)

neighbour and has pledged to put forward an “unorthodox” plan. On Saturday, he said he would try to do “all that is possible” to prevent

Mexico from piling on debt.

The socialist leader has made it clear that he would focus any economic measures on shielding the poor

rather than big businesses from a coming recession, with some analysts forecasting the economy could contract by as much as 10 per cent.

Lopez Obrador, known by his initials “AMLO”, plans to tap around US$10 billion from various rainyday funds and this week the Finance Ministry said the “buffers” for the economy include some US$6.6 billion available as of the end of 2019 in the Budget Revenue Stabilisation Fund.

“AMLO is not understanding the profoundness of the economic crisis that this may cause for a country like Mexico,” said Viri Rios, a Mexican political analyst.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Most Brazilians do not want Bolsonaro to resign despite criticism of coronavirus response – poll

M

ost Brazilians do not favour President Jair Bolsonaro resigning despite mounting criticism of his handling of the coronavirus outbreak, according to a poll published by newspaper Folha de S. Paulo on Sunday.

The survey conducted by Datafolha pollster from Wednesday to Friday showed that 59 per cent of the 1511 respondents would oppose Bolsonaro’s resigna-

tion, while 37 per cent would approve and four per cent could not give an opinion.

The margin of error was 3 percentage points, the newspaper said.

Bolsonaro has never suggested he is considering resigning.

On Friday, the same pollster said Bolsonaro’s coronavirus performance was rated “bad” or “awful” by 39 per cent of respondents surveyed, up from 33 per cent last month. Those

who consider his response to the health crisis “good” or “great” slipped to 33 per cent from 35 per cent.

Brazil’s death toll rose to 486 from 431, while the number of confirmed cases jumped to 11,130 from 10,278, according to Health Ministry figures released on Sunday afternoon.

Bolsonaro has downplayed the COVID-19 respiratory disease from the novel coronavirus as a “little flu,” stirring up conflicts

with Governors and his own Health Minister who advocate social distancing measures that the President sees as economically disastrous.

His insistence in fighting unemployment during an unprecedented public health crisis has driven his approval rating to its lowest level since he took office last year in a conservative swing by Brazilian voters. (Excerpt from Reuters)

shoot-out between rival drug gangs has killed 19 people in the northern Mexican border state of Chihuahua, according to the state prosecutors' office.

A total of 18 corpses, two grenades, vehicles and guns were found at the scene of the clash in the hamlet of Chuchuichupa in the township of Madera, the office said on Saturday.

"There are two criminal groups fighting over drug trafficking routes to the United States," Chihuahua’s Attorney General Cesar Peniche told the Reuters news agency.

Two other men were found armed and wounded on the dirt road where the confrontation took place late on Friday. One died later at a hospital and the other is in custody.

Police and soldiers had been sent to secure the area, where groups allied with the Sinaloa cartel have been fighting other gangs, including a remnant of the Beltran Leyva gang and others aligned with the Juarez cartel.

The killings occurred about 100 kilometres (62 miles) south of where nine US-Mexican dual citizens, members of a Mormon family, were ambushed and slain on November 4 by suspected drug-gang assassins.

That incident, which took place on a remote road that connects the Sonora and Chihuahua states, sparked outrage and fears of a possible US invasion after US President Donald Trump said he wanted to designate Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

LIAT suspends all flights

I

n the wake of layoffs at LIAT and suspension of several services owing to COVID-19, Barbados Tourism Minister Kerrie Symmonds says the airline is still critical at this time.

In a recent statement

by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Julie Reifer-Jones, it was revealed that the company was temporarily laying off staff as well as restricting its service to charters and cargo, as 10 of the airline’s 15 destinations have closed their borders.

“The situation has been rapidly changing and while we tried to maintain a limited schedule, the present conditions make this impossible.

In this context, the company

LIAT CEO Julie Reifer-Jones

has decided to implement a temporary suspension of our passenger service for a period of 14 days in the first instance. The suspension will be reviewed after the first 14 days. I regret that this step has become necessary, but we have no choice in the circumstances,” she said. (nationnews.com)

Barbados Broadcasting Authority praises media

A

s the country remains under lockdown in response to the threat of COVID-19, Barbados Broadcasting Authority Chairman, Dr Alyson Leacock is lauding the media for the critical role it is playing in the midst of this crisis.

Complimenting local broadcasters in particular and the traditional media on the whole for the important role they are playing in informing and educating Barbadians about the virus, she insisted that information from trusted and reliable sources is the only effective weapon available to the average person to protect themselves and their loved ones during the current pandemic.

“As our traditional way of life as we know it comes under a 24-hour shutdown, the media’s role as educator and informer comes centre-stage.

They have not failed to perform this role with distinction. Our reporters are also

frontline workers who ensure they keep us informed and they deserve our respect as well as the many who keep presses rolling and all stations and media houses on air,” Leacock stated.

She highlighted the role of the traditional media was even more important when considering the panic that inaccurate information spread by social media can cause.

“By churning out lots of false information, some mischievous individuals on social media, in contrast, have been purveyors of needless panic and despair. The abuse of social media underscores the need for citizens to acquire skills which allow them to critically evaluate information which comes into their hands to determine its authenticity. A good example is the bogus story about welfare cheques.

It turned out to be a hoax,” she explained. (Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

Around the World

OILNEWS

Oil prices under pressure from Saudi-Russia dispute, but tariffs provide support

G

lobal benchmark oil prices are expected to open lower today, but the decline may be muted as the market maintains hope that top crude exporters Saudi Arabia and Russia will strike a deal to curb production at a meeting that was delayed until Thursday.

Prices may decline more gradually after Saudi Arabia sent a signal that a production cut deal may be ahead, and the US has said it will put pressure on Saudi Arabia and its allies for such a deal.

“I don’t know that anyone is going to get too aggressively short before the meeting,” said Robert McNally, President of Rapidan Energy Group in Bethesda, Maryland.

Saudi Arabia’s decision to postpone its posting of the international prices for its crude for the first time indicates that it is not eager to flood the market with low-priced crude before a potential agreement. “That’s a pretty clear sign that they are open to cutting production in May,” McNally said.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he will put tariffs on Saudi and Russian production, potentially accelerating an output cutback.

“It’s possible that a tariff will be bullish initially,” said Phil Flynn an analyst at Price Futures group in Chicago. “That could offset the bearishness from the headlines that Saudis and Russians aren’t getting along.”

OPEC and its allies postponed an emergency meeting scheduled for today, led by Saudi Arabia, where the oil cuts could be agreed upon. A senior Saudi source told Reuters on Sunday that the kingdom would now host the meeting via videoconference on Thursday and the delay was to allow more time to bring other producers on board.

Russian President Vladimir Putin put the blame for the crash in prices on Saudi Arabia on Friday - prompting a response from Riyadh the following day disputing Putin’s assertions.

Crude futures surged for a second day on Friday, with both US and Brent contracts posting their largest weekly percentage gains on record due to hopes that a global deal to cut crude supply worldwide would be struck at talks.

The sharp rebound from weeks of losses came after Trump said Moscow and Riyadh would negotiate to end a price war that slashed prices by more than half last month.

“Given the slimmer chances of a deal, prices are likely to give up the gains made last week that were a short-covering rally induced by Trump’s comments,” said Amrita Sen, co-founder of the Energy Aspects consultancy.

OPEC and its allies are working on a global agreement for an unprecedented oil production cut equivalent to around 10 per cent of worldwide supply in what they expect to be a global effort including countries that do not exert state control over output, such as the United States.

Trump has, however, made no commitment to take the extraordinary step of persuading US companies to cut output.

Per Magnus Nysveen, Head of Analysis at Rystad Energy, said the decline in global demand because of the coronavirus pandemic and the global lockdowns was larger than the proposed cuts by the OPEC+ alliance.

“It is not strange for the market to hike prices by enthusiasm such as Friday’s, but for the levels to stay stable for more than a day or two, it takes concrete developments and deals on the ground,” he said.

Saudi Aramco will delay the release of its crude official selling prices (OSP) for May until Friday to wait for the outcome of the meeting between OPEC and its allies regarding possible output cuts, the Saudi source said.

“As Aramco seems to have postponed the release of their official selling prices for May, it seems the kingdom still believes an oil production cut deal is possible,” said UBS commodities analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

“The biggest challenge remains how to split up those cuts among producers, particularly if US oil producers will not join with voluntary cuts.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Boris Johnson admitted to hospital for tests after persistent coronavirus symptoms

B

ritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson was admitted to hospital for tests on Sunday in what Downing Street said was a “precautionary step” because he was showing persistent symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after testing positive for the virus.

Johnson, who was isolating in Downing Street after testing positive last month, still had a high temperature and so his doctors felt he should go to the hospital for tests. He remains in charge of the British Government, his Downing Street office said.

News of his hospitalisation came only after an hour after Queen Elizabeth delivered a rallying call to the

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a news conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in London, Britain, March 22, 2020

British public saying they would overcome the coronavirus outbreak if they stayed resolute.

Johnson, 55, on March 27 became the first leader of

a major power to announce that he had tested positive.

He went into isolation at an apartment in Downing Street and said on Friday he was staying there as he still

had a high temperature.

“Although I’m feeling better and I’ve done my seven days of isolation, alas I still have one of the symptoms, a minor symptom, I still have a temperature,” a weary-looking Johnson, sitting in a chair with his shirt open at the neck, said in a Twitter video message on Friday.

Downing Street underscored that this was not an emergency admission and that Johnson remains in charge of the Government.

“Wishing the Prime Minister well and a speedy recovery,” Keir Starmer, the newly elected leader of the opposition Labour Party, said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Scots' medical chief breaks own coronavirus rules, steps down from briefings

P

olice issued a warning to Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Catherine Calderwood on Sunday after she broke her own advice on social distancing to slow coronavirus spread when she visited her second home this weekend and last.

Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said Calderwood would no longer be the public face of the country’s campaign to tackle the coronavirus.

Photographs of Calderwood visiting her holiday home in Earlsferry, on the east coast of Scotland about an hour’s drive from the capital Edinburgh, were published in the Scottish Sun. “I did not follow the advice I’m giving to others,

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood and Health Secretary Jeane Freeman (not pictured), deliver an update on coronavirus following a COBRA meeting, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, March 12, 2020

I’m truly sorry for that,” she said at a news conference in Edinburgh on Sunday.

She said she had seen comments calling her a hypocrite and saying she was ir-

responsible.

She also apologised to Police and National Health Service (NHS) colleagues.

Police Scotland said officers had spoken to

Calderwood about her actions and had warned her about her future conduct.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Calderwood would no longer take part in the media briefings on Scotland’s campaign to tackle the coronavirus.

“I am acutely aware of the importance of public trust in the advice the government is giving to stay at home in order to save lives and protect our NHS,” she said in a statement.

Sturgeon earlier said she did not know that Calderwood had been spending weekends at her second home but nonetheless she stood by her colleague.

Scotland has recorded 3345 coronavirus cases and the death toll stands at 218.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Italy starts to look ahead to 'phase two' as COVID-19 death toll slows

I

taly reported its lowest daily COVID-19 death toll for more than two weeks on Sunday as authorities began to look ahead to a second phase of the battle against the new coronavirus once the lockdown imposed almost a month ago is eventually eased.

The toll from the world’s deadliest outbreak reached 15,887, almost a quarter of the global death total, but the rise of 525 from a day earlier was the smallest daily increase since March 19, while the number of patients in badly stretched intensive

care units fell for a second day running.

The total number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus rose by 4316 to 128,948, the lowest increase in five days, which added to signs the epidemic has reached a plateau, about six weeks after it broke out in northern Italy on Feb 21.

Sunday’s figures added to growing signs the tough restrictions on movement and public gatherings imposed across the country on March 9 were having an effect in containing the epidemic, but officials have been desperate

A woman wearing a protective mask walks on the Rialto Bridge on Palm Sunday, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Venice, Italy, April 5, 2020

to avoid a letup.

Following several days of encouraging data, Health Minister Roberto Speranza outlined a series of measures, including more testing and a beefed-up local health system, intended to allow a gradual easing until a vaccine might be developed.

The national lockdown, strictly limiting people’s movements and freezing all non-essential economic activity, will officially last until at least April 13 but it is widely expected to be extended. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Somali outrage at rape of girls aged 3 and 4

T

he Government in Somalia has condemned the abduction and rape of two girls aged just three and four.

The doctor in charge of the hospital where they are being treated said they need major surgery.

An official said several ar-

rests had been made following the attack which happened on Wednesday.

The parents said that the two cousins were walking home from school in Afgoye, close to the capital, Mogadishu.

They were seized by men who took them away and

sexually assaulted them.

Their parents desperately searched the neighbourhood and found them alone the following day.

BBC World Service Africa editor Will Ross said the fact that the girls are aged just three and four has added to the shock in Somalia where

reports of rape have increased in recent years.

It is thought that such horrific crimes have long been taking place but people are now more aware of the need to publicise the incidents in order to bring about change, he said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

19

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Keep life simple.

Eliminate what isn’t necessary and focus on what is.

A disciplined approach to life will help you reach your goal. Personal gain is attainable.

Doors will open if you send out your resume or set up meetings. Don’t limit what you can do because you can’t make up your mind.

Consistency will be required.

If you aren’t focused, people will be uncertain of what you are trying to achieve.

The more time you spend analyzing a situation, the more confused you will become. Make self-improvement your priority.

Don’t offer too much information. If you misuse information or misrepresent someone, you will be held accountable.

Concentrate on projects that help you hone your skills and bring about positive change.

Being humorous at someone else’s expense will lead to trouble. If you want to stand out, help others.

Focus on self-improvement, not on trying to change someone else.

Work on projects that require detail, creativity and intelligence. Avoid peers who want to drag you into their personal affairs. Don’t let an outside change disrupt your plans.

Check out courses offered in your community. Learning a new skill will give you the pick-me-up you need to venture down a different path.

Avoid indulgence and demanding people.

Don’t let anyone hold you back. If you explore new interests, you’ll meet people who have something unique to offer. A partnership will need an adjustment to maintain balance and equality.

Someone will share inSAGITTARIUS formation that will tell (Nov. 23you where you stand and Dec. 21) how well people like you.

Question anything that causes uncertainty. Honesty is the best policy.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Put more thought into the way you live and how well you take care of your mental, emotional and financial health. A change will prove useful. Create a healthy environment.

Socialize with your peers.

If you can combine work with pleasure, you will gain respect and the support you need to follow through with your plans. Physical improvements will boost your confidence.

If you are open about your feelings and plans, you will find out where you stand. A positive change will occur once you let go of the past.

20

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

Pakistan's domestic players set to lose if English season cancelled W

ith the English domestic season in great danger of being completely lost, the impact will be felt well beyond the UK's borders. Several Pakistani cricketers rely on the English season for their livelihood, playing league cricket there and coaching for various clubs in England. A cancellation will hurt them financially.

More than two dozen Pakistani cricketers who aren't part of the national and domestic set-up have been travelling to the UK for full seasons, earning between £4,500 and £15,000.

Some of the more prominent names include Mansoor Amjad, Nayyar Abbas, Qaiser Abbas, Shahid Yousaf a n d Waqas

Maqsood, and these are by no means the only Pakistan players with an interest in the domestic scene in England.

"It will have a trickle-down effect," Amjad told ESPNcricinfo. "For years, players like me who probably haven't got a future with the national team play league cricket in England. It has been our livelihood and with this coronavirus pandemic we won't able to travel to England to fulfil our contracts. The number of players playing league cricket might have come down over the years because of inconsistent Pakistan domestic scheduling, but there are still over 30-40 cricketers making money from playing in the UK. "I know this is a worldwide crisis and it's inevitable we suffer from it, too.

This is indeed a testing time and also a learning curve for the national board to understand the importance of cricket for players' livelihoods. There were so many players who lost their job after the new structure [in

Pakistan's domestic cricket] and now this pandemic took away our alternatives, too. I don't know what will happen next, but there are so many other young players who had been relying heavily on playing in these leagues. Now they have nothing either at home or abroad."

Several players have played club cricket, with first-class cricketers engaged in coaching jobs to allow clubs to generate revenues. Each player is eligible for a contract of up to of 24 months on the basis of playing five first-class games in one session in any country. With the recent changes in the Pakistan domestic circuit, a number of players looked to leagues in England for an alternate livelihood.

The coronavirus pandemic has already caused the PCL to postpone the PSL's knockout games and suspend the Pakistan one-day cup. The board is presently uncertain about the domestic season that is set to start from September. Moreover, the PCB decided against issuing NOCs for any cricket during Ramadan, when a

prestigious private tournament is held in Karachi annually.

"We have been approached by some organisers, seeking clarification on the PCB's NOC policy for Ramadan cricket," the PCB said in a statement. "At this time, it is appropriate we follow our overarching policy which states that organised cricket in Pakistan

will remain suspended until normalcy returns to society.

In this background, the PCB will not issue any NOCs for Ramadan cricket.

"The PCB takes the welfare and well-being of its staff and cricketers very seriously. It has around 220 professional cricketers on its payroll apart from its staffers. The PCB will ensure that full player sala-

ries continue to be honoured until at least the end of the 2019-2020 financial year.

Furthermore, we have put in place systems to ensure that monthly salaries are paid on time and without delay. The PCB is monitoring the situation in the country closely as it evolves and will amend its policy when appropriate."

(ESPNcricinfo)

Trump hopes US sport can resume soon, wants fans "back in arenas" “I want a rematch”-

U

.S. President Donald Trump told sports commissioners on Saturday he hoped that their leagues and competitions, which have been suspended by the coronavirus

Soccer were among those on the call.

“I want fans back in the arenas,” Trump said at the briefing. “Whenever we are ready. As soon as we can, obviously.”

US President Donald Trump was recently at a White House briefing, with Commissioners from the NFL, NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer among those on the call

outbreak, would soon be back in action.

At a later White House briefing, Trump said commissioners from the NFL, NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball and Major League

The NBA and NHL halted their seasons in March with baseball and MLS delaying the start of their seasons because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United States has

the world’s highest number of known cases of COVID-19, the flu-like respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. More than 306,000 people have tested positive in the United States and over 8,300 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

White House medical experts have forecast that between 100,000 to 240,000 Americans could be killed in the pandemic, even if sweeping orders to stay home are followed.

“The fans want to be back, too,” added Trump.

“They want to see basketball and baseball and football and hockey. They want to see their sports. They want to go out onto the golf courses and breathe nice, clean, beautiful fresh air.”

The NFL hopes to start its season in September, but California Governor Gavin Newsom said that might not be possible.

“I’m not anticipating that happening in this state,” Newsom said at a briefing.

(Reuters)

Reyes calls out Jones

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones lands against Dominick Reyes on the way to victory

D

ominick Reyes has criticized Jon Jones for his behavior in the recent past. He says Jones is a different person inside and outside the octagon.

Jon Jones was arrested late last month in a DWI case. He eventually agreed to a plea deal and avoided any long-term jail time. As a part of the plea deal, Jones will have to enroll himself in the Community Custody Program, do community service, and pay a fine. However, longtime MMA fans know this wasn’t Jones’ first encounter with the law. He has a long list of cases to his name that showcases a similar pattern of behavior.

Dominick Reyes fought Jon

Jones at UFC 247. Though Jones came out victorious, it was a very close match up. Reyes, along with several critics, still says that he was deprived of his win. Even though Reyes respects Jones as an opponent and a worthy contender, he isn’t a fan of Jones’ antics outside the Octagon.

When news of Jon Jones’ arrest emerged, Dominick Reyes said, “I’ve always respected Jon as a fighter. I’ve always respected him in the Octagon, but outside of the Octagon, it’s the same crap he’s been doing before. That disappointed me when I was a fan of his.”

Referencing all of Jones’ past arrests, Dominick said, “The

arrest c o m e s at no s u r p r i s e t o anyone; his pattern of habitual line stepping is apparent. I think he needs some real help.”

Dominick believes that he won the last fight, though the decision said otherwise. He says that the Light Heavyweight title should be his. “I still know I was the better fighter that night… .I want a rematch, I feel I have earned another title shot.”

Hearing of the arrest, even Thiago Santos cropped up to say a few words. Santos believes there should be a fight for the interim light heavyweight title between him and Reyes, now that Jon might be out for a while. He said, “I don’t think the division needs to wait. The division can go on, even if it’s for an interim belt between Reyes and I, since we both are next in line.”

As of now, Coronavirus has put this entire scenario on hold. Once the UFC returns to its normal schedule, we’ll get a clearer picture of how the division looks. (Essentially Sports)

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Liverpool place some nonplaying staff on furlough

L

eaders Liverpool are the latest Premier League club to place some non-playing staff on temporary leave.

Staff affected will receive 80% of their salary through the government's job retention scheme and the club will make up the difference.

The decision has been criticised by former Liverpool players Jamie Carragher and Stan Collymore.

Newcastle, To t t e n h a m , Bournemouth and Norwich have already announced they will furlough some nonplaying staff.

The league is suspended indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic.

A Liverpool statement read: "Even prior to the decision on staff furloughing, there was a collective commitment at senior levels of the club on and off the pitch - with everyone working towards a solution that secures jobs for employees of the club during this unprecedented crisis.

"There is ongoing active engagement about the topic of salary deductions during the period matches are not being played to schedule. These discussions are complex and as a result the process is ongoing."

The decision to furlough some nonplaying staff was criticised on Twitter by former Liverpool captain Carragher.

He tweeted: "Jurgen Klopp showed compassion for all at the start of this pandemic, senior players heavily involved in Premier League players taking wage cuts. Then all that respect and goodwill is lost - poor this, LFC." Former Liverpool forward Collymore, meanwhile, wrote on social media: "I don't know of any Liverpool fan of any standing that won't be anything other than disgusted at the club for furloughing staff. It's just plain wrong.

"Fellow football fans, furlough is for small business staff to keep those small businesses from going bump!

"Every Premier League owner has serious cash, and makes money from s k y r o c k e t i n g values of

McLaren boss says F1 needs big changes to survive

Z

ak Brown became McLaren's chief executive officer in 2018, having been executive director since 2016 Formula 1 is "in a very fragile state" as a result of the corona-

on Monday.

B u t the teams are divide d over how best to safeguard the sport.

Brown, speaking in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport,

of

clubs, so what aren't you getting about your owners dipping into their pocket?"

In February, the club announced they had made a pre-tax profit of £42m and increased turnover to £533m. Last year they also spent £43m on agents' fees.

There was criticism when Newcastle and Tottenham became the first Premier League clubs to announce they were placing non-playing staff on furlough.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said Premier League players should "take a pay cut and play their part" during the pandemic.

Since then, Premier League clubs have said they will ask players to take a 30% pay cut in order to protect jobs.

All 20 top-flight clubs have agreed to put the proposed "combination of conditional reductions and deferrals" to players, during a video conference call between the

Premier League and players' union the Professional Footballers' Association on Saturday.

The Premier League has also said it would advance £125m to the EFL and National League, and give £20m towards the NHS. Liverpool are 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League, needing two more wins to become English champions for the first time since 1989-90.

Their statement added: "While our priority from the outset has been to focus primarily on the health and wellbeing of our players, staff, supporters and local community, the club has also committed to playing as full a role as possible in the Premier League's ongoing response to the crisis.

"As such, we welcome yesterday's announcement from the Premier League which confirmed the provision of support for the National Health Service, the EFL and National League and a commitment for the 2019-20 season to resume only when it is safe to do so." (BBC Sport)

World Games 2021 moved to retain broadcasters, official scorers – CEO

McLaren Racing.

"In fact, I could see four teams disappearing if this isn't handled the right way.

"And then, given how long it takes to

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Zak Brown became McLaren's Chief Executive Officer in 2018, having been Executive Director since 2016

virus crisis and needs big changes to survive, McLaren boss Zak Brown says.

"This is potentially devastating to teams, and if [it is devastating] to enough teams which doesn't have to mean more than two then very threatening to F1 as a whole," he said.

Cost-saving plans will be discussed at a meeting of F1 bosses

believes the $175m (£143m) budget cap, scheduled to come into force in 2021, needs to be lowered significantly, or the sport risks a potential disaster.

"Could I see through what is going on right now in the world if we don't tackle this situation head on very aggressively - two teams disappearing?

Yeah," said Brown, the chief executive officer

ramp up an F1 team, and given the economic and health crisis we are in right now, to think there would be people lined up to take over those teams like there has historically been... I don't think the timing could be worse from that standpoint.

"So I think F1 is in a very fragile state at the moment." (BBC Sport)

orld Games Birmingham CEO Nick Sellers said they had little choice but to move the 2021 event to 2022 as a clash with the postponed Tokyo Olympics would have seen them lose out on broadcasters and official scorers for the quadrennial event.

The World Games showcase over 30 sports, the majority of which are not on the Olympic program such as squash, kickboxing and bowling.

Thirty venues across Birmingham, Alabama were set to host the 11th edition of the World Games, which first began in 1981, in July next year.

But the event was postponed to July 7-17, 2022 after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the Tokyo Games would be held from July 23-Aug. 8, 2021.

“A big value in having the World Games in your community is the close relationship with

the IOC partners around national television, here in the United States with NBC Sports and the Olympic Channel and with international sports broadcasters,” Sellers told Reuters.

“Also with Swiss Timing, who is the official scorer, not only for the Olympics but also the World Games... We would have lost all of those had we kept our World Games on the same date or even tried to move it up a little bit in 2021.”

Another factor that led to the decision to postpone the Games was the overlap of three sports with the Olympics — karate, softball and sport climbing — which would have forced competitors to skip the World Games.

“They’re all big draws in the United States, they’re growing spectator sports,” Sellers added.

“They’re important to keep as part of our program because we think there could be some interesting storylines

b e t w e e n O l y m p i c champions now and 2021 that will compete and perhaps defend their titles at the World Games.”

The move to postpone the World Games to 2022 means there will now be two international multi-sport events in the same month in Birmingham, albeit in two different countries.

Two days after the World Games conclude in Birmingham, Alabama, the Commonwealth Games are set to begin in Birmingham, England and Sellers said he envisions a bond between the two cities in 2022.

“They’re fairly close together and I think it’s going to come down to how we choose to work together,” he said. “We’re going to reach out to the Commonwealth Games.

“Obviously, it’s a unique time in our world history, given what has happened with the global pandemic that gave rise to this.

“I think there’s the potential for some real special connection between our two cities... both having multisport international competitions. It really lends itself to something special.” (Reuters)

22

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GFF releases monthly news bulletin T

he coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has left the world at a standstill.

Cricket at the local, regional and international level has been halted.

From a West Indian perspective, this mighty roadblock has caused the cancelation of two rounds of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional 4-Day championship that was slated to conclude on April 5.

Additionally, the Women's Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup, which was set to be held in Guyana from March 27 to April 12 has been suspended.

The Regional Under-15 Boys’ Championships, which were slated for April 9 to April 20 in Antigua, were also suspend-

ed. The Regional U-19 Girls’ Championships in Trinidad, slated for April 6-12, were also suspended.

Further, CWI meetings were postponed owing to COVID-19.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 inter-county tournament may also be suspended.

A host of Caribbean players and other international players were set to travel to India for the Indian Premier League (IPL), which was scheduled for April 14. Given the lockdown in India, cricket pundits were calling for an I P L

Joshua's challenger pledges estimated £2M to coronavirus fight

K

ubrat Pulev h a s pledged half of his purse - an estimated £2m - from his world heavyweight title fight against Britain's Anthony Joshua to help the battle against coronavi-

ey I earn from the match with Joshua to the tireless heroes in the fight against the coronavirus."

World champion Joshua, 30, has not fought since December, when he gained a unanimous points victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia to regain the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO belts he lost to the American-Mexican in New York last June.

The Briton's promoter Matchroom Boxing said on Friday that a new date

Kubrat Pulev (right) had been scheduled to fight Anthony Joshua in London on June 20

rus.

The fight - scheduled for 20 June at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was postponed because of the pandemic.

Pulev, 38, is expected to earn around $5m (£4.07m) from the fight.

He said: "I will give doctors, nurses and hospitals the necessary equipment to deal with this devilish virus."

Speaking to German newspaper Bild, he added: "I will donate 50% of the mon-

for the fight "was being worked on" and that it was "continuing to explore the possibility" of hosting the bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at a later date.

Pulev, had previously challenged for the IBF world heavyweight title in 2014 but lost to Wladimir Klitschko in Hamburg when he was knocked out in the fifth round. (BBC Sport)

without fans, a shortened IPL or shifting the IPL to later in the year. The IPL franchises had turned to popular online platform WhatsApp for players’ queries.

The international calendar for MarchApril would have seen the Netherlands tour Nambia and Ireland tour Belgium. In May, Bangladesh were set to tour Ireland and two teams would have played a tri-nation series against England later in the month. The West Indies tour of England, which is also at a standstill, was originally scheduled for June 4 to June 29 with England hosting the Caribbean team in three Test matches.

There have been talks about hosting these three Test matches in the Caribbean, but the level of uncertainty remains high given the mighty roadblock – COVID-19.

In the women's game, Australia Women were set to tour South Africa from March 22 to April 4. From a local point of view, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) season has also been suspended.

The COVID-19 is not only cricket's

GFF President Wayne Forde

mighty roadblock but the entire sporting world’s, and it is left at a standstill. Athletes are seen plying their trade indoors in a testing period for all. (Brandon Corlette)

Manchester City defender faces investigation over lockdown breach

K

yle Walker faces disciplinary action from Manchester City after reportedly breaking lockdown rules by hosting a party involving two sex workers.

Walker, 29, has apologised and urged people to "stay home, stay safe" during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, City said the England defender's actions had "directly contravened" his responsibility as a role model.

It added that the club would be holding an investigation.

The government has put social distancing restrictions in place to combat coronavirus. As of 09:00 BST on Sunday, 47,806 people had tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, with 4,934 deaths.

City said: "Manchester City FC are aware of a story in a tabloid newspaper regarding the private life of Kyle Walker in relation to a breach of the UK lockdown and social distancing rules.

"Footballers are global role models, and our staff and players have been working to support the incredible efforts of the NHS and other key workers in fighting the effects of the Covid-19 coronavirus in any way we can.

"Kyle's actions in this matter have directly contravened these efforts.

"We are disappointed to hear the allegations, note Kyle's swift statement and apology, and will be conducting an internal disciplinary procedure in the coming days."

Last Wednesday, Walker posted on social media, urging the public to follow government guidelines on social distancing by staying indoors.

In a statement responding to the reports of a party at his house, he said: "I want to take this opportunity to issue a public apology for the choices I made last week which have resulted in a story today about my private life in a tabloid newspaper.

"I understand that my position as a professional footballer brings the responsibility of being a role model. As such, I want to apologise to my family, friends, football club, supporters and the public for letting them down.

"There are heroes out there making a vital difference to society at the moment, and I have been keen to help support and highlight their amazing sacrifices and life-saving work over the past week.

Kyle Walker joined Manchester City from Tottenham in July 2017

"My actions in this matter are in direct contrast to what I should have been doing regarding the lockdown. And I want to reiterate the message: stay home, stay safe."

Walker is the second high-profile Premier League player to express his regret for breaking government guidelines on social distancing.

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish apologised after being pictured at the scene of a car accident, hours after he posted a video urging fans to stay safe at home on social media.

Grealish was fined and disciplined by his club, with the proceeds donated to the University Hospitals Charity in Birmingham.

(BBC Sport)

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

23

COVID-19: Cricket's mighty roadblock T

he coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has left the world at a standstill. Cricket at the local, regional and international level has been halted.

From a West Indian perspective, this mighty roadblock has caused the cancelation of two rounds of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional 4-Day championship that was slated to conclude on April 5. Additionally, the Women’s Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup, which was set to be held in Guyana from March 27 to April 12 has been suspended.

The Regional Under-15 Boys’ Championships, which were slated for April 9 to April 20 in Antigua, were also suspended. The Regional U-19 Girls’ Championships in Trinidad, slated for April 6-12, were also suspended. Further, CWI

tour Belgium. In May, Bangladesh were set to tour Ireland and two teams would have played a tri-nation series against England later in the month. The West Indies tour of England, which is also at a standstill, was originally scheduled for June 4 to June 29 with England hosting the Caribbean team in three Test matches.

There have been talks

IPL is left at a standstill West Indies’ Test series against England is in limbo

meetings were postponed owing to COVID-19. The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 inter-county tournament may also be suspended.

A host of Caribbean players and other international players were set to travel to India for the Indian Premier League (IPL), which was scheduled for April 14. Given the lockdown in India, cricket pundits were calling for an IPL without fans, a shortened IPL or shifting the IPL to later in the year. The IPL franchises had turned to popular online platform WhatsApp for players’ queries.

The international calendar for March-April would have seen the Netherlands tour Nambia and Ireland

about hosting these three Test matches in the Caribbean, but the level of uncertainty remains high given the mighty roadblock – COVID-19. In the women’s game, Australia Women were set to tour South Africa from March 22 to April 4. From a local point of view, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) season has also been suspended.

The COVID-19 is not only cricket’s mighty roadblock but the entire sporting world’s, and it is left at a standstill. Athletes are seen plying their trade indoors in a testing period for all. (Brandon Corlette) The next inter-county – the U-19s’ – has been suspended owing to COVID-19

NBA, Knicks, Nets help donate one million masks T

he NBA, the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets are collaborating with China’s consul general Huang Ping to donate one million surgical masks to the New York City area, governor Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday.

Cuomo announced the news on Twitter, saying, “New York thanks you.

We are beyond grateful for this gift of critically needed (personal protective equipment).”

The masks will go to the city’s essential workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Nets owner Joe Tsai and his wife, Clara Wu Tsai, have also donated 1,000 ventilators, which are expected to be delivered Saturday

from China. Cuomo said Thursday the city was less than a week away from running out of ventilators.

Tsai is the co-founder and executive vice chairman of the Alibaba Group, which previously donated a million masks and half a million tests to New York.

According to ESPN, the NBA, WNBA and their play-

ers have combined to donate $50 million toward coronavirus-related relief efforts.

New York reported a record one-day increase (10,841) in confirmed cases of COVID-19 from Friday to Saturday. Friday was also the deadliest day (630 deaths) in the state to this point. (Reuters)

MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

COVID-19: Cricket's mighty roadblock Page 23

West Indies’ Test series against England is in limbo

Joshua's challenger pledges estimated £2M to coronavirus fight

GFF releases monthly news bulletin Page 22

Kubrat Pulev (right) had been scheduled to fight Anthony Joshua in London on 20 June

Page 22 GFF President Wayne Forde

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