Guyana Times Monday June 29, 2020

Linden's Deputy P Mayor calls for alternative measures to address squatting 14

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4331

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020

Lowenfield did not receive definition of “valid votes” from Court of Appeal ꟷ Harmon Page 3

Consultant warns Guyana’s oil could be left stranded if sanctions imposed

PRICE

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WHAT'S INSIDE: Cummings Lodge fatal inferno

1 remains in custody as P2 Police probe suspected arson Essequibo P8 teen died from complications due to unsafe abortion – PME

...just as Venezuela is presently experiencing Page 11

Lowenfield’s Granger has action is no intention another of conceding fraudulent act defeat – Harmon …tells people calling for by elements of President to concede, “that is not going to happen” GECOM ꟷ Phillips Trade unionist stages one-man protest in front of GECOM, diplomatic missions See story on page 7

Corentyne youth in triangular love affair P13 allegedly commits suicide

…family suspects foul play ...girlfriend hospitalised after suicide attempt

Page 9

Page 10

ꟷ urges Granger to concede defeat, rallies support for int’l community

Man wanted for killing P12 “peacemaker” nabbed Police destroy $18M in ganja along Berbice P12 River

2 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cummings Lodge fatal inferno

1 remains in custody as Police probe suspected arson

O

The Cummings Lodge home that was destroyed by fire

ne person remains in Police custody following a devastating fire at 6th Street Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD), that claimed the lives of three people on Saturday evening. Those who perished in the fire were Beverly Miller, 40, Marvin Lewis, 46, and their 14year old son, Dawall Ifill.

The person in custody was identified as the grandson of the landlord. He was seen leaving the premises moments before the fire started.

Regional Commander Phillip

Azore when contacted on Sunday explained that investigators are still trying to comb through bits of information, to ascertain what actually transpired.

He said he is unable to say at this time if the case would be treated as arson, since investigations are still premature.

“We are still investigating, and the reason we have him [in] custody is for him to answer some questions raised about him. So, we are trying to clarify those issues that were raised. But so far, we have nothing as yet”, he explained.

Meanwhile one of the tenants, Cleon Williams, told Guyana Times that all fingers are being pointed at the man in custody since he was seen leaving the yard just before the fire was sported.

“He went upstairs and then five minutes after he go away, the fire started,” Williams said.

Williams explained that after he realised that his aunt and her family were trapped in the burning apartment, he used different methods to save them but the house was well secured with steel grills.

“I know we tried to save them but we couldn’t, all the grill locked,” Williams said.

Sister to the now dead woman, Desiree Miller, told reporters that the property in which they lived was the source of a dispute between the dead owner’s son, and the man who is currently in Police custody.

She explained that in 2019, she and other relatives after renting the apartments were told that they would have to relocate, since the building was sold by the owner’s son.

Just after, they were informed that there was a change of heart, and that they could stay and pay a reduced rent since the building was no longer on sale.

Firefighters trying to recover the burnt bodies

“Last year, I can’t remember what date this place sell, but right now they got a dispute but they’re saying that everyone must not move, that they coming together to pay back the man who buy the place. So, that is why we in move…” she recalled.

Miller added that the dead owner’s son had sold the property, but it was after other family members started to intervene, he went back to the buyer and asked for a

refund of the money.

The woman told the media that her rent was reduced from $46,000 to $40,000 while the rent for others was reduced to $35,000. Those who perished in the fire moved to the apartment in March. As the charred remains were removed from the property, they were found clenched together, as though they were hugging.

Investigations into what caused the fire are ongoing.

NEWS

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MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, June 29 – 11:30h – 13:00h and Tuesday, June 30 – 13:00h – 14:30h.

Lowenfield did not receive definition of “valid votes” from Court of Appeal ꟷ Harmon

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, June 29 – 10:40h – 12:10h and Tuesday, June 30 – 12:00h – 13:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers during the day. Partly cloudy skies will prevail at night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly to Easterly to North-Easterly to South SouthWesterly between 1.34 metres and 2.68 metres.

High Tide: 11:23h and 23:55h reaching maximum heights of 2.37 metres and 2.43 metres.

Low Tide: 17:22h reaching a minimum height of 0.83 metre.

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$41.02/barrel

-0.07

Rough Rice

$222.75 /ton

+0.14

London Sugar

$351.20/ton

0

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1768.20

$1769.20

Low/High

$1767.60

$1776.60

Change

- 3.30

- 0.19%

APNU/AFC Campaign Manager Joseph Harmon

I

n his written submissions to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), APNU/AFC’s Joseph Harmon, who had joined the proceedings as an intervener on behalf of the coalition, has confirmed that Guyana’s Court of Appeal did not, define the term “valid votes”.

The Appeal Court last Monday ruled in a case filed by APNU/AFC supporter, Eslyn David, that “more votes cast” means “more ‘valid’ votes cast” and that it is for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), not the Chief Elections Officer, to make the determination of a final and credible result.

This meant that embattled Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield took it upon himself to unilaterally announce that he was mandated by his “constitutional” office after the Court of Appeal decision to not only determine what constitutes a valid vote but ‘credible votes’ and went ahead to disenfranchise over 115,000 voters in his recent report to GECOM. It was shown that Lowenfield is a statutory officer and not a constitutional one, subject to the direction of the GECOM Commission.

In fact, the unlawfulness of Lowenfield’s action of the mass disenfranchisement of voters was surprisingly supported in the APNU/AFC’s submission to the CCJ, which is hearing the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) challenge to the COA’s ruling.

Harmon’s submission filed on Sunday states “… the Court of Appeal made no determination as to whether the votes cast were valid or not, and, imposed no criteria by which the validity of votes would be determined. The Court of Appeal simply exercised its jurisdiction in a limited manner to interpret Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution to mean “more valid votes are

cast”.”

It went on to say in the following paragraph that “…the effect of the Court of Appeal’s decision is that the election of a President will be determined on the basis of valid votes in accordance with the law. The determination of what constituted valid votes was not a matter that the Court of Appeal, properly, purported to exercise jurisdiction over…”.

However, Harmon’s submission to the CCJ contradicts a recent statement by the caretaker coalition. Following Lowenfield’s missive on Friday, the APNU/AFC in a subsequent statement backed the CEO, saying that he was clearly empowered and instructed by the Constitution and laws of Guyana, not by any other entity or person, and has discharged his functions within the ambit of the law.

The coalition’s missive further stated, “In keeping with the guidance set out by the Court of Appeal in Eslyn David v. Chief Election Officer, et al., and as he is required to do by the Representation of the People Act [at section 96], the CEO prepared and submitted his Election Report on 23rd June 2020.”

Last Tuesday, Lowenfield submitted his report to the Elections Commission, which the GECOM Chair has since rejected, with figures that

he considers to be “valid”, showing the APNU/AFC in the lead with 171,825 votes while the PPP/C got 166,343 votes.

However, the certified recount figures, which has been deemed credible by all international and local observers, confirm that the PPP/C won the elections with 233,336 votes, that is, 15,416 more votes than APNU/AFC, which garnered 217,920.

This means that Lowenfield would have invalidated more than 115,000 votes in his recent report.

But many legal experts have contended that no law in Guyana’s Constitution empowers the Chief Elections Officer to invalid any vote or disenfranchise any voter.

Despite this, however, Lowenfield on Friday defended his contentious report, saying he executed his “constitutional duties” as the Chief Elections Officer.

“While the Commission makes certain policy decisions and provides guidance to the Chief Election Officer for implementation by the Secretariat, I have to execute my duties as a Constitutional Officer, particularly in the conduct of elections… At all times, I have acted in conformity with the laws and, therefore, my action cannot be ‘seen as clear act of insubordination’…,” he posited in a statement on Friday.

But legal luminar-

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

ies have argued that the post of the Chief Elections Officer is a contractual statutory one and not a constitutional one. It was created by the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) and not the Constitution, which created the posts of only the GECOM Chair and Commissioners.

As such, the CEO does not possess the power to invalidate any vote. This can only be done via an elections petition to the Elections Court, that is, the High Court after the declaration of the final elections results.

In furtherance of this, Section 18 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act 2000 states: “The Chief Election Officer and the Commissioner of Registration shall notwithstanding anything in any written law be subject to the direction and control of the Commission.”

TURN TO PAGE 8

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 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

Legal fig leaves A

s the calls continue to pour in for the caretaker A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration in general, and caretaker President David Granger in particular, to accept the will of the people as expressed in the recount of the votes cast in the March 2 elections, they have shown no sign that they are prepared to do so. These calls have come from practically every government in the Western world – all of them our traditional allies – either individually or from their regional blocs, reminding the recalcitrant leaders that they are heading down an anti-democratic cul-de-sac from which there can be no retreat.

As we have pointed out in this space, Granger is exploiting recourse to the courts on matters that even his most fervent supporters know are specious and as such, can only engender cynicism towards our legal system, which is the final bulwark against rule by the law of the jungle.

It was he who initiated a proposal for a recount of the votes after it was discovered that Mingo had egregiously interfered with the tabulation of the Region 4 Statement of Polls (SoPs). Yet he permitted a candidate for his party to bring suit in the High Court to stop the said recount. Not being successful, he appointed his de facto second-in-command Joseph Harmon as head of the national COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF), from which position he mandated that the recount process drag out for a month, obviously hoping that the Caricom Observation Team would withdraw because of the extended timeframe in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. The NCTF had already denied permission for the Carter Center to return to witness the recount.

When finally, after daily exhibitions by his minions highlighting their wild allegations of “irregularities” during the recount process, when the numbers were finally compiled to show they were substantively identical to the original numbers gleaned from the SoPs provided by the PPP, they insisted that the results were not “credible”.

They once again took recourse to the courts – this time in a transparent illustration of “forum shopping” – to the Appellate Court, seeking to stop the declaration based on the recount numbers that had been certified as “valid votes” by the GECOM Secretariat Staff, the Caricom observers and other stakeholders – with the exception of the APNU/AFC agents.

What Granger and the People’s National Congress (PNC) were doing was to avoid the High Court, which was the forum where complaints about the validity of elections were constitutionally mandated to be heard upon the filing of an elections petition. The PNC, in fact, had followed this procedure after the 1997 elections, which they disputed and it was the present Chairwoman of GECOM, Justice Claudette Singh, then on the High Court bench, who heard the elections petition from PNC member Esther Perreira.

In a move that could only shed opprobrium of the Appellate Court, as was the case when they agreed with the PNC’s outlandish claim that 33 was not the majority of 65, the PNC was now arguing that the Appellate Court had exclusive and final jurisdiction via Article 177 (4) of the Constitution. In a split decision, the Appellate Court agreed with them and issued an anti-climactic order that only “valid votes” from the recount could be used for tabulation.

Not unexpectedly, the assumption was that the valid votes certified by the recount process would be used to show that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had won the elections. But even though a three-day stay had been ordered by the Appellate Court, GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield rushed to produce a report of what he unilaterally declared were “valid and credible votes”, which disqualified 115,000 voters and now purported that APNU/ AFC were the winners.

It is the firm belief of this newspaper that the CCJ, where the matter has now been brought, will once again cut through the “gamesmanship” of the PNC and Granger, and deliver justice to the long-suffering Guyanese people on Wednesday.

This time, with a “gloss” since the PNC is waiting to exploit any perceived ambiguity.

Why would anyone want to be governed by an illegitimate president Dear Editor, All eyes have been on Guyana these past few months and as a Guyanese living abroad and an optimist, I am hoping we can stand upright and look others in the eye and take pride on how we conduct ourselves as a nation and people in these unprecedented times.

As a Guyanese Physician practicing In NY for over 30 years I am always so delighted when I see my fellow Guyanese as patients irrespective of their ethnicity and origin.

I am very grateful to have grown up in Guyana with its rich cultural heritage and this has helped me a lot living here in this multicultural Mecca of New York City. I am making this point because it is so very important that we not let these elections disintegrate as one race against the other. It should simply be about who legitimately won the 2020 Presidential Elections and who the majority of the Guyanese people have chosen for their President this time. Our entire Caribbean community and the world over is in judgement of us and their future relations

with us will ultimately be guided by the decisions we make.

For all its problems the greatness of the United States lies at the heart of its Democracy where we can elect a new president every 4 years in a free and fair elections. Yes, we can say there is ethnic strife and racism everywhere including the United states, but lest we forget everyone gets to exercise his franchise in these elections no matter his /her background and expect their every vote to count.

So, I say that let every vote of every one of our countrymen count in in these 2020 Guyana National Elections.

Anything less will be travesty of justice and a shameful day for democracy.

I have tremendous and deep respect for President Granger, and I was so pleased that after he came to power four years ago, he let it be known he is a lover of classical music as I am. Afterall I felt anyone who can love the music of Brahms, Bach, Mozart and Beethoven have got to rise to a higher level. So, I hope President Granger will avoid all the background noise

of some of those of his party who want to cling to power, despite the results which clearly show that Irfan Ali of the PPP has won a definite majority of the electorate and is the legitimate President Elect.

President Granger should go out as a stateman he is and assume the meaningful and important role every Guyanese will expect of him as a past President. He should assist the new government in guiding Guyana to a better future. After all, if President Elect Irfan Ali performs poorly Guyanese citizens will have another chance to express their pleasure or displeasure at the polls in four years.

This is the very essence of Democracy.

Finally, I ask of my Guyanese countryman why would anyone want to be governed by an Illegitimate President. It has been showed times over, that this formula does not work. Look at our next-door neighbor Venezuela a country with such immense wealth now in Political and Economic freefall because it is run by an Illegitimate, corrupt and incompetent government.

Guyana is on the cusp of a future that could be amazing in which every Guyanese irrespective of their ethnicity or background will benefit. In order for that to happen Democracy would have to prevail. Afterall a Government that lies and cheats its way to power will eventually lie and cheat the very people who supported them.

I am writing this letter in the hope that it will find its ways in the hearts and minds of President Granger and all Guyanese. I have no political ambitions and need no favors from any political party. I have been lucky to have a very successful career and an enriched life. My only hope is common sense will rule the day and the bright future of so many young Guyanese will not be torn apart and wasted away by the usurping of Democracy.

Sincerely, Azeem Khan MD, FACP, FACG Board Certified Gastroenterologist Assistant Prof Clinical Medicine/ Weil Cornell Medical College

Dr Francis Alexis is playing a dangerous game

Dear Editor, Sunday’s edition of the Chronicle’s lead headline loudly screams, “Dr Francis Alexis, QC says PPP/C appeal to the CCJ has no real prospect of success”. Dr Alexis is indeed a decorated legal scholar. He is a former lecturer of law at the University of the West Indies, a former Attorney General of Grenada, a Queen’s Counsel and a lawyer of over four decades standing. Importantly, he currently holds the position of Deputy Chairman of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission.

The Chairman of this body is ex officio the President of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Justice Adrian Saunders.

The stated mission of the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission is to appoint Judges of the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Dr Alexis appeared in the Guyana Court of Appeal for the applicant, in the case of Eslyn David v Chief Elections Officer and others. It is common knowledge that this matter is pending, on appeal, to the Caribbean Court of Justice. Its hearing is scheduled to take place on July, 1, on Wednesday.

Over the centuries that English Law has evolved, evolving with it, have been certain doctrines commonly called “conventions”. With the passage of time, they

have graduated to assimilate the force of law and indeed, form an integral part of the body corpus of English Law. These conventions supplement the law to protect institutions of the law, the legal system itself, the rule of law and cannons of fundamental justice.

When the British Legal System was supplanted in Her Majesty’s colonies so were those conventions, deeply ingrained. When these colonies were granted independence, some of these conventions were codified in the independent Constitutions of these territories. However, those conventions that were not codified, still form part of the rule of law in these territories.

Guyana and the Caribbean are among those territories whose legal systems devolved in the manner just outlined.

One of these conventions is that lawyers who sit on bodies that appoint Judges should not appear before those Judges. A logical corollary of this principle is that they should not make any public statement, adopt any posture or commit any acts which may be viewed as influencing, or intending to influence, litigation pending before Judges whom they have appointed or has a responsibility to appoint. This convention is grounded deeply in the doctrine of natural

justice and forms part of that network of principles that protects and ensures judicial independence and fundamental justice.

Dr Alexis, in my respectful view, has egregiously violated these principles. Not only has he made a public statement but has expressed his legal opinion on how the case should be decided, exposing himself to the obvious accusation that he is attempting to prejudice the outcome of the proceedings.

An ordinary citizen who violates the sub judice doctrine is likely to be hauled before the courts for contempt. Dr Alexis is not an ordinary citizen, in this regard. He has done much worse.

The truth is he should never have appeared in the proceedings, in the Court of Appeal of Guyana, knowing of the likelihood of it journeying to the CCJ. His entire involvement in this case is highly reprehensible and must be condemned.

I know that apologists for APNU/AFC will rush to cite the public remarks made by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, QC. There is simply no basis for comparison. Ms Mottley made absolutely no reference to the legal proceedings, but simply spoke on matters that are in the public domain which she has a right to do, in any free society. If Dr Alexis wishes to re-

main a respectable jurist, he must withdraw his remarks with an appropriately worded statement admitting this gross misadventure. It is this type of conduct which fuels the fears of those Caribbean citizens who cling desperately to Her Majesty’s Privy Council.

Speaking for myself, I am assured by my belief in the integrity and independence of the CCJ. I take solace from the fact that the CCJ had no difficulty in rejecting Dr Alexis’s argument in the Guyana Court of Appeal, in the No-Confidence Motion cases, where he submitted that the term “majority” means “absolute majority” in Article 106 of the Constitution of Guyana.

Similarly, to think that “votes” in Article 177 of the Constitution means anything other than “valid votes” is simply tautologous, as the framers of the Constitution obviously recognise that the legislative scheme which governs the electoral process ensures the weeding out of invalid votes, prior to counting. Therefore, what is counted or recounted are only valid votes. The layman understands this much, more so, Judges of the highest Court in the region.

Sincerely, Mohabir Anil Nandlall Attorney-at-Law

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020

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David Granger continues to hold on to power

Dear Editor, Guyana is a democratic state that is struggling to stave off an attempt to establish an authoritarian state. The incumbent President is Brigadier David Granger (ret’d) who leads a coalition known as APNU/ AFC. Granger is the leader of the largest partner - the PNC - which has an unfortunate history of being founded by LFS Burnham, who ruled Guyana with an iron fist from its independence in 1966 to the time of his death in 1985. To understand how Guyana has returned to the precipice of dictatorship and authoritarian rule we have to examine David Granger, the man who would be king.

After a campaign based on “honesty, decency and integrity” of character, Granger was all set to be sworn in as the new President based on Mingo’s fraudulent declarations of March 5 and 13. No rational explanation has been offered as to why Granger has never requested to examine the Statements of Poll in his party’s possession nor those in the possession of GECOM’s Mingo or Lowenfield. Granger instead chooses to avoid questions and send various minions

to float theories and stories varying from the ridiculous to the even more ridiculous.

There has been no attempt to discern the truth

by Granger; instead, there has been a blind acceptance of the stories peddled to him by close aides and family.

Despite pleas from every possible quarter, Granger has steadfastly refused to concede defeat at the polls and continues to cling irrationally to power, oblivious to the harm he is causing the people of the country and the nation’s international reputation. Could a personality disorder be the cause of all of this stubbornness?

In her first interview as First Lady, Sandra Granger stated that she was the disciplinarian of their daughters; he (David Granger) was a walkover, and “He is a calm person. I know he gets angry but he gets quiet when he does. I never heard him abuse anybody in vile language ever”. Sandra Granger related that a GDF Officer said, “From the time David says, ‘My friend…’ you know it is very serious”. There are three agreed symptoms of passive-aggression personality disorder: an avoidance of responsibility,

deliberate inefficiency, a refusal to state needs, or concerns directly.

Throughout his fiveyear tenure as President, Granger has consistently avoided open press conferences, preferring to offer comments on the sidelines of events and avoiding questioning.

Granger infamously invokes the four C’s to avoid taking responsibility for his actions, from the avoidance of the consequences it was all the Courts, Constitution and then the Commission; after the loss of the elections of March 2, 2020, it has been all of those and Caricom who have been holding up the declaration of results.

Tellingly, in instances when the courts have ruled Granger’s actions illegal and/or unconstitutional, he (Granger) would provide his interpretations of these rulings.

Caricom was deemed the “most legitimate interlocutor” by Granger before the Caricom report which declared “the Team did not witness anything which would render the recount, and by extension, the casting of the ballot on March 02, so grievously deficient procedurally or technically, (despite some

irregularities), or sufficiently deficient to have thwarted the will of the people and consequently preventing the election results and its declaration by GECOM from reflecting the will of the voters”. Granger pledged to abide by the decisions of the aforementioned four C’s, but does not, Granger engages proxies to avoid taking responsibility for his actions even when it is clear that he is the one steering the ship and the main beneficiary of the actions.

Granger has spent all of his political capital making promises to abide by the four C’s, this he has told visiting US members of Congress, diplomatic representatives, and world leaders. Granger has lost the goodwill and exasperated the patience of everyone; the USA, the UK, Canada, the European Union, Caricom, Baroness Scotland and the Commonwealth and most of all the majority of the Guyanese people, former supporters are turning away in disgust at the transparent attempts to insult their intelligence and to stir ethnic disharmony.

Any rational mind can forecast where this all ends; the promise by US Secretary

Are you God?

Dear Editor, How can only one man be right and the rest of the entire world be wrong?

The perplexed and complexed political situation lacks any merit to rationalise the analysis for any long drawn out, meticulous or laborious conversation, consideration, debate, discussion, investigation, enquiry or examination that will only infuriate an already inflammable election result issue that hangs in limbo.

For the simple and innocent mind, don’t ever allow yourself to be influenced by the temptation of being drawn into an argument pertaining to this fiasco that represents a travesty riddled with farce that has no

room to escape but closely squished with square pegs in a round hole and going around in a circle, not knowing the head from the tail.

The global audience has seen, heard and read enough to know that this is synonymous to throwing precious water on a duck’s back!

With the passing of each valuable day, it is heartening and of some degree of consolation that more and more supporters, national and international, are voicing their dissent with the caretaker President, a chosen few APNU/AFC members and the GECOM renegades with the bogus report; calling on the Charge D’Affaires to concede; calling on the CEO for GECOM to retract his inaccurate re-

port; calling on Guyana’s caretaker to allow law and order to take its course and allow the PPP/C to be sworn in to Government. Guyana continues to be patient and respectfully awaits the outcome of the appeal case that is in the hands of the learned CCJ Judges.

Everyone needs a break from this madness and so I close with a simple question. If the whole world is wrong and only you are right Mr Deceiver, are you God? Respectfully, Jai Lall

of State Mike Pompeo that “all those who seek to benefit from electoral fraud” will face sanctions cannot be wished away. David Granger and his family will bear the brunt of these measures; the family name will be destroyed and will haunt the bearers for generations both in Guyana and abroad.

It is a fate many would find too terrible to contemplate.

Ostracism from society is inevitable, the company of honest, decent people of integrity denied forever.

The family will be unable to travel to foreign lands with the possible exception of Cuba; their bank accounts frozen and when (not if) the intermediary banking facility is cut, the people will be denied money transfer agency services.

Without access to services such as MoneyGram and Western Union, hardship for many will be unbearable; the love of many for Granger will devolve into open hate. When Granger or family members venture from behind the high walls of Pearl, street protests will erupt; law enforcement will face very real dilemmas, one person was already killed by Police under yet-to-be-answered circumstances, any further injuries or deaths will be subject to international inquiry and global prosecution. Ultimately, it is David Granger who will bear responsibility for any loss of life.

Apart from David Granger’s destroyed character, he should spare a thought for that of his wife; Sandra Granger spent 18 years working within the

Caricom Secretariat and has a sterling reputation as an “integrationist”. In a 2016 interview, she said “I think people criticise the Community, especially on issues of economic interest.

But the Single Market has come on stream. Of course, people have to accept that they will lose some sovereignty, but they will gain momentum and economies of scale”. The current disgraceful abuse of Caricom leaders done in Granger’s name must be difficult for her to personally stomach and certainly, no amount of power and perks of office could replace the loss of respect by one’s peers.

In any event, the perks will soon disappear; the oil money is already out of reach and will not be in the hands of an illegal Government.

There is no benefit for David Granger in the foreseeable future if he does not concede soon, the advice, entreaties, and warnings will turn into action, and then there is no return for him or his family.

Ignominy!

Despite all of these obvious factors, David Granger continues to hold on to power, as yet no one quite knows what it is that he wants to achieve, there has been no statement or indication of a desire he would like to achieve or direction he would like take. In the meanwhile, Granger will neither fish nor cut-bait and the Guyanese population continues to suffer the ebb and flow of the passive-aggressive mind.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

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MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020

Page

Foundation

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

Below are the conclusion of Social Studies Paper 1, 2009 and CXC English.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT

SOCIAL STUDIES

1. WRITE YOUR CANDIDATE NUMBER ON THE ANSWER SHEET AND UNDERLINE THE SUBJECT.

This test contains 40 QUESTIONS. You are required to answer ALL questions. Four responses are given for each question. The responses are A, B, C and D. Only ONE response is correct.

3. If you are not sure of the answer to question, then choose the one which you think is BEST. On

your 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 YOUR ANSWER SHEET. Here is an example done for you.

1.The capital of Guyana is (A) Linden (B) Georgetown (C) Rose Hall (D) Lethem

The table below shows the percentage (%) of births and deaths during

33. Which year had the greatest increase in population?

(A) 1993 (B) 1991 (C) 1988 (D) 1986

(A) i and iii only (C) i and ii only

(A) (B) (C) (D) A heavy black line has been drawn through the letter B on the answer sheet because 9, the correct answer, is next to B. If you make a mistake, erase the line cleanly, then draw a heavy black line through the letter next to the answer 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.

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

(B) ii and iv only (D) 1 and iv only

The pie chart below shows the amount of foreign exchange Guyana earns from the products exported. Study the pie chart, then answer questions 38 and 39.

34. Which villages were bought by Afridans?

(A) i ii and iii only (B) i, ii and iv only (C) ii, iii and iv only (D) i, iii and iv only

40. Lessons to be learnt from the scene above are honesty is the best policy. ii do not take what belongs to someone else. iii work hard to get-things you need. lv never give up what you have found.

(A) i only (B) ii and iii only, (C) i, and ii only (D) iv only

35. Which are possible effects of hurricanes on a country?

(A) i and ii only (B) ii and iii only (C) iii and iv only (D) i and iv only 36. Two countries to which timber is exported are

(A) i and iii only (C) iii and iv only

(B) ii and iv only (D) i and iv only

37. Which conditions could be caused by cigarette smoking'

END OF TEST

CXC ENGLISH

38. The most foreign exchange was earned from (A) bauxite. (B) diamond (C) rice.

(D) sugar.

39.

(A) (B) (C)

According to the pie chart, which statement is true?

Rice earned more foreign exchange than bauxite.

Bauxite earned the least foreign exchange.

Diamond earned just as much foreign exchange as gold.

(D) Bauxite earned more foreign exchange than rice.

by

An Africa Thunderstorm

David Rubadiri

From the west Clouds come hurrying with the wind Turning sharply Here and there Like a plague of locusts Whirling, Tossing up things on its tail Like a madman chasing nothing.

Pregnant clouds Ride stately on its back, Gathering to perch on hills Like sinister dark wings; The wind whistles by And trees bend to let it pass.

In the village Screams of delighted children, Toss and turn In the din of the whirling wind, Women, Babies clinging on their backs Dart about In and out Madly; The wind whistles by Whilst trees bend to let it pass.

Clothes wave like tattered flags Flying off To expose dangling breasts As jagged blinding flashes Rumble, tremble and crack Amidst the smell of fired smoke And the pelting march of the storm.

Questions: 1. a) Summarise the poem b) Describe its form and whether it is used effectively c) Discuss the important literary devices d) Describe the mood of the poem e) List are the dominant themes

7 Granger has no intention of conceding defeat – Harmon NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…tells people calling for President to concede, “that is not going to happen”

APNU/AFC Campaign Manager Joseph Harmon

I

n the wake of intense pressure from the international and local community for President David Granger to concede his defeat at the March 2, 2020 polls, sections of his A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition party have signalled a dogged determination not to give up.

In an interview on a radio programme on Sunday, APNU/AFC Campaign Manager and former Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, who purported to speak on the Headof-State’s behalf, said that the President has no need to and will not concede to the winner of the elections.

“Concede to what?

Concede to whom? What is he to concede to? It appears

to me and I would venture to say any right-thinking person, to be a most ridiculous and nonsensical proposition… for the persons who are calling for Granger to concede, that is not going to happen,” Harmon said on the programme.

The National Recount had shown that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) won 233,336 votes while the APNU/AFC garnered 217,920. But in a report done

by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, it was claimed that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition garnered 171,825 votes while the PPP/C gained 166,343 votes.

How the CEO arrived at those figures is unknown, since the certified results from the legally conducted recount exercise supervised

by GECOM and a high-level team from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) pellucidly show that the PPP/C won with 233,336 votes while the APNU/AFC garnered 217,920.

When Lowenfield brought his report to GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, it was reported that she immediately rejected it and told him to prepare the right report as she had instructed him to do, based on the recount numbers.

Despite the lack of credibility that was placed in

Cracks in the camp

President David Granger

Lowenfield’s report, however, Harmon leaned heavily on the report to support his contention that Granger has no reason to concede.

“In view of a report submitted by the Chief Elections Officer to the Commission, showing that Mr Granger coalition, APNU/AFC, with the majority of the valid votes cast after the recount.

So, there you have it, a report showing the valid votes and still, people are calling for Granger to concede,” Harmon, who is widely perceived to be Granger’s righthand man, said.

Harmon also spoke about the “impatience” of the people and the anxiety surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and added that “APNU/AFC calls on the public, in Guyana and around the world, to respect the Constitution and laws of Guyana.”

It was only recently that coalition partner Justice For All Party (JFAP) founder CN Sharma, broke away from APNU/AFC’s dogged refusal to accept defeat in the March 2 polls. In a statement, he made it clear that enough was enough and it was time for the country to move on.

He had chastised those bent on dragging out the process and extended congratulations to PPP/C on their win. Sharma had pointed out that the National Recount was carried out and from the votes counted, it is clear the PPP/C is the winner.

As such, he had urged that PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali be sworn in without delay.

Sharma had also called the last 108 days exhausting and said that the people are starving and suffering, due to the COVID-triggered economic slowdown.

Granger’s own sonin-law, former Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, also made a statement on the same day as Sharma, in which he conceded that APNU/AFC lost to the PPP/C and called out his

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo

party’s leadership for fooling supporters.

And incumbent Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan was caught on a recording, conceding defeat to his Ministry staff, during a farewell speech he had given. In that speech, Ramjattan had acknowledged the PPP/C winning by some 15,000 votes and had told the gathering he was willing to move on.

A number of persons have been calling on Granger to concede, from political analysts to powerful politicians in Washington. It was only on Friday that Chairman of the United States’ Senate Foreign Relations

Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues, Marco Rubio, wrote a missive urging Granger to concede an elections defeat.

Rubio was joined in his statement by Senators Jim Risch and Bob Menendez, Chairman and ranking member respectively, of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; as well as Ben Cardin, in encouraging Guyanese authorities “to begin a democratic transition of power that reflects the results of the March 2nd General and Regional Elections”.

8 NEWS MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

6 injured following 2-vehicle collision at Soesdyke

S

ix persons were rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre on Saturday evening following a two-vehicle collision along the Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

Based on reports received, the accident occurred around 19:30h and involved a Route 50 minibus bearing registration number BWW 7196 and a Toyota 4-Runner.

At the time of the accident, the minibus was heading to Georgetown at a fast rate of speed when the driver lost control and slammed into a Toyota Tacoma. As

a result of the collision, the minibus toppled several times before coming to a halt on its side.

Police said the bus was carrying approximately ten passengers at the time but only six had to be taken to the hospital to seek medical attention. Their conditions were listed as stable but serious.

Even with the 18:00h-06:00h curfew as one of the COVID-19 guidelines, some 36 accidents were recorded beyond this stipulated curfew window, with several persons having lost their lives.

Hosing down…

P

The minibus which was involved in the accident along the Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara

Essequibo teen died from complications due to unsafe abortion – PME

A

n autopsy performed on 19-year-old Rehana Rahaman of Karawab Village, Upper Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), showed that she died from complications due to unsafe abortion. The teen was found bleeding in an unconscious state on June 17

at her home.

However, the post-mortem was performed by the Government pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh on Thursday at the Suddie Hospital Mortuary. During the procedure, the doctor revealed that based on the findings, the teen attempted to abort the child.

It was reported that on the day in question, the young woman, who was in her first trimester, reportedly visited her boyfriend unknowing to family members.

After realising that the teen was not at home, her grandmother attempted to contact her via cellphone

Harmon denies Lowenfield...

FROM PAGE 3

Moreover, part of Recount Order 60/2020 states at 14: “The Commission shall, after deliberating on the report at paragraph 12, determine whether it should request the Chief Election Officer to use the data compiled in accordance with paragraph 12 as the basis for the submission of a report under Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act Cap 1:03, provided that the Commission shall, no later than three (3) days after receiving the report, make the declaration…”

And then at 15: “For the avoidance of any doubt, the Chief Election Officer and every person appointed or authorised to perform any act or functions by virtue of this Order, are and shall remain subject to the general supervisory power of the Commission.”

In fact, in a statement on Friday, PPP/C argued that it is clear from these citations that Lowenfield is subjected to the direction and control of the Commission at all material times and has abysmally

failed to do so.

“That the Commission enjoys an overarching power over the entire electoral process and its officers, including the Chief Election Officer, to rectify any wrong or illegality or irregularity committed is expressed in both Article 162 (1) (b) of the Constitution and Section 22 of the Election Laws Amendment Act,” the party contended.

Article 162 (1) (b) clearly states that the Election Commission shall issue such instructions and take such action as appear to it necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance with the provisions of this Constitution or of any Act of Parliament on the part of persons exercising powers or performing duties connected with or relating to the matters aforesaid (ie the administrative conduct of elections).

Dead: Rehana Rahaman

but her calls went unanswered.

The grandmother, however, went in search of the teen, who was later found lying in an unconscious state.

The boyfriend, when contacted by the family, related that she suffered a fall while she was visiting.

But the grandmother is holding out that her now dead granddaughter and her boyfriend had an argument about the pregnancy and suggested that the young man might have gotten violent and struck her.

Nevertheless, in light of the post-mortem report, the body was handed over to the family to make preparations for the funeral.

… Nagamootoo

oor Nagamootoo. The man who Harmon described as “royalty” is so fighting for relevance, it’s pathetic.

But what can you tell a guy who didn’t see the irony of Harmon giving him that “bouquet”, when it was Harmon who enjoyed all the powers of the enhanced Prime Ministership Granger had promised Nagamootoo!!

He missed the snicker in Harmon’s voice!!

But did you notice that this week, Granger even yanked the only task Nagamootoo had – that “My Turn” Sunday column to butter up Granger in the Chronic? Doesn’t even get a “turn” now!! Except a turn of the screw after he reverted to his old Cold War mindset to cuss out the US and the West in a bitter denunciation!! The man sounded like Soviet Premier Khrushchev when the latter gave his talk at the UN and took off his shoe to bang on the podium to emphasise his point about the West’s imminent demise.

“History will absolve me!” cried Khruschev, with his mouth foaming!!

Well, Nagamootoo was certainly foaming at the mouth when he accused the US of using Guyana and the elections rigging as a “pawn” in its bid to overthrow the Maduro Government over in Venezuela next door!! Well, looks like you can take the man from the commie gutter, but you can’t take the commie gutter out from the man!! But you know Nagamootoo couldn’t have just come up with this trenchant attack on the US out of the blue.

He’s not the kind of fella who’s very reflective – he just spews bits and pieces of whatever gyaaf he might’ve been part of and then takes credit for being profound!! So, one can imagine that as the criticisms and threats of the US and the West about their blatant rigging continued unabated, Granger and the APNU/AFC combine must’ve really railed at their “perfidy”!! Wasn’t it only yesterday they’d been ushered into office by the same lot?? Betrayal!! Their mistake was to have Nagamootoo in their midst – as all his erstwhile comrades from the PPP would’ve told them, the man just doesn’t know when to shut up!!

After this newspaper exposed Nagamootoo’s anti-US rant, Granger was livid and handed Nagamootoo a good whupping behind that woodshed at State House. This was no limp-wristed bitch slapping!! Hence no column in the Chronic this week, and the DPI’s “report” of some neverhappened “interview” in which Granger gratuitously emphasised how close Guyana still remained to the US!!

But the coalition’s real thinking about the US and the West is now out in the open – and no amount of sucking up by Granger can get that particular genie back into the bottle.

The coalition’s days are numbered!!

…the old fraternity

The Caribbean used to be very insular – it was pretty much an old boys’ club for much of the post-independence period. Many of them – like Barrow and Burnham – had studied in London at the same time. Burnham was able to get away with his egregious rigging for two decades to a great extent because of those old connections.

Granger, who was at Burnham’s feet for the entire duration of his Caricom free pass, obviously thought he could also count on Caricom – for the same reasons – when he followed in his master’s footsteps on the rigging road.

Why else would he big-up Caricom as the “most legitimate interlocutors in Guyanese affairs”??

But he’s just discovered that “dis time na laang time”!!

It’s been a long time in coming, but the new Caricom leaders have realised that they have to act in accordance to international norms and they won’t be getting no free pass because of the old colonial guilt.

Granger and the PNC won’t be allowed to rig any longer!! It’s just not one anymore!

…the CCJ The CCJ is a Caricom institution that Guyana accepted in its Appellate Jurisdiction - along with only Belize and Barbados from the 15 Caricom members. But it’s so new it skipped the “old boys’ network” bias.

Buying Francis Alexis changes nothing.

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

9 Lowenfield’s action is another fraudulent act by elements of GECOM ꟷ Phillips NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ꟷ says time to impress on honesty, integrity

E

mbattled Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield could find himself before the courts over his fraudulent elections report to the Guyana Elections Commissions (GECOM) in which he invalidated over 115,000 votes.

This is according to Prime Ministerial Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, during an interview broadcast on Antiguan radio NICE FM 104.3 Online.

Phillips pointed out that despite the Elections Commission instructing him to use the results from the National Recount, which shows a PPP/C victory over the caretaker APNU/AFC coalition by more than 15,000 votes, Lowenfield went ahead to submit his own figures in a “fraudulent and erroneous” report.

This, according to the PPP/C PM Candidate, is just another fraudulent act that has been perpetrated by elements within the Lowenfield-headed Elections Secretariat since the March 2 General and Regional Election in favour of the APNU/AFC. He reminded that the Chief Elections Officer is just a statutory officer who is under the guidance of constitutional officers at the level of the seven-member Elections Commission, and there

PPP/C PM Candidate, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips

will be consequences for his actions.

“This is nothing but crass assumptions of our electoral laws and process by a rogue statutory officer in the name of Mr Keith Lowenfield. This will only serve to put him before the courts of Guyana because in effect, what Mr Lowenfield has done is disregarded the laws of Guyana and committed fraud on [more than one] occasions,” Phillips stated.

He explained that the GECOM Chair, (ret’d) Justice Claudette Singh, specified in writing to the CEO the laws under which he must be guided in submitting his report but instead, he misguid-

ingly and deliberately submitted a fraudulent report that is also disrespectful to the GECOM Chair and Commissioners of the seven-member Commission.

“He submitted his own figures because in his little mind, from the figures he submitted, he wants the APNU/AFC coalition to be deemed the winners of these elections. But the fact remains that we had elections and the people voted out of office, the APNU/AFC. The people voted for a PPP/C Government and Mr Lowenfield can twist the facts how much he wants, the entire world is aware [of who won the elections],” Phillips contended.

The Prime Ministerial Candidate further outlined that it is now nearly four months since Guyanese went to the polls and are anxiously waiting for this protracted electoral process to be over with so that the country can move forward. As such, he called for honesty and integrity to prevail.

“As we’re about to have the official declarations from GECOM, this is a time for us to impress on honesty and integrity because the numbers are out there. The PPP/C won these elections. There is no need for the PPP/C to lie, to miscommunicate or spread any propaganda. We have said from the inception that we have won

these elections and we have said that based on the Statements of Polls in our position (which we got from GECOM) …and we have the Statements of Recounts… they’re basically the same. A number here and there may have changed because of human error but there is no vast difference,” he asserted.

Nevertheless, Phillips is of the view that the APNU/AFC’s constant change in the narrative it is peddling will continue since they appear to have a strategic imperative to remain in office at all cost.

“It is obvious to any Guyanese who is observing, or any member of the international community who is observing this process that here we have a political party that was properly voted into Government at the 2015 elections. But five years after, it has no intention of demitting office through the same process that elected them into office… [So] they will change the narrative as we go. And expect further change in their narrative as we go on because it’s just a cabal, a small group, who is bent on holding on by all means possible to political office in Guyana,” asserted.

As the backlash from numerous credible local and international organisations continues to mount, this is not the first time

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

Lowenfield has been warned of consequences for his actions.

In fact, only on Saturday President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer called for him to withdraw his report to the Commission and warned of consequences otherwise.

“Rest assured that when all of this comes to an inglorious end, you will face the consequences of the law if you dig your heels in to plunge off a cliff with our country in tow; instead you can change course and do the right thing to let our nation move forward with a genuinely ‘credible’ election cycle and heal,” the GCCI President posited in a letter to the CEO.

10 NEWS MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Trade unionist stages one-man protest in front of GECOM, diplomatic missions ꟷ urges Granger to concede defeat, rallies support for int’l community

S

herwyn Downer, whose National Mining Workers Union (NMWU) specialises in representing gold miners in the interior, took a stand for democracy by mounting a protest outside of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Sunday.

That same day, Downer also mounted a one-man protest in front of Caribbean Community (Caricom) headquarters, the United States (US) Embassy, the British High Commission, the European Union and the Organisation of American States (OAS).

He is not protesting against these diplomatic organisations, however. Downer is protesting the continuation of the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change’s (APNU/ AFC) stay in office despite losing the March 2 General and Regional Elections and is urging President David Granger to concede defeat.

“I choose to take a side! I take the side of transparent, fair and credible elections in Guyana and I choose to be in the corner of democracy. It is almost four months now since Guyanese went to the polls on March 2nd to elect and vote for a party of our choice to form the next Government,” he said in a statement afterwards.

“But most unfortunately, to date, the will of the Guyanese

Sherwyn Downer kneels in front of Caricom headquarters

people have not been respected by the APNU/AFC caretaker Government and (Chief Elections Officer) CEO Keith Lowenfield of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).”

According to Downer, he is joining the rest of the international and local community in calling for President Granger to accept his defeat at the March 2 polls, a defeat made apparent by the results of the National Recount. He urged the President to do the gentlemanly thing and “walk away.”

“As a trade unionist in my country of which I am proud of and proud to be Guyanese, it is beyond sad that I am not proud

Downer in front of the European Union

of my President and his coalition partners who are refusing to accept electoral defeat and show respect for the will of the Guyanese people,” Downer said.

“I wish to remind Granger that Guyanese have a desire to be governed and not ruled and that desire was shown on elections day on March 2, 2020. We have spoken and the (Statements of Poll) SoPs and (Statements of Recount) SoRs are our evidence that Guyanese have chosen a party that must and should be allowed to form a Government and govern Guyana without haste.”

Downer also addressed the attacks on the character of Barbados Prime Minister and Caricom Chairperson Mia Mottley, by sup-

The trade unionist in front of the US Embassy

porters of APNU/AFC. A deluge of personal attacks from APNU/ AFC supporters was meted out on her after she made a broadcast in which she was critical of Lowenfield arbitrarily dumping hundreds of thousands of votes and manipulating the election results in the coalition’s favour.

Nor is she alone, as supporters have also attacked representatives of the international community who have been clear in calling for the will of the people to be respected.

Elections were held since March 2, 2020, but a winner is yet to be declared. After controversy erupted when Region Four Returning Officer twice subverted

Downer takes to his knees in front of GECOM, the centre of the political controversy

the process and declared fraudulent numbers, a recount was done that showed that the PPP/C won the elections by 15,416 votes. But in a report done by Lowenfield, it was claimed that the APNU/AFC coalition garnered 171,825 votes while the PPP/C gained 166,343 votes.

How the CEO arrived at those figures is unknown, since the certified results from the legally conducted recount exercise supervised by GECOM and a high-level team from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) pellucidly show that the PPP/C won with 233,336 votes while the APNU/ AFC garnered 217,920.

11 Consultant warns Guyana’s oil could be left stranded if sanctions imposed NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

....just as Venezuela is presently experiencing

O

nce the wealthiest country in South America and a world-renowned oil producer, Venezuela has fallen to depths that now see its oil shunned by countries around the world, which want nothing to do with the embattled Spanish speaking country as United States (US) sanctions hit.

According to a report from Reuters on Sunday, at least 16 tankers carrying 18.1 million barrels of Venezuelan oil are stuck at sea around the globe. Buyers, according to data from Refinitiv Eikon, are avoiding them like the plague to avoid falling afoul of the US and its sanctions.

This oil, according to Reuters, represents almost two months of output at Venezuela’s current production rate. Reuters explained that some of these vessels have been at sea for over six months, and have failed to unload their cargo despite stopping at several ports.

It was explained that due to the expensive nature of carrying oil cargoes, oil is rarely loaded onto a tanker without a buyer being secured. In cases where a buyer cannot be secured, such oil is usually sold at a discount. In the case of these tankers, they are sustaining heavy demurrage charges every day they stay at sea without offloading.

US sanctions against

Political consultant Jose Cardenas

Venezuela come at a time when the neighbouring country is in the throes of domestic troubles.

The Venezuelan economy has collapsed under the Nicholas Maduro regime and sanctions imposed by the United States over Maduro’s undemocratic grip on power based on elections widely panned as lacking credibility.

The Venezuelan President has even been charged in the US for narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering and corruption. Meanwhile, Guyana has domestic troubles of its own, being without an official declaration by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), three months after elections were held.

The past few months have been marked by court cases and attempts by elements in GECOM

to rig the elections in the favor of the incumbent coalition party.

Officials in the US and other countries have already warned that Guyana could be sanctioned and isolated on the world stage if the legitimate results are not used to swear in a President.

President David Granger has refused to concede and according to Jose Cardenas, a Washingtonbased political consultant who has worked with the US State Department, Guyanese should be wary of the threat of sanctions and what it can do to Guyana’s blooming oil industry.

According to Cardenas, who was speaking during a Zoom interview with several local reporters on Saturday, sectoral sanctions can have serious consequences for Guyana and its ability to earn money. It was noted that Guyana currently banks its oil revenues in the US Federal Reserve. According to him, there are implications for this.

“Those possibilities will be driven by events in Georgetown. If those funds sit in a US institution, they can be frozen,” Cardenas said.

“I don’t know in-depth enough about the contracts Guyana has signed with Exxon, but I expect it’s always a possibility that the current Government and Exxon can be prohibited from further exploration and moving oil to the international markets.”

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

The Cap Phillipe oil tanker used to transport Guyana’s oil

Guyana only began producing oil last year, with its first oil revenue-based earnings deposited in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in March of this year. That money, $11.4 billion, came from Guyana’s initial million-barrel oil lift. An additional sum of $7.3 billion was subsequently deposited, as well as royalty payments. This money is still sitting in the fund, earning interest.

Cardenas pointed out that the US takes threats to democracy in the western hemisphere more seriously than it takes such threats in other parts of the world, since countries in the hemisphere are expected to reflect democratic principles in Governments. Continuing his hypothesis, Cardenas noted that even if Guyana were to seek allies in countries at odds with the US, this will be a complicated and

expensive road to travel.

“I suspect that the Guyanese Government could attempt to sever its relationship with ExxonMobil and perhaps bring in a company such as we see in Venezuela, where Russian oil interests have been brought in to work. These are, of course, entities that work around the US financial system.”

“It’s not easy. It’s more expensive. So, you’d have to find a partner who’s willing to bear the excessive cost of doing business outside the US economic system. They’re out there. Iranian companies that evade US sanctions. I suspect if there was someone willing to bear the costs and the Government is successful in severing its relationship with Exxon, it would definitely set back the benefits growing for Guyana, to start all over,” Cardenas had said.

SYMPTOMS

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

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

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

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

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

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

Muscle pain

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have New loss of taste mild illness. or smell

12 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Poultry farmer arrested with Police destroy $18M in illegal firearm, ammunition ganja along Berbice River

P

A

poultry farmer of Clifton Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice, was on Sunday arrested after he was found with illegal firearm and ammunition.

Based on reports received, Police acted on information received and went to a farmhouse at Babu John, Port Mourant, and carried out a search during which an unlicensed revolver with two live and four spent .38 ammunition were found on a table.

At the time of the discovery, a 60-year-old farmer suspected to be the owner of

olice in B Division continue to put a dent in the drug trade. A number of drug eradication exercises were conducted over the past few days. The most recent was conducted on Saturday at Sandhill, Berbice River, where about $18 million in ganja was destroyed.

During the exercise, over 5000 cannabis plants

The unlicensed gun and ammunition

the farm was present and as such was arrested. He is as-

The dried cannabis found at Sandhill, Berbice River

sisting Police in their investigations.

ranging between three and four feet in height were destroyed. Based on the value of the plants it is estimated to be around $11.8 million.

In addition, approximately 3000 dried cannabis plants valued another $7 million were also found at that location. No arrests were made.

Fire that razed Kingston house was electrical – Fire Chief

Man wanted for killing “peacemaker” nabbed The ruins of the house after the inferno was extinguished on Thursday morning Owner of the house, Dhaniram Haricharran

T

he Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has completed its investigation into the Kingston Fire that left an 81-year-old man homeless, and revealed that the fire was electrical in origin.

This was confirmed by Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, who also stated that based on the findings of the GFS’ investigations, the fire started on the lower flat and quickly

spread throughout the building, thus completely destroying it.

The Barrack Street home was owned by Dhaniram Haricharran and went up in flames on Thursday last.

It was reported that smoke was seen emanating from the property sometime after 07:30h and without hesitation, the fire service was summoned.

Upon receiving the report, three tenders were deployed to the scene and managed to contain the blaze

from spreading to nearby buildings.

Nevertheless, the two-storey wooden and concrete building – situated at the back of a business establishment – was significantly destroyed. The outer structure remained intact while the contents in the interior turned to ashes.

The elderly man estimated his losses at about $20 million. He had moved in with his son, who resides at Vreed-en-Hoop on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD).

A

fter more than a week of evading Police, the suspect who was wanted in connection with the murder of a miner who intervened in a domestic dispute was arrested and has since confessed to the heinous crime.

He is accused to stabbing “Rakesh” of Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, to death after he acted as a peacemaker at Turtle Creek Landing.

However, the suspect, a miner of Lethem and Turtle

Creek, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni Mazaruni), was escorted to the Bartica Police Station upon his arrest, where he gave a statement admitting to killing the man. He is expected to make his court appearance in the new week.

It was reported that the suspect and his reputed wife were involved in a physical altercation during which the victim intervened.

It was then that the suspect armed himself with a knife and turned on Rakesh,

who put up a fight. During the scuffle between the men, the suspect stabbed Rakesh multiple times about his body and neck.

As a result of the injures, he fell onto the ground and remained in a pool of blood until he was picked up and taken to a medical facility in the area, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The now dead man’s body was transported to the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting proper identification and post-mortem.

Police destroy ganja field in Essequibo

down on the location and conducted a raid between 12:15h and 17:30h during which the ganja and motorcycles were found. However, the plants destroyed had measured between three to six feet in height.

The dried marijuana and the plants were subsequently destroyed by fire.

No one was arrested as Police continue their investigations.

The ganja being destroyed by Police

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five-hour drug eradication exercise by members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) at Onderneeming Sandpit, Essequibo Coast, on Saturday has resulted in the discovery of a quantity of marijuana and hundreds of cannabis plants. In addition, two motorcycles were found.

Based on information received, the ranks swooped

The two motorcycles discovered on the ganja farm

13 Corentyne youth in triangular love affair allegedly commits suicide NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…family suspects foul play ..girlfriend hospitalised after suicide attempt

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Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) taxi driver, who was reportedly involved in a triangular love affair allegedly took his own life after ingesting a poisonous substance.

The dead man has been identified as 24-year-old

Maynauth Sewlall called “Alex” of Lot 50 Adventure, Corentyne. He reportedly died on Saturday while receiving medical attention at the Port Mourant Hospital.

Based on reports received, the young man took ill on June 12 and would have lost control of the car

he was driving and ended up in a trench. He was reportedly pulled from the car but at the time, he could not speak.

Based on his behaviour, persons thought that he was under the influence of alcohol.

He was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where tests conducted revealed that

Foreign powers are speaking out for democracy to prevail – PPP/C PM Candidate

PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Mark Phillips

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s pressure continues to mount from the international and regional community for the March 2 elections results to be based on the certified figures emanating from the National Recount, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips said the foreign powers have been outspoken over Guyana’s situation due to their respect for democracy and people’s rights.

Phillips was the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial Candidate at the March 2020 polls, the results of which are yet to be declared – some four months after. A National Recount conducted under the scrutiny of a special Caribbean Community (Caricom) team shows the PPP/C in a landslide victory with some 15,416 more votes than its main political rival, the caretaker APNU/ AFC coalition, which has since challenged the results.

However, the international community – including the Kingdom of Norway, the Heads of the ABCE (United States, British, Canadian and European Union) Diplomatic Missions, a group of powerful US Senators and several bodies such as The Commonwealth, Organisation of American States (OAS), Nelson Mandela’s The Elders’ Group, and Caricom among others – have been calling for the David Granger-led APNU/AFC to concede defeat and demit office.

But there has been some pushback by the coalition and its supporters, who have attacked many of the regional leaders, despite Caricom being deemed as the most

“legitimate interlocutors” in the Guyana situation, and even the ABCE diplomats, accusing them of interfering in Guyana’s affairs.

According to Phillips, these foreign powers are merely speaking out in support for democracy to prevail in Guyana.

“The whole world is not against Guyana; the whole world is against the APNU/ AFC attempts to hold onto office after losing a popular election. The people voted for the PPP/C and the PPP/C must be allowed to form the next Government of Guyana. That is simply what all these individuals, all these international and regional organisations are saying to Guyana. They’re saying, we are a group of democratic nations, we pride ourselves with upholding the rule of law, respecting human rights and ensuring the will of the people prevail at all times in our region, in our hemisphere and we will not sit by idly and allow that process to be derailed in Guyana,” the PM Candidate posted during an interview broadcast on Antiguan radio NICE FM 104.3 Online.

According to Phillips, this is not the 1970s and 80s where the entire world turned a blind eye to what was happening in Guyana.

“You hear terms like “non-interference”, those were applicable in the 1970s – the important term today is the responsibility to protect [democracy] and the international community is telling us that you’re part of the Civil Society Charter of Caricom, and similar Charters in the OAS and the Commonwealth of Nations and we have to respect the will of the people in Guyana, we have to respect the rule of law in Guyana, we have to respect human rights and democracy will prevail in Guyana,” he stated.

The PPP/C PM Candidate went on to point out that it is only the caretaker coalition that is pushing back against these bodies. He noted that none of the other new political parties have done so and this clearly shows that the APNU/AFC is bent on holding on to office.

Leader of APNU/AFC, caretaker President David Granger

Only last week, the coalition and its supporters launched a barrage of attacks on the current Caricom Chair, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and the ABCE envoys, after they criticised the recent move

by Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield to invalidate over 115,000 votes.

The Caricom Chair had questioned, “on what grounds and by what form of executive fiat does the Chief Election Officer determine that he should invalidate one vote, far less 115,000 votes?”

The Western envoys stressed that “every vote cast by every voter” must be reflected in the declaration of the final elections results.

In response, PM Mottley on Friday said briefly at a press conference in Bridgetown, “The truth hurts. But what we must never do in Caricom is avoid the truth and avoid our principles.”

Recently, the coalition had also attacked Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves. Former Prime Ministers of Jamaica and Barbados Bruce Golding and Owen Arthur were also not spared.

Golding had led the OAS Elections Observer Mission while Arthur had led the Commonwealth Observer Mission to monitor the March 2 elections and witnessed the unprecedented events that followed.

In fact, Golding told the OAS Permanent Council, “I have never seen a more transparent effort to alter the results of an election.”

Dead: Maynauth Sewlall, called "Alex"

he had no alcohol in his system.

“They didn’t find anything but they still treat him with saline and other medication,” his father, Kishore Sewlall, told Guyana Times.

He was subsequently discharged from the medical facility but was readmitted one week later when his throat became inflamed. After several tests were conducted, a poisonous substance was detected.

As a result, he was transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was admitted and treated.

Nevertheless, on Wednesday last he was readmitted to the hospital for the third time after his health deteriorated.

“Everybody asks him if he drink anything and Alex say no, he didn’t drink anything,” his father revealed.

According to his father, he had warned “Alex” about a female with whom he was having a relationship, saying that he did not approve of her upbringing.

He explained that his son had eventually ended the relationship about two years ago but soon after he was reportedly seeing someone

Ex-girlfriend Omeica Bindah

Girlfriend Sonia Singh

else.

“After he ex-girlfriend start seeing he posting photos of his new girlfriend on social media, she started sending messages to the girl on Facebook.”

One of the messages read “if she can’t get him (“Alex”) then nobody will get him.”

Following the death of the young man on Saturday, his girlfriend, 22-year-old Sonia Singh, a pharmacy assistant, reportedly overdosed and has since been hospitalised.

The ex-girlfriend, 19-year-old Omeica Bindah, when contacted confirmed that even though they were separated, they were still close friends.

In a shocking revelation, she said she blames herself for his death.

“We would hang out like every two days or whenever he gets a chance, he does come by me. The night when he came, I noticed that something was odd because of his face expression alone; he was so sad…”

After pressing him for answers, he reportedly showed her a bottle with liquid.

“He had this thing in this bottle and he asked me if I

know is what so I told him that I didn’t know. Then I opened the bottle and I tried to smell it but it did not have any scent… it was light green in colour.”

She attempted to taste the substance in the bottle but the now dead man reportedly told her to “go and wash her hands and face.”

“I asked him what happened. And he said, ‘you will hear about it’.” The young lady noted that she did not take him seriously, since many times he would pull pranks on her.

Going back to their relationship, the teenager said they were best friends and then became “boyfriend and girlfriend”, but the problem started when he became unfaithful. “But then we made a vow to ourselves that whatever happens, we will still remain best friends.”

Meanwhile, she was accused of offering poison to her ex-boyfriend since he was the last person she saw before taking ill. This she, however, rubbished, claiming that she still loves and would never hurt him.

A post-mortem is expected to be performed on the body shortly.

14 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden's Deputy Mayor calls for alternative measures to address squatting W ith a notable increase in squatter settlements throughout the mining town of Linden and other parts of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), Linden's Deputy Mayor, Wainewright Bethune, is seeking a collaborative effort with all relevant stakeholders to address the situ-

ation and to explore various alternative measures for residents.

Bethune recently told members of the media that there has been a surge in squatters, more specifically in mined-out and other areas across the Region, which he noted can and has already had hazardous effects on the livelihood of

Police Constable disappears after leaving home for work

the people and the environment.

"Squatting is illegal, which is something that should not be encouraged but I do understand the frustration of people of wanting house lots and to get their own private property so they could live their lives comfortable. But these things would get more of a negative impact on agency eventually and those same persons who are squatting because there's not a design or a plan where it's being done and in order to get infrastructure in there it's very difficult; and some of these things you just cannot repair. So, I would ask the residents to be patient and desist from such activity; while I understand your frustration", Bethune stated.

The Deputy Mayor also noted that while squatting is illegal, more attention needs to be paid to finding housing solutions in Linden as he pointed out that with a more professional and systematic approach, many of these areas can be transformed into aesthetically beautiful and safer housing zones.

"I would also implore on the authorities, when you look at the demographics of Linden I think there are

lots of lands available in various parts of this township. What we have to do is sit as stakeholders - the Mayor and Town Council, RDC (Regional Democratic Council), the Lands and Survey... to have discussions to identify areas where we can put people.

Because you cannot tell people not to squat and there are no alternatives. People need land and I think it's time the authorities really get together and see what is available...NICIL (National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited) plays a key role in this. See what is available and have surveys done and have lands available in different parts of Linden", the Deputy Mayor urged.

He further explained that in most cases, these squatter settlements eventually become regularised and with that there are also serious challenges with regards to infrastructural development. As such, Bethune said there must be a level of responsibility by both the authorities and residents.

He noted that the issue has had his attention over the past few weeks as he related that he has some ideas which can be proposed to Central Government and

Linden Deputy Mayor Wainewright Bethune

other necessary stakeholders. In this light, the Deputy Mayor added that he plans on engaging various stakeholders about the issue.

“It's going to be some tremendous issues a few years from now if those lands are occupied and they have to be regularised...As the Mayor and Town Council, I think we represent the residents of this town and if we see that they're suffering, especially with this land issue it is something that would have been there for quite a while. So, of course, it would be a proposition from the Mayor and Town Council to ask the stakeholders to come on board.

Of course, we would be proposing some of the areas that we think could be occupied for residents. We are

also tasked with doing town planning, so we have to look at the landmass in Linden and make decisions where we're going to put what...", he related.

Bethune continued by saying that he's quite certain that there are areas in the community that can be identified for housing purposes. He said while he is positive that this can happen, there is the need for the residents and stakeholders to quickly come on board. The Deputy Mayor stressed that if the issue is not addressed it will become a major one.

"We see what's happening in Amelia’s Ward...

Dakoura mines and we have to do things to curb this... I was in the mines and I've seen a lot of houses going up by the corner, by the side of the river. These things would have direct or indirect environmental impacts and we cannot have our residents living like this. I think some massive representation needs to be made with all stakeholders on board and ensure that at least a significant number of persons will get house lots through the legal way.

And I think then we can curb most of this squatting that is going on", Bethune noted.

Linden roads in a deplorable state due to heavy downpours Missing Police Constable: Quincy Lewis

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olice Constable Quincy Lewis, who is attached to the Agricola Outpost, disappeared without a trace on June 19, 2020, after leaving home for work. The young police rank would have visited his home on the day in question to uplift a few pieces of clothes since he was supposed to be inline.

However, after collecting the items, he boarded motor car PTT 7541 and left his Lot 4315 West Minster, West Bank Demerara (WBD), home and was not heard from or seen since. When contacted, his brother, Revon Jordon, told Guyana Times that they only became aware that Lewis is missing after the owner of the car came looking for him at their home.

“We were under the impression that he was inline… when he is inline, we do not hear from him so, not hearing from him for a few days was not strange…It was until the owner of the car came looking for him, we knew that he was missing.”

The frustrated brother noted that Lewis is very responsible and would not leave “out of the blues without telling us. He has never done it before, and I don’t think he would now… something is definitely wrong.”

He noted that the police promised to review the CCTV recordings collected from various points but more importantly, the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) to determine if the car crossed.

At this time, he noted that the family is in distress and is asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of Lewis to make contact with them on telephone numbers 677-6547, 680-1436 or the nearest police station.

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s the inclement weather pattern continues, residents of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), have expressed concerns over the "deplorable" state of some main access roads in the community.

According to residents, the rainy season has had increasingly major effects on some roads which were already in a deplorable state.

As such, they are calling on the relevant authorities to look into the situation,

especially in areas considered as main thoroughfares.

It is evident that some of the roads in the area are eroding at a rapid pace.

Areas which are currently affected include Casaurina

One of the roads under water during the heavy downpours

The road has eroded rapidly over the past few days

Drive at Mackenzie, Block 22, Wisroc, and the entry to Wisroc and Block 22 at Wismar amongst numerous others.

Residents have also registered dissatisfaction over the quality of some roads in the community over the years, and have noted that in areas such as Block 22, there has been no overall

rehabilitation or improvement on the roadway.

The main thoroughfare at Casaurina Drive, which has been subjected to repeated repairs by the Public Infrastructure Ministry in the past is presently in a deplorable state and is flooded whenever it rains.

On Sunday, public-spirited citizens resorted to doing self-help work by patching the road in this area as they repeated calls for intervention. Residents are not sure how long the selfhelp repairs will last, especially with the constant downpours.

NEWS

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MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Audiology Dept focused on hearing concerns as Rehab Week ends

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ehabilitation Week was observed between June 21 and 27 and would have focused primarily on hearing impediments.

Government Medical Officer attached to the Audiology Department at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Alana Parris noted that there are 15 satellite clinics distributed throughout the 10 administrative regions, with the clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital, serving as the main, central clinic.

She disclosed that the ear mould and electronic labs are currently housed at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, where the repairing of and servicing of hearing aids take place.

The daily services offered at the Audiology Department include ear screening for newborn babies, hearing tests for infants, children and adults.

Dr Parris explained that among the majority of persons are the elderly, who suffer from age-induced hearing loss; children with congenital problems or perinatal issues; persons with sudden hearing loss due to acoustic trauma – ie noise-induced hearing loss due to constant noise exposure such as working in factories, music in buses.

“We also provide ear impressions, hearing aid fit-

ting, servicing and follow up clinics, as well as a review of patients, and counselling of parents and guardians.

Additionally, sensitisation exercises and workshops are hosted for teachers, mainly preschool levels and nurses to promote ear and hearing care,” she detailed.

Impact of COIVD-19

The Medical Officer told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that an average of 1200 patients are served yearly. Among these, approximately 500 are new patients and the remainder is comprised of follow-up visits and reviews of existent patients.

“However, there was a noticeable decline in persons accessing the service during the period between March to June 2020, as a result of the ongoing deadly pandemic, COVID-19. Services to the public were scaled down to contain the spread of the virus,” Dr Parris relayed.

She explained that while services were initially scaled-down, the Department is currently in the process of a phased reopening.

Clinic visits will be spaced out to allow time for sanitising between patients. On arrival at the facilities, patients will undergo a secondary screening, apart from what they receive at the gates of the fa-

An audiological practitioner performing OAE screening on a nursery school child in Lethem

cility. Patients’ hands will be sanitised at the door and companions will only be allowed into the testing room in extreme cases.

“Our staff is coping well, as we have been exposed to a healthy number of educational talks and training on how to conduct ourselves during the pandemic. We are also equipped with adequate personal protective equipment which we have done on a daily, to serve the public,” Dr Parris stated.

Though rehab services in Guyana began 71 years ago, the Audiology Department is one of the more recent

services that fall under this umbrella.

Audiology services commenced in 1997 with a project called Ear Care 2000, launched by the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Society of the Deaf (Sound Seekers), from the United Kingdom, Dr Parris noted.

She recalled that “Audiological scientists from London came to Guyana to set up a clinic at the Georgetown Public Hospital, and to train local personnel.

Two senior nurses and two technicians were trained in Guyana, whilst a doctor and

An audiological practitioner hosting a sensitisation clinic

two technicians were trained in the United Kingdom.”

The technicians were trained in ear mould manufacture and hearing aid repairs and servicing, whilst the doctor did a degree in Audiological medicine.

The service was officially handed over to the Ministry of Public Health, Guyana, in 1998, with Audiological Physician, Dr Ruth Quaicoe, heading the Department.

As demand increased, Dr Quaicoe composed a curriculum and training programme for audiological technicians that continues

to date. These technicians return to their respective regions to manage the satellite clinics after completing their training.

Dr Parris is encouraging the Guyanese population to take advantage of the services of the Audiology Department.

She underscored the importance of early detections of hearing loss and intervention, particularly in young children, and encouraged persons to contact the Department at telephone number 226-1511 to book an appointment.

GAN’s digital summer camp now online Trump denies being told about Russian to reach participants during pandemic bounties to kill US troops in Afghanistan

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he Guyana Animation Network (GAN) Inc on Friday launched its first virtual summer camp, Destination Digital Design, set to commence July 20 25, 2020, on its social media pages.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, GAN announced its desire to provide online training to its followers and participants who usually anticipate technology and STEAM-based training in the organisation’s annual summer camp activities.

This year’s 2020 summer camp activities are geared towards helping businesses, creators, children and youth maximise the time currently being spent while in “lockdown” or quarantine.

Through online design and animation-training, GAN has tailored customised online training materials to help participants learn digital skills in a “bitesized way” with reduced creative frustrations or difficulties.

The courses featured are digital design for business marketing, app prototyping and 2D animation. These courses will be provided through the organisation’s virtual platform to registered participants. Participants can

register at https://bit.ly/ GAN2020Registration or through membership with select partners.

Through Destination Digital Design, GAN aims to bring hope and inspire creativity during the current unprecedented times. The organisation recognises that globally, international organisations have launched digital design competitions to encourage persons to design solutions for the present and post-COVID-19 world.

Such competitions are the COVID-19 Design Innovation Grant launched by the International Design Awards and European Product Design Awards and the COVID-19 Global Virtual Design and Innovation Competition by the Qatar University.

Through GAN’s partnership with local and international entities, parents and adults who have been displaced by their jobs may be eligible for sponsorship into the summer camp. This is to help them upskill or reskill to start their own businesses or become employable in the digital economy with new digital skills learnt through GAN. This opportunity is also extended to businesses that

were pushed to transition to online operations and marketing due to health and safety guidelines for social distancing protocols.

Destination Digital Design’s training will run for one week in July, and registered participants can access the virtual platform at any time between 10:00h to 19:30h daily for the training content and assessments provided. Each day’s training may run for 30 minutes to 1 hour. At the conclusion of the camp, participants will submit final designs to be judged in GAN’s Design Competition.

Top designs will receive digital and creative prizes and recognition. GAN joins industries and sectors around the world who have shifted to providing or expanding their services, impact or products online during the current times.

The organisation explained in its online registration form that this year’s virtual summer camp is its 5th annual summer camp since its launch in 2016.

This year’s camp is one step towards GAN’s goals of providing physical and virtual industry-styled training in digital and creative skills to citizens of Guyana, South America and the Caribbean.

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resident Donald Trump on Sunday said he was never briefed about Russian efforts to pay bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill US troops in Afghanistan, blasting a New York Times report that he was told about Moscow’s cash rewards, but did not respond.

“Nobody briefed or told me, @VP Pence, or Chief of Staff @MarkMeadows about the so-called attacks on our troops in Afghanistan by Russians,” Trump tweeted, calling on the newspaper to name its anonymous source.

“Everybody is denying it & there have not been many attacks on us.”

The Times reported on Friday that US intelligence had concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit linked to assassination attempts in Europe had offered rewards for successful attacks last year on American and coalition soldiers, and that Islamist militants were believed to have collected some bounty money.

The White House and Director of National Intelligence on Saturday denied the report. Russia’s Foreign Ministry also dismissed it.

On Sunday, the newspaper published an additional report saying US intelligence

and Special Operations forces in Afghanistan alerted superiors as early as January to the suspected Russian plot to pay bounties, citing officials briefed on the matter.

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, part

leadership in NATO, reducing US forces in Germany and inviting Russia back into the G8.

Pelosi and House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff also questioned why, if Trump’s claims were true, he

President Donald Trump

of the so-called Gang of Eight lawmakers who receive frequent intelligence briefings, said she was not aware of the assessment and called for Congress to be briefed.

Pelosi cited the New York Times’ reporting and Trump’s denial as more evidence of the President ignoring allegations against Russia to accommodate President Vladimir Putin.

“There is something very wrong here. But this must have an answer,” she said on ABC News, adding that Trump has already supported Putin by diminishing US

was not told about the bounty offer.

“If he was briefed and still wanted Russia back in the G8, it’s even worse,” Schiff tweeted.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer urged tough sanctions against Russia in the defence bill that the Senate will debate this week.

“There’s obviously more to this story, but it is pretty remarkable the President’s going out of his way to say he hasn’t heard anything about it,” Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton told NBC News. (Reuters)

16 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Closing time for some India seeks extradition from Pakistan of California bars as US suspected Mumbai attack mastermind posts record COVID cases I

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alifornia on Sunday ordered some bars to close, the first major rollback of efforts to reopen the economy in the most populous US state as cases nationwide soar to record levels day after day.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s order for bars to close in Los Angeles and six other counties followed moves by Texas and Florida to shut all their bars on Friday. Public health officials in California and throughout the nation have identified bars as the most risky non-essential businesses currently open, the state said.

Consuming alcohol reduces inhibitions that leads to less compliance with wearing masks and keeping apart, health officials warn.

Bars are also generally noisy, requiring patrons to shout, which spreads droplets more widely.

The surge in COVID-19 cases has been most pronounced in several Southern and Western states that did

Even in states where cases have been declining for weeks, bars have been a source of outbreaks

not follow health officials’ recommendations to wait for a steady decline in cases before reopening their economies.

For a third consecutive day on Saturday, the number of confirmed US cases leapt by more than 40,000, one of the largest surges in the world. In many of these states, people under 35 have accounted for a large percentage of new cases. More tests are also coming back positive, up to 25 per cent in some areas.

Even in states where cases have been declining for weeks, bars have been a source of outbreaks. One bar in East Lansing, Michigan has been linked to more than 85 cases, according to local health officials who say that number is likely to rise.

In addition to bars, Texas shuttered tubing and rafting business on Friday to try to avoid crowds like those seen on Saturday in Arizona along the Salt River east of Phoenix. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Facebook ad boycott campaign to go global, organisers say

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rganisers of a Facebook Inc advertising boycott campaign that has drawn support from a rapidly expanding list of major companies are now preparing to take the battle global to increase pressure on the social media company to remove hate speech.

The “Stop Hate for Profit” campaign will begin calling on major companies in Europe to join the boycott, Jim Steyer, chief executive of Common Sense Media, said in an interview with Reuters on Saturday. Since the campaign launched earlier this month, more than 160 companies, including Verizon Communications and Unilever Plc, have signed on to stop buying ads on the world’s largest social media platform for the month of July.

Free Press and Common Sense, along with US civil rights groups Color of Change and the AntiDefamation League, launched the campaign following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black

The announcements follow controversy over Facebook's approach to moderating content on its platform – seen by many as too hands off. Founder Mark Zuckerberg said Facebook would also ban advertising containing prejudiced claims (BBC)

man killed by Minneapolis Police.

“The next frontier is global pressure,” Steyer said, adding the campaign hopes to embolden regulators in Europe to take a harder stance on Facebook. The European Commission in June announced new guidelines for tech companies, including Facebook, to submit monthly reports on how they are handling coronavirus misinformation.

The outrage in the United States over the death of

Floyd has led to an unprecedented reaction from corporations around the world. Its impact has been felt beyond US borders.

The global campaign will proceed as organisers continue to urge more US companies to participate. Jessica Gonzalez, co-chief executive of Free Press, said she has contacted major US telecommunications and media companies to ask them to join the campaign. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Trinidad: 12 Venezuelans arrested at Palo Seco

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welve Venezuelans were arrested as they came ashore at Palo Seco Beach, Palo Seco, on Saturday.

According to official Police reports, officers of the Santa Flora Police Station received information that a boat with Venezuelans nationals came ashore illegally.

The officers proceeded along the beach front and saw one Silver Tiida motor vehicle and one silver Almera vehicle parked on the shore with the 12 Venezuelans packing their luggage into them.

The vehicles were stopped, and the Venezuelans and the drivers of both vehicles were de-

tained.

Police confirm they were transferred to the Siparia health facility for COVID-19 screening. Afterwards, they were transferred to Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas, for quarantine.

The two drivers are Trinidad nationals.

Investigations are ongoing. (Trinidad Guardian)

ndia is seeking the extradition of a top Pakistan militant suspected to have planned the 2008 Mumbai attacks after the United States said last week he was living freely in Pakistan, Government officials said on Sunday.

India and the United States have both indicted Sajid Mir of the Pakistanbased Lashkar-e-Taiba group for the three-day attacks on hotels, a train station and a Jewish centre in which 166 people were killed including six Americans.

While Pakistan took action against the Lashkar founder Hafiz Saeed last year, it continued to provide safe harbour to other

top militant leaders, the US State Department’s 2019 country report on terrorism said.

One of them was Sajid, the “project manager” of the Mumbai attack, believed to remain free in Pakistan, the US report said.

An Indian official said the Government has repeatedly asked Pakistan to hand over Sajid who is charged with serving as chief planner of the attacks, directing preparations and reconnaissance and was also named as one of the Pakistan-based controllers during the attacks.

“We have asked before, and are demanding again, he needs to be handed over,” the official dealing with re-

gional security issues said.

Pakistan’s foreign office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Pakistan has repeatedly rejected US allegations that it is a safe haven for militants and said it has prosecuted the leadership of several proscribed groups.

Another Indian official said the lack of action against Sajid was in conflict with Pakistan’s assurances to international organisations, including the Financial Action Task Force, the global watchdog on terrorism financing.

Pakistan is trying to get off the FATF grey list of offending nations. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Lazarus Chakwera sworn in as Malawi President after historic win

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he new President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, has told the BBC that his win in the rerun election was a "victory for democracy and justice".

He defeated incumbent Peter Mutharika with 58.57 per cent of votes in Tuesday's poll.

"I do feel like Lazarus, I've come back from the dead," Chakwera said, referring to the biblical character of the same name.

In February, Malawi's constitutional court annulled Mutharika's poll win in May 2019, citing vote tampering.

The country was bitterly divided in the run-up to this week's election. But Chakwera said those who did not support him had nothing to fear.

"There's no cause for fear because I will be your president and my policy for inclusivity means we are building a new Malawi for all of us," Chakwera told the BBC Newshour programme.

"I'm not a president of a faction, I'm a president of

Lazarus Chakwera's political fortunes were revived by a court ruling that annulled last year's flawed election

everyone in the country," he added.

Chakwera dismissed allegations by Mutharika that the poll was marred by violence and irregularities, saying his predecessor was "misled by rumours".

However, he said he would not stand in the way of Mutharika should he want to challenge the election.

Saulos Chilima, Chakwera's running mate, was also sworn in as Vice

President at a ceremony in the capital, Lilongwe.

Chakwera, a Pentecostal preacher and former theology lecturer, said his role would be to unite and serve Malawians.

"I want to provide leadership that makes everybody prosper, that deals decisively with corruption and theft of public funds and a leadership that will follow the rule of law," he told the BBC. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Russian metal giant admits pollution in Arctic tundra

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Russian mining giant behind an enormous Arctic fuel spill last month said it had suspended workers at a metals plant who were responsible for pumping wastewater into nearby tundra.

Norilsk Nickel cited a "flagrant violation of operating rules" in a statement on Sunday, announcing it had suspended employees responsible for dumping wastewater from a dangerously full reservoir into wildlife.

The incident occurred at the Talnakh enrichment plant near the Arctic city of Norilsk, the company said, one month after the unprecedented fuel leak led President Vladimir Putin to

declare a state of emergency.

More than 21,000 tonnes of diesel leaked from a fuel storage tank at one of the company's subsidiary plants near Norilsk. The fuel seeped into the soil and dyed nearby waterways bright red.

A source told Russian Interfax news agency on Sunday that in the most recent case, approximately 6000 cubic metres of liquid used to process minerals at the facility had been dumped and that the discharge had lasted "several hours".

It was impossible to determine how far the wastewater had dispersed, the source said.

Independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta published videos from the scene showing large metal pipes carrying wastewater from the reservoir and dumping foaming liquid into nearby trees.

The Journalists claimed the factory deliberately funnelled the wastewater into wildlife areas and hastily removed their pipes when investigators and emergency services arrived on the scene.

The Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said it had received reports of "unauthorised dumping of liquid waste into the tundra" on the site of the facility, and had opened an inquiry.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020

17

Regional

Opposition demands In Haiti, coronavirus spreads in slums, showing new election in St Kitts challenge for Latin America F

B

erthony Clermont shares a two-room flat without running water with 10 relatives in the Haitian capital’s Cite Soleil slum, so when he fell ill with the novel coronavirus, they all did.

“I tried staying at home at the beginning, but it was difficult to isolate myself as the house is too small,” said the 45-year old. Mistrustful of the dilapidated public healthcare in Haiti – the poorest country in the Americas – Clermont and his family treated themselves at home with herbal teas.

Clermont’s plight is shared by many in Haiti and, more broadly, across the Caribbean and Latin America. Home to 654 million people, it is the most unequal Region in the world, according to the United Nations.

As Governments in Europe and some parts of Asia have managed to stem the spread of coronavirus, Latin America and the Caribbean have

emerged as one of the epicentres of the pandemic.

With confirmed cases globally hitting the 10 million mark on Sunday, the Region accounts for around a quarter of those.

From Argentina to Mexico, nearly one in five of Latin America’s urban population lives in crowded slums, like Cite de Soleil.

In such poor, densely-packed neighbourhoods – with little or no access to running water, sanitation and health facilities – residents struggle to fol-

low even the basic hygiene guidelines that experts recommend to prevent contagion with the highly infectious virus.

And, given a large informal labour sector and insufficient government welfare, many people cannot afford to quarantine – even when they are ill.

The situation is deteriorating fast. The number of cases in Latin America and the Caribbean has more than tripled from 690,000 one month ago to around 2.5 million. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Antigua's PM announces plan to liquidate LIAT

A

ntigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced plans to liquidate the regional carrier, LIAT. Browne, who made the announcement on Saturday, said a new entity would be formed and a meeting of all shareholders would be held shortly to discuss the matter.

“COVID would have actually, let’s say increased the losses exponentially, so whereas in all of 2019, LIAT made a loss of about EC$12 million, that was within the means of the shareholder governments to subsidise,” said the Prime Minister who was speaking on local radio.

“You would have found that since COVID, the planes have been grounded, they have to pay the lease payments and they are not

getting any revenue. A decision will have to be made to collapse it and then maybe the countries within the region will have to come together to form a new entity.”

Browne added that the Region cannot move forward without a form of connectivity and “you cannot have an integration movement if people cannot connect".

“What I’m hoping that we do not have going forward with the new entity, is any squabble over the location of the headquarters, at the end of the day, the only service that Antigua and Barbuda has enjoyed . . . within Caricom [Caribbean Community] is LIAT and this has been the case for several decades.

“So, I just hope that we are not going to have countries within the Region opportunistically fighting us

T

revealed five large packages which contained a green plant-like substance.

The vessel, its contents and the persons were handed over to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), Customs and Excise Division, and Immigration Division.

Investigations are continuing.

supporters that the party’s agents had reported that there had been massive cheating in the conduct of the general elections held during a State of Emergency and COVID-19 conditions.

“These are serious matters that we believe could have affected the outcome of the election and thus we are asking the court to look at the evidence, to look at the petitions of our candidates and determine whether or not those who were returned were fairly and justifiably returned, and if not, quash the returns of the Returning Officers and if we do not have our can-

Opposition Leader, Dr Denzil L Douglas

didates appointed instead, then we would have a new election,” Douglas said.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Minister in Jamaica apologises for comments on sexual harassment

J

amaican Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has apologised “unreservedly” for the remarks he made during a discussion of the issue of sexual harassment at a sitting of the Joint Select Committee on the Sexual Harassment Bill last week.

Chuck told the Committee that victims of sexual harassment should either report the matter within the one-year time frame or forget about the matter.

“We don’t want the situation that now happens in the ‘Me Too’ movement in the US where 30 years later you talk about ‘I was harassed in the elevator’,” a chuckling

Chuck told the members of the Committee, adding “if you don’t complain within 12 months, please, cut it out".

But he came under criticism from sections of the population after the comment was made on Thursday, with some indicating that he should have stepped down as Minister of Justice.

But even as he was quick to apologise for his “joviality” which had been taken as “a lack of empathy", Chuck issued another apology on Saturday saying,” when I queried what time limit would be appropriate, I made remarks about the #METOO movement".

“I unreservedly apolo-

gise to anyone who found my remarks inappropriate, as I never intended to disrespect the #METOO movement or to diminish the seriousness of the emotional trauma caused by sexual harassment, but on reflection I understand the concerns raised by members of the public.”

Chuck said he fully recognised the courage and strength of victims of sexual harassment who speak out against offenders, and stated that, in fact, in his other contributions to the discussion, he encouraged women to report and bring criminal charges against men who touch them without invitation. (Excerpt from CMC)

UN agencies warn millions may slide into extreme poverty in the Caribbean due to COVID-19 Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne

to get the headquarters in their country to displace Antigua and Barbuda,” he said, while adding that the formation of the new airline must be done swiftly.

(Excerpt from CMC)

TT Coast Guard intercepts vessel, seizes large packages of plant-like substance he Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG), while conducting border security patrols on Sunday, intercepted a vessel in the Gulfof-Paria.

There were three foreign nationals and two Trinidadian nationals on board the vessel.

Searches of the vessel

ive defeated candidates of the main Opposition St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) have filed petitions in the High Court challenging the results of the June 5 general elections in the twin-island Federation.

“The petitions allege massive corruption in the elections, massive corruption, and I ask everybody when it is published in the newspapers to read them carefully,” said Attorney Sylvester Anthony after filing the petitions late Friday.

SKNLP leader, Dr Denzil L Douglas later told

The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard continues to provide border security services in the face of the threat of COVID-19 in order to maintain the safety and security of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago through the conduct of maritime security patrols.(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

T

wo United Nations (UN) agencies have warned that millions of people may slide into extreme poverty and hunger in 2020 in Latin America and the Caribbean due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) impact.

In a joint report, “Preventing the COVID-19 crisis from becoming a food crisis: Urgent measures against hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean”, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), said that as a result of the crisis prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the population living in extreme poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean could reach 83.4 million people in 2020, “which would entail a significant rise in hunger levels due to the difficulties these people will face in accessing food”.

According to the report, after seven years of slow growth,

The impact on hunger will also be very significant

Latin America and the Caribbean could experience the biggest drop in regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in a century (-5.3 per cent), “which will push 16 million more people into conditions of extreme poverty in 2020 versus the previous year, to total 83.4 million people in all”.

“The impact on hunger will also be very significant, taking into account that, in 2016-

2018, there were already 53.7 million people experiencing severe food insecurity in Latin America,” the report said.

It said the effects of the crisis can already be seen in food systems: workers' vulnerability has grown and domestic food prices are rising more than the price of other products in the basic basket, according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). (Excerpt from CMC)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020

Around the World

Global coronavirus cases exceed 10 million

Cases have been rising particularly rapidly in Latin America

G

lobal coronavirus cases exceeded 10 million on Sunday according to a Reuters tally, marking a major milestone in the spread of the respira-

tory disease that has so far killed almost half a million people in seven months.

The figure is roughly double the number of severe influenza illnesses recorded

annually, according to the World Health Organisation.

The milestone comes as many hard-hit countries are easing lockdowns while making extensive alterations to work and social life that could last for a year or more until a vaccine is available.

Some countries are experiencing a resurgence in infections, leading authorities to partially reinstate lockdowns, in what experts say could be a recurring pattern in the coming months and into 2021.

There have been more than 497,000 fatalities linked to the disease so far, roughly the same as the number of influenza deaths reported annually.

The first cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed on Jan 10 in Wuhan in China, before infections and fatalities surged in Europe, then the United States, and later Russia.

The pandemic has now entered a new phase, with India and Brazil battling outbreaks of over 10,000 cases a day, putting a major strain on resources.

The United States, which has reported the most cases of any country at more than 2.5 million, managed to slow the spread of the virus in May, only to see it expand in recent weeks to rural areas and other places that were previously unaffected.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Russia denies its Pakistani capital to nuclear plants are get its first temple source of radiation leak complex with Govt aid

The Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant is operating normally, Russian officials said

R

ussia has said a leak of nuclear material detected over Scandinavia did not come from one of its power plants.

Nuclear safety watchdogs in Finland, Norway and Sweden said last week they had found higher-than-usual amounts of radioactive isotopes in the atmosphere.

A Dutch public health body said that, after analysing the data, it believed the material came “from the direction of western Russia”.

It said the material could indicate “damage to a fuel element”.

But in a statement, Russia’s nuclear energy body said its two power stations in the north-west - the Leningrad NPP and the Kola NPP - were working normally and that no leaks had been reported.

Radiation levels around the two powers stations “have remained unchanged in June”, the spokesperson added.

Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) tweeted on Friday that its Stockholm monitoring station had detected three isotopes - Cs-134, Cs-137 and Ru-103 - at higher than usual levels but not harmful to human health.

The particles were detected on June 22-23, he said.

The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands said on Friday that the composition of the nuclear material “may indicate damage to a fuel element in a nuclear power plant”.

The International Atomic Energy Agency - the UN’s nuclear watchdog - said on Saturday it was aware of the reports and was seeking more information from member states. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Khan’s Government provided 100 million rupees (US$1.32 million) in funding for the temple and the associated facilities, local media outlet the Dawn reported [Akhtar Soomro/Reuters]

C

onstruction of the first Hindu temple in the Pakistani capital Islamabad began on Tuesday, as a long-standing demand of the minority community was fulfilled by the Government of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The site of the Shri Krishna Mandir (temple) complex, will also include a crematorium, accommodation for visitors, a community hall and a parking space spread across an area of 4 kanals (2023 sq metres) in sector H-9.

The plot was approved back in 2017 under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Government - however, construction was delayed until this year due to various administrative hurdles.

Pakistan is home to about eight million Hindus, according to estimates from the country’s Hindu Council.

The last official figures were released in 1998, when the population of the minority community was put at three million. Majority of Hindus are based in the southern province of Sindh, which borders India.

“For the Hindu population in Islamabad, there is no place to gather ... there was no temple, there was no community hall ... which caused many issues for the community,” Lal Chand Mahli, parliamentary secretary on human rights, and a member of the governing party Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI), told Al Jazeera.

Also, there is no crematorium in the capital at present, Mahli noted, referring to a facility used by Hindus for funeral services. This meant people were forced to take bodies to their hometowns or villages travelling hundreds of kilometres.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Greens projected to surge as Macron takes hit in local elections

F

rench President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party faced a drubbing in municipal elections on Sunday, while the Greens surged into power in several big cities.

In a rare bright spot for Macron, his Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe, won his bid to become Mayor of the northern port city of

Le Havre. That could lead to a Government reshuffle, although the French Constitution allows Philippe to name someone else to act as Mayor while he remains Prime Minister.

However, the vote - delayed for months by the coronavirus crisis - otherwise delivered a dire verdict for the President, who could emerge

without winning a single contest in a major city, two years before he faces a presidential election.

Exit polls showed the Greens and their left-wing allies winning control of Lyon and Marseille, and ahead in the race for Bordeaux City Hall. In Paris, the biggest prize of all, an exit poll showed Socialist Mayor Anne

Hidalgo holding on to her job after a shambolic campaign

by Macron’s camp.

Voters wore face masks in the second round election and turnout was just 40.5 per cent, Interior Ministry data showed. The first round was held just days before Macron declared a lockdown in March. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

OILNEWS ExxonMobil readies to make major job cuts

T

he largest oil company in the United States is preparing to let go between 5 per cent and 10 per cent of its US-based employees subject to performance reviewed, anonymous sources told BNN Bloomberg.

Exxon’s job cuts will be characterised as performancebased, and not considered layoffs, technically speaking.

Employees who are not subject to performance reviews will not be affected, the source said.

Exxon told Bloomberg in a statement that there was no specific reduction target.

Exxon has not been immune to the drastic effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the oil price war that has destroyed demand for crude oil and eaten into profit margins for that reduced demand, and it has attempted to tighten its belt in response.

In Q1, Exxon swung to a US$640 million loss—its first loss in a decade after a US$2.9 billion market-related charge. It also cut 2020 CapEx by a staggering US$10 billion—a 30 per cent cut. It has also cut its production from the Liza field in Guyana, although that was related to the risk of excessive flaring and not the coronavirus or prices.

In addition to offloading some lower-performing employees, the oil giant is preparing to rid itself of its UK North Sea assets, for which it can no longer expect as much money thanks to the downturn.

The news comes as Minnesota and DC launch climaterelated lawsuits against Exxon—and others--alleging that they have deceived oil consumers for years about the effects of climate change, and about their role in causing climate change.

Exxon, headquartered in Irving, Texas, employed nearly 75,000 people globally at the end of 2019.

Shares in Exxon fell on Friday by 3.43 per cent by 4:11 pm EDT, to US$43.62. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Dozens arrested as Hong Kongers protest planned national security laws

H

ong Kong Police arrested at least 53 people on Sunday after scuffles erupted during a relatively peaceful protest against planned national security legislation to be implemented by the mainland Chinese Government.

Armed riot police were present as a crowd of several hundred moved from Jordan to Mong Kok in the Kowloon district, staging what was intended as a “silent protest” against the planned law.

However, chanting and slogans were shouted towards Police and later scuffles broke out in Mong Kok, prompting Police to use pepper spray to subdue parts of the crowd.

Hong Kong Police said on Facebook that 53 people had been arrested and charged with unlawful assembly, adding that earlier some protesters tried to blockade roads in the area.

The proposed national se-

curity law has raised concerns among Hong Kong democracy activists and some foreign Governments that Beijing is further eroding the extensive autonomy promised when Britain handed the territory back to China in 1997.

Sunday’s event came a day after Hong Kong Police refused permission for an annual march usually held on July 1 to mark the 1997 handover, citing a ban on large gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.

China has said the new security law will target only a small group of troublemakers as it tackles separatism, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in Hong Kong.

China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee reviewed a draft of the bill on Sunday.

Chinese state media reported that lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the draft. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020

19

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

Embracing technology during The need for quick sanctions in certain sections with swift action the pandemic and beyond Dear Editor, Prior to the pandemic, I created WhatsApp groups just to connect with friends and family, Google Classroom was merely a concept and Zoom meant an American educational TV series I enjoyed watching as a child (I’m a 90s kid). Now, these forms of communication (amongst other online platforms) serve as lifelines for me to engage my students who would have otherwise been left to their own devices (no pun intended). Speaking of devices in the technological sense of the word, I do realise how fortunate I am as an educator to have a majority of my students’ own devices as well as have access to the internet to connect such devices.

Without these prerequisites on the part of my students (and truly their parents), my facilitation of any semblance of virtual learning would have been in jeopardy, despite my best efforts. More so, my willingness to accept change and adapt to shifts in methodology has allowed me to navigate the uncharted territory of distance learning.

The advent of virtual classes requires the delivery of education in novel ways. What has worked in a physical setting cannot always be replicated to meet the demands of an online platform. I'm no expert in instructional design

and technology, but I'm open to change. Change is the first step. Change is inevitable. As such, I propose the following recommendations for educators who may be apprehensive about the use of technology.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education should not be reserved for distance learning, but must be incorporated in traditional settings.

Truth be told, those teachers who were already using their school’s portable projector, creating PowerPoint Presentations for their classes, and emailing handouts to their students prior to SARSCoV- 2 have been better equipped for pedagogy during a pandemic.

In all honesty, many of us have never been trained adequately to integrate ICT in our subject areas. A course or two during our teacher-training years is wholly insufficient. Workshops sponsored by the Ministry of Education are scarce (and even then not everyone gets to attend).

So what should a teacher who is a novice when it comes to ICT in education do? He or she must seek out opportunities and assistance. There must be no embarrassment in the acquisition of skills that would make one more efficient at his or her job. After all, education is a life-long

pursuit and we should not subject ourselves to complacency in the workforce, especially since the business of education waits for no one. We have to be humble enough to seek assistance from those who are versed in utilising educational apps and manipulating others for pedagogical purposes. Assistance can be sought from colleagues. More so, our greatest source of help comes directly from our students.

Our students are “digital natives” who can help us set up our projectors before the start of a class, show us how to share our screens on Zoom and attach documents using Google Drive. Interestingly enough, by allowing our students to teach us, they develop a sense of confidence in their own abilities and respect our efforts to cater to their own interests and learning styles.

Furthermore, there’s a wealth of information online with the sole purpose of educating teachers on how to use educational platforms.

You don’t know how to use Google Classroom? Having difficulties creating a quiz on Edmodo? There are YouTube videos that can assist. I’ve even heard of Facebook groups dedicated to providing tutorials for teachers. Do not worry about being overwhelmed by it all. Based on

my experiences, I learnt a lot as a result of trial and error.

It takes patience and you can only get better.

Additionally, it wouldn’t hurt to encourage your school’s principal to help organise professional development sessions for teachers to learn new ICT skills. Even if a specialist from the Ministry of Education is unavailable or it’s difficult to invite an educator who has the expertise, there are others who can assist such as a businessperson from the community, a past student, or even the parent of a current student who uses application software that can be manipulated for educational purposes.

In conclusion, it may be second nature for some of us to fear what we don’t understand and technology has been no exception. As such, the only match for the fear of technology is to develop an appreciation for it and then learn to understand it.

If there’s anything the pandemic has proven, it’s that technology is not an option for teachers and neither should it be a luxury for students. Its place in the educational landscape is cemented. The same can’t be said of educators who refuse to welcome it.

Sincerely, Albert Inshanally High school teacher

A metaphoric response to Dr Mark Devonish

Dear Editor, Kindly permit me a space in your newspaper to express my response to Dr Mark Devonish’s article; “Irfaan Please Take Down Those Victory Bill Boards”, in the Guyana Chronicle, June 25, 2020.

Editor, I have been living abroad for too many years but never lost interest or love for Guyana and all its ups and downs. For the past fifteen years, I have been reading on average two of our daily newspapers – one being the Chronicle – and have never commented on an issue.

This is my first attempt.

As an avid reader of at least two of Guyana’s dailies, especially the Chronicle, Dr Devonish’s position on the political divide is no news to me, and, I have absolutely no problem with his political views and opinions and that is his right - to freely express himself. What actually caught my attention in this article is his use of the sports (boxing) metaphor, where in Tokyo in 1990 Buster Douglas knocked down Mike Tyson stone-cold, and, that was it, “final is final”. I have been a cricketer, a coach of the University team, Captain of the Br High Commission team, Director of Sports at a University and Manager of the National Cricket team; with a booklet on "An Introduction to the Sociology of Sports." These, I think, qualify me to speak on the subject. Let me remind the learned doctor, that sometimes we “see” what we want to see, and have been enculturated to see.

Editor, kindly permit to deviate. The American scientist/philosopher Thomas Kuhn in his Structure of Scientific Revolutions noted: What a man sees (I think he meant person) depends both upon what he looks at and also upon what his previous visual-conceptual experience has taught him to see. In the absence of such training there can only be…. “a blooming buzzing confusion” (my emphasis), and, a necessary intellectual

paradigmatic shift to comprehend our political-electoral impasse. Any critical analyst, within the Guyanese body policy, would agree that since 1955 many of us cannot see beyond that narrow, myopic political/ethnic, rural/urban dichotomy.

Here is my sports metaphoric response to Dr Devonish’s article. It is “known” that God and Satan usually meet to discuss global issues. Such meetings, I suppose, are to ensure some sort of equilibrium in worldly affairs and, as it was known in the 1960s, among us West Indians, it would have been impossible to exclude cricket in the discourse.

At the time too, Alexander’s captaincy was called into question. God tried to convince Satan that he/she would be the best captain for any cricket team. Satan would have none of that; a heated argument ensued.

Finally, it was agreed that God and Satan would each select from the cricketing world a team to play a match at Lords. Then, it was also agreed that a toss would be spun to decide who would select the first “eleven.” God won and began with Sobers, Kanhai, Hall, Gibbs, Richie Beneau and so on. To his surprise, as God was selecting, Satan kept smiling. God continued with Godfrey Evans, Apte … and finally Basil Butcher. God said to Satan, it is your turn. Satan selected his first eight players, relatively good players, then told God he will select the two umpires and the scorer.

Do I need to say more?

When God’s team went in to bat the two umpires met and extended the boundary-line by ten yards; a six from Sobers, the scorer, recorded two; a four from Kanhai recorded as one. A ball touching the batsman, out, LBW. Obviously, a low scoring side. When Satan’s eleven went in to bat, the two umpires unilaterally reduced the boundary-line by twenty yards. Every second

delivery from Wes Hall was a no ball.

God, frustrated by this process, called out Satan to discuss these anomalies (someone shouted “take you licks like a man”). Satan, like Emperor Nero, pontificated; “according to the MCC cricket rules, umpire decisions are final, I cannot interfere. God suggested inviting an international arbitrator. Satan and his cohorts kept shouting, this is a national issue, we do not need foreign interference. Simply because Satan says “final is final” does not necessarily make final, final.

We have been living as neighbours, sharing a homeland since 1838, over a hundred and seventy-five years.

Sometimes – like Mash, Christmas and Phagwah – we behave like friends and neighbours and relatives, at other times, like National Elections, we behave as though we want to (xenophobically) animate “the other”. Whether we understand it, or care not to, we are in a symbiotic relationship, like two toads clamped together.

Now, if one accepts that premise, when you struggle to get at the top it means that the toad at the bottom will have to carry you (parasitic, isn’t it?).

Let us go sideways thus, each toad will carry its weight. No one is either going to send anyone back to India or to Africa, nor is anyone going to push anyone into the Essequibo, Berbice, Demerara or Corentyne River. Without a sense of national unity and a strong sense of moral conduct to guide us all, the oil wealth would be wrestled away by those who are waiting with their pumps at our door.

Sincerely, Andra P Thakur, PhD Retired Anthropology Professor and HRA, Vancouver Island University.

Nanaimo, BC Canada

Dear Editor, The weather for the next two weeks in Guyana certainly underlines the state of mind the Guyanese people have endured for the past two years, at least. It is not that rain is not a good thing, but, the heavy thunderstorm, overcast conditions and the absence of the brilliant sunshine certainly casts aspersions to portray a picture of doom and gloom and the presence of evil thriving to conquer good.

It definitely does not conjure the ambience for any happy mood that will propel the urge to participate in any form of celebration. Is this a forewarned sign to adopt any wrongdoing preventative method, or, is it a sign to notify us in advance of the times to follow that will deflect a departure from righteousness to unrighteousness?

Guyana has been showered with the blessings of the national and international community and individuals on a constant basis, supporting the call for free and fair election and the confirmation of the elections recount valid votes that legalise the PPP/C to be sworn in to legitimately govern the country.

Yet the APNU/AFC party members (with the distinct exception of a few brave and honest ones) have categorically insisted on denying the acceptance of the mathematical errors conjured by Mingo and Lowenfield that is so obvious and glaring to the entire world without the shadow of any doubt.

This influence and propaganda for electoral fraud, lies and deceits is masterminded by no other than the chief architect for a renegade leader who continues to squat on the people’s property since 2018 at the defeat of the NCM in favour of the opposition party. Yet, again, the fate of the election’s result is in limbo, hindered by the ongoing appeal case lying with the CCJ to commence on July 1.

Certainly, insanity has taken a new height in precedence and rationality, gone berserk and categorically morbid when a sore loser for a vile dictator has unmasked his real identity and inhumanly unleashed a war of attrition on the poor and suffering underprivileged people of this unfortunate nation. We need not question, query or doubt this transparent claim but can allow our minds to reminisce down memory lane and wax on the inconvenient truth that laid the solid foundation for barefaced advantages taken by this syndicate of lawlessness: 1) Refusal to follow the Constitution of Guyana.

2) Refusal to immediately adhere to the compliance of the NCM. 3) Refusal to adopt the legal framework of choosing a Chairman for GECOM. 4) Refusal to accept the decisions of the CCJ. 5) Refusal to concur with the dictates of GECOM. 6) Refusal to acknowledge

the findings of GECOM, Caricom and OAS. 7) Refusal to concede defeat.

8) Refusal to listen to the advice of the national and international community.

9) Refusal to act as a caretaker administrator only.

10) Refusal to comply with Parliament procedures.

11) Refusal to refrain from raping the Treasury.

12) Refusal to act responsibly.

11) Refusal to effectively manage COVID-19 repercussions.

12) Refusal to govern without prejudice.

13) Refusal to eliminate poverty.

14) Refusal to live up to election promises.

15) Refusal to treat all ethnicities equally.

16) Refusal to practice equal employment opportunities.

17) Refusal to allow law and order to take its legal course.

18) Refusal to apply the principles of truth and honesty.

19) Refusal to grasp the concept of freeness and fairness in electoral procedure.

20) Refusal to conform to the honour of dignity and valour.

20) Refusal to avoid corruption and fraud.

21) Refusal to work in the sole interest of this country.

22) Refusal to negotiate for contracts that will provide maximum gains for the people.

23) Refusal to protect the property of the State.

24) Refusal to maintain peace and unity to develop the destiny of this nation.

25) Refusal to listen and grant the “will of the people.”

This stranger for a Mr Hide and Seek certainly appears and disappears conveniently.

Is he the puppet for a higher commander? The world has seen enough and realises that because of all these exposures, this nefariously despicable band will try anything in order to forcefully and illegally retain power because of fear of all their misdemeanours coming to light and the refusal of ever allowing anyone else to be given an opportunity to govern.

The international community knows that they cannot trust anything that the APNU/AFC says because of their past history for retraction. The people of this country continue to be depressed from oppression and need immediately, quick and effective sanctions in certain sections, with swift action.

This country is in a state of caucus and desperation, because, regardless of the outcome of the CCJ matter, the APNU/AFC will again repeat their opinion that, that is their interpretation and not that of the APNU/AFC! Respectfully, Jai Lall

20

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Pay attention to the way you look and how you present yourself to the world.

Health, diet and exercise will lift your spirits and encourage you to try new things.

Take advantage of an opportunity to learn. How you spend your time will affect the type of day you have. Don't sit around waiting for something to come to you.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

A physical activity will help restore your balance and push you in a meaningful direction. Don't feel obligated to make a change because someone else does.

Live within your budget.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Embrace change and make whatever is happening around you work in your favor. An opportunity to improve your income is heading your way.

Speak up, share your ideas and change your destiny.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Keep busy and put your energy into something that counts. Less talk and more action will bring better results. Don't take on someone else's responsibilities. Do your own thing.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Listen carefully, assess situations and make practical choices. Expect the youngsters and seniors in your life to overreact.

Remain calm to control the outcome.

Refuse to get dragged into a situation that has nothing to do with you.

Your words will be used against you. Spend time making personal improvements instead of trying to change others.

Expand your skills, knowledge and experience.

Use your attributes to fit changing economic trends.

Your success will depend on your ability to diversify and adapt.

Avoid joint ventures.

SAGITTARIUS Spend time changing your (Nov. 23surroundings to accommoDec. 21) date a project you want to start. A close relationship will improve with a little tender, loving care.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

You'll thrive on change.

Dedication will be required to get things done; however, don't make the mistake of neglecting the needs of someone close to you in the process.

Keep your emotions tucked away when dealing with money matters or changes that are happening at home. Pitching in and doing your best to help will ease whatever transition is taking place.

Offer help to others, but don't let anyone take advantage of you. Leave time to take care of yourself and do something that brings you joy. A creative project will ease stress.

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020

L

ewis Hamilton says Bernie Ecclestone is "ignorant and uneducated" after the ex-Formula 1 boss made comments about racism.

Ecclestone, 89, told CNN that "in lots of cases, black people are more racist than what white people are".

Six-time world champion Hamilton, 35, said Ecclestone's remarks were "sad and disappointing". He added they demonstrated "how far we as a society need to go before real equality can happen". Hamilton, writing on Instagram, said: "Bernie is out of the sport and a different generation, but this is exactly what is wrong.

"It makes complete sense to me now that nothing was said or done to make our sport more diverse or to address the racial abuse I received throughout my career.

"If someone who has run the sport for decades has such a lack of understanding of the deep-rooted issues we as black people deal with every day, how can we expect all the people who work under him to understand? It starts at the top.

"Now the time has come for change. I will not stop pushing to create an inclusive future for our sport with equal opportunity for all. To create a world that provides equal opportunity for minorities."

J

oshua Da Silva was just 17 years old when he turned up at Old Wimbledonians CC in Surrey for a stint of club cricket as part of the Kieron Pollard Scholarship programme. He did well in that 2017 season, averaging over 60 with the bat and keeping wicket tidily.

Unassuming, polite, a bit shy, the club loved him too. Everything that summer went as well as could be. Except for one match. "I remember that like yesterday," Da Silva laughs. "That one still irks me."

Old Wimbledonians were hosting Staines in a league game. Da Silva was left trying

Joshua Da Silva

to chase down a total of 204 almost singlehandedly after the rest of the batting line-up had collapsed in a heap. He had just passed 50 when he was joined by the number 11. Da Silva farmed the strike, played a few shots and had somehow managed to get to 115 when, just a few runs short of leading his side to what would have been a remarkable

21

Bernice Ecclestone

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton's post came after F1 rejected Ecclestone's remarks and emphasised that he has "no role" in the sport.

F1 said in a statement that it "completely disagreed" with Ecclestone and that his comments "have no place in F1 or society". It added that Ecclestone's former role of Chairman Emeritus, given to him in 2017, "expired in January 2020".

F1 has launched an equality and diversity taskforce to increase opportunity for minority groups. Ecclestone was removed from his position as chief executive of F1 when US group Liberty Media bought the commercial rights to the sport in January 2017. The remarks are the latest in a series of provocative and controversial comments from Ecclestone on race in recent

years.

A n d they come at an especially sensitive time for F1, which has made it clear it stands by and backs world champion Hamilton's support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Hamilton has been outspoken on the topic, saying he had been "completely overcome with rage" at events in the US, where the death of the African-American man George Floyd in Police custody last month after an officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes led to protests around the world.

The Mercedes driver has said that he has been the subject of racism himself throughout his career, and referenced a time in 2007 when fans turned up in black face at a circuit. Ecclestone told CNN that he felt a commission set up by Hamilton to increase diversity in motorsport was not "going to do anything bad or good for Formula 1; it'll just make people think, which is more important".

Ecclestone said he "didn't know" Hamilton had been subjected to racism and that he had "never needed" to discuss it with him, adding: "I'm surprised that it concerns him even." (BBC Sport)

victory, he went for one shot too many.

"The worst bowler got me out, which is the worst part," he says. "Caught and bowled.

I went for a sweep and caught the bottom of the bat and it went straight back to the dibbly dobbly bowler. That one really, really hits home because I just wanted to do it for the team... It was disappointing that I didn't see it through." It was the only time Johnno Gordon, Da Silva's Captain, saw him lose his cool the whole summer. They still talk about that innings now.

Things have moved quickly for Da Silva since. In just three years, he has gone from playing Division Three club cricket in Surrey to unseating Denesh Ramdin, the 74Test veteran, as Trinidad's number one wicketkeeper during last season's West Indies Championship. Da Silva's performances in that competition with gloves and bat forced his way into the reserve squad for West Indies' current tour of England.

"I did not expect this," he tells Cricbuzz. "I told myself last year – I was talking to my Dad – I told him that I'd give myself three years to make the West Indies. I haven't made the squad yet, but I'm getting close. I'm on the reserves, so hopefully soon, it will be less than that three years, and I can make it."

Although some way off the finished article, his reputation is starting to grow. Jimmy Adams, the West Indies' Director of Cricket, spoke of Da Silva's talent on the Two Hacks, One Pro podcast this week. Floyd Reifer, the West Indies batting

coach, was impressed when working with him as part of the Emerging Players team, which stunningly won last season's Regional Super50 competition. A common theme from those who know Da Silva is praise for his work ethic and determination.

He is somewhat of a late developer, though, having only decided to pursue a cricket career rather than a football one in 2016. He played just a handful of games for Trinidad's age group teams and never made the West Indies Under-19 team. Gordon recognised Da Silva's talent as a 17-year-old but says it wasn't obvious then that he would go on to a professional career.

Da Silva himself cites that season in England as a pivotal moment in his development. The responsibility of being the batting's main breadwinner each week – "If I didn't score runs the team would've been in a spot of bother" – and learning to fend for himself helped him grow.

"Just overall, the responsibility which I never really had because I was a bit of a mummy's boy at the time," he says. "Still am. But that really helped me to progress."

He had joined the famous Queen's Park CC in Port of Spain a year before he played in England. The club had two sides in the country's top division and they identified Da Silva as the keeper they wanted for the second of those topflight sides. At that stage, however, he wasn't quite ready. He had a few technical issues on the front foot and was a bit too gung-ho. So, the club got him ready.

Under the watchful eye of Coach David Furlonge, Da Silva was put through an exhaustive five-days-a- week training programme to get him up to scratch. In the mornings, the pair would train one-to-one and in the afternoons, Da Silva would join in with the club sessions where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Shannon Gabriel and Sunil Narine. "When we decided to do it, we said don't come in late, no complaining," Furlonge says. "He worked hard for it."

Six hundred runs for Queen’s Park in the 201718 season was his reward and a First-Class debut for Trinidad came the following season. But Da Silva only really started to make his name in last year's domestic programme, having worked hard on his fitness and with a fire lit under him by the

disappointment of being left out of Trinidad's squad for the one-day tournament.

It was a setback, but he was given a reprieve when selected as a squad player for the West Indies Emerging Players side, who were also included in that competition. Da Silva didn't expect much game time, but made the most of an early opportunity in the second game against the USA. He pumped 62 off 44 balls and then scored a hundred in the next game. "The rest was history," he says.

Da Silva's performances for the Emerging Players helped him force his way into Trinidad's team for the four-day tournament which followed. He averaged 50.70 from eight FirstClass games, including a maiden hundred, and kept Ramdin out of the side. It was a significant leap. The season before, he had averaged 21.75.

There were no significant technical changes, but he had dropped 30 lbs since working with Furlonge.

"I did a lot of running. I passed the fitness test for the first time, which was very good," Da Silva says. "My fitness definitely played a big part in being able to bat for longer and making better decisions and concentrating on all those things. I needed to get fitter, because to play at this level is not easy. I knew from last season that I wasn't where I needed to be. I still have a lot of work to do."

Da Silva wants to be an all-format cricketer, but is yet to make his professional T20 debut.

He was part of the Caribbean Premier League's draft this week and although the signings have not yet been released, he is expected to be picked up by one of the franchises. His main aim, however, is to play Test cricket for West Indies. If he does so, he will be the first white West Indian to don the maroon cap since Brendan Nash in 2011.

For now, Shane Dowrich is the man in possession of the West Indies keeping gloves.

But if Da Silva does eventually fulfil his dream, and he finds himself on the verge of leading his country to victory in a match, perhaps he will think back to that game against Staines in Surrey league cricket and knuckle down to get the job done. Then maybe that defeat won't irk him so much. (Cricbuzz)

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lzarri Joseph has downplayed the significance of the news that West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons is self-isolating in his Old Trafford hotel room as a health precaution.

Simmons left the West Indies' bub-

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Phil SImmons

ble to attend a funeral on Friday, and has been self-isolating since then in his room on-site. He will watch the squad's second intra-squad warm-up game from his balcony this week, and will be permitted to join back up with the group on Thursday if he returns two negative COVID-19

tests.

That means that the burden will fall on assistant coaches Roddy Estwick and Rayon Griffith ahead of the fourday First-Class fixture that starts today, with Floyd Reifer helping out as batting coach. A Cricket West Indies (CWI) spokesperson confirmed that Simmons "is in self-isolation currently" on Saturday after the Daily Mail broke the story, but Joseph said that it would not present the team with any major problems.

"That doesn't really disrupt our preparations," he said. "We have our jobs to do – we have our preparation to keep going with.

We have a very big coaching staff here that are very supportive of each other, so that's not really a problem for anyone."

Joseph, who looks set to form part of a four-man seam attack in the first Test along with Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Jason Holder, said that he hoped he could use any perception of him as a "weaker link" to his advantage. "Obviously, those three guys have a lot more experience than I do," he said. "I'd think more often than not, teams would see me as the weaker link. I think my job is to come in and just back those bowlers [up] and keep the pressure on.

"It's not necessarily because of age, but because of the number of matches I've played compared to the other three bowl-

T

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

NOW!

Dave Cameron

F

ormer Cricket West Indies (CWI) boss Dave Cameron is now looking further afield at the possibility of becoming Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

According to reports, Cameron will be seeking nominations for the post, but is yet to make a request that the CWI support his bid.

It is not certain if the CWI would support a bid from Cameron either after the former boss and the man who ousted him, Ricky Skerritt, had very public differences, not just during their election campaigns, but recently. Skerritt investigated Cameron’s tenure as President by way of an audit where there were a number of questions regarding accounting practices of the organisation.

CWI Vice President, Dr Kishore Shallow has not commented on whether or not the CWI would back such a bid, saying he wanted to wait to discuss it with the Board upon the occasion of receiving a formal notice on the matter.

ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar will leave the post when his term ends this year with the ICC slated to discuss the election of a new boss in the very near future.

At the moment, frontrunner to fill the spot being left vacant

by Manohar is England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief Colin Graves. Graves was expected to be elected unopposed when he steps down from his five-year sojourn at the helm of the ECB in August. Cameron was President of the CWI from 2013-2019.

(Sportsmax)

ers. I could use it as an advantage – I know my abilities and they [England] might not know. But once I turn up on the day and get the job done, I know I can get on top of any opponent.

"I see this tour as an opportunity for me to help the team to get higher up the rankings. Any opportunity I get to play, I'll take it, and whatever the Captain and the team require me to do, I'll put my best foot forward."

Joseph took six wickets in this week's warm-up game, including that of Shai Hope in each innings, and said that he felt as though he was hitting his straps well heading into the series. "I'm just looking to stay consistent," he said. "I think I bowled pretty well [this week], so I'm just looking to repeat what I did in the last game. "[The 2017 tour] was a really big learning experience for me, my first time in England. So, I have some experience here now – I know how to bowl in these conditions my second time around.

"The ball does a bit more here in England than in the Caribbean. It's just some slight adjustments, nothing too big, but some simple adjustments.

For me, I think it's about being consistent round that good area, extracting whatever movement you can get off the pitch, and Head Coach Phil Simmons sticking to plans as long as possible." (ESPNcricinfo)

rinidad's wealthiest and most renowned cricket club, Queen's Park has been hit hard by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that started in March and as a result, the club was forced to make drastic changes brought on by force majeure.

A force majeure event refers to the occurrence of an event that is outside the reasonable control of a party and which prevents that party from performing its obligations under a contract.

Queen's Park lost a lot of revenue from rentals of space at the Oval and also from contracts that would have been signed for international events.

WiththeadventofCOVID-19,thereisnorecourse in terms of recouping the lost revenue and as such, the club has had to make changes to its structure t o survive these turbulent financial times.

Speaking to Guardian Media Sports on Tuesday, Ruthven Jack, the club's treasurer, s a i d : "We saw the closure of the restaurants All Out and Jaffa during the COVID-19 lockdown.

T h e s e are our tenants, so we would not have collected revenue from them for this period. We also had to close the Pavilion, which is another revenue stream that went dry. The S o u t h African team was scheduled to come to Trinidad and Tobago to play at the Oval w h i c h is another lost opportunity to gain revenue.

If CPL plays here, there will be no crowds so we m i g h t just break even with the rental fees we w i l l get. We have loans, we have overdrafts t o take care of and with no money coming in, it has been difficult. We have had to draw a line and cut a clean slate to move forward."

The management of the Queen's Park Cricket C l u b has sent home their Chief Executive Officer ( C E O ) Allan Clayton, as well as several of what Jack termed staff that is considered variable expenses.

T h e 124-year-old club has kept administrative s t a f f which falls under fixed expenses.

Jack explained: "We hope to survive, o u r year-end comes at the end of June and we h a v e been taking it month by month." Going forward the club is expected to use a new s t a f f structure to improve their bottom line and s t a y afloat. We have sent home the workers we see as variable expenses. By this, I mean those t h a t are there for events. It makes no sense to keep a full staff when there are no events to make money. It just does not make any sense. What we will do is to make use of the staff we are letting go w h e n we have an event. So, they will come in

and work the event.

However, we cannot afford to keep them on full time as the revenue for that is just not there anymore. Times are uncertain and we had to make this decision to keep the club going. The administrative staff is still there and they have been doing a good job of keeping this moving. We intend with the new structure in terms of the staff to run the club successfully."

Jack said that it took a huge amount of money to keep such a vast sporting arena in top shape. He used the club's electricity bill as an example. "Let me just say that the maintenance alone on this facility is very costly. The electricity bill comes in around $100,000 a month. This is very costly and we have to keep those lights on because if we had switched it off during the COVID-19 we would have incurred further loss as they may have become unfunctional.

He said: "Even those panels on the electrical scoreboard. Just last week, we took a look at it and there are panels that need repairs. We then have to rent equipment to get up there to find out what is the problem and then keep it there until the problem is fixed. This is just an example of the kind of expense that pops up. We have kept most of the ground staff, because if we don't tend to the outfield it will deteriorate to an extent that may see us having to spend $4 million to relay the turf and outfield which we did a little while ago."

He continued to show just how difficult it is to keep the local cricketing mecca alive and well. "If there are CPL games, we will charge a rental fee. The club is a private one, so I can't reveal the figures, however, we might just break even under the new guidelines.

"There will be no crowd, so revenue will be lost, as we cannot rent the huskers and other tenants who normally sell at the venue. However, we will still have all the expenses as if there was a crowd on hand. This is the tough part for us because we will still have to pay for security, we will still need a bomb sweep before the players arrive. More than that, we will still have to sanitise the Oval before games. And given the new protocols, we will be sanitising areas a lot more. So, our bills will continue to mount.

"We have good management in place and we are confident that we will get through these difficult times and all will be well at the Oval." (Trinidad Guardian)

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

West Indies Test tour in England...

23

– Bonner, Reifer, Chemar facing uphill task ing Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner and Raymon Reifer may encounter difficulty in breaking into the final XI if the familiar faces are fit and ready to go. Reifer, however, has announced himself with a five-wicket haul while Shayne Mosely has reminded John Campbell that he was knocking on the door for a selection in that opening slot.

If conditions favour the fast-

By Brandon Corlette

G

iven the nature of the pitch and other relevant circumstances on that given day or during the build-up to that first Test match on July 8, the starting XI of the West Indies team will be announced.

From the first of the two intra-squad practice matches between Jason Holder's XI and Kraigg Brathwaite's XI, the composition of the teams provided an insight to what the final XI of that first Test would look like.

Holder's XI featured the four top fast bowlers who have been the talk of the town in recent times.

Along with Holder,

Chemar Holder

Jermaine Blackwood

Nkumrah Bonner

By Brandon Corlette

O

n March 4, 2020, two of the country's best cyclists Jamual John and Michael Anthony departed Guyanese shores with the intention of plying their trade with the Foundation Cycling Club in

Shannon Gabriel, K e m a r Roach and A l z a r r i Joseph featured on the

same side during the first practice match while in Brathwaite's XI, the firstchoice batting options featured. Despite some strong performances from some of the reserve players, the starting XI for the first Test match is expected to feature familiar faces.

However, this "familiar face" formula may be subject to change given that there have been health issues and injuries during the build-up. The return-

er men, the West Indies starting XI for the July 8 match will feature: Kraigg Brathwaite; John Campbell; Shamarh Brooks; Shai Hope; Roston Chase; Jermaine Blackwood; Shane Dowrich (wicketkeeper); Jason Holder (Captain); Kemar Roach Alzarri Joseph and Shannon Gabriel. Given the track is subject to spin, Rahkeem Cornwall may replace a batsman, most likely Blackwood. Reifer, who made a claim for himself with the five-wicket haul, may play as a like-for-like replacement if Holder’s ankle troubles factor in the build-up to that opening Test.

While Gabriel is in the reserves, if fully fit, he will slot into the official squad and may break into the

starting XI. The final practice match, which is set to commence today and will span four days, will inform these final decisions.

Blackwood, who scored the most runs in the Regional Four-Day tournament, failed to make an impact in the first practice game, scoring 3 and 15. Bonner made 5 and 24* in the first practice match.

Chemar Holder, who is pipped to form the backbone of the future West Indies bowling attack, will also have an uphill task to play ahead of Roach,

Rahkeem Cornwall Raymon Reifer

of America, the cycling season for these wheelsmen was cut short.

After almost 104 days, 2496 hours being away from their homeland, Guyana, John and Anthony returned home on June 17 with 166 more Guyanese who were stranded in the USA on an

year.

The impressive

Michael Anthony

Top duo in their glory days battling away (Brandon Corlette photo)

John and Anthony with their Foundation team mates in the USA

New York.

On account of the deadly coronavirus having a great impact in the United States

Eastern Airline flight. In an invited comment, John noted that it was not a bad experience for himself

Gabriel, Joseph and Holder.

Only time will tell who makes the cut for that final West Indies starting XI for the first Test match come July 8.

and Anthony, because the Foundation Cycling Club took good care of them.

"The experience was not bad for us, because our team was taking care for everything for us, so thanks to Foundation cycling team for that," John explained.

The duo was expected to return to Guyana in September, but with COVID-19 having the world on its knees, the Foundation cycling team sought to get the Guyanese home, since

all races were postponed.

Anthony and John had not been able to ride, but they kept themselves fit while staying indoors and practising all measures against COVID-19.

Prior to their departure, the duo received a host of support. John – in particular, who was the top cyclist in 2019 in Guyana, recording eight wins and topping the Guyana Points Classification – was supported by DeSinco Limited.

Meanwhile, the lad from L i n d e n , Anthony, finished second on the Guyana Points Classification in 2019, recording five wins in the

Anthony, who also accompanied John to Cuba for the Elite Road Caribbean championship last Jamual John November finished in the top ten in that event.

The cyclists have undergone the mandatory quarantine period and will certainly want to get on their bicycles and train while anticipating a return on the local scene in Guyana.

MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Pg 23 Top duo in their glory days battling away (Brandon Corlette photo)

Pg 22

Pg 23

West Indies Test tour in England...

– Bonner, Reifer, Chemar facing uphill task Phil SImmons

Jermaine Blackwood

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