Guyana Times Monday May 25, 2020

See Region 4 SoRs comparison with released SoPs on pages 14 to 17 All SoRs are available on our website Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4296

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020

Drastic 15% drop in ballot boxes counted on Sunday …PPP sounds alarm at turtle’s pace See story on page 3

GECOM must declare results based on recount – former Speaker

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

P11 Minibus conductor feared drowned at Unity Foreshore Woman killed on ECD Highway P8

See story on page 7

... says allegations of irregularities must be handled by elections petition

"Let Granger sue me" – former PNC Minister ...travels with Idi Amin-like security

1 arrested following discovery of improvised shotguns, ammunition

Page 9

Police should probe Clairmont Mingo’s blatant fraud – URP Page 7

Fight erupts at Diamond Diagnostic Centre over new COVID-19 victims Page 8

8 new COVID-19 cases in 24 P7 hours, total jumps to 135 Businessman arraigned P2 for death of teenager at Puruni Landing – angry mob attacks, destroys shop of murder accused

Page 2

Coconut vendor dies after P10 falling from coconut tree

2 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

1 arrested following discovery of Businessman arraigned for death of teenager at Puruni Landing improvised shotguns, ammunition – angry mob attacks, destroys shop of murder accused T A 58-year-old resident of Hoff-Van-Aurich Backdam, Essequibo Coast, Pomeroon-Supenaam (Region Two), was taken into Police custody after two unlicensed firearms and a magazine with seven live rounds of ammunition were found in his possession on Saturday.

According to reports received, at about 14:00h on the day in question, Police ranks swopped down on the home of the suspect and carried out a search during which two improvised shotguns and the ammunition were unearthed. One emp-

The seven live rounds, the one spent cartridge, and the dismantled weapons found at the home

ty cartridge and two dismantled weapons were also found.

Upon the discovery, the

The two improvised shotguns that were found at the home of the Hoff-Van-Aurich Backdam resident

suspect was immediately arrested as Police continue their investigations.

Only recently, a 49-yearold boatbuilder was arrested after he was found with an illegal shotgun at his Jacklow, Upper Pomeroon River home.

It was reported that Police acting on information went to the man’s home and conducted a search during which the firearm, matching ammunition, and drugs were found.

The 12-gauge single-barrel shotgun was found hidden behind a gas stove.

The man has since admitted that he has no documents for the weapon and ammunition and as such, he was arrested. Both men are expected to make their court appearance in the new week.

he shop belonging to a businessman who was accused of fatally shooting 17-year-old Dane Jerrick was attacked and destroyed by an angry mob.

The shooting incident took place about a week ago in Puruni Landing, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Members of the mob reportedly attacked the workers after they stormed the shop, after which they collected a quantity of goods.

They then destroyed the building.

However, the 43-year-old businessman, Junior France of Tabatinga, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper

Murder accused businessman: Junior France

on Friday.

It was reported that on the day in question, at about 03:30h at Puruni Landing, Mazaruni River, Jerrick was

The businessman’s shop at Puruni Landing, Mazaruni River

Takutu-Upper Essequibo), was arraigned for the teenager’s death and remanded to prison by Magistrate Crystal Lambert, via skype

shot in the lower back by the businessman.

However, the teen’s uncle, George Jerrick has told Guyana Times that his fam-

Dead miner: Dane Jerrick

ily was told that his nephew and a driver had an argument which quickly escalated into a scuffle.

During the fight, Jerrick attempted to escape the blows but it was at that time that someone in the crowd identified the now dead man as a thief. The businessman, who was in close proximity, reportedly drew his weapon and shot Jerrick.

This angered the residents and eyewitnesses who said that France had no reason to open fire on the young man. During the attack by residents, the businessman’s workers were allegedly beaten.

Guyana Times understands that the mob even attempted to burn the building down, but only managed to scorch a section of the shop.

NEWS

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MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, May 25 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Tuesday, May 26 – 05:30 – 07:00.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, May 25 – 05:25 – 06:55h and Tuesday, May 26 – 06:05h – 07:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers will prevail during the day.

There will be partly cloudy conditions and light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 18:22h reaching a maximum height of 2.51 metres.

Low Tide: 11:54h reaching a minimum height of 0.53 metre.

Drastic 15% drop in ballot boxes counted on Sunday …PPP sounds alarm at turtle’s pace

O

n Thursday, the Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) recounted 88 ballot boxes; however, by Sunday, that number had dropped dramatically to 75, to a counting pace the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has labelled as “pathetic”.

In an interview with the media outside the recount venue – Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCCC) – on Sunday, PPP Executive and former Attorney General Anil Nandlall was critical of the slow pace of the recount and the fact that GECOM has neither implemented new counting stations nor approved any of the PPP recommendations to speed up the process.

“Today (Sunday) has been a slow day, unfortu-

rather than the speed increasing, we are observing that the speed is now decreasing. In fact, in Region Four, the pace is pathetic,” he said.

In fact, it turns out that GECOM counted less than 77 boxes on Sunday.

According to information released by GECOM Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward, only 75 boxes were counted. Of these boxes, 15 were from Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); 19 from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); 14 from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 20 from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and seven from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

On Tuesday, the addition of two workstations to the 10 being initially used for the recount saw

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS I

03 06 09 19 20 21

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DAILY MILLIONS

01 14 16 24 25

As of Sunday, 1124 ballot boxes had been counted

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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nately. By the end of today, we would not have completed 80 boxes. It falls short to about 77 and that’s very disappointing. The promised additional stations have not been established.

As you are aware, we were promised that these workstations would have been established several days now.

“We have been agitating for their establishment. But we seem to be talking to a brick wall. We were promised that these stations would be open. They have not been established. And

the pace increasing to 76 ballot boxes for that day.

The pace then dropped to 71 on Wednesday, but on Thursday GECOM counted 88 boxes.

After Thursday, things

started going downhill, as GECOM counted 87 boxes on Friday, 85 boxes on Saturday, and 75 boxes on Sunday. This brings the total number of ballot boxes counted so far to 1124.

However, 1215 boxes remain to be counted, with just six days remaining in the 25-day exercise.

According to Nandlall, the most logical conclusion one can draw is that feet are being deliberately dragged.

“We have made many proposals to GECOM. In addition to the establishment of new stations, we suggested that they put the time to 6:00pm – the cutoff time for ballot boxes to be extracted from the containers. That is not being implemented. One minute after 05:30pm, if a box is finished, that’s the end of the work for that particular station,” Nandlall said on Sunday.

“We even suggested that they pay a higher remuneration for extra hours of work put in. That has also been ignored. So, we are beginning to form the unfortunate view that there is some deliberate ploy to bring greater sloth to the process, rather than accelerate the process,” he added.

If the slow pace of the recount continues, there could also be implications for the three-member Caribbean Community (Caricom) team currently observing the recount. Nandlall pointed out that they could not stay in Guyana indefinitely.

According to Nandlall, the PPP will continue to make efforts to have the recount sped up. He not-

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

ed that it intended to approach GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh today in order to hold her to her promise of establishing more stations.

“And we will renew our requests for an extension of the hours, from 05:30 to 06:00, when the ballot box containers should be closed.

And we shall also renew our suggestion that greater emoluments be paid, if possible, to enhance the speed of the process. At the current pace, the process will certainly not meet the 25day deadline.

“And you know, the Caricom team has expressed some concern about the conclusion of the exercise and how long it would take. Because they cannot stay here indefinitely. We thought the Chairperson and GECOM demonstrated a willingness to move forward, by the promise to establish new stations. Now, after several days, we see a non-implementation of that promise and that’s quite disappointing.”

4

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MAY 25, 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

Sacrifice ambitions for country

O

ur Muslim community have just completed their most holy month of Ramadan, which can succinctly be described as “the embodiment of reflection, revelation, revolution, and restoration through sacrifice”.

“Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) began his journey into prophethood through reflection within. He was searching for a broader meaning in life that would restore justice and peace in society. He was looking for an answer that would transcend the need for material survival and transform humanity into a spiritually wholesome state. He reflected and meditated, spending many years in the sanctuary of a remote cave, surrounded by steep, barren mountains situated in the outskirts of Mecca. Finally, he received the answers in the form of divine revelations. It was in the ninth month of the Arabic calendar, known as Ramadan.

“The very first word of his revelation was “Iqra” or “read” and each chapter of the entire revelations known as the Quran began by invoking ‘the most merciful’ and ‘the most compassionate’ attributes of God. Ramadan opened the door to the illuminated message that Prophet Muhammad would continue to receive for the next 23 years of his life. The revelations brought forth an extraordinary revolution of the heart in which blossomed the fragrant flowers of mercy and compassion – the essential building blocks for a just and civilised society. The very first message, “Iqra”, inspired an ignorant nation to glean knowledge from all aspects of life, and then inspired them to share it with others, irrespective of creed, colour, or gender for the common good of humanity. The seed of this remarkable transformation of a people was planted in the month of Ramadan 1400 years ago.”

It is the tragedy of Guyana that even with such an example of sacrifice for the betterment of society being commemorated in our midst, the Guyanese people as a whole have been subjected to the most obscene grab for power in our long history of power grabs by the PNC. What manner of leaders are these who would not even temper, much less sacrifice, their ambitions to remain in Government when the rules of the political determined that they have lost the confidence of the people?

In 2015, the PNC-as-APNU, in coalition with the AFC, had entered Government even though the departed PPP Administration had felt there were some problems with the polls and had filed an elections petition, which is the prescribed recourse in such situations. The latter sacrificed their ambitions and left the peace and stability of the society undisturbed. Even though the PNC went after them with all sorts of trumpedup charges, which all came to naught, the PPP allowed the institutions of the State to perform their mediating functions without protest.

During their term at the wheel, for reasons that are inexplicable to most observers, the PNC-as-APNU embarked on a course of action that not only drove away the non-traditional voters they had managed to bring under their tent through coalition politics, but alienated even their own supporters with their heavy-handed and corrupt governance. Even though they had criticised the salary packages for the departed PPP Ministers of Government, their first governmental act was to increase their own salaries by an astounding 50 per cent while Government workers, promised a “significant raise, received a paltry singledigit increase. The “explanation” by Granger’s de facto secondin-command – that the Ministerial salary increase was needed to “discourage corruption” –- clearly meant that these officials who had entered Government were not prepared to “sacrifice” their quest to live high off the hog, even though they had vied for “public service”.

The wave of corruption that characterised the PNC’s regime since 2015 showed that whatever they accused the PPP of, they were determined to outdo them in filling their own pockets.

With oil revenues in the offing, the PNC leaders are obviously chagrined that the disenchantment of the populace has resulted in their electoral defeat.

Can they sacrifice their ambitions for the greater good? Or will they take Guyana down?

When the fox can’t get the grapes, he says they are sour Dear Editor, Elections are a process, not an event. Every election comprises numerous elements and involves multiple institutions and actors throughout the pre-election, Election Day and post-election periods, all of which affect the transparency, inclusiveness, accountability and competitiveness of the election. In the pre-election period APNU/AFC, PPP/C etc had an opportunity to develop or refine the legal and procedural framework in which the elections are conducted. GECOM conducted a range of activities in preparation for Election Day and determining the electoral outcome.

GECOM also accredited international and domestic observers, candidate and party agents, and media to witness the electoral procedures. GECOM typically undertakes a voter registration process to make sure all eligible Guyanese are on the final voters’ list. Voters were tasked to actively take steps to register, and had the opportunities to correct and update information on the voters’ list.

GECOM and civil society organisations conduct voters’ education so that Guyanese understand the election procedures and can

make informed choices in the voting booth. GECOM also conducts the administrative and logistical preparations for polling, including procuring and delivering materials, as well as recruiting and training polling staff. On Elections Day, eligible voters cast their ballots at various Polling Stations, Election officials facilitate voting and, when voting ends, conduct the ballot counting process.

Accredited observers from political parties and candidates, nonpartisan civil society groups and international organisations, and media often monitor the voting and counting processes. With this rigorous system in place, the Elections Day was deemed free fair and credible by the Chairperson of GECOM. With nine out of the ten regions’ results verified, the verification of the Region Four results was deemed fraudulent. GECOM allowed the RO Mingo to commit electoral fraud by favouring the APNU/AFC party, in that the votes that were tabulated were not reflected on the SoPs, as such, Mingo increased the votes for the APNU/AFC and decreased the PPP/C votes, (this was confirmed at the ongoing recount exercise at

the ACCC).

The APNU/AFC coalition claimed victory based on the fraudulent Mingo results that were inflated to give the APNU/AFC victory, however, when the recount process started and Mingo’s wickedness was exposed, the APNU/AFC coalition changed their rhetoric to discredit the elections process with unverified accusations.

GECOM as the governing body for the elections process has already given all the political parties an opportunity to ensured that the process would be fair, unfortunately, the GECOM Secretariat is more closely aligned with the APNU/ AFC coalition, which gave the coalition a huge advantage in hijacking the elections but was eventually exposed and failed in their efforts.

Based on the fraudulent declaration by GECOM CEO and RO Mingo, the recount that is presently ongoing is confirming that GECOM and the APNU/ AFC coalition are closely aligned to manipulate the elections results.

This was confirmed when Granger gave a speech while in Atlanta a few years ago, he specifically emphasised that “you

have to ask yourself how the PNC gained office in 1964, ask how the PNC remained in office and what it did to do so. Ask yourself how the PNC regained office in 2015 and ask yourself how would the PNC retain office in 2020”. This sums up the intentions of both APNU/ AFC coalition and GECOM Secretariat, leaving a dark cloud hanging over the democracy of Guyana. The post-election period, however, provides an opportunity for stakeholders to evaluate the process and undertake necessary reforms. GECOM and civic groups can evaluate the election process and define ways to reform and strengthen elements within each phase.

This critical time can be used to ensure that the recount exercise is concluded as transparent as can be and in a timely manner.

Guyanese, don’t be distracted by the manufacturing of excuses by the APNU/AFC coalition. Have you ever heard the statement, “when the fox can’t get the grapes, he says it is sour?” that’s exactly what is being portrayed by the APNU/AFC coalition.

With regards, Zamal Hussain

APNU/AFC is grasping at straws Dear Editor, In the lead up to the recount of the votes cast in March 2 elections, observers both at home and abroad were eagerly awaiting the new bag of tricks that the APNU/AFC would unleash to frustrate the process.

True to form, the APNU/ AFC did not disappoint with outlandish and artificially created claims of discrepancies and electoral fraud deliberately designed to slow and/or discredit the process.

Although the recount has seen several minor hiccups along the way, for the most part, it has been relatively smooth, albeit extremely

slow. Thus far, the completed recount of Regions One and Two compare favourably to the original declarations. More importantly, the ongoing recount of Region Four ballots highlights in no uncertain terms, Mingo’s padded numbers in favour of the coalition, a trend that is more than likely to continue.

A credible recount will confirm what the APNU/ AFC already knows. It, therefore, begs the question, what’s next? It appears the newest ploy by the incumbent is to discredit the very elections they not so long ago claimed to have won

convincingly. Among the bizarre anomalies cited are that migrants and the dead voted in the elections. So far, no credible evidence has surfaced to substantiate the veracity of the APNU/AFC’s claims. On the contrary, investigative reporting by the media has produced evidence that two couples who the APNU/AFC claimed migrated had indeed voted and still reside in Guyana.

While there have been some discrepancies (eg, missing poll books, unstamped ballots), all it shows is a less than perfect manual system that is subject to human error.

However, the system in itself is certainly not flawed to the extent that it will impact the overall results.

As a last-ditch effort, the APNU/AFC will likely use these immaterial discrepancies to challenge the finality of the recount. One can only hope that such an action is futile.

The bottom line is that the APNU/AFC is grasping at straws. No matter how they twist or turn it, no amount of spin will change the outcome.

Yours faithfully, Omchand Mahdu

Why is GECOM silent on allegations that it rigged for both sides?

Dear Editor, The actions of GECOM’s Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, in his flawed tabulation of the District Four results point to either gross incompetence at best, or outright electoral fraud at worse. The recount is now proving that his tabulations were skewed

in favour of the incumbent APNU/AFC. On the other hand, the coalition is now claiming ‘widespread fraud’ occurred on elections day with ‘significant numbers’ of people voting who were not in the jurisdiction and voting in the name of the deceased.

All these claims, wheth-

er relating to Mingo or Elections Day irregularities, point to the apparent complicity of GECOM personnel in the execution of electoral fraud on a scale never before seen in Guyana.

Any Commission with even an ounce of credibility, professionalism and pride would have by now respond-

ed definitively to these allegations.

What is worse and most shocking, is that this Commission remains silent although headed by no less a person than a retired Judge.

God help us all!

With regards, Trevor Reid

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020

5

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

How does one lawfully get someone’s GECOM is aiding and abetting death certificate, a very private and the APNU de facto regime statutorily protected document?

Dear Editor, Attention is directed to a news article titled, “Coalition provides proof of dead person voting,” in the Chronicle (5/20). It included the publication of someone’s death certificate ending with serial number 917, and stated that it was provided by the coalition. However, there is no indication as to whether it was lawfully acquired.

A few days later, another newspaper reported that coalition Executive, Ms Amna Ally boldly stated that, “Anybody can access a death certificate…I think what you have to do is to pay about $300 and you can access a death certificate” (see KN 5/24). Unfortunately, this could not have been done to cure for the privacy argument against live streaming.

Still, one is reminded that Ms Ally holds the powerful and envious position of General Secretary (GS) within the PNC; she reportedly also said that her party searched “every nook and cranny” for information such as death certificates to make their case of the dead having

voted.

The PNC GS has to try again, even though as the famous William Blake once wrote, there is one law for the ox and another for the mule.

One sincerely doubts that a $300.00 tab or “every nook and cranny” is the proper response to a legitimate question: how does one lawfully get someone’s death certificate, a very private and statutorily protected document?

The May 20 Chronicle article further quoted a member of the coalition who said, incredibly, that “he has over 100 death certificates to scan through while they are going through boxes, to see if any of those persons have voted.”

Now that it appears that GECOM is, arguably, overstepping by “formally” soliciting “evidence” from the coalition (see Chronicle 5/23) to prove their claims of the dead voting, there ought to be a number of questions put to the public.

1. Is a death certificate a property of a dead person’s estate, family, or both?

2.

Who has the lawful right to give a third par-

ty a dead person’s death certificate, a lawfully recognised or appointed executor of that dead person’s estate, or a family member (“next of kin”)?

Who exactly is “next of kin”?

3. Assuming this is not a case of hearsay, how realistic is it for a political party to lawfully acquire at least 100 death certificates in a handful of weeks since March 2?

4.

Can a State agency lawfully provide a death certificate to a political entity or individual, if there is no familial or legal relationship to the person who died?

5.

Is GECOM lawfully authorised to conduct an evidentiary hearing generally reserved for post-election litigation in court, for the purpose of resolving alleged electoral fraud and using death certificates acquired via illegal means?

6. If an election petition is filed, what steps have to be satisfied in order for a death certificate to be admissible in court?

Sincerely, Rakesh Rampertab

Heavy damages for falsely claiming people are dead or emigrated Dear Editor, In the current recount of electoral votes, political parties have taken it upon themselves to falsely claim that persons who had died or emigrated had voted, thus committing a criminal offence.

The persons who were falsely claimed to be dead or emigrated were alive or had

not emigrated and voted or had not voted. Could those persons who were alive or who had not emigrated during the elections bring actions before the courts against the political parties and their agents for damages for the pain, loss and being accused of a criminal offence?

Yours sincerely, Paul Validum Ramlochan

Dear Editor, In another letter, I advocated that the National Recount of ballots cast at the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections must be completed within a 14-day period on a 2-shift system.

This timeframe could have been achieved as per breakdown:

from the outset had discharged its mandate in an independent and non-partisan way, the recount exercise (which is seen as a two-pronged plan to facilitate the PNC/ANPU with more time to be in power to carry out their faulting finding mission with the recount exercise to deliberate-

In concluding, if GECOM

ly cast doubts on the credi-

bility of the elections that they claimed to have won and wanted to swear-in Mr Granger on two occasions) should have been completed by now, with a new and legitimate Government being in place.

Sincerely yours, Paul Ramrattan

Kudos to GWI Dear Editor, Guyana is facing two crises presently, battling the COVID-19 and the father math of the election.

The country is practically at a standstill. Thus, many are fighting it very hard.

Lots of people were out of jobs before the last election, compliments of the illegal Government’s way of governance. Because of this regime’s actions, international help seems impossible, whilst many countries are benefitting financially. Despite the cries of the country, atten-

tion is being given to the recount.

Editor, I see a glimmer of hope and I saw the GWI staff on New Road, Vreeden-Hoop, disconnecting people’s water who didn’t pay their bills. One lady from Uitvlugt informed me that she received a telephone call from GWI, informing her that she owes nine thousand dollars and she should come in and pay to avoid being disconnected.

One newscast featured GWI urging customers to pay up or be disconnected.

Whilst the COVID caused the fuel price drop, there’s leniency in many areas, but ironically, the electricity and water charges remain the same and the threats of disconnecting still stand. Where will people get money to pay during this crisis? That’s the mentality of good governance? Yes, we are surely enjoying the ’good life’.

Kudos on having Guyanese interest at heart GWI. Sincerely, Sahadeo Bates

6

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020

Page

Foundation

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

Below is Social Studies Paper 2, 2013.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT Reading Time: 10 minutes Writing Time: 45 minutes Read these instructions carefully before you attempt to answer the questions.

1. WRITE YOUR CANDIDATE NUMBER CLEARLY ON EACH PAGE.

SOCIAL STUDIES

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

Note: You must answer ONLY FOUR questions.

Be sure to answer FULLY the FOUR questions.

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

Read the poster below, then answer question 1.

4. Answers MUST be written in complete sentences where possible.

5. Each step of your work MUST be CLEARLY shown in this booklet.

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

8. DO NOT take away any part of this booklet.

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

7. Look over your work when you have finished.

Study the pictures below, then answer question 2.

Total 5 marks Study the map, then answer question 3.

2. (a) (I) Name the continent from which the ancestors of the children with the letters C, D and F most likely came.

1 mark 1. (a) State one severe health problem that a person may develop from smoking cigarettes.

1 mark

(ii) The ancestors of the child with the letter E most likely came from the continent of.

1 mark

(b) Identify two illegal drugs that some people smoke.

2 marks

(b) State one contribution that the ancestors of the child with the letter D made to the economic development of Guyana.

I mark

(c) Explain two pieces of advice that you would give to a friend who wants to smoke the drugs listed at (b).

2 marks Total 5 marks

(c) Give two reasons why the ancestors of the children with the letters B, D and F came to Guyana.

2 marks

3. (a) Name the natural region labelled D

1 mark

(b) Identify two similar economic activities that are carried out in both natural regions labelled B and C. 2 marks (c) Give two reasons for tourists visiting the natural region labelled B. 2 marks Total 5 marks The colours of the Flag of Guyana are represented by the numbers 1 to 5. Study the flag below, then answer question 4.

4. (a) What name s given to the flag shown above ?

I mark

(b) State the day, month and year in which the flag above was first flown.

2 marks (c) The strength of Guyanese is represented by the colour numbered 1 mark (d) Identify other national symbols that Guyana acquired after becoming an Independent. nation.

I mark Total 5 marks

TO BE CONTINUED

NEWS

7

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GECOM must declare results based on recount – former Speaker ... says allegations of irregularities must be handled by elections petition

F

ormer Speaker of the National Assembly, Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran has made it clear that the only data the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) can use to make a final declaration of the election results is the one coming out of the national elections recount.

Ramkarran articulated this position on Sunday, after a tour of the recount venue Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). His view is one that has been expressed by several legal minds along with Commissioners of GECOM. According to Ramkarran, who contested the elections also as the Presidential Candidate of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), there is no question that the recount is legal. He said that at the end of the process, a declaration should be made

by GECOM based on the recount and went on to urge that all participants accept the final results.

"Some people have raised the question of the legality of the recount. Not many, but some. Our view is the Constitution and Section 22 of the Election Laws Amendment Act fully allow a recount. A recount is also allowed by the Representation of the People's Act, so there's no question about the legality of the recount." He said that at the end of the process it is expected that a declaration will be issued by GECOM on the results of the recount. “And we hope it will be accepted by all the contestants,” he also said.

Impossible

Ramkarran noted that contrary to the views of a jilted minority, it is not possible for GECOM to abandon

Former Speaker of the House and Senior Counsel, Ralph Ramkarran

the recount and give precedence to APNU/AFC claims that dead and migrated people voted. He noted that if a declaration cannot be made based on the recount due to questions of credibility, then Clairmont Mingo's declaration cannot be used for the same reason.

"It is not possible for GECOM to order a recount under the election Law Amendment Act and at the end of the process, abandon a declaration of that recount and then return to the count and issue a declaration based on the report made to GECOM by the Chief Election Officer and make a declaration."

"Why? The allegation is that these elections are deeply flawed because of dead and migrated people voting.

If GECOM was to take the position that these allegations have made the recount untenable for a declaration to be issued, then that declaration will be equally untenable under the count,” Ramkarran reasoned.

He added that the same votes that are being counted in the present recount, “are the same votes that were made under the count that the Presiding Officer count-

ed. So if you can't make a declaration under the recount, you can't make a declaration under the count."

According to Ramkarran, this would, therefore, mean that no declaration can be made, adding that such a state of affairs is not allowed under the Constitution of Guyana. Therefore, he said, GECOM must proceed with the declaration of the results based on the recount and have all the allegations of irregularities addressed by an election petition.

"The Constitution does not provide for a situation where no declaration is made after an election. The constitutional process is elections, results, swearing in

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

of the President, convening of Parliament and appointment of Ministers. That's the constitutional process,” Ramkarran pointed out.

He noted that if there is no declaration, there is no process to go back since Parliament is dissolved and cannot be recalled. According to the former Speaker, Guyana would be at a constitutional dead end.

Since the recount started, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has put the coalition on blast since the vote count in the recount proves that Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, had indeed inflated the figures in favour of APNU/AFC while in many instances deflated the votes for PPP/C. Mingo made two declarations after the March

2 General and Regional Elections, both of which differed in number and were denounced as not credible by political parties and local and international observers. The first declaration was eventually thrown out by the court as illegal since the process of an elections count was not followed, while the second declaration was put in abeyance until the conclusion of the recount.

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

8 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, total jumps to 135

T

he total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Guyana has increased to 135, after another eight cases were confirmed on Sunday.

This is according to the Ministry of Public Health’s daily updated COVID-19 dashboard. Sunday’s spike in cases comes following two consecutive days where there were no new cases.

Nevertheless, while the number of confirmed cases has increased, the COVID-19 death toll has remained the same, at 10.

To date, some 1457 persons were tested for the novel coronavirus. Of this, 1322 were negative.

Meanwhile, there are now 63 persons in institutional isolation – four more than Saturday’s figure.

Additionally, one more person was also placed in institutional quarantine, bringing that number to a total of six.

However, the number of

persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has reduced to two.

On Saturday, there were four persons in the dedicated ICU.

A total of 62 persons – four more than the day before – have recovered from the life-threatening disease, the Ministry reported.

As the health authorities continue to grapple with the fight against the novel coro-

navirus in Guyana, concerns continue to mount over the reckless behaviour of men who are not adhering to the COVID-19 restrictions put in place to curb the spread of the life-threatening disease.

It has been noted that 80 per cent of the victims who died from the coronavirus were males.

Additionally, the latest gender ratio of the COVID-19 positive patients in Guyana from the Ministry was 73:54 male to female. This was on Thursday last, when two new cases were recorded – both being males.

On Friday, the Ministry reported that men make up 57 per cent of the confirmed cases, while women account for the remaining 43 per cent.

Over the past week, the Public Health Ministry enlisted key officials, mostly men, to implore with their fellow males to abide by the guidelines CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

8 NEWS Fight erupts at Diamond Diagnostic Centre over new COVID-19 victims I MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

t was high drama at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre on Saturday evening as a doctor and a COVID-19 patient squared off after he refused to share the same room with a new patient who was tested positive for the virus.

Guyana Times understands that the Diamond facility houses over 85 per cent of the persons tested positive for the virus to date.

As such, a few COVID-19 patients who are housed in the facility after testing positive would have spoken to this publication but have

to kick down the door,” one patient recalled.

Further, another patient related that “there was a boy recording everything, and when the doctor saw him recording, he grabbed him by the neck and a fight broke out.”

This publication was informed that the facility does not only house Guyanese that are infected with the virus but also several Venezuelans and Cubans who are not fluent in English and as such, they are unable to speak out about the conditions and services provided at the in-

F The doctors trying to break the door

In some cases, the patients are given breakfast until 12:00h on any given day. On Sunday, they were given spoilt food, one patient related.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry has dubbed

its COVID-19 quarantine facilities as ‘comfortable’ with all the necessary amenities, but this has once again been rebutted by patients who have been staying at these centres over the past weeks.

Juvenile slapped with murder of female security officer

The breakfast which was spoiled that was provided to the patients

expressed concerns that they might be victimised.

However, one patient explained that the fight on Saturday evening stemmed from another patient refusing to be intermixed with newcomers on the grounds that he could be re-infected all over again.

“Some people arrived last night [Saturday evening]. The doctors put the newcomers with people who are waiting for their results and it was then [the] man got upset and closed his door and the doctors started

stitution.

“Doctor (name withheld) is very problematic, he does not know how to speak or treat a patient. He also treats Cubans badly; he is a bad doctor and none of them deserve to be here. I feel very insecure in here with them on duty,” another infected patient explained.

Another patient alleged that “one Venezuelan woman told one of the nurses in English, that she had a headache. The nurse told her that it is not her problem if her head hurts.”

A

teenager was on Friday last arraigned for the murder of 68-year-old Margarett Dawnson whose partially nude body was found in the Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown.

The teen appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was not required to plea to the indictable charge which stated that on May 18, 2020, he murdered Margarett Dawnson.

However, another teenager along with the taxi driver who was arrested in connection with the woman’s death have since been released but the 22-year-old prime suspect remains in

Woman killed on ECD Highway

A

n unidentified woman is now dead after she was struck by a motor car on the Chateau Margot Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Sunday evening.

While details surrounding the accident were sketchy up to press time, Guyana Times understands that the

incident took place around 18:10h.

Based on reports received, the now dead woman was attempting to cross the public road when she was struck down by the motor car, bearing registration number PKK 9991.

According to the driver, he was unaware that the woman

Dumb…

was on the road attempting to cross when he struck her.

He was taken into Police custody and was currently assisting with further investigations.

Meanwhile, the Police are trying to ascertain the identity of the woman before a post-mortem can be conducted.

Dead: Margarett Dawnson

custody.

The suspect, a young man of Albouystown, Georgetown, who is a known character to the police, was shot on Thursday last.

It was reported that upon receiving information that the suspect was at the Stabroek Market Area, the police swooped down on the location.

Whilst there, a confrontation between the suspect and the police ensued, during which, he whipped out a knife and attempted to stab one of the police officers. In retaliation, the police discharged a round, hitting the murder accused to his left side leg. He was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted in a stable condition.

The 68-year-old woman, a security officer attached to the Professional Guard Service (PGS) of Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), left home last Sunday evening for work but her body was found lying between two tombs in the cemetery.

The teenager was remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance on June 25.

…and dumber olks had been wondering why would a grown-a55 man like Mingo agree to try to pull off the heist he first attempted at Ashmin’s. And when the Court bitch-slapped his sorry a55 and told him to get it right, did the same thing once again, but this time with a soiled bedsheet!! Imagine his stopping in midstream with the last 378 SoPs for Reg 4 and he decides to add an average of 50 votes to the APNU totals, using the old Lil ABC technique of altering similar looking numbers. Like 123 to 228!! Didn’t he think this would be immediately picked up in a recount??

It was so dumb that Mingo’s name has now become a verb for describing a royal screw-up!! Urban Dictionary now has this entry to illustrate: Person 1: “I stayed up late last night to study but I couldn’t concentrate that well. “Person 2: “You’re gonna Mingo that test”!! But your Eyewitness wonders why he hasn’t been fitted with silver bracelets and an orange jump suit and carted over to the Camp Street Red House.

Now you’d think after all the jokes made at Mingo’s expense, his cohorts in the PNC/AFC – they’ve morphed into an indistinguishable blob, now that Ramjattan and Nagamootoo have been banished to Hubu Backdam – would think twice about going down that slapstick road. But you’d have wasted a thought!! In fact, now that the recount’s in full swing, one or the other from a select ambitious coterie of second-string players step up daily to the media tent outside the ACCC to offer what can only be described a “slapstick comedy routine”!!

Maybe they’re making up to the media after the shitty accommodations GECOM banished them to in the cow pasture? One thing for sure is they’ve been so inept with their “narratives” – the new buzzword in political circles – that the very young media corps have lost whatever respect they might have harboured towards government officialdom. How can you stop from snickering after someone tells you (appropriately after hiding behind a mask!) that they have evidence of “hundreds of dead people voting”, and is only able to produce one death certificate and when that’s tracked down, while the dead person was on the OLE, it hadn’t been “checked off” the “pink list” as having voted?!!

But now to top it all, Mingo has been joined by a fella appropriately named “Ming” in the political pratfall routine. Maybe we should call them “Mingo and Mingoer” after that Jim Carrey starrer “Dumb and Dumber?? Lots of folks thought that Ming wouldn’t stoop so low with his “bloated” claims.

But when billions of US dollars are at stake, some are willing to bend over even lower!! …Chronic editorial Imagine the Chronic running an editorial: “The truth about the PPP’s attempt to steal the election.”

When it comes to the PPP, run by Nagamootoo and his shill the DPI, the Chronic would not know the truth if it crept up on them and bit them on their behind!! OK, your Eyewitness knows most folks buy the Chronic – especially in these COVID days – just in case they run out of toilet paper!!

And what was this “truth” on the heist of the elections? That it’s not about “the unsubstantiated allegations against Mr Mingo”. You read that right, Dear Reader: “unsubstantiated”!! So, what about the recount of all those boxes representing the last 378 SOP’s Mingo messed with, showing that he systematically-inflated APNU votes and deflated PPP’s?? That don’t count?? So, how else would you “substantiate” the Mingoing but by what we’re seeing every day in the recount??

The Chronic insisted: “This publication holds no brief for the Coalition.” That’s right: they hold its Bukta! …PNC decision When the PNC signed onto the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative early on in its administration, they signalled a pivot away from the US and towards China.

And confirmed it with the Chairmanship of G77 and China and now kicking out the Carter Center. Dumb!!

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

NEWS

9

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Let Granger sue me” – former PNC Minister ...travels with Idi Amin-like security

F

ormer Information Minister under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Administration, Kit Nascimento on Saturday said that if caretaker President David Granger believes, as his Ministry claims, that he published falsehoods about him “designed to besmirch”

smack at Granger, said, “I am sure that there are many many lawyers in Guyana who would be pleased to rush to defend me in court and be delighted at the opportunity to cross-examine David Granger.”

Nascimento said that he will not apologise for saying that Granger arrived at the

“I have the utmost respect for the Office of the President. I have little or no respect for a man who holds on to it, knowing that he has lost and endangers the entire nation by doing so. If David Granger’s character and good name is in question, he has only himself to blame” – Kit Nascimento his “good name”, then like any other citizen, he can sue him for libel.

Nascimento was at the time responding to a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency calling for an apology from him and Guyana Times, which published a letter on May 22, which the Ministry claimed had “several untruths and numerous inaccuracies.”

However, in a letter to the editor on Saturday, the former Minister, in a direct

Arthur Chung Conference Centre “with a massive security akin to an Idi Amin”.

That was in reference to Granger’s recent visit to the location where the national elections recount is taking place.

He noted that it is a fact that Granger has surrounded himself, as a “President” ruling a tiny country, with an amount of security larger than any “of our previous Presidents and, certainly, of the kind employed by military

dictators such as Idi Amin of Uganda infamy, Sadam Hussein of Iraq, Fidel Castro of Cuba, General Gowan of Nigeria, all of whom I can speak of from my personal experience, having met with them all at one time or another in my past.” The Ministry of the Presidency in its demand for an apology said that Nascimento “must know that President Granger remains President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana until another President is sworn in”.

However, in response, the former PNC Minister said he is aware that David Granger has held on to the presidency for more than a year since another President should have been sworn in.

“He has spent millions of taxpayers’ dollars paying lawyers to keep him in office by refusing to recognise the legitimacy of the NoConfidence Motion against his Government and, even after the CCJ ruling against him, further delaying the holding of an election,” he said in his response.

He added that it is a known fact that Granger also “hangs on to a caretaker, de facto presidency 83 days, as I write this letter, after the election was held on March 2nd, 2020, because GECOM, rather than rejecting [Clairmont] Mingo’s fraudulent attempt at rigging the elections result, has taken us into a recount.”

Former Information Minister Kit Nascimento

David Granger, he noted, has used his dubious presidential authority to force himself upon the Chairman of GECOM and her staff and the Caricom scrutineers in a meeting which should never have been held.

Nascimento also denied the Ministry’s claim that he said that Granger refused to answer questions.

“What I said in my letter is that when Granger was asked “whether he would recognise and accept the results of the recount” “he refused to recognise that the recount of the ballots must deliver the results of the elections.”

He added that Granger was asked the question twice and preferred instead to answer it by saying that “whatever declaration is made by the Chairman of the Elections Commission would be recognised as legitimate by the coalition. What I have written is on the record and was seen and heard by all.

Ms Singh, of course, does not

Caretaker President David Granger

necessarily have to recognise the recount, hence Granger’s answer.”

At the press conference, he pointed out, Granger also refused, when asked, to recognise that the Keith Lowenfield declaration is fraudulent and should be rejected. “That too is on the record. Granger too refuses to admit to the evidence in the Statements of Poll in his possession that he has lost the elections. I challenge him to publish those Statements.”

The former PNC Minister said that he has the utmost respect for the Office of the President but has little or no respect “for a man who holds on to it, knowing that he has lost and endangers the entire nation by doing so. If David Granger’s character and good name is in question, he has only himself to blame.”

He added that he stands firmly behind his statement that, “Granger hangs onto power from a fraud committed and embraced in GECOM

by the very people he has appointed to the Commission and which is embraced by the leading spokespersons of his own party. I repeat, Granger can no longer claim to be innocent.” According to Nascimento, Granger “must do the decent thing. He owes it to the people of this country. He must concede that he has lost. Let his country free.”

On the issue of his comment on a picture from the GECOM meeting, Nascimento conceded, however, that he wrongly believed, from a picture showing Claudette Singh sitting at Granger’s side that was carried in the same report of his press conference, that Singh had attended his press conference. “I apologise unreservedly for that mistake to David Granger and Ms Singh. I have absolutely no apology to make for anything else I have said in my letter, all of which is evidentially accurate,” he stated.

10 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IDB, IOM partner to tackle migration issues T hrough a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Inter-American Development Bank and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has recently formed a partnership to tackle migration issues by enabling sustainable movement across the Caribbean and Latin America.

In an issued statement, it was indicated that safe and orderly migration is at

the core of this agreement since countries within the region have experienced unprecedented migration flows within recent years.

As a result, there is an added burden to the capacities of these nations.

It was calculated from immigration data that 4.3 million of the 5.1 million refugees and migrants from Venezuela are in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This has been recorded as the largest movement the region has seen in the last few years.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have been struggling with strained resources to supply greater needs. The organ-

isation said they will support these migrants who are facing many vulnerabilities.

At this time, they will seek to enable social distancing in these areas, which are sometimes overcrowded.

There is also limited access

to potable water and sanitation facilities.

“With the economic slowdown and loss of livelihoods, migrants are already among the most affected groups,” said IOM Chief of Mission in Washington, DC, Luca Dall’Oglio. “Enhanced coordination between relevant humanitarian and development actors will ensure a more coherent response to mitigate the impact beyond the immediate crisis,” the released stated.

As part of the partnership, the organisations will promote evidence-based migration policies and programmes at the regional, country and local levels.

They have also pledged to protect the human and labour rights of migrants while providing technical assistance to local organisations pursuing migration management. These include but are not limited to financial inclusion, job skills, health and social protection.

“The links between migration and development are pivotal for the socio-eco-

nomic development of the region,” said Migration Special Advisor of the IDB, Antoni Estevadeordal. “The partnership between IOM and IDB will be an important tool to address human mobility issues and transform migration challenges

into development opportunities.”

Head of the Civil Defence Commission, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig had stated that he has been paying close watch along the borders with assistance from Guyana’s law enforce-

ment agencies.

These efforts would have started a while ago and are continuing, especially in the Region One (Barima-Waini) zone. The region is especially one of concern, owing to the high traffic of migrants from Venezuela.

He added that they have been utilising a tracking device to acquire data from the movement of people at specific locations.

Presently, the immigration authorities have shared the responsibility of ensuring that persons entering through the borders are free from COVID-19.

Coconut vendor dies after falling from coconut tree

A

50-year old man died on Sunday moments after falling from a coconut tree at Friendship Front, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The dead man has been identified as Albert Moffatt, also called “Biggie” and “coconut vendor”, of Vigilance Squatting Area, ECD. According to the police, at about 08:20h on Sunday, Moffat went to a home at Friendship on the ECD, where he climbed a coconut tree that is said to be about twenty feet in height to pick coconuts.

A few minutes later, persons who were in the area at the time of the incident, said they heard a crashing sound coming from the direction where Moffatt was picking the coconuts.

Upon checking, the residents were met by Moffatt’s motionless body, which was discovered lying with his

The coconut tree from which the man fell

head facing west and clad in short blue pants.

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were summoned, and Moffatt was

rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Investigations are ongoing.

8 new COVID-19 cases in...

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, expressed concerns over the fact that many men are disregarding guidelines and health practices to protect themselves from the coronavirus. He reiterated this message, amid the increased deaths in the male population.

“The message I wish to reinforce is to remind you that as breadwinners of the family you put yourself at unnecessary risk and jeopardise the life and livelihood of your families by not complying with the recommended measures,” he stated.

On Wednesday, Men’s Health Coordinator, Dr Dennis Bassier sought to lament the poor health-seek-

ing behaviour being demonstrated by men in Guyana, as they continue to lead the charts.

“This clearly indicates that persons are not taking note of and putting into practice, the strict guidelines for the prevention of transmission of COVID-19.

It is the general understanding that men have poor health-seeking behaviour. This is further emphasised by the current situation…Lots of males that have been positively diagnosed are not single. As a result of this, their partners and their children have to be tested, due to them being exposed. There is no shame in wearing a face mask, in practicing social distanc-

FROM PAGE 7

ing or even constantly sanitising your hands,” he had highlighted.

Meanwhile, Senior Gender Affairs Officer at the Social Protection Ministry, Diego Alfonso on Friday noted that Guyanese men should look at the statistics and reconsider their practices, since 73 males have since contracted the virus.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Sunday evening the total number of COVID-19 cases globally was 5,204,508 with 337,687 deaths. In the region of the Americas, the total number of cases is 2,338,124 and the death toll is 138,116 – with Brazil being the epicentre in the region.

NEWS

11

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police should probe Clairmont Mingo’s blatant fraud – URP

U

nited Republic Party (URP) leader Vishnu Bandhu has called for the Guyana Police Force to probe the “blatant fraud” that was committed by embattled Region Four Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo, during the tabulation process of the Region’s votes in March.

Bandhu penned this request in a letter he wrote to the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh on Sunday in which he raised concerns over developments regarding the allegations made by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition that dead and migrated persons voted on polling day – March 2.

He told the GECOM Chair that his party was informed that she intended to invite the Police to investigate the allegations made by the caretaker Government.

To this end, he also reminded the GECOM Chair that “all the political parties are equal in the eyes of the law and entitled to equal treatment by GECOM. In the circumstances, we request that you invite the Police to investigate the blatant fraud committed by Clairmont Mingo, the Returning Officer of Electoral District #4 in relation to the tabulation of the results of that District, acting in a conspiracy with others, within and beyond

URP leader Vishnu Bandhu

GECOM”.

The ongoing national elections recount continues to unearth the fraudulent acts by Mingo during the tabulation process for Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) – the largest voting district in Guyana.

This fraud, the URP leader says, has been widely proven.

In fact, he cited an article published in sections of the media titled: “Recounted Grove, Providence Boxes expose more of Mingo’s manipulation”, which featured a table highlighting the embattled RO’s manipulation during the tabulation process back in March.

According to that article, an examination of merely 23 boxes showed that Mingo added 1068 votes to APNU+AFC, and subtracted 341 votes from the People’s Progressive Party/

Civic (PPP/C) – representing a total variance of 1409 votes from the corresponding Statements of Poll (SoPs) for those 23 boxes.

Only on Friday, PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali disclosed that the recount of only 87 ballot boxes showed that Mingo inflated votes in favour of the APNU/AFC coalition by some 4495 while reducing PPP/C’s votes by 758.

Mingo’s act was detected when Statements of Recount (SoRs), generated from the recount, corresponded with the SoPs that were uploaded by the PPP/C since March.

However, the figures differed from those declared by the RO back in March.

“We are ready to assist the Police in any such investigation,” the URP leader asserted in his correspondence to the GECOM Chair.

As of Sunday, just over

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

270 ballot boxes of the 879 for District Four have been completed.

In total, of the 2339 ballot boxes countrywide, 1124 have been recounted.

However, the recount exercise has been punctuated daily with frivolous allegations of votes being cast in the name of dead persons or persons said to have migrated.

But the GECOM Chairperson on Thursday reaffirmed emphatically that “…he who asserts must prove”, in reference to these allegations.

It was subsequently reported in the State’s newspaper, on Saturday that the GECOM Chair has invited APNU’s General Secretary, Joseph Harmon, to submit evidence in support of the coalition’s allegations that dead and migrated people voted.

This, however, did not go down well with the URP as Bandhu indicated his “deep concern” in his letter to Justice Singh on Sunday.

“We wish to point out to you that the Order under which the National Recount is being carried out makes no provision whatsoever, either for these allegations to be entertained, nor for evidence to be received in support of these allegations.

These activities, therefore, constitute a flagrant violation of the Order,” he detailed in the correspondence.

More significantly, the URP leader pointed out the

Constitution of Guyana reposes these matters exclusively to the remit of the High Court to be dealt with by an election petition.

“It is completely unlawful for GECOM to encroach upon the functions of the Judiciary,” Bandhu argued.

Only on Saturday, PPP Executive Anil Nandlall, who is also a former Attorney General, said that GECOM did not have the power or jurisdiction to investigate the allegations made by the APNU/AFC. This position was also shared by legal luminary and Presidential Candidate of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Ralph Ramkarran, who said on Sunday that

GECOM was not constructed to accommodate trials or investigations.

On Saturday also, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo warned APNU/ AFC agents making allegations that it was a crime to make false claims of voter fraud. He said that knowingly making false accusations and the release of death certificates without permission are criminal offences. Jagdeo also revealed that there were independent lawyers who were planning to pursue charges against such persons, and noted that it would not be the political masterminds who face the charges but rather the agents.

Minibus conductor feared drowned at Unity Foreshore

A

minibus conductor is feared drowned after he was submerged by a heavy wave while swimming with friends at the Unity Foreshore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Sunday.

The missing man has been identified as 30-yearold Rabindranauth Persaud of Lot 123 Logwood, Enmore, ECD. Based on reports received, the young man left home around 06:00h on the day in question and about 14:00h, a call was made to the Mahaica Police Station,

with the person on the other side of the line reporting the Persaud was covered by a wave and never resurfaced.

As such, ranks went to the scene and a search ensued for the missing man, but there were no signs of him up to late Sunday evening. Police have since questioned several persons who were at the Foreshore, but they all held out that Persaud was covered by a wave while he was swimming.

Police are continuing the investigations.

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, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Several virtual activities to be hosted during National Youth Week N ational Youth Week 2020 commenced on Sunday, May 24, and will run until May 30, 2020, but due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport has been forced to suspend most of its programmes and activities that require mass gatherings and physical social interaction.

However, given the significance of National Youth Week, a calendar of activities has been compiled and will be executed virtually, and in accordance with the national guidelines for the prevention and elimination of COVID-19.

“Apart from offering on-

line skills-building initiatives such as the Financial Literacy and Small Business Training, the Ministry has also crafted a programme which seeks to ascertain the impact that this pandemic has had and continues to have on Guyana’s youth population,” Assistant Director of Youth, Leslyn Boyce noted.

She explained that by utilising various media platforms, the Department of Youth is gearing up to provide psychosocial support to vulnerable and at-risk youths.

“More specifically, the Department is pursuing collaboration with MissionPsych 592 to provide twenty-four (24) hours counselling and mentorship services to young

Former Social Cohesion Minister George Norton engages participants of Youth Week 2019

people throughout Guyana,” Boyce said.

It was explained that these services will be offered via a customised online application which is currently being test-

ed, as well as by phone (text and/or call).

“The MissionPsych 592 is a group which comprises psychologists and social workers.

The group has been the ben-

eficiary of funding from the Youth Innovation Programme of Guyana (YIPOG),” Boyce noted.

Additionally, the Department will also be hosting a number of interactive panel discussions on May 27, 30 and June 3 at 13:00h; discussions will be focused on topics such as entrepreneurship and employment; leadership and life skills development; good health and well-being among other topical issues.

These sessions will be streamed live on National Communications Network via radio, television and social media, providing the opportunity for young people throughout Guyana to call and join in the dialogue.

“In the meantime, the Department of Youth continues to reach out to other key stakeholders capable of providing the critical support required for our youths to emerge from this pandemic both psychologically and physically healthy,” Boyce noted.

Boyce said that even though this year’s National Youth Week celebrations will not be as jubilant as previous years, it will provide safe outlets for Guyana’s youths to address a myriad of concerns.

The Assistant Director further disclosed that recognising young people who have done outstanding work in the area of youth development is also key during this period.

She explained that the Department of Youth currently has a call for nominations out which allows persons from Indigenous Village Councils, youth, faith-based and community organisations as well as individuals, Government and Non-Governmental Organisations to submit nominations to the Department of Youth. The window for nomi-

nations closes May 26, 2020.

This year, National Youth Week is being observed as part of our nation’s 54th Independence anniversary celebrations, under the theme, “Celebrating Guyana’s 54th Independence Anniversary through the lens of Resilience, Innovation and Sustainability.”

Former Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton posited that the youths of Guyana are resilient, innovative, and very much conscious about the sustainability of all sectors of the country, especially our environment.

“This is why the Department of Youth remains committed to executing programmes and initiatives geared at enabling our young people to realise their true potential,” Dr Norton said.

The Minister noted that the Department will also celebrate the young people of Guyana by featuring youths who have been excelling in various fields.

Dr Norton warned that even though the COVID-19 pandemic continues globally, Guyanese, particularly young people, must not allow the virus to keep them at a standstill.

“We must fight this virus not only by maintaining social distancing and practicing good hygiene, but by also refusing to allow it to keep us stagnant,” Minister Norton noted.

Minister Norton encouraged all Guyanese to take advantage of the available time by learning new skills and nurturing their talent.

Many of the virtual outreaches being offered by the Department of Youth will continue even after National Youth Week 2020 has ended.

NEWS

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MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Troy Resources to rotate staff amid COVID-19

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mid rising concern about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Troy Resources has begun rotation of staff from two weeks on-site to six weeks per turnaround.

“Unlike other international operations, Troy Resources is heavily dependent on its largely local staff while it has a limited number of foreign workers primarily in the technical and specialised skilled fields,” the company said.

The company explained that employees are reacting positively to the changes in order to mitigate the spread of the virus. The company revealed that most of its staff comes from the coastland and interior locations, and the current curfew restrictions have since affected their movement to and from work.

Nevertheless, the mining company noted that the health and safety of its workers are paramount to them, and as such, it will continue to put stringent measures in place to ensure that they are protected.

Another measure the company has put in place is the reduced number of employees on the worksite and is currently utilising half of the number that usually works on-site with the remaining working from home.

“In addition to the social distancing measures being rigorously enforced, employees, when reporting for duty, must be screened (including temperature testing) at the gate prior to being allowed access to the office compound,” the missive stated.

Personal hygiene is also actively encouraged, with employees being instruct-

A worker's temperature being checked

ed to regularly wash their hands and use hand sanitiser while at work. An additional safety measure includes cleaning and disinfecting all regularly used surfaces in the office building several times per day.

The company has also

adopted several other measures, which include the establishment of a quarantine site away from the main lodging, to cater to any potential case. Also, screening of all passengers to the company site at the airport is done before anyone is al-

lowed to board the aircraft.

The company has also banned visitors entering their office but visitors who are deemed high priority are first pre-approved by the company’s General Manager or Acting General Manager along with all meetings be-

ing held outside and the cessation of social gatherings.

All personnel travelling by ground and ground deliveries are screened at the gate by the camp’s doctor and security. Its employees are encouraged to minimise exposure to other people whilst away from work, report any potential illness, and self-isolate at home until symptoms disappear, no matter what the illness may be, and in any case of illness, the employee is further required to obtain medical clearance before returning to work.

“The company recognises that many of the workers now have to be away from their families for a longer period and the company has expressed its gratitude to these workers for their willingness and cooperation during this time,” it stated.

Closing businesses has serious economic implications – Berbice Chamber

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he Government cannot support businesses especially those in Berbice if they remain closed, hence it must find ways to work along with the Private Sector so that those businessmen and women can earn an income to offset expenses.

As such, the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA) has recommended the Regional Health Emergency Committee (RHEC) urge the National COVID-19 Task Force to report accurately on the virus in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). The Chamber believes that the Region is COVID-19 free.

In addition, the body says closing businesses will have harsh economic implications.

On Thursday last, 2418 persons crossed the Berbice Bridge and were screened, but 34 were taken for secondary screening since their temperature exceeded 38 de-

Most of the stalls in the New Amsterdam Market are closed grees Celsius.

Region Six has, so far, only recorded one positive COVID-19 case, which was imported from the US. BCCDA Vice President Ryan Alexander says that the Health Department has been doing a good job in terms of controlling the outbreak.

“I know that the Mayor of New Amsterdam has been

the first person to ask for a shutdown and when the shutdown was instituted, supported by the Chamber in Region Six, the rest of the country was somewhat still open. This was followed by the National Task Force month shutdown which has been extended to a second month, but we have concerns as it related to the … data.”

He noted that the

Chamber was of the view that some of the recommendations coming out of the Region as it pertained to economic activity should be adapted. “… as it relates to the economic side of things. We are trying to balance the economic side in relation to the health pandemic that we have,” the Vice President explained.

Meanwhile, many stores which some consider ‘essential’ are being forced to close.

Others argue that there should be a level playing field.

In New Amsterdam, many businesses were forced to close as part of COVID-19 regulations, but businesses of a similar nature in Rose Hall and Corriverton remain open.

The New Amsterdam municipality had reopened the municipal market for all businesses, but the Police moved to shut down the stalls that do not provide an essential service.

Chamber Vice Ryan Alexander

President

Soon after, the Town Council ordered that the stalls be reopened.

“Some sort of arrangements should be put in place for businesses to reopen; maybe not fully, but open to some extent where persons can access products and services. We have seen lots of persons coming out outside of the curfew to access services and needs that they require. This is between 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. There has to be a balance strike be-

tween how you handle the economic side of this activity as compared to the health side. We have seen in some areas in the world where they have managed to control the spread of the virus, they have reopened and are instituting the guidelines of having a mask, implementing social distancing, having wash bays, and are trying to operate as normal as ever.

Once these guidelines are followed, we feel that this is the way to go,” Alexander explained.

The Chamber is calling for legislation to be implemented so that anyone in public without a face mask must be fined.

Alexander reminded that prior to the pandemic, businesses in Region Six had been suffering because of lost employment and the current political climate. Hence, persons need the opportunity to earn so that they can keep themselves and families viable.

14 ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Comparison of Sunday’s SoRs with PPP’s SoPs DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF POLL RELEASED BY PPP/C

ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT

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MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Comparison of Sunday’s SoRs with PPP’s SoPs DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF POLL RELEASED BY PPP/C

16 ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Comparison of Sunday’s SoRs with PPP’s SoPs DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF POLL RELEASED BY PPP/C

ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT

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MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Comparison of Sunday’s SoRs with PPP’s SoPs DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

DISTRICT 4 STATEMENTS OF POLL RELEASED BY PPP/C

STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

18 ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT

STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

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MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

20 ELECTIONS 2020 RECOUNT MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

STATEMENTS OF RECOUNT

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MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

22 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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Interview by Nagraj Gollapudi

est Indies are on the verge of embarking on an unprecedented trip - full of challenges and unknowns, most of them outside the field of play. Yet it is a risk worth taking, feels Johnny Grave, the Cricket West Indies (CWI) chief executive. Grave, who has been busy sorting the risk assessment with his counterparts at the ECB over the past six weeks, is optimistic West Indies will fly around June 8 for the three-Test series, which is likely to begin on July 8.

In a chat with ESPNcricinfo, Grave talks about the various factors both boards along with their team managements and medical teams have considered minutely before the final decision is made next week.

with someone who is Covid-19 positive is very, very low. And it is on that basis, and because of the robustness of the biosecure environment and the plans that our medical people are saying to us it is a safe environment. So the chances of someone catching Covid-19 are very, very small.

The players would be in a very, very secure [and] very, very isolated environment for the first two weeks in quarantine, and then when they move into the biosecure Test venues everyone that they come into contact [with] would be in a restricted bubble, therefore not able to leave, and all of them would have been tested prior to coming into that environment and would continue to undergo random testing whilst they are there.

How close are West Indies from taking the flight to England?

You had also previously mentioned that West Indies players' mindset would be very nervous going to the UK. Has that apprehension remained during your latest talks?

We are in the final stages of discussions with the ECB and they are in the final stages of finalising their plans in order to get the UK government and ECB board support. We are expecting to get formal offer to tour England probably by the end of the month so that we can get our board's approval and the players can potentially leave the region [the Caribbean] in early June.

We heard that June 10 is when West Indies will leave for the tour. Is that correct?

There is [still] player and support staff apprehension. There is apprehension about leaving their families for seven weeks. There is apprehension about moving into a biosecure cricket ground for the first time. There is apprehension about travelling on planes and going to the UK, which has had so many cases.

We want four weeks before the first Test to prepare our team so we are currently planning on leaving the week starting June 8.

So what are the Test match dates?

The current plan we are working to has the three Tests starting on July 8, July 16 and July 24. As for the venues, we believe it could be the Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford, but we haven't had that formally confirmed yet.

How many players would travel to the UK?

The working plan involves taking a 25-player squad to the UK. That would comprise the official Test squad of 15 players and 10 reserves.

A week or so back you had expressed caution, suggesting there was a long way to go before the tour was on. What has changed?

What has changed is the ECB have got more confident that they've got a robust and safe plan to deal with cricket in a biosecure environment behind closed doors. Our medical team are getting more confident and comfortable with those plans.

Our players and support staff who we have met with [on conference calls] are beginning to understand what a seven-week tour behind closed doors might look like. And the operations CWI CEO Johnny Grave team are getting the logistics together for flying everyone from across the Caribbean to probably Antigua to then depart to the UK on a private team charter. So yes, good progress is being made and we are getting closer to that final plan for our [CWI] board to effectively sign off on the tour and ask the selectors to choose the squad and the players to confirm their participation.

Can you talk about that plan of assembling players and flying out to the UK?

Effectively we want to bring everyone to probably Antigua and that's mainly because the regional airline LIAT have all their aircraft currently based here so it is easier for them to send planes to the islands to come back to this central hub. So we would look to convene players here by late afternoon, and they would get on a charter flight to the UK immediately after that. We don't want players to have to stay overnight anywhere in the Caribbean. We want them to be tested about three-four days before departure date and subject to getting a negative test result, they would be chartered into Antigua and then chartered on one aircraft to the UK.

And once they land in the UK?

They would then be transported to their quarantine and training venue where they would spend about three weeks or so during which they can train.

Can you elaborate on the testing process?

To make sure we are not taking testing kits away from anyone in the Caribbean we are going to test players and support staff privately. That also gives a consistency of results of using the same lab for the tests. Everyone would go and get tested in their local country, all those tests would be sent to Florida and the results would come out within - hopefully - 48 hours.

As soon as our board approves the ECB final plan we would effectively select the squad and ask the ECB to book the charter plane. About four days before the charter plane leaves for the UK, everyone would get tested.

What happens if someone tests positive once they are in England?

If someone tests positive at any stage in the tour they would be removed from the main squad and will be placed into isolation within the biosecure environment and will be treated by the team doctor along with the other on-site medical support staff. Should any player have more serious symptoms, they will be treated in hospital at pre-arranged facilities.

What happens if a player infected is playing a match?

One of the things that's being discussed is if a player tests positive during a match, whether then, similar to a concussion substitute, the ICC would change the regulations to allow a replacement player to take the infected person's place. There is an ICC chief executive committee meeting in early June where I understand those changes to the regulations or laws on the back of Covid-19 would be discussed and agreed following recommendations from the ICC Cricket Committee who recently met.

Was this point discussed during the calls between ECB and CWI teams?

Yes, it has been. The Caribbean is almost Covid-19 free. However, they would have been tested prior to departure. They are then on private charters within the Caribbean, then a private charter to the UK. And then they enter a biosecure bubble where other than them and the people looking after them - groundstaff, catering and hotel staff - no-one else is allowed.

Everyone else in that secure bubble has been tested. So the likelihood of coming into contact

Shai Hope plays on the on-side while England’s Johnny Bairstow and Ben Stokes look on. West Indies last toured England in 2017

[There is] also some apprehension around getting back to the Caribbean around what the quarantine requirements may be in their home countries. It is such a dynamic situation, but we hope that if they were tested prior to their departure of the UK and if they need be tested again when they come back to the Caribbean that by late July, they wouldn't have to do any quarantine back here. But clearly, each Caribbean country may have different rules and restrictions so we can't be certain at this stage. So there is some fear and apprehension, not just about leaving the Caribbean to go on the tour but also getting back home to be reunited with their loved ones.

Recently Jason Holder, West Indies Test captain, likened the Caribbean player's plight to a frontline worker who has to go to hospital every day. Holder felt the longer players stay away, the greater the monetary impact. Do you agree with him and will the monetary aspect play a role in the tour taking place?

Jason is right. As the economies of the world start to open up again and people start returning to their places of work people will no doubt feel a bit nervous and anxious and the circumstances in their offices and workplaces will probably be a bit different too. Cricketers are therefore no different, they are getting back to work. What we have to do as their employers is ensure that their work environment is as safe as it possibly can be.

So no player has expressed any concern then?

Players have concerns, but certainly I have had no feedback that a player has said, based on what we know now and what we have shared, that they won't tour. No-one has directly come out and said they won't tour, but we haven't formally asked them yet.

Financially CWI has been struggling for a long time. West India are also taking a risk by agreeing to tour. Did a thought that we will skip as the risks are too high pass your mind?

Not from a financial point of view. Our focus has very much been on making sure that it is safe for our players first and foremost and then if it is fulfilling the obligations of the FTP which we signed up and committed to. If we were going to have to pay for the costs of all the mitigating factors then the tour wouldn't be on. If we had to pay for the additional costs of chartering planes or taking an additional 10 members of the squad in order to prepare on our own then this tour wouldn't go ahead.

The way the FTP is structured, we are responsible as the touring team for our player match fees and allowances as well as our travel costs to the UK. All other costs for the tour would be picked up by the ECB as they keep all the revenue. Due to the nature of the fact that we cannot fly commercially either within the Caribbean to one fixed point of departure or across the Atlantic, the charter flights and any other additional or exceptional costs that we would incur on this tour would be met by the ECB.

So the tour is then going to happen?

From where we sit at the moment, based on the information we have, based on the fact that every day there are less and less cases in the UK everyone is getting increasingly confident that the tour will happen at some point. Our board meeting is on May 28. If the tour has to take place, by the start of June we would need to have the [CWI] board approval and support by then in order to get the charter flight logistics in place and select the players. (ESPN Cricinfo)

MONDAY, MAY 25, 2020

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Review: WI Test opening stands since July 2016

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Test bowler will always fancy his or her chances to be given an early breakthrough when they bowl against the West Indies.

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John Campbell

F r o m Devon Smith July 2016 to present, West Indies played 32 Test matches and had six different opening pairs. The opening partnerships have not been up to scratch, hence West Indies' inconsistency at the Test level.

For a building to be declared strong, the foundation must be a good one. In this

Kraigg Brathwaite

context, the West Indies Test foundation has been one of the factors in a broken,

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hampionship side Hull City have confirmed two people at the club have tested positive for coronavirus.

The English Football League earlier said there were two positive cases out of more than 1,000 players and staff tested at the 24 second-tier clubs.

In a statement, Hull said the pair were asymptomatic and feeling no ill effects, but would self-isolate for seven days in line with EFL guidelines.

They will both be tested again at a later date.

The Tigers did not confirm whether the positive tests were from players or staff.

It comes after reports that Hull vice-chairman Ehab Allam wrote to the EFL twice to say the season should be voided.

With Championship clubs set to return to training on Monday, a total of 1,014 tests were undertaken on players and staff over the past 72 hours, with all but the two at the Tigers coming back negative.

Those who had returned negative tests would be allowed to enter training grounds, but prior to going in, everyone must complete a screening protocol to detect any symptoms in a manner devised by the club doctor.

In the Premier League an unnamed Bournemouth player was one of two new coronavirus cases discovered by the latest round of top-flight tests - taking the overall total of positive results to eight.

The tests, which are being funded by the clubs and will not affect NHS testing, are not 100% accurate but meet government and NHS standards.

The Championship, which has been suspended since 13 March, is hoping to restart the season at some point in June.

Meanwhile, no testing programme is in place for League One and League Two clubs.

On 15 May, teams in the fourth tier "unanimously indicated" they wanted to bring their season to an early conclusion, although talks between sides in League One stalled after they failed to agree on a resolution. (BBC Sport)

inconsistent Test house. In those 32 Tests, since 2016, 1456 runs were scored by the Test opening partnership. The opening partnerships during this period number 23, with ten 50-plus stands, including one century stand in the 61st innings.

Kraigg Brathwaite has been the number one opening batsman since then, featuring in the majority of the matches. Brathwaite and Rajendra Chandrika opened the batting against India in July 2016 in the Caribbean. The highest stand between that pair during that period was 30. After two matches, Leon Johnson accompanied Brathwaite at the top of the order.

That duo scored a 59-run stand but after that, it was an inconsistent road for the opening pair. Darren Bravo, in one innings against Pakistan, opened the batting with Johnson and they had a 27-run stand.

When Pakistan toured the West Indies, Kieran Powell accompanied Brathwaite at the top. After 14 innings together, then came the duo’s first 50-plus stand. It was a 76-run stand against Zimbabwe.

It then became a smooth road for Brathwaite and Powell, scoring back-to-back half-century stands. In New Zealand, the duo had 59 and 72 in the same Test match.

For five Test matches, Devon Smith returned to the West Indies team and joined forces with Brathwaite at the top of the order. In the nine innings of this opening pair, their top stands were 59 and 113, against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, respectively.

Rajendra Chandrika Unfortunately, that 113-run partnership was the only 100+ score in the 61 Test innings for the West Indies since July 2016 to present.

The left-handed Powell then returned to the Test team and in the eight innings he and Braithwaite faced against India and Bangladesh, the highest opening stand was a meagre 32.

In 2019, England toured the Caribbean and it was somewhat a new era with John Campbell and Brathwaite at the top of the order. Not only did the West Indies win the Test series, but Campbell and Brathwaite had opening stands of 53, 52, 70, 17, 57, and 5 in the three-match series. That was the most consistent patch for any opening pair in recent times.

Despite that, it was back to inconsistency when the duo opened the batting against India and Afghanistan.

Against India in the Caribbean, the openers had partnerships of 36, 7, 9 and 9. In the last West Indies Test match against Afghanistan, the opening pair added 27 and 22 to their tally.

How long will the wait be until the entertaining West Indies side finds a Kieran Powell stable opening pair from this current or future batch, reminiscent of a Sir Gordon Greenidge-Desmond Haynes combination?

W

ith professional tennis shut down by the novel coronavirus pandemic, world number one Novak Djokovic is bringing together some of the world’s top tennis players for a series of matches to run from June 13-July 5 in the Balkan region.

All pro tennis tours were suspended in early March and will not return before August as countries went into lockdown and closed borders to contain the spread of the virus.

Some players, including Djokovic, have returned to the practice courts while maintaining strict hygiene and social distancing norms, and some exhibition events without fans have also been held in countries like Germany and the United States.

“I’m proud to officially share the news that the #AdriaTour will be held across the #Balkans 13 June - 5 July kicking off with a tournament in Belgrade,” Djokovic, who turned 33 on Friday, said in a Twitter post.

“Very grateful we could make this happen to play and support humanitarian projects across the region.”

World number three Dominic Thiem of Austria and Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who is ranked 19, have confirmed their participation in the eight-man event which will end with Djokovic’s exhibition match against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Zadar, in Croatia, Montenegro and Banja Luka in Bosnia will be the other venues for the matches, which will be broadcast on television.

Djokovic, who won his 17th Grand Slam title at the 2020 Australian Open, has been 18-0 this year in all matches.

He lifted the ATP Cup with Serbia, won an eighth Australian Open title and then completed a fifth triumph at the Dubai Tennis Championships, extending his unbeaten run to 21 matches dating back to last season.(Reuters)

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