Guyana Times Saturday July 4, 2020

T&T P General Elections set for August 10 14

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

Issue No. 4336

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020

3rd private criminal charge filed against Lowenfield for electoral fraud See story on page 2

…he’s custodian of SoPs, SoRs, knew true results – lawyer …could face life imprisonment

Caricom will not allow stealing of an election nor recount results set aside – new Chairman

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana risks Caricom, Commonwealth sanctions, expulsion P11 …if Granger refuses to concede – Professor Knight

COVID-19 pandemic

Mining P10 activities suspended in Regions 1, 7 …curfew extended to July 16

See story on page 7

...lauds Mia Mottley for defending Guyana’s democracy

PPP/C hauls UN’s top brass Ramjattan warns before Guyanese ERC for politicians to racially refrain from incendiary inciting violence remarks Lowenfield admits to constitutional duty to follow GECOM’s orders See story on page 9

PRICE

PSC calls out ineffective P12 Govt COVID-19 Task Force

See story on page 13

See story on page 3

Court awards $10M to WCB cash crop P14 farmers …after Region 5 REO maliciously bulldozed farms

P9 6 new COVID-19 cases recorded …persons from Regions 1, 3, 4

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3rd private criminal charge filed against Lowenfield for electoral fraud …he’s custodian of SoPs, SoRs, knew true results – lawyer …could face life imprisonment

(L-R) Dr Josh Kanhai and Desmond Morian along with Attorney-at-Law Glen Hanoman in Court on Friday morning

E

mbattled Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield has been slapped with a third private criminal charge over allegations of electoral fraud.

Initially, two counts of “Misconduct in Public Office Contrary to the Common Law” charges were filed against him by Desmond Morian and Dr Daniel Josh Kanhai. However, on Friday, Morian brought another private criminal charge of “Conspiracy to

Commit a Felony”.

That new charge alleges that between March 5 and June 23, 2020, he conspired with a person or persons unknown to commit common law fraud by presenting to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) figures in his Elections Report dated March 14, “in order to materially alter the results of the (March 2) elections, with intent to defraud, knowing the said tabulation to be false”.

Custodian of SoPs, SoRs

Attorney Hanoman told reporters on Friday that he is confident in the cases filed by his clients. The lawyer noted that there is compelling evidence to support these claims based on the pattern of Lowenfield’s behaviour since the March 2 elections.

“He is the custodian of the SoPs and the SoRs (Statements of Recount) so he is deemed to know what the true results are.

And from his pattern of be-

haviour, there is clear evidence that he misconducted himself in public office,” he stated.

Hanoman said he is very happy to be prosecuting this matter along with a group of lawyers given the historic nature of these charges.

“Mr Lowenfield is trying to take away my vote and 115,000 votes because of his own negligence. Apparently, he’s saying that supporting documents that he should have are missing. We don’t even know if he looked for it. But he’s saying supporting documents are missing so he’s disenfranchising me and I’m happy to be prosecuting him because I don’t allow anybody to steal from me,” the lawyer asserted.

The tabulation being referred to speaks to embattled Returning Officer for District Four, Clairmont Mingo’s fraudulent declarations. After stakeholders – political parties as well as local and foreign observers – had deemed Mingo’s two declarations as not credible, it was subsequently unearthed during the National Recount that Mingo had heavily inflated the figures to give the caretaker APNU/AFC coali-

tion a landslide lead over the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), which according to the Statements of Poll (SoPs) from the initial tabulation had won the elections.

This was later confirmed during the recount exercise.

During Friday’s hearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Magistrate Faith McGusty issued a summons for the Chief Elections Officer to be served and appear before the court on July 24 to face the indicatable charges filed against him.

In court, Morian and Dr Kanhai swore to the truth of the allegations of the two initial charges which alleged that the CEO, between March 2 and June 29, wilfully breached the trust of the public by submitting a fraudulent report to GECOM with fabricated figures that invalidated over 115,000 votes instead of using the results emanating from the National Recount as instructed.

The CEO could face life imprisonment if he is found guilty of electoral fraud from these private criminal charges. This is according to Attorney-at-Law Glen

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

Hanoman, who is representing Morian and Kanhai.

He told reporters outside the Magistrates’ Courts on Friday morning that these charges attract a penalty of life imprisonment.

Hanoman further related that all “diligent attempts” to serve Lowenfield with the two initial criminal charges have failed. Hence, the presiding Magistrate agreed to compel him to appear in court at the next hearing later this month.

The lawyer explained that the security officials, including the police, at the CEO’s various locations – his office and two home addresses – were “unhelpful” in getting him served.

TURN TO PAGE 7

3 Lowenfield admits to constitutional duty to follow GECOM’s orders NEWS

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 4 – 04:00h – 05:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Sunday, July 5 – 04:30h – 06:00h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, July 4 – 15:55h – 17:25h and Sunday, July 5 – 16:40h – 18:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain will prevail during the day. There will be light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly to North-Easterly to Northerly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 16:03h reaching a maximum height of 2.49 metres.

Low Tide: 09:36h and 21:48h reaching minimum heights of 0.56 metre and 0.73 metre.

COMMODITIES Indicators

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C

hief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, just last year, admitted that he is constitutionally bound to follow the instructions passed on by the seven-member Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The CEO’s position then is in stark contrast to his posture now wherein he defended his illegal actions to invalidate over 115,000 votes – which went against specific orders from the Justice (retired) Claudette Singh-led seven-member Commission.

In 2019, Lowenfield made it clear that “The Commission, by order, instructs the Chief Elections Officer…”

“They’re contained in the Constitution, where the Commission shall direct the Secretariat to so do…So, it’s not a creation on the attitude of the part of the CEO that he will have to be provided with guidance -the Constitution says in writing…,” Lowenfield had explained during a press conference on February 8, 2019.

“So, they direct, ‘move, don’t move. Act, don’t act’ as is contained in the Constitution,” Lowenfield had said.

He had further explained, “So, sometimes when one hears that the CEO cannot meet with a team at location ‘X’ or ‘Y’, I have not yet, as constitutionally mandated, been provided with the guidance from the Commission - [the] Chairman and Commissioners.”

However, on June 23, 2020, Lowenfield disregarded a direct order from GECOM to prepare a final elections report based on the Recount results; instead, the CEO submitted a report with concocted figures showing a false victory for the APNU/AFC Coalition.

Then on June 26, 2020 – in the face of intense criticisms – Lowenfield defended his decision to disobey the Commission’s order by claiming: “While the Commission makes certain policy decisions and provides guidance to the Chief Election Officer for implementation by the Secretariat, I have

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

to execute my duties as a Constitutional Officer, particularly in the conduct of Elections.”

This is not the first time Lowenfield has been exposed for acting contradictorily to statements he had made in the past on electoral matters in Guyana. For instance, in 2015, Lowenfield made it clear that it is impossible for voter impersonation to take place within the framework of Guyana’s electoral system.

Lowenfield had explained that “The reality is, for you to vote at a

polling station, you have to be listed to vote there.

In that polling station, our Presiding Officer and the party agents will have a list that is specific to that polling station… But if you go into another polling station, then (your name) will not be there. So, you’re not even having access to [that] polling station… because your name is not there.

“Even if you impersonate [someone]… and you’ve removed the ink, when you go [to another polling station] in another name but you don’t

have an ID card, then the folio has come into play, where our staff, GECOM’s PO [Presiding Officer] and APO [Assistant Presiding Officer] have the folio for all of the persons listed at that specific polling station.

“So, you come and say, ‘I’m Troy Johnson’, and you don’t have an ID card. You have to pass through the process of probably having the features of Troy.

And our Presiding Officer will be asking you, since you don’t have an ID card, as the Chairman (at the time, Dr Steve Surujbally) mentioned earlier, ‘What’s your name and your date of birth and your mother’s middle name?’ So, there’re questions we have for you when you’ll be coming to impersonate ‘Troy’.”

But now the CEO has invalidated over 115,000 votes, based on unsubstantiated allegations of voter impersonation levelled by the APNU/AFC. In fact, in numerous cases, those allegations have been proven false, after citizens had come forward with proof to debunk the APNU/AFC’s claims.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 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

Social and economic impacts of COVID-19

W

ith the end of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic being nowhere in sight, many countries are bracing themselves to deal with a host of accompanying social and economic problems, which no doubt will take a toll on communities everywhere.

The lockdowns implemented, even though necessary to contain the further spread of the virus, came with their own challenges, and countries, including Guyana, must immediately plan how, as much as possible, they would address the huge negative social impact this will have on people. The curfew in Guyana has now been extended, the airport remains closed, and in two regions, mining has been halted.

We have already reported on the notable spike in cases of domestic violence due to increased tensions in the household, resulting from the huge impact the virus is having on families. The United Nations recently pointed to reports from countries around the world which suggest that “restrictions in movement, social isolation, coupled with increased social and economic pressures are leading to an increase in violence in the home”.

According to the UN, women across the world are suffering even more now due to the extra economic and social stresses caused by “a radical shift away from normal life”.

Data also confirms that medical professionals and other key frontline workers are experiencing significant mental health problems linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, there were reports in the international media on a few of these frontline workers committing suicide as they were unable to deal with the pressures.

According to the UN guidelines, depression and anxiety before the COVID-19 pandemic cost the global economy more than US$1 trillion per year. Depression affects 264 million people in the world, while around half of all mental health conditions start by age 14, with suicide being the second leading cause of death in young people aged 15 to 29.

It should be noted that, here in Guyana, long before the COVID-19 pandemic, households were experiencing extremely tough economic times. In addition to the destruction of the mining, rice and manufacturing sectors, the coalition Government’s closure of the sugar estates had caused thousands to be jobless and in poverty. This has resulted in a host of social problems affecting communities across the country. Now, with the political instability and the COVID-19 pandemic, one can only imagine the difficulties families are faced with in their efforts to cope with the present realities, especially considering that the Government has offered no tangible support to families to weather the storm.

Due to all of these pressures, experts have predicted that there will be huge mental health problems facing communities. How persons respond to the lockdowns due to the virus can depend on various factors, including their background, the things that make them different from other people, the community they live in, and the kind of support network they have.

The UK Guardian newspaper carried a recent report which quoted the Royal College of Psychiatrists as saying that people with no history of mental illness are developing serious psychological problems for the first time, as a result of the lockdown amid growing stresses over isolation, job insecurity, relationship breakdown, and bereavement.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists warned that services in the United Kingdom could be overwhelmed by “a tsunami of mental illness”. It also pointed to a survey it undertook of psychiatrists across the UK, which revealed that families were experiencing significant tension as a result of staying at home.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explained that fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming, and cause strong emotions in adults and children. It noted that stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include: fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, worsening of chronic health problems, worsening of mental health conditions, and increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.

A key part of the UN appeal is for mental health care to be incorporated into all Governments’ COVID-19 strategies, given that national average expenditure on it is just two per cent.

That said, our hope is that Governments and the international development partners would do much more to protect all those facing mental pressures during and after this pandemic.

A teacher and students wearing hats designed for space keeper practise social distancing to help curb the spread of the coronavirus at Ban Pa Muad School in Chiang Mai, north of Thailand (VOA)

No refusal from Navigant received Dear Editor, NICIL notes, with tremendous concern, the press release issued by Navigant Builders Inc. (referred to as “Windsor Estates”) concerning its purchase of land at Ogle, and issues this release to clarify the surrounding factual matrix.

Windsor Estates, through its principal, Danny Sawh, engaged in negotiations with NICIL concerning the purchase of land at Ogle from 2019 through to late February, 2020. After the submission of detailed development plans, these discussions culminated in the execution of an agreement of sale for 30 acres of land at Ogle on February 21st, 2020, accompanied by a twenty percent down payment in the amount of Gy$180 million dollars. Windsor, also, participated in a sod-turning ceremony on February 27th, 2020, when a presentation was made by Windsor employee Mark Thomas.

Despite Windsor’s contractual obligations, it appears that, on March 6, 2020, Windsor issued a press release stating that it had postponed its plans for the development at Ogle. This postponement has nothing to do with Windsor’s contractual obligations, Windsor’s contract specifically allows it the latitude to delay its development plans by up to 9 months.

On March 13, 2020, Windsor, in furtherance of its agreement with NICIL, paid NICIL by Scotia Bank cheque number 005868

surveyor’s fees for the land purchased. As part of Windsor’s agreement, the balance due on the contract is payable upon the production of a signed vesting order, which by the contract was represented by NICIL to be produced within 3 months of the date of execution of the Agreement.

At no time has Windsor ever written to terminate its contractual obligations with NICIL. Windsor’s public statements about the delay in development have nothing to do with its contract with NICIL. On June 19, 2020, one week after the vesting order was signed in accordance with NICIL’s contractual obligations (the vesting order being signed on June 11, 2020), in response to NICIL’s notification of the

vesting, along with a request for payment of the balance owed, Mr. Sawh wrote NICIL asking that the transaction be held off until the current elections impasse is resolved, due to financing constraints. This request for an extension of time is clearly being applicable to the remaining balance owed.

At no time did Windsor write NICIL to terminate its contract or to indicate that it no longer wished to proceed with the transaction. Instead, it simply stated that financing was delayed due to the current elections’ situation.

NICIL has, at all times, complied with its contractual obligations with Windsor Estates, and finds it unfortunate that, despite Windsor Estates’ vig-

orous negotiations to contract with NICIL through to February 26, 2020, and multiple payments made beyond that date, including after the elections, Windsor is now making statements which do not accurately reflect NICIL’s records.

Windsor currently owes NICIL substantial sums as a result of NICIL’s performance with the terms of the parties’ contract.

NICIL expects Windsor to do the honourable thing and fully comply with its contractual obligations in the manner agreed by all parties; and suggests that Windsor engage NICIL directly, instead of attempting to litigate in the press.

Sincerely, NICIL

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020

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APNU/AFC betrayed, failed the trust of their constituents

Dear Editor, The leadership members of the APNU/AFC Government have collectively been a very big disappointment to the average Guyanese. From the early days after they took office in 2015 to date, it is abundantly clear that they have focused on their own welfare and those of their close colleagues at the expense of most of the average Guyanese.

For instance, they had increased their own salaries by 50% within the first 6 weeks in office, whilst only offering to increase the salaries of public servants correspondingly by 5% in July 2015. They failed significantly to deliver their main campaign promises in their first 100 days

in office, including the promise of phased reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT), but just a small reduction -- from 16% to 14% -- was realised in February of 2017, along with subsequent increases of VAT on zero-rated basic amenities such as water and electricity.

This incumbent APNU+AFC Government had made great promises to deliver long-term sustainable economic development that should have realised improved economic potential, but I have spoken directly to many average citizens throughout Guyana and they have unhesitatingly claimed that they are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table.

Economic struggles were

mainly due to failure of Government policies, which resulted in lack of job creation in the main productive sectors, including sugar and mining industries; which was perpetuated by the shutting down of many of the sugar estates without viable alternatives, and increased taxation on essential machinery and equipment required for operations in the mining sector.

Further, this Government failed in their leadership to ensure reduction in the cost of electricity for sustainable energy-generation. The APNU/AFC Government had planned to implement a “Green Development Strategy” to lower electricity cost, which excluded the 165MW Amaila Falls Hydro

Project (AFHP), again without any suitable alternatives which would have created lower electricity price and driven down the overall cost of production for the manufacturing sector in Guyana, in order to create the much needed economic growth and increase employment opportunities for our youths.

Overall, this incumbent Government betrayed and failed the trust of their constituents, whilst the ministers and their cabals, including friends and business associates, have benefited significantly in terms of their personal wealth enhancement.

Sincerely, Sam Ramtahal

APNU/AFC squandered opportunity to be respected Dear Editor, The leaders of the APNU+AFC coalition, specifically David Granger, must concede defeat to respect the will of the Guyanese people.

Surely, coalition leaders must understand that, by both local and international standards, they have lost these elections, and their current actions are working against the best interest of that party.

If they continue to prevent a legitimate government from taking office, they would have damaged their credibility to the extent that future prospects of holding electoral office would be greatly diminished and disrespected by many Guyanese.

The refusal to concede defeat by supporters and leaders of the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition has seen the coalition squander their opportunity to be a respected opposition in the elections’ aftermath.

Four months have passed since Guyana’s March 2 regional and national elections were held, and there is no winner legally and formally declared through free, fair, and transparent means.

The longevity of the political crisis has drawn criticism from important international and regional partners such as the United States; the Organization of American States (OAS); the Commonwealth of Nations; and, most notably, the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

The latest incident in a series of unnecessary events has come from an injunction filed by an APNU/AFC supporter to stop the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) – the statutory body responsible for declaring a winner – from declaring the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) party and its presidential candidate Dr. Irfaan Ali the winners of these elections.

The APNU/AFC sup-

porter claims that GECOM has not taken into account the coalition’s concerns over the validity of votes. The APNU+AFC coalition also claims that, throughout the recount process, evidence of ghosts voting had been uncovered, leading to the party’s calls to discount votes they consider as not valid.

However, the coalition’s claims are unsubstantiated, and have been settled internationally, regionally, and domestically; with CARICOM and other international observers and local stakeholders in Guyana’s electoral process approving the recount as valid and credible, based on CARICOM’s assessment, described as the most legitimate international observer by Mr David Granger.

Dr Irfaan Ali, then, must be declared the next President of Guyana. But in a 2-1 ruling, Guyana’s Court of Appeal granted the injunction which ordered that the results of the elections must be determined after the Court of Appeal’s ruling.

GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield, who feels he is above the law, proceeded to submit an observation report that was contrary to the report submitted by CARICOM. In his report, Lowenfield argued that based on his own assessment of “valid” votes cast -- which is irrespective of the consensus reached by CARICOM and local observers —115,000 votes had to be eliminated. This trickery gave the Granger APNU/ AFC enough votes to be declared the winner of the national elections.

After the injunction was issued and Lowenfield’s report was submitted, PPP/C leader Mr Bharrat Jagdeo filed an appeal to the country’s final court of appeal, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). After the initial hearing on July 1, the Court is expected to issue its verdict on July 8. Until then, the CCJ has ruled, Guyana must remain without a declared win-

ner of the elections.

At the CCJ, the PPP/C, local stakeholders and the international community expect the court to rule that Guyana’s Court of Appeal does not have the jurisdiction to issue rulings on presidential elections. The PPP/C argued that the elections’ validity can only be challenged through an elections petition filed with Guyana’s High Court after a formal winner has been declared by GECOM. The many roadblocks APNU/AFC coalition party leaders have set up during this election cycle have decreased the credibility and trust in the APNU/AFC coalition. The APNU/AFC coalition has put its future in Guyana at risk.

The international community and local stakeholders appear to have accepted the PPP/C party as the winner of the elections, with the party securing the majority of votes cast in the general election.

The APNU/AFC will become the country’s formal Opposition, with 31 of 65 parliamentary seats. Therefore, the strength of Guyana’s democratic will, in part, rely on the APNU+AFC coalition’s ability to become a credible and trustworthy opposition. However, this possi-

bility is becoming less likely, as specific leaders within the APNU+AFC coalition erode the trust between themselves and the PPP/C, as well as with Guyana’s international and regional partners.

Both the PPP/C and the APNU/AFC dominate Guyana’s political system, drawing support from the majority of the population.

A breakdown in trust would further divide the country, since trust is integral for Guyana going forward. The country faces numerous challenges, including those associated with oil wealth and the constitutional changes needed to overhaul the elections process.

Regardless of how we may all feel, this new uncertainty in Guyana now threatens to delay and potentially limit future investments in a resource that has the potential to pour billions into Guyana’s economy in the aftermath of these elections. A transparent and steady transition process is critical to maintaining growth and signalling to international investors that Guyana is a reliable partner, which would encourage them to come on board and invest immediately in Guyana.

Sincerely, David Adams

When we lie, we have to lie again to cover that lie Dear Editor, Mr Keith Lowenfield is the man of the moment; his name is making the headlines in the newspapers, on the radio, and in television news local and international. This man’s name is being dragged in the street, talked about at home, discussed at the office, is the hot topic in every conversation; and even the smallest child in Guyana knows how to reach out to him because he is so low in name and nature.

He gave the entire Guyana a humongous headache, the Caribbean is still reeling from his actions, and the international community cannot believe that a man of his calibre does exist. For a big guy, he’s quite an athlete, he sure can run. He ran from the Madam Chair’s last meeting; he ran from the CCJ; now he is running from the Magistrate’s Court.

Ole people say, “Even moon does run till day ketch am”. So, “run till yu bun.”

This happens when “fear is the key,” but, “do nothing, fear nothing.” We all have to face the music one day, so do be good to the DJ. Here is what the man in the street will say to him if he is seen: “Hey Bigshot Keith, you are the seat of deceit. You do have a lot of meat, but boy, oh boy, you’re beat with this feat. Make no mistake with this heat, it is definitely no treat. Now you can grin through your teeth, you just purchased your own wreath.

You forgot to look underneath the white sheet, no wonder

you didn’t see what’s written beneath. So much land, so much heath, do make a will and bequeath. Too many voices seethe, it’s not the frogs croaking for rain in the street.

You should secede, the other guy wouldn’t concede. Do hide well the missing documents and SOPs in your sheath.

Take your time and enjoy the Demerara river’s view, but think about the Lethe. When you meet fate, do greet with a smile and don’t forget to breathe. It’s not too late to retreat, the game of any cheat never ends sweet.”

When we lie, we have to lie again to cover that lie, and then lie until we die; and that’s not a true, true lie! Ole people say, “Make your bed (hard or soft), for it is you who have to lie on it! COVID-19 did not tell a lie, it didn’t say goodbye, it continues to amplify. Don’t share hi-five, but dignify how to rectify, otherwise it will pursue its course to magnify. The figure is high, be it gal or guy, we all can die.

This spy is shy, you cannot see it with the eye, and it is not in the sky, but right here where we play.

When your ally does imply that you should comply and wear a mask, do not defy, but apply. You may deny someone from going awry, and they wouldn’t have to cry!

Stay safe Guyana, and always do what is right, so that we may sleep well and wake up tomorrow to see another daylight.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

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SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020

Page

Foundation

Guyana Times is pleased to publish CXC English and Mathematics questions with specimen answers.

CXC QUESTIONS

MATHS

ENGLISH

B Theme for English B

By Langston Hughes

The instructor said, Go home and write a page tonight.

And let that page come out of you— Then, it will be true.

I wonder if it’s that simple?

I am twenty-two, colored, born in WinstonSalem.

I went to school there, then Durham, then here to this college on the hill above Harlem.

I am the only colored student in my class.

The steps from the hill lead down into Harlem, through a park, then I cross St. Nicholas, Eighth Avenue, Seventh, and I come to the Y, the Harlem Branch Y, where I take the elevator up to my room, sit down, and write this page: It’s not easy to know what is true for you or me at twenty-two, my age. But I guess I’m what I feel and see and hear, Harlem, I hear you. hear you, hear me—we two—you, me, talk on this page.

(I hear New York, too.) Me—who?

Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love.

I like to work, read, learn, and understand life.

I like a pipe for a Christmas present, or records—Bessie, bop, or Bach.

I guess being colored doesn’t make me not like the same things other folks like who are other races.

So will my page be colored that I write?

Being me, it will not be white.

But it will be a part of you, instructor.

You are white— yet a part of me, as I am a part of you.

That’s American.

Sometimes perhaps you don’t want to be a part of me.

Nor do I often want to be a part of you.

But we are, that’s true!

As I learn from you, I guess you learn from me— although you’re older—and white— and somewhat more free.

This is my page for English B. Questions

Summarise the poem What is the subject of the poem?

Who is the persona?

List and discuss the literary devices used in the poem Describe the mood of the poem and discuss how it is created List and discuss the themes of the poem Describe the form of the poem and discuss its effectiveness How do you feel about this poem? Discuss your reaction Suggest an alternative name for the poem, citing evidence found within the text

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Caricom will not allow stealing of an election nor recount results set aside – new Chairman ...lauds Mia Mottley for defending Guyana’s democracy

Newly-appointed Caricom Chair, Dr Ralph Gonsalves

N

ewly-appointed Caricom Chair and St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves on Friday defended his predecessor, Mia Mottley against “jaundiced sources”, after she came under attack for her statements on Guyana’s elections.

Dr Gonsalves accepted the title and responsibilities to lead the Caribbean Community from the Barbadian Prime Minister during the Twentieth Special Meeting of Caricom Heads held virtually.

Earlier last week, Mottley would have taken a stance about the numbers submitted by the Chief Elections Officer, which did not correspond with those coming

out from the National Recount, observed by the Caricom high-level team. Shortly after, the APNU/ AFC coalition launched a tirade against the outgoing Chairperson.

After taking up the role, Dr Gonsalves lauded Mottley’s efforts to defend Guyana’s democracy, in spite of the unwarranted attacks.

“Her helpful initiatives to assist in the preservation of democracy in Guyana within the terms of the Caricom Charter [for] Civil Society will be long remembered despite unwarranted vulgar and opportunistic criticisms of her from assorted jaundiced sources who ought to know better,” PM Gonsalves declared, in the presence of Guyana’s caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister

Barbadian PM Mia Mottley

“Her helpful initiatives to assist in the preservation of democracy in Guyana within the terms of the Caricom Charter [for] Civil Society will be long remembered despite unwarranted, vulgar, and opportunistic criticisms of her from assorted jaundiced sources who ought to know better,” – Dr Ralph Gonsalves Dr Karen Cummings, who is part of the APNU/AFC coalition.

Last month during a radio programme in his home country, PM Gonsalves had made it clear that Caricom will not tolerate the steal-

Man posing with guns in social media video rearrested …Police awaiting report from DPP

ing of an election in Guyana. He too had come under attacks by elements within the APNU/AFC – which has been refusing to concede defeat.

Regrettable situation

In her farewell remarks, Mottley labelled the ongoing situation in Guyana as “regrettable” as hopes were placed on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) – one of its designated institutions – to bring the matter to rest and allow for a democratically elected Government to take over the country’s affairs.

“There are a few other countries

that are due within the near future to have democratic elections. As a region, we have made it very clear the values that we stand for and those are reflected in the Caricom Charter for Civil Society…I want to say that we have tried to play our role by ensuring that we are there for members of the Community by being able to send in electoral observer teams.”

She added, “In Guyana’s case, we sent in two teams. First, an electoral observer team and then a high-level team that went in after the five Heads of Government visited Guyana when it was clear that there was not going to be an easy ride for the declaration of a result…It is regrettable that today, 3rd July, there is still no clarity as to the conclusion of that electoral process but we’ve said what we had to say on that matter and we await the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice.”

According to PM Mottley, the country has a “bright future” but it is one which must ensure that “every Guyanese is a winner”.

Apart from Guyana, three other Caricom countries namely Dominica, Suriname and St Lucia facilitated electoral processes within the past year. However, these countries have all went on to elect a Government after the polls.

Dr Gonsalves takes up the mantle at the height of a global pandemic, COVID-19 which has affected many member states. Due to the region’s dependence on tourism, travel restrictions have completely eliminated any earnings from the sector. This has negatively affected several countries.

Despite the body’s success in putting the region on the map, he said there are some facets of its existence which make it “far from perfect”.

“Our region’s inability to exorcise fully the ghost of the failed po-

Caretaker President David Granger

litical federation of 60 years ago, our ongoing tendency to exalt in relation to each other the fig leaf of individual sovereignties, the challenges of deeper integration from our member states’ islandness even for those which are continental geographically; and the multiple contradictions arising from a hegemonic, neoliberal global order – all these things have conspired to make our union far from perfect,” he detailed.

Nevertheless, the Community has managed to chalk up achievements in its four pillars of integration, namely; functional cooperation, coordination of foreign policy, security collaboration, and economic integration which includes Single Market trading.

Moving forward, the new Chairperson said his priorities will revolve around COVID-19 and interconnected approaches in economy, society and security. Other plans include coordination of regional air transport; socio-economic recovery in the region, strengthening resilience, shaping a new and inclusive global order; and elevating Caribbean civilisation.

3rd private criminal charge...

Jermaine Kingston

A

few days after High Court Judge Simone MorrisRamlall had ordered Police Commissioner Leslie James to release Jermaine Kingston from custody days after he had been arrested for displaying a cache of firearms, Kingston is back in Police custody.

The Top Cop had been served with the court order for Kingston’s release two weeks ago, following a virtual hearing in which defence lawyers had argued that the 72hour detention period had expired.

When contacted, acting Police Commander Senior Superintendent Phillip Azore confirmed that Kingston had been rearrested. He said that lawmen have submitted a report to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and are awaiting the return of that report before hauling Kingston before the court.

Following a writ of habeas cor-

The firearms on display

pus filed on Kingston’s behalf by John Marcus through Attorney-atLaw Everton Singh Lammy, Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall had ordered that Kingston be immediately released from custody, and he was also awarded $150,000 as damages.

Failure to comply with that order would have constituted sufficient ground for holding the Commissioner in contempt of court and thereby liable to imprisonment or having his assets confiscated.

The 26-year-old man was initially arrested on June 17, and a number of firearms belonging to a private security firm were seized following the circulation of a video on social media in which he was heard making threatening remarks.

“So we’re going to try again using the police to serve Mr Lowenfield and hopefully the police that are protecting him will facilitate that process because that is the role of the police.

According to Hanoman, the police have a duty under the Police Act and the Magistrate’s Act to aid the court, especially as it relates to service of legal documents.

“So the police have to assist us in serving Mr Lowenfield now and we hope the other police that he has as his security also understands that this is also their responsibility,” he posited.

Moreover, the lawyer urged the Chief Elections Officer not to resist the service of the summons since such action could be seen as proving the charge. “[It could appear] as a high public officer, he doesn’t wish to subject himself to the process,” Hanoman stated.

According to the lawyer additional charges are likely to be filed by other persons against both Lowenfield and other staff at the Elections Secretariat over the events that unfolded following the March 2 elections.

The certified results from the legally conducted National Recount

that was supervised by GECOM and a high-level Caribbean Community (Caricom) team pellucidly show that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the March 2 elections with 233,336 votes while A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) garnered 217,920.

However, in his final elections report submitted to the GECOM Chair last week, Lowenfield claimed that the caretaker APNU/ AFC coalition got 171,825 votes while the PPP/C gained 166,343 votes – which meant he invalidated over 115,000 votes.

This was despite him being clearly instructed by Justice Singh to use the recount figures to prepare his final report.

Lowenfield’s latest attempt to alter the results of the results and deny the will of the people comes on the heels of two previous attempts he made to give legitimacy to the fraudulent declarations of Mingo; hence the third charge against him.

On March 5, Mingo had declared fraudulent results for District Four, prompting the PPP/C to move to the courts which scrapped those results and ordered

FROM PAGE 2

that the process be done through the legally prescribed procedure.

When the process was resumed, Mingo still proceeded to use concocted numbers, and he eventually made a second fraudulent declaration on March 13.

Mingo had declared that the APNU/AFC received 136,057 votes for District Four, while the PPP/C received 77,231. But the certified recount process clearly shows that for Region Four, the APNU/ AFC received 116,941 votes while PPP/C got 80,920.

This meant the PPP/C won the March 2 polls by some 15,416 votes.

The Court of Appeal in Guyana ruled last week in the Eslyn David matter that “more votes cast” means “more valid votes cast” in the context of the Recount Order.

PPP/C has since approached the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to challenge the jurisdiction of the Appeal Court to hear and pronounce on the matter filed

by David, who is a known coalition supporter.

The Trinidad-based regional court is expected to deliver its ruling on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, after a marathon hearing earlier this week.

8 NEWS Charges against pro-democracy protesters withdrawn SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Attorney-at-Law Glenn Hanoman

Attorney-at-Law Priya Manickchand

A

fter extensive arguments that the charges instituted against two pro-democracy protesters for allegedly breaching the COVID-19 guidelines were bad in law and should have been immediately dismissed, the prosecutor has withdrawn the charges.

Police had instituted charges against former People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) parliamentarian, Neil Kumar, and protestor, Raphael Boodhoo.

However, on Friday the charges were withdrawn by the State Prosecutor.

The duo was hauled before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer the charge which stated that on May 16, they breached No 2 (1) restriction on social activities in the COVID-19 emergency measures. Kumar

Neil Kumar and Raphael Boodhoo at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts

was also accused of hosting a meeting of a fraternal, civic organisation. They were arrested when they picketed the Foreign Affairs Ministry after the caretaker Government blocked the return of the democracy watchdog, The Carter Center, from entering Guyana to observe the recount of ballots from the March 2 General and Regional Elections. This denial prompted PPP/C supporters to take the streets. During that exercise, about 10 protesters were all in compliance with social distancing rules.

The defendants’ lawyers, via audio-visual means, made an application for self-bail; however, Magistrate Daly granted them bail in the sum of $25,000 each. During the preliminary trial, the police pros-

ecutor was unable to defend the charges and, therefore, withdrew the case.

“We were saying that the charge was bad in law for a number of different reasons.

Basically, the prosecutor was unable to answer to it, and after given a long time, the prosecutor felt constrained to withdraw those charges,” Kumar’s lawyer, Glenn Hanoman stated.

Hanoman commended the police for trying to control the matter but pointed out that they are selective in who is being charged.

“I believe that people have to pay attention to COVID-19, and I believe that there is a good reason for the police to act when people are breaching the COVID-19 restrictions, but it appears to me

as though the police are being selective in who is being charged,” he asserted.

Additionally, former Opposition MP and Attorneyat-Law Priya Manickchand stated, “justice wins every time” despite the Government using the COVID-19 to crush democracy.

“To all of you who followed this matter and were outraged at Guyanese being charged for protesting the Granger Administration’s draconian, dictatorial decision to keep The Carter Center away from the recount process, I thank you.

Never back down from a just cause,” she explained. In fact, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had added his voice to this issue, stating that the caretaker Government is using the COVID-19 guidelines to suppress those who dare to oppose them.

“Chucky” killed by allegedly speeding minibus at Non Pareil

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minibus driver was taken into Police custody following an accident along the Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara (ECD) Public Road on Thursday which resulted in the death of a pedal cyclist.

The deceased was not properly identified but he was known by villagers as “Chucky”.

The driver of the minibus, a 29-year-old of No 28 Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), was reportedly driving minibus BXX 4563 at the time of the accident.

Based on information received, the minibus was proceeding along the roadway at an alleged fast rate of speed when the driver claimed that he observed the

now dead man ahead of him.

However, he told Police that as he was about to pass the bicycle, “Chucky” made a sudden turn and ended up in the path of the minibus, thus resulting in a collision.

As a result, the cyclist fell onto the roadway and sustained injuries about his body.

He was picked up in

an unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is presently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting identification and post-mortem. The driver, who passed a breathalyser test, remains in custody assisting with investigations.

It was during the exchange of gunfire that Duesberry was shot to the abdomen.

When contacted, acting Police Commander, Senior Superintendent Phillip Azore noted that the case file was completed and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice on where to implement charges.

It was reported that on the day in question, Duesberry, his wife, and two friends had left a popular night bar in Georgetown and travelled to the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) in search of party spots.

They eventually ended up at Brutus Street, Agricola, where they saw a huge crowd and decided to stop there.

However, as the car came to a halt, the police stated that

loud explosions were heard emanating from within the crowd. As a mean of protecting himself, Duesberry tried to lay flat on the back seat of the car but one of the bullets struck the back windscreen of the vehicle which eventually hit him to the back. The bullet reportedly exited his abdomen.

Upon realising that he was shot, his wife, who was also at the back seat, raised an alarm and he was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The matter was reported and an investigation was launched.

During the investigation, Police received substantial information and as such, the suspect was identified and arrested.

Suspect in Agricola fatal shooting nabbed, confesses to crime

T

he man who was fingered in the shooting to death of 27-year-old Tyron Duesberry on June 22, 2020, whilst he was searching for party spots was nabbed by the police.

The suspect is said to be a known character to lawmen and was previously fingered in several armed robberies. In fact, he was recently released from prison after serving time for armed robbery.

Guyana Times was told that upon his arrest and interrogation, he confessed to the crime.

During his confession, he told detectives that he was at a party at Brutus Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown, when Duesberry arrived.

He claimed that the two are known to each other and upon

Dead: Tyron Duesberry

seeing him, the now dead man discharged several rounds in his direction.

In retaliation, he whipped out a firearm and returned fire.

What will the…

Y

…Caricom effort produce? es…it’s not only the US that was “born on the 4th July!! So was CariCom - which just got a new Chair in the person of Dr Ralph Gonsalves from St Vincent and the Grenadines. Gonsalves didn’t waste any time - or mince any words - in getting to the topic on the minds of every Guyanese and, it seems, every other CariCom leader: Guyana and it’s record breaking elections!!

He described the attacks on his predecessor Mia Mottley by you know who!! – as “unwarranted, vulgar and opportunistic” - for just doing her duty. To wit, upholding the principles of the CariCom Charter of Civil Society, to which Guyana is a signatory. While he called the attackers “jaundiced”, he insisted they “ought to know better”. And when better to let them know this that on our foundational day.

But sadly, all of what Mottley and now Gonsalves had said, and will say, will be like water rolling off ducks’ backs.

The PNC has gone rogue on their CariCom colleagues.

It’s not like when James Mitchell, the PM of St Vincent, had invited Desmond Hoyte to a meeting at Mustique after he’d massively rigged the 1985 elections. As he told a Hoyte Memorial Lecture here in 2008, even though Hoyte brought along a couple of slickly produced booklets to claim he’d won the elections “fairly” – by bringing over “East Indians voters – the other leaders were quite bemused.

Especially the feisty Eugenia Charles of Dominica – the first woman to be elected PM in the Caribbean.

She’d been canvassing her fellow heads to consider expelling Guyana from CariCom, and at Mustique, it was only after Hoyte promised all sorts of reforms going ahead that she pulled the subject off the table.

So, it was long before Jimmy Carter’s intervention that our own Caribbean family had stepped up to the plate to stare down Hoyte.

But Granger’s not Hoyte; that Sanctimonious Gangster is all pose with his oleaginous ways. In fact, he’s gone out of his way – along with his fellow gangster Green – to ream into Hoyte for “giving in” to the Americans in 1992.

They’d rather he rigged his way and bullied all democrats - like Burnham did, and he, Granger, is now following suit.

But Granger should know that “dis time na laang time”: even the mild-mannered Secretary General LaRocque took time out to point out that he had “every confidence” in the Recount Report the Caricom Observer Mission had produced.

This Report, of course, describes the efforts of the APNU agents and their throwing up of “anomalies” as a “fishing expedition”!!

What your Eyewitness can say for sure is that CariCom under Gonsalves ain’t going away!! …GECOM Chair decide?

While we’re all waiting for the CCJ to deliver its judgement next Wednesday, let’s not forget that it all comes back to GECOM Chair Claudette Singh. As it was from the very beginning, the ball will again be in her court.

As it stands, whether the CCJ says our Appellate Court had jurisdiction or the CCJ has jurisdiction to say whether the Appellate Court had Jurisdiction, nothing can change the fact that, ultimately, the Chair has to get a report of the “valid votes” – nobody disputes this banal statement – cast for the several parties, and make a declaration. Story done!!

Whatever report Lowenfield gives her and her Commission, it’s up to them to scrutinize and fix whatever defect she detects. Just like Alexander did with Lowenfield’s predecessor Gocool Boodhoo back in 2011.

The problem is that the Chair has bent backwards to try to be fair to the positions of the PNC…but there’s only so far even a limbo dancer can go.

She’s already declared her position: no Judgement can convert her commission into an Elections Court!! …PNC’s partners say?

There’d been talk that the PNC was up to its old rigging ways following Granger’s unilateral appointment of James Patterson as GECOM Chair. The WPA and AFC had vowed to quit the coalition is such was true.

Post-Mingo??

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

NEWS

9

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

UN’s top brass warns Guyanese politicians 6 new COVID-19 cases recorded to refrain from inciting violence …persons from Regions 1, 3, 4

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nited Nations Resident Coordinator to Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka has cautioned political leaders in Guyana “and their supporters to remain patient and refrain from acts and remarks that could incite hostility or violence.”

This, according to the UN’s top diplomat in the country, is in light of the anticipated ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice on June 8, with regards to enquiries in the Guyana Constitution in relation to its still to be declared General and Regional Elections held on March 2.

Tanaka’s statement was made on Friday, a day after the CCJ met and heard arguments during a more than six hours hearing, into the case involving the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s (PPP/C) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo and Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali versus known coalition supporter Eslyn David.

David had approached Guyana’s Court of Appeal for an interpretation into the meaning of the words “more votes cast” in a constitutional provision catering for the qualification of a President.

The court had ruled 2-1 that it did have jurisdiction to enquire into the matter filed

by David and that “more votes cast” were interpreted to mean “more valid votes.”

This led to Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield submitting a report from the recount of ballots cast during the

March 2 poll, to the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

That report, purportedly in keeping with the Court of Appeal’s ruling, had discarded more than 115,000 votes cast on the basis that they could not be ascertained by Lowenfield in light of allegations made by the coalition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).

Those allegations included but were not limited to instances where “dead people” allegedly voted as well as persons that had migrated out of the jurisdiction or were not in the country on Elections Day. Police Commissioner, Leslie James, in responding to a Commission request had provided GECOM with information supposedly confirming the allegations in relation to persons that had supposedly migrated.

Investigations by various sections of the media, including Guyana Times, had found that many of the allegations were, in fact, unfounded.

Jagdeo and PPP/C’s Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali, subsequently challenged the Court of Appeal decision into whether the court had jurisdiction in the first place.

A New and United Guyana’s Presidential Candidate and founder, former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran—who has since

UN Resident Coordinator to Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka

joined as an interested party in the case before the CCJ—has since requested a ruling to define valid votes to be used for the official declaration of the March 2 polls.

The CCJ has since imposed an order prohibiting GECOM from making a declaration, so as to not prejudice the outcome of the case.

The high-ranking UN diplomat in the country on Friday used the opportunity to “reiterate the United Nations’ commitment to continue to support the people of Guyana.”

CCJ-anticipated ruling

Meanwhile, former Attorney General and People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Executive, Anil Nandlall appeared on the

CNC3 Television’s Roadmap to Recovery Programme in Trinidad on Thursday night where he raised the issue of sanctions and expulsion.

Nandlall told Ramkissoon and her viewers that the party is anticipating that the CCJ would rule in its favour and strike down the Appeal Court’s ruling. He noted that by doing so the CCJ would be paving the way for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to direct Lowenfield, again, to prepare the statutory report using the results generated by the Caricom-observed recount process.

The recount results show that Nandlall’s party won the elections by over 15,000 votes.

“Whether the CCJ rules in our favour or not, the fact is that the elections results are there. The elections were certified to be free and fair. The results of the recount mirrored the results of the elections night,” Nandlall said.

Given Guyana’s electoral violence history, the programme’s host, Hema Ramkissoon, asked Nandlall whether his party is concerned about the possibility of such violence, however, he assured her that the APNU/AFC and the rigging cabal are trying to create a situation of unrest with very little success. He explained that the Guyanese people are well aware of the incumbent’s lack of a credible story and as such, support for them is rapidly diminishing.

D

eputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Karen Gordon-Boyle on Friday announced that six new COVID-19 cases have been detected within one day, raising the total number to 256.

After 43 tests were conducted within the span of one day, six returned positive.

Along with a new total of 256 cases, the deaths remain at 14.

A regional breakdown shows that two cases originated from Region One (BarimaWaini), two from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and another two from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

To date, 2711 persons were tested with 2455 being negative. With 117 recoveries, there are 125 active cases in institutional isolation, 16 persons in institutional quarantine, and one patient in the COVID ICU. As Guyanese continue to flout the established measures, the DCMO shared that permanent organ damage can be caused after contracting the life-threatening disease.

“Do you still believe that COVID-19 is imaginary, that you cannot contract this disease and that if you are infected, you can easily recover and move on with your life? ...The aftermath of COVID, my fellow Guyanese, is even more unpredictable. You can suffer brain damage, paralysis, irreversible lung damage,” she pointed out.

In some cases, persons re-

covering from the disease had to undergo lung transplants due to irreversible damage.

The damaged lungs are often recognised due to poor air entry and collapsed air sacs as opposed to a healthy one which is fully oxygenated. This can affect a person of any age.

This week, the country recorded two new deaths. The most recent was reported on Thursday, after 34-year-old Abdool Khan of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) succumbed in the designated Intensive Care Unit.

As such, Dr Gordon-Boyle said, “The new COVID-19 death has occurred in Region Seven, in a family where the spouse and the children are now left without a father, the breadwinner, the one on whom the family looked for comfort and protection. I am pleading with you, therefore, to consider your actions and envisage that life could change in a wink.”

Stakeholders are asked to cooperate with the compliance division of the Natural Resources Ministry, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and Disciplined Services – all of whom are working with health officials to curtail a spread.

According to the World Health Organisation, the total number of cases is 10,533,779 with 512,842 deaths. In the Region of the Americas, the number of cases is 5,317,792 with 252,340 deaths.

10 NEWS SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020

| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 pandemic

Mining activities suspended in Regions 1, 7

…curfew extended to July 16

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ith a constant rise in COVID-19 cases, the National COVID-19 Task Force has made a decision to extend the current 18:00h to 06:00h (6 pm to 6 am curfew) as well as implement additional measures for newly identified hotspots.

On Friday, it was announced that the current curfew measures will continue until July 16, unless terminated, extend-

ed or amended by notice of the Public Health Minister, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions.

These emergency measures are made pursuant to the Public Health Ordinance, Cap 145, and published in the Gazette, Legal Supplement-B March 16, 2020.

Special measures were formulated for the mining and hinterland regions,

owing to existing threats and the spike in cases in some areas. This comes on the heels of mounting calls from organisations and village councils for mining to be suspended, as the movement of people was linked to an upsurge in cases.

While it wasn’t completely stopped, mining operations are to cease in areas within the coordinates mentioned in the document, specifically, Aranka and

Arangoy’s Landing in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Moruca in Region One (Barima-Waini). These regions are leading the list for the highest positive cases within recent time.

Taking this information into consideration, no person is allowed to travel into or out of the zones listed without the authorisation from the Public Health Ministry. Persons residing in the areas are required to

File photo: Mining activities have been suspended in regions One and Seven

wear a “mask fitted to cover the nose and mouth” when in public.

Gatherings shall not exceed five persons and the physical distance of six feet between persons shall apply to those gatherings.

Meanwhile, all homes and public places including shops, landing, means of transportation and conveyances shall be sanitised.

Additionally, every employer of a business should ensure that handwashing stations, or hand sanitising equipment are placed and maintained at the entrance of the workplace or business premises, so that persons entering the premises have the opportunity to wash or sanitise their hands before entering.

“Its employees, customers or visitors are directed to wash or sanitise their hands before entering the business premises. All employee workstations and all equipment on the business premises are sanitised before each work shift…Persons with a flu-like symptoms or respiratory symptoms are not permitted to go to work,” the notice indicated.

In the hinterland villages, if a Council has determined that a public health threat exists in relation to any mining or forestry operation conducted, a recommendation is to be sent to the Ministry for that operation to be discontinued.

New essential services

Meanwhile, in keeping with a phased reopening of the economy, a decision was taken to include public health construction, medical schools, factories, manufacturers or distributors under the list of essential services.

They now join the previous list, consisting of medical and health care services, orphanages, nursing homes, immigration, Parliament, the Judiciary system, diplomatic corps, Guyana Revenue Authority, the Maritime Administration Department, water supply and electricity agencies, the Disciplined Forces, prison services, solid waste management, irrigation services,

air traffic control, harbour bridges, hotels, oil sector, businesses that supply mining products, telecommunication providers, port operations, transportation of dry goods or beverages and attorneys-at-law.

Services which are allowed to open between 06:00h to 17:00h every day include banks and other financial institutions, markets, supermarkets, fruit and vegetable stalls, bulk food stores, food services and restaurants only for delivery, drive-thru and take away services; gas stations; postal and shipping services; funeral homes; beauty salons, barber shots, vehicle inspection services, hardware and plumbing; and maintenance services.

Any service not listed shall close their operations unless their employees can work exclusively from home or their services can operate through delivery or curbside pickup.

The restrictions on social activities continue and no person shall host or attend a private party; recreational or competitive sporting event; a wedding, other than the bride, the bridegroom, official witnesses and the marriage officer; a banquet, ball or reception; bar, club or rum shop; wake or vigil; gym or spa; private or social club; or any other social activity.

Persons are still restricted from visiting quarantine facilities, prisons, nursing homes or care facilities, or a patient in the hospital.

The Cheddi Jagan International and Eugene F Correia International Airports also remain closed to all international flights except for outgoing flights, cargo flights, medical evacuation flights, technical stops for fuel only and special authorised flights. Meanwhile, the guidelines for local domestic travel remain the same.

Any person who fails to comply with any of these measures commits an offence under Section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance and is liable on summary conviction to the penalty provided under that Section.

NEWS

11

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana risks Caricom, Commonwealth sanctions, expulsion …if Granger refuses to concede – Professor Knight

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niversity of Alberta’s acting Chair of the Department of Political Science and Professor of International Relations, Professor Andy Knight has indicated that Guyana risks being sanctioned by its Caribbean Community (Caricom) partners as well as expulsion from the Commonwealth if it declares the March 2, General and Regional Elections results on the basis of fraudulent numbers.

Knight made the statement during an appearance on the CNC3 Television’s Roadmap to Recovery Programme in Trinidad on Thursday night. He raised the issue of sanctions and expulsion after the host, Hema Ramkissoon, asked about the possible actions of the international community should the current political impasse in Guyana fail to reach a conclusion.

“I am hoping that President (David) Granger does the right thing and demits office and respect the will of the Guyanese people.

If that does not happen then I’d suspected that Guyana could be facing some serious challenges in the future.

Perhaps even sanction from members of the Caribbean Community. It may lose its membership in Caricom.

The Commonwealth will certainly have a say on this as well… that the Commonwealth may even decide to disallow membership in the Commonwealth for Guyana,” he noted.

Professor Knight said he did not arrive at the conclusion by plucking information from thin air, rather he would have been in contact with International Observer Missions and diplomats from the Commonwealth and European Union.

He reminded that the United States Government has been quite vocal about the situation in Guyana and should the elections be declared on the basis of Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield’s concocted numbers then that would invoke the wrath of the superpowers. He noted that the US would not sit idly by and allow the will of the Guyanese people to be trampled on by those attempting to thwart a democratic process.

“I had the opportunity to speak to a number of observers and the EU Ambassador to Guyana. They all came to the same conclusion that everyone thought the vote was fair and square and all of a sudden the attempts to change the outcome of the elections,” he related.

Knight said it is time Guyana concludes its elections process and starts a national reconciliation movement to spark conversations around the electoral process.

He noted that this is integral in moving forward and ensuring the events of the 2020 elections do not reoccur.

University of Alberta’s acting Chair of the Department of Political Science, and Professor of International Relations, Professor Andy Knight

Granger’s position

Respected Caribbean scholars and practitioners; Knight and Winston Dookeran, on Friday, joined the mounting calls for caretaker President David Granger, leader of the APNU/AFC coalition, to immediately concede defeat and allow for a smooth transition of Government so that the country can get on with its development efforts.

Knight and Dookeran – a former Governor of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Trinidad and Tobago Government – penned an opinion piece calling for Granger to do the right thing.

In the piece published

by The Caribbean Camera on Friday, Knight and Dookeran expressed that from all the evidence gathered thus far, it is clear that the incumbent APNU/AFC was defeated at the March 2 polls and should do “the right and honourable thing” to ensure that democratic governance is preserved in Guyana.

“We urge the coalition Government of the APNU/ AFC to do the right and honourable thing and concede defeat in this election. We urge President Granger and Prime Minister Nagamootoo to promptly recognise the PPP/C as the winner in this hard-fought and tightly contested election, and congratulate Dr Irfaan Ali as the new President, and Brigadier Gen (Ret’d) Mark A Phillips as the new Prime Minister in a PPP/C Government,” the scholars said.

The authors noted that there is no reason to doubt the “consensus opinion and veracity” of the Caricom observer team, the OAS, the Commonwealth Observation Mission, The Carter Center, the Embassies and Ambassadors of the European Union, and the United States, the High Commissioners from Canada and the United Kingdom, representatives from Norway, the Elders’ Group, and the ABCE foreign powers. Several independent bodies in Guyana, including the Guyana Human Rights Association, the Georgetown

Chamber of Commerce, the Private Sector Commission, and even partners within the APNU/AFC coalition itself have determined that the 2020 election was free and fair, and that the recount was credible.

“All of these observers can’t be wrong,” they argued, adding that the election itself was “perhaps one of the most outstanding, credible and well-run elections” ever witnessed.

“It should be noted that both the Election Day tally and the result of the recount, supervised closely by a high level three-member CARICOM team led by UWI professor Cynthia BarrowGiles, completed on June 8 last, showed that the PPP/C had indeed won the most votes in a tight contest.

“Yet, even after saying that he would abide by the results of the recount, President Granger has not conceded defeat nor acknowledged the outcome of the recount.

The scholars detailed that it was only after the APNU/AFC realised it was losing the election did its representatives begin to complain about “irregularities” and “fraudulent votes” being cast.

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

A number of persons have been calling on Granger to concede, from political analysts to powerful politicians in Washington and around the world. It was only last Friday that Chairman of the United States’ Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues, Marco Rubio, wrote a missive urging Granger to concede an elections defeat.

Rubio was joined in his statement by Senators Jim

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

Coalition partner Justice For All Party (JFAP) founder CN Sharma, also broke away from APNU/AFC’s dogged refusal to accept defeat and in a statement, he made it clear that “enough was enough” and it was time for the country to move on.

Granger’s own son-in-law, former Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, also made a statement on the same day as Sharma, in which he conceded that APNU/AFC lost to the PPP/C and called out his party’s leadership for “fooling” its supporters.

During a recent interview on a radio programme, coalition Campaign Manager

Former Governor of T&T Central Bank and a former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Trinidad and Tobago, Winston Dookeran

and former Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, who purported to speak on Granger’s behalf, said that the President has no need to and will not concede to the winner of the elections.

Granger himself said that unless GECOM tells him that he lost the elections he will not concede.

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SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PSC calls out ineffective Govt COVID-19 Task Force T he Private Sector Commission (PSC) lashed out at the Government’s National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) over its inability to comprehensively address the spread of the disease in Guyana.

It is the second time that the Private Sector body is calling on the authorities to better compose the NCTF so that every aspect of the battle against the global pandemic could be addressed.

The NCTF was appointed to coordinate and oversee the measures being taken by various front-line agencies and to give these agencies, especially health workers, the support they need and according to the PSC, it is not functioning in several key areas as would be expected.

The PSC emphasised their disappointment in the manner in which the Government has approached the management of the COVID-19 pandemic which threatens lives and economic welfare of all citizens and businesses of Guyana. The body explained that since March 31, 2020, it had called for the NCTF to be restructured to reflect a truly national task force, inclusive of all major stakeholders - social, business, religious and political, from a wide cross-section of the

PSC Chairman Gerry Gouveia

country.

The task force must include and embrace health professionals, Private Sector business support organisations, sectorial bodies, NGOs, and an economic committee to address the impacts on the economy and to implement a recovery plan.

The PSC noted that the current political environment coupled with COVID-19 has placed the economy in a position where it now has to fight to remain afloat. It noted that businesses are shutting down and their employees are being laid off, resulting in some of them without any economic relief and identified that as one area in

which the NCTF keeps failing.

“Guyana is likely to experience its worse economic recession over the last two or three decades. Tremendous uncertainty lies ahead for the remainder of 2020.

Concurrently, Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Gobind Ganga in the online edition of the Caribbean Economic Forum 2020, highlighted that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s projected non-oil growth, previously pegged at some five per cent, has been revised to negative five to seven per cent,” the PSC said in a statement.

The PSC said it strongly believes that there is a dire need for additional and extensive COVID-19 testing to be conducted in addition to better management of public information, adequate provision of Personal Protective Equipment and sufficient contact tracing to be implemented and followed up.

The PSC, from the beginning, has supported the mandatory use of masks, the practice of effective social distancing, and the need for sufficient COVID-19 tests to be conducted. Further, the PSC has submitted several comprehensive recommendations for economic measures to relieve the financial impact on the country and, in particular, econom-

Caretaker Prime Minister and Head of the COVID-19 Task Force, Moses Nagamootoo

ic measures to cushion the impact on small businesses

and vulnerable individual citizens. These measures include tax relief, emergency funding, deferment of payment for public utility services, and rescheduling of loans and mortgages.

The Private Sector Commission noted that it will continue to advocate on behalf of the best interest of all stakeholders, and urge that the Government convene a truly national task force, a task force which includes the country’s most qualified health professionals and all of the private hospitals. It is essential, too, that an economic committee is established within the Task Force which is represented from the Private Sector, NGOs and the major political par-

CEO of COVID-19 Task Force, Joseph Harmon

ties to plan and implement a National Economic Recovery Programme.

Cummings Lodge fire victim given emotional send-off

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he charred remains of 46-year-old Martin Lewis, who perished in a devasting fire that also claimed the lives of his wife, Beverly Miller and 14-year-old son Dawall Ifill, were laid to rest on Friday in Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The deadly fire occurred on June 27 at Sixth Street, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

As persons assembled on the lawns of the Lewis’ family home, tears trickled down their eyes as friends and family members reflected on the life of Martin Lewis. The casket remained closed throughout the entire funeral service but a photo was placed on it with

the face of the once smiling man.

Family members recollected when they received the news of the devastating fire, a memory that will be forever etched in their minds. During the sermon, the pastor asked those present to continue comforting the bereaved family members, especially at this time.

The father of two worked as a miner to provide for his family but his life was prematurely snuffed out when fire engulfed their home.

The fire has also left 28 other persons homeless.

Speaking with Guyana Times after the fire, the now dead man’s sister, Coretta Woolford, recalled standing in front of the house plying

news@guyanatimesgy.com

her trade when she heard someone screaming, “Fire!

Fire!”

As she turned around, she noted that the apartment building was on fire and immediately summoned the Guyana Fire Service.

However, upon realising that her brother and his family were trapped in their apartment, other family members attempted to rescue them but were forced to retreat due to the heavy steel grillwork that secured the apartment and the intensity of the heat.

Lewis and his wife were later found hugging each other and their son was found in another section of the house.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana elections recount

Has “every confidence” in recount report of Caricom Mission – Secty General

...report states election reflects “will of the people”

Mottley, for her “brilliant leadership”, more particularly, her efforts in attempting to resolve the political impasse in Guyana.

Mottley had stated that Caricom expects the results of the elections to be declared on the basis of the National Recount.

She had also expressed concern over Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield’s attempt to discard over 115,000 valid votes and hand a “victory” to the APNU/AFC in spite of the recount results showing that the PPP/C has won the elections.

The Caricom observer team in its final report said that there was nothing emanating from the recount activity that thwarted the will of the people who cast their Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque among regional leaders during the virtual meeting on Friday

S

ecretary General of the Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (Caricom), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque expressed gratitude on behalf of the regional bloc to the electoral observation team that was mounted to Guyana to oversee the National Recount of ballots cast in the March 2 polls, saying, “I have every confidence in the work they have produced”.

Ambassador LaRocque was at the time delivering remarks at the 20th Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom which was held virtually earlier on Friday.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the independent Caricom Observer Team to the recount of the Guyana General and Regional Elections, for their personal sacrifice to answer the call to service. The team was in Guyana, by invitation, and willingly spent 46 days during the pandemic. I have every confidence in the work they have produced,” the Caricom SG told regional heads.

The Secretary General explained that over the past six months, the region was faced with many challenges, including having to deal with the ongoing electoral crisis in Guyana, “as we sought to maintain the reputation of the Community as a bastion of democracy”.

He reminded that five Prime Ministers, one-third of the leadership of the Caribbean Community, visited Guyana, to hold talks with the political leadership in an effort to resolve the electoral crisis and to ensure that democracy prevailed in the end.

Ambassador LaRocque had received the report of the Caricom Observer Team on June 15, 2020.

The team was led by Senior Lecturer in the Department

of Government at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cynthia Barrow-Giles, and included Commissioner of the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission, John Jarvis, and Deputy Supervisor of Elections of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sylvester King.

The regional bloc has been very firm in its stance for the results of the National Recount to be used as the basis by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the declaration of a winner.

ballots at the 2020 General and Regional Elections “Overall, while we acknowledge that there were some defects, in the recount of the March 02, 2020 votes cast for the General and Regional Elections in Guyana, the team did not witness anything which would render the recount and by extension, the casting of the ballot on March 02, so grievously deficient procedurally or technically, (despite some irregularities), or sufficiently deficient to have thwarted the will of the people and consequently preventing the election results and its declaration by GECOM from reflecting the will of the voters. The actual count of the vote was indeed transparent,” the report stated.

PPP/C hauls Ramjattan before ERC for racially incendiary remarks

Caricom will not tolerate

New Caricom Chair, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves had made it clear that Caricom will not tolerate the setting aside of the recount results.

“I am satisfied that Caricom will not stand by idly and watch the recount which was properly done for the results to be set aside,” Gonsalves had said during a recent NBC Radio programme.

“When you take part in an election, there is always a chance that you will lose, and if you lose, like sir Arthur [Lewis] said: ‘Take your licks like a man’,” the Caricom Chair had remarked.

The recount exercise shows that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the elections, garnering a total of 233,336 votes – a difference of 15,416 over its main political rival, the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition.

Brilliant leadership

Meanwhile, also on Friday, during his address, Gonsalves praised the work of his colleague outgoing Prime Minister, Mia

APNU/AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has lodged a complaint with the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) against APNU/AFC’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan, over racially incendiary remarks he recently made during a live television programme broadcast in Trinidad and Tobago.

The complaint was filed on Thursday by PPP/C Executive, Anil Nandlall, who said that during the “Morning Edition” programme that was broadcast on CCN TV6 in the twin-island republic earlier that day, Ramjattan alleged that there was a political advertisement published in Guyana that states Afro-Guyanese “can’t run oil money, you have to have East Indians doing that”.

Nandlall complained to the ERC that these words were intended to and are capable of inciting “racial hostilities” amongst the people of Guyana, particularly between Indo and Afro Guyanese.

He noted that this may constitute an offence under the Racial Hostility Act, Chapter 23:01, Laws of Guyana, and are not protected by Article 146 of the Constitution of Guyana, which guarantees freedom of expression and free speech, excepting, inter alia, “expressions, in whatever form, capable of exciting hostility against any person or class of persons”.

To this end, Nandlall requested the Commission to launch an investiga-

Letter of complaint

tion into this matter and take the necessary and appropriate actions against Ramjattan immediately.

This is not the first time the PPP/C has highlighted such incendiary statements by coalition members during this protracted electoral process.

Back in March, the party had signalled its intention to file a complaint with the ERC against caretaker Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo over his use of provocative language which can be viewed as intending to “incite racial strife and animosity among our peo-

ple”.

Nagamootoo, in a statement to the media on March 10, had alleged that a plan had been hatched by the PPP through a front group with plans aimed at isolating and starving the people of Georgetown – the Capital City – which comprises the single largest section of Guyana’s mainly Afro-Guyanese population.

However, PPP’s Executive Secretary, Zulfikar Mustapha, had called for Nagamootoo’s remark to be “roughly condemned”.

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SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Court awards $10M to WCB cash crop farmers …after Region 5 REO maliciously bulldozed farms

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he High Court has awarded over $10 million relief to three cash crop farmers of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) in a lawsuit they had filed back in September 2018 against Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ovid Morrison, who had maliciously bulldozed their farmlands and cut down their crops.

The judgement was handed down by High Court Judge, Justice Simone Ramlall, last month.

The three claimants – Krishna Sewlall, Kristopher Sewnarine and Kaleel Jameer – had retained Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall to approach the court seeking over $10 mil-

Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall

lion in damages for what they contended was the unlawful destruction of their

property.

The farmers, along with dozens of others, are occupying land in the Tract 3 X of Block 1A and Tract Y portion of Plantation of Naarstigheid, being part of Bath, West Coast Berbice (WCB). They were granted a two-year lease for 1.4 acres in March 2000 under the Social Impact Amelioration Project (SIMAP) for largescale farming. Upon the expiration of the two-year lease, the claimants continued to cultivate the land with the permission of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), which owned the lands.

However, in October 2016, REO Morrison had demanded that some 50 farm-

Tourism Committee pledges to deliver strategy to revive industry

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he Tourism Recovery Action Committee (TRAC) has begun formal operations, after it was established for the purpose of implementing strategies for the recovery of the tourism industry - a sector that has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent months, most hotels, resorts and lodges have been at zero or near-zero occupancy for a number of months. Tour operators, tour guides, tourism providers and a whole range of support staff along the tourism supply chain are either out of work or working on a vastly reduced schedule.

As such, the Committee issued a statement on Thursday, noting that several stakeholder agencies have come on board to restructure the industry to suit the times. Representatives from the health, civil aviation, communities, foreign affairs, public telecommunications, Indigenous peoples, ports and frontiers, small business and communications industries were invited to define a tourism recovery strategy.

“Thousands of workers in hotels, guest houses, restaurants and the transportation sector now find themselves without income…

Recognising the current crit-

Director of Tourism, Donald Sinclair

ical state of the industry, the Action Committee viewed as priority the pulling together of the right agencies to serve the entity,” the newly-established Committee said.

Since its formation some three weeks ago, TRAC was able to define a structure and collect inputs from stakeholders involved. In approximately two weeks, these specialist inputs will be subjected to examination in order to put together and craft a workable tourism recovery strategy. Strategies to attract financial support to the sector are also a priority given the continuing hardships afflicting sector workers.

“Priorities TRAC is of the

view that Guyana shares many similar recovery priorities with sister destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America. One key priority is the creation of a tourism experience that is safe for the visitor while not putting at risk any local populations.

For this reason, special urgency attaches to recommendations that will be coming from the health, security and civil aviation entities and one of TRAC’s earliest public pronouncements will be the measures proposed to eliminate, as far as possible, any possible health risks associated with travel to and from Guyana.”

It is expected that within a few weeks, a plan will be presented that is tailored to suit the local tourism sector and also one that has “strategic national tourism objectives”.

“This Plan will seek to position the industry to maximise the competitive advantages Guyana possesses as it markets itself in a postCOVID travel environment that brings new sensitivities and priorities. Over the long term TRAC intends to return tourism in Guyana to its place of prominence as a major contributor to the national GDP,” the Committee pledged.

Region Five REO Ovid Morrison

ers, including the three claimants, vacate the land and threatened to bulldoze their crops and forcibly eject them. The farmers complained to the Chairman of the RDC who, by letter dated March 21, 2018, instructed the REO to refrain from interfering with the farmers’ occupation of the land.

Upon the claimants’ refusal to vacate, Morrison went ahead to enter the land and bulldozed their crops and structures in April and August 2018.

During the trial held, the RDC Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal, had testified on behalf of the claimants, confirming their occupation and cultivation of the land. He further told the court that he had written the REO instructing him to desist from dispossessing the farmers or damaging their crops, and advising him that his actions were not grounded in any RDC decision.

As such, in her decision, Justice Ramlall accepted the claimants’ evidence of the

history and circumstances surrounding their occupation and cultivation of the land in question.

“Given this evidence and there being none to the contrary, the defendant had no authority to evict the claimants from the land. The defendant is merely the Chief Administrative Officer of the RDC. There is no evidence that he was acting pursuant to the specific or general direction of the RDC (Section 77 (3) of the Municipal and District Councils Act (“the Act”)) neither was he acting pursuant to any power or duty conferred upon or assigned to him by Part 1 of the Sixth Schedule of the Act or any other law. He was acting ultra vires his powers and as such his interference with the claimants’ occupation of land was unlawful. The defendant is therefore personally liable to the claimants for damages for trespass,” the High Court Judge ruled.

According to Justice Ramlall, the claimants have been in occupation of, cultivating and developing the land with the RDC’s permission and their position is that of mere licensees who are entitled to remain on the land until their licence is validly terminated by the RDC. To this end, the Judge did note, however, that the farmers acquired no proprietary rights in the land.

She further ruled given that a bare licence can be withdrawn at any time by the licensor without any prescribed notice (provided that the licensee is given reasonable time to leave) it is now for the RDC to determine whether it wishes to determine the claimants’ licence.

Nevertheless, in addition to the financial relief, she granted all four orders sought by the farmers.

These include a declaration that the claimants are entitled to remain in possession and occupation of the portion of land at Plantation of Naarstigheid, Bath, WCB - with buildings and erections thereon unless and until their licence is terminated by the Mahaica-Berbice RDC. Another declaration was granted to state that the REO’s interference with the claimants’ possession and occupation of the said land in the months of April and August 2018 constitutes trespass by him.

The third declaration states that the removal of the structures, fixtures, trees, crops and plants on the said land by the REO, his servants, representatives, officers and/or agents collectively and individually was illegal.

And finally, the Judge also granted an injunction restraining the REO by himself, his servants, representatives, officers and/or agents collectively and individually and each and every one of them from entering or remaining, occupying, farming, bulldozing the land or in any manner whatsoever interfering with the claimants’ quiet and peaceful use, occupation and enjoyment of the said land.

With regards to the relief, Justice Ramlall awarded special damages to the tune of $5,374,000 (the sum sought) to the three farmers.

In addition, they were given general damages in the nominal sum of $100,000 each for trespass along with another $200,000 in costs.

T&T General Elections set for August 10

P

rime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, has announced that General Elections will be held on August 10.

After announcing that he had advised the President to dissolve Parliament as of midnight Friday, Dr Rowley said nomination day would be July 17.

This gives political parties in the twin-island republic 38 days for campaigning.

Meanwhile, General Elections in Suriname were held on May 25 and a new governance structure is already in place.

The country’s President, Desi Bouterse, had conceded defeat for the sake of allowing his country to move forward, but it is the opposite for his counterpart in Guyana.

President David Granger has tightened his grip on power even though the re-

Prime Minister of T&T, Dr Keith Rowley

sults of a National Recount have confirmed that his ruling party was massively defeated by over 15,000 votes.

It is now close to four months since the electorate in Guyana voted but the results are yet to be declared even though they are widely known and certified by all stakeholders, including the parties themselves and local

and international observers.

The National Recount results, which constitute data generated from the 2339 Statements of Recount (SoRs), show that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) won the March 2 General and Regional Elections with 233,336 votes cast in its favour.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GTA, THAG receive int’l funding Taxi drivers charged for Moblissa home invasion to tackle wildlife trafficking

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he Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) have received funding from the Latin American Trade Association (LATA) Foundation to create a Counter Wildlife Trafficking Communications Toolkit.

This toolkit will be aimed at strengthening the knowledge of wildlife trafficking and the legal process of mitigating further poaching, the knowledge of the legal wildlife trade in Guyana, reducing demand for illegally traded wildlife, and inspiring action that will protect our wildlife for the country, communities and all travellers.

The project will be completed in a year in collaboration with the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC) under the Ministry of the Presidency and other stakeholders. The Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC) currently manages and regulates Guyana’s legal wildlife trade.

The Commission holds the responsibility for securing the future of Guyana’s wildlife through effective, sustainable management and conservation, and is doing so through a regulated licensing process that manages the wildlife trade to ensure it remains sustainable, and a Monitoring and Compliance Division responsible for addressing instances of wildlife trafficking.

Through collaboration with the GWCMC and other agencies, the GTA and THAG will develop a toolkit that can be adopted and used by locals and travellers to better identify areas of illegal wildlife trade and protect the amazing wildlife which is a vital part of our country and tourism product.

“Our wildlife helps to keep our pristine rainforest intact, helps our planet’s biodiversity systems to thrive, supports the livelihoods of our Indigenous peoples by being a regulated food source, through tourism and conservation work, regulated wildlife management, and completes the circle of life,” Director of

Guyana Tourism Authority, Carla James said.

Her statement was supported by President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, Mitra Rajkumar, who shared, “Our wildlife is one of our greatest attractions in Guyana and one that we need to ensure we, as humans, do all that we can to help protect them.”

M e a n w h i l e , Commissioner of Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC), Alona Sankar added “Wildlife trafficking is a serious issue globally. Even with the regulations we have in place to help combat this in Guyana, we do need all citizens and travellers to play their part to help identify and reduce the amount of illegal wildlife trafficking instances that take place in Guyana.”

Illicit Wildlife Trade and Trafficking is estimated to be a multibillion-dollar business involving the unlawful harvest of and trade in live animals and plants or parts and products derived from them. Wildlife, globally, is traded as skins, leather goods or souvenirs; as food or traditional medicine; as pets, and in many other forms. Many countries have limited regulations, and those that do are not strongly enforced due to capacity constraints or because they are not known by the locals to help identify the instances of illicit activities.

The aim of the communications toolkit is to empower locals and travellers in Guyana to better identify signs of wildlife trafficking and the process of how to report this for further action by the relevant authorities.

Charged: Dishon Abrams

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wo taxi drivers were charged and remanded to prison in connection with the home invasion at Moblissa, Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

The men, Leon Omar and Dishon Abrams, appeared virtually before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Thirty-year-old Omar, of Lot 370 Kaneville, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and 26-year-old Abrams, of Brickery Public Road, EBD, were each charged with four counts of robbery under arms committed on Maxine DeNobrega. They were not required to plead to the indictable charges.

The duo is accused of invading the home of a Mobissa family of five and making off with vehicles, cash and several other valuables while armed with cutlasses at approximately 19:45h on Sunday.

Reports are that after terrorising the family, the bandits made off with a number of items including a silver-grey Fielder wagon motor car, PTT

Charged: Leon Omar

4321, valued at $3 million; a Mitsubishi short base canter truck, GWW 5695, valued $2.4 million; four Stihl 51 chainsaws valued $900,000; a Stihl 160 grass cutter valued $100,000; a 50 inch TCL television set valued $68,000; a twenty-pound gas cylinder valued $12,000; four cellphones valued $207,000, a YZ grass track motorcycle engine and chassis; a Lenovo Laptop computer valued $80,000; a computer and printer valued $120,000 and $40,000.

Reports further indicated that the Linden-Soesdyke Highway family was making dinner in their kitchen when they were pounced upon by the perpetrators, who began assaulting them and demanding that they hand over their valuables. <<<Guyana Times>>> was told that the bandits ransacked the victims’ home and forced them into their bathroom and made good their escape with the articles. Meanwhile, after receiving information regarding the incident, the woman’s brother, who is a security guard, proceeded to the East Bank of Demerara

(EBD), where he spotted the car, PTT 4321, travelling in the opposite direction at Pearl Public Road, EBD. He began to follow the car which was reportedly being driven at a fast rate of speed. This caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the curb wall opposite Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) at Diamond, EBD. Two male occupants then exited the car and made good their escape in some nearby bushes. The car was later taken to Golden Grove Police Station and lodged to be processed. Then, at about 21:45h, ranks attached to the highway patrol base and relatives of the victim, acting on further information, made checks along a trail at Haruni village, LindenSoesdyke Highway where they found a car parked and locked. The car was towed and taken to the highway patrol base. Police then found a chain saw and a television set in the front seat of the car. The duo was later arrested and charged in connection with the crime. The men will return to court on July 31.

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police to restrict container Medical devices, OTC drugs, trucks, lorries during rush hour cosmetics importers need Free Sale/Health Certificates – GA-FDD T

GA-FDD Director, Dr Marlan Cole

A

ll importers of OverThe-Counter (OTC) drugs, medical devices and cosmetics will now be required to have a valid Free Sale Certificate/ Health Certificate to accompany their products whether importing for use or sale on the local market.

This is according to Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD), Dr Marlan Cole.

The GA-FDD Head said in a statement on Friday that original copies of the Free Sale Certificate or Health Certificate issued by the National Regulatory Authority of the country

of origin of the products must be presented to the Department to facilitate importation.

The enforcement of this requirement will be effective from October 30, 2020.

This, he explained, is in keeping with the Laws of Guyana Chapter 34:03, and its supporting Regulations No 10 of 1977 which states that: “Except as provided by the regulations, no article of Cosmetic, Over-TheCounter Drug and Medical Device shall be imported into Guyana unless the article wholly conforms to the Laws of the country in which it was manufactured or produced and is accompanied by a certificate in the prescribed form and manner that the article does not contravene any known requirement of the law of that country and that its sale therein would not constitute a contravention of the law thereof.”

According to the GAFDD Director, submissions to the Department after the enforcement date that lack the necessary corresponding original Free Sale/

Health Certificates will not be processed or result in entries being refused.

“The mandate of the GA-FDD is to protect consumers from unsafe or substandard products. A Free Sale Certificate or Health Certificate gives assurance that the products being imported are produced and/or manufactured under safe and sanitary conditions and are subjected to a degree of regulatory oversight in the country of origin. This further attests to a standard of safety, purity, and efficacy for use,” the statement from the Department Head detailed.

Meanwhile, the GA-FDD Director is urging importers to take cognisance of this notice and ensure that cosmetics, medical devices, and OTCs are accompanied by the requisite documentation by the stipulated deadline to avoid any negative repercussions.

Those who may have further questions, the GAFDD is asking that they make contact with the Department on telephone numbers 222-8857 and 2228859.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

he Guyana Police Force on Friday announced that it will start restricting container trucks and lorries along the roadways during peak hours.

In a post on its Facebook page, the GPF stated that the trucks will be restricted from using the roadways in Georgetown, East Bank Demerara, East

Isles along with Traffic Officer Regional Division 4 B, Assistant Superintendent Jermaine Harper met on Friday with owners and drivers of motor lorries/container trucks of East Bank Demerara at Soesdyke Junction where they put forward this new proposal.

The Traffic Chief, according to the GPF post, said that one of the major causes

Coast Demerara, West Bank Demerara and West Coast Demerara between the hours of 07:00-09:00h; 11:00-13:00h; and 15:0017:00h in order to ease traffic congestion.

Traffic Chief, Senior Superintendent Linden

of traffic congestion on our roadways is the increasingly high volume of vehicles that are being imported and registered every year.

He is quoted as saying that the apparent inability of drivers to cope with the overcrowded environment

and overburdened infrastructure is indicative that our roadways are in a state of constant catastrophe and that the limitations of our roads force drivers to manoeuvre their vehicles of all classes, especially large motor lorries, in an often-dangerous manner to other road users.

Additionally, the Traffic Chief stated that further engagements would be made with companies and businesses that operate container trucks and motor lorries on a daily basis so as to apprise them of this new proposal.

According to Section 48 (1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act (MVRTA) Chapter 51:02, "The Commissioner of Police may, with the approval of the Minister, make orders for any of the following purposes: a) The specification of the routes to be followed by motor or other vehicles; b) The prohibition or restriction of the use of specified roads by motor or other vehicles of any specified class or description, generally or during particular hours; c) The prohibition of the driving of vehicles on any specified road otherwise than in a specific direction; d) otherwise in relation to the regulation of traffic.

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

NEWS

17

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

surpasses high reputation with GCAA anticipates reduced airfares UWI new top 100 universities’ ranking with resumption of international travel T

G

uyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Egbert Field is of the view that the resumption of international travel to Guyana will result in a reduction in ticket prices.

Speaking on NCN’s Context programme, Field noted that a few airlines may have had a monopoly on flights during the allowance of limited repatriation at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA); resulting in higher than average airfares.

With the airports reopening, the Director General posited that the present circumstance is likely to experience a change.

“As we begin the commercial schedule which should be next month, you will have Eastern on the run, you will have American back in, you’ll have Caribbean [Airlines]. I

think the competition will help in levelling off the prices,” the GCAA Director General is quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Field explained, “there will not be the number of passengers wanting to fly initially because of the measures which are in place, because you have to get a COVID test and when you get there is quarantine isolation, and so airlines will be competing for the few passengers and they will be of- Director General of GCAA, Egbert Field fering good rates.”

While the second Force (NCTF) will continphase of the reopening of ue to grant limited repathe country’s airports to in- triation flights for strandternational travel is set ed Guyanese, diplomats and commence August 1, the foreign workers.

National COVID-19 Task

St Lucia announces campaign in support of Caricom

S

al integration development agenda”.

The 'I AM CARICOM' initiative emanated from a meeting of the Caricom Committee of Ambassadors, where it was agreed that as part of the process for the development of the Community's Strategic Plan the Secretariat needed to re-engage the Caribbean population.

“This Strategic Plan will succeed the first Community Strategic Plan 2015-2019, and is aimed at defining the direction of the Community over the Plan's horizon, keeping implementing partners focused, and laying-out the strategies to secure the Community's future in a dynamic and often challenging global environment.”

The RIU said that the commemoration of Caricom Day on July 6 here serves as an ideal opportunity to highlight the commencement of the 'I AM CARICOM' communications campaign and that it would be undertaking a host of public education activities celebrate and reinforce the achievements on the Organisation and its institutions and to inform on the work that they continue to do.

These activities include the launch of the 'I AM CARICOM' photo frame for social media, interviews with the island's Ambassador to Caricom as well as online games and quizzes and the development and implementation of the Community Strategic Plan. (CMC)

B

es of the virus. This means travellers can visit the named countries for holidays without being quarantined for 14 days on return as of July 10, unless they have visited or stopped in any other country or territory in the preced-

power of dedicated, unwavering colleagues. It is no secret that for the greater part of its existence, The UWI has had to function with a significant measure of deficit financing as we deliver this public good, which is time and time again rated as world-class by international ranking standards. As we continue skilfully managing, we look forward to the roll out of a new financial model that will see the University soaring to even

higher heights.”

Vice-Chancellor Beckles set out on a strategic path, five years ago, to globally transform The UWI’s reputation before going to markets to raise revenue. “We are now at this juncture,” he said, “and we are pleased with the outcomes to date.”

Back in April, The UWI also appeared on THE’s Impact Rankings 2020 which maps how universities are responding to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is the only global performance table that assesses universities on their research, outreach and stewardship of the SDGs. Of the 768 universities from 85 countries on the table, The UWI ranked among the top 200 for its work on SDG3: Good Health and Wellbeing; SDG5: Gender Equality and SDG13: Climate Action.

The UWI’s Office of Global Partnerships and Sustainable Futures works to strengthen the regional university’s positioning and engagement with the 2030 global development agenda. Commenting on the Impact Rankings, the Office’s Director, DrStacy RichardsKennedy asserted, “This international recognition of The UWI’s contribution to advancing the 2030 agenda for sustainable development is a tribute to the hard work of our staff and students from various Faculties and Research Centres and Institutes across our five Campuses. (Antigua News Room)

L

ocal authorities are digging mass graves at cemeteries across Bolivia to receive a new wave of victims from COVID-19, unnerving Bolivians as the outbreak rips across the Andean nation.

Bolivia has registered 35,500 cases of the virus and 1,200 deaths. Though the tally is low in comparison with neighbors Peru, Chile and Brazil, new cases have spiked in recent weeks, overwhelming the country´s fragile health care system in some areas.

Cochabamba, a central Bolivian city, has been especially hard hit. Back-hoes and trucks there are opening up large pits in which to bury the most recent casualties.

Several Caribbean countries exempted from Britain’s COVID-19 quarantine rules

ritain on Friday listed Antigua & Barbuda among more than 50 countries exempted from its COVID-19 quarantine rules, but excluded the United States, which yesterday posted a record 53,000 new cas-

sole Caribbean university on all the lists.

Reacting to the news, Vice-Chancellor Beckles said, “Our astounding performance in yet another ranking table beseeches the question, again—how does The UWI maintain its elite ranking located as it is, in an economy that has not seen sustained economic growth in 30 years?

The answer is—our deep stakeholder commitment, focused leadership, and the

Bolivia digs mass graves as cemeteries fill with coronavirus victims

Caricom Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana

t Lucia has announced the launch of a campaign that is aimed at increasing visibility and understanding of the 15-member regional integration movement, Caricom.

The Regional Integration Unit (RIU) in the Office of the Prime Minister said it is collaborating with the Guyana-based Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat in the “I AM CARICOM' communications campaign here.

It said the initiative also “seeks to engage and assist citizens of the Community to locate themselves within the Caricom construct – institutions, governance structure, policies and plans, and to take ownership and participate fully in the region-

he University of the West Indies (The UWI) is now among a list of the world’s top 100 Universities in new rankings released by Times Higher Education (THE).

On June 24, THE revealed its ‘Golden Age University Rankings’of established higher education institutions across the world that have been around for 50 to 80 years. Based on years of existence, this category compares institutions established between 1945 and 1967, using the same criteria and methodology as the World Rankings. According to THE, “the ranking takes its name from what was a ‘Golden Age’ in global higher education, characterised by rapid university expansion and increasing investment in research.” These results reinforce that in spite of being a relatively young institution, and having limited access to financial and development resources, in just over 70 years The UWI has successfully built a solid reputation as the higher education leader. Recently during the annual report presentation to its University Council, ViceChancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles noted that the academy is among the best in the world and its reputation has never been higher. This latest top 100 ‘Golden Age’ ranking performance affirms The UWI’s prestige and leadership as it is now a familiar and consistent name in the Times Higher Education’s rankings, yet remains the

ing 14 days. The Caribbean countries on the list Jamaica, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. The British Government said the list may be updated over the

coming days following further discussions between the United Kingdom and international partners.

Most travellers to the UK currently have to self-isolate for two weeks. (Antigua News Room)

Employees of a funeral home and relatives carry a coffin wrapped in the Bolivian flag at the General Cemetery as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues, in La Paz, Bolivia July 3, 2020

Raquel Loaiza, a representative of the region´s funeral homes, said residents dying of natural causes had been buried but those who died of COVID-19 were in limbo. “Not one has been buried,” Loaiza told reporters. She said as many as 135 bodies were awaiting burial.

The predicament has alarmed local residents, who worry the mass graves could trigger new infections in the neighborhoods surrounding cemeteries.

The landlocked country of 11.7 million people registered its first novel coronavirus infections on March 10. But cases have since spiked as the country eased up restrictions to allow its ailing economy to revive.

(Reuters) Caption: Employees of a funeral home and relatives carry a coffin wrapped in the Bolivian flag at the General Cemetery as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues, in La Paz, Bolivia. (Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020

Regional

Coronavirus: Brazil’s Caribbean leaders meet Bolsonaro waters down amid concerns over regional law requiring face masks transportation and COVID-19

B

razil’s President, Jair Bolsonaro, has sanctioned a law making the use of masks in public obligatory during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, he has vetoed their use in shops, churches and schools.

In a social media broadcast, Bolsonaro said people could have been fined for not wearing a mask at home.

He has refused to acknowledge the gravity of Brazil’s COVID-19 outbreak, despite it having the world’s second-highest numbers of cases and deaths.

The virus has infected almost 1.5 million people and killed 61,884 there since late February, according to data collated by Johns Hopkins University.

BBC South America correspondent Katy Watson said Jair Bolsonaro has never cared much for masks - a health recommendation that has become highly politi-

C

There have been almost 1.5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Brazil

cised, as has much of the handling of the coronavirus crisis in Brazil.

Even where mask use has been made obligatory not everyone has observed the rules, and enforcement is often pretty lax, our correspondent adds.

The bill passed by the Chamber of Deputies included an article saying that masks had to be worn by people in “commercial and industrial establishments,

religious temples, teaching premises and also closed places where people are gathering”.

On Friday, Bolsonaro vetoed the article, arguing that it could lead to the violation of property rights.

He also vetoed another requiring the distribution of masks to the poor.

Congress has 30 days to overrule the vetoes by absolute majority vote. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Small tailings dam collapses in Ecuador, communities denounce pollution

A

small tailings dam associated with a mine run by Ecuadorean firm Austro Gold has collapsed, Ecuador’s Government said on Friday, sending mining waste into a nearby river.

A retaining wall collapsed at the Armijos tailings station, located in the Camilo Ponce Enriquez area in southern Ecuador, the Energy and Mines Ministry said. Nobody was injured.

“One of the immediate measures in the area will be ... to prohibit mining activities at that plant,” the

Ministry said in a statement, without providing details on the incident.

The Ministry said it opened an investigation to determine how the company could be sanctioned.

Ecuador this month is expected to release guidelines for the management of tailings dams, partly in response to high profile accidents including a 2019 dam collapse in Brazil that killed more than 250 people.

Reuters was not immediately able to contact Austro Gold.

Local authorities in

Camilo Ponce Enriquez, a traditional mining zone, said the company had not complied with the protocols and the collapse caused sediment pollution in the river.

“There was a collapse ... and all this material, about 50 tons, went down the mountain until it reached the Tenguel river,” City Commissioner Cristian Tomala told reporters.

Ecuador has been developing large-scale mining since last year and has been exporting gold and copper from its two largest mines.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Caribbean countries urged to make full use of new United States initiative

C

aribbean Community (Caricom) countries have been urged to respond “positively” to a United States initiative that would allow regional countries to access funding from a number of international financial institutions as they recover from the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, the outgoing Caricom chair, told the 20th special virtual meeting of Caricom leaders on Friday that she had received correspondence late Thursday in her capacity as Caricom chair from Washington on the issue.

Mottley said the region had been saying that at the very least, those countries

in the Caribbean that have been graduated from access to concessional funding from the World Bank, ought to be given access now, largely because the needs in a pandemic or the needs coming out of a hurricane “require that they have access to concessional funding that will allow us to meet the most urgent demands of survival first, and then thereafter, to begin the journey of transformation”.

“For countries in the region not eligible for the debt service suspension initiative, but which face severe debt service constraints, the United States will support swift debt rescheduling through the Paris Club.

We encourage potential recipients to develop an eco-

nomic reform programme that can be supported by the IMF and to work with the non-Paris Club bilateral creditors and private sector creditors to provide appropriate and comparable treatment,” Mottley quoted the letter as saying, adding that Washington had also sought to encourage Caricom member states to “be aware that they can keep in touch with the Department of Treasury’s technical Assistant Office that is already standing by to give assistance in areas ranging from economic reform, tax administration, public financial management, capital market development and infrastructure”.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

a r i b b e a n C o m mu n i ty (Caricom) leaders met virtually on Friday to discuss the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on their socio-economic future and the plight of the regional transportation with the decision to liquidate the financially strapped regional airline, LIAT. The meeting allowed for the outgoing chair, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, to hand over the stewardship of the 15-member regional integration grouping for the next six months to St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne was notably absent from the virtual meeting,

having earlier expressed his disappointment at the decision of the shareholder Governments of the regional airline to have it liquidated.

In his address, Gonsalves, who apart from having lead responsibility for transportation within the Quasi Caricom Cabinet, is also the chair of the shareholder Governments of the airline, said he had already held talks with representatives of several airlines wishing to do business in the region.

Mottley, whose coun-

try, Barbados, controlled the largest share in LIAT, said the decision to liquate the airline was a difficult one, noting “but the reality is that LIAT has been for us a critical part of our history, it has allowed Caribbean people to move, but there is also a time when those instruments that served us well in the past may not be the right instruments for us going forward”.

Mottley told the summit that “our commitment remains to safe, reliable, affordable travel within the Eastern Caribbean,” adding that a report prepared by the Caricom Secretariat had shown that as many as 38 airlines flying within Caricom, nine of which “come from outside.”

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

More than Bds$12M worth of illegal drugs destroyed

T

he Royal Barbados Police Force destroyed more than $12 million worth of illegal drugs on Friday.

Acting Superintendent Elliott Bovell said these substances were collected over the course of five years (2015 to 2020).

Some of the drugs were seized from people

at the Port of Bridgetown, the Grantley Adams International Airport and go-fast boat operators trying to smuggle drugs into the country.

About 2635 kilograms of cannabis valued at $10,500,000 and 50 kilograms of cocaine valued at $2,500,000 were destroyed.

About 13,625 marijua-

na plants found in parishes including St Lucy, St Joseph, St James, St Thomas and St Peter were also burnt. They were confiscated between 2017 and 2020.

Bovell said all the cases were adjudicated either in the Magistrates’ Courts or the High Court. (Excerpt from Nation News)

4.9-magnitude quake hits near Puerto Rico, house damaged

A

4.9-magnitude earthquake struck just southwest of Puerto Rico on Friday.

There were no reported casualties.

The quake was felt across the US territory and is the latest in a series of tremors that began in late December and have damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes. Ángel Vázquez, who oversees the emergency management agency in Ponce, said a house collapsed in the town of Lajas.

The house was empty and slated for demolition, according to Kiara Hernández, spokeswoman for Puerto Rico’s Department of Public Security.

The US Geological Survey said the latest quake struck five kilometres (three miles) southeast of La Parguera, at a depth of six kilometres (3.7 miles).

Víctor Huérfano,

Director of Puerto Rico’s Seismic Network, told The Associated Press that the tremor is an aftershock related to the 6-4-magnitude quake that struck in early January, killing at least one person and causing millions of dollars in damage.

Several offices in the capital of San Juan and elsewhere were evacuated out of caution.

Guánica Mayor Santos Seda said there were a couple of small landslides but that no one was in danger.

He said crews will continue to inspect buildings that have been further weakened by ongoing seismic activity.

He said the latest earthquake caused panic once again in his town and beyond.

“It revives the fear of many people,” he said, adding that there are still three families in makeshift, temporary structures because they’re too scared to return home. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS Oil prices fall as demand outlook worsens in US

O

il prices fell early on Friday amid surging new coronavirus infections in the United States, which had market participants worried about the US oil demand recovery trend.

As of 09:20 am EDT on Friday, WTI Crude was down 1.28 per cent at US$40.13, and Brent Crude traded down 1.23 per cent at US$42.61. Prices recovered somewhat later in the afternoon but were still trading about 1 per cent off.

Oil prices were still headed for a weekly gain this week as low supply from OPEC, encouraging economic data from the US and China, and a drop in US commercial inventories had supported prices earlier this week.

However, the US reported on Thursday its highest level of new daily coronavirus cases so far—at more than 55,000, raising fears that a surge in infections will dent the gradual oil demand recovery in America, which consumes 20 per cent of the world’s daily oil supply.

Nearly half of the US states have either paused or rolled back the easing of the restrictions, Texas governor Greg Abbot mandated statewide face-covering in public spaces, while Florida reported more than 10,000 coronavirus cases in a new grim record.

Earlier this week, oil prices rallied after the EIA reported a draw of 7.2 million barrels in crude oil inventories in the United States in the week to June 26, down from an all-time high level of inventories reached the previous week.

A Bloomberg survey of OPEC’s crude oil production in June showed that the cartel’s output fell to a three-decade low of 22.69 million barrels per day (bpd), as Saudi Arabia fulfilled its promise to cut an additional 1 million bpd on top of its quota in the OPEC+ pact.

Apart from tightening supply, oil prices were supported this week by optimistic economic news from the US and China. In the United States, the economy regained 4.8 million jobs last month, data showed on Thursday, which sent equity and oil markets rallying. In China, the manufacturing sector conditions continued to improve in June, the Caixin China General Manufacturing PMI showed, while the Caixin China General Services survey showed on Friday that China’s services sector activity expanded at its fastest pace in a decade and business confidence improved to a three-year high. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Polish President accuses German-owned tabloid of election meddling

P

olish President Andrzej Duda suggested on Friday that Germany was trying to meddle in the presidential election after a Germanowned tabloid newspaper reported on a pardon that he granted to a man who had served his sentence in a paedophilia case.

Duda, a conservative who faces a neck-and-neck race against a centrist opponent in a presidential runoff election on July 12, was angered by reporting by the Polish tabloid Fakt.

“Does Axel Springer, a company of German descent that owns the Fakt newspaper, want to influence the Polish presidential election?” Duda, an ally of the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), said during a campaign rally in the western town of Boleslawiec.

The case, in which the pardon was granted in March, was initially report-

ed by the Rzeczpospolita daily, but Fakt followed up with more details on Thursday.

Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who also serves as Prosecutor General, confirmed the pardon was related to a paedophilia case but said it consisted only of lifting a restraining order and the man had served out his entire sentence.

Duda had applied the law of pardon following a request of a victim who was now an adult, added Ziobro, who was shown speaking by Polish state TVP. Earlier on Friday, Duda’s re-election campaign spokesman, called on the German ambassador to Berlin to talk to the owners of Fakt.

Fakt denied meddling in the election, saying in a statement published on its website that it is run by Polish journalists and editors. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Global coronavirus cases rise to more than 11 million

G

lobal coronavirus cases exceeded 11 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking another milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed more than half a million people in seven months.

The number of cases is more than double the figure for severe influenza illnesses recorded annually, according to the World Health Organisation.

Many hard-hit countries are easing lockdowns put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus while making extensive alterations to work and social life that could last for a year or more until a vaccine is available.

Some countries are experiencing a resurgence in in-

A priest wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) walks in front of the body of a person who died of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as he collects woods to make a funeral pyre at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, July 3, 2020

fections, leading authorities to partially reinstate lockdowns, in what experts say could be a recurring pattern into 2021.

The United States reported more than 55,400 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, a new daily global record as infections rose in a

majority of states. Several US Governors halted plans to reopen their state economies in the face of a surge in cases.

Almost a quarter of the known global deaths have occurred in the United States - nearly 129,000. A recent surge in cases has put President Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis under a microscope and led several Governors to halt plans to reopen their states after strict lockdowns.

Latin America, where Brazil has 1.5 million cases, makes up 23 per cent of the global total of people infected. India has become the new epicentre in Asia, rising to 625,000 cases. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Zheng Yanxiong: China Jamal Khashoggi murder: appoints hard-line Hong Turkey puts 20 Saudis on trial in absentia Kong security chief

In 2011 Zheng (far left) accused protesters in mainland China of being too close to foreign media

C

hina has appointed a hard-line figure as Head of its new security agency in Hong Kong.

Zheng Yanxiong is best known for his role in dealing with a protest over a land dispute in the southern Chinese village of Wukan.

The new agency, answering directly to Beijing, is being set up to enforce a draconian security law passed this week in Hong Kong.

Opponents of the law say it erodes the territory’s freedoms.

The law targets secession, subversion and terrorism with punishments of up to life in prison.

Several leading pro-democracy activists have stepped down from their roles and one of them, onetime student leader and local legislator Nathan Law, has fled the territory.

Separately, one of 10 people arrested using the new law during protests on

Wednesday has become the first to be charged under it.

Hundreds were detained during the clashes.

The motorcyclist, accused of riding into a group of Police while carrying a flag calling for the liberation of Hong Kong, was charged with inciting secession and terrorism.

Beijing has dismissed criticism of the law, saying it is necessary to stop the type of pro-democracy protests seen in Hong Kong during much of 2019.

Hong Kong’s sovereignty was handed back to China

by Britain in 1997 and certain rights were supposed to be guaranteed for at least 50 years under the “one country, two systems” agreement.

But China has rejected complaints by the UK and other Western nations that it is in breach of these guarantees as interference in its internal affairs. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Jamal Khashoggi’s Turkish fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, told journalists: “We trust in Turkish justice.”

T

wenty Saudi nationals have gone on trial in absentia in Turkey for the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed by a team of Saudi agents inside the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul.

The defendants include two former aides to the prince, who denies involvement.

Saudi Arabia, which rejected Turkey’s extradition request, convicted eight people over the murder last year.

Five were sentenced to death for directly participating in the killing, while three others were handed prison sentences for covering up the crime.

The Saudi trial was dismissed as “the antithesis of justice” by a UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard, who concluded that Khashoggi was “the victim of a deliberate, premeditated execution” for which the Saudi state was responsible.

Khashoggi’s Turkish fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, was allowed to attend the hearing.

She later told journalists gathered outside the courtroom that she found the process emotionally and spiritually debilitating.

Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency cited the indictment filed by Turkish prosecutors as accusing Saud al-Qahtani, a former senior adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed, and Ahmad Asiri, Saudi Arabia’s former Deputy Intelligence Chief, of “instigating a premeditated murder with the intent of [causing] torment through fiendish instinct”.

The 18 other defendants are charged with carrying out “a premeditated murder with the intent of [causing] torment through fiendish instincts”.

The eight individuals who were convicted of Khashoggi’s murder in Saudi Arabia have never been identified by the Saudi authorities. (Excerpt from BBC News)

India to buy 33 Russian fighter jets for $2.43B

I

ndia’s Ministry of Defence on Thursday signed off on the purchase of 33 Russian fighter jets and upgrades to 59 others worth $2.4 billion, amid rising tensions with nuclear-armed neighbour China.

The purchase of 21 MiG-29 and 12 Su-30 MKI, as well as

upgrades to 59 existing MiG29s, was to “augment” the Indian Air Force’s combat squadrons, the MoD said.

The Ministry also said it has approved local development of missile systems for all three branches of the military, and ammunition and upgraded infantry combat

vehicles for the army.

The beefing up of India’s defence capabilities was taken up due to “the need to strengthen the armed forces to protect our borders and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘self-reliant India’”, the Ministry added in a statement.

The announcement followed Modi’s phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he “warmly congratulated” after a nationwide vote on constitutional reforms that could allow him to extend his rule until 2026. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020

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ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

If you speed things up a bit, you will accomplish what you set out to do. The less time you spend discussing your plans and the more time you spend being constructive, the better.

A positive change will come from a heart-to-heart discussion you have with someone you live or work with. Be honest and willing to compromise.

Pay more attention to how you look and feel.

Spending more time on self-improvement will encourage a healthier lifestyle and a positive attitude.

Romance is featured.

Get your priorities straight. Refuse to let anyone mistreat you or direct you to take a path that you don't care for. Follow your heart and do what's best for you.

When in doubt, take a step back and do nothing.

Take time to assess your situation and to nurture yourself and your meaningful relationships. Romance is favored.

Implement changes that will make your life easier.

Making domestic or lifestyle adjustments will improve your quality of life.

Children and seniors will offer unique insight.

Be careful what you say.

Problems will arise if you are inconsistent or if someone you deal with is too demanding. Keep the peace, go about your business and avoid discord.

Everyone will want to offer advice. Listen to the information provided and use whatever works for you. A unique plan will encourage you to make an unexpected change.

Please someone you love.

SAGITTARIUS Make a personal change (Nov. 23that will enhance the way Dec. 21) you look, live or treat others.

Physical activity will ease stress. Don't get involved in joint ventures.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Don't feel that you have to do everything all at once. Preparation and organization will determine how much you accomplish.

Adjust the way you live for the ultimate results.

Don't feel that you must join in if you don't like what others are doing. Protect your interests, health and home.

Physical improvements will fetch compliments.

Your dedication and determination will make a difference. Follow your heart and do what's best for you, your loved ones and your community. An unexpected opportunity might well be knocking.

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020

21

Australian Open tennis championship 2021…

Melbourne is preferred venue despite spike in COVID-19 cases T

he 2021 Australian Open will proceed in Melbourne – and Melbourne only – despite Victoria’s alarming COVID-19 spike. On Friday, another 66 coronavirus cases were reported in Victoria, making it the 17th straight day that double-digit infection numbers were recorded there, and prompting talk that the season-opening Grand Slam may need to be shifted to either Sydney or Brisbane.

That, however, will not be happening, according to tournament boss Craig Tiley, who is continuing to plan for six different scenarios, ranging from a worst-case broadcast-only event to as close to business as usual as possible, with strict biosecurity measures in place.

“Nothing has changed for us in terms of our planning,” Tiley told AAP. “The environment around us has changed, and will continue to change, as we’ve seen with the current spike in Victoria. We’re optimistic the additional measures currently in place will be successful, and restrictions will continue to be eased over the coming months.

“So, I’m confident we will run the Australian Open in Melbourne, and other events around Australia in January; and we’re working closely with all our authorities on the regulations regarding mass gatherings, physical distancing, and increased hygiene that are being put in place.”

The reality is that Melbourne Park and its 2km precinct, which houses not only state-of-

the-art tennis facilities but also a plethora of bars and entertainment hubs, is the only location in Australia equipped to stage a slam.

In total, 33 courts are used during the tournament, including three with retractable roofs, and an additional 18 are available at nearby venues. The biggest names in World tennis and their entourages enjoy a four-storey player pod with gyms, medical and treatment rooms, ice baths, warm-up facilities, change

rooms, a beauty bar, concierge and transport reception.

“All this will be in one self-contained area, which will be crucial in COVID times,” Tiley

Rumours circulating in international football… said.

Messi to leave Barcelona, Xavi agrees to replace coach Setien

Bayern Munich sign Leroy Sane from Manchester City L B

ayern Munich have completed the signing of winger Leroy Sane from Manchester City.

Sane, 24, has agreed a five-year contract with the Bundesliga champions, who confirmed the transfer on Friday.

The Germany international will initially cost Bayern €49 million (£44.5m), rising to €60m (£54.5m), Stats Perform News understands.

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said: "We're very happy to welcome Leroy Sane to FC Bayern. He is an outstanding player who has proven his qualities over the past few years, especially in the national team.

"Our goal is to gather the best German players at FC Bayern, and the signing of Leroy emphasises this goal. I would like to congratulate Hasan Salihamidzic on successfully concluding the transfer."

Speaking ahead of the move on Wednesday, Pep Guardiola wished the player all the best at the City boss's "fantastic" former club Bayern.

Sane joining Bayern is a switch that has been mooted since last year; however, the German side were said to be unwilling to match City's previous asking price. He then suffered a serious knee injury

Real Madrid.

ROUND-UP

i o n e l Messi's future is often a topic of discussion. Messi has an ‘early break’ clause in his Barcelona contract, and as Barca look to re-sign him, the 33-year -old superstar is reportedly ready to walk away next year.

in the Community Shield last August, and returned to the pitch only last month.

Sane joined City from Schalke in 2016 in a deal reportedly worth an initial £37m (€40m), and he went on to show flashes of immense ability during his first campaign.

He elevated his game to the next level in 2017-18 and won the Professional Footballers' Association's (PFA) Young Player of the Year Award as Guardiola's side clinched the Premier League title.

Sane helped City to another top-flight crown the next year, and scored 16 goals across all competitions, although links with Bayern became commonplace towards the end of 2018-19.

Much of Sane's time on

the sidelines through injury coincided with strengthening reports of him desiring a move to Bayern, and on June 19, Guardiola confirmed the club had been informed he would not be signing a contract extension. As such, Guardiola accepted Sane was either to be sold this year, or leave on a free transfer in June 2021.

City have at least avoided the latter scenario, though the fee of up to €60m is significantly less than the £137m (€150m) asking price they are alleged to have set in 2019.

For Bayern, the addition of Sane comes two days after they signed highly rated defender Tanguy Kouassi from Paris SaintGermain, his contract with the French champions having expired.

Apart from the Rod Laver Arena, which has a capacity for 15,000 spectators, the National Tennis Centre has four other show courts that seat between 3000 and 11,500 fans.

Melbourne Park versus Sydney Olympic Park or the Brisbane Tennis Centre is a firstround knockout. Sydney has nine match courts, with one roof still being completed on Ken Rosewall Arena; and there are six practice courts, smaller change rooms, and dining facilities.

Pat Rafter Arena, which has 5,500 seats but no roof, is one of 23 ITF-standard courts in Brisbane. The venue’s capacity is for around 10,000 fans, but this is not in the same ball park as Melbourne, which boasts a record daily attendance of 93,709.

So, the biggest event on the annual Australian sporting calendar would only go ahead in January in Melbourne, Tiley has said.

“The US Open and the French Open are exploring mandatory testing, varying levels of quarantine, and limiting entourages,” he said.

“Of course, we are looking at all these options and more as part of our scenario planning.

It’s difficult to predict exactly what will need to be in place, as guidelines and protocols are changing week by week, and sometimes even day by day.” (Sourced and modified from the Guardian)

WANTS TO EXIT BARCA

Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona when his contract expires at the end of 202021, according to Cadena SER. Barca captain Messi – previously linked to Inter and Manchester City – has reportedly been in talks over a new two-year deal at Camp Nou. The six-time Ballon d'Or winner and Barca's all-time leading scorer is reportedly tired of being blamed for issues at the club, with the LaLiga champions set to be dethroned by

- Staying at Camp Nou and club, the legend Xavi has agreed to become Barcelona head coach next season. Mundo Deportivo journalist Francesc Aguilar says the Al-Sadd boss has agreed a €6million salary to replace under-fire coach Quique Setien.

Mundo Deportivo reports that Manchester United and neighbours, City, have asked Barca about the availability of out-of-favour forward Antoine Griezmann. A big-money signing from Atletico Madrid at the start of the season, Griezmann has struggled, and has found himself on the bench in recent weeks. However, the report claims Barca are not considering a transfer.

Liverpool are poised to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara, says Sport.

Thiago is out of contract at the end of 202021, and the Spaniard is not willing to re-sign.

Liverpool are now believed to be in advanced negotiations as Bayern seek £31m (€35m) for Thiago.

Everton full-back Lucas Digne has emerged as a target for City and Chelsea, if they fail to land Leicester City star Ben Chilwell, according to ESPN. Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Birmingham City teenager Jude Bellingham, Bild has reported. United were also chasing the 17-year-old sensation.

After signing Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid, Sky journalist Fabrizio Romano claims Inter have opened talks with Chelsea for Italian full-back Emerson Palmieri.

Juventus are hoping to settle Paulo Dybala's new contract between July and August, says Calciomercato.

The Telegraph reports Chelsea are ready to step up their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz after Saturday's DFB-Pokal final against Bayern. Havertz has been linked to Bayern, Madrid, United, Liverpool and Barca.

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga could be shipped out on loan to Sevilla, claims The Sun. The world's most expensive keeper has been criticised for his performances this season. (Sourced and modified from Sportsmax)

22

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W

est Indies assistant coach Roddy Estwick has admitted he is slightly troubled by the top-order's form ahead of the Test series against England, but he insists there is no concern over captain Jason Holder's form.

news agency. "That would be one of the biggest worries, that none of the batsman in the Test squad got a score in this innings.

"In the first game, players got scores, so it's not a major concern, but I would love to see a couple get-

While many have made substantial scores in the two intra-squad matches at Emirates Old Trafford in the last couple of weeks, there was some alarm when their frontline batsmen capitulated to the first-choice bowlers on Wednesday.

The top five West Indies batsmen: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Shamarh Brooks, Shai Hope and Roston Chase, subsided to 9 for 3 and 49 for 5 in their final competitive innings before next week's first Test at the Ageas Bowl.

"I would have loved to see the batsmen spend a little bit more time in the middle," Estwick told the PA

ting scores in this match. They've still got a little bit more time.

"In England, you've got to get used to leaving the ball, especially early on. The ball's obviously going to nip around, so you've got to be able to know where your off-stump is, know what to leave and what to play at. We're obviously going down to a different surface at Southampton, we've got to assess that surface as quickly as possible, and hit the ground running," he said.

Holder's woes with the bat continued on Thursday, after his move to open the innings backfired when he

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NOW!

Cricket Analyst Fazeer Mohammed says of comparison between current bowlers and ‘greats’

R

egional Cricket Analyst Fazeer Mohammed has taken exception to recent comments made by Windies asstistant coach Roddy Estwick, who recently compared the current bowling unit to that of the famed West Indies pace attack of the past.

The current bowling unit, comprising Kemar Roach, Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel, and on occasion Alzarri Joseph, has done well for the West Indies in recent series, leading an excited Estwick to claim that the West Indies were “beginning to get blessed again with fast bowlers”, and to say that the current crop “was the best group since the great days”.

But while agreeing that this unit does possess some amount of talent, Mohammed has insisted that Estwick’s comparison is a bit over the top. “I think there is too much being made about the quality of our fast bowling.

Roddy Estwick made the point that this is our best fast bowling unit since the great era, (but) that is complete nonsense,” Mohammed told the Mason and Guest radio programme. “These four fast bowlers are really good, and show tremendous talent, but I think Roddy is getting a little carried away.

There is no way this quartet compares with the like of Roberts, Malcolm, Croft, and Garner,” he added.The current crop of fast bowlers is also able to call on the likes of bowlers Chemar Holder and O’Shane Thomas, who have plenty of pace, if not the necessary experience. (sportsmax)

was dismissed for 2 off 15 balls. He left a delivery from Anderson Phillip and it nipped back in and clipped his off-bail.

That means he has scored just seven runs and faced fewer than 30 deliveries in three innings, while he has bowled only five overs across the internal matches after an ankle niggle. Estwick, though, believes Holder, No. 1 in the ICC Test allrounder rankings, would not be undercooked at Southampton.

"Anybody that knows Jason Holder well wouldn't be worried. He is a strong and tough competitor, and he's mentally very, very strong as well. Jason knows how to prepare for Test match cricket, he's been the number one allrounder for a number of years, so he'll be ready come July 8, no worries at all," Estwick has predicted.

Joshua Da Silva was the star performer with the bat for the Holder XI in the drawn

S

four-day contest against a side led by Brathwaite. The 22-year-old followed up his unbeaten first-innings century with 56 not out in the second dig, as he amassed 189 runs without dismissal.

It will not be enough to catapult him into the Test squad from the reserves, but Estwick has been impressed by Da Silva’s performance.

"He played very well in the game, and I'm sure that his time will come," Estwick said.

Estwick had been leading the side this week, as head coach Phil Simmons was self-isolating in his hotel room after recently attending his father-in-law's funeral. Simmons was back presiding over the warmups on Thursday morning, after testing negative for coronavirus for a third time. This test result has allowed him to link up with the rest of the touring party.

Estwick added: "We've missed him, obviously. But he's back now with us, and everything is good to go! It wasn't a disruption, because it happened in the game. You tend to miss more ‘hands on deck’ in practice, but if there's a game going on, you've only got to monitor preparation and the odd person going into the nets.

"But, as our leader, we're happy to have him back, and it's very important that he's back for us, because now we can sit down, plan and prepare. We've been here now for three weeks, so it's all about good, solid planning and letting the players execute properly."

(Cricinfo)

am Curran has tested negative for COVID-19, after illness had forced him to withdraw from England's intra-squad three-day warm-up match at the Ageas Bowl.

Curran, who made a brisk 15 on the first day but did not get a chance to press his case for a Test place with the ball, has been self-isolating in his room at the team hotel, after coming down with “sickness and diarrhoea” on the second day of the match. He underwent a COVID test during the lunch interval on Thursday, and would have been required to spend a further seven days in isolation had it turned out he was positive, which would have had implications for the rest of the squad ahead of the first Test against West Indies on July 8.

However, he will now return to training over the next 24-48 hours, but will continue to be closely monitored by team doctor Mark Wotherspoon. Curran will receive a further COVID-19 test on Sunday, along with the rest of the playing and management group.

The news of his negative result comes as a relief for the ECB, who last week had reported a total of 703 negative COVID tests at the Ageas Bowl and at Emirates Old Trafford, the West Indies base, in the lead-up to the Test series.

There, however, will be concerns if another sickness bug is making its way through the England squad, after the team's build-up to the first Test in South Africa in December was ravaged by illness.

There were some concerns about the health of Dan Lawrence -- one of the likelier candidates to stand in for Joe Root during the first Test -- who did not come out to bat in the top six in Team Buttler's second innings at the Ageas Bowl, after having made a fluent fifty on the first day.However, the likelihood of any transmission has been reduced by the social-distancing measures being taken within the team environment, and a team spokesman has confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that Lawrence is fine.

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BACK HOME AT LAST!

23

Garfield Benjamin et al return home after 135 days in lockdown in TT

By Brandon Corlette

T

here’s no place like home! And Garfield Benjamin can support this assertion after spending 135 days in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, where the

Sport Journalist Brandon Corlette speaking to Garfield Benjamin

Guyana Under-19 cricketer was in lockdown brought on by the sweeping tentacles of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

Benjamin was all smiles and bonhomie as he touched down at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri on June 19, and was very relieved to have completed his one-week home quarantine.

This excitable Berbician had departed his home turf on February 4, wheeling out his gear bag with the aim of scoring runs while playing for the Cosmos Sports Club in Trinidad & Tobago’s Premier Two Division. He had expected to score a multitude of runs, but the COVID-19 pandemic scuttled his ambitions and thwarted his plans.

In an exclusive interview with this publica-

tion, Benjamin recalled his first experience of being on lockdown in unfamiliar territory. "It is a great feeling, after being away from my family for so many months… to return home (and be) among familiar faces,” he first of all acknowledged.

“For the first month or so, the cricket was really good,” he continued. “I like the way the cricket is structured over there; it's a shame, actually, (my) not being able to finish the season, (although) I was not going through the best of patches; but it was a good experience, and I found myself getting better every day. So, I know the tournament would have been a good one for me," Benjamin explained.

Benjamin noted that being on total lockdown around unfamiliar faces was very hard for him to endure, especially since this was his maiden stint in Trinidad and Tobago.

"They showed me good hospitality for the time being,” he confessed. “(But) even though the country reopened around the starting of May, I could not go anywhere; so, it was tough," Benjamin recalled.

Asked if at any point in time he had lost hope, Benjamin told this publication that he had lost hope many times, because he had on multiple occasions been promised that he would have a flight home, but those flights had been cancelled due to various reasons. He described that as a tiresome circumstance.

Benjamin, who played for the Guyana Under-19 Team in the last Regional Under-19 tournament, noted that transitioning from playing cricket at the junior level to playing at the senior level has not been the best of experiences for him.

"Every day you learn something new. It’s kind of rough, that transition from junior to senior, with not a lot of senior cricket being played at the inter-county level; it's just the franchise. And last year I did not really get a chance to show (my ability) in that.

Hopefully, when cricket resumes, I can

do something good," Benjamin posited.

Although cricket is not being played locally, Benjamin noted, he is keeping himself fit by attending the gym and doing sprints in the afternoons on the basketball court in his home village of Courtland, Corentyne.

Benjamin is aspiring, within the next two to three years, to see his career achieve great heights; and accordingly, he is putting in the hard work and steeling his determination, because this humble Berbician knows the sky is the limit for him.

Besides Benjamin, K a n d a s a m m y Surujnarine and fellow Berbican Demetri Cameron returned home on the same June 19 flight.

Garfield Benjamin

Benjamin bating in an inter-county fixture

WI players say Holder’s MMZ Cricket Club mourns the form not a concern loss of former club captain W JAMES CHANDLER HAS PASSED

T

he present and pass members of the West Meten-Meer-Zorg Cricket Club on the West Coast Demerara is mourning the death of their former club Captain and a dynamic lefthand all-rounder James Chandler, who passed away on Sunday 28th June, 2020, during a brief illness at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

James Chandler who only returned to Guyana in January this year was member of the Guyana Police Force and would have served in ‘B’ and ‘D’ Division area, proudly wearing the Guyana Police Force Uniform. Chandler who was also an outstanding Cricketer started his Cricketing Career at the West Meten Meer Zorg Cricket Club located a few buildings from his home.

He then went on to represent the senior West Demarara Team, West Demerara Police Georgetown Police during his assignment with

the force in Berbice.

Chandler would have played with the Berbice Police and several other Clubs in the first Division league before migrating to United States of America in the year 2000, where he would have connected with his former Meten Meer Zorg/Police and National wicket keeper Ejaz Asgarally where he continued on playing the game in which he took pride in for the New york Meten Meer Zorg Cricket Club according to former Meten Meer Zorg Club Member Troy Khan.

est Indies batsmen Kyle Mayers and Joshua Da Silva are not concerned about the form of captain Jason Holder lead-

has been experiencing a niggle with his ankle, and bowled only five overs leading up to the Test series, in which he took one wicket.

ing into the three-match Test series against England; although, as the number one all-rounder in the world, Holder has been short of runs in the intra-squad warm-up matches.

Ranked just ahead of Englishman Ben Stokes in the world Test all-rounder rankings, Holder has found runs hard to come by in England.

In the final warm-up match, which was completed on Thursday, Holder scored five and two runs respectively.

In the first warm-up match, the Windies captain scored duck in his only innings.

As a fast bowler, Holder

Kyle Mayers, one of the ten reserves, cracked 74 not out on Thursday to help the Kraigg Brathwaite XI score 178 in the first innings in response to the Jason Holder XI’s score of 272. The Holder XI closed the second innings on 171/4 as the four-day contest ended in a draw. The entire first day of the match was washed out.

Mayers, however, is not worried about Holder’s form.

“Not at all!” Mayers has said. “He is a very quality player, number one all-rounder in the world! A few practice matches not scoring runs would not change his mindset at all. Coming into Test crick-

et i s a different feeling. Hopefully, he contributes as usual and leads the team as good as he could.”

Holder was instrumental in helping the West Indies to a 2-1 Test series win over England to retain the Wisden Trophy in the Caribbean last year. He scored 229 runs in three innings, including a knock of 202 not out; and contributed with the ball by grabbing seven wickets in the two matches he played.

Joshua Da Silva, who scored 133 not out and 56 not out in the final practice match, is also not concerned about his captain’s form.

“Not at all!” he said. “We back him 100 per cent! Not at all!” Da Silva is also a reserve in the team.

Mayers has said the team is optimistic heading into the first Test. “I think the group is really prepared and willing to go. I think every aspect of the game is being covered well here in preparation (for the Tests), from fielding to batting to bowling; and I think everything is being done well and the guys are very confident going into the first Test,” he said.

The first Test match bowls off on July 8. (Sourced from TT Newsday and modified)

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Estwick admits West Indies Garfield Benjamin et al batting return home after 135 form days in lockdown in TT worrying

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Pg 22

Sport Journalist Brandon Corlette speaking to Garfield Benjamin

JAMES CHANDLER HAS PASSED

MMZ Cricket Club mourns the loss of former club captain

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WI players say Holder’s form not a concern

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