Guyana Times Sunday July 5, 2020

P22

Over 1300 persons repatriated to Guyana

…first flight from Canada on July 9 Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4337 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020

Sanctions on Guyana can affect entire Caricom – former AG

See story on page 3 …says electoral fraud not matter just for Guyana …as APNU/AFC chalks up huge debt, runs Guyana’s finances into the ground

Lowenfield blasted for gross negligence, dereliction of duty

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

16 new COVID-19 cases confirmed …mass testing begins in Regions 1, 7 ...active cases now at 141

P9

Berbice woman nabbed with P12 abducted baby Nurse’s family cries for justice

“My daughter was drugged, raped, murdered; I know that” – Shonette Apple

See story on page 7

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5000 acres of rice land threatened as Mahaica sea defence breached COVID-19 pandemic

5101 hinterland families listed as vulnerable Page 11

$9.4B deficit recorded by state-owned companies in 2019 Page 2

…as heavy fuel reliance comes back to haunt GPL

Guyana indebted to Caricom for efforts at ensuring will of the people upheld – GAWU

Page 10

…as Police, health officials form new enforcement team P12

Poor internet service, lack P16 of access to WhatsApp plagued NGSA preparations – teacher

2 NEWS $9.4B deficit recorded by State-owned companies in 2019 SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…as heavy fuel reliance comes back to haunt GPL

S

tate-run companies under the direct oversight of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government have recorded a deficit of $9.4 billion for 2019 which represents a 14.1 per cent lower deficit than was projected at the time of the 2019 Mid-Year Report.

This is contained in the Finance Ministry’s End of Year Report, which was released last week. According

to the report, public enterprises collected $117.9 billion for the year 2019. This, however, falls short of the amount projected at halfyear by $9 billion.

The report attributes this to the Guyana Oil Company Limited not being able to meet its targeted earnings.

In addition, the report says that Guyana Power and Light switching from gas oil to heavy fuel oil to generate power played a role.

“At the end of 2019, the

overall deficit of the public enterprises was $9.4 billion, 14.1 per cent lower than the deficit projected at the time of the 2019 Mid-Year Report. Revenue collections of $117.9 billion were $9 billion below the half-year projections, mainly due to lower-than-anticipated revenue earnings from Guyana Oil Company Limited (GuyOil), and Guyana Power and Light Inc switching from Gasoil to heavy fuel oil for power generation.”

GPL has a history of using heavy fuel oil, against the advice of industry experts who have long recommended Guyana integrate renewable energy into its power grid. The Amaila Falls Hydro Project, which would have done just that, was shelved soon after the Government

The Guyana Oil Company

came to office. The lack of investors has been cited.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has contended that the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, could have been generating about 50 per cent more electricity than the entire GPL supply at the time in 2012. But the project was scrapped by the coalition Administration who had controlled the National Assembly by a one-seat majority.

In addition, talks of bringing natural gas onshore for use to generate power have not gone much further be-

tion rate is largely attributed to cash-flow challenges experienced by GPL, as well as GuySuCo’s inability to finance budgeted capital projects,” the Ministry of Finance also explains in the report.

“Additionally, GuyOil rescheduled some of its projects to 2020 because of the difficulties encountered in the tendering process for the construction of a 30,000-barrel storage facility at the Providence terminal, as well as the unavailability of a suitable location for the construction of a new service station in Region 3.”

yond talks. Part of a US$20 million loan that Guyana had signed with the World Bank had gone towards funding a study to examine the merits of bringing natural gas onshore for the local energy market.

Meanwhile, oil giant ExxonMobil has said that around 30 to 35 million cubic feet of natural gas would be required for the gas-toshore project. Data from Norwegian research company Rystad Energy had indicated that less than 20 per cent of the 1.8 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) discovered last year was gas.

The Haimara discovery made

by Exxon last year was found to have 207 feet of high-quality gas condensate sandstone reservoirs.

Meanwhile, the report further noted that current expenditure for State enterprises came up to $120.2 billion, $5.8 billion below the mid-year projection. There was a low implementation of capital programmes.

According to the report, this amounted to just 59.9 per cent of total capital programmes.

“This low implementa-

The report also shows major decline in several economic sectors in the economy.

According to the report, sugar production contracted by a sharp 11.8 per cent in 2019, with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) falling significantly short of its production target.

The report also noted that poultry production did not recover sufficiently to overcome the decline recorded at the half-year. This resulted in a 7.8 per cent decline in poultry production in 2019, which in turn led to a contraction of 3.5 per cent in the livestock subsector.

Additionally, the forestry subsector recorded notable gains at the half-year, which persisted into the third quarter; however, these were undone in the final quarter of 2019, resulting in a contraction of 3.9 per cent for the entire year.

Fisheries experienced mixed outcomes in 2019, with finfish production increasing by 19.7 per cent over the previous year, and shrimp production declining by 28 per cent.

Major decline

3 Sanctions on Guyana can affect entire Caricom – former AG NEWS

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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

Sunday, July 5 – 04:30h – 06:00h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Monday, July 6 – 05:30h – 07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, July 5 – 16:40h – 18:10h and Monday, July 6 – 17:15h – 18:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers during the day and night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-Westerly to Easterly to East NorthEasterly to North-Easterly to East South-Easterly to South South-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 16:47h reaching a maximum height of 2.50 metres.

Low Tide: 10:20h and 22:32h reaching minimum heights of 0.55 metre and 0.73 metre.

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

$43.14/barrel

+2.57

Rough Rice

$221.94 /ton

-0.12

London Sugar

$350.30/ton

-1.68

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1774.40

$1775.40

Low/High

$1771.00

$1778.50

Change

0.00

W

ith persons aligned to the coalition crying foul over the close attention the Caribbean Community (Caricom) is paying to Guyana’s elections, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall has made it clear that Caricom has a vested interest in what happens in Guyana.

He made this observation during a Canadian radio talk show, Chit Chat with Narine Dat Sookram, which is broadcast on Canadian 102.7 CKMS FM and on Rogers Cable TV 946.

Nandlall said that if one nation in Caricom went rouge and is faced with sanctions, the whole of Caricom could feel the effects. Caricom, therefore, he said, has an interest in keeping Guyana in the democratic fold.

“Whatever happens in Guyana will impact the entire Caricom. And I was fortunate to have attended a meeting with five Heads of Government in the Caribbean, and President Granger and Mr Jagdeo, at the Caricom Secretariat, during this same period, just after Mingo’s fraudulent tabulation.”

“And the Caricom leaders made it very clear that Caricom and the Caribbean people have a horse in this race. Let them for not one moment think, this is a PNC and a PPP matter. And it's not a matter only for Guyana.”

He warned that the effects of sanctions can include banks being restricted from providing service to the Caribbean people. This, he said, will suffer “severe detriment if one of its member states becomes a black sheep internationally and sanctions are imposed. Sanctions are interrelated. If the banks pull out of Guyana, it affects every bank in the Caribbean.

Because these are regional establishments.”

“We need continuous support from the local observer teams, the local diplomatic community, the international community, the international organisations, sister countries, Governments. The truth of the matter is, the world is one small global village.”

Damage

Crude Oil

Live Spot Gold

…says electoral fraud not matter just for Guyana …as APNU/AFC chalks up huge debt, runs Guyana’s finances into the ground

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Moreover, Nandlall noted that the damage caretaker President David Granger and his coalition has dealt Guyana, is immeasurable.

He noted that rigging and the threat of sanctions and unrest would chase away any investor, much less tourist.

“The damage done to Guyana’s international reputation (is immeasurable). Before these elections, Guyana made the front page of Time magazine, the

Newsweek magazine, the economist magazine, as the next Dubai. Go and google Guyana now. Guyana is the place where democracy is being stolen. Where a Government is refusing to give up power.”

“Where dictatorship is creeping in. Where authoritarianism is deep-seated.

Guyana is a country on the verge of social unrest. You google (rigging President) and Granger photo shows up… people think that I’m joking. That is where we are now.

damage these people have done and repair that damage. We don’t know what is the extent… we don’t know how many loans we are inheriting. We left a buoyant and vibrant economy. It was compared as one of the best in the region.”

“We had a healthy foreign and external reserve.

We had good balances in the central bank. We had a stable interest rate, that was declining. We had a stable dollar. High but stable. We left billions of dollars in the treasury and extra-budget-

Caricom Headquarters

The matter is not helped by the sorry state of Guyana’s finances and traditional sectors, in particular sugar, which Nandlall alluded to. In fact, Nandlall noted that when the PPP takes over power as the next Government, it will be an uphill task repairing the damage caused by APNU/ AFC’s macro-economic management.

“Firstly, we have our manifesto of deliverables.

Then we have to assess the

ary accounts. In fact, they use to criticise us, that we are hoarding and hiding this money, when the law says they must be kept away from the consolidated fund.”

With APNU/AFC’s time in office waning after the General and Regional Elections showed the PPP/C winning by 15,416 votes, Guyana is in uncharted financial waters. Not only has the country’s general reserves been depleted to $0, but the account is also now

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

running an overdraft to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars.

This situation was illustrated in the Bank of Guyana’s statement of Assets and Liabilities, published in the May 23 Official Gazette, revealing that the General Reserve is -$290,667,332. Additionally, Public Deposits have also depleted to below $0, also recording a negative balance of -$88,629,401,855.

Guyana’s Contingency Reserve account also reflects an alarmingly low amount of $2.3 billion. When APNU/ AFC took office in May 2015, Guyana’s General Reserve had in its coffers just about $6 billion while the Contingency Reserve held $4 billion.

While oil revenues are expected to drastically boost Guyana’s revenue, the onset of COVID-19 has led to a drop in demand for oil and consequentially, a drop in prices.

ExxonMobil, which is producing oil offshore Guyana, was also forced to announce cutbacks to its global work plans back in April.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020

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

Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 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

Caricom defends democracy

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fter not being in the radar of most Guyanese in their quotidian activities, Caricom, which was founded forty-seven years ago, on July 4, 1973, achieved overweening prominence after our March 2nd elections.

It was all due, of course, to the attempted heist of the will of the people by the Returning Officer of Reg 4, Clairmont Mingo, who subverted the responsibilities of his office to radically inflate the votes for APNU/AFC and reduce those for the PPPC, to concoct a result that had the former incumbent coalition winning, rather than losing, the elections.

Following widespread condemnation, both internationally and domestically, Caretaker President, David Granger, invited to Guyana a team of Caricom Prime Ministers, led

by CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, and including Dr Keith Rowley of Trinidad & Tobago, Keith Mitchell of Grenada, Dr Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica. In the midst of an incipient COVID- 19 pandemic, they rushed into Guyana to broker an agreement between President Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, for a CARICOM team to supervise a recount which had been proposed by Granger.

Caricom has since stood with the Guyanese people to defend their Constitution against attacks by APNU/AFC in their vulgar attempts to steal the elections. Even when the recount was about to begin, Granger permitted one of his party candidates to mount a challenge to it in the Courts, forcing the CariCom team to return to their respective countries. When the matter was sorted out, another team was constituted to return in the midst of full blown COVID-19 restrictions.

As PM Mottley reminded the rest of Caricom PMs in the Twentieth Special Meeting of Caricom Heads virtually, when she passed on the Chairmanship of Caricom to PM Dr Gonsalves, “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.”

Mottley made it clear that Caricom would not stand idly by and allow anyone to “steal” an election, as she emphasised the source of Caricom’s authority: “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.”

Her successor, Dr Gonsalves, also made the same commitment as he lauded Mottley’s sterling role in protecting democracy against the depredations of the PNCled APNU/AFC coalition. “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.”

In terms of the Caricom Charter for Civil Society that the Caricom heads alluded to, referring to “Political Rights”, all its members, including Guyana, have committed that, “The States shall ensure the existence of a fair and open democratic system through the holding of free elections at reasonable intervals, by secret ballot, underpinned by an electoral system in which all can have confidence and which will ensure the free expression of the will of the people in the choice of their representatives.”

While there have been doubts raised on the work of Caricom towards fulfilling its very extensive mandate, there can be no doubt that the body has more than risen to the needs of the moment. Even though they went into the gutter to insult the various leaders of Caricom who condemned their obscene “gamesmanship” in the electoral process, the APNU/AFC caretakers were forced to concede that, “The Caribbean Community remains the most legitimate interlocutors in the Guyana situation”.

Happy Caricom Day!

Import coverage, the stock of foreign reserves in an oil economy Dear Editor, Despite the major acts of financial plunder and fiscal mismanagement of the Guyanese economy by members of team Granger, when one reflects at the manner in which the Bank of Guyana continues to manage the monetary sector, one is pleasantly surprised.

Dr Gobind Ganga and his team at the Central Bank continue to carefully manage our monetary policy in a financial landscape where all the key financial indicators are reflecting gross levels of executive negligence, corruption and massive acts of fiscal policy inconsistencies.

One only has to reflect on the deterioration in the productive sector, the state of aggregate demand, the runaway public expenditure and the increasing lack of investor confidence and one has enough evidence that the smooth economic expansion associated with a newborn oil economy is absent.

The reality today is a struggle for survival by many, so much so that some 30,000 families have now joined the army of the poor since Christmas 2019. This is to the detriment of enhanced

no different. A typical explanation for holding these reserves highlights the fact that we must have the ability to pay our bills on time overseas. Reserves are also accumulated as a by-product of other factors, including the pursuit of price and financial stability, and even export competitiveness.

So the evidence is clear as to why Guyana should meet the international best practice as encouraged by the IMF, of having enough foreign reserves to honour 3 months supply of imports.

Unfortunately, as the graph below highlights, our import cover has moved from a decent place at the end of

March 2020, the import coverage has further declined to an annualised rate of under 2 months. This is a perilous place for any country to be situated, but this is Guyana’s tribulation in 2020 thanks to the mismanagement of the economy by team Granger.

In a crude oil-exporting economy, imports usually expand rapidly in order to purchase massive amounts of capital equipment to support this sector. But the foreign reserves ought to have been bolstered by oil sales but this is not to be as a result of Guyana having a de-facto Government that cannot access these oil

productivity in this nation.

So much for the good life!

Central banks around the world accumulate reserves for a wide variety of reasons and the Bank of Guyana is

2016 when the nation had almost 5 months of import cover to 2.3 months at the end of December 2019. I was just provided with the evidence that at the end of

funds. Further, Guyana is also facing a real possibility of incoming international sanctions which will seal these earned oil revenue and all other export reve-

nues. The outcome - another Venezuela.

From the graph below the empirical evidence as sourced from Bank of Guyana, tells a story that is at variance to the one coming out of the Ministry of Finance. When Guyana did not have oil and a smaller economy in 2014, it had more foreign reserves available to the economic players. At the end of 2014, the banking system has access to US$945 million in foreign reserves, while at the end of May 2020, after experiencing some US$500 million in crude oil exports, Guyana only has access to US$944 million. The fact remains, despite being an oil economy with a vast amount of oil exports, our foreign currency situation is no better today than it was in December 2014 when we had no oil exports.

With kind consideration for your letter pages, I rest my case as I conclude, this Granger experiment was a colossal disaster and I am convinced that Mr Granger and his team never had the expertise to provide the required real expansion needed to transform this economy. All the evidence today shows that there is no good life to be had with team Granger and definitely not any decade of development.

With regards, Sasenarine Singh

An open letter to President Granger Dear President Granger, We write to you to raise concerns about the situation in Guyana, our homeland, regarding the failure in a declaration of a fair and transparent General and Regional Elections result.

It has been an exceptionally long four months and we believe that the people of Guyana should be credited for the patience and tolerance they have displayed.

London Islamic Cultural Society is a charity formed, supported, and managed by people from Guyana and we take pride in our awareness of how Guyana is pro-

gressing and developing.

We consider it as our precious homeland, place of our birth and so we take an interest in what is happening with our people. In addition, many of our UK Guyanese have family living there.

The International Caricom observers and ABCE diplomats have all vouched and concluded that the Guyana 2020 elections were fair, free, and credible including the validity of all votes cast. Many worldwide are disturbed by the inability of you and your Government to concede defeat despite there being a

recount. We on behalf of our Guyanese people urge you to accept the results and arrange for a peaceful transfer of Government.

We are extremely disappointed to observe during this whole process that the Government is deliberately acting in an undemocratic manner when it is clear that the people of Guyana have spoken and exercised their democratic right in deciding who they want to govern them.

Our country is a special one and it is time that our political parties can work in partnership for the benefit of our country and more

importantly the people of Guyana. There is so much wealth and outstanding landmarks, the people deserve to improve their lives and they have voted for the Government that they believe will help them to achieve this.

We write and we represent many of our Guyanese patriots living in the United Kingdom. Do the right thing, Mr Granger.

Yours sincerely, Bibi Khan and the Board Trustees President, London Islamic Cultural Society

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020

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

Guyanese are experiencing our toughest period Dear Editor, Regrettably, the Grangerled PNC-APNU/AFC is making continuous efforts to fuel division among our people who have unanimously spoken in the General and Regional Elections through their votes on March 2, 2020.

Given the Granger cabal’s clear public demonstration of indecency, fraudulence, and untrustworthiness, the behaviour, although upsetting, shameless, and disappointing, is now expected by all who previously thought otherwise.

It is now without any

doubt that the Guyanese people will be forever appreciative of the unquestionable commitment and astute leadership of the PPP’s General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. He has fought tooth and nail in leading the fight against the erosion of our democratic rights, towards a better Guyana for all. Indeed, the deserving supporting contributions of the emerged liberal and civil support bases, who have stood up in complimentary support of “truth and right” must a be also recognised.

The role of the Caricom

in the process is laudable and the Guyanese people welcome and stand firmly together in harmony, albeit, the exception of Granger is few, in welcoming the firm statements from Hon Mia Motley in her capacity as Chairwoman over the past six months. The Statement of the Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, given the intolerable behaviour of Mr Granger’s APNU/AFC since previous mediatory interventions of Caricom, is indeed welcome, necessary, and justified. Also, the local

and international observers as well as the United Nations for the unflinching support that “Free and Fair Elections” must be respected.

As a founder member of the Caricom Community, the reactions by the Member States to Mr Granger’s emerged undemocratic demonstrations, threatens the regional harmonisation as the core of our Agreement in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. The stand that is also taken by past and present individual leaders is welcomed and enlightening,

Democracy would have been hijacked Dear Editor, Former President Jagdeo is praised for assenting to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as the final court of appeal for Guyana, replacing the Court of Appeal (COA) in 2005. It is felt that if there were no CCJ, then the appeal of the No-Confidence Motion or the current electoral matter would not have been possible. Democracy would have been hijacked.

Guyana’s final court of appeal during the colonial period and thru February 1970 was the Privy Council (PC) located in London. The PC comprises of Judges of erudition and non-political affiliation; they don’t take instructions from ruling politicians. They are people of impeccable integrity with independence of mind. Their decisions are not guided by ethnicity. Their promotion doesn’t depend on any favourable Government ruling. Government lawyers attached to a case before the PC don’t write the judgments say in a 2-1 ruling.

Five Judges (mostly Lords) usually hear appeals (similar to a hearing in front of the CCJ). It is almost impossible to bribe or threaten PC Judges on how to rule as compared with say a Judge in a local court.

The PC as Guyana’s final court was abolished in 1970 when Guyana became a Republic. Burnham used his magic majority of the 1968

electoral rigging to abolish all appeals to the PC. The act served his interest as matters pertaining to the 1968 election rigging could not be appealed. In private conversations, Jagan opposed the abolition of the PC fearing consequences of a politically directed court. The Judiciary was compromised and the effects are felt till this day.

Jagan saw the significance of an independent outside court. In private conversations, he theorised about a return to the PC, which could only have happened if he returned to office. But Jagan was always wary of being branded as friendly to imperialists (colonialism) were he to publicly advocate a return to the PC for impartial justice. At a PCD forum in 1986, Llewelyn John (leader of PDM) proposed the idea of a West Indian Court of Appeal; Dr NK Gopaul, Paul Nehru Tennassee, Jagan, among others, spoke at that forum.

The idea would come to fruition in the form of the CCJ (proposed in 2004 and enacted in 2005).

In discussions in New York between 1989 and 1992, where I was present including at a GOPIO meet, Jagan embraced the idea of PC replacing the COA since a regional court of appeal was not in making.

When the World Union of Guyanese was formed in NY around 1991 with Dr Fenton Ramsahoye as International

Coordinator, he and a group of us held discussions on PC replacing the COA. Fenton was passionate about judicial integrity and independence and felt an outside court was needed to shield Judges from political influence and bribery. He agreed to be our emissary to meet Jagan on the matter. They met in Georgetown, and Jagan committed to revisit the issue once the PPP returned to Government.

After the PPP won the October 1992 elections, Jagan dismissed the idea of PC being the final court of appeal.

Fenton told me that when he met Jagan, the President stubbornly stated that “he not returning to the White man’s court”. I met President Jagan at Freedom House in December 1992 and raised the issue with him. He said: “The country has nothing to fear as my Administration would not interfere in court matters or influence Judges.

I would not be a dictator. You can trust me”. Jagan lacked a vision to foresee the possibility of judicial compromise after he was gone.

Later on, Fenton informed me that he broached the subject again with Jagan using a different strategy. He advised Jagan of a backdoor to get the PC as Guyana’s final court of appeal. He proposed that through trade and commercial treaties with Trinidad, PC could serve as the final court in appeals.

Jagan would have none of it.

Fortunately, in the interest of judicial independence in the region, an opportunity availed itself in 2004 with the proposal for the creation of CCJ. A visionary Jagdeo immediately signed on.

Jagdeo displayed a foresight not shown by Jagan on protecting judicial integrity by having an outside independent court.

Fenton credited Jagdeo for accepting CCJ’s jurisdiction as Guyana’s final court of appeal. But Fenton opposed it as a final court for other territories. Sir Fenton said Guyana did not have a choice but to sign on to the CCJ since it did not wish to subscribe to the jurisdiction of the PC. Fenton died preferring PC as indeed almost all lawyers (including the late judicial icon Karl Hudson Phillips) in the West Indies as the region’s final court.

Fenton felt that impartial justice in West Indian territories would be better served by having the PC as the final court to shield against political directives.

The ruling in the Guyana election matter may well cement the reputation of the CCJ as being protected from political directives. The nation is grateful to Jagdeo for assenting to the CCJ Act that replaced COA in all matters, effective 2005.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

When can we put aside our differences?

Dear Editor, As I lie awake, pondering all of the different strains converging on our nation’s landscape, two statements come to mind – “Life can be beautiful” and “Life is what you make it”. We all know the competing scenarios COVID-19 and for some, “lockdown”; election results and for some, “lick down”; ICJ, CCJ and for some, luck down! (we can still laugh, right?). May God Almighty look down on us all and have mercy!

I long for the day when, as a nation, we can put aside our differences and work to-

gether for the good of all and for the future of our children and our children’s children. We have been living in Bel Air Village for over 22 years. There is understanding and togetherness in our community of mixed races.

We rejoice with each other (eg at weddings and thanksgivings), mourn with each other (at funerals) and celebrate each other’s successes! We share with each other the fruits from our yards, and look out for each other when there may be impending danger. We “lime” in the streets, hail out to passersby, and even looked out for

the recently deceased neighbourhood vagrant. Would to God that our community could be a microscopic reflection of our society.

Describe for me a beautiful garden and you will be describing a well-cultivated patch of earth with plants of different hues and flowers of various colours - red, yellow, white, blue, purple...

Beautiful Guyana, blessed with the beauty of blended races and cultures, when will we stop destroying each other and instead work together to fulfil the national destiny? May it not be said of us: “...every king-

dom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand (Matthew 12:25). But rather, as was said of the people of old, working together to build a tower: “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them (Genesis 11:6 NIV).

That sounds like the realisation of our national motto: One People, One Nation, One Destiny!

Sincerely, Claudia Heywood

although previously considered and tempered. It establishes that our people are united and strong together in the face of the adversarial ilk of David Granger and those who threaten our existence.

It is not without a sense of strongest contempt for Mr Granger and his loose bulldogs, that the Guyanese people are experiencing the toughest times in our lives!

Never before, have our citizens had to countenance the experience and the challenge of overcoming two treacherous viruses, which threatens our mere existence. It is time for the people to halt immediately, the continued devious impositions of defacto President Mr David Granger’s illogical reasoning, and self-created irrational sickening viral additions. Our people must be lauded for their patience in the circumstance, albeit, the test of tolerance and the urges to rise up.

The COVID-19 global pandemic is indeed a vicissitude that demands all States join hands, in frontally challenging its emergence and expanse. In this respect, there is strong public recognition of the significant change we desire at home when one considers the worsening situation in Guyana and the obvious inefficacy of the fraudulent thieving focus of the callous Granger cabal. They have no effective national strategy and Guyanese people are now in a desperate need for the implementation of a comprehensive financial and medically prudent plan to offer resistance. instead, we are more seriously being exposed to and affected by the obstinate PNC/GECOM’s procrastination and self-imposed “rigging” virus.

Since the passing of the

necessary No-Confidence Motion on December 21, 2018, David Granger has imposed an environment of crisis in Guyana.

Yet after four months with the entire world supporting our free and fair elections, the Granger PNC cabal is refusing to concede and free the Guyanese people. Our people are exhibiting maximum patience. Of note, the inspirational leader of the Guyanese people, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, along with Dr Irfaan Ali, Anil Nandlall, and others in the leadership of the PPP/C are doing a great job as they endeavour to keep the peace in battling on to final victory.

Contrary, it is known that Granger’s bulldogs are doing everything to impose a state of emergency and we must not give them this avenue.

Politics in Guyana are for people with thick-skin, people who must stay the course with their people and for truth and justice. Our mentor, Dr Cheddi Jagan never wavered as he stood with his people.

For the rest of our lives, we will have vivid memories of that eventual “day” when Clairmont Mingo malperformed his functions as Returning Officer for Region Four as he attempted to impose the “rigging spreadsheets”. The PNC’s “king and queen riggers” also tried desperately to get those who stood up for democracy out of the Ashims building.

These persons who stood up against them deserve the highest accolades and recognition as the people return Guyana’s democracy, with the swearing-in of Dr Irfaan Ali as Guyana ninth Executive President. Swear in Dr Ali now!

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020

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Foundation

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Lowenfield blasted for gross negligence, dereliction of duty

C

hief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield has been blasted for negligence and dereliction of duty as outcry continues over his illegal decision to unilaterally invalidate over 115,000 votes to thwart the will of the Guyanese people.

In a stinging letter to the Chair of GECOM, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) outlined a litany of reasons why the CEO has failed in his duties.

The letter points out the CEO’s shortcomings, such as when important statutory documents went missing under his watch at the Region Four Returning Office or when he used fraudulent results declared by Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, to form a final report for decla-

Appeal’s Court ruling and acting contrary to said court orders; providing a report of the 2 March 2020 elections recount contrary to the directions of the Commission; gross insubordination and acting contrary to the directions of the Chairwoman and the Commission.”

Criminal charges

GECOM CEO, Keith Lowenfield

seal within the poll boxes; deliberately declining to disclose the Statements of Poll (SoPs) to the Commission, the parties, the court and the public.”

The reference to election documents concerns the dis-

Lowenfield has conducted himself in a manner that does not command the confidence of the public and “continues to demonstrate no degree of respect for the electorate, the Guyanese people nor the structures and institutions that were meant to protect and safeguard the will of the people.” ration of results. In the letter, the LJP leadership outlined that over the past four months, Lowenfield has conducted himself in a manner that does not command the confidence of the public and “continues to demonstrate no degree of respect for the electorate, the Guyanese people nor the structures and institutions that were meant to protect and safeguard the will of the people.”

According to LJP, his shortcomings include “gross negligence with regards to the safeguarding of elections documents; failing to provide clear written instructions to the Presiding Officers on polling day with regards to safeguarding documents and which documents to

appearance of a number of documents that were part of the electoral process which were supposed to be in their ballot boxes. These documents include the Official List of Electors (OLE), counterfoils, poll books, proxies and spoilt ballots.

APNU/AFC has used these missing documents to insist that these voters be disenfranchised. However, it is known that these documents were last seen in the possession of GECOM staff at the Region Four Returning Office. In addition, Presiding Officers have revealed that the documents were not included in their rightful places on the instructions of Mingo.

Besides “knowing-

ly and recklessly” using Mingo’s fraudulent results, which would have gifted A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) a win, LJP, which is led by Lenox Shuman, also accused Lowenfield of demonstrating bias.

They also pointed to his attempts to disenfranchise over 115,000 voters by submitting a final report to GECOM that went against the Statements of Recount (SoRs) and the official Certificates of Tabulation, which came out of the recount process.

The National Recount had shown that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) won 233,336 votes while the APNU/AFC garnered 217,920. But in the report Lowenfield submitted, it was claimed that the coalition garnered 171,825 votes while the PPP/C gained 166,343 votes.

How the CEO arrived at those figures is unknown.

According to LJP, the number of voters Lowenfield invalidated amounts to 25 per cent of the Guyanese electorate, an unenvious record for most votes invalidated in Guyana’s history.

The party accused Lowenfield of “exercising authority that is not vested in him and beyond his remit, in interpreting the

LJP pointed out that Lowenfield is currently subject to three separate criminal charges relating to electoral fraud. In addition, he has been evading the lawful service of court documents, a situation which led to Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty issuing him a summons on Friday after he failed to appear in court.

The letter to the Chair pointed out that all of the issues are matters of public records and are widely known by all political parties, the international community and the Guyanese people. “The office of the CEO is one that must command the confidence of not only Guyanese and Guyana, but also that of the global community that we live in. The office of the CEO is the anchor to the vanguard

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

of democratic institutions.”

The party leadership in their letter stated that they are of the resolute view that the CEO has completely and absolutely lost the confidence of the Guyanese electorate, “and we believe the above as laid out provide undisputable grounds for Mr Lowenfield’s immediate removal/termination from his post as CEO and for his expeditious replacement with a candidate more amicable to the terms and operations of law-abiding statutory officers in democratic institutions.”

The party also urged GECOM to revisit all that

has taken place, as well as Article 162 (b) of the Constitution of Guyana and to “act in accordance with the will of the people that have been reaffirmed through the recount process of the 2 March 2020 Elections.”

Three private criminal charges were filed against the CEO. However, when the matter was called for hearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, Lowenfield was a no-show.

He has evaded service by the court marshals and as such the court itself issued a summon for him. Those cases will continue on July 21.

8 NEWS

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

6 airlines offer to replace LIAT – Caricom

T

he liquidation of the Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) carrier has left a vacant place for another airline to fill the existing gap, in order to provide adequate air-transport throughout the region.

A few days ago, it was revealed that LIAT would be liquidised owing to substantial debts owed.

According to former Caricom Chair Mia Mottley on Friday, however, six airlines have already expressed interest in flying the southern Caribbean routes.

During her outgoing ceremony as Chairperson, Mottley said, “Since announcements being made earlier this week about LIAT’s demise, six airlines have come forward offering to fill the space…We are satisfied that these six airlines can more than fill the immediate gap, particularly given the reduced travel within COVID-19.”

These carriers were listed as SVG Air and One Caribbean from St Vincent and the Grenadines;

Caribbean Airlines Limited headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago; Inter-Caribbean from the Turks and Caicos; United States-based Silver Airways; and French-based Air Antilles which flies primarily between Martinique, Guadeloupe and Paris.

Due to the financial dent left by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Barbadian Prime Minister insisted that they will work with stakeholders to ease other burdens which have surfaced while addressing the health concerns of their respective countries. At the moment, Governments have already expended millions of dollars to enable systems to protect

the population while suffering from reduced revenues.

“I hope that we would be able to work with them and other Private Sector players who have also expressed an interest to being able to see how they can work either on their own or with some of the existing players in order to be able to fill the gap. Simply because Governments have to now use their funds to be able to deal with health expenditure, water, other forms of transport, to be able to deal with the fact that our tourism sector, as well as our vulnerable population, are all requiring us to hold their hands because they have come to zero reve-

nue,” Mottley indicated.

She said they are committed to safe and reliable access to air travel within the next few weeks and countries which can stimulate such should do so immediately.

“As Heads of Government earlier this week, we agreed that those countries that are in a position to help stimulate air travel through the reduction of airline taxes should immediately reflect and see how they can revise so to do. Similarly, to the extent that licenses and air operator certificates are needed for some of these Private Sector airlines to connect our countries that we should process to assist as far as possible.”

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne had said during a local radio show that LIAT would have lost about EC$12 million and with planes grounded due to COVID-19, they were losing money through continued payments of leases and revenues.

Wanted…

W

…for fraud ell, look what we have here: the CEO of GECOM – responsible for the sanctity of the votes that’ll install a government for the next five years at one of the most critical junctures of our history – has a warrant out for him by the courts on three charges of fraud. Life sentence in the offing!!

Now, charges aren’t the same as conviction, we all know by now; but this is a whole different kettle of fish, ain’t it?? From the moment Mingo did his three-cardmonte over at Ashmins – “the more you look the less you see!” – folks were wondering where Lowenfield was all this time. Your Eyewitness remembers that, after the first set of delays involving a couple of Lowenfield and Mingo’s staff being overcome with exhaustion, the tabulation of the SOPs had ground to a halt. The CEO then appeared on the scene, and gave all assurances that upon resumption the next morning, all the Standard Operating Procedures would be followed and the tabulation would be completed forthwith. So far, so good.

But, the next morning, after Mingo himself suddenly became “indisposed” and had to be ambulanced to GPHC, Lowenfield disappeared from the scene, and flash drives and laptops were miraculously apparationed to produce numbers that had the joint jumping in disbelief and disgust.

He reappeared only to witness Mingo appearing from a balcony to announce his “results” to a tumultuous crowd below. It certainly wasn’t that balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet, even though the contending parties were doing a good imitation of the Montagues and Capulets!!

Anyhow, even after the Court had intervened and Mingo was told in no uncertain terms to get his act together, Lowenfield didn’t just go along with the farce that involved Mingo and a stained bedsheet over at GECOM HQ; he actually used the numbers supplied by Mingo to prepare his constitutionally-mandated report for GECOM. “So what?” you ask, dear reader?

Well, Lowenfield had been in possession of SOPs from all 2339 polling stations; that’s what!! Why in God’s name would the law demand that a copy of each SOP be sent to him directly on behalf of GECOM?? He could’ve easily added up those SOPs to get a fair idea of what Mingo’s numbers should’ve been; that’s what! And the fact that he didn’t, but blithely proffered the inflated numbers as the official figures, is absolute proof that, either in collusion with Mingo or with other unknown parties, he conspired to deliver to the Guyanese people a false and fraudulent Report.

Some insist that the Chair should’ve canned him by now. Really?? And have Myers in his place??

The courts should deal with him condignly. …but on the run It’s a crying shame -- that’s what it is -- for Granger to have his followers, including ex-officers of the GDF, like Lowenfield -- literally take a fall for him. We know that Generals usually stay way back from the front lines during battles, but does there not come a time when they must stand up and be counted?? Your Eyewitness lays all this mess in which Guyana is embroiled at the feet of David Granger.

But, like most armchair generals – which literally he is, having never been in action on any battlefield – Granger remains oblivious to the human devastation his hunger for power is creating in the wake of his elections’ rigging.

Lowenfield, for one, had to literally duck from Marshalls who are trying to serve him with writs of summonses.

How infra dig! He knew these weren’t Marshalls from the Court of Appeal when he accepted service with alacrity.

Those were “friendly” Marshalls initiating a process that would give him time for more mischief.

So what does he do now that the Police are looking to serve him?? Hide behind his mask?? …more Mia Mottleys Mia Mottley has left an indelible mark during her tenure as Caricom Chair, which just ended. The PNC has insulted her by claiming she’s sucking up to the US. Like when she accused Pompeo of trying to “divide Caricom”??

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

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

16 new COVID-19 cases confirmed …mass testing begins in Regions 1, 7 ...active cases now at 141

T

he number of COVID-19 cases in Guyana continues to increase, with 16 new cases recorded on Saturday.

According to the Public Health Ministry in its updated COVID-19 dashboard, this now brings the total number of novel coronavirus cases up to 272.

Guyana Times understands that a total of 68 tests were conducted within 24 hours.

The positive results are three cases from Region One (Barima-Waini); five cases from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); four cases from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); one case from Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); two cases from Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo) and one case from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

According to the COVID-19 dashboard, there are now 138 active cases in institutional isolation while the number of persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has gone up to three.

Meanwhile, there are still 16 persons in institutional quarantine while the country’s COVID-19 death toll is at 14. Three more persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 120.

Prefab housing units have been installed in Moruca to accommodate COVID-19 positive patients in the community

To date, 2779 persons have been tested for the novel coronavirus of which 2507 are negative.

As local health authorities continue to grapple with flattening the curve of the coronavirus pandemic, Region Four remains the epicentre of the outbreak in Guyana.

However, there has been a significant rise in COVID-19 cases in the hinterland regions of Barima-Waini and CuyuniMazaruni – the latter recording its first death from the virus just days ago. The victim was 34-year-old Abdool Khan of Bartica, who succumbed in the designated ICU located at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Mass testing

To this end, medical teams were deployed to the hard-hit communities in these regions and will be there until today.

According to a report from the Department of

Public Information (DPI) on Saturday, the mandatory lockdown which has been imposed at Aranka in Region Seven and Moruca in Region One allowed the health teams to conduct mass screening and testing of individuals living and working in these areas.

Agencies collaborating with the Public Health Ministry to ensure this process is conducted effectively include the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Regional Democratic Councils and Health Emergency Committees of Regions One and Seven among others.

While under lockdown, no one will be allowed in or out of these areas for one month, commencing July 6 to August 3, 2020.

Caretaker Public Health Minister, Volda Lawrence has noted that the medical teams of doctors, nurses, sanitisation staff and surveillance teams will all be doing their part to identify and isolate positive cases while quarantining contacts and monitoring their conditions.

It was noted that populations in these areas are small and are often on the move, hence the need for a lockdown.

The lockdown, or as the caretaker Health Minister terms it, the “cease order” will stop mining operation, especially in Aranka. It will also put a halt to border crossings which are frequent in this area.

Lawrence noted that the concern is not only directed at the border crossings between Guyana and Venezuela but also local border crossings between Regions One and Seven. The constant movement of people contributes to the spread of the virus and needs to stop forthwith, she emphasised.

“We are locking down for a month and there will be a cessation of business in there which is largely to stop the mining…. There is a lot of employment of migrants in these areas, in forestry, in mining and they are coming and going; that is why we are moving to close down the mines.”

Additionally, while a large number of positive cases have not manifested respiratory symptoms such as a cough, difficulty breathing or other flu-like symptoms, persons have experienced other signs which continuous research indicates is due to COVID-19.

“People may think they ate something bad and have diarrhoea or a constant headache but they might be infected,” Lawrence said in the DPI report.

As a result of these symptoms, persons in these areas are inclined to self-medicate, unaware that they might have been exposed to COVID-19 and have become a carrier of

the virus.

“This is why we are carrying out extensive research because we noticed people are reacting differently to the disease. We are looking at all factors,” the caretaker Minister added.

She also pointed to the fact that many coastlanders work in the mining areas and in the absence of a lockdown and mass testing measures, the risk of more persons being infected on the coast is inevitable. “The objective is to stem the spread of the disease in there and stop it from coming out, going beyond that cluster area. As it is right now it is a community cluster.”

10 NEWS

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana indebted to Caricom for efforts at ensuring will of the people upheld – GAWU

Caricom Chair, PM Dr Ralph Gonsalves

As the 47th anniversary since the establishment of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) nears, the recent efforts of regional leaders to resolve the impasse in Guyana’s protracted electoral process has been lauded.

In its message for Monday’s Caricom Day observation, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) said Guyanese must recognise the efforts of Caricom in seeking to ensure the will of the people is respected and upheld.

“Their support in providing a team to scrutinise the National Recount especially given the circum-

stances of our world at this time makes us even more indebted to the Community.

We also hail the forthright expressions of the Community’s leaders who undoubtedly are concerned about the well-being of the people of our dear land. We of the GAWU, like thousands of Guyanese, are most appreciative of the efforts of Caricom at this time,” the Union said.

Caricom has been playing an integral role in Guyana’s prolonged electoral process. In fact, former Chair, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley had led a high-level delegation of four other Caricom Heads of State back in March to discuss the impasse.

At the time, caretaker President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had agreed to a National Recount under the auspices of the then Caricom Chair, who had facilitated a special team of observers to monitor the exercise. But this activity never got underway after APNU/AFC supporter, Ulita Moore, challenged the recount in the court, forcing the team to depart.

PM Mottley had said at the time, “It is clear that there are forces that do not

want to see the votes recounted for whatever reason.”

Subsequently, Caricom

scrutinise the National Recount which ran from May 6 to June 8, 2020.

In its report to GECOM on June 15, the Caricom team said: “nothing we witnessed, warrants a challenge to the inescapable conclusion that the recount results are acceptable and should constitute the basis of the declaration of results of the March 2, 2020 elections.”

Last month, PM Mottley had joined calls for the results from the National Recount, which was certified by the Caricom team, to form the basis for the declaration of the election results.

This was after Chief

agreed to field another team upon the invitation of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to

Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield went against the directions of GECOM Chair, Retired Justice

PM Mia Mottley

Claudette Singh, to use the recount figures and instead, submitted his final elections report in which he invalidated over 115,000 votes.

PM Mottley had questioned his action, asking “On what grounds and by what form of executive fiat does the Chief Election Officer determine that he should invalidate one vote, far less 115,000 votes?”

The Caricom Chair said that it was regrettable that the Community was now witnessing an unprecedented level of “gamesmanship” that has left much to be desired.

However, her remarks had earned her a barrage of attacks by the caretaker APNU/AFC and its supporters.

Despite previously deeming Caricom as the most “le-

gitimate interlocutor” in Guyana’s electoral process, the APNU/AFC issued a statement, which was subsequently withdrawn, saying “We believe that Prime Minister Mottley’s statement is both ill-informed and ill-advised… We view the Hon Prime Minister’s statement as not only untimely but, in fact, as interference in a matter on which the Constitution of Guyana is clear.”

In response, however, PM Mottley posited that the Community should never avoid upholding its shared principles.

“The truth hurts. But what we must never do in Caricom is avoid the truth and avoid our principles,” she said briefly at a subsequent press conference.

TURN TO PAGE 25

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

5000 acres of rice land threatened as Mahaica sea defence breached The PNC will not ‘go easily into the night’

W

e await the CCJ’s judgement on the Opposition parties’ appeal of the Court of Appeal’s insistence that it has the final say in any matter where the election of the President is concerned - once a plaintiff invokes an issue that necessitates the “interpretation of the constitution”. There are some who hope that closure would finally be brought to this national nightmare. There is no such optimism from these quarters.

We reaffirm our own insistence that the PNC are “gambling for resurrection” – i.e., taking irrational risks to rig the elections because they believe their supporters will go along. In layman’s terms, they have decided they may as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb.

Think of it: after defying the direct warnings of every country in the Western world, what do they have to lose? Reputation? The PNC are not like, say, Mandela, to be moved by moral suasion.

Ravi Dev Sanctions? Part of the PNC’s gamble is they have concluded these will not be applied once they keep their defiance within the judiciary or within GECOM. This they have done up to now on one specious argument after another since the NCM. Everyone agrees with Mia Mottley that it is all “gamesmanship”, but the PNC see it as “realpolitik”. Once their contentions are “arguable”, they will have to be given a hearing in one court or another, and this will keep the fig leaf of legality over their power grab.

Let us look at what the CCJ might rule. Even if they repress their tendency for gnomic pronouncements and go along with Ralph Ramkarran’s impassioned plea for a specific order to instruct Lowenfield to use the Certificates of Recount and compile his report, the PNC would simply say it cannot be done; that the Constitution is absolutely clear on declaring that it is the GECOM CEO, and only the GECOM CEO, who can decide what goes into his Report. Art 177 (2)(b) after all, declares that the Presidential Candidate from the list with “more votes” – now “more valid votes” – than other lists, shall be declared elected as President, “by the Chairman of the Elections Commission acting only in accordance with the advice of the Chief Elections Officer…”

So, what about the instance from 2011 that is being cited, when the then CEO Gocool Boodhoo’s Report was examined by PNC Commissioner Vincent Alexander, and he had to rectify the Report? The PNC will slyly point out that that conundrum was a matter of mathematical inexactitude which had only one solution.

On the other hand, they will claim that the matter of Lowenfield evaluating the PNC’s “irregularities” is a subjective one conferred on him by the Constitution, as above.

The PNC would go right back to the Court of Appeal if the Chairwoman were to instruct Lowenfield on what data he should utilise to compile his Report. The PNC’s contention would be that if the Chairwoman were to instruct the CEO on what should constitute his Report, then she would be violating the Constitution to instruct him on his responsibility.

And the merry-go-round of gamesmanship would continue spinning.

Once again, Guyanese and the world will have to understand that they are dealing with a political entity – the PNC – that is led by an individual – David Granger – whose Machiavellian/Burnhamite conception of power rests on controlling raw power – the army, police, bureaucracy, and even the judiciary and independent institutions like GECOM. As far back as November 2017, Granger revealed his 2020 plans to a PNC audience in Atlanta, Georgia: “You have to ask yourself how did the PNC gain office in 1964. Ask yourself how did the PNC remain in office, and what did it do during that period? Ask yourself how the PNC regained office in 2015, and ask yourself how would the PNC retain office after 2020?”

The answers for 1964, of course, were coalescing with the UF (Q1); then consolidating its power centres and proceeding to rig elections from 1968 (Q2 and Q3). To the 2015 question, it was coalescing with AFC (Q3); and finally, looking down the road at 2020, he was telling everyone “rigging elections”.

Forewarned should have been forearmed; but everyone assumed that since the circumstances had changed, so had the PNC. But not with the Burnhamite acolyte David Granger: he does not think, he just remembers his master’s actions.

The seawater flowing into the farmer’s canal

By Andrew Carmichael

M

ore than 5000 acres of rice land at Mahaica, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) are under threat of saltwater intrusion as new breaches in the sea defence at Dantzig appear.

It was only last year that thousands of acres of rice and cash crop land were destroyed when the sea de-

fence gave way at Dantzig.

Now, a new breach has occurred. On Thursday, a contractor employed by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) placed a tube to allow water from the new breach to flow out through a sluice at the Cottage foreshore.

However, when the tide rises and the sluice door is closed, the water heads into the back dam at a rate of 200 cubics per second. Farmers who operate there reported that on Friday morning, saltwater had reached farms.

Philbert Alves, who has 40 acres of rice under cultivation at Drill and another 30 acres at Cottage, said this is the last bit of land remaining in the Mahaica cultivation area.

“This system that they implemented yesterday (Thursday) afternoon without seeking the farmers' advice as to the effect it will have on farmers they just went ahead and do it. This will pollute all of the water from here (Cottage) all the way to Mahaicony.”

This newspaper was told that is a distance of about six miles, containing several hundred acres of farmland, which is utilised by more than 300 rice farmers.

The October 2019 floods affected both the homestead and farming community.

Farmland between Planters Hall and DeHoop became barren and remain that way. Cash crop, rice and cattle farmers were all thrown

under cultivation at Farm Village, Mahaicony, told this publication that the canal in which the saltwater was diverted is linked to the entire Mahaicony.

He said when the sluice door is closed, the saltwater will fill the canal right down to Perth Byaboo.

“We will have to block the canal for the water not to get to the back dam. Is over 5000 acres of rice will be lost

out of business.

“If that should take place here, it will put the rice farmers in a bad spot and maybe we will lose our investment but there are so many people who maintain their families off of us; we create jobs for people in the area. If we should lose our

by this saltwater. From here going back to Dantzig don’t have anything; no cattle, no rice and what they have done will contaminate the whole and everything will finish,” the frustrated rice farmer said.

According to Singh, after realising what happened

Dantzig which now has four breaches.

Rice farmers are getting ready to pump water into their fields, hence the presence of saltwater in the canal will damage the crop and also the land.

Suesankar Persaud, another rice farmer who cultivates 300 acres at four locations and also has an additional 75 acres in Berbice, said if the situation is not rectified he will lose all of his crops between Drill and Cottage.

“Don’t worry with people who saying that the water will go out through the sluice, as soon as the sluice door lock, all the water will head for the back dam because it don’t have nowhere else to go.”

Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal, who also inspected the work done by the contractor, told the Evening News that he has since raised the issue with the relevant authorities and was promised that the situation will be resolved.

“I made contact with the CEO of NDIA and he promised to put systems in place to prevent the intrusion of saltwater in the catchment area. I want farmers to know that they have been given the assurance by NDIA.” Ramphal said he will be monitoring the situation.

rice, they cannot get work,” Alves noted.

Meanwhile, another rice farmer, Doodnauth Singh, who has 55 acres of land

on Friday morning, they approached an engineer from the NDIA and were told that the tube was placed to assist in removing the water from

Farmers are suggesting that the NDIA can utilise a pump which is already in the area rather than put their livelihood at risk.

12 NEWS

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 pandemic

5101 hinterland families listed as vulnerable

…as Police, health officials form new enforcement team

L

aw enforcement and public health officials will form a joint team to enforce the COVID-19 measures, as persons con-

tinue to flout the imposed curfew and partial lockdown guidelines.

This is according to Operations Director of

the COVID-19 Task Force Secretariat, Mark Archer, who announced on Saturday that the unit will be called the “Mobile Emergency

Response and Enforcement” team.

This decision was taken after it was observed that the Guyana Police Force continues to face difficulty in enforcing the gazetted measures. In fact, it was reported last weekend that hundreds of Guyanese were gathered at the Kitty, Georgetown seawall but Police did not respond. These individuals would have congregated in their numbers before the 18:00h curfew kicked in and continued their activities after. A majority of them were not wearing face masks nor practicing any precautionary measures against the virus.

Meanwhile, another team was sent to the mining areas to ensure that all stakeholders are taking the necessary precautions.

They are expected to make a list of recommendations on Monday to the National COVID-19 Task Force, along with a “menu of measures” to keep persons within the communities safe.

On Friday, it was announced that the current curfew measures will continue until July 16, unless terminated, extended or amended by notice of the

Public Health Minister, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions.

Hinterland restrictions

Special measures were formulated for the mining and hinterland regions, owing to existing threats and the spike in cases in some areas. As such, mining operations are to cease in areas within the coordinates mentioned in the document, specifically, Aranka and Arangoy’s Landing in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and Moruca in Region One (Barima-Waini).

Meanwhile, some 5101 households within the hinterland stretch have been placed in the “vulnerable” group, owing to financial constraints brought on by the pandemic.

No person is allowed to travel into or out of the ar-

eas listed without the authorisation from the Public Health Ministry. Persons residing in the areas shall be required to 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.

Berbice woman nabbed with abducted baby

A

Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) woman was arrested on Friday after she was found with a baby, who was re-

ported missing early in March.

The 50-year-old woman was arrested after Police swooped down on her Kildonan Village, Corentyne home.

Regional Commander of Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Linden Lord confirmed that a report of kidnapping of the 11-month-old female child was lodged with the police. He said that the child’s 24-year-old mother is a Venezuelan. On March 5, she reported to Police that the 50-year-old woman worked with her at the Quart Stone Backdamn in Cuyuni.

However, the child became sick and the Venezuelan mother asked her employee to take her child to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for treatment, but she never returned.

“The 11-month-old baby apparently had spots on her skin, and she gave the woman the baby to take to the hospital and she was supposed to return in two weeks but that did not happen,” the Commander said.

After Gomes did not return with the child, the matter was reported to the Bartica Police Station.

Commander Lord said after the police received information that the suspect resides at Corentyne, Berbice, ranks acting on information swooped down on her home. He said that she has since confessed to the crime.

“The woman was arrested, a thorough investigation was done and we sent the file for legal advice on the way forward,” the Commander said.

The child was identified and returned to the mother on Friday.

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ble establishment of a Free Trade Area in the Caribbean resulted in the announcement of definite plans to establish such a Free Trade Area.

In December that year, Heads of Government of Antigua, Barbados and British Guiana signed an agreement at Dickenson Bay, Antigua, to set up the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA).

The new CARIFTA

Treaty on July 4 and its coming into effect in August 1973, among the then four independent countries: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago.

The Georgetown Accord also provided that the other eight territories - Antigua, British Honduras, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Montserrat, St. Kitts/Nevis/ Anguilla and St. Vincent which signed the Accord would become full members of the Community by 1 May 1974.

The Caribbean Community and Common Market was established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which was signed by Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad

agreement came into effect on May 1, 1968, with the participation of Antigua, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. The original idea to permit all territories in the region to participate in the association was achieved later that year with the entry of Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts/Nevis/ Anguilla, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent in July, and of Jamaica and Montserrat on August 1, 1968. British Honduras (Belize) became a member in May 1971.

At the seventh Heads of Government Conference in October 1972, Caribbean leaders decided to transform CARIFTA into a Common Market and establish the Caribbean Community of which the C o m m o n Market would be an integral part.

At the 8th Heads of Government Conference of CARIFTA held in April 1973 in Georgetown, Guyana, the decision to establish the Caribbean Community was brought into fruition with the consideration of Heads of Government of the draft legal instruments and with the signing by 11 members of CARIFTA (the exception being Antigua and Montserrat).

The Accord provided for the signature of the Caribbean Community

& Tobago, and came into effect on August 1, 1973. Subsequently, the other eight Caribbean territories joined CARICOM. The Bahamas became the 13th Member State of the Community on July 4, 1983, but not a member of the Common Market.

In July 1991, the British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos became Associated Members of CARICOM, followed by Anguilla in July 1999. The Cayman Islands became the fourth Associate Member of the regional grouping on May 16, 2002, and Bermuda the fifth Associate Member on July 2, 2003.

Suriname became the 14th Member State of the Caribbean Community on July 4, 1995.

Haiti secured provisional membership on July 4, 1998, and on July 3, 2002 was the first French-speaking Caribbean State to become a full member of CARICOM.

Leaders signing the Treaty of Chaguaramas on July 1, 1973. From left: Errol Barrows (Barbados), Linden Forbes Burnham (Guyana), Dr Eric Williams (Trinidad and Tobago), and Michael Manley (Jamaica)

C

ARICOM Day commemorates the treaty establishing the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) and is observed annually by all CARICOM countries, though not necessarily on the same date of the year.

The establishment of the Caribbean Community and Common Market was the result of a 15-year effort to fulfil the hope of regional integration, which was born with the establishment of the British West Indies Federation in 1958. The West Indies Federation ended in 1962 but its end may

be regarded as the real beginning of what is now the Caribbean Community.

With the end of the Federation, political leaders in the Caribbean made more serious efforts to strengthen the ties between the islands and mainland by providing for the continuance and strengthening of areas of cooperation that existed during the Federation.

Further, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago both attained independence in August that year and with it the power to control their own domestic and external affairs.

In announcing its intention to withdraw from the Federation, the government of Trinidad and Tobago proposed the creation of a Caribbean Community, consisting not

only of the ten members of the Federation, but also of the three Guianas and all the islands of the Caribbean Sea - both independent and non-independent.

To discuss this concept, the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago convened the first Heads of Government Conference in July 1963, and attended by the leaders of Barbados, British Guiana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. At this conference, the participating leaders of the four Caribbean countries all spoke clearly of the need for close cooperation with Europe, Africa and Latin America.

In July 1965, talks between the premiers of Barbados and British Guiana and the chief minister of Antigua on the possi-

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T

wenty countries make up the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Fifteen are full members and five are Associate Members.

The geographical boundaries of the Caribbean Community stretch from The Bahama Islands in the north, southward to Guyana and Suriname – both on the north coast of the South American mainland. They also extend from Belize in the West on the Central American mainland to Barbados – the most easterly of the islands. Suriname defines the eastern

boundary of the Community.

All CARICOM countries are classified as developing countries. They are all relatively small in terms of population and size, and diverse in terms of geography and population, culture and levels of economic and social development.

CARICOM countries share similarities and challenges. On the one hand they are all in proximity to major markets in North and South American, and most countries, have had to make the transition from agriculture or mining to a service-driven

economy, especially tourism and financial services. On the other hand, they have to overcome the challenges of frequent natural disasters, in addition to small size with associated lack of economies of scale and vulnerability to external shocks.

All members subscribe to the Community’s principles outlined in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (2002).

Leaders of member states shape the Community’s policies and priorities. They meet twice yearly to discuss issues affecting the Community and the wider world at the Conferences of Heads of Government.

All members have an equal say regardless of size or economic status. This ensures that every member has a voice in shaping the Caribbean Community.

Membership

According to the Treaty of Chaguaramas of the Caribbean Community, membership of the Caribbean Community shall be open to any other State or Territory of the Caribbean Region that is, in the opinion of The Conference, able and willing to exercise the rights and assume the obligations of membership.

Obligations

Member States of the Caribbean Community • Are allowed to attend, participate and vote in all Meetings of the Organs and Institutions of the Caribbean Community • Have the right of participation in the deliberations of all bodies in order to promote its interests in all programmes and measures, including the right to propose programmes and measures, or the modification of programmes and measures, as well as to share in the benefits of all relevant CARICOM regional programmes and measures, whether proposed by the country or not • Accept the Caribbean Community travel document • Pay an appropriate contribution to the budget of the CARICOM Secretariat.

Associate Members of the Caribbean Community • Attend as Observers, Meetings of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community • Are members of all Institutions except Council of Foreign and Community Relations • Have the right of participation in the deliberations of those bodies in which it has membership in order to promote its

interests in specific programmes and measures, including the right to propose programmes and measures or the modification of programmes and measures, as well as to share in the benefits of all relevant CARICOM regional programmes and measures, whether proposed by the country or not • Accept the Caribbean Community travel document • Pay an appropriate contribution to the budget of the CARICOM Secretariat.

(CARICOM)

Member States

There are 15 Member States of CARICOM: Antigua and Barbuda Membership: 1974-07-04 Bahamas Membership: 1983-07-04 Barbados Membership: 1973-08-01 Belize Membership: 1974-05-01 Dominica Membership: 1974-05-01 Grenada Membership: 1974-05-01 Guyana Membership: 1973-08-01 Haiti Membership: 2002-07-01 Jamaica Membership: 1973-08-01 Montserrat Membership: 1974-05-01 Saint Lucia Membership: 1974-05-01 St Kitts and Nevis Membership: 1974-07-26 St Vincent and the Grenadines Membership: 1974-05-01 Suriname Membership: 1995-07-04 Trinidad and Tobago Membership: 1973-08-01

Associate Members

There are 5 Associate members of CARICOM: Anguilla Membership: 1999-07-04 Bermuda Membership: 2003-07-02 British Virgin Islands Membership: 1991-07-02 Cayman Islands Membership: 2002-05-12 Turks and Caicos Islands Membership: 1991-07-02

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NURSE’S FAMILY CRIES FOR JUSTICE

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he William Gladstone’s quote “Justice delayed is justice denied” seems apt in the case of Nurse Schenise Apple, according to her family. It has been one year now since the family has been fighting tooth and nail to bring her killers to justice, but it looks as though the very system that is supposed to support them is the very system that is currently working against them.

On July 2, 2019, the lifeless body of the 26-year-old was found hanging in the Nurses’ Hostel by her colleagues just about 18:15h. It was initially suspected that she committed suicide, but from the inception, her family believed otherwise.

After a post-mortem examination, the young woman’s death was ruled as a homicide. However, to date, the Police are yet to make an arrest or appraise the family of the status of the investigation.

The Sunday Times Magazine sat down with Apple’s mother, Shonette Apple, and she expressed her frustration with the handling of her daughter’s death. This would be the first time, according to the still distraught mother, that she was publicly speaking about her daughter’s death and the circumstances surrounding it.

“They don’t respect young women, they don’t. Her life just went down just like that.

I need justice. I need closure.

They know who did it. There is nobody above against the law. Nobody should be covering for nobody. You do the crime, face the time. I don’t care who you are, you must face your consequences. Not because you working in a big job, you must not face the consequences. I just need justice, and without justice, I will not stop and will continue to fight.

Enough is enough. My daughter was drugged, raped, and murdered -- I know that,” the grieving mother said.

Recounting what transpired one year ago, Shonette said that she spoke to Schenise on July 1, 2019 while she was working. Her daughter said, during what would be their last conversation, that it was quite busy at work and she would ‘talk later'. Later came and went, but Shonette waited. She initially dismissed the gut feeling of something being wrong, and amounted her daughter’s failure to return the call to exhaustion from all the work.

However, when 05:00h on July 2, 2019 came and passed and there was no word from Schenise, her mother began to worry. She called several times and sent text messages, but no response. The same day she had business to conduct in Georgetown so she left the family’s Linden home in the company of her son.

The feelings of uneasiness overcame her by the time they reached the capital city and she could not function. She did not bother to go about doing any business and instead ventured back to Linden with her son. When they arrived at home, she was still uneasy and paced around trying to get ahold of Schenise.

She called Schenise’s colleague with whom she had contact owing to previous meetings, but all the calls went unanswered. She then asked her other daughter whether Schenise had contacted her or vice versa, but got a negative response.

“My daughter asked for the colleague number and I gave it to her. The first ring and she answered the phone and my daughter said ‘man, I am just calling to find out where my sister is’ and she said -- well, I couldn’t hear, but this was told to me that she said ‘Schenise is dead.’ All I see is my daughter clutching her stomach,” Shonette related.

Seeing her daughter becoming pale and clutching her stomach intensified the uneasiness in Shonette. She became frantic and started to shake her daughter trying to elicit a response. What Shonette next heard knocked the wind out of her and all she could have done was let out a bloodcurdling scream.

She does not remember anything that happened immediately after that, except that she bawled and bawled. She had questions and wanted answers, but

body, but was advised against it and a promise was made that it would be brought out early in the morning. The body arrived in Georgetown after midday and the family identified Schenise and an au-

fused because we were bitter, we were angry with the system and everything and then knowing we left our daughter on Wednesday with no cuts, to come back Friday with cuts on her body. I don’t understand

Nurse Schenise Apple

Schenise and her mother Shonette

topsy was scheduled.

“Me and her dad, we saw her body and she had a mark around her neck and it was raw (because of her fairness you could see). She had marks on her hand like someone hold her down and there were hand marks between her thighs.

You could see the hands that

that and as I said, I am so disappointed with everything,” she related.

The family also tried to meet with Public Health

and her Schenise

Schenise’s coworkers protesting for justice following her death

first she called Schenise’s father, Dexter Copeland and told him what had happened.

Schenise was posted to the Mahdia Hospital from Linden Hospital Complex back in November of 2018 as part of her contract. Her family was not happy with the decision, but was assured by the Public Health Ministry that their child would be safe. They relented, but had they known it would have resulted in her death, they would have fought for her to stay.

Later in the night of that fateful day July 2, a young woman visited the family and showed them photos of Schenise hanging. Shonette knew that her child was not capable of taking her own life, so she had even more questions.

“After that, nobody from the Ministry (of Health), from Mahdia (Hospital), no Nurse, no Matron, no Sister, nobody hasn’t contacted me to this day. Nobody called and said your daughter died or what not. I am so disappointed. I am so upset with the system that they have,” Shonette lamented.

On July 3, the family was prepared to venture into Mahdia to retrieve Schenise’s

squeezed her. There wasn’t any other thing.”

Shonette’s suspicions of foul play were further compounded when a junior pathologist saw the body and said the injuries were inconsistent with those of a suicide.

That pathologist encouraged the family to return on July 5, 2019 for the autopsy, since a senior pathologist would conduct it owing to legal reasons.

The family travelled back to Linden and returned to Georgetown on Friday, July 5, 2019 to witness the post-mortem examination. However, when they got there, they were not allowed to witness the examination being conducted by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh. After the examination was concluded, a Police Officer approached the family and showed them some photos of cuts on Schenise’s hands, but the family related that those injuries were not there two days prior.

“We eventually left and went to the F Division with the same Police and another one. We spoke to a Mr Henry and related our dissatisfaction with whatever transpired, and he listened to us and he asked if we wanted to give a statement and we refused. We re-

Minister Volda Lawrence, but she refused to entertain them.

In fact, she only met with the family after they began venting their frustrations on social media and in the press. Those reports would have reached her and she immediately travelled to Linden to meet with the family.

However, Shonette says she feels disrespected by the way in which Lawrence chose to meet with them. She summoned the family to the Regional Democratic Council in Linden, where she tried to water down the family’s allegations of rape and murder.

In fact, she told the family that the autopsy proved that Schenise was not raped and her death was suicide.

At that time, the family had not yet gotten access to the autopsy report. After they related that, Lawrence instructed Schenise's father to uplift the report in Georgetown and when it was uplifted, the family discovered that there were some discrepancies. The doctors initially placed the time of death at 01:00h, but later changed that to 06:00h, with the '6' ending up looking like a 'b'.

“As far as I am concerned, there was some cookery trying

nd

er Copela

father Dext

t o go down there,” Shonette charged.

At the time of the meeting, Lawrence also promised a full inquest into the young nurse’s death, but to date it seems as though the inquest is yet to take flight.

When the Sunday Times Magazine contacted Public Health Ministry Public Relations Officer Terrence Esseboom, he directed this publication to the Chief Nursing Officer, Linda Johnson for a position on the inquest, but Johnson said she had no idea about the inquest. In turn, she directed us to the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Collette Adams.

However, when the Sunday Times Magazine contacted Adams’ office, we were told that she was unavailable.

Shonette related that the Police only contacted her on Tuesday, for the first time, for a statement and it now seems that the investigation is commencing, but efforts to contact the Regional Police Commander, Ramesh Ashram proved futile.

The family is adamant that Schenise was raped and then murdered and her suicide staged, and wants the authorities to take the investigation seriously. Shonette also related that she was aware of the attempts to cover up the murder, but she would continue fighting tooth and nail until justice is served.

She posited that the Police

should begin right back in Mahdia, since one of Schenise’s colleagues was using her phone the night her body was discovered. She related that the female colleague was using the phone to text relatives telling them how much she loved them and impersonating Schenise – whose body had already been removed from the scene at that time.

On the first anniversary of her death, Schenise’s father wrote an open letter to the authorities pleading for justice.

“Overall, it has been one year since my daughter's death and we are still in a state of limbo concerning this matter. The extreme duress my family has endured since my daughter's death has been compounded by the lack of concern by the Ministry of Public Security, [which] is upsetting. Also, the lack of attention by the Hon Minister Volda Lawrence. The healthcare family deserves better treatment, and I hope you will look into the situation to see that the suffering caused upon Nurse Schenise Apple is never again inflicted on health-care workers, and to ensure that a similar incident doesn't occur again,” he said in his letter.

He also called for the Government to provide better security systems for buildings such as the one his daughter was staying in.

Meanwhile, her sister in tribute wrote: “It hurts the most, because it's already a year since I called your batch mate or the one that was supposed to be your batch mate in Mahdia…I called her and asked of you, she answered and said, ‘Schenise is dead!’ I was shocked, could not have even delivered the message.”

Following Schenise’s death, her nursing colleagues have staged protests demanding justice; one year later, they’re yet to see it.

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Assessment (NGSA), which was initially scheduled for April 8 and 9, but owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and new guidelines for physical distancing by the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF), the exams were moved to July 1 and 2.

“I was deeply saddened when I heard that all schools would be closed for three weeks prior to its scheduled date due to the pandemic.

Eventually, I went to a private residence to keep classes for my Grade Six pupils only. I later found out that this was prohibited by the Ministry of Education, so I had to stop,” he related.

Cognisant of the need to keep his students safe but also the challenges of e-learning on an island with unreliable Internet connectivity, Grenardo, nevertheless, created a WhatsApp Group for his pupils and

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the way the world operates. People are now forced to slow down and embrace new methods of getting things done. Among those forced to adopt new methods are teachers and students.

Online learning has been in existence for a number of years, but it is not something that many have embraced.

For many parents, teachers, and students, there is a lot about the classroom that cannot be replicated in an online session.

Teachers have long gauged their students’ grasp of a topic by their very reactions or simply the looks on their faces. However, with over 15 faces cramped on a computer monitor, it makes teaching less relatable and diminishes the teacher’s ability to gauge their student’s grasp of a subject.

What makes it worst is that in Guyana, online learning is just not feasible for many reasons. Not every student can afford an e-learning device and Internet access. The woes of e-learning in Guyana are further compounded by the unreliability of the Guyana Power and Light Company.

Nevertheless, the teachers have shown resilience and have continued to engage their students during this pandemic.

One such teacher is young Charles Conrad Grenardo

Sir Charles Conrad Grenardo

-- the Grades Five and Six teacher at Success Primary School on Leguan Island, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Grenardo tells the Sunday Times that when he heard that COVID-19 would

Charles Conrad Grenardo with his students

not heavy, since he began preparing his students since they were in Grade Five: He encouraged their

fullest cooperation and support during the quarantine period. There are currently eight pupils in the Grade

cause schools to be closed before the term ended, he was first saddened thinking about how much of a setback it would be for his students. He was, at the time, preparing eight students to sit the National Grade Six

Grenardo’s class pra

ctising physical distan

worked with them throughout the day. He embraced this new frontier as the means of preparing his students, but he was also worried about the setback for students without access to WhatsApp. “The two main challenges I was faced with was the fact that I couldn't have communicated to all of my pupils via the WhatsApp group and the Wi-Fi signal on the island was poor sometimes. So, when I heard that the primary schools would reopen for a period of over two weeks for the Grade Six pupils I was elated,” he related.

For the 25-year-old, teaching is his passion and being in front of the classroom gives him life. So, when he heard that school was reopening, he took every step to ensure that his environment was safe enough for his students and picked up from where they left off. He noted that the workload was

cing due to COVID-19

parents to purchase workbooks with past NGSA papers so that they could get an idea of how the examination is set up. He worked with his students on those past papers in addition to teaching them what the school’s curriculum outlined.

When his students graduated to Grade Six, Grenardo held a meeting with their parents where he proposed a 30-minute early start in the mornings as well as for the afternoon session. The extra hour was used to work on the past papers among other areas the students needed to work on.

“I'm currently teaching in a school which has a very small population so myself along with the other teachers are teaching two classes each.

I must commend the parents for giving me their

Six at my school, but the same effort is given to each pupil. I really enjoyed the last two weeks with my pupils where I could have interacted with them face to face as we revised for NGSA,” he said.

Grenardo himself was educated on the island at the Maryville Primary School and then the Leguan Secondary, where he complete d the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and gained passes in 10 subjects.

“Teaching has always been my passion. I remember vividly coming home in the afternoons and hitting the walls of my house pretending as though I was the teacher and the walls were the pupils.”

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Sir Ferdinand McLeod

By Utamu Belle

T

eachers across Guyana who prepared students for this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) Examination have had their fair share of challenges, owing to the sudden paradigm shift brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the country recorded its first case of the virus, schools were forced to be closed as social distancing guidelines were put in place to curb the spread. The situation was a relatively new one for teachers, students and parents who were forced to look at alternative solutions of teaching, studying and coping.

For Linden Grade Six Teacher Ferdinand McLeod, there was simply no throwing in the towel as he was faced with creating new avenues in terms of getting the work

done in unique ways. The virtual classroom setting became his only option, as teaching via social media sites became the ‘new normal’.

But as McLeod would have indicated, even this setting had its fair share of setbacks.

McLeod, who is attached to the One Mile Primary School at Wismar, Linden described working with students for the 7 days during which schools were finally reopened to facilitate examination students as a very challenging experience for himself and colleagues, but he explained that they were still able to do their best in light of the situation.

“First of all, I must say that it was indeed a very unfortunate situation having the children and teachers in this system, after it was so close to writing the examination. It was difficult for us; it was a challenge in that while we were working with some of them on Zoom and WhatsApp and so on it posed a challenge whereby, we were not able to reach to all of the pupils because they didn’t have the internet service. On the other hand, who we could have reached we did, and when the Ministry opened so that we could have used the school for literally seven days- because it was every other day from 9 to 1, which was insufficient; the children came back and they were blank.

“Even though parents were claiming that they worked with them and so on

they were blank. But we tried and we brought them back to speed in some ways, to the best of our ability,” McLeod stated during an interview with the Sunday Times Magazine.

As the NGSA examinations got underway on Wednesday and Thursday, McLeod and other teachers attached to the school which has topped the Region several times in recent years were beginning to feel as though their hard work did not go in vain. The Teacher who has been in the profession for over 10 years and working with NGSA students for approximately 8 years said he was happy with the feedback which he had received from the students.

“We’ve gotten a good feedback in terms of how they’re functioning in the examination room,” McLeod noted.

Based on his experience working with Grade Six over the years, McLeod said it calls for a lot of commitment and dedication, coupled with creating a strong bond with parents and students. He explained that it is already challenging teaching at this level, more in the midst of a global pandemic.

“You have to actually give your all to these children.

You wouldn’t be able to go camping and all of these other things like other teachers will have a chance to do. We work from Sunday to Sunday and generally we start work-

Sir Ferdinand McLeod with his children

ing from August, some start working from July because even though they're coming into the sixth grade we have to work from September really to March.

“So, a whole term is actually out and we don't have the whole year to work with the children and the Grade Six Examination, the curriculum it's really packed. It is based on (schoolwork) not only in Grade Six but throughout the entire school. So, we don't know where they're going to pull whatever they're pulling from so we have to really push and prepare the children in every regard, in every way we can,” McLeod noted.

Teamwork

He described the Grade Six class level at the school as being like a different school altogether, with unique schedules put in place. McLeod noted that he and colleagues work

as a team as he stressed that this is the only way in which to achieve success.

"And that has been our memo all the time, 'Work as a team', 'teamwork'. We share our information and we use our strengths to ensure that we get the best results for the children. So, if somebody is good in Maths we do these kinds of specialisation-'you good at Maths, you go and teach persons that are not so confident with that'. We have persons doing Language and so on. So that's how we do it at this school. We had this programme that the Ministry put forward also, so we're getting to move around in the Region 10 community.

We're getting to assist teachers and really bring them up to speed with what they can do to better their children because Grade Six is not just for the Examination but getting the children to be confi-

dent. So Grade Six is the class to be in if you like challenges,” McLeod shared.

In giving credit to his colleagues whom he noted have always shown a great level of commitment in the classroom, McLeod gave props to Teachers such as Charlene Duke- Agard, Rawle Forde who got the top NGSA student from the school last year and newcomer Odetta Gullen, among others whom he noted are very dedicated.

"They're taking up the challenges. With the couple days, we had to work with them, we had 9 children to a teacher and so we had to go around and supervise and so on, so the Grade Five Teachers came out and they really worked with us. All in all, it worked out. We're just hoping now that the children do the best that they could have done to the best of their abilities,” McLeod noted optimistically.

Regional Education Officer Rabindra Singh recently expressed satisfaction noting that as schools reopened to facilitate students writing exams, teachers turned out in their numbers to assist students with the preparation.

A total of 814 students were registered to write the exams from within the Region. An over 95 per cent attendance rate was recorded in Region 10 as schools reopened following closure owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Toilet – training Puppies – Part 2

efore we continue with the text below (Part 2 of “Toilet-training Puppies” (T-TP), it is necessary for me to respond to comments made by a few dog lovers about a sentence included in last week’s article that elicited some measure of disfavor. My esteemed colleague, who was so kind as to permit us to use her compre-

hensive documentation dealing with “T-TP”, mentioned that certain practices of many people to rub the pup’s nose in the faeces as a methodology to toilet-train a puppy is akin to being an animal abuser. Perhaps my veterinary colleague’s choice of words might have been considered by some sensitive dog lovers/caregivers to be a bit harsh. The truth is that my colleague went to great lengths to explain why rubbing a pup’s nose in its own mess, (perhaps even with some few slaps for good measure), is not a good training method, especially since there are other actions which one can take to solve the problem.

Such action is more the result of non-knowledge of correct measures which can be taken to address the problems associated with “potty”-training. Sharing such solutions within the context of “Pet Care” is exactly why Guyana Times has this Sunday Feature. And the response to the column is most encouraging. Also, we truly appreciate the comments and questions offered by our readers.

Having clarified the matter, let us now absorb the wise words of our colleague as we continue with Part 2 of this interesting aspect of puppy rearing.

In the last week’s article, (Guyana Sunday Times, June 28, 2020), we started to look at how to humanely toilet train your new puppy.

We learned that bowel and bladder control in dogs does not start to develop until the puppy is around 12 weeks old, and that in some breeds that development can take as long as six to 12 months. We established that the puppy is not messing everywhere to spite you or because he is naughty, but because he genuinely cannot help himself.

We looked at the meaning of toilet training – work is involved, so you cannot be disinterested and inactive.

We discussed how to toilet train puppies using newspapers/urine pads and through crating by taking advantage of the natural instinct of puppies to keep their dens clean. Today, we continue with establishing a routine of elimination after meals.

Dogs naturally choose to go to the toilet on a porous surface.

Unfortunately, this does not only include grass but also carpet and rugs. Our job is to teach the dog to discriminate between places that are suitable and those that are not.

Remember, a dog that messes on the carpet or your floor is not being deliberately naughty, just acting normally.

Accidents happen.

Never punish a dog for messing where he should not. You will make him afraid to go, especially in front of you, and may cause him to become constipated. Never ever take your puppy to the mess and rub his nose in it – this is animal abuse.

Dogs need to toilet in association with how often they eat. Eating stimulates reflex bowel movement.

Therefore, if a dog is fed once a day, it is usual for defecation occur once a day, two meals a day means two defecations a day etc. Puppies normally urinate within 15 minutes of eating, and poop within 30 minutes of eating although this varies with each individual.

Feed regular meals and cater to go outside with your puppy on harness and leash to his “spot” and wait with him until he does.

Routine and reward are important.

In addition, potty breaks are important during the day so schedule to take your puppy outside at least once every hour – his blad-

der is tiny and will fill quickly so he generally needs to urinate every hour.

Playtime can also stimulate bowel activity so after a play session, take him outdoors to his “spot”.

The reason you should be taking your puppy to the same “spot” for toileting is to establish a spatial as well as a scent association with the area so the puppy know where to go. Scent marks convey information to dogs, and the smell of an old scent mark will induce the perpetrator to top up the messages. This is why the puppy keeps messing the same place.

This toilet behaviour is different from marking behaviour although the scent concept is the same.

It is therefore important that all incorrect areas that have been soiled are thoroughly cleaned on the puppy will continue to be attracted to toilet in those areas. Household cleaners containing ammonia and chlorine, strongly perfumed disinfectants and air fresheners should not be used. The most successful method involves firstly scrubbing the area with a warm ten percent solution of a biological washing powder in order to remove the protein components of the urine, rinsing with cold water and allowing the area to dry. This should be followed up by spraying with an alcohol such as surgical spirit (rubbing alcohol or methylated spirit), to deal with the fatty deposits. After cleaning, the area must be allowed to dry thoroughly before the dog is given access to it again.

The most important aspect of toilet training your puppy is the establishment of a routine, so ensure you put in the time – it will be worth it. Also, remember to scoop the poop and discard to keep your family and your dog healthy.

Allow me again to thank Dr. Kristel-Marie Ramnauth for her immediate willingness to allow the PET CARE Column to use her article on Toilet-training Puppies.

Next week we will dealt with “Puppy Nutrition”.

SINGLEUSE PLASTICS CONSULTATIONS

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he year 2021 has been designated for the systematic ban on single-use plastics. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with support from the Department of Environment of the Ministry of the Presidency, has assumed the responsibility to take the necessary measures to manage, conserve, protect and improve the environment in preventing and controlling pollution; assessing the impact of economic development on the environment; and ensuring the sustainable use of Guyana’s natural resources.

The EPA has engaged some critical stakeholders on the single-use plastics’ ban; these included: The Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA); executive members of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA); representatives of the tourism sector - hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars; members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI); as well as Chief Executive

Officer of the Small Business Bureau (SBB).

Prior to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, the EPA had conducted a series of consultations with several business stakeholders, including supermarkets and importers of singleuse plastics, as well as residents of Lethem and Mabaruma.

However, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the Agency has transitioned to hosting its public virtual consultations since April, 2020. The virtual consultations are designed to educate the public on the impending ban on single-use plastics, discuss the potential impacts the ban may have on different sectors, and provide opportunities for businesses to make recommendations to remedy any possible social and economic gaps which may arise as a result of the ban.

Some major concerns the Agency received thus far were

centred around the availability of alternatives for the items that are proposed to be banned, increased education and awareness campaigns targeting the business community, and fiscal incentives to support the local development of alternatives. The Agency is making every effort to meet with as many stakeholders as possible, including members of the public and importers/manufacturers of single-use plastics and alternatives.

The Agency has launched a public survey on the proposed ban on single-use plastics via its Facebook page, and encourages the general public to participate and follow us on social media for more updates. Your feedback is important to us; you can send your questions and comments to singleuseplastics592@gmail.com.

Let us not wait for 2021, let us make the switch today for a cleaner and greater Guyana. Rethink your choices! Choose reusable items today!

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit. epaguyana@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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FEATURE

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20 FEATURE

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ACROSS 1 Waistcoats 6 Tehran tongue 11 Touch base (2 wds.)

16 Hockey feint 20 Coupon of yore (2 wds.)

21 On -- -- (hot) 22 Minneapolis exurb 23 From the U.S. 24 Bright star 25 Hiker’s jacket?

27 Tubular pasta 28 Laird’s accent 29 Mensa qualifier (2 wds.)

31 Et -- (and others) 32 Flannel items 34 Amo, amas, - 35 Party attender 36 River in Belgium 37 Lots of spirit 38 Put back to zero 40 “C’-- la vie!”

41 Mover and shaker 42 Coming to light 46 Rosie’s fastener 48 Chock-a-block 49 Rock band Pink - 50 Burnish 51 Crone 54 Soviet streaker 55 Bumpkin 56 Fiberglass bundles 57 Cha-cha’s home 58 Spain and Portugal 60 Bronze coin 61 Toy soldier (2 wds.)

62 Zenith opposite 63 Well-known 64 Barbecue favorite 65 Poe’s middle name 66 Crazes 67 Kind of brake 68 So-so grades 69 Puffs along 70 Gem surface 71 Nth deg.

72 Chili ingredient 73 Fit to be tied 74 Kind of bait or bird 75 Ben & Jerry rival 78 Loaf ends 80 “Sun King” 81 Ibn - 82 As to (2 wds.)

83 Frozen dessert 85 Mosquito, often

86 Guitarist -- Atkins 87 Stalks, with “on” 88 Check for typos 89 Trouser feature 90 Lowly laborer 91 Roughhouse 92 Make -- -- for it 93 Physics particles 94 Mince 95 Kind of instinct 96 Part of GPS 97 Outfit 98 Inventor of Sudoku 99 Makes bales 100 Brindled cat 102 Made lovelier 104 Raucous laughs 105 Hey, --! You there!

106 Mongol tents 110 Swelter 111 Wine’s bouquet 112 Floor models 114 “High Hopes” lyricist 115 Gauguin’s island 118 Lama or friar 119 Hair color 120 Tune for a diva 121 Ogled 122 Shrewd one (2 wds.)

125 Choosing 127 Nobelist -- Wiesel 128 Degrade 129 Lure 130 Fake bullets 131 Rover’s planet 132 More prudent 133 Dotted fabric 134 Grammy winners DOWN 1 Remote button 2 Perks 3 Ignition switch 4 Anjou “you” 5 Bit of holly 6 Most greasy 7 Citizen’s - 8 Facetious tribute 9 Sheath feature 10 Wis. neighbor 11 Money handler 12 Robin of balladry 13 Great Sphinx locale 14 Pierre’s single 15 Curly leaf and flat leaf 16 Stunning

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD -- GARDENIA (GARDENIA: gar-DEEN-yuh: A shrub with glossy evergreen leaves and fragrant white flowers.)

Average mark 44 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 65 or more words in GARDENIA? TODAY’S WORD -- GARDENIA gain gainer gander garden gear gird gnar grade grain grand grid grin grind adage again agar aged

ager agenda aide aired anger area arena aria arid radian rage raid rain rang range rani read

regain reign rein rend ride ridge rind ring danger dare daring darn dean dear deign dine diner

ding dire dirge drag dreg drain drainage earing earn engird nadir naiad near idea

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4.

Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

17 Qatar ruler 18 Etta -- of the comics 19 Golden Apple tosser 20 Kiddie-lit elephant 26 City on the Rhine 30 “Caine” captain 33 Strict 36 Egg portion 37 Wax theatrical 39 Meek 41 Kind of tape 42 Entertainer -- John 43 Prof’s attribute 44 Ancient Nile kingdom 45 Ski lifts (hyph.)

47 Itinerary word 48 Stool pigeon 49 Don’s colorful sashes 51 Krishna devotee 52 Seething 53 Reaches (2 wds.)

55 The lady’s 56 Hull’s bottom 57 Sugar source 59 -- room (den) 60 “Fargo” director 61 Floods the market 62 Chemist’s salt 64 Moppet’s ammo 65 Win by -- - 66 Damsel 68 Stonehenge builder 69 Vinegar bottle 70 Comme il - 72 Red meat 73 Greek vowels 74 City near Granada 76 With caustic humor 77 Sycophant’s replies 79 Black, in verse 80 Mortgages 81 Hit the malls 82 Capone foe 83 Fifth wheel 84 Utah’s Sen. Hatch 85 Light-headed?

86 Business VIPs 87 Save (2 wds.)

89 Thick soup 90 -- ed.

91 Movie popcorn size 93 Plaid wool jacket 94 Soap unit 95 Magda or Eva 98 Pesky bug 99 Strapping 100 Uproars

101 Cancun’s peninsula 103 Tolerates 104 Over there 105 Dances to jazz 107 -- to go (eager) 108 Reflects on 109 Glitches 111 Dogie stopper 112 Cathedrals in Italy 113 Haughty types

115 Crawl with 116 “The Mammoth Hunters” heroine 117 Whodunit suspect 118 Exec. degrees 119 Quite -- - 123 -- -Wan Kenobi 124 Ave. crossers 126 Arafat’s org.

SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE 18

FEATURE

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SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TIPS TO HELP REDUCE PLASTIC USE – PLASTIC FREE JULY CAMPAIGN

Trade and Integration in the World after COVID-19: Opportunities and Challenges for Latin America and the Caribbean – regional integration processes

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he degree of economic integration of the Latin American and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) lags behind other well integrated regions. Divergence of key macroeconomic variables across the region has fallen over time, but the fall has slowed down, or even been reversed, in some instances, partly reflecting the different impacts of external shocks on tourism-driven economies in CARICOM versus commodities-exporting member States (IMF/WP, 2019).

The slow pace of regional integration reflects a combination of economic, institutional, and political economy factors and capacity constraints. While financial integration appeared to have proceeded at a faster pace, with tightly inter-connected financial systems, capital markets remain underdeveloped and fragmented. No Caribbean-wide capital market exists, and most activities are concentrated in a few countries through cross-listing of securities (IMF/WP, 2019).

The contemporary global political economy is characterised by synergies and dichotomies between globalism and regionalism.

These phenomena have taken on added currency in recent years, with intensification of globalisation and liberalisation (Grenade,2007).

As such, regional integration is both necessary and problematic, especially for the developing world. Particularly, global forces have generated renewed urgency for integration in the South (Grenade, 2007).

Further, in view of the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly worsened economic conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean, the regional economy is projected to contract by 7.2 percent in 2020; which is a much steeper decline than during the global financial crisis, and reflects the impact of the measures necessary to slow or contain the spread of the pandemic, and in turn the significant deterioration of financing conditions, commodity prices, and spillovers from a global recession (Ch.3: Global Economic Prospects, 2020). It is against these backgrounds that a renewed approach to advance regional growth post-COVID is now deemed to be more paramount than ever before.

In addressing the threats, challenges and opportunities induced in particular by the COVID-19 pandemic, rethinking development strategies and the ways in which LAC countries integrate into the global economy, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, needs to be treated with paramount importance.

It is worthwhile to note that, given the great uncertainty surrounding the pandemic: as to its end and to restoring some degree of normalcy to life, it would appear that the COVID-19 might be around for another two years, and therefore it becomes necessary to think of sustainable, creative, and scientific solutions so that the way in which people conduct their lives and firms conduct business would be compatible with the presence of COVID-19.

This would be the greatest challenge for policymakers globally, and of course it needs to be at the forefront of the agenda insofar as the future growth of the region and the workings of regional integration processes from a policy standpoint are concerned.

Montoute (2014), in his paper on a “new paradigm, greater collaboration? The Caribbean and Latin America in a globalizing world”, posited that in engaging with the RIC (Russia, India and China) countries, the objectives of CELAC must always be at the forefront. To this end, the objective is to pursue deeper integration between Latin America and the Caribbean. As such, cooperation with emerging economies is important in this regard, as these emerging and powerful players could potentially foster wider South-South cooperation arrangements which could serve, albeit organically, to bring the Caribbean and Latin America closer. Emerging economies could help build the necessary physical and social infrastructure to facilitate deeper integration.

It is important, therefore, for the Caribbean and LAC to present a unified position on what to accomplish as a regional grouping in order to advance this agenda. In this respect, the group can then strategise on how to exploit the benefits of RIC engagement as a collective, and thus minimise the threat of countries seeking these benefits bilaterally, which could weaken the group to some degree. If this can be successfully achieved, the group would then become less vulnerable to external domination.

In terms of policy interventions, LAC, as an emerging powerful regional grouping, needs to reorient its role towards becoming an implementative institution; and it needs to be granted the political and legal space to so do, as well as the machinery and quality of leadership. Secondly, space should be made for greater participation in regional fora. The private sector can have a more significant impact on regional integration by developing within LAC clusters of industries with complementary interests, particularly in offensive extra- regional export industries.

Thirdly, stakeholders should be pressured to develop infrastructure and policy frameworks for industries which fit the productive capabilities of different countries in the region; for example, in agriculture and food security. And fourthly, there should be a push to help develop upgraded regional infrastructure, such as in communications and transport.

About the Author: JC. Bhagwandin is a macro-finance and research analyst, lecturer and business & financial consultant. The views expressed are exclusively his own, and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper or the institutions he represents. For comments, send to jbbankingadvice@gmail.com.

Dr Tariq Jagnarine BSC, MD, MMed FAM Med, CCFP

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e live in a world surrounded by plastic, which plays an integral part in our daily lives.

The problem is that much of it is designed to be used over short periods, but plastic can last forever.

Plastic is derived from fossil fuels, making the material a non-renewable and unsustainable resource. In use since 1907, it has become the preferred material for just about everything: from bags, to straws, to food packaging, to water bottles, to wipes, and to diapers. Moreover, all of the plastic that has come into existence over the past century is still on Earth.

Plastic is not biodegradable; it is either down-cycled into new plastic (but only 9 percent of plastic actually gets recycled), or it sits in a landfill emitting methane, or the sun breaks it down into micro plastics. In addition, considering the impact that plastic pollution and drilling for fossil fuels has on the environment, it is very important to focus on reducing plastic use on Earth as much as possible.

While some plastic can be recycled, most of it ends up in landfills or in the ocean, where it takes hundreds of years to break down.

Moreover, it has turned out that those ‘biodegradable plastics’ are no better for the environment.

There is now so much plastic in the ocean that it is literally creating garbage patch islands. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is one million square kilometres (386,000 square miles), with the periphery spanning a further 3.5 million square kilometres (1,351,000 square miles), and it continues to grow.

Plastic has a terrible impact on marine life. It finds its way into the stomachs of fish and birds, and now even humans who eat seafood are ingesting small amounts of plastic as a result. Scientists estimate that, by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans.

PLASTIC AND YOUR HEALTH

A comprehensive 2019 study performed by the Center for International Environment Law and other institutions reveals that plastic is a human health crisis hiding in plain sight. In addition to creating safety problems during production, many chemical additives that give plastic products desirable performance properties also have negative environmental and human health effects.

These effects include: * Direct toxicity, as in the cases of lead, cadmium, and mercury * Carcinogens, as in the case of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)

* Endocrine disruption, which can lead to cancers, birth defects, immune system suppression, and developmental problems in children * Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which can cause cancer, birth defects, genetic changes, chronic bronchitis, ulcers, skin diseases, deafness, vision failure, indigestion, and liver dysfunction * Foam form matrasses, cushions, pillows can result in bronchitis, coughing, skin and eye problems. It can release toluene diisocyanate, which can produce severe lung problems * Polystyrene, as seen in food containers, can irritate eyes, noses and throats, and can cause dizziness and unconsciousness. It migrates into food and is stored in body fat. Elevated rates of blood and lymph cancers for workers Nevertheless, it is not all gloom and doom; there is a growing movement to solve our plastic problem, and everyone can be a part of it.

PLASTIC FREE JULY

Plastic Free July was born in 2011 from a simple idea to refuse single-use plastic during July. In 2017, the campaign’s founder, Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, and a group of people from her local government formed a non-profit called The Plastic Free Foundation, which is the official organisation that runs Plastic Free July. In 2018, a total of 120 million people participated, 90 percent of whom made permanent habit changes beyond July.

The best way to reduce plastic pollution is to refuse, rethink, and reduce what we consume. Taking part in Plastic Free July is an easy way to learn the skills to reduce and avoid the use of plastic.

It is noteworthy that The Rotary Club of Demerara (RCD) was inspired by Rotary International’s move to include ‘Supporting the Environment’ as a new Area of Focus. Plastic places a serious burden on our environment, and single-use plastic exacerbates and expedites the problem. For the first week in July, the Rotary Club of Demerara has challenged members to cut out all single-use plastics from their daily lives. Since Guyana is looking to ban all single-use plastics by 2021, the Club is looking forward to changing the way members use plastic, and to engaging others in meaningful discussion. The Rotary Club of Demerara also encourages members of the public to join the initiative!

TIPS TO REDUCE PLASTIC USE: Although recycling can help reduce the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills, waterways and ecosystems, only a few types of plastics can be recycled. The

fraction that does get recycled still requires a lot of energy and water, which is just not a good proposition when it comes to single-use items.

Plastic garbage that ends up in landfills and oceans take hundreds of years to degrade, and there is increasing concern about the toxins they release into the environment.

In our modern lives, plastic surrounds us, and cutting it out can seem daunting.

Below are some super-easy ways to get started. * Bring your own reusable cloth bags to the grocery store or any store. * Avoid buying beverages in plastic bottles; glass is great. Alternatively, carry your own reusable steel or ceramic beverage container.

If they are too pricey, use a regular glass mason jar or ceramic cup; it may be heavy, but it is cheap. * Avoid getting to-go coffee or hot drinks. The drink lids and cups will live on for over 100 years. The lids and lining are plastic. Make your own coffee or tea, or ask for a ceramic reusable cup. * Go to the daily markets and purchase fresh fruits and vegetables which are not packaged in plastic, and do not buy convenience foods packaged in plastic. * Make your own homemade bread, or buy bread from bakeries that package their products in paper. If such products are not available, ask for products to be packaged in paper. * Clean with baking soda and vinegar, instead of cleaners packaged in plastic. * Buy laundry detergent in boxes, not liquid in plastic containers. * Buy farm fresh eggs in reusable paper containers. * Buy your meat from the local butchers’ shops, and have it wrapped in paper. * Package your leftovers in glass or ceramic kitchenware. * It is a bit unusual, but we can bring our own containers to restaurants in order to package leftovers. * Do not use air fresheners; light a candle or incense instead. * Store all your food in glass containers. If you purchase something bottled in glass, clean the glass container and reuse it. * Buy bulk cereal, tortilla, coffee, and milk; peanut butter that is packaged in cartons, paper bags or bottles. * Compost trash; reduce the use of plastic trash bags.

In addition, line small trash bins in your house with paper bags. * Avoid the use of straws

when ordering drinks. * Buy toilet paper that is wrapped in paper, not plastic. * Do not use Ziploc. Use aluminium or waxy paper. * Use cloth rags to clean up around the house. Do not use paper towels, since you want to reduce trash and the need for trash bags. * Use matches instead of plastic-encased lighters. * Use cloth napkins.

They feel nice, and reduce your waste and use of plastic trash bags. * Take your own bag to stores, and avoid collecting more bags. “No bag needed, thanks”, or “Paper, not plastic” * Put empty cardboard boxes in your car to be utilised in transporting heavy items to and from your car without a bag. * Do not use plastic cutting boards. Use wood or glass instead. * Use baby bottles that are made of glass, and sipping cups made of stainless steel for kids. * Use cloth-based toys for your pets, like catnip mice and soft squishy balls. * Use junk mail and other paper to stuff into big packages to ship, instead of bubble wrap or air-filled plastic. * Use rechargeable batteries to reduce buying batteries packaged in plastic. * Make a compost heap to reduce your food waste, and put it back into the earth.

We all fall victim to the conveniences of plastic, such as bottled water at a picnic, plastic-wrapped snacks on the go, plastic cutlery with takeout food. Unfortunately, our temporary convenience is our planet’s long-term burden. There are 9.2 billion tons of plastic on Planet Earth today, and more than half of that amount exists as waste.

In fact, less than one-fifth of all plastic gets recycled globally, and in the USA, it is less than 10%.

A large amount of unrecycled plastic gets collected in our oceans, where it breaks down into tiny particles that may or may not biodegrade, putting our marine life at risk. Fortunately, there are several plastic-free alternatives that are much kinder to our planet. Every day, through each small choice we make, we can reduce our plastic use. Plastic is pervasive in building and construction materials; industrial machinery; our cars, electronics, clothing, housewares, and packaging; and we have the power to change that through our buying decisions.

22 NEWS

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Several injured in Over 1300 persons smash-up at Bagotstown repatriated to Guyana …first flight from Canada on July 9

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The white Toyota that was damaged during the crash

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everal persons are currently nursing injuries about their bodies, following a multicar crash at Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD), on Friday night.

Reports are the driver of a motor car attached to

The taxi which lost control

the Sheriff Taxi Service, allegedly lost control of the vehicle and slammed into two cars at Bagotstown, ECD. The accident occurred at about 21:00h opposite the old KFC outlet.

Information reaching this publication revealed

The other vehicle that was involved in the accident

that the taxi, bearing registration HB 9942, collided with two other cars, a white Toyota 212 and another.

The driver of one of the cars was forced to dive into the bushes to avoid being hit by the speeding taxi.

He sustained minor injuries about his body.

Meanwhile, efforts to contact Regional Commander Kurliegh Simon to get an update on this incident proved futile.

Investigations into the accident are ongoing.

Non Pareil fatal accident victim identified

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he man who was struck down and killed on the Non Pariel Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Thursday morning has been identified.

Dead is David Shepherd, also known as “Chucky”, 24, of Enterprise, ECD.

Reports are that on Thursday last, a 29-year-old of No 28 Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), was reportedly driving minibus BXX 4563 when he struck down the man.

The suspect told Police that he was proceeding along the roadway when he

observed the now dead man ahead of him on a bicycle.

He claimed that he was about to pass the bicycle when Shepard made a sudden turn and ended up into the path of the minibus.

Due to the impact of the bus, the cyclist fell onto the roadway and sustained inju-

ries about his body.

The man was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead.

The driver remains in custody as investigations continue.

ver 1300 Guyanese have returned to Guyana after being stranded overseas due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

This was according to Chairman of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Colonel Larry London during a virtual press briefing on Saturday.

With persons coming in from North America, St Marteen, Aruba, Trinidad and Barbados, he indicated that other flights will be facilitated in the coming weeks. On July 9, the first flight from Canada will land at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). On July 14 and 15, other flights from New York and Florida will arrive in Guyana.

London reiterated the decision to extend Phase One of the reopening plan, which means that the current setup will remain in place until the ending of July. After that, an assessment will be made to determine if the Second Phase should be employed.

Last Wednesday, it was announced that the FourPhase Reopening Plan for

GCAA Chairman, Larry London

aviation stakeholders on the measures which are expected to aid in the mitigation of the spread of COVID-19 and the full resumption of aviation-related activities.

The Authority in conjunction with the Public Health Ministry and the NCTF will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation.

The first batch of stranded Guyanese was repatriated on June 6 on a flight from Miami, USA. The Eastern Airlines flight landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, with 109 citizens who were all sanitised and screened upon entering the airport.

Once cleared, the pas-

1 nabbed for Mon Repos robbery

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olice on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) have arrested one suspect following an armed robbery at the Celltronicx store at Mon Repos.

Last Friday, the suspect and his accomplice entered the cellphone store, pretending to be customers.

As one of the staff was about to assist them, one of the men whipped out a handgun, demanding that the staff remain quiet. The sus-

The suspects robbing the cellphone store at Mon Repos, ECD

pect then held the female staff at gunpoint, while escorting her further into the

store.

The female employee along with a male employee

were later placed on the floor and gun-butted as one of the bandits entered the office.

In CCTV footage, the suspects were seen emptying a glass case that was filled with cellphones.

In a subsequent interview, Imran Ali, owner of the store, told reporters that the men escaped with over 20 cellular phones and about $1 million in cases.

The hunt is still on for the second suspect.

Guyanese returning home

the international airports in Guyana would be postponed owing to the spike in coronavirus cases. The second phase of the plan was expected to commence on July 1.

GCAA Director General Egbert Field had noted that the Authority and the NCTF considered the health of Guyanese and the nation as the top priority, thus, it was imperative to adjust the Four-Phase Reopening Plan. Under Phase One, limited repatriation flights, outgoing flights, cargo flights, medivac flights, technical stops, and special authorised flights will continue to be permitted.

In light of this, no airline has been granted approval for the conduct of scheduled commercial operation.

The GCAA said it has drafted Regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide

sengers were then placed under home quarantine for seven days with representatives of the Public Health Ministry checking on their well-being on a daily basis through visits or telephone calls.

To be granted repatriation, passengers must undergo PCR testing which must return negative. They must also spend one week in quarantine at home after returning.

Last week, Chief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud scolded Guyanese who are being repatriated for reportedly giving health officials false information upon their arrival in the country.

“This irresponsible and selfish act is putting your life and the lives of our citizens at risk and placing undue pressure on our health workers and health system,” the CMO contended.

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020

23

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

It is time for Guyana to move on!

Hypocrisy of Moses Nagamootoo keeps unveiling Dear Editor, I write in response to the claims made by Guyana’s current “caretaker” Prime Minister on “an online broadcast” condemning the international community and accusing them of “using Guyana as a pawn in a political game of chess aimed at toppling the Nicolas Maduro Government in neighbouring Venezuela.” It is the very same Moses Nagamootoo and the coalition APNU/AFC who publicly back in the 2015 General and Regional Elections used the very same international community to put pressure on the then Chair of GECOM and GECOM itself.

Nagamootoo didn’t back then, condemn any of the actions taken by the international community.

This is the very same Nagamootoo that claimed Guyana was a “donkey cart economy” under the governing of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and yet when he took power as Prime

Minister he did nothing but make the economy the exact “donkey cart economy” that he claimed it was back then. The man took office along with the rest of the coalition Cabinet members and in the first 100 days raised his (Nagamootoo) and their salary by 50 per cent and passed bills that allowed him and his “cabals” to buy “20-40 million dollars” valued vehicles, for their transportation. All of that money for doing absolutely nothing at that point in time only for being sworn in as Prime Minister and Ministers back then. Is that making the economy any better?

It’s the very same Nagamootoo that conceded defeat, after the very historic night of December 21, 2020, when the NoConfidence Motion was passed by the Parliament of Guyana, and I quote the then Prime Minister “The outcome has to be accepted.” And then he (Nagamootoo) miraculously came up with a formu-

la about “absolute and simple majority” saying the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) wasn’t “properly passed”. The current interim Prime Minister’s hometown of Whim Village - the residents didn’t even cast 50 per cent of their votes in his (Nagamootoo) favour in the last Local Government Election and it was even worse at the 2020 General Elections.

Even his “own people” don’t want to give him power. He has deceived his very own Region Six by shutting down the sugar estates.

It all justifies why the current Prime Minister left the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). It is because he couldn’t have done what he has done in the past 5 years when he was with the PPP/C. To readers, it is justified that hypocrisy is the only word that describes the actions of the current “caretaker” Prime Minister.

Yours truly, Randy Da Silva

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

Dear Editor, The APNU/AFC’s caretaker Government declining legitimacy, as a result of its efforts to derail the final process of these elections, and the international recognition of the PPP/C as the winner have led to a few members of the coalition conceding defeat. Recognising the need for the APNU/AFC coalition to be a “formidable opposition” in Parliament when Dr Irfaan Ali is sworn in to office as our 9th Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, many of the APNU/AFC leaders and supporters seem to understand the importance of conceding and falling in line, knowing that if the APNU/ AFC coalition cannot legitimise itself as a “formidable opposition” in Parliament, it will leave the PPP/C unchallenged in its policy implementation and would be guilty of further polarising our country’s politics. At the same time, they will lose the opportunity to represent the concerns of their supporters in Parliament. It’s been more than four months since Guyana’s National and Regional Elections and the country is closer to hav-

ing a winner formally declared—after a transparent and credible electoral process. However, with the electoral crisis nearing its end, Guyana must overcome its final hurdle on July 8, 2020, before democracy is restored in our dear country. The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition has got to stop thinking and spreading the false impression that they were cheated.

It is quite obvious from all the goings-on, the conspiracies, the deceitful manipulations, and erratic shenanigans that they were aware from the second day after the votes were cast on March 2, that the APNU/AFC had lost the elections. After a campaign based on the slogan of “Honesty, Decency and Integrity”, Granger was all set to be sworn as the new President based on Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo’s two fraudulent declarations of March 5 and 13. No rational explanation has been offered as to why Granger has never requested to examine the Statements of Poll in his party’s possession nor those in the possession of GECOM’s

Mingo or Lowenfield.

Granger instead chooses to avoid questions and send various minions to float theories and stories varying from the ridiculous to the even more ridiculous. It is undeniable that this election has gone on long enough. David Granger, enough is enough. It is time for Guyana to move on!

Guyanese are suffering due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the country needs a fully constituted Government that can make decisions for the good of all Guyanese. This election process in Guyana must be brought to an end, based on the results of the National Recount, and with respect for the will of the majority of the electorate.

With that being said, this election has taken place under the watchful eyes of local and international observers. A National Recount was carried out under the eyes of Caricom. All votes were counted. There is a clear winner. The recount shows that the PPP/C has won the election and Dr Irfaan Ali should be allowed to be sworn in without delay.

Sincerely, David Adams

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:

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF? 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

24 NEWS

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“We have done fairly well in Caribbean unveils containing COVID-19” – Caricom SG initiatives to support tourism sector S ecretary General of the Caribbean C o m m u n i t y , Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said the region has done fairly well in containing COVID-19. He was speaking during the virtual Handing-over Ceremony of Chairmanship of the Conference of the Heads of Government of Caricom on Friday.

Ambassador LaRocque outlined that protocols had been developed by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and the Caricom Secretariat, both

for managing the virus and re-opening Caricom’s borders.

He said they had served as guidance to mem-

SG of Caricom, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

ber states in their efforts to overcome the challenges.

The Secretary General noted that the last four months had been one of the most exceptional periods for the Community with the COVID-19 pandemic, the resulting economic fall-out and the electoral crisis in Guyana.

He added that during a time when most Member States continued to be denied access to concessional financing, countries con-

tinued to blacklist some Member States, which had exacerbated an already difficult situation.

“The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, has been in the Chair during this exceptional time. Prime Minister, you have provided astute and decisive leadership to our Community, even as you grappled with the severe problems faced by your own country,” Secretary General LaRocque said.

Turning to some of

the work that was done during the Barbados Prime Minister’s tenure, Ambassador LaRocque revealed that the Conference held five formal meetings and several informal consultations, as well as meetings of the Bureau of Heads of Government.

He noted also, that Ministerial Councils met to deal with matters of health, food security, education, Information and Communications Technology, regional security, trade and external relations, all convened within the context of managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, he said, the leadership had to address the ongoing electoral crisis in Guyana, while seeking to “maintain the reputation of the Community as a bastion of democracy”.

He acknowledged the work of the staff of regional institutions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which, according to him, had enabled the region to save lives and keep the infections at a manageable level.

T&T border reopening not a condition for election – PM

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley

P

rime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says the borders will not be reopened to allow nationals outside the country the chance to return home to

vote in the August 10 general elections. Rowley made the comment moments after announcing the date in Parliament on Friday, after he was asked by reporters if the Government would consider the move with the COVID-19 virus still ravaging countries worldwide.

“Well, the borders are influenced by our health conditions and as we go towards the future the borders are closed and we would have brought in as many as we can and we continue until it is opened but it is not a condition for having an election,” Rowley said. The borders have been closed since March as the Government imposed travel bans as a

Opposition Leader, Kamla Persad-Bissessar

means to mitigate against the spread of the virus.

Rowley also expressed confidence that his People’s National Movement would be able to win the election despite the short time they have to mobilise supporters.

Asked if he felt the recent protests across the country over the police killings of three Morvant men could overshadow the party’s campaign efforts, Rowley said, “There is a time and place for everything and I hope we would take serious things seriously. The protests were sporadic, we have gone past that now and we are on to something else now, elections are important and I trust the population will treat elections seriously.”

United National Congress leader Kamla PersadBissessar meanwhile said she was excited at the date. “I think the country is waiting to exhale. We’ve had five years of brutality.

Five years of neglect. Five years of suffering,” PersadBissessar said outside the

Red House in Port-of-Spain.

Also expressing confidence in her party’s ability to succeed at the polls, she said her team will be ready. “I plan to name all my candidates by this weekend. I will name all my candidates by Sunday,” she said assertively. She denied suggestions that the campaign will be a short one, saying the 2010 campaign was shorter. However, she said her first concern was that the Elections and Boundaries Commission had not shared their new guidelines with her party. Asked if she still had concerns about the date in the context of thousands of nationals being stuck outside the country with the borders still closed, she said, “I still have that concern. There are thousands of people out there who may be disenfranchised if they are not allowed to enter the country.” However, she expressed confidence that the borders would be opened up in mid-July given what other Caribbean islands have done in opening up.

C

aribbean hotel, tourism and health officials have unveiled a new initiative they say will help safeguard the health of travellers and employers within the tourism sector.

The COVID-19 Caribbean Tourism Task Force said the comprehensive health safety guidelines, supported by an aggressive training schedule are aimed at reaching thousands of the region's tourism employees in the coming weeks and months.

It said that the initial set of guidelines includes detailed checklists backed by health safety training for various tourism industry sectors, including ground transportation, accommodation providers, food and beverage, and attractions.

General health safety protocols have also been created and will be supported with training delivered by the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to a wide cross section of employees and owners in the tourism industry.

Companies in the region which participate in the training will be recognised, and accommodation providers which also join CARPHA's online Tourism Health Information System (THiS) will be eligible to receive the Caribbean Travel Health Assurance (CTHA) Stamp, adding further assurance to travellers about their commitment to health safety.

The officials say building upon a unique partnership established over five years ago by CARPHA and the region's public and private sector tourism stakeholders, and recognising the severe negative impact which COVID-19 could have on the tourism-dependent economies of the region, CARPHA, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) started working on COVID-19 preventative and education initiatives early in February.

They said this led to the formalisation of the COVID-19 Caribbean Tourism Task Force a month later between CARPHA, CTO and CHTA, and later joined by the Jamaica-based Global Tourism Resiliency and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission (OECSC).

“Not intended to replace specific national and terri-

torial guidelines, or those being put in place by specific hotels and the industry, the procedures serve to reinforce and complement existing policies which have been drawn up to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“The initiative has also been put in place to provide support particularly for the independent hotels, tourism-related businesses, and smaller destinations which lack the expertise or resources to develop their own,” the officials noted.

The task force undertook a review, which engaged a cross representation of Caribbean tourism stakeholders, of health safety protocols and guidelines for tourism protocols issued by a range of destinations, industry enterprises, and regional agencies and are further synced with global protocols, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

“We started working with this (initiative) in January with the Member States and we have been leading the regional health response in this matter of COVID-19. Public health is our mandate, and in looking at how we can ensure we open up to tourism safely, we had guidance from not only our own technical sources but also the guidance and the wisdom of those in the field,” said Dr Joy St John, CARPHA's Executive Director.

The leadership of both CHTA and CTO expressed their commitment to the engagement of tourism and industry partners in improving and maintaining health and safety standards throughout the region and were thankful for the expertise of the partners in delivering an impressive compilation of protocols.

CHTA chief executive officer, Frank Comito and CTO Acting Secretary General Neil Walters noted that such collaborative partnerships are critical to the sustainability of the tourism sector on which many countries and territories depend for their economic survival.

The task force members agreed that disseminating the guidelines and beginning the essential work of training industry stakeholders while navigating the changing nature of the industry and the global economy were urgent priorities. (CMC)

NEWS

25

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

UK historian quits Cambridge after slavery remarks

B

ritish historian and TV presenter David Starkey has relinquished his honorary fellowship at a University of Cambridge college after he drew outrage for his comments about Black people and whether slavery should be considered genocide.

Starkey said in an interview for a YouTube show posted online Tuesday: "Slavery was not genocide, otherwise there wouldn't be so many damn Blacks in Africa or in Britain, would there?"

"An awful lot of them survived and again, there's

no point in arguing against globalisation or Western civilisation. They are all products of it, we are all products of it," he added.

The remarks prompted Sajid Javid - a former finance and interior minister who has talked about how his Pakistani father faced discrimination after coming to Britain - to call Starkey a racist.

"We are the most successful multi-racial democracy in the world and have much to be proud of," Javid tweeted on Thursday.

"But David Starkey's racist comments ('so many

British historian and TV presenter David Starkey

damn blacks') are a reminder of the appalling views that still exist."

Javid's tweet was picked

up by British media and Cambridge University's Fritzwilliam College accepted Starkey's resigna-

166 die during protests after shooting of Ethiopian singer

A

t least 166 people have died during violent demonstrations that roiled Ethiopia in the days following the murder of popular singer Haacaaluu Hundeessaa, police said Saturday.

The singer, a member of the Oromo ethnic group, Ethiopia’s largest, was shot dead by unknown attackers in Addis Ababa on Monday night, fuelling ethnic tensions threatening the country’s democratic transition.

“In the aftermath of Haacaaluu’s death, 145 ci-

vilians and 11 security forces have lost their lives in the unrest in the region,” said Girma Gelam, deputy police commissioner of Oromia region, in a statement on the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate.

Another 10 are known to have died in the capital Addis Ababa.

Girma said that a further 167 had “sustained serious injuries” and that 1,084 people had been arrested.

Officials have attributed the deaths to a combination of lethal force by security of-

Ethiopian musician Haacaaluu Hundeessaa

ficers and inter-ethnic violence.

Girma added that the violent unrest had now “completely stopped”.

Haacaaluu’s music gave voice to Oromos’ widespread

sense of economic and political marginalisation during years of anti-government protests that swept the prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, to power in 2018.

(The Guardian)

WHO reports record daily increase in global coronavirus cases, up more than 212,000

T

he World Health Organization reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Saturday, with the total rising by 212,326 in 24

hours.

The biggest increases were from the United States, Brazil and India, according to a daily report here The previous WHO record for

new cases was 189,077 on June 28. Deaths remained steady at about 5,000 a day.

Global coronavirus cases exceeded 11 million on Friday, according to a

Guyana indebted to Caricom ...

Adding to this, the former Caricom Chair on Friday said that it is “regrettable” that on July 3 – more than four months after the General and Regional Elections were held in Guyana – a credible winner has still not been declared.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mottley’s firm stance on ensuring Guyana’s democracy is preserved was defended by her successor, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who assumed Chairmanship of Caricom on Friday.

“Her helpful initiatives [to] assist in the preservation of democracy in Guyana within the terms of the Caricom Charter of Civil Society will be long remembered, despite unwarranted, vulgar and opportunistic criticisms of her from jaundiced sources who ought to

know better,” Gonsalves said.

This is not the first time Dr Gonsalves has spoken out about Guyana’s situation.

“Stealing” of an election

During an NBC Radio programme last month, the St Vincentian PM had warned that the regional bloc will not tolerate the “stealing” of an election, nor allow the results from the recount process to be set aside.

“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,” Mr Gonsalves, who was a part of the high-level delegation of regional leaders that visited Guyana back in March, had expressed.

However, he too had come under attacks for his comments. But Prime

Ministers Mottley and Gonsalves are not the only regional leaders to come under fire the by the coalition and its supporters for speaking out.

Former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who had led the Organisation of American States (OAS) Election Observation Mission and former Barbadian Prime Minister Owen Arthur, who had led the Commonwealth’s Observation Mission, to monitor Guyana’s March 2020 elections have both been criticised for their statements condemning attempts to rig the elections.

In fact, in his preliminary report to the OAS Permanent Council on May 13, Golding said “I have never seen a more transparent effort to alter the results of an election… it takes an extraordinarily courageous mind to present fictitious

Reuters tally, marking another milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed more than half a million people in seven months. (Reuters)

FROM PAGE 10

numbers when such a sturdy paper trail exists.”

Additionally, the incumbent APNU/AFC and their supporters have also launched attacks on the ABCE (United States, British, Canadian and European Union) diplomatic community here, accusing them of interfering with Guyana’s internal affairs and electoral process.

Guyana is one of the four founding members of the 15-state Caricom with the others being: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, and five Associate Members – Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

tion on Friday.

The head of Fitzwilliam College contacted the historian following his remarks on the YouTube channel Reasoned UK. It issued a statement saying that although Starkey did not hold a teaching position, honorary fellows have the same responsibility as all college members to uphold its values.

"Fitzwilliam prides itself in leading the way in Cambridge in opening ac-

cess to higher education for under-represented groups," the statement read. "Our student and academic bodies are diverse and welcoming to all. We do not tolerate racism." Others associated with the historian swiftly distanced themselves from him. His publisher, Harper Collins, said it would not publish future books by Starkey and that people in the company "unreservedly condemn" the "abhorrent" remarks he made in the interview. (BBC)

Judge blocks Portland Police from using physical force against journalists

Journalist Justin Yau lies handcuffed on the ground with police officers standing over him at a demonstration in Portland, Oregon (ALEX MILAN TRACY via REUTERS)

A

s protests originally sparked by the death of George Floyd continue in Portland, Oregon, a US District Court has issued a two-week restraining order barring the Portland Police Bureau from arresting journalists and legal observers or using force against them.

The order comes after the police arrested journalists who were covering a protest on Tuesday. One of them, Lesley McLam, was taken into custody.

The restraining order declares that the police “are enjoined from arresting, threatening to arrest, or using physical force directed against any person whom they know or reasonably should know is a journalist or legal observer … unless the police have probable cause to believe that such individual has committed a crime”.

Officers are also barred from seizing journalists’ and legal observers’ cameras or press passes, or ordering them to stop filming or observing a protest, unless they are being lawfully arrested – and even then, the police will have to return their equipment when they are released.

Ms McLam was covering the protest along with fellow journalists Cory Elia and Justin Yau, both of whom were also arrested. In the court’s decision, it is recorded that another journalist saw the three being arrested after the police were informed of their trade – and that Ms McLam’s press badge was removed during her arrest.

Portland is now entering its sixth week of protests, with people attending every day and night to demand the city’s police force reform itself.

Events took a turn on Tuesday night when officers declared the protest a riot and demanded demonstrators leave the area, driving them back with CS gas and ultimately arresting 29 people.

Along with the restraining order that has now been granted, the city is facing a class-action lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union over its treatment of journalists and observers, while local nonprofit Don’t Shoot Portland has asked a judge to find the city in contempt of orders to limit the use of gas and “less lethal” munitions on peaceful protesters.

In a thread on Twitter on Thursday evening, Mr Elia announced that he would no longer be covering the protests, citing exhaustion and the loss of his equipment.

“It is with great sadness that I must state that I am done covering the protests. It is not my choice. I have been stripped of most of my equipment, humiliated, and harassed on multiple occasions. I’m exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally. It was made obvious that [Portland Police Bureau] no longer wished me to be reporting on the protests and they are now getting their way.

“There are still reporters able to cover the protests and whose work you will appreciate.” (The Independent)

26

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Mexico steps up border checks to keep Dominican Republic coronavirus at bay over July 4 holiday election to go ahead despite coronavirus threat M

exican officials will install health checkpoints at various entry points along its northern border this weekend, as both Mexican and US officials fear a surge of crossings for the July 4 holiday could spread the coronavirus.

Mexican consulates across the United States in recent days reiterated warnings on social media of the ramped-up measures scheduled for July 2 through July 5, and urged people to refrain from cross-

ing for recreation or tourism.

A ban on non-essential border travel has been in place since March in an attempt by both governments to limit coronavirus infections, yet cross-border traffic has been busy.

In Sonora, which has Mexico’s third-highest coronavirus rate per capita and sits opposite Arizona, Governor Claudia Pavlovich said health screenings would span beaches and towns frequented by Mexicans and

tourists.

Neighboring Baja California, including the bustling border city of Tijuana across from San Diego, ranks fifth for most coronavirus cases per capita.

US Ambassador Christopher Landau on Saturday urged people to celebrate the holiday virtually in a video posted on his Twitter account that featured a member of the pop band the Backstreet Boys and entertainer Steve Aoki, among oth-

ers.

He had already urged people to stay put in one country or the other over the Independence Day weekend.

Hundreds of thousands of people cross by land per day despite the ban on non-essential travel, he said.

Even so, photos posted on social media on Friday showed long lines of cars in the border city, Nogales, in the northern state of Sonora seeking to cross into Arizona.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Tropical depression heads to Bermuda

Ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) candidate Gonzalo Castillo (left); opposition Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) candidate Luis Abinader

orecasters say a marginal tropical storm may bring gale-force winds and thunderstorms to Bermuda this weekend.

Tropical Depression 5 was about 240 miles west-southwest of the island at noon local time on Saturday, packing maximum winds of 34 miles per hour and stronger gusts. It was travelling

oters in the Dominican Republic are set to defy rising coronavirus infections to choose a new President in an election that could end 16 years of unbroken rule by the centre-left Dominican Liberation Party (PLD).

Opposition candidate Luis Abinader is favourite in today’s election, having taken a commanding lead in opinion polls despite being forced to abandon his campaign after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Abinader, a 52-yearold businessman, recovered sufficiently to close out his campaign at a rally on Wednesday.

"Change is coming and the PLD is going," he promised a crowd of hundreds of his supporters, allowed to gather after the Government eased a lockdown.

A Gallup poll gives Abinader, from the opposition Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) more than 53

F

in an east-northeast direction towards Bermuda and the Miami-based National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said it could become a tropical storm later in the day.

The Bermuda Weather Service said in its forecast that “Tropical Depression 5 has now formed and is projected to move north of Bermuda tonight as a marginal tropical storm.

“This may briefly bring gale-force winds, showers and the potential for thunderstorms through late tonight and early Sunday morning.”

The storm's closest point of approach to the island is forecast to be at 2:00 am (local time) on Sunday, when it is expected to be 48 miles to the northwest.

If Edouard forms this

weekend it would be the earliest fifth named storm on record since the satellite era of the 1960s and 1970s, observers said.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur passed over the island in May before the Atlantic hurricane season officially started on June 1. It ends on November 30. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Argentina readies final debt-restructuring offer to creditors

A

rgentina's Government is reading a final debt restructuring offer to creditors which could be formally sent to United States regulators within days, a Government source told Reuters News Agency on Friday, even as increasingly splintered bondholders tabled another proposal of their own.

Argentina will present its new offer to the US Securities and Exchange Commission in the coming days, according to a Government source.

A day earlier, a source close to the negotiations said the Government was "crafting the definitive and final offer" to creditors.

Meanwhile, a new counteroffer by bondholders, which Reuters reported had been tabled on Thursday, will provide the Government with US$39 billion of cashflow relief over the next eight years, the Argentina Creditor

Committee (ACC) said. It includes a requirement that two-thirds of bonds participate in any deal.

Debt specialists see the participation threshold as important. If the Government did not accept it, they say it could

signal an intention to adopt a so-called "Pac-Man' strategy" whereby the Government tries to get investors to deal with it one at a time.

The move came at a crucial stage in the US$65 billion debt renegotiations with the Argentine Government.

Talks have been extended a number of times in an effort to reach a deal, though the two biggest creditor groups, the "Ad Hoc" and "Exchange" groups, which hold a combined US$21 billion of the US$65 billion, have complained this week of lack of engagement from the Government. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Guardian Media on Friday, Francis said several lessons were learned over the past term and the Ministry was looking to improve online platforms for all students.

Admitting that the last term was “not perfect and far from ideal,” Francis said it became evident that more teachers needed training.

He noted that there were “challenges in navigating the new educational land-

scape but with all this considered, things went better than we could have been expected.”

Francis said the online platforms were “a work in progress.”

But President of the National Primary Schools Principals Association Lance Mottley said COVID-19 caught everyone off-guard and the Ministry should be commended for

moving swiftly to organise online classes.

Mottley noted that 68,000 primary and secondary pupils were accessing online platforms but thousands more were left behind.

Mottley recommended that the Government offer tax incentives to students so that devices could be imported without paying duties. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

A woman wearing a face mask during the outbreak of the coronavirus in Fuerte Apache on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, a country facing a severe economic downturn this year [Agustin Marcarian/Reuters]

V

per cent of voter intentions, 20 points ahead of the ruling PLD party's Gonzalo Castillo. Another poll gives Abinader a slimmer 12 point margin.

Castillo, a former Public Works Minister, is standing for the PLD because outgoing President Danilo Medina cannot seek another term under the Republic's Constitution.

"The Dominican people should remember that a President is elected in one day, but the consequences last for four years," Castillo told a crowd of his supporters in the town of Monte Plata.

Former President Leonel Fernandez, 66, trails in third place with 8.6 per cent.

Fernandez ruled for a total of three four-year terms between 1996 and 2012.

Three other candidates are contesting the presidency from minor parties. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

GGPAJ welcomes start of the consultation process Govt mulls free internet for depressed communities on “Special Permits”

G

overnment is considering setting up free internet in depressed communities, organising more classroom sessions on national TV and providing devices for underprivileged children in preparation for the new school term.

This was revealed by Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Lovell Francis.

In an interview with

Haiti records 132 COVID-19 cases

H

aiti recorded a significant spike in the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) after having kept the figure below 100 for several days.

The Ministry of Health said that the 129 new cases had pushed the total to 6230 since the first case was detected in March.

The Ministry said that while there were no deaths over the past 24 hours, the

number of persons who have died so far is 110, with 4834 active.

It said that the number of suspected cases investigated since March 19, stood at 13,047 cases, an increase of 132 over the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Education has announced that schools and university activities will resume on August 10, in order to complete the 2019-

2020 academic year.

The Ministry said that it would soon announce the health protocols and educational instructions to be followed by the public and private schools across the country to facilitate the resumption of school activities and protect students and teaching and administrative staff against the virus.

It said that a revised school calendar will also be

published as soon as possible and will include specific information about the organisation of official exams.

In the meantime, the Ministry said it was encouraging students to continue their education utilising the Internet Platform for Educational Resources and Learning (PRACTIC) where courses and programmes are available.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

T

he Ganja Growers and Producers Association (GGPA) on Saturday welcomed the start of the consultation process for the special permit policy for the cannabis industry.

The Cannabis Licencing Authority (CLA) said it had begun meeting with stakeholders on the Cultivator's (transitional) Special Permit Policy.

The policy is geared towards transitioning small or subsistence farmers who currently find it challenging to obtain a licence to enter into the medical cannabis industry.

The statement added that “the policy proposes that the special permit will be valid for two years. This means that the holder of a valid permit will be allowed to cultivate ganja for the 24 months. However, it is expected that during this period, the permit holder will make the requisite preparations in order to transition to licensed status upon expi-

ration of the permit.”

While the GGPA welcomed the development, the association said it was alarmed that it was not consulted about the policy. The association noted that it has over 4000 registered members of which over 600 are currently active.

“Many of our members are today non-active, being totally frustrated by the hurdles and obstacles in the present regulated cannabis industry. We are extremely pleased about the proposed special permits as we have long been advocating for a two-year moratorium for small farmers and for an industry to have started from 'ground up',” the association said in a response.

“They must be accessible and affordable and not be a cosmetic public relations stunt to appease growing public consciousness and pressure over the state of the local ganja industry.” (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020

Around the world

OILNEWS Angola resists OPEC pressure to comply fully with oil cuts – sources

A

ngola is resisting pressure by OPEC for a steeper oil output cut to comply fully with record supply curbs, OPEC and industry sources said.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, known as OPEC+, have been cutting oil output since May by a record 9.7 million barrels per day after the coronavirus crisis destroyed a third of global demand.

After July, the cuts are due to taper to 7.7 million bpd until December.

Saudi Arabia, which chairs a panel that monitors adherence with the oil cuts, has been heading efforts to press laggards such as Iraq, Kazakhstan, Nigeria and Angola to improve compliance with the reductions and compensate for May overproduction in July-September.

“Angola is saying they would not compensate for its overproduction in July-September like the rest of the countries but would be able to compensate only in October-December,” said one OPEC source. “We are still trying to convince them.”

Another OPEC source said that Nigeria and Algeria are now reaching out to Angola to convince it to execute the agreement.

“The whole (OPEC+) group is adding pressure on Angola and others who are not complying to adhere to what they have agreed to,” said the source.

Angola’s Ministry of Mineral Resources and Petroleum and state oil company Sonangol did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.

In May, Angola pumped 1.28 million bpd, according to OPEC data, or 100,000 bpd more than its target.

It trimmed production to 1.24 million bpd in June, based on a Reuters survey, 60,000 bpd above its target.

“Angola argues they did cut quickly despite the pain and difficulty it put them in with regard to long-term supply contracts,” said one source familiar with Angolan oil plans.

The source said Sonangol will in August supply full volumes to buyers such as India’s refiner MRPL and Indian Oil Corp (IOC) as well as to Unipec, the trading arm of Chinese refiner Sinopec, and China’s state-owned Sinochem. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Coronavirus in Australia: Melbourne locks down tower blocks as cases rise

Nine tower blocks are under "hard lockdown"

A

uthorities in the Australian city of Melbourne have confined people living in nine housing estate tower blocks because of an outbreak of coronavirus.

The 3000 or so residents of the blocks are being told not to leave their homes for any reason for at least five days.

At least 23 cases of infection were found on two estates in recent days.

The state of Victoria recorded 108 new cases on Saturday, its second-biggest daily increase. Australia as a whole has seen 104 coronavirus deaths.

There have been at least 8362 infections nationwide.

Victoria State Premier Daniel Andrews said the latest figures there were a very real concern to everybody.

27

The city is putting "stage three" restrictions on 12 suburbs. People there will only be able to leave the house for four reasons: work or education, exercise, medical care or care-giving, and shopping for supplies.

But the nine tower blocks in Flemington and North Melbourne face a "hard lockdown".

According to Victoria's Minister for Housing, Richard Wynn, some of the state's most vulnerable people live in the nine towers, and mental health and drug and alcohol support will be offered.

For months the country had felt optimistic about containing COVID-19, then the resurgence of the virus in Melbourne put those efforts at a critical stage.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Japan flooding: Many feared dead in flooded care home

F

ifteen people are believed dead and nine are missing on Japan's southern island of Kyushu as devastating rains cause flooding and landslides.

Fourteen victims were found in the same flooded nursing home while the other was pulled from a landslide. The deaths have yet to be formally certified.

The authorities have ordered more than 200,000 to evacuate and 10,000 soldiers are being sent to help rescuers.

Heavy rain is predicted to continue overnight into today.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged people to be on "maximum alert".

The Kuma river burst its banks

The prefectures of Kumamoto and Kagoshima have been worst hit.

Kumamoto's governor, Ikuo Kabashima, told reporters the victims at the

nursing home had been found "in cardio-respiratory arrest" - a term used in Japan before a doctor officially certifies death.

Footage shows a bridge

over the Kuma river washed away, with other pictures of submerged cars and houses.

Japan's Meteorological Agency said such rainfall had never been seen before in the region.

Haruka Yamada, who lives in Ashikita in Kumamoto prefecture, told Kyodo: "I saw large trees and parts of houses being washed away and heard them crashing into something. The air is filled with the smell of leaking gas and sewage."

The NHK broadcaster said there are reports that eight homes in the town's Takinoue district were washed away. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Fires flare at Iranian power plant, latest in series of incidents

A

fire broke out at a power station in southwest Iran on Saturday, the latest of several blazes and explosions to hit sensitive sites.

The blaze, which affected a transformer in the power station in the city of Ahvaz, was put out by firefighters and electricity was restored after partial outages, Mostafa Rajabi Mashhadi, a spokesman for state-run power company TAVANIR, told the semi-of-

ficial news agency Tasnim.

On Thursday, a fire broke out at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility but officials said operations were not affected.

Iranian investigators said a day later they determined the cause of the fire, a spokesman for Iran's top security body said on Friday, while declining to release details because of "security reasons".

The National Security Council's statement came

as Gholamreza Jalali, the head of Iran's civilian defence, told state television that Tehran would retaliate against any country that carries out cyberattacks on its nuclear sites.

Reuters news agency, citing three Iranian officials, said the fire at Natanz was caused by cyber-sabotage.

The Natanz incident came two days after 19 people were killed in an explosion at a medical clinic

north of the capital Tehran, which an official said was caused by a gas leak.

On June 26, an explosion occurred east of Tehran near the Parchin military and weapons development base that authorities said was caused by a leak in a nearby gas storage facility.

Iranian authorities said at the time investigations were underway to determine the cause and no casualties had been reported.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Somalia restaurant attack: Six killed by al-Shabab

A

bomb explosion at a restaurant in the southern Somali town of Baidoa has killed six people, officials have told the BBC. There has also been a suicide bomb attack close to the port of the capital, Mogadishu, which injured at least seven.

Militant group al-Shabab said it was behind both incidents.

The UN-backed Government has been battling against al-Shabab for control of the country for more than a decade.

The militants, who are

In Mogadishu, a vehicle exploded when security forces shot at it as it attacked a Police post

allied to al-Qaeda, said that in Baidoa they were targeting tax collectors, who were holding a meeting at the

restaurant, and soldiers.

They added that two soldiers died in the attack but officials said the victims

were all civilians.

Police told the BBC that in Mogadishu officers opened fire on a vehicle after it failed to stop at a checkpoint.

The suicide bomber driving the car is said to have tried to hit a police post in front of the port but the security forces shot him and the vehicle exploded.

Two police officers and five passers-by were wounded.

"Metal debris fell all over us inside the port and we heard gunfire," a port worker told Reuters. (Excerpt from BBC News)

WHO halts hydroxychloroquine, HIV drugs in COVID trials after failure to reduce death

T

he World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Saturday that it was discontinuing its trials of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine and combination HIV drug lopinavir/ ritonavir in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 after they failed to reduce mortality.

The setback came as the WHO also reported more than 200,000 new cases globally of the disease for the first time in a single day.

The United States accounted for 53,213 of the total 212,326 new cases recorded on Friday, the WHO said.

The UN agency said the decision, taken on the recommendation of the trial’s international steering committee, does not affect other studies where those drugs are used for non-hospitalised patients or as a prophylaxis.

Another branch of the WHO-led trial is looking at the potential effect of

Gilead’s antiviral drug remdesivir on COVID-19. The European Commission on Friday gave remdesivir conditional approval for use after being shown to shorten hospital recovery times.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters on Friday that nearly 5500 patients in 39 countries had been recruited so far into its clinical trials and that interim results were expected within two weeks.

Some 18 experimental COVID-19 vaccines are being tested on humans among nearly 150 treatments under development.

Mike Ryan, WHO’s top emergencies expert, said on Friday that it would be unwise to predict when a vaccine could be ready. While a vaccine candidate might show its effectiveness by year’s end, the question was how soon it could then be mass-produced, he said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020

Archie

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Control your emotions before you say something that leads to trouble. Go about your business, take care of your responsibilities and do something physical to expel excess energy.

TAURUS A chance to get ahead (April 20- is within reach. Speak up, May 20) make what you want clear and do the legwork necessary to put yourself in a position that makes you feel content and secure.

GEMINI Dig in and do whatever (MAY 28- it takes to reach your goal.

June 20) How you reach out to help others will make a difference. Treat yourself to something special.

Be bold and take aggresCANCER sive action. It’s time to stick (June 21- up for yourself and your July 22) wants. Anger will slow you down. Taking concrete steps will help secure your position and encourage you to strive for perfection.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO Implement a change that will encourage you to live (Aug. 23life with zest and clarity.

Sept. 22) Making an adjustment to fit current regulations will set an excellent example for others.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Peanuts

Don’t lose sight of your goal or let someone manipulate you into doing something that will benefit them, not you. Success and failure depend on the choices you make.

Revisit the past and remember experiences that can help you make better choices. You can reach your goals if you strive for personal growth and good health.

Research will help you prepare to take advantage of a suggestion someone gave you. Use what you learn to fine-tune skills you want to incorporate into your plans.

A creative path looks promising.

Take care of unfinished SAGITTARIUS tasks. Once you have your (Nov. 23responsibilities put to rest, Dec. 21) you will feel less stressed and more open to personal pampering or a romantic evening with someone special.

CAPRICORN Keep your life simple, moderate and focused on (Dec. 22what’s important to you. A Jan. 19) change to the way you live or a relationship adjustment that encourages equality will improve your life.

Calvin and Hobbes

Concentrate on what AQUARIUS you have to achieve. You (Jan. 20can make personal changes Feb. 19) if you are willing to do the work yourself. Don’t count on others to do things for you.

PISCES Speak up and find out (Feb. 20- where you stand. Anger Mar. 20) won’t solve a dilemma you face, but common sense will.

Change the way you live or handle your financial affairs.

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020

29

Softball cricket FIBA launches U-17 fraternity pays tribute Skills Challenge 2020 to the late Anil Persaud ꟷ GABF to participate T he local cricket fraternity continues to mourn the loss of former cricket administrator Anil Persaud, and many organisations have expressed grief at this loss to the sport of cricket.

Among the latest organisations to openly declare their regret at Persaud’s passing are the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Incorporated and the Enterprise Legends Cricket Team.

Local cricket administrator Anil Persaud’s actions had touched many persons in his lifetime, especially those in the field of cricket.

As a cricket organiser, coach and selector, Persaud’s responsibilities had been endless, but because of his love for the game, this late resident of Enmore, East Coast Demerara had still found time to have some fun on the field of play, at least at the softball level.

Persaud had, for two consecutive years, participated with distinction in the Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup, a tournament organized by the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Incorporated (GSCL).

He had, in 2018, turned out for the Enterprise Legends; while, in 2019, he had suited up for the visiting Tropical Springs Masters.

A release from the GSCL has said, “Cricket has lost a fighter, he did it all for cricket, for the love of the sport.

He was a true all-rounder, a champion. He will be missed.

May his humble soul be granted eternal peace.”

His former Enterprise

T

Anil Persaud (left) and Seemangal Yadram (2nd left), pose with other members of the Enterprise Legends at a team function

Legends teammates have also had this to say, “His passing shocked us in the team, and in cricket generally. He was very reliable and passionate. He was more than a teammate to us; he was our friend and brother. Cricket will miss him. On behalf of all of us at Enterprise Busta Cricket Club, Enterprise Legends and our families, I would like to express our condolences to his wife Sunita and his children Rejane and Renuka. May his soul rest in peace.”

Anil Persaud passed away suddenly on Wednesday, July 1, at the age of 48 years.

At the time, he was serving as Assistant Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board and member of the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club. He was usually very visible on match days at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, EBD, where he did his best to ensure the ultimate fan experience. He has generally been described as “the true cricket all-rounder”.

His funeral takes place today, Sunday July 5.

he executives of the international basketball forum have confirmed, in a video session on June 12, that the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2020 Youth World Competitions cannot be organized this year because of the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, FIBA have proposed a new project for this age group, titled FIBA U-17 Skills Challenge 2020.

According to the decision of the FIBA executives, those participating in the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2020 and the FIBA Women's U17 Basketball World Cup 2020 are directly qualified to participate in the FIBA U17 Skills Challenge 2020, and will be joined by four other national teams, one from each region.

FIBA U17 Skills Challenge 2020, in which both male and female teams can participate, is scheduled to commence on August 17. Twenty teams would be participating in each of these categories, and this world class competition of skills and abilities would be broadcast live on FIBA's official Youtube channel.

The rules governing the FIBA U17 Skills Challenge 2020 specify that at each game/ challenge, teams would be comprised of five eligible players from the national team (chosen from the 24 players registered on the FIBA MAP) and the terrain must be com-

patible with the official configuration imposed by FIBA (with the location of the milestones and the bird apparatus).

Everything is timed, and at each position/procedure/throw the athletes either get or do not get points in that challenge (the timer starts when the first athlete starts dribbling from the starting line, and will stop when the ball reaches the fifth athlete in the hands of the first, located at the starting line, on the back cough).

During the events, the FIBA rules of the game would be applied, and after the qualifications, the international forum would finalise the format of the two final competitions, pairing the participating teams and establishing the hours of each event within the FIBA U17 Skills Challenge 2020.

National coaches Junior Hercules and Lugard Mohan have been selected by the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) as the primary points of contact for the recruitment and execution of this qualifier. The GABF will be selecting five boys and five girls born on or after January 1st, 2003 to represent Guyana in this regional qualifier.

The GABF currently awaits information regarding the final phase of the FIBA U17 Skills Challenges 2020 from the FIBA Americas Regional Office, including the FIBA U17.

Valtteri Bottas beats Lewis Hamilton to Austrian Grand Prix pole

V

altteri Bottas has beaten Lewis Hamilton to pole position in the Austrian Grand Prix qualification, and Mercedes have dominated qualifying while Ferrari had a shocking day.

Mercedes were seemingly unbeatable as the season restarted after a four-month delay due to the coronavirus. The cars, painted black this year to reflect Mercedes' support for anti-racism, were half a second clear of the competition.

The fastest Ferrari, that of Charles Leclerc, was in seventh position as the sheer scale of their lack of performance became clear. His team-mate Sebastian Vettel did not even make it into the final part of qualifying, and the four-time world champion will start at 11th.

It was a toss-up as to which was the bigger shock: the size of Mercedes' advantage over everyone else, or how badly wrong Ferrari have got it with this year's car.

Mercedes have dominated the weekend. Their cars were the quickest by a significant margin in every single session.

The Finn Valtteri Bottas was quicker than his team-mate Lewis Hamilton on the first runs by 0.122 seconds; and then, running ahead of the Briton, Bottas went off at Turn Five on his final run.

Hamilton was ahead of Bottas on split times at that point. The world champion improved his time over the rest of the lap, but lost out on pole position by 0.012secs.

Bottas said: "It feels really good! I have missed this feeling after qualifying, the shakes. It is something special when you push the car to the limit; it feels so good! Our team (did an) amazing job; we seem to be in our own league."

Hamilton said the incident with Bottas "didn't really affect the lap", adding: "Great job by Valtteri! This is a great job by the team, and I am happy to be here."

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, in third, was 0.538secs off pole. The Dutchman will start the race on a different tyre than Mercedes, having chosen to run the medium in second qualifying, while Mercedes were on the soft; but on the face of it, the world champions look to be unbeatable.

Verstappen said: "It is going to be quite a bit warmer tomorrow, and that could play to our advantage. Mercedes were on a different level today, but let's see what we can do tomorrow. I suspect we are a little bit better off in the race. We have nothing to lose, so I will try to make it as difficult as possible for them."

As attention is turned to today’s race, the question is whether anyone can challenge Mercedes.

There also will be a focus on F1's stance against racism in the wake of focus on the issue created by protests around the world. The drivers are to make a collective statement before the race by wearing T-shirts

emblazoned with the statement "end racism", although there remains a question as to whether they would all take a knee.

Even before arriving in Austria, Ferrari were downplaying expectations by saying that they have had to redesign their car after discovering problems following pre-season testing, and that the first parts of that change would not appear until the Hungarian Grand Prix in two weeks' time.

However, few expected them to be as far off the pace as they were. Both drivers were in danger of being knocked out at the end of second qualifying, but Leclerc managed to scrape through in 10th place. And even he seemed surprised to be so slow.

"That's crazy!" Leclerc replied. In the end, Leclerc managed to make it into seventh on the grid by pulling out all the stops in the final session, but the inquiry will be long and questing.

The Racing Point - or 'Pink Mercedes', as it has become known for its likeness to last year's Silver Arrow - had looked best of the rest, behind Mercedes and Red Bull on Friday, but it was pipped by McLaren, thanks to a stellar performance from Lando Norris. The Briton qualified a brilliant fourth, less than 0.2secs behind Verstappen and ahead of the second Red Bull of Alex Albon.

Albon set the same time as Racing Point's Sergio Perez, but as the Anglo-Thai had set it first, he will start ahead of the Mexican.

Behind Leclerc, the second McLaren of Carlos Sainz was eighth, ahead of Perez's team-mate Lance Stroll and the lead Renault of Daniel Ricciardo. (Modified from a BBC Sport article)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020

England stick with Joe Denly CLASSIFIED ꟷ no room for Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali in Test squad

E

ngland have opted for continuity ahead of the first Test against West Indies, with every member of their 13-man squad having featured on the tour to South Africa earlier this year.

It means that Joe Denly is set to retain his place in the batting line-up, while the main decisions will revolve around the make-up of the pace attack.

Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, both of whom impressed during England’s warm-up game this week, may be vying for one place; while Chris Woakes is the allrounder option in support of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Sam Curran, who tested negative for COVID-19 after feeling unwell during the match, is among the nine reserves who would remain with the squad at the Ageas Bowl.

Most noteworthy among those missing out are Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali, senior members of England’s white-ball squad, who have been overlooked for the Tests. Bairstow had been a contender to come into the side in the absence of Joe Root, England’s Test captain, who is missing the game in order to attend the birth of his child. Bairstow, however, only managed scores of 11 and 39 in the three-day warm-up.

James Bracey and Dan Lawrence, who both caught the eye with half-centuries, have been retained as the back-up batsmen.

Dom Bess remains at the head of the pack among

Team England

England’s spinners, keeping out Jack Leach, who is among the reserves, and Moeen. Bess claimed 3 for 72 in his outings for Team Buttler, while Leach and Moeen went wicketless for Team Stokes in the first innings, and then conceded runs at six an over in the second.

With Root having already left the camp, and Ben Stokes in line to become England’s 81st Test captain, the selectors have stuck with familiar names for the first of three matches in three weeks against West Indies.

Rory Burns returns, hav-

Ben Stokes

ing suffered ankle-ligament damage while playing football in South Africa, and seems set to open alongside Dom Sibley, with Denly and Zak Crawley the options to cover for Root’s absence at No. 4.

Ollie Pope and Stokes will complete the batting line-up, while Jos Buttler retains the gloves, as head coach Chris Silverwood hinted during the week, with Ben Foakes retained as back-up keeper.

In the fast-bowling department, England have Archer and Wood available to provide extra pace; but while there may be a tempta-

tion to deploy them together in Test cricket for the first time, Silverwood had previously hinted that they would likely be rotated, in order to protect both from wear and tear.

Archer has only recently recovered from an elbow stress fracture, having missed three Tests in South Africa, and being omitted from the touring party for Sri Lanka in March.

Although Broad went wicketless in the Ageas Bowl warm-up, he has been the automatic pick to partner Anderson with the new ball.

He is currently on a run of 51 consecutive Test appearances at home, but Woakes will also have the chance to press his case.

With the likelihood that England will have to rotate their seamers in order to keep them fresh -- there are only three-day gaps between the Tests -- the reserves include two uncapped quicks in Saqib Mahmood and Ollie Robinson, alongside Craig Overton and Olly Stone, who stays on despite not being fit enough to bowl in the warmup game because of hamstring trouble.

England squad for first Test: Ben Stokes (capt), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Joe Denly, Ollie Pope, Dom Sibley, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood Reserves: James Bracey, Sam Curran, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson, Olly Stone. (ESPN Cricinfo)

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GCC extends condolences to the families of Sir Everton Weeks and Anil Persaud

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he Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) has expressed how saddened it is at the loss of two stalwarts of the regional cricketing fraternity: former West Indies batting great Sir Everton Weekes, and dynamic Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Assistant Secretary and Selector Anil Persaud.

Sir Everton Weekes The GCC has said of the late right-handed batsman from Barbados that he is widely regarded to have been one of the hardest hitters of a cricket ball the world has ever seen. Along with Sir Frank Worrell and Sir Clyde Walcott, he constituted “The Three Ws”, who had been the cornerstone of West Indies’ batting in the late 1940s and 1950s.

This trio had, for the first time in history, provided the Regional team with three world-class batsmen, and Weekes had arguably been the best of that three.

Sir Everton finished his Test career with the exceptional batting average of 58.61, which is the second highest among all West Indians, and is the eighth-best of all time for players who have completed their careers.

Moreover, he had held one of the most enduring world records in all forms of cricket: scoring Test centuries in five consecutive innings in 1948-49. It is a record that still stands after more than 70 years.

The Barbadian batting maestro had been an inspiration and mentor to many up-and-coming cricketers in the Caribbean. His outstanding personal contribution as a batsman and as a role model had helped to make the West Indies Cricket Team a force to be reckoned with, and had provided the momentum for its ascendancy as the undisputed premier team in the world for 15 successive years.

Anil Persaud Outstanding performance on the cricket field is often the end result of exceptional work beyond the boundary; and in this area, Guyanese Anil Persaud had excelled, the GCC has said.

He had worn many hats as a player and cricket administrator, and had been a highly-regarded softball cricketer and dedicated coach, who had later made a name for himself as one of the leading lights of the GCB. He had found time to provide loyal and diligent service as an executive member of the East Coast Cricket Committee and the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club.

The Georgetown Cricket Club has said: “We recognise Anil for his commitment to the development of cricket in Guyana and his passion for the game. He made

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

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significant contributions in various aspects of cricket: as a player, coach, and especially in various administrative roles. His much-appreciated input spanned all levels of cricket — associate, county, and national — and his impact on the sport in Guyana was positive and lasting.

“Many young players will remember Anil for the assistance he gave to them in the development of their careers. Cricket clubs in various parts of Guyana have also benefited from Anil’s expertise and input. There is no doubt that he will be sadly missed by the local cricketing community.

“The GCC extends its deepest sympathy to the families and friends of Sir Everton Weekes and Anil Persaud, whose contributions and devotion to cricket have brought immense honour to the sport at local, regional and international levels, and boundless joy to cricket lovers everywhere.

May they rest in peace.”

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020

31

“We, as a batting unit, need to stand up in this series” ꟷ says Shamarh Brooks

By Brandon Corlette

T

he West Indies Test batsmen have been unable to score a century after two intra-squad practice matches. Although their performances in practice matches will not determine their scores when ‘the real deal’ begins, having runs under the belt is always a confidence-booster.

Reserve wicketkeeper-batsman Joshua Da Silva was the lone centurion after those matches.

Responding to a question posed to him by Guyana Times Sport in his virtual press conference on Saturday, West Indies batsman Shamarh Brooks noted that the Test batsmen have been working very hard.

“As I said before, the English bowling attack is a good one; but once we bat well, I think we have a good chance (of overcoming it). I also said before that spending time at the crease is key, and as long as we play ourselves in and spend some time out there,

it will get easier.

“We are not putting down the English bowlers.

We, as a batting unit, need to stand up in this series, and I know that will make the difference,” Brooks explained.

Brooks noted that the team has had enough time to prepare for the big Test, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Barbadian has opined that this series is of great importance to cricket viewers around the globe; but while West Indies Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick has been worried about the batting in the practice matches, Brooks remains unfazed.

“Some of us got the opportunity to bat. It is still a batsman-and-bowlers game. Our bowlers bowled well, especially in the second match. The Test bowlers bowled well, and they

Brooks batting during his century against Afghanistan

Brooks rocking the new Test kit

proved vital. That’s the game sometimes, despite preparation is key; but we are backing our preparation to bring success into the series,” Brooks posited.

He also highlighted that the inclusion of

Guyana preparing for “Big Man Cricket” tourney

ꟷ involving 12 teams of over-45 participants

Krishna Harricharan

Sudesh Dhaniram

he novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has put a halt to cricket in Guyana and around the world, but as the players on the international scene prepare to take the field again, some countries are already enjoying this beautiful game under strict health guidelines.

In Guyana, team sports and similar recreational events have not yet been given the green light to resume; but, in the meantime, a new cricket tournament is in the planning stage.

The Guyana Masters Cricket Association (GMCA), operating under the auspices of the Cricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA), is planning a new and exciting tournament, to be played among local teams once permission is given to resume the beautiful game in ‘the Land of many Waters’.

The tournament, “Big Man Cricket”, is intended for players who are 45 years old and older, and will be a 45- overs-a-side contest using pink hard balls in the domestic tournament.

Players aged 45 and over are being considered at the domestic level, in order to create a pool of quality cricketers and to get them accustomed to the format, so that they are ready if selected at the Over-50 level.

However, ONLY players who have attained 50 years of age on March 1st, 2022 will be eligible for selection at the national and regional levels.

“Ideally, we are looking to attract four teams

from each of the counties, to give as many players as possible the opportunity to turn back the clock. Interested persons, teams, clubs and/ or sponsors are encouraged to enquire and sign up by contacting John Ramsingh of the GMCA, the local Organizing Committee, via e-mail, whatsapp or telephone # 664-3999; or they can contact Raj Singh via email rsinsurance63@ gmail.com; Whatsapp +1239-699-7047.

“Also, potential sponsors will be sought, but interested organizations are also encouraged to contact the committee for details.

“This tournament will be used to select a Guyana representative side to compete in the CWIMA Regional Over-50s Tournament, scheduled to be held in 2021. Additionally, the Regional tournament will be used to select players for the West Indies Over-50s side, to play against other international teams and in the next Over-50s Cricket World Cup. “The first ever West Indies Over-50s Cricket Team, which was recently formed, took part in the Over-50s Cricket World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa in March 2020. Unfortunately, after two and a half matches, the tournament was called off due to the threat of the coronavirus.

The next Over-50s Cricket World Cup is set to return to Cape Town in 2022, once given the goahead”, the Guyana Masters Cricket Association has said.

T

Shannon Gabriel is a big boost to the team.

Speaking about Jofra Archer, Brooks said he is not surprised to see what Archer has achieved thus far in his career. When Archer helped England win the World Cup, Brooks noted, Barbadians were proud to see what he had achieved; but, at the same time, they regretted not having him play for the West Indies.

Brooks also explained that the West Indies bowling has been the team’s strength over the past few

years. “When we do get it right as a batting group, we win cricket games.

We need to apply ourselves, and stick to the basics along with our game plans,” Brooks explained.

Sir Everton Weeks, who passed away recently, had played a role in this batsman’s success over the years. “He would always be there in the President’s Suite, and it is sad that a great man has gone; and hopefully, the guys in the team carry that legacy,” Brooks has said.

Brooks disclosed that

the late Sir Everton had always told him to get close or far from the ball while playing it on the ground.

“That definitely played a big part in my success,” he declared.

Slated to bat at number three or four for the West Indies, Brooks has one century and one half-century in the three matches he has played.

However, focused as he is, the 31-year-old is ready to go and do the job for the West Indies when the ball gets rolling on Wednesday, July 8.

Cwi names Phizz as official hydration tablet partner

C

West Indies players hydrating

ricket West Indies (CWI) is pleased to announce Phizz as the Official Hydration Tablet Partner to CWI and the West Indies teams.

The partnership is set to be launched on the pitch on Wednesday, July 8, in the team’s highly anticipated first Test match of the Sandals West Indies Tour to England 2020 in the #RaiseTheBat Series at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

The second and third Test matches will be played at the Emirates Old Trafford Bowl in Manchester respectively from July 16-20 and from July 24-28.

Phizz is scientifically formulated to create the most comprehensive formula of hydration, vitamins and minerals. It was created as a hydration amplifier, ensuring players rapidly absorb two to three times more than drinking water alone, while also replenishing the main electrolytes lost in sweat.

“Player nutrition and hydration is key in supporting performance, recovery, and immune systems under stress from training

and travel,” said Dr. Oba Gulston, CWI’s Sports Science and Medicine Manager.

“We are pleased to bring Phizz on board.

We feel that Phizz provides the ideal blend of hydration, essential vitamins, minerals and electrolytes to support our athletes.”

Dominic Warne, Commercial and Marketing Director for CWI, has said: “We are excited to have Phizz on board, to support our athletes on the pitch and on the road as one of our technical partners. This great addition to our family of technical partnerships brings genuine benefits for our team’s preparation and performance development.”

Yasmin Badiani, Phizz Head of Sport, said: “Phizz is proud to partner a legendary team such as the West Indies. This is a big moment for our growing company, and we are looking forward to working closely with the team on this partnership.”

Phizz supplies more than 60 professional sports clubs, as well as airlines, gyms and five-star hotels around the world. (CWI)

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2020

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

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