Guyana Times Tuesday March 24, 2020

P11

COVID-19

Citizenry calls for more awareness campaigns

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

Issue No. 4235

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020

GECOM, APNU/AFC destruction of democracy: Day 23

GECOM Chair admits she promised to facilitate recount Page 12

United States vows to protect Guyana's democracy

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WHAT'S INSIDE: COVID-19 P16

Schools to remain closed until new term – Education Ministry

Extradition hearing

Defence lawyer accused of trying to stall trial proceedings P7

Page 7

...as recount stymied by APNU/AFC court stunt

GECOM lawyer does not want Judge to see Region 4 SoPs

See story on page 3

Security guard charged for P8 posting nude photos of women Zeelugt taxi P12 driver robbed, car hijacked ...Police hunting female suspect, 2 others

…“no, no, no, no, we are not going to do that” – Attorney

…GECOM’s documents should not be hidden – Commissioner

"Democracy BoG recommends local will win" banks reduce interest – Ali tells rates, defer loan Guyanese …says Guyana must not fall into dictatorship payments …banking hours reduced COVID-19

Page 9

Pages 13 & 16

Linden man P14 charged for murders of ex-lover, new boyfriend

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TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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

Tuesday, March 24 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Wednesday, March 25 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, March 24 –16:45h – 18:15h and Wednesday, March 25 –17:05h – 18:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

GECOM lawyer does not want Judge to see Region 4 SoPs

…“no, no, no, no, we are not going to do that” – Attorney …GECOM’s documents should not be hidden – Commissioner

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny intervals conditions will prevail during the day. There will be partly cloudy skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 16:57h reaching a maximum height of 2.67 metres.

Low Tide: 10:33h and 22:48h reaching minimum heights of 0.56 metre and 0.56 metre.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020

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MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 DAILY MILLIONS

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COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

US$ $27.03/barrel $238.37 /ton $344.40/ton

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Change % +0.18 +0.10 -0.00

USD Per Ounce $1586.10 $1589.60 +2.19%

Justice Franklyn Holder

T

he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) is divided on whether the Statements of Poll (SoPs) for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) should be tendered as evidence as litigation over the declaration of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections drags out in court.

This position was articulated on Monday after an in-chambers hearing by Justice Franklyn Holder on whether to consolidate two injunctions recently filed in relation to the election results.

The first relates to an application by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and Reaz Holladar to set aside the results declared

by Region Four Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo as null and void, and a second case brought against the Commission by Ulita Grace Moore to prevent a recount of the Region Four votes.

Justice Holder has since acquiesced to having the matters consolidated and heard as one – with the consent of the litigating parties.

While there was agreement over the ‘joining’ of the cases, GECOM’s Neil Boston vehemently objected to an application by Attorneys for Jagdeo who sought a discovery, to have the SoPs tendered as evidence.

Addressing members of the media, Boston said, “… no, no, no, no, we are not going to do that; it’s only the elections judge could ask for that.”

He subsequently briefed media operatives on the sidelines of Monday’s hearing and was adamant that the electoral body would not be handing over SoPs, since the court did not have jurisdiction to make the request.

Suspicious

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj was, however, adamant that the Commission was yet to meet to determine a position and further questioned why the Commission would not want to have the documents tendered as evidence.

He told members of the media there were stringent objections by the representatives of GECOM and the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield.

“I want to ask the question why.

Why is there a very stringent and violent almost objection to the disclosure of those The High Court documents that sults are an “obligation to are in the possesthe people and the informasion of the CEO?” Confronted with the ar- tion that is held there is the gument that the hearing people’s information and it before the court was not an should be given to the peoelection petition, Gunraj ple”.

Pressed on the legal countered, saying “it matters not; citizens who vote standing for the SoPs to have a right to proper and be tendered, Gunraj reittransparent processes for erated: “In my capacity as the declaration of the re- Commissioner, I don’t besults and SoPs, which are lieve that those documents the conclusive evidence of should be hidden.”

Asked about GECOM’s the results of those elections, of course, are, I be- defence in the matter, lieve an entitlement of elec- Gunraj disclosed to metors who participated in the dia operatives that the Commission has not met process.”

He disclosed further “and as far as I am aware no “that as a commissioner who is sworn to uphold the tenets of the Constitution and who has the responsibility to the citizens of Guyana – who own this process – I believe that application should not be met with such objections, it should be facilitated.”

The GECOM Commissioner was adamant that elections and their re-

defence has been formulated or presented on behalf of GECOM”.

Justice Holder will today hear arguments for and against the admissibility of the SoPs in the litigation.

The parties will on Wednesday and Thursday file submissions and responses with a likely final determination over the weekend.

Jagdeo and Holladar are being represented by Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes and Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall.

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Fight for democratic Govt

O

n March 2, Guyanese thought they drew a proverbial line in the sand on the creeping subversion of the rule of law, which is a disturbing sign of a return to the dark days of the PNC’s dictatorial rule, especially between 1968 and 1985 under Forbes Burnham, that party’s “founder leader”.

During the last five years, there were too many examples abounding of governmental institutions — led by David Granger — stretching and acting outside their constitutional remit and taking unilateral political decisions that plunged the country further down the Burnhamite abyss.

As usual, it began with testing actions that violated the spirit of agreements that were solemnly crafted to guide actions in the political realm. For Granger to renege on the agreement with the AFC contained in the “Cummingsburg Accord” – to have his Prime Minister chair the Cabinet and be in charge of domestic governance – by claiming the Constitution precluded it was more than bad faith. It was a sign that, without compunction, Granger was willing to break the moral contract between parties that undergirds the rule of law writ large. The Constitution authorises the President to delegate any of his Executive powers to any of his Ministers, but unfortunately, the AFC was unwilling to challenge him on his claim. Their mouths were muzzled by the hand that feeds them.

Granger moved on to actually violate the Constitution when he disputed, in a long and contentious argument, the clear language that was inserted to approve the nomination and appointment of “any other fit and proper person” than a judge as the Chair of GECOM. He said it was simply the “perception” of the Chief Justice, to whom the matter was referred. He insisted that he was entitled to his “perception”, and took the matter all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Even when that apex court ruled against him, Granger insisted on another obtuse interpretation of the law to claim he was entitled to include his nominations on the list of six names the Opposition Leader was supposed to submit for him to choose from.

It is when these intrusions form a pattern of violations of the spirit of the rule of law that the vigilance of the citizenry becomes critical since dictatorships are usually constructed in broad daylight while the citizens are inattentive. Soon the rights of those citizens themselves are trampled upon as the “dictator in the making” enlarges the scope of his unilateral actions.

In fact, the Chief Justice had to rule that a unilateral action

by Granger to annul the leases of several West Coast Berbice farmers was illegal. But clearly, from his subsequent actions, that judgement did not serve to disabuse the President of his misapprehension of the “separation of powers” doctrine and his encouragement of the traducing of the rule of law.

Not surprisingly, Granger’s cavalier attitude infected other officials of his Government, and almost every day one could read of further transgressions. The secreting of the “signing bonus” received in the Bank of Guyana (BoG) for over a year — done by two senior Ministers: Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan — and not in the Consolidated Fund as mandated by the Constitution (Art 216) was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg of egregious transgressions. The overreach on the oil contract signed by Trotman is still an ongoing saga, which had to be approved by the imperious Granger.

Now that Guyanese have voted, events currently unfolding in Guyana have left citizens in shock and lost for words, as they cannot believe that what is happening before their very eyes is actually real.

The fight for the return of free and fair elections and to be ruled by a democratic government was not an easy battle; it was long and hard. We are now in 2020, and we had thought that, by this time, the nation had matured politically and leaders would act responsibly to save their country from descending into chaos and confusion and going backwards.

Unfortunately, this is not the case; we have leaders who would hold on to power at all costs, even at the expense of seeing their country being destroyed.

A worker wearing a protective suit disinfects a public garden, following the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Algiers, Algeria (Reuters)

We must return to the ballot boxes Dear Editor, It is almost three weeks since General Elections were held in Guyana and to date, GECOM has not declared a winner. Reason being, the winner of the election, that is, the PPP/C is not the “choice” party of the partisan Elections Commission; it is as simple as that. So, what we have here is a long convoluted legal battle to try every which way to “legitimise” their (GECOM’s) manufactured winner. This is the position of the election saga in a place called Guyana.

So, how did he get here and the answer is simply this, we had an election in which everyone exercised his/her franchise to the best way we know how.

At the end of that process, a winner was determined on the basis of the tallying up of the Statements of Poll (SoPs) from each polling place. This is standard procedure in any election,

where the counting of and tallying up of the votes is done at the place of poll and the SoP posted in a conspicuous place outside of that Polling Station.

Now, this was done according to law and a winner was determined beyond the shadow of a doubt, that winner being the PPP/C. But like I said earlier, GECOM, which is supposed to be an independent body, had other plans, they were hell-bent on positioning their choice as winner. This was done in the most lowdown, barefaced and classless way before the eyes of an international audience, where an Election Commission tried to bully its way into administering of a falsified spreadsheet instead of the legally binding SoP. That fraudulent move was stopped in the nick of time by the alert and quick action of The Opposition.

In her ruling Chief Justice Roxane George then or-

dered GECOM to pay strict regard to (Section 84 (1) of the Representation of the People Act) and get back into the legal stream of things. Now. one would have thought that this would be the standard of their operations, however, that was not to be because the Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo continued along the illegal path of instituting fake figures; something no one with even half a brain would accept.

With no resolution in sight, the process was halted a second time, only this time with newer developments and these are: 1. President Granger summoned the aid of the regional body Caricom to supervise the recounting of votes in the disputed regional boxes of Region Four.

2. This was followed up by an aide-memoire

by Granger and Opposition Leader Jagdeo, on a recount of the ballots for Region

Four and bring an end to this impasse.

3. 3. In a strange twist to an already agreed upon legal process, The PNC/ AFC then served an injunction on GECOM to halt a recount and here we are today.

What is obviously clear is that the incumbent is fearful of the unequivocal results of a recount. They are mortally petrified at the thought of witnessing a clear winner of an election with a conclusive result. The only way to get to that place is in a return to the ballot boxes, a recount vote by vote.

In closing, the PNC/AFC must face up to the fact that the people of Guyana have spoken and that is paramount. The people’s voice must be respected, the will of The people must be honoured.

Dear Editor, A friend of mine, who is a supporter of the coalition, sent to me a so-called analysis done by the APNU/AFC regarding votes in Region Four. The coalition’s analysis, I suspect was done to bolster their flagging credibility and seek to convince the steadily declining blinded few that they really won the 2020 National and Regional Elections.

According to the coalition, APNU (84,828) and

AFC (10,635) aggregately picked up 95,463 voters in 2011, which they contested separately. In 2015, when they coalesced following their Valentine’s Day wedding, they got 113,416 votes. In other words, they improved their votes by 17,953 votes. I contend that those additional votes came because of the call for change and the very tall tales the coalition told Guyanese. I should add that since 1992, 2015 was

the best showing the PNC ever had in Region Four.

I did not include previous elections as they were generally recorded as not reflective of the will of the people.

Now, let’s get to the analysis. It is this author’s conclusion that of the 17,953 votes gained in 2015, at least 6000 votes came from those supportive of the AFC and the remainder coming from the APNU/PNC quarters. I do

not believe the other parties in APNU really added any numerical strength to the votes in 2015. Fastforwarding to 2020, it has been generally accepted that the AFC exists in name as it has lost a lot of its followers following its entry into office. I believe that apart from the 6000 voters it contributed in 2015, it also lost a great amount of the 10,000 plus votes it secured in 2011.

Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

The faster APNU/AFC accepts reality the better it is for all Guyanese

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 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

21 days and nights gone Attempting to steal Dear Editor, On March 23, 21 days would have slowly, frustratingly, shamelessly, agonisingly, wickedly, riggedly, been allowed to go by, without any apparent light at the end of this dark period in Guyana’s electoral history.

Despite the bold statements and pleas of many, notably among Mr Hans Gaskin, former Minister and current son-in-law of Mr Granger, former Chairman of GECOM and Head of the army, Mr Joe Singh, ACDA, Justice Party and WPA (parties in APNU, although insignificant) and even others like GHK Lall (who, incidentally endorsed the coalition in the elections) are in one way or another correctly rejecting the count of the District (Region) Four votes, which was

done from “Statements” and not the official, legitimate and transparent Statements of Poll, these shameless, PNC, AFC and GECOM bullies, intent on thieving the people’s votes, have attempted every trick in their rigging machinery, to cling on to power by their fingernails.

Guyanese have no reason to fear as these nails are so dirty and rotten that they must break, and their attempts would fail just as their policies and impositions for the last nearly five years in Government, have ignominiously failed.

The international community, Carter Center, regional organisations (OAS and Caricom) have all deemed the processes employed by GECOM for counting more than half of the ballots of District Four so flawed, tainted and done

The faster APNU/AFC...

Taking that into account, it is my considered view that the AFC probably, in Region Four, would not have secured more than 5000 votes that is down from roughly 17,000 in 2015. I say this from a comparison of the 2015 and 2020 Statements of Poll which indicated that in AFC-leaning areas, there were hardly any votes for the coalition.

Maybe my 5000 votes are too generous, but let’s leave it there for the time being.

With that in mind, in essence, the AFC votes in

Region Four have moved from 10,635 in 2011 to an estimated 17,000 in 2015 to about 5000 in 2020.

Thus the reduction of some 12,000 votes (17,000-5000), would have gone to either the PPP/C or one of the smaller parties. I believe the former received more of the votes considering their impressive showing in the region.

So according to the coalition analysis, it only gained approximately 1000 votes between 2015 and 2020. I hasten to say, at this point,

President Granger, please do the right thing!

Dear Editor, It is now three weeks since the elections concluded. President Granger knows the outcome. He has had three weeks to reflect on the results and do the right thing. The President is in his seventies. He has seen various faces of and in life; he knows people are waiting to exhale from this election count so that life can return to normal. He must know the truth of the outcome of the elections. The whole world can’t be wrong in rejecting the outcome pronounced by GECOM. The President must stop listening to thugs and self-seeking fraudsters.

David Granger is a churchgoer and a devout Christian. He is touted and viewed as a decent man. All faiths teach moral upbring-

ing and respect for truth.

He knows the truth and the truth always triumphs, according to religious teachings. Not allowing truth to prevail on the election count will cause Guyana to be in total isolation.

Guyana would be isolated; the world community will not do business with us. For sure, Exxon and other energy companies will not be allowed to work with an illegitimate Government once the US blacklists Guyana.

And the US has already indicated consequences are coming if a Government is formed from a fraudulent count. Mr President, do the right thing, allow a proper count of the SoPs and concede if you lose!

Yours truly, Name withheld

planks Mr Granger campaigned, and which obviously failed) are not only words to be used loosely, but in a Christian-like manner adhered to in accordance with the laws of Guyana, and the bible.

On another note, some are now calling for varying forms of “national front” “joint Government” etc.

My take is that the votes must be legally and honestly counted and the elected Government installed before any such call is considered.

The elections were not contested by either of the two parties (which secured more than 95 per cent of the votes, I think) on such a platform. This is just another “red herring” which smells like what it is.

not in accordance with the law, that if used to declare a winner, it would result in such threatened international condemnation and sanctions that all Guyana would suffer the consequences.

I foresee restrictions on travel to meetings and conferences, expulsion or suspension from organisations like the OAS, the Commonwealth of Nations, and possibly others. This is the only reasonable conclusion one can arrive at after the reports of the observers are submitted to their respective bodies.

Are these the depths of unpatriotic behaviour and actions Mr Granger and his gang are prepared to take this country?

I, like the majority of Guyanese, hope “honesty and decency” (on which

With regards, Harry N Nawbatt

FROM PAGE 4

their analysis is extremely flawed. They did not bear in mind, at least publicly, that the AFC lost about 12,000 votes since the last election.

In reality the APNU, and I say the PNC, picked up 13,000 more votes between 2015 and 2020 but the steep loss by its junior partner was just too steep and too deep to make up. The reality is the PNC-ites and others voted for their party, but the AFC is a spent force that caused the coalition the election.

The faster this reality is

accepted the better it is for all Guyanese. COVID-19 is being felt and the economic fallout will stick around even longer. We need as a country to address this reality as many stand to lose and suffer and the losers should do the decent thing and demit office and allow the rightful and victorious PPP/C to take the reins and meaningfully address the crisis that has reached our shores.

Yours faithfully, Patricia Persaud

our future again!

Dear Editor, The PNC rigged elections from 1964-1992. The last rigged elections occurred in 1985 when Desmond Hoyte shamelessly gave himself 78.5 per cent of the votes.

Like him, Granger has the support of thugs, manipulates GECOM, and presents himself as decent.

Whereas Hoyte stole two additional years since elections were constitutionally due in 1990, Granger stole one year following the NCM in December 2018.

By rigging elections, PNC effectively stole the future of Guyanese. By future, I mean the opportunities which were removed from the grasp of citizens of this country and replaced with struggle and suffering.

As I have written previously, people do not understand the price they have paid because that requires analysing what an individual and his family as a collective could have achieved, in reference to a similar family in a functioning democracy, with what they eventually accomplished under PNC dictatorship. I submit further that the opportunities lost in education, employment and culture can never be fully understood, quantified or recaptured. So while our older brethren knew they suffered I doubt if they know the true worth of what was taken from them.

Roll forward to March 2020. PNC under the guise of APNU/AFC/WPA is ac-

tively trying to steal another election from the PPP while the entire world is watching. I personally believe that PPP/C won the elections by a lot more than the 17,500 votes, which has been established, and remains uncontested, as the margin of victory.

No one is going to forget this, not now, not ever.

Young people in particular who have never seen such blatant hooliganism will remember. People are coming out in droves to guard ballot boxes. Ironically, the fire for democracy has been relit by Mingo’s actions on national TV. A long time ago I respected and even admired Rupert Roopnaraine and Dr Clive Thomas because I thought they were men of intellect and integrity. When now we are precariously perched between democracy and dictatorship their silence speaks volumes. It is no wonder that Walter Rodney, one of Guyana’s finest sons, who trusted them, was betrayed and murdered.

The world is not going to forgive David and Sandra Granger. Dominic Gaskin, their son-in-law, is one rare good man in the coalition.

He knows the future of his children is under threat. In my opinion, this is the beginning of the end for PNC/ APNU/AFC. Kind regards, Ravi Ram

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TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020

Page

Foundation

Guyana Times is pleased to publish the Education Ministry’s 2020 National Grade Six Assessment Practice Tests, complete with answers. This is the first part of Social Studies Paper 1 and the answers to the last 20 questions of the Science Paper 1.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT PRACTICE TEST 3

1 hour and 10 minutes READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY 1. This test has 40 questions. You have 1 hour and 10 minutes to answer them.

2. Each question has four suggested answers: (A), (B), (C) and (D). Read each question

SOCIAL STUDIES

carefully then choose the correct answer.

3. On your answer sheet, find the number that matches the question you intend to answer.

4. Shade the circle with the same letter, (A), (B), (C) or (D), that matches your answer for each question.

Sample Question The capital of Guyana is

1. Which of the following represents a nuclear family?

(A) Parents and child/children (B) Children and relatives (C) One parent and children (D) Parents, children, aunts and grandparents 2. The names M.V. Whitby and M.V. Hesperus are associated with the (A) Africans.

(B) Chinese.

(C) Portuguese.

(D) East Indians.

3. Which one of the following countries is referred to as the ‘Giant of South America?’

(A) Brazil (B) Colombia (C) Venezuela (D) Argentina 4. The least populated Natural Region is the (A) Interior Savannah.

(B) Low Coastal Plain.

(C) Forested Highland Region.

(D) Hilly Sand and Clay Region.

5. Which one is not Guyana’s immediate continental neighbour?

(A) Peru (B) Brazil (C) Venezuela (D) Suriname 6. Guyana became a Cooperative Republic on the (A) 5th May, 1838.

(B) 1st August, 1838.

(C) 26th May, 1966.

(D) 23rd February, 1970.

7. Which one of the following minerals is linked with the story of El Dorado?

(A) Gold (B) Silver (C) Bauxite (D) Diamond 8. The group of persons selected by the Executive President to manage the affairs of the entire country is known as the (A) Cabinet.

(B) Senators.

(C) Opposition.

(D) Councillors.

ANSWER SHEET (A) Linden.

A B C D (B) Lethem.

(C) Rose Hall.

(D) Georgetown.

The correct answer is “Georgetown”, so (D) has been shaded.

5. If you want to change your answer, erase it completely before you fill in your new choice.

6. When the supervisor tells you to begin, turn the page and work as quickly and as carefully as you can.

7. If you try a question and find that you cannot answer it, go on to the next one. You may return to that question later.

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

9. Which of the following illnesses is not as a result of air pollution?

(A) Asthma (B) Malaria (C) Bronchitis (D) Lung Cancer

(A) slaves were not allowed to have children.

(B) slaves were running away in large numbers.

(C) ex-slaves were dying in large numbers from starvation.

(D) slaves were emancipated and could leave the plantations.

10. John saw an old woman waiting to cross the road. What is expected of him?

(A) Help her to cross the road (B) Ignore her and go on his way (C) Commend her because of her effort (D) Shout on her to hurry up and cross

16. Which statement is true of the Amerindians of Guyana?

They (A) were bought as slaves by the Africans.

(B) came to Guyana in search of the Golden City.

(C) came to Guyana to trade with the Europeans.

(D) were fleeing from the harsh climate in their homeland.

11. Which activity will most likely prevent relaxation?

(A) Strolling in the park (B) Watching a movie with friends (C) Reading your favourite novel (D) Hearing loud music from your neighbour

17. One historical wooden building in Guyana is (A) Banks D.I.H. (B) Bank of Guyana.

(C) Parliament building.

(D) St. George’s Cathedral.

12. Cindy is a meteorologist. Which instrument will not be useful in performing her job?

(A) Rain gauge (B) Telescope (C) Thermometer (D) Anemometer

Read the caption, then answer question 18.

13. It is necessary to remember the work of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow because he (A) encouraged workers to strike.

(B) opposed the colonial government.

(C) fought for the rights of employers.

(D) encouraged workers to stand up for their rights.

14. Which statement best suggests why Guyana uses English as its official language?

(A) Many Englishmen still live here (B) Guyana became independent in 1966 (C) Britain was the last country to govern Guyana (D) Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America 15. There was a shortage of labourers on the plantations in Guyana after 1838 because

18. Which function of government is suggested by the caption?

(A) Judicial (B) Democratic (C) Executive (D) Legislative 19. A cricket match involving the West Indies and Sri Lanka is being played at the Kensington Oval. In which CARICOM country is the match being played?

(A) Jamaica (B) Barbados (C) Trinidad (D) St Lucia 20. All of the following are holidays observed in the month of May except (A) Arrival Day (B) Labour Day (C) Emancipation Day (D) Independence Day Study the picture below then answer question 21.

21. Which one of the following persons is most likely to receive the award above?

(A) Policeman (B) Sportsman (C) A brave citizen of a country (D) Former President of a country

21. B 22. A 23. C 24. A 25. A 26. D 27. A

Science PAPER 1 ANSWER KEY 28. D 29. C 30. B 31. C 32. A 33. C 34. D

35. A 36. D 37. C 38. A 39. B 40. A

7 United States vows to protect Guyana’s democracy NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

...as recount stymied by APNU/AFC court stunt

T

he United States (US) National Security Council, the forum that decides the US’s national security and military policies, has become the latest organisation to add its voice to the overwhelming calls for democracy to be maintained in Guyana.

In a social media post in which it cited statements made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Security Council made it clear that it stood in support of the thousands in Guyana fighting for the March 2 election results to be tabulated and a winner declared in a transparent manner free from fraud.

“The US is committed to the Americas becoming the 1st fully free hemisphere.

We stand with the people of Guyana who want to protect the integrity of their democracy, maintain peace, and preserve regional sta-

bility while we collectively confront COVID 2019,” the Security Council said.

Pompeo’s comments were made at a press briefing last week. In his remarks, he had supported the positions taken by the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth, the European Union (EU), the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and others.

These organisations had fielded election observer teams during the elections and afterwards. They have all said that the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) vote tabulation and declaration by the Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo was not credible and that swearing in a President based on these flawed results would not be democratic.

“The United States is closely monitoring the tabulation of votes in Guyana,

which took – the election took place back on March 2nd. We join the OAS, the Commonwealth, EU, Caricom, and other democratic partners in calling for an accurate count,” the Secretary of State had said during the briefing.

“We commend Caricom’s role in seeking a swift, democratic resolution, and it’s important to note that the individuals who seek to benefit from electoral fraud and form illegitimate Governments, regimes will be subject to a variety of serious consequences from the United States,” Pompeo had also said.

It has been three weeks since the elections were held, with no winner declared as yet due to the discredited figures used by the RO. The international community has already warned Guyana that it could be iso-

Extradition hearing

Defence lawyer accused of trying to stall trial proceedings

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ttorney-at-Law Darren Wade, who is representing former Guyana Police Force (GDF) rank Shawn Neblett in his extradition hearings, was accused of using a series of tactics in order to put a standstill on the proceedings, even after US Government Prosecutor Stacy Gooding closed the case against the accused three months ago.

Neblett is wanted by the United States Government for his role in the trafficking of 4178 grams of cocaine, which was found at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), on January 24, 2017. The drug was found in four parcels hidden in a suitcase.

When the matter was called before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday, it was further adjourned to April 8 after the defence attorney presented to the court that he filed an

Former GDF rank Shawn Neblett

application for the matter to be heard and determined by acting Chief Justice, Roxane George in the High Court.

It was then that Prosecutor Gooding directed to the Magistrate that the attorney is using delaying tactics.

Neblett, of Community Lane, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was nabbed by local law enforcement officials in 2019 as he was at-

tempting to flee to neighbouring Suriname. He had told the court that he was travelling legally to Suriname and had no knowledge that he was blacklisted until he was nabbed by immigration authorities and denied trying to flee the country.

The recent successful extradition of US fugitive Troy Thomas has paved the way for similar procedures for criminals hiding in Guyana.

The now convicted man had fled to Guyana after allegedly killing Keith Frank, 20, a Guyanese, on December 11, 2011, at Richmond Hill, New York. He has also been accused of inflicting injuries upon Dr Katherine Maloney.

After a year of legal proceedings, High Court Judge, Justice Navindra Singh ruled on April 4, 2019, that there was sufficient evidence against Thomas to warrant his extradition to the US. After being taken back to the US, Thomas was charged with second-degree murder.

lated and even sanctioned if a President is sworn in on the flawed results, resulting in an uneasy standoff between the international community and the Government.

After days of procrastination and the derailment of the Region Four verification of results, an agreement was brokered with Caricom to supervise a recount on March 16 of the votes from all the regions.

In fact, it was caretaker President David Granger who proposed that Caricom assist in the recount. The Arthur Chung Conference Centre was chosen as the venue for the recount. The various party agents waited all day, but no recount occurred as GECOM first announced that an agreement would have to be signed, then that it was awaiting legal advice.

As the party agents stood guard over the ballot boxes, GECOM officials, then a fumigation crew from the Public Health Ministry and then Police dressed in riot gear arrived and began herding party agents out of the

compound. To add more suspicions to the already spiralling situation, a candidate from Granger’s own party then moved to the court to have the recount blocked.

Justice Franklyn Holder granted the injunction and the process has since been stalled.

The Caricom officials, having witnessed all of this, left the country. The European Union (EU) and Carter Center observation missions soon followed suit.

Even persons within A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) have expressed misgivings over the process and the numbers declared by Region Four RO.

Former Business Minister and the caretaker President’s son-in-law, Dominic Gaskin has said clearly that he “does not buy Mingo’s numbers”, while the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has expressed support for a Caricom supervised recount.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP), alongside a number of the newer parties including A New and United Guyana (ANUG), The Citizenship Initiative (TCI) and the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), have been on the forefront with many in civil society, calling on GECOM to discharge its duties and conduct the tabulation in a free and transparent manner.

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Repeat offender lands on remand for robberies K

nown court character, 29-year-old Akeem Rajkumar called “Barney” was once again hauled before the courts for another series of armed robberies, an offence he was charged for in 2017 and 2018.

Rajkumar, of Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, denied the three charges he faced after they were read to him

by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The first allegation levelled against the young man read that while armed with a dangerous weapon - a gun - he robbed Julia Elexy of an iPhone 11 valued $700,000 and a gold chain valued $800,000 on November 11, 2019, at Leopold Street, Werk-enRust, Georgetown. The second charge detailed that on the said day and location, also armed with a gun, Rajkumar robbed Ajay

Charged and remanded: Akeem Rajkumar, called “Barney”

Mahadeo of a wallet valued $8900, a cellular phone valued $80,000 and $37,000.

Moreover, the final allegation stated that on the aforementioned date and location, armed with the said weapon, he robbed Timothy Morrison of a cel-

lular phone valued $98,000, a gold ring valued $60,000 and $158,000.

The court heard that on the day in question, the three victims were in the area of Leopold Street when the defendant, armed with a firearm, pounced on

them and relieved them of their belongings.

Following a police report and investigation, Rajkumar was arrested and taken into custody. The defendant was positively identified by all three victims during an identification (ID) parade Objections to bail were made on the grounds that Rajkumar was before the courts for similar charges and the said weapon was used. The penalty and prevalence of the charges were listed as to why bail should be refused.

As a result, Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus upheld the prosecution’s submission and remanded Rajkumar to prison until March 30, 2020.

In 2017 and 2018, the said defendant was brought before the courts on narcotics possession and armed robbery charges, which are still pending in the city courts.

Security guard charged for posting nude photos of women

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wenty-eight-yearold Todd Brown was hauled before the

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for posting nude photos of three women on social

media.

The security guard of Wortmanville, Georgetown,

was charged under the Cybercrime Act. The allegation stated that between November 4, 2019, and November 5, 2019, at Georgetown, he used a phone to transfer pictures of Tasiana Richmond, Abigail Alexander and Michelle Alexander with intent to humiliate and cause distress and to damage their reputation.

An unrepresented Brown pleaded not guilty to the charge when he stood before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly.

With no objections raised by the prosecution, Magistrate Daly released the man on $150,000 bail while highlighting to him that his actions should not continue.

The defendant was ordered to make his next court appearance on May 8, 2020.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

The law…

Y

…is not an ass ou can forgive the average citizen for fervently agreeing with Dickens’ Mr Bumble’s expostulation that “the law is an ass” when they consider the case coming up before Justice Holder on Wednesday on whether the recount can go forward or not. When will this confounded nonsense stop, he cries with upraised hands! But it’s not the law that’s the problem, it’s the people who want to make the law an ass. Let’s look first at the person who brought the case – Ulita Moore.

At first, it was stated she was a private citizen and as such, had no skin the game save to ensure that the agreement for the recount between Granger and Jagdeo wasn’t violating the laws governing GECOM’s operations. But she did, in fact, have a helluva lot of skin in the game, since she was an APNU candidate – assisted by a lawyer who’s another APNU candidate – who’d benefit if the flawed Mingo decision stood!! Who did they think they were fooling?? But it wasn’t the law that was an ass…it was these candidates who treated the law as an ass!

Then again, what about Granger – as the head of Moore’s APNU list who’d made the agreement with Jagdeo? Does anyone believe he is not only in cahoots with Moore, but actually ordered her to bring the case?? But this wasn’t the law that’s an ass, is it?? It’s a presidential candidate who ran on a platform of “honesty, integrity and decency” and can say with his smug, sanctimonious smile, “Wasn’t me”!!

As this is a man who insists he knows the Constitution more than the Judges. He definitely knew, like Jagdeo, about Art 161 (1) (b) which empowers the Commission to order a recount or do whatever it takes to do the right thing on elections. To use the CCJ’s phrase, which Granger should be familiar with by now, Art 161 (1) (b) needs no gloss.

It declares simply that the Elections Commission “shall issue such instructions and take such action as appear to it necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance with the provisions of this Constitution or of any Act of Parliament on the part of persons exercising powers or performing duties connected with or relating to the matters aforesaid.” It’s not the law, Dear Reader, it’s the hypocrites among us!

Then finally, there’s the Judge. The law is very clear that Judges “must avoid not only bias and impropriety, but even the mere appearance thereof”. But this Judge’s son-in-law is also an APNU candidate!!

Does he need the law to tell him to recuse himself??

Spare a thought for the law!! …and COVID-19 A lotta people are blaming ordinary folks for doubting the motives of David Granger and Volda Lawrence for conferring totalitarian-sounding powers on their minions on the COVID-19 threat. But Guyanese of a certain age have been through this sort of thing before when it comes to trampling the rights of the Guyanese people. Give the PNC an inch and they’ll take the proverbial mile!!

And this exposes one of the sad characteristics of the Burnhamite regime, which Granger has vowed to follow if he’s at the helm. The people know the dictator’s lying when he insists a measure is for their own good; the dictator knows he’s lying, but he wants the people to go along as if it’s the truth. Pretty soon, the people doubts everything the dictator says – even in those rare instances when he might be speaking the truth.

So, how do we react to the power to “remove, disinfect and destroy the personal effects, goods, buildings and any other article, material or things exposed or thing exposed to infection from the disease”?? …and morality There’s been a long-running inconclusive debate about the relationship between law and morality. For the longest while, it was held that the two were independent, but gradually the law’s taken a “normative turn”.

Hope it reaches Guyana by Wednesday!!

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

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Democracy will win” – Ali tells Guyanese …says Guyana must not fall into dictatorship

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hile assuring that Guyana will not fall into a state of dictatorship, Presidential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday reiterated that democracy would prevail at the end of the battle.

This comes after an A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) candidate injunction blocked the recount process as the people continue to wait for over three weeks for credible results from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on the March 2, 2020 polls.

On Monday, the High Court agreed to hear together the two cases filed – the first was the injunction filed by APNU/AFC candidate Ulita Moore last Tuesday to block the recounting process while the second was filed by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo to have GECOM independently recount the votes in the interest of

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali

transparency.

The Opposition’s case is backed by provisions in Section Five of the Representation of the People Act; Sections 22 and 23 of the Elections Law and Amendment Act 2000; and supremely, Article 162 of the Constitution.

Democracy

Taking this into account, Ali stated that the return of democratic rule was worth the wait. This, he noted, is essential in

returning the rights of the people to select a government of their choice.

However, the electoral season has uncovered the fragility of the country’s democracy.

“The case is very clear.

It is a very simple issue … I know that it’s taking some time, but democracy is worth it. Your liberty and your freedom and your right and exercising that right for a political party of your choice, electing a government of your choice, is much more important than the time you’re going through here,” he said in a broadcast statement.

Ali also mentioned, “The electoral issue has given rise to how fragile our democracy is and this struggle, commitment and this energy is all in securing the democratic values of our country…At the end of the day, Guyana will win and democracy will win and we are committing ourselves to this struggle.”

Weighing in on the recount, the Presidential

Caretaker President David Granger

Candidate called out the coalition – APNU/AFC – for intruding on the process with its calculated hurdles.

However, the recount of the ballots is indispensable.

“The APNU/AFC, they are putting hurdles in the way of this recount. This recount is necessary to take our country forward, to

move our country forward … We have to do this from a platform of respecting the democratic will of the people. We have to start this process by doing the right thing and the right thing is for us to complete the recount and to ensure that the democratic values of our society are upheld.”

For this, it was indicated that the country must never fall into the hands of a dictatorship, and most importantly, must prevent a violation of the people’s rights.

“The Commission made a decision for a recount.

The Commission agreed for a recount. The Chairman of the Commission, in her affidavit, alluded to the fact that she had committed herself to this national recount…We have to protect these rights … At no time, must our society and coun-

try ever suffer in the hands of a dictatorship or [be] bullied into a dictatorship.

None of us want this existing situation or scenario, which can be easily cured.

This can be easily cured by us going to the recount and stop finding hurdles,” Ali asserted.

Analysing the governance of the PPP, it was assured that the interest of all stakeholders will be addressed.

“A PPP/C-led Government is not a government that would only work in the interest of PPP supporters…We said it is necessary for us to come together as a people [and] agree on a common platform, a unified platform through which we can ensure development and access to development,” Ali detailed.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 pandemic…

Citizenry calls for more awareness campaigns

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Mark Seymour

s the world continues to battle the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and its devastating effects, the citizenry of Georgetown is calling on the Public Health Ministry to ramp up its awareness campaigns to dispel the misinformation being peddled.

The Public Health Ministry, according to the citizens, needs to be more proactive in its approach of how it intends to tackle the deadly virus. Since Guyana confirmed its first case of COVID-19 just over two weeks ago, that number has grown to 5 along with multiple others in mandatory quarantine.

However, Guyanese are of the view that the Ministry is not being entirely truthful with the number of persons who are suspected to have COVID-19. This conclusion was drawn after MoPH has been failing to provide specific numbers as to who is in quarantine and being monitored.

Additionally, false information is being rapidly shared on the various social media platforms which has been causing some amount of panic among residents.

In an effort to gauge the public’s knowledge of what exactly they understand COVID-19 to be, Guyana Times took to the streets of Georgetown where it learnt that the common call is for there to be more awareness.

Apart from the ordinary cit-

izens in the streets, activists across the spectrum have been calling on MoPH to provide daily briefings so that the nation remains informed and not relying on the incorrect information being pedalled on social media.

“We have been taking necessary precautions to have the areas around us sanitised and try to up our personal hygiene in terms of washing our hands. I think there should be more awareness. I think the fear in people do not allow them to get into depths with actual know how to deal with it. The fear is so overwhelming that people do not know how to deal with it,” Mark Seymour explained during a conversation with this publication.

Another Guyanese, 45-year-old Leroy Wickham stated that he and his family have been using home remedies and is taking social distancing seriously.

“We have a bucket home where we use bleach and high wine and throw inside the water and we wash our hands. I cannot say much on the measures the Ministry has put forward because I was not following all of the guides. But I will take the normal precautions with my own home remedies,” Wickham said.

In an effort to further encourage proper hygiene and the washing of hands, the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central collaborated with the Guyana Water Inc to install public handwashing stations at the Stabroek Market Square. That was commissioned on Sunday and has been lauded by its beneficiaries.

“When we are at home, we are washing our hands with soap and when we come out on the road, we use the hand sanitiser. I believe that there needs to be more campaigning about how we are going to deal with the corona-

Coronavirus fears force PUC to live stream GPL review

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he Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has scheduled a review of the 2019 operating standards and performance targets for the Guyana Power and Light but with a global pandemic surging, the entity has turned to social media to ensure social distancing.

The PUC in announcing the review yesterday said: “In light of the COVID-19 outbreak we have determined that we will live stream the proceedings via our Facebook page.”

The hearing is set to be broadcast from the Woodbine Room of the Cara Hotels, Georgetown, on Wednesday.

Among the operating standards to be addressed by stakeholders are customer interruptions, voltage regulation, meter readings and is-

suance of bills among other issues.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which started in China in late 2019, has now been defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a pandemic. Guyana has already recorded five cases.

Several measures have already been taken locally including the closure of schools and the cessation of religious and other events that would attract crowds.

The general populace is also being encouraged to practice social distancing and self-isolation in light of the deadly threat.

Caretaker President David Granger recently signed a 1945 Public Health Ordinance in order to confront the threat.

virus. I think they should go out and help the poor people with some hand sanitiser and Georgetown needs more areas where you can get public hand sanitising areas,” those were the sentiments of 40-year-old Janet Smith as she washed her hands at the recently commissioned handwashing station.

Guyana received its first imported case of the COVID-19 over two weeks ago when a 52-year-old woman travelled from New York to Guyana on March 5. The woman showed signs of pneumonia and was said to be diabetic as well.

It was reported that she visited a private medical institution where she was suspected of having the virus, owing to her symptoms, and was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where she died a few days later.

Posthumous tests revealed she was positive for COVID-19. Further tests have revealed that her husband, child and a relative are all carriers of the virus.

Leroy Wickham

In fact, last week President David Granger signed a Public Health Ordinance that gave Volda Lawrence new far-reaching ministerial powers in order to confront the coronavirus pandemic, with citizens saying that it has no direct measures listed to combat the deadly disease since it was just “copied and pasted” from a 1945 health ordinance by the incumbent coalition Government without being revised.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released an assessment in which

it ranks Guyana among the few countries in the region least prepared to deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly the negative effects it will have on the economy and tourism.

In the assessment, the IMF rated countries in the Americas from red (least prepared) to green (most prepared).

Countries like the United States and Canada were in the green zone. However, Guyana, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras are not so lucky.

According to the World Health Organisation, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs and avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

Additionally, the MoPH advises that the only facility in Guyana that is capable of testing for COVID-19 is the National Reference Lab operated by the Ministry.

Local health authorities have advised that if anyone is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, they should contact the hotline on 231-1166, 624-3067, 624-2819 or 6246674 and a team would be sent to their location.

12 NEWS GECOM Chair admits she promised to facilitate recount G TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

uyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n ( G E C O M ) Chairwoman, retired Justice Claudette Singh has finally broken her silence via an Affidavit of Defence submitted to the High Court, in which she reaffirms her promise to facilitate a national recount.

The affidavit was submitted in response to the application filed on behalf of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) candidate Ulita Moore, who is seeking to block the recount despite the leader of her party, caretaker President David Granger signing an initiative with Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo to have Caricom supervise the recount.

Justice Singh, GECOM and Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield were named as the respondents in the court case. In her affidavit, she swore that she will fulfil her promise to Chief Justice Roxane George on March 13.

“On March 13, I ap-

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

peared before…

Chief Justice Roxane George in a contempt motion touching on and concerning the tabulation by the Region Four Returning Officer of the General and Regional Elections.”

“I indicated to the court that the tabulation process was in progress and that should there be discrepancies in the SoPs as called by the Returning Officer and those held by the political

parties, then the discrepancies should be noted and at the end of the process if they could not be addressed then I will endeavour to facilitate a recount at the level of the Commission,” the affidavit stated.

According to Justice Singh, it is, therefore, her wish to bring this agreement to the court’s attention. She also emphasised that the affidavit was drawn up based on her instructions by her attorney, Kim Kyte-Thomas.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo has also joined the proceedings. In his application, Jagdeo is seeking to have GECOM produce the Region Four Statements of Poll (SoPs) in their possession, as well as the nullification of Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo’s most recent discredited Region Four declaration.

During Tuesday’s in-chamber hearing, it was decided to consolidate applications from both parties. The parties will re-

turn to court today, while further submissions have to be made on Wednesday and Thursday. It is unclear when a final ruling will be made, although GECOM’s lawyer, Senior Counsel Neil Boston was optimistic of a ruling by this weekend.

Under Singh’s tenure, GECOM has been engaged in many questionable activities, the latest being their removal of ballot boxes from the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) without informing the several parties who took part in the elections and stood vigil over the boxes.

The containers were stored at the facility pending a countrywide recount of votes cast at the March 2 General and Regional Elections. Under Police escort, the containers were transported from Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, to GECOM’s headquarters on High Street, Kingston, Georgetown.

Political parties’ representatives had camped outside of the Centre on a 24-

Part of the affidavit filed

hour basis to guard the containers while one party agent is allowed inside GECOM’s compound.

Since the elections were held three weeks ago, a winner is yet to be announced.

The majority of observers who scrutinised the tabulation process have pronounced it to have not been credible.

GECOM itself had come in for much of the criticism,

with repeated attempts being made by Mingo to subvert the process going unchecked by the Commission. Only the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) nominated Commissioners have voiced their disapproval.

The international community has warned Guyana that it could be isolated and even sanctioned if a President is sworn in on the flawed results.

Zeelugt taxi driver robbed, car hijacked ...Police hunting female suspect, 2 others

The car, HC 7893, which was hijacked

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Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) taxi driver is traumatised after his car was hijacked by three bandits, including a female, who posed as passengers.

Shameer Shafeek, who works for a taxi service at Zeelugt, EBE, got the shock of his life on Sunday at about 21:45h when he was robbed.

Shafeek said that he was at the service base when the three persons exited another car and requested that he take them to Ruby, EBE. He followed the request and transported the trio and upon arrival, one of the ‘pas-

sengers’ directed him to a house in a dark street where they wanted to disembark.

He complied but as the suspects exited the car, one of the men held him at gunpoint. They then proceeded to rob him, escaping with two cellular phones, jewellery and his car, HC 7893.

When contacted, Commander of Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Assistant Police Commissioner Simon McBean confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation has been launched.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19

BoG recommends local banks reduce interest rates, defer loan payments sist customers in good standing; deferred loan payments by companies to assist with their liquidity requirements; waived or reduced fees/penalties for transactions with Automated Teller Machines (ATMs); Point of Sales (POS); Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT); debit cards; loan pro-

institutions, Dr Ganga added in the letter that in view of COVID-19, the BoG as the supervisory authority would allow banks to renegotiate credit facilities; grant a threemonth moratorium to classify affected accounts as non-performing; ensure the foreign market continues to function

development of the economy.

He added that the BoG noted that the financial system was safe and sound, and reiterated the critical role banks played in the economy. “The BoG will continue to monitor COVID-19 and the evolving economic conditions and may consider other

terest rate; moratorium on personal and mortgage loans for up to six months (will be available upon request); debt restructuring will be considered on a case-by-case basis; temporary increase of overdraft and credit card limits on a case-by-case basis and automatic waivers for the next six months on credit card late fees and over limit fees effective March 23, 2020; late fees on loan payments; penalties for early withdrawal of Certificates of Deposit and disposable commercial depos-

BoG Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga

Guyana Association of Bankers Inc Chairman Richard Isava

B

ank of Guyana (BoG) Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga has recommended that the Guyana Association of Bankers Inc, through its membership, reduce interest rates on loans and credit cards to customers to help deal with COVID-19 and the likely economic and financial fallout that may result.

In a letter to Guyana Association of Bankers Inc Chairman Richard Isava, the Governor said that the BoG strongly encouraged banks/ financial institutions to offer relief to affected individual and commercial customers.

Dr Ganga added that among these measures should be deferred loan payments to as-

cessing; late payments on loans; etc, and encouraging customers to reduce in-person transactions by using e-banking, ATMs, POS, telephone, etc.

As relief to the banking

to satisfy legitimate needs as well as ensure compliance with Circular No 5 of 2017 on Bank Cambio Operation, and continue with an accommodative monetary stance to promote sustained growth and

measures, if necessary,� the letter noted.

Republic Bank

Meanwhile, Republic Bank on Monday announced a reduction in overdraft in-

itory wallet fee.

Last week, Scotiabank (Guyana) announced that customers could have their loan payments deferred up to six months (first for a period of three months, with the possibility of extension for a further three months). This suspension covers loan repayments in regard to mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, credit cards, and lines of credit. The bank, in a release, has said that for its retail cus-

tomers, payments for secured and unsecured loans may be deferred for up to six months.

Debt consolidation and Fixed Payment Plans would be available for customers requiring long-term financial assistance.

Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has also indicated that from today, Tuesday, March 24, the withdrawal limit at its ATMs has been increased to $150,000.

Hundreds of thousands of persons around the world, including Guyanese, have been affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. In Guyana, five cases have been recorded.

One person has since died.

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden man charged for murders of ex-lover, new boyfriend

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orty-eight-year-old Maxwell Usher was on Monday remanded to prison for the murders of his ex-lover, Imogene Gordon, 49, and her boyfriend Royston John.

Usher appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, slapped with two counts of murder. He was remanded to prison and the case will continue on April 20, 2020. It is alleged that Usher murdered the duo on March 17.

The bodies of Gordon, of Lot 177 Prosville, Wismar, Linden, and John, of East Berbice- Corentyne, were

Dead: Royston John Murder accused Maxwell Usher

Dead: Imogene Gordon

discovered at about 21:00h on March 17 at the woman’s Prosville home with

multiple stab wounds after Police were summoned to the scene.

John was reportedly discovered lying on his back at the door of the lower flat of the incomplete two-storey building while Gordon was discovered lying face down in the lower flat.

Post-mortem examinations conducted on the bodies of the two have since given the causes of deaths as multiple incise wounds which include cuts and stabs.

Police, who were summoned to the scene had discovered a knife some six feet away from Gordon’s body. The knife is suspected to be the murder weapon.

A neighbour recalled hearing the woman screaming prior to the bodies being discovered, while indicating that calls to her cell phone went unanswered.

The neighbour then called

the Wisroc Police Outpost and lodged a report.

Usher was arrested a day after the incident in the vicinity of Prosville where the incident occurred and was transported to the Linden Hospital Complex where he was treated for a gaping wound in the hand.

Information revealed that just recently, Gordon had filed a police complaint against Usher with whom she had once shared

a common-law relationship.

Reports are that the woman had complained that he threatened to chop off her hands and feet. He was arrested and charged in connection with these allegations on March 10 and later appeared at Linden Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Dylon Bess where he pleaded guilty to the charge. He was placed on a six-month bond to keep the peace.

Handwashing stations placed at Stabroek Market Square

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he Rotary Club of Georgetown Central in collaboration with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has commissioned public handwashing stations at the Stabroek Market Square in an effort to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central, Andrew Boyle stated that the initiative was created with the aim of promoting handwashing at the Stabroek Market Square as a preventative measure to fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“We have come together to help lower the curve.

What we are trying to do is to encourage individuals; whether they are customers or vendors to wash their hands because it helps to lower the spread of coronavirus,” Boyle stated.

With the Stabroek Market Square being a busy commercial hub, Community Services’ Director of the Club, Jeffrey Walcott said the location for this handwashing station is fitting.

“It’s a convenient point

The handwashing stations at Stabroek Market, Georgetown

for hundreds if not thousands of persons daily.

There are people operating businesses, as well as commuters who are passing through the environment.

Together with our partner GWI, we hope to roll out this initiative across the country. Primarily starting with the market areas. First in Georgetown and then moving further along the East

Coast and East Bank.”

Walcott explained.

The Rotary Club will be installing more handwashing stations across the country.

Rotary Club of Georgetown Central has been in existence for 36 years and has played a major role in executing projects geared towards community development.

15

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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16 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19

Central Bank approves Schools to remain closed until reduced banking hours new term – Education Ministry

T

T

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry

he Bank of Guyana has approved the amendment to decrease banking hours, as the fight against COVID-19 continues to prevent further spread.

In a notice, the Central Bank indicated that the new opening hours

Demerara Bank

rus. Institutions which will be subjected to an earlier closure include Scotiabank, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Citizens Bank, the Demerara Bank, New Building Society (NBS), Handin-Hand Trust, Bank of Baroda and

Republic Bank

have changed to 08:00h to 12:00h until April 3, 2020. However, there is the possibility of this temporary measure being extended for a longer period of time.

It is viewed as one of the precautionary measures to protect staff and customers from the vi-

Guyana Americas Merchant Bank.

Meanwhile, GBTI has indicated that from today, March 24, the withdrawal limit at their Automated Teller Machines (ATM) has increased to $150,000.

In light of the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the

Guyana Association of Bankers Inc (GABI) last Tuesday encouraged customers of the various financial institutions to utilise online and mobile banking to conduct their businesses.

The Association in a statement stated that it has been closely monitoring the developments surrounding the virus and its priority is the health and safety of employees, customers, and communities.

“The banks have incorporated added precautionary measures including enhanced hygiene protocols.

We have increased the frequency of cleaning, with daily disinfections of our retail branches and ATMs… Our mobile and online banking application are safe and available 24/7.”

On March 11, 2020, Guyana recorded its first case of the COVID-19 which saw the demise of an East Coast Demerara resident who had returned from the United States.

Four of her family members have since tested positive and have been quarantined.

Jamaica now has 21 COVID-19 cases

M

inister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton has just announced that Jamaica has seen an increase of two cases of COVID-19 since Friday last when the last official report was given.

Speaking at a Jamaica House press conference, Dr Tufton gave details of the two cases.

One is a 61-year-old man from Manchester who has a recent history of travelling

through Florida, Tanzania, Dubai and Egypt before landing in Jamaica.

The other is a 71-yearold man in Westmoreland.

Dr Tufton also informed that of the 21 cases of COVID-19 in Jamaica, 13 are males and eight are females.

Dr Tufton said public health inspectors are continuing investigations in Cornpiece settlement in Hayes Clarendon, which remains under quarantine.

In the other quarantined community of Bull Bay, St Andrew health teams visited 1,598 household and interviewed 2,600 persons.

The 14 day quarantine for Bull Bay expires in another two days. Dr Tufton said the next step is to discontinue the measure unless the clinical teams find compelling reasons not to do so.

The ministry says it has made 542 contacts related to the 21 confirmed cases.

(Jamaica Observer)

he Education Ministry has made a decision to extend the closure of all public schools for another week, which will extend into the Easter Term vacation break.

In a notice on Monday, the Ministry said this conclusion was taken after considering the ‘current situation’.

From April 6 to April 17, students would be entitled to their Easter break.

The commencement of the third term remains as scheduled for April 20.

Initially, the announcement was made for schools to be closed for two weeks, commencing from March 16.

This came one day after the Ministry indicated that all schools would remain open.

The Ministry had initially advised persons to take the necessary precautions as advised by the World Health Organisation (WHO); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in relation to COVID-19. They later recanted their decision of keeping these institutions open amid the threats.

Additionally, the University of Guyana also opted to close its two campuses – located at Tain and Turkeyen – until there is normalcy in Guyana.

The Transitional Management Committee of the University advised that staff and students of both Turkeyen and Tain campuses and the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) would be absent from campus and working online until March 30, 2020.

“The extension is now applicable to all staff and students of UG, with

the exception of those essential services staff in the registry, bursary, maintenance, security and personnel divisions who will be deployed on service as required. This is a precautionary measure in response to NCV-19,” UG stated.

Initially, the institution had made a decision to suspend all class activities until March 20 after a request from the University of Guyana Student’s Society (UGSS).

However, it positioned that scientific data shows a larger population of infected persons, which cannot be ignored.

“The University relies on scientific evidence emerging and based on modelling of the infection in large countries already affected, thus, the most effective means of managing NCV-19 is through mass containment procedures in the period of highest vulnerability, that is within 14 days of exposure,” the University indicated.

While these institutions remain closed, the Education Ministry is still in possession of a ‘blank cheque’ issued by President David Granger for expenditure relating to COVID-19. It was one of three, issued to the Health and Citizenship Ministries also.

The move comes under an Executive Order issued by the President under the Public Health Ordinance and was signed by the President, and according to the document, the Finance Minister shall expend from the Consolidated Fund such sums of money as may be necessary for the effectual carrying out of identified measures to be undertaken by the various Ministries.

Coronavirus death toll reaches triple digits in NYC

N

ew York City’s toll of coronavirus deaths reached a grim milestone Monday night.

The count entered triple digits, with 125 people succumbing to the virus, according to the city’s Health Department.

There were 13,119 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the five boroughs, the city recorded.

“We are the epicenter of this crisis,” Mayor de Blasio

said during a press conference. “No one wants that distinction — not a single one of us — but it’s true.”

As of Monday morning,

New York State had the most confirmed coronavirus cases in the country, with a majority of them in the Big Apple. (NY Daily News)

Coronavirus: Spanish Army finds care home residents "dead and abandoned"

S

panish soldiers helping to fight the coronavirus pandemic have found elderly patients in retirement homes abandoned and, in some cases, dead in their beds, the defence ministry has said.

Spanish prosecutors said an investigation had been launched.

The military has been brought in to help disinfect care homes in Spain, one of Europe’s worst hit countries.

Meanwhile, an ice rink in Madrid is to be used as a temporary mortuary for Covid-19 victims, officials said.

On Monday Spain recorded its highest daily death toll - 462 - bringing the total to 2,182.

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles told the private TV channel Telecinco that the government was “going to be strict and inflexible when dealing with the way older people are treated” in retire-

Madrid’s main funeral home says its workers lack the equipment to deal with COVID-19 victims

ment homes.

“The army, during certain visits, found some older people completely abandoned, sometimes even dead in their beds,” she said.

The defence ministry said that

staff at some care homes had left after the coronavirus was detected.

Health officials have said that in normal circumstances the bodies of deceased residents are put in cold storage until they are collected by the

funeral services.

But when the cause of death is suspected to be linked to coronavirus they are left in their beds until they can be retrieved by properly equipped funeral staff. In the capital Madrid, which has seen the highest number of cases and deaths, that could take up to 24 hours, officials said.

Spanish Health Minister Salvador Illa told a news conference that retirement homes were “an absolute priority for the government”.

“We will exercise the most intensive monitoring of these centres,” she added.

As the crisis in Madrid worsened, the city’s municipal funeral home said it would stop the collection of Covid-19 victims from Tuesday because of a lack of protective equipment.

The city is to use a major ice rink, the Palacio de Hielo (Ice Palace),

as a temporary mortuary where bodies will be stored until funeral homes can collect them, officials told Spanish media.

The Palacio de Hielo complex, which also includes shops, restaurants, a bowling alley and cinemas, is not far from the Ifema congress centre where a field hospital has been set up for coronavirus patients.

Spain is the second worst affected country in Europe after Italy, which now has the highest number of coronavirus-related deaths in the world.

Italian authorities said on Monday that 602 people with Covid-19 had died in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 6,077.

But the daily increase was the smallest since Thursday, raising hope that stringent restrictions imposed by the government were starting to have an effect. (BBC)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020

17

Regional

Brazil’s Bolsonaro walks back Venezuela, already in crisis mode, struggles to fight coronavirus decree to suspend workers’ E pay amid coronavirus

B

razilian President Jair Bolsonaro was forced on Monday to walk back a decree letting companies suspend pay to workers amid the coronavirus pandemic, following barbs from congressional leaders and rising discontent with his handling of the crisis.

A poll showed Bolsonaro losing the battle of public opinion as he attacks state governors for shutting down stores to slow the spread of the virus, which has tripled in four days to 1891 confirmed cases, according to the Health Ministry.

While Bolsonaro has played down the gravity of the outbreak, which he called a “fantasy” two weeks ago, state governments and federal lawmakers are calling for aggressive measures to slow contagion and support the economy.

Rodrigo Maia, Speaker

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro

of the Lower House of Congress, proposed on Monday that Brazil should spend between 300 billion and 400 billion reais (US$58-78 billion) in emergency funds, creating a “war budget” where ordinary fis-

cal rules do not apply.

On a call with investors and business leaders, Maia criticised parts of an emergency presidential decree, including what he called an “unthinkable” measure allowing employers to suspend employees without pay.

Hours later, Bolsonaro said on Twitter he was suspending that measure.

As markets lurched lower on coronavirus fears, Brazil’s central bank said it planned to inject 1.2 trillion reais (US$234 billion) into the country’s financial system, with more than half of that comprising loans to banks.

Several Brazilian states have begun closing shopping malls and schools, and banning public meetings, soccer matches and religious assemblies. Sao Paulo, the country’s biggest city, is slated to begin a lockdown today. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ven before the coronavirus pandemic swept across the world, healthcare professionals in Venezuela contended with an endless shortage of medicine and equipment.

The worst nightmare of Venezuelan healthcare professionals came true earlier this month when COVID-19 was detected in the country.

Since then, at least 70 cases of the virus have been confirmed in Venezuela, increasing anxiety in a crisis-stricken country where the healthcare system lacks infrastructure and resources to treat basic diseases.

“We are facing an unknown disease, without knowing what the behav-

iour will be in our country,” said Dr Oscar Noguera, an internist and director of Ancora Humanistas, a NonGovernmental Organisation in Venezuela.

“Health personnel are already complaining about the lack of adequate clothing for their protection, while the increased emigration of doctors and nurses has left our hospitals in a vulnerable condition,” he told Al Jazeera. “The number of intensive care beds available in the country is barely close to 80.”

In an attempt to contain the outbreak, President Nicolás Maduro imposed a nationwide quarantine and restricted travel between

At least 23 killed in Colombia prison unrest

during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Justice Ministry is investigating.

Cabello said 32 prisoners and seven guards were in hospital. Two guards are in critical condition.

She said the violence was a coordinated plan with disturbances reported across 13 of the country’s prisons.

Denying claims of unsanitary conditions amid fears of a coronavirus breakout, she said: “There is not any

sanitary problem that would have caused this plan and these riots.

“There is not one infection nor any prisoner or custodial or administrative staffer who has coronavirus.”

She said prisoners had run amok and some would be charged with attempted murder, and damage to property.

A large number of relatives gathered outside the gates of La Modelo prison to await news of their loved ones. They said they had heard of shots being fired after the security forces arrived.

Videos posted to social media showed inmates setting fire to mattresses.

The country’s 132 prisons have an 81,000-inmate capacity but house more than 121,000 prisoners, according to figures from the justice ministry.

So far, there have been 231 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Colombia and two people have died. (Excerpt from BBC News)

streets from 19:00 to 05:00 local time Brazil’s President Bolsonaro has been at odds with his country’s regional authorities, telling CNN Brasil he disagrees with their decision to close businesses. He called São Paulo Governor João Doria a “lunatic” for imposing a 15day shutdown. One of the President’s major influencers, US-based former astrologer Olavo de Carvalho, has been criticised for broadcasting a message online saying the virus is a hoax and there has not been one death from it.

El Salvador has intro-

duced a strict new curfew and is detaining those who don’t comply. The Justice Minister says 327 arrests were made up until 22:30 Sunday night.

Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has ruled out any curfew or troop deployments, saying they would be too authoritarian. However, in Mexico City, the Mayor is closing museums, gyms, bars, theatres and more, from Monday until April 19.

Shopping malls and restaurants will stay open, and gatherings are being limited to 50 people. (Excerpt from BBC News)

51 COVID-19 cases now in T&T

T

here are now 51 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The latest update from the Health Ministry as of Monday, March 23, 10:53h, says that case 51 was also on the cruise that recently returned, but that person came back to this country separately, prior to the other 68.

The Ministry of Health says this means that 41 of the 51 positive cases came from the cruise ship, the Costa Favolosa.

The Ministry also confirms that all positive COVID-19 cases thus far have been imported.

The Ministry of Health says so far 311 samples were submitted to the Caribbean Public Health Agency

(CARPHA) for testing with now 51 people testing positive.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley hosted a news conference Monday afternoon, where he was expected to say more about the coronavirus and its impact on this country and measures to mitigate the effects.

(Trinidad Guardian)

Elephant Man charged with breaches of the Immigration Act

D

ancehall artiste Elephant Man, whose given name is Oneil Bryan, has been charged with breaches of the Immigration Act. The Police made the announcement on Twitter on Monday.

According to the Police, a team from the CounterTerrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch visited the entertainer’s home and served a sum-

Elephant Man

mons on the artiste.

He is scheduled to appear in court on April 15 to answer to the charges.

Elephant Man and members of his team returned to the island sometime this month from a European tour.

The artiste is accused of falsifying immigration documents by not declaring all the countries he had visited while he was abroad.

(Jamaica Observer)

Haiti records additional cases of COVID-19

H

aiti has recorded three new cases of the coronavirus and health officials on the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country urged people to follow instructions given by the relevant authorities so as to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) said that the three new cases bring to five the total number of positive cas-

es since the first was detected on March 19.

As on the previous occasions, the MSPP has not provided any specifics regarding the cases, saying, “within the framework of the transparency that the Government has promised, it will continue to provide the population with good information so that they can properly protect themselves”.

The MSPP said it was urging the members of the

population to respect all the principles of health and safety that the State has already given to prevent the disease from spreading in the country.

The virus was first detected in China last December and since then 13,039 people have died worldwide with most of the cases being in China and Italy. There is no known cure for the virus that has spread to more than 170 countries. (CMC)

states.

“We are preparing for the most dire situation we’ve ever faced before,” Maduro said on State television earlier this month. “All of the country will enter a quarantine. It is indispensable and necessary, and it is the answer.”

But such measures have done little to quell the anxiety that comes with the coronavirus.

The President also encouraged people to wear face masks, even if it meant improvising them, and he banned people from boarding the metro or taking trains without one. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Prisoners across the country have been holding protests against poor health services and overcrowding

A

t least 23 people have died in one of Bogotá’s largest jails after what the authorities are calling a mass breakout attempt amid rising tensions over coronavirus.

Colombia’s Justice Minister Margarita Cabello said 83 inmates were injured during a riot at La Modelo prison.

Inmates at prisons across the country held protests on Sunday against overcrowding and poor health services

Restrictions expanded in fight against virus

L

atin America is steeling itself. It’s a region with pockets of extreme poverty, which are often concentrated in either densely packed urban areas or very remote regions.

So far, the numbers are small compared to other parts of the world, as it is at an earlier stage of the pandemic.

Brazil and Ecuador are the most affected in the region so far, with 25 and 14 deaths respectively.

Here are some of the latest announcements: Ecuador introduced a curfew at the weekend, keeping people off the

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020

Around the World

OILNEWS

Trump’s ultimate weapon to end the oil war

U

S President Donald Trump is facing increasing calls from some US senators and congressmen to pressure Saudi Arabia into ending the oil price war, with one of his own Republican party - Senator Kevin Cramer – last week urging him to impose an embargo on oil imports from Saudi Arabia, Russia and other OPEC nations. It is not because the US shale producers cannot deal with a much lower sustained oil price environment as they can. It is because, in order to cope with this environment, capital expenditure will have to be trimmed back to the sorts of ratios seen the last time that the Saudis tried the same thing from 2014 to 2016. The US shale sector won last time and it will win this time (along with Russia) but behind the scenes, the US Presidential Administration is also being advised that it already has the ultimate weapon to make Saudi Arabia end the oil price war right now, OilPrice.com understands from legal sources in Washington. The weapon is the ‘NOPEC Bill Bomb’. The ‘NOPEC Bill Bomb’ refers specifically to the ‘No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act’ (NOPEC) that was last threatened by the US in October 2018 when the Saudis had enabled the Brent oil price to remain above the key US$70 per barrel level since March. Any sustained Brent price above US$70 per barrel was – and is – regarded by the current Presidential Administration as being in an area where the benefits to US shale producers of higher prices are outweighed by the relative damage done to the US economy. More specifically, it is estimated that every US$10 per barrel change in the price of crude oil results in a 25-30 cent change in the price of a gallon of gasoline, and for every 1 cent that the average price per gallon of gasoline rises, more than US$1 billion per year in consumer spending is lost. As Bob McNally, the former energy adviser to the former President George W Bush put it: “Few things terrify an American President more than a spike in fuel [gasoline] prices.”

In any year, this is bad news for the sitting US President but at that specific point in 2018 when the US (in March) was looking to re-impose sanctions on Iran just a couple of months later, “it looked like Saudi was taking advantage of the US position, rather than helping its most important ally,” as one senior Washingtonbased legal source told OilPrice.com last week. “It came at a time when we were concerned anyway that the Saudis were becoming too dependent on Russia because of the OPEC-plus deals and were listening too much to its [Russia’s advice],” he added. With the oil price during the March-October period consistently well above US$70 per barrel of Brent and in September trading at nearly US$85 per barrel and looking like it was going higher, Trump warned Saudi Arabia’s King Salman that: “He would not last in power for two weeks without the backing of the US military.”

This was also the occasion when the Saudis were reminded of the NOPEC Bill, according to the legal sources in Washington.

Specifically, the NOPEC Bill would make it illegal to artificially cap oil (and gas) production or to set prices, as OPEC and Saudi Arabia do. It would also now work as a very neat trick to prevent Russia from resuscitating OPEC+, rather than just OPEC, as if it did then it too would face the consequences of the NOPEC Bill, once it was approved and became the NOPEC Act. The bill would also immediately remove the sovereign immunity that presently exists in US courts for OPEC as a group and for each and every one of its individual member states. This would leave Saudi Arabia, for instance, open to being sued under existing US anti-trust legislation, with its total liability being its estimated US$1 trillion of investments in the US alone. The US would then be legally entitled to freeze all Saudi bank accounts in the US, seize its assets in the country, halt all use of US dollars by the Saudis anywhere in the world (oil, of course, to begin with, is denominated in US dollars), and to go after Aramco and its assets and funds, as it is still a majority stateowned production and trading vehicle. It would also mean that Aramco could be ordered to break itself up into smaller, constituent companies that are not deemed to break competition rules in the oil, gas, and petrochemicals sectors or to influence the oil price. Up until recently, the bill was progressing at a pace through the US system and came very close indeed to being passed into law before Trump stepped in and vetoed it after the Saudis did what he told them to do. In February of last year, the House Judiciary Committee passed the NOPEC Act, which cleared the way for a vote on the bill before the full House of Representatives. On the same day, Democrats Patrick Leahy and Amy Klobuchar and – most remarkably – two Republicans, Chuck Grassley and Mike Lee, introduced the NOPEC Bill to the Senate. Even before this, the full approval of the bill has only been stopped by the President. In 2007, the full House of Representatives and Senate passed the NOPEC legislation and it was passed again in 2008 by the House. In terms of presidential views on the bill, George W Bush always threatened a veto and Barack Obama opposed it, but Trump has veered from initially being against it to being a lot less clear. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Coronavirus: Pandemic is ‘accelerating’, WHO warns as cases pass 300,000

T

he World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the coronavirus disease pandemic is “accelerating”, with more than 300,000 cases now confirmed.

But WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was still possible to “change the trajectory”.

He urged countries to adopt rigorous testing and contact-tracing strategies.

Dr Tedros said asking people to stay at home and other physical-distancing measures were an important way of slowing down the spread of the virus, but described them as “defensive measures that will not help us to win”.

“To win, we need to at-

The WHO Chief urged the G20 group of nations to boost production of protective equipment

tack the virus with aggressive and targeted tactics - testing every suspected case, isolating and caring for every confirmed case, and chasing and quarantining every close contact.”

Dr Tedros expressed alarm at reports from

around the world of large numbers of infections among health workers, which appeared to be the result of a shortage of adequate personal protective equipment.

He said the WHO has been working with its part-

ners to rationalise and prioritise the use of protective equipment, and to address the global shortage of it.

But he noted: “Measures put in place to slow the spread of the virus may have unintended consequences of exacerbating shortages of essential protective gear and the materials needed to make them.”

The WHO chief called for “political commitment and political coordination at the global level” and said he would ask leaders of the G20 group of nations this week to work together to boost production of protective equipment, avoid export bans and ensure equity of distribution on the basis of need. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Hungarians queue for guns for fear of disorder as coronavirus spreads

P

eter Rostas doesn’t want to have any reason to use the gun he was buying, but the young Hungarian father of one was taking no chances with a coronavirus epidemic he fears may bring out the worst in some people.

Hungarians have sought in increasing number to arm themselves for protection in recent weeks, fearing a possible unravelling of law and order if severe shortages set in as the coronavirus pandemic spreads.

Gun controls are tight in eastern Europe as across the rest of the continent, but demand for small arms amid growing anxiety over coronavirus has risen elsewhere in the region. The Czech arms manufacturers association said shop owners had

reported rising demand and a double-digit rise in sales.

About 300,000 people hold licenses for guns in each of the Czech Republic and Hungary, both with about 10 million inhabitants. Licenses are not mandatory for some light arms.

Hungary has registered 167 cases of coronavirus, with seven deaths, but Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Monday the true number was probably much higher.

Rostas fears violence could arise from shortages of essential goods, something the Hungarian Government has insisted will not happen.

But the stocky auto trader is sceptical.

Vass, the gun shop owner, said even small weapons not requiring a license

A Hungarian vendor shows an Ekol Firat Magnum gas pistol at a gun shop where people queued up to buy weapons for protection during the coronavirus pandemic, in Budapest, March 20, 2020

were very dangerous in the wrong hands, given that even non-combat gas pistols can be lethal at close range, and the interest does not stop there.

Gun and ammunition sales have also jumped across the United States amid fears of social breakdown as the pandemic worsens. (Excerpt from Reuters)

“Enough is enough”: Unhappy Trudeau tells Canadians to go home and stay home

A

clearly unhappy Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday said people defying advice to isolate themselves to fight a coronavirus outbreak should “go home and stay home” or face sanctions.

The number of people in Canada diagnosed with the coronavirus rose to 1474 on Monday from 1430 on Sunday, and the death toll stayed at 20, medical officials said.

Although Ottawa and the 10 provinces have urged Canadians to stay at home, and in some cases put limits on gatherings, Trudeau said too many people were still disregarding the advice.

“Enough is enough. Go home and stay home ... we’re going to make sure this happens, whether by educating people more on the risks

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a news conference as efforts continue to help slow the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada March 23, 2020

or by enforcing the rules if that’s needed,” he told a daily news conference outside his residence, where he has

been confined since his wife was diagnosed with the virus.

Federal and provincial officials said on Sunday that people ignoring advice to self-isolate or avoid large groups could be fined or even arrested.

He also said he would discuss with them what the Federal Government could do under the 1988 Emergencies Act, which allows Ottawa to impose strict limits on the movement of people.

Officials said last week that using the Act would be a last resort. Trudeau reiterated that “we haven’t taken anything off the table”.

Trudeau, who says more steps to help the economy are coming, also said Ottawa would defer C$173 million in federal loans to farmers and invest C$192 million into vaccine research and production. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020

19

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

DILBERT

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

Don’t give in to a bully or to emotional manipulation.

If you have reservations about someone, back away and take care of matters on your own. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Spend time with people you can learn from, not with those who continually want something from you.

A self-improvement project will get good results. A spa day will ease stress.

Too much or too little will be problematic. Don’t put yourself in financial jeopardy. Don’t spend more than you can afford and don’t feel compelled to impress someone.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

A physical challenge will keep you on your toes. Don’t take an unnecessary risk.

Associate with people who inspire and encourage you.

Share your plans with someone you want to work alongside.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Channel your energy into nurturing meaningful relationships. Home improvements that fit your lifestyle will add to your convenience and give you more time to share with a loved one.

LIBRA

Take a look at what you’ve accomplished and what’s still on your to-do list. Align yourself with people who can provide what you lack and be part of an unbeatable team.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Keep your emotions under control and your thoughts practical. Overreacting will hold you back. If you look for the positive, you’ll discover the best way to move forward.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Make adjustments that will result in a better life. If you take action first, everyone who counts will follow.

Set the standard and live up to your promises.

Do what works best for SAGITTARIUS you. Don’t let anyone dis(Nov. 23rupt your plans or life.

Dec. 21) Remain focused and intent on reaching your goal. Know your worth, and don’t settle for less.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Take what’s said at face value. Verify any information you receive before you pass it along or make a change based on what you are led to believe. Romance is featured.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Pay it forward. Offer assistance and understanding to someone in need. A new relationship will develop that has the potential to lead to a serious commitment.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

If you listen and observe, you’ll pick up on a vibe someone is sending you. You’ll be attracted to someone very different from yourself.

Romance is in the stars.

20

M

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020

Tokyo 2020 delay looms after Canada and Australia exit

ajor sporting nations Australia and Canada withdrew from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Monday as organizers faced global pressure to postpone the Games due to the coronavirus crisis for the first time in their 124-year modern history.

Putting back the July 24-Aug. 9 event, as is looking inevitable, would be a massive blow for host Japan which has pumped in more than $12 billion of investment.

Huge sums are also at stake for sponsors and broadcasters.

But a groundswell of concern from athletes - already struggling to train as gyms, stadiums and swimming pools close around the world - appears to be tipping the balance, along with the cancellation of other major sports events.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Japanese government have both edged back from weeks of blanket insistence the Games would go ahead, announcing a month-long consultation over other scenarios including postponement.

The Olympics have never before been delayed, though they were canceled altogether in 1916,

1940 and 1944 during the World Wars and major Cold War boycotts disrupted the Moscow and Los Angeles Games in 1980 and 1984 respectively.

“The moment the IOC indicates that it is thinking about other solutions, it has already decided to delay the Games,” said French Olympic Committee president Denis Masseglia.

Canada and Australia both bluntly said they would not participate if the Games were not put back to 2021, and Britain may follow suit.

“We are in the midst of a global health crisis that is far more significant than sport,” said Canada’s Olympic Committee (COC) and Paralympic Committee (CPC) in a statement.

“Stress and uncertainty”

“Our athletes have been magnificent in their positive attitude to training and preparing, but the stress and uncertainty have been extremely challenging for them,” said Australia’s Olympics Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman.

Paralympic athletes were considered at particular risk from the epidemic given some had underlying health problems. More than 14,600 people have

athletes to give them respite where we can.”

Abe and Bach under pressure

The Canadian contingent at the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

died globally from the coronavirus.

Russia urged global sporting authorities to avoid “panic” over the Olympics and U.S. President Donald Trump expressed confidence in Japan to make the “proper” call.

A banner for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics is seen behind a traffic sign, following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Tokyo, Japan, March 23, 2020.

REUTERS/Issei Kato But a raft of other nations pressed for a quick decision from the IOC, which is led by its powerful president, Thomas Bach, a German lawyer and former

Olympic fencing champion.

Athletes were broadly supportive of postponement though sad.

“Competing in the Olympics is my #1 goal but I fully support this decision and I commend our leadership for taking a stand,” tweeted Canadian tennis player Gabriela Dabrowski.

Monday’s announcements followed growing pressure from big stakeholders including U.S. Track and Field, UK Athletics and other national Olympic committees.

“An Olympic Games in July this year is neither feasible nor desirable,” World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe said. “We owe it to our

Japanese authorities seemed to be bowing to the inevitable despite the losses and logistics headaches it would entail.

“We may have no option but to consider postponing,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was hoping for a boom in tourism and consumer spending, told parliament.

The organizing committee was already scaling back the torch relay to avoid crowds, NHK broadcaster said.

Both Japan and the IOC have stressed that calling off the Games entirely is not an option.

But finding a new date could be complicated as the summer 2021 calendar is already crowded, while 2022 will see the soccer World Cup and the Beijing Winter Olympics.

Japanese sponsors, from Toyota Motor Corp to Panasonic Corp, were nervously watching. But Tokyo stocks sensitive to the success of the Olympics surged on Monday, after sharp falls in prior weeks, thanks to expectations of a delay rather than a cancellation.

Ad agency Dentsu Group

shares jumped 12%.

Postponement could be a major blow to the IOC’s prestige after weeks of saying the Games would go ahead as planned.

Many athletes already felt disrespected during the Russian doping scandal when Bach ensured Russians could carry on competing, albeit as neutrals. Now his iron grip on the IOC could weaken after various national committees at the weekend distanced themselves from his stance.

“IOC President Thomas Bach’s stubbornness and arrogance have spectacularly failed in this instance and he has weakened the Olympic movement,” Britain’s Olympic gold medal track cyclist Callum Skinner wrote on Twitter.

Bach is up for re-election in 2021.

Global Athlete Group said the IOC’s planned, month-long consultation was irresponsible. “Over the next four weeks the world is going to increasingly shut down, the COVID-19 virus will sadly take more lives, and without a clear answer, athletes are still being indirectly asked to train,” it said. (Reuters)

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Mumbai Indians are the current holders of the title

he threat of Coronavirus is causing panic globally.

Amongst all of this, one of the events suffering the consequences of the virus is IPL 2020. The Indian Premier League is the annual cricket carnival of the world.

Therefore, a number of investors, broadcasters, and foreign agencies have an association with the event.

Initially, to address the

Coronavirus caution, the BCCI had taken the decision of postponing the event to April 15th. Now, the number of positive cases in India is crossing 400. The global cases number up to almost over 338,000. In fact, this disease has claimed the life of 14,000 individuals. Unfortunately, due to the alarming rise of cases in India, it is possible that BCCI will decide to push back IPL 2020 further.

Olympic gold medallist Van der Burgh battling coronavirus

F

ormer Olympic swimming champion Cameron van der Burgh has said he has been battling the new coronavirus for the last two weeks and that athletes who continue to train for the Tokyo Games are exposing themselves to “unnecessary risk”.

South African Van der Burgh won gold in the 100m breaststroke at the 2012 London Olympics and silver in Rio four years later before retiring in 2018.

He said that while the most severe symptoms from the virus had passed he was still exhausted by any physical activity.

“I have been struggling with COVID-19 for 14 days today,” he said on Twitter.

“By far the worst virus I have ever endured despite being a healthy individual with strong lungs (no smoking/sport), living a healthy lifestyle and being young (least at-risk demographic).

“Although the most severe symptoms (extreme fever) have eased, I am still struggling with serious fatigue and a residual cough that I can’t shake. Any physical activity like walking leaves me exhausted for hours.”

More than 14,600 people have died globally since the coronavirus outbreak began.

Van der Burgh, 31, said athletes who contract the virus will struggle to get back in peak condition for the Games, which are scheduled to start on July 24, though there have been growing calls for the Olympics to be

Cameron van der Burgh of South Africa competes

postponed.

Canada became the first country to boycott the Games due to the coronavirus pandemic and Australia on Monday told its athletes to prepare for the Olympics to be postponed to 2021.

“The loss in body conditioning has been immense and I can only feel for the athletes that contract COVID-19 as they will suffer a great loss of current conditioning through the last training cycle. Infection closer to competition being the worst,” he said.

“Athletes will continue to train as there is no clarification regarding the summer Games and thus are exposing themselves to unnecessary risk — and those that do contract will try rush back to training most likely enhancing/extending the damage/recovery time.”

(Reuters)

According to various sources, both BCCI and the IPL 2020 committee are trying to come to a tentative date. In the light of current events, there is a possibility that the 13th season of Indian Premier League will be cancelled altogether. The two committees are getting on a conference call on the 24th of March to decide the fate of the event.

“BCCI and IPL franchise to have a conference call on

coming Tuesday to discuss the process and further way of IPL 2020. BCCI office has closed so no meeting can be held there similarly no meeting can be held in the hotel so they have opted conference call.”

The event will not go forward without the foreign players

Even if the committees decide a date, the next factor are the foreign visas. The Indian Government is exercising

bans on all foreign visas.

Therefore, the foreign players will not be able to fly to India till the ban is on-going.

The Indian Premier League franchises are not willing to go ahead with the event without the foreign players. On the other hand, the franchises are ready to proceed with the event without the audience. Only time will say what happens with the 13th edition of the cash-rich league.

(Essentially Sports)

British boxing cancelled until May due to coronavirus

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here will be no boxing The British heavyweight new date. events in Britain until title bout between Daniel Josh Taylor's defence of at least May because of Dubois and Joe Joyce on 11 his WBA and IBF world titles the coronavirus outbreak April at the O2 Arena has against Thailand's Apinun British boxing's current now been rescheduled to 11 Khongsong has suspension because of the J u l y , also been postcoronavirus outponed, with a break has been new date yet to extended until be announced. the end of April.

Doncaster's A British Terri Harper Boxing Board of was set to deControl statement fend her WBC said all boxing super-featherevents under their weight against jurisdiction have Natasha Jonas been cancelled. from Liverpool "We will continon 24 April but David Haye countryman t ns ue to follow governthis has also ai ag s Bellew land ment and medical Britain’s Tony been put back authorities advice to June. with promoters and keep the situMatchroom Boxing cards promotions in March and April had all ation under review," added Queensbury saying it would be "inap- previously been postponed. their statement.

"The BBBofC would like propriate" to proceed with Sunderland welterweight to emphasise our thoughts any events for the next two Josh Kelly's European title are with everyone affected by months. fight against Russia's David Anthony Yarde's Avanesyan on 28 March Covid-19." bout is now off and Newcastle's The original BBBofC sus- light-heavyweight pension had been until the against the unbeaten Lyndon Lewis Ritson, due to fight start of April, although a Arthur, due to take place on Mexican Miguel Vazquez on 4 number of fights in April had the Dubois-Joyce undercard, April, has had his bout moved has also been moved to the to 27 June. (BBC Sport) already been cancelled.

22

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

"Briana has talent like I Pink Diamond Promotions’ “Daddy and Me” have never seen" – Boldon still confirmed

I

n the seven years they have been together, Ato Boldon and Briana Williams have enjoyed a successful relationship as coach and athlete. In that time, the Trinidadian coach has guided the now 18-year-old Jamaican athlete to several records and titles, which has seen her stocks rise as one of the emerging athletes of the near future.

Late last year, Williams, who celebrated her 18th birthday on March 21, signalled her arrival in the professional ranks when she signed a multi-year professional contract with Nike Inc. Just two years ago, in mid-March of 2018, Williams had signalled to the world that she was ‘on her way’ when she set the 100 metre world age-group record for 15-year-old girls at 11.13s at the Bo Hayes Classic in Jacksonville, Florida.

Mere weeks later, she won three gold medals at the CARIFTA Games and claimed the coveted Austin Sealy Award as the most outstanding athlete of the meet.

However, in the summer of 2018, she demonstrated the immense depth of her talent when, at the age of 16, she defied the odds to win the 100m and 200m titles at the World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland.

The year 2019 was to prove as successful, even though there emerged a bump in the road. At what would be her final participation in the CARIFTA Games, Williams repeated her exploits of 2018 and won the Austin Sealy Award for a second time.

She went on to win the NACAC U18 100-metre title as well as the Pan-Am U20 title, and set a World U18 record of 10.94s when she finished third at the Jamaica National Championships in June, beaten only by the world-leading time of 10.73s run by Olympic champions Elaine Thompson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.

However, her 10.94s time was erased because she failed a drug test after hav-

Briana Williams and her coach, former Olympic multi-medallist Ato Boldon

ing ingested Pharma Cold and Flu tablets tainted with the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Reprimanded by a Jamaica Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, she missed a chance to compete at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar. It turned out to be a pit stop in her burgeoning career, as greater things clearly await.

But what is it like for her coach as he shapes the future of a confident but headstrong 18-year-old?

Shedding some light on their relationship, Boldon first revealed that he did not start out intending to coach a then precocious 11-yearold Williams.

“I wasn’t really thinking about coaching her. I was more fundraiser-in-chief when it came time to find the money for her summer meets. Whatever shortfall she had after we did her ‘go fund me’, I made up,” he said.

Having ended up coaching her, Boldon has said, they now share a solid and fruitful connection. “The relationship really is a good one. I think Briana and I know each other very well.

I have to deal with the fact that she is a headstrong teen, (and) she has to deal with the fact that my patience is about a quarter-ofan-inch long.

“I notice now (that) when I go off on her over something, her attitude is, ‘Okay, here he goes, he’ll be okay once he’s done’,” Boldon said, as he explained why he believes they are perfect for each other.

“Briana and I are both very interested in history, that’s why it works. It also works because she trusts me implicitly. The last three

seasons have gone exactly as I told her they would in terms of times and performances.

“I’d like to think she’s inherited her sense of history from me: If it’s been done before, I am not really interested in it. I want her to blaze new trails, and create history. I’m not sure she felt that way before, (but I think) her age-group world record in 2018 changed that.

Hearing ‘Fastest 15-year-old girl ever’ changed her mind quickly,” he opined.

It has not been all smooth sailing, however. After all, Briana is still a teenager.

“Briana is very headstrong,” Boldon declared.

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I tell people all the time (to) go look at the Kentucky Derby. You’ll see a horse that refuses to get in that starting gate. He’s not interested, won't conform, doesn’t care if the world is waiting,” Boldon said.

“Briana can be like that, and I don’t like to be challenged when I’m coaching; so, it leads to some interesting interactions between us.

Being headstrong, I think, is a trait of most great sprinters, so I’d never try to kill that part of her,” he said.

There is a method, though, to getting the best from her.

“Once Briana sees results, she’ll do exactly what you want - and ask for more. There are workouts in 2018-2019 that I wanted to use sparingly because she’s 16 (now 17), and she’s like, ‘Coach, we haven't done Workout X in a while…why not…?’, and you realize “Oh, she understands what that will do for her; she’s not afraid of the pain, and she’s not going to avoid doing it

again either”," Boldon said.

Boldon, the first world junior champion to become a world champion at the senior level, has said Williams is chest-deep in talent.

“Briana has natural gifts that I’ve never seen. I've never seen someone at her age start like that. When it’s a big occasion, her start never deserts her: World Under-20 Final 100m; Jamaican Nationals 2019 100m. I had pro sprinters in my camp that she could hold her own with at age 14,” he said.

“I had to completely revamp her strength training this season, because she can lift whatever I throw at her; but I will need that in her 20s and 30s. I can get around doing that stuff now (because) from hip to knee she’s a beast. Grown men see her doing Olympic lifts in the gym and can't believe it,” he confided.

Much of speed is about (the relationship of) strength to weight. She only weighs 125lb, but for her size, she’s extremely strong,” he said.

Boldon has said he has no real issues in keeping her motivated, a critical component of her achieving greatness as she transitions to the senior ranks.

“She’s very motivated on her own. She doesn’t need me for that - until it’s something she hasn’t thought of. She knew she wanted to win World under 20s in the 100m in 2018, even though she was only 16,” he said.

“I knew she could win both, (but) she had to be convinced about the 200m.

“In 2018, people online were trying to tell her that she shouldn't be running with pros e.g. at Racers Grand Prix. Maybe she believed some of them, (but) I convinced her otherwise. I don’t have to convince her much anymore,” he said.

The COVID-19 pandemic will slow Briana Williams in 2020, as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics might be postponed until 2021. However, all that would do is delay the inevitable rise of the next female star of track and field.

(Excerpted from Sportsmax)

Former Bolt Coach Glen Mills wants Olympics pushed to 2021

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len Mills, the former coach of retired sprint king Usain Bolt, would advise the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to push the Tokyo Olympic Games to next year.

The IOC has, so far, resisted calls from several high-profile athletes and coaches, and even athletics associations, to postpone the Games in light of the current coronavirus pandemic.

In the latest twist, the IOC has flatly rejected the idea of cancellation, but is expected

to take a decision on whether to postpone the Games, set to start on July 24.

Mills, however, has said he cannot see the event being staged before next year, following the already massive disruptions to its schedule.

"I can’t see the Olympics going ahead; taking persons from all over the world and bringing them to one central point,” Mills said in a recent interview with Reuters. "My recommendation would be to postpone the Olympics until next year,” he said.

Usain Bolt (left), the fastest man that ever lived, and his former Coach, Glen Mills

“This would be unprecedented, but we are in unprecedented time. Move everything up one year, and then everything will eventually fall back in place,” he added. "But I don’t think that the Olympics will take place at the time that is specified (July and August) because

the outbreak is worldwide, and in some countries, it is just starting to accelerate.”

The Olympics have been cancelled on only three occasions: 1916, 1940 and 1944. In all those cases, the scrapping of the Games was due to World Wars I and II. (Sportsmax)

for June 21

T

he Pink Diamond Promotions, founded by Warren Wilson, will Tournament founder Warren Wilson be hosting its inaugural be admitted without charge.

“Daddy & Me” sporting Wilson has explained competition at the National Gymnasium on Mandela that this competition takes Avenue on Father’s Day: the form of skills challenges, races, obstacle courses, June 21, 2020.

However, management and much more. Competition of the competition has de- would be in the following catcided to keep a keen eye on egories: 7-11, 12-16, and 17 the current COVID-19 pan- Open, as there will be the demic, in order to know their requisite challenges for the respective age ranges. next step going forward.

It is very necessary that Updating Guyana Times Sport in this regard, Wilson teams entering the compesaid, “Well, we're still hold- tition acquaint themselves ing on to the date as of with the rules governing now, but we are still paying same, and fathers are reclose attention to the cur- quired to pass a physical rent affairs, especially how test to ensure they are eligithe country is dealing with ble to be in the competition, COVID-19. I've spoken with although the completion is the team and asked them to open to all fathers.

All eligible participants stay positive and stay safe during this time, and be must attend cardio and aeroready to go double-time once bics sessions which would be provided by the committee, things clear up.

“Things have basically and any antecedent health come to a standstill as it is. condition must be disclosed.

The Organizing Registration has stalled, and Committee reserves the I guess (that) because of the right to debar participation current environment, sponsors have basically put us on of anyone deemed unfit.

Persons seeking furhold,” Wilson confided.

Registration cost for par- ther information can conticipation in this competi- tact Warren Wilson on tion has been set at $1000 627-2719, Kade Pearce on per person, which, because 620-0462, or Sophia on 685participation has to involve 6077. Registration forms can a father and a son, reads be uplifted from the Cliff as $2000 for a father- and- Anderson Sports Hall, the son team. Entrance fee for National Gymnasium, or a spectator is $500, but chil- Coach Scott at the GPF’s Eve dren under 10 years old will Leary ground.

Azerbaijan Grand Prix postponed because of coronavirus outbreak

T

he Azerbaijan Grand Prix, due to take place on 7 June, has been postponed as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

The street race in Baku is the eighth race to be called off at the start of the 2020 World Championship season.

Race organisers said they would work closely with F1 "with a view to announcing a new race date later in 2020".

The Canadian Grand Prix, on 14 June, is the first race on the schedule that has not been postponed.

However, the Montreal event must be considered in doubt after Canada became the first country to pull out of this summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Seven Grands Prix Australia, Bahrain, Vietnam, China, the Netherlands, Spain and Azerbaijan - have been postponed, while Monaco has been cancelled altogether.

F1 has accepted all existing dates may have to change as they seek to reestablish a schedule later in the year.

Senior figures say when

the season restarts, it will almost certainly not be a case of looking at the calendar and thinking about how to fit the postponed races in around the events that remain.

Instead, existing races may have to move to make way for other races and then be added in at later dates.

That is because factors surrounding some races make them easier to reschedule than others, once it is considered safe for international travel to restart when the coronavirus epidemic is brought under control.

Races in northern latitudes, such as the Canadian, Dutch, Belgian and British Grands Prix, are restricted by the weather and would have to be held in the summer or early autumn.

By contrast, races in hotter climates, such as Abu Dhabi, Bahrain or Singapore, or in the southern hemisphere, such as Brazil and Australia, could be deep into the European winter time.

Brazil and Australia, could be deep into the European winter time. (BBC Sport)

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020

23

CPL says schedule still intact

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he Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is yet to decide on whether or not this year’s season will be ‘affected’ by the outbreak of coronavirus, but the entity has said it is monitoring the situation.

This was disclosed in a CPL statement issued in direct response to recent media reports questioning the effect COVID-19 would have on the Caribbean region, and by extension hosting of this highly anticipated T20 tournament.

While, understandably, there has been some speculation regarding the upcoming CPL season, which is scheduled to be held from August 19 to September 26, 2020, the entity believes it is yet too early to make the critical decision in regard to this tournament’s staging; but, confronted with an evolving situation, CPL authorities have said they are carefully watching how events unfold

Guyana Amazon Warriors team

Early Season Classic track & field meet…

in the Caribbean and around the world.

The release also stated: “CPL has been in constant communication with our medical advisors in recent weeks, as well as speaking with Cricket West Indies (CWI) about the current situation with regard to cricket around the world, and at present there has been no discussion about moving the event.”

CPL authorities are at present said to be planning for the tournament to take place as scheduled, while also looking at alternative plans should those be needed.

The authorities of this premier T20 tournament have taken the opportunity to express their concerns for the many fans, players and staff from around the world who have been impacted by this crisis, and have shared the hope that those persons and their families stay safe and healthy.

West Indies Women’s Cricket…

Fraser pleased with sprint Shamilia Connell regains her hunger for wickets performance; eyes Olympics N

F

or many who had witnessed the Early Season Classic track & field meet hosted last weekend at the National Facility at Leonora, WCD, the expectation was that sprint sensation Emmanuel Archibald who studies and trains in Jamaica would cross the finish line ahead of all competitors in the prestigious 100M event.

With outstanding talents like Akeem Stewart, Noelex Holder and Deron Roberts lined up alongside Archibald for the race, fireworks in an exciting event with an unforgettable climax were definitely anticipated.

What nobody expected was that Davin Fraser of the Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) would cross the finish line ahead of his illustrious club mate Emmanuel Archibald, to announce the advent of a new sprint superstar on the local scene.

Fraser clocked 10.26s for the win, while Archibald came in second in 10.32s; Akeem Stewart of the Guyana Defence Force came in third in

Davin Fraser of the Police Progressive Youth Club

10.42s, while Noelex Holder of the University of Guyana was fourth in 10.56s.

Reflecting on his outstanding victory, Fraser told this publication that he was well prepared to capture gold in the event.

“First of all, I must give thanks (to God) for good health and strength, (which enabled me to be) coming out to put in the good work.

You know, I was well prepared for that competition,” he disclosed.

It is still early in the athletics season, and besides, activities have been put on pause amidst onset of the COVID-19 pandemic; but Fraser shared that he is contented with his performance thus far, although he still believes he has more work to do in order to complete this race in 10s flat.

“(It is still) early in the season, (but) I’m doing really great in the 150s and the 60s and the 80s. So I came here and I was looking forward for a 10.0s; but, you know, I’m thankful for the 10.6s that I ran. It was good,” Fraser explained.

Having disclosed the goal he has set himself, Fraser pleaded for more such meets to be staged, in order to give athletes opportunity to compete steadily.

“The thing is that we need more competition for us athletes to progress more in our sport; but the competition was good though,” he admitted.

Like many senior track and field athletes in Guyana, Fraser has his eyes set on making it to the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

“My plan is to just stay focused, get into more competitions here and overseas to qualify for this Olympics, and make Guyana proud; put them on the map, and do my best,” Fraser declared.

ow leaner, faster, and more confi- ing noticed. dent, Shamilia Connell has stunned The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup teammates and cricket spectain Australia was Shamilia’s first tors alike by returning to the field two test upon her return to internamonths after recovering from an injury.

Shamilia has identified introspection and self-realization as her main reasons for choosing to get her body and mental focus for cricket back at optimum level. In her own words, she was “too comfortable” in her position on the team, thus tionshe had no cause to take al crickher mental and physet.

Both ical fitness as seriShamilia ously as she should and the coachhave done. es noticed an inShamilia has crease in her speed also said she realand accuracy, which ized her internashe attributes to betional peers were ing leaner and fitter. becoming more Shamilia has said competitive; their she feels relieved performances coming back into the were improving, team with the knowland this sparked edge that she is better her hunger to equipped to contribute change. to West Indies Women’s “I realized cricket. And there has that if I (were been an outpouring of to remain) as support from fans and comfortable spectators who have as I was, seen the transformaI wasn’t tion. going to Looking back at w o r k herself from 2017 to h a r d the present also actf o r m y ed as a motivator spot on the for Shamilia. Her Shamilia Connell team. fitness then was I had to get back that way below what her passion…,” she explained. competitors were showing, and the wickAt first the change was hard, because it ets column on a scorecard reflected this; as, involved changing her diet and daily habits, in her opinion, she doesn’t have nearly the but she confided that the willpower to have number of wickets she deserves. better performances and longevity in the This, Shamilia has said, was one of the game was bigger than the hurdle of chang- key things that motivated her to get going, ing her diet. and the hard work she has put in over two Words of congratulation and encourage- months to make the lifestyle changes will no ment from shocked teammates and coaches doubt inspire her to work harder on her game gave Shamilia the answer she was search- and leave a lasting legacy in West Indies ing for: that the results of all the gym ses- Women’s cricket. (Excerpted from CWI) sions, diet change and mental focus were be-

TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

CPL says schedule still intact See story on page 23

Early Season Classic track & field meet…

West Indies Women’s Cricket…

Shamilia Connell regains Fraser pleased with her hunger for wickets sprint performance; Page 23

eyes Olympics

Page 23

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