Guyana Times Wednesday, April 15, 2020

GTT makes Help & Shelter hotline number toll free P14 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4256

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

PRICE

GECOM, APNU/AFC destruction of democracy: Day 44

Recount logistics being dragged out over “inconsequential” issues by CEO – Commissioner See stories on pages 3 and 9

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Gunmen invade cockfight at Agricola, rob P12 persons Bodies of dead COVID-19 P14 victims being safely disposed of – CMO

…GECOM re-invites Caricom to validate recount

Guyana’s confirmed COVID-19 …as Linden cases increase to 48 confirms 2nd case

Berbice man killed in hit and run P10

Special system needed to protect pensioners – Irfaan Ali

1 dead, 1 injured after car collides with cow P14

Pages 7 and 9

COVID-19 outbreak

See story on page 7

…suggests elderly receive advance pension payments

PPP/C "Mask Up" campaign targets 25,000 distributions this week See story on page 11

…as food hamper drive begins

Labourer P8 stabbed to death at Parika Backdam Man chopped to death by teenager P13 Woman P10 knifed husband to death after he threatened to burn her

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, April 15 – 11:30h – 13:00h and Thursday, April 16 – 01:00h – 02:30h and 13:00h – 14:30h.

Recount logistics being dragged out over “inconsequential” issues by CEO – Commissioner

…Commission to meet again today were clear and that those discussion would then translate into an amended document from the Secretariat.”

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, April 15 – 10:40h – 12:10h and Thursday, April 16 – 12:00h – 13:30h.

Inconsequential

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Expect sunny intervals during the day. There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly to North-Easterly to North North-Easterly between 0.89 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 10:01 and 23:07h reaching maximum heights of 2.11 metres and 1.99 metres.

Low Tide: 16:22h reaching a minimum height of 1.01 metre.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS I

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19 20 21

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PAY DAY

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

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Change %

Crude Oil

$29.60/barrel

-7.23

Rough Rice

$256.95 /ton

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London Sugar

$348.50/ton

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USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1730.90

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Low/High

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Change

+4.30

0.25%

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj

A

formal decision to undertake a recount of the March 2, General and Regional Elections is unlikely before the end of this week given the number of modalities still to be finalised, including a site visit to the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield is still to complete an initial draft operational plan for the recount exercise.

The Commissioners were instead met with requests for further clarifications into proposals that were submitted at the end of last week by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Speaking with media operatives outside of the Commission’s headquarters following Tuesday’s meeting, PPP Commissioner Sase Gunraj expressed disappointment at the fact that the electoral body was not closer to making its decision.

According to Gunraj, when the Commission met “we discussed the proposal that we prepared” when juxtaposed with the original submission by Lowenfield to have the recount done in 156 days.

“We thought that we

This was not to be and according to Gunraj, “unfortunately the Secretariat claim to still need clarification so we did not get that renewed document today (Tuesday).”

Gunraj has since indicated that the clarifications were provided and that the operational plan is expected to be supplied today when the Commission resumes meeting to work out the modalities including a site visit.

Asked to provide some insight on what clarifications were being sought

by Lownefield, the PPP Commissioner disclosed that these centred on issues such as the role of the Commissioners in the proposed process.

Gunraj dismissed the issues raised by Lowenfield as inconsequential and added, “that being said, I am disappointed we lost another day” and lamented that the Commission was still to work out when it would be doing its site visit.

This, he reminded, “is a very vital component of what we have to do” taking into account the social distancing and other requirements, a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.”

No decision

Government-aligned Commissioner, Vincent Alexander told media operatives, bluntly, that he was not optimistic that a decision would be taken on the recount before the end of the week.

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

Speaking after Tuesday’s statutory meeting, Alexander said that the CEO wanted clarification on the nature of the proposed recount “which I thought we had long resolved.”

He said too, clarification was sought on the role of the Commissioners in the process.

According to Alexander, at present, the only hindrance to beginning the recount is to have the logistics ironed out since the Secretariat is adequately resourced.

Asked specifically about having a decision before the end of the week, Alexander responded saying “given where we are at today (Tuesday) it is doubtful that one can start this week.”

According to Alexander,

there is still the fact that pertinent decisions with regard to the recount are still to be made based on a matrix of factors.

GECOM Chair

But even as the Commission continues with the back and forth with the CEO, the Chair of GECOM, Claudette Singh is coming in for great criticism again as she holds the power to order the process to start given its urgency.

Only on Monday, a local political analyst called her out, saying that the buck for the controversies Guyana finds itself in with its elections stops at Singh. The analyst noted that only Singh can salvage what is left of the process.

TURN TO PAGE 8

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 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

Elections recount, not “audit”

E

ven after the court had given its decisions, paving the way for the elections recount to move ahead, the drama continues at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), with certain elements hell-bent on seeing the process being further delayed. There seems to be no hurry on the part of the Government-appointed commissioners and other top Secretariat staff, including Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, to get the elections’ process done with, so as to allow the country to move forward.

In a shocking, perhaps even disrespectful move, Lowenfield, who was tasked with coming up with a plan for the Commission’s approval, had provided a draft proposal for the national recount to be done in a whopping 156 days. As expected, this was out-rightly rejected by many stakeholders, as it was seen as deliberately frustrating and delaying the recount process and handing a further six months to the APNU/AFC Government, which already has a cloud hanging over its head concerning its legitimacy.

After a firestorm of criticisms, Lowenfield was ordered to return to the drawing board and revise his proposal. It should be mentioned that the Opposition-nominated Commissioners had also submitted their own proposal, which caters for the utilisation of more work stations and more working hours - which would result in the process being completed in far less days than Lowenfield’s plan envisages.

The Commission is expected to meet again today (Wednesday) after Tuesday’s meeting did not result in a final recount plan.

Lowenfield is now expected to present a final document, which would also take into consideration the proposals submitted by the Opposition-nominated commissioners.

However, one would not be surprised if there are other attempts made at stymieing the process today. The nation has now become used to this level of brinkmanship and pettiness at GECOM. An elections recount, which in the normal course of events should have been a straightforward process and been completed within days, is now being dragged on unnecessarily while the entire nation awaits.

Of note, too, is that over the past few days, we have seen the narrative shifting from the need to have a credible elections recount to an “audit” instead. In fact, Government-aligned Commissioner Vincent Alexander has been at the forefront in pushing for an audit, which we all know is not catered for in law, and would only seek to further delay the declaration of the elections’ results, which have already been delayed for close to six weeks.

When the matter regarding the elections’ recount first surfaced, it was meant to do just that -- a recount of the votes. No one ever called for an audit; it was the understanding of all the stakeholders, including the court, the international community and observers, that a recount of the votes was needed in order to arrive at credible elections’ results, which would be accepted by all parties and which could stand scrutiny of the international community and international observers.

For Commissioner Alexander to now peddle the line of having an “audit” -- whatever that means to him -- is unacceptable, and perhaps even dangerous. Legal minds have pointed to the fact that there must be careful consideration of how the recount process moves forward, as there must be no base to create the platform for legal challenges to be mounted against the recount.

As we understand it to be, a recount is a legal process, and cannot be the subject of political compromise. The law must be followed as closely as possible.

That said, GECOM Chairperson, Justice (rtd) Claudette Singh, must take control of the situation immediately and ensure that all attempts to stall the recount are shut down immediately.

Not only must she ensure the recount is started with haste, but she must also personally take all necessary steps to ensure the process is transparent and fair.

We had suggested that the exercise be streamed live on television for everyone to see, as this would add credibility to the process. We restate this call with the hope that the Chairperson would give it serious consideration. Nothing must be left to chance, which would see a repeat of what unfolded at the GECOM Command Centre, and later at the GECOM Head Office in Kingston in relation to the District 4 results.

Justice Singh cannot be oblivious to mounting calls from all quarters for her to take full control of the situation and act in the national interest. It is only she who can stop this madness. The nation expects nothing less of her.

World’s smallest living woman and Guinness world record holder Jyoti Amge greets a Police Officer as she appeals to citizens to stay inside their homes during a nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the coronavirus, in Nagpure, India (AFP photo)

Sanctions must be swift and sure as GECOM’s delaying tactics Dear Editor, As Keith Lowenfield acts more like a coup executive officer rather than a neutral, honest broker Chief Elections Officer, all the parties must now move to the next step of lobbying the external forces to implement sanctions against the coup leaders.

We have done enough of begging, pleading and moral suasion, and appealing to the PNC and GECOM Chair Claudette Singh to do the right thing and to do her job. Neither Lowenfield nor Singh, or the PNC, seems in a hurry to resolve our election problems. It cannot be that a handful of people can oppress the rest of the nation, violate the Constitution and procedures, and hold the nation to ransom as a deadly plague poses major threats to our health and economy.

Enough is enough. As it has done since December 2018, GECOM is doing the bidding of the PNC. If moral suasion and court orders cannot force the GECOM and PNC to do the right thing, then the struggle now moves to a different level.

People’s patience has run

out, and only the PNC, and PNC only, stands indicted if the situation gets ugly.

If people take matters into their own hands, GECOM and the PNC stand indicted.

They have pushed the people over the edge.

The combined Opposition parties must urgently fight for quick, swift sanctions against all those who aided, abetted, and perpetrated acts of omission or commission in facilitating the rig.

Already, top GECOM staffers stand indicted in the court of public opinion and in the pronouncements of the foreign and local observers, the Chief Justice, and by the Statements of Poll released to the parties and the public by GECOM on election night.

On election night, everyone knew that the PNC was not the winner, that the PPP obtained 53% of the votes.

The PNC has a sordid past of rigging elections between 1964-1992, given its control of all the state agencies and coercive arms of the state. In these modern, enlightened times, it is simply unacceptable to look the other way if the PNC is allowed to rig itself into power. “This

time na lang time.” We have seen how rigging pauperised the nation under the first PNC rule, and it took 28 years of work to restore the right to vote in free and fair elections. This must never be allowed to happen again.

Calling for immediate, widespread sanctions is not only right, but is necessary.

It will not be a betrayal of country, it becomes a moral imperative as the means to save our country and democracy, and especially the working poor.

When the PNC closes off democratic means to elect and change a government, then it forces the Opposition to use parliamentary and any other supportive actions to remove a regime that crudely foists itself upon the people. In this case, “non-cooperation with evil becomes our national sacred duty.”

If the PNC is allowed to get away, that’s the end of elections in Guyana if the votes will not be counted fairly and honestly in an open, transparent manner. People think that with counting at the close of polls in effect now, elections are not rigable anymore; but we have been proven wrong,

and the PNC has moved from its basic manual on rigging to an advanced manual for rigging elections.

The crude, in-your-face rigging in front of the diplomatic corps, foreign and local observers and party candidates and representatives shows the PNC has not an ounce of shame, and such action must be severely punished. I call on the world community to impose the harshest sanctions imaginable on this wicked, ruthless PNC regime. Anything less than that would be a betrayal of the Guyanese people.

The PPP must lead a coalition for democracy in lobbying foreign governments and international organisations, including the United Nations, Commonwealth, Organisation of American States, ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific countries), Norway, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and other regional and economic bodies. We should start this process now, so GECOM and the PNC understand that we are serious.

Dear Editor, Recently, I have seen a number of articles by various prominent writers about a Cabal of PNC/AFC officials bringing to bear influence and pressure presumably on the President and senior party leadership to go along with the GECOMmanaged plot to hijack the elections and prevent or delay the rightful winner from taking office.

I disagree with this kind of analysis, as it is my firm belief that the President and all of his senior party leaders in both APNU and AFC,

along with former cabinet ministers and senior operatives in various Government Ministries and GECOM Secretariat, and possibly Chairwoman et al are in cahoots in this heinous plot to take illegal control of the reins of Government.

Except for some token statements from Dominic Gaskin, Rupert Roopnaraine and CN Sharma -- and one suspects that even these are due to some fear of sanctions for themselves and families -- there has been total silence in the main by APNU supporters, and, of course

very disconcertingly, by the African intelligentsia, notwithstanding observations and comments by the likes of Dr. Henry Jeffrey and others, who try to put prodigious spin on their viewpoints and would not call a rig a rig, or at least call on Mr Granger to concede that APNU plus AFC has lost.

I call on the likes of Carl Greenidge, Ronald Bulkan, Jaipaul Sharma and other seemingly decent persons to find their courage and disassociate themselves from this raw and brazen banditry foisted on the people of our

dear land of Guyana by their party.

Editor, we really have the entire APNU/AFC, who clearly condone the actions of the former President Granger and his henchmen and henchwomen in this most barefaced and unprecedented “coup” seen in the Western Hemisphere with every trick in the book brought into action.

They participated in the elections knowing the rules of one man one vote with the winner taking power; alas, it seems either they were

Sincerely, Dr Jerry Jailall

All the President’s men and women

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

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

Glad Christopher Ram responded to somersault about unconstitutional giving away of power to PNC Dear Editor, Out of the blues, a local columnist comes up with the silly idea of Carl Greenidge and Anil Nandlall rotating the Presidency, notwithstanding that they are not the presidential candidates in the 2020 election. All along, the columnist had been rightly focused on the single problem we have, which is the PNC working hard and colluding with its lackeys in GECOM to delay as long as they can get away with it, to steal the election from the PPP, which has won, according to the Statements of Poll provided and posted by GECOM on election night.

Luckily, our national treasure and fighter for

justice and democracy, Mr. Christopher Ram, has responded to the columnist appropriately. What the columnist did is exactly what the PNC wanted – to drag it out, and not giving up, to see if they can bully us into keeping them in power under some unconstitutional arrangement. As I said before, the PNC is interested in absolute “power”, not “power-sharing”; it’s their sordid history.

Our current political impasse is the PNC losing the election and refusing to concede, and seeming committed to a course of action that “will not end well,” while the GECOM Chair fiddles.

The illegal caretaker Granger asked Caricom

to monitor a recount. Mr. Granger’s party candidate filed action to block the recount promised by the Chair to the Chief Justice, who nullified Mingo’s fraudulent numbers. The only way forward is to finish off a proper count of Region 4. Start at the point before Mingo’s “rigsheet” was introduced.

We can dispense with Lowenfield’s 156-day gimmick and declare the election results in a day after finishing this Region 4 count. No one had any problems with the other nine regions and the partial count done for Region 4. The only reason why the PNC would want a total recount is to drag it out, to stay in power illegally and come

up with more scams along the way.

Alexander and the PNC’s new call for an audit is yet another pretext to drag out the process, to allow the PNC to steal more national resources, although they are really not a Cabinet since December 2018. An audit can only be done by election petition, which the PNC is welcome to do once President-Elect Dr. Irfaan Ali is sworn in. It would be improper to do that now, and the Chair needs to take a stand and knock down that idea right away.

From all they have done so far, the PNC commissioners have done everything to frustrate the process, and to go slow to the extreme to keep

Dear Editor, Our country is rapidly sinking in the quagmire of dictatorship under a leadership so intoxicated with the titillations of office that they would resort to the most egregious strategies to sustain their hold on power.

For this reason, I am convinced that the imperative of this letter demands urgent journalistic attention, since the press is a principal conveyor of messages that can influence the fortunes of a nation.

For too long, Guyanese have been besieged and buffeted by political insanities and depravities that defy human comprehension and rationality. When autocratic governments are allowed to flourish, abetted by the silence of the people, free speech is curtailed, dissension is prohibited, and the entire political architecture is redesigned to meet the approval and comfort of those relishing the obscenities of power.

The administrative directorates and other functionaries obsequiously loyal to the leaders grow to become behemoths looking down with disrespect and scorn on those below, whom they compress into tiny, helpless

midgets who are forced to genuflect before the mighty colossal masters.

Political leaders with authoritarian attributes are elated when their subjects are illiterate and gullible.

This makes it quite easy to manipulate their thinking to achieve absolute control and dominance. And their feigned amnesia conveniently allows them to forget the barbaric tragedies of the past.

Totalitarian regimes will not survive the will of the people. Think of Saddam Hussain, Idi Amin, Augusto Pinochet, Adolf Hitler, and the galaxy of tyrannical stars who idiotically believed in the fantasy of eternal domination.

Ingratiating utterances of sycophants and grovelling myrmidons in praise of despotic leaders are miscalculated and construed as popular approval of dictatorship.

This grand illusion inflates their egos, emboldens them to expand their authority, and impose new and stifling restraints on freedom. While it is the power of tyranny that enslaves men, it is the strength of democracy that liberates them. A diverse people who fail to hold hands in unison willingly surren-

der their dignity to become captives. Servitude is the child of disunity, and must be opposed and confronted in joint consolidated defiance.

Political salvation will come only when all Guyanese discard the veil that impairs their vision to recognise that the intention of the Coalition is to misuse and abuse the sanctity of the democratic process prescribed for vote tabulation.

The world has been treated to the hilarious show of deceit and shamelessness clumsily orchestrated by Congress Place, GECOM, Chief Villain Mingo, and a coterie of nefarious confederates. Instead of comedy, the spectators were flabbergasted at the desperate and criminal acts of fraud to legitimise and perpetuate the APNU/AFC’s stubborn trespassing in the seat of power.

Have they no compunction or a twinge of conscience when they look in the mirror and cannot recognise what they have become? Have they lost the urge to regain their bartered souls, which would restore a semblance of their humanity? The curse of a nation is not always its poverty, but those in government that facilitate the creation of conditions con-

ducive to widespread destitution and the attendant suffering. To slay the dragon of dictatorship is not only a noble patriotic deed, but an act that would earn divine blessings. Freedom has been ordained by God, and to liberate people from totalitarian strangulation is the most eloquent expression of righteousness.

We have savoured the taste of dictatorship before, and it was not pleasant.

The bitterness and revulsion have not been forgotten.

Guyana’s future prosperity can only thrive with unimpeded infusion of democracy. A nation fettered by blind partisan allegiance has nowhere to go, except in an unfathomable abyss with no exit. Will we be comfortable with that?

I therefore appeal to GECOM and Staff to exorcise the demon of fraud and cleanse the Coalition’s predilection for grotesque mathematical absurdities.

Get on with the work, and be guided by honesty, integrity and respect for the rule of law. The infallibility of the ballot count must withstand the most rigorous scrutiny.

Dear Editor, It is now 42 days since we held our General and Regional Elections, wherein eligible voters exercised their right to choose a new Government for Guyana.

We are still without a legitimate Government, and many young people are awaiting the end (if there will be an end) to the nightmare that GECOM has brought upon us.

Today (Tuesday) the commissioners and Madam Chair met, the update (provided by Mr Sase Gunraj via social media): 1. Meeting adjourned to tomorrow at 10:30am.

2. No revised plan was supplied by the Secretariat.

One is expected before the meeting tomorrow.

3. A site visit to Arthur

Chung Conference Centre is expected as soon as possible.

I would like to acknowledge the hard work and efforts the Opposition commissioners have done so far, and I am sure they will continue to do same until the recount is done. However, the words “honesty, integrity and decency” continue to be three resounding words, and probably will be etched into my memory, since I will always remember those words in relation to the 2020 General and Regional Elections’ campaign by the APNU-AFC. Since the 5th March 2020 -- that is when the nightmare began for all Guyanese, who are still awaiting the results for Region 4 -- there is nothing that has happened from that date that relates, describes, or is synonymous

with those three (3) words, on which the APNU/AFC campaigned throughout the length and breadth of dear Guyana.

Apart from that nightmare, we have a life-threatening virus among us. I have been writing and calling for more to be done concerning the COVID-19. I truly, hope that more initiatives would be in place for all Guyanese.

While tax exemptions are now in place for necessities, tax exemptions should also be effective for basic food items as well as all sanitisation/cleaning items for at least 3 months; place a waiver (reduction) on utility bills as wells.

Also adding to these measures which I hope would be in place, can we have assurance that those essential workers;

not only healthcare workers, but those in the GPF,GDF, Guyana Fire Service, airport workers (those in the air control towers), our weather forecasters and our weather observers have an incentive or an increase in their salaries? Our essential workers also have families, whom are at risk once these workers head out to serve our nation.

It is my wish that GECOM can act swiftly, but I am afraid that this may not be the case, since the trend is to delay and leave the nation in awe with their distasteful manoeuvres.

May we all be safe throughout this pandemic of COVID-19.

Stop Guyana’s journey to dictatorship

Yours sincerely, Chandra Persaud

Honesty, integrity and decency

Respectfully, Katrina Niamatali

the now dictatorship in power.

No one thinks the PNC is done filing frivolous, vexatious lawsuits. There is more to come. James Bond is already saying a recount is not legal, and nobody in the PNC camp is chiding him.

For the combined Opposition, now is the time to

stand together and start lobbying the international community to start the strictest sanctions against this illegal PNC outfit. We cannot allow the PNC to ruthlessly continue to hold the nation to ransom.

Sincerely, Jerry Singh

Treat each other with love and respect Dear Editor, I am a religious person. I try my best to follow my religious texts and, at the same time, to follow the laws of my country, Guyana, to the best of my ability. My religion has taught me to stand against oppression and speak against the actions of wrongdoers.

Mr. Granger is also a staunch Christian, and has also pledged allegiance to the Constitution. From all indications, he has failed to do so!

Mr. Granger, you have lost the 2020 elections! Please concede, and transition power to the young and vibrant Dr. Irfaan Ali. If you really love your country, then do the right thing, sir! Stop holding OUR country to ransom. Sir, you have been paid by the taxpayers of this country for the past 40-odd years. Please have some honesty, decency, and respect for all the outstanding taxpayers of Guyana. You need to accept that you and the APNU/AFC coalition have lost the 2nd March, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

I am calling on all of you in authority to do the right thing! Do not take OUR Guyana down this perilous road of destruction. I am also calling on the disciplined/ armed forces of the country to

uphold and enforce the laws of Guyana without bias, fear or favour. You have pledged allegiance to ALL PEOPLE of this country, to uphold the Constitution and to act justly in our honour.

Lest you forget, you are all being paid by Guyanese taxpayers, and not by any ONE political party; therefore, your allegiance should be first to our country. Please don’t be influenced by the party who has your political support. Instead, stand for justice.

And to all our judges: your salaries are dependent on us, ordinary taxpayers, when the elections season has passed. So please remember your oath is to Guyana’s Constitution, and not to political party allegiance. Your actions have consequences detrimental to your careers.

I implore you to be just and fair at all times.

Finally, I am appealing to all my fellow Guyanese brothers and sisters: Let us treat each other with love and respect! Let us live together in peace and harmony! Let us stand together on what is wrong and what is right!

Sincerely, Mohamed Yousuff (Br Bob)

All the President’s...

fooled by their own propaganda or had this Plan H (read Hijack) planned some time ago.

If the outgoing President and his supporters had any belief in shared governance, they would have articulated this clearly over the last 5 years, but it is clear as Sahara Desert daylight that they did not believe in this concept, and would not share governance with the Opposition East Indiandominated party.

Anyone with a modicum of common sense knows that the President has to accept full responsibility for this state of affairs, as the proverbial buck stops at his desk without a doubt, and he cannot justify his total reticence over the last month plus.

Editor, it has been said that many are close to the Church but far from God and, indeed, spirituality. I am definitely amazed at the President and many of his acolytes, who profess to be good Christians but seem to think this gives them

FROM PAGE 4

some right to commit serious transgressions against Guyana and its people without any heavenly sanctions.

One thing I am sure about is that they are wrong, and the Laws of Karma will not bypass them, as they have cost this country much in wasted time and funds, as the country is at a standstill with a raging and deadly virus at the door step, which will take no prisoners!

I therefore make a stirring plea for the President to wake up or come to his senses immediately, and concede power to the main Opposition party, PPP/C, knowing full well from his party agents’ SOPs that APNU/AFC were roundly and fairly beaten, not because of the brilliance of the main Opposition, but largely because of the ineptitude displayed by Mr. Granger and his band of pathetic merry men and women, who managed to make even the Donald Ramotar Administration look good.

Yours sincerely, Chris Persaud

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

Page

Foundation

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

This is the second part of Science Paper 1, 2011

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT

SCIENCE

TIME: 1 hour 10 minutes 1. WRITE YOUR CANDIDATE NUMBER ON THE ANSWER SHEET AND UNDERLINE THE SUBJECT.

then choose the one which you think is BEST. On your answer sheet, draw a heavy black line through the letter you have chosen.

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

4. BE SURE THAT THE QUESTION NUMBER IN THE BOOKLET IS THE SAME AS THE ONE YOU HAVE USED ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET.

3. If you are not sure of the answer to a question,

Here is an example done for you.

Carbon dioxide is a

The reproductive parts of a flower are shown in the diagram below. Study it, then answer question 16.

(A) mixture (C) gas

(B) liquid (D) solid

A heavy black line has been drawn through the letter C on the answer sheet because gas, the correct answer, is next to C. 5. If you make a mistake, erase the line cleanly, then draw a heavy black line through the letter next to the answer you have now chosen.

A food web is described in the diagram below.

Study it, then answer questions 18 and 19.

19. In the food web humans are (A) producers.

(B) predators.

(C) carnivores.

(D) herbivores.

17. The main function of green leaves is to (A) transport food all over the plant.

(B) take in water for the plant.

(C) make the plant look attractive.

(D) make food for the plant.

(A) Mars.

(C) Saturn.

6. REMEMBER, each answer MUST only be shown by a heavy black line on your Answer Sheet.

7. Remember only ONE answer must be provided for each question.

8. DO NOT TURN OVER THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO. (B) Venus.

(D) Mercury.

The picture below is an electric toaster. Study it, then answer question 23.

18. A producer in the food web is (A) water weeds.

(B) tilapia.

(C) mosquito larvae. (D) ducks.

16. In which of the labelled structures would fertilization occur?

(A) W (B) X (C) (D) Z

ANSWER SHEET A B C D

20. Animals move for all of the following reasons except (A) to hunt for food. (B) to get away from their enemies.

(C) to capture their predators. (D) in search for water and shelter.

23. What energy change takes place when the toaster is turned on?

(A) Light —> chemical (B) Electrical —> heat (C) Chemical —> electrical (D) Heat —> potential An electrical circuit is shown in the diagram below. Study it then answer question 24.

21. A magnet will not attract (A) a paper clip.

(C) a fine pin.

(B) a gold ring.

(D) an iron nail.

22. The planet found between Earth and Jupiter is

24. The bulb will not light because (A) the wires are too short. (B) the circuit is incomplete.

(C) battery power is low.

(D) electrons are flowing.

Study the weather symbols below, then answer question 25.

25. Which of the symbols will meteorologists use to describe a cloud-covered sky?

(A) iv (B) iii (C) ii (D)i

NEWS

7

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 outbreak

Special system needed to protect pensioners – Irfaan Ali …suggests elderly receive advance pension payments

D

espite the danger of coronavirus (COVID-19) and the fact that senior citizens are particularly vulnerable, pensioners were still forced to line up in their numbers to collect their latest pension payments.

According to People's Progressive Party Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali, it is necessary for systems to be implemented which caters for the elderly.

In an interview with this publication, Ali suggested, as one measure, that the elderly receive advance payments for at least two

months, thus eliminating the need for them to even have to leave their homes.

"Pensioners form part of the most vulnerable group.

What we've seen is no adjustment in the administrative mechanism," the Presidential Candidate explained.

"One of the things they could have easily done is for the period they have this lockdown, one cheque could have been written for the two months," he added.

Back in March, the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) had urged senior citizens to refrain from visiting the

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali

post offices during the first two days of the month un-

less it is absolutely necessary since vouchers can be cashed throughout the month.

This had come in light of thousands of senior citizens who are usually congregated at the various post offices to access their pension payment every first and second day of each new month.

As such, GPOC had stated that it is working to implement standardised measures across its offices in the 10 administrative regions to stop the spread of the deadly virus.

GPOC had also said it will be enforcing a minimum distance of three feet

Guyana’s confirmed COVID-19 cases increase to 48

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total of 48 persons cases of the novel coronavirus has now been reported in Guyana, after one more person tested positive.

The Public Health Ministry disclosed on Tuesday that 224 persons have been tested so far, with deaths remaining at six. From this number, 176 tests were negative and eight persons would have recovered.

The number of persons in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation remained at five, with 21 persons in institutional quarantine and 34 in institutional isolation.

Of the positive COVID-19 cases, four were imported while the remaining 44 were transmitted locally. In Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 86 per cent of these cases were detected, with 14 from the East Coast Demerara, five from the East Bank Demerara and 17 from Central Georgetown.

Meanwhile, two percent

was found in Regions One (Barima Waini) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and five per cent in Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

From the positively identified cases, the makeup was 60 per cent male and 40 per cent female.

Statistics from the World Health Organisation shows that there are 1, 773, 084 confirmed cases globally with 111, 652 deaths while in the Americas, there are 610, 742 confirmed cases with 23, 759 deaths.

According to the WHO, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses rang-

ing 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 that had 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 respi-

ratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

Guyana Times had reported that 27-year-old Suraj Baboolal, who was among the first set of persons to test positive, had made a recovery from the deadly virus.

The young man, along with three other family members, had tested positive for the potentially deadly infectious disease and were in a Government isolation facility for some 22 days.

Other relatives, who tested negative, were quarantined due to their exposure to the country’s first imported case of COVID-19.

Suraj along with his father and brother were cleared to go home, after having recovered from the virus and have since said that they feel lucky to have overcome COVID-19.

File photo: A crowd of pensioners on April 1, 2020, outside the Bourda Post Office, Georgetown

between persons accessing services. Persons, according to GPOC, would be asked to sanitise their hands upon entry at post offices and those who are coughing or have a cold will be provided with a face mask.

Further, GPOC had stated that it has provided its staff with all the necessary resources to ensure that they are protected from the virus.

But in spite of all of this, a crowd of pensioners still showed up at the Bourda Post Office on April 1. The crowd did not practice social distancing and many did not wear face masks.

"At the head office, senior citizens were seen breaking the lines that preceded the opening of the office and refusing to heed the security officers in maintaining appropriate social distances.

This resulted in a delay in the opening of the office,” GPOC said in a statement, following the criticism it received for the spectacle.

“Regrettably, while pay-

ments got off to a smooth start at the Bourda Post Office, due to the large turnout of senior citizens, there was a need for the security company to replenish the funds during the morning.

This created a lull in the payments. Fortunately, an hour later and with the assistance of additional Police ranks called to maintain a safe distance between individuals at the post office, the situation was rectified, and the smooth flow of payments resumed,” they also explained.

The corporation subsequently announced that it will be closed from April 9 until further notice.

The GPOC also said that as such, bulk mail will be accepted on April 16 and 17, 2020, in which notices will be publicised and sent to the relevant agencies.

The post office corporation stated that the treasury pensions will be paid on April 22 and 23, 2020, at all post offices from 09:00h to 15:00h.

8 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Labourer stabbed to death at Parika Backdam

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labourer was found dead lying in a pool of blood on the main access road to Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) on Monday evening.

Dead is Tedar Joseph, also known as “Ovid”, of Hydronie, EBE. The discovery was made by residents who were traversing the area.

Based on reports received, the now dead man sustained a wound to the left side of the chest and was lying on his back. At the time of discovery, the body was clad in a purple jersey and a pair of short pants.

Police investigations revealed that Joseph usually did odd jobs in and around the community to earn a living. He was last seen on Monday at approximately 16:30h.

His body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home to await a post-mortem as the Police continue their probe into the incident.

Murdered: Albert Raghu

His is the third murder that occurred over the weekend.

On Sunday, 40-yearold Albert Raghu, also called “Soldier”, of Lot 218 Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was stabbed during a family feud and succumbed to his injuries on Monday while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

It was reported that

the now dead man returned home under the influence of alcohol and went into a rage after his wife complained that her sister who lives in the upper flat of the house was playing loud music while entertaining her friends.

He reportedly collected a cutlass and confronted his sister-in-law and her husband which eventually led to a scuffle.

Further, it was reported that his sister-in-law choked him while her husband dealt two blows to the left side of his chest and left shoulder with the knives he was carrying.

The injured man collapsed and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted, but subsequently passed away.

Also, on Monday, 43-yearold Glenroy Chapman, a clothes vendor, of Lot 130 Half Mile Wismar, Linden, was killed execution style in front of his home.

Shadow boxing…

Dead: Glenroy Chapman

Police had reported that the victim was sitting on a bench in front of his yard along with another male when the suspect, armed with a handgun, approached them and shot him several times before fleeing the scene.

He was taken to the Mackenzie Hospital Complex where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect is yet to be arrested.

Recount logistics being...

FROM PAGE 3

Since the elections were held over a month 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 Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo to subvert the process going unchecked by the Chairwoman.

Despite Singh promising that she would facilitate a recount, attempts to have the recount done at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) never took off because of delays, more controversy and ultimately, a member of the coalition party securing an injunction from High Court Judge Franklyn Holder against the exercise.

The injunction was then thrown out by the Full Court and the Appeal Court upheld this decision, leaving the way clear for GECOM to conduct its recount and finally determine a winner of the elections.

But when given a chance to draft a proposed plan for the recount, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield drafted one that said the recount would last 156 days.

After a firestorm of criticism, Lowenfield was ordered to return to the drawing board and revise his proposal. The plan is expected to be discussed again today by the Commission.

The Oppositionnominated Commissioners have since also submitted a more realistic proposal.

Y

…or misdirection? esterday, GECOM was supposed to pronounce on the model it’ll use for recounting the votes cast in the elections. There were three proposals: the 156day Lowenfield abomination, which earned the ire of everyone excepting the PNC hardliners; the 10-day PPP proposal that addressed all the legalities and technicalities that had been raised by the PNC to date; and, lastly, the 12-day plan from 8 of the 9 newbie parties, prepared by the very professional Guyana Budget and Policy Institute.

Based on the Solomonic precedent the GECOM Chair set on the H2H registration exercise - when she’d ruled that even though curtailed, the partial data would be integrated into the NRR, just to give something to “both sides” – your Eyewitness thought this time she would’ve added 156 to 12 and divided by 2 to arrive at 84 days for the recount!! After all, to this Chair, there doesn’t seem to be any standard of justice, save expedience in trying to please everybody - never mind the pertinent facts. It’s like giving equal weight to a rapist and his victim.

And what are those pertinent facts? The PNC fifth columnists in the Secretariat have subverted the count in every which way, such that the chief cook and bottle washer, Mingo, still stands guilty of contempt of court for refusing to use the Reg 4 SOPs as instructed to deliver a “transparent” result. This shilly-shallying has been compounded by agents of the PNC rushing to the courts – represented by the PNC lawyers – to further delay the count. We’re now way past the 40 days and forty nights it took for the Resurrection and the Ascension of Jesus Christ, but still no results!

Time, therefore, is of the essence in getting this count finished. After all, there’s the most serious pandemic to hit the planet in a century confronting us, and this demands legitimate leadership to rally our people to fight it off. We were told that, rather than make a decision, the Chair moved that the Commission check out the Convention, which has been unanimously agreed to as the site of the counting. Now, let’s be serious. Do we really need a sightseeing tour to presumably determine how many counting stations can be accommodated? This is the 21st century. Not only could the architectural plans have been used, but the Commission could’ve been given a virtual tour YESTERDAY!! Jeez, in these lockdown days, we can now have virtual tours of the Louvre! And we know what’ll happen today, won’t we?

They’ll have to measure off and draw circles on the floor to ensure social distancing is maintained!

But why worry?? More delay is the point, isn’t it?? …on the SoPs Looks like the WPA has decided to drop the façade of even-handedness – which was quite desultory to begin with, in any case – so’s to wage an all-out attack on the PPP for doing what? Agreeing with Caretaker Granger that there ought to be a count of all the votes in all ten regions!!

Never mind that the PPP from the onset only demanded that THE 391 SOPs in Reg 4 that were not Mingoed be retabulated!!

David Hinds is quoted in the Chronic as questioning how could folks know that the PPP’s SOPs were accurate.

Just like Volda’s purse carrier - vying for the PNC radical label who asked, “How can the PPP claim to have the correct SOPs when they don’t have official SOPs from GECOM?” Well, duh!! Isn’t that the answer?? Just have GECOM produce its SOPs and call the PPPs alleged bluff!!

We can ignore that the PNC hasn’t shown their SOPs to anyone, claiming they’re saving them for the “elections petition”!!

Do these fellas realise how stupid they sound?? …on COVID in Linden So, we have another COVID-19 positive from Linden.

We’re now told she’d been in contact with the first victim; had presented symptoms but was told to self-isolate.

But how about the others who also visited the first victim? Are they being allowed to infect the entire community?

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

NEWS

9

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GECOM re-invites Caricom Region 10 confirms 2nd COVID-19 case T to validate recount

T

he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) has formally re-invited the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to oversee the recount of the election results in all ten regions.

This was confirmed by GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj, who noted that the invitation was sent on Tuesday morning. However, while Caricom has been reengaged, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield is yet to present his revised plan for the recount.

Lowenfield was ordered

by GECOM to revise his previous 156-day proposal and present it at Tuesday’s statutory meeting. Despite this, however, this order was not carried out by the time GECOM met on Tuesday.

Instead, GECOM has to meet again today where it is hoped the plan will be presented. In an interview with this publication, Gunraj questioned whether it is a case of a Secretariat unwilling to follow instructions or incompetence.

He noted that both Lowenfield and his deputy, Roxanne Myers, sit in during Commission meetings.

Despite this and the minutes of the meeting being provided, Lowenfield’s excuse for not presenting the proposal was that he needed clarity on some points.

“This recent failure by the Secretariat to carry out the clear instructions of the Commission begs the question as to whether the CEO and DCEO, who sit in Commission meetings, are incompetent or unwilling to carry out the decisions of the Commission,” he posited.

Gunraj also noted that Caricom has not yet responded and observers have so far not been engaged on returning to work when the recount starts. However, he was optimistic that a high-level Caricom team will return.

Since the elections were held over a month 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 and there has been international pressure for Guyana to ensure the pro-

Caricom headquarters

cess is transparent and credible.

GECOM itself had come in for much of the criticism, with repeated attempts being made by Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo to subvert the process going unchecked by the GECOM Chairwoman, Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

Despite Singh promising that she would facilitate a recount, attempts to have the recount done at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) never took off because of delays, more controversy and ultimately, a member of the coalition party securing an injunction from High Court Judge Franklyn Holder against the exercise.

It is this injunction that led to the first Caricom high-level team withdrawing from the jurisdiction.

Caribbean Community (Caricom) Chair Mia Mottley, who played an integral part in forging the agreement to have Caricom send a team, subsequently spoke about “forces” who do not want a recount to happen.

The injunction was later thrown out by the Full Court and the Appeal Court upheld this decision, leaving the way clear for GECOM to conduct its recount and finally determine a winner of the elections.

But when given a chance to draft a proposed plan for the recount, Lowenfield drafted and presented one that said the recount would last a staggering 156 days.

After a firestorm of criticism, Lowenfield was ordered to return to the drawing board and revise his proposal. The plan was ex-

pected to be presented and discussed at Tuesday’s statutory meeting.

he Regional Health and Emergency Committee of Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) has confirmed that a second person from the district has been tested positive for COVID-19.

This confirmation was made by Medical Superintendent of the Linden Hospital Complex, Dr Joseph London, who said the 29-year-old woman is currently warded at the Diamond Hospital on the East Bank of Demerara.

On Tuesday, it was disclosed that the woman had displayed mild symptoms of the coronavirus while complaining of sore throat, fever and cough. She was treated

and asked to self-isolate at home. However, the hospital recognized that she hailed from the same area as the first case, and as such, a test for the virus was conducted, which later proved positive.

“After the hospital took the samples off her, we advised her that she should go on home-isolation as we await the results of the tests. The results returned showing that she was positive, and as such, the results were handed over to the Regional Task Force,” Dr London indicated.

He disclosed that after the woman’s situation had been reviewed, the Regional Task Force decided that she should be transferred

to the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital.

With two confirmed cases, Dr London noted, Region 10 continues to have an aggressive approach to the disease. He stressed that all required protocols and actions are being taken, and persons have been asked to abide by all public health advisories in order to protect themselves.

Meanwhile, a Guyanese general practitioner (doctor) has been listed as critical in New York after being diagnosed with the coronavirus.

The doctor, whose practice is in East Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) tested positive while visiting relatives last month.

10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

knifed husband to death Berbice man killed Woman after he threatened to burn her in hit and run A

A

23-year-old man succumbed to injuries he sustained on Monday evening after he was stuck down in an apparent hit and run accident on the Moleson Creek Public Road in the Upper Corentyne, East Berbice, (Region Six: East Berbice-Corentyne).

Dead is Ron Thomas of Moleson Creek, Corentyne.

Based on reports received, the now dead man had left his sibling’s house and was heading home when he was struck down by a speeding vehicle, which fled the scene thereafter.

Thomas was picked up and taken to the Skeldon Hospital, but due to the seriousness of his injuries, was transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Monday morning.

The car suspected to have been involved in the accident has been impound-

ed, and the driver has been taken into Police custody to assist with the investigations.

This is the third fatal accident to have occurred over the weekend. On Sunday evening, 43-year-old Keshwardau Hackie of Lot 8 No 63 Village Corentyne, Berbice was struck down by a canter on the Number 64 Village Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

It has been reported that the canter was proceeding north along the roadway while the motorcyclist was proceeding in the opposite direction. However, as the motorcyclist was attempting to ride into a dam, the front of the canter collided with him.

Also on Monday, 20-year-old Raphael Haly of Robb Street, Georgetown succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital following an

accident in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The accident occurred on Sunday evening in Second Avenue Bartica. It has been reported that the former member of the 592 Bike Line had borrowed a “Chappy” motorcycle to purchase food, but as he was making his way to the restaurant, he allegedly failed to slow down at one of the speed bumps on the roadway and lost control of the bike. Having lost control, he reportedly slammed into a wall and crashed into a utility pole.

As a result of the impact, he sustained severe injuries to his head and body.

He was picked up and taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital, but due to the severity of his injuries, he was transferred to the GPHC, where he was admitted and placed on life support. He later succumbed to his injuries.

man who threatened to burn his wife was on Sunday knifed to death at Big Cannaballi, Region One (Barima-Waini).

Dead is 33-year-old Clarence Williams.

Based on information received, the now dead man had threatened to push the woman into a fire, which resulted in a heated argu-

ment during which the man choked her. In retaliation, the woman, who had a knife in her hands, stabbed the man twice to the groin.

Prior to the incident, it was reported that the woman was at a church service.

The man reportedly pulled her out and ordered her to return home to cook.

While cleaning fish, the

man reportedly assaulted the woman again and threatened to burn her. However, after the stabbing incident, the man went to bed but was later discovered dead.

The police have since confirmed that the man’s body bore three stab wounds. The suspected murder weapon was retrieved and the woman was arrested.

Linden execution-style killing

Police searching for lone gunman in death of clothes vendor

P

olice continue to hunt a lone gunman in the shooting to death of a Linden clothes vendor, which occurred on Monday evening. Forty-three-yearold Glenroy Chapman also called “G”, of Lot 130 Half Mile, Wismar, Linden, was shot and killed just after 18:00h as he sat in front of his yard chatting with a

Dead: Glenroy Chapman, also called “G”

friend. According to Police, at the time of the incident, the father of eight was seated outside his yard on a bench underneath a shed in the company of a male friend when the lone gunman approached them and discharged several rounds in his direction. The friend managed to dash to safety.

At the time of the incident, Chapman’s common-law wife and their children were inside the house, however, no one else was injured.

When Police arrived at the scene, the body of the clothes vendor was examined and multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso were visible. He was transported to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

At Chapman’s home on Tuesday, friends and family gathered outside the yard and appeared to be solemn but were reluctant to speak to the media. A male, who indicated that he was a friend, described Chapman as a “very good man”, noting that he will be missed.

Meanwhile, Regional Commander of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), Superintendent Hugh Winter on Tuesday noted that investigations continue into the shooting.

Police responded to the scene after receiving information about what had transpired. They arrived to find the body lying motionless outside of the yard.

“We have statements from persons”, he said, as he indicated that several persons were questioned in relation to the incident.

However, the male suspect remains at large. The suspect was reportedly clad in a white T-shirt, slim built and approximately 6’5” in height.

Chapman’s body is presently awaiting a post-mortem examination (PME) which is expected to be conducted today.

At the scene, Police discovered five suspected 9mm spent shells and a warhead.

Investigations are continuing.

Man apologises after brutally chopping shop owner

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shop owner was attacked and brutally chopped about the body by a cutlass-wielding man who invaded his property at Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) in the wee hours of Tuesday.

The injured man was identified as 40-year-old Elroy Williams who resides at Good Intent, West Bank Demerara and operates a shop at Black Water Backdam.

Based on reports received, the man sustained severe injuries to both his legs and to his neck.

He, however, is presently in stable condition at the Bartica Regional Hospital.

According to information received, at about

1:30h on the day in question, the suspect made his way into the man’s house through a window, and carried out the brutal attack. After committing the act, the suspect made good his escape, leaving the businessman bleeding in the bedroom.

However, a short while later, the suspect reportedly visited the injured man and apologised for hurting him.

He declared that he had been under the influence of alcohol, and had not meant to hurt the businessman.

After apologising, the suspect went into hiding, but a report was lodged with the Police and an investigation has been launched.

11 PPP/C “Mask Up” campaign targets 25,000 distributions this week NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…as food hamper drive begins

A face mask being given to a worker at Albion Sugar Estate, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)

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s the “Mask Up” campaign which was started by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Presidential Candidate Dr Irfaan Ali enters its second week, the initiative has set a target of delivering 25,000 masks for the week.

It is part of the party’s National COVID-19 Stakeholder Forum initiative.

Ali made the pronouncement via social media, that their aim is to distribute 25,000 masks all across Guyana for the week. He also announced that efforts are being made to secure 50,000 lbs of produce from farmers.

According to Ali, this is intended to go to vulnerable communities. Already, distributions were done in the Region One (Barima-Waini)

communities of Matarkai, Oronoque and Quarry Top

ed by the team on Monday, while distributions were done on April 12 in North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

On Tuesday, Ali announced that Mask Up distributions were done in Albion, Region Six and Supenaam, Region Two. In addition, both hampers and face masks were distributed in Port Mourant.

Some members of the Private Sector have also stepped up to the challenge, with construction firm Guy American Construction Incorporated being the latest one.

“We have prepared 2000 hampers to distribute to the most vulnerable. The first truck loaded will be headed to the Belle West and Wales communities. The second truck will be headed to the Essequibo Coast, Region number Two.” “The third truck will be headed to Blairmont, Region Five. And the fourth truck is headed to Canje, Sheet Anchor, Region number Six,” Jordan further explained.

In addition, credit was given to Nand Persaud Limited for their contribution to the hampers distrib-

PPP/C Region Two Councillor Arnold Adams distributing face masks at Supenaam

Government has also implemented a nationwide curfew and closed borders.

Economic implications

Food hamper distribution at Port Mourant, Region Six

on Monday. There were also hamper distributions in several communities in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

In addition, Alberttown and Queenstown were visit-

The company’s Health and Safety Manager, Kurt Jordan, announced their plan to distribute truckloads of hampers on the Corentyne Coast, Belle West and Wales, as well as Wakenaam.

uted in Port Mourant.

As of April 14, Guyana has recorded 48 cases of COVID-19 and six deaths.

Many are worried about the economic implications, however, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rating Guyana

as one of the least prepared countries, in a recent report they compiled.

Among the measures the institution recommended in the report were targeted measures to help everyone, particularly the most vulnerable. It had cited the case of Brazil, which announced an economic package to cushion the economic fallout of the virus.

The IMF had urged targeted fiscal monetary and financial market measures in order to mitigate the economic impact of the virus. It had recommended that Governments should use wage subsidies and tax relief to help affected households and businesses to confront this temporary and sudden stop in production.

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GPHC not ready to handle influx of COVID-19 cases – Dr Jeffrey

C

OVID-19 has taken a toll on the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and according to the Director of Medical and Professional Services at the institution, Dr Fawcett Jeffrey, the hospital can become overwhelmed with the rise in the number of coronavirus cases in Guyana.

Dr Jeffrey told the media that the number of beds at the GPHC might not be enough. He explained that such a challenge in terms of critical equipment was not unique.

“It is a worldwide challenge, and the worst thing is that developed countries are having problems with ventilators. You cannot access a ventilator easily. There is a challenge accessing

The Georgetown Public Hospital

PPEs [Personal Protective Equipment], N95 masks, gloves…,” he noted.

The Director further said that the outbreak of the coronavirus has made it hard for GPHC’s medical staff.

“We being human beings always have fear for the unknown, so the fear for the unknown has created a lot of

panic in the institution, and it has created distancing for the patients sometimes,” he explained.

Dr Jeffrey added that the GPHC has taken up the mantle to continuously educate its staff on COVID-19.

He said: “When we find these circumstances, we would reach out to persons

and try to educate them. It is not very easy, because people have a mindset of their own. It takes much more effort.”

Dr Jeffrey further noted that the city hospital has managed to reduce the number of patients that would visit the institution regularly.

“Our numbers have dropped to 1/10th to what we were seeing before and that has assisted,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the caretak-

er coalition Administration has refurbished the Ocean View Hotel as a quarantine facility.

However, the Public Health Ministry has chosen to cordon off a section of the Georgetown Public Hospital to serve as a quarantine site despite much criticism.

Nevertheless, as cases continue to increase, other regional hospitals will be identified to be used.

Now that Guyana has been hit with the dead-

ly novel coronavirus, the National COVID-19 Task Force is making haste to put systems in place. The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and National Gymnasium were cited as other possible quarantine sites.

Authorities are seeking to have 1000 beds available to accommodate persons in need of isolation, even though the Pan American Health Organisation predicts that the cases may climb to some 20,000.

these boys with guns, but me ain’t [take] it serious, because I think is Police them.

Next thing I hear is that they stick up the cock fight.

“The gunmen had them people at the cock fight like ‘scatter fowl’. I see a [little] boy run out the yard breathless. He tell me aunty, ‘They just rob we’,” another resident stated.

Further, this publication was told that those gathered at the ‘cock fight’ were seen running through people’s yards and scaling fences in

an attempt to escape from the armed men.

After committing the robbery, the perpetrators calmly jumped onto their motorcycles and left the scene.

The Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

‘Cock fighting’ is an illegal game that the Police have been trying to stop, but it continues in several villages, including Friendship, Sarah Johanna and other areas on the East Bank of Demerara.

Gunmen invade cockfight at Agricola, rob persons

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group of ‘cock fight’ lovers were on Monday attacked and robbed of their cash and other valuables by at least three armed men at Water Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown.

Based on reports received, the ‘cock fight’ competition is a regular activity in the community, especially on weekends and holidays, and would draw large gatherings of persons from various villages.

The bids are usually huge, and this is probably what enticed the gunmen to carry out the attack.

Guyana Times understand that at about 16:00h, the competitors and those gathered were busy cheering for their favourite “cock” when the armed men showed up on motorcycles.

On resident explained: “I was coming home and I see

CORONAVIRUS HOW TO HANDWASH? (COVID-19) WASH HANDS OR USE HAND SANITISERS

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice.

They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.

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

(Adapted from BBC News)

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden house gutted by fire

The completely gutted house

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two-bedroom wooden house was completely destroyed by fire at Block 22 Squatting Area, Wismar, Linden, on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred sometime after 13:00h. According to neighbours, the house, which was unoccupied at the time, went up in flames after someone lit surrounding grass, and the fire eventually spread to the house. It was burned to the ground by the time firefighters attached to the Linden Fire Station responded. The firemen, however, managed to contain the blaze before it spread to nearby houses.

When this publication visited the scene, the house was completely burnt and nearby grassland also appeared to be burnt. A neighbour, Robert (only name given), said the owners of the house would only visit occasionally.

“Is somebody went lighting fire, and the fire blaze all through...Couple people well used to live in this house but them people end up beating out...and left the place just so... I just used to see them coming one and two time to clean up the house...”, he explained.

The clearly upset man indicated that it was customary for persons with surrounding land to burn the vegetation as a means of clearing the land.

“Now the girl house burn down. Nobody don’t live here no more. Somebody was probably coming to live. I see they used to come and clean up... but all this happened because of people careless attitude”, he continued.

The Fire Department has since launched an investigation.

Man chopped to death by teenager

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man who was severely chopped about the body succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at a private hospital in Georgetown on Tuesday morning.

Fifty-five-year-old Wilfred Kippins, who resided on the East Bank of Essequibo, was attacked and chopped on Monday evening by a teenager in his home.

Based on reports, the now dead man’s wife witnessed the altercation and managed to get her husband into the house after which the suspect left.

However, Kippins later left his home and went in pursuit of the suspect.

According to the man’s widow, she was told that her husband attacked the 19-year-oldand in retaliation, the teen dealt him several chops about his body.

The man was left lying on the roadway in a pool of blood. He was later picked up and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, but relatives later took him to the private hospital.

A report was made at the Parika Police Station, and an investigation was launched. Based on information received, the suspect was arrested and was currently assisting with the investigations.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bodies of dead Covid-19 victims being safely disposed of – CMO

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hief Medical Officer Dr Shamdeo Persaud has announced that enhanced measures have been employed to dispose of the remains of persons who have succumbed from COVID-19 infection.

During a recent public engagement, he indicated that funeral parlours and hospital mortuaries were engaged to ensure that proper guidelines are followed to safely handle and dispose of those bodies. The same procedure is being implemented for persons who were each considered a risk factor prior to their demise.

“We have also done some additional work in terms of how we handle the human remains, the bodies of the persons, and we have put those (guidelines) out. We have been working closely with all of the mortuaries -- both the public mortuaries at the hospital (and) also

(those in) the private sector. Most of our funeral industry itself is run by a network of private facilities,” Dr Persaud said.

He added, “We have been working with them, and

they have been following the guidelines that we’ve established (for) the safe handling and disposal of those persons who may have succumbed from COVID-19; but altogether, from persons who might be at risk.”

Speaking on the work of medical practitioners during this time, he acknowledged that many of them have been on the frontline of the battle against the pandemic.

In fact, many health workers have died globally after contracting the virus while working.

Here, in Guyana, some nurses have complained about being spurned from entering public transportation due to stigma that they are exposed to cases of the coronavirus.

At present, the Ocean View International Hotel is being refurbished as a COVID-19 facility, to treat and institutionalise posi-

residents in the region can contact.

Persons displaying symptoms are asked to call the hotlines and would consequently be visited at home, instead of them visiting the hospital.

While a national hotline was created for persons to call, many individuals have indicated that they did not receive assistance despite displaying symptoms. Some were visited some days later.

Along with Region Three, Regions Two (PomeroonSupenaam); Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); Eight (PotaroSiparuni); Nine (Upper Takutu-Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) all have COVID-19 hotlines.

If anyone is experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus, they can call the Public Health Ministry’s hotline on 227-4986 ext 215 or 6243067 and a team would be sent to their location.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

Region 3 Administration launches COVID-19 hotlines

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he Regional Administration of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) has launched two hotline numbers for the public, should there be any concerns or reports of a suspected COVID-19 case.

The region is among those to have recorded a confirmed case of the disease.

On Tuesday, the department released two numbers 2540313 and 254-1261 which

tive cases and high-risk individuals. While this will take some while, the Public Health Ministry has been seeking isolation facilities at private hospitals. The Sports Hall and National Gymnasium are being equipped as standby facilities.

The CMO indicated that the authorities are also looking to implement additional testing means which could be employed at these facilities. However, there have been some challenges that

need to be addressed.

“The situation is getting worse. We are looking at additional methods of testing for COVID-19, and to expand those within some of the private institutions and standalone laboratories…

Most of them have capacity issues with what is required for isolation areas (and) for all the adequate personal protective equipment; the use of those have been challenging some of the private institutions,” he explained.

These facilities have

been examining persons before they enter their premises, ensuring that all suspected cases are forwarded to the relevant authorities.

“They (private hospitals) all have set up screening services at their institutions.

Even before persons get in, they are usually checking temperatures (and) respiratory symptoms, which (are) all in the efforts of trying to identify (cases) early, before persons with high risk can actually get in,” the CMO added.

GTT makes Help & Shelter hotline number toll free

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ust a week after the Social Protection Ministry’s Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit set up a hotline for persons being abused, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GTT) has collaborated with Help and Shelter to make its hotline numbers free of charge in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Danuta Radzik, a representative from Help and Shelter, expressed gratitude to GTT for this assistance in curbing domestic violence in Guyana.

“We at Help and Shelter are pleased to have this toll-free service from GTT. Sometimes persons are unable to call the hotline number because of a lack of credit on their phone; this is a real impediment. This initiative will assist persons to get the help they need and it is a great boost for us to assist the abused

in Guyana. This partnership and support are truly welcome,” Radzik noted.

On the other hand, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of GTT, Jasmine Harris noted, “We are all in this together and GTT is happy to support the Help and Shelter Organisation in its effort to confidentially assist those who are most vulnerable, especially during this pandemic.”

Mounting data suggests that domestic abuse is acting as an opportunistic infection, flourishing in the conditions created by

the pandemic. The United Nations on Sunday called for urgent action to combat the worldwide surge in such violence.

Meanwhile, persons are encouraged to call 0910 if they are victims or know victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual violence, and human trafficking cases.

The company, in light of the restrictions on the public and the call for citizens to stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary, implemented this initiative.

1 dead, 1 injured after car collides with cow

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The car involved in the accident

ne man is dead while another is seriously injured after the car in which they were travelling slammed into a cow on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) Highway on Tuesday evening.

The dead man has been identified as Kelron Benjamin of Beterverwagting, ECD,

The injured man being attended to by medical personnel

while the identity of the injured man was unknown up to press time.

Based on reports received, the motor car was heading East along the Lusignan Public Road, ECD, when it collided with a cow that was making its way across the road.

As a result of the colli-

sion, the driver of the car reportedly lost control and crashed into the median.

Benjamin reportedly died on the spot while the front seat passenger sustained severe head injuries.

He was picked up by an ambulance and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted.

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Coronavirus: US to halt funding to WHO Nagamootoo sinned his U soul again, proudly admits APNU/AFC is a dictatorship

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was a Member of Parliament for almost 20 years. I am now in receipt of a parliamentary pension. In calculating my pension, the Parliament Office calculated my period of service and the salaries I earned, and computed the monthly average. When they did so for me or do so for any MP, they only take into consideration the time served.

During the time I served, there were five elections. Each time Parliament was dissolved, I was no longer an MP; and between that dissolution and the time I was re-elected an MP, I received no salary from Parliament. And when my retirement benefits were calculated, this was taken into consideration.

Given that between dissolution of Parliament and Dr Leslie Ramsammy when Parliament reconvened there was an average of about four months, and given there were five elections, in computing time served, I lost about one and a half years of service. There was nothing unfair about this. This is the law.

No MP, no minister, serves continuously; in accordance with the law, ministers serve only from the time Parliament commences until the time Parliament is dissolved. There might be some arguments surrounding when the 11th Parliament ended, although those arguments are frivolous; but whatever the arguments, we cannot dispute that Parliament was definitively dissolved on December 3, 2019.

On that day, Guyana no longer had any MP. On that day, Guyana no longer had any Minister. There was no such creature as Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. Each time since then that he appeared as Guyana’s Prime Minister, he was acting illegally.

The dismissal of Guyana’s Prime Minister was even more final when the elections were held on March 2, 2020. Even in this wild time, in these uncertain times, even as the majority of Guyanese continue the struggle for democracy, laws and the Constitution matter. Both the laws and the Constitution say there is no Cabinet.

Moses Nagamootoo, last Thursday, just one day before Good Friday, the holiest day of the Christian calendar, sinned his soul in declaring that the Cabinet continues to function as normal.

For the Cabinet to carry on, it means that Guyana is fully a dictatorship. When Nagamootoo confessed that David Granger and his cabal continue to act as if nothing has happened, he formally announced the Granger-led dictatorship.

In so doing, he announced that Granger and his cabal do not regard the laws and the Constitution, and that they threw the Constitution out of the window a long time ago.

That Nagamootoo continues to squat in the Office of the Prime Minister is a crime. Yes, it is the height of arrogance, but it is criminal also to occupy an office, giving orders and spending taxpayers’ money. Whatever the arguments, we know that Parliament was formally dissolved by an official promulgation that David Granger made in December 2019. Since that time, the Cabinet was also dissolved.

But even if there are legitimate legal arguments that the Ministers continue to function, there can be no further arguments that on March 2, 2020, when more than 450,000 Guyanese voters went to the polling stations to elect a new government, there no longer existed any cabinet.

While, it is true that the President remains in office until his successor is sworn in, that is not true for any minister, including the Prime Minister. We can argue when exactly Moses Nagamootoo lost his job as Prime Minister, but one thing is crystal clear: on March 2, 2020, Nagamootoo and all his ministerial colleagues lost their jobs.

Carrying on as if nothing matters is what dictators do.

Essentially, Granger sent Nagamootoo out just before Good Friday to tell the nation and the world that Guyana is a dictatorship. That is what Nagamootoo did on Thursday, April 9, 2020: he openly told the Guyanese people the cabinet continues because those in office are a dictatorship, and elections or no elections, they will carry on. He sinned his soul, again.

In actuality, Nagamootoo and the rest of the Cabinet lost their jobs a long time ago. When the No-Confidence Motion was passed on December 21st, 2018, the Parliament was declared no longer in session. On January 2, 2019, the then Speaker of the House confirmed that fact, the Speaker making clear that the Parliament stood dissolved. That was the last day the Parliament met, conceding that the NCM indeed ended the life of Parliament.

David Granger was obligated to dissolve the Parliament and hold elections by March 21st, 2019. APNU+AFC tried desperately to change that reality by tying up the matter in court using the mathematical nonsense that 33 is not more than 32. That legally tied up the dissolution until the CCJ confirmed the Cabinet was dismissed and the Parliament was dissolved upon the passage of the NCM. The CCJ restarted the time and the time was extended to September 18, 2019. APNU+AFC ignored the new deadline.

Whatever the arguments, no one can dispute that there has been no Cabinet, at least since December 3, 2019.

Thus, since the COVID-19 Task Force is headed by the Prime Minister, and there is no Prime Minister, even in the fight against COVID-19, we have an illegal entity leading the fight. This is utterly unacceptable.

S President Donald Trump has said he has instructed his administration to halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO).

He said the WHO had “failed in its basic duty” in its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

He accused the UN body of mismanaging and covering up the spread of the virus after it emerged in China, and said it must be held accountable.

Trump has previously ac-

cused the WHO of being biased towards China.

The US president has himself come under criticism at home over his handling of the outbreak.

“I am directing my administration to halt funding while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization’s role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus,” Trump told a news conference at the White House.

“The WHO failed in its

US President Donald Trump

basic duty and it must be held accountable,” he added.

America is the WHO’s biggest single funder, providing $400m (£316m) last year - just under 15 per cent of its total budget.

“With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have deep concerns whether America’s generosity has been put to the best use possible,” the president said.

The US is the epicentre of the pandemic with 592,743 cases and 25,239 deaths. (BBC News)

Body found in barrel

Boyfriend confesses to killing woman, charged for heinous crime – mother says son should be hanged

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hirty-year-old Suraj Veersammy also called “Radesh”, who confessed to killing his girlfriend, was on Tuesday arraigned for the heinous crime when he appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

The young man was arrested one day after the partially decomposed body of 24-year-old Devika Narinedatt called “Vanessa” was discovered in a barrel floating in a trench at Belvidere, Corentyne, Berbice.

After interrogation, Veersammy told detectives that the woman had threatened to end the relationship, which angered him and he retaliated. Initially, he claimed that the now dead woman had hung herself but later told Police that they had an argument during which he took a bed sheet in an attempt to hang himself.

However, in the process of doing so, the woman continued to argue, prompting him to hang her instead but not before hitting her to the head. After committing the act, he reportedly left the house but later returned.

He then ensured that the woman was dead. That occurred on Thursday evening. On Friday morning, he reportedly cut down the body and stuffed it in the

Murder suspect: Suraj Veersammy

barrel. Further, he rolled the barrel and dumped it in a nearby trench.

Upon the discovery, a bed sheet was tightly tied around Narinedatt’s neck with marks of violence on her left eye, stomach, left shoulder, left hand and left leg.

After receiving information about the whereabouts of the suspect, Police arrested him at the Dharm Shala, at Fort Canje.

Meanwhile, mother of the suspect, Satty Veerasammy told Guyana Times that she hopes her son receives the full force of the law.

“How she feel, so he

should feel. I imagine that when he was doing it the child beg up to the last moment and he still kill the pickney. I think he should suffer just so. I prefer if they hang him and throw him in the river or lock him up and throw away the key... he don’t make no sense.”

The woman, who raised three children including the suspect, explained that he was taken out of school at a tender age because his father became ill and was confined to a wheelchair.

However, she noted that the suspect started to steal from home, forcing her to put him out in 2010.

Although he was put out, Veersammy would still visit the home in the evening when everyone was asleep and remove items from the yard.

According to the woman, she can recall him breaking into the home one day when she took her husband to the hospital.

“If we going gut, somebody got to watchman this house,” she noted.

The murder suspect had on more than one occasion threatened to push his father and the wheelchair into the trench. “He is bad,” the mother cried.

According to the grieving woman, her son came home in November with Narinedatt and told her

Dead: Devika Narinedatt

that he was a changed person.

“Is because of she mek me allow him back in this house. When she come, I see that she is a nice person.

And when I talk to she, I see that she come from a poor family, so I hold she just like a daughter. He seh that he change, but I did not expect that is the change. Maybe, he could have done it to me or his sister.”

She noted that her son should have let the young lady go her way if the relationship could not work out.

Nevertheless, he was remanded to prison by Magistrate Peter Hugh until June 9, 2020.

COVID-19 victims escape quarantine facility – intercepted en route to Mahdia, Lethem

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our Venezuelan migrants who escaped their mandated COVID-19 confinement upon recommendation by the Public Health Ministry have now been placed in institutional quarantine.

Former Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence revealed on Tuesday that the women were on their way to Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) after fleeing their place of isolation.

However, immediate ef-

forts resulted in them being intercepted and placed in institutional quarantine with the assistance of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

According to reports, the migrants were detained on April 11, 2020, after forcibly leaving the isolation facilities in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

The women, who hail from Venezuela, were picked up from a city hotel after displaying symptoms of the coronavirus and taken to a quarantine facility but after some time, they assaulted the medical workers and

escaped.

After being intercepted, they were handcuffed to beds in order to prevent them from leaving the facility.

In a ‘COVID-19 Response Situation Update for Guyana’ report published by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Monday, it was reported that there are currently four active national quarantine and isolation facilities in Guyana and three planned facilities.

The Georgetown Public Hospital is the only facility with an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for COVID-19,

and has a capacity for 16 patients. The other facilities listed are the West Demerara Regional Hospital, the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and the Madewini Youth Centre.

The West Demerara Regional Hospital has the capacity for 36 patients and currently houses 17 while the Diamond Diagnostic Centre has a capacity for 70 patients and currently houses nine.

The Madewini Youth Centre, with a capacity for 132 patients, currently has 8.

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Guyana Budget & Policy Institute remains confident that national recount can be completed in 12 days – proposal endorsed by 7 political parties

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n April 8, 2020, the Board of Directors of the institute decided to provide a complete technical, logistic, and operations proposal for the national recount for consideration by all stakeholders, particularly GECOM, political parties, and the electors. This decision was made in recognition of the incompleteness of the 2020 General and Regional Elections, the concerns of all stakeholders, the state of Guyana’s economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and the risks of international sanctions and isolation Guyana faces as a result of the lack of credibility of the tabulation process.

On April 9, 2020, the institute released a plan that it believes can deliver a credible recount of the votes cast in the 2020 General and Regional Elections in 12 days. The plan has been endorsed by 7 political parties that have contested the recent elections. In recognition of this fact and calls for administrative details necessary to implement the plan, the institute is proposing the following administrative structure and arrangements. Details of the proposed administrative structure and arrangements are as follow: • Security of Containers with Ballot Boxes – the containers with the ballot boxes for all regions should be transported under police escort, accompanied by party agents and kept together at the ACCC. Further, the containers should be placed with their doors facing each other to prevent unauthorized access until the recount exercise commences. Above normal security should be provided to ensure these containers are kept safe. This includes allowing party agents and observers access to the containers to ensure they are not compromised. Party agents and observers can be allowed to inspect the containers in pairs to allow for social distancing.

• Ballot Box Access Teams – two teams should be formed comprising the individuals listed in Figure 1 below to provide access to the ballot boxes from the containers to each recount team. By limiting the number of teams that will be managing access to the ballot boxes to 2, social distancing requirements can be observed. More importantly, this will allow for an organized, document-

ed, and secured process of accessing the ballot boxes.

The 10 regions can be split into two sets, by regions, roughly equaling half of the total electors, and assigned to each of the two access teams. Each team will have a log sheet for the regions assigned to it with all the ballot box numbers in sequential order. The log sheet will be used to issue the boxes in order of their number. No more than 4 boxes should be issued to the recount team at a time.

When the recount team completes the recount of the 4 ballot boxes, they will seal and return the boxes to the access team and uplift the next 4 boxes. The RO/DRO including party observers present should sign the log sheet every time they uplift and return the ballot boxes.

• Recount Teams – as explained earlier and as shown in Figure 1 below, recount teams are responsible for recounting of the ballots for the respective regions. Each team is responsible for uplifting the ballot boxes from the “Ballot Box Access Teams” and immediately return them when the recount of those boxes is completed. After return-

ing the boxes, the recount team will uplift the next 4 boxes and proceed to recount the ballots, and the process continues. If the 12-hour shift is completed and the recount team on duty is in the process of recounting the ballots for a particular box, the team should complete the recount of that box before the next team takes over the process. This would allow for a smooth transition of the recount from one team to the other.

• Tabulation Teams – at the end of the recount of the ballots in each ballot box, a Statement of Recount (SORs) would be prepared, signed by the relevant individuals and copies will be issued to the party agents.

A copy of each SOR should be published on GECOM’s website at the end of each day (24 hours of recount) in mirroring the requirement of posting a copy of the SOP in a conspicuous place outside of the polling stations. This way the public is not excluded from the process. The “Tabulation Team” for a region is the last recount team that is on duty. If, however, this team has worked for more than half the shift (more than 6

hours) and the recount of all the boxes for that region has been completed, the next team on the rotation schedule should assume duty and complete the tabulation of all the SORs. This provides an added check and balance in the process to guard against any particular team having vested interest in the tabulation process itself. The RO/DRO on the tabulation team should prepare, issue and sign the regional declaration before passing this on to the CEO’s team.

Finally, a copy of each regional declaration should be published on GECOM’s website as they become available for the public’s benefit.

• CEO’s Team – the CEO’s team refers to GECOM’s CEO and his team of staff that is responsible for tabulating the national figures, determining seat allocation, etc.

In addition to the CEO and his team of staff, this team should include at least 1 international observer from one of the international missions, at least 1 local observer from the local observer groups, and at least 1 agent from the political parties. The observ-

ers and party agents will observe and provide oversight to the CEO’s team to ensure that the regional declarations submitted to the CEO are authentic (exactly those declarations made and signed by all authorized parties for each region) and are used to prepare the CEO’s report for the Elections Commission.

• Guyana Elections Commission – this plan does not alter or interferes in any way with the working and functions of the elections commission. As per law, the commission upon receiving the CEO’s report will meet, discuss all related matters, and then vote on the report. Once the commission approves the report, the Chairman of the commission would make the national declaration. Under this proposed plan, the process can be completed within 24 hours after the last regional declaration has been made.

On the institute’s proposal

The Guyana Budget Policy Institute is a non-partisan policy think tank that was founded on the idea that Guyana is a country with strong democratic institutions and lim-

itless freedom where people who work hard can build a future, raise a family, run a business, and where the government is accountable to the people.

Free, fair and credible elections are the cornerstone of Guyana’s democracy and are the ultimate checks and balances that the constitution has placed in the hands of citizens. When elections are not completed in a free, fair, credible and timely manner, the constitutional rights of citizens and the legitimacy of their government are compromised. Thus, no other call to public service is higher than to support the completion of free, fair, credible and timely elections. It is on this ideal and these convictions that the institute has proposed publicly a plan that can deliver a credible and transparent recount of the ballots cast in the 2020 General and Regional Elections. The sole purpose is to provide knowledge and expertise to help all stakeholders as they seek solutions to the challenges before them and more importantly to help decisionmakers make informed decisions that benefit all.

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

17

Regional

US$5 cans of tuna: Colombia Over 300,000 to benefit from Jamaica Govt's CARE Programme corruption thrives during M coronavirus outbreak C

olombian authorities have detected widespread overcharging for food and medical supplies meant to help the Andean country deal with its coronavirus outbreak, Colombia’s comptroller said on Tuesday.

Colombians are under obligatory nationwide quarantine until April 27. More than 2800 people have been confirmed infected with the coronavirus so far and over 100 in Colombia have died of the COVID-19 disease caused by the virus.

Corruption is a hot button political issue in Colombia.

Graft costs the country an estimated US$12.9 billion

a year - just over 4 per cent of its gross domestic product - according to the General Comptroller’s office.

Cordoba’s office has detected nearly US$20.6 million in apparent overcharges in some 8100 contracts signed

by Mayors And Governors’ offices, he said. The overruns account for 10 per cent of the contracts’ overall value.

In eastern Arauca province on the border with Venezuela, cans of tuna meant to be given to people from vulnerable populations were purchased for about US$5 each. They usually cost about US$1.50.

Antibacterial soap was

sold in one contract at US$8.50 - nearly five times its normal price - while gurneys were priced at nearly double their regular cost - some US$2840 - Cordoba said.

Both the comptroller and the procurator general have recommended the Government of President Ivan Duque centralise purchases and tenders to avoid corruption and price gouging.

Colombia was ranked 96 on Transparency International’s country rating last year, out of 180 nations. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Nurses at Mexico hospital say they were told to avoid masks

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urses at a public hospital hit by Mexico's worst coronavirus outbreak were told by their managers not to wear protective masks at the start of the epidemic to avoid sowing panic among patients, nurses and other medical workers told Reuters News Agency.

Two doctors and a hospital administrator have died and at least 51 staff members have been infected since the new coronavirus was detected at the IMSS General Hospital in Monclova in the northern state of Coahuila in late March, the state health department said.

The hospital became Mexico's first hotspot for the COVID-19 illness caused by the coronavirus.

At least four of the infected workers are currently hospitalised as a result of the outbreak, which has fed concerns that Mexico's underfunded healthcare system is ill-prepared to cope with a major epidemic in the nation of nearly 130 million people.

At the beginning of the outbreak, managers "said that protective equipment wasn't necessary", said nurse Charly Escobedo Gonzalez who works

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The systems to deliver this intervention to the intended recipients did not exist three weeks ago and had to be built from scratch, Dr Nigel Clarke

CARE Programme will also channel $1.1 billion through the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH). However, “by focusing on adults with schoolaged children, PATH has well-known gaps and it is necessary for our intervention to be broader-based at this time”.

He explained that prior to recommending payment, the We CARE application will verify electronically whether the applicant's TRN appears on any recent employ-

ment payrolls. If it does, the application will be declined and a message sent to the applicant.

He pointed out that three independent systems — We CARE, which captures and verifies applications; the TAJ, used in verifications; and the Accountant General's Department, which executes payments to verified applicants — are working in collaboration to ensure the programme is transparent. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Fuminho: One of Brazil's most wanted criminals arrested in Mozambique

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People leaving a disinfection chamber at the entrance to the General Hospital of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), where medical and nursing staff had tested positive for coronavirus, in Monclova, Mexico [Sergio A Rodriguez/Reuters]

at the Monclova hospital.

Mexico has registered 4661 people with the coronavirus and 296 deaths, a fraction of the figures in the neighbouring United States, but the coronavirus arrived weeks later in the Latin American country.

As staff began to fall ill, hospital floor managers instructed healthcare workers not to use facemasks, which

some had bought for themselves due to the lack of hospital equipment, seven workers told Reuters.

After media accusations that the Monclova hospital badly lacked equipment to deal with the virus, the head of the IMSS, Zoe Robledo, announced in early April that the director of the hospital had been temporarily replaced.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

TT: Gender-Based Unit alarmed over continued abuse he Gender-Based Violence Unit (GBVU) of the Police Service has expressed concern with regard to the continued violent attacks being perpetrated upon persons in the country.

In a statement yesterday the GBVU pledged to continue to do its part to protect the nation`s victims of Gender-Based Violence.

It said in achieving this goal, the Unit is calling upon all citizens, communities, and stakeholders to do their part to ensure that domestic violence is identified and curbed at all costs.

The GBVU was launched by Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith on

ore than 333,000 J a m a i c a n s have so far successfully applied to the COVID-19 Allocation of Resources for Employees (CARE) Programme, the Government's temporary cash transfer initiative designed to cushion the economic impact of the pandemic, Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke disclosed on Monday.

The $10-billion CARE Programme, announced by Clarke a few weeks ago, will help individuals and small businesses.

On Monday he explained that the Government had to “innovate, in record time, to be in a position to deliver what will be the largest and broadest fiscal intervention of this kind in Jamaica's history”.

He said the programme's Compassionate Grant, which is open to the unemployed, informally employed, students over 18 and the elderly, had the largest share of applications with over 277,888 from all parishes.

He added that the

January 21, 2020, and is headed by Assistant Superintendent of Police, Claire Guy-Alleyne, and civilian manager Shireen Pollard.

So far, there have been a total of 61 arrests.

The Unit said these offences range from Breach of Protection Orders to rape in accordance with the Domestic Violence Act 1999, Sexual Offences Act, Chap 11:28, Offences Against the Person Act 11:08 and the Summary Offences Act 11:02.

The Gender-Based Violence Unit is also advising all parties of protection orders to adhere to all conditions of the said orders.

It said failure to comply could result in an arrest and charge by the police.

The GBVU said recognises the COVID-19 isolation policies to flatten the curve implemented by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley could create fertile ground for Gender-Based Violence.

It said based on research, the potential for abuse in homes where abuse already exists may increase.

In light of this, there has been a call for increased vigilance throughout the Police Service where reports are made. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

ne of Brazil's most wanted criminals has been arrested in Mozambique after spending more than two decades on the run, officials said.

Gilberto Aparecido dos Santos, known as Fuminho, is accused of running drug trafficking operations for one of Brazil's most powerful gangs.

The 49-year-old was arrested in Mozambique's capital, Maputo, on Monday in an international sting operation.

It was carried out by Interpol, US drug officials and Brazilian Federal Police.

Fuminho, an alleged leader of the São Paulo-based First Capital Command (PCC) drug gang, is accused of shipping tonnes of cocaine around the world.

Fuminho was arrested at the Montebelo Indy, a luxury hotel in Maputo, along with two Nigerians, officials in Mozambique said.

Police seized a fake Brazilian passport, a quantity of cannabis, more than

Gilberto Aparecido dos Santos was arrested in an international sting operation in Maputo

a dozen mobile phones and a car during the operation.

Fuminho was also accused of allegedly financing a plot to free the PCC's leader, Marcos Willians Herbas Camacho, from jail.

Camacho, who is known as Marcola, is serving a sentence of more than 200 years in a maximum-security federal prison in Brazil's capital, Brasilia.

The PCC is believed to be the country's largest and

most powerful drug gang.

It has been at war with the Rio de Janeiro-based Comando Vermelho (Red Command) since 2016, when they ended an uneasy working relationship after the PCC moved to infiltrate drug smuggling routes controlled

by Comando Vermelho.

The feud has spread to prisons across the country where members of the rival gangs are held. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Rio de Janeiro Governor tests positive for coronavirus

T

he Governor of Rio de Janeiro state said on Tuesday that he had tested positive for the new coronavirus, becoming the latest Brazilian Government

leader to contract the disease as it spreads across the country.

In a video posted on Twitter, Governor Wilson Witzel said that he hadn’t been feeling well in recent

days with a fever and sore throat, so he requested a test and received the positive result on Tuesday.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

Around the World

18 charged in Brampton for playing cricket, breaking social distancing bylaw B

rampton municipal bylaw officers laid 11 charges over the weekend after neighbours complained about a group of men playing cricket, breaking physical distancing rules.

An Instagram video of the incident uploaded over the weekend shows a group of 13 people gathering in a field on Sail Rd. – in the Creditview and Mayfield Rds. area – on Sunday around 2:15 pm (14:15h). Two cruisers from Peel Regional Police then arrive on the scene.

“Upon investigation, 11 individuals were charged under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMCPA) for failing to obey a provincial order and were issued tickets in the amount of C$880,” said city spokesman Megan Bell. “Two individuals departed the area before Peel Regional Police arrived.”

Bylaw officers were “getting grief” from the group and police were called in as backup, said Const. Bancroft Wright.

Some of the men who were charged and fined $880 each for not physically distancing ―by playing cricket in a group ― in Brampton on Sunday

The edited video was posted on the Instagram account, @iamdozayy. The account holder said he began filming when he noticed bylaw enforcement vehicles and a woman speaking to them.

“It’s a mix of both people

like myself (who) care and some people who don’t,” he told the Sun. Bell confirmed a second similar incident took place Sunday around 4:30 pm (16:30) at the CAA Centre at 7575 Kennedy Rd. S., near

Coronavirus: Trump feuds with Governors over authority

Hwy. 407.

“Seven individuals were observed by officers to be playing (cricket) in the field. Upon investigation, seven individuals were charged … for failing to obey a provincial order and were issued tickets in the amount of C$880,” she said.

The Emergency Measures bylaw, which came into effect March 31, prohibits certain activities and regulates physical distancing to help contain the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Under the bylaw, people must stay at least two metres apart from people who they don’t live with on any public property. All city amenities such as playgrounds, park benches, off-leash dog parts and parking lots are President Donald Trump closed.

Brampton Mayor Patrick ew York Governor Brown said his was the first Andrew Cuomo accity in Ontario to bring in a cused President physical distancing bylaw and Donald Trump of "spoiling has some of the strictest fines for a fight", as the US leadin the country ranging from er lashed out at "Democrat C$500 to C$100,000. (Toronto Governors".

Sun) Several states, including New York, have begun cautious talks on reopening, but

N

Coronavirus: “World faces worst recession since Great Depression”

T

he global economy will contract by 3% this year as countries around the world shrink at the fastest pace in decades, the International Monetary Fund says.

The IMF described the global decline as the worst since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

It said the pandemic had plunged the world into a "crisis like no other".

The Fund added that a prolonged outbreak would test the ability of governments and central banks to control the crisis.

Gita Gopinath, the IMF's chief economist, said the crisis could knock $9 trillion (£7.2 trillion) off global GDP over the next two years.

While the Fund's latest World Economic Outlook praised the "swift and sizeable" response in countries like the UK, Germany, Japan and the US, it said no country would escape the downturn.

It expects global growth to rebound to 5.8% next year if the pandemic fades in the second half of 2020.

Gopinath said today's "Great Lockdown" presented a "grim reality" for policymakers, who faced "severe uncertainty about the duration and intensity of the shock".

"A partial recovery is projected for 2021," said Ms Gopinath. "But the level of GDP will remain below the pre-vi-

rus trend, with considerable uncertainty about the strength of the rebound.

"Much worse growth outcomes are possible and maybe even likely."

The IMF predicts the UK economy will shrink by 6.5% in 2020, compared with the IMF's January forecast for 1.4% GDP growth.

A decline of this magnitude would be bigger than the 4.2% drop in output seen in the wake of the financial crisis.

It would also represent the biggest annual fall since 1921, according to reconstructed Bank of England data dating back to the 18th century.

However, this is half the annual rate expected by the OBR, which expects GDP to drop by 35% in the three months to June.

The UK's furlough scheme, which is designed to keep workers in a job amid the government lockdown, is expected to limit the rise in unemployment to 4.8% in 2020, from 3.8% last year.

UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has pledged billions of pounds in wage subsidies and loan guarantees to help workers and businesses through the shutdown.

The Bank of England has also slashed interest rates to a new low and freed up billions of pounds for commercial banks to lend.

Gopinath said that for the first time since the Great Depression, both advanced and developing economies were expected to fall into recession.

The IMF warned that growth in advanced economies would not get back to its pre-virus peak until at least 2022.

The US economy is expected to contract by 5.9% this year, representing the biggest annual decline since 1946.

Unemployment in the US is also expected to jump to 10.4% this year.

A partial recovery is expected in 2021, with expected US growth of 4.7%.

(BBC)

India extends coronavirus lockdown till May 3

I

ndia's nationwide coronavirus lockdown, the biggest in the world, will be extended until at least May 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said.

The three-week lockdown of the nation of 1.3 billion people, which started at midnight on March 25, was scheduled to end at midnight on Tuesday.

"From the economic angle, we have paid a big price," Modi said in a nationwide address.

"But the lives of the people of India are far more valuable."

Modi said some restrictions in areas further away from infection hotspots would

be eased on April 20 to help poor people dependent upon daily wages.

"Till April 20, each police station, each district, each state will be monitored closely to see whether the lockdown is being followed and if that area has saved itself from the virus," he said.

"We can then decide on relaxing restrictions in those areas that are successful in this test, have successfully contained the hotspots and prevented new ones."

According to official figures, South Asian nations have so far been relatively un-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

scathed by the pandemic, with

India reporting more than 10,000 cases and 339 deaths.

But with some of the most crowded cities on the planet, there are fears that numbers could skyrocket and overwhelm shaky healthcare systems.

Some experts have also said India has not conducted enough tests and that the true number of infections is much higher.

Several states, including Maharashtra - which has the highest number of cases Tamil Nadu and Odisha, have already announced lockdown extensions. (Al Jazeera)

is contained. All but one of the states is led by a Democratic governor.

Now, a row has erupted over who has the ultimate authority to lift lockdown orders.

On Monday night, Trump gave a combative press conference where he feuded with reporters, criticised their cov-

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

Mr Trump has claimed he has "total" power to lift virus lockdowns.

Cuomo refuted the claim on Tuesday as Trump took to Twitter to criticise the governor.

The US is the epicentre of the pandemic with 592,743 cases and 25,239 deaths.

New York state has the most cases, with almost 190,000 cases and over 10,000 deaths. However, it has seen signs of improvement, with the number of people hospitalised due to coronavirus falling for the first time on Tuesday.

On Monday, Trump wrote on Twitter that deciding when to reopen states was "the decision of the president", not state governors, although he added that he would make his decision "in conjunction with governors".

The US Constitution says that states maintain public order and safety. So far, it has been individual state governors who have issued lockdown or shelter-in-place orders.

Also on Monday, several US state governors discussed plans to resume economic activity without apparent input from the Trump administration.

Ten states - seven on the East Coast, led by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and three on the West Coast, led

by California Governor Gavin Newsom, said they would co-ordinate how to reopen businesses after the outbreak

erage of how he handled the outbreak, and said that when it came to reopening the economy, "the president of the United States calls the shots".

"When somebody is the president of the United States, the authority is total," he said, adding: "They can't do anything without the approval of the president of the United States."

His position has been contradicted by governors and legal experts. It also contrasts with his earlier position that the responsibility for fighting the outbreak and order lockdowns lies primarily with state governors.

The row continued on Tuesday, as Cuomo told CBS Trump did not have total authority to decide when to reopen businesses, because "we don't have a king, we have a president".

During his daily press briefing, Cuomo criticised Trump, adding he would "not engage" in a fight with him, but would have "no choice" if the president the threatened the welfare of New Yorkers.

He added: "I put my hand out in total partnership and co-operation with the president."Meanwhile, Trump took the row to Twitter on Tuesday, criticising Cuomo and issuing an oblique snipe at other governors."Tell the Democrat Governors that 'Mutiny On The Bounty" was one of my all time favourite movies," Trump, a Republican, wrote.

(BBC)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

19

ARCHIE

ARIES

If you do your best, you will get plenty in return. A connection you make will help you revise or update your resume. Personal gain is within reach.

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

An offer will lead to unexpected complications. Don’t make a snap decision without ironing out the particulars. Ask pertinent questions and back away if you notice discrepancies.

(March 21April 19)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Travel, participate in events and gather information. A personal change should be well-thought-out and within your budget.

Channel your energy into fitness and educational pursuits. Romance is in the stars.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Joint ventures will not be as beneficial as anticipated.

Someone will take advantage of you if you are too eager to please. Nervous tension and anxiety will lead to stomach problems.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Gather information, look at all the facts and sit tight until you feel comfortable making a move. Base decisions on what’s doable, and stick to a practical plan.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Head in a direction that will encourage personal growth and education.

Don’t make decisions based on your emotions. Avoid arguments and protect yourself against financial loss.

LIBRA

A simple cost-efficient lifestyle will help you ease stress. Don’t take on problems that don’t belong to you. Concentrate on finishing what you start, physical improvement and romance.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Slow down. You are best off living with what you’ve got until you figure out what’s best. Look for a creative project that promotes friendship.

Keep your life simple, move SAGITTARIUS forward at a steady pace, and (Nov. 23avoid indulgent or meddleDec. 21) some individuals. Make improvements to your living quarters or arrangements.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Uncertainties surrounding travel or relationships with friends or relatives will arise. Do more listening and less talking to avoid being seen as controlling. Work on personal growth instead of trying to change others.

You will receive information that will help you avoid a risky venture. If you work with what you have, you’ll get things done on time and within budget. Romance is in the stars.

Don’t ignore orders or turn a blind eye to mandatory changes. Consider what you can do to improve your community, relationships and reputation. Consider your motives before you alter your life.

20

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

A

Newcastle United takeover is very close after new documents show that owner Mike Ashley has entered into a charge agreement with potential buyer Amanda Staveley.

Financier Staveley is leading a bid which involves Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and the Reuben Brothers.

It is understood to be worth £300m.

The 31-page charge agreement lodged at Companies House lays the legal groundwork for a potential deal to be completed.

The documents include details of £150m related to PCP's long-running legal case against Barclays Bank PLC. The Premier League has also been informed of the potential deal and are understood to have begun the process of carrying out checks under its owners and directors test.

Newcastle and Staveley would not comment when approached by BBC Sport.

Ashley said in October 2017 he wanted to sell the club after 10 years in charge.

Initially, the deal was said to have been worth £340m, but the latest development will encourage many Newcastle fans who

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley with managing director Lee Charnley

want to see Ashley end his association with the club, having taken over in 2007.

Supporters have cited a lack of ambition and have also criticised his conduct during the coronavirus pandemic where the club

has charged fans for next season's season tickets.

There has also been disappointment at Newcastle being one of three Premier League clubs to have placed their non-play-

T

he 2020 Indian Premier League is set to be postponed further after India extended its lockdown until 3 May to contain the spread of coronavirus.

The Twenty20 competition was due to begin on Wednesday, having been delayed

ing staff on furlough.

News of Saudi Arabia's s o v e r eign wealth fund being involved in a takeover first emerged in January.

At that stage talks were described as "advanced" but "complicated" and there was criticism of Saudi Arabia's human rights record from Amnesty International.

Staveley, who is believed to want a 10% stake in Newcastle, first attempted to buy the club in 2018.

Sports finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Sport: "These are steps you'd expect to take place in respect of a takeover, it seems that things have accelerated.

"The trouble with Mike Ashley is that until you see the final documents, it's never completed but the other parties would not waste their time like this unless there had been progress in terms of a takeover." (BBC Sport)

winners Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali are due to take part in this year's IPL. Under the lockdown in India, only essential businesses, such as groceries and phar-

K

yle Larson was dropped by his team Chip Ganassi Racing on Tuesday, after the NASCAR driver used a racial slur during a livestream broadcast of an iRacing esports event.

“After much consideration, Chip Ganassi Racing has determined that it will end its relationship with driver Kyle Larson,” the team said in a statement. “As we said before, the comments that Kyle made were both offensive and unacceptable especially given the values of our organization.

“As we continued to evaluate the situation with all the relevant parties, it became McDonald’s and Credit One Bank on Monday terminated their relationships with obvious that the 27-year-old driver this was the only appropriphone for the competition. ate course of action to take.”

Larson, a six-time winner on the Chip Ganassi Racing had said on NASCAR Cup Series, issued an apology Monday it was immediately suspend- saying there was “no excuse” for his acing Larson without pay over the incident, tions, but it was not enough to save his job. which occurred during Sunday’s virtual Pressure mounted on Chip Ganassi race.

Racing to take further action as the team’s NASCAR also suspended the driver in- main sponsors McDonald’s and Credit One definitely and ordered him to attend sensi- Bank on Monday terminated their relationtivity training. ships with the 27-year-old driver.

Larson could be heard using the slur while he was apparently testing his micro-

Mumbai Indians celebrate on the podium after winning the 2019 IPL title

from its original start on 29 March.

India's prime minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday that the nationwide lockdown will continue.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet proposed a new start date for the event.

On Sunday, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said the organisation would "keep monitoring developments" but that it "can't say anything" in the current situation.

"It's just simple common sense that at the moment, nothing is in favour of any kind of sport anywhere in the world, forget IPL," said the former India captain.

"Practically speaking, when life has come to a standstill everywhere in the world, where does sport have a future in this?"

England players including World Cup

macies, are allowed to remain open.

City transport services are limited to emergency staff and those with special travel passes, while all trains and flights have been suspended.

Modi also suggested that the rules could tighten further over the next week but did not give more details.

All 12 editions of the IPL to date have taken place between the beginning of March and 1 June that year.

The 2009 tournament was moved to South Africa because of security concerns, while the 2014 competition was partly held in the United Arab Emirates after the Indian government did not provide security forces when the event again clashed with general elections in the country. (BBC Sport)

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

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21

M

ichael Hussey thinks MS Dhoni is the greatest finisher of all time. Having shared a dressing room with the former India captain for seven years across two IPL stints, Hussey also believed Dhoni's instincts and mental toughness at his peak made opposition captains blink first under pressure.

"In my mind, he is the best finisher of all time," Hussey told Sanjay Manjrekar in ESPNcricinfo's Videocast programme. "That is maybe a little controversial, because there have been some great finishers over time, but he had the mental capability of knowing what the opposition would try to do, and then stay cool and calm in that high pressure situation. He'd be cooler than the opposition, he'd make the opposition captain blink first by bowling the Michael Hussey and MS Dhoni

better bowler in the second-last over. " T h e o t h e r thing he m a n y ishers

has that not other finhave is un-

believable power. He knows when he needs to clear the ropes, and he can do it. I didn't have that kind of belief in myself. Dhoni….his mental capability, coolness and power, he knew he could find a six when he needed it and he did it so consistently. I think his confidence grew in his methods,

so in my mind he is the best."

Hussey also gave an insight into Dhoni's mind and his philosophy of "taking it till the end" in run chases.

"I tried not to let the asking rate get to 12-13 an over," Hussey responded when asked about his approach to big chases. "I probably learnt off MS Dhoni. He was incredible. His big thing was, 'he who panicked last wins the game'. So he

would k e e p his cool and keep it longer, because there's pressure on the bowler as well.

"If you're out in the m i d dle and the bowlers know someone like Dhoni or Michael Bevan's still there, then India, Australia or Chennai Super Kings still have a chance, because the pressure builds on the bowlers too. And that is when the wides, no-balls and loose deliveries come, which you can hit for a four. So if you can keep your cool longer than the opposition, you will come out on top."

Hussey, who has seen Dhoni evolve, both as an opponent and a close confidante at Super Kings, underlined his self-belief and the ability to take emotions out of every situation as key to reveling under pressure.

"One of his great ability is he won't take on defeat for too long," Hussey explained. "Yes, he'll be disappointed like everyone, but he will get over quickly and look over to the next match, and that is a great trait to have.(ESPNcricinfo)

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R

ussia’s anti-doping agency RUSADA will undertake a broad programme to monitor athletes’ biological components once a full hiatus in testing linked to coronavirus containment measures across the country ends, its director said on Tuesday.

Moscow and several other regions have declared lockdowns to stem the spread of the new coronavirus, which has so far infected 21,102 people across Russia. [nR4N2BU05L] Yuri Ganus, the head of RUSADA, announced last month that the agency was temporarily halting testing, a measure currently in place until the end of the month.

Speaking in an online news conference on Tuesday, Ganus said the agency could not guarantee that athletes would not turn to performance-enhancing substances in the absence of testing.

He stressed that the agency would take the hiatus into account in future testing and focus on Athlete Biological Passports (ABP) designed to monitor different biological components that can reveal the effects of doping over time.

“Our control will not be weakened,” he said. “We will come out with a broad

T

he mother of Minnesota Timberwolves centre Karl-Anthony Towns has died of complications from the coronavirus.

Last month, Towns posted a video on social media urging people to take the virus seriously after his mother, Jacqueline, was put into a medically-induced coma.

She died on Monday, more than a month after contracting the coronavirus, aged 58.

Her family said it was "heartbroken" by her "untimely passing".

"Jackie was many things to many people - a wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend," said the family.

"The matriarch of the Towns family, she was an incredible source of strength; a fiery, caring, and extremely loving person, who touched everyone she met.

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Contact our

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Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55

Head of Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), Yuri Ganus

retrospective analysis programme... We have a clear understanding of what we will focus on.”

Other countries, including Canada, have also temporarily put testing programmes on hold during the coronavirus pandemic. [nL8N2BL05D] Ganus could not give an exact date for the resumption of testing, saying it would coincide with the lifting of the restrictions announced by the Russian government to curb contagion.

RUSADA was suspended in 2015 after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found evidence of mass doping in Russian athletics.

The agency was conditionally reinstated in September 2018, but was declared noncompliant late last year after WADA found Moscow had provided it with doctored laboratory data.

Russia is in the process of appealing a four-year ban on its athletes competing at major international sporting events under their flag as punishment for that alteration of laboratory data.(Reuters)

"The severity is real" ― Towns said while his mother was in a coma

"Her passion was palpable and her energy will never be replaced."

The Timberwolves said: "In the four-plus years we were fortunate to know Jackie, she became part of our family.

"As Karl’s number one fan, Jackie provided constant and positive energy for him and was beloved by our entire organisation."(BBCsprts)

22

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

F

or West Indies cricket to get back to being a dominant force, Chairman of selectors and former West Indies bowler, Roger Harper believes changes need to be made from the ground up.

According to Harper, all the blame for West Indies’ performance woes cannot be put at the feet of Cricket West Indies and that individual territories need to take responsibility for the cricketers they produce.

"I think a lot of buck-passing has been done. We are very proud to say when a Brian Lara is breaking all those records that he is from Trinidad but when a player is not doing well, you say what the West Indies cricket board is doing,” said Harper.

The former off-spinner who ended his career with 100 ODI wickets from 105 games and 46 Test wickets from 25 matches, believes that when the Caribbean was in its hay day, the territories were much stronger on their own.

“I think there is some inconsistency and we need to get back what we were doing in the past and take the responsibility of developing quality, world-class players," he said.

In terms of creating more world-class players, Harper believes the players in the region need to be more ambitious as well.

According to Harper, who was speaking on T&T radio station i9555, the goal shouldn’t just be to get into the senior team, but to be dominant, because without more

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

than just a few world-class players, consistent top performances won’t exist.

“We need to have world-class players in the West Indies team.

That's how our cricket and our team will get to the top, if we have a number of world-class players in the team giving us world-class performances on a consistent basis,” he said. “[…] We have to encourage our players to do: think bigger, aim higher, think of putting in world-class performances and raise their standards to be match-winning world-class players,” said Harper.

"If you are just making 30s, and the press is slamming that he deserves a strike... I would like my job to be that I don't have to pick somebody. If you are Shimron Hetmyer making 30, we have a person who is making 31, then I have to decide which one to select.

"But if you are averaging in the 60s or 70s, all I have to do is write your name down, you pick yourself.

Harper said the players can compete

Nicholas Pooran

with the rest of the world at the U19 level but then there is an issue transitioning.

While the other teams have players who make the leap to the big stage.

"We have to ensure our guys can make that leap as well. A lot of it has to do with

Shai Hope

their thinking and maturity in terms of cricket. We have to help them along by developing their mental skills and tactical awareness, and help them apply their skills better." (Sportsmax)

The Grind…

By Leighton Levy

B

etween 1948 and 1952, Jamaica had, at its disposal, four worldclass athletes, who between them had two Olympic gold and three silver medals.

Back then, Jamaica’s population was just about 1.4 million and most of its athletes were trained overseas in the US collegiate system. In fact, all Jamaica’s medallists honed their talents in the US collegiate system, Canada and the United Kingdom.

After Wint, McKenley, Rhoden and Laing had moved on, it would be 22 years before Jamaica won another Olympic medal when Lennox Miller claimed silver in the 100m in Mexico in 1968.

Eight years later, Donald Quarrie won Jamaica’s first gold medal since 1952, 24 years since the country’s incredible 4x400m relay win in Helsinki.

It would be another 20 years before Jamaica won another gold medal.

This time, however, it came from a woman; Deon Hemmings broke the drought with an Olympic record win in the 400m hurdles in Atlanta in 1996.

In between, Merlene Ottey, Juliet Cuthbert and Grace Jackson won individual medals for Jamaica and were the redeeming features at the Olympics for Jamaica’s track and field programme.

During this bygone era, Jamaica produced an abundance of other talented male sprinters like Raymond Stewart (the first Jamaican to break the 10-second barrier), Leroy Reid, Michael Green, Gregory Meghoo, Colin Bradford and Percival Spencer, just to name a few, who for one reason or another, did not live up to national expectation.

3 decades later…

It would be 32 years after Quarrie sprinted to 200m glory in Montreal that a youngster called Usain Bolt would drag Jamaica’s men to the forefront with gold medals in the 100m and 200m. He then capped it off with another gold medal in the 4x100m relay. The IOC stripped Jamaica of that medal because of a test failed retroactively by Nesta Carter.

Bolt would dominate with six more gold medals over the next two Olympiads – London and Rio – before retiring in 2017.

During that time, only one other Jamaican male – the supremely talented Omar McLeod - has won an individual Olympic gold medal. During that time, Yohan Blake (two silver medals) and Warren Weir (a bronze medal) were

is unprecedented in a country that now has a population of about 2.8 million.

Since 2016, Jamaica’s men have struggled in the sprints. Bolt, Frater and Mullings have moved on and Blake, Carter and Powell are nearing the end

Hylton and Deloreen Ennis-London.

It was truly a golden era that gave the country much to be proud of.

However, the other side of that same coin is that those coming up are under so much pressure to live up to this

“Most of the athletes, they feel like it's a sense of entitlement where they feel they are just going out there and other athletes are going to roll over and let them win, and that's not the case,” Frater said in a recent interview with the

Michael Frater, Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Nesta Carter were five of the fastest men in history

the only other individual Olympic medallists.

That is four men, one more than the number that won individual medals between 1948 and 1952, despite the fact that the population has doubled since then.

One other fact, one that I find quite incredible is that between 2004 and 2016, Jamaica produced five of the fastest men in history – Usain Bolt (9.58/19.19), Yohan Blake (9.69/19.26), Nesta Carter (9.78), Steve Mullings (9.80) and Michael Frater (9.88). That

of their respective careers.

Based on the trends it could be some time before we see that kind of talent on display again because what people are failing to embrace and accept is that what happened in Jamaica since 2004 was extraordinary.

The emergence of talent was incredible, especially when one considers what also happened on the female side with the likes of Veronica Campbell Brown, Sherone Simpson, Kerron Stewart, Shelly-Ann FraserPryce, Melaine Walker, Brigette Foster-

extraordinary era.

Suddenly, nothing short of gold is good enough and that dynamic is not helped by the fact that Bolt himself has put the next wave under much pressure.

“When I was around I think the motivation was there and we worked hard and the level was high, but now that I have left the sport, I feel like it has dropped,” Bolt told Reuters in 2019.

Frater, who surprised all when he won silver in the 100m at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, recently expressed similar thoughts.

Jamaica Observer.

“They weren't hungry enough to go out there and get it. You have to go out and fight for what you want.”

However, while there might be some merit to what Bolt and Frater believe, there could be another reason why many of Jamaica’s athletes are not stepping up in a timely manner to fill the gaping hole left behind by Bolt and company.

I will explore this particular issue in more detail next week. (Sportsmax)

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

S

teven Gardiner reveals Doha 400m gold was for his country and he hungers for more success Steven Gardiner, the 2019 400m world champion, said he was motivated to do his best in Doha for the sake of the people in his home country, The Bahamas, who were devastated by Hurricane Dorian. and now that he has won

gold, he wants more.

Packing winds of more than 185 mph, Dorian slammed into the Bahamas on August 24, 2019, and remained over the islands until September 10, just about two weeks before the start of the World

Championships in Doha.

It eventually left behind damage estimated at more than USD$3 billion and hundreds dead on the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama in what was the worst natural disaster to hit those islands.

Speaking on the World Athletics podcast, the lanky Bahamian, who lives and

trains in Florida, said it was a difficult period.

“When the storm came it was a very hard time for me. I didn’t get to train for four days because my family, I couldn’t hear word from them and I just didn’t know what to do, but my coach, he was the main person encouraging me,” said Gardiner, who also revealed that his coach helped him determine whether his family was safe

Bahamian Steve Gardiner powers to World Championship glory

or not.

“There were like some safe lists on the internet.

Everybody who is safe from the storm, at a shelter or something they would put their name on the list so he was helping me look through the lists, trying to call their cell phones, reach out to them…as soon as I heard from them I went right back to work.”

With his worries eased, Gardiner said he received messages from friends and family back home that

served to motivate him as he set about the task of becoming world champion. “I wanted to give them more than my best. I wanted to give them everything I had and that’s what I did in bringing homeG the gold medal for them,” he said.

On the night of October 4, 2019, mere weeks after Dorian had destroyed sections of his home country, Gardiner won the 400m in impressive fashion.

Running a measured race up the 200m mark, the

soft-spoken Bahamian unleashed his full power to pull away from the field and win in a new national record of 43.48s, the sixth-fastest time in history.

Anthony Zambrano of Colombia was second in a new personal best and Area Record of 44.15 while Fred Kerley of the United States, the pre-race favourite, finished third in 44.17.

The victory, he said, has whet his appetite for more success.

“I just wanted to go out

there and give of my best and bring home a medal, to bring home the gold medal was the icing on the cake and it’s something that I want to do again,” he said.

The race featured four other Caribbean athletes that included 2011 World Champion Kirani James from Grenada, Machel Cedenio of Trinidad and Tobago as well as Akeem Bloomfield and Demish Gaye from Jamaica. (Sportsmax)

F

ormer Trinidad and Manchester United great Dwight Yorke has sided with FIFA in its decision take over the operations of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) last month.

In a letter dated March 17, 2020, FIFA notified the TTFA that it was appointing a normalization committee to oversee the running of the association until such time there is an election to have an election to elect a new executive.

FIFA’s reasoned that the takeover of the heavily indebted TTFA was necessary due to the fact that there were “no formal internal policies and internal controls in place, such as procurement, the delegation of financial authorities, financial planning and budgeting, effective oversight of funding and management reporting, which are necessary to meet the TTFA’s objectives.”

FIFA also said there is a lack of documented policies and procedures, financial planning and management of statutory liabilities adding that there no short or longterm plan to address the “urgent” situation.

The TTFA is over USD$5million in debt, much of it from the David John-Williams administration that was ousted in the TTFA elections held in November 2019.

The new administration led by William Wallace was in power for four months when FIFA decided to take over its operations.

However, Yorke, who played for Trinidad and Tobago at a time when they were the top team in the Caribbean while speaking with Andre Baptiste on Isports on i95.5fm Programme on Saturday, backed FIFA, saying the country’s football was at stake.

"When it comes to football, things have to change. We have tried all aspects of it before. We know how successful we have been in 2006. I think football has been in decline for a number of years. I think this is the right move and we all have to get back and focus and maybe think about the youth," said Yorke, who also urged

Dwight Yorke

aspiring professional footballers in Trinidad to pursue their dreams.

"The youths are the future of the football and I call on all the footballers out there who are aspiring to represent their country, to continue to work hard because it is the only way forward and they must have that belief and hopefully, our country will one day find its way back on the world stage again.”

Yorke also expressed a desire to play a part in the development of the country’s football.

"I have always been (interested), I have never shied away from that I have always wanted to play an intricate part in whatever way it's possible,” he said.

“I can help the young people of T&T as I have said before. I have a lot of knowledge and experience over the years and I feel that I can contribute a lot to T&T’s football, hopefully."

The ousted executive of the TTFA has taken the matter before the Court of Arbitration f o r Sport (CAS) seeking for them to set aside the FIFA decision. (Sportsmax)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

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

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Dwight Yorke

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