MONDAY 13th April, 2020
No. 105968
COVID fatalities all had pre-existing conditions ... GPHC assures nation recovering patients getting appropriate treatment 09 PAGE
Works on COVID-19 hospital progressing
National recount 03 can’t be done in 10 days 02 PAGE
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–– Alexander maintains
Social relief 12 reaches over 1700 PAGE
Some minibus 13 operators not adhering to COVID-19 measures PAGE
The former Ocean View Hotel is being converted into to a COVID-19 Hospital. Renovations on the building were seen on Sunday to be moving apace
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
‘National Recount can’t be done in 12 days, much less 10’ – Alexander –– maintains that it is not simply a numerical recount By Lisa Hamilton
SINCE the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has undertaken to facilitate a national recount of votes cast in the March 2020 Elections, several proposals have come to the fore, but Commissioner Vincent Alexander believes that those which speak to timelines of 10 and 12 days are unrealistic. One of the most recent proposals to come to the fore was placed by the Guyana Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) for 12 days. The Institute proposed a 24-hour, non-stop process through which 37 teams would work on 12-hour shift rotations with 3 hours for lunch break or shift change. Based on the institute’s plan, it will take an average of 1 hour and 5 minutes to recount each of the 2,339 ballot
The proposal of the Guyana Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) represented by a chart boxes. Region Four, the Region with the highest number of electors, would have 12 teams altogether but 4 teams working simultaneously in the four main groups of South Georgetown, North Georgetown, East Bank, and East Coast and rotating on the 12-hour shift. In the proposal, the In-
stitute said that a total of 74 personnel are required for the 37 teams which would ensure each team has 2 staff members, 1 Presiding Officer and 1 Clerk. It stated that this is an insignificant amount of human resources given GECOM’s personnel size. The proposal has received the signature of seven small parties with no sign of
support from the main opposition or governing political party. Speaking to Guyana Chronicle on Sunday, Alexander said that, while the Institute’s proposal has not been formally reviewed by the Commission, from his inspection, he can tell that it caters merely for a numerical recount but the Commission has other benchmarks to attend to. “Our recount requires us to check off the ballots against the list and the names which are marked on the list. Their proposal falls short of what we intend to do in terms of the recount,” he said. That apart, Alexander made it clear that GECOM is the constitutional body responsible for the conduct of elections, and as such only the Elections Commission can lay the ground rules. “People cannot take a proposal to us without knowing what is required but dictate what we do. We are the organization that has a mandate to conduct the recount. Anybody proposing to us has to respond to what we want to do; they can’t send a proposal saying what they think we should do. That is absurd. If they are serious about a proposal, they would have to make a proposition themselves to us [stating] ‘could you say what is it you want done?’ We would then present a proposal to respond to that,” he explained. Whether or not the Institute’s proposal has received the support of small parties,
the Alexander said that the same position applies. Added to this, he observed that the 24-hour, continuous recount proposed by the GBPI has excluded the fact that any operation of the Commission must consider threat of COVID-19 and the emergency measures in place which speak to a nationwide curfew for individuals and organizations. He said that in the case of a 24-hour operation, GECOM must first receive permission for its staff from the relevant authority. Meanwhile, the Opposition-nominated Commissioners have proposed a 10-day timeframe in which they believe the recount can be conducted. It would see 20 simultaneous counting stations with about 1 hour spent on each box for 12 hours per day. “That [the Institutes’ proposal] in itself suggest that there is something wrong with the 10-days. If these people are proposing 12 days with 24-hour operation, that alone in terms of the proposal of the Opposition is equivalent to 24 days,” he said. Alexander said that with changes made to the original guidelines given to Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, for the crafting of a draft proposal, it is likely that the 156-days duration would be reduced. In submissions made, Opposition-nominated Commissioner, Robeson Benn had proposed: “two (2) paired Commissioners must
Commissioner Vincent Alexander initial the recount statement of poll, and two (2) paired Commissioners to sign accepted tabulation forms.” Alexander had noted that it was those specifics of Benn which led to Lowenfield’s calculation of 156 days. While speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, the Commissioner also addressed the call of the Opposition, some small political parties, the Institute and the Private Sector Commission that the CEO, Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers and District Four Returning Officer (RO), Clairmont Mingo be excluded from the process. The Commissioner said that GECOM has not yet decided who will be involved in the recount process and the Commission cannot respond to outside forces when this has not yet been discussed internally. Even so he said that GECOM employees have statutory obligations to conduct their tasks. Meanwhile, while some have contention with the chronological order in which the votes will be recounted, Alexander said that the said order is in keeping with the aide-memoire signed between President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo and facilitated by CARICOM. In the said agreement, he reminded, it was not a partial but a full recount that was agreed to.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
Works on COVID-19 hospital progressing By Tamica Garnett
CONSTRUCTION of the country’s first COVID-19 hospital is moving a pace. Works began last Monday on the former Ocean View Hotel, located on the Rupert Craig Highway, Liliendaal. The building is being converted to a COVID-19 facility for the incubation, isolation, quarantine and medical attention for persons diagnosed with, or suspected to have the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The works have an estimated timeline of approxi-
we’re working to see if we can make that deadline, and finish in a month and a half or so,” Site Supervisor Wayne Newton explained. Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) Senior Engineer, Naresh Mangar, explained that works on the building are currently being executed by two contractors – International Import and Supplies and Ivor Allen Construction. “The two main contractors on the project right now they’re responsible for remodeling of the internal three floors. A section of the facility has three storeys.
are also still being finalised, as the facility will also have to be outfitted once completed. Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle explained that when completed the facility is expected to have all the necessary basic amenities of a hospital,l including a pharmacy, laboratory and x-ray departments. “The fact is we want to make the place comfortable for persons who are sick, moderate and mildly sick and possible ICU and HDU patients. We are going to outfit the place to provide
The former Ocean View Hotel which is being converted into a COVID-19 Hospital (Elvin Croker Photos) in a month. recorded a total 45 cases of of converting the former PAHO/WHO Resident the virus, since the first case Guyana Broadcasting CorRepresentative, Dr. William was registered on March 11. poration (GBC) building on Adu-Krow, projected that This number is inclusive of High Street into a similar should those numbers be re- six deaths, and eight patients COVID-19 facility. alised five per cent or 1000 who have since recovered In addition to facilities of those infected would need and tested negative for the being considered, national intensive care, and Guyana virus. quarantine and isolation simply does not have the Dr. Boyle said it was at facilities have already been capacity for this. the ending of March that established at the West DeHence, the decision a team from the Ministry merara Regional Hospital;
Work at the former Ocean View Hotel which is being converted to a COVID-19 facility is expected to take approximately two months mately two months. However, some of the contractors working on the facility have noted that they have been facing constraints in sourcing materials and incorporating social distancing and necessary measures even as they go about refurbishing the building. Nonetheless they are striving to meet the target timeline. “To fulfill these large orders in a short space of time, a lot of the suppliers have challenges, these are some of the constraints we are facing in terms of getting the materials and supplies. It will take some time but
The three-storey section is the medical section which will include the ICU [Intensive Care Unit] on the ground floor and the two floors above will be the HDU [High Dependency Unit]. The L-shaped section of the building will be for isolation and quarantine,” Mangar explained. Mangar noted that the capacity of the facility is still being assessed, as the floor plan arrangement is still being worked out. However, according to some medical officials, the facility is expected to accommodate between 150 – 300 patients. Overall costs for the facility
those different levels of care for them to be triage, and they will be rooms for people who are convalescing,” Boyle explained. The facility is one among a number that is listed for the housing of COVID-19 related patients, as government strives towards having the capacity to house at least 1,000 patients. The idea to establish such a facility was put to the government by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) after a new study found that Guyana could have as many as 20,000 COVID-19 cases
Another section of building which is undergoing renovation to transform the East Coast hotel facility into a “COVID-19 hospital” was made by the government, through the National COVID-19 Task Force, which is being chaired by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. According to Ministry of Public Health statistics, as at last Saturday, Guyana had
toured the building to assess the conditions and possible works needed. A team from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) would have also visited the building to provide technical support. In addition to ‘Ocean View’, it had been noted that the government is also considering the possibility
the (East Bank Demerara) Diamond Diagnostic Centre; the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC); the (Timehri) Madewini Youth Centre; the Cliff Anderson Sports Centre and the National Gymnasium. These facilities, collectively, will be able to accommodate one thousand persons.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 13, 2020
Coronavirus: Boris Johnson says ‘it could have gone either way’
(BBC) Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said it “could have gone either way” as he thanked healthcare workers for saving his life after being discharged from hospital. Mr Johnson, 55, was taken to London’s St Thomas’ Hospital on Sunday - 10 days after testing positive for Covid-19. He spent three nights in intensive care before returning to a ward on Thursday. He said in a video on Twitter that he had witnessed the “personal courage” of hospital staff on the front line. Mr Johnson said two nurses - Jenny from New Zealand and Luis from Portugal - stood by his bedside for 48 hours at the most critical time and named several other hospital workers who cared for him this past week that he wanted to thank. He said NHS workers “kept putting themselves in harm’s way, kept risking this deadly virus”.
“It is thanks to that courage, that devotion, that duty and that love that our NHS has been unbeatable,” he said. Downing Street said the PM would continue his recovery at his country residence, Chequers. “On the advice of his medical team, the PM will not be immediately returning to work. He wishes to thank everybody at St Thomas’ for the brilliant care he has received. “All of his thoughts are with those affected by this illness.” The UK has recorded 737 new coronavirus-related hospital deaths as of 17:00 BST on Saturday, taking the total number to 10,612. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was “delighted” the PM was out of hospital and continuing his recovery at Chequers. He added that staff at St Thomas’ would “have cared for him as they would have cared for anybody in this country,”
which was “one of the things that makes me so proud that the NHS is there for us all”. Asked how long it would be before the prime minister returned to work, he said: “That will be a clinical decision for his doctors to take with him. “The government is operating perfectly efficiently within the strategy he set out.” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is currently in charge of running the government, with aides reportedly expecting Mr
Johnson to be out of action for as long as a month. Dr Ian Abbs, chief executive at Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital, said: “It is a great credit to the exceptional professionalism of clinical teams, as well as everyone in the wider organisation, that we have been able to care for the prime minister so effectively, whilst continuing to deliver equally high standards of care to all of our patients. “While it is right that we
celebrate this good news, our thoughts turn immediately to those who still need our help at this time. “On behalf of everyone at Guy’s and St Thomas’, I’d ask that people stay home to help us save lives and protect the NHS.” The prime minister’s fiancee, Carrie Symonds, who is due to give birth in two months, said on Twitter: “Thank you also to everyone who sent such kind messages of support. Today I’m feeling incredibly lucky.
“There were times last week that were very dark indeed. My heart goes out to all those in similar situations, worried sick about their loved ones. “I cannot thank our magnificent NHS enough. The staff at St Thomas’ Hospital have been incredible. I will never, ever be able to repay you and I will never stop thanking you.” Ms Symonds has been self-isolating with coronavirus-like symptoms but has not been tested.
Coronavirus: Fauci says US ‘could have saved lives’ with earlier action (BBC) The US “could have saved lives” if it had introduced measures to stop Covid-19 earlier, a top health official says. “If we had, right from the beginning, shut everything down, it may have been a little bit different,” Dr Anthony Fauci told CNN. But he said making that decision was complicated. The US has over 530,000 virus cases and 21,418 deaths, many in New York. Dr Fauci also suggested parts of the US could begin returning to normal as early as May. On 16 March, the Trump administration issued social distancing guidance, which has since been extended through
April. When asked about a New York Times report that Dr Fauci and other officials had suggested aggressive mitigation towards the end of February, Dr Fauci said health officials can only make recommendations from a “pure health standpoint”. “Often, the recommendation is taken. Sometimes, it’s not. But it is what it is, we are where we are right now.” Dr Fauci, who is leading the US response to coronavirus, added that “no one is going to deny” that logically, earlier mitigation could have saved lives. But he said “what goes into those kinds of decisions is com-
plicated”. “There was a lot of pushback about shutting things down back then.” The top doctor also acknowledged that multiple factors were involved with the current situation in the US, such as the nation’s size and heterogeneity, not just a later start on mitigation. But he also said parts of the nation might be able to begin a slow return to normalcy “at least in some ways, maybe next month”. “You don’t want to do something precipitously,” Dr Fauci emphasised, noting that ending virus containment efforts too hastily could lead to a rebound. “It’s going to be depending on where you are in the country, the nature of the outbreak you already experienced and the threat of an outbreak you may not have experienced.” Dr Fauci was also hopeful that the US presidential election, slated for 3 November, would still take place - if the nation takes a measured approach to lessening restrictions. During a briefing later on Sunday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said he wants his state, which has been the epicentre of the outbreak in the US, to open “as soon as possible”. But the governor was cautious, saying there had to be a co-ordinated approach between neighbouring states, more testing availability and additional federal
funding. Mr Cuomo was also sceptical of any forecasting, saying: “Every informed projection by experts, by the way, has not turned out correct.” That was good news, he noted, as it meant policies and social compliance had made a difference in the last few weeks. “I’ve said from day one - all these predictions, we’re gonna open businesses in May, do this in May, do this in June - I think that’s all premature. I don’t think anybody can make an informed decision right now.” The questions over when the US might relax its efforts at containing the virus’ spread come as the states continue to grapple with Covid-19. White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere announced Mr Trump had issued a major disaster declaration for Wyoming on Saturday, meaning all 50 states have a major disaster declaration in effect for the first time in history. But the White House remains keen to ease social distancing guidelines, and 1 May is a target date, according to food and drug agency commissioner Stephen Hahn. Mr Hahn told ABC News on Sunday, “we see light at the end of the tunnel”. He added that the decision to change restrictions would be ultimately driven by safety and welfare considerations.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 13, 2020
Assange ‘secretly fathered two children’ in Ecuadorean embassy
(BBC) Julian Assange secretly fathered two children while living inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London, his partner has revealed. Stella Morris says she has been in a relationship with the Wikileaks founder since 2015 and has been raising their two young sons on her own. She spoke out amid fears over the spread of Covid-19 in Belmarsh Prison. He has been held there since being dragged from the Ecuadorean embassy a year ago. The 48-year-old Australian is now seeking bail amid concerns over his health. In a video posted on Wikileaks’ YouTube account, she says she met Assange in 2011 when she joined his legal team. He took refuge in the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over a sexual assault case that has since been dropped. He is also fighting extradition to the United States on espionage charges. Ms Morris says she visited him in the embassy almost every day and “got to know Julian very well”. The couple fell in love in 2015 and got engaged two years later. She told the Mail on Sunday
support. They are very happy children.” Assange was arrested on 11 April 2019 at the Ecuadorean embassy and detained for “failing to surrender to the court”. He was sentenced to 50 weeks in jail for breaching his bail conditions. Assange was due to be released from HMP Belmarsh last September after serving the custody period of his jail term. But a judge ruled that he should remain in jail until his extradition hearing because of his “history of absconding”. Details about the children with Stella Morris were seen by the Mail in court documents as part of his US extradition case. Assange is believed to have other children, although little is known about them. He has an Stella Morris says three-year-old Gabriel and one-year-old Max keep in touch with their father via video calls adult son, Daniel Assange, who is reportedly a software designer in that Assange had watched both erate decision to break down those “It grounds me and when Julian Australia. boys being born via video link and walls around him and imagine a life s e e s t h e they had visited their father at the beyond that prison,” she says in the children embassy. Wikileaks YouTube video. it gives Three-year-old Gabriel and “While for many people it him a lot one-year-old Max speak to their would seem insane to start a family of peace father via video calls, she says. in that context, for us it was the and nur“Forming a family was a delib- sane thing to do, to keep things real. ture and
COVID patients moved to Grande in late-night convoy
(TRINIDAD GUARDIAN) Almost nine and a half hours after Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh promised to transfer 30 recovering COVID-19 patients to a convalescent facility in Brooklyn Settlement, Sangre Grande, the group was taken there under the cover of darkness. Deyalsingh announced the move during Saturday’s media briefing updating the country on the COVID-19 crisis affecting the country. Brooklyn Settlement residents have been protesting the ministry’s decision to locate the step-down facility in their community. But reiterating that step-down facilities were needed so that recovering patients could convalesce in a quiet and isolated location before they are discharged into the care of their loved ones, Deyalsingh again appealed to citizens to exercise compassion, patience and tolerance on this issue durng Saturday’s press conference. Despite this appeal, Brooklyn Settlement residents on Saturday night
said they were scared about what the future holds as they fear their lives are now in danger with the arrival of the patients. Some of the residents reported being awakened around 11.34 pm as a vehicular convoy arrived at Bridge Road. Escorted by a large number of T&T Defence Force and T&T Police Service officers, the contingent was said to have been driven straight onto the fenced compound of the step-down facility as most of the surrounding community slept. A resident, who happened to be in his gallery when the contingent arrived, told Guardian Media, “The patients were brought in two large PTSC buses and one Civilian Conservation Corp bus.” Another added that although the facility was bright and busy around midnight, it appeared as if the convoy was attempting to maintain a certain level of quiet, as the lights were turned off on the vehicles which had been parked along Bridge Road. When Guardian Media contacted an elderly woman who lives close to
the facility, she claimed to be despondent after learning of the patients’ arrival in the area. She questioned, “Why they doing this in the dead of night? What they hiding? Why they didn’t bring them here in the daylight and let everyone know what happening up here?” On Thursday, copies of a petition bearing the signatures of 101 residents were delivered to the Eastern Regional Health Authority, Office of the President and the United Nations office in Port-of-Spain. In the six-page document, the residents expressed their displeasure that recovering COVID-19 patients would be taken into the close-knit community, since more than 70 per cent of them are over 70 and suffering with one or more co-morbid condition such as diabetes and hypertension. However, on Friday final preparations on the facility, which previously housed a home for the elderly named Aging at Home, were completed. Deyalsingh then announced the facility would have its first recovering patients on Saturday.
Monday, April 13, 09:00hrs - 10:30 hrs
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 13, 2020
The problem with the Private Sector Commission
THE Private Sector Commission’s (PSC) campaign to deliberately attract the attention of the international community has taken on new and troublesome dimensions, further questioning its impartiality and role as a local observer group, during the current political impasse. In a letter to the Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Chairman of the PSC Capt. Gerry Gouveia, presents a purported report card of events as they transpired, from his perspective, since the March 2 Genera and Regional Elections. The letter culminates with Capt. Gouveia pleading that “We fear that Guyana is on the brink of a political disaster with very grave consequences, including social upheaval. We plead for the swift assistance of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to act to avert a situation that could lead to a humanitarian crisis.” Capt. Gouveia’s letter to Washington DC, promulgates the same narrative of the opposition PPP/C, relying heavily on the Bruce Golding-led Organization of American States (OAS) observer group’s narrative, especially as it relates to the tabulation of results from Region Four. The one-sided lamentations of the letter neglected to address several key issues which have dictated the protracted and vexatious engagement of the courts, namely, that it
was the PPP/C that initiated court proceedings blocking GECOM from declaring the results after it had committed its mischief overnight during a guerilla-style invasion of GECOM during the Region Four tabulation process. The mere fact that 12 persons working with the PPP/C were arrested on the night of March 2, 2020 attempting to interfere and remove Statements of Poll (SOPs) from a Region Four station indicates that SOPs could have been compromised, removed or replaced at other locations, especially in more obscure locales or regions. Capt. Gouveia notes in his observations that “The electoral process for the other nine regions was executed in compliance with electoral laws and those results are not in dispute.” That assertion is problematic and not entirely based on fact as the APNU + AFC coalition along with a number of the smaller parties have requested recounts in various regions. Finally, Capt. Gouveia states that requests to President Granger and GECOM “have fallen on deaf ears.” Another inaccuracy is the President’s position that he cannot and will not interfere with GECOM’s work has been vindicated by the recent Court of Appeal ruling over the issue of the CARICOM-supervised recount. As GECOM has always maintained through its Chair, Ret’d Justice Claudette Singh, the body is committed to ensuring that fair and credible
elections are delivered to the Guyanese people and that it is within their mandate to undertake a recount. GECOM has since agreed to a recount of all votes cast in the March 2 Regional and General Elections in a bid to restore the credibility of the exercise and determine the legitimate will of the Guyanese people. Consequently, the PSC has since said a recount of all votes is “an entire waste of time and wholly unnecessary.” It has confirmed its position that the tabulation of Region Four votes was “clearly fraudulent and has no credibility.” Capt. Gouveia has used his role as Chairman of the PSC to become a PPP/C mouthpiece and spread their contorted narrative of electoral fraud. At every juncture, the opposition has engaged all manner of mischievous tactics, hidden operatives and compromised persons. It has used spurious and superfluous litigation to completely frustrate the electoral process and has engaged in a relentless campaign of fake news and misinformation. In a series of statements and Facebook performances, Capt. Gouveia has used his influence to contribute to that narrative. The poorly contrived theatrical performances reveal that the Gouveia-led PSC is another pawn in an exhaustive game of political chess. The PSC is compromised and its involvement as an observer group in these elections should be reconsidered.
PPPC proposal responsible for 156 days recount Dear Editor,
THE length of time that it will take to recount the ballots in the 2020 General and Regional Elections is a direct result of the PPP’s proposal to have two commissioners (one APNU+AFC and one PPP/C) at every counting station. This proposal which the PPP/C made and then suddenly gets amnesia is the source of the problem. I appeal to all Guyanese and request of them that they base their deductions and conclusions on facts and not propaganda shared by dishonest politicians and political cronies who are using distorted information to brainwash you to believe that they have your interest and the country’s interest at heart; don’t be fooled, let’s examine the facts! According to GECOM’s sec-
retariat, the estimated time for one ballot box to be counted is approximately two hours; utilising three workstations for 10 hours per day (09:00hrs -19:00hrs). Given that we have 2,339 boxes to be recounted, it therefore means that they will need a total of 4,678 hours (2,339x2=4,678) for the full recount. Further, given that they propose to work 10 hours per day with three workstations, it therefore means that they will need 156 days (4,678/10/3=156) to do a full recount. The latter begs the question: how did they take less than one month to count initially all districts, but now need approximately five months to recount? The answer is very simple: the circumstances have changed. They cannot simply do a 1,2,3…recount, they have to do a complete audited recount, which means they will
now have to validate the number of electors on the list, the number of electors who voted, check and agree among themselves whether spoilt or rejected ballots are indeed so. They also have to produce new tally sheets and SOPs. Additionally, unlike the initial count that was decentralised (undertaken in each district), this recount will be centralised (undertaken in District Four). Further, if the following two variables were not in the picture: (1) the request for 1 APNU+AFC and 1 PPP/C commissioner to be present at each workstation during the recount process, and (2) utilising the required precautionary measures to protect those involved in the recount from contracting the Coronavirus (COVID-19), then GECOM might have been able to utilise more physical and human resources to get the job
done in a shorter space of time. Taking the aforementioned facts into consideration, tell me how can GECOM realistically meet the aforementioned conditions within a one-month period or one night as stated by Commissioner Sase Gunraj. Clearly, Mr. Gunraj is a hypocrite who makes the suggestion and then subsequently falsely suggests that GECOM wants to delay the process. Be honest Mr. Gunraj, it is your party’s proposal that is the source of the problem. If there is to be further scrutiny of the proposed 156 days, it would be easily recognised that the duration of time allocated will be insufficient, given that we are not living in an ideal world where everything goes as planned. We are all cognisant that human beings are susceptible to being tired and ill (thus not all commissioners will be able to work a full
10 hours per day for each day for 156 days). In addition, there is the high probability that they may not agree instantaneously on whether a ballot/s is spoilt or rejected or properly cast. Taking all of this into consideration, it seems that the 156 proposed days is very ambitious, and if it is pulled off successfully, GECOM will definitely need praises. My fellow Guyanese, if all of GECOM’s commissioners were part of the April 8th meeting where the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Mr. Keith Lowenfield presented and discussed the DRAFT plan and they knew what were considered to arrive at the proposed 156 days, then why would the PPP/C commissioners (Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn) run to the media operatives to share distorted and incomplete inforSee page 7
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 13, 2020
Hypocrisies of the Democracy
DEAR EDITOR
IT is evident that following the unique impeachment of the President of the United States of America last year, the international world and Americans especially, now find themselves unable to decipher truth from reality. With new uncertainty about many of the terms these hegemonies personally coined and reportedly represented, they have now been taking out their frustration of inadequacies and falsehood upon smaller nations, very reminiscent of the accusatory spews of an abusive husband towards his wife. Battered now and visibly bruised, I, the Guyanese, am forced to provide again and over, the truths and facts in the most easily understandable language my abuser can understand. Throughout the years of independent Guyana, the electoral process has always been marred by tensions. Tensions caused by racial inequality and discrimination. Tensions caused by classism and capitalism. Tensions caused by drug influencers. Free and fair elections can have been said to be… relative. Every party involved would tell the tale of history differently, but all agreeing that free and fair elections are always hoped for, but never achieved, since all are contested by the “losers.” However, guided by our democratic constitution, the Guyana Elections Commission commenced its mission of ensuring an unbiased determiner of the results of general and regional elections in Guyana from May 2000. The third-party executor of the elections was given sole power over the affairs of the electoral process and when one found themselves in doubt of their decision, all must be argued, verified, validated, frowned upon, queried, following the declaration and swearing-in of the president; in layman’s terms, ‘Everybody can try with de problems after GECOM done de wok.’ Until now, this
law has been respected and followed meticulously, with those drawing the shorter end of the stick, unsatisfied but compliant. Considering the acquiescence or lack thereof on the part of the PPP/C was foreseen and expected. The true flabbergast was driven by the part of the international community and their seeming bias towards the party that for many years oppressed all Guyanese, ran the country using fear tactics, and pocketed the bribes of drug lords and foreign aid agencies. I implore you, let us remember the physical, judicial, economic, and social filth that the former governing era, the high commission party strove to build in my homeland. Further, if for the sake of amnesia, one forgot that the PPP/C has promoted racial discrimination and segregation from its foundation, we can only turn the pages back a couple weeks following these 2020 elections to see the chaos and hate that party spearheaded. Bharrat Jagdeo, leader of the PPP/C, on March 21 even enlisted supporters in Berbice to, “Chase them out!” It is in this context and guided by Jagdeo’s rhetoric of hate that PPP/C supporters violently attacked a school and David G school bus filled with negro children on March 7. These children were horrifically injured and traumatised. I listened then for the Canadian High Commission to dispel these acts of social disparity. I listened for the British High Commission to denounce the attempt to return Guyana to the dark years of racial crises. I listened then for the United States Embassy to retaliate against the motivation of civil unrest in pursuance of their desire for economic control and domination! These humanitarian and moral thoughts, if ever they had them, vanished and the focus seems to be cooperation with their vested self-interest with the more unscrupulous and pliant PPP/C party geared to plunder the proceeds that will accrue from our
oil economy. Further, borrowing tactics from the last US election, the PPP/C extended the enlistment of the US PR & Lobby Company, Mercury Public Policy who, retaining its fondness to include the Russians, ran point-on interference in the 2020 elections. This foreign group manufactured fear schemes and bolstered racial segregation as distractions for further unscrupulous malpractices. Seen days before the election unloading dozens of MacBook computers into one of the party’s unofficial offices and flying Russian men into the country for the real dirty work, the PPP/C has revealed their expertise and years of experience in rigging elections. What they did not factor into their checklist, was the leadership demonstrated by President Granger and his Cabinet to fight for Guyanese and the future of our country. Had Greg Quinn, Lilian Chatterjee and Sarah-Ann Lynch consulted their predecessors for debriefings prior to assuming their positions, maybe they would have been educated about the tyranny from which Guyanese had only just escaped! Now, more than a month following our elections, we are forced to make history, trending with the US again, because of the bullying of the PPP/C party and their powerful friends. As it stands, the commission responsible for the election has been stripped of its power, redirected, and forced to redo its work to satiate the likes of an egotistical maniac. Yes! Our country is being held hostage, but for the sake of democracy, we must allow the wolves to disrobe their sheep’s clothing. Pray with me now comrades, that the declaration following the recount of all ballot boxes, revealing a truth we already know, does not lend itself to more evils unveiling their faces. The fact is that democracy preached is applicable first to the preacher. Regards SHARON THOMAS
PPPC proposal responsible...
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mation (as they often do) in such a manner that would convince their supporters that there is a conspiracy between GECOM and the APNU+AFC? There is no such conspiracy. Also, why would they request the adjournment to “rework the document” and know that the content of the proposal is still to be
finalised but yet, shared it in a manner that can lead to further tension and hostility in Guyana? The answer is simple: they lack integrity, decency, respect, and the fact that they do not want peace and unity in Guyana, and are afraid of a total recount. They know a recount will give the APNU+AFC victory by a wider margin. As old people
say: stew in yah own fat. They know a forensic audit will reveal the illegal things they did in every election since 1997. Note as well, they know what they did while they controlled GECOM and the then Chief Elections Officer, Gocool Boodhoo. Times have changed. the elections commission is an independent body. Or is it
a case of do sah nah like sah? Do not worry, yah do sah but we nah like dah. I implore all Guyanese to not allow these deceitful, disrespectful, self-seeking hypocrites to insult your intelligence, forget about party politics and race and assess the facts! Regards Aubrey C. Norton
GECOM should not act unconstitutionally Dear Editor,
GUYANA continues to endure the unprecedented General and Regional Elections impasse and heightened tension as a consequence of hesitancy on the part of the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to adopt the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)’s final report for the March 2, 2020 declared election results. It is far from the best Easter weekend for the majority of Guyanese who have not just had their movements curtailed as a result of measures to prevent the current coronavirus spread, but also the apparent disregard for their voting rights to re-elect the incumbent government. I am cautiously optimistic that GECOM will recognize the rights of the APNU/ AFC voters, who although exercising prolonged patience and restraint, would like their rights to a choice of government honoured, respected and declared. It would be disastrous for GECOM not to do so, while allowing itself to be further distracted by those who have sought to undermine the integrity of that august body and our electoral processes. GECOM must comply with all legal provisions and its pellucid mandate under the Representation of the People Act. The general secretary of the main opposition PPP has repeatedly telegraphed threats against GECOM and its officials, and has even abetted some foreign missions into disregarding local procedures, laws and vested powers of that constitutionally appointed body, under the guise of a struggle for democracy. I have not included the appendage ‘civic’ when relating to the opposition, since in my view it is mere optics. Apart from the APNU+AFC, the PPP is the only other significant contestant of the March 2 General and Regional Elections; elections that were duly won by the APNU+AFC coalition based on declared results. Therefore, it would be fallacious for the PPP to believe that the APNU+AFC and its supporters will accept and concede to any result other than those declared. There have been numerous complaints, allegations and reports that the PPP and its surrogates have systematically reproduced conflicting Statements of Poll (SOPs) and a summary of total votes, which conflict with the official SOPs and final declarations for each administrative region by GECOM. Our laws are very clear regarding challenges to declared election results by aggrieved parties – Laws of Guyana, Cap. 1:03 Sec 61 (2)(b) b. If those laws have changed, the GECOM Chair must show us What, How and When those passages were made, failing which, the commission ought not to take upon itself the power to vitiate an election and the officially declared results. Regards Orette Cutting
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
Cops to crackdown on all Easter gatherings today ... warn against beach activities; to beef up patrols
By Tamica Garnett GUYANA Police Force (GPF) Regional Commanders said they are prepared to deal with any unlawful gathering, on Monday, and will be actively patrolling their divisions, given legal restrictions in place to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Being Easter Monday, Guyanese are accustomed to celebrating the national holiday with picnicking and flying of kites at parks and open spaces all across the country. This year, however, the country, like many across the globe, has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “There’s a lot of issues that I am certain would rise up [Monday] and we would have to deal with it, but we’re prepared,” Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Regional Commander, Simon McBean said. One of the main precautionary measures against the spread of the virus is the restrictions on social gatherings. Based on the COVID-19 emergency measures implemented by the Minister of Health, Volda Lawrence, on April 3, persons are prohibited from visiting the seawalls, community centres, and parks, among other public places. The Joe Veira Park, in the vicinity of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, on the West Bank of Demerara, and the seawalls on the West Coast, are some of the more popular places where kite-flying takes place in this Region.
“All parks, fields, community centres, they’re all closed for the period. No one would be allowed on the seawalls, or to fly kites in open spaces where they can congregate. At the parks and seawalls that people normally group at, we plan to have active patrols there. We plan to have vehicle patrols checking areas to ensure compliance,” McBean shared of plans in that Region. He noted that the Police Force has been working along with the Regional COVID-19 Task Force to get the message out there, so citizens are aware of what is and isn’t allowed. “We started out with the region where we have the COVID-19 task force and at that level we have been doing some sensitization of the public, letting them know all parks and play grounds will be closed tomorrow [Monday] and no flying of kites,” McBean explained. He noted, however, that that the focus is to prevent social gathering and not to altogether stop persons from flying kites. Though persons are prohibited from going to public spaces, McBean related that cases where situation permits persons to fly a kite within their yard area, the police would not be stopping anyone from doing such, as long as it does not lead to a social gathering. “We will have to take it case by case as it comes. Our aim is not to encourage any gathering in any form so we will deal with those situ-
Essequibo Islands/West Demerara Regional Commander, Simon McBean ations as they pop up. If they are not encouraging gathering, let’s say if someone is by their bridge and there’s no issue that would breach the notice, we are fine with that,” McBean related. McBean shared that since the countrywide restriction to public gathering has been implemented, police in that Region had, thus far, only had to make one arrest after a “rum shop” in Parika disobeyed the directive. “A rum shop was hosting a birthday party and they were defiant in the sense that they knew the requirements and still did not adhere to the requirements. We arrested the owner. It was in Parika,” McBean said. In Region Four, Regional Commander Phillip Azore said two arrests, as recent as last Saturday, were made. Both cases were in the City. “There was a birthnight [Saturday] night somewhere
Labourer arrested for attempting to commit unlawful act A forty- year--old labourer of Lusignan Railway Embankment, East Bank Demerara, was, on Sunday, April 12, 2020, nabbed, attempting to commit an unlawful act. According to reports, around 06:30 hours, the man was caught in the act of attempting to throw a bag containing two cellular phones, one hundred and four grams of suspected cannabis and other items into the Lusignan Prison’s compound. The observation was made by two prison officers who were patrolling the outer perimeter of the facility. The suspect, upon seeing the officers, dropped the bag and quickly fled the area on a motorcycle. An alarm was raised and the suspect was apprehended on the Lusignan embankment and promptly handed over to the police. He is cooperating fully with inves- The contraband which was about to be thrown over the prison’s fence tigators.
Pomeroon Supenaam, Crystal Robinson in the Kitty area and [earlier Saturday] also there was a bar on Durban street and the proprietor was arrested,” Azore shared. In terms of plans to ensure there is compliance on Monday, Azore said his Region is also well prepared. “We always have a plan just in case things don’t go the way it’s supposed to. My anticipation is that things will continue to run the way it has been since the commencement of the curfew. If anything arises we are equipped to deal with it. The same
East Berbice Corentyne Regional Commander, Calvin Brutus normal partrols, as always, are in place but if any comes up there is a Plan B to deal with it,” Azore said. Popular Easter gathering spots in this Region includes the Seawalls, National Park, and the Botanical Gardens. Number 63 Beach, in East Berbice-Corentyne, Region 6, is one of the most popular kite-flying spots in the country. Regional Commander for that Region, Calvin Brutus, said there is a plan to have officers stationed at the Beach on the lookout for any case of non-compliance.
“Patrols will be increased. Some will be formed in the different mobile categories: cycles, four wheel vehicles and motorcycles. We will be deploying stationary police looking to see anyone who tries to breach the restriction by going on the beach and other open spaces like ball fields, creeks and other open spaces that people normally frequent. If they observe anything unusual they will call in and we will have a separate patrol to effect the arrest,” Brutus explained of his Region’s plan. In Pomeroon-Supenaam, Region Two, Regional Commander Crystal Robinson, said she does not expect much resistance from residents in that Region but will still be on the alert, nonetheless, should any cases arise. “Right now persons are adhering to the rules so I don’t think they will act out because all the beaches are fenced off and persons can’t go. We do have a plan to patrol to ensure that nobody is out, because sometimes you would have people who want to come out so we have to guard against to ensure persons do not come out,” she said.
Suspect in Corentyne body-in-barrel murder apprehended
SURAJ Verasammy, called ‘Radesh’, who is the main suspect in the Corentyne body-in-barrel murder, was, on Sunday, apprehended by the police under the Canje Bridge. Verasammy, 30, was being sought by the police for questioning into the horrific murder of a 24-year-old female, who has only been identified as “Vanessa”. The battered, partially decomposed body of the young woman was found stuffed in a blue plastic barrel that was partially submerged in a small trench through the R & S Street in Belvedere, East Berbice, Corentyne, a few houses away from where the couple resided. The discovery was made on Saturday morning by a resident, after he picked up a pungent scent coming from the trench. Upon investigating, he saw a foot dangling out the barre. He then raised an alarm. The woman was strangled with a bed sheet which was still tied around her neck at the time of discovery, while her face was smashed in, to the point where facial identification was impossible. There were several other marks of violence about the body. The couple was last see together on Thursday. Verasammy, who works as a labourer on a poultry farm, failed to report for work but showed up on Saturday morning to borrow some money from his employer; he told them he was going to an Upper Corentyne village. The couple moved into the area about three months ago. Neighbours related to
this publication that they would usually engage in frequent quarrels. The neighbours were also instrumental in providing some confirmation as to who the dead woman was, since they were able to recognise the barrel as one of two that belonged to the couple. A search of the yard revealed that one of the barrels was missing. The police, since Saturday, have been tracking the whereabouts of Verasammy; they finally managed to nab him under the Canje Bridge. He is presently in police custody, being grilled by detectives. Meanwhile, the mother of the suspect, Sattie Verasammy, told this publication that if indeed her son committed the gruesome act, he should pay with his life. The mother explained that the young woman is a Venezuelan who has been with her son for about five months now. She noted that her son has a chequered past. “Radesh always getting in some trouble; he been in and out of jail plenty time and does thief down to the smallest thing. He is a nuisance. He does only cause trouble; that girl was such a kind and humble person,” she said. She added that after her son introduced the girl to the family, he promised to settle down and change his ways. The body is currently at the Bailey’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem investigation. The police are currently trying to establish a positive identification and gather more evidence as it relates to a motive for the murder.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
Persons who died from COVID-19 had pre-existing conditions
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–– GPHC says infected persons getting appropriate treatment
By Navendra Seoraj THE Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease has proven to be a “real killer,” especially in cases involving persons who have co-morbidities, said doctors of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Guyana has so far recorded six deaths due to the COVID-19 disease and while the loss of life is never pleasant, doctors have said most of the persons, who died, had co-morbidities. In medicine, comorbidity is defined as the presence of one or more additional conditions co-occurring with a primary condition; in the countable sense of the term, a comorbidity is each additional condition. “Most of the people who passed, have [sic] co-morbidities…some had diabetes, hypertension, asthma and one of them even had severe pneumonia, which, without COVID, can also cause death…these, coupled with the complications related to COVID-19 can be dangerous,” said Head of the Department of Internal Medicine at GPHC, Dr. Genellys Camps during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle. Among the persons who lost their lives to the deadly disease was local Drag Racer Deryck Jaisingh, called ‘Mad Dog.’ It was reported that Jaisingh was also being treated
for malaria and reports are that he was diabetic. Guyana’s first COVID-19 victim, 52-yearold, Ratna Baboolall was also hypertensive and a diabetic. Jermaine Ifill, an emergency medical technician (EMT), who had also succumbed to the dreaded COVID-19 disease, was also being treated for pneumonia. Two other persons who died from the disease were OSA Collins, a 78-year-old resident of New Amsterdam; and 77-yearold, Colonel, John Percy Leon Lewis. In New York, where there are close to 190,000 infected persons, it was reported that just over 86 per cent of reported COVID-19 deaths involved at least one comorbidity, according to the state’s department of health. The Hospitalist – a medical website - reported that as of midnight on April 6, there had been 5,489 fatalities caused by COVID-19 in the state, of which 86.2 per cent or 4,732 had at least one underlying condition. Hospitalist had sourced information from the New York State Department of Health. The leading comorbidity, seen in 55.4 per cent of all deaths, was hypertension. In New York, the rest of the 10 most common comorbidities in COVID-19 fatalities were diabetes (37.3%), hyperlipidemia (18.5%), coronary artery disease (12.4%), renal disease
tions in order to safeguard themselves. Globally, there are over 1.8 million cases of COVID-19, with over 107,000 deaths. And, with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease. “Let me take this opportunity to remind you that there are no vaccines nor medications to address the Coronavirus disease; the medical personnel will treat you according to the symptoms you present,” said Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence in a recent update. Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medicine and Mass Casualty Special- Mass Casualty Specialist, GPHC, Dr. Tracey Bovell ist, Dr. Tracey Bovell confirmed that doctors have (Delano Williams) been treating the symptoms (11.0%), dementia (9.1%), presented by patients. Speaking about the methchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (8.3%), cancer (8.1%), ods being used for treatment, atrial fibrillation (7.1%), and Dr. Bovell said: “We are using heart failure (7.1%), said the international guidelines…we New York State Department do symptomatic treatment so depending on how they [the of Health. In Guyana, as part of patients] presents the sympstrengthening the systems in toms, we treat them appropriplace to reduce the spread of ately…treatment is administhe virus, the Public Health tered according to whatever Ministry had said that alterna- presentation whether mild, tive arrangements were created moderate or severe.” She said medical profesfor patients who are immuno-compromised, to collect sionals at GPHC have been their medication without put- utilising international guideting themselves at further risk. lines and guidelines that other These patients include per- medical practitioners follow in sons who have Cancer, HIV, other parts of the world. And, Tuberculosis, Sickle Cell and evidence has so far shown other diseases. They were also that those methods have been advised to take extra precau- working.
So far, eight persons have recovered from the disease locally and a number of persons, who were in the COVID-19 ICU, have been coming out and being placed in institutional isolation for further monitoring. Although there have been deaths, Dr. Bovell said it does not mean that the methods being used are not working, it just depends on the seriousness of the illness. “The illness has severe forms and sometimes persons would have that severe form and would not recover, but they are getting appropriate treatment for their illness,” said the medical specialist. The World Health Organisation (WHO) had said that 81 per cent of persons who contract COVID-19, will have mild symptoms while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms and five per cent will need intensive care. According to WHO, COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered coronavirus. WHO said most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older persons and those with underlying medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer, are more likely to develop serious illness. The WHO believes that
Head of Department of Internal Medicine, GPHC, Dr. Genellys Camps (Delano Williams photo) the best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the virus, the disease it causes and how it is spread. “Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practise respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow),” the WHO has advised.
Linden child did not die of COVID-19 – LHC’s Dr. Joseph London
TESTS to determine whether the death last week of a six-year-old in Linden was caused by COVID-19 have proven negative. This was confirmed by Dr. Joseph London, Acting Medical Superintendent of the Linden Hospital Complex, where the child was first taken when she took ill. Dr. London, however, said that while the COVID test has determined otherwise, the cause of death will officially be listed as respiratory failure. “The results are that the child did not die from COVID-19, and while the samples were taken off some hours after, and there are several speculations, we cannot say that it was COVID-19,
as the results says negative,” Dr. London said, adding: “We will, nevertheless, have to continue being vigilant, and should we be confronted by a similar situation, we are cognisant of the procedures that must be followed in taking off the samples.” The tests were done after the child, who’d reportedly exhibited all the classic signs associated with COVID-19, died while being prepped right at the Linden Hospital Complex to be transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). At an emergency meeting some days ago, Dr. London had reported that when the six-year-old was initially examined at the LHC’s Emergency Room, she had had a mild fever, shortness of
breath, and tummy pains, and after a thorough examination, the paediatric team concluded that their only option was to send her to Georgetown immediately. Unfortunately, she died within 90 minutes of arrangements being made to take her to Georgetown, Dr. London had said. “While we were waiting to transfer her, she was not maintaining oxygen over 70, which made her unstable for transfer. She was resuscitated to a comfortable level, and her condition continued to worsen, resulting in her dying. Her condition was suspicious; however, we were unable to conduct a test on her,” Dr. London had reported. According to Deputy Chief Medical Officer
Linden Hospital Complex nurses urging residents to stay home to curb the spread of COVID 19 (DCMO) Dr. Karen Boyle, who was in Linden when the emergency meeting was held with Dr. London, a test should have been done immediately after the child had died to ascertain whether or not she’d had COVID 19. She warned that because the child’s remains was taken to the morgue minus the test, chances were when the samples were eventually taken, the results may very well
return negative. She’d also warned that even if it’s negative, it doesn’t mean that the girl wasn’t positive in having COVID-19. “It was important for the medical staff to have tested her within 24 hours after she would have died, but taking into account that she may have already been taken to the morgue, where she is in the fridge, I am not sure if the samples being taken off
will yield a proper results,” Dr. Boyle said. Turns out the samples were taken from the child’s remains some 36 hours after it was placed in the morgue. According to some medical sources, this may have affected a true result, as the samples may have been compromised, a point that Dr. Boyle had made when the matter was first brought to her attention.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
Small sacrifice for maximum gain
‘I THINK people need to sacrifice their socialising for now so that we stop the increase of the virus. When the spread ceases we can socialise again safely’. This is the salient opinion of a teenager (17 years old) who is at home from school due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. She went on to point out some advantages of being
on lockdown. ‘Families can spend more time together, the roads are clear so people can see how much they contribute to polluting the environment, and study time for upcoming exams has increased’. On the whole, Guyana is doing well in its fight to contain the COVID 19 virus which is rampaging throughout the world, but we must not be complacent. Most people have never witnessed a disruption to their lives on such a mammoth scale and, mainly, for this reason, there is a mixed reaction from members of the public. Some folks refuse to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation and will not follow the safety guidelines. On the other hand, while children seem to understand the concept of taking precautions today to preserve life for tomorrow, they are still taking their lead from the adults around them. If the adults are disobeying Government guidelines, then so will they. The highly contagious virus has the potential to sweep through Guyana like wildfire, leaving devastation in its path unless procedures are followed. If you know any adults who are not adhering to the regulations that have been imposed and are thus endangering their families, children and the public, do not encourage them in their ignorance. It is your civil duty to persuade them to follow the rules. Explain the necessity of social distancing; washing hands frequently with soap; refraining from social gathering, and, above all, staying at home as much as possible. This is not a time for partying, having fun and cracking jokes. It is a matter of life or death and everyone must be involved in helping to keep the numbers of fatalities to a minimum. It is always low-income
households that suffer the most in drastic situations such as these. Parents have to find different ways to provide for their families and they might end up taking out their frustration on their children. Vulnerable children will suffer as families are thrust into a dilemma that was not of their making, yet still aims to test the scope of their resilience to the fullest. Children are relying on the adults around them for comfort, protection, reassurance and direction, so if you are a parent, try not to be too hard on them. Even when you have told them NOT to do the same thing, for the ‘umpteen’ time; dig deep, count to ten and exercise a level of patience and understanding. You must be tolerant, it is not just ‘your’ schedule and life that have been thrown out of sync. Children usually embrace the regularity of attending school, being with their friends and just being away from home during the day. So bear with them and find special things that you can do together. Creating positive activities and memories at this exceptional time in their lives, will, no doubt resonate with them in years to come. Nearly any negative scenario that the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) may have encountered over the years of helping to protect our nation’s children, is probably now on the rise. Only time will tell, how vulnerable children were able to manage and make it through this current dilemma. However, our officers are still doing their ‘care of duty’ so do contact the Agency if you need to report child abuse. Due to the health and safety measures arising from the COVID-19 virus, CPA officers are not attend-
ing the workplace regularly. They do, however, continue to go out in the fields and manage their workload from home. You can call the CPA hotline (227 0979) to contact a CPA officer in regards to a current or on-going case, or to make a report. Your call will remain confidential. Parents, during this lockdown phase, don’t forget to monitor your children’s online activity and their everyday movements. Note what they are doing and where they are going when they leave the home and be aware of what time they are expected back. Desist from leaving your children in the care of people whom you do not know well, and even if you do know the folks well, remember to ask your child questions about his/her day. On a lighter note, today is a holiday. A Family Day, traditionally shared by many and symbolised by the flying of kites in open spaces. This year, because things are different, the kite-flying might only be from your verandah or the seclusion of your back yard, (away from electric wires) but make the most of it and enjoy the company of your family. Where there is life, there is hope and where there is hope, there undoubtedly are good days ahead. HAPPY HOLIDAY FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION STAY SAFE, STAY HOME, FOLLOW REGULATIONS If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail. com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
‘Don’t go stir-crazy! Read a book!’ –– Sonia Noel says, offers free Kindle downloads of hers to help make social-distancing bearable
LOCAL designer and philanthropist, Sonia Noel, as part of her efforts to help combat the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), is encouraging Guyanese to spend their time at home reading. Noel, who has been engaged in the production of face masks for free distribution, will be making her books available free of charge, but only for a limited period. Noel has published five books to date on Amazon, and will be offering free Kindle downloads from April 13 to 17, 2020. Each of the five days, one of her books will be available to be downloaded, starting with her first one, ‘Living with Intention’. Noel, who strongly believes in contributing in a positive way to humanity, said of the book: “Living with Intention offers readers a glimpse into that world that makes every day a masterpiece, even with life’s challenges; the struggle, strength, survival and endurance, but also commemorates the beauty, honour, love, compassion and forgiveness. This book takes you to the core of surviv-
al; to the importance of how to love yourself, and why we celebrate.” The second book scheduled for free downloads is the Anthology, ‘Women Across Borders: Fulfilling Purpose’. Like ‘Living with Intention’, ‘Women Across Borders’ has received positive reviews, and features captivating and empowering stories from women residing in different parts of the world. “As an author, mother, entrepreneur and Latina who encountered many setbacks and adversities,” wrote fellow publisher, Claudia Vidal on Amazon, “I can relate to these phenomenal women in unimaginable ways. Thank you for sharing your message, and inspiring me to continue walking the path less travelled. I have tremendous admiration and respect for each of the contributors of this book, and look forward to hearing about the many successes to come. I’m in awe!” The compilation, ‘Beyond the Runway’, which features 30 inspiring short stories, will be available on Thursday for free download. “Loved this book! Not because it was compiled by my friend and bestsell-
Local designer and philanthropist, Sonia Noel
ing author,” said American businesswoman and bestselling author, Hilda Bourne, “but because it has some really heartfelt humour and beyond-the-runway kinda stories that are relatable. You’ve done it again, Sonia! You’ve wowed us and kept us inspired! Congratulations on what I know will be another bestseller! Thank you for your candidness and willingness to put it all on the line to inspire others!” The final book for free download is ‘Women Across Borders: Rising from the Ashes’, another anthology, dedicated this time around to women around the world who are overcoming their valley moments. “There are no mountains without valleys, and we have to learn to celebrate those valley experiences, because they are no valleys without two mountains,” Noel said. Noel has enjoyed a very successful 14city tour of the US with her books, and is currently working on two other titles, ‘Men Across Borders’ and ‘Motherhood: The Mountains and the Valleys’.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
Social relief reaches over 1,700 households –– CDC recommends that all distribution efforts be coordinated through one system
OVER 1,700 households have benefitted so far from social relief which was provided by the Government, through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), as a means of ensuring that no Guyanese is left hungry, at a time when Guyana and the world over are facing the effects
of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. According to a press statement, the CDC has distributed hampers to 1,759 households in 25 communities across five administrative regions. Since the distribution exercise commenced on April 5, 2020, residents in
communities located in Regions Three, Four, Five, Six and 10 have received hampers containing a month’s supply of food items. Senior Response Officer of the CDC, Captain Salim October, said the success of the exercise, so far, has been achieved through careful coordination among the
FLASHBACK- ‘No one left out!’ Representatives of the CDC ensured that they distributed hampers to persons who live not just next to the public road, but to those who lived through alleyways and on dams (Carl Croker photo)
FLASHBACK- Soldiers packing the supplies prior to the distribution exercise (Carl Croker photo) CDC’s National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Governmental Agencies, Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), Community Liaisons and some members of the Private Sector. He noted that members of the Private Sector have been supportive towards the CDC’s efforts and must be applauded. He noted too that several NGOs have provided volunteers to help with the door-to-door delivery of the hampers. “The CDC recognises that, for the entire nation to benefit, and for efforts to be maximized, it requires broad-based interventions by as many organisations and entities as possible. At this juncture, the CDC recognises that similar initiatives to provide relief to citizens are being implemented by various organisations including NGOs, international and local agencies and individuals. As the national authority for Disaster Risk Management, we are heartened by these wide-ranging, noble and humanitarian-driven acts that no doubt will rebound to increase food se-
curity for many. The CDC, publicly acknowledges the supportive agencies and organisations, and applauds their efforts in mobilising support and conducting community outreaches. These efforts demonstrate our resilience as a people,” he said. Director General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, said that, while some citizens might believe that the commission is moving too slowly in its distribution efforts, they must be cognizant that while it had the foresight to procure supplies beforehand, the situation has drastically changed from then to now. He noted that the entire world is grappling with the pandemic and, therefore, it is a challenge to mobilise resources, for which the entire world is competing. In light of the challenges, the director general noted that the CDC, in collaboration with key stakeholders, conducted reconnaissance, assessments and analyses, and the neediest and most vulnerable communities were the recipients of the first batch of supplies. Further, distribution and procurement plans have already been developed to direct the process based on the availability of the required resources. “This is not to say that we are not trying our best. We have challenges and despite those challenges, we are still working to ensure that the citizens are taken care of during this time. We have tried, as far as practicable, to touch those communities which are most vulnerable and persons who would be most impacted during these measures.
However, our intention has always been to ensure that every vulnerable citizen benefit, so we are trying to work out those challenges,” he said. ONE SYSTEM Lieutenant Colonel Craig added that the CDC has noted that several public and private entities and individuals are coordinating similar distribution interventions across the country. It is recommended that all distributions be coordinated through one system to avoid duplication of efforts and to maximise resources. “The CDC stands ready to work with Government, Non-Governmental, Private Sector and other agencies to coordinate a comprehensive distribution effort which reaches the entire vulnerable population,” the director general said. He said this partnership could be activated by donating supplies directly to the CDC, through joint distributions in the communities or the sharing of logistics and distribution information. “At minimum, the CDC would be appreciative if organisations which are engaged in their own distribution activities can inform us ahead of time so that such efforts can be factored into our national distribution planning. We are confident that your assistance in this regard would help to mitigate the duplication of relief efforts as we respond to the challenges and impacts of COVID-19. Kindly contact the National Emergency Management System (NEMS) at 600-7500 or 623 - 1700 to update us on
any relevant information. We welcome your continued partnership and support,” he noted. Meanwhile, the CDC has donated a supply of masks to frontline agencies such as the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Immigration Department and the Guyana Revenue Authority to ensure that adequate resources are available for the protection of workers. Companies or persons who wish to donate are reminded that they can do so at the CDC’s headquarters, Thomas Road, Thomas Lands or make cash or cheque deposits into its Republic Bank account number 962356519938. Food and hygiene supplies can be dropped off at the Thomas Lands location daily between 09:00 hours and 15:00 hours. Just Sunday, it was reported that government is considering the distribution of vouchers as social relief to vulnerable persons. “There have been representations that not everybody would like a hamper or would not be able to take a hamper a far distance… as you may have noticed the hampers are bulky and heavy,” said Head of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, during a virtual press briefing on Saturday. As an alternative, government is considering a voucher which will be equivalent to the total cost of one hamper. It was said that each hamper carries an estimated $30,000 worth of sanitisation materials and food supplies.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
Some minibus operators still not adhering to COVID-19 measures WITH the number of COVID-19 cases now at 45, it is critical that Guyanese, everywhere, take heed of the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families against the virus. However, there are still a few minibus operators who are still failing to adhere to national measures instituted by the Government. Minibuses are Guyana’s primary mode of public transportation, and, as such, the Government has mandated that minibus operators carry half the number of passengers that they usually would, as a means to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. However, while there are a few minibus operators who are adhering to the rule, there are still a few who continue to have a nonchalant approach to com-
and or operators are losing money and some of them may well have payments to make on their investment, along with other public utility expenses, everyone ought to acknowledge that “we are in a life and death situation that needs commitment, maturity, sacrifice and love for our fellow men, if we are to survive this pandemic with minimal casualties”. However, there seems to be evidence that a few minibus operators are not adhering to the measures. As such, Andrews, in an appeal, urged operators to desist from their usual everyday activities and adhere to the precautionary measures set out by the relevant authorities. “We earnestly ask that you desist from placing more than two persons in a seat (one with the driver) that A citizen photo showing several persons seated in a minibus not observing the 3ft social distancing rule throughout the 10 administrative regions; we have traffic ranks going around and talking to the drivers, advising them because we know that there are some of them who are not complying, endangering the life [sic] of the commuters and their own lives,” he said. However, the traffic chief noted that the Guyana Police Force has avoided arresting conductors and drivers, but they have had to reload a few buses so that passengers are seated in accordance with the three-feet-apart, social-distancing rule (two passengers per seat). “We did not arrest drivers and con-
Traffic ranks of the Guyana Police Force during the anti covid-19 exercise at various bus parks across the country batting the virus. In several videos and photos published on social media websites, minibus operators were seen still overloading the buses and carrying three to four passengers in a seat, while they were advised to carry just two passengers per seat as a means of maintaining the 3ft social distancing rule to slow the spread of the virus. REDUCED INCOME The Government has reduced the price of fuel significantly to cushion the shortfall. It is recognized that transportation providers face several types of challenges, including payment of toll. According to the President of the Minibus Association, Eon Andrews, while it may be argued that owners
would accommodate the three feet safe distance. Consistently sanitize the inside of your vehicle as well as the door handles and do not increase the prescribed fares,” he urged. POLICE ENFORCE ANTI COVID-19 MEASURES Traffic Chief Linden Isles had urged minibus operators and commuters to adhere to the precautionary measures when travelling. During an invited comment, Isles told the Guyana Chronicle that traffic ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have been placed at every bus park across the country as part of an anti-COVID-19 exercise to ensure persons are abiding by the law and are practising social distancing. “We have ranks at all the parks
ductors; what we did was ensure that they take the persons out of the bus so they have space [between passengers]… if the bus is seen with more than the suggested number of passengers, they would stop the bus, talk to the driver and ensure that they comply,” he added. He noted that a few minibus operators are still not implementing the precautionary measures and ranks will continue to educate both commuters and minibus operators about the seriousness of the pandemic and the results of having a nonchalant approach to fighting the virus.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 13, 2020
PPP/C’s criticism of 156-day recount proposal malicious – Alexander
GUYANA Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, has stated that, while all sorts of criticism have been levelled against the Commission in the past, the most recent, condemning Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, for the 156-day proposal is “unfounded, ridiculous and malicious”. In a letter to the Editor, Alexander said that the mere fact that the proposal, of a timeframe for the national recount, is being referred to as the “Lowenfield proposal”, is the basis upon which the public has been misguided. He stated that, unfortunately, this misguidance has come in part from the public report of Opposition-nominated Commissioners whose proposals guided Lowenfield in his calculations. From the inception, realizing that Article 162 of the Constitution and section 22 of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act do not specify procedures
for a recount, the CEO had stated that he would be relying on the guidance of the Commission. As such, written submissions and oral guidance were given to the CEO and he was instructed to craft a suitable timeframe. Alexander said that, in those submissions, Opposition-nominated Commissioner, Robeson Benn proposed: “two (2) paired Commissioners must initial the recount statement of poll.” (sic) and “two (2) paired Commissioners to sign accepted Tabulation forms.” (sic). Based on these and other factors, the CEO estimated that it will take approximately two hours to count one ballot box and, with a total of three work stations, operating simultaneously, for a period of 10 hours daily, the counting of 2,339 ballot boxes would take 156 days. “It is that articulation, given that there can only be three sets of paired Commissioners, which caused the proposal to
suggest the use of only three workstations,” Alexander said. “The CEO may have misunderstood Benn`s proposal. However, he should not be lambasted as if he originated the idea of three workstations. Moreso, since the document was a working/draft document; and Commissioner Benn clarified the apparent misunderstanding for consideration in the furtherance of the finalization of the document.” At the Commission’s meeting where the CEO presented the 156-day draft operational plan, it was agreed that the Commission would meet again in a few days to re-examine the plan and how the timeframe can be reduced. Even so, Alexander said that the Opposition-nominated Commissioners exited GECOM that afternoon reporting their disbelief to the media on the calculated days as if Lowenfield acted on his own guidance. “I think we are still in the realm of being misled, misin-
terpreted and that the secretariat itself is not being helpful,” Commissioner Benn had told the media. “I am telling you, fundamentally, in no way, shape or form, should we have been provided with a document, which gives that type of duration.” Alexander stated in his letter: “The document did not benefit from detailed discussions, since Commissioner [Sase]Gunraj, almost preemptively, sought permission to prepare another version, which he subsequently submitted as a joint document of Gunraj/Benn/ Shadick, now acclaimed as a PPP/C submission. Permission was granted. It was therefore disingenuous and unethical for Commissioners to take to the media as if Lowenfield had conjured some plot to have the recount done in 156 days…the instigated conclusion of the public and personal ridicule of Lowenfield in person are
A blue Easter THIS weekend is possibly the first time in the history of Easter weekends that the streets of Georgetown have been so gloomy. The Coronavirus pandemic has taken the joys of Easter away, especially for the children and families, who enjoy socialising and raising their kites in the afternoon sky, with the heavy- blowing seawall breeze. In fact, the city seawall, where most persons would usually go, was a prohibited location to go this weekend. Members of the Guyana Police Force were seen patrolling the length of the seawall to ensure that persons adhere to the rules of staying away from public spaces. Additionally, the National Park gates were closed, forcing persons to stay within their homes and communities. The Guyana Chronicle drove around the
city and communities, to see what alternative ways families have come up with to spend their Easter weekend. Most of the streets were free of traffic and pedestrians, but in a few communities, mostly children, were seen raising their kites, while others were seen playing other games. A group of children were seen in Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, playing a game of cricket on their community ground, with their masks on. Another small group of children were seen on the field alongside Laing Avenue, running, trying to raise their little kites. Their happy faces were testimony that they were enjoying themselves with the little freedom they got to go outside and play. On the playfield on the backroad, two brothers were seen flying a kite. The elder brother said he just brought his little brother
A group of boys playing cricket in Turkeyen
grossly mis- and ill-informed. The Commissioners’ ridicule is at least malicious, albeit that Commissioner Gunraj grudgingly admitted that the proposal may have been influenced, in part, and, fundamentally, by Benn`s submission.” The Commissioner said that the “antagonistic Commissioners” also argued that it took just one night to do the original count when compared this with the 156-day timeline. However, Alexander said that what must be logically compared is the 156 days which is equivalent to 1,560 hours [ten hours daily] as opposed to Election night where there were 2,339 simultaneous counts that would have taken 2,339 hours if one were to allot 1 hour on average to each ballot box. “There could be nothing short of mischief for Commissioners to cast aspersions on a 1,560-hour sequential count juxtaposed to the E day 2,339-hour simultaneous/later-
outside for a bit to fly the bird kite he was excited about. Last year, he was too small to fly and this year, he just wanted to give him that experience, and he enjoyed it. At the other end of the same field, a lone man was trying to raise his kite. He said that he spent 41 years in the US and kite flying is something he truly enjoyed but never really got to do in the US because of the difference in culture. He is a bit saddened that this year’s Easter was cancelled due to the coronavirus, however, he was determined to raise a kite this year. So he went on the field alone in his area, and flew the kite for some time, then he went back home. Other children were seen running with siblings and friends, riding, scooting, and playing other games in their yards and on the street.
Three childre
n on the field
Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner, Vincent Alexander
al counts,” he said. As it stands now, a counter 10-day plan has been tabled by the Opposition-nominated commissioners and, along with earlier proposals made by the government-nominated commissioners, Lowenfield is to redraft the plan. The Commission agreed to have that ‘two Commissioners per station’ restriction removed, paving the way for the number of workstations to be increased. However, the duration of the recount will be influenced by a number of other factors, including the time taken to count the ballots in the boxes.
Two brothers flying their kite on the West Ruimveldt ‘backroad’ playfield.
near Laing A
venue engagi
ng in their ki
te-flying activ
ity
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 13, 2020
Guyana’s Tourism Industry will bounce back – THAG
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- plans to rebound already in action
GUYANA’S Tourism Industry, like others across the world, has come to a screeching halt due to the coronavirus pandemic and the country has lost billions in revenue, while hundreds in the sector are temporarily jobless. However, there is optimism in the air as leaders in the sector expect that the country will retake its spotlight as a leading destination once the deadly pandemic passes. “The industry has really faced a shutdown, so we’re talking about hundreds of people losing their jobs; hundreds of millions in revenue lost,” said President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar in an interview on Sunday. With Guyana’s emergency measures in place, of the entire travel and tourism industry, only “hotels and accommodation” have been catered for as essential services. Even so, with the ban on international travel, most hotels are empty and those still operating are doing so with a skeleton staff, at a loss of profits and with just a few guests “far below” the operating average. The lack of guests at hotels and the closure of other businesses in the travel and tourism industry has resulted in the majority of workers losing their jobs. A smaller number of persons are being paid reduced salaries. The Guyana Tourism
Authority (GTA) has estimated that the loss in direct expenditures within the economy is a minimum of GY$32.8B in 2020 in export earnings. On the average, the overall economic impact from COVID-19 on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will be much higher, totalling an estimated GY$98.4B in losses in 2020. WE WANT SUPPORT Ramkumar said that the industry, through THAG and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), is seeking assistance from the government to keep itself afloat long enough to make a positive rebound post-COVID-19. He said that the industry understands the current situation the government is in with regard to the pending elections resolution, but hopes that more measures can be put in place to cater for persons who would lose their jobs or would suffer pay cuts as a result of the pandemic. Some hinterland communities in Guyana usually depended on the visitation of tourists to financially support their villages and this too has dried up. THAG has had to make the tough call for the full closure of all places of entertainment, including bars, clubs, gymnasiums, nightclubs, restaurants and swimming pools, to ensure that the chances of the spread of the virus are lessened. The emergency measures
put in place by the Government later cemented their closure as mandatory by law. Ramkumar said that the industry is thankful for support from banking institutions and from the Guyana Revenue Authority when it comes to the filing and payment of taxes. “Those are good feedback but the industry needs to survive so a stimulus package will be for of injection of liquidity to keep businesses going to hibernate through this period,” he said. In light of these and other requests, the government has rolled out a survey for the private sector to determine the extent to which businesses have been impacted by COVID-19. The survey is being conducted by the Ministry of Business, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, and will be used to shape informed economic policy conside r -
The Explore Guyana Magazine President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar
ations. REMAINING POSITIVE
The growth of Guyana’s visitor arrivals over the years
The THAG President expects that once the virus is under control worldwide there will be a spike in tourism. He said that the Guyana Tourism Authority and THAG have been preparing for this by keeping the thought of Destination Guyana ever in the thoughts of the international community. Prior to the virus, the said that Guyana was well on its way to seeing the largest number of tourists it has ever had and raking in more money than before. “Guyana’s tourism indus-
try has been rapidly growing over the years,” Ramkumar said, while adding that “there was a huge demand expected for this year but all of that now comes to a grinding halt.” For 2019, Guyana was recognised as the ‘Number one Eco-Tourism destination’ in the world, the ‘Best in Destination Stewardship’, and a ‘Top Ten Sustainable Destination’ in the world. Working along with the GTA, THAG has been pushing the message of ‘Stay At Home Now So That You can Travel Tomorrow.’ The hope is to encourage tourists to do their part to end the epidemic so that they can travel to Guyana when it is over. Ramkumar said that ‘sun, sand and sea’ tourism has
not been making significant leaps and bounds in recent times as opposed to destinations such as Guyana, which offer adventure and the chance to experience something completely new and unique. “We need to keep Guyana in their minds. There is so much we have to offer but we need to keep that messaging. What we’re doing now is to make Destination Guyana appealing for tomorrow. There are going to be other destinations, but Guyana needs to be aggressive to benefit when the time comes,” Ramkumar said. “We just need to wait this thing out, we need to get past this dark cloud; once we do, then there will be a silver lining.”
GTT Mobile Money partners to make life easier and safer - reminds customers of MMG payment option for all bill payments
AS Guyana continues to face the global pandemic of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) has established new partnerships with several businesses to help reduce movement in public spaces. In light of the restrictions on the public and the call for citizens to remain at home unless it is absolutely necessary – Bounty
Supermarket, Hero Cart, and One Cart have moved to use MMG as a convenient payment option. GTT’s Public Relations Manager, Jasmin Harris, said, “the collaborations are timely, especially since staying home is ideal to flattening the curve and ensuring the health and safety of all Guyanese.” The Public Relations Manager reminded persons of the multiuse
of MMG to make bill payments from the convenience of their homes. She said, “we want to encourage persons to utilize this service, not only for the ease of transaction but also for their safety, by avoiding crowds during this time.” Customers can avoid the lines with Bounty Supermarket’s delivery option and top up their wallets with Hero Carts and One Cart.
“We are making life easier for customers through partnerships; if a customer needs to load their MMG wallet they can call Hero Carts on 623 3500 or One Cart on 627-3977; if they need groceries, they can order from the nearest Bounty Supermarket and pay with MMG. Utilizing these options means we are all doing our part to flatten the curve and combat this virus,” said Harris.
Persons who do not have an MMG account can register online at www.mmg.gtt.co.gy/ register and be able to access their account within 24hrs. The MMG service, which is Guyana’s first mobile financial service introduced in 2013, enables users to purchase credit, send and receive money in addition to paying bills using their mobile phones.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 13, 2020
Use regatta weekend to build stronger families – Mayor Marshall urges Barticans By Gabriella Chapman THE coronavirus pandemic is taking a toll on many families, especially during this time (Easter). Many families and friends use Easter weekend to get away from the busyness of their lives, and use it to spend time engaging in fun-filled activities with each other. The Bartica Regatta activities are usually the option for a large section of the population in the small town. For decades, this has been the occasion for most Barticans during Easter, and it has grown so big that it has attracted many tourists who travel into the township, just to enjoy the family-friendly activities and the Golden Beach ambience. This year, COVID-19 has taken this privilege away, and many persons in the township and further afield are saddened. Speaking with a few of the residents, they all expressed sentiments of gloom since this weekend will not be spent like the usual family tradition. Runique Belle said this weekend will be a bit gloomy for her and family because they all had high expectations and plans for Regatta 2020, and since her birth, Regatta is all she knows how to spend her Easter weekend. “I’m just mostly in the house. This afternoon I came outside to chill a little, since today would’ve been the grass track and tonight the pageant, and I was really looking forward to pageant, so that I can get exposure since I want to model some time. This is even sadder for me and family because of the boat races. I’m really upset since my father didn’t race for eight years and he’s finally ready to race back now and he cannot and I know he’s really, really disappointed,” the young woman said.
Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall and family
A photo of Runique Belle and family from a regatta, over 10 years ago
Another young Bartican, Shanae Heber, said she is saddened because she had planned to enter the Miss Bartica Regatta pageant this year. However, she said she will spend the time doing assignments and labs and prepare for her University of Guyana final examinations. She hopes to use this time also to prepare better, should there be a pageant, later in the year, or next year. Another daughter of the soil, Cheyenne Jordan, said that, even though there is no regatta, the fact that it is usually spent with families, families can find other ways to spend time with each other. “I’m spending this weekend with my family, connecting more with them, as well as with those who are overseas. Saturday night we popped popcorn
WhatsApp, Facebook, and busy working schedules, families are becoming more divided, finding less time for interaction and togetherness. Therefore, I wish to implore all Barticans to use this extended weekend to build stronger families,” Marshall said. He added too that it is equally important to build a healthy population. “Given the ease of accessing fast food, and the increasing lack of physical activities, we have moved away from healthy diets, hygienic practices and ac-
and watched movies, and, today (Sunday), we’ll be doing BBQ and games in the yard and Monday we’ll just watch movies again. Because norCheyenne Jordan and her family at home mally we would attend most of the Easter events and since there is Town Week, Barticans, for the no Regatta, we’ll find fun things first time in Independent Guyana, to do together as a family at will not enjoy Guyana’s number one water sport and family event. home,” Jordan said. “Despite we will miss the In a comment, the mayor of various social events and their the township, Gifford Marshall, said that regatta had afforded the economic benefits to our comGuyanese community over 50 munity, I believe this pandemic, years of exciting aqua sporting resulting in the cancellation of AFTER being on the run for in Guyana. However, like the social events, is an opportune more than a month, Brian time for us to first build stronger Rupununi Rodeo and Linden Hutchins was arrested for the families. With the advent of brutal attack he carried out on his 28-year-old ex-partner, on March 7, 2020, at Leonora, West Coast Demerara. Hutchins, of Uitvlugt Side Line Dam, WCD, was nabbed by police over the weekend and is currently in custody at the Leonora Police Station. According to reports, Hutchins and the victim shared a relationship which ended in June 2018, due to the constant abuse. On March 7, the victim was walking with her 14-year-old nephew in the vicinity of the Leonora Market when she was attacked. Her sister worked at a nearby bar and they were going to accompany her home from work, due to it being almost midnight. However, Hutchins came out from behind a container and attacked the victim. He dealt her several cuffs about her body and face while her nephew went for help. Hutchins made good his escape and the victim was picked up in an unconscious
tive mobility. Therefore, as we come together as families, may we reflect on practices that are healthy and hygienic. Adaption of these practices will be in keeping with our Green agenda which has a specific objective that deals with healthy municipalities… Finally, may we not forget the teachings of Jesus Christ as we reflect on his death and resurrection. In this season, we are given a lesson of love and forgiveness in the scriptures (John 3:16). This lesson, I believe is critical to stronger communities as we fight the deadly COVID-19. May we show love by giving help to the less fortunate, as we work together and put aside our differences in a spirit of forgiveness,” the mayor underscored.
Wanted man arrested for brutal attack on ex-partner
Brian Hutchins
state, was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital but was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and later discharged. It is alleged that Hutchins was jealous and had threatened to kill the woman after they separated. Over the weekend, the police, acting on information received, were able to apprehend Hutchins who is also wanted for assaulting a police officer and also escaping from police custody. Hutchins also has a warrant out for his arrest which was issued by a magistrate due to him not attending court for a similar matter.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday April 13, 2020
Food hampers distributed to Region Two communities
THE Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) in collaboration with the Guyana Defence Force and the COVID-19 Task Force in Georgetown on Saturday distributed food hampers in various communities. The COVID- 19 Task Force consists of Ashaka King, Melissa Atwell, Marvin Wray, Abbigale Loncke and Rhonda Lam. Food hampers consisting of the basic food items were distributed to villages such as Dartmouth, Sparta, Danielstown, Devonshire Castle, Supenaam, Riverstown, Zorg, Lima, Richmond and Bush Lot. Over 100 hampers that were put together will be distributed to other villages in the coming weeks. Abbigale Loncke, who has been actively partnering with major stakeholders in the region to make the hamper-distribution project a success, said the COVID-19 task force was formed because residents were concerned about the well-being of citizens, particularly those who are vulnerable and cannot provide for themselves during the time. She said already, several residents in various communities in Georgetown have already benefitted from hampers, and as such, the same kindness is extended to the Pomeroon-
Supenaam region. The group started the hamper distribution approximately two weeks ago and thus far over 300 hampers have been distributed throughout Guyana, Loncke said. She said the group has received overwhelming support from the ECCI and is grateful for its kind gesture. Vice-president of the ECCI, Seewnarayan, said the chamber is happy to partner with the task force in assisting residents in Region Two. Seewnarayan said that many persons are unemployed or were asked by their employers to stay home. Many of them have families, and as such, if they have to remain locked down then they should be able to have basic cooking items. “Persons are asked to stay home, yes, they can, but many of them aren’t prepared financially to stay home; as such, the hampers will at least provide a meal; it is a crisis and we are [in] this together,” Seewnarayan said. Donations were also given to the Suddie Public Hospital and the Oscar Joseph Hospital at Charity by the Overland Group, Amerijet and Calendar last week. Beneficiaries were very thankful for the good gesture.
A family with their hamper
A resident uplifting his hamper
Food-hamper distribution in Region Two
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Monday, April 13, 2020)
COMPLIMENTS OF THE XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
ANSWERS TO YESTERDAY’S QUIZ:
(1) M. S. Dhoni (48 dismissals (40 catches/8 stumpings) (2) Jeff Dujon-60 dismissals (58 catches/2 stumpings)
TODAY’S QUIZ:
(1) What is the highest individual score made by an Indian player in Tests to date? (2) Who are the WI players with a double ton and a century in the same Test to date?
ANSWERS IN TOMORROW’S ISSUE
Former England keeper Bonetti dies
(BBC) - Former Chelsea and England goalkeeper Peter Bonetti has died aged 78 after a long illness. Bonetti was described by Chelsea as a “goalkeeping superstar of the 1960s and 1970s” and “one of our indisputably all-time great players”. He was part of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad but was unused throughout the tournament. Bonetti made seven England appearances and featured in the 1970 World Cup quarter-final defeat by West Germany. As well as playing 729 times for Chelsea, Bonetti also had brief spells at American side St Louis Stars, Dundee United and Woking FC during a career which spanned more than three decades. Only former Chelsea captain Ron Harris has made more appearances for the Blues and Bonetti held the record for the most clean sheets until January 2014, when Petr Cech surpassed him. He played an important role in Chelsea’s FA Cup
final victory over Leeds United in 1970 and the club has described “his superhuman attempts to thwart the opposition” in front of a TV audience of more than 28m people in the UK. Bonetti also won the League Cup in 1965 and the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971 with Chelsea. Nicknamed ‘The Cat’ by former team-mate Ron Tindall, he was voted runner-up in the 1969-70 Footballer of the Year award. Later in life, Bonetti took up roles as a goalkeeping coach at Chelsea and England as well as working with Kevin Keegan at Manchester City, Newcastle United and Fulham. “Peter Bonetti’s position in the pantheon of Chelsea footballing gods is unassailable,” the club’s official website said. “He was the Cat who broke the mould, defied the odds, drew the gasps, earned the cheers and got the cream. All in front of an adoring Stamford Bridge. “All at Chelsea wish to send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to Peter’s family and friends.” FA Chairman Greg Clarke said: “I am very saddened to hear that Peter Bonetti has passed away. Part of our 1966 World Cup-winning squad, he was not only a wonderful goalkeeper but also a hugely-popular figure in the English game.
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American golfer Sanders dies
GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
Dalglish released from hospital
Liverpool FC Legends manager Kenny Dalglish during the Sean Cox Fundraiser match between the Republic of Ireland XI and Liverpool FC Legends at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
(Reuters) - Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish, who tested positive for the coronavirus, has been released from hospital, British media reported on Sunday. Liverpool said on Friday that Dalglish, 69, was admitted to hospital for an infection. He required intravenous antibiotics but was asymptomatic. The former Scotland international is now back home where he is self-isolating and he hailed the healthcare workers at the National Health Service (NHS) as they battle the pandemic that has killed over 108,000 people worldwide. “People may think my name got me the best of care but every patient in the NHS gets the best of care,” Dalglish told
The Sunday Post. “As a nation, we are lucky to have them and I wish them all well as they work tirelessly to help the country through this pandemic.” Dalglish, who also played for Celtic, is a revered figure at Anfield, having won six English league titles and three European Cups as a player before adding three more league triumphs as a manager. More than 1.7 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally, according to a Reuters tally. The United Kingdom has nearly 79,000 cases with 9,875 deaths.
Froome recovery ‘nearly complete’ American golfer Doug Sanders holding a driver, circa 1966 (Photo by Leonard Kamsler/Popperfoto via Getty Images)
(Reuters) - American Doug Sanders, who was three feet away from beating Jack Nicklaus and winning the 1970 British Open at the home of golf, has died of natural causes aged 86, the PGA Tour said on Sunday. Sanders suffered the disappointment of coming so close to lifting the Claret Jug and etching his name into history. Standing over the winning putt on the famous 18th green at St Andrews, he made an ugly stab at the ball, pushing it wide of the hole and falling into a playoff with Nicklaus. “And there but for the grace of god,” said renowned commentator Henry Longhurst. To add insult to injury, Sanders subsequently lost an 18-hole playoff by one stroke to Nicklaus. Sanders would say years later that sometimes he could go as long as five minutes without thinking about that missed putt. He was only half joking. Sanders won 20 times on the PGA Tour, but never did capture a major, finishing as a runner-up four times.
(Reuters) - Four-times Tour de France winner Chris Froome said his recovery from a horrific accident last year was nearly complete and his training load was back to normal as he prepares for when competition resumes after the new coronavirus outbreak. Speaking during a Team Ineos virtual race on Sunday, Froome described his recovery as “going really well” as he waits out the coronavirus lockdown at home in France. “I’d go as far as saying it’s pretty much complete,” said the 34-year-old British rider. “I am still doing some exercises off the bike just to strengthen that right side that was injured but I’m back to normal training loads again.” Froome spent more than three weeks in hospital after
breaking his neck, femur, elbow, hip and ribs when he crashed into a wall at high speed while training for the Criterium du Dauphin last June.
nose and was hit by a gust of wind. He returned to competition in February at the UAE Tour, a race that was cut short by the coronavirus.
Chris Froome of The United Kingdom and Team INEOS / Sing In / Team Presentation / during the 6th UAE Tour 2020, Stage 4 a 173km stage from Zabeel Park to Dubai City Walk 419m / #UCIWT / #UAETour / @uae_tour / on February 26, 2020 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
The accident happened when he took his hands off the handlebar to blow his
International racing has been suspended until at least June 1, with May’s
Giro d’Italia as well as the Milan-Sanremo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and Liege-Bastogne-Liege classics all having been postponed because of the pandemic. But Tour de France organisers are focusing on a postponement of the June 27-July 19 race rather than a cancellation, according to an email seen by Reuters on Saturday which was sent to the publishers of the official Tour programme. Since returning home, Froome said life had revolved around family and training. “Staying really busy with the kids every day and doing as much training as I can on the turbo trainer (stationary bike) and a lot of gym work as well,” he said. “We’re all driving each other mental but getting through it.”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
British racing legend Sir Stirling Moss passes on
(Reuters) - Stirling Moss, the British racing driver who ranked as an all-time Formula One great despite never winning the world championship, died on Sunday aged 90 after a long illness. “He died as he lived, looking wonderful,” his wife Susie told the Daily Mail newspaper. “He simply tired in the end and he just closed his beautiful eyes and that was that.” A team mate at Mercedes to Argentine five-times world champion Juan Manuel Fangio, the Briton survived one of the deadliest eras of motorsport with 16 grand prix wins in the 1950s and early 1960s. Four times a championship runner-up, and also third overall on three occasions, no other driver has won as many races without taking the title. Moss was the first Briton to win his home grand prix, beating Fangio at Liverpool’s Aintree circuit for Mercedes in 1955, with his name becoming a byword for speed for a generation of fans. He also won grands prix in Maserati, Vanwall, and Rob Walker-entered Cooper and Lotus cars and was admired by generations as ‘Mr Motor Racing’. News of his passing was mourned across the world of motorsport, with Formula One and Jean Todt, president
of SEPTEMBER 09: Sir Stirling Moss in the Aston Martin DB3S, owned by Steve g o v Boultbee Brooks, in the Assembly erning FIA, Area at Goodwood on September 9, 2016 in Chichester, England (Photo by hailing a ‘legMichael Cole/Corbis via Getty Images) end’ of the sport and ‘one of the true greats’. “Sir Stirling was a largerthan-life figure in our sport and one of the survivors of an age when motor racing was about danger, bravery and camaraderie,” said Mercedes F1 team boss Toto Wolff. “But most of all, Stirling’s career was characterised by an impeccable sportsmanship and in this he truly set himself apart... it is no exaggeration to say that we will never see his like again.” Ferrari hailed “a true legend and a wonderful person” and added: “To Scuderia Ferrari, he was a formidable opponent.” But for his sense of sportsmanship, Moss could have been Britain’s first world champion in 1958 instead of Mike Hawthorn. He lost the title by a single point that year after asking stewards to reinstate his disqualified compatriot at the Portuguese Grand Prix. ADVERTISEMENT “I felt that it was quite wrong and I went and gave evidence on Mike’s behalf and said no way should he be disqualified,” Moss, who
Stirling Moss gets some tips from his dad Alfred before the RAC 500cc race at Silverstone in support of the first British Grand Prix (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)
won four races that year to Hawthorn’s one, told Reuters in an interview at his home in 2009. GOODWOOD ACCIDENT Moss ended his professional career after an accident at Goodwood in 1962 left him unconscious for a month and paralysed for six months. Knighted Sir Stirling Craufurd Moss in 2000 for services to motor racing, the London-born dentist’s son retired from all forms of motor racing only in 2011 when he was 81. He regarded the 1961 Monaco Grand Prix as his greatest Formula One race but the 1955 Mille Miglia, a sportscar race on Italian public roads, was as memorable. He covered the last stage, some 83 miles from Cremona to Brescia, at an average speed of 165.1 miles per hour from a standing start. Moss was taken ill in Singapore in late 2016 and spent 134 days in hospital battling a chest infection. He also survived a three-storey plunge down a lift shaft at his London home in March 2010, breaking both ankles and four bones
in his feet. “A man that will never be replaced,” said Britain’s three-times world champion Jackie Stewart, 80. “Stirling Moss walked like a racing driver should walk, he talked like a racing driver, he looked like a racing driver. When Stirling Moss was driving racing cars, men were men. It really was a dangerous time.” Fellow British world champions Damon Hill and Lewis Hamilton also paid tribute. “No-one ever regarded Moss as anything less than one of the greats,” said Hill, whose double world champion father Graham also raced in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. “He launched all the other careers of British racing drivers who went on to become world champions of which he was sadly denied.” Hamilton, now a six times world champion and the most successful British racer of all time, became close to Moss after his own move to Mercedes. “Two people from massively different times and backgrounds but we clicked and ultimately found that the love for racing we both shared made us comrades,” he said on Instagram. “I am truly grateful to have had these special moments with him.”
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
Grave hints at hectic schedule if England tour comes off BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) chief executive, Johnny Grave, has described a “best-case scenario” for the Test tour of England which would see the regional side play in July instead of June, have a single warm-up match before the start of the series and play back-to-back Tests. The June 4-25 three-Test series is currently in doubt following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, which has halted all international cricket and caused severe disruption across the global sporting calendar. Only recently, England and Wales Cricket Board pushed the start of its domestic and international itinerary back to the end of May, further complicating the
staging of the series against West Indies. Grave acknowledged there would need to be major adjustments if the series was to go ahead as planned. “I think probably the best-case scenario for us, although we’ve not discussed it yet, is we would have one four-day game leading into what would almost certainly be back-to-back Test matches, starting Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and possibly look to play those in July and shift our summer accordingly,” Grave explained. “The easiest matches for us to rearrange would be the six games against New Zealand. We are blessed that we can host cricket any time of year.”
Miller urges more consistency from Scorpions spinners
CMC – Jamaica Scorpions assistant coach, Nikita Miller, believes consistency in length was the major stumbling block for his spinners during the recent first class championships. Left-arm spinner Patrick Harty, along with off-spinners, Pete Salmon and Jamie Merchant, combined for 49 wickets as Scorpions finished joint third in the standings alongside former champions Guyana Jaguars. But Miller, a left-arm spinner who retired at the end of last season, after snaring 538 wickets from 100 first class matches, said the trio could have been even more effective. “In terms of the length and line, especially the length, you could see improvement in terms of grouping [of deliveries],” he explained to the Observer newspaper. “Bowling at that [club] level, you don’t have to be very consistent to pick up a lot of wickets. At this [firstclass] level you have to be more consistent in your groupings – in the lengths and lines that you bowl. “It took a lot of repetition and a lot of training, training, training. I do a lot of reading, and I read articles and books related to coaching and I can remember reading something from [former Manchester United Manager] Sir Alex [Ferguson]. “And his thing was that in order for an individual to improve you have to do a lot of practice and do things over and over.” He continued: “I took that on board, and even in games they weren’t doing what they were practising I didn’t get too disheartened, [though]
at times naturally you will get a little frustrated because you’ve worked on something so much. “Instead of getting upset I just kept reminding them to keep pushing. And I urged them as players not to get frustrated either because I know they want to do it.”
Andre Coley’s understudy this season, praised the seam attack but also noted the spinners had improved as the season progressed. “When you sit down and you see things bearing fruit it’s always a great feeling. For me, it’s no different [when coaching]. I was doing a lot of work, especially with the
Off-spinner Jamie Merchant
Harty was the leading spinner with 22 wickets while Salmon produced the standout performance with a career-best seven-wicket haul to bowl Jamaica to an historic seven-run victory over Jaguars in Georgetown. Merchant, an off-spinner, claimed 16 wickets from five matches to be one of his side’s main wicket-takers. Speedster Nicholson Gordon spearheaded Scorpions’ attack, however, snatching 24 wickets and got support from fellow seamer Nicholson Gordon with 17 wickets from five outings. Miller, who served as
bowlers – the spin bowlers, the seam bowlers,” he pointed out. “In this team the seamers are among the more experienced guys, so it didn’t really take a lot to improve them because they have been playing at this level for a little while. But in the spin department … that’s where I focused a lot of my work and a lot of my attention. “As the season progressed they got better and better, and that gave me a lot of satisfaction. There’s still a lot of work to do to get them to that standard, but I believe they are capable of getting there.”
West Indies are already down to host New Zealand in three Twenty20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals from July 8 to 19, meaning that series would also have to be shifted. Also, the Caribbean side are scheduled to welcome South Africa for two Tests and five T20 Internationals from July 15 to August 16, meaning that any amendments to the England itinerary would continue to spark a ripple effect. Grave said CWI would hold discussions with ECB following Easter in order to get a clearer picture of the options available. “We’ve agreed with the ECB we’ll sit down after Easter to see how the world looks and when we think we can get that
series on,” Grave said. “The only good thing is the three venues – Oval, Edgbaston and Lord’s – are prepared for international cricket at a moment’s notice, therefore in a relatively short period of time we could prepare for those matches. “We would certainly want to have a minimum preparation period for our players, to do themselves justice as we look to defend the Wisden Trophy. “But at the same time it’s hugely important for ECB to get those games on. They are in a new broadcast deal with Sky so they’re very keen to get that series on to keep their broadcast revenues flowing.”
Holder believes West Indies can win in England
(Sportsmax) - The West Indies can win in England this summer, so says their Test captain, Jason Holder. The skipper believes his team, having experienced English conditions in a heavy defeat in 2017, have the experience to make restitution for that earlier performance. The West Indies are scheduled to play three Tests in England, beginning June 1, but there isn’t a lot of hope that it won’t, at the very least, be postponed because of the government’s directives to combat the spread of COVID-19 in that country. The England Cricket Board and Cricket West Indies have had preliminary discussions and should be meeting again on Sunday to decide a way forward, with the possibility of playing to empty stands, postponements or both still on the cards. Before the series, the West Indies were to have played three warm-up matches with a camp at the Rose Bowl in Hampshire, but that is also not expected to happen, at least not in the same way or maybe even at the same time. Holder though, is hopeful that the series will go on. While the series in England was destructive to
the West Indian confidence, last year in the Caribbean, the West Indies had bested England 2-1 in a series that showed they could, not just compete, but hurt the generations-long rivals.
Kraigg Brathwaite who has played county cricket as well and international cricket there. Shai [Hope] has played enough international cricket and did really well as well. So we have some guys going back there
West Indies Captain Jason Holder
“This series will be tougher than the one in the Caribbean because we are obviously going in their backyard. England are a very, very good team in their backyard. Even although we beat them in the last series I’ll still say England will start as favourites,” said Holder. According to Holder though, the West Indies aren’t the inexperienced bunch England would have played three years ago when they lost 2-1. “You’ve got guys like
with a vengeance. “If you speak to a lot of guys who were on that tour in 2017 everybody will say they can’t wait to go back and probably just make amends for what would’ve happened in 2017. We believed personally in our abilities, it is just a matter of understanding the conditions and now that we’ve had that experience, I should only hope that we should be able to then put into practice and make a better show than we did last time,” said Holder.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, April 13, 2020
Brathwaite recalls favorite IPL memories (Sportsmax) - Out-of-favour T20 all-rounder, Carlos Brathwaite, has recalled that one of his favourite memories was being treated like Chris Gayle when he turned up for an IPL spell in India with Delhi Daredevils, shortly after his success at the 2016 World Cup. The giant West Indian rocketed to fame after swatting away four straight sixes off England’s Ben Stokes, to lift the Caribbean team to the 2016 T20 World Cup title. Those types of exploits were of course very much
Carlos Brathwaite Delhi daredevils
like another big West Indian, Chris Gayle, who has often thrilled IPL crowds with his match-winning, big-hitting exploits in India. “Cricket is a religion in India. I remember I was filming Chris (Gayle) being mobbed at the airport. But after the World Cup, when I came to play for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), the same thing was happening to me,” the 31-year-old said in a recent Delhi radio show. Brathwaite has not quite followed up on the promise of those big heaves over the
boundary, in recent years, losing both the captaincy of the West Indies and dropped from the squad. He was also not selected during the 2020 IPL auctions held late last year, but still hopes to play some part in the tournament. “Hopefully, I will be in IPL in some capacity, maybe replacement player or in commentary,” he added. Due to ongoing global fight with the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was, however, postponed until further notice.
Trinidad sinks to 105th in the world (Sportsmax) - FIFA’s latest football rankings, published this week, listed the Caribbean powerhouse Trinidad and Tobago at 105th in the world, their second-lowest in history. A Normalization Committee appointed by FIFA is charged with sorting out dire financial and administrative affairs of the TT Football Association (TTFA) but will the virus that has seen the regional giants plummet to their lowest levels all-time be tackled as well in this process? The eight-time Caribbean Football Union (CFU) champions have now spent a 10th consecutive month outside the world’s top-100. The last time T&T’s Soca Warriors were the top-rated Caribbean team on the FIFA Coca-Cola Rankings was October 2016. From 65th in the world three and a half years ago, they have steadily plunged to embarrassing levels, not good enough for a football programme that had long been regarded as the best in the Caribbean. Absorbed in a political football power war in the past year that included acrimonious election campaigning and subsequent unseating of David John-Williams (DJW) as President, T&T’s football results have been ghastly. The Coronavirus has dismantled all sporting schedules globally and maybe it’s a good thing for T&T’s football since the inactivity may have eased their fans from some more painful match results. Former England international and 1986 World Cup defender Terry Fen-
wick is the new head coach, replacing Dennis Lawrence and the straight-talking ex-defender’s job is likely to be negatively impacted by the current administrative turmoil. Indeed, there are already media reports of heated exchanges Fenwick has had with the Technical team over dissatisfaction with efforts to sort out passports for foreign-born players being targeted for T&T representation. T&T’s football fraternity is divided over FIFA’s intervention that sidelined last November’s elected executive, whose attorneys Matthew Gayle and Dr Emir Crowne have now gone to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in an effort to annul FIFA’s intervention. FIFA’s track record globally clearly indicates they are powerful enough and have the right to intervene in any of its 211 affiliates’ administrative affairs if they are deemed not to be following the FIFA Statutes -- rules and regulations – that they themselves have signed to. Opponents of the FIFA intervention in T&T reason that it was indecently done, given the fact the new executive had only been in place for three months, trying to tackle massive financial problems that were largely inherited. The fact that serious financial problems existed when John-Williams was boss and FIFA did not intervene, begs the question why didn’t they at the time? The answer is fairly obvious. John-Williams has a good relationship with the FIFA President Gianni
Infantino and profited from FIFA’s support and understanding. Days ahead of the November 24, 2019 TTFA elections, Infantino attended the glitzy opening of John-Williams’s biggest project, the “Home of Football” in Couva and he praised DJW as a leader displaying “wisdom and vision” with the project the FIFA President said represented “an investment in the future”.
port for DJW’s team ahead of the TTFA Elections, Infantino defended the Home of Football investment as a building tool for the country’s football. “You need to build, you need to be stable … and that’s exactly what has been done and then the results will come because of the seriousness of the investment. We have now a solid foundation in this so that football can grow and be built and I am sure this will
elected officials even though General Secretary Ramesh Ramdhan had reported to local media then that the mission was favourable and that FIFA were on their side. Leadership of major sporting organisations has long been about politics and power and football presidency at the global and confederation levels perfectly illustrate this. I attended a few Caribbean Football Union (CFU)
Unruffled that T&T were just coming off setting alltime records for longest losing streak, winless streak and run of games without scoring, Infantino downplayed results in a SportsMax interview with George Davis, declaring firmly that when there is a heavy investment in stability with an eye for future development it was wrong to make a “sporting result (loss)” become a “tragedy” or a “catastrophe”. Asserting obvious sup-
happen in the future with John-Williams,” Infantino said. Infantino’s “future with John-Williams” narrative was ruined by DJW’s 26-20 loss to William Wallace’s men at the TTFA polls and I suspect that as far as FIFA is concerned, the wrong men are in charge. A FIFA/CONCACAF audited study of the TTFA’s Finances in February apparently triggered the move to step in and remove the
congress sessions that were open to the media during Jack Warner’s reign and saw the God-like sway he held over his subjects as a FIFA Vice-President and the CONCACAF Chief. With that power, also came freedom to make unobstructed decisions, especially in a FIFA culture fashioned by Joao Havelange that while financially flourishing always had integrity question marks.
Brazilian Havelange, widely considered Warner’s mentor, enjoyed a 24year reign -- before Sepp Blatter took over in 1998 – that boasted exponential football growth while never entertaining opposition. History shows you don’t fight FIFA and win so the odds are heavily against the relegated TTFA executive challenging this move by FIFA. In the meantime, T&T’s football fans deserve more from their national team. Their October 2010 ranking of 106th in a brief sojourn outside FIFA’s top-100 almost 10 years ago, is the only ever weaker ranking position than they have now. Heading for a whole year outside FIFA’s top-100 as they are now, is unheard of in T&T’s glamorous football history. How and when will the turnaround happen? Fenwick did not make it as a manager in his native England, but has had success in T&T, copping Pro League titles with Central FC (twice) and San Juan Jabloteh. He knows the T&T landscape well enough but appears short on the kind of talent that has propelled T&T’s International programme in the past. Normalisation Committee chairman Robert Hadad, Judy Daniel and Nigel Romano along with the yet-to-be-named others on a five-member panel will have a tough job resuscitating T&T’s football, especially in this contentious climate fraught with bitterness and legal dispute.
West Indies tour of England is under a cloud of doubt
Grave hints at hectic schedule if England tour comes off PAGE 22
British racing legend Sir Stirling Moss passes on PAGE 21
Sir Stirling Moss attends the Chopard brunch during the Ennstal Classic 2015 on July 18, 2015 in Groebming, Austria (Photo by Monika Fellner/Getty Images)
SEE PAGE 23
Brathwaite recalls favorite IPL memories
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MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2020