Issuu

MONDAY 23th March, 2020

COVID-19 Guyanese urged to

No. 105948

practise social distancing –– avoid large gatherings

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Joe Singh ‘under the cosh’

–– Ramjattan, letter writers roast former GECOM chair 03 over ‘dogs of war’ comment PAGE

‘Two-faced leadership’

–– Lincoln Lewis blasts disregard of court’s role for political motives

Joining in the national efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central, in collaboration with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), installed a hand sanitization station at the Stabroek Market. In this DPI photo, a Rotary member is demonstrating how to use the station.

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Azeez family receives outpouring of support 16 PAGE

–– as they begin to rebuild burnt ‘butcher shop’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

Guyanese urged to practise social distancing COVID-19

–– avoid large gatherings By Tamica Garnett

THOUGH social distancing is one of the primary measures in preventing the spread of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19), many Guyanese are failing to take heed to this advisory, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Karen Boyle, said on Sunday. Many religious halls of worship have remained opened as well as recreational facilities such as bars, though the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has advised against large gatherings. Social distancing entails persons keeping safe distances between themselves and others. It is a measure that many countries have been demanding so as to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, which has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO). While acknowledging that behaviour change takes time, the DCMO said it cannot be business as usual when the virus is spreading rapidly across the world, and as such persons need to refrain from certain activities. “Some churches are still having regular services; people are still in some instances greeting persons with handshakes and kissing. Greetings need to be as non-contact as possible and it is possible,” Boyle stated. She noted, however, that though slow, some persons are getting the message and are being proactive.

“Some persons are and some aren’t. It’s not uniformed so for instance some people have been asking what they can do and how they can do it; businesses have been asking. The word is getting out there maybe not as fast as we would like it to. But understanding human behaviour, it has a long way to go still,” Boyle said. Notwithstanding the slow pace at which the general public has been taking the advisory, Boyle emphasized that it is still an important part of the prevention process. “It’s very important that people take it seriously, it’s no joke. If we are able to get people to take social distancing seriously we may very well be able to contain the epidemic that has started here in Guyana and prevent local or community transmission which is what we’re aiming for. We are very lucky that so far we’ve been able to find the cases that came in and we’re hoping that there are no more,” Boyle said. Since the outbreak of the virus was first recorded in Wuhan, China in December, 2019, the virus has since spread to 186 countries, infecting over 294,000 persons and being responsible for almost 13,000 deaths, according to WHO statistics, as of Sunday. Thus far Guyana has only reported imported cases of the virus, with no transmission taking place locally. Guyana recorded its first case of the virus on March 10, when a 52 year old woman tested positive after dying at the

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Karen Boyle Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Since then four other persons have tested positive for the virus, but all were related to the initial patient. The four remaining patients have since been quarantined at MoPH facilities, following reports that they were flouting self-quarantine guidelines. The MoPH has since been monitoring several “suspected cases”, which entails persons who would have come into contact with the confirmed cases. Boyle is part of a MoPH team that is travelling across the country carrying out sensitisation campaign to educate stakeholders on guidelines to guard against the virus – social distancing being one of

those measures. “As we speak I’m in Mabaruma [Region One] with a team doing sensitisation with the health officers, the public and different entities all across Region One. We’re teaching them about social distancing, sanitisation and the whole gamut. The response is very good so we’re going to be doing it from region to region and we’ll also have to use mass media and social media platforms,” Boyle said. She added that: “The first step is to get the word out there. For that we’re going to depend a lot more on TV, radio, social media to remind persons. But it will ultimately take everyone being conscientious and looking out for each other.” She noted that several social distancing measures are being advised. “We really have to speak up against the unnecessary gathering, parties, and sport [events]. If you’re going to have wedding reduce it to a smaller gathering, if you’re going to have wakes maybe reduce it, limit it to about 20 people so as to reduce risk of transmission,” Boyle said. She also issued a plea to public transportation operators to be more careful and considerate of the need for precautionary measures. “We’re also advising public transporters to take one less person per row so we don’t have people sitting shoulder to shoulder,” she said. She reminded that helping to curtail the spread of the virus is not only the job of the MoPH but would take a concerted effort of all of the country, including the public and private sector as well as every individual citizen.

Two killed in separate hit-and-run accidents over the weekend –– investigation underway

RANKS of the Guyana Police Force are currently investigating the death of two men who were killed in separate hit-and-run accidents over the weekend. Just around 04:00hrs, on Saturday, a man was killed in a hit-and–run accident on the Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Reports are that persons in the area heard a loud crash and, upon investigation, saw the motionless body of the man lying on the roadway as a 212 motor car fled the scene. According to a police source, when investigators arrived at the scene, the victim was unconscious and bore multiple external injuries.

The man, who was later identified as “Dennis” or “Presy” – a well-known handyman around the South Ruimveldt

area, succumbed to his injuries. The body is presently at Lyken Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examina-

tion. The police are on the hunt for the driver of the vehicle that struck Dennis down. CCTV footage from security cameras in the area is being reviewed. Meanwhile, on Saturday evening, around 20:30hrs, another man was struck down by a speeding car while he was reportedly riding his bicycle along Brickdam, in the vicinity of Orange Walk. The man who passed away has been identified as Vibert Tyrell. According to reports, the driver of the vehicle stopped only to pick up parts of his broken license plate. The vehicle’s registration number is PXX 3934. Police are currently searching for the driver.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

Joe Singh ‘under the cosh’ –– Ramjattan, letter writers roast former GECOM chair over ‘dogs of war’ comment

WHAT the well-known Major General (Retired) Joe Singh had hoped would be an objective open letter to President David Granger on Guyana’s current electoral stalemate has been examined by many as a missive with an underlying grudge held for 9 months and visible hypocrisy. Singh wrote the letter on March 18, 2020 urging the President to call off the “Dogs of War”; to “direct” the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to commence a national recount and all while claiming that he had “forgiven” the President for not selecting him as GECOM Chair in 2019. A flood of responses by way of ‘Letters to the Editor’ have since come in response to Singh, most of which expressed astonishment at his seemingly departure from impartial, non-biased expression. A SIMPLETON’S PERSEPCTIVE To the Editor, Devina Mahadeo, a 35-year-old conservationist, said she had always respected the public writings of Singh but is now “deeply disappointed” in the person he has turned out to be. She said it was the language and tone of Singh’s letter that exposed his intent. Mahadeo ventured as far as to question whether the former GECOM Chair had truly written the letter or simply affixed his signature to it as it went against his known attributes. Singh had stated in one section of his letter to the President: “I have forgiven you for classifying me and other nominees for the Chairmanship of GECOM as not fit and proper persons but I will not forgive you if you fail to do the honorable duty of calling off the Dogs of War, and excise them condignly from wherever they are hatching their moves and counter moves.” In July 2019, Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo submitted the names of the 11 nominees, inclusive of Singh’s, during a new process of selecting a GECOM Chair, after it was found by the Court that the former Chair, Justice (Ret’d) James Patterson, was wrongfully appointed. It led to the appointment of Retired Justice Claudette Singh some nine months ago. In the letter on Guyana’s electoral stalemate and what he presumed should be done, MG Singh had listed several of his senior positions held in the past seemingly bearing a grudge that he was not

Major General (Retired) Joe Singh selected by the President to be GECOM’s Chair. Mahadeo, in her letter to the editor, described Singh’s letter as one which portrays him as a “simpleton” and requested that, if it is that he simply affixed his signature to the written words, he finds the courage to distance himself from it. Mahadeo said she is surprised that any wise person would take the term “fit and proper” – used on several occasions by the President – to heart. “The letter you signed, whether you read it or not, left you bereft of the academic savvy to recognise and appreciate the use of words in context. Let me be clear: no educated and mature individual would carry around such unforgivable anger that burns like acid in his bosom over those words for as long as you have done, according to that obvious mercury campaign letter with some of the campaign messages embedded; a despicable portrayal of you– an expose of treacherous deception,” she said. She also expressed her surprise over Singh’s sarcasm and intolerance surrounding the interim injunction accepted by the High Court to block a planned national recount as if he had no respect of the right of every citizen to have access to the court. The woman stated: “I never heard a word from you when one side of the divide approached the courts. Why do you believe now that Mr. Granger, who is not a dictator, and does not control the minds of his followers or the courts, should somehow silence a Guyanese who has an opinion different from his, yours and mine for that matter?” ‘DOGS OF WAR’ In another Letter to the Editor, Political Commentator, Mark Devonish said that he too was taken aback by the suggestion that President Granger

APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan should call off the ‘Dogs of War’. He said that Singh failed in his letter at an attempt at appearing a-political. Furthermore, Devonish said that the true ‘Dogs of War’ are the PPP leaders, and Opposition parties which followed suit, in their intention to kick in the office door of the current GECOM Chair. Devonish said: “I would assume that since the retired MajorGeneral has not commented on other relevant recent events, that his Internet is a tad slow. As a result, the terrorist incidents inside GECOM have not yet arrived in his inbox. These unsightly terrorist events include staff being verbally and physically assaulted, and the Chairwoman, Justice Claudette Singh’s office door being kicked in. When the unbiased Major-General does receive these images, I would be grateful if he can identify the owner of these vicious Pit Bull-type ‘Dogs of War’ and pen them a severe reprimand in the media. Also, I guess the retired Major-General has not received the images of the terrorist attack at Lusignan, where schoolchildren were attacked and hospitalised with broken bones; police were attacked, and they too hospitalised with broken bones; school buses were attacked; private cars set on fire; cane fields and properties burnt; innocent civilians threatened by a gentleman with a gun; roads blocked with logs, and tyres set ablaze.” He criticized the Major General for being silent on past gruesome acts such as the killing of mostly Afro-Guyanese by the ‘Phantom Squad’ and the assassination of Former Agriculture Minister, Satyadeo Sawh as opposed to his vocalization on current presumed creators of war when the country is being led by a President simply upholding the Constitution. “You see, Joe Singh is yet another ‘victim’ who is struggling

Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira with the ‘psychological trauma’ of being part of a group that the President deemed ‘not fit and proper’,” Devonish concluded. “Sadly, folks like Christopher Ram, Seelall Persaud and Joe Singh are telling us to euthanise our chihuahua-type ‘Dog of War’, while they are secretly feeding blood to their pit bulls.” On the other hand, a citizen Gregory Howe said that one must be reminded that “only the owner(s) of ‘the dogs of war’ can call them off.” He said that Singh, though a distinguished member of society, “faltered badly” in his letter to the President and failed to equally address the Opposition which has played major roles in the country’s arrival at its current state. “Without any shred of evidence, Mr. Singh has determined, by the tone and content of his letter that it is President Granger who is at fault and needs to do the right thing. I am not surprised, but profoundly disappointed,” Howe said in a Letter to the Editor. “The President has neither breached the Constitutional provisions nor broken one jot or tittle of any law in Guyana, in this matter of elections in this country. He has been properly biding his time and space.” He too spoke to the PPP’s and other small opposing party’s invasion of the GECOM Command Center on March 5, 2020 led by Jagdeo which Singh has failed to address and the highly questionable involvement of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) throughout it all. Howe stated: “If the Major General (Retired) takes a careful look at those few events mentioned in this letter, then he would have much more than an idea about the owner(s) of ‘the dogs of war’. Certainly, those ‘dogs’ could not be owned or handled by His Excellency, Pres-

Political Commentator, Mark Devonish ident David Granger.” Meanwhile, Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira stated in a letter that Singh’s motives are now under question as his “camouflage-patriotic language” failed to mask his bruised ego over not being selected as GECOM’s Chair. He pointed out the error in Singh’s boastings that he holds “no brief for any political party” and, by choice, has never voted, noting that this does not speak well to the exercise of one’s democratic right that Guyanese have died for and should not been seen by any as a proper example to follow. Figueira said on many occasions, when Guyanese would have appreciated the input of Singh, he was silent and has found his voice only to urge the President to act unconstitutionally and to create a false sense of the state of affairs. Perhaps educating Singh post-missive, APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan pointed out that the President cannot “direct” GECOM and has no intention of ignoring the role of the court. He said that President Granger will continue to adhere to the rule of law. The President, he said, understands the legal procedures which must take place prior to the hopeful acts of GECOM. “Joe Singh can say – as he has done and we wholly respect that - but he must also respect the law. He has already made up his mind that some faction of the party has hijacked the process from His Excellency. This is outrageous!...this country will be in huge problems whichever party wins. And we must not abdicate any responsibility to ensure these problems are solved. The surest way there is, is being guided by the law and lessons of history,” the APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate said.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE MARCH 22, 2020 GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

Italy reports nearly 800 coronavirus Coronavirus: Germany tightens curbs deaths in largest dailyofrise and bans meetings more than two

(BBC) GermanyThe has death ex- toll sential shops had already (AL JAZEERA) from an outbreak of panded curbs on social in-leapt beenbyshut. coronavirus in Italy has 793 to 4,825, offiteractions contain Shortly afterwards, Mrs cials said, to bytry fartothe largest daily spike in absolute the coronavirus outbreak, Merkel’s office said terms since the contagion emerged a month ago. she banning public gatherings would quarantine herself. The total number of coronavirus cases in Italy rose of more than two people. A doctor who to 53,578 from a previous 47,021, an increase vaccinatof 13.9 In a the televised address, ed her onAgency Friday said against percent, country’s Civil Protection on Chancellor Angela Merkel pneumococcus, a pneumoSaturday. said “ourhas own behaviour” had Italy reported 1,420 nia-causing deaths sincebacteria, Friday. On was the “most effective tested positive for coronaviThursday, it overtook China as the country to register way” deaths of slowing of contagious rus. The chancellor, most fromthe therate highly virus. 65, will infection. be tested regularly in rethe The hardest-hit northern region of Lombardy The measures included next few days and work from mains in a critical situation, with 3,095 deaths and closing hair, beauty and mas- home, her spokesman said. 25,515 cases so far. sage studios. Other non-esGermany, Europe’s larg-

22, 04:00hrs - 05:30hrs Monday,Sunday, MarchMarch 23, 2020 - 04:30hrs - 06:00hrs

ANNOUNCED? est economy, has so far conThe Mediterranean nation of 60 million has been unPeople will not be alfirmed 18,610 cases and 55 der an effective lockdown since March 12, when public lowed to form groups of deaths from Covid-19, the gatherings were banned and most stores shuttered. three or more in public undisease caused by the virus. Police were out in force across the streets of Rome less they live together in WHAT HAS GERMANY on Saturday, checking documents and fining those outside without a valid reason, such as buying groceries. Joggers were asked to run around the block of their houses, parks and beaches were closed, and the government in Rome prepared to extend school and other closures into the summer months.

the same household, or the gathering is work-related. Police will monitor and punish anyone infringing the new rules.

outside their own household to an absolute minimum and to ensure a distance of at least 1.5m (5ft) from another person when in public.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE? Italy, the worst-hit European country, reported 651 news deaths on Sunday, GLOBAL EPICENTRE OF THE VIRUS bringing the total there to But the outbreak keeps gathering pace in the new according to the govThe hardest-hit northern 5,476, region of Lombardy reernment. The figure is and the mains in a critical situation, with 3,095 deaths 25,515 cases [Emanuele Cremaschi/Getty second-worst dailyImages] total but less than that announced on global epicentre of the virus. the previous day. First reported in December in China, it has since The number of confirmed transformed the world, straining healthcare systems, cases in the country - where upending the lives for millions and pummelling global people have been largely stock markets. confined to their homes for The figures released showed deaths still largely two weeks - has risen from Many people went to parks and other public places in Germany on Sunday contained to Italy’s richer north, whose world-class 53,578 to 59,138, the lowhealthcare system is under strain but still not breaking. Restaurants will now est rise in percentage terms It is much better than what is available in the pooronly be allowed to open since the outbreak began. er south, whose regions have registered a few dozen for takeaway service. All Earlier, President Serdeaths each - and which the government in Rome is restrictions apply to every gio Mattarella said he watching closely. German state, and will be hoped the rest of the world The National Health Institute (ISS) said the average in place for at least the next could learn from Italy’s age of coronavirus victims was 78.5, and the average two weeks. troubles. He said citizens age of those infected 63. “The great aim is to gain across the European Union Italy’s figures are being watched closely by othtime in the fight against the needed to feel the bloc was er governments as they try to formulate an urgent virus,” said Mrs Merkel, urg- taking concrete action to response to the rapidly crisis. ing citizens to keep contact unfolding combat the virus.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

Hospitals not equipped with specialised gear to deal with COVID-19 — Healthcare workers

(JAMAICA GLEANER) Frontline healthcare workers in the war against the dreaded coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are expressing paralysing anxiety to deal with the outbreak, as confirmed cases continue to rise in Jamaica. Doctors and nurses stationed at several of the island’s public hospitals and clinics shared with The Sunday Gleaner that the health facilities and staff are not equipped with the specialised gear needed to treat patients afflicted with the highly infectious disease. Up to yesterday, Jamaica had 19 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVIID-19 and was awaiting 10 results. So far, 89 persons have been tested, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, informed the nation on Friday. Even as they applaud the Government’s efforts in the national dialogue, the public health workers say there is significant information deficit at the local level, noting that “there are two different realities – one at the top and one at the bottom”. Several officials have charged that little or no information has been provided to those who are at the forefront of the fight, with no word on the required protective gear, even as they brace for an influx of coronavirus patients on an already overburdened public healthcare system. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) modelling, documents The Sunday Gleaner received showed that the health ministry is projecting that between 50 and 70 per cent of Jamaica’s population of approximately 2.8 million could be infected with COVID-19. The potential number of infected could be between 1.4 million and 1.9 million, with potential fatalities being 66,640 but a less aggregate of 47,600. Senior healthcare representatives told The Sunday Gleaner that the sector will take a “massive hit” because first contact personnel cannot protect themselves. According to them, for far too long hospitals have been hiding under the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shield, telling workers that they have protective gear, but they are not the proper ones designed to adequately safeguard healthcare providers in the face of a dreaded infectious disease such as COVID-19. They said many first responders have not been fitted or issued with the WHO recommended N95 respirators and surgical masks or the hazmat suits, which are critical to dealing with COVID-19 that has now infected some 182 countries, with approximately 266,073 cases and an estimated 11,184 deaths. The novel coronavirus was first detected in China in December last year.

‘GOING TO DIE’ “We have been asking for weeks. Months. When we heard that the coronavirus broke out in China, we kept on asking what are we going to do. Jamaica and China business is almost like the USA and us. So it was just a matter of time before it reached us. But everyone was just hoping it away,” said a senior medical professional with more than 30 years’ experience, who asked not to be named. The Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), they believe, would

be the worst hit, stressing that doctors and nurses there were “going to die”. “Anyone who works in the public hospitals’ accident and emergency units will be in grave danger,” said another. “Everyone should have been fitted with the protective gear from the first of March. Then have them tested for leaks to make sure that in treating the patients, they do not become contaminated.” However, Wentworth Charles, chairman of the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), which represents nine hospitals and more than 90 clinics in Kingston, St Andrew, St Thomas, and St Catherine, told The Sunday Gleaner that, “the region is not short of personal protective equipment. All institutions in SERHA have enough supplies and we have ordered more through the National Health Fund. These include masks, surgical masks, gloves, etc. The hazmat suits have not been issued but are with SERHA.” He added that the “suits must be fitted, then the individuals placed in a room and liquid sprayed for smell test. If there is a smell or any fluid inside the suit, then there is a leak so it has to be discarded.” Charles stressed, “We have to protect the people on whose backs the sector rests.”

FITTING FOR TUESDAY On Friday evening, The Sunday Gleaner was sent a copy of a letter that was dispatched by the Ministry of Health & Wellness, which stated that on Tuesday, March 24, thirty persons were scheduled for mask fit testing. Sixteen of the personnel are from KPH. With more than 200 persons in COVID-19 isolation facilities in SERHA, including hospitals, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, during his Budget presentation last week, warned that, like other countries, Jamaica needs to brace for a surge in cases. “From the data, and looking at the experience of other countries, it is my duty to prepare the minds of the Jamaican people to understand that cases of COVID-19 will increase, and there may be even instances of rapid increase,” he said. The Jamaica Medical Doctors Association (JMDA), which represents junior doctors, also expressed “grave concerns about readiness”. “I don’t think anyone feels ready in the hospitals. Practically, we have grave concerns. But I am reassuring them and making representations at the national and local levels with respect to their concerns,” said President Dr Elon Thompson. On Tuesday, during a virtual town hall meeting hosted by Television Jamaica, Thompson said nurses and medical interns were often “human ventilators”, assisting patients to breathe by squeezing the bag in human breathing motion. That, he said, will hastily become a thing of the past if there was a flood of persons needing respiratory assistance and intensive care from COVID-19, which is a respiratory disease. Dr Thompson said Jamaica’s medical doctors were among the best trained in the hemisphere but could achieve so much more with just a little more.

CRISIS OF ‘UNSEEN DARK PROPORTIONS’ Nurses Association of Jamaica president, Carmen Johnson, said up to Friday they were aware that a team of individuals were fitting medical professionals with protective gear. “They were fitting accident and emergency personnel and the areas that are likely to be the first point of contact with infected persons. Not all persons were fitted because some did not make themselves available for various reasons. In my view, it should have been a mandatory fitting,” she told The Sunday Gleaner. “We have not yet seen the hazmat suits although we know that is what is required. To say we have gotten them, no. None of my nurses up today (Friday).” She also shared that bathrooms that were once discarded in some institutions are now being retrofitted to allow nurses to shower after duties. Nurses are also now dressing for work, at work. They are also encouraged to wear disposable uniforms, including gowns and pants, but some personnel have complained that those are woefully inadequate in the fight against dreaded diseases such as COVID-19. A senior medical doctor at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James said a crisis of “unseen dark proportions” could break out at the hospital. “Because of the situation there with the refurbishing – which is a huge and commendable effort and should be named after the minister when it is done – but that aside, the patients’ beds are so close that you can reach across and touch someone,” said the doctor. “Every doctor and nurse there should be honoured.” Adding their voice to the concerns, one porter said they were “one group in the sector who no one cares about. All I have is a uniform and regular mask.” Sunday Gleaner checks with 14 clinics in Kingston, St Andrew, St Thomas, St Catherine, Manchester and St Elizabeth revealed that medical professionals were in need of the proper protective gear. MILLIONS ALLOCATED In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness has moved to allay fears in the public health sector about the lack of appropriate safeguards to treat COVID-19 patients, by announcing that the Government had secured 400,000 N95 masks and other personal protective equipment for healthcare workers. Holness said that his administration has spent $547 million to procure drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 and that the Government would spend more than $150 million to develop new quarantine facilities to house an additional 150 persons. He added that more than $287 million was being spent to retrofit public hospitals and health facilities to accommodate patients during the peak of the epidemic. And another $198 million is being spent to acquire ventilators for the high-dependency units in various hospitals. The Government has also allocated $25 billion of the 2020-2021 Budget for economic stimulus to aid with the fallout from the public health crisis. The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica has also committed $150 million to the Government, to aid in the COVID-19 fight.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

Threat of sanctions T HE threat of sanctions on Guyana should the 2020 elections throw up a certain outcome is very much in the air. It is being encouraged not just by hardliners in powerful global capitals, but by a vocal cadre of Guyanese with partisan axes to grind. It is a reality that we as a country need to come to grips with. In global power relations, small countries such as Guyana are often at the mercy of the developed world on these matters. This is the way it has been for several decades, and it is not about to be changed. This publication, therefore, does not seek a fight with those countries which have hinted at sanctions. Rather, we join in appealing for less strident rhetoric from both external and internal forces. To begin with, it is our considered view that the threat of sanctions is tantamount to attempting to influence the outcome of an election. This may not be the intention, but this is how it will ultimately be perceived. It is clear for all to see that we are facing a contested election. This is nothing new to Guyana; no election in recent and not-so- recent memory has thrown up results which have been readily accepted by all contestants. We make this observation to suggest that there

may be an over-reaction to the post-election developments. The situation has engaged the attention of the courts, which have done an admirable job of bringing the Rule of Law to bear on the issues before them. It is better to allow the matter to come to its logical conclusion, rather than preempting the outcome with threats of sanctions. In international relations, sanctions are a last resort. Imposing sanctions on another country is akin to a declaration of war. The penalty must fit the alleged crime. We feel that a disputed election should not be a cause for sanctions, or the threat of sanctions. Those who wish to help Guyana in its hour of need should expend their energies towards helping to foster an environment of reconciliation. The threat of sanctions on one competitor in a dispute is unhelpful to such a process. International sanctions on a country like Guyana would have one guaranteed outcome: Hardship for sections of the population that are already vulnerable. Guyana’s economy cannot withstand the shock of sanctions. So those who are advocating such an approach are indirectly and directly supporting an economic war against the poor and working

people. It would represent a direct attack on the human rights of all Guyanese; something that those who cherish humanity should raise their voices against. Those Guyanese who, for narrow political gains, are advocating for sanctions are shortsighted. We stop short of labeling them anti-national, but would have great difficulty recognising them as profiles of courage. You simply do not invite aggression on your country to satisfy partisan ends. All Guyanese of goodwill should take a stance against such forces, and call them out for cherishing short-term political gain over the security their country. We end with a direct appeal to our friends in the Global North. Guyana and Guyanese are survivors of centuries of domination. Hence, we hold up our independence as a reminder of the long struggle to turn back such indignities. We cherish our friendship with those who have been there for us, but we ask for respect for our collective dignity. We have the capacity to overcome our differences; we have shown that in the past. If you must intervene, then do so as agents of caution and reason, not as bearers of messages of force.

The Granger-Jagdeo agreement weakens, rather than strengthens GECOM’s constitutional autonomy Dear Editor,

NIL Nandlall has, with an accustomed degree of pedantry and political rhetoric, yet again demonstrated his cognitive disability of being a learned lawyer and politician at one and the same time, and, as the good Book tells us, “No man can serve two masters at the same time...” Matthew 6. vs. 24).(“ Question of High-Level CARICOM Team usurping constitutional role and functions of GECOM doesn’t arise” SN Thursday, March 19). Whether the CPC chooses to respond or not respond is his right. For me, at this time, in this GRE season of notable personalities with blinkered predatory instincts, in this moment (as never before) for constitutional truth to be told, and damn lies exposed, silence is not an option. And if truth be told, but for CARICOM’s involvement, more, probably the 2020 GRE, would have been completed. Instead, we have a constitutional and political hiatus. Be that as it may, learned counsel Nandlall would have hapless, impressionable readers believe that the Constitution, and more particularly Section 22 of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, #15/2000, has empowered GECOM to ignore and disregard the clear, unambiguous provisions of the Representation of the People Act, Cap 1:03 (ROPA), because of some “unanimous agreement”, and/or Order (if made) as proposed to be made by GECOM. His arguments are rubbish; pure legalistic nonsense. Counsel promoting the political interest of his beleaguered party even as he makes a mockery of well-settled constitutional and statutory principles, writes “…GECOM unanimously agreed to conduct the recount in the presence, and with the collaboration, of the High-Level CARICOM Team… Parliament invested in GECOM a plentitude of ominous powers reflected in Article 162(1) (b) of the

Constitution, and Section 22 of The Election Law(amended) Act 2000…. Parliament clearly intended GECOM to be empowered to make almost any decision, or give any directions or correct any errors or omissions necessary… to ultimately produce a result that reflect the will of the electorate…” Counsel further represents Section 22 as “exceptional provision”, and “these abnormal provisions were clearly intended to be activated in very exigent and extraordinary situations. One can hardly conceive a more suitable of such circumstances than which now prevails.” So, readers, what is the truth? Pausing, I instinctively observe that not even unanimity in the six GECOM Commissioners can cure a nullity; a recount as proposed is ultra vires GECOM. The constitutional and statutory truth is that there is nothing at all “ominous” “exceptional” “abnormal” about the provisions of Article 162 (1) (b) of the Constitution; and/or Section 22 of EL (A) A #15/2000. Article 162 (1) (b) does nothing more, nor less, than encapsulate the plain and obvious autonomous supervisory and or regulatory jurisdiction of GECOM as the apex electoral authority over subordinate actors (eg. POs, ROs, CEO) to ensure, foremost, “compliance with the provisions of this Constitution or of any Act of Parliament…” (I have articulated and adumbrated on this more fully in a previous recent letter under caption “The question of “Total recount” GC Wednesday, March 18; KN Wednesday March 18). In short, and paradoxically, a political MOU between President Granger and the Leader of the Opposition (however politically correct) weakens, rather than strengthens or advances GECOM’s constitutional autonomy. It is commonplace that first impressions can, upon closer, deeper analysis and examination, be found to be fallacious. The fallacy entertained by some about Article 162(1) is that it seems that the Constitution has thereby conferred on GECOM power to make subsidiary legislation thereunder. That is not so. Every draftsman knows

that that is not the orthodoxy of language by which enabling subsidiary legislation power is conferred! Be that as it may, readers, there is indeed an “ominous”, “exceptional”, “abnormal” (to use Nandlall’s epithet) provision in the Constitution. But it is not Article 162 (1) (b); IT IS ARTICLE 162 (2). Materially, it reads thus: “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, if the Election Commission is satisfied… it may, by notice published in the Gazette: (a) POSTPONE the holding of the election to a day specified in the notice; (b) POSTPONE the voting in any area specified in the notice to a day so specified…” Pausing, I instinctively observe that “notice” is (like order) a form of subsidiary legislation. But none of what GECOM was/ is proposing or purporting to do by its recount with CARICOM’s involvement (however nuanced) constitutes such postponement! I mention this to highlight and bring into sharp focus that whereas the Constitution, by Article 162 (2) has expressly conferred LIMITED subsidiary legislation power on GECOM to be invoked to postpone, recount is not postponement under Article 162 (2). Turning to Section 22, it does not yield Mr. Nandlall’s cursory, flippant, perfunctory interpretation or understanding of it. Learned Counsel should be reminded that in this country, there is only ONE PARLIAMENT; that is the Parliament created by the deeply entrenched Article 51 (constituted by the President and National Assembly). Plainly, and obviously, GECOM is not a Parliament; a Parliament can amend, alter, or repeal its own Acts. (The separation of powers doctrine does not permit such an ominous, abnormal thing; and a referendum (not only some mere 2/3 vote in the National Assembly would be TURN TO PAGE 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

Op-Ed Slow

ITHIN the past weeks Guyana and its present leadership have come under attack from various sources. The perplexing question is why so many outside voices without any ‘real evidence’ have opted to take a particular position. Well, besides the fact that Guyana has now become of strategic importance, having recently been dubbed an ‘oil rich’ nation, it is important to realise that this has brought about cohesion between persons and groups that arguably want a piece of the pie and are hell bent on taking it no matter what. They view themselves as the emerging decision-makers. The notion of ‘groupthink’ is associated with the scholar Janis, who argues that the pressure to conform is a personal vulnerability. This he purports is amplified in situations where there is a strong voice within a group: this creates an atmosphere where dissent or opposing views are often stifled, resulting in conformity with the ‘opinion leader.’ Janis defines ‘groupthink’ as ‘a mode of thinking people engage in when they are deeply involved in a cohesive ingroup, when the members striving for unanimity override their motivation to realistically appraise alternative courses of action.’ So how does this relate to the current situation in Guyana and its citizens? It was clear from the time the leader of the opposition picked the presidential candidate for the PPP/C that the pressure to conform was a personal vulnerability of his executive members. The reasons for this vulnerability may vary; however, what is clear is that there is one strong voice within the PPP/C, the ‘opinion leader,’ against whom none of its members is willing to publicly dissent or present an opposing view. This is a demonstration of the cohesive group Janis speaks of. Now this ‘opinion leader’ having successfully utilised ‘groupthink’ within his party then took it a step further. He realised that he now had to create another cohesive group, one that would lend its support to the PPP/C, so that it could actually be declared the winner of the 2020 elections. The next cohesive in-group that had to be cultivated by the leader of the opposition comprised international actors. But, how was he to galvanise this cohesion with persons and groups who were so distant from the everyday goings on in Guyana? Easy, engage Mercury LLC, their services were for sale to anyone. However, that is not completely true, their services were available to clients who had ‘big bucks.’ It is no secret that the Private Sector Commission and many wealthy businesspersons are part of the opposition leader’s cohesive in-group. As the ‘opinion leader,’ the one with the way forward and subsequently the required narrative, it would not have been difficult for him to gain unanimity from this group to come up with the required funds to support his endeavours. They did, and into the ring steps Mercury LLC. Once again cohesion kicked in. The mayhem that has ensued as a result of the engagement

Hand or Bullyism

and meddling of Mercury LLC in Guyana’s 2020 elections has been witnessed by the masses and commented on vigorously by those who really want to see a ‘New Guyana,’ where the majority rather than the minority benefit. The narrative that is incessantly pushed through social media, an alleged trademark of Mercury LLC, alongside the utterances of its cohorts and other so-called ‘independent’ actors, is based upon the ‘opinion leader’s’ false cries of ‘election rigging’, which can be traced back to months before the elections. One may ask, why would these ‘so-called independents’ be part of the opposition leader’s cohesive in-group, well the answer is simple -- money. Social groups have many bases: religion, political, cultural, economic, as well as thematic issues such as climate change and so on. So, the next cohesive in-group is cultivated, ‘the capitalists,’ and as we all are aware capitalism is about the few and not about the majority. Those who invested in the plan, as with any investment, are expecting returns. Hence, the reason why this election is a serious matter, the fight brought about by the ‘opinion leader’ is real. Now during the campaign season, it was clear to see that the President and his coalition partners had reinvigorated its support base; don’t take the author’s word for it, check out the rallies that occurred, revisit social media. The ocean of support kept growing so that by the time the final rally was held in Georgetown, it was like a tsunami. One can only wonder if it was at this point that it dawned on the opinion leader of the PPP/C that they were up against a runaway train. The plan had to take a new direction, election rigging had already been planted in the minds of the members of each cohesive in-group but, to make this play out on the world stage, it could not be left to a mere challenge, chaos had to ensue. This chaos manifested itself in the release of shared fake SOP results by the PPP/C before the election results were finalised and the mob intrusion at the GECOM counting office for Region Four. Plato said ‘an empty vessel makes the loudest sound’ now take a view of the video coverage of the intrusive mob at the GECOM counting office for Region Four as they harassed its personnel. They kept going on about election rigging. The same group that was adamant that the voters list had to remain in place, despite the fact that GECOM had months before embarked on a clean register process through house-tohouse registration. A fair assumption, as outlined in Janis’ groupthink model is that the ‘opinion leader’ is able to exploit his/her position and narrative more, once aware of the structural faults. It would be fair to say that this structural fault was the bloated voters list. Now with all of these glaring nuggets of concern, one would expect independent actors to examine these before deciding, obviously they did not. However, scholarly voices from many of these countries, which these ‘independent’ actors represent, impart that ‘groupthink’ is something to be challenged,

as it drowns alternative perspectives through one-directional thinking. Their behaviour suggests that the scholars are wrong, because they have all subscribed to a notion of wrongdoing by GECOM, the President and his coalition partners. Now turning to the President and what he stands for -- social cohesion and economic equality. Any right-minded individual would commend such a stance and undertaking. However, none of the ‘independent’ actors defended this man’s integrity, someone with whom many of them have met and talked with on numerous occasions. Instead, threats of sanctions and isolation were broadcasted across the globe. Still, this is no surprise to those of us who are conscious that others often view us differently to how we see them, and this has been the downfall of many a nation. The so-called ‘independent’ actors were obviously of a view that only certain alliances were worth making. Furthermore, their actions, premature claims of sanctions and isolation flouts the Vienna Convention’s undertaking ‘of the sovereign equality and independence of all states and of non-interference in the domestic affairs of states.’ The other person in recent decades who took a similar position to the current President was Desmond Hoyte and history shows how that turned out. Cohesion is no doubt a great thing. But, what the violent acts, racist and derogatory verbal assaults that ensued after the elections demonstrate is that cohesion is a state of mind and cannot be achieved through an ideology. What we as humans are blessed with is free will and as a result, only we as individuals can decide to accept each other unconditionally and foster cohesion. However, we should not fool ourselves into thinking that this will and can happen overnight; there is much to do before such cohesion can take root or before the people would be truly ready to accept a Government of National Unity. One such matter that has to be addressed is economic equality, something the President is championing through his education and entrepreneurship initiatives. There will always be a void when there is a great economic divide between citizens of a country, where there are a few that have plenty and significant others who struggle to meet their basic needs. It is no secret who fall into these categories and as demonstrated during this election, money is power, hence the engagement of Mercury LLC and the many unknown investors. As we await the declaration of the election results and the swearing in of a fit and proper President, realise that there is more at stake here than just who will govern the country for the next five years. It is about who will champion economic equality and move the nation closer towards the notion of social cohesion, ‘One people, One nation, One destiny.” Forward Ever, Backwards Never. Shez (LYRIC GROUP)

The Granger-Jagdeo agreement ...

required to effect such a revolutionary change in our constitutional jurisprudence). GECOM is subject to Parliament, save and except as regards that extraordinary power under Article 162(2), given by the supreme law itself. In an ingenious but feeble attempt to lend credibility to his political rhetoric, Nandlall misinterprets, or misrepresents, what is a reference to “subsidiary legislation” as if it is, and intended to be, some reference to principal legislation, i.e. an Act of Parliament, which NRA and ROPA are. Surely, learned Counsel must know the unmistakable difference; the juridical dichotomy between an Act of Parliament on the one hand, and subsidiary legislation on the other hand. They are as different as a male is different, gender-wise, from a child- bearing female! So, here is what Section 22 (on which Mr. Nandlall places so much reliance and emphasis for his specious disagreement with the learned Chief Parliamentary Counsel (CPC)’s advice to GECOM) says: “(1) If any difficulty arises in connection with the application of this Act, the Representation of the People Act, or the National Registration Act or any relevant SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, the Commission shall by order make any provision, including the amendment of the said legislation that appears to the Commission to be necessary or expedient for removing said difficulty, and any such order may modify any of the said legislation in respect of any particular matter or occasion ….” [Subsection (2) is not relevant for present purposes]. En passant, I observe that Section 22 is not, like Article 162 (2), a constitutional provision. Of course, I do not pretend that Section 22 is a model of unambiguity and drafting clarity. But was Parliament (which

is not Supreme, unlike the UK Parliament) intending by a discernable ambiguity in Section 22, the revolutionary (not evolutionary) novel, unprecedented thing of introducing into our constitutional jurisprudence the power of amendment of an Act of Parliament (i.e. principal legislation) namely, the NRA and ROPA, by an “order” which is subsidiary (or delegated) legislation! I say emphatically, unhesitatingly, and unreservedly – NO. That would be to transfer by a side wind, and make a mockery of the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers, for which purpose GECOM comes or falls under the arm/branch of the Executive (not the Legislative (But such intricacies of constitutional law is outside the scope of this letter). What it seems to me that the draftsman is constitutionally permitted to do, and was embracing in Section 22, is the power of modification by Orders, (such being subsidiary legislation) of preexisting orders, rules etc., under the NRA and ROPA, which pose some difficulty in the conduct of the GRE, to GECOM, given the (un) foreseeable exigencies of any situation. It is sheer commonsense that there can be no contemplation of modification of what does not exist. The draftsman of Section 22 must, like most lawyers, have been only too well aware of Section 20 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act Cap 2:01 (an Act expressly “binding on the State”) which, inter alia, provides that NO SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION CAN BE INCONSITENT WITH ANY ACT OF PARLIAMENT. Inconsistency would make the Order “void” (as interpreted in the local case of Bertie Ramjohn v Ramdin (1981-82) GLR 125 per Gonsalves- Sabola JA p 144; and matters of (un)constitutionality of Orders were extensively

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expounded in Hope & AG v New Guyana Company Limited, and another (1979) 26 WIR 233; the learned reader is referred to the instructive and illuminating case of Shrimpton v The Commonwealth, and Another, 69 C.L.R 613 per Dixon. J at p 629 and McTierman, J at p 632). Applying Bertie Ramjohn: The proposed GECOM order (not being the “notice” under Article 162 (2) of the Constitution) cannot be contrary to what is provided for in/by the ROPA (Sections 84, 86 -89, 96, 99) – Espressio unius est exclusion alterius (the expression of anything is the exclusion of others not mentioned). The supreme law must, by its express limitation of GECOM’s power to disregard Acts to only Article 162 (2) situations, be interpreted to have by necessary implication, disallowed, precluded or prohibited GECOM from disregarding, or noncomplying, by any form of subsidiary legislation, with the NRA, and/or ROPA. Particular attention is drawn to the circumstance that whereas the EL (A) A by Section 12 expressly seeks to amend Section 2 and 11 of ROPA, it does not at all purport to amend Sections 84,86-89,99 of the ROPA. This is a most relevant consideration. I end with this: If I have failed to convince you that the CPC is right, and the beleaguered Nandlall is wrong, read a simplified letter by Dr. Mark Devonish (“PPP and their sidekicks are half-stepping on Region Four”- GC Thursday, March 19). Regards, Maxwell E. Edwards

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

ballot boxes, the buffoons Mr. President, stand your ground, The and interfering Beepat for Guyana’s sovereignty’s sake! A P Dear editor,

Dear Editor,

RESIDENT Granger, for the sake of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Constitution for which it stands, do not capitulate to outside interference from the Organisation of American States (OAS) and others along with the PPP in their attempts at undermining the Rule of Law. Stand your ground for fealty to the Constitution and the Rule of Law. The Constitution is clear as it relates to who participates in elections, and what the redress is for disputes. Guyana’s Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, and Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) are the impartial arbiters of dispute AFTER GECOM, the constitutional body duly empowered to conduct and declare the results of the elections. History and the understanding of geo-political forces at work is important for all Guyanese to understand what is at stake when there are external forces who parachute in to put their thumb on the scale in favour of their candidate while seeking to subvert the will of the people. In the United States, it’s codified that presidential elections are held every four years on the second Tuesday in November. On November 7, 2000, a presidential election was held that featured George W. Bush, Republican, and Al Gore, Democrat. That hotly-disputed election was settled more than a month later by the United States Supreme Court in Bush v. Gore on December 13, 2000. As of today, it’s been 19 days since Guyana’s elections. Democracy and elections at times can be messy, but in nations that are governed by laws and not by men, there is orderly legal redress to peacefully settle disputes. I’ve said that to say that even in America, where the Republic is more than 240 years old, I don’t recall the OAS and other outside observers forcing their way into offices to bully election workers to declare the winner of their choosing. Process is important; Rule of Law is important. The PPP and their international cohorts initially, physically and subsequently through the courts, interfered in the completion of the process as set forth by GECOM and Guyana’s election laws. It is a documented fact, for the world to see, that the CIA infiltrated Guyana to foment unrest and racial strife between the PPP and PNC; Blacks and Indians in the 1960s. Those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it. In 2020, it’s no longer necessarily State actors who destabilise countries, but it is paid lobbyist; political consultants and organisations such as the OAS. Look at the countries where there are post-elections disputes; these countries are underdeveloped, and are blessed with natural resources that are exploited by multinational companies, and developed countries interfere under the guise of being impartial referees, often doing so because their interest align with corrupt and compromised leaders such as the PPP in Guyana’s case. With respect to the OAS, in Bolivia in October 2019, they claimed that there were electoral irregularities, and that Presi-

dent Morales must leave. In February 2020, a respected study found that “they greatly misled the media and the public about what happened in Bolivia’s elections.” It is well worth reading and becoming familiar with the article, where the same modus operandi used in Bolivia is now being employed in Guyana. President Morales subsequently left and sought exile in Mexico, where he remains to this day. ( https://www.commondreams.org/ news/2020/02/27/oas-has-lot-answer-new-study-disputes-keyclaim-paved-way-right-wing-coup-bolivia). Former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is credited with saying, “America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interest.” Guyana was labeled a narco-State under Bharrat Jagdeo and the PPP prior to 2015 by the United States and the other ABCE countries. Bharrat Jagdeo has travelled a short distance from being CARICOM’s pariah who presided over ‘Death Squads’ that saw over 400 young black men and the poor disappear, narco-trafficking, money-laundering, corruption, violating constitutional norms by not holding Local Government Elections as well as a litany of other crimes; to now being refashioned into a paragon of decency and democracy by these very same folks. It’s amazing how $34M can rehabilitate one’s image. Guyanese are being played for fools and suckers by Mercury Public Affairs, a company that features prominently in the Muller Report into Russian interference in the United States’ 2016 elections. Bharrat Jagdeo stated that the PPP raised the millions to pay Mercury through fundraisers and donations. You’d have to be a fool to believe that! The “investors”, both foreign and domestic, expect a healthy return on their investment. Guyana is now an oil-rich nation, in addition to being blessed with other natural resources. Follow the money. In conclusion, it is no secret that President Granger has not been well served by many in his government in general, and the communications shop in particular. There’s an absence of a coherent message and strategy, as well as a communication vacuum APNU created that Jagdeo and his handlers have expertly exploited. Every Thursday, the Opposition Leader has a press conference, in addition to the daily free media coverage that he gets, yet there’s nary a peep out of Mr. Granger, utilising the bully pulpit of the presidency. Have a daily message via NCN, print media, and social media that speaks to the process that must be respected by all. Condemn the incendiary language by irresponsible PPP operatives and Members of Parliament that have led to violence, loss of life and property. Those doing so must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. President Granger, above all, stand your ground for Guyana’s sovereignty and the rule of law. Sincerely, Patrick Nicholson

No time for obstructionist politics in light of COVID-19 Dear Editor,

HE coronavirus (COVID-19) is a threat to all Guyanese. It requires, to a large degree, social isolation, avoidance of crowd, and staying indoors to break the transmission of the virus. Countries have shut borders, schools, churches, gyms, restaurants, barber shops, beauty and other businesses have been shut down. People are lining up or standing six feet apart. For instance, I read that New York, as of March 21, is on compulsory shutdown excect for essential services, pharmacy and groceries. I note also that other States and countries have similar or more restrictive policies, where police and other security forces are keeping people off the road. Closer to home, in Jamaica, in the Bull Bay area of St. Andrew where the virus was identified, the area has been quarantined and under police and army guard to control movement, and by extension, the spread of the virus. Jamaica has imposed a restriction, where there will no gathering in any public space of over 20 persons, and minibuses have been asked to carry passengers that meet that amount. Failure to adhere to the restrictions put in place by the Government of Jamaica will amount to a fine of $1M or 12 months in prison. This kind of response requires maturity, and the absence of obstructionist politics. Could anyone imagine if Guyana were to be like the USA or Jamaica, the political fallout that would arise. Notwithstanding this, the Government of Guyana is being called on to ensure and enforce appropriate measures to contain the spread of the virus and protect lives. Unfortunately, political leaders are encouraging their supporters to gather in large crowds, supposedly to guard GECOM’s ballot boxes, which are secured in containers, with each ballot box sealed and locked. Any effort to enter the boxes would require collaboration by all parties to open their own locks. GECOM’s practice allows for a party representative, along with relevant police official to stand guard. At this point in time, given the presence of COVID-19, one expects that better judgement will prevail surrounding this watch with large crowds gathered together. This is not only about using soap and

water to wash your hands or hand sanitizers; it is about the droplets and possible airborne risk. The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with the Government of Guyana must ensure social distancing. Even if some feel the need to watch the containers, they must do so in compliance with Public Health guidelines, so as not to risk spread, endangerment of themselves and the lives of others. Fumigation/disinfecting is another way to control spread. It was noticed when this effort was applied to the Arthur Chung Conference Centre during the period when the a recount was to have taken place, the action attracted a political attack by Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo. He said during a press conference last week that “You don’t fulminate for coronavirus. You can’t fumigate for coronavirus.” This is irresponsible and misleading, because fumigation is a cautionary measure used to contain spread, and is being utlisied worldwide. Mr. Jagdeo has national influence, and his words have weight; they carry consequences. With his party being a major player in this society, he is not unaware of the impact of his words. As such, he is being called on when speaking to this pandemic to let his words be used for the good of Guyana and the health of her citizens. There was an incident last week of some confusion or resentment at efforts to manage social distancing. This was during the hearing of the injunction brought against the recount of the votes. In Justice Franklyn Holder’s courtroom, an advisory was given as to the number of persons that would be allowed in the same space. Apparently, this did not sit well with some, and social media was abuzz, and some whom we least expect saw it as an attempt to destroy press freedom. It is encouraging to know that the Courts have moved to implement the World Health Organisation’s advisory on social distancing. In fighting the spread of COVID-19, all forces should be united as one and pay heed to the advisories, local and international. If ever there was a time to set aside political differences in the last 60 years is now. Regards, Lincoln Lewis

S A kid, I couldn’t help overhearing the ladies of the house discussing the popular ‘Soap’, ‘The Young and the Restless’. I would admit that initially I found the discourse fascinating, as they re-enact each day’s instalment of the never-ending series. Unfortunately or fortunately with time, I became completely switched off, or rather came to my senses, because of a character known as Victor Newman. You see, one day, the chit-chat got really animated, because the “star-boy,” Victor Newman apparently died. The cause of death was unknown, or at least unknown to them, but that did not deter the dames real-life travel of each and every one of the painful 1000 stages of grief. By then, I’d lost interest in the daily palavering, until one day, the damsels appeared to be in significant distress, and in the process came distressingly close to shaking the one-bedroom cottage that housed 20 of us off its foundation. Out of a combination of fear and curiosity, I proceeded with great caution to investigate the cause of this off-theRichter-Scale-level tremor. Shockingly, the celebration was around the once-dead Victor Newman, who apparently rose from the dead, with a dramatic entry via the stage door. This Christlike phenomenon once again stimulated my interest, which was unfortunately short-lived. This God-like character, Victor Newman, apparently had a further two deaths and two resurrections. That was my limit, because, surely, he should not have done better than Christ, who only did the trick once. This elaborate expostulation was the birth of my dislike of ‘soap’ operas; all ‘soap’ operas. I hate them! So today, a good friend called to query of me if I read Freddie Kissoon’s most recent instalment of his gossip columns. I politely reminded him that I treat ‘soap’ operas like the Coronavirus; I stay miles away from them. He reassured me that it is worth the read, providing I do so with a good dose of commonsense. You see, Freddie lost his way sometime in 2018, when he met his new political lover, Charrandass. I don’t know the exact date that this romance started, but what I do know is that it was consummated on December 21, 2018, in the Halls of the dark Parliament. It was at this point that his gossip columns took a turn for the worse, with most of the content surrounding ‘Charran’ and anyone who dislikes him. Top of that list was the APNU-AFC, who ‘Charran’ once considered his employer, until he betrayed them. As a result, the now hated ‘Charran’ sought refuge in the freezing temperatures of Canada, which precipitated the start of Freddie’s public emotional decline.

I thought it was imperative that I provide that preamble to shine some light on my trepidation of venturing into this gossip column. The gossip column of interest was March 21, which is titled, “The Key to understanding why the ballot boxes were removed”. The first infuriation was of basic semantics, which I discovered in the headline that was worded, “ballot boxes were removed.” The fact is the ballot boxes were never removed from where they were positioned. They remained in that position in the “container”. What transpired was that the ballot boxes were moved from the ACCC to the GECOM office. So once I had overcome this bit of linguistic annoyance, which was also repeated in the body of the gossip column, I bravely moved on. The first few paragraphs were very poorly written, and was a foolish attempt at justifying Roy Beepat’s actions of focusing his CCTV cameras on property that does not belong to him. His argument is weaker than the GT&T Internet supply, hence I am confident that I will only need a few lines and minimal brain matter to debunk it. Freddie, how would you respond if I were your neighbour, and proceeded to acquire sophisticated CCTV cameras and focus those cameras on all your bathrooms and the bedrooms of your daughter, your wife and yourself? Get me? Cameras are intrusive, and can provide a record of events that others might not have consented to. In many malls in western countries, especially America, you cannot go randomly making recordings of them, or security will stop you. It is well known that terrorists do video surveillances before they carry out their terrorist act, hence those restrictions. Back to my initial argument, if someone is allowed to do recordings or focus CCTV cameras on your driveway, then soon they will be in your house. Not sure if there are laws that govern this, but commonsense would suggest that it is just not right. Roy Beepat should focus his CCTV cameras on his property, and any reasonable public space, e.g. the road. Extending his CCTV cameras to the ACCC would not be considered reasonable. If he wishes, he could have joined the ballot-box-guarding brigade, but he cannot be making recordings of a property that does not belong to him, especially after he was warned. Then Freddie went into this ridiculous argument that the political parties were not informed that the boxes were being moved. Not sure why they should be informed, since it is highly unlikely that anyone can gain access to a moving container, which has police outriders and a million peering eyes, to tamper with the highly-secured ballot boxes. The fact is that the ballot boxes were being taken to GECOM where they were housed since March 2, with no foolish political party standing guard. Why do the

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

The chips have been placed and the dice read Dear Editor,

UBBED the “Mother of All Elections”, the Monday, March 2, 2020 Guyana election appears to have entered uncharted waters that could never have been imagined by the party actors, their supporters and perhaps even the unsuspecting onlookers. Observable evidence to such comes from the seemingly uncharacteristic and inappropriate responses by some of the aforementioned players, entangled in what can be considered the election’s debacle. The spiraling social media innuendos among party supporters seem to have been ignited by the nature of events that surprisingly unfolded from the storming of GECOM’s Region 4 office due to claims of non-transparency in the tabulations of the votes from this region. It would later come to light that the same process/method was used without objection from the said party in all the other nine administrative regions, inclusive of those where the PPP/C was declared the winner. Amidst the chaos, supporters of both sides claimed to be victors of the elections. In fact, the PPP/C publicly claimed that they were the winners, and circulated purported copies of SOPs supporting their argument, and thus challenged the initial declared results for Region 4. One would ask on what basis does the PPP/C question the legitimacy of GECOM’s declaration for Region 4, especially since the same tabulation method was reported as being used in the other nine administrative regions. Further, after such claims of victory were made, party representatives admitted that of the 879 SOPs for Region 4, they only have approximately 739. Assuming one were to make a conclusion on the alleged 739 SOPs (also assuming these were legitimate), could it be that the FROM 8 The ballot boxes ... PAGE parties need to be informed now? To stand guard over secured locked-away ballot boxes which were lying in the compound for over a week when none of the foolish parties had no interest in them. Freddie then argued that the ballot boxes were being returned to GECOM to be tampered with. This is the usual hogwash emanating from Freddie’s mouth, with not an iota of evidence to support his ridiculous claim. He even went further to argue that the process that will be used to tamper with the ballot boxes is a high-level State secret that he cannot discuss in his gossip columns. Seriously! If they are such high- level State secret, then how the hell he found out? Secondly, if he wished for the Government to be caught red-handed tampering with the ballot boxes, using this sophisticated technique, then I would have thought that he would not have made them aware that he and others are on to their tricks. It was Dr. Sam Sillington, the former adviser to SOCU, who in a Kaieteur News interview, made the point that grand corruption under the PPP is impossible to prove, because the evidence are either locked away, burnt, or missing. The point that Dr. Sillington and now myself are making is that no sensible white-collar criminal would commit a white- collar crime and leave evidence that is easily accessible. Freddie Kissoon has claimed from Day One, without an iota of evidence, that APNU-AFC rigged the election. Those ballot boxes were in the said GECOM compound for over a week before they were transported to the ACCC. If the APNU-AFC had rigged the elections and had access to the ballot boxes for over one week, why would they not complete the job then? Why would they wait until they transport the boxes to the ACCC, where there was more visibility, then try tampering with them, right under the noses of the brigade of political ballot box guards and interfering Roy Beepat? Also, why would they then return the boxes to GECOM compound, when more people would be on the alert to their plans, and then try to tamper with the boxes? If the Government or GECOM wanted to tamper with the boxes, they would have done so from the inception, when it was alleged that they tampered with the spreadsheets and SoPs. Why would they do so now when all eyes are on the boxes? It is either I am missing something, or Freddie is completely foolish. Freddie would honestly believe that the entire Guyana is as cretinous as he. Thankfully, they are not. Thankfully, they know the difference between move and remove. I do sympathise with those students who came under his tutelage. I do believe that the university should do a Commission of Inquiry into what transpired when those students were miseducated, with a view to re-educating them. Guyana is now an oil-producing country, and we need as many intelligent professionals as we can possible have, to develop it. Presently, we have one too many idiots. Regards, Dr. Mark Devonish

140 missing SOPs had the potential to significantly vary the results? In the reconciliation process of SOPs, if there were any variances, it should be that GECOM, being the sole authority on the matter, must be taken as having possession of the legitimate SOPs. As such, it is the party or parties’ copies that should raise questions; not GECOM’s. Perhaps, the PPP/C knew that the results were not to their advantage, and on realising that they were going to lose, they presented claims of rigging without valid evidence. Nonetheless, those of this seemingly disgruntled party were allowed their democratic right to challenge the process through the judiciary. This resulted in, as has been evident for the past five years under the Granger administration, the courts rightfully and without interference being able to exercise its constitutional mandate. The Chief Justice ruled that the declaration of the results of Region 4 was illegal. This resonated well with the PPP/C. Consequently, the Returning Officer (RO) Mr. Mingo, was ordered by the court to complete the process as prescribed by the Constitution. Following this order, the RO completed the process, and made a new declaration, still showing that the APNU+AFC coalition won Region 4, a declaration that the PPP/C refuses to accept. The disintegration of the system and who is to be blamed… The actions by PPP/C and its allies at the Region 4 GECOM Office were a far cry from the peaceful voting process that took place on Election Day. In fact, many individuals expressed their commendations for what they deemed was a peaceful and seemingly smooth voting process. This is despite reports of attempts to disrupt the process in a few locations. Where these actions are found to be true, the existing mechanism that failed to address such on this occasion must be assessed for an appropriate alternative, geared at countering the same for future elections. Nevertheless, these observed attempts of unfair practices may have mainly resided in the hands of some prejudicial electors; as a result, it will be difficult for the powers-that-be to create a direct link to any party, unless credible and conclusive evidence can be produced on same. What is extremely alarming is the attack on GECOM’s Chairwoman and staff, which took place at the Region 4 office. Moreover, the onslaught of vile racist rhetoric, including social media content, have been met with a LOUD DEAFENING SILENCE from many, including the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC). One would recall that prior to the elections, the ERC called on individuals like Kester Deane and Brian Kayume to apologise for actions and utterances it deemed divisive and counter-productive to the valiant efforts being made to foster national unity and harmony. Such assertive action taken by the ERC received praises from sections of society. However, the post- elections period has witnessed many prejudicial and other undesirous statements that have created and fueled animosity among our peoples, and have the potential of creating a hostile environment. Where is the ERC in all of this? By equal measure, the racism spewed in this season should be condemned by the ERC. Perhaps as a result of a few PPP-aligned Commissioners, whose social media posts echo and or condone these same racist rhetoric, the Commission is divided, thus its silence. Clearly, Chairman John Smith, a man of integrity, has eschewed divisive and insidious rhetoric, and endorses national unity, as evidenced by his social-media post. However, collectively, the ERC is yet to condemn the public and obnoxious racist behaviour during and after our general elections by many prominent Guyanese. The ERC, like other sections of society, must not be silent, but should instead do its work. An attempt to address these issues will shore up public confidence and credibility in the ERC, and help bring it back in line with the earlier demonstrated instrument of fostering and promoting ethnic harmony. Despite the PPP/C’s arguments on fight for democracy, they must be held accountable for the role that they have played in escalating the 2020 General and Regional Elections to a seemingly violent and uncertain political climate that now permeates our nation. Why did the PPP/C not “formerly exploit” the existing structures that lay resolute in GECOM before channeling such concerns to the courts? Is it that they have no confidence in the expertise of the Chairperson in Justice Claudette Singh (re’td) and her team? Would it not have been more prudent for the PPP/C to ‘rationally and formally’ utilise the appropriate channels within GECOM to address any disgruntlement? Instead, they chose to storm the office, and in so doing, appeared like thugs.

— Who’s to be blamed?

Nevertheless, the very fact that the PPP/C sought to take their challenge to the court in view of their distasteful invasion tactics at the GECOM office, meant that they made the choice to abide by the decision of the court as final, whether it was to their advantage or not. In keeping with court orders, the first declaration of Region 4 was nullified, much to the delight of the PPP/C. However, the process was redone by court order, and again APNU/AFC was declared the winner of Region 4, to the displeasure of the PPP/C. It would appear, then, as if the latter only abides by the law when it is in their favour. Amazingly, even the supposed intellectual supporters of the PPP/C appear to demand a recount without due course of procedure within Guyana’s legislative framework. This is preposterous; if appropriate legal procedures are not followed, the results can be of no validity. This was evident in Chief Justice Roxanne George’s decision that Region 4’s initial declaration was void and of no effect, thereby instructing the Returning Officer for Region 4 to continue the Region 4 count from where he left off, or to start over the said count within the confines of the legislation, but he retained the right to use the predetermined method as used in other regions. The rule of law is sovereign. This is what His Excellency David Granger keeps emphasizing; that whatever recourse is taken must be within the confines of our laws. This begs the question: Why the shout by the PPP/C for a seemingly immediate recount, without the required legislative procedures? Is this simply a case of ignorance, or another case of inciting tension that could lead to violence? While such postulations may seem unfair and unreasonable for the PPP/C and their supporters to digest, it is imperative to ask ourselves pertinent questions that will help in bringing a greater level of rationality to the fore. The rationale for the adherence to legislative procedure is as clear as day, and as simple as ABC, yet at times commonsense does not always appear common. Surely, CARICOM and the International Observers must have known the significance of the rule of law in a sovereign nation. If not, it is hoped that at the very least, this fact in now acknowledged. This is why their voluntary departure is understandable, yet not surprising. Some of the other international observers’ apparent reluctance or defiance to clearly demonstrate impartiality leaves a lot to be desired. The reported unwelcome, rude invasion and interruption of the GECOM meeting by Canadian Ambassador Ms. Chatterjee is one such example. One is led to ask at which point is a house guest of a sovereign democracy allowed to run one’s home. An invitation to observe is just what the term implies; it is not an invitation to instruct or dictate. In this regard, a greater effort by the international observers to be more impartial was greatly lacking. Guyanese must understand that President Granger does not have the authority to change the applicable law, and where there is a brokered solution, the two major parties will still have to return to the GECOM, only this time through the powers of the courts. Guyana’s Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Charles Fung-a-Fat and GECOM’s Counsel, Excellence Dazzel, have already advised against this treacherous and unlawful pathway, though it was of good intention. Furthermore, to have the CARICOM/ President/Opposition solution gazetted would have infringed on the rights of the electors. Moreover, such an act could set a precedent which could facilitate the usurping of the Rule of Law and the course of justice in the future. What happens over the coming days or weeks will determine how soon our society returns to its more harmonious ways. What would be the result? Would GECOM be allowed to declare the winner as projected by the SOP’s it received in accordance with the established lawful procedures? Would the declaration be made and the President sworn in and allow for an Election Petition to clear the way for a national recount by GECOM that involves CARICOM? Given the account of events, it is surmised that the PPP/C lost the elections and tried to prevent the declaration through various means. The PPP/C’s strategy of using a lobbying firm to meddle in Guyana’s electoral affairs runs counter to our core values, and the resulting quagmire is theirs to own. Indeed, the chips have been placed and the dice have been read! Yours, Carwyn Holland Former Mayor of Linden & President of Guyana Association of Municipalities

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

Separation: Don’t forget the children

IT is a fact that sometimes parents are more content and happier living apart than they are living together; but when parents separate it is a very emotional time for all concerned. Children cannot be sheltered from the traumatic events that unfold during a separation; therefore, parents must do their best to lessen the impact on their young lives. Children have the right to see both of their parents as long as it is safe for them to do so. If parents cannot speak amicably about how the child’s time should be divided between them, then a third party, (who does not have a vested interest) should be allowed to assist in making arrangements that suit both sides. The hostility or bad feelings that may exist between parents must not be visited upon the child or children of the union. Children will always be the innocent victims of a breakup and the younger they are, the harder it is for them to understand and cope with their parents’ separation. This is one reason why parents should

aim to make the transition of their separation as smooth as possible for children. Even if it means getting a neutral person involved to mediate, don’t put the well-being of children at risk just because of adult problems, and don’t use children as pawns in adult affairs. Some adults make children feel guilty after they have spent time with their estranged mother or father. It is not the child’s fault that he has two parents who love and care for his welfare; this is a good thing. Even if it might not be on an equal footing, children need both parents in their lives, whether they have a lot to offer or a little. Maintaining a relationship with a separated parent should be encouraged rather than frowned upon, but it must be a healthy relationship for all concerned. Making sarcastic remarks to the child about being with his estranged parent or asking a host of questions only puts the child in a difficult position, where his loyalty may be divided and he becomes confused about the right things to say or how to react. This is not the way a child

should spend his/her childhood, plagued with emotional debris caused by adults. There is sometimes a new partner that the children will need to get used to, either on the mother or father’s side. Adults may not foresee any problems with introducing their new partner to their children but to a child, it may seem like a betrayal for a parent to bring a new person into the space that was once occupied by a beloved mother/father. Children feel a gamut of emotions at every traumatic event in their lives, but many are unable to put their feelings into words and seldom do parents discuss issues with children that will affect them, neither do they encourage them to voice their opinions and feelings. They commonly accept that children will adapt to any new situation that is forced upon them and that their feelings, given the events taking place in their lives, are irrelevant. But one day children will be adults and EVERYTHING that happens to them shapes their outlook on life. They deserve to be treated accordingly and

spoken to respectfully about the decisions that are being made that will affect them. Parents must keep a good level of communication between them, speaking nicely to one another and not bad-mouthing each other in front of, or within earshot of children. Although emotions can run high amid a separation, self-control must prevail. The child belongs to both parents and if one is called names and criticised by the other, the child who is a product of both parents, will also be affected by the disparagement meted out on the absent parent. It is wrong for any parent to make a permanent decision

for a child based on how that parent might feel at the time. The best interest of the child should be the catalyst for all decision- making, bearing in mind how the child feels today and how the child might feel in the future. Children evolve as they grow and situations and circumstances change. Decisions concerning children should not be written in stone, but should be open to negotiation between two caring adults who have the best interest of their child at heart. If you are separated and you want to see your child strive and grow with as little damage from your separation as possible, then you must learn

to compromise and be flexible; even if and when the other parent is making it difficult, think about the children. If you bear them and their future outcomes in mind, you will do what is right for them in the best way that you can. Always let them know that you care and that you are there for them, do not let children become victims in an adult battlefield. 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.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

In quest of a perfect nation …

Sir Shridath expects adherence to Constitution, Constitutional Reform DISTINGUISHED Guyanese diplomat Sir Shridath Ramphal has said that once the proceedings before the High Court regarding Guyana’s electoral situation are ruled upon in accordance with the Constitution, political

parties in Guyana must be able to move forward, knowing that the Rule of Law crafted decades ago prevailed, and avenues are there for improvement. In a statement on Sunday, Sir Shridath said: “If

events next week are treated with the solemnity and purpose asserted in every Constitution of Guyana since independence, based on commitment to democracy, the rule of law, human rights and in the spirit they proclaim of ‘reconciliation

Distinguished Guyanese Diplomat Sir Shridath Ramphal and cooperation’, our nation has every opportunity to overcome and prosper. When the Court pronounces next week, it is upon what is truly constitutional that it must pronounce. By so doing, it will allow all the parties and the people of Guyana to move forward lawfully, and in fulfilment of their solemn pledge to each other.” Sir Shridath, who had

a hand in writing the Constitutions of Independent Guyana in 1966; the Republic of Guyana in 1970, and the 1980 Constitution, said that in each of them the same declaration rings through, “Guyana shall be a sovereign democratic State.” He said that the 1980 Constitution, which stands today, declares that Guyanese are proud crafters of a system of governance that promotes “concerted effort and broad-based participation in national decision-making in order to develop a viable economy and a harmonious community, based on democratic values, social justice, fundamental human rights, and the rule of law.” The fundamental laws were adopted, amended over time, and inspired by the “collective quest for a perfect nation” which holds true to the characteristics of the said Constitution. Sir Shridath said that in

these words lie the DNA of Runnymede, the French Revolution, the American founding fathers, the genes of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States of America and the Anti-Apartheid struggle in Southern Africa, in which an impoverished Guyana played a noble part. The “collective quest for a perfect nation”, he pointed out, remains the collective goal of the Guyanese people. However, he noted and encouraged the return to the 1998 Herdmanston Accord, which he said called for constitutional reform and outlined the process to achieve it. CARICOM brokered the Herdmanston Accord with the Leaders of Guyana’s two main political parties following the postDecember 15, 1997 election unrest. It included an agreement to complete the reform of the 1980 Constitution.

CNOOC to soon take first crude lift ANY day now, China’s state-controlled oil company CNOOC Ltd is scheduled to load its first million barrels cargo of crude from offshore Guyana. Reuters in an article last week stated that Director of Energy Dr Mark Bynoe confirmed that the New Melody tanker was expected in just a few days. According to Refinitiv Eikon data, the tanker is expected arrive around March 24, 2020. It will load up to 1 million barrels of sweet, light Liza crude for CNOOC when it arrives at the consortium’s Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO). “The very large crude carrier (VLCC), with a capacity of around 2 million bar-

rels, departed Colombia’s Covenas port on Wednesday evening after loading around 1.1 million barrels, the data show,” Reuters stated. ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest. The companies began production in December and have discovered more than 8 billion barrels of recoverable resources, which could transform Guyana’s economy.

The New Melody tanker (Vessel Finder photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

Rotary Club, GWI install hand-washing station at Stabroek Market THE Rotary Club of Georgetown Central partnered with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to install a public hand-washing station at the Stabroek Market Square on Sunday. President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central, Andrew Boyle, said the initiative was implemented to increase awareness of the importance of regular handwashing to reduce the transmission of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID 19). “We have come together to help lower the curve. What we are trying to do is to encourage individuals; whether they are customers or vendors to wash their hands because it helps to lower the spread of Coronavirus,” Boyle told the Department of Public Information (DPI). Community Services’ Director of the Georgetown Rotary

Club, Jeffrey Walcott explained that Stabroek Market was chosen because “it’s a convenient point for hundreds, if not, thousands of persons daily. There are people operating businesses, as well as commuters who are passing through the environment.” Walcott told DPI that the organization, with the help of other stakeholders, intends to install similar handwashing stations across Guyana, with markets being targeted first. “Together, with our partner GWI, we hope to roll out this initiative across the country. Primarily starting with the market areas. First in Georgetown and then moving further along the East Coast and East Bank.” The release said that systems are already in place for the refilling of sanitising detergents when those currently installed

Andrew Boyle, President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central (right) and another member putting the finishing touches on hand-washing stations

Andrew Boyle, President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central

Jeffrey Walcott, Community Services’ Director of the Georgetown Rotary Club

A citizen utilizing the hand-washing station

run low. The handwashing station provides 24-hour service and is located close to the Police Outpost. Club members also distributed bottles of hand sanitizers to vendors and passersby while encouraging them to practise healthy hygiene. The release said that, among the stakeholders highlighted for their contribution towards the installation of the handwashing station, were Chung’s Global, Fix it Electrical and General Contracting, City Printery, MDE Solutions, Tidy Up and Banks DIH Limited. The release said that persons interested in collaborating with the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central in the fight to prevent the spread of COVID-19, are encouraged to contact Jeffery Walcott on telephone number 592-618-5000.

A member of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central distributing bottles of sanitizing liquids to market

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

Two months on…

RUSAL employees maintain blockage across Berbice River

DETERMINED employees of the Russian-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) continue to assiduously preserve their barrier across a section of the Berbice River, and are eagerly awaiting the election results to pave the way for government’s intervention. It is now two months since BCGI, owned by aluminum giant RUSAL, first laid off a batch of employees on January 24 and the employees responded by blocking the river. Since then, the employees have been vigilantly guarding the blockage at Landernsville, to obstruct the company from shipping out materials or equip-

ment from its Kurubuka Mines in Region 10. Notwithstanding their determination to see the situation through, it’s has not been easy for the group maintaining the blockage. “We are sleeping in hammock, on tables and bench by the river corners now two months and change, and yet nothing has been done as yet. We know the situation but things are rough here. You have to leave your family and be away so long it’s very rough,” Leandre Clarke, an employee, told the Guyana Chronicle as he described of the situation. The employees see the blockade as their only leverage

in making the company pay attention to their grievances. In original demands issued through their union, the employees called for the re-hiring of employees; the addressing of compensation for two employees who suffered electric shocks while on duty in December 2019 and increases in wages and salaries. The employees are remaining optimistic in their hopes. “Things ‘lil’ tight but we still have good faith and we’re working together. Is not everybody is here, but the people are here holding down the fort,” Clarke said. Earlier in February the employees had even defended their

blockage against confrontation with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) when police officers had descended on the area. The relentless employees said their protest was peaceful and they did not harm anyone. The police presence was eventually removed. The employees see their situation as all part of their fight to ensure that they stand up for their rights. “We are in good spirits. We have to be like that, we can’t give up. It’s a struggle and a fight, we have to fight for our rights. We cook every day, and we even share our meals with the members of community, because they have been

a part of the fight too,” shared Garfield Brutus, an employee and Branch Vice-President of the employees union, Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU). Brutus appealed to private citizens and businesses to come on board and lend assistance if possible. “We would like some more support from foodstuff and so on. Because we are not working, we would glad if other entities could come on board, meet with us and talk with us in a group. Meet the workers plus members of the community and make our voice be heard a little more,” Brutus said.

Regional Elections by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). “We are anxious for this thing to resolve, but the problem is the political situation right now and so we can’t do nothing until that fix. We’re waiting on the elections because without a new government nothing won’t happen. So we’re at a standstill, just maintaining the blockage at the river,” Brutus explained. RUSAL owns 90 per cent of BCGI, while the other 10 per cent is governmentowned, administered by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited

Workers of the BCGI have blocked a section of the Berbice River in an effort to have their demands met

In February, police clashed with BCGI/RUSAL workers at Ladernsville where workers are blocking the river

After initially laying off 288 employees, BCGI officially terminated 326 employees on February 2 and suspended operations at the mines. The company has since sent a shipment of equipment out of the country, lending to allegations by employees that the company is closing down entirely. Government officials, however, including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, have said that the company gave no official indication of plans to shut down. The government, through the Department of Labour and Ministry of Social Protection, has engaged the executives of RUSAL over the situation with the employees since it began. They have been lobbying the company for rehiring of the employees, while the Labour Department has been investigating benefit payments made to the employees who were terminated. Efforts made to contact Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle for an update on that situation proved futile. The situation however has somewhat been impeded as Guyana is currently awaiting declarations of the results for the March 2 General and

(NICIL). Head of NICIL Colvin Heath-London, recently shared that NICIL had initiated engagement with RUSAL over dividends owed, if any. Heath-London said that to the best of his knowledge no dividends has been handed over to the government during RUSAL’s time here. On Sunday, Heath-London told the Guyana Chronicle that meetings with RUSAL have been placed on hold, pending the installation of a new government. Being a shareholder in BCGI, NICIL last month took the initiative to pay the fired employees their February salaries as the dividends negotiations continued. BCGI was established in 2004; however, RUSAL took it over in 2006 after acquiring the assets of Aroaima Mining Company from the government. Relations between the company and its employees have been strained since 2009, when the company terminated over 50 employees and refused to recognise the union. Efforts made to contact GBGWU General-Secretary Lincoln Lewis for a comment, were unsuccessful.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

Bulkan urges Guyanese to practise good water management

–– as Guyana observes World Water Day

AS Guyana joined the rest of the world in observing World Water Day, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, challenged Guyanese to be responsible in their use of water. Designated by the United Nations (UN), World Water Day is intended to highlight the importance of water. This year’s theme – Nature and Climate Change – explores how water and climate change are inextricably linked. “As Guyana, like many other countries, grapple with the COVID-19 global pandemic outbreak, the importance of water is further highlighted in ensuring proper hygienic practices and sanitisation. Therefore, the challenges related to water resources management must be addressed to ensure countrywide access, adequacy and sustainability,” Bulkan said in a statement. Here in Guyana, he said the Government has been placing major emphasis on the implementation of appropriate regulatory framework to preserve water – one of the country’s most precious resources. It has been working to improve citizen’s knowledge on water management through capacity building. “As a country, we must recognise that water is our most precious natural resource. We must balance all of society’s water needs while ensuring that at-risk groups such as women, our indigenous peoples, differently-abled persons (DAPs) and youths are not marginalised,” Bulkan conveyed. The global demand for water has been increasing at a rate of about 1 percent per year and it is predicted to grow significantly over the next two decades. Simultaneously, the global water cycle is intensifying owing to climate change, with wet regions general-

ly becoming wetter and drier regions becoming even drier. “It is significant to note that, with the impact of climate change and owing to the increasing economic growth of our country, urban expansions, coupled with other socio-economic developments, the demand for water for domestic, industrial, recreational, agricultural and environmental requirements is expected to increase exponentially,” Bulkan said. Bulkan further said that, in Guyana, several measures were currently being undertaken to both improve the water supplied and to extend the coverage across the country. In 2019, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) drilled 28 wells, introduced over 24,000 first time services to potable water, which now sees 97 percent of the coastland population and 85 percent hinterland population having access to water in their homes. Over 75 percent of Guyanese receiving potable water now receive 24 hours supply. Through funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), consultancies are currently preparing designs and estimates for the upgrade of water supply infrastructure in Mabaruma, Walton Hall to Charity, Wakenaam, Leguan Island, Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, Tain to No. 50 Village and Mahdia. A feasibility study was also ongoing to determine the possibility of utilising water from the Hope Canal for domestic supply, while a national water and sanitation policy and associated strategic plans were also being prepared. “This technical cooperation highlights the vital and necessary developments needed in a rapidly developing country such as ours,” Bulkan said.

GWI has embarked on procuring drilling rigs and ancillaries to conduct in-house drilling and maintenance of wells in the coastal, riverine and drought- prone communities across Guyana.

The company has commenced geo-electric logging in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region to locate potential sources of groundwater, while training is also ongoing.

A new Groundwater and Wells Services Unit has been established within the organisation, which will focus specifically on the sustainable abstraction of groundwater.

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

Azeez family receives outpouring of support

— as they begin to rebuild burnt ‘butcher shop’

MORAL and material support have been pouring in for the Azeez family who lost their ‘butchershop’ at Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice last Friday due to alleged arson. It is believed that the arsonists were politically motivated. Sunday morning, volunteers showed up at the site

and started to help clear the debris. Director of Sport and the leader of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Campaign Manager for Region Five, Christopher Jones, was among those assisting in removing the debris and soliciting materials for the

butcher shop to be rebuilt. “The Azeez family members are members of the People’s National Congress and supporters of the APNU+AFC coalition. The coalition is committed to giving them the fullest possible moral and financial support to ensure that they get back their businessplace and get back into business

Christopher Jones in discussion with Jamal Azeez, husband of Latchmin Azeez, at the reconstruction site on Sunday morning

Removing the debris from the burnt-out area

Public-spirited citizens helping the Azeez family remove the burnt materials

as quickly as possible. We want to show that love will always conquer evil,” Jones told this newspaper. Jones confirmed that aside from support from the coalition, there has been an outpouring of support from like-minded Guyanese, both locally and abroad. “Those overseas have sent money for the family through Western Union and others locally have sent cash and kind-- kind in terms of materials such as cement, sand and stone for the reconstruction,” he explained. According to Jones, the family is open to additional support. Interested persons can contact him or former Member of Parliament Jennifer Wade, who resides in Region Five. He said that the AP-

NU+AFC coalition is hoping to rebuild the butcher shop within a period of two weeks. The coalition, he said, is also aware that the Azeez family does not own the land on which the butcher shop was originally built, and had applied formally for ownership some years ago. According to him, the coalition would assist them as much as possible in their quest for legal ownership of the small plot of land. Meanwhile, Jamal Azeez, husband of Latchmin Azeez, Sunday morning expressed complete satisfaction with the support received. “This APNU+AFC support people in each and every corner of this country. I love this APNU+AFC government,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

‘Two-faced leadership’ –– Lincoln Lewis blasts disregard of court’s role for political motives

THOSE who profess to be leaders and the defenders of democracy, uprightness and decency, but are guided by these standards only when it meets their personal motives are pretentious and the opposite of what they proclaim to defend. This is the strong opinion of trade unionist Lincoln Lewis who penned the same in his weekly column in the Kaieteur News on Sunday with the title: ‘I feel I have all right to be angry. Listen to my story.’ Lewis’ words ripped into leaders who have been verbally fighting against the interim injunction filed and granted by the High Court blocking the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) from facilitating the national recount of all the votes cast at the March 2 General and Regional Elections. Lewis said he was angry and had every right to feel so as those now criticising a citizen for utilising the very existence of the court sang a different tune when the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) secured three injunctions in the court to block the release and declaration of the results for the elections. Lewis said that it is understandable that one would be angry when some in the Guyanese society “operate in ways to suggest that they are the guardians of right and wrong” with one hand, but “blatantly violate those basic tenets” with the other hand under the pretence of uprightness. “Anger is an appropriate emotion when one observes that those who set themselves up as morally right, as victims, themselves are amongst the worst who seek to deny others their right. Our recent example is a case in point, where one group exercises their right to file an injunction to stop GECOM from declaring results until a recount was done, yet they turned around and sought to denigrate a sister for similarly filing an injunction to stop an act that she believes was wrong. The body fabric of our society has become so tattered,” he lamented. Equally terrible, he said, “are the silent and condoning acts of persons looked up to in society as others disregard for the role of the court and take on an attitude

cord,” he advised. “Sometimes I get angry when the lines become blurred or good men act in a manner that will divide rather than weld the nation. This Guyanese man has a right to anger over the indiscretion of those who conveniently cast aside time-honoured principles, laws and rights in furtherance of an agenda. The only thing that has kept

Trade Unionist Lincoln Lewis of overstepping on the basis of “getting it over and done with.” The trade unionist observed that leaders have gone as far as to challenge and demand that President David Granger overstepped his constitutional powers by ordering the elections commission on the actions it should take. Lewis stated: “Why shouldn’t I be angry when a President is on record, repeatedly committed to non-interference into GECOM, to respect its constitutional independence, the Laws of Guyana, and the rulings of the court guiding its function, yet he is being called upon by some to disregard these and deliver to the nation a recount in the absence of the court having pronounced.” He noted that such efforts have been realised by both “internal and external forces” ulterior motives than what they profess as “uprightness and decency.” He also said that such actions have led to manipulation of the wider public with the stirring up of animosities and ethnic differences. Whether the fact was already clear or not, Lewis reminded that each branch of government – Executive, Legislative and Judiciary – has a function and undermining of the court’s function will harbour nothing but undemocratic societies. He made it clear that despite whatever agreement brokered by President David Granger, Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo and CARICOM, the lines of right and wrong with regard to the law must not be blurred. What we ought to be wary of is leadership devoid of substance and opinion used to sow seeds of dis-

this nation, in spite of periodic tension and conflict, as a unitary body and will guarantee our individual and collective peace, safety and harmony is adherence to the law,” Lewis said. Today, the attorneys in the matter currently before the court will put forward arguments on whether or not applications in question should be heard simultane-

ously. These applications are the ones filed by Bharrat Jagdeo and Reeaz Holladar, Attorney Anil Nandlall’s personal driver, seeking to set aside the second declaration made by the Region Four Returning Officer on March 13 and the application filed by Ulita Grace Moore barring GECOM from doing the national

recount. Holladar had asked the High Court to invalidate the March 5 declaration by the Region Four Returning Officer. Jagdeo, through his lawyers, will be required to submit an affidavit in defence by today, while Moore’s attorneys have until Wednesday, March 25, to submit their replies.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, March 23, 2020

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 23, 2020

Premier league targeting June restart

Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool Football Club is Presented with the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month for January at Melwood Training Ground on February 14, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Barrington Coombs/Getty Images for Premier League)

(Reuters) - The English Premier League is tentatively targeting a resumption on June 1 with a view to completing the season over six weeks before making an August start to the 2020-21 campaign, the Sunday Telegraph reported on Sunday. The report said the sketchy plan was a “bestcase scenario” aimed at mitigating the heavy losses clubs are sustaining as they continue to pay wages while football remains shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. On March 13, all elite level soccer matches in England, including the Premier League, were suspended until April 4

with that stoppage subsequently extended until April 30. The postponement of the Euro 2020 championship for a year, however, has cleared space in the calendar for domestic competitions to finish if the public health situation allows. Player contracts, some of which end in June, could be an issue although world governing body FIFA has said it is looking into possible ‘dispensations’. Under the plan being considered, the Telegraph said, the Premier League and FA Cup competitions would be resumed with matches played behind closed doors.

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The 2020-21 campaign would get underway after a short break on Aug. 8, the report said, allowing the league to fulfil its commitments in the second season of three-year broadcast deals worth 9.2 billion pounds ($10.73 billion).

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 23, 2020

Azerbaijan GP set to be cancelled Valtteri Bottas, driving the (77) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10, leads Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W10 and the rest of the field at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan at Baku City Circuit on April 28, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

(BBC) - Formula One’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix in June looks set to become the latest casualty of a season that has yet to get started due to the coronavirus outbreak. The race in Baku was originally scheduled for June 7 as the eighth round of the championship but all the earlier races, including the showcase Monaco Grand Prix, have been cancelled

or called off. There was no immediate comment from race organisers but sources indicated it would be postponed. The motorsport.com website said an official statement was expected on Monday. Preparation of the street circuit, which requires extensive safety fencing and barriers as well as the sealing of drain cov-

ers and asphalting, would have to start soon. The next race scheduled after Azerbaijan is the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on June 14, with France following on June 28 but both races must also be considered uncertain as the virus spreads globally. France currently has stringent restrictions on people’s movements while Canada has closed

its borders to all but essential travel. Formula One has cancelled its usual August shutdown, bringing it forward and extending it to three weeks in March and April in the hope of rescheduling races from earlier in the season. Postponement of the race would leave Baku without a major sporting event this year. The city had been due to host four

games including a quarter-final of the Euro 2020 soccer championship but that has now been postponed to next year. The street circuit has long, fast straights and a twisting stretch around the old town, with some 18,000 grandstand seats plus another 2,000 hospitality and VIP. A further 10-15,000 general admission tickets are sold.

Sinclair credits Coach, senior players for priceless advice during first 4-Day season By Clifton Ross Newbie Guyana Jaguars all-rounder, Kevin Sinclair, said he will continue to work diligently on his cricket following a positive start to his senior 4-Day career which he credits his peers for helping with, adding that he’s eager to unlock T20 aspect of his game. The dynamic 20-year-old told Chronicle Sports on Saturday that his journey has so far been a career-shaping/learning experience. Sinclair, who bagged 4-20 and scored an important 28 in the finals of the 2019/20 Regional Super50,

was a key member of the West Indies Emerging Players (WIEP) squad who shot to superstardom by winning their maiden title in the first year of being a legitimate team. Following his shining moment, the right-handed batsman earned his senior 4-Day call up, playing 6 of the 8 rounds played to date. His off-break spin yielded 12 wickets. While his batting had not fully shown out, he still managed to put together a few decent scores which took his tally to 130 after 8 rounds; with the top knock being 43. Speaking of his transition from a makeshift team which won a championship to his senior selection to

the Jaguars 4-Day team who are currently number 2 on the points table, Sinclair credited his much seasoned teammates and coach for helping in the process of perfecting his craft. “I’ve learnt a lot from the senior players, it may look on the other side during my performances but in that format (4-DAY), but I’m getting positive feedbacks on what I should do to improve and dominate; mostly from coach Esuan Crandon in the batting department”. While his batting can only improve as he plays more competitive senior cricket, Sinclair credited a bevy of former Guyana and even a Windies spinner for the advice in

enhancing his skills with the ball. “Coach Garvin Nedd, Sean Devers and Clyde Butts pep talk me about my bowling in this longer format. Now more work is needed to be done, it’s a next level I’m at, so I can’t put in the same amount of work that I was doing before”. Sinclair highlighted. While Cricket West Indies (CWI) have suspended their activities due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak, the all-rounder said he is still fixed on finishing the 4-Day season on a high whenever it resumes, but is excited over his emerging team selection in this year’s Hero CPL.

This year’s competition will bring forth new chances for Sinclair to now open up his T20 horizon, having played senior 50-Over cricket as well as 4-Day within the past few months. Sinclair closed the interview by saying how much the opportunity means now that it is here for him. “It’s a good feeling, like I said, the hard work on my all-round game and fitness is paying off. I always wanted to feature in the CPL, to showcase my talent because it will make me a better player learning from the internationals and, more so, the local T20 stars”, he ended.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 23, 2020

Indonesia turns “Athlete’s Village” into emergency Hospital

An Indonesian worker cleans an outdoor area of the athlete village in Kemayoran district, (ADEK BERRY/AFP via Getty Images)

(Reuters) - Indonesia has turned its “Athlete’s Village”, built for the 2018 Asian Games, into an emergency hospital with a capacity to hold more than 4,000 patients, authorities said on Sunday, as coronavirus cases and deaths in the country rose. Four out of 10 towers in the Athlete’s Village, located in the country’s capital city, have been converted into a medical facility that would house more than 7,000 people, including a coronavirus task force, medical staff and up to

4,208 patients. “The ministry of state-owned enterprises will provide supplies for the emergency hospital to handle COVID-19, be it healthcare equipment, medicine, personal protection gear and masks,” the minister of state-owned enterprises, Erick Thohir, said in a statement. On Saturday, Indonesia confirmed 81 new cases and 6 more deaths due to the virus, bringing the total number of cases to 450 and deaths to 38. Indonesia has the highest coronavirus death

toll in Southeast Asia. The governor of Jakarta declared a state of emergency in the Indonesian capital for the next two weeks over the outbreak. Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country, has faced criticism from medical workers for a slow start to testing in an archipelago that stretches wider than the continental United States. Depending on how the coronavirus spreads in Indonesia, authorities can convert more towers

in the Athlete’s Village into medical facilities, officials said. “If all 10 towers are used, then 20,000 patients can be accommodated,” a ministry of public works and housing spokesman told Reuters. The ratio of the number of dead to the number of recorded cases in Indonesia at 8.7% is among the highest in the world – even higher than 8.3% in Italy. Medical experts say it is a likely indicator that many cases have gone undetected.

Pollard not feeling any pressure from captaincy CMC – White-ball captain, Kieron Pollard, says he is not feeling any pressure from his West Indies’ inconsistent form, and was focused on trying to develop the side into a world class one. In fact, the experienced all-rounder stressed his main priority was helping players to develop and showcase their skills, and leaving pundits to judge the results of his rebuilding efforts. “Me personally, I’m just taking it in stride,” Pollard told i95FM here. “Obviously, I’m trying to do things to help others and give others

opportunity in different scenarios and give guys the opportunity to play. As an individual, one of the things I said when I was accepting the job was that I’m just here to try to help and to guide. “I try to do my best in terms of performing personally as well. It (captaincy) has its trials, it has its tribulations, it has its good times and it has its bad times, but I’m one who embraces all challenges.” Pollard has overseen mixed results ever since taking over from fast-bowling all-rounder, Jason Holder, last September, in a shakeup in the management of the region-

al side. They have won five of 11 Twenty20 Internationals while winning just one of four series – a 2-0 clean sweep away to Sri Lanka earlier this month. In One-Day Internationals, West Indies have won seven of their last 12 outings, capturing two of four series. Those series wins came over minnows Afghanistan and Ireland. While acknowledging there had been criticism, Pollard said his efforts had been concentrated on bettering the side’s performances. “I’m enjoying it but it’s about

trying to do the best I can and hopefully get us to a place where we are a force to be reckoned with in some parts of international cricket again,” he pointed out. “It’s going to take time, I’m not worried. My capacity as captain is trying and at the end of the day we will see what the results [are]. The results will take place and the judges will be able to judge and those in authority will be able to do what they have to do.” Pollard’s form has also come under the microscope. He has averaged 29.5 in ODIs with a single half-century while averaging 36 and

taking 12 wickets in T20 Internationals, also with one half-century. However, the 32-year-old believes his form had improved during his captaincy. “Getting the chance to go around the world as a professional has helped me greatly and immensely and if you look even at T20 cricket, runs have been coming more consistently,” he pointed out. “I’m working on my game personally and again, when you’re a batsman in a team and you’re not the captain, you’re a batsman first and then the captaincy comes after.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday March 23, 2020

Jaguars continue individual training ahead of PCL restart

CMC – Five-time reigning champions, Guyana Jaguars, are preparing for any possible restart of the Regional Four-Day Championship, despite the disruption caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus in the Caribbean. Cricket West Indies, last week, suspended all its domestic competitions for 30 days, including the final two rounds of the first class championship, to help curb the spread of the virus. “Obviously, we can’t train as a group due to the seriousness of the coronavirus that has been going around,” long-serving skipper Leon Johnson said. “But our trainer, Neil Barry, has set out programmes for us to work at home…. work we can do to keep ourselves in some kind of physical shape. “Players are smart now

and well educated about the do’s and the don’ts, both physically and nutritionally.” He added: “They have been keeping themselves in some kind of fitness so that in case the season restarts in about six weeks’ time, the players will be in some level of fitness.” After winning every first title since the introduction of the professional era, Jaguars have endured a difficult campaign and are currently tied in third with Jamaica Scorpions on 91.8 points. For the first time in several seasons, they have already lost three matches and are adrift of leaders Barbados Pride by 43 points, with only another 48 points available when the season restarts. However, Jaguars are only narrowly behind second placed Trinidad and Tobago

Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson.

Red Force (94.6) and Johnson believes while a sixth title was out of the question, they could still do enough to take the runners-up spot.

Four weeks to decide Olympics 2020 fate (BBC) - The International Olympic Committee is considering a postponement of Tokyo 2020, and has given itself a deadline of four weeks to make a decision. The IOC’s executive board met on Sunday amid mounting pressure from athletes and national Olympic committees for the Games to be delayed. Cancellation is “not on the agenda”, said the IOC, but a ‘scaled-down’ Games will be considered. However, postponement is thought to be the most likely outcome. The Games are under threat because of the coronavirus pandemic currently affecting large parts of the planet. British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman Sir Hugh Robertson said: “We welcome the IOC executive board decision to review the options in respect of a postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. “However, we urge rapid decision-making for the sake of athletes who still face significant uncertainty. “Restrictions now in place have removed the ability of athletes to compete on a level playing field and it simply does not seem appropriate to continue on the present course towards the Olympic Games in the current environment.” The International Paralympic Committee said it “fully supports” the decision to “investigate potential scenarios”. Dame Katherine Grainger, chair of UK

Sport, said the news was “inevitable” and it was “the correct decision for the safety of athletes, staff and fans”. On Tuesday the BOA, the British Paralympic Association and UK Sport will host a conference call with the chief executives and performance directors of summer Olympic and Paralympic sports. Athlete representative bodies will also be invited to join the call, which will primarily be used to discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in the UK, such as the closure of elite training facilities. The IOC added: “There is a dramatic increase in cases and new outbreaks of Covid-19 in different countries on different continents. This led the executive board to the conclusion that the IOC needs to take the next step in its scenario-planning. “The IOC executive board emphasised that a cancellation of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 would not solve any of the problems or help anybody.” In a letter to athletes published on Sunday, IOC president Thomas Bach said that “we are in a dilemma” and “a final decision about the date of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 now would still be premature”. He added that to postpone the Games “is an extremely complex challenge” and a cancellation would “destroy the Olympic dream of 11,000 athletes”. UK Athletics, its US counterpart, and several national Olympic governing bodies have urged the IOC in recent days to delay the Games.

“Winning the title would be very difficult … almost impossible … but I think depending on what our franchise would like to achieve

at the end of the tournament, I still feel we should always put your best team on the park. Finishing second is also important to the franchise,”

explained the seasoned lefthander. “I don’t think we were constantly good enough this season thus far. In previous seasons, we were very consistent in doing good things for long periods. I don’t think that happened for us this season. “Our fielding has not been what it used to be … it hasn’t been great. I think in those tight situations … we had a close game against Jamaica. A couple of games could have gone differently had we held our catches; also in Grenada, we let a couple go there.” He added: “We don’t have the fast bowling points to show but I think that goes back sometimes to not taking the chances off the fast bowlers. Had we taken them it would have been a different game and the tables would have been looking very different now.”

Four weeks to decide Olympics 2020 fate PAGE 23 The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are due to start on 24 July

Pollard not feeling any pressure from captaincy

West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard.

PAGE 21

Sinclair credits Coach, senior players for priceless advice during first 4-Day season 21 PAGE

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MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020