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2TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM NEWS Appeal Court throws out SARA appeal against GBTI
The Guyana Fire Service has concluded that the fire which destroyed a Lamaha Gardens, Georgetown home was electrical in nature.
This was confirmed by Fire Chief Marlon Gentle, who stated that based on the findings of the Guyana Fire Service’s investigations, the fire started as a result of an electrical issue.
It was reported that the fire started at about 10:00h at the Lot 178 Durbana Square, Lamaha Gardens, Georgetown house.
Within a short period, the flames had ruined the interior of the house, causing extensive damages. The flooring of the structure also collapsed, thus causing damage to the lower flat of the house. At the time of the fire, only the housekeeper was at home. She was alerted by an explosive sound and upon checking, she realised that the house was on fire.
It was reported that three fire tenders were deployed to the scene but due to the availability of a fire hydrant and water sources close by, the firefighters were able to douse the inferno and contain the blaze to one location.
The house is said to belong to Noel Shewjattan, who also operates Auto Fashion, Campbellville, Georgetown, and was out of town at the time of the fire. Fire that destroyed Lamaha Gardens house was electrical in origin – Fire Chief The aftermath of the blaze T he State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) has suffered another loss at the hands of the court, with the Appeal Court dismissing its appeal against the throwing out of its case for recovering money from the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI). During a session at the Appeal Court on Monday, it is understood that the court dismissed SARA’s appeal against the local financial institution. Moreover, GBTI was also awarded the sum of $4.9 million in costs.
SARA had been seeking $274.1 million, plus interest, from the bank. The claim had to do with the acquisition of land at the Kingston Seawall, where GBTI built one of its branches. SARA alleged that when the bank bid for and acquired the right to purchase this land, it was the fourth-highest of 14 bids. SARA had claimed that GBTI’s purchase price of $224 million is less than the most recent valuation of the property at the time.
However, the High Court had ruled in favour of the bank in November on the grounds that SARA did not present a well-grounded cause of action together with the fact that the Agency was not the properly constituted legal entity to bring the case.
The court ruled that since the case was not brought by a Managing Director or Deputy Director, as set out in the State Assets Recovery Act 2017 that formed SARA, the proceedings filed in the statement of claims were rendered void.
According to the court, such claims can only be brought by either of the aforementioned people. In an interview with this publication, one of GBTI’s lawyers had explained at the time that since the process to appoint the SARA Director was flawed, its locus standi was also flawed.
SARA was created when the State Assets Recovery Act was passed in the National Assembly in 2017. It is mandated to recover unlawfully acquired State assets through civil procedures. However, the parliamentary Opposition has also maintained that the cases it did pursue were aimed at harassing political opponents. Both SARA and the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), which have both been hit by these accusations, have failed to successfully prosecute any case. In fact, GBTI featured prominently in one of several such cases to be thrown out by the court.
Back in March of last year, contempt of court charges brought by SOCU against eight top executives of GBTI were thrown out by the Magistrates’ Courts. The matter stemmed from the matter in October 2017, when SOCU charged the bank’s Directors with contempt based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The contempt proceedings stemmed from the bank’s alleged failure to comply with a production order made by acting Chief Justice Roxane George on August 29, 2017.
The bank had contended in its application for the variation of the order granted by Justice George that countless efforts were made to gather all the documents requested but it was discovered that some were either destroyed or could not be found.
The documents were pertinent to the US$500 million Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) probe that was being conducted by SOCU. The GRDB case has also since been thrown out by the local courts.
GBTI was represented by Luckhoo & Luckhoo Law Firm. – ordered to pay millions in costs The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry
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3TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM NEWS GECOM desperately trying to sabotage Caricom recount agreement – Jagdeo
– party agents threatened with arrest – MoU for Caricom to overlook recount drafted
The recount of all the votes cast that was supposed to start on Monday has been delayed, first by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) insisting that an agreement be signed for the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to supervise the process, then by the Ministry of Public Health showing up to fumigate the location for “ants.” Party agents refused to leave the location for the recount, the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC), since they were keeping watch on the containers containing ballot boxes. This led to them being threatened with arrest by Riot Police who were called to the scene.
At an emergency press conference on Monday night, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo slammed the attempts being made to frustrate the agreement he along with President David Granger reached with Caricom.
Jagdeo made it clear that as leaders with authority, both Granger and GECOM Chair Claudette Singh could have intervened to stop their underlings from causing confusion. Thus, he noted that Granger and Singh are ultimately responsible.
According to Jagdeo, GECOM Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers arrived at the Centre and informed GECOM Commissioner Robeson Benn that he could not keep watch over the containers. According to him, GECOM is set on moving persons away from the ballot boxes.
He was suspicious that this was part of a plan to prevent the recount from happening. He noted that the Public Health Ministry, led by People’s National Congress (PNC) Chairperson Volda Lawrence, has been seeking to frustrate the process.
“Roxanne Myers showed up and said to Robeson Benn, a Commissioner of GECOM who is appointed in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana, that he cannot watch the containers that have been moved to the Convention Centre. Imagine the CEO, the same one who was fraudulently appointed, saying to a Commissioner of GECOM that he can’t watch the containers.”
“They know that the moment the recount is done in Region Four, that the truth about the fraudulent acts would be revealed. So many are fighting to prevent that from happening. That’s why you see the frustration of the Caricom agreement.” Frustration Jagdeo pointed to what happened on Saturday, when Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George was forced to use Diamond Magistrate’s Court to hear a case brought by the PPP to secure a recount because the High Court was being fumigated that very day.
“You would recall that on the day when Mingo made the second fraudulent declaration and we made a request for a recount, she [Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence] then sent people to fumigate the Chief Justice’s court.”
“Now, you don’t fumigate for coronavirus. You can fumigate for mosquitos, roaches and so. But only at that moment they decided to fumigate the Chief Justice’s court. So, the Chief Justice did not have a court, they had to go to Diamond.”
“We selected the Convention Centre for the recount., This afternoon, Volda Lawrence sent another team to fumigate the Convention Centre for mosquitoes and roaches. So, they can’t use the Convention Centre. And they turned off all the lights. And the containers are there.”
Jagdeo was suspicious that this was all part of a GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh
GECOM Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers President David Granger
plot to tamper with the ballots, which are locked away in the containers. According to him, his party will nevertheless maintain a vigil outside the Centre.
When it comes to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), GECOM announced on Monday that a MoU would have to be signed between Granger, Jagdeo and Caricom officials in order for the recount to take place under their supervision. Jagdeo made it clear that he has no problem with signing the agreement.
“I went up to Caricom earlier and I reviewed the MoU that was submitted to me yesterday, the draft MoU. And I said I don’t have an issue with it. I spoke to the Prime Minister and the Secretary General,” Jagdeo said.
“She’s going to call me back to tell me whether there has been any progress on the other side to conclude this MoU. I’ll get in touch with you as to the situation with the MoU, which I don’t have a problem with and I would willingly sign. We’re just awaiting word from the Prime Minister on that.”
This publication had visited the Centre on Monday morning, where we were informed that the Centre was inspected by GECOM and other stakeholders. It was also explained that arrangements for using the venue were being finalised. GECOM Commissioner Robeson Benn had been hopeful that the recount would start at 13:00h.
4TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 Views
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The fallacy of GECOM’s independence?
President David Granger has been consistent in his utterances that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is independent and that he has always respected the Constitution. All would know that the latter is completely false, given his unilateral appointment of Justice James Patterson as the GECOM Chairman and his efforts to nullify the constitutional process following the successful passage of the December 21, 2018 no-confidence motion (NCM).
His adamancy that GECOM is independent and he would not interfere has proven to be one of convenience given that it suits his overall agenda. This was clear when GECOM in itself defied the Constitution and did not hold elections within the three-month mandatory period following the NCM. Instead, it embarked on a protracted process to avoid holding elections until a year after they were constitutionally due.
During that time, GECOM found ways and means to try and justify its extension of that three-month constitutional period. Its position was openly articulated and supported by Commissioners appointed by the Government headed by Mr Granger. That was despite the fact that the rest of the country, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and the Chief Justice all agreed that the constitutional process must be respected.
From all that occurred, it’s difficult not to conclude that APNU/ AFC appointed Commissioners to GECOM have unambiguously dictated the Commission’s work; more especially under Justice Patterson’s unconstitutional tenure. Their efforts were reportedly aided by some staff within the Secretariat and those who are loyal to Mr Granger’s government. There was no relenting under the current Chair thereby confirming the suspicion of not wanting to hold the elections.
Had it not been for local and international pressure, Mr Granger may not have budged to announce the March 2 elections date. The point is, given the manner in which events unfolded over the past year and a half, it’s extremely difficult to separate Mr Granger’s intention from that of the three APNU/AFC-appointed Commissioners to GECOM. In other words, his claim of the Commission’s independence in the context in which he speaks is disingenuous.
A cursory examination of the verification and tabulation process for votes cast in Region Four will reveal an orchestrated effort to declare results that are not in keeping with the Statements of Poll (SoPs). With two weeks elapsed and no credible results announced, that belief is fortified with every passing moment. It is common knowledge that APNU/AFC and Mr Granger are aware of what the actual results are given their access to the SoPs.
A worthwhile reminder is that some 421 SoPs for Region Four were verified without discrepancies – GECOM’s and political parties’ matched. That said, and with an irrefutable penchant through actions demonstrated publicly for wanting to stay in Government at the expense of democracy and consequences for Guyana and Guyanese, what subsequently played out during the verification and tabulation process for Region Four cannot be just mere coincidences.
With assigned staff claiming to be tired and the Returning Officer (RO) wheeled out on a stretcher, a deliberate delay and an avoidance of similar methodology used for the 421 SoPs cannot be disputed. The deliberate attempt to impose an unverified spreadsheet in place of the remaining SoPs for Region Four and then the eventual halting of the process and declaration made speak to that seemingly orchestrated and collaborative effort to avoid transparency and to declare untrustworthy and inconceivable results in favour of Mr Granger.
The unashamed action of the RO to stand in the eyes of the world and halt the verification and tabulation process to make the declaration despite assurances from the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) of its continuation was the pivotal moment when democracy and the integrity of one’s vote was subverted. However, the resoluteness of those who stood up for democracy and transparency led to an intervention from the High Court.
Even that did not deter the RO’s intent as his defiance seemed to have no boundary. He remained steadfast and unsurprisingly, there was no delay and no one sick or tired as he rushed through and made another declaration for Region Four in favour of Mr Granger. Had it not been for court action and Caricom’s intervention, Mr Granger possibly might have already been sworn in.
What is unmistakably absent is any objection to the RO’s action vis-à-vis unverified spreadsheet, delays through illness and tiredness from both Mr Granger and his subjects in the APNU/AFC coalition. Despite what all others, including diplomats and observers, saw and objected to, conversely APNU/AFC officials overtly supported the RO under the pretext that he must be allowed to do his job and that GECOM is independent and must not be interfered with.
With the allegation that the signature of a very senior APNU/AFC official appeared on the RO’s declaration being uncontested, that belief of collaboration may be hard to dismiss. With that particular official and others in the APNU/AFC camp having seemingly unfettered access to GECOM officials during that process, those suspicions are strengthened and a fallacy probably exposed.
That in itself could debunk Mr Granger’s utterance of GECOM’s independence. Interestingly, were Mr Granger in the Opposition and had the exact scenario played out, would he still promote GECOM’s independence? Convenience has taken priority.
Fishermen catch fishes during the final of the revived Argungu fishing and cultural festival at Argungu Town, Kebbi State in northwest Nigeria, March 14, 2020 (AFP)
Election observations: the APNU-GECOM nexus
Dear Editor, I am a local election observer accredited by GECOM. On election day, I visited 59 Polling Stations, morning and afternoon, and observed the voting process in more than 40 of them. I found order and peace in all except in Sophia Primary School, where there were people not voting hanging out outside the gates, especially around the food vendors. They were tolerated by the police. There were even persons in the compound, who when I asked who they were, replied they were “helpers”. When I asked to what organisation they belonged they said “no organisation”.
So after close of poll at 6 pm, I decided I would spend much of the evening at that polling place. At 6 pm all the Polling Stations in the compound took a dinner break for food catered for the staff by GECOM and the police respectively. No GECOM staffer was not provided for and none were too tired to work. Counting began after 6:30 pm.
During the dinner break, persons wanted to be let into the compound as counting agents, but the security guard objected, until the Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) stationed there looked out from her window, far from the gate, and said it was okay. I went to the gate to find out more. It turned out that someone, who identified himself to me as an APNU/AFC candidate, was sharing out letters to persons to enter the compound as counting agents. I asked to see the letters. They were applications addressed to the Chief Elections Officer signed by Volda Lawrence for the named persons to be counting agents. I pointed out that the letters were only applications, not authorisations, and he acknowledged that fact, but the APNU/ AFC “counting agents” were still allowed to enter. Some of them were from the group of people who I met in the compound earlier in the day and who had said they belonged to no organisation.
A little later, while the APNU/AFC candidate for that area - not the one giving out letters at the gate - and I were sitting together in a strategic position to observe the Polling Stations in the compound, an Assistant Superintendent of Police came by and announced he had prevented the PPP/C candidate from entering the compound because he was causing a disturbance at the gate. The APNU/AFC candidate next to me said that he should have allowed him to get in. I got up and made my way to the gate where there were lots of people outside, but the PPP/C candidate had already left. The security guard said the PPP/C candidate was causing a disturbance and so was not allowed to enter, but in my opinion, it was the people standing around outside the gate who caused the disturbance, and whose opinion carried more weight with the security guard and the police than the one authorised person’s. The people outside the gate moved away when they saw I was an observer.
It is therefore interesting that Region Four Returning Officer (RO) Clairmont Mingo said: “no counting agents were properly appointed”. That may be so, but I observed that this lack of appointment was being selectively applied and did not hinder the APNU/ AFC “counting agents” on my beat. Disturbances were only created when the tried and tested procedures were discarded. Blaming the disturbances on the complainers cannot be right. Blame must accrue to those who ignored the law and agreed on procedures and courtesies. It was my further experience when I visited the Region Four GECOM headquarters at High and Hadfield Streets after last Friday that I was unable to get past the police even though I showed my observer badge. This means that the ballot boxes were in possession of GECOM officials like the Region Four RO, who had the keys to all the Region Four ballot boxes, which were stored out of sight of election observers, under guard by a police force that saw nothing wrong with being partisan and taking instructions from the APNU/AFC party.
Therefore, in view of the long unaccountable time that was available for mischief, I call for a demonstration of just how tamperproof the ballot boxes are. Because of GECOM’s own demonstrated lack of transparency, its voter education mandate must be extended to convince the public that the integrity of their system was independent of their personnel.
Sincerely, Alfred Bhulai Local accredited election observer Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI)
Evidence points to direct involvement by APNU/AFC members in GECOM’s operations
Dear Editor, The complicity of certain GECOM staffers and officials of the APNU/AFC coalition – this is what has been causing the delays in finalising the results of the 2020 Elections and fraudulent declarations of results for Region Four on March 6 and March 13.
Yet, at a press briefing held on Saturday, March 14, the Co-Chair of the APNU/ AFC campaign, Mr Joseph Harmon sought to defend the coalition against allegations of electoral fraud.
He sought to distance the coalition from GECOM, stating that they respect the independence of GECOM and that no fingers have been pointed at the APNU/AFC coalition with regards to electoral fraud and interference with the independence of GECOM.
Mr Harmon is either living in a parallel universe or he is of the belief that we all were in another universe for the past two weeks.
There is enough evidence out there that points to direct involvement by members of the coalition in the operations of GECOM, especially at the Region Four headquarters.
First, maybe Mr Harmon can explain what the signature of Volda Lawrence, Chair of the PNC and a Minister of the coalition, was doing on the erroneous declaration of Region Four results. In all of the other nine regions, only the signature of the Returning Officer was present, but for this region that was in dispute and that provided fraudulent figures, the signature of Volda Lawrence accom
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 panied the stamp and signature of Returning Officer, Mr Clairmont Mingo.
Secondly, if that wasn’t enough to show direct involvement, Mr Mingo’s declaration form presented on March 13 was countersigned by Carol Joseph, yet another member of APNU and a candidate of the coalition in the 2020 Elections. It should be noted once again that no other region’s declaration included any other signature, but that of the Returning Officer.
You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com Volda Lawrence and her Health Ministry ‘dropped the ball’ with COVID-19
Dear Editor, Never has it been more apparent the unacceptable levels of callousness and incompetence in Guyana’s modern healthcare system, than with the post and pre-events surrounding the discovery of ‘Patient Zero’ in the first confirmed case of the deadly novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Guyana’s shores.
The ruckus that ensued with the family before and after the death of Guyana’s first victim and the baffling health authority decisions that followed, only leaves gaping questions as to whether Business and Accounts Degree holder, Volda A Lawrence and the Health Ministry she runs, were ever prepared to handle this disease with the seriousness it deserves.
To frame the issue, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) describes COVID-19 as a respiratory disease. It is deadly. It is aggressive and contagious. It is a pandemic of global proportions because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the virus. It is spreading worldwide. We had two months to prepare. We now know it is airborne. Notwithstanding the fact that ‘Patient Zero’ and other members of her family entered Guyana from New York – an area crawling with a massive COVID-19 outbreak – we learnt through the press that the case was first suspected by a private hospital, which has since quarantined a number of its staff.
The now dead woman was then referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for COVID-19 testing and based on reports, it was only after authorities at the GPHC were informed of the woman’s travel history, that COVID-19 tests were ordered on a fluid sample taken from her body after she died.
What are the policies or chain of command if any, for local private hospitals without COVID-19 testing facilities to communicate its concerns to the GPHC after referring patients? In addition, what prevented the private hospital in this scenario from reporting its suspicions to the GPHC or even the Health Ministry?
In epidemiology, the branch of medicine which is concerned with the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health, the discovery and tracking of ‘Patent Zero,’ is a landmark factor regarding disease control.
As global infection rates and first-world death tolls in Italy, USA, Canada and other European counties rise, images and videos of health authorities grappling to contain the virus now flood our screens. Europe is now considered the new epicentre of this aggressive and infections virus with its origin in the Wuhan district of China.
A predicament faced early by Italy in particular, was that health authorities were unable to identify ‘Patient Zero,’ early on, hence, an effective strategy to map and track the spread of the virus using data about its local origins proved challenging. In Guyana, health authorities had the privilege of knowing exactly who ‘Patient Zero’ was, where she lived, when she arrived in Guyana, where she came from, her immediate family, and to some extent her whereabouts up unto death. Why then, were the relatives of this landmark first case not placed into mandatory state quarantine?
Why then; that given the relatives of ‘Patient Zero’ were people who did not inform GPHC that they were referred for a COVID-19 test, and who denied both at the hospital and on social media that their relative had the virus, were they entrusted with self-quarantine?
There are reports that the day after his wife passed away, the husband of ‘Patient Zero’ and his son – who has since tested positive for COVID-19 – visited the US Embassy to complain to officials about the wife’s death. There are further reports that a sick child from the home was sent to school and also makes frequent runs to the shop.
Were these people ever under any surveillance? Who did this man, his son and the child come into contact with? How did they travel? Where else did they go?
Visits to the Good Hope, ECD, home last week by a social media user after the death of ‘Patient Zero’, furnished us with video evidence showing no signs of high-level quarantine or security presence at the home. Rather, the family were entertaining guests and preparing for a ‘wake’, with neighbours walking in and out of the yard.
In essence, a family who should have been in mandatory state quarantine went about their daily lives, travelled, entertained guest at their home, held a wake and A lot of good people are not so good
Dear Editor, A lot of good people are watching in silence, the collusion between APNU/ AFC, GECOM and the police in what seems to be a never-ending series of attempts to rig the elections. Everyone has seen with their own eyes the duplicitous behaviour of GECOM staffers and Granger’s silly pretence of non-intervention in the operations of the said organisation. Everyone knows Granger does not have to intervene personally.
All he has to do is pass instructions or stay silent if he approves of what GECOM is doing. The entire world is watching. Even children are analysing what they, GECOM/APNU/AFC, will come up with next to manipulate the results to favour the incumbent. I wonder how parents who approve of these actions are going to justify or reconcile what their children are witnessing with right and wrong. Then again, we have people in this country that believe that 34 and not 33 is the majority of 65.
Many would have also seen the removal of the original SoPs from public places and their subsequent replacement with fake SoPs. They would have turned away and carried on with their affairs. The good people have witnessed the attempts to deny citizens their right to elect a leader of their choice and have chosen to stay silent. Somewhere I have read that staying silent and doing nothing are decisions, which imply support, tacit or otherwise. Many of these good people are church-going and in a way their silence and inaction is equivalent to bearing false witness.
I wonder how they will reconcile that with the big man upstairs. I also wonder how the Chief Justice sleeps at night knowing that all of this could have been avoided had she treated Mingo and GECOM condignly. I wonder if we have more surprises to expect from the now infamous Iron Lady, under whose control GECOM operates. A lot of good people are, therefore, not so good after all. When sanctions come, and that is a must if the results are rigged, every Guyanese without exception, including good people who chose to do nothing, will suffer.
Hats off to Dominic Gaskin, Supriya SinghBodden and others who have spoken up thus far.
Sincerely, Ravi Ram
Tell GECOM to stop playing games
Dear Editor, The International Center for Democracy (ICD) demands that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) stop playing games and do the work that they were mandated to do which is to complete the tabulation process for the General and Regional Elections in a free, fair and transparent manner.
The ICD, ABCE Ambassadors, international and local observers and Caricom have all spoken out that the declaration for Region Four was not free, fair and transparent and the premature declaration for Region Four by the Returning Officer was fraudulent.
President Granger, Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo and Chairwoman Motley for Caricom negotiated and agreed to have a recount of the ballots. The recount of the ballots will be done in the presence of the Caricom team, representatives from all competing parties, international and local observers. This process was scheduled to commence on March 16, 2020. As of 15:30h, GECOM has not yet started the count.
It has been two weeks since the elections were held with no final results from GECOM. The people of Guyana executed their constitutional rights by casting their votes and as such, they are entitled to choose their Government.
The ICD demands that GECOM immediately commence the recounting of the ballots and to stop playing games. The ICD also demands that this process be free, fair and transparent. The ICD, the international community and observers will continue to monitor the process.
Sincerely, Fazal M Yussuff, MPA in the process, exposed hundreds of Guyanese to this deadly and aggressive virus.
We know for a fact that those at risk of dying and getting the sickest from COVID-19 are the elderly, older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease. We are not short of that in Guyana.
Volda Lawrence and her Health Ministry have ‘dropped the ball’ with COVID-19, and there is no excuse why that happened other than pure incompetence, carelessness, callousness and an inability to grasp the seriousness of this virus and the economic implications it would have should an outbreak happen in Guyana.
Important roles like the Minister of Health should never be appointments based on political merit, rather, should be an established leader with the background and track record to understand the importance and seriousness of disease control and response, including what logistic measures ought to be in place based on data models and forecasting.
Guyana is now in deep trouble as the latest figures of our confirmed COVID-19 cases according to the Health Ministry is now four, inclusive of the one death with possible hundreds of Guyanese now having unnecessary exposure to the virus because of this one callous family and the inability of health authorities to take action when they had the chance.
Three weeks ago, Italy’s confirmed cases were just three. To date, that figure has grown to more than 24,700 and 1800 deaths as of the week of March 15.
Yours sincerely, Ron O D’Avilar
Ministry of Education closing schools
Dear Editor, I must commend the Ministry of Education for closing all schools in the wake of the global epidemic which is coronavirus. It’s very important for us to be aware as a nation of the dangers surrounding this virus in schools for our children, teachers and the parents for these kids who will be picking them up from school.
The University of Guyana made a great decision to close its doors to stay clear of any spreading of this virus.
However, my concern is the school that my nephew is attending in Berbice (GuySuCo Training Centre) which is a live-in school for all students, which remains open in light of the current epidemic.
I made contact with my nephew and he said nothing was related to them and that they are doing their normal training. I am calling on the necessary authorities to look into this situation and say if this is a wise decision not to close the school with these kids.
All over the world, you can see schools closing just to be on the safe side. I am calling on GuySuCo to respond because those kids are at a risk.
Sincerely, Concerned citizen
Evidence points...
FROM PAGE 4
Thirdly, to further dismantle Mr Harmon’s ridiculous assertion that the coalition respects the independence of GECOM, one only has to examine the behaviour of Roysdale Forde and Robin Hunte, attorneys who are candidates for the coalition.
The two individuals were openly assisting GECOM’s lawyer, Neil Boston, in the court cases held before Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George. As candidates for the coalition, this demonstrates clearly, the incestuous relationship between GECOM and the coalition.
Finally, it was also a member of the coalition, Karen Cummings, who used the office of GECOM to meet
and threaten members of international election observer missions.
This even prompted one of the diplomats to enquire if she thought the GECOM building was an appropriate place to meet with them. This clearly shows that the coalition viewed GECOM as an appendage of the APNU/ AFC.
No amount of spin by Mr Harmon and others can repair the damage. It is widely acknowledged that all the shenanigans that took place at GECOM were orchestrated by the APNU/AFC coalition. These are matters of fact.
6TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 Page Foundation
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT PRACTICE TEST ENGLISH LANGUAGE Guyana Times is pleased to publish the Education Ministry’s 2020 National Grade Six Assessment Practice Tests, complete with answers, starting with English Paper 1 in two parts. Look out for the second part of Paper 1 and the entire answer key on Wednesday.
PAPER 1 March 11, 2020 Reading Time: 10 minutes Writing Time: 60 minutes
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.
1. In addition to this test booklet, you should have an Answer Sheet. 2. Write your candidate number on the answer sheet and underline the subject.
3. This test contains 40 questions. You are required to answer ALL questions. Four responses are given for each question. The responses are A, B, C and D. Only ONE response is correct.
4. On your Answer Sheet find the number which corresponds to your question and shade the same letter as the one you have chosen. Here is an example done for you. 1. Anita received a ____________Christmas gift.
(A) beuitful (B) buteful (C) beautiful (D) beauitful The letter C has been shaded on the answer sheet because beautiful, the correct answer, is next to C.
5. If you are not sure of the answer to a question then choose the one which you think is BEST. Shade the letter you have chosen.
6. If you want to change your answer, erase your old answer completely, then shade your new choice.
7. When you are told to begin, turn the page and work as quickly and as carefully as you can. If you cannot answer a question, go on to the next one. You can return to that question later. 8. This test contains 40 items. You will have 60 minutes to answer them.
DO NOT TURN OVER THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO. ANSWER SHEET A B C D
For questions 1 and 2, choose the correct spelling of the word to complete each sentence. 1. Cycling is a form of __________ which many children enjoy.
(A) reloxation (B) relaxation (C) relaxacion (D) relaxashun
2. Our school library has many __________ books. (A) intresting (B) interestin (C) interesting (D) interresting
For questions 3 and 4, choose the most suitable word to complete each sentence. 3. A __________ of African bees was spotted in the trees. (A) flock (B) horde (C) crowd (D) swarm
4. ___________ A of books was presented to the headmaster. (A) litter (B) class (C) library (D) bouquet
For questions 5 to 7 choose the word that is similar in meaning to the underlined word in each sentence. 5. Have you completed the task I assigned you? (A) begun (B) treated (C) finished (D) planned
6. Roger is so obstinate he will not change his mind. (A) obedient (B) stubborn (C) naughty (D) mischievous
7. Mother prepared a delicious meal for the guests. (A) tasty (B) large (C) quick (D) suitable
For questions 8 and 9 choose the set of words which is arranged in alphabetical order. 8. (A) bladder bottom brownie buffet (B) bladder buffet bottom brownie (C) bottom bladder buffet brownie (D) bottom buffet bladder brownie
9. (A) siesta signal signet sickle (B) sickle signal siesta signet (C) signet sickle signal siesta (D) sickle siesta signal signet
For questions 10 and 11, select the correct order in which the names should appear in the telephone directory. 10.(A) Bibi Deen Alex Clarke Rick Samaroo Tessa Hooper (B) Tessa Hooper Rick Samaroo Bibi Deen Alex Clarke (C) Alex Clarke Bibi Deen Tessa Hooper Rick Samaroo (D) Rick Samaroo Tessa Hooper Alex Clarke Bibi Deen
11. (A) Susan Farley Eldon Fernandes Kim Foo Orin Fung (B) Kim Foo Susan Farley Eldon Fernandes Orin Fung (C) Eldon Fernandes Kim Foo Orin Fung Susan Farley (D) Eldon Fernandes Orin Fung Kim Foo Susan Farley
For questions 12 to 14, choose the correct word to complete each sentence. 12. Mr. Layne said he could not read Paul’s handwriting; it was
(A) legible (B) illegal (C) eligible (D) illegible
13. Did your parents __________ you permission to go to the mall?
(A) offer (B) grant
(C) award (D) obtain
14. As the coffee was hot, I __________ it. (A) sipped (B) gulped (C) nibbled (D) gobbled
For questions 15 and 16, fill in each blank with the correct answer. 15. The cows were brought to the ___________to be slaughtered.
(A) cabin (B) orchard (C) abbatoir (D) hatchery
16. Please collect your medicine from the __________. (A) nursery. (B) university. (C) laboratory. (D) dispensary.
For questions 17 and 18, choose the meaning of the phrase that is underlined. 17. Miss Taylor advised Brian and Diane to bury the hatchet. (A) make peace (B) be outspoken (C) have a fight (D) create a row
18. My father was late for work because it rained cats and dogs.
(A) was raining (B) was very wet (C) became very cold (D) rained very heavily
For questions 19 and 20, select the opposite of the underlined word in each sentence. 19. The men painted the interior of the building. (A) exit (B) inferior (C) exterior (D) entrance
20. Local programmes are commonly shown on television. (A) rarely (B) usually (C) familiarly (D) excitingly
For questions 21 to 23, select the sentence in each group which is correctly punctuated. 21. (A) “Here’s the box of oranges I bought, said Farah. (B) “Here’s the box of oranges I bought?” said Farah. (C) “Here’s the box of oranges, I bought,” said Farah. (D) “Here’s the box of oranges I bought,” said Farah.
22. (A) “Are you awake”? whispered Julie from the door. (B) “Are you awake?” whispered Julie from the door. (C) “Are you awake,” whispered Julie from the door? (D) “Are you awake?” whispered Julie from the door?
23. (A) The vendor sells, boulangers, ochroes, bora and tomatoes every day.
(B) The vendor sells; boulangers, ochroes, bora and tomatoes every day.
(C) The vendor sells boulangers, ochroes, bora and tomatoes every day.
(D) The vendor sells boulangers, ochroes, bora; and tomatoes every day.
For questions 24 and 25 choose the correct form of the verb to complete each sentence.
24. Last September, my parents __________ to enrol my brother in the Technical Institute. (A) decide (B) decides (C) decided (D) deciding
7TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM NEWS W hile there were hopes that the recount of ballots cast on March 2 at the National and Regional Elections would have started on Monday, this projection was quashed after it was suspended, resulting in another delay.
On Monday evening, officials from the various election observer missions and party agents converged at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, to commence the counting of the Region Four ballot boxes which arrived under heavy Police escort.
Stakeholders stood outside, waiting for hours as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) made the logistic arrangements to commence the process but this never got underway.
After waiting for some time, Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission, Robeson Benn informed the media that there would be no recount. He said throughout the day, it was posited by GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh that the process would commence soon. However, these phoney assurances ended after it was communicated to him by Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers during an exchange, that no official announcement was directed to these stakeholders.
“I waited since 10:00h or so for advice on when a recount would take place. I was told by the Chair sometime around 02:00h that there would likely be a start of a recount around 04:00h…I came here a bit after 04:00h. People were standing in the yard. I went into the building and nothing much was happening,” Benn recalled.
He added, “When I was sitting there about 06:30h or later, Ms Myers came into the building and asked me whether I was on container duty…I said to her ‘I don’t understand what you’re telling me’ and then she said ‘Well the building will be closed for tonight and there will be no recount for the night’. That’s the first time I heard of it.”
Soon after the ballot boxes were secured, all lights at the Centre were shut down, as the political parties assigned their agents to stand guard throughout the night. Only one agent per party was permitted to overlook the secured containers.
Meanwhile, former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall stated that aide-memoire was yet to be approved by the President. The document speaks to the undertaking of Caricom in the process and the role of other stakeholders. However, President David Granger reportedly said he needed legal advice on the one-page document.
“That document was sent since last night and the Leader of the Opposition essentially approved it and it was sent to the President. The President is apparently claiming that he needs legal advice. It's a one-page document and it essentially capture what the Caricom statement says. So, I don't know what is there to get legal advice on,” the former AG questioned.
Nandlall reminded that the document can be signed after the recount starts, amid claims from the GECOM Chair that she is awaiting its completion. According to him, this is not valid as a delaying tactic.
“She [the GECOM Chair] says again that she's waiting on the aide-memoire. I explained to her that the aide-memoire does not prevent the count or the recount from beginning and that she gave an undertaking to the High Court and she said that public that the recount will begin… The aide-memoire can't be used now as a basis for the delay of the recount. The aide-memoire was essentially supposed to facilitate the recount, not to frustrate the recount,” he shared. "Utterly shameful" After waiting for several hours, local observer from the Private Sector Commission, Kit Nascimento stormed out of the Centre in disappointment, having exerted time without any results.
He lamented that it is “utterly shameful” on Guyana to have international stakeholders witness this type of debacle.
“Not a word has come out to us as to what is taking place…This is an absolute disgrace. It’s a disgrace to Guyana. It’s a disgrace to our country. It is utterly shameful and I believe the Chairman and officials of GECOM should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. We have no idea if a recount is going to start. We have no idea when,” he said. Nascimento viewed this shrewd act as an attempt to ensure that the observers leave the Centre so that the recount is shrouded in secrecy.
“Clearly, this is an attempt to make us lose our patience and leave and do it in secret,” he further positioned. Recount never started despite containers with Region 4 ballot boxes at ACCC – as facility "fumigated for ants"
A container of ballots entering the Conference Centre Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall
Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield
