Guyana Post Newspaper

Guyana Post Saturday January 30, 2021

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ONLINE DAILY NEWSPAPER

Saturday January 30, 2021

GTT COMPLETES 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO GUYANA Pg2

Hess investing more in Guyana’s offshore oil operations

Pg2

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Health Minister refutes claims of breaching Pg3 COVID-19 Guidelines Pg11

India vs England: IPL 2021 auction: Five Jofra Archer reveals released players who will why matches “will find it tough to find a buyer not be one-sided”

Guyana Post Saturday January 30, 2021

GTT COMPLETES 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO GUYANA On Thursday January 28, 2021, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), commemorated its 30th anniversary of providing telecommunication services to the people of Guyana, keeping them connected to each other and the world.

While reflecting on the integral role GTT has played in supporting the evolution of the country,

GTT PR Manager, Jasmin Harris, acknowledged the company’s three decades of expanded service and investment in the national telecommunication infrastructure, the generations of Guyanese served and the multitude of GTT employees who have been part of the company’s journey.

“This is a celebration of the pride of being a born and bred Guyanese

entity, and the nostalgia of having grown and achieved together over the years. Significantly also, it is a celebration that envisages a brighter future for Guyanese, through advanced technology, enhanced services and continued investment, managed by a team committed to continuous learning and the pursuit of complete customer satisfaction,” Harris said.

The 30th anniversary milestone is being marked just a few months after the full liberalisation of the local telecoms sector, and also comes ahead of imminent internet service upgrades from GTT. Harris shared that the GTT team is excited about the future, and would continue to give the highest priority to meeting and exceeding the demands of customers.

“We acknowledge that service to our customers is of paramount importance.

We have been here for the Guyanese people through the years, and service improvements will continue to propel us into the future.

Our recently launched ‘Together we Rise” brand campaign is a clear demonstration of our collective and nationalistic focus; we are part of the

fabric of this land,” Harris stated.

As GTT’s 30th celebrations continue, there would be tangible rewards, and special offers for customers, including double credit and other surprise offers that the company hopes would result in customer delight.

The Hess Exploration company is currently investing a huge amount in its Guyana operations.

The company has a 30% interest in the Stabroek Block and has allotted more than 80% of its capital and exploratory budget of US$1.9 billion for 2021 to its offshore

blocks.

John Hess, CEO of the company said: “the majority of our 2021 budget is allocated to Guyana, where our three sanctioned oil developments have a Brent breakeven oil price of between US$25 and US$ 35 per barrel”

US$670 million or 35% of the budget will go towards production, US$780 million (41%) for offshore Guyana developments and US$450 million (24%) for exploration and appraisal activities.

US$235 million will be put towards developing

the Payara project which has the capacity to produce up to 220,000 gross barrels of oil per day, with the first production expected in 2024.

Chief Operating Officer of Hess, Greg Hill, said the company’s focus in 2021 will be on advancing to first oil in the Liza

Phase 2 project by early 2022 and the Payara project in 2024. They will also invest in engineering and design work for future development phases on

the Stabroek Block and an active exploration and appraisal program, with up to 15 wells planned on the Stabroek Block.

Hess investing more in Guyana’s offshore oil operations

info@guyanapostonline.com

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Guyana Post Saturday January 30, 2021

Health Minister refutes claims of breaching COVID-19 Guidelines Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony has refuted claims appearing in some sections of the Opposition controlled media of breaching the COVID-19 protocol on January 28 at Parliament.

According to the Minister, at no time did he ever refuse to be sanitized before entering the Parliament Chambers.

“This morning when I came, my temperature was taken by a nurse and then I went through the sanitization station,” the Minister said.

“Media entities and citizens in general are advised to refrain from publishing unverified and misleading statements and desist from spreading rumours,” he further

stated.

As the country continues to battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health (MOH) encourages everyone to wash or sanitise their hands often, wear a mask correctly and consistently, and maintain a minimum of six feet distance from others when in public.

Amendment to Fiscal Management & Accountability Act (FMAA) tabled by Finance Minister – allows for streamlining of budget process for Constitutional Agencies

– ensures Parliament has comprehensive view of Budget in approval process

An Amendment to the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) to ensure the streamlining of the budget process in relation to constitutional agencies was today tabled in the National Assembly by Senior Minister in the Office of the President

with responsibility for Finance – Dr. Ashni Singh.

The critical piece of legislation cited as the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Act 2021 seeks to amend the FMAA Chapter 73:02 to allow for the correction

of a number of anomalies relating to the budget process applicable to constitutional agencies.

According to the Finance Minister the amendment is necessary as it ‘seeks to streamline the Budget process particularly in relation to constitutional agencies

while simultaneously ensuring the preservation of the independence of the agencies’.

Arising from the 2015 amendment to the FMAA by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/ AFC), constitutional agencies’ budgets were

required to be sent to the National assembly in advance of the submission of the rest of the National Budget. This two-stage process resulted in a fragmented and inefficient process for consideration of the National Budget and denied the Parliament an opportunity to view

and consider the budget in a comprehensive manner.

The proposed amendment is important as well especially with Budget 2021 in its preparation mode and slated for presentation to the National Assembly in February, 2021.

Guyana’s sugar, wood in high demand in UK ─ exporters urged to take advantage of EPA

by Alexis Rodney

Dr. Diana Glasgow.

Guyana’s sugar and wood species are in high demand in the United Kingdom, the Department of Foreign Trade has revealed. Local exporters are being urged to explore value-added production to take advantage of that demand and capitalize on Guyana’s

preferential access under the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

The call came from Dr. Diana Glasgow – Director of the Department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, during the second trade talk between the Ministry and the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

The virtual discussion focused on the CARIFORUM-UK EPA and provided the private sector with crucial trading

features with the UK and assess its implications for continued trade with that country.

Dr. Glasgow said the United Kingdom is one of Guyana’s key trading partners, accounting for about four per cent of this country’s export. Guyana exported about US$13 million worth of goods to the UK during the third quarter of last year.

The main exports included rice, sugar, molasses and honey, alcoholic beverages, wood and gold. These five

products accounted for 98.7 per cent of Guyana’s total exports to the UK. Sugar led at 32 per cent, alcoholic beverages at 25.

5 per cent, rice 24. 2 per cent, gold 9.38 per cent and wood at 7.4 per cent.

However, Dr. Glasgow said there are several areas which Guyana could take advantage of in the UK market, given their demands.

“Some of the products they are currently demanding from Guyana include wood, rum, sugar.

There is scope for us to examine value-added activities in these areas

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and further exploit the preferential access that has been afforded to us under the agreement,” she said.

The European Union and CARIFORUM countries signed the EPAin 2008. The comprehensive agreement provided the basis for trade with the United Kingdom and other European countries.

Following the UK’s referendum to exit the EU, the UK and CARIFORUM embarked on rolling over the CARIFORUM/EU agreement’s terms into the CARIFORUM-UK EPA, signed by Guyana in

March 2019 and ratified

by Ministerial Order in December 2020.

Dr. Glasgow said other mechanisms allow Guyana and the UK to cooperate and support each other economically. The UK-Caribbean forum is a mechanism that promotes dialogue and interaction between the Caribbean and the United Kingdom.

The UK Caribbean Cooperation is an investment of £300 million in vital new infrastructure in the Caribbean, including roads, bridges, and ports to help drive economic growth and development.

Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

Guyana Post Saturday January 30, 2021

NEW SOPHIA WELL TO BE ACTIVATED IN ONE WEEK A new well in the compound of the Sophia Water Treatment Plant was, on Thursday, pump tested – signaling its readiness to be put into operation within a matter of one week.

Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Water Incorporated – Mr. Shaik Baksh on Wednesday, January 27 visited the Sophia facility to witness the production capacity of the well.

The activation of this well would provide a great relief to the residents of Sophia, Cummings Lodge, Turkeyen, Pattensen and surrounding areas, who have been experiencing a reduced level of service for some time.“This well has been dormant here for well over three years in this treatment plant compound so with the collapse of the well in North Ruimveldt, we had to move expeditiously to activate

this well and I’m happy to report that the well is functioning properly and the production is good,” Mr. Baksh posited.

He added that customers can look forward to increased hours of service and water pressure in their homes, in excess of 10 feet, providing that certain factors are taken into consideration. These include repairing leaks and metering customers to promote conservation.

Mr. Baksh said, “I want to call on the residents of Sophia to settle their outstanding balances in a timely manner because it’s quite costly to operate this plant and provide treated water. This will help GWI to help them.”

GWI’s Georgetown Regional Manager Mr. Curtis Niles pointed out that it is necessary for customers to help the utility to identify leaks in Sophia.

“So as we come and we repair those leaks, the level of service will significantly improve.

Because of the improved pressure, lines that have been tampered with, will now tend to leak so we will have three to four teams working in the

community to repair those leaks and raise your level of service,” Mr. Niles explained.

The CEO expressed satisfaction that the works to activate the well and install the transmission are being done by in-house staff, while Engineer

Rochelle Hopkinson noted that the well is performing beyond their expectations.

One of the water sources for the communities is the North Ruimveldt Number 2 well, which is currently out of operation following the collapse of the well

casing. GWI continues to work assiduously to ensure that customers in the aforementioned communities have access to an adequate supply of water within the timeframe outlined.

Standing Order limits Opposition motion on Henry cousins’ murder – motion cannot proceed as matter is in court…

The Standing Orders of the National Assembly have prevented a motion brought by Opposition Member of Parliament – Hon. Mrs. Geeta ChandanEdmund condemning the killings of Joel and Isaiah Henry and Haresh Singh from going through The Speaker of the National Assembly – Hon. Manzoor Nadir Thursday said since the motion has been overtaken by developments and to entertain it as this time, would put the Assembly in contravention with its own Standing Orders.

“We are aware that three persons have been charged in respect to the murder of these young men and have been placed on remand ahead of intended preliminary inquiry. The police have stated publicly that they are in search of additional info@guyanapostonline.com

suspects,” the Speaker noted As such, entertaining the motion would jeopardize the ability of the justice system to conduct fair trials of persons before the court.

The killings received widespread condemnation in and out of Guyana.

The Speaker also drew attention to motions prohibited by Standing Orders. Standing Order 33(1) states “on a motion made and when necessary seconded, the Speaker shall propose the question to the Assembly and after debate, he shall then put the motion for a decision by the Assembly.” He said while the Standing Order allows members of the National Assembly a right to move motions, it is “not absolute.”

“In these circumstances, it is limited by Standing

Alexis RodneyJanuary 28, 2021

Order 26(g) which states “in order that a motion is admissible, it shall satisfy the following conditions.

It shall not relate to any matter which is under adjudication by a Court of Law.” Given that persons have been charged for the murders and are now before the court, Mr. Nadir said the motion could

not be heard. He further explained: “The legal effect of that motion is not capable of being allowed at this time. This Standing Order gives effect to the sub judice principle, which relates that public statements must not be made regarding a pending case for fear of their impact on public opinion.”

He said the National

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Assembly is one of three co-equal branches of Government and is therefore, one of the most powerful state entities. It is not surprising that the Standing Order also limits other rights on the basis of the sub judice principle.

Earlier this month, Vinod Gopaul, Anil Sanchara and Akash Singh were arraigned

for the brutal murders of the Henry cousins.

The cousins were found murdered in Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice on September 6, 2020. A few days later, Haresh Singh’s body was found at a Number Two Village backdam.

Guyana Post Saturday January 30, 2021

20 PERSONS RECEIVE $1M EACH FROM SBB UNDER THEIR GREEN TECH FUND

An awardee receives her certificate from Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce - Hon. Oniedge Walrond.

CEO of the Small Business Bureau - Mr. Lowell Porter The Small Business Bureau (SBB) has granted 20 persons a total of $20 million grant through its Green Tech Fund. The beneficiaries each received $1 million at a ceremony hosted on Monday. The grants are for existing and start-up businesses that are technology and environmentally based.

Ms. Kaimwantie Seenarine, of “Smart Learning Guyana” will develop a mobile app that will help children in Guyana. The App will cater primarily for children who do not have regular access to the internet.

She explained that once the app is downloaded, it could be used without internet access.

An awardee receives his certificate from Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce – Hon. Oniedge Walrond.

“We are actually going to take concept from schools and convert it into more interactive selflearning system. We are trying to help children learn independently because during this COVID-19 time and

many children do have assistance from teachers directly so we will be teaching them to be more independent learners,” she said.

An awardee receives her certificate from Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce – Hon. Oniedge Walrond.

Ms. Cherryann Greene, who will be launching her business under the name “Ridealong Gy”, said the aim is to reduce the carbon emission foot print that have far ranging environmental and health effects “by promoting more pedal cycling in and around Georgetown. I will also aim to collaborate with other small businesses like myself to promote, health and fitness and tourism in Guyana”.

Ezee Loans, owned

by Mr. Rupesh Ganpat who worked 10 years in the banking industry, developed an app to guide individuals through the loan process.

CEO of the Small Business Bureau – Mr. Lowell Porter “The application is

going to allow you to put in the pertinent information and guide along if you are going qualify and also, I am to partner with the bank as well so that they can take another step and guide the individual,” he told DPI. Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce representative Mr. John Edghill told the awardees that the Bureau and the Government was there for the people.

Ms. Cherryann Greene receives her certificate from Mr. John Edghill – Director of Business and Entrepreneur Development.

“Through the Small Business Bureau and other agencies under our remit we will increase access to finance we will increase entrepreneurship skills development to all entrepreneurs both budding and potential.”

CEO of the Small Business Bureau – Mr. Lowell Porter said the agency will continue to promote businesses that are innovative and environmentally friendly.

He said the Government

An awardee receives his certificate from Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Hon. Oniedge Walrond.

An awardee receives her certificate from Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce - Hon. Oniedge Walrond.

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is willing and ready to support more innovative businesses.

The Bureau will be following up with the awardees to ensure they follow through with the grant and there is a threemonth time frame by which they have to set up or at least start. The Bureau will also work with them in this area.

Ms. Cherryann Greene receives her certificate from Mr. John Edghill - Director of Business and Entrepreneur Development.

Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

Guyana Post Saturday January 30, 2021

OPPOSITION MOTION ON LUSIGNAN SHOOTING DEATHS FAIL

The Government through its majority vote has denied a motion put forward by the Opposition APNU-AFC for a commission of inquiry to be conducted into the Lusignan unrest that saw two inmates losing their lives.

The motion was put forward by Opposition Member of Parliament, Hon. Geeta ChandanEdmond.It was denied by the Government on the basis that the focus now should be on reform and not a COI. In her presentations to the house yesterday, MP. Edmond said

that the COI is one of significant since there was a lack of information surrounding the matter of public concerns as the circumstances of the death of several prisoners and injuries of inmates, at the Lusignan Prison, as to prevent such occurrence again.

She said regardless of who the persons are or what they have done, lives were lost and cannot be given again, and by extensions will bring some closure to the family members of the now-dead inmates.

“It is important in the public interest to know and

to understand the specific facts and circumstances that led to the shooting and the subsequent death to prisoners, so as to prevent a recurrence…

This motion centers on our duty, as members of the national assembly, to confront and interrogate issues of national importance. We must therefore recognize that the sanity of human lives must be respected. Life cannot be restored if it has been lost…

When we were bringing this motion, it was really to give the family members and by extension the people of this country the

opportunity to hear what happened truthfully, and to ensure that there is no recurrence” MP Edmond emphasized.

With the motion put forward by MP Edmond, the PPP/C Government, with majority seats in parliament, denied the motion going forward.

As such, MP Edmond said that this brings great disappointment in the Government as they seem not to care but to place those who seek answers in an unwarranted and inconvenienced manner by not responding.

“I’m disappointed and I had really hoped that the

Robbery suspect killed by police The Guyana Police Force is currently investigating the shooting of a wanted man by Police.

According to police, 22-year-old Sherwin Filley was wanted for robbery, robbery with violence, and three counts info@guyanapostonline.com

of wounding committed on a 50-year-old resident of Vryheid’s Lust.

The incident occurred at around 1:00 a.m. Friday morning after Officers acted on information received and went to an abandoned wooden shack at the Ogle Seawall.

Police said Filley was locked inside the building and they decided to force open the door and attempt to apprehend Filley, who was armed with a cutlass.

Filley attacked the officers and a round was fired which hit him in his eye. Filley fell to the

ground and was then taken to the Georgetown Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

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Government would have understood that this was an opportunity to make certain things public, which they have not done so far.

It is my view that the honourable members on that side of the house seem to think that they have to go through, and unwarranted and inconvenience to respond to the cries for justice or to a COI, this is fauld view look” IN response, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn noted that while it is regrettable that two persons lost their lives during the unrest, the Government could not support the motion.

“While we continue to work at improving the conditions, the welfare and the housing of both the prisoners and the staff, I think it would be wrong for us to get bogged down in the Commission of Inquiries.

And, given the fact that we do not have a properly constructed document with respect to the ‘whereas’ clauses and the solutions, I am not in a position to support the undertaking of any Commission of Inquiry,” Minister Benn maintained.

Minister Benn reminded the house that a COI which was conducted into the Camp Street unrest in 2016. He added that the recommendations from that inquiry were

never implemented and that the administration would be examining those recommendations.

It was back on September, 29 2020 when two inmates were shot and killed, while some others were injured in the process after they would have protested about the state they are in knowing the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in the prison.

This unrest came just four days after the prisoners refused meals and pelted prison officers following the announcement that two of their fellow prisoners were positive with the novel Coronavirus.

On the day of the incident, Minister of Health, Frank Anthony, and Minister Benn visited the prison by request from the prisoners. It was sometime during their discussion with the prisoners, the prisoners became upset with what they had heard and started to throw objects in the direction of the Ministers.

The Ministers quickly ran for cover as the unrest continued, and the Guyana Prison Service said they had to use deadly force and later shot and killed inmates Earl Graham, 51 and Winston Herbert, 21.

These actions were widely condemned by civil society and as such would have called for answers.

Guyana Post Saturday January 30, 2021

National Assembly speaker addresses social media posts by MPs During Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly, Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, addressed complaints about the social media posts of several Members of Parliament (MPs).

The Speaker said that although the posts were

made by the MPs in their private capacity, they should still reflect the esteem of the office they represent. The Speaker noted that the posts were inaccurate on the concerns of the government’s business and the business of the House, and were also inflammatory.

The Speaker said he was of the view that the House could not compel the Members to stop posting, remove the offending posts or offer an apology in the Parliament, but, he urged the MPs to be careful the accuracy of the information they publish and to take into account

the responsibilities of the offices they hold and represent.

The Speaker had previously issued warnings to MPs in September 2020, noting that breach of privilege is a serious offence Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir

Cicely Tyson, Pioneering Hollywood Icon, Dies at 96

Emmy and Tonywinning actress Cicely Tyson, who distinguished herself in theater, film and television, died on Thursday afternoon. She was 96.

“I have managed Miss Tyson’s career for over 40 years, and each year was a privilege and blessing,” her manager – Larry Thompson said in a statement. “Cicely thought of her new memoir as a Christmas tree decorated with all the ornaments of her personal and professional life.

Today she placed the last ornament – a Star, on top of the tree.” Her memoir “Just As I Am” was published on Tuesday.

Tyson broke into movies with the 1959 Harry Belafonte film “Odds Against Tomorrow,” followed by “The Comedians,” “The Last Angry Man,” “A Man Called Adam” and “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter.”

Refusing to participate in the blaxploitation movies

that became popular in the late ’60s, she waited until 1972 to return to the screen in the drama “Sounder,” which captured several Oscar nominations including one for Tyson as best actress.

Variety reviewer A.D. Murphy enthused that the film was “outstanding” and added, “The performances of Paul Winfield and Cicely Tyson, as the devoted though impoverished parents, are milestones in their own careers.”

Despite her achievements onstage and in films, however, much of the actress’s best work was done for television. In addition to “Miss Jane Pittman,” she did outstanding work in “Roots,” “The Wilma Rudolph Story,” “King: The Martin Luther King Story,” “When No One Would Listen,” “A Woman Called Moses,” “The Marva Collins Story,” “The Women of Brewster Place,” “The

Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All” and the TV adaptation of “Trip to Bountiful.”

Throughout her career Tyson refused to play drug addicts, prostitutes or maids, roles she thought demeaning to Black women. But when a good part came along she grabbed hold of it with tenacity.

Onstage she was in the original 1961 Off Broadway production of Jean Genet’s “The Blacks” and, decades later, she won a Tony for her starring role in a revival of “The Trip to Bountiful.”

In television she nabbed the first recurring role for an Black woman in a drama series, “East Side/West Side,” and the actress later won two much-deserved Emmys for 1974’s memorable “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.” She was nominated a total of 16 times in her career, also winning for supporting actress, in 1994 for an

adaptation of “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All”; she was nominated five times for guest actress in a drama for “How to Get Away With Murder.”

The actress became a household name thanks to her starring role in “Miss Jane Pittman.”

The TV movie, in which a 110-year-old woman recalls her life, required her to portray the heroine over a nine-decade period.

Writing about Tyson’s performance, Pauline Kael compared her “to the highest, because that’s the comparison she invites and has earned.”

She remained an occasional presence on the big screen as well in films including “A Hero Ain’t Nothin’ But a Sandwich,” Richard Pryor comedy “Bustin’ Loose,” “Fried Green Tomatoes” and “Hoodlum.” Tyson returned to Broadway in 1983 to star in a brief revival of “The Corn Is Green.”

On television she also appeared in the title role of “Ms. Scrooge,” a genderreversed adaptation of Charles Dickens, as well as telepics including “Benny’s Place,” “Playing With Fire,” “Acceptable Risks,” “Heat Wave,” “Duplicates,” “A Lesson Before Dying” and “The Rosa Parks Story.”

In 1994-95 she played a Southern attorney in NBC’s brief, civil rightsthemed legal drama “Sweet Justice,” and

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she appeared in a 2009 episode of “Law and Order: SVU.” In her 70s, Tyson worked more in film than at any other time in her career, thanks in part to Tyler Perry: She appeared in his films “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” (2005), “Madea’s Family Reunion (2006) and “Why Did I Get Married Too?” (2010) as well as in the 2012 Perry starrer “Alex Cross,” which he did not direct. The actress also had supporting roles in “Because of WinnDixie,” “Fat Rose and Squeaky,” “Idlewild” and 2011’s “The Help.”

And capping an already-impressive career, Tyson won the Tony for best actress for her role as Carrie Watts in the 2013 revival of “A Trip to Bountiful,” then repeated the performance in a 2014 Lifetime TV adaptation.

Born in East Harlem to West Indian immigrant parents, Tyson rose from humble beginnings.

After graduating from high school she worked as a secretary for the American Red Cross before becoming a model; at the top of her game she appeared in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

She studied at the Actors Studio and with Lloyd Richards and Vinnette Carroll, who featured Tyson as Barbara Allen in a 1959 Off Broadway revival of the musical “The Dark of the Moon.”

She segued into the variety

show “Talent ’59” on Broadway and appeared in a production of “Jolly’s Progress” in which she also understudied Eartha Kitt, before a role in “The Blacks” ignited her stage career.

In 1961 Tyson was one of the original cast members in “The Blacks,” which ran for two years at the St. Mark’s Playhouse.

Her co-stars included Roscoe Lee Browne, James Earl Jones, Godfrey Cambridge and Raymond St. Jacques. The role of Virtue won her the Vernon Rice Award, a feat she repeated for the 1962 production of “Moon on a Rainbow Shawl.”

She starred with Diana Sands in the 1963 Broadway production of “Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright,” which closed during a newspaper strike, and later that year appeared Off Broadway in “The Blue Boy in Black” with Billy Dee Williams.

She moved on to Carroll’s musical “Trumpets of the Lord” (she also appeared in the 1968 Broadway staging) as well as the 1966 production of “A Hand Is at the Gate,” the 1968 play “Carry Me Back to Morningside Heights” and the 1969 program of Lorraine Hansberry readings “To Be Young, Gifted and Black.” Tyson was also one of the founding members of the Dance Theater of Harlem in 1969.

Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

Guyana Post Saturday January 30, 2021

Government to adjust Debt Ceilings-

Move would regularize inherited liabilities Strengthens fiscal management and positions Guyana for economic take-off

In a bid to regularize several issues unearthed after assuming office in 2020, as well as to facilitate new financing for a transformative development agenda, government has moved to increase the ceilings for domestic and external debt, the Hon. Dr. Ashni

Singh – Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, tabled two orders in Parliament proposing adjustments to the two ceilings.

It was proposed that the domestic debt ceiling be increased to $500 billion, almost 3 decades

after the last upward revision to $150 billion, in 1994. Additionally, a new external borrowing ceiling of $650 billion was proposed, three decades after its last increase to $400 billion.

The move to increase the domestic debt ceiling was influenced by several factors, one of which is the existence of a large Consolidated Fund overdraft at the Bank of Guyana, accumulated over the last 5 years.

Government is now seeking to remedy this situation through the issuance of appropriate instruments.

However, if the overdraft were to be

addressed under the existing ceiling for domestic debt, a breach would result. In addition, government would require the issuance of new domestic instruments, in future, to finance various policy initiatives, and to stimulate development of the domestic financial market. Meanwhile, the move to increase the external debt ceiling is to accommodate the existing level of external debt contracted, plus anticipated new borrowing to fund government’s development agenda.

Importantly, these revisions to the external and domestic debt ceilings do not threaten Guyana’s long-term debt sustainability, given the

substantial economic progress made since the early to mid-1990s (when the ceilings were last revised) and the country’s robust economic outlook.

At the time of the last revision in 1991, Guyana’s external debt ceiling was set at more than 1,000 percent of GDP. In contrast, the new proposed external debt ceiling would amount to less than 60 percent of GDP, using the latest 2020 GDP estimates. On the domestic side, when last revised in 1994, Guyana’s domestic debt ceiling was set at almost 200 percent of GDP. In stark contrast, the revised domestic debt ceiling would amount to less than 50 percent of GDP. The above-

mentioned comparisons clearly depict that Guyana’s current debt carrying capacity could safely accommodate the proposed ceiling increases.

In sum, this landmark move serves to regularize and accurately reflect significant liabilities accumulated over the last five years and harness Guyana’s debtcarrying capacity to finance government’s transformative development agenda. This latest move is consistent with the incumbent administration’s sterling track record of prudent debt management in the course of safeguarding Guyana’s long-term fiscal and debt sustainability.

Huge cocaine shipment destined for streets of Britain is seized off the coast of Barbados!

More than four tonnes of cocaine were seized by the French Navy. The huge consignment of cocaine that was destined for the UK and Europe has been seized off the coast of Barbados.

Investigators from the National Crime Agency (NCA), working alongside European law info@guyanapostonline.com

enforcement partners, spent several months tracking a drug trafficking network operating out of South America.

They were able to identify a Venezuelanflagged fishing vessel that was packed with 4.2 tonnes of high purity cocaine.

Last week, a French naval vessel operating out of

Martinique intercepted and boarded the boat in international waters east of Barbados.

Investigators have said the high-purity drugs would have had a street value of hundreds of millions of pounds and were destined for the streets of Europe. The boat and her eight crew were

apprehended and handed over to the Venezuelan authorities.

It is understood part of the intelligence that led to the vessel being identified came from the NCA’s international network who were working with international partners through the Maritime Analysis and Operations

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Centre (MAOC-N) based in Lisbon.

Deputy Director Tom Dowdall, head of NCA International, said: “The role played by the NCA in identifying and locating the vessel was critical to the success of the operation. “Through MAOC-N we were then able to ensure that the boat was intercepted by our partners, in this case the French Navy.

“Working with our European partners we have stopped a huge haul of drugs from making it onto the European market, and I’ve no doubt some of that would have ended up in the UK in the hands of criminal gangs also engaged in violence and exploitation.

“A seizure of this size will have a dramatic impact on the organized

crime groups involved, and deprive them of huge profits.”

There had been concerns that international cooperation between European law enforcement agencies could be impacted following Brexit. But earlier this week senior figures from the NCA and UK policing insisted they had confidence in the UK’s new security arrangements under Brexit.

Steve Rodhouse – Director-General of the NCA told the House of Lords EU Security Committee the deal now in place replicated the crime-fighting tools they had previously had and appeared to be working well

Guyana Post Saturday January 30, 2021

China to “no longer recognize” British overseas passports in Hong Kong

China, on Friday, said it will “no longer recognize” the British National (Overseas) passport for Hong Kongers, as Britain prepares to offer millions of former colonial subjects a way to escape Beijing’s crackdown on dissent.

From Sunday, those with a BN(O) passport and their dependents will be able to apply online

for a visa allowing them to live and work in the United Kingdom. After five years they can then apply for citizenship.

The new immigration scheme is a response to Beijing’s decision to impose a sweeping national security law on the city last year to snuff out huge and often violent democracy protests.

Britain accused China of tearing up its promise ahead of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover that the financial hub would maintain key liberties and autonomy for 50 years.

It argues it has a moral duty to protect its former subjects. But, on Friday Beijing hit back ahead of the upcoming change. “From January

31, China will no longer recognize the so-called BN(O) passport as a travel document and ID document, and reserves the right to take further actions,” Foreign Ministry spokesman – Zhao Lijian told reporters.

It is unclear what China’s declaration means in practical terms. But, around 300,000 people are

expected to leave Hong Kong for Britain using a new visa route which opens on Sunday. Boris Johnson said the move – which was announced in the wake of Beijing’s national security law being imposed on Hong Kong last year – honored the “profound ties of history and friendship” between the UK and its former colony. Hong Kongers with British National (Overseas) status and their dependents are eligible for the visas. After five years they will be able to apply for settlement, followed

by British citizenship after a further 12 months.

Although there are 2.9 million BN(O) citizens eligible to move to the UK, with a further estimated 2.3 million dependents, the Government expects take-up of the offer to be far smaller.

Meanwhile, the former head of a Chinese Stateowned asset management company was executed Friday, on charges of

taking bribes…in an unusually severe penalty for a recent corruption case.

Lai Xiaomin of China Huarong Asset Management Co., was among thousands of officials snared in a long-running anti-graft campaign led by President Xi Jinping.

Others including China’s former insurance regulator have been sentenced to prison.

And, a man who was beaten, slashed, stripped and robbed by a violent mob in Manhattan Chinatown is a known gang member with a lengthy criminal record, according to police sources. The brazen attack, which was caught on surveillance video, occurred at Canal Street and Allen Street around 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 22. when a group of individuals assaulted the 26-year-old male victim and removed his cell phone, pants, underwear and shoes!

Capitol Police bolstering travel security for lawmakers The Capitol Police are stepping up security at Washington-area transportation hubs, and taking other steps to safeguard traveling lawmakers…as Congress continues to react to this month’s deadly assault on the Capitol.

Capitol Police will be stationed at area airports and Washington’s Union Station railway hub on busy travel days, the House’s chief law enforcement officer wrote in an email obtained Friday

by The Associated Press.

Timothy P. Blodgett, the acting Sergeant at Arms, wrote that officials were setting up an online portal so lawmakers can notify them of travel plans and urged legislators to report

threats and suspicious activity.

Meanwhile, “AOC’ tells Ted Cruz she doesn’t want to work with him on “Robinhood” probe, because he “almost had me murdered” during the Capitol riot. Ms. OcasioCortez again called for

Mr. Cruz to resign.

And, the Minneapolis Police Department would be replaced with a new entity responsible for “various public safety functions”. This is under a draft ballot measure introduced by three council members. What’s

happening: The proposed charter amendment would maintain a division with police officers but remove a requirement to maintain a minimum head count based on population.

How we got here: The lawmakers who drafted the measure – Phillipe

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Cunningham, Steve Fletcher and Jeremy Schroeder – were among those who vowed to “begin the process of ending” MPD following George Floyd’s killing.

Schroeder said the revised approach will “expand our public safety

toolbox,” making the city “safe and equitable for all.” The other side: Frey told The Star Tribune he’s concerned the change would “dilute accountability by having the head of public safety report” to both him and the 13-member council.

What’s next: The proposal is subject to review by the council and the city’s Charter Commission before appearing on the November ballot. Authors say this year’s timeline means the proposal can move ahead with or without the commission’s support. Ultimately, voters would have to sign off.

Tucville, Georgetown, Guyana, Tel: 592-623-9971

Guyana Post Saturday January 30, 2021

Pelosi signals support for reconciliation bill to pass coronavirus relief without Republicans

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)

Congressional Democrats are preparing to leave Republicans behind as they push forward with another COVID-19 relief bill.

With a 50/50 party split in the Senate, congressional Democrats have spent the past week discussing using a budget reconciliation bill to pass their COVID-19 relief with just a simple majority.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) affirmed in a Thursday

press conference that Democrats would pass the reconciliation “if we need it” – but some centrist Republicans reportedly aren’t thrilled.

As Punchbowl News reported Thursday morning, “there’s frustration on the Republican side” of the so-called “Sweet 16” of bipartisan centrist senators with this plan.

These centrists – namely Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski

(R-Alaska), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) – “say Democrats are moving way too quickly toward budget reconciliation, which they take as a signal that Democrats have no interest in the GOP’s support,” sources told Punchbowl News.

Murkowski publicly said Wednesday that it would be “wise” for President Biden “to work to try to get a bipartisan proposal,” especially given his Inauguration

Day comments regarding “unity and working together.”

But as Democrats see it, there’s no time to waste.

COVID-19 continues to spread rampantly across the U.S., vaccine distribution is lagging, and millions of Americans are still out of work.

There’s also slim chance Republicans will agree to more than a $500 billion relief bill, while Biden is pushing for a $1.9 trillion package and soon-to-be Budget Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) wants to toss a $15/hour minimum wage into the mix.

Meanwhile, at a White House briefing on Thursday, Press Secretary – Jen Psaki said President Biden will use his executive authority to reverse some policies of the Trump administration and overturn “harmful, detrimental and immoral” actions of the discredited Trump administration

COVID-19 Update January 29

The Ministry of Health recorded 90 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday January 28. Four cases were recorded in Region One, one in Region Two, seven in Region Three, 66 in Region Four, eight in Region Six and four in Region Ten. info@guyanapostonline.com

The total number of recorded cases in Guyana is now 7,470.

The COVID-19 death to is currently at 175.

As of January 28 there have been 47,957 persons tested for the virus. 6,534 persons have recovered leaving 761 active cases in

the country.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, revealed on Thursday that several prisoners at the Lusignan Prison on the East Coast of Demerara, the Timehri Prison on the East Bank of Demerara, and the New Amsterdam Prison

in Region Six, have tested positive for COVID-19.

16 cases were recorded at the Lusignan Prison and the infected persons have been isolated in a special part of the prison.

200 inmates previously tested positive for the virus after a screening and testing campaign for COVID-19 was initiated in the Lusignan Prison in September 2020.

33 prisoners tested positive at the Timehri prison and are isolated in a special area from the prison population.

Four prison officers and one inmate at the New Amsterdam prion also tested positive for the virus

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Israeli embassy blast in Delhi: What we know so far…

By hindustantimes.com | Edited

by Arpan Rai, New Delhi

The blast caused by a “very low-intensity improvised device” shattered the windscreens of three cars parked in the area, Delhi Police officials said adding that there were no injuries

An explosion near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi was reported on Friday evening, prompting authorities to scale up the security and sound a high alert in the national capital.

The blast caused by a “very low-intensity improvised device” shattered the windscreens of three cars parked in the area, Delhi Police officials said adding that there were no injuries.

Israel said it is treating the blast as a terrorist incident. “Israel is treating a small bomb blast near the Israeli embassy in Delhi today, which did not injure anyone, as a terrorist incident,” news agency Reuters quoted an Israeli official as saying.

Here is what we know so far about the blast near the Israeli embassy: The Delhi Police said that the low-intensity improvised device went off at 5.05 pm near 5, APJ Abdul Kalam Road near Jindal House. No one was injured and there was no damage to any property but window panes of three vehicles parked nearby were shattered, officials said.

Initial impressions suggest a mischievous attempt to create a sensation, Delhi Police said in a statement.

National Security Adviser –Ajit Doval, Delhi

Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava and Chief of the Intelligence Bureau – Arvind Kumar have briefed Union Home Minister – Amit Shah about the blast.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) said an alert has been issued at all airports, important installations and government buildings after the blast and that enhanced security measures have been put in place.

The blast came on the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Israel on January 29, 1992.

The investigation is being monitored by all rank agencies.

The National Investigative Agency (NIA) has also been roped in, officials said.

The Delhi Police was informed of a “bomb blast” in the area and senior officials. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) – Pramod Kushwah rushed to the spot officials said.

CCTV cameras on Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Road are being checked to ascertain the sequence of events, officials said.

Forensic experts of Delhi Police are also on the spot to lift the samples of the explosive.

Guyana Post Saturday January 30, 2021

IPL 2021 auction: Five released players who will find it tough to find a buyer

As we gear up for the IPL to return to India, here is a list of five players who may struggle to find a team in the auction on February 18. We’re on the road to Indian Premier League 2021. The first pit stop ahead of the 14th edition of the IPL is the players’ auction, which is scheduled to take place on February 18 in Chennai.

Last week, as all eight teams announced a list

of released and retained players, some very big names were left out, including the dangerous Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, James Neesham among others. While some exclusions were surprising, others were on expected lines. As we gear up for the IPL to return to India, here is a list of five players who may struggle to find a team in the auction.

1. Harbhajan Singh: Harbhajan Singh is 40 years old, and having missed the last IPL due to personal reasons, the door seems to be shutting quickly of the veteran offspinner. In the two seasons he played for CSK, the franchise saw him as an asset who could be backed without playing any form of cricket the entire year, but given CSK’s aim at rejigging the franchise,

the off-spinner could well have played his last IPL game.

2 Murali Vijay: Murali Vijay was another experienced batsman released by CSK. His last valuable season came in 2016, when Vijay plundered 453 runs for Kings XI Punjab.

However, Vijay has since fallen flat in his IPL curve, getting limited opportunities. After not

playing a single game in 2017, Vijay featured in one game in 2018, two in 2019 and three in 2020. Vijay isn’t playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament either, and if all these factors are to be combined, he is a likely candidate to go unsold on February 18.

3 Karun Nair: Karun Nair has gone without a 50-plus score in the last 10 of his T20 outings. In fact, his highest score has been 27 against Jammu Kashmir in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In IPL 2020, he played just four games, scoring 16 runs. The year before, Nair got to play just one match even as the team grappled with middle-order batting woes. With absolutely no form or runs behind him, Nair might sit out of IPL 2021.

4 Jason Roy: Even though the hard-hitting England opening batsmen, the star of their 2019 World Cup campaign, Jason Roy, has shown promising form

in the Big Bash League, chances of him getting picked in the IPL are slim.

It stems mostly out of the team combination of all eight IPL franchises, who seem to be more or less sorted as far as their opening combination goes. In 2018, Roy played only five games for Delhi Capitals, scoring 120 runs, while not getting a single match the last two editions.

5 Kedar Jadhav: Kedar Jadhav was at the centre of a meme-fest last IPL, when his slow batting for Chennai Super Kings against Rajasthan Royals.

However, Jadhav recently scored consecutive halfcenturies for Maharashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, but is it enough for team to show interest in him? Unlikely. At 35, Jadhav’s bane seems to be his fitness, and with stakes so high, teams might be unwilling to take that risk with him.

India vs England: Jofra Archer reveals why matches “will not be one-sided” India will be missing the services of Ravindra Jadeja, but they will be glad to have R. Ashwin back in the squad after he missed the fourth Test in Brisbane with a back injury.

India will host England for a full-fledged tour in February and March. The first Test of the tour will begin on February 5th with India and England locking horns in Chennai.

Both teams are on a high after winning their respective Test series against Australia and Sri Lanka. With the matches being played in India, spin

is expected to play a big role during the Test series.

India will be missing the services of Ravindra Jadeja but they will be glad to have R. Ashwin back in the squad after he missed the fourth Test in Brisbane with a back injury. He is the leading wicket-taker for India and is one of the most dangerous bowlers on spinning tracks.

However, England pacer Jofra Archer believes that his team have enough options in the spin department as he said that matches “will not be onesided” if there is spin on the pitches.

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“I’ve played lots of Indian Premier League here but nothing in terms of first-class cricket, so the challenges of bowling with a red ball will become clearer.

“In the IPL the batters have to come at you, whereas in Test cricket they can sit on you for a full session if they want and if the pitch is dead there is nothing you can do about it. “So let’s hope we get some good wickets with a little bit of pace for the bowlers.

“Or even some turn, because if they spin, the matches will not be one-

sided. We have good spinners in our squad and India won’t out-spin us,” Archer wrote for Daily Mail.

Archer was rested along with Ben Stokes and Rory Burns for the Test series in Sri Lanka and would be eager to get on the pitch for his country.

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