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Deputy Police Tuesday Edition NEWS Commander and p.

ASP charged for 18

AIETEUR

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

April 13, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 15

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday 89,553

falsifying meals payment

Guyanese must not be cooks and servants for Oil Industry

….build national capacity to p.3 demand ‘high-end’ jobs from Exxon - Prof. Terrence Blackman

Bel Air Park woman Equal pay for equal

wanted by police for operating work for locals - Labour Minister Ponzi Scheme and foreigners insists COVID-19 law breakers crawl out of Redouble mask efforts bushes as police tow -wearing as fears of more infectious away their vehicles COVID variants surface p.

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Emergency Medicine p. 2 Specialist urges

Construction of $857M Good Hope Secondary School plagued with “challenges” 15 months later...

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…contractor to complete project by August We can’t breathe with 2% Royalty, Guyanese lives matter, crime and poverty will increase. Listen to The Glenn Lall Show @11:00am on Kaieteur Radio 99.1 and 99.5FM

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday April 13, 2021

Redouble mask wearing efforts - as fears of more infectious COVID variants surface - Emergency Medicine Specialist urges

I

nstead of subsiding, it would seem that COVID-19 has not only been increasing but steadily mutating, with scientists, quite often, deriving new theories about it.

Here in Guyana, health care professionals have noted changes that suggest that a mutated variant has been inflicting our people in recent months, and they are understandably worried.

Commenting on this state of affairs in his most recent column in this newspaper, Emergency Medicine Specialist, Dr. Zulfikar Bux, noted that scientists have found that new variants from Brazil, the United Kingdom and South Africa can be up to two times easier to catch than the previous circulating strains.

This has caused the doctor to urge members of the public to redouble their mask-wearing efforts.

He cautioned that, “The virus can still get into your body if you are wearing a mask and exposing your nostrils or if your mask is loose fitting.” As such he warned, “Ensure your mask is tight-fitting and your nose and mouth are properly covered.”

Some experts, Dr. Bux said, have even recommended that “a closefitting cloth mask be placed over the regular masks that

Emergency Medicine Specialist, Dr. Zulfikar Bux

are being worn for a tighter fit and increased protection.

Any space you leave around your mask is potential space for the virus to get in or for it to escape in the event that you are infected.”

Guyana has been recording, on average, 100 new cases per day with deaths almost daily. The local death toll, up to press time yesterday, was 257.

“One would have to be silly to not assume that this wave of infections and deaths is not from a newer and more deadly form of the virus,” Dr. Bux has noted.

According to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency

(Graphic by Jane Cha, The Jackson Laboratory) (CARPHA), which has been providing Caricom Member States with testing services for new variants, to date it has detected cases of the UK variant in several Member States.

Without naming these Member States, CARPHA, in an April 8, 2021 update noted that “while no case of the Brazil or South African variant have been detected in the Region, US variants of concern and a variant similar to the Brazil variant have been detected.”

Moreover, it has urged that Member States “remain vigilant and continue to enhance their surveillance capacity to screen, identify, test, quarantine, isolate and trace contacts of new cases supported by public health prevention and control measures.”

Guyana is among the Member States currently utilising the services of CARPHA which has, since December 2020, been working with the University of the West Indies, St.

Augustine, on genome sequencing. Genomic sequencing is a process in which the virus sample taken from a diagnosed patient is analysed and compared with other cases. Countries, CARPHA said, have been requested to send an allocation of 10 samples per month which meet the requirements for sequencing. CARPHA, in its update, noted that “during this critical phase of the pandemic and beyond,” it will continue to provide technical support, advice and the highest quality service to help inform decision makers in its Member States.

In recent months Guyana has seen more cases and deaths related to COVID-19 than any other period. In light of this daunting development, Dr. Bux stressed the need “to tighten on previous practices if we are to avoid becoming infected from these deadlier strains of the virus.”

He has therefore advised that persons would be less likely to become infected if they avoid outbreak Regions, as far as possible, as well as hospitals and environments, including enclosed spaces, where there are many people.

“The more persons you expose yourself to, the higher the chances of you being exposed to an infected individual. If you choose to interact with others in enclosed spaces, then your risk of acquiring an infection

is higher,” according to Dr. Bux. “When you are inside, there is no free flow of air and potential viruses will recirculate instead of being dispersed. Your chances of breathing in the virus will therefore be higher when compared to being outside, where virus particles are quickly dispersed by freeflowing air,” he explained.

The virus, he further noted, can only spread when persons are close enough for it to be transmitted. As such he posited, “The further you are away from others, then the less likely you will be infected. Avoiding crowded places, especially in environments where there is irresponsible behaviour, is therefore key in decreasing one's risk of becoming infected.”

Places where there are celebrations such as parties, weddings, hangouts, etc., pose higher risks for the spread of infections and therefore should be avoided, Dr. Bux asserted. “So, anytime you see a gathering of people,” he said, “avoid it if you can and you may be avoiding the virus at the same time.”

Noting that it is best to assume that everyone is infected, until proven otherwise, Dr. Bux's advice to the public is “when you are out and about, be mindful of this fact and limit how long you expose yourself to others…every second counts especially when you are in a high-risk environment.”

Kaieteur News

Tuesday April 13, 2021

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Guyanese must not be cooks and servants for Oil Industry ...build national capacity to demand 'high-end' jobs from ExxonMobil - Prof. Terrence Blackman

By Gary Eleazar

Guyana born, US Based Professor, Terrence Blackman

E

ver since Guyana discovered billions of barrels of oil back in 2015, there have been intense public debates over proposed local content policies and possible legislation.

There has, however, been little focus on building domestic capacity in order for Guyanese to be able to engage the industry in a meaningful way, or to prepare them to take on 'high-end' jobs that will emerge over the coming years in the still nascent industry.

This supposition was vocalised this past week by Associate Professor of Mathematics at the Medgar Evers College in New York, USA, Professor Terrence

get themselves prepared for the coming oil boom.

Questioning rhetorically however, Prof. Blackman asked, “What exactly is the preparation? If I am in Fifth Form at St. Rose's (High

the way in which I would like “to…that's see us approach the local content, not to be enamoured by the targets but to be enamoured by really figuring out how we ensure that young Guyanese boys and girls have the skills to participate in a meaningful way.

”

Blackman, during an interview on Kaieteur Radio's Guyana's Oil and You. Driving home his message, during the Kiana Wilburg-moderated programme, the professor recalled an activity at which government officials spoke and adumbrated that people

School) and you come to me and say to me, prepare for oil, what exactly should I be doing?”

Technical Training The Guyanese born, US based professor, noted that there exists currently in Guyana, a situation that has

to be remedied and charted using a clear plan with baseline data.

Underscoring the paucity of information with regard to Guyanese's preparations to not only meaningfully engage but benefit tangibly from the industry, the Professor posited, “What we want to be doing is investing in the development of an oil and gas technical training infrastructure.”

He was adamant that such a move must be guided with firm demands and negotiations with the oil majors such as ExxonMobil, the Stabroek Block Operator.

According to Prof.

Blackman, the Guyanese administration needs to have a “conversation with ExxonMobil saying, here is how we want to place our people, (and) here are the places [where] we want our people; we don't want them

Bel Air Park woman wanted by police for operating Ponzi Scheme

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Bel Air Park woman is wanted by the police for questioning in relation to the operation of a Ponzi scheme and collecting monies.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday issued a wanted bulletin for 33-yearold, Keziah Jeuel Roberts, of Lot 88 Eping and Ituni Streets, Bel Air Park, Georgetown.

According to the police, Roberts is wanted for questioning in relation to

Wanted: Keziah Jeuel Roberts

operating a Ponzi Scheme and falsely obtaining monies from several citizens between September 2020 and February 2021.

A n y o n e w i t h information that may lead to Roberts' arrest is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers: 2253079, 225-3085, 268-2328, 268-2298/2222, 226-7065, 911 or the nearest police station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

all sitting in the kitchen.”

He was adamant that the administration must be in a position to say to the companies that it is presently training a corps of Guyanese, “so that they can take on

some of the front-end jobs for the management of this industry.”

Prof. Blackman posited that's “the way in which I would like to see us approach the local content not to be enamoured by the targets but to be enamoured by really figuring out how we ensure that young Guyanese boys and girls have the skills to participate in a meaningful way.”

This, he said, is in order to ensure “they are the environmental engineers if we want to do an environmental impact study, that they are the reservoir engineers, they are the people who are sitting there on the rigs.”

Professor Blackman said too that Guyanese must be trained to become the buyers and sellers of the commodity

“in the global marketplace.”

Clear Conversation According to Professor Blackman, “there needs to be a clear conversation on what are the jobs we are preparing people for and we have to have the infrastructure in place.”

He underscored that in coming up with a clear strategy for developing such a plan, there would need to be baseline studies to determine from ExxonMobil and others, exactly what types of jobs will be in demand.

Prof. Blackman used the occasion to reiterate that the ExxonMobil led operation in the Stabroek Block, given its depth and distance out in the Atlantic Ocean, is “an (continued on page 8)

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Tuesday April 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Cash is King The government’s COVID-19 cash relief provision of $25,000 per family has meant a lot to many families that were faced with numerous hardships during the pandemic that is still ongoing. It was a most welcomed gesture, a helping hand from the state that made a difference to those who were past the stage of making ends meet, which they just could not do anymore. The numbers are a mouthful, and we take a look at them, and share some thoughts.

First, the sum of “$4.5 billion was allocated for the first phase of the grant” (KN April 11) that commenced last September. This was added to, when “in December, the National Assembly approved an additional $2.5 billion to continue the cash grant relief efforts” (also KN April 11).

That is a total of $7 billion local dollars, which at $25,000 a family, covers 280,000 families. This is all helpful, with families in every community, from close to distant, being participants in the cash grant relief programme. It may not have been much to those on the middle and upper rungs of this country’s economic ladder. But it meant a world to those many families and individual citizens fastened at the bottom end of that same economic ladder.

After a thorny and stormy elections season, a very lengthy one, it is noteworthy that the then new government moved with speed and decisiveness to extend that hand with a bit of cash to all citizens and their families. The PPP/C government and its leaders are due a nod of approval. Many more nods can be given, but the grounds that are deserving of such must be provided. We at this paper have been waiting to give those approving nods, but our necks have stiffened from the waiting and hoping. On the big things in this country, it seems that we are frozen in the exact same places where we have always been compelled to be.

We are told little, less than we know of the COVID-19 cash relief programme, and the glows in which the government basks, and of which it reminds the nation, of how well it did with that. We agree to an extent at this time, (more on which will follow later in this writing); but we want to be told more, and know more, about those significant things that make up the hopes and dreams of the citizens of this society. We want to know much more about oil. And when we speak of oil, there is the vast expanse of darkness that surrounds and saturates what the leaders of the PPP/C government are doing (really doing) with the nation’s oil wealth. Tell us some more, much more than we know right now.

We know a lot about COVID-19 cash relief, compliments of His Excellency, President, Irfaan Ali, and the Hon. Minister of Local Government, Nigel Dharamlall, and for which we utter a word of thanks. From Minister Dharamlall, we know so much about who has received, who else will now be beneficiaries, and which communities will be involved in the upcoming second phase of the cash grant distribution programme. By the same token, we would like to know, and would be appreciative, to know about Payara (through the delivery of the report deceivingly promised, but cunningly withheld for many long months now). We want to know more about the proposed gas-to-shore project to be sited at Wales (through the laying bare before the populace, of all the details of comprehensive and trustworthy studies as to its financial feasibility, by ethical people). We want to know more about what Exxon is doing out there, 125 miles from our shoreline. We want to know what Guyana’s EPA is all about in being robustly protective of the local interests, and why there is the insistence and irrational haste to ramp up oil production. There is so much more we want to know about this oil treasure of ours, but we leave things alone with those few areas for now.

PPP/C leaders have been loud in their many selfcongratulations about COVID-19 cash grant, for which they are due a bow. But with a total of $7 billion being distributed, and in cash, we would hope that somebody is closely watching that ringing cash register. It is an all-cash setup, which would tempt even saints, and we know from long bitter experience that many of our political people, and our professional public servants, have helpless weaknesses around cash. To repeat, a programme involving $7 billion dollars in actual cash (no cheques and money orders and the like) is one that gives a lot of ideas.

Chaitra Navratri should remind us that Sri Rama is the embodiment of Vedic ethics Dear Editor, As we commence the holy observance of Chaitra Navratri, also called Vasant or Rama Navratri which will culminate with the observance of Raamnavami on Wednesday April 21st, 2021, the Sabha takes delight in wishing everyone a thrilling and spiritually uplifting experience during the period.

We pray that not only do we ensure the festival is observed, but those genuine, sincere and prayerful efforts are made to enhance our individual spiritual gains and attainments.

We also take the time to implore that as we observe this holy period under the Covid-19 pandemic, let us do so with strict adherence to the protocols as set out by the health authorities, primarily mask wearing, constant sanitising and social

distancing.

Unlike Sharad Navratri (September/October) which is exclusively dedicated to Mother worship, this Chaitra Navratri is focused on recapturing the events in a spirit of love and devotion leading up to Sri Rama’s birthday or appearance. As the Ramayana points out, the events which unfolded as humanity had petitioned the Lord for His saving grace and mercy, today more than ever, the world needs to capture this ever incessant flow of grace of the Lord and seek the higher goals of life in as much as we take part in the beauties of the world.

Therefore, this Navratri is relevant and has much to offer to the world and we who have been so privileged to claim it, must make the best use of it all. We must recommit to the further growth of our faith and

love for Lord and be ever grateful for this gift of life.

Sri Rama represents in every way the values, traditions, culture and teachings of Sanatan Dharma.

Taking his inspiration from Rishi Valmiki, Tulsidas portrays his Hero, Sri Rama, as the very epitome of Vedic characterisation. The details of Rama’s birth, parentage, upbringing, schooling, relationship with brothers and friends, service to elders, marriage, and practice of ideals are all aimed at portraying Him to be a living representation of Vedic ethics. In Rama’s life, there is an application of the Vedic spiritual culture of Yajna and Sanskaaara - rituals and sacraments. This is the life Tulsidas wanted to see rejuvenated in the Hindu world.

So focused is Tulsidas in portraying Rama in Vedic terms that he says in Uttarkanda 23.1, “He (Rama) was a defender of the Vedic Path and a champion of righteousness. He was above the influence of the three gunas, - Sattva, Rajas and Tamas…” He further wrote in the Sundar Kanda 38.2 that Rama is, “An ocean of compassion, he has assumed the human form for the good of all. He brings joy to righteous people, and breaks the ranks of evildoers; He is the Champion of the Vedas and of righteousness.”

This is the Rama, the blessed Lord whose appearance is the central reason and purpose for observing Vasant Navratri.

May he bless us all.

Yours truly, Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha Region 3

The government must address rural issues Dear Editor, Reference is made to epistle of Lisa Budhu (Apr 4) highlighting some of the persistent problems of life in Black Bush Polder (BBP) and appealing to the First Lady (government really) for her (its) attention and assistance to help transform or improve life in the community. The letter is well-written, emotional, moving, and the description of her travails is hair-raising, giving me goose bumps. Tears flowed from my eyes every time I read it. It is the talk among so many chat groups and among so many with whom I conversed. I hope government responds to the needs of BBP and the Lisa Budhus of the world.

Regrettably, what Lisa narrated is a fair representation of the life of every youngster in Black Bush and of rural life throughout most of Guyana, particularly in Berbice. There are thousands of Lisa Budhus all over Guyana being denied opportunities to elevate themselves and with no government official or MP paying attention to or assisting them or listening to their cries and pleas. They are physically and mentally abused and there is virtually no one to commiserate with them. And there are sexual exploiters, some on government, prowling to

prey upon them. I heard so many stories of sex demands, including from those who the Lisa Budhus voted for.

What an extraordinary and courageous young woman. As I travel around the country, I heard the same complaint in every village.

Some lack the skills to write about the problems in their communities. Others are fearful of victimisation by the political elite if they speak out, and they plead upon me to write about problems in their communities. So they ‘bear am’ (the pains) hoping for better or for a visa to escape the country.

Just a few days before the letter was published, I was in Black Bush to conduct a survey on views of the budget. It is not a pretty site.

I travelled far and wide in our country. Aside from the hinterland, BBP is probably the most neglected part of Guyana. In fact, some hinterland areas I visited are far more advanced and developed than BBP. The number of complaints of neglect I heard sickened the mind. I need psychological counselling just hearing them.

And BBP and other outlying rural areas have no social workers or psychologists or development specialists to advise or console the Lisas of Guyana.

As I observed and

It is our belief at this publication that the many billions of barrels of oil and oil equivalents, and the many more billions in any currency are more than enough to make the best of men make utter fools of themselves. Silence cannot shield that, not even the thickest, longest darkness. For all these reasons, we say this simplest of things: if this oil blessing and business is being done right, then tell us how so and loudly. Just as is being done with COVID-19 cash.

analysed, putting on my sociologist and economist hats, in comparison with urban areas, BBP and other rural areas face serious multiple and complex socioeconomic problems. They tend to have higher rates of poverty, unemployment and underemployment, school dropouts, and social problems like alcoholism, teenage pregnancy, domestic violence, drug abuse, and crime. Since Jagan died, the country has largely forgotten that Black Bush exits. Not much has changed since Jagan created BBP some sixty years ago. There is limited access to resources, and their culture is marginalised. There is lack of modern housing.

There is no sewer. No garbage pick-up. Sanitation is poor or virtually non-existent; garbage is dumped all over, adding to woes. People suffer from all kinds of communicable health problems related to the environment. There are a lot of natural or noncommunicable health issues with inadequate health centres and no hospital for admittance. Sick patients have to go a long distance to Port Mourant, Skeldon or New Amsterdam. And if specialists are needed, the sick have to journey to Georgetown, unaffordable trips for the poor working class. They have to endure increased costs of travelling to see a doctor or obtain medical and government service. They are left to their own devices.

The communities still experience perennial blackouts and interruption of pipe borne potable water.

Crops are frequently flooded.

Wi-Fi hardly works and as such no sustained internet service for long distance education. Joblessness is extremely high, exceeding 60%. Even before Covid, there was limited educational and job opportunities. BBP and Berbice get the least visits by ministers and government officials. They vote loyally – 98% for one party, but support for their travails is lacking. Their MP hardly ever visits them. In fact, most don’t ever know who their geographic MP is or what he or she looks like.

Goods and services are very costly, perhaps the most expensive and highest cost of living area outside of the far corners of Guyana. Some goods are cost-prohibitive and people do without them.

Children and adults walk bare feet, something unexpected in this age. Residents have to travel many hours to buy groceries or get to the fish market on the public road.

There is not much to do in Black Bush, in fact the whole of the Berbice, except farming that fetches low income. As Lisa penned, opportunities are very limited.

There are kids wandering around or on the farm or at home during school days. Not much is done to tackle the problems of BBP, an area that is depressed and marginalised.

Relating to poor political representation, 75% of the MPs live in urban areas. 70% of the population lives in rural areas but only 25% of the MPs are from the rural communities. So inevitably, MPs hardly have time to attend to the needs or (Continued on page 5)

Tuesday April 13, 2021

Guyana must place much more emphasis on agriculture Dear Editor, In a definitive way, oil exploitation has taken over the economic landscape of Guyana; so say the experts in economic development. Their analysis is based on the fact that oil has the capacity to develop any country overnight – simply put; your GDP will grow exponentially in a short space of time.

Nevertheless, we cannot hide from the reality that oil is an exhaustible resource and at some time down the road the wells will run dry. As an extractive industry there is always the possibility of this resource becoming exhausted, a prime example being our sister Caricom nation of Trinidad where oil is no longer a major industry, but has been taken over by natural gas. It is imperative that we take an in-depth look at some of the more permanent resources that this country is blessed with. In this regard Guyana must place much more emphasis on agriculture, that is, to fortify

that which already exists and diversify into other areas in the agro-business field.

It is an established fact that to be successful in agriculture you must have the two main resources available, I am talking about the two most important aspects of agricultural development, the availability of arable land and a healthy supply of rainfall – these are two natural resources that Guyana is blessed with and if utilised wisely will bring about untold wealth and development to our country. We can now move on to greater things such as to maximise production.

In the established crop areas of sugar and rice, these have served us well over the years with copious supply for the local market, as well as for export. In respect to sugar, rum and molasses, we have a few things goings for us at present.

We can expand and improve on our traditional crops such as plantains,

eddoes and dasheen, oranges - sweet and sour oranges. I would add cherries to the last named crop, as this creates a natural boost to the natural juices production. Lemons, limes, soursop and golden apple (dwarf variety) which is an all-year-round producer, will also add a spike to the organic juices list.

Pumpkins, corn, bora and string beans are aimed for expansion. Soya bean and sorghum are areas we can explore and possibly expand on. Sorghum, which is a newcomer to this list, has the potential of doing well in Guyana.

Mangoes and pineapple production still hold a niche in the agro market, as well as avocado pears. There are so many by-products that can be had from the humble avocado pear. Ginger, hot peppers and turmeric still carry the day as we seek out areas for rapid expansion.

Other traditional plants grown here but not on a (Continued on page 6)

...The government must address From page 4 problems of rural constituents. Even rural MPs don’t care for the rural people.

Unlike BBP and rural villages, urban dwellers have access to everything, and they get priority to all services – Covid tests, vaccines, WiFi, internet, long distance education, etc.

The poor and the rural dwellers who voted 100% for their party get virtually nothing. They are treated with contempt and disdain by all governments.

In spite of all the adversities, the residents survive, except when they are not committing suicide – BBP has the highest suicide rate in the country and the world.

They are a people of resilience and life will go on.

Indian Guyanese diaspora groups in America have sent

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Kaieteur News

handouts and helped with various community projects like modernising schools, providing supplies, upgrading mandirs and masjids, and giving handouts to the poor. Pandit Baya of NY and a group of mandir folks from Richmond Hill have done a lot of work over the last decade to help uplift BBP; but more needs to be done.

Government needs to plan and execute programs to alleviate social problems in BBP and rural areas.

Government should consider establishing a training centre to provide technical skills to work on the oil fields or to manufacture products (garment, masks, PPE).

Government should provide soft loans and grants to start businesses. A food canning or bottling industry is sorely needed. Government can also

train and guide people to improve farming techniques and in operating businesses.

Ministries of Trade, Agriculture, Industry, and Business must help to find markets for their products. As they told me, they await to see how President, Irfaan Ali, will be different from his predecessors.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

We should aim for transformational citizenry before we call for transformational leadership Dear Editor, For the longest while we have been calling for transformational leaders.

Though there are no arguments here, I think the emphasis is misplaced, with the cart before the horse.

Rather, the shoe should be on the foot of a transformational citizenry, which demands and drives transformational leadership.

Leaders and political groups run riot, because they are given free rein by their own to do as they please, to govern without disapproval and abandonment hanging over their heads. Observe and review the history and ongoing reality of our divided population, and matters distill to this rancid plateau: deh use tuh do wuss. Given such an immovable mindset by both sides, leadership arrogance, weaknesses, and failures flourish.

There is no accountability, because a crass and empty-headed voting population that should transform itself and demand the same of its leaders absolutely refuses to do so.

In fact, it is well pleased with how it is, and leaders are cunning enough to capitalise on those passions and prejudices by continuing unchecked along their selfenriching paths.

When there is such a mindless mob consisting as captive constituents, no leader would spare a moment over such an abstraction as

transformational change. I wouldn’t. There is neither pressure nor reason nor incentive to change one damn thing about what is delivered, and the way things are done. Since the social terrain is so accommodating and the going is so smooth, then all that is left for leaders to do is to maximise the opportunities to mislead and maximise personal returns.

They don’t have to listen to such nuisances as matters about the national interest, the people’s good, and that quaint anachronism patriotism. Their blind, deaf, and dumb supporters see to that by drowning out any interfering competing noises (in this context, dumb should not be equated with speechlessness, but utter daftness). This so-called local democracy does not allow for differences or dissent. If I am a leader in such a position, then all I have to do is to sit back and enjoy the show; let the boys and girls carry on, while there is figuring out how to

throw a bone or two their way to compensate for their vigilance and loyalty.

I assert that when citizens lack the zest to assess their environment and the bigger, longer term picture, and are merely consumed with clashing and condemning political opponents, then leaders stay untransformed.

And when citizens comport themselves in this unthinking manner, then there should see themselves as similar to those 80 million and more Americans, who have now condemned themselves to be perpetual victims. It does not matter which side of the political equation one belongs to in Guyana that is where the citizenry is today, with no moving. There is no laying out of minimum standards for leaders to transform themselves in the measurable. The result is the likes of the leaders that we have at the top, in parliament, and at lower summits.

Yours truly, GHK Lall

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Tuesday April 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

With regards to claims of rape in the Guyana National Service, it is not too late to report Dear Editor, Recently, Kaieteur News carried articles/ letters of rape in the then Guyana National Service. Mention of rape was alluded to by your columnist Peeping Tom and a letter by Suresh Kissoon (Kaieteur News, Monday, 12 April, 2021), headlined, ‘The Guyana National Service was known for a high incidence of rape.’ His letter ended with the sentence, “the National Service was a place of positive experience for many who went there, but a disgusting rape house for many who went there as well.”

Rape is a serious and a most heinous crime. Recently, a judge sentenced someone to 14 years imprisonment for rape. It was the bounden and civic duty of persons knowledgeable of rape in the Guyana National Service to report these incidents to the police. It is still not too late to do so. I am not aware of any statute of limitation on rape. These reports of rape beg the question of the administration of the Guyana National Service. Most of the administrators of the Guyana National Service were recipients of national awards. Among them were Major General Norman McLean, Major General Joe Singh, Director General Laurie Lewis (deceased), Lieutenant Colonel Desmond Roberts, and Deputy Director General John Piggott. It goes against the grain for

anyone to think that administrators of such honourable repute will sit idly by and condone high incidences of rape under their watch. I am a strong advocate for national service in Guyana, hence my reason for objectively pursuing its being.

I lived in Israel for 4 years and had the opportunity to witness the glories and benefits of national service. In Israel, national service can be exemplified by serving in the army, the youth corps, the kibbutzim (a type of voluntary community organisation), hospitals etc. My stint in one kibbutz was in the banana plantation. Lunch was at noon.

We completed our assigned tasks at 11:30 am. My reckoning was that it was time to head for lunch.

Much to my dismay the leader of my group found an additional half-hour assignment. To me national service is about discipline, a trait which is sadly lacking in our society. With discipline comes exemplary work ethics, punctuality, leadership, respect for each other, educational pursuits, and many other desirable aspects of nation building. Through its national service, Israel set up border settlements to enhance its security. These border settlements eventually grew into sustainable villages and towns. Guyana’s border security needs are the same.

Yours truly, Abraham David

...Guyana must place much more From page 5 commercial scale are aloes and tulsi. The last named crop is an excellent painkiller, which in my estimation holds far superior health benefits than any of the dispensed painkillers of the day. These crops can be processed and packaged for the export market. Another crop with very valuable ethno-medicinal qualities is moringa. This crop which comes from the

Tamil word murungai has been used for many centuries in the subcontinent for its medicinal and health benefits, among these are antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant and antiinflammatory qualities. My list is by no means exhaustive and there are many other crop areas we can successfully tap into.

Yours truly, Neil Adams

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LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . .

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T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . .

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Tuesday April 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

Taking the COVID vaccine is important, we will never argue against that. At the same time, it is no secret, given the experience of other countries that started their vaccination campaign long before ours, the vaccine by itself, is no silver bullet.

Moreover, even if each eligible person takes the vaccine, it will not instantly solve our COVID problem.

Precautionary measures must remain mandatory.

Some developed countries, in addition to their vaccination campaign, have seen the need for a lockdown and have done so in a bid to arrest the spread of the virus.

But given the pro-business stance of the PPP/C, we do not expect a lockdown anytime soon. What we continue to see are attempts at controlling an already out of hand situation – evident by the average of 100 new cases per day, and the likely death of one in every 40 positive cases.

Bravo to Government for ramping up enforcement, but we pray that this would be enough to help save what remains of our declining population.

This, it would seem, is the most our Government is prepared to do for us!

PAGE 07

PAGE 08

Kaieteur News

15 months later...

Tuesday April 13, 2021

Construction of $857M Good Hope Secondary plagued with “challenges”

- contractor to complete project by August

F

ifteen months after it should have been completed, the construction of the $857M Good Hope Secondary School on the East Coast of Demerara remains incomplete because of “challenges” being faced by the contractor.

The contract for the construction of the school was awarded to BK International Incorporated in October 2018, with works starting the same month. The deadline for completion was January 2020.

On Sunday, Kaieteur News had made contact BK I n t e r n a t i o n a l ' s spokesperson, Adam Harris,

who stated that the school was “almost complete”.

However, as it relates to the ongoing “challenges” in the construction process, Harris said that he was “unaware”, but he would contact the Chief Engineer and query.

This publication understands that the contractor has since been ordered to complete the project by August 2021.

The construction of the school falls under the World Bank-funded Guyana Secondary Education Improvement Project (GSEIP), which aims to aid the achievement of universal secondary education, in keeping with modern

standards. Three schools the Good Hope Secondary School, the Westminster Secondary School and the Prospect Secondary School were to be built under the GSEIP. According to Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had designed the project and secured funds since 2014, which initially catered for six schools to be built but that number was reduced to three.

It was during a site visit of the recently completed $1B Westminster school that Manickchand, revealed that "challenges” are occurring in the construction process

Minister Manickchand inspecting the Good Hope Secondary School last year

A section of the school being constructed of the Good Hope School.

She had also expressed optimism that it could be ready in time for the new school year, which starts in September, to serve students in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

The Minister is expected to visit the school today to assess the works being done to pinpoint the challenges that are being faced by the contractor.

When Manickchand assumed office in August last year, she had made it clear that the delay in the school's completion was unacceptable and was told by technical experts that the project might not see completion until May (next month).

While noting that it was “wholly unacceptable”, she had pronounced that “people who bid for contracts and win them must ensure that they do what they have to do to realise the terms to which they have signed in the contract.”

The incomplete Good Hope School, the Minister said, has hampered hundreds of students from reaping the benefits of the project.

Moreover, she had reiterated her Ministry's zero-tolerance stance for contractors seeking to blame the school's incompletion on COVID-19, as the pandemic would have started until after January 2020 when the project was expected to be completed.

The last update given on

the completion of the school stated that it was 75 percent completed.

The school is intended to a c c o m m o d a t e approximately 800 students.

It will contain an information technology l a b o r a t o r y, s e v e r a l technical-vocational laboratories, a multi-purpose hall, a modern library, 26 classrooms and other facilities.

Additionally, some 195 students were placed at the incomplete school after writing the National Grade Six Assessment last year and it was disclosed by Manickchand that upon its completion, they will have first preference to attend if they so desire.

Guyanese must not be cooks and servants for...

From page 3 extremely sophisticated operation, not something you or I can do in a short space of time.”

As such, he was unwavering in his position that while there is need for targets to be set with regard to local content, “we want to set the targets for how we participate.” He qualified this position by pointing to the paucity of information in the public domain as it relates to preparing for the oil and gas sector.”

He said, “…we want to have a real clear conversation on what are the jobs that we are preparing for and to have the infrastructure in place for Guyanese participation.”

Guyanese, he said, must be told “here is the set of opportunities; here are the

pathways; here's what you do today or tomorrow.”

The professor warned that the development of local content ideals cannot result in lofty objectives on paper while Guyanese, “just get to be the cooks and help” and not the engineers.

Notably, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, over the past weekend oversaw the commencement of a Natural Resources Apprenticeship Programme, where he too lamented the paucity of skills in the natural resources sectors, including in oil and gas.

Addressing the young interns, Minister Bharrat noted that there seems to be little interest in joining the extractives sector, noting that they are opting instead for

business-aligned career paths.

He lamented, “…I don't know if they don't see it as fashionable or in trend. But they are more into the business, accounting field.”

Lack of Skills He noted, however, that this only redounds in a disadvantage to the said industries.

Acutely aware of this and determined to keep the negative effects at bay, Minister Bharrat said efforts were directed at establishing t h e Yo u t h i n N a t u r a l Resources Initiative.

He underscored that the local Natural Resources sector currently lacks enough skilled Guyanese workers to offset the demands of the

industry and the apprenticeship would provide ample opportunities to show young people how exciting and rewarding the sector can be.

He cited, as an example, that several extractive industry companies have indicated their interest in

underground mining and that Guyana is at a “complete disadvantage” since there is no Guyanese qualified enough to approve or monitor this unique form of mining.

“These are all questions that as young people, you have on your mind and we are hoping that with this

programme, that we can answer some of those questions…That we can guide you to the path where we think you can make a difference, that you can make a contribution.” This, he said, is the whole idea behind the Youth in Natural Resources Initiative.

Ramadan fast to begin tomorrow

T

he Central Islamic Organisation (CIOG) has advised that the Crescent for Ramadan has not been sighted and therefore the fasting will begin tomorrow, Wednesday April 14, 2021.

All Muslims are therefore advised, the CIOG noted, that the Taraweeh prayers will commence this evening.

Muslims around the

world observe Ramadan in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is considered to be a holy month. D evotees fast and pray, and engage in humanitarian activities and good deeds for the poor. Th e date for Ramadan is dependent on the sighting of the new moon.

Once the sighting is confirmed, the festival begins.

This year, Ramadan begins on April 14, a Wednesday, and ends on May 12, which is a Wednesday.

This annual observance is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam.

It lasts between one sighting of the crescent moon and the next. It is said that Ramadan is the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad's first revelation.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday April 13, 2021

PAGE 09

The dilemma of treating the mentally ill who are also destitute

T

here are a great number of suspected mentally ill persons walking around the streets of the country. There are a great many others who are not mentally ill but simply destitute but who are treated as “mad” people.

Mental illness is a disease like any other illness.

It afflicts the mind instead of the body but because the mind controls bodily functions and actions, an illness of the mind can have degenerative effects on the physical ability and constitution of mentally-ill patients.

There are treatments for mentally-ill patients, but these are often comprehensive and costly.

As such, there has not been any significant attempt at addressing mental illness as a serious public health concern. Perhaps because there are more mentally ill persons off the streets than on the streets, it is assumed that the problem is under control. Another reason may be the difficulty in identifying from among the destitute just who are mentally ill and just who are only simply deprived and mimicking madness as a survival mechanism.

If it is tough off the streets, imagine how tougher it is on the streets for those who have to exist day-to-day, hand-to-mouth, without permanent shelter and often

having to do relieve themselves in public.

As such there is need for a plan to address the growing numbers of destitute and the mentally ill persons on our streets. We should not wait until a major international event is held before taking steps to shelve these p r o b l e m s t e m p o r a r i l y.

During 2007, the government in the haste to present a good face for the hosting of Cricket World Cup undertook a last minute effort to bus many destitute individuals into shelters. The public was assured that this would have been a continuous effort.

Today there are just as many, if not more destitute persons on our streets than there were in 2007, questioning just how effective and sustained has been the campaign to get dwellers off the streets and into a more comfortable environment where they will be less exposed to risk, can be given regular meals, a place to sleep and eventually reintegrated with their families and friends.

Then a few years ago there was a campaign to remove persons off the streets. It was even reported that some of the persons removed were placed in the mental hospital i n B e r b i c e .

Unfortunately, years ago one of those individuals escaped from that institution and drowned in one of the rivers in the area. This raised concerns not just about the

institutionalising of persons but also about the security at the said institution.

It had long been reported in Guyana that the security at the mental hospital in the past had left much to be desired, since in the past, persons from that institution could have been seen regularly and unsupervised wandering all around a town in the area.

A number of questions therefore emerge. What are the procedures that are used to determine admission to a mental institution? And have persons been forcibly institutionalised in mental asylums in Guyana?

There has so far been no evidence that any illegal actions have taken place as regards the institutionalising of mentally ill persons within Guyana. But at the minimum, no person should be admitted to a mental home or institution without a medical referral from a competent professional.

Since a mentally ill person cannot be expected to make a rational decision to be admitted, the laws of most countries usually provide for that person to be institutionalised upon the recommendation of medical professionals. The situation is obviously compounded since a person cannot be assumed to be mentally ill, taken off the streets, seen by a doctor and then referred to a mental institution. If the person is taken to a hospital

Dem

De big sale! boys seh...

D

e Opposition L e a d e r nominate persons fuh de Local Government Commission, according to de news. But is de President who got to make de nomination. So we want know if dis mean dat de Opposition Leader now recognise de President as President.

Dem boys seh de APNU+AFC should shame of what dem bin try do to a young man. De President could be some of dem child and dem bin try fuh rob he of de right he earn fuh lead de country.

Is a hard thing fuh big

men get beat by a lil boy. But as one Prime Minister seh, yuh got to stand up and tek yuh licks like a man.

Dem boys read how NICIL selling property pon Lamaha Street. Dem boys waiting fuh see who gan win de rights to buy de property.

De Opposition singing a tune dat only dem believe.

Dem seh how de government installed.

Well every government does get install, once dem get elect. Dat nah mek dem illegitimate.

De government certainly nah operating as if it illegitimate. It moving fast.

Boat done start pack fuh set sail fuh St. Vincent. Dem boys tek one look at de boat

and hope it reach… and reach quick because dem people done start complain about de shortage of water.

Dem boys see de CDC packing nuff water in container. And nuff rice too.

But for now, dem boys want to know why it is dat de government hurrying fuh sell off dis property.

Dem get nuff government agency wah renting property from private people. And is not small change rent dem paying. So dem boys wondering how come dem nah want use dis building fuh one of dem offices wah dem renting.

Talk half and wait fuh a name!

or clinic and is then seen by a doctor, then the person can lawfully be institutionalised.

But who takes the person to the hospital or clinic? If someone is forcibly taken away to be seen by a doctor, can that person be said to be unlawfully abducted?

If Guyana is to address the high incidence of destitute persons on its streets, it cannot do so without examining the laws and regulations pertaining to the institutionalisation of the mentally ill.

And for the simple reason that amongst the hundreds of destitute on our

streets there are many mentally-ill persons, how these persons are going to be treated is another problem.

Then there is the financial concern. In a country in which there is competition for health resources, it is never going to be easy for governments to convince the public that more should be spent on the mentally ill.

In fact, if the average citizen knew just how much money is required to be spent to treat a mentally ill person back to good health, they would gasp at the sums and many perhaps would argue against such expenditure.

This is always unfortunate because mental illness is not incurable; most mental conditions are treatable and in fact if treated early allow for the patient to return to a normal existence.

Mental illness is also like any other illness and just as how great sums are going to be spent this year on dialysis, then perhaps some attention should be paid to the cause of the mentally ill.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Tuesday April 13, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

David Granger and Volda Lawrence: Comparative notes I

received several inquiries about my column of Friday, April 2, 2021 titled, “PNC will have to rig its own election to stop Volda Lawrence.” Some folks asked if I do not think that Granger has more moderation in him than Lawrence.

They said that since I painted Lawrence as the bully machine in the PNC refusing to concede, then the PNC should not elect her as its leader.

I agree. But reality in the political world, anywhere on Planet Earth, is not something we mortals can shape and reshape based on our feelings. The brutal reality out there is that she has the votes to win if the two battle for the hearts of the PNC membership.

One of the queries I got was who I will back if Lawrence squares off with Granger. It is a difficult question. Every bad person has some qualities that stand out when you compare them

with another equally bad human. Both Lawrence and Granger have done some “positive things” that make a choice of who should be the PNC leader a daunting task.

I believe Lawrence prevented extensive instabilities in Guyana when she went to Region Five and mollified the heated heads of African Guyanese who were bent on creating mayhem last September following the murder of the two cousins at Cotton Tree.

The intention of the PNC was to use the two homicides to generate ethnic violence on a national scale to send a message to the PPP government after Dr. Irfaan Ali was sworn-in as President.

Harmon and Granger went to Region Five to execute a strategy that all Guyanese would have been depressed with. Their instigations led to attacks on East Indians.

The strategy was two-

pronged. One was to get African villages to come out and confront Indian people.

The other part was to hope that after being attacked, riled up Indians would retaliate and Guyana would have had an environment of civil war.

In fact, couriers went to African villages to get folks to protest. Buxtonians did not agree. Indian villages in Region Five on the other hand were ready to fight even though PPP leaders were pleading with them not to.

In fact, Indians from Bath Settlement had already armed themselves to march for a violent engagement.

They were so angry that they beat an East Indian businessman to death who wanted to pass to go eastward and in frustration fired on the crowds.

Lawrence then undid what Granger and Harmon set out to do. In that context, she played a crucial role in stopping what could easily have deteriorated into ethnic conflagration.

See my column of Friday, September 11, 2020 headlined, “Volda Lawrence has shown phenomenal courage and leadership.”

The negative side of Lawrence is disturbing. She took the lead in refusing to concede defeat. Even if we detest Granger, he was not as

hard-lined as Lawrence and surprisingly, Cathy Hughes, during the five-month crisis in 2020. I agree that Granger was just as determined to hold on to power but he was not as inflexible as Lawrence. For example, Granger faced the wrath of the PNC's hierarchy when he

Frederick Kissoon a g r e e dto the CARICOM decision as enunciated by Barbados' PM, Mia Mottley, for a recount to be done.

There are still hidden dimensions of the recount decision that may never come to light and maybe a few words here and now could help. I think Granger agreed to the recount in a high-risk gamble. He thought that Jagdeo would have rejected the recount and insisted on the reexamination of Region Four votes only.

Granger showed immense political infantilism in thinking that Jagdeo would say no. Jagdeo had the statements of poll and figured that any recount would have to rely on them.

And that is what the CARICOM recount team did. After Granger knew that Jagdeo had outsmarted him, I think all the PNC and AFC leaders agreed to scuttle the recount by asking the court to rule against it. In the context of the recount manouvres, there is no difference between Granger and Lawrence.

In the end, the election mess came to an end due to Granger only.

He could have fought on, clinging to power as Lawrence wanted. If Lawrence had her way, Guyana would have been in a comatose state as I write this piece here. It was Granger w h o t o o k a d i ff e r e n t pathway. I think most Guyanese know he dropped her from Parliament because of the torrid and vituperative confrontations they had from March to July in 2020. So who is my choice? I don't have one and not interested in having one.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Tuesday April 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Tuesday April 13, 2021

Hindu Community urged to adhere to COVID guidelines as Chaitra Navratri is observed

A

s the Hindu Community commenced the observance of Chaitra Navratri yesterday, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, in a statement, not only extended greetings but warned of the importance of adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines.

In the statement, it noted

that during the sacred ninenight period, devotees worship the principal forms of Shakti Ma as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati seeking to dispel darkness and negative energies to be illuminated with spiritual wisdom and knowledge. “It is a disciplined period of fasting, prayers and introspection.

The transformative period of Navratri allows the seeker to surmount difficulties in life,” the statement added.

The Dharmic Sabha, in its statement too, advised all mandirs to adhere to strict COVID-19 prevention guidelines, pointing to the fact that our society is faced with a variant of COVID-19

US Military Reps to visit for Tradewinds planning conference

M

i l i t a r y representative s from the United States and 23 partner nations are participating this week in the Final Planning Conference for the Tradewinds exercise, a US Southern Commandsponsored, multinational, Caribbean security exercise.

This is according to a release issued yesterday by the US Embassy in Georgetown.

Tradewinds 2021, it

noted, will occur in June and will be held at several Guyana locations.

“All training locations provide opportunities to conduct joint, combined, and interagency partner nation capacity building focused on increasing regional cooperation in complex multinational security operations, as well as in humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations,” the released added.

This year's exercise will

include participation by officials and senior leadership of CARICOM and its functional sub agencies, many of whom, the release noted, are participating in this week's planning conference.

The strong relationships forged during Tradewinds, through the exchange of knowledge and expertise, are key to maintaining regional security and prosperity throughout the Caribbean, it was further noted.

that is deadly and easily transmissible and “we are deeply concerned by the escalating numbers of positive cases and deaths across the country.” As such, it has recommended the following: Vi r t u a l N a v r a t r i satsanghs on social media.

When having satsanghs at mandir, do NOT exceed the 40 percent capacity. We suggest smaller numbers within the mandirs and adherence to the six feet distancing rules at all times.

All devotees, singers, musicians and pandits MUST wear their masks at all times in mandir.

Bhojan/food/Prasad must be served in boxes/bags for take-away and not be eaten at mandir.

Mandirs can also encourage staggering of attendance to prevent crowds. Persons can attend services on alternate days to allow for smaller numbers.

That there are hand washing facilities or sanitisers available.

Meanwhile, President of

the Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, said she is cognisant of the difficulties the world is facing through the COVID-19 pandemic and recently our neighbours through natural disaster.

Moreover, she urged the Hindu community to offer prayers for all the people of the world to be blessed by Aad Shakti Ma with resilience, health and faith to surmount these adversities and challenges.

She also encouraged persons to use this period to extend support and kindness to those in need by sharing hampers and meals.

Dr. Persaud exhorted all to recognise this as “a period when we worship the feminine aspect of the divine, to continue to be staunch advocates against violence and abuse meted out to women and girls.”

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the statement added, will be bringing the mandir to homes through programmes, chanting, bhajans, kirtan and online satsanghs on

Facebook throughout the period in an effort to keep persons safe.

“We encourage prayer at home, fasting and disciplined observance of the period, which dedicates nine nights to the worship of Aad Shakti Durga Ma,” the statement outlined.

It added, “We know that the Hindu community looks forward to this sacred period for collective worship or satsangh, but we are in a period that threatens health and life with the increasing transmissibility of this deadly variant of COVID19, so it is important for all to stay safe.”

Noting that this period of Navratri is one designed to herald inner peace, positivity and spiritual upliftment, the statement added, “As you worship Durga Ma to dispel negativity, Lakshmi Mata to usher in abundance and light, and finally, Saraswati Mata for knowledge and wisdom, it is our fervent hope that you will all be safe and enjoy good health.”

Kaieteur News

Tuesday April 13, 2021

PAGE 15

Equal pay for equal work for - Labour locals and foreigners Minister insists T

he Ministry of Labour is currently in the process of updating its human resources and other capacities, in order to deal with issues related to the influx of Venezuelans, Brazilians, Chinese and other expatriates.

Key among these, according to the substantive Minister, Joseph Hamilton, is the need for “equal pay for equal work” for both locals and foreigners.

The Minister made this remark while he was a guest on a panel discussion hosted by the American Chambers of Commerce in Guyana (AmCham). He told panelists that the Ministry is working to ensure that the laws of Guyana are utilised to ensure that employees are paid their fair share while working in the country, regardless of sector.

Addressing the issue of expatriates and migration and their impacts locally, the Minister reiterated that it must be underscored that “more than half of the persons who are considered Guyanese, are not living in

Guyana, they are living in another country as migrants.”

He recalled too, there “was a period of time when we flew out to become migrants ourselves in another country.”

Addressing the matter, he divulged that at present, as it relates to neighbouring Venezuela, there are three sets entering into Guyana from that country.

These, he categorised as Guyanese who left decades ago and lived in Venezuela, the children of those migrants, and Venezuelans who are citizens of that country with no Guyanese connections.

As such, he said, “we at the Ministry of Labour, as we look at the matter, we have to look at it holistically yet separately.”

He has since divulged that the Ministry has increased its complement of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Officers in order to deal with matters of labour relations with representatives in each of the 10 administrative regions Additionally, the Labour

Excluding Diaspora from long term oil plans is a mistake - Foreign Secretary

G

uyana's Foreign Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Robert Persaud, believes that the Diaspora cannot be excluded from any development plans for the country, with regards to its emerging Oil and Gas sector. This, Persaud opined, is given the enormous potential that exists in the Diaspora and not domiciled in-country.

He was at the time engaged in a panel discussion on 'Labour and Migration' in Guyana which was hosted by the American Chambers of Commerce in Guyana (AmCham). He underscored that several countries across the world have turned to their respective Diaspora populations, not only for political purposes but economical development.

As such, he announced that Guyana is currently pursuing a 'Migration Policy' for the country that would guide the inflows of the domestic labour market and deal with inherent issues of citizenship.

P r e s s i n g t h e incorporation of members of the Diaspora as a priority in national developmental plans, Persaud underscored that the Diaspora is teeming with not only skills currently in demand in the country but with capital support that could be honed for domestic investments.

He pointed too, to remittances and reiterated, it would be a mistake to not include the critical contributor in any short, medium and long-term formulation of policy.

According to Persaud, (continued on page 16)

Minister noted that the administration has started engagements to ensure that “our OSH officers get foreign language training because they cannot intervene properly on behalf of migrants in the Labour and OSH sphere if they speak English alone.”

As such, the Minister indicated that the OSH Officers will commence

language training initially in Spanish, then Portuguese and Mandarin.

The Minister said too, that the Ministry, in its bid to support the integration of migrants into the domestic economy and workforce, will be making available the services of the Board of Industrial Training and the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agencies.

This, he said, is in order to train migrants looking for employment, and to place them with potential employers.

He said, in this regard, the Ministry is looking to “play our part there, to see how we can have migrants engaged to be placed in the work environment, where they are protected,” and pointed to the caveat of

Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton

ensuring “equal pay for equal work” whether by a foreigner or Guyanese.

PAGE 16

Ministry records two more COVID-19 deaths

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Kaieteur News

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at a medical facility.

The MOH also reported 40 new infections via its daily dashboard update yesterday, which revealed that the total number of confirmed cases had increased to 11,189.

Based on yesterday's dashboard update too, 17 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, another 13 are in institutional quarantine, 74 are in institutional isolation and 1,090 are in home isolation.

Additionally, a total of 9,751 persons have recovered to date with 30 new recoveries recorded yesterday.

Excluding Diaspora from long...

From page 15 the anticipated boom in the emerging oil industry in Guyana is also being seen as a boom for those in the Diaspora looking to invest or contribute.

Building on the promulgation of a migration policy, he noted a commitment to best incorporate migrant labour into the domestic economy, in order to not only ensure humane treatment of migrants but to ensure the domestic population is not affected by Xenophobic tendencies.

According to Persaud, there must also be the acknowledgement of the skills gap locally and how best to source this from the Diaspora and elsewhere.

On the matter of migrants

entering Guyana, the Foreign Secretary underscored that the reality is that migrant of all persuasions are “at our door steps”.

He said that in addition to ensuring migrants are in fact treated humanely, the administration is also acutely aware of the importance of labour, migration and the potential impact on the country's growth.

As such, he noted that the proposed migration policy is a document in which “we want to ensure that as we embark on this difficult task of managing these prospects and targets, we ensure positive results for both natives and migrants.”

The Foreign Secretary's position was voiced following the announcement of a major virtual

Diaspora conference, which is to be held next month. The conference will see the participation of President Irfaan Ali as a featured guest. Persaud said key agencies like the Guyana RevenueAuthority (GRA) and the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) will participate. According to the Foreign Secretary, the conference is seen as one part of forging ahead with the government's plan of engaging and involving the Diaspora to support its national development priorities.

He said with the work done in recent months, the recently reintegrated Diaspora Unit was able to detect interest in the Diaspora and will use the conference to start the level of engagement needed.

Tuesday April 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

Man remanded for touching policewoman’s breast A man was last Friday remanded to prison for allegedly touching a policewoman’s breast.

The defendant, Jason Yanis, of Lot 31 Bent Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, had appeared before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He was not required to plead to the charge, which

stated that on December 7, 2020, at Water Street, Georgetown, he sexually assaulted a female City Constable.

According to the facts of the charge, the rank was performing her duties when Yanis approached her and touched her breast, before walking away. The matter was reported and an investigation was launched.

He was later arrested and subsequently charged for sexually assaulting the rank.

Senior Magistrate Daly, remanded Yanis to prison and the matter was adjourned to May 10, 2021.

This is not the first time the defendant was charged for sexually assaulting a female. He was previously charged for grabbing the buttocks of a Postwoman.

COVID-19 law breakers crawl out of bushes as police tow away their vehicles Seven COVID-19 law breakers, who had attended a private party in Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Sunday, were forced to crawl out of bushes in which they were hiding after police decided to tow away their vehicles. Region Three police reported that five of the law breakers were drivers of the vehicles while the other two were passengers.

Those individuals, along with the hostess of the private party, were arrested and taken into custody at the La Grange Police Station for breaching the COVID-19 restrictions.

According to police, Region Three ranks had received a tip-off that the party was being held at Lot 60, Church Street, Stanleytown, WBD. An advertisement banner of the

private event detailed that it was “an annual finger licking fish fried (sic) and lime” hosted by the Stanleytown, La Retraite African Culture Group. The event was slated to start at 2pm (14:00hrs) on Sunday April 11, 2021.

Patrol ranks reportedly swooped down on the location later that evening while the party was reportedly in “full swing”. The “Five Star General”, as was advertised, was playing music at the time.

The patrons were reportedly “rocking to the vibes” in the bottom flat of the Lot 60 domicile but when they saw the ranks approaching, they started to disperse.

Those ranks reported that the attendees began running “helter skelter”, some into the upper flat of the house, to

escape them. Efforts were made to capture the scurrying attendees but the ranks only managed to capture the hostess.

After the attendees disappeared, the ranks suspected that some of them might have abandoned their vehicles, which were parked in front of the house.

As a result, a tow truck was summoned to remove the vehicles. At the same time, the ranks started to remove a part of the “Five Star General’s” music system.

This publication was informed that while the vehicles were being towed away to the La Grange and Wales Police Station respectively, seven individuals emerged from the nearby bushes to claim ownership. The ranks wasted no time in arresting them.

Mother, infant succumbs in Linden murder-suicide What started out as a case of an attempted murder-suicide, took a tragic turn after a mother and her six-month old baby passed away.

According to police reports, the mother, Temicia Sampson, 24, died around 00:26hrs on Sunday at the Linden Hospital Complex while her baby, Malique Newton, succumbed around 05:00hrs yesterday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

An autopsy has since been conducted on Sampson’s remains confirming that she died from poisoning by ingestion.

It is alleged that during the evening hours of April 8, last, Sampson had fed poison to little Malique and her eight-year-old daughter before ingesting some herself. The eight-yearold, according reports, is alive but remains hospitalised at the Linden Hospital Complex.

Kaieteur News understands that Sampson and her children’s father had an argument on the day in question over his cell phone. She had reportedly accused him of cheating on her.

When he left home that day, it is alleged that she fed her children the poison in a syringe before ingesting some too. A short while after, Kaieteur News was informed, Sampson reportedly regretted what she had done and began calling her neighbours to take them to the hospital.

The three were taken to the Linden Hospital Complex that evening. At around 12:00hrs the following day, six-month-old

Dead: Temicia Sampson.

Malique’s condition deteriorated and he was transferred to the GPHC. One medical source told this newspaper that Sampson was suffering from postpartum depression, which was further fuelled by the issues, which she was experiencing in her relationship.

Postpartum depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, is a type of mood disorder associated with childbirth. Symptoms may include extreme sadness, low energy, anxiety, crying episodes, irritability, and changes in sleeping or eating patterns.

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Tuesday April 13, 2021

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Deputy Commander, ASP charged for falsifying meals payment A Deputy Commander and an Assistant Superintendent of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were yesterday charged for falsifying over $1million in meals payment for riot ranks.

Deputy Commander of 4B, Lorraine Saul, and Officerin-Charge at the Police Finance Department (ag.), Assistant Superintendent, Kurt Smith, were yesterday officially charged for fraud.

Smith appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

However, Saul is said to be on leave and presently out of the jurisdiction. She did not appear in court.

Saul and Smith were slapped with two joint conspiracies to commit a felony charges, and Saul was charged additionally for two counts of falsification of accounts.

The first charge alleged that between December 18, 2020 and December 28, 2020, at Georgetown, while being officers of the GPF, Saul and Smith conspired with each other and other persons to falsify a payment of $1,350,000 to show that meals were supplied to ranks of the Riot Unit training between December 1, 2020 and December 15, 2020.

Deputy Commander of 4B, Lorraine Saul.

Assistant Superintendent, Kurt Smith.

The second charge alleged that the duo, between December 18, 2020 and December 28, 2020 at Georgetown, while being officers of the GPF, they conspired with each other and others to falsify the payment of $465,000 to show that meals were supplied to ranks working at the Georgetown Prison between December 1, 2020 and December 15, 2020.

Attorney-at-law Mark Waldron represented Smith.

Waldron told the court that his client was not aware of what he was signing but that it was brought to him, by another rank, for him to sign.

However, Special Organised Crime Unit

(S.O.C.U) Prosecutor, Patrice Henry, told the court that Smith was charged because even though he is an Assistant Superintendent and acting as the officer-incharge at the Police Finance Department, the sum of money had to be approved first before signing off.

Smith was not required to plead to the indictable charges and Chief Magistrate McLennan granted him $100,000 bail on each charge.

The matter was adjourned to May 14, 2021.

According to the police, Saul was the officer-in-charge of the Brickdam Police Station’s Other Ranks Mess before she was moved. The Mess provides breakfast,

lunch, and dinner to ranks stationed at various stations and locations within Regional Division 4A. According to the facts of the charges, between December 1, 2020 and December 15, 2020, Saul allegedly inflated several accounts for meals provided by the Mess for reimbursement at the Police Finance Department.

Saul reportedly prepared an account dated December 18, 2020 and petty contract dated December 18, 2020, for meals allegedly supplied to ranks that performed duties at ‘A’ Division Riot Unit Training between December 1, 2020 and December 15, 2020 to the amount of $ 1,350,000 when there was no such training done for that period.

It is alleged that she also prepared another account and petty contract with the same dates for meals supplied to ranks that performed fixed point duties at the Georgetown Prison, between December 1, 2020 and December 15, 2020 to the amount of $ 648,000. On that account, Saul reportedly inflated the number of ranks and number of meals in the sum of $465,000.

Smith was charged for allegedly conspiring with

Saul to defraud and authorise the payments when there was no training for the period mentioned on the account, therefore, no feeding of the ranks at the Georgetown Prison for the same period.

The matter was reported and an investigation was launched by SOCU. Smith and Saul were subsequently charged.

Meanwhile, on March 26, 2021 former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kevin Adonis of 95 Stewartville, West Bank Demerara, and three other members of the GPF, made their first court appearance after they were slapped with a $19M fraud charge.

Also charged were: Rawle Haynes of Hydronie, East Bank Essequibo; Jermaine Fraser of 4116 Phase One West Minster, West Bank Demerara, and Michael Corbin of 315 First Avenue, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara. The four men appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Fraser, Haynes, Corbin, and Adonis were slapped with a joint charge, while Corbin and Haynes were slapped with individual charges. They were not required to plead to the indictable charges after they were read to them.

According to the facts of the charge, the missing $19,030,767 was allocated for officers who performed extra duties. However, there are documents that show that those officers signed and received the monies, but it was later revealed that the officers never received the monies. The matter was reported and an investigation was launched. The four men were subsequently charged.

Corbin was placed on $250,000 bail, Haynes was placed on $200,000 bail, while Adonis and Fraser were placed on $150,000 bail each.

The men yesterday made their second court appearance.

It was also reported that last year, Corbin and Fraser were slapped with 21 fraud charges, which amounted to a total sum of $11,385,000.

They had appeared before Principal Magistrate, Faith M c G u s t y, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and were placed on $250,000 bail each.

It is alleged that the duo, on April 4, 2019, at Eve Leary, Georgetown, while being employed as a clerk or servant at the GPF’s Finance Office, with intent to defraud, they willfully made false entries into the accounts of their employer.

New LGC board takes effect…

Eight commissioners sworn in to have oversight of Local Govt. Organs Eight persons were sworn in by President Irfaan Ali yesterday to function on the Local Government Commission (LGC); the body charged with oversight of all local government organs.

The swearing in ceremony, which took place at the Office of the President, saw three nominees of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) being appointed by the President, three nominees of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition being sworn in, another commissioner appointed by President Ali, through consultation with the National Assembly, and the other following approval by the Local Government Minister.

In this order, President Ali administered the Oath of Office to PPP/C nominees: Clinton Collymore and Norman Whittaker – two former Ministers of Local Government, as well as former Town Clerk of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, Carol Sooba.

President Ali also swore in three candidates nominated by the APNU+AFC Coalition, which included former Region Four Chairman, Clement Corlette, Ms. Joan-Ann Romascindo and Nicola

President Ali (at centre) surrounded by members of the LGC; Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, and Ministers of Local Government, Nigel Dharamlall and Anand Persaud.

Denise Trotman.

The other two members of the Commission are: Trade Unionist, Carvil Duncan, who was nominated by a Parliamentary Committee, and former Region Three Chairman, Julius Faerber, who was nominated by the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall. The new LGC Board will be in effect for three years.

In his remarks to the newly sworn in commissioners, Ali said that while Guyana is on the cusp of economic development and social transformation, there is a demand for local government

bodies to play a critical part to ensure the transformation is effective and efficient.

In this regard, the President noted that his Government values the “important role” which the LGC can play in ensuring that its policies and programmes are not retarded by obstructionism, poor implementation, the absence of professionalism or by disputes within local government bodies.

“Government, therefore, endorses the need for, and the constituting of the Local Government Commission. As such, this simple ceremony brims with importance. It is a

manifestation of Government’s commitment to advancing the aims and objectives of local government authorities and specifically, to addressing the employment, transfer, disciplining, and dismissal of public officers within the local government system and the resolving of disputes within and between local government entities,” he said.

Ali stressed that, “it is the Executive’s intention to ensure that the country’s forthcoming development is balanced and, more importantly, safeguarded at all levels of our society – at the national level, at the level of

the regions and at the community level.”

In this regard, President Ali noted that the LGC is empowered to monitor and review the performance and implementation of policies of all local government organs, investigate any matter under its purview and propose remedial action to the Minister, monitor and review all existing and proposed legislation, and or policies and measures relating to local government organs.

The President said that as the country’s budgetary allocation expands, more responsibilities will be placed on Local Government bodies

since there will be a greater need for enhanced oversights, professionalism and accountability.

He said too that he knows some of the LGC members (both new and returning) personally and can attest o them being committed to the development of Guyana.

“I assure you of the support of my administration and give you my personal guarantee that no attempt at interference with the discharge of your functions specified under the Constitution and the Local Government Commission Act will be tolerated,” Ali told the LGC panel.

Tuesday April 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday April 13, 2021

Tuesday April 13, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Mr. Linden Classic set for May 29th

Last year’s winner of the Mr. Linden Classic, Novice Physique and Novice Bodybuilding and the winners of the Bikini Fitness as well wiil be in action.

Tuesday April 13, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Books that you may have received as gifts could have you thinking deeply about spiritual or philosophical matters today, Aries.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your level of physical and mental energy is high today, Taurus. You may have been overindulging in food and drink lately, and so you could spend much of the day working out at the gym.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A memory, dream, vision, or meditation could trigger a rush of spiritual energy, Gemini. As a result, you might want to jot your experiences down so you won't forget them. Try not to dwell on it too much.

CANCER(June21–July22) A message from a friend could make your day, Cancer. The good news may involve travel, money, or a love relationship.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The planetary energy leaves you in a contemplative mood, Leo. A lot of different possibilities have opened up for you recently, and you're trying to figure out which is the most appropriate now.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Talk of traveling to distant and exotic places could come up at a gathering of family and friends, . Some of the talk is pure fantasy, but there are a few people among you who are genuinely serious about their plans. Are you cons i d e r i n g g o i n g away for a while?

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Career matters may be put on hold for a few days, Libra, but your professional future probably won't be far from your thoughts, even in the midst of time spent with family and friends.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) So many fascinating ideas have come your way over the past few days that your mind is spinning.

Some of what you've heard could be so radical that it will take some time to make sense of it.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A deep, intimate conversation could take place today between you and a romantic interest, Sagittarius. ‘ CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) This morning you may wake up from a dream with many inspiring new ideas. If you're into creative activity of any kind, you will want to jot these ideas down, as well as possibilities for bringing them to the rest of the world.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A few extra things need to be done around the house today, Aquarius. A few more letters need to be written, a few more cleaning chores should be done, and you might still want to dress the place up a little.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Children may be a part of your day today, Pisces. You might attend a party for children or a larger gathering that includes them. At some point you might even be telling them a story.

The Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBF) has collaborated with Fitness Express to present the hardworking athletes, the bodybuilding and fitness fraternity and the entire Guyana with its first bodybuilding and fitness competition for 2021.

This competition that is dubbed Mr. Linden Classic 2021 will be contested at the Lichas Hall in Linden on May 29th and according to a release from the GBBF, it is being hosted to celebrate life, health and fitness whilst promoting healthy lifestyle and healthy living.

The event will also include the 2021 Novices Bodybuilding and Fitness Competition.

Athletes, backstage personnel and the executive of the GBBFF undertake to observe all Covid-19 protocols. While on stage athletes will be required to stand 6 feet apart from each other. In addition, backstage athletes will be required to wear their masks and to maintain the mandatory physical distancing.

Judges will be seated 6 feet from each other and will be required to wear their masks.

On the night of the competition there will be about 25 athletes competing in the 3 different segments of competition. These are: 1. Bodybuilding; 2. Bikini; and 3.

Men’s Physique And, some of the athletes that have already signed up to compete include Mahendra Andy Ramjit, Quamie Ezra July, Shaquan Emmanuel Caleb, Gail Karim, Alexander Correia, Yusuf khan, Denroy Ross, Leson Quince Jones, Joel Ramnauth, Michael Cockfield, Mohamed kaliel Razack and Michael Sampson.

...Juman-Yassin to run for GOA From page 22 explained that one way it can be interpreted is that terms can be counted from 2016 when the motion was passed, while others can challenge that it can be interpreted from before which would make Juman-Yassin’s ineligible after being in office since the 1990s.

To date, no one has stepped forward to challenge for the arduous task of running the GOA which includes supporting associations in their quest to produce athletes capable of winning medals at the prestigious, quadrennial, Olympic Games.

Guyana has competed in 17 Summer Olympics and to date has only one medal which was gained in the 1980 Games in Moscow, Russia, by boxer Michael Parris.

...New GCB Executive aims From page 21 former West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan heads the Senior Selection Panel, while one of the most successful youth captains in the West Indies, Andre Percival, leads the Junior Selection Panel. Vice-President Hilbert Foster will chair the Cricket Development Committee, PRO Claude Raphael the Public Relations Committee, and the Acting Treasurer, Dr. Cecil Beharry, will chair the Finance Committee.

Additionally, the GCB has made several positions on the different committees

available to members of the Essequibo Cricket Board.

Those members will be contacted with the hope and that they will accept the positions in service to cricket.

A GCB transition team was established to ensure a smooth and orderly transfer of authority to the new executive committee.

In this regard, an office visit was recently undertaken by some members of the executive committee to meet the office staff and get acquainted with the existing procedures of the Board office.

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday April 13, 2021

‘This is the best way forward’ Jamaica Observer AFTER Ricky Skerritt was returned unopposed as

president of Cricket West Indies (CWI), Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA)

boss Wilford “Billy” Heaven says it is “the best way forward” for the

governance of the regional game.

“This is the best way forward — that the leadership remains intact,” Heaven told the Jamaica Observer after Sunday’s rescheduled virtual annual general meeting (AGM).

“Given all that has happened — and this is irrespective of who was there [in charge] — I would support the incumbents on the basis that they’ve done well. Plus, given the current circumstance and environment, you would not be able to evaluate anyone for success or failure.

“They did not get a reasonable opportunity to prove themselves because of the pandemic, so even from that standpoint it was necessary to have the continuation of leadership,” he said in reference to the myriad challenges presented by the novel coronavirus.

Though Skerritt and his vice-president running mate Dr Kishore Shallow were not challenged yesterday, the CWI constitution required

Heaven weighs in after CWI President Skerritt, Vice-President Shallow returned for 2nd two-year term

shareholder representatives to vote. The incumbents garnered 11 votes each and now enter their second twoyear term.

N o r m a l l y, 1 2 representatives — two each from Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Leeward Islands and Windward Islands — would vote. However, the Observer learned one of the Windward Islands representatives, who hails from St Vincent and the Grenadines, was forced to leave the meeting to carry out national duties related to the volcanic eruption in that country.

The AGM, which was originally set to be held two weeks ago, was postponed under bizarre circumstances after representatives from Barbados and Guyana did not turn up. As per CWI guidelines, nine representatives are required for a quorum. On that day, Anand Sanasie, the then Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) secretary, and Calvin Hope of Barbados Cricket

Association, were expected to challenge the Kittitian Skerritt and the Vincentian Shallow.

After the no-show Sanasie accused the Skerrittled administration of lack of transparency and not adhering to due process, which he said caused the a b s e n c e o f t h e representatives.

But fast on the heels of t h e C W I A G M postponement was the election of a new GCB executive, raising doubts whether Sanasie would have been able to get support from Guyana. Subsequently, both challengers withdrew their candidacy, clearing the path for Skerritt and Shallow.

Heaven, who had been critical of the Sanasie and Hope challenge, labelling it politically divisive, called for greater unity in West Indies cricket. “We need less politics in cricket because in that way we can make a more objective contribution for the greater good of the sport,” the JCA president told the Observer Sunday.

Vitality Inc. sponsors cricket tournament and educational Scholarship for BCB The rapid development taking place in the Ancient County of Berbice continues at a very fast rate with Vitality Inc through the Vitality Foundation coming on board to sponsor a cricket tournament for teams in the Upper Corentyne area.

Additionally, the company would also be sponsoring an educational scholarship for a cricketer in the same area.

BCB President Hilbert Foster along with Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu visited the company’s Providence, East Bank Demerara Head Office to launch the two sponsorships along with Vitality Inc Director Abbas Hamid.

Foster stated that the Vi t a l i t y / B C B U p p e r Corentyne 20/20 overs tournament would be contested by twenty six teams from No43 Village to Moleson Creek, inclusive of Black Bush Polder.

The tournament would be one of four for teams in the sub- association in 2021.

Among the teams that would be playing in the tournament are No43, No72 Cut and Load, No73 Young Warriors,

D u k e s t o w n Wa r r i o r s , Scottsburg, Skeldon, No69 Vikings, No68 Turn Team, No69 Red Rose and All Family. The tournament would be played on a Knockout basis with the finals set for the No69 Vikings Grounds or the No72 Cut and Load Ground. The start date would likely be in May as the BCB looks at the current stage of the Covid-19 pandemic. Once started, the tournament would be played with very strict Covid-19 guidelines with no spectators allowed in venues, social distancing shall be practiced at all times, while players shall wear face masks at all times in the pavillion.

The Vitality Inc/BCB Educational Scholarship would be awarded to a player from the Upper Corentyne area. The student shall have to be actively playing for a club in the area, be a student at the University of Guyana and be a very disciplined individual. The BCB has invited applications from youths in the area. All applications should be accompanied with a letter from their club confirming

membership, a University of Guyana student acceptance letter, a copy of their CSEC results and two personal recommendations.

The winner of the Scholarship would receive $200,000. In the event that a suitable Candidate is not found, the funds would be distributed to ten students in the form of educational materials. The ten students would be selected based on recommendations from the Upper Corentyne Cricket Associations.

Foster expressed gratitude to the Vitality Foundation and its Directors for their cooperation and expressed confidence that the relationship would be strengthened in the future.

Director Abbas Hamid stated that the Vitality Inc and Vitality Foundation was very pleased with the current development, taking place in Berbice Cricket and looks forward to a productive relationship. Abbas also hailed the BCB investment in the educational career of youth players. Vitality Inc earlier this year had donated $1.4M worth of cricket gears to eight Upper Corentyne clubs and two youth cricketers.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday April 13, 2021

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Punjab Kings snatch thrilling victory as KL Rahul 91 trumps Sanju Samson 119 ESPNcricinfo Rajasthan Royals’ new captain Sanju Samson nearly won his side their opening game single-handedly, with a stunning century, but fell short on the last ball by holing out to deep cover when they needed five to win. Chasing a stiff 222, Samson brought it down to 21 off 12 and then 13 off six.

They managed only two off the first three balls of the last over and needed 11 from three when Samson crunched Arshdeep Singh over the covers for a six. He then drilled the next delivery along the ground to wide long-off but sent a sprinting Chris Morris back without a single, which took the equation to five from the final ball.

Samson connected well with Singh’s cutter but only found deep cover, where Deepak Hooda fittingly took the catch after he had set up the game for the Punjab Kings with a blitz of 64 off 28, the perfect assault they needed after the start KL Rahul and Chris Gayle provided.

After Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler fell within eight overs, for 0 and 25 respectively, the onus was on Samson and he kept the chase on course by taking the Royals past 100 in the 11th over. But he would have also fallen much earlier had the Kings not given him two lives on 12 and 35. Samson cashed in by timing his drives and flicks to perfection and muscling the shorter balls for a total of 12 fours and seven sixes.

The asking rate soared, but so did the boundaries

from Samson’s bat. With able company from Shivam Dube and Riyan Parag, he hammered a combined 59 runs off 22 balls off the Australian duo of Riley Meredith and Jhye Richardson. The partnership of 52 off 22 balls between him and Parag stretched the match right until the end but it was only a few yards eventually that separated the two sides.

Samson steers the Royals ship alone When Buttler was bowled by a deceptive slow yorker from Richardson, the Royals needed 152 from 75 balls and Samson was on 29 off 22. Samson’s confidence and strokeplay, however, didn’t suffer at all. He took on the pace bowlers and only settled for singles or doubles when M Ashwin turned the ball or Mohammed Shami turned in bursts of accurate pace bowling.

It was the combination of Arshdeep and Shami that kept the game in the Kings’ favour. When the Royals needed 48 from 24, Shami bowled a mix of short balls and yorkers that went for only eight in the over. When Richardson bowled the next, Samson turned the tables again with crisp strokeplay for 4, 6 and 4 that took him to a 54-ball century. Shami was bowled out, which meant Meredith bowled the penultimate over; Tewatia fell on the first ball but Samson whipped another six on the leg side to bring the equation down to 13 from six.

Arshdeep eventually bowled the toughest over of the night, in which he kept

Arshdeep Singh held his nerve in the final over to close out the game for Punjab Kings © BCCI aiming for the wide yorkers.

The first three worked, the fourth didn’t and eventually he trumped Samson to seal victory.

The Stokes duck and boundary-laden powerplay The Royals got the big wicket of Stokes on the third ball of the chase but that also nearly resulted in one of the numerous drops of the night.

Stokes top-edged a short ball from Shami, and Rahul and Hooda both sprinted towards the ball, as did the bowler, with the keeper-captain colliding with the bowler who still managed to hold on. Three overs later Arshdeep took a sharp return catch off Manan Vohra and would have had Samson too for 12 had Rahul held on while diving to his right.

Samson got another life on 35 when Mayank Agarwal dropped him while running back from mid-off. Samson crunched boundaries almost at will thereafter.

The fifth over also had Buttler welcome Meredith to the IPL with four consecutive fours but he fell two overs later to Richardson, having helped the Royals accumulate 59 in the powerplay.

The other powerplay and the other KL Rahul Rahul’s strike rate was often questioned in the last IPL. He may have nullified those questions for now by going for the boundaries often and not dropping anchor. After Mayank Agarwal edged one behind off IPL debutant Chetan Sakariya, Rahul and Chris Gayle picked up at least one boundary an over in their 67run stand, and even accelerated after the powerplay.

Both Rahul and Gayle were also given lives; Rahul dropped at the long-off boundary by Stokes on 15 and Gayle’s difficult return catch put down by Tewatia on 33.

Promoted over Pooran, Hooda steals the show When Gayle holed out to long-on for 40 off 28, the Kings were 89 for 2 at the halfway mark, the perfect stage to unleash Nicholas Pooran. But they sent in Hooda, and by the time one could think of the reason behind it, the batsman lifted the run rate from nine to 11 an over with a hammering the Royals wouldn’t have expected.

The 13th and 14th overs were the most productive with three sixes each. Rahul started the assault off Shivam Dube with a straight six for his 30-ball halfcentury, and Hooda ended the over with sixes on either side of the pitch. The 14th over belonged only to Hooda as he dispatched three Shreyas Gopal deliveries for sixes whenever the ball pitched in his slot. Hooda was also given a life in the next over when he skied a Mustafizur Rahman cutter -

Buttler ran back from cover and barely got his hands under the ball.

The Royals paid the price for that as well. Hooda whipped a no-look six off Morris, brought up a 20-ball fifty and punished Sakariya with three consecutive fours at the end of the 17th over despite some clever pace and length variations from the bowler. Morris eventually had Hooda caught at long-on but Rahul continued to strike sixes, even as Pooran fell for a first-ball duck. Rahul and Shahrukh Khan collected another 15 off the 19th over as extras from Rahman also added to the Kings’ total, before another impressive over from Sakariya meant the 20th went for only five and he finished a memorable debut with 3 for 31.

Scores: Punjab Kings 221 for 6 (Rahul 91, Hooda 64, Gayle 40, Sakariya 3-31) beat Rajasthan Royals 217 for 7 (Samson 119, Arshdeep 3-35) by four runs.

New GCB Executive aims to set high standards in Cricket Administration The newly-elected executives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) met on Saturday April 10, 2021.

This was the second meeting under the chairmanship of new President Bissoondyal Singh; the first was held immediately after the election of the new GCB executives on March 29, 2021.

At the meeting on Saturday April 10, 2021, the executives discussed a wide range of matters relating to the strategic development goals for cricket in Guyana and the pathway towards achieving such goals. In achieving these planned

Andre Percival goals, it is essential that the Board’s policies, processes and procedures be

Ramnaresh Sarwan understood by those involved and carried out in an ethical and principled

manner. Given this position, the GCB wishes assure the general public of the

executives’ unwavering commitment to the development and advancement of cricketrelated activities and the empowerment and development of players.

The GCB executives will therefore strive to c o n d u c t t h e B o a r d ’s activities with the highest regard for fairness, accountability and transparency, an official release from the GCB stated.

The initial assessment by the executives and engaged stakeholders indicate that a lot needs to be done to enhance Guyana’scricket.

This assessment provides a

significant intrinsic motivation, where all elected executives are committed to this cause and are prepared to lead by example. The executives will be giving their time and energy to create a supportive atmosphere by which all stakeholders are reasonably expected to strive.

To date, the executives have established several sub-committees and panels inclusive of those related to Senior Selection, Junior Selection, Cricket Development, Finance, Marketing and Public Relations. Noticeably, (Continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Tuesday April 13, 2021

Vitality Inc on board as RHTYSC, MS U-23 team sponsor for 2021 - Co sponsor club 31st annual magazine

O

ne of the main reason why the Rose Hall Town Yo u t h a n d Sports Club is widely considered Guyana leading youth and sports organisation, is its ability to attract and maintain sponsors over a long period of time. Vitality INC of Providence East Bank Demerara on Thursday last became the seventh official sponsor of the club’s cricket section. They join a elite list that includes Poonai Pharmacy, Farfan and Mendes Ltd, Bakewell, Pepsi, Metro Office Supplies and the National Milling Company {NAMILCO}.

R H T Y S C Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster disclosed that the company would be sponsoring the newly established under23 team which would be playing in the upcoming Berbice Cricket Board Sandeep and Son tournament. The team would be led by West Indies white ball player Kevin Sinclair, while the highly talented Kevlon Anderson would be his deputy. The Rose Hall Town Vitality team would start the

tournament as one of the favourites with a long list of national and Berbice players.

Among the players in the team apart from the captain and vice would be Junior Sinclair, Keith Simpson, Slyus Tyndall, Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Chanderpaul Govindan., Jermey Sandian, Tyreese Sealey, Kevin Ramnarine, Lucas Arthur, Christopher Deroop, Surendra Ramcharitar and Matthew Pottaya.

The sponsorship from Vitality Inc would cover the cost of cricket balls for practice sessions and matches along with transportation, snacks and the overall operation of the t e a m f o r t h e y e a r.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e management of the RHTYSC had mandated the team to successfully complete a total of thirty personal development programmes under the name of the sponsorship for 2021 under the sub headings of education, culture, cricket development, community development, anti crime and anti suicide.

Among the upcoming events to be hosted by the

Vitality director Abbas Hamid hands over sponsorship to RHTYSC Vice President Mark Papannah. team would be a Special Mothers Day hampers project, clean up of the public beach in Rose Hall To w n , s e n i o r c i t i z e n s breakfast project and the distribution of cycles to less fortunate students.

Meanwhile, the company would also be cosponsoring the 21st edition of the RHTYSC Youth Review Magazine. Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu stated that the club since 2000 has published an

Juman-Yassin to run for GOA presidency again, but Term limit motion could restrict him

By Calvin Chapman The current head of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), K.A. Juman-Yassin, a former Chief Magistrate, has served at the helm of the GOA for over two decades, and recently, he shared with Kaieteur Sport that he will be running for office again at the next elections.

A term in the GOA office lasts four years and although Juman-Yassin was last elected since 2016, the dedicated administrator noted to Kaieteur Sport that in keeping with the constitution of the GOA, elections must be held after the summer Olympic Games. However, the Tokyo 2020 games were pushed back to this year, so the GOA would be keeping in compliance.

During the 2016 elections, which was held at

K.A. Juman-Yassin has confirmed he will be running for office again. the new base of the GOA at Lilliendaal that is still under construction, current head of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG); Aubrey Hutson, had nominated Juman-Yassin, while the General Secretary of the G u y a n a Ta b l e Te n n i s A s s o c i a t i o n ( G T TA ) ; Linden Johnson seconded the nomination.

However, there is one

issue. Several motions were raised by the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) and passed during the 2016 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Elections, and the one that sticks out is the motion to limit the reign of any GOA head to threeterms.

Long-serving squash a d m i n i s t r a t o r, D a v i d Fernandes, confirmed with Kaieteur Sport that this motion was indeed passed but noted that he doesn’t have any idea of anyone who would be able to do the best job for Guyana if JumanYassin would be unable to serve again.

However, a legal mind has shared with this publication that the threeterm limit could be interpreted two ways and a heated battle could ensue if Juman-Yassin was to be opposed. The lawyer (Continued on page 19)

annual magazine as part of its youth outreach programmes. The magazines has traditionally carried articles on the work of the club during the calendar year, outstanding members, plans for the future and highlight the support of its sponsors. Additionally, each year the magazine also features articles with advice to youths on topics such like drug abuse, suicide, importance of education, religion, climate change and domestic violence.

The 2021 edition would consist of 48 pages and is expected to be published by the middle of the year.

Naidu, disclosed that special

articles would be done on West Indies players Kevin Sinclair, Shakabi Gajnabi and Kevlon Anderson.

Foster who is also the President of the Berbice Cricket Board expressed thanks to the Directors of the company for their support and reassured them that the club would be good ambassadors of their brand and play a major role in making the company a household name in Guyana.

Company Director Abbas Hamid stated that Vitality Inc was pleased to be associated with the team and wished them success on and off the cricket field.

The company which was

recently launched in Guyana, is a US $1OM investment in Guyana and offers a wide range of services including providing equipment needed to serve the oil sector in Guyana, consultancy and strategic planning. Subsidiaries include Vitality Supplies and Vitality Accounting and Consultancy.

The other sponsored teams of the RHTYSC are Poonai Pharmacy under 12 and 13, Farfan and Mendes under 15, Bakewell under 17 and Second Division, Pepsi under 19 and Intermediate, metro Females and Namilco Thunder Bolt Flour under 21 and First Division teams.

Rockaway Group of Companies supports East Coast Police cricket team Rockaway Group of Companies has thrown its support behind the East Coast Police cricket team.

Recently, the Chief Executive Office of the entity Hafeez Ali presented a quantity of cricket equipment to the team.

The equipment which includes bats, pads, balls, footwear and gloves were presented to ranks of the Vigilance Police station.

Ali said he is pleased to give back to the society and urged the players to remain committed. He noted the importance of discipline and pledged his continued support.

S e r g e a n t Ty n d a l l expressed gratitude to Ali

Ranks of the Vigilance Police station accepts the equipment from Chief Executive Office of the entity Hafeez Ali. and said the equipment will be of tremendous benefit to the team. Ali has made several contributions to

cricket clubs and players in areas such as Wakenaam, LBI, Mon Repos, Strathavon and Kato.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday April 13, 2021

PAGE 25

Bakewell renews RHTYSC Cricket Sponsorship for 22nd successive year...

“It is a common knowledge that sponsorship for sports in Guyana is mostly a one off thing. The RHTYSC is therefore very grateful that over the last two decades, Bakewell has remained steadfast in their support of our Under17 and Second Division teams.

There can be no doubt that Bakewell is one of the main reasons why we are widely considered Guyana leading youth and sports organisation.”

The words of Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club Hilbert Foster as Guyana’s leading bakery, Bakewell, renewed its annual cricket sponsorship for the 22nd successive year.

Foster, who is also the President of the Berbice Cricket Board and Vice President of the Guyana Cricket Board, stated that Bakewell had been an

official sponsor of the RHTYSC, MS since early 2000. The company started with the sponsorship of the Second Division team and then the Under17 team.

Foster disclosed that the two teams have won over twenty different tournaments over the years at the different levels. The Rose Hall Town Bakewell teams have produced numerous Berbice and Guyana players over the years including Royston Crandon, Assad Fudadin, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond, Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Keith Simpson, Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Jeremy Sandia, Sylus Tyndall, Dominic Rikhi, Abdel Fudadin, Khemraj Mahadeo, Brandon Prashad and Matthew Pottaya. Fudadin, Kevin Sinclair, Esuan Crandon,

Royston Crandon, Kevlon Anderson have all gone on to play for the West Indies at different levels.

Foster hailed the support of Bakewell over the years as it allows the players to perform on the cricket field without thinking about the expenses associated with the cost of playing the game.

The two teams over the years have also hosted hundreds of personal development programmes under the name of the sponsorship. The two teams are mandated by club management to complete between 50 and 60 activities per year. These includes food hampers programme, cricket academy, senior citizens breakfast programme, Television programmes, clean up campaign, Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Education and Say No to Suicide.

RHTYSC Asst

Natasha Bhikhari hands over sponsorship to RHTYSC Vice President Mark Papannah and Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu.

Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu disclosed that the Under17 team in 2021 would be led by Christopher DeRoop, while Matthew Pottaya would serve as his deputy. The talented Kevlon Anderson would lead the second division team with Junior Sinclair as the deputy.

Naidu assured the Management of Bakewell that the two teams would uphold their high standards

of the past and would continue to be good role model ambassadors of the company’s brand.

Bakewell General Manager Rajin Ganga stated that his company was delighted with the performance of the teams on and off the cricket field. The two teams, he noted have played a great part in making Bakewell a household name in Berbice.

Ganga expressed confidence that the relationship would continue to be strengthened in the future. Bakewell apart from sponsoring the two teams also co-sponsor numerous other activities including award ceremony, annual magazine, cricket academy, Christmas village, mother’s day programme and father’s day programme for the club annually.