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Family buries wrong body in COVID mix-up

AIETEUR NEWS

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Wednesday Edition April 14, 2021 - Vol. 16 No.15

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Ex-Minister Norton charged in relation to $12.5M monthly drug bond rental scandal

Online readership yesterday, 87,930

Charged, Ex-Minister of Health, Dr. George Norton.

Female passenger Demand for industrial Security guard Repairs to assaulted by zones in Guyana hospitalised after Lethem’s main bus driver after overwhelms gunmen shoot access bridge to complaining about Trade Ministry him in leg - Minister Walrond cost at least $17M vulgar music

Donald Rodney's appeal of 1982 conviction for unlawful possession of explosives set aside in historic decision See story on page 12

ExxonMobil slapped with Prisoner freed after bandit implicates Magistrate rules more fines in US over matters to be environmental violations mastermind in contractor murder Lawrence, Mingo, Smith-Joseph elections fraud cases…

p.3

p.

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tried summarily …will also have to spend US$10M to ‘clean up its act’

Exxon encounters additional problems despite “repairs and upgrades” to gas compressor - oil production down from 120,000 to 30,000 barrels per day 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

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 14, 2021

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

Power and power It is unlikely that the slogan for Guyana Power and Light (GPL) website, “Empowering you”, would not have been selected and settled upon with as much a sense of painful irony as positive idealism. From the original ventures in England by pioneers Roger Hammond and Thomas Edison in the 1880s, almost a century and a half ago, the public provision of electricity has been indispensable to the development of nations and the empowerment of their people.

Not so in Guyana where since independence the constantly unreliable and expensive public provision of electricity has certainly not been empowering to our people, even as subsequent political administrations have both used the poor provision of power to get into power and then sought to excuse their abject failure to fix the power situation while in power.

For example, when the David Granger administration was elected into government in 2015, it was in large part due to a campaign that promised “It is time to end blackouts”. By that time, 15 years into the new millennium, GPL’s increasingly ludicrous excuses for power outages had become so widely panned that they had spawned dozens of internet memes, and one entire Facebook page, the GPL Rat, after the excuse given at one time that massive blackouts in the capital city were supposedly caused by a rat gnawing through some wire at the Kingston generation plant.

In August of 2016, over a year into the administration that promised an end to blackouts, there was no end, with the Department of Public Information (DPI) reporting that: “The [David Patterson, Public Infrastructure] Minister explained that he recently met with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Board to improve response time to at least 15 minutes… In Demerara, it’s not a question of generators, since all the generators are working, but it is a question of the distribution system, Minister Patterson reiterated.”

Two years later, and three into the Coalition government, in May of 2018, Patterson was still promising earnestly that “reliable and stable electricity will be delivered”, a month after then Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, had given similar assurances.

The Granger administration is of course now history and with a new PPP administration in place, the refrain is eerily familiar. In October of last year, we had the new Prime Minister, Mark Phillips making promises that were heard ad nauseam for the previous five years. According to one DPI report: “In a recent interview, the Prime Minister said the Government has sought to address the challenges facing the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) from its first days in office, in a quest to end blackouts.”

People in power have to get serious about the delivery of power to the Guyanese people, and to start by acknowledging the devastating effects of power outages on the local economy at every conceivable level. Not only is money/ value lost from constant blackouts but money/value is prevented from being earned. Think of a pastry maker with a piece of cheese in her fridge. She has invested in that cheese in order to add value to that cheese for her to make a profit.

If there is blackout, that cheese goes bad and not only does she lose the money she has invested in the cheese, she also loses any potential profit she can make from putting the cheese in a cheese roll and selling it. And at the end of the day, GPL doesn’t give her a blackout rebate on its bill - she still has to pay full price for the disrupted electricity supply that has completely destroyed her bottom line. Now scale that up to industrial levels and you get the sense of the massive disruptions that an unstable power supply has caused in this country’s development and growth, from the small producer to the medium scale enterprise to the large (for Guyana at least) manufacturer who is required to compete in a global economy.

Politicians from both sides of our great political divide continue to fail us when it comes to the provision of a reliable power supply, even as they continue to thrive via power from the people, both figuratively and literally since the majority of those in executive office not only have their electricity bills paid by taxpayers but also enjoy alternate sources of electricity, from solar to gas generators, when most of the country has to endure blackouts. It is time that the people are truly empowered by, well, more power to the people.

GOVERNMENT DOING ITS PART, PEOPLE MUST RUSH TO BE VACCINATED DEAR EDITOR, I find it quite alarming that every day an average of almost 100 new people get infected with the coronavirus, and the number of deaths keep climbing.

What will it take for our Guyanese people to get the message and treat this matter as a national emergency?

I am hearing stories of people being lackadaislacal and laid back regarding getting the vaccine. Some are listening to some extremist guy on YouTube telling people not to get the vaccine, and totally crazy things such as the vaccine has a microchip in it, and will alter the DNA. Some are so silly, they say the vaccine is “the mark of the beast.”

People of Guyana, our Government is doing its part to get the vaccines for us. Our job is to rush to the vaccination sites and get vaccinated as quickly as possible. The

Government is doing its part; we need to do our part to support the overall effort at health and safety.

We should have a problem of people wanting the vaccines but they are in short supply (as in other countries), note, the Government has a good supply but enough people are not rushing to get it.

We need everybody to get on board with the vaccination.

You have seen your neighbours and friends die because of the virus. You have seen people getting very sick with the virus. You see that young people can die from the virus, not just old people. You know Guyana does not have many treatment facilities to treat large numbers of new cases, so why are our people being so reckless with their lives?

Our people cannot be reckless, and then when the health services are over-

whelmed with so many new cases every day, you would turn around and blame the Government for not having enough treatment facilities.

The more people vaccinated means the more we are building a resistance against the virus and preventing new strains of the virus from emerging.

Guyanese are lucky that people over 40 years can get the vaccine. Even in Canada it is not so easy to get the vaccine. People, this is one situation where, “A hole in the boat is a hole in the whole boat.”

If you are not vaccinated, if you are not wearing your masks at all times, if you are not practicing proper distancing, you put the whole boat at risk, and it does not matter which side of the boat has the hole.

On the blogs, Alison Cortez said, “You are responsible for you, you have to do

what you gotta do to stay safe and alive. Don’t blame government for this , you were spreading it when you disregard all the instructions given to you.

Stick bruk in y’all ears.”

Devi Bhagoo said, “Please come on, we need the curfew to be back 6 to 6 and close all the port of entries back and the rum shop and bars and clubs and restaurants back only to essential business operated.”

Finally, the COVID task force should ask Government Ministers whether it is really necessary to have events where they assemble large groups of people in what are potentially “super spreader” events. Please stop that, and be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. Forego the photo-ops events, and act with some sense.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall NC, USA

Proposed national COVID-19 mitigation plan DEAR EDITOR, The Citizenship Initiative’s leadership has noticed the alarming rise in COVID-19 infections and deaths attributed to the emergence of several strains of the virus characterized by higher transmissibility. After assessing the situation, and given Guyana’s geographical proximity to Brazil, currently a major global epicenter of the disease, turning out alarming national numbers of infections and deaths (4,000+ deaths per day on multiple occasions) we have begun to see signs that the new variants may have found a foothold in Guyana and can tip our national situation towards critical levels. Because the Covid virus has the potential to spread exponentially over a short period of time, there is a need for swift, decisive and unified action to curb the virus’ advance.

The Hon. Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, on April 7th, 2021 has publicly acknowledged that Covid patients are being admitted with a ‘sicker’ form of the virus, meaning one that causes a faster onset of symptoms even in younger, less vulnerable groups. Here is a summary of the local national figures for 14 days (27-Mar to 9Apr): Total New Cases Recorded: 951 Total Deaths: 27 Average New Cases per Day: 68 Average Deaths per Day: 2 Regions 3, 4 and 6 continue to be the main hotspots for infections and deaths, which is attributed to the high

population density and commercial activity in these areas.

Measures for Consideration The following measures are proposed to the PPP government for consideration.

The Opposition parties, National Covid Taskforce, Ministry of Health, Joint Services, Religious and Society Leaders and Public and Private Sectors will all be expected to play their role in executing measures and monitoring the situation in a collaborative effort. Given the looming urgency of the situation, these measures should be implemented almost immediately after consideration. The week of April 12th -16th can be used to review and iron out the plan. Recommendations are as follows: 1. From April 19th, reinstate the curfew from 6PM – 6AM Monday – Thursday, and on Friday-Sunday, a total lockdown of all non-essential activity countrywide. The Joint Services and police are to be used to establish strategic command checkpoints from which joint patrols are deployed to provide coverage along the high-density population areas of Regions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10.

2. Establish and enforce a mandatory mask mandate for persons traveling daily, whether using public transportation or personal vehicles. Joint Services are to enforce this through inspections, and anyone violating this will be subject to a heavy fine and mandatory quarantine for 14 days (home or institutional).

3. The immediate closure of all bars, restaurants, clubs,

betting/gaming houses, markets, barber shops, salons, malls and other non-essential business entities from April 19th – May 2nd. Cancellation of all sporting competitions and events until follow up Impact Assessment on the effective of measures is conducted. Food markets, supermarkets, pharmacies and hardware stores that sell cleaning supplies to allow only takeaway services or delivery, but are allowed to operate from 6AM – 6PM for pickup, and 6AM – 9PM for delivery. Supermarkets are limited to 50 percent capacity for shoppers at all times, with current social distancing, mask wearing and sanitizing mandates in full effect.

4. Immediate closure of the border with Brazil, and restrictions on all incoming and outgoing travel there, except for emergency or diplomatic reasons. All entries to Guyana from Brazil MUST submit a negative Covid test taken no more than 48 hours prior to travel, and MUST submit to INSTITUTIONAL (not home) quarantine for 14 days. No exceptions will be made. Current restrictions in place for other international travel to remain in effect.

5. Public gatherings of more than 4 persons are to be prohibited, except where approved by the Covid taskforce for the purposes of construction work or other valid reasons. Public weddings, funerals and other social events are not permitted.

Anyone found in breach of this should be fined $50,000 and must undergo MANDATORY institutional quarantine for 14-days. Taskforce should

set up strategic quarantine facilities countrywide (use of schools, places of worship, etc.) that provides adequate social distancing scope. No exceptions.

6. Setup emergency notification protocols with mobile phone services providers (GTT & Digicel) so important updates, news and guidelines can be communicated quickly countrywide via mass messaging from the Covid taskforce. Utilise other corporations such as DDL, Banks DIH, etc. to mobilise sanitation crews to thoroughly sanitise the high-density population zones daily. Use of the army reserves, police recruits and other such personnel are recommended to provide adequate manpower.

7. Open up the National Covid Vaccination Campaign to ALL citizens and residents, setting up strategic vaccination centers throughout the high-density population areas. Conduct vaccine sensitisation campaigns to educate the public and clear up misconceptions or fears about taking the Covid vaccine. Prioritise relaxing measures only in communities where widespread vaccination (at least the first dose) has taken place in at least 80 percent of the population.

This should incentivise other communities to follow suit for an expedited return to ‘normalcy’.

8. All schools, universities and educational institutions to remain closed. Online learning platforms should be the primary means for delivering education material. The Ministry of Education should (Continued on page 5)

Wednesday April 14, 2021

I have never heard of this before DEAR EDITOR, I have never heard such confounded nonsense before. Where a man is shot for having air fresheners dangling from his rearview mirror. Daunte Wright was not only shot, but he was also shot in the back and killed in Brooklyn Minnesota.

He was not killed for having dangling air fresheners from his rearview mirror by an opportunist criminal or a criminal carjacker.

He was shot and killed by a lawman; a sworn protector of the law turned mindless predator. My God! Where does this murderous stop? When does the split second between life and death cross the line into death because of a nervous or trigger-happy lawman? Because of a white-hot racist clothed in the blue of enforcement for the safety of all?

Clearly, gun and badge have metamorphosed into licence to kill, and at will, too; that random bell could be tolling for some hapless black man trapped in the aggravations, tensions, and frustrations that intensify exponentially.

Life should not be so

cheap: a slight pressure on the firing pin so easy, lethal. But it is, for minorities, with Black Americans absorbing the bulk of the bullets blasting.

Even criminals do not kill a man for dangling air fresheners.

This can’t be law enforcement; it is the 21st century version of the Middle Passage and the end of the line, embedded plantation horrors. In the former throw the dead overboard, like garbage, which was the first deadly sin.

On plantations, they were a three-fifths fraction of human, according to the sacred United States Constitution in the second deadly sin of its own caste system.

Nobody wants to go near such incendiary untouchable truths today.

But what we have is a new form of enslavement: do the will of ‘The Man’ or be dead. Yes, the police has a hard and dirty job to do; yet I have not known of an American Caucasian being killed for such trivia: selling bootleg cigarettes (Garner in New York); George Floyd for being in possession of a counterfeit bill (Minnesota); and now Daunte Wright for dan-

gling air fresheners (Minnesota again).

In this latest tragedy at the hands of police, it is a harrowing symbol of that worst of wanton injustices: a black man lynched and dangling on a rope.

The law was part of the lynch mobs then, it is again today. Jim Crow justice and street justice inseparable.

Black men dying horrendously, because their killers have every confidence in a justice system that balances the scales unfairly but decidedly in the favour of legalised perpetrators.

It is why police officers take the chance, roll the dice, press the trigger.

Something is wrong with this. So many revelatory pieces missing.

The police serve as deterrents. Where are the deterrents that limit their use of deadly force so indifferently, so selectively, so aggressively? This is happening too often, gone on too long. Another fallen martyred, another enraged protest, one icon picture of a man on a police cruiser. How? Why? Sincerely, GHK Lall

Consistent attempts to derail the progress of the ruling administration DEAR EDITOR, It is of no surprise that the APNU+AFC and their affiliates would consistently try to derail the progress of the PPP/ C Government by peddling misinformation and blatant lies. After all, it is in their very nature to do so. The recent narrative that they have concocted with the sole intention of inciting public terror is that there is a kidnapping situation in Guyana. The very fact that these individuals can spew such baseless claims without any remorse for the implications of such on the Guyanese populace is exactly why they are part of the opposition and not government.

About a week ago we saw Gavin Matthews take to social media claiming that he was kidnapped by PPP/C agents.

This resulted in the entire APNU+AFC cabal and their affiliates creating nonsensical postings all over social media for their followings to be “informed” of the situation.

However, if there was any truth to this kidnapping claim, why didn’t Gavin Matthews and his people name these so called PPP/C agents? Why

PROPOSED NATIONAL COVID-19 MITIGATION PLAN From page 4 be closely monitoring each jurisdiction and reporting real-time changes to the Covid taskforce.

9. From May 2nd, and fortnightly onward, a comprehensive Impact Assessment of the effectiveness of measures

in place to be conducted to determine which areas need extra attention or adjustments. Only when there has been a notable reduction in infections for seven (7) consecutive days can restrictions start to be gradually eased.

Data to be made public daily

IS IT MANDATORY TO WEAR FACE MASK WHILE DRIVING ALONE? DEAR EDITOR, Permit me to share a personal event with your readers. On the 13th day of April in the year 2021, I was stopped in what was a road block by the Guyana Police Force in Mahaicony.

The officer that stopped me did not ask for any of my documents but rather asked why am I not wearing my face mask? I said officer because I am alone in my vehicle I do not see the need for it. The officer said well it is now mandatory to do so even if you are alone in your vehicle. I am not aware that this is now

mandatory in Guyana? Does this mean that COVID-19 is airborne? (To my knowledge it is not).

Does this mean that they will start charging persons hanging out at particular bars in New Amsterdam? Does this mean when I see a patrol unit and none of the officers are wearing masks I can go to them and say that is an offence? The task force is moving in a haphazard way with COVID-19. If it does become an offence then I will say that is crazy and stupid to say the least.

Tanya Niamatali

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via social media, Covid taskforce website and emergency push notifications mentioned in measure 6.

10. Closely monitor the regional situation, and liaise with Covid taskforces in neighbouring Suriname, Brazil and Venezuela (Suriname has already implemented extra measures after recognising the threat of the faster spreading variant emanating from Brazil) to share information, updates and strategies. Together, this will provide an accurate snapshot of the regional situation and guide further measures. As the spread of the virus less-

ens, collaborative decisions to relax restrictions and a GRADUAL return to normalcy can be undertaken, with an end goal as the end of June (Q2) of 2021.

The Citizenship Initiative remains ready to offer its support, manpower and data to the government and other major stakeholders as we work together to break the spread of this virus, safeguard our population and be a responsible sister nation to our regional neighbours.

Yours Truly, Shaz Ally The Citizenship Initiative

weren’t reports made with the CID so that an investigation can be launched into the allegations?

The reason why that was not done was because it simply could not have been done. Gavin Matthews and his affiliates’ only intentions are to incite fear into the Guyanese populace by putting forth misinformation.

In fact, according to reports from the Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie, the Guyana Police Force has recorded a 46.6 per cent decrease in serious crimes for the period January 01 to March 05, 2021. Evidence of this was plastered in the newspapers in early March after the Commissioner spoke at the opening ceremony of the Police Officers’ Annual Conference. For the sake of clarity especially for the likeness of Gavin Matthews and his affiliates, serious crimes include murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from a person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.

It is clear that people like Gavin Matthews and now more recently, Chris Gopaul, are focused solely on discrediting the administration for their commendable efforts.

The most recent propaganda orchestrated by the APNU+AFC and spread by individuals like Chris Gopaul is that the so called “kidnapping situation” in Guyana is becoming increasingly alarming.

They have even managed to circulate voice messages through social media plat-

forms in order to make their baseless claims appear worrisome to Guyanese. Such distasteful actions must be ridiculed by all right thinking citizens as they are only geared at inciting panic and unnecessary fear.

If people are being kidnapped as they are claiming, where is the evidence? Who are these individuals? Why was the police not informed?

Why were there no reports in the media of such kidnappings? The reason for this is simply because it’s all lies. Guyana does not have a kidnapping situation ongoing. I will conclude by urging all Guyanese to reject these attempts that are being made

by APNU+AFC and their cohorts to incite fear in the society even amidst the pandemic.

The fact that they can peddle such misinformation and baseless claims reflect the type of people they are.

The PPP/C Government shows determination in making Guyana all that it can be.

Do not let the APNU+AFC distort such truth with their lies.

Yours respectfully, Erin Northe

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Black leaders need to emphasise On the Right - prominent sale of crude oil. Surprise?

In the Caribbean Black like Bill Cosby said capitalism activists ‘Poor Black people suffered leaders in Trinidad, Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Dr. Walter Rodney [Guyanese Marxist] in his book - How Europe Underdeveloped Africa by imperialism would have been amazed how Black Leaders and many Blacks intellects in Africa and the Diaspora are the ones who are keeping Black people underdeveloped and intellectually ignorant to suit their political agendas to influence and control the Black masses.

Too often Blacks in the Diaspora are exposed mostly to politicians and intellectuals on the Left and not on the Right. The Leftists Black Socialists mostly emphasize ‘victimhood’, the reparations ideology and a dependency on Government handouts.

The Blacks on the Right on the other hand emphasize a more capitalist republican approach to empower Blacks through strong family culture, education and self-economic development.

from not having strong leaders and Blacks should spend their money on education and NOT on disposable goods.

Juan Williams - said ‘Many African leaders have lost touch with the Civil Rights movement of Self-Empowerment - they embrace the notions of “Victimhood”.

Thomas Sowell, Lary Elder, Shelby Williams and Candice Owens debunk systemic racism in the USA - today and blame the economic downfall of Blacks on the Black/ White democratic Welfare System.

On the Continent of Black Africa - Oladayo Nathaniel on his discourse paper pointed out the core reason today behind African underdevelopment is because of mass corruption.

Nuhu Ribadu [former World Bank Vice President] and Oby Ezekweili stressed that Nigerian leaders stole over US$400 billion from the

and Suriname ruled these three countries for many decades and nationalised the companies in the oil, and agricultural sectors running them as Black Enterprises with heavy corruption that ruined their economies.

Today in the USA, Caribbean, Black leaders, to escape their continue failures are still keeping slavery, victimhood, and reparations to lure and tighten their control over their Black constituents to keep themselves in power over them.Solutions: Blacks need to subscribe to both the ‘right’ and ‘left’ to their constituents to enlighten them politically, economically and Socially.

Question - Do you think Dr. Walter Rodney had he lived wouldn’t have written a book on how Black leaders underdeveloped Black people today?

Yours faithfully, Vassan Ramracha

I congratulate the Foreign Secretary for continuing the charade DEAR EDITOR, I refer to the article titled, “Excluding Diaspora from long term oil plans is a mistake - Foreign Secretary” (KN April 13). The Hon. Foreign Secretary harboured such thoughts, which flies in the face of existing reality. But that is exactly what his people have done, and will be compelled to do in the oil future. I expand.

A diaspora Guyanese man is right here right now, but he has been excluded. He knows more about oil and big-name oil corporations from being in the big time than any other Guyanese including the Hon. Foreign Secretary, the Hon. Minister of Natural Resources, and the Hon. Vice President combined know about oil and how those companies operate when they are focused on big game hunting.

Today, Guyana represents big game oil hunting, with global recognition as the brightest oil frontier anywhere.

Again, that is not me saying so, but the big people that make a living from oil watching and all of its shoots and branches. In case the Foreign

Wednesday April 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

Secretary has conveniently forgotten, I remind him: that diaspora oilman right here right now is Dr. Vincent Adams. I readily pardon him for that likely lapse. And just in case, the Foreign Secretary forgot to remember, I help him: look at what his people, the president and Vice President (both redoubtably honourable men and leaders of unparalleled purity) did to that diaspora oil presence. For that I cannot forgive Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, since it is beyond me and must come from above.

Editor, the Foreign Secretary (not to be mistaken for those arch patriotic British ones, like Palmerston and Granville and Grey) very wisely included the hedge of long-term oil plans in his virtual presentation, which is fitting, since it is clear that the PPP government exists in another reality, virtual, otherworldly, surreal, and slick with repeated coatings of vast hypocrisies and selfdeceptions. The returning prodigal waxes about diaspora. It is already here to provide a start in building a

firm and feared foundation for Guyana’s long-term future, but was sent packing because of not being ostensibly the best fit, given his skills. Just look at EPA and other dodges. But here is the Foreign Secretary talking about diaspora, preparation, and development. I discern that the Foreign Secretary and his bosses are more interested in that section of the diaspora network that will keep things undercover, and in the family.

He should know, given that he was recalled and is now sweetly perched.

Through that colour-coded section of the rainbow that is the Guyanese diaspora, longterms oil plans can be erected.

Given their known persuasions, they can be trusted to go along with government leaders and Exxon, while both put double layered paper bags over the heads of naïve and trusting Guyanese. PPP leaders know citizens are dependent, which I endorse.

But they also believe that trusting Guyanese are dumb, and of that I will have no part.

I congratulate the Foreign Secretary for continuing the charade.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Time to regularise and regulate transportation in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Have you ever tried getting a bus only to have bus operators tugging and pulling at you (while cursing each other and quarrelling and fighting over you) to force you into this bus or the other bus, hell bent on not letting you enter another operator’s bus?

The issue we face with transportation providers in Guyana is that at present, unlike in more developed countries, the bus owners and operators are competing with each other for passengers.

This should never ever be the case. Especially not in Guyana.

In the absence of properly enforced traffic laws, competition between bus operators causes them to go over the speed limit, to go over their passenger limit, to make stops for pickups in illegal and dangerous places, to overcharge passengers at night, to generally behave lawlessly with no regard for the safety nor well-being of paying passengers, etc, etc.

The list is long. When bus operators compete for money, passengers are no longer people but just another $100 each.

On the other hand, where bus operators are paid by the government a flat salary ev-

ery single month, they do not compete with each other because no matter how many passengers they manage to pick up they will still just be getting their flat salary (the government pays them a salary out of funds collected through the sale of buspasses which the passengers use instead of cash when paying the bus operators - the bus operators do not collect cash from passengers but from the government).

Bus operators, who are paid a flat salary every month, do not stop for you unless you are at the bus stop as required. People in developed countries are aware that in order for them to get a bus they need to be at the bus stop before the bus arrives.

Bus operators who are paid a flat salary every month no longer see the need to speed.

They do not overload.

They do not overtake each other nor race each other.

They do not play loud music to attract more customers, etc.

It’s about time that something is done to regularise and regulate transportation in Guyana.

What can be done is that a political party with the necessary fortitude, can and should, while in government, make the firm decision to stop all bus operators from provid-

ing transportation to the public unless they are employed with the government to do so.

The definition of “public transportation” is not simply transportation that is provided to the public. What is it? It is transportation provided to the public by the government.

What we presently have is transportation provided by private individuals which makes it private transportation.We urgently need public transportation.

There are many people who have been forced to buy old cars because they are too poor to afford better ones, and too scared to use minibuses.

In developed countries even people who own several cars still use public transportation daily. They use their cars to travel on routes that are not covered by public transportation. This saves them from wearing down their cars and from wasting money on gas.

We will continue to be a truly backward country if something is not done very soon to ensure that basic things are provided for our citizens such as (1) well-paid police officers who do not take bribes but in fact enforce the laws especially the traffic laws, and (2) actual public transportation, etc.

John Fraser, LLB

The PPP & PNC ignoring each other will not wish away their corresponding existence DEAR EDITOR, The PPP and the PNC present strategy seems to suggest that if they concentrate hard enough on ignoring each other, then magically one of them would cease to exist.

This is wishful thinking at best. Until and unless we implement an electoral reform that imposes a 10 year ban on any party found guilty of electoral rigging as attempted by the PNC in the 2020 elections, then there is no other option but to deal with the PNC as the main opposition party.

Continuing to ignore the PNC and reduce their area of participation will only raise the pressure and tension in our society.

The natural law of: Pressure = Force (PNC)/Area(of participation) validates the fact that as the inverse area of engagement with the PNC is reduced, it will proportionally increase the pressure and disharmony in the country.

The President has made his point by ignoring the PNC for the past seven months.

The PNC thinking that it would be business as usual after attempting to rig the 2020 elections has found themselves in a total state of discombobulation after being treated with scant regards by Caricom and also I am sure with much skepticism by the US ambassador in their desperate plea for recognition and engagement with the duly elected President.

The President having made his point to the PNC, now needs to lift the quarantine on them so that the host of important issues that require national participation can proceed.

Issues such as the national Covid vaccination programme, constitutional reform, electoral reform, national development strategy, GECOM reform, Public sector reform and Petroleum law reform are some of the reforms that strike at the heart of our growth trajectory and must and should have national consensus.

Continuing to ignore each other is just spinning top in mud.

Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Wednesday April 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

Even as Exxon is shelling out millions of US dollars across the world, from Ireland to America, to both pay for environmental damage and to ensure that they do not reoccur, Guyana is being treated like trash in how the company handles basic issues here.

For the second time in four months, Exxon’s gas compressor has supposedly failed.

The local arm of one of the biggest companies on the planet is either operating like a corner cake shop or having us believe that it is.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 14, 2021

Female passenger assaulted by bus driver after complaining about vulgar music

P

olice yesterday ar rested a Zone 42 bus driver who was seen in a video assaulting a female passenger after she complained about his “loud and vulgar music,” Mark Ramotar, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), related to reporters.

In an invited comment from Kaieteur News, Ramotar stated yesterday, “I can confirm that the individual/bus conductor was arrested today (yesterday) and is currently in custody at the Ruimveldt

Police Station.”

The video of the assault went viral on Monday across the various social media platforms, after the female passenger, Odella Peroune, uploaded it around 19:24 hrs. on her Facebook page.

In the caption of the video Peroune stated, “This morning (early Monday) the music on the bus was so loud and had such explicit language. I asked the driver to turn down the music and this is what happened.”

The video recording showed that Peroune had

politely asked the bus driver to turn down his music.

“You could turn down the music please?” she asked.

Instead of the doing so the driver became annoyed and started to quarrel.

Peroune responded, “I just asking you fuh turn down the music. You playing cussing music, indecent language deh in your music. Children deh pon yuh bus.”

In the background, Stylo G’s Touchdown featuring Nicki Minaj and Vybz Cartel was heard blasting through the bus speakers. Unwilling

to comply with Peroune’s request, the driver stopped the bus and asked her to exit.

As he left the driver’s seat and made the short walk around to the passenger’s door, Peroune was heard saying, “Me ain’t coming out no bus. Yuh want tek me out. You could pull me out.”

After he opened the door, the bus driver was seen clasping his hands together before grabbing Peroune cellphone out of her hands.

That video ended there, however, Peroune subsequently uploaded another video,

The bus driver with his hands clasp seconds before assaulting his female passenger.

which showed another male passenger coming to her defence and scolding the bus driver for his wrongful actions. Other passengers were seen scolding him too, while some walked out of his bus.

In an invited comment, Traffic Chief, Ramesh Ashram, told Kaieteur News that the playing of loud music in a minibus is against the law.

“You can’t play loud music, it’s an offence, you could get charged,” he stated.

Ashram related that errant drivers can be charged for breaching their road service license for making loud and continuous noise.

He further explained that if a driver is caught by a police rank playing loud music

or with a sound system in his bus, he will be charged with breach of his road service license.

On the other hand, if a passenger lodges a complaint or makes a report about loud music being played in a minibus, then the driver will be charged for making loud and continuous noise.

Kaieteur News has received numerous reports of instances whereby bus drivers would break the law by playing loud music, but when they see a traffic cop, they would turn it down immediately.

As a result of these tricks, Ashram is calling on persons who use public transportation to report such drivers t the police.

The bus driver grabbing Peroune’s cellphone out of her hands.

Wednesday April 14, 2021

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Kaieteur News

BAT-AND-BALL PARTIES T

he kid, who, upon being given out, ends the game by picking up and walking away with his bat and ball, is not at all an unusual occurrence.

Any person who spent hours playing ‘bat and ball’ would have encountered such an experience at one time or the other.

The refusal to accept his dismissal is considered as cheating. Picking up his bat and ball ends the game.

Democracy is not a game of bat and ball. But the parallels are no different. The cheat decides that he cannot accept the decision and so he attempts to quash the entire game.

This is what was suggested by one leading light in the WPA during the 2020 elections. He entered the contest as a candidate for one side. When he did so, he did not express the view that the elections would have been divisive. But no sooner did the side, to which he belonged, lost the elections, he decided that it was time to scrap the contest – throw away the ballots and negotiate a result.

But if his party had won the elections, there would have been no need for scrapping the elections. In other words, the elections would only have credibility if the results were in his side’s favour.

The APNU+AFC have gifted Irfaan Ali a third term.

Given what the APNU+AFC did, it is not likely that the PNCR or the AFC or what remains of the WPA is ever going to be trusted again with political power. The suggestion of throwing away is no different from saying that the only result, which matters, is a victory for one side. It turns elections into a one-way contest.

There was a time when the PNC, later named the

PNCR, felt that the country’s demographics were involved in a permanent conspiracy against it. Given the dominance of ethnic voting, the party felt that free and fair elections effectively meant oneparty rule.

But a country’s demographics do not remain constant. And Guyana’s demography was changing all the time, so much so that by 2011, the PPP/C could no longer count on its core support to deliver a majority. As a consequence, the country for the first time in its history had a minority government in 2011.

The demographic shift, coupled with Jagdeo’s misrule had handed the APNU and the AFC a passport to the political office.

Elections were no longer an ethnic census. The APNU+AFC coalition took advantage and won political office in 2015 through free and fair elections. It was elections – free and fair – that gave the PNCR and the AFC the chance of gaining power.

And when these parties got into office, they seemed to have forgotten that they needed to retain the support, which had swept them to victory in 2015. Granger tried his best but he was surrounded by political hounds who were clueless.

The economy was badly handled with taxes being heaped upon the people. Instead of jobs, people were told to make plantain chips.

Political vendettas extended to sugar workers. The AFC, which was supposed to be a counterbalance to any excessive tendencies of the PNCR, turned into a footstool of the latter, to the point where it had to drink its own vomit.

By election night, the PNCR was in such a domineering position that the PNCR and the AFC had different command centres.

There were persons at the PNCR Elections Command Centre who were there all night monitoring the returns from the polling stations. By morning, they had to have known that they had lost the elections.

But because there were separate command centres, two different narratives emerged: the PNCR said the Coalition had won the elections; the AFC claimed the Russians had rigged the elections.

The PNCR met with its impatient supporters outside of the centre and thanked them, thereby causing these supporters to believe that the party had won the elections.

Celebrations erupted in PNCR strongholds. But it was clear by then that the Coalition had not won the elections.

And so like the child who picks up his bat and ball and brings an end to the game, the Coalition tried to do the same with the elections through a spreadsheet and then a bed sheet. When that failed, it tried to end the game through electoral challenges so that the fake results would stand.

The attempts at ending the game went on. At one point, the PNCR gambled and lost. It felt that the CARICOM Report would provide the ammunition to annul the elections. It actually believed that the Report would come to its rescue. The report sunk the Coalition when it described the objections, which were being made during the Recount as a fishing expedition.

By its actions over a fivemonth period, the PNCR has poisoned its political chalice.

It has now virtually given the Irfaan Ali administration an almost automatic victory in 2025. The PNCR and the AFC can never again be trusted with following the rules of electoral game.

Dem Boys Seh…

Vaccine War breakout!

Dem boys feel dat is a war tekkin’ place with dem companies wah mekking vaccines. Everybody want dem vaccine fuh sell so dem pulling down matee.

Dem boys reading about cases of blood clots with de Astra Zeneca vaccine and now with de Johnson and Johnson single shot vaccine. But dem boys nah hear nobody seh anything about Pfizer and Moderna.

Six people get blood clots after tekkin de Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Nobody ain’t prove as yet dat de blood clots related to de vaccine but dem pause de vaccine rollout.

Johnson and Johnson seh how is six cases in over six million vaccines. So even if it related, is a one in a million chance.

Dat is why dem boys wan tell Johnson and Johnson fuh donate one million vaccines to Guyana because we nah gat one million people and so even if de probability of getting a blood clot is one in a million, it not likely dat anybody gan get blood clots in Guyana.

One year ago, de Russians did send a man into Space. De man did name Yuri Gagarin. When de man return to Earth in a capsule, he end up in a farm. Dis is a true story.

A woman and she granddaughter see Yuri emerge with a pink suit and a helmet and dem start fuh pray. Yuri den talk some words to dem.

And de young daughter tell she grandmother how de ‘thing’ talking Russian. Dat was de start of de Space War. Now we gat Vaccine War. De Americans trying fuh discredit de Russian vaccine because it launch before dem own. And dem company wan discredit Astra Zeneca and Johnson and Johnson.

Don’t be surprise fuh hear some problem with Moderna and Pfizer!

Talk half and wait fuh de next salvo!

No matter if these parties come with a new bat and a new ball, these parties should not be welcome. They are not to be trusted. They have disgraced and morally disqualified themselves as partici-

pants in any democratic process.

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

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Wednesday April 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

A nation’s survival depends on its people having courage and humanity This is the 21st century where humans are learning more each day that certain values are too precious to be treated flippantly thus, humans are becoming more willing to speak out to preserve the sanctity of these values.

In most parts of the world, cultural, religious, racial, and gender insults are seriously confronted and denounced.

The tide against these insults is rising. More folks around the world are becoming intolerant of people who publicise views and attitudes that are deeply offensive on race and culture.

Around the world it is unthinkable to use racial slurs and believe there won’t be a

volcanic outcry. Caribbean pop star, Rihanna, was part of the protest against attacks on South Asian-American citizens. Big Tech companies like Facebook, Google, Twitter and Amazon are expelling users who propagate evil fictions like denying mass killings at schools ever occurred.

In, Guyana, we are not even slow in moving; we are not moving at all. Horrible things that modern civilization should reject are taking place in this country and like 30, 20, 15, 10 and 5 years before, these aberrations and immoralities just past without a whisper of condemnation.

Guyana’s humanity just doesn’t seem to want to come

alive. Go to the newspapers and you can count the number of letters that have been published on what David Granger and Joe Harmon did last September in Region Five.

Examine the advocacy of Trump just before the crowds stormed Capitol Hill and compare his words with those uttered by Harmon and Granger.

Trump’s linguistics was far less inciting. Yet all over the US Trump is blamed for inciting the crowd. Harmon and Granger were responsible for the attacks on East Indians in Region Five and the cutting off of Region Five from the rest of Guyana that followed their advocacy.

You can count on your

fingers the public criticism of what these men did and all came from supporters of the government, which was expected. Independent minds and civil society were silent.

The list is long – Bar Association, Women Lawyers Association, human rights activist, UG academics, women rights groups, youth associations, professionals, etc.

We have laws in this country that prosecute people for racial profiling. Yet a Brazilian restaurant was blatantly discriminated against by of all places, two government agencies – the veterinary and public health department of the Ministry of Health and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA). They seized meat from a Guyanese company and days later from a Brazilian business place but publicly named only the Brazilian entity. No one’s pen or voice was raised against that cultural bias.

The Daily Chronicle and the Kaieteur News in 2016 reported on the frequent executions of puppies at the Ogle Airport because the owners

couldn’t prove local birth.

This psychotic failure of a post-colonial state was going on for weeks. And guess what? Even the animal rights groups were too timid to raise their voices. They were afraid of the uncivilized charlatans that were in power. Not one human in this country called on these charlatans to cease this insane behaviour at the airport.

Where is the intellectual spine in this country? Every day the newspapers are full of sickening fictions and not one person says, “this is too barefaced, I will counter with facts.” Dr. Henry Jeffrey writes appalling alternative facts and the man is not confronted and he continues every week. Weeks ago, he said the current government is not legitimate because it is not inclusive.

He is barefaced enough to define what he means by “not inclusive”, meaning the PPP leadership isn’t talking to people who attempted to rig the national elections and went up to Region Five and created mayhem. See my reply to this so-call attempt at political analysis – “I have never seen such nonsense in a column before,” Saturday, March 27, 2021.

Jeffrey’s journey of propagandistic sermonising does not stop. On Wednes-

Frederick Kissoon day, April 7, he was at it again.

Jeffrey’s contention for the entire five months of the election rigging was, and is, his acceptance that the 2020 election could not have been proper because of a bloated list.

In an act of repugnant convenience, he quotes the election report of the EU which observes that the 2020 electoral role had a large amount of names, given our population. He cites the statement by the CARICOM recount team that there needs to be a new list through registration.

What did Jeffrey deliberately left out? The EU report and the CARICOM recount team classified the election as legal with the results being legal and acceptable and reflected a free and fair election result. In Guyana, there are more sheep than people.

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

Wednesday April 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday April 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

Donald Rodney’s appeal of 1982 conviction for unlawful possession of explosives set aside in historic decision

By Renay Sambach Four decades after Donald Rodney was found guilty and sentenced for the unlawful possession of explosives, the appeal of his 18-month conviction was yesterday set aside in an historic decision.

This was the first time in history a Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who represented the state in the matter, agreed with the defence in the Guyana Court of Appeal (COA).

Weeks after the DPP

agreed with the defence that there was not sufficient evidence against Rodney to support his February 26, 1982 conviction in the Magistrate’s Court, the ruling was yesterday handed down by, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Justice Dawn Gregory and Justice Rishi Persaud in the COA. The DPP had also accepted that Rodney’s right to a fair trial within a reasonable time as outlined under Article 144 of the Constitution of

Guyana was infringed upon due to the delay in hearing the appeal.

Since his conviction, an appeal was filed in the COA. However, Rodney’s appeal was not heard until years after it was filed, and forty-years later the matter finally came to an end yesterday.

During a phone call interview with this publication, Rodney’s lawyer, Sanjeev Datadin, stated that the darkest days and a changing chapter to Guyana’s Judicial System came to an end yes-

Freed, Donald Rodney.

terday. The lawyer highlighted that his client had to wait decades to clear his name after he was convicted and sentenced by a totalitarian regime, without any evidence or a fair trial.

“With not even a kangaroo trial and evidence that

Donald Rodney’s lawyer, Sanjeev Datadin.

pointed to Donald and Walter’s innocence all ignored by the trial Magistrate, Donald was convicted and sentenced for the unlawful possession of explosives.

This is what happens when a state controls the judicial system of a country,” the lawyer

added.

Datadin highlighted the determination of his client to not only prove his innocence but to also prove the legacy of his brother. “Donald’s conviction and sentence, if not the worse, is among the (Continued on page 24)

Wednesday April 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

88 new COVID-19 Cases - MoH The Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday recorded 88 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of Guyana’s confirmed cases to 11,277.According to the MoH updated dashboard, 15 persons are currently in the COVID19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 12 persons are

now in institutional quarantine, 77 in institutional isolation and 1,131 in home isolation.

Additionally, a total of 9,796 persons have since recovered, while a total of 258 persons have since died after testing positive for the novel coronavirus.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 14, 2021

Inmates hospitalised after fight erupted at Lusignan prison Two prisoners on remand are currently suffering injuries, with one hospitalised, after they were involved in a heated argument, which later turned violent at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara.

Nursing stab wounds and chop wounds about their body are 26-year-old Gerald Jones of Middle Walk, Buxton and 26-yearold Kaley Roberts of Blue Berry Hill, Wismar, Linden.

According to police reports, the fight erupted in Holding Bay Two on Sun-

day, sometime around 19:55hrs.

Facts of the incident revealed that Jones left his holding cell and went into Roberts’ cell, and there a heated argument and a fight ensued between the two. While details surrounding the argument remain unclear, Jones reportedly armed himself with an improvised cutlass and fired several chops in Roberts’ direction, which caused him to receive injuries to his right hand.

This further led to Roberts arming himself with an ice

picker and dealing several stabs to Jones’ chest.

An alarm was raised and both men were removed from the cell and taken to the infirmary for medical attention. Roberts was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) due to the extent of his injuries for further treatment. He was admitted in a stable condition.

Both the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service have since launched an investigation into the incident.

Wednesday April 14, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Family buries wrong body in COVID mix-up

By Shannard Mentus Menisha Ramjattan and her family are seeking answers on how the body of their relative, who was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after being tested positive for COVID-19, was buried by another family while that family’s body was presented to them for burial.

According to Ms. Ramjattan, her brother, Wazim Ramjattan, 35, was taken to the GPHC on March 29, after he started bleeding from the nose and lost consciousness.

Understandably alarmed, his family rushed him to GPHC’s Accident and Emergency Unit.

Kaieteur News under-

stands that Mr. Ramjattan was pronounced dead on arrival. Upon hearing this, Ms. Ramjattan requested to see her brother, but was denied.

Prior to this, the family was questioned as to whether her brother had taken a COVID test, to which they answered that he did on March 27, the result returning with a positive diagnosis the next day.

At the GPHC, a check was made with the facility in Houston, East Bank Demerara, where the deceased did the test. It was confirmed by that facility, that Wazim was infected with the novel coronavirus. Accordingly, GPHC labelled his cause of death as COVID-19, since he died within the 14 days of having tested positive.

Kaieteur News made contact

Wazim Ramjattan, the man who was mistakenly buried.

Security guard hospitalised after gunmen shoot him in leg A security guard is now hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after he was shot to the right thigh by two unidentified men on Monday, in the vicinity of GR Taxi Service.

Currently in a stable condition at the hospital is Trevor Hooper of Tucville Terrace, Georgetown.

Kaieteur News learnt that Hooper was hanging out with a friend at shop located on Stone Avenue, Campbellville, when they came under attack sometime around 18:30 hrs.

An eyewitness, who knows both Hooper and his friend, said that the two would frequently visit the shop in the afternoons, before leaving to go to their respective homes.

The same eyewitness told

Kaieteur News that he was in his kitchen cooking, when he heard two gunshots emanating from outside his house.

Shortly after hearing this, the man said he peeped through his window and saw Hooper lying on the ground, groaning with pain.

Hooper’s friend was unharmed from the whole ordeal.

According to the man, persons from the area who witnessed what transpired were heard saying that the suspects pulled up on a motorcycle, fired the shots and then made good their escape. An ambulance was summoned to the scene, and took the injured man to GPHC. Up to press time, no official police report was released, but Kaieteur News understands that an investigation is in progress.

with Communications Manager of GPHC, Chelauna Providence, in relation to the matter. According to Ms. Providence, if a person has been infected with COVID-19 and dies within a 14-day pe-

riod, the cause of death is automatically announced as a COVID related one.

Ms. Ramjattan reported that she was later informed of her brother’s body was situated at the Memorial Gardens

Crematorium. With this, she and her family decided to head there to view/identify her brother, due to them not seeing him since his death on March 29. Ms. Providence pointed out that due to the

National COVID-19 Protocols, a person who has been deemed dead due to Coronavirus is not kept at the GPHC, but is referred to the Memorial Gardens (Continued on page 24)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 14, 2021

CANU’s recent raid confiscates over 239 grams of cannabis

Glen Forde

Central Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) has conducted a series of raids over the course of the past weekend, in which they obtained a sum of 239 grams of marijuana.

Kaieteur News understands that in relation to the recent bust occurred on Saturday last, CANU officers had received several complaints from various persons, informing them of the illegal activities that have been ongoing within the area.

According to information received from

Deryck Roach CANU, the operation was carried out at 59 Light Street Albertown, where a house was targeted for a search.

The occupant Derych Roach, male, age 42 years was arrested with cannabis which weighed about 206 grams.

A similar operation was carried out at 54 Fifth Street Albertown, with Glen Forde being another subject of the arrest, who reportedly had 33 grams of cannabis within his possession.

Wednesday April 14, 2021

ExxonMobil encounters additional problems despite “repairs and upgrades” to gas compressor - oil production down from 120,000 to 30,000 barrels per day After conducting “repairs and upgrades” to the Liza Destiny’s gas compressor system less than two months ago, the crucial piece of equipment has malfunctioned once again.

This occurred even before the final test run could be completed. Disclosing this to the media yesterday was Public and Government Affairs Advisor for ExxonMobil Guyana, Janelle Persaud.

In a statement to the press, Persaud said, “As we conducted the final testing phase of the reinstalled flash gas compressor and other components of the system on the Liza Destiny FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading), we encountered an additional problem with the discharge silencer.”

The ExxonMobil Guyana official said that a team from SBM Offshore (the manufacturer of the Liza Destiny), MAN Energy Solutions (the company that did the upgrades and repairs) and ExxonMobil are on site to assess repairs, with support from engineering experts in Europe and the USA. Further to this, Persaud disclosed that the company reduced production from 120,000 barrels of oil per day to 30,000 barrels per day. She said this minimum level of production will mitigate the formation of hydrates in subsea systems, maintain gas injection, fuel gas to the power generators, and minimise the flaring of gas.

The Exxon Advisor noted that flaring is now beyond

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Kaieteur News

pilot level of approximately one million cubic feet of gas per day.

It is now flaring four to five times that amount.

Persaud was keen to note that the relevant government agencies have been notified and are working together to determine the next best steps.

In concluding on this matter, ExxonMobil said it is extremely disappointed by the design issues and continued underperformance of this unit, while adding that it will be working with the equipment manufacturer, MAN Energy Solutions, and the vessel’s operator, SBM, to rectify the situation.

“This performance is below ExxonMobil’s global expectations for reliability,” the company concluded.

The Liza Destiny FPSO.

PAGE 22

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Wednesday April 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

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The case of the missing youth, Avinash Fernandes, 20, whose remains were found floating in a creek last week Thursday, will now be treated as murder after detectives found out that he was manually strangled to death.

An autopsy conducted on his body yesterday revealed that he died as a result of “asphyxiation due to compression to the neck, consistent with manual strangulation.”

Fernandes, a porkknocker, of Mabaruma Compound, North West District (NWD), Region One, had disappeared sometime around 21:30 hrs. on April 5, from a campsite located at 13 Miles, Train Line Backdam, Arakaka.

He was reportedly working there along with the dredge owner identified as Keith Alfonso.

Angoy’s Avenue man sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for simple larceny

A

Strangled to death, Avinash Fernandes A missing person’s report was filed with police, unfortunately, his decomposed body was found on April 8 between 07:00 and 11:45 hrs., during a search conducted by police ranks and the dredge owner. Prior to his disappearance, Fernandes was seen imbibing with friends.

26-year-old from Agony’s Avenue, New Amsterdam was yesterday sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for simple larceny.

Appearing at the Albion Magistrate Court was Kishan Harmdass, an unemployed man of Patrick Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

He was arrested on the 10th April 2021 and was charged yesterday with simple larceny committed on Leroy Rodriguez, 42, a hire car driver of Lot 96 Belvedere, Corentyne, which occurred on the 6th April 2021 at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne.

The charge was laid under Section 164 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act Chapter 8:01. The accused ap-

Kishan Harmdass. peared at the Albion Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh.

After the charge was read to him, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment.

Wednesday April 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 14, 2021

Prisoner freed after bandit implicates mastermind in contractor’s murder Murdered Contractor, Peter Gonsalves.

K

acey Heyliger, 28, who was on re mand for the murder of Peter Gonsalves, a contractor, was freed sometime after March 1, 2021, following a bandit implicating another individual as the alleged mastermind.

The bandit, Daniel Parris, had confessed to police that he was the one who murdered Gonsalves after he was captured on February 3, 2021. It was in that confession, according to sources, that he told detectives that Heyliger was not his accomplice in Gonsalves’ murder.

Parris was charged individually and remanded on February 8, 2021.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) subsequently dropped the murder charge against Heyliger on

March 1, 2021.

The suspect Parris, implicated in Gonsalves’ murder was recently captured and DPP withdrew the individual charge against Parris. He was subsequently re-charged jointly on Monday April 12, 2021, with the alleged mastermind, identified as Deryck Favourite called “Rastaman.”

The two appeared on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

They were charged with murder during the course or furtherance of robbery. They were not required to plea to the indictable charge and were remanded until May 4, 2021.

According to reports Gonsalves, 60, of Pere Street, Kitty, was riddled with bullets

Freed, Kacey Heyliger around 21:30 hrs on December 7, 2020, in front of Red Bar located on Garnett Street, Kitty. According to reports, Gonsalves had left his home on his XR motorbike, along with one of his workers as the pillion rider in search cigarettes.

Gonsalves had reportedly stopped in front of Red Bar after he noticed two men trailing him, also on a XR motorcycle.

Those same men had ridden up beside him, shot and

Remanded after he was jointly charged on Monday for the Confessed to murdering Gonsalves and implicated another suspect as the mastermind, Daniel Parris. murder of Gonsalves. killed him, before escaping with his motorcycle.

Heyliger was arrested days later and police had stated that he was positively identified on an ID parade as one of the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

The DPP had advised that he be charged with murder, and on December 14, 2020, he was remanded.

Heyliger would remain behind bars until the DPP dropped the murder charge against him on March 1, 2021.

Family buries wrong body in COVID mix-up From page 19 Crematorium for immediate burial. Subsequently, Ms. Ramjattan went to Memorial Gardens on the 4th of this month (April) and was reportedly given a difficult time to view the body. After multiple calls and being persistent, Ramjattan was finally able to view the body presented to her. This, however, was proven not be her brother.

According to information received by this paper, before Ms. Ramjattan and family could have witnessed the body, family members of another individual were there at the Memorial Gardens earlier in the day to carry out burial proceedings also. When that family arrived, they mistakenly identified and buried Wazim’s body in place of their own relative, a 45-year-old

man who had also died from COVID. Ramjattan has since been asking questions regarding her brother and how the mix-up occurred.

Ms. Providence relayed to Kaieteur News that a meeting was held involving the two families and it was agreed to by both parties that Wazim and the other man will be buried beside each other. She was however afterward informed

by Ramjattan, that she no longer wants the burial to take place in that fashion and the family would like to retrieve the body of Wazim Ramjattan to bury him closer to home.

Ms. Providence stated that she and the GPHC are willing to give whatever assistance they can to the family, but removing the body from where it is would be a breach of the National Protocol and this is something that the GPHC will not be doing. She said that what had happened is no fault of the GPHC, or the Memorial Gardens, but a simple and honest mistake. It was also relayed to Kaieteur News that the Memorial Gardens has taken some responsibility for the mix-up, and compensated the family by paying for all burial arrangements.

Vagrant injured after struck down by car This man identified only as a vagrant was struck down by a car close 22:00 hrs. yesterday on Saffon Street, Charlestown in the vicinity of the Green Bar. According to reports, he was attempting to cross the road when the car struck him down.

Donald Rodney’s appeal...

From page 12 worse convictions of Guyana’s judiciary. I am glad that the Court of Appeal righted this wrong,” the lawyer stated.

According to Datadin, the Rodney brothers were accused of carrying around explosives to blow up the Camp Street Prison, when in fact they had home-made walkietalkies that they were testing in the vicinity of the prison.

The lawyer stated that the walkie-talkies had explosives placed in them, unknown to the Rodney brothers. Datadin shared that he cannot imagine what his client endured over the decades trying to prove his innocence. He also stated that yesterday was the first time he saw his client smile.

Rodney was charged on June 24, 1980, for the unlaw-

ful possession of explosives.

This charge stemmed from the June 13, 1980 assassination of Rodney’s brother, historian and politician, Dr. Walter Rodney, the founder of The Working People’s Alliance (WPA).

Dr. Walter Rodney died after a bomb exploded in his car. Under the previous Donald Ramotar, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) Government, a Commission of Inquiry (COI) was conducted into the assassination of Walter Rodney and it was concluded that his death was a state killing. Then President Forbes Burnham was implicated in the assassination.

Under the Ramotar administration, Rodney was offered a pardoned in 2014 but he had refused to accept it since he was determined to prove his innocence.

Wednesday April 14, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

Teen mother $25M “Welcome to Guyana” sign erected at CJIA remanded for infant’s murder Yesterday First Lady, Arya Ali, unveiled a 20-foot “Welcome to Guyana” sign at the roundabout near the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the placement of 100 hanging flower baskets on the lamp posts from the Timehri junction to the site.

This $25 million signature landmark is part of the First Lady’s National Beautification Project. In attendance at the ceremony was President, Dr. Irfaan Ali; along with the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond ; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CJIA, Mr. Ramesh Ghir; businessman, Mr. Neal Sukhlall, and foreign diplomats

Remanded, Martha Miguel.

Days after the lifeless body of a 21-month-old baby was found in a drain, his 18year-old mother was yesterday remanded to prison, charged for his murder.

The defendant, Martha Miguel, of Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo, made her first court appearance in the Leonora Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate, Zameena Ali-Seepaul.

She was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on April 10, 2021, at Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo, she murdered Ekron Miguel, her son.

Kaieteur News had reported that Miguel told inves-

tigators that around 19:00 hrs. last Saturday, her son was hungry so she placed him at the side of the road and went to a friend’s home looking for food.

While at the friend’s home, Miguel was questioned about the whereabouts of her son, shortly after she decided to take off, but was caught. The police were called in and the teen later revealed the location of her son, where he was discovered dead in a drain. The woman was arrested, placed in custody and subsequently charged with murder. She is slated to return to court on June 1, 2021.

Govt. to establish institute to train youths for petroleum sector - Minister Bharrat

M

inister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat has said the Government plans to establish an oil and gas training institute to build local capacity to meet the demands of the petroleum sector.

The Minister made this statement on the side-lines of the Youth in Natural Resource opening ceremony, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Saturday.

“It will have to fit into our Local Content Policy because if we are going to argue that we need 50 per cent of the workforce to be Guyanese, then we don’t want the 50 per cent to be cleaners or labourers and maids and cooks.

We want our people to be managers, to be the technical people, to be the petroleum engineers, the reservoir engineers,” he said.

At the same time, the Minister said there will be jobs for maids and cooks as the hospitality sector would benefit greatly from the sector. In December 2020, the Carib-

bean Development Bank approved a US$11 million (approximately $2.3 billion) loan for the development of a Tourism and Hospitality Institute in Guyana. This is in keeping with the PPP/C Administration’s plans to ensure a diversified and robust economy.

“We would have seen already the service sector, the hotel accommodation, transportation and all these sectors would benefit tremendously from the oil and gas sector.And we also have to focus on that too to ensure that we train people to deal with, for example, tourists, business executives. We need more accommodation in our country. We need more professional services in terms of transportation,” he said.

Minister Bharrat said the Government has already initiated discussions with its international partners to assist in this training institution.

However, while plans to move forward have been hampered by Covid, the Minister said they would soon be realised. (DPI)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 14, 2021

Wednesday April 14, 2021

Minnesota sports teams postpone games after police ...

From page 28 Hockey League (NHL) were all set to play at home on Monday.“Out of respect for the tragic events that occurred yesterday in Brooklyn Center, and following additional details in this evolving situation, the Minnesota Twins have decided it is in the best interests of our fans, staff, players and community to not play today’s game,” with the Boston Red Sox, the team said in a statement.The shooting on Sunday of Daunte Wright during a traffic stop led to protests through early Monday morning in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, as police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

The city’s police chief said the shooting appeared to be an “accidental discharge” after the officer drew her gun

instead of her Taser during a struggle.

The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul on Monday declared a state of emergency and set a curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Following that announcement, the NHL and the Wild released a joint statement that they were postponing Monday night’s game with the St. Louis Blues. The game was rescheduled for May 12.

The NBA said it decided after consultation with the Timberwolves as well as state and local officials that a game between the Minneapolis team and the Brooklyn Nets would also be postponed.

“I think we have to stop saying it’s frustrating for all Black Americans. I think we should be frustrated by all Americans,” Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers told

reporters on Monday.

“I don’t know if it was a mistake or not. I saw the video - the bodycam video like everyone else. But I know the frustration is a real thing for everybody and for us.”

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was left outraged by the shooting of Wright.

“It just makes you sick to your stomach. How many times does it have to happen?” Popovich said before Monday’s game against the Orlando Magic.

“As sick to our stomachs that we might feel, that individual is dead... And his family is grieving. His friends are grieving. And we just keep moving on as if nothing is happening.”

New York Yankees Aaron Hicks center fielder sat out of their series-opening win over

Wednesday April 14, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You aren't one to put much stock in the meanings of dreams, but you may have had a dream recently that was so accurate in its prediction as to be almost scary.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You have a keen intellect and unparalleled persuasive powers, Libra. If you aren't an attorney, you should be.

All signs indicate that your career is about to skyrocket.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You're peerless when it comes to your ability to sway others to your point of view, Taurus. Today you may be put on the spot and asked to defend a position in front of many people.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your mental powers should be especially acute today, Scorpio. Your mind will be quick and receptive and your communicative abilities exceptionally sharp.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't be surprised if you get a sudden windfall today, Gemini. It may come in the form of cash. More likely it will be an opportunity of some kind.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You have a quick mind, Cancer, which you don't use to anywhere near its full capacity. Think of your brain as a thoroughbred horse, trained to run at high speed.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A day off is just what the doctor ordered, Leo. Try to get some rest. Spend time curled up with a good book.

Only go out with friends if you're feeling absolutely stir crazy.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) With today's planetary energies, Virgo, you can expect a lot of contact with friends.

In fact, just when you thought you'd never receive another invitation or attend another party, one comes your way.

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Kaieteur News

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your creativity will be high today, Sagittarius, inspiring you to paint or write. If you're unable to take time to satisfy your muse, at least take some small steps to ensure your abilities don't lie fallow.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you're going to want to shut out the world and be alone with your thoughts, Capricorn. You're caught up in the introspective energies at play.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today indicates that you can expect to make a leap in your career, Aquarius. Your intellect and communicative skills have served you well in the past months, paving the way for advancement.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If you've been considering a career in writing or teaching, Pisces, this is an ideal day to put some plans into motion. Your imagination and inspiration are highlighted, as is your facility with words.

the Toronto Blue Jays.

The August shooting of James Blake, a Black man fired on from behind seven times by a white police officer in Wisconsin, led the NBA to postpone its season in protest.

Kenosha County prosecutors later cleared the officer, Rusten Sheskey, of criminal charges, saying he acted in self-defense.

Wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt, Golden State Warriors forward Eric Paschall told reporters many Black people feel unsafe when they encounter police.

“As soon as people hear cop sirens, they fear,” he said.

“We shouldn’t have to fear getting pulled over by the cops because we never know if we’re going to make it out alive or not.”

Russell takes five-for but brilliant...

From page 30 Cummins held on as Russell dismissed Marco Jansen for nought, with Krunal Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Chahar all caught in the deep off the final four balls of the innings.

Unfortunately for Kolkata, they similarly fell apart down the stretch after Chahar had Gill caught by Pollard and claimed the key wicket of Rana stumped, Rahul Tripathi and captain Eoin Morgan giving their wickets away cheaply in every sense to the wrist-spinner.Shakib played a reckless slog sweep to fall to Krunal Pandya, who sent down a miserly four overs for 1-13. He dropped a return catch with Russell on nought but Boult ensured that did not matter, removing the allrounder in similar fashion before cleaning up Cummins first ball to effectively end the argument.Mumbai keep Kolkata under their spell

This was certainly a victory worthy of the defending champions, for whom everything looked lost as Rana and Gill went about their work.

There will have been a sense of grim inevitability for the Knight Riders when Chahar and Krunal Pandya began to turn the screw – they have now lost 11 of the past 12 matches between the sides.

Forgot about Dre?A specialist in franchise T20 all over the world, it was no surprise to see Russell bringing his know-how to the fore. However, in a game of such tight margins, perhaps Morgan might regret not giving the Jamaican his full allocation of overs.Scores: Mumbai Indians 153 (Yadav 56, Rohit 43, Russell 5-15) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 142 for 7 (Rana 57, Gill 33, Chahar 4-27) by 10 runs.

Medvedev tests ...

From page 31 negative, the Spaniard’s publicist Benito Perez-Barbadillo told Reuters on Tuesday.

“Nadal is absolutely fine,” Perez-Barbadillo said on phone from Monte Carlo.

“As we understand the virus does not anyways show before three-four days.“The next scheduled testing is in three days.”Nadal, the winner of 20 Grand Slam singles titles, has not played since his Australian Open quarter-final defeat in February by Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas due to a back issue.The 34-year-old has a first round bye this week and will open his campaign at the picturesque Monte-Carlo Country Club on the French Riviera against Argentina’s Federico Delbonis, who defeated Frenchman Adrian Mannarino 7-5 6-1 on Tuesday.Medvedev, who had a first round bye, was scheduled to play the winner of the match between Serbian Filip Krajinovic and Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia but tested positive on Monday.

The Russian was replaced in the draw by Argentinian lucky loser Juan Ignacio Londero while he was also withdrawn from doubles.

Team Alanis is...

From page 28 28th 50-miler) and others are expected to face starter’s orders when the race pedals off from Carifesta Avenue proceed to Mahaicony before returning to the starting line for the finish.

The GCF is once again expressing thanks to the National Covid-19 Task Force and the Guyana Police Force for their continued support towards the development of the nation’s cyclists who are being reminded to adhere to all covid-19 protocols and guidelines.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Tough outing for team Guyana at Olympic TT qualifiers The Guyanese contingent that are in Argentina for the final qualification tournament to make the Tokyo Olympics had a tough going yesterday after losing each of their first round knockout matches.

The four-player contingent that includes two male players in Shemar Britton and Joel Alleyne along with female players Chelsea Edghill and Natalie Cummings still have three chances remaining to make the quadrennial event since they still have to play the mixed doubles this weekend.

Edghill had the toughest loss after going down 4-3 to Mexico’s Monica Munoz.

Edghill lost the first two sets before rallying back to level the score but as the match

came down to the last game, Munoz prevailed and won 11-9.Britton went down 4 - 2 (5 - 11, 11 - 8, 2 - 11, 11 - 8, 3 - 11, 3 - 11) against P a r a g u a y ’s A l e j a n d r o Toranzos.

Meanwhile, Alleyne was swept 4 - 0 (6 - 11, 5 - 11, 8 11, 2 - 11) to Chile’s Gustavo Gomez. Cummings suffered a similar 4-0 defeat when she came against Lucia Cordero of Guatemala.

The team, coached by Idi Lewis, will use the next three days to prepare for the mixed doubles aspect of the tournament that gets underway this Saturday.

Play continues today and will be live streamed on the ITTF social media pages for the round of 16 and quarter finals of both men and women singles.

Wednesday April 14, 2021

Minnesota sports teams postpone games after police shooting

A general view of signage on the Target Field video board showing that the game between the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins is postponed due to a situation involving a police shooting of Daunte Wright in a traffic stop. (Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports) (Reuters) -Professional sports in Minneapolis were effectively suspended on Monday following the fatal police shooting of a 20-year-old Black man in the suburb of Brooklyn Center and subsequent outcry.

Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Minnesota Twins, National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Wild of the National (Continued on page 27)

Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 14, 2021

PAGE 29

Las Vegas Awarded 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Final at Allegiant Stadium on August 1 Miami, FL – Concacaf has announced that the Final of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup – the 16th edition of the region’s flagship men’s international competition, has been awarded to Las Ve g a s a n d A l l e g i a n t Stadium, the destination’s newest state-of-the-art s p o r t s v e n u e .

The championship match on August 1 will crown the best men’s national team in the Concacaf region.

This will be the first time a Gold Cup match is played in Las Vegas in the event’s 30-year history, making the 2021 tournament a landmark edition.

The final will cap off a great summer of football that will also include the inaugural Concacaf Nations League Finals in June and the Gold Cup Prelims in e a r l y J u l y . ”At Concacaf we are very excited about this summer’s Gold Cup and we know that Las Vegas and Allegiant Stadium will provide a great host city and venue for the final,” said Concacaf President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani. “2021 is Concacaf’s 60th anniversary year making this edition extra special for players and fans.

The federations and their teams are looking forward to this tournament with great anticipation and it is fitting that the regional champion will be crowned in such an outstanding venue and f a m o u s c i t y, ” a d d e d

M o n t a g l i a n i . ”The Raiders are proud to join Las Vegas in hosting the Final of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup at Allegiant Stadium in August,” said Raiders President Marc Badain.

“The Gold Cup stands out among the many worldclass events that will be hosted at Allegiant Stadium, and we are excited to bring Concacaf’s signature event to the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the W o r l d . ” ”We’re thrilled that the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup is coming to the Sports Capital of the World,” said Steve Hill, CEO/President of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to host an event of this caliber, and with world-class entertainment, dining, outdoor adventure and sports facilities, we’re confident the teams and their fans will find an unforgettable, Only Vegas e x p e r i e n c e . ” The 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup will officially kick off with a new Preliminary Round (Prelims) at DRV PNK Stadium, home of Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF, between July 2-6, 2021.

In the Prelims, 12 nations who qualified through their Concacaf Nations League performances will compete for the final three spots in the 16 team Gold Cup Group Stage.

The Gold Cup Group

Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’ in the attacking third against Panama on debut at the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Stage will begin on July 10 and will feature 16 national teams; Canada, Costa Rica, Curaçao, El Salvador, Grenada, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico (defending champion), Panama, Suriname, United States, Qatar (guest nation and current AFC Champion) and the three Prelims winners.

For the two-round Prelims, the participating national teams have been divided into six matchups and will play as follows: Round One Matchup #1: Haiti vs St. Vincent and the Grenadines Matchup #2: Guatemala vs G u y a n a Matchup #3: Trinidad and To b a g o v s M o n s e r r a t

Matchup #4: Cuba vs F r e n c h G u i a n a Matchup #5: Guadeloupe vs B a h a m a s Matchup #6: Bermuda vs B a r b a d o s R o u n d T w o M a t c h u p # 7 : Wi n n e r Matchup #1 vs Winner M a t c h u p # 6 M a t c h u p # 8 : Wi n n e r Matchup #2 vs Winner M a t c h u p # 5 M a t c h u p # 9 : Wi n n e r Matchup #3 vs Winner M a t c h u p # 4 The groups for the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup were also drawn on September 10, 2020 and are as follows: Group A: Mexico, El Salvador, Curacao and Winner Prelims 9 Group B: USA, Canada,

‘Golden Jaguars’ on the offensive against Panama on debut at the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Martinique and Winner P r e l i m s 7 Group C: Costa Rica, Jamaica, Suriname and Winner Prelims 8 Group D: Honduras, Panama, Grenada and Qatar At the end of Group Stage play, the top two finishers in each group will advance to a knockout stage, which for the first time in Gold Cup history see teams on opposite sides of the bracket meet from the quarterfinals onwards.

The knockout stage will be played as follows: Quarterfinal #1: Winner Group D vs Second Place G r o u p A Quarterfinal #4: Winner Group B vs Second Place G r o u p C

Quarterfinal #2: Winner Group A vs Second Place G r o u p D Quarterfinal #3: Winner Group C vs Second Place G r o u p B Semifinal #1: Winner Quarterfinal #1 vs Winner Quarterfinal #4 Semifinal #2: Winner Quarterfinal #2 vs Winner Quarterfinal #3 Final: Winner Semifinal #1 vs Winner SF #2 Additional details regarding the Final, including ticket sales information, will be announced in the coming weeks. Concacaf will in due course provide information regarding any local and federal COVID-19 protocols which will need to be observed by attending fans.

Enhancements to the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup: For the 2021 Gold Cup, Concacaf introduced a series of football first enhancements to add more anticipation for fans and increase competition between the teams.

This included a first-ever Gold Cup draw, which took place in September 2020, the introduction of a Prelims to qualify the final three teams into the group stage and a new format in the knockout stage which means teams on opposite sides of the bracket will meet from the quarterfinals onwards.

The 2021 Gold Cup will also include the AFC Champion, Qatar, as a guest participant and it will be the first Gold Cup to use Video Assistant Referees (VAR).

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

Team Alanis is sponsor of Sunday’s GCF sanctioned 60-miler Brighton John at the Bartica Cycling Challenge.

(Franklin Wilson photo)

Jamal John competing in the USA.

C

yclists will once again hit the road for competitive action with all covid-19 precautions in place when they match pedals on Sunday in a 60mile race organised by Team Alanis and sanctioned by the Guyana Cycling F e d e r a t i o n ( G C F ) .

With the all- clear given by the National Covid-19 Task Force on Monday and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) already notified, cyclists can be assured that they’ll be competing in a safe environment.

The likes of USA based Jamal John who is

home, Brighton John (winner of the March (Continued on page 25)

Wednesday April 14, 2021

Russell takes five-for but brilliant Boult has the final word as Mumbai down Kolkata SportsMax - Andre Russell cleaned up the Mumbai Indians’ tail for career-best figures of 5-15 but was unable to finish the job with the bat as the Kolkata Knight Riders slumped to a dramatic 10run defeat.

Suryakumar Yadav hit a wonderfully fluent 56 but Mumbai’s innings stuttered after he holed out to Shakib Al Hasan and they lost 7-37 in the final five overs to be dismissed for 152, as Russell claimed a remarkable 5-15 from 12 deliveries.

Nitish Rana (57) and Shubman Gill (33) tore into the Indians attack with an opening stand of 72, only for Kolkata to subside meekly from a position of strength to a final score of 142-7 – legspinner Rahul Chahar (4-27) chipping away at the top order before Trent Boult (227) sealed the deal by removing Russell and Pat Cummins in the final over.

Rahul Chahar exults after dismissing Shubman Gill.

(BCCI/IPL)

Batsmen on either side generally found the going tough but Suryakumar played beautifully, hitting seven fours and two sixes with some wonderfully languid strokeplay before being caught by Gill when trying to plough Shakib back over his head.

Skipper Rohit Sharma anchored the innings until the impressive Cummins (224) bowled him with an offcutter for 43 and Russell made hay.

Fellow West Indian Kieron Pollard edged behind to start the procession and (Continued on page 27)

MMZ CC congratulates GCB executives The Meten-Meer-Zorg (MMZ) Cricket Club has extended congratulations to the members of newly elected Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). The club has also congratulated Bissondyal Singh and Hulbert Foster on their appointment as CWI directors. The release reads, “We the members of the West Meten-Meer-Zorg Cricket Club are super excited about the future of Guyana’s cricket. Our club had a very difficult past and we are so much pleased for this change and we are looking forward for brighter days ahead with the Demerara Cricket Board and by extension Guyana Cricket Board.

We do hope that this fresh and knowledgeable bunch of newly elected members will look after the interest of all clubs. It has been a very challenging past for cricket and we would like to thank the current executive.

Sadly one of those men, Pretipaul Jaigobin, was called back by God Almighty.”

“I have played cricket with the newly elected president Bissondyal Singh and I know vice president Mr. Foster for a number of years.

These two gentlemen are capable of taking cricket forward in Guyana,” said Troy Khan an executive member.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 14, 2021

Sarwan talks about his new role as National Selector

By Sean Devers At the age of 40, former Guyana and West Indies Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan is now a successful businessman, a husband and father and was Monday official named as Chairman of National Senior Selection panel.

According to GCC member, who was born in Island of Wakenaam in the E s s e q u i b o R i v e r, t h e qualities of a good selector is someone who understand and knows the game, someone who is very observant, someone who is not afraid to make decisions, someone who is honest and open to suggestions and willing to work with his fellow selectors, have an open mind and has the ability to have sensible communication with players and coaches.

“A selector looks for various things; player’s techniques, player’s ability to assess situations and most importantly performances,” explained Sarwan who also Captained Guyana to the Regional U-19 title at home in 1997.

“I am very much excited and willing to put in the necessary time to help with Guyana cricket. I have always given my best when representing Guyana and it will be no different with this job.

Ultimately performance will be the main reason for being selected, however, once we get together as a group of selectors and put our criteria together it must be met by players for the majority of times.

I accepted the position because I think with the group of people we are working with; we can make a difference and bring some

credibility back to our sport.

I am also willing to help out players if needed when it co mes to b attin g an d bowling once given the permission from the coach.”

“I just would like to thank the new administration for placing such confidence in me and am grateful for the opportunity to serve Guyana cricket once again, this time in a different capacity, which I am looking forward to.”

The elegant right-hander, who bowled leg-spin, especially in his teenage years, played the last of his 87 Test matches against India in Barbados 2011.

With 15 centuries, 31 fifties in 5,842 runs at an Average of 40.1 and a highest score of 291, Sarwan is arguable among the last breed of outstanding International West Indies batsmen along with Lara, Chanderpaul and Hooper.

In 2006 in Antigua, Sarwan led Guyana to their first Stanford T20 title and the US$1M prize money up for grabs.

Sarwan is the seventhhighest run-scorer for West Indies in ODIs, with 5804 runs from 181 matches at an average of 42.67, including five centuries and 38 fifties.

He also played 18 T20Is between 2007 and 2010, scoring 298 runs with two fifties.

Sarwan captained West Indies in four Tests, five ODIs and two T20Is, retired from international cricket in September 2016 at his Primary School Stella Marris.

He became the Youngest Guyanese to play First-Class cricket when he made his first-class debut for Guyana, against Barbados in the Red Stripe Cup of 1995-96 at the age of 15.

PAGE 31

Another Volleyball team added to the Berbice volleyball Association

Members of the newly formed Hopetown Volleyball Club take time out for a photo following their launching.

A

midst the Covid and inclement weather last Sunday, the Hope Town Strikers Volleyball team launched their club consisting of both male and female teams, by way of having goodwill matches with the Port Mourant Under17 youths and an exhibition match with senior and junior PMTC males combined.

President of the GVF welcomed the Hopetown teams to the Volleyball family and thanked for supporting Volleyball through the coaching by national player Ronaldo Bobb.

The day’s event was a success with Port Mourant youths drawing first blood 30 - 19 and then being defeated by

Hopetown in a return match 30 - 22. Mixed teams of both males and females then went on to play. After which an exhibition match was played.

The senior PMTC team won in 3 straight sets. 25-18, 2523, 25-22.

In the end tokens of encouragement were awarded to outstanding players. In the female category Kenna Thom Ifill Senior Women, Wileta Isaac’s and Tamara George - Junior females. For males: Jason Lachman of Port Mourant juniors, Roberto Sijlman, Eaton McDonald, Shakeel GarawayHopetown juniors collected rewards.

Some of the outstanding bunch of the Hopetown Volleyball Club display their tokens after the action.

Medvedev tests COVID-19 positive, out of Monte Carlo Masters (Reuters) - World number two Daniil Medvedev of Russia has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been withdrawn from this week’s Monte Carlo Masters, the ATP said on Tuesday.

Medvedev, who was seeded second behind top-ranked Novak Djokovic at the ATP Masters 1000 event on clay, has been put in isolation and is being monitored, the men’s tennis governing body said in a statement.

“It’s a big disappointment not to

play in Monte-Carlo,” said the 25year-old Medvedev.

“My focus is now on recovery and I look forward to getting back out on Tour as soon and as safely as possible.”

The ATP on Monday posted a video of Medvedev’s practice session in Monte Carlo with Spaniard Rafa Nadal. The governing body did not respond to a request for comment on Nadal’s participation in the tournament.

As a Monaco resident,

Medvedev was allowed to stay at his home as per tournament protocols while other players are staying in bio-secure bubble accommodation.

Players living at home are required to test daily for the virus while those in the restricted environment are tested every four days.

Nadal, who is chasing a recordextending 12th title in Monte Carlo, and his team were tested on Monday as per protocols and all results were (Continued on page 27)

Daniil Medvedev of Russia has tested positive for COVID-19.

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Kaieteur News

Fognini, Sinner advance in straight sets at Monte Carlo MONACO (AP) — Fabio Fognini opened the defense of his Monte Carlo Masters title with a 6-2, 7-5 victory over Miomir Kecmanovic Tuesday as secondranked Daniil Medvedev withdrew from the clay-court tournament after testing positive for COVID-19.

The 15th-seeded Fognini was set to start his campaign Monday but rain delayed his return by a day. Back on the stage of his biggest success two years earlier, Fognini advanced to the second round after hitting 27 winners.

The Italian baseliner triumphed on the Riviera in 2019, beating 11-time champion Rafael Nadal on his way to the title. The tournament was canceled last year because of the pandemic.“It is really special because I was born here, I was born in (nearby) San Remo,” said Fognini, reflecting on his return.

“I was practicing here since I was 14 years old. I have a lot of memories here.”

Fognini will face Australia’s Jordan Thompson in the second round.

Italian teenager Jannik Sinner, who was runner-up in Miami this year, also progressed to set up a mouth-watering contest with topranked Novak Djokovic. Sinner defeated

2017 runner-up Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-3, 6-4.Djokovic will be playing for the first time since winning his ninth Australian Open title in February.

Nadal is also playing in the tournament, chasing a record-extending 12th title here. He has recovered from a back injury and will be playing in only his second tournament of the season following a quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open.

“I am good. Honestly, I am confident. I am playing well,” Nadal said. “It’s true that I didn’t play much. At the same time, (it) is true that I had good success in the past without playing much.”Earlier, second-ranked Daniil Medvedev withdrew from the first major clay-court tournament of the season following a positive COVID-19 test.

Organizers said Medvedev was placed in isolation.“It’s a big disappointment not to play in Monte Carlo,” Medvedev said. “My focus is now on recovery and I look forward to getting back out on Tour as soon and as safely as possible.”Fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced to the third round with a 63, 6-4 victory over Aslan Karatsev and will take on either John Millman or 16th-seeded Cristian Garin for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Wednesday April 14, 2021

AIBA President opens 2021Youth World Boxing Championships in Kielce AIBA Youth Men’s and Women’s World Boxing Championships in Kielce, Poland is opened. The grand ceremony took place at the Hala Legionow arena in Kielce without spectators and with limited numbers of guests due to safety measures. The ceremony was broadcasted via Youtube.

Minister of Sports of Poland Mrs. Anna Krupka, Polish Boxing Association President Mr. Grzegorz Nowaczek, AIBA Secretary General Mr. Istvan Kovacs, Mayor of City of Kielce Mr. Bogdan Wenta, Marshall of W o j e w ó d z t w a S w i ê t o k r z y s k i e g o M r.

Andrzej Betkowski, President of Suzuki Motor Poland Mr. Piotr Dulnik attended the ceremony.

‘Today our world is suffering not easy situation, Covid pandemic. A lot of sports competitions worldwide were canceled.

Our young boxers were left without any possibility to compete. Today Poland is conducting AIBA Youth W o r l d B o x i n g Championships giving an opportunity to young people to fight,’ Mr. Umar Kremlev, the AIBA President said.

‘National Federations sent their boxers to compete at the world stage. I would like that tournament to happen.

I am grateful for your support, for that our managers are thinking about athletes so they can participate in the competitions. We should organize the best conditions for our boxers, it is our mission. We are here for that,’ he added.

‘I want to thank the city of Kielce, the Polish Boxing

Umar Kremlev AIBA President at the opening.

Association President. The easiest solution was to cancel the event. However, nobody refused, and today we are here to open the competition,’ Mr. Kremlev concluded.

President of the Polish Boxing Association Mr. Grzegorz Nowaczek claimed that there are 414 boxers attending the 2021 AIBA Youth Men’s and Women’s World Boxing Championships, including 140 women and 274 men from 52 countries.

‘I express my gratitude to Mr. President Kremlev for the great confidence which he gave us to host the AIBA Yo u t h W o r l d Championships. Our cooperation was nice and fruitful from the beginning. I would like to thank AIBA who supported the Championship with 2 million zlotych.

I hope we will not let you down. I am satisfied that all teams came to Poland without any problems,’ Mr. Nowaczek said.

Mrs. Krupka added that the Ministry of Sport also

supported the tournament financially.‘The sport is continuing despite the pandemic. I wish all the participants good luck and success. I hope our athletes will be safe and sound,’ she claimed.

AIBA Secretary General Mr. Istvan Kovacs stated he feels in Poland “at home”.

‘My own boxing career started in Poland in 1988.

That was 33 years ago when I won the Junior European Championships in Gdansk, the first milestone in my career. As you know, I won everything possible in amateur boxing.

After my whole pro career, in 2002 I had my last fight also in Poland. Now I came back to serve boxing as AIBA Secretary General. I am grateful to the LOC and Polish Boxing Association, they did a great job during these challenging times. I am sure we will see a new generation of stars in Kielce.

I wish everyone a lot of success and I hope everybody will enjoy the competitions,’ Mr. Kovacs claimed.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday April 14, 2021

PAGE 33

Sports Minister Hon. Charles Ramson Jnr/GCB visits NationalStadium Stadium visit National Ready to host Pakistan T20 and ICC U19 World Cup

A

t the request of the newlye l e c t e d Executive Committee of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson Jnr. met with the members for a guided tour of the Providence National Stadium.

Minister Ramson updated members on the continuing works at the Stadium and in particular the

playing area. He said that he was well aware of the upcoming international tours to the region and that the Government of Guyana, when necessary, will be bidding for matches at the Stadium, including the West Indies vs Pakistan T20 tournament and the ICC U n d e r - 1 9 Wo r l d C u p Championship to be played in the West Indies in August 2021 and January 2022 respectively.

The GCB members were

GCB executives along with Minister Charles Ramson Jr. after the meeting at the National Stadium. all impressed with the facilities at the Stadium and noted that the ground and pitch were in excellent condition and up to international standard.

Minister Ramson took the opportunity to again

Sans Souci, Maria’s Pleasure, SS Jaguars record victories

Seon Venture

S

ans Souci, Maria’s Pleasure, SS Jaguars recorded victories when the Wa k e n a a m C r i c k e t Committee Badri Prasad Memorial T20 competition resumed recently.

A t t h e Wa k e n a a m Community Centre ground, Sans Souci defeated Noitgedacht Sports Club by 141 runs. Batting first, Sans Souci managed 207-6. Seon Venture struck five fours and three sixes in a top score of 60 not out while Tamesh Charritar made 38, Devon Rambaran 21, Cleon Venture 20 and Oyono Sampson 15.

J. Browne claimed three wickets. Noitgedacht Sports Club were bowled out for 66 in 14 overs in reply. Seon Venture and Cleon Venture picked up 3-6 each with the former taking a hat-trick.

Maria’s Pleasure beat

Kennard Lewis Zeelandia by 36 runs.

Maria’s Pleasure batted first and posted 164-7. Dreshaun Phillips made 47, Marsh Singh 23, Bernard Lewis 16 and Kevin Hemraj 14.

Zeelandia scored 128 all out in 18 overs in reply.

Navishaul Pooran made 36 as Kennard Lewis bagged 518 including a hat-trick and Bernard Lewis took two wickets.

At G Square Cavaliers ground in Belle Plaine, Sans Souci Jaguars overcame G Square Cavaliers by 79 runs.

Sans Souci Jaguars managed 176-6, taking first strike.

Beesham Moses slammed seven fours and one six in a top score of 56 while Zameer Zaman made 44 with nine fours, Prem Persaud 20 and Azeer Ramrattan 15.

Lokram Narine took two wickets.

G Square Cavaliers

congratulate the Executive Members of the GCB on their recent appointments and urged them to build a strong cricket structure and establish partnerships with all cricket stakeholders in this new dispensation. He reminded the members that cricket is our national sport and that, in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities, they raise the bar in cricket administration. He added that the Government of Guyana would be willing to partner with the GCB to

ensure that Guyana is firmly placed as a cricket tourist destination. He noted that the GCB is the only sports body in Guyana that is governed by an Act of Parliament. So, it is incumbent on the Executive Committee to leave an exemplary legacy of a c c o u n t a b i l i t y, g o o d governance and public confidence.

The Minister once again expressed his profound sadness at the passing of the G C B Tr e a s u r e r, M r.

Pretipaul Jaigobin, and

suggested that the GCB should consider a cricket competition be played in his honour.

President of the GCB, Mr. Bissoondyal Singh, thanked Minister Ramson for accommodating the visit by the GCB. He praised the Minister for the pivotal role he played in resolving the cricket impasse and added that the GCB looks forward to working with him and the Government of Guyana to realise the aims and objectives of the Board.

Beesham Moses

The National Stadium pitch in perfect condition during the visit.

Zameer Zaman responded with 97-8.

Beesham Bhagpattie made 19 and Komesh Sudin 18.

Moses grabbed 4-10, while Vickey Jairam and Gladewin Henry Jr had two each.

Russell takes five-for but brilliant Boult has the final word as Mumbai down Kolkata Shemar Brtton had a tough loss yesterday.

Andre Russell celebrates a wicket, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians, IPL 2021, Chennai, April 13, 2021© BCCI/IPL

Sarwan talks about his new role as National Selector Photo - Ramnaresh Sarwan

Ramnaresh Sarwan

rt o p S Chelsea Edghill during her match yesterday.

Tough outing for team Guyana at Olympic TT qualifiers Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.