Kaieteur News

K

AIETEUR CANU rank caught on

Friday Edition April 16, 2021 -Vol. 23 No. 16

camera assaulting Lethem businessman - Unit says ranks need more training with rifle when dealing with ‘civilian agitation’

NEWS

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

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 99,059

GTT’s parent company may seek compensation for any loss of exclusive rights over market Vaccines alone will not stop current COVID-19 surge

Gouveia to head US$150M-upgraded Gerry prisons sentence CJIA has to be ‘redone’ management board

… four-lane road network to …as Cabinet approves senior - PAHO Director warns reach E/bo & Berbice - VP Jagdeo Home Affairs roles

Bus driver charged Over 300 OSH Dept. investigating Craig man confesses to for killing pensioner benefit from allegations of poor in Avenue of the TIP awareness handling of COVID-19 2015 killings, p.

Govt. to explore Public/Private/Partnership 19 Republic accident outreach in Reg. 6 infections at AGM attempted murders Pharmaceutical supplier charged for providing expired HIV testing kits…

of youth found Local investors looking to Murder floating in creek...

Trial to undertake massive corn and One arrested commence soya bean cultivation project as police hunt on May 11 - Govt. to explore Public/Private/Partnership wounded workmate

Protesting Linden nurses to receive - GPSU to take legal action salary cut against Ministry of Health Dr. Ashni Singh warning every citizen about the dangers of not having insurance, but not demanding we get full Insurance coverage from Exxon and others. Listen on The Glenn Lall Show @11:00am on Kaieteur Radio 99.1 and 99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

Friday April 16, 2021

Kaieteur News

Friday April 16, 2021

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GTT’s parent company may seek compensation for any loss of exclusive rights over market Even though the PPP/C Administration broke the back of its monopoly over the telecommunications market, Atlantic TeleNetworks Inc. (ATN), the US-based parent company of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT), is of the impression that its June 18, 1990 licence is still intact and therefore, gives it exclusive rights over “domestic fixed and international voice and data services.” Should its contract be involuntarily terminated, it may challenge

the government for compensation.

ATN noted this much in its latest financial filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In that document which was perused by Kaieteur News, ATN made it clear that it has a licence from the Guyana Government which allows it to “be the exclusive provider of domestic Fixed and international voice and data services.”

ATN said that licence from the Government

Body of Wazim Ramjattan exhumed

T

he body of Wazim Ramjattan, who was mistakenly buried by the wrong family on April 4, was exhumed yesterday for identification.

Kaieteur News would have reported that, on Wednesday last, Ramjattan was buried after being mistakenly identified as another man, Imtiaz Umar, at the Memorial Gardens funeral home.

He had died on March 29 at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation as a result of COVID-19, and his body sent to Memorial Gardens, where burial preparations were to be carried out.

After a lengthy process to acquire the needed documents for Wazim’s body to be viewed, the family of Mr. Ramjattan had gone to Memorial Gardens where they learned that Umar’s family was there earlier and had identified Wazim’s body

The late Wazim Ramjattan. as that of their own relative and had buried him; Umar’s body was in turn presented to the Ramjattan’s family as Wazim’s.

After the story was highlighted in the media, the body of Wazim Ramjattan was yesterday exhumed from the Vergenoegen cemetery, We s t C o a s t D e m e r a r a .

According to Manisha Ramjattan, Wazim’s sister, (Continued on page 22 )

included an initial term ending in December 2010, which was renewable at its sole option for an additional 20-year term. In November 2009, ATN said it had notified the government of its election to renew its exclusive licence for an additional 20-year term expiring in 2030.

On December 15, 2010, ATN said it received correspondence from the government indicating that its licence had been renewed until such time that new legislation was enacted to expand competition within the sector.

Fast forward to October 5, 2020, ATN was keen to point out to the SEC and its shareholders by extension that the Prime Minister of Guyana, Mark Philips, formally implemented telecommunications legislation previously passed by the Parliament in 2016. The company said this legislation “introduces material changes to many features of Guyana’s e x i s t i n g telecommunications

ATN’s CEO, Michael Prior. regulatory regime with the intention of creating a more competitive market.”

The US-based firm pointed out that, at that time, it was already issued a new licence to provide domestic and international voice as well as data services and mobile services in Guyana.

The company further noted that two of its competitors, being Digicel and Enetworks, which had previously provided fixed voice and internet services,

thereby eroding much of its market share, were issued service licences as well.

“While we have requested details of our competitors’ licences, such information has not been made public b y t h e G u y a n a Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Agency, and we are not yet able to ascertain whether the licences issued to our competitors permit any competitors to provide services that have been subject to GTT’s exclusive rights contained in its 1990 licence,” ATN stated.

Additionally, the US firm recalled that it was on October 23, 2020, that the Government of Guyana brought into effect new telecommunications regulations called for by the telecommunications legislation. It noted that “the regulations include new requirements for the market as a whole, which impact our operations, administrative reporting and services.”

Even though the government would have introduced a new law and

regulation to liberalize the sector, ATN told its investors that “there can be no assurance that these regulations will be effectively implemented, or that they will be administered in a fair and transparent manner. We believe our existing, exclusive licence continues to be valid unless and until such time as we enter into a n a l t e r n a t i v e arrangement with the Government.”

U n d e r t h e s e circumstances, ATN said, there can be no assurance that its discussions with the Government of Guyana will resume or be concluded, or that such discussions will satisfactorily address its contractual exclusivity rights. While ATN noted that the option to seek damages or other compensation for any involuntary termination of its contractual exclusivity rights is on the table, it informed the SEC that it cannot guarantee that it would prevail in any proceedings to enforce its rights.

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Friday April 16, 2021

Kaieteur News

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

Publisher: GLENN LALL Tel:624-6456 Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

BIDEN SO FAR Even with COVID-19 and its globally disruptive presence still growing, despite the introduction of multiple vaccines, in one important aspect so far, the world seems to have thankfully emerged from an era over the past few months.

Next week will mark three months since Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States and the most notable thing about his Presidency so far is the absence of turmoil and rancor and absurdity and obscenity that marked the full tenure, from start to finish, of that of his predecessor.

Even with the Donald Trump inspired and instigated assault on the capital as a backdrop, Biden’s time in office has been marked by an even-handed, competent, if comparatively tepid rule. Today, not unsurprisingly, the salacious political scandal gripping Washington, DC, is not one coming from the Biden camp, but one linked to the Trump movement.

Florida Congressman – and Trump’s most shamelessly enthusiastic shill since Trump’s former ‘fixer’ (now critic) Michael Cohen – Matt Gaetz, has found himself embroiled in a Justice Department investigation, begun under the Trump presidency, linking him to charges of statutory rape and trafficking in persons.

Things have gotten so bad for Gaetz that not only are fellow Republicans re-donating to charity funds he donated to their campaigns, but reportedly Trump himself will not meet with him in person.

In contrast, while Biden has not been commanding the media’s attention with the same ‘mastery’ as his predecessor (CNN’s primetime ratings dropped 50 percent almost immediately after Trump left office), what he has been featured in the media for is the precise sort of solid, almost pedestrian, policy initiatives that saw him comfortably beating Trump in last year’s election.

Perhaps there is no greater area of contrast between Biden and Trump than the attitude towards and action on fighting COVID-19, which as of yesterday had taken 566,000 American lives, the equivalent of 72 percent of Guyana’s population.

Trump spent much of his Presidency denying the serious of COVID-19 and fighting with respected public health officials like Dr. Anthony Faucci on the measures necessary to combat the pandemic, eventually catching the virus himself – it was only in the final days of his presidency that he sought to rush international pharmaceutical companies to provide a vaccine, more to boost his own failing political fortunes than to boost public immunity to the novel coronavirus.

In contrast, Biden’s first two months of his Presidency saw remarkable success in rolling out a public vaccination programme, as he was proud to represent in an address to the country in late March: “On December 8th, I indicated that I hoped to get 100 million shots in people’s arms in my first 100 days. We met that goal last week by day 58 — 42 days ahead of schedule.

Now, today, I’m setting a second goal, and that is: We will, by my 100th day in office, have administered 200 million shots in people’s arms. That’s right: 200 million shots in 100 days. I know it’s ambitious, twice our original goal, but no other country in the world has even come close — not even close — to what we are doing. And I believe we can do it.”

There is of course a far way to go towards correcting the damage and the excesses of the Trump era, as well as fixing long running but metastasizing issues like income inequality (exacerbated by the economic disruption of COVID-19), structural and socially manifest racism, and unabated police violence against African Americans.

That said, Biden seems to be engaged in a quiet reconstruction of the American dream, or what has been left of it. As we continue on our own attempt as building our nation, constructing something better than the rubble our own politics has left us in, we can commiserate with the plodding but steady progress being made under Biden so far – one one dutty build dam.

Don’t waste time making head to head comparison of vaccines, the best vaccine is the one you take DEAR EDITOR, It seems commentary and some people’s attitude (in every part of the world) cannot move away from ‘I want the best COVID-19 vaccine’ which mainly translates to vaccines with high efficacy in clinical trials.

Hence, this is a reminder that the main goal of vaccination campaigns is to get a significant proportion of the population vaccinated to the point where person to person spread is unlikely. It’s prioritising the collective but with individual benefit in the end. The faster people realise this, the better the chances of beating this pandemic sooner than later (globally). I say sooner because it’s not going to happen soon. We are stuck with the coronavirus and its variants for a while that’s the reality. So, the best thing we can do to counteract this is to get vaccinated and still practice control measures (hand washing, social distancing, wearing a mask, etc.) until we’ve driven down transmission to a minimum.

Eventually, in years to come, maybe it will be eradicated. This is going to take quite some time.

Get vaccinated because you are giving yourself a major boost to fight the virus by allowing yourself to build immunity (without being infected with the virus) and stock up on antibodies (our soldiers in our body’s defence system at war with the virus).

At the same time keep up the control measures like wearing your mask because it will take time for you to develop immunity and make antibodies once vaccinated.

In addition, although you may be boosted or don’t become ill and death is prevented with vaccination, you can still become infected and asymptomatic and therefore be a virus spreader, so others aren’t safe – again, caring for the collective is the best way to beat the pandemic. Further, if there are a significant number of people susceptible to infection, the virus still has the opportunity to try to evade our immune system by mutating into worse forms; forms which may render current vaccines ineffective.

So, until a significant portion of the population is immunised, the control measures are very necessary.

In the words of the WHO director, “No one is safe, until everyone is safe.”

Get vaccinated with the vaccine available unless there is evidence to show that the vaccine just does not work.

To my knowledge, all approved vaccines are effective. Note however, that lining them up head to head

to compare according to efficacy (in clinical trials) is a waste of time and shouldn’t factor into the decision to get vaccinated. This is why: 1. All vaccine efficacies are calculated the same way but clinical trials for the different vaccines were done in different places under different conditions. To align the vaccines and compare efficacies, the clinical trials would have to be done in the same place under the same conditions.

2. Efficacy is a measurement done usually in large scale Phase 3 clinical trials (10s of thousands of participants). Half of the participants get the vaccine while the other half is given a placebo. They are then monitored for COVID-19. In the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine trial there were 170 cases of COVID-19 out of a total of 43,448 participants injected (F. Polack et al., NEJM, 2020, 383, 2603-15).The number of cases in each group (placebo vs. vaccine) was used to calculate the efficacy. If the number of cases in each group were equally split, then the vaccine would be considered 0% effective. If all cases were in the placebo group, then it would be 100% effective (no one given the vaccine got sick). What happened in the trial is that 162 people in the placebo group got COVID-19

while just 8 in the vaccine group got it.

This corresponds to 95% efficacy – so an individual who got the vaccine was 95% less likely to get COVID-19. So, a trial conducted at a time with more overall infections will likely results in a lower efficacy.

3. Vaccines target specific strains/variants of a virus and if/when there are new forms the efficacies may vary and current vaccines may need to be modified to maintain efficacy (as done for the flu vaccine as the influenza virus is notorious for mutating to produce new strains/ subtypes and vaccine effectiveness averages 4060%).

We have seen this with the Coronavirus variants that have emerged where there is a decreased efficacy of current vaccines and in one case of it being ineffective against the variant (the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine against the dominant variant in South Africa).

Additionally, the trials (in which efficacies were measured) for the different vaccines were done at different times in the pandemic when a different proportion of variants were circulating. The Pfizer/ BioNTech and Moderna trials were predominantly done in the US at a time in the pandemic where infection numbers were a lot less than

when the Johnson and Johnson trials were conducted. In addition to the US, the Johnson and Johnson trial comprised a significant portion of participants in Brazil and South Africa where there were more contagious variants emerging (B.1.351 in SA and P.1 in Brazil) in addition to a high number of infections, so it’s not surprising that the efficacy measured for the J&J vaccine was less than that of the other two vaccines (where trials were conducted when it was mainly the original strain circulating).

Therefore, you can’t just line up the efficacies of the vaccines and say the best one is the one with the largest number. It’s not that simple as many other variables come into play. The vaccines currently being rolled out in Guyana – Oxford/ AstraZeneca, Sinopharm and Sputinik V – were trialled in different parts of the world so a head-to-head comparison of efficacy is not meaningful.

The best vaccine is the one you take, as vaccination is the long-term tool to get out of the pandemic - when most are vaccinated and person-to-person virus transfer is suppressed. It takes a collective effort.

Sincerely, Jacquelyn Jhingree, PhD

THE SURGE IS WORRYING

DEAR EDITOR, Many more cases daily than before, consistently so. There is a relentless, similarly alarming, trickle of deaths. Whether one, two, or four, those deaths remind all of what is in our midst, not going anywhere, and which intensifies with the language of this viral pandemic. It is of Sars-COV-2 and COVID-19, and P-1, surge and variants, and variants of variants. Lord, help us!

I could care less about whether the government is liked or not and supported or not, which is not under discussion here.

Rather, my concern is of encroaching worrying risks. To its credit, and I dismiss any contrarian media or partisan dissent, I think that government has handled the vaccine distribution efficiently.

I commend the Hon. Minister of Health and his expanding team of health professionals for yeoman efforts under gruelling circumstances. Like the UN, I am concerned about vaccine corruption, which I watch. I am also negative about possible, still hidden, COVID-19 cash relief distribution corruptions. To put differently: whenever a million (or less) is involved in Guyana, and under public service auspices, temptation and individual crumbling occurs. We are talking billions here. I watch. But pardon aside, as I return to risk.

I reduce this to finance terms: the greater the risks taken, the higher the possible returns. There are also the corresponding greater risks for going down in flames, meaning catastrophic losses. It is no different with this hard to destroy virus, which eludes most efforts at complete eradication.

What is at risk is me and fellow citizens.

We have some control over that, but when we lack restraint and take risks, in disdain for rules and protocols, then we may (may) get away momentarily with arrogant swagger that impresses the ignorant, lures fools.

Thus, we may win some space for ‘passive resistance’; but at some cost. Somebody, perhaps one loved comes close, with possible vulnerabilities; trouble looms. When we disregard, we may be doing damage, without even knowing, maybe not even caring from where sourced (self) and where it could lead (serious loss). I wrote this sometime before, but authoritative studies have confirmed that minorities are statistically more prone to infection from the virus.

In Guyana, our majority consists of such coloured minorities in the big towns and unhearing gatherings. The Fourth Horseman tramples upon the daring standing in his path.

That horseman is not the police; he is not sickness or job loss and distress, which has had global waves; he is death.

Therefore, I insist that there is so much more that we can do as citizens, to whom I appeal to observe the rules. Social hangout places have ignored; disdainful citizens, thus, hang themselves. Some left the church on Ash Wednesday and objected during Holy Week, when politely reminded about Task Force protocols. Yes, we are this unruly, this disorderly, and this full of ourselves. A serious surge can really send us scurrying for safe harbours, with ports closing. Neighbours are out. Listen, please. Comply.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Friday April 16, 2021

Trinis helped sustain Guyanese students during the dictatorship DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese who studied in Trinidad (UWI St. Augustine) during the 1970s and thereafter would never forget the local hospitality and kindness of IndoTrinidadians who were very helpful to them during their difficult experience on the island. Indo-Trinis sustained, virtually fed, many (hundreds of) Indo-Guyanese (male) students during their stay on the island especially during the period of the Burnham/ Hoyte dictatorship.

Those who benefited from Trini kindness and warm hospitality are most grateful and thankful for food assistance. Without the nutritional assistance, several students would probably have gone to bed hungry and/or not have completed their studies. Money was not always available to purchase food.

Guyanese who studied in Trinidad would often reminisce about their experience, especially the support they received from the very kind, friendly, and generous (Hindu) Trinis.

The Trinis, especially from the greater St. Augustine area and Central region were very, very supportive of Guyanese students offering them free meals and soft drinks (Solo, Lil Boy and Chubby were popular).

I am familiar with their experience having spent considerable amount of time in Trinidad since summer 1981 and interacting with some of them. I too am a beneficiary of Trini hospitality and kindness. I did not study in Trinidad although I presented papers at or helped to organise academic conferences and or attended

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forums since my first visit in 1981.

I used to visit Trinidad regularly as emissary of our political grouping in New York to interact with Trini groups on the island (mostly out of UWI and teachers like me) that supported the struggle to liberate Guyana from the throes of Burnham dictatorship.

I met many Guyanese in Trinidad since the first visit in 1981 and during the hundreds of trips made thereafter to conduct opinion surveys or engage groups that collaborated against Burnhamism. As best as I know, there were no active Guyanese groups on campus championing democracy in their homeland.

It was primarily Indo Trinis who were involved in the struggle against Burnhamism; they were guided and instructed by Indian lecturers in the social science departments. Those Guyanese who studied and were credentialed in Trinidad are scattered all over the Caribbean region or North America with some still in Guyana mostly in the legal field.

They all spoke positively of their experience and were/ are most grateful for the assistance rendered by Trinis during their student days. I too had similar experience travelling the breadth and length of Trinidad and there is hardly a village on the island or in Tobago that I did not visit.

Guyanese studying in Trinidad did not have much or sufficient money for completion of their studies; they could barely meet tuition and boarding. Several shared dorms or apartments.

Lodging was a major challenge, and as such they accepted free meals whenever and wherever possible.

They were very frugal in their spending. Access to foreign currency from Guyana was non-existent during the period of the dictatorship.

During the 1970s thru the 1990s, foreign currency was not readily available in Guyana to pay tuition overseas unless one had political connection or affiliation. Supporters of the government hit preference.

One could not leave the country without any money; violations carried stiff fines.

The country was virtually bankrupt with scarcity of basic foods and in near starvation mode; many were observed with begging bowls from Timehri all the way to the villages.

Foreign currency was obtained from the black market underground economy or from generous overseas based relatives who helped pay bills. So Guyanese students in Trinidad had to economise, live a spartan life, and tightly manage their budget to last their period of studies.

Several students would share an apartment. They helped each other with meal preparation, laundry, and cleaning. There was no ‘surplus’ money for entertainment or exorbitant meals. Guyanese lived on basic foods and satisfied minimal needs and received food subsidies from generous Trinis who performed Hindu religious services or had weddings.

The Trinis knew of the difficult life of Guyanese during Burnham rule. They

knew Burnham had banned basic foods and denied them access to foreign currency to fund their studies abroad.

Families of Trini friends would entertain Guyanese students at their homes for a hearty traditional meal especially during religious festivals and often packed containers for them to take to their place of residency.

The packed food would be shared with other Guyanese students, lasting for days saving them time and money to prepare meals. Many Guyanese students said they hardly prepared meals during their stay as families of Trini friends helped them a lot.

They would obtain a lot of free cooked meals foods especially during religious services. Whenever there was a Puja, Ramayana, Satsangh, Katha, Bhagwat, especially in the evening, or even daytime Jhandis, Guyanese students would patronise the services when it was about to end for their meals.

Students would inform each other of the religious puja. These pujas were open to the public. Food was always bountiful at the conclusion of Hindu pujas or at weddings. In addition to getting a meal, the Guyanese students would get containers of food to take home that would last for days.

As some told me: “Boy, we would ‘tote’ bags of food to the dorms or apartments for colleagues. These foods would take us through the week or till the next religious function. We don’t have to cook. We would find out where there was a religious event in the evening and patronise it. Sometimes, we Continued on page 6

David Hinds responds to Freddie Kissoon DEAR EDITOR, I just read Freddie Kissoon’s column which responded to my column in last weekend’s edition of Village Voice. Thanks, Freddie, for reminding Guyanese that I still write—I doubt your publication would have published the original version. I had Freddie in mind as I was writing the column, partly because I still love him — the culture from which I come teaches love, not betrayal. He has to explain why he ended our friendship over political disagreement. Is there something deep that Freddie did that prevents him from facing his very dear “iconic” friend? What’s on your conscience Freddie?

Don’t give us your nonsense about rigged elections.

President Romotar said the Americans aided rigged elections in 2015. But you never became a shameless defender of the slogan then.

Freddie must say why he cannot face his many friends from the days when he was an antiBurnham revolutionary. Is his revolutionary instincts only reserved for some “lower” ones.

Now to the meat of the matter. I also wrote the column with Freddie in mind partly because I wanted him to answer the question he asked me in the title of his column.

Freddie is good at many things, but he is bad at reading between the lines. So, he walked right into the not-sosubtle trap I set for him. He couldn’t resist. In all fairness, Freddie is not a lunatic, a racist or a liar. He is a Simonpure human being supremely concerned with justice, freedom, democracy and electoral integrity. He is blessed with the ability to see what is deep in the minds of other human beings,

especially the darkest ones.

He does not traffic in character assassination. In fact, he hardly calls names in his columns—he sticks to analysis. Political gossip is not his thing. He only calls names when it is absolutely necessary.

Freddie also knows his way around town. So, we have to believe him when he tells us that political bribery came from two sources during the election—the PPP and the business class which supports the party. In a previous column Freddie revealed that a newspaper publisher had told him to collect some money which he had not picked up at the time of writing. He did not say what the money was for. He also revealed that a certain president offered him a job (March 21, 2021).

Now Simon-pure Freddie should tell us whether he was offered compensation from the PPP and/or the supporting business class for his brilliant and unconditional support for “Regime Change.” Further, does Freddie know of anyone in the media, or in public life or a columnist who during the election impasse was offered bribes or benefited from bribes from those two sources he cited?

David Hinds

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Friday April 16, 2021

Kaieteur News

Guyanese should be given first There must be more trust preference as it relates to between Govt. and Opposition EDITOR, Bernard and when she quit to Leader, Joseph Harmon, opportunities in the oil and gas sector DEAR Guyana is one of the few take up a higher judicial despite court rulings and a

DEAR EDITOR, I have taken note of a letter published recently that was titled “Does the Local Content Policy apply to Guyanese with dual citizenship?” The reason why I am writing is because I myself have questioned this before and sought clarity so I feel that I can offer some insight to the author based on the research I did and the advice that was given to me not so long ago.

In the letter, the writer questioned whether or not the draft Local Content Policy applies to Guyanese with dual citizenship. As a Guyanese with dual citizenship who, like the writer, applied for a job in the oil and gas sector but was unsuccessful, I wanted to know if my dual citizenship was the reason for me not being able to secure the job. I did research thereafter which pointed me in the direction that yes, the existing draft Local Content Policy applies to Guyanese with dual

citizenship solely because a Guyanese is anyone with Guyanese citizenship under the Constitution.

I have looked into several jobs within the oil and gas sector in Guyana over the past year and half. I was unsuccessful for the ones I wanted but even though offers were made to me for others, I declined simply because they were not the right fit for me.

However, what I have gathered over time from paying close attention to the companies operating in the oil and gas sector is that despite there being a draft Local Content Policy, these companies ultimately have the final say on who they hire.

In many cases, foreigners are the ones that secure the jobs because of their qualifications and experiences. At the same time, I have also recognised that there are many Guyanese that reside out of Guyana with

impressive qualifications and experiences in the sector. I do not believe that because those individuals have dual citizenships that they should be prevented from working in the sector should they decide to do so. It is only fair that as Guyanese, they are able to return and work freely and from all indication, the Local Content Policy caters for such.

However, I strongly believe that Guyanese should be given first preference as it relates to opportunities in the oil and gas sector. In my opinion, non-nationals should not be placed above Guyanese in the recruitment and selection processes. As such, I think that it is paramount that when the Local Content Policy is finalised within the coming months as noted by news entities, stringent legislations should be put in place to prevent such from happening.

Respectfully, Anson Paul

Guyana committed to support St. Vincent as the country recovers The Government of Guyana is committed to fully assisting the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines not only in this immediate period but also in the medium and long term as the Caribbean island continues to be affected by the La Soufriere volcano eruption.

This was announced by President, Irfaan Ali, as he spoke at the 14th Special Emergency Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government yesterday. Also in attendance were Prime Minister, Mark Phillips; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; Ambassador Elizabeth Harper; Permanent Secretary, Marcia Nadir-Sharma; Cabinet Secretary (ag) and Ambassador George Talbot, Director of the Department of the Americas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

President Ali told the meeting that a vessel had already departed Guyana’s shores with 350 tons of various needed materials including water, water storage containers,

rice, sugar, peas, chowmein, sanitisers, detergents, disinfectant, personal care items and supplies for infants.

According to the President, the vessel is expected to arrive in St. Vincent tomorrow, while a 20-foot container of water departed the country yesterday on a Tropical Shipping’s vessel. On Monday, another shipment will be prepared for departure carrying water, sugar, rice, assorted food items and personal care and hygiene items.

Due to the impact of the La Soufriere volcano eruption, the island of Barbados is also affected and in response to an appeal from Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, the President will be sending 50 water tanks to that island as well.

The President informed the meeting that his Government, since the looming volcano crisis began, has been receiving immense support from the private sector, which had mobilised financial resources for those affected in the islands.

countries in the western hemisphere that is not affected by natural disasters like volcano, earthquakes or hurricanes, but it has politicians who are considered almost as bad and as such progress is impeded.

It was more than a month ago when Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, issued a call for the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and the acting Chief Justice to be confirmed, but since then nothing has been done or heard of.

Maybe Harmon’s speech was merely to make news because he was speaking at an International Women Forum and was advocating that the two women who have been acting in their respective positions for three years be confirmed. Harmon said “I am prepared to do what is necessary to ensure that it happens”.

He has not taken any step since then. However the move for the confirmation has to be initiated by the President Irfaan Ali, but he has not done so and had not stated whether or not he would do so.

The confirmation of the two top legal positions has been on the horizon for decades.

The last confirmed Chancellor was Desiree

officer, a Justice of the Caribbean Court of Justice in April 2005, no confirmed appointment was made.

In fact Justice Carl Singh acted as Chancellor for more than a decade until his term ended without confirmation and so was Justice Ian Chang who acted as Chief Justice until his retirement without being confirmed. He died subsequently.

It seems to me that there will never be an agreement between the government and the opposition as regards the appointment and confirmation of the two top posts and one wonders why “consultation” was removed and replaced by agreement.

I seem to recall that the late Bryn Pollard, former Legal Consultant of Caricom, suggested that there be a safeguard in the constitution if there is no agreement that two thirds of Parliament should vote for the measure.

This too might be difficult to achieve. It is very unfortunate that no agreement be reached despite calls and pleas from former CCJ President, Sir Denis Byron, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Desiree Bernard, former Chancellor, and even the current President of the CCJ, Adrian Saunders, and other Legal luminaries. Opposition

clear recount of the votes, is still maintaining that Irfaan Ali is not the legitimate President and he will not recognise that he is the Republic’s Head of State.

The only solution to this impasse is to re-amend the Constitution — removing “agreement” and replacing it with “in consultation with” and this might pose a problem because in my view a simple majority of votes is not enough to amend the Constitution, it may require either two thirds or three quarters, and if the government cannot win over the support of some opposition members, the amendment will be stalled.

Therefore it is not likely that there will be a confirmation of the two top judicial officers. What a shame. If Guyana is to move forward the government and the opposition have to agree on certain aspects in the interest of the nation and the populace.

The country cannot afford further gridlock and politicians must work in the interest of the country/ populace and not on their personal aggrandizement.

There must be more trust between the government and the opposition.

Oscar Ramjeet

Trinis helped sustain Guyanese...

From page 5 listened for mike announcements of or broadcasts of a religious service as was the custom.

We would walk miles to the religious service because we did not have vehicles, and night maxi bus service was not always available to that location. And at any rate, we had to conserve our funds.

Often, we get a ride back to the dorm or our apartment from volunteers at the religious service. Hindu, Muslim, Christian students would all patronise the Hindu event and we all looked out for one another. At times, we took Black students from Guyana or other islands with us. They enjoyed the meals and hospitality and were shocked that people were so generous with doling out foods.

The hosts of the religious services welcomed us and invited us to come nightly.

They knew the difficulties we faced in Guyana and they were very supportive of us.

Weekend was best for us because there was always a religious programme in the St Augustine area. The Hindu religious services or weddings were the source of

our sustenance in Trinidad.

Just as in Guyana, we didn’t need invitation. We just go and the people gladly entertained us”.

All the former Guyanese students I conversed with said Trinis were very sympathetic having of the travails they experienced in Guyana. They remarked that often the organisers or the pandits would give instructions ‘to treat dem boys well’, meaning Guyanese students.

The Pandit or others would comment “Burnham treated dem boys bad. He don’t give them money. He ban food”.

There was usually an assortment of dishes including: channa and alou, katahar or chatine, dhal and kharhi, pumpkin, dasheen bhajji, sahena, katchourie, and bus up shot (paratha roti).

Trinis don’t eat puri. Bottled chubby was served and the students tote a lot of it. And of course students also got a lot of parsad as take away.

Trini parsad is most delicious and was or is quite different from Guyanese – theirs is made from cream of wheat and includes raisin and sweet spices like elichi.

The parsad bag would contain apple, grapes, and almond nuts, items banned

by Burnham, in addition to ladoo, burfi, mithai, and so many other delicious sweets.

Guyanese got to eat roti and other foods that Burnham banned. I loved the Trini cuisine after a puja. The assortment of dishes was unbelievable; no other country can match their puja dishes. The food and parsad were absolutely delicious. All over the world I travelled, the Indian culture of sharing and caring and distribution of meals is similar.

Not all Guyanese in Trinidad had a pleasant experience. And not all Guyanese were model citizens in Trinidad. Some Guyanese engaged in crooked and criminal activities. As Trinis say, some Guyanese ‘skulled’ (cheated) them. Overall, Indo Guyanese students benefited tremendously from Trinis during their stay in Trinidad.

Several Trinis decided to make the island their new home acquiring citizenship, getting employment, and marrying Trinis.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Friday April 16, 2021

Local investors looking to undertake massive corn and soya bean cultivation project - Govt. to explore Public/Private/Partnership

S

ix local companies have joined together to undertake a massive project that could see Guyana on the path to becoming selfsufficient in corn and soya bean over the next few years.

The owners of Guyana Stock Feed Ltd, Royal Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM Wood, Dubulay Ranch, and Bounty Farm Ltd, along with the Brazilian-owned N F Agriculture, have partnered to produce soya bean and corn for both the local and the regional markets. The seven-member team has been aggressively engaging the relevant bodies and is expected to commence this massive project over the next few months.

Following a tour of their Timehri operations on Tuesday last, Assistant Managing Director of Bounty Farm Limited, David Fernandes explained the group’s vision for the project.

During his presentation, Fernandes

said, that Guyana has long been touted as having the potential of being the Bread Basket of the Caribbean and that in recent years there has been a greater appreciation of the high dependence on imports for livestock feeds.

“With the onset of Covid-19, we have realized our vulnerability to global prices, supply, and freight variability. This underscored the importance of selfreliance in the area of food security. As a group, we want to be able to help transform G u y a n a ’s f o o d a n d agricultural systems, shorten the value chains nationally and regionally, become selfsufficient in commodities needed for the poultry industry, create employment, and boost rural development among other things,” Mr. Fernandes said.

Fernandes also said that such a massive project would result in a substantial reduction in the cost of raw materials for livestock production while improving

G u y a n a ’s c o m p e t i t i v e advantage in the global marketplace.

With Guyana expending close to US $25 million annually on proteins for the poultry sector, government, since taking office, has taken steps to promote domestic cultivation of grains like corn and soya bean.

Government, in its 2020 Emergency Budget, removed value-added tax ( VAT ) o n a g r i c u l t u r e m a c h i n e r y, f e r t i l i z e r s , agrochemicals, and pesticides, making it more feasible for such investments. Additionally, the government has reversed land lease fees across all sectors and water charges back to 2014 rates.

Furthermore, in this year’s budget, an additional $500 million was allocated to develop the corn and soya bean industry. These sums will be invested to ensure the necessary infrastructure are in place to support private investment. Investors from

Bounty Farm Ltd’s Asst. Managing Director, David Fernandes (centre) during a discussion with Minister Mustapha (left) and MoA DG, Madanlall Ramraj.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates have also signaled their interest to cultivate corn and soya bean locally.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said that government is keen on reducing its spending, especially on commodities that can be produced locally.

The subject Minister also said that government is ready to work with investors and provide the necessary support to ensure projects of this nature get off the ground.

“We already have an investor from Brazil who is doing corn cultivation in the

Ebini, located in upper Berbice River and I am looking forward to seeing more companies coming on board.

Today’s presentation was well received and I commend our local investors for signaling their interest in such a large-scale project. If we can produce the amount of corn and soya bean required to become selfsufficient in proteins for our poultry industry, those funds can be used to further develop the sector. As a government, we are also working to reduce Guyana’s food import bill and food

i m p o r t d e p e n d e n c y, ” Minister Mustapha said.

The subject Minister also said that government will be making the necessary resources available so that this project can commence as soon as possible, and will explore having a public/private/partnership as with an initial investment of $500 million being allocated to commence infrastructural works in areas like the Intermediate Savannahs that have been earmarked for the cultivation of corn and soya bean, and other large-scale agriculture activities like the (Continued on page 23)

Kaieteur News

Friday April 16, 2021

PAGE 09

Mass testing and vaccination now more critical than ever!

When last did Guyana have a flu outbreak? At least not in the past year!

It was reported in the media yesterday that some residents of Aishalton, South Rupununi, came down with certain symptoms – fever, pain to the joints and dry cough – that they first assumed was the flu! Big mistake!

Once you display any of the usual symptoms of the flu, plus the additional ones associated with the coronavirus, your first assumption should be that you might be infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus.

And you should immediately seek medical attention and advice.

Do not assume it is the common cold or the flu. One of the strange and yet unexplained developments is the reduction in the incidence of influenza during the 2020/2021 flu season. A report in Reuters has suggested that this is not a case of influenza cases being diagnosed as COVID19 but rather that the measures which are being employed to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic are also slowing and suppressing influenza.

Dallas, Texas, as of March this year had recorded two flu cases and no deaths as compared to 18,186 flu cases and 25 deaths last flu season. But if the prevention measures being used to stem the coronavirus is responsible for the decline in influenza cases and deaths, why are so many new coronavirus infections being recorded across the United States?

In South Dakota, there were 66 reported influenza cases and two deaths this flu

season as compared with 9,555 cases and 43 deaths in the 2019/2020 flu season. In Alberta, Canada, the flu season has ended with no cases of influenza. Ottawa usually averages 43,000 influenza cases each season.

This year, there were 66 cases as at the third week in March, according to CTV News.

Bloomberg reported that during the three-month period between September 2020 and January 2021, the influenza viruses were detected in just 0.2 percent of routine throat and nasal swabs. This compares with the normal average of 17 percent.

While the coronavirus is believed to be more than 10 times more infectious than the viruses which usually result in influenza, this fact does not explain how it is that the same measures are not more effective in preventing coronavirus infections. Certainly if mask wearing, sanitising and social distancing account for the dramatic decline in influenza cases, they should have also had a greater impact on coronavirus cases.

But they have not which suggests that preventative measures are simply not the main reason for the suppression of the flu during the winter season. The flu season in the United States is usually between October and March. But this has also been the period during which the coronavirus has spread more rapidly than before.

One theory is that the viruses, which cause the flu, are suppressing the replication of some corona viruses. The BBC quoted researchers at the University of Glasgow as saying that it

appears as if the virus which causes the common cold is trumping the coronavirus.

One expert opinion is that the common cold is beating back the coronavirus. But this still does not explain the number of coronavirus cases.

Another explanation which is being offered for the decline in flu cases and deaths is the increase in flu vaccination ever since the coronavirus struck in March 2020. This may be a plausible explanation. But the debate was why influenza outbreaks have been so low this past winter season is likely to continue for some time in the future.

In Guyana, it has been noticeable that there has not been a major outbreak of the flu. This may be good news for children and adults but not good news for the doctors and pharmacies which do thriving business whenever there is a flu outbreak.

With a massive spike in cases recently, there is bound to be denial among the population. People who refuse to consider that they may be infected with the coronavirus many want to believe that the symptoms they are experiencing are related to the flu.

This assumption can literally be deadly. Persons should not take any chances.

They should get tested as soon as they display any symptoms or are exposed to someone who has been tested positive.

In fact, there should now be mass testing of the population. The government should aim at increasing its testing capacity to 5,000 tests per day. This would allow for the entire

Dem boys seh...

Govt. between a rock and a hard place!

People complaining about roads in dem area.

Some of dem thing dem calling road look more like mud track.Dem asking de government to fix dem road.

But why dem nah asking dem NDCs to do dat?

Dem hear de NDCs nah gat money. But how dem gan gat money when people paying ‘chicken feed’ for rates and taxes. If everybody pay a fair tax pun dem property, dem town council and NDCs nah gat to depend pun government to do wuk.

One Minister did seh dat there is no need to increase

rate and taxes. He seh how nuff people nah paying dem rates and taxes and if more people pay up, de town council gan gat nuff money.

Dem boys seh in Guyana yuh does hear about certain things. Big announcement does mek. But after a while yuh don’t hear nuttin’ about dem things. Dem boys did hear about some pilot project fuh revalue property in one of dem towns in Berbice – de only county wah gat three towns. But like de pilot parachute out and leff de plane pun autopilot because dem boys nah hear nothing

more about de project.

But dat is Guyana fuh yuh. Dem political party like put on show. Dem know dat Guyanese nah like pay more fuh nuttin. So dem frighten fuh do anything wah gan increase rates and taxes.

Because dem afraid people nah gan vote fuh dem next time.But de government is between a rock and hard place. Because if dem NDCs and town councils nah gat money dem can’t repair dem mud tracks wah dem calling road.

Talk half and wait fuh more dams tun road!

population to be tested over a six-month period.

But more important is vaccination. Experts are now saying that a faster rollout of the vaccination is now the best way to overcome the threats posed by the variants.

This may be true for preventing infections.

The data, however, does not establish that a greater percentage of young people are dying. At least not in the United States which has the

highest infection and death rates. Even with the new variants, the elderly (persons 50 plus) account for 95 percent of the deaths in the month of March and so far for April.

With the shortages of vaccines, authorities have to make a choice between faster rollout to the general population to prevent hospitals becoming overwhelmed, or vaccinating more of the

over-50 population so as to reduce the death rate. It is not an easy choice especially for some of our local experts who are simply guessing their way.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Friday April 16, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

What are truths? We may never know but here are some Truth no. 1 - Gregory Smith concealed an explosive mechanism in a walkie-talkie and it exploded and killed Walter Rodney in the car with his brother, Donald, who almost died.

President Burnham then ordered Donald to be charged for possession of ammunition.

He was sentenced to jail

by PNC-aligned Magistrate, Norma Jackman (deceased).

Donald’s appeal was not heard until 40 years after and he was acquitted last Tuesday.

The appeal came up during the government of the PPP and Donald was represented by a PPP parliamentarian, attorney, Sanjeev Datadin.

When the WPA got in power as part of the government in 2015, it received requests from certain diaspora academics who were Walter Rodney’s friends to facilitate a withdrawal of the conviction through the AG writing a letter to the DPP.

WPA leaders like Drs. Maurice Odle, Rupert Roopnaraine and Clive Thomas, Wasir Mohamed, Messrs.

Desmond Trotman and Tacuma Ogunseye and Ms. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, who drank at the trough of power from May 2015 to July 2020, owe Donald Rodney an obligation to reveal the truth why the conviction was not squashed.

The proposal was never put to Cabinet by the WPA. T2 – Christopher Ram wrote in June 13, 2020 in a newspaper letter that he was part of the WPA election campaign in 2015.

He stated, “The WPA accepted the rejection of Roopnaraine’s appointment to the Environment Ministry on spurious grounds.

I know this because I was a witness to those grumblings.” Here is why Roopnaraine was removed.

A certain foreign advisor to the AFC with links to the PNC’s leadership personally asked President Granger to

assign Roopnaraine another ministry.

His reason was shocking.

He said that such an important ministry should go to an African Guyanese and not an East Indian whose loyalty to the PNC is not solid.

A certain AFC big wig conveyed this crassness to the AFC leadership but the AFC failed to discipline its advisor because the AFC hates Roopnaraine.

T3 – The AFC signed the renewed Cummingsburg Accord weeks before the 2020 election, which contained a clause that stipulates that in the event there is a vacancy in the presidency, the AFC will overlook the constitution and not fill the presidency by the AFC’s prime minister.

How do I know this? I saw the document.

T4 - If the APNU+AFC had retained power in March 2020, the decision was made before the election to make Roysdale Ford the new Attorney General.

T5 – Throughout the 2020 campaign of the APNU+AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo were not on speaking terms.

Ramjattan felt deeply hurt that Nagamootoo agreed to retain the PM position if they were returned to power when it was agreed long before 2020 that it was Ramjattan’s turn in 2020.

T6 – The PNC named five persons that it suspected would have voted for the noconfidence motion (NCM).

All five were Indians. Two from the AFC and three from APNU. The names did not include Charrandass Persaud.

The PNC’s Chief Whip, Amna Ally, called an emergency meeting at the Office of the President and dressed down all the A P N U + A F C parliamentarians.

One of the three personalities from the APNU told me at a rendezvous one

night at the back of Giftland Mall that he was so annoyed that he was under suspicion that he conveyed his anger to President Granger.

T7 - The PNC hierarchy made up its mind that it will lose the NCM if it didn’t remove the five Indians.

But the law says only the representative of the list can request the Speaker to remove a parliamentarian.

Granger was not the representative of the list but Dr. Harold Lutchman.

They couldn’t find Lutchman at the time; he was not in Guyana.

It was for this reason Granger insisted in 2020 that he be the representative of the list.

T8 – Dr. Vincent Adams showed strong disgust with a leading African AFC leader who suggested during a zoom meeting of the executive committee, when the election crisis was going on, that given all the racial lava that was spilling then, the two major races should divide Guyana.

Frederick Kissoon To date the AFC has remained silent and the abominable, diabolical, deceitful Ethnic Relations Commission never asked the AFC for a response.

T9 - An African, Guyanese businessman expressed penetrating chagrin at Dr. Clive Thomas for paying millions monthly to one of the richest families in Guyana for housing the head office at SARA. I can vividly recall him saying to me, “Freddie, I am a Black supporter of this government.

I got a building that I can rent them at a cheaper cost.

What is wrong with these people man?”

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

Friday April 16, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Friday April 16, 2021

Claims of race discrimination must be supported by evidence- Pres. Ali

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resident Irfaan Ali has said that any claims of racial discrimination leveled against his administration must be supported by evidence.

The Head of State was at the time responding to claims made by People’s National Congress- Reform (PNC-R) executive member, Aubrey Norton who has a c c u s e d t h e P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration of discriminating against AfroGuyanese.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the swearing in of the Local Government Commission at the Office of the President, earlier this

week, Ali called the claim by Norton “baseless and mischievous.”

“To have Mr. Norton, without any basis, making such a statement - there is no evidence he points to, making such a statement is reckless, it shows his depth of leadership, it shows his commitment to national healing and national development and it exposes his intention, to create mischief, to create distrust, to create disharmony and for that I have no respect,” he said.

Further in addressing the claims by Norton that the PPP/C has favoured IndoGuyanese above AfroGuyanese, the President

PNC-R executive member, Aubrey Norton. made an open call for evidence-based analysis to support the accusations.

“Let us just have a factual analysis of all the entities in Government.

What nonsense is Mr. Norton getting on with? Is this the way we are going to move our country forward?” the President asked.

Ali stressed too that “If every single morning you wake up, the most hurtful thing I see on social media is the level of racist attacks that Guyanese would put at each other, and then to have Mr Norton, without any basis, making such a statement; there is no evidence he could point to… making such a statement is reckless.”

“It shows his depth of leadership, it shows his commitment to national

healing and national development, and it exposes his intention to create mischief, to create distrust, to create disharmony and for that I have no respect,” the President stated.

Additionally, Ali said that his administration will be focused on a development agenda that will reflect the priorities of every Guyanese.

“We are building a country for every Guyanese.

There is no need for fear; there is no need for distinction based on political persuasion, religious belief or ethnicity. This is a Government for all of Guyana,” President Ali assured his audience at his inauguration, “We are in this

President Irfaan Ali. together; we are not separated by class, by ethnicity, religion or political persuasion. We are united in the true Guyanese spirit.”Mr. (Continued on page 23)

Kaieteur News

Friday April 16, 2021

PAGE 13

Agri. Minister discusses proposed action for challenges in Guyana’s agriculture sector during LAC Roundtable

Y

esterday, Agriculture Ministers from Latin America and the Caribbean, and senior officials from the World Bank participated in a virtual roundtable to discuss reimagining agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean.

With the current global pandemic putting a pause on physical participation, officials gathered virtually to highlight strategies and proposed means of advancing agriculture in their respective countries.

During his presentation, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, discussed some of the challenges faced in Guyana’s agriculture sector. “ Tw o o f t h e m o s t challenging issues faced in Guyana’s agriculture sector,”

Minister Mustapha said, “are climate change and infrastructure.

Climate change is a rising issue that has had many adverse effects on the global environment, particularly in Guyana.

Flood risk in Guyana emanates from three different sources, namely excessive rainfall, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and inadequate water resource management.

As it relates to infrastructure, long-term and strategic investments in infrastructure are required to make the agriculture production and distribution processes more efficient, viable, and sustainable.

Without key investments in infrastructure, service delivery may not be able to (Continued on page 22)

Ministers of Agriculture and other officials during the virtual LAC Roundtable.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Friday April 16, 2021

US$150M-upgraded CJIA has to be ‘redone’ … four-lane road network to reach E/bo & Berbice - VP Jagdeo

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ormer Guyanese Head of State now Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, this past week briefly outlined his vision for the country as an emerging oil and gas economy and has spelt out the need for the construction of critical supporting infrastructure.

One such critical piece of infrastructure, according to the Vice President, is the still to be completed US$150 million upgrade of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Casting blame of the shortcomings on the coalition A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)

a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , Vi c e President Jagdeo in an interview with a Facebook group ‘Abee Chunes Radio’ said, “…the airport has to be redone; you know they made a mess of it.”

Prefacing his arguments for the redoing of the country’s largest international airport, Dr. Jagdeo disclosed that as part of his People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) vision for the new Guyana economy, there would be a build out of up to 12 lanes of roadway leading away from the central airport, stretching to Essequibo and Berbice.

This, he said, is in order to complement the existing network of highways and

roads.

According to Dr. Jagdeo, “we have mapped out several infrastructures that we need to put in place to support the vision of an emerging oil and gas economy, but a bigger Guyanese economy generally on the whole.”

He told the moderators “Our aim is to ensure that the non-oil sector, that is the non-oil economy, grows rapidly too.”

This, he said, was in order to avoid the fate of many other countries that discovered oil and caused their traditional industries—such as sugar, rice and tourism in Guyana—to be left by the

wayside, in order to focus on the oil and gas industry.

He said that having outlined a vision that is supportive of not only oil and gas but also the other sectors, “we have to put in place supporting infrastructure.”

Dr. Jagdeo pointed to the proposed additions to the road network including a four-lane highway in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara).

Dr. Jagdeo said that another four-lane road would be constructed from the Demerara River Bridge on the Western Bank of the river to Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

This proposed four-lane highway, according to Dr. Jagdeo, will be in addition to the existing four-lane roadway.

As it relates to the new Demerara River Bridge, the Vice President said that this project has gone out to tender

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

f o r a f o u r- l a n e f i x e d structure.

Speaking to the road network, he disclosed too that by the end of the year, “we hope to start the next project from Ogle, another of the bypass roadways being constructed, the other being

the Mandela Avenue to Eccles route, currently under construction.

These, he said will complement the existing four-lane network. Dr. Jagdeo said too that in Berbice there are also plans (Continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

Friday April 16, 2021

PAGE 15

CANU rank caught on camera assaulting Lethem businessman - Unit says ranks need more training with rifle when dealing with ‘civilian agitation’ Screen grab taken from a video showing a rank using his weapon to assault Franklin.

A

rank attached to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) was yesterday caught on camera assaulting a Lethem businessman with a high-powered rifle, with the Unit last evening issuing a press release stating that its ranks need additional training in dealing with what it referred to as ‘civilian agitation.’

The assault incident reportedly took place sometime after 12:00 hrs. in the compound of the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) office in Lethem, Region Nine.

The businessman, Lyndon Franklin, was reportedly detained there after GRA and CANU had caught him with smuggled liquor in his home at Tabatinja, Lethem.

According to a video recording seen by Kaieteur News, the man was using his cell phone to record the armed ranks standing in the GRA compound. As he videoed the ranks one after the other he narrated, “Look them blocking we from exiting customs compound.

This one hay as well, watch he right here as well.”

He then moved on to a third and narrated again whilst walking up to that rank, “This one hay is the one that pulled the trigger.

This one hay like shoot. He pulled the trigger this same one hay. He pull the trigger.

He like shoot. He like to

shoot. This is the one that shoot up in my yard. Get his face properly.”

As he got closer, the CANU rank being filmed took a firm grip of his rifle and started walking towards Franklin while saying, “Move from in front of me.”

The rank then raised the rife and hit the businessman – this is where the video ended.

Franklin’s reference to “shooting” was in relation to the CANU team’s original raid on the businessman’s residence.

In their statement issued last night, CANU stated that a round was discharged to fend off dogs, which were released on the ranks while they were conducting their duties. CANU further explained that the ranks had repeatedly requested of the businessman to secure his dogs, but he made no attempt to do so as the dogs saw them, the ranks, as a threat.

In another video that was sent to this media house, there was indeed a pack of dogs in the businessman’s yard barking at the CANU ranks and Franklin could be seen quarrelling with the ranks, while one shouted at him, “Lock up them dogs. A want yuh lock up your dogs.”

Franklin then retorted, “Yall wait yuh mudda S***T.” One of the ranks then cocked his weapon as the businessman held on to one of the dog’s collar as he

The dogs scattering after the shot was fired.

The dogs that were allegedly released on the CANU ranks in the yard.

The businessman recording a video with his weeping son beside him as he came close to the rank’s gun. continued quarrelling with the ranks – shortly after a gunshot could clearly be heard.

The businessman’s nineyear-old son who was standing on a flight of stairs with his mother, who was recording the encounter, began to cry, “Mommy me ain’t want dem shoot daddy.”After the round was fired, the dogs were secured and CANU began their raid for the smuggled liquor – video seen by this newspaper, Franklin was seen hugging his crying son and trying to calm him down, as he continued to record the CANU ranks.

According to the CANU (Continued on page 24)

Car flips several times on Nigg Public Road, driver injured The flipped vehicle.

The driver of a car owned by Nand Persaud & Company is nursing injuries about his body after he lost control of the vehicle on the Nigg Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice. Kaieteur News was informed that the injured man is an employee of Nand Persaud & Company who had reportedly left his place of employment to run an errand in New Amsterdam and was driving back to work, allegedly at a fast rate.As a result of his alleged speeding, he lost control of the vehicle and it flipped several times before coming to an abrupt halt in front of a tyre shop in the area. The man was immediately rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital, where he is being treated for injuries about his body.

Traffic ranks are investigating.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Friday April 16, 2021

Protesting Linden nurses to receive salary cut

LHC Nurses engaging in a protest action.

- GPSU to take legal action against Ministry of Health

I

n a missive dated April 9th 2021, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Malcolm Watkins, officially informed nurses who are currently engaged in industrial action at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), that their salaries will be cut for the days they were absent from duty. In one of the correspondences seen by Kaieteur News, that nurse’s salary will be cut for 19 days.

She said those were all days she was protesting. It has been close to two months that the nurses have been protesting for the removal of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LHC, Rudy Small.

The cuts come even as the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has registered the protest as a legal one. On Wednesday, senior officials

journeyed to Linden to show their solidarity with the nurses. Industrial Relations O ff i c e r o f t h e G P S U , Maurice Butters, said that the Union will legally challenge the decision to cut the nurses’ salaries and the union will continue to support them.

In the correspondence sent, they were informed that this is just a warning and should be seen as the first strike. The third strike would result in dismissal. “Please consider this letter as a warning, in keeping with Section G of the Public Service Rules as produced hereunder.”

Despite this stern letter, the nurses said that they are not intimidated and will continue to protest. Over 100 nurses work three shifts per day, blocking the office of the (Continued on page 23)

The missive that was sent to the nurses by the Ministry of Health informing them of their salary cut.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Friday April 16, 2021

Gerry Gouveia to head prisons sentence management board …as Cabinet approves senior Home Affairs roles

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eading private s e c t o r businessman, Captain Gerald Gouveia, has been named to head the Guyana Prison Service Sentence Management Board, while engineer Bert Sukhai has been approved to lead the Firearms Licensing Board.

This is in keeping with a number of Cabinet decisions taken and since published in the Official Gazette.

According to the publication, Captain Gouveia will be heading the sentence management board with the assistance of other members, including Major General (ret’d) Norman McLean.

The other members appointed to the board are Nicklon Elliot, Marielle Bristol, Meenawatie

Major General (ret’d) Norman McLean.

Rajkumar, Rabindra Chand, Mahendra Thakurdat, Chris Bowman, Beverly BishopCheddie, Joan Ann EdghillStuart and Secretary Shireen Andrews.

With Sukhai heading the Firearms Licensing Board,

the other members approved

by Cabinet are, Dr. Bhiro Harry, Dr. Karen Roach and Chandrowtie Sarran.

The Memorandum considered by the Cabinet Counsel of Ministers headed by the President approved the appointments on April 9, last with one-year tenure.

The appointments were signed off by Minister with responsibility for Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira.

Other appointments approved by Cabinet include members for the Guyana Prison Service Agriculture Development Board; Brian Sears was appointed as Chairperson with members including Ashraf Narine, Eon Sampson, Tabitha Barnwell, Simone Simon, Kevin Pilgrim, Hakeem Mohamed, Udistair

Captain Gerald Gouveia Holligan, Roddy Denhart, David Sheppherd, Alexander Hopkinson, Sharamkumar Seeraj and Secretary Amias Benjamin.

Members were also considered and approved for Guyana Fire Service

Recruitment and Training Board. Compton Sparman has since been approved to head that board and will be joined by members, Dwayne Scotland, Randolph Alfred, Deborah Thomas, Seivewright Benjamin, Eureka Duncan, Nafeeza Rodrigues and Secretary Samantha Wickham.

Those appointed to the Prison Service Recruitment Board include, Chairman Ronald Harsawack and members Nicklon Elliot, Marielle Bristol, Eureka Duncan, Azad Ibrahim, Reverend Fay Clarke and Secretary Michelle Baptiste.

Those nominated to the Fire Advisory Board include Chairman Ramesh Sugrim and members Orsen Simon, Hemraj Sanichara, Christopher Cathro, Joshua Muridall, Tanzia Bollers, Loretta Noel, Sheldon Sauns, Dannie Ramdolar

Bert Sukhai. and Secretary Joycelyn Balgobin.

Other appointments approved by Cabinet in its deliberation include members of the Prison Service Training Board to be headed by Tracy Shamshudeen and deputy, Omesh Satyanand.

Kaieteur News

Friday April 16, 2021

PAGE 19

Over 300 benefit from OSH Dept. investigating allegations of poor handling of COVID-19 infections at AGM TIP awareness outreach in Reg. 6 T

The Ministry of Human Services, in a release yesterday, stated that it had conducted a series of structural awareness sessions, in the form of walkabouts, in Region 6, over a three-day period, to educate members of the general populace and selected Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the phenomenon of Trafficking In Persons (TIP).

The awareness walks were conducted at the New Amsterdam and Rosignol markets, where these areas provided the TIP Officers

attached to the Ministry with access to reach street vendors, small and large business owners, stores, and food courts.

CSOs, Guyana Brick Layers Foundation and the G u y a n a S e x Wo r k e r s Coalition, were among some of the organisations that benefitted; members of the Guyana Police Force also participated in the exercise.

The ministry went on to state that over 300 residents were engaged in the awareness outreach, which lasted from April 7- 9, 2021.

US$150M-upgraded CJIA... from page 14 to have the four-lane road network.

The troubled airport rehabilitation project has endured years of delays and re-modification of the scope of works and contract price over the years, with the most recent deadline for completion of the project set for December 21, this year.

The controversial CJIA project is being constructed

by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and was said to be 95 percent completed this past month when the works underway were visited by Minster of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill.

The project recently benefitted from an additional $2.5 billion of Government funds.

Over the past nine years, across three administrations, more than US$150 million has been exhausted on the expansion project, which has encountered several delays and a plethora of problems,

including a malfunctioning sewer system.

The project was initiated by the PPP/C’s Donald Ramotar administration and when the APNU+AFC coalition assumed office in May 2015, the project, which had been slated for a December 2017 completion, was halted for a review.

Following that review, the scope of work was adjusted, several changes were made, and a new deadline was set for December 2018.

In August 2020, the PPP/C regained power, and the Irfaan Ali-led government insisted that the contractor must once again readjust the project to be in compliance with the original contract signed by Ramotar prior to 2015.

In December 2020, CHEC demanded more monies to complete the project as per its original specifications; however, after a series of consultations, the company agreed to finance some $1.8 billion in works, at no cost to the Government of Guyana.

he Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department of the Ministry of Labour is currently investigating allegations that COVID-19 infections at the Aurora Gold Mines (AGM) operated by the Zijin Mining Group are being inadequately handled.

The OSH Department’s Director, Gweneth King, who spoke to Kaieteur News via telephone yesterday, confirmed this.

In a recent engagement with this newspaper, a source stated that there have been a notable number of infections recorded at the AGM worksite located in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); however, the company has treated the situation lightly. According to the source, this is because the worksite is still operating as normal, despite management being cognisant of employees

The Ministry of Labour. testing positive for the virus.

The source further noted that workers were not informed that there are infected persons at the worksite until after they have left, and in addition to refusing to shut down operations, the company has not mandated all other employees to undergo a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test to confirm whether there are more

cases that are active.

Kaieteur News was told that the company had set up a COVID-19 testing site at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, since the airport is usually used to transport workers into the mines. There is also a trail that can be used by vehicles to drive from Essequibo to the Aurora Mines, but since persons are not tested on that route, the source

believes that most of the cases came through there.

It was also disclosed that other COVID-19 protocols, such as mask wearing were being breached. “They tried as much as they could with the mask or so, but they lapsed in actually identifying and containing individuals with COVID. There were instances where people with COVID were (Continued on page 22 )

Friday April 16, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

CXC adjusts CSEC exams after St. Vincent Volcano and surge in COVID-19 cases The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) in a statement issued yesterday announced a few changes for its 2021 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, in light of the recent volcanic

activity in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as the increasing impact of COVID-19 in the region.

The release stated, “The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) is cognisant of the many challenges across the region at this time

including the debilitating impact of COVID-19 on all areas of society, and all stakeholders operating within the education sector, coupled with the explosive volcanic activity on La Soufrière in St Vincent and the Grenadines.”

It noted that some candidates across the region, based on their particular circumstances, may not be ready for the assessment this June/July so it has done several things to cater for them.

This includes a reduction in the SBA

requirements by as much as 50 per cent in some subjects.

“In addition, CXC will share the broad topics to be assessed on Paper 02 for CSEC and CAPE subjects with the Ministries of Education for distribution to all candidates on May 10, 2021 (five weeks before the start of the examinations), for subjects where such details are not already available in the syllabus.

Candidates are however reminded that the entire syllabus is assessed on Paper 01,” the statement also noted.

Further to that, following

extensive consultations with regional Ministries of Education, CXC has also implemented a facility for candidates to put off sitting the examinations and submitting SBAs, until January 2022 or May/June 2022. Also, SBA scores can be transferred for use in the next examination sitting, where the subject is offered.

Candidates are advised to indicate their intent to defer from the June/July 2021 examination cycle by May 1, 2021, and there will be no fee charged for the deferral of examinations, according to CXC.

Bus driver charged for killing pensioner in Avenue of the Republic accident A 30-year-old bus driver was yesterday placed on $300,000 bail after he was charged with causing death by dangerous driving. The defendant, Leon Kyle of L a m a h a S t r e e t , K i t t y, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Principal Magistrate, Sherdel IsaacsMarcus, to answer to the charge.

Kyle was not required to plead to the charge, which alleges that on April 12, on the Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, he drove minibus, BWW 7191, in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of 72-year-old Keith Alexander McGarrell.

The Magistrate then granted the bus driver bail and the matter was adjourned to May 11, 2021.

According to police reports, the accident, which claimed the life of the pensioner occurred sometime around 12:30 hrs. on the Avenue of the Republic in the vicinity of Demerara Fire and General Insurance Company.

Kyle had reported to police that as he was approaching the insurance company, the elderly man suddenly attempted to cross the road from east to west and ended up in the path of the bus. He claimed that upon seeing the man, he had applied brakes to avoid

Dead: Keith McGarrell. hitting him, but due to the close proximity, the front right side of his bus collided with the victim, who subsequently fell onto the roadway. As a result of the impact, the pedestrian received injuries to his head and other parts of his body.

According to reports, McGarrell was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was examined by a doctor. The pensioner died while receiving treatment, without regaining consciousness. A breathalyzer test was conducted on Kyle but no trace of alcohol was found in his system.

PAGE 22

Friday April 16, 2021

Kaieteur News

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From page 13 take place at the desired pace.

This is why, since taking office, government has made significant investments to develop our drainage and irrigation infrastructure.”

The subject Minister also sighted Guyana’s inability to rapidly adapt to new technology being used in the agriculture sector around the world as a major challenge that contributes to Guyana losing its competitive advantage in the global market. Government has taken note of the challenges faced in the agriculture sector and has identified several proposed actions to improve it.

Minister Mustapha explained that amongst the proposed actions identified, it was imperative to ensure all aspects of the food system are addressed, taking into account various trends and disruptors, such as, climate change and supply-side changes like food loss and waste.

“Guyana is undertaking initiatives to develop resilient infrastructures. This is needed to ensure the continued functionality of sustainable food systems considering the effects of climate change, and also to mitigate the impacts of healthrelated pandemics on the agriculture sector. Further development of drainage and irrigation structures will help farmers to increase and stabilise yields, improve resilience in the face of climate

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change, and safeguard food and nutrition security for rural families.

When this government took office, most of the drainage and irrigation structures were in a dilapidated state. Our first emergency budget catered for the rehabilitation of most of these structures.

Recognising the importance of an efficient and fully functioning drainage and irrigation system and the significant impact it has on the agriculture sector, more than half of this year ’s budgetary allocation for the agriculture sector is dedicated to improving the country’s drainage and irrigation system. Furthermore, with the adverse effect that climate change has on our agriculture sector, Guyana is beginning to incorporate climate-smart agriculture policies into farming practices. One such area that Guyana has been exploring is the implementation of crops that are climate-change resilient,” Minister Mustapha said.

He also stated that any proposed action identified should also allow for gamechanging solutions to be strategically implemented, and at the same time, allow for adaptability to changes in the future. Such proposed actions, he said, will aid in the food system being more sustainable and climateresilient.

The Agriculture Minister also said that it was important for governments across the Region to invest in climate

monitoring. He stressed the importance of ensuring policymakers assess and strengthen response systems across the region.

“Farmers and all relevant users of climate-related data need to be provided with the information required to effectively plan and respond to variations in climate intensity, frequency, and the location of extreme weather and climate events. A key policy that is guiding Guyana’s approach to achieving a sustainable and climate-resilient food system is the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The LCDS seeks to create a low deforestation, low carbon, and climate-resilient economy with the objective of transforming the economy while combating climate change,” Minister Mustapha said.

COVID-19 and strengthening Guyana’s defences against food-borne and zoonotic diseases The current global pandemic, COVID-19, has made it clear that the way food is produced, processed, transported, and consumed can be a major driver of the risk of infectious diseases.

As such, Guyana has since taken steps to ensure preventative measures against infectious diseases at the human, animal, and ecosystem interfaces are established.

COVID-19 has also increased the need and use of information and digital

OSH Dept. investigating allegations of poor...

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peeved about the fact that the late Mr. Umar’s family would have knowingly buried the wrong person – Ramjattan was 35 at the time of his death while Umar was ten years older.

Kaieteur News questioned Ms. Ramjattan as to if her family was able to bury the body closer to their home, as they had hoped, to which she responded that they were told by the health environmental officer at the burial site not to move the body, in keeping with the national COVID-19 protocols.

She stated that she would be inserting a tombstone at the spot where Wazim is buried as per the family’s desire, even though her brother was buried far from home.

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From page 3 only one family member – the deceased’s brother-in-law – was allowed by the health environmental relations officers to view and identify the body.

Ms. Ramjattan told Kaieteur News that, “We were given some sort of closure although it was not enough. We are thankful for the closure and justice that was offered by the persons who made it possible, especially ‘tall man’ from the Memorial Gardens Parlour, who tried his very best to help us find closure.”

She also relayed to Kaieteur News that the family is still

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From page 19 walking around freely in the accounts department,” the source lamented.

The source also recalled the employees’ frustration and said they were of the contention that the management is “putting their pockets in front of the interests of people.”

In light of the investigation being conducted and many similar reports of the same situation at AGM reaching this publication, many questions have now surfaced regarding the Ministry of Health’s role in the handling of the pandemic, especially at industrial work sites.

Usually, when a person contracts COVID-19, contact tracing is done to mitigate further spread of the virus and identify potential infections; however, it seems as though this measure is currently not being exercised given the number of complaints Kaieteur News has received.

Additionally, if data were recorded detailing the number of infected cases from a particular worksite, the Government; through the National COVID-19 Task Force has the authority to shut it down.

technologies.

During his address, Minister Mustapha also said that the sector is somewhat reliant on information technology (IT) to keep critical operations and projects running effectively.

He also said that government would be directing resources to improve technological access to farmers and farming communities in remote regions of the country.

“IT has enabled people to quickly share information during the crises, heeding the social restrictions that have been imposed since everything from the supply chain to human resources has been affected by the virus.

This policy action can be tailored to Guyana to facilitate access to technological devices, internet connections, and capacity building to farmers who are currently at a disadvantage due to their inability to access the aforementioned items.

Particular focus will be placed in remote areas where this phenomenon is more prominent to facilitate ease in relaying agriculture data and information,” Minister Mustapha said.

During the last CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, the President, Irfaan Ali presented ‘The Food Production and Food Security Agenda,’ which was later adopted by CARICOM. A Ministerial Taskforce comprising Ministers of Agriculture from 10 participating CARICOM states, along with other key officials, was later formed to advance the agenda. That taskforce is being chaired by Guyana’s Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha.

(From the Ministry of Agriculture.)

Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor.

Say no to it.

Friday April 16, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

Vaccines alone will not stop current...

From page 17 and through the COVAX Facility,” she said. “We will be here for countries at every step of the way, providing technical support to troubleshoot roadblocks, increase surveillance and monitor the safety and impact of COVID vaccines.”

Dr. Etienne cautioned that the pandemic continues to surge across the Americas. In the past week, more than 1.3 million people were infected with the virus and nearly 36,000 people died from the disease. “Since the pandemic began, 57 million cases have been reported in the Americas, with more than 1.3 million deaths,” she said.

“We are not acting like a region in the midst of a worsening outbreak,” Dr. Etienne warned. “Despite ongoing transmission in many places, restrictions have relaxed. Crowds are back, and people are gathering indoors and taking public transportation, often without masks,” she continued.She said new, highly transmissible variants are also fueling acceleration.

Describing South

America as the continuing “epicenter,” Dr. Etienne reported that new COVID-19 cases are sharply increasing in Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and some areas of Bolivia. Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile are experiencing continuing increases in infections. In the m e a n t i m e D r. E t i e n n e provided reassurance about the safety of the four vaccines authorized by WHO – the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, two versions of the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine, and the Janssen vaccine. All have proven to be safe and effective. Rare reports of blood clots are under review by regulatory agencies, which are expected to make recommendations soon, she said. “In the meantime, it’s important to continue to administer AstraZeneca vaccines where they are available,” she said. “Almost 200 million people around the world have received AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, and the reports of adverse effects are very rare.

These vaccines can save your life and the lives of your friends and family.”

Claims of race discrimination...

From page 12 Norton had posted a statement on the PNCR’s Facebook page in which he accused the Government of crafting policies to benefit only one section of the population.

He claimed among other

things that the PPP/C is “back to” running Guyana as if only Indo-Gu y a n e s e and PPP supporters are Guyanese.

The PNCR Executive had claimed that “all others are to lose property and pushed into, or r e m a i n , in poverty.”

Local investors looking to...

From page 8 development of mega-farms.

So far, the team has engaged several other relevant bodies like the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), and other relevant stakeholders.

Once given the green light, cultivation is expected to commence before the end of the year.Presently, Guyana’s national feed consumption

for the poultry industry is 113,000 metric tons annually, with broilers birds consuming approximately 100,000 metric tons of feed and layers consuming approximately 13,000 metric tons of feed annually. This feed comprises 60% Grain (Corn & Rice), which is equivalent to approximately 68000 tons, and 30% soya bean meal which is equivalent to approximately 34000 tons per year.

Protesting Linden nurses...

From page 16 CEO, who has not been turning up for work. “We shall not be moved, it was expected and we will continue to protest,” one nurse who received the letter said. The nurses say that they remain resolute that they will not return to work until CEO Small is removed from the post.

In February, a conversation was leaked where Small was heard making derogatory remarks about the nurses and their alleged conduct. They are also calling for his removal because of alleged inappropriate conduct, poor

leadership and management skills, amongst other things – Small was temporarily removed following the initial publication of his comments but was shortly after reinstated. The nurses said that they are awaiting an engagement from the Ministry on the matter but have not been received an audience with the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, or any other senior personnel since they commenced the industrial action.

The Ministry remains resolute that no engagement will be done, under duress, with the nurses.

Kaieteur News

Friday April 16, 2021

Craig man confesses to 2015 killings, attempted murders Confessed Killer: Orpheus Johnson.

Orpheus Johnson, a former resident of Craig East Bank Demerara has confessed to killing two people and wounding two others.

According to the first indictment presented to Johnson before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Georgetown High Court earlier this week, on June 21, 2015, he unlawfully killed Travis Rudder and on the same day he discharged a loaded firearm at Mowanza Gill and 18 month-old Jaheal Rudder with the intent to murder them.

According to reports, the shooting took place at Republic Park, East Bank Demerara. Rudder, his wife and their son were awakened by raid gun shots at their Republic Park home. Rudder was shot 21 times about his body while his wife, Gill, was shot to her legs. Their infant son, Jaheal, was shot to his stomach and leg. Rudder was rushed to the GPHC where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Johnson, who was initially facing a murder charge in relation to

the incident, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of m a n s l a u g h t e r .

The accused also pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the murder of Gladstone George.

According to that charge, on April 22, 2015, the victim was a passenger in a minibus.

When the bus stopped at Agricola, East Bank Demerara, Johnson came up to the window and discharged several rounds at George who was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Johnson was arrested and placed on an ID parade where he was positively pointed out by an eyewitness. Johnson gave the police an oral statement admitting to the crime. Following his admission to the crime, Justice Kissoon adjourned the case for sentencing on May 3, 2021. On that date, the Court is expected to have a probation report on Johnson’s life leading up to his involvement in the crime.

PAGE 25

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Kaieteur News

Friday April 16, 2021

Friday April 16, 2021

Babar Azam becomes No. 1 ODI batsman, ends Virat Kohli’s 41-month reign ESPNcricinfo - Pakistan captain Babar Azam is now the No.1-ranked ODI batsman, ending India captain Virat Kohli’s long reign at the top of the charts.

Babar’s match-winning 82ball 94 in the third ODI against South Africa helped him gain 13 rating points to reach career-best 865 points.

Azam made a total of 228 runs in Pakistan’s famous series win against South Africa, including a century in the first match in Centurion.

That helped him move ahead of Kohli - who has been No. 1 since displacing AB de Villiers in October 2017 - by a point, but he dropped to 852 after his score of 31 in the second

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

ODI and remained at No. 2 by the time of the last weekly rankings update.

After his knock in the

third ODI, he gained eight more than Kohli, to became just the fourth Pakistan batsman to attain the top

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ranking after Zaheer Abbas (1983-84), Javed Miandad (1988-89), and Mohammad Yousuf (2003).

“This is another milestone in my career, which will now require even more hard work and absolute consistency with the bat in order for me to hold on to the ranking for an extended period of time,” Azam said.

“I feel privileged and honoured to have joined the company of stalwarts like Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad and Mohammad Yousuf, who will always be the shining stars of Pakistan cricket. I h a v e a l s o previously topped the T20I rankings, but the ultimate ambition and goal is to lead the Test rankings, which are the real testament and reward to a batsman’s calibre, reputation and skills.”

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman also made a jump in the rankings, moving five positions up to achieve a career-best seventh position after his knocks of 193 and 101 in the second and third ODI respectively. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who picked up six wickets in the three matches, rose four spots to a career-best 11th place.

Caster Semenya wins 5,000m title...

From page 32 Cricket development committee he has to discuss this with his committee members and see what are their thoughts on the idea and then take it to the executives for their approval.

Foster feels the biggest challenge for the newly installed GCB is to raise sponsorship for the tournament that the GCB wants to do, since in addition to the current inter-county tournaments that the GCB organise, the new Board would like to host a U-21, U23 and U-25 as a part of a comprehensive youth development plan. “Getting back the trust of the sponsorship for GCB could be a slight worry” Foster indicated.

Also on the program were former First Class player Neil Barry who is Georgetown Cricket Association’s President and Marketing Manager of the Demerara Cricket Board, Secretary of the Essequibo Cricket Board, Oatto Christiani and competitions Committee Chairman of the GCA and GCB Shawn Massiah.

Jordan to be Bryant’s presenter at Hall of Fame enshrinement

Kobe Bryant Reuters - Michael Jordan will be Kobe Bryant’s presenter when the Los Angeles Lakers great is inducted posthumously into the Basketball Hall of Fame next month. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion with the Lakers, died last year aged 41 in a helicopter crash alongside his daughter and seven others, shocking the world of

sport and sending fans into mourning.

He will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2020 alongside the likes of Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett on May 15. Members of the Class of 2020 were asked to select previous inductees to present them to their peers during the ceremony.

Lakers guard Bryant, who idolised Jordan growing up, will be presented by the sixtime champion, who made an emotional speech at his memorial. Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty in the 1990s and currently owns the Charlotte Hornets, will also present Baylor women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey for her enshrinement.

Former Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich and 10-time WNBA All-Star Tamika Catchings are among the other members of the highly anticipated Class of 2020. Bryant, an 18-time NBA All-Star, retired from the league in 2016 after one of the most decorated careers in basketball history, and is the NBA’s fourth all-time leading scorer.