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Current ERC is NEWS dysfunctional, - Commissioner wasteful Roshan Khan AIETEUR

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Friday Edition February 19, 2021 -Vol. 23 No.08

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EPA gets $609M in 2021 Budget - Dr. Adams says $30 million for capital spending inadequate La Grange murder Separate PI’s Businessman who active mastermind - was on social for Henry Boys’ beat alcoholic with media while recaptured on the run alleged killers bat to be charged

National Strategic Plan needed to keep corruption at bay with oil funds - Suriname oil boss

Handyman who grabbed Contractors

CH&PA, UN-Habitat goods as payment for want $500M embark on a new project outstanding wages, for Mahaicony to eliminate slums, sentenced to community service Sea Defence informal settlements Understanding the Draft Local Content Policy (Pt 2)

Final document must ensure oil increases value of other industries “Drill baby drill, pump baby pump, it’s all yours” - our leaders tell Exxon. Tune in @11:00 hrs to 99.1/99.5FM on Kaieteur Radio!

Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2021

PAGE 03

EPA gets $609M in 2021 Budget Dr. Vincent Adams.

-$30M for capital expenditure “inadequate”- Dr. Adams

T

he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guyana’s environment watchdog has received a total of $609 million in the 2021 National Budget, but Dr. Vincent Adams, the former head of the agency says the capital allocation in that sum is not enough.

In an invited comment to Kaieteur News, Adams explained that the total sum is merely 58% of the EPA’s $1.1 billion request for 2020 – the initially planned budget for that year however did not materialize due to the prolonged post-elections controversy.

That sum he noted was developed with the involvement of EPA staffers in order to meet the agency’s minimum needs to build a solid foundation and continue the progress made in 2019.

Nevertheless he stated “This $609 million appears to be a reasonable amount, considering that we are still in a COVID-19 environment which will no doubt hamper the EPA work activities like it did in not allowing a p p r o v a l a n d implementation of the 2020 request.”

Dr. Adams did express however, his displeasure in the $30 million allocation for capital expenditure for the agency. This sum, he explained is inadequate as the EPA does not possess the most basic operating equipment.

“Most notably is that the EPA does not have any operable basic equipment to meet its most basic function of measuring and monitoring contaminants in the air, soil, water or noise when called upon,” he relayed.

The former EPA head recommended that the budget be considerably increased based on the estimated needs outlined by the agency.

He added “COVID would not interfere with the procurement of these urgently needed equipment and training to use them during the down time.”

For years, the EPA has been unable to fulfill its mandate due to severe budget constraints and this worrying state of affairs was highlighted by Chartered Accountant and former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran back in 2015.

In a forensic audit of the EPA, Goolsarran detailed that for the years the agency was allocated roughly 50% of their requested operation expenditure. This meant that the EPA had no alternative than to reduce its programme of activities to align with the sums approved.

Basic operations such as site visits for the processing of applications for environmental permits were delayed, resulting in a backlog, Goolsarran had outlined in his report.

Similar situations existed with conducting audits and renewals as well.

In addition, Goolsarran noted that the EPA has also not been able to have a dedicated regional presence, so vitally necessary for a countrywide execution of its mandate, especially in the interior locations.

Goolsarran also pointed

out too in that audit report was that the EPA had no laboratory facilities for the testing of samples. And with Guyana’s budding oil sector on the rise, it creates a worrying situation.

Dr. Adams had relayed to Kaieteur News that the EPA did not have the human resources needed for the proper management of the oil sector. In fact, the agency did not even have the human resources needed to be an effective regulatory body.

He had stated that for the EPA to be efficient, it needs a total of 262 staffers but only had 97 officers working at the time. Further to this, Dr. Adams said that the agency is continuously borrowing the equipment of other ministries to do its work. It was also unable to do proper monitoring due to its poor fleet of vehicles.

With work over time, Dr. Adams managed to increase the agency’s human resource capacity to 120 and plans were afoot to boost it to at least 300 with the intention to procure a state-of-the-art

laboratory for the Agency.

The fleet of vehicles was also increased to aid monitoring.

However, these and other plans were cut short after his contract was suddenly terminated when the new government assumed office.

With the 2021 budget, there is hope to transform the agency into a stringent oil and gas regulator.

Dr. Adams expressed hope that major spending will be directed towards meeting the urgent needs for capacity building. That would entail the recruitment of officers for the EPA’s Petroleum Monitoring Unit.

Under his tenure, the EPA had worked with the World Bank to develop a Petroleum Unit containing 36 highly-skilled staffers to

streamline its monitoring duties of the oil and gas s e c t o r. H o w e v e r, t h e a g e n c y ’s e ff o r t s w e r e hampered due to the then Coalition regime’s inability to approve the requisite funding due to its caretaker status.

And in light of the many issues being faced by Guyana with the Liza Destiny FPSO, it is crucial for this unit to be in place, he added. Additionally, monies should be spent to ensure that there is an EPA sub-office in each region by the end of 2021 so as to alleviate the cost and inconvenience of business and the public having to travel from the far reaches of the country to Georgetown to conduct business.

PAGE 4

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

BELARUS

In our editorial of July 3, last year – titled ‘Democracy or the abyss’ – written in the middle of the then David Granger administration’s attempt to steal the elections, a parallel was drawn between Granger and his then four month-long attempted coup; then US President Donald Trump and his signaling that he would not accept an electoral loss; and Belarus President and strongman, Alexander and Lukashenko, who like Trump and Granger, was wildly unpopular in the lead up to a hotly contested national election and intent on undermining democratic institutions to preserve power. As this page noted then: “In recent weeks, lead competitors for the presidential elections slated for next month have either been arrested on trumped up charges or conveniently been told that their registration documents for participation in the polls fell short of legal requirements. A recent online poll, while not precisely scientific, showed Lukashenko’s popularity at a ludicrous three percent, a rating critics say is based largely upon the leader’s initial dismissive reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic, with him describing infection as a mere ‘psychosis’ and recommending a strong shot of vodka to cure it. The country’s leader has given every indication that he will not be giving up in upcoming elections, even in the face of his flagging popularity, and pushback against his dismissive attitude to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a plummeting economy.”

Eight months on, both Granger and Trump, while still technically wielding influence over their respective political machineries, have both disappeared in shame and disgrace from public life, their power waned into frustrated impotence, their legacies – or whatever remained of them – forever tainted.

Lukashenko however is still very much in control of Belarus, having prevailed in an August election that was, not unpredictably, labelled as rigged by opposition and international observers.

That was not enough however – since then, he has been increasingly despotic in his actions, buttressed by a massive state security apparatus, a cracking down even further on dissidents and general dissent, and of course a judiciary that has always been willing to place a patina of legal sanction on his oppression. Shortly after the elections, for example, Lukashenko engineered the attempted deportation and then arrest of Opposition leader, Maria Kalesnikava, facing her with charges of using the Internet to undermine the country’s national security.

While Granger and Trump used lawyers to seek to undermine the fundamental institutions of democracy in their respective countries, Lukashenko is going one step further – he is using the institutions of the country, already corrupted, to undermine lawyers who are brave enough to represent the interests and basic rights of his political opponents.

Kalesnikava, defiant, posted (or had some post) to her Facebook page yesterday, outlining the dire situation: “My lawyer, Ilya Salei, is under house arrest. My lawyer, Maxim Znak, is in the same jail as me.

My lawyer, Aleksandr Pylchenko, was disbarred. They want to revoke my lawyer, Lyudmila Kazak’s licence.

Is this a coincidence? I think not. The regime removes everyone who has the will to protect me. It attacks and does not allow me to defend myself… Those who issue orders delegate the dirty work to their subordinates. Someone out there is working on devising a justification for revoking respected lawyers’ licences. Someone prepares and signs the documents. How do these people, who take the job from Lyudmila Kazak, a mother of three children, justify themselves? The regime hopes that the country will soon run out of lawyers.”

A related and notable feature of the shadow over Minsk is that it presents itself as relatively mild shade. In contrast to the accepted mythos of brutal dictatorship, Lukashenko’s methodology is deliberately ‘mild.’ Protestors are given a few days in jail as opposed to decade long sentences. People are not being summarily executed but are beaten with nonlife threatening injuries.

His biggest targets, artists and journalists (Kalesnikava is a musician), are given less jail time for “undermining national security” than young people here in Guyana are given for

Friday February 19, 2021

The daily oil production reports are a good and essential starting point DEAR EDITOR, Speaking as an old (alumina) plant operator, I would like to encourage my fellow Guyanese citizens to accept that the daily oil production reports promised

by Hon. VP, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, are a good and essential starting point for knowing of and validating the quantities of oil being produced. We have heard the saying, “good fences make good neighbours”, and similarly, good accounting builds trust and good relations.

True, those daily results would be based largely on flow meters whose calibration accuracy and stability may be called into question, even before any thought of any deliberate bias or adjustment by any Exxon employee along

the production chain. These flows would indicate performance efficiencies and recoveries from the field, in on-ship processing, spills/ losses, etc. – figures in which individual managers may have an interest and sections/ departments may differ.

A common situation is that on a day-to-day basis, production from flow measurements gives the best figure, but over longer periods – months and years – shipping (including storage tank changes over the period) provide more accurate numbers.

I would expect that there would be monthly reconciliation of the sum of these daily production figures with the production quantity obtained from the sum of shipments during the month

and inventory (storage tank) changes over the month, and similarly over a year.

Concerning monitoring of the operations by Guyanese, I would expect that one or more knowledgeable officers from the GGMC (as of now) would be on board continuously receiving daily, a sufficiency of previously discussed operating reports, and utilizing their alert eyes and ears. Additionally, for any arrival and departures of vessels in Guyana, officers of the GRA would be present, (along with the GGMC officers) to oversee and check arrival and departure drafts which would determine quantities loaded.

One could further reconcile these “out-loading” with reports on discharge at various ports, which may be

available in various specialized news and other reports. Then there are various voluntary and statutory periodic reports including stockholders’ reports, of participating companies which provide additional checks.

In oil production and any other significant matter we should be suspicious like doubting Thomas, and guard against being cheated by anyone, foreign or local. We cannot be sure beforehand whether there would be cheating or not. Once we are thoughtful, persistent and patient and carry out knowledgeable checks any attempt to cheat us would soon become evident.

Samuel A.A. Hinds Former President and Former Prime Minister

Professor Emeritus Dr. Frank Birbalsingh, a pioneer of Indo-Caribbean Studies DEAR EDITOR, Dr. Frank Birbalsingh was born in 1938 in Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara, Guyana (then British Guiana). His father, Ezrom Sahadeo Birbalsingh, was a teacher at the Canadian Mission school located at Wales, the nearby sugar plantation, and his mother Miriam Khan was a fulltime homemaker. One week after his birth, the family relocated further north to Canal Polder Number One, where his father assumed more senior responsibilities at another CM school.

A few years later the family moved to Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, where his father was appointed Headmaster of one of the largest CM schools in the country. It is there where Dr. Birbalsingh spent his boyhood years, where he observed the class/colour system operating on the sugar estates, and where he gained an appreciation of the plight of the mainly IndoGuyanese sugar workers.

In 1949, under the

tutorship of his father at the Better Hope CM School, Dr. Birbalsingh won a Government County Scholarship to attend Queen’s College (QC), a premier secondary school, where earlier alumni included former Presidents of Guyana, Forbes Burnham and Dr. Cheddi Jagan, and former Commonwealth Secretary General, Sir Shridath Ramphal.

Secondary education was not free at that time. QC for boys, and Bishop’s High School for girls were the only government-run secondary schools, and catered mainly for children from the privileged class. Dr. Birbalsingh’s entry into QC on a scholarship was a noteworthy achievement.

Dr. Birbalsingh obtained passes in 1956 in English, French, and Latin at the University of Londonsponsored General Certificate of Education, Advance Level.

Following this, he taught at St. Stanislaus College for one year, before leaving Guyana in 1957 to attend the

possessing small amounts of marijuana, like the two women journalists who were sentenced yesterday to two years in prison for simply live-streaming a protest.

This is perhaps why Belarus’ president has escaped the sort of international censure he has escaped so far, selling himself as Dictator Lite, particularly at a time when democratic nations have been flirting dangerously with despotism.

Months after our original editorial last year, in the United States and in Guyana, democracy would eventually prevail despite a rallying of the forces to stop it. Unfortunately, in Belarus, what has so far prevailed is the abyss, one that is deepening and widening by slow but sure degrees, swallowing up dozens and dozens of brave people and grinding them under the teeth of Lukashenko’s repressive state machinery. It is time that the international community up the ante beyond the tepid statement from a single UN rights expert calling for Kalesnikava’s release.

University of the West Indies in Jamaica. At that time, the institution was operating as an overseas college of the University of London, and was known as the University College of the West Indies or UCWI. Dr. Birbalsingh wrote short stories while attending UCWI, and in 1960, one story was read on the British Broadcasting Corporation’s

overseas Caribbean Voices programme.

In September 1961, he graduated with B.A. Honours (London), and returned to Guyana as an Assistant Master at his alma mater, QC. However, a few months later, he left for India on a Commonwealth scholarship to pursue a Masters’ degree in Commonwealth Literature.

Continued on page 6

Giftland Mall vs The Mayor and City Council DEAR EDITOR, The Giftland Group wishes to inform the public that the long contentious tax issue with the Mayor and City Council has finally been resolved in Court yesterday.

Chief Justice, Madame Roxanne George, has ruled on all points in this case and has found in our favour and that the Mayor and City Council has acted illegally in the matter against the Giftland Mall, and that at this period no taxes are owing by Giftland Mall to the City.

Giftland and Roy Beepat have been fully vindicated against the damage which has been done by the terrible slander vocalized by the Mayor and his cohorts, and we have stood up against the most vile and offensive attacks on our reputation.

The public can now judge for themselves the untruths and misinformation spread by the Mayor. For someone with a supposedly spiritual background, he should well have known that the truth eventually surfaces, and his

lies and deception would eventually see the light of day. Finally he has been exposed for what he is.

There have been many who have been supportive of our stance and this has been fully exonerated in the Courts. Giftland, represented

by Senior Timothy Jonas, brilliantly fought against the M&CC Lawyers and AG Chambers. To our supporters thank you. To those who have been misled by tribal politics, we forgive you.

Being a responsible corporate entity, Giftland will offer an olive branch to the M&CC to find a way to work together recognizing that the country cannot run without taxes.

Despite its malicious attack on our reputation, we continue to be here to serve all Guyanese people with the highest standards possible and look forward to your continued support.

With Regards, Roy Beepat Chairman Giftland Group

Friday February 19, 2021

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

GUYSUCO MUST BE DEPOLITICIZED TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS ENTITY DEAR EDITOR, I would like to express my support for the views of former President Mr. Donald Ramotar and Mr. Vishnu Panday that the government should rethink its approach to finding a solution to GuySuCo and by extension the sugar industry. I had decided to take the no comment stance on this debate, however, a few of my ex-colleagues requested that I express some views, also as citizens I think that we all have a vested interest in GuySuCo’s success.

Editor, I have travelled the world extensively over the past 17 years and worked with and associated with various international organisations

and with all my experience in various organisations, the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. is one of the three most competent I have encountered. The other two are international organisations and the military.

Before going to work at GuySuCo, the predominant picture that was painted of the Corporation was negative but having gone to work at GuySuCo for almost five years, I can tell you that it is one of the most competent and fascinating places I have not only worked, but experienced. Both the management and the workers, as a part of the productive sector, are extremely competent in numerous

ways, however, the Corporation is not without its challenges.

Let us examine some of those challenges and some possible solutions. The first challenge is that the PPP/C government needs to take responsibility for the mismanagement of the sugar industry over the 23 years, prior to 2015. They need to stop blaming the APNU+AFC government and be accountable for their mistakes. I like to keep it honest.

Secondly, the APNU+AFC needs to take responsibility for not seriously endeavouring to understand the sugar industry, and for not making

The Ethnic Relations Commission comes up short DEAR EDITOR, A release from the ERC stated, “The ERC is again urging citizens to promote tolerance and understanding, especially towards those of different ethnicities for a better country.”

The Ethnic Relations Commission has commenced legal proceedings in the court against eight perpetrators accused of exciting hostility or ill will on the grounds of race, under the Racial Hostility Act and for causing racial or ethnic violence under the Representation of the People Act. This is commendable of an organisation whose objective should be to prosecute defaulters who are callous and careless in the abuse of communication with the malicious intent of hurting any group of people, physically, verbally, sociologically or psychologically. The ERC’s claim of wanting to work vigorously to stop the spread of racial incitement among Guyanese, especially on social media is again applaudable. This should be in keeping with the aims of the statutory body whose job is to promote peace and avoid violence for ethnic stability in society.

Guyanese cannot help but to be wary of the ERC functionality whose activities seem to fit a reason for a season. The ERC wakes up when it wants to; the ERC goes to work at its whims and fancy; the ERC raises issues only at its convenience; the ERC waits for a chosen season; the ERC then goes cherry picking; the ERC operates with an aggrieved reason; the ERC is leashed led; the ERC is a divided entity; the ERC makes indecisive decisions; the ERC is a fragmented conclusion; the ERC is not autonomous; the ERC is dictated to by outside influence; the ERC is obviously controlled by political affluence. The ERC is transparently money

hungry and parasitically imbibes at the expense of the poor Guyanese taxpayers.

The ERC is not a true representative of equality, justice or fraternity. It needs to be liberated from the fangs of prejudice. It is incapable of calling a spade a spade. Rather, it reaches out to a spade as a diamond and it forfeits a heart for a clubs.

Its paper trail has established a journey of misconduct, blindness and favouritism with its blemished insularity. The ERC’s silence on the last Election fiasco raises eyebrows and opens the door for questions, queries and a “pussyfooting” quagmire. Cooperation, coordination, consolation and consolidation are not the pillars of a solid foundation for the ERC. Issuing statements which do not concur with a unified voice is dangerous, irresponsible and reprehensible.

The ERC has failed the Guyanese public, is misusing and misspending the funds of the government and is a component of farcical absurdity because it refuses to comply with the true sense of its constitutional laws and regulations. Its ultimate meaningfulness has dissipated and its significance has subsided.

Refusing to investigate, traverse and peruse the audacious, reckless, irresponsible and damaging behaviour and speeches by Mr. Granger and Mr. Harmon last year during the turmoil in Berbice, confirms curry favoured biasness and challenges the reasonableness and fairness of this body.

Like the statutory bodies comprising GECOM and GRHC, the government needs to revisit the usefulness, sincerity, devotion and commitment of the components of the ERC. It is time for action in action.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

timely decisions, resources available and generally for not approaching the restructuring of the industry in a more professional and respectful manner.

The PPP/C needs to take responsibility for the unsuccessful investment venture, the Skeldon Factory.

The Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP) was an excellent idea, if it was managed and implemented well, it could have been the model factory for the Caribbean. However, the Skeldon factory is still the most technologically advanced mill in the Caribbean and with the right investment, it can be a profitable business venture.

The APNU+AFC, having done the Commission of Inquiry (COI) and commenced some degree of restructuring of the industry, which was necessary, failed to recruit professional expertise to manage the divestment and diversification programme.

Another area in which the APNU+AFC failed was in budgeting for the strategic implementation of the programme to address the social and economic impact for those persons who were laid off.

For us to resolve our problems and find long-term solutions to development and growth challenges, our governments have to be honest and accountable. I find it to be disrespectful to the sugar workers and taxpayers, for the PPP/C to continue to blame the PNC or APNU+AFC for its bad decisions and for the APNU+AFC to continue to blame the PPP/C for everything that has gone wrong in the sugar industry.

Now for the solutions.

Before we start talking about solutions, it is necessary to understand what the sugar industry means to the PPP/C and the PNC. Both the PPP/C

and the APNU+ACF are not business entities, they are political parties, therefore while they would like GuySuCo to become a successful business, their priority is for it to serve their political interest.

There is a fundamental principle in economics which states that ‘a system is as strong as its most important part’, therefore for the PPP/C system, as a political organisation, its most important part is the sugar industry. For the APNU+AFC system, the sugar industry is one of its most important parts because it is the important part for its main political competitor.

So, I guess ever since nationalisation of the sugar industry in 1976, politics, not business, has been the primary reason for its existence. One of the main reasons why the industry survived under this model, was largely due to the preferential prices which was offered to the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) states under the European Union Sugar Protocol.

However, that sugar protocol has ended, and that paradigm shift that Mr. Ramotar is talking about, has to be to develop the GuySuCo into a competitive business entity, this is highly possible. The shift should also be towards a technologically sustainable sugar industry with more mechanization. The political interest for both the PPP/C and the APNU+AFC must be performance-based.

The previous management had developed a business plan and had commenced the development

of a new approach to doing business with a ‘Sustainable Business Model’ with a focus on the Corporation being accountable for the economic (financial), social and environmental aspects which is a more modern approach to doing business. It should be noted that GuySuCo was already performing in all three of these areas, the difference is, to capture them under the ‘Sustainable Business Model’ approach in a measurable way.

From the economic perspective, GuySuCo could be successful with about four or five factories - Possibly Blairmont, Albion/Port Mourant/Rose Hall, Skeldon, Enmore and Uitvlugt Estates.

Cane farming can be expanded, however, if cane farming will be expanded, farmers need more certainty, reliability, predictability which must transcend beyond politics in order for them to develop the confidence to make significant investment.

From a market perspective, even though the world market price for sugar is relatively low, there is a more than 200,000 tonnes white sugar market in the Caribbean region that could be tapped into. The previous management of GuySuCo did extensive lobbying and made much progress with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Foreign Trade, CARICOM Secretariat, Trade Section and the Council for Continued on page 6

PAGE 6

Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2021

Government failed to consult with relevant stakeholders DEAR EDITOR The Government has failed to consult with relevant stakeholders before the passage of a suite of major Legislation in Parliament, in breach of the Constitution.

In an undemocratic manner the Government left stakeholders out in the cold before taking the following Bills to Parliament: (i) The Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2021; (ii) Law Reform Commission (Amendment) Bill 2020; (iii) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control)(Amendment) Bill 2021; (iv) The Adoption of Children (Amendment) Bill 2021, and (v) The Hire Purchase (Amendment) Bill 2020 In May 2015 when the APNU+AFC Government took office any thoughts of a “honeymoon period” were shattered by strident calls from certain stakeholders that the Government was breaching the Constitution to wit, Article 13, by taking Bills to Parliament before consulting with the relevant

stakeholders.

In particular the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) and the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), which sadly have not found it convenient to call out this Government in similar manner.

The other stakeholders included: (i) The Berbice Bar Association; (ii) The People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C); (iii) The Commissioner of Police; (iv) The Opposition; (v) The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana; (vi) The Guyana Revenue Authority; (vii) Bank of Guyana; (viii) The Director of Public Prosecutions; (ix) The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha; (x) The Guyana Defence Force; (xi) The Guyana Association of Bankers, and (xii) The Guyana Insurance Association The Government’s omission to consult is even more perplexing since Former

A case of she seh DEAR EDITOR, First the minister is accused of lying. Then that is countered with the former minister being accused of lying.

Is it a case of she seh, she seh?

Sad that public figures would allow themselves to descend into this type of diatribe.

Shamshun Mohamed

GuySuCo must be...

From page 5 Trade and Economic Development (COTED) to have the 40 percent Common External Tariff (CET) applied to all sugars coming into the region, this includes white sugar, and will create market space for regional sugar producers to produce white sugar.

Lobbying was also done with the local breweries and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) to supply white sugar on the local market by 2022. However, what was required according to the previous Strategic Plan/ Business Plan was for the investment to be made into the Albion Estate factory, to produce white sugar. The Skeldon factory could also produce white sugar, maybe this aspect is in the government’s plan.

One of the reasons why Corporations such as GuySuCo should be depoliticized is because when there is a change in government, there are certain

long-term commitments which should be adhered to.

The new government will always have scope to expand the vision but as a country we have to shift towards a more sustainable approach to growth and development.

Finally, the government has to decide if it will let GuySuCo run as a business, that is performance-based, or as a political entity. If it will be run as a business, then what is needed are people with the requisite experience and expertise,’ along with private sector involvement. I do not support Mr. Ramotar’s proposal for Dr. Rajendra Singh to return as the Chief Executive. It is that unfortunate everything in our country is so politicized, as such many of the qualified people who can assist in finding a solution for GuySuCo, may be viewed from a political standpoint, whether that is accurate or not.

Yours faithfully, Citizen Audreyanna Thomas

Attorney General Basil Williams SC, left a comprehensive system of consultations together with an inventory of the relevant stakeholders, with the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs (AGC. MOLA). The said system included inhouse consultations where stakeholders were given written invitations along with the relevant draft Bill, to attend a consultation in the Chambers’, boardroom External consultations involved the renting of a public venue and a cybernetic approach between

the Attorney General Chambers’ team of Presenters and stakeholders. All consultations were before laying any Bill in Parliament.

The Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Act 2021 involved the question of removing the financial independence of the Judiciary which was restored to them by legislation passed by the APNU+AFC Government in 2015, and therefore demanded wide consultations with stakeholders before passage in Parliament, on the part of this Government.

The Law Reform Commission (Amendment) Bill 2020 seeks to alter a fundamental constitutional regime relating to a process of arriving at a new or substantially altered Constitution, and required wide consultations, but to no avail.

The Adoption of Children (Amendment) Bill 2021 involves the serious issue of reducing international law embodied in the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption into municipal law, and begs for consultation.

These are just a few highlights of the aforementioned Bills that were rushed and jammed through Parliament.

The Failing of the Government is captured in the well-worn aphorism – ”whats good for the goose is good for the gander.”

In conclusion, a failure to adhere to transparency in Parliamentary practice and Procedure must lead to a colossal failure of good governance which lends itself to authoritarianism.

Yours respectfully, Basil Williams SC Attorney-at- Law

Professor Emeritus Dr. Frank Birbalsingh, a pioneer...

From page 4 The scholarship gave him an opportunity to visit many parts of India, the land of his ancestors. However, the course work at the university was a repeat of what he had already completed at UCWI, so a year later, in 1962, he abandoned the scholarship and he travelled to London, England, where he experienced “Life in London” as envisioned by Guyanese who visited the metropolis of London for the first time, when they regarded the city as a place based more on their imagination than reality.

For the first time, for instance, Dr. Birbalsingh could enjoy a lifestyle visiting museums and theatres, and attend professional opera and ballet while immersing himself in British culture. He also enrolled at King’s College, London University, to pursue a Masters’ degree as a parttime student, and he became a Supply school teacher, that allowed him to visit schools in some of the poorest and roughest neighbourhoods in London.

He earned his M.A . degree from King’s College in 1966, by submitting his thesis, ‘Novelists of the British Caribbean, 1940-1963’.

By that time also he was joined by his future wife, Norma, from Jamaica, who qualified as a nurse before, in 1967, they together migrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Once again, Dr. Birbalsingh turned to Supply Teaching, working in different communities in Toronto. He also enrolled at his previous alma mater, Kings College, London University, to pursue his Ph.D. in Canadian Literature, which he earned in 1972. His Ph.D. thesis served later, in 1995, as a basis of his book Novels and the Nation: Essays in Canadian Literature.

Prior to gaining his Ph.D., in 1970 a fellow Supply Teacher encouraged Dr. Birbalsingh to apply for a lectureship at Toronto’s York

University, which was expanding rapidly following the opening of its Keele Street campus. He was hired at York, and commenced an illustrious career that saw him progressing through the ranks, becoming a full professor, ultimately ending with his retirement in 2003, when he was conferred with the title Senior Scholar and Professor Emeritus.

Dr. Birbalsingh was hired at York where he met Clara Thomas, Professor of English, and one of the first academics to devote her work specifically to the study of Canadian Literature. He commenced his York career teaching a course in Canadian Literature, and later introduced a course in Caribbean Literature.

With this move, Dr. Birbalsingh became a pioneer in the teaching of Caribbean Literature at university level.

At that time, the subject was not known in the university curriculum in Canada, or anywhere else outside the Caribbean.

In addition to York, Dr. Birbalsingh has been associated with other universities, for instance a post-doctoral fellowship took him to the University of Auckland, New Zealand, 1973-1974;, and a Canada Council Leader’s Fellowship to the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, 1976-1977; then a sabbatical year was spent at the University of Rouen, France in 1983-1984; and a Visiting Fellowship at the University of Warwick in 19881989.

Also, Dr. Birbalsingh did not forget the land of his birth.

Over the years he kept in contact with Dr. Jagan, who was returned to power as President of Guyana in 1992 after 28 years of rigged elections that had sidelined him as Leader of the Opposition. In an attempt to improve the University of Guyana following years of neglect, in 1996 Dr. Jagan appointed Dr. Birbalsingh as an external member of the UG

Board of Governors.

Dr. Birbalsingh negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding between York and UG, which established a formal relationship for the benefit of both institutions.

The MOU was signed by Susan Mann, President of York, and Dr. Jagan, President of Guyana.

In 1986, Dr. Birbalsingh and Indo-Caribbean activist, Deo Kernahan conceived the idea to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in the Caribbean. Along with prominent Indo-Caribbean individuals in Toronto, the Ontario Society for Studies in Indo-Caribbean Culture (OSSICC) was launched in April 1987, with Dr. Birbalsingh as its President.

The 150th anniversary celebration took place in 1988, and was a great success. The event featured music, drama, poetry reading, storytelling, photographic and displays, academic presentations, and speeches by prominent IndoCaribbeans Dr. Jagan himself, and Basdeo Panday, former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

In 1989, a collection of academic papers presented at the event was edited and published by Dr. Birbalsingh under the title ‘Indenture and Exile: The Indo-Caribbean Experience’. In the years that followed Dr. Birbalsingh took a lead role in OSSICC, organising activities that included seminars, workshops, and lectures that highlighted the history, culture, and contribution of Indo-Caribbeans in Guyanese and Caribbean societies.

Through its work, OSSICC gave voice and visibility to Indo-Caribbeans, and helped to dispel the perception that the region was primarily made up only of Afro-Caribbeans.

In September 2009, an article by Petamber Persaud in Guyana’s Kaieteur News described Dr. Birbalsingh as “a pioneer in Indo-Caribbean studies”. Persaud also noted

that Dr. Birbalsingh “authored and edited several seminal works” dealing with that subject. Among such texts are: From Pillar to Post: The Indo-Caribbean Diaspora; and Jahaji Bhai: An Anthology of IndoCaribbean Literature, valuable references on literature of the region.

Persaud also noted Dr. Birbalsingh’s scholarly writings on cricket, saying the game “is part of the West Indian psyche, debated in the same breath with politics and religion”.

He added, “In 1996, Dr. Birbalsingh published The Rise of West Indian Cricket.

His writings, which gave pride and identity to various groups of West Indians, especially in literature, also brought those different peoples together in the name of cricket; the mark of a remarkable thinker.”

Dr. Birbalsingh’s other publications include: The People’s Progressive Party of Guyana, 1950-1992: An Oral History, and Guyana: History and Literature.

In response to a question from Vidur Dindayal for an article that was published in Guyanese Achievers USA and Canada: A Celebration, 2011, Dr. Birbalsingh stated, “When I began my research in the early 1960s, Commonwealth Literature was just beginning to appear; that is to say, literature in English produced outside Britain or the United States.

It was a new field, and I spent my life exploring it because my colonial experience in the Caribbean is part of it. The exploration helped me to understand myself, my history, and my culture.

Today the field is called “Post-colonial literature’”.

Dr. Birbalsingh lives in Toronto, Ontario, with his wife Norma, who is also retired. They are proud parents of two daughters, both accomplished professionals.

Harry Hergash

Friday February 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2021

PAGE 09

Why was Jagdeo so apologetic to the oil companies?

O

il companies when they enter into a country, know that they will have to make provisions for local content. They do not need to be reminded of any overarching philosophy of shared prosperity.

Exxon and its partners however got a shock when they came to Guyana. They found, no doubt to their liking, that they were able to ink a production sharing agreement (PSA) without any local content provisions in place. And in the five years between discovery and production, no local content policy or law was enacted.

So Guyana has little leverage over the oil companies when it comes to imposing local content requirements.

The oil companies therefore got a free ticket.

They did not have to bother about local content regulations. And the Trinidadians and Americans came and dominated the sector’s supply-chain.

The oil companies, h o w e v e r, k n o w t h a t wherever they go, that the local economy will expect to benefit from the sector and that demands will be made for greater benefits to the economy apart from the oil revenues.

It is for this reason that Jagdeo’s apologetic tone to the oil companies is so disconcerting. He has no reason to be placating them about them not being disincentivized by the local content policies of the government.

Dem

boys seh...

He told them, “The Local Content Policy is not created to dis-incentivise investment but it’s a promise that we made to our people about shared prosperity.”

If he had stopped his mollifying at that stage, it would not have been so embarrassing. But while he was sitting when he made these comment, it was as if he was kneeling. Kneeling before the oil companies!

This is what he went on to say, “We want to assure the oil companies, notwithstanding what I just said there, that we are not going to be populist. We are not going to make it so unrealistic - the PSA - that it becomes a disincentive for them to invest here when we believe the sector can produce healthy remuneration for the investors but yet contribute more to Guyanese and their development.”

What does populism have to do with local content? And why the overemphasis on local content policies not disincentivizing investors?

Exxon is the least concerned about local content policies. They can ignore it at their pleasure.

The PSA, which they signed with the government, has a Stability Clause, which insulates Exxon from any materially adverse effects of any change in laws or regulations (and policies).

Jagdeo can deceive himself about shared p r o s p e r i t y. T h e o i l companies are predators.

They are not here to share prosperity. They are here to make money. So if our leaders lapsed when they failed to institute local content provisions in the Production Sharing Agreement, then the oil companies know that they have an escape valve to avoid meaningful participation of locals in the industry.

He knows very well that Exxon will come and listen to what he has to say but in the end, the company cannot be forced to do anything that it does not want to do. The APNU+AFC gave to them a contract, which protects them against any local content requirement that will affect them adversely.

And Jagdeo is proud to boast that his party took a decision not to renegotiate the contract. While accepting that the current arrangements are in favour of the oil companies, he said, quite amusingly, that shared prosperity would be realized through new PSAs. The other oil companies are not going to sign any new PSA, which is markedly different from that enjoyed,

by Exxon and its partners.

That is what precedent means.

Those persons who have already acquired the rights to our oil blocks are simply going to sell those rights to Exxon, which will not be bound by any new model PSA. But what is most disconcerting is when Jagdeo, during the

Court case buss up dem police bag!

Some things emerged from a recent traffic case dat open dem boys eyes. One of de things was dat dem speed gun does supposed to be calibrated every six months.

And if it nah calibrated, den dem lawyers can call into question whether any reading from de gun is accurate.

Dem boys also seh dat it is important fuh know dat de speed gun gat to be held at certain angle. Nuff of dem traffic cops does be hiding behind lantern post and tree and around turn and pointing gun at motorists.

Well dem boys now learn dat dem gun can give false reading if it point at a certain angle.

Dem boys hear how de manual seh dat de gun gat fuh be 180 degrees to de vehicle, which mean de police gat fuh be standing in a straight line and in front of de vehicle.

Dem boys talking these things because dem seeing police with speed guns pun de road. And people getting ticket and charge.

So dem people must know dem rights. De police must show dem de certificate of recalibration and dem muss stop hiding behind tree and around turn. Dat is called entrapment.

So when dem stop yuh and tell yuh how yuh speeding, yuh must look and see where dey been when dem point de speed gun at yuh vehicle. And yuh must ask dem when last de gun calibrate. If dem refuse to tell den yuh gan see dem in court. And when dem lose de case, yuh must report dem to de Complaints Authority fuh unprofessional conduct.

Talk half and know yuh rights pun de road!

consultation, said, “We know we don’t have the capacity to build FPSOs…but…we have the capacity to supply taxi service and vehicle services and our people have enough money to build good quality homes to rent to oil companies and a number of

these things. That’s where the companies will have to utilize local resources at least for us to get up to at least a tiny threshold of oil expenditure in these companies.”

Is that what we are good enough for – taxi services, motor vehicles repairs and

rental of buildings? Is this Jagdeo’s idea of shared prosperity? If it is, then God help Guyana!

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

Kaieteur News

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Friday February 19, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Let the GECOM chair and commissioners be prominent foreigners

I

f any scholar can argue in any forum anywhere in the world that foreign people did not play immense and crucial roles in the defeat of rigged elections last year, then something eerie is wrong with their academic competence.

Do you know the factual election results were made possible because of the professionalism and objectivity of three foreign persons – the three CARICOM officials who observed the recount and submitted a report that was objective and honest?

Here is my inflexible contestation – if there wasn’t the CARICOM recount observer team and only locally based Guyanese had to recount and give their final verdict, I think here in February 2021 Guyana would still be in a raging election controversy without an elected government.

I don’t want to keep carping on Claudette Singh, Roxanne Myers, Keith

Lowenfield and Clairmont Mingo. I have written voluminously on them. All of them are Guyanese based in Guyana. Look what happened? Singh for five months was the recipient of sustained inflamed criticism.

Myers, Mingo, Lowenfield and other GECOM Secretariat employees have been charged with criminal offences, a direction unheard of in any democratic state.

There are two very crucial factors the legislators must take into consideration when the elections laws are being changed. One is that elections pit Guyanese against each other on the basis of ethnicity. Few Guyanese are exempted from this feeling. What happens then is that contesting parties do not trust the people who conduct the elections.

Look at the record – election controversy of an intense nature occurred in 1992, 1997, 2001 and 2020.

That is four out of six elections since the demise of

election rigging by Presidents Burnham and Hoyte.

The other factor is that the 2020 election drama has deepened ethnic feelings in this country thus deepening the suspicion of the citizenry about GECOM employees.

What the work of the CARICOM, OAS and international observer delegation showed, is that outsiders bring an objective, professional attitude to their work in Guyana and show no emotional attachment to the contestants.

The proof of this lies in two areas. One is that all of the CARICOM leaders ignored the suggestion by the local chapter of the International Year for the People of African Descent to put the election results on the backburner and seek political and ethnic reconciliation in Guyana.

They didn’t involve themselves in Guyana’s conflict, but were only interested in elections that meet international standards.

The second area is that the three-member CARICOM recount team consisted of African people and in the midst of dangerous racial accusations; they were not swayed by the fetidness of the Guyanese boxing ring.

Against this mountainous evidence of foreign people just not interested in the nastiness of the political narratives in this country, it would be extremely wise to refashion the election laws to allow foreign people to be the chairperson and commissioners of GECOM. There are going to be objections to this from people with a silly and misplaced sense of nationalism.

They are stupidly and irrationally going to exclaim that foreigners are now running our elections without understanding context. These people should be ignored with contempt. Foreigners saved Guyana and this explains why each day without

exception, thousands of young people are enjoying societal calmness by flocking in huge numbers to the seawall, the National Park and places of entertainment.

Had we not have those decent foreigners’ help us, Guyana would still be in the throes of a raging political war. We have five years to get GECOM right. We have five years to ensure that election results do not take five months.

We have five years to make sure there isn’t a GECOM chair who behaves like Claudette Singh. We have five years to make sure that GECOM is not staffed by people like Myers, Mingo, Lowenfield and others.

Why would any sane, logically thinking Guyanese reject respected international actors from manning GECOM? What would they be afraid of?

Why would these people rig the election in favour of the PPP? Why would they

Frederick Kissoon choose the PNC over the PPP? It means that they do not want an election ambience free from fear, free and fair. It means that their mental shape is to create confusion.

It means that they want to rely on Guyanese to run the election so we can have a repeat of 2020, meaning that one can be accused of being a racially biased Indian in GECOM and a racially biased African in GECOM. I am suggesting that we can avoid another 2020 disaster if we let international personnel administer GECOM. The alternative will be a continuation of a miserable life.

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

Friday February 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Wife defends self by stabbing husband with his own knife A woman, on Wednesday night, stabbed her husband to his chest with the same kitchen knife he used to threaten to kill her with, in a bid to protect her-self.

Stacy Johnson, 32, who is employed at Churches’ Chicken in Linden and her husband, Sean Johnson, 29, are both nursing wounds about their bodies after inflicting injuries to each other at around 21:00hrs at Block 22, Wismar, Linden.

Kaieteur News understands that the couple was home at the time when an argument erupted between them, which turned violent. According to reports, the

heated argument first started after Johnson questioned his wife about her whereabouts for the entire day (Wednesday).

This publication was made to understand that on the day of the incident, the woman was at work during the course of the day. The argument further led to the 29-year-old arming himself with a knife and placing it to Stacy’s neck, threatening to kill her. After placing the knife on the kitchen counter, the 32-year-old then armed herself with the same knife and allegedly stabbed her husband once to his body. The man then ventured into his (Continued on 20)

Handyman who grabbed goods as payment for outstanding wages, sentenced to community service A handyman on Wednesday landed in court after he was charged for stealing over $143,000 in goods from a man that he worked for, as ‘payment’ for outstanding wages.

The defendant, Eion Moses, 47, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

He pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that between February 13, 2021, and February 14, 2021, at Alexander Street, Kitty,

Georgetown, he stole baking items valued $143,800, in total property of Ethan Curtis.

The police prosecutor told the court that Curtis secured the items in several barrels then left them in his yard. The court heard that surveillance cameras showed Moses jumping Curtis’ fence and stealing the items from the barrels.

Moses told the court that he worked for Curtis during the Christmas Holiday but Curtis never paid him. He

added that Curtis told him that the items were missing.

Moses said that he went into the barrel and took very few items and told the court that Curtis knew that he took the stuff which was used before.

Moses further added that the items he took were a bed sheet, bath set and another item that was sold for 1,700.

After listening to the defendant’s explanation the Chief Magistrate McLennan, ordered him to do 180 hours of community service for the offence.

Friday February 19, 2021

Woman jailed for assault, obscene Facebook post of former lover A woman was on Tuesday last, was found guilty of assaulting and making an obscene Facebook post about her former lover.

The woman, Roshanna Hunte, of Hill Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, made her appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate, Dylon Bess.

Hunte was charged last year and on her first court appearance, she denied the charges that were read to her.

The first charge stated that on June 22, 2020, at Bourda, Georgetown, she unlawfully assaulted Nicola Hopkinson, so as to cause her actual bodily harm.

The latter charge stated that between June 22, and June 25, 2020, at Waterloo S t r e e t , N o r t h Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Hunte used a computer system, to publish electronic data of Hopkinson that was obscene, vulgar, profane, lewd, lascivious or indecent with intent to humiliate, harass or cause substantial emotional distress to her.

On Tuesday, when the

matter was called, Magistrate Bess, ruled that the prosecution provided sufficient evidence against Hunte and as such, he finds her guilty of the offences charged for.

Magistrate Bess then sentenced Hunte to nine months imprisonment for the assault charge and three years imprisonment along with a $5M fine for the obscene Facebook post.

The two women first met at an apartment building located at Lot 182 Waterloo Street, Cummingsburg, Georgetown, since they are both tenants. The women eventually got close and formed an intimate relationship.

According to the facts of the charge, Hunte had a roommate who she would constantly have arguments with. The roommate was known to Hopkinson, who would often intervene between Hunte and her roommate when they argue.

Sometime later, Hunte’s roommate moved out and went to live with Hopkinson. The two women reportedly became intimate.

According to reports, on

June 22, 2020, Hopkinson and her roommate were heading to Bourda market when they were confronted

by Hunte.

A n a r g u m e n t subsequently ensued between Hopkinson and Hunte.

As the argument escalated Hopkinson, used a glass bottle and hit Hunte in her head, and bit her above her left eye. A fight then ensued between the two women.

On June 23, 2020, Hopkinson’s was informed by her roommate that Hunte uploaded several pictures of them along with derogatory remarks on Facebook.

Hopkinson visited the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, and made a report. An investigation was launched and both Hunte and Hopkinson were charged.

Hunte was charged with assault and for her Facebook post while, Hopkinson, was charged with unlawfully assaulting Hunte.

Hopkinson was found guilty of the offence and she was fined $20,000.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2021

PAGE 13

Current Ethnic Relations Commission - Commissioner dysfunctional, wasteful Roshan Khan - ERC Chair expected to give statement in response today Commissioner of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), Roshan Khan, has recently come to the fore to express his displeasure with its current state, saying that it is dysfunctional and wasteful.

Khan made his comments via a letter published in Kaieteur News’ February 15, 2021 edition highlighting issues within the current ERC that could potentially lead to “serious catastrophe.” Khan stated that recent events occurring within the ERC contradicts its mission and purpose to serve and unite the Guyanese people.

Khan contended that the principles and philosophies of the Commission, which was reconstituted on February 22, 2018, would have deteriorated “since the no-confidence motion and leading up to the March 2020 elections” and also contributing to the

deterioration were the “political masterminds in place.” The Commissioner claimed that within the ERC were members clandestinely working with political operatives from the coalition opposition to control the commission. “…In its current state, I am of the opinion, like most Guyanese, that the ERC has been a total letdown to the Guyanese nation and is not deserving of the funds they receive. In my opinion, they have accomplished very little. I believe what was done was insignificant and extremely limited to what could have been achieved,” Khan further stressed.

N o t a b l y, B u d g e t Estimates seen by this newspaper indicate that the ERC would have received over $900M in budgetary allocations over the last seven years, leaving questions as to how much of that sum was put to use in the

Chairman of the Commission, Reverend John Smith. interest of the Guyanese people. Of that $900M in budgetary allocations, approximately $130M was the yearly average.

In highlighting unjust spending within the ERC, Khan said that some of his fellow commissioners, even though they are more than well compensated and earned exceptionally high

Health Ministry reports 25 new COVID-19 infections The Ministry of Health, reported 25 new COVID-19 infections yesterday via its daily dashboard update, which increases the case toll to 8,338. The dashboard also shows that seven patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 14 in institutional quarantine, 45

in institutional isolation and 468 in home isolation. Additionally, a total of 7,629 persons have recovered to date with 110 new recoveries recorded yesterday.

The COVID-19 death toll remains at 189 deaths.

remuneration, were still not satisfied. Giving examples he said, “Some also wanted a risk allowance to fly on a plane. They wanted risk allowance to go in the jungle.

They wanted high-quality boots, which I declined, as the boots were provided at the virtual end of our term.”

Also disclosed were commissioners attempting to grant themselves Christmas bonuses to the tune of $200,000, but receiving $150,000 which still went against the government’s advisory of a $25,000 Christmas bonus for all statutory bodies. He further noted that all of the E R C s t a ff w a s g i v e n $100,000 each, which he refused. “This to me is utterly wrong and a waste of money on tax payers. On

several occasions, I expressed my displeasure to them in writing. Because of these malpractices and others too numerous to mention within the ERC, my heart broke,” Khan lamented.

The commissioner noted that, given the current state of the ERC, he is of the firm belief that its commissioners should all resign at once and let the government put a “patriotic Commission” in place via Parliament. He justified his position by saying he initially had high hopes and immense feelings of motivation to serve on the commission, but he has observed egotistic, religious and ethnic prejudices and manipulations by some appointees. These appointees are only

Ethnic Relations Commissioner, Roshan Khan. interested in “name, position, money” according to Khan, adding that some also put their faith in areas where they are not concerned for mere allowances.

The Commissioner expressed shock at the ERC’s Chairman, Reverend John Smith, stating that Smith pushed the “National Conversation” to give the perception that the (Continued on page 20)

Kaieteur News

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Friday February 19, 2021

Ruimveldt traffic dept. conduct random breathalyzer tests in bid to reduce road accidents The traffic department of the Ruimveldt Police Station has decided that it is time to reduce road accidents in its district by conducting random breathalyzer tests.

One such exercise was conducted yesterday in the afternoon hours and spearheaded by Cadet Officer Stephen Harris along with Sergeant Rolex Scott and Corporal Benjamin Dufu.

The operation was conducted along Saffon Street in the vicinity of the police station.

Tipped off about the exercise, Kaieteur News dropped by just in time to witness, Corporal Dufu pulling over a minibus.

He approached the driver, greeted him politely and then asked that he (the driver) corporate with officers in taking a breathalyzer test.

The driver complied and

Spear-heading the operation Cadet officer, Stephen Harris flanked by Sergeant Rolex Scott on the left and Corporal Benjamin Dufu to the right.

Speaking with the driver followed Dufu into the station’s compound where he was directed to Sergeant Scott who conducted the test. Harris stood by with his pen and notepad, noting the

necessary information required for his report.

That driver successfully passed the test and was permitted to return to his bus and leave.

Dufu told this newspaper that this was the third exercise conducted for the week so far.Harris added that so far the three exercises have resulted in six drivers being arrested and charged for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Questioned about the purpose of the operation, Dufu responded that the reason behind the random breathalyzer testing is to significantly reduce the number of road accidents caused by drunk driving.

It is quite evident, he (Continued on page 20)

Sergeant Scott conducting the breathalyzer test

Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2021

PAGE 15

Separate PI’s for Henry Boys’ alleged killers

T

he prosecution is expected to conduct two separate preliminary inquiries (PI) into the gruesome killing of the Henry boys.

On Tuesday last, the three accused of the murder made another court appearance in the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court, Berbice, before Magistrate Peter Hugh.

The men charged are; Akash Singh, 20, called “Monkey,” a fisherman of Zeelugt Squatting Area, East Bank Essequibo; his stepbrother, Vinod Gopaul, 30, called “Magga,” of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice; and Anil Sancharra, 34, called “Dan pole” and “Rasta,” a labourer of D’ Edward Village, West Coast Berbice.

Attorney-at-law, Dexter Todd, has since gone on record as the legal representation for Gopaul and Sancharra. Singh is still without legal representation.

Sancharra and Gopaul were slapped with two joint charges and Singh was charged separately with two counts of murder. They were not required to plead to the

Remanded, Vinod Gopaul.

Murdered: Isaiah and Joel Henry charges, which alleged that between September 5, 2020 and September 6, 2020, at Cotton Tree Backdam, West Coast Berbice, they murdered Isaiah and Joel Henry.

On the last hearing of the matter, the prosecution informed the court that they would be conducting a PI for Sancharra and Gopaul, who are jointly charged and a separate PI for Singh.

Magistrate Hugh then adjourned the matter to March 2, 2021. On that date, the prosecution is expected to make full disclosure of all the statements of the witnesses that are expected to testify against the three accused.

Gopaul, Sancharra and Singh were further remanded to prison. On their first court appearance, Gopaul and Sancharra repeatedly claimed that they are innocent of the crime charged for.

Kaieteur News had reported that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) investigators had announced that they secured a confession from one of the suspects, who under interrogation implicated the two other suspects in the gruesome double murder.

As such, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C, recommended charges be instituted on the three

Remanded, Anil Sancharra.

suspects.

The murder of the Henry cousins sent shockwaves through the country after their mutilated bodies were discovered on September 6, 2020, in clumps of bushes near a coconut estate located at Cotton Tree backdam, West Coast Berbice.

Law enforcement officers for months on end chased multiple leads and battled violent protests that erupted over the news of the (Continued on page 20)

Remanded, Akash Singh.

Friday February 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

CH&PA, UN-Habitat embarks on a new project to eliminate slums, informal settlements The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) are moving ahead with plans to implement a new strategy aimed at eliminating slums and other informal types of housing settlements throughout the country.

In a statement disseminated via its social media page, the CH&PA said that it has embarked on its first stakeholder consultation meeting under the Guyana Strategy for Informal Settlements, Upgrading and Prevention (GSISUP) to craft and streamline a sustainable national action plan surrounding informal settlements to inter alia facilitate regularization of squatting settlements, relocation of others from zero-tolerance areas and a reduction of impending informal settlements. The consultations are geared at discussing key challenges surrounding squatting in the hinterland and coastal regions and how those issues can be addressed through a national strategy.

The first session was done virtually on Monday, and featured representatives from Neighbourhood Democratic Councils

(NDCs) across several regions.

During the session, Deputy Director of Community Development, Mrs. Donell Bess-Bascom, represented the CH&PA. UN-Habitat Senior Informal Settlements Upgrading E x p e r t , M r. M i c h e l Frojmovic and Regional Programme Advisor on Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme, Mr. Emrah Engindeniz, were also in attendance.

More consultations are slated to follow. Thereafter, CH&PA and UN-Habitat will be engaging in a Participatory Slum Upgrade Programme, which will further guide the development of GSISUP and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11-Target 1: “By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums and the concept of ‘Leaving no one behind’.”

T h e C H & P A successfully launched the Guyana Strategy for Informal Settlements Upgrading and Prevention (GSISUP) – Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme through a virtual presentation held earlier this month. During the launch

The first GSISUP consultation exercise was held earlier this week.

CEO of CH&PA, Sherwin Greaves, stated that the project is timely as CH&PA continues its mandate to provide affordable and sustainable housing. He also highlighted that engaging with squatters is nothing outlandish to CH&PA staff, who engage with squatters as part of squatter regularization and relocation programmes.

The project is backed by the UN-Habitat, which was

represented by Regional Representative for Latin America, Elkin Velásquez; Regional Programme Advisor on Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme, Mr. Emrah Engindeniz; Senior Informal

Settlements Upgrading E x p e r t , M r. M i c h e l Frojmovic and European Union Delegation to Guyana, which was represented by Programme Manager, Ms. Anna Correia de Sá.

Other partners in the project include the European Union (EU) and African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), local government bodies, civil society organizations and religious institutions.

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Three busted with ganja in Sophia The suspected marijuana neatly wrapped in transparent plastic.

Three persons are now in police custody, after they were busted on Tuesday with at least 20 pounds of suspected cannabis at a location in South Sophia.

According to police reports, the trio was

nabbed with the illegal drugs in an intelligence led operation carried out by its ranks.

The suspected narcotics have been lodged and the suspects will face charges.

Miner slashed, chopped, during attack at landing A miner, 18, had to be rescued on Friday last by public-spirited citizens after he was attacked at Five Star Landing, North West District (NWD), Region One, by three men who slashed and chopped him about his body.

The severely injured teen has been identified as Gregory Henry of Return, Baramita.According to police reports so far, the teen was attacked by the men in the morning hours.

Based on sketchy reports reaching Kaieteur News, Henry knew his attackers very well. This newspaper was told that he and the men had an ongoing feud, which escalated on Friday. After the attack, citizens nearby rushed to rescue a bleeding Henry. They applied first aid to his gaping wounds and took a nearly 4hour long journey to the Port Kaituma Hospital.

Doctors there admitted and treated him; however, due to the severity of his wounds, Henry was airlifted to the city for further medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Based on photos seen by this media house, Henry was slashed and chopped to his hands, arms, face and other parts of his body.

Wounds Henry received to his face.

His condition is currently regarded as stable, as he continues to receive treatment at GPHC.

Friday February 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2021

Wanted, Ryan Ferreira.

Man wanted for fraud The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has issued a wanted bulletin for Ryan Ferreira, 63, also known as ‘Herbert’, of Lot 16 D’urban Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown.

The bulletin stated that Ferreira is wanted by the Police for questioning in relation to the forging of documents with intent to defraud the public and demanding property upon a forged instrument, which

was committed on April 2, 2020.

A n y o n e w i t h information that may lead to the arrest of Ryan Ferreira, also known as ‘Herbert’; is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers: 2266978, 225-8196, 226-2870, 226-7065, 227-1149, 2267065, 225-6940, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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Friday February 19, 2021

Separate PI’s for Henry... Wife defends self by stabbing...

From page 15 gruesome murders.

Last August, the three defendants set up a camp and a cannabis farm in the West Berbice area. When they returned in September, they discovered their camp and cannabis farm were destroyed. The trio later received information that two young men from the Cotton Tree area are known to trample the backlands and destroy farms.

Sometime later, the Henry cousins ventured into the area and two of the suspects asked whether they knew anything about cannabis farms being destroyed in the area and the cousins reportedly laughed.

This angered the two men and Gopaul allegedly took out a cutlass and dealt a chop to one of the Henry cousins’ neck. Sancharra allegedly took out his cutlass and repeated the action.

According to the police, Singh claimed that he joined in the chopping after Gopaul and Sancharra threatened to do the same to him.

Singh, allegedly dealt gaping X’s on the Henry cousins’ heads, before their bodies were transported to another section of the backlands and dumped.

The bodies of Isaiah and Joel Henry were later discovered by frantic family members out searching for the young men, who were missing since September 5, 2020.

The murders sparked the anger of the West Coast Berbice residents, who engaged in violent, racially targetted protests, even as several men were taken into custody for questioning in relation to the murders over the past four months.

Police are still investigating the death of Haresh Singh, another West

Ruimveldt traffic dept...

From page 14 continued, that drunk driving is a major contributor to serious and fatal accidents, not only in his district but also in other police districts across the coast.Kaieteur News had reported back in 2019 that drunk driving and speeding accounted for at least 90% of

all road deaths recorded that year, It was also highlighted

by Traffic Chief, Ramesh Ashram, during a press conference held in November of last year that his department up to that date had charged at least 786 persons for drunk driving in 2020 alone.

Court rules Giftland ...

From page 2 responsible corporate entity, it will offer an olive branch to the M&CC to find a way to work together recognizing that the country cannot run without taxes.

“Being a responsible corporate entity, Giftland will offer an olive branch to

the M&CC to find a way to work together recognizing that the Country cannot run without taxes, … we continue to be here to serve all Guyanese people with the highest standards possible and look forward to your continued support,” the company added in the statement.

Current Ethnic Relations...

From page 13 ERC is doing something.

The National Conversation was held last December, which was aimed at improving Ethnic Relations i n t h e c o u n t r y. K h a n acknowledged that it was a good initiative, however, recognition must be given to fellow Commissioner, Neaz Subhan, for being the brains behind it, along with the bits of input from others.

Khan also said that ERC, led by the Chairman, Reverend John Smith, needs to apologize to the nation for pussyfooting during the March 2020 elections, which saw tensions rising and events such as murders, beatings, lootings and destructions of homes and businesses.

“The ERC had the

opportunity to prove its relevance in Guyana for the large amounts of money that were given for the sake of goodwill, harmony, and peace,” Khan affirmed, saying it would have been a great credit to the ERC to arise in the heart of these moments, which would have solidified its relevancy in Guyana.

Khan is maintaining that the Commission is serving as a white elephant and Chairman Smith, in his view is an ‘ornamental appointee.’ This publication contacted Reverend Smith for a response to the issues highlighted by Khan, however, he could not respond at the time, stating that a press statement will be sent out today addressing the matters.

Coast Berbice teen, a grandson of one of the men originally taken into custody. Haresh was found lying in a patch of grass and bleeding from his nose in the Number Three Village backdam.

From page 12 living room and this time, armed himself with a cutlass and reportedly dealt Stacy several “broad side” about her body, which caused her to receive a chop wound to her right index finger.

They were both taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where they were seen and examined by a doctor.

Stacy was treated and sent away but was later placed in custody. Johnson

was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he had emergency surgery for a punctured lung. Both weapons were lodged by the Police as they continue their investigations.

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Friday February 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

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La Grange businesswoman, Bibi Ramjit, It took police nearly three months to successfully recapture the alleged mastermind in the murder of La Grange businesswoman, Bibi Ramjit, but Jankie Tapsie, was recaptured on Wednesday in Suriname by the Surinamese lawmen. She was subsequently handed over, for a second time, to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) who took her into custody, as investigations continue.

Even as the hunt was on to recapture her, Kaieteur News had received reports that Tapsie was seen active on Facebook. Just days after her escape, Kaieteur News was told that she was reportedly tagged in a photo on November 26 celebrating her birthday. She was also seen active a few times after and had recently changed a profile picture in January of this year. The source had detailed too that Tapsie was using two profiles. The names of the profiles were Samantha Khan and Samantha DeSouza.

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Minutes after being handed over for a second time to GPF, Jankie Tapsie.

Suriname on November 18 last year, along with an alleged accomplice, Rishiram Singh (currently on remand) popularly known as ‘Shane,’ of D’Andrade Street, Newtown, Kitty.

They were both handed over by Suriname authorities to GPF ranks at the Springlands Police Station in Berbice. However, while in

police custody at the station that same day Tapsie somehow managed to escape from a toilet and had been on the run since then.

Ramjit’s family members had raised questions as to how she was able slip out of police hands so easily. In this regard, they had noted that Springlands Police Station does not only include police

WHO Head praises T&T’s COVID-19 fight Trinidad Guardian - The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom, has praised Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley for his leadership in managing the COVID-19 outbreak in T&T. His commendation came during a WHO media briefing yesterday morning in Geneva after Dr Rowley made a virtual contribution. He was representing both T&T and the CARICOM region as its current chairman.

“I would also like to recognise that Trinidad and Tobago—your country—has done very well in this pandemic and this is because of your leadership,” the WHO’s Director General told Dr Rowley.

Dr Adhanom also credited and commended the successful management of the outbreak to the non-medical interventions such as the Public Health Regulations and restrictions.

“Given without vaccines, using public health solutions, we can see from your own experience that this virus can be controlled. So, thank you so much for your leadership, Your Excellency, and I welcome your solidarity,” he said to T&T’s PM. The WHO Director-General also expressed his pleasure with the country’s first doses of the vaccine being administered to healthcare workers on Wednesday.

Alleged mastermind: Jankie Tapsie. officers, but also Special Constables and community police ranks. There are also three police ranks that guard the gate.

GPF’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) had also carried out an investigation into her escape, but those findings are yet to be revealed.

Prior to this information, this media house had also been informed that Tapsie was spotted once in Corriverton and had returned to Suriname to hide from authorities.

Cops believe that she was the one who had planned and orchestrated Ramjit’s murder.

Detectives had managed to obtain video footage, which showed a car pulling up in front of Ramjit’s house during the time they suspect she was killed.

They also believe the motive was robbery. As the investigation had unfolded, they had managed to nab a juvenile, 16, who confessed to participating in the heinous crime.

He was subsequently charged and remanded to prison. Not long after, they received intelligence information that the other suspects involved were hiding out in neighbouring Suriname.

Friday February 19, 2021

Kaieteur News

Community Development Officers benefit from Skills Training Programme A section of the Community Development Officers at the training exercise

Tw e n t y - t h r e e Community Development Officers (CDOs), from various villages and communities across the country received a boost in their capacities following a two-day’s CDO SkillsTraining Programme facilitated by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

The training exercise, conducted from February 11 to February 12, 2021 at the Hinterland Scholarship D o r m i t o r y, i n c l u d e d workshops in the following areas: reporting format; monitoring and evaluation of projects; project proposal writing; The Amerindian Act; Roles and Functions of Village Council and Toshao; a n d Vi l l a g e C o u n c i l Elections.

CDOs are the vital link between the Ministry and the village councils and their objective is to coordinate the Ministry’s programmes within Amerindian communities and provide feedback between MOAA and the Village councils.

H e a d o f M O A A’ s Governance Department,

Principle Regional Development Officer (PRDO) Mr. Anil Roberts underscored that, “the training is pivotal for the CDO’s, our ministry and our communities, because we are looking to have our field officers give the best service possible in 2021 and years to come.

Our Minister and Ministry, value enhancing the capacities of our staff, and this is just a start.”

When asked how has the training benefitted him so far, CDO for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), Joel Barnes stated “I’ve learnt a great deal as a new CDO, I’ve learnt extensively about the Amerindian act and the legalities as it pertains to elections, I believe that what we’ve learned from the training has better equipped us on how to function effectively as it pertains to delivering the best quality service to our Amerindian people.”

Meanwhile, Manley Thomas, CDO of South Rupununi Villages, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper

Essequibo) also shared his experience from the training.

“I would have grasped a wide knowledge of understanding the functions of a CDO and how the Amerindian act plays a vital role in executing the duties of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. More so, the interpretation of the Act and explaining key points on different sections of it. In terms of Traditional Knowledge, the ways of our great fathers should be passed down and must be respected by our Government and other stakeholders. This too must be implemented into legislation,” Thomas said.

The mentors at the training included: Attorneyat-Law Miriam AndrewMing, PRDO Anil Roberts, Management Development Officers (John Ramsingh, Alexi La Rose, Orlando Shuman and Eliza Bascome), Sean Mendonca of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Mr. Bissasar Chantamani of Triple ‘C’ Consultancy.

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Friday February 19, 2021

Contractors want over $500M to Businessman who beat alcoholic repair sea defence at Mahaicony with bat to be charged The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), on Tuesday, opened 144 bids for several government ministries at their Ministry of Finance (MoF) office on Main and Urquhart Streets. One notable project included the repairs to the sea defence between Manila and Bygeval, Mahaicony, Region Five.

Below are the companies and their bids.

Bank of Guyana (BoG) – Guyana Pay-System Service

Ministry of Health (MoH) – Rental of warehouse for the storage of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) – Supply and delivery of well-drilling materials in two lots

Supply and delivery of manganese dioxide fibre media

Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) – Construction of rip-rap sea defences between Manila and Bygeval, Mahaicony; Construction of rip-rap sea defences between Fairfield and Zeeland, Mahaicony, Region Five

An Annandale East Coast Demerara (ECD) businessman, Harripersaud Bhagwandin, 62, accused of beating an alcoholic with a bat for allegedly breaking a pipe in his yard, is expected to be charged soon.

The alcoholic, Mohammed Khan, 51, was beaten in the afternoon hours of February 10, at Bhagwandin’s residence located on Marshall Street, Annandale.

Commander of Region 4 ‘C’, Mahendra Siwnarine told this newspaper that the businessman was arrested a few days after the incident and subsequently released on $50,000 station bail as police await a medical to file charges.

Siwnarine explained that the medical will take two weeks to complete and when this is done, investigators will submit the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice on possible charges.

Bhagwandin the commander said, could be charged with grievous bodily harm, assault, causing maim, disable, disfigure or unlawful wounding.

According to Khan’s daughter, her dad had gone over to Bhagwandin’s yard on February 10 to assist one of his (Bhagwandin) tenants to move out from a section of his building. While doing so, another tenant asked him to wash some mats for her which he did.

As Khan was washing the mats at a pipe in the yard, it reportedly broke and that tenant complained to Bhagwandin.

Bhagwandin, Kaieteur News was told flew in a rage, came outside, picked up a bat

Ministry of Human Services and Social Security – Procurement of office material and supplies in five lots

Beaten by Annandale businessman, Mohammed Khan. that was lying nearby and started to beat Khan.

Reports are that he even stripped off Khan’s clothes while beating him. Khan managed to run and hide behind a refrigerator on the road but the man continued pounding away on him with the bat until he started to tremble.

A severely injured khan was subsequently picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was admitted in a critical condition.

Khan’s daughter was told by doctors that he, apart from lacerations he sustained to his body, he also got severe head injury.

“They told me that he was bleeding in the brain (brain haemorrhage) and needed surgery,” she said.

During the first three days her dad also had suffered phases of memory loss.

Nevertheless, he was given the necessary treatment and managed to recover and is now in a stable condition.

“They said that the brain haemorrhage turned out not to be life threatening due to the fact that he was an alcoholic”, continued Khan’s daughter.

She said that they explained that his brain had shrink due to alcohol abuse and had it not been for his shrunken brain, he might not have been able to recover and could have even died.

Khan was discharged on

Tuesday she said and is now home with her as he continues to recover.

“He is still not talking much but so far he has shown major signs of improvement”.

The man’s daughter also claimed that after the businessman’s arrest he had since reached out to compensate them but they have refused.

“His son had even visited my dad while he was still in hospital without our permission and had offered him $30,000 as compensation which was refused as well,” she said.

As investigation continues into this matter, Kaieteur News would like to point out that this is not the first time that Bhagwandin had landed in hot water for grievously harming an individual. In 2009, Kaieteur News had reported that Bhagwandin who was 51 at the time had shot Quarpaul Hoodit, 47, in his thigh following a property dispute.

In that case, Bhagwandin had bought a property of which Hoodit was a caretaker.

He had ordered Hoodit to move which he did. However, Hoodit had returned sometime later accompanied by his son to remove some materials from the house.

Bhagwandin had become annoyed and confronted the man which ended up in a scuffle between the two. It was during the altercation that Bhagwandin shot the man.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 19, 2021

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Guyana one step closer to quota of COVID-19 vaccines to be donated by COVAX - as WHO gives emergency approval Guyana is one step closer to receiving its quota of vaccines expected to be donated by the COVID -19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility, due to t h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Organization (WHO) issuing emergency approval for the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, as a part of its initiative under COVAX to ensure equitable access to the vaccines among developing nations.

“The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and t h e Wo r l d H e a l t h Organization (WHO), as col e a d s o f t h e C O VA X initiative for equitable global access to COVID-19

vaccines, alongside key delivery partner UNICEF, are pleased to welcome the news that two versions of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine have been given WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL),” COVAX announced in a statement.

Two versions of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is produced by AstraZenecaSK Bioscience (AZ-SKBio) and the Serum Institute of India (AZ-SII), are now available for global rollout t h r o u g h t h e C O VA X Facility. Guyana is set to receive vaccines for 20 percent of its population from COVAX and frontline health workers, the elderly and persons with comorbidities are being given first preference by the

government. Approximately 104,000 vaccine doses will be donated by the facility.

In a statement, COVAX said it anticipates the first round of deliveries taking place in March, with some early shipments being sent in late February, to countries that would have fulfilled their criteria.

“Due the high number of doses available, as well as the high number of countries getting ready for delivery in Q1 2021, the capacity of supplier and freight forwarders will be under considerable pressure.

Shipment timelines will be impacted by logistical preparedness and delivery lead times, which may vary depending on the location of the receiving participant,”

Govt. slashes gasoline, diesel prices

- Excise Tax on fuel reduced from 50% to 35% The Guyana Oil Company Ltd., Palmyra Service Station.

The Government of Guyana has announced that it will be reducing the prices of both gasoline and diesel at the pumps.

This is as a result of the reduction in the excise tax rates of fuel that were also adjusted.

With immediate effect, gasoline prices will be reduced from $184 per litre to $170 per litre, and diesel prices reduced from $170 per litre to $160 per litre.

This was announced by the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, as he emphasized that this move is in keeping with the President’s commitment in ensuring that domestic

customers are protected from the sharp price escalation on the world market and from cost of living increases.

In its effort to ease the domestic impact of the recent sharp rise in the world market price for fuel “the Government will be lowering the excise tax rate on both gasoline and diesel from 50 percent to 35 percent with immediate effect,” the Minister said.

This would help to minimise the impact on domestic consumers, particularly the travelling public as well as those productive sectors for which fuel is an important input.

In announcing the reduction in taxes, Minister Singh stated that he observed

that over the past few months, oil prices have risen steadily on the world market, from US$35 a barrel in late October 2020 to over US$60 a barrel at close of trade presently. Due to the steady increase on the world market, fuel prices have been rising on the domestic market, the Minister added.

According to Minister Singh, during its previous term in office, the PPP/C Government had put in place arrangements to adjust the excise tax rate on fuel from time to time to support the domestic impact of the world market price fluctuation, and that the current tax adjustment is being effected using this previously established mechanism.

COVAX also said.

Further, the Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, Dr. Mariângela Simão stated that “Countries with no access to vaccines to date will finally be able to start vaccinating their health workers and populations at risk, contributing to the Covax facility’s goal of equitable vaccine distribution,” in a statement on Monday.

Like the PfizerBioNTech vaccine, which was also given emergency use approval by the WHO, the AstraZeneca vaccine is

The Oxford - AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

less expensive and easier to widely distribute, since it can be stored at normal refrigerator temperatures, unlike the Pfizer doses.

The WHO would have said last week that the AstraZeneca shot should be given even in countries where other variants of the coronavirus are dominant, after South Africa decided not to roll out the vaccine due

to the new variants potentially minimalizing the effect of the vaccine against that the new variant detected there.Additionally, the team behind the AstraZeneca vaccine said earlier in February that an updated version could be ready by fall, this year, and will hold the capacity to address the emerging variants of the virus.

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Johnson provides update on Jaguars activities in Antigua From page 35 Force tomorrow, are also unbeaten but have played one match less than the Red Force; beating Barbados, Leewards and Jamaica. The Jaguars will play their last match on Monday in their only day game.

“The team is in very high spirits…winning our first three games, we had a day off on Tuesday and practice today (Wednesday), spirits are high due to wins we have posted coming off a disappointing 2019 Super50 and it’s good to have already qualified for the semi-finals, but it’s about not being complacent and taking one game at a time” informed Johnson while speaking on

the Sean Devers Sports Watch on Kaieteur Radio last Wednesday.

“I think we just have to keep working hard…keep training hard. The guys put in a lot of work when we got here. We were a bit hampered at home in terms of preparations. Obviously conditions in Guyana are very different to here in Antigua and the guys put in a lot of here.

We did not have any practice under light in Guyana and none is planned for here but that’s not an issue. To be honest most of the guys here have played under lights so that’s not an issue,” said Guyana’s most successful First-Class Captain.

Johnson, who played nine Test and six ODIs, spoke about the pitches in Antigua.”The pitches here are good for batting, the dimensions of the Coolage Ground are a bit small but the pitch is good.

In previous years, the teams bowling first at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium had a slight advantage because for some reason the pitches had some extra moisture for a nine-o-clock start.

We have not played any games there but those who played have there have said that the pitch there is also good to bat on. The fast outfield at Sir Viv ground has contributed to the high volume of runs scored there,”

Friday February 19, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You’re not moving as quickly as you’d like, but there’s more to life than speed. You may need to check in with your people for some assistance if you get too far behind, though.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Your social relations are making life sweeter, and you can overcome old difficulties or renew dormant bonds with ease.

It’s a really good time for you to commune with friends and family.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) This is not a good time for you to flit from person to person. You need to focus your energy on someone important. That could mean that you’re in a good space for relationship work.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You’ve got a natural charm that makes people feel fully at ease, so make the most of it. You should be able to work wonders in any situation, so much so that you win big!

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your stubbornness is legendary, and on a day like today it may cause some issues with friends or colleagues. Try to see their point of view, but put off any serious disputes for a few days.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Are you traveling now?

Then you’re at your best. If not, spend a little time plotting your next getaway.

You need to escape your routines as soon as humanly possible.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your cultural leanings are making life sweeter than ever, so enjoy music, art, or whatever else comes your way. Steer a friend or family member in the same direction for added fun.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You should find that someone you thought would be a weak opponent turns out to be stronger than they appear. Roll with it and see if you can turn circumstances to your advantage.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Analyze today’s big problem by breaking it down into little chunks.

They won’t look so scary, and you should be able to see at least one way to attack the problem more easily.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Your kids are the center of your life today, if you’ve got kids, that is. If not, you may be drawn to consider it or to help out with a friend or relative who’s got more than they can handle.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) If you’re bored today, that’s no surprise. There are no surprises coming your way! Try to just focus on whatever is right in front of you and make your way through the day.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your love life is still bubbling with great energy, so make the most of it. Spend some quality time with your partner, or if you’re single, look for someone new.

Work your magic!

said Johnson who has two tons and 13 fifties in List ‘A’ cricket.

While batting in the second game, the left-hander suffered a strained hamstring muscle when on 90 but after on-field treatment, continued batting and reached his second 50-over century.

“We knew that there was not going to be much running going on so I said I might as well get the hundred here and thankfully they presented a couple of bad balls which I hit to the boundary and I was able to get it” explained the GCC batsman, who played the first of his 77 List ‘A’matches Trinidad at Providence, on October 20, 2007.

Johnson explained what he did to register his second 50-over ton following his maiden hundred in Antigua in 2018. “I didn’t do too many things different from normal, I just give myself the chance to get into less risks earlier on….I hit a six early on but the ball was there to be hit.

We had to score just about five runs per over when I got to the crease and it went up to six which was very manageable once you got the wickets in hand. I just tried to form partnerships with whoever I was batting with at the time and things went my way and I capitalised on that” Johnson explained.

Johnson missed Sunday’s game against Jamaica and provided an update on the status of the injury.

“Yeah it’s fine. It has come a long way. It was a grade 1 strain which usually takes four to six days with therapy and today (Wednesday) is day five. I did some sprints today (Wednesday) with the Manager and Assistant Coach and it went well” added Johnson.

When asked if Assad Fudadin and Tevin Imlach are returning home and would be replaced by Veerasammy Permaul and Bajan born Raymond Reifer, the Jaguars captain said that it has not

been finalised as yet but confirmed that Permaul and Reifer were in Antigua and available to represent the Jaguars for the remainder of the tournament.

“The selectors and team Management has to meet on that issue. But to be honest that a good issue to have with two international players coming into a team that has been doing well. It’s not been finalised as yet but it will be in the coming days” disclosed Johnson.

The Jaguars face the Red Force tomorrow in what many feel is prelude of the final. “I won’t say its prelude to the final, we are taking one game at a time but we play the Red Force next and we have an analyst for the first time. He is not here but he sends video footage of the teams and it’s been very useful …the amount of information you have when you go on the field.

Numbers don’t lie and we use that information and as you can see we are doing well.

The Red Force were convincing against the Leewards tonight (Wednesday) but there were some kinks in their armor in their game against Barbados while in their chase of 227 against the Windwards they lost a few quick wickets.

All players have strengths and weakness but it does not matter how good you are, sustained pressure will bring success,” continued Johnson who also explained how he uses his fast bowler Nail Smith during this tournament.

“We have been using the pace and spin formula to open the bowling and it has worked. I try to use Nail close to the power-play or with his extra pace, when a new batsman comes in. He did not have the best of times in 2019 but he has a good yorker in addition to pace and he has learned quickly” explained the Jaguars’ Skipper.

Novak Djokovic beats Aslan...

From page 32 opponent ranked as low as Karatsev once before on Rod Laver Arena - when he fell to Uzbekistan’s world number 117 Denis Istomin in the second round in 2017.

While Karatsev pushed Djokovic and worried him at times with powerful hitting, a repeat never seriously looked like happening. Little separated the pair as they stayed on serve in the opening seven games, before a loose eighth game from the Russian allowed Djokovic to pounce for 5-3 and then serve out to love for the first set.