Kaieteur News

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Govt. to raise NEWS overall public - domestic by 233.3%, debt ceiling external by 65% AIETEUR

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

Friday Edition January 29, 2021 -Vol. 23 No.05

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 106,583

Venezuela ramps up naval activity in Guyana’s waters since Maduro’s decree Raising public debt ceiling spells danger for future and current generations - Fmr. Finance Minister

Man admits to killing sleeping vagrant with brick

Out of 180 countries, Guyana ranks #83 on Corruption Index

More FDPs mean more tombstones in economic graveyard

The costs associated with each new Field Development Plan (FDP) keep increasing steeply by billions of dollars. Liza-1, Liza-2, and Payara-3 have saddled Guyana with a US$18B in costs.

H o w e v e r, a s w e reported yesterday, Exxon is not satisfied with what it has already squeezed from us. It now wants to submit a fourth FDP for approval

by December 2021.

The costs associated with that fourth FDP are estimated to be another US$6-9B. When added to the costs of the previous Liza fields, Guyana would be indebted to the tune of almost US$30B, and that does not include interest.

Our feeble political leaders have placed us in this jeopardy. They now

stubbornly refuse to renegotiate the oil agreements so that we can get a fair deal and reduce our future indebtedness.

Liza-1, Liza-2, and Payara-3 stand as the first tombstones in Guyana’s economic graveyard. And now with this proposed fourth oil project, our oil hopes will now be consigned to the burial ground of dreams.

Based on our leaders’ shabby record of negotiation, Exxon should face little resistance in securing an expeditious approval of its fourth FDP. Our leaders have betrayed us. Instead of riches, they are burdening us with multibillion-dollar bills. Guyanese, understand what is involved, and where YOU stand!

- Two drillships Exxon to acceleratealready lined up search for more oil for March, April with 12-15 wells this year Hear how Exxon wants to push 7 more oil projects down our throats at 11:00 hrs on 99.1/99.5FM Kaieteur Radio!

Kaieteur News

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Friday January 29, 2021

ExxonMobil to accelerate search for more oil with 12-15 wells this year - Two drill ships already lined up for March, April

C

O V I D - 1 9 pandemic or not, US oil titan ExxonMobil intends to pursue an accelerated search for oil offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block as it is poised to drill 12 to 15 exploration and appraisal

wells this year. This was recently revealed by its junior partner on the block, Hess Corporation.

During that company’s fourth quarter earnings call, its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Greg Hill, disclosed that the wells will target a

variety of prospects and play types.

He said that these will include lower risk wells near existing discoveries, higher risk step outs, and several penetrations that will test deeper lower Campanian and Santonian intervals.

ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE

The Ministry of Public Works is hereby informing the general public that from Monday, February 1, 2021, the Annandale Bridge #1 on the Railway Embankment will be closed until further notice.

This closure is to facilitate the reconstruction of a bridge at the intersection, and will directly affect the traffic flowing due east and due west on the Railway Embankment. The works will be executed by M & P Investments.

Motorist and pedestrians are asked to use alternative roads. Please take care to pay attention to all caution and directional signs in the area.The Ministry of Public Works regrets any inconvenience caused and will be working diligently to ensure the road returns to normal functioning in the shortest time possible.

For further information please contact the engineer, Mr. Sherod Parkinson on: 6231082.

Further to this, the Hess employee said that this ramped up programme will allow the partners, inclusive of CNOOC/NEXEN, to speed up exploration of the block and enable optimum sequencing of future developments.

In addition, Hill said that the emerging deep play on the block which is in the lineup for drilling is believed by the partners to have significant potential.

Kaieteur News understands that further drilling will help to determine its commerciality and ultimate value.

Over the next several months, Hill said that Hess will participate in two

exploration wells and two appraisal wells on the Stabroek Block. In this regard, he disclosed that the next exploration well to be drilled is [Koebi-1] [Ph], which is located approximately 16 miles Northeast of Liza. He said this well will target Liza type Campanian aged reservoirs, and is expected to be spud in February using the Stena Carron drillship.

In March, the Hess COO said the partners expect to spud the Longtail-3 appraisal well, which will provide additional data in the Turbot, Longtail area while adding that they intend to drill a deeper section that will target lower Campanian

Hess Chief Operating Officer, Greg Hill. and Santonian geologic intervals. The Stena DrillMAX will be used for this exercise.

Moving to April, Hill said that Hess expects that Exxon will spud the Yellowtail-2 appraisal well utilizing the Noble Don Taylor drillship, while the (Continued on page 20)

Kaieteur News

Friday January 29, 2021

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Venezuela ramps up naval activity in Guyana’s waters since Maduro’s decree M

inister of F o r e i g n Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, informed the National Assembly yesterday that Venezuela has ramped up its naval activity i n G u y a n a ’s w a t e r s , following the January 7, 2021 decree made by President Nicolas Maduro, in which he laid fresh claims to the Essequibo.

In a statement to the National Assembly, Todd noted the increased activity in Guyana’s maritime space

by Venezuelan navy vessels and other Venezuelan state assets continues to u n d e r m i n e G u y a n a ’s development.

The Foreign Affairs Minister explained too that “such illegal activity,” t h r e a t e n s G u y a n a ’s sovereign rights of its maritime space and hinders economic activity.

According to Todd, this threat was proven in the unfortunate incident of January 21, 2021, when two Guyanese fishing vessels, namely, Lady Nayera and Sea Wolf, were intercepted

by Venezuelan naval vessel, Commandante Hugo Chavez GC 24, off the coast of Waini Point (well within Guyana’s territory).

“The crew and both vessels were illegally

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd.

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro.

detained by the Venezuelan Government and are currently still in detention at Port Guiria.

Guyana has strongly condemned the illegal detention of its citizens and the illegal seizure of their fishing vessels by the Venezuelan navy. As I speak, my Ministry continues to engage the International community to resolve this issue in the most peaceful and diplomatic manner,” Minister Todd said in the statement.

At the interim, Minister To d d n o t e d t h a t t h e international community has shown strong support for Guyana with the issue.

He explained that “Individual Member States of CARICOM and the Community as a whole, have denounced the action taken

by Venezuela calling upon them to release the crew and vessels.”

The Organization of American States has also issued a statement in which it points out that resolution of the territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana is a matter that lies under international

jurisdiction, and cannot be settled by unilateral action.

In this regard, Todd stressed that any attempt to derail this international legal process, such as the decree, issued by the Maduro regime is contrary to international law and standards, and has no legal bearing on significance.

“We are encouraged that the international community is seized on this matter and has encouraged Venezuela to

release our Guyanese nationals and their fishing vessels and to desist from actions that violate international law and threaten the peace and stability of the region,” Todd said.So far, Guyana has garnered support from individual member states of the international community including Belize, Brazil, Canada, France, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as well as

through regional and international groupings of CARICOM, the OAS, the Commonwealth, the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union in its strenuous endeavours to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela announced during a meeting of the National Defence Council held on (Continued on page 13)

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Friday January 29, 2021

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Progress on marijuana legislation reform Yesterday’s debate in parliament on proposed marijuana legislation reform, if nothing else, a circus of deliberate cognitive dissonance on the part of the political opposition that proposed the amendment bill under discussion, one that fortunately ended in the discarding of the proposed bill and the government sending its own to Special Committee where it hopefully will not languish for an indefinite amount of time.

That parliamentary novice, Sherod Duncan was specifically chosen to champion the doomed amendment bill was clearly part of what has proven to be an increasingly manic stagecraft on the part of a political opposition still trying to dig itself out and rebrand after its failed attempt to rig the 2020 elections. The conceit here is that having not been a member of parliament under the Granger presidency, Duncan would somehow be free of the baggage of that administration’s deliberately curated failure to do what it is posturing to do now. When it was that opposition Member of Parliament Jermaine Figuiera – who actually served under the previous administration – stated in his presentation that, “To do nothing about cannabis use in the 21st century is to shoot oneself in the foot”, he might as well have been reading the epitaph of the government he was part of, which had promised marijuana legislation reform and then proceeded to do nothing before being voted out of office after a single term. By the time that the 2018 CARICOM report on marijuana much referred to in yesterday’s proceedings had come out, in other jurisdictions, the cases for legalization, decriminalization and removal of custodial sentences were not only made but the reality of regulation and commercialization was well underway.

The only thing that consistently stood in the way of moving forward here is the former President’s on the record disdain for actual reform, despite promises to do so.

It was therefore ludicrous therefore that the Parliamentary list headed by Granger would swing from refusing to move forward on one of his own parliamentarian’s proposals while in control of both the executive and a parliamentary majority to putting forward the same proposal while in minority opposition and increasing the threshold for non-custodial possession of marijuana to 500 grammes, or 1.1 pounds. For comparison sake, consider that even the most liberal of jurisdictions limit their thresholds to an average of 56 grammes with New York for example allowing up to 2 ounces (56.699 grammes) without custodial sentencing. In New York, someone in possession of the coalition’s ludicrous one pound of weed proposal would see jail time of four years, or just one year short of the mandatory three-year jail time that prevailed for much smaller amounts for the entire five years that David Granger was president, during which many young persons were sent to jail even though the global tide against marijuana use had definitively shifted by then.

This shows that clearly the proposed amendment bill by the opposition was gamesmanship, a farce meant to distract and detract from a political win by the current government due to an unforced, deliberate error on its part. Political parties are of course permitted to engage in theatre to further their interests and undermine their opponents but there should be limits, particularly when the lives of average citizens are involved. What is even more indecent is that Granger, the person responsible for completely blocking progress on this issue for five years because of his own outdated and banal worldview, is the key author of this farce from whatever bunker he has been hiding in since the final failure of his attempted coup in August of last year. The least he could do is emerge to provide some rationale for why the list under his leadership and his control is pretending to do the opposite of what his government’s de facto position was.

Going forward, the government’s bill having been sent to special committee, what is needed is actual bipartisan deliberation and discussion on this critical piece of legislation, one that transcends social justice, public health, human rights and cultural considerations. This is a first step, one in keeping with what Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport - Charles Ramson in his presentation, referred to in his presentation as a process of “gradualism” in legislative reform, not the end of the journey itself.

Tales of a gifted gold band, the screams of a dying woman and a shootout between police and a bandit DEAR EDITOR, A few weeks ago, Guyanese woke to the news that a former minister of Government was gifted a half million dollar gold band.

The former minister’s denial of the acceptance of the gift landed him in pickle.

The incident made headlines. Social media did not skip a beat on it. The minister is now before the court.

But it looks like there is more to come like the asphalt plant, house furnishings, the 20K passports and the barber chairs issues.

No doubt about it, wrongdoings during the reign of the APNU+AFC runs deep resulting in the nation being badly wounded.

While the juicy gold band matter was attracting the attention of the public, news broke that a young lady had died tragically because she was trapped in a room of a house that was engulfed in flames of a fire that destroyed the building.

Curious onlookers said they heard screams coming from the house then silence.

Later, they witnessed firefighters removing the

burnt remains of the girl’s body from a window of the house.

Then there was a recent incident, not dissimilar from the ordeal of the three-bullet survivor at Barbie Dam. A female guard nearly ended up ‘dead or badly wounded’ because of what she described as the “zloop” from an intended cutlass wound.

A stark reminder that there are more ways to be dead than to be alive.

It also reminds us that life is not only precious but that we must pay attention to that “strange feeling” to which the female guard “did not pay it much mind.”

The attention of the public was then turned to an incident where a bandit who was wanted by the police for a series of armed robberies attempted to escape from a police patrol by shooting at the police.

The ranks returned fire but the bandit managed to escape. He was later captured at a hospital where he went to receive treatment for gunshot wounds.

According to reports, he was taken there by persons who could face charges

contrary to Section 151 of the Summary Jurisdiction Offences Act Ch. 8:02 concerning the harbouring of a wanted fugitive.

It is not surprising that these three human interest reports, coming one after the other, would attract the attention of the public.

Nor was it surprising that the media would headline them. In the case of the gifted gold band, Guyanese have an amazing sense of curiosity and elephant-like memory when it comes to scandals in which ministers of government are involved.

We are reminded that it was former President Granger who, in justifying the humongous increase in salaries to his ministers claimed it was done “...to discourage corrupt practices ... for a stronger cabinet allowing ministers to fulfill their functions and to manage Guyana properly.”

Ironically, while Granger was waxing lyrical about his ‘virtuous’ ministers, his ministers in turn wasted no time exploiting their positions of privilege for personal gain.

Fires are common

occurrences in Guyana.

Following investigations by ranks of the Guyana Fire Service, the cause of fires vary from carelessness and electrical to arson.

Fires are of human interest because of their destructive nature and in many instances, a cause of death.

Shooting incidents between law men and citizens who break the law, refuse to surrender and return fire in a bid to escape are of great interest to the public because such violent encounters can result in the loss of life of either a police rank or an offender.

Guyanese should fasten their safety belts; it looks like there is more turbulence ahead.

In the circumstances, the way in which Amanda Gorman, the young Black American poet put it, her words seem quite relevant in a Guyanese context: “When day comes, we ask ourselves, ‘where can we find light in this never ending shade, the loss we carry, a sea we must wade?”

Yours faithfully, Clement J. Rohee

Concerns about the recently appointed EPA Director DEAR EDITOR, Recently, Guyana’s EPA has come under increasing scrutiny and intensifying fire.

Though I have been unsparing in my contributions, I try not to be unkind. Sharp, yes, unkind, definitely not. But because of the pivotal role that this entity plays, I must probe for some sanity through the swamp that the PPP government has entombed this country. It is unfortunate, but the microscope must include the sitting Director of Guyana’s EPA; it can’t be avoided.

I do something rare for me: I name someone: the director is Ms. Razack. I think that it is an acting appointment.

That is usually the first sign of mischief; and the longer that such an acting situation persists, the greater the confirmation that political interference is afoot. More interestingly and worryingly, it is my understanding that Ms. Razack’s history has been that of journalist, and that her service at the EPA has been in that of senior responsibility for “Public Awareness”.

That is impressive, and speaks well of Ms. Razack’s efforts, dedication, and the recognition(s) that came her way. I congratulate her for her longstanding service to

Guyana’s public. But now, I must embark on another journey, which will cause some consternation on the part of the EPA incumbent, her political guides, and those who see only the partisan or discomforting in those who identify those positions that expose and could potentially devastate this land.

I must be frank, even risk sounding harsh. It is my position that Ms. Razack’s position as acting head (subject to correction) is having the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time. She is at sea and out of her depth. She is ill-prepared and ill-equipped for the vastly complex and challenging tasks at hand. I regret that His Excellency and the Hon. Vice President saw it fit to manufacture this visible and tangible sorcery to address Guyana’s crucial environmental priorities and obligations.

I regret that Ms. Razack has been placed as a helpless (perhaps willing) pawn to follow the party line (leadership lines) by functioning like those three Japanese stone creatures of lore. The ones that see nothing, hear nothing, know nothing, and speak nothing.

Yes, I took the liberty of adding another tragic figure.

The political bishops

moving this hapless pawn around do this lady and this country a terrible injustice.

They endanger us. I say this even though one smirks in his current elevation to bishop of Guyana, and the other fancies himself to be the Archbishop of the West Indies, if not the universe. There is nothing spiritual or remotely godly about those two; only what is diabolically clever and unhealthy for this society.

For under her watch, and the directions of leading PPP spinners and weavers, there is no hazardous situation, no oil concerns that menace, no EIAs (en. impact assessment) necessary, absolutely nothing to worry about. It is how the head of the EPA, the EPA itself, and larger Guyana are all thrown to the dogs due to the machinations of two leaders lacking any compass, any credential, any credibility.

These two slick Guyanese leaders play this dangerous chess game that is counter to this country’s interests, the safety of its citizens, and its reputation, which is sure to rank high among polluters to be watched, possibly sanctioned.

Standing powerlessly before the Frankenstein monster created by the fecund minds of the President and Vice President is the EPA head. Hers is the bull’s-eye that all aim at,

though she is captive to leadership orchestrations. I feel for her, and regret that she cannot register her probable distaste for the dirty role that she has been assigned, and the decisions, which she must make. Meaning that, unlike some senior public servants in America, Guyana’s EPA head may be constrained by circumstances from telling her political manipulators to take the job and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.

In Guyana, public servants do not walk away, not with the harrowing conclusion that all doors would be slammed in their faces.

I do not know the EPA head: if she is a party functionary (answering the call); or a convenient public servant caught in a vise not of her making. But I know this: the longer she stays, and the more abominable her agency’s record, the worst her name will be, whenever the environment is mentioned. I wish her well and the best. I am weighing what I should wish for the leading political Hannibal Lectors here that disfigure peoples and prospects. On those, they are broadly bipartisan; must be the incentives of Exxon.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Friday January 29, 2021

President Biden should take Trump’s knee off the neck of Cuba!

DEAR EDITOR, President Biden has had a very busy first week in office. In that time, he has been confronting the immediate task facing us the world head on, i.e. the COVID-19 virus.

He has given hope that he is following sound scientific and technical advice on this score.

Unlike President Trump who lacked the appreciation of the dangers.

He has been dealing with other matters that have impacted negatively on the US and doing so boldly. The private prison fiasco, the nuclear agreement with Russia, among others.

However, the Trump administration did another great injustice in our region, that is, the reimposition of the blockade

against the people and government of Cuba. This has caused great hardship on the most vulnerable in that island republic. It needs to be treated seriously and immediately reversed!

It is one of the most unjustified acts and, to me, extremely very immoral.

Little Cuba, with limited resources, has done more for the world’s poor than many of the big developed countries with an abundance of resources.

It bombs no country. It has not gone anywhere to instigate violence or overthrow any democratically elected governments. It is an enemy of international terrorism and has always sided with the oppressed in the world.

What is typical of Cuba and Cubans is the

willingness of its professionals to be at the forefront of the fight against natural disasters, diseases and other humanitarian causes.

Their doctors could be found in the epicenter of events whenever they erupt. The fights against, AIDS, Ebola and now COVID-19, Cuban doctors are at the front ranks.

When a natural disaster hit anywhere in the world, Cubans are the first to volunteer real assistance.

Cuban teachers have helped to educate people in many Third Wo r l d Countries, Nicaragua, etc.

The specialists of Cuba can be found among the poorest in Latin America, Africa and wherever else they are required. In many places that they have gone, they were the first doctors/teachers ever seen.

Cuba gives poor countries an opportunity

to build their human capital. Thousands of students are given the opportunity to study in that country free of costs.

Guyana and the Caribbean have benefited greatly from Cuba’s sacrifices. We have managed to build a competent cadre of sound professionals.

History has hardly seen such generosity and such real selfless assistance to humanity, from a country that has been damaged by economic blockade.

President Biden would be doing one of his most humanitarian acts if he lifts the measures that his predecessor placed on Cuba, immediately it would be taking Trump’s knee from Cuba’s neck!

This would be a good deed not only for Cuba but for the whole of our Region.

The Cuban people deserve nothing less!

Donald Ramotar

Away with the obstructionists, the bipartisan approach is best for our democracy!

DEAR EDITOR, There is great discussion now on as it relates to the work and function of The Joinder party. These form a group of parties whom the sum total of the votes cast were able to gain a seat in parliament. In this regard, they were able to command recognition as a political entity thus changing the landscape of politics as we know it. I am on record saying that this marks a new and sweeping change as newer voices are coming on stream in the democratic landscape of our affairs. Newer and fresher ideas are coming forward, as we all work towards the development of our country. This is what the inclusive or shared governance concept is all about, that is, pooling of our brain power towards the common good of our native land.

Now, instead of embracing this new and enlightened concept of governance, the main PNC Opposition is showing open defiance to it,

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they refuse to enter into discussion on anything of a bipartisan or developmental nature.

Their reasoning is that as the majority opposition party, they have sovereign right to all matters pertaining to governance and no one else.

So, they hop around with that air of entitlement about them.

Well for the record, their stewardship in government was a total disaster, to say the least and to so arbitrarily remove oneself from this new and enlightened form of governance, where the consultative approach forms the basis for policy-making; then, it is a sad day for every member of that party.

It is both stupid and pathetic to resist change, because the entire country now sees them as a party of power hungry despots and nothing else. They are not only making that position obvious through their empty remarks but they are also doing it through the instrumentality of their “political appointees” on The

GECOM Commission. This sort of behaviour is indicative of a party that sees its power and control base slipping away from them, the end result that gives rise to being peevish and obnoxious.

I must hasten to a close as I make the following recommendations; I am calling on the authorities to have The joinder parties take their rightful place in every facet of our evolving democracy.

Of equal rights is their representation on all

committees and boards of this country. I am also asking for their presence on the Election Commission.

In Guyana’s futuristic outlook, there is no place for partisan and party politicking; those days are long gone.

We are now looking towards the future and the developmental mode of things, where every voice of reason, every voice of change has its equal share. Long live democracy!

Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

Waiting for the final pronouncement DEAR EDITOR, It is about time that we hear from the Ministry of Education on the status of the 2020 CSEC and CAPE results. Mid-November last was the deadline for students who wrote the exams to submit their request for grade reviews.

We are now more than

two months since CXC began their review process and yet we have no word on the national results. School, students, parents and teachers are all anxiously waiting to hear the final pronouncement.

Yours faithfully, Swami Aksharananda Saraswati Vidya Niketan

Puzzlement of an ignorant layman DEAR EDITOR, Let me confess that my acquaintances with the law and its intricacies is tending upwards from minus to zero to plus zero.

Thus pray tell me, how does a layman reconcile the recent fraud charges made against the former Minister of Public Infrastructure and the withdrawal of the charges from former Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall? I am reminded however of a statement allegedly made by an eminent English Jurist “The Law is an ass.”

Maybe in all the circumstances, one should heed the advice given by a former eminent PPP official when he said in another context, “this confounded nonsense must stop.”

Perhaps my puzzlement is truly that of an ignorant layman - ignorant that is from its Latin roots meaning, “I do not know.”

And what of those persons who were allocated lots in the “Pradovilles” who flipped them allegedly at no small gain?

Yours truly, Rashleigh E. Jackson

Concerns over Local Government Elections (LGE) DEAR EDITOR, As a supporter of the PPP/ C, I am deeply concerned that the PPP/C Government has not as yet set a date for Local Government Elections (LGE) which is supposed to be held this year.

The last time the PPP/C refused to hold LGE led to the proroguing of Parliament by Donald Ramotar thereby subverting the will of the Guyanese people.

I am concerned that this time around, as our countrymen and countrywomen cry out for LGE, the refusal to hold LGE will again result in the PPP/C having to demit High Office.

Has the PPP/C changed?

From all indications while the PPP/ C seems to be more

inclusive our detractors says it is just for optics.

Someone said to me concerning change: you have to have the willingness to change, the ability to change and hang onto that change when it occurs. Has the PPP/ C changed?

Democracy must prevail: meaning LGE must be held this year.

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

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Friday January 29, 2021

Kaieteur News

Building greater trust between The PPP gas project of Wales Estate the Black Community and the banking sector DEAR EDITOR, There is growing concern within the Black community in Guyana about inequities in the banking sector. One of the activities being planned for ‘Black History Month’ this year is, ‘Conversations on Building Greater Trust between the Black Guyanese Community and the Banking Sector’.

A few leaders in the local Black community are arranging these conversations, which will be either with individual Banks or the Guyana Banking Association.

The aim of these conversations is for Black leaders to develop a better understanding of the challenges, experiences, and expectations of the banking sector in Guyana with the Black community, relative to savings, credit, business, and investment.

The purpose is to develop a greater understanding of the expectations of the banking sector, which would

assist the community in reorganizing to meet those requirements.

One of the objectives of these engagements is to inform a wider programme to enable more intergenerational economic stability within the Black community.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, i t i s hoped that these conversations will create a greater awareness among policy and decision-makers in the banking sector of concerns within the Black community and the need for a review to be conducted.

Over the years, the body of knowledge and expertise in the Black community has expanded tremendously and continues to expand, yet it is felt that the policies of the banking sector have not evolved.

As such, it is hoped that these engagements will also influence a review to determine, to what extent perceptions of the banking

sector of the Black community, relative to financial management, are accurate.

Further, with Guyana being one of the fastest growing economies in the world, as a new oil and gas production and export country, questions are being asked about what review and revisions the banking sector is undertaking and endeavours to undertake to reduce inequities, in terms of increasing choices and opportunities in business and investment, etc. for the Black community.

Additionally, other groups, which need to be considered in these discussions are, Amerindians and the disabled.

Having engaged the banking sector, the leaders will address these matters with the Black community and develop a programme to increase the level of trust.

Yours faithfully, Audreyanna Thomas

DEAR EDITOR, A month after the announcement of the planned Wales Estate gas to shore project and we still have not seen the promised feasibility study. In spite of repeated calls in all the media for Jagdeo to release any study conducted on the proposed project since it was announced, it is not forthcoming. Will it be another white elephant? Is it practical? Is it a project for embezzlement of taxpayers’ money? Will another fraud be foisted on the people? These are pertinent questions. Mr. Glenn Lall on his radio programme warned us about an impending PPP project.

Will there be sweetheart deals?

What is the financial cost?

Some estimate over US$1B. Can we afford it?

Vice President Jagdeo had stated that the Wales gas-toshore project would be a PPP project.

No, not the People’s Progressive Party owned project but public, private, partnership (PPP) along the lines of the Berbice Bridge and the Marriott Hotel.

Those two projects benefited friends, cronies, and lovers.

A media owner invested in both of those projects and recovered several times his minority investment while government is yet to recoup its majority investment, which was larger than all the private investors combined. There should be an audit of Marriott and the Berbice Bridge of actual financing and return on investment. How much did the government invest and how much did each private investor invest? Since government invested money, the public must be informed of percentage investment and rate of returns for each investor.

Wales Estate was supposed to be reopened for sugar as promised by government. Will Wales Estate and associated lands be passed on to cronies? Will Wales turn out to be another crony project for friends and party financiers?

The names of two persons are mentioned as private investors for the Wales PPP project – both of them reportedly own cricket franchises. The one in Guyana invested in the bridge and the hotel.

An investigation is needed on the investors of

the Wales PPP. There is no reason why government can’t float a company for public purchase of shares to raise the money for the establishment of the project – let the people own the gas and oil business rather than friends and cronies of corrupt politicians.

As happened with the Marriott and the Berbice Bridge, the PPP envisioned that government will come up with the bulk of the investment and the private investors will own the majority shares.

With regards to Wales, as happened in the other two PPP projects, wealth is likely to be transferred from the government (tax payers, the poor, private businesses, and the working class) to the handful of private investors under the guise of joint ownership by government and private entities.

As happened with Marriott and Berbice Bridge, the public will not be allowed to become shareholders to reap rewards as the favoured investors of the PPP. Watch out for the sweet heart deals, as warned by Glenn Lall!

Yours truly, Jagnarine S. Kumar

New roads could benefit from a broader perspective DEAR EDITOR, The recent discussion on the new roads to reduce congestion is a healthy one.

Many have observed a number of concerns in the standards being implemented. It is CRG’s humble opinion that the roads should also accommodate a multipurpose and multi usage perspective while incorporating new

technology and the latest engineering know how to reduce wear and tear.

For example: 1. A bike path 2. Incorporation of glass mesh into the design 3. Curb and side walk The enthusiasm and expediency of the project is

admirable, but we must also balance this with a perspective that caters to the additional needs of the larger project over the long term.

Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

Demerara Bank at Mahaica DEAR EDITOR, Recently, Demerara Bank opened a branch at Mahaica to expand its customer base and better serve its existing customers on the East Coast Demerara and West Coast Berbice corridor. The opening of a bank at Mahaica is timely and DBL must be commended for taking this bold initiative in the financial sector which is often risky. The bank I am sure will do well since the Mahaica area is a thriving hub for businesses, agriculture,

agro-processing and fishing is the dominant economic activity.

The bank cuts the commute to Georgetown and reduces the associated risk of being robbed of one’s hardearned savings.

Transactions at the bank are executed in minutes compared to the long lines, which one has to endure in Georgetown.

The staff is friendly, attentive and courteous. On behalf of the residents of the entire Mahaica community, I encourage the bank to continue to offer quality service and remain a key component in the development of this community where other banks have declined to provide banking services.

Renal Yusuf

Friday January 29, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Friday January 29, 2021

Raising public debt ceiling spells danger for future and current generations Following the tabling of two orders yesterday in the National Assembly by Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh to raise the debt ceiling for domestic and external debt by $500 billion and $650 billion r e s p e c t i v e l y, s e v e r a l members within the political opposition have expressed great concern about the implications of this decision for the nation’s taxpayers.

During an invited comment yesterday with Kaieteur News, former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, was keen to note that

the raising of the debt ceiling essentially spells danger for the current and future generations who would be made to service the ballooning debt.

Jordan recalled that the reasoning proffered by Dr. Singh for the raising of the domestic debt ceiling was to remedy the existence of a large Consolidated Fund overdraft at the Bank of Guyana which accumulated over the last five years. Dr. Singh had also said that the increase of the external debt ceiling is to accommodate the existing level of external debt contracted, plus

- Former Finance Minister anticipated new borrowing to fund the government’s development agenda.

Jordan was quick to note however that this is simply an attempt by the Senior Minister to pull the proverbial wool over the eyes of the discerning public since the evidence will show that over the last five years, the APNU+AFC regime had only racked up a deficit of $92B. In contrast to the PPP/C, Jordan said that it has racked up the same amount

for 2020 alone.

The former Finance Minister said, “…The deficit for 2020 under PPP was projected at $75B before they went to the Parliament on December 28, last, to extract another $17B. So if you assume that they collected all the revenues, which they claim they collected in 2020 and they spent all the money they claimed they did, then in one year, their deficit in 2020 is equivalent to the accumulated deficit of the APNU+ADFC regime in five years…”

Jordan added, “…So his attempt to deflect won’t hold. What you are seeing is a clear mismanagement of the nation’s resources in a short space of time relative to the former regime.”

Further to this, Jordan said that the PPP/C is constantly in the habit of saying that the APNU+AFC had a proclivity for overtaxing the nation and spending. Jordan said that while this continues to be one of the ‘erroneous mantras’ that it has an affinity for repeating, the

PPP has now replaced it with a love for borrowing and spending. He warned once more that this approach will leave a huge burden on current and future generations.

The former Minister said, “The PPP will essentially be expanding and borrowing massively instead of putting in quality domestic policies that would negate the need for such type of borrowing. In the 2020 budget, for example, a range of tax collecting measures were removed and as a result of doing that, the deficit ballooned.”

He continued, “So what we ended up with is the worst deficit this country has ever seen in its history in a single year. What kind of policy is that? Is that sound macroeconomic policy? …”

Jordan also bemoaned the fact that the PPP/C continues to criticize the Natural Resource Fund and its governing legislation while the account which is being held at the Federal Resource Bank in New York continues to collect millions of dollars from the sale of the

Former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. nation’s oil.

Instead of making use of this money, Jordan said that Guyana’s new government has taken the decision to “borrow like there is no tomorrow, like we are drunken sailors.”

At the end of the day, the economist said that the raising of the debt ceiling is without question, a frightening development, especially at a time when one would have expected that part of the new oil bounty would not only negate the need for new borrowing but retire some of the existing debt. “…It is as if we have taken one step forward and 10 steps backward,” the former Minister concluded.

Friday January 29, 2021

Kaieteur News

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If the new variant is in Guyana, God help us!

Civil society and opposition political parties should join and demand the immediate revamping of the government’s COVID-19 response strategy. That plan is not working and it is high time that the government acknowledges the strategy’s failure.

Since the start of this year, there has been a frightening increase in the number of new cases. So far for this month, Guyana is averaging a staggering 40 cases per day.

This is more than 30 percent above the daily average recorded for December.

The situation is not improving. The daily average has remained above 40 cases for September, October and November. In December, there was a decline but the daily average has once again climbed to more than 40 cases per day.

The number of active cases, which was looking promising at 355 cases has more than doubled in recent weeks. As at yesterday, the number of active cases was 754.

The rapid increases in new cases this month point to the need for the government to verify quickly whether there is a new variant. If this turns out to be so, then we can expect even more deaths.

Guyana has a staggering death rate of 2.5 deaths per every 100 persons infected.

For January so far, there have been 1,138 new cases. We can consider ourselves lucky if over the next two weeks, there is not a massive spike in deaths.

If the new variant of the virus is in Guyana, God help us!

The deaths and infections will rise further

and faster.

The PPP/C like the APNU+AFC has adopted the foolish excuse that people must be more responsible. Of course, people should be more responsible. But is the purpose of government not to enforce such responsibility?

What is the purpose of having social restrictions? It is to ensure that people comply so as to achieve the objectives which are intended. Government therefore is being absurd when it continues to demand that people observe social restrictions, knowing that it has done little to enforce these restrictions.

Ironically, the government remains the biggest violator of its own social restrictions, holding massive gatherings with large numbers of persons present without adequate social distancing.

Yet, supporters and nonsupporters of the government continue to call for citizens to act more responsibly. Sure they do, but government also needs to be taking action when citizens do not and also to implement things such as lockdowns in order to quell spikes of new cases.

T h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s argument against a lockdown is because people and business will suffer.

They point to the five-month period in which businesses were closed during the election impasse and with very low testing as having contributed to a situation in which the internal economy could have flat lined.

H o w e v e r, t h e government fails to recognize that lockdown is one of the few options

available for it to safeguard the economic health of the country. Vaccinations will not stop the pandemic.

The number of vaccines, which we will receive initially under COVAX may just be enough to inoculate healthcare workers. And given that the high-risk age group in Guyana starts from 55 years – unlike other countries which starts at 65 years – there will be an initial need for far more vaccines than we will be obtaining from COVAX. L o c k d o w n s implemented decisively and enforced strictly will help save the economy.

If the present number of new cases continue, not even vaccinating the entire country will save us.

There has to be dramatic slowing down of the new infections over the next few months if Guyana is to avoid having to shut the entire country down.

The Barbadian government is not making excuses. It has agreed to a lockdown. Barbados is going on a two-week lockdown from next Wednesday.

It has had more than 1,000 new cases for January, which is far less than what we have had. But it is taking decisive action.

It may surprise many Guyanese that Barbados, as at Jan. 27, had 1,443 cases, compared to the more than 7,000 cases of Guyana. It has 10 deaths compared to Guyana’s 175.

Yet, unlike our slack governments, the Barbadian government is moving swiftly to ensure that what has happened in Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica will not happen there.

That is called leadership.

Dem boys seh...

Dem oil company mek Dr. Crime look like a boy scout De oil contract is de Con of de Century.

Imagine dem oil company find we oil and behaving like if is dem own. Finders keepers!

Dem go to de bank and dem borrow US$18B to invest in dem three fields wah deh in Guyana – Liza 1, Liza 2 and Payara.

Dem build big ship wah dem call de FPSO and we gat to lease it from them.

We gat fuh pay fuh everything dem using. And even though we paying is nat we own. Dat mek Dr. Crime look like a boy scout!

Now dem talking about opening another field and getting another FPSO. And all because we nah gat depletion policy, but dem must bring up as much oil and they can, as

fast as they can.

Fuhget more oil, dem gat fuh buy new boat and guess who paying? We paying and still we nah own nuttin.’

It gan tek we more than 25 years fuh pay off fuh Liza 1 and Liza 2. We gan get old and we gan still paying.

Our children gan still be paying from dem cradle to dem grave. And all because of de biggest con job.

No wonder de Minister of fine ants raising de country’s debt ceiling. He know dat by de time de oil companies done with we, we gan be buried in debt.

Talk half and wait fuh hear more about how we paying fuh things wah other people own!

We prefer to hang on to the sinking ship, which we call our governments.

(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 January 29, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

It is time the nation outlaw the City Council of Georgetown

I

don’t know if it is true but a Regent Street businessman told me that the City Council has a new requirement for securing compliance.

When you are selling a property, City Council has to give you a compliance certificate, meaning that you have cleared your rates and taxes.

I was told City Hall is now demanding zero point five percent of the valuation price of the property.

I cannot see how this nation could accept that. I cannot see how the business community can accept that. I cannot believe that is real.

It cannot be real so I will move on with my intended analysis of the wasteland that the Georgetown City Council is.

No matter which ethnicity you belong to in Guyana, no matter which political party you subscribe to, it must appeal to your

conscience that this entity is one of the most dysfunctional governmental units in the world.

It is not for the lay person to do the research. It is left to the central government to undertake the research in its effort to remove the City Council and replace it with an innovative institution after widespread consultation.

Here is what the research is about. Go back to the council’s minutes 35 years ago. Go back to all the newspapers 35 years ago.

There is one recurring theme – City Council’s income does not allow it to function properly.

That was 35 years ago.

That was 1985. From the time President Hoyte opened up the economy in the 1988 budget, the face of Georgetown in 2020 which is from Agricola to Plaisance bears no resemblance to Georgetown in 1985. This

country bears little in physical appearance to Guyana in 1985. Every conceivable urban ward is a new world from the appearance we know them to have in 1985.

Take Charlestown in 1985 as a low income ward with low income earners. Go and see Charlestown today, especially Broad Street. If the City Council in 1985 was collecting rates and taxes from one million properties, in 2020 that number is now 10 million.

The physical landscape of Georgetown is a brand new world compared to 1985.

Let’s put it another way; if the City Council was collecting one billion dollars in income from the city in 1985, given the profound change in the landscape that number should be 100 billion.

It is staggering and a sight to behold when you see

how Georgetown has changed the past 35 years. I am not talking about breathtaking structures that have gone up in inner Georgetown – Stabroek, Bourda, Cummingsburg, Kingston, Lacytown and Brickdam. Go to all the streets in Alberttown, Queenstown, K i t t y, C a m p b e l l v i l l e , Newtown, Subryanville, Bel Air, Charlestown, South Ruimveldt, Meadow Bank, Meadow Brook, Lodge, Wortmanville, Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Prashad Nagar, Lamaha Gardens, L i l i e n d a a l , Tu r k e y e n , Industry, Ogle, Courida Park, etc., and see the massive structures that have gone up.

The adjective massive is simply an understatement.

It is literally impossible for the City Council not to be awash with hundreds of billions of dollars.

Just take every four level building that has gone up throughout the physical jurisdiction of the City Council, there are hundreds and hundreds of them. Some humongous buildings have been constructed in Georgetown during the past

20 years that are a windfall for the City Council.

How did I arrive at 100 billion?

It is easy to calculate City Hall’s income when you take what the average ratepayer contributes to City Hall’s coffers and juxtapose that figure with the thousands of new buildings the past 20 years.

This figure can be arrived at not only through the use of a calculator but with the naked eyes.

Just drive around the other wards I mentioned a b o v e l i k e K i t t y, C a m p b e l l v i l l e , Subryanville, Industry and Ogle, and you will see that given that reality, City Hall is earning billions monthly and hiding it or stealing it, or only low income people pay their rates and taxes.

Something is not right here. Something is dead wrong here.

How with this physical transformation of Georgetown that is prodigious, City Hall can still complain about not having sufficient funds to carry out its basic functions?

This mystery needs

Frederick Kissoon explaining. Perhaps more than explaining, it needs to be probed with forensic thoroughness.

Central government should suspend the City Council, install an interim management committee representing a cross section of the society and examine the amount of rates and taxes City Hall collects from all properties under its jurisdiction.

I end with a bold assertion and I will like to see the statistical argument against my contention – given the countless buildings in Georgetown, City Hall has to be overflowing with money.

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

Friday January 29, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Friday January 29, 2021

Robb Street granny killers appeal trial to commence in March T

h e c a s e management conference (CMC) for the appeal matter filed by the quartet convicted and sentenced for the execution-style murder of 72-year-old Clementine

Fiedtkou-Parris known as the ‘Robb Street Granny,’ was held yesterday at the Court of Appeal in Kingston.

Orwin Hinds called “Red Man,” of Burnham Boulevard, Mocha, East

Bank Demerara; Kevin October called “Troy,” of Second Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara; Cleon Hinds and Roy Jacobs called “Chippie” or “Black Boy,” of Evans Street, Charlestown, are each

serving 81 years in prison for the murder. They have since appealed the conviction and severity of the sentence.

Yesterday, Chancellor of t h e J u d i c i a r y, J u s t i c e Yo n e t t e C u m m i n g s -

Edwards, and Justices of Appeal, Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud, who are presiding over the matter, gave the lawyers representing the men timelines to deliver their (Continued on page 13)

Murdered: Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris.

Kaieteur News

Friday January 29, 2021

Armed bandits rob Chinese supermarket

T

wo armed bandits on Wednesday night robbed a Chinese supermarket located at Wa l e s , We s t B a n k Demerara.

According to a police report, the owner of the People’s Supermarket, Xin Bang Yu, 49, and his assistant were held at gunpoint.

The incident happened at around 21:15 hrs. reportedly by two male suspects wearing face masks and armed with

handguns.

The bandits escaped with $115, 000 and $50,000 worth in Digicel phone cards.

The report stated that Bang Yu and his 16-year-old assistant were in the cashier section of the supermarket when the two suspects walked into the supermarket and pointed their handguns at the man and his employee and demanded that they handed over the cash from the register.

The bandits then stretched over the counter

and removed the cash and phone cards from the cash register.

The suspects then walked out of the supermarket in an unknown direction and made good their escape.

The police were alerted and when the ranks arrived, checks were made in the area but no one was located.

The police report stated that they have since obtained CCTV footage of the robbery which they are currently reviewing, as the investigation continues.

Venezuela ramps up naval...

From page 12 written submissions and the time for which replies should be submitted by the State Counsel.

The court set March 11, 2021 at 09:30 hrs. to hear the appeal.

In the case, attorneys-atLaw, George Thomas and D e x t e r To d d , a r e representing Hinds and J a c o b s , r e s p e c t i v e l y.

Additionally, Hinds and October are being

represented by Attorney-atLaw, Adrian Thompson.

Fiedtkou-Parris of Lot 42 Robb Street, Georgetown, was killed in her home on June 30, 2011, as part of a conspiracy for money that was related to a property dispute.

Back in 2015, Justice Navindra Singh, sentenced the four men to serve 81 years each in prison for the vicious attack. The men must serve at least 45 years

in jail before they are eligible for parole.

According to the facts of the case, on the day of the fatal shooting, two men entered the woman’s yard and requested an audience with her. Upon hearing the persons’ request, she moved to the door. A gunman opened fire on her, hitting her several times about the body. After the shooting, the assailants made their escape in a waiting car.

PAGE 13

Robb Street granny killers appeal From page 3 January 7, 2021 that he had established “a new maritime territory” of Venezuela, claiming that the territory called “Territory

for the development of the Atlantic Façade” should provide adequate protection and safeguard the jurisdiction of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Friday January 29, 2021

Govt. to raise overall public - domestic by 233.3%, debt ceiling external by 65% T h e P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party/Civic Government has tabled two Orders at the National Assembly in a bid to raise the country’s debt ceiling. It was Senior Minister in the Office of the President (OP) with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, who tabled the two Orders at yesterday’s parliamentary proceedings.

In the Orders, it was proposed that the domestic debt ceiling be increased to $500 billion, almost three decades after the last upward revision to $150 billion in 1994.

Additionally, a new external borrowing ceiling of $650 billion was proposed, three decades after its last increase to $400 billion.

Both of these increases reflect a 270% and 60% increase, respectively.

According to a Ministry of Finance (MoF) statement, the move to increase the domestic debt ceiling was influenced by several factors, one of which it says is the existence of a large Consolidated Fund overdraft at the Bank of Guyana, accumulated over the last five years.

Government is now

Senior Minster responsible for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh. seeking to remedy this situation through the issuance of appropriate instruments.

However, if the overdraft were to be addressed under the existing ceiling for domestic debt, a breach would result, the statement said. It went on to say that the government would require the issuance of new domestic instruments, in future, to finance various policy initiatives, and to stimulate development of the domestic financial market.

“Meanwhile, it added, the move to increase the external debt ceiling is to accommodate the existing level of external debt contracted, plus anticipated new borrowing to fund

government’s development agenda.” “ I m p o r t a n t l y, t h e s e revisions to the external and domestic debt ceilings do not threaten Guyana’s long-term debt sustainability, given the substantial economic progress made since the early to mid-1990s, when the ceilings were last revised, and the country’s robust economic outlook,” the MoF said.

At the time of the last revision in 1991, the Ministry said, Guyana’s external debt ceiling was set at more than 1,000% of GDP. In contrast, the new proposed external debt ceiling would amount to less than 60 percent of GDP, using the latest 2020 GDP estimates. “On the domestic side, when last revised in 1994, Guyana’s domestic debt ceiling was set at almost 200 percent of GDP. In stark contrast, the revised domestic debt ceiling would amount to less than 50 percent of GDP. The above-mentioned comparisons clearly depict that Guyana’s current debt carrying capacity could safely accommodate the proposed ceiling increases,” the Ministry concluded.

Small, medium scale miners rake in US$808M in export earnings -GGDMA

G

uyana’s small and medium scale miners have accounted for more than 80% of the country’s gold production for 2020, raking in approximately US$808,587,118 in export earnings.

The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) in a congratulatory statement outlined that the small and medium scale miners achieved a production of 485,552 ounces of gold for 2020.This is seen as a significant increase when c o m p a r e d t o US$619,988,745 in 2019.

“This production accounts for more than 80% of the country’s total gold production and out performs the production of the two large scale foreign mining

companies in Guyana.

The production figure, while slightly below 2019, is

the GGDMA added.

As it relates to large scale miners, GGDMA revealed

especially significant and noteworthy given that the mining industry, in 2020, faced severe challenges caused by the global pandemic, financial and infrastructural constraints and a difficult tax regime,”

that they achieved a production of 99,882 ounces.

Further, the Association noted that despite the disparities between the large scale and the small and (Continued on page 20)

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Friday January 29, 2021

Friday January 29, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Friday January 29, 2021

Cicely Tyson, American acting legend, passes away at 96 NEW YORK (AP) — Cicely Tyson, the pioneering Black actor who gained an Oscar nomination for her role as the sharecropper’s wife in “Sounder,” won a Tony Award in 2013 at age

88 and touched TV viewers’ h e a r t s i n “ T h e Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” died yesterday at age 96.

Ty s o n ’s d e a t h w a s announced by her family, via

her manager Larry Thompson, who did not immediately provide additional details.

“With heavy heart, the family of Miss Cicely Tyson announces her peaceful

transition this afternoon. At this time, please allow the family their privacy,” according to a statement issued through Thompson.

A onetime model, Tyson began her screen career with bit parts but gained fame in the early 1970s when Black women were finally starting to get starring roles. Tyson refused to take parts simply for the paycheck, remaining choosey.

“I’m very selective as I’ve been my whole career about what I do.

Unfortunately, I’m not the kind of person who works only for money. It has to have some real substance for me to do it,” she told The Associated Press in 2013.

Tributes from Broadway and Hollywood poured in, including from Broadway star Tracie Thomas, who thanked her for paving the way.

“A queen and a trailblazer indeed,” she wrote on Twitter. Former costar Marlee Matlin wrote: “She was a consummate pro and all class.” Director Kenny Leon added: “God bless the greatest and the tallest tree.”

Besides her Oscar nomination, she won two

Cicely Tyson.

Emmys for playing the 110year-old former slave in the 1974 television drama “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.” A new generation of moviegoers saw her in the 2011 hit “The Help.”

In 2018, she was given an honorary Oscar statuette at the annual Governors Awards. “I come from lowly status. I grew up in an area that was called the slums at the time,” Tyson said at the time.

“I still cannot imagine that I have met with presidents, kings, queens.

How did I get here? I marvel at it.”

Writing in “Blacks in American Film and Television,” Donald Bogle described Tyson as “a striking figure: slender and intense with near-perfect

bone structure, magnificent smooth skin, dark penetrating eyes, and a regal air that made her seem a woman of convictions and commitment. (Audiences) sensed... her power and range.”

“Sounder,” based on the William H. Hunter novel, was the film that confirmed her stardom in 1972. Tyson was cast as the Depressionera loving wife of a sharecropper (Paul Winfield) who is confined in jail for stealing a piece of meat for his family. She is forced to care for their children and attend to the crops.

The New York Times reviewer wrote: “She passes all of her easy beauty by to give us, at long last, some (Continued on page 23)

Kaieteur News

Friday January 29, 2021

PAGE 19

Govt. moves to Select Committee as Opposition’s marijuana Bill thrown out - counselling, community service proposed - re-offending and prison overcrowding addressed A majority vote by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government resulted in an Amendment Bill proposed by the Opposition Member Sherod Duncan to be thrown out of the National Assembly.

In the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Bill, the Opposition had anticipations of decriminalizing 15 grams of marijuana to a significant 500 grams, and had also called for the release of those persons currently in prison behind bars for under that “proposed legal amount”.

However, due to several errors in the Bill, which were also in conflict with the current law, the PPP/C government questioned to proposal, and eventually, voted against it. The government did, however, give support towards its own Bill, titled the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Bill 2020.

During his presentation, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall pointed out that the opposition-proposed Bill failed to amend or indicate how it would allow for the usage to be legal. To this, the AG said, “So, you

can have it, but you can’t smoke it or inhale it or vape it.”

Meanwhile, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, labeled the Bill as “sanctimonious gangsterism,” as she recalled that the Bill presented by Duncan was identical to one that had been drafted by Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes and Mark Waldron.

The only difference, the Education Minister stated, was that the Bill proposed by Hughes and Waldron had asked for the removal of jail time for persons found with 200 grams of marijuana while this Bill increases that ceiling to 500 grams.

She added that the Bill was a “lazy attempt at a draft,” and the Opposition made “absolutely no effort made to examine and interrogate the issue in trying to resolve it for Guyanese”.

Meanwhile, the government’s Bill which was passed now goes to the Special Committee for further deliberation and consultation. Notably, the Bill will see persons in possession of 15 grams of cannabis or less sentenced to counselling.

“Under the new subsection (2A) the possession of a quantity of

APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan.

cannabis or any substance held out to be cannabis which does not exceed fifteen grams is punishable by mandatory counselling for a period to be determined by the counsellor,” the bill reads.

Currently, possession of 15 grams or less could attract a trafficking charge with a prison sentence between three to five years, and a fine of no less than $30,000. The Bill makes having up to 15 grams of cannabis an offence of simple possession.

An amount over 15 grams, but no more than 30

grams, will attract community service. This includes employment in a public work under the ExtraMural Work Act for a maximum of six months.

“Public work is defined by section 2 of the ExtraMural Work Regulations, Reg. 8 of 1998, to include any work on State or Government land or any

property belonging to, or rented or leased to the State or with the permission of a local government authority, on any land or any other property belonging to, or rented or leased to, the local government authority.”

The Bill also increases the quantity of cannabis that would automatically attract a trafficking charge from 15 grams to more than 30 grams.

It also removes the fine and prison term for smoking, i n h a l i n g , s n i ff i n g , o r otherwise using cannabis or for being found in a place used for that purpose, or being the owner, occupier, or concerned in the management of any place used for preparation of cannabis for that purpose.

However, while the clause removes the fine and jail time for smoking cannabis in places where cigarette smoking is also banned, it imposes a $10,000 fine for a first offence and a $20,000 penalty for second and subsequent offences.

The Bill also caters for

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. those instances where an offender may refuse to consent or breach an order of mandatory counselling or community service. The amended Act would grant the court the discretion to order the offender to pay a fine of $250,000 where it sees fit.

These amendments are meant to reduce the burden on the justice system, and also cover issues like recidivism and prison overcrowding. This would not only save the State money, but would also help to keep families together and rebuild communities affected and disadvantaged by the incarceration of persons, especially youth.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Friday January 29, 2021

Bandit gun-butted, robbed church goers A bandit on Wednesday night gun-butted a woman and robbed the other, moments after they left church and escaped in a silver-grey Toyota Fielder wagon.

According to a police report, the incident happened at Concrete Strip, West Coast Demerara. The woman that was robbed has been identified as Ann McDonald, 25, of Ruimzeight, West Coast Demerara.

The report stated that McDonald was robbed of $60,000 and a black Samsung J7 cell phone valued $80,000. Moments after the bandit relieved McDonald of the items, he gun-butted her mother.

According to the police, McDonald and her mother were at a church on the West Coast of Demerara.

Around 19:30 hrs., the church service concluded and McDonald and her mother went on the public

road to get a minibus to go home.

The women boarded a minibus and exited the vehicle at Ruimzeight Public Road. While on their way home, McDonald took out her cell phone to use the flashlight while her mother was walking behind her.

It is reported that when McDonald turned around, she saw an unidentifiable man who then whipped out a handgun and told the woman and her mother to be quiet.

The bandit then proceeded to relieve McDonald of her cell phone and the cash and in the process he dealt a blow to her mother’s head with the handgun.

The bandit then made good his escape in the northern direction in a vehicle, which registration number is still unknown. The police have not yet made any arrest and the investigation into the alleged robbery under arms is ongoing.

Man admits to killing sleeping vagrant with brick

T

he suspect held for bludgeoning a sleeping vagrant to death on Wednesday has admitted to the heinous act.

The vagrant identified only as “Curl up Toe” was slain around 03:30hrs while lying on the pavement located at the corner of Camp and Robb Streets.

Cops had later arrested a man who they believed had murdered the vagrant, hours later at a location on Charlotte Street, Georgetown. The suspect, according to police is a 27year-old resident of Toucan Street, South Ruimveldt.

Speaking with this media house yesterday, Commander of Regional Division Four ‘A’. Khali

Pareshram said that the suspect has admitted to slaying the sleeping vagrant with a brick.

The South Ruimveldt resident, however, did not reveal to detectives his motive for murdering “Curl up Toe”.

Nevertheless, he was identified as a substance abuser (drug addict).

Cops were able to pin him to the crime after a security guard guarding a nearby building close to scene, spotted him hitting “Curl up Toe” to the head repeatedly before running away.Police ranks who arrived on the scene shortly found the vagrant lying motionless and bleeding from injuries to his head.

Small, medium scale miners ...

From page 14 medium scale miners, the small and medium scale miners have maintained their commitment to the production target and will continue to perform.

The Association therefore highlighted their continued efforts to lobby for the governing regime to implement additional reliefs

and tax support for the local industry to increase productivity and motivate additional investment.

“The 2021 target for gold production has not yet been announced, but the GGDMA remains confident that the small and medium scale miners will once again rise to the challenges,” the statement concluded.

ExxonMobil to accelerate...

From page 2 Mako-2 will be drilled later this year. He said that success in this regard could move the Mako Uaru area forward in the development queue. In May, this news agency understands, Exxon intends

to spud the Redtail-1 one exploration well located approximately 12 miles east of Liza. This well will test Campanian and Santonian aged reservoirs and will be drilled by the Stena DrillMAX.

Kaieteur News

Friday January 29, 2021

Out of 180 countries, Guyana ranks #83 on Corruption Index Guyana is still perceived as a highly corrupt nation according to Transparency International in its 2020 Corruption Index Report.

Out of 180 nations that were assessed for perceptions of corruption last year, Guyana came in at the 83rd position with a score of 41 out of 100 alongside Southern African country, Lesotho, and the F r e n c h - s p e a k i n g We s t African nation, Benin.

The CPI scores 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and business people, using a scale of 0-100 whereby 100 is very clean and 0 is highly corrupt.

This year’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) paints a grim picture of the state of corruption worldwide and while most countries have made little to no progress in tackling corruption in nearly a decade, the report outlined that more than two-thirds of countries scored below 50.

In addition to earning poor scores, nearly half of all countries have been stagnant on the CPI for almost a decade, failing to move the needle in any significant way to improve their score and combat public sector corruption, the report outlined.

The top countries on the CPI are Denmark and New Zealand, with scores of 88, followed by Finland, Singapore, Sweden and Switzerland, with scores of 85 each.

The bottom countries are South Sudan and Somalia, with scores of 12 each, followed by Syria with 14, Ye m e n w i t h 1 5 a n d G u y a n a ’s n e i g h b o u r Venezuela with a score of 15 as well.

Guyana had made significant progress in 2019 ranking at 85 with a score of 40, a vast improvement from the previous years.

According to TI, analysis shows that corruption not only undermines the global health response to COVID-

19, but contributes to a continuing crisis of democracy.

It said “As the past tumultuous year has shown, COVID-19 is not just a health and economic crisis, but a corruption crisis as well, with countless lives lost due to the insidious e ff e c t s o f c o r r u p t i o n undermining a fair and equitable global response” with reports of corruption during COVID-19 reverberating globally.

Moreover, the organization pointed out that the emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic revealed “enormous cracks in health systems and democratic institutions,” underscoring that those in power or who hold government purse strings often serve their own interests instead of those most vulnerable.

And as the global community transitions from crisis to recovery, it said that anticorruption efforts must keep pace ensuring a fair and just revival.

PAGE 21

Bogus CANU rank for court today The bogus Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) rank caught trying to arrest a man for narcotics will face charges today in court.

Police called him a CANU impersonator and identified him as a 37-year-old security guard of Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD).The security guard is being accused of trying to arrest a citizen under false pretense.According to a police report, he had tried to arrest a coconut vendor, Ryan Gonsalves, 26, on January 19, 2021.

Gonsalves told police that the man pulled up alongside him in a white Toyota Premio motorcar around 13:45 hrs. that afternoon, while he was in the vicinity of Robb and Alexander Streets.Gonsalves claimed that the suspect claimed to be a CANU officer, grabbed him by his shirt and took out a handcuff. The coconut vendor had however managed to resist and escaped.Kaieteur News had also reported that the man had tried to arrest another individual for narcotics as well.That individual was identified in a Facebook post as Dameon.

Dameon’s friend, Raj Persaud, had posted that the incident took place on Middle and Thomas Streets.He detailed that the man pulled up beside Dameon in a white tinted Premio motorcar, and identified himself as a CANU officer.

Persaud added that the suspect told

Bogus CANU officer.

Dameon he was wanted for narcotics and instructed him to enter the car, insisting that he accompany him to the Brickdam Police Station.Dameon reportedly refused to comply and asked the suspect to present an ID.The suspect reportedly became annoyed and tried to force Dameon into the car but two police ranks on motorbikes pulled up at the same time.The suspect then aborted his mission entered his car and drove off. Ranks however gave chase and cornered him. He was subsequently arrested and taken away.

Persaud also mentioned in his post that when they arrived at the police station there was another individual (presumably Gonsalves) making a report.

That individual positively identified him as someone who tried to rob him posing as a CANU officer.Persons have also labeled the suspect as “a well-known thief.”

PAGE 22

Friday January 29, 2021

Kaieteur News

Iran says production of enriched uranium exceeds goals SERVICES

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have criticized Iran’s enrichment activity and called on Tehran to adhere to a 2015 nuclear accord.

Iran has said it would produce 120 kilogrammes (44 pounds) of 20% enriched uranium per year, or 12 kilogrammes per month on average, so 17 kilogrammes would exceed that timetable.

Roughly 250 kilogrammes (550 pounds) of 20% enriched uranium are needed to convert it into 25 kilogrammes of the 90% enriched needed for a nuclear weapon.

The development brings Iran closer to crossing the line between nuclear operations with a potential civilian use, such as enriching nuclear fuel for power-generating

reactors, and nuclearweapons work, something Tehran has long denied ever carrying out.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 unilaterally withdrew America from Iran’s nuclear deal, in which Tehran had agreed to limit its uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. After the U.S. then ramped up sanctions, Iran gradually and publicly abandoned the deal’s limits on its nuclear development.

President Joe Biden, who was vice president when the deal was signed during the Obama administration, has said he hopes to return the U.S. to the deal.

U.N. chief Guterres hopes for ‘reset’ in U.S.-China relations NEW YORK - (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said yesterday he hopes there will be a “reset” in U.S.-China relations, acknowledging that while the countries had “different views” on human rights, they should work together on climate action.

Beijing has been pushing for greater global influence in a challenge to traditional U.S. leadership. Tension between the two superpowers hit a boiling point at the United Nations last year, under former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, over the coronavirus pandemic.

“I hope we will see a reset in relations between the

United States and China,” Guterres told reporters.

“It is clear that in human rights, there are two completely different views, and it is clear that in human rights there is no scope for an agreement or a common vision.”

“There is an area where I believe there is a growing convergence of interests, and my appeal is for that area to be pursued by the two sides, together with the whole of the international community, and that area is climate action,” he said.

New U.S. President Joe Biden’s nominee for ambassador to the United Nations accused China on

Wednesday of trying to “drive an authoritarian agenda” at the 193-member world body.

When asked for a response, Guterres said: “In relation to the United Nations I can guarantee that we are very strongly committed to make sure that the U.N. is a beacon of all the values are related to ... security, development, human rights.”

Guterres also said he was “particularly worried” about the power of social media companies and that a regulatory framework should be created so decisions such as banning Trump from Twitter can be done “in line with law.”

India sends free AstraZeneca vaccines to Sri Lanka for today roll-out

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TEHRAN, Iran - (AP) — Iran has exceeded 17 kilogrammes of 20% enriched uranium within a month’s time, state TV reported yesterday, moving its nuclear programme closer to weapons-grade enrichment levels amid heightened tensions with the U.S. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, during a visit to the country’s Fordo nuclear facility, said in a televised speech that in less than a month, scientists passed 17 kilogrammes (37.5 pounds) of 20% enriched uranium.

Uranium enriched to 20% is a short technical step away from weapons-grade 90% enrichment. Western nations

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NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India sent half a million free doses of COVID19 vaccine to Sri Lanka yesterday, officials said, part of diplomatic efforts by Delhi to deepen ties with its neighbours.

The world’s biggest maker of vaccines, India is producing the shot developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. It is made under licence at the Serum Institute of India, a private firm, in the western city of Pune.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa received the vaccine, branded as COVISHIELD, from the Indian ambassador Gopal Baglay at a ceremony at Colombo airport, Gotabaya’s office said in a

statement.

The island nation of 22 million people will begin inoculations of frontline health workers today from the western province, the presidential office said.

“The stock was donated to Sri Lanka following a request made by the President to Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi,” it said in a statement.

China, which has invested millions of dollars in ports and highways in Sri Lanka as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, has also promised to deliver 300,000 vials of vaccine, Lalith Weeratunga, principal advisor to the president, said.

India, which is battling the world’s second highest coronavirus case load, has given away free vaccines to

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Mauritius, and will also give some to Afghanistan once local approvals are secured.

India’s foreign ministry told reporters on Thursday the vaccine has also been exported to Brazil and Morocco on commercial terms, and is also likely to be sent to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Canada and Mongolia.

“We will continue to supply vaccines to partner countries over the coming weeks and months in a phased manner. Decisions on these supplies will, of course, be calibrated against the requirements of the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine at home,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said.

“This humanitarian gesture amid the pandemic showcases India’s commitment to its neighbourhood first policy,” a government source said.

Friday January 29, 2021

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

...Cicely Tyson, American acting legend, COVID-19 case toll increases From page 18 seen.” Neil deGrasse Tyson George C. Scott as a social sense of the profound beauty of millions of Black women.”

Her performance evoked rave reviews, and Tyson won an Academy Award nomination as best actress of 1972.

In an interview on the Turner Classic Movies cable channel, she recalled that she had been asked to test for a smaller role in the film and said she wanted to play the mother, Rebecca. She was told, “You’re too young, you’re too pretty, you’re too sexy, you’re too this, you’re too that, and I said, `I am an actress.’”

In 2013, at the age of 88, Tyson won the Tony for best leading actress in a play for the revival of Horton Foote’s “The Trip to Bountiful.” It was the actor’s first time back on Broadway in three decades and she refused to turn meekly away when the teleprompter told to finish her acceptance speech.

3‘Please wrap it up,2 it says. Well, that’s exactly what you did with me: You wrapped me up in your arms after 30 years,” she told the crowd. She had prepared no speech (“I think it’s presumptuous,” she told the AP later.

“I burned up half my time wondering what I was going to say.”

She reprised her winning role in the play for a Lifetime Television movie, which was screened at the White House.

She returned to Broadway in 2015 opposite James Earl Jones for a revival of “The Gin Game.”

Her fame transcended all media. Wendell Pierce took to Twitter to praise Tyson as an actor “who captured the power and grace of Black women in America” and Gabrielle Union said “we have lost a visionary, a leader, a lover an author, an icon and one of the most talented actresses the world has ever

called her “a force of nature unto herself” and Shonda Rhimes said “her power and grace will be with us forever.”

In the 1974 television drama “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” based on a novel by Ernest J. Gaines, Tyson is seen aging from a young woman in slavery to a 110-year-old who campaigned for the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

In the touching climax, she laboriously walks up to a “whites only” water fountain and takes a drink as white officers look on.

“It’s important that they see and hear history from Miss Jane’s point of view,” Tyson told The New York Times. “And I think they will be more ready to accept it from her than from someone younger” New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael offered her praise: “She’s an actress, all right, and as tough-minded and honorable in her methods as any we’ve got.”

At the Emmy Awards, “Pittman” won multiple awards, including two honors for Tyson, best lead actress in a drama and best actress in a special.

“People ask me what I prefer doing — film, stage, television? I say, ‘I would have done “Jane Pittman” in the basement or in a storefront.’

It’s the role that determines where I go,” she told the AP. Tyson made her movie debut in the late 1950s with small roles in such films as “Odds Against Tomorrow,” “The Last Angry Man,” and “The Comedians.” She played the romantic interest to Sammy Davis Jr.’s jazz musician in “A Man Called Adam.”

She gained wider notice with a recurring role in the 1963 drama series “East Side, West Side,” which starred

worker. Tyson played his secretary, making her the first Black woman to have a continuing role in a dramatic television series.

She played a role in the 1968 drama “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter” that was hailed by a reviewer as “an absolute embodiment of the slogan ‘Black is beautiful.’”

In “Roots,” the 1977 miniseries that became one of the biggest events in TV history, she played Binta, mother of the protagonist, Kunta Kinte, played by LeVar Burton.

She also appeared on Broadway in the 1960s in “The Cool World,” “Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright” and other plays. Off-Broadway, she appeared with such future stars as Maya Angelou, Godfrey Cambridge and James Earl Jones in a 1961 production of French playwright Jean Genet’s “The Blacks.”

She won a Drama Desk award in 1962 for a role in the off-Broadway “Moon on a Rainbow Shawl.”

After her “Sounder” and “Miss Jane Pittman” successes, Tyson continued to seek TV roles that had messages, and she succeeded with “Roots” and “King” (about Martin Luther King) and “The Rosa Parks Story.”

She complained to an interviewer: “We Black actresses have played so many prostitutes and drug addicts and house maids, always negative. I won’t play that kind of characterless role any more, even if I have to go back to starving.”

She continued with such films as “The Blue Bird,” “Concorde — Airport ’79,” “Fried Green Tomatoes,” “The Grass Harp” and Tyler Perry’s “Diary of a Mad Black Woman.”

I wonder if we will ever have a leader like José Mojica DEAR EDITOR, Do you need guidelines to say what is an inappropriate gift? Really!!! To be appointed as Ministers and Members of Parliament and to be addressed with the exalted title of “Honourable” and still could not fathom what was an appropriate gift from the public purse, then it was crystal clear that you were never fit to hold that office.

For the Opposition Leader to excuse the wanton spending on gifts by the “Giftersons Ministers” by asserting that there is a need for clear guidelines to gifting reflects the moral bankruptcy of the APNU +AFC Coalition. Every holder of public office should

possess an innate moral compass as to the appropriateness of accepting gifts. It is commonsensical.

You are placed there to oversee the spending of taxpayers’ monies in a way that will enrich and better their lives and their community. Never should the public funds be spent personally on public officials.

You are adequately compensated by way of a grand salary, Prado, housing, etc. Furthermore, it is from an electoral pledge of wanting to give service to the public altruistically that makes one an incumbent Minister. It is all about public service and not personal aggrandizement.

You do not need guidelines to tell you that once you are in high public office, it is inappropriate to accept personal gifts.

I always wonder if we will ever have a leader like Jose’ Mojica who drove his old Volkswagen Beetle to work when he was the President of Uruguay, lived on his farm and never took a salary or “gifts” during his presidency .

I wonder what clear guidelines he needed to be humble, honest and dedicated to selfless public service? Guess you do not have leaders of his calibre anymore.

Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

with 90 new infections

The Ministry of Health reported a whopping 90 new infections of the COVID-19 virus yesterday, via their daily dashboard update. This is the highest of numbers recorded for the year thus far, with the

total number of confirmed cases increasing to 7,470.

Further, the dashboard shows seven patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 710 in home isolation, 44 in institutional isolation and

12 in institutional quarantine.

The total number of recoveries has increased to 6,534 with 46 new recoveries recorded yesterday.

The COVID-19 death toll remains at 175 deaths.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Friday January 29, 2021

Friday January 29, 2021

No objections from Olympic partners say Tokyo organisers after call with Bach Tokyo (Reuters) - Representatives from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic organising committee told reporters on Thursday (yesterday) there were no doubts or objections from its partners, including the IOC and sporting federations, about Japan hosting the rearranged Games this year.

Tokyo organisers are preparing for the Olympics, which are due to start on July 23, against a backdrop of dwindling public support for the Games in Japan amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

The organising committee’s president Yoshiro Mori spoke with International Olympic Ccommittee President Thomas Bach on Thursday and said he had received assurances from the German that Tokyo had the full backing of all Olympic stakeholders.

“No one from anywhere raised questions or objections (over the Olympics) and everyone wants to quickly make the Games successful,” Mori said, relaying his

conversation with Bach. Mori also said Bach had asked Tokyo officials for an update on Japan’s vaccination roll-out.

Japan lags behind most other developed nations, with the first vaccinations not expected until late February.

Bach has stressed the governing body was not in favour of athletes “jumping the queue” for vaccinations ahead of people under more threat from the virus, but some countries, including Australia and Israel, have started vaccinating athletes.

“President Bach expressed his hope that there will be progress with vaccinations in Japan and that as many people as possible, as quickly as possible, will be able to get the vaccine,” Tokyo 2020 CEO Muto said.

He also told reporters that organisers were running “each and every” simulation, including scenarios around foreign athletes entering and leaving Japan. “We believe that we can hold the event without considering vaccination as a pre-requisite,” he said.

Friday January 29, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Now that you've earned your place in the world after all your hard work, you might take some time to pursue your own interests.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Money that has come your way unexpectedly might have you thinking in terms of expanding your personal interests and holdings.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may feel so confident that you could be thinking in terms of starting a new enterprise, Gemini. Partnerships are especially likely to succeed now.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Recent successes haven't made you feel you can rest on your laurels, Cancer.

Rather, you're more likely to work harder. Today you might spend a lot of time considering different options for improving your socioeconomic status.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) This is likely a day when you want to reflect on your successes. As your professional success continues to skyrocket, your sense of selfconfidence follows suit.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Surprising developments in your life might bring a lot of visitors and much happiness to your home.

You could host a party or other sort of gathering.

This is likely to keep you very busy throughout the day, Virgo.

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Some wonderful new developments could take place in your community, Libra. You might meet some new people who move in nearby.

New businesses could also arrive and give a whole new look to the area.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A high level of self-confidence and optimism should stay with you throughout the day, Scorpio. Your energy is good, as is your enthusiasm.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Happiness is the mood of the day, as you enjoy the fruits of all your hard work over the past few years.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) All the success and good fortune you've enjoyed over the past several months may have freed you from the grind enough to concentrate on spiritual or artistic interests.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The company of good friends, perhaps at a group activity or festival of some kind, contributes to a powerful feeling of good health, good fortune, and happiness, Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Continued success and good fortune regarding finances could have you flying high right now, Pisces.

You're probably glowing with self-confidence and may well be surrounded by good friends.

...Sourav Ganguly ‘stable and under close From page 29 uneventful. Mr. Ganguly is stable and under close observation.”

Earlier in the month, Ganguly had been admitted to the city’s Woodlands Hospital for treatment for a similar complaint, later described as a heart attack by doctors. He was said to have recovered after the first angioplasty.

The MD and CEO of Woodlands Hospital, Dr Rupali Basu, had said at the time that Ganguly had no

known comorbidities, but a family history of heart diseases, and that he had tested negative for Covid-19. His brother, former Bengal cricketer and current Cricket Association of Bengal joint secretary Snehasish Ganguly, underwent a successful angioplasty last week, also at the Apollo Gleneagles Hospital.

One of the expert consultants, renowned cardiologist Dr Devi Shetty, had said during the discharge that Ganguly had no heart dam-

age.

“Did he have a heart damage? No. He had a blockage and he was getting some discomfort, but at the right time he landed in the right hospital and he had the right treatment,” Shetty had said at the time. “His heart is today as strong as it was when Sourav was 20 years old. I want everyone to understand that he didn’t have a major cardiac event which has damaged his heart. He has a very, very strong heart.”

...NBA roundup: 76ers’ Tobias Harris From page 28 Crowder added 17 as the Suns lost their third consecutive game and fifth in their past six.

Golden State Warriors 123 Minnesota Timberwolves 111 - Rookie James Wiseman led a balanced attack with a seasonbest 25 points at San Francisco, pacing Golden State to a second win over Minnesota in three days.

Kelly Oubre Jr. (20), Andrew Wiggins (19), Damion Lee (17) and Stephen Curry (16) made it five Warriors with 16 or more points as Golden State completed a two-game sweep that began with a 130108 home romp on Monday night.

The No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, squared off with No. 2 selection Wiseman for the second time in their NBA careers and had 25 points, one off his season best. The Timberwolves lost for the sixth time in their past seven games.

Cleveland Cavaliers 122 - Detroit Pistons 107 - Collin Sexton had 29 points and host Cleveland pulled away to a victory over mistake-prone Detroit, which finished with 22 turnovers.

Andre Drummond powered for 23 points, 16 rebounds, five steals and two blocks for Cleveland. Taurean Prince supplied 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists off the bench, and Darius Garland had 14 points.

Jerami Grant led the Pistons with 26 points. Wayne Ellington had 17 points and Mason Plumlee contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds but also committed eight turnovers.

Sacramento Kings 121 Orlando Magic 107 - Buddy Hield shot 7 of 12 from 3-point range en route to a game-high 29 points, and Sacramento held host Orlando to 41.7 percent shooting from the floor in the double-digit win.

All five Kings starters scored in double figures, with Harrison Barnes and Richaun

Holmes adding 21 and 20 points, respectively. Both shot 8 of 11 from the floor.

Holmes also grabbed 12 rebounds, matching Marvin Bagley III for team-high honors.

Just two Orlando starters scored in double digits: Nikola Vucevic with 26 points and Evan Fournier with 25.

Terrence Ross and Dwayne Bacon came off the bench to score 16 and 12 points, respectively.

Denver Nuggets 109 Miami Heat 82 - Nikola Jokic — who leads the NBA in double-doubles — had 21 points and 11 rebounds, leading Denver to a win at Miami.

The Nuggets also got a double-double from JaMychal Green (15 points, 10 rebounds). Michael Porter Jr., who joined Green as a reserve, added 17 points, five rebounds and four steals.

The Heat, led by Bam Adebayo’s 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists, lost their fourth consecutive game.

San Antonio Spurs 110 Boston Celtics 106 - DeMar DeRozan scored 21 points, and a late steal and dunk by Dejounte Murray helped close out the game as San Antonio defeated visiting Boston in a back-and-forth thriller.

LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 points for the Spurs, with Keldon Johnson adding 18 points and 10 rebounds and Murray tallying 11 points and 11 rebounds. Tatum led the Celtics with 25 points, while Jaylen Brown scored 24 and Marcus Smart and Kemba Walker added 14 points each.

It was the first game that Tatum, Brown and Kemba Walker played together this season.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 26

CWI and ESPN+ agree groundbreaking five-year USA Media Rights deal for West Indies cricket t John’s, Antigua - Cricket West Indies (CWI) has finalised a groundbreaking new fiveyear deal with ESPN+ for the exclusive media and digital rights in the United States to all West Indies international home matches and regional tournaments.

CWI President Ricky Skerritt said: “This is CWI’s largest ever media rights agreement in the USA and is the first of several new multiyear agreements which we will confirm in the coming weeks. Broadcast media rights income is crucial to the future financial sustainability of CWI, and this five-year rights agreement is just the start of good things to come.”

CWI’s media partnership with ESPN, North America’s largest sports broadcaster, will bring West Indies cricket to millions of households and viewers across the United States through the ESPN+ sports streaming service.

The ESPN+ partnership will feature live broadcast of every international West Indies home series covering all T20 Internationals, OneDay Internationals and Test matches within the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Future Tours Programme (FTP).

Commencing with the

S

all-format Tour of the Caribbean by Sri Lanka in March, ESPN+ first year will feature series against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan in 2021 building to five home series in 2022 including tours by England and India.

The new agreement also includes CWI’s marquee regional 50-over tournament, the CG Insurance Super50 Cup, which is also aired exclusively in the Caribbean

by ESPN. The CG Insurance Super50 Cup will be the first live cricket from the West Indies in the partnership, as the biggest regional rivalries and world class players take the stage from February 7 to 27 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground and the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua http://www.windiescricket.c om Johnny Grave, CWI’s CEO said: “ESPN is THE

sports channel for American households and sports fans and we’re delighted that West Indies cricket will now be enjoyed in the homes and on the devices of millions of Americans. We have an ambitious strategic plan to grow our brand and content in North America, and ESPN is the perfect partner to help us achieve our goals.”

“Cricket West Indies is among the best in the world and their ICC schedule over the next few years is second to none,” said John Lasker, Vice President, ESPN D i g i t a l M e d i a Programming.

“Cricket has always been a priority for us with ESPNcrincinfo leading the way as the premier destination for cricket coverage and news. Adding a strong slate of CWI events to ESPN+ is just the latest example of our commitment to cricket and serving fans with the best, most comprehensive cricket content in the U.S.”

Naomi Osaka: Tennis star buys into North Carolina Courage women’s team BBCsport - Three-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka has invested in p r o f e s s i o n a l w o m e n ’s football team North Carolina Courage. Formed four years ago, the club compete at the highest level in the US - the National Women’s Soccer League.

The 23-year-old, who has not revealed how much of the club she owns, said: “The women who have invested in me growing up made me who I am today. “I don’t know where I would be without them,” added the Japanese player.

“Throughout my career I’ve always received so much love from my fellow female athletes so that’s why

Osaka shared pictures of herself in the team’s colours on Twitter.

I am proud to share that I am now an owner of North Carolina Courage.” The North Carolina Courage have enjoyed consistent success since forming in 2017.

The team won the National Women’s Soccer League Championship in

2018 and 2019, topping the table and winning the playoffs in both campaigns.

Osaka is currently preparing to play in the Australian Open.

The world number three won the event in 2019 and also won the US Open in 2018 and 2020.

Friday January 29, 2021

Kagiso Rabada reaches 200 Test wickets

Rabada’s strike-rate of 40.8 is the best of any bowler to take 200 or more Test wickets. (Getty Images)

BBCsport - Kagiso Rabada reached 200 Test wickets but South Africa suffered a late mini-collapse on the third day of the first Test against Pakistan in Karachi. The seamer, 25, took the wicket of Hasan Ali to become the third-fastest South African to achieve the milestone.

Pakistan posted 378 all out, a lead of 158, thanks to a last-wicket stand of 55 between Yasir Shah and Nauman Ali. South Africa ended on 187-4, a lead of 29, having lost three late wickets to hand the advantage back to the hosts.

With Pakistan heading into the day on 308-8, leading by 88, Rabada removed Hasan’s middle stump in the second over of the morning to reach 200 Test wickets from 44 matches.He became the eighth South African to achieve the feat, with only Dale Steyn (39 Tests) and

Allan Donald (42 Tests) doing it in less time.

Rabada is also the fourth youngest to take 200 or more wickets, behind Pakistan’s Waqar Younis and India duo Kapil Dev and Harbhajan Singh.

After Rabada’s early breakthrough, Yasir and Nauman frustrated the tourists to extend an important first-innings lead.

Number 11 Yasir hit four boundaries and launched Keshav Maharaj over longon for six on his way to 38 from 37 balls, before the spinner trapped Nauman lbw for 24 to finish off the Pakistan innings.

Markram & Van der Dussen fight back before mini-collapse - In reply, South Africa opener Dean Elgar was struck on the finger by seamer Shaheen Afridi and looked in discomfort as he was given treatment by the physio.

Elgar soon fell for 29 to a

brilliant diving catch from wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan off the bowling of Yasir. Having managed only 47 runs in the afternoon session, South Africa upped the pace after tea as Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen shared a secondwicket partnership of 127.

However, the tourists, looking in control at 175-1, then lost three wickets for 10 runs. Leg-spinner Yasir picked up two more wickets with Van der Dussen caught

by Abid Ali at silly mid-off for 64, and Faf du Plessis trapped lbw for 10.

Opener Markram’s fine knock of 74 - which included 10 boundaries - came to an end when he was dismissed by spinner Nauman, with Abid taking another simple catch. Maharaj - not out on two - and captain Quinton de Kock - yet to score a run will return to the middle on Friday as South Africa look to set a defendable target.

Hasan Ali became Rabada’s 200th Test victim when he was bowled for 21.

(Getty Images)

Kaieteur News

Friday January 29, 2021

PAGE 27

Johnson under pressure from MPs to enforce sanctions against billionaire Chelsea owner Abramovich and Everton-linked Usmanov

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ailOnline P r i m e Minister B o r i s Johnson has been told by MPs to sanction Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and Everton backer Alisher Usmanov, both Russian oligarchs involved in English football, over human-rights abuses.

Both Abramovich and Usmanov were named by detained Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny last week as people who should be t a r g e t e d b y We s t e r n governments in a bid to curb human-rights abuses by Vladimir Putin’s Russian state.

They were described as ‘key enablers and beneficiaries of Russian kleptocracy, with significant ties and assets in the West’.

Navalny, a prominent face of the opposition towards the controversial Russian President, was detained at a Moscow airport earlier this month after spending five months in Germany recovering from nerve agent poisoning that he blames on Moscow.

His detention has been condemned by Governments around the world, with the UK and United States urging

Usmanov was awarded Russia’s Order of Merit for the Fatherland

by Putin at a ceremony in the Moscow Kremlin back in 2018.

Russia to release him. He appeared via video link from his prison cell on Thursday (yesterday) to appeal the decision to hold him in custody, but it was rejected.

Labour former minister Dame Margaret Hodge and Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokeswoman Layla Moran backed the idea to impose sanctions on the likes of Abramovich and Usmanov on Wednesday and challenged the Government in the Commons to take action.

The Government has refused to speculate on future sanctions but Ministers do have the power

to impose travel bans and freeze the financial assets of individuals involved in human rights abuses.

Last year the Foreign O ff i c e s a n c t i o n e d s i x Russians who were said to be complicit in the attempted murder of Navalny and his allies have since released a further list of eight people they deem to be in close contact with the Kremlin.

Abramovich and Usmanov have always denied these claims and a spokesperson for the Chelsea owner insisted there is ‘no foundation’ for them.

Usmanov, a former Arsenal shareholder, successfully

Adrian Campos:

Fernando Alonso pays tribute to ex-F1 driver, who has died aged 60

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BCsport Fernando Alonso has paid tribute to Spanish former Formula 1 driver Adrian Campos, who has died aged 60. Campos competed in 17 Grands Prix for Minardi in 1987-88. He had since run teams in the junior categories and played a formative role in the career of his compatriot Alonso, 39.

Two-time F1 world champion Alonso won the Euro Open by Nissan series with Campos Racing in 1999. “[It’s] one of the saddest days for the motorsports family,” Alonso tweeted. “[He was a] driver and great promoter of this sport. Thank you for dreaming about Formula 1.

Thank you for believing in young people.”

“As a driver and then founder and president of Campos Racing, Adrian leaves an incredible legacy in motorsport,” added the F1 organisation. Campos entered 21 races for the

Adrian Campos (right) formed Campos Meta, later renamed Hispania Racing Team, which had Bruno Senna (left) as a driver. (Getty Images) lowly Minardi team in his F1 career, starting 17 of them and retiring from all but two.

His best result was 14th at the 1987 Spanish Grand Prix.

After leaving F1, he competed in touring cars and endurance racing before going on to form his own team, which has competed in Formula 2 and its forerunner GP2, Formula 3 and touring cars, among other series.

In 2009, his was one of

four new teams that had entries to F1 accepted. The project ran into financial trouble before its first race and was rescued by a wealthy financier and renamed Hispania Racing Team. Campos took the role of executive vicepresident.HRT lasted three seasons of uncompetitive performances, handing Daniel Ricciardo his first F1 seat in 2011, before folding at the end of 2012.

sued Navalny for libel back in 2017.

Abramovich, whose net worth is believed to be around $14billion (£10bn), bought Premier League football club Chelsea in 2003 and has pumped his fortune into Stamford Bridge. Under his ownership, Chelsea have won numerous Premier League titles, the Champions League and become one of world football’s most valuable clubs.

The 54-year-old has admitted to using his extraordinary wealth to enjoy ‘an extravagant lifestyle’ in the past and he owns a number of expensive properties across the globe, including a £30million penthouse overlooking London’s River Thames.

Abramovich’s 162.5m yacht, named ‘Eclipse’, is one of the many stunning gems within his fortune. It can accomodate 36 guests in 18 cabins and boasts a cinema, conference f a c i l i t i e s , c h i l d r e n ’s playroom, beauty salon, dance floor, two swimming pools, sauna and even a missile defence system.

Usmanov, the $16.5bn (£12bn) metals and

Abramovich, pictured alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2016, says there is ‘no foundation’ for Navalny’s claims. technology tycoon, sold his shares in Arsenal for a reported £550m in the summer of 2019. He has now switched his investment to Everton and his holding company USM sponsors the club’s Finch Farm training ground.

In January 2020, the Russian tycoon then ploughed a further £30million into Goodison Park with an agreement in place for the naming rights for the club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, which is scheduled to be completed by 2023.

Usmanov has also made significant investments in a number of high-profile companies, including Airbnb, Twitter, Uber and Spotify. Speaking in the

Commons, Dame Margaret said: ‘The best way in which we can show our support for Alexei Navalny is not by words but by actions, not by investigations but by convictions.

‘Navalny himself has said that he wants the international community to use sanctions against complicit Russian kleptocrats who live outside Russia. He has named Abramovich and Usmanov, both of whom have considerable wealth, property and links to English football clubs.

‘But on Facebook Navalny has said that the sanctions haven’t worked because “the West has refrained from sanctioning the people with the money”.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Friday January 29, 2021

Global champions set to converge in Karlsruhe Wo r l d A t h l e t i c s Dozens of the world’s best athletes will be in action at the Indoor Meeting Karlsruhe today for the first World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meeting of 2021. World champions Beatrice Chepkoech and Dina AsherSmith lead an all-star cast that also features several other winners of major titles, including 2012 Olympic pole vault champion Renaud Lavillenie, 2015 world shot put champion Christina Schwanitz, three-time world indoor 400m champion Pavel Maslak, world indoor long jump champion Juan Miguel Echevarria, and 2017 world 800m champion Pierre-Ambroise Bosse.

Given the ongoing restrictions brought on by the global Covid-19 pandemic, meeting organisers continue to face near unprecedented challenges as they work to ensure their meetings take place in the safest possible settings and circumstances.

“I have been in a process of constant idea sharing with international colleagues to

collect as much experience for the Indoor Meeting as possible,” said Alain Blondel, the athletes’ liaison for Karlsruhe. “We have a major responsibility towards our fans, the athletes as well as the numerous helpers, to carry out the meeting as best we can.”

A meeting ‘bubble’ has been formed for Karlsruhe – as will be the case for all other World Athletics Indoor Tour meetings – and the total number of people allowed

a c c e s s t o K a r l s r u h e ’s Europahalle has been capped at 200, 120 of those athletes, and no spectators.

Such arrangements have, of course, become the norm over the past nine months, and it hasn’t prevented the world’s best athletes from producing stunning p e r f o r m a n c e s . Wo r l d steeplechase champion Chepkoech, who was able to piece together a respectable string of performances throughout 2020, will be

making her 2021 debut in Karlsruhe and leads a strong 3000m line-up.

The 29-year-old Kenyan has raced in the German city twice before, both times over 1500m, finishing third in 2018 and fourth in 2020. She holds the Kenyan indoor record for 1500m (4:02.09) and has the fastest outdoor 3000m PB of the entire field (8:22.92, set last year).

Compatriot Gloria Kite and Ethiopia’s Fantu Worku will provide stiff opposition.

Kite has an outdoor PB of 8:29.91, while Worku has notched up sixth-place finishes in her two most recent global championship appearances.

European indoor bronze medallist Melissa CourtneyBryant, steeplechase specialist Mirusa Mismas a n d G e r m a n y ’s E l e n a Burkard should all be in contention too. World 200m champion Asher-Smith is another standout athlete set to race in Karlsruhe.

The 25-year-old, who hasn’t competed indoor for three years, has raced in Karlsruhe on three previous

occasions, winning in 2015, placing third in 2016 and finishing second in 2017.

She set her lifetime best of 7.08 when finishing second at the 2015 European Indoor Championships in Prague, and she matched that time in Glasgow in 2018 in what was her most recent indoor appearance.

Asher-Smith’s opponents in Karlsruhe will include Ajla del Ponte of Switzerland, 2017 European indoor champion Asha Philip and world indoor finalist Carolle Zahi. Philip, the British record-holder, is the fastest in the field with a PB of 7.06. Del Ponte will be looking to revise her indoor PB of 7.17 after enjoying a breakthrough during the 2020 outdoor season. Zahi, meanwhile, recently clocked 7.19, her fastest time for three years.

Schwanitz last weekend returned from a 15-month break – during which she had knee surgery – and went straight to the top of the shot put world list with a 19.11m victory in Chemnitz.

The 35-year-old, who

won in Karlsruhe in 2017, will face her first big test of the year as she takes on a field that includes 2020 world leader Auriol Dongmo of Portugal, three-time US champion Chase Ealey and 2016 Olympic fifth-place finisher Raven Saunders of the US. Cuba’s Juan Miguel Echevarria will return to the scene of his first ever indoor long jump competition.

Three years ago, still aged just 19, Echevarria won in Karlsruhe with 7.97m, then one month later went on to win the world indoor title with 8.46m. His momentum continued outdoors and he flew to a wind-assisted 8.83m and a wind-legal PB of 8.68m.

After a shortened season in 2020, the 22-year-old hopes to return to winning ways in Karlsruhe when he lines up against European champion Mitliadis Te n t o g l o u o f G r e e c e , European indoor silver medallist Thobias Montler of Sweden and European silver medallist Fabian Heinle of Germany.

NBA roundup: 76ers’ Tobias Harris hits game-winner vs. Lakers Field Level Media Tobias Harris knocked down a 12-foot jumper with 2.4 seconds remaining to lift the host Philadelphia 76ers past the Los Angeles Lakers 107106 on Wednesday.

Joel Embiid led the Sixers with 28 points, Harris added 24 and Ben Simmons compiled his 31st career triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

Danny Green had 14 points as the Sixers improved to 101 at home.

Anthony Davis had capped a late 13-0 run with a layup with 11.2 seconds left to put the Lakers ahead 106105, their first lead since the first quarter. LeBron James paced the Lakers with 34 points, Davis added 23 with eight rebounds and Dennis Schroder had 16. Alex Caruso contributed 10 off the bench. The Lakers lost on the road for the first time this season after winning their opening 10 away games.

Utah Jazz 116 - Dallas Mavericks 104 - Rudy Gobert amassed 29 points, 20 rebounds, three blocks and three steals, and Jordan Clarkson scored 31 points as Utah cruised past Dallas in Salt Lake City for its 10th consecutive win.

Fill-in starter Joe Ingles

added 21 points, hitting seven 3-pointers, with eight assists and Mike Conley contributed 17 points and six assists for the Jazz. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks with 30 points while Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 19 and Kristaps Porzingis added 18.

New Orleans Pelicans 124 - Washington Wizards 106 - Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson scored 32 points each and host New Orleans overcame a 47-point performance by Bradley Beal to defeat Washington.

Ingram tied a career high by making seven 3-pointers as he and Williamson scored 30 in the same game for the first time in their two seasons together. Eric Bledsoe added 18 as the Pelicans began a five-game homestand with their second victory in 10 games.Beal scored 24 of his points in the third quarter and made 17 of his 37 shots overall, including 6 of 14 3point attempts. Garrison Mathews scored 15 points and Robin Lopez added 14 for the short-handed Wizards, who lost their third straight since returning from a nearly two-week absence prompted by COVID protocols.

Brooklyn Nets 132 Atlanta Hawks 128 (OT) -

Kevin Durant scored 32 points and James Harden added 31 to lead Brooklyn past host Atlanta. Durant shot 13-for-26 from the field and had two key baskets in overtime. Harden made five 3-pointers and was 8-for-8 from the line, including a pair with 4.6 seconds left in OT to ice the game. He also contributed 15 assists and eight rebounds. Kyrie Irving added 26 points and seven assists for Brooklyn.

Atlanta got 28 points and 14 assists from Trae Young, plus 24 points off the bench from Cam Reddish, who returned after missing Tuesday’s game with a tight Achilles tendon. John Collins and De’Andre Hunter both scored 21.

Milwaukee Bucks 115 Toronto Raptors 108 Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 24 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and dished nine assists as visiting Milwaukee defeated Toronto at Tampa.

Khris Middleton added 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Bucks, and Brook Lopez had 20 points.

Norman Powell scored 26 points for the Raptors.

Pascal Siakam, who missed the two previous games with left-knee swelling, scored 11

Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris (12) scores the game winning basket past Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso (4) in the last seconds of the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports points. Kyle Lowry (21 points) joined DeMar DeRozan and Chris Bosh as the only players to score 10,000 points in Raptors history.

Indiana Pacers 116 Charlotte Hornets 106 Doug McDermott scored a season-high 28 points and Malcolm Brogdon added 25 to propel Indiana over host Charlotte. Domantas Sabonis collected 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists

after sustaining a left knee contusion in the Pacers’ 129114 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday.

Terry Rozier had 20 points, P.J. Washington added 18 and Gordon Hayward and Devonte’ Graham each had 16 for the Hornets, who have dropped six of their past seven games.

Oklahoma City Thunder 102 - Phoenix Suns 97 - Al Horford and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

each scored 21 points and Oklahoma City recovered from a slow start, rallying from a 17-point deficit in the first-half deficit to earn a victory at Phoenix.

Luguentz Dort scored 14 points, including a 3-pointer with 2:11 remaining that put the Thunder in the lead for good at 96-95. Chris Paul scored a season-high 32 points for Phoenix against his former team. Jae (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

Friday January 29, 2021

PAGE 29

Captains and Coaches talk up their chances of taking title t John’s, Antigua - Cricket West Indies (CWI) today confirmed a host of top West Indian players who will participate in February’s CG Insurance Super50 Cup, as all six teams finalised their 15-member squads.

The six major cricketing rivals will go head-to-head in 19 action-packed 50-over matches starting from Sunday, February 7. The tournament will come to an exciting climax when the new champions are crowned on Saturday, February 27.

Fans can watch the matches live from the Coolidge Cricket Ground on ESPN Caribbean and matches live from the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on CWI’s website and YouTube channel.

West Indies white ball skipper, Kieran Pollard will be at the helm of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force while Test captain Jason Holder will be in charge of the Barbados Pride.

The cream of West Indies cricket and a host of exciting young talent will be taking part including players such as Roston Chase (Barbados Pride), Shimron Hetmyer (Guyana Jaguars), Sheldon Cottrell (Jamaica Scorpions), Hayden Walsh J r. ( L e e w a r d I s l a n d s Hurricanes), Nicholas P o o r a n ( Tr i n i d a d a n d Tobago Red Force) and Andre Fletcher (Windward Islands Volcanoes).

Whilst covid-19 related constraints mean that 20192020 Champions, the West Indies Emerging Players, are unable to defend their title,

S

eight of those talented young winners from the 2019 tournament have found spots in the competing franchise teams, including Keon Harding, Dominic Drakes and Justin Greaves (Barbados Pride), Kevin Sinclair (Guyana Jaguars), Ashmead Nedd (Leeward Islands Hurricanes), Jayden Seales (Trinidad and Tobago Red Force) as well as, Kimani Melius and Roland Cato (Windward Islands Volcanoes).

The tournament is expected to bowl off when home team Leewards Islands Hurricanes host arch rivals Windward Islands Volcanoes at the picturesque Coolidge Cricket Ground on Sunday, February 7.

Full Squads - Barbados Pride: Jason Holder (Captain), Joshua Bishop, Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Dominic Drakes, Jonathan Drakes, Justin Greaves, Keon Harding, Chemar Holder, Akeem Jordan, Nicholas Kirton, Zachary McCaskie, Ashley Nurse, Tevyn Walcott; Dexter Toppin (Head Coach).

Guyana Jaguars: Leon Johnson (Captain), Shimron Hetmyer (Vice-Captain), Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Asad Fudadin, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Tevin Imlach, Keon Joseph, Ramaal Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Akshaya Persaud, Kemol Savory, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith; Esuan Crandon (Head Coach).

Jamaica Scorpions: Rovman Powell (Captain), D e r v a l G r e e n ( Vi c e Captain), Fabian Allen,

Dennis Bulli, Sheldon Cottrell, Javel Glenn, Brandon King, Andre McCarthy, Jamie Merchant, Romaine Morris, Paul Palmer, Jeavor Royal, Odean Smith, Aldaine Thomas, Oshane Thomas; Andre Coley (Head Coach).

Leeward Islands Hurricanes: Devon Thomas (captain), Montcin Hodge (Vice Captain), Colin Archibald, Sheno Berridge, Quinton Boatswain, Keacy Carty, Nino Henry, Amir Jangoo, Nitish Kumar, Jeremiah Louis, Ashmead Nedd, Kieran Powell, Ross Powell, Hayden Walsh Jr, Terance Warde; Stuart Williams (Head Coach).

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Darren Bravo ( Vi c e - C a p t a i n ) , A k e a l Hosein, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kjorn Ottley, Khary Pierre, Nicholas Pooran, Anderson Phillip, Denesh Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Jayden Seales, Lendl Simmons; David Furlonge (Head Coach).

Wi n d w a r d I s l a n d s Volcanoes: Sunil Ambris (Captain), Andre Fletcher ( Vi c e - C a p t a i n ) , A l i c k Athanaze, Roland Cato, Keron Cottoy, Kenneth Dember, Larry Edward, Ryan John, Ray Jordan, Desron Maloney, Obed McCoy, Preston McSween, Kimani Melius, Emmanuel Stewart, Kevin Stoute; Andrew Richardson (Head Coach).

From inside the camps Jason Holder (Barbados Pride Captain): “We are really looking forward to the first tournament of the year.

Sourav Ganguly ‘stable and under close observation’ after undergoing another angioplasty ESPNcricinfo - Former India captain and BCCI President Sourav Ganguly is “stable and under close observation” after undergoing another angioplasty, this time at the Apollo Gleneagles hospital in Kolkata, on Thursday (yesterday). Ganguly had been admitted to the hospital o n We d n e s d a y a f t e r complaining of “chest discomfort”.

“Dr. Aftab Khan and the team comprising Dr. Ashwin Mehta, Dr. Devi Shetty, Dr. Ajit Desai, Dr.Saroj Mondal

Sourav Ganguly was admitted to the Apollo Gleneagles hospital in Kolkata on Wednesday BCCI

and Dr. Saptarishi Basu successfully performed angioplasty on Mr. Saurav Ganguly at the Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals,

Kolkata on January 28, 2021 and two stents were placed,” a statement from the hospital said. “The procedure was (Continued on page 25)

It’s great to be back and there is a lot of excitement in our camp. We are focused on winning. It will be important to hold our nerve under pressure and execute under pressure.

The team that is most consistent alway wins, and we have to look at being consistent and win for our country and our fans.”

Esuan Crandon (Guyana Jaguars Head Coach): “We have a very well-balanced squad. We are boosted with the presence of Shimron Hetmyer and Romario Shepherd, two players with international experience and who can be match-winners for us.

Our training has been going quite well and we know we have to play fearless cricket and take it one game at a time. We will look to put it all together...we are very confident.”

Andre Coley (Jamaica Scorpions Head Coach): “It is very important that we start well. It is a shorter tournament than last time so we must hit the ground

running and build from there. We have put together a strong squad which we believe can be a championship-winning team. Everybody is really ready to go and eager to play.

It is great to be back playing regional cricket for the first time since last year, so this CG Insurance Super50 Cup is a big deal for us.”

A n d re w R i c h a rd s o n (Windwards Volcanoes Head Coach): “Our preparations have been good. The players have put in a lot of work and we are in a much better physical and mental state … they are definitely looking a lot better than six months ago, we are in fine spirits.

Our batting in looking good and one important factor is that we have to make use of the power play overs when we are at the crease and not have to play catch-up cricket. We are looking to win … we always to play to win.”

Kieron Pollard (Trinidad and Tobago Red Force Captain): “I believe we have a very good team in terms of

youth and experience and we can go that step further and make it to the finals.

In the last few years we missed out, reaching the semi-finals and being beaten, once by CCC and once by Leewards.

Hopefully we have all the energy and all the gas in the tank and go all the way. This promises to be a really good tournament and I know players will be aiming to impress and improve their careers.”

Stuart Williams (Leewards Hurricanes Head Coach): “The players look really sharp and energized in training. They are enthusiastic and eager to go one better than last tournament, where we reached the final but lost to the Emerging Players.

This year, we are preparing well … we are leaving no stone unturned, and with local knowledge that should work in out favour as well. We have some really bright talents and want to see them grow as a team and as individuals.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

Friday January 29, 2021

Griffith said he was very surprised with covid-19 test result

By Sean Devers

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uyana Jaguars o p e n i n g batsman Trevon Griffith has tested positive for the Covid-19 virus and has been replaced by Essequibian Kemol Savory for the 2021 Regional Super50 which is scheduled to commence in Antigua on February 7.

The Jaguars begin the 2021 campaign against Barbados on February 8 before facing the Leewards (Feb 12), Jamaica (Feb 14), Trinidad (Feb 20) and the Windwards (Feb 22). The semi-finals are set for February 24 & 25 with the Final on February 27 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

The 29-year-old lefthander Griffith, who regained his place in the Guyana team for the first time in two years after representing Jamaica, expressed surprise at the positive test after the squad and standbys were tested for the virus on January 24.

“I was very surprised because I have been careful and take all the precautions

so having a positive test certainly surprising… and I am feeling good, no symptoms.

Well after my 14-day quarantine I have to do another test and that test would have to come back negative before I can start back training again,” said Griffith who has five fifties in 34 List ‘A’ games.

He was the leading rungetter in the TCL Group West Indies U-19 Challenge tournament in 2009 in Jamaica, scoring 406 runs at an average of 40. The highlight was a century against Leeward Islands and selected in the squad for the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand in 2010.

The entertaining stroke player made his Regional 50-debut for West Indies U19s in October 2009 against the Leeward Islands in the P r e s i d e n t ’s C u p a t Providence but rain washed out the games with the West Indies U-19s on 37 without loss.

He had to wait two years to make his First-Class debut for Guyana against Jamaica in Antigua in 2012. Griffith

last played for Guyana in January 2019 when he made 2 & 37 as Leeward Islands won by two wickets before playing for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the 2019 CPL T20 tournament.

“I am very disappointed of course… knowing I have worked so hard to regain my place and with lots of the senior players all taking part in this tournament…so getting runs on the board would be a great incentive for any batsman” lamented the DCC left hander.

Griffith, who represented Guyana, Guyana Amazon Wa r r i o r s , J a m a i c a Tallawahs, West Indies Under-19s, Guyana U-19s and Demerara, said his plans now are to go through his quarantine process.

“I have to follow the necessary pandemic guidelines to ensure I recover well then of course recover well enough to continue working hard on my training and keeping myself safe.” Griffith informed.

In the three practice games at the GCI’s facility at LBI, Griffith, whose highest

50-over score is 80, got solid before playing reverse sweeps and trying to pulls balls that were not there for that shot as gives his wicket away.

“In the three practice games played I had starts but I was not happy with just getting starts and finding ways to get myself out. But I was pretty confident and comfortable at the crease and hitting ball well so heading to this Super50 I was confident of doing well” explained Griffith, arguably the best fielder in the Jaguars line-up.

His pugnacious nature when batting suggest he is more suited for ‘white ball’ cricket, but the stylish batsman, who scored just two fifties in 39 innings in First-Class cricket, said he enjoys both formats.

“To be honest, I enjoy playing both formats (red and white ball) …but of course every player prefers a particular format…or enjoys playing either one” Griffith continued. Griffith is among the fittest players in the Region while the accepted requirement on the yo-yo

Griffith is tight in defence during the pratice match at LBI. (Sean Devers photo)

test is 40 Griffith reached 51.

The opening batsman also give his thoughts on Guyana if the team is to lift its first 50-overs title since beating Barbados in the KFC Cup final at Bourda in 2005.

“I think obviously it’s certain areas the team is lacking and one is winning critical moments… it’s important that the senior

players stand up and make their contributions count.

Our winning the title will depend on the batting group standing up and give a good account of themselves… getting big partnerships and at least three or four in the top order getting big halfcenturies with one of them going on the get a century” Griffith concluded.

Kaieteur News

Friday January 29, 2021

The GGA has attracted a number of new comers

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olf was always sport for a certain sector of the population, and until recently it was a sport that not many Guyanese knew was available in their own country but that has all changed in the past few years.

Aleem Hussain, current president of the Guyana Golf Association (GGA) and NexGen Golf Academy stated that golf has the potential to be among the top sports in the country and in a short time he has created opportunities for those far and wide to play the game by providing a platform where everyone with an interest could have access to play the game, regardless of social status.

Through NexGen Global, in addition to improving the facilities at its Academy on Woolford

Aleem Hussain gives valuable advice to a beginner

Av e n u e , H u s s a i n h a s acquired land to open another course on the West Coast of Demerara and is already negotiating for a location on the Essequibo Coast; this indicates that golf is one the rise locally and more youths will be exposed to the sport. “Nexgen Global is building the sport from the ground up with an eye to future generations, starting with the school system and planning major competitions between schools, regions and neighbouring countries with the goal of eventually fielding an Olympic team.

Golf can also help to promote Sports Tourism,” said Hussain.

“When countries such as Saudi Arabia and UAE with little access to arable land are developing dozens of new courses to boost its tourism industry, one has to open their eyes to golf’s potential.

Wi t h s e v e r a l h u n d r e d

GGA/Nexgen GA set to provide more opportunities for youths million golfers worldwide and with Maraiko Bay Golf and Country club and at least three other courses in development stage, sooner rather than later Guyana will have courses on par with other countries, he added.

The leading market in terms of golf as a sport is the United States - it is thought to contribute over $60 billion to the economy. Golf is more than just a game; it’s a thriving business that grows the economies of the promoting countries.

“One of the most important benefits of golf tourism is that lovers of the game do not think twice while spending money on the travel and hospitality services pertaining to the game. In developing countries like India, golf tourism is proving a boon for revenue generation, creating economic growth through hotels, restaurants and retail

establishments.”

Golf tourism also attracts high end visitors, especially repeaters and this improves the organisational, marketing and bidding capabilities of a country seeking to host major televised events. With Covid 19 creating havoc with contact sports, golf is one sport that meets all of the Covid 19 guidelines criteria.

The GGA and Nexgen Golf Academy are off to a fine start in seeking to develop the sport across Guyana.

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rt o p S

Leon Johnson

Jason Holder

Rovman Powell

Captains and Coaches talk up their chances of taking title

Kieron Pollard

P. 29

Devon Thomas

Sunil Ambris

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