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AIETEUR NEWS

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Inspector’s gun, valuables stolen from parked car

Tuesday Edition July 06, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 27

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, p. 14 74,815

Louisiana solar and wind farm projects cost US$1M per MW - Exxon’s Gas-to-Energy project set to cost Guyana US$3M per MW p.

2

Union calls for impromptu visit to AGM by authorities p.

3

Man loses New Amsterdam finger Hospital’s over $160 CEO replaced drug debt p.

11

p.

15

Spanish hotline launched to help combat TIP p.

12

Investor to establish processing facility at Black Bush Polder p. 14

- packaging facility to service Reg. 5 and 6 also on the cards Guyana is paying 3 times the cost the world pays to produce electricity @11:00am on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

Tuesday July 06, 2021

Louisiana solar and wind farm projects cost US$1M per MW - Exxon’s Gas-to-Energy project set to cost Guyana US$3M per MW

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ublic consultations for Exxon’s Gas-toEnergy project are set to commence today and will run until July 22, 2021.

During this time, members of the public can list concerns about Exxon’s Gas-to-Energy project, which proposes to install a pipeline from the FPSOs Liza Destiny and Unity to an onshore facility located at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

The cost for the entire project is estimated at US$900 million. This cost covers the entire project with approximately $630 million for the offshore pipeline and “riser,” $100 million for the onshore pipeline, $120 million for the gas plant and $50 million for infrastructure.

The project, upon its completion is expected to produce an additional 200 Megawatts of power for Guyana. When this is

contextualised as the cost per megawatt (MW), dividing the cost of the project by the output capacity for power in terms of MW, a value of US$3 million per MW is obtained. This means that Guyana would have spent US$3 million or G$625 million for every MW generated.

By comparison, this publication has learnt that solar companies in the United States are lobbying for the commencement of seven solar power farms based in Louisiana, which together, are set to generate 890 MW of electricity for a total cost of US$868 million. This total power generation cost works out to the price per MW being equated to just above US$975,000.

It should be noted that when examined individually all of these projects would generate significant amounts of electricity at a far cheaper

cost per MW than the US$3 million price tag of Exxon’s proposed gas-to-energy. The new proposed projects and their associated (US$) cost per MW are identified below.

-Kontiki Holdings LLC is planning a $145 million solar project in Beauregard Parish.

The 1,970-acre project could produce 200-megawatts of electricity at a cost of $725,000 per megawatt.

-Bogalusa West PV I LLC seeks to spend $200 million on a 200-megawatt solar project in Bogalusa at a cost of US$1,000,000 per megawatt.

-Thibodaux Solar Project LLC also looks to spend $200 million on a 200-megawatt solar farm in Thibodaux at the same cost per megawatt.

-Vacherie Solar Energy Center is proposing an $89 million project, which would produce 80-megawatts of power.

-St. James Solar III LLC is

Gas-to-Energy project public consultation dates and locations from Exxon's Facebook page looking at a $100 million project to produce 90megawatts of electricity and St. Jacques Solar LLC is proposing a 120-megawatt solar project in Vacherie, looking to spend $134 million.

For these projects, each would cost US$1,100,000 per

megawatt.

Given the foregoing, one can conclude that by comparison of the Gas-toEnergy project and a Solar power farm, each with a capacity for 200-MW of electricity generation, the renewable energy option is

over 65 percent cheaper. This is evident as the gas-to-energy project costs US$3 million per MW while similar capacity solar farms being proposed would cost about US$1 million per MW. This discovery has raised questions among (continued on page 10)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 06, 2021

PAGE 03

Union calls for impromptu visit to AGM by authorities Some of the employees of AGM during the recommissioning of a processing plant in November last year

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ollowing recent reports that G u y a n e s e workers employed at Aurora Gold Mines (AGM) are being treated different from the Chinese Nationals, the National Mine Workers Union of Guyana (NMWUG), is now calling for an impromptu visit to the operation by the authorities.

AGM, which is located in Region Seven, is currently being operated by a Chinese company called Zijin Mining Group.

Kaieteur News had reported Friday last that the workers had complained about being victimised by their Chinese bosses, denied free time, overworked, punished without proper investigation and unfair dismissals.

They had also alleged that they are being fed differently from the Chinese employees.

President of NMWUG, Sherwin Downer, had stated that almost every day he would receive these and other complaints from the

local employees.

Yesterday he said that, “enough evidence has been provided by the employees that should warrant an immediate site visit by labour officials.”

According to Downer, an “impromptu visit to the mine would be preferable.” Some of the workers, he said, are in support of an impromptu visit.

They related that the management would normally be notified beforehand about visits by government officials. As such, the workers noted, their bosses would prepare for the visits and “cover up their tracks” before the authorities arrive.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, and a delegation from his ministry had visited the mine on Tuesday December 1, 2020, to get a firsthand understanding of the working conditions. He had told reporters then that he had gotten to engage the local workers uninterrupted by the management of the

operations.

Hamilton had said that he had stories of local workers being treated unfairly and during the visit he had asked the local employees to highlight concerns but no one had raised that issue or came forward to say anything.

He had highlighted too that he did not see “much wrong” at AGM and had validated everything. The workers in response had noted that some employees are afraid to speak out because of victimisation, or even being fired.

However, they are of the view that if the minister or any one of his officials conduct an immediate impromptu visit, then they would get a better understanding of what really goes on at AGM. Apart from calling for the impromptu visit, Downer is urging the Ministry of Labour to launch a thorough investigation into the workers' allegations of being treated differently from the Chinese.

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Tuesday July 06, 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

GPF statistics say one thing, citizens live with another Something is wrong because there is that which contradicts. We are talking of crime in this country, with specific reference to robberies. That is, robbery of citizens on our streets in broad daylight, and all other hours, on a seemingly daily basis. Crime, as in robberies, is everywhere, with no person feeling safe, no community out of the reach of daring, enterprising bandits, almost always ruthlessly efficient.

What is really going on with crime, as in robberies, when the Guyana Police Force (GPF) releases statistics that indicate a significant drop in serious crime that should be welcomed? (“Brazen acts of robbery becoming a norm around the city” KN July 5). According to the GPF’s statistics, there was a “38.4 percent decrease in armed robberies committed with guns for the first four months of 2021.” Moreover, and also publicised by the GPF, “armed robberies perpetuated with the use of other instruments decreased by 47.7 percent” for the same four-month period.

This is most commendable, and we at this paper are glad to say so. For this means that robberies involving the presence and/or use of guns were one less out of every three committed, which can only be well received. No less relevant or important, the GPF’s numbers noted that there was a drop in robberies using any other weapons (“instruments” the GPF called them) by close to half. Again, in more concrete terms, that translated to one less such robbery for every two previously committed. This is a big positive, and when added to the one-third decline in gun robberies, this is a cause for some, if not much, gratitude.

So, what is the problem, and why do we find it necessary to editorialise today about robberies? It is because citizens do not feel any safer, they lack confidence and, this must be presented frankly, they do not trust those GPF statistics.

They are asking themselves how the numbers can be so encouraging, but the everyday reality in street and town and village and park and just about everywhere is so different. This is more than about perception, or of statistics that were intended to soothe, but now fall drastically short.

This is about what they see firsthand, what they happen to be near to, or what has happened to them in their travels or their homes.

In our article referenced, we shared the observations of our reporter who happened to be on the spot of a robbery being committed. This was so brazen, as to occur before onlookers, who themselves, on most occasions scramble for distance and the security that such brings. Robberies have gotten so commonplace, so alarming, that even touts, no saints themselves, are forced to speak up and condemn what they notice going on before them daily. The touts do more than observe and speak up; some of them arm themselves (“bai dat is why yuh does ga got yuh strap fuh drop some of them”). Put differently: to be ready for any eventuality.

Along the same lines, the KN July 5 story shared that “security guards, maids and residents of Republic Park, Nandy Park and other areas close to the Demerara Harbour Bridge area are being robbed every day by motor bike bandits.” If it is not BMX bicycles, it is motor bikes, which are all over, and can be seen with young men seemingly scouting the terrain and searching for targets of opportunity.

And when the robberies do not involve two wheels, then cars are employed in an unending series of robberies that belie the statistics.

Now we must point out that the GPF’s statistics specifically identified those robberies involving “guns” and “other instruments.” Of the latter, we would think that knives and such are at work.

We arrive at two places, which we present to the Guyanese public. First, it is obvious that the GPF’s statistical net leaves out robberies not committed with the use of such weapons, or weapons of known kinds. And, that our robbers now depend more on sheer numbers to overwhelm citizens, and bypass that net because muscle and not weapons was utilised.

Whatever it is, the bottom line is this: robberies are frequent, and Guyanese are victimised more and more.

GHK Lall wrongly accused the Minister of Health of concealing data on child COVID infections DEAR EDITOR, The Ministry of Health rejects the assertion and insinuation made by Mr. GHK Lall in his recent letter published in Stabroek News, July 4, 2021.

In his letter, Mr. Lall expressed shock at the statistics provided by Minister Frank Anthony relating to the number of children who tested positive since COVID19 became an epidemic in Guyana.

The Minister provided statistics showing that just over 1,500 children had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus since the epidemic started in Guyana. Mr. Lall wrongly accused the Minister and the Government of Guyana of concealing data for children who have been affected by the COVID-19 virus.

The fact is that since August of 2020, the Minister of Health and other Ministry personnel have been informing the public each time children were tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Since the epidemic started, between 5 and 10% of positive cases in Guyana have been children between newborns and 16

years of age. Most of the cases have been asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and were only detected through the MoH proactive surveillance program, such as testing in school dorms.

The results of these tests have been in the public domain, even if persons like Mr. Lall may not have paid attention.

While the Ministry in the past did not disaggregate the total results as per age group in our daily reporting, we highlighted those occasions when children were found positive for the COVID-19 virus, even if our reporting did not keep a running count.

We have always sought to caution people that the COVID-19 virus is transmissible across all age groups. In children, the disease is usually mild and often asymptomatic.

However, in rare cases, children can become seriously ill and need hospitalisation and intensive care. One of the possible adverse outcomes has been termed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

The overall mortality of MIS-C is approximately 1 – 2%. In all our engagement with the public, we tried to explain this risk that children face.

The percentage of infection among children in Guyana is not unlike what has been seen in other countries over time.

In 2020, globally, children accounted for 3 to 12% of COVID-19 virus detection rates. In 2021, the rates have jumped to 22% in most countries due to various COVID19 variants.

In Guyana, among the total detected cases so far, children represent about 7%.

Even though Guyana has recorded children testing positive for COVID-19 in the past, as did every single country in the world, there is a big difference in recent weeks in Guyana.

The increase in hospitalisation of children with COVID-19 is worrying. It is the Minister of Health who immediately informed the public.

When the Minister made the disclosure, it was the first time the country had four

COVID-19 hospitalised children, and apart from COVID19, each of these children had underlying comorbidities.

The recent more aggressive cases in adults and now some children underline the caution the Minister and the Ministry have been vigorously making the last several months that there is a more aggressive form of COVID-19 virus circulating in Guyana.

It is also the reason why we have been pushing the vaccination program so robustly among our people.

Right now, the responsible thing is for us to encourage persons to get vaccinated to prevent hospitalisation and deaths.

The irony of Mr. Lall’s assertion about concealing data is that he received that data from the very person he is accusing of hiding it.

This is irresponsible.

He has not been paying attention, or he is mischievous in promoting his political agenda.

The Ministry of Health will continue to keep the public fully informed.

Yours truly, Ministry of Health

Guardians of Democracy have all died out DEAR EDITOR, I look and listen, but cannot locate any of the former self-styled Guardians of Democracy. I thought they all went to heaven. Then a second reminded: all found heaven right here in Guyana.

I congratulate them - citizens and commercials, comrades all - for quickly coming out of their political closets and exhibiting their self-serving natures, their narrow-minded politics, their ugly abandonment of what genuine democracy genuinely represents.

I submit that Guyana’s democracy guardians understood the fullest definition of that word to be about elections; elections only. Thereafter, a call and an audience leading to a contract. A contract sealing job, project,

scholarship for family; and leader appreciations for blind loyalty and lovely devotions during elections. I think all that is good, normal, and to be expected. But democracy doesn’t end there. In fact, elections are just the beginning, one scale only on the big Guyanese fish.

It would have been inspiring to detect those same Guardians of Democracy continuing and amplifying their spirited energies to ensure some national benefits that are inseparable from democracy’s domestic prosperity.

Or are such prosperities limited only to those self-proclaimed ‘guardians’? The same vigilance from those same guardians would have been helpful to assure some degree of leadership transparency. Or does

natural resources and governance transparency, in the minds of our beloved guardians do not apply to President and Vice President, and others in the partisan carnival managing the treasury?

It cannot be that in this vaulting Guyanese democracy, leadership accountability is a matter of slippery words and never corroborating deeds that brook neither suspicion nor claims of corruption? I would have liked to applaud our Guardians of Democracy for the decency to demand some degree of leadership integrity, any speck of governance honesty from their own.

But I can’t. For where is that, and how could that be, when there is vindictive and vicious leadership, which does not forget, finds abso-

Lowering the Corporation Tax and Interest Rates may help in creating jobs DEAR EDITOR According to Wikipedia, Guyana has a labour force of some 325,000 in 2019 with 160,000 (49.2%) people employed and some 40,000 (12.2%) people classed as unemployed (people who are actually looking for work but cannot find work).

The real scenario is that about 165,000 (over 50%) of Guyanese in Guyana are not working. Hence, the high poverty rate at some 35%.

How goes the job creation plan?

In particular, where is the 50,000 jobs promised by Irfaan Ali during his election campaign?

Now that the dust has settled and the PPP/C is in Government having won the 2020 General and Regional Elections the expectation is that they will deliver on their promises.

We need a workable job creation plan not rhetoric.

Lowering Income Tax could attract people who are not working into employment. But there has to be jobs available not just in Georgetown but nationally.

Lowering the Corporation Tax and Interest Rates may help in creating jobs as companies will have more money (or, they can access capital cheaper) to expand their operations.

Yours Faithfully Sean Ori

lutely nothing positive or self-enriching from such abstractions as governance accountability or personal integrity? After all, those reduce money in the bank; they slow things down, upset the applecart of sly corrupt visions.

In recent exchanges with a couple of those guardians, there has been rueful acknowledgement that such is the leadership reality, and so are the results. But beyond that, there is no individual movement to call out, object.

Those who desired to depart Jonestown were held back, those who railed were cut down. They are careful, so as not to be accused of consorting with the enemy. That would be me, and such is the democracy with which this society cohabits rather unsteadily.

As I reflect on this, I conclude that our Guardians of Democracy were all solely about these things: Money, Power, and, it must be said, Racial Supremacy.

When a democracy houses these components, there is no room for anything else. There is resistance to discernments about political tyranny, or leadership depravity. This is the local heaven now occupied by Guyana’s Guardians of Democracy. It is revealing, isn’t it?

Yours truly, GHK Lall

Tuesday July 06, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Will there be fair justice for Haresh Singh’s Murder?

DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to your report on the perversion of justice in the Haresh Singh’s murder indictment (Jul 4, 5).

Justice must be served in this matter.

Those who perverted justice must be held accountable.

My friend, Nigel Hughes, promised last September justice for the murders of the two Henry cousins and Haresh Singh; the latter was a revenge killing for the former.

Some months ago, police arrested and charged suspects for the Henry boys killing.

Last week, police arrested and charged four suspects for Singh’s murder. Arrests and indictment for murder of Singh are long overdue.

Unfortunately, Hughes, a well-known lawyer who became very famous for his improvised formula (34 is a majority of 65) is retained as attorney for the suspects.

In light of his previous promise for justice for the Singh family, one wonders whether Hughes should have taken this case.

How would Hughes ensure that justice be done in

the Haresh murder while working on the other hand to free his accused when the police say that they have videotaped admission of guilt by the suspects?

One of the suspects for Singh’s murder was the brother (Gladston) of the murdered Isiah Henry.

Another suspect, Anderson, fingered Gladston as the person who brutally murdered Singh to avenge the murder of his brother and cousin.

Anderson apologised for the heinous crime.

Police investigations revealed that neither Singh nor any of his family members had anything to do with the murder of the two Henry boys.

The two murders sparked protests in the West Berbice village of the two boys.

Roads that passed through African villages were blocked over several days when hundreds of Indians

were stopped, beaten, and robbed.

Indian owned vehicles were set ablaze or destroyed in protests while many Berbicians missed their international flights and had to pay enormous re-booking fees and or purchased new fares. They have not been compensated by the criminals or the state.

Hughes has prepared an alibi for Gladston. But reports say that that alibi story has holes.

It is being alleged that the alibi statements contradict information from other witnesses.

The police have solid incontrovertible evidence, dis-

crediting the purported alibi position. The story of the alibi witnesses doesn’t add up; some who supported this alibi for Gladston are being charged for lying or perverting the course of justice.

The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) immediately jumped into the police investigation of the alibi witnesses without first trying to affirm the veracity of their information.

GHRA has accused the police of over-reaching when the police have evidence that the witnesses allegedly lied.

Why now castigate the police for doing their job when months ago you were demanding justice for the Henrys?

I note that GHRA was silent during the five-month period to rig the election. It would also be recalled that GHRA was vocal at the time of the Henry boys murder and worked aggressively to secure a forensic expert from Argentina.

Nothing new was revealed from that forensic investigation. GHRA is not pursuing the Singh’s murder investigation with similar zeal.

Why this duplicity?

With the GHRA’s involvement, one wonders if this matter (regarding Haresh’s murder) will not be politicised

as the Henry boys murder!

GHRA has gone the extra mile to ensure that the family of the Henry boys got justice.

Why don’t they want justice for the Haresh Singh family?

What is paradoxical is that the GHRA remained silent when the APNU+AFC government attempted to rig the 2020 elections that was the biggest human rights violation in the country.

Also, why they (GHRA) remain silent on other brutal murders that have been perpetrated on innocent people?

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 06, 2021

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Tuesday July 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

Americans and Europeans love to talk about crimes against humanity and human rights abuses. How come they are not talking anything at all, about what is going on in Guyana?

It would be principled and in keeping with the noble ideals of America if its diplomatic representatives and political voices are raised over the financial crimes committed against Guyana.

It would be highly ethical if its influential media and religious powerhouses were to broadcast to the world the financial abuses and financial genocide inflicted upon the Guyanese people by American and European companies.

How about that for those who jump on China and others? Why not speak out against their own barbaric corporate predators whose records are stained with the sweat and tears (and possibly the blood) of Guyanese?

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Tuesday July 06, 2021

New routes to be used in wake of damage to Fort Ordnance access road

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he Ministry of Housing and Water is taking steps to remedy concerns by residents over the usage of access roads by contractors in Fort Ordnance, Region Six. In a release, it was noted that on Monday, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, visited the area along with technical staff attached to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

The Minister stated that new housing developments are being undertaken in Phase T h r e e a n d F o u r, F o r t Ordnance, as part of the government's delivery of 10,000 house lots annually.

As such, he said that the accessibility to sites plays a major role in the execution of these projects. However, the usage of the main access road in Fort Ordnance, as both an exit and entry point for the movement of construction

Minister Collin Croal (second from left) inspects ongoing works at Fort Ordnance, along with regional officials

An aerial view of the Williamsburg and Hampshire housing development equipment and materials, has posed a number of challenges.

In a bid to prevent excessive damage to the roads and minimise commute time for residents, a new transport agreement is now in place, between the Ministry and contractors.

"They will come in through the main access road and they will utilise the last cross street to get to the project site. When exiting, they will then utilise the middle road," the Minister said. While works in the area

have slowed due to the inclement weather, the intervention is timely, as, according to Minister Croal, mobilisation will increase in the coming weeks.

Moving forward, residents in the area will also be engaged by CH&PA, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, as part of a sensitisation and consultation process for the successful completion of the project.

Further, the Minister stated

that minimal maintenance works will commence shortly by the RDC to correct any damage caused to the road networks.

Upon completion of the housing project, he stated that comprehensive remedial works would be done.

The project is slated to be completed in October 2021.

The Housing Minister also v i s i t e d Hampshire/Williamsburg and N u m b e r 4 6 Vi l l a g e , Corentyne, where the Ministry also has ongoing works.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 06, 2021

PAGE 09

VACCINE HESITANCY V

accine hesitancy ( V H ) i s extremely high.

A good way of assessing VH is to examine the number of persons receiving their first dose of the vaccines. Guyana started its vaccination programme in the second week of February and initially this was mainly for frontline staff since only a limited number of vaccines were lent to Guyana by Barbados.

February therefore is not a good month in which to start any assessment of VH since vaccines were not readily available and were being rolled out to a limited subset of the population.

The early stages of vaccination tend to have a slow rollout since the authorities have to be cautions and tweak systems.

As such, the first month tends to be very slow but from the second month onward, the rate is supposed to pick up. The table below shows the total number of first doses given to persons for the months of April, May and June 2021.

Total First Doses of vaccines: April-June 2021MonthTotal first doses administeredPercentage changeApril98,286May69,000(29.80%)June33 ,134(52.00%) As the table illustrates, the monthly vaccinate rates (as per first doses) have been falling dramatically. There

Dem

boys seh...

D

em boys know dat when yuh eye close, yuh does lose yuh right fuh married, divorce and fuh stop yuh close family members from knowing about all dem sickness wah yuh bin had. But dat nah mean de dead nah gat rights.

When de dead mek a legal paper about how dem want dem assets fuh share out, de courts gat fuh respect dat.

De dead can also seh how dem must get bury. And de courts gat fuh consider dat if dem gat dispute. De dead can also determine wah happen to dem organs. Dat is wat dem boys read and know.

But every day is wan education in dis country.

was almost a one-third decline in administered doses in May as compared with April. And the vaccination rate halved in June when compared to May. The statistics reflect failure of the Ministry of Health to meet its vaccination targets. When the government was planning its campaign, it projected being able to administer 7,500 vaccines per day. This would have allowed it to vaccinate 150,000 persons per month.

The government has fallen far short of this target, only able to achieve about twothirds of this in April.

It was then announced that the government was stepping-up its vaccination campaign. The President himself took to the airwaves to urge persons to get vaccinated. On the 24th March, he announced that the government was looking to vaccinate some 10,000 persons per day.

At the time, a total of 25,000 persons had been vaccinated and the government had then decided to open up vaccination to those persons 40+ years.

Three weeks later, it opened vaccination to all persons above the age of 18 years – meaning the largest adult cohort of the population could then be vaccinated. Despite this, the 10,000 per day target was not

met.

The government has resorted to framing its vaccination numbers differently. It now reports on the percentage of the adult population, which has been vaccinated. It now says that 48 percent of the adult population or 234,255 persons have been vaccinated. But this is less than 30 percent of the total population.

The government's vaccination campaign has hit a big hurdle. That hurdle is called vaccination hesitancy (VH). But Guyana can take comfort that it is not alone in this regard. The United States of America – one of the worst hit countries and the one which does not have a shortage of vaccines – also has a serious VH problem.

This is evident from the rate of daily vaccines administered. Four months into its vaccination campaign, the number of doses administered (as at 14th April) was 3.3 million.

But this dropped last week to as low as 764,000 doses per day. And this is responsible for the slow climb of the number of persons vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States reported high vaccine hesitancy among young persons. For example, even though all persons, age 16

Dead people gat rights!

Dem boys now hearing how people seh de dead gat copyrights over de videoing of dem post-mortem.

Dem boys never hear about dat and dem boys never hear anything about post-mortem being live streamed.

Anybody who ever see a post-mortem gan tell you is not something dat can and should be live streamed. Is a dreadful thing fuh watch.

Dem does buss yuh belly open, saw open yuh chest and if dem gat fuh check yuh brain, dem does screw off yuh skull.

Dem boys hoping when de time come fuh do back to de Master, nobody nah gat fuh cut dem open. Dem boys wan know why anyone would want to live stream

dat gory act. It nah mek sense.

Lang, lang time ago dem used to allow a family member fuh witness de postmortem. Dem stop dat lang now because nuff ah dem family members does can't tek what dem see.

Even before de body touch, some ah dem does start fuh cry and faint away and throw down demselves.

So dem mortuary decide dat de family members must only identify de body and den leave de rest to de doctors and de police.

So dem boys shock when dem hear how post-mortem live stream. Dat gat to be a fuss in de world.

Talk half and respect de rights of privacy fuh de dead!

years and older, were eligible for vaccines since mid-April, only 34 percent of those aged 18-39 years were vaccinated as at the end of May. The CDC study found that “adults aged 18–24 years were least likely to report having received a COVID-19 vaccine and were most likely to report being unsure about getting vaccinated or that they were probably going to get vaccinated.”

Despite reports of younger persons becoming sick, vaccine hesitancy among young persons was high.

The UK has also found that vaccine hesitancy is

higher among young persons. In some respects, this is understandable but not acceptable. Many young persons are of the view that they are not at high risk of dying from the disease since the majority of deaths have been the elderly.

However, they miss the larger picture which is unless as many persons as possible get vaccinated, the pandemic will be around and will take lives. And since many of these young persons also live with elderly parents and grandparents, there is a high risk of them infecting them.

There is nothing more that the government of Guyana can do to reduce vaccine hesitancy. Guyanese

prefer to learn the hard way.

And so, the better option for the government is to forget all the COVID-19 infomercials. If persons have not gotten the message by now after more than 469 deaths, they never will.

The better option would be to target the most vulnerable. Get all those over 55 years old vaccinated, and save lives!

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Tuesday July 06, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Harmon and Ramjattan: Yesterday's evaporated raindrops L

ast week, two statements - one from Joseph Harmon and the other from Khemraj Ramjattan – were large indications of how shambolic the opposition has become. Let's look at Ramjattan's comedy first.

The pattern in this country is that Ramjattan speaks comical things while Harmon utters dangerous things. But the similarity is that both are exhibiting precarious political lives.

In relation to Ramjattan, he is a sad relic of the past.

There is no physiology in the AFC. Under the AFC's constitution, his leadership term ended in June last month. The statutory congress was not held. When it is, it is doubtful there will be a quorum or if there will be contestants to fill leadership positions. The silent consensus in the AFC is that its time has passed.

What Ramjattan is doing is relying on the PNC to survive politically. What is going to happen then is that the PNC is going to prop up the AFC so that Ramjattan

can remain relevant. But in doing so, Ramjattan becomes the Indian face of the PNC displacing the Indian persons that the other leaders of the PNC want – the Georgetown Mayor, Ubraj Singh, and the Region Four Chairman, Daniel Seeram.

In fact, apart from Granger and Harmon, the rest of the PNC's pyramid cannot stand Ramjattan. If APNU+AFC had won, Ramjattan would not have been made the prime minister.

In relation to Harmon, he will never win an internal

PNC election for either leader or chairman. Mr. Harmon will be decimated by his rivals – Volda Lawrence, Carl Greenidge, Aubrey Norton and Van West Charles. So what we have in Guyana are two opposition leaders that are virtually on life-support. This may explain why they live in the past.

The statement from Ramjattan came at a press conference he held last week in which he said the opposition would not recognise the PPP government as legitimate. He spoke about dead people voting so the PPP is not legally elected. Now why is the PPP not the legal government?

Because Ramjattan says so. The very outfit that Ramjattan is part of filed two election petitions in the courts and lost both. So a convicted murderer is not a criminal because Ramjattan says so.

Whatever Ramjattan feels becomes reality. So the government is not a valid one, not because the courts said so, not because the international community said so but because Ramjattan said so.

This is the same Ramjattan who has to face permanent humiliation for the rest of his life because there is a tape available to the world in which Ramjattan as a

Frederick Kissoon minister of government met his staff and conceded that his outfit – APNU+AFC – lost the 2020 election.

You listen to the tape and you have to feel that this man cannot lead a school of guinea pigs, much less a political party. The words were pellucid, unambiguous and verifiable. He conceded defeat. Then by some weird, contorted logic of hilarity, the next day he announced that he didn't say that. And the tape is there for the world to listen to.

Surely, opposition supporters cannot be so hopeless to accept such a man as one of their leaders.

Harmon's statement is a repetition of the incitement he conducted in Region Five last September after the two Henry cousins were found dead in Cotton Tree village.

Violent attacks on Indians followed and it was Volda Lawrence who went to Cotton Tree and urged PNC supporters not to be influenced by the dangerous exhortations of Granger and

Harmon because the violent way is not the world that African Guyanese belong to. Harmon is threatening unrest over the arrest of Annette Ferguson whom the police have compiled a file on for the DPP to peruse. The issue is an alleged accusation against a high-ranking security official from the army.

Who are these people that will create confusion and mayhem? Harmon and his acolytes in the PNC, WPA and AFC have been living in the past. Guyana is not the Guyana of 1992, 1997 and 2002 when the PNC perpetuated election driven violence and Buxton based terror to destabilise Guyana.

African Guyanese are not going to sacrifice their livelihood and lives for Harmon and David Granger.

Since the election fiasco, African Guyanese have got on with their lives. Then came a pandemic, then came the second worst flood in our history. Guyanese are coping with troubled times that are devastating the world economy, and to add to that, we here in Guyana suffered a double whammy – pandemic and floods. Which section of the population is going to create unrest in their country?

Harmon and Granger will be a two-man army with the Guyanese 007 closely behind.

You only live once.

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

Louisiana solar and wind farm...

From page 2 stakeholders as the administration aims to utilise a gas-to-energy project when equally viable, much less harmful and inexpensive alternatives exist.

Concerns in this regard are justified given a recent occurrence where a similar gas project in the Gulf of Mexico, which suffered a catastrophic gas leak, resulted in massive balls of flame bubbling to the surface of the water.

This publication had previously carried an article looking at the implications for such a phenomenon occurring in Guyana.

But this is not the only phenomenon that serves to cast doubt upon the US$900 million energy project, as the aforementioned renewable alternatives serves both as viable and better solutions

for Guyana’s energy woes.

As stated, it is quite possible for solar power farms with identical capacity to that of the proposed Gasto-Energy project to be constructed and operated for a fraction of the cost.

Additionally, it should be noted that a global call exists for a shift away from fossil fuel-based projects.

This was highlighted, inter alia in a June 12th article carried by this publication entitled ‘Over 100 economists call on G7 countries to end funding for f o s s i l f u e l p ro j e c t s ’ (https://www.kaieteurnewso nline.com/2021/06/12/over100-economists-call-on-g7countries-to-end-fundingfor-fossil-fuel-projects/).

As the Government continues to push for the Gas-to-Energy project, ignoring viable alternatives,

it is pertinent to note that the construction and operation of various parts of the gas-toenergy plant will inevitably contribute to elevated Co2 emissions.

A 2013 study estimates that renewable energy sources [such as solar] typically emit about 50g or less of CO2 emissions per kWh over their lifetime, compared to about 1,000g CO2/kWh for coal and 475g CO2/kWh for natural gas.

This translates to a solar power plant that produces the same amount of electricity as the proposed gas-to-energy project would not only potentially be 66 percent cheaper, but also over nine times cleaner than the proposed gas-to-energy project in relation to the polluting effect on the air we breathe.

Tuesday July 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Tuesday July 06, 2021

Spanish hotline launched to help combat TIP T

he Ministry of Human Services and Social Security's 592STOP (Stop the Trafficking in Persons) campaign was launched in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), on Friday by Minister, Vindhya Persaud.

Minister Persaud used the opportunity to emphasise Government's zero tolerance approach to TIP. The launch signalled the beginning of a month of activities that will culminate in World Day against Trafficking In Persons on July 30, according to a release issued by the Ministry.

Those who attended listened attentively as Minister Persaud outlined some of the steps that the Ministry has taken and will take to curb TIP, which she likened to modern day slavery.

She encouraged persons to use the TIP hotlines to report all cases of trafficking as she launched the new 24hour Spanish hotline, which will allow Spanish /Portuguese speaking persons to report trafficking.

It complements the existing hotline that caters for English speaking persons.

Dr. Vindhya Persaud exhorted persons to recognise trafficking in all its forms and outlined some of the activities that would be happening this month including, “Through My Lens” where persons can hear from survivors about the devastating impact of trafficking on their lives.

She noted that the messages on the T-shirts worn specially for the occasion must be passed on to “different people, different languages, but same message – Stop the trafficking in persons.”

Minister Persaud noted that Guyana has retained its Tier 1 status due to its fulfillment of minimum standards to curb TIP as announced by the US State Department and lauded the efforts of her C-TIP department.

She encouraged survivors to report and work with law enforcement agencies to have more convictions of traffickers.

Head of the C-TIP Unit of the Ministry, Tanisha

Minister Vindhya Persaud's outreach to Bartica last Friday where she launched the 592STOP (Stop the Trafficking in Persons) campaign.

Williams-Corbin, gave an overview of the work of the unit and shared information on the number of reported cases, convictions and how persons can access help and support from the unit.

She also mentioned that there will be an awareness drive-by activity in Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) and more training of stakeholder groups. So far, training has been done by the C-Tip Unit with the Joint Forces, Regions, NonG o v e r n m e n t a l Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations

(CSOs); along with public awareness through engagement in public spaces in various Regions.

After the presentations, all those in attendance were asked to open the umbrellas or wear hats that bore the message “Stop the Trafficking of Persons” as part of the launch.

The event was also attended by the Regional and Vice Chairs of Bartica, Mayor Gifford Marshall and his deputy. Marshall made brief remarks and committed to collaborating in the fight against TIP. The short

programme was chaired by the Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Erwin Warde, and the Vote of Thanks was given by Narissa Rahaman.

Persons who attended the event were able to access many of the services offered by the ministry.

They also had an opportunity to interact with Minister Persaud, get vaccinated, and had free eye tests, blood sugar and pressure checks.

The Spotlight Initiative Awareness Session and training of Local Board of Guardians were also done

during the visit.

Members of the public are encouraged to report all suspicious TIP activities to the Ministry's TIP hotline

numbers: 227-4083, 6235030 or 624-0079 (Spanish hotline). Persons can also visit the TIP Guyana Facebook page.

Two new pump stations for Black Bush Polder From page 11 Authority (NDIA), is working to have those areas drained as soon as possible.

He told residents that those waters have to pass through the main canals and that a careful system has to be put in place to ensure areas in the front lands do not become flooded once more.

He also told residents that water level gauges would be installed in the main canals to ensure water levels remain

low to avoid overtopping and further instances of flooding in the residential and farming communities.

“There is a lot of water in the backlands in the cattle pasture. That water still has to pass through the main canals.

We'll continue to put systems in place. We have additional pumps at Number 43 Village.

The technical officers are also working to develop a system to drain the backlands without flooding the farming

and residential areas in the front lands. Like I mentioned before, all the water has to pass through these canals and we have to be very careful,” said Minister Mustapha.

He continued, “The forecast has predicted that we'll be having more rains so we have to ensure that the main drains are low. I've instructed the NDIA to install gauges in the drains so that residents can know and monitor the water level in

these canals. These gauges will be installed within another two weeks. People should not keep water in these drainage canals as a reservoir because when it overtops the residential and farming areas will be flooded.”

Furthermore, Minister Mustapha said that his ministry intends to establish an independent drainage canal for Johanna. He also told residents that in the long term, the government intends

to establish a drainage structure similar to the one located in the Hope canal, in Black Bush Polder.

“When we were in government, prior to 2015, we had started that project.

We'd already started some work. NDIA has been working to resuscitate that structure. We are also looking to establish a bigger structure because Black Bush Polder is a very critical area for agricultural development in

Region Six. We have to ensure that we put systems in place for the long term so when we have heavy rains, areas like Johanna wouldn't be easily flooded.

We have to have a structure similar to what is at the Hope canal. All these main drains will be linked to that structure so that the excess water can drain into the Atlantic. We are looking at it. We have to get funding for it,” Minister Mustapha said.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 06, 2021

PAGE 13

'Virgin lands' to open as decision finalised to build all-weather road at No. 58 Village

By Malisa Playter Harry

E

arly this year, during one of Minister Zulfikar Mustapha's visit to Berbice, he had announced that Cabinet had given the green light for the design and construction of an allweather road stretching from the Corentyne Highway straight on to the Canje Creek.

There were a number of consultations with farmers and Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, had visited with a team to conduct assessments on where the road should be

Minister, Juan Edghill (second from right) in the company of Ministers, Ashni Singh and Zulfikar Mustapha, and Regional Officials

Nand Persaud's CEO, Mohindra Persaud (standing), makes a point

situated.

T h e r e w e r e considerations between two locations, No. 52 and No. 8.

A further consultation exercise was conducted at No. 36 Village on Saturday with Minister Mustapha, Dr. Ashni Singh – the Minister responsible for Finance, Minister Edghill, regional officials and farmers. During the consultation, they offered their input for the final decision on where the road would be constructed.

With an all-weather road in place, it is expected that new and "virgin lands" will be opened for farmers.

However, during the recent

consultation a number of farmers argued that the best location would be at No. 52 Village since there are more lands available at that location. On the other hand, there were farmers in favour of using the No. 58 location.

Minister Edghill in providing clarity and explaining the practicality of where the road is likely to take form, stated that his ministry, together with the cooperation of the regional administration, the Agriculture Ministry and stakeholders, have been engaged in field investigations and continuous consultations.

He said he is ready at this point to move efforts apace for the construction of the road. “We want to ensure that everyone is on board of where we are putting the road," the Minister said.

Edghill while addressing the farmers stated that he and his team have examined the No. 52 road and the No. 58/59 dam but were also advised that there is another stretch of road in the No. 58 area (57/58).

He added that with the aim of opening new lands, "we want expansion in all forms of agriculture and you can't have expansion if you don't open up new lands. The

intent is that we will build a road from the Corentyne Highway, all the way to the Canje Creek, it may have to be done in phases and then possibly to get to other lands over the Canje Creek."

He added that the focus is mainly on getting the road from the Corentyne Highway to Canje Creek done.

According to Edghill too, the aerial and ground assessments were done on both dams (58/59 and 57/58)

and the beneficiaries "will practically be the same."

However, Minister Edghill said that he was advised that “when you reach the Seaforth Canal on the 58/59 dam ... there is a possible alignment on the 58/59 that can carry you further down and when you get to a forested area you have to open.

When you go down the 57/58 road you don't have that same opportunity, my engineers have confirmed to me that at the Seaforth Canal we don't necessarily have to build a bridge, we can use concrete culvert which would cut the cost because there is no boat traffic so we can use the culverts to control water flow."

He further detailed that the 57/58 dam has a wider stretch while at the 58/59 dam is narrow. Edghill said that "in order to build roads we must get drainage, if I have to use money to do revetment and put in some form of infrastructure to prevent slippage you get less road.

At the 58/59 dam, you don't have the width to have enough shoulders so you

have to do some form of revetment to get the width to get the road. At 57/58 the road is broader and we can probably accommodate some shoulders but ultimately we want to arrive at a decision that fits into our developmental priorities and have the buy in of the people who will be the beneficiaries."

Based on the assessment conducted, this publication was informed that a decision was made for the road to be built at No. 58. A decision on the exact location, however, is yet to be made.

"Out of the billion dollars to build the farm to market roads, we will do a design for $750M in the 2021 budget and because the No. 52 road is already very heavily used, that gives access to a number of farmers. We will do a design for 2021 that will accommodate some works up to $250 million," Minister Edghill said.

However, rice farmer and President of the Rice Producers Association, Lekka Rambrich, argued that the best place to have the road built is at No. 52 as he (continued on page 14)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Tuesday July 06, 2021

Investor to establish processing facility at Black Bush Polder - Govt. Ministers reveal The Ministers engaging the residents

- packaging facility to service Reg. 5 and 6 also on the cards

A

griculture in Region Six, more so Black Bush Polder, is set to benefit from several major developmental investments with the establishment of a privately owned processing facility at Mibicuri.

This is according to a release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture. It noted that last Saturday, Minister of Agriculture and Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Zulfikar Mustapha and Dr. Ashni Singh met with residents of Black Bush Polder and told residents about several planned developmental projects to propel agriculture in the Region.

During a meeting with farmers and residents at the Mibicuri Primary School, on the Corentyne Coast, Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, told residents that government is in discussion with a private

investor who has signalled an interest to establish a state of the art processing facility in the area.

“For a long time in Guyana, agriculture has been our primary production. We cultivate our crops, we harvest them and we sell them in a raw form. We haven't been able to move from selling basic primary unprocessed agriculture commodities in a processed form, which is the more value-added form.

You have crops like peppers, for example, if you sell peppers you get the price for peppers.

If you were able to process the peppers into pepper sauce or spices or condiments and package it nicely, you'll get a better price for it. Similarly, fruits.

Fresh fruits are good but they have a limited shelf life.

We, as a government, believe very strongly that we must be at a point where we're able to produce not just fresh fruits and vegetables, not just primary agricultural

outputs, but also valueadded production,” said Dr. Singh.

Recognising how important this is, the Senior Minister went on to say, “We've said very clearly that we are open to working with any private sector individual who is willing to get into that line of activity.

We are already at an advanced stage of conversation with potential investors in a processing

Inspector’s gun, valuables stolen from parked car

A

p o l i c e inspector, along with a retired police officer and another victim, were on Sunday afternoon robbed of their valuables while they were swimming.

According to a police report, the 48-year-old female inspector and a 59-year-old retired male police officer, along with a 37-year-old housewife, left their belongings in a Silver Grey Allion motor car, bearing number plate PPP 1014, belonging to the retired officer and went swimming in the Dakara Creek, located at Wismar, Linden.

The man reportedly secured the car at 15:40hrs. and he, along with the other individuals, went down to the creek, which is about 75 feet down a hill.

This meant that the car was out of their sight. The trio, according to a police report, finished swimming at 17:00hrs., some two hours, 20 minutes later.

Upon returning, they noticed that the right side, quarter glass of the car was broken and the right side passenger door was partly opened. Further inspection revealed that the perpetrator(s) had stolen a

9mm semi-automatic pistol and magazine with 10 live 9mm rounds that was left in the glove compartment, one black Kool Pad cell phone valued $20,000, one black smart phone valued $30,000 and $21,400 in cash.

Also taken from the car was a Samsung A30 cell phone valued $65,000, one pair of reading glasses valued $58,000, National Identification, police and Republic Bank cards, a driver's licence, one brown handbag valued $2,000 and clothing valued at $5,000. A statement was taken and an investigation is in progress.

plant. They have an interest in setting up such a plant in Mibicuri to engage in valueadded processing of primary produce like cash crops, into nicely processed and packaged products for which you'll get better prices.”

The Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, also told residents that, in addition to the processing facility, his ministry will be constructing a packaging facility to assist farmers and agro-processors with properly packaging their produce.

“In our 2021 budget, allocations were made for the construction of a lot of those facilities. This year we are going to be constructing about six of those facilities.

One is earmarked for

Berbice.

We are looking at the strategy because if we have private investors in Black Bush, we'd initially earmarked Talorgie for the packaging facility but we are thinking about moving it further down the Corentyne so we can service both Regions Five and Six. From Rosignol to Abary, we have a lot of cash crop farmers. On the East Bank of Berbice, we also have a lot of farmers. So we are considering establishing the facility in Bath, Fort We l l i n g t o n , o r N e w Amsterdam,” Minister Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha further stated that with the establishment of such facilities, the government

intends to tap into markets in the diaspora given the demand for Guyanese commodities.

He also informed residents that Cabinet recently gave its no objection to the construction of two such facilities in Region Nine and that his ministry is working to have the packaging facility in Parika rehabilitated. This, he said, will be operated through a Public-Private Partnership.

The two Ministers will be returning to the area to conclude discussions with the investor. Once those consultations are completed, construction of the processing facility is expected to commence soon after.

'Virgin lands' to open as decision...

From page 13 asked "can somebody show us where the new lands that that road will open Minister?" The Minister in response said that based on an aerial view that was done by consultants, "beyond the cattle savannah there is forest (and) we have to get to that forest and clear out the forest for new lands."

After some back and forth, Rambrich was still not in agreement with the choice of location (No. 58) and told the Minister "I wish you well," to which Minister Edghill responded "thank you."

Hundreds of farmers are expected to benefit from the

new all-weather road.

On Saturday too, Consultations were held for the approval of an airstrip proposed by Nand Persaud and Company Ltd. "Our intent is to have an airstrip because of the expansion of agriculture lands and for the b e n e f i t o f farmers...sometimes farmers can't spray on time, can't throw the fertilizers on time because they have to wait for workers,” said Chief Executive Officer of Nand Persaud and Company, Mohindra Persaud.

He added, “We started the process for the airstrip about six years ago and we expect very soon that we can

close the gap."

Persaud in 2019 had told the media that he was still awaiting the green light to complete an unfinished airstrip at No. 36 Village, Corentyne. He said that he was informed that the application is with the Defence board, which fell under the Ministry of Presidency at the time.

The CEO had stated that he had spent over $25 million on the airstrip before works were halted. During Saturday's consultations, the farmers were in support of having the airstrip completed at No. 36 to facilitate aerial spraying for farmers.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 06, 2021

14 COVID-19 patients in ICU, 11 new cases

PAGE 15

4 GFC employees terminated reportedly over lunch break domino game

Guyana Forestry Commission

F

our persons were last week sent home from the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), reportedly after they were caught playing domino during their lunch break. This was confirmed by a reliable source.

This publication was informed that three males and one female have been sent packing. The woman worked at the entity as a radio operator while the men worked in the workshop.

The former employees, this publication

A

lthough no deaths have been reported over the past two days, the Ministry of Health yesterday revealed that there are 14 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit. The death toll, as a result, remains at 478.

Yesterday too, it was revealed that there were 11 new cases and these have brought the total number of confirmed cases to 20,389.

A breakdown of new cases per Region shows that Regions Four and Six had four cases each, two in Region Two and one in Region 10.

According to the MoH's daily COVID-19 dashboard, there are 94 persons in institutional isolation, 1,449 in home isolation and one person is in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 18,354 persons have recovered from the virus.

Man loses finger over $160 drug debt

T

wo alleged drug dealers on Sunday beat and severed the index finger of a man who had reportedly owed them $160 for marijuana.

Left without a finger is Collins Smartt, 36, better known as “Rasta Man,” a labourer of Little Africa, Corentyne, Berbice.

Smartt lost his finger around 20:30hrs. at Number 79 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

According to police, the alleged drug dealers are a man and a woman. Smartt had reportedly visited their home to buy marijuana but the suspects requested that he pay them $160 that he had

owed for a previous purchase.

Reports suggest that an argument erupted between Smartt and the alleged drug dealers. The male suspect reportedly armed himself with a cutlass and chopped Smartt to his right hand, severing his index finger.

A police report revealed that the woman then located a piece of wood and began lashing Smartt to his back causing him to receive additional injuries. The wounded Smartt later lodged a report with police who took him to the Skeldon Public Hospital for medical attention.

The alleged drug dealers are yet to be arrested.

was informed, received their termination letters last Thursday. In his termination letter, one of the men, a mechanic, was informed that he was sent home due to missing vehicle parts, while another said he was not given a reason for his termination.

However, Kaieteur News was informed that the employees were sent home after they were caught playing domino during a ministerial visit by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, to the entity's Water Street, Georgetown office.

PAGE 16

Tuesday July 06, 2021

Kaieteur News

Some 150 students missing after gunmen raid Nigerian school – parent, administrator

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BAUCHI/KADUNA, Nigeria - (Reuters) - About 150 students are missing after armed men raided a boarding school in Nigeria’s Kaduna state, a parent and an administrator said yesterday, and police said they were in hot pursuit alongside military personnel.

The attack on the Bethel Baptist High School is the 10th mass school kidnapping since December in northwest Nigeria, which authorities have attributed to armed bandits seeking ransom payments.

Dozens of distraught parents gathered at the school compound, some weeping and crying out, standing in groups awaiting news. Discarded sandals lay strewn nearby. Dormitories containing metal bunk beds and cupboards were deserted.

Police said gunmen shooting wildly attacked overnight and overpowered the school’s security guards, taking an unspecified number of students into a nearby forest.

A police statement said 26 people including a female teacher had been rescued.

Reverend John Hayab, a founder of the school, told Reuters about 25 students had managed to escape while the school’s other students remained missing.

A path leads into the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy training center in Kaduna, Nigeria. REUTERS/Bosan Yakusak

Roughly 180 students attended the school and were in the process of sitting exams, according to Hayab, whose 17-year-old son escaped, and parent, Hassana Markus, whose daughter was among those missing.

Local residents who declined to be identified told Reuters that security officials had cordoned off the school after the attack, which took place between 11 pm on Sunday and 4 am yesterday morning.

Armed men, known locally as bandits, have made an industry of kidnapping students for ransom in northwest Nigeria, with Kaduna state particularly hard hit.

They have taken nearly 1,000 people from schools since December last year, more than 150 of whom remain missing.

Kidnappers have also targeted roads, private residents and even hospitals; in the early morning hours of Sunday, gunmen abducted six people including a one-year-

old child from a hospital in Kaduna state.

In February, President Muhammadu Buhari urged state governments “to review their policy of rewarding bandits with money and vehicles,” warning that the policy might boomerang disastrously. The unrest has become a political problem for Buhari, a retired general and former military ruler who has faced mounting criticism over prominent attacks by the gangs.

Return to normal? UK PM Johnson outlines end to England’s virus restrictions LONDON - (Reuters) British Prime Minister Boris Johnson set out plans yesterday to end social and economic COVID-19 restrictions in England in two weeks’ time, a test of whether a rapid vaccine rollout offers enough protection from the highly contagious Delta variant.

Johnson confirmed the government aimed to end restrictive measures on July 19, with a final decision to be taken next week. He said the step would eliminate formal limits on social contact, the instruction to work from home, and mandates to wear face masks.

After imposing the most onerous constraints on behaviour in Britain’s peacetime history to battle the novel coronavirus, Johnson is betting the vaccination programme, which has weakened the link between infecVACANCY Va c a n c y e x i s t f o r e x p e r i e n c e d Wa t e r D e l i v e r y D r i v e r, E . C . D . Te l : 6 9 2 6768,676-1363.

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank call: 615-9132.Female cleaner for office call: 642-9823.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson

tions and hospital admissions, can prevent the health service being overwhelmed by a new wave of COVID-19.

Under the plans, nightclubs will be allowed to reopen and there will be no limits on capacity for hospitality venues. Social distancing guidelines will be scrapped.

“We must be honest with ourselves that if we can’t reopen our society in the next few weeks, when we will be helped by the arrival of summer and by the school holidays, then we must ask ourselves when will we be able to return to normal?”

Johnson told a news confer-

ence.

“We will move away from legal restrictions and allow people to make their own informed decisions about how to manage the virus.”

Johnson’s government sets health policy for England, but not for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Britain has suffered the seventh highest global death toll from COVID-19, and Johnson has been accused of being too slow to implement each of England’s three lockdowns.But the take-up of vaccines in Britain has been strong, with 86% of adults receiving a first dose and 64% receiving two doses as of Monday, according to government data.

Public Health England figures indicate that the vaccines are highly effective in preventing the Delta variant from leading to severe illness or hospital admission, especially after two doses.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 06, 2021

Dr. Bob Ramnauth is flanked by Regional Officials and Ministry of Health representatives

PAGE 17

Two new pump stations for Black Bush Polder - gauges to be installed in two weeks' time in main canals to monitor water levels

B

New Amsterdam Hospital's CEO replaced

A

new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has been appointed at the New Amsterdam Hospital and that person will also have oversight for the Skeldon Public Hospital.

This development was confirmed by Regional C h a i r m a n , M r. D a v i d Armogan.

Kaieteur News was informed that Dr. Bob Ramnauth will take over

from Micheal Khan, who is currently serving in the capacity of CEO at the hospital.

A c c o r d i n g t o information received, Dr. Ramnauth's transition into the new position will take effect within two weeks.

Dr. Ramnauth, according to reports, has already visited the Skeldon Hospital where he met with the doctor in charge and the administrator.

He was reportedly

accompanied by the Regional Executive Officer of Region Six, Mr. Narindra Persaud. Dr. Ramnauth, a General Surgeon with 15 years of experience at 10 hospitals across Demerara, Essequibo, Berbice and interior locations, has worked in both the private and public sectors.

His appointment is expected to serve as a boost to the health services in Region Six.

The newly appointed CEO currently serves as the Chairman of the board of directors of the Mahaica, M a h a i c o n y, A b a r y Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) and Chairman of the board of directors of the Closed Area Committee at the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Meanwhile, Khan, this publication was informed, is slated to take up a new role at the Ministry of Health.

lack Bush P o l d e r , Corentyne, East Berbice, one of the most severely affected areas by the ongoing flooding in the country, will soon benefit from two new pump stations to assist with drainage and irrigation.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, made this pronouncement during a recent outreach to Black Bush Polder.

The Minister's disclosure came during a series of meetings last Saturday in Johanna, Mibicuri, Lesbeholden and Yakusari.

He told residents that these projects are currently being advertised.

A release from the Agriculture Ministry quoted the Minister as saying: “Two new pump stations will be built in Black Bush Polder.

Those projects are currently being advertised, so within another 12 to 14 months, Black Bush Polder will have two brand new pump stations. One will give you irrigation water and the other will give you drainage.

These pump stations form part of the government's overall developmental agenda for agriculture in the Region. Agriculture is very important to us and so is Black Bush Polder.”

Although water levels in the farming and residential areas have receded significantly, areas in the backlands like the Cookrite savannahs that are designated cattle pastures, remain flooded.

The minister also told residents that his ministry, through the National Drainage and Irrigation (continued on page 12)

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 06, 2021

Tuesday July 06, 2021

PAGE 19

Kaieteur News

Sri Lanka cricket official banned for attempt to bribe minister AFP - Sri Lanka’s cricket reputation suffered a double blow yesterday when an official was banned for seven years for trying to bribe the country’s sports minister, while a top player was fined for giving interviews criticising the national board.

The International Cricket Council said it had banned former Sri Lanka Cricket performance analysts, Sanath Jayasundara, for offering money to sports minister Harin Fernando to influence an international match.

Jayasundara is the latest in a series of players and officials to be banned for corruption.

“Jayasundara’s attempt to bribe a minister is a grave transgression while the efforts to cover up his tracks and the lack of remorse are

hugely disappointing,” ICC anti-corruption chief Alex Marshall said in a statement.

“We won’t tolerate corrupt conduct in our sport and my team will be relentless in preventing such behaviour,” he warned.

Jayasundara was found guilty of charges of offering a bribe to “improperly” influence the unnamed international game and of delaying the investigation into the incident.

The bribe is reported to have been offered in 2018 when Fernando said that the ICC considered Sri Lanka to be the “worst country for cricket corruption”.

Earlier, Twenty20 Bhanuka Rajapaksa was fined $5,000 and handed a suspended ban for giving interviews criticising the national board.

Sri Lanka’s Bhanuka Rajapaksa (L) was fined and handed a ban for giving interviews critical of the national board management.

Sri Lanka Cricket said 29year-old Rajapaksa was in breach of his contract by giving the interviews to local media and on social media platforms.His one ban was suspended for two years,

Tuesday July 06, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Other people may steal the spotlight from you today, Aries, but don't let it get you down. The key is to learn from the ones who take charge.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) It may seem like close loved ones are trying to pick a fight with you today, Taurus. There may tend to be a "me first" attitude stirring up a pot of trouble.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A close loved one may express displeasure with the way things are, Gemini. Maybe there's some tension in the air.

Things could get rather explosive.

CANCER(June21–July22) Fire up today, Cancer, and let your spirit fly. You have a great deal of ammunition that encouraging you to take charge. Let your adventuresome spirit roam wherever it pleases.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Put your reservations aside, Leo, and go for the thing your heart desires most. Throw caution to the wind and make it happen. Today's energy urges you to take charge of your life and conquer new territory.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) There may be tremendous changes in store for you, Virgo. Connect with something futuristic and far out.

There may be some roadblocks in the way. Maybe your heart is impeding your progress. You don't need another person to fill in any voids in your life.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Be bold and aggressive today, Libra. Even if this isn't in your nature, dynamic action can be rewarding on a day like this. People will be delighted to hear from you.

Your opinion is precious.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Love is on your side today, Scorpio, and all romantic and social situations are favored. This is the perfect time to take the lead on creative projects or anything requiring a keen eye for beauty.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Certain love and romance matters may cause some tension, Sagittarius. Inflated egos may get in the way of important communication that needs to take place for harmony between you and your romantic partner.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Take charge of your life, Capricorn. The more action you take, the more alive you will feel. Maybe you will decide to have a career on the stage.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't hide, Aquarius. This is your time to come out of the shadows. There's a spark within that's urging you to act. Move forward and worry about the consequences later.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) This is a terrific day for you, Pisces. Your mood is good and everything is flowing your way. The fire within is burning hot. You will take the lead role in every production.

however, and the board said Rajapaksa has been included in a training squad for a series against India starting July 13.Rajapaksa gave interviews last month saying that he was unfairly excluded from the

just-concluded tour of England where Sri Lanka lost the one-day and T20 series.

He played his first T20 against Pakistan in October 2019 and the last in January 2020 against India.

Miller-Uibo down to contest 200/400m...

From page 23 schedule shows that the preliminary round and semi-finals of the 200m will be run on Monday, August 2, with the first round of the 400m set to begin on Tuesday, August 3, the same day as the 200m finals.

Nonetheless, according to the Bahamas Olympic Committee, Miller-Uibo is down to do both events.

Her compatriot, Steven Gardiner, the 2019 400m World Champion, is also listed for the 200m and 400m.

The remainder of the team comprises Samuel Colebrooke, who will run the 100m while Jamal Wilson had been registered for the high jump. Veteran jumper Donald Thomas is a provisional entry for the event.

Meanwhile, Tynia Gaither has been entered for the 100m and 200m. Brianne Bethel and Anthonique Strachan have also been entered for the 200m.

Pedrya Seymour makes the team for the 100m hurdles.

Doneisha Anderson, Megan Moss and Lacathera Cooper will Miller-Uibo, Strachan and Bethel for the 4 x 400m relay.

Swimmer Joanna Evans has been 200m and 400m freestyle with Laura Morley being a provisional entry and Izaak Bastian has been entered for the 100m and 200m breaststroke.

Jabeur makes Wimbledon ....

From page 23 congratulated by Roger (Federer) after my match, which was amazing. I think now I’m good in my tennis career,” she said. “That inspires me a lot and gives me the hunger to win more.”

For the 20-year-old Swiatek, who burst into the limelight by winning the French Open last year, it was just part of the learning process on grass.

“Like winning just one match was a great achievement for me,” said Swiatek, who was in the main draw here for only the second time having lost in the first round in 2019.

“This grass season is really a positive for me. I hope I’m going to use that in future years.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Tuesday July 06, 2021

Djokovic joined by parade of newcomers in Wimbledon quarters Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime returns to Germany’s Alexander Zverev during the men’s singles fourth round (AP Photo/ Alastair Grant)

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Novak Djokovic reached his 12th Wimbledon quarterfinal yesterday to pull even with Arthur Gore, who had a 117year head start, while a parade of newcomers also made the final eight.

First-timers on the men’s side included Canadians Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime, Italian Matteo Berrettini, Marton Fucsovics of Hungary and Russian Karen Khachanov, who won a bizarre fifth set to beat American Sebastian Korda on his 21st birthday.

Women advancing to their first Wimbledon quarterfinal included No. 1seeded Ash Barty, No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, Tu n i s i a n O n s J a b e u r, Karolína Plíšková of the Czech Republic and Vi k t o r i j a G o l u b i c o f Switzerland.

Another upstart was eliminated when 2018 champion Angelique Kerber beat 17-year-old Coco Gauff

6-4, 6-4.

Djokovic, the two-time defending champion, held every service game to tie Gore and beat No. 17 Cristian Garín, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.

Three-time champion Gore first played Wi m b l e d o n i n 1 8 8 8 .

Djokovic made his debut in 2005, and they share third place on the men’s all-time l i s t f o r m o s t m e n ’s quarterfinal berths, behind Roger Federer’s 18 and Jimmy Connors’ 14.

“It’s a privilege to break records in the sport that I truly love,” Djokovic said.

“I’m devoted to this sport as much as I think anybody out there on the tour. I just try to do my best.”

Djokovic will next play the unseeded, 29-year-old Fucsovics. He became the first Hungarian to reach the Wimbledon men’s quarterfinals since 1948 by upsetting No. 5 Andrey Rublev 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-0, 63.Khachanov, seeded No. 25, went five sets-plus to

Russia’s Karen Khachanov celebrates winning the men’s singles fourth round match against Sebastian Korda of the US(Peter Nicholls/Pool via AP)

beat Korda, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 57, 10-8. With both players battling fatigue and nerves, there were 13 services breaks in the final set, and for Korda, it was a disappointing end to an otherwise impressive Wimbledon debut.“I’m still super happy with how the whole tournament and today was,” Korda said. “I fought my hardest. I don’t know what was happening out there. We just couldn’t hold serve.”

Khachanov will next face the No. 10-seeded Shapovalov, who hit 15 aces and beat No. 8 Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-3, 7-5.

The 20-year-old Felix Auger-Aliassime, seeded 16th, earned his first five-set victory and his first berth in a major quarterfinal by beating No. 4 Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (6), 3-6, 3-6, 6-4.“It’s unbelievable,” Auger-Aliassime said. “I’m a normal guy from Montreal, Canada, and here I am.

Surely the best victory of my life.”The No. 7-seeded

Berrettini became the first Italian man in 23 years to r e a c h t h e Wi m b l e d o n quarterfinals by ousting Ilya Ivashka 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.

No. 2-seeded Daniil Medvedev led two sets to one when his match against No. 14 Hubert Hurkacz was suspended until today because of rain.

Jabeur became the first Arab woman to reach the quarters by rallying past 2020 French Open champion Iga Œwi¹tek 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

J a b e u r, s e e d e d 2 1 s t , converted all seven-break point chances and enjoyed hearing happy fans singing at the end of her match.

“Tunisians are everywhere, I’ve got to say,” she said with a smile. “They were singing a football song.

I felt the need to sing with them.”

Barty was troubled again by a shaky serve but saved eight of 10 break points and did manage an ace on match point to end French Open champion Barbora

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic waves to the crowd as he leaves the court after defeating Chile’s Cristian Garin (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Krejèíková’s 15-match win streak, 7-5, 6-3.Barty has yet to play her best in the tournament but is the favorite to claim her second Grand Slam title. The Australian won the 2019 French Open and was the Wimbledon girls singles champion in 2011.

“I love coming out here and test myself against the best in the world,” Barty told the crowd. “And there’s certainly no place I’d rather be at the moment.”

Sabalenka earned her first berth in a Grand Slam quarterfinal by beating Rybakina 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Plíšková, seeded eighth, has now reached the final eight at

every major after hitting 10 aces and eliminating Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 63. Golubic ousted No. 23 Madison Keys 7-6 (3), 6-3.

Kerber, the only former champion still in the women’s draw, converted four of five break point chances to eliminate Gauff, who also reached the fourth round two years ago.

“Coco is such a great, talented young player,” Kerber said. “I’m really sure she will have a great career.”

No. 19 Karolína M u c h o v á m a d e Wimbledon’s quarters for the second year in a row by beating No. 30 Paula Badosa 7-6 (6), 6-4.

Osaka says preparing for Olympics, will do news conferences

Japan’s Naomi Osaka says she wants to be ‘at the top of my game’ at the Olympics.

AFP - Tennis star Naomi Osaka said yesterday she wants to be on top form at the Olympics and will take part in press conferences, after pulling out of several tournaments citing her struggles with depression and anxiety.

The world number two told Japan’s national broadcaster NHK she was getting ready to play on home turf at the pandemicpostponed Tokyo Games, after having withdrawn from Wimbledon and the French Open.

“I am preparing myself little by little so I can be at the top of my game for the Olympics,” the 23year-old wrote in a message published by the broadcaster.

“Since getting the attention of

the world, I’ve always had bouts of anxiety. This is especially the case in the lead up to big competitions.”

Osaka set off a debate about mental health in June after abandoning her French Open campaign just one match in over a dispute on media duties.

The Japanese player had said post-match news conferences were detrimental to her mental health and likened them to “kicking people when they’re down”.

She later revealed her battle with depression and anxiety in a post on social media, saying she wanted to take time away from the game to get better.In the message published by NHK, Osaka said she was “proud” to play for her country at the Games,

adding that she would take part in news conferences while giving consideration to her mental health.

She was fined $15,000 and threatened with disqualification from Roland Garros after refusing to honour mandatory media commitments.

French Open organisers protested that they had treated her with “care and respect” after they were accused of being heavyhanded.Osaka’s agent said last month that she had withdrawn from Wimbledon to spend time with friends and family.

But he added that she was “excited to play in front of her home fans” at Tokyo 2020, which begins on July 23.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 06, 2021

PAGE 21

NYSCL/Independence Cup 2021

Regal Legends muscle their way to maiden title - Latif, Ramdeen rule their zone Regal Legends played unbeaten to lift their first New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) Independence Cup title when the annual tournament ended on Sunday July 4 in Queen’s New York. Also, outstanding individual performances from Surujdeo Ramdeen and Richard Latif helped their teams to come out on top when play ended in fading light on the historic day in the USA. In the final played at the Roy Wilkins Park, Regal Legends were sent in by Williamsburg and raced to 237-4 from their 20 overs.

Opener, Unis Yusuf blasted the top score of 94 before he was bowled in the 18th over falling six short of a welldeserved century. The pugnacious knock from the Herstelling, East Bank Demerara resident was laced with seven sixes and five fours as he finished the tournament with 215 runs from four innings. Also cashing in on the runs feast were other inform batsmen, Eric Thomas 72 not out and Rudolph Baker a cameo 29.

Thomas chalked up 140 runs from three innings, while Baker, who got 85 not out against Rockaway Legends, finished the 3-day tournament with 172 runs from his three innings.

In reply, a tired looking Williamsburg Legends labored to 95-8 from their 20 overs handing Regal Legends a huge 142-run

Richard Latif accepts the man of the match trophy.

Surujdeo Ramdeen receives his prize for his bowling performance. v i c t o r y. O p e n e r S .

Sackichand threatened momentarily with 27 but the climbing required run rate, atmospheric heat, tight bowling and excellent fielding were too much to handle and the final panned out to be a one-sided affair.

Bowling for the new champions, there were two wickets apiece for left-arm spinner Laurie Singh (2/14) and Captain Mahendra Hardyal (2/20), while David Harper (1/3), Thomas (1/11), Yusuf (1/11) and Parsram Persaud (1/23) supported.

Thomas and Harper finished the tournament with six

wickets each, Hardyal and Throy Kippins four each and Singh and Persaud three each.

Williamsburg were the third opponent of Regal Legends that failed to get past the 100-run mark.

Rockaway Legends folded for 30 chasing 254, Marine Masters limped to 80 batting first. Only semi-finalist NYSCL Legends with 105 chasing 201 to win reached triple figures against the clinical Regal bowling attack.

The Legends now join the Regal Open (2017) and Regal Masters (2017) teams

to win the Independence Cup. At the presentation ceremony, Thomas was rewarded for the best bowling figures in a match 4/4 against Marine Masters, while Yusuf was named Player of the final for his innings of 94 runs and 1 wicket. Yusuf was also rewarded for scoring the most runs in the tournament and was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament.

In the Open category, Richard ‘Mr. Cricket’ Latif played a lone hand in the final at the same venue to

Unnis Yusuf in action.

Regal Legends skipper Mahendra Hardyal collects the winning trophy.

snatch victory from the jaws of defeat to give NYSCL All Stars a close victory with two balls to spare over Kingsmen All Stars. Chasing 195 for victory the game seemed over when NYSCL All Stars had their top and middle orders back in the hut but the experienced Latif kept his cool and backed himself to finish the job. With 39 runs needed from three overs, Latif hit a six in the 18th over then followed up with another six then a four in the next over to bring the equation down to 8 runs to win from the last over. The Campbellville Georgetown resident then picked the gaps in the final over for singles and doubles to bring the equation down to one run required for victory from two balls then a wide was delivered to end the drama.

Latif finished on 78 not out.

The elegant right hander was then the big winner at the awards ceremony collecting prizes for the Player of the Final (78* and 2/13), Most Runs in the Tournament (180), Most Wickets in the Tournament (8) and the Most Valuable Player. Greg Singh of West Bank Demerara also playing for NYSCL All Stars won the prize for the Best Bowling Figures in a match, 4/11 against Florida All Stars, while former Guyana and West Indies Youth player Zamal Khan representing Kingsmen won the prize for

the highest individual score, 92 versus Fire Links.

In the Masters (over-45) category, New York League side Cricket Doctors came out winners after stopping Corriverton Knight Riders in the final. Another Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) player was instrumental in his side’s success. Surujdeo Ramdeen who plays for Regal Masters in Guyana, bowled the Cricket Doctors to the championship with inspirational figures of 3/10 in the final.

The right arm leg spinner picked up key wickets to reduce the opposition 8 runs short of victory. His accurate bowling earned him the Player of the Final and Most Wickets of the Tournament (6) prizes.

The occasion was the 25th staging of the Independence Cup which coincides with the USA’s Independence anniversary.

This year’s tournament saw 18 teams participating across three venues in Brooklyn and Queens. There were eight Open teams, 4 Masters teams and 6 Legends sides.

At the closing ceremony, President of the NYSCL Eric Ferrier thanked the teams for their participation, congratulated the winners and was in high praise for the committed sponsors. Ferrier also pledged another mega tournament in 2022.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Tuesday July 06, 2021

At 34, ‘Mommy Rocket’ Fraser-Pryce the sprinter to beat in Tokyo AP - Every time ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce steps on the track, some sort of record is in jeopardy.

At the top of that list, of course, is Florence Griffith Joyner’s 33-year-old mark in the 100 meters.

At the upcoming Olympics, Fraser-Pryce, the 34-year-old mother from Jamaica, also could become the oldest person to win an individual Olympic sprint.

And, she could become the first woman to win three 100-meter gold medals at the Games.

Not bad for an athlete who feared her career was over four years ago when she became pregnant, but who rebounded to win the world championship in 2019.

“Commitment is everything — today’s failure prepares you for tomorrow’s success,” Fraser-Pryce tweeted recently. “There’s no failure in progress, so keep going and push through.”

Where the world used to look to another Jamaican, Usain Bolt, to rewrite history at the Olympics, Bolt’s retirement turns the spotlight over to Fraser-Pryce, who is now the most-accomplished active 100-meter sprinter in the world. The chances for the “Pocket Rocket,” who now calls herself the “Mommy Rocket,” to put her name in the history book starts July 30 in Tokyo.

Those chances increased dramatically earlier this month when the runner considered her main threat, American Sha’Carri Richardson, was banned for a positive test for marijuana.

E v e n w i t h o u t Richardson in the race, the sprints still have star power.

Dina Asher-Smith, the British speedster who won 200-meter gold and 100meter silver at the 2019

Gabby Thomas celebrates after winning the final in the women’s 200-meter run at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore. Harvardeducated sprinter Thomas could make headlines in the 200 at the upcoming Tokyo Games. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File) world championships, will be in the lineup, along with Shericka Jackson of Jamaica, who is now on the short list of women to run sub-11 seconds in the 100, sub-22 in the 200 and sub-50 in the 400. “ Wo r k i n g h a r d i s definitely paying off, and I’m enjoying it,” Jackson tweeted recently.

Fraser-Pryce will also be a factor in the 200, which she also won at Jamaica’s recent Olympic qualifier; she has a 2012 Olympic silver medal at that distance, as well. That race is also expected to include Asher-Smith; Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the Bahamas, who, because of the Olympic schedule, has to choose between the 200 and 400, and has indicated she wants the 200; and American Gabby Thomas, who ran 21.61 at Olympic trials to become the second-fastest woman in history at the distance, behind only Griffith Joyner.

“Now I’m just going to have to map out a different trajectory for my life,” Thomas said.

On June 5, it was FraserPryce who became the

second-fastest woman in history in the 100 — her time of 10.63 declared to the world that she was, indeed, ready for the push to Tokyo.

champion in the men’s 100 and 200.

Bolt’s bet for the 100?

Trayvon Bromell, who won the U.S. track trials after

Knighton counts Bolt and Lyles as his biggest ontrack inspirations.

“Coming from my generation, I don’t know many,” Knighton said.

HURDLES TO CLEAR For the moment, the women’s 400-meter hurdles world record stands at 51.90 seconds and belongs to 21year-old Sydney McLaughlin.

Heavy emphasis on “for the moment.”

McLaughlin set the mark at U.S. trials when she edged Dalilah Muhammad to earn the victory. McLaughlin’s time was good enough to better Muhammad’s old world record by 0.26.

“It’s fun to be part of history and to be part of changing the women’s 400

Trayvon Trayvon Bromell Bromell wins wins the the men’s men’s 100-meter 100-meter run run at at the the U.S. U.S. Olympic Olympic Track Track and and Field Field Trials Trials in in Eugene, Eugene, Ore. Ore. Bromell Bromell is is the the favorite favorite in in the the 100 100 at at the the upcoming upcoming Tokyo Tokyo Games.

Games. (AP (AP Photo/Ashley Photo/Ashley Landis, Landis, File) File) “Honestly no… I never expected I would run 10.6 and think it’s a good thing because there was no pressure,” Fraser-Pryce said when she posted the time.

IN BOLT’S SHADOW For the first time since 2004, someone other than Bolt will be the Olympic

Sydney McLaughlin sets a new world record in the finals of the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

overcoming issues with his Achilles that nearly ended his career.

A 17-year-old named Erriyon Knighton is already is breaking Bolt’s under-20 records in the 200. Knighton figures to give world champion Noah Lyles a run for his money in the event.

hurdles,” Muhammad said.

“I definitely think more is in store for me and definitely think Tokyo will be a good race.”

In the men’s version, Karsten Warholm of Norway will be the one to catch. The two-time world champion broke the world record last

Thursday. He finished in 46.70 seconds to eclipse the mark of 46.78 set by American Kevin Young in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics final. The world record could fall again in To k y o w ith War h o lm, Abderrahman Samba, who represents Qatar, and Rai Benjamin of the U.S. all pushing each other.

HEAT IS ON Because of the expected extreme heat, the marathon and race walks have been moved from Tokyo to Sapporo. The races will be held at Sapporo Odori Park in Hokkaido, beginning Aug. 5 (men’s 20-kilometer) and culminating on Aug. 8 with the men’s marathon.

The temperature on Aug. 8, 2020, in Tokyo was around 90 degrees (32.2 Celsius) and nearly triple digits three days later. In Sapporo on the same day, the high was 73 (22.8).

RUSSIAN CONTINGENT Three-time high jump world champion Mariya Lasitskene will be a favorite after Russia named her to its 10-person athletics team.

The team is limited because of sanctions stemming from Russia’s state-sponsored doping scandal.

Russia will compete under the acronym “ROC” — for Russian Olympic Committee — in Tokyo. The Court of Arbitration for Sport eased some sanctions against the country after findings that Russia had manipulated data from its anti-doping laboratory that would have helped pursue some cases.

But World Athletics has been more stringent than most international sports federations in its sanctions against Russia, which is why only 10 athletes are allowed in track and field.

Britain’s Dina AsherSmith, right, wins the women’s 200 meters event at the Diamond League track and field meeting in Florence, Italy, Thursday, June 10, 2021. (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 06, 2021

PAGE 23

Coach Baksh gives update on Persuad’s Road to Tokyo

Cold Fusion won the first leg.

Swimmer to leave for training Camp in Tokyo on July 11

By Sean Devers t 23, Jamila Sanmoogan had one foot in Japan and was set to attend her second Olympics but according to Sanmoogan, she was not selected by GASA to attend the Purto Rico International swim meet which was held from May 20-23 which was a qualifying event.

At that Meet Aleka Persaud made the ‘B’ final in the 50 freestyle, which is an open meet and surpassed her times from Carifta and came very close to qualifying for the 50m freestyle at the Junior Pan Am games.

Aleka was named by FINA as the fastest female Guyanese swimmer.

At just 15, National Junior Swimmer Aleka replaced Sanmoogan as the lone Guyanese female swimmer in the Tokyo Olympics which runs from July 23 to August 8, 2021 in Japan making her the youngest Guyanese Olympian Aleka has already broken five Caribbean Under-14 swimming records and is aiming to qualify for Junior Pan Am Games in November in Colombia after she returns for Tokyo.

According to Aleka’s Orca Swim Club Coach, Sean Baksh, the talented teen who captured three gold medals at the 2091 CARIFTA Games, is set to depart Guyana on July for a nine-day training Camp in Tokyo.

“Currently Aleka is in Guyana training...she along

A

Sean Baksh

Banks DIH take second leg of Cold Fusion dominoes tourney

with Coach Shyka Gonsalves leave Guyana for a training camp in Tachikawa-City Tokyo Japan on the 11th July, scheduled to arrive on the 13th July in Tokyo....the camp will run up to the start of the Olympics,” informed Baksh.

“Aleka will only swim one event at the Olympics the 50M freestyle so all training is currently focused on that event.... there is a minimum of endurance work that is being done to keep her stamina in check but the majority of the work is sprint based with a lot of race simulation, starts, breakouts and underwater kicks transitioning to her arm stroke ...plus mental training (visualisation etc.).

Coach Baksh disclosed that Aleka, who has already broken five Caribbean Under-14 swimming records, is doing her dry land work.

“But we have eased up on the actual gym work (weights). She is still doing some running, abdominals, pushups, pullups, dips and other bodyweight exercises,” coach Baksh posited.

“I am not the Coach selected by the GASA to be at the Olympics this year that honour goes to Coach Shyka Gonsalves who is in line with the GASA’S coach rotation plan. I will still be involved in the work that Aleka will be doing while in J a p a n t h r o u g h communication with Coach Gonsalves,” Baksh continued.

According to her Coach, Aleka is mentally prepared for this as she has shown strong spirit at the last two meets they attended both of which were high level Olympic qualifiers and were attended by some of the best swimmers in the region and beyond.

Miller-Uibo down to contest 200/400m double in Tokyo, despite unfriendly schedule SportsMax - Shaunae-Miller-Uibo, the 2016 Olympic 400m champion has been registered to run both the 200m and 400m this summer, despite an unfriendly schedule.The 27-year-old Miller-Uibo has, over the past two years lamented the reluctance of the International Olympic Committee to adjust the schedule that would allow her to compete in both events.

This is something they have done for Americans Michael Johnson and Allison Felix as well Marie-Jose Perec at previous Olympiads.However, the current Olympic (Continued on page 19)

Shaunae-Miller-Uibo

Banks DIH chalked up 80 games to win the second leg of the Cold Fusion dominoes competition which was played on Sunday at Cold Fusion Sports bar, Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo.

Despite the win, Cold Fusion are still in the lead with 167 games having won the first leg with 91 games followed by Banks DIH on 159 and Auditors on 137. Banks managed 79 games, while Auditors made 61 games in the

first round.

In the second round, Auditors and Cold Fusion were tied on 76 games each, but Auditors prevailed after making more sixes.

S. Dey top scored for Banks DIH with 15 games, while J. Mars and K. Hazel supported with 14 and 13 games each. J. Quentin and J. Braithwaite made 13 apiece for Auditors, while R. Persaud and R. Sooklall made 14 games each for Cold Fusion.

Jabeur makes Wimbledon history for Arab women by sealing last-eight spot LONDON (Reuters) Tunisian trailblazer Ons Jabeur became the first Arab woman to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a dazzling 5-7 6-1 6-1 victory over seventh seed Iga Swiatek yesterday.

Jabeur lost four games in a row from a position of strength to concede the opening set on Court Two but responded in sensational fashion to outplay last year’s French Open champion.

The 26-year-old has now beaten three Grand Slam champions so far here, taking out five-time Wimbledon winner Venus Wi l l i a m s a n d S p a i n ’s Garbine Muguruza during her impressive run.

In doing so she has endeared herself to the Wimbledon crowds with a wily game full of variety but also power when required.

Jabeur will contest her second Grand Slam quarterfinal today against Belarusian second seed Aryna Sabalenka, having reached her first in Australia in 2020.

While that was viewed as a surprise, even by herself, the Tunis-based player has reached at least the third round of every subsequent Grand Slam tournament and became the first Arab woman to win a WTA title on the Birmingham lawns last month.

“It was a great feeling back in Australia in 2020. I wasn’t expecting to be in the

quarter-finals that time,” she said.“This time is different.

This time I’ve been going to the second week almost every Grand Slam. So I think everybody was kind of expecting me to be in the second week.

“My goal is to break this quarter-final and be able to go to the semi and why not the final? I’m enjoying my time here in Wimbledon, enjoying the grass a lot.”

MISSON ACCOMPLISHED When Swiatek struck a majestic backhand winner down the line to take the opening set it seemed that the Pole was beginning to take charge of a match in which she started nervously.

But Jabeur started the second set like a woman on a mission, breaking to love in the opening game then holding her own serve with a trademark dropshot that had Swiatek slamming her racket into the net tape in

Ons Jabeur became the first Arab woman to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

frustration.

It was a sign of things to come as Jabeur broke serve again in the next game with a belting forehand winner at the end of a long baseline exchange. The Tunisian then saved three break points, one with an ace, to lead 4-0.

Swiatek’s serve began to look vulnerable and on set point down she rolled in a 66 mph delivery that Jabeur nonchalantly dinked over for a winning dropshot.

There was no stopping 21st seed Jabeur in the decider after a Swiatek double fault gifted her a 3-1 lead.Serving for the match at 5-1 she showed no nerves, sealing a win with an ace and receiving a warm ovation from the crowd who thoroughly enjoyed watching her multid i m e n s i o n a l game.Afterwards she revealed she had one very special fan.“Actually I got (Continued on page 19)

At 34, ‘Mommy Rocket’ Fraser-Pryce the sprinter to beat in Tokyo

Aleka Persaud

Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, center, hands off to Jonielle Smith, right, during a women’s 4x100 meter relay semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar.

(AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty, File)

Coach Baksh gives update on Persuad’s Road to Tokyo

Swimmer to leave for training rt Camp in Tokyo on July 11 o p S NYSCL/Independence Cup 2021 The victorious Regal Legends.

Regal Legends muscle their - Latif, Ramdeen way to maiden title rule their zone Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.