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Oil and gas Tuesday Edition NEWS industry becoming a fossil AIETEUR

October 05, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 38

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- UN Secretary General - It’s time to build a sustainable green economy warns at Trade Conference

Online readership yesterday, 100,138

$50M seed paddy facility unused for 13yrs now needs $25M to become operable p.

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Gunmen invade shop, duct tape Venezuelan siblings, escape with cash, jewellery p.

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Dead host ends wedding reception p.

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Citizen calls K/News after seeing stolen Protest to change all foreign contracts continue. car in New Amsterdam p.

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Wildlife habitat destroyed, beach closed as oil spill hits California - Guyana remains unprotected without p. 17 full-coverage insurance Guyana profit share reduces from 12.5% on Kaieteur to 9% after paying Oil Co. taxes.@11:00hrs Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 05, 2021

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$50M seed paddy facility unused for 13 years now needs $25M to become operable D

uring the time of former Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) had used $50M from the national purse to construct a seed paddy facility in Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder, Region Six. Following its successful construction, the facility was commissioned in 2008. It was outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment to double rice production by 2025.

Thirteen years later however, the PPP's new Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, discovered that the facility never achieved its purpose as it was never used. The Minister made this startling find during a visit to the facility back in April. During the

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

Former Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud

A section of the inside of the GRDB seed paddy facility visit, Minister Mustapha expressed disappointment in the fact, that millions of dollars were invested to ensure the facility was outfitted with modern equipment, yet it was left to languish. Since that visit, Mustapha has committed $25M towards getting the structure upgraded and operable.

While speaking with members of the media during a tour of the facility on Saturday, Minister Mustapha said that within another two months, the facility should be in operation. “We'll have more capacity in the GRDB to produce seeds.

And now we are seeing a lot of interest being expressed by Suriname for the supply of seed paddy. During the recent visit by Suriname's President, Chan Santokhi and his high level

delegation, “a request was made for us to provide almost 130,000 tonnes of seed paddy,” expressed the Minister.

He added, “At the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary - Agricultural Development Authority (MMAADA) Scheme, too, we've brought a second seed facility into operation there so that we can improve the capacity...”

In light of the foregoing efforts, Minister Mustapha is of the firm conviction that Guyana's seed paddy production will improve, and will allow the country to meet the recent requests by its CARICOM sister, Suriname.

Minister Mustapha said too, that it is important for the facility to become operable since there is now a high demand for quality seed paddy from farmers.

Oil and gas industry becoming a fossil - It's time to build a sustainable green economy - UN Secretary General warns at Trade Conference

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nited Nations (UN) Secretary G e n e r a l , Antonio Guterres, issued a stern warning yesterday morning, that the oil and gas industry is destined to become a fossil hence, the need for nations to act as quickly as possible to build and support a sustainable green economy.

The official made these remarks at the opening of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD 15) meeting in Bridgetown, Barbados. UNCTAD-15 is expected to continue until Thursday.

During his remarks, the UN Secretary General thanked Barbados' Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, and all Barbadians for their

warm welcome and particularly, PM Mottley for providing insight into the enormous effort her government is making to ensure Barbados is able to defeat COVID-19, climate change, and inequality in the world.

The UN official said, “Small island developing states like Barbados are looking to the future with worry and increasingly, to the global community with a cynical eye.

(This is) for good reason. They hear the words, but do not see the actions behind them. We often act as if we have another planet waiting for us. We don't.”

The Secretary General added, “A green and resilient recovery means

committing to net-zero emissions by mid-century.

It means more ambitious 2030 climate and biodiversity plans and the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (also known as COP26) in Glasgow must keep the 1.5 degree goal of the Paris Agreement alive.”

Guterres also noted that the building of a green economy worldwide will require no new coal plants, the phasing-out subsidies for fossil fuels and polluting industries, and putting a price on carbon and channeling that back to schools, hospitals, social protections, and jobcreation.

It will also require supporting developing countries as they make the shift to green economies

said Guterres. He stressed that this can only be done by developed countries implementing the promise to provide at least US$100 billion every year for action on climate change.

For countries like Barbados on the frontlines of the climate crisis, Guterres said adapting and building resilience is not a luxury — it is an urgent priority.

“Right now, adaptation remains the neglected half of the climate equation, accounting for only 25 percent of climate finance in support of developing countries,” expressed Guterres.

He was also keen to note that small island developing states only receive a fraction of the funding that goes to developing countries for

UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres adaptation — less than two per cent in 2019.

He further noted, that small island developing countries, the most impacted by climate change, received less than two percent in 2019 of the

support to the developing countries. With this in mind, Guterres reiterated his call for donors and multilateral development banks to allocate at least 50 percent of their climate support towards adaptation and resilience.

In closing, Guterres said it is time for all countries to start making better choices and end the practice of waiting to see who will make the first move. He said all countries, developed and developing, have a responsibility to act.

Guterres said, “The fossil fuel economy is itself becoming a fossil; one that has left its imprint on our earth for too long. It's time to shift our support to building a sustainable green economy.”

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 05, 2021

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

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

EDITORIAL

The Brickdam Police Station fire To say it is a massive loss would be an understatement.

Even if it were a much smaller, outlying police station in one of the Regions of Guyana, it would still be a tragedy, a community one. The effects of the fire, which destroyed almost all of the Brickdam Police Station has national implications.

Not only the age, but definitely the landmark seems to have been there forever, with generations of Guyanese taking it for granted. A place of much history, of many stories that either haunt and hurt citizens, or those which remind us that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is that solid wall that stands between us and the lawlessness of disorder or full-fledged anarchy. The long seasoned wooden walls are now no more, but for a collapsed heap of high rubble, still smoldering, and reminding us how much this flattened building and its line of khaki and blue clad men and women have come to mean to us. For all the bumps and warts in its structure and occupants, there are those we must always still be thankful for, the good and conscientious and honourable ones. For, it is when something like the fire that hurried into a state of ruin comes, we recall the well in which the water is no longer there.

For sure, the buildings will be restored and with the greatest promptness. There can be no doubt of that, and for which we lend our fullest support. With regard to the documents that are compiled into the totality of the vital records of the GPF, that is a bit trickier and promises to be more demanding.

A building to be restored is a physical undertaking, with many hands and much determination to deliver a still better, more modern facility, which we think is where things should head.

On the other hand, the reconstruction of lost records is not an undertaking that could be as easily re-engineered because it must be by the effort of hard labour, involving one citizen at a time. One spade of mixed cement, and one plank of wood and one nail, are different propositions that everyone will agree is of the highest urgency, and which we envision will be so.

Contrastingly, the reconstruction of evidence gathered painstakingly, and is now reduced to ashes, is an altogether unimaginable prospect.

From where and who and when, and in what order, are the hard issues that stare us in the face, and which are not easily addressed are to come from?

They must be with the greatest degree of principle, so that there is every confidence on the part of citizens that justice will prevail. Though some files and equipment were salvaged, it may not be too much of a stretch to say that the GPF will be restarting on the lower rungs of the ladder, since there is so much that was lost, such vast ground to be covered.

We the residents of the capital city, and all citizens of this country, must lend every support to the rebuilding of the physical spaces, and the quick restarting of the GPF, from today. This is not a time for politics, or the usual passions that have so long made mince meat out of us.

We call on our fellow citizens to do their part: let good sense and good spirit take over the more vindictive instincts in us.

The loss of the central Brickdam Police Station buildings is not a police loss alone. It is a great loss for all of Guyana.

We can do this one thing at this time. That is to help boost the morale of the men and women who serve us well, who lay their lives on the line for us, and of which most of the time, we don’t even know, perhaps, not even care about.

We at this publication care, because a healthy, sturdy, and vibrant Guyana Police Force means so much for us. It is the difference between safety and insecurity or the dividing line between justice and injustice. We will admit freely that we have had our differences with some of the things that occur within the GPF, but at this time of crisis, we are as one with its leaders and ranks.

President Ali’s statement in the wake of the Brickdam fire was bewildering Dear Editor, The fire that burned down the Brickdam Police Station on Saturday is cause for more than enough agitation, whatever the source. Almost on the heels of the fire, two related captions following with hours of each other from Demerara Waves on Sunday generated still more concerns.

I look at both captions, and offer some thoughts.

The first came at 10:09hrs and was titled, “President Ali hints at political links to Brickdam Police Station fire; slams fire service response as ‘poor’.” Even though it is just a hint, that is an incendiary statement and connection, which will only fuel intense speculations, and intensify just below-the-surface societal tensions. I regret that the president felt it necessary to go in that direction so easily, I would say irresponsibly. According to the Demerara Waves coverage, the basis for President Ali’s “hint” lies in statements uttered at a

gathering in New York, where some sharp, combustible statements were uttered. As I see it, there was verbal fire in Brooklyn; a real disastrous one in Brickdam; and last, a reaching one from this country’s head of state. I would have preferred that he did not jump on that nervous warhorse so swiftly; that he give investigators, local and foreign ones, space and occasion to investigate thoroughly; and that he then let the conclusions speak for themselves, wherever such lead.

Frankly, it is bewildering that President Ali moved so smoothly to connect such dangerous dots. It is not helpful, since the whole tragic matter now takes on a hard political edge, and this is with embers still smoking. In deeply polarized Guyana, I have difficulty deciphering the president’s motive in going down this political linkage road so early.

Whatever his motive may or may not have been, this

leaves us in a terrible place.

For here is a central law enforcement precinct totally destroyed, one that is definitely one of the top two police locations, with what that means for law and order, justice and delaying of it (even thwarting of it), and already we are at loggerheads, or soon to be, over the origins of the fire. Again, this is regrettable. Regarding the “poor” response of the Guyana Fire Service, that has played out before in different places, and speaks for itself, given some of the timings and developments that impacted a meaningful response and overall management of a raging, consuming blaze.

This, too, is unfortunate.

Just about two hours later on the Sunday following the fire, at 12:14hrs, the second startling caption came from Demerara Waves, which reported that a “Detainee confesses to burning down Brickdam Police Station.” If a single detainee acting, as reported, out of “frustration”

at his longer-than-expected stay in the lockups, could inflict this enormous amount of physical damage with limited makeshift resources, this is frightening. I say this because what occurred on Saturday at Brickdam could be Guyana’s equivalent of a California wildfire, set by one disgruntled arsonist acting alone, and venting frustrations over some pet peeve. I am not going to ask about monitoring, or authenticity of this quick claim, at this time. I simply say that it has a feeling of being a too pat for my liking.

With reference to the president’s earlier hint, though this “confession” doesn’t put any fears to rest, it makes him look out of sorts, and guilty of speaking before thinking. Or, in cruder street parlance, losing control of his senses, rushing to judgment (even the mere hint), and politicizing a highly worrying situation. For if we have an under-attack police force, the (Continued on page 6)

Does the Guyana Police Force have an Environmental Health, and Safety (EHS) Department?

Dear Editor, Does the Guyana Police Force have an Environmental Health, and Safety (EHS) Department?

I beg this question owing to the fact that within the space of one month three major issues surfaced which would be part of the EHS domain.

The issues in reference were our President’s entreaty for the care, maintenance, and operation of its fleet of equipment, the multimillion dollar award for h olding a person under inhumane conditions, and the recent fire at the Brickdam Police Station.

If indeed, there is an EHS

Department, then serious attention must paid to make it more efficient and effective.

Otherwise, the establishment of an EHS Department ought to be of utmost urgency and priority.

An EHS Department within the Police Force should be headed by a rank no less than that of a Senior

Superintendent as, often times, the rank must operate with the authority of the Commissioner of Police to enforce EHS policies and procedures.

Yours faithfully, Abraham David (former professional member of the American Society of Safety Engineers)

Petty politics has returned to the Ali Govt.

Dear Editor, It is with great sadness and disgust that I read the letter written by one Leyland Roopnarine of New York and published by Kaieteur News a few days ago. It is a powerful letter, and I will urge and encourage everyone in Toronto where I reside and elsewhere to read it to be aware of the spiteful actions of the government after being in office for only one year.

The letter was critical of the lopsided oil contract handed to the nation by ExxonMobil, and how foreign companies are dominating the landscape and are awarding huge government contracts in the billions of dollars while some local contractors including BK International are being excluded.

The reason given by the leaders of the PPP is that some of the contractors, BK International included have been aligned with the coalition government, therefore they must not be awarded any

contract by this government.

In my opinion, all government contracts and jobs are paid for by public funds, therefore, no one should be denied a government job or a contract because of their race or political/party affiliation. To deny someone a job or a government contract is to deny him/her their fundamental rights which is a violation of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Further, presently, BK International is the largest construction company in the country, yet it has not been given any contract by this government. I know this because I was a former employee of BK International whose CEO was a close friend to Vice President Jagdeo and others in the PPP. This kind of vindictiveness by the PPP, the party my entire family have supported and voted for since the 1980s, except in

2015 should not be tolerated.

The Jagdeo government at the time had become very corrupt, arrogant, and callous and was viewed as the most rotten and beastly government in the Caribbean.

During the 2020 election, the PPP had campaigned on governing in the interest of all regardless of race or political affiliation, but it seems that President Irfaan Ali government has gone back to its old wretched and wicked ways of punishing those who are not their supporters.

The party has not learnt anything from its defeat in 2015. Not only has the government become spiteful and loathsome against its non-supporters, but it has also begun the marginalization of them in Linden, Georgetown, and New Amsterdam, the three largest black populated areas in the country. Guyana belongs to everyone and not to a selected few or the powers that be. For this reason, I fully

support Leyland Roopnarine’s quote of Charles Dickens that we are in the worst of times and are in the season of darkness.

Petty politics has returned to the Ali government.

The ruling elites ought to know that today’s youths will not sit idle by and allow such behaviour by the PPP to continue without a challenge as was the case twenty years ago.

We are in the age of social media and the youths which are more than 65 percent of the population will react perhaps violently to it, and the ramifications will be grave. I call upon the business community, the Private Sector Commission, Civic Organizations and the good and concerned citizens among others to speak out against such injustices now or we as a nation will face the consequences.

Sincerely, Laljit Persaud

Tuesday October 05, 2021

One would hope that the powers that be learn from the Brickdam fire Dear Editor, One would hope that the powers to be at the various government agencies learn something from the disaster at Brickdam Police station.

Key decision makers in government should read the comments made by the President, on visiting the site and read them every day for the next few years. Spot On. As for the police station, is the public to understand that in 2021, an institution as critical as the police station, did not have any massive fireproof or water proof vaults? No investment made in fireproof or waterproof rooms either?; to store and safeguard evidence and key documents;

collectively from years back to present?

These are standard workplace features in mission critical and sensitive areas. We would also hope that the expectedInvestigative Panel have an extended mandate to review the workplace features of all mission critical government agencies in Guyana specifically for:- FireProof/ Waterproof Rooms or Vaults.

The optics look bad for a small country rolling in petro dollars, not to have these features in place in certain offices/buildings. Just as important; are online systems that could retrieve ALL critical documents, regardless of year of origination, all of which can

be implemented by graduates in this country. No need to look outside for that talent.

Granted, the physical hardcopy documents should exist, but how about the plans to protect them from destruction?

Sprinkler systems or functional and well positioned fire extinguishers is another issue altogether. Hopefully, we don’t come to the crossroads in the court system where cases are dismissed because documents were destroyed and there was absolutely nothing in place to protect them or back them up online.

Lessons learned.

Yours truly, Chi Kansi

Crime in Zeelugt on the rise Dear Editor, Allow me a few words in your paper to represent myself and fellow community members. I hail from the community of Zeelugt on the West Coast of Demerara.

As of recent the community has been haunted. Not haunted by ghosts but by bullies and ignorance. Our youths are glaringly committing criminal acts and I do not appreciate it. Youths covering the age range of 15 to 25 are gallivanting through the community and engaging in

larceny, destruction, and threatening innocent villagers.

I fear for myself and others. Why should in the middle of the night I should be worried if there is someone by my front gate? Or if someone is trying to jump my fence? Why when I walk on the road I must I clench my bag? Or why when I leave my house I should worry if my house will be the same as I left it.

I ask myself the above and think to myself, I should not have to!

Harmon is being hypocritical and biased Dear Editor, It comes as no surprise that following the recent fire which destroyed the Brickdam Police Station, the Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon, would release a ridiculous statement calling for the resignation of the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn. I find the statement to be hypocritical and biased and as such I ask that you allow me space in your publication to share some of my views.

Firstly, the call made by Harmon for Minister Benn to resign over the Brickdam Station fire has no basis since the investigation revealed that it was an act of arson not poor leadership as is stated

by Harmon. The investigation also led to the individual responsible for the fire being identified. In addition to this, no lives were lost. However, back in 2016 when the APNU+AFC coalition was in office, the Camp Street Prison was set on fire which resulted in 17 prisoners losing their lives and a part of the facility

being destroyed. At that time, Khemraj Ramjattan was in charge functioning in the capacity of Minister of Public Security. With so many lives lost in that fire, why didn’t Harmon make calls for the resignation of his ministerial colleague Ramjattan for poor leadership and incompetence?

I wish to also point out that in 2017, there was another fire at the Camp Street Prison facility which resulted in its destruction and the death of Prison Officer Odinga Wickham. Where was Harmon then? Why did he not call for Ramjattan to step down as Minister of Public Security? It is ridiculous that now with the Brickdam Police Station fire, Harmon is calling for Minister Benn to resign. I posit this question to Harmon; on what basis should the Minister resign?

Again I say, no lives were lost in the fire, efforts were made immediately to ensure that the work of the police force continues as smoothly as (Continued on page 6)

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Kaieteur News

Mr. Irfaan promised safer neighbourhoods and so did his team. Mr Indar frequently visits the community; however there has been no efforts to curb the deteriorating discipline of the community’s youths.

Allow me to call these “important” men out, point to them at the situations of some communities. While they live protected, civilians are left to worry and keep their hearts in their hands.

I offer some recommendations: Can we have a routine patrol of officers maybe thrice a day/ night!

Can the leaders within the community please speak to these delinquents! Can parents please find constructive work for your children! And finally can you young men “please find a work”. May Zeelugt be Safe!

Regards, Joel Wilkie

My heart burns to see another historical building destroyed by fire Dear Editor, My heart burns to see another historical building gone up in flames. Is it arson, I don’t know, but given the history of politics in Guyana, political leaders continuously give approval to political stooges for them to destroy buildings in order to gain political Milage or paving the way for their friend and families to get contractual works, where they personally benefits.

It’s not too early for me to pronounce on the findings of the Crime Chief of Guyana Police Force, but I find it strange. A few police stations have newly build holding cells that are built out of solid cast

cement and steel. Brickdam is one, Leonora also. These holding cells are built in such an inhumane way and still being allowed to function boggles my mind. The cells would only have a ventilation on the side where prisoners could only see through holes from solid steel plates. On the side that house other buildings/walls, there’s no access. The door have a miniature steel door that officers only open when they are passing food to prisoners..

Editor, there’s no access by prisoners in holding areas to officers or within the building. Should such exists, then the prisoners would have

access to bother officers or obtain stuff from inside. Now, I would surely doubt a prisoner could access a mattress and be able to put it into officers’ quarters/where documents are.

To my knowledge, it’s impossible, unless the prisoner is related to Houdini.

In addition, is the President using this opportunity to belittle the Guyana Fire Service? Isn’t there any fire extinguisher in Brickdam Police Station? Was the station empty at the time that no one could have observed smoke? Yep, they have to find scapegoats.

Yours truly, Sahadeo Bates

What about School Sports?

Dear Editor, It was interesting to learn of what was described as the Inaugural Sp o r t s Conference organized by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. It is reported that there will be constructed a virtual ‘Academy’.

Additionally, one learns of presentations and panel discussions involving representatives from what a r e d e s c r i b e d as core disciplines, listed here in alphabetical order: athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, football, hockey, lawn tennis, rugby, squash, table tennis, volle y ball, swimming.

More critically however it needs to be explained how agencies that are substantive contributors to the development of sportsmen and sportswomen were not mentioned as

participants in this critical human resources development exercise – namely the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health.

Surely the very fact that the host agency is composed, amongst others, of Youth & Sports, should speak immediately to the fact that it all starts in schools.

Nor could there be any argument that success in Sports is measured by one’s physical fitness which often invites specialist attention and advice.

But in the same breath did anyone reflect on the very recent Paralympics, and gave consideration of attending to,

and developing those disabled persons who may be interested in being more physically active than they now are?

There may well be other relevant views of which opportunity should be taken to invite.

For what is needed is more than just presentations (talk).

The next obvious step is the development of a strategic plan for each sport in respect of which there should be objectives to be achieved over the next five years. ‘Friendship’ is simply not enough.

Yours truly, EB John

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Kaieteur News

I say kudos to the GPF for a job well done Dear Editor, From mysterious fires to mysterious murders to a police getting caught in criminal activity and the list goes on. Then, who would have thought that the police could have been on to the perpetrators of these crimes and we can be well on our way to having them solved.

Interesting!

We have been left spellbound and utterly stunned with the fact that the police could be on top of these matters in such a short period of time, and with deft skill. I make mention of the solving of the matter involving the shooting death of the young electrician. In less than 24 hours the perpetrators could have been tracked down, found and killed. The quick solving of that crime is in my book considered a commendable act, or was it?

I asked the curt question “is this shooting of the criminals considered a commendable act,” as viewed by some on social media.

Listen to some of the comments made, “the actions of The Guyana Police is quite unfortunate.” “Is the police sure that these are the perpetrators of the crime.”

Some even went to the extreme end to say, “how come these two “innocent” boys could be considered the persons who shot the electrician, it does not add up.”

The second matter which I would like us to pay close

attention to, is the Brickdam Police Station fire and Clarence Greene’s confession statement. Again we view the naïve statements of Facebook, “Why a confession statement, is this man Clarence Greene of a sound mind? “can a prisoner be so intelligent as to do such a thing? This is certainly an Anancy Story or some All Fools Day tale.” None of these statements giving any credit to the hard work done

by The Police only seeking to absolve the criminal of his crime.

Well I have news for them, criminals are smart people - in my estimation the most smartest of persons - the only difference from normal people is that the criminal’s skill is utilized for the wrong purposes.

From my short span of existence I have seen some criminal acts which can only be considered as miraculous.

It seems sometimes there are no limitations to their thinking power.

It is strange that a criminal could make a public confession into a crime of such magnitude and not be considered a madman. From the perspective of some, this is madness or even stupidity

on the part of the confessant.

However, my point is, you do not know what is going through his criminal mind and what led him to make the confession?

What is pellucidly clear, is that he is not of an unsound mind, something I think our lawyer, crime chief would have had him tested at a psychiatric facility at the earliest opportunity.

So, some will say strange and fishy, I on the other hand say strange but predictable, criminal, behaviour. It is not strange that a criminal could behave in an unorthodox fashion because that’s who they are.

If criminals act in the prescribed way some are suggesting, then they would not be criminals at all and experts in their field. Their modus operandi is to beat the system as far as their criminal minds can afford them, criminals are great thinkers.

And to those who are of the school that criminals must act in a “prescribed way,” they too will have their questions answered when this matter comes up in court.

In the meantime I say kudos to the GPF for a job well done.

Respectfully Submitted Neil Adams

...Harmon is being hypocritical From page 5 possible, and the culprit responsible for the fire was identified.

As far as I can see, the Minister and the police should be commended for their efforts to deal with this

unfortunate situation. It would appear that Harmon’s obsession with painting the PPP/C’s ministers in a bad light is affecting his ability to think properly.

Respectfully, Alvin Hamilton

...President Ali’s statement in the wake From page 4 bulwark of the law, then the floodgates of anarchy could be a small step away. This does not comfort.

On a final note, though the capital city is today more visible in its many modern concrete and steel structures, it is still well-populated with wooden buildings, many of them decades old. If one unhappy detainee can so

easily bring down a complex of state buildings, this does not bode well for residents and businesses in wooden buildings.

To put more pointedly, it is that a lot of severe damage could be done by lone individuals with any manner of grouses (or passions). And if I were to take this to the limit, to where and what the president alluded to, the

possibilities are staggering.

This is given the extent of what was said in Brooklyn, and the realities of Georgetown, the nerve and administrative and commercial centers of Guyana. I do hope that it was the detainee and no one and nothing else, as bad as that is by itself.

Yours truly, GHK Lall

Tuesday October 05, 2021

Gunmen invades shop, duct tape Venezuelan siblings, escape with cash, jewellery Three gunmen on Sunday reportedly invaded a grocery shop at Buck Hall located along the Essequibo River in Region Three and duct taped two Venezuelan siblings before escaping with jewellery, cell phones and a total of $200,000 in cash.

The siblings identified by police as Erickson and Ericka Perales were robbed sometime around 00:05hrs.

According to police, the victims are not the owner of the building which is situated at the Three Trails Junction, Buck Hall but they had been renting it for two years to conduct their grocery business.

They told investigators that they had closed the shop around 23:40hrs on Saturday and went to bed leaving the

lights on. A short while later, the lights went out and Ericka reportedly opened her window and called out to her brother to check if something was wrong with their generator. The brother in complying opened a door and went outside to check the generator. He reportedly found that the power cable was disconnected and plugged it in.

With the problem fixed, he reportedly told his sister to lock her window and he headed towards his room.

As Ericka was about to close the window she was confronted by a masked gunman who held on to her hair. The sister reportedly started to scream and this attracted the attention of her brother who, upon turning

around, was confronted by two more gunmen.

According to police, the gunmen grabbed the brother and used duct tape to strap his hands to his body. They also used the tape to seal his mouth.

After duct taping him, they held the sister at gunpoint and duct taped her too before demanding that they direct them to their possessions.

The men picked up two smart phones valued $88,000, a 20 pennyweight gold chain worth $220,000 and $200,000 cash before they escaped.

Ericka claimed that she had managed to free herself from the duct tape and freed her brother as well before they made a report to the police.

Task Force to write to businesses flouting COVID-19 guidelines - Health Minister Despite the alarming number of COVID-19 cases, many requiring hospitalisation, some businesses are yet to implement the COVID-19 guidelines. As such, the National Task Force will be writing to defaulting entities to ensure that they are in full compliance with the measures.

This is according to the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, who made the announcement during his COVID-19 update yesterday.

The Minister, who was addressing the worrying trend of new cases, noted that one way of helping to get the numbers down is for businesses to comply with the guidelines. “The task force would be writing to some of these businesses to make sure that we have stronger enforcement of the guidelines because there are many big businesses that are not asking people for their vaccination status, not checking for it and therefore there is a free for all in those

businesses,” Minster Anthony related.

As stated in Paragraph 7 of the updated COVID-19 Emergency Measures for the month of October, “every employer under this paragraph shall ensure that appropriate COVID-19 guidelines are prepared and implemented to reduce the risk of the virus among workers.”

Among the guidelines is one that speaks to the need for persons to be vaccinated.

According to the measures too, the operator of any business who does not comply with these measures, will be issued a written warning and if after being warned the operator remains incompliant, their business can be suspended for a

period no more than 30 days.

The Health Minister warned too that unless persons comply with the orders, the country is going to continue to see a spike in cases. “People are walking in and out and that’s not what the order is calling for...unless we have compliance and everybody is playing their role, we are going to have a situation where we are going to continue to have spread,” he added.

To this end, he urged that businesses and the public play their part by ensuring the protocols are being implemented and adhered to.

“If you do that you are going to help us with this fight,” he added.

One dead in motorcycle accident in Berbice A motorcyclist of Kilcoy Squatting Area is now dead following an accident on the No.51 Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

Dead is Devindra Kumar, 21. He was riding motorcycle CG 7601 when the accident occurred on Sunday at approximately 15:20hrs.

According to police, there were three motorcycles, including Kumar’s, (Continued on page 17)

Devindra Kumar’s motorcycle

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Tuesday October 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

Amaila Falls Hydro is back, and its aim is to break Guyana's back.

All the same old vultures are gathering. They come back to put their names in the hat for what promises to be a corruption feast, involving local cronies and criminal foreigners.

Wherever rich blood, bone and flesh are, the predators are sure to come calling. They are not of the four-legged species.

They are human.

Guyanese: we are dartboards and the garbage dump: everybody is making a fool of us, from leaders to outsiders.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Tuesday October 05, 2021

New vaccination card The People of the Caribbean to be implemented to have a right to know what is in their Foods curb forgery

T

he Ministry of Health will soon introduce a new type of COVID-19 vaccination card, in an effort to curb the forging of vaccination documents.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, MP, made the disclosure yesterday, during his COVID-19 Update. “We are going to change the current system.

So, we are working on that right now, and very soon we are going to introduce a different type of card that's going to be harder to forge, and if people did not have the proper documentation in the first place, then they are not going to get the new card that we'll be putting in.”

Dr. Anthony said while the majority of persons in the healthcare sector are “honest, hardworking people”, there are a few who are dishonest and are facilitating the forging of COVID-19 vaccination booklets. He disclosed that currently, there are 15 cases

of this type of forgery being investigated by the Guyana Police Force.

The Health Minister highlighted that this type of practice is dangerous and once a person is caught forging documents, he or she will face the full brunt of the law.

“If you're facilitating somebody to get the card but they didn't get the vaccine, then, when they get sick, we'll probably think that they have been immunised and we are getting a breakthrough infection when in the first place, they did not get the vaccine at all. So, we have to put an end to this practice, and I want to urge those healthcare workers who have been involved in this to desist.”

He added that healthcare workers who are found guilty of engaging in such activities also face the possibility of being discharged from working in the medical field.

Additionally, persons found in possession of forged COVID-19

- CARPHA's Executive Director

“

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony vaccination cards will also be charged.

“This is a really serious offence, the persons who are buying these cards. If we catch you, you are going to be charged for tendering a forged document. So, you know, either way it's those who enable this, and those who are caught with those documents are going to face serious penalties.”

Minister Anthony is therefore urging the public to play their role and report any such incidents. (DPI)

In wake of surging COVID-19 cases…

PSC in support of vaccination campaign as solution

T

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) notes with grave concern the surge in COVID-19 cases and the resultant hospitalisation and deaths. This has placed a huge burden on Guyana's health care system.

Moreover, the PSC in a statement reiterated its support for the National COVID-19 vaccination campaign, since immunisation is crucial in protecting citizens from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The PSC repeats its appeal to every nonvaccinated citizen to be vaccinated to safeguard themselves, their family, their friends, their professional associates and everyone else with whom

they come into contact.”

The PSC also, once again, appeals to every business and employer to implement and enforce the gazetted COVID-19 guidelines which requires the use of masks, social distancing and the presentation of proof of vaccination upon entry into public places.

As such the PSC continues in its efforts to appeal to members of the business community to protect and safeguard its employees and consumers.

“We know now, from a mountain of irrefutable evidence, internationally and here in Guyana, that the vaccines are safe, effective and an essential public health measure in

PSC Chairman, Paul Cheong overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. We commend the Government of Guyana for its exemplary dedication and aggressive approach towards immunisation and the achievement of herd immunity,” the statement added.

The people of the Caribbean have a right to know for themselves and their families what is in their foods. Further, research in the Caribbean has shown that Front of Package Warning Labels such as octagonal front-of-package warning labels (FOPWL) are the best performing system to allow consumers to correctly, quickly, and easily identify products that contain excessive amounts of the critical nutrients sugar, sodium, total fat, saturated fat and trans fat.

It is also important for consumers to have the ability to compare foods in order to make the healthiest choices for foods which contain the most nutritional value,” stated Dr. Joy St. John. The Executive Director of CARPHA was delivering opening remarks at the start of a webinar hosted by the Caribbean Public Health Agency.

O n We d n e s d a y 2 7 September, a panel of experts gathered to discuss “Critical actions for food labelling…to save life and livelihoods.” The webinar, part of the CARPHA COVID-19 Health Rounds, sought to raise awareness of the importance of food labels, including FOPWL and highlight activities to engage Governments and consumers.

Since the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic, CARPHA embarked on a series of webinars aimed at imparting knowledge about the virus. The issue of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is also being given attention and priority, as it has been widely documented that people with underlying conditions, especially NCDs, are most at risk of death and severe illness from COVID-19.

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Dean Chambliss, SubRegional Program Director, Caribbean Program Coordination, PAHO stated, “To date, the Caribbean population still does not have access to clear information on whether a product is excessive in sugars, sodium, saturated

fats, trans fats or total fats. In the absence of clear, easily understood warning labels on the front of packages, people will continue to buy products blindly without knowing whether they contain an excess of these nutrients.

This is even more relevant during the COVID19 pandemic, when it is crucial to help consumers at higher risk avoid products excessive with unhealthy nutrients. Without effective measures to prevent unhealthy diets, the rise of NCDs will remain unstoppable, with irreparable consequences to health, as well as economic development and productivity.”

In the session, Mr. Rashad Brathwaite, Human Rights Attorney-at-Law, addressed the transformative space for food laws and policy, as it may now be possible to expect Governments to approach the health of consumers from a holistic standpoint.

Therefore, the transformative space looks at the obligations of Governments to act where the right to health is concerned, and this may include FOPWL. He stated, “The strength of the evidence is important when considering food policy from the space of domestic human rights and the rule of law.” It should be noted that there are various types of FOPWL and the strength of the scientific evidence regarding the best FOPWL model should also be considered by Governments where policy implications are concerned.

Mrs. Laura Roberts-Hall, President, Trinidad and Tobago Association of Nutritionists and Dieticians, explained the difference between food labels and nutrition facts labels. She also highlighted the benefits of supermarket tours to consumers, especially the segment of a tour that explains food label components to allow persons to correctly read nutrition facts labels. During supermarket tours people

CARPHA's Executive Director, Dr. Joy St. John typically find food labels to be confusing so Mrs. Roberts-Hall expressed the need for FOPWL with the octagonal warning signs, as these are simple and easiest for consumers to understand.

Senior Standards Officer at the Jamaica Bureau of Standards, Ms. Phillipa O'Connor presented insights into the comprehensive approach by Jamaica for Standards development, as there is a National Mirror Committee.

The CARICOM Regional Standard for Specification for labelling of pre-packaged foods (CARICOM CRS5) is mandatory in Jamaica. For the revision of the CARICOM CRS5, Jamaica involved a wide cross section of stakeholders including the food industry.

However, based on the votes received, Jamaica did not approve the revisions as there was a request for more than one FOPWL model to be included, in addition to the octagonal model.

Ms. Elizabeth Orlan, Associate Director, Research for the Food Policy Program Global Health Advocacy Incubator highlighted the work of her agency, and its support to advocacy campaigns calling for healthy food policies at the national level, given the confusion consumers may encounter, as foods high in critical nutrients may still be labelled as healthy.

The session was quite insightful and gathered over 60 engaged attendees throughout the online event.

The moderator was Dr. Keisha T Roberts, Senior Technical Officer, Food Security and Nutrition, at CARPHA.

Tuesday October 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

DYING TRADITIONS T

here is an online radio station in Barbados which starts to play Christmas music non-stop during the evenings from September 25th. It is called Sturges Radio, The Beat and is found on 104.1 FM These days people wait much too late to start preparing for Christmas with the result that they fail to enjoy the Season. And Christmas is a Season which you have to enjoy. The best way to do so is to continue the old traditions to which Guyanese are long accustomed.

Most overseas-based Guyanese long for a traditional Guyanese Christmas. They miss the intimacy of the season; they miss the local cuisine; they miss the goodhearted spirit that characterises Christmas back home; they miss the local parties and the fun of the season but most of all they miss the simple things that remind them that they are back in Guyana. But most of all, they miss the radio which played no small part in putting everyone in the Christmas mood.

Christmas cards are out of fashion. Long ago, long before the holidays approached, the Guyana Post Office Corporation would remind Guyanese about the deadlines for posting their Christmas mail so that it can reach its destination on time.

There is no need for such reminders today because the number of Christmas cards that are sent out these days is

just a fraction of what used to be sent before.

In the old days, families used to collect dozens of cards and one of the things that used to be done with these cards is that they would be arranged into a lovely collage in the shape of a Christmas tree, which would be pasted on a wall, or simply strung up on a string.

Then there were the little small envelopes that were left by the postman and garbage collectors. Each home would be required to put a little something into each envelope as an annual token of appreciation for the services that were provided by the refuse collectors and the postal employees.

These employees received a fair bit of money at Christmas as a result of the generosity of the homes for which they provided a service. Today, the postal workers and garbage men still leave their envelopes and often they will tell you that when they hand these out, the residents ask what it is for.

Many people do not know that they are supposed to leave a few hundred dollars in those envelopes.

As such and when the time comes for the envelopes to be collected it is often either empty, contain only “small change” or cannot be found.

That tradition of giving to these workers is being lost and it is sad because many of them are lowly paid employees and look forward to the little extra cash for the holidays.

Even sadder, are the

masquerade bands that used to be such a treat over the holiday season.

The masquerade dancers used to come out into the streets and strut all their creative moves. There would be a Mother Sally and a Mad Cow to scare the kids. It was a creative and cultural art form that was an integral part of Guyanese Christmas.

Today what passes for masquerade is an embarrassment. A few kids poorly attired and with not much of the flair of the old bands, go out into the streets where there is moving traffic, stand in front of a vehicle hand outstretched soliciting a donation. This is not masquerade. The public is being shortchanged by these masquerade dancers.

They are not putting on a performance. They are begging alms.

It is dangerous to have these performers on busy streets standing in front of vehicles. Someone is going to get badly injured one day and perhaps only then will the authorities decide to stop this dangerous practice.

Finally, there is the dying tradition of readying homes early for the holidays. As you go through the country, it is shocking to note that with just about two weeks to go before Christmas, many homes are still not decorated.

Some are only now in the process of being cleaned.

This is quite unlike the old days when Christmas preparation began in the last two weeks of November as furniture was taken out reupholstered and polished,

Lying gan send boys seh... yuh to hell Dem

W

e teach we children fuh lie and den when dem lie to us we want to beat de living daylights out ah dem. How many of y'all had somebody tun up to yuh gate or call yuh pun de phone and yuh tell one ah yuh children fuh tell dem dat yuh not home?

Nuff ah dem picknees dem does mek de mistake and seh “Daddy seh fuh tell yuh he nah deh home.”

And yuh does feel shame and embarrass. But dat is karma fuh teaching yuh

children fuh talk lie.

Yet when we children lie to we, we does get vex. Dem boys remember de case of de father who went as far as buying a lie-detector machine and testing it pun he son. De boy come home late and de father ask he way he bin. He say he went to de movies. Immediately, de liedetector machine beep – which show de boy lying.

De father get upset and tell de boy, “At your age, I never lied.”

De machine beep and de mother start to laugh and say,

“dat shows he is really your son.” De machine beep again. But de best was de time when de phone ring and de husband tell he wife, “Tell whoever it is, I am NOT at home.”

De wife answer de phone and say, “He is at home.”

And she hung up quickly.

De husband get angry and say to de wife, “How could you do something like dat?”

De wife answer, “Shut up! de call was for me.”

Talk half and nah teach yuh children fuh lie.

homes were cleaned and in some cases painted so that by the beginning of December, the new blinds and curtains could be draped and decorations strung up.

Today, people simply go out and buy new furniture and new blinds. They throw out all the old stuff and get new ones. No wonder there is so much garbage around,

more than we can process.

Yet there is within all, that longing for the old, that nostalgia that comes with remembering the past and observing traditions.

Perhaps these changes are the price that we have to pay for modernisation, for social progress.

But perhaps also, when these traditions go into

remission, there is really nothing left because what matters most is traditions, traditions, traditions.

(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 October 05, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The Police not the ERC should investigate Henry Jeffrey T

h e r e i s cybercrime legislation. The Police investigate and charge people making inflammatory statements on

social media. There have been two suspicious fires – one at a school in the interior, the other, Brickdam Police station. There was a fire at the Vigilance Police station.

In these unsettling times, free speech cannot be used as the licence to preach dangerous sermons.

In a recent Facebook programme of David Hinds

dedicated to remembering the so-called greatness of Forbes Burnham, Henry Jeffrey made a dangerously disturbing statement for which there should be a police investigation.

If based on this column that item is taken down then the police should demand that Hinds produce it. Of course, Hinds lives in the US so the US authorities ought to be contacted by the Guyanese Police. Jeffrey was a former Minister in the PPP Government for 14 consecutive years. He argued that in Guyana you have two strong ethnic sides so there must be dialogue and negotiations.

In today's Guyana, he continued, the PPP can do whatever it wants. It does not want to talk but to do what Israel has done – gone to war against the subtle attempt to raise Macbeth's witches - so they can restart mo fyaah/slo fyaah. This is fanning the flames. This is my opinion.

The other guests were Hamilton Green, a faded, disappeared, dictator of yesteryear and Vincent Alexander. Let us leave Green out of the equation.

He is not worth being discussed - period! The importance of that programme lies in the way David Hinds, one of the

leaders of the WPA and selfstyled Rodneyite gloated over Frederick Kissoon Burnham. What Alexander had to say thought my memory had failed was essentially comical. More of that in me. I lived under Burnham and another column on Burnham he literally ran Guyanese Indians out of their own sometime in the future.

Hinds hosts his shows country. If you have to guess a against a backdrop of a large percentage of the Indian photo of Walter Rodney. Let us population that deeply hated rewind the tape to the Walter Burnham in the year 1985, Rodney Commission of months before his justified Enquiry. The following death, I would put it at 99.99 witnesses from the WPA percent. Such a leader was testified – Dr. Omawale, incapable of bringing about Eusi Kwayana, Tacuma racial harmony.

I would like to quote from Ogunseye, Karen DeSouza, Reuben Gilbert and Dr. an email that a Guyanese Professor, who is a friend at Nigel Westmaas.

For the Rodney family, UWI in Jamaica, sent me on Walter Rodney's wife, Patricia, the last day of December, and brother, Donald, testified. 2012. Here is what Linguistics Each witness painted a Professor, Hubert Devonish, terrifying portrait of a wrote: “The Burnham regime dictatorship under President was oppressive and carrying Burnham. Dr. Omawale's Guyana nowhere, and all statement accused the efforts should have been presidency of Burnham of made, as they were by Walter and others, to remove it from being a murderous regime.

The Report of the Walter office.” Dr. Devonish has no Rodney Commission is relation with the PPP and available online. It makes for never had.

In everyone's life, there are chilling reading. The Report concluded that President moments they will never ever Burnham was direct l y forget despite old age even if involved in the assassination they reach 100. I was in the of the great Historian. John F. Kennedy Library when Wa x i n g l y r i c a l a b o u t I heard the announcement of B u r n h a m ' s g r e a t n e s s , Burnham's demise. I say in against a large photo of all honesty, that was one of Rodney, Hinds outflow the most elated moments in makes your skin crawl in the my life.

My feeling, which is context of Rodney's death.

Those who are interested in strong, is that if Burnham did seeing the level that prominent not kill Rodney, he would have Guyanese have descended to, been removed by Walter. I as a lesson of what life holds, think it would have gone the should see the video. Henry way of Rumania. As the Jeffrey explicitly stated that Rumanian dictator, Nicolae Burnham was the only head Ceausescu, saw the protests of government who tried to and demonstrations getting b r i n g a b o u t r a c i a l bigger he resorted to shooting down people. conciliation.

Once Rodney had When Jeffrey said that I managed to sustain days of volcanic protests, Burnham would have done like Ceausescu. Burnham and his sidekick (the little dictator who is still alive) would have gunned down protestors.

Like in Rumania, it would have turned deadly, making Burnham's removal a matter of days. I believe Rodney would have tried Burnham and have him executed.

Burnham would have deserved that.

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

Tuesday October 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 05, 2021

Tuesday October 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 05, 2021

One admits to murder of British teen

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Yesterday, murder accused Stayman George admitted in the Berbice High Court to the murder of British teen, Dominic Bernard, back in 2015.

The matter was called before Justice Sandil Kissoon. The 28-year-old murder accused pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on October 14, 2015, at Kildonan Village, Corentyne, East Berbice, he murdered 18-year-old Bernard.

George’s sentencing was deferred to October 19, 2021.

According to reports, George and Bernard’s godbrother, Aaron Hing, are also charged with his murder.

George’s child mother, Krystol Thomas, along with her mother, Sinfine Henry called “Coreen” and George’s friend, Jahmil Sinclair are charged with accessory to murder.

Hing is expected to appear in the Berbice High Court on October 11, 2021 where the murder charge will be read to him.

It was reported that Bernard had arrived in Guyana on October 14, 2015, for a three-week vacation with his God brother Hing. He was scheduled to fly back to England on November 5, 2015, but failed to do so.

His father, Andrew

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Killed: Dominic Bernard.

Bernard contacted his godson (Hing) about his son’s whereabouts after he did not return home. However, Hing reportedly told his god-father that he was unaware that the teen was coming to Guyana.

This raised suspicions and the elder Bernard flew to Guyana to locate his eldest child.

His visit led to the intensification of the investigations which and later

Accused: Aaron Hing (left) and Stayman George. resulted in the discovery of the teenager’s body.

On January 8, 2016, a badly decomposed body, suspected to be that of Bernard, was found in a shallow grave at Nurney, Corentyne, Berbice, by CID ranks from Georgetown and Berbice. They were acting on

an anonymous phone call.

A post mortem examination revealed that he had sustained a fractured skull, as well as a broken neck.

DNA test results showed that the samples that were taken from the badly decomposed body matched the DNA of Bernard’s father.

...Guyana will push to dismantle barriers From page 15 meat of ruminants. The Special Ministerial Taskforce has also initiated dialogue with regional and strategic entities regarding the de-risking of the regional agricultural sector. It has also identified an innovative Agricultural Insurance Product that is being pioneered by a regional company, among other related initiatives.

“I have been advised that a sub-committee is currently being established specifically to address the possibilities for establishing similar Agricultural Insurance on a regional scale.

We are moving forward with the agenda to transform regional food systems.”

The President further explained that given agriculture's extreme reliance on favourable climatic conditions, there is now an even stronger need for appropriately tailored and accessible risk transfer financial services.

In this regard, the absence of adequate insurance has severely constrained investment in the sector.

“A central focus of reforming Caribbean food systems should entail the rapid dismantling of barriers, which inhibit intra-regional trade in agricultural produce and products, increasing food production, increasing investments, promoting climate-resilient agriculture and de-risking the sector.”

SDGs AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE President Ali also noted that food security is central to attaining many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He said that if the Region is to attain the SDGs,

then it must transform its food systems to ensure greater food security.

The President added that this transformation must also result in more climate-resilient agriculture since the Region is particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and natural disasters.

These include overtopping sea and river defences, saltwater intrusion into agricultural lands, flooding, drought and the threats posed by hurricanes and other natural disasters.

“It is therefore imperative that attention is given to building climate resilience in order to transform the Region's agrifood system.”

GUYANA'S REPLICABLE TRANSFORMATION MODEL The Head of State emphasised that Guyana, as lead on agriculture, agricultural diversification and food security in the Caribbean, does not take its responsibility lightly and has demonstrated its willingness and commitment to lead from the front.

The President stressed that Guyana is committed to the sustainable and equitable transformation of its food systems at a national level. The country's efforts to do so are rooted in the commitment to the '2030 Agenda' and the obligation to “leave no one behind”.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that there is access to safe and nutritious foods for everyone, the reduction of on-farm and post-harvest waste and loss and the implementation of a circular food economy.

As part of this commitment

to providing safe and nutritious foods for all, Guyana is taking steps to consolidate its National School Feeding Programme by strengthening connections between consumers and food producers, by fostering more robust food value chains and creating solid alliances between farmers and the wider society, to deliver safe, healthy and nutritious school meals.”

The Head of State pointed out that Guyana is also expanding agricultural production and productivity through increased investments in large-scale agricultural production and the provision of incentives to boost investment in the sector by strengthening its agricultural institutions to provide greater support to the sector: by improving the country's agricultural-support infrastructure, by including drainage and irrigation and farm-to-market roads; by de-risking the agricultural sector; by diversifying and modernising local agriculture to create a more resilient sector; by promoting an increase in research and development and innovation in agriculture to pursue climate-smart agriculture; by intensifying increased valueadded through agro-processing, by adopting an inclusive approach to the management of its agricultural sector and by regular consultation with stakeholders.

CWA2021 was planned in collaboration with the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Caribbean Research and Development Institute (CARDI).

Tuesday October 05, 2021

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

Citizen calls Wildlife habitat destroyed, beach Kaieteur News after closed as oil spill hits California seeing stolen car in - Guyana remains unprotected without full coverage insurance New Amsterdam

The screenshot of the man’s stolen Subaru motor car.

Less than 24 hours after Kaieteur News published an article revealing that a man had found his stolen car for sale on Facebook, the very vehicle was spotted in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Yesterday, a resident of New Amsterdam called into Kaieteur News just after 13:00hrs, stating that he had spotted the car in the Tucber Park area around 12:30hrs.

The man, who requested anonymity, said he was driving just behind the car when he recalled it was the same vehicle he had seen on this publication’s website.

The owner of the car, Kevin Quaicoe, on Sunday last found his car being advertised for sale while browsing through the Gbay Deals Facebook page. On

that page, the car was posted for sale since March this year.

Quaicoe after discovering the car, commented under the advertisement page, “This vehicle belongs to me and it is not for sale. I’ve reported this to the police and anyone found with it will be arrested.”

The man then took to his own personal page and posted screenshots of his car, a blue Subaru, with the caption, “If anyone knows the whereabouts of PWW 6790 please contact me ASAP.” When this publication reached out to the police in Region Six on the matter, they indicated that once they are in contact with the owner of the motor car, an investigation will be conducted.

The man’s stolen car spotted in Tucber Park, New Amsterdam yesterday.

According to a Reuters report, a large oil spill off the southern California coast has left fishes dead, birds mired in petroleum and contaminated wetlands and beaches closed.

The oil spill which is being called an, ‘environmental catastrophe,’ comes as an eye-opener for Guyana, as the country remains unprotected without full coverage insurance in the event of an oil spill.

The article stated that the spill was caused by a breach connected to the Elly oil rig and stretched from the Huntington Beach Pier down to Newport Beach, an area popular with surfers and sunbathers. As a result of the oil spill, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife ordered a fishery closure for coastal areas affected by the spill.

This closure extends from Huntington Beach to Dana Point for the coastal areas, and it will extend up to six miles off the coastal points for the offshore area. Also, the beachside city which is about 40 miles (65 km) south of Los Angeles is bearing the brunt of the spill.

Reuters reported that, “An estimated 126,000 gallons, or 3,000 barrels, had spread into an oil slick covering about 13 square miles of the Pacific Ocean since it was first reported on Saturday morning, Kim Carr, the Mayor of Huntington Beach, told a news conference.”

According to the Reuters’ article, Mayor Carr said the oil rig was operated by Beta Offshore, a California subsidiary of Houston-based Amplify Energy Corporation (AMPY.N) and calls to Beta and Amplify went unanswered. Carr called the spill an “environmental catastrophe” and a “potential ecological disaster”. She also said that officials had

A fish swims under oil slicks in the Talbert Channel after a major oil spill off the coast of California has come ashore in Huntington Beach, California, U.S. [REUTERS/Gene Blevins photo] deployed 2,050 feet (625 meters) of protective booms, which help contain and slow the oil flows.

The Mayor added, “Our wetlands are being degraded and portions of our coastline are now covered in oil,” and challenged the responsible parties to do everything possible to rectify this ‘environmental catastrophe.’

Amplify Energy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Martyn Willsher, said at a press conference in Long Beach that the pipeline had been shut off and remaining oil suctioned out. Willsher also noted at the press conference that the divers were still trying to determine where and why the spill occurred.

On Sunday, the United States (U.S) Coast Guard, heading a clean-up response involving federal, state and city agencies, announced an around-the-clock investigation into how the spill occurred.

U.S. Representative Michelle Steel, a Republican representing part of the affected area, sent a letter to Democratic President Joe Biden requesting a major disaster declaration for Orange County, which would free up federal funds to help

with the clean-up efforts – according to the Reuters reports.

The U.S. Coast Guard, working with local and state agencies, flew airplanes and deployed boats to assess the spill and had hired contractors to clean it up. The news agency reported that, according to the Coast Guard, about 3,150 gallons of oil have been recovered from the water. Officials are also investigating the cause of the spill and the type of oil involved. Moreover, Cottie Petrie-Norris, a Democratic state assembly member representing some areas affected by the spill, said she had “huge concerns” about the extent of the damage to the environment, communities and local economy.

She told CNN the spill was a “call to action that we need to stop drilling off our precious California coast.”

The article stated that oil production off California’s coast has declined sharply since its peak in the 1990s, relatively due to the state’s strict environmental rules.

The article further states, “Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom said he wants to end oil drilling in the state by 2045.

Offshore drilling was

restricted in the state after a devastating 1969 oil spill off Santa Barbara that dumped 80,000 barrels into the ocean.

Another spill off Santa Barbara in 2015 sent as much as 2,400 barrels onto the shore and into the Pacific.”

Oceana, an ocean conservation group, also called for an end to offshore oil and gas drilling. Jacqueline Savitz, Oceana’s chief policy officer, said in a statement: “This is just the latest tragedy of the oil industry. It’s well past time to prevent future oil spills by permanently protecting our coasts from offshore drilling.”

Reuters reported, according to Orange County supervisor Katrina Foley the oil had infiltrated the Talbert Marsh, a large ecological reserve, causing “significant damage.”

Moreover, beaches were closed to swimming and a local air show was canceled, although some people were undeterred from setting up chairs on the beach to enjoy a sunny Sunday or strolling along the pier.

Even as California grapples with this ‘environmental catastrophe’, Guyana is yet to put measures in place to effectively deal with such a disaster. Kaieteur News had reported that Guyana lacks the funds, equipment, personnel and experience to deal with a well blowout. Such a circumstance, this publication had reported, would be economically and environmentally catastrophic and have a comparable impact on shareholders’ investments in ExxonMobil.

What makes Guyana’s case even more concerning is the fact that it is without full coverage insurance for any of the projects being led by ExxonMobil in conjunction with its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited.

...One dead in motorcycle accident in Berbice From page 6 proceeding north along the western drive lane of the No.51 Public Road at a fast rate when, according to the driver of motorcycle CG 9278, Kumar released his grip from one of the handles of his motorcycle and looked back. As a result, Kumar lost control of his motorcycle and fell onto the road surface.

His motorcycle reportedly skidded about 100-feet further north and an unknown motorcyclist who was behind rode over Kumar’s body. That motorcyclist also lost control and fell onto the road surface and the driver of motorcycle CG

9278 collided with Kumar’s motorcycle, pushing it further into a nearby trench on the eastern side of the road. The driver of the unknown motorcycle picked up his motorcycle and rode away from the scene while Kumar was picked up by public-spirited citizens in an unconscious condition and taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body is presently lying at the Skeldon Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination.

An investigation is ongoing.

Kumar’s body before it was removed from the accident scene.

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday October 05, 2021

UG's School of Graduate Studies and Research to host inaugural symposium from tomorrow - Several high-profile researchers and experts to make presentations

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he University of Guyana (UG) School of Graduate Studies and Research (UGSGSR), will be hosting its inaugural Graduate Research Symposium (GRS) on October 6th – 8th, 2021.

The symposium, according to a UG release, will be held virtually and is geared to provide graduate students with the opportunity to exhibit their research accomplishments in the format of oral presentations, posters, and for the first time, 5M-thesis presentation competition.

The symposium is being held under the theme: “Innovative Research for Sustainable Developments,

Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Oral presentations will focus on seven sub-themes; these include: Circular Economy, Green Economy and Trade, Food Production and Food Security Amidst the COVID19 Pandemic, Education for Sustainable Development in the 21st Century, Health, P o v e r t y, G e n d e r a n d Sustainable Development, Environmental Management, Global Warming, Adaptation and Climate Change Mitigation, Science and Technology for Sustainable Development.

Registration is required in advance for the event, using the following link https://zoom.us/webinar/reg ister/WN_O5mn6hTKT2O

D_G0PqUEl1w. This same link could be used for the entire three days of the symposium including the opening and closing ceremonies. Registration is free to presenting graduate students and attendees.

The opening session is on Wednesday, October 6th, and will feature remarks from University of Guyana's C h a n c e l l o r, P r o f e s s o r Edward Greene, ViceChancellor IX, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, (Academic Engagement), Professor Emanuel Cummings, Dean of School of Graduate Studies and Research, Professor Judith Rosales, and Chair of Symposium, Prof. Raymond

Jagessar.

Additionally, Dr. Daniel Neafsey of Harvard School of Public Health, will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony. His presentation will focus on Genetic epidemiology of infectious disease: prospects for research and public health.

The opening ceremony will also include an edutainment session by Mr. Michael Khan of UG's Faculty of Education and Humanities, Department of Visual and Performing Arts.

Over the course of the three days, there will be presentations based on the sub-themes by several distinguished keynote speakers from around the

GAWU/SEI ink Recognition Agreement T

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and the Skeldon Energy Inc. (SEI) yesterday (October 04, 2021) inked a Recognition and the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement.

The agreement will regulate the relationship between the Union and the Company, and includes the mechanism for dispute resolution, the appointment

of shop stewards, the deduction of union dues and credit union savings from workers' wages/salaries, and other general conditions.

The GAWU became the recognised bargaining agent on behalf of the SEI's employees on February 14, 2019, by the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board.

However, the parties had some difficulties in arriving at an agreement.

Through the intervention of the Ministry of Labour, the Union and the Company were able to resolve amicably the differences thus paving the way for the signing of the agreement.

At yesterday's signing, GAWU's President, Seepaul

Narine, shared that he was heartened that the parties could formalise the agreement. He said that the Union was hopeful that the parties could work together to advance the interests of the SEI and the well-being of the employees.

SEI's Human Resources Officer, Troy Pearson, shared similar sentiments expressing the view that it is important for the Union and the Company to work together.

world; these include: University of Guyana's lecturer, Dr. Mark Bynoe, an accomplished researcher in the areas of natural resource accounting, natural resource governance and financing, Dr. Gillian Smith, the FAO representative of the United Nations to Guyana, Dr. Freddy James, researcher from the University of West Indies, Prof. Ligia Simonian, a recognised anthropologist from the social sciences in the areas of poverty, gender, diversity and human rights in indigenous and other local vulnerable populations, Dr. Anton Eitzinger, an expert in climate change modelling in climate smart agriculture development projects in many countries of Africa and America and more recently in the Caribbean, including, Guyana, and Professor Emeritus, Winston Mellowes, a recognised chemical engineering researcher, from UWI, who has developed important knowledge in sugarcane technology. He is currently the Foreign Secretary of CAS. Attendance at the symposium is open to the entire University of Guyana (UG) community and other institutions both within and outside of Guyana, and will afford UG students and staff in graduate programmes an

opportunity to present their research to a broad and diverse audience The event is being sponsored by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and Central Housing and Planning Authority. The University of Guyana acknowledges the support of its sponsors with gratitude.

UG will begin its new academic year on October 25, 2021, for new and continuing students.

Approximately 65 percent of the University's classes will remain online for the first semester from October, 2021, to January, 2022, due to prevailing COVID-19 conditions as well as major building works arising from recent extreme weather conditions.

The remaining 35 percent, mostly consisting of laboratory and field exercises, are expected to be blended and face-to-face delivered at the various campuses for specific courses or parts of courses only in this first semester October, 2021, to January, 2022.

Students will be notified directly of the schedule as well as safety measures they are expected to comply with, if any of their courses are to be held face-to-face.

Schedules will also be posted on Faculty websites.

USAID funds training for HIV/AIDS first responders

Participants of the programme receive certificates

A

graduation ceremony was held on October , last for 18 frontline healthcare workers who were trained under the USAID-funded Clinical M a n a g e m e n t Tr a i n i n g

Programme for HIV/AIDS. Ambassador Lynch attended the ceremony with Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, and Director of Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), Dr. Rosmond

Adams. The eight-week training programme was offered by the University of Washington's Department of Global Health, Global Health E-Learning in the U.S., and participated by representatives from

CARICOM, healthcare providers at the National Care and Treatment Centre and St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital.

“The partnerships of events like these are a testament to our common

goal to improve healthcare and the health delivery systems, for the benefit and prosperity for all,” said Ambassador Lynch.

The United States has provided Guyana with over US$185 million to fight

HIV/AIDS since 2004, mostly through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which is the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history.

Tuesday October 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Guyana will push to dismantle barriers to intra-regional agri trade - President Ali - Tells CWA2021 region has enough resources to feed itself

P

resident Irfaan Ali yesterday said that Guyana will push aggressively for the dismantling of barriers that restrict intra-regional agricultural trade, in a bid for the country and by extension the Caribbean, to not only attain food security but also export food.

The Guyanese President, who is the Lead Head of Government with responsibility for agriculture in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet, delivered the keynote address virtually at

the 16th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2021.

“We cannot seriously speak of significantly denting the enormous and unsustainable regional food import bill yet, unwittingly or otherwise, erect and keep in place non-tariff barriers (NTBs) which impede regional trade in agriculture produce and products.”

The President stated that his Government would be “bullish” in pressing to dismantle the barriers.

“I know that there are vested interests who wish to

retain these barriers, but the choice facing us is clear.”

In his pre-recorded address, President Ali pointed out that the promotion of regional initiatives aimed at eliminating non-tariff barriers to trade is among the critical areas being addressed by the Special Ministerial Taskforce.

He also said that CWA2021 should address two fundamental questions—why the transformation of regional food systems is necessary and how best the Caribbean can

Dead host ends wedding reception

A

wedding house celebration on Sunday came to an abrupt end after the host of the event was found dead.

The host, identified as Rickey Persaud, was a labourer of Lot 8, Harrison Street, Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

According to reports, guests and relatives were forced to stop celebrating around 02:30hrs after Persaud's sister-in-law and her husband reportedly stumbled upon his body in the upper flat of his residence.

According to police, Persaud's sister had gotten married and a number of guests were at his home participating in the wedding reception.

Kaieteur News was told that the man was seen alive during the celebratory activities which had started

during the early evening hours on Saturday and continued into the wee hours of Sunday.

The man's sister-in-law had told cops that while they were celebrating there was a sudden power outage around 02:30hrs.

She, including the guests, according to police, had thought it was a GPL power outage, but when they looked over at the neighbouring houses, they had lights.

The sister-in-law, along with her husband, decided to head upstairs to where Persaud's apartment was to see if the outage was as a result of a problem with the breaker. They found that the main switch was off and, according to the sister-inlaw, she decided to switch it back on.

After the lights came on,

they claimed that it was then that they saw Persaud lying on the floor motionless and facing upwards.

Convinced that the host was dead, the attendees brought an abrupt end to the celebration following which the police were summoned.

Crime scene experts were soon after on the scene cordoning off the area in order to commence a preliminary investigation into the circumstances surrounding Persaud's death.

They reported that there were no marks of violence on the man's body which was removed and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital for further examination before it was sent to a morgue.

So far police revealed that one person is in custody assisting with the investigation.

3 out of 4 latest COVID-19 fatalities were unvaccinated

T

he Ministry of Health yesterday reported that four more persons, who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, have died. As a result of this, the country's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 803.

According to the Ministry, the latest fatalities are that of three unvaccinated persons and a partially vaccinated person.

They all died over an eightday period (September 27 to October 4) while receiving treatment.

The fatalities are that of two women, a 62-year-old and a 48-year-old from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) and that of two men, a 48-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo Islands) and a 67-year-old from Region Four.

Meanwhile, in its daily COVID-19 dashboard, the

Health Ministry during the last assessed 24-hour period, recorded 103 new infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 32,586.

The Ministry revealed too, that there are 31 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 122 in institutional isolation, 3,603 in home isolation and six in institutional quarantine. To date a total of 28,027 people who tested positive for the virus have recovered.

pursue the transformation process.

“The Caribbean has the resources to ensure greater regional food security. It remains a travesty that our Region, blessed with arable lands, abundant freshwater supplies and skilled agricultural workers, imports more than US$5B annually in food. We have the means to slash our regional food import bill, produce more of the food we consume and, in the process, generate sustainable livelihoods through agriculture.”

The President said that Guyana, being resource-rich in land and freshwater, is desirous of leading the charge by making available appropriate lands as part of the process of promoting cross-border investments in agriculture.

“Guyana is currently embarking on a process of consolidating unused and under-utilised lands with the aim of making suitable lands more readily available for s u p p o r t i n g l a rg e - s c a l e agriculture investments.”

The President noted that the Caribbean must also

become more food secure since climate change can imperil global food supply, subjecting the Region to externally-induced shocks.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY In addition to ensuring that the Region is food secure, the Head of State also believes that transforming the sector can open economic opportunities, including food exportation.

“By 2040, it is estimated that there will be an additional 1.4 billion mouths to feed.

Food will be in high demand.

This represents both a challenge for us to feed ourselves and also an economic opportunity to help feed the world. We must reform our food systems in order to respond to these challenges and seize the opportunities that will arise from the demand for more food.”

The President also underscored that the transformation of regional food systems must involve the regional private sector. To this end, he added, the Special

President Irfaan Ali Ministerial Taskforce on Food Production and Food Security, headed by Guyana's Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, and the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) has been actively working together.

He said that the groups have since contributed significantly to identifying specific areas for regional policy support in targeting investments and intraregional trade, particularly in poultry, niche vegetables and commodities such as corn, soy, rice, coconut, beef and (continued on page 16)

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 05, 2021

Tuesday October 05, 2021

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Axar, Hetmyer key drivers in tight win Naomi Osaka: Former world number one drops for Delhi Capitals SportsMax - Delhi Capitals moved to the summit of the Indian Premier League table with a three-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in the battle between the top two yesterday.

Both sides were already assured of a play-off spot before they met at the Dubai International Stadium and it was the Capitals who moved to the brink of sealing a toptwo finish with their 100th victory in the IPL’s 50th match of 2021.

Kagiso Rabada steered Dwayne Bravo for four to take Delhi beyond their target of 137 to win, moving above their opponents with one

game of the regular season to play.

Ambati Rayudu top scored with an unbeaten 55 from 43 balls in CSK’s total of 136-5 after they were put in by birthday boy Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel the pick of the bowlers with 2-18 from his four overs.

Shikhar Dhawan struck 39 off 35 deliveries in his 300th T20 game, but Delhi collapsed to 99-6 after the opener and Ravichandran Ashwin fell in an excellent 15th over from Shardul Thakur (2-13) Ravindra Jadeja (2-28) had earlier removed Pant and Ripal Patel, into the side at the

expense of Steve Smith, but a dropped catch from Krishnappa Gowtham and some wayward Dwayne Bravo bowling cost CSK. Substitute fielder Gowtham dropped a simple chance offered by Shimron Hetmyer in the 18th over and the West Indies batsman finished unbeaten on 28, with Rabada settling a tight contest.

Axar peaking at the right time Spinner Axar was named man of the match after taking 3-21 in a four-wicket win over defending champions Mumbai Indians on Saturday.

The tweaker made a big impact once again two days later, getting dangerous duo Faf du Plessis and Moeen Ali

Tuesday October 05, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Add a bit of spice in your life by engaging in spontaneous activities. It's time to get out and enjoy more of the world. Explore those things that are inherently different from what you'd expect to find.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) There may be some emotional strain and tension in your world, but this can be remedied when you look at things in perspective.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) People may be bearing down hard on you. They will have some facts to back themselves up. Your brain is like a computer storing bits of information to use at times like this.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) This is a great day for you.

You may feel like you can exercise more of your freedom. Break any shackles that seem to be holding you back. There's no reason to feel hindered.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You're in a sticky emotional battle in which someone is trying to twist your words to make you look like the bad guy. As soon as you try to get a project started, someone moves counter to your aims.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Friendships go surprisingly well for you now, so look to them for the support you seek. Future plans may be uncertain, so don't worry about them now.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Lessons may come in odd shapes and sizes today, so don't feel like you need to make immediate sense of every little thing.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You're in for some unexpected surprises, but don't worry, because most of them will be exciting and welcome. Prepare yourself by being open and accepting of other people and the new situations they bring.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may feel like you're driving on a highway and suddenly all the lanes merge.

This bottleneck should cause you tension and difficulty.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You'll be at an advantage if you can learn to distance yourself from the emotional crux of the matter. Maintain a neutral viewpoint.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may feel like a mouse trying to get the cheese in the middle of the kitchen floor. From your corner, you can see the cheese in the distance. Yet you know a cat lurks nearby.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your emotions receive a boost of support from those around you. Be careful that you don't let this energy go to your head.

This is a good day to sit back and gain perspective on things instead of assuming you have all the answers.

caught at deep midwicket.

Axar has taken 14 wickets in IPL games, with his economy rate of 6.05 the sixthbest in the tournament, and he could have a big say in whether Delhi win the title.

Gowtham gaffe punished The Capitals needed 28 to win off three overs after losing their way in the run chase, but the game swung back in their favour in the 18th over.

Bravo had already bowled two wides and been hit for four by Hetmyer before his Windies team-mate was put down by Gowtham coming in from long-on, the ball going through his hands and crossing the ropes to add insult to injury.

Hetmyer launched Josh Hazlewood for a huge six into the leg side in the next over as Gowtham looked to the skies in disbelief.

Scores: Delhi Capitals 139 for 7 (Dhawan 39, Hetmyer 28*, Thakur 213) beat Chennai Super Kings 136 for 5 (Rayudu 55, Axar 2-18) by three wickets.

out of top 10 in rankings

Naomi Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam winner. (Reuters) BBC Sport - Naomi Osaka has dropped out of the women’s top 10 for the first time since winning the 2018 US Open title.

The Japanese player, who is now 12th, withdrew from this year ’s French Open and missed Wimbledon to focus on her mental health.

Osaka, 23, also took a break from tennis in September after her defence of the US Open title was ended by Leylah Fernandez in the third round.

Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu, who beat Fernandez in the final, is

ranked 22nd.

Raducanu, 18, is set to play in her first event since winning the US Open at the Indian Wells tournament, having been given a wildcard into the main draw.

Indian Wells starts on Monday and runs until 17 October. Yesterday it was announced Raducanu has also entered next month’s Upper Austria Ladies Linz tournament.

Former world number one Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, recently said she will return to tennis soon after getting the “itch” to play again.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 05, 2021

Four for World Boxing C/ships - Monetary prizes for National C/ship - Ninvalle Steve Ninvalle

The Guyana Boxing Association will this year be sending its largest team ever to the World Championships.

Four boxers and one coach have been identified for the upcoming event to be held in Belgrade, Serbia for October 25 to November 6.

The local side will be led b y 2 2 - y e a r- o l d featherweight Keevin Allicock who is also the reigning Caribbean Champion. Light heavyweight Dennis Thomas, Middleweight Desmond Amsterdam and light welterweight Colin Lewis are the other fighters on the list.

AIBA Three Star Coach Sebert Blake will undertake coaching duties for the quartet. Both Allicock and Thomas will be having their second outing at the World Championships. In 2013 Thomas and Imran Khan travelled to Kazakhstan to represent Guyana at the AIBA premiere event.

In 2019 Allicock was the lone local representative in Russia. The GBA is currently finalizing arrangement for overseas preparation for the four boxers.

President of the Guyana Boxing Association Steve

Sebert Blake

Ninvalle disclosed that there is heightened interest in the World Championship since world governing body AIBA has put up staggering purses for boxers receiving gold, silver and bronze medals.

“AIBA president Umar Kremlev has remained true to his word. At the World Championship a gold medal will be worth US$100,000 (twenty million Guyana dollars), silver medal US$50,000 and bronze US$25,000.

This is a welcomed input to our sport which should result in even more determined efforts by athletes,” Ninvalle said.

In addition, the GBA boss informed that Guyana will follow suit and have monetary prizes at its National Championships.

Meanwhile, Ninvalle informed that his association has reached out to every gym in the country over the last three weeks. Each gym received a quantity of gear inclusive of heavy bags, speed balls, gloves (10, 12 and 14 ounces), skipping ropes, mouth guards, hand wraps and groin protectors among others. This became possible following a donation from governing body AIBA.

Colin Lewis

Kaieteur News

Tuesday October 05, 2021

PAGE 23

Qualification scenarios: What MI, KKR and RR need to do to make the playoffs ESPNcricinfo - With seven games to go in the league stage of IPL 2021, there are two distinct battles being fought for qualifications and positions.

Teams ranked fourth to seventh are battling for the fourth spot, while the top three are eying a top-two finish. Here is a look at what the teams need to do to achieve their goals.

Kolkata Knight Riders Matches played: 13, Points: 12, NRR: 0.294, Remaining game: vs Rajasthan Royals Knight Riders are best placed to take fourth place.

The win against Sunrisers Hyderabad took their points tally up to 12 but importantly, their net run rate is an impressive 0.294, easily the best among the teams fighting for the fourth playoff spot. A win in their last game, against Royals on

Thursday, will likely ensure they finish fourth.

However, if they lose on Thursday, they will have to hope that Mumbai Indians and Royals don’t go beyond 12. For that to happen, Mumbai will have to beat Royals, and lose their last game to Sunrisers. In that case, Knight Riders will qualify with the best NRR among the teams on 12 points.

Punjab Kings Matches played: 13, Points: 10, NRR: -0.241, Remaining game: vs Chennai Super Kings Kings are all but out of the race. They can only get to 12, which means they will have to lift their NRR above that of Knight Riders to stand a chance. For them to qualify, they will have to win their last match, against table-toppers Super Kings, hope that Knight Riders lose

heavily against Royals, and also that no other team gets to 14. The NRR odds are stacked against them: if, for instance, Kings win by 70 runs and Knight Riders lose by the same margin, Kings will edge ahead with an NRR of 0.034, to the Knight Riders’ 0.011.

Rajasthan Royals Matches played: 12, Points: 10, NRR: -0.337, Remaining games: vs Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders Knight Riders’ excellent NRR means there is little room to manoeuvre for any of the other teams. The only realistic chance for Royals to qualify is for them to win their last two games. Since their opponents are Mumbai and Knight Riders, those two wins will also eliminate both those teams.

However, if it comes down to NRR with teams

Mbappe says he told PSG in July he wanted to leave Kylian Mbappe says he told Paris Saint-Germain in July he wanted to leave the club.

(AFP/FRANCK FIFE)

AFP - Kylian Mbappe yesterday confirmed that he told Paris Saint-Germain in July he wanted to leave the club.

“I said at the end of July that I wanted to leave,” Mbappe said in an interview with RMC radio.

“My position has been clear. I said I wanted to leave and I told them (PSG management) quite early on.”

The French World Cup winner has not extended his contract at PSG, fuelling speculation he will seek a move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.

The Spanish giants bid 180 million euros ($209 million) for Mbappe in August but PSG, who had just signed Lionel Messi from Barcelona, turned down the offer.

At the time, PSG’s sporting director

Leonardo said Mbappe could “leave or stay on our conditions”.

Mbappe said he eventually told PSG “if you don’t want me to leave, I will stay”.

“People said I had refused six or seven offers to extend and that I never talk to Leonardo, which is absolutely not true,” he added.

Mbappe, who joined PSG from Monaco for a deal worth a total of 180 million euros in 2017, said he had offered to leave the club in July to allow PSG to find “a quality replacement”.

“I wanted everyone to be in a win-win situation,” he said.

“Paris is a club that has given me a lot, where I’ve always been happy for the four years I have spent here and I am still happy.”

A win in their last match will likely ensure KKR qualify for the playoffs. (BCCI) level on 12 points, then it is extremely unlikely that Royals will make it. Even if they lose to Mumbai by just one run, they will have to beat Knight Riders by about 75 runs to go past them on NRR. Mumbai Indians Matches played: 12, Points: 10, NRR: -0.453, Remaining games: vs Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad Mumbai are in a similar position to Royals - their NRR is so poor that they need to win both their games to have an opportunity to qualify. Even if they do that, they won’t have a realistic chance if Knight Riders beat Royals and reach 14 Mumbai will have to win their two games by a combined margin of around 200 runs to stand a chance.

At the top of the table, meanwhile, the fight is to finish among the top two, with three teams vying for those couple of slots.

Chennai Super Kings Matches played: 12, Points: 18, NRR: 0.829, Remaining games: vs Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings Super Kings’ NRR of 0.829 is easily the best among all teams, and that should assure them a top-two spot if they reach 20 points.

Royal Challengers can get to 20 too, but their NRR of 0.157 is way too low. Thus, one win for Super Kings will ensure they feature in the first qualifier on Sunday.

Even if they lose both, they could still finish in the top two if Royal Challengers don’t win both their matches.

Delhi Capitals Matches played: 12, Points: 18, NRR: 0.551, Remaining games: vs Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore Delhi Capital’s NRR isn’t quite as good as Super Kings’, but at 0.551 it is still far better than that of Royal Challengers. That means 20 points should still be enough

for them to finish among the top two. Their two remaining matches, though, are against these teams - Super Kings on Monday and Royal Challengers on Friday.

Royal Challengers Bangalore Matches played: 12, Points: 16, NRR: -0.157, Remaining games: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Delhi Capitals Royal Challengers have already qualified, but to finish among the top two they will need to win both their matches, and hope that both Super Kings and Capitals don’t join them on 20 points.

If both finish with 20, getting past one of them on NRR is extremely unlikely: even if Royal Challengers win each of their two remaining matches by 50 runs, and Capitals beat Super Kings by just one run, Capitals will still have an NRR of 0.292 to Royal Challengers’ 0.233.

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday October 05, 2021

AIBA to Ensure “Fair Chance, Fair Fight” At World C/ships With less than one month until the AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships begin in Belgrade, and two months until the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships begin in Istanbul, AIBA unveiled “Fair Chance, Fair Fight” as the theme of the competitions and AIBA’s work towards them.

The “Fair Chance” team has been created for athletes who have felt forced to leave their countries, often because of conflict. This team is a response to growing displacement – resulting in refugee status, as well as other humanitarian crises. AIBA’s belief in the right to a Fair Chance is further reinforced by the provision - for the first time in boxing history - of equal prize money for women and men.

“Every boxer deserves a fair chance and a fair fight.

We are fully committed to that principle, and we hope to demonstrate just how dedicated we are to keeping that at the core of our boxing events. It is critical to ensure

a safe environment for all athletes, and especially for people in transition. I truly believe that by helping people in need we help society, at the same time as we develop boxing,” said AIBA President Umar Kremlev.

In order to further support AIBA’s belief that athletes’ chances of winning need to be exclusively up to the level of their skill and the quality of their performance, a new rigorous selection criteria has been introduced for referees and judges.

No part selection process is being left up to the discretion of a single person, a random element has been added to safeguard the participants from attempts at competition manipulation.

Additional candidate background checks will be carried out by the team of Professor Richard McLaren, an independent expert, appointed by AIBA earlier in the year to conduct an investigation into the organization’s past sporting integrity issues.

B e y o n d t h a t ,

The AIBA World Boxing championships poster highlight the event set for Belgrade, Serbia. competition officials will be undergoing further training prior to Belgrade Championships, including but not limited to a module on enhanced ethics and behavioural provisions.

“We owe it to all our

athletes to do everything in our power to secure a safe, controlled, and fair environment for them to demonstrate the results of years of training. Their job is to put on a fight in the ring, our job is to make sure it is

judged and assessed fairly.

Therefore our officials have to be trusted with taking good care of our boxers and their winning chances,” AIBA Secretary General, Istvan Kovacs said.

In order to secure a clean

and doping-free Championships, rigorous testing will be conducted throughout the event, doubling the number of tests that were carried out at the previous World Championships.

Tuesday October 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

Boys had good performances despite short preparation - Coach Daly-Ramdyhan

By Sean Devers uyana finished fourth among nine teams in U12 Boys development ITF COTECC Team tournament which concluded on October 1, in the Dominican Republic and Coach Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan says under the circumstances, her charges performed excellently.

Guyana defeated B a r b a d o s , U S Vi r g i n Islands and Haiti, while suffering their lone defeat to the host Country’s ‘B’ team to book a place in the semifinals after ending second in their group.

The two-member team of Nathan DeNobrega and Elwyn Levius then lost both the singles and doubles to Bermuda in the semi-finals.

“I think the players performed excellently, although our preparation

G

was very short. We only had a month to practice but we were still able to play well.

The benefits of playing these tournaments helps to expose our players to a higher level of competition, it also allows us to participate in more events,” said the former National Tennis Champion.

The 48-year-old, who dominated local Tennis in 1990s; winning four consecutive National titles during that period, spoke about the Covid-19 protocols in the Dominican Republic.

“It was regular procedure. The situation is the same as everywhere. We were in a bubble for the entire period of the tournament and wasn’t allowed to go anywhere,” the coach informed, who became an official Coach in 2005.

Daly-Ramdyhan explained that since it’s a development tournament, most of the players are playing their first team competition under COTECC. “The level varies but most countries send their strongest/best players, the Dominicans and some of the other countries have lots of competition experience,” explained Daly-Ramdyhan whose eldest daughter, 22year-old Nicola, is on a tennis scholarship in the USA. Daly-Ramdyhan, who informed that this is the first tournament for the year, said since the government is currently working on completing the racket centre, we will be able to have more competition and training on better tennis courts.

“That has been a concern for many years, more tennis

Coach Shelly Daley is flanked by Elwyn Levius (left) and Nathan De Nobrega in the Dominican Republic. courts are needed in other areas too,” she added.

Coach Shelly says that children will become interested in Tennis through camps, while the JTI programmes in schools in the past helped to promote the sport.

“Since the pandemic and schools being out, it was

difficult to have the programme but hopefully we can restart soon,” noted Shelly, who is the National Junior Tennis Coordinator.

Coach Shelly revealed that this was the first time the boys were travelling overseas.

“They both learnt a lot and plan to work harder on

their return home to prepare for tournaments in the future.

The tickets were paid for by the tennis association, accommodation, transportation and meals were covered by the ITF. Parents also covered some other expenses,” disclosed Shelly who runs the Sheltez Tennis Club.

GFF interact with Berbice FA Executive and Referees

T

GFF President, Wayne Forde, GFF Head of Refereeing Dion Inniss and BFA President Sherwin Forde seen with some of the Referees during their meeting at the All Saints Primary School Ground.

he Guyana F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF) on a recent fan out exercise to the Berbice Football Association (BFA) met with the Association’s Executive Committee as well as the Referees.

The Federation was led

by President Wayne Forde

BFA President Sherwin Forde (standing) addressing colleagues during the meeting with the GFF.

who was accompanied by Executive Members Dion Inniss who is also Head of Refereeing at the GFF. BFA President, Sherwin Forde chaired both meetings.

Forde in comments noted that issues surrounding the return to active football, the Academy Training Centre, the Dressing Room Facility being constructed at the Vryman’s Erven Ground, New Amsterdam were some

of the matters discussed in the very interactive session.

Head of Referring Inniss said that the meeting with the Referees was also a success as they were able to ventilate a number of issues with the Committee and the GFF head.

All parties committed to continue combining efforts to further solidify the growth and development of the game.