Guyana Times -- Friday, April 9, 2021

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4612

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

Guyana pledges full support to St Vincent over looming destructive volcano eruption See stories on pages 3 &18

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Local Content Policy needed now to capitalise on investments – new GCCI P13 President …should be backed by robust legislation

Sophia woman charged for P8 killing ex-lover

…PM Gonsalves issues evacuation order

Mother feeds 2 children, self poisonous substance Page 10

Take insurance seriously – Singh tells homeowners, businesses See story on page 7

Canada, UNICEF announce CAN AN$3M $3M partnership to support vulnerable Guyanese

2011 murder of Robb St granny

Arguments P14 conclude in appeal to set aside 81-year prison term

See story on page 2

Heavy rainfall in Aranka, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) has led to flooding in the village. Reports from the Regional Chairman and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) have confirmed that about 2500 persons have been affected (CDC photo)

18 persons succumb to COVID-19 in 1 week ...135 new cases in 24h

Body of NWD man found floating in P10 river

…as CARPHA finds UK, US COVID variants in Caribbean

See story on page 9

P14 Body of pensioner found floating in Pomeroon River Persons who refuse COVID-19 vaccine P16 endangering lives of others – Ramsammy

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Canada, UNICEF announce CAN$3M partnership to support vulnerable Guyanese

High Commissioner Mark Berman and UNICEF Country Representative Nicolas Pron signing the agreement

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he Canadian Government along with UNICEF Guyana has signed a three-year CAD$3 million project to support vulnerable Guyanese.

In a release on Thursday, the Canadian High Commission in Georgetown said that following a recent visit to Region One (BarimaWaini) by Canadian High

Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman and UNICEF Country Representative Nicolas Pron, both organisations have signed projects that will address some of the

concerns expressed by stakeholders in the region.

On Tuesday, High Commissioner Berman, UNICEF Representative Pron and their teams held several meetings with the Region One authorities during a joint mission to Mabaruma, to better understand the living situation of children, women, other residents, and migrants in the area.

Wide-ranging discussions, the statement said, were had with Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley and heads of various agencies in the region, as well as with Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Mabaruma, Chris Phang and Carolyn Robinson and their officers. The Canadian and

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman and UNICEF Country Representative Nicolas Pron listening to Deputy Chairman of the Khan’s Hill CDC, Sharmaine Smith during one of the meetings in Region One

UNICEF teams also met with Regional Health Officer, Dr Steven Cheefoon and Deputy Chairman of the Khan’s Hill Community Development Council (CDC), Sharmaine Smith. The officials shared some of the pressing issues they face including the influx of Venezuelan migrants, access to the public health system, solid waste disposal, unemployment and the resuscitation of agriculture.

Through this project, funding will be provided to support health, education and other services in the communities in Region One and other regions demonstrating need.

In his remarks during the signing ceremony, High Commissioner Berman stated, “We are delighted to partner with UNICEF on this project which will help to address some of the issues raised with us during our recent trip, including helping to build community, childcare and education services and facilities in an effort to ensure those facing increased vulnerabilities do not fall further behind in re-

covering from the pandemic”.

Meanwhile, UNICEF Representative Pron remarked, “This partnership with the Canadian High Commission comes at a critical time as we work together to ensure that no one is left behind as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2018, UNICEF has been supporting authorities on the ground under the Emergency/Migrant Response programme and there have been positive results. This project will ensure that the most vulnerable, including children, have access to key services; together with the Region One authorities, we are building a better, safer, and healthier future for everyone and every child.”

The UNICEF Guyana and Suriname Country Office and the Canadian High Commission had previously collaborated on the distribution of female-orientated family hygiene kits and hygiene promotion activities in the Region as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, April 9 – 02:30h-04:00h and 13:30h-15:00h and Saturday, April 10 – 03:00h-04:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, April 9 – 15:10h-16:40h and Saturday, April 10 – 15:45h-17:15h.

Guyana pledges full support to St Vincent over looming destructive volcano eruption …PM Gonsalves issues evacuation order three of its ships to assist with the evacuation. Two of these, he noted, are expected to arrive this morning, followed by the third subsequently.

Additionally, the Prime Minister noted that the Carnival Cruise Line has also indicated that, by this evening, two of its cruise ships would be in the country to transport

FERRY SCHEDULE Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY

Gonsalves had declared a disaster alert which was prompted by a change in the eruptive activity at the La Soufriere volcano.

At the time, UWI’s Geologist Professor Richard Robertson had cautioned that preparations should be finalised for possible evacuation within very short notice, as the

Rain is expected throughout the day and night with instances of thunder. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 15:22h reaching a maximum height of 2.48 metres.

Low Tide: 08:58h and 21:16h reaching minimum heights of 0.79 metre and 0.71 metre.

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Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves

President Irfaan Ali

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali has reached out to Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, and pledged Guyana’s full and unwavering support as the island-state deals with a looming volcano eruption.

Following several days of increasing eruptive activities at the La Soufriere volcano on the island of St Vincent, Prime Minister Gonsalves on Thursday declared a red alert and issued an evacuation order.

In a statement, President Ali said he discussed with his Head of State colleague immediate support which will be required in the response.

“The Prime Minister indicated that apart from the need to evacuate citizens, there were other emergency material needs. I committed to him that Guyana, upon receiving the full list of their needs, would immediately put together a national response to supply the items and arrange for them to be shipped to St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” President Ali noted.

During an emergency press briefing late on Thursday afternoon, Prime Minister Gonsalves invoked the country’s National Emergence and Disaster Management Act to order the evacuation of all premises in the area designated as the Red Zone in the northeast and northwest of St Vincent, as well as the evacuation the areas themselves.

The evacuation order also speaks to the exclusion of persons, vessels or vehicles from such premises and areas, save and except for the purpose of effecting the evacuation.

“This order would be published tomorrow (Friday) but it has effect immediately…

So there is now in the country an Evacuation Order. All arrangements have now kickstarted and the [evacuation] process begins,” the St Vincent Head of State posited.

According to PM Gonsalves, this decision was taken based upon advice from Head of the country’s National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), Michelle Forbes, and from University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) Geologist Professor Richard Robertson.

The St Vincent Head of State further stated, “I want to urge all our people to be calm.

Do not panic, be disciplined, be orderly.”

He went on to reveal that Royal Caribbean had offered

The dome reaching the height of the crater on Thursday evening (News 784 photo)

evacuees.

“The cruise ships of Royal Caribbean will be first used to transport the persons from St Vincent and the Grenadines who are to be evacuated to other countries in the region who have offered temporary hospitality; namely, St Lucia, Grenada, Barbados and Antigua,” Gonsalves announced.

He added the British Virgin Islands have also offered assistance, which is yet to be capitalised on.

In addition to support from Guyana, the St Vincent PM further disclosed, Trinidad and Tobago has also pledged support of materials, while St. Kitts and Nevis has also offered to accommodate citizens if needed. Montserrat, too, has extended its support to the island-state.

Earlier in the day, PM

new signals have significantly increased the possibility of an explosive eruption, which it was noted could be in hours or days’ time.

It was reported that at approximately 3:00am local time on Thursday, volcanic tremor (VT) was observed by scientists based at the Belmont Observatory in St. Vincent.

This first band of tremor was later followed by subsequent bands at 5:30am, 8:00am, 10:15am and 1pm. This type of seismic signal is usually associated with movement of magma and fluids close to the surface. Clouds of steam could also be seen from the observatory during the periods of tremor.

However, at Thursday evening’s emergency news conference, Professor Robertson explained that there has since been further heightened activ-

ity at the La Soufriere volcano.

“The significant thing that has changed since the last briefing, though, is that the last tremor was accompanied by piers of gas venting, significant pulsing of volcano where it looks clearly like if it’s - for want of a better word - trying to clear its throat… At this point, we cannot say for sure and cannot give any further clear warning that nothing would happen within the next 24 to 48 hours.”

However, the Geologist noted that it would not be surprising if there are explosions from the volcano at a much more significant level.

“We seem to be clearly heading into something that might be explosive, and therefore need to take necessary actions to safeguard life and limb,” Professor Robertson posited.

Local media outlet in St Vincent and the Grenadines, News 784, reported on Thursday evening that the dome had reached the height of the crater on the western (leeward side) of the island. It further noted that from that side of the island, the glow/fiery look of the dome was seen as it got darker. (G8)

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Economic empowerment

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he issue of women and their role in development has always been a topic of interest, not only in Guyana, but in countries around the world. The debates have centred around the challenges women face in getting access to the same opportunities as men, and in a general sense, programmes and policies that could be implemented to ensure their economic and social advancement.

Women, over the years, have made tremendous progress, not only in terms of their own advancement, but by playing key roles in the development of their own communities, and, by extension, allowing other women opportunities to develop themselves. However, many challenges remain, and these must be tackled to ensure that women have access to the opportunities and resources needed to allow them to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

We believe that when women are allowed to develop their full potential, it is not only women who gain, but the entire society. Women make enormous contributions to economies, whether in businesses, on farms, as entrepreneurs or employees, or by doing unpaid care work at home.

According to the United Nations, investing in women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth.

Here, in Guyana, women have made tremendous progress at every level of the society, and women enjoy rights equal to what their male counterparts enjoy. This country deserves commendation for the advances it has made in ensuring that, in addition to women being protected under the law, they are also given relevant opportunities for their personal and professional advancement.

However, there is still a far way to go before we can safely say that women have access to the resources and opportunities, they need to fully develop themselves. For example, our single-parent mothers have, over the years, found it very difficult to make ends meet. Many of them have found themselves in a position where they work from month to month and there seems to be no end to the financial hardships they experience.

In some cases, they lack the necessary skills and qualifications required to get suitable well-paid jobs, so that they can earn enough to provide for themselves and their children.

For some, who would like to venture out into establishing their own small businesses etc, the strict criteria set by banks and other lending institutions make it difficult to access the necessary loans. There are a few institutions which give grants and other forms of support, but that is on a limited scale, and most of them are Georgetown-based, making it a bit difficult for rural women to easily access.

There is also the issue of the high level of domestic violence affecting countless families, with women being at the receiving end of the violence most times. There were numerous dialogues, with the involvement of the relevant stakeholders, to tackle the issue, but the number of cases of women being abused or killed is going up.

We believe that policy-makers should revisit the issue and come up with practical solutions to address this scourge in a holistic manner, with greater focus being placed on the root causes of the problem.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also worsened the situation, as it continues to have serious socio-economic repercussions on the lives of women. Worldwide, as a consequence of the partial lockdown, significant sections of the female working population are now unemployed or are receiving reduced pay, and those include singleparents.

The economic and social advancement of all women, including those in hinterland and rural communities, should remain a priority.

The effusive eruption of the volcano continues in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC), in collaboration with geologists Professor Richard Robertson, Dr Thomas Christopher and Dr Adam Stinton, did an aerial flight over the volcano to observe the actively growing lava dome (volcanodiscovery.com photo)

Boys need care too Dear Editor, Despite worldwide estimations that one in six boys is affected by sexual violence before he is eighteen years old, very little evidence is available.

As collaborating agencies working in childcare and protection, ChildLinK and Blossom Inc. have, over the past five years, noticed an increase in reports from boys who have been sexually abused. This observation is also supported by the Child Protection Agency’s reports.

The increase in reported cases is a positive, as underreporting has long been an issue of concern.

However, the increase in reporting also expounds on the fact that there is an urgent need for evidence-based campaigns that focus on the care of boys.

Sexual violence is a wide-reaching social issue that affects persons from all genders, sexualities, races and classes. While data on the violence experienced by women and girls has been steadily built upon over the years, when it comes to men and boys, data is often lacking.

As a result, ChildLinK is currently in the process of developing a two-year, evidence-based public education campaign. This campaign will focus on caring for boys, encouraging adults to play a larg-

er role in protecting boys from harm, and supporting their wellbeing.

On April 16, ChildLinK will be launching its Blue Umbrella Day (BUD) in collaboration with four other countries.

BUD forms part of ChildLinK’s wider programme activities, and falls directly under the One Thousand Boys Initiative.

Highlighting the harmful social norms that drive abuse against boys, this initiative builds on the work of both Government and civil society agencies for protecting children from all forms of abuse, particularly child sexual abuse.

The gender norms that surround the way boys are raised have a large role to play in the violence that continues to be meted out against them. From young, boys are taught that they must be providers who must not only be strong, but also be protectors of those who are deemed weaker than they are.

They themselves are not allowed to enable or exhibit weakness.

These patriarchal customs keep young boys and men trapped within a narrow idea of what it means to be and act like a man.

These customs unfortunately have many toxic elements that contribute towards the violence that is both experienced and perpetuated by men and boys.

These customs have led to the solidifying of the perception that sexual assault happens only to young girls and women. Evidence of this can be seen from the policies that are implemented, the support services that are provided, and the cultural attitudes that continue to frame young boys as not requiring care and protection. While there is an intent focus on policing the lives of young girls, boys are often provided free rein and very little supervision. Both these lax and hyper-vigilant responses are steeped in harmful cultural beliefs. They do, however, expose the way in which the different genders are treated when it comes to their protection.

Given the stigma and discrimination that are often meted out against sexual assault survivors, males who experience sexual assault are often reluctant to come forward with their experiences of abuse, due to the fear of not being believed and being ridiculed. The hyper-sexualisation of young boys often sees female abusers not being recognised as such.

Their families and peers often celebrate young boys who are preyed upon by older women, rather than getting them the support and justice that is necessary. If their abusers were male, there is a clearer

line of it being abuse, but there are added barriers to coming forward with their experiences, given the fear that they will be discriminated against and labelled as being homosexual.

Cultural and traditional factors continue to largely impact the responses towards child sexual violence.

The lack of institutional support and services for young boys and men continues to contribute towards underreporting and stigmatisation of male sexual violence.

Addressing the violence that young boys face means also addressing the religious and traditional norms that continue to harm them and keep cases of abuse wrapped under cloaks of shame and fear.

We all, as parents, caretakers, community leaders and advocates, must ensure that boys have access to the care and support necessary for them to grow up in safe and caring environments. Care that centres on the humanity of young boys, that breaks down the expectations to be hypersexual and aggressive, will result in healthy, well-adjusted men and strengthened communities.

Sincerely, Akola Thompson ChildLinK Inc

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

5

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Satyadeow Sawh was indeed a good man and a great patriot Dear Editor, For me, Geoffrey Da Silva’s April 7th letter on the assassination of Sash Sawh and his family has hit home hard.

The recapitulation on former Minister Satyadeow Sawh’s life is pretty accurate, and it has gripped my inner being as I recollect those facts and anecdotes.

“Sat” (the name by which he was known among family) was the son of my Mamoo (mother’s brother), and I grew up with him.

I had the privilege of liv-

ing with my beloved cousin and his family for approximately two years in the mid-60s. We slept, ate, played, went to school, and went to the Arya Samaj mandir together. And we continued the close familial relationship to the last. \I was in India in April 2007 when I received a phone call from my brother in Toronto, informing that Sat was assassinated along with siblings Julie and Raj and security guard Curtis Robertson. I became speechless and petrified as

he broke the news to me.

Fortunately, I had a close friend beside me (Manpal is his name) as I shed more than a tear. Manpal was a timely source of comfort, as he listened to me and prayed for me. I shall never forget that moment.

Satyadeow Sawh was indeed a good man and a great patriot. He was loved by many despite race, religion, or political conviction. God knows what all transpired. Yes, everyone would love to see the truth about everything, and

Upside brought by COVID-19 pandemic Dear Editor, The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the imposition of severe restrictions to airline travel as well as group gatherings.

Heads of State and various Ministers who would have been plane hopping to the numerous conferences and meetings are now doing all of that virtually.

The upside to this is that our President and his cabinet have freed up a lot of time to physically attend to our problems locally. It is a joy to see Ministers each and every day all over the country, sometimes in one day at warp speed being at extremities, for one minute

in Crabwood Creek and the next at Lethem, solving a host of issues on the spot.

The President and his Ministers are having a first hand and on-the-ground assessment of the work, or lack thereof, by designated Government agencies and personnel. Clogged drains, silted canals, inoperable pump stations, water woes, lack of electricity, errant engineers, petty crimes, drug abuse, larceny, dilapidated community centres, poor healthcare service, outstanding pension payments, unattended house lot applications, and a host of important community matters that were long

neglected or given short shrift by Government officials are being brought to light.

The President and his Ministers are actually remedying most of these problems on the spot, or instituting systems for an effective solution for those problems that would require some time to be resolved.

This is really a situation of the Government working for your tax dollars, and maybe it is an upside brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

have some answers to this abstruseness.

While my mind, ears and eyes can apprehend only so much, I give thanks

to the (only!) One who claims to be the Truth, Life and Way. Amid such sadness and agony, I carry on in hope, joy and love,

because God is!

Yours truly, Dr Devanand Bhagwan

Is it fair to reduce people (usually women) to one descriptor?

Dear Editor, A few weeks ago, mention of the name Mahadai Das locally might have elicited the dullest flicker of recognition, if that.

Suddenly, Mahadai’s name is everywhere. Those of us who have lamented her apparent erasure from our poetic canon might be tempted to celebrate; except that it’s not her poetry that’s in the limelight, it’s her life.

I cannot presume to speak for Mahadai Das. No one can. But, when we engage in public discourse, is it fair to reduce people (usually women) to one descriptor? When we label someone as mentally unstable, alcoholic, or even as a rape victim, are we not in danger of diminishing all of the other aspects of their lives; all of their achievements?

To quote the recently bereaved spouse of someone who died of alcoholism: “I do not want him to be reduced to a word too narrow to tell you what you need to know about him.”

After years of studied neglect of her poetry, we are in danger of diminishing Das. Into the void of

her absence, and in an attempt to restore her agency, let us listen to the words she left: “Whilst the hammering arm in rhythmic falter flags, My finer steel will grow.”

Yours faithfully, Isabelle de Caires

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FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

Foundation ◄

Page Question 1

Thursday’s answers

(a) In a football tournament, points are awarded as follows: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for a loss. (i) Write a 3 × 1 matrix, P, to represent this information.

During the tournament, Team Alpha recorded 5 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses, while Team Beta recorded 3 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses. (ii) Write a 2 × 3 matrix, R, to represent this information. (iii) Calculate the matrix product RP.

Imagining the lunar landscape Look at the photo of the lunar landscape.

Select one of the places on the Moon that sounds interesting to you.

Sea of Rains?

Ocean of Storms?

Archimedes?

Imagine what it would be like to be there. Think about how

(i) 18x2 – 1 = 0 18x2 = 1 x2 = 1/18 x = √(1/18) x = 0.236

y2 – p = 20/13

(ii) 13y2 – p – 20 = 0 13y2 – p = 20

(iii) Angle a = 450 Angle b = 730 Angle c = 730 Angle d = 620 Angle e = 130 Angle f =450 Angle g =730

the air feels, what colours you see, what the landscape features feel like.

Write a descriptive paragraph about your place in the lunar landscape.

Use interesting words! Add a drawing of what your lunar landscape looks like. (Adapted from startwithabook.org)

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Take insurance seriously – Singh tells homeowners, businesses …companies need to market insurance products better sites.

“When you suffer a calamity, you discover the dire straits that you’re in; likewise with businesses. This is not something that is unique to households, it’s something that businesses face as well.

Sometimes you think you might be saving by taking the absolute minimum insurance. We take the absolute minimum just to get by, or the law says we must get some minimum insurance.”

However, a closer look shows that An artist’s impression of the new Assuria Head Office at Carmichael and insurance helps to Church Streets, Georgetown mitigate risks which cannot be eliminatany homeowners aftermath of a calamitous ed at a household or busiand businesses in experience such as death, ness level. Guyanese were Guyana pay little or a fire, which can affect an advised to have their assets attention to having their as- entire family. properly secured – a feasible sets insured. They fail to re“I want to say in the most decision against any disasalise the dire consequences emphatic terms possible trous happening. which could confront them that insurance is an indis“You might not appreciif some unfortunate event pensable stable in any com- ate the importance of insurwere to occur. pany’s and any household’s ance until you consider, at a Senior Minister with the risk management toolkit. household level, what hapresponsibility of Finance, Dr You can’t speak of risk man- pens to your family if you Ashni Singh, on Wednesday agement, either from a busi- suffer a calamitous experecognised this trend, and ness standpoint or even rience…I want to urge evurged stakeholders to household standpoint, with- ery Guyanese business and re-evaluate their position out considering the impor- household to pause and look to handle such losses. At a tance of insurance,” he ex- long and hard at the risks sod turning event for new plained. you face and how you can The minister recognised mitigate those risks using Assuria Headquarters, he emphasised that most peo- that frequently, the mini- insurance products,” Singh ple tend to reconsider their mum insurance is taken just shared. choices after standing on the to abide with legal prerequi-

M

Gap

Meanwhile, he explained that there is still a gap to be filled by insurance companies in keeping the public educated on these life decisions and the methods used to market their product.

“I think the insurance sector needs to do more to educate people about why insurance is important and why insurance is really indispensable…I really feel that every business and household needs to think carefully about what the risks are that they face, and what insurance products are available to help them mitigate those risks. You’re not going to be able to eliminate all the risks,” he cautioned.

According to him, the industry needs to revive public awareness and appreciation for the value of insurance, especially as a risk management instrument.

The Finance Minister added, “I would also like the industry to reflect on how it can constantly introduce new products, prod-

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

ucts that will respond to the new realities which we live. I’d encourage the industry to examine new ways in which you can innovate and introduce new products that increasingly can make available to the Guyanese community additional tools, additional instruments, additional products, so that they can better avail themselves of the products you sell and better manage their risks.”

The sod turning event

heralded the start of construction on an office for Assuria at Carmichael and Church Streets, Georgetown. It would cost over $800 million. The office is being constructed by Nabi Construction Incorporated, and would likely be completed in 14 months’ time.

Assuria noted that this venture and multi-million-dollar investment is a signal of the company’s commitment to the Guyanese market. (G12)

8 NEWS IN THE COURTS Sophia woman charged for killing ex-lover A FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

27-year-old woman who is accused of killing her ex-lover was on Thursday arraigned before Sparendaam Magistrate Alisha George on a charge of murder.

Particulars of the charge allege that on April 1, at School Street, Cummings Park ‘E’ Field Sophia, Eva Pearson of Lot 534 ‘D’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown murdered 46-year-old Darren Harris, a cook of E Field Cummings Park, Sophia, by allegedly stabbing him.

Reports are that, on April 1, Pearson allegedly stabbed her former reputed husband Darren Harris after he reportedly ended their relationship.

The Police have reported that the two once shared a relationship, which ended a week prior to the man’s death.

Dead: Darren Harris

According to Police, an eyewitness told detectives that she overheard an argument on the road, and she looked out of her home to investigate. As she looked out, she saw the now dead man falling to the ground and

Pearson walking away from the scene.

An alarm was raised and residents rushed to the scene. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) pronounced Harris dead at the scene.

Police have since confirmed that the body bore three stab wounds – one to the left side chest and two to the left side upper back.

Pearson was later arrested at her home, where it was observed that she, too, was bleeding profusely from a wound between her right index and ring fingers.

She reportedly claimed that she and Harris were involved in a scuffle, during which the deceased chopped her and, in retaliation, she took away the knife and inflicted several wounds about his body. Police say the woman had disposed of the weap-

Fact checking…

T

Eva Pearson

on.

Pearson was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where she was treated for her injuries.

She has been remanded to prison, and is set to return to court on May 18. (G15)

…PNC apologists here’s been a long, drawn out, back-and-forth debate between one Burnhamite functionary and a local columnist over one of Burnham’s pet projects – the Guyana National Service (GNS). It was introduced in the National Assembly in 1973, and was formally operationally launched in 1974. This seemingly arcane bit of Guyanese history is absolutely pertinent for the simple reason that PNC leader Granger has vowed to revive the GNS, and had taken concrete steps towards that goal after he slid into office in 2015.

Of recent, the PNC have tried to slant the GNS debate over whether it was compulsory (the Burnhamite denies this) or not. Now, to appreciate the issue, we must appreciate that the GNS was comprised of a whole slew of sections.

There was the Guyana Youth Corps (GYC) – launched as far back as in 1968 – which collected unemployed youths supposedly to prepare them for farming in the hinterland after 2 years of military and agricultural training.

Granger had been involved in this initiative, and it wasn’t surprising he revived it in March 2019. The man never had an original thought in his head; he cannot think, but simply remembers what Burnham had done!

The graduates were given land, equipment etc to start farms, and were expected to be self-sufficient. Of the 1200 who were graduated by the time the GYC was absorbed in the GNS in 1975, not a single farm remains! Why? Nothing except that it was a hare-brained scheme that wasn’t fully thought out! The GNS had six units: the Young Brigade for primary school children (8-14 years); National Cadet Corps for secondary school children (12-18 years); New Opportunity Corps for juveniles committed to reform schools (up to 16 years); the Pioneer Corps for persons who had already left the school system (18-25 years); and the Special Service and National Reserve Corps for skilled adults.

The first three units were all compulsory, since they were part and parcel of the school curriculum which conscripted students had to follow. Most pertinently, all UG students had to pass through the Pioneer Corps before they could graduate. This was the most controversial, since it mandated students – including females – going into the hinterland to serve their stint. As it turned out, the fears – based on suspicions of the possibility of sexual harassment – were unfortunately and tragically realised.

So the PNC apologist is being quite disingenuous to claim repeatedly that “the GNS wasn’t compulsory” – just because it wasn’t all compulsory. The compulsory directive to UG students led to the majority of Indian-Guyanese females dropping out of their degree programmes because of their cultural value of unmarried women living with their parents.

But the “socialist” PNC ignored this norm.

…the National Service myths According to Granger, the GNS established a number of “centres”: 1974 – Kimbia, Berbice River; 1975 – Tumatumari, Potaro River (taken from Youth Corps); 1975 – Papaya, Barima-Waini; 1976 – Jaguar, New River and Konawaruk, Potaro River; 1977 – Itabu Quarry and an agriculture complex at Tiger Creek; 1979 – the Boys’ School at Onderneeming, the Agricultural Institute at Arakaka and the Community School at Port Kaituma; 1981 – the Koriri Centre on the Canje River; 1982, Camp Cocos at Hope Estate and the Sophia Centre.

Granger continued: “The GNS cultivated 2,500 acres of cotton and various other crops, such as corn, legumes, sorghum and peanuts. It bred poultry, swine and other livestock, and moved into gold mining and stone quarrying at the Itabu and Teperu quarries, sawmilling and woodworking at Konawaruk; shipping with the ocean – going MV Jaimito, the trawler Waitipu and Papaya; a petrol station at Providence, a publishing centre at Ruimveldt and, in 1977, the settlement scheme at Kurubuku.

The question, of course, is: why have all these disappeared without a trace? …Granger’s Youth Corps 2.0 In 2017, Granger announced he would re-establish the Youth Corps to prepare youths to develop themselves and the country. By 2019, he gave the charge to 500 specially selected green-shirted youngsters.

Where are they?

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

18 persons succumb to COVID-19 in 1 week …135 new cases in 24h …as CARPHA finds UK, US COVID variants in Caribbean

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

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n alarming coronavirus death rate has been recorded for April, with 18 persons succumbing to the disease in just one week.

Two more persons have died from the virus on Wednesday – taking the death toll to 252.

The Health Ministry announced the latest fatalities on Thursday as a 59-yearold male from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and a 73-year-old male from Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni). They both died at respective medical facilities.

From 2344 swabs that were taken for analysis, 135 persons have tested positive.

The total confirmed cases are now at 10,853 – 5,526 males and 5,327 females.

Of this amount, 9,517 persons have recovered. There are 1,097 active cases, 13 in the Intensive Care Unit, 69 in institutional isolation, and 1,015 in home isolation.

Another 10 persons are in institutional quarantine.

Guyana has tested 96,871 persons thus far. A breakdown shows that 87 of the new positives were detected in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and 18 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

There were eight in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), seven in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), seven in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), four in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and four in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Cases in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) remain at 1028, 962 and 241 respectively.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said during Thursday’s COVID update that regions with high active cases are being monitored. Presently, Region Four leads with the highest number of active cases.

“Region Four has seen the highest number of active cases, but we also have significant amount of active cases in Region Three, and we have seen active cases in Region Seven. Most of the other regions are pretty stable, but we continue to monitor them and we continue to do testing.”

Abide by the guidelines

Notwithstanding, he said the guidelines and implemented measures should be followed in all regions, so as to prevent transmission. In

recent times, hospitalisation has increased, and the younger population is also at risk.

The Minister stressed, “It’s in all the regions. If you don’t abide by these simple rules, you are going to have transmission, and that is what we’re seeing. Vaccines help to reduce the severity of the disease, and therefore, if people get vaccinated, we’ll see less people getting into the hospitals. We have seen an increase in hospitalisation, and to avoid that, we want people to get vaccinated.”

Only Wednesday, Dr Anthony said the authorities are not sure if there is a new COVID-19 variant in the country, which is resulting in more hospitalisations and more younger people becoming infected.

He noted that the only way to know this is via genetic sequencing of samples, and arrangements are being made to send samples to CARPHA for testing.

COVID variants

Meanwhile, CARPHA said on Thursday that it has found COVID-19 variants from the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as another variant similar to that of the Brazil variant, from samples sent by several Caribbean countries, but did not specify which.

“To date, CARPHA has detected cases of the UK variant in several Member States. While no cases of the Brazil or South Africa variant have been detected in

the Region, US variants of concern and a variant similar to the Brazil variant have been detected,” the agency stated.

Since December 2020, CARPHA has been working with the University of the West Indies, St Augustine on genome sequencing.

Countries have been requested to send an allocation of ten samples per month, which meet the requirements for sequencing.

“CARPHA urges Member States to remain vigilant and continue to enhance their surveillance capaci-

ty to screen, identify, test, quarantine, isolate and trace contacts of new cases, supported by public health prevention and control measures. During this critical phase of the pandemic and

beyond, CARPHA will provide technical support, advice and the highest quality service to help inform decision makers in its Member States,” a statement added.

(G12)

10 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mother feeds 2 children, Body of NWD self poisonous substance man found floating in river T T

he Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to the hospitalisation of a Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) mother and her two children, who have been admitted to the Linden Hospital Complex after consuming a poisonous substance.

Reports are that the 24-year-old mother had allegedly fed her eightyear-old daughter and six-month-old son with the substance before consuming it herself. Reports are that the incident occurred at about 10:00h at Wisroc, Linden, and they were later rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC).

While information remains sketchy, Regional Commander Superintendent Hugh Winter has confirmed the incident and noted that ranks had visited the hospital. Investigations are ongo- The Linden Hospital Complex ing.

Hodascia Cadogan, In April 2018, 25-year-old four-year-old Hofoswana Awena Rutherford, who Rutherford was sentenced to 45 years’ was found guilty of killing her two jail; while on the second count, killing children by poisoning them with car- of one-year-old Jabari Cadogan, she bon tablets, was sentenced by Justice was ordered to serve 53 years’ jail time.

Rutherford had collapsed on the Navindra Singh to 98 years’ imprisonfloor when the 12-member jury unaniment on two counts of manslaughter.

On the first count, killing of mously found her guilty on both counts

on March 15, 2018. The jury believed the State’s evidence that the mother had given each of her children half of a tablet of aluminium phosphide (rat poison) on March 27, 2014 at Supply Branch Road, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara. (G13)

he decomposing body of a young man who went missing on Monday has been found floating in the Arakaka river in the North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini).

The body of 20-year-old Avinash Fernandes, called ‘Avi’, was fished out of the river after it was discovered by his former boss and a party of Policemen. The discovery was made at some time between 7:00h and 11:45h on Thursday. According to the Police, at the time of the discovery, no visible marks of violence were seen on the body.

Meanwhile, the Region’s Commander, Superintendent Khalid Mandall, has said the body was escorted to the Port Kaituma Public Hospital.

It was reported that Fernandes, of Mabaruma Compound, NWD, went missing from his camp site at 13 Miles Trail Line Backdam, Arakaka, NWD on April 5.

He had last been seen alive on April 5 at about 21:00hrs.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Similarly, on April 5,

Avinash Fernandes

the partly decomposed body of 19-year-old Joel Skeete was discovered lying face down among the rocks along the western bank of the Demerara river in the vicinity of Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Skeete, a former Computer Science student at the University of Guyana, had disappeared after leaving a barbershop at the Demerara Harbour Bridge Mall on March 31.

Meanwhile, an autopsy performed on Skeete’s body on April 6 determined that he died by drowning. (G15)

Narco-trafficking accused remanded

Rawle Farrell

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awle Farrell of Sixth Street, Dazzell Housing Scheme, ECD appeared on Thursday before Cove and John Magistrate Fabayo Azore on a charge of trafficking in narcotics, and was remanded to prison.

Defence Attorney Eusi Anderson requested bail for his client, but this was objected to by CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford.

According to reports, on March 29, CANU ranks received information and proceeded to Farrell’s home.

However, when they arrived there, Farrell allegedly made good his escape. In an attempt to apprehend him, the officers reportedly

gave chase, but their efforts proved futile.

Nevertheless, a search was conducted on the home, during which several Ziplock plastic bags along with other bulky parcels were found with what is suspected to be cannabis therein. The illegal substance, when weighed, amounted to 1.5 kilograms.

Following that discovery, CANU issued a wanted bulletin for Farrell’s arrest. On April 5, days after the bulletin was issued, Farrell’s mother, other relatives and his attorney took him to CANU Headquarters, where he turned himself in.

The matter has been adjourned to April 29. (G15)

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FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man remanded for killing labourer

Murder accused Ewert Calistro

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man was on Thursday remanded to prison for the murder of 24-yearold Roy Ross, who was found stabbed to death in his Swan, Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway home.

Ewert Calistro was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts.

The charge he faced stat-

ed that between April 4 and April 5, he murdered Ross.

The 23-year-old murder accused was remanded to prison, and the case will continue on May 11.

Guyana Times had previously reported that the lifeless body of Ross was discovered in his home with stab wounds thereon.

It was reported that the young man had recently moved to the neighbourhood, where he had been renting a house along with his reputed wife and child.

Based on reports, the body of the late Roy Ross, who had worked as a labourer at a poultry farm, was found by a neighbour who called out for him and received no response.

Ross’s body reportedly bore stab wounds to the chest and shoulder.

He had last been seen alive on the evening of April 4, 2021 in his yard with a torchlight, making checks around his home. At the time, he was at home alone; his wife and child had gone to visit relatives.

The Police have said that

Dead: Roy Ross

Calistro confessed to the killing. He reportedly told detectives that he and an accomplice had gone to Ross’s home with the intention of “committing an unlawful act with a female occupant of the house.”

However, on arrival at the house, the duo was reportedly confronted by Ross, who was in the living room at the time.

A scuffle ensued among them, during which Ross was fatally stabbed.

Calistro reportedly told detectives that after committing the act, he and his accomplice escaped via an open window.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Local Content Policy needed now to capitalise on investments – new GCCI President …should be backed by robust legislation

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il companies are moving deeper into operation both onshore and offshore Guyana, and with extraction already taking place, a local content policy should be implemented immediately to capitalise on the elevated spending. It should be one that is backed by dynamic legislation.

Newly-elected GCCI President Timothy Tucker appeared on a GlobeSpan 24x7 programme on Wednesday evening, and shared these views while lobbying for an all-inclusive local content policy to better superintend the country’s petroleum industry and other extractive sectors.

He said the onus is upon policy makers to determine how the document should be implemented in the country, but it is an immediate need if Government wants to capitalise on the oil industry.

“Guyana has more than one extractive industry, and a strong local content (policy) is required, especially when the cost of electricity goes down, when all the different benefactors of an oil economy will garner internally that you will need a national local content policy.

There might be a requirement for a phasing of it, but it is to be determined by the policy writers. The fundamental of it is (that) you need a national local content policy. You need local content immediately in the oil and gas sector, so that we can capture the things that we need to capture locally,” Tucker detailed.

From his vantage point, the GCCI President shared that the oil industry is at

the height of its spending, with investments being injected to cover exploration and other initial activities.

In time to come, these will cease, once extraction starts.

Therefore, the country must capture these revenues.

Moreover, he added that as Guyana’s financial status moves up the ladder, less funds will become accessible – an indication that extensive planning is needed for long-term development and infrastructure.

“That whole exploration-to-production stage is where a majority of the money is spent, and we have a few additional development wells that are going. That whole connection is where the bulk of the money [is].

When the oil is found and the FPSOs are put in place, that high spending will come down and level off. By that time, we must capture the bulk of the spending.

“We are at the point where we’re somewhat halfway through the door, so to speak, in terms of our development. We are (an) upper middle-income economy. By having that status, we don’t qualify for a lot of things. A lot of funding that we get, we’re about to not qualify for that, because of our econom-

Guard arrested for discharging shotgun

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n armed guard attached to the North West Security Service is now in custody after he accidentally discharged a round from his 12-guage shotgun on Wednesday.

According to reports, the security guard was on duty at the Moon Supermarket at La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara when, at about 09:00h, the round was accidentally discharged.

Police say that, acting upon information received, they visited the supermarket and questioned the guard. According to the Police, the guard claimed that he had accidentally discharged a round from his shotgun, and after the incident, he made contact with

the Chief Security Officer of the company and informed him of what had occurred.

He claimed that his supervisor went to the location and collected the cartridge casing and left.

He was nonetheless taken into custody, and is detained at the Beterverwagting Police Station.

Meanwhile, at about 16:00h on Wednesday, the supervisor was summoned to the station, where he handed over one cartridge casing. He also was warned to provide all relevant documents pertaining to the said firearm.

Police say no one was injured by the discharged round. Investigations are in progress. (G15)

ic status as a country.

So, when you now have that and more Government spending, majority of the money Government will earn will be from oil and gas-related and the development of other things,” he added.

Tucker was keen to note that local content framework must be supported by robust legislation in order to hold companies accountable for hoodwinking the country and draining resources without any security for the people.

He stressed, “We don’t want to be in an isolated state where we can only encourage nationalism, but at some point…. Long we’ve

wanted development, so when we get development, we must benefit from it. It mustn’t be like so many of the other countries, where people come in, develop themselves, and then there is no development in that country. You have to have legislation, and you must have consequences when you have players that are not adhering to the local content guidelines; companies that are trying to hoodwink the nation, or companies that just plain out refuse to adhere to a policy, then you have to have repercussions for those actions.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali has led consultations on Guyana’s local content framework, where he emphasised the importance of ensuring that companies

can be held accountable to the provisions of the policy.

For better context, the President had explained that it is not just oil and gas, but all sectors that will see foreign direct investment.

Ali also noted that although the policy should have maximum benefits for locals, it should not deter foreign investors.

“We are not here to say that we want to minimise foreign investment; that will be to our detriment. But we want the investors who are coming in to recognise that, through legislative mechanisms; through regulations; through institutions, they have to commit to local content; and not only (commit) to local content, but we are going to move with you in setting targets as to the lev-

GCCI President Timothy Tucker

els of local content,” he was quoted as saying earlier this year.

This month, the Natural Resources Ministry concluded a series of strategic engagements with various stakeholders on the revised draft policy. (G12)

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2011 murder of Robb St granny

Arguments conclude in appeal to set aside 81-year prison term T

he Guyana Court of Appeal on Thursday completed hearing arguments on appeals by three men who are seeking to have their conviction and 81-year prison sentence overturned following a finding by a jury that they are guilty of the 2011 murder of Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris.

The 72-year-old woman was gunned down at her Robb Street, Georgetown residence.

The convicted killers are Orwin and Cleon Hinds and Roy Jacobs. Following a trial before Justice Navendra Singh in 2015, the men were found guilty of the offence.

Justice Singh imposed the 81-year prison term on each of them, with parole possible after serving a minimum of 45 years.

Notwithstanding the verdict, the men have all professed their innocence.

Murdered: Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris

According to the charge the men faced, on June 30, 2011, they murdered FiedtkouParris pursuant to an arrangement whereby money was intended to be passed

from one person to another.

The elderly woman was shot and killed on that night at her 42 Robb Street, Georgetown home. Media reports are that two men had gone to the woman’s home asking for “Auntie”. When the elderly woman emerged from her bedroom, one of them pulled out a gun and shot her several times to her upper body.

They fled the scene in a waiting motorcar, while the elderly woman was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. It is believed that a bitter property dispute might have been the motive for her killing.

Seeking to have conviction quashed

In submissions, their lawyers have proffered arguments on which they are seeking to have the

Murder convict: Cleon Hinds

Murder convict: Orwin Hinds

Murder convict: Roy Jacobs

men’s conviction and sentence quashed. Among the grounds being advanced is that trial Justice Singh failed to highlight the deficiencies in the prosecution’s

case, and in particular the many contradictions and how they affect the issues in the matter.

The lawyers are arguing that the trial Judge failed to warn the jury to disregard the misrepresentation of the evidence, fallacy, and the appeal to emotions made by the prosecutor.

Counsels for the murder convicts have also taken issue with the admission of caution statements purportedly given by their clients to detectives.

“The learned trial Judge erred in law in admitting the oral and caution statements attributed to Cleon Hinds into evidence. The burden is on the prosecution to prove that the oral and caution statements were voluntarily made,” contends Attorneyat-law Adrian Thompson.

Moreover, the men’s lawyers argue that the trial Judge failed to adequately put their clients’ defences to the jury for consideration.

They are also contending that the prison sentence imposed on their clients is severe, and not in keeping

with established sentencing guidelines.

It is being argued that there is no basis in law for the judge commencing at a base of 60 years, which is nine years shy of the national life expectancy.

Attorney-at-Law George Thomas is representing Orwin Hinds, while Roy Jacobs is being represented

by Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd. Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Teshana James-Lake is appearing on behalf of the State.

This appeal was heard by Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud. Following Thursday’s hearing, the Judges indicated that the Court would reserve its judgment.

Another man, Kevin October, who was convicted of the pensioner’s murder and had filed an appeal, died earlier this year in prison. Reports are that he succumbed following a battle with COVID-19. (G1)

Body of pensioner found floating in Pomeroon River

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he body of a 66-yearold Amerindian man was on Thursday discovered floating in Dredge Creek in the Upper Pomeroon River, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

According to Regional Commander Superintendent Crystal Robinson, the man has been identified as Cecil George.

Reports are that the man’s daughter, Rachel George, made the discovery at about 05:30h. The 40-year-old housewife of Sommerset and Berks was checking for her father when she saw his body floating face down in the creek, clothed in a blue jersey and a dark blue short pants.

The body was taken to the Charity wharf by rel-

atives, where it was examined by a Police rank.

According to the Police, it was observed that the face of the deceased appeared to be partly eaten by fishes.

The body was photographed and then escorted to the Charity Hospital, where it was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty. It was subsequently transferred to the Suddie Hospital Mortuary to await a Post Mortem Examination.

Meanwhile, the man’s daughter said she had filed a missing report at Charity Police Station on April 7, after her father had failed to return home.

She said her father was last seen alive on April 6 at about 22:00h when he left home in his boat for an unknown destination. (G15)

NEWS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

State-of-the-art Westminster Secondary School completed …no more Primary Tops for Region 3

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he Westminster Secondary School has been completed and will be ready for the new school year starting September 2021.

This was announced by Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who on Thursday visited the stateof-the-art facility at La Parfaite Harmonie, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara).

Secondary School, Good Hope Secondary School and Prospect Secondary School.

The Education Minister said that it was unfortunate that the schools were not completed over the last five years, adding that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government was insistent on completing each school for those children who stand to benefit.

A section of the completed Westminster Secondary School

According to Manickchand, the school is one of six schools that were conceived in 2013, because at that time the Education Ministry wanted to achieve universal secondary education in Guyana.

She said that that number was reduced to three – Westminster

She added that the school, together with a dormitory to be built at Leonora, will allow the Ministry to close all Primary Tops in Region Three. A Primary Top is a department within a primary school that caters for children of secondary school age who have no formal secondary school to at-

tend. These students would continue to attend primary school but receive a secondary education.

This situation, she added, is undesirable and not likely to produce the results for which the Ministry is aiming. “It's not likely to give students the opportunities they need to survive best in this world. So that’s why we conceived of these schools in the first place. I am extremely excited to be able to do that in Region Three,” Manickchand noted.

Giving an update on the Good Hope Secondary School, the Minister said that the construction process continued to present challenges, but she was hopeful that the school could also be ready for September to serve the students of Region Four. She said that the completion of the Good Hope Secondary School would allow the ministry to close all Primary Tops on the East Coast of Demerara.

Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson, along with other education and regional officials together with the contractor and consultant, accompanied the Minister on Thursday’s visit.

The contract to build

Education Minister Priya Manickchand testing the sinks in one of the laboratories. Also in photo are Regional Education Officer Devindra Persaud and other officials

the Westminster Secondary School was awarded to R Bassoo and Sons.

Construction began in October 2018 and was scheduled to be completed in January 2020.

On assuming office in August 2020, the Education Minister had stressed Government’s zero tolerance for delayed works and warned contractors to ensure that work was done within the contractual time.

She said that the Ministry had worked closely with contractor and the consulting firm to ensure the school

was completed.

The total cost of the school is approximately $1 billion and was funded by the World Bank through the Guyana Secondary Education Improvement Project (GSEIP).

The Westminster Secondary School has 32 classrooms; a language lab; dance studio; library; Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories; an Information Technology Laboratory; a theatre room; a Mathematics laboratory; Home Economics laboratory and an Agriculture Science

Laboratory among other facilities built to provide the best education to the nation’s children.

It will accommodate 1000 students and will, therefore, be a Grade A school.

For now, it will be categorised as a List B school which speaks to quality, but that status will change over the next two years according to the Minister. She added that the Ministry intended to make the school a Sixth Form school to offer the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

16 NEWS Persons who refuse COVID-19 vaccine endangering lives of others – Ramsammy FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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ormer Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said that Guyana could only get out of the pandemic if persons adhere to the guidelines outlined by the Health Ministry and by taking the vaccine.

Those who refuse to take the vaccines, the former Minister, who now functions as an advisor to the current Health Minister, said, are endangering the lives of others and he called them reckless.

Dr Ramsammy noted that it is a life-or-death decision that has to be made

literally, adding that each time persons leave their homes, they should be wearing a face mask and also ensure that they are following the Public Health guidelines. The former Health Minister made these comments while addressing the Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) COVID-19 Taskforce, pointing out that those who want to make the wearing of face masks an option were making living an option.

According to the former Health Minister, the novel coronavirus existing in Guyana in April 2021 is not

the same virus that Guyana was dealing with in March 2020.

"This is a virus that is now attacking young people and making them sick.

This virus is not only making people sick, it is making them sick faster and deteriorating more rapidly," he explained.

In noting that previously the virus was affecting older persons with comorbidities, Dr Ramsammy pointed out that healthy young persons were now being affected by the virus.

He noted that it does not necessarily require comor-

CDC warns of heavy rainfall, flooding this weekend

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he National Weather Watch Centre has reported that moderate to heavy rainfall is expected this weekend from Friday to Sunday.

According to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), coastal areas should receive heavy rainfall particularly in the early-morning hours, with up to four inches of rain over a 24-hour period.

In addition, it was noted that above-normal high tides are forecast and could likely lead to flooding in low-lying, poorly-drained, and riverine areas.

The CDC said there

bidity to make persons sicker.

Therefore, the continued non-compliance with the public health measures is not only putting people's lives at risk but putting other people's lives at risk.

Some, he said, may argue what they do with their lives is their own business.

"And, therefore, the Government has taken a decision to strengthen compliance. That is why the Joint Services is now making sure that enforcement is more rigid," the former Health Minister said.

In Region Six, Ramsammy pointed out that several Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) have been making arrangements to facilitate vaccinations. This, he said, is in addition to the other facilities set up across the region.

On Saturday, the Fyrish/Gibraltar NDC, Kilcoy/Chesney and the municipality of Rose Hall Town will be hosting a com-

Former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

munity vaccination programme.

Meanwhile, the Port Mourant/Johns NDC, No 52/74 NDC and the Corriverton municipality are all planning similar exercises.

In Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) similar programmes have been arranged by NDCs and today, a similar programme is expected to be held at Bush Lot. Today, Dr Ramsammy added that staff members and students of the University of Guyana, who

are 40 years of age and over, will be given their COVID-19 shots.

He said it was hoped that 250,000 Guyanese would receive the first dose of the vaccine by June 11, and more than 100,000 would be fully vaccinated.

In August of this year according to the former Health Minister, Government is hoping to have between 450,000 persons and 550,000 persons vaccinated. Those are the numbers needed to get close to herd immunity, Dr Ramsammy explained.

Breaching COVID-19 guidelines

was also a possibility of landslides in hilly areas as well.

Residents are advised to take all necessary pre-

cautions, especially drivers and road users.

The CDC will provide more updates as they become available.

Lindeners who attended private parties given community service

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ight Lindeners who attended private parties were recently charged with breach of restriction on social activities for violating the COVID-19 curfew.

Six of the offenders appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, where they pleaded guilty to the offence and were each sentenced to perform 20 hours of community service.

The offenders were Leandre Richards of 228 Half Mile, Wismar, Linden;

Dexter Armstrong of 231 Coomacka Mines; Jermaine Peters of 33 Amelia's Ward; Shane Bizzeth of 198 Third Street, Silvertown; Nickoli George of 14 West Watooka and Jacob Williams, also of 14 West Watooka.

Two others, who were charged – Kester Greene of Lot 434 Wisroc Housing Scheme and Roylon Adolph of Industrial Area – failed to appear in court. Their cases were adjourned to April 13, 2021. (G13)

Mon Repos bar robbery

Waitress, man taken into custody

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waitress and a man are currently in custody after they were accused of orchestrating a robbery at a Mon Repos bar.

Reports are that the robbery occurred on Wednesday about 20:25h at Sita’s Bar, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

According to the Police, a 34-year-old of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was among friends at the bar when he noticed the waitress talking to a man who then collected her

phone and used it.

Following the phone call, the man claimed that a fully-masked man in a black hoodie who was armed with a firearm along with two others – one dressed in an orange hoodie and another in a black hoodie, both armed with cutlasses – ran into the bar.

Police said one of the men then robbed the 34-year-old man at gunpoint, relieving him of $260,000; one Microsoft Lumina cellphone valued $127,000 and one LG Aristo

cellphone valued $47,000 while the other two bandits targeted the other patrons at the bar. The men then made good their escape. No one was injured during the ordeal. Police said that the waitress and the man were contacted and a search was conducted on their homes, but nothing of evidential value was found.

Nevertheless, they are being held at the Beterverwagting Police Station where they remain in custody.

Police investigations are ongoing. (G15)

NEWS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GRA, GEA Heads facing contempt proceedings over failure to obey High Court orders

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George

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ommissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr Mahender Sharma, are facing contempt of court proceedings over their failure to comply with two Orders made by Chief Justice Roxane George, SC. The proceedings were filed by Attorney-at-law Siand Dhurjon on behalf of Atlantic Fuels Incorporated (AFI), whose main director is former Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Dr Richard Van West-Charles.

In a court order dated February 3, 2021, Justice George had ordered Statia and Sharma to immediate-

ly release over $80 million worth of diesel that the two state agencies had unlawfully seized from the fuel company.

In another order dated March 15, 2021, the Chief Justice had further ordered Statia and Sharma to pay $12,825,000 in storage costs to AFI, and another $113,500 for every additional day that the fuel is held.

The State agencies, according to Dhurjon, are yet to comply with the Orders of Court.

On November 1, 2020, AFI imported diesel fuel into Guyana. The GEA had said then that after it had investigated, it was revealed that the fuel was purchased from Staatsolie, a Surinamese company, and not Global Oil, as was represented in documents submitted by AFI. Consequently, the 635,353 litres of diesel were seized by the GRA. AFI, however, refuted making any false allegations, and filed a lawsuit against Statia and Sharma.

The lawsuit was heard by Justice George, who declared that the fuel was the property of AFI, and that the GRA and the GEA acted illegally, unlawfully, and unconstitutionally in their actions to prevent the marking and clearance of the fuel so that the company could successfully import it.

Justice George had therefore ordered that the

Commissioner General of GRA, Godfrey Statia

CEO of GEA, Dr Mahender Sharma

fuel be released forthwith, since, among other things, over $20 million had been paid in fees and taxes for its importation.

Following the Chief Justice’s ruling, Statia and Sharma had filed an appeal against the judgment at the Court of Appeal. By way of a summons, they had also applied for a stay of execution of the judgment. The application for the stay of execution was dismissed on March 4, 2021 by Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud.

However, AFI’s lawyer had given an undertaking that he would not seek to enforce the Orders of the Chief Justice before March 15, 2021, thereby allowing Sharma and Statia to make another application for a stay of execution, this time before the Chief Justice.

Counsel for AFI has said no such application had been made by either of the defendants. As a consequence, on Wednesday Dhurjon filed Contempt of Court proceedings in which he is asking that Statia and Sharma be imprisoned and fined for disobeying the Orders of the Chief Justice.

In the Contempt of Court application, Dhujon noted that despite the Orders of the Justice George, the fuel has not been released and remains under seals affixed by GRA at the Chinaa Zhonghao Inc. storage facility, incurring at least $113,500 in storage fees with each passing day.

According to the lawyer, nothing of the $12,825,550 owed to AFI by Statia and Sharma has been paid. The Chief Justice had ordered

that they are liable jointly and severally for the payment of the sum. Further, the lawyer said, the company has not received any word or correspondence from either Sharma or Statia concerning their fulfillment of the two Court Orders.

Both Orders of Court have been served on Sharma, Dhurjon said.

However, concerning Statia, the lawyer said attempts to have the Orders of Court served personally on him have been unsuccessful, “as his employees and/or agents would prevent Marshals from having physical access to Mr. Statia.”

In the application, Dhurjon notes that Sharma and Statia have come to know about the Orders rendered by the Chief Justice, since they have given their counsel instructions to file an appeal against same.

Taking this into consideration, he is asking that the two Government officials be held in Contempt of Court.

“Statia and Sharma are both in contempt of court for their willful and intentional neglect, disregard, breach and failure to obey two Orders of Court, and ought to be held in contempt and committed to prison, lest their disrespect to the Honourable Court, to the Constitution of our land, and to the very rule of law be condoned,” Dhurjon deposed.

Attorney-at-Law Siand Dhurjon

In the circumstances, he is seeking an order that both Statia and Sharma be held in contempt of court for disobeying the orders of the Chief Justice. He is seeking another order that they be committed to prison and be made to pay a fine for being in contempt of court, having flouted the Court’s Orders.

The lawyer wants another order commanding them to obey the orders of court, failing which they shall face other punitive and/or corrective sanctions. Counsel also wants the Court to award costs against them.

During the proceedings before the Chief Justice, Statia was represented by Attorney-at-law Judy Stuart-Adonis, while Sharma was represented

by Attorney-at-law Coleen Sparman-Stephen. (G1)

Region 6 Chairman calls out security companies for late payment of workers

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egion Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Chairman David Armogan has expressed concern about the untimely payment of employees by security companies.

Armogan made mention that the workers of a security company which provides services for Government buildings were not being paid for their services. This particular company, he said, is the largest security service provider in Region Six as well as Region Five (MahaicaBerbice).

The company provides security services for Government facilities including schools, health centres, and hospitals.

However, he noted that sadly, many of its guards have gone months without receiving their salaries.

In fact, according to the Regional Chairman, many of them are not paid overtime for the long hours they work.

“Sometimes two to three months after people are not being paid for work done, and these people are working 12-hour shifts and they work very hard. Some of them work from 6 pm until 6 am. To be doing that for two or three months without being paid, it means that your

Region Six Chairman David Armogan

utilities will be disconnected,” the Chairman said.

Scores of guards connected to this particular service have reported to <<<Guyana Times>>> that their telephone, Internet, water and all other essential services are affected by late salaries.

“GWI doesn’t wait until you get paid to give you your water supply. GPL doesn’t wait on you to give you electricity. So, what you find too is that all these poor people who are doing this type of work; they get disconnected and they have to also pay a reconnection. So, it is additional hardship on these

people,” Armogan said.

The Regional Chairman noted that the Government was in the process of accepting bids for security companies to take over the job.

However, there is no guarantee that the same company will not win the tender.

“These security companies; the one that is presently involved and those that may be coming, they would have to understand that people will have to be paid on time. So, they must have some kind of fund available. You should not be coming in broke and then hope that when the Government would pay you, you [pay] the workers. They should have one month lay money so that if the Government pays you one week late, you would still have money in the system,” he said.

Many of the workers attached to the said security company and even others claim that National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions were being deducted from their wages and salaries, but were not being paid over to the NIS. “All of those things are being looked at the moment.

The Ministry of Labour which was discontinued by the last Government has

now been put back into position under this new Government, because we recognise the importance of labour to this economy and

the protection of workers’ rights in this country. That is why this Government has taken that decision to ensure that the Ministry of

Labour has been put there to ensure that the workers’ rights are being protected at all levels,” the Chairman pointed out. (G4)

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

Regional

Gonsalves issues evacuation After weighing guidance, Costa Rica to use AstraZeneca vaccine order for St Vincent

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t Vincent Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves has issued an evacuation order effective immediately.

Safe areas are those from North Union to Kingstown, on the Windward side of the island, Barouallie to Kingstown on the Leeward side and the Grenadine Islands.

He made the announcement on the advice of the country’s disaster officials, after Professor Richard Robertson, the lead scientist monitoring the volcano, reported further activity at La Soufriere.

“I hereby order as follows: 1) the evacuation of all premises in the areas designated as the red zone on the northeast and northwest of St Vincent and the evacuation of the area itself . . . and 2) the exclusion of persons, vessels or vehicles from such premises and areas, save and except for the purpose of effecting the said evacuation,” he said.

Gonsalves added that while the evacuation order would be published today,

La Soufrière Volcano in St Vincent. (NEMO)

it would take immediate effect.

“I want to urge all our people to be calm, do not panic, be disciplined, be orderly.”

The Prime Minister said Royal Caribbean was offering three of its ships, two of them expected to arrive this morning, while Carnival Cruise Line has also indicated that by this evening, two of its cruise ships would be in the country to transport evacuees.

“The cruise ships of Royal Caribbean will be first used to transport the

persons from St Vincent and the Grenadines who are to be evacuated to other countries in the region who have offered temporary hospitality, namely St Lucia, Grenada, Barbados and Antigua,” he explained, adding that the British Virgin Islands has also offered assistance, but arrangements have not been made.

Gonsalves indicated that other Caribbean countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and St Kitts and Nevis have also offered support. (CMC)

osta Rica will use AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine after assessing guidance from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on the risks of possible side-effects, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, European and British medicine regulators said they had found possible links between the vaccine and extremely rare cases of brain blood clots, while emphatically reaffirming its importance in mass vaccination against COVID-19.

Costa Rican authorities will begin distributing 43,000 doses of the vaccine which arrived on Wednesday, the first delivery under an agreement for a million vaccines with the

COVAX mechanism of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Costa Rica intends to vaccinate 70 per cent of its population via the COVAX contract, along with direct purchases of one million AstraZeneca doses and four million from US pharmaceutical firm Pfizer.

Mexican Senate leader suggests postponing debate on landmark cannabis bill

Tobago mother told: Stay away from daughter, 7

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39-year-old woman was ordered not to communicate with her seven-year-old daughter after she appeared before a Scarborough Magistrate charged with child abandonment.

The order was made by Magistrate Jo-Anne Connor, who also set bail for the wom-

an at TT$50,000.

The mother will return to court on May 3.

Police said she was arrested on March 31 by the Tobago Division Child Protection Unit (CPU) after social workers went to her home.

It is alleged that at 14:00h that day, the child reportedly told the social workers her

mother left her at home that morning, saying she was going to the bank. But police said when the social workers visited the home, the girl’s mother had not returned.

PC Mitchell of the Tobago Division CPU later arrested and charged the woman with cruelty to a child. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Jamaica will not be significantly impacted by latest US travel advisory – official

Senior advisor and strategist in the Tourism Ministry, Delano Seiveright

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enior advisor and strategist in the Tourism Ministry, Delano Seiveright has moved to assure that tourism arrivals to the destination will not be adversely affected as a result of the latest raising of Jamaica’s

risk assessment to the ‘Level Four: COVID-19 Very High’ category by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

In fact, he explained that the latest advisory places over 150 countries across the globe at level four, similar to Jamaica.

“The level four categorisation by the CDC is in line with most countries in the world, that’s the alignment that pretty much every other country in the world has been given, including Antigua, Barbados, Canada Costa Rica, St Lucia, the Turks and Caicos Islands, France, Germany — are at level four, just like Jamaica,” Seiveright pointed out.

“Very few countries are at level 1, level 2, and level 3. So, the level 4 categorisation is in line with what had

existed before.”

The senior tourism advisor went on to note that many visitors around the world, including Americans, make their decisions to travel “based on their own analysis of the situation before deciding on where to vacation”.

“Many Americans, despite the travel advisories over the years that have impacted many countries around the globe, have made their own decisions as it relates to travel. And as the case is now, there is an increasing number of Americans that are intent on visiting Jamaica and that have already made their bookings to visit Jamaica and will continue to make bookings to visit Jamaica. That will remain the same,” he said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Health authorities will administer the AstraZeneca vaccine in two shots, with 12 weeks between the first and the second. The public will know which brand of vaccine they will receive, but will not get to choose it, said Roberto Arroba, a senior Health Ministry official.

(Reuters)

If passed, the law would decriminalise cannabis for recreational, medical and scientific uses, creating a huge market that foreign companies are eager to tap

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exico’s Senate majority leader said on Thursday lawmakers may postpone the debate on a landmark bill that would decriminalise cannabis, a potential setback to creating one of the world’s largest markets for the plant.

The bill, already approved by the Lower House,

could instead be picked up by the Senate in September, Ricardo Monreal, who leads President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), told a news conference.

Monreal cited “inconsistencies” in the legislation due to modifications made by the Lower House before

it was approved on March 10.

“I prefer ... that we give ourselves a pause, some time,” Monreal.

“The Senate must act with a lot of caution on this one,” he said, adding that various companies and lobbyists were arguing for their interests.

The bill, which Congress approved with 316 votes in favour and 127 against, is backed by Lopez Obrador’s administration and marks a major shift in a country bedevilled for years by violence between drug cartels.

If passed, the law would decriminalise cannabis for recreational, medical and scientific uses, creating a huge market that foreign companies are eager to tap.

Monreal said that the Supreme Court, which had given Congress until December 15 to approve the regulations, should extend its deadline. (Reuters)

Judge warns accused “stuck” in England

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n accused man who claimed he was stuck in England as a result of a lack of flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been warned to present himself to the Number 4 Supreme Court in Barbados next month or risk having a warrant issued for his arrest.

Shane Greene, of Ashby Land, Christ Church, appeared via Zoom from England on Wednesday, where he said he had been having difficulties in getting a flight back to Barbados.

He had been in England since last year.

Greene, along with Akem Marvon Waithe, of

Greens, St George, is jointly accused that being present together with other people on September 1, 2016, they used unlawful violence and their conduct taken together was such as would cause

people present to fear for their personal safety.

Waithe is solely accused of using a firearm, on the same date, without the required licence to do so.

(Nation News)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

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Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Big Oil set to return to profit in 2021

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itol, Shell and Exxon are all expected to announce profits in Q1 2021 following a turbulent 2020. The three companies are profiting from increased oil demand and a rise in oil prices, giving analysts hope for a strong year in oil and gas. Shell announced this week that it expected to make its first profit from oil production in the first quarter of 2021 since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s upstream unit, which mainly manages crude exploration and production, has gained from the surge in oil prices over the past few months.

Shell’s statement comes despite targets being hindered by the winter storm that hit Texas in February, decreasing the company’s production by around 20,000 barrels per day of oil in the first three months of the year, reducing its expected earnings by around $200 million.

Shell was hit hard as oil demand decreased in Q2 of 2020, despite steadily picking up again in the second half of the year before stricter pandemic restrictions were reintroduced.

Although Shell remained stable overall, its upstream unit suffered a loss of US$1.5 billion in the second quarter of 2020.

BP Plc, another company that was struck hard by the pandemic, announced this week that it has reduced its net debt to US$35 billion a year earlier than anticipated, meaning the company can recommence share buybacks.

Exxon Mobil Corp, the largest oil producer in the US, is also expected to profit from the increase in demand and oil prices, to earn an estimated US$2.55 billion in profit in the first quarter of 2021. The company’s stock has been steadily increasing since the beginning of the year, jumping from US$41.50 at the beginning of January to US$56.71 this Wednesday.

To date, Vitol has invested around $1 billion in green projects, as part of the expansion of its renewable energy portfolio. The company has been primarily focusing on wind, solar and biogas projects across the U.S., which strongly support President Biden’s plan to increase renewable energy production over the next decade. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Armed clashes break out in Myanmar, US expands sanctions

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t least 11 demonstrators were killed in clashes with security forces in a town in northwest Myanmar after truckloads of troops arrived to quell a protest against the ruling military junta, domestic media reported on Thursday.

Protesters armed with homemade guns, knives, and firebombs fought back against the troops in the town of Taze and more soldiers were brought in, the Myanmar Now and Irrawaddy news outlets said.

Fighting carried on into Thursday morning and at least 11 protesters were killed and about 20 wounded, they said. There was no word of any casualties among the soldiers.

It took the toll of civilians killed by security forces to more than 600 since the junta seized power from the elected Government of Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP)

activist group.

Taze is near the town of Kale, where at least 12 people were killed in a similar clash between troops and protesters on Wednesday, according to news media and witnesses.

The incidents could signal a new phase in a struggle in which the Opposition has largely used peaceful means of protest despite the lethal actions of the security forces.

“People will try to defend their own lives and their rights,” said a former Government Minister who belongs to the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a group of lawmakers representing the ousted civilian Government.

“People will not wait for CRPH to act,” the Minister told Reuters. “The CRPH cannot stop the possible armed resistance by the people, from the people.”

The junta could not be reached for comment.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Northern Ireland leaders struggle to quell worst violence in years

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orthern Ireland’s power-sharing government put aside factional differences on Thursday to call for calm after frustration among pro-British unionists over post-Brexit trade barriers helped trigger some of the worst violence in the region in years.

Despite the appeals, clashes spread further into Irish nationalist areas on Thursday night where Police responded to petrol bomb and stone attacks with water cannon. The White House joined the British and Irish Governments in urging calm.

Hundreds of youths in the British province’s capital Belfast set a hijacked bus on fire and attacked Police with stones on Wednesday in scenes reviving memories

The US State Department warned that the Good Friday Agreement, the 1998 peace accord, must not become “a casualty” of Brexit.

of decades of sectarian and political strife that claimed some 3600 lives prior to a 1998 peace deal.

A week of violence has injured 55 Police Officers and seen boys as young as 13 and 14 arrested on rioting charges.

“We are gravely concerned by the scenes we have all witnessed on our streets,” the compulsory coalition, led by rival pro-Irish Catholic nationalists and pro-British Protestant unionists, said in a statement.

“While our political posi-

tions are very different on many issues, we are all united in our support for law and order and we collectively state our support for policing,” the statement said.

The British and Irish Prime Ministers held talks, while the White House Press Secretary said the Biden Administration was concerned. The US State Department warned that the Good Friday Agreement, the 1998 peace accord, must not become “a casualty” of Brexit.

Irish nationalists Sinn Fein and others accused First Minister Arlene Foster’s Democratic Unionist Party of inflaming hostilities with their opposition to the new trade barriers that their supporters feel erase part of their UK identity. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Merkel urges Putin to pull troops Welcome package launched for people from Hong Kong back from Ukraine border

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erman Chancellor Angela Merkel told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to pull back a military buildup near the country’s border with Ukraine amid heightened tensions in the conflict-stricken Donbas region.

Ukrainian Government troops have battled Russianbacked separatists in the country’s eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, which form part of Donbas, since the rebels seized a swathe of territory there in April 2014.

Fears of an escalation in hostilities have mounted in recent weeks, with Ukraine raising the alarm about an increase in Russian forces along the countries’ shared border and renewed frontline clashes.

“The Chancellor demanded that this build-up be unwound in order to de-escalate the situation,” Germany’s Government said in a readout of a telephone call be-

tween Merkel and Putin.

The Kremlin, for its part, said in its readout of the phone call that “Vladimir Putin noted provocative actions by Kyiv which is deliberately inflaming the situation along the line of contact”.

Also on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the United States was discussing Russian troop movements with its NATO allies.

“Russia now has more troops on the border with Ukraine than at any time since 2014,” Psaki told reporters, referring to the period when Russia annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine.

“Five Ukrainian soldiers have been killed this week alone. These are all deeply concerning signs,” she added.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew to the front line of the Donbas conflict on Thursday. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

DR Congo: Dozens detained in Beni during anti-UN protests

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olice in the eastern Congolese city of Beni have detained dozens of people and fired live rounds to disperse protesters demanding the departure of the United Nations peacekeeping mission for its failure to stop the bloodshed in the region, according to local authorities and witnesses.

Hundreds of young people have been protesting for days in several cities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), angry that the UN mission, known as MONUSCO, has not prevented a wave of civilian killings by armed groups.

“We only demand two things: for MONUSCO to leave and for the Congolese

Government to take its responsibility so that we can have peace,” said Clovis Mutsova, a member of youth activist group LUCHA. Some 330 people have been killed so far this year in the violence, according to the Kivu Security Tracker, which maps unrest in the region.

“Young people have barricaded almost all the roads to ask the UN mission to leave this region plagued by massacre,” Beni Mayor Modeste Buhindo Bakwanamaha told the Reuters news agency.

“This morning the Police are clearing the blocked roads, that’s why there is shooting all over the city,” Bakwanamaha added. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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ritain pledged 43 million pounds (US$59 million) to help people arriving from Hong Kong find jobs, houses and schools under an initiative allowing millions to resettle after China’s imposition of new security laws in the former British colony.

An escalating row with Beijing over reforms in Hong Kong has seen Britain open its doors to potentially more than five million people, offering them the chance to live and work in the country and eventually apply for citizenship.

The bulk of the money announced on Thursday will be spent by local government on programmes to help with

English language support and housing costs for new arrivals. The Government will also launch 12 virtual regional offices to provide help with tasks like registering for healthcare and schools.

These ‘Welcome Hubs’ will also provide advice on how to set up businesses in Britain.

“This programme will ensure British National (Overseas) status holders and their families have the very best start as soon as they arrive, and support to help them find a home, schools for their children, opportunity and prosperity,” ?said Communities Minister Robert Jenrick. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US gun violence: Biden takes action on “international embarrassment”

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S President Joe Biden has issued an order targeting homemade guns, known as "ghost guns" because they are unregistered and untraceable.

"Gun violence in this country is an epidemic, and it's an international embarrassment," he said on Thursday.

The President is enacting new measures through an executive order, meaning he does not need approval from Congress.

It includes efforts to set rules for certain guns, bolster background checks and support local violence prevention.

However, the President will have an uphill task. The right to bear arms is protected by the Second Amendment to the US Constitution and many people see gun control laws as infringing on this constitutional right.

On Wednesday, anoth-

US President Joe Biden

er mass shooting made the headlines, with five people, including two young children, killed in South Carolina. The suspect has been named a former NFL player Phillip Adams.

This followed two mass shootings in March, which left a total of 18 people dead – one in Boulder, Colorado and the other in Atlanta, Georgia.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

Adjust your lifestyle and how you relate to (March 21- others. Focus on fitness, April 19) health and exploring the things that bring you the most joy. Don’t share secrets or let anyone take advantage of you.

ARIES

Don’t rely on others. If you want to change, roll up (April 20your sleeves and put in the May 20) time and effort to make it happen. Keep your plans simple, reasonable and practical.

TAURUS

DILBERT

Broaden your horizons.

GEMINI Keep up with technology, (May 21trends and how to use your June 20) skills to make a profit. Be aware of any limitations or rules that could stand in your way. Work with people you trust.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Do sufficient research.

Take the initiative, and don’t rely on someone to do things for you. Using force will work against you. Look for an innovative way to use your skills.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Stop worrying about what others do; concentrate on your abilities. Educational pursuits, personal growth and self-improvement are favored. Think about your relationships with others.

Remain calm, regardless of what others do or say.

Go about your business and make changes that suit your lifestyle and goals. Invest more time and money in acquiring skills and knowledge.

PEANUTS

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You’ll receive false information. Verify what you hear before you spread the word.

A joint venture or shared expenses will cause stress.

Take measures to counteract anyone trying to push you in the wrong direction.

SCORPIO

Get involved in something you believe in or can do to help others. Sharing information and skills will lead to unexpected rewards. You won’t welcome a lifestyle change, but it will be to your advantage in the end.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Take a moment to conSAGITTARIUS sider what’s fact and (Nov. 23what’s fiction. You’ll be givDec. 21) en mixed messages by people you think you can trust.

Look at every angle and bide your time.

Look for a unique way CAPRICORN to put your skills and ideas (Dec. 22to use. Refuse to let anyJan. 19) one discourage you from doing your own thing. A domestic change will pay off.

YESTERDAY'S WORD - SEDATIVE

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Take care of personal business. Refrain from sharing secrets or letting others get involved in your plans. It’s best to have everything in place before you go public. Surprise will be your friend.

An emotional situation PISCES will develop if you aren’t up(Feb. 20front regarding your plans.

March 20) Keep everyone in the loop and deal with issues as they arise, and you will accomplish the most. Play it safe.

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

21

NBA ROUNDUP…

Fit-again Durant helps Nets to victory

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evin Durant came off the bench and scored 17 points on his return from a 23-game injury lay-off to help the Brooklyn Nets thrash the New Orleans Pelicans 139111.

Durant hit all five of his shots, including two three-pointers, after being introduced in the second quarter.

It was just the second time in the 32-year-old’s career that he came off the bench in a game.

“I just wanted to go out there and dive right into the action,” he said. “I expected to come out here and play the way I played.

I wasn’t trying to ease into the game.

“The game was fastpaced already, so, from watching it from the bench, I knew exactly how I needed to approach it. It was pretty cool coming off the bench, I can’t lie,” he said.

The two-time NBA champion, who also came up with seven rebounds and five assists, had not played since 13 February because of a hamstring strain.

But while Nets head coach Steve Nash said it was good to see Durant back “with a big smile on his face”, the Nets will now

be without point guard James Harden for at least 10 days because of a hamstring injury.

Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy said his side “got dominated at both ends of the floor”.

Brooklyn also ended Zion Williamson’s 25-game run of scoring 20-plus points on 50% shooting or better.

Williamson, who finished with just 16 points on four of 12 shooting from the floor, is tied with former Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal for the longest such streak in the NBA. Meanwhile, Devin

French Open postponed by one week …in hope more fans can attend

Kevin Durant (seven) was one of seven Brooklyn players to score double figures against New Orleans

Booker and Chris Paul led the Phoenix Suns to a 117-113 overtime win over the visiting Utah Jazz in a game between the NBA’s two best teams.

Booker scored 35 points and Chris Paul contributed 29 points and nine assists

as the Suns, who have the NBA’s second-best record, held on for their seventh victory in a row.

Donovan Mitchell registered 41 points and eight rebounds for the NBAleading Jazz, and forced the game into overtime

with a clutch three-pointer.

Utah, however, never led in overtime, with Booker getting the Suns off to a quick start with a lay-up, while Paul finished it off with free throws late on. (BBC Sport)

India legend Tendulkar leaves hospital following coronavirus infection

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Matches at the 2020 French Open were played in front of a maximum capacity of 1,000 fans

he French Open has been postponed by a week in the hope that more spectators would be permitted to attend.

The Grand Slam tournament at Roland Garros will now run from 30 May to 13 June, with qualifying being the week before.

France is in a third nationwide lockdown amid a surge in coronavirus cases, which President Emmanuel Macron previously said he expected to end in mid-May. The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has said postponing was the “best solution”.

“I am delighted that the discussions with the public authorities, the governing bodies of international tennis, our partners and broadcasters, and the ongoing work with the WTA and ATP have made it possible for us to postpone the 2021 Roland Garros tournament

by a week,” FFT President Gilles Moretton said.

“It will give the health situation more time to improve, and should optimise our chances of welcoming spectators at Roland Garros, into our newly-transformed stadium that now covers more than 30 acres.

“For the fans, the players and the atmosphere, the presence of spectators is vital for our tournament, the spring’s most important international sporting event.”

In 2020, the French Open was postponed to the autumn because of the pandemic.

Rafael Nadal won the men’s singles title - his 13th at Roland Garros - while Polish teenager Iga Swiatek won her first Grand Slam title in front of a crowd of 1,000 fans, which was the maximum permitted at the time.

The 2021 tournament is now due to finish just two weeks before the start of Wimbledon. Its postponement is set to have an impact on the ATP and WTA calendars, with the grasscourt season scheduled to start on 7 June with tournaments in s-Hertogenbosch, Stuttgart and Nottingham.

The ATP and WTA governing bodies have said in a joint statement that they were “working in consultation with all parties impacted by the postponement”.

British tennis’ governing body, the LTA, has said: “The decision to move Roland Garros will obviously create a knock-on effect for the summer grass-court season. We are currently looking at the implications for our events, and if we will need to make changes to our calendar.” (BBC Sport)

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Tendulkar scored a record 100 international centuries during his 24-year career

ndia legend Sachin Tendulkar has been released from hospital a week after he was admitted after having contracted COVID-19.

Tendulkar, 47, said on 27 March he had tested positive, and was taken to a Mumbai hospital six days later “as a matter of abundant precaution”. The former batsman says he has returned home, and “will

remain isolated while continuing to rest and recuperate”.

“I would like to thank everyone for all the good wishes and prayers,” he said.

“I remain ever grateful to all the medical staff who took such good care of me and have been working tirelessly for over a year in such difficult circumstances.”

Tendulkar, who retired

in 2013, is widely regarded as one of cricket’s greatest batsmen. He scored a record 15,921 runs in 200 Tests and another 18,426 runs in 463 One-Day Internationals.

India is seeing a spike in coronavirus cases, with an average of more than 90,000 daily cases in April.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) begins on Friday (today). (BBC Sport)

22

Kohli and Sharma face off in superstar-laden IPL 2021 opener today

Rohit Sharma

I

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

Big picture

t's only been five months since the Mumbai Indians won their fifth title in Dubai, and the IPL is back already. It's back and it's back home, but the eerie, not-of-this-world feeling that accompanied the 2020 edition of the tournament will persist, simply because the world hasn't changed all that much in the interim.

You might even ask if India, which has recorded over 100,000 new COVID-19 cases each day since April 4, should be hosting the IPL at all right now. Time and the rigorous protocols that cricket has honed over these months of the pandemic will answer that question.

For now, turn your attention to Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, the first stop in a tournament that will be played entirely on neutral grounds. If the pitch plays true to its recent nature, it will present Mumbai and Royal Challengers Bangalore a rigorous test of their adaptability.

To different extents, both teams are built for

… Big-hitting sides begin the season in slow, turning Chennai

their high-scoring home grounds. Chennai is different. Chennai is all about spin. Of the 11 Indian grounds that have hosted IPL matches since the start of 2018, spinners have both the best average (19.52) and economy rate (6.16) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

Unless the pitch has drastically changed in character since India's Test series against England, expect to see both teams pick a third spinner, and expect a somewhat attritional contest to kick the tournament off.

But it's still only matchday 1, so no prediction - conditions, selections, form, matchups - can be made with any confidence. Sit back instead, switch on your televisions, and forget - for a few hours - the world outside your windows.

In the news

If Quinton de Kock and Adam Milne serve the seven-day quarantine in their hotel rooms, they won't be available for the game on Friday. However, ESPNcricinfo understands

that de Kock flew into India on a chartered flight from South Africa, and with entry and exit points that are separate from the regular

and should be fit to play.

They will also be without Finn Allen and Adam Zampa, who are yet to complete their quarantine upon

Jayant Yadav, 9 Rahul Chahar, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Jasprit Bumrah.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: 1 Virat Kohli (capt), 2 Devdutt Padikkal, 3 AB de Villiers, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Mohammed Azharuddeen (wk), 6 Daniel Christian, 7 Washington Sundar, 8 Kyle Jamieson, 9 Navdeep Saini, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal.

Strategy punt

An explosive opener is expected today

airport, he may not have to serve the quarantine, and is likely to be available for the first match.

Devdutt Padikkal has rejoined the Royal Challengers squad after recovering from COVID-19.

The opener trained with his team-mates on Wednesday,

arriving in India.

Likely XIs

Mumbai Indians: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Ishan Kishan (wk), 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Hardik Pandya, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 James Neesham, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Nathan Coulter-Nile/

Where will Glenn Maxwell bat? He struggled as a death-overs hitter for Kings XI Punjab last season, and has lately been at his best for Australia at No. 4, a position that generally gives him a little more time to get settled at the crease.

Given this, there's a case to be made for Maxwell to bat ahead of AB de Villiers, who struck at an incredible 224.70 in the death overs last season, but went at only 133.72 in the middle overs.

In recent years, Virat Kohli's strike rate against spin has declined significantly. From an imposing 147.90 in the three years

Virat Kohli from 2015 to 2017, it has fallen to 117.97 since the start of 2018.

Kohli has indicated that he would open the batting during this IPL. If he does do that, Mumbai could start with the left-arm swing of Trent Boult from one end and either Krunal Pandya or Rahul Chahar - both turn the ball away from the right-hander - from the other, giving themselves the option of keeping one or two of Jasprit Bumrah's overs for later.

Stats that matter:

* Mumbai have won eight of their last 10 meetings with Royal Challengers Bangalore, and of the two games they lost, one was via the Super Over last season. * Mumbai, however, have lost each of their last eight season-openers in the IPL. * Of the six venues that will host this year's tournament, the MA Chidambaram Stadium has been Virat Kohli's slowest scoring (strike rate 111.49). (ESPNCricinfo)

Brave Bolisetty a bright spark for NY Tri-State A recent unbeaten 52 from Anirudh Bolisetty led the New York TriState Under-15 team to a 91-run win over a combined Georgetown XI in a fixture played at the Everest Cricket Club.

His “player of the match” effort was decorated with six boundaries, and he featured in a 56-run stand with leftarm spinner Ansh Rai, who scored an unbeaten 13.

The lads from New York slumped to 105-9, and clawed their way back into the contest to end on 161-9.

Contributions came from Tannish Dongre, who slammed four boundaries in a shot-filled 19; Ali Virk (17), Utkavsh Srivastava 14 and Mukund Rao (13).

The Everest wrist-spinner Nityanand Mathura claimed 3-27, while 11-year-old Reyaz Latif of Transport Sports Club had 2-25. Off-spinner Arun Gainda (2-19) also supported the collective effort.

National U-19 female off-spinner Omadive Matadin, who hails from Berbice, was the lone female in the game, and she claimed Ali Virk with a return catch ending with 1-4 from her three overs.

The GT combined unit fell for 80, with only opener Romeo Deonarine (13) and John Persaud (11) reaching double figures, as Elamurugan and Srivastava picked up two wickets each. The GT lads asked the NY Tri-State to bat first,

and the contest began when Dongre took the explosive route, spanking John Persuad for three consecutive boundaries in the third over of the day, before he was undone in the flight of Latif, who made the breakthrough at 22-1.

Captain Nayan Elamurugan (1), was bowled by the fearless leggie Latif.

Srivastava counter-attacked and clobbered a free-hit for the game’s lone maximum, but Gainda had the final say when the former was removed for 14 at 56-3. Rao was bowled by Gainda at 66-4, before Saharsh Shwethan (3) was bowled by Romeo Deonarine with the score on 69-5.

The 13-year-old Bolisetty, who stood tall and pulled Jerimiah Williams for four to reach his half century from 74 balls, found a reliable partner in the final man Rai, and the pair carried the score to 161 with a brave final wicket partnership.

In pursuit of the chase, Joshua Persaud (2) and Raul Prashad (5) gave the city side a poor start. Deonarine and captain Mathura carried to score to 48 before Deonarine (13) was trapped at the wicket.

At the end of the match, trophies were presented by Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall. The Man-of-theMatch was Bolisetty, who showed great talent as he collected a trophy, while there was one also presented to the winning team.

The winning visitors collecting their prize from Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fruta Conquerors were ready!

23

– Sampson confident as Fruta await new tournament dates

N

ot without its challenges, the Fruta Conquerors Football Club was pumped up about participating in the now postponed CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield tournament.

Featuring 14 Caribbean teams, the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield, which was slated for play from April 23 to May 7, has been postponed until further notice.

The Fruta Conquerors Football Club, based in Tucville, Georgetown, would have been Guyana’s representative to that competition.

Guyana Times Sport reached out to the Club’s Head Coach Sampson Gilbert, who opined that the CONCACAF organisation was forced to make the decision since many teams were experiencing travel difficulties among other issues.

“During that period of time, CONCACAF observed that a lot of other countries might have been experiencing difficulties. They even had the two teams from Jamaica who pulled out of the Champions League, CONCACAF Champions

Fruta Conquerors Head Coach Sampson Gilbert

League, and other countries would have been experiencing those difficulties,” Gilbert explained.

“So, I thought that, based on all that is going on, CONCACAF thought it prudent to cancel the tournament until there are more conducive circumstances existing in the football community, in the world generally.”

While expressing confi-

dence in the Tucville-based unit, Coach Sampson explained that the club had to make adjustments to their training schedule owing to the current severity of the pandemic.

Coach Sampson gave the following assurance, “Undoubtedly Fruta Conquerors are ready. As of now, because we're still in preparation mode, the fact

that there are some alerts with regards to variants of the coronavirus that could affect you adversely, we're observing all the protocols, and we will not be training as consistently as we would have wanted to, had the tournament being coming up on the 23rd.”

Nonetheless, whenever CONCACAF is ready for the towurnament to be played, Fruta Conquerors would also be ready. And, in Sampson’s eyes, the team would be bringing their ‘A’ game to the competition.

“We are going to look at the whole scenario and look at our training schedule from a more objective perspective based on the tournament’s postponement. But then we need to still keep ourselves prepared, because whenever the tournament is being held, we want to be able to compete.

Clarifying what he was saying, he added, “Not just to participate, but actually

project to win this tournament. So, our readiness is obvious. We continue to prepare, but obviously, like I said, we've cut down on our training time.”

Being Guyana’s reigning Elite League Champions, this was the second consecutive time that Fruta Conquerors qualified for the tournament.

Drawn in Group C, the Guyanese club would have come up against Hope International FC of St Vincent and the Grenadines and SV Racing Club of Aruba.

Thus far, the team has been supported by donations from the Guyana Lottery Company and the Everest Cricket Club. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd, upon visiting the team during a practice session a few weeks ago, has also pledged Government’s assistance for the team.

(Jemima Holmes)

Not enough openers Pools to remain closed knocking down the door for foreseeable future

T

The Olympic size pool at the National Aquatic Centre

he situation regarding the training of local swimmers will remain the same for the foreseeable future, according to Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) President Dwayne Scott.

All local public pools have been closed to swimmers since March 2020, and with their inability to train in the water, the local swimmers had become antsy, especially with other sport disciplines being afforded the opportunity to train.

Giving an update to this publication on that situation, Scott highlighted that the National COVID-19 Task Force is adamant about its position and swimmers’ safety.

“The current situation with the local facility…remains the same, there’s been no changes because, at the Task Force level, they have maintained that they need to make sure the athletes are first safe,” Scott indicated to <<Guyana Times Sport.>> He continued, “And the only way they can be safe is to be at home, exercising and

adhering to the COVID protocols.”

However, the local duo that will be competing for Olympic qualification are the only swimmers that are being allowed to use the local facilities.

“The Olympic athletes have access to the facility, so they continue to do their work out with the coaches,” Scott confirmed.

Meanwhile, Leon Seaton is currently based in Florida, where he will train until he returns in June for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

Aside from the group of Olympic hopefuls, Scott explained, there is much to worry about with regard to the training situation, since the Olympic Games are the only pressing international competition on the swim calendar.

“We don’t have a lot to be worried about, except that we don’t have sufficient competitions locally for our Olympic hopefuls, and that would come to the detriment of Andrew and Jamila, who

GASA President Dwayne Scott

definitely need to have competition-level activity so that they can improve their times and their standards,” the GASA boss shared.

While the Olympic Games are set for July 23 to August 8, the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Swimming Championships are currently scheduled for August 13 to 15.

Back in March, parents and swimmers attached to the Dorado Swim Club protested the current closure of public pools in front of the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal. The group argued that swimming is a safe sport to return too, giving pool dimensions and spacing and the unlikelihood that the virus can be transmitted in chlorinated waters.

– says a concerned Roger Harper

By Brandon Corlette

T

he opening partnership of the West Indies Test team has been a concern over the past years, and with John Campbell's recent failures, that concern remains.

Lead selector of the West Indies, Roger Harper, has said this opening slot remains a concern, but it was pleasing to see captain Kraigg Brathwaite getting some big scores.

"I think it has been a concern for a while. It was pleasing to see the captain get some big scores, but we need the partnership on the whole to be solid," Harper disclosed on the recent Mason and Guest Radio programme.

Against Sri Lanka, Campbell scored 68 runs in four innings at an average of 17. With four carbon copy dismissals, he certainly is under the pump, and a possible axe looms for the Jamaican when South Africa tour the Caribbean later in June.

His Test record is also inferior. After 30 innings, the left-handed Campbell has amassed 640 runs with two half-centuries, at an average of 23.70.

"We were delighted to see Campbell applying himself and being more patient, but we need some more positive returns," the Guyanese Roger Harper has said.

Asked what is being done to sort out this opening partnership problem, Harper responded: "It is something we are looking at. We are looking at our best options. At the moment, from a red ball perspective, we don't have enough openers who are knocking

down the door in terms of per- the Region’s batsmen, when he scored 507 runs at an avformances."

It is still uncertain if a erage of 50.7.

Regional 4-Day tournament Since making his Test dewould be played in 2021 be- but in New Zealand, Da Silva fore the South Africans enter has proven his worth, and is the Caribbean, but reflect- also willing to bat at any posiing on the openers’ perfor- tion the team requires.

For the next Test assignmances in the truncated 2020 Regional 4-Day tournament, ment, it will be interesting which seems a life-time ago, to see the selectors’ choice. axed veteran Devon Smith The likes of Shai Hope and was the best opening bats- Shimron Hetmyer are also man, with 649 runs. options that could be considered to Campbell, playing for the open the batting Jamaican Scorpions franalong with capchise in the 4-Day tournatain Kraigg ment, was the next best opener in terms of runs, Brathwaite. with 491. Sheyne Mosely scored 490 runs in that last 4-Day tourney, and was rewarded with a spot in the Test side, batting at number three in Bangladesh, where he failed.

Kieran Powell scored 429 runs at 30.6 with three fifties in the last 4-Day tournament. In addition to Powell, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tevin Imlach and Tagenarine Chanderpaul are also promising openers who have the temperament and showed and played red-ball cricket.

The versatile Trinidadian Joshua Da Silva, who performed exceptionally well in Regional cricket, has shown his ability to bat at the top of the order.

His 4-Day stats were Lead Selector Roger Harper superior to most of

FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021

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Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

Pg 23

Kohli and Sharma face off in superstar-laden Not enough openers IPL 2021 opener today knocking down the door … Big-hitting sides begin the season in slow, turning Chennai – says a concerned Roger Harper Page 23

Fruta Conquerors were ready!

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