Guyana Times -- Friday, December 11, 2020

DHB reopens to P marine traffic, trucks

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…damages still to be assessed Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4496

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020

Guyana gets $19.8B in budget support from EU See story on page 3

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P2 Guyana records 79 new COVID-19 cases in 24h – spike recorded in Regions 2 & 10

Mahaica man found guilty of murdering neighbour P12

Govt releases detained Haitians ahead of High Court P14 case

…blasts politicians using matter for “selfish agendas”

President Dr Irfaan Ali addresses the gathering following the release of $19.8 billion in budget support to Guyana from the European Union (EU). Also in photo is Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Canto

Former Presidents’ meeting

No response yet from Granger – Teixeira

Page 7

...President Ali confident engagement will be fruitful

Developed countries Audit Office must use integrated working approach to assist closely with developing States Govt in distributing COVID-19 cash grant – President Ali Minister Persaud calls on Police to assist TIP victims to “get back on their feet” See story on page 13

Page 15

Page 11

...632 victims trafficked from 2018-2020, most are foreign nationals – Top Cop

Auditor General to finalise report on audit into Larry London’s birth certificates P11 scandal

Arrindell, P16 Bethune reelected as Mayor, Deputy Mayor of Linden

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana records 79 new COVID-19 cases in 24h – spike recorded in Regions 2 & 10

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uyana has recorded 79 new COVID-19 cases during a 24-hour period, thus taking the total to a whopping 5811.

Of the 79 cases, 22 are from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and a similar number from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Statistics provided by the Health Ministry showed that the number of deaths remained at 154. As it stands, some 3002 males have contracted the virus compared to 2809 females. However, the Ministry confirmed that only 732 cases were active.

There are six persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) along with 42 persons in institutional isolation, 684 in home isolation and 26 in institutional quarantine. The total recovered cases moved to 4925.

Of the remaining new cases, 11 were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini); five in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); four in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); nine in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); and two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Other regions did not see an increase in cases – which stood at 415 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 182 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 389 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The latest deaths from the virus were reported on Monday, after a 34-yearold woman succumbed on Sunday. She was from Region Four and died at a medical facility while receiving treatment.

Earlier on Sunday, it was announced that two men –

an 81-year-old from Region Seven and a 55-year-old from Region One also died after contracting the virus.

This week, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony disclosed that Guyana has already commenced making submissions to COVAX as part of arrangements to secure COVID-19 vaccines.

Guyana has been identified as one of the countries eligible for coverage under COVAX, a body of organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), that will ensure there is equal access to and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines when they become available on the market.

The United Kingdom is preparing to administer the coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech this weekend, according to re-

ports. The vaccine, which had undergone a gauntlet of clinical trials and is said to be 95 per cent effective against the coronavirus, is a two-dose injection.

Meanwhile, Pfizer/ BioNTech, along with Moderna, which has also developed a coronavirus vaccine with a 94.1 per cent efficacy, has filed for US emergency regulatory approval.

The WHO; UNICEF; Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance) and other partners are currently working together to help prepare countries to be ready to introduce the COVID-19 vaccines, which are likely to become available for distribution in early to mid-2021. The WHO said that adaptable guidance, tools, training, and advocacy materials are being developed to support countries in their preparations.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, December 11 – 01:30h-03:00h and 13:30h-15:00h and Saturday, December 12 – 02:00h-03:30h and 13:30h-15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, December 11 – 13:50h-15:20h and Saturday, December 12 – 14:30h-16:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions are expected during the day, with partly cloudy conditions in the evening.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 13:53h reaching a maximum height of 2.63 metres.

Low Tide: 07:23h and 19:55h reaching minimum heights of 0.69 metre and 0.56 metre.

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Guyana gets $19.8B in budget support from EU A

t a time when it is difficult to mobilise international funding due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Guyana Government has received a whopping $19.8 billion in payments from the European Union, which will go towards supporting climate change-related projects in the country.

These funds are part of a European Union four-year budget support programme to the tune of $74.5 billion.

The programme started in 2017 and is aimed at promoting climate change adaptation through a sustainable Integrated Coastal Zone Management.

During a joint press conference on Thursday, President Dr Irfaan Ali lauded the EU for upholding its commitment at a time when funds are being redirected and commitments reprioritised around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is important that we recognise that this budget support is coming at a time when mobilising resources is extremely difficult globally, especially resources that help developing countries. The pandemic has indeed caused tremendous socio and economic hardship, but also tremendous financial constraints upon countries…

Notwithstanding this, we’ve been able to mobilise this essential resource to Guyana,” the President posited.

According to the Head of State, his government is committed to ensuring the success of the programmes and projects for which the money is intended.

EU Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Canto, explained that Guyana can use the funds in projects the Government sees fit, but noted it must be in the interest of all Guyanese.

“This particular payment can be used by the Government, by the responsible authorities – they can decide what part of the Budget they are going to cover with it…I trust and I know that Guyana will use

President Irfaan Ali with EU Ambassador Fernando Ponz Canto at the joint presser on Thursday

this money so that it contributes to the progress and the well-being of its people in the spirit of reconciliation, inclusiveness, and in improving daily lives for

all,” the Ambassador noted.

The EU Ambassador pointed out that reconciliation and inclusiveness are necessary.

“It’s time to look towards

the future. As friends of Guyana, we would like to see Guyanese come together and fully reconcile…and inclusiveness is also related to that, and of course participation…We want an inclusive political participation, but also we want inclusive and sustainable development,” Canto stated.

In response, President Ali assured that governance will be delivered in a structure that ensures democracy and constitutional adherence, in order to deal with issues such as electoral and constitutional reforms.

“I recognize, as President, how important and fragile our Government and democracy can be, and what we stand to lose when you let that democracy slip away from us. Since 2018, it is the people of the country who suffered, because the support was not there,” the President stated.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020

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

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914 hotline

uyana has taken a significant step towards addressing domestic violence as a national priority with the launching of the 914 hotline.

Noteworthy is that Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, at the launching of the hotline on Thursday, said that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an almost 50% reduction in domestic violence reports. A comparison of the corresponding period in 2019 shows there were about 1,009 domestic violence reports as compared to 569 in 2020. The Minister was correct in her rationale when she said the reason for this is that “perpetrators of violence are some of the closest people to you”.

Countries around the world, including Guyana, are engaged in a fierce battle to prevent the spread of COVID-19, with most of them implementing total or partial lockdowns to contain the further spread of the disease. Limiting or controlling the movement of persons is perhaps the surest way to control the spread of the virus, but, in some homes, this lockdown has resulted in women facing more pressure, and has even resulted in them being at the receiving end of some form of violence.

According to the United Nations, the upsurge in violence is not limited to one country or one region. Media reports are documenting an increase in violence across the globe – from Argentina, to China to Germany to Turkey to Honduras to South Africa to the United Kingdom and the United States, to name just a few.

The UN recently pointed to reports from countries around the world which suggest that restrictions in movement, social isolation coupled with increased social and economic pressures, are leading to an increase in violence in the home. Earlier this year, UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed detailed the many problems women are faced with during this lockdown, and made recommendations in relation to various forms of support governments and other partners could provide to ensure women are able to confront these challenges. According to Deputy SG Mohammed, women bear the brunt of increased care-work during this pandemic.

School closures further worsen this burden and place more stress on women. The disruption of livelihoods and women’s ability to earn a living – especially for those women who are informal wage workers – would decrease access to basic needs and services. This situation increases stress on families, with the potential to intensify conflict and violence. According to the UN, women across the world are suffering even more now due to the extra economic and social stresses caused by a radical shift away from normal life. It is clear that when women and girls are ‘locked down’ in their homes with abusive partners, they are at much greater risk than ever before, she said.

Long before the COVID-19 pandemic, Guyana has had an intractable domestic violence problem. In many of these cases, children often witness such brutality being meted out against their parent. In a recent case in Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) it was in fact a couple’s teen son who rushed to his mother’s aid as she was being stabbed by his father. The child in fact had to push his father aside while telling his mother, who was covered in blood, to run for her life.

The magnitude of the impact of this scene on that child, and children who witness these incidents, cannot be underestimated. Those ghastly images, especially when life was snuffed out, are not only lasting, but profoundly traumatising.

When young minds are so broadsided, the impact, if not managed, lingers for life. Not that they are erasable, but with meaningful and sustained interventions, the trauma can potentially be mitigated, thereby aiding to better shaped lives.

The entire spectrum of what therefore constitutes counselling then becomes vital.

The launching of the 914 hotline and the previous announcement of a safe space for persons who may be experiencing violence during the lockdown period are quite commendable, and all stakeholders should offer their support in whatever way they can to ensure women and children are protected and safe during these difficult times. According to the UN, everyone has a responsibility to act, from individuals to governments, from the UN to business and civil society.

As the curtains came down on the 16 Days of Activism to end Gender Based Violence, Dr Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali, along with staff, wore orange masks to promoting the 914-emergency hotline. The 914-emergency toll-free hotline was introduced by the Social Protection Ministry to facilitate reports of all forms of violence

The US in transition (Part 1) Dear Editor, The United States is in a state of transition, which will be formalised on January 20, 2021.

Even though President Donald Trump is still putting up some rear-guard resistance and continuing to claim that the elections were rigged, the writing is on the wall, he will go on January 20, 2021.

In previous changeovers not much in the way of policies were changed. There was various emphasis in one direction or the other, but generally they were all continuation from one to the other.

This time there will be some noticeable changes. For whatever else you may say about Trump, no one could be indifferent to him and his administration. Most people either dislike him so much that they cannot see anything good in what he did or tried to do. On the other hand, there are some who so appreciate him that they would hear nothing negative about him. To them he was/ is a real hero.

Those extremes would never capture the true nature of his administration.

The change therefore, promises both positive and negative developments in the Biden-Harris era.

The first positive aspect of Joe Biden’s presidency would be on how he handles the pandemic that has taken almost 300,000 American lives. In this area he will score big since his line of taking the advice of the scientists is the only correct one.

Biden has also signalled that he would re-engage

the international community and fight the COVID with a united front. That is, of course, the most sensible thing to do. Afterall, as has been said before, an international issue needs an international response. The President-elect has already assured the WHO of the re-engagement and re-instating of US contributions to that organisation.

The new administration will give the Climate Change phenomena the urgency and attention that it needs. This is the most important issue in our world today. No rational human being doubts the fact that our world’s climate is changing very fast. Sea ice at the poles of the world is melting, sea levels are rising and the weather is extremely erratic.

Natural disasters are multiplying and becoming more intense. Forest fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes are happening almost every day in our world.

The Trump administration has set us back a very far way because of his own refusal to believe that it is real. Biden will be better for the world on this score. The question though will he be able to solve it if he continues to put profit before planet. That is the issue.

Another important area where I believe that Joe Biden will be a breath of fresh air would be on the Trade issues with China.

The view is that the next President of the US will appreciate more the harm that is being done to the international economy by the unfortunate hostility that Trump generated against

China. He has blamed the PRC for almost everything that is wrong with the world. His attitude to China would impact negatively on International Trade and on all of us. The old saying when two elephants fight the grass suffers. Biden may meet resistance in normalising relations with China from hawks in the state apparatus that wants to make China another enemy.

There are other issues that are more difficult to make changes, but I think that the incoming administration would do a better job.

Whether it could reverse all the negatives is debatable, maybe they don’t have the political will to do so.

For instance, the harm that the Trump government has done to the Palestinian cause by moving the US embassy to Jerusalem may not be so easy to reverse.

Moreover, the attempts to isolate the Palestinian resistance by using its enormous influence to get Arab states to recognise Israel would be very hard to turn back.

Indeed Biden may be pressured to continue on that course.

The Trump government viciousness against the Palestinian people has no precedence that could be thought of. Under Trump, the US became Israel’s battering ram. Israel has become a real rogue apartheid state, but it has the support of the US and a cloak of decency.

The Trump regime’s withdrawal from the Iran deal, and its reimposed sanctions pose another thorny issue that will confront the Biden

government. It is clear that this was not only Trump’s position but many high in the US administration agreed with him. This, therefore may cause some problems for Biden. However, he would get counter pressure from US European allies that, if strong enough may enable him to return to the agreement that was reached during Obama’s tenure.

While there are many other burning international problems, I would only mention one more here, Cuba.

The Obama-Biden administration had adopted a new approach to Cuba. This was to engage the Cuban government and as far as possible to normalise relations.

This was a new approach to fighting Cuba. Obama was looking to influence mass consciousness in Cuba.

However, the easing of tensions it did bring relief to the people of that country who had endured tremendous hardships caused by the US blockade.

Unfortunately, the Trump regime had returned to the old, crude ways of attacking Cuba. The blockade was re-introduced with a vengeance. Once more the Cuban people are hurting.

The hope is that Biden would reverse these measures and allow the Caribbean to be a zone of peace. Obama was moving to remove the US as what he feels, the excuse, which the Cubans used to explain the hardships in that country.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020

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

Ramjattan is coming to town

Dear Editor, While Mr. Ramjattan is braving the cold and facing the heat on the granting of licences, perhaps he will weather the storm and muster up the courage to throw some light on the following: During his budget debate presentation, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn stated that Ramjattan was issuing firearm licens-

es without any engagement with the Firearm Licensing Board, and more so, while his government was in caretaker-mode following the no-confidence motion.

Minister Benn said, “It appears as though 2020 was a banner year for the issuance of firearms at the hand of the Minister without the engagement of the Firearm Licensing Board. Sixty-one

percent of all firearms issued in 2020 were issued at the hands of the Minister without the engaging of the Firearm Licensing Board.”

Okay Mr. Ramjattan, let’s give our mouths licence to wag.

This guy is a real “janjat.” Earlier in March when asked what intelligence was, he had said that, “Intelligence means

intelligence,” not even offering a synonym for further explanation. The trouble is, Guyana never heard the “real ting” about “From Russia With Love.”

During the elections, Hughes and Ramjattan had damning evidence about a Russian, American, Libyan and a Russian/American who were attempting to tamper with the integri-

ty of the Guyana Elections, in collaboration with the PPP/C. Police reportedly seized a number of flash drives, computers, tablets, and other electronic items from the men. Those items have been lodged. It was reported, Ramjattan had relayed that they were forced to deport the foreign nationals after their “intelligence

realized that there was some conspiracy to tap into GECOM’s computer system”. Can someone check the police records to verify the lodging of those equipment and, where are they?

Perhaps, he can now tell the full story?

Respectfully, Jai Lall

Vice President gives Guyanese every reason for optimism Dear Editor, After attentively listening to Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo being interviewed by the Guyanese Critic, wherein he touched on all national and topical issues, I have concluded that we Guyanese have every reason for optimism.

A safe and effective vaccine against the coronavirus is likely. Never before has a global scientific apparatus of this size, including our own PPP/C Government, been so focused on a single mission; but testing, mass production, and global distribution of a vaccine will take time. There is no overnight miracle cure or instant prophylactic for the coronavirus. Rather, there is only the promise of hard work ahead.

The unbelievable and unpalatable truth is that the human race will be living with COVID–19 for many months, and perhaps years to come. We can grieve to-

gether; we can grieve for the lives we had, and the uninhabited lives we wish we could be living now, but we cannot allow our grief to cloud our judgement, and to lead us astray in our duty to each other and to our communities.

At the same time, we cannot hide forever; it is human nature to find comfort in absolutes when the world around us seems chaotic: open, closed, safe, dangerous, healthy, sick. These dichotomies provide us the facade of comfort and the illusion of control, but these illusions only serve to obscure the complexity of the true challenge facing us.

We must learn how to live new lives; more constrained lives; lives with masks, limitations, sacrifices and uncertainties; lives in which the rules will necessarily change by the day according to the needs of our community. But we cannot

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Bid/Ask

$1836.80

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$1828.20 +0.40

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shelter in some place indefinitely. We must not allow ourselves to be seduced by the idea that, any day now, this pandemic will suddenly “end.”

Our President, Vice President and PPP/C Government believe that by opening our country, Guyanese and our community will boldly, rationally and wisely approach the complexity of the challenge facing us all. I believe that Guyanese citizens and leaders are fighters who will emerge from this crucible of the pandemic stronger, more resilient, and wiser.

In the midst of this global pandemic, many of us boldly defied our instincts for imagined security and instead followed our reason to embrace the generational challenge fate has handed us. Together, we will continue to learn how to thrive in a complex, profoundly challenging world. We must be-

lieve there is utility in truth, no matter how distasteful that truth may be.

And we believe that it is our actions in moments of great crisis which most clearly define us as Guyanese. We must believe in us, the Christmas season is here, let us continue to act responsibly as the end of a difficult year approaches.

There is growing debate over how people can celebrate the festive season together while minimising the spread of COVID-19. We must bear in mind that a full table at Christmas this year may mean an empty one in the years ahead, so let us choose to keep chairs empty during the Christmas holiday this year. Let us all remember that the promise of an effective vaccine becoming widely available in 2021 means holiday gatherings are expected to be less risky next year and beyond, a hopeful future that could provide a

pandemic-weary nation the resolve to scale down its celebrations this year.

Your actions today are going to protect Christmas

next year.

Sincerely, David Adams

news@guyanatimesgy.com

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020

Page

Foundation

FOR CHILDREN

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Æsop’s Fables

Triangles cont’d

nother way of thinking about triangles is to look at the length of the sides. If all three sides are the same length, the triangle is equilateral. If two sides are the same length, but the third is different, the triangle is isosceles. And if all three sides have different lengths, the triangle is scalene.

Exercises: Identify: Determine if the triangle is equilateral, isosceles or scalene.

1) 2) 3) 4)

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simple-construction paper crown you will have fun making, decorating and wearing! Perfect for celebrating the Olympics or learning about ancient Greece. This craft can either be a laurel wreath (crown) or an olive wreath (crown).

They are commonly called “wreaths” but they’re worn on top of the head like a crown.

Olive wreaths (crowns) were given to the winners of Olympic games in ancient Greece and are associated with Hercules in Greek mythology. They were originally made from a branch of the olive trees growing in Olympia (the place in Greece where the Olympics were held). In Greek mythology, the wild olive trees in Olympia were planted by Hercules near the temple of his father Zeus. And, yes, these are the trees that olives grow on!

Laurel wreaths (crowns) were given to scholars, poets and conquering heroes (like Julius Caesar) in ancient Greece. They are associated with Apollo in Greek mythology. Laurel wreaths are still given to some graduates of university. The laurel wreath was made from laurel bushes. Laurel leaves, also known as bay leaves, are nice smelling and can be used to flavour food (like soup!)

Materials: green construction paper (preferably two different shades) scissors tape glue Optional: staples

Thursday’s answers Acute triangle.

Right-angled triangle Obtuse triangle Acute triangle

Instructions: Cut two or three strips of green construction paper about two-inch wide and as long as you can make them.

Tape the pieces end to end to make a really long piece.

Wrap around your head to measure how much you need and trim off the excess, leaving a bit of overlap (don’t tape into a circle yet).

Cut leaves out of construction paper (preferably two different shades of green): Fold a piece of green construction paper in half.

Rub your finger along the crease so it’s a nice clean fold.

Cut a half leaf shape out along the fold, so that when you open your leaf, it’s symmetrical (the same on both sides) with a fold down the centre.

Repeat this process until you have a lot of leaves (use about four sheets of construction paper).

Glue leaves all along the strip of construction paper.

Be as creative as you like – make the leaves all point upwards, make patterns with the two shades, or just randomly glue on leaves.

Make the crown as full or as empty as you like (overlap or space the leaves out so they don’t touch) Let dry completely.

Tape the construction paper ends together to form a crown! (dltk-kids.com)

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n old toad once informed all his neighbours that he was a learned doctor. In fact he could cure anything. The fox heard the news and hurried to see the toad. He looked the toad over very carefully.

“Mr Toad,” he said, “I’ve been told that you cure anything! But just take a look at yourself, and then try some of your own medicine. If you can cure yourself of that blotchy skin and that rheumatic gait, someone might believe you. Otherwise, I should advise you to try some other profession.”

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Former Presidents' meeting

No response yet from Granger – Teixeira

...President Ali confident engagement will be fruitful

N

early one week after receiving formal invitation, former president David Granger is yet to respond to that invitation from President Dr Irfaan Ali to attend a meeting on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 to discuss ways in which they can work together to develop the country.

Last Friday, President Ali disclosed that formal invitations were sent to the four former presidents for the “open floor” meeting, which he said is “…an opportunity for us to continue to share ideas, generate ideas; for us to talk about how we see Guyana’s development, different perspectives, and then to work out a model and a framework on how we engage in the future and how we will have continuous contributions.”

When contacted on Thursday, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, told Guyana Times that she

President Dr Irfaan Ali

has not yet received any communication from Granger regarding the upcoming meeting. In fact, Teixeira says she has not received any communication from any Opposition representatives on the matter.

Notwithstanding, President Ali told reporters that he is hopeful, and anticipating that the upcoming meeting would be a fruitful

one and would see the presence of all the former presidents.

“I’m very confident that it will be a fruitful engagement and that all of Guyana will see all the former presidents acting responsibly and be a part of that [meeting],” the President posited at an event at the residence of the European Union (EU) Representative.

Ali further noted that in regard to the relationship and cooperation between his office and that of the Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon, “Mr Harmon has not yet changed his position.”

Harmon and the Coalition Opposition have been claiming that the PPP/C Government is illegal – something which has been described as “duplicitous” by Government officials.

Nevertheless, the Head of State reiterated his government’s commitment to inclusivity, and said, “If we are to grow as a people, this has to

be a two-way street.”

The current four former Guyanese Presidents are: Samuel Hinds, who briefly served as president in 1997; Bharrat Jagdeo, who served as Head of State from 1999 to 2011, and is currently a Vice President in the Ali Administration; Donald Ramotar, who served as President from 2011 to 2015; and David Granger, who served from 2015 to 2020.

Already, former presidents Ramotar and Hinds have confirmed to this publication that they would be attending the meeting. Former president Jagdeo is also likely to attend.

However, the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNC/) – which is headed

by Granger and is the largest party in the APNU fraction of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change Coalition – had snubbed the invitation extended by Ali. In fact, when contacted

Guyana gets $19.8B in...

Meanwhile, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, spoke of the efforts by the last PPP/C Administration to qualify for the EU’s Budget Support. Guyana had to fulfil a comprehensive and demanding set of requirements.

The programme is slated to last from 2017 to 2021, but according to the Finance Minister, this $19.8 billion tranche Guyana is receiving has been held up due to the lack of parliamentary oversight in the last two years following the passage of the No-Confidence Motion against the previous APNU/ AFC administration.

“It’s extremely unfortunate that our country was found in a situation where we were unable to secure this disbursement because of the absence of parliamentary oversight since December 2018…I’m especially pleased that with the resumption of democ-

racy and the restoration of Parliament, that Guyana is now once again eligible for this disbursement… We intend to work very hard to qualify for every single Euro budgeted here, because it goes a long way in helping us to finance the important budgetary initiatives that we’ve included in our budget,” Dr Singh noted.

Nevertheless, Guyana is expected to receive this tranche of payment before the end of the year, according to Ambassador Canto.

The money would be deposited into the Consolidated Fund and then be disbursed to various projects under Sectoral Budget Support.

The overall objective of the programme is to support climate change adaptation through an integrated coastal zone management approach, and thereby protect the population in vulnerable, flood-prone areas under sea level.

The activities of the project are to develop, reinforce and improve: An integrated coastal zone management legal framework; the implementation of disaster risk management and resilience policy at regional and community levels; preventative maintenance and risk management of the sea defence; the urban storm water drainage management, the consolidation of mangrove defences, and monitoring of protected areas.

Additionally, the programme is also contributing to progress in gender equality as a targeted cross-cutting issue. Women’s increased participation in decision-making processes on climate and environmental issues has been achieved through enlarged representation on the sea and river defence boards.

Additionally, measures to promote girls and women in science, technology and engineering have been under-

by this publication earlier this week for a comment on the meeting, PNC General Secretary Amna Ally poured cold water on the President’s invitation and reiterated her party’s non-recognition of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government.

She also contended that “Granger has to answer for himself [whether he will at-

tend the meeting].”

Efforts to contact Granger have since proved futile. The former president has also not made any public statement indicating whether or not he will be attending the meeting which is set for December 15.

President Ali assumed office as Guyana’s 9th Executive President in August, following five months of electoral and political deadlock following the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The former David Granger-led APNU/AFC administration had refused to concede defeat at the March 2 polls and demit office. In fact, even after a national recount confirmed the People’s Progressive Party/Civic electoral victory, the Coalition continued with its delaying tactics by moving to the courts. It took mounting international and local pressure for the new government to be finally sworn into office on August 2, 2020.

ing of outfall channels; and a comprehensive awareness campaign for girls and women to study science, engi-

neering and technology has been implemented, among other things.

(Vahnu Manikchand)

Former President David Granger

FROM PAGE 3

taken.

In fact, since 2017, women’s representation in the sea and river defence board has been increased to at least 33 per cent; 8.3 km of sea defence has been constructed, 10.30 km of sea defence has been rehabilitated, and 59 km of sea defence has been maintained; Six new mangrove sites have been constructed; 33 per cent of the selected industrial attachment internships have been women; increase in drainage pumping capacity in coastal locations and Georgetown, with total new installed capacity of 4m3/s, and upgrad-

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

DHB reopens to marine traffic, trucks …damages still to be assessed

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ne day after a barge and a tug slammed into a section of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) shifting the high span out of alignment, the crossing was reopened on Thursday to marine traffic and specified trucks.

The Public Works Ministry, in a release, stated that in the wee hours of Thursday, the DHB maintenance team mobilised equipment and spare components to commence remedial works to the anchorage system of the Bridge. This was done without obstruction to vehicular traffic.

The DHB engineering team also met with the owner of the tug, thereafter identifying all damage to the sub and super structure.

By midday, seven anchor chains were reconnected and one buoy was replaced. The technical team is in the process of quantifying the dam-

ages found and the Bridge alignment will be done today.

The Bridge has reopened to marine traffic under the high span while also facilitating trucks up to a maximum gross weight of 18 metric tonnes.

At approximately 16:38h, the tug and barge owned

by Deonarine Sookram of D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), ran into the southern section of the DHB at the incline of the high span. At the time, the barge was loaded with bauxite and destined for John Fernandes Wharf in Georgetown.

On Wednesday, the Bridge was only opened to light traffic. As a result of the situation, DHB management waived the payment of tolls until 19:00h to ensure stranded passengers could cross the Bridge faster.

Following the incident, Public Works Minister Juan

What’s rights got to do with...

An alignment is expected to be conducted on the Bridge today

Edghill and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn along with DHB Board Chairman Ravi Ramcharitar, General Manager Rawlston Adams and the technical staff were on-site to try to remedy the situation.

As a support measure, the Maritime Department had issued instructions for water taxis plying the GeorgetownVreed-en-Hoop route to continue to operate until repairs to the Bridge were complet-

ed.

In September 2019, a barge and tug had slammed into the DHB, rendering it inoperable for a few days.

One month after, the owner was charged with a bill of $100 million for the damage incurred. The impact was recorded on the southern side of the Harbour Bridge just after midnight, thus shifting the spans which connect the structure and causing a shutdown in vehicular traffic.

Y

…PNC? our Eyewitness is pecking away at this rumination on “International Day for Human Rights” and wondering how these UN “days” benefit us, poor slobs in Guyana. Especially “Human Rights Day”, coming out of WWII, in which the developed nations dragged the rest of the world into killing 75 MILLION of their fellow human beings (there’s no count of the animals killed), the newly formed United Nations announced their Charter on Human Rights on Dec 10, 1948. Two years later, they launched the “day” and its requisite themes. This year, with COVID-19 in mind, the theme is “Recover Better Stand Up for Human Rights”.

Presumably, the UN saw some connection between wars and human rights. Maybe because the number of civilians killed was more than twice the number of soldiers, and they felt those civilians had a “human right” not to be slaughtered? The irony, however, was that while the UN was supposed to “turn swords into ploughshares”, the swords were simply turned inwards, as killing of civilians by their own governments and other intra-state violence increased exponentially. While there’s been no official count, your Eyewitness is willing to wager that deaths since WWII have exceeded those during WWII - precisely in violation of the “human rights” identified by the UN Charter!

With all the publicity that’s been given towards incorporating them into our constitutions, we know most of these rights: The right to equality and freedom from discrimination; the right to life, liberty, and personal security; the freedom from torture and degrading treatment; the right to equality before the law; the right to a fair trial; the right to privacy; the freedom of belief and religion; and the freedom of opinion, etc, etc.

During the colonial era, most of these rights were routinely violated by the Brits. But we know, to our cost, that after we got independence, rather than changing for the better, matters got worse. The PNC violated every one of those rights of the Guyanese people for twenty-eight long years, with impunity as Burnham pursued his megalomaniacal drive for absolute power. We just bit the bullet by throwing out the second PNC incarnation under Granger, which had shown every indication of following their master’s footsteps in their patented Human Rights violation - the right to choose one’s government. What to do?

Eleanor Roosevelt said it best: “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home -- so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. […] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere.

Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”

Keep the PNC out! …ethnic conflict Ghana, in case you forgot, dear reader, is literally our mirror image. Eons ago, when “Africa” separated and drifted away from “South America”, physical Guyana was connected directly with physical Ghana. Hence, we shouldn’t be surprised that both of us have oil off our shores and gold under our soil!

But the similarities go beyond the geological and historical (we were both British colonies - they the “Gold Coast” and we the “Wild Coast”!) and into the political.

While they’re all one “race”, their population is divided into several ethnic groups or “tribes”. Voting along tribal/ ethnic lines was blamed for their political instability, which led to economic underdevelopment and inter-ethnic violence.

Since 1992, however, a new constitution was promulgated, which forbade ethnic mobilisation and tried to dissipate its effects by decentralisation, electoral changes etc. However, their just concluded elections ended with ethnic voting, electoral disputes, and 5 deaths that remarkably mirror our March 2 elections!

No wonder foreigners - including Biden - kept confusing Ghana with Guyana!! …PNC infighting?

In surveys of democratic rights, the “right to vote” invariably trumps others. But while the UN focuses on the right to vote in a government, they ignore the right to choose the leader of their party.

PNC supporters??

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

NEWS

9

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Walrond’s appointment as Tourism Minister, MP unlawful – Chief Justice ...all decisions made by her still legal – Attorney General the case languishing in the court would result in an unnecessary cloud and burden over Minister Walrond.

According to him, the Minister’s “undivided attention and energy are required in the discharge of her ministerial responsibilities as part of the Government’s agenda of improving the lives of the citizenry and working towards creating a better Guyana for all.”

Nothing illegal

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

U

nderlining his Government’s commitment to respecting the rule of law and upholding the Constitution of Guyana, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has conceded that the initial appointments of Oneidge Walrond as Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister and as Member of Parliament (MP) were done in breach of the Constitution.

The Attorney General made this admission on Thursday before Chief Justice Roxane George during the hearing of an application filed by Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones, who had asked the court to declare the appointment unlawful, as it breached Articles 103 (3), 105, and 155 (1) of the Constitution.

In court documents seen by this publication, Jones had argued that the facts were “clear and indisputable”: that at the time she was sworn in as Minister on August 5, 2020, and as a Member of Parliament on September 1, 2020, Walrond held dual citizenship in both USA and Guyana.

Article 155 (1) prevents dual citizens from sitting in the National Assembly.

It states: “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who (a) is by virtue of his or her own act, under acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state.”

The Government had rebuffed Jones’s contention, insisting that there was nothing unconstitutional about Minister Walrond’s appointments.

However, on Thursday, Nandlall, who appeared on behalf of Minister Walrond, admitted that her appointments “may have collided with the Constitution.”

“There was a recognition that the appointment was not done in accordance with the constitution,” the Attorney General said.

According to him, the Government has since taken steps to rectify this constitutional violation by having Walrond re-sworn as Minister on December 01, 2020 before President

Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond

Irfaan Ali. Nandlall added that Minister Walrond will be taking a new oath as an unelected Member of Parliament at the next sitting of the National Assembly.

For his part, Jones’s lawyer Roysdale Forde, an Opposition MP, asked the Chief Justice to award costs against Minister Walrond, as their arguments had been dismissed by the Minister’s lawyers.

The Attorney General, however, opposed this.

In the end, the Chief Justice declared that Minister Walrond “is not” a lawful MP. She also made another declaration: that Walrond’s initial appointment as a Minister of the Government was unlawful.

Justice George made an award for court costs of $75,000 against the minister.

Still legal

Government and the Opposition are presently at odds over decisions made by the Tourism Minister before December 01, 2020.

The APNU/AFC said it is the Coalition’s view that all actions, appointments and decisions made and taken

by Minister Walrond while she was an illegal Minister are null and void, and of no consequence or effect.

The Coalition is now demanding that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) rescind every such action, appointment, and decision, consistent with the ruling of the Chief Justice.

The APNU/AFC also wants Minister Walrond to refund all state salaries and emoluments.

The Attorney General, however, maintains that the legality of all actions and/or decisions of Minister Walrond before December 01, 2020 would be saved and cured by the De Facto Doctrine and the Doctrine of Necessity – a proposition with which he said the Chief Justice has concurred.

Nandlall informed that Government adopted this position because there is no need for protracted, time-consuming, and unnecessary litigation, as keeping

Days after Jones filed the case challenging her appointment, Minister Walrond, during an engagement with the media, had insisted that she had full legal right to sit as a parliamentarian.

“I have done nothing illegal, and I continue to sit in the National Assembly as a legal representative.

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George

The act of renunciation is a unilateral act. The legal standard is when a citizen has done all that is within her power to renounce.

I am confident that I have done everything in my power to act morally,” Minister Walrond had said.

Minister Walrond had previously said that she was mindful of the constitutional provision which prohibits dual citizens from sitting in the National Assembly, and, as such, sought legal advice. The Minister had stated that even though she was informed that this provision did not apply to her as a Technocrat Minister, out of an abundance of caution, she decided to renounce her US citizenship.

“I wrote to the US Consular Office on August 18, 2020, renouncing my citizenship of the United States of America with immediate effect. I was thereof informed of the administrative procedure I must comply with to obtain a Certificate of Loss of Nationality of the United States. I complied with that process by August 27, 2020. I have since received

Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones

the Certificate of Loss of Nationality. I took the oath to the National Assembly on September 1, 2020. That was after I renounced my citizenship of the United States of America,” the Minister had said.

TURN TO PAGE 10

10 NEWS President raps public officials over failure to provide efficient services P FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday reprimanded public officials over their apparent failure to provide efficient services to the people.

He was at the time engaging with public ser-

vants during a presidential outreach in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

During the outreach, the Head of State met with residents who raised concerns about a number of issues ranging from housing, land titling, and infrastructure to pensions.

These issues were immediately dealt with by the respective officials during the exercise.

“I think what today highlights [are] the weaknesses in the system and how much we have been deficient in serving the people,” President Ali told officials when the event wrapped up.

“Today alone, just with some pushing, we have 80 titles now available for people that were in the system for years…on Monday, these 80 titles will be available to the people,” he explained.

President Ali affirmed that: “We are not in public service, because we have no

President Irfaan Ali

other option; we’re in public service because we chose a career to serve the people and if we don’t want to serve the people, then public service is not for us.

“Public service is the highest call to service in your country. And we must not think we’re doing people a favour. It’s a privilege that we’re called to serve. And if

you believe at this point in your career, you want to go

into another direction, then make that choice, but once we are in public service, let us serve the people,” the Head of State added.

The President went on to say that “I know it’s difficult and very hard sometimes to listen to complaints and problem s… but you have to keep reminding yourself why you’re here”.

“And who knows, who knows when you’re spotted,” the President said as he made reference to the current batch of young Permanent Secretaries.

Meanwhile, President Ali told the younger staffers to start setting the stage

for a career in the public service, reminding them that he started his public service career at the regional level.

The President also called on the older officers to work on leaving a legacy of efficiency behind.

“To the older heads here, you have a responsibility to leave a legacy, to leave an efficient system, I ask you to use this opportunity of your experience in the public service, to pass it on to all these younger people. This is the only way we’ll become a better country. All of us have an equal role in making this country better,” President Ali said.

Walrond’s appointment as...

Acceptable

However, the APNU/ AFC said that documents obtained from the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, confirm that the Certificate of Loss of Nationality of the United States bearing Walrond’s name shows that she took the oath of renunciation, an expatriating act, on

September 4, 2020, three days after she was sworn in as a parliamentarian.

According to the APNU/ AFC, Consular Section Chief of the United States of America Embassy in Georgetown subscribed her name and seal of her office on September 4, 2020. The coalition said the Tourism Minister’s Certificate of

FROM PAGE 9

Loss of Nationality of the United States was approved on September 8, 2020 by the Overseas Citizens Services of the Department of State.

Amidst all this, Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, was previously reported as saying that Walrond’s renunciation was “acceptable.”

NEWS

11

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Auditor General to finalise report on audit into Larry London’s birth certificates scandal

A

uditor General Deodat Sharma on Thursday disclosed that an interim report will be done in connection with the investigation of 100,000 birth certificates that were acquired through close ally of the APNU/AFC coalition Larry London, via a Florida-based company.

Sharma told Guyana Times that his office is combing through all aspects of the audit while noting that they were faced with some difficulty in accessing documents, since the company is based overseas. This is one of six special investigations which were launched, three of which have already been completed.

“We are working on it.

This will be the interim report, not the final one,” Sharma told this publication.

The audit was ordered back in September when Attorney General Anil Nandlall wrote Sharma, requesting that the contract between the then Department of Citizenship and Universal

AG Deodat Sharma hands over the 2019 report to the Speaker of the House

Procurement Services Inc be audited. This would bring to light whether there was compliance with the provisions of the Procurement Act, and if there was non-compliance, then the reasons must be stated. It would also highlight reasons why the services of the conventional publisher of the birth certificates were not sought.

Had the services of the conventional publisher been retained, then what would have been the estimated cost to print and publish the same documents?

During the first day of the examination of the budget estimates, Governance Minister Gail Teixeira was asked about a $29.1 million allocation under line item

6224, page 46 of the 2020 estimates. She revealed that the amount relates to Universal Procurement Services, which was contracted to print thousands of birth certificates for the Ministry of Citizenship.

Describing the contract as unusual and strange, Teixeira went on to reveal that controversial businessman London is the principal of the company. Teixeira, a former Home Affairs Minister with oversight for citizenship, noted that previously it was the local printers who received such contracts.

The company itself, Universal Procurement Services, was registered with Florida’s Division of Corporations. London is listed as one of three directors.

However, a perusal of the database shows that the company’s status is in fact inactive.

London has been the subject of numerous articles, dating as far back as his involvement in the controversial Durban Park project.

Lambasted on all sides for its

Minister Persaud calls on Police to assist TIP victims to “get back on their feet” ...632 victims trafficked from 2018-2020, most are foreign nationals – Top Cop

S

everal top-ranking officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are participating in a training which would better enable them to detect trafficking in persons’ (TIP) cases and treat victims of this heinous crime.

The training, which commenced on Thursday at the Officers’ Training Centre at Eve Leary Georgetown, is being facilitated by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s

Senior Officers participated in the TIP training facilitated by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry

From left: Coordinator (ag), Countering Trafficking in Persons Unit (CTIP), Tanisha Williams-Corbin; Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, and Acting Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie

Counter-TIP (C-TIP) Unit.

Delivering remarks at the training, Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud urged the ranks that, apart from carrying out investigations and prosecuting perpetrators, they must work to assist TIP victims “get back on their feet”.

“Be passionate about what you do, be passionate advocates against TIP. Most importantly, be passionate custodians of the safety and security of people, so that we can stop the

scourge that is called modern-day slavery,” she pleaded with the ranks.

“Trafficking will not go away unless we help to make it go away. It requires education, awareness, training, and intervention according to protocols, standard operating procedures, laws, and regulations,” said Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud. On this note, she pointed out that TIP networks must be dismantled, which will let perpetrators know that Government means “serious business”.

TURN TO PAGE 13

lack of transparency and its structural defects, Durban Park was built through the coordination of Homestretch Development Incorporated (HDI) – a company co-owned

by London. Public funds for the project, which cost a total of over $1 billion, was scraped from multiple avenues by the former APNU/ AFC Government and handed over to HDI.

COVID-19 challenges

On Thursday, the Auditor General handed over the completed report for the fiscal year 2019 to Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, at the Public Buildings.

Sharma has said the audit was conducted under extreme circumstances due to COVID-19, which would cause some delay and reduction of the scope of the audit conducted.

The pandemic had brought on the challenges of travelling to remote locations and having a full staff complement. Nevertheless, transparency and public accountability were at the helm of these efforts, in promoting good governance.

“There were limitations in the scope of the audits conducted at Ministries and Departments due to minimal staff on duty, the need to prioritize their restricted hours of work and limited physical interactions as mandated by the stipulated COVID-19 protocols.”

He noted that four performance audits were delayed due to the pandemic, but will be completed in 2021. However, three special investigations were finalized during October 2019, including the Public Health Drug Bond, Leguan Stelling Rehabilitation while another three are at various stages.

Larry London

Going forward, he recognised the need to establish a computerized system, as the reliability on technology becomes inescapable.

“Now, more than ever, the Audit Office has to rely on technology in performing its audits. This makes it more challenging, as we may not be able to physically observe all process. The requirement to access everything remotely and electronically with limited IT capabilities both affected the Audit Office and its auditees.”

Sharma added, “In going forward, the response to the global pandemic and its associated economic impact provides not only a challenge to government to ensure a careful balance with accountability, transparency and integrity in their response mechanisms but an even greater challenge to the Audit Office to maintain public financial management discipline and addressed increased levels of waste and mismanagement.”

Meanwhile, with regards to the public accounts committee meetings, Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir said arrangements are being made since some persons are joining from the hinterland or remote areas.

12 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mahaica man found guilty of murdering neighbour A 50-year-old Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man was on Thursday found guilty by a 12-member jury of murdering his neighbour back in 2017.

Following his arraignment before Justice Navindra Singh, Foster Gravesande pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on April 9, 2017, he murdered 49-year-old Courtney Porter.

After the unanimous guilty verdict, Gravesande was further remanded to prison until January 7,

Murder convict: Foster Gravesande

2021, for probation report and sentencing. The murder convict was represented

by Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd.

When the trial commenced on Monday at the Demerara High Court, State Prosecutor Teriq Mohammed called four witnesses: Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh and three Police ranks. Dr Singh gave Porter’s cause of death as brain haemorrhage due to blunt force trauma.

The three Police ranks testified to their role in investigating the murder. One

Murdered: Courtney Porter

of them, Police Constable Daniel Singh testified that during March 2017, he was stationed at the Mahaica Police Station.

He said that he put an allegation to Foster in the following words: “I told him while being armed with a piece of wood, he dealt Courtney Porter several lashes to his head causing him to receive injuries.”

Constable Singh said that Porter replied, ‘“I ain’t lash no man with no wood, boss.’”

Meanwhile, Police Constable Joel Chisholm said that he carried out duties as crime scene investigator, Police photographer and fingerprint technician.

It was reported that Porter, a father of three, was reportedly beaten in the head with a piece of wood

by Gravesande who had accused him of pulling his

Justice Navindra Singh

wife’s garments. Following the incident, Porter was hospitalised and his attacker was charged with attempt to commit murder and released on bail.

However, Porter succumbed two weeks after the beating and as such, Gravesande subsequently fled the area and was captured in another policing division.

The charge against him was upgraded to murder.

After a Preliminary Inquiry (PI), in the Magistrate’s Court, he was committed to stand trial for the capital offence.

NEWS

13

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Developed countries must use integrated approach to assist developing States – President Ali

P

resident Irfaan Ali on Thursday laid out several areas wherein developed countries need to assist Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the COVID-19 environment.

President Ali was at the time delivering his address at the ‘FAO Brussels Dialogue on weathering COVID-19 in Small Island Developing States: A pathway to resilience,’ virtual event.

The Head of State said the complexities facing SIDS demand multi-dimensional and integrated approaches.

He added that the magnitude of the existing socio-economic challenges necessitates a new era in international cooperation.

“The more developed countries must immediately take steps to support Small Island Developing States through a menu of mecha-

President Irfaan Ali

nisms, including debt relief; balance of payment support to help SIDS meet their food import bills; technical support for agriculture; capacity building and financing for agricultural development.”

The President said the FAO must become a strident

Minister Persaud calls...

Addressing the participants, the Minister added, “Take every aspect of it seriously. Let it be a candid and interactive session, so that whatever is shared with you can be applied to the process of halting TIP. What you do affects the entire Force. How you act and how you respond and deal with all the situations that accompany TIP, all of those things will impact how the Force is looked at. Be the ambassador that our country needs in responding to these social issues that lead to the destruction of families, lives, and futures.”

Tier 1 ranking

Guyana has retained its Tier 1 ranking in the latest TIP Report of the United States Department of State, which was released on June 25, 2020. This is the fourth consecutive year that Guyana received a Tier 1 ranking.

Against this backdrop, the Minister pointed out that Government and the society need to work together, as Guyana seeks to maintain its ranking in the international community.

“We cannot be unaware of the impact that TIP has on our country. Our ranking, as it relates to the international community, we have managed to remain at Tier 1, and we have to maintain that and do better every successive year. TIP is not something that is always hidden; sometimes it happens in the open.”

However, she said the question remains how we ramp up reporting.

According to her, this remains an issue that needs to be addressed as a nation.

Minister Dr Persaud asked, “How can we get people to report? And once they report, how can we intervene effectively?”

“When we intervene, it must not be an intervention that stops at a point; it must be accompanied by a spate of

advocate for small and vulnerable states.

“These organisations must support the call for debt service payment and to deploy these deferred payments to enhance food security in Small Island Developing States,” he pointed out.

Ali further called on the international community to advance SIDS disability and provide the requisite financial and technical support to bolster resilience efforts.

“We are duty-bound to think collectively and act in solidarity to save humanity.

FROM PAGE 11

collaboration with communication, with every stakeholder ensuring that at all times the preservation of dignity, especially for those who are victims of human trafficking. They must be protected at all costs.”

Foreign nationals

Meanwhile, Acting Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie revealed that foreign nationals have predominantly found themselves in exploitative sex and labour situations in Guyana.

In analyzing statistics from 2018 to present, he said there were 632 suspected victims of human trafficking, of which foreign nationals accounted for 579. According to him, these persons are nationals of Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti.

This, he noted, shows that Guyana has a pull factor; that is, an attractive reason to come here. He said it also indicates that persons being exploited are diverse in nationality and demographics.

For the reporting period, 84 reports were accepted, which has led to 58 court cases and only six convictions, he disclosed. There are still cases pending before the courts.

Nevertheless, he said that these numbers show that a considerable amount of work is being done by local and international stakeholders to win the fight against human trafficking, which has resulted in Guyana sustaining its Tier 1 ranking.

Hoppie reminded those gathered that human trafficking “knows no face or tribe”. According to him, Guyana has passed laws that forbid all forms of human trafficking. Most importantly, he noted, the laws prescribe severe measures and penalties from three years to life imprisonment, along with the forfeiture of properties for offenders and full restitution to victims.

The pandemic has affected food security, nutrition, climate resilience, health, tourism, education and remittances”.

The President highlighted that the vulnerabilities of SIDS are compounded by the dependence on food imports, especially given their limited natural resource base.

Additionally, he pointed out that COVID-19 has placed limitations on trade and access to markets. The President said such disruptions could undermine SIDS’ economies if not swiftly remedied.

“Preserving and improving the food economy should be an essential component of the socio-economic response to the COVID-19 crisis. Addressing food security, however, cannot be undertaken in isolation to other socio-economic challenges,” Dr. Ali underscored.

At the same time, the President reminded the SIDS that they, too, have a role to play to accelerate progress towards sustainable, nutrition-based food systems to address their food security challenges.

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt releases detained Haitians ahead of High Court case …blasts politicians using matter for “selfish agendas”

President Dr Irfaan Ali

T

he 26 Haitians who were being detained by the Government pending deportation were on Wednesday evening released at a hotel of their choice ahead of a High Court case fixed for December 18, 2020.

The proceedings filed

by Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade seek to challenge the constitutionality of the deportation order issued by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on December 01, 2020.

“The Government wishes to reject the wild and reckless allegations that are circulating on this matter, and implore that politicians and others cease exploiting and sensationalising this matter in the advancement of selfish agendas,” a statement from the Government on Thursday related.

According to the statement, since it cannot be determined when the legal proceedings will be concluded, the Haitians were offered the option of either to remain at the

Hugo Chavez Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) or to be released at an address of their choice.

The statement noted that the Haitian nationals chose the latter.

According to the Government, up to late Wednesday evening, the foreign nationals were being accommodated at the State facility. After meals on Wednesday evening, the Government disclosed, the Haitians were dropped off at the address requested, with their valuables and passports delivered to them.

The Government has since clarified that the facility is not a detention centre, as is being reported in the media.

The Government informed that the centre is properly staffed, resourced, and its guests are adequately fed and supervised. It said the facility is secure, and its conditions are hygienic.

Court case On December 03, 2020, Chief Justice Roxane George granted a conservatory order halting the deportation of the Haitian nationals until she makes a pronouncement in the matter.

Wade is arguing that the Magistrate’s order for deportation is arbitrary and in violation of the fundamental rights provision of the Constitution of Guyana and the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC).

The RTC established the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the Caricom Single Market and Economy

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

(CSME). In support of his position, the lawyer had told this publication that the foreign nationals were never charged for any immigration violation.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall is contending that Wade’s application to invoke sections of the fundamental rights provision of the Constitution of Guyana, specifically Article 47, is flawed since Haitians are not consid-

ered Commonwealth citizens under this provision.

Nandlall argued that this Article applies only to citizens of Guyana, the Commonwealth, and other countries listed therein.

According to him, Haiti is not included among the territories.

Referring to the Haitians, Nandlall noted, “These persons are aliens under the Constitution [of Guyana]”.

Further, the Attorney General argued that Haiti is not included in Caricom free movement under the CSME. Human trafficking Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali has stated that the 26 Haitian nationals were clearly victims of “people smuggling”.

“It is clear…this was people smuggling; a lot of it was people smuggling. You had children without their parents. You had the breach of our immigration laws, where everybody gave the same address and the address doesn’t

exist…The investigation is ongoing, and the charges will be in place,” President Ali posited.

He went on to dismiss any notion that Government was considering visa restrictions against Haitians. The President said nothing of the sort has been discussed.

Police Headquarters had said that the Haitians were arrested in two separate Police operations – in a minibus along the Mabura Trail, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), and in a city hotel.

The Police had also said they were detained after it was discovered that they had entered the country illegally via Suriname.

Police also related that they were en route to neighbouring Brazil at the time of interception. Following their arrest, the foreign nationals were taken to CID Headquarters, where they were interrogated and faced possible prosecution and deportation.

Guyana Times under-

Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade

stands that the foreign nationals were charged for lying to immigration authorities about where they would be staying in Guyana. As a consequence, they were ordered deported.

Following their detention, the Home Affairs Ministry said it had teamed up with the Guyana Police Force to investigate the suspected human trafficking involving the Haitian nationals.

Rapper wants to revolutionise Guyanese music

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pcoming Guyanese artiste 25-year-old Rondel Holder, also called “DiSi”, was born to Dellon Adams and the late Ronley Holder in August 1995.

He grew up with little guidance from his father, but has a passion for excellence, positivity, and is a stern Christian.

With the lack of guidance, he suffered from severe self-esteem issues which could have led to him taking his own life but music saved him.

“I would always listen to

music whenever I felt misunderstood. Back in high school I used to get up early in the morning and sing contemporary Christian songs in order to cope with the issues,” Holder stated.

He explained that he later found out that his singing was also therapy for his neighbours who enjoyed his melodious voice.

Thus far, Holder has released three projects and has his eyes set on creating a sound that is mainstream and unique to Guyanese culture.

In 2012, the young man recorded his first single titled, “Am I Dreaming”, which was produced by AJ Records.

Since this recording, the song has captured the ears of many reputable artistes, including award- winning international recording Gospel artiste Samuel Medas, who has since become his mentor and advisor.

As he continues to hone his skills on the microphone and with his pen, he has been given a break to perform at concerts across Guyana.

“Sometimes I would have a

Rondel “DiSi”

Holder,

also

called

show every weekend and then have two-three shows in one night. I’d make it to all and give it 100 per cent,” he noted.

Now, Holder is on the verge of creating a new sound – one that blends elements of Hip-Hop, Soul, Dancehall and Reggae and is expected to take the airwaves by storm.

Holder has a versatile voice and employs many accents quite often when recording his songs. He believes that by blending them into mainstream music and injecting them with his infectious rhyme schemes and melodies,

he creates the sound he is looking for.

The Guyanese artiste does not believe in making music that is one dimensional but rather it must represent the melting pot in which he was raised – it must represent Guyana.

His latest single "Payday", more commonly known as "Two More Hours Till Money Go In The Bank", has garnered attention across Guyana.

The song infuses elements of Rap and Hip-Hop, and is laced with a Guyanese vibe that can easily be identified.

Holder is currently working on new music for 2021, and he is confident that his music will leave a legacy for others to benefit from in the years to come.

Meanwhile, after hearing his voice and the unique accent, E-Networks recently contracted him to produce a jingle to promote the company’s 4G and 5G Home Internet services. The company believes in investing in Guyanese and is proud to collaborate with Holder.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Audit Office working closely with Govt in distributing COVID-19 cash grant

Auditor General Deodat Sharma

T

he Audit Office of Guyana has been working closely with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, as it seeks to ensure the countrywide COVID-19 cash grant distribution is conducted in a transparent manner.

This was according to Auditor General Deodat Sharma, who told the media that the Finance Ministry had consultations, with the AG Office on the necessary protocols that must be followed.

Since then, officers within the Audit Office have been dispatched to various regions where the payments are being made to monitor

the exercise.

“Before the payment was made out, the Ministry of Finance did consult us on how they are going to transfer the cash, so we have been working with that. I indicated to them what I want at the end of each payment session and whatever financial statement they will have to produce. At least, we will have a close relationship on this particular aspect,” the Auditor General shared.

He noted that anyone who was facing issues with receiving the grant could contact the Office to enable an immediate investigation.

“We are working with them. We are looking at procedures and witness-

ing some of the areas where these payments are made.

I must say that if anybody has any issue that they’ve not been getting their $25,000, feel free to contact the Audit Office and we can further investigate in the present day,” he noted.

Shortly before he cemented this position, the parliamentary Opposition had called for a ‘value for money’ audit to be done in relation to the relief distribution.

Opposition Member of Parliament, David Patterson had cited that they would request the involvement of the Audit Office.

On September 7, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali had announced that every household would receive the cash grant to cushion the effects of the pandemic. Distribution began on September 29. Some $4.5 billion was set aside for the relief programme.

Residents from Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) were the first to benefit given the hinterland’s vulnerable economic state. Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), which is the last to benefit, will see

Several persons in Region Six accessing the COVID-19 cash grant

approximately $3.4 billion earmarked for distribution.

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira has noted that while the Government’s initiative was bringing relief to the most vulnerable, it was also strengthening the economy.

“Every time a person gets money, they will spend it. Instead of giving the business community the money, we give the people the mon-

ey. The people decide how to spend it and that money circulates in the economy, it allows the spending power of the people to be improved, business people to open up and buy more and rehire workers sent off because of COVID,” she told residents of Mahaica Creek.

Between March and August of this year, more than 5000 people lost their jobs owing to the slowing of the economy. While many

countries around the world have provided support to their citizens, Guyana is among the few, especially within the Caribbean Region, to offer financial assistance.

Last month, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said the cash grant distribution was moving smoothly, with residents in most of the far-flung regions already receiving their monies.

als. The only tool available to Governments of small States is respect for international law by all States.

That is why this Declaration proposed by Canada has already won the endorsement of the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, and Saint Lucia. As the Foreign Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, E Paul Chet Greene, put it in a message to his colleague Foreign Ministers of Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries: “the Declaration is as much a further layer in the structure of protection for small countries, as it is for the strengthening of international cooperation by all States to end arbitrary arrest, detention, or sentencing as means to exercise leverage over other Governments”.

International human rights law and instruments, particularly Article 9 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), assert that “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention”.

They also set out obligations of States to safeguard these rights. However, the rights for which provision is made in the ICCPR apply to individuals who are within the territory of the country and subject to its jurisdiction.

The problem with all

these laws and instruments is that the persons who framed them did not envisage circumstances where Governments would abrogate them. Therefore, they provide for no sanctions or international measures against offending Governments which use state-controlled machinery to achieve political ends, in this fashion.

The laws certainly did not contemplate circumstances in which any state would arbitrarily arrest, detain, and sentence foreign nationals so as to compel actions by other States.

Canada and the countries that endorse the proposed Declaration, including the United States of America, the 28-nation European Union and nations in Africa and the Caribbean, plan to launch the Declaration on December 17. By then, other countries are expected to join.

The question arises as to why the Declaration is not being presented and pursued within the United Nations framework. Sadly, the answer is that despite the efforts of a progressive Secretary General in António Guterres, there are members of the UN that are guilty of these unwholesome practices. They would emasculate the Declaration, stifling it in their own interest.

It is noteworthy that in 1991, the UN Commission on Human Rights set up a Working Group on Arbitrary Detention that has been automatically renewed every three years, with a mandate to grapple with the issue.

But after all this time, the essential question of dealing with States that deliberately use arbitrary arrest, detention and sentencing as a means of coercing other States, has failed to be addressed adequately.

For those governments that resolutely stand for the human, civil and political rights of peoples, including their own, the Declaration is a strong display of their collective denunciation of those States that violate them.

The majority of Caribbean countries exist and thrive as open economies that encourage and promote tourism, travel, trade and commerce, guaranteeing the rights of foreign nationals in their countries by adherence to international law.

These Caribbean countries are entitled to expect the same regard and protections for the rights of their people in foreign countries.

That’s why the Declaration Against the Use of Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations is in the interest of the Caribbean’s people.

Upholding human rights against arbitrary arrest

By Sir Ronald Sanders

T

he Government of Canada has taken an initiative to promote a Declaration by like-minded countries against the use of arbitrary detention in State-to-State relations.

The objective of the Declaration is to achieve an end to the practice by some States of arbitrarily arresting, detaining, and sentencing foreign nationals and then bargaining with their release to influence policies or positions of their Governments.

Arbitrary arrests and detentions of foreign nationals by a Government is a form of institutionalised kidnapping. Using the release of such persons to influence Governments amounts to demanding a ransom. It is a troubling development in international relations, one which is contrary to international law and which seeks to replace legal and diplomatic norms with a form of inter-state blackmail.

Apart from severely injuring the process of peaceful international relations, this kind of behaviour directly affects innocent persons who could be arrested, detained and sentenced simply to be used as pawns by Governments that cannot get their way through international law and norms. In such conditions, persons are

Sir Ronald Sanders

exposed to extreme forms of suffering while their rights are completely ignored, including their right to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent, and impartial tribunal in instances where a State-controlled Judiciary sentences them.

Fear of being arbitrarily arrested would have a deleterious effect on tourism, business travel, and eventually on trade and commerce. Instead of advancing to a world of freedom, underpinned by respect for human rights and international law, the global communi-

ty would recede to an age of lawlessness and conflict.

The peoples of small States would be the most vulnerable and the most ‘at risk’ if the practice of arbitrary arrest, detention, and sentencing prevails. The Governments of small countries do not have the military might or economic clout to confront the authorities of powerful countries that employ these practices. Further, small countries do not have the plethora of embassies and consulates around the world that could try to protect their nation-

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 6 Chairman urges Black Bush Polder farmers to register co-op

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s founders of the Black Bush Agriculture Cattle and Farming Coop Society accuse the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Administration of stymieing development, Regional Chairman David Armogan has advised the Chief Co-ops Officer to assist with registering the body.

The Co-op is seeking to develop 1700 acres of land at Yakasari, but Armagon in an invited comment related that once the co-op is registered, the body will have to apply to use the land for general agriculture purposes.

The Co-op of 10 members claimed that an application to use the land was submitted a few weeks ago, but nothing was done.

Its Chairman, Ganesh Narine, explained that they have been using the land for the past five years and recently applied for permission to do both crops and livestock.

“Mr Armogan stated that he doesn’t want any planting, only cow. My members occupy here over five years and if they put only cows here, the people have their rice fields right next there and the cow will go across and destroy the people’s crop,” Narine explained.

Black Bush Agriculture Cattle and Farming Co-op Society Chairman Ganesh Narine with members of the Co-op speaking with Guyana Times reporter Andrew Carmichael

Guyana Times understands that there was a dispute between the Black Bush Agriculture Cattle and Farming Co-op Society and the Yakasari Community Livestock Society Limited.

The latter has been given approval to use the second depth to rear animals. The area given to the Livestock Society is part of the 1700 acres Narine has identified.

He stated that the Livestock Society already has land in Yakasari which they already use for cattle rearing, but the Livestock Society had applied for lands after the Cookrite Savannah which was the area designated for cattle rearing was already leased.

In the business plan shown to this publication, 100 acres is designated for crops which the Coop says will be sold to the New

Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) while another ‘proton’ will be used to rear livestock including chicken, pigs, and cattle.

However, Narine believes that if the Livestock Society uses the land for cattle rearing, the possibilities exist that the animals are likely to cross the canal and enter the rice fields.

“The 100 acres will be in front and the land goes to the end of

the second savannah; at the back there, we will put the cattle,” Narine explained.

There is a long-standing conflict in the Polder: rice farmers have been accusing cattle farmers of allowing their animals to feed on their crops.

In recent times, the Regional Administration has been trying to ensure that crops are not planted in areas designated for cattle rearing.

During a recent outreach to Region Six by President Irfaan Ali, farmers aired their concern about the need for more land in all four Polders.

As such, the Regional Administration was instructed to ensure that this was made possible. The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission has been asked to assist.

According to the Regional Chairman, the area has been earmarked for cattle farming. He said farmers are being given land proportionate to the amount of cattle they own.

While Narine currently does not have cattle, he refuses to be part of the Yakasari Community Livestock Society Limited.

Arrindell, Bethune re-elected as Mayor, Deputy Mayor of Linden

L

inden Mayor Waneka Arrindell and Deputy Mayor Wainewright Bethune were both re-elected to serve for a third term, following mayoral elections at the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) on Thursday.

The duo were re-elected unopposed. After the elections, Arrindell told the media that she was elated to have been re-elected and urged the Councillors to continue working for the interest of the community and residents.

“I would always say that this is a higher form of service to the people of Linden, and I do hope that in this final year, you’ll continue to work with us, as the Councillors will also continue to work within their communities,” the Mayor said.

She further urged residents to interact and share their views with Councillors on the ground.

“For this year, we want to ensure that we accomplish all that we set out to do,” the Mayor noted.

Meanwhile, Bethune,

who said he was confident about being re-elected, thanked the Councillors for what he described as their “continued faith” in him.

“I was confident about being re-elected, because this is my third year as the Deputy Mayor of Linden. I would have worked along with the Councillors and the Administration and I think we have a good relationship. I had no reason to believe that I would not have been elected, given what we would have done before,” Bethune explained.

Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell and members of the Town Council

Linden Mayor Waneka Arrindell and Deputy Mayor Wainewright Bethune on Thursday

He stated that in moving forward, the plan was to sit with the new Government

to discuss new ideas and initiatives.

“We do have a lot of un-

finished projects and business to do with the Council, so we have to continue along that path to ensure that these projects are completed and, of course, give a different outlook of Linden so that the residents can see that the municipality is working for the best of their interest,” the Deputy Mayor noted.

He added that one of the first things on the agenda was the continuation of the riverfront and beautification initiative, as he outlined a number of other plans.

“We’re looking to have all the monuments around Linden cleaned up and just improve the aesthetics of them, because what we’re doing too is working with the tourism group and you know aesthetics is part of tourism...,” the Deputy Mayor said.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Gas-to-energy project to CDB lends US$20M to to counter bridge oil and gas, traditional Dominica COVID-19 fallout sectors – Minister Bharrat

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overnment’s gas-to-energy project is set to see development of new sectors and boost local traditional industries.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat on Wednesday so indicated to regional and international officials during the Caribbean Region Virtual Networking Event, organised by the US Commercial Service Trade Americas Team.

Delivering on the topic “Opportunities in Guyana’s natural resources sector with a focus on Oil and Gas development”, Minister Bharrat said the gas-to-energy project will not only bridge the gap between the new oil and gas sector, but enhance the local traditional sectors, such as enabling local farmers to add value to their produce for export.

The Government’s gas to energy agenda envisions the transformation of cheap, reliable, and clean energy not only for domestic use, but for processing, manufacturing, and other value-added downstream activities. This in effect will make Guyana a hub for a variety of industries for the supply of goods and services globally.

A recent “desktop review” on the feasibility of bringing gas to shore from the Liza-1 well in the

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

Stabroek Block found that the project could produce between 30 and 50 million cubic feet per day of natural gas, and is expected to supply nearly 70 per cent of Guyana’s current energy demand, thereby reducing the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has already appointed a Special Advisory Committee, which is currently conducting studies to validate the most suitable location, access to grid and availability of land with the Expressions of Interest for potential investment in early 2021.

Minister Bharrat said the development of Guyana’s petroleum sector also highlighted the growth of the macro economy.

“Guyana is a dynamic and integrated economy, and the advancements of the oil and gas sector will allow for the integration of economic activities for all other sectors of the local economy. The emerging hydrocarbons economy is already allowing for the growth of our local Private Sector, as well as a greater influx of foreign direct investments,” he told the webinar.

The Minister said the business sector has been rapidly changing to facilitate greater investments since the discovery of first oil. “It is for this reason that President Ali’s Administration is focusing on strong institutional and regulatory frameworks to encourage both foreign and local investors,” he said.

Bharrat further stated that this was being done not only for oil and gas exploration, development, and production, but also for all related services and goods that could be produced and sourced from Guyana.

The Caribbean Region Virtual Networking Event commenced on December 1 and ended on Thursday.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

T

he Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) on Thursday approved a US$20-million loan for Dominica to help close financing gaps, which have widened owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country, still reeling from the devastation of Tropical Storm Erika in 2015 and Hurricane Maria in 2017, which caused an estimated loss of 90 per cent and 226 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), respectively, was hit hard by the outbreak of the pandemic.

Tourism, which in 2019 accounted for 36.9 per cent of GDP, came to an abrupt halt. The closure of the country’s borders and the imposition of a lockdown for non-essential workers from mid-March to June 2020 to contain the spread of the virus, caused a sudden stop to commercial flights, cruise ships calls, and the closure of hotels.

“This has been a difficult year for the Government and people of Dominica. However, the indications are for improvements in the near term, with reconstruction activity expected to lead the rebound next year. CDB remains committed to supporting Dominica recovery and alleviating the harsh impact of the crisis especially on vulnerable groups, such as single heads of households, children, unemployed youth, the elderly, and people with disabilities,” CDB President, Dr Warren Smith stated.

CDB President, Dr Warren Smith

Dominica has experienced an estimated 10 per cent-downturn in its economy in 2020, which has driven up poverty in the country. In addition, remittances from abroad, which account for 8.5 per cent of GDP, are projected to fall

by EC$2 million to EC$47 million in 2020.

The pandemic has caused disruption in health and social services, and education, and has already stretched the social protection system. Although prospects for a rapid return to pre-crisis levels of economic activity are uncertain in Dominica, reconstruction after the storms that hit the island in recent years, and investments in resilient economic and social infrastructure will be the main drivers of the economy. The CDB estimates that economic growth will return in 2021.

SYMPTOMS

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

Fever People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice. They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.

If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people.

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

Muscle pain

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have New loss of taste mild illness. or smell

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020

Regional

Bolsonaro says Brazil at “tail end” of pandemic

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resident Jair Bolsonaro said Thursday Brazil was at the “tail end” of the coronavirus pandemic, despite a surge in infections and deaths that many experts are calling a second wave.

“We’re at the tail end of the pandemic. Compared to other countries in the world, our Government was the best, or one of the best, in handling it,” the far-right President said on a visit to the southern city of Porto Alegre.

The comment came in for criticism from his opponents in Brazil, where COVID-19 has killed nearly 180,000 people, the second-highest death toll worldwide, after the United States.

The Government’s own figures lend little support to the President’s assessment.

Brazil, which endured a brutal plateau of more than 1000 COVID-19 deaths a day from June to August, had

President Jair Bolsonaro

succeeded in bringing its average daily death toll down to about 300 last month.

However, that number has again risen above 800 this week.

Intensive care units at public hospitals in Rio de Janeiro are meanwhile 100 per cent full, and preparations for an eventual vaccination campaign have been caught up in a political battle between Bolsonaro and a likely adversary in the 2022

presidential race, São Paulo Governor Joao Doria.

Bolsonaro has been at odds with health experts over how to respond to the pandemic.

He has downplayed the new coronavirus as a “little flu”, condemned the “hysteria” around it and pushed to use the drug hydroxychloroquine against COVID-19, despite a raft of studies showing it is ineffective. (Excerpt from AFP)

Bermuda’s former Premier claims he could be facing corruption charges

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ermuda’s former Premier, Dr Ewart Brown, could be facing corruption charges following a nine-year Police investigation.

According to a report in the Royal Gazette newspaper, Brown said that the newly-appointed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Cindy Clarke, intended to press charges on Thursday, claiming that he would soon be charged with corruption after a nine-year Police investigation.

Brown, who was premier from 2006 to 2010, has

been under investigation since allegations were made about him under oath in the Supreme Court by David Bolden, a businessman.

Bolden was eventually cleared, along with his wife Antoinette, of theft and money laundering, but found guilty of one count of misleading the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

Brown, who retired from politics when he stood down as Premier, said the accusations were “a lie then and it is a lie now”.

“But more Bermudian taxpayer money will be

spent chasing me to my grave, when the Bermudian people are crying out for help during an historic time of need, insecurity and fear,” he said.

The former Premier told the newspaper that — “it is a lowdown, dirty shame because there was no corruption when I was in office. That will be proven after many more millions of taxpayer dollars have been spent.”

Meanwhile, no announcement has been made by the DPP of imminent charges against Brown. (CMC)

Barbados: Medicinal cannabis industry to get started in January

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arbados’s medicinal cannabis industry will get under way in January.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Indar Weir also said that when it got started, it would not be a repeat of the sugar industry. Weir was speaking during a public forum on the medicinal cannabis industry at Queen’s College Wednesday night.

“The industry must get started . . . . People will be allowed to enter, [but] not everybody is going to be able to start at the same time,” he said in a statement issued by Barbados Government Information Service.

The Minister said that countries such as Jamaica

and St Vincent and the Grenadines started before Barbados, but did not issue a lot of licences.

He said Government wanted to facilitate people equally, while managing the “narrative” to ensure that the wrong impression was not sent internationally.

However, Weir said Barbados was known for its hospitality; delivering on promises; being politically stable; and having a good reputation in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America.

As a result, he said, more people were enquiring about Barbados’s industry, and more investors were showing interest in coming to the island.

“It is really, really a phe-

nomenal thing, and it is something that we cannot turn a blind eye to. We have to capitalise on any opportunity that confronts us now because later on, it will not be here.

“There will be too many other options. We have to leverage our position now,” he said.

At the same time, the Minister said the medicinal cannabis industry would not be handled like the sugar industry. Rather, he said, the only thing being exported would be a finished product.

“We created a complete value chain so that at any part of that value chain we can enter,” he said.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

US Customs introduces facial comparison technology in Bahamas

T

he United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency announced on Wednesday the introduction of new facial biometric comparison technology, known as “Simplified Arrival”, at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) in Nassau, The Bahamas.

CBP said “Simplified Arrival” was an enhanced international arrival process that uses facial biometrics to automate the manual document checks that are already required for admission into the United States.

It said this process provided travellers with “a touchless experience that further secures and streamlines international arrivals while fulfilling a longstand-

ing congressional mandate to biometrically record the entry and exit of non-US citizens”.

“CBP is excited to build on our partnership with the Government of The Bahamas while advancing the future of secure, touchless travel,” said Clint Lamm, Director of Field Operations, CBP Preclearance.

“Given today’s health concerns, biometric facial comparison technology can play a key role in helping the travel industry address COVID-19 health and safety risks by implementing seamless processes.

“Combining “Simplified Arrival” with our Preclearance procedures will not only help us process passengers more efficiently,

but it will allow us to better protect traveller and officer safety,” he added.

CBP said “Simplified Arrival” only used the biometric facial comparison process at a time and place where travellers were already required by law to verify their identity by presenting a travel document.

“When travellers arrive at LPIA on an international flight, they will pause for a photo at the primary inspection point,” said CBP, adding that biometric facial comparison process would compare the new photo of the traveller to a small gallery of high-quality images that the traveller has already provided to the Government, such as passport and visa photos.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Migrant caravan sets off for US from Honduras amid new crackdown

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few hundred Hondurans formed a caravan bound for the United States on Wednesday after hurricanes battered the country, posing a fresh challenge to efforts to stem immigration from Central America on the cusp of a new US Administration.

Mostly younger migrants with backpacks and some women carrying children left the northern city of San Pedro Sula on foot for the Guatemalan border after calls went out on social media to organise a caravan to the US. Striking just two weeks apart in November, Hurricanes Eta and Iota hammered infrastructure, homes and crops, killing about 100 people in Honduras. The neighbouring countries of Guatemala and Nicaragua also suffered widespread damage.

“We lost everything, we have no choice, but to go to the United States,” an unidentified middle-aged

Mostly younger migrants with backpacks and some women carrying children left the northern city of San Pedro Sula on foot for the Guatemalan border after calls went out on social media to organise a caravan to the US

man in the caravan with his wife and cousin told Honduran television.

The man said he was from La Lima, a municipality on the south-eastern edge of San Pedro Sula that was hard hit by flooding caused by Eta and Iota.

Guatemala’s migration authorities warned the approaching migrants that to enter the country, they would need negative coronavirus tests and pass-

ports.

Central Americans had already begun leaving their homes following the devastating hurricanes.

If the exodus grows, it could become the first significant caravan to hit the road since Joe Biden defeated US President Donald Trump in the presidential election last month. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Local usher sues regional JLSC

T

he Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC) for the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has been sued locally by an employee at the court’s headquarters in Port-of-Spain.

Attorneys representing usher Oscar Peters on Wednesday filed the judicial review lawsuit against the Commission, which appoints Judges to the CCJ and manages its human resources.

In the claim, Peters is contending that the RJLSC breached nature justice, procedural fairness and its own regulations when it went ahead to initiate disciplinary proceedings

against him based on an alleged flawed investigative report.

The filing of the case coincided with a hearing of the disciplinary tribunal, which was adjourned after being informed of the lawsuit.

In a press release issued Wednesday, Peters’ lawyer Martin George sought to point out several irregularities in the case including an admission by CCJ President and RJLSC Chairman Adrian Saunders in January.

“The Commission regrets that the investigating officer went beyond her terms of reference and proceeded to address, in

her report, issues regarding your guilt and even the penalty you should receive.

The Commission did not authorise or expect such issues to be addressed in the report and, on behalf of the Commission, I apologise unreservedly for this,” George claimed Saunders said.

He also noted that there were a plethora of errors and procedural mistakes made by the tribunal, which even drew the attention of Attorney Tempu Nefetari, who represents the accuser.

A date for the hearing of Peters’ lawsuit is yet to be scheduled by the Judiciary.

(Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Global oil prices settle above US$50 for the 1st time since March on vaccine optimism

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il futures settled higher Thursday, with the global Brent crude benchmark above US$50 for the first time in nine months, on progress toward a US COVID-19 vaccine that may lead to a boost in the economy next year.

Brent oil had finished Wednesday a couple pennies higher and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude saw a modest decline, mostly shaking off pressure from a sharp rise in US crude inventories — the largest weekly increase since April.

“Oil prices stood tall even after a massive 15.2-million-barrel crude oil increase in US oil supply” reported by the Energy Information Administration Wednesday, said Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at The Price Futures Group.

“The crude oil market is looking beyond the numbers,” he said in a note. “The market held key support and is now focusing on vaccine distribution that could lead to a spike in demand that should drive global supply back below normal levels next year.”

Meanwhile, the oil market also took note of reports that suggest Chinese demand is exceeding pre-COVID levels, and there are reports of an “uptick” in Chinese refinery runs, Flynn told MarketWatch. (Excerpt from Market Watch)

Israel, Morocco agree to normalise relations in US-brokered deal

COVID-19: US experts recommend Pfizer vaccine approval

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edical experts advising the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have recommended emergency approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. The decision comes after a 23-member panel met to determine whether the drug's benefits outweigh the risks.

The Pfizer vaccine has already been approved for the public in the United Kingdom, Canada, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The drug still needs to be formally approved by the FDA's vaccine chief, which is expected in the coming days.

The recommendation comes a day after the US recorded more than 3000 deaths in the latest 24-hour period – the highest total in a single day

anywhere in the world.

Alex Azar, the US Health Secretary, said on Wednesday that after the FDA meeting, "we could then have a vaccine within days, and be administering it to the most vulnerable by next week".

Operation Warp Speed, the federal Government's vaccine distribution programme, has said that vaccine deliveries would begin within 24 hours

of approval.

Pfizer plans to have 6.4 million doses ready for the US in its first rollout round in late December. Because two shots are required per person, that is enough for three million people, out of a total US population of 330 million.

Federal officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say the nation's 21 million healthcare

workers should be prioritised first, as well the three million elderly Americans living in long-term care homes.

But there is less consensus on how states should distribute it to other groups. The nation's approximately 87 million essential workers are expected to be next in line for the jab, but it will be up to states to decide which industries to prioritise.

Officials say vaccinations for groups that are not at a high risk are expected to take place in the spring of 2021.

A second vaccine, developed

by Moderna and the National Institutes of Health, is also seeking emergency approval in the US. Like the Pfizer vaccine it requires a second round of injections. (Excerpt from BBC News)

US set to sanction Turkey over Russian defence system – sources

T

he United States is poised to impose sanctions on Turkey over its acquisition last year of Russian S-400 air defence systems, five sources including two US officials told Reuters on Thursday, a move likely to worsen already problematic ties between the two NATO allies.

The long-anticipated step, which is likely to infuriate Ankara and severely complicate relations with the incoming Administration of President-elect Joe Biden, could be announced any

day, sources said.

The sanctions would target Turkey’s Presidency of Defence Industries and its head, Ismail Demir, sources have said. They would be damaging, but narrower than the severe scenarios some analysts have outlined.

The Turkish lira weakened as much as 1.4 per cent following the news.

US sanctions could harm a Turkish economy struggling with a coronavirus-induced slowdown, double-digit inflation, and badly depleted

foreign reserves.

A senior Turkish official said sanctions would backfire and hurt ties between the two NATO members.

“Sanctions would not achieve a result, but be counter-productive. They would harm relations,” the official said.

“Turkey is in favour of solving these problems with diplomacy and negotiations. We won’t accept one-sided impositions,” he said.

The decision will have repercussions far beyond

Turkey, sending a message to US partners around the world who might consider buying Russian military equipment and have been warned repeatedly about US sanctions.

Turkey’s leader, President Tayyip Erdogan, had hoped to prove US threats hollow, betting the relationship he developed with US President Donald Trump would insulate Ankara from punitive US action. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Beijing says Twitter hacked after Trump retweet

C I

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI gives a speech in the capital Rabat

srael and Morocco agreed on Thursday to normalise relations in a deal brokered with the help of the United States, making Morocco the fourth Arab country to set aside hostilities with Israel in the past four months.

As part of the agreement, US President Donald Trump agreed to recognise Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, where there has been a decades-old territorial dispute with Morocco pitted against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, a breakaway movement that seeks to establish an independent state in the territory.

Trump sealed the agreement in a phone call on Thursday with Morocco’s King Mohammed VI. Morocco is the fourth country since August to strike a deal aimed at normalising relations with Israel. The others were

the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan.

Palestinians have been critical of the normalisation deals, saying Arab countries have set back the cause of peace by abandoning a long-standing demand that Israel gives up land for a Palestinian State before it could receive recognition.

Palestinian officials reacted angrily to the announcement. Bassam as-Salhi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s Executive Committee, condemned the deal.

“Any Arab retreat from the [2002] Arab Peace Initiative, which stipulates that normalisation comes only after Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian and Arab lands, is unacceptable and increases Israel’s belligerence and its denial of the Palestinian people’s rights,” Salhi said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

hina's US Embassy said its Twitter account was hacked after users noticed it had retweeted a baseless claim by outgoing US President Donald Trump.

In his post, Trump repeated earlier unfounded allegations of election fraud in the polls he lost last month, ending "how

can a country be run like this?".

The tweet – which now includes a warning that the claim was disputed – was retweeted by the Embassy's official account within minutes.

But the Embassy has denied the retweet.

Officially, China has congratulated Trump's elec-

toral opponent, Joe Biden, for winning the election, with a Foreign Ministry spokesman saying they "respect the choice of the American people".

The Chinese Embassy's retweet was picked up

by Twitter users late on Wednesday in the US, with several remarking on its significance at a time

of fragile US-China relations.

Under Trump's administration, the countries' bilateral relationship has deteriorated, with the two economic superpowers locked in disputes spanning trade and technology to suspected espionage.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

UK's Johnson says “strong possibility” of no-deal split in EU trading ties

B

ritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday there was “a strong possibility” Britain and the European Union would fail to strike a new trade deal, but vowed to do whatever he could to avoid a tumultuous split in three weeks.

The EU and Britain are at loggerheads over fishing rights, economic fair play and dispute settlement, despite months of talks to cover trade from January 1 when the United Kingdom

finally exits the bloc’s orbit.

The two sides have set a deadline of Sunday to find agreement and prevent a chaotic break.

After a meeting with his senior ministers, Johnson said the treaty on the table did not work for Britain.

“We need to be very, very clear there’s now a strong possibility, strong possibility that we will have a solution that’s much more like an Australian relationship with the EU, than a Canadian relationship with

the EU,” Johnson said.

Australia, unlike Canada, has no comprehensive trade deal with the EU, leaving its trade mostly subject to tariffs. Johnson uses the comparison to suggest a deal is not necessary, though Australia has only a fraction of Britain’s trade with Europe.

Under such a scenario, Britain would see trade barriers imposed with the EU, its main economic partner, in just three weeks.

Sterling dropped against

the US dollar to US$1.3262 on the remarks, down from around US$1.33. It was last almost 0.9 per cent lower on the day at US$1.3274.

Johnson spoke as the 27 national EU leaders met in Brussels and the bloc’s chief executive, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said bridging the persistent differences in UK trade talks was “difficult”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARIES

A lifestyle change will boost your morale and prompt you to pursue knowledge and skills that are engaging and will help you reach your long-term goals.

Spend time with peoTAURUS ple who share your inter(April 20ests and goals. Whether it’s May 20) through a virtual connection or someone you share space with, the outcome will ease stress and encourage you.

Information or help ofGEMINI fered will not turn out well.

(May 21Clarify what you need and June 20) want before you include others in your plans. Rely on your ability to get things done by yourself.

(March 21April 19)

DILBERT

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Try something new and exciting. A show of affection will encourage a positive change in a meaningful relationship. An unusual offer will be a steppingstone to advance.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

If you let your emotions take over, you will find it challenging to deal with what others do or say. Take care of responsibilities, and move on to pleasurable pursuits.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

A change you make will lead to personal growth.

Tie up loose ends, and put the past behind you. Don’t get into a dispute; just walk away. Romance is favored.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Verify information, and use your intelligence to deter someone from putting demands on you. Be bold and say what’s on your mind. Align yourself with people who have something to offer.

SCORPIO

Take care of emotional matters, and it will help you get back on track. A change may not be welcome, but it will be necessary to fulfill an obligation.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Refuse to let anyone interrupt what you are trying to accomplish or entice you with something that sounds exciting but risky. Control your emotions, and maintain honesty and integrity.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Be a good listener, and you will gain insight into what others want. A positive change at home will bring you closer to someone you love and set the stage for a brighter future.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

A dynamic approach to what you do will help you improve your skills, knowledge and ability to advance. Don’t waste time on something you cannot change.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Personal improvement will make you feel good about what you have to offer. It’s best to find out where you stand if you want to ease stress. Make a romantic gesture.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020

21

Italy's 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi dies at age 64

I

taly's 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi has died at age 64, his family has said.

Rossi became a household name after leading the Azzurri to victory at the tournament in Spain, finishing as top scorer and being named best player.

At club level, he first came to prominence as a prolific scorer for Vicenza, earning a move to Juventus, and later playing for AC Milan.

His death, announced on Thursday, follows what Italian media reported had been a long illness.

Rossi's wife, Federica Cappelletti, posted a picture of them together on social media with the words "Per sempre" ("forever"). She did not disclose the cause of his death.

Rossi scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for the Italian national side, and more than 100 Serie A goals during spells with Vicenza, Perugia,

Paolo Rossi shot to global fame after scoring a hat-trick against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup

Juventus, Milan and Verona.

Following his performances at the 1982 World Cup, he was awarded the Ballon d'Or, which at the time was given to the European “footballer of the year”.

After retiring from football in the late 1980s, Rossi worked as a pundit for Sky, Mediaset and Rai. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has said

flags would fly at half-mast at its headquarters in Rome and at its technical centre in Florence.

"Pablito's passing away is another moment of deep pain, a wound to the heart of all fans, (and it) is difficult to heal," said FIGC president Gabriele Gravina. "We've lost a friend and an icon of Italian football.

In spurring the national team on to success in 1982, he had

Italians celebrating in squares across the country, both for him and with him.

"He indelibly tied his name to the Azzurri, and through his style of play, inspired numerous strikers of future generations."

A statement from Vicenza, whom Rossi helped win promotion to Serie A in 1977, said: "Sometimes there are simply no words to express the pain we are all experiencing."

Milan, where he played in the 1985-86 season, said Rossi would "forever be in our memory".

Personal redemption World Cup success was Rossi's personal redemption.

Rossi wrote his name into footballing folklore with his displays at the 1982 World Cup, although he nearly missed the competition after being implicated in a matchfixing scandal.

Rugby and brain injuries…

The way players train should be addressed “very quickly”

T

he way players train needs to be addressed "very quickly", says the head of the Rugby Players' Association, after ex-professionals said the sport had given them permanent brain damage.

World Cup winner Steve Thompson and seven others are claiming against rugby's authorities for negligence.

All eight have been diagnosed with the early signs of dementia, and blame repeated blows to the head.

"It's been very distressing for everyone," said Damian Hopley, the RPA's chief executive, who told BBC Sport more education was needed, in addition to greater refereeing consistency, a high tackle sanction framework, and a reduction of contact training.

"A big percentage of injuries occur during training, so I think that has to be part of the opportunity to address these things, and look at what can we do to make the game safer, as has been talked about," he said.

“Perhaps training protocols is something we need to address very quickly."

All eight players to have come forward so far have been diagnosed by neurologists at King's College London with early onset dementia and probable Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

CTE can develop when the brain is subjected to numerous small blows or rapid movements - sometimes known as subconcussions - and is associated with symptoms such as memory

Damian Hopley, RPA’s Chief Executive

loss, depression and progressive dementia.

Lawyers for the group suggest another 80 former players between the ages of 25 and 55 are showing symptoms and have serious concerns.

Global governing body World Rugby told BBC Sport: "While not commenting on speculation, World Rugby takes player safety very seriously and implements injury-prevention strategies based on the latest available knowledge, research and evidence."

The Rugby Football Union (RFU), which runs the sport in England, said: "The RFU has had no legal approach on this matter. The Union takes player safety very seriously and implements injury prevention and injury treatment strategies based on the latest research and evidence.

"The Union has played an instrumental role in establishing injury surveillance, concussion education and assessment,

collaborating on research as well as supporting law changes and law application to ensure proactive management of player welfare."

Former Northampton Saints lock, and now RPA player liaison officer, Christian Day, said the accounts from Thompson and former Wales international Alix Popham have been "harrowing", and that "as a recent former player with a young family, it hits home".

He told BBC Sport he had "seven or eight" concussions during his career, but believes players look out for each other more now, and more gravity is given to head injuries.

"You can never sit still," he said. "I do think some amazing work has been done. I do think that the game has changed a huge amount, particularly in terms of education and players' awareness, and also the testing that is done. But that doesn't mean we should stop here.

"The regulation of contact

training is something that we have pushed for and brought up in recent years, and it's probably something that we need to look at seriously now, as concussions happen in training, and training is a controllable environment.

"We surveyed our membership around 12 or 18 months ago now, and one of the most polarising questions was around contact training, and our membership were pretty united on that front in terms of further regulation of that is important.

"I think it is very tribal.

Different coaches will have different methodologies, and some players will say, 'Our level of contact training is absolutely fine', but at other clubs, players will feel they do too much. It's a controllable environment, so we shouldn't have so many injuries in training."

The RPA has said it does not have the finances to lead "hugely expensive" long-term studies into concussion and its effects.

"As a result, we have focused our efforts on support, player education and mental health," the body said. This has included supporting research on injury and concussion by encouraging players to take part, for example.

"Welfare is at the centre of everything we do at the RPA, and we will be actively looking into how we can support these and future players. We would welcome the opportunity to be involved in research, however we can go forward," it added.

(BBC Sport)

Although Rossi maintained his innocence, he was banned from football for three years after being accused of taking part in the 1980 Totonero scandal. This suspension was reduced to two years on appeal, meaning he was available to play at the World Cup in Spain.

Rossi later described going on to win the tournament as a "personal redemption".

The tournament started with a whimper for both Italy and Rossi. The Juventus striker failed to score in the opening group stage, as Italy drew all three games to scrape through.

The Italians looked far from World Cup contenders - until Rossi, whose performances had come under criticism, found his sharpness in front of goal in the crucial meeting with Brazil in the second group stage.

Rossi scored a hat-trick as Italy won 3-2 to reach the semi-finals, then he scored both goals against Poland as Italy set up a meeting with West Germany in the final.

A tense final swung Italy's way when Rossi scored the opening goal in the second half, the Azzurri going on to win 3-1 and become world champions for a third time.

Rossi later said about

the triumph: "On one hand I felt fulfilled. I said to myself, 'You've made it'. On the other hand, I was disappointed that all of this just ended. The World Cup was over. When you win something important, it's not just about the trophy; it's about the group you win it with; it's about your entire career that took you there."

"Iconic Rossi part of Italian history" Italy's triumph sparked an outpouring of emotion back home, providing national unity and joy at a time when the country was beset by political and social unrest.

Those images of Rossi and his team-mates becoming world champions will forever be ingrained in the country's culture, says Italian journalist Daniele Verri.

"We are all shocked here because Paulo Rossi is such an iconic figure for Italian football," Verri told BBC World Service. "He is part of Italian history that goes beyond football.

"For those who were lucky enough to see him play in the 1982 World Cup, we cannot ever forget what he did. The images of Spain 82 are part of Italian culture.” (BBC Sport)

World Athletics’ Indoor Championships postponed – Nanjing to host in 2023

Katarina Johnson-Thompson won gold in the pentathlon at the 2018 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England

N

anjing will host the World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2023 because the 2021 event was postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Chinese city had been scheduled to host the Championships in March 2020, but that was pushed back to 2021. Nanjing will now host the event one year after the next World Indoor Championships in Belgrade in 2022.

"We must fully respect and carry out the pandemic prevention policy of the host country," said World Athletics. "We must consid-

er the risks in bringing a large group of people to attend the event under the pandemic situation.

"The indoor season for athletics falls within a narrow calendar window (up to the end of March), so it is not possible to extend the event to later in the year."

The event is usually biennial, and was last held in Birmingham in 2018, when Great Britain won two gold medals.

The next World Athletics’ indoor event is scheduled to be the World Indoor Tour, which begins in Karlsruhe, Germany on 29 January.

(BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020

Players, staff receive payments CLASSIFIED ADS for 2012 Mexico game FOR SALE

Fresh Organic Ginger for Sale Tel. #688-4264

…independent investigation conducted

A

fter holding an indepth, independent investigation of the circumstances surrounding the Guyana Golden Jaguars’ 2014 FIFA World Cup “home” qualifier against Mexico in 2012, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has moved to commence one-off payments to members of the National team and staff who participated in the game. The payment amounted to US$500.

The move brings closure to a divisive issue that previous administrations had failed to address, despite the long-held concerns of one of the most gifted groups of players and coaches Guyana has produced.

Speaking on this controversial matter, GFF President Wayne Forde said, “We are pleased to be able to resolve this matter at last, following a transparent and

detailed investigation. The investigation showed that it is right for the GFF to make this one-off payment now as a gesture of goodwill to some of Guyanese football’s greatest servants.”

He continued by saying, “We hope that this payment will go some way to repairing the disappointment that many of our national heroes have rightly felt due to this matter, especially after years of loyal service to the Golden Arrowhead.”

The Golden Jaguars lost 3-1 to Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in June 2012 in the third round of CONCACAF’s qualification process for the biggest prize in football.

They were due to play a blockbuster home tie as part of the group round robin in October, but the GFF leadership at the time sold the hosting rights for the match, which ultimately took

place in Houston, Texas in October 2012. Guyana lost 5-0 and finished bottom of the group.

At the time, there were claims that the team had been offered a cut of the hosting rights deal, and players have lobbied for recognition since.

The current Wayne Forde-led Executive Committee, which took office in 2015, pledged to resolve the issue, and appointed an independent consultant to investigate the matter.

"This generation of footballers was a credit to the nation, and it has been a source of shame that this issue remained unresolved under previous administrations,” said Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard, a member of the 2012 squad, former national captain and current Senior Men’s Team Assistant Coach.

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The Golden Jags went down 0-5 to Mexico following a venue switch to Texas when they were scheduled to play on home soil

“I would like to thank the current GFF leadership for taking this issue seriously and for working diligently to investigate and resolve it.

I hope we can all now close the door on this chapter, and I look forward to working with the GFF to create a new generation of heroes," Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, also part of the squad in 2012, said. "I am

grateful for the actions of the GFF and the Executive Committee in finding a workable solution for the Mexico payment. For many of the players, it was always more about the principle than the money – we wanted our voices to be heard and for a fair solution to be found. I'm glad we can now move on and focus on the future of our football."

RHTY&SC cricket teams launch Christmas Charity programme – make donations to clubs, NGO, churches and less fortunate families

T

he ten cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) last Sunday launched their largest ever Christmas Charity programme.

Under supervision of Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu, the teams have undertaken to share out 1,000 food hampers and 5,000 Christmas toys; along with clothing, footwear, educational materials and school bags to less fortunate families across the Ancient County. This is scheduled to happen between December 7th and 24th.

The teams would also be distributing hundreds of special packages to singleparent households, and provide Christmas breakfast to

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West Indies female star Shemaine Campbelle handing over donations to a representative of the Dream for Kids INC

thousands of facemasks, published an educational COVID poster, and distributed cleaning items to dozens of public institutions. The teams have handed over dozens of food hampers to cricket clubs

Members of the Metro Female team handing over toys to the Camal Children’s Home

senior citizens.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster has said the COVID-19 pandemic is the factor behind the increase in activities in this year’s programme, as the teams were aware that the lives of many have been affected. In a joint partnership with the Berbice Cricket Board from April to November, the teams had shared out over six thousand food hampers,

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across the county.

Among the clubs receiving food hampers were Paradise, Blairmont, Achievers, Tucber Park, Rose Hall Canje, Albion, Port Mourant, Whim and Young Warriors. The entire membership of the club and single parent households in the Lower Corentyne area also received hampers. More than three hundred and fifty hampers have been shared out

to date along with hundreds of toys. Donations of toys have been made to over fifteen organisations, orphanages and churches, including the Rose Hall Town Wesleyan Church, St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church, Camal Children Home, Canaan Children Home, Alpa Children’s Home, Dream for Kids INC, Feed the Children Foundation Inc, Corriverton Anglican Church, among others.

The St Francis Church also benefited from a contribution of special gifts that would be used in their weekly birthday project for members.

The Canaan Children’s Home also received a donation of footwear and food items, while the Dream for Kids INC located in the Upper Corentyne area received a donation of educational materials and confectionery.

The teams also visited the homes of two Upper Corentyne cricketers to offer over food hampers and educational materials. One of the cricketers died following an accident, while the other was badly injured during an argument. Foster, who is also the President of the BCB, has pledged to assist the families

Representatives of some of the clubs pose after receiving their food hampers

as much as possible until all of the children complete their educational careers. He also committed to providing a cricket bat and a pair of batting gloves to one of the children who requested assistance to fulfill his dream of playing for the West Indies.

The teams would continue their programme with the distribution of hundreds of toys to less fortunate children on Sunday at the Area H Ground.

Another seven hundred food hampers would be shared out during the course of the next two weeks, while school bags, clothing and footwear would also be handed out to families in depressed areas.

A new feature this year would be the sharing out of 500 special Christmas bags consisting of confectionery, apples, grapes, walnuts and biscuits to single parent households. At least three hundred senior citizens would receive a Christmas Breakfast from the teams. The breakfast would include a cup of hot tea, cold juice, local fruits, pepperpot, bread and black cake. Two homeless persons would also be surprised with a special makeover, which would include new clothes, haircut

and pampering.

The programme would conclude with the hosting of the annual Christmas Village in the compound of the Rose Hall Town Primary School from the 22nd to 24th December. The National COVID-19 Task Force has granted permission for the village to be held, with some restrictions.

The club would not be allowed to use the traditional bouncy castle or trampoline, or host the popular horror house.

Foster stated that the village would be held under very strict COVID guidelines and only forty persons would be allowed at one time.

Among the popular attractions would be inflatable Christmas Characters, the Nativity Scene, 20-foot Christmas Tree, Christmas Star, Family Bridge, Christmas Chimney, Children’s games and the Christmas home.

The ten teams of the club are the Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Poonai under 12 and under 13, Bakewell under 17 and second division, Pepsi under 19 and Intermediate, Metro Female, Namilco Thunder Bolt Flour under 21 and First Division.

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23

KC Singh, MMP Foundation reward Rampersaud with cricket gear G

uyanese youth cricketer Jonathan Rampersaud has benefited from cricket gear donated by overseas-based Guyanese KC Singh, in collaboration with the Mohabir Mookorchand Persaud (MMP) Foundation.

At a simple presentation at the stylish Fancy's Outlet on Wednesday last, Rampersaud was delighted to receive high-quality cricket gear.

The items presented to Rampersaud include a large gear bag with wheels, three cricket bats, one pair of batting pad

with colour covering, one thigh pad, one pair of batting gloves, hand guard, one pair of spikes and a flop hat, among other equipment.

Rampersaud, who plays for the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club, was a former student of the JC Chandisingh Secondary School, where he excelled and demonstrated great balance with cricket and academics. He copped nine grade one and two grade two passes in the eleven subjects he sat at the 2020 Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC).

He is currently a first-year student at the University of Guyana, where he has been awarded a four-year scholarship by the same MMP Foundation to pursue a degree.

At a tender age, the humble Rampersaud had shown his academic ability by attaining 499 marks at the Common Entrance (Grade Six) examinations, and was awarded a place at the illustrious President’s College.

However, due to financial struggles, he was sent to the JC Chandisingh Secondary, which is close

Russell said he changed his mind on New Zealand tour, but ship had already sailed

W

est Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has said he had changed his mind about travelling with the West Indies to New Zealand for their three-match T20 series, but by the time he did, the team had already been selected and he was unable to join.

The 31-year-old Jamaican has been largely criticised for declining to join the West Indies team, with former fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose questioning the player’s commitment to the regional side.

Russell had initially declined the invitation to represent the West Indies in New Zealand, citing the need to be free of the COVID-19 lockdown protocols he had to endure during the 2020 Hero CPL season in Trinidad and Tobago, and the subsequent IPL season in Abu Dhabi.

However, shortly thereafter, it was reported that Russell had signed for the Colombo Kings in Sir Lanka’s T20 Premier League (LPL).

His actions triggered the ire of many fans across the region, as well as West Indies fast bowling great Sir Curtly Ambrose.

“Because he wants to clear his head for a while to get his mind together, I have no problem with that, because cricket is a high-pressure game.

So if you want to c l e a r y o u r head for

a while, take your mind off cricket. I have no issues with that, but if you are going to reject playing for your nation, your country, and then two weeks later you’re playing for somebody else, that to me is a no-no,” Ambrose said during a recent conversation on the Mason & Guest radio programme in Barbados.

“Where is the commitment? That tells me that you don’t want to play for the West Indies. If that is the case, just say so!” Sir Curtley declared.

However, while speaking on the Sportsmax Zone on Tuesday, Russell explained why he ended up playing in Sri Lanka while the West Indies were losing their series 2-0 in New Zealand. He claimed the pressure of living in the bubble was too much.

"I changed my stance, I changed my technique, I

changed my trigger movement; all of these things I changed just to score runs in IPL, and nothing was going my way. The pressure was real," said Russell, who failed to live up to expectation in both leagues.

“Playing cricket in a bubble and you're not performing, it can really take a toll.”

He said he had conversations with Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul, who explained that after the initial 14-day quarantine in New Zealand, the restrictions would have been relaxed. It was after that conversation, he said, he approached the selectors, but by then it was too late.

After missing opportunity to join the West Indies squad, Russell said, he received a text message from Angelo Matthews while he was in Dubai, asking him to play for the Colombo Kings.

He said he accepted the offer, adding that the time off he spent in Dubai helped give him the mental strength to go b a c k into a b u b b l e .

(Sportsmax)

Representative of MMP Foundation, Ronaldo Daniels presenting cricket gear to National Youth cricketer Jonathan Rampersaud at Fancy's Outlet (Brandon Corlette photo)

to his home at Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant.

The former West Indies Under-15 selectee is currently training under strict COVID-19 protocols, and is preparing for the

upcoming Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 inter-county tournament, which is tentatively set for a mid-January start.

The left-handed batsman and right-arm off-

spin bowler noted that he would make full use of these cricket gear as he continues his preparation for the return of competitive cricket.

FIDE Online World Cadets and Youth Rapid Championships…

Jamaican teen advances to finals

W

oman Candidate Master Raehanna Brown has said she was elated to have advanced to the finals of the FIDE Online World Cadets and Youth Rapid Championships.

After three days of intense competition last Thursday, against the strongest players from 27 countries across the Western Hemisphere, Brown emerged as the sole player from the 13-member Jamaican contingent.

Competing in the Girls Under-16 section, Brown finished on five points, which was good for second place ahead of four other players,

Jamaica’s Raehanna Brown

who also ended their campaign on five points.

Apart from her loss to Peruvian Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Heidy Nicole Garcia in the fifth round, WCM Brown defeated several other WFM's plus Woman International Masters (WIM), and performed well above her starting rank of 14.

Her final round victory was a bittersweet moment as she applied the initiative gained from her spatial advantage to beat Costa Rican Kristel Meliss Diaz in a beautiful endgame.

This victory guaranteed the National Under 16 Girls Champion a spot in the fi-

nals of the championship to be held in just over a week’s time.

She told Sportsmax.TV that she prepared well for the tournament, and it paid off.

“I mostly sharpened up on my tactics and strategy and improved on my time control,” she said, revealing that she spent a lot of time on the internet on training exercises doing as many as 10 at a time. “I also revisited my opening series.”

For the coming finals, she plans on doing more of the same, only a lot more frequently, as there is limited time to prepare, she said.

(Sportsmax)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Russell said he changed his KC Singh, MMP Foundation reward mind on New Zealand tour, but ship had already sailed Rampersaud with cricket gear Pg 23

Pg 23

Players, staff receive payments for 2012 Mexico game

…independent investigation conducted

See story on page 22

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