Guyana Times -- Friday, April 29, 2022

ExxonMobil pumps $20M into VYC STEM programme

P12 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4993

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

5th development plan in Stabroek Block to be submitted by year-end – Hess ...as Payara development on stream for 2023 start-up Page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Paul Slowe slapped with $70M libel suit over social P8 media posts

GPHC refutes claims that female patient was raped P15 after surgery Teen seriously injured after P2 crashing car into utility pole Several injured following P13 3-vehicle smashup at Uitvlugt

President Dr Irfaan Ali met His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, at Clarence House, Royal Residence on Thursday in London. Prince Charles is the heir apparent to the British throne as the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II

Region 5 outreach

Govt explores new housing model to assist persons with construction of low-income homes – VP Jagdeo Page 9

...says oil revenues will be used to transform health care, agriculture, education sectors

Govt working on single- Venezuelan Page 2 window system for setting woman murdered, up business in Guyana body buried in – Foreign Secretary Page 7

...as int’l investor complains of challenges

shallow grave

P2 Berbice schoolgirl struck down while using pedestrian crossing

Gunman P14 carts off over $700,000 after invading Anna Regina store

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Venezuelan woman murdered, Berbice schoolgirl struck down body buried in shallow grave while using pedestrian crossing

T

he body of a Venezuelan woman was on Tuesday found in a shallow grave at Cores Backdam in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The body has since been identified as 49-year-old Deissy Antury Perdomo, a clothes vendor of Eteringbang Landing, Cuyuni River. At the time of the discovery, her body bore multiple chop wounds.

The shallow grave measured about 4feet wide, and was covered with mud and dry leaves.

Perdomo, who had also been a pork-knocker, had worked along with two Venezuelan men and her reputed husband, Vladimir Marquez. Police have said that on April 22, the woman’s reputed husband travelled back to Venezuela.

Dead: Deissy Antury Perdomo

However, upon his return to Guyana on Tuesday, he was unable to contact his wife. He became alarmed, and a search party was established to look for the woman. During the search, the team stumbled upon the

woman’s body.

Police investigations have thus far revealed that, on April 23, the now dead woman and the two Venezuelan coworkers were seen leaving the backdam, heading to Eteringbang Landing, where they were later seen shopping together and consuming alcohol.

On the same date, Perdomo and the two men were again seen heading into the backdam towards the direction of their camp.

That was the last time the woman had been seen alive.

Police have made checks for the two Venezuelan men, but based on information received, they have left Guyana for Venezuela. The woman’s reputed husband has been taken into custody, and is assisting with the investigation.

A

nine-year-old pupil of Tain Primary School, Corentyne, Berbice (Region Six: East Berbice-Corentyne) was on Wednesday evening struck down by a hire car while using the pedestrian crossing along the Miss Phoebe Public Road.

The incident, which reportedly occurred at around 18:15h, involved motorcar HD 848, driven by a 54-yearold man of Lancaster Village, and motorcar PWW 5659, driven by a 22-yearold resident of Corriverton.

Police have said that, on the day in question, the taxi was proceeding along the Miss Phoebe Public Road ahead of the private motorcar when the schoolgirl attempted to cross the road from north to south.

The taxi failed to

stop and, as such, collided with the nine-year-old.

Immediately thereafter, motorcar PWW 5659 crashed into the rear of the taxi.

The child sustained minor injuries about her body, and was picked up by public-spirited citizens and

taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where she was kept overnight for observation. She was discharged on Thursday.

The two drivers were detained, and are assisting with the investigation.

Teen seriously injured after crashing car into utility pole

A

teenage driver has been hospitalised after crashing the motor car he was driving into a utility pole along the Fyrish Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice on Wednesday evening.

Police have reported that on Wednesday,

at about 23:10h, 14-yearold Kyree Anderson of #1 Public Road, Corentyne Berbice was driving motorcar PNN 9096 when motorcar PXX 350 slammed into the rear of that car.

Based on reports reaching Guyana Times, the teen was proceeding along the

Fyrish Public Road ahead of motorcar PXX 350 when the driver of that car collided his vehicle with the car the teen was driving, causing the teen to lose control of his vehicle, which crashed into a lamp pole.

As a result of the collision, the teen was tak-

en out of the vehicle in an unconscious condition by public-spirited citizens, and taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he was treated. However, due to the seriousness of the injuries he received, he was referred to the Georgetown

Public Hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.

Breathalyzer tests were conducted on the driver of motorcar PXX 350, which showed that he was way above the legal limit of alcohol consumption. At time of the accident, the teen

was not in possession of a driver’s licence. In fact, he has not yet reached the legal age to drive, which is 16.

Both vehicles have been lodged, and are to be examined by a Licensing and Certifying Officer.

Investigations are ongoing.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, April 29 – 23:59h-04:00h and Saturday, May 1 – 03:30h-05:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

5th development plan in Stabroek Block to be submitted by year-end – Hess ...as Payara Development on stream for 2023 start-up

Friday, April 29 – 15:50h-17:20h and Saturday, May 1 – 17:05h-18:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily

WEATHER TODAY

Sunshine and cloudy skies are expected during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 15:54h reaching a maximum height of 2.62 metres.

Low Tide: 09:29h and 21:42h reaching minimum heights of 0.55 metre and 0.61 metre.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS F

07 08 11

20 24 27

FREE TICKET

15 Bonus Ball

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

DAILY MILLIONS

07 12 16 22 26 LUCKY 3

9

0

1

4

Afternoon Draw

6

2

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

03 07 08 10 12 16 20 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2022

02 04 09 11 14 13

02 07 13 17 21

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8 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

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6 Evening Draw

FP Evening Draw

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$107.80/barrel

Rough Rice

$306.36/ton

+1.37

London Sugar

$527.50/ton

+0.76

Live Spot Gold

+0.20

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1904.30

$1905.30

Low/High Change

$1871.50 +10.10

$1907.00 +0.53%

crease to 140,000 bpd during this quarter, following production optimisation work on the Liza Destiny FPSO. The Liza Phase 2 development, which achieved its first oil in February using the Unity FPSO, is ramping up ahead of schedule, and is expected to reach its gross production capacity of ap-

barrels of oil per day and up to 10 FPSOs to develop the discovered resources on the block.

With regards to exploration and appraisal in Guyana, Hess noted that the company will continue to invest in an active exploration programme, with approximately 12 wells planned for

proximately 220,000 barrels of oil per day by the third quarter.

“We want to thank and congratulate ExxonMobil for their outstanding work as operator in delivering exceptional project management and execution. According to a Wood Mackenzie study, the production growth ramp for the Stabroek Block is the best in the industry, compared with other major deep-water developments, which will benefit the people of Guyana and our shareholders,” the Hess CEO stated.

He noted that the company sees the potential for at least six FPSOs on the Stabroek block in 2027, with a production capacity of more than 1 million gross

the Stabroek Block in 2022.

Only Tuesday, ExxonMobil announced three new discoveries at Barreleye, Lukanani and Patwa, which further strengthens the development potential of the oil-rich Stabroek Block. This is in addition to two other significant discoveries on the block in January at the Fangtooth and Lau Lau wells.

“With these discoveries, the gross discovered recoverable resource estimate for the block has been increased to approximately 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent, up from the previous estimate of more than 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent, and we continue to see multibillion barrels of future exploration potential remaining.

Hess Corp CEO, John Hess

H

aving only received approval from the Guyana Government for the Yellowtail project earlier this month, ExxonMobil is expected to submit its fifth development plan in the Stabroek Block – Uaru Meco – by the end of this year. This is according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hess Corp, John Hess, during the company’s first-quarter conference call on Wednesday.

“Front-end engineering and design work for our fifth development at Uaru Meco is underway, and we anticipate that ExxonMobil will be in a position to submit a plan of development to the Government by the yearend,” Hess disclosed.

Only last week, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, indicated that they are already working on the Uaru Development Project. He was at the time speaking at the signing of an agreement with Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc. for a US$300 million port facility.

Meanwhile, even though Uaru is still in the planning stage, ExxonMobil has already indicated its fifth development will be the same as the Yellowtail project as it relates to production, water injection and gas re-injection wells, and other development features. This was indicated in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Yellowtail project.

Hess holds a 30 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block, which is operated by ExxonMobil. The Hess CEO lauded the unprecedented rate at which the United States oil major is developing the oil resources offshore Guyana. In fact, it was disclosed that third development on the oil-rich Stabroek Block – Payara, which has already been approved by the Guyana Government since September 2020 - is now slated for startup in late 2023, earlier than initially forecasted, that is, in 2024.

“Our third development on the Stabroek Block at the Payara field, with a gross capacity of approximately 220,000 barrels of oil per day, is also ahead of schedule and is now expected to start up in late 2023,” Hess

stated.

The Payara development will utilise the Prosperity floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, which has a gross capacity of producing 220,000 barrels of oil per day.

According to Chief Operations Officer at Hess, Greg Hill, “Pulling forward [Payara’s] production startup reflects strong execution by the operator, and significantly enhances the net present value of the project.”

Earlier this month, Hess sanctioned the Yellowtail development after receiving Government and regulatory approvals. With first oil expected in 2025, Yellowtail will be the largest development to date on the Stabroek Block, with an estimated resource base of approximately 925 million barrels of oil and a gross production capacity of approximately 250,000 barrels of oil per day.

Current production at the Liza Phase 1 development is 130,000 barrels of oil per day, ahead of its original gross nameplate capacity, and this is expected to in-

4

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

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

Suicide: Public Health Issue

W

e should continue educating ourselves about suicide, which is an unfortunate phenomenon that had caused Guyana to be labelled “suicide capital of the world”. This dubious distinction was not due to the infamous Jonestown mass suicide in what consumed the lives of over 909 persons, but to numbers compiled by the World Health Organisation. While there were some questions about those numbers, which did come down from the 44/100,000 the following year to be in line with previous years, a figure in the high 30s per 100,000 keeps Guyana near the top of the charts, which is totally unacceptable.

Suicide became a noticeable issue from the beginning of Indian Indentureship, when the rate of suicide rose from approximately 6/100,000 in the North India districts from which they were brought by a factor of one hundred times.

While suicide is an observed phenomenon in all social groups, in Guyana, Indian-Guyanese remain the main victims, with their rates almost 10 times the next closest ethnic group. This was confirmed in a 1999 study by Centre for Economic and Social Research for Action (CESRA). In 2001, the Ministry of Health declared suicide as a Public Health issue, and launched several initiatives within a “National Suicide Prevention Strategy” to deal with it. The then Minister of Health, Leslie Ramsammy, indicated that the programme would be coordinated by the Ministry of Health; would involve the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, the Education Ministry and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

In 2009 a very grassroots-oriented “Gateskeeper Programme” was launched to train individuals in communities to be aware of signs of suicide risks, and to make interventions with the aim of directing the identified persons to professionals.

He also mentioned that UG had introduced a three-year Master’s Programme in Mental Health to produce specialists for treating mental illness, of which suicide is deemed a subset. Since then, there have been other interventions, but the suicide rate rose inexorably to the 2012 high, from where it has not budged significantly.

In 2012, the WHO had issued a desiderata as to what ought to be done by the authorities, which bears repetition: “We need to (1) continue to research suicide and nonfatal suicidal behaviour, addressing both risk and protective factors; (2) develop and implement awareness campaigns with the aim of increasing awareness of suicidal behaviours in the community, incorporating evidence on both risk and protective factors (3) target our efforts not only to reduce risk factors, but also to strengthen protective factors, especially in childhood and adolescence; (4) train health care professionals to better understand evidence-based risk and protective factors associated with suicidal behaviour (5) combine primary, secondary and tertiary prevention (6) increase use of and adherence to treatments shown to be effective in treating diverse conditions; and to prioritise research into effectiveness of treatments aimed at reducing self-harm and suicide risk (7) increase the availability of mental health resources, and to reduce barriers to accessing care (8) disseminate research evidence about suicide prevention to policy makers at international, national and local levels (9) reduce stigma and promote mental health literacy among the general population and health care professionals (10) reach people who don’t seek help, and hence don’t receive treatment when they are in need of it (11) ensure sustained funding for suicide research and prevention (12) influence governments to develop suicide prevention strategies for all countries, and to support the implementation of those strategies that have been demonstrated to save lives.”

While we are still battling the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have stretched our human and material resources, we cannot afford to let up on the fight against suicide.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, and Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett on Thursday at the High-Level Meeting of the General Assembly to assess the implementation of the New Urban Agenda

Elon Musk’s purchase may very well kill Twitter as we know it …But there are much more productive conversations to be had about the future of the Internet than handwringing over the possible demise of a private company

By Nanjala Nyabola

E

lon Musk has struck a deal to buy Twitter.

After several weeks of ambiguity about whether or not he would join the Board or remain an investor, on April 25, 2022, the world’s second-richest man reached a deal with the Board of the 15th most popular social networking site in the world, triggering a wave of anxiety among users about what the future holds for the platform. Will Twitter be fundamentally altered? Will the site even survive Musk ownership?

Musk claims the objective of the purchase is to secure the site’s role as a “digital town square where matters vital to the future of democracy are debated”. For fans of Musk’s combative and problematic approach to both politics and business, it has been a moment of celebration. For those who have been encouraging Twitter to do more to protect users from individual and collective harm, it is a disappointing moment that may signal the unravelling of many key initiatives that have been put in place to protect them.

Regardless of which side of the conversation you are on, this is, without doubt, a make-or-break moment for Twitter.

On paper, the level of interest shown in the sale of Twitter far outweighs the site’s commercial significance. Globally, Twitter doesn’t even crack the top 10 of the most popular so-

cial networking sites in the world, far outpaced even by relative newcomers like Tiktok. Twitter, the company, has only declared positive revenue twice in its entire history – in 2018 and 2019 – and in other years relies on metrics like engagement or growth in number of users to convince investors that it is worth keeping.

The site has also been criticised for its mishandling of misinformation, particularly when disseminated by prominent people like former US President Donald Trump.

However, Twitter has a very specific and crucial cache that allows it to punch above its weight. It is the preferred platform for Journalists and Government representatives, particularly diplomats, two key constituencies whose participation in the site allows it to penetrate beyond those who are actually registered as users.

These are people that people listen to, and the site has only expanded their ability to organise and influence audiences. Both groups rely on the site not just to broadcast their work, but increasingly it has become their actual work. Diplomats are debating and even berating each other about their stances on the war in Ukraine on Twitter. It means something that in the middle of a war both Russian and Ukrainian diplomats are not only maintaining an active presence on the site but also engaging with each other and using the site’s inbuilt capabilities to try and sway public

opinion on the conflict. For Journalists, Twitter has become a way to build audiences and to measure reach, thereby circumventing the challenges of slashed newsroom budgets and saturated media markets. Twitter matters to people whose opinions matter, and that matters.

In my own research, I refer to two effects that give the site expanded reach because of the presence of what I call “super users” – people who have large audiences offline and whose presence on social networks has a significant impact on analogue conversations. The first is the network effect, which is essentially the weighted impact of two super users engaging with each other and amplifying their content within each other’s networks. The network effect is the ability of super users to leverage each other’s networks to intensify the impact of their messages.

It’s one thing for former US President Barack Obama to tweet a playlist for the summer: it is another thing altogether for him to engage in a public conversation with one of the artists on that playlist. That conversation draws both their audiences together and this expands the reach of their engagement by enormous orders of magnitude.

The second is the amplification effect, which occurs when traditional media pick up tweets and rebroadcast them onto television, radio or newspapers not as context to the news but as the news itself. This, for exam-

ple, is what gave former US President Donald Trump particular media power. It was not just that he was tweeting, but also that all of the world’s leading media houses reported on his tweets as if they were a news beat on their own, thereby expanding their impact beyond the users of the site.

In 2020, one study identified Trump as the number one source of misinformation on the COVID-19 pandemic in the world, going as far as affecting the popularity of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment alternative in countries like Uganda.

This was not just because of what he was saying on the site, but also because what he was saying on the site was then rebroadcast, analysed, and amplified around the world as news. The amplification effect means that Twitter is not just a place where news is reported but also where news is made, and a space where traditional media houses all over the world actually collect information that will then be rebroadcast into even the homes of those who do not have Twitter accounts.

It is perhaps this cache that makes Twitter a particularly tantalising morsel for Musk, who styles himself as a free-speech radical and has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the site’s recent crackdowns on unfettered free speech. (Al Jazeera) (Nanjala Nyabola is a political analyst and the author of "Digital Democracy, Analogue Politics".)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

5

News

SEN Unit closes off Autism Awareness Month with Acceptance Outreach

National SEN Officer Savvie Hopkinson

T

he Special Education Needs (SEN) Unit of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) closed off Autism Awareness Month 2022 with an Acceptance Outreach held at its office in Kingston, Georgetown on Thursday.

National SEN Officer Savvie Hopkinson said that the activities held during the outreach were aimed at accelerating the formation of the desired attitudes, bringing about changes, and producing actions beneficial to members of the local population who have SEN or live with disabilities, especially those on the autism spectrum.

Head of Curriculum, Omwattie Ramdin

She said that the event provided the opportunity to furnish information to members of the public and available services to persons with disabilities. The event featured an information booth, teaching and learning resources, and highlights on autism and how to become more accepting of persons affected.

Representatives of the Regional Special Education Needs and Disability Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, including its Coordinator, Keon Cheong, were also present to conduct an assessment and evaluative procedures for children.

The Step-by-Step Foundation, which serves and supports children on the

autism spectrum, also participated to provide information and guidance.

The Health Ministry also partnered with the Education Ministry on Thursday to provide ear and eye testing services.

Head of Curriculum, Omwattie Ramdin prior to declaring the event open said that the day must come when there was no longer a need for awareness activities as there would be greater acceptance by society.

She said that she was very proud of the SEN Unit and the work done to help learners who have Special Educational Needs and to bring awareness to autism and other learning disabilities.

Learners being engaged during Thursday’s event

Sadly, the PNC has been left behind Dear Editor, The rapid pace of development taking place in Guyana has suddenly taken the PNC by storm, and it is left behind. The momentum is too great for the main Opposition, that somehow, it seems stuck in time. In this regard, its members are now nitpicking at any avail-

able matter that seems to give them some sense of relevance.

I am talking about development in the infrastructural realm, in healthcare, agriculture, and foreign investment; all of the foregoing has been progressing by leaps and bounds.

These massive developmen-

Yes, let us celebrate Indian Heritage Month in May Hello Editor, I fully support Dr Devanand Bhagwan’s suggestion to declare the month of May Indian Heritage Month.

As he pointed out, we celebrate Black History Month, and we should, considering the history of our African brothers and sisters in the country. We also celebrate Amerindian Heritage Month in September. Therefore, we should also have a month to celebrate the history of the Indians in the country.

The Indian religious and cultural organisations in the

country should immediately put programmes in place to celebrate Indian history and culture for this coming month. How about the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Arya Samaj mandirs, and the Indian Action Committee (IAC) immediately having programmes organised for the next few weeks?

I commend Dr Bhagwan for taking this initiative, since he is a Christian and has seen this need.

Yours sincerely, Tulsi Ram Singh

tal strides have made giant inroads on our landscape, and it has left the poorly-equipped PNC grovelling in the dust to catch up with something of relevance.

But before that party could gather some degree of importance as a decent and viable Opposition, it has to first fix the glaring indifferences that presently exist within its ranks. For starters, it has to address the lack of support that a wide cross-section of the party has for its leadership.

From all indications, most of the members of the party are slowly and imperceptibly withdrawing their support (if ever they had) from him. This 30% leader has made so many enemies within his own party that even the minority who see him filling that position are uneasy with what he is doing. Poor soul!

He is blowing hot air on all major matters of state, from that call for the removal of the GECOM Chairman to the appointment of the acting Police Commissioner; in all these major landmark

issues, his party lacks strong and effective leadership.

Wherever it matters most for the effective strengthening of democracy, Mr Norton seeks to undermine it. Even the main issue, which at a surface value seems to be an oversight on the part of the PPP/C; that is: the confirmation of the Chief Justice and Chancellor, is not something of their making, but something that the PPP/C has instituted. Rather, it is the politicising of these appointments, which is something done by the PNC itself, that has made the confirmation of the justices a problem.

So, where does that leave us? I dare say we are burdened with a bedraggled bunch who do not know whether they are coming or going. It is certainly not looking good for them, because, as the momentum of development grows and the rift within that party widens, the support that party might have had would dwindle to nothingness.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Friday, April 29, 2022

02:00 03:31 05:00 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 14:03 14:30 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 23:00 23:30 00:00

Movie - Queen Of Spades (2021) Movie - To Catch a Spy (2021) TVG's Ramadan Special Inspirational Time Cartoons Evening News (RB) Stop Suffering Pioneer Woman Stay Woke House Hunter Renovation Paternity Court Divorce Court Movie - Secretariat (2010) The Thundermans S2 E10 The Evermoor Chronicles S1 E6 Indian Soaps Lost in Space S2 E7 The Young & The Restless CNN The Evening News Stop Suffering For Better or Worse S5 E5 Friday Night Smackdown The Ranch S3 E2 Whose Line Is It Anyway? S11 E19 Movie - The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard (2021)

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄ Nail Tissue paper Clear glue Aluminium foil Glitter or sparkly sequins

I

n this fun and easy engineering science experiment, we’re going to design and build a homemade kaleidoscope.

can

Materials: Empty Pringles potato chip Spray adhesive Construction paper Hammer

Instructions: Spray the construction paper with spray adhesive.

Cover the entire sheet with an even level of glitter.

Once dried, roll the paper with the glitter side inwards and slide it into the Pringles can.

Tack the paper down with glue if necessary and cut off an excess that is sticking from the can.

Use the hammer and nail to punch a hole in the center of the bottom of the can.

Use the clear glue to cover the inside lid of the Pringles can with sequins and glitter.

Tear up bits of different coloured tissue paper and glue to the outside of the Pringle lid.

Once everything is dry, put the lid on the can and find some light to enjoy your kaleidoscope.

Twist the lid to enjoy the changing effect.

Note: Never point your kaleidoscope directly at the sun.

How it works: This simple kaleidoscope works by reflecting light. Light travels in a straight line. When light bumps into something it

changes direction. If light bumps into something shiny that is flat like a mirror, it reflects back in the direction it came from. In our experiment, the reflective surfaces bounce the light back in a lot of different angles creating the kaleidoscope effect.

Make this a science project: Try punching the hole in an area that is not centred. (sciencefun.org)

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardour and diligence” – Abigail Adams

CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY

PROSPERO Being once perfected how to grant suits, How to deny them, who to advance and who To trash for overtopping, new created The creatures that were mine, I say, or changed 'em, Or else new form'd 'em; having both the key Of officer and office, set all hearts i' the state To what tune pleased his ear; that now he was The ivy which had hid my princely trunk, And suck'd my verdure out on't. Thou attend'st not.

MIRANDA O, good sir, I do.

PROSPERO I pray thee, mark me.

I, thus neglecting worldly ends, all dedicated To closeness and the bettering of my mind With that which, but by being so retired, O'er-prized all popular rate, in my false brother Awaked an evil nature; and my trust, Like a good parent, did beget of him A falsehood in its contrary as great As my trust was; which had indeed no limit, A confidence sans bound.

He being thus lorded, Not only with what my revenue yielded, But what my power might else exact, like one Who having into truth, by telling of it, Made such a sinner of his memory,

To credit his own lie, he did believe He was indeed the duke; out o' the substitution And executing the outward face of royalty, With all prerogative: hence his ambition growing-Dost thou hear?

MIRANDA Your tale, sir, would cure deafness.

PROSPERO To have no screen between this part he play'd And him he play'd it for, he needs will be Absolute Milan. Me, poor man, my library Was dukedom large enough: of temporal royalties He thinks me now incapable; confederates-So dry he was for sway-wi' the King of Naples To give him annual tribute, do him homage, Subject his coronet to his crown and bend The dukedom yet unbow'd--alas, poor Milan!-To most ignoble stooping.

MIRANDA O the heavens!

PROSPERO Mark his condition and the event; then tell me If this might be a brother.

MIRANDA I should sin To think but nobly of my grandmother: Good wombs have borne bad sons.

PROSPERO Now the condition.

The King of Naples, being an enemy To me inveterate,

hearkens my brother's suit; Which was, that he, in lieu o' the premises Of homage and I know not how much tribute, Should presently extirpate me and mine Out of the dukedom and confer fair Milan With all the honours on my brother: whereon, A treacherous army levied, one midnight Fated to the purpose did Antonio open The gates of Milan, and, i' the dead of darkness, The ministers for the purpose hurried thence Me and thy crying self.

MIRANDA Alack, for pity!

I, not remembering how I cried out then, Will cry it o'er again: it is a hint That wrings mine eyes to't.

PROSPERO Hear a little further And then I'll bring thee to the present business Which now's upon's; without the which this story Were most impertinent.

MIRANDA Wherefore did they not That hour destroy us?

PROSPERO Well demanded, wench: My tale provokes that question. Dear, they durst not, So dear the love my people bore me, nor set A mark so bloody on the business, but With colours fairer painted their foul ends.

In few, they hurried

us aboard a bark, Bore us some leagues to sea; where they prepared A rotten carcass of a boat, not rigg'd, Nor tackle, sail, nor mast; the very rats Instinctively had quit it: there they hoist us, To cry to the sea that roar'd to us, to sigh To the winds whose pity, sighing back again, Did us but loving wrong.

MIRANDA Alack, what trouble Was I then to you!

PROSPERO O, a cherubim Thou wast that did preserve me.

Thou didst smile.

Infused with a fortitude from heaven, When I have deck'd the sea with drops full salt, Under my burthen groan'd; which raised in me An undergoing stomach, to bear up Against what should ensue.

MIRANDA How came we ashore?

PROSPERO

By Providence divine.

Some food we had and some fresh water that A noble Neapolitan, Gonzalo, Out of his charity, being then appointed Master of this design, did give us, with Rich garments, linens, stuffs and necessaries, Which since have steaded much; so, of his gentleness, Knowing I loved

WORD SEARCH

7 Govt working on single-window system for setting up business in Guyana – Foreign Secretary NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…as int’l investor complains of challenges

A section of the gathering at Thursday’s Diaspora Seminar

E

ven as Guyana encourages more foreign investments especially from the Guyanese Diaspora, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud has reassured investors that Government is working on a mechanism to enhance the ease of doing and setting up businesses in the country.

He made this remark on Thursday morning at an in-person and virtual seminar hosted by the Natural Resources Ministry in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry, under the theme “Opportunities for the Diaspora in Guyana’s New Economy”.

During the event, members of the Diaspora were told of the abundance of opportunities available here that they could tap into.

But one participant who has partnered with a member of the Guyanese Diaspora to set up a business here pointed out that

one of the major challenges for investors was the tedious task of doing business here.

“There are people who’d be willing to come back, but the big difficulty we have when we get here is actually getting organised, getting ourselves positioned here [and] going through all the rigmarole you have to go through. The banking system is unbelievably backward and all the [state] departments are underwater – you have to plough through puddles and mud to get to them.

“And you have to have every possible and considerable difficulty in getting back here at all. If you want to encourage people to work here, bring their money here, and do all the jobs they can do here, you gotta make it a bit easier for them,” the businessman stated.

In response, Guyana’s Foreign Secretary posited that Government has been working on making

Government agencies more investor-friendly as well as improving the way business is done in the country.

“What we’ve done, and which the President [Dr Irfaan Ali] has put a lot of emphasis, is in the issue of a single-window system – whereby, for instance, if you want to set up a business and need a number of permits or whatever paperwork is required, you go to a single-window arrangement.

So, a lot of effort is being put into that,” he stated.

Speaking to the issues raised about the local banking system, Persaud noted that Government has no control over that since the banking procedures were in compliance with the various anti-money laundering legislation and practices.

In fact, he stated that even Guyanese are frustrated with the stringent banking system practices in place.

Moreover, the Foreign Secretary outlined that of-

tentimes persons did not understand the systems in Guyana and were not even aware that many Government services, as well as information, have been moved online.

“Much more of that are going to be [done online]. So rather than you having to physically move from point A to point B, you can do that through the interface with a greater emphasis on e-governance,” Persaud said.

Additionally, it was pointed out that there were companies here such as the Guyana Logistics & Support Services (GLASS) that handle all domestic procedures for investors wanting to set up businesses here.

In its last report, the World Bank ranked Guyana 134 out of 190 countries in its Doing Business Report for 2020 as it relates to the ease of doing business.

During his presentation at Thursday’s Diaspora seminar, Persaud pointed out that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has embarked on a number of initiatives to enhance local participation in tapping into the opportunities available in new and traditional sectors in the country. Equally important, he stated, is tapping into the vast resources in the Guyanese Diaspora.

“These Guyanese, they possess skills that are badly needed in Guyana: capital; a lot of experience, and very importantly, the networking in terms of their connection and their ability to engage multinational large companies that have reach in many parts of the

Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud

world. And we’ve taken it as a priority to see how it is we can mobilise, reach out, and facilitate the Diaspora working very closely with Guyanese living here too,” he asserted.

According to the Foreign Secretary, bringing more members of the Diaspora here was not a disadvantage to Guyanese living here. In fact, he noted that it was estimated that within the next decade, Guyana will need another 100,000 skilled persons for the various sectors that are rapidly transforming.

“Why should we not look at the Diaspora where we have those skills and those Guyanese out there who can bring additional value to what is taking place in our country… [We want to look at] how it is we can enlarge those efforts in tapping into the Diaspora in terms of ensuring that they can have senior positions because we don’t only want Guyanese to be the cleaners, to be the handymen or to be menial labourers and say that

is local content… We want Guyanese to be in leadership positions as much as we want them to be owners and operators of services and companies,” Persaud stated.

Meanwhile, dubbing Guyana as the proverbial rose in the economic garden, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Paul Cheong declared that the time was right now for Guyanese investors in the Diaspora to focus on opportunities in the country, including in agriculture and infrastructure development.

“One of the good things about migrating from Guyana is the exposure you received living in a developed world… Those experiences gained now put you in good stead to return and make big contributions to our emerging Guyana…

Please focus and think about how you can utilise the skills, experience, and resources to play, you have to play your part in building a modern, sustainable Guyana,” Cheong stated.

8 NEWS Paul Slowe slapped with $70M libel suit over social media posts FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe

F

ormer Chairman of the Police Service C o m m i s s i o n (PSC), retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe, has been slapped with another multi-million-dollar libel suit. This time, the legal proceedings were instituted against him by acting Deputy Police Commissioner (Administration) Calvin Brutus.

In the action, filed on his behalf by Satram & Satram, Attorneys-at-Law, Brutus is seeking damages in excess of $70M for libel committed against him by Slowe late last year and in this year.

Brutus has deposed that, shortly after Slowe

was charged with three counts of sexual assault committed against a senior Policewoman, and with fraud, he created Facebook and YouTube pages for the “sole purpose” of attacking the character of officers investigating him for these offences, in an effort to prejudice the investigations.

Since the Facebook and YouTube pages have been created, Brutus said, Slowe regularly publishes and causes to be published defamatory materials about and concerning him.

According to Brutus, on or about November 2, 2021, Slowe caused certain defamatory words to be published about him via this Facebook page. The publication was shared 12 times, and attracted over 100 interactions in the form of reactions and comments. It continues to be viewable, complained Brutus, who has over two decades of service in the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Brutus has said that, on or about November 22, 2021, Slowe participated in a live video broadcast hosted on Facebook by US-based political commentator and ally of the APNU-AFC Opposition, Rickford Burke. During the broadcast, Brutus said, Slowe published and caused to be published defamatory words of and concerning

Senior Superintendent of Police, Calvin Brutus

Brutus, about 49:00 minutes into the said broadcast.

Brutus added that similar publications about him were made on December 22 and 29, 2021. He disclosed that another publication about him was made on or about January 5, via a live broadcast on Slowe’s Facebook page.

It was titled: “Speaking Exposing Corruption and Incompetence”.

Another such broadcast about him was made on January 12.

Brutus contends that, on each and every occasion, the statements by Slowe were “deliberate and actuated by malice”, and were published in “retaliation against the

criminal charges instituted against him”. He also contends that the statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, and by way of innuendo, mean that he is unqualified to hold the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police; unfit to be a member of the Police Force; unfit to serve in the rank; and is incompetent.

Brutus argues that the statements inferred that he was undermining the proper functioning of the Police Force; committed criminal offences punishable by imprisonment; abuses his power and office; is unfit to serve his country as a Police officer; is corrupt, unprofessional, dishonourable; and is a dishonest person and lacking in integrity.

By reason of the publication of the words complained of, Brutus submitted, his reputation has been, and continues to be, seriously injured. As a result, he deposed, he has suffered considerable hurt, distress, and embarrassment; is exposed to reputational injury and hurt; has been, and continues to be, demeaned in the eyes of right-thinking members of the public; and has been, and continues to be, demeaned in the eyes of his peers and subordinate ranks of the Police Force.

TURN TO PAGE 10

Stoking the embers...

O

…of empire ur President Ali just had a meeting with British PM Boris Johnson, while he (Ali) was in London to court British investors. Back in the (colonial) day, there was a West India lobby that touted investments into our sugar-dominated economy, which were invariably backstopped by the colonial government!! But today, our political leaders have to beat our own bushes, so it’s a good thing our newfound oil might be seen as a modern day back-stopper!!

Anyhow, there was President Ali, hobnobbing with Boris at 11 Downing - sharing drinks and posing for pics in the drawing room. Sign of the times, no? Was a time when our leaders weren’t even given the time of the day from British PMs. Save for when they might be suspending our constitution and ousting elected governments (Churchill in 1953), or conspiring with the Yanks for a repeat performance a decade later (Macmillan and Kennedy in 1960s). But both Britain and our fortunes have since changed.

Johnson comes across as a long-in-the-tooth party frat boy - and not only because of his carefully tousled hair!!

Once a journalist, and then Mayor of London, he just can’t seem to shake his predilection for having a good time! For months, he’s been trying to ride out the national scandal of him partying in and out of 11 Downing during the COVID lockdown. While the masses were busted for much less infractions. That hasn’t gone away, but the Russian invasion of Ukraine gave him a godsent opportunity to deflect the national attention!!

He’s seized it with both hands, and has become the most hawkish “saving” the Ukrainians from Putin! The irony that his Brexit “master stroke” pandered to rising British nativism against “furriners” like those same Ukrainians is lost. And what’s the downside of fighting the Ruskies in another country - without sending any of his countrymen, as in WWI and WWII?? It’s a win-win all around - especially when some of the weapons supplied to Ukraine will be manufactured by British firms!!

Anyhow, if you look behind Boris and Irfaan (first names seem to be natural for these two leaders!) pic, you’ll see a portrait of the ultra-imperialist and ex-British PM Winston Churchill. He just happens to be the great hero of Boris, who’s done his darnedest to imitate him. Boris seems not to mind WWIII being precipitated in Ukraine, since this would just burnish his Churchillian credentials! He knows his subject well - having written a bio, The Churchill Factor.

As such, Boris is a journalist, writer, heavy drinker, dropping bon-mots, and even occasionally chomping on a cigar!! He just visited India to smooch Modi.

Is cultivating Ali part of the plan?? …food insecurity A report was just released by a UN agency and Caricom, declaring that “food insecurity” has increased in the “English-speaking Caribbean”. “Food insecurity”, we’re informed, is “the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.”

The report includes Guyana, but your Eyewitness wishes the figures had been disaggregated. Not that he doesn’t believe there are Guyanese who might be experiencing this condition, but he really doesn’t think it’s too widespread.

Overall, we’ve been classified as a “food secure” nation, so it’s possible we may have a distribution rather than a production problem. The Government has taken a stab at addressing this condition with its facilitation of “Farmers Markets” at various locations across the country. By cutting out the middlemen, the prices to consumers should be lower. Another contributory factor is the disappearance of “kitchen gardens”. This used to be a standard practice not so long ago.

But today, everyone wants to shop in supermarkets even for vegetables which everybody used to produce!! …of hunger?

The report said, “30% of respondents skipped meals or ate less than usual, and 5% went an entire day without eating in the week leading up to the survey.”

Was this survey conducted during the Lent, Navratri, Ramadan period?

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

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

NEWS

9

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 5 outreach

Govt explores new housing model to assist persons with construction of low-income homes – VP Jagdeo

…says oil revenues will be used to transform health care, agriculture, education sectors

accelerated its national housing programme through the allocation of lands and the construction of low-income, moderate-income and young professional homes for citizens.

Under the construction initiative, the Housing and Water Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is constructing a total of 350 two-bedroom elevated homes in Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown; 100 two-bedroom flat units in Prospect, East Bank Demerara (EBD); 100 two-bedroom flat units in Williamsburg, Region Six; and 40 two-bedroom elevated units in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the residents of De Edward Village

A

new housing programme is currently being explored which will see persons who are currently financially unable to construct their homes but have available plots of land being provided with assistance by the Government.

This was disclosed on Wednesday during a community meeting at Dundee, Mahaicony by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.

While highlighting the strides the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has made in the housing sector since assuming office in August 2020, VP Jagdeo related, “The State is willing, the Government is willing to intervene and assist with that too, to help those who

may not have the capital at the beginning, but want to get their homes built.

“We’re now exploring a model where we may be able to do this, not just in the housing schemes, but for individuals who already own their plots of land, to extend that into those communities and get the construction done on your own plots of land and then they take a mortgage and the Government recovers its money.”

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali at the beginning of this year announced that the Government would be constructing 1000 houses utilising 100 per cent local wood, as part of its efforts to provide affordable homes to Guyanese.

The Administration has

Residents of D’Edward Village at the meeting

TURN TO PAGE 14

10 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

4 men for sentencing today for murder, manslaughter and rape

Killed: Dane Jerrick

F

our men are scheduled to be sentenced today, Friday, April 29; two for the capital offence of murder, one for manslaughter, and the other for rape and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Earlier this month, Stafrei Alexander and Owen Belfield were found guilty of the 2015 murder of Richard Remington, late resident of Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice). These two men had been on trial for the offence before Demerara High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds and a 12-member mixed jury.

Alexander, called “Ratty” and “Mad Dog”, and

Belfield had initially pleaded not guilty to the joint indictment, which stated that they murdered 44-year-old Richard Remington between February 8 and 12, 2015 in the county of Demerara.

Following deliberations, which went late into the night of April 1, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts for both men. As such, they were further remanded to prison, pending sentencing, to allow for the compilation of probation reports in their favour and for victim impact statements.

During the trial, the duo was represented by Attorney-at-Law Adrian Thompson, while Senior State Counsel Seeta Bishundial had appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh had testified that Remington was shot twice to his right-side temple. He gave the man’s cause of death as gunshot injuries to the head.

Remington’s decomposed remains were found in a clump of bushes along a track in the vicinity of Matthews Lane/ Cholmondeley Hill in Christianburg, Linden. The now dead man’s relatives had told the Police that he had left his home three days

Convicted Alexander

killer

Stafrei

before his body was discovered. They had also opined that he might have been lured into the bushy spot by someone he had known.

Alexander, who is serving a life sentence for attempted murder and is awaiting trial for another murder, was among several high-profile inmates who escaped when a fire destroyed the Camp Street prison back in 2017.

Manslaughter

Businessman Junior France, who was found guilty of fatally shooting 17-year-old Dane Jerrick on May 17, 2020, will also be sentenced today. The 44-year-old France was ini-

Convicted killer Junior France

Convicted killer Owen Belfield

Convicted Semple

tially indicted for the murder of the teen, but following a trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow in the Essequibo High Court, the jury had found him guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter.

During his trial, France, a remand prisoner, was represented by Attorneysat-Law Nigel Hughes and Ronald Daniels, while Senior State Counsel Tiffini Lyken had appeared for the prosecution.

It was reported that at about 03:30h on the day in question, at Puruni Landing, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Jerrick was shot in the lower back by the businessman.

The teen’s uncle had told Guyana Times that family members were told that his nephew and a driver had had an argument, which had quickly escalated into a scuffle, during which Jerrick had attempted to escape the blows, but someone in the crowd had identified him as a thief.

The businessman, who was in close proximity to the scene, had reportedly drawn his weapon and shot Jerrick. It was reported that after the shooting, an angry mob had stormed the businessman’s shop and carted off a quantity of goods. The mob had even attempted to burn the building down, but had managed only to scorch a section of the shop.

found guilty of assaulting and raping a Venezuelan woman, will be sentenced today by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Sexual Offences Court in Demerara.

On the charge which alleged that he sexually penetrated the woman against her will between February 24 and 25, 2021, the jury returned a guilty verdict in the proportion of 10-two.

On the assault charge, they found him unanimously guilty.

Following the verdicts, the convict was further remanded, pending sentencing.

State Counsels Muntaz Ali and Nafeeza Baig had appeared for the prosecution, while Semple was represented by Attorney-atLaw Everton Singh-Lammy.

The facts stated that, around 22:30h on the day in question, Semple drove up alongside the woman, who was standing in front of a hotel in Georgetown. The two of them began conversing, during which Semple agreed to pay her $10,000 to have sex with him. The woman left with Semple, and was transported to his Tucville, Georgetown home.

Upon arrival, she sat on a bed and smoked a cigarette.

They then engaged in sexual intercourse. During the sex act, the condom broke, resulting in the woman having to replace it. While doing so, she told Semple that he only had 15 minutes remaining, and that if he did not finish within that time, she would leave. Semple re-

plied by telling her “Okay”, before leaving for the kitchen.

Upon his return, he grabbed the woman by her hair, placed a knife to her neck, removed the condom from his penis, and forced the woman to perform oral sex on him. When the woman stopped performing the act on him, Semple dealt her several slaps to her face.

At this point, she requested to have a drink of water. When Semple turned his back, the woman escaped through a glass window in a naked condition.

Semple ran behind her, again grabbed her by her hair and dealt her several stabs with a knife. When the woman held onto the weapon, Semple lashed her about her body with a tube that was filled with cement.

To get away from Semple, the woman jumped a fence and began crying out for help. Persons came to her rescue. Shortly after, Police arrived at the scene and arrested Semple.

The injured woman was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was treated for lacerations about her body, and fractured ribs, among other injuries.

After the offences were put to him and he was cautioned in accordance with the Judge’s Rules, Semple replied: “Officer, I had sex with her. I paid her for the service, and she refused to do what I asked… and I assaulted her in her face with a PVC [polyvinyl chloride] pipe”.

Rape

37-year-old taxi driver Thurston Semple, who was

rapist

Thurston

Paul Slowe slapped...

FROM PAGE 8

According to Brutus, the statements were calculated to, and did in fact, cause his authority to be questioned. He said Slowe uttered those words knowing they were false, and he added that the utterances were “calculated” to disparage him, and were intentionally done to, and did, embarrass, humiliate, and injure his reputation and standing in his profession and office.

In consequence of the said publication, Brutus complains, his reputation

has been seriously harmed, and he has suffered considerable hurt, embarrassment, distress, and anxiety.

He said that, in support of his claim for damages, including aggravating damages, he would rely on the fact that the publications remain accessible on the World Wide Web; and he was never offered an apology by Slowe, who has challenged him to take him to court.

Unless restrained by the court, Brutus submit-

ted, Slowe would further publish the same or similar defamatory statements.

As such, he is asking the court for an injunction restraining Slowe, whether by himself, his servants, his agents or employees, or otherwise howsoever, from further speaking or publishing the same or any similar defamatory matters about him.

Brutus is also seeking an order compelling Slowe to remove the defamatory publications from the internet.

NEWS

11

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 new COVID cases detected in 24h T

he Health Ministry on Thursday reported that 10 new COVID-19 infections were reported during a 24-hour period. This now takes the total number of active cases that are being monitored to 106.

Statistics showed that no patient is in the Intensive Care Unit, 99 are in home isolation, none is in institutional isolation, and seven are in institutional quarantine.

There are 62,130 recoveries from the 29,219 males and 34,238 females who had tested positive for the virus.

A total of 594,884 COVID-19 tests have been carried out since the virus was first detected here. However, the

Health Ministry has said there were no new fatalities, and the death toll remains at 1228.

The world has experienced COVID-19 as a pandemic, meaning several countries have experienced large amounts of cases in different waves. This can change into an epidemic, and later an endemic.

Health Minister Dr Anthony explained on Thursday: “What I think a lot of the scientists are hoping for is that we’ll be able to move COVID-19 from being a pandemic to one where it is going to be endemic, meaning that it would be in a few places. It would still exist, but it would be in a few places. In most coun-

tries, it would be properly controlled.”

For countries to reach that point, he advised, a significant percentage of the population should be vaccinated to achieve immunity. A challenge to consider, however, is that emerging variants can break through the protection of vaccines.

He added, “We’ll have to have stronger tracking.

Apart from doing the regular tracking of diseases and hospitalisation, we’ll have to do genomic surveillance to be able to see whether there are newer, fitter varieties of variants that are emerging, and what would be the clinical manifestation of these variants. If we’re able to do that in real-time, then

24-year-old wanted for murder of Sophia labourer

Wanted: Denzel Haynes

Dead: Yardan Jacobs

olice on Thursday issued a wanted bulletin for 24-year-old Denzil Haynes, for questioning in relation to the murder of 27-year-old Yardan Jacobs.

Haynes’s last

known address is Lot ‘T’ 67 North Sophia, Georgetown.

Jacobs, a labourer of North Sophia, Georgetown, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, almost two weeks after he was shot in

P

his community at around midnight on April 16, while hanging out with a group of persons at the Tanary Area in the community. Jacobs’s cousin Steve Bacchus was also shot during the incident.

Reports are that Jacobs had gotten into an argument with an individual, and Bacchus had subsequently intervened, causing the suspect to whip out a firearm and discharge several rounds in the direction of the duo before fleeing the scene in an unknown direction.

Anyone who has information about the whereabouts of the suspect is kindly asked to contact the POLICE on 229-2700, 2292219, 229-2557, 226-6978, 225-8196, 911, or at the nearest Police station.

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD APRIL 28, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

10

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

0

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

99

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

0

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

10

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,238

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,219

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

63,457

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

62,130

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

2519

REGION 2

2497

REGION 3

8065

REGION 4

31,390

REGION 5

2381

REGION 6

5788

REGION 7

2423

REGION 8

886

REGION 9

4036

REGION 10

3472

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN BE SAFE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Wear a face mask.

440,194 339,446

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1228

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

Wash your hands or use handsanitizer If you have any symptoms, call the COVID-19 Hotline.

GET MEDICAL ADVICE ON COVID-19 FROM MOH 24/7 HOTLINE NUMBERS: 2311166; 226 7480; 624 6674; 624 2819; 624 3067 OR 180/181.

we’ll be able to prevent outbreaks.”

Adult vaccination statistics show 440,194 first doses, or 85.8 per cent; and 339,446-second doses, or 66.2 per cent. In terms of the 12-to- 17 age category, the coverage still lags, with 47.4 per cent for first doses and 34.6 per cent for second doses. Additionally, booster doses account for 62,218 shots.

Guyana is still listed as an Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) country under the COVAX mechanism, allowing accessibility to vaccines. Presently, Sinopharm, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson shots are available.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, they are asked to con-

tact the COVID-19 Hotline: 231-1166, 226-7480, or 6246674, immediately, or visit www.health.gov.gy.

Global figures show that almost 509.5 million people have tested positive for the virus, and 6.2 million have died. In the Americas, more than 152.7 confirmed cases have been reported, and over 2.7 million persons have died.

12 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 29,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

men charged ExxonMobil pumps $20M ECD with drunk driving into VYC STEM programme

ExxonMobil Guyana Production Manager Mike Ryan provided an overview of ExxonMobil’s operations in Guyana to more than 70 students of participating schools

E

xxonMobil Guyana has contributed more than $20 million to the Volunteer Youth Corps Inc. (VYC) for the continuation of its STEM After-school Programme in Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The handover was done recently by ExxonMobil Guyana’s

Production Manager Mike Ryan to VYC’s Chief Executive Officer Goldie Scott at their Durban Backlands office.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the partnership between ExxonMobil Guyana and VYC Inc. “This is the longest-running programme we have supported to date. Our longterm support is a testament

to the VYC’s development, and the adaptability of the programme to the changing needs of the community,” Ryan expressed.

Meanwhile, Scott indicated that the funding from ExxonMobil Guyana has allowed the NGO “to be much more secure, and ensure that the programme is consistent in providing after-school ser-

vices to children. We have grown from about three teachers to close to 30 teachers in the programme, and moved from 100 to 700 children year-round.”

VYC will continue to support its 700 students across 18 high schools. The grades seven to 11 students will receive instruction for several subjects two to three days per week. Additionally, students will benefit from STEM seminars and Robotics’ workshops.

More than 5,000 students have received free after-school lessons and supportive services during the decade-long partnership.

The donation pushed ExxonMobil Guyana’s contributions to the VYC to some $113 million (US$565,000) since the collaboration began in 2012.

Volunteer Youth Corps Inc. is a non-governmental and non-profit organisation that has existed for 25 years, providing quality health, education and social services to children and youth.

Andy Sugrim

Mahendra Arjune

wo East Coast Demerara (ECD) men will be arraigned in court shortly on separate drunk driving charges.

In the first case, Police said, Andy Sugrim, 33, of Rebecca’s Rust, Mahaicony, ECD, was caught driving under the influence on the Mahaica Public Road, ECD. When Police ranks performed breathalyser tests on him, he failed both of them.

In the first test, his breath alcohol content (BAC) was .168%. In the second reading, it was .124%.

As such, he was charged

and processed to attend the Mahaica Magistrate’s Court.

In the second case, Police said, 27-year-old Mahendra Arjune of Haslington Housing Scheme, ECD was charged with the offence of driving under the influence on the access road in that community.

He, too, was breathalysed, and the first and second readings were .296%BAC and .308BAC, respectively. He will be arraigned at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court.

T

NEWS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Several injured following 3-vehicle smash-up at Uitvlugt

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report from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has said that ranks of Regional Division #3 are investigating a serious accident that occurred on Thursday, and has left several persons injured.

The accident reportedly occurred at about 08:15h on the Uitvlugt Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD), and involved minibus BYY 588, driven by a 37-year-old of Hague Old Road, WCD; motorcar PPP 9731, driven by Sharaz Wahab, 48, of Ocean View Uitvlugt, WCD; and an unregistered motor Grader, driven by Rajnarine Persaud, 45, of Philadelphia, East Bank Essequibo.

Based on reports received, the minibus driver, conductor, and several pas-

The accident that occurred at Uitvlugt

sengers sustained injuries to their bodies.

The report stated that the unregistered motor Grader was proceeding along the Uitvlugt Public Road while motorcar PPP 9731 was heading in the

same direction.

Minibus BYY 588, which was also proceeding in the said direction, attempted to overtake the car, allegedly at a fast rate of speed, when its left-side rear collided with the right-side front of

the car.

The driver of the minibus then lost control of the vehicle, and it further collided into the right-side rear of the grader before toppling.

The driver, conductor and several passengers

were taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where they were treated and subsequently transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

One of the passengers, Tiffany Harry-Peters, has been referred to the Public

Hospital Georgetown. She has reportedly been admitted a patient there.

Breathalyzer tests were administered on the drivers, but there were no traces of alcohol in their systems. An investigation is ongoing.

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 29,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NGPC launches Biktarvy to treat Guyana's HIV patients been producing, they do a lot of great products. Therefore, whether it is HIV or in other areas, we see opportunities for partnership,” the Health Minister underscored.

The 2030 goal is to end the HIV epidemic: to have 95 per cent of people with HIV know their status, 95 per cent of persons on treatment and 95 per cent of patients on treatment virally suppressed.

In Guyana, 94 per cent of persons living with HIV have

Dr Frank Anthony

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ntiretroviral medication Biktarvy has now been introduced to the Guyanese health-care system for the treatment of HIV-1 patients, a move that is seen as a gamechanger.

NEW GPC Inc has continued its ongoing collaboration with Gilead Sciences – an American biopharmaceutical company – to introduce the drug.

Biktarvy is a fixed-dose combination antiretroviral prescription medicine for the treatment of adults and children infected with HIV1. It can be used by patients who are now being introduced to HIV medications, or people who are replacing their current HIV-1 medicines and whose health-care provider determines they meet certain requirements.

The three medicines in Biktarvy – Bictegravir, Emtricitabine, and Tenofovir Alafenamide – were designed to attack the virus immediately, thus lowering the amount of HIV in a patient’s blood to undetectable levels. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), many patients can get to undetectable levels as quickly as eight to 24 weeks when taking their treatment as prescribed.

At the launch on

for two to three days…When you look at Biktarvy and the drugs available now, the half-life is an incredible story,” Dr Ramgopal lauded.

He added, “Patients who are not virologically suppressed, 90 per cent are just not taking the medication appropriately, accurately, or there is something else going on with those patients. It is not a failure of the medications. It is very rare to see medications fail today.”

Infectious Diseases Specialist, Dr Moti Ramgopal

Gunman carts off over $700,000 after invading Anna Regina store

Thursday evening held at the Marriott Hotel, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony stated that Guyana has become dynamic for its robust HIV programme over the years by pushing boundaries with prevention and treatment.

According to him, Biktarvy is innovative and would be a good fit for the country's treatment regimen.

Biktarvy is not approved for paediatric use in Guyana.

“When you think about what we’re trying to do in the national programme, I think this launch nicely fits in the direction which we want to go. We’re also currently doing a revision of our treatment protocols and so, perhaps this comes at an appropriate occasion. We know from the products that Gilead has

identified their status, 70 per cent are on treatment and 87 per cent are virally suppressed.

Infectious Diseases Specialist, Dr Moti Ramgopal, who made a presentation on the epidemiology and clinical data, highlighted that stigma and discrimination still exist against those infected with HIV . Fortunately, he noted that the drugs created to treat HIV have been remarkably effective.

“The potency of our drugs, the half-life of our drugs are over 15 to 20 hours. Our binding capacity of medications are 30 to 40 hours, meaning these medications bind to the active site. Even if you miss a dose, that binding site is still active for two to three days.

The drug level is still there

The business place that was robbed on Thursday

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olice in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are on the hunt for a lone gunman who invaded a store at Anna Regina and carted off more than $700,000 in cash.

The incident occurred at 11:25h on Thursday at the ICON Technologies store which also houses a MoneyGram and Sure Pay outlet. During the ordeal, three workers were tied up and held at gunpoint.

The business is owned by 39-year-old Anand Narine,

who was not at the store when the incident took place.

According to Narine, the bandit entered the store around 11:25h under the pretext of paying a bill and held the staff at gunpoint in the cashier area.

He then reportedly ordered them not to raise an alarm, else he would pull the trigger.

“During the ordeal, a customer walked into the store and saw the bandit who was fully masked… he had on a

backpack and was wearing a cap and a hoodie. As the customer see him, she ran out of the store and raised an alarm,” the businessman stated.

Vendors at Anna Regina Market heard the screams and went to the store, but by then the bandit had already made his escape. The businessman explained that he later learned that the bandit escaped in a taxi.

Guyana Times understands that at the time of the robbery, it was raining.

Govt explores new housing...

Another 200 two-storey and flat units are being constructed at Providence, EBD and 150 more in Prospect.

Additionally, under the Core Home Support Initiative, 25 homes were constructed in Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), Region Three, while another 25 are under construction in Sophia, Greater Georgetown. These homes target low-income and vulnerable families who are only required to make a contribution of $100,000 towards the homes.

This year, $12.4 billion has been allocated for continued infrastructural development works in housing schemes, including the upgrading of 45.5 kilometres of roads in 31 existing housing areas across Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine and 10.

This is in keeping with Government’s commitment to deliver 50,000 house lots

to Guyanese by 2025.

Meanwhile, at De Edward, West Bank Berbice (WBB), the VP told residents that funds from the oil sector would go towards improving the educational system in the country which includes training persons and providing better facilities.

The focus will also be on the health sector with plans to construct six new hospitals including the much-needed specialty facility.

“This is for women and children with complicated cases so that we have the best care in the world right here in Guyana for the complicated cases. That hospital would be built in the Ogle area. The hinterland regions will have four major telemedicine facilities because you know of the distance in those regions – Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine. So, there would be a lot of money going to healthcare development; not just the infra-

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structure but the quality of services and training people to accommodate the expanded services,” the Vice President noted.

The oil revenues will also be used to transform Guyana’s infrastructure including the construction of a deep-water harbour and road network linking the coast to neighbouring Brazil and also a new road linking Moleson Creek to the Berbice River Bridge.

“The infrastructure rolled out across the country has to help to make our business community more competitive and also create the infrastructure of the future – not just social infrastructure but a physical infrastructure that would support a diversification policy.”

Further, the Vice President told residents that monies would also be expended on the diversification of the agriculture sector with special emphasis on non-traditional crops.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Young COVID patients to be GPHC refutes claims treated with Remdesivir that female patient was – Health Minister raped after surgery

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ith Remdesivir having been granted approval for treatment of young children infected with COVID, the Health Ministry said it intends to follow protocols in administering the drug to those patients who require the medication.

This week, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the antiviral Veklury (Remdesivir) as the first COVID-19 treatment for young children. The FDA has said, “Veklury is not a substitute for vaccination in individuals for whom COVID-19 vaccination and booster doses are recommended. The FDA has approved two vaccines, and three vaccines are available for emergency use, to prevent COVID-19 and the serious clinical outcomes associated with COVID-19, including hospitalisation and death.

The FDA urges the public to get vaccinated, and receive a booster when eligible.”

Previously, the medication was only given emergency use authorisation by the FDA. With this approval, healthcare professionals treating children under 12 who are at high risk for severe COVID can readily prescribe the drug.

Remdesivir had already been approved to treat persons over the age of 12.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony shared that it has been challenging to treat children with COVID,

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

noting that the drug has been useful for adults.

“We would have seen that, throughout this pandemic, it was difficult for us to be able to treat children.

Although generally children do have a milder form of the illness, there are cases sometimes when they do present with severe illnesses. It has been challenging in managing those patients.”

The Health Minister added, “In terms of the treatment with COVID, we have been using Remdesivir for some time now in the adult population. That has worked well…This is a good development, and we look forward to seeing how and when if we have these severe cases amongst children, we will follow the protocols that have been established to be able to treat them us-

ing Remdesivir.”

Molnupiravir is also accessible locally for COVID-19 treatment. The Government has been in communication with Pfizer to procure Paxlovid.

“Paxlovid is another medication made by Pfizer, but it’s more specific for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. This, too, has been quite effective,” the Minister outlined.

In March, Molnupiravir was approved for use in the treatment of COVID-19 cases in Guyana, targeting mainly patients with moderate symptoms, to prevent the development of severe disease. Produced

by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, oral medication has proven to significantly reduce both hospitalisations and deaths.

Duo arrested for allegedly selling ganja

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wo men are now in police custody after they were found with 260 grams of ganja in their possession on Wednesday.

Police have said that an intelligence-led operation was conducted at an alleged 'drug block' in Wismar, Linden at some time between 17:45 and 18:15h. During that operation, a search was conducted on a 45-year-old male of North East La Penitence, Georgetown, who was reportedly under surveillance for selling cannabis in the area.

The search unearthed $15,990 in cash, suspected to be from the sale of narcotics. A further search was conducted in the area, and a bulky black plastic bag was found with several transparent plastic bags containing cannabis.

The suspect allegedly denied ownership of the cannabis, and said it belongs to his

The ganja that was found in Wismar, Linden

uncle, a 58-year-old farmer of Train Line, Wismar.

At the time of the raid, the man’s uncle was sitting in the 'drug yard'. The 'uncle' was also arrested. The

cannabis was weighed in their presence and amounted to 260 grams. These men remain in custody, pending charges.

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woman who recently underwent surgery at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) has claimed that she was raped while recovering from the surgery. The woman reportedly told an online news agency that after regaining consciousness following the surgery, she discovered signs of sexual activity, and raised an alarm.

Immediately after, the city hospital launched a preliminary investigation, which did not show evidence of any sexual intercourse perpetrated on the woman.

Following the report, Head of Strategic Management and Communications, Chelauna Providence, explained to a section of the media that af-

ter the surgery, the patient’s sedation wore off and she reportedly discovered signs of sexual intercourse.

But the hospital is claiming that, due to the surgery the patient had undergone, there is a possibility that she would experience such signs. The hospital also claimed that the woman was never left unsupervised after the surgery, and, as such, rubbished the accusation.

No other information was divulged on the matter, due to its sensitivity.

A few years ago, a man was arrested after a teenage girl claimed that while she lay on a bed in the Female medical ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital, she was raped by a man,

who made his way into the ward after being allowed access by a security guard.

Prior to the alleged sexual intercourse on the hospital bed, the man and the girl were seen sitting and chatting. It is being alleged that the man showed up at the facility although the visiting hours had long passed.

The accused had claimed that he and the young lady were familiar with each other, and that they share a sexual relationship. The young lady, however, had denied that claim.

An alarm was raised by other patients who were in the ward and observed the sexual episode between the two. It was only when they raised an alarm that the young lady screamed.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese innovators get cash grants to boost businesses … with support from USAID and GTT

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nnovate Guyana, an initiative of the Guyana Economic Development Trust (GEDT), which supports innovation in science, technology, and agriculture, has announced the 2022 awards for two of its programmes: the Guyana Innovation Prize, and the Economic Development Accelerator (EDA).

The Innovation Prize award is fully funded by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), while the other is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Eastern and Southern Caribbean Mission.

Both programme cohorts began in 2021, and the innovators who signed on received robust training, technical support, and one-on-one coaching. The programmes are intended to help catapult innovative startups and existing businesses forward.

The Guyana Innovation Prize, which commenced in July of last year, saw an abundance of ideas submitted for acceptance to the programme. However, ultimately, three standout innovators advanced to the finals, and have each been awarded a US$10,000 grant to commercialise

their breakthrough ideas.

This programme has been offered annually since 2018, and is open to all Guyanese in Guyana.

The 2022 Guyana Innovation Prize awardees are Jubilante Cutting of Guyana Animation Network (GAN) and GAN Studios; Vickacy Williams of Aurora Technologies (decorative construction tiles made from plastic waste); and Lisa Dublin of EcoCarb GY (activated carbon to clean drinking water made from coconut waste).

CEO of GTT, Damian Blackburn, reaffirmed the company’s support for innovation in Guyana. He said, “Specific to growth and development in a country is innovation - a key customer promise of GTT to innovate for all in our country.

“As a company, we recognise that innovation goes beyond technology, and it includes skincare, agriculture, solid waste management and pharmaceuticals. I’d like to congratulate GEDT for this initiative, and the innovators for these really great concepts. I look forward to supporting what's to come for Guyana," he added.

The Economic Development Accelerator was developed specifically

to enhance existing, commercially successful, agriculturally manufactured products by supporting their growth through exports. A total of 43 products was submitted for the programme, which commenced in September 2021. Of that number, 15 agro-processors were shortlisted as finalists for the programme award, offered as a result of support from the USAID Eastern and Southern Caribbean Mission. These agro-processors benefited from training, technical assistance, and one-on-one coaching, in collaboration with international partners. Ultimately, 5 agro-processors would each receive a US$30,000 grant to accelerate exports, thereby supporting “Brand Guyana.”

The 2022 Economic Development Accelerator Awardees are Tasmin Pellew of Taz Foods (Cookup-in-a-Cup); Grace Parris of Asdel Foods (Prepared Packaged Pepperpot); Osric Hacker of Blue Ribbon Mfg. (Vanilla Extract); Dianna Plowell of Pleasurable Flavors (Shake N’ Fry Fish and Poultry Coating) and Dwayne Wade of Country Style Foods (Plantain Chips).

Regional Representative

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch and CEO of GEDT, Oslene Carrington, flanked by (from l-r) EDA awardees Dwayne Wade, Osric Hacker, Diana Plowell, Tasmin Pellew, and Grace Parris; GIP Awardees Lisa Dublin and Vickacy Williams, and representative of GIP Awardee Jubilante Cutting; Senior Manager, GTT Business Solutions Unit, Tanya Wilcott

for USAID Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Clinton D. White, related that small and growing businesses are the key to a growing economy.

He said that with training and the necessary assistance, Guyanese companies are leading the way in developing a stronger agro-processing sector in the Caribbean region.

“Small and growing businesses are key to Guyana’s economic devel-

opment. With world-class training and technical assistance provided under this initiative, these outstanding Guyanese companies are leading the way for developing a stronger agro-processing sector in the region,” he said.

CEO of GEDT, Oslene Carrington, congratulated the winners from both programmes, saying, “We Guyanese can succeed at important endeavours right in our home coun-

try, while making an impact in the world, with the necessary support and access. This is the mission of the Guyana Economic Development Trust, and our initiative, Innovate Guyana. We are thrilled to congratulate the awardees and all the participants in both programmes, and we look forward to continuing to support them as they shine and help put Guyana on the map with their innovations.”

Premier of British Virgin Islands, port director charged in Miami in cocaine smuggling scheme

The Premier of the British Virgin Islands, Andrew Alturo Fahie

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he Premier of the British Virgin Islands and the director of the small Caribbean territory’s ports were arrested on Thursday at a Miami-area airport by federal agents on charges of conspiring to import cocaine into the United States and money launder-

ing, according to U.S. authorities.

Andrew Alturo Fahie, BVI’s Premier, and Oleanvine Maynard, Manager- Director of the Port Authority, were taken into custody by Drug Enforcement Administration agents at Miami-Opa-locka Executive Airport.

The foreign officials were arrested after they met with undercover DEA agents posing as cocaine traffickers to check out an alleged shipment of $700,000 in cash on an airplane that they believed was destined for the British Virgin Islands, authorities told The Miami Herald. The DEA agents were posing as members of the Mexican Sinaloa cartel.

Both government officials, who were in Miami for a cruise convention, went to the airport on Thursday morning to see the alleged load of cash, after DEA agents told them that the money was a payoff for allowing the cartel’s future co-

caine loads to be transported through the British territory to the United States, authorities said.

The British territory, an archipelago, has a population of only 30,000 and is adjacent to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A third suspect, Kadeem Maynard, son of the BVI Port Director, was also arrested on Thursday in connection with the undercover DEA case, but not in Miami, authorities have said.

All three defendants were charged with conspiring to import more than five kilos of cocaine into the United States, and conspiring to commit money laundering. A DEA criminal complaint and affidavit were expected to be filed in Miami federal court on Thursday afternoon.

It was not immediately clear if any of the suspects had retained defence attorneys. This story will be updated as new information becomes available. (Miami Herald)

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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Continuous registration

GECOM to verify residency, cross-match fingerprints before producing ID cards

GECOM PRO Yolanda Ward

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s the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) pursues its continuous registration exercise, several verification mechanisms have been put in place to ensure registrants are providing accurate information as well as prevent double registration.

GECOM commenced the continuous registration process last month to update the List of Electors – potentially paving the way for the hosting of the long-overdue Local Government Elections (LGE). The exercise will run until the end of May. However, in a statement on Thursday, the Elections Commission sought to address some issues as it relates to the registration process. These include re-

sponsibility for the filling of registration forms, signature of applicants for registration, residency verification, and production and distribution of National Identification (ID) Cards.

According to GECOM, there are a variety of statutory forms that must be filled when applying for any of the various registration transactions, as a matter of Commission policy. It noted that the GECOM registration staff have been “trained extensively” to perform this task and as such, registration applicants were not permitted to fill any of the forms.

Further, the Commission said that while individual persons have their respective signatures, there

is no prescribed signature requirement that must be met by applicants for registration, save and except for placing their signature in the space provided for this purpose.

Another issue GECOM addressed in Thursday’s missive is residency verification, which is a statutory component of the process that must be completed relative to the processing of an application for registration.

“The Commission – as a matter of policy – decided that registration staff must visit the residential address provided by an applicant no sooner than 48 hours after the application was made.

The justification for this is to discourage persons applying for registration from using addresses where they do not reside.”

It was noted by GECOM that this measure was pivotal to the correct placement of eligible persons on any List of Electors to ensure that they were correctly listed to vote at polling stations for the catchment area pertinent to their residential addresses.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the production and issuance of National ID Cards, the elections body explained that this was done only for those persons whose appli-

cations for registration were successful. This requires due diligence to avoid double registration.

“It must be noted that GECOM is responsible to ensure that no person is listed more than once in the National Register of Registrants (NRR). Accordingly, the Commission conducts due diligence checks for double registration by cross-matching the fingerprints of all applicants for registration against those of the registrants who are listed in the NRR,” the Commission said.

Currently, this fingerprint cross-matching process is outsourced to an overseas contractor.

But according to GECOM, the fingerprints of applicants taken during the registration exercise can only be dispatched for cross-matching after the close of the exercise, which is scheduled for May 29.

“It is only after the applicants for registration have been cleared as new applicants for registration, through this methodology, that they are committed to the NRR and ID Cards would be produced for them accordingly. It is not unusual for this to take place until about two months after the closure of the particular reg-

istration exercise,” the elections body said.

GECOM further said it was committed to providing accurate information to all stakeholders in a timely manner, hence it encouraged them to ensure that they seek answers to any queries about the registration process from the Commission itself through its Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward.

Only on Wednesday, Ward told Guyana Times that the continuous registration exercise has so far resulted in almost 20,000 new, eligible voters being registered.

She disclosed that a total of 19,389 new eligible voters were registered as at April 26. In addition, 15,234 new registrants between the ages of 14 and 17 were recorded by GECOM during that period.

There were also 2516 transfers, 4156 changes, 4493 replacements, and 1075 photo retakes processed.

GECOM had its statutory meeting on Tuesday after which Governmentnominated Commissioner, Bibi Shadick indicated to this newspaper that most of their discussions on continuous registration dealt with ensuring the smooth progression of the exercise.

Any person, who will be

14 years or older by October 31, 2022, and is a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent, or naturalisation or is a citizen from a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more can apply for registration, provided that he or she was never registered before.

Applicants are required to visit the GECOM registration office responsible for their area of residence with the relevant source documents: original birth certificate, valid passport, adoption certificate, or naturalisation certificate in the case of new registration.

For a change of name, the original marriage certificate or deed poll with birth certificate is required. Existing registrants, who are desirous of updating their records, such as a request to correct or change their names, date of birth, occupation or update addresses are advised that those transactions would also be facilitated during this exercise.

It is understood that GECOM is looking to have an updated voters’ list in place by October, in order for the LGE to be held. The last time GECOM conducted continuous registration was in 2019, in preparation for the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Govt to lobby for cost-free First Lady donates sanitary prosthetics for amputees napkins to schoolgirls, teacher

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

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n observance of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, under the theme “Your Ordinary is Extraordinary”, the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre held an Amputee Health Fair to raise awareness and advocate for persons with amputated limbs.

In light of the month, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said that he hoped that patients who required prosthetics would not have to pay for them in the future.

“For me, and I guess for everybody here in this audience, the cost is too much.

There is no doubt about that. Many of you can’t af-

ford it. We are going to look at how we can bring down the cost, and even if, at some point, maybe not right away, but I am hoping at some point you don’t have to pay anything, but we’ll work on it and that’s a commitment from us here in the Ministry,” Dr Anthony noted while addressing the fair on Thursday.

He added that the Ministry recognised the challenges of people who had their limbs amputated and that it was this awareness that motivated the Ministry to come up with solutions to help reduce these challenges.

“We understand the challenges that you have. For an able-bodied person to suddenly, because of an accident or illness, whatever the circumstances were that you had to lose a limb, is always challenging. And to get that over, mentally it’s challenging, but then also for the rest of your life, not being able to function optimally can also be frustrating. And, therefore, whatever we can do to help to reduce the challenges you have, that is what we’re endeavouring to do,” Dr Anthony stressed.

He further explained that there was a workshop that has been working effortlessly to come up with

solutions for patients who require prosthetics. To this end, he said that over $10 million had been spent on acquiring material for the making of prosthetics.

“I remember going into the workshop and after getting that visit, I said to the staff that I would like to see a database of everyone who has been coming to the clinic that needs prosthesis – whether it’s a lower limb or upper limb – and let us see how we can work to be able to give these persons their prosthesis, and that’s a programme that we’ll be working on. We don’t have all the magic solutions as yet, but we believe that if we are able to acquire more of the material, then the staff here would be able to do more prostheses and that’s what we’re trying to do. So, from that visit […] we have spent more than $10 million in buying the materials and very shortly we’ll have more materials coming into the workshop, and, therefore, we’ll be able to make more prostheses,” the Health Minister said.

Limb Loss and Limb Difference Month spotlights the vital need to support efforts that advance equitable medical access, care, and coverage for people living with limb loss.

PTA Secretary Sunita Hutson handed over the Sanitary pads to HM Karen Benjamin in the presence of PTA Chairman Sherlon Rodrigues

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irst Lady Arya Ali last Monday donated enough sanitary pads to 15 schoolgirls and six female teachers of Sebai Primary School in Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini).

On a stopover to Port Kaituma, the First Lady handed over the Sanitary napkins to the school’s Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) Chairman Sherlon Rodrigues, who was joined by Regional

Chairman Brentnol Ashley, Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman Orlando Thorne, and the Prime Minister’s Representative, Margaret Lambert.

The newly-elected Parent Teachers Association executive body, led by Rodrigues, has hit the ground running, as the body is currently working in the best interest of the children, teachers, and parents.

Regional Vice

Chairperson Anansha Peters and Regional Councillors joined Rodrigues in handing over the sanitary pads to the Headteacher Karen Benjamin and other beneficiaries.

The PTA executive body and Headteacher Benjamin extended heartfelt gratitude to the First Lady for her initiative to end period poverty, and Orlando Rogers from Skywest Charter Service for sponsoring the air transportation.

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

Regional

Brazil front-runner Lula T&T PM meets with senior shores up party alliances US lawmakers for October election T

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ormer Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told allies on Thursday he aims to represent a seven-party centre-left coalition in his challenge to incumbent Jair Bolsonaro in this October’s election.

Lula, a former union organiser leading the presidential race, has stacked his agenda with party congresses to cement that coalition, including Thursday rallies with the Brazilian Socialist Party and Sustainability Network (REDE).

“To those who have not joined us yet, our arms are open to welcome everyone who wants to recover this country,” he told reporters at a meeting with REDE. Senator Randolfe Rodrigues pledged REDE’s support for Lula’s candidacy, but party founder Marina Silva, a former Lula Environment Minister, was absent. Silva left Lula’s

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

Government and she ran against his Workers Party (PT) in three bruising presidential elections.

Lula celebrated the findings of a UN rights committee earlier in the day that a graft case that jailed him and blocked his presidential candidacy in 2018 had violated due process. He called the ruling “extraordinarily soul-cleansing”.

Opinion surveys have shown Lula’s advantage

over Bolsonaro eroding in recent months. Still, the left-wing challenger maintains a double-digit advantage over his far-right opponent in simulations of a likely runoff.

Sources close to Lula told Reuters his strategy five months from the election is to focus on gathering maximum support for an expected second-round runoff against Bolsonaro. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Peru’s Police carry out 2nd day of evictions at halted Las Bambas mine

Members of Indigenous communities camp on the property of Chinese-owned Las Bambas copper mine, in Las Bambas, Peru, April 26, 2022

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eruvian Police on Thursday carried out a second day of evictions at MMG’s Las Bambas copper mine, seeking to remove a remaining Indigenous community that had camped inside company

property in a protest, a community adviser told Reuters.

The action at the Chinese-owned Las Bambas, which supplies two per cent of the world’s copper, follows an eviction on Wednesday of a separate community that

had also camped inside the mine, settling near its massive open pit.

The company had no immediate comment. Peru is the world’s number two copper producer and mining is a key source of tax revenue.

Las Bambas suspended operations on April 20 after communities had settled inside the mine. It is unclear when the mine will be able to resume production, which remains halted for safety reasons.

Las Bambas said in a security filing late on Wednesday that it had successfully evicted the Fuerabamba community, which had been demanding the return of their ancestral lands, but that the Huancuire community remained inside company property. (Excerpt from Reuters)

rinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley met with senior US lawmakers on Thursday on Capitol Hill to continue mutually-beneficial discussions between that country and the US. According to a press release from the Office of the Prime Minister, talks focused on trade, energy, national security as well as foreign policy.

Dr Rowley met the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Majority

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passed by El Salvador, which last year made bitcoin legal tender, said independent lawmaker and promoter of the bill, Gabriel Silva.

Among other things, the bill covers the trading and use of crypto assets, issuance of digital securities, and new payment systems.

“We’re seeing the emergence of many different types of crypto assets like works of art. That’s why we didn’t want to limit ourselves only to cryptocurren-

cies,” he said.

Under the new legislation, Panamanians may use crypto assets as means of payment for any civil or commercial operation not prohibited by law in the country.

The bill, which now passes to President Laurentino Cortizo to be signed, was approved in the Assembly with 38 votes in favour, two abstentions, and no votes against. (Reuters)

At the US Department of Energy, the Prime Minister met with Assistant Secretary for International Affairs of the US Department of Energy, Andrew Light.

In his first meeting of the day, the Prime Minister met with Special Envoy for Climate Change, John Kerry at the US Department of State.

This conversation focused on the reduction of carbon and ethane emissions and Trinidad and Tobago’s renewable energy efforts. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

In worsening gang fighting in Haiti, 20 dead, thousands displaced

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riminal violence in Haiti intensified this week, with fighting among rival gangs in part of the capital killing at least 20 people, among them children, and leading to thousands having to flee their homes.

Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency (DPA) said the fighting began Sunday in four neighbourhoods in Port-auPrince, north of the international airport. At least a dozen homes were burned down and many of those who fled initially took shelter in the yard of a local mayor’s office.

The eruption comes amid a spike in violence and kidnappings as gangs grow more powerful and seek to control more territory amid the power vacuum following the July 7, 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

The situation has angered and frustrated many Haitians, who are demand-

Protesters have taken to the streets in recent weeks demanding that the Government of Prime Minister Ariel Henry do more to address gang violence including kidnappings [File: Ralph Tedy Erol/Reuters]

ing action from Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s Administration, which is receiving international help to boost an underfunded and understaffed Police Force.

Henry’s term in office expired on February 7, but no date has been set for elections, amid political deadlock over how and when to hold a vote.

A family of eight, including six children, was among those killed since Sunday, authorities said Wednesday.

Schools and businesses in the area remain closed as thousands of families with children are camping in a park near a local mayor’s office. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Government of Barbados says thanks to frontline workers

Panama lawmakers pass bill H regulating use of crypto assets

awmakers in Panama’s National Assembly on Thursday approved a major bill to regulate the use and commercialisation of crypto assets in the Central American country.

The bill opens the door to private and public use of such assets and will make it possible for people to pay their taxes with cryptocurrencies.

The legislation is broader in scope than measures

Whip and third-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC 6th District).

In another meeting, Dr Rowley held discussions with the Chairman of House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY 5th District), Ranking Republican Member, Mark Green of Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, Migration and International Economic Policy and Congressman Juan Vargas.

ealth and Wellness Minister Ian Gooding-Edghill on Thursday said thanks on behalf of the nation for those who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep Barbados safe.

The Government of Barbados hosted the first Humanitarian Awards Ceremony at Kensington Oval where thousands of frontline workers were recognised in various categories.

Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus was among the specially- invited guests for the ceremony, which was witnessed

by Prime Minister Mia

Mottley; National Hero, the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers; Members of Parliament, other invited guests and members of the public.

On National Heroes Day, Gooding-Edghill hailed those who received awards, because without their unselfish efforts “we as a nation would be far worse off in our still unfinished fight against the threat of the COVID-19 virus”.

“So that while you may not be deemed National Heroes, you have unconsciously, but undoubtedly, defined yourself as heroes to the nation,” he said.

“We in the Ministry of Health and Wellness salute

and celebrate the honourees in our still unfinished national series against COVID-19, which we are confident will not result in a draw, far less a defeat, but in an eventual decisive victory for our beloved native land,” he added, making a cricket reference at the Mecca of that sport.

Gooding-Edghill also praised Ghebreyesus for his “continued passionate and confident global leadership at the World Health Organisation which continues to leave an indelible mark on the global community, especially during this COVID-19 phase”. (Excerpt from Nation News)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices settle up on increased chance of EU embargo of Russian oil

O

il settled higher on Thursday on the increased likelihood that Germany will join other European Union Member States in an embargo on Russian oil, which could further tighten supplies in the already stressed global crude market.

Traders were reacting to media reports of comments on Tuesday from German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, who said the EU's largest economy could cope with an EU embargo on Russian oil imports and Germany hoped to find ways to replace Russian oil with other supply.

"The apparent decision by Germany to remove its opposition to a Russian oil sanction would appear to go a long way in an overall EU ban that would further reduce Russian oil availability in a global market," said Jim Ritterbusch, President of Ritterbusch and Associate in Galena, Illinois.

Brent crude futures rose US$2.27 to settle at US$107.59 a barrel while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose US$3.34, or 3.3 per cent to US$105.36.

Germany relies heavily on Russian energy imports and had opposed a full ban.

Before the war in Ukraine, Russian oil accounted for about a third of Germany's supply. A month ago, Habeck said the country had reduced its dependence on Russian oil to 25 per cent of imports.

"As a result of this, oil from the free world is going to be more expensive, and Iron Curtain oil will plunge further in value and be discounted more heavily," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC in New York.

Moscow has started to use energy exports as a cudgel following the response by the United States and allies over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia has cut off gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria and is trying to push the EU to adopt its new gas payments system that involves opening accounts at Gazprombank where payments in euros or dollars would be converted into roubles.

Russian oil production could fall by as much as 17 per cent in 2022, according to an Economy Ministry document seen by Reuters, as the country contends with Western sanctions.

Despite this expected shortfall, the OPEC+ group of producers, comprising the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, is expected to maintain its modest pace of increasing output when it meets on May 5, sources told Reuters.

The US dollar surged to its highest levels in two decades on Thursday, propelled by weakness in its major rivals, such as the yen and the euro. A stronger dollar is usually bearish for oil prices which are priced in the greenback, as it makes it more expensive to holders of other currencies.

In China, Beijing closed some public spaces and stepped up COVID-19 checks at others as most of the city's 22 million residents embarked on more mass testing in an effort to avert a Shanghai-like lockdown. The most recent lockdown has disrupted factories and supply chains, raising fears over the country's economic growth.

But Asia's biggest oil refiner, Sinopec Corp expects the country's demand for refined oil products to recover in the second quarter as COVID-19 outbreaks are gradually brought under control.

A slowdown in global growth owing to higher commodity prices and an escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict could further exacerbate oil demand fears. (Reuters)

Blasts hit Kyiv as UN chief visits, US pledges new Ukraine aid

R

ussia fired two missiles into Kyiv on Thursday during a visit by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Ukrainian officials said, as Moscow pressed an assault in the east that drew new US pledges of military and humanitarian aid.

The rockets shook the central Shevchenko district in Ukraine's capital and one of them struck the lower floors of a 25-storey residential building, injuring at least 10 people, Ukrainian officials said.

Reuters witnesses reported hearing two explosions, but their cause could not be independently verified.

There was no Russian comment on the blasts.

Russia withdrew its invading forces from near Kyiv in early April after failing to capture the city, which has since hosted visits by top officials from the United States and its European allies.

But Thursday's blasts, heard soon after Guterres completed talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, highlighted concerns that Kyiv still remains vulnerable to Russian heavy weaponry.

"There was an attack on Kyiv ... it shocked me, not because I'm here, but because Kyiv is a sacred city for Ukrainians and

Rescuers work at a site of a building damaged by a missile strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine, April 28, 2022 (Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine/ Handout via Reuters)

Russians alike," Guterres told Portuguese broadcaster RTP when asked about the blasts.

Zelenskiy said the blasts "prove that we must not drop our vigilance. We must not think that the war is over".

Guterres' discussions with Zelenskiy focused in part on evacuating Ukrainian fighters and civilians holed up in a steel plant in the besieged south-eastern city of Mariupol, Russia's main target in the eastern Donbas region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to UN and Red Cross involvement in evacuating the plant during talks in Moscow with Guterres on Tuesday. Ukrainian officials worry Russia wants to cap-

Heatwave in India leaves millions struggling to cope

A woman splashes water on her face to get relief from the extreme heat in Kolkata

M

illions of Indians are experiencing a brutal heatwave that is throwing lives and livelihoods out of gear – and there is no relief in sight.

"Temperatures are rising rapidly in the country, and rising much earlier than usual," Prime Minister Narendra Modi told State Chief Ministers on Wednesday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a gradual rise in maximum temperatures by two to four degrees Celsius – over most parts of north-western and central India this week, with "no

large change thereafter".

While heatwaves are common in India, especially in May and June, summer began early this year with high temperatures from March itself – average maximum temperatures in the month were the highest in 122 years.

Heatwaves also began setting in during the month.

The Centre for Science and Environment, a thinktank, says that early heatwaves this year have affected around 15 states, including the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, known for its pleasant temperatures. (Excerpt from BBC News)

ture those trapped inside, an allegation Moscow denies.

The West believes battles for Mariupol and other eastern and southern areas may determine the war's outcome. Russian forces are now entrenched in the east, where Moscow-backed separatists have held some ter-

ritory since 2014, and also hold a swathe of the south they seized in March.

Ukraine's general staff said Russia was stepping up its military assault in the Donbas.

"The enemy is increasing the pace of the offensive operation. The Russian occupiers are exerting intense fire in almost all directions," it said.

Putin calls Moscow's actions a "special military operation" to disarm Ukraine, defend Russian-speaking people from persecution and prevent the United States from using the country to threaten Russia.

Ukraine dismisses Putin's claims of persecution and says it is fighting an imperial-style land grab that has flattened Ukrainian cities, forced more than five million to flee abroad and killed thousands. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Expats flee as Shanghai's COVID lockdown drags

S

h a n g h a i ' s heavy-handed COVID-19 lockdown is driving scores of foreign residents to flee the commercial centre, denting the appeal of mainland China's most cosmopolitan city and prompting others to rethink their futures in the metropolis.

While no official statistics are available for departures in recent weeks, pet movers, property agents, and law firms say they are seeing a sharp uptick in departure queries, while online chat groups swapping advice on how to leave the city amid lockdown curbs have swelled.

"Normally, we get about

30-40 cases a month, but we got over 60 in April," said Michael Faung, founder of international pet movers Shanghai M&D pet.

The city of 25 million is the China base for numerous multinational firms and long a magnet for expats lured by the international vibe of areas such as the French Concession, where boutiques and cafes line tree-shaded lanes.

But China has seen a steady drain in foreigners since the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan and subsequent entry restrictions have slowed new entrants to a trickle. (Excerpt from Reuters)

South Korea arrests 2 for passing military secrets to North

P

olice in South Korea have arrested two people suspected of leaking military secrets to a person believed to be a North Korean agent.

The chief executive of a cryptocurrency exchange and an army officer divulged login details for South Korea's joint military command, Police say.

They are accused of receiving large sums of money in exchange.

North and South Korea have been locked in a tense relationship ever since fighting a war between 1950-

1953.

"This is the first case in which an active-duty officer and a civilian under orders of a North Korean agent colluded and spying on military secrets is discovered," Police said.

A camera watch and USB device were used to give the agent access to data between January and March, it is alleged.

The two men were arrested earlier this month. The whereabouts and identity of the presumed North Korean agent are unclear. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Keep promises to a minimum. If you take on too much, it will cause emotional angst, stress and criticism. Have a strategy in place and a backup on hand.

Avoid making assumptions if possible.

(March 21-April 19) Use your imagination and put an intelligent plan in place. Make a positive change by going through the proper channels and tidying up paperwork.

Leave nothing to chance for best results.

DILBERT

(April 20-May 20) Leadership builds strength. Don't let someone steal your thunder with empty promises. Show compassion and understanding, offer incentives and do your part to make a difference.

(May 21-June 20) Let experience guide you to bigger and better opportunities. Refuse to let someone's emotional restraint stop you from embracing the changes that lead to the type of lifestyle you want to live.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

You may not like how others respond, but your decisions and actions should reflect what's in your heart. Don't let anger lead to regret; follow through with your commitments.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Gather information and unite with people who share your concerns and can help bring about change. A family gathering or outing with a loved one will lift your spirits.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Tally up your assets and liabilities.

Knowing where you stand financially will help you make decisions regarding expenditures and your lifestyle.

Discipline and moderation will help.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Take care of unfinished business before engaging in social pastimes. Put more emphasis on how you look and how you present yourself to others. Discuss your intentions with someone important.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

A stable front will help head off interference. Someone will play with your emotions, and guilt will set in if you are too accommodating. Look out for yourself.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) When dealing with friends and relatives, patience is required. You can offer suggestions, but don't get involved in other people's decisions. Personal improvements are favored.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Put together a strategy that will benefit you financially and make room for something you want to pursue.

Worry less about what others think or do and focus on what's important to you.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Keep an open mind, and you'll discover new ways to make the most of your skills, experience and knowledge. A change of plans will work in your favor and give you a chance to discuss your intentions.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

21

Powell instrumental in Capitals’ fourth win K

uldeep Yadav, as part of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), didn’t get a single game last IPL. The reason perhaps is that in the two preceding IPLs, he picked up just five wickets in 45 overs.

In seven overs this year against the franchise that let him go, Kuldeep has taken eight wickets, consigning the KKR to their second defeat against Delhi Capitals.

However, it could still be argued that he is still looking for a captain who makes optimum use of him. He bowled just the three overs, despite taking four wickets, because two left-hand batters were at the wicket.

The part-time offspinner used instead gave Nitish Rana the launching pad for a 30-ball fifty that took Knight Riders to 146, but it proved inadequate against a power-filled Capitals batting line-up. David Warner led

SCOREBOARD

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS INNINGS (20 overs maximum) Aaron Finch b Sakariya 3 Venkatesh Iyer c Sakariya b Patel 6 Shreyas Iyer (c) c †Pant b Kuldeep Yadav 42 Baba Indrajith † c Powell b Kuldeep Yadav 6 Sunil Narine lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 0 Nitish Rana c Sakariya b Mustafizur Rahman 57 Andre Russell st †Pant b Kuldeep Yadav 0 Rinku Singh c Powell b Mustafizur Rahman 23 Umesh Yadav not out 0 Tim Southee b Mustafizur Rahman 0 Harshit Rana not out 0 Extras (lb 5, nb 1, w 3) 9 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 7.30) 146/9 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Aaron Finch, 1.3 ov), 2-22 (Venkatesh Iyer, 4.3 ov), 3-35 (Baba Indrajith, 7.2 ov), 4-35 (Sunil Narine, 7.3 ov), 5-83 (Shreyas Iyer, 13.1 ov), 6-83 (Andre Russell, 13.4 ov), 7-145 (Rinku Singh, 19.2 ov), 8-146 (Nitish Rana, 19.4 ov), 9-146 (Tim Southee, 19.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mustafizur Rahman 4-0-18-3 Chetan Sakariya 3-0-17-1 Shardul Thakur 3-0-32-0

Axar Patel 4-0-28-1 Kuldeep Yadav 3-0-14-4 Lalit Yadav 3-0-32-0 DELHI CAPITALS INNINGS (Target: 147 runs from 20 overs) Prithvi Shaw c & b Yadav 0 David Warner c Narine b Yadav 42 Mitchell Marsh c VR Iyer b Harshit Rana 13 Lalit Yadav lbw b Narine 22 Rishabh Pant (c)† c †Indrajith b Yadav 2 Rovman Powell not out 33 Axar Patel run out (SS Iyer/VR Iyer) 24 Shardul Thakur not out 8 Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 2) 6 TOTAL 19 Ov (RR: 7.89) 150/6 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Prithvi Shaw, 0.1 ov), 2-17 (Mitchell Marsh, 1.3 ov), 3-82 (David Warner, 9.3 ov), 4-84 (Lalit Yadav, 10.6 ov), 5-84 (Rishabh Pant, 11.1 ov), 6-113 (Axar Patel, 14.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Umesh Yadav 4-0-24-3 Harshit Rana 3-0-24-1 Tim Southee 4-0-31-0 Sunil Narine 4-0-19-1 Nitish Rana 1-0-14-0 Andre Russell 1-0-14-0 Venkatesh Iyer 1-0-14-0 Shreyas Iyer 1-0-7-0

the response with a 26-ball 42, but the Capitals kept losing wickets as they looked to dominate the chase.

Rovman Powell and Axar Patel, though, saw them home in the end, with one over to spare.

Early swing

Both Mustafizur Rahman and Chetan Sakariya - in for the injured Khaleel Ahmed - swung the new ball, not letting Knight Riders find any momentum.

Venkatesh Iyer, back at the top of the order, continued to struggle. The other new opener, Aaron Finch, tried to dominate Sakariya, but the inswing flattened his wicket. When Venkatesh finally connected a paddle sweep, he found the man at short fine leg. Knight Riders were 22 for 2 in 4.3 overs.

Kuldeep magic

Kuldeep came on to bowl at 35 for 2 in seven overs, which meant the batters were already under pressure to get a move on. Debutant B Indrajith tried just that when he faced Kuldeep first, but got too close to the ball, and couldn’t get the elevation required to clear long-on.

Still needing to accelerate, Knight Riders promoted Sunil Narine, but Kuldeep trapped him in front with the perfect wrong’un. Rana played a forward-defensive to avoid the hat-trick.

Only three boundaries came off the first 11 overs, and all were fours.

Just as Knight Riders built some momentum in the next two overs, Capitals went back to Kuldeep. Pant might have made a questionable call of bowling Lalit Yadav in the 13th over, but his keeping was sensational in the 14th.

Shreyas Iyer went to cut Kuldeep, but the wrong’un turned and stayed low to take a thick bottom edge, which went down almost vertically. However, Pant managed to somehow catch it by his shoe laces, showing a great eye, athleticism and fitness.

Three balls later, Andre Russell left his crease against character, and Kuldeep again slipped in the wrong’un. Even though Pant fluffed the take now, the rebound broke the wicket legally. It was now 83 for 6 in the 14th over.

That was when Pant chose to go funky. There have been 26 instances of a spinner getting three or more wickets in the first three overs in the first innings, but only two of them have not gone on to bowl out. Kuldeep became that second, as Pant chose to bowl Lalit Yadav to the two left-hand batters in the middle.

Kuldeep Yadav claimed Rana took the toll of his part-time four wickets

Rovman Powell

offspin in the 17th over, not least finished in style because he enjoys a good match-up against offspin. Shardul Thakur went for 16 in the 19th, as both Rana and Rinku Singh got stuck in. At 144 for 6 now, Knight Riders could think of 160, having been through a period when they would have taken 140.

Rana, though, bowled a superb final over, taking three wickets and conceding just one off the bat. There was a back-of-the-hand slower ball, hard lengths and two perfect yorkers.

Warner keeps chugging along

Capitals were always going to try to take a big chunk off the chase early, especially with their batters. However, Knight Riders managed to pick up wickets in the first two overs. The first ball swung a touch to take a leading edge that Umesh Yadav took in his follow-through. In the second over, Mitchell Marsh tried to take down the debutant Harshit Rana, but picked out long leg.

David Warner, though, continued to show why he is among the IPL greats. The quickest batter in the powerplay this year, he kept finding boundaries efficiently without taking risks, even though Lalit at the other end found himself stuck. He even managed to paddle Sunil Narine for a four, and when he took down the part-time spin of Nitish Rana, they needed just 67 in the last 11 overs.

Umesh, Narine bring Knight Riders back

Knight Riders had no choice now but to go on an allout attack. In the 10th over, Umesh bowled the perfect bouncer - head high, cramping Warner - for a catch at fine leg. In the 11th, Narine bowled the small offbreak perfectly, to get Lalit lbw.

Shreyas stuck with Umesh, who managed to find the outside edge of Pant. It was a different game now at 84 for 5.

Axar, Powell take Capitals home

The asking rate, though, was still not high, and Shreyas had to juggle the fifth bowler’s quota between Russell and other part-timers. When Axar pulled and upper-cut the first two Russell deliveries for four and six respectively, Knight Riders had massive problems. A run-out off the last ball of the over still left the door open.

Powell and Shardul Thakur watchfully played out Narine’s last over, but by now Harshit had walked off with an injury. So, Shreyas had to bowl Venkatesh, and he did so in the 17th, instead of keeping that over till the end.

Powell hit him for a six and a four to bring it under a run a ball, and it took a six each off Tim Southee and Shreyas to end the game.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Stokes named England Men’s Test Captain

B

en Stokes has been named England men’s Test captain. Stokes calendar year, as “one of the great sporting achievements”.

“It won’t be up there with winning the World Cup,” Key said. “But was the preferred candidate to take on the job, after Joe Root’s to play in a team that has been struggling, living in this pandemic, being resignation following five years in the role.

As England’s leading allrounder and one of the few players sure of captain, having to do so much and score the runs he’s scored - you have their place in the XI, Stokes becomes the 81st captain of the men’s Test no idea how great an achievement that has been. And then the fact team. His appointment was recommended by Rob Key, the new Managing that he is still now asking ‘How can I help Ben Stokes?’-- what he has done has been unbelievable. Joe Root is so important to English Director of Men’s Cricket, and approved by the ECB on Tuesday evening. cricket, and he’ll have a massive hand to play.”

“I had no hesitation in offering the role of Test captain to There had been concerns about Stokes’s workload as Ben,” Key said. “He epitomises the mentality and approach a key player in all three formats, and following a we want to take this team forward into the next era of red-ball break from the game for mental health cricket. I am delighted that he has accepted, and he is ready for the reasons in 2021. Fellow allrounders Ian Botham added responsibility and the honour. He thoroughly deserves the and Andrew Flintoff both experienced opportunity.” unhappy spells as captain, but Stokes takes charge of an England side that have won just Key suggested that “the time is one of their last 17 Tests, going five series without a victory absolutely right” for Stokes to take the for the first time in history. They are currently bottom of reins. the 2021-23 World Test Championship.

“We’ve got to manage [his] load,” Key told Sky Stokes has captained in one Test previously, a Sports. “We’ve got to prioritise at times where we think defeat to West Indies when Root was on paternity leave in 2020. Although he said during the winter he needs to be playing, and obviously at the moment that’s going to be Test cricket. But I don’t think we have to tour of Australia that he was not interested in overthink this. We’ve just got to make sure he’s in a good the captaincy, he acknowledged being in the frame of mind, that his body’s in good shape, and then we can frame when writing about Root’s decision plan accordingly. to step down in his newspaper column last week.

“We don’t need to be planning six months in advance for when Ben Stokes is going to play or not. We just need to be on “I am honoured to be given the top of it all the time. That’s going to be the key. chance to lead the England Test “In Test cricket at the moment, we want to get our best team,” he said. “This is a real side out on the park. That’s it, it’s a pretty simple game in that privilege, and I’m excited regard.” about getting started this summer. I want to thank At his unveiling at Lord’s as Director of Men’s Cricket, Key Joe [Root] for everything said that having spoken to a number of people in the game, he believed Stokes was the best man for the job. He praised he has done for English Stokes’s “empathy” and concern for team-mates, as well as his cricket, and for always being ability to lead from the front. a great ambassador for the “I’ve been up to see him. I talked to a lot of people that know sport all across the world. He him, a lot of people around him, a lot of people that he trusts has been a massive part of my as well. Every single one of them said that they felt he’d be an development as a leader in the dressing room, and he excellent captain. And they were very honest about the best way will continue to be a key ally for me in this role.” to manage him. So, it became an easy decision in the end.

Key added his own endorsement of Root’s tenure while speaking at Lord’s on Thursday. He described “He epitomises everything our red-ball team needs. I just his leadership of the team through the challenges want him to go out and do that, and lead from the front. And I think he’ll do that; I think he’ll be good. I always think (that) of Covid, all the while producing a haul of runs that Ben Stokes in leaders, one of the most important things - especially if included an England record tally of 1708 in the 2021

Former Captain Joe Root congratulating Ben Stokes on his appointment

you’re a great player, which, make no mistake he is - is he’s got a lot of compassion, he’s got a lot of empathy, and when you talk to him, he’s always talking about other people around him and what’s best for the side.

“He’s not someone with a massive ego, who is thinking what’s best for me, Ben Stokes, and trying to make my name. He genuinely thinks that he’s the best person to lead England forward - and I agree.”

Stokes has not played since the tour of the Caribbean, when a 1-0 defeat to West Indies helped bring down the curtain on Root’s time as captain, having led the team in more Tests than any other Englishman.

He was sent for scans on a knee injury earlier this month, but has been back in training ahead of a return for Durham, with the club confirming that they hope he would be available to play in their next three games.

England’s next Test commitment comes against New Zealand, with a three-match series beginning at Lord’s on June 2.

The appointment of Stokes, which was widely expected, is the first of a number of changes to the Test set-up to be overseen by Key. The ECB has already advertised for separate red- and white-ball coaches, while it is expected that England would revert to selection being overseen by a panel, after Ashley Giles did away with the national selector role last year.

Tom Harrison, the ECB’s chief executive officer, said: “I am delighted that Ben has agreed to become England Men’s Test Captain, which is another great achievement in his extraordinary career in an England shirt.

“He cares deeply and passionately about what it means to represent England, and he will lead us into a new era with great pride. It’s an important summer for our Test side, and Ben will, I am sure, relish the challenge before him and his team.” (ESPNcricinfo)

22

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Magnum Futsal Independence Cup…

Agricola shock Bent Street, Gold is Money in easy win

I

t was only the second night of the competition, but it was by no means too early to witness a great upset, as Agricola registered a resounding win over futsal giants and defending Champions Bent Street during the Magnum Futsal Independence Cup on Wednesday night.

It was the duo of Kacy John and Kevin Padmore who engineered the 2-0 upset win with goals in the third and 16th minutes respectively, as shock and surprise prevailed at the National Park Tarmac.

Earlier in the night, Alexander Village eased past Avocado Ballers

2-0, with veteran marksman Leon Yaw recording a brace in the 6th and 16th minutes.

North East La Penitence squeaked past Ansa McAL AllStars 3-2. Marlon Nedd bagged a brace in the fifth and sixth minutes, while Akeem Sam netted in the second minute. For the losers, Steve Sharples and Ryan Fraser found the back of the net in the 23rd and 24th minutes respectively.

Similarly, Future Stars edged Vengy 4-3. Ryan Dowding led the way with a double in the sixth and seventh minutes, while Daniel Ross and Jamal Cozier netted in the fifth

and 16th minutes.

For Vengy, Alberto Hernandez, Castillo Marcus and Andres Hines scored in the second, fourth and 22nd minute respectively. In other results, Leopold Street was held to a 4-4 draw with Festival City, while Stabroek Ballers and Tiger Bay failed to be separated at 2-2.

Meanwhile, the renowned Gold is Money had a walk in the park against Beterverwagting (BV) beating them 3-0 to continue their unbeaten run and seal their place in the next round.

Randolph Wagner fashioned a double in the third and 21st

Red Stripe Linden Town Week Masters Football…

Linden face GT’s Club 45 to decide champions next Tuesday

N

ext Tuesday night’s (May 3) cap clash between the home side Linden Masters Over-45 and the younger Under-45 team from Georgetown’s Club 45 is expected to be a ding-dong affair at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

That clash will begin at 9.00pm, but the preceding game would also feature another Georgetown versus Linden affair, as it brings together the two teams which were defeated on Monday night in a clash that begins at 7.00pm.

The Club 45 Seniors took care of the Linden Under-45 after Matthew Halley scored twice, the first from open play and another after a penalty was awarded in the box from a foul, while the third was an own goal.

For the clash, Halley will be maintaining his defensive role, along with Mark Glasgow at left back, while their men up front would include Kwesi Pryce.

Coach of the Club 45 side, Kurt Davis, has said their intention is to run the Linden side off the field with steady raids, since they are the younger team. He said there will be no letting up, so a victory would almost be certain.

But the Linden Senior Masters team which beat the junior Club 45 team is confident

Dwayne Halley

of coming out on top. Garfield ‘Snooks’ Shepherd led the way for the Linden Masters Over45 team by scoring from the penalty spot to give his team the lead, and then the winner came from a right-side corner which was headed home by Lennox ‘Grandpa’ Harvey late in the game, after a 1-1 stalemate.

Leslain Baird in action

I

minutes, whilst Darren Benjamin scored in the fourth minute.

The event resumes tomorrow at the same venue with another round of matches. The winner of the event will pocket $700,000 and the championship trophy, with the runner-up walking away with $400,000 and the corresponding accolade. The third and fourthplaced finishers will pocket $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.

The other sponsors of the event are: MVP Sport, Nigel Hinds Financial Services, Andrews Supermarket, Bold Expressions Barbershop, Fireside Grill ‘N’ Chill, Star Party Rentals, and Lucozade.

Complete Results

The team has the experience, and will play constructive football, says Shepherd; and this will see them outlast their younger rivals.

His team will be chosen from, among others, Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard the former national defence maestro; Wainwright Bethune, Eyo ‘Axeman’ Wills, Compton Duncan; Leon Clement, who will take up duties between the uprights; and Abdulla ‘Zico’ Hamid.

Several trophies are on offer to go with the bragging rights, and a great night of competitive football is anticipated.

Baird to make return at Arrowhead League after MCL injury

t has been 13 long months since Leslain Baird last competed.

His participation having been derailed by a meniscus tear in his left knee, Baird suffered the agony of missing the qualification standards for the Olympics.

Nevertheless, that familiar rush of adrenalin just before competing is about to return for the national javelin record holder when he steps on the track for

Glimpses of the action in the Magnum Independence Cup

Game 1 North East: 3 vs Ansa McAL:2 North East Scorers Marlon Nedd - 5th and 6th Akeem Sam - 2nd Ansa Scorers

Lennox Harvey and Garfield Shepherd

the first time in over a year at the Arrowhead League, slated to start this weekend at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora.

“It was really a long and hard road to recovery. My coach had big things in store for me last year.

We started last season with over 77m in throwing the javelin, but then tragedy hit me on my second competition of last year; so, this year, we (are) not taking it that

hard, we are taking it slow,” Baird said.

In addition, Baird highlighted that he is thankful to his coaches and physiotherapists who helped him along the road to recovery, noting that he could not have gotten to this point without their help.

However, Baird did mention that he would just be doing a “three-step throw” as he grooves back into the thick of competition.

“It’s not about winning this weekend, it’s about just getting in the distance and seeing how I feel when I’m done,” Baird highlighted.

Meanwhile, the 2018 South American Games silver medalist is enthused to compete in the first ever track and field league (Arrowhead League) in Guyana, noting that, “Senior athletes need events like these to improve”.

Baird will compete in the javelin throw on Saturday, and he is hinting at a special performance when action kicks off at 17:00hrs at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora.

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Grave surprised by Pollard’s retirement announcement

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ricket West Indies chief executive, Johnny Grave, has admitted to being surprised by the timing of Kieron Pollard’s retirement from international cricket.

The 34-year-old Trinidadian ended his 2-½ year tenure as West Indies white-ball captain when he called time on his career earlier this month with the Caribbean side already preparing for the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia next October.

“I thought he would continue at least until the T20 World Cup in Australia,” Grave said. “Obviously, the 50-over game is that longer format, and the older you get, the more difficult it gets to play; and that may not have surprised me if he had called it a day after the T20 World Cup later this year.

“Certainly, my hope was that he would have continued through to that 2023 50-over World Cup then call it a day.

But none of us can plan these things, and the individuals know their bodies and where their heads are at in terms of having the energy to take the team forward with the leadership it requires.”

Pollard, currently campaigning in the Indian Premier League (IPL), made the announcement via popular social networking service Instagram, indicating the decision had been made following “careful deliberation”.

The development came as a shock to the regional and international cricket fraternity, especially with Pollard also expected to lead the West Indies squad on tours of the Netherlands and Pakistan in June.

“He called me on the morning Antigua time and explained that he had been deliberating over the decision for a good few weeks, but that he thought it was in his best interests and West Indies cricket to retire from international cricket,” Grave told Starcom Radio’s Mason and Guest cricket programme.

Future Stars: 4 vs Vengy:3 Future Scorers Ryan Dowding - 6th and 7th Daniel Ross - 5th Jamal Cozier - 16th Vengy Scorers Alberto Hernandez - 2nd Castillo Marcus - 4th Andres Hines - 22nd Game 6 Gold is Money: 3 vs BV: 0 Randolph Wagner - 3rd and 21st Darren Benjamin - 4th Game 7 Agricola: 2 vs Bent Street: 0 Kacy John - 3rd Kevin Padmore - 16th

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CWI CEO, Johnny Grave

“And I just thanked him for his services and wished him all the very best in the remainder of his career. I think he was at peace with the decision and with a (T20) World Cup this year and a 50over World Cup next year. We’ve got some time, and a significant number of fixtures, to plan a move forward for those two global events under new leadership on the field.”

Grave said Pollard had played a key role in developing young players and revitalising the squad during his time in charge.

“Polly came in in difficult circumstances in 2019 on the back of a disappointing 50-over World Cup, and he’s led the team in both formats with great leadership to bring everyone together and mentoring those younger players,” the Englishman noted. “Obviously, we had a disappointing COVID World Cup in Dubai, (but) with a good performance against England in the T20s in the early part of this year. With so many young players coming through, Kieron thought it was time to relinquish the role.”

Grave said he expected Pollard’s successor to be named shortly, once the Desmond Haynes-led selection panel made a recommendation through Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, to the CWI board. (CMC)

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“Nothing in the absence of tried and tested programme,” Ramson says about Sport Policy …Policy is still important, he adds

Charles Ramson Jr.

By Jemima Holmes

O

ver the past four years since the release of its first draft, Guyana’s Sport Policy has been a point of constant discussion in the local sporting fraternity.

The policy, promised by the previous APNU/AFC Coalition administration met the draft stages under their tenure. That was in 2018.

The following year, subject Minister Dr George Norton said they were close to completing the Policy, but 2020 came, administrations changed, and still Guyana’s athletes had no Policy to ensure they were taken care of.

The trend continues, especially with the recent return of Guyana’s 7-medal CARIFTA team. Many are shouting that a Sport Policy would have ensured those athletes some reward upon their return.

While this may be true, current Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. is done with the notion of the Sport Policy being the only answer to proper sport administration in the Land of Many Waters.

In fact, Ramson Jr. proposed a strong argument as to why the Policy needs ‘action’ to be successful.

These utterances were made moments after his Ministry sought to honour Guyana’s lone Olympic medalist, Michael Parrs, on Wednesday.

“That’s one of the reasons why I disagree that the Sports Policy is constantly being framed as the ‘be all and end all’,” the Sport Minister

declared, after disclosing that a social media post had drawn his attention to the issue.

In true Attorney-at-Law fashion, Ramson Jr. went on to make his case, stating, “Here’s why I disagree, and I can show you why that doesn’t make sense.

We have never had a Sports Policy in Guyana, but we were able to produce decades of world class players for cricket. Nobody can argue with that, that is a fact.

Successive generations have been able to come through a structure that’s based on a programme that exists, even though informal, that wasn’t run by the Government.

The structure existed that allowed talent to be channelled through this line.

“That didn’t work for any other sport, it doesn’t work for any other sport; and what was the reason?

The channel doesn’t exist, it just so happens that for cricket the channel exists,” he argued.

“Now, you can have individuals who are showing above-average tiers or performances, but that doesn’t create a pool of talent from which you’ll be able to say you’re capitalising on the talent that you have in the country.”

Ramson finalised his point on why the policy is not the catalyst for Guyana’s success in sport by sharing, “The Policy itself is a document, the document means nothing in the absence of tried and tested implementation of the programme.

You have to be satisfied, first of all, that the programme is a workable programme.”

By no measure is the Sport Minister against the idea of a Sport Policy, he made this abundantly

clear. In fact, he informed that the Policy is being redrafted to include additional aspects of sport and recent instructions, like the National Sport Academy.

“As far as the Policy is concerned, the policy is important.

I don’t want to diminish the role of the policy, but I don’t want to heighten the role of the policy to make it seem as though this is the ‘be all and end all’,” Ramson admitted.

He continued, “If it was the case that all you needed was a Sports Policy, then every country in the world would have a Sports Policy.

We would’ve produced a Sports Policy 20, 30, 40 years ago, and that would’ve been what we needed to produce world class talent.”

Turning his attention to an update on the completion of the Sport Policy, the Sport Minister disclosed that it can be expected next year. However, it may take a lot of rehashing.

“In relation to the draft, I wasn’t very satisfied. In fact, I wasn’t satisfied at all with what existed, and whatever we’re doing has to incorporate the National Sports Academy in relation to our Sport Policy, because the National Sports Academy is the vehicle that is going to help us take our talent progressively forward,” he said.

He continued to highlight problem areas with the current draft, relating, “The other part that I had said before is that when you look at the Sport Policy, it reads like a very complex textbook.

“Now, how can that be satisfactory? How could that be satisfactory and practical for the Sports Associations, for them to

Guyana Harpy Eagles to play two practice matches before Regional 4-Day restart

Guyana Harpy Eagles

By Brandon Corlette

T

he Cricket West Indies Championships (Regional Four-Day) are set to resume on May 18, with the remaining three rounds set to be played in Trinidad and Tobago.

Having suffered an innings- and57-runs’ defeat against Leeward Islands, and recording a one-wicket win against Windward Islands, the Guyana Harpy Eagles will be eager to have a good showing in the remaining rounds.

Before the Harpy Eagles wing out to play Barbados Pride at Queen’s Park Oval from May 18, the local players would feature in two practice matches. The first of those matches would commence from Monday May 2 at Everest Cricket Club.

Since the break, the Harpy Eagles have been training as a team, and according to Assistant Coach Ryan Hercules, the players had a recovery session on Thursday, and

the yo-yo test will be followed on Friday (today, April 29) at Leonora.

“We had a recovery session today. We had an intense training at Everest, where we had 2K run, 20-metre shuttle and we had a net session. It was very lengthy, and the guys would have needed recovery, because we are going have a yoyo test at Leonora. We gave them today to recover, so they can be fresh to recover for the yoyo,” Hercules told this daily publication.

Hercules added: “next week we have a four-day game set for Monday at Everest, and then the following week we have a next fourday game. So, we are going to have two practice games in between recovery, and probably some gym slight sessions going into the last week going to Trinidad.”

When asked about the area of focus, the Assistant Coach said: “We are looking at the batters and bowlers, to get a combination going, mental toughness. The fitness, we are looking at that very

close, but we have been seeing improvements with a lot of guys so far, so we are hoping for a better outing for the next leg of the FourDay.” While unofficial word has been circulating around the cricket fraternity that a host of changes are expected for the Harpy Eagles in the remaining three rounds, Hercules did not delve deeply into the selection of the team, but he noted that to some extent, the practice matches will be used as a yardstick for selection.

“Definitely it is going to be something that we are looking at.

We know the players we need to look at, basically we will have a word with them and let them know to take this opportunity. There might be other players who may need the opportunity as well, but it is up to the selectors to decide what we are going to go with, and what we are looking for, after the second game,”, the Essequibian Hercules explained.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles’ batting has been ordinary after two rounds. Vishaul Singh is their leading batsman with 143 runs. He has a high-score of 93, and averages 35.75. Anthony Bramble has 129 runs, and Chandrapaul Hemraj has 124 runs. Veerasammy Permaul has taken eight wickets.

Permaul, the most consistent regional bowler, went wicketless in the second match against Leewards. Harpy Eagles will play Barbados, followed by Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. The Harpy Eagles are in fourth position with 21.4 points.

implement the Sports Policy?

Knowing what the Government position is, which includes what are our objectives and what we should be working towards, as well as methodology?

“So, if you have a complex document, it becomes impractical for implementation,” the Sport Minister posited.

In order to ensure the Sport Policy is not only effective, but works in tandem with other developmental projects, such as the Sport Academy, Ramson

commented on the need for assessments to ensure everything is functioning as it should.

“That’s why our review of the National Sport Academy for the various core sports, it happens next month. We’re doing an assessment of how it’s going so far. Of course, different sports are going to have different levels of success,” Ramson Jr. said.

Based on the current draft, the Sport Policy is one that would ensure the betterment of lives for Guyanese athletes while

focusing on ‘national, regional and internationally-applicable laws, collaboration among national agencies on sport programmes and projects, sport governance, administration, management, organisation, education and educational institutions, medicine, financing (funding, sponsorship, incentives), tourism, manufacturing, intellectual property rights, elite athlete development, the media, overseas offices, diaspora support, and antidoping.”

Banks powers Medal Play Golf Tournament at Lusignan tomorrow

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Gavin Todd presenting the first-place trophy to Anasha Ally while Chet Bowling, Ian Charles and Troy Peters display some of the other trophies up for grabs

he Smirnoff Vodka-sponsored Medal Play Golf tournament is expected to attract most of the country’s leading golfers on Saturday, April 30, at the Lusignan Golf Club, East Coast Demerara.

Smirnoff, the world’s leading vodka, is exclusively imported and distributed by Banks DIH Limited.

Operations/Engineering Director of Banks DIH, Gavin Todd, an ardent golfer, presented the

trophies to Anasha Ally, Public Relations Officer of the Lusignan Golf Club, during a presentation ceremony on Thursday at Thirst Park.

Also present were Chet Bowling, Secretary of LGC; Troy Peters, Communications Manager; and Ian Charles, Smirnoff Vodka Brand Representative.

Bowling expressed the Club’s heartfelt appreciation to Banks

DIH Limited for initiating the sponsorship.

“The Lusignan Golf Club acknowledges the contribution of Banks DIH to golf over the years through its sponsorship of the Guyana Open, junior programmes and the Club’s upkeep,” he said.

Peters said that Smirnoff Vodka, the largest vodka brand in the world, is extremely delighted to sponsor the tournament, and to support the development of golf locally.

Saturday’s lineup is expected to include Maxim Mangra, Paton George, Carlos Adams, Maurice Solomon, Brian Glasford, Brian Hackett, Troy Codogan, Richard Haniff, Philbert London, Chet Bowling, Gavin Todd, Banks DIH Chairman Clifford Reis, Anasha Ally and Shanella London.

Trophies will be awarded to the top four overall best net as well as Nearest to the Flag, Longest Drive, and Best Gross. Tee-off is at 12:30h.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

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

“Nothing in the absence of tried and tested programme,” Ramson says about Sport Policy Page 23

…Policy is still important, he adds

Guyana Harpy Eagles to play two practice matches before Regional 4-Day restart Page 23

Guyana Harpy Eagles Assistant Coach Ryan Hercules

Banks powers Medal Play Golf Page 23 Tournament at Lusignan tomorrow

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