Guyana Times -- Friday, December 3, 2021

US invests $116M to upgrade GDF’s Coast Guard facilities

P9 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4850

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

Jordan arrested by SOCU over alleged misconduct in public office – released after falling ill

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Teen found with illegal gun, P10 ammo

– Brian Tiwari also questioned over sale of prime waterfront properties

Human Services P17 Ministry introduces survivor’s kit for abused victims

...during meeting with Afro-Guyanese Private Sector representatives

GTA launches new tourism apps for P17 tourists

See story on page 3

Govt committed to working with all Guyanese companies as Guyana progresses – VP Jagdeo Page 7

Vendor on P8 $450,000 bail for discharging loaded firearm Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in discussion with several representatives of the Afro-Guyanese business community on Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC)

540 males, 458 females succumbed to – 497 deaths COVID recorded in Reg 4 Lack of quorum stalls finalisation of shortlist for GECOM’s DCEO

Ferguson, Mahipaul, Carol SmithJoseph Page 18 withdraw from PNCR’s Accreditation Congress Committee

– as 2 Opposition Commissioners absent from meeting – evaluation criteria for CEO interviews incomplete

Page 15

Page 5

Cop pleads P8 guilty to causing death by dangerous driving charge Caribbean P18 remains "vulnerable" as vaccination rate pegged at 50% – PAHO Director

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Friday, December 3 – 03:00h-04:30h and Saturday, December 4 – 03:30h-05:00h and 23:59h-06:00h (Sunday morning).

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, December 3 – 15:25h-16:55h and Saturday, December 4 – 16:10h-17:40h.

Jordan arrested by SOCU over alleged misconduct in public office

– released after falling ill – Brian Tiwari also questioned over sale of prime waterfront properties

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions are expected during the day. Partly cloudy skies are expected at night.

Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 15:42h reaching a maximum height of 2.88 metres.

Low Tide: 09:16h and 21:45h reaching minimum heights of 0.51 metre and 0.3 metre.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS G

01 03 06

14 26 28

FREE TICKET

12 Bonus Ball

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

11 14 17 18 22 LUCKY 3

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8

3

5

Afternoon Draw

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DRAW DE LINE

04 06 10 11 16 20 21 SUPER

PAY DAY

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$70.13/barrel

Rough Rice

$257.13/ton

-0.03

London Sugar

$484.70/ton

+ 0.10

Live Spot Gold

+0.66

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1770.90

$1771.90

Low/High Change

$1761.10 +2.00

$1781.80 + 0.11%

Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan receiving medical attention after falling ill while in SOCU’s custody (Photo: Christopher Jones Facebook page)

F

ormer Finance Minister under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration, Winston Jordan was on Friday arrested by the Guyana Police Force’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for misconduct in public office. However, while in custody, Jordan fell ill and was released in order to seek medical attention.

SOCU, which is the Police Force’s arm that specialises in white-collar investigations, is currently probing alleged instances of corrupt governmental transactions between 2015 and 2020.

Head of SOCU, Fazil Karimbaksh had confirmed to Guyana Times on Thursday that Jordan was “arrested pending a criminal investigation of misconduct in public office”.

In a subsequent statement later in the day, SOCU disclosed that the former Finance Minister was invited to vis-

it the agency’s Camp Road, Georgetown office for questioning in relation to a series of alleged fraudulent transactions in which he was implicated, involving public funds and State properties estimated to be valued billions of Guyana dollars.

Jordan – in the company of his two lawyers, Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde and Attorney Darren Wade – went to SOCU’s office around 10:30h and was interviewed in relation to the sale and vesting of the State’s largest wharf facilities located at Kingston, Georgetown, valued at approximately $8 billion (US$40,000,000) which was sold for a mere $110 million (US$500,000).

That property was sold to BK Marines Limited, owned by businessman Brian Tiwari, who was also hauled in for questioning on Thursday.

According to SOCU, the company had only paid 10 per cent of the purchase price, that is, $20 million (US$100,000)

and Jordan, as then Finance Minister, went ahead to issue a vesting order passing the title to the purchaser without the payment of any further sum of monies.

“The vesting order stated that the property is being sold free from encumbrance and liabilities and no further sum of money is owed by the purchaser. Transport was subsequently issued for this property and the value strangely stated on the transport was GUY $400,000,000 million (US 2,000,000.) Further, the agreement of sale stated that title must only pass upon full payment of purchase price,” the investigative body noted in its missive.

It contended that its investigators have evidence to establish that a facility that is a mere fraction of the size of the State property under investigation, located some seven miles upriver was sold by a private company for US$17 million.

“This is only one of several investigations that implicate former Minister Jordan,” SOCU posited.

While Jordan had previously denied any wrongdoing regarding this transaction, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall had in October announced that there were active investigations into a number of suspected shady dealings under the former APNU/AFC Government and the former Finance Minister had been implicated in a number of nefarious transactions.

These include the hiding of the US$18 million signing bonus which the APNU/ AFC administration had received from ExxonMobil, the alleged sale of several pieces

Businessman Brian Tiwari

of prime land after the contentious March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, and the alleged sale of several vehicles from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to close associates of the then Administration without observing proper procedure.

Falling ill

Meanwhile, during his time at SOCU on Thursday, Jordan was escorted to the Sparendaam Police Station for further questioning but while there he complained of “feeling unwell” and he was rushed to the Plaisance Health Centre.

It was reported that initial examination by health workers revealed that his blood pressure was high.

Following intervention by his lawyers, Jordan was subsequently released from custody and taken to a private medical institution in the city for further treatment.

According to reports, the former Minister had suffered a suspected Cerebrovascular accident (CVA), commonly called a stroke. He was kept overnight for observation.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

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

“Nothing about us, without us”

W

orld Disability Day will be observed today under the theme “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”

According to United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, realising the rights, agency, and leadership of persons with disabilities would advance the common future.

To quote him: “We need everyone, including persons with disabilities, on board to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Around the world, persons with disabilities and their representative organisations are taking action to realise the call: ‘Nothing about us, without us’.”

There is no doubt, and we agree with Guterres’s message that COVID-19 has laid bare the persistent barriers and inequalities faced by the world’s 1 billion persons with disabilities, who have been among the hardest hit by the pandemic.

As has been said before, the UN Flagship Report on Disability and Development – Realising the SDGs by, for and with persons with disabilities, shows that people with disabilities are at a disadvantage regarding most Sustainable Development Goals, but also highlights the growing number of good practices that can create a more inclusive society in which they can live independently.

The UN had issued an urgent call for global efforts to ensure that the more than one billion people worldwide who live with some form of disability can reap the benefits of development and fully participate in society. For this to happen, the UN has said it is necessary that we remove all barriers that affect the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in society, including through changing attitudes that fuel stigma and discrimination.

People with disabilities have generally poorer health, lower educational achievements, fewer economic opportunities, and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities. This is largely due to the lack of services available to them, and the many obstacles they face in their everyday lives.

It is no surprise that children with disabilities are almost four times more likely to experience violence than non-disabled children, according to a systematic review published in the medical journal The Lancet.

Globally, children with disabilities are estimated to be 5.1 per cent of the total population. These are the ones more than likely to be at a disadvantage where educational opportunities are concerned. For example, while we here in Guyana can boast of a good track record in relation to providing quality education for persons irrespective of geographic location, race, religion, gender or social status, there is still much work to be done to ensure that persons with disabilities have an equal opportunity to acquire an education.

Bearing this in mind, the announcement on Wednesday that the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), UNICEF and Government have begun intensifying their efforts to help persons with disabilities, especially those suffering from domestic violence, is most praiseworthy.

Very often, persons with disabilities are overlooked, and their plights, especially in domestic violence, are not very much known; but GCOPD, over the past week, has highlighted that many face these challenges.

Of note, too, is that the majority of our public buildings previously did not have the necessary facilities to cater for such persons eg. ramps and rails etc. All of this makes it more difficult for persons with certain disabilities to ‘fit in’. This, to a great extent, has changed, with many of the newer designed modern buildings.

With respect to the education sector, to be fair, much steps are being taken to improve and expand what currently exists, as it relates to education for special needs children.

We urge all stakeholders here, including political parties and the international development partners, to continue supporting policies that would include participation of persons with disabilities.

Like the UN call, we, too, urge, as stated by Guterres: “all countries to fully implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, increase accessibility and dismantle legal, social, economic and other barriers with the active involvement of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations. On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let us commit to build a sustainable, inclusive and just future for everyone, leaving no one behind.”

Santa run: Santas walk over Millennium Bridge before taking part in a fun run on the South Bank in London, Britain (Reuters/Henry Nicholls)

Conditions are really deplorable at the New Amsterdam Hospital Dear Editor, There are certain stories you might readily dismiss for lack of real evidence, but the recent coverage given by a firsttime mother of the deplorable and unsanitary conditions existing at the New Amsterdam Hospital is the reason for me writing.

This Region 6 medical institution has been in the news for some time now, and for all the wrong reasons; and it is high time some attention be paid to the goings-on there, in order for them to be remedied immediately!

We are talking here about a medical institution which should exude the ambiance of a place of comfort and cleanliness; where one can feel at home either for the delivery of a newborn, even to the point of seeing one last day of absolution and dying; this is what a hospital should be.

It is not a place where one would like to see animals roaming the hallway, or where filth and uncleanliness exist; certainly not!

So, as a Berbician myself, I would like the responsible authorities to urgently address the matter.

That photograph of a flock of sheep trapped in the hallway of the institution is utterly despicable, and is something that readily evokes revulsion in the hearts of anyone who would have cause to visit the hospital. The presence of farmyard animals

in the hallway of a building reveals two glaringly nauseating facts: (a) The animals have seen ample grazing in the compound and were attracted therein; which brings us unto the other aspect, (b) How is the grounds-keeping at the institution being performed? are the lawns well-groomed or kept in a poor condition? The situation which is more like-

ly the scenario here is that there is a great degree of laxity where the upkeep of the grounds is concerned, where animals are “invited” in due to unkept grounds.

And I would like to highlight the fact that, even in the interior of the building, which is the concern of this new mother, regular mopping and sanitisation is woefully lack-

ing, posing a health risk to patients of the institution.

This is unacceptable under any circumstance, so I am appealing to the Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, to make a surprise visit to the institution and get these matters fixed.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Can anyone imagine the outcry if Ramson had said that blacks were “mentally lazy”?

Dear Editor, Minister Charles Ramson Jr said that his father was very successful, and that inspired him to want to succeed as well.

He also said that black kids need good role models if they want to be successful also.

The instant criticism was unlike anything Guyanese have seen in recent memory. Famous attorneys, black professors, Members of Parliament, ex-Coalition Ministers, Radio and Facebook hosts, Opposition leaders, sympathetic T.V stations were all royally outraged at this ‘boy’ for his alleged racism.

Yet, when similar and at times even more outrageous, vulgar, and racist things were said by black and Coalition Members against Indians…all of these supposedly righteous parties have been quiet!

Could someone please explain why none of these aggrieved parties, which are so offended by Mr. Ramson, have never criticised and have gleefully accepted the following: Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan calling Minister Priya Manickchand a ‘wild hog’.

Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan robustly every night inciting racial strife by calling the PPP and their predominantly Indian supporters “wicked, dutty and stink” “trench crappos” “jagabats” etc, etc Mark Benschop daily using pejorative and racist terms (trench crappos, hooligans etc) to unilaterally attack innocent and unsuspecting Indians.

Rickford Burke accusing the PPP of practising ‘apartheid’ in Guyana, a land where Blacks have absolute freedom to do any-

thing and everything they wish. Burke has succeeded in doing the unthinkable.

He desecrated the memory of 21,000 black South Africans who perished at the hands of the brutal White Supremacist regime. Yet, not a pip from the moral brigade that has so vigorously condemned Ramson.

Dr David Hinds said that black people should only buy and patronise black merchants’ shops.

Member of Parliament Amanza Walton-Desir said something that is more directly and overtly racist than what Ramson said.

She said that Indians are “mentally lazy.”

Can anyone imagine the outcry if Ramson had said that blacks were “mentally lazy”??

Respectfully, Jhagroo Persaud

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

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News

Lack of quorum stalls finalisation of shortlist for GECOM’s DCEO – as 2 Opposition Commissioners absent from meeting – evaluation criteria for CEO interviews incomplete

G

uyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n ( G E C O M ) Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh was forced to adjourn a meeting on Thursday after only one Opposition-nominated Commissioner turned up.

The meeting was set for the seven-member Commission to finalise the evaluation criteria ahead of Monday’s interview with the two shortlisted candidates for the position of Chief Elections Officer (CEO), former DCEO Vishnu Persaud and former Jamaican election official Leslie Harrow.

Additionally, GECOM was slated to shortlist candidates for the post of Deputy CEO. However, this could not be done after only Commissioner Vincent Alexander showed up. With the no-show of Alexander’s Opposition-nominated colleagues Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman, the meeting lacked a quorum.

This was revealed by Government-nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj.

“Only Mr Alexander showed up to the meeting today (Thursday)… So, we didn’t get to do any discussions on the shortlisted DCEO candidates today,” he told Guyana Times.

Last month, four candidates had been shortlisted for the DCEO post – Melanie Marshall, Neil Bacchus, Mohamed Arjoon, and Deodat Persaud. The Commission was expected to discuss and select the final candidates from this list to be interviewed for the post.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the CEO post, Commissioner Gunraj informed this newspaper on Thursday that they were “going straight to the interviews on Monday”.

At a meeting on Wednesday, the seven-member Commission selected Persaud and Harrow from a group of six shortlisted candidates to be interviewed for the top position at GECOM. Gunraj had explained that the Commission determined that these two were

the most qualified candidates “academically and experience-wise”.

Persaud, who was employed as GECOM’s DCEO from 2014 to 2017, was overlooked for appointment when he sought to return to the position in 2018.

In fact, his non-appointment sparked controversy and even an investigation by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), which had concluded six months after that he was overlooked and was more qualified than the person who was chosen over him for the position, Roxanne Myers.

On the other hand, news reports in Jamaica revealed that Harrow was up until May employed as Head of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Jamaica. He previously served in several junior and senior positions at the Electoral Commission of Jamaica over his 18-year tenure there.

Meanwhile, with the selection of Persaud

and Harrow, GECOM Information Technology Manager Aneal Giddings; GECOM Assistant Registration Officer and former ERC Commissioner Deodat Persaud, Dr Kurt Clarke from Texas, and Eugene Godfrey Petty from St Kitts have been removed from the race for the new GECOM CEO. When GECOM had put out the advertisements to fill these positions in October, over a dozen persons – both local and foreign – had applied for the post of CEO. Meanwhile, the electoral body is also looking to fill several other key senior positions within the Elections Secretariat including Assistant Chief Elections Officer, Chief Accountant, Legal Officer, Logistics Officer, and Civic and Voter Education Manager.

These posts are being filled following the removal of CEO Keith Lowenfield; his deputy, Roxanne Myers, and Region Four (Demerara-

Vreed-en-Hoop now on GTT Fibre R

esidents and businesses in Vreed-enHoop on the West Coast Demerara (WCD) have become the latest to access GTT’s Fibre internet service, as the telecommunications company continues to roll out fibre broadband technology throughout the country.

GTT’s promise to “reliably connect our customers” continues to be realised as the company delivers to home customers, its GTT Fibre product, in an effort to connect 10,000 new homes in 2021, providing subscribers with more bandwidth and better reliability at better prices.

In September, the company unveiled its GTT Fibre service as a major upgrade to the former Blaze service, offering significant increases in upload and download speeds and reliable connectivity at reduced rates. Now Adding to the list of Fibreready areas, Vreed-en-Hoop will benefit from on-thespot installations beginning December 3, 2021.

GTT Chief Operations Officer for Home Solutions & Fixed Services, Eshwar Thakurdin said he was proud that GTT could deliver once again on its promise to reliably connect its customers and achieve the vision of the company to improve life experiences in every home and business in

Harmonie, La Retraite, Nismes, Onderneeming Phase 1, Recht door Zee, Schoonord, Toevlugt, West Minster, Parika, and Ruschen.

With the new residential plans of Fibre50, Fibre100, and Fibre150, customers in Vreed-en-Hoop can apply for the service at a cost of $8999, $10,999, or $12,999 respectively. As part of GTT’s Christmas promotion, customers will get free installation and the first month. There are

GTT’s Chief Operations Officer for Home Solutions & Fixed Services, Eshwar Thakurdin

Guyana.

“Connectivity is no longer a luxury. It is key to our everyday productivity. Even more so living in a pandemic, the balance between staying safe and connecting to work, entertainment and other leisure activities depend on a reliable connection – one which our company is continuously working to upgrade and expand,” he said.

He noted that the company was happy to bring Fibre to the residents and businesses of Vreed-enHoop, joining consumers on the west side that already enjoy the service including those in Bagotville, La Grange, La Parfaite

also special offers for GTT’s DSL customers making the switch to GTT Fibre!

Each service comes with a fixed voice line.

Business customers will also benefit from the BizFibre service with plans ranging from Biz50, Biz100, and Biz500, starting as low as $14,999.

GTT promises to continue its Fibre expansion to new areas and will make further announcements on the company’s social platforms.

Government-nominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj

Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo. They were on August 12 dismissed from their respective posts at the Elections Commission.

The embattled trio are currently before the courts facing a number of electoral fraud charges for their alleged attempts to sway the results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections in favour of the then ruling A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

Lowenfield’s election report claimed that the then governing APNU/AFC coalition garnered 171,825 votes while the then Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) gained 166,343 votes.

How he arrived at those figures is still unknown, since the certified results from the national recount exercise supervised by GECOM and a high-level

Opposition-nominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander

team from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) showed that the PPP/C won with 233,336 votes while the coalition garnered 217,920.

The recount exercise also proved that Mingo heavily inflated the figures in Region Four (Guyana’s most populated voting district) in favour of the then caretaker APNU/AFC regime – which was defeated by a No-Confidence Motion in December 2018.

Against this backdrop, the three Governmentnominated GECOM Commissioners – Gunraj, Manoj Narayan and Bibi Shadick – on June 1, 2021, brought motions calling for the dismissal of Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo.

Following several delays and legal proceedings, the GECOM Chair announced their terminations, after weeks of deliberation on the motions, effective August 18, 2021.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Dividing fractions by fractions

T

o divide a fraction by another fraction, multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction.

Example: Divide: 2/6 ÷ 3/7 Step 1: Find the reciprocal of the second fraction. The reciprocal of 3/7 is 7/3 Step 2: Multiply the first fraction by the second fraction^' s reciprocal.

2/6 x 7/3 .

Step 3: Multiply the numerators: 2 x 7 = 14.

Step 4: Multiply the denominators: 6 x 3 = 18 Step 5: Write the product: 14/18. The product of that multiplication is

also the quotient of the original division problem.

Step 6: Reduce the fraction if possible: 14/18 = 7/9.

Remember When you divide fractions, you will multiply by the reciprocal!

Exercises: Divide 1) 4/6 ÷ 3/7

4) 36/72 ÷ 5/8

2) 2/5 ÷ 4/9

5) 3/18 ÷ 4/12

3) 2/16 ÷ 1/3

6) 20/25 ÷ 4/16

I

n this popular and fun little science experiment you will explore surface tension using pepper and a drop of dish soap. Watch the pepper run in a panic when the dish soap breaks the surface tension.

Materials:

Pepper Bowl Water Cotton swab Liquid dish soap

Instructions:

Fill the bowl with water.

Sprinkle a thin layer of pepper onto the water.

Dip the cotton swab into the liquid dish soap.

Then dip the end of the cotton swab with the soap into the water.

Observe the pepper.

How it works:

When the pepper is sprinkled in the water, it stays on top because of the surface tension of the water. When the liquid dish soap is introduced, the surface tension breaks sending the pepper in all directions.

Make this a science project:

Everyone has a favourite family Christmas recipe, something wonderful that is cooked up for that special season.

What’s your favourite family Christmas recipe? Does it have special meaning for your family?

What happens if you use a different spice such as cinnamon? What happens if you use a different liquid instead of water? Test different things to see if they break the surface tension of the water. (scienceisfun.org)

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt committed to working with all Guyanese companies as Guyana progresses – VP Jagdeo

…during meeting with Afro-Guyanese Private Sector representatives

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo meeting with members of the Private Sector

V

ice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday engaged a delegation of more than 35 AfroGuyanese Private Sector rep-

resentatives at the Chung Conference (ACCC), Liliendaal, Georgetown.

At the meeting,

Arthur Centre Greater Jagdeo

spoke of opportunities in Guyana, the framework of development being pursued by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

Jordan arrested by...

But SOCU in its missive on Thursday had detailed that Jordan was released on his own recognisance “with instructions to return tomorrow” as investigations continue.

However, Attorney Forde had told reporters earlier that his client was not “prepared or be disposed of” to return to SOCU headquarters.

Earlier in the day, the APNU/AFC coalition committed to supporting the former Minister. In fact, Opposition Leader Joseph

Harmon stated that Jordan would be provided with the best legal representation, calling his arrest “atrocious”.

“We’ve dispatched legal representation for Mr Jordan and I want to give him and his family and friends the assurance that we will stand solidly behind him; we will ensure he gets the best legal representation in this matter,” Harmon said in a message to the media.

Meanwhile, SOCU Head Karimbaksh had also confirmed to this newspaper on

FROM PAGE 3

Thursday that businessman Tiwari was questioned on his acquisition of the prime waterfront properties in Kingston, Georgetown.

The Government, earlier this year, had filed a civil action against Tiwari’s company; Jordan, and former Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Colvin HeathLondon to retrieve the prime waterfront properties in Kingston. Those proceedings are still engaging the courts’ attention.

Some of the representatives at the meeting

(PPP/C) Administration, the Government’s plans for growth and development, and incentive regimes.

He reiterated the PPP/C Government’s commitment to work with all Guyanese companies to ensure that they were positioned to take advantage of the emerging opportunities as Guyana progressed. The meeting comes ahead of a visit from a Ghanaian Private Sector delegation.

Discussions also focused on opportunities that can be capitalised on by Guyanese businesses.

Joining Vice President Jagdeo at the meeting were Foreign Affairs and International Development Minister Hugh Todd; Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond and Chief Investment Officer/

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Peter Ramsaroop.

Earlier in the year, President Dr Irfaan Ali stated that as a result of Government’s investments, a stream of opportunities has already been created for Guyanese across all sections of society.

“These investments create a string of opportunities for different layers in our society. That is why these expenditures are so critical in not only opening up of opportunities but creating immediate benefits,” he explained.

In fact, the President, during his Independence Day address, stated that with its growing petroleum industry and other lucrative productive sectors, opportunities for growth and development of

all Guyanese were imminent.

“We fought for independence to give our people the quality of life of which they had been deprived. If independence is to have any real meaning, it is to uplift our people from the ravages of limitations of the past and to give them a better life with better opportunities under better circumstances,” the Head of State had related.

Every person in the local society, according to the President, now has real economic opportunities to grow and develop, and to contribute to the enlargement of national wealth.

“We cannot be a nation that produces oil and gas, earning considerable sums from it without passing on the benefits to all sectors of our society,” President Ali reiterated.

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 get bail for offering $700,000 bribe to Policeman

Deodharry Odit

Kulwantie Munilall

hree persons who allegedly offered a $700,000 bribe to a Policeman to forgo investigations in a matter involving obtaining money by false pretence were on Wednesday each released on cash bail when they appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy

Latchman at the Diamond/ Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts.

Those charged with corrupt transaction with an agent are 34-year-old Vishal Munilall and 25-year-old Kulwantie Munilall, both of Houston, East Bank Demerara (EBD); and 26-year-old Deodharry Odit

T

Cop pleads guilty to causing death by dangerous driving charge

A

Police Constable was on Wednesday remanded to prison pending sentencing after he pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Constable Trevor Benn was charged with a string of traffic offences five months after he was involved in a hit-and-run accident that claimed the life of a 55-yearold male pedestrian.

He pleaded guilty to the first charge, which stated that on August 1, 2021, at Number 22 Bel Air Public Road, West Coast Berbice (WCB), he drove motorcar PWW 8799 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Whitfield James.

It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, he drove the motorcar when a licence under the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act was not in force.

It was also alleged that he drove the motorcar when the certificate of fitness was not in force.

Further, it has been alleged that while being the driver of the motorcar, he failed to stop when an accident occurred, which caused injury to the now dead man.

The other charges stated that he failed to report the accident to the Police station within 24 hours; used the ve-

hicle while there was not an insurance policy in respect of third-party risk; and failed to take James for medical attention.

Besides the charge of causing death by dangerous driving, Benn pleaded guilty to the charge of driving the car when a licence under the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act was not in force.

He returns to court on December 8, 2021 for sentencing on the causing death by dangerous driving charge.

On the other charge, he has been fined $20,000, in default of which he would serve one week’s imprisonment.

He pleaded not guilty to the other five charges.

It was reported that the Police rank was driving the motorcar proceeding east along the northern drive lane on Number 22 Bel Air Public Road, WCB at a fast rate of speed when he collided with James.

The injured man fell on the road and received injuries about his body, while Benn drove away from the scene.

James was picked up by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The accident was subsequently reported to the Police, and Constable Benn was arrested on August 3, 2021.

Vishal Munilall

Munilall have been placed on bail in sums of $40,000 and $100,000 respectively.

Reports are that Vikram Munilall was apprehended by the Police on two sentence warrants, and escorted to the Golden Grove Police Station, EBD. While there, he requested a telephone call to his lawyer, which was facilitated by the Police. The man was then visited by an Attorneyat-Law, and shortly afterward by Kulwantie Munilall, who gave him a package.

Vikram Munilall then re-

The money that was marked and lodged at the Police Station

of Gordon Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

Vikram Munilall, 37, also of Houston, EBD, Vishal Munilall and Odit have been charged separately with the offence of obtaining money by false pretence committed on Robin Bostwick of Eccles, EBD during February 2017.

The Munilalls are being represented by Attorneysat-Law Damien DaSilva and Siand Dhurjon, while Odit is being represented

by Attorney-at-Law Patrice Henry.

Vishal Munilall and Odit have each been released on bail totalling $140,000 on the two charges, while Kulwantie Munilall and Vikram

quested to speak to the investigating officer, and his request was granted. In the presence of another Policeman, he gave the investigating officer $700,000 to forego investigation/prosecution against him.

The investigating officer immediately told the 37-yearold Vickram Munilall of the offence committed, and cautioned him. The money was seized, marked, and lodged at the Police station.

Vishal Munilall and Kulwantie Munilall were contacted and told of the offence committed. They were also cautioned, arrested, and placed in Police custody.

Vendor on $450,000 bail for discharging loaded firearm

J

unior Gathers, a vendor of Vigilance South, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Wednesday released on $450,000 bail after appearing before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court charged with shooting at three persons.

The 20-year-old Gathers has been charged with three counts of discharging a loaded firearm with intent, committed on Edesi Edgill, Kobina Watson and Jason Archibald contrary to Section 55 (a) of the Criminal (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A conditionality attached to his being grant-

Junior Gathers

ed bail is that he reports to the officer-in-charge of the Vigilance Police Station every Monday and Tuesday until the hearing and determination of his trial.

Gathers’s next court date is March 17, 2022.

Playing the fool…

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…on elections’ loopholes our Eyewitness isn’t amused by the games the Opposition camp - and even some putatively impartial commentators - are playing on the Government’s proposals on closing the elections’ stable doors after the blatant rigging attempt by the PNC between March and Aug 2020. Now, just how many times we gotta say this?

If your cow has brittle bones syndrome (BBS) but her leg is broken right now…do you wait until you have a cure for bovine BBS before fixing the broken leg?? If you say “yes”, you know you’re talking bovine excrement!!

There isn’t a Guyanese who’d say with a straight face - unless they’re suffering from lockjaw! - that our entire electoral system doesn’t need attention. That’s a given; and not just the electoral system, but almost every institution that implements the principles of our Constitution for changing concrete circumstances. And it’s for this reason that ALL constitutions have amendment procedures to deal with the contingency of serious societal disorders akin to “bovine BBS”.

For instance, your Eyewitness knows that if we want to push the value of REAL constituency representation, we gotta get demarcated constituencies. Then have folks competing to represent those constituencies in a FirstPast-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system. The “hybrid” system we have now - as suggested by the name - is neither fish nor fowl!! It was just an expedient arrangement pushed by the PNC back in 1999! Quick now…can you name the MPs representing your Region? Thought so!!

And so, for instance, we can also argue whether the President ought to be elected directly by the people, or whether we should have a second house etc etc. The list of reforms would be as diverse as our population. And it’s for this that reason we can’t afford to rush into changes that affect the Constitution. This isn’t a document that must be brought down to the level of a recipe book, that we can adjust the ingredients to suit every individual’s taste. Haven’t we learnt from the massive changes made in 2000?? Did they stave off conflict??

Since such changes concern every citizen, the Government’s saying that we have to have the widest possible consultations with the people, and start from the very beginning. Do we really want to live together?? And if the answer is “yes”, then we can’t only consider what it is that “WE” personally want, but what WE COLLECTIVELY want!! And that’ll take time.

In the meantime, the Government have a country to run -including LGEs. They’ve already said that once we have a GECOM Secretariat professionally staffed, they’ll look at the Voters’ List. And we know that involves whether we want to disenfranchise our voluble non-resident citizens!!

So, let’s stop playing the fool!! …on mining You, dear readers, would know that your Eyewitness is as staunch a defender of our Indigenous Peoples’ rights as anyone out there. And it’s not just because he enjoys that paiwari to distraction - even though it DOES get you distracted!! He just believes that this land was their land, and we must insist they get their full rights. Now, the question of land rights has come up once again, with the GGMC giving out mining prospecting licences on Marudi Mountain.

What your Eyewitness does know is that the Indigenous Peoples were granted - as part of our Articles for Independence from Britain - the rights to lands they “occupied from time immemorial”. Which just means where they’d been living within memory. And that the PPP started this process of giving them titles to such land after the PNC merely gave lip service during their 28 years.

But your Eyewitness understands Marudi Mountain isn’t part of the land they can claim through prior occupation.

So why the brouhaha?? …on Burnham Imagine some defend Burnham as a “hero”. But then, didn’t Rodney say, “Guyana has produced a discouragingly large number of lackeys and stooges who hide in the shadow of the "Comrade Leader”?

Unfortunately, as Rodney pointed out, “everything he touched turned to sh*t”!!

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

NEWS

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US invests $116M to upgrade GDF’s Coast Guard facilities The Tradewinds exercise also helps to develop strong relationships and reinforce human rights awareness.

This exercise dates back to the mid-1980s.

Representatives from the United States and 12 partner nations – host nation Guyana, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Brazil, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch with members of the GDF Coast Guard

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he United States on Thursday stated that it has invested US$555,000 (G$$116 million) to renovate the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard Training Centre, Kingston and to construct a con-

boats,” Ambassador Lynch said.

The investment was made as part of the US support to enhance the overall effectiveness of joint exercises between the United States and partner nations.

Guyana hosted the 13-part-

Ambassador Lynch assisting in cutting the ribbon to open the new facility

crete boat pad at the Coast Guard Headquarters.

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch attended a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony and toured the facility.

“This investment should leave no doubt as to how serious the United States considers the security of Guyana and its importance to the Region, as it will enable the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard to have better access to their patrol

ner nation military exercise, Tradewinds 2021 and will host it again in 2023.

Tradewinds – a US Southern Commandsponsored combined joint exercise was conducted with partner nations in June to enhance the collective ability of defence forces and constabularies to counter transnational criminal organisations, conduct humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations.

Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago – participated in the 36th iteration of Tradewinds. The exercise commenced on June 12 and concluded on June 25.

Three hundred and fifty ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) trained in various military skills, including close-quarters combat.

Local ranks have also been trained in marksmanship, emergency medical evacuation, search-and-rescue and recovery, and mechanical and engineering repairs for both air and water transportation, among other areas.

Guyana was scheduled to host Tradewinds in 2020; however, the exercise was cancelled owing to COVID-19.

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Teen found with illegal gun, ammo A

n 18-year-old was arrested on Wednesday afternoon after he was found with an illegal firearm at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

According to Police reports, acting on information received, a party of Policemen of Regional Division 4B proceeded to Friendship Squatting Area, EBD at about 13:45h, where they observed a white Toyota Allion motorcar parked on the southern side of a street.

At the time, a male was seated in the back passenger seat. A search was carried out on the vehicle in his presence,

The firearm that was found in the young man’s possession

and one black .32 Taurus pistol with three .32 live rounds of ammunition was found in the seat he was occupying.

He was immediately told of the offence and cautioned,

during which he admitted ownership of the firearm and ammunition. He was arrested and escorted to the Grove Police Station, where he is assisting with investigations.

Labourer gets bail for allegedly robbing housewife

A

labourer who has been accused of robbing a 53-yearold housewife has been granted his pre-trial liberty in the sum of $20,000.

When Yelbies Alaxis Carrero Valesques, 26, of Industry, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was arraigned on Wednesday before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts, he pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on November 24, 2021, at Industry Front, ECD, while being armed with a gun, he robbed the housewife.

The matter has been adjourned to January 10, 2022.

Robbery accused Yelbies Alaxis Carrero Valesques

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540 males, 458 females succumbed to COVID – 497 deaths recorded in Reg 4 – 1 new fatality, 77 new cases reported in 1 day

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tatistics have shown that 47 per cent of the COVID-19 deaths reported in Guyana involved persons who were resident in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Thursday stated that, since the virus was detected here in March 2020, fatalities from the virus have

reached 998, of which 497 were from Region Four. The others were dispersed in other administrative regions as follows: 47 from Region One (Barima-Waini); 43 from Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); 148 from Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); 54 from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice); 89 from Region Six

Men charged for assaulting, wounding each other

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Ramdial Nandalall

Rajish Ramdeal

wo men have been cross-charged for assaulting and wounding each other.

Ramdial Nandalall, 69, a carpenter, and Rajish Ramdeal, 31, a joiner both of Pigeon Island, East Coast Demerara (ECD) appeared in Sparendaam Magistrate Alisha George’s court on Monday last.

Nandalall has been charged with unlawfully wounding

Ramdeal, while Ramdeal has been charged with assaulting Nandalall so as to cause him actual bodily harm.

They were arrested for the offences on October 31, 2021.

They each pleaded not guilty to the charges, and were each placed on $20,000 bail. Their next court date is January 31, 2022, for report and continuation.

(East Berbice-Corentyne); 44 from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); seven from Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni); 29 from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); and 64 from Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

An analysis of the fatalities has shown that 540 males succumbed to the virus, as opposed to 458 females. This means that, at 54 per cent, males have a slight lead in the death rate.

Conversely, at 20,105 females compared to 17,992 males, females account for higher infections.

However, on Thursday, one more person died from the virus, moving the death toll to 998. That person was an unvaccinated 32-year-old male from Region Six. In one day, an additional 77 persons tested positive, taking the confirmed cases to 38,028.

Currently, there are 1,283 active cases, of which a majority - 628 - are from Region Four. Region Three has 221 and Region Six has 244.

Some 18 patients are being monitored in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 54 in institutional isolation, 1067 in home isolation, and two in institutional quarantine.

Since onset of the pandemic, 393,629 tests have been conducted.

Meanwhile, a regional breakdown of new cases shows four for Region One, 15 for Region Three, 20 for Region Four, 35 for Region

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD DECEMBER 2, 2021 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

76

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

54

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

1067 18

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

2

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

20,105

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

17,922

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

38,027

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

35,891

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

401,445

FULLY IMMUNISED

279,658

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

998

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1673

REGION 2

1558

REGION 3

5118

REGION 4

17,814

REGION 5

1421

REGION 6

3337

REGION 7

1783

REGION 8

620

REGION 9

2475

REGION 10

2228

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

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.

Six and two for Region 10.

There have been no increases in Regions Two, Five, Seven, Eight and Nine.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline: 231-1166, 226-7480, or 6246674 immediately, or visit us at www.health.gov.gy

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene.

The holiday season is in full swing, and Guyanese

have already been warned to desist from gathering in large groups and shopping without caution in crowded areas.

Shopping in confined spaces has been more common in recent times, and it has been outlined that this can lead to spikes in infection of the COVID-19 virus, thus exacerbating the public health situation.

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Human Services Ministry introduces survivor’s kit for abused victims T

o further enhance efforts to remove victims of violence or abuse from unsafe environments, the Human Services and Social Security on Thursday introduced its survivor’s kit, which has been created for these persons.

Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud has explained that many persons are removed from such settings with little to no personal belongings to regain control of their lives. As such, the kits contain food supplies and other necessities to sustain them for a short time before they can access other assistance.

“They complement the work that the Ministry has been doing, in that when people want to leave abusive, violent relationships and circumstances, they have a pack that has basic items. When they’re leaving, many of them just leave with the clothing on their

backs, and they’re thinking how can they help themselves in that immediate moment or in those immediate periods right after leaving. These survivor kits will be made available to those persons who need them, and we do have a mechanism,” she detailed.

There currently are 15 survivors’ advocates across the regions, and those would receive the kits and distribute them as needed when cases reach their attention.

“These (kits) will be placed in their custody, so once there is someone who needs it, it will be handed over to that person; and, of course, they get practical help right at that point from our survivors’ advocates.

They are intended to walk a person through whatever it is they’re trying to navigate at that period of time, if they’re experiencing violence or abuse.

“Later as we extend this programme, more of these kits will be available. They

Minister Persaud flanked by some of the survivors’ advocates at the launch

are expected to be available to any of the Ministry’s locations, our regional offices, central offices. As the programme continues, we will be constantly monitoring how this works, so if there is need to expand it further, we will make every provi-

sion to do so,” she added.

Dr Persaud has said that survivors’ advocates have been trained to handle survivors, and the Ministry is seeking to place more persons in this capacity in order to bolster the response to violence and abuse. She

has assured that, with the kits, persons in abusive situations would know that there is a network in place to assist them.

Speaking on the other initiatives of the Ministry, Dr Persaud said, “First, we would have signed onto the

Spotlight initiative, and there are other very important things that will be dealt with, such as legislation, strengthening our service delivery, and also looking at access to remote and difficult areas.”

This launch is part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, being observed under the theme “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!” It is an annual campaign that begins on Nov 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until December 10, when Human Rights Day is observed. This campaign was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991, and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership.

There is a 914 hotline which can provide services to victims of abuse.

GTA launches new tourism apps for tourists

A preview of the tourism apps launched by the GTA

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he Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) on Wednesday launched the much-awaited tourism apps - Discover Guyana and Discover Guyana Tourist Service Providers – which are intended to further boost tourism in the Rupununi area, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The apps were created by several stakeholders, including the GTA, Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), software development company V75, and Wilderness Explorers.

The first app, Discover Guyana, was built exclusively for travellers, to enable them to plan trips ahead of time by viewing GTAcertified tourism establishments, get updated information on safeguards and standards of certified pro-

viders at each stage of their travel.

The second mobile application - Discover Guyana Tourist Service Providers - allows tourists to create profiles for their establishments, demonstrate their COVID-19 certification information, respond to their inquiries, and access up-todate health information to keep both their staff and visitors safe.

The applications also have check-ins and out of lodges features, and can answer questions periodically about their health, to keep track of visitors’ travel histories in the event of a possible situation.

In delivering remarks at the launch, Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond emphasised that “the app allows us [the GTA] to follow

the travel patterns of visitors, to quickly identify areas of concern in the event of a positive COVID-19 test, thus facilitating effective responses.”

The Minister also stated that even though the core value of the apps is to protect the Tourism sector from pandemics such as the COVID-19 outbreak, the apps have been designed to provide better monitoring and evaluation.

“We cannot run a sector such as tourism without effective monitoring and evaluation,” she iterated. “Going forward, the Ministry will place significant emphasis on visitor feedback, to guide us in our interactions with stakeholders and to inform resource allocations,” Walrond stated as she spoke about the future of the apps.

Walrond also encouraged the embracement of partnership and technology that would further improve Guyana’s tourism sector.

“We have to embrace technology, we have to embrace partnership – it cannot happen without partnerships,” she said.

However, the lead developer of the apps, Eldon Marks of V75 Inc, while doing the honours of unveiling them, assured that they would work hand-in-hand to assist both tourists and tourist service providers alike.

Meanwhile Candace Phillips, the Master Trainer responsible for training the lodges of Rupununi, explained that 150 individuals were trained in the span of three weeks: to better equip themselves in household and kitchen management, how to

Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond

implement accurate protocols to fully be ready in the event of a positive COVID-19 case, and knowledge on how to use the new applications.

She also stated that four health officers were trained and put on the grounds to

further observe, monitor, and combat the chances of a positive COVID-19 case.

Acting head of the GTA, Kamrul Baksh, recalled the struggles the tourism sector faced when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Guyana. “We were in a period of – I guess uncertainty, scared. It was a lot of unknown, and we needed to develop not only an application, but an entire system…that is robust and comprehensive, that could take us out of this pandemic, and to lead the recovery efforts,” he said.

Baksh stated that after having conversations with key stakeholders in the industry, different protocols were arrived at, and a framework was created that “we will see the implementation of the two apps that were created”.

Lads, 15 and 17, charged with break and enter and larceny

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wo lads, aged 15 and 17, were on Wednesday arraigned virtually before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Number 51 Village Magistrate’s Court on charges of break and enter and larceny. They have been remanded to the Juvenile Holding Centre.

It is alleged that the lads committed the offences on a cellphone store at Springlands, Corriverton, Corentyne Berbice between September 25 and 27, 2021.

The charges were laid

under Section 229 (a) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01. The minors were arrested for the

offence only last month.

The cases have been postponed to January 6, 2022 for report.

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Ferguson, Mahipaul, Carol Smith-Joseph withdraw from PNCR’s Accreditation Congress Committee

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head of the People’s National Congress Reform’s (PNCR’s) 21st Biennial Congress next weekend, party members Annette Ferguson, Ganesh Mahipaul and Carol SmithJoseph have stepped down from the Accreditation Congress Committee over concerns of conflict of interest.

Ferguson and Mahipaul – both APNU/AFC Opposition Members of Parliament – along with Smith-Joseph, have all publicly endorsed candidates who are contesting to become the next PNCR Leader. While SmithJoseph has thrown her support behind front-runner Aubrey Norton, the two Parliamentarians have endorsed Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon.

Moreover, Mahipaul is also in the race for the PNCR Chairmanship. Harmon had indicated that if he wins the leadership of the party, he would make Mahipaul the next General Secretary of the PNCR. In a statement issued on Thursday, the PNCR said that at a meeting the day before, the party’s Central

Annette Ferguson

Executive Committee (CEC) deliberated on a conflict of interest that arose within the Accreditation Congress Committee.

“The CEC, while recognising the right of delegates to support candidates of their choice, reasoned that a conflict of interest arose where members of the Accreditation Committee, which is responsible for selecting the delegates who would be voting for candidates, are at the same time openly campaigning for candidates of their choice.

[Comrades] Carol SmithJoseph, Anette Ferguson and Ganesh Mahipaul accepted the position of the CEC and withdrew from the Accreditation Congress Committee,” the missive stated.

The CEC has since immediately called for persons to be nominated as replacements within the Committee. It was noted that the work of the Accreditation Congress Committee is significantly advanced, hence the withdrawal of the trio would not delay its completion in time for the hosting of the Biennial Delegates Congress on December 11, 2021.

This comes on the heels of mounting concerns over the electoral process of the upcoming congress.

Party member Dr Richard Van West-Charles, who is also vying for the leadership post, had previously called for current General Secretary Amna Ally to recuse herself from the post in order to allow for transparency and accountability in the election process.

He had also alleged that there were efforts by some

Ganesh Mahipaul

to sway the PNCR membership to vote in a particular manner.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of last month’s Nominations’ Day proceedings, Candidate Norton had contended that once the rules are followed, there is nothing to be worried about regarding the internal electoral process.

“Elections are won when ballots are in the box and the winner is declared…

In any election, one has to put mechanisms in place to ensure irregularities don’t occur…the rules have

been well established, and therefore if the rules are followed, there should be no irregularities whatsoever,” Norton had told reporters at Congress Place.

Nevertheless, in Thursday’s missive, the People’s National Congress Reform sought to reassure its members, supporters and the nation of “…its commitment for a free, fair and transparent 21st Biennial Delegates Congress…”

In addition to electing a new Leader to replace its incumbent Leader, former President David Granger, party members would also be voting for a new Chairperson, since incumbent Chair Volda Lawrence will not be contending to retain her post.

Lawrence has also declined a nomination for the position of PNCR Leader.

She, along with Carl Greenidge, Basil Williams and Sharma Solomon, had received nominations for the post. However, only Williams has accepted his nomination.

Meanwhile, candidates for the chairmanship post include Christopher Jones, Simona Broomes, Roysdale

Carol Smith-Joseph

Forde, Shurwayne Holder and Amanza Walton-Desir.

The PNCR – the leading party in the A Partnership for National Unity faction of the APNU/AFC Coalition Opposition – has been embroiled in a divisive internal power struggle since the party’s loss at the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Hence, there was mounting pressure for Congress to be held to elect new leadership.

At the party’s last biennial congress in 2018, Granger was reelected leader for a second time, after the post was uncontested.

Booster shot uptake now Caribbean remains “vulnerable” picking up – Health Minister as vaccination rate pegged at

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he administration of COVID-19 booster shots is now improving across the regions, as fully vaccinated persons are now taking the jabs.

Speaking on vaccination during Thursday’s COVID-19 update, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony shared that almost 2,000 booster shots have been administered. This indicates improvement from the low uptake recorded last week.

“For the booster dose, we’re now at 1,914…I think it’s now picking up. A lot of people are now coming forward now. Initially, it started out very slow, and a couple of the regions didn’t start their booster campaign on time, but I think that’s getting much better now,” Dr Anthony has explained.

Guyana’s immunisation campaign has seen the usage of Pfizer, Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm and J&J vaccines. The Health Minister has reiterated that a person immunised with Sputnik V can take the Johnson and

Johnson vaccine as their booster dose. Meanwhile, those with Pfizer and Sinopharm are required to take the same vaccines respectively. Since Moderna booster shots are unavailable, Pfizer doses can work. For the AstraZenecaimmunised subset, a recommended Pfizer shot can also be taken. These shots are to be taken six months after. Persons completely immunised with Johnson and Johnson vaccines can get the same vaccine as a booster dose two months after.

Along with persons 50 years and older, healthcare workers and persons with comorbid conditions are eligible for the booster jab.

Comorbid conditions include cancer, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic kidney diseases, chronic lung diseases, chronic liver diseases, diabetes, Down Syndrome, heart conditions, HIV, mental health disorders, neurological conditions, obesity, pregnancy, sickle cell anaemia, tuberculosis, solid organ transplant patients,

smokers, or those with substance use disorder.

Asked whether the age eligibility would be dropped in light of the emergence of new variants, the Minister posited, “Right now, we’re considering various options.”

With the circulation of the Omicron variant and the potential threats which it may bring, people are being asked to protect themselves with vaccines, and by extension booster doses. Some of the better-known variants, such as Delta, have been twice as infectious. Others that were detected include Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, Lambda and Mu. Guyana started offering the booster shots last week. Authorities arrived at this decision after compelling data suggested that six months after the first dose, immunity starts to wane. To avoid the chance of breakthrough infections or risk compromised protection, the booster shot was mulled.

Vaccination numbers have shown that 402,142 adults, or 78.4 per cent of that demographic, have taken a first dose of the vaccine. Adults who have taken the second dose of a vaccine are numbered at 280,637, or 54.7 per cent. Children in the 12-to-17 age group continue to have a low uptake, with just 20,539 persons, or 28.2 per cent of that demographic, having taken the jab.

50% – PAHO Director In the Americas, which reported 753,000 new COVID infections and over 13,000 deaths over the past week, Omicron has so far been detected in Canada and Brazil.

“It is not clear whether Omicron is more transmissible than other variants, or if it causes more severe disease… but it is likely that other countries will begin seeing this new vari-

the US and Canada, and have dropped in Mexico.

Reductions have also been seen in most countries in Central America.

Meanwhile, cases have increased steadily in Southern Cone countries, and have accelerated in the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands, and in Anguilla.

Dr Etienne has said the coronavirus is not the only

ant in circulation soon,” Dr Etienne established.

While PAHO continues to track all variants in the region, Delta, for now, remains the predominant variant in the Americas.

Calling on Governments to sustain public health measures such as mask-wearing, and to redouble their surveillance efforts, Dr Etienne added, “The more COVID-19 circulates, the more opportunities the virus has to mutate and change. Vaccine inequity is prolonging the COVID crisis, and this is exactly what we’re seeing with the arrival of Omicron.”

Over the past week, COVID-19 cases have remained steady but high in

pandemic at hand. Prior to the pandemic, just 65 per cent of people living with HIV in the region were receiving ARV therapy, and as the pandemic progressed, interruptions increased four-fold, leaving millions at risk.

She has said there are effective drugs that control the HIV disease and interrupt transmission, but consistent and equitable access is essential. She has noted that 2.4 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean live with HIV. “We must work together to finish the job. Everyone in our region has access to the services and tools they need to live healthy and productive lives,” she said.

Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director, Dr Carissa F Etienne

D

irector of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr Carissa F Etienne, has warned that the Caribbean and Latin American region remains ‘especially vulnerable’, given that only 50 per cent of the people are vaccinated against COVID-19.

While experts work to better understand the new WHO-designated Variant of Concern, Omicron, she called for increased vaccination and public health measures to ensure the best possible protection against the virus.

Urging against panic, the PAHO Director said in the media briefing that there are still many unknowns, and studies will take some time to complete.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

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Around the World

steps up fight against Omicron OILNEWS OIL NEWS US as variant marches across globe Oil ends higher after a day of wild swings on OPEC, Omicron

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il prices settled more than one per cent higher on Thursday, after a see-saw session that saw benchmarks swing in a US$5 range after OPEC+ surprised markets by sticking to its plans to boost output slowly.

Brent crude futures settled up 80 cents, or 1.2 per cent, at US$69.67 a barrel after touching a low of US$65.72 on the day, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 93 cents, or 1.4 per cent, to US$66.50, after dipping as low as US$62.43.

The market sold off dramatically after the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known as OPEC+, issued a bit of a surprise by sticking to plans to boost output monthly by 400,000 barrels per day.

It was the latest in a series of events that have caused crude to slump wildly, having lost 24 per cent in the last three weeks.

Oil futures rebuilt the rally by the end of the day, but the combination of uncertainty around the Omicron variant, efforts by Governments to stem the tide of new infections and expectations for more supply kept traders on their toes.

"The markets have just been trying to digest so much news," said Rebecca Babin, senior energy trader at CIBC Private Wealth US. "It's like a python eating a pony."

Commodity trading advisors as well as institutions and hedge funds have been selling as well, closing out positions after an overall strong year for crude futures.

OPEC+ decided on Thursday to boost supply in January in line with previous months. Since August, it has been gradually winding down record cuts agreed to in 2020.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

People carry bags on Hohe Strasse shopping street as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Cologne, Germany, December 1, 2021

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resident Joe Biden on Thursday laid out his strategy to fight the coronavirus as the highly contagious Omicron spread across the globe with winter coming and hours after the first known US case of community transmission of the variant was reported.

With authorities around the world scrambling to contain Omicron, Biden warned in no uncertain terms that infections will rise this winter.

"We're going to fight this variant with science and speed, not chaos and confusion," he said, speaking at

T

he United States and European Union on Thursday voiced strong concern at China's "problematic and unilateral actions" in the South China Sea and stressed the need for close contact to manage "competition and systemic rivalry"

week on whether to start the formal impeachment process, with only a simple majority needed to proceed.

Castillo was elected earlier this year by a razor-thin margin and holds only a minori-

P

eruvian Prosecutors said on Thursday they would question socialist President Pedro Castillo as part of an investigation into the promotion of certain military officers, adding to pressure on the leader as lawmakers weigh an impeachment process.

Prosecutors are set to question Castillo on December 14 after two ex-military heads said they were relieved of their duties after refusing to promote certain officials allegedly recommended by Castillo.

The new allegations come as Castillo already faces the weakest moment of his presidency which began just four months ago, with a possible impeachment looming and a record-low approval rating of 25 per cent, according to poll-

ster IEP. Last week, Prosecutors raided Lima's government palace, where Castillo's office is located, and found US$20,000 in cash in a bathroom allegedly belonging to a senior adviser. Castillo fired the adviser and said his administration was committed to fighting graft.

Local media also published on Sunday that Castillo had allegedly held meetings at his personal home, without disclosing them in his public agenda. Castillo denied any wrongdoing, saying the meetings had been of a personal nature.

The allegations are set to add pressures to an impeachment motion presented by a group of lawmakers last week against Castillo.

Congress is set to vote next

sociated with travel to a conference in New York City, and we should assume there is community spread of the variant in our city," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

Much remains unknown about Omicron, which was first detected in southern Africa last month and has been reported in at least two dozen countries, just as parts of Europe were already grappling with a wave of infections of the Delta variant.

Under Biden's plan, the United States will require inbound international passengers to be tested for COVID-19 within one day of departure, regardless of vaccination status. Mask requirements on airplanes, trains, and public transportation vehicles will be extended to March 18. (Excerpt from Reuters)

West concerned by China's “problematic and unilateral actions” at sea with Beijing.

The joint statement followed talks in Washington between US Deputy Secretary of State, Wendy Sherman and European External Action Service Secretary General Stefano Sannino.

It "emphasised the impor-

Peruvian authorities to question President as impeachment threat looms

Peruvian President Pedro Castillo

the National Institutes of Health medical research facility in Maryland.

So far three US states have found Omicron cases – California, Colorado and Minnesota. In all three cases, the patients were fully vaccinated and developed mild symptoms.

In California and Colorado, the patients had recently returned from trips to southern Africa and had not gotten booster doses.

The case in Minnesota is the first known community transmission within the United States.

The patient in Minnesota had recently travelled to New York City for an anime convention, prompting the city to launch contact tracing to try to contain the spread.

“We are aware of a case of the Omicron variant identified in Minnesota that is as-

ty of seats in Congress. He lost against right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori, who has said her party members in Congress would support the impeachment. (Excerpt from Reuters)

tance of the United States and EU maintaining continuous and close contacts on our respective approaches as we invest and grow our economies, cooperate with China where possible, and manage our competition and systemic rivalry with China responsibly".

The statement also said the two sides discussed rights abuses in China, including repression of religious minorities in Xinjiang and Tibet and the erosion of autonomy in Hong Kong. It said they ex-

pressed readiness to deepen US-EU information sharing on disinformation sponsored or supported by China.

"They expressed strong concern over China's problematic and unilateral actions in the South and East China Seas and the Taiwan Strait that undermine peace and security in the region and have a direct impact on the security and prosperity of both the United States and European Union," the statement added. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Son of Panama’s exPresident pleads guilty Blinken warns Russia in corruption case of “severe costs” if T it invades Ukraine

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S Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has warned Moscow of the “severe costs and consequences” it would pay if it invaded Ukraine, urging his Russian counterpart to seek a diplomatic exit from the crisis.

Blinken on Thursday delivered the warning to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at what he called a “candid” meeting in Stockholm, Sweden. He announced that it was likely that Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin would speak soon.

“I made very clear our deep concerns and our resolve to hold Russia responsible for its actions, including our commitment to work with European allies to im-

pose severe costs and consequences on Russia if it takes further aggressive action against Ukraine,” Blinken told a news conference after the meeting.

“It’s now on Russia to de-escalate the current tensions by reversing the recent troop build-up, returning forces to normal peacetime positions and refraining from further intimidation and attempts to destabilise Ukraine.”

Al Jazeera’s Rosalind Jordan, reporting from Washington, DC, said Blinken’s remarks were a “reiteration of the Biden Administration’s view that Russia is making plans to do something nefarious to Ukraine”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

he son of Panama’s former President Ricardo Martinelli has pleaded guilty to money laundering as part of a massive corruption scheme involving Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht, United States Prosecutors said.

Luis Enrique Martinelli admitted to conspiring with his brother Ricardo to establish offshore bank accounts “to receive and disguise over US$28 million in bribe proceeds”, the US Department of Justice said in a statement on Thursday.

“To advance the scheme, Luis Enrique Martinelli agreed with others to cause the wiring of the Odebrecht bribe funds into and out of the United States, and used some of the proceeds of the scheme to purchase a yacht and a condominium in the United States,” the statement reads.

Sentencing for Martinelli,

who was extradited to the US just weeks ago from Guatemala, is scheduled for May 20 next year. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, the Justice Department said.

His brother remains in custody in Guatemala, awaiting extradition. Both were arrested there in July while attempting to travel to Panama and charged in relation to the scheme.

Their father is himself under investigation in the Odebrecht scandal, but has announced his intention to seek re-election in 2024.

Investigations into Odebrecht have tarnished many leaders and political parties in Latin America.

Former bosses of the company have admitted in court of illegally distributing millions of dollars of bribes, in exchange for public contracts. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

Go over contracts, deals and proposals carefully.

You stand to gain if you pay attention to detail. Protect your health and your reputation. Do your own thing.

Your instincts will be correct.

A passionate gesture will make someone take notice.

Your actions will set the stage for what's to come. Let your feelings lead the way, and you will convince others to get involved in your plans.

Set the pace and stay in GEMINI control. If you give someone (May 21- a chance to meddle or interJune 20) fere, you will damage your reputation. Stick to the truth and take a disciplined approach.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Question anything that sounds unrealistic. Use what's available to come up with a workable solution.

Put your energy where it counts, and you'll make a difference. Be honest about your plans.

Attend an event. Get together with people who are upbeat and bring out the best in you. Don't let the changes going on around you dampen your day. Make your feelings and intentions known.

Make the adjustments that help you be happy. You can't please everyone, so do what suits your needs and helps you reach your goals.

A domestic problem is best taken care of with diplomacy.

Don't take on something you don't want or don't know how to do. Put your time and effort where they will do the most, and you'll eliminate a situation that makes you uncomfortable.

Avoid disappointment by doing things for yourself.

Someone you count on will lead you astray. Consider your objective and take a direct path to your destination. An innovative idea will pan out.

You know the rules.

SAGITTARIUS Make wise decisions and (Nov. 23take responsibility for your Dec. 21) actions. Refuse to let someone put you on the spot or make you look bad. Be prepared.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Make sure the people you rely on are competent.

Someone who sounds knowledgeable will be a better talker than a hands-on helper. Take responsibility and flourish.

Finish what you start before you move on to things that put a smile on your face. Chatting with someone who has knowledge and experience will pay off. Leave nothing to chance.

Emotional incidents will mess with your mind.

(Feb. 20- Don't take what others say March 20) to heart. Distance yourself from anyone belittling you.

Concentrate on personal growth and feeling and looking your best.

PISCES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

21

Thompson-Herah and Warholm named World Athletes of the Year

Athletes of the Year, Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica and Karsten Warholm of Norway

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lympic champions Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica and Karsten Warholm of Norway have been named the World Athletes of the Year at the World Athletics Awards Ceremony 2021, held virtually on Wednesday.

Thompson-Herah produced one of the finest sprint seasons in history this year, retaining her Olympic 100m and 200m titles in Tokyo, and adding a third gold medal in the 4x100m relay. On top of her Olympic triple, she clocked world-leading times of 10.54 and 21.53 over 100m and 200m respectively, moving to second on the world all-time lists, and coming within touching distance of the long-standing world records.

“I just take it year by year,” said Thompson-Herah. “I went very close to the world record; so, you know, anything is possible. No spikes hanging up any time soon! The World Championships in Oregon is most definitely my next big target,” she added. “It is close to home. I hope friends and family can come out and watch. I hope I get some crowd as well.

That couldn’t happen in Tokyo, but hopefully, in Eugene, I can get my friends and family to come and cheer me on.”

Warholm uncorked one of the most remarkable performances in athletics history when he stormed to gold in the 400m hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics. Having already broken the World record with 46.70 in Oslo in the lead-up to the Games, Warholm exceeded all expectations in the Japanese capital to claim gold in a stunning world record of 45.94.

In a race of incredible depth, the top three athletes finished inside the pre-2021 world record.

“I’m so happy for this,” said Warholm. “First when I saw the time (in Tokyo), I was like, ‘This must be a mistake!’

Because I didn’t see that one coming. And I didn’t see the victory coming before crossing the finish line.

“It was a very intense race, I knew the American and the Brazilian and all the other guys were really chasing me. I always go out hard, and I never know what is going on behind me. I was just fighting all the way to the finish line. When I realised 45.94 was the reality, I was thinking: ‘This is not too bad. I’ll take it!’”

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe congratulated all of the winners and finalists on their extraordinary achievements this year.

“We have this year celebrated some jaw-dropping performances in Tokyo, at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, and through our one-day meeting circuits – the Wanda Diamond League and the Continental Tour. So, we’re delighted to recognise some of our stars at tonight’s awards,” he said.

“As a sport, we are in an incredibly strong position. 2021 has been an excellent year. We cemented our position as the number 1 Olympic sport coming out of Tokyo, we have the most God-given talented athletes on the planet, and our sport is the most accessible of all sports. ‘Thank you’ to all our athletes around the world. I am looking forward to watching what you can all do in 2022,” he continued.

The other award winners were:

Female Rising Star Athing Mu The US teenager was undefeated at 800m all year, winning Olympic gold at the distance following a long but successful collegiate season. She broke the senior US 800m record with her triumph in Tokyo, and then improved it to 1:55.04 just a few weeks later. She also excelled at 400m, clocking a

North American U20 record of 49.57 for the distance.

“It means the world to know that my support goes beyond friends and families and extends worldwide,” said Mu. “This award shows all young girls that your dreams can indeed come true.”

Male Rising Star Erriyon Knighton Throughout 2021, the 17-year-old took down several marks that had belonged to sprint legend Usain Bolt.

Knighton first set world U18 bests of 20.11 and 20.04 over 200m, but his rapid rise continued, and he broke Bolt’s world U20 record for the distance with 19.88 and 19.84. He went on to finish fourth in the

Olympic final with 19.93.

“I’m really thankful for this award,” said Knighton. “One of my most memorable moments of this year was making it to the Olympic final in Tokyo and finishing fourth at the age of 17.”

Member Federations Award

Federacion Costarricense de Atletismo (Costa Rica) In recognition of their outstanding training, competition and development programme roll-out over the past 12 months, for their consultative work on the World Athletics Kids’ Athletics programme, and for successfully staging a host of international events over the past year.

Inspiration Award

Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi The shared high jump victory between Qatar’s Mutaz Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi became one of the biggest talking points of the Olympic Games – not only for everything it represented in their own individual careers, they having both battled serious injuries since the last Games, but mainly for the act of respect and sportsmanship between two friends.

“It is just crazy if I think about this story,” said Tamberi.

“Thank you very much for this trophy. I now call Mutaz like five times a week, because I need to speak with him. I feel that now we are not just friends, we are really like blood brothers.”

Barshim added: “I hope to inspire more people to love our sport and maybe share a gold one day!”

President’s Award

Peter Diamond, Executive Vice President of NBC Olympic programming “Athletics owes Peter a massive debt of gratitude,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. “Peter has worked alongside us for effectively 40 years, and has been a constant source of great advice and wise counsel, and occasional humour that has softened the edges of any particular situation.

And he has made athletics a lot better.”

Coaching Achievement Award

Bobby Kersee The US coach has guided the careers of many legendary athletes over the years, but this year, two of his charges made history. Allyson Felix became the most decorated female track and field Olympian in history after winning her 10th and 11th Olympic gold medals in Tokyo, while training partner Sydney McLaughlin broke two world records in the 400m hurdles and claimed Olympic gold in the discipline.

Woman of the Year Award

Anju Bobby George The former international long jump star from India is still actively involved in the sport. In 2016, she opened a training academy for young girls, which has already helped to produce a world U20 medalist. A constant voice for gender equality in her role as Senior Vice President of the Indian Athletics Federation, Bobby George also mentors schoolgirls for future leadership positions within the sport.

Jean-Pierre Durand World Athletics Photograph of the Year

Ryan Pierse’s photograph of the women’s high jump qualifying at the Tokyo Olympic Games This year’s award is dedicated to the memory of JeanPierre Durand, one of the sport’s most prolific photographers and photo chief for a number of World Athletics Series events, who died in October.

“This winning image was taken on one of the morning sessions in Tokyo, and it was a hot one,” said Pierse, who is from Australia. “I wanted to illustrate the heat and how it was affecting the athletes. It is a picture that I worked on for a while, and it all came together. I am really happy with it.

“I think it’s incredibly fitting that this award is named in memory of Jean-Pierre Durand,” added Pierse. “I had the pleasure of working alongside him, most recently at the Tokyo Olympics.” (Sportsmax)

Pakistan leave out Malik, Wasim and Hasan Ali for West Indies series ...Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Wasim included in 17-man ODI squad

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hoaib Malik, Imad Wasim, cided to reduce the number of playSarfaraz Ahmed and ers to 15. As such, we have not Hasan Ali have all been included Imad Wasim, Sarfaraz left out of Pakistan’s 15-man Ahmed and Shoaib Malik,” Mohammad Wasim, the PCB squad for the upcoming T20I series against West Indies at Chief Selector, said. home.

“For the ODIs, which we last Pakistan also named Asif played in July, we have accepted the team manAli, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah agement’s request and Mohammad Wasim and provided them jr in their 17-man ODI two additional resquad, with Abdullah sources. In conShafique includsultation with ed as a travelling reHasan Ali, and taking into serve. Faheem Ashraf, Hasan, Agha Salman consideration and Sarfaraz - who that he has had been included in been playthe squad for the ODIs Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik ing non-stop cricket since against England in July - were left out. returning from “As we have been playing T20Is a back injury, we have decided to give since October, and now have a pretty him time off from this series.” settled and balanced side, we have dePakistan will host West Indies for

three T20Is and ODIs each - all in Karachi - between December 13 and 22. The T20I matches will count towards the ICC T20I rankings, while the ODIs will be part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.

Pakistan T20I squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir Pakistan ODI squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Hasnain, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir.

(ESPNcricinfo)

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Dhananjaya de Silva’s 153* puts Sri Lanka in command this knock. He scored 153 not out off 259 balls by stumps, having put on 78 alongside Pathum Nissanka to rescue Sri Lanka from immediate peril, and making 51

with Ramesh Mendis during a Permaul claimed three wickets in the second second session in innings after his five-for which West Indies’ spinners made a four-wicket charge.

But it was with No. 10, Lasith de Silva scored Embuldeniya, an unbeaten ton with whom he produced the most consequential and perhaps match-defining partnership - an asyet unbeaten association of 107 runs, during which he completed his eighth Test century, and breezed past 150, plundering 73 runs off 98 balls from a tiring attack.

He was dropped twice, both times off the bowling of Veerasammy Permaul. When he was on 5, wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva could Nissanka scored another half-century in the match not hold on to a big edge, though hananjaya de Silva came to the crease with this was an incredibly difficult chance. The ball Sri Lanka only 23 runs ahead, with three travelled quickly and hit only the tips of his gloves. wickets down and their most experienced The opportunity West Indies would rue more batter injured and unable to play normally. By the came when de Silva was on 116 and attempted time his work ended on day four, Sri Lanka were a slog sweep with the field spread. Permaul got 279 runs ahead, with two wickets still in hand, and himself under the swirling top edge as he ran in firm control of the match. towards the sight screen, but ultimately could not De Silva was in sublime touch for much of wrap his fingers around the ball. If he’d caught

D

SCOREBOARD

that, Sri Lanka would have been nine down with a lead SL 2nd Innings (Oshada Fernando, 14.3 ov), of 218. It’s 3-73 (Charith Asalanka, 30.5 Dimuth Karunaratne (c) run p o s s i b l e out (Mayers) 6 ov), 4-151 (Pathum Nissanka, West Indies would Pathum Nissanka lbw b Chase 66 57.6 ov), 5-157 (Dinesh already have been Oshada Fernando run out Chandimal, 61.2 ov), 6-208 batting by now, chasing (Blackwood/†Da Silva) 14 (Ramesh Mendis, 79.5 ov), 7-219 (Suranga Lakmal, 82.5 ov), 8-221 a difficult but not outlandish Charith Asalanka c Bonner b Permaul 19 (Angelo Mathews, 84.3 ov) target.

O-M-R-W The earliest stretch of the Dhananjaya de Silva not out 153 BOWLING de Silva-Embuldeniya stand Dinesh Chandimal † c & b Chase 2 Veerasammy Permaul 39-4-100-3 Ramesh Mendis c Roach Roston Chase 27-2-82-2 had been tense. Embuldeniya b Brathwaite 25 Jomel Warrican 29-5-76-0 had come in with Sri Lanka only Suranga Lakmal lbw b Permaul 7 Kemar Roach 7-0-18-0 179 ahead, and with Permaul Angelo Mathews c Blackwood Jason Holder 9-1-24-0 having taken two wickets in quick b Permaul 1 5-0-11-1 succession with the second new Lasith Embuldeniya not out 25 Kraigg Brathwaite Nkrumah Bonner 3-1-9-0 ball. De Silva was batting on 80, Extras (b 4, lb 4, nb 1, w 1) 10 TOTAL (119 Ov, RR: 2.75) 328/8 and so the hundred was in sight SL 1st Innings 204 all out as well. But the pair settled into Yet to bat: Praveen Jayawickrama Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Dimuth WI 1st Innings 253 all out a rhythm - de Silva farming the Karunaratne, 1.5 ov), 2-39 strike to give Embuldeniya only the last two or three balls an over, up almost comically high. West Indies will be kicking where possible. themselves for letting the situation slip, after having de Silva didn’t always attempt to hit surged through the middle session, and having kept boundaries early in those overs, largely because the opposition in check even before lunch.

Kraigg Brathwaite had positioned fielders on the Sri Lanka had begun the day still three runs in rope. arrears, and with two inexperienced batters at the Embuldeniya scratched his way through that crease. Permaul got one to bite to take Charith period, facing 20 balls before de Silva was able to Asalanka’s inside edge, which popped up off complete the century. After that, de Silva shifted the pad to short leg, in the first hour of play. And gears. He hit Roston Chase behind point for four although Nissanka completed his third fifty of the soon after getting to a hundred, then slammed him series in the company of de Silva, he was out the over long-on two balls later. The field spread back ball before lunch too - lbw to Chase. to him, he ran hard twos, and when Brathwaite Chase struck again in the afternoon, pocketing brought the seamers back, attacked them as well. a return catch off Dinesh Chandimal, before Having got to his hundred off his 189th delivery, he Brathwaite was the beneficiary of the only wicket added the next 50 off 65.

Sri Lanka truly threw away in the day - Mendis Embuldeniya played an unambitious supporting holing out at deep midwicket the over before the hand, all the way up to stumps. He faced 110 balls second new ball was due. for his 25. He did not hit a single boundary, but was Permaul removed Suranga Lakmal and Angelo largely good in defence.

Mathews cheaply with that new ball. He finished West Indies, through this period, seemed the day on 3 for 100 - West Indies’ best analysis. ragged and short of ideas. Brathwaite bowled a (ESPNcricinfo) strange spell in which he occasionally tossed the ball

Not my choice to race at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, says Lewis Hamilton

L

ewis Hamilton has said he is not comfortable racing in Saudi Arabia this weekend, as a result of that country’s human rights record.

Saudi Arabia is hosting its inaugural race on a new street track in the coastal city of Jeddah, the first in a long-term contract.

Hamilton has said: “Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn’t say I do. But it’s not my choice to be here; the sport has taken a choice to be here, and whether it’s right or wrong, while we are here, it’s important we do try to raise awareness.”

F1’s decision to race in

Saudi Arabia has been criticised by human rights groups.

Amnesty International has said Saudi’s record is “extremely troubling”, and that the race is being used to “sports-wash” the country’s reputation.

Amnesty’s UK Chief Executive Officer Sacha Deshmukh has said it was “encouraging” to see Hamilton speaking out on human rights. He added that the past three years had seen an “unprecedented human rights crackdown” in the country.

“This isn’t just about Lewis Hamilton,” Deshmukh said.

“We’re calling on all within Formula 1 - the drivers, their

teams, senior executives to be prepared to speak out about human rights in Saudi Arabia, helping to undo some of the sports-washing effects of this event.”

Hamilton has said he would again be wearing the helmet he wore at the last race in Qatar, which is painted with the rainbow flag in support of LGBTQ+ rights. He has described the situation for LGBTQ+ people in Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is prohibited and punishable by flogging and imprisonment, as “pretty terrifying”.

And in referring to the decision in 2018 to end the

Lewis Hamilton

ban on women being able to drive, he said: “There are changes that need to be made.

For example, women’s rights of being allowed to drive since 2018. It is how they are policed. Are they really [allowed], in effect? Why are there women still in prison from driving many years ago?

“There is a lot of change that needs to happen, and I think our sport needs to do more,” he said.

Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, who has also expressed his concern on human rights issues this season, organised a karting event for women on Thursday in Jeddah.

The Aston Martin driver said: “I was thinking of what

DeSinco Ltd rewards EBFA ATC for current success

Managing Director of DeSinco Ltd., Frank DeAbreu, and EBFA ATC Coach Amanda Angoy show off some of the balls in the presence of TDO Devnon Winter

T

he East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-13 Academy Training Centre Team are set to take on their Georgetown counterparts in Sunday’s historic final of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) inaugural Inter-Academy

Championship, and DeSinco Ltd, through Managing Director Frank De Abreu, has made a timely donation to that team.

At a simple but significant presentation held at DeSinco Trading’s Eccles Industrial Site location on Wednesday December 1st, De Abreu

congratulated the EBFA ATC for the admirable and committed work they have been putting in with the youths, which has earned them a spot in Sunday’s historic final.

“It is always a very good thing to see that our youths are exposed to the fundamentals of the game from an early age, and exposed to competition in the correct setting, which would eventually serve this nation well in the future. The positive results that you guys have been enjoying did not come overnight; it is because you have been deliberate in your efforts to train hard and do what is right, along with the support of the GFF,” he said.

DeAbreu further posited that it is as a result of their dedication at the ATC, led by Technical Development Officer (TDO) Devnon Winter and his committed support staff, that his company sought to

recognise and reward them for their efforts.

A dozen footballs were handed over to the EBFA ATC to ensure that they continue to build on the successes they have been reaping to date.

“These footballs, I am sure, would assist you to keep working hard with these youths, who have been showing real commitment to the game.

“I must commend the GFF for this level of investment so early in the careers of these players, and we here at DeSinco Trading would continue to do our part as a good corporate citizen.”

De Abreu wished the team the best in Sunday’s final, and promised to continue to lend support as the Academy continues to grow from strength to strength in the coming weeks, months and years.

On behalf of the

Association, EBFA Vice President Lambert Clayton offered sincere gratitude to Mr. De Abreu and De Sinco Ltd for the timely support. He noted that the players would be very happy that their efforts have been recognised by this company, and by someone who is not a stranger to the game.

“The EBFA is well aware that you have been of yeoman service to the sport, not only from a business perspective, but serving as well as Under-20 National Team Manager some years ago. We are satisfied that this is just the beginning of a great partnership between our two organisations, and we would like to assure you that our efforts would continue to be aimed at setting a solid foundation for these players to excel for themselves and ultimately Guyana,” Clayton said.

I can do. In general, we have so much focus on negative examples when it comes to shortcomings of certain countries in regards to human rights and other things.”

Vettel said he “was trying to pass on some of my experiences in life and on track to do something together to grow their confidence”, and said he had been “inspired” by the women who attended the event.

He added: “It’s true obviously, if we look through a western-European lens, there are lots of things that should be improved and have to be addressed. But it’s also true some things are changing, and for those people, it makes a big difference.

“It’s clear some things aren’t going the way they should, but that’s our point of view. It’s also probably true that things take time, and it’s progress.” (BBC Sport)

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Harper expects Motie to play major role in Pakistan tour

By Brandon Corlette

C

ricket West Indies Lead Selector Roger Harper has disclosed that Guyanese left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie is expected to play a major role in the upcoming

3rd night of ExxonMobil Indoor Hockey Championships sees exhilarating action

GCC Ignite’s Sarah Klautky being challenged by Spartans’ Vanessa Pires

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he third night of competition in the ExxonMobil National Indoor Hockey Championships has seen a few thrillers taking place at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, as the likes of Pepsi Hikers and the GBTI GCC ladies kept their record clean with victories.

On Wednesday evening, The Pepsi Hikers and Bounty GCC squared off in what is traditionally a key men’s first division matchup. After seven minutes of conservative play by both sides, Aroydy Branford dribbled up the left wing, faked out GCC goalkeeper Medroy Scotland, and sent the ball into an empty goal for the Hikers’ opener.

GCC responded three minutes later with a Kevin Spencer penalty corner flick to level the score at 1-1.

Hikers Captain Robert France then pushed his team ahead one minute later, and the score remained 2-1 for the Hikers at half-time.

The second half was all Hikers, as the GCC defence began to unravel. The Hikers poured in four more unanswered goals in the second half, as Branford amassed a hattrick and France a double, with the sixth Hikers goal coming via a penalty corner from Jamarj Assanah.

The 6-1 victory leaves the Hikers as the only unbeaten team left in the men’s first division.

The GCC Roulettes seemed to be cruising to the semi-final as they dished out another beating, this time on the Misfits by a margin of 5-1. Belgian guest player Leo

strong possibility exists with Pakistan being a heavy right-handed batting order and pitches expected to suit spinners. Currently, in the Test series against Sri Lanka, West Indies are playing Jomel Warrican and Veerasammy Permaul, both of whom are left-arm spinners.

Pakistan tour, starting on December 13.

Speaking at a recent media conference, Harper highlighted Motie’s brilliant performance at the regional level, and indicated that, in the sub-continent, spinners like Motie would have important roles to play.

Berlie led the scorers for GCC with a field goal and a penalty corner goal, while veterans Tricia Fiedtkou, Abosaide Cadogan and Shebiki Baptiste each added one.

Kenisha Wills was the lone scorer for Misfits.

The GCC Ignite and the GCC Spartans ladies provided the most entertaining match of the evening, which saw Ignite pull ahead by 4-1 by half time, mainly through the skilful play and leadership of Captain Aliyah Gordon.

The Spartans, however, made a few tactical adjustments and swayed the momentum of the game in their favour in the second half.

Captain Gabriella Xavier almost drew her team level with a hattrick of goals, but the final whistle came two soon, leaving Ignite to celebrate the 5-4 victory.

In the men’s second division competition, YMCA Old Fort obliterated the young GCC War Dogs by a margin of 8–1. The Saints Scorpions drew 2-2 with Hikers Cadets, while counterparts the Saints Sensations defeated the GCC Pitbulls by 2-0.

Full results are as follows:

MALE Division Pepsi Hikers defeated Bounty GCC 6-1 Guyana 40s drew with Saints 1-1 FEMALE Division GCC Roulette defeated Misfits 5-1 GCC Ignite defeated GCC Spartans 5-4 MALE Second Division YMCA Old Fort defeated GCC War Dogs 4–0 Saints Scorpions drew with

Hikers Cadets 2–2 Saints Sensations defeated GCC Pitbulls 5–4

West Indies’ full squads to Pakistan

CWI Lead Harper

Selector

Roger

One-Day International squad to Pakistan: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Shai Hope (Vice Captain), Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Nicholas Pooran, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith and Hayden Walsh Jr. T20 International squad to Pakistan: Kieron Pollard (Captain), Nicholas Pooran (Vice Captain), Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas and Hayden Walsh Jr.

“I think he performed exceedingly well in the last Super50. He followed that up with good performances in the CPL, and we really see him on a tour like this playing a major role in the spin-bowling department. In the sub-continent, a place like Pakistan, the pitches will offer him a little bit of help, so that he will be called on to play a role there,” Harper explained.

Notes Motie has been the leadJason Holder is being rested for ing wicket-taker in the last this tour due to workload manageRegional Super50 tournament, Gudakesh Motie ment. Fabian Allen and Obed McCoy claiming 17 wickets in seven matchare unavailable owing to injury and es at an economy rate of 4.56. He r e h a - bilitation. Evin Lewis, Shimron had a best bowling figure of 4-45, with a stelHetmyer, Andre Russell and Lendl Simmons lar average of 16.64. In the CPL, Motie played are unavailable owing to personal reasons. six matches, and impressed with eight wickets at a brilliant economy rate of 6.52. He also TOUR SCHEDULE had a best bowling figure of 3-25 in his debut December 13 – 1st T20I, Karachi season at a top average of 15.50. Motie has December 14 – 2nd T20I, Karachi also gained valuable experience as a reserve December 16 – 3rd T20I, Karachi player at the T20 World Cup. December 18 – 1st ODI, Karachi While many may not see Motie and December 20 – 2nd ODI, Karachi Akeal Hosein in the same starting XI, a December 22 – 3rd ODI, Karachi

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

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

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Harper expects Motie 3rd night of ExxonMobil to play major role Indoor Hockey Championships sees exhilarating action in Pakistan tour Pepsi Hikers midfielder Jamarj Assanah racing up court on a counterattack

GFF, GoG meet to discuss First Caricom edition of FIFA Football for Schools

GFF President Wayne Forde and Government officials, including Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport Charles Ramson Jr, working through proposals in the FIFA Football in Schools programme

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he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has met with the Government of Guyana (GoG) to begin the national approval process necessary to accept an offer from FIFA for Guyana to become the first CARICOM nation to benefit from the world football governing body’s Football for Schools programme.

The programme, which will see FIFA provide financial,

technical and logistical support to establish sustainable football initiatives and competitions in primary and secondary schools around the world, requires a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the GoG and the GFF, the creation of a National Steering Committee, and an agreed list of participating schools.

GFF President Wayne Forde on Wednesday met with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson

Jr; Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Kashif Muhammad; Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle; and Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa Dow-Richardson, to discuss the details of the MoU and the composition of the Steering Committee.

President Forde will appoint the Chair of the Committee, which would include representatives from the GFF; the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; the National Sports Commission; corporate Guyana, and members of the football community.

“We are honoured and deeply proud that Guyana has been selected by FIFA as a role model member association to become the first Caricom nation to benefit from the Football for Schools programme. FIFA and the GFF are eager to move forward as swiftly as possible in partnership with the Government of Guyana, so that this important programme can be delivered for the new school year in September 2022,” Forde said.

“It is crucial that we are able to meet the strict criteria stipulated by FIFA for its development activities, and this meeting with Government has helped us move forward in securing the support and resources required to deliver the programme successfully.

“With expert help from the world governing body of football, and with all eyes in the region on us as the first Caricom nation to participate, Guyana has a golden opportunity to transform its school sports agenda and to further cement its reputation as a premier destination for football development in the Caribbean,” he said.

The next steps in the process include finalising and signing the MoU, appointing the Steering Committee, and providing FIFA with the list of primary and secondary schools that would benefit.

FIFA Football for Schools, in collaboration with UNESCO, aims to contribute to the education, development and empowerment of approximately 700 million children. It seeks to make football more accessible to both boys and girls by incorporating football activities into the education system, in partnership with relevant authorities and stakeholders.

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