Guyana Times -- Friday, February 4, 2022

GDF medic delivers baby boy en route to Diamond hospital P19 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4910

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022

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President will meet with new Opposition Leader – VP Jagdeo Page 3

Infrastructure development opens up opportunities for Guyanese in agriculture, housing – Min Edghill

Page 9

...rebuts Duncan’s lack of confidence in work programme

Houses, farmlands flooded as koker door collapses in Essequibo Page 21

PRICE

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

NRF funds will be used to incentivise non-oil sectors – Minister P20 Bharrat ...as Patterson says emptying oil fund is reckless

291 more persons test positive for COVID P7 Armed robbery suspect P2 escapes from Lusignan Prison

Father of three found guilty of repeatedly raping 15-yearP5 old girl

Mahaica fatal crash

Mother cries for answers, justice for only child

Guyana’s finances have returned to incorruptible hands – Home Affairs Minister …calls out APNU/AFC for dismantling ‘vibrant’ economy Page 7

See stories on pages 16, 17 & 19

...dead 16-year-old had left home for school – uncle ...Top Cop promises “impartial” probe

…urges young MPs to leave “that wreck of a party”

Berbice trio busted with $1.1M worth of ganja P15

Man gets P20 2 years for gun, ammo possession

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Armed robbery suspect escapes from Lusignan Prison A n 18-year-old prisoner identified as Kavin Singh escaped from the Lusignan Prison between 9:15h and 11:37h on Thursday while waiting at the institution’s virtual court compound.

Singh, whose last known address is Lot 291 School Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was admitted to the prison on

December 6, 2021 after being charged with two counts of possession of ammunition and firearm and robbery under arms.

Reports are that at around 09:30h on Thursday, a prison officer uplifted seven inmates, including Singh, to attend court. Singh, who was foot-cuffed at the time, asked to use the washroom.

Permission was granted,

Prison escapee Kavin Singh

and the prisoner went to use the washroom without supervision.

The prison officer has said that upon his return to the washroom, he discovered the inmate missing, and an alarm was raised.

Checks were made, and it was discovered that the

eastern chain-link fence of the court compound was detached from the post. The Guyana Police Force was contacted, and ranks have joined in the manhunt to recapture the teenager.

Back in October 28,

2021, twenty-four-yearold Kapildeo Gangadin of Annandale, ECD escaped from the Lusignan Prison about a week after he was remanded on two counts of murder. Gangadin was discovered missing after a routine check was conducted.

It was reported that Gangadin was housed in the quarantine section of the prison, and based on preliminary investigations, he escaped after tampering with the housing unit.

Officials stated that, from there, he ventured to the back of the prison, where he used a cloth pole to scale the fence and proceed into

the farms, from where he scaled another fence and made good his escape.

A day after his escape, he was recaptured in a minibus in the vicinity of Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Gangadin had reportedly confessed to the murder of 20-year-old Chris Persaud of Strathspey, ECD, and was subsequently remanded to prison. Persaud had owned an electronics store which was located at his home.

The murder accused was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison for the escape. (G9)

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Friday, February 4 – 23:59h-06:00h (Saturday) and Saturday, February 5 – 23:59h-06:00h (Sunday).

President will meet with new Opposition Leader – VP Jagdeo

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, February 4 – 06:25h-07:55h and Saturday, February 5 – 07:00h-08:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals are expected during the morning, followed by light to thundery showers into the night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 06:44h and 19:01h reaching maximum heights of 2.63 metres and 2.67 metres.

Low Tide: 12:35h reaching a minimum height of 0.58 metre.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS O

01 03 09

13 21 26

FREE TICKET

25 Bonus Ball

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022

DAILY MILLIONS

05 14 21 22 25 LUCKY 3

8

4

5

9

Afternoon Draw

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8

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

02 04

09 11 12 13 19 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2022

02 06 11 16 17 13

03 04 10 16 21

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0 Evening Draw

5X Evening Draw

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

$91.56/barrel

Rough Rice

$275.814/ton

-0.66

London Sugar

$492.50/ton

+ 0.10

Live Spot Gold

+0.49

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1807.20

$1808.20

Low/High Change

$1787.80 +2.60

$1808.60 +0.14%

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

President Dr Irfaan Ali

resident Dr Irfaan Ali will foster engagement with whoever becomes the new Opposition Leader to address and bring closure to a slew of constitutional issues which require consultation.

With Joseph Harmon stepping down as Opposition Leader, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) is yet to officially select his replacement.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo at a press conference on Thursday pointed out that a number of Commissions are yet to be reinstated and they require consultations by President Ali and Opposition Leader. The Government is aiming to conclude these matters by the end of this month.

“There are several Commission’s now that we anticipate before the end of February that the President will meet with the Leader of the Opposition if by then there is a new Leader of the Opposition. We are hoping that the matter will be resolved shortly…We anticipate that all of the Commissions would be fully operational by the end of February, because the consultation with the Opposition Leader will take place,” the Vice President told media operatives.

This week, Nicolette Henry resigned as an Opposition parliamentarian – a move that paves the way for People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader Aubrey Norton to take up a seat in the National Assembly. With a vacant seat now on the Opposition side of the National Assembly, it is anticipated that Norton would be sworn in as a Member of Parliament (MP) and take up the role as soon as possible.

According to Article 156 (3) (c) of the Constitution, the Head of the Party’s List of Representatives – David Granger – will now have meaningful consultations for the appointment of Norton to Parliament.

Norton had revealed last month that the Central Executive of the PNCR, the leading party in the coalition Opposition, wants him to take up the role that was previously held by Harmon.

Despite refusing to step down initially, Harmon last week resigned as Opposition Leader, but still remains an

Opposition MP. Among the constitutional bodies scheduled for reinstation are the Police Service Commission, Public Service Commission, Teaching Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, and the Integrity Commission.

With Government coming under some heat in relation to the prolonged delay, Jagdeo clarified that Ali was open to consultations with Harmon, but on the basis that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration is accepted as a legitimately-elected Government.

“I think the President was misquoted as saying he did not want to meet the Leader of the Opposition. But when the question was posed to him about engagements with the Opposition, and he said until there is an acknowl-

P

edgment that this is a legitimately-elected government, there is no room for that engagement to move forward.

However, he made it very clear that in his constitutional role, [he] was mandated by the Constitution to have to consult with the Leader of the Opposition, he was going to discharge his responsibility,” Jagdeo underscored.

For the Police Service Commission, four names have been approved by the Parliamentary Committee of Appointments and it was on the order paper for approval.

On the Integrity Commission, the VP outlined that while this entity was not currently in place, the law and the secretariat were and that warranted public office holders to make their declarations.

“There is an obligation for members to submit. We have submitted notwithstanding there is no commission…

We have made it clear that they have to submit their statements to the Integrity Commission. There is a secretariat. You get a receipt for your submission, even in the absence of the Commission.

What APNU did, they not only did not have the Commission in place for three years, but they refused to take the submissions.”

As he continued on policy moves, Jagdeo reminded that

PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton

the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform would meet again on March 8, setting up the basis for consultations.

He asserted, “Consistent with the pledge of our manifesto, this year, we put in place $125 million in the budget for them to start to work on what we promised in our manifesto – consultations across the country for constitutional reform.”

The former Head of State opined that the ‘farcical approach’ by APNU/AFC in the area of constitutional reform led the PPP to define in its manifesto, the model to be used in this process, with five persons from Government, five from the Opposition, and 10 from civil society to lead the process and make recommendations to the National Assembly.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022

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

World Cancer Day: “Close the Care Gap”

F

ebruary 4 is designated as World Cancer Day to raise awareness of cancer while encouraging its prevention, detection, and treatment.

This year, the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) is observing the day under the theme “Close the Care Gap”. The objective is to understand and recognise the inequities in cancer care around the globe; have an open mind, challenge assumptions and look at all the hard facts.

These ‘hard facts’, according to the World Cancer Day Organisation, are: inequity in cancer care costs lives; people who seek cancer care hit barriers at every turn; income, education, location and discrimination-based gender, sexual orientation, age, disability and lifestyle etc.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths.

Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men; while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are the most common among women.

The WHO has pointed out that the cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems.

Many health systems in low- and middle-income countries are least prepared to manage this burden, and large numbers of cancer patients globally do not have access to timely quality diagnosis and treatment. However, according to WHO, in countries where health systems are strong, survival rates of many types of cancers are improving, thanks to accessible early detection, quality treatment, and survivorship care.

What is very worrying is the fact that the number of cancer deaths could increase by over 50 percent by 2030 if immediate global action is not taken, especially in the low- and middle-income countries where most of the deaths are likely to occur. The statistics regarding cancer and its impact on individuals and society tell a sad tale. However, it should motivate us to work harder for better results.

It should be noted that between 30 and 40 percent of cancer cases could be prevented, and one-third of cancer cases could be cured through early diagnoses and treatment. The sad thing, however, is that the medicines, technologies and services are not widely available in low- and middle-income countries, and this results in the majority of premature cancer deaths each year.

In Guyana, cancer is one of the leading causes of death, and we, as guardians of our own destiny, should continue to make arduous efforts in our campaign to reduce the number of persons dying from the disease. For example, individuals could assist in the prevention of cancer by doing simple things such as: making sure they eat a healthy diet, engaging in regular adequate physical activity, and the overall maintenance of good health. Research has shown that physical inactivity is linked to breast and colon cancers. WHO’s Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health details how differing amounts and intensities of physical activity for all age groups can help reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including some cancers. It is also worthy to note that the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research has advised that cancer could be prevented if persons could be as lean as possible without becoming underweight; be physically active for at least thirty minutes each day, and avoid sugary drinks, among other things.

The three main cancers in Guyana are breast cancer, cervical cancer, and prostate cancer. While cervical cancer is a slow-growing cancer that is easily prevented through regular screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions, far too many women ignore the pre-testing option and seek medical advice and treatment only when they begin to develop signs of illness. In many cases, indications of physical illness or signs of discomfort often suggest that the cancer is at an advanced stage. Persons should therefore be encouraged to have regular tests done, since pre-symptoms are not that visible.

The Public Health Ministry, along with NGOs such as the Cancer Society and leading Private Sector bodies such as GTT, must be commended for the work they do in spreading awareness and encouraging persons to get screening etc. These efforts must be stepped up with the involvement and funding from more stakeholders, so that the impact could be more far-reaching.

We can never overstate the importance of having more public awareness and education campaigns about the disease, with the aim of changing lifestyles and getting persons to do regular testing so that treatment could be administered before the disease becomes life-threatening.ssssss

This Mike Charles photo shows an aerial view of Stabroek Market, Georgetown

Quality and substance lacking in some debate presentations to date Dear Editor, This year, I am very disappointed with the National Assembly’s budget debates.

I am sure that 60% of the speakers were slaves to their scripts. Most of the Opposition APNU+AFC Parliamentarians lacked substance, and were void of relevance. Their presentations were the normal thing of trying to make this current PPP/C Administration look bad, but they lacked hard facts and evidence.

I am sure the Opposition MPs did not do their due diligence and feasibility studies on the Budget Speech and the estimates delivered

by Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh. I mean, the

Opposition MPs’ presentations and nerves betrayed them. I heard when Sherod Duncan, Ganesh Mahipaul, Coretta McDonald, Juretha Fernandes, Christopher Jones, Jermaine Figueira and Annette Ferguson crashed and burned trying to convince the public that this budget has nothing for them.

The language used in the budget debates was not above board. I heard some things that I would never suggest or say. The combined APNU+AFC Opposition MPs contradicted themselves countless times in their presentations on Budget 2022. There was neither eloquence nor classy debate for the most part.

We must do better. I re-

member a saying that ‘if you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail’. I have seen better from the Opposition in Parliament with the presentations of the late Deborah Backer and the late Winston Murray; Carl Greenidge, Robert Corbin, Cathy Hughes, Khemraj Ramjattan, and even Jermaine Figueira. The young Parliamentarians could take a tip or two from the debates of Priya Manickchand, Charles Ramson Jr, Oneidge Walrond, Geeta ChandEdmond, Vinceroy Jordan, Kwame McCoy, Joseph Hamilton, Vickram Bharat, Frank Anthony, Bishop Juan Edghill, Pauline Sukhai, and Amanza Walton-Desir, among others.

I hope we would raise the bar with the quality of our debates. I know that VicePresident Bharrat Jagdeo, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, former Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon, Cathy Hughes, Raphael Trotman, Roydale Forde, and Dr. Ashni Singh would deliver on a great debate.

Please demonstrate the art of debating and the skill of language used in argumentative and persuasive speeches. Our youths are watching! Those professionals are looking at you!

Supporters of both parties are watching!

Yours truly, Michael Younge

The loss of two young lives Dear Editor, Today we in the diaspora saw the senseless loss of two lives due to unnecessary actions taken by the Police.

The driver was not suspected of committing any crime, and as such, a Police

chase was uncalled for.

Those at the roadblock knew the number of the licence plate of that vehicle, and there was alternative action they could have taken and avoid so many casualties.

Being a former

Policeman, I would have done things differently, which would have prevented the deaths of those two innocent young people and injuries to the others.

I do hope that the driver of that Police vehicle pays

for repairs that have to be done, because the President touched on this when handing over vehicles to the Police Force.

Regards, Kenneth Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022

5

News 12-year-old schoolgirl struck down on EBD pedestrian crossing T welve-year-old Seerani Puran of Sarah Johanna, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was two Thursdays ago struck down by a minibus while attempting to use the pedestrian crossing in front of the Supply Primary School. She sustained a fractured leg and several bruises on her body.

According to the child’s family, the bus that struck her was being driven by a member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

When contacted, the child’s mother, Kavita Bhagwandin, explained that she did not witness the accident, but was told by witnesses that, at about 08:00h, her daughter was attempting to cross the road using a nearby pedestrian crossing when she was struck down by the bus.

“I wasn’t there when I

heard the news that she got knock down. I went and get a car to go to the school, and they tell me to go to Diamond (Diamond Diagnostic Centre).

When I reach Diamond, I see they done strap she up and so, and already getting ready to transfer her to ‘Public’ (Georgetown Public Hospital),” the mother explained.

“When we reached ‘Public’, they had to work with her fast, because she had to do a head scan to make certain that nothing was wrong with she,” the mother stated.

The child, who remained in medical care at the Georgetown Public Hospital for one week, was discharged only on Thursday.

According to the mother, the driver was arrested the same day of the accident, but was released on $60,000 bail.

She said the Police stated that they have to wait until the child is out of the hospital before dealing with the matter.

“Police told us that when the child come out of the hospital, then they going to take some sort of statement. They cannot do anything at the hospital, because she is underage. We have to go back to the station and let the Police them know the child come out, because the ‘Welfare’ told me when the child reach home, call them and they will come and visit her at home,” the mother added.

The mother noted that she was also waiting for her child to be discharged so that she can pursue the matter to get justice. Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force did not release any information on the accident when it occurred.

Construction worker arraigned for murder of stepson

Murder accused Shawn Bobb

T

wenty-seven-year-old Shawn Bobb, a construction worker of

an. Edwards intervened, and was stabbed by his stepfather, who later fled the scene.

Both the teen and his mother were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).

While there, Edwards tested positive for the virus and was transferred to the Liliendaal facility, where he remained until his demise.

Following the incident, the Police had issued a wanted bulletin for Bobb. Police ranks, acting on information last Saturday, went to a house at Helena Number One, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and found Bobb disguised as a woman.

When Police arrived at the home, the murder accused was seen jumping through a glass window ful-

Dead: Isaiah Edwards

ly dressed as a female — complete with make-up and a wig on his head. He was pursued, arrested, and later taken to the GPH for treatment.

Father of three found guilty of repeatedly raping 15-year-old girl

A

father of three has been found guilty of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old girl in 2014.

Esan Germain, 45, had previously pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape of a child under 16 years old when he appeared before Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry.

Following a trial at the Demerara Sexual Offences Court on Thursday, Germain, who is currently serving a 65-year prison sentence for similar offences, was found guilty on all counts by a panel of jurors that was split, with 11 declaring him guilty while one declared him not guilty.

Sentencing of the convict has been deferred to February 28, 2022. He was represented by Attorneyat-Law Clyde Forde, while State Counsel Nafeeza Baig, in association with State Counsels Muntaz Ali and Latifah Elliot, prosecuted the matter.

Germain reportedly raped the young girl on three occasions between January and July 2014. On the first occasion, the young girl was doing laundry in the bathroom of her home when he began questioning her about her school grades, relationship status, and sexual orientation. He told the girl “I love you”, and she replied, “I know”.

Germain then went on to kiss the girl on her cheeks, neck, and breasts before raping her. On the second occasion, he woke her up, placed

Convicted child rapist Esan Germain

her to lie on a bed next to a two-year-old boy, and raped her.

He raped her again during the wee hours of July 17, 2014. It was just after midnight when Germain awakened the girl. When she ignored him, he dealt her a lash on her hand, pulled her off the bed, placed her to lie on a cupboard, and raped her.

On July 23, 2014, the girl was going to the shop when she saw her mother, and she confided in her. The mother reported the matter to the Police, and Germain was arrested. In her Police statement, the woman said she was shocked at the allegations against Germain, as she did not expect him to do something like that.

Meanwhile, during his

trial, Germain had always denied raping the child. He described the girl as an “unmannerly child”, who misbehaved while she was in the United States and was “sent back to Guyana”.

He told the jurors that the girl was “experimenting with her sexuality”, and he tried to tell her it was just a phase. He also claimed he tried to “rehabilitate” her and put “strict” measures in place to guide her to be better. These measures, he said, included beating her, talking to her, and sending her to church for counselling.

Meanwhile, in December 2017, Germain was convicted of three counts of child rape by a jury following a trial before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Demerara High Court. He was sentenced to 65 years in prison, and has to serve a minimum of 20 years before being eligible for parole.

The indictments stated that at some time during 2010, 2012, and 2013, he performed oral sex on the child, and in turn caused her to do same to him. One of the indictments also stated that he rubbed his penis against the girl’s vagina.

Germain, who was regarded by his then lawyer Eusi Anderson as a researcher on issues affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) community, raped this child when she was aged four, six, and seven.

Murder accused Shawn Bobb was found disguised as a woman

Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, Georgetown, has been charged with murdering his stepson Isaiah Edwards, 19, by stabbing him to death between January 26 and 27, 2022.

Unrepresented by legal counsel, Bobb was on Thursday arraigned before Georgetown Magistrate Clive Nurse, and was not required to plead to the indictable charge when it was read to him. He has been remanded to prison until February 11.

Edwards was stabbed to his right hip allegedly by his stepfather Bobb. After the stabbing, Edwards had tested positive for COVID-19, and died the next day at the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Edwards’s mother was also injured during the ordeal, and was hospitalised.

On the night of the incident, Bobb began abusing Edwards’s mother because she had not finished cooking. Police said the man then picked up a knife and began to attack the wom-

6

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

An angle is formed by the rays of two intersecting lines when the rays have the same vertex. An angle is named by both of its lines, with the vertex in the middle of its name.

Materials:

8-ounce screw-top plastic container or mason jar 1/2 cup of whipping cream 1/4 teaspoon of salt (optional) Spoon

Instructions:

Rays OA and OB intersect at Point O, a shared vertex to form angle AOB. Angles are measured in degrees. A straight line is 180o , so an angle will always be less than that. Angles that are less than 90o are called acute angles. Angles that are more than 90o are called obtuse angles. Angles that are exactly 90o are called right angles, and are often indicated with a very small square at the point where the two lines meet.

Pour whipping cream into screw-top plastic container. (Make sure not to fill more than halfway) Add salt.

Make sure you screw the top on tight.

Shake for 7-9 minutes or until the cream stops sloshing around and you are left with a yellow blob.

Shake for a few seconds longer.

Congratulations! You have pure butter.

Now you can serve it!

How it works:

As you churn whipped cream, you beat droplets of butterfat until they collapse and rejoin to form a single blob of butter. This is an example of emulsion, where one liquid hangs suspended in another.

Extra Experiments:

Exercises: Identify the following angles as either acute, obtuse or right angles. ,

If you add a squeaky-clean silver coin in with the cream, is it easier to tell when the butter is done?

What if you only shake for 4 minutes?

What does the substance seem to turn into?

Could you add flavouring? Vanilla extract? Chocolate syrup? Honey? Cinnamon Sugar?

Learn about how temperature effects state of matter (solids, liquids and gases).

Try cooling the butter, try heating the butter. Can you make it change states of matter by adding or taking away heat? (sciencefun.org)

By Edgar Albert Guest

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done But he with a chuckle replied That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.

So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin On his face. If he worried he hid it.

He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn’t be done, and he did it!

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that; At least no one ever has done it;” But he took off his coat and he took off his hat And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.

With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin, Without any doubting or quiddit, He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done, There are thousands to prophesy failure, There are thousands to point out to you one by one, The dangers that wait to assail you.

But just buckle in with a bit of a grin, Just take off your coat and go to it; Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.

Teacher's Tip

“Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently.” – Henry Ford

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s finances have returned to incorruptible hands – Home Affairs Minister …calls out APNU/AFC for dismantling ‘vibrant’ economy …urges young MPs to leave “that wreck of a party”

W

hen the debates on the country’s largest budget ever continued in the National Assembly on Thursday, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn declared that the country’s finances are once again in “safe, reliable and incorruptible” hands with the return of the Peoples Progressive Party

(PPP) Government.

He boasted that every time Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh brings a budget to the House, it has always been “bigger and better”, while calling out Singh’s predecessor, Winston Jordan, for leaving the country’s finances in a catastrophic state.

The Home Affairs

Minister said Jordan has earned the “unenviable reputation” of being the only minister in the western hemisphere who has overseen the deliberate dismantling of a vibrant economy within the shortest possible time.

“No earthquake, no flood, no tsunami, no volcanic eruption was required; or even a war was required to

291 more persons test positive for COVID GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD FEBRUARY 3, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

291

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

132

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

5,768

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

11

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

15

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

32,641

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

28,035

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

60,676

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

53,600

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

2312

REGION 2

2340

REGION 3

7830

REGION 4

30,260

REGION 5

2264

REGION 6

5473

REGION 7

2377

REGION 8

821

REGION 9

3569

REGION 10

3430

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

425,333 315,909

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1176

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.

T

he Health Ministry on Thursday reported that another 291 persons have tested positive for COVID thus bringing the total confirmed cases to 60,676 – 28,035 males and 32,641 females.

New statistics released by the Ministry showed that there were no fatalities over the past 24 hours and as such, the death toll remains at 1176, with 53,600 recoveries.

There are 11 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 132 in institutional isolation, and 5768 in home isolation. Another 15 persons are being monitored in institutional quarantine.

Guyana has since tested 511,981 persons thus far.

New cases were detected across nine administrative regions, with 61 in Region One (BarimaWaini), 30 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 28 in Region Three (Essequibo

Islands-West Demerara), 87 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), 110 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 30 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 38 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and four in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

There were no new cases in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni).

Vaccination continues among the population, with the latest figures showing 424,702 first-dose recipients among the adult population or 82.8 per cent. Second doses are at 314,960 or 61.4 per cent.

For adolescents, 23,156 or 31.7 per cent are fully vaccinated. Some 40,220 persons have returned for their booster shots.

Government started administering booster shots after studies around the world showed that the effi-

cacy of the vaccines wanes after six months of receiving both doses. Persons have been encouraged to take the booster dose.

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 on 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www. health.gov.gy.

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

Globally, 376 million people have been infected, with over 5.6 million reported deaths. In the Americas, cases have surpassed 135 million with 2.5 million deaths.

bring our country and its finances to the state that we [PPP] met when we return to power…,” Benn related.

According to him, the APNU-AFC failed “to do the right thing” for the economy during its time in office. To this end, he pointed out that it is no surprise that the actions of Jordan are being investigated by the Special Organised Crime Unit.

Minister Benn said good management of Guyana’s revenue is needed now more than ever with the advent of the oil and gas sector. He noted that the $552.9B fiscal plan is invaluable in terms of the data, intervention, and measures it contains.

Beyond the implementation of negative and regressive taxes, Benn recalled, the former APNU-AFC Government closed several sugar estates, and trapped investments in the forest, rice, bauxite, and other minerals sector.

He pointed out that the Coalition did so to the detriment of the economy as well as the social and economic well-being of thousands of Guyanese of every race, ethnicity, and social and economic status.

“The sugar industry in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) was devasted by the APNU-AFC…seven thousand workers went home without a daily bread, and multiply that by four or five families… and we will understand why Region Six has seen the least improvement in terms of security,” Minister Benn added.

Against this background, he said, there is a link between crime and poverty, while adding that it is a sad state of affairs when the APNU+AFC cannot link the growing of marijuana in the region to its dismantling of the sugar industry.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

Further, he reminded that the previous Government supported the blockage of the Berbice River to prevent the bauxite ships from coming down. As a result of this, he said, some one thousand workers were sent home without a job.

Considering all of this, Benn made it clear that the Opposition is in no position to lecture the PPP on how to run the country, and speak of how bad the party is on proposing measures to change the situation it found on assuming office.

Benn went on to rebuke the Opposition Parliamentarians for their poor budget presentations, adding that they are continuing to make “exhibits of themselves”. Moreover, he reminded the APNU+AFC of its attempts to rig the 2020 national elections and, most recently, of its efforts to steal the Speaker’s Mace.

Reflecting on the latter, he said, “They did it live, direct, virtually in the face of a national and international audience, to the disgrace of our country.”

He added that the Opposition members have no decorum, and stated that all they come to the National Assembly to do is skin their teeth and catcall. “…but the reason that

they behave like this, Mr. Speaker, is that they are all essentially joined up in the PNCR, and the PNCR has had a history of violence…

This is the way they behave; they cannot change, it’s in their DNA,” he posited. “…violence, insults, vulgarity that is what you represent in the floor of this House for our country,” said Benn to the Opposition members.

In taking the country forward as an oil-producing nation and in unity, Benn said, the PPP would ensure that the APNU-AFC never comes back into power. His statement was, however, met with much heckling from the Opposite side.

The Home Affairs Minister told the House that it was the PPP that pursued the eventual discovery of oil during a time when there was much skepticism, division, and laughter from the PNCR. “President Janet Jagan, as the Minister of Petroleum, determined and signed the first exploration agreement…the PNCR was busy on Vlissengen Road ‘wukking pun she’ and ramping up illegal protests…”

According to him, this led to political riots, murders and mayhem over all of Guyana, with tragic results which led to less development in the country. But despite all the efforts to the contrary, he noted, oil was discovered in 2015 under the Donald Ramotar PPP Government and was labelled an election gimmick by the APNU-AFC. “Leave that wreck of a party. You still have time to depart from them and make a good, positive contribution to our country,” Benn said as he urged the young APNU+AFC Parliamentarians to leave the Coalition.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A long and winding road...

R

…for Norton ight after their breakup in 1970, the Beatles released one of their most poignant and heartbreaking songs ever: “A long and winding road”. By then, their personal relations had been shattered. A far cry from the heady days when they’d clawed themselves out of the grime of Liverpool through their music.

YSM teenager Aubrey Norton might’ve been marching in Burnham’s Mass Games during the Republic Celebrations, but surely, he would’ve heard the soulful lyrics over the radio. McCartney had Ray Charles in mind when he wrote the song. And you can tell!!

So, ever since Hoyte kicked Norton as General Secretary out of the PNC back in 1998 - with the cruel taunt that he, Norton, was his “creature”, the lad from Linden must’ve thought McCartney was channelling his tortured mind.

“Many times I've been alone/And many times I've cried/Any way you'll never know/The many ways I've tried. And still, they lead me back/To the long winding road/You left me standing here/A long long time ago/ Don't leave me waiting here/ Lead me to your door.”

Norton, of course, would’ve had the PNC as his object of longing - and his “sin” was wanting a leadership change after Hoyte lost two elections!!

He never gave up on the PNC, though. And when Hoyte called out his base into the streets with his “slow fyaah, mo’ fyaah” strategy, Norton was there in the blaze of the sun and the heat of the night, massing the troops. But as far as leadership was concerned, in the years that followed, it seemed he’d remain the bridesmaid and never the bride.

And this was even though he was one of the Young Turks who’d forced Hoyte to accept that power sharing was strategically in the PNC’s best interest!!

And why not?? Hadn’t the protests demonstrated that the Police, Army and the Government workers were all in the PNC’s corner? Hadn’t the Police stood by and watched “PPP supporters” being beaten in Georgetown after the 1997 elections? Hadn’t the Civil Service come out on strike in 1999? So, if the PNC were to “share” the executive, wouldn’t they be the REAL power holders?

But Norton just couldn’t move up the leadership ranks; but with him and Corbin having the same claim to fame, that wasn’t surprising!!

He was stymied in the Georgetown PNC elections

by Volda in 2009, then by Granger in 2011 for national leadership - all because he didn’t have a PNC godfather. But the long and winding road seemed to have come to an end at the end of 2021 - with the direct input of PNC rank and file.

With Nicolette’s resignation, will he finally be the LOO? Stay tuned!! …for Russia Poor Russia. While Europe conquered the world and divvied it up as colonies from which they extracted raw materials and created captive markets, Russia still remained as the poor man of Europe. Never mind that monarchs like Peter the Great and Catherine the Great had tried to pull them over and out of backwardness! Pulling yourselves up by your bootstraps is, unfortunately, a physical impossibility!!

Anyhow, Lenin and his Bolsheviks tried after their October Revolution of 1917, but first Hitler’s fascist Germany and then Truman’s capitalist USA again stymied them. Figuring “if you couldn’t beat ‘em you might as well join ‘em”, Gorbachev and his successor, Yeltsin, tried capitalism, with no noticeable success. So, now we have Putin trying to put a stop to Russia’s miniaturisation.

But can he? His only hope is to play Europe against the US by convincing the latter that, in the evolving multipolar world, the former can finally stop playing second fiddle!!

Will Putin be able to literally and figuratively “gaslight” them?!! …to decolonise A firestorm has erupted over the Government’s issuing of some new “Pacific Readers” for the nursery and primary schools. Seems that, rather than freeing THEIR minds from mental slavery, the NCERD team wants to perpetuate that condition!!

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

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Infrastructure development opens up opportunities for Guyanese in agriculture, housing – Edghill ...rebuts Duncan’s lack of confidence in work programme

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

P

ublic Works Minister Juan Edghill on Thursday pointed out that the development of infrastructure across Guyana paves the way for a host of opportunities for Guyanese to benefit from, particularly in the agriculture and housing sectors.

He made this remark during his contributions to the ongoing debates on Budget 2022 in the National Assembly, during which he defended the $76.7 billion allocated for roads and bridges under his Ministry.

“The infrastructure programme of Guyana and the investments that we are making in infrastructure are not just brick, loam, sand, concrete and asphalt; it’s opportunities that lead to prosperity for the people of Guyana,” Minister Edghill asserted.

Responding to a comment made an APNU+AFC Opposition Member of Parliament who claimed that people cannot eat roads, the Public Works Minister agreed, but added that the roads that are being built and rehabilitated would help people to eat.

“When we invest and we put the roads – whether they are hinterland roads or urban

roads, or farm-to-market access roads, or we open up super highways – these are not roads that are just leading to a destination,” he contended.

According to Minister Edghill, the Government’s investments in roads and bridges open up opportunities in a number of areas. This, he highlighted, would be demonstrated in the new super-highway from Schoonord, West Bank Demerara to Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

“While the road starts at Schoonord and ends at Parika, it opens up opportunities… opportunities for housing, opportunities for farming. We have given incentives to large-scale plantation agriculture, [and] those roads open up those opportunities,” he said.

“When we build all of the 32 bridges from Kurupukari to Lethem, we are not just pouring concrete and steel and putting in on earth; we are making a corridor open to move to the next leg of linking Linden with Lethem, which essentially is opening up tens of millions of people in a new market in northern Brazil. The road is opening up so people can eat,” the Minister stated.

Similarly, he pointed out that investment in the Number 58 Village Road, which would link the Corentyne highway in Berbice with the Canje Creek, would also benefit farmers in those areas.

“The sons of the farmers could now get their own lands.

The grandsons of those who farm there could get their own lands. We’re opening up new lands,” Minister Edghill added.

He further posited that the Government’s investments in infrastructure also target tourism development and agricultural sustainability. In regard to the latter, the Public Works Minister stated that the $5 billion allocated for river and sea

“We have done in excess of 300 kilometres of community roads. We have had to respond to emergencies, the bridge that collapsed at Hogg Street (Albouystown)… We fixed the bridge in New Amsterdam at Glasgow, we fixed the bridge at Dennis Street – all emergency works, and we went on to fix a number of community bridg-

Opposition MP Sherod Duncan

defence is not just about boulders and riprap sea defence.

“We are thinking about the thousands of farmers who plant cash crops, rice, sugar [and] the poultry farmers, cattle farmers. They have to be able to carry on their trade, so we have to be able to keep the sea out. So, we are making the investment to secure agriculture. So, you can’t eat the stones on the sea defence, but because we put it there, people can eat,” he contended.

Meanwhile, prior to Minister Edghill’s presentation, Opposition Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan expressed his lack of confidence in the Public Works Ministry’s lavish infrastructure plans outlined in Budget 2022. “$76.7 billion for roads and bridges, [but] based on the track record on the two previous budgets and the dreams deferred, there is little hope that this will be done,” Duncan asserted.

In response, the Public Works Minister detailed the works done over the past year, including the rehabilitation and maintenance of some 517 kilometres of road spanning Georgetown, Timehri and the Corentyne.

es. We’ve also installed more than 700 street lights, covering a 30-kilometres area,” the Minister noted.

Edghill further stated that his Ministry’s infrastructural development agenda also saw the construction of pedestrian walkways along critical roadways across Guyana, as well as all-weather roads.

Further, the Public Works Minister reassured that the $88 billion allocated to his Ministry would be used prudently. In the same breath, he called on all stakeholders to play their part in ensuring that every project being executed across the country is done correctly.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

11-year-old Saskeya Tobin battles bone cancer

By Shame Marks

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he year 2021 brought many hardships to a lot of people. It was the second year of the coronavirus pandemic, and many of us were tiredly trying to regain some form of normalcy in our lives.

For eleven-year-old Saskeya Tobin, of 20 Eccles Public Road, East Bank Demerara, 2021 has been the year she began fighting for her life, as she was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of that already tragic year.

After falling severely ill for the last three months of 2020, Saskeya was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) by her grandmother Dolores Hudson, and they waited for Saskeya to receive medical attention, but she never got it. The quick-thinking Dolores then took Saskeya to a private institution, where she underwent several medical tests to determine the cause of her ‘miraculous’ fever.

Shortly after, the doctors issued Dolores with a letter to have Saskeya immediately transferred to the GPHC, and it was there that she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a cancer of the bone, on January 28th, 2021.

Little Saskeya cried profusely at the announcement, remembering the incident as

11-year-old Saskeya Tobin when she was admitted to the hospital

the hardest day of her young life. Her young mind knew nothing about her diagnosis, but, somehow, maybe in her grandmother’s eyes, she saw the road that was laid before her, and it was a frightening one.

Saskeya’s life made a complete 180-degree turn in a matter of seconds. Her lifestyle now had to undergo change to accommodate her condition, which quickly dominated her existence.

At just eleven, Saskeya was forced to stay home from

school, or, for that matter, any place where a large number of people would gather.

Her grandmother told Guyana Times that Saskeya is unable to go to school, because of doctors’ orders.

This is because Saskeya’s immune system, which has been weakened by her cancer, is not strong enough to fight off the germs she would inevitably pick up from the school environment.

Cancer’s brutal attack on Saskeya’s education and

social life has left the little girl out of school and with no company her age to whom she could relate. During the time she should be in school, Saskeya sneaks out of home and hightails across the street where her school is, and would stakeout all day.

The little girl explained that it is hard having to live with her disease at such a young age; so many things have been taken away from her.

However, Saskeya is a fighter. According to her grandmother, Saskeya has been fighting all of her life for a place in this world, and she’s not ready to give that up. Her fight began when she was just six months old and her mother abandoned her, left her on the doorsteps of her grandmother’s house and never returned. Now Saskeya refers to Dolores as “mommy,” and Dolores calls her “daughter.”

When Dolores got news of Saskeya’s condition, she was left in disbelief, refusing to accept the reality that her beloved granddaughter was diagnosed with cancer, which sometimes is akin to receiving a death sentence.

AML is an uncommon type of cancer, only comprising about 1% of cancers. The 5-year overall survival rate for AML is 29.5 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which means that only 29.5 percent of persons diagnosed

Saskeya after taking her cancer medication

with AML live five years after their diagnosis.

In 2021, there have been 20,240 confirmed cases of AML, with 11,400 deaths, which adds to Dolores’s concern for her little granddaughter.

AML is a type of acute leukemia. “Acute” means that the leukemia usually gets worse quickly if it’s not treated. In AML, the

bone marrow makes abnormal myeloblasts (a type of white blood cell), red blood cells, or platelets. When the abnormal cells crowd out the healthy cells, it can lead to infection, anemia, and easy bleeding. The abnormal cells can also spread outside the blood to other parts of the body.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mother of 3 shares her story as she battles stage 3 breast cancer

Alicia Sugrim before her cancer diagnosis

By Shane Marks

L

aughing, smiling, positive thinking are the things that keep a 35-year-old mother of three, Alicia Sugrim, motivated as she battles life-threatening stage three breast cancer.

Born and raised in Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD), Sugrim lived a quiet life as a housewife, caring for her children and husband. With the unforeseen circumstance of her life being shifted and her fortunes reversed, it is now up to her children and husband to care for her as the disease dominates her life.

On August 14, 2021, Sugrim received her diagnosis, after much concern was raised by her husband following her discovery of a lump in her breast, which had prompted her to do a check-up. On September 9, 2021, she underwent a mastectomy that successfully ended with the removal of her right breast.

Now, months later, Sugrim is recovering from her surgery and undergoing chemotherapy to combat any lingering mass in her breast.

This has not been easy for her, but with her fiery spirit, she soldiers on to beat cancer. Her life has not been the same ever since she was

diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. The untimely, heartbreaking revelation has caused her to become a watered-down version of the person she once was.

Before the diagnosis, she was active and vibrant. Now, some mornings she needs help getting out of bed. But this mother and wife fights for her family, especially her children, who are the biggest support system in her life.

“I have a tremendous support system in terms of family, close relatives, friends, even strangers. I have a great amount of support from people, and I’m thankful for that, because without that I don’t know what I would’ve done,” she has said.

Alicia keeps her fire burning because she doesn’t want her children to grow up without the love and care of a mother. She related, “One of my main motivations is my kids. I look at them and I do it for them, because life without a mother is just scary. I’m not afraid of what would happen to me, I’m afraid of what would happen to them if something should happen to me.”

However, even with her massive support system, life has not been easy for this fighter. Her biggest struggle, she has said, is her che-

motherapy treatment, which she admitted to not having the courage to do sometimes, thus causing her to start losing sight of the reason for doing it at all.

“I have the chemotherapy process, which is one of the darkest phases I’ve faced so far,” Alicia has said.

Alicia receives chemotherapy every third Tuesday of every month, and she dreads the process completely because, after every treatment, she doesn’t feel like herself. Chemotherapy makes her feel nauseous and depleted of the need to consume any food, because of the profuse vomiting that follows. The aftermath of her chemotherapy treatment renders her weak and in bed for days, leaving her family members to care for her in a state she wishes they didn’t behold.

“Every time I have to go and do chemotherapy, I sit and I cry. In the mornings, I would sit and tell my husband, ‘I don’t want to go’, but I don’t have a choice.

It’s something we have to do if we wanna survive; if we want to beat cancer. But doing it is literally hell; it’s hell,” Alicia said in her interview with Guyana Times.

What seems more heartbreaking to Alicia is the departure of the people who were once in her life before her diagnosis; they are no longer there after the fact.

“Some persons who were there prior to me being sick are not there now… Some people treat (you) as though you are fragile, like you’re going to break at any point; and as a cancer patient, you don’t need that, you need motivation, you need encouragement, you need a little bit of upliftment,” Alicia heartbrokenly admitted.

It’s sad that some persons are equipped with the will to leave someone when they’re at their lowest, but, like the old saying goes, “out with the old and in with the new,” because Alicia’s life has quickly been filled with people who are ready to support her during this tough time.

Happily pivoting, Alicia has stated, “I’ve had per-

11-year-old Saskeya...

According to National Health Service (NHS), acute myeloid leukemia is caused by a DNA mutation in the stem cells in one’s bone marrow, which produces red blood cells, platelets, and infection-fighting white blood cells. The mutation causes the stem cells to produce many more white blood cells than are needed. The white blood cells produced are still immature, so they do not have the infection-fighting properties of fully developed white blood cells. As the

number of immature cells increases, the amount of healthy red blood cells and platelets decreases, and it’s this fall that causes many of the symptoms of leukemia.

Like all types of cancer, chemotherapy is greatly used among cancer patients to decrease the risk of fatality, but Saskeya’s treatment for her cancer is a steroid medication called Prednisolone, which is being well received by her body.

Since going on the medication, Saskeya has re-

FROM PAGE 12

gained the weight she had lost when cancer first impacted her. Before the introduction of her medication, she never ate, always claiming that she wasn’t hungry.

Now, with the medication, she consumes three meals a day, sometimes even four, something for which she’s highly grateful.

As little Saskeya battles a disease no child should ever have to battle in their life, our aching hearts go out to her and her grandmother.

Sugrim during her cancer treatment

sons - a lot of persons - who have been there, reached out to me. They give me positive words of advice, give me some type of motivation-

al quote or something.” To those persons Alicia is forever grateful.

Though terrified of what the future may hold, Alicia

keeps on fighting.

“I’m terrified actually. I am terrified because the nature of my cancer is I don’t know what is causing it. I don’t know where I stand, as in later if it would come back.

It can come back, in my case.

So, I’m terrified of the fact to know that I’m going through all of these treatments and then only to find out, like three years along the line, cancer comes back, attack me. I’m hopeful, I’m praying, I’m being positive all the time that ‘no, I’m okay.

I’m going to be okay.’ but you can’t deny that that’s behind [in her mind], that’s always there. That fear would always be there,” she suddenly revealed.

Alicia’s advice to her fellow cancer fighters is to stay positive, be hopeful; and with this, she believes that they can overcome cancer, just as she is going to.

And so, avid readers, today, as we observe World Cancer Awareness Day, let’s all keep persons like Alicia in our hearts and in our prayers. Let’s be safe rather than sorry, and get screened.

For our cancer combatants, I leave with you this Marivel Preciado quote, “Giving in to the darkness offers no benefit”.

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NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice trio busted with $1.1M worth of ganja

The suspects

Nude body of male found at South Better Hope The ganja that was found during the operation

T

he Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Wednesday swooped down on a house at Rose Hall Town, Corentyne Berbice and unearthed a quantity of ganja worth $1,160,000.

Based on reports received, CANU agents were conducting a narcotics’ exercise at St Paul’s Street in Rose Hall Town, Corentyne Berbice when a salt bag containing several parcels of

ganja was discovered. At the time, three persons - Simeon Dwith Lawson, Veronica Walker and Leshella Walker - were at the premises, and they were arrested and taken to CANU Headquarters along with the narcotics, which when weighed amounted to 3.868kg with a street value of $1,160,400.

The three persons arrested are assisting with investigations as CANU prepares to institute charges shortly.

P

olice in Division 4C have launched an investigation into the discovery of a man’s body at South Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Wednesday.

Investigations have so far revealed that, ten minutes prior to the discovery, an anonymous caller had contacted the Sparendaam Police Station and reported that a corpse was seen in the Better Hope area. As such, ranks went to the scene and observed the severely sunburnt body of a male of African descent lying on his back naked.

The body was examined, and a decomposed open wound measuring six inches was observed on the left thigh.

The identity of this corpse is unknown, but reports are that this man used to do odd jobs in the area, but had had no fixed place of abode.

The body has been escorted to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home to await identification and post mortem examination.

2237230-1

(Ext 55) The body that was found at Better Hope, ECD

NOW!

16 NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mahaica accident

Dead 16-year-old had left home for school – uncle – contends that Police acted unprofessionally, calls for thorough probe of incident

F

amily members of 16-year-old Shereeda Persaud got the shock of their lives when they received news that the teen died in a tragic four-vehicle collision at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

When the fatal accident occurred, Persaud, of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, was supposed to be attending classes at the Bush Lot Secondary School, where she had been a top performer. However, it would seem that the young lady had ditched school, and had been picked up in a motorcar driven by her 21-year-old boyfriend Christopher Bhagwandat, to head to his Mon Repos, ECD home to celebrate his mother’s 45th birthday.

The car driven by the young man, PNN 8852, was reportedly stopped by traffic ranks at Perseverance, Mahaicony, ECD. The young man had pulled in the corner, but as the cops approached, he reportedly drove away at a “fast rate of speed”. A mobile patrol was alerted, and it went in pursuit of the car. This resulted in a high-speed chase that culminated in a four-vehi-

cle collision in which another motorcar and a canter were involved. Both Persaud and Bhagwandat were killed in that collision.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Shereeda Persaud’s uncle, Tameshwar, contended that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) acted unprofessionally.

“I think the Guyana Police Force acted unprofessional…I think the Guyana Police Force is unprofessional! They could have put other roadblocks after that one, because if you check that distance from Perseverance to Mahaica, tell me how much miles it has there?” he contended.

Like Bhagwandat’s mother, the Persaud family is calling for a thorough investigation into the matter.

“I met with the guy family this morning…we want a thorough investigation. I want to know how professional these Police are… I don’t want what happened to my niece happen to somebody else again. I think, and I know, they could do better, and we want a thorough investigation; we need somebody to come clean

Dead: Shereeda Persaud

with us, because those footages that circulated on social media is unacceptable for us…that CCTV footage that we saw there with the Police on that bridge, they need to be more professional,” the uncle has asserted.

Shereeda Persaud had been the eldest of three children born to parents Munesh Persaud and Sheliza Mohammed, both 35. She had been preparing to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exam-

inations, for which her uncle was helping to pay.

“It’s paining me to know of this. Anything she asks for, I always give it to her.

She always come to me and say “Cha-Cho, me want this or me want that.” I would try my best to give it to her,” the uncle cried.

“She has to write CXC. I went to the school and I tried to pay part of the money. The teachers told me that she wants to write arts and so on. I come home and I gather the payments and I pay for that exam,” the uncle said.

“My brother, he has to pay for their house. He took a loan from the bank, the family is in a squeeze. My brother, he does part-time taxi work, but he works at GuySuCo…is the only daughter from the family, and it’s really hard,” the uncle explained.

According to him, his niece had a bright future ahead. “She was a very jovial, kindhearted person, she always had a smile.

She was very, very good in school, she was a part of the Youth Parliament…she was debating about accidents at the Youth Parliament,” the

uncle noted.

Reflecting on the day in question, Tameshwar explained that the teen had left for school. In fact, he said the family was unaware that she had shared a relationship with Bhagwandat.

“We never heard about it. Last week I talked to her, I said, ‘Do you have a boyfriend?’ She said, ‘ChaCho no, you promise me you going to pay for my exams, you did pay for the exams, but I don’t have anybody.

When I finish, then I could have somebody”. But I said, ‘If you have somebody, feel free to talk to me. I’ll be open anytime to talk to you’,” the uncle explained.

According to him, his niece had left the house dressed in her school uniform. The family has confirmed that the girl had been in school but had left the institution’s compound at around 10:00h, at recess.

The family learnt that the teen died in the accident in the late afternoon.

“She supposed to visit my sister home, which that would have been 3 ‘o’clock…so we were waiting for her to visit us in

Cotton Tree…the mother called me 3 ‘o’clock and ask me if Shereeda came, and I said no…the dam is long, so I said she probably at the dam coming in…I said I gon call as soon as Shereeda reach,” he explained.

However, he said, about ten minutes later, the family received a call, informing them that the teenager was involved in the horrific accident and was currently at the hospital. When the family rushed to the hospital, they were told that the young girl did not make it.

“They show us the video and I started to scream and say ‘That’s not my niece!’”

This young lady had acted as Home Affairs Minister at the last Youth Parliament in Georgetown.

Her presentation had been based on the dangers on Guyana’s roadways. In fact, Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, has expressed condolences to the relatives and friends of this young lady, whom he said had had a bright future.

Investigations into the fatal accident are ongoing.

(Amar Persaud)

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mahaica fatal crash

Mother cries for answers, justice for only child S

By Amar Persaud

hemiza Rihanna Bhagwandat cannot even begin to process the fact that her only child tragically lost his life on her 45th birth anniversary during a high-speed chase with the Police.

Her grief is compounded by the lack of answers surrounding what exactly transpired leading up to that ill-fated moment when her 21-year-old son, Christopher Bhagwandat, met his demise.

It was only five months ago that she lost her husband, and now the pain of losing her only child is too much to bear.

“I want justice! I don’t want nothing to hear from the Police them…I’m asking God, if only possible, to give me back my son. Or, the Police have to give me justice,” the grieving mother stated during an interview with this publication.

In an official statement on the accident, which occurred at around 11:00h on Wednesday along the Mahaica Bridge, East Coast Demerara (ECD), Police said motorcar PNN 8852, which was driven by the now dead young man, was first stopped by traffic ranks during an operation at Perseverance, Mahaicony, ECD. Bhagwandat reportedly pulled in the corner, but as traffic ranks approached the car, he allegedly drove away “at a fast rate of speed”.

According to Police Headquarters, the traffic ranks then alerted a mobile patrol, which then went in pursuit. This resulted in a high-speed chase, culminating in a four-vehicle collision involving another motorcar and a canter.

At the time, the young man had his 16-year-old girlfriend, Shereeda Persaud, in the car. Three Police officers, along with four civilians, including two children aged 2 and 8, were also injured.

Bhagwandat’s mother is perplexed over why her son drove away, noting that he is a licensed driver. However, she strongly believes that had the Police dealt with the situation differently, no lives would have been lost.

“He was a licensed driver, but the car wasn’t his. I don’t know who he got it from, but he is a licensed driver,” the woman reiterated.

“I couldn’t say why he drove away; I was not there.

All that I know (is that) I got a message that my son got in an accident. I don’t know why the Police had to murder my son. They murder him, because I see on the video when the Police vehicle hit the car and the car hit into the truck,” the grieving mother cried.

“If they stop him, as they claimed, and he drive away, they should have traced him,

Dead: Shereeda Persaud

Dead: Christopher Bhagwandat

trace him till he reaches to his destination; or just like how they videoing everything, they could have video the number plate.”

Just before the fatal accident occurred, young Bhagwandat had travelled to Bath, West Coast Berbice (WCB) to pick up his girlfriend to take her back to his Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home to celebrate his mother’s birthday.

But the mother said she was unaware of these plans.

“From what I gathered, like he wanted to surprise me,” the woman reasoned. “He left [Wednesday] morning at 6 ‘o’clock, I was in my bed reading my Bible when he left, and he kissed me and he said, ‘Mommy, I’m going out’.

I said, ‘Where are you going?’

He said, ‘I’m going out, I giving you a surprise,” and he left…I did not see when (he) go through the door, because I was in my bed.

“I cooked, and between 09:30h (and) 10:00h, I wasn’t seeing him coming home and I called. I said, ‘Where are you?’ He said, ‘I near time to reach home,’ and I said, ‘Okay, if your near to reach, I’m waiting on you to eat’.

“I put the cake in the oven, and I watched and see it’s after 12, and I decide to call the phone. His phone was ringing out and ringing out, and I’m not getting no contact.”

At this point, the woman went on social media, where she saw news of the horrific accident. Shortly after, she received word that her son was involved in the crash.

Expressing concerns that the Police officers breached Standard Operating Procedures, the woman has called for a full-blown probe into what transpired, and warned that she would not rest until she gets answers and justice.

Young Bhagwandat had been the breadwinner of his household since his father suffered a stroke seven years ago. Bhagwandat had worked as a mechanic. “My son was loving and hard-working,” the woman has cried. “He was my breadwinner, because my husband passed away five months ago…my husband had a stroke seven

years ago, and he [son] come out of school and he was working and mind we,” the mother explained.

“Since my husband passed away, me and my son live alone upstairs… and God took him from me!”

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GDF medic delivers baby boy Top Cop promises en route to Diamond hospital “impartial” probe into A Mahaica fatal accident

Police Commissioner (ag) Persaud

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Nigel Hoppie interacting with relatives of deceased teen Shereeda

o l i c e Commissioner (ag) Nigel Hoppie on Thursday promised an impartial investigation into the events which led to the horrific four-vehicle collision at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) which claimed the lives of two young persons.

He gave the commitment during a meeting with family members of 16-yearold Shereeda Persaud, who was killed in the crash which occurred The accident that killed the two young people on Wednesday around 11:00h on ily that he is committed to The Top Cop also visitWednesday following having an impartial investi- ed the family of 21-year-old a high-speed Police chase.

According to a statement gation done”, the statement Christopher Bhagwandat, who was also killed in the from the Guyana Police added.

During the interactive crash. There, he expressed Force (GPF), the Top Cop expressed his “personal dis- session, family members similar sentiments.

Both families have since appointment” at the circum- of the teenager called for a stances of the “unfortunate speedy probe and asked that blamed the Police for the more training be deployed tragedy and have called for event”. “…and assured the fam- for law enforcement officers. a thorough investigation.

Zeelugt housewife robbed during home invasion

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34-year-old housewife of Zeelugt New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) was allegedly awakened and robbed by two armed men in the wee hours of Thursday.

Based on reports gathered, the woman told Police that, at about 2:00h,

she was awakened by two identifiable males, who relieved her of $500,000 in cash.

She noted that she was asleep when she heard strange sounds emanating from within her home, and as she opened her eyes, she saw the two bandits beside her, demanding cash.

She further alleges that she became fearful for her life and handed over the money to one of the suspects, who was armed with a gun. The suspects then ran out of her bedroom and made good their escape.

The matter was reported to the Police, and investigations are in progress.

US Embassy hosts job preparation training for persons with disabilities

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he US Embassy, in collaboration with the Guyana Council of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD), has facilitated a job preparation training for persons with disabilities.

The virtual nine-week training provided participants with the practical knowledge and resources to be proactive in their job search, and be successful in acquiring jobs.

Ambassador Lynch has said of the training, “We are committed to promoting the role of persons with disabilities in creating a prosperous Guyana. This training is part of our ongoing partnership with talented and capable individuals who simply want the same opportunities as everyone else.”

During the training, 19 participants were exposed to resumé writing, inter-

view preparation, networking, and examining their strengths and skillsets to realise their true potential as afforded under the Guyana Disability Act of 2010. The course curriculum will be used for future training in collaboration with GCOPD and other interested stakeholders.

The programme is part of the US Embassy’s ongoing work to encourage prosperity for all Guyanese.

Grade Three Medic of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) last week delivered a baby boy en route to the Diamond hospital, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Corporal Dominique Gonsalves Sabola, who is attached to the Medical Centre at Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, helped the baby boy into the world at approximately 18:44h on Friday, January 28, 2022.

The mother, Donica Hunte of Hyde Park, Timehri, accompanied by her partner, had visited the Medical Centre, complaining of labour pains and was prepared by Corporal Sabola, who was assisted by fellow Grade Three Medic, Lance Corporal Sheena ChristianWaithe.

“We prepared her and had started the journey to the Diamond hospital. Just a few minutes into the journey, her water broke and the baby was ready to come. I did the delivery and then we

Corporal Dominique Gonsalves Sabola with the proud mother, Donica Hunte, and her baby

took our time and continued the journey to the hospital,” Sabola recounted.

The mother and baby were handed over to the nurses of the Maternity Ward at the Diamond hospital in good health.

Corporal Sabola enlisted in the GDF in April 2013.

He has successfully completed the Grade Three and the Grade Two Medical Assistant Courses. He has also successfully completed Infectious Disease and Combat Life Saver training as well as Self Aid and Buddy Care with the United States Southern Command.

20 NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC used ‘consumption-led’ financial philosophy, cannot see bigger picture in Budget 2022 – Jagdeo …Govt making long-term investments with higher capital expenditure

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alling out the former A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government for its ‘consumption-based’ financial philosophy with mediocre preparations for the future, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has listed this as the reason for its incapability to see the bigger picture in Budget 2022.

In the midst of the ongoing heated debate this week, the Vice President called a press conference on Thursday to address Government’s vision through the budget and also respond to rhetoric from the Opposition that has been floating around.

In sharing the difference in philosophies of the two sides, Jagdeo pointed out that the numbers over recent years tell a holistic tale of the APNU/AFC’s financial agenda.

In 2014, the last year of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s previous Administration, it presented a budget before coming out of office; the total budget was $220 billion – $138 billion for recurrent expenditure and $81 billion for capital spending.

The last budget presented by the APNU/AFC in 2019 saw a significant change in these figures. The budget grew to $300 billion of which $231 billion was recurrent expenditure. The capital budget declined to $69 billion within these years.

Capital spending refers to investments in tangible infrastructure that contributes to long-term growth for the country. Recurrent spending looks at goods and services among other intangible allocations, and this grew by 67 per cent.

“The expenditure over a five-year period declined on capital spending. Capital spending is where you build your schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, power plants, sea defences. This was accorded very little priority. They set up the basis for

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

future growth in the economy, because if you don’t have your port facilities and roads and power, then you can’t have long-term growth in the economy…On the other hand, the current expenditure – that is money for rentals of buildings, vehicles, goods, and services are the things that recorded the greatest priority. It’s consumption-based,” he zeroed in.

Jagdeo, who is also an economist, said looking at these priorities in the area of spending, the former Government is regarded as a consumption-based party.

“That is why we say it’s a consumption-based party that is focused heavily on that philosophy. It doesn’t think about future growth.

And the numbers tell that story. They not only spent a lot, but tax revenues grew from $175 billion to $225 billion, an increase of about 67 per cent… When I listen to people speak in a National Assembly about the future of this country and about future growth and well-being, if we had continued with their philosophy, we were going to end up consuming everything we earn with no provisions for the future.”

Looking at the PPP/C agenda since taking office, the Vice President said the intention was to make investments that will prove monumental to the country

Man gets 2 years for gun, ammo possession

T

hirty-three-year-old Trevor Campbell was on Thursday sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for the possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.

In his arraignment before Bartica Magistrate Faith McGusty, he pleaded guilty to the possession of a firearm and ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence, Contrary to Section 16 (2) (a) of the Firearm Act, Chapter 16:05, when the charge was read to him.

In addition to being incarcerated for two years, he has been fined $100,000.

Trevor Campbell

in years to come. In 2021, the recurrent expenditure was $279 billion – whereby the capital expenditure grew from $69 billion in 2019 to $103 billion.

In this year’s budget, the current expenditure increased again to $335 billion – an increase of 20 per cent from the previous year. The capital budget has climbed from $103 billion to $270 billion – a 160 per cent increase.

Consequently, the Vice President contended, “That is building for the future.

That’s where we’re spending our money on the future well-being of this country, investing in things that the country would be able to see and touch; not things that will disappear…That left room for a lot of thievery when you talk about corruption. People love to spend on the recurrent side, because it disappears. You don’t see it.”

He added, “Imagine us growing for the last budget that we presented –- $69 billion on capital to today

$270 billion on capital. And this tells the story of PPP Governments and the story of the transformation of this country.

“They run off on the small issues and they miss the big picture. They miss the big picture of we didn’t have enough money here or we have too much fear. But they miss this big picture.”

In this $552.9 billion budget, 23 per cent of it was fuelled by oil revenues. The VP said the financial model undertaken by the PPP/C to use the money for capital works would ensure that the country did not fall prey to the Dutch Disease that befall many.

“This is crucial to the spending of money because many countries in the world, when they had all the money or they got the windfall,

what we did immediately, they started paying themselves higher salaries, pushing up the current budget of the country. And when the oil money goes, you’re stuck with those expenditures or when you have a downturn in oil revenue... If you spend on the capital side and you have a downturn in proceeds or revenue, you can simply forego or scale back on some of the projects, because it’s not recurring,” Jagdeo further stated.

“We were determined.

We made it clear that we shall not make the mistake of other countries, that when you get the money, do like what they’re advocating here – spend all of it immediately on splurging on things that don’t bring future benefits to your people.”

NRF funds will be used to incentivise non-oil sectors – Minister Bharrat

...as Patterson says emptying oil fund is reckless

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

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s the Budget debates continue at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat has defended Government’s withdrawal of $126.7 billion from the oil fund to partially finance this year’s fiscal plans, saying that the money would be injected into Guyana’s tradition sectors.

The $552.9B Budget caters for the commencement of some of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s major projects, including the Gas-to-Shore project, the New Demerara River Bridge, and the Amaila Falls Hydro Project among others.

Minister Bharrat argued that the money withdrawn from the Natural Resource Fund would be used to incentivise these and other non-oil sectors.

“If you examine the Budget, Mr Speaker, you will see that the money from the Natural Resource Fund is flowing into those sectors.

It is flowing into agriculture,

it is flowing into health, it is flowing into education, it is flowing into tourism and manufacturing, it is flowing into our security. That is what it is being used for.

“So, when they come to the National Assembly and say, ‘The PPP is wasting the oil money, and there is no evidence of how the oil money will be spent’, Mr Speaker, we are saying to the people of Guyana: ‘That is how the money will be spent in 2022; on education, on health, on agriculture, on tourism, on security, on training our young people and building back the sugar industry.

That is where the money will be spent, because the majority of our Guyanese are employed in those sectors, and not in the oil and gas sector, and that is why we are committed, as a Government, to ensure we grow the non-oil sector,” Bharrat posited.

Moreover, the Natural Resource Minister contended that it was for this reason that the Government forged ahead with the historic Local Content legislation, which stipulates provisions for Guyanese and locally-owned businesses in non-oil sectors and services to benefit exclusively and at specified percentages from the petroleum industry.

His remark was in response to commentary from some APNU+AFC Members, who claim that Budget 2022 is killing the non-oil sectors.

In fact, Opposition Member of Parliament David Patterson on Thursday bashed the Government for using up all the oil funds.

“Mr Speaker, emptying the full amount of savings from the Natural Resource Fund is beyond reckless; a hill-billy type disregard for our country’s economic sta-

Opposition MP David Patterson

bility,” Patterson pointed out.

But according to Minister Bharrat, the Opposition would get the opportunity to scrutinise how the Government would be spending the oil funds next week, when the National Assembly would commence the Consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the 2022 fiscal year.

“This big hullabaloo, Mr Speaker, about the scrutiny of the oil money, that is what we are doing here. We are scrutinising how that money will be spent; and next week the Opposition will be given the opportunity to ask questions…and to scrutinise the Budget and how oil money will be spent and who it will be spent on…

We made a pledge when we were campaigning that we will ensure there is transparency and accountability, and that when the money is used, it will be used to benefit every single Guyanese,” Minister Bharrat stressed.

With Government using the entire US$607.6 million from the Natural Resource

Fund that was received over the past two years since Guyana started producing oil, the country is set to earn another whopping US$957.6 million from the oil and gas sector this year alone.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, had explained during his budget presentation that this year’s projected earnings will comprise of some US$857.1 million from the Government lifts of profit oil, and an additional US$100.5 million from royalties.

This significant increase will be fuelled by the operationalisation of the Unity floating, production, storage, offloading (FPSO) vessel which is slated to start production in a matter of weeks. With two FPSOs in operation, it is anticipated that there would be 94 lifts from the Stabroek Block this year, 13 of which would be Government lifts.

Since oil production commenced in December 2019, Guyana has earned US$607.6 million from its share of nine oil lifts and from royalty payments at the Liza 1 Field in the oil rich Stabroek Block.

Dr Singh had explained that Government has injected the entire $126.7 billion from the oil fund into Budget 2022 to ensure the accelerated development agenda, critical investments, and the various measures are financed without excessive borrowing or the introduction of any new taxes.

This proposed withdrawal is being done in accordance with provisions catered for in the recently-passed NRF Act, which was heavily objected to by the APNU+AFC Opposition.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Houses, farmlands flooded as koker door collapses in Essequibo steel door for the location,” Oodit explained.

Several residents were forced to use sandbags to prevent the water from getting into their home while some had to move to higher ground.

Up to late Thursday evening, the authorities were busy trying to repair the door in order to bring some relief to the residents.

Workers trying to repair the door

A

The broken koker

t least 25 households and more than 70 acres of farmland are now under water following the collapse of a koker door at Better Success, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Based on reports received, the door collapsed around 16:44h, resulting in water from the Atlantic Ocean forcefully rushing inland.

The Region Two Administration along with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) sprang into immediate action to get the situation under control, but some properties still became inundated.

Region Two Vice Chairman Humace Oodit told the media that the sluice door was built under the previous Government and it was not constructed to specifications. He added that the NDIA would now have to construct a steel door.

“The door built by the previous Administration was a disaster waiting to happen and as such, we cater in our budget to build a

Police called in after cutlass attack at New Amsterdam school …administration failed to report incident

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A house surrounded by water

olice were called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding an incident that occurred at the Vryman’s Erven Secondary School at New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) where a former student carried out an attack against a current student.

The revelation was made on Thursday by Regional Chairman David Armogan, who expressed concern that even though the incident occurred about a week ago, it was not reported by the school’s administration as is required.

“About a week ago, we had an incident at Vryman’s Erven Secondary School whereby someone sent us a video which shows someone from the community running through the school with a cutlass, on the corridor of the school, apparently fighting with a student of that school. It was not reported by the school, but because we had the video, an immediate investigation was launched,” Armogan explained.

He noted too that the matter was reported to the Police. Based on information

gathered so far, the person armed with the cutlass is a former student of the school.

His age is not known at this time.

It is unclear what injuries, if any, were sustained by the victim. Reports are that the alleged aggressor was contacted by investigators, but he was not arrested.

While blasting the school for not following protocol in reporting the matter, the Regional Chairman said steps have been taken to beef up security at the educational institution.

“Since then, we have put systems in place to make sure that these things do not happen again. We have consulted both the Police and the guard service and we are strengthening security in that area,” Armogan assured.

According to him, males have been entering the school compound to meet with senior female students.

They often times do not use the gates to enter the compound.

“That is one of the reasons why we are thinking of strengthening the administration of the school too,” he

added. “We have big issues at that school, we are going to solve them.”

The Regional Chairman is of the view that once the administration at the school becomes stronger, there would be better accountability.

The Headteacher of Vryman’s Erven Secondary was once the deputy head of the New Amsterdam Secondary School. However, back in 2016, the Regional Democratic Council had recommended having either the principal or the deputy removed from the premier secondary learning facility in the Region.

In March 2018, both the head and the deputy had been removed, with the deputy being sent to Vryman’s Erven Secondary.

“We can only make recommendations at this level; at our level, we do not really transfer people or dismiss people. What we have done through the education officers is that we have recommended to have the administration strengthened which probably will entail the movement of a certain people,” the Regional Chairman pointed out.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana has what it takes for international stage – Cave P

olice Lance Corporal Ijaz Cave was part of a two-man Mixed Martials Arts (MMA) team to represent Guyana in the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championship in Abu Dhabi last week.

Despite Cave and his teammate Corwin D’Anjou not having favorable results the Police Officer is not only grateful for the exposure but also for those who supported their journey to Abu Dhabi.

Speaking with the Force’s Corporate Communications Unit, Cave reviewed their competitive trip, while highlighting that Guyana has the potential to be right up there with the world leaders in the sport.

“I was given a bye into the quarterfinal where I competed against my Swedish counterpart. The fight was interesting, everything was in my favour until a simple mistake which, I mean, I got caught off guard,” the beaming Lance Corporal said in an interview on Thursday.

He continued on the experience, saying, “There’s a lot that I’ve learnt from that experience just going there, because the level of the competition over there is much greater and higher than we would normally expect in

Guyana, but the experience was a wonderful experience.”

With whatever tricks of the trade that he was able to pick up in Abu Dhabi, Cave expressed his willingness to share with other mixed martial artists in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and around Guyana.

“I’ve come back with a lot of experience now and I could actually share it, with the other fighters from the Guyana Police Force and other clubs. I’m 100% willing to share knowledge that I would’ve gained from this World Championship,” Cave noted.

When quizzed about the level of competitiveness in Guyana as compared to the international stage, Cave highlighted that there is an obvious distance between the two, but posited that Guyana has what it takes to stamp its mark on the international MMA circuit.

“In Guyana we train hard and everything, but then we got to improve a bit more.

Getting to that competition, I think that I did enough and I deserve to be in that league, I don’t think we’re that far behind, but there’s a lot more for improvement in Guyana here.”

He further stated,

Successful return of fully vaccinated spectators at Kensington Oval sets stage for upcoming Test Series

“There’s room for improvement, but we Guyanese can compete with anyone. We can compete with any other country. We’re there.”

Looking at the 2022 calendar, the Lance Corporal is currently on the fence about participating in an upcoming MMA in-house bout at the Police Sports Complex on February 26. However, while Cave is eager to step back into the octagon in Abu Dhabi later this year for another IMMAF Championships, he is also willing to try his hand at the World Police Games.

“As long as I’m healthy, fit and so on, definitely I’ll be part of it,” the lawman said.

Cave and his fellow Guyanese MMA fighter Corwin D’Anjou came up against Sweden’s Robin Enontekio and Ireland’s Adam McEnroe in the light heavyweight and welterweight classes respectively at the recently concluded championships.

Reggae Boyz bow out of WC contention – after 0-1 loss to Costa Rica

A look at the Jamaica- Costa Rica battle

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goal from Joel Campbell in the 62nd minute gave Costa Rica a critical 1-0 victory over Jamaica at the National Stadium in Kingston on Wednesday night.

The defeat effectively scuppers Jamaica’s chances of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. After a scoreless first half, which saw Costa Rica’s GK Keylor Navas called into action several times, both teams dialled up more attacking postures in the second half.

In the 50th minute, Jamaica Midfielder Devon Williams had an opportunity at the top of the box after a move down the right wing, but sent his effort over Navas’s goal.

In the 61st minute, Jamaica’s stopper Andre Blake was given his turn to come through, with Kevin Stewart whistled for a penalty on Campbell. Veteran Costa Rica Celso Borges stepped up, but was denied

by Blake.

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The West Indies T20I team revelling in their series’ win over England

ricket West Indies (CWI) has welcomed the safe return of fans in large numbers under COVID-19 protocols for the recent Betway T20 International (T20I) Series between West Indies and England, and confirmed it was delivered to great success.

CWI, in a wide-ranging collaboration with the Government of Barbados, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and Kensington Oval Management Inc (KOMI), safely hosted the Betway T20I Series with thousands of fully vaccinated local and travelling fans within the stadium carefully managed to 50% of its capacity.

Five exhilarating matches were played over a nine-day period, climaxing with a memorable finish on Sunday night. Two-time T20 World Champions West Indies registered a famous 3-2 triumph over #1 ranked England, with several records being established at the historic venue.

The Betway T20I Series signalled a successful return of spectators in large numbers to watch cricket, with Barbados hosting an average of 4,300 fans attending each of the matches. With capacity restricted to a maximum of just under 5,500 fans to allow for the safe hosting of the event with distancing between groups of fans, the West Indies played in front of a carnival-like atmosphere for the first time in nearly two years.

All persons attending the matches were fully vaccinated, with their vaccination status checked and verified by the Ministry of Health and Wellbeing officials at the point of entry.

An aggregate of just over 22,500 persons attended the five matches.

As the excitement built, home fans returned in greater numbers to watch the West Indies, making up over 51% of all fans for the fifth and final Betway T20I. The longstanding appeal of watching England away games in the Caribbean led to an average of 2,500 travelling England fans attending each game.

Dominic Warne, CWI’s Commercial and Marketing Director, saluted the untiring work of event staff from CWI, BCA, KOMI, and the Government of Barbados, in particular the Ministry of Health and Wellbeing.

“We are extremely pleased with the way the Betway T20I Series was delivered, following such a long gap without fans being able to attend. Blessed with some outstanding performances on the field, fans created an amazing atmosphere in the stands in a safe and secure environment provided by a great collaboration between all parties. The Ministry of Health and Wellbeing’s officials provided a smooth, efficient and friendly validation process on entry to the stadium to confirm fans’ vaccination status,” Warne said.

“This gives everyone involved in the staging of the event confidence and assurance ahead of the forthcoming Apex Test Series in March. Not only did we enjoy the return of the world-renowned West Indies carnival cricket atmosphere, the successful return of fans will have generated much-needed economic benefit for the region. We want to thank the English visitors who travelled in huge numbers as well as the returning West Indies fans who brought their special vibes to support their favourite team.”

England return to the West Indies in March for the Apex Test Series, as the teams play for the newly-minted Richards-Botham Trophy, named in honour of legends Sir Vivian Richards and Lord Ian Botham. The Apex Test Series opens appropriately at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua from March 8-12, followed by the second Apex Test at Kensington Oval from March 16-20. The third and final contest will be at the idyllic Grenada National Stadium from March 24-28. All three Apex Tests are part of the ICC World Test Championships.

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The celebrations on the Jamaica bench had barely concluded however, when Campbell found the winner. Borges played a ball over the top to the 29-year-old attacker, and he took a touch with his left to move inside and beat Blake to his back post.

Jamaica manager Paul Hall modified his lineup in search of an equalizer, with one of the best chances coming in the 71st minute when Andre Gray narrowly missed a chance to apply a finishing touch to a cross toward the back post.

The Costa Rica win moves the Ticos within a point of the playoff position, pending later results.

When Costa Rica returns to action in the final window of qualification, it will host Canada, while Jamaica will be back in the National Stadium for a contest against El Salvador. (Sportsmax)

ACCOMMODATIONS

MATCH SCHEDULE

Betway T20I Series January 22: 1st Betway T20I – West Indies won by 9 wickets https://bit.ly/3seENp1 January 23: 2nd Betway T20I – England won by 1 run https://bit.ly/3sa9rQw January 26: 3rd Betway T20I – West Indies won by 20 runs https://bit.ly/3gA1kYl January 29: 4th Betway T20I – England won by 34 runs https://bit.ly/3B71gsx January 30: 5th Betway T20I – West Indies won by 17 runs https://bit.ly/3IWlvLT

Apex Test Series (10am local time/9am Jamaica Time) March 8-12: 1st Apex Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua March 16-20: 2nd Apex Test at Kensington Oval, Barbados March 24-28: 3rd Apex Test at Grenada National Stadium, Grenada

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Regional Four-Day tournament…

Be tough and smart: Coach Crandon's message to Guyana Harpy Eagles batsmen

By Brandon Corlette

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uyana Harpy Eagles will open their Regional Four-Day campaign on February 9 against Windward Islands Volcanoes in Trinidad and Tobago. Despite Guyana winning the Regional Four-

Day championships on five out of six occasions, the batting has been a concern, while the bowling has held its own.

Esuan Crandon, Head Coach of the Guyana Harpy Eagles, is calling for batsmen to be tough, and not complicate things. "Basically, sim-

ple message to the batters is that don't complicate things.

The basics remain the same.

Just to be tougher, smarter, willing to fight throughout tough periods, be clear how you are going to play, structure your game plan, opposition you coming against, bowlers you coming against.

ECB to commence under-15 trials this weekend

T

he Essequibo Cricket Board will be conducting trials for under-15 cricketers on 5th February 2022 at various venues across the cricketing area in Essequibo.

Cricketers born on or after September 1st 2007 will be eligible to participate in these trials.

The competition is expect-

ed to create great interest, as Pomeroon will go against North Essequibo at the Anna Regina Multilateral School Ground, and Central will take on South Essequibo at the Reliance Sports Ground.

Meanwhile, Wakenaam, Leguan, Bartica, and East Bank Essequibo will compete at the Tuschen Cricket Ground.

This is to scout talented players, who will go to an encampment after which the final squad for the under-15 team will be named to compete in the GCB inter-county tournament in Georgetown.

Encampment of the squad will be from the 11th to 13th February 2022 at the Imam Bacchus Cricket Ground.

Guyanese Harris eager for 3rd UFC showing A

remarkable achievement, Guyaneseborn fighter Carlston Harris has been promoted to the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC’s) main card for this weekend’s action at the UFC Apex in Nevada, USA. Guyana’s fighting sensation Carlston Harris will make his third appearance in the ring on Saturday, February 5.

When Harris steps into the octagon this time around, he will be battling Shavkat Rakhmonov of Uzbekistan in a Welterweight bout.

As a precursor to Saturday’s fight card, the Brazil-trained fighter who became only the 19th in the UFC history to draw a win through an Anaconda choke, sat down to field questions from the UFC, noting that he is elated to be back.

“I’m feeling good, man.

It’s great to be back. I was working hard in the gym,” Harris, who hails from Berbice, stated.

After turning heads in January of 2021, Harris made his UFC debut on May 8th, 2021 with a firstround victory over America’s Christian Aguilera. The stellar debut was followed by another first-round victory

"Simple things that we stressed upon over the years, we will continue to stress about those things.

We have been seeing some progress, and we are hoping to make that transition into 4-Day cricket from our first game," Crandon told this daily publication.

In the three trial matches, the scores were low, with the exception of the first match that saw Shimron Hetmyer and Tevin Imlach scoring centuries at Albion.

For this upcoming season, the Guyana Harpy Eagles batting group includes Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Leon Johnson, Shimron Hetmyer, Tevin Imlach, Akshaya Persaud, Vishaul Singh and wicketkeeper-batsman Anthony Bramble.

All-rounder Keemo Paul would also offer support in the batting.

Based on statistics from the last Regional 4-Day tournament (2019-2020), which saw Barbados Pride dethroning the Jaguars, captain Johnson was the leading batsman with 472 runs in that season.

Christopher Barnwell, who has performed consistently at the regional level, was the only other batsman to score more than 400 runs; he accumulated 435 runs. However, Barnwell, who scored a composed half-century in the final Harpy Eagles trial match, is not in the red-ball plans for Guyana.

According to Crandon, the team has shown great progress since the team's training session began in December.

"I think we are getting there. Gradually, we are getting where we want to be as a team. Individuals show progress from December, when we started, to now; physically, mentally and tactically. It is a work in progress, we looking to get better, every day that we hit the cricket field or the training venue. I am happy with the progress thus far.

“We will continue to go forward to ensure that we achieve what we set out to," Crandon added.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles squad reads: Leon Johnson (Captain), Keemo Paul (Vice Captain), Chandrapaul Hemraj, T a g e n a r i n e Chanderpaul, Vishaul Singh, Askhaya Persaud, A n t h o n y B r a m b l e , Tevin Imlach, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie Nial Smith, Clinton Pestano, S h i m r o n Hetmyer, Keon Joseph and Antony Adams.

The reserves are: K e m o l S a v o r y , Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, K e v l o n Anderson, Ronsford B e a t o n , T r e v o n G r i f f i t h and Demitri Cameron.

Leon Johnson

Shimron Hetmyer

Guyana Harpy Eagles Coach Esuan Crandon (Brandon Corlette photos)

GABF commends GoG on 2022 Budget allocation for Sports

T

Carlston Harris holding Christian Aguilera in an anaconda choke

over Impa Kasanganay on September 18th, 2021.

Reflecting on his perfect start to the UFC, Harris pledged to continue his dedication.

“That two first-round finishes, it even gives me more motivation to push myself beyond the limit. You have to be self-motivated, the motivation has to be there all the time,” he said.

Looking at his opponent’s undefeated status, and assessing what may be in store for Saturday’s bout, Harris hinted at his own ability to spring a surprise.

“My opponent, I think he have a lot of hype on him; but, you know, you can’t look past me; I’ll surprise people.

I mean, fighting is a chess game, and you have to play the game well, because any-

thing could happen in the fight. So, you have to play the game well,” the MMA fighter reasoned. “But I don’t look past my opponent, I take one step at a time.

“My style match-up great with him, with the grappling and striking. I have a great match-up for him,” he added.

Nonetheless, Harris is confident that his preparation has readied him to add another win to his successful streak.

“I believe in my training, I believe in my team, and I believe in what I do. It’s been years of sacrifice. So yeah, you just can’t throw it down the drain like that,” Harris stated.

Harris’s battle with Rakhmonov is scheduled for 8pm local time on Saturday, February 5.

he Guyana Basketball Federation (GABF) commends the Government of Guyana on the record-breaking fund allocation to the transformation of sports in Guyana in the 2022 National Budget.

The 2022 National Budget as presented by Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister with responsibilities for Finance under the Office of the President, has seen an almost 50% increase in funds being allocated for the development of sports in Guyana with $2.2B this year as opposed to the $1.5B in 2021.

The GABF was categorized as one of the twelve core sports and has been working closely with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. and the NSC’s Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle. The GABF would also like to take this opportunity to thank the National Sports Commission for funding received in 2021 for the Senior Men’s National team campaign at the FIBA

Dr Ashni Singh last week announced a $2.2B Sport Budget for 2022

Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifier in El Salvador and the Senior Men and Women’s 3x3 national teams’ participation in the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup in Miami, USA. The GABF has presented its 2022-2027 Strategic Development Plan to the

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and is excited about the future of sports and basketball in Guyana.

Guyana is scheduled to compete in a number of international youth qualifiers in this year including the FIBA U15 and U17 Centrobasket Championships for Boys and Girls, and the FIBA Centrobasket Women’s Championship in San Juan, Puerto Rico along with the 3x3 Basketball tournaments at the 2022 Caribbean Games in Guadeloupe, the South American Youth Games in Asunción, Paraguay, the International School Sport Federation Games in Normandy, France and the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup senior and U17 tournaments in Miami, USA and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The rehabilitation of our infrastructure will make Guyana a hosting destination for international competitions, which will also complement the sports tourism sector.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022

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

Regional Four-Day tournament...

Be tough and smart: Coach Crandon’s message to Guyana Harpy Eagles batsmen Page 23

See story on page 23

Guyanese Harris eager for 3rd UFC showing

WI lose Nation, Taylor to injury as Wolvaardt ton sets up South Africa win SCOREBOARD W est Indies lost Chedean Nation and Stafanie Taylor to onfield injuries during the third ODI against South Africa, who won the fixture by 96 runs. The four-match series is level at 1-1, with one game to play.

Nation was stretchered off the field in the 40th over of the South African innings after tumbling while trying to stop a Mignon du Preez boundary.

She was at midwicket as du Preez swiped, Nation ran in, slipped and fell head over heels. She was unmoved as the ball crossed the boundary and required 12 minutes of on-field treatment before being taken off.

Earlier, in the 36th over, Nation had jammed her shoulder into the ground as she attempted to stop the ball and though she appeared to recover quite quickly, it may have been the initial blow which forced her off the field. She was taken to hospital "out of an abundance of caution", according to the West Indies media manager.

A little more than 90 minutes later, Taylor copped a blow to the helmet off a Nadine de Klerk bouncer. That was at the end of the 13th over and by the first ball of the 14th, Taylor, at the non-striker's end, stood hunched over with her hands on her knees, shaking her head.

She faced another delivery, took a single and then decided she could not continue. She received on-field assistance but walked off the field, pointing to her neck. Taylor was found to be concussed, and eventually replaced for the remainder of the game by Aaliyah Alleyne.

South Africa posted their highest total against West Indies in a bid to level the series. Laura Wolvaardt scored her third ODI century and first against a topeight rated team and shared in a 141-run third-wicket stand with Sune Luus to set South Africa up for their highest total against West Indies.

"I felt like I wasn't getting great starts," Wolvaardt told the television broadcast after her innings. Her previous three

knocks have not progressed past 25. "We focused on building a partnership that took up a lot of time and faced a lot of overs.

It's very nice to see what we can do if we actually do what we are supposed to and get it right."

Luus contributed 56 but the innings' impetus came from Chloe Tyron, who smashed a 24-ball 43 to put South Africa in touching distance of 300. With South Africa scoring at a shade under six an over, Shakera Selman's return of 0 for 39 in 10 was the most miserly of the bowling.

Shamilia Connell, who conceded only 54 runs in her 10, finished with four wickets.

The South Africa innings ended a ball short due to an umpiring error, which denied them the opportunity to bring up only their third total over 300. Still, it was too much for West Indies who started the innings without Nation and lost soon Taylor. By then, the series' leading wicket-taker, Ayabonga Khaka, had removed both openers in her first two

overs, making use of swing through the air on a humid Johannesburg evening.

Kycia Knight's 69 kept West Indies in the hunt but she holed out to long-on to become offspinner Raisibe Ntozakhe's first victim since making her ODI comeback in this match.

Ntozakhe was cleared to bowl again in September last year after being reported for a suspect action in September 2018. She finished with 1 for 53.

Shabnim Ismail took two wickets in two balls to leave West Indies 170 for 7 in the 37th over. Alleyne batted to the end but was left with too much to do. With Nation unable to bat, South Africa only needed nine wickets and took them before West Indies had faced their full quota of overs.

The series finale will be played on Sunday at the same venue, the Wanderers. South Africa will wear an all-black kit to show their support for victims of gender-based violence and West Indies will black armbands for the same cause.

SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN INNINGS (50 OVERS MAXIMUM) Laura Wolvaardt c Taylor b Henry 117 Tazmin Brits c†Campbelle b Connell 18 Anneke Bosch c Dottin b Connell 5 Sune Luus (c)b Mohammed 56 Mignon du Preez run out (Mohammed) 11 Chloe Tryon c & b Connell 43 Nadine de Klerk c Kycia A Knight b Connell 22 Sinalo Jafta † not out 1 Shabnim Ismail st †Campbelle b Matthews 1 Ayabonga Khaka not out 1

Extras (b 5, nb 1, w 18) 24 TOTAL(50 Ov, RR: 5.98) 299/8 Did not bat: Raisibe Ntozakhe Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Tazmin Brits, 4.1 ov), 2-40 (Anneke Bosch, 6.4 ov), 3-181 (Sune Luus, 35.6 ov), 4-213 (Mignon du Preez, 41.3 ov), 5-219 (Laura Wolvaardt, 42.2 ov), 6-294 (Chloe Tryon, 48.2 ov), 7-294 (Nadine de Klerk, 48.4 ov), 8-298 (Shabnim Ismail, 49.4 ov) BOWLING Shamilia Connell Chinelle Henry Hayley Matthews Anisa Mohammed Shakera Selman Stafanie Taylor

O-M-R-W 10-0-54-4 10-0-64-1 9-0-51-1 9-0-62-1 10-0-39-0 2-0-24-0

WEST INDIES WOMEN INNINGS (TARGET: 300 RUNS FROM 50 OVERS) Deandra Dottin c du Preez b Khaka 12 Rashada Williams c Luus b Khaka 1 Kycia Knight c sub (M Kapp) b Ntozakhe 69 Stafanie Taylor (c)retired hurt 13 Hayley Matthews b Ismail 15 Shemaine Campbelle †c & b Tryon 16 Chinelle Henry lbw b Ismail 17 Aaliyah Alleyne c de Klerk b Ismail 18 Anisa Mohammed b Ismail 0 Shamilia Connell b de Klerk 3 Shakera Selman not out 11

Extras(lb 4, nb 3, w 21) 28 TOTAL(44.4 Ov, RR: 4.54) 203 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Rashada Williams, 1.4 ov), 2-14 (Deandra Dottin, 3.6 ov), 3-86 (Hayley Matthews, 20.2 ov), 4-141 (Kycia Knight, 31.6 ov), 5-142 (Shemaine Campbelle, 32.3 ov), 6-170 (Chinelle Henry, 36.2 ov), 7-170 (Anisa Mohammed, 36.3 ov), 8-177 (Shamilia Connell, 40.3 ov), 9-203 (Aaliyah Alleyne, 44.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Shabnim Ismail 8.4-0-37-4 Ayabonga Khaka 9-1-27-2 Nadine de Klerk 9-0-46-1 Raisibe Ntozakhe 10-0-53-1 Chloe Tryon 8-0-36-1

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