Guyana Times -- Friday, June 17, 2022

Hundreds of job opportunities to come with new modern mall at Providence P5

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 5042

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

PRICE

Attempt to rig 2020 elections

CoI members to be named by Tuesday – Pres Ali

Page 2

Better livelihoods, opportunities built on the sacrifices of Enmore Martyrs – President Page 3

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Couple attacked, injured for helping woman leave abusive relationship P5

“Two Colours” shot, killed Lusignan P8 cosmetologist – star witness tells jury

Govt allocates additional land for construction of more houses at Williamsburg P16 …GuySuCo being consulted to open up lands at Skeldon President Dr Irfaan Ali takes a wreath to the Enmore Martyrs Monument during a ceremony on Thursday to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs (OP photo)

Govt approves $60,000 minimum wage for Private Sector employees Page 7

Small farmers' plea leads to on-the-spot loan support decision

Page 18

Page 7

ExxonMobil to start up more wells to boost full production of Liza Unity FPSO

Berbice teen dies by suicide after allegedly being raped by taxi driver …“Me need justice for me daughter” – mother

Page 9

Hess eyeing approval for 6th production vessel in Stabroek Block P9 by 2023 …says pace of development in Guyana’s waters “industry leading”

Lodge man busted with ecstasy pills remanded P18

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Attempt to rig 2020 elections

CoI members to be named by Tuesday – Pres Ali

File photo: One of the container trucks leaving with the ballot boxes during the National Recount exercise in 2020

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali has avowed that, before dawn on Tuesday, he would announce the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) members for the 2020 General and Regional Elections – a period of relentless battle for democracy that arose from a spell of bizarre rigging attempts.

He made the announcement during his feature ad-

dress at the Enmore Martyrs Day observance on Thursday.

“Your President promised an international CoI. So, I say to all those struggled in sacrifice, all those who worked in protecting the democracy that we have, in your honour, before dawn on Tuesday, your President will name the members of that international CoI,” Ali told attendees.

He added, “Those who subverted democracy, and those who cannot present their SoPs, and those who struggled against the will of the people, the CoI will set the truth free from the untruth. The CoI will set those who dwell in the house of democracy against those who dwell in the fire of undemocratic rule and norm.

“Before dawn, the CoI

will be in place, and another victory for democracy will be sought.”

Following the prolonged elections and its attendant controversies, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) scrutinizing team had recommended a political audit into the functioning of GECOM. President Ali had announced the CoI, adding that persons governing this operation should be drawn from Caricom, the Commonwealth, or the Organization of American States (OAS).

Since last year, Ali had indicated that his Government was “committed” to identifying the individuals responsible in the rigging attempts, and pinpointing possible areas of weakness that can be used to guide the required strengthening of Guyana’s electoral system. This would be achieved through the inquiry, to which stakeholder

consultations were facilitated to select appropriate persons.

This week, Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairperson Justice (retd) Claudette Singh reasoned that any review focused on investigating actual occurrences during the 2020 elections by the electoral body would be outside the scope of its power.

She contended that should the intention of a proposed review be to consider if there are, in fact, potential weaknesses in the processes employed by GECOM for the conduct of elections, and to propose improved methods or processes for future elections, then this can and should be undertaken.

Justice Singh made these positions known in writing following a request made some five months ago by the Opposition Commissioners that an internal investigation be launched into the events of the 2020 elections.

Article 163 (1) of the Constitution, the Supreme Law of Guyana, stipulates that the High Court has ex-

clusive jurisdiction to determine questions relating to the validity of an election.

GECOM is not a court of law, and therefore has no authority to determine whether an election was lawfully conducted, and no such power was conferred on it under Article 162 (1) (b).

According to her, two of the questions raised in relation to whether GECOM should conduct a review of the 2020 elections are: the voting of persons who could not have voted, whether because they were dead or out of the jurisdiction; and the absence of documents which are required by law to be present in ballot boxes from a number of ballot boxes.

Since the elections’ fiasco unfolded, several persons that served within the apparatus of GECOM have already been charged with electoral fraud. They include former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, former Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, among others. (G12)

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Friday, June 17 – 04:00h-05:30h and Saturday, June 18 – 04:00h-05:30h.

Better livelihoods, opportunities built on the sacrifices of Enmore Martyrs – President

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, June 17 – 06:20h-07:50h and Saturday, June 18 – 07:15h-08:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light rain showers with instances of thunder are expected during the day and the night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to North NorthWesterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 06:27h and 19:05h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.48 metres.

Low Tide: 12:34h reaching a minimum height of 0.53 metre.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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$1815.70 -6.10

$1859.30 -0.33%

President Dr Irfaan Ali standing with trade unionists Carvil Duncan and Seepaul Narine during the Enmore Martyrs Day observance

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he sacrifices made by the Enmore Martyrs and other key figures in history have played an integral role in shaping the future of Guyana, and it is these events that have brought about opportunities and enhanced livelihoods for the common man.

President Irfaan Ali shared this position on Thursday, during the Enmore Martyrs Day commemoration on the East Coast of Demerara. After tributes were paid to the five fallen sugar workers, Ali noted that the sacrifices of martyrs led Guyana to where it stands today.

Upholding human dignity, he added, has extended to factors like achieving a low mortality rate and educational opportunities for children.

"That is part of human dignity. It is not only about wages and salaries, it is about ensuring you have safe water; it is about ensuring you have access to education. And many working people of this country have children pursuing degrees and diplomas to the GOAL scholarship…We must acknowledge these things too, when we celebrate the life of these martyrs, because it is these, the sacrifice that they have made, that has led us to the position now that we have the opportunity to give what they never could have gotten,” the Guyanese Leader voiced.

Zeroing in on the sugar industry, the Head of State said the successful management of the industry is not solely dependent on Government, but on unions and other stakeholders. It was also emphasised that his administration led the battle when the sugar industry was on the verge of closure.

"We are not here to fight the industry. It is this Government that is finding billions of dollars to bring back this industry. It is this Government that is bring back the jobs. It is not good this Government that took away the 7000 jobs. The direct and indirect loss to the industry was more than 30,000 jobs,” he reminded.

Having recognised the socioeconomic importance of the industry, Government is eyeing sustainable and modernised approaches to keep the sector alive and thriving, enabling a ‘turn around’ from what it inherited in 2020 following the downsizing.

This year marks 74 years since the shooting to death of five sugar workers at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. The five: Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi and Harry, became known as the Enmore Martyrs following

their deaths on June 16, 1948.

The incident unfolded after labourers were faced with deplorable conditions of work and living, saddled with unsatisfactory wages.

They also wanted the then Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU) to be recognised as the union to bargain for them.

After their demands were not met, they resorted to strike action in April of 1948.

The use of scabs to fill the void the strike had created did not resolve the sugar producers’ dilemma, and as production became seriously affected, they introduced drastic measures in an effort to force the striking workers to return to work. And with the workers feeling betrayed by the union, the Man Power Citizen’s Association (MPCA) that represented them, the situation became exacerbated and ultimately led to what transpired on that fateful day of June 16, 1948. During the picketing actions, they were gunned down by colonial Police in British Guiana on June 16, 1948.

Apart from the deaths, 14 persons were injured.

FITUG President Carvil Duncan labelled the day as a 'sad' one that would always he remembered, adding that it has changed the landscape of Guyana.

“What they have left with us is their legacy. They are saying that if something is

The Enmore Martyrs Monument

worth having, it is worth sacrificing for. They have made the ultimate sacrifice. We who are now around must say to ourselves, ‘Let us continue the good work. Let us continue the philosophy of those sugar workers by ensuring that what they sacrifice for: better working conditions, increasing their wages, removing from the area by increasing the conditions so that the memory would not be in vain’,” Duncan contended.

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) President Seepaul Narine also regarded this unfortunate incident as a monumental turning point in the country's history. He recognised that several objectives to better the lives of Guyanese are still to be achieved, regardless of the development and progress attained since 1948.

Narine voiced, "We are reminded of the injustice and oppression to the martyrs, their colleagues, and indeed our foreparents. The Enmore struggle began on April 22, 1948, as workers along the East Coast protested the imposition of the 'cut and load' system of cane cutting. As the struggle widened and more becoming its epicenter, the workers expression group denounced justifiably their squalid living conditions and

deteriorating working conditions. They also heightened their calls for the recognition of the Guyana Industrial Workers Union, GIWU - the forerunner of GAWU - as the union of their choice."

He added, "Today, the exploitative character of the industry has been condemned to history. Under the ownership of the state, the industry's wealth played a meaningful role in developing our nation, after enriching our foreign masters for hundreds of years. This undoubtedly is one of the lasting legacies of the Martyrs."

Narine said they are encouraged by developments and commitment by the Aliled Administration for resuscitation of the sugar industry, as both sides share a common agenda.

"Indeed, it appears the President and the GAWU’s views are aligned. However, we say to you, ‘Action must be taken as a matter of urgency.

We cannot allow the slide to continue’. As the saying goes, ‘Heads must roll’, and this should start from the topmost executive.

“President, you summed it up rightly when you said revitalizing the industry was serious business,” the GAWU President underscored. (G1)

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 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

Enmore Martyrs

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hursday, June 16, 2022 marked seventy-four years since the shooting to death of five sugar workers at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. The five: Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi and Harry, became known as the Enmore Martyrs following their deaths on June 16, 1948. This year, the anniversary coincides with the universal observance of Father’s Day. That makes for special and possibly painful reflections by their descendants.

The word “martyr”, by definition, connotes the ultimate sacrifice that one selflessly makes generally for the betterment of others and country. The Enmore Martyrs paid with their dear lives for the cause of bettering working conditions for sugar workers.

The arduous task of harvesting cane manually is well known. One of the workers’ contentions then was the added burden of, having cut the cane, to load it into punts some distance away; referred to as the “cut and load” system. This back-breaking method, which was introduced in 1945, was clearly unpopular with the workers, who demanded that it be replaced with “cut and “drop”; they cut and others load.

At the time, social and economic conditions were less than desirable. That saddled workers with poor wages and living conditions on the estates. They also wanted the then Guyana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU) to be recognised as the union to bargain for them. In their minds, these were justifiable demands, and having been unable to have them met, they resorted to strike action in April of 1948.

The use of scabs to fill the void the strike created did not resolve the sugar producers’ dilemma. As production became seriously affected, they introduced drastic measures in an effort to force the striking workers to comply. Having felt betrayed by the union, the Man Power Citizen’s Association (MPCA) that represented them, the situation exacerbated and ultimately led to what transpired on that fateful day of June 16, 1948.

The context of that incident must not be lost. They were simple workers who unselfishly stood up to the authority, demanding that their welfare not be ignored. After all, they were contributing significantly to the enrichment of the masters, who seemed totally unconcerned about the plight the workers were forced to endure.

The death of the Enmore five resonated across the country. That incident was a pivotal moment in our nation’s history and our politics. It profoundly impacted a young Dr. Cheddi Jagan. The strikes, prior to the shooting, were supported by the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), of which he and his wife Janet were among the founders.

They helped to raise funds and operated soup kitchens to assist the striking workers and their families.

The deaths of the five workers touched him in many ways, and at the gravesite on the day of their funerals, he pledged to dedicate his life to the cause of the Guyanese people; to free them from bondage and exploitation. It was that pledge that propelled and guided him in his relentless struggles for an independent Guyana and championing the rights of workers. He founded the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in 1950, which led subsequent struggles, culminating in the return to democracy in 1992.

While the five workers died during their quest for betterment, their sacrifices further heightened awareness of what they experienced, galvanised sentiments, fuelled hope, and helped to intensify the struggle not just for improved working conditions for sugar workers, but for all Guyanese.

Relatives of the Enmore Martyrs – Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi, Harry – taking wreaths to the commemoration monument on Thursday during a wreath-laying ceremony for the 74th anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs (OP photos)

Failed attempt to bring some redemption to former administration Dear Editor, I respond forthwith to a letter published on June 13, 2022 in the local media under the caption “An attempt to erase the legacy of the Coalition Government because of political immaturity”.

I must say this is indeed another failed attempt by the author of the letter to bring some redemption to a former administration which can only be remembered for its blatant attempt to trick the Guyanese people.

The author’s first line reads, “Sometimes it bothers me to comprehend the level a few Political Leaders will stoop to propagate lies to confuse the minds of Guyanese”, I believe that line best suits the former administration, to which the author belongs.

Editor, I will not respond line for line, but I bring to your attention documented evidence by way of records from the Transport and Harbours Department in response to the accusations made by Ms. Ferguson in her letter.

People’s Progressive Party Civic Government failed to address high costs of vehicular fares for residents of Mahaica-Berbice and East Berbice-Corentyne, Regions 5 and 6.

The People’s Progressive Party Civic Government, under President Donald Ramotar, did not lower the tolls for the Berbice Bridge crossing And former Minister

of Public Works, Robeson Benn, was adamant in opposing the calls for fare reductions. All of which, she stated, occurred on or before May 17, 2014.

Editor, here are those documented records from T&HD operations in Regions Five and Six. From March 2012 to January 2013, Shanti (contracted) and Alford 'C' (MARAD speed boat) provided service to residents of both regions.

From March 5th 2012 to January 25th 2013, the M.B. Sandaka operated between New Amsterdam and Rosignol.

And from 2013 to 2015, the M.B. Bonasika operated between New Amsterdam and Rosignol.

Now, let me remind Ms Ferguson that, on April 6th 2020, it was the CARETAKER APNU Government which restricted the movement of citizens from those regions when it callously instructed that the T&HD Berbice operations be suspended.

Editor, the evidence has been laid out, and it will show that there can be no attempt to erase any legacy of anything or anyone, especially that Ms. Ferguson’s accusations are riddled with inaccuracies and falsehoods.

Editor, this statement, “On taking office in August 2020, without any justifiable reason, the Ministry of Public Works pulled the water taxis, returning hard-

ship and challenges to those who benefitted from the services.” Again, I must refer Ms Ferguson to the records of the T&HD. Those records show clearly that it was the CARETAKER APNU Government, to which she belongs, which brought hardship on the Guyanese people when it suspended the Berbice ferry service.

Editor, I implore Ms Ferguson to get her facts straight, as the PPP/C Administration never stopped the Berbice ferry service; maybe the former Minister believes that a lie spoken over and over can become truth.

Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky said, “Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others”.

Editor, the PPP/C Administration under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali will continue to engage citizens and form policies for the benefit of every man, woman and child in this great nation.

If Ms Ferguson desires to be credited as the first to commission the water taxies, then by all means take that credit, as I have no desire to receive such credits, but only to work for the people of Guyana, who have placed their confidence in the PPP/C Administration when

they voted us into office.

I believe service to people is service to God, and that I will continue doing.

Allow me time to also update Ms. Ferguson, even if she refuses to acknowledge this truth. Since coming into office, the PPP/C Administration has been focused on ways to better the lives of Guyanese. In 2020, over $50 billion in disposable income returned to citizens by way of reversal of measures which caused much hardships to citizens. VAT on data was removed, VAT on water and electricity was removed. Government also reduced the cost of licensing and permits annually in 2020 as well.

In 2021, $2.6 billion was set aside to assist pensioners, persons benefiting from public assistance, and persons living with disabilities. A one-off cash grant of $25,000 for over 65,000 pensioners and an additional $25,000 for public assistance recipients and persons living with disabilities were paid.

This year, $1.8 billion in relief measures was allocated for persons living in hinterland communities, as well as for farmers. $1 billion worth of fertiliser was set aside for free distribution to farmers, for use in their planting and replanting activities.

The mining community also received relief to the tune of $2 billion.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

5

News

Hundreds of job opportunities to come with new modern mall at Providence

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n a few years’ time, the East Bank Demerara skyline would be massively transformed, and construction of a new, modern mall, H-Towers Mall, would bring more high-end entertainment and shopping options for residents, as well as hundreds of job opportunities.

H-Towers is a Guyaneseowned company which, along with its international partners, would be constructing a Sheraton Hotel and Residence here. Like the hotel, the mall is also slated to open in 2025, and will be located below the Sheraton Hotel, with two levels of retail outlets spanning 63,340 square feet.

In a statement on Thursday, the company said H-Towers Mall aims at providing fun for the entire family, with world renowned restaurants, an entertainment centre, and an exhilarating shopping experience for both locals and foreigners.

“With convenient parking and access to a wide variety of amenities, H-Towers mall is perfectly positioned at becoming the go-to place for all your needs and an

An artist's impression of the entrance to H-Towers Mall

Couple attacked, injured for helping woman leave abusive relationship

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Port Mourant, Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) couple were on Wednesday injured at the hands of a man who has been abusive to his ex-lover.

The couple, Kilawatia Singh and Sookdeo Singh of Ankerville, Port Mourant had rescued their neighbour Fazeena Ramcharran, 39, after she walked out of an abusive relationship.

Ramcharran had moved in with her neighbours and had been living there for several weeks after her now ex-partner threatened to kill her.

On Wednesday evening, Singh was in the lower flat of her house, in her hammock with her husband when Ramcharran's ex-partner barged into her premises and began chopping her about her body.

Fazeena Ramcharran

The man accused the couple of “interfering” in his “domestic affair”.

Singh received injuries to her upper right arm, fingers, left hip, buttocks, and right foot while her husband who attempted to protect her received chops to both hands.

The suspect then made good his escape.

The couple were treated at the Port Mourant Public Hospital.

Meanwhile, Ramcharran, who was also present in the lower flat of the building said after she recognised her ex-partner entering the yard

Failed attempt to bring some...

In the area of transport and infrastructure development, in 2021, a US$12.7 million ($2.6 billion) contract was signed with Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers Limited (GRSEL) for an ocean-going passenger and cargo vessel for the Barima-Waini (Region One) route, which has been completed and will be delivered in the coming months.

In 2022, $96.1 billion was allocated to this sector; $76.7 billion for development of roads and bridges; $8.3 billion to facilitate upgrade of the highway from Palmyra to Moleson Creek, and construction of the Corentyne River Bridge; $6 billion to commence work on the Linden-Mabura Hill Road; $4.1 billion for re-construction of several bridg-

she jumped over a fence and went into hiding.

The injured couple told Guyana Times that it was not the first the man had come to their premises. They said they reported the threats he made to the Whim Police Station, but not much help has been forthcoming from the Police.

Ramcharran and the suspect had been in a relationship for 14 months, but she ended it.

“Exactly every day he ah come around, he ah curse, he a threaten me say he go murder me," she said.

Ramcharran has a restraining order dated April 21, 2022, restraining her ex-partner from being within 50 feet of her.

“I feel very scared. I feel very confused. No Police taking action against him,” the woman said.

FROM PAGE 4

es along the Kurupukarito-Lethem corridor; $2.3 billion for the East BankEast Coast Demerara Road linkage between Ogle and Eccles; $2.1 billion to commence the widening and paving of the East Bank Highway from Grove to Timehri; $2.6 billion for the rehabilitation of the entire Soesdyke-Linden Highway, and $15.2 billion to upgrade

urban roads.

These are only a few of what the PPP/C Administration has planned for the country’s development, and there is no time wasting in getting our work done.

Sincerely, Bishop Juan Edghill, Minister of Public Works

unmatched experience.

The mall’s environmentally-friendly design and innovative architectural concepts is an excellent example of H-Towers’ leading sustainability model and the progress the company is making towards fulfilling Guyana’s vision of setting and meeting international best practice standards,” the missive detailed.

Its concessions include: a food court, clothing stores, jewellery stores, banking agencies, pharmacies, home furnishing and appliances stores, hardware stores, supermarkets, and an entertainment hub consisting of a variety of posh bars and restaurants.

“The mall forms part of a mixed-use, unique experience for hotel guests, residents and shoppers,” Executive Director of H-Towers, Kerwin Bollers, has said.

According to Bollers, persons and businesses interested in leasing retail space can still do so by emailing: htowersgy@gmail.com.

It has further been outlined that the construction of the mall/shopping centre would undoubtedly lead to the creation of new jobs, with more than 200 persons expected to be employed at this facility when it becomes fully operational.

Earlier this month, H-Towers, together with its US-based partners - The Triwest Financial Group, Inc and Black Pearl Holding Co. – signed an agreement

with Marriott International to bring the Sheraton Hotels & Resorts brand to Georgetown.

The project is expected to include a 200-room Sheraton Hotel and 224 residences.

It is a two-tower, new-build project that would expand the company’s existing portfolio in the country, and is expected to break ground by the end of this year, with construction slated to be completed in 2025.

The hotel, which would occupy one of the two towers, is located in close proximity to downtown Georgetown in the suburban area of Providence.

It is expected that the 200room hotel would feature a mix of king and double rooms and several suites, including a Governor’s Suite and a sophisticated Sheraton Club Lounge.

In addition, planned amenities for the hotel include a swimming pool, 24-hour fitness centre, specialty restaurant, meeting and conference rooms, state-of-the-art spa, and the brand’s signature bar, coffee, and market concept.

Meanwhile, the up-andcoming neighbourhood features residential, commercial, and retail centres offering guests a variety of experiences to explore.

The intention is for the hotel to serve as a community hub for locals and visitors alike, creating a holistic experience with spaces to connect, be productive, and help travellers feel connected to the local community.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ExxonMobil to start up more wells to boost full production of Liza Unity FPSO

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Liza Unity FPSO

nited States oil giant ExxonMobil is looking to ramp up production on the Liza Unity Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel four months after start-up with the aim of realising its full capacity of 220,000 barrels per day (bpd) by the third quarter of this year.

This is after the gas compression and injection systems on the Unity FPSO were safely commissioned in what Exxon has said is around half normal industry time. According to the oil major, which along with its co-venturers is the operator of the oil-rich Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, this was done with the achievement of background flare as designed, and within the 60day period outlined in the Liza Phase 2 Environmental Permit.

Production on the Liza Unity FPSO vessel commenced in February this year, and efforts have been undertaken to bring the operations safely online.

“The start-up period involved temporary, non-routine flaring to safely commission the production and gas compression systems,” Exxon said on Thursday.

Production Manager of ExxonMobil Guyana, Mike Ryan, has also said, “This achievement is a testament to the team’s dedication to steady, safe operations. It also demonstrates ExxonMobil’s capabilities as an industry leader, and our commitment to operational excellence.”

The design of the Unity FPSO, the flagship vessel for Liza Phase 2 – Exxon’s second development project in the Stabroek Block – eliminates routine flaring by using produced gas to power the FPSO, and by reinjecting gas into the reservoir to conserve the gas and to improve oil recovery, thereby reducing emissions, compared with traditional methods.

According to Exxon, its team was also able to commission the water-injection system, which is now online and operational.

“The next step is to start up additional new wells in the ramp-up to full production of 220,000 barrels of oil per day during the third quarter,” the US oil giant noted.

Liza Unity is the second FPSO producing oil offshore Guyana, where Exxon estimates there are almost 11 billion oil equivalent barrels in the Stabroek Block alone.

The Unity FPSO has a capacity to produce 220,000 bpd, nearly twice the current capacity of the morethan-120,000 bpd at the Liza Destiny FPSO, which began production in December 2019 and has experienced several bouts of above-normal flaring activities.

This had resulted in Exxon being under fire for more than a year, with environmentalists being up in arms over the harmful effects increased flaring has inflicted on the environment.

Liza Destiny’s new gas compressor

The oil company has had to send its gas compressor, on at least two occasions, for repairs in Germany, due to technical issues that caused the increased flaring and resulted in production having to be significantly reduced at one stage.

However, while Exxon was able to bring down its flaring levels with the fixed gas compressor, the company had ordered a new design that is expected to prevent such events in the future.

On Thursday, the oil major also disclosed that the new redesigned Flash Gas Compressor for the Liza Destiny FPSO has arrived in Guyana for installation, after extensive testing in Germany. The team is now working towards start-up in mid-July with the aim of also achieving background flare on that vessel as designed, it noted.

“We have relentlessly pursued a solution to this highly complex issue, and have never lost sight of that goal. We are pleased that the newly designed machine is now offshore, and the teams are methodically removing the original machine in preparation for the upgraded Flash Gas Compressor installation and startup,” the Production Manager has indicated.

In fact, it has been noted that, over the last several months, the performance of the second- and third-stage flash gas compressor on the Liza Destiny has been stable, and more than 96 percent of the gas produced has been reinjected and/or used to power the vessel.

“Recent optimisation tests have confirmed the performance of the previously upgraded equipment, and we were able to boost production to more than 140,000 barrels of oil per day, while maintaining the flare rates to a minimum,” he has said.

“Contrary to reports, with the previously installed machine, production on the Destiny would have had to be zero in order to achieve background flare. Since start-up in December 2019, we have managed production in a manner that bal-

ances the environmental commitment and economic needs of the country in alignment with Government priorities,” Ryan has posited.

N e v e r t h e l e s s , ExxonMobil Guyana has said it continues to work with the relevant Government agencies to ensure compliance with regulations and responsible development of the country’s natural resources.

Already, Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was forced to amend the Environmental

Permit for the Liza 1 Development Project last year, due to the increased flaring activities.

The regulatory body engaged Exxon’s local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), to modify the permit back in May 2021 to include specific regulatory requirements for flaring of associated gas offshore Guyana, in accordance with the EPA’s legislation. These were missing from the original permit that was issued under the previous APNU/

AFC Administration.

So far, the oil major has paid some US$8.3 million ($1.7 billion) for 17 billion cubic feet of gas flared since production started nearly three years ago.

EPA Executive Director Kemraj Parsram said last month that these figures included the 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas that was flared since the start of this year.

Meanwhile, the EPA has also renewed the Liza Phase 1 Environmental Permit and almost doubled the flaring fees for that development project. Similar flaring fines and strict water disposal stipulations have been included in the permits for the Payara and Yellowtail Development Projects. (G8)

Govt approves $60,000 minimum wage for Private Sector employees

T

he Guyana Government has approved the recommendation for the Private Sector minimum wage to be raised to $60,000 monthly, President Dr Irfaan Ali has informed.

Announcing Cabinet’s decision on Thursday, he shared, “The Cabinet has agreed with the recommendation of the tripartite group and we are in support of the minimum wage that is going to be established, that is the $60,000 minimum wage.

We are friends of the workers. We are not enemies of the workers. We want what is best for the workers.”

Recently, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton was mandated to conduct wide consultations before presenting a paper to Cabinet. This was ordered

by Ali, who took into account views of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) last December, agreeing on an increase to the National Minimum Wage (NMW)

from $44,200 to $60,000.

Arising from that decision, the Private Sector’s representatives on the National Tripartite Committee (NTC) expressed their support for the increase in the NMW in January this year. The NTC comprises representatives of the labour movement, the business sector, and the Government. This, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) noted, is an adequate forum for the exchange of views on this matter.

Shortly after the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) took office in August 2020, Minister Hamilton had announced the increase in the Private Sector minimum wage to $60,000. However, while an order to this effect was made, there was no timeline set for its enforcement. Its implementation was postponed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on businesses.

When the country began opening up last year, the

talks resumed. The Labour Minister had been re-engaging the Private Sector on enforcing the increase.

The public sector minimum wage currently stands at $70,000, and even with this increase for Private Sector workers, their minimum salary would still be less. The Private Sector’s minimum wage was last increased in 2017, from an hourly rate of $202 to $255, taking the monthly wage from $35,000 to $44,200.

Minister Hamilton had previously explained that this increase to $60,000 would impact about 10 per cent of Private Sector workers, who are currently being paid below that wage level.

Last year, when Government announced a seven per cent retroactive salary increase for all public sector workers, it sparked conversations about pay in the Private Sector. In fact, FITUG had called on private businesses to follow suit in order to attract and retain their workforce. (G8)

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Two Colours” shot, killed Lusignan cosmetologist – star witness tells jury

Killed: Ashmini Hariram

M

elroy Doris, the driver of the getaway car in the murder of 19-year-old Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD) cosmetologist Ashmini Hariram testified on Thursday that he did not report the matter to the Police, because the man who shot and killed the woman also threatened to kill him.

Doris, 35, who is currently serving a five-year

jail sentence for the woman’s killing after pleading guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, was called to the witness box to testify against the murder accused Lennox Wayne, called “Two Colours”. The prosecution’s star witness maintained Wayne shot and killed the young beautician.

Wayne was indicted earlier this month for the woman’s murder, which occurred on July 10, 2014, at Lusignan Railway Embankment.

Doris was arrested for the murder on September 2, 2014. According to the short facts presented in court, the young woman, also known as “Monisha Hariram”, and her cousin were walking along the Lusignan Public Road when they noticed a burgundy Toyota 212 motor car bearing registration number PRR 8370 parked along the said road. A few minutes later, a man emerged from the car, and shot Hariram in her head, before entering the vehicle which then sped

Looking back...

W Murder accused Lennox Wayne, called “Two Colours”

off. The State, which is being represented by Attorney-atLaw Latifah Elliott, is contending that both Wayne and Doris gave detectives detailed caution statements outlining their roles in the deadly shooting.

An autopsy gave Hariram’s cause of death as respiratory failure and gunshot injuries to the spine.

During his testimony,

Convicted: Melroy Doris

Doris, who pleaded guilty to the killing in March 2021, told the court that on July 10, 2014, he was at his Bent Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown home when two men, Gavin (only name given) and Wayne approached him. The convicted killer said that at the time he worked a taxi and Wayne hired him to transport him to Lusignan to see his girlfriend.

TURN TO PAGE 16

…at Enmore

ho woulda thought?? Plantation Enmore is no mo’…gone forever…. What should we do?? Look back in anger?? Or in resignation?? Enmore and Leonora were the two axes of PPP’s onslaught on the colonial establishment after Cheddi returned from the US all fired up to fight for the downtrodden. Since the most downtrodden just happened to be cane workers on the sugar plantations - and he just happened to be from a sugar plantation - it wasn’t surprising he chose to be their knight in shining armour!!

So here it was, the cane cutters of Enmore felt they were being screwed royally in 1948 by being forced to do twice the work for the same old wages by the sugar barons. The MPCA union that was supposed to be representing them had sold out to the self-same sugar barons. Jagan’s new union – the GIWU, the precursor to the GAWU, stepped into the breach and the rest is history!!

There was a complete shutdown of the plantation on June 16th; the cane cutters were massed against the managers, the Police were called in; they read the Riot Act; the workers stood their ground; the Police fired, and five workers were shot dead and fourteen wounded!! In the outrage that followed the Enmore massacre, Cheddi led the massive funeral procession to Le Repentir cemetery in Georgetown, and, as he put it, made an oath that he’d seek justice for them. The PPP was the vehicle!!

But it was Burnham and the PNC – which came out of the split in the PPP that the former engineered - who inherited an independent Guyana! Jagan’s faithful sugar workers couldn’t overcome Burnham, the UK AND the USA after a strike starting in Leonora in 1964!! Cheddi and his PPP were banished in Opposition hell for decades, during which Burnham shuttered Leonora in retaliation for their support for Cheddi!! And when Granger took power in 2015, he shuttered Enmore and three other plantations to remind the PPP that nothing had been forgotten nor forgiven!!

The PPP – remembering the proud history of sugar workers in the struggle for an independent Guyana, and the inequity of vindictively throwing 7000 workers on the breadlines -- had promised to reopen the shuttered estates. But since the elections, the burgeoning oil-related development has swept the East Coast, making sugar irrelevant in the unfolding new economy. And so, this June 16th, we remember the Enmore Martyrs not just for their role in the sugar industry, but in the awakening of Dr Jagan’s consciousness to mobilise ordinary citizens to demand their rights as citizens of the country they had built.

Let’s hear it for those five souls who will live forever as long as there’s a Guyana!! …at Granger’s hubris If you break the rules in the army - in the British system out of which we evolved – you’re subject to a courtmartial. In that court-martial, the defendant absolutely wouldn’t think that he could get to choose his own Director of Service Prosecutions, would he? So where did Granger get this idea that he can pick his own judge and jury to try his case against a host of newspapers for libel that’s coming up??

It must be some deep-seated complex, because he displayed the same high-handed arbitrariness when he felt the CCJ had told him he could compose the list of six names and give it to Jagdeo for the latter to give it back to him to choose a GECOM Chair!! And then unilaterally picked James Patterson to head GECOM!! If the truth be told, he confessed he joined the PNC the moment he returned to Guyana as a 2nd Lieutenant from Mons in 1966.

So, he’s simply following his master’s position on the Judiciary!! …at GECOM Chair’s explanation It’s very clear that the Opposition Commissioners can't grasp Justice Singh’s explanation for denying their request to examine the SPECIFIC 2020 Rig Attempt.

That’s...the...job...of...the...Courts...since...it’ll... mean...evaluating...EVIDENCE...produced!!

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

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

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice teen dies by suicide after allegedly being raped by taxi driver …“Me need justice for me daughter” – mother

H

emwattie Indar, a 14-year-old former student of the J.C Chandisingh Secondary School in Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, who reportedly had been raped by a 29-yearold taxi driver on June 6, 2022, has died two days after consuming a poisonous substance.

She reportedly died at about the same time that the alleged rapist, Ameer Inshanally, was being arraigned on a rape charge before Reliance Magistrate

Rabindranauth Singh at the Court in East Canje Berbice.

Inshanally, of Sand Reef, Albion, Corentyne Berbice, has not been required to plead to the indictment. He has been remanded to prison, and will make his next court appearance on July 12.

The Police have said that the victim ingested a poisonous substance shortly after the ordeal on June 6, 2022, and succumbed at around 21:15h on Wednesday while receiving medical attention at the Port Mourant Public

Hospital.

Guyana Times understands that the teenager was picked up by the taxi driver as she was awaiting transportation to attend school. However, after she had boarded the taxi, Inshanally reportedly drove to New Amsterdam under the pretext of going to purchase fuel. While in New Amsterdam, he reportedly engaged in sexual intercourse with the teen without her consent. After allegedly committing the act, he

Dead: Hemwattie Indar

Hess eyeing approval for 6th production vessel in Stabroek Block by 2023 …says pace of development in Guyana’s waters “industry leading”

Hess CEO John Hess

D

escribing the pace at which development in Guyana’s waters is moving as “industry leading”, ExxonMobil’s partner in the Stabroek block, Hess Corporation, anticipates a sixth floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel in the block would be approved by next year.

Hess Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) John Hess made this disclosure during a recent interview on Bernstein’s 38th Annual Strategic Decisions Conference. According to him, they are also hoping to get their fifth FPSO sanctioned by this year end.

“You have to spend enough time doing both the exploration and appraisal work to define a 600-million-to-a-billion barrels of resource, to underpin a ship, depending on the size of the ship. Let’s say from 200,000 barrels of oil per day to 250,000 barrels of day production. And so, we’re cued up now, where we’re looking at what will the oil be for the fifth ship, which will hopefully get sanctioned by the end of this year. Then the sixth ship, by the end of next year,” Hess said.

In talking about the fast pace of development in Guyana’s waters, Hess also referred to Rex Tillerson, who served as CEO of ExxonMobil prior to being appointed US Secretary of State in 2016.

“When we were fortunate enough to get our first discovery in 2015, I remember talking to Rex Tillerson about this. He said, ‘John, we

want to go as fast as we can, but we don’t want to have any leakage.’ What was he really saying? Let’s be capital efficient and operating expense efficient.”

According to Hess, sanctioning one ship a year is a huge task. In fact, he described Exxon’s approach of one ship a year as “industry leading”. According to Hess, their development of oil production is two to three times faster than any other global offshore development.

Currently, operator in the Stabroek block, ExxonMobil, has four projects developing the recoverable resource offshore Guyana. The Liza Phase 1 is currently producing approximately 130,000 barrels per day utilising the Liza Destiny FPSO vessel.

The Liza Phase 2 is meanwhile producing oil using the Liza Unity FPSO. The third project, Payara, is scheduled to begin production at the end of 2023 with a capacity of 220,000 barrels per day from the Prosperity FPSO, which is currently under construction in Singapore.

The fourth project, Yellowtail, is expected to produce 250,000 barrels per day when the ONE GUYANA FPSO comes online in 2025.

Exxon already has approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Payara and Yellowtail developments.

ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027. The oil company had said that the Liza Phase 2 project will have the capacity to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day. Exxon had also revealed that the Liza Phase 2 development was funded at the cost of some US$6 billion, including a lease capitalisation cost of approximately $1.6 billion, for the Liza Utility FPSO vessel. For the Phase 2 Development, six drill centres were planned, along with approximately 30 wells – 15 production, nine water injection, and six gas injection wells.

The US$9 billion Payara development, the third development, will meanwhile target an estimated resource base of about 600 mil-

lion oil-equivalent barrels, and was at one point considered to be the largest single planned investment in the history of Guyana.

The Yellowtail development, which will be oil giant

ExxonMobil’s fourth development in Guyana’s waters, will turn out to be the single largest development so far in terms of barrels per day (bpd) of oil, with a mammoth 250,000 bpd targeted.

reportedly drove back to Albion, where he dropped off the victim at the head of the Albion Estate Road.

Feeling violated, traumatised, and embarrassed after the ordeal, the teen reportedly went home and consumed a poisonous substance. It was after she had been rushed to the medical facility that she told her mother what had transpired, and her mother immediately alerted the Police. A medical examination conducted on the teenager proved that she had indeed been sexually penetrated.

Mother’s plea

The mother of the teen has said that, had it not been for the heinous act of a despicable man, her daughter would have been alive today.

“Me really feel sad,” the mother expressed. “If that man did not carry way me daughter, she nah wudda do thing like ah this,” she said.

The teenager had been

Charged: 29-year-old Ameer Inshanally

hospitalised for ten days, and according to her mother, Tajewattie Hardyal, on Wednesday she was informed of her daughter’s demise.

“Me need justice for me daughter!” the mother cried.

Following the death of the young lady, people from all walks of life have called for justice to be served.

Some believe that the rapist should be held responsible for the teen’s death. Others felt that he should be locked away for a very long time.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

S

ocks and ties are outdated, give Dad something more exquisite and special this Father’s Day. Here’s a few ideas:

is offering various body shop

packages for men. Let him feel your love, give him the gift of care and rejuvena-

Spa day

Dad is special too! He works hard all day to keep us happy and to take care of our needs, so let’s help him to unwind by treating him to a spa day (massage, pedicure, manicure and that new haircut) in a relaxing and aromatic atmosphere.

For this Father’s Day, The Gentleman’s Lounge & Spa tion, this Father’s Day. Promotion ends June 30.

Fragrances & scents

Let Dad feel special this year by getting him his favourite fragrance or bath products whether Sauvage, Versace, One Million, 212, Dior, Invictus, or Garnier Fructis.

CONTINUE ON PAGE 14

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FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM FROM PAGE 10

Breakfast & brunch

Nothing says I love you Dad more than a relaxing day out for a scrumptious meal. Visit New Thriving Restaurant this Father’s Day for breakfast, lunch and even dinner.

Say I love you Dad with Creative Balloon Bouquets

Nothing warms the heart better than an exquisite collection of custom-made balloons coupled with some of Dad’s favourite treats.

Gift items

Choose the perfect gift to express how you feel by adding that personal touch. Create your own gift collection with some of Dad’s must-have tools /gadgets this Father’s Day.

Clothing/footwear

Let Dad feel young again. Accentuate his wardrobe collection with the latest fashionable clothing. Let your gift stand out by surprising Dad and getting him that perfect pair of shoes/sandals/slippers he always wanted.

NEWS

15

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Blood transfusion services to be expanded to all regional hospitals

F

or more than two years, the coronavirus pandemic has directly impacted the number of persons donating blood in Guyana, now the Health Ministry is focusing on having blood transfusion services in all regional hospitals.

Pre-COVID, some 12,000 to 14,000 units of blood were donated every year.

In 2021, only 9000 units were reportedly contributed to the Blood Bank. Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Thursday attributed this to persons avoiding health facilities during the life-threatening pandemic. “(The number of) people coming forward to do voluntary donation dropped a little bit. We are encouraging people, and we have several campaigns to increase the blood donation. We’re mindful that we had a decrease, and we’re working actively to see how we can get more people donating…I think, generally, people are avoiding health institutions, so now that we’re returning to some sense of normalcy, I think we’ll get back people coming to donate,” he underscored.

Blood can be donated

at the Georgetown Public Hospital, New Amsterdam Hospital and the West Demerara Regional Hospital, and there are plans to expand this facility to the Suddie Hospital and Linden Hospital Complex in the future. The strategy is to have blood donation and transfusion services in all regional hospitals, while maintaining mobile operations.

“We have a central blood bank that is located in the compound of the Georgetown Hospital. We have been working actively to expand blood transfusion services to other parts of the country… Rather than having a few fixed points and doing a lot of mobile work, we are increasing the amount of fixed points where people can come in and donate, and at the same time maintaining our mobile work activity, where we can go to special areas and be able to collect blood,” he said The Government of Guyana bears 100 per cent of the cost for blood products’ transfusion in the public health sector. This means that anyone receiving care at the GPHC or at any of the public hospitals

is entitled to receiving blood products at no cost to them and/or their families.

Since 2001, Guyana has adopted a 100 per cent voluntary donation programme for blood. Since that time, family members are not asked to donate blood before blood products are provided for transfusion. The process of blood transfusion takes about 15 minutes, and a unit of blood can only be kept for 35 days, after which it must be disposed of.

Generally, blood transfusions are needed for a wide range of health conditions, including anaemia, complications during pregnancy and childbirth, severe trauma due to accidents, and surgical procedures.

The World Health Organization has outlined, “Blood transfusion saves lives and improves health, but many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood.

Providing safe and adequate blood should be an integral part of every country’s national health care policy and infrastructure.”

The Organisation recommends that all activities related to blood collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution must be coordinated at the national level through effective organisation and integrated blood supply networks.

The national blood system should be governed by a national blood policy and legislative framework to promote uniform implementation of standards and consistency in the quality and safety of blood and blood products. (G12)

16 NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Alarming 171 new COVID cases recorded in 24h …104 infections spike in Region 6

T

he Health Ministry has reported an additional 171 new COVID-19 cases in Guyana, moving confirmed cases to 66,300.

Infections follow a breakdown of 30,431 males and 35,869 females. Thursday’s dashboard showed the death toll remaining at 1,244.

There is one patient in the Intensive Care Unit, 19 in institutional isolation, 938 in home isolation, and two in institutional quarantine. Recovered cases have reached 64,098, with some 649,493 samples having been tested for the virus.

An analysis shows three new positives in Region One (Barima-Waini); 19 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), four in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 40 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 104 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

There has been no increase in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Increasing positives have resulted in 958 active cases being monitored in the country. Some 20 persons are hospitalized, 10 of whom are at the Infectious Diseases Hospital.

On Wednesday, the Health Ministry reported two new COVID-related deaths: a 68-yearold fully vaccinated man from Region Six, and a 49-year-old man

from Region Four whose vaccination status is unknown.

Bed capacity at the Ocean View facility is 198, with 52 equipped for ICU patients. This is supported with piped oxygen throughout the hospital, but the Ministry is in the process of installing an oxygen tank in the compound.

During Thursday’s COVID briefing, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony informed, “That container with the oxygen plant arrived last week, and we are right now in the process of offloading and doing the installation of the oxygen plant, so that we would be able to generate our own oxygen onsite. We have a lot of capacity in terms of treatment of patients, not only at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, but in every region. In each of the regional hospitals, we have established a number of beds to treat COVID. We have a large capacity in terms of treatment of patients.”

Vaccination

Vaccination figures show 443,120 first doses being administered to adults, accounting for 86.4 per cent. Meanwhile, 342,850 second doses, or 66.8 per cent coverage, has been achieved.

For the 12-to-17 category, 34,822, or 47.7 per cent first doses were administered, followed by 25,525, or 35 per cent second doses.

In the five-to-11 cohort, 481 first doses, or 0.7 per cent coverage has been achieved. Booster shots have been listed at 67,365.

Speaking on the feedback received after the recent rollout of the five-to-11 COVID-19 vaccine, the Health Minister indicated that parents are supportive of this move. Depending on the uptake, Government will then decide if to procure more of these jabs.

“A lot of parents have commended the Ministry, that we’re able to roll out the vaccine for this age group. What we have gotten so far is really commendations that we’re able to do this. I would like to encourage parents to make sure that they take their children now to be vaccinated. Now we only have 52,800 doses.”

Emergency use authorisation has been given for a COVID-19 vaccine for children from six months to four years of age. However, developing countries have been challenged in accessing these shots, due to limited supplies, and it would take Guyana some months to procure shots for this section of the population.

“They’re administering that in the US. We’ll see how those vaccinations go. Like with these challenges, it is going to be difficult to access it, because there’re limited quantities and developed countries very often would use these vaccines in their countries; so, there is a scarcity on the global market,” he said.

He added, “It depends on access. Right now, our focus is going to be on the 5-to-11, and again, once we’re able to get a substantial amount of people vaccinated.

By then we’ll see when the four-

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD JUNE 16, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

171

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

19

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

938

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

1

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

2

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

35,869

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

30,431

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

66,300

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

64,098

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

2536

REGION 2

2774

REGION 3

8329

REGION 4

32,924

REGION 5

2461

REGION 6

6305

REGION 7

2460

REGION 8

886

REGION 9

4072

REGION 10

3553

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

443,120 342,850

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

1244

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.

years-to-six-months will become available.”

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotlines: 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediate-

ly, or visit www.health.gov.gy.

Global figures show that 533 million people have tested positive for the virus, and 6.3 million have died. In the Americas, more than 159 million confirmed cases have been reported, with over 2.7 million deaths. (G12)

Govt allocates additional land for construction of more houses at Williamsburg …GuySuCo being consulted to open up lands at Skeldon

Government took office in 2020, it initiated an aggressive housing programme. To date, 1,200 homes are underway for lower-to-moderate-income families, as well as young professionals across Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four

(Demerara-Mahaica), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and Ten (Upper DemeraraUpper Berbice).

“We have under 6000 pending applications in Region Six, and, within the next two years, we are looking to satisfy those pending applicants,” Minister Croal

added.

The Housing Ministry is aiming to fulfill the administration’s mandate of providing 50,000 house lots by 2025. Since returning to office in August 2020, more than 13,000 new louse lots have been allocated to persons countrywide.

“Two Colours” shot, killed...

D

Minister Collin Croal addressing residents at Port Mourant during an outreach

uring a recent outreach in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal disclosed that he is satisfied with the quality of houses being constructed at the new housing scheme at Williamsburg. However, with the growing demand and backlog of applications for house lots, additional lands have been sourced to extend the project.

A portion of land north of the scheme has been acquired, and the infrastructural works are currently being put in place to ultimately see the construction of 59 additional houses.

Last November, contracts were signed for the construction of 100 houses at the new housing scheme at Williamsburg. Already,

30 houses have been handed over to their owners, and within another two weeks, a similar amount is expected to be handed over. The first allocation was made to young professionals on Tuesday.

These two-bedroom units measure 20 feet by 30 feet (600 square feet) and cost $5.5 million, inclusive of the cost of the land. The houses are being categorised as low-moderate.

At Ordnance Fort Lands, the new phase of that housing scheme is moving apace.

“They are at the foundation stage, and then we will have the construction of houses,” Croal related.

Meanwhile, at Corriverton, house lots are being distributed at Numbers 79 and 75 villages.

According to the Minister,

the land is being allocated for new homeowners to construct at Number 79 Village, while, at Number 75, a new housing scheme will be established.

“You would have seen, on the macro perspective, the announcement by His Excellency the President on the new hospital here in Berbice. So, we had to reconfigure the front of the scheme, in terms of the design, to accommodate the new hospital, but the rest of the scheme remains,” Croal explained.

Notwithstanding that, he said, his Ministry has been engaging the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to acquire the additional land situated behind the Number 75 New Housing Scheme in order to be able to extend it.

When the PPP/C

According to the witness, he agreed to take him to the location. He recalled that Wayne occupied the left passenger seat and that it was the two of them alone in the vehicle. As he began the journey to Lusignan, Doris added that Wayne, whom he did not know prior to the day in question, began questioning him. He recounted that when they reached Lusignan Road, he saw two girls of East Indian descent walking along the road. He said that Wayne pointed out one of them and told him that she was his girlfriend.

Doris said that Wayne then told him to “pull over” and he complied, after which Wayne exited the car and walked towards the girl he had pointed out as his partner.

Loud explosion

Doris said that shortly after he heard a loud explosion which prompted him to look up the road. “I

saw a motorcycle man coming to me, so I thought was the bicycle wheel went off,” he added. However, Doris told the court that he then glanced in the right-side rear-view mirror and saw someone lying on the ground in a pool of blood about 12 feet away from him. By the time he turned around, the witness recounted , Wayne was already back in the car and pointing a gun at him.

According to him, the murder accused demanded he “drive the f-ing car”. Fearful for his life, Doris said he complied. He added, “So, I end up pull off and drive the car, because I was scared for my life. I drive straight down to Leopold Street [in Georgetown] because that is where he (Wayne) told me he going. After I dropped him off, he threatened me and I drive up back to Sparendaam Police Station to make a report.”

Doris recalled that he saw a traffic officer on the road, but “I didn’t get the

FROM PAGE 8

chance to tell him anything because he was busy and because I was confused and scared for my life.” Apart from Gavin, he said he did not tell anyone about what transpired nor did he make a Police report because Wayne threatened to kill him and his family.

During the witness’s cross-examination, Wayne’s lawyer, Ronald Daniels put to Doris that he pleaded guilty because of a plea deal he struck with the State.

Doris, however, vehemently denied this, stating that he had no involvement in the crime and only pleaded guilty because he was the taxi driver.

He also denied the defence counsel’s suggestion that he was forced to implicate Wayne in the crime.

Following Doris’s testimony, the prosecution closed its case. The trial continues on Monday at 09:15h before Justice Jo Ann Barlow and a 12-member jury at the High Court in Demerara. (G1)

NEWS

17

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

211 GDF ranks successfully complete basic recruit training

Acting Chief of Staff, Colonel Julius Skeete inspecting the Guard of Honour

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nother 211 of the country’s youth have committed to serve in the Guyana Defence Force following their successful completion of the Basic Recruit Course.

Following 12 weeks of intense induction training, designed to transform their minds and bodies, making

them fit for a military career, the newest batch of soldiers was officially welcomed to the Force following their graduation parade held on the Patrick Williams Drill Square, Colonel John Clarke Military School, Tacama. Of those graduating, 30 are females.

Acting Chief of Staff,

Colonel Julius Skeete, while congratulating the new soldiers, was firm in communicating to them the Force’s expectations. He reminded that their careers have only now begun, and that brought with it much responsibility.

“This is where it really starts. You will be seen

GTT working to improve image in Berbice with better customer relations

GTT Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Business Solutions, Orson Ferguson, and newly-appointed Regional Manager of Business Solutions in East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six), Carolyn Sawyer, pose with elected representatives of Region Six

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he Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) is expecting to improve customer relations in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) with the appointment of a Manager of Business Development for its New Amsterdam branch.

The network provider recently met with members of the Private Sector and regional representatives during a stakeholders’ reception at which New Amsterdam Mayor Winifred Haywood; President of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Krishnanand Jaichand; President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association, Ryan Alexander; and GTT’s Chief Operations Officer of Business Solutions, Orson Ferguson, were present.

At that meeting, Ferguson highlighted some of the initiatives the company has embarked on to address the issues affecting

the business community in the two regions, while noting that GGT’s role is more like a facilitator.

In this light, he pointed out that, from GTT’s perspective, businesses should be able to compete both domestically and internationally “…to ensure that businesses and business owners can focus a little more on the things that are important to them,” Ferguson said.

Newly appointed Regional Business Solutions Manager Carolyn Sawyer has said her priority would be to implement a business care strategy for the East Berbice area, as this would allow for swift responses to issues, or to opportunities that may arise.

GTT, she related, is seeking to positively transform its relations with the various sectors, such as oil and gas, non-governmental organisations, Government agencies, and customers.

Sawyer noted that GTT is aware there is a need to improve its service in

Berbice. In order to achieve this, the new manager said, she would be making weekly site visits to customers, and more so plan to implement a business care strategy for Berbice. This, she said, would allow for swift responses to issues or opportunities that may arise.

Sawyer has said GTT would be partnering with the Chambers of Commerce and other stakeholders in various events.

“We will also be employing more technical staff to assist with the resolution of faults and (provision of) faster service delivery. We will also upscale technical staff to perform functions that would have otherwise been delayed as a result of having to schedule a team from Georgetown,” she has said.

Sawyer has said GTT would also be improving existing infrastructure to ensure a better customer experience. This, she added, should improve preventative maintenance work.

as upholders of high values and standards. Our society will expect you to defend our territorial integrity; you will be expected to show leadership in your homes, and communities and be role models to youths everywhere. Wherever you go, whether in or out of the uniform, our nation will expect and demand the highest standards from you,” he urged.

Private Trevin Williams, a resident of Upper Mazaruni, emerged as the Best Graduating Student, while Private Shamar Stevens copped the prize for Runner-up Student.

Private Nikassi Fraser won the prize for Best Military Knowledge and Private Stevens also re-

Some of the ranks during training

ceived the prize for Best Fitness. The prizes for Best Shot and Best Drill went to

Privates Kelson Williams and Joshua Fiffee, respectively. (GDF)

Trinidadian found dead in hammock died from hanging – PM

...mother suspects foul play, says request to have son's body returned to T&T for burial turned down

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n autopsy performed on the remains of Trinidadian national Alan Padmore, whose body was found in a hammock at his Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice (WCB) home, has disclosed that he died from asphyxia (a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen) and hanging.

The post mortem examination was performed on Wednesday by Government Pathologist Dr Vivekanand Bridgemohan at the Anthony Funeral Parlour at Fort Wellington Village, WCB. The body has been handed over to Padmore’s family in order for them to make funeral arrangements.

The lifeless body of the 28-year-old labourer who had been referred to as “Jockey Boy” was found on Monday lying in a hammock.

Police have said that, at the time of the discovery, a piece of cloth was found wrapped around his neck.

Reports are that on Sunday, at around 08:00h, this father of four had left home for work as per normal. The man’s wife has told investigators that, at around 09:00h, she spoke with her husband via WhatsApp video chat. At around 20:30h the same day, after the man did not return home, the woman said, she retired to bed, but when she woke up the next morning, she found his body in the hammock.

The Police were immediately contacted, and they visited the scene, where the “man’s body was examined, and an impression was seen under his neck, suspected to be caused by the piece of hammock cloth.”

Meanwhile, in a letter that was posted on social media, the mother of the young man stated that family members in Trinidad received a text message that her son had passed away.

Dead: Alan Padmore

“He met a Guyanese woman, and together they have a 4-year-old son.

However, the relationship was not going very well, and Alan told me that he was coming home to Trinidad on the 28 of this month (June),” the woman has said.

She noted that after receiving the call, the family managed to make contact with Commander Simon, who related that he would contact them after June 15, by which time the post-mortem would be completed.

“After not hearing from the officer, I called back, and the information he gave me was that the pathologist told him it was death by hanging. the body will be released to the wife, and he did not ask the time of death. Up to this time, I have not seen the official autopsy result of my son,” the woman has said.

She is contending there are a few things about the situation that are confusing, while noting that her son was found lying in an almost crouched position in that hammock, not hanging from any rope or line.

“There were no visible marks around his neck.

Why would my son kill himself when he had already planned to come home? Alan is a citizen of Trinidad and

Tobago, and I am begging our authorities to please investigate the truth of what happened to him,” the woman has added.

She, however, later learnt that her son’s funeral is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 19.

“We have been trying to liaise with the mother of Alan’s child, so that we may be allowed to bring Alan home for burial, but we are being blocked at every step.

My daughter has already visited Immigration to obtain an emergency passport to travel to Guyana for the funeral, but the lady said that she cannot wait for us to get there. Why the rush?!

What are they trying to cover up?! We have offered to pay for the extra costs to the funeral home, but the offer was refused,” Padmore’s mother has said.

She noted that the family’s request for the ashes of her son to be taken to Trinidad has also been refused.

“I am the mother of this young man. His father passed away, and I am the one who raised him. We keep getting excuse after excuse, lie after lie, and our hands are tied at this time.

Please! Please help us! We have a large and very close family who are heartbroken over Alan’s passing,” the aggrieved mother has said.

She is, further, calling for the intervention of the Guyanese authorities to have her son returned home for burial.

“I want to see my son one last time. I want to lay him to rest in his country…in his hometown. He is a Trinidadian, not a Guyanese. If they bury him there, his spot will fade away and he will soon be forgotten. Help me keep him close to the loved ones who will keep his memory alive,” the mother stated.

18 NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Small farmers’ plea leads to on-the-spot loan support decision

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President Dr Irfaan Ali

n order to boost the country’s production to combat the looming global food crisis, the Guyana Government has lobbied the Demerara Bank to extend its Farmers’ Credit Line to small farmers in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

This was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday during an outreach exercise in Bartica.

After hearing pleas of farmers and village leaders from the region for assistance to venture into or expand their agricultural programmes, the Head of State contacted the financial institution on the spot and was able to secure a commitment from the bank to provide financing to Cuyuni-Mazaruni farmers.

“The people from Demerara Bank, they said to me they’re willing to bring the small agricultural loan – which I think is $1.5 million – to this region, to your communities. So, I’m going to have a special pro-

gramme for farmers,” the President stated.

As such, he further urged farmers in the region to mobilise and apply for this loan so that they too can participate in the agricultural drive and food security initiative. Moreover, the President also encouraged Indigenous Village Councils to come up with projects not only to get financing from the bank but also support from Government.

“If you have 20 small farmers getting 20 different small loans, we add it up together and we can have a medium size project that can supply all the poultry needs, all the food needs for your kitchen in the school feeding programme, which can go back to service the loan. So let’s work on that project together,” he posited.

The Head of State has directed Minister Gail Teixeira, who is the Region Seven parliamentary representative, to

work along with a team led by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha that will visit the region this weekend to move this initiative forward.

While urging farmers to mobilise, President Ali also encouraged single mothers and single fathers to also take advantage of the opportunity so that they too could be actively involved in the food production system and also earn income for their families.

Last month, Demerara Bank launched the Farmers’ Credit Line that provides much-needed financing to farmers, mostly those along the coast. The loan ranges from $1 million to $1.5 million with a low interest rate and does not require any collateral from applicants.

Meanwhile, other agriculture-related issues raised during Wednesday’s outreach exercise include requests to fix roads and transportation for produce as well as the provision of farming supplies.

President Ali informed the residents that Minister Mustapha and his team would conduct a complete assessment of the type of assistance needed and would come up with plans to address their needs.

Food security drive

The Toshao of Batavia, Orin Williams, asked for help in expanding traditional farming as well as technology training.

“Our people, we know about traditional farming – planting cassava, potatoes and other ground pro-

CPCE receives over 4000 applications

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ore than 4000 persons have applied to study at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE).

This was revealed by Education Minister Priya Manickchand on Monday evening during a social media programme.

While addressing claims that teachers are leaving the profession in Guyana, Minister Manickchand announced that CPCE has seen in excess of 4000 applications.

“We don’t have that happening now. I just told you something that surprised me, so I’ll repeat it for you, that we have more than 4000 persons applying to teach, applying to go to the college so that they could be teachers.”

She noted that the salary for teachers was attracting persons to join the profession.

“So our starting salary as a teacher, people say these things and they become clichés that become truth, but our starting salary as a teacher is actually more than you would get as a teller in the bank and so people are choosing teaching,” she explained.

However, the Minister acknowledged that much improvement was still need-

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

ed.

“Now, I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s a fantastic top-of-the-line profession; in terms of salaries it is not, there is still much room for improvement as there is regarding teachers across the country. I don’t really think you could pay teachers for what they do, don’t care how high you raise the salaries, teachers are doing so much more teaching, but the starting salary is not so bad. People actually choosing teaching now,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Minister also announced that the

Ministry was examining a few schools in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to implement the Sixth Form programme.

Annandale Secondary School and Tagore Memorial Secondary School are the options.

“We’re looking to do it at Annandale and Tagore in Berbice…at this point,” Manickchand noted, adding that capacity played a critical factor in these schools receiving the Sixth Form programme.

“It’s really space. We have to get physical space at some of those schools before we can do it.”

Last year, the Education Ministry launched the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) programme at the West Demerara Secondary School (WDSS).

The Education Minister said during her remarks that it was important that this programme be brought closer to students in the region who were desirous of pursuing it.

Similarly, last year, Anna Regina Multilateral School became the first school in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) to offer the Sixth Form programme. (G2)

One of the farmers from Bartica raising her concerns during Wednesday’s outreach

visions, but we know we can do more. But we need your help. We need the help of the Government to assist us there… We also need technical training for agriculture and aquaculture in my village,” the Toshao pleaded.

The Head of State committed to lend technical support, and indicated that the Agriculture Ministry would have to carry out an assessment of all the villages to see how much cassava and sweet potatoes they produce in order to mobilise investment from the region to supply foreign markets.

“We could talk to the Private Sector in Bartica to see whether we could get them interested – if the Government build the shell – in a facility that would process the cassava into cassava flour and the sweet potato because when we were in Barbados recently, there’s a huge market for the cassava flour and the sweet potato there. We’re working now on a new food terminal in Barbados so we have to work on increasing the production,” he noted.

Additionally, Toshao Shane Cornelius from the Indigenous village of Karrau also request-

ed a shade house from the Government. He said the Village Council would be providing the material and the shade house would help support the school kitchen programme.

“We are trying to move away from the traditional logging and mining, and get into agriculture and tourism,” Cornelius stressed.

President Ali committed to supporting the shade house initiative in the community, noting that Government has a massive food security drive and will support the CuyuniMazaruni region to play its role in this initiative.

In fact, he made a similar promise to a female farmer, who represented the group of farmers from One to Five Miles, Bartica. Elroy David related, “I could tell you about the greenhouse because I tried one with the construction plastic, but it’s weak.

So, we’re asking if you can grant us some greenhouses – just the covering, we will find the frames.”

She also asked for better breeds of pigs for the 12 to 15 livestock farmers in the area.

“One of the things we want to do in this region is

enhance the breeding stock and of course, we have a programme for the breeding stock of pigs… and the shade house material, we will definitely work on supporting you with this,” the President assured.

During his remarks to the scores of persons gathered at the outreach on Wednesday, the Guyanese Leader pointed to the looming global food crisis and Guyana’s role in combating this especially within the Caribbean Community (Caricom). He noted that Region Seven needed to do more to increase its food production, thus increasing its revenue.

“Imagine we have a school feeding programme in all our schools. Imagine if every school now, we can have single parents who have children in those schools doing one or two shade houses in every school and supplying the school kitchen with the produce from those shade houses. That is how you build economic opportunity. That is what you call the trickle-down effect of investment from the Government,” he contended.

Meanwhile, in addition to making requests, the village leaders also highlighted the programmes and projects implemented under the Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration that enhanced agricultural activities in their communities including the provision of machinery such as tractors and the $10 million COVID funds.

President Ali also disclosed that the $25,000 household grant for Indigenous and riverine communities in the hinterland that was announced last month would be rolled out shortly.

Lodge man busted with ecstasy pills remanded

A quantity of ecstasy pills was found in the vehicle in which Garraway was travelling

Remanded: Christopher Garraway

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wo years after he was freed of a drug trafficking charge, 49-year-old Christopher Garraway of Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown is back in court for a similar offence – this time for allegedly trafficking $600,000 in ecstasy pills.

Garraway appeared on Thursday before Senior Magistrate Alex Moore at the Springlands

Magistrate’s Court.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on June 14, 2022 at Number 79 Village, Corriverton, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), he had 150.7 grams of ecstasy pills in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was refused bail and remanded to prison until August 8 for reports.

On June 14, officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) conducted a joint operation at Number 79 Village, where they intercepted a motor car in which they subsequently found 400 “pinkish” ecstasy pills. As a result, the Georgetown

resident was arrested. In 2020, Garraway and another man, 26-year-old Randy Chester appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a charge of trafficking $6.5 million worth of cocaine and marijuana.

While Garraway was later found not guilty, Chester was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison along with a fine of $19 million. Reports are that 22 kilograms of marijuana and 2.740 kilograms of cocaine were found on January 16, 2020, at John Fernandes Limited’s wharf, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The court heard that CANU had had the men under surveillance. (G1)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

19

Around the World

US$100B the cost of regional development – CDB

OILNEWS OIL NEWS C Oil rebounds as new Iran sanctions fuel more supply concerns

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il prices rose on Thursday in topsy-turvy trading after the United States announced new sanctions on Iran, and as energy markets stayed focused on supply concerns that have sent prices soaring this year.

The market slipped earlier as interest rate hikes in the United States, Britain, and Switzerland fed worries about global economic growth.

Brent crude futures settled at US$119.81, up US$1.30, or 1.1 per cent, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures ended up US$2.27, or two per cent, at US$117.58.

After the early selloff, buyers jumped back into the market as most forecasters expect supply to remain tight for several months.

“A lot of it is just a supply issue and that has to be worked through,” said Eli Tesfaye, senior market strategist at RJO Futures. “Right now there isn’t a slowdown in global demand so any selloff is going to be seen as an opportunity and that’s really what we saw today.”

The International Energy Agency said it expects demand to rise further in 2023, growing by more than two per cent to a record 101.6 million barrels per day. Optimism that China’s oil demand will rebound as it eases COVID-19 restrictions is also supporting prices.

Analysts said prices got a boost from Washington’s decision to impose sanctions on Chinese, Emirati and Iranian firms that help export Iran’s petrochemicals.

In addition, Libya’s oil output has collapsed to 100,000150,000 bpd, a fraction of the 1.2 million bpd seen last year, and analysts remain concerned that country could have ongoing problems delivering oil amid unrest.

Prices slipped more than two per cent overnight after the US Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate by 0.75 per cent, the biggest hike since 1994.

“Once you raise rates that high also and you know it’s going to happen for next month, a lot of retail customers have tough time trading once you start increasing their costs of trading,” said Robert Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York.

On Thursday, European stocks tumbled after a surprise rate hike from Swiss National Bank. This was followed by a rate hike by the Bank of England. (Excerpt from Reuters)

aribbean countries need about US$100 billion over the next 10 years to become resilient, transform economically, and achieve sustainable development.

However, in outlining this major financing needed to achieve food, energy and water security while reducing poverty, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) President, Dr

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he family member of Dom Phillips say they are "heartbroken" after a suspect confessed to burying the bodies of the missing British Journalist and the Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira in Brazil.

In a statement, they thanked those who helped search for the men in a remote and dangerous region of the Amazon. They also praised "the courageous lives and im-

portant work" of the pair who covered the lives of Indigenous groups. Phillips, 57, and Pereira, 41, were first reported missing on June 5.

Pereira had been introducing the Journalist – who was writing a book on the Amazon – to contacts and acting as his guide when their boat failed to arrive at an expected point near the border with Peru.

The search was initially criticised by relatives and

campaign groups, who called on officials to act more quickly and broaden its scope. As global outrage grew at the disappearance, the 10-day search expanded until it involved the Army, Navy, and Police.

At a news conference late on Wednesday, Police said a suspect named as Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira had explained in detail how both men were killed before leading officers to the place where

their bodies were buried.

Human remains were then dug up. Police have said they will work with Interpol to confirm their identities.

"The entire reconstruction of the crime was carried out... and then we went to the place where he announced that he had buried the bodies," Detective Eduardo Fontes told reporters gathered in the city of Manaus. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Scandals, uncertainty hang over Colombia as election looms

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ust days before one of Colombia’s most consequential presidential elections in decades, the nation is on edge.

Hundreds of thousands of eligible voters are still unsure who they will cast their ballots for on Sunday, when left-wing former rebel group member Gustavo Petro takes on populist former Mayor Rodolfo Hernandez.

At Paloquemado central market in the capital Bogota, 42-year-old Maria Arboleda, who sells fruit and vegetables at her stall, was among those

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From left to right at the table: Italian PM Mario Draghi, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis

Earlier on Thursday, the four EU leaders visited the devastated town of Irpin near Kyiv, which for several weeks was occupied by Russia.

Ukraine accuses Russian soldiers of committing war crimes by killing hundreds of civilians in Irpin and nearby towns such as Bucha – a claim denied by Moscow.

The visit to Kyiv comes as Russian troops are continuing their assault on the key city of Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine.

Capturing Severodonetsk – and its twin city of Lysychansk – has for weeks been a top mil-

including Barbados, his organisation estimated that between 2023 and 2030 there was a need for sustainable energy investments of at least US$40 billion; water and sanitation (US$22 billion); transportation (US$11.5 billion); agriculture and food security (US$13 billion) and digital transformation (US$12 billion). (Nation News)

Family speaks of heartbreak over Amazon killings

Ukraine war: EU leaders back immediate candidate status for Kyiv he leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania have backed Ukraine's bid to join the European Union, saying it should be given "immediate" candidate status.

"Ukraine belongs to the European family," German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at a joint briefing in Kyiv.

But he added that Ukraine still had to meet the accession criteria in full.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the 27-member EU would stand by Ukraine until its victory against Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described Russia's continuing aggression as a war "against the united Europe", adding that the "most effective weapon" was unity.

And he again appealed for more heavy weapons to be sent urgently for Ukraine to be able to defend itself more effectively and liberate territories seized by Moscow since the start of the invasion on February 24.

CDB President, Dr Hyginus “Gene” Leon (GP)

Gene Leon cautioned that the effort would be compromised if the Region did not fix its longstanding implementation problems.

The economist was speaking on Wednesday at The Ritz Hotel in Turks and Caicos during the official opening of the CDB’s 52nd annual meeting.

Leon said that across the institution’s Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs),

itary goal for Russia, as the Kremlin seeks to control all of the wider Luhansk region.

President Macron and Chancellor Scholz, together with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, visited Ukraine for the first time since the war began.

The trip came a day before the European Commission is due to make a recommendation on whether to give Ukraine an EU candidate status. All 27 EU leaders will then discuss the issue at a summit on June 23 and 24.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

who remain on the fence.

Like a majority of Colombians, she said she wants change but is unsure about who could better provide it. Her main worries are rising inflation, finding a good job for her son, and growing crime in the city.

“I am intrigued by what Petro says, but I am worried about voting for an ex-guerrilla. I like the fact that Rodolfo [Hernandez] is not

a politician, but some of the things he says also worry me and I don’t know who he will govern with.”

The Colombian presidential runoff on June 19 comes after an election cycle marked by death threats against candidates, scandals, and preemptive accusations of fraud. Both contenders are promising radical change from the status quo and are in a dead heat, according to

recent polls.

A victory for Petro, a former rebel with the M-19 armed group, would represent a sharp left turn after decades of conservative rule, and the first time a leftwing leader would govern the country in its history.

For many, a win by Hernandez represents an even bigger jump into the void.(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

North Korea faces infectious disease outbreak amid COVID battle

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orth Korea reported an outbreak of an unidentified intestinal epidemic in a farming region on Thursday, putting further strain on the isolated country as it battles chronic food shortages and a wave of COVID-19 infections.

Leader Kim Jong Un sent medicines to the western port city of Haeju on Wednesday to help patients suffering from the "acute enteric epidemic", State news agency KCNA said, without giving the number affected,

or identifying the disease.

The term enteric refers to the gastrointestinal tract. "(Kim) stressed the need to contain the epidemic at the earliest date possible by taking a well-knit measure to quarantine the suspected cases to thoroughly curb its spread, confirming cases through epidemiological examination and scientific tests," KCNA said.

An official at South Korea's Unification Ministry handling inter-Korean affairs said the Government is monitoring the outbreak,

suspected to be cholera or typhoid.

The reported outbreak comes as the North tackles its first outbreak of COVID-19 infections. It declared a state of emergency last month, amid concerns over a lack of vaccines and medical supplies.

South Korea's spy agency earlier told lawmakers that waterborne diseases, such as typhoid, were already widespread in North Korea before it announced the coronavirus outbreak.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

WTO reaches initial deal

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ajor members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) reached an initial deal on Thursday, with India who had had reservations saying it was confident more global accords could be achieved as negotiations on fishing, vaccines and food security entered their final hours.

Ministers from more than 100 countries convened at the global trade watchdog's headquarters in Geneva this week for the first time in more than four years to agree new trade

rules, a feat many thought unlikely in an era of high geopolitical tensions.

The body's 164 members must all agree for new rules to pass, meaning that one member alone can block deals.

During the June 12-15 meeting, extended into the evening of a fifth day on Thursday, that member has been India.

However, a provisional agreement to extend a moratorium on applying duties to electronic transmissions until at least 2023 was reached.

Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who had struck a defiant stance on a range of topics earlier in the week, told Journalists he expected more "solid decisions" to come.

New Delhi has previously stuck to long-held demands to maintain subsidies for fisheries and agriculture and pushed for extra reforms, trade sources said.

India maintains it is fighting to protect livelihoods in developing nations. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Call those you can count on for help.

Don't limit what you can do because you lack experience. Do your research, and you'll figure out how to reach your objective. Be confident and ask questions.

(March 21-April 19) You've got time. Relax, go over every detail and leave nothing unfinished or open to criticism. Hide your disappointment if things don't unfold the way you want. Work with what you have.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

Consider your options and remind people to honor their promises. Finish what you start. Enhance your chance of victory by staying on top of what's possible. The world can be your oyster.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Do what comes naturally. Align yourself with people that intrigue you. You'll figure out how to utilize what you have to offer in effective and diverse ways.

You'll make headway by paying attention.

Avoid letting anyone draw you into something unsettling. Don't make a change for the wrong reason, especially to please someone else. Patience will pay off, as will speaking from the heart.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Look inward, assess your situation and the changes you want to make, and prioritize what's most important to you.

Taking the road less traveled will help you establish yourself as a leader.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Plan to travel, look for something entertaining and socialize with people you find mentally stimulating. Protect your health and financial well-being. You'll learn much through conversation.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Handle disagreements cautiously.

Listen carefully and reserve judgment until you have all the pertinent facts.

Take a positive approach when it comes to relationships. Embrace differences.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Put your heart into finishing what you start. Dedication and discipline will help you outmaneuver anyone who tries to compete with you. Don't take chances with your health.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Monitor what's being said and done.

Stick to the facts, and don't tolerate exaggeration or aggression. Concentrate on what and who matter to you. Romance is favored.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Be a witness, not a participant.

Protect yourself from loss, illness or misguided individuals trying to tamper with your life. Be true to yourself and your dreams, hopes and wishes.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Choose your words carefully. Leave nothing to chance, and don't risk your reputation or position. Focus on what matters to you most. Sort out any lingering problems that need to be addressed.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

21

WI vs Bangladesh: Test 1 of 2…

West Indies dominate opening day in Antigua

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he West Indies have gained an early advantage in the first Test against Bangladesh, having shot down their opponents for a paltry 103 runs made in only 32.5 overs on the first day of play, and then following up with the bat on a spicy surface on offer.

At stumps on Day 1, the West Indies were 95/2, trailing by eight runs, with captain Kraigg Brathwaite unbeaten on 42.

Having asked Bangladesh to bat first, Kemar Roach et al extracted plenty of bounce and seam movement from the pitch, with the pacers sharing all 10 wickets among them in the end.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hassan, who walked in at 41/4, counter-attacked his way to 51 off 67 balls, accounting for the lion's share of runs, but the rest of the Bangladesh batters found the going tough, and six of them registered ducks.

Jayden Seales and Alzarri Joseph each finished with three wickets, but Kemar Roach was the one who set the rhythm early on by striking with the second ball of the match. Shortly thereafter, Bangladesh ended up losing six wickets in a dramatic opening session.

Roach first got

Mahmud Hasan caught behind with some extra lift off the pitch, and followed up in his next over by getting Najmul Hossain Shanto with his favoured round-the-wicket angle, by which he elicited another edge to the slip cordon.

Thanks to Roach, West Indies picked up three wickets in the opening hour, the third dismissal being that of former captain Mominul Haque, who was guilty of prodding a Jayden Seales delivery with hard hands and offering a catch behind the wicket in the process.

Tamim Iqbal was the only top-order batter early on who looked somewhat at h o m e against t h e

In their turn to bat, the West Indies were slow off the blocks against disciplined Bangladesh bowling, in which five maidens kick-started things. The hosts had 44 on the board before John Campbell was bowled by a ball that backspun after his forward defence. Raymon Reifer fell to the impressive Ebadot Hossain, who squared him up and extracted an edge to the cordon.

(Taken from cricbuzz and modified)

SCOREBOARD BANGLADESH 1ST INNINGS Tamim Iqbal c †Da Silva b Joseph 29 Mahmudul Hasan Joy c Bonner b Roach 0 Najmul Hossain Shanto b Roach 0 Mominul Haque c Blackwood b Seales 0 Litton Das c †Da Silva b Mayers 12 Shakib Al Hasan (c) c Roach b Joseph 51 Nurul Hasan † lbw b Mayers 0 Mehidy Hasan Miraz c †Da Silva b Seales 2 Mustafizur Rahman c †Da Silva b Seales 0 Ebadot Hossain not out 3 Khaled Ahmed c Bonner b Joseph 0 Extras (b 1, lb 4, w 1) 6 TOTAL 32.5 Ov (RR: 3.13) 103 Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 0.2 ov), 2-3 (Najmul Hossain Shanto, 2.1 ov), 3-16 (Mominul Haque, 5.1 ov), 4-41 (Tamim Iqbal, 13.6 ov), 5-41 (Litton Das, 14.4 ov), 6-45 (Nurul Hasan, 14.6 ov), 7-77 (Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 25.6 ov), 8-81 (Mustafizur Rahman, 27.4 ov), 9-103 (Shakib Al Hasan, 32.2 ov),

10-103 (Khaled Ahmed, 32.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Kemar Roach 8-2-21-2 Jayden Seales 10-2-33-3 Alzarri Joseph 8.5-2-33-3 Kyle Mayers 5-2-10-2 Gudakesh Motie 1-0-1-0 WEST INDIES 1ST INNINGS Kraigg Brathwaite (c) not out 42 John Campbell b Mustafizur Rahman 24 Raymon Reifer c †Nurul Hasan b Ebadot Hossain 11 Nkrumah Bonner not out 12 Extras (lb 4, nb 2) 6 TOTAL 48 Ov (RR: 1.97) 95/2 Fall of wickets: 1-44 (John Campbell, 25.1 ov), 2-72 (Raymon Reifer, 33.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mustafizur Rahman 12-6-10-1 Khaled Ahmed 9-4-15-0 Ebadot Hossain 12-4-18-1 Shakib Al Hasan 8-2-20-0 Mehidy Hasan Miraz 7-1-28-0

West Indies p a c e barrage, so much so that the first run that didn't come off Tamim's bat was scored by Bangladesh only in the seventh over. Tamim's innings, though, ended on 29 when he was strangled down the legside by Alzarri Joseph.

Kyle Mayers came into the attack in the 15th over, and he made the Bangladesh session go from bad to worse.

He struck twice, first getting Liton Das with a scrambled seam delivery, and then bowling a hooping inswinger to trap Nurul Hasan in front with the help of DRS.

Shakib scored a fifty for Bangladesh

Seales claimed 3-33

WDFA Senior Men’s League…

Slingerz FC seal return to play with 3-0 victory over Uitvlugt Warriors

The fans were elated to witness the return of Slingerz FC (Jemima Holmes Photo)

S

lingerz FC made a grand return to competitive football on Wednesday night when they effected a 3-0 victory over Uitvlugt Warriors in the West Demerara Football Association’s (WDFA’s) Senior Men’s League, played at the National Track and

Field Center at Leonora, WCD. They took to the pitch for their first game since the relaunch of the club on Tuesday afternoon at the Racquet Center in Georgetown.

Controversies in 2016 and 2017 had led the team to being approximately 5 years in dormancy. on Wednesday night, it was time for the players to do their part, and that they did, as the experienced Deon Alfred made the first strike after outplaying Uitvlugt’s defence. Moments later, it could have been a 2-0 game, but Alfred was unable to finish his second attempt.

The first half ended with the score at 1-0, but, in the second half, Alfred was able

Slingerz player Deon Alfred (Orange) netted a brace (Jemima Holmes Photo)

to add another goal to his personal tally, while national U16 striker Matrim Martin was rewarded for his spirited plays with a goal, making the final tally 3-0 in favour of Slingerz.

Earlier in the night, Pouderoyen FC took on Wales United, and Dwayne St. Kitts, Corwin Wright, Tyshawn Halley and Eon Sullivan each scored a goal, resulting in Pouderoyen’s 4-1 victory.

Play in the Senior Men’s Leagues in Georgetown, West Demerara, Essequibo/ Pomeroon, East Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara, Bartica and Rupununi will continue from Friday into the weekend.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Magnum’s Jamal Baird, Edison Jefford, ANSA McAL’s Aliyah Hamilton and Lucozade’s Tristan Freeman are flanked by players who will take to the National Park Tarmac on Saturday he Magnum Tonic Wine the reason for bringing the follow those guidelines. brand will be giving Guyana’s tournament back, while revealing “This tournament has been top four futsal teams that security is of utmost priority. another shot at redemption, after “It has been historic, and hosting their Independence Cup we want to continue that on tournament last month.

Saturday night. We had 18-17 Sparta Boss, Back Circle, Gold finish when Sparta played Bent is Money and Bent Street will Street, and, (in) the final, we had battle tooth and nail on Saturday Back Circle edging Sparta 6-5, night for $300,000 and bragging so we had one goal separating rights. both semifinal and final games,” After witnessing the success Jefford shared. “So, we’re giving that their Independence Cup these teams another opportunity Futsal tournament had brought to prove who is the best street in May of this year, the Magnum football team in Guyana, and brand thought it best to give the basically end all complaints, end ANSA McAL’s Corporate teams an opportunity to settle all talking; no excuses.”

Communications Manager, the score.

Turning to another topic, Titled ‘Unfinished Business’, Jefford elucidated, “We have all Aliyah Hamilton each of these top-four teams security arrangements in place. very well supported in the past. will have only one chance to We will be working closely with We’ve had no incidents of security make their point at the one-night the Guyana Police Force and the breaches, and I would like that to tournament at the National Park Police Commissioner to ensure continue,” Jefford has said.

Tarmac on Saturday, June 18th. that no stone is left unturned as On Saturday, Sparta Boss Organizer Edison Jefford, at it relates to security. Our entrance would battle Bent Street, while the event’s official launch on and exit routes will be fully Gold is Money would thrash it Thursday morning, highlighted secured, we expect all patrons to out with Back Circle for a chance

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Women’s CG Insurance Super50 Cup…

Barbados demolish Windward Islands -but Matthews misses century

at the coveted final. Games begin at 8pm.

ANSA McAL’s Corporate Communications Officer Aliyah Hamilton has stressed on the importance of the company’s contribution to the future of the sport in Guyana.

“Football has so much future.

We’ve seen that in the display of talent the athletes showcase in the tournament. So, we want that when these athletes represent ANSA McAL in these tournaments, we want them to remember that we invested

Organizer Edison Jefford in them,” the Communications Officer has said.

She added, “Football in Guyana has a definite future, and one day soon we will see Guyanese players at the World Cup. And we want them to remember that ANSA McAL, as a

GABF to withdraw U15 National Team from FIBA Centrobasket in Puerto Rico

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It was heartbreak for Matthews as she fell for 99 n this match, played in Guyana at the National Stadium at Providence, EBD, Barbados won the toss and opted to bat first. They posted 227-2 in 50 overs, with Hayley Matthews and Kycia Knight adding 177 runs for the opening wicket.

The duo looked comfortable hitting the odd boundaries and picking up the ones and twos, until Kycia Knight was dismissed for 72 from 108 balls. Her innings included seven fours.

Matthews, who finished as the leading run-scorer in the recent T20 Blaze, looked at her classy best as she made 99 runs from 133 balls. She was heartbroken when Pearl Etienne trapped her at the crease, removing her after 43.1 overs, and with Barbados on 192-2.

Kycia Knight’s sister Kyshona made an unbeaten 27 runs from 35 balls in an innings that included three fours, and Alisa Scantlebury chipped in with ten as Barbados batted all 50 overs and scored 227 runs on a slow wicket.

Jannillea Glasgow and Pearl

I

Etienne each took one wicket for the Windward Islands, whose batting, in response, looked thin as the Bajan seamers Shanika Bruce and Shamilia Connell created early inroads. Connell rocked the stumps of Malika Edward for one, while Bruce sent Kimone Homer packing for a duck.

Bruce and Connell continued to chip away at the Windward Islands’ resistance.

Connell, the faster of the two seamers, struck Qiana Joseph with a short-ball, causing her to fall on her stumps and be given out for one, hit wicket.

At the end of ten overs, Windward Islands were 23-6, at which time Connell, fielding on the boundary, suffered an illness and had to be stretchered off the field. At the drinks break, Windward Islands were 41-7, with Glasgow being sent back for 11 to become Bruce’s fourth victim.

In the end, Barbados demolished the Windward Islands by 149 runs.

Kycia Knight scored a half-century

company, did that for them: gave them that platform to showcase their talents and their abilities.”

Tristan Freeman and Jamal Baird, the respective Brand Managers of Magnum and Lucozade, which will sponsor the event, have agreed on two things: their willingness to sponsor the event, and the quality of play they witnessed in the last Magnum futsal tournament.

“When Mr. Jefford reached out to us to say, ‘We need to do this again’, or to say, ‘We need to end unfinished business’, I jumped on board immediately.

The last tournament, I saw some of the most competitive futsal in Guyana,” Lucozade’s Tristan Freeman shared.

Magnum’s Jamal Baird said moments later, “All systems are in place, and we’re ready for the grand kickoff of the ultimate validation football tournament.

As Tristan lamented, I’ve also seen one of the best finals I’ve seen played on the local shores.”

After the first two games on Saturday night, there will be an entertainment break before the third-place playoff and final are played. Admission at the gate is set at $1500 per patron.

The winner will cart off $300,000, second place will pocket $150,000, third place $100,000 and fourth place $50,000.

he Guyana Basketball Federation (GABF) has said it regrets to announce that it has had to withdraw the Guyana Basketball U15 National Team from the FIBA Centrobasket U15 Championship, scheduled for June 18-22 in Gurabo, Puerto Rico.

The withdrawal is due to the US Embassy in Guyana being unable to expedite interviews for seven (7) members of its delegation. The request for the expedited interviews followed the process of team selection.

The US Embassy in Georgetown had, on previous occasions, facilitated the expedited interviews f o r national basketball teams, but has been unable to do so on this occasion.

While the Embassy did offer to interview the delegation members at a later date, there is a window of only one day remaining for the team to make it to Puerto Rico in time for the first game against the Bahamas.

After several interventions by the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) America’s Regional Office, the GABF remains unsuccessful in securing appointments before the end of the week.

The 14-member delegation

is already in possession of roundtrip airline tickets, as they must arrive two (2) days before their matches, which begin on 18 June, and they were to depart the US Territory on 23 June 2022.

The National Teams were previously placed in pairs, taking into account their Nike Youth Ranking position. Then the teams and their spots were drawn to define the matchups.

Here’s how the groups were aligned:

Group A:

1. Costa Rica 2. Mexico 3. Dominican Republic 4. Turks and Caicos

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Group B:

1. Panama 2. Guyana 3. Bahamas 4. Puerto Rico The competition will be held at the Fernando “Rube” Hernandez Colosseum. The top two teams from each group would advance to the semifinals, while the rest would compete for the 5-8 spots.

In the semi-finals, the top two teams from each group will face the second team of each opposing group (1A vs 2B and 1B vs 2A). The semi-final winners will qualify for the gold medal game, while the losers will play for third place and the bronze medal.

The three best teams at the end of the tournament would qualify for the FIBA U16 Americas Championship in 2023.

223-7230-1

(Ext 55)

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Inaugural Women’s CPL…

ers have shown their quality for the West Indies and in domestic competitions around the globe.

The teams have been drafted from a pool of players that was put together by Cricket West Indies’ Selection Committee, and the 33 cricketers picked represent the best talent from across the region, with the squads being full of experienced internationals as well as the next generation of female players.

Each team would also sign three exciting overseas players, bringing the size of the total squad to 14 and further bolstering the quality of cricketers on show in this exciting new event. These overseas signings would be announced in the coming weeks.

Ricky Skerritt, Cricket

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he local players have been drafted ahead of the historic first running of the inaugural Women’s Caribbean Premier League, with the tournament set to get underway on August 30.

The three teams will be captained by Hayley Matthews (Barbados Royals),

Stafanie Taylor (Guyana Amazon Warriors) and Deandra Dottin (Trinbago Knight Riders).

With Matthews and Taylor rated in the top 10 T20 all-rounders in the world, and with Dottin being one of the most destructive batters in the women’s game, all three play-

West Indies President, has said: “This inaugural Women’s version of the CPL represents a huge upward step for West Indies cricket. I am grateful to all those in CPL and CWI who

made it happen, especially the three pioneering franchises who have so willingly got on board.”

Jake Lush McCrum, CEO of the Barbados Royals and the Rajasthan Royals, has said: "The Caribbean, and particularly Barbados, is a destination which has always been so deeply invested in cricket, and to have a team in the region which will serve as a pillar of growth for the women's game in and around the island nation was such an exciting opportunity for us at the Barbados Royals.

“Having attracted huge popularity, not just in the Caribbean, but also in cricket-playing nations around the world, the CPL has been able to realise its value and also the impact it can create on

grassroots development. With this new competition for women, it gives us the opportunity to accelerate the growth and development of female players and coaches, while attracting the next generation of talent to the sport."

Dr. Bobby Ramroop, owner of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, has said, “We are thrilled to be a part of the inaugural Women’s CPL. The Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) family is excited to be at the forefront of advancing women’s cricket, both in the region and worldwide, and we are hopeful that this newest format will provide a platform for empowering female athletes, as well as highlighting inspiring role models for young girls.

“The dynamic GAW

23

Women’s team, led by the impressive Stafanie Taylor, is a welcome and powerful addition to the CPL.” Venky Mysore, Director of the Trinbago Knight Riders, has said, "We are proud to announce our first women's team under the Knight Riders banner, and are eagerly looking forward to watching the ladies represent TKR in the inaugural Women’s T20 competition in this year's Caribbean Premier League.

“We are always most supportive of such initiatives, and are on a continuous lookout to expand the sport across the globe and across demographics. We are therefore particularly thrilled to support the launch of women’s T20 in the Caribbean, and would like to congratulate and thank CWI and CPL for taking the initiative to launch the Women’s editions this year."

Pete Russell, Hero CPL CEO, has said: “A Women’s CPL is the next logical step as we grow the brand, and we are very pleased that we have been able to make this a reality in 2022. We are grateful to the CWI, the Barbados Royals, the Guyana Amazon Warriors, and the Trinbago Knight Riders for working with us on this ground-breaking tournament, and we look forward to showcasing the tremendous skills of all these talented players.” (CPLT20)

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

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

Pg 23

Inaugural Women’s CPL…

GAW Women’s Captain Stafanie Taylor

WDFA Senior Men’s League…

Slingerz FC seal return to play with 3-0 victory over Uitvlugt Warriors Pg 21

Matrim Martin (19) was a force to be reckoned with down the wing (Jemima Holmes Photo)

WI vs Bangladesh: Test 1 of 2…

West Indies dominate opening day in Antigua Pg 21

Gudakesh Motie has made his Test debut

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