Guyana Times -- Saturday, April 12, 2022

GOGEC discusses investment opportunities with DY Patil Group and trade mission P17

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

Issue No. 4977

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022

PRICE

See stories on pages 3 & 14

Major transformational projects announced by President Ali for Region 6

…new int’l stadium, modern hotels among massive economic plans …as Govt receives proposals for oil refineries, interest for deep-water harbours

3000 part-time jobs in 2 weeks; 400 small business grants – VP to Berbicians

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Lands in P11 Regions 6, 10 to be leased for hemp cultivation

Regional engineer P16 admits to certifying works without inspection

“I have to get justice” – P10 grief-stricken mother …as teen daughter killed by speeding motorcyclist

Page 7

See story on page 5

Daughter PAC orders secures forensic “permanent” audit into restraining procurement Page 12 order against breaches in Region 5 abusive father …as ‘missing’ Ovid Morrison turns up to face questioning Substantive Chancellor, Chief Justice

Non-appointment a “significant blot” on Guyana’s impressive judicial landscape – CCJ President

See story on page 8

Knife-wielding bandits rob taxi driver P16

Free breakfast for school P17 children in Regions 5, 6

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TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Tuesday, Apr 12 – 01:00h – 02:30h and Wednesday, Apr 13 – 01:30h – 03:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, Apr 12 – 13:10h – 14:40h and Wednesday, Apr 13 – 13:55h – 15:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be light cloud and sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to North North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 13:51h reaching a maximum height of 2.24 metres.

Low Tide: 07:25h and 19:52h reaching minimum heights of 1.09 metres and 0.9 metre.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

03 05 06

07 24 26

12

FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2022

DAILY MILLIONS

13 14 18 19 26 LUCKY 3

5

5

8

9

Afternoon Draw

6

9

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

06 07 08 09 10 14 20 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

01 06 09 12 14 13

01 06 09 20 21

8

2 Afternoon Draw

FP Afternoon Draw

2

6 Evening Draw

2X Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$98.48/barrel

-4.37

Rough Rice

$281.61/ton

+0.06

London Sugar

$559.70/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1952.10

$1953.10

Low/High Change

$1939.60 -2.00

$1970.80 -0.10%E

Major transformational projects announced by President Ali for Region 6

…new int’l stadium, modern hotels among massive economic plans

R

egion Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) will in the coming years undergo a period of massive economic and infrastructural transformation, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced on Monday during an outreach to the ancient county.

The Guyanese Head of State unveiled plans to construct an international stadium and urban centre at Palmyra as well as state-of-the-art hotels and malls.

“You will have your own national stadium in Berbice and to support that national stadium we are going to build an entirely new urban centre,” President Ali said.

He pointed out that already, proposals for a state-of-the-art modern hotel, malls, and a private hospital have been received by the Government.

“And a whole lot more of other commercial activity will commence before the end of this year. These are the real plans we’re talking about connecting the country airdrome. We are going to upgrade that too (Rose Hall, East Canje airstrip) to eventually make it to the municipal airport like the one at Ogle and that will be connected to this new development in Palmyra that will bring all of these opportunities to the people here. These are, this is the real vision. It is not only the economic diversification in agriculture,” President Ali told hundreds in New Amsterdam at the Smythfield Drop-in Centre.

He also repeated the same announcements when he went to the Reliance Community Centre where an even larger crowd had gathered to listen to the Heal of State and also take advantage of the opportunity to raise concerns they have.

On that note, Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry Susan Rodrigues explained that it is a policy of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government to meet with residents and listen to their concerns and suggestions.

“It is through these meetings and consultations that we are able to develop programmes and policies.

We need you to be a part of what we do…”

Meanwhile, President Ali pointed out that his Government is placing much emphasis on education and Region Six will have its equal share.

“This region will be the home for the technical training centre; our na-

tional training centre. The Guyana National Training Centre will be there in Region Six. This is the centre that will train our young people in Guyana in different areas for oil and gas.”

In the 2022 National Budget, $160 million has been allocated for Phase One of the project.

“These are the real investment that is not helping the transformation of this region not only. We are talking about the billions of dollars we will be spending in community roads and the park that we're going to create in New Amsterdam and then widening and resurfacing of the entire public road from New Amsterdam to Moleson Creek which will

open up thousands of acres of land for people to go to the farm.”

President Ali pointed out that the Government is working to ensure that more disposable income is available for citizens.

Pointing out some of the initiatives already implemented, the Head of State noted that the Government has taken a decision that despite the rise in the cost of fuel, both Guyana Water Inc and the Guyana Power and Light will not pass on those increases to consumers.

This, he said, is one measure to ensure that more disposable income is available.

Other initiatives include the “Because We Care” cash grants which saw

$613 million being given to children in Region Six. In addition to that, $122 million in uniform allowance for students of that region was also distributed.

Old age pension is pegged at $3.6 billion for Region Six this year but the President said it is expected to triple within the next three years.

“All development must take place in a secure environment and so we will be investing in the security sector,” President Ali said.

The Head of State was accompanied by Prime Minister Mark Philips, Minister Rodrigues, Tourism Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond and Region Six Chairman David Armogan. (G4)

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 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

Plethora of traffic violations

T

here is always an element of risk whenever someone uses the roadways, be they a motorist, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian. This is somewhat inherent, since it is believed that accidents will happen. Often the fault is not with the one being cautious.

The risks may manifest in various forms, such as a lack of street lighting while driving at nights; potholes which, when swerved from, could place a vehicle in the direct path of another; absence, or non-functioning, of traffic lights, which can create uncertainty among drivers; roaming animals; speeding; drinking and driving; narrow streets and lack of traffic signage. In addition, disregard of basic traffic etiquette and other rules exacerbate the risks.

Seemingly common now is the disrespect for designated major roads. Many drivers, including some within the public transportation system, refuse to adhere to what is mandatory. As a result, a number of accidents occur frequently at some of these points. Similarly, the practice of running red lights and the green signal that allows pedestrians to cross continues unabated, predominantly by minibus drivers. The danger that poses needs no explanation.

While a plethora of traffic violations are committed on a daily basis, some appear more prominent. Undertaking and cutting in front of a vehicle, and the sticking out of a minibus conductor’s arm to do likewise from the other side, seem the new norm of driving. Aside from the obvious danger, especially to young and inexperienced drivers, and apart from being an irritant, it is blatant bullyism and a potent source for road rage.

It appears that those who engage in such practices do not see themselves as being errant, or what they do as a traffic violation. Lanes that allow for turning-on-red are abused and used as if they are the right-of-way. In the city, many roads other than what are authorised for minibus routes are used as thoroughfares. Speeding is foremost, causing areas that are supposed to be free of minibuses to become dangerous.

In addition, some drivers seemingly take pride in having an alcoholic beverage in their possession while transporting passengers. Adding to the woes of those who abide by traffic rules, they are verbally abused when trying to stave off a potential transgressor. These practices are not unknown to the Police, and while the Police cannot be at all points where violations occur, there is the expectation for more and sustained intervention in the interest of safety for all road users.

This does not take away from the valiant efforts of a few dedicated traffic officers, who do their best to curb the situation – one which has reached alarming proportions.

From all reports, some traffic ranks can easily pinpoint a particular minibus, based upon design and route, when a complaint is lodged. That probably suggests that that traffic violation is not unique to that vehicle. Again, it must be asked: how is it allowed to continue?

What is desperately needed is a sustained campaign to reduce traffic violations, and let the law take its course on the errant ones, regardless of who they are. The carelessness exhibited puts all road users at risk. This is where the National Road Safety Council would need to be supported, and probably empowered to have a more visible presence and increased influence all year round.

It must be noted that drivers are not the only violators of traffic rules, for some pedestrians are equally guilty.

Aside from the common jaywalking, they cross busy intersections when not authorised, and refuse to use the overhead pedestrian walkways, thereby bringing danger to themselves and others. Like errant drivers, they seem empowered to not observe basic traffic rules. This will change only when there is a constant stream of violators up the stairs of the courts across the country. There is hope that that is not wishful thinking.

A boy and his president: This lad chats up President Dr Irfaan Ali during a walkabout at the Parika Market, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) (OP photo)

Autism and inclusivity A

By Wayne Campbell

utism continues to be shrouded in mystery, and some argue that environmental factors and genetics are the root causes.

Almost every family has at least one member who is autistic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one per cent of the world’s population has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or over 75,000,000 people.

In Jamaica, where we have almost 40,000 births per year, approximately 600 of those will be diagnosed with ASD. One of the best-known advocacy groups for autism is Autism Speaks, which encourages everyone to join the autism awareness campaign.

We know that the diagnosis of autism is becoming more frequent in the world, and it is not uncommon for siblings to be autistic. It appears that once a mother has one autistic child, the likelihood of having another increase.

The CDC statistics have revealed that ASD is 4.3 times more prevalent in boys than it is in girls. And, according to the Child Mind Institute, girls often go undiagnosed because they do not fit autism stereotypes and they mask features better than boys.

Thankfully, we are now at a juncture where more information concerning this developmental disorder is available.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that ASD are a diverse group of conditions. They are characterised by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication. Other characteristics are atypical patterns of activities and behaviour,

such as difficulty with transition from one activity to another, a focus on details, and unusual reactions to sensations. The abilities and needs of autistic people vary and can evolve over time.

People with ASD have behaviour or interests that can seem unusual. These set ASD apart from conditions defined by problems with social communication and interaction only. Examples of restricted or repetitive behaviour and interests related to ASD can include lining up toys or other objects and getting upset when order is changed; repeating words or phrases over and over; delayed language and movement skills; delayed cognitive and learning skills; avoiding or not maintaining eye contact; not responding to name by nine months of age; not displaying facial expressions, like happiness and sadness, by nine months of age; and using no or few gestures by 12 months of age.

People with ASD tend to have heightened sensory skills, such as that of smell, and they oftentimes have visual impairment and require glasses.

Students who are impacted by ASD prefer a set pattern, and tend to dislike changes to their environment. They often require behaviour therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and early intervention or special educational services. Additionally, some children may require medication or a shadow teacher, who will provide one-on-one support to help in the development of their academic, social, and behavioural skills. He or she will play an important role in the development of much-needed confidence in autistic children.

A significant number of public schools do not ca-

ter to autistic students.

As a result, some parents opt to homeschool out of fear that their child/children will be teased for being different. It should be noted that the Ministry of Education (MOE) facilitates home-schooling in Jamaica, so parents of autistic children may want to take advantage of this option.

While some people with autism can live independently, others have severe disabilities and require lifelong care and support.

Autism often has an impact on education and employment opportunities. In addition, the demands on families providing care and support can be significant.

Societal attitudes and the level of support provided by local and national authorities are important factors in determining the quality of life of people with autism. In the US, on average, autism costs an estimated US$60,000 per year through childhood, with the majority of the costs in lost wages related to increased demands on one or both parents. And costs increase with the occurrence of intellectual disability. Additionally, mothers of children with ASD are less likely to work outside the home.

It would be interesting to find out the cost to care for an autistic person from childhood to adulthood in Jamaica. Perhaps parents who have children who are autistic should obtain some tax relief, given how costly it can be to adequately care for these children.

More lobbying is required to urge the Government to build more public schools to cater to the abilities of autistic students. But regrettably, many teachers are not equipped to handle students who are autistic. Going forward, the MOE should require that all teachers be

exposed to special education training to better prepare them to assist students who are on the autism spectrum.

There is an urgent need for more research as well as more funding to be channelled into this specialised developmental disorder.

In Jamaica, the Jamaica Autism Support Association (JASA) provides parents with some level of support.

Among the goals of the JASA are to raise awareness about autism in Jamaica as well as to advocate for an education system that is inclusive. Currently, parents are finding it extremely difficult to identify educational institutions which cater to the needs of children of all abilities.

Children who display signs of autism have the right to an education and opportunities just like anyone else.

Parents or guardians who suspect that their child is autistic should speak to their child’s paediatrician and get some advice.

If you have an autistic child or family member spend some time and do the research to better prepare yourself to assist them in realising their full potential. There is no need to be ashamed of autistic children.

In the words of United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, many people with autism still live in isolation, discriminated against and disconnected from their communities and even their own homes.

We must reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world for people with autism. (Jamaica Observer) (Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in developmental policies and their impact on culture and/or gender issues.)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022

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News

Daughter secures “permanent” restraining order against abusive father C ity Magistrate Leron Daly issued a restraining order on Monday in which she compelled a well-known Georgetown businessman to stay away from his 25-yearold daughter who recently broke her silence about him abusing her for years.

The businessman’s lawyer, Bernard Da Silva, informed that his client has been ordered to stay 1000 feet away from his daughter.

According to Da Silva, his client has also been ordered to give the young lady all of her personal belongings. The restraining order, the lawyer noted, “has been made permanent”.

Over the weekend, the Guyana Police Force said that the businessman was charged earlier this month with inflicting grievous bodily harm on his daughter and also threatening to shoot her.

After pleaded not guilty to the charges, he was granted $400,000 bail. He has to return to court on May 6, for report.

The woman came forward with her plight during

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

A snapshot from the CCTV footage in which the businessman is seen kicking at his daughter

an interview with local reporter Leroy Smith after CCTV footage from one of her father’s business places showed a man, believed to be him, kicking, slapping, and punching at a female believed to be her.

During a subsequent interview with a social media commentator, the businessman claimed that the video recording was not what it seems. But he, however, did not deny that he was

the person seen stomping, kicking, cuffing, and slapping a young woman in his Georgetown store.

The girl alleges that the last time she was assaulted was on March 25. She made a report to the Police on March 28 and her father was arrested three days after.

During her interview, the woman detailed the years of abuse meted out to members of her household, including

her, by her father. She also told of how she planned her escape while her father was out of town. Last week, too, the businessman’s firearms were seized by the Police.

Unprofessional handling

Over the weekend, the

Guyana Police Force announced that its Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is currently investigating the alleged unprofessional handling of the woman’s report by ranks from the Kitty Police Station in Georgetown.

The OPR investigation will ascertain when the report was made and what actions were taken against the alleged perpetrator who is a popular businessman.

The investigations were launched following the circulation of a video on social media where the businessman allegedly assaulted and allegedly threatened to shoot his daughter.

The OPR has launched an investigation to determine whether all the Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) were followed by the investigating ranks.

“We have to listen”

Human

Services

and

Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud has condemned the businessman’s alleged actions. Among other things, she said, “The worst thing anyone can do is to justify abuse, violence, and just plain cruelty – no one deserves that no matter what.”

“I have always maintained that when someone reports abuse - we have to listen … and yes, take action, which includes investigation, protection, shelter, counselling and offering legal recourse, whatever is required to support that person, but first we have to listen, so they get the courage to speak and report before it’s too late!” the Minister added.

Dr Persaud said that the young woman made a report to the 914 hotline and is getting full support and help through the Survivor’s Advocate Programme.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

By Mervyn Morris

Your mouth contorting in brief spite and hurt, your laughter metamorphosed into howls, your frame so recently relaxed now tight with three year old frustration, your bright eyes swimming tears, splashing your bare feet, you stand there angling for a moment’s hint of guilt or sorrow for the quick slap struck.

The ogre towers above you, that grim giant, empty of feeling, a colossal cruel, soon victim of the tale’s conclusion, dead at last. You hate him, you imagine chopping clean the tree he’s scrambling down or plotting deeper pits to trap him in.

1. The area of rectangle is 36 cm2.If the lengths of the sides are halved, the area, in cm2 , of the new rectangle is (A) 9 (B) 18 (C) 36 (D) 54 2. The enrolment of a school is 600. If the enrolment is decreased by 20%, and then decreased again by 20%, the enrolment is (A) 384 (B) 480 (C) 576 (D) 600

I

n this fun and easy ocean science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate coastal erosion.

Materials:

Baking pan Water Sand

Melon

Instructions:

Cherry 10 %

3. What percentage of his garden is planted with melons?

(A) 10% (C) 30%

(B)25% (D) 40%

Pile sand on one end of the baking pan and firmly pat it down to create a gradually sloping beach.

Pour some water into the pan until the sand is partly covered.

First gently and then progressively faster slide the pan back and forth to create waves that end up on your beach.

Observe the sand move and shift.

How it works:

Coastal erosion is the loss or displacement of land resulting from waves and other actions that remove sand, sediment, and bedrock. This ocean experiment allows you to visualise coastal erosion. This experiment uses water to create erosion, but wind is also another contributor to coastal erosion. Storms, currents, and even ice are other contributors to coastal erosion.

Make this a science project:

Try filling little sandwich ziplock bags with sand and place these sand bags between the pile of sand and water. (sciencefun.org)

4. If the area occupied by bananas is 16 hectares, then the area occupied by oranges is (A) 10 (B)20 (C) 36 (D) 45

“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change” – Carl R Rogers

You cannot understand, not yet, the hurt your easy tears can scald him with, nor guess the wavering hidden behind that mask.

This fierce man longs to lift you, curb your sadness with piggy-back or bull fight, anything, but dare not ruin the lessons you should learn.

You must not make a plaything of the rain.

Summary

The poem is narrating an interaction between a father and his son, who he has punished for playing in the rain. The little boy feels somewhat betrayed by his father, and finds no sign of remorse in him.

So, he sees him as evil figure, likening him to the evil giant from the fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk.

The poem accurately shows how the child feels in the moment – a sudden emotion of cold hate and anger towards this 'colossal cruel' who has harmed him. In the third stanza though, the poet introduces the perspective of the father, who evidently cares for his son. Through the child's eyes, he is painted in a light of supreme cruelty and callousness due to emotionally-caused exaggeration. The father is shown to be caring because he feels guilt and remorse when he sees the tears of his son. But the dilemma within is obvious – he doesn't enjoy making his son feel this way, but he must teach him this lesson. He wants to comfort him and show his care; but he knows that he must maintain his composure in order for his son to truly learn the lesson.

The poem is written from a third person omniscient perspective. The themes are parenting, vulnerability and childhood experiences. The mood is tense.

Write a summary of the poem leading with the perspective of the father. Compare the two summaries. How would the poem be affected if it was reorganised with the father’s perspective shown first?

Analyse the following lines

"You must not make a plaything of the rain."

"The ogre towers above you, that grim giant, empty of feeling, a colossal cruel, soon victim of the tale’s conclusion, dead at last."

"Your mouth contorting in brief spite and hurt,"

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3000 part-time jobs in 2 weeks; 400 small business grants – VP to Berbicians

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo speaking with some residents A resident of Line Path, Corentyne, Berbice, discussing her concerns with the Vice President

“Y

ou don’t have to help to clean the grass or the canals. Some can work as librarians maybe if they have a few CXC subjects and they can’t find a job or they can work in the hospital or in a Government [office],”

He made the statement while announcing plans to employ thousands of persons from within Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to work for the Government on a part-time basis.

Addressing residents at Line Path, Corentyne,

people from across the East Berbice-Corentyne region to work part-time.

Prior to making that announcement, the Vice President outlined a series of measures that will be implemented to ensure sustained development in

Residents of Line Path, Corentyne who attended the meeting hosted by the Vice President

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo told residents of Berbice on Monday.

Berbice, Jagdeo revealed that in two weeks the Government will hire 3000

the region and others that are already being implemented resulting in more

disposable income being available.

“In the short term, while we are working on getting these things going and they will get going, we have to also make sure that people can get employment. We lost about 1700 jobs here and 400 were rehired, so, that left us with a deficit of about 1300 jobs. We have decided that in Berbice we are going to hire about 3000 people on part-time work starting in about two weeks,” the Vice President pointed out.

He noted that job creation is extended to anyone who reaches the criteria for

the job.

“This is where a lot of the people who are unemployed here can apply. You will have to work for ten days for the month and you will get $40,000. We can schedule the work in a way that meets your needs. So, you can work ten days continuously and then leave the rest of the month to work elsewhere. That can help a lot of people. This will be not only for sugar workers who were laid off or who are looking for a job as labourers. It is for anybody in the community including women.”

Jagdeo pointed out that

there are a number of fields in which persons can be employed.

The Government has already announced that 8000 part-time jobs will be created countrywide to help families cope with the rising cost of living while the Government works towards more long-term solutions.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo outlined that the Government will also give out 400 small grants to residents of Region Six. The grants will be up to $250,000 for persons to start up small projects or to expand an existing business. (G4)

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Substantive Chancellor, Chief Justice

Non-appointment a “significant blot” on Guyana’s impressive judicial landscape – CCJ President Significant blot

CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders

O

ver two decades after a constitutional amendment was made to allow the two top judicial office holders to be appointed by the President after receiving agreement from the Opposition Leader, Guyana remains without a substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice (CJ).

This deficiency in the judicial system has been a source of concern for both local and regional judicial bodies. President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Adrian Saunders is the latest person to express his views on this impasse, calling on Guyana to remedy this regrettable situation with utmost urgency.

Justice Saunders arrived in Guyana last week to attend the Bar Association of Guyana’s Annual Bar Dinner which was held over the weekend at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While delivering the keynote address, Justice Saunders commended Guyana for the strides it has made in modernising the Judiciary and promoting the rule of law.

He, however, pointed out that there is a significant blot on an otherwise impressive Guyanese legal and judicial landscape. That is, the country has not appointed a Chancellor in 17 long years and a Chief Justice in several years. Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justice Roxane George, SC, are currently acting in the offices of Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice, respectively.

Justice Saunders said, “For the country to have not appointed a Chancellor for 17 long years is very disappointing; likewise, to be without an appointed Chief Justice for several years”. As the President of Guyana’s final court, he added, “I believe I have a right and a duty publicly to express the view that Guyana should not let this year pass and not remedy this regrettable situation”.

Formula has not worked

The procedure for the appointment of Chancellor and Chief Justice are outlined in Article 127 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of Guyana. It states therein: “The Chancellor and the Chief Justice shall be appointed by the President after obtaining the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition.”

During the opening of the April 2022 Demerara Criminal Assizes last Tuesday, the President of

Yorked…

W

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC, (left) and Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

the Guyana Bar Association, Pauline Chase called for the formula for appointing the top judicial office holders to be reformed. “…those who the duty so falls to start the consultative process and put into motion the machinery to address the correction of this unworkable and failed formula… It is, therefore, inimical to the rule of law that there are acting appointments of our highest judicial officers. The absence of confirmed judicial officers since the amendment of the Constitution for their appointments some 20 years ago is no clearer evidence that that system is not working,” Chase said.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, responded to Chase that very day on his weekly programme —”Issues in the News”. In so doing, he conceded that the current formula that

requires consensus between the President and the Opposition Leader has not worked in the more than two decades it was put in place.

He explained that since the addition of this provision to the Constitution in 2001, a sitting President has been unable to secure the agreement of the Opposition Leader on either of those appointments. Luckily, he added, an adjustment was made for an alternative if there is no agreement between the President and the Opposition Leader, that is, for the President to make acting appointments. The fact that Guyana has been unable to make substantive appointments in these two offices is “an unfortunate state of affairs”, Nandlall expressed.

Guyana’s last substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary was Justice Desiree Bernard who served from 2001 to 2005 when she demitted office to serve as a Judge of the CCJ which was inaugurated on April 16 of that year.

After then, several other Judges were appointed to act in the position including Justice Cummings-Edwards, who was sworn in by former President David Granger on March 27, 2017, following the retirement of Justice Carl Singh, who was also never confirmed in the post.

Justice George was also sworn in to act as Chief Justice on March 27, 2017, following the retirement of the late Justice Ian Chang, SC. Both Justices Cummings-Edwards and George previously worked in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before their elevation to the Bench.

The Attorney General recalled that efforts made under the previous Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar presidencies to have Justice Cummings-Edwards and Justice George confirmed in their respective positions failed.

TURN TO PAGE 11

…in Pakistan ell, Imran Khan’s innings as PM of Pakistan came to an abrupt end…almost like being yorked by a fast ball which wasn’t so ironic since it’s not one in his repertoire that skittles out batsmen like ninepins back in the day!! He never knew how to deal with yorkers!! But we gotta hand it to Imran – what else can your Eyewitness call him after his exploits on the field earned him that singlememe notoriety?? Moving from being a playboy-cricketer to being the leader of Pakistan – literally the “land of the pure (Muslims)” – had to take some doing though, not to mention personal transformation!!

Folks gotta understand the class nature of the subcontinental societies of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to understand their cricket. Even more than the WI that CLR had in mind, the latter’s immortal phrase, “What does he know of cricket that only cricket knows” rings even truer for the subcontinent. It was supremely an upper-class game and even though Imran’s father was strongly antiBritish, he was in that stratum. As such, it’s not surprising Imran went to Oxford and graduated with a PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) degree, which several post-war British PMs earned!!

In Imran’s case, he was playing First-Class cricket for Worcestershire and then for Pakistan even while he was swotting away at Oxford!! With his good looks and mass of hair, he made his fans swoon in the stands as he ran up to deliver those in-swingers and outswingers he’d invented.

He became part of London’s upper-crust high-society crowd and it wasn’t surprising he married the socialite daughter of billionaire financier Goldsmith. More importantly, he inspired generations of Pakistani young men to emulate him in fast bowling. But it was in his leadership on the field that his background came to the fore – he was literally born to lead!! And lead he did. Till now!

His entry into politics was eased by his popularity among the youthful, westernised middle classes in urban Pakistan.

But, as with all Pakistan political leaders, he had to receive the nod from the military – which has run Pakistan since independence. Don’t worry about his “secular” credentials… wasn’t Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan from the same mould?? Anyhow, his third wife inducted him into Sufism.

But it was the military that made him and it was the military that removed him. He didn’t agree with their choice for the most critical Pakistani Intelligence Chief position.

Imran claims the US didn’t like his cosying up to China. It was significant that President Biden hadn’t even called him since he (Biden) assumed office!

But domestically, it was the economy that did him in!

People gotta eat! …but “wrong and strong” PNC That Imran was removed from Office on a “noconfidence motion” (NCM) should remind locals (if they need reminding) how anti-democratic the PNC coalition was, under David Granger. In Imran’s case, he lost the NCM in their 342-member Parliament when the combined Opposition mustered 274 votes. To their credit, Imran’s partisans didn’t try to use fancy maths to justify remaining in office – even though he tried to call new elections, where he would’ve gone directly to the people and bank on his “popularity”.

But unlike Guyana, their courts decided Imran had to go – and he obeyed them. And this is the difference between the PNC and others in the Commonwealth of nations that accepted the British political ethos for running our business of choosing leaders. The PNC under Burnham and his protégé Granger have opened us up to the standing libel that we’re incapable of governing ourselves.

All of us have to be smeared because of the ambitions and arrogance of a few!! …without trial Your Eyewitness has already pointed out that “truth is the first casualty of war”. And it’s because of this aphorism that Guyana abstained in the UN’s vote to expel Russia from its Human Rights Council.

We must first have an impartial enquiry!!

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

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10 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“I have to get justice” – grief-stricken mother …as teen daughter killed by speeding motorcyclist

Grief-stricken mother, Melissa Vossey

A

Sophia mother of eleven, Melissa Vossey now mourns the loss of her 14-year-old daughter who was struck down by a motorcyclist – suspected to be an unlicensed rider – on Sunday at about 12:30h on Section E Field Sophia, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Police say that motorcycle CK 7840 - ridden by 21-year-old Glenton Redman of Section E Field Sophia, ECD, was speeding south along the eastern side of Section E Field Main Access Road in a lying position on his motorcycle which he allegedly

lost control of and collided with 14-year-old pedal cyclist Makida Quick – a student of Tucville Secondary School who resided at Lot 668 Section D Field, Sophia, ECD. Reports disclosed that Quick was riding south along the eastern side of Section E Field Main Access Road whilst Redman was speeding in the said direction. As a result of the collision, Quick flung some distance in the air before falling into a nearby drain while Glenton Redman fell onto the road’s surface.

Quick along with Redman were picked up in an uncon-

14-year-old Makida Quick

scious condition and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit where Makida Quick was pronounced dead on arrival, and the body was es-

corted to the Memorial Gardens Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The mother of the nowdead teen explained that Quick and her younger sister were riding their bicy-

cles to visit their grandfather who resides nearby in their community of Sophia, Greater Georgetown. As they were riding, the sisters noticed a speeding motorcyclist traversing the roadway, causing them to pull to the corner and wait until he passed. However, the 21-year-old unlicensed biker lost control of the vehicle and crashed into Makida, causing her to pitch several feet into the air.

The woman’s grief-stricken mother, Melissa Vossey in an interview with Guyana Times said she was with her daughter when she took her last breath.

“Serafina was riding this bicycle here and the other sister (Quick) had another bicycle that she was riding.

I got a call from a boy saying, ‘come Aunty Jackey’.

He said, ‘I want to tell you something’, he said, ‘Makida just got knocked down’. So, I asked Serafina what went wrong, and then she said she told Makida to stand at the corner because this boy was riding the bicycle and was doing butterfly; lying down on the motorbike.

She told Makida to go in the corner, Makida stand waiting for him to pass and she said that this boy just come

Dead son

in the corner and knocked Makida down. She go up in the air with the bicycle and the bicycle came down first and then she came down behind the bicycle. Afterward, another boy put her in the car, the driver.”

She said that she was in the same car as her daughter. She explained that she heard Quick make a noise, that is when she knew that her daughter had passed.

Hurt

Vossey noted that her daughter’s passing not only affected her family but society as a whole.

TURN TO PAGE 14

NEWS

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Lands in Regions 6, 10 to be leased for hemp cultivation

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he Guyana Government will soon be leasing lands in Regions Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) to persons interested in getting into hemp cultivation as moves are afoot to enact the necessary legislation for this as early as next month.

This announcement was made by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Sunday whilst addressing members of the public during a community outreach at Corriverton, Region Six. “Next month, we are looking at passing legislation for the hemp…when you grow it, they can buy it from you and process it. They can

Non-appointment a “significant blot”...

FROM PAGE 8

In fact, former President David Granger, under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) regime, had attempted in 2018 to appoint Guyana-born overseas-based Justice Kenneth Benjamin as substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary and Justice CummingsEdwards as substantive Chief Justice.

Support for confirmation

Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali has publicly declared his support for the confirmation of Justices George and CummingsEdwards as Chief Justice and Chancellor, respectively. The Head of State has already made it clear that their appointments were dependent on then Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon.

But Harmon resigned as Opposition Leader in January this year and PNCR’s Leader Aubrey Norton is slated to take up the post after he is sworn-in as an APNU/AFC Opposition Member of Parliament this week.

According to Nandlall, only two countries in the Commonwealth including Guyana have such a formu-

la in place for the appointment of their top judicial officers. And with Guyana about to embark on constitutional reform, he expressed hope that stakeholders can learn from the lessons and prevent another situation where Guyana has an acting Chief Justice and Chancellor for decades.

To make his point, the Attorney General said, “The thing does not work. It makes no sense putting into law, and worse yet putting into a Constitution, a mechanism that is going to cause deadlock, and here you’ve had deadlock now for [nearly] two decades. I don’t think we need more lessons; we have 22 years of experience.

So, when we start the constitutional reform process, I hope we will be guided by these real examples and don’t make fanciful recommendations, idealistic and unreal recommendations… that turned out to be impossible”.

Previous calls

This is not the first time the CCJ President has bemoaned Guyana’s inability to appoint a substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice. Shortly

after he was appointed to the helm of the regional court in 2018, Justice Saunders had called on Guyana’s political directorates to urgently resolve their issues and appoint a substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice, saying that the current stalemate has implications for the proper running of Guyana’s courts.

While noting that it was not his place to say what measures are to be put in place to break the deadlock, Justice Saunders had expressed, “That formula is likely to throw up this kind of situation and so perhaps some attention should be given to perhaps whether that is an appropriate formula or if the formula is to be kept, what other mechanisms should be put in place to break a deadlock. But for the country to not have a Chancellor, and it has implications for the Chief Justice as well because it just cascades down for that length of time, it’s just not right”.

Back in 2017, former CCJ President Justice Dennis Byron, as he then was, had also expressed that having Judges acting in the position of Chancellor and Chief

Justice is a “most unfortunate state of affairs”. He was at the time delivering the keynote address at the Guyana Bar Association’s 37th Annual Bar Dinner.

While noting that the prolonged acting appointments pose a genuine risk to the promise to citizens of an independent and impartial Judiciary, Justice Byron described it as a “very serious issue” adding that attacking the problems of delay and all other issues that need reform requires strong leadership.

During its biennial conference in 2019, the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers (CAJO) expressed concerns over lengthy acting appointments for heads of judiciaries while making specific reference to Guyana’s situation.

Guyana’s acting Chancellor and acting Chief Justice had attended this conference.

The CAJO had previously explained that given the context of the role of the Judiciary, not being able to confirm candidates for these top judicial roles goes against the grain of establishing public trust and confidence in the court system.

(G1)

make cardboards, they can make oils, soaps, fabric, a whole range of manufacturing,” he explained.

“So, we’re identifying two parts of the country to do this: in Region 10 and Region Six because these places have high unemployment…so we will probably lease out bits of land to people to grow the hemp and then they can sell it to the factory to process it,” Jagdeo added.

According to him, this along with the other investments being made by Government in areas such as agriculture will generate thousands of jobs for Guyanese.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall had announced about a week ago that the first draft of the Hemp Bill has been completed and is being reviewed by stakeholders.

Nandlall had explained that the draft Bill is an expansive one that looks at what is being done is other territories around the world.

However, he noted that there is not much to take from the Caribbean region since Antigua and Barbuda is the nation with a draft Bill while the others permit cultivation of hemp through minor amendments to relevant drugs or narcotics law.

“We are going in a far more advanced and sophisticated stage. We are creating an entire Bill that will have an entire governance structure and will also prescribe the relevant technical levels that will determine legality for hemp and will also regulate the way hemp will be cultivated, the areas that hemp will be cultivated at and how one would qualify to cultivate,” Nandlall had pointed out.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has repeatedly talked about the benefits that a lucrative

hemp industry can bring for Guyana.

“The hemp industry is not only about hemp production, but it is about having the processing and value-added facilities here in Guyana and these are industries that can generate jobs, these are industries that have high value return,” the Head of State had noted.

President Ali had also previously disclosed his intention to meet with marijuana farmers on the possibility of them taking advantage of the hemp industry. He said it is a legal way for them to make money.

“It is a net gain for the country, and I want to have that conversation and I think that it is the responsibility of the President to lead in some of these areas in creating the level of trust for the transformation that is required. So, yes this is an industry that can also help in at-risk communities,” the President had explained.

Industrial hemp is from the plant species Cannabis sativa and has been used worldwide to produce a variety of industrial and consumer products. Hemp is a source of fibre and the oilseed is grown in more than 30 nations.

Some uses for hemp include rope, textiles, clothing, shoes, food, paper, bioplastics, insulation, and biofuel.

It is rich in protein, unsaturated fats, fibre, minerals and vitamins. Hemp protects the brain, boosts heart health, reduces inflammation, improves skin conditions and relieves rheumatoid arthritis.

Hemp seeds are particularly rich in healthy fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that are known for improving heart health by reducing cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides.

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 12,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PAC orders forensic audit into procurement breaches in Region 5 …as ‘missing’ Ovid Morrison turns up to face questioning

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he Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has ordered the Audit Office of Guyana (AoG) to conduct a forensic audit into various procurement breaches in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), for which former Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ovid Morrison was called to give account on Monday.

Officials from the Region Five Regional Democratic Council (RDC) were on Monday questioned on the findings of the Auditor General’s 2017 and 2018 reports, by the PAC. Present were current REO Genevieve Blackman and her predecessor, Morrison, for whom the PAC had been looking for some time.

In fact, the PAC had en-

Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira

gaged the Police to try to find Morrison, since there were several issues from his tenure that needed clear-

ing up. In fact, it was revealed at a PAC meeting in March that up to last year, Morrison could not be found and was believed to be out of the jurisdiction.

While Morrison was present at Monday’s statutory meeting of the PAC, his responses to questions pertaining to 18 contracts being awarded to one contractor by virtue of restrictive tendering failed to satisfy the Committee. While Morrison insisted that the works were all of an emergency nature, the Committee was less than convinced.

“We are in a rice-cultivated region. Fertilisers from the rice industry, when they have to let out the water, carry that residue into the canals (and) cause the

weeds to go. Because workers were supposed to remove those weeds spray instead of desilt, over a period of time it forms a foundation reducing the capabilities of the canal to hold water during the rainy season.

“So, we cannot wait until that time or else the cash crop farmers, the cattle rearers would suffer… based on my knowledge of the contractors that were available, that contractor had the equipment,” Morrison said.

PAC member and Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira, who noted that the AG flagged the award of these contracts as procurement breaches, called for a forensic audit into the matter. According to her, $90 million and over $59 million are at stake.

“In light of paragraphs 945 (2018) and 820 (2017), I am calling for a full investigation by the Auditor General office. This PAC cannot do it on our own, but we want a full investigation in regards to the violations that took place of the Procurement Act under these two paragraphs alone,” Teixeira said.

It had been noted by the Auditor General that the Regional Tender Board (RTB)used the words “selective tendering” to award 18 contracts totalling $59.1 million to this one contractor. The reason given was that 10 of these works

Former Region Five REO Ovid Morrison

were emergencies, and of that number, eight totalling $21.5 million were awarded to the contractor at one sitting of the RTB on September 7, 2017 and recorded on RTB minutes 16/2017. These contracts, according to the Auditor General, had no commencement and completion dates.

In response, the head of the budget agency had indicated that all the cases were emergencies and it was an oversight that the minutes did not indicate such for all the awards. Corrective action had been promised to ensure commencement and completion dates were included.

It was further explained that restrictive tendering was done for these projects since Region Five was flood-prone, and all work executed was on an emer-

gency basis. The contractor, according to the head of the budget agency, was the most competitive bidder in this sector and provided available proof of different types of excavator buckets needed.

Days after the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) took office in August of 2020, Morrison was one of seven REOs that the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry had given marching orders to.

Besides Morrison, the REOs relieved of duty were Randolph Storm from Region One (Barima-Waini); Denis Jaikarran from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Jennifer Ferreira Dougal from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Kim StephenWilliams from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Carl Parker from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and Orrin Gordon from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

At the time, Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall had said that “the Ministry lost confidence in their ability to perform. Their deportment was inimical to the effective and efficient functioning of the regions they managed.

Moreover, they practised heavy partisan politics…

They were void of professionalism and impartiality”. (G3)

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Scenes from Govt outreach in Region 6

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 12,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt has over 6 proposals for oil refineries in Region 6 – Pres Ali …heavy interest also expressed for deep-water harbours

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has over six proposals from investors interested in building small oil refineries in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) – proposals which can go further in transforming the region into an economic hub.

This revelation was made

by President Dr Irfaan Ali, during a meeting with residents of New Amsterdam, Berbice. He was at the time accompanied by several members of his Cabinet, including Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond and Minister within the Housing Ministry Susan Rodrigues.

“We are creating a macro vision that will transform this region and bring new

President Dr Irfaan Ali while in New Amsterdam. He is flanked by Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond (left) and Minister within the Housing Ministry Susan Rodrigues

opportunities, new jobs, sustainable jobs and will empower our people to participate in a greater way in

the economy,” President Ali said.

In addition to the six proposals for oil refineries in

the region, Ali also spoke of the heavy investor interest to establish deep-water harbours. According to the President, this also has the potential to create thousands of jobs.

“As we speak now, we’re evaluating many interests in moving from the thought of a deep-water harbour, to actually working and having an agreement for the deep-water harbour right here in Region Six. That will create thousands of jobs, upstream and downstream.”

“We have more than six proposals for refineries, small refineries, here in Region Six. And we have exploration going on that can catalyse the growth here,” the President also informed the residents.

Successive Governments have been cautious on the

matter of building a refinery in Guyana that is Stateowned, resulting in the only takers for this initiative coming from the Private Sector.

The former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government had previously hired a consultant, Pedro Haas, to carry out a feasibility study into constructing an oil refinery.

The results of the study did not favour building a refinery, particularly one with a capacity to produce over 100,000 barrels per day. In his study, Haas had looked at the cost of building an oil refinery with a capacity of producing more than 100,000 barrels of oil per day. The study had come up with a US$5 billion price tag in order to construct the refinery in Guyana.

The expert had also suggested that as an alternative to the establishment of an oil refinery, the Government could pursue maximising income from commercialising crude oil.

Another suggestion was that the Government swap or toll crude oil for products on the global market or create joint ventures with offshore refineries, as well as acquire stock in refining companies.

However, the study was done at a time when oil giant ExxonMobil was the only operator in Guyana’s waters to find oil in commercial quantities. Members of the Private Sector have previously urged that the construction of a refinery be

re-explored when more operators find oil.

Since Exxon found crude in commercial quantities offshore in 2015, there has been 28 oil finds to date in the Stabroek Block and an estimated recoverable resource of over 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels.

United States oil giant, ExxonMobil is currently undertaking four production projects Liza 1, Liza 2, Payara and Yellowtail in the oil-rich block. Production capacity is currently at 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) with the Liza Destiny FPSO in operation.

Meanwhile production only recently started in the Liza 2 development, which is said to produce even lighter crude than Liza 1. It is also estimated that when the Yellowtail development project comes on stream, production will climb to 810,000 bpd by 2027. The US oil major anticipates at least six FPSOs producing 1 million bpd by 2030.

The oil rich Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres).

Exxon, through its local affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd (EEPGL), is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest. (G3)

“I have to get justice”...

“It affects everybody, regardless it’s not somebody’s child. People still feel hurt.

Some people say that they don’t know how they would take it, but they tell me, keep my faith, and I am very strong,” she said.

The situation comes as a great shock to the 52-yearold woman who is still dealing with the death of her 18-year-old son Olijah Chesney which occurred

in 2019. A 17-year-old has since been sent to the Juvenile Holding Centre for the offence.

The teen is accused of murdering Chesney on October 14, 2019, during the course of a robbery.

It is alleged that at Tucville Squatting Area, Georgetown, while being in company with others, he murdered Chesney.

According to information

FROM PAGE 10

the accused and deceased are known to each other. It is alleged that on the day in question, Chesney made arrangements with the teen to purchase a motorcycle for $100,000.

However, when the GDF rank arrived to conduct the transaction, he was relieved of the cash and shot.

Justice

The mother is demanding justice for both of her children.

“God don’t sleep. He don’t sleep at all, and I have to get justice for both of them. I have to get justice,” she said.

Meanwhile, the 21-yearold biker is presently under Police guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Vossey, a teacher, said she had taught the young man as a child.

The grieving mother said her focus now is on ensuring her other children live to see better days ahead. (Shane Marks)

NEWS

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TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CCJ President disappointed some Caricom countries still using Privy Council

…says this impacts full development of Caribbean jurisprudence

T

he fact remains that almost two decades after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was inaugurated, only four of the 15 Member States of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) – Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and Guyana – have enacted laws to make the Trinidad-based court their final court of appeal. The other countries, including the most populous ones – Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica – continue to have Her Majesty’s Privy Council decide their final appeals.

These two countries were also at the forefront of the establishment of the regional court.

While addressing the Guyana Bar Association’s Annual Bar Dinner on Saturday, President of the CCJ Justice Adrian Saunders said that Guyana wasting no time in acceding to the court’s appellate jurisdiction is a commendable demonstration of faith in the region’s ability to establish a

court and produce Judges that are equal to the task.

He, however, expressed disappointment that the other countries are yet to accept the CCJ as their court of last resort.

Justice Saunders said himself and every CCJ Judge are bombarded with questions from every regional journalist about those countries that have not yet “demonstrated the same faith, or that, for whatever other reason, have not yet acceded to our appellate jurisdiction”.

Among the questions asked by journalists, he disclosed, are: “How do you feel about that, they would ask? Why do the most populous Caricom states still send their final appeals to London? Do you regard that as a snub? Does that hurt the image of the court?”

Addressing this issue, the CCJ President underscored that, “Whether a State chooses to continue having Her Majesty’s Privy Council adjudicate its final appeals is of course a fundamental constitutional ques-

tion for that Government and its people. It is disappointing, however, that any Caribbean country should renege on its treaty responsibilities preferring instead to have British Judges continue to interpret its Constitution and laws”.

While emphasising that this is a choice a country makes, Justice Saunders noted that it is a choice that has “consequences”. He explained that one of the consequences is that this choice deprives people of ordinary means of the ability to avail themselves of a level of access to justice that they could and should enjoy. Another unfortunate consequence, the esteemed Judge highlighted, is that it impacts negatively on the full development of the Caribbean jurisprudence.

Single appellate tier

According to Justice Saunders, the Governments of Guyana, Barbados, Belize, and Dominica “made a wise decision” in accepting

the CCJ as their final court of appeal. Last month, the Government of Saint Lucia signalled its intention to become the fifth Caricom country to have full membership with the CCJ. Its acting Governor General, Cyril Errol Charles, had announced that steps will be taken this year toward breaking ties with the British Privy Council. The Governments of Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda had taken similar steps in the past to sign onto the CCJ. Speaking on this, Justice Saunders said, “… it is only fair also to record the courage, the principle, the conviction of the present Governments and Parliaments of Antigua and Barbuda and especially Grenada. The Independence constitutional arrangements with which these latter two states have been saddled have effectively frustrated their deep desire to do that which I believe is proper and noble”. The CCJ’s President is of the view that the justice system in Guyana did not

“flourish” during the years the country had a single appellate tier.

“I think that, and I say this with great respect, during the years that Guyana had a single appellate tier, the justice system in this country did not flourish as well as it could otherwise have. Unsurprisingly, by the time the CCJ was launched in 2005, the Guyana judicial system had not kept abreast of all the reform initiatives that had swept through much of the region in the ‘90s and early part of this century,” he pointed out. But fast forward to two decades later, he applauded Guyana for having a justice system that is now dynamic, responsive, and innovative.

Progressive Judges

He added that Guyana’s justice system is being led by two “forward-looking and progressive Judges” in the persons of the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette Cummings-

Edwards and the acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC. Commenting on the advancements made in the country’s justice system, he outlined, “The length of time the cases that reach us have been in the system has grown considerably shorter.

So far as I can tell, the judgements are being delivered in a far more timely fashion.

Many cases are disposed of via mediation as they should be. You have a sexual offences court and you also have or will soon have juvenile and drug treatment courts; not long ago new civil procedure rules were introduced under [former] acting Chancellor Carl Singh, and you have embraced the marriage of modern information and communication technology to case management. It is a fact that over the last ten or so years we have been witnessing a series of steady reforms in the administration of justice in this country.

The trajectory is certainly trending in an excellent direction”.

In a healthy democracy,

CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders

Justice Saunders explained that the citizenry must have access to a range of courts and judicial officers, mostly Judges, and Magistrates, to resolve their disputes in a civilised fashion. He explained that an appeal from the Court of Appeal’s judgement to a second appellate tier is warranted and pursued invariably in the hard cases; in cases where the law might be uncertain; where interpretation of the law might admit to two or more rational answers; or in the case where prevailing interpretation of the law is possibly out of step with the ongoing march of an advancing society. The CCJ President further explained that in a healthy democracy, about 10 per cent - 15 per cent of the judgements of the Court

of Appeal are appealed to the apex court and most of these cases might fall into this category where the law is in need of clarification by an apex court or the common law needs to keep pace with the society.

But if access to a second-tier appellate court is compromised, he warned that a country’s jurisprudence is harmed because uncertainties in the law never get authoritatively resolved.

“The country’s jurisprudence is stultified and the gap between law and society widens. The point is that the final court of appeal is best placed to clarify the law and, interstitially, in partnership with the legislature, to close the gap between law and society,” Justice Saunders added.

The CCJ was inaugurated in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on April 16, 2005, and presently has a Bench of seven Judges presided over by CCJ President Justice Saunders.

The CCJ has an Original and an Appellate Jurisdiction and is effectively, therefore, two courts in one. In its Original Jurisdiction, it is an international court with exclusive jurisdiction to interpret and apply the rules set out in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) and to decide disputes arising under it. The RTC established the Caricom and the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME). In its Original Jurisdiction, the CCJ is critical to the CSME and all 12 Member States which belong to the CSME (including their citizens, businesses, and governments) can access the Court’s Original Jurisdiction to protect their rights under the RTC. In its Appellate Jurisdiction, the CCJ is the final court of appeal for criminal and civil matters for Guyana, Barbados, Belize, and Dominica which have altered their Constitutions to enable the CCJ to perform that role. However, by signing and ratifying the Agreement Establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice, Member States of Caricom have demonstrated a commitment to making the CCJ their final court of appeal.

The CCJ said it is the realisation of a vision of our ancestors, an expression of independence, and a signal of the region’s coming of age.

(G1)

16 NEWS Regional engineer admits to certifying works without inspection TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A

n engineer attached to Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) was placed in the hot seat, admitting to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday that he did not measure the works on river defences in Bartica that the overseer presented to him to certify.

The PAC is presently examining the Auditor General’s 2017 and 2018 reports pertaining to the Region Seven Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Regional Executive Officer Kerwin Ward was quizzed on the Auditor General red flagging a $4.7 million contract for river defence at Agatash, Bartica.

Two different valuation amounts were attached to the documents certifying the works done... one in the sum of $2 million and another in the sum of $3.6 million.

Neither of these sums corre-

From left: REO Kerwin Ward; Regional Engineer Selwyn Charles and Regional Health Officer, Dr Edward Sagala

sponded with the payment amount requested by the contractor, only two days after he signed the contract.

Regional Engineer Selwyn Charles was put in the hot seat.

“According to the records,

payments for this contract were made in four parts.

And the payment would have been processed based on valuations pertaining to this amount. I can’t say how it is that for the valuation one and two, these amounts

Knife-wielding bandits rob taxi driver

P

olice have launched an investigation into the robbery which occurred in the vicinity of the Orchid Garden Hotel and Mall as a taxi driver was waiting to pick up a passenger.

Reports are that at about 01:30h, the 47-yearold driver of Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara, had stopped and was awaiting a customer when he was confronted by two men, one of whom was armed with a knife.

It is alleged that the armed suspect placed the knife at the victim’s neck

were (certified),” When pressed by PAC member Juan Edghill whether he certified the valuations, Selwyn Charles had this to say. “Yes sir, to my knowledge, based on the records that the REO provided… the contract was directly managed by the overseer and I would have certified the payments after measured works were presented to process the payments.”

Asked if he went and

did his own measurements, Charles admitted that he did not do so. According to the engineer, he relied on the word of the overseer and supporting staff in order to certify the payments.

This has been a sore issue for some time with the PAC, whereby works were being certified without being measured by the officer signing off on payment vouchers. This is a practice that is a major contributor to overpayments on public projects.

In previous Auditor General reports, issues such as overpayment to contractors and breaches to the country’s financial laws are habitually flagged. These matters usually come up for scrutiny during the PAC meetings.

Additionally, there are prior year matters whereby the AG’s recommendations are at various stages of implementation.

Last year, during the examination of several cases of overpayment at the then Public Security Ministry dating back to 2016, Chairman of the PAC, Jermaine Figueira had urged action against staff who are responsible for such

overpayments, since he noted that the focus is usually on the contractors when it is the Ministry staff who approved the work.

“In light of these revelations FS (Finance Secretary), your office has to do something. Send a circular to that effect. That before these works are signed off, it has to satisfy the scope of works. And if the engineers or clerk of works are responsible for overpayments happening at those agencies, they are the ones that should be sanctioned as well.”

“Because they are responsible for certifying these works as per the contract requirements. Because when the Audit Office go in and their engineers go back and measure the work, they realise that this scope of work wasn’t followed,” Figueira had said.

Finance Secretary Sukrishnalall Pasha had meanwhile indicated that a circular to this effect would be sent out. According to him, such actions are a breach of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA).

(G3)

Agreement inked for schooling of cops at industrial training center while he and his accomplice relieved the driver of a Samsung Galaxy A10 cell phone valued $45,000; one silver band valued $60,000; one gold ring valued $80,000

and one keypad valued $40,000 before making good their escape.

A report was made to the Police and an investigating has been launched. (G2)

Deputy Commissioner “Administration” (ag), Calvin Brutus and GITC Administrator Dexter Cornette signing the agreement (GPF photo)

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n agreement was on Monday signed between the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) which will give cops the opportunity to attend a number of training programmes at the institution.

The agreement was signed

by GITC’s Administrator, Dexter Cornette and Deputy Commissioner “Administration” (ag), Calvin Brutus at the centre’s office at Woolford Avenue and Albert Street, Georgetown.

A release from the Guyana Police Force stated that Certifying Officers Training - which focuses on

delivering in-depth knowledge of international standards of vehicle certification and Heavy-Duty Equipment Operator, are a few of the training opportunities that the agreement will yield.

Prior to the signing of the agreement, Brutus met with executives of the Texila American University at their Providence, East Bank Demerara Campus to formalise arrangements for academic and other tailored training courses relative to policing.

A breakdown of all available programmes was explained to Brutus during a meeting by Texila’s Chief Executive Officer,

Syan Kumar, and Dean of the Campus, Dr Dheeraj Bhansal, several of which were highlighted by Brutus as an area of interest to the GPF. A similar agreement is also expected to be finalised between the GPF and Texila American University. Once completed, it is expected to benefit hundreds of ranks of the GPF. Deputy Commissioner Brutus was accompanied

by Force Training Officer, Superintendent Keithon King; Head of the Strategic Planning Unit, W/Assistant Superintendent Nicola Kendall; and Police Legal Advisor Mandel Moore.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Free breakfast for school children in Regions 5, 6

GOGEC discusses investment opportunities with DY Patil Group and trade mission

President Dr Irfaan Ali shares a photo with a family while in Berbice on Monday

India’s High Commission to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa (left) along with Ashoka Director Ashish Kataria; GOGEC President Manniram Prashad; Chairman of DY Patil Group, Dr Ajeenkya DY Patil; DY Patil Group’s Shivdutt Das and businessman Gautam Thani

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that the Government is working on launching a school feeding programme before the end of the year that will see vulnerable school children benefitting from free breakfast.

The initiative will benefit students in Regions Five and Six. The President made this announcement during his Cabinet outreach to Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on Monday.

The aim of the programme, according to the Head of State, is to ensure that children in the regions have proper nourishments that will promote learning.

He said that along with promoting education and health, the initiative will

bring tens of millions of dollars in investment to the region.

“These are the real programmes and policies.

These are not fantasies.

These are not illusions, these are fundamental policies and programmes that the Government is bringing to the children,” the Head of State is quoted as saying in a release from the Press and Publicity Unit with the Office of the President.

The President also announced that the Government intends to ensure that textbooks are provided to all secondary school students in 2022.

“I’m committing to you now that the resources to provide the textbooks for the children in the secondary schools will be available

this year.”

Ali said that some $108 million has already been spent on the provision of textbooks for students in the region.

He reminded the residents also that tens of thousands of children have benefitted from other initiatives.

The Government has spent over $700 million in the region on the uniform allowance and the “Because We Care” cash grant.

“And imagine we still have to get up to $50,000 per child before the end of this [presidential] term, so that will almost triple in three years. That is the type of investment the Government is making to the children, to women and vulnerable groups.”

T

he President of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber, Manniram Prashad met with Dr Ajeenkya DY Patil and Shivdutt Das of the DY Patil Group along with the Director of Ashoka Buildcon Limited, Ashish Kataria on Monday.

According to GOGEC, the areas discussed included investment opportunities in various service sectors such as port facilities, gas-to-shore, oil refineries, Block C offshore concession, healthcare business, and other general investments in Guyana.

India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K J Srinivasa was also present at the meeting

Crime Chief attends AMERIPOL Conference in Colombia

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uyana’s Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum attended the XIII Conference of AMERIPOL and Council of Directors of the Community of Police of the Americas, which was held on the April 7 and 8, 2022, in Barranquilla, Colombia.

AMERIPOL is an internationally integrated organisation whose purpose is to promote and strengthen Police cooperation in scientific and technical training, as well as to streamline the sharing of information utilised for intelligence purposes.

The organisation aims to coordinate and enhance efforts in criminal investigations and increase judicial assistance between the Police and its counterparts in America.

Further, during the voting process, the International Red Cross Committee was elected and welcomed as the newest observer agency to AMERIPOL.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum meets with the President of the Republic of Columbia, Ivan Duque Marquez at the AMERIPOL Conference

which was held at GOGEC’s headquarters, Middle Street, Georgetown.

Prashad had met with the chairman of the DY Patil Group, Dr Ajeenkya, when he visited Dubai in October last year for the expo, and these are follow-up discussions about investment opportunities.

The DY Patil Group is

one of the largest groups established in 1983 with its activities focused on education, healthcare, agriculture, and sports. The group has over 180 institutes of learning in three universities based out of the cities of Navi Mumbai, Pune, and Kolhapur in India. They also operate three medical colleges and hospitals.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022

Regional

Chile announces unprecedented Mexican President takes aim at electoral water rationing plan as body after winning vote on his rule drought enters 13th year

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A

s a punishing, record-breaking drought enters its 13th year, Chile on Monday announced an unprecedented plan to ration water for the capital of Santiago, a city of nearly six million.

“A city can’t live without water,” Claudio Orrego, the Governor of the Santiago metropolitan region, said in a press conference. “And we’re in an unprecedented situation in Santiago’s 491-year history where we have to prepare for there to not be enough water for everyone who lives here.”

The plan features a four-tier alert system that goes from green to red and starts with public service announcements, moves onto restricting water pressure and ends with rotating water cuts of up to 24 hours for about 1.7 million customers.

The alert system is based off the capacity of the Maipo and Mapocho Rivers that

A drop of water is seen falling on a plant in a farm in Casablanca, on the outskirts of Valparaiso, Chile, September 16, 2019 (file photo)

supply the capital with most of its water and have seen dwindling water levels as the drought drags on.

The Government estimates that the country’s water availability has dropped 10 per cent to 37 per cent over the last 30 years and could drop another 50 per cent in northern and central Chile by 2060.

The water deficit in the rivers, measured in liters per second, will determine if cuts

will take place every 12, six or four days. In each case, a different area would face water cuts each day.

“This is the first time in history that Santiago has a water rationing plan due to the severity of climate change,” Orrego said. “It’s important for citizens to understand that climate change is here to stay. It’s not just global, it’s local.”

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil invites EU for the 1st time to observe its national election

Brazil’s top election authority, the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE), told Reuters on Monday it has invited the European Union for the first time to observe its general elections this year when President Jair Bolsonaro will seek re-election.

Bolsonaro has questioned the validity of Brazil’s electronic voting system and made baseless allegations of fraud in the 2018 race, stirring concerns that he may not accept the results of the October election.

Recent opinion surveys show the far-right President trailing well behind leftist

former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

European Commission Vice President Josep Borrell, who handles EU foreign policy, replied last month thanking the TSE for the invitation, saying he had to consult the bloc’s 27 member states and the European Parliament, a person with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

That source and another, who requested anonymity to discuss diplomatic deliberations, said the EU plans to send a mission to Brazil in May to assess the viability of being an official observer for the October General Election.

The EU embassy in

Brasilia declined to comment.

Bolsonaro’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The TSE told Reuters it has invited other international groups and institutions to set up election observation missions, including the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Carter Center, the Parliament of South American trade bloc Mercosur and the Washington-based International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

The electoral authority said the invitations were still being negotiated. (Excerpt from Reuters)

exican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday celebrated a landslide win in a referendum on his leadership which he himself called, and accused the electoral authorities of trying to undermine the vote amid a very low turnout.

Nearly 92 per cent of voters backed Lopez Obrador to stay in office in Mexico’s first-ever recall election, which he said was a vital confirmation of his democratic mandate.

But turnout in Sunday’s vote was close to 18 per cent of registered voters, the National Electoral Institute (INE) said, well below a threshold of 40 per

cent for the result to be binding.

Lopez Obrador called the vote a “total success,” describing participation levels across Mexico as proof of widespread support despite what he described as attempts by the INE to stymie the referendum, which it has repeatedly denied.

The President has frequently clashed with the INE, and in recent weeks accused the institute of siding with his critics who widely discouraged supporters from voting.

Last month, Lopez Obrador said he would send a proposal to Congress aimed at letting citizens elect electoral au-

thorities, sparking concerns the move could presage a power grab.

“The INE’s attitude is very unfortunate ... a paradox, that the ones who should be promoting democracy are acting un-democratically,” he told a news conference.

He added that the vote went smoothly in spite of “deceit and boycott from the INE”.

Despite both critics and supporters alike viewing Lopez Obrador’s victory as a foregone conclusion, the overwhelming vote of support underlines his domination of a polarised political agenda in Mexico.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Antigua’s PM tests positive for COVID-19

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rime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed that he has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) ,but that he is “feeling fine” and has little nasal congestion.

Browne becomes the latest Caribbean Community (Caricom) leader to test positive for the virus that has killed and infected thousands of people in the Caribbean since March 2020.

The other leaders include Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley; Belize’s John Briceno and St Lucia’s Prime Minister, Phillip J Pierre.

Browne, speaking on his radio programme, told listeners that “notwithstanding the fact that I tested positive for COVID . . . I’m doing fine”.

“I’m taking decongestants but, other than that, I think I’m doing well.”

The Prime Minister said he was fully vaccinated and

Prime Minister Gaston Browne

used the occasion to urge members of the population to get vaccinated against the virus that has been blamed for 135 deaths and 7511 infections in the country.

Browne said that he understood that he would always be at high risk of contracting the virus being a public figure.

“So, the job is such [that] I’m always exposed, which is why I took the opportunity to get vaccinated quickly. Other than this, I’m in good health.

My oxygen levels [are] fine.

I’m feeling well; I don’t have any loss of appetite, no loss of taste. No fever. No headaches. So, I’m doing good,” said Browne. (CMC)

St Vincent Parliament approves T&T born appointed President and Vice amendment to Marriage Act Chancellor of Canadian university

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he St Augustine Campus Community has announced the appointment of an honours graduate of its campus, Trinidad and Tobago-born Dr Rhonda McEwen as President and Vice Chancellor of Victoria University in the University of Toronto.

According to a release from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Dr McEwen begins her five-year tenure on July 1, 2022.

“She will be the 14th President and Vice Chancellor of one of Canada’s oldest universities when her five-year tenure begins on July 1, 2022,” the release said.

Dr McEwen completed her Bachelor of Science degree, with First Class Honours, in sociology and management at the University of West Indies, St. Augustine (UWI)

Dr Rhonda McEwen

and went on to obtain an MBA in IT from City, University of London, England; an MSc in Telecommunications from the University of Colorado; and a PhD in Information from University of Toronto.

“Graduates of the University of the West Indies can be found across the world and at the highest levels in ac-

ademia and the professions.

Dr McEwen’s success at our campus foretold the great things to come. On behalf of the St Augustine Campus, I congratulate her on the latest in her many successes”, said Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal Professor Brian Copeland. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

he St Vincent and the Grenadines Parliament has given the green light to amending the Marriage Act as Government moves to take advantage of a growing market for wedding destinations.

Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves told legislators that his Administration had moved to amend the Marriage Act to make it possible for people to tie the knot after being in the destination for just one day, joining Caribbean destinations like St Lucia, Antigua, and Grenada.

“Compared to several other countries, we make this matter far too difficult,” Dr Gonsalves said.

“There is too much centralisation in the city of Kingstown and with the Registrar General and the number of days required are just too many for many persons prior to entering into marriage”.

Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves

Dr Gonsalves said that if the island was to take advantage of a growing market for destination weddings, it was important that the Government put the institutional arrangements in place.

“The hoteliers, the Ministry of Tourism, the Tourism Authority have been calling for some changes and

we have made some, and the small ones, on the face of it which we are doing today to the regulations, are important and there may well be others,” Dr Gonsalves said. He added that by and large, the amendment would not impact “on Vincentians, generally speaking, who want to get married”.

(Excerpt from CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil dives 4%, below US$100 on China lockdowns, reserves release plan

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il prices fell about 4 per cent on Monday, with Brent crude tumbling below US$100 a barrel on worries that the COVID-19 pandemic will cut demand in China and as International Energy Agency (IEA) countries plan to release record volumes of oil from strategic stocks.

Austrian leader has “open and tough” talks with Putin in Russia

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ustrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer held "very direct, open and tough" talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin near Moscow on Monday, in Putin's first meeting with a European Union leader since the invasion of Ukraine started more than six weeks ago.

Neutral Austria, which obtains 80 per cent of its natural gas from Russia, generally maintains closer ties to Moscow than much of the European Union but that has not been the case recently.

Nehammer has expressed solidarity with Ukraine and denounced apparent Russian war crimes, while his

Austrian Chancellor Nehammer

Karl

Government has joined other EU countries in expelling Russian diplomats, albeit only a fraction of the large Russian diplomatic presence there.

"This is not a friendly visit," Nehammer was quoted as saying in a statement is-

sued by his office shortly after the meeting at Putin's official Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow. A Nehammer spokesman said the meeting lasted 75 minutes, which is relatively short by Putin's standards.

Nehammer repeated previous comments that he had hoped to help bring an end to the conflict or improvements for Ukraine's beleaguered civilian population such as humanitarian corridors. He gave little away about Putin's response.

"The conversation with President Putin was very direct, open and tough," Nehammer said in the state-

ment.

Having been visibly moved by telephone conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Nehammer visited Ukraine on Saturday to show support for Kyiv. He said he felt meeting Putin was his duty so as to "leave no stone unturned" in seeking an end to the conflict or humanitarian improvements.

"My most important message to Putin was that this war must finally end, because in a war there are only losers on both sides," he said in the statement. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Biden to Modi: Buying more Russian oil is not in India's interest

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US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) closed at its lowest since Feb 25, the day after Russian forces invaded Ukraine, an action Moscow calls a "special military operation."

Brent futures fell US$4.30, or 4.2 per cent, to settle at US$98.48 a barrel, while WTI crude fell US$3.97, or 4.0 per cent, to settle at US$94.29. It was the lowest close for Brent since March 16.

Fuel consumption in China, the world's biggest oil importer, has stalled with COVID-19 lockdowns in Shanghai, analysts at the Eurasia Group consultancy said. Shanghai, China's financial centre, started easing lockdowns in some areas on Monday despite reporting a record of more than 25,000 new COVID-19 infections.

"Even when the restrictions in Shanghai are lifted, China's zero-COVID policies will likely remain a drag on demand," Eurasia Group said, noting Shanghai lockdowns likely reduced China's overall oil consumption by up to 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd).

To help offset a shortfall in Russian crude after Moscow was hit with sanctions, IEA member nations, including the United States, will release 240 million barrels of oil over the next six months.

The release of Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) volumes equals 1.3 million bpd over the next six months, enough to offset a shortfall of 1 million bpd of Russian oil supply, analysts at JP Morgan said.

"The (SPR) release will be the largest of all time, and has already broken the back of the WTI price curve," said Robert Yawger, executive director of energy futures at Mizuho, noting the spreads were sliding toward contango.

Contango signals an oversupplied market. It is when prices for later-dated months are higher than the front-month.

In contrast, when concerns about supply shortages were high in early March, the WTI curve was in what Yawger called "superbackwardation" with each month at least US$1 a barrel below the prior month through November 2023.

Adding pressure to crude prices, the US dollar was on track to strengthen for an eighth straight day against a basket of other currencies. A stronger dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies.

In a move that could tighten global oil supplies, the European Union's (EU) executive is drafting proposals for an embargo of Russian oil, although there was still no agreement to ban Russian crude.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) told the EU that sanctions on Russia could create one of the worst-ever oil supply shocks and it would be impossible to replace those volumes. OPEC signalled it would not pump more oil.

US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks on Monday as Washington pushed its Asian ally to support its response to Russia's invasion.

India, the world's third-biggest oil importer, has increased purchases of Russian crude in recent months because Moscow has been forced to sell its oil at a steep discount since invading Ukraine.

Fuel demand in India rose to a three-year high in March, with petrol sales hitting an all-time peak. (Excerpt from Reuters)

resident Joe Biden told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that buying more oil from Russia was not in India's interest and could hamper the US response to the war in Ukraine, US officials said.

Starting an hour-long video call US officials described as "warm" and "candid," Biden and Modi both publicly expressed growing alarm at the destruction inside Ukraine, especially in Bucha, where many civilians have been killed.

Biden stopped short of making a "concrete ask" of Modi on Monday, an official said, noting India has concerns about deepening ties between Russia and China.

But he told Modi India's

position in the world would not be enhanced by relying on Russian energy sources, US officials said.

"The President conveyed very clearly that it is not in their interest to increase that," said White House spokesperson Jen Psaki.

Broad talks between the world's two largest democracies took place as the United States seeks more help from India in condemning, and applying economic pressure on, Russia for an invasion Moscow calls a "special military operation."

"Recently, the news of the killings of innocent civilians in the city of Bucha was very worrying," Modi said during a brief portion of the meeting open to reporters. "We immediately condemned it

US President Joe Biden, seated with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin; India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, holds a videoconference with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss Russia's war with Ukraine from the White House in Washington, US, April 11, 2022

and have asked for an independent probe."

Modi also said he had suggested in recent conversations with Russia that President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hold direct talks.

The South Asian nation has tried to balance its ties with Russia and the West but unlike other members of the Quad countries - the United States, Japan and Australia - it has not imposed sanctions on Russia.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Sri Lanka doctors warn of “catastrophic Shanghai eases lockdown deaths” amid shortages in some areas despite record COVID infections

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octors in Sri Lanka have warned that a catastrophic number of people could die as the crisis-hit country’s healthcare system teeters on the edge of collapse amid crippling power cuts and shortages of life-saving medications.

Drugs to treat heart attacks and tubes to help newborn babies breathe are in short supply nationwide, officials and health workers said, while blackouts are forcing doctors in rural Sri Lanka to stitch wounds and treat snakebites in the dark.

The situation is so dire that several hospitals have suspended routine surgeries and greatly reduced the number of laboratory tests, according to internal documents, forcing doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers to take to the streets in protest.

Some have also backed a growing protest movement that has been calling for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation.

“All Sri Lankan hospitals are on the verge of collapse,” said Dr Senal Fernando, secretary at the Government Medical Officers Association.

“The situation will deteriorate in the next two weeks and people will start dying if action is not taken now.”

Any patient deaths due to drug shortages could result in “riots at the hospitals”, he warned, adding that the Government has failed to acknowledge or be transparent about the severity of the crisis.

“The Government doesn’t care. They don’t tell the people anything.”

Sri Lanka, an island nation of 22 million people, is grappling with its worst financial crisis in decades. An economy battered by the COVID-19 pandemic has been pushed to the brink of meltdown, partly due to the Rajapaksa Government dipping into the country’s foreign reserve to pay off its debts. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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hina's financial centre of Shanghai started easing its lockdown in some areas on Monday despite reporting a record of more than 25,000 new COVID-19 infections, as authorities sought to get the city moving again after more than two weeks.

Pressure has been mounting on authorities in China's most populous city, and one of its wealthiest, from residents growing increasingly frustrated as the curbs dragged on, leaving some struggling to find enough food and medicine.

City officials announced on Monday morning that they were grouping residential units into three risk categories as a step towards allowing "appropriate activity" by those in neighbourhoods with no positive cases during a two-week stretch, adding that district author-

ities would publish further details.

While videos published by local media showed that most residents in areas earmarked for easing were still locked in and waiting to be notified of next steps by their neighbourhood committees, they also showed some people trickling out from their homes onto the streets.

The step provides some relief for many cooped up for more than three weeks in the battle against China's biggest outbreak since the coronavirus was first found in central Wuhan in late 2019.

City official Gu Honghui said Shanghai was divided into 7624 areas that were still sealed off, with a group of 2460 now subject to "controls" after a week of no new infections, and 7565 "prevention areas" to be opened after two weeks without a positive case. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Follow through with your intentions.

Don't let anyone push you in a direction you don't care to go. Follow your instincts and your heart, and take charge.

It's up to you to pursue your goals.

(March 21-April 19) Take the initiative to get things done.

Don't wait for someone to make a move.

Step up and take charge. Your independence and leadership qualities will help you get things done and get ahead. Set high standards and expectations.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

Make your point heard. Be direct about what you want and why. Set guidelines and boundaries, and stick to your plan. You don't have to keep up with anyone. The only person you must please is yourself.

Offer exciting suggestions. Make a difference to something that matters to you. Update your look or qualifications, and it will help you convince others that you are ready for a new challenge.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Common sense will pay off. Put more thought into how you handle your finances. Use charm and finesse, and you will make an impression on someone influential. Budget wisely.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Listen carefully and respond with clarity. A good connection with someone who shares your sentiments will give you the courage to pursue your goal. Share your vision and your experiences.

Do it yourself if you want something done. Make use of your time and talent, and you'll reach your destination. A reward will give you the incentive to pick up the pace.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Tweak your space at work or home to make it more convenient. Don't begrudge yourself something that brings you joy or peace of mind. Refuse to let anyone dump others' responsibilities onto you.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Take better care of your health and well-being. Don't take a risk or let someone put you in a vulnerable position.

Stay on top of your expenses. When pushed, push back.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Say what's on your mind, but be ready to back your claims. Attitude will play a role in how well you do and whom you impress. Use common sense and charm, and be willing to compromise.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Do your homework. Preparation is essential if you want to avoid being railroaded. Show compassion and offer suggestions.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Leave nothing to chance or unfinished. When it comes to delivering on your promises, accuracy and promptness are the best ways to gain respect.

Romance is on the rise.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022

21

Williamson, Pooran help Sunrisers hand Titans their first defeat A

fter starting the season with successive defeats, Sunrisers Hyderabad have turned it around with back-to-back victories. Two days after swamping Chennai Super Kings, Sunrisers' attack turned up once again, this time to consign Gujarat Titans to their first loss. It was T Natarajan, who led the way for Sunrisers, first striking in the powerplay and then regularly pinging the blockhole in the death, to limit Titans to 162 for 7, despite Hardik Pandya's unbeaten half-century.

Titans would've ended with fewer runs if not for 20 wides, 10 of which came in the first over bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Titans' total, however, looked bigger when Kane Williamson struggled to get out of first gear in the chase, and when Rahul Tripathi retired hurt on 17 off 11 balls.

Williamson ultimately hit a higher gear, against his New Zealand team-mate Lockie Ferguson, and notched up a 42-ball fifty. Williamson holed out for 57 off 46 balls, with Sunrisers needing 34 off 23 balls, but Nicholas Pooran closed out the game with a flurry of boundaries along with Aiden Markram.

SRH's seamers make early inroads

After leaking 17 runs in an uncharacteristic opening

pace and bounce of Ferguson to his advantage, picking him off for four fours in his first over that cost Titans 17 runs.

Then, when

Ferguson returned to t h e attack for the 11th over, Abishek had fallen to Rashid and Williamson was stuck again.

Williamson, Pooran do the job for SRH

Hardik Pandaya scored 50 and bagged 1-27

over, Bhuvneshwar tightened up in his second, having Shubman Gill caught at short cover, where Tripathi pulled off a blinding one-handed catch. B Sai Sudharshan, who impressed with 35 on debut, against Punjab Kings, made another solid start, but Natarajan cut his innings short at 11 in the sixth over, when he found sharp extra bounce.

Matthew Wade laboured to a run-a-ball 19 before Umran Malik rushed him for pace and pinned him lbw. In four innings so far, Wade has managed 56 runs at an overall strike-rate of less than 100.

Pandya's slowdown

Pandya dashed out of the blocks, with a second-ball four, off Natarajan. Malik then pinged Pandya on the grille of his helmet with a searing lifter, but Pandya immediately shook it off with backto-back fours, the first being an eye-catching high-elbowed drive through extra-cover.

And when Pandya launched Markram over midwicket, he brought up his 100th six in the Indian Premier League (IPL). After zipping away to 22 off 14 balls, Pandya slowed down, managing only 28 off his last 28 balls. The variations of Natarajan and the accuracy of Washington

Angel’s quick-fire century propels Raptors to comfortable win

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he action continued in the EBCA/ SD Investment T20 Competition 2022 which saw Continental Park Raptors duking it out with Uprising at Queen’s College Ground. The high-scoring match-up saw centuries being scored for both teams; however, it was Shamal Angel’s belligerent 47-ball 103 that took Continental Park Raptors over the line.

The Raptors won the toss and decided to bowl.

Uprising made 202-5 in 20 overs, as the pitch proved to be a batsman’s paradise, Uprising made good use and played classy cricket, racking up the mammoth total. Shakiel Wong with 112 in 72 balls (13x6, 4x4) led the charge, aiding Wong was Ryan Shun with 50 in 43 balls (2x6, 5x4). Leading the bowling for the Raptors was Kevin Ross (2-24).

In reply, the Raptors ended on 205-4 in 16.4

Sundar, who bowled only three overs, in particular, shut down Pandya.

Abhinav rides his luck

Once he walked in, Abhinav Manohar threw his bat at the ball and carved a pair of fours off Malik – both off the outside edge. He then top-edged Bhuvneshwar for four and similarly miscued Natarajan to long-off, where Markram dropped a sitter.

Abhinav was on 21 at that point; he got two more lives on 32 and 33 before Tripathi finally caught one in the outfield, off Bhuvneshwar.

Hello again, yorker king

A recurrence of a knee injury and COVID-19 ravaged Natarajan's stint in IPL 2021, but this season he has already shown enough signs that he's back to his best. He tucked up David Miller with hard lengths and even surprised him with a bouncer.

Later in the death, he let rip his trademark yorkers, conceding just seven runs off the last over of the innings.

Fittingly, he finished Titans' innings with a yorker that castled Rashid Khan for a duck.

Nobody has bowled more yorkers than Natarajan's 15 this season. And nobody has more wickets at the death than Natarajan's five.

Sunrisers' go-slow

Alvin Mohabir supported with 52

Shamal Angel blasted 103* in 47 balls

overs; while 203 for the win was a competitive total, the Raptors made light work of the total as they dispatched their opponents’ bowling to every part of the Queen’s College ground. The star of the day was none other than Angel with 103*in 47

balls (7x6, 10x4); he was ably supported by Alvin Mohabir with 52 in 32 balls (2x6, 6x4) and Stephen Alves with 16* in 8 balls (2x6).

The Continental Park Raptors won by six wickets.

After being on 46 off 41 balls, Williamson found the release when he jumped across off and scooped

fered a hiccup when Williamson flapped an offcutter from Pandya to long-on, but Pooran teed off to seal the deal.

After Ferguson dropped a difficult return catch to reprieve him on 11, he shanked two sixes and two fours to ensure that Sunrisers didn't miss Tripathi.

Sunrisers, however, might

Sunrisers had a quiet start to their chase, scrounging 11 from the first four overs. Williamson could've been dismissed in the first over had Pandya reviewed the lbw shout that was deemed not-out on the field.

Williamson and Abhishek Sharma then flicked on the intent switch, hitting 31 off the last two overs of the powerplay.

Abhishek used the

Nicholas Pooran ended the game on 34 off 18

Ferguson over short fine leg for six. He crunched the next legal delivery from Ferguson for four to celebrate his fifty in style. Sunrisers then suf-

be fretting over the fitness of Washington, who had his right wrist strapped in the dugout. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD GUJARAT TITANS INNINGS (20 overs maximum) Matthew Wade †lbw b Umran Malik 19 Shubman Gill c Tripathi b Kumar 7 Sai Sudharsan c Williamson b Natarajan 11 Hardik Pandya (c) not out 50 David Miller c Abhishek Sharma b Jansen 12 Abhinav Manohar c Tripathi b Kumar 35 Rahul Tewatia run out (†Pooran/Natarajan) 6 Rashid Khan b Natarajan 0 Extras(lb 2, w 20) 22 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.10) 162/7 Did not bat: Darshan Nalkande, Mohammed Shami, Lockie Ferguson Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Shubman Gill, 2.2 ov), 2-47 (Sai Sudharsan, 5.4 ov), 3-64 (Matthew Wade, 7.6 ov), 4-104 (David Miller, 13.3 ov), 5-154 (Abhinav Manohar, 18.5 ov), 6-161 (Rahul Tewatia, 19.4 ov), 7-162 (Rashid Khan, 19.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-0-37-2 Marco Jansen 4-0-27-1 Washington Sundar 3-0-14-0 T Natarajan 4-0-34-2 Umran Malik 4-0-39-1 Aiden Markram 1-0-9-0

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD INNINGS (Target: 163 runs from 20 overs) Abhishek Sharma c Sai Sudharsan b Rashid Khan 42 Kane Williamson (c) c Tewatia b Pandya 57 Rahul Tripathi retired hurt 17 Nicholas Pooran † not out 34 Aiden Markram not out 12 Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 3) 6 TOTAL 19.1 Ov (RR: 8.76) 168/2 Did not bat: Shashank Singh, Washington Sundar, Marco Jansen, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Umran Malik Fall of wickets: 1-64 (Abhishek Sharma, 8.5 ov), 1-104* (Rahul Tripathi, retired hurt), 2-129 (Kane Williamson, 16.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohammed Shami 4-0-32-0 Hardik Pandya 4-0-27-1 Lockie Ferguson 4-0-46-0 Rashid Khan 4-0-28-1 Darshan Nalkande 2.1-0-22-0 Rahul Tewatia 1-0-10-0

22

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ethan Lee, Rajiv Lee, Ricardo Narine take lead in Junior Chess Qualifiers D

ay two of the fourday National Junior Chess Championship Qualifiers, sponsored by Beep Products and DeSinco Ltd, ended with Ethan Lee, Rajiv Lee, and Ricardo Narine taking the top three spots as they work to ensure their places in the National Junior Championship.

All three remain unbeaten for the first four games of the tournament. Ethan Lee faced off against Kyle Couchman in an exhausting four-hour struggle for dominance in the final round yesterday. Solid play from both

Julion Lord and Jasmine Simpson

Prashad storms to victory in Trophy Stall Golf Classic

I

n somewhat predictable fashion, Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) Captain Patrick Prashad finished two shots clear of the second- and third-place finishers in Saturday’s Trophy Stall golf classic played at the historic Club.

Prashad’s handling of the very fast greens is legendary at the LGC; his ability to play a classic bump and run shot is what separated him and made him the favourite going in and he did not disappoint. He played smart golf, leaving his lay-up shots in the right positions to attract the hole. Prashad was the only golfer in the field to finish at level par70. The course got the better of everyone else who all went over their course handicaps.

The winners’ row comprised: Prashad (HC 10, Gross 80, Net 70); 2nd – Satrohan Tiwari (HC 12, Gross 84, Net 72); 3rd – Guillermo Escarraga (HC 20, Gross 92, Net 72); 4th – Kassim Khan (HC 5, Gross 78, Net 73) and 5th – Miguel Oviedo (HC 19,

The winners’ row

Gross 92, Net 73). Consolation prizes were awarded to Mike Gayadin with a best net front-9, Mahesh Shivraj for a best net back-9, Rohan Albert for the longest drive and Parmanand “Max” Persaud for nearest to the flag.

The trophy presentation

was one filled with praise for the Club Captain for his stellar performance on a challenging day along with much praise for leading sponsor Trophy Stall.

Trophy Stall is the leading seller of a massive variety of trophies and sporting memorabilia in Guyana and more recently, at a new store in the borough of Queens, New York. Trophy Stall hosted this tourney as the first of two golf tournaments to celebrate this milestone.

players led to an opportunistic position for both sides, yet Ethan squeezed a tiny advantage from Couchman as the endgame began. That tiny advantage led the way through a tough and gruelling endgame that took the remaining two hours. Both players' time had elapsed and they were now playing on the 30-second per move increment. Couchman held out defiantly, attempting to escape with a draw, but Ethan converted the position to a win with seconds on both players' clocks. Ethan racked up his other wins against Landon Mohabir, Kishan Puran, and Tejasvarun Kandavel in the first three rounds.

Ricardo Narine was paired against his former schoolmate, Queen's College's Raveon Adonis in roundfour4.

Explosive positions filled with tactics erupted from the very beginning, as the two players fought for an edge against each other. Interesting play from both sides led to even more interesting positions, as one mistake would spell disaster for the player. Alas, Adonis succumbed to the complexity of the position at its peak, allowing Narine to finish the game victoriously with cruel efficiency.

Narine won his other points against Javier Davenand, Morven Barran and Anasie Fredericks. Rajiv Lee and Jessica Callender took a different approach than the other players in round four yesterday, as the positional dance for dominance began right after the opening.

Adelia Seckle and Udhyam Lekhraj

This game was not won with brute calculation and prediction, but with experienced precision. The two traded into an endgame where Rajiv simply had a better position than Callender, while being up no material. Callender held out valiantly, but the dance ended with Rajiv winning enough material because of his position to claim victory. Additionally, Rajiv defeated Jacob McDonald, Udhyam Lekhraj, and Justin Goberdhan.

On the distaff side, Pooja Lam and Sasha Shariff would have been unbeaten for the first four games and be right up there with the boys, except that the fourth game saw them matched against each other, and ended in a draw.

They each amassed 3.5 points.

Rounds 5 and 6 take place today at the Guyana National Stadium Providence. Board one features a highly-anticipated game between Ethan Lee and Rajiv Lee; these two

Omar McLeod wins 110m hurdles opener at Hurricane NHFS supports Magnum Futsal Tournament Alumni Invitational

veterans of national and international events are sure to put on quite a show. Almost 70 junior chess players are competing in the DeSinco-sponsored tournament from across five regions. Heading into the last few games of the tournament, with so many strong players still to take their shot at the top boards, it’s impossible to guess which 10 players will be facing off for the national title next weekend.

The final round will be played today at 09:30h and an award ceremony will be held at the playing venue at 13:00h.

Boards 1 to 6 will be continued to stream live on guyanachess.org and YouTube commencing at 09:30h and at 14:00h each day.

CLASSIFIED ADS ACCOMMODATIONS Aracari Hotel, West Bank Demerara (Versailles – between Harbor Bridge and Vreed-en-Hoop) – AirConditioned Comfort. Amenities include TV, Restaurant, Bar, Swimming Pool, Gym. Free Parking, Free WiFi. Spend 7 nights and get 1 Free. Rates from $45 US. Breakfast included. Long term rates available. Phone: 264-2946-9. www. aracariresort.com

BUS SERVICE Need a bus? Call Us. Matthews Bus Service and Tours. Call: 6392663/673-2348.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Restaurant for Rent – West Bank Demerara (at Aracari Resort, Versailles – between Harbor Bridge and Vreed-en-Hoop). Turn Key Business. Covid-19 Reduced Capacity 60; furnished and equipped.

Phone 264-2946; 626-5290

NHFS representative Kamari John (extreme right) hands over a cheque to organisers Edison Jefford (extreme left) and Esan Griffith (second right) during a simple handing-over ceremony at NHFS headquarters on Croal Street

N

igel Hinds Financial Services (NHFS) continued its usual support of sport by donating an undisclosed sum of money to the organisers of the Magnum Futsal Tournament who confirmed its kick-off date as Easter Monday.

The Magnum-sponsored tournament will make its long-anticipated return to the futsal arena after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, with the organisers confirming the

kick-off date, NHFS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nigel Hinds had immediately jumped onboard with the event, noting that he was “happy” to see the return of one of the most exciting tournaments in futsal.

Tournament organiser Edison Jefford thanked Hinds for his contribution to the tournament, guaranteeing another exciting and endearing finals come May. “We are happy that NHFS came onboard; when persons understand the importance

of grassroots sports, it only contributes to development and Nigel understands the need for development.

“This tournament will be major because we know the players have been longing for its return and we are just happy to provide the players with a platform to showcase their skill and ability,” Jefford stated at the simple handingover ceremony.

Teams have already been confirmed for the tournament with action set to kick off at 19:00h on April 18.

J

amaican Olympic and World 110m hurdles gold medallist Omar McLeod opened his 2022 outdoor season with a 13.27 effort to win at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational at the University of Miami Cobb Stadium in Coral Gables, Florida on Saturday.

McLeod easily won the race ahead of Americans Nicholas Anderson (13.52) and Zaza Wellington (13.69).

Andre Ewers, who represented Jamaica in the 200m at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, won the Men’s 100m in

ENTERTAINMENT

10.30 ahead of Spencer Schmidt (10.33) and Damarcus Simpson (10.36).

Trinidad’s Asa Guevara narrowly missed out on a win in the 200m running 20.70 to finish behind Great Britain's 400m specialist Matthew Hudson-Smith (20.68). Jamaica’s Nathon Allen was third in 20.88.

Lloydrecia Cameron threw 17.78m for second place in the women’s shot put behind Oklahoma’s Payden Montana (17.88m).

Miami’s Hannah Hall was third with 17.01m.

(Sportsmax)

Swimming Pool Family Fun & Picnic – Crystal Clear Pool. Kids and Adult Sections. Very Safe. Aracari Resort : West Bank Demerara (Versailles, between Harbor Bridge and Vreeden-Hoop)- Every Weekend. DJ Music.

Groups and Excursions welcome.

(Fee applies)- Phone: 264-2946-9.

TOUR (EASTER WEEKEND) Easter Weekend trip to Suriname, April 14th – 17th. Call: 6392663/673-2348.

TOUR (INDEPENDENCE WEEKEND) Independence Weekend, May 26th – 29th. Call: 639-2663/673-2348.

VACANCY Vacancy exists for one security guard contact 655-6511.

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Lady Jags battle with Trinidad for CONCACAF Championship spot today O

n Friday last, Guyana’s senior women’s national team played to a draw in what could have been considered a must-win game against Nicaragua. While the draw puts Nicaragua in an impossible position to advance in the CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers tournament, it also puts Trinidad and Tobago in the driver’s seat in Group F. Now, nothing less than a victory against the twin-island republic is required for Guyana to be the lone team from Group F to advance to the CONCACAF Women’s Championships later this year. While the task may seem difficult, it is something the Coach and players think they can pull off.

Reflecting on last Friday’s result against Nicaragua, Captain Kayla De Souza and Coach Dr Ivan Joseph described the mood in the camp.

“I think anybody would like to come out with three points, but I think we took a lot of positives from the [Nicaragua] game and we recognised it may not have been the result that we wanted to keep us at the top of the group, but again, just taking those positives and how can we bounce back from that and learn from the positives as well as the negatives,” De

Kayla De Souza

Souza shared during a virtual press briefing from Tobago on Monday morning.

On the other hand, Dr Joseph indicated, “The goal didn’t change and our objective didn’t change. We wanted to be in a position to compete for the Championship and we’ve done exactly that.

We’ve played solid defensively; we haven’t allowed a single goal, no other team in this conference or in this group can say that. And so, now, we put all those things together and you know, I’m extremely confident in our young ladies.

“I think they’re wellprepared. I think they’re going to develop and put forth an

exciting, attacking game that will hopefully see us on the other side of victory,” the Lady Jags Head Coach added.

Coach Joseph even went one step further to accept accountability for the stalemate against Nicaragua, expressing that much more could have been done to secure three points in the home game.

“I think that I needed to make sure that I provided a lot more clarity and purpose in my messaging and make sure that I was much more effective in making sure our game plan was more effective. As a Coach, I just was not on top of my game. Whenever a team doesn’t perform well, I don’t want to deflect blame, I own that, I’m accountable for that.

So, I’m thinking what me and my staff can do better,” Coach Joseph commented.

With their focus now on a win against Trinidad and Tobago when they meet at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Scarborough, Tobago today, the duo discussed their intention to walk away with a victory tonight.

“I will guarantee you this, that we will play our very, very best. And if we play our very best, the process and the

winning will take care of itself,” the Head Coach promised.

To these sentiments, De Souza added, “We have to win.

So, a win is something that we need to do and not just to advance in the tournament, but for the legacy of the programme, to move forward.

Me being an older player and looking at this is slowly the end of my career; this is not somewhere I want to leave off with a loss. I want to move forward, because I believe in our team.”

The match is scheduled for 18:00h (6pm) local time this evening and will see the winner advancing to the CONCACAF Women’s Championships, July 4-18 in Monterrey, Mexico.

Senior Women’s Head Coach, Dr Ivan Joseph

GTTA ropes in Cuban High-level Coach Osdani Romero Garcia for 3-month period

… new approach allows independence and analytics – Munroe

Easter Swimming Programme restarted after 2-year inactivity Preparation and fortification for the execution of the national training strategy

T

A number of the participants in this year’s “Teach Them Young” swimming programme

B

ack in 2020, the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry’s and National Sports Commission’s “Teach Them Young” Easter Swimming Programme was put on hold given the surge of COVID-19 cases in Guyana at that time.

Now, after two years of dormancy, the programme is back on track , making its grand return on Monday morning, with scores of youths turning up to learn the skill.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, at the opening ceremony on Monday morning at Colgrain Pool in Georgetown, touched on the inclusion of other locations and the usual fees being waived.

“This year, we have the largest turnout, we will also be in Linden and Berbice. And again, we have waived the fees for all and this is something the Honourable Minister has embraced also,” Ninvalle shared.

The Director of Sport added, “So, I hope that coming out of this, when we get into the nursery of the National

Swimming Programme, we will have just as many participants."

Meanwhile, in her remarks, NSC Commissioner Cristy Campbell teased the launch of the National Swimming Academy, as she expressed the intention of witnessing a similar turnout.

She related to the young swimmers, “I want you to know that when this programme concludes, it’s not the end to our support for swimming and developing your talent. Because in another few weeks, we are also preparing to launch the National Swimming Academy, which is fully funded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, through the National Sports Commission.”

Campbell went on to state, “So, you can look forward to continuity in our support to swimming.”

Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) President Dwayne Scott said he appreciated the renewed interest in the sport.

“I must say that GASA

and the affiliation would be extremely happy to see this level of interest in our sport. I give the task to the coaches to make sure we can work to transcend interest into reality and that this interest can be developed into potential swimmers, potential national representatives for Guyana.”

Scott then turned to the topic of the Colgrain Pool’s rehabilitation, expressing, “On behalf of GASA, I would like to share appreciation to the Ministry of Sport and Culture, for this development or improvement in the Colgrain facility. It was long awaited, it’s been in the works for a few months now; it is a very improved facility which will give your great pride.”

The Swimming Programme has been opened to children 6-16 years old and will be hosted at Colgrain Pool in Georgetown, Watooka Guesthouse in Linden, Albion Estate in Berbice and the National Aquatic Centre in Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

he Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) hosted a press conference at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue, on Saturday to discuss the implementation of the national team training structure and Cuban Highlevel Coach Osdani Romero Garcia’s visit and inputs to the programme.

It was noted that the GTTA acquired the services of Garcia for a period of three months to assist the Association with fortifying and rebuilding the national team training structure.

According to Garcia, during his stay in Guyana, he will be looking forward to giving the benefits of all his experience to the athletes. Garcia says that while he predominantly works with the males in the Cuban national team, he is optimistic that he will be able to relay that knowledge to the members of the national team.

Garcia explained that he was aware that within the next three months, there would be different levels of athletes that he would be working with and his goal was to help them reach their competitive level in spite of whatever challenges they face.

The Cuban Coach relayed that he was impressed with the structure that National Coach Linden Johnson had laid out for

GTTA President Godfrey Munroe

the year. He made mention that his main focus would be the junior players in the national team whom he hopes will emerge with more tactical and technical skills, heading into the competitions. As it pertains to the more senior athletes, they will be tasked with taking on a greater volume of work with a strict regimen of training for them to obtain their objectives.

In his closing remarks, Garcia posited that while he was bringing all his experience to the table, he was hopeful of meeting expectations. The High-Level Coach is optimistic that he can bring out the best in the athletes and prepare them for what lies ahead.

Also sharing his sentiments was GTTA President Godfrey Munroe, who said, “We do a lot of training regimen, but I think the approach that is going to be implemented is one that allows independence and analytics as we seek to transition that

Cuban High-level Coach Osdani Romero Garcia

knowledge across. We are seeking to incorporate all the coaches, the challenges that our coaches do are voluntary. So, we are seeking to incorporate them; they have their own personal coaching pods which they utilise, which provides some income to them. From an Association point of view, we are seeing how we can finance that and bring them into the national team structure. But those are some of the challenges we are overcoming, but there is a need to bring them in, so we can have synchronised training across the board.”

The training programmes will be at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, National Gymnasium and the Malteenoes Sports Club.

While the training has already commenced, Munroe said that the GTTA would be seeking to provide four hours of training per player as a minimum moving forward.

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022

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

Page 22

G

uyanese left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd will be making his way to India for his first-ever stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Nedd has been roped in by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as a net bowler for the remainder of the IPL 2022 season, which began on March 26 and will conclude on May 29.

Coincidentally, Nedd will join another Guyanese player, Sherfane Rutherford, in the RCB camp.

Nedd’s talent is widely known, having suited up for the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) in the past two seasons of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The 21-year-old played seven games for the Warriors,

picking up three wickets with an economy of 5.64. In the CPL, Nedd has best figures of 1-10 from 4.

The left- arm spinner had a breakout performance in the 2020 International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Under-19 World Cup, where he finished as the highest wicket-taker for the West Indies, bagging 11 wickets in six games.

Ethan Lee, Rajiv Lee, Ricardo Narine take lead in Junior Chess Qualifiers

Page 23

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