Guyana Times -- Saturday, March 12, 2022

P5

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

Issue No. 4946

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

800 Guyanese get house lots at Grove/Diamond Page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Linden security guard attacked, brutally P12 chopped

2 years of COVID-19

P15

Early treatment, vaccines ‘saved a lot of lives’ – Health Minister

Intoxicated P14 man stabbed to death by brother

…“we are working to ease application backlog” – Minister Croal reassures

Technology-driven policing will be the future – Ali Page 9

…says facial recognition system to aid GPF in nabbing criminals

Building Expo set for July

GECOM waives vaccine requirement to register Guyanese aged 14-17

Page 2

…Commission to deliberate on extending prerequisite for older persons Page 7

Reduced paddy prices

Increased Police presence quells protesting farmers Unlicensed teen driver charged for fatal WCD smash-up Page 10

$60M booking app launched P17

"Chucky" P14 confesses to killing pensioner

Page 11

G7 revoke Russia's P19 favoured nation trading status

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Building Expo set for July W

ith the aim of promoting construction products and services as well as giving landowners the opportunity to access them locally, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will be hosting the “International Building Expo” in July this year.

This was revealed by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal during the first “Dream Realised” housing drive for this year that was held at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday.

Recogising that the allocation of house lot does

not always translate into the construction of houses, Minister Croal explained that Government has been taking steps to address some of the challenges landowners face such as getting access to loans to having to pay quite a bit for building materials.

“We know too that some of you may lack the knowhow to gather the information as to how you go about doing some of these things.

We have sought to provide the assistance to you by inviting the banks and insurance companies to participate in events such as these,” he noted.

However, the Housing Minister acknowledged that one-off activities such as the Dream Realised housing drive may not bring all of the information landowners seek or the help they need.

“In the spirit of working together with local stakeholders, I’m pleased to announce that the Building Expo will return in July!”

Croal announced.

The first ever International Building Expo was held in 2010 and was a brainchild of then Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, who is now President of Guyana. But the event

was scrapped under the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration.

According to Minister Croal, President Ali’s vision continues to guide the country today.

“His foresight saw an explosion in the construction sector that is unmatched; we want to capitalise on this.

This expo was always well received and it brought together stakeholders under one roof and was a forum to showcase new and innovative developments within the local sector,” he stated.

The 2022 Building Expo will be officially launched next month and is slated to be held on the tarmac of the National Stadium in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The revival of the Building Expo was first announced last month during the consideration of the 2022 Budget Estimates.

In response to questions from the parliamentary Opposition, Minister Croal had disclosed his Ministry’s plans to host the event this year.

He has explained that a $27 million allocation under

the Ministry’s housing development programme was earmarked for the hosting of the expo and the “Dream Realised” house lot allocation exercises across the country.

“The ‘Building Expo’, we intended to pull it off last year, but we delayed it because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, we are hoping to do that this year,” Croal had stated.

The building expo is intended to provide an opportunity for businesses to market their products and services associated with the Government’s national housing drive.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Saturday, Mar 12 – 10:30h – 12:00h and Sunday, Mar 13 – 01:00h – 02:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, Mar 12 – 11:35h – 14:05h and Sunday, Mar 13 – 12:45h – 14:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

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Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 11:48h reaching a maximum height of 2.02 metres.

Low Tide: 18:11h reaching a minimum height of 1.16 metre.

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800 Guyanese get house lots at Grove/Diamond …“we are working to ease application backlog” – Minister Croal reassures

S

ome 800 Guyanese on Friday became owners of house lots as the Housing Ministry through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) held its first “Dream Realised” housing drive for this year.

The house lots distributed during the exercise held at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara, fall within the Grove/Diamond Block-1 Housing Development and were allocated to moderate, middle, and high-income citizens.

The location was described as “well-sought after” since it is “perfectly placed” between the two major secondary highways – the Diamond to Mandela Road and the bypass road that will connect the East Coast with the East Bank of Demerara.

Delivering the feature address, Housing Minister Collin Croal disclosed that in keeping with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government’s promise to deliver 50,000 house lots, his Ministry last year handed out some 10,000 lots across the country. This year, he revealed, the Ministry is aiming to distribute another 15,000 house lots.

But Minister Croal posited that this target cannot be achieve without changing the way business is done at the Ministry by making its services more efficient and effective as well as accessible. To this end, the CH&PA has reintroduced e-applications and submissions for land allocation for both residential and commercial uses.

“So, when you previously had to travel from Berbice, Essequibo or Linden to Georgetown, you can now get your status update done online… This is important because I keep saying the volume of persons we continuously see every morning at the Central Ministry of Housing is not needed,”

Minister Susan Rodrigues handing over a Land Title to a beneficiary at Friday’s “Dream Realised” housing drive

Croal stressed.

He added that the Ministry has even established offices in Regions Two, Three, Five, Six, Nine and 10, where persons can make enquiries about their allocation status.

According to the Housing Minister, these systems are designed to reduce the challenges that existed before.

In the same vein, he urged Guyanese who want lands to be patient and follow the right procedures, and not seek help through third parties who are only after their money.

“We are aware that there are still people who fall prey to unscrupulous individuals who are pretending that they are in some special position to ‘help you get a house lot’. We are also aware that those persons will ask you to pay them to help you get the lot. I want to say this here now, absolutely no one has to pay [a third party] to get a house lot… If you are aware of such persons, bring it to our attention,” the Minister implored.

He went on to disclose that the Ministry is already in receipt of the names of several such persons and have engaged the Guyana Police Force. However, he noted that they would first

need statements from victims in order to successfully prosecute these culprits.

Nevertheless, Minister Croal reassured persons that once their application is in the system, they are guaranteed to get a house lot.

“Granted that it may take some time [but] as we have demonstrated these past few months, we are working quickly to ease the backlog. I appreciate and understand that your waiting can become frustrating at times, but the infrastructure requirements for the development of those housing areas can be quite considerable.

Land acquisition is another task. But we have promised to allocate house lots in areas… where we would put in before those persons are able to access those areas, the basic infrastructure of roads, drainage, electricity, water, open spaces such as green parks and other similar elements that are required to make a [community] complete,” Croal asserted.

To this end, the Housing Minister outlined that in pursuing this infrastruc-

tural trajectory they will be pursuing several projects that will see rapid infrastructural development in several housing areas and the construction of major roads, especially along the East Bank.

“The East Bank corridor is seeing an injection of infrastructural projects from this PPP/C Government as well as the Private Sector. This obviously augurs well for the community and I’m happy to report that the infrastructure works at Prospect, Little Diamond, Great Diamond [and Providence Blocks 1 and 2] and then taking into consideration the four-lane Highway from Mandela to Eccles, which is almost complete… when you combine that infrastructure cost, we are speaking about an injection of $6.8 million,” the Minister noted.

He went on to reveal that another $14.8 billion will be spent for other infrastructural projects along the East Bank corridor for which contracts are in the signing stage and works are slated to begin shortly.

Additionally, the Guyana Water Inc has also been working tirelessly to improve the access to safe, reliable and affordable water supply along the East Bank corridor, especially in those new housing areas that are being developed.

These efforts, according to Croal, are aimed at improving access for new landowners.

Against this backdrop, Minister within the Housing Ministry, Susan Rodrigues outlined at Friday’s event that the “Dream Realised” initiative is not just about distributing lands but rather ensuring that recipients are equipped to start building.

TURN TO PAGE 5

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 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

Welfare of commuters

U

nacceptable attitudes of many of the minibus operators have been a sore point over the years, and seem to have worsened despite pleas from the public. Sadly, it’s not just one area of concern, but is wide-ranging within the service they provide, and to other road users.

Much has been said about the loud and lewd music which all, including schoolchildren, are forced to endure on a daily basis. There is no respite, and any objection by commuters is met with disdain, disrespect, and wanton abuse in many cases.

It appears that there is no consideration by these uncaring operators that they depend on the commuters for their livelihood.

In a country that is slowly becoming more service-oriented, those who buy are given due importance as competitiveness increases. Maybe the time for competitiveness in public transportation, which many believe has passed, is now. The provision of this service is bread and butter for the operators and many owners; however, safety for road users and the provision of a better service cannot be continually disregarded.

In an age when the wheel is no longer invented, lessons can be leant from some Caribbean countries that have had the service regularised. Templates can be borrowed from countries that have both private and Government-operated services. The power of choice not just empowers, in this case commuters, but brings competition that generally redounds in better services.

Of course, there is for some the argument of preference for what is currently provided by the minibus operators. The bottom line is that they do not speak for everyone. Those who have been shamed for speaking up against loud and profanitylaced music crave a service or system that would bring them much-needed relief. Same for the elderly; same for those with illnesses; and same for those who are harassed and pressured, sometimes physically, into a minibus.

Some commuters, based on knowledge, tend to choose the minibus they wish to travel in, so as to reduce the likelihood of being exposed to the blaring music, and to some extent avoid being subjected to indiscriminate driving. But sometimes circumstance may not allow for this – given urgencies, weather, and other related factors. There is also the scenario of the appearance of a “peaceful” minibus before the journey commences, but afterwards the music booms, trapping commuters. While some would disembark, others may not, for good reasons.

In fairness to operators, some are trying to provide a proper service, have shown respect to commuters, and abide by traffic laws. They would have, over time, highlighted challenges faced, including that from touts. While one expectation would be for them to be more vociferous and to advocate for change from within, it appears that the odds are stacked against them. They face peer pressure and pressure to meet their daily targets by influential owners of some minibuses, making it difficult for change from within.

Inappropriate mode of dress, running red lights, speeding, not returning change, some drinking while driving, cutting dangerously into the path of other drivers, demanding with their hands out that they must pass or get in front, carrying way in excess of the number of passengers legally allowed, and using roads that are not authorised as per their road service are some of the indiscretions commuters and other road users are forced to endure from some minibus operators.

Importantly, continuous exposure to high-decibel sound is a health risk, and this should be of concern to the relevant authorities with respect to the wellbeing of commuters. This is another front that can be used to bring some order to the situation. The seat-belt law and no smoking in public places are two important initiatives for safeguarding public safety and health that have been implemented.

What prevents a policy decision on loud music in public transportation? What prevents other policy decisions from holistically regularising the minibus situation? Regularisation must be driven by the dire need to raise the standard of service and safety. It must not only be important for the creation of a friendly and caring image to tourists, but fundamentally to Guyanese, who daily toil and make sacrifices here to pay requisite fares.

The overriding consideration must be for the welfare of the commuters, and if that is taken on board, much-needed change can be forthcoming without the need for lessons from elsewhere.

Charge d’ Affaires of the Mexican Embassy, Antonio Cruz Diaz, engaging Learning Resource Officer Myra Pierre-Moore and Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry, Alfred King, at he handed over books on Mexico's history to the National Library on Friday (Education Ministry photo)

Putin’s war on Ukraine will shake our world as much as 9/11

By Jonathan Freedland

J

ust as a blind squirrel occasionally finds a nut, so Liz Truss has put her finger on something true. On Thursday the foreign secretary gave a speech, in which she declared: “The invasion of Ukraine is a paradigm shift on the scale of 9/11.” Like the uncanny feeling that comes on seeing a stopped clock telling the right time, it was a jolt to hear a halfway accurate assessment come from a senior member of the UK government. Still, naturally, there were things Truss did not and would not say. For one thing, what no one will call 2/24 is likely to prove even more significant than 9/11.

For another, the chief value in making a comparison between this moment and the agony of September 2001 is to ensure we don’t make the same mistakes all over again.

Start with the aptness of the parallel. The attacks on New York and Washington were understood at the time as a summons to the democratic world to defend a fundamental principle of freedom. That summons is louder now, not least because the threat Vladimir Putin poses is sharper than the one represented by the 9/11 hijackers, the principle under assault clearer. By invading Ukraine, he has violated the basic concept of sovereignty and self-determination by which nations coexist. He has said that big states can gobble up smaller ones, turning their people into vassals. In that move, he has taken an axe to the way our world is ordered and the only way it can function.

The perpetrators of 9/11 were also seen as representing a deeper peril endangering our values and way of life: they were cast as a nihilistic cult that loved death as much as their targets loved life.

Whatever its merits as a description back then, nihilism is a fitting way to characterise the Putinist menace now. Witness its revelling in destruction and contempt for human life, expressed in the repeated bombardment of Ukrainian civilians, even those fleeing for safety; the deliberate targeting of apartment buildings, kindergartens and hospitals, including one in Mariupol for mothers, children and babies. Read the lies about those attacks, delivered with a wink and, visible in the tweets from official Russian government

accounts, a hint of a smile. Contemplate the state-generated disinformation that brazenly says day is night and night is day, that Russia’s neighbours need not fear invasion, because Russia “has not invaded Ukraine”. Watch the orchestrated rallies of young ultra-nationalists, all wearing the Z symbol as they perform their repeated right-arm salutes, even if you try to banish the obvious historic echoes. Stare all that in the face and you can’t help but conclude that what you’re looking at is indeed a cult of nihilism.

And, of course, this one matters so much more than the version that announced itself on 9/11, because this one has state power. Putinism commands a nuclear arsenal and a vast, if creaking, military.

While the US and its allies were fighting the “war on terror”, Putin was advancing step by step towards this current moment, slowly choking Russia’s infant democracy at home and honing his methods abroad. The land grab on Georgia in 2008 and the seizure of Crimea in 2014; the wanton destruction inflicted on Syria, effected by means of the same pitiless battering he had meted out in Chechnya – all of it in plain sight. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine did not come out of a clear blue sky. As the BBC’s Quentin Sommerville put it, in a deeply disturbing report from Kharkiv: “If you don’t recognise these tactics, then you haven’t been paying attention.” But that was the problem: western governments were looking the other way.

Which brings us to those areas where Liz Truss feared to tread. If this truly is a paradigm shift on a par with 9/11, then the first lesson has to be: let’s not mess it up like we did last time.

One mistake will be easy to avoid.

George W Bush and Tony Blair erred by unleashing the rhetoric and methods of war for what should have been a police operation. Dangerous terrorists who should have been the targets of long, intensive and complex police and intelligence work were instead elevated into martial enemies, giving them the very status they craved. No danger of that specific category error this time: this is an actual war, involving an actual state.

But the risk of misidentifying the enemy remains. Two decades ago, hawks rushed to hail a “clash of civilisations”, as if the west was destined to do battle not

with a particular, narrowly defined group of violent jihadists but with Islamism if not Islam itself. That was a fateful and fatal mistake. It saw the US and UK lash out wildly, conquering Afghanistan when a special forces effort to root out al-Qaida was what was required; and, most disastrously, invading Iraq in pursuit of weapons that did not exist. It also saw a battery of domestic moves whose consequence was not the isolation and apprehension of violent jihadists alone, but the demonisation and exclusion of Muslims.

The west must not make that mistake again. It has to be specific. The battle now is against Putin and Putinism, not Russia or Russians. Severing links with institutions tied to the Kremlin makes sense; banning a course on the novels of Dostoevsky is dumb. Most Russians are themselves victims of Putinism. They are the ones who have been robbed blind by him and his henchmen; they are the ones force-fed lies. In the war against Putinism, they will be essential allies.

The Washington-based scholar and analyst Shadi Hamid believes Ukraine might serve as a wake-up call for the generation that, like him, came of age amid the fallout of 9/11. Those years left him “lukewarm and ambivalent” about US hard power, he told me this week, because he had seen it go so badly wrong, in Iraq most egregiously. The legacy of 9/11 was a preference, among American progressives at least, for “nice, fluffy things like soft power”. After Ukraine, Hamid predicts, that will change. A new generation is seeing that in order to stand up to a murderous dictator who opposes everything they believe in – from minority rights to free expression – sometimes only force will do. In other words, this latest paradigm shift is already undoing the impact of the last one.

Of course, these are very early days.

The war in Ukraine will bring yet more cruelty, yet more blood. But this invasion has provoked a reaction that its architect did not predict: a western resolve that not only must Putin be stopped in Ukraine, Putinism must be defeated. It is a determination fiercer than any since 2001.

This battle matters more than that one – which is why it must not re-enact its follies and must not repeat its mistakes.

(The Guardian) (Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

5

News

Sadhguru in Guyana today

S

adhguru will be in Guyana today as part of his first tour of the Caribbean. During his visit to Guyana today, he will meet with President Dr Irfaan Ali and visit Kaieteur Falls.

This is part of his tour to Antigua, Guyana and Barbados to meet with leaders to raise awareness and to encourage Government policy action to revitalise soil.

The Antigua Newsroom reported that Machel Montano and Sadhguru were in Antigua, where

they will both attend the West Indies v England Test match at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

On Friday, Montano and Sadhguru will visit the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Honourable Gaston Browne, where Sadhguru will join the PM to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to promote soil health and soil protection in that country.

From Guyana, Antigua Newsroom reported, the Conscious Planet Save Soil tour will head to Barbados

for a meeting with Prime Minister Mia Mottley and other Government leaders.

The soca star became an ambassador of the Save Soil movement as part of his own journey to greater spirituality and awareness. Montano recently completed a seven-month Sadhanapada programme at the Isha Yoga Center under the tutelage of Sadhguru.

“Machel’s support for the Save Soil movement is much appreciated. We look forward to visiting the Caribbean region together, and are thankful for the

Sadhguru

overwhelming support we have already received from the region,” said Sadhguru.

Montano is working with Conscious Planet to engage other Governments and agencies in the region, including organisations in Trinidad and Tobago. This will be an ongoing programme, so expect to hear more on this.

Accoding to Antigua Newsroom, this Caribbean tour comes fresh off the heels of his scintillating performance at this year’s MahaShivRatri celebrations in India on March 1.

GOAL vindicates trust in Govt, self-fulfillment and gender parity Dear Editor, What a time for Guyanese! This scholarship initiative being administered via the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) is really ‘something else’, and my hope is that it will be fully exploited by all of us, as it caters for just about everyone, irrespective of education level.

I see that in pushing this initiative, Minister Sonia Parag took time to encourage residents to take full advantage of the Government’s landmark 20,000 online scholarships initiative being administered via the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), which is headed by Professor Jacob Opadeyi, a former ViceChancellor of the University of Guyana.

Her efforts bring back images of Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, who last year noted that “investment in education is the surest path to personal upliftment.” At the time, he “…urged residents… to take full advantage of the 20,000 Online Scholarship Programme being offered by

the Government.”

I am in strong support of this thrust in education, and I hope that these precious opportunities that are being offered would be fully grasped. This is year number two of this drive, and it is gathering momentum. Last year, when the programme was first introduced, a total of 6,000 persons were awarded scholarships, and these are now entrenched in their studies in various fields.

What is commendable is that Guyanese from all walks of life now have the opportunity to study online, and to be able to earn qualifications ranging from certificates all the way to PhDs. “…and you don’t have to take a cent out of your pocket for it,” Minister Parag emphasised.

Concerning connectivity, as we know, this can be challenging. She clarified that “…although constant connectivity is an issue in some areas, it should not be a deterrent to those who want to apply, since this would not have any major implications on a person’s studies.”

She pointed out that, “We understand the challenges, and we are working to eliminate those challenges for you; but in the meantime, all you need is some Internet to download the teaching materials to study, and then connectivity again to upload your work. You don’t always have to be online.”

Well, there can be no excuse now regarding being a well-qualified Guyanese and being in full-readiness for jobs. However, I want to point out a few things.

First, education is a key factor to reducing and preventing global poverty. This is a universal axiom. Many countries around the world are beginning to realise the importance of education, and are investing in it significantly. Making education available to 100 percent of people around the world is one way to ensure that poverty declines. It is no mystery to conceptualise that by educating an entire population, economic growth is a natural effect. Studies show that each extra year of schooling can increase a per-

800 Guyanese get house...

“We want you to move beyond having a plot of land.

We want you to achieve homeownership,” she declared.

Minister Rodrigues further told the recipients; this was the reason Government has made so many interventions like zero-rating construction materials and inviting commercial banks at every allocation exercise so that landowners can access to them.

“So, once you receive your allocation, you can approach the banks and you can find out how to qualify for a loan and what are the requirements that you need, how long will the process take and you start to plan finan-

cially to get to that point. We want to promote occupancy in our housing schemes.

We don’t want large plots of land laying down there and nobody occupying them. We want vibrancy, we want to bring life into our housing schemes,” she posited.

In addition, the Junior Housing Minister noted that they have also been partnering with private contractors to construct houses in some of these schemes so that persons can have the option of choosing a pre-built home if they do not want to go through the stress of constructing one.

Meanwhile, apart from the 800 house lots distributed on Friday, approxi-

mately 300 Land Titles and Transports were also handed over to Guyanese during

son’s salary by 10 percent later in life.

Secondly, we keep talking about empowering women and girls. Well, education has proven to benefit women and girls at a higher rate than boys. The empowerment that girls receive from an education, both personally and economically, is unmatched by any other factor. Women who are educated are usually better decision-makers, and have higher self-confidence.

Educated women are also more likely to delay marriage, and have children when they are truly ready.

This can ensure that the family would be well taken care of, because the mother is prepared for the responsibilities of being a parent.

Educated women have a higher likelihood of preventing their children from dying from preventable causes.

My final take is that the Government, on most fronts, has vindicated the trust reposed in it. But when it comes to this GOAL phenomenon, it has really outdone itself. The word from

FROM PAGE 3

Friday’s “Dream Realised” exercise. (G8)

the Ministry is that “…the aim is to ensure that GOAL benefit from a healthy balance across all spectrums, including ethnic and geographic.” The Minister detailed that, “Our people in every nook and cranny of this nation must be properly educated and qualified to benefit from the opportunities that will soon begin to unfold.”

Please do not miss out. In 2021, when GOAL was first launched, a total of 6,000 online scholarships were offered. In 2022, another 4,500 scholarships will be provided, while some 2,726 continuing students will be catered for. Add to this number now.

Yours truly, H Singh

Correction

Guyana Times in its Friday, March 10, 2022 edition inadvertently published a story headlined “79% Guyanese have some form of glaucoma – Head of Ophthalmology Dept.” However, that headline and story should have read “Some 7 to 9% Guyanese have some form of glaucoma – Head of Ophthalmology Dept.” Guyana Times apologises for the error.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

I

n this fun and easy force and motion science experiment for kids, we’re going to explore Galileo’s Swinging Strings.

Friday’s answers

Answer: Step 1: Determine the rule governing the sequence of numbers.

You can do this by figuring out, first of all, the differences: 2 – 5 = 3; 5 – 10 =; 10 – 17 = 7 So, the differences seem to correspond to the sequence of odd numbers starting with 3 Step 2: Test your idea by adding the next odd number in the sequence – 9 to the last number 17: 9 + 17 = 26 Insert 26 on the blank slot, then check to see if it fits the sequence.

Step 3: Using the odd-number sequence, determine which odd number should be added to 50.

First, determine the previous odd number: 37 -50 = 13 So, the next odd number should be 15. 50 + 15 = 65 26 and 65 will complete the sequence Answer: Step 1: Determine the LCM of 6 and 9: 3 Step 2: Add 10 to 3: 13

24 ÷ (4 + 8) does not = 24 ÷ 4 + 24 ÷ 8 (24 x 1/12) does not = (24 x 1/4) + (24 x 1/8) 2 does not = 6 + 3

Materials: String Clothesline or rope Scissors Teaspoon Paper clips Instructions: Cut two pieces of string into 12-inch lengths.

Cut five more pieces of string into different sized lengths that are shorter than 12 inches.

Tie one of the 12-inch strings to a paper clip.

Tie the other 12-inch string to the teaspoon.

Tie the remaining five pieces of string to paper clips.

Tie the clothesline so it is horizontal to the ground and taunt.

Tie all seven lengths of string to the clothesline with the items hanging down.

Make a guess of what you think will happen and then swing the teaspoon.

Observe what happens.

The paper clips should have started swinging and the paper clip on the 12-inch string should have started swinging the most.

How it works: A pendulum is basically any weight on the end of a string or chain that can swing from side to side. When a pendulum is set in motion, gravity causes a restoring force that will accelerate it toward the centre point, resulting in a back-andforth swinging motion. In our experiment, the pendulums share an anchor line. With each swing, energy is transferred from one pendulum to the other. If the pendulums both have the same length, one pendulum comes to a complete stop before alternating motion. This phenomenon illustrates balanced and unbalanced forces, the conservation of energy, and how motion can be used to predict future motion.

Make this a science project: Try different lengths of anchor line. Try pendulums of different weights. Try lines of different lengths. (sciencefun. org)

By Martin Carter

In a bare night without comfort stood like an infant hearing a drum: Shadows and green grass spinning but clutched at a world without nearing Like dark ball rising from nothing hurling curse at me and full of scorn: Bare night without comfort stood like an infant hearing a drum.

“Procrastination makes easy things hard and hard things harder” — Mason Cooley

WORD SEARCH

7 GECOM waives vaccine requirement to register Guyanese aged 14-17 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…Commission to deliberate on extending prerequisite for older persons identification cards, because they were never registered.

“A decision was taken to waive the vaccination requirement for this age group.

This decision was taken in consultation with the respective Chief Scrutineers of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), respectively,” GECOM said.

Consequently, an inter-

“At its next statutory meeting, [the seven-member Commission will] determine a conclusive approach regarding this category of unvaccinated persons who may wish to conduct registration transactions,” the missive from the Election Commission detailed.

GECOM had explained that the guidelines it implemented were prepared in accordance with the provisions of updated Gazetted

nal memorandum was dispatched electronically on Wednesday to all of the Commission’s registration officers, instructing that the vaccination requirement be waived to allow for unvaccinated eligible persons between the ages of 14 to 17 to be registered.

However, the Election Commission is reminding persons within this age cohort visiting any GECOM registration office to apply for registration that they must adhere to the routine COVID-19 preventative measures including correct wearing of masks, sanitising, and practicing social distancing.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the provision that requires persons 18 years old and over must be fully vaccinated in order to visit any GECOM registration office to conduct registration transactions, the Commission has indicated that it will deliberate on this matter.

Public Health Ordinance, which stipulates that “every employer under this regulation shall ensure that appropriate COVID-19 guidelines are prepared and implemented to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus among workers to protecting employees against becoming infected with the COVID-19 virus”.

But the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on Friday objected to the requirements, calling on GECOM to immediately withdraw them.

“The PNCR totally rejects the requirement imposed by GECOM that citizens wishing to register must first provide proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative PCR test. Imposing a vaccination requirement for registration blatantly violates the Guyana Constitution.

The Constitution enshrines a citizen’s right to elect and be elected as a fundamental guarantee and imposes only a minimum of necessary el-

GECOM CEO Vishnu Persaud

A

s the national registration exercise continues, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has waived the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for persons between the ages of 14 to 17 years so that they can get registered.

GECOM commenced the national registration exercise of eligible persons on Monday, March 9. This will run until May 29, 2022.

However, while cognisant that the registration of all eligible persons is a legal requirement as it is a constitutional obligation of the Commission, GECOM says it also has to be mindful of the prevalence of the COVID-19 virus and the need to ensure the protection and safety of its staff.

Accordingly, prior to the commencement of the ongoing registration exercise, internal COVID-19 guidelines aimed at protecting GECOM registration personnel were prepared and circulated to all GECOM registration offices for compliance.

But the election body on Friday said it recognises that many persons in the 14 to 17 age range might not have been vaccinated, and could not be fully immunised for want of being in possession of national

igibility and administrative requirements for registration and for voting,” the party argued in a statement released to the press.

According to the PNCR, which is the leading party in the A Partnership for Unity (APNU) fraction of the coalition Opposition, the vaccination requirement fails purely on constitutional grounds.

Moreover, the party added that the requirement is also absurd in that it places many citizens in the classic chicken-and-egg situation whereby to get a COVID-19 vaccine, a person needs a national ID card, but to get an ID card, a person needs to be vaccinated.

“The GECOM Secretariat has obviously given only superficial thought to the constitutional and common sense implications of imposing a vaccination prerequisite for registration.

The Party has also asked its Commissioners to vigorously pursue this matter with the intent of having this unconstitutional measure withdrawn immediately,” it stated.

The Oppositionnominated Commissioners at GECOM are Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman.

Government nominated-Commissioners are Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Manoj Narayan.

Nevertheless, the PNCR further outlined that its call for GECOM to remove the requirement is in no shape or form underestimating the continued threat posed by the COVID pandemic.

“We therefore urge GECOM to put in place other effective measures such as masking, sanitising, well-ventilated and spa-

cious offices, and social distancing to promote the safety and comfort of its staff and all visiting applicants,” it said.

The national registration exercise currently ongoing is in preparation for the long overdue Local Government Elections (LGE), which are slated for later this year.

In fact, some $783 million has been allocated in

the 2022 national budget towards the hosting of the elections, from which sums will cover security, equipment maintenance, procurement of containers, and storage of sensitive election materials.

Local Government polls were last held in Guyana in 2018 and were due in 2020 but had to be postponed twice. (G8)

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Duo busted with $6.5M worth of cocaine in car remanded D

evon Simon, 43, of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Housing Scheme, West Ruimveldt, and 35-year-old Winston Hazel of Gibson Street, Tucville, Georgetown, who were nabbed in Guyhoc Park with $6.5 million worth of cocaine, were remanded to prison on Friday.

The men appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and pleaded not guilty to the charge when

Remanded: Winston Hazel

Remanded: Devon Simon

it was read to them. The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) stated that the men had 5.814 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

They are expected to make their next court appearance on March 17, 2022.

It was reported that CANU ranks on Tuesday last intercepted a motor car with the cocaine hidden inside. At the time, Hazel and Simon were the two lone occupants.

TURN TO PAGE 12

Behind the war...

E

…is the mindset ven before Putin invaded, your Eyewitness has been trying to make you, dear readers, understand the dynamics behind the war. This ain’t something that happened overnight; it’s been brewing since the end of the 18th century, with periodic eruptions even since the Ukraine was annexed. Even at that time, there was the notion - if not in so many words - of the need for an aspiring “great power” to have “strategic depth”. So, to assuage any concerns that he might be nursing some of his own grudges, your Eyewitness will present excerpts from an eminent Western Think Tank on the war.

Amid the shock and horror of Russia’s Ukraine invasion, many have sought to blame everything solely on Vladimir Putin. It’s convenient to believe Putin’s simply lost his mind.

There’s something reassuring about the idea that the carnage in Ukraine is all down to the criminal insanity of one man.

However, talk of “Mad Vlad” is a comforting myth that disguises a far darker reality. The decision to invade Ukraine was entirely consistent with longstanding public statements and foreign policy goals that are enthusiastically embraced by a clear majority of Russians. This is their war just as much as it is Putin’s.

Meanwhile, domestic opposition to the invasion has been underwhelming. Protests have taken place in a number of cities across Russia, but these efforts have attracted relatively small crowds, and have failed to gain momentum. Many Russians simply refuse to acknowledge the atrocities that have accompanied Putin’s invasion. Today’s pro-war mood did not emerge overnight. For centuries, Russia has bitterly opposed Ukraine’s struggle for statehood. Instead, Russians have been encouraged to adopt a condescending view of Ukraine as a younger brother in need of discipline and direction.

Over the past eight years, the Kremlin has skilfully amplified these deep-seated prejudices and resentments.

Since the 2014 seizure of Crimea and Moscow’s military intervention in eastern Ukraine, the Russian public have been spoon-fed a daily diet of disinformation designed to demonise and dehumanise Ukrainians as Nazis and puppets of the West.

In Putin’s own words, modern Ukraine has become an “antiRussia” that poses an existential threat to Russia itself.

If the democratic world is serious about stopping Putin, it must abandon any hope of domestic opposition to the war. There’s gonna be no palace coups or popular uprisings as long as most Russians continue to share Putin’s unhinged obsession with the subjugation of Ukraine. The sanctions must be enforced, and more weapons sent to Ukraine. Putin’s Ukraine invasion is the defining moment of his entire reign, and he enjoys the emphatic backing of the Russian people.

He won’t back down, unless he’s bankrupted and bloodied.

…are the tactics Your Eyewitness has also been explaining the thinking behind Biden’s response to Putin’s dangerous gamble. Of concern to us is the emerging US rapprochement with that dictator in Venezuela - Maduro. We understand the US’ need to seek alternative oil supplies to ease its pain from the ban on Russian oil imports, but we gotta make our concerns known: that the US doesn’t jump into a fire in Europe to “out” it, while adding fuel to one in its own hemisphere!! For us, there’s the not inconsequential matter of Maduro being emboldened to reject even more strenuously the upcoming decision of the World Court on its border controversy.

We should follow the lead of Colombia - a US ally like us, but also sharing concerns about Venezuela’s aggressive modus operandi towards neighbours. Not to mention its millions of refugees becoming 5th columnists - in Guyana as much as in Colombia.

Colombia just received NATO-like ally status from the US. What about us? We welcomed Exxon after Maduro kicked them out, didn’t we? …comes the pain Knowing that Russian and Ukrainian wheat will be curtailed by the sanctions and war on top of the COVID supply-chain disruptions, your Eyewitness has stocked up on flour.

Can’t survive roti withdrawal syndrome!!

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

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

NEWS

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SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Technology-driven policing will be the future – Ali …says facial recognition system to aid GPF in nabbing criminals

President Dr Irfaan Ali

I

nvestments in technology to enhance the monitoring and investigative capacity of the Guyana Police Force will be the future of policing in Guyana, President Dr Irfaan Ali has declared.

On Thursday, the Head of State announced during the annual Police Officers’ Conference that given the significant progress made through the use of surveillance, Government has taken an approach in allotting resources for the technological advancement of the Force.

He pointed to the $2.5 billion allocation that will be expended this year to expand and enhance the Safe City surveillance network beyond the confines of the

capital city.

“Over the past few years, we have seen how CCTV cameras had a positive impact on our crime-fighting strategy. The Police have been able to utilise footage, often from private businesses and homes, to detect crimes and detect those involved in carrying out criminal activities. In order to boost crime-fighting, we have resuscitated expanded the ‘Safe City’ programme.

This year, we have allocated $2.5 billion to expand the Safe City programme beyond the boundaries of Georgetown,” the President noted.

A few months ago, Ali had signalled intentions to connect the entire country through surveillance, an initiative which he reiterated. This will extend to face recognition and other advanced forensic tools to close cases.

“Our objective is to eventually connect the entire country with CCTV cameras and to have these centrally monitored. Information technology will be used to assist in our Police plans to help map crime, utilising analytics as a crime-fighting tool. Face recognition and vehicle licence plate technology will also be utilised to help intercept lawbreakers.”

Along with crime-fighting, the intention is to create safer roadways and

communities in the country.

“Technology is also expected to be deployed on our roads. The reckless use of our roads must be brought to an end. We cannot continue to lose our precious human resources to preventable road accidents.”

The “Safe City” Project, which saw the installation of scores of cameras around Georgetown and

the country’s main ports of entry, was launched in 2019. A multimillion-dollar Command Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, was activated with the intent of monitoring criminals, suspects, and vehicles involved in crimes.

Works on the project had begun before the official launching through the country’s National Broadband Strategy, with funding from

the China Exim (ExportImport) Bank and implementation through the services of Huawei.

Back then, it was assured that the initiative would not violate human rights as the operations would be guided by the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) developed by a team of United Kingdom security experts.

Police Commissioner

Nigel Hoppie on Thursday informed that for the year 2022 thus far, Guyana is reporting a decline by 16 per cent in serious crimes when compared to the corresponding period last year.

The year 2021 had also seen a successful reduction in serious crimes committed, standing at the lowest figure recorded over a 10year period, with just over 1700 reported cases.

10 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Unlicensed teen driver charged for fatal smash-up on WCD Harrykissoon Sports Bar, resulting in the deaths of Carlito Gobinlall, 23, a Venezuelan national; Ayube Mohammed, 44, a fisherman of Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD; and Kiram Rampersaud, 41, another fisherman of Zeeburg, WCD. Previous reports have stated that Gobinlall was thrown several feet away, and landed in front of a pharmacy, while Mohamed was found under the debris and Rampersaud was found inside a drain.

Ambedkar was also injured, as were two other patrons of the bar – Wazim

firmed that, following the accident, a breathalyser test was administered on this teen driver, but no trace of alcohol was found in his system.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has expressed concerns over the continued reckless usage of the country’s roadways, particularly by “young male” drivers.

According to the Minister, the country had a “successful year” in 2021 as it relates to road fatalities, with a 29 per cent reduction; but based on the statistics so far this year, “we appear to…already be in trouble, at

Dead, from L-R: Ayube Mohammed, Carlito Gobinlall and Kiram Rampersaud

Teen driver Matthew Ambedkar

N

ineteen-year-old Matthew Ambedkar, the person responsible for the horrific accident which claimed the lives of three individuals at De Willem, West Coast Demerara, was on Friday remanded to prison by Leonora Magistrate Seepaul Ali, before whom he was arraigned on indictable charges of causing death by dangerous driving.

Ambedkar, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was not a licensed driver at the time of the accident, and will make his next court appearance on March 24.

It has been reported that on Monday last, the teen was driving at a fast rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle, and it crashed into the Sharmila

The mangled car

Mohammed and Chandrika Veerasammy, both of De Willem, WCD. The Police have con-

the rate we’re going”.

Only a few days ago, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill issued a statement

expressing concerns at the alarming rate of road fatalities for the year.

For the year 2021, 99

persons have been killed on the roadways, compared with 139 persons for 2020.

The 2021 results showed a 29 per cent reduction when compared to 2020. The “vulnerable class” of road users (pedal cyclists, motor cyclists and pedestrians) accounted for 67.7 per cent of the total deaths in 2021, and for 79.9 per cent of the total deaths in 2020.

Minister Edghill has disclosed that, from the data retrieved from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), it was found that pedal and motor cyclists combined accounted for 37.4 per cent of the deaths in 2021, and for 56.1 per cent of those deaths in 2020.

Comparative data has shown that, as at March 3, 2022, 15 persons were killed on the roadways as a result of 14 accidents, while for the

same period in 2021, 20 persons died from 19 accidents.

“What is significantly alarming is that, in 2021, 14 of the 20 persons killed at that period were the most vulnerable classes of road users (two pedal cyclists, eight motorcyclists and four pedestrians); while, at March 3, 2022, of the 15 killed, the vulnerable classes accounted for seven (two pedal cyclists, three motor cyclists, two pedestrians),” Minister Edghill has noted.

The Government official also noted that he and his Cabinet colleagues would relook at the current laws and examine ways in which they could ensure “stricter controls, be it the training/ re-training of drivers/riders, higher fines or stiffer penalties, and a studied approach for the introduction of a demerit system.”

NEWS

11

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Reduced paddy prices

Increased Police presence quells protesting farmers

R

ice farmers from the Black Bush Polder, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), who have been protesting over a reduction in the price being offered for their paddy by millers, on Friday gathered but did not take to the streets as Police presence heightened at Number 43 Village.

On Thursday the rice farmers took to the streets and in the process blocked the roads at Lesbeholden and Johanna, causing chaos in the Black Bush Polder community.

They were protesting over the reduction in the price being offered for their paddy by

millers. The millers had reduced the price from $70,000 so $65,000 per tonne. The farmers met with the millers on Wednesday but there was no compromise from either side and they took the streets again on Thursday. Many of them came out in protest action on the Corentyne Highway at Number 43 Village which is one of the entrances to the four polders.

A few persons were arrested by Police officers for disorderly behaviour but were released from custody shortly afterwards.

On Friday Police increased their presence and only a few rice farmers had gathered at

Police present in Black Bush Polder on Friday

Number 43 Village.

According to one farmer, Barbara Felix, who cultivates 15 acres of land, they cannot sell the paddy for any price below $70,000 per tonne.

She called for a meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali and rice farmers.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustafa is expected to meet with the farmers today.

The action by farmers to block the roadway on Thursday caused much inconvenience to persons in the area. Many were forced to park their vehicles and walk home. (G4)

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 12,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden security guard attacked, brutally chopped phone interview with Guyana Times, David detailed the horrific ordeal that could have caused his life.

He explained that at about 03:00h, he observed three men entering the school’s compound but one stayed back to keep guard.

Two, however, made their way past the other security guard whom he claimed was sleeping.

He further explained that the two men attacked him during which he was dealt two chops to his face, and to avoid further lacer-

Injured: Swayn David

A

26-year-old security guard was in the wee hours of Thursday attacked and chopped by two males armed with cutlasses while he was asleep at his place of employment. The injured man was identified as Swayn David of Wismar, Linden.

Based on reports received, David was sleeping in the guard hut at Saint Aiden’s Primary School,

The injuries the young security guard sustained to his hand

Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, when he felt a chop to the back of his head.

As he turned around, he saw one of the suspects standing over him with a cutlass. The suspect dealt him another chop to his forehead. He managed to exit the guard hut and was confronted by the second suspect who dealt him another chop to his left hand.

The security guard man-

aged to escape his attackers and went to the Wismar Hospital Complex, where he was later transferred to the Mackenzie Hospital. He was subsequently referred to Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted in a serious but stable condition.

Police are yet to establish the motive for the attack. No arrests were made as investigations continue.

However, during a tele-

ation to his face, he barred with his right hand. After receiving the chops, he reportedly screamed and his colleague woke up.

Soon after, the armed men turned their attention to his colleague and demanded that he hand over his cell phone. At that moment, the injured David scaled the fence and went to his girlfriend’s house, who in turn took him to the Mackenzie Hospital where he was treated and referred to the GPHC. There he received several stitches to his forehead,

face, and right hand.

Meanwhile, David told Guyana Times that he remains puzzled as to the reason behind the attack since he does not get into trouble with anyone. “I don’t drink, smoke and party and them thing; from work, is home with my family all the time,” he said.

He also added that his employers at Home Safe Security did not make any contact with him. The man, who is expecting his first child, is calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.

Duo busted with $6.5M...

The cocaine, which was contained in five packages, was taken to the CANU Headquarters for testing and when weighed amounted to 5.814kg with a street value of $6.5 million.

Less than two weeks ago, two suspects who were trafficking some $17 million worth of ganja opened fire on CANU ranks during an operation at Number 69 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

The CANU officers had intercepted motor car PKK 4588 during which 129.6lbs of marijuana was found and seized.

However, the two men who were in the vehicle opened fire when confronted by the law enforcement officials. The suspects managed to flee the scene.

CANU said it is suspected that the illegal drug was intended for transhipment to Suriname. It noted too that the substance has a street value of $17,640,000.

The cocaine that was found in the car

FROM PAGE 8

NEWS

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SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Regularising employment agencies looming as National Job Bank launched T

he anticipated National Job Bank has been launched by the Labour Ministry, paving the way for Guyanese seeking employment to browse potential vacancies available in the country.

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton informed on Friday during the launching that with this platform now available, authorities intend to pursue actions to regularise employment agencies.

While these agencies will be able to access the information, the Minister contended that it must be done within operating procedures.

“We’re working on a registration form. We’re seeking legal guidance in that regard because we want all employment agencies operating in this space to be reg-

istered and regulated by the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency. It is not a free-for-all. We will not allow a free-for-all. We will give latitude to the employment agencies operating in this space to utilise the job bank but it will have to be done within a framework.”

The Labour Minister out-

lined that no fees will be attached to any potential employer or job seeker utilising the data but credit must be provided to the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency.

“We will not allow anyone to utilise our information, our data and claim it as their own. Therefore, the

Man, 29, charged for raping child

A

labourer of Lot 2 Wisroc, Wismar, Linden, was on Thursday charged for raping a child.

The accused, 29-yearold Jamal Forde, was arrested since December 30, 2021, and remanded for another offence. However, on Thursday, he was slapped with another charge – Rape of a Child Under 16 Years which occurred on December 29, 2021.

The charge was laid under Section 10 (3) of the Sexual Offences Act Chapter 08:03. Forde appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune via Zoom at Linden Magistrate’s Court where he was not required to plead and was remanded to prison. The matter was

Rape accused Jamal Forde

postponed to March 30.

Just two days ago, Corwyn Arthur, popular-

ly known as “Cross Eye,” of Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward, Linden, was found guilty of raping a 16-yearold girl back in 2013.

The convicted rapist had pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that he had engaged in sexual penetration of a 16-yearold girl on December 17, 2013. He was on trial before Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Demerara High Court.

Arthur was also charged for assaulting the victim while committing the act, and on Thursday, a 12-member jury, after deliberating, found him guilty on both counts. As such, he will return to court on April 11, 2022, for sentencing.

Permanent Secretary will write every employment agency that exists here informing them about the launch of the job bank, their participation and most importantly, the restrictions that we will have.”

The National Job Bank was initiated as part of a mechanism to address employment and placement of Guyanese. The Minister shared that while the Ministry is training thousands of persons, it must also look at employment mechanisms for these persons to access employment.

“Everything we do, it has a reason and a purpose because we have said collectively and individually that we will ensure that we will establish the most robust Ministry of Labour ever in the history of Guyana. That is the course we have set ourselves…It is not just the training but it is finding a medium so that people can find a job. That is why this job bank is important to us and the nation as it develops,” Hamilton disclosed.

Hamilton said the Board of Industrial Training, which was training 1300 to 1500 individuals per year, saw this number increase to 2000 just a few months after Government took office. In

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton

2021, the number further increased by 50 per cent with 3068 persons trained. The target for 2022 is over 4000 trainees across the country.

Permanent Secretary Bishram Kuppen also added that the design of the job bank took into consideration the needs of employers and job seekers and was structured to allow synergistic interaction between them without the intervention of any third party.

“The job bank will be accessible from any location

where internet service is available, locally or internationally. Employers now have this valuable cost-free resource to list their vacancies to find suitable candidates to fill their vacant positions. Job seekers also have a cost-free resource to browse the job bank database to review jobs, in the public or private sectors and locations that are available,” Kuppen stated.

The public can access the National Job Bank on jobs. gov.gy. (G12)

14 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 12,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Chucky” confesses to killing 76-year-old pensioner T wenty-seven-yearold Godfrey Gill, also called ‘Chucky’, has confessed to the brutal killing of 76-year-old David Ramkissoon, whose body was found with his throat slit in his home at Lot 61

Better Hope South, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Gill, of Prince William Street, Plaisance, ECD, appeared on Friday before Justice Simone MorrisRamlall at the Demerara High Court and pleaded

guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The Police have said that, on August 21, 2016, Gill unlawfully killed Ramkissoon.

Gill was represented by Attorney-at-Law Dexter Smartt, while the State was

Murdered: David Ramkissoon

represented by Prosecutor Caressa Henry.

Justice Morris-Ramlall has set March 24, 2022 for sentencing.

It was reported that following the discovery of the pensioner’s dead body, footprints were seen in the mud at the back of his yard, leading to an alleyway. Along with the footprints, drops of blood were spotted, and they led to a shack located a short distance from the slain man’s house.

One month after this incident, Gill and Sherwin Clarke were arrested in Plaisance, ECD. The two men have confessed to the murder, claiming that the crime was committed during a robbery. They have insisted that their intention was not to kill the elderly man, but that became their only alternative.

Confessed killer Godfrey Gill, also called “Chucky”

The man’s dead body was found by his son on the evening of August 21, 2016 after he returned home from an outing with his family. When he arrived home, the house was reportedly in darkness, causing the young man to think that his father had dropped to sleep and forgotten to turn on the lights.

He went to the upper flat and switched on the light, and checked his father’s room, but found it ransacked. He immediately called out to his father, but there was no response. He continued to check the other bedrooms, but they were

also ransacked, and it was then he realised that something was very wrong.

He raised an alarm and rushed to the lower flat, where he saw his father’s body facing the wall in a sitting position in a pool of blood.

Initial investigations revealed that a portion of the fence was cut open and several torn white envelopes were found in the freezing compartment of the refrigerator. It was later discovered that perpetrators of the crime had carted off close to $6 million belonging to Ramkissoon.

Intoxicated man stabbed to death by brother

C

haos unfolded in the community of Alberttown, Georgetown, on Thursday evening after a man killed his younger brother during a heated argument. At the time of the murder, the now dead man was under the influence of alcohol.

Dead is 25-year-old Rondel Moses Anthony.

His older brother, Richard Anthony, has since been arrested and is expected to be charged soon with the capital offence.

Guyana Times was informed that both men lived at Third Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, in separate houses.

Rondel’s landlord, Felicity Gonsalves, told Guyana Times that the now dead man was involved in an argument the entire day with his girlfriend, and she advised him to leave the house so that peace could reign.

She explained that the man left and returned home just after 21:00h under the influence of alcohol. She added that he was helped into his bed and was later heard arguing again.

The woman, who lives on the upper flat of the build-

Dead: Rondel Moses Anthony

ing, recalled that after a few minutes, she heard Rondel kicking on his brother’s door.

The suspect reportedly came out, and an argument broke out between them which quickly escalated into a fight. During the altercation, Richard went under the house, picked up a broken tile, and allegedly stabbed his brother in the neck.

This caused Rondel to fall to the ground and later died.

According to Gonsalves, Rondel should not have met his demise in such a manner because he was not armed.

She said the young man was

well-mannered and was only in that state because he was intoxicated.

“He, (the suspect) children’s mother said she woke Richard up and tell him to hear his brother kicking down the door outside. The brother (Richard) said leave him alone and the child mother still wake him up and that is when he come out and start fretting,” she said.

The woman added that at the time she was upstairs and came outside to see if she could calm Rondel down.

"By the time I come downstairs I see he was lying down there and I say like he get blackout. I see like they were throwing water on he…as I approach him I see a lot of blood and I done know that he dead. I keep calling and calling him and he twitched and gave his last breath,” the woman said.

It was also reported that the two men always had disagreements but no one expected it to end this tragically.

The now-dead man worked at a baker shop and was expected to join the Guyana Defence Force, having passed the entrance examination. (G9)

NEWS

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SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 years of COVID-19

Early treatment, vaccines saved a lot of lives – Health Minister

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

T

wo years have now elapsed since the COVID-19 pandemic created several waves in the world, leaving many countries - including Guyana vulnerable after it struck, and health systems compromised.

With learning curves and a proactive approach from authorities to protect the population with treatment and vaccination, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony believes a lot of lives were saved.

“I think when you compare where we were two years ago: not knowing much about the disease, not having proper diagnostic tests to be able to test for the disease, not having treatment, not having beds; it is a totally different scenario now, where we have lots of capacity, people who have been trained, and we have been working at this over the last two years. We have gained a lot of experience,” Dr Anthony has expressed.

On Friday, he underscored that Guyana was among the frontline countries to source antiviral medications such as Remdesivir and Baricitinib to interrupt the progression of the virus in persons who were already infected. This has created significant enablement in ensuring higher recoveries.

“We were one of the early adaptors of treatment because, initially, (nothing) specific was available for persons once they got infected with COVID. Being a viral disease, we know you can interrupt the life cycle of the virus, and when the antiviral medication Remdesivir came on the market, we were one of those countries that adopted it quite easily. We continue to do so.

“Because we were early adaptors (of) these types of treatment, we would have saved a lot of lives,” he explained.

Of the 63,127 persons who had contracted the novel coronavirus in Guyana, 61,684 have recovered, while 1024 have succumbed. This, according to the Health Minister, translates to exceptional statistics in COVID management.

To protect those who

were uninfected or recovered, the sourcing of vaccination became a competitive game for countries. The country recorded its first case of the virus on March 11, 2020, but it was also the date when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Just under one year after, vaccination was made available.

Guyana was also ahead of other countries in the region with its early rollout of booster doses.

“Vaccination was another important area. As soon as vaccination became available, we started rolling out vaccines very early. In a lot of countries, they were recommending it just for specific populations. We started out that way, but as we started getting more vaccines and we went out on the market to buy those vaccines, we quickly lowered the age group,” he has said.

Presently, the children and adult populations continue to be vaccinated, but according to Dr Anthony, there is always room for improvement, and areas where hesitancy can be eliminated. First-dose vaccination has accounted for 435,509 doses, or 84.9 per cent of the adult population; while second-dose vaccination has accounted for 323,605 jabs, or 64.8 per cent of the adult population.

For children aged 12 to 17, first-dose vaccination has been pegged at 33,938 jabs, or 46.5 per cent of that demographic. Second-dose vaccination has been pegged at 24,612 jabs, or 33.7 per cent of that demographic.

The uptake of booster shots has been pegged at 54,195 jabs.

Building capacity

Delving deeper into the initial days of the pandemic, brought on by patient zero, the Health Minister has underscored that the health sector was not prepared for the pandemic or detection of cases. In fact, the first case was detected after the patient who was admitted to the GPHC subsequently died, and then a test was performed posthumously.

“Unfortunately, while we knew there was a new disease called COVID-19, I don’t think that the then Government had made a

lot of preparation for the detection and treatment of COVID-19. With our first patient, that person came from New York to Guyana, probably was infected before, probably developed the disease while here on vacation, and then got sick.”

He added, “Nobody thought about COVID, and when that person came to the Accident and Emergency (Unit of the GPHC), doctors and nurses that came into contact (with the patient) subsequently had to be isolated… Our initial case was not detected clinically, but after the person died. They felt like they needed to test for COVID, and when they did, it came back positive.

“From then to now, obviously when we came into office, there were a number of things that we had to rectify,” he said.

When his administration took office in August, Dr Anthony recalled that the system was in shambles, with limited testing. As a result, it is unclear whether more infections and deaths related to the virus occurred at that time.

“In terms of testing, there were very few tests that were being done. In some cases, less than five PCR tests were done per region per day. That really did not give you a sense of how widespread the disease was, and how many people were infected because of the limited amount of testing. At the beginning, because of the lack of testing, and the infrastructure to test and the stringent criteria, we

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD MARCH 11, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

20 9

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

199

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

5

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

11

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,060

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,067

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

63,127

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

61,690

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

2517

REGION 2

2483

REGION 3

8040

REGION 4

31,204

REGION 5

2372

REGION 6

5728

REGION 7

2422

REGION 8

887

REGION 9

4009

REGION 10

3465

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

435,509 332,602

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1224

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

were excluding a lot of people who were probably positive. In terms of people dying from COVID, many of the persons who died, we didn’t know where it was

from COVID or any other cause,” this health official has said.

Additionally, capacity to treat severe infections was significantly strapped,

owing to there being just a few beds at the Georgetown Public Hospital that were designated for positive cases.

TURN TO PAGE 16

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Arson suspected as unoccupied EBD house goes up in flames …men seen running after blaze started

Armed bandits storm, rob Chinese repair shop

The damaged house

A

n unoccupied house at Grove on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) went up in flames in the wee hours of Friday, and arson is suspected.

The fire started at around 01:50h on Friday morning at Lot 370 Third Street, Grove Housing Scheme, EBD. When Guyana Times visited the scene, the house was completely destroyed and has left residents in that neighbourhood calling for a thorough investigation into what really transpired.

A neighbour, Lachhmi Ramdeen, said based on what he saw on Friday morning, he believes that the fire was purposely set.

“This morning I heard a car stop and when I peep through my glass door I saw the car at the junction, and I saw two men exit the car, and walk in the street going east. After they passed my house, I could not see

them. Five minutes after, I heard an explosion… when I watch, the two man run and enter the car… the car sped away to the north,” he said.

The man said sometime after the fire started, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) turned up on the scene without water, and left shortly after.

The man said he was hoping that the firemen would have ensured that the flames were completely extinguished, but this did not happen.

“When the fire started, the whole house enflamed at once… I don’t know whatever they throw inside and light it…the fire service came and they said they don’t have a hose to reach on my side to save my house.”

“They didn’t even have water, is the black tank at the back we had to get water from to out the fire. I got a

lot of damages on my house over $3 million in damages. The Fire Service drive away and leave the fire and unto today the fire is on the house… they never came back,” the man said.

Ramdeen said after the Fire Service’s investigation, he was told that the origin of the fire was electrical.

However, the man said it cannot be so, since the house did not have any electricity for the past five years.

“Before the Police go around and take statements and hear what really happened, he said people might not want to talk. He just took a statement from me and drive away. How can it be electrical and the house in get wire for five years?”

He further stated that if it were not for the cooperation of the residents of the community, his house might have gone up in flames as well. (G9)

Early treatment, vaccines...

FROM PAGE 15

“We had very few ventilators in the system, and I recall in the early days when we took over, Georgetown Hospital was the main centre where people were being treated. We had probably seven beds with ventilators, and therefore, if we exceeded that number, probably persons could not get medical attention.

“Right away, we had to start not just on building capacity centrally, but we had to start working on building capacity in the regions as well,” he said.

After analysing the resources inherited, he pointed out that the Infectious Diseases Hospital was just a ‘shell,’ with zero tangible utility sources or equipment to operate. Within one month, beds and medical apparatus were ordered for the facility.

The Minister raised, “There was no water, no sewage system. Electricity was not connected. There was not a single piece of equipment: no beds, no ventilators, no nothing. We had to start working on getting that going as quickly as possible… By September, we

had our first patients going into the Ocean View facility. It was a struggle at the beginning because of these challenges.”

Now ramped up testing has allowed for the National Public Health Reference Laboratory to process about 2,000 tests per day. GeneXpert machines are available at the regional level to also conduct Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. Antigen testing has also been introduced.

Moving from 38,548 tests after capacity was boosted in 2020, this number has increased to 387,266 in 2021.

Up to February 2022, the figures showed 116,048 tests.

This accounts for a surplus of 548,000 tests to date.

There is a bed capacity of 385 reserved for coronavirus patients in the system, of which 195 are at the specialised COVID facility at Liliendaal.

“It shows where we came from to where we are today…because we have ramped up this capacity so quickly (that) at no time was our system overwhelmed with cases. We always had enough beds to treat our pa-

tients, and if they needed ventilators, we had ventilators for these patients,” Dr Anthony commented.

Looking into the next months ahead, it was noted that capacity would be needed to access post-COVID syndrome and treatment for such.

New infections

On Friday, only 20 new infections surfaced, and therefore this moved the number of confirmed cases to 63,127. This accounted for one case in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), five in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); eight in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); three in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and three in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).

Meanwhile, five patients are in the Infectious Diseases Hospital, nine are in institutional isolation, 199 are in home isolation, and 11 are in institutional quarantine.

To date, 29,067 males and 34,060 females have been infected.

T

he Cheshifu Repair Shop at Ruimveldt, Industrial Estate, Georgetown, was on Friday robbed by armed bandits after they stormed the premises.

Based on reports received, a silver-grey Fielder Wagon was seen parked at the corner for some time and

after a while, the driver exited and asked directions to reach the main road.

Another man was observed standing close to the parked car. He claimed that he was waiting on someone.

Soon after, the man reportedly whipped out a gun and rushed into the business place where he held

up several employees. This publication could not confirm if any money was taken during the robbery.

After committing the robbery, the men exited the motor car and fled the scene.

Police are yet to visit the scene to launch an investigation.

US-based Guyanese launches book on navigating as an immigrant

O

verseas-based Guyanese, Kinda Velloza-Monkhouse, MPA, Esq, an attorney-at-law, on Friday launched her new book “10 Things Immigrants Should Know Before Coming to America” at the Ultimate Image at Hadfield Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown.

This publication caught up with the author who said that she was inspired to write the book after she migrated to the United States and had no idea how to navigate its largescale system as an immigrant.

“So, the motivation behind me writing this book came from me migrating to the United States in 2009 and basically not having first-hand information or guidance on how I can transition successfully into the US,” she said.

She stated that the book was written with her personal experience as an immigrant and the knowledge of her being an immigration lawyer in the United States of America. “…the book is basically my personal experience, and then with me being an immigration attorney, I would meet immigrants like myself who were facing challenges as well to transition into the US. That is what motivated me to create this one-stop guide, to inform everyone before they even get to the United States on how they can transition success-

fully,” she explained.

She further explained that she struggled when she arrived in the US but she stayed motivated and slowly self-taught herself about the American system as she was focused on getting into law school.

The attorney-at-law said that she plans on returning to Guyana to give back to the country, something she has already started doing. She is the sponsor of a law scholarship at the New Amsterdam Secondary School in Berbice (East Berbice- Corentyne) that is given out to one student, annually.

Velloza-Monkhouse was born and raised in Guyana and was also a freelance journalist before she migrated to the United States to further her studies in law.

In 2014, she enrolled into Charlotte School of Law and in 2017, she graduated and was admitted to practice law in the State of Georgia.

Velloza-Monkhouse’s accomplishment of the American dream led her to the practice of federal immigration law, where she’s since devoted her time and career to helping other immigrants like herself from Guyana and all parts of the globe to legally enter the US and to navigate the US immigration system.

Recognising the numerous hardships her clients would face in transitioning into the US, Velloza-

US Attorney-at-Law Kinda Velloza-Monkhouse

Monkhouse decided to write her very first book “Ten Things Immigrants Should Know Before Coming to America”, highlighting and educating newcomers and would-be newcomers on the 10 most important and unfamiliar territories 99 per cent of immigrants have trouble navigating and understanding, like the US income taxes, credit scores and the credit system filing for their us citizenship and where to go and what is needed to obtain important documents like a driver’s licence, social security numbers, and more.

Velloza-Monkhouse’s main goal is for every intending immigrant to the US, especially from Guyana, to personally own a copy of her book, a valuable resource that many consider a gem piece. (G2)

NEWS

17

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Belgian company looking to be lighting solution for oil rigs offshore Guyana

Regional Director Densil Raghoo

B

elgium-based lighting company, Schreder has expressed interest in Guyana’s growing oil and gas sector, saying it can be the lighting solution for Guyana’s offshore oil rigs.

Regional Director of Schreder operations in Trinidad and Tobago and the West Indies, Densil Raghoo in an exclusive interview with this publication said that the company is the solution for lighting on offshore oil rigs in Guyana’s waters.

Raghoo said that

Schreder has a large part to play in Guyana’s oil and gas sector, specifically in providing lighting solutions to shore bases. “All these shore bases opening with warehouses and all these things needs proper lighting which these international companies require. We believe we are the solution for them.

And we have worked with these companies already, globally,” he said.

The lighting company which is based in Belgium has been in operations for more than 100 years and will now venture into the

lands of Guyana.

As such, Raghoo stated that the company will be looking to make new business partners with businesses and Government organisations in Guyana, like the office of the Prime Minister.

He revealed, “We had a very successful meeting with the honourable Prime Minister and we are looking to do a joint venture with him on a project he has recommended. So, within a couple of months with the necessary approvals and stuff, you will see some of our lightings in front of the Prime Minister’s office.”

The company is also looking to invest in the people of Guyana by providing training in industrial lighting. He mentioned that with the rapid advancement of technology and a call for a more modernised and technology-equipped workforce, Schreder is ready to pass on their knowledge in the lighting industry to the people of Guyana.

“It goes by us delivering certain training to whoever may require it and that is something we believe in,

because if you don’t have the opportunity to train the Guyanese people to come up to the standard that is required, I mean, we won’t go anywhere. So, we have to start by showing them what we have, what we do and try and interact on that training, and that’s not for us, it’s for the Guyanese people who would be on the ground

implementing these things,” Raghoo said.

The company is currently seeking out office space to begin full operations in the country. The company alluded to many projects that will soon see completion once they have settled in Guyana.

Schreder is the leading independent outdoor light-

ing solution provider worldwide with seven research and development centres worldwide.

They provide lighting solutions in road industry, sport, campus, tunnel, decorative & urban smart cities & connected management systems to control lighting and deal with lighting pollution. (Shane Marks)

$60M booking app Kaietour launched

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond and Salaudeen Nausrudeen at the launching

T

ourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond joined Salaudeen Nausrudeen on Friday for the launching of his $60 million travel app and website, Kaietour at the Herdmanston Lodge, Georgetown.

The launching of the application, described by many of the speakers at the launching ceremony,

will greatly contribute to Guyana’s tourism sector as it paves a path for more tourism traffic in Guyana.

The application was developed to level the playing field of Guyana’s tourism operators in Guyana with the rest of the world.

“Kaietour was developed because we believe that Guyana’s tourism operators were at a disadvantage, invisible to the world. We

need to have our tourism inventory online to easily and efficiently reach tourists and our diaspora especially and not only have their bookings reserved, but confirmed,” Nausrudeen told the gathering The CEO said that the app will be a game-changer in Guyana’s tourism sector.

“It’s a Guyana-centric global booking app. It is definitely a proud moment for the Kaietour team to deliver today to the Guyana tourism operators and stakeholders and to the nation of Guyana, a robust and thorough digital platform that will place our unique and rich tourism products online for global exposure and global marketing. It is definitely going to be a game-changer in Guyana’s tourism manifestation,” he said.

According to Nausrudeen, the app is expected to connect tourists to many hospitality services offered by the Guyanese communities in the various regions.

“So, in essence, Kaietour is the missing link, the missing book now button, the marketing and sales of tourism products for Guyana,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Minister applauded the persons and entities involved in the making of the app, making known that

the app will greatly contribute to the Government’s agenda of building a “One Guyana.”

She said, “It’s more than just the eco-lodges and it’s more than just our hotels, those are all pretty important aspects of our tourism industry, but what we are trying to market and we’re trying to sell to Guyana, to communicate to Guyanese is tourism and Guyana are one, they’re synonymous. That tourism is about Guyana, it is about Guyanese. It’s about mar-

keting this ‘One Guyana’.”

The app has also partnered with Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) to enable customers to pay for services directly through the app.

In addition, the Kaietour app will create some forty jobs for its customer service centre to assists customers from all over the world who use the app.

The application, which helps travellers to easily search, plan and book their trips with a wide selec-

tion of vacation packages, tour packages, flights, hotels, and car rentals from around the world and in Guyana, had been in the works for the past eighteen months, with over $60 million invested into the creation of the app.

Also present at the launching ceremony was the High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa, members of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and members of the various Private Sector entities. (G2)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

Regional

Chile swears in new President J’cans facing cost of living crisis as Gabriel Boric in “historic shift” food prices skyrocket, says Robinson

O

C

hile has sworn in its youngest-ever President, Gabriel Boric, a former student activist who will take the reins as the South American nation is undergoing an important political and social transition.

At the Congress building in the port city of Valparaiso, Boric on Friday took the presidential sash from outgoing billionaire President Sebastian Pinera.

“Before the Chilean people, I make my pledge,” he said.

Boric, 36, is taking over a country seeking change following mass 2019 protests, which he supported, against deep-rooted inequality in income, healthcare, education and pensions.

His Administration will oversee a referendum on a new Chilean Constitution, which an elected, constituent assembly is currently rewriting to replace the Magna Carta put in place by Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship.

“What we’re seeing here is really an historic shift, a real sign of the changing times in this country,” Al Jazeera’s

Chile’s new President Gabriel Boric, 36, is taking over a country seeking change following protests in 2019 against widespread inequalities

Latin America editor Lucia Newman reported from outside the Senate building in Valparaiso. “[Boric] is now heading a feminist, environmentalist Government that’s going to try to bring about historic social change, led by a Cabinet that is mostly full of young people who don’t have much experience in Government, but that certainly have big plans for this country,” Newman said.

Pinochet removed socialist President Salvador Allende, who died by suicide in 1973 during a military coup and whose legacy Boric has often praised.

“He reminds me of Allende, but I hope it has a happier ending,” Marigen Vargas, 62, who travelled all night to be at Boric’s inauguration, told the Reuters news agency. “We want a more united, happier Chile.”

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Russians vanish from Cuba beaches, casting doubt on tourism recovery

W

hen planeloads of Russian tourists left Cuba this week, their vacations interrupted by war in Ukraine, it marked a sad day in the resort town of Varadero, a visible sign the conflict will rattle the island nation’s fragile economy.

Varadero, a finger of white sand extending out into the blue Caribbean sea, has long been a magnet for Russians fleeing the northern winter.

In 2021, with much of the world hunkered down amid the coronavirus pandemic, visitors from Russia soared to 40 per cent of total arrivals in Cuba, according to government figures.

Varadero’s beaches, usually teeming with tourists at this time of year, are suddenly quiet, said Yanet Costafreda, who sells trinkets to tourists along the palm-fringed streets.

“The Russians were the main market that we had in the last ... two years,” Costafreda said in an interview. “I am worried because we see that the future is uncertain.”

At least 8000 Russian holidaymakers scrambled last week to find flights home from Cuba after many Western nations closed airspace to Russian aircraft in solidarity with Ukraine.

Most Russia-Cuba flights have been scrapped until

further notice.

The predicament means Cuba will struggle to meet its goal of 2.5 million tourist arrivals in 2022, explained Paolo Spadoni, an expert on the Cuban economy at Augusta University in Georgia.

The island’s communist-led Government hopes for 4 per cent growth in 2022, spurred primarily by a big jump in tourism.

Russians had been expected to account for as many as 20 per cent of foreign tourists in 2022, Spadoni said, but the total will fall far short of that target if the Ukraine conflict grinds on. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T PM: All public vehicles going electric

G

overnment will move “very soon” to ensure that all public vehicles are electric, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced at Tuesday’s ‘Conversations with the Prime Minister’ event.

And some drivers who welcome the news have reminded Government of the need for proper infrastructure for electric vehicles, so this will not fail as the bid for CNG-fuelled vehicles did.

During his contribution, Rowley said the move towards a CNG policy was more or less obsolete now, as it was never fully accepted by the driving public.

He said he’d instructed the

Energy Minister on Tuesday to accelerate Government’s programme to seek and obtain its new fleet of electric buses for T&T “And Government will move very soon to ensure that all public vehicles - not just buses - are electric,” he said.

He said the Finance Ministry will also move more aggressively to encourage the driving public to use electric vehicles.

“So the benefit of this will accrue to that target we set ourselves.”

The PM cited large figures in the usage of liquid premium fuel, which increased from 35 million litres in 2016 to 105 million

litres last year alone. He said cars on the road are skewered to using premium gas and that has to do with availability.

If T&T is going electric, he said it will be generated from local gas and not imported fuels.

“So a policy is screaming out to move to electric vehicles and we’ve heard that,” he said.

Rowley said with the policy for electric transport to come, people should be on notice to start looking for electric cars ahead, as T&T cannot continue its use of liquid premium fuel as it has done for the last four years. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

pposition Spokesman on Finance, Julian Robinson said Jamaicans are facing a cost of living crisis.

Robinson made the charge on Tuesday while making his contribution to the 2022/23 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives.

“Having spent the last two years battling the COVID pandemic, our country has been experiencing a cost of living crisis which is set to become worse based on the situation in Ukraine.

The cost of living crisis is the result of significant increases in the prices of basic food

items, increases in the cost of gasoline and electricity, and increases in taxi fares in an environment where many have not recovered financially or physically from COVID,” Robinson said.

“I am here today to deliver a message to the Minister of Finance: the price of food is too high, and the people are suffering,” he charged.

Robinson shared data, which he said was provided by the Consumer Affairs Commission [CAC] on price increases of basic food items over the last 12 months. He noted that when he shared similar data last year he was chided by the

Government and others for using figures and rates from actual retailers and not official Government data. He said that while data from the Government indicates that the annual inflation rate will be in the range of eight to nine per cent, consumers are faced with price increases significantly higher than that.

The Opposition spokesman displayed charts that showed that between January 2021 and January 2022, basic food prices have increased by more than 40 per cent in some cases. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Brazil Congress passes bill changing state fuel taxes; governors will try to block it

B

razil’s Lower House in the early hours of Friday passed a bill changing the calculation of the ICMS state tax levied on fuel, as it aims to curb price hikes after global oil quotes soared following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The bill -- which comprises gasoline, ethanol, diesel, biodiesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices -- will now go to the President’s office so that President Jair Bolsonaro can sign it into law.

Governors, however, are expected to file a case before the country’s Supreme Court seeking to block the move, which would ulti-

mately reduce state tax revenues.

Piaui Governor Wellington Dias, who leads a nationwide forum of Governors, said the bill is unconstitutional and would bring losses for the people.

According to the text, the ICMS would now have a simplified taxation regime, being charged only once through the entire supply chain and with uniformity across the country. A council comprising state secretaries would be required to meet to set the uniform tax rate.

Bolsonaro has often blamed state taxes for high fuel prices as the country grapples with double-digit

annual inflation -- a stance that governors rebuff.

The Lower House’s approval came only a few hours after Brazil’s Senate passed the same bill, with members of Congress rushing to respond to a new fuel price hike announced by state-run oil company Petrobras.

Petrobras said on Thursday it would raise gasoline prices at the refinery gate by 18.8 per cent, while diesel prices are set to jump 24.9 per cent and LPG prices will rise 16 per cent, shrugging off intense pressure for it to abandon its efforts to track global markets with its domestic fuel prices.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Argentinian activists fight against offshore drilling plans

O

n December 30, the Argentinian Government authorised seismic testing to begin about 300 kilometres (186 miles) from the coast of Mar del Plata. The study will map oil and gas deposits under three parcels of the ocean floor by using a sound cannon to bombard the ecosystem with high decibel frequencies that pinpoint where to drill.

The project has represented a fork in the road for the South American nation awash in natural resources, and could lead to a new wave of drilling in Argentina – the first in deep waters.

Proponents believed this would transform the country into an energy exporter, but opponents warn of unacceptable ecological risks.

With wildfires raging in the northern province of Corrientes this year and massive demonstrations against mining in the southern province of Chubut last year, concerns about environmental degradation have reached new heights. Hundreds of artists, scientists, journalists, citizen groups and intellectuals have signed a letter opposing offshore ex-

A demonstrator wearing an octopus mask holds a placard that reads “We are drops of the same ocean” during a protest against coastal oil exploration and Argentina’s negotiations with the IMF [Mariana Nedelcu/Reuters]

pansion, and disputing the Government narrative about economic rewards and energy sovereignty.

Beyond the possibility of oil spills, protesters have expressed serious concerns about the damage that seismic testing could do to whales, dolphins, penguins and other marine life.

“There is no way to guarantee that this activity won’t have an irreversible impact on the biodiversity, and as a result, the health and wellness of the commu-

nity,” Argentina’s Whale Conservation Institute has noted.

The national Government has made its intentions clear on the oil and gas industry, and the consensus cuts across party lines.

In 2019, the right-wing Administration of Mauricio Macri tendered 18 permits for oil and gas exploration in the ocean, and today, the left-wing Administration of Alberto Fernandez is seeing the project through. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil settles up, but posts biggest weekly decline since Nov

O

il prices settled higher on Friday but posted their steepest weekly decline since November, as traders assessed potential improvements to the supply outlook that has been disrupted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Crude prices have soared since the invasion, which Moscow calls a "special military operation. “This week, futures benchmarks hit their highest levels since 2008, then pulled back sharply as some producing countries signalled they may boost supply.

On Friday, supply concerns grew when talks to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal faced the threat of collapse after a last-minute Russian demand forced world powers to pause negotiations.

Brent crude futures rose US$3.34, or 3.1 per cent, on Friday, settling at US$112.67 a barrel, after hitting a session low of US$107.13. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose US$3.31, or 3.1 per cent, to settle at US$109.33 a barrel, off the session low of US$104.48.

"Iran talks on hold is one factor supporting markets," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo, adding that "market participants will now closely track Russian export data to get a sense how much (supply) is disrupted."

US President Joe Biden said the G7 industrialised nations will revoke Russia's "most favoured nation" trade status, and announced a US ban on Russian seafood, alcohol and diamonds. The United States banned Russian oil this week.

Next week, Staunovo said, the focus will shift to oil market reports from the International Energy Administration (IEA) and the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Both have indicated the market should be oversupplied this year.

US rig data from energy services firm Baker Hughes Co showed drillers added 13 oil and natural gas rigs, bringing the total to 663, the ninth increase in 10 weeks.

The data is an early indicator of future output. US Government officials have called on domestic and global producers to ramp up output.

Brent, which rose over 20 per cent last week, was down 4.8 per cent this week after hitting US$139.13 on Monday. US crude recorded a weekly drop of 5.7 per cent after touching a high of US$130.50 on Monday. Both contracts last touched these price peaks in 2008.

This week, the Russia-Ukraine conflict pushed the United States and many Western oil firms to stop buying Russian oil. There was talk of potential supply additions from Iran, Venezuela and the United Arab Emirates.

"We have a close eye on the pressure valves that will absorb the supply shock," said UBS head of economics Norbert Ruecker.

In the near term, supply gaps are unlikely to be filled by extra output from members of the OPEC and allies, together called OPEC+, given Russia is part of the grouping, Commonwealth Bank analyst Vivek Dhar said.

Some OPEC+ producers, including Angola and Nigeria, have struggled to meet production targets, limiting the group's ability to offset Russian supply losses. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US, G7 allies may strip Russia of 'most favoured nation' status

T

he United States, together with the Group of Seven nations and the European Union, will move on Friday to revoke Russia's "most favored nation" status over its invasion of Ukraine, multiple people familiar with the situation told Reuters.

President Joe Biden will announce the plans at the White House at 10:15 a.m.

EST (1515 GMT), said one of the sources, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The White House said Biden would announce "actions to continue to hold Russia accountable for its unprovoked and unjustified war on Ukraine", but gave no details. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special operation".

Stripping Russia of its favored nation status paves

US President Joe Biden

the way for the United States and its allies to impose tariffs on a wide range of Russian goods, which would further ratchet up pressure on an economy that is already heading into a "deep recession."

The coordinated moves

by Washington, London and other allies come on top of a raft of unprecedented sanctions, export controls and banking restrictions aimed at pressuring Russian President Vladimir

Putin to end the largest war in Europe since World War Two. Each country must implement the change in Russia's trading status based on its own national processes, two of the people said. In the United States, removing Russia's "Permanent Normal Trade Relations" (PNTR) status will require an act of Congress, but lawmakers in both houses - and on both sides of the political aisle have already signalled their support, two officials said.

"President Biden and the administration appreciate the bipartisan leadership of Congress and its calls for the revocation of PNTR," one of the officials said, adding that the White House would work with lawmakers on legislation to revoke Russia's status. (Reuters)

Poorer nations in Asia, Africa, Middle East face food crisis – UN

P

oorer countries in northern Africa, Asia and the Middle East that depend heavily on wheat imports risk suffering significant food insecurity because of Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the conflict is poised to drive up already soaring food prices in much of the globe, the UN food agency warned Friday.

Ukraine and Russia, which is under heavy economic sanctions for invading its neighbour two weeks ago, account for one-third of global grain exports.

The UN agency also noted that Russia is the lead producer of fertiliser, and a key fertiliser component — urea — has jumped more than threefold in price in the last 12 months.

Also worrisome, Qu said in a statement, is the uncertainty over whether Ukraine’s farmers will be able to harvest wheat ready in June. In Ukraine, “massive population displacement has reduced the number of agricultural laborers and workers. Accessing agricultural fields would be difficult,” Qu noted.

Even if they could, Ukraine’s ports on the Black Sea are shuttered and its Government this week banned the export of wheat, oats, millet, buckwheat and some other food products to prevent a crisis in its own country and stabilize the market.

FAO cautioned that if the conflict triggers a “sudden and prolonged reduction” in food exports by Ukraine and

COVID deaths probably 3 times higher than records say

M

ore than 18 million people - three times higher than official records suggest - have probably died because of COVID, say researchers.

Their report comes two years to the day from when the World Health Organisation first declared the pandemic.

The COVID-19 excess mortality team at the US's Washington University studied 191 countries and territories for what they call the true global death figure.

Some deaths were from the virus, while others were linked to the infection.

This is because catching COVID might worsen other pre-existing medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, for example.

The measure used is called excess deaths - how many more people have been dying than would be expected compared to recent years, before the pandemic hit.

To calculate this, the researchers gathered data

through searches of various Government websites, the World Mortality Database, the Human Mortality Database, and the European Statistical Office.

Rates of excess deaths are estimated to have varied dramatically by country and region, but the overall global rate calculated in the study is 120 deaths per 100,000 people.

That would mean about 18.2 million deaths have happened because of COVID in the two years between the start of 2020 and the end of 2021 - three times as many as the official 5.9 million that have actually been recorded.

According to the research, which is published in The Lancet, the highest rates were in lower income countries in Latin America, Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. But deaths were also fairly high in some high-income countries, such as Italy and parts of the US. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Russia, it could further drive up pressure on international commodity prices “to the detriment of economically vulnerable countries”. The UN agency said its simulations suggest that “the global number of undernourished people could increase by 8 to 13 million” in

2022-2023, particularly in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa.

Shortfalls in grain and sunflower seed exports by Ukraine and Russia might only be able to be partially compensated by alternative sources, FAO said.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India accidentally fires missile into Pakistan

Both India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons

I

ndia says it accidentally fired a missile into Pakistan on Wednesday, blaming the incident on a "technical malfunction" during routine maintenance.

Delhi said it was "deeply regrettable" and expressed relief no one was killed.

Pakistan's military said a "high-speed flying object" had crashed near the eastern city of Mian Channu and its flight path had endangered passenger flights.

Both countries have nuclear weapons.

In a statement, India's Defence Ministry said: "On 9 March 2022, in the course of routine maintenance, a technical malfunction led to the accidental firing of a missile. The Government of India has taken a serious view and ordered a high-level Court of Enquiry."

Islamabad warned Delhi to "be mindful of the unpleasant consequences of such negligence" and to

avoid a repeat. The object had been launched from Sirsa in Haryana state, it said.

Pakistan's air force said the missile travelled at Mach 3 - three times the speed of sound - at an altitude of 12,000m (40,000ft) and flew 124km (77 miles) in Pakistani airspace before crashing.

"The flight path of this object endangered many national and international passenger flights both in Indian and Pakistani airspace, as well as human life and property of ground," said Pakistani military spokesman Major-General Babar Iftikharon Thursday.

On Friday, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said it had summoned India's chargé d'affaires to complain about the incident.

Pakistan also urged India to share the findings of its investigation into what happened. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Keep your thoughts and plans to yourself until you have a foolproof strategy. Don't let your emotions get in the way of your success. Preparation is the key to personal gain.

(March 21-April 19) Concentrate on what you can accomplish, not on the impossible. Put a strategy in place and expand your plans slowly and with precision. Pay attention to details and costs.

DILBERT

(April 20-May 20) Don't overlook the obvious. Do your research and get your facts straight before you act. Knowledge and education are critical when dealing with people trying to take advantage of you.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS

(June 21-July 22)

Embrace change, be the instigator and improve your life. Make decisions based on experience and verified information. Use your attributes to get ahead, and market and present what you have to offer.

Gather information to help you get ahead. Don't make an unnecessary change. Bide your time and do things right the first time. Assess relationships and determine who is beneficial and who is dead weight.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Pitch in and do your part. Network, seek out organizations that interest you and work alongside people who share your concerns. A lifestyle change will be difficult but worthwhile.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Stay focused on what's important to you. Take care of responsibilities quickly, and you'll get to spend more time with your loved ones. A personal change will lift your spirits.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Be receptive to what others have to say and respond with thoughtfulness.

Your willingness to help will make a difference and put you in a better position when you want something in return.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Don't believe everything you hear.

Getting together with friends or family will have its ups and downs. Avoid indulgence. Remain calm, in control and healthy.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Reminiscing with a loved one will lead to positive changes. Taking better care of yourself and your finances will put your mind at ease. Create a strategy that encourages personal gain.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Lie low, work on something that matters to you and avoid emotionally draining situations. Don't take a risk that can lead to injury or poor health. Abide by the rules and regulations.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Turn your ideas into a reality. Invite change and adventure into your life and explore possibilities that excite you.

Take control, expand your interests and greet life with gusto.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

21

Alex Hales opts out of IPL 2022, KKR bring in Aaron Finch as replacement K

olkata Knight Riders have signed up Aaron Finch, Australia's white-ball captain, as replacement for Alex Hales, who has withdrawn from IPL 2022, citing "bubble fatigue and his mental well-being", a franchise statement on Friday evening has said.

A statement from the IPL has said that Finch would be joining Knight Riders at INR 1.5 crore (approximately US$196,000). Venky Mysore, the CEO and MD of Knight Riders, has said,

"We respect Alex Hales's decision of choosing family and mental well-being over his participation in the upcoming season of the IPL. Bubblelife isn't easy, and a number of players around the world have shared their views on this topic. We will miss having him in the Galaxy of Knights this season, but we wish him all the best.

"We are delighted to welcome Aaron Finch, the T20 World Cup-winning captain, to the Knight Riders family.

He is excited about joining

the rest of the KKR squad in Mumbai, and we look forward to benefiting from his vast experience."

English top-order batter Hales, who was signed by Knight Riders for his base price of INR 1.5 crore at the latest auction held last month in Bengaluru, joined his countrymate Jason Roy, who was a part of Gujarat Titans, in opting out of the tournament for similar reasons. Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz has replaced Roy at Titans, one of two new IPL teams.

Hales has been only an occasional participant at the IPL, having spent time with Mumbai Indians without playing a game in 2015, and then turning out for Sunrisers Hyderabad in six games in IPL 2018, when he scored 148 runs at an average of 24.66, with a strike rate of 125.42.

For Finch, it will be his ninth IPL franchise, a record. He has, in the past, been with Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Pune Warriors

India, Sunrisers, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kings XI Punjab, and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

He has played 85 innings in the IPL over the years, scoring 2005 runs at an average of 25.70 and a strike rate of 127.70.

Knight Riders, the twotime IPL champions, will play the first game of the 2022 season against Chennai Super Kings at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on March 26. (ESPNcricinfo)

"Caged lion" Joshua hungry for hard interim fight - says Promoter Eddie Hearn

E

ddie Hearn has said that “caged lion” Anthony Joshua wants to fight the likes of Deontay Wilder, Luis Ortiz or Joe Joyce before a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Usyk outclassed Joshua last September to win the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO world

heavyweight titles. With Usyk in Ukraine to defend his country following the Russian invasion, Joshua must wait for a second fight with the 35-yearold.

Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, says Joshua is eager for a big challenge before doing battle with Usyk again.

“If we can’t fight him in

NBA Roundup…

Nets silence 76ers’ crowd with blowout on Simmons’s Philly return

I

n a surprise blowout 129100 win over the 76ers on Thursday, the Brooklyn Nets silenced the Philadelphia crowd that came to jeer Ben Simmons on his return to the Wells Fargo Center.

Kevin Durant top scored with 25 points, along with 14 rebounds and seven assists, while Seth Curry – who was also involved in last month’s trade, which saw Simmons and James Harden swap sides – added 24 points with five steals.

Kyrie Irving landed five three-pointers for his 22 points, along with five assists, while Harden endured a difficult night against his former teammates, managing only 11 points, shooting three-of-17 from the field, with six rebounds and five assists.

Joel Embiid had 27 points with 12 rebounds for the 76ers.

Simmons did not play. He sat on the Nets bench and endured boos, but his teammates did their best to silence the home crowd by opening up a 21-point half-time lead.

The win boosted the Nets’ playoffs hopes, improving their record to 34-33, while the 76ers are third in the east with a 40-25 record.

Curry reaches milestone in GSW win

Stephen Curry reached 20,000 career NBA points as the Golden State Warriors reaffirmed their top three status in the west with a 113-102 win over the Denver Nuggets.

Playing their fourth game in five days, the Nuggets led by 14 points in third quarter, but fell away, with Nikola Jokic (23 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists) entering foul trouble.

Curry finished with a game-high 34 points, including three three-pointers, shooting 11-of-21 from the field, while Jordan Poole drained two clutch triples in the final minute as the Warriors went on a late 13-0 run.

The win makes it backto-back victories for Golden State, who improve to 4522 after recent wobbly form,

while the Nuggets are 40-27 with their four-game winning run ended. (Sportsmax)

May or early June, we would like an interim fight before we go into the Usyk fight,” he told the 5 Live Boxing podcast.

“AJ’s idea of an interim bout is very different to mine.

An interim bout while you’re waiting should be a nice little stroll in the park.

“He’s messaging me saying: ‘What about Wilder?

What about Otto Wallin?

What about Luis Ortiz? What about Joe Joyce?’

“But this is AJ all over.

He’s like a caged lion.”

Hearn added: “The most important thing is he rematches Oleksandr Usyk.

He’s turned down a lot of money not to, and he’s not about to let that opportunity go.

“I think now’s the time to have an easy touch; he doesn’t, he wants to prepare.

Maybe Ortiz, maybe Wilder in that southpaw, gearing him up for Usyk.

“I expect if he does have an interim, knowing Anthony Joshua, it’ll be a real fight.”

(Sportsmax)

“GTT Super 6-Over” Inter-Ministry Tape ball competition set for this weekend

The Georgetown Office Assistants will stage the “GTT Super 6-Over” Inter-Ministry Tape ball cricket competition this weekend at Durban Park from 11am daily.

Arranged by longstanding sports coordinator James Lewis, the event has received permission from the National COVID-19 Task Force, a release has stated.

Lewis has said in a statement, “We expect to bring players together to foster more cohesiveness within sports and in the work place. We want to bring them together

Sports Coordinator James Lewis

to enjoy themselves after hard work. The COVID-19 guidelines, I just want to stress on that, that is the most important thing for this competition; it must be in place. All players must come with their mask, sanitising station setup, and follow all guidelines. The same applies to the spectators. We are not allowing (any) player who is not vaccinated to participate in the competition.”

Teams must be at the competition site at least half an hour before play in order to register. COVID guidelines will be observed.

Sara Misir books place in GT Cup Championships

S

-after winning top-four spot in Formula Women’s finals

ara Misir, the Caribbean’s first Formula Women’s finalist, has earned herself a topfour spot, and has made the Formula Women’s team that will compete for McLaren in the GT Cup Championships for 2022.

Misir qualified for the final four spot after emerging with one of the four fastest times among the final 11 in Are, Sweden on Thursday, March 10.

For Misir, this is a victory for women in motorsport.

“I didn’t know my time on

the ice track, but I felt good and I had one of the fastest times of the day,” she said.

“I’m overcome with emo-

tions. All my hard work has paid off; but this is not just for me, it means other women from Jamaica and the

Caribbean can now consider motorsport as a career choice.”

Misir was selected to participate in the Formula Women’s final from a field of almost 10,000 applicants. The finalists were tested on speed, mental performance, fitness, and technical knowledge related to motorsport.

The top four and two reserve drivers will now train with the McLaren GT4 team, starting on Monday. The 2022 GT Cup Championships start on April 9 at Donington Park National in the United Kingdom. (Sportsmax)

22

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

LGC’s Ravi and Robert Birthday Tournament set for today T

he Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) will come alive today when the Ravi and Robert Birthday Tournament is hosted in honour of Pandit Ravi (Rabindranauth Persaud) and Robert Hanoman.

The action will tee off at 12:30pm, and the format will be Stableford format played over 18 holes. A large turnout is anticipated for a full round of golf among members and newcomers.

The prizes up for grabs are: * Best Score 1st Place – Trophy 2nd Place – Trophy 3rd Place – Trophy 4th Place – Trophy 5th Place – Trophy

* Nearest to Flag – Hole #4 * Longest Drive – Hole #5 In a statement, Pandit Ravi has said, "The tournament is an annual feature to celebrate the birthday of Mr. Robert Hanoman and Pandit Ravi. Also, to encourage and promote golf as a major sport in Guyana."

These two personalities became acquainted by golf, and have remained united by the game, which they have been playing for over 20 years.

Both gentlemen have, over the years, made significant and outstanding contributions to the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC).

Pandit Ravi has ensured ground improvements in ad-

dition to serving in several executive positions, and Counsel Hanoman has provided legal guidance and direction continuously, in addition to consis-

Pandit Ravi “Rabindranauth Persaud”

tent and voluntary financial assistance that they both have provided by means of sponsorships and other areas of club development.

Robert Hanoman

Ravindra Harry was the winner of the 2021 edition of this tournament

In the 2021 edition of this tournament, Ravindra Harry emerged victorious with 41 points.

All participants are advised to contact the club’s manager on the day of the tournament

to collect their scorecards, pay their tournament fees, and proceed to their allocated tee boxes to begin play at 12:30pm.

Once on their respective tee boxes, players must await the sounding of the horn or siren as indication to begin teeing off.

Presentation of prizes will be held at the completion of the tournament, at approximately 5:30pm.

The tournament is an annual fixture on the LGC’s official calendar of events.

All COVID-19 protocols will be in effect.

Big G Lumberyard supports Flying Ace cycle race in NA B

Flying Ace Cycling Coach Randolph Roberts at the presentation, with Manager of Big G, Marlinma Barran, and other representatives

ig G Lumberyard are the latest sponsors to come on board the Flying Ace Cycling Cluborganised circuit race, which will pedal off on Friday, March 18, in New Amsterdam.

This circuit race, which is open to cyclists only from Regions Five (MahaicaBerbice) and Six (East

Berbice-Corentyne), would see cyclists assemble in front of the Rainbow Beer Garden on Republic Road and Charles Place, and race towards Coburg Street, into Main Street, and through Stanleytown onto the Tacama Turn at Republic Road for a total of 10 laps.

Prizes would be awarded to the first four finishers

in the senior category, the first three veterans, and the top junior rider. Eight sprint prizes would be up for grabs.

Flying Ace Cycling Club President Randolph Roberts has said other big events would be held in Berbice, and those would be open to cyclists countrywide. This race is in collaboration with the Mashramani celebrations

Insurance U15 InterCWI launches new Emerging DCB/Premier Association 2022 tournament…

Players Academy at Coolidge Georgetown continue -aimed at developing world-class players

C

ricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the formation of a new Emerging Players Academy which is aimed at supporting the development of world-class players from the Caribbean.

The Academy, which will run annually, would utilise the facilities at the Coolidge Cricket Ground – the new Home of West Indies Cricket - where the best young male and female cricketers will come to Antigua throughout the year for several HighPerformance training and development camps.

“For some time, CWI has been looking at ways of bridging that critical gap between our junior and professional levels, and this Academy initiative provides us with a great start towards achieving this,” CWI Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, has said.

“The programme will also play an important role in building regional capacity within High-Performance

G

impressive run

eorgetown have ripped through the Upper Demerara side in the DCB/Premier Insurance U15 InterAssociation 2022 tournament, thereby claiming their third win.

With the blessing of good sunshine, Georgetown won the

mirror as they build out their individual High-Performance pathway programmes.”

The first intake for the CWI Emerging Players Academy will start in July 2022 and run for a year. Up to 30 players aged between 19 and 25 would be selected from both the Men’s and Women’s talent pool. The aim is to bridge the gap after the West Indies Under-19 level

and assist their progression into one of the six Territorial Board Franchise squads, with the intention that they would graduate to earn one of the fifteen (15) retainer contracts available in each team.

Players selected for the CWI Emerging Players Academy would first be expected to meet the CWI minimum fitness requirements before being exposed to high-quality training programmes and camps in Antigua.

The programme, which would focus on developing the players holistically, would include specific aspects of the game away from the pitch, such as media engagements, financial management, personal development, and leadership.

Players would also enjoy playing opportunities through the CPL Emerging Players partnership with CWI and the Emerging Players team that participate in the annual CG Insurance Super50 Cup. (Sportsmax)

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

CWI Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams

player support – technical, physical, mental, and personal development. The programme will also set a template for our Territories to

in New Amsterdam, while the Arokium Funeral Home, the Jerrick Funeral Home, the Dexter Funeral Home, and the Suresh Business Complex are among the sponsors who have come on board this event.

According to Roberts, this race has been given the green-light by the COVID-19 Task Force.

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.

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Dishon Ashby Keron Phillips and Corey Charles

toss and chose to take first strike, in the process recording a well composed 183 all out from 46.1 overs.

Aside from opener Lomar Seecharran, who scored a formidable 39, the score was supported by contributions from Reyaz Latif, who produced an unbeaten 33; middle order batter Dhanesh Persaud, who chipped in with 27, and captain Dave Mohabir’s 13.

Left-handed fast bowler Dishon Ashby snatched 4 for 29, while Corey Charles and spinner Keron Phillips each collected 2 wickets, for 26 and 34 respectively. Shaukel Fiedtkou claimed 1 for 16.

Upper Demerara struggled in response, and fell for 54 from just 19.1 overs, as pacer Shane Prince clinched 3 for 12 and Johnathan Mentore took 2 for 11; while Darwin La Rose, Kwesi Wilkinson and Joshua Charles each collected a wicket.

Georgetown won this match by a convincing 129 runs.

In today’s upcoming game, East Coast will battle West Demerara at Enmore Ground from 9:30 hrs.

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VACANCY Vacancy for hauler truck driver.

Contact # 611-7088

WANTED Person to cook and manage restaurant in Charity, Essequibo.

Accommodation provided. Attractive Salary. 223-5273/223-5274

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WI vs England: Apex Test series, 1st Test…

23

century, Joe Root fifty drive England into final day J

oe Root looked genuinely impressed by what he was seeing.

As Zak Crawley drove Kemar Roach down the ground for a boundary - not exactly sweetly struck, but with the momentum of his conJoe Root looked solid at siderable levers the crease (Getty Images)

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES 1ST INNINGS Kraigg Brathwaite (c) c Overton b Wood 55 John Campbell c †Foakes b Overton 35 Shamarh Brooks c Root b Stokes 18 Nkrumah Bonner c †Foakes b Lawrence 123 Jermaine Blackwood c Overton b Woakes 11 Jason Holder c †Foakes b Stokes 45 Joshua Da Silva † lbw b Leach 32 Alzarri Joseph c sub (OJ Pope) b Overton 2 Kemar Roach run out (sub [OJ Pope]/†Foakes) 15 Veerasammy Permaul not out 26 Jayden Seales lbw b Leach 0 Extras (b 3, lb 3, nb 3, w 4) 13 TOTAL (157.3 Ov, RR: 2.38) 375 Fall of wickets: 1-83 (John Campbell, 19.3 ov), 2-101 (Kraigg Brathwaite, 25.6 ov), 3-111 (Shamarh Brooks, 28.6 ov), 4-127 (Jermaine Blackwood, 35.1 ov), 5-206 (Jason Holder, 70.6 ov), 6-279 (Joshua Da Silva, 97.2 ov), 7-282 (Alzarri Joseph, 98.6 ov), 8-326 (Kemar Roach, 127.5 ov), 9-372 (Nkrumah

Bonner, 154.5 ov), 10-375 (Jayden Seales, 157.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Chris Woakes 30-6-88-1 Craig Overton 32-7-85-2 Mark Wood 17-4-45-1 Jack Leach 43.3-20-79-2 Ben Stokes 28-7-42-2 Joe Root 5-0-30-0 Dan Lawrence 2-2-0-1 ENGLAND 2ND INNINGS Alex Lees lbw b Roach 6 Zak Crawley not out 117 Joe Root (c) not out 84 Extras (b 3, lb 2, nb 5) 10 TOTAL (63.2 Ov, RR: 3.42) 217/1 Yet to bat: Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes †, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Mark Wood, Jack Leach Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Alex Lees, 10.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Kemar Roach 13-2-31-1 Jayden Seales 12-2-51-0 Jason Holder 10-2-24-0 Alzarri Joseph 14-3-35-0 Veerasammy Permaul 10-0-51-0 Kraigg Brathwaite 4-0-14-0 Nkrumah Bonner 0.2-0-6-0

behind it - the England captain met him in the middle of the pitch for a couple of fist-bumps and approving nods, chattering away in encouragement, and eliciting a broad grin from his young charge.

Given that it was boundary number eight of 16 and counting for Crawley, who was compiling the second Test century of his career, the exchange may not have been unusual, but, in the circumstances, it stood out.

After a dirty day three, when Root more commonly wore a look of anguish as his attack failed to capitalise on prior opportunity, not to mention a tumultuous start to the year, England turned the tables on West Indies with an unbroken second-wicket stand in Antigua worth 193, a century and fifty so far to its protagonists, and a 153-run lead heading into the final day.

The hosts failed to make further inroads after Roach removed debutant opener Alex Lees lbw, in single figures for the second time in the match, to put the tourists at 24 for 1, still 40 runs in arrears.

On a pitch that had admittedly offered nothing for the bowlers all match, the West Indies bowlers leaked runs, Veerasammy Permaul

being particularly expensive in conceding 51 off his 10 overs.

Fellow left-arm spinner Jack Leach, meanwhile, had been one of the brighter lights for England. Bowling 20 maidens - almost half his overs - he took 2 for 79, including West Indies' last wicket with the third ball of the day, as the hosts took a 64-run first-innings lead.

Fast bowler Jayden Seales was the man dismissed, and Leach did not enjoy much more success with the ball, 12 wicketless overs costing 51 runs.

But Roach, who was getting considerable swing with the new ball on the fourth morning, set Lees up with a series of deliveries that moved away from the left-hander, before bang-

England wrapped up West Indies' innings early on day four

fifty from 81 balls, as he and Root hit full flow and West Indies floundered for ideas, despite trying seven different bowling options.

Caught behind off Seales for just 8 in the first innings, Crawley tightened up his defence, but played expansively where it was warranted, pulling the short ball with authority, cutting anything wide, and finding the boundary with the sweep and drive also.

Root raised his half-century late in the afternoon session with a four off Permaul through third, and Crawley survived a hearty shout by West Indies, thinking he'd been caught at slip off the spinner.

Replays showed he had edged the ball into the pitch before it bobbed up to the fielder.

Having scored 267 against Pakistan at Southampton in August 2020, his eighth Test, Crawley had made 12 single-figure scores including two ducks - in 21 innings since.

Called back into the side for the first time since the English summer, for the

West Indies picked up one wicket on day four

ing one in full and straight to beat the inside edge and slam into the front pad. Lees reviewed, perhaps in hope after seeing Crawley successfully overturn an lbw decision from Umpire Gregory Brathwaite in the first over, only to have it confirmed that the ball was crashing into leg stump.

Crawley was yet to score when he was reprieved the first time, with Hawk-Eye showing the ball was missing leg stump by some way. He had moved to 18 when West Indies burned a review shortly after Lees's dismissal, Crawley adjudged not out to a Roach inswinger that hit him high on the back leg outside off stump.

Crawley had to wait out a 10-minute rain delay and Alzarri Joseph’s maidens either side of it, and was on 49 before he regained the strike from Root; and he flipped Roach off his hip for a single to bring up his fifty off 100 balls.

Crawley peeled off Zak Crawley batting during his ton his next

Seales and company toiled away

last three Ashes Tests, when England initially dropped Rory Burns and then Haseeb Hameed, Crawley scored a second-innings 77 in Sydney, and survived the post-series clear-out, which also saw Lees called up to accompany him at the top of the order.

Just like 19 months before, Crawley again lived up to the potential that put him there, as he and Root gave England something to smile about before the intermittent rain that had punctuated play briefly a few times set in. (ESPNcricinfo)

Four selected for AMBC Championships T

he Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) on Friday announced that it has selected a final four-man team to represent Guyana at the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Championships, to be held later this month in Ecuador.

According to a missive from the GBA, the Guyana team would be led by former Caribbean

Middleweight champion Desmond Amsterdam, and would include two former Caribbean champions in Light Welterweight Colin Lewis and Lightweight Jamal Eastman.

Accompanying the team would be GBA Technical Director Terrence Poole MS, who would serve as Manager/Coach.

Now that a final four have been selected, the team

has been encamped and has been going through sessions conducted by Poole and National Coach Lennox Daniels.

Back in January, the GBA had announced an 18-man list that would go into training for selection to participate in this premier boxing event. Those pugilists included Keevin Allicock, sisters Abiola and Alesha Jackman, Mark

Crawford, Richard Howard, Patrick Harvey, Travis Inverary, Jamal Eastman, Joel Williamson, Desmond Amsterdam, Colin Lewis, Julius Kesney, Quacy Abrams, Emanuel Pompey, Delroy Fordyce, Renaldo Niles, Aluko Bess and Richard Subraty.

Guyanese Olympian Keevin Allicock was weeks ago removed from the list of contenders to repre-

sent Guyana at the AMBC Championships, based on non-performance and nonattendance at training.

The AMBC Championships are slated for staging from March 22nd to April 2nd, 2022 in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and would mark the first international competition in which Guyana would be involved for the year 2022.

Based on a decision made

by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) to reward successful boxers with monetary prizes, the AMBC Championships are expected to follow suit with prize monies for podium finishers.

The medalists in each of 13 male and 12 female weight categories, according to the AMBC, would receive prize money: US$10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second, and $2,500 for third place.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022

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

WI vs England: Apex Test series, 1st Test…

century, Joe Root fifty drive England into final day

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LGC’s Ravi and Robert Birthday Tournament set for today Pg 22

Crawley celebrating his century From left are Pandit Ravi, Maxim Mangra and Robert Hanoman

Four selected for AMBC Championships

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr posing alongside the boxers who would represent Guyana at the AMBC Championships

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