Guyana Times -- Sunday January 16, 2022

Govt spearheading efforts to provide P crop insurance to Guyanese farmers 20

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4891 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022

Police presence, camera installation to tackle illegal dumping – President announces Pages 3 & 18

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Smuggled P23 chicken, alcohol, ganja seized

by GRA, CANU

…as Head of State leads massive clean-up exercise in Georgetown Outrage over regional objections to Local Content law

Operators in Guyana’s healthcare system bemoan duplicitous treatment of local products …“we must act in our interest” – Dr Rambaran Page 7

7 arrested P24 for breaching COVID-19 curfew Agriculture Ministry working with farmers to reduce cost of vegetables

Vandalism P24 causes disruption to GTT’s services in Linden

CSEC Students of Karasabai, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) attending Saturday's classes to catch up on school work missed during COVID-19's forced school lockdown (Education Ministry photo)

3-year-old boy Wartsila will be held accountable – Ali among 5 new COVID deaths Powerplant shutdown

Page 7

…1065 new cases recorded

…as Govt reviews contract

Page 11

One year later

Special P15 Constable injured in ECD accident needs hip replacement

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NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, Jan 16 – 03:00h – 04:30h and Monday, Jan 17 – 03:30h – 05:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, Jan 16 – 15:10h – 16:40h and Monday, Jan 17 – 15:55h – 17:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be light rain showers and light cloud during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 15:40h reaching a maximum height of 2.46 metres.

Low Tide: 09:14h and 21:43h reaching minimum heights of 0.91 metre and 0.73 metre.

Police presence, camera installation to tackle illegal dumping – President announces …as Head of State leads massive clean-up exercise in Georgetown

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday slammed persons for using the capital city as a dumping ground for garbage, signalling new approaches to make errant persons accountable for such actions.

The Head of State made this call as he led a massive cleanup exercise in Georgetown, with members of the Joint Services and Private Sector.

The two-day activity, dubbed “Operation CleanUp”, also saw Prime Minister, Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips; Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie, Cabinet Members, members of the diplomatic community, Private Sector bodies and entities and representatives of civil society playing their part on site.

Ali, who is the Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces, said Police presence and surveillance cameras will be introduced at sites where people continuously dump garbage or deface the country.

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$86.06/barrel

Rough Rice

$262.89/ton

+2.46

London Sugar

$502.60/ton

+1.07

Live Spot Gold

+1.85

USD Per Ounce

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$1818.10

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$1814.40 0.00

$1830.20 0.00%

Speaking on the prevalence of litterbugs, the President chided, “They have no regard for the environment, for each one of us that lives in this country, because it becomes a public health issue. It’s time we start calling people out. While the Police will be out here, the Government will be working on cameras to be installed at specific locations because some of it is deliberate in action also.”

Government initiated this initiative to ensure drastic changes are made to the capital city, to leave a better Guyana for the next generation.

“We all grew up seeing things that we want to change.

Now, all Guyanese are actually part of the change that we want to see. This multistakeholder approach is to send a message

An artist’s impression of the Durey Lane Enhancement Project which will be undertaken as part of the urban renewal/ enhancement projects (DPI photo)

that the responsibility resides in all of us to make a difference and we’ve started cleaning up the city itself,” the President told media operatives.

Saturday’s efforts saw the cleaning of illegal dumpsites, vacant lots being used for illegal dumping, transporting the garbage collected to landfills, and the weeding and raking of parapets.

Accumulated garbage along Sussex Street, West Front Road, Brickdam & High Street, Broad, and Saffon Streets, Cemetery Road, Hadfield Street, East La Penitence Market, High and Princes Streets, Campbellville, Newtown area, D’Urban and Smyth Streets were also on the radar. Members of the public have also been asked to join the activity, which continues today, as the reach will be expanded other locations based on the number of volunteers garnered.

Some 25 locations have been included in this first leg and it has already been announced that this is the “tip of the iceberg”.

“What you’re seeing here is just the tip of the iceberg.

In our assessment, we have 25 sites like these; some of them in far worse condition that we have to clear this weekend. We have hundreds of trucks that were volunteered, heavy equipment. This is not just going to be a one-off exercise. The aim of

this is to bring awareness. The second thing is to do the massive haul in charting the cleaning up of our country,” Ali underscored.

Meanwhile, despite the horrible state the city was in with and City Hall neglecting its fiduciary duty to residents, the Mayor’s call for boycotting the clean-up exercise was ignored.

Urban renewal

The Head of State had announced in his New Year’s message that his Government intends to lead a national resurgence of sustained public cleanliness that promotes environmental health across the country. On Saturday, the Guyanese Leader committed to urban renewal through transformation of the city.

“The city of Georgetown is not a huge city. One of the beauties is that it is a walking city, which means you can walk easily and get your business done. But we have to walk in an environment that is safe, clean, conducive and that is what we will be creating.”

Along with this approach is the intention of creating a family-oriented city and safe zone for the public.

Labelling it an ambitious target, they are aiming to create a walkway from Main Street, spanning beyond Vlissengen Road and through the embank-

ment. A hub will also be created where the train station was.

“We will be restoring that area and that area will be used like a Guyana breakfast shed and we will be working to convert the wooden building, restore it and convert it into an art gallery where our artists not only exhibit their pieces, but sell their pieces and that will be linked to a beautiful walkway, well planted and secured along the Lamaha embankment.

Then Durey Lane and a number of other areas we have identified, the seawall project is ongoing, the medians all the way down the East Coast where the median is, with overgrown grass, we're going to modernise those medians.”

Ali added, “So it’s starting to build a new culture in the way we approach the environment, the way we treat each other, and the environment is a demonstration of who we are.

The environment is a demonstration as to how we value each other because if you can bring garbage and throw it in front of a school, in front of a church, in front of a named street, like Hadfield Street, a national monument, then it demonstrates who really you are and this is what we have to change and we can only do this together.”

To sustain a clean city, it was proposed that such efforts can materialise periodically through national action. The local democratic organs would also be involved.

“When we talk about countries that we admire, and the way in which they do things, these are examples as to how they built a new culture, how they incorporate these, sometimes what seems to be softer side of things, into the culture of the country. So maybe cleaning up is a soft exercise but it is an exercise with critical impact on the way we live, and who we are as a society.” (G12)

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Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 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

T&T undercutting Guyana’s Local Content goals

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aving continued the national discussion and consultations on a Local Content Policy (LCP) for the country to benefit optimally from the nascent Oil and Gas (O&G) industry that was initiated by the then APNU/AFC Government in 2017, the PPPC Administration finally passed the legislation just before the end of 2021.

From a macroeconomic standpoint, Guyana was simply doing what every other country tries to accomplish – increasing its Gross National Product (GNP), which measures income accruing to the nation, rather than only the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that measures income emanating domestically but can be repatriated internationally.

Development can only be delivered when there is local economic growth.

The issues that pertained to the intent, substance and implementation of our LCP, therefore, had been well ventilated by the time our Local Content Act (LCA) was passed, since oil had begun flowing for three years to the date in Dec 2019. It came therefore as a complete surprise when the President and Group CEO of Trinidadian conglomerate Massy issued a statement - purportedly on behalf of some hitherto unknown “Caricom Private Sector Organisation” (CPSO) –alleging our LCA violated our obligations under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC).

There were any number of ironies in this allegation, not the least that Massy itself had been the beneficiary of T&T’s Local Content Policy that had been informally in place for decades but explicitly articulated in 2004. The document is available online as “LOCAL CONTENT & LOCAL PARTICIPATION POLICY & FRAMEWORK FOR THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ENERGY SECTOR LOCAL CONTENT & LOCAL PARTICIPATION POLICY & FRAMEWORK FOR THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ENERGY SECTOR OCTOBER 7TH, 2004”.

While it was not then explicitly legislated, the policy declared, “It is the intention of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago that the country will maximize the level of participation of its national people, enterprises, technology and capital through the development and increasing use of locally owned businesses, local financing and human capabilities in the conduct of all activities connected with the energy sector, along its entire value chain, at home and abroad. As the nation rapidly grows its businesses to help the international community meet their energy needs, we shall use this opportunity to leverage the capabilities of international companies in our midst to build our own businesses, people, technology and capital markets.”

Under the heading, “LOCAL CONTENT AND PARTICIPATION POLICY STATEMENT”, the Government would be “giving preference, firstly, to locally owned, controlled and financed enterprises, then to those that demonstrate a clear culture, commitment and capacity for maximising local value-added, participation and capability development, consistent with the country's aspirations and vision.”

Finally, the TT Government LEGISLATED its definition of “local content”, but buried it in its “Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act 1 of 2015”. Art. 4 explains “local content” means the local value added to goods, works or services measured as the amount of money or percentage of each dollar of expenditure remaining in Trinidad and Tobago after the production of the good or the performance of the work or service; “local industry development” includes those activities that serve to enhance local capacity and competitiveness by involvement and participation of local persons, firms and capital market and knowledge transfer during the conduct of the programme of goods, works or services that are being procured.

Art 7. addresses obligations under RTC: (2) To the extent that this Act conflicts with an obligation of the State under or arising out of the following: (a) a treaty or other form of agreement to which Trinidad and Tobago is a party with one or more States or entity within a State; the requirements of the treaty or agreement shall prevail, except that the procurement of goods, works or services shall be governed by this Act, and shall promote the socio-economic policies of Trinidad and Tobago, and shall adhere to the objects of this Act.

Leading by example: President Dr Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips joined members of the Joint Services, the Private Sector and combined agencies for a two-day clean-up exercise which started on Saturday (OP photo)

Disappointed with Mayor of Georgetown Dear Editor, As a citizen of Georgetown, and more so as a Guyanese patriot, I must express my profound disappointment and deep concern regarding the positions taken and the sentiments expressed by the current Mayor of the capital city, and a former Mayor of Georgetown, regarding ‘Operation CleanUp’, the massive sanitisation exercise that is currently underway.

In fact, I was just gobsmacked.

I cannot understand how the Chief Citizen could condemn such an exercise and try to dissuade persons from supporting such an activity. Just in case the Mayor hasn’t noticed as he drives around in his fancy sports utility vehicle, the city is in a complete mess, with heaps of rubbish everywhere; with clogged drains chockful of garbage, and with litter strewn on parapets that are all way overgrown in all the wards.

Let me just remind the Mayor that his Solid Waste Department has failed miserably, and that he and his City Council have let the citizens down completely. Let us stop the blame game, the responsibility of maintaining the city rests squarely on the shoulders of the City Council, not the Central Government.

I hope the Mayor has observed that rather than heeding his call for a boycott of the exercise, persons turned out in their numbers: from foreign diplomats to corporate leaders, to youth and civic groups, to senior of-

ficers of the Joint Services, to the rank-and-file; and that is because everyone is just sick and tired of the filthy state of the city. What would the Mayor have preferred: that the Central Government, the Private Sector and civil society show up at City Hall with bags of cash, hand it over to them, and wait on them to clean the place up?

I hear the Mayor singing the tune the old cow died on, one sung by some of his predecessors: that the Council is cash-strapped; that Council is without the requisite manpower and machines; that the city has extended its boundaries beyond its capacity; that Central Government is starving it of resources. This is all poppycock! The city is where it is because of gross mismanagement, financial and otherwise.

In trying to pull wool over the eyes of the citizens, the Mayor is hoping that persons have forgotten the times when Georgetown was the Garden City. There were no private garbage contractors costing hundreds of millions of dollars, but rather the Municipal Cleansing Services Section, which was extremely well managed, was responsible for the collection and disposal of all garbage in the city using its own equipment, residential and commercial, and the city was the cleanest in the Caribbean. This very same Cleansing Section was also responsible for the weeding of all parapets and city reserves, which were all well-manicured.

And I don’t understand

this spirit of mendicancy which has taken over City Hall, where they are just sitting and awaiting subventions, donations and financial grants from Central Government. What is the city doing with all of the property rates, fines, fees and other revenue it sources on a daily basis? Does it just go to a top heavy and bloated payroll, to contractors, and to other lavish spending?

One would have imagined that the Mayor would have

welcomed any assistance the city could get, like this clean up.

Rather than moaning about it, the Mayor should be working out a plan of how his enervated and apathetic Solid Waste Department would maintain the cleanliness of the city when ‘Operation Clean-Up’ is over, and not leave it to become as disgusting as it was.

Sincerely, Sean Moniz

We must not lose sight of the larger opportunity Dear Editor, In the spirit of cooperation, local and regional development, I must commend the Government on its ability to look beyond the problems of the recent past. Caricom is an organisation that offers the opportunity to build trade, settle disputes, and improve international competitiveness.

The current discussion on local content in the public domain should not create a conflict that hinders trade within Caricom. As with every Caricom member country, Guyana has a right to define the way it interacts on a business level with other countries within Caricom and the larger Commonwealth. The treaties that have been signed to improve trade and cooperation, if not aligned with our country's current strategy, should be relooked at and re-negotiated. Our local

content policy is there to foster growth and development within our citizenry, and as a sovereign nation, we have the right to develop our people and their businesses. Our comrades outside of our borders also have the right to do the same for their citizens, and it is for this very reason that trade agreements are put in place.

There are things that each country has chosen to focus on to develop their product and service offering within the community, and where it is advantageous to the community, an agreement is struck. We must also not lose sight of the larger opportunity to develop synergistically an offering which allows Caricom members to compete more effectively as a unified body within the larger international markets.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

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GECOM must cleanse itself of all rogue elements!

Dear Editor, The recent termination of the highly controversial Duarte Hetsberger from the employ of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was way overdue. Aside from others who suddenly walked away out of fear of prosecution for their hideous roles, the iceberg is cracking, and all the Commission must ensure is that floating rogue elements are dispensed with.

It is not surprising that the contents of the GECOM computer used by Duarte Hetsberger and others were deleted. The purpose it serves is to remove evidence, and Hetsberger seems to have taken the ‘fall-guy’ posture.

GECOM, however, cannot back- pedal, as the institution has no choice but to improve its image based on the strongest investigative approach at this time.

As the cleanup continues, the public will read much more about the roles of the planted clandestine agents in the attempt to change the results of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

It is rational for one to link and see the coverup of fraud with the clandestine and criminal intent of wiping computers owned

by GECOM. Even though APNU/AFC coalition Government piloted the CyberCrime Act in 2018, it is clear that its full operationalisation must be effected to arrest the overwhelming criminal abuse many of their supporters continue to show in their scant disregard for the law.

During the torturous five months following the March 02, 2020 Elections, and until the cabals in operation at the GECOM Secretariat were dismissed, there is no evidence of any appropriate report regarding the elections being prepared. Consequently, the Information Technology (IT) Officers subsequently discovered that the computers were all cleanly wiped of data, and Hetsberger offered no explanation for the sweep. It must be noted that he was totally in charge of the office. This absolute failure within such key controls begs pertinent questions regarding the necessary off-site backup that should be in place.

Importantly, concerning computer fraud evidenced in this case, Section 11 (1) of the Cybercrime Act of 2018 states: “A person commits an offense if the person(a) Inputs, alters, deletes, or suppresses electronic data; or (b) (b) interferes with the functioning of a computer system, with the intent

to defraud or deceive another person for the purpose of procuring an economic benefit for himself or another person.”

While GECOM is indeed a semi-autonomous organisation, all of its assets are owned by the state. Our taxpayers’ hard-earned contributions were used to procure every piece of equipment, and the wiping out and cleaning out of significant information from GECOM’s computers must be fully investigated. The Police must be promptly called in, and a full investigation must take place in respect to the clean sweepout of data from the former GECOM Chief Executive Officer Keith Lowenfield and his secretary’s computers.

These rogue actors have sought to intimidate the entire nation, which also brings into consideration offences under Section 19 of the Cybercrime Act. I was informed by credible sources that the GECOM Secretariat is depleted of key electronic data, information, and records related to the past several years. At the end of every Local Government, Regional, and National Elections, it is compulsory that the CEO and his staff prepare thorough reports of events regarding the respective Elections, and this was notably absent for 2020 and other periods. These damning acts are very serious, given all the pains and the tremendous cost that this nation had to bear. It is imperative that the Police are called in and the thoroughest forensic examination be conducted to inform charges against those found culpable.

GECOM is in the process of filling several vacancies in the Secretariat, along with many other key areas.

It is, however, most disgusting to observe the myopic approach to the shortlisting of persons for interviews.

Hetsberger is shortlisted for other positions for which he is not appropriately qualified. This highly controversial cabal member does not have a first degree, yet he applied for other advertised vacancies and was shortlisted contrary to other persons in a similar category.

Further, I was reliably informed that Hetsberger was offered other positions than Personal Assistant to the CEO, which he bluntly refused, forcing the decision to dismiss him. Given the circumstances, I share the view of many others that a person of his ilk and rogue involvement should never be accommodated by the consideration of the Commission.

In addition, others who have previously committed the unpardonable sins while working at GECOM must be properly scrutinised and weeded out in an attempt to cleanse the organisation of all these rogue elements currently seeking a foothold through new employment.

It will be remiss if the ramblings and rubbish that Vincent Alexander is carrying on in the media are not pointed out for what they represent. These statements only continue to expose his vexatious and bitter mentality and partisan support for any means necessary. Alexander will recall his dismal by former President Desmond Hoyte as Regional Executive Officer. He must be also aware that his challenge to Robert Corbin for leadership of the PNC led to him losing his Party membership.

Alexander’s publicly displayed irrationality only serves to strengthen the nation’s awareness of his continued bitter demeanour due to the Commission’s decision to cancel the mandatory use of ID cards for voting, as well as the houseto-house registration. Our citizens are candidly aware that the latter would have only served to lengthen the APNU/AFC time in office and facilitate jobs for the PNC family. He has failed miserably in all his efforts and pursuit to find a space under the sun, but Guyana needs the togetherness and not the divisive agenda being peddled by Alexander for all our people.

Guyana is on the rise.

Let us move forward with pride and dignity as steps are taken to rid GECOM of the rogue elements.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

McCormack/GHRA were noticeably silent during testing, defining period in Guyana’s history Dear Editor, Guyana has listed its Carbon Credits on the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART*) platform, and stands to earn over US$300M; and yet, a group calling itself Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) asserts that Guyana has “tattered credibility on climate issues”.

A cursory examination of the release from this ‘group’ poses serious questions of its credibility, motives, and its very existence.

The release, dated 15th Jan 2022, begins, “The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) believes”, but is on a PFG letterhead, but the address is the same as GHRA’s (56B Austin Place & Hadfield St). There is no signature on the PFG release, to add to the confusion.

We already know that the GHRA is the exclusive domain of Mike McCormack and Merle Mendonca, and the fact that GHRA and PFG also share the same phone number (227-4911) adds to the perception that PFG is a shell for McCormack’s shill.

Who knows, maybe Merle answers the phone for PFG and Mike for GHRA… To refute the arguments made by McCormack in the PFG/GHRA release is not a difficult task; Guyana has listed 5.31 Gigatons (5,310,000,000,000 kg) of Carbon on ART, which is a voluntary international initiative that, among other things, serves as a global quality benchmark for forest emission reductions that can enter fungible carbon offset markets.

Guyana’s recent listing of Carbon Credits was subject to rigorous scientific examination before listing.

PFG/GHRA simply spout baseless assertions, and seem to be grasping for relevance in a post-Granger world. Guyana remains a leader in the ‘Green’ world; our Low Carbon Development Strategy

(LCDS) is the ‘gold standard for global development, and a read of the Das Gupta Review (2021) reveals how much Guyana has influenced the world’s thinking on the environment.

Guyana remains a leader in the global environmental arena despite its entry into the small group of oil-producing nations. The small group of naysayers in our midst, who claim to be ‘environmentalists’ and would rather we not produce oil, sit in Georgetown with an abundance of electricity powered by diesel generators (GPL and private) and have no plan or clue on how to improve the lives of the majority of Guyanese. There must be a special circle in hell for people who have theirs and want to pull up the ladder.

The GHRA/PFG/ McCormack views on the domestic policies of Brazilian President Bolsonaro are best ad-

dressed to the Brazilian people, who enjoy the democratic right to choose their Government without fivemonth delays and attempts to steal the elections, as the Granger Administration did in 2020. McCormack/PFG/ GHRA were noticeably silent during that testing and defining period in Guyana’s history.

GHRA/PFG or whatever they choose to call themselves need to work on earning some credibility and on arriving at logical positions based on fact, not mere conjecture. Guyana’s status as an oil-producing nation does not automatically translate into her becoming an environmental rogue. The (updated) LCDS 2030 document is a worthy read for anyone wanting to make a meaningful contribution to Guyana’s environmental policies.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

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Reframing your Perspective in 2022 – Part 1

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octor's Note: Paws for a Cause - Guyana ("Paws") is a local Animal Welfare Group operating and registered in Guyana as a non-profit inc.

The Group works to prevent animal cruelty; to promote humane, ethical, and responsible pet ownership; to advocate for controlling the animal population via spay and neuter campaigns; and to educate the public, while pursuing cases of reported animal neglect and abuse. The Group's work extends beyond dogs and cats, and includes all other animal species, including wildlife, in Guyana.

PAWS will occasionally contribute a "Paws Perspective", providing positive considerations that are aligned with the ethos of the PET CARE Column. In line with the theme of “Adopting a Pet”, which was started last week, the following represents Part 1 of a two-part Guest Column from PAWS on the value of making a New Year’s resolution linked to having a companion animal in your life.

The word ‘January’ has its roots in Roman mythology, and refers to the twofaced God Janus. He is the God of duality, of beginnings, endings, time and transitions. There is no other month that initiates the desire to look toward the future while simultaneously considering the past. Resolutions are the result of this.

At Paws, our slogan is, "You don't have to be an animal person - you just have to be a kind person."

This resonates with us, because we advocate for animal

Paws for a Cause - Guyana

welfare not as a single isolated entity, but as a culture; as a result of kindness; and as a thread that can be found in almost every part of our daily lives. The way we treat animals is a measure of our empathy, our respect for life, and our humanity.

So, what does this have to do with your 2022 Resolutions? We vow at the beginning of every year to make a change in our lives, to be better, to do better.

Kindness to ourselves and to others plays a pivotal role in this. All we sometimes need is a reframing of our perspective to see how easy it is for animal welfare to be part of it.

Most resolutions tend to fall under the common theme of being a better person, but are often broken not much longer after being made.

Consider your personal goals in detail. Quite often, an animal can play a pivotal role in achieving them. While some of the items on our list are just signs of being a responsible pet owner, helping to reframe them in a way that is mutually beneficial to you and your pet may help you stick longer to your resolutions.

Resolution 1: Exercise more with the help of your companion animal

Your pup needs exercise, just like you. Taking them out for a walk or run not only gives you both fresh air and ex-

ercise, but is mentally stimulating for them, since they will get to explore and experience a whole new variety of scents. Mental stimulation reduces their boredom, which in turn reduces their destructive tendencies at home. Physical exercise benefits them in a similar way to humans - their improved fitness makes them happier, healthier, and less prone to issues later on in life.

If you have kids, you can make exercise a full family affair. Going for a walk with an animal can help get children outside, keeps them active, and cultivates a habit of fitness. Plus, it gives them a break from screen time, which has become so much more of a concern in recent times. In addition, if you have ever felt unsafe when running along the seawall or in secluded areas, having a furry friend there can help boost your safety. Remember to ensure that they are secure on a leash, and that you have water for them as well as yourself.

Resolution 2: Improve your mental health

There are multiple studies on the benefit of pets to your mental health. The unconditional love and companionship that pets can provide has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression.

Plus, they are great listeners!

The pandemic has certainly given weight to

this, and there have been some amazing stories of shelters being empty during the pandemic because of the spike in adoptions.

Caring for an animal helps to establish a routine in your life, creates a sense of purpose, and a sense of organisation. Feeding, vet visits, bathing, playing, even something as simple as washing out a water bowl, can help you to focus on these small but meaningful acts that help you quiet your mind, practise mindfulness, and fulfil the broader purpose of a happy, healthy pet.

One of our favourite things is the unbridled excitement our fosters have when they see us. We may simply leave the room only to return seconds later, and their excitement will be the same as if they have not seen us for ages. Who would not smile at a wildly wagging tail, knowing that they are the reason that somebody is ecstatic? Who would not love the quirks of their pet?

Our foster pup Daffodil gets so excited every single time you see her that she knocks over her water bowl, no matter how far away she is from it. She celebrates seeing you by wagging her tail and running in circles with zero interest in anything but you.

She is single-handedly raising our water bill, and we are more than happy to pay. The ridiculousness of her love never fails to put a smile on our faces.

Next week, we shall continue with more convincing reasons for adopting a pet in 2022.

T

THE ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORIZATION PROCESS

he Environmental Protection Act establishes key functions of the Agency in the area of environmental management, chief among which are: • To prevent and control pollution; • To coordinate environmental management activities; • To promote participation of the public in environmental management; and • To take into account potential environmental impacts of development projects when deciding whether or not to authorize a project.

The last role is implemented through the environmental authorization process, which begins with the submission of an application to the EPA. General documents required when applying for Environmental Authorization • Completed application form (this can be downloaded from the EPA’s website, or uplifted at our offices); • Proof of identification (National ID or passport); • Proof of land ownership (lease, tenancy agreement, transport etc., and does not apply to state agencies); • Business Registration licence; • Any other permit or licence or approval required by other government agencies; • Project Summary/Description, including a map of the surrounding area; • Site layout; and • Application fee Other documents may be required, depending on the nature of the project.

Screening

Applications are then ‘screened’ to determine whether or not an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should be required. This is perhaps the most important part of the authorization process, as potential environmental impacts are identified. The Agency has strengthened its screening process by ensuring appropriate screening questions are asked of the proposed project; site visits are conducted, existing information is gathered and reviewed; and engagement with key agencies and residents in the area of the proposed project is done.

The outcome of this process is a Screening Report on the potential impacts and identification of possible significant impacts, to inform the Agency’s decision in regard to whether an EIA is required or not, to further inform its decision to issue an Environmental Permit or not. The EPA has also strengthened its adherence to the Act by publishing reasons for its decisions, and making Project Summaries available for public access and review.

The EPA then proceeds to publish its decision in at least one daily newspaper, as is required by the Act. The Agency also uses its social media platforms to make these decisions known to the public.

30 Days Public Notice – An EIA is not required, and the public has thirty days from the publication of the notice to read the project documents, and to voice objections (if any) to the EPA’s decision to not require an EIA. If there are objections, these are addressed to the Environmental Assessment Board (EAB).

28 Days Public Notice – An EIA is required, and the public has 28 days from the publication to make recommendations to the EPA on the content of the EIA.

What happens next?

If there are objections to the EPA’s decision to not require an EIA, the EAB – a body independent of the EPA, hosts public hearings which bring together appellants, developers, and members of the EPA team to present their positions on the proposed project. The EAB then deliberates and publishes its decision – uphold or overturn the EPA’s decision.

If the decision is upheld, the developer is then required to submit management plans which are reviewed by the Agency.

These plans aid the EPA in drafting permit conditions. This is not a guarantee that Environmental Authorization would be granted, as more information may be requested from the developer. Permit conditions are among the tools used to protect human health and the environment, and the EPA monitors projects based on these conditions.

If the EAB overturns the EPA’s decision to not require an EIA, the authorization process may be restarted.

Next week, we’ll take a closer look at the authorization process, where an EIA is required.

If you already own a business, or are thinking about starting one, ensure you call or come in to the EPA to start the process. Remember to respect each other and the environment, and take the necessary precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Look out for our column next week as we continue to share information on Environmental Authorizations.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Outrage over regional objections to local content law

Operators in Guyana’s healthcare system bemoan duplicitous treatment of local products … “we must act in our interest” – Dr N Rambaran

A

s public outrage continues to build over the objections by some major businesses entities from regional countries to Guyana’s Local Content Law, stakeholders are highlighting the discrimination that has been meted out to Guyanese and local business when it comes to trade in the region.

Since last week’s leaked email from the Caricom Private Sector Organization (CPSO) claiming that the recently passed Local Content legislation violates parts of the Caribbean Community’s Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and subsequent threats of legal challenges to the law by certain sections in Trinidad and Tobago, there has been a growing widespread push back in Guyana from various stakeholders including the local Private Sector.

In fact, there have been arguments of the duplicitous nature of some Caricom neighbours, who are now laying claims to benefits from Guyana’s oil and gas sector, but have deliberately blocked Guyanese companies from enjoy such privilege in the past.

While examples of this treatment were highlighted in the export of processed agricultural products and trade barriers, a few local companies that operate within the healthcare system in Guyana are now speaking out their woes in getting into some regional markets.

One of the companies

pointed out that historically, business between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has been a lopsided affair with the island-state enjoying healthy trade surpluses.

“The reasons for this are many but amongst them is that T&T regulators employing strategies that deny intra-regional competition and protecting their local companies. In the healthcare sector, Guyanese companies have always been shunned by the T&T public health sector even when all requirements are met and even if a Guyanese submits the lowest bid.”

ready satisfied the prerequisite quality standards.

“This was not an isolated incident,” the company stressed, adding that agencies such as NIPDEC use its enormous powers to keep Guyanese products and companies out of the country.

On the other hand, the Guyanese company outlined that it is relatively easier to sell to the Jamaican public health sector where, although there is preference for products from extra regional sources, the Government seems to have opened a window for products manufactured within Caricom. Similarly, there is

eryone including Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The formula which they have employed is quite ingenuous. Existing T&T companies incorporate a shadow company using the same name in Guyana and this is where everything becomes hazy. The local shadow entity is a minimalist operation.

It only engages a skeleton delivery staff.”

Having made these points, both of the locally operated businesses asserted that with the advent of oil and gas, Guyanese companies in all sectors are now being forced to compete against a growing list of such foreign operators.

Own interest

The company referred to an instance several years ago, when officials from T&T’s procurement management body, National Insurance Property Development Company Limited (NIPDEC), frankly expressed their preference for their own local companies and sidelined Guyanabased companies’ bids, which would have been the clear winners on the basis of price and quality, having al-

some accommodation for locally manufactured products in Barbados and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Meanwhile, another local operator within the healthcare sector contended that despite the discrimination Guyanese companies have faced in T&T, companies from that country are having “a grand time” in Guyana.

“In the health sector they have managed to outfox ev-

In addition to local companies, Guyanese professionals in the healthcare system are also facing similar challenges with being allowed to practice in some regional countries.

This was highlighted by prominent medical practitioner, Dr Navindranauth Rambaran, who is the Head of the General Surgery Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). He lamented on the unreciprocated homage that Guyana pays its Caricom neighbours.

According to Dr Rambaran, who also serves as the Head of the Medical Council Board, Guyana is “remarkably invested in Caricom” in ways that are institutionalised via the country’s laws and by cultur-

Dr Navindranauth Rambaran

al practices.

This, he pointed out, is reflected in the Medical Practitioners Act 1991, which states that a medical practitioner is eligible for registration in Guyana if he/she… a) Is a citizen of Guyana, a spouse of a citizen of Guyana, is resident in Guyana or is a national of a member state. The latter intent and practise is “Citizens of Caricom”.

“Thus, a physician who is fully registered in a Caricom state can easily have his/ her credentials transferred to Guyana. The reverse is virtually impossible for a Guyanese physician. As a matter of fact, where else in the confines of the ever-unfulfilled Caricom can any countryman, save for possibly the OECS, find such accommodation?” Dr Rambaran contended.

He went on to remind of Guyanese being hassled at regional ports of entries including automatic deportation of entire flights and, the infamous benches at certain ports.

These, he added, “…have caused a latent but ever flaming grudge in our countrymen that can only be erased by reciprocity or unabashed apology. Certainly not by disdain and self-righteousness to our local content laws now emanating from predictable quarters.”

Nevertheless, the medical practitioner stated that while Guyana will forever be grateful to Caricom for its intervention in the contentious 2020 elections, the country needs to put its interest first.

“If culturally and by existing laws, Guyana’s human capital is not welcomed, good luck in getting our products accepted. Our Government, surely with ears to the ground, can feel the sentiments prevailing across Guyana. I urge them to act accordingly. We must in moving forward act in our interest and not dally too much in appeals to sense of fairness vis a vis lip service agreements that are now being conveniently exhorted,” Dr Rambaran asserted.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Snapping…

Y

…in PNC frustration? our Eyewitness is quite chuffed that Aubrey Norton, the new Leader of the PNC (ain’t no “R’ no mo’!), is holding weekly press conferences. This was one of the signal failures of his predecessor Granger, who held three of them in his five-year presidency!! Talk about being reclusive!! Especially when the man had a post- graduate diploma (?) in journalism from an American college, and produced a news magazine – Guyana Review - for years.

But this serves the PNC right for picking a former Army head who’d never been questioned by any other than his Comrade Leader, Burnham!!

Now, your Eyewitness wishes Norton well. If for no other reason that the PNC ain’t going nowhere for quite a while - and the rest of Guyana better get used to that. A political movement as entrenched as the PNC can become quite dangerous if there isn’t a leader who’s in sync with its followers.

While Norton might take umbrage at an invocation of a Gandhian aphorism – your Eyewitness suspects, (with some evidence!) that their conkie don’t mix! – Gandhi did advise, “There goes my people, I must catch up, since I am supposed to be their leader!” And Gandhi did know a thing or two about mobilisation!

So, it’s in that spirit that your Eyewitness offers this bit of advice to the new “Comrade Leader” – as his handpicked Chairman addressed him. Is this a signal that his PNC is still “socialist”? Which brand? Anyhow, it was clear that Norton was too wound up at the presser. While he clearly doesn’t want to come over as avuncular as Granger – he couldn’t bring THAT off, even if he tried! – he can’t be so querulous with his answers to the burning questions of the day!! And querulous he was - petulant, touchy, testy, tetchy, waspish, prickly – when a PNC-friendly reporter asked him about the status of his talks with Joseph Harmon – the Leader of the Opposition (LOO) - and David Granger – the Representative of the APNU/AFC List (RAAL).

After all, when he won the leadership, he assumed the two worthies would “do the right thing” and resign, so that he could step into their shoes. In fact, even BEFORE he won, he assumed they’d do so, because he’d already announced who he’d be sending to Parliament etc. That assumed he had their powers and authority!! And maybe THAT was his undoing – those two fellas clearly aren’t fans of Spike Lee!! And furthermore, when he discovered the aforementioned fact, he did say he’d be meeting with them, since by the rules of the game, he couldn’t make a move without ultimately Granger’s blessings.

Your Eyewitness advises a bit of humble pie – especially to lowly journalists!! Even worms turn!!

…of brotherly love If it’s one thing one has to give Guyana credit for, it’s our support for Caricom ever since Burnham was one of its founders back in 1973. Even when they stayed quiet during the Burnhamite elections-rigging, Guyanese who fled to their shores were grateful – even as they chafed at the third-class treatment meted out to them. Burnham had reduced them to beggars – and beggars can’t be choosers!

Well, our patience is really being tested right now, after TT’s Chairman of Massy made quite a nasty, underhanded move to claim our Local Content Law was violating Caricom’s Treaty of Chaguaramas. This is dirty pool, because Trinidad hid its Local Content Law under its “Procurement Law”, and this was even more stringent that ours!! At least ours have exemptions and percentages!!

And Massy had to’ve known about this subterfuge, since they were one of its biggest beneficiaries!!

Your Eyewitness repeats his call for all Guyanese to send a message to Massy: give their supermarkets a wide berth!!

…incompetency The Power Producer and Distribution Inc. (PPDI) was established by the PNC in 2016 to replace Wartsila’s responsibility for our electricity generators.

The SNAFU about a possible explosion at Garden of Eden causing massive blackouts is a reminder to check their performance.

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

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Power plant shutdown

Wärtsilä will be held accountable – Ali …as Govt reviews contract

G

overnment will be reviewing the Wärtsilä contract with the intention of instituting possible penalties, days after the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) was forced to shut down the Garden of Eden power plant for an emergency mechanical inspection.

The East Bank Demerara (EBD) facility was shut down on Friday to facilitate the assessment.

Finland-based Wärtsilä is running and operating the $10 billion state-of-the-art dual-fuel power plant. But the operation and maintenance (O&M) agreement also caters for the Wärtsilä technical team to train local personnel.

Commenting on the situation on Saturday, President Irfaan Ali told the media that it has been monitored continuously. Attorney General Anil Nandlall has since been instructed to review the contract with Wärtsilä, especially the operation and maintenance agreement.

“We have been monitoring this all night, and I’ve asked already the Attorney General and GPL to look into the contract with Wärtsilä because they have an O&M contract also, to see whether you’re supposed to have X number of human resource capability on the ground, and if that

President Irfaan Ali

is not there, why? So, we are going to hold Wärtsilä accountable,” the Head of State outlined.

Initial reports are that heavy fuel, which is being used at the plant, was getting into the exhaust system. This prompted officials to shut down the five Wärtsilä generators, which started operating late last year. Officials had feared that if the fuel accumulates in the turbocharger, it could result in a “big explosion” with the chance of fatalities.

President Ali has asserted that his Administration will ensure that contractors are held accountable for the work they produce. Along

with fixing the issue, penalties are being explored.

“Whether you’re an international contractor, a regional contractor or a local contractor, I’ve made it very clear: you will be held accountable for the work you do in this country. So, they have to fix it, and they have to get it, get it up and running. And also, I asked the AG, first in every new contract, there must be a clause for damages” The Head of State added, “I’ve asked him to examine this contract and to see whether there are penalties when you have shut down because if you have an O&M contract, there must be performance indicators.

If there are performance indicators that are not met or you have shut down like these that are not supposed to be like the way it is, if you are continuously managing the operations and maintaining the operation or if there was an issue that they had at installation, which they still have responsibility for, all of that has to be examined in the context of the contract and once there are penalties, the penalties have to be applied.”

After the shutdown, Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar told Guyana Times that, with these generators down, there will be some

strain on the DemeraraBerbice Interconnected System (DBIS). A shutdown of this magnitude would result in 46.5 megawatts being taken off the grid.

GPL, in a notice, had also indicated that the unavailability of 46.5MW will impact the available generation capacity within the DBIS and result in load-shedding in some areas. However, the company said its engineers will continue to review the company’s available generation capacity against the projected demand over the coming days to determine whether further load-shedding will be required.

“Whether you’re an international contractor, a regional contractor or a local contractor, I’ve made it very clear: you will be held accountable for the work you do in this country. So, they have to fix it, and they have to get it, get it up and running. And also, I asked the AG, first in every new contract, there must be a clause for damages” – President Ali The highly efficient Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines, which can utilise heavy fuel oil and natural gas simultaneously, has a capacity of 9.3MW each.

Only last July, however, there was an explosion at the one of the transformers at the old Garden of Eden

plant. GPL had explained that a 16.7 MVA transformer at the EBD facility caught on fire resulting in all power generating units at that site shutting down. The loss of the plant’s 27MW caused a cascading effect, disrupting service to customers on the DBIS. (G12)

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3-year-old boy among 5 new COVID deaths

…1065 new cases recorded

Ballots or bullets?

L

ast Friday marked the 23rd anniversary of the Jan 12th 1998 Ethnic Riots. For me, it was the beginning of my brief foray into politics after more than 200 Indian-Guyanese were beaten and assaulted in the streets of Georgetown by members of the African-Guyanese community, in full view of the Police. Yet no arrests were made and no inquiry was conducted. The riots followed PNC protests against the PPP’s victory in the Dec 1997 elections - the first one that followed the “free and fair” elections of 1992.

One week after the riots, I wrote a letter published in the SN (“The Accord rewards Ravi Dev the PNC for jettisoning the rule of law), which began, “While for purposes of analyses we may sometimes distinguish ends from means, they are ontologically identical, since ends are no more than realized means. If we persist with the artificial distinction in real life, we court disaster. The recently Caricom-brokered Accord between the PNC and the PPP is a case in point: while in theory it appears to be a step forward out of our Guyanese dilemma, the means by which the PNC brought the PPP to the table vitiates all hope of any lasting and permanent progress.

“The Accord rewards the PNC for jettisoning the rule of law and due process in Guyana. It rewards the PNC for demonstrating to the people that if you lose by a set of rules you yourself had drafted, simply seize the umpire and demand new rules which will guarantee your victory. The Accord rewards the PNC for its wilfully lawless, bullying tactics culminating in the Jan. 12th pogrom launched by AfricanGuyanese against Indian-Guyanese. If not actually executed by the PNC (and this is most arguable), then at a minimum, it was prompted by the reckless and inflammatory statements and actions of the PNC leadership, and occasioned by the illegal march following Justice Bernard’s ruling…And this is precisely what the PNC has been doing, and continues to do.”

Even though we also called for a “Peace and Reconciliation Commission” in the spirit of Restorative Justice, to enquire why one group of Guyanese citizens would launch such violence against another, none was ever commissioned by the PPP Government then under attack. Rather, it started to implement the “Herdmanston Accord”, which had been brokered between it and the PNC by Caricom.

As predicted, the Accord’s “forensic audits”, Constitutional changes to ensure greater “inclusiveness” in Governance for the PNC, truncation of the PPP’s term of office etc, did not bring peace. Throughout 1998, the kick-down-the-door banditry against Indians intensified to such an extent that one magistrate called it “guerrilla warfare against Indians”.

In escalated rounds of violence, the attacks and murders - primarily on Indians – continued in tandem with arson in Georgetown. Between 1999-2000, thirty-one businessmen were murdered, thirty being Indian Guyanese. Janet Jagan was forced to step down from the presidency, and was succeeded by the youthful Bharrat Jagdeo, who literally received a baptism of fire.

Following the imposed, premature elections of March 2001, after several riots in Georgetown, which as usual targeted Indians, a new and escalated level of murder and other forms of violence was unleashed on Indian-Guyanese along the East Coast of Demerara – especially on the Buxton public road. On Feb. 23 2002, five prisoners escaped from the Camp Street Jail and holed up in Buxton. They announced they were “African Freedom Fighters”, and launched an open attack simultaneously on the state - represented by the Police - and a wave of kidnappings, car-jackings, robberies, and murders primarily against Indian civilians. Tragically emphasising our concerns about the unreformed Police Force, in a tit-for-tat sequence, over four hundred persons of all races – but a majority being African Guyanese and 30 Police ranks - were killed by official and “phantom squads” and criminal gangs up to 2008.

With the Indian-Guyanese population shrinking to less than 40% by 2011 through emigration, the African-Security Dilemma was resolved and the PNC returned to office in 2015 in coalition with the AFC. However, after they lost the elections in 2020, President Granger precipitated violent protests against Indian Guyanese on West Berbice. The Indian Security Dilemma remains unresolved, and once again no inquiry was held, although promised.

With Aubrey Norton just elected as PNC Leader, even though he was later identified with many PNC protests after 1998, he was also one who had argued for shared governance.

One hopes he would again choose ballots over bullets.

I

n the height of a new wave of the pandemic, another five persons have succumbed to COVID-19 in Guyana, compounded with 1065 new infections as of Saturday.

Guyana’s death toll now stands at 1086. Latest fatalities are a 61-year-old male from Region One who died on January 15; a 48-yearold male from Region Two who died on January 14; a 74-year-old female from Region Two who died on January 13; and a 58-yearold male from Region Four who died on January 9.

Meanwhile, a threeyear-old boy also succumbed to the virus on January 9.

The Health Ministry’s dashboard on Saturday showed 1065 new infections in one day, taking confirmed cases to 50,121. This comprises of 22,329 males and 26,792 females.

There are 15 patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 170 in institutional isolation, 9648 in home isolation and five in institutional quarantine. Some 39,302 persons have recovered.

From a breakdown, 23 positives were reported in Region One (BarimaWaini), 49 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 115 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 619 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 18 in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), 49 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 23 in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), 23 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 26 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 24 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony affirmed during the latest COVID update that a multitude of factors determine the duration of a wave during the pandemic. To this end, he said workplaces should make the environment safe to curtail infections.

“Despite how long it lasts, we have to take precautions. At workplaces, people are getting sick and it is because we haven’t put in place, mechanisms to make our workplaces safe. There are very simple things that can be done. We have to ensure that we enforce the vaccination policy, which I think a lot of workplaces are not doing,” he observed.

This is in conjunction with the administration of booster shots and public responsibility to keep the population safe.

“Unfortunately, the mask has become like a style. People are wearing it under their nose, under their chin and if you wear it like that, it’s not going to have any value. You need to

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD JANUARY 15, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

1065

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

170 9548 15

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

5

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

26,792

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

23,329

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

50,121

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

39,302

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

17921816

REGION 2

1883

REGION 3

6474

REGION 4

24,838

REGION 5

1797

REGION 6

4673

REGION 7

2148

REGION 8

658

REGION 9

2955

REGION 10

2879

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

416,994 303,373

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1086

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.

wear it properly and properly means covering your nose and mouth. We’re not seeing that happening in some cases,” he lamented.

In Guyana, over 416,000 adults or 81.3 per cent have taken a first dose while more than 303,000 or 59.1 per cent are completely immunised. For children between the age of 12 to 17, some 22,000 or 30.6 per cent are completely vaccinated. Meanwhile, over 24,000 persons have taken their booster dose.

This week, Guyana received a shipment of 28,800 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, donated by the Government of Spain through the COVAX Facility. The vaccines were handed over to the Minister of Health at the Kingston Bond. Through COVAX, Guyana has benefitted from donations of AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures,

which are in effect until January 31, 2022. This order emphasises the need for everyone, 12 years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19; the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good

hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy (G12)

12 NEWS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Agriculture Ministry working with farmers to reduce cost of vegetables B y A ndrew C armichael

T

he Agriculture Ministry is soon to introduce a farmers’ market in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to reduce the high cost consumers are asked to pay for locally grown vegetables.

This is according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who made the announcement on Saturday while visiting farming communities on the East Bank of Berbice.

While pointing out that Government has no control over import prices, Mustapha was of the view that, working together, Government and farmers can reduce the price consumers pay for locally grown food.

Mustapha explained that two factors have resulted in rising food prices: global warming, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that the impact of global warming has seen increased rainfall, and in Guyana, there was a countrywide flood last year that severely crippled the agriculture sector.

“The temporary crops are coming back on stream, and I am hoping

that we can work with the farmers to reduce the cost.

A number of permanent crops were destroyed, and we are seeing the effects.

Things like plantain, you have almost a nine-month cycle for plantain to grow, so it is almost considered a permanent crop; but things like six-week crops like bora and the other vegetables that we buy, some people are trying to increase those prices and are having a field day to get more money.”

Reduce price to consumers

Mustapha appealed to the farmers who attended meetings at Mara, Plegtanker and Highbury to work with the Ministry in an effort to earn more for their labour and also reduce the price consumers pay for vegetables.

He pointed out that even though plantains are being retailed at some markets at $400 per pound, the farmer is receiving only $100 per pound.

“Famers have received a lot of support from the Peoples Progressive Party Government. We went out of our way to ensure that If not all of the farmers, most of them were given

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha meeting with farmers at Plegtanker

some form of relief,” the Minister reminded.

However, he noted that the farmers must be organised to have prices reduced.

“For us to bring down the cost of vegetables and fruits, our Extension Officers will be working with you to organise a farmers’ market. In Berbice, within the month and a half, I want to see a farm-

ers’ market. We will set up a place for you around the New Amsterdam area and advertise it well, and on a weekly basis, we can have a farmers’ market,” the Minister said.

He said Government has no control over the rising price of fertilisers and other chemicals used in the industry.

Nevertheless, he pointed out that Government

has engaged its bilateral partners to see if the Government can import fertilizer on a short-term basis.

“Some plants in some parts of the world close because of the high price to produce fertiliser. We are getting it from between $8500 and $10,000 per bag. What we have done is to speak with the importers, and they have reduced

their cost. If we didn’t talk to them, they would have increased it more. In the meantime, we are also negotiating with our bilateral partners to see if we can bring in the fertiliser at a cheaper cost, but this here is a temporary issue.”

This is so, he said, because Guyana will soon have the gas-to-shore pipeline. “When we have that, we will produce our own fertilizer, and at that time, fertiliser will be very cheap to farmers. In another three years, when that project comes on stream, we will have our own natural gas to produce our own fertiliser. So, it is a temporary thing, but we are still working to see how we can assist farmers,” the Minister explained.

Meanwhile, at Mara, farmers complained of difficulty getting young orange plants to replace those that died during the prolonged flood last year.

Because of the current high demand for young plants, there is a shortage.

Mustapha committed to making 100 orange plants available to those Mara farmers.

TURN TO PAGE 24

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14 FEATURE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A visit to Santa Cruz

By Alva Solomon

I

t is a peaceful village situated along the Waini River in the North West District, and on busy days, the sound of speedboats zooming past in the distance adds to the pristine features of Santa Cruz.

As the boat banked the turn along the river, small businesses could be seen at the riverside, with the Golden Arrowhead flying above one of several small businesses at this exotic village.

Santa Cruz, which is also known as Kaniballi,

is a small riverside village along the right bank of the Waini River. Home to approximately 350 residents, the village is home to mainly descendants of the Warrau indigenous tribe. However, there are also descendants of Arawaks and Caribs. The village was founded in the year 1891.

At the left side of the village lies the mouth of the Barama River, another major waterway which leads to a number of mining communities; and north of the junction, where the latter river meets the Waini, lies a creek where most of the residents

A woman paddling her canoe along the Waini River at Santa Cruz. Canoeing is the primary means of transportation around the village

live.

According to the villagers, the founding families of

the village of Santa Cruz include the Wilsons, Thomases and Abram families. The village is rich in its indigenous heritage, and a number of shell mounds can be found along the nearby river.

Close neighbours to Santa Cruz live at the villages of Waikerabi, located along the Barama River; Warapoka, a tourism destination which is located north of Santa Cruz along the Waini River; and Kwebana, which lies sought along the Waini. Residents

A dwelling at Santa Cruz village along the Waini River

are connected to the internet via a Digicel antenna which lies at the latter village.

As the boatman moored the vessel at the side of a shop outside Santa Cruz that Saturday, the quietude of the village was evident, but what caught the eyes of the visiting team was a high hill-top feature which sits above the riverside. As the visitors disembarked, their attention was immediately drawn to several concrete steps leading to the hill-top in the distance.

Along the passageway

leading to the steps, buildings can be seen, and these include a facility to house a computer hub for residents to use. Further up the passageway, the visitors encounter the first step up the hill, and a mango tree at the top of the hill provides everyone with an idea of the height of the hill. At the left side of the hill stands the Health Centre, a neatly built structure which is staffed by a community health worker.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

FEATURE

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One year later

Special Constable injured in ECD accident needs hip replacement

By LaWanda McAllister

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ne year after a 44-yearold Special Constable attached to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was involved in an accident on the

Cove and John Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), she is in urgent need of a hip replacement.

Aquaba Assanah of Haslington, ECD received

A visit to Santa...

FROM PAGE 14

The steps leading to the hill-top at Santa Cruz. Primary school students climb and descend these steps daily on their way to school

A view of the riverside at Santa Cruz on the Waini River, where many shops line the waterway

The visitors then ascended the hill. The steps are made of concrete and they ‘hug’ the sides of the hill. As the visitors climbed, some persons panted while others took short breaks, given the height of the hill. Then, after crossing the last step, the breath-taking view of the village, sprawling in the distance over the mighty Waini River can be seen, with lush vegetation at its banks. A lady paddling along the river, a speed boat zooming by and birds circling overhead , all added to the exotic features of the village.

As the visitors reached the top of the hill, several buildings could be seen at its top. They include an old church and the Santa Cruz Primary School. Outside the school , signs warning persons about the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic can be seen and they all provided important advice on how to ensure one must follow the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health.

Then it was time to take photos at the edge of the hill. Selfies and other poses reigned and the scenery is so breath-takingly beautiful that one may wish to sit at stare at the Waini River all day, given the peace and quiet the area offers.

Down by the riverside at the ‘landing’, the boat captain fuelled up his outboard engine while the shop-keeper chatted with a visitor.

A few canoes were moored at the landing while residents paddled across the river.

According to residents, logging, hunting and fishing are among the min economic activities at Santa Cruz. The area also boats a number of riverside fuel depots and its main customers are miners who travel from the mining areas along the Barama River to replenish their supplies.

The village also boasts a sports ground where cricket and football are played by the village teams. Teams from the nearby villages within the Moruca sub-region would visit Santa Cruz for village competitions in the various disciplines. There are approximately 60 families residing at Santa Cruz and residents noted that life at the village is peaceful.

There are no reports of criminal activities and according to a resident, many visitors have expressed an interest in taking their friends on tours of the village as they noted the tourism potential the area boasts.

injuries about her body, and was hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after the motorcycle she was riding collided with a car.

A report from the GPF stated that Assanah was proceeding east along the northern side of the Cove and John Public Road on motorcycle CK 5568 when the driver of motor car PRR 4561 Bryon Mahendra, a fisherman of Hope, Lowland Section, ECD - stopped to allow a vehicle proceeding in the opposite direction to turn south into the access road.

In the process of doing so, Assanah, who was proceeding in an easterly direction, overtook several vehicles along the left side of the said road and collided with the front left side of the said motor car.

As a result of the collision, Assanah received injuries about her body. She was picked up by public-spirited

Injured: Special Constable Aquaba Assanah

citizens and taken to the GPHC, where she was admitted a patient and was subsequently discharged.

On Saturday, in an interview with Guyana Times, the woman disclosed that,

since the accident, she is unable to walk on her own, and uses a crutch to help her move around. She said the accident has not only cost her her livelihood, but also her job.

Assanah unscored that since she lost her job, she can hardly provide for herself, because, prior to the accident, she had no one to rely on, not even her children.

“It is really hard… I does got to go to clinic… my clinic coming up, and I don’t even have a cent to go. I went to the hospital on the 10th of this month, and when I went, the doctor asked me if I come with anybody. I tell him no, and I ask him what happen, don’t be afraid because I am not afraid of anything.

“He told me that I will need a hip replacement and it will cost $400,000, and I don’t have that money. He told me if I don’t do it, I wouldn’t be able to walk… It is hard”.

The woman has said that since she was given this tragic

news from the doctor, she has been trying all around to accumulate some of the funds, but all of her efforts have proved futile.

“I have four children, but they are big people and I never really had anyone. I am really, really in need of help.

I have to go in hospital, and I will need stuff. I have to go to clinic next month, and I don’t have no money, and when I am moving, I have to go with a taxi because I can’t walk… This is so embarrassing. I never wanted to put it up on social media, but I have to do it because I have no other alternative”, she said.

When asked if she is getting any assistance from the Police Force, the woman said she was told that when she accumulates some of the money, she would get some assistance.

Anyone who is interested in helping Aquaba Assanah can contact her on telephone number 681-2420.

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Massive clean-up exercise in Georgetown

19 Gunman holds hostages at synagogue in Texas, 1 released NEWS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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rabbi and three others were taken hostage during a Shabbat service at the reform Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, on Saturday.

One hostage has been released, leaving three remaining hostages, according to police.

According to multiple news outlets, the gunman said he was Muhammad Siddiqui, brother of Pakistani Al-Qaedaaffiliated Aafia Siddiqui, who is serving an 86-year prison sentence for multiple felonies including trying to kill US Army officers. Siddiqui’s lawyers, however, denied that he was in fact who he claimed to be, and Houston’s chapter of CAIR tweeted agreeing with the lawyers. The gunman demanded to meet with Aafia in negotiations with the FBI as well as have her released from a federal medical facility where she has been held for the last few days.

According to CNN, the gunman spoke to a New York-based rabbi earlier in the day on the phone and told him that he was doing this because Aafia was

Emergency responders are seen near a synagogue where a man has reportedly taken people hostage at a synagogue during services that were being streamed live, in Colleyville, Texas, U.S. January 15, 2022

framed.

He also threatened that he had bombs placed at the scene, but this was not confirmed by law enforcement.

Colleyville Police first warned the public of the situation at 11:30 a.m. local time. Another tweet two hours later updated that the hostage situation was still in progress. The area surrounding the synagogue was urgently evacuated, though local news claimed there did not seem to be a threat to the general public.

Law enforcement said they did not intend on holding a press conference, and there were no injuries to report.

The incident was initially being live-streamed from inside the synagogue for the service so that there would not be overcrowding in order to keep the congregation safe from COVID-19.

The gunman was heard saying, “If anyone tries to enter this building, I’m telling you… everyone will die.”

“I’m going to die. Don’t cry about me,” the man repeated over and over. The stream continued for several minutes where the gunman could be heard ranting and raving before it was cut off. It is unclear who ended the live stream.

CEO of the Secure Community Network

An armored law enforcement vehicle is seen in the area where a man has reportedly taken people hostage at a synagogue during services that were being streamed live, in Colleyville, Texas, US January 15, 2022. (credit: REUTERS/Shelby Tauber)

Michael Masters said that the network’s intelligence analysts picked up on the situation soon after it started based on the live stream and comments on social media.

Barry Klompus, 63, a member of the congregation since it opened in 1999, said he was alerted to the situation by another member and quickly turned to the live feed until it was cut off.

“It was horrible listening and watching, and it’s that much more horrible not knowing,” Klompus said in a telephone interview.

One of the hostages is the congregation’s Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker who

is said to give his heart and soul to the community.

The Beth Israel congregation underwent security training a few months ago.

Police and the FBI gathered at a nearby school where they were preparing in tactical gear. An FBI SWAT team was on the scene and police asked the public to stay inside A White House official said that they were monitoring the situation and President Joe Biden and senior members of national security teams were receiving regular updates.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted, saying that “the Texas Dept. of Public

Safety is on the scene of the tense hostage situation in Colleyville, Texas.

They are working with local and federal teams to achieve the best and safest outcome.” He added that he was closely monitoring the situation.

Consul General of Israel to the Southwest Livia Link tweeted that she was also on the way to the scene and receiving updates. The Beth Israel congregation was officially established on July 18, 1999, with 25 member families and affiliation with the Union of Reform Judaism. Services were held in a rented church facility on Industrial Blvd. in Colleyville, and the religious school opened under the direction of Sue Feingold with 75 children enrolled.

The congregation was established by a group of families that had relocated from other areas in the country.

LAPD tweeted that they were increasing patrols around LA’s synagogues in order to provide better protection for their Jews, and the Dallas police made a similar announcement soon after. (The Jerusalem Post)

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt spearheading efforts to provide crop insurance to Guyanese farmers

…regional company already engaged by Ministerial Task Force

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griculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who also chairs the Caribbean Community (Caricom) special Ministerial Task Force on food production and security, said plans are in motion for farmers to get crop insurance by the second quarter of this year.

Mustapha made this revelation during a recent appearance before the Parliamentary Economic Services Committee.

According to Mustapha, agricultural insurance is a priority for the task force and important for de-risking the agriculture sector, vulnerable to natural disasters caused by climate change. So important is it that the company in question, Grace Kennedy Insurance, has already been engaged.

“This has been placed as a priority and a regional company has been engaged at a regional level to explore the provision of the agricultural insurance to our farmers in Guyana. The process has commenced, actions are ongoing and the Ministerial Task Force has set itself a deadline of the second quarter of 2022 for implementation of key elements of this programme.”

“This is a very important part of the agriculture sector not only for our country but the Caribbean as a whole. We have seen this process started in Jamaica, where a number of farmers were insured by this company. As a matter of fact, we’ve had discussions already with this company and as I said, plans are moving

Some of the flooding experienced last year

apace to get this company involved,” the Minister said.

In 2021, it had been announced that discussions between Jamaican insurance companies and the Stateowned Development Bank of Jamaica, led to the provision of insurance coverage to their farmers. The discussions led to the Jamaican Government partnering with Grace Kennedy Insurance to insure thousands of farmers and fisherfolk.

Mustapha pointed out to the committee that most times when a natural disaster such as flooding occurs, farmers sustain devastating losses and are dependent on the Government providing financial support to get back on their feet. This was evident last year, when Guyana suffered massive floods during the unprecedented May-June rainy season.

“I’m very passionate about this. Many times, our farmers who would have suffered losses through climate change and flooding, they have to depend solely on the Government to get back on their feet. I think if we can have this policy, where you will have insurance companies insure farmers, this will ensure their crops can be protected,” Minister Mustapha said.

“And as Chairman of the Ministerial Task Force, I want to assure you that we will work diligently to get this in effect. We’ve seen the effects of climate change, with the last floods. And we have seen the destruction it has caused to the agriculture sector. As a Government, we will continue to help our farmers and provide the necessary services, but this is also important.”

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22 NEWS

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Petroleum Commission Bill among items on packed legislative agenda – Nandlall …new legislation focused on oil production, environment also on cards

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he Petroleum Commission Bill, one of several pieces of legislation that were inherited from the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, will be among the slew of items on the Government’s legislative agenda for 2022.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall spoke of the Government’s legislative agenda on the sidelines of an event on Saturday.

He pointed to the Local Content and Natural Resource Fund Bill, both of which were drafted at the Attorney General Chambers and signed into law after a parliamentary process.

According to Nandlall, they will have to create new petroleum legislation that takes into account Guyana’s current status as an oil producer. Much of Guyana’s old petroleum related legislation were enacted in the era before oil was found

by ExxonMobil in 2015. And while setting up an oil refinery locally has not been on the Government’s agenda, legislation covering such a possibility is also something to consider.

“We completed the Local Content Legislation. We completed the Natural Resource Bill. Both have been enacted.

We did some amendments to the Petroleum Exploration Act. We will have to work on new petroleum legislation, one that centres more on production now. Cause the one we have is really biased in favour of exploration. We have passed the stage of exploration and are now producing,” he said.

“If we move into oil refining, then we may have to have legislation governing that. Certainly, we have to look back at our Environmental Law. The Environmental Agency Act is now close to 30 years old. And by sheer passage of time, short of a review. And what makes it more compelling is that now we are an oil producer. And that, by itself, raises different environmental concerns that may not be adequately addressed in the current statutory framework. So that has to be reviewed.”

Then there is the Petroleum Commission Bill, which was initially tabled back in 2017 by then Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman during the 11th Parliament. It was to be taken to a Special Select Committee at a later sitting after its second reading. However, it was yet to be passed when the current People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government took office in 2020.

After taking office, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had indicated that several moves were being made immediately to ensure that the oil and gas sector is effectively managed; and this includes putting skilled persons at the helm of the Commission. According to Nandlall, this bill will be reviewed.

“We have a Petroleum Commission Bill that has to be reviewed. You know that one was drafted by the previous Administration and was stuck in a select committee. We have some views on that. And we’re going to subject that to review and the subject Minister will speak more appropriately on that. So, there are many bits and pieces of legislation touching and concerning the oil and gas sector and indeed every sector. We have a packed legislative agenda for this year.

And it’s begun to unfold.”

According to Nandlall, this legislative agenda outside of oil and gas includes the Condominium and Engineering Bill, new Bail, Public and Mental Health Acts, as well as a Suicide Prevention Act. “We have in the agricultural sector, a lot of bits and pieces of legislation that will enhance our agricultural capabilities in particular, in the area of food packaging, processing and exportation, to bring us up to international standards.

We have local government type legislation. So, we have legislation in almost every arena. In the legal sector, we have a packed agenda as well,” Nandlall said.

Govt spearheading...

FROM PAGE 20

Between May and June of 2021, heavy rains resulted in widespread flooding across Guyana, affecting thousands of households.

The devastation included submerged buildings and vehicles, with adverse effects on crops, livestock and health.

It has been noted that the rainfall experienced in May 2021 alone was recorded as the second highest level of rainfall across the country in the last 40 years. All 10 administrative regions in Guyana experienced varied levels of flooding, prompting Government to roll out immediate responses such as evacuation of those most at risk and flood assistance, including for small and medium scale farmers.

President Dr Irfaan Ali, in announcing assistance last year for those hit by floods declared a national disaster, had said that some 52,000 households were affected by the torrential rains and flooding that beset Guyana.

The combined assistance to households including homesteads and those with kitchen gardens, announced by the Government, had been in excess of $3.5 billion… with a $10 million cap for individual farmers.

The Head of State had announced that farmers within the context of a homestead would receive $100,000 each, those with kitchen gardens would receive $50,000 each and households excluding homestead and kitchen garden would receive 50,000 each. (G3)

NEWS

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Replacing COVID vaccine booklet to be expedited after digitisation – Health Minister

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

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hallenges associated with replacing COVID-19 vaccine cards will soon be remedied with a faster process, after the digitalisation of records.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony shared this position on Friday during the COVID briefing.

Presently, if a person loses their vaccination card, they would have to visit the

Health Ministry, where a manual search is conducted to recover the data.

He pointed out that this can be cumbersome, since some individuals cannot recall details on the card that would make this process easier.

“We have a special department that would deal with replacing vaccination cards. Our current challenge is that sometimes when people lose their card, they don’t know when they got their vaccine, they don’t have a date. That can become very challenging because going back over our records, in many cases, we have to look at it manually.”

He added, “It can be challenging, especially if they don’t know the exact date they got vaccinated. Some people can’t even remember which vaccination centre they went to. It poses a challenge for us and we have to put a lot of staff to go and do those searches. It can take a lot of valuable time.”

For now, the Minister

is advising persons to safeguard their vaccine card – which has been an essential tool in accessing services and public buildings.

“I just want to advise people that let them keep their vaccination card safe but everybody has a smartphone. Maybe they can take images of the card just in case it gets misplaced, they would have all the details of the card in case they need a replacement.”

It was clarified that there are existing cases where persons have lost their cards and requested a replacement. However, it cannot be done instantaneously.

“I’m not sure if we have a backlog. There might be a few cases that we do have but these are some of the difficulties that we have.

People would turn up and expect that we’ll be able to instantaneously give them a card. It doesn’t work that way. We have to go, check the records, verify and then be able to issue the card…

We’re in the process of digi-

Smuggled chicken, alcohol, ganja seized by GRA, CANU

The ganja that was unearthed during the joint operation The items found during the operation

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n operation jointly conducted between the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has resulted in a quantity of uncustomed goods and narcotics being seized in East Berbice, Region Six. The operation was conducted on Friday at the #59 Village Public Road, Corentyne Berbice.

According to CANU, during the exercise, officers uncovered 45 boxes of frozen chicken and 25 boxes of Smirnoff ice beer, as well as a quantity of suspected cannabis hidden among the items in a motor vehicle.

Four individuals were arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters, along with the seized items.

The suspected narcotics was tested and weighed at CANU Headquarters and found to be cannabis weighing 22.4 grams.

Meanwhile, the contraband items were handed over to GRA. Investigations are ongoing.

CANU has said these operations are aimed at dismantling the illegal smuggling of contraband goods and the trafficking of narcotics. This seizure came just after CANU had found an illegal firearm and a quantity of marijuana on Friday.

In a report CANU officers have said that during an operation in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), they discovered one CZ .32 pistol and a magazine containing five hollow-point bullets in the Sophia, Greater Georgetown area.

In addition, several packets of marijuana were found.

As a result of the discovery, several individuals were arrested and taken to CANU Headquarters, where they are being questioned. (G9)

talising the records and once that is completed, that will be a much faster process,” said the Minister.

Just this week, it was announced that the special-

ised equipment to print new cards will arrive within the first quarter of 2022. This undertaking is in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme

(UNDP). A special team is still working to enter the current data into a digital format and once the equipment arrives, new cards will be minted. (G12)

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Vandalism causes disruption Agriculture Ministry working... to GTT’s services in Linden

FROM PAGE 12

Among some of the issues addressed by the Minister during his visit to the three communities were access to cattle pastures and the cleaning

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TT customers are unable to access landline and mobile data service connectivity in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and its surrounding areas after the vandalism of its cables resulted in service disruptions.

Other affected areas include, Mabura, Ituni, Kwakwani and Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), the telecommunications giant said on Saturday.

GTT’s Chief Operations Officer (COO) for Home Solutions and Fixed Networks, Eshwar Thakurdin said, “This was a deliberate act; the perpetrator(s) climbed the pole, removed the protective ‘U’ guard and proceeded to cut the cable.”

He added, “Connectivity in this 21st century is essential, and even the slight-

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during his last visit to that community.

Farmers from Sisters to Mara, covering a distance of 18 miles, attended the three meetings.

7 arrested for breaching COVID-19 curfew The vandalised GTT cable

est disconnection can cause severe inconvenience – for this we apologise and assure all our customers that we are working to restore services in the shortest possible time.”

The telecommunications company is offering a reward to anyone who can provide actionable information, which may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.

“We are asking the people of the highway communities and Linden to help us hold these individuals accountable for this ill deed.”

GTT recently launched its high-speed internet service, GTT Fibre, in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, as part of its nationwide drive to deliver faster connections and reliable service to its subscribers.

Pedestrian hospitalised following Enmore accident 58-year-old pedestrian of Logwood, Enmore East Coast Demerara (ECD) is now hospitalised after he was struck down by a motorcar while crossing the Enmore Public Road on Saturday.

The accident, which took place at around 11:00h, involved Rajchand Sackiechand, the pedestrian, and a 43-yearold resident of Haslington ECD, who was the driver of the car.

Based on reports received, motorcar PYY8946 was proceeding west along the southern side of the Enmore Public Road while in the vicinity of the Logwood Burial Ground

of canals. At Highbury, farmers were high in their praise of action taken by the Ministry to clear canals, fulfilling a commitment by the Minister

when the pedestrian was crossing the road from south to north in a staggering state.

While in the centre of the road, Sackiechand turned back and ended up in the path of the motorcar, and a collision occurred. As a result of that collision, Sackiechand ended up on the vehicle’s front windowscreen, where he received injuries. He then fell on the roadway and received further injuries about his body.

He was picked up in an unconscious state by the driver of the motorcar, with the help of public-spirited citizens, and taken to the Nabaclis Health Centre, where he was transferred to the Georgetown

Public Hospital (GPHC) for further treatment.

On his arrival at the GPHC, he was admitted a patient and is currently being treated for a broken right foot and lacerations about his body.

Following the accident, Police revisited the scene, and checks were made for CCTV cameras, which were futile.

A breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver of the motor car, but no trace of alcohol was found in his breath.

A notice of intended prosecution was served on the driver. He is presently in Police custody assisting with the investigation. (G9)

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Shemroy Callender

ive men and two women were arrested in the wee hours of Saturday for breaching the COVID-19 curfew, the Police have said.

They were taken into custody for being in spaces that violated the gazetted measures, which limit the occupancy of bars and restaurants to 40 per cent capacity.

According to the Police, the arrests were made at around 01:00h, when a party of Police went into the Vigilance Station district and arrested the following persons: Ganesh Shamsundar, 30, a construction worker of Section ‘B’ Non Pareil; Khishawn Kingston, 36, of Guyhoc Gardens, Georgetown; Annie Barry, 26, a hairdresser of ‘C’ Field Sophia; Shemroy Callender,36,

Yulita Chase

Arrested for breaching curfew

Ganesh Shamsundar

Khishawn Kingston

Arrested for breaching curfew

Annie Barry

and Yulita Chase, 30, both of Hendriques Street, Triumph East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Two other males, who were not identified, have been arrested. They have all been charged and placed on bail to attend the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court ECD. The Government has extended the national curfew for January 2022, and it is expected to remain in effect from 00:00h to 04:00h. The measures were effective from January 1, and will stay in place until January 31, unless earlier terminated, extended, or amended by notice of the Health Minister after an assess-

ment of the prevailing public health conditions.

In addition, from 04:00h to 23:00h, stakeholders can continue to access services at banks, markets, supermarkets, grocery shops, gas stations, postal or shipping services, beauty salons, barbershops, hardware stores, clothing stores or other maintenance services.

The Government has warned that any person failing to comply with these measures would be committing an offence under Section 48 of the Public Health Ordinance, and is liable on summary conviction to the penalty provided under that section. (G9)

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Regional

Hundreds of US-bound migrants set off Jamaica detains exin Honduras in first caravan of 2022 senator, key suspect in killing of Haitian President H undreds of Hondurans and Nicaraguans on Saturday congregated in the northern Honduran city of San Pedro Sula and began to march towards the United States, television images showed, the first such caravan to be formed this year in Central America.

The caravan set off days before leftist President-elect Xiomara Castro takes office in Honduras on Jan 27.

She has vowed to revive the economy and combat corruption that stokes waves of mass migration to the United States.

The migrants, mostly

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amaican authorities have detained a former Haitian senator who was a key suspect in the murder of Haitian President Jovenel Moise in July, Jamaican National Police said on Saturday.

Jamaica Constabulary Force spokesman Dennis Brooks told Reuters that John Joel Joseph, a wellknown Haitian politician named by the authorities as a suspect in Moise's killing, was arrested by the authorities on Friday.

Brooks declined to comment on whether the arrest was following a request by the US Federal Bureau of Investigations, which is also investigating the murder. It was also unclear where Joseph was arrested in Jamaica.

Moise was shot dead when assassins armed with assault rifles stormed his private residence in the hills above Port-auPrince on July 7, sparking a major man hunt and investigations across several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

A picture of the late Haitian President Jovenel Moise hangs on a wall before a news conference by interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph at his house, almost a week after his assassination in Port-au-Prince, Haiti July 13, 2021

Days after Moise’s murder, the then-National Police Chief Leon Charles said Joseph was a key player in the plot, alleging he supplied weapons and planned meetings, and that Police were searching for him.

Haiti has arrested dozens of people following the July murder that left a political vacuum in the Caribbean nation. But it has not charged anyone,

and the investigation has drawn complaints in that country about delays and intimidation of officials.

US authorities this month charged a Colombian man with conspiracy to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States in connection with the assassination of Moise, the first official charges in the brazen crime. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Study sheds light on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in 6 Caribbean countries

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new study on vaccine hesitancy in six Caribbean Community countries has found that those out of formal work and those who are educated to secondary level, fits the typical profile of the person refusing the vaccine to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The study commissioned by the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and funded by the United States Agency for International Development examines the extent of, and reasons for, vaccine hesitancy and whether the minds of vaccine hesitant persons can be changed.

The study, conducted by the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Research Services Incorporation, was conducted in Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.

These countries have indicated that between 40 and 46 per cent of their population have been vaccinated.

More than 5000 people were surveyed and according to the study, 24 per cent of the unvaccinated respondents believe that the vaccines were developed too quickly and are uncertain

about what is in them.

One in five said that taking the vaccine is a choice and they simply choose not to do so.

However, there is room for optimism. The study provides insight into what might change minds. Many, as high as 51 per cent, cite the need for more medical and scientific information.

Over 40 per cent want to know more about side effects and efficacy, while 30 per cent want information on the impact of the vaccine on sexual health and their ability to have children.

In addition, 39 per cent said they might re-think their position if they required the COVID-19 vaccination to travel overseas, while 34 per cent may reconsider if it was necessary to get or to keep a job.

The study also highlighted respondents' thoughts on vaccinating their children.

Whereas 62 per cent across the six countries said they were vaccinated themselves, most were against vaccinating their children with only 24 per cent at pre-school, 31 per cent at primary level and 48 per cent at secondary level.

The need to tailor vaccine promotion interventions was highlighted. The study found that what works with one country and with one person doesn't necessarily work with another and that finding ways to reach the typical vaccine hesitant individual — young and not working in the formal sector — with targeted interventions is seen as vital. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

young people carrying backpacks on their shoulders and women with children, left a bus terminal in the northern city of San Pedro Sula for the border post of Corinto in an attempt to enter Guatemala, according to television images.

"We are leaving because there is no work in this country, education and health are deplorable in Honduras, so we have to look for a better future elsewhere," Vanessa Caceres, a Honduran woman walking with her husband and two young daughters, told the Canal 5 television channel.

Television footage

showed large groups of about 1000 people on the march and others who intend to follow the same route continue to arrive at the bus terminal in San Pedro Sula.

Another smaller group of people left San Pedro Sula towards the Guatemalan border earlier in the morning.

The first caravan of the year comes after deep economic hardship and poverty that plagues 62% of the Honduran population, made worse over by the coronavirus pandemic and two backto-back hurricanes in 2020 that hobbled the economy.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Guatemala's President seeks jail terms of up to 30 years for people smugglers

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u a t e m a l a n President Alejandro Giammattei presented an initiative to Congress on Friday to drastically increase jail terms for people smugglers, with sentences of up to 30 years for the worst offenders.

For many years Guatemala has been a key transit country for impoverished Central American migrants including Guatemalans - who make the treacherous journey across Mexico to the United States in search of a better life.

But Guatemala's Government has sought to crack down on people-smuggling gangs after dozens of migrants died in high-profile incidents either through overcrowding in transport vehicles or at the hands of criminal groups.

Giammattei proposed raising the sentences for smugglers, known as "coyotes", to between 10 and 30

Guatemala's President Alejandro Giammattei

years from the 2 to 5 years currently set out under Guatemalan law.

"I reaffirm my Government's commitment to toughen prison sentences against coyotes and traffickers " Giammattei said in a speech to Congress, adding that the United States

should also extradite people smugglers.

The proposal states that if smugglers transport minors, pregnant women or migrants are subjected to inhumane treatment, the penalties could be even higher.

Giammattei's announcement comes weeks after 55 mostly Guatemalan migrants died when the overcrowded truck ferrying them through southern Mexico overturned.

The Guatemalan President called for the reform to be passed as a matter of national urgency.

But the changes must first be debated and obtain the approval of at least twothirds of the 160 members of Congress.

The bill is seen to have a good chance of passing as the ruling party could get the necessary votes through alliances and the support it has from other benches.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022

Around the World

Tsunami alerts in South Pacific, US coast after volcano erupts T

ongans have fled to higher ground after an undersea volcano erupted, sending tsunami waves crashing onto the South Pacific island and triggering warnings as far as the US West Coast.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or the extent of the damage as communications in the island nation – home to about 100,000 people – remained down on Saturday.

A tsunami wave measuring 1.2 metres (4 feet) was observed in Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.

Videos posted on social media showed large waves washing ashore in coastal areas, swirling around homes and buildings.

Tonga Meteorological Services said the tsunami warning was in effect for all of Tonga.

New Zealand’s military said it was monitoring the situation and remained on standby, ready to assist if asked.

The Islands Business news site reported that a convoy of police and military evacuated Tonga’s King Tupou VI from his palace near the shore. He was among many residents headed for higher ground.

The volcano also erupted on Friday, when small tsunami waves of up to 0.3 metres (1 foot) were recorded, the Tonga Meteorological Office said.

A Twitter user called Dr Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau posted video after Saturday’s eruption showing waves crashing ashore.

“Can literally hear the volcano eruption, sounds pretty violent,” he wrote, adding in a later post: “Raining ash and tiny pebbles, darkness blanketing the sky.”

Dramatic images from space showed the moment the

happened. In terms of the volcanology because there is a lot of ash in the sky. There’s going to be ash fall in Tonga. That’s a hazard,” he added.

The volcano is located about 64km (40 miles) north of Nuku’alofa. Back in late 2014 and early 2015, a series of eruptions in the area created a small new island and disrupted international air travel to the Pacific archipelago for several days.

The eruption of an underwater volcano off Tonga, which triggered a tsunami warning for several South Pacific island nations, is seen in an image from the NOAA GOES-West satellite [CIRA/ NOAA/Handout via Reuters]

latest eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai sent a mushroom of smoke and ash into the air and a shockwave across the surrounding waters.

Earlier, the Matangi Tonga news site reported that scientists observed massive explosions, thunder and lightning near the volcano after it started erupting early on Friday.

The site said satellite images showed a 5km-wide (3mile) plume of ash, steam and gas rising into the air to about 20km (12 miles).

The eruption was so intense it was heard as “loud thunder sounds” in Fiji more than 800km (500 miles) away, officials in Suva said.

Authorities in nearby Fiji also issued a warning, telling people to avoid the shoreline due to strong currents and dangerous waves.

More than 2300km (1,400 miles) away in New Zealand, officials warned of storm surges from the eruption.

New Zealand’s emergency management agency issued an advisory on tsunami activity for its north and east coasts with the areas expected to experience strong and unusual currents, and unpredictable

surges at the shore.

The National Emergency Management Agency said some parts of New Zealand could expect “strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a large volcanic eruption”.

Late on Saturday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the threat to American Samoa appeared to have passed, although minor sea fluctuations could continue.

Japan’s meteorological agency issued tsunami warnings in the early hours on Sunday and said waves as high as three metres (9.84 feet) were expected in the Amami islands in the south.

Waves of more than a metre were recorded there earlier.

Volcanologist David Rothery at Open University told Al Jazeera that those on the beach or very low-lying coastline in affected areas should move away from the shore.

“Basically, just keep up the beach if you’re worried about the tsunami risk, as you should be. You should heed those risks” he told Al Jazeera from Silverstone, UK. “I expect the biggest tsunami from this eruption has now

Warnings in the US

In Hawaii, Alaska and along the US Pacific coast, residents were asked to move away from the coastline to higher ground and pay attention to specific instructions from their local emergency management officials, said Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator for the National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska.

The first waves to hit the continental United States were measured at about 0.3 metres in Nikolski, Atka and Adak, Alaska.

The wave was about 0.2 metres (0.7 feet) at Monterey, California, the US National Tsunami Warning Center said in a tweet.

The National Weather Service said there were reports of waves pushing boats in Hawaii. Sea level fluctuations were also beginning in Alaska and California, according to the National Tsunami Warning Center.

Beaches and piers were closed across Southern California as a precaution but the National Weather Service tweeted there were “no significant concerns about inundation”.

Strong rip currents were possible, however, and officials warned people to stay out of the water. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

OILNEWS OIL NEWS China agrees with US to release oil reserves near Lunar New Year

C

hina will release crude oil from its national strategic stockpiles around the Lunar New Year holidays that start on Feb 1 as part of a plan coordinated by the United States with other major consumers to reduce global prices, sources told Reuters.

The sources, who have knowledge of talks between the world’s top two crude consumers, said China agreed in late 2021 to release an unspecified amount of oil depending on price levels.

“China agreed to release a relatively bigger amount if oil is above $85 a barrel, and a smaller volume if oil stays near the $75 level,” said one source, without elaborating.

The release of crude stocks by China will occur around the Lunar New Year, the sources said. China will be closed for the biggest annual holiday from Jan 31 to Feb 6.

China’s National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The agreed release of reserves by China is the result of a series of discussions, reported by Reuters in November, that the Biden Administration held with other major oil consumers after tight supplies drove global oil prices to multi-year highs.

Biden and top aides discussed the possibility of a coordinated release of crude stocks with close allies including Japan, South Korea and India, as well as with China.

The United States has conducted crude swaps and sales from its reserves over the past few weeks while Japan and South Korea have also announced plans for crude sales.

China, which has long kept details on its state reserves a secret, conducted last September its first-ever public crude reserves auction of about 7.4 million barrels, about half a day’s consumption in the country.

In November, the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration said it was “working on” a release of crude reserves, but declined to comment on the US request for the coordinated release among buyers.

Oil prices rebounded above US$80 a barrel this week buoyed by supply disruptions in Libya and Kazakhstan, a fall in US crude inventories to their lowest since 2018, and an improvement in the outlook for fuel demand in Europe as governments there ease COVID-19 restrictions.

Benchmark Brent crude futures was at US$84.79 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude at US$82.23 a barrel at 0730 GMT. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Protester, Police officer killed in Sudan clashes Calls grow for UK PM to

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t least one protester and one Police officer were killed and dozens of people injured on Thursday during another day of demonstrations against military rule in Sudan, medics and Police said.

Huge crowds have regularly taken to the streets demanding a return to civilian rule since a coup on Oct 25 coup ended a power-sharing arrangement that began in 2019.

Police said a Brigadier General was fatally stabbed by a protester on Thursday in the capital Khartoum, where security forces fired guns and teargas at demonstrators trying to march on the presidential palace.

In the nearby city of Bahri medics said one protester had been killed by a gunshot to the stomach. Dozens of protesters were being treated for gunshot wounds and other injuries in Khartoum and neighbouring cities, the medics said.

resign over lockdown ‘parties’

C “Crimes are being committed against our revolutionary people,” said the Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors, a group aligned with the protest movement.

Asked about the group’s statement, Police said more than 20 Police officers had been injured by the protesters.

Unlike in previous protests, most bridges and roads were left open on Thursday amid a lower security presence in Khartoum after resistance committees rescheduled their protest from Wednesday.

Internet and phone services

continued to function.

Protesters were seen wearing protective goggles, hard hats, masks and gloves to protect them from teargas. Some pulled up bricks from sidewalks to form barricades, a Reuters witness said.

After they came within a few hundred meters of the presidential palace, the protesters were pushed back as security forces fired heavy tear gas and stun grenades.

Injured protesters were carried away by motorcycles, the witness said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

alls are growing for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign after more revelations came to light about regular parties organised at Downing Street that broke COVID-19 lockdown rules, with Labour party leader Keir Starmer saying Johnson was “unable to lead”.

The UK Prime Minister witnessed weekly “wine-time Friday” drinking sessions by his staff throughout the coronavirus pandemic, for which they installed a specially bought wine fridge, according to a new report by the Daily Mirror newspaper.

The report in the British newspaper caps a torrid week of revelations about lockdown breaches in Downing Street that saw Johnson’s office forced on Friday to apologise to Queen Elizabeth II. On Wednesday Johnson

At least five Conservative Party MPs say they have filed letters demanding a vote of no confidence in Johnson [Reuters]

apologised to Parliament for attending what he called a “work event”, at a time when social mixing was banned.

The drip feed threatens to overshadow reported plans by Johnson to relaunch his embattled premiership, starting with a relaxation of continuing pandemic restrictions lat-

er in the month.

Whether Johnson and his staff knowingly broke the law during prior lockdowns is the central question being addressed in an inquiry by senior civil servant Sue Gray, who could report back next week.

Gray is said to have been “completely blindsided” by the latest revelations, the Times newspaper reported.

The Daily Mirror published a photograph of the wine fridge being delivered to a back door in Downing Street in December 2020, and said staff would regularly stock it with suitcase loads of alcohol.

“Wine-time Fridays” were scheduled into the electronic calendars of approximately 50 staff at Number 10, in apparent violation of a ban on indoor socialising during the pandemic, it reported.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

FEATURE

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Don’t give up when you should get going. Channel your energy into something substantial that will encourage a positive lifestyle change. Be innovative, use your intelligence and call on people who can help you succeed.

TAURUS A routine that offers proper diet, exercise and rest will (April 20May 20) impact the way you perform

in all aspects of your life. A romantic gesture will bring you closer to a loved one.

Rethink your lifestyle GEMINI and how you earn your living.

(MAY 28Consider using your skills and June 20) knowledge differently. Dedicate more time to something you enjoy doing, and you’ll find a way to make it pay.

CANCER It’s OK to be different.

(June 21- Explore the possibilities and July 22) give whatever you pursue a twist that separates you from the competition. You have plenty to gain if you let your imagination lead the way.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO

Dilbert

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Peanuts

Unapproved changes will backfire. If you want to get something done, be upfront with the people affected by the choices you make.

Honesty and integrity will be necessary.

Relax and enjoy what life has to offer. Connect with people who share your interests. Attend a social event or reunion. Update your image and express your feelings. A lifestyle change will pay off.

Just be nice; nothing else is required. Think about how your words impact others, and try to make people feel good. The more you give, the more you will receive. A positive attitude will help.

Take a trip if it will help you clear up a matter that’s causing stress. Face-to-face discussions will help you recognize whether someone is being honest with you.

Let experience guide you.

SAGITTARIUS Read contracts thoroughly (Nov. 23and make changes that put Dec. 21) your mind at ease. Reach out to someone who needs help or who can offer you sound advice.

Take the high road, follow CAPRICORN your dreams and surround (Dec. 22yourself with people who Jan. 19) make you smile. A change at home or to how you present yourself will lift your spirits.

Romance is encouraged.

Calvin and Hobbes

Take a close look at AQUARIUS events, activities and invita(Jan. 20tions before you engage with Feb. 19) any. Hidden costs can turn a good time into a stressful situation. Someone you least expect will mislead you.

PISCES Change your surround(Feb. 20- ings to create a peaceful atMar. 20) mosphere. Keeping a healthy

mental state will encourage you to stretch your ability to get things done and try something new. Romance is on the rise.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022

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Virat Kohli steps down as India Test captain V irat Kohli has stepped down as captain of India's Test team. He has done so with immediate effect, a day after losing the Test series to South Africa 2-1 with a sevenwicket loss in Cape Town.

He took over as full-time Test captain in early 2015, when MS Dhoni had announced his retirement in Australia, and ended up as India's most successful Test captain ever.

Kohli's sudden announcement on Twitter comes on the back of a series of public exchanges between himself and the BCCI, which started with his T20I resignation before the 2021 World Cup. In early December, the BCCI then stripped Kohli of the ODI captaincy, naming Rohit Sharma as the new white-ball leader. A day later, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said he had asked Kohli not to step down as T20I captain, but Kohli soon contradicted Ganguly by saying his decision to step down was "received well", termed as "progressive" by the BCCI top brass, and that he "wasn't told to reconsider" his decision.

Kohli also expressed his

disappointment in the same press conference, saying he had been told about his removal as ODI captain just 90 minutes before the selection meeting to pick the Test squad for South Africa, and "there was no prior communication to me at all".

The controversy stretched further when Chief Selector Chetan Sharma - while announcing the ODI squad for the South Africa tour on December 31 – said, "everyone who was present in the meeting" asked Kohli to reconsider his decision when he stepped down as T20I captain.

In his tweet, Kohli said: "It's been 7 years of hard work, toil and relentless perseverance every day to take the team in the right direction. I've done the job with absolute honesty, and left nothing out there. Everything has to come to a halt at some stage, and for me as Test captain of India, it's now. There have been many ups and also some downs along the journey, but never has there been a lack of effort or lack of belief. I have always believed in giving my 120 per cent in everything I do, and if I can't do that, I know it's not the

right thing to do. I have absolute clarity in my heart, and I cannot be dishonest to my team.

"I want to thank the BCCI for giving me the opportunity to lead my country for such a long period of time, and, more importantly, to all the teammates who bought into the vision I had for the team from day one and never gave up in any situation. You guys have made this journey so memorable and beautiful. To Ravi Bhai [Shastri] and the support group who were the engine behind this vehicle that moved us upwards in Test cricket consistently, you all have played a massive role in bringing this vision to life.

“Lastly, a big thank you to MS Dhoni, who believed in me as a captain and found me to be an able individual who could take Indian cricket forward."

The BCCI, which tweeted a statement congratulating Kohli for his "admirable leadership qualities", has not indicated when it would name his replacement. Rohit had been appointed full-time vice-captain ahead of the South Africa Tests, but a hamstring injury on the eve of the team's departure

meant he could not make the trip, and the selectors then appointed KL Rahul as Kohli's deputy.

Rahul also stood in as captain in the second Test in Johannesburg, after Kohli pulled out due to back spasms.

Kohli's stint as Test captain was largely successful, as he oversaw the team's rise to No.1 in the ICC rankings and several memorable overseas victories.

In 2021, he led India to the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in Southampton.

Overall, he steps down with the fourth-most wins as captain in Test cricket, with 40 wins from 68 games. Of the other 28, 11 were draws and 17 were losses.

Going by numbers, he was India's best captain by a distance. Dhoni (27 wins from 60 matches) and Ganguly (21 wins out of 49) are next on the list.

Of his 40 wins, 16 came overseas, including series victories in Sri Lanka (2-1) in 2015, West Indies (2-0) in 2016, Sri Lanka (3-0) in 2017, Australia (2-1) in 2018-19, and West Indies (2-0) in 2019.

Under Kohli, after the WTC

final, India also led what was originally a five-match series in England 2-1, before the fifth Test was called off because of COVID-19 fears in the Indian contingent.

Kohli is also lauded for his fitnessoriented approach to the game, and will be remembered for using the five-bowler strategy consistently in Test cricket.

Kohli's tenure will also be remembered Virat Kohli has stepped down for a number of from India’s Test captaincy controversies, against Bangladesh in Kolkata. including a fall-out with then coach Anil Kumble in He has since scored 760 runs 2017, crossing swords with at an average of 28.14, with Steven Smith over DRS six half-centuries. In the justprotocols when Kohli stopped concluded Cape Town Test, his short of labelling the then last as captain, he batted with Australia captain a cheat, the exemplary discipline to score 79 recent face-off with the BCCI, off 273 balls and 29 off 193.

India's next Test assignment and even more recently India's outburst against the host is a two-match series against broadcaster during the Test Sri Lanka at home in FebruaryMarch, when Kohli is expected series in South Africa.

On the batting front, Kohli's to play his 100th Test. The recent lack of a hundred has BCCI and selectors are likely been in the spotlight; he has to announce his successor not struck one since November as captain at the time of that 2019, when he made 136 squad selection. (ESPNcricinfo)

Djokovic not bigger than Australian 4 Guyanese in Windies Women’s squad for SA tour Open Grand Slam – Rafael Nadal

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afael Nadal has said the Australian Open would be "great with or without" Novak Djokovic, as the world number one's visa drama remains unresolved.

But the 35-year-old Spaniard has said he is getting "tired" of the Serb's situation dominating the tournament build-up.

"There is no player in history who's more important than an event," he said.

Djokovic, 34, faces deportation after his visa was cancelled for a second time, and will appeal against the decision in a hearing on Sunday. The top seed is still scheduled to play at the Australian Open on Monday.

Djokovic has been detained in Melbourne before Sunday's court hearing, which takes place at 09:30 local time (22:30 GMT on Saturday).

The Australian Government has described Djokovic as a threat to public health, with his lawyers appealing against what they called an "irrational" judgement.

"From my point of view, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered," said Nadal, who is seeded sixth. "I think it will be good if everything clarifies soon. Everyone chooses his road.

I respect Novak as a person of course, and as an athlete, without a doubt.

"I really respect him, even if I do not agree with a lot of things that he did the last couple of

T

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

weeks."

'Not as big a drama if it wasn't Djokovic' Djokovic is a record nine-time men's champion at Melbourne Park, and another victory there this year would be his 21st Grand Slam title. He is tied on 20 major wins with Nadal and Switzerland's Roger Federer, who is not playing in Australia because of injury.

German third seed Alexander Zverev, one of the players whose chances of winning would be boosted by Djokovic's absence, said he thought the visa row would "not be as big of a drama" if it did not involve the world number one.

"Everything else I cannot comment on, because I'm not a politician," said Zverev, who is a good friend of Djokovic’s.

"I understand the perspective from the Australian people and the Government. The Australian Government and the Victorian

Government should have been clear on what is going to happen beforehand.

It's not very fair for a person to come here and not be able to play."

Zverev said the row should not lead to people questioning Djokovic's legacy, but Japan's Naomi Osaka - the defending women's champion - said: "He's such a great player, and it's kind of sad that some people might remember (him) in this way. But I also think it's up to not tennis players, it's up to the Government how Australia is deciding to handle it." Greek world number four Stefanos Tsitsipas, who said this week that Djokovic has made vaccinated tennis players "look like fools", refused to discuss the matter again in his pre-tournament news conference on Saturday.

"I'm here to talk about tennis, not Novak Djokovic. We may proceed please," he said. (BBC Sport)

he Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s Selection Panel today named an 18-member squad for the One Day International (ODI) series against South Africa Women at the Imperial Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, from January 25 to February 7.

The touring squad sees a return for Afy Fletcher, the experienced leg-spinner and right-handed batter, who returns from maternity leave. The squad also includes three uncapped players: Kaysia Schultz, a left arm orthodox bowler; Mandy Mangru, a righthanded batter; and Jannillea Glasgow, a right-arm medium pacer. The three newcomers were members of the West Indies Women’s A team which played against Pakistan Women’s A Team last year.

Ann Browne-John, CWI’s Lead Selector for Women’s Cricket, said: “The South Africa series comes at an opportune time, as the team prepares for the upcoming World Cup. The squad has been preparing and building during the past year, even with the limitations caused by the pandemic, and hopefully, they can put it all together.

“The return of the experienced Afy Fletcher brings added variety to the bowling, particularly with the absence of Qiana Joseph, who has been ruled out due to injury,” Browne-John said, adding:

“In our drive to continue the expansion of our player pool, the panel has included three young, uncapped players. They are Kaysia Schultz, Mandy Mangru, as well as teenager Jannillea Glasgow. Exposure to international cricket at this time will most certainly give them the experience and match time needed to develop and grow their individual talents.

“The panel believes that this blend of youth and experience will work well as we continue our preparations for the World Cup.” The West Indies Women are due to arrive in South Africa on January 16, where they will have a training camp ahead of the warm-up and four-match ODI series against the Proteas Women.

FULL SQUAD * Stafanie Taylor (Captain) * Anisa Mohammed (Vice Captain) * Aaliyah Alleyne * Shemaine Campbelle * Shamilia Connell * Deandra Dottin

* Afy Fletcher * Cherry Ann Fraser * Jannillea Glasgow * Chinelle Henry * Kycia Knight * Mandy Mangru * Hayley Matthews * Chedean Nation * Karishma Ramharack * Kaysia Schultz * Shakera Selman * Rashada Williams MATCH SCHEDULE (all matches at Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg) Day matches start at 10am local time (4am Eastern Caribbean/3am Jamaica).

Day/night matches start at 2pm local time (8am Eastern Caribbean/7am Jamaica).

Tuesday, January 25: warmup match vs South Africa XI (day) Friday, January 28: 1st ODI (day/night) Monday, January 31: 2nd ODI (day) Thursday, February 3: 3rd ODI (day/night) Sunday, February 6: 4th ODI (day)

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ICC U19 World Cup…

Bowlers batter South Africa as India record easy win Photos and story by Timothy Jaikarran

I

ndia versus South Africa, whether its rivalry with the senior team or even the U19 unit, there is always action when the two teams hit the field.

The same could be said at the Providence Stadium as the action in the ICC Men’s U19 50 overs world cup concluded its Guyana leg. The encounter saw India beating South Africa by 454 runs to entice the palates of the many fans in the stadium. A captains knock of 82 seemed as if the tone was set, but it was Vicky Ostwal with his 5-28 and Raj Bawa’s 4-47that turned the game for India.

After being set a target of 233 to win the South

South African Captain George Van Heerden hits his bat in disgust as he failed to take his team across the line

moving opener Ethan-John Cunningham for a golden duck, this brought Dewald Brevis to the crease and it was now up to him and Valentine Kitime to hold things together. The duo did allow South Africa

George Van Heerden put on a 55-run partnership to turn things a bit in their favour as Brevis even brought up his half century. But the dream was short lived as Bawa who had taken a beating earlier returned to give himself some reassurance removing Brevis for 65.

From there everything went strictly downhill for the South Africans from 138-4 to 158-8, this meant that in the space of 20 runs South Africa choked and lost four wickets at vital

Dewald Brevis scored 65 and bagged 2-43

Vicky Ostwal (C) is stormed by his teammates as he took 5-28 Many fans came out to see the action

African camp probably thought the game was there’s for the taking. But Rajvardhan Hangargekar stunned his opponents re-

across the 50-run mark with constant strikes from both ends, there most impressive feat was the 22

runs they took off of Raj Bawa’s over.

But the glory soon faded as Kitime became Ostwal’s

moments of the game. The men in charge of this demolition were none other

SCOREBOARD INDIA UNDER-19S INNINGS (50 OVERS MAXIMUM) Angkrish Raghuvanshi lbw b Mnyanda 5 Harnoor Singh lbw b Mnyanda 1 Shaik Rasheed lbw b Alder 31 Yash Dhull (c) run out (Simelane) 82 Nishant Sindhu st † Solomons b Copeland 27 Raj Bawa lbw b Brevis 13 Kaushal Tambe c Simelane b Boast 35 Dinesh Bana † b Boast 7 Vicky Ostwal c & b Brevis 9 Rajvardhan Hangargekar c †Solomons b Boast 0 Ravi Kumar not out 0 Extras (lb 2, w 20) 22 TOTAL (46.5 Ov, RR: 4.95) 232 Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Harnoor Singh, 1.4 ov), 2-11 (Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 5.1 ov), 3-82 (Shaik Rasheed, 19.4 ov), 4-126 (Nishant Sindhu, 26.5 ov), 5-159 (Raj Bawa, 32.6 ov), 6-195 (Yash Dhull, 38.6 ov), 7-221 (Dinesh Bana, 43.6 ov), 8-226 (Kaushal Tambe, 45.3 ov), 9-226 (Rajvardhan Hangargekar, 45.4 ov), 10232 (Vicky Ostwal, 46.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Matthew Boast 9-1-40-3 Aphiwe Mnyanda 5-0-29-2 Andile Simelane 7-0-34-0 Liam Alder 10-0-40-1 Michael Copeland 8-0-44-1 Dewald Brevis 7.5-0-43-2

SOUTH AFRICA UNDER-19S INNINGS (TARGET: 233 RUNS FROM 50 OVERS) Ethan-John Cunningham lbw b Hangargekar 0 Valentine Kitime c †Bana b Ostwal 25 Dewald Brevis c Dhull b Bawa 65 Gerhardus Maree c †Bana b Ostwal 8 George Van Heerden (c) c Dhull b Bawa 36 Andile Simelane b Bawa 6 Michael Copeland b Ostwal 1 Kaden Solomons † b Ostwal 0 Matthew Boast c Hangargekar b Ostwal 8 Liam Alder not out 17 Aphiwe Mnyanda c Dhull b Bawa 5 Extras (b 4, lb 1, nb 1, w 10) 16 TOTAL (45.4 Ov, RR: 4.09) 187 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Ethan-John Cunningham, 0.4 ov), 2-58 (Valentine Kitime, 11.5 ov), 3-83 (Gerhardus Maree, 20.3 ov), 4-138 (Dewald Brevis, 35.4 ov), 5-147 (Andile Simelane, 37.3 ov), 6-150 (Michael Copeland, 38.2 ov), 7-150 (Kaden Solomons, 38.6 ov), 8-158 (George Van Heerden, 41.3 ov), 9-165 (Matthew Boast, 42.4 ov), 10-187 (Aphiwe Mnyanda, 45.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Rajvardhan Hangargekar 8-2-38-1 Ravi Kumar 7-2-30-0 Raj Bawa 6.4-0-47-4 Vicky Ostwal 10-0-28-5 Nishant Sindhu 10-1-22-0 Kaushal Tambe 4-0-17-0

India new they already had the win in the bag and it was just up the them to see it through. Bawa picked up a couple more wickets to add 4-47 to his tally of wickets, Rajvardhan Hangargekar took 1-38, team India stormed the field as they had done it, they reduced the might

put their heads down and put together a handy 71 runs partnership before Rasheed was trapped lbw

by Liam Alder for 30.

As the wickets tumbled Dhul continued to play his natural game, running between the wickets with precision and scoring boundaries when needed. Nishan Sindhu played a handy cameo of 27 but it wasn’t enough to support his partner at the other end as Mickey Copeland and Dewald Brevis struck when South required to have India at 159-5.

Dhul rallied on with Kaushal Tambe but was run out for 82 by some excellent fielding from the South African unit. From there the last ten overs were South Africa’s as Matthew Boast steamed in with pace and power, he even was rewarded with being on a hatrick and despite not getting it he still snagged two wickets to add to his tally. In the end India were reduced to 232 all out as Dewald Brevis picked up

Matthew Boast took 3-40

first victim with the score on 58-1, nevertheless Brevis continued his fight.

But, Ostwal picked up Gerhardus Maree to earn

than Ostwal and surprisingly Bawa who regained his confidence and struck at regular intervals. The Raj Bawa took 4-47

Despite taking 1-38, Rajvardhan Hangargekar was very pacey in his spell

his second wicket and forcing the South African batsmen to rethink their strategy. Brevis and his captain

moment was even sweeter when Ostwal bagged his fifth wicket for just 28 runs,

South Africans to minnows gaining a big win and a big boost of confidence.

Earlier in the innings, batting first India were reeling at 11-2 in 5.1 overs, Aphiwe Mnyanda removed both openers as the South Africans showed India that they meant business.

As Harnoor Singh and Angkrish Raghuvanshi were back in the pavilion for 1 and 15 runs respectively, it was now up to Shaik Rasheed and Yash Dhul to hold a partnership together for their team.

And just as many expected, so did the duo do, they

the last wicket, bowling for South Africa were Matthew Boast 3-40, Dewald Brevis 2-43, Aphiwe Mnyanda 2-29, while Liam Alder and Mickey Copeland took 1-40 and 1-44 runs respectively.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022

Guyana Harpy Eagles Trials…

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17 wickets fall on eventful day two as Sinclairs dominate

By Brandon Corlette at Albion

O

ff-spinners Kevin and Junior Sinclair dominated the second day of the Guyana Harpy Eagles trial match at Albion. Playing on opposite teams, Kevin claimed 5-61 for Leon Johnson's XI, while his cousin Junior, playing for Keemo Paul's XI, backed up his fivewicket haul in the first innings with 4-32.

At stumps on day two, Johnson's XI were 116-7 after 45 overs, with a lead of 19. Javed Karim and Sharaz Ramcharran are unbeaten at the crease. In the first innings, on day one, Johnson's XI made 121 all out, while Paul's XI resumed day two on 143-0 and slumped to 218 all out.

Five-star Kevin Sinclair Despite early morning showers across the Ancient County of Berbice, the match commenced as scheduled, and only one short rain interval was taken. Resuming the second day on 143-0, Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Trevon Griffth failed to convert first day starts into centuries. Chanderpaul added only one run to his overnight score, despite facing 43 balls on day two.

Griffith was the first batsman dismissed, for 65 from 118 balls, decorated with six fours. He attempted a booming drive off Nial Smith, but found mid-off. Two runs later, at 154-2, Tevin Imlach (02) was caught off a Ronsford Beaton short-ball.

Chanderpaul was then

SCOREBOARD Kemo Paul's XI (1st Innings) Tagenarine Chanderpaul lbw b Kevin Sinclair 86 Trevon Griffith c Ronsford Beaton b Nial Smith 65 Tevin Imlach+ c Leon Johnson b Ronsford Beaton 2 Seon Glasgowc Kemol Savory b Ronsford Beaton 0 Akshaya Persaud c Kemol Savory b Kevin Sinclair 2 Anthony Bramble c Leon Johnson b Kevin Umroa 19 Junior Sinclair c Leon Johnson b Kevin Sinclair 3 Clinton Pestanolbw b Kevin Sinclair 14 Anthony Adams not out 17 Richie Looknauth c Kevin Umroa b Kevin Sinclair 7 Steven Sankar lbw b Nial Smith 0 Extras (0b 2lb 0w 1nb 0pen) 3 Total 218/10 Bowlers O-M-R-W Ronsford Beaton 13.0-7-26-2 Dimitri Cameron 7.0-1-19-0 Ronaldo Ali Mohammed 5.0-0-12-0 Kevin Sinclair 26.0-9-61-5 Sharaz Ramcharran 5.0-0-31-0 Kevin Umroa 13.0-3-47-1

Leon Swamy 4.0-0-10-0 Nial Smith 7.1-3-10-2 Johnson's XI (2nd Innings) Chandrapaul Hemraj b Junior Sinclair 25 Kevlon Andersonlbw b Anthony Adams 22 Sachin Singh lbw b Qumar Torrington 4 Leon Johnson* b Junior Sinclair 5 Kemol Savory+ lbw b Junior Sinclair 1 Javed Karim not out 15 Ronaldo Ali Mohammed c Seon Glasgow b Junior Sinclair 4 Kevin Sinclairc and b Anthony Adams 25 Sharaz Ramcharran not out 10 Extras (0b 1lb 1w 3nb 0pen) 5 Total 116/7 Bowler O-M-R-W Keon Joseph 5.0-1-12-0 Clinton Pestano 5.0-1-20-0 Junior Sinclair 15.0-6-32-4 Qumar Torrington 6.0-2-15-1 Anthony Adams 12.0-4-31-2 Aaron Beharry 1.0-0-4-0 Richie Looknauth 1.0-0-1-0

Hemraj played some sweet shots (Brandon Corlette photos)

trapped by Kevin Sinclair for 86 from 172 balls, with nine fours to his name, and Seon Glasgow fell for a duck soon after.

Akshaya Persaud was then removed for two by Sinclair.

In that period, five wickets fell for four runs for Paul's XI. Anthony Bramble attempted to repair the innings, but he was dismissed on the stroke of lunch for 19 from 43 balls, which had one four and one six. At lunch the score was 192-7 after 67 overs, with Clinton Pestano on 12, which included three fours off Kevin Sinclair.

Junior Sinclair, who claimed five wickets in the first innings, failed to replicate his heroics with the bat, scoring only three.

He was removed by his cousin Kevin when he found Johnson at slips. The final three wickets came quickly after lunch, Kevin removed Pestano (14) and Richie Looknauth (07), to end with 5-61 from 26 good overs, including nine maidens. He displayed skill, extracting some turn and bounce while varying his pace to perfection.

Paul's XI were bowled out for 218, but they had a useful lead of 97 runs. Beaton had 2-26 from 13 overs, which had seven maidens. Smith who was quick in his approach, took the final wicket with the first attempt with the second new ball, removing

Hope says maintaining wickets in hand would be key in seriesdecider against Ireland today

T

he key to the West Indies winning their CG Insurance One-Day International series against Ireland would be the ability to maintain wickets in hand in order to launch at the backend of the innings, according to opening batsman and vicecaptain Shai Hope.

The West Indies top-order batsmen have experienced difficulties with the moisture on the Sabina Park pitch in the first two games of the series, after losing the toss and being asked to bat by Ireland on both occasions.

“We all know that in the morning time there’s a lot of moisture in the pitch, and it’s just unfortunate that we didn’t get to win the toss in the first two games,” he said.

Still, Hope emphasised the importance of trying to battle through the conditions, regardless of the result of the toss. “Whether we win the toss or not, we have to do whatever we do first, to the best of our ability. The key is to make sure we do it better this

game, because we know it is a series decider,” Hope added.

When asked about the average batting performance in the series so far, Hope once again pointed to difficult conditions. “I think anyone who understands cricket can see that conditions aren’t conducive to stroke-play. It’s not a free-flowing wicket, especially in the morning at Sabina Park. It’s just important for us as batters to adapt to that as fast as we can. It’s not easy, but we still have to find a way,” Hope explained.

Finally, he offered possible solutions for the West Indies' batting woes.

“It’s just important for us to find a way, whether it’s putting the bowlers under more pressure or trying to run more singles in the middle period.

I also think it’s important for us to maintain wickets in the middle, so we can launch at the back-end; because, at the end of the innings, the wicket tends to get a lot better,” Hope said.

The third and final CG Insurance ODI between The West Indies and Ireland takes place on Sunday at Sabina Park at 9:15 am Jamaica Time.

The series is currently locked at 1-1. (Sportsmax)

Steven Sankar trapped in front for a golden duck. The speedster claimed 2-10 from 7.1 overs.

Junior Sinclair stars again In the second innings, Hemraj began with a touch of class, while Anderson was cautious in his approach. The duo saw off newball bowlers Keon Joseph and Pestano. Hemraj was dropped on 21 off the bowling of Joseph at mid-off by Nealand Codugan.

Hemraj timed the ball sweetly, and found the boundaries thrice, got value for his runs on a much faster outfield, in contrast to the first trial match.

Hemraj eventually was bowled all ends up by a sharp Junior Sinclair at 35-1 on the stroke of tea. Junior began to work his magic, and got support from Anthony Adams. Promising seamer Qumar Torrington trapped Sachin Singh (04) at the

Kevin Sinclair bowling during his five-for

crease, and then wickets fell like dominoes at Albion. Seven runs after, Anderson, who looked solid for most parts of his innings, fell leg-before to Adams for 22 from 86 balls.

Junior Sinclair then bowled Kemol Savory for one, trapped Leon Johnson for five, and removed a carefree Ronoldo Ali Mohammed (04). At 70-6, Kevin came and smashed Adams for three fours in successive balls, but was removed the very next ball by the persistent Adams.

Sinclair had a leading edge, and was caught for 25 from 13 balls. His breezy innings included three fours and one six. His was the final wicket to fall on

Junior Sinclair has had nine wickets in the match so far

the day, with the score on 1073. Karim (15) and Ramcharran (10) ensured no further hiccups.

Junior, who claimed 5-18 in 11 overs on day one, ended day two with 4-32 in 16 impressive overs, which had six maidens; while Adams had 2-31 in 12 overs. The third day will bowl off from 9:30h.

Sports events can contribute to vaccination numbers

A

fter taking in the successes of the Federation’s ‘Vaccinated only’ tournaments, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde is firm in his belief that sport can positively contribute to Guyana’s vaccination numbers.

In the 2021-2022 yearend football season, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) managed to pull off three tournaments with the inclusion of spectators, namely: the Men’s Super-16, Women’s Super-16, and a futsal competition.

The catch, however, was that players, officials and fans all had to be vaccinated to attend. Even with this mandate in place, hundreds of patrons turned out to the events.

This, Wayne Forde believes, augurs well for the country’s vaccination campaign.

“As you may recall, we wanted to do a ‘regional’ qualifier before we got to the 16 teams, but there was so much hesitancy within the clubs and the players that we had to abandon that. And even then, we became worried,” the GFF President shared, revealing initial fears that their plans would not be well accepted.

However, he went on to share, “We’re going to be putting out the figures of how many players and officials got vaccinated just to be a part of this tournament, and I want to believe that many fans also did the same. So, I’ve always felt that organising football and giving the fans and the players

GFF President Wayne Forde

the expectation that they’re going to be able to engage the sport would contribute positively to vaccination. And I believe the evidence bears me out with that,” he said.

“I’m very happy with the support we got from the Ministry of Health. They obviously helped with setting up vaccination sites,” Forde said.

Still on the topic of COVID-19 and the sport, Forde highlighted that it is important to find ways to conduct the sport, since the pandemic does not seem to be letting up.

“From all indications, COVID is going to be with us for a very long time. How it will continue to impact activities and daily lives is anyone’s guess. So, I think the world is gradually coming around that they’re going to have to continue and move on with life in a COVID environment,” Forde told this publication.

He added, “So, I believe that we understand a little bit more about what is required from us. We’ve always been consistent in terms of respecting the protocols and the guidelines and the advice of the Health authorities. And I think once we maintain a solid footing on those principles, I think we’re going to be all right.”

Forde is positing that sport is needed to bring some relief during these times.

“I don’t think there’s an option for us to retreat in a cave and hide away from COVID. I think we have to find ways and means to cope with the pandemic and still carry on with our lives,” the GFF boss firmly opined.

“Young men and women need to play sports. It has been part of our existence for centuries, so I don’t see any way we can bring that to a complete halt,” he concluded.

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

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022

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Guyana Harpy Eagles Trials...

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Virat Kohli steps down Sports events can contribute as India Test Captain to vaccination numbers

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