Guyana Times -- Sunday, June 26th, 2022

Young philanthropist P13 Azruddin Mohamed making a difference in society Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 5051 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022

Commonwealth requires bold, innovative thinking to navigate global crises – Pres Ali Page 9

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Infant among passengers rescued as P2 boat sinks in Essequibo River

– Baroness Scotland returned as SG; 2 new member countries added to bloc

VP Jagdeo urges beneficiaries of $250K grants to earn, expand businesses – as initiative launched in Reg 3

COVID death toll climbs to 1251 with 2 more fatalities

– 111 new infections detected in 1 day P39

Page 7

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

Teen mysteriously disappears P40 from mining camp in Reg 7

Commonwealth Heads of Govt support final resolution from ICJ

Page 3

– 54-nation bloc supports Guyana’s preservation of its sovereignty

Works commence on US$300M shore base facility for ExxonMobil

Page 41

Food For The Poor celebrates 31 years of P37 charitable service in Guyana

2 NEWS Infant among passengers rescued as boat sinks in Essequibo River S SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

everal persons including an infant were Saturday afternoon rescued after the boat in which they were travel-

ling sank in the Essequibo River. The incident occurred just after 14:00h.

At the time of the incident, the boat was en route

to Supenaam, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

One passenger told Guyana Times that the boat left the Parika Stelling, East

Bank Essequibo (EBE), and while in the vicinity of Leguan, water began entering the boat, which caused it to start sinking.

Upon seeing this, the captain of the boat took quick action and steered the vessel onto a river bank and ordered the passengers to disembark.

A video seen by this publication showed some

Some of the passengers in the water after the boat sank

of the passengers in a tree waiting to be rescued and at the same time trying to save their lives. One man was also seen holding the infant above the water until rescue came.

Popular comedians Lindon Jones [Jumbie], Chris Gopaul, and Micheal Ignatius, along with local singer Kwasi Ace were also passengers on the boat.

They were expected to perform at Washiba Resort.

On Gopaul’s social media page he said “we are all fine God is great. We have real heroes among us. The guy with the baby sat there [in the tree] with someone else's child. Kwasi Edmondson snatched a baby girl (aged 2 or 3) and jumped into the shallow area saving her life. I want to believe the guy with the baby and a few friends were members of the GDF who were very active in lending assistance….”.

Following the tragedy, another boat arrived at the location and transported the passengers to Supenaam.

One of the passengers holding the infant in a tree

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, June 26 – 02:00h – 03:30h and Monday, June 27 – 02:30 – 04:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, June 26 – 15:15h – 16:25h and Monday, June 27 – 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 during the day.

Expect thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Westerly to North North-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 14:50h reaching a maximum height of 2.33 metres.

Low Tide: 08:24h and 20:35h reaching minimum heights of 0.78 metre and 0.89 metre.

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

Commonwealth Heads of Govt support final resolution from ICJ – 54-nation bloc supports Guyana’s preservation of its sovereignty

I

n a major decision coming out of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda, the Commonwealth Heads have all thrown their support behind Guyana and its efforts to resolve its border controversy with Venezuela before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

This was one of the developments affirmed in a communique issued by the 54-nation Commonwealth bloc, with the conclusion of CHOGM 2022 on Saturday. In the communique, the Heads of Government noted that the ICJ has already ruled that it has the jurisdiction to consider the merits of the case concerning the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 (Guyana v Venezuela).

“They also noted that Guyana had submitted its Memorial on 8 March 2022, in accordance with the schedule set by the ICJ to hear the case, concerning the validity of the Arbitral Award of 1899 and the related question of the definitive settlement of the land boundary between the two countries.”

“Heads reiterated their full support for the ongoing judicial process that is intended to bring a peaceful and definitive end to the long-standing

President Dr Irfaan Ali greeting Commonwealth Secretary General, Baroness Patricia Scotland, at the opening ceremony of the CHOGM in presence of Rwanda President Paul Kagame

controversy between the two countries,” the Heads also said in the communique.

In addition to their support for bringing an end to the longstanding border controversy, the Heads of Government also reaffirmed their “firm and unwavering support” for the general maintenance and preservation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It was only recently that Venezuela filed an objection to Guyana’s case, which the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs had described as a bid to delay the substantial hearing of the 1899 Arbitral award case before the ICJ, after refusing to join the proceedings since 2018.

Guyana approached the World Court in 2018 seeking a final and binding judgement to reinforce that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties as well as legal affirmation that Guyana’s Essequibo re-

gion, which contains much of the country’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

The Spanish-speaking nation had initially refused to participate in the proceedings and had even challenged the Court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter. But in December 2020, the ICJ established that it has jurisdiction to hear the substantive case – something which Venezuela did not acTURN TO PAGE 7 cept.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022

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

Rectifying the Colonial past

P

resident Irfaan Ali just attended a meeting of the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth, which we know consists of 54 countries that were former colonies of the British Empire. It has signalled that it is open to new membership and, in fact, Rwanda, where this meeting was held, was itself a former colony of Belgium.

Since it already includes about a third of the world’s population, in a realignment of the post-WWII global order, it can possibly play a very important role. However, some of its members who suffered under the old colonial regime have been calling for a reckoning.

Caricom, as we should all know, has supported a call for reparations for the enslavement of millions of human beings from the African continent. They were forced under mind-numbing force and brutality to labour on the sugar, tobacco and cotton plantations without compensation for hundreds of years. As chattel, they were subjected to the same treatment doled out to animals. Finally, when the system was abolished – for economic reasons being that free trade would deliver markets to the new industrialising Britain – it was the slave owners who were compensated, rather than the slaves. This is the basis of the call for reparations.

As part of that call, Caricom has outlined ten demands, which begin with an apology. There has been much ado about Prince Charles, who represented his mother Queen Elizabeth, the nominal head of the Commonwealth, moving in this direction. He said, “I want to acknowledge that the roots of our contemporary association run deep into the most painful period of our history. I cannot describe the depths of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many, as I continue to deepen my own understanding of slavery’s enduring impact…If we are to forge a common future that benefits all our citizens, we, too, must find new ways to acknowledge our past. Quite simply, this is a conversation whose time has come.”

But while Charles did not mention Caricom’s call for reparatory justice, and reparations are not formally on the Commonwealth’s agenda, his statements were very tone dead in view of the reaction to the visits of several of the members of his family to the region recently.

They were reminded very strongly that future relations would be linked with Britain’s apology and acceptance of reparations. Caricom specifically addressed statements such as Charles’s in its 10-point Reparations Plan: “Some governments, in refusing to offer an apology, have issued in place Statements of Regret. Such statements do not acknowledge that crimes have been committed, and represent a refusal to take responsibility for such crimes. Statements of regret represent, furthermore, a reprehensible response to the call for apology, in that they suggest that victims and their descendants are not worthy of an apology. Only an explicit formal apology will suffice.”

The second point concerns repatriation to the African continent: “A Repatriation Program must be established, and all available channels of international law and diplomacy used to resettle those persons who wish to return. Resettlement should address such matters as citizenship, and deploy available best practices in respect of community re-integration.”

But this demand would bring up the ticklish matter of the responsibility of the present governments – such as Nigeria and Ghana, fellow Commonwealth members – for reparations, since their predecessor indigenous rulers before the colonial annexation played an active role is securing and supplying slaves to the European traders, and shared in the profits of such trade.

In its third Reparations Demand, Caricom invoked the plight of Indigenous peoples and stated unambiguously, “The governments of Europe committed genocide upon the native Caribbean population.” Charles evidently attempted to address this charge by invoking Canada’s treatment of their Indigenous peoples: "…people across Canada are…determined to lay a foundation of respect and understanding upon which a better future can be built. It seems to me that there are lessons in this for our Commonwealth family." This is too little, too late.

He misses the point of the reparations call.

President Dr Irfaan Ali sharing a light moment with Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland and Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Retreat at the Intare Conference Arena in Kigali, Rwanda

The CoI must put an end to rigging! Peace and development must unite Guyana!

Dear Editor, Another significant promise is on track for fulfillment by President Irfaan Ali and the PPPC. It assures the Government’s facilitation of the conduct of a justified and necessary Electoral Commission of Inquiry (CoI) by an esteemed team of qualified international professionals. The announced CoI will serve to interrogate the flagrant abuse of authority and the resulting damning events associated with the attempts to rig the results of the March 2020 elections. However, the results must be a revelation of the truth, thereby providing a basis for the successful uniting of our people locally and internationally, whose bold endeavours saved this country.

Electoral malpractices have for decades plagued the democratic fortification of this country, and the bubble finally burst. A first of its kind to be held nationally, this presidential CoI concerning Elections’ misconduct elicits a disquieting atmosphere, and certainly ruffles some who have sought to lay condemnatory critiques to undermine the suspected outcome. But it is not as if the masses at home and overseas are not aware of the blatant, barefaced breaches of almost every rule to steal power. What is most feared is that those involved, who have managed to shield themselves so far, could now be exposed.

It is recalled that, in August 2021, His Excellency reaffirmed his administration’s aim to establish a CoI, and also outlined that it would be an international one to independently investigate what occurred and where the weaknesses in Guyana’s electoral systems exist. At the time, public reaction supported the approach, stipulating that the international approach will remove bias and ensure transparency. Since the recent announcement by His Excellency President Ali, there have been a few mumbles seeking to be critically rejective of the mechanism and the provided scope of the CoI. In a Village Voice article captioned ‘Participating in the CoI would be supporting a charade,’ Jeffrey et al have attempted to apply the proverbial pulling of cloth over the eyes of the unsuspecting observer.

Editor, the likes of Jeffrey et al cannot usurp the authority of the President or the Commission in their convenient advocacy. Please permit me to contextually highlight a few central pillars informing the legal authority and approach of a CoI in Guyana, from which APNU/AFC representatives, Jeffrey et al try to deflect. Notwithstanding that these fly-by-night commentators should read the act, Section 2 of the Commission of Inquiries Act Cap.19.03 states: (1) “The President may

issue a commission appointing one or more commissioners and authorizing such commissioner or commissioners to inquire into any matter in which an inquiry would, in the opinion of the President, be for the public welfare.

(2) Every such Commission shall specify the subject, nature, and extent of the inquiry, and may contain directions in the following matters: a) in what manner the Commission shall be executed; b) if there be more Commissioners than one, which of them shall act as chairman; c) what number of them shall constitute a quorum; d) the place and time where and within which the inquiry shall be made and the report thereof rendered; e) whether or not the inquiry shall be held in public, with reservation nevertheless to the Commissioners to exclude any person or persons if they deem fit for the due conduct of the inquiry, the preservation of order, or for any other reason; f) and generally, for the better giving effect to the purpose of the inquiry.”

Also, Section 10 states: “Commissioners acting under this Act shall have the powers of a judge of the High Court to summon witnesses, to call for the production of books, plans, and documents, and to examine witnesses and parties con-

cerned on oath… All summonses for the attendance of witnesses or other persons, or the production of documents, may be in the form given in the Schedule, and shall be signed by one of the commissioners, and oaths may be administered by one of the commissioners, or by the secretary.”

It is of note that our citizens have endured decades of ‘rigging’, and it was only with the foreign intervention of the ‘God blessed Carter Center’ in 1990, and again the International Observers in 2020, that a sense of democratic normalcy was imbued against the most egregious threats. The CoI therefore must be comprehensive, it must investigate fully pre- and post-electoral dirty and willful attempts to derail and rig the National and Regional Elections.

The events that unfolded from the passing of the No-Confidence motion, the numerous challenges in the Courts, and all that took place with Granger’s self-imposed Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Election Commission, contributed to the PNC completely taking control of the hiring of all staff members at GECOM, and particularly, the GECOM Human Resource Manager was unwilling to give the information of the staffing at GECOM to the Integrity Commission.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Tom Mitro failed to provide analysis to support claims that Guyana losing big on cost oil Dear Editor, I am tired of responding to First World “so-called experts” who have their own agenda and, based on their absurd pronouncements on Guyana’s affairs, probably believe that we are an uneducated population and lack critical thinking abilities.”

I will, however, never stop challenging, exposing and discrediting their arguments and pronouncements, because that notion is not true, and I will never allow these foreigners to treat us as such.

It is totally disrespectful and derogatory on their part, and what’s even worse, local media houses give them a platform to propagate their nonsense.

We, as Guyanese, must never allow this level of disre-

spect, as there is no foreigner on this planet that is superior in intellect to Guyanese.

According to the publication, Mitro argued that “the country is losing primarily through the deductions being made by the operator, and not necessarily in profit sharing aspect of the deal. Mitro contended that “one such provision allows Exxon to recover all interest on loans borrowed to fund the development of related oil projects. In practice, Mitro said, this means that the operator and its partners are able to charge Guyana for the cost of borrowing from their affiliates with no limits.

“Contracts typically have cost recovery mechanisms, but usually with limits,” Mitro said, explaining that without written limits, com-

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and entrepreneurship acumen. These are four crucial elements to ensure the success of any business.

Further, each of these attracts a cost for the acquisition of the same – that is, there is a cost for land, building, furniture, equipment, labour; and there is also a cost for capital.

Financial capital is usually in two forms, equity and debt. Equity is shareholders or the owners’ money that they accumulate in savings or sale of an asset, and debt is borrowed capital. Both forms of capital, like the other factors of production, have a cost to obtain same.

Typically, equity is more expensive than debt, and that is because shareholders demand higher returns for their investments.

In the case of ExxonMobil, the cost of debt capital is around 4.25% and the cost of equity is around 8.65%, giving rise to weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of about 8%.

The cost of capital (financing cost) is treated as an expense, and therefore deducted from the profit and loss account as an expense. In other words, the interest expense, for example, charged on a loan, which is a form of debt, is a financing cost which must be deducted as an expense from the profit and loss account. This is a standard universal accounting practice and fundamental, thus there is absolutely nothing unusual about it.

Further, Tom Mitro did not conduct any analysis to support his view that “Guyana is losing big” as a result of de-

ducting financing cost as an expense. Hereunder, let’s look at the actual financing cost based on the 2021 financials of Exxon, Hess and CNOOC, and the amount of debt financing the company actually employed in its capital structure relative to equity.

Towards this end, an examination of the statement of comprehensive income for the oil companies ending FY 2021, total revenue amounted to G$545b, financing cost amounted to $822m representing 0.15% of revenue, lease interest (another form of debt financing) amounted to G$6.6b, representing 1.21% of revenue; altogether, the (lease interest plus financing cost) represents a mere 1.36% of revenue – thus having a very minimal impact on profit.

Most importantly to note is that oil companies typically employ a low level of debt in their capital structure. This is largely because of the complex nature and high-risk factor of the industry, where the life cycle between exploration stage, development and production stages can be as long as 10–20 years. In the case of Guyana, for example, exploration commenced shortly after the 1999 agreement was signed with ExxonMobil, oil was discovered in commercial quantities in 2015 - ap-

proximately 16 years later, and production commenced another 5 years later following the development stage.

Altogether, the exploration to production cycle in Guyana spanned almost two decades.

Then, another two years later, into production, the oil companies made a profit for the first time.

That said, the long termdebt-to-equity ratio for the oil companies operating in Guyana is 0.2 or 20%. This means 80% of the companies’ capital structure comprise of equity financing (typically, this ratio for other industries is as high as 50% – 70%).

More so, owing to this low level of long-term debt, the financing cost as shown in the statement of comprehensive income represents less than two percent of revenue.

Consequently, the companies’ financing expense has an extremely low impact on profit oil for Guyana and the oil companies’ share of profit.

In view of the foregoing, the argument put forward by Tom Mitro is unmeritorious.

Yours faithfully, Joel Bhagwandin Director Corporate Finance Advisory| SPHEREX Analytics

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panies can abuse the amount of borrowing they do within the conglomerate.”

Now, let’s deconstruct Tom Mitro’s wild and careless assertions, as were reported by the Kaieteur News edition of June 24, 2022. The current Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) does in fact stipulate limits in two forms.

The first is the 75% cost recovery ceiling; this is a limit. The second is not administered by limits for each line item per se, but the PSA prescribes what expenditure is cost recoverable, and those that cannot be. It also speaks to approval having to be sought for certain costs to be in the cost recoverable bank. Mitro is therefore incorrect when he suggested that there is no limit within the PSA on costs.

With respect to imposing the limit on items such as financing costs, that would be imprudent and in contravention of basic fundamental accounting principles.

Let’s take it to the basics.

In elementary economics, or even at the CSEC/CXC level business subjects, students are taught about the “factors of production”, which are divided into four categories: i) Land ii) Labour iii) Capital iv) Entrepreneurship This means that to start any type of business, and to ensure it remains a going concern, the investor(s) need to have land (the building or property where the business will operate out of); labour, which is the people resource, and everyone brings their own unique skill set and competencies; financial capital,

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The CoI must put...

FROM PAGE 4

The complete control of hiring, firing, purchasing, renting and all the other skullduggery that took place must be fully investigated.

In addition, the performance (circus) that took place at both the GECOM/ Commission and GECOM/ Secretariat must be fully examined. The lack of audits at GECOM surely serves as a beacon for improprieties, and such an important agency must be above board.

The reviews and the reports of the GECOM Secretariat must be fully prepared, submitted to, and discussed by the Commission, but this variant position has been an indictment for years.

There were no reviews in the 2015 General and Regional Elections, or 2016, and 2018 Local Government Elections. Worse is that the shenanigans that are before the courts and the others who are still in the employ

deliberately made a clean sweep of all the records, and GECOM is unable so far to have a review of the 2020 Elections. The Police should and must be called in to investigate the culprits who swept the data from the computers.

President Irfaan Alli naming and appointing eminent men on the International Commission of Inquiry is most welcome, and all of Guyana is supporting and awaiting the full report after the CoI. This CoI must fully expose the riggers, and we must see an end to the rigging of Elections in Guyana. Our people will then be able to appreciate Good Governance, and the country will be united for all to live in progressive peace and harmony.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Sunday, June 26, 2022

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6 FEATURE

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WORLD RAINFOREST DAY – THE TIME IS NOW

Further ailments of newborn puppies

V

THE RUNT

ery often, it is the runt of the litter that becomes sick, and dies earliest.

Q: What is the runt of the litter?

A: The RUNT is the one pup (sometimes more than one) which is unusually small as compared with its siblings. Its growth is stunted.

Such physically disadvantaged pups would have a lower birth weight, as compared to the others of the same litter. This is visually obvious, even if you do not have a scale to weigh the pups. Such a pup just lacks the muscle mass. The fatty layer under the skin is palpable and thin. All of these physical inadequacies would lead to the pup(s) being unable to breathe well. When it has to compete with its siblings for the mother's milk, it would not be able to nurse adequately and successfully.

Q: What causes runts to be delivered by a mother dog?

A: 1. It may be of a genetic origin - fertilisation of inferior quality egg (from the mother) and sperm cell (from the stud dog) to start the life of what may turn out to be a potentially disadvantaged pup (the runt).

2.

Inadequate nourishment during the time when the pup(s) is (are) in the mother's womb. (All the more reason for the mother dog to be fed well during pregnancy).

3.

Overcrowding (too many pup-

pies) in the womb.

Q: Can the caregiver save the runt?

A: Yes, but it would be very difficult, as a lot of time and effort must be expended to foster growth, development, and survivability.

We discussed the hand-rearing of newborn pups in recent Pet Care columns, and the methodologies described would be applicable to runt(s) in a litter.

FADING PUPPY SYNDROME (FPS) Q: What is FPS?

A: This is a condition reminiscent of human babies dying early in their lives, identified as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). I shall not venture into providing a definite opinion about the sameness of the two problems, of SIDS and FPS. Newborn puppies (especially the weaker ones) which are born into stressful environments do not do well, a n d may die within a few days.

FPS incorpo-

rates other considerations.

In FPS, the pups are usually healthy and mobile at birth, then suddenly begin to lose vitality. Within a day or two they die, if not removed from the litter and taken care of independently. As for the treatment of runts, I refer to the hand-rearing of ailing and failing new-born pups discussed in previous "Pet Care" columns.

Q: What causes FPS?

A: There is much debate among research scientists over the cause(s) of this condition. Empirical observation of clinic practitioners tends to identify certain specific characteristics relative to FPS: i.

Sibling rivalry (as early as) within a few days of life - as the pups "fight" for the mother's milk (breast). ii. Size (weight) of the pup at birth. iii. Unhygienic environment into which the pups are born. iv.

Inherent internal

(invisible) and external (visible anatomical) birth defects. v. Rejection by the lactating mother. vi. Diseases. (Not all pups are born with the same (immune level) ability to fight off invading germs. vii. Breed disposition viii. P r e m a t u r e / p r o longed labour. ix. Parasitism.

N.B. 1. After about 5 days of age, surviving pups seem to be able to cope better with stressful conditions.

2.

The mother dog may not possess a well-developed immune system.

This leads to the birth of pups that are more easily susceptible to stressors, including actual diseases.

3. Scientists are examining virus involvement in FPS. In fact, the wise books are now equating FPS with Canine Herpes virus - Type 1 (CHV-1). At some later point, when we are discussing virus diseases, we will return to the CHV-1 in puppies - not lastly because of associated disorders and other factors.

4. There is another specific ailment (Cardiopulmonary Syndrome), which is a blood circulatory problem in the new-born pup. Next week we will spend some time explaining this ailment. We feel it is important within the context of discussing FPS.

G

uyana is known throughout the world for its almost pristine and vast rainforest cover. These ecosystems host an equally impressive array of plants and animals, a high percentage of which can be found only here, in the ‘land of many waters’. Without a doubt, in a world that is plagued by the ravaging effects of climate change, our rainforests are more valuable than ever. Forests also provide other benefits that are not only essential to the people of Guyana, but to the world.

Other benefits of having standing tropical rainforests include: • Repository for medicinal and other scientific and cultural research; • Opportunities for eco-tourism and nature-based income-generation activities; • Provision and purification of freshwater; and • Protection against drought, floods, and erosion.

Facts on Guyana’s rainforest • Approximately 85% of its total land area is covered by forest (18.5 million hectares), the second highest proportion in the world, behind Suriname; • Forests in Guyana can be classified as rainforest (36%), montane forest (35%), swamp and marsh (15%), dry evergreen (7%), seasonal forest (6%), and mangrove forest (1%); • In 2012, Guyana recorded a deforestation rate of less than 1%; and • Four of Guyana’s five protected areas are found in its rainforests.

World Rainforest Day Founded in 2017 by Rainforest Partnership, World Rainforest Day, celebrated annually on June 22, recognises standing, healthy forests as one of the most powerful and cost-effective climate change mitigation tools we have – and creates a global movement to protect and restore them.

With the abundance and variety of valuable plants and animals, their importance to the global climate, and the alarming rate of forest cover loss, it is no wonder that the theme for this year is ‘The Time is Now’. The time is now indeed for governments, corporations, and individuals to take action to reverse the trends of biodiversity loss and unsustainable use of forest resources.

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy presents a clear pathway for harnessing payments for the services provided by forests, while low impact mining and forestry are conducted. The Joint Agreement with the Kingdom of Norway has seen a robust Monitoring and Verification System which, over the years, has shown record low deforestation rates.

Sources https://www.earthreminder.com/why-is-wildlifeconservation-important/ You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications, 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.

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

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

VP Jagdeo urges beneficiaries of $250K grants to start, expand businesses – as initiative launched in Reg 3

T

he Government on Saturday took its $250,000 small business cash grant to Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and Vice

President Bharrat Jagdeo has urged recipients to ensure that they utilise the money to either start a new business venture or expand a current one.

Commonwealth Heads of...

FROM PAGE 3

Back in March of this year, Guyana had submitted its written arguments for its memorial to the ICJ, which was a requirement by the court following its December 18, 2020, decision that it had the jurisdiction to hear the case against Venezuela.

Guyana moved to the World Court after exhausting all means of negotiation with Venezuela and the failed good offices process between the two South American neighbours.

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, in January 2018, decided that the case should be settled by the ICJ after exercising the powers vested in him to decide how the controversy should be settled by the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela, and the United Kingdom.

The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. It was established by the United Nations Charter in June 1945, and began its activities in April 1946. The Court is composed of 15 Judges elected for a nine-year term by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands).

The Spanish-speaking nation is laying claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass in Essequibo and a portion of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in which almost 11 billion barrels of oil have been discovered over the past seven years.

Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali has been using his platform at international forums to inform the world about Venezuela’s continued disregard for international norm in pushing its illegal claim to Guyana’s territory.

Simultaneously, Guyana had recommitted to maintaining bilateral relations with Venezuela. In fact, Venezuela’s Ambassador to Guyana Carlos Amador Perez Silva has met with various Cabinet Ministers including Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips during this month.

During their meeting, PM Phillips and the Venezuelan diplomat discussed ways of enhancing bilateral relations between the neighbouring countries. The Prime Minister had indicated that Guyana is ready to improve relations, within the construct of respect for Guyana’s sovereignty.

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

He was at the time addressing residents at the Uitvlugt Community Centre, West Coast Demerara (WCD), where the cash grant initiative was rolled out. The meeting focused on small business development.

The Vice President told the gathering that many of the big businesses in the country, especially those in the commercial districts

A section of the gathering at Uitvlugt Community Ground on Saturday

in Georgetown, started off as small ventures such as street and market vendors.

He noted that while the small business cash grant

is not a lot, it can go a long way in starting off successful businesses. To this end, Jagdeo implored with beneficiaries to invest the

money.

“This money – the grant – that you will get here, it’s not a lot of money.

TURN TO PAGE 11

8 NEWS

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Discussion on issues affecting students, teachers commences with religious leaders

E

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

ducation Minister Priya Manickchand has begun to engage leaders in the religious community to address the issues of school dropouts and antiso-

cial behaviours in the school environment.

Over the last week, the Minister met with religious leaders in the Christian and Islamic communities and will

soon be meeting with leaders from the Hindu community.

During the meetings, the Minister highlighted that the Ministry has implemented several measures aimed at ensuring students return to school and receive an education in a safe and cohesive environment.

Since schools have been reopened, in addition to addressing the issue of school dropouts, the Ministry of Education has been dealing with reports of violent and antisocial behaviour exhibited by students, particularly those in secondary schools.

The religious leaders were told that their help will be two-fold. They will assist the Ministry in carrying out “Operation Recovery” by engaging early school leav-

ers and their parents within their respective communities.

This will help to determine the reasons behind the students leaving school and find solutions to ensure they are back in the classroom receiving the education they rightly deserve.

Secondly, their presence in schools will be used to curb antisocial behaviours by counselling and guiding students to make better decisions which will positively impact their lives.

This is part of the Ministry’s expansion of its social work capacity to be able to respond to the needs of students across the country. The Ministry of Education is committed to ensuring each child has access to educational opportunities.

A change…

W

…in the world

hen you’re on a speeding bullet train, and your eyes are closed, you mightn’t even know you’re moving. In these situations, you always need to be aware of a background, to get a perspective on what’s really going on with you. You gotta have your eyes open. Something like this happens to all of us as we move in the current of history - but our eyes are closed, and we’re missing the massive changes that are hurling our world into a new dawn.

Just take the seismic changes in the world order that’s been put into play just this week - without even garnering a comment in our newspapers. Your Eyewitness had mentioned that the leaders of the BRICS grouping were meeting – but yet the war in Ukraine kept us transfixed. Imagine China and India, with two and a half billion people, making plans with Russia, Brazil, and South Africa - and we’re only worried about Ukraine with 44 million!! Not that 44 million people aren’t important, but let’s have that perspective!!

Just the other day, India’s Foreign Minister was asked about their seeming nonchalance about the Ukraine War. His answer was surprising to most who’d gotten used to keeping their eyes closed: “Europe should stop insisting that what’s important to them is automatically important to the rest of the world!!” If we’re all humans, and equally so, by that criterion then, we should all be as important! But we know that ain’t so, don’t we??

And this brings us back to BRICS and their importance.

They’ve just concluded their fourteenth meeting, and issued their communique on agreements reached. Their theme had been, "Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development”, and boy, did they take that seriously.

Let’s take the financial architecture that we still think makes the world go around – the World Bank and the IMF that was formed by the West, and is still controlled by them – after WWII. Well, the BRICS countries have moved a long way in creating a basket of their currencies to use as a reserve for world trade. And let’s not forget - after the first meeting, they’d created their own development bank!!

And BRICS has decided to get bigger – brick by brick!!

Does it look as if Argentina will be next in their club: BRICAS?? They’ve also enlarged the number of countries they coordinate their programmes with: A “BRICS Plus” virtual conference was held as part of the main meeting, with ministers from countries that included the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Argentina, Nigeria, Senegal, and Thailand. WOW!!

There’s a brave new world opening up – and we’d better pay attention. If nothing else, it’ll be more competitive.

And that’s always a good thing, no?? …in America Now, let’s take a deep breath and look at what’s going on in America, shall we?? Did you, dear reader, ever think we could’ve had an insurrectionary raid on capitol Hill – the home of American Democracy?? Jeez!! Since 1776, they were the City on the Hill, to which the rest of the world looked up as a beacon! But can we reconcile that vision with all that’s gone down in just the last decade? A President who tweeted his announcements on domestic and foreign policy at night - unmediated by a millionstrong bureaucracy created to serve the Republic??

A Supreme Court that created the principle of Judicial Review as a bulwark against an always potentially tyrannical Executive - now using that power on behalf of an Executive that practised rampant judicial bench stacking?? So what now happens about the separation of powers - which is supposed to be sacrosanct - when both Houses and the Court’s gonna toe one line??

This will not end well!! …for more guns Following a spate of traditional mass shootings that claimed dozens of lives in troubled, violence-prone, gunstrewn, Far Northwestern banana-exporting Republic of the US, their Supreme Court in the coastal capital of Washington DC struck down gun laws as “undermining” American culture!!

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

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

NEWS

9

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Commonwealth requires bold, innovative thinking to navigate global crises – Pres Ali – Baroness Scotland returned as SG; 2 new member countries added to bloc

President Dr Irfaan Ali during CHOGM 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda. In the background is Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit

By Jarryl Bryan

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mphasizing the need for the 56-member Commonwealth bloc to learn how to come up with its own solutions internally, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday used the closing press conference of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022 to stress the need for boldness, vision and innovative thinking.

During a press con-

ference where he was flanked by Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland and President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio, the President also lauded Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame. President Ali praised Kagame, the incoming chair of the Commonwealth, and highlighted the lessons that the region can draw from Kagame’s own run as President.

“Perhaps if we could

sum this up, what the world and commonwealth need now is stability, bold innovative, and visionary thinking. And the combination of our SG and incoming Chair offers us a great opportunity,” President Ali said.

“When you look at what President Kagame has achieved here, with the people of Rwanda, it talks about a leader and a country that has a vision, and bold and creative initiatives. And when you look

at the crises and insecurities we’re facing in the world today, food crisis, energy and climate crisis, a crisis of inequality, we require this type of leadership and these characteristics to navigate us through these difficult paths.”

Ali noted that Kagame’s entrance as Chairman of the Commonwealth is a timely one in order to confront the challenges the developing world faces.

According to him, it is time for the developing world to come up with its own answers to the problems the region faces, without looking to the developed world.

“It is this type of leadership and example by doing, that is required in creating some of the changing circumstances that is critically needed. So having a chair that brings that experience in a practical way, I think allows us to have something that is functional, direct, and creative in dealing with the challenges,” President Ali said.

Last week, President Ali, First Lady Arya

Ali, and a team of Government officials joined Commonwealth leaders in Kigali, Rwanda for the CHOGM, which was held under the theme “Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming.”

Decisions

There were a number of decisions taken at the CHOGM, which will guide the work programme of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Among those decisions was the re-appointment of Baroness Scotland as Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral.

Scotland first assumed the role in 2016, and her four-year term was temporarily extended in 2020 in response to the pandemic. But she had faced some opposition headed into this year’s CHOGM. The United Kingdom (UK), among others, had been critical of the Secretariat’s governance and financial stability.

Scotland’s significant

challenger was Jamaican Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith. Smith had the backing of the UK, India, and Belize, while Scotland was backed by Dominica and Antigua, and Barbuda. Speaking after her reappointment on Friday, Baroness Scotland had focused on the need for unity within the bloc.

“It is deeply humbling to have been reappointed as Secretary-General of this great Commonwealth.

To continue to serve our family of nations is a true honour and a privilege and I will do so to the best of my ability. We will face the world’s challenges with unity and purpose,” she said.

Another decision was for Samoa to host the next CHOGM in 2024.

Additionally, two countriesthe Gabonese Republic and the Togolese Republic, were admitted to the Commonwealth as new members. This increases what was a 54 bloc Commonwealth of nations to 56.

TURN TO PAGE 12

10 NEWS Housing Ministry’s Home Construction Assistance Programme taken to Reg 3 SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

S

cores of residents in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) turned out at the Leonora Track and Field Facility on Friday, as the Ministry of Housing and Water launched its Home Construction Assistance Programme.

Housing Minister Collin Croal, Central Housing and Planning Authority Chief Executive Officer Sherwyn Greaves, Director of Operations Denise King-Tudor and technical staff were present at the launch.

The initiative is the brainchild of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and is designed to assist Guyanese families, who own Government or private lands, to access financing and build their homes.

“Our goal as a Government is to ensure that all of our citizens have proper access to housing. We understand the many difficulties that you encounter and this programme provides an avenue to bridge that gap,” Minister Croal stated.

Through the pro-

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal

gramme, applicants can select from three pre-designed housing models: $7 million, $9 million and $12 million and pre-qualify for loans with financial institutions. Those on board include Republic Bank Limited-Guyana, Citizens Bank and the New Building Society.

The homes will be built by contractors and monitored by engineers of the Central Housing and Planning Authority for quality control. During the launch several contractors in the region, who expressed interest in building the homes registered with the Ministry’s database. This will boost the regional economy and

create employment for residents in the area.

Minister Croal noted that in addition to the Home Construction Assistance Programme, several other projects are in motion that will catapult the region’s housing sector.

Close to $4 billion in infrastructure works are ongoing in several housing schemes. The bidding process is also ongoing for the construction of a new four-lane highway from

Central Housing and Planning Authority Chief Executive Officer Sherwyn Greaves

Residents at the event on Friday

Schoonord, West Bank Demerara, to Crane, West Coast Demerara, which will unlock lands for new housing and commercial developments.

Minister Croal also announced that construction for the first 500 homes in Region Three is expected to commence soon.

During the launching on Friday, residents lauded the Government’s effort to make homeownership more attainable.

“It’s a great initiative because right now for me we’re paying rent and it’s very expensive,” expressed Shavannah Sugrim, a mother of two

who was able to pre-qualify with one of the financial institutions.

Her spouse, Royan Sugrim, also shared similar sentiments, as he noted that they are looking forward to providing a safer shelter for their children.

Meanwhile, a single mother of four, Shellon Castello, stated, “it’s a very good initiative especially for single parents […] I’ve been waiting for a while now to build my own house so it’s a good thing for the assistance we’re receiving”.

After receiving her land in 2013 and encountering a number of difficulties constructing her home, Shamkumarie Persaud also stated that she was pleased with the initiative. Persaud has now been pre-qualified for a mortgage with the New Building Society.

The Home Construction Assistance Programme has also been launched in Region Four, Region Six and Region 10.

NEWS

11

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

VP Jagdeo urges beneficiaries...

FROM PAGE 7

Guyana achieved centripetal power sharing

T

he demands for “powersharing” are once again rising to a crescendo in sections of the Opposition camp, as it did after 2011 but had become muted after forming a coalition Government in 2015. The present PPP Government is dubbed an “installed dictatorship”, and the leader of the PNC, APNU and Opposition is being pressured to come out Ravi Dev into the streets against the PPP. Post-2008, after the attacks on the state and perceived PPP Indian Guyanese supporters by armed bandits based in Buxton had waned, the then PPP was described by influential columnist Freddie Kissoon as an “elected dictatorship”, and he also demanded street protests by the Opposition PNC. Pointing out the omnipresent danger of street protests in Guyana unleashing violence against Indian Guyanese, I argued against such actions. They would deter crossover votes from that community, which traditionally voted for the PPP but might be suffering from incumbency fatigue, or have other reasons for not voting for them. The PNC, I proposed, should instead reach across the divide and modify its old image, and it could actually start winning elections. Mr Kissoon and several leaders from the African Guyanese community – Messrs Lincoln Lewis, Eric Philips etc. – accused me of seeking to have African Guyanese commit political suicide.

But our surveys had showed that the Indian Guyanese population had dropped precipitously to less than 40%, and we were now a nation of minorities. The African/Mixed Guyanese populace had now more than matched the Indian Guyanese to resolve the African Security Dilemma. The Amerindian population and moderates from the major communities were now a potential floating voter pool that could be swayed by either side to agglomerate a majority. The AFC in 2006 mobilised this segment.

From a mobilisation standpoint, I was pointing out that the changing demographics had serendipitously delivered a situation where power could be effectively shared among the various ethnic groups in the society at the polls under the present majoritarian system. In many other divided societies, this needed explicit constitutional and electoral innovations such as a 65% supermajority, the Alternative Vote (AV) and the Single Transferable Vote (STV). The PNC abjured street protests, changed their name to APNU by coalescing with 5 nominal outside parties, and the 2011 elections showed we were on the right track. APNU’s subsequent coalition with the AFC - led by Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo for the 2015 elections - deepened the coalition’s attraction for crossover votes, and their win confirmed our prediction.

There will be objections to my claim that any Government elected in Guyana by the present demographics will be a “powersharing” one. This is primarily because our discourse on powersharing has been dominated by the notion of a “grand coalition” of all parties - part of what is called a “consociational” arrangement.

The other power-sharing approach, which we had been promoting, is “centripetalism”; connoting a force (here, self-interest) that moves the parties towards a moderate centre. If our parties act rationally, as the PNC from 2011 to 2015 and the PPP in 2020, either could win elections here if they moderate their claims and actions. APNU/AFC lost the plot after 2015 when they fired 7000 primarily Indian Guyanese sugar workers.

As one who has been making power-sharing proposals since the late 1980s, we accept there will be challenges. The first is “adoptability”: whether the major political parties will adopt them.

Consociational “Executive power-sharing” has been a non-starter since the 1960s by whichever party is in Government. It is always threatened by the second challenge of “immobilism”, which is occurring presently in N. Ireland, when the arrangement can be vetoed by one member of the grand coalition withholding their vote.

Centripetal power-sharing, however, has been serendipitously delivered to us. As I noted in my 1990 paper, “For a New Political Culture”: “Those who wish to engender social changes have to start from where we are - not where we ought to be.” We need to institute guarantees such as Ethnic Impact Statements (EIS), and strengthen the judiciary, to ensure that the Government is treating all groups equitably.

Lastly, in centripetal power-sharing, there is the problem of “degradation”: when the larger party that attracted crossover votes breaks its agreement with its representatives. Their censure comes at elections. The post-2015 APNU/AFC coalition was “mannered” in 2020, and the PPP’s test will come in 2025.

We have been delivered into the democratic comity of alternating Governments.

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

But this money is not to pay bills because if you didn’t get it, you still had to pay your bills. Keep this money separate from paying bills or buying something nice now for yourself or your family.”

“If you didn’t get it, you couldn’t have done that in any case. Try to use this money to make sure that you can grow it in whatever way. So, if it’s a small business you want to start or you want to expand an existing business,” he stressed.

in that manner because we want people to grow and if you do it well, you’re going to grow into larger businesses.”

“This is an opportunity to move forward, to assist yourselves, assist your families and to contribute to the community,” the Vice President asserted.

Jagdeo further reassured recipients of the grants that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will continue to work with them A young businesswoman raising her concerns

Vice President Jagdeo addressing the crowd

According to VP Jagdeo, this cash grant had helped many families last year to expand their small businesses or even start new ventures.

He outlined that the $250,000 was enough to build a pen, buy enough feed for about one hundred chickens and even buy the chicks themselves. Those persons, he noted, have now grown their poultry stocks and had to build larger pens.

“Not everyone can do chicken so we don’t expect that but you can utilise these resources to do some small business. This is an investment in you and we hope that you can utilise it

and ensure that they get the necessary resources, such as technical assistance, to grow.

In fact, the Vice President indicated that the Government will be looking at providing training, especially for those beneficiaries of this small business cash grant so that they can be sustainable.

This commitment was made after a young businesswoman, who has a small contracting business, highlighted difficulties in getting jobs at most Government Ministries.

She is currently a law student at the University of Guyana (UG) and has estab-

lished a poultry business as well as a contracting firm to earn a living.

With the exception of the Public Works Ministry which the young woman said has “a very good” pre-qualification programme in place for small contractors to benefit from, there is no avenue to tap into opportunities at the other Ministries.

The businesswoman underscored the need for more systems to be put in place to facilitate small contractors at the various Ministries.

In response, VP Jagdeo recognised the need to create similar provisions for small businesses to benefit from small contracts as well.

“We push Public Works to get that done so that we can integrate small contractors [into the tendering process] … [Contracts] below $5 million at Public Works now, it’s so simple.

We pushed them to do that, and at the other Ministries, we may have to do the same thing,” he stated.

However, more than this, the Vice President outlined the need to train recipients of the small business cash grant.

“If you get the resources such as the cash grant, we have to help people with the process… We have to work with people. So, maybe a couple of seminars and training sessions organised by [Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond].

I’m going to talk to Minister Walrond because that’s her responsibility and then to train people how to grow…

We have to work with people to train them how to grow,” Jagdeo posited.

In recent weeks, the Government has rolled out this cash grant for small business development in Regions Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) that not only benefitted hundreds of persons but also injected millions of dollars into the regional economies.

12 NEWS President Ali congratulates new Grenada PM SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

G

uyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali has congratulated the newly elected Prime Minister of Grenada, 44-year-old Dickon Mitchell.

In a brief statement on his Facebook page, President Ali commented “On behalf of the Government and People of Guyana, I extend congratulations to Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon

Mitchell on his electoral victory.”

“I look forward to working with you and your Government, as we advance our agenda to build a united and strong Caribbean Community.”

Mitchell’s National Democratic Congress has the majority of 9 seats to the former Prime Minister’s New National Party's 6 seats.

However, the incum-

bent Dr Keith Mitchell served as Grenada's Prime Minister for six (6) terms.

He won two consecutive elections in 2013 and 2018 with a clean sweep at the polls.

Prior to the elections, Dr Mitchell predicted his party might lose a few of the 15 seats it held for the last two terms, but would win the elections.

It turned out he was right about losing a few

President Dr Irfaan Ali

seats but wrong about winning the elections as attorney Dickon Mitchell sent him to the political cemetery in Grenada, earlier than he anticipated.

Dickson Mitchell, a former Hugh Wooding Law student became a political leader on October 31, 2021. Just over 84,000 Grenadians were registered to vote in the recent elections.

Newly-elected PM of Grenada, Attorney Dickon Mitchell

Commonwealth needs bold, innovative...

CHOGM was initially scheduled to take place in June of 2020 but was postponed twice owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accompanying President Ali were Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd and the Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper.

Prince Charles represented Queen Elizabeth II and opened the meeting. The United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, also handed over the role of chair-in-office of the Commonwealth to the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.

Prior to the Gabonese Republic and the Togolese Republic, Rwanda was the

FROM PAGE 9

most recent country to have joined the Commonwealth – in 2009. This will be the first CHOGM held in an African country since Uganda in 2007.

Apart from the issues relating to the theme, the Rwandan Government had also identified health as a key focus. This also included discussions on the effects of COVID-19 on wider

CHOGM 2022 has, for the first time, been held in an African country since 2007

health services and ongoing Commonwealth commitments to halve malaria in the Commonwealth by 2023 and ensure access to

quality eye care.

Following the CHOGM in Kigali, President Ali and the First Lady will be travelling to Suriname to par-

ticipate in the Suriname Energy, Oil & Gas Summit & Exhibition (SEOGS) 2022 in Paramaribo on June 27- 28.

FEATURE

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SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“L

ife is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.”

down yards that he’s renting to oil companies.

Presently, the young businessman, through his family’s business, Mohamed’s Enterprise, is

zooming on the track, the young businessman knew he had to venture into this field. Back then, the state

came a pioneer in reviving the racing scene to make it more competitive.

His first step was to buy several GTR motorcars and

Azruddin Mohamed in one of his luxury vehicles

Azruddin Mohamed recently constructed a new home for a single mother of 4 whose house was destroyed by fire

Those are the words of Tony Robbins, which young Guyanese entrepreneur Azruddin Mohamed looks upon as he lives a simple yet luxurious lifestyle.

Born on March 1, 1987 at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital to business tycoon Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed and Bonita Persaud, Azruddin, the eldest of three children, attended Mae’s Schools – Nursery, Primary and Secondary.

Even though he was placed in the top 25 in the country after writing the Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (SSEE), now referred to as the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), and was awarded a place at Queen’s College, he continued his secondary education at the Mae’s private institution.

There he wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), and was successful in 12 subjects in the business stream. After completing his secondary schooling, his father insisted that he further his studies, and as such, he was enrolled at the University of Guyana as a Business Administration student.

At the age of 19, he completed his degree and joined the family’s business, to which he is the only heir to the conglomerate.

To date, he is one of the biggest gold dealers in the country, purchasing gold and exporting it to the UAE. Azruddin also works in foreign exchange, and trades the actual currencies in the United States.

Real estate is also a significant part of this serial entrepreneur’s professional life. He owns The City Mall in the heart of Georgetown, multiple massive apartment buildings, office buildings and houses, and several lay-

constructing two condo buildings in Green Acres on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD); a six-storey office building at Lamaha Street, Georgetown; and, more so, developing several other properties to be used as stone depots and storage for several oil companies.

Nevertheless, his upbringing was like any normal child’s. At the age of 10, he joined the Guyana Cricket Club’s Young Cadet Cricket Brigade Programme, where he played under the auspices of the then President, Mr. Bacchus. He spent at least three years, and represented that club on several occasions.

However, while in secondary school, he got involved in table tennis. In fact, he was extremely talented in the sport, and represented Guyana at several competitions in the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

Despite his successes in cricket and table tennis, at the age of nine, he was fascinated by cars. “The first car that Azruddin drove was my Mercedes Benz. It wasn’t one of those luxurious ones that we have today, but he mastered the art of driving… He was extremely fascinated about cars…he could have told you about the brand of cars and the engine models from a distance,” his father told <<Guyana Times>>.

From washing and driving his father’s cars, he currently owns a fleet of exotic vehicles, including 3 GTRs (White GTR has 2500hp, Nismo GTR has 2000hp, GTR has 2200hp); Pro Mod Ford Mustang with 4,000hp, Mercedes G Wagon, Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, and several SUVs. His love for the world of motor racing began relatively recently, when he attended an international meet at the South Dakota Circuit.

When he saw the racing cars

of racing and motorsports as a whole was not well developed, and as such, he be-

a fleet of superbikes, which were driven by top racing drivers from the United

Azruddin Mohamed and his father, business tycoon Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed

States of America, Canada and England. To date, Team Mohamed’s, a brand that he owns, has sev-

eral titles in various categories.

TURN TO PAGE 14

14 FEATURE

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FROM PAGE 13

Motor racing fanatic Azruddin inspecting the drag race strip at the South Dakota Circuit

Meanwhile, even though he was born and brought up in a family of entrepreneurs, Azruddin did not let his wealth get to him.

Instead, he focused on using it for the good, especially being an active philanthropist who participates in several charities to help the underprivileged.

Over the years, he has invested millions of dollars in donating to schools whether stationery items, laboratory equipment, and electronics (tablets, television sets, refrigerators,

freezers, computers, laptops) as he feels that doing so will shape the lives of the future generation that will one day be leaders of their communities, places of worship, and ultimately the country.

He has also put roofs over the heads of many families whose homes were destroyed by fire, and supported musicians in their careers. In addition, he has supported local talents in various fields, such as sport, culture, and pageantry.

“Some of us have the wealth, but we keep it to ourselves… I have grown up in a family that always believes in giving back to society…By the virtue of Allah and hard work, we have acquired wealth, and we intend to continue doing good for the less fortunate and those in need…it is in our blood to assist, and do so wholeheartedly,” he told Guyana Times.

On this note, his father, who is also a philanthropist, recalled his son growing up with much love

Azruddin handing over a donation to a school recently

and affection for his family members, both extended and immediate. “He was also willing to share whatever he had without thinking that he will be left without…he is always like that from a young age…nothing stopped him from giving.”

This characteristic, his father stated, Azruddin got from him. In addition, he was always very affectionate, and is a very satisfied person who never talks back to his elders.

“Azruddin was well

mannered, and still is… No matter how angry I get at him, he never retaliates… he would sit and take it in, and correct his mistakes…

He is a son that any father would want by their side… I recalled him coming over to the office during his studies, and by doing so every day, he has mastered the trade… Today he is one of the most successful young entrepreneurs in Guyana, and I am extremely proud of him,” the senior Mohamed noted.

On this note, Azruddin attributes his success to his willingness to work hard and learn new things.

To him, success is not measured by the yardstick of wealth, but rather it is about enhancing your knowledge and skills throughout your life, and that’s how you grow.

Only recently, Azruddin was featured in the Forbes Magazine as one of the top 10 Business Professionals to look out for in 2022, with a net worth of billions.

FEATURE

15

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Joan Winter’s craft shop at St Ignatius Village, outside Lethem

Joan Winter displaying her Indigenous craft items during an event at the Umana Yana earlier in 2022 (Photo credit/Kapohn)

I

t is a business that she had always wanted to create, and after many years of promoting her Indigenous roots and making many sacrifices, Joan Winter has prevailed against the odds and has managed to open her own craft shop at St Ignatius Village, on the outskirts of

Lethem in the Rupununi.

The business, which also has its own Facebook page, has a variety of Indigenous craft, including earrings, fans, necklaces, hand-woven bags, slippers, and other craft items used in preparing foods, such as baskets, matapees and bowls. Winter has also ex-

Several craft items which are available at Joan Winter’s craft shop

panded her line to include leather craft, to augment the business.

This mother of six hails from Aishalton, a remote village in the Deep South Rupununi, but moved to Lethem in search of bet-

ter job opportunities; and while she managed to find herself a job, she also decided to continue making craft items utilising a skill she developed while growing up in Aishalton.

Winter’s move to the

more populated border community was with a mission, her daughter Sherry noted, and according to the young lady, her mother’s aim was to one day open her own shop.

According to Winter, she would spend many nights honing her skills by creating various items, mainly her earrings, which require a load of patience.

During the daytime, she would complete her motherly tasks and, at the same time, oversee her shop, which has grown in recent months. Officially, her business has been in exis-

tence for some 3 to 5 years, but Winter has been making and selling her craft for years.

Her shop attracts customers from as far as Georgetown, and they buy her craft items in bulk for resale. Some persons would place orders before travelling to the area to uplift same. On other occasions, Winter would ship the items to the city via bus or aircraft, and it was noted that many tourists have been courting her craft shop.

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FROM PAGE 15

Businesswoman Joan Winter at her craft shop at St Ignatius village in the Rupununi

While the shop attracts customers throughout the year, Winter’s business usually sees more customers when the Rupununi is hosting major events, such as the annual Rodeo held at Lethem.

During the month of September, which is designated Indigenous Heritage Month, the business would also see a spike in sales.

When asked how she learned to make the craft items, Winter noted that she learned from her forefathers the basic skills in making the craft items. But while she managed to grasp those basic skills, she discovered YouTube videos in which the creators provided valuable advice on how to further develop one’s craft-making skills.

As regards her early days in Aishalton, Winter spent most of her time on the family’s farm, and during those days, she lost her husband, who died when a mining pit caved in on him at the Marudi Mountains mining site in the Deep South Rupununi. At the time she was a mother of four, and she decided to permanently move to Lethem in search of greener pastures.

She continued making her craft items while she raised her children.

Winter is continuing to expand her business, and things have been on the brighter side this year. One of her better moments occurred in February, when she was invited to showcase her items at the Energy Expo Exhibition at the Umana Yana in the city.

As regards her future, Winter noted that she would continue to explore her Wapichan roots through craft, and at the same time preserve her culture using her handcrafting skills.

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Making a curry

O

ne of the best ways to learn about any culture is through its food, and that is certainly true for Guyana. Our culturally-infused cuisine is steeped in a rich history that will find favour with even the pickiest of taste buds. The Guyana Tourism Authority has been working with culinary experts in various avenues to provide unique culinary experiences to both local and international

Puri-making in Georgetown

travellers, and Singing Chef Adventures plays a major role in these experiences.

Singing Chef Adventures, owned and operated by Chef Eon John and his wife Jessica, promises culinary tours - the Seven Curry Tour and the Taste of Freedom Tour that are inherently experiential, and highlight key facets of Guyana’s diverse cultural history through food, of course.

So, here’s what you can expect from each of these tours.

The Seven Curry Tour

Curry is a universal dish. The aroma of spices intricately blended creates a captivating, yet intense, sense of satisfaction with each bite. Now, imagine experiencing this in not one, but seven different ways. Seven Curry is a traditional Indo-Guyanese delicacy, prepared and served at Hindu religious functions.

The Singing Chef Adventures’ seven curry itinerary is a packed one. Covering six hours, you will be guided through the entire process of preparing seven curry - from picking the water lily leaves to preparing the meal. So, your first stop will be to gather the purine (water lily) leaves, which will be plated with all the curries once the meal is prepared.

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FROM PAGE 17

Next, you’ll visit one of Georgetown’s busiest markets, Bourda, where you can source many of the vegetables for the curries. Sampling coconut water is also a part of the experience. Sip it straight from the shell at Buddy’s, a local vendor. Listening to Buddy’s family history in the coconut business takes just as long as you’d take to consume a coconut - short and sweet.

Your hosts will then take you to Tony’s Puri Shop to experience the puri-making process. Their operation is seamless: from stuffing seasoned split peas into the dough, perfectly sizing each puri, and rolling it expertly with a repurposed vodka bottle, locals boast that Tony currently makes the best puri in Guyana. Why not see and taste for yourself?

You will, of course, be able to participate in every step of the cooking process - from de-shelling the katahar and preparing the curry paste, to selecting, measuring and mixing each ingredient that goes into the dishes.

Throughout the process, Eon will share interesting stories about the history of Seven Curry. It is important to note, though, that his version of the Seven Curry is made with an interesting twist - coconut oil.

As the cooking winds down, the smell of all seven curries wafting throughout the room will whet your appetite. You will then gather your leaves, choice of beverage and curries, and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Opt to eat with utensils, or go traditional and eat it sanay - with your fingers; because, really, the messier the better. During or after the meal, Eon will show you why he’s known as “The Singing Chef” by performing some of his original songs, inspired by Guyana.

The Taste of Freedom Tour

This tour will take travellers on what the operators like to call “a journey into the birth of Victoria and Buxton Villages”. The 1763 Monument and 1823 Rebellion Monument will form an integral part of this experience before journeying along the East Coast of Demerara, where the real tour begins. Upon arrival in Victoria, you will be greeted by Desmond Saul, who will lead the tour throughout the village.

Mr Saul will present important highlights about Victoria, including the fact that it is the first village to be purchased by the freed ex-slaves. He will also present the history of the original blue hut, where the money to buy the village was recorded and delivered in a wheelbarrow. This hut still stands today. You will also have the opportunity to see the original church bell which was rung to celebrate the purchase of the land.

A walk around Victoria would yield amazing insights into the lives of the locals who currently reside there.

Following this, you will be guided to the village of Buxton, where you will have the opportunity to view the remnants of the Buxton Train Station, visit Mama Fee-Fee’s granddaughter, and of course visit the Buxton-Friendship Museum. You will then be guided through a step-by-step process of preparing traditional African dishes, including cook-up rice, while being entertained by the sweet sound of Eon’s music.

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H

e says he can play a game of cricket, volleyball, shoot pools, operate an outboard engine on a boat, and drive and catch with his cast net. In fact, although Lakesh Mathura is differently-abled, he says his life is as normal as any other person’s.

Mathura, aged 28, is a father of one. He works at the Mahaicony Hospital as a Pharmacy Assistant. There, his job includes a list of duties, and these include writing the prescriptions of persons seeking the services of the pharmacy at the hospital.

He said persons would quite often stare at him, given that he does not have a palm on either hand. Mathura said he was born without hands; he was born with a condition called congenital amputation, in which a person is born without a limb, or part of a limb/limbs.

Despite being differently abled, Mathura says, he is always upbeat about life, and he has managed to overcome several challenges while

growing up.

Relocation to Mahaicony coast

He was born and raised at a village called Bara Bara, which is located along the bank of the Mahaicony Creek.

Mathura has said that, while growing up, he was always the centre of attention, not only for his physical appearance, but because he always beats the odds. “I use to go to primary school while in Mahaicony Creek, and people in the community always rally behind me because I can do anything,” he said.

He said that by “anything”, he means fishing, swimming, playing cricket with his siblings and friends, and even paddling along the sides of the creek, and swimming.

He said he encountered challenges when he moved to the coastal areas of Mahaicony to attend secondary school. Mathura attended the Bush Lot Secondary before settling at the Mahaicony Secondary School.

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Lakesh Mathura writing a medical prescription at his workplace at the Mahaicony Hospital

During the day, Mathura works at the Mahaicony Hospital Pharmacy, but in the evenings and weekends, he is a barber who is always in demand

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FROM PAGE 29

He said that, as he mixed with people, he would grab their attention. “People used to look and ask me questions, but I would say I can do anything just like any other person,” he explained.

Barber shop

Mathura enrolled in a Pharmacy Assistant health care programme offered by the Ministry of Health several years ago, and after successfully completing the training in Georgetown, he was placed at the Mahaicony Hospital. He said he is now in his seventh year on the job at the hospital; but while he works in the pharmacy during the day, he has decided to pursue a side job as a barber. He said he opened his barber shop after

realising that he has talent in that field, which many are still amazed to see.

“Some people come in the barber shop and watch me couple times. Then they would come back for me to cut their hair, because they still didn’t believe I can cut their hair,” he said laughingly.

He said he has been a barber since he was 14 years old, and these days he is in demand, as he would receive calls from his usual customers on when they should visit his barber shop for him to cut their hair. “When a fresh person come, they would watch on, because they don’t believe it,” he added.

Mathura said he opens his barber shop on weekends and in the afternoons after he completes his duties at work for the day.

Lakesh Mathura taking a moment to pose for the camera while working at the pharmacy at the Mahaicony Hospital

Hoping for driver’s licence

Mathura has said he can also drive, and he noted that on one occasion he visited a Police Station to purchase the learner driver’s package, but he was not successful in his quest. He explained that the officer questioned whether he has a customised vehicle, to which he answered in the negative since, according to the young man, he can drive “as a normal person.”

Mathura said that after discussing the issue, the officer explained that he cannot be issued with a driver’s licence package. The young man said he is still hopeful that one day he would be able to obtain his driver’s licence.

These days, he said, he is working hard to expand his business and institute self-enhancement plans. He said, too, that his wife is expecting soon, and this, he noted, would further warm his heart, even as he continues to live “a normal life, like anyone else.”

Harrinand Persaud re-elected President of THAG

Harrinand Persaud, re-elected THAG President

H

arrinand Persaud has been re-elected President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG).

Persaud, the Chief Financial Marketing Officer of King’s Hotel and

Residences, was re-elected on Friday, during the Association’s 29th Annual General Meeting to elect a new Executive Council.

D e s t i n a t i o n Development Manager of Wilderness Explorers, Kenneth Shivdyal is the Vice President. The Treasurer is Managing Director of Old Four Tours, Camille Boodhoo.

Committee Members are Iwokrama International Centre CEO Dane Gobin, Guyana Marriott Hotel General Manager Eduardo Reple, Bullseye Investments & Amazon Chemicals Guyana Managing Director Victor Pires, and Customer Experience Specialist at Atta Lodge Salvador de Caires.

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PanJam Concert returns on July 24 T

he Guyana Police Force Steel Orchestra and the Caribbean Airlines Parkside Steel Orchestra will clash at the 2022 edition of the “PanJazz Concerts” event dubbed “PanJam: The Steel Band Jamboree” on July 24 at the Georgetown Club.

This edition is said to have an exciting twist to the already enthralling concept and will include a fusion of Caribbean genres of music Soca, Reggae, and Chutney, featuring local artists.

pan music, mixed with jazz instruments.

The success of that concert saw the birth of the unorthodox brand “PanJazz Concerts” created by Miller, under which he has been hosting the event annually.

“When I started in 2018, I was pretty young, but from [the] feedback I received, I was doing pretty well, so I continued and the support kept growing over the years.

I believe that is credited to the fact that there is no yearly steelpan event in Guyana

Founder of PanJazz Concerts, Reon Miller

The concerts are usually a fusion of steelpan and jazz; however, this year will be more inclusive, and will also include a clash with the two top Guyanese steel bands, the Guyana Police Force Steel Orchestra and the Caribbean Airlines Parkside Steel Orchestra.

“For the first half, we’re going to have a string band with local artists singing

that focuses on the steelpan experience as PanJazz would. The ones we have are mainly focused on involvement with bands and soloists competing, but PanJazz focuses on an experience for the audience. And that is the selling point since there is a huge fanbase for steelpan music in Guyana,” Miller said.

Since this concept was

Saxophonist Roy Stewart performing with the steel band at last year’s concert

Soca, Reggae, and Chutney hits. And for the second half, two large steel bands will be set up side by side on two different stages, performing local hits and they’re going to be going tune for tune backing local artists who will be performing with them. This, I believe, will be the most exciting part this year,” Founder of PanJazz, Reon Miller disclosed.

Founder of PanJazz, Reon Miller said that patrons can look forward to 10 times the excitement this year, as the team would have built on the success of the previous years, to enhance the experience for 2022.

PanJazz was created in 2018, while Miller was a Law student at the University of Guyana, as a fundraising idea for Hugh Wooding Law School. Being one of Guyana’s prominent pannists, he decided to host a concert that headlined steel-

created to pay school fees, Miller said after the completion of this year’s event, he hopes to launch the PanJazz Scholarship where other pan players will be assisted with their education from part of the proceeds from the concerts.

“Now that I have completed my studies, it’s only fair that part of the proceeds goes to someone else who plays steelpan, to pay their school fees too. That’s what I wanna do. Other than that, the goal of PanJazz is to bring an exquisite steelpan experience to the Guyanese public that they can appreciate and enjoy, and always look forward to on a yearly basis,” he said.

This event this year is sponsored by Kabisa, Gupta Distributors, Career.gy, Roje’s, Au Moyeu M&M Snackette, Virtual Solutions Guyana, Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, and Potsalt Media & Communications.

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Food For The Poor celebrates 31 years of charitable service in Guyana

– Over 5000 hampers distributed during COVID-19 shutdown

T

Persons at the Food For The Poor Outreach

organisation, which places great emphasis on sustainable community devel-

he act of giving, for some people, is sometimes a nature-given instinct. They were just created for the godly task.

Over the years, Food For The Poor Guyana Inc and all its supporters have been striving and successfully maintaining this goal of continuous charity.

On Friday evening, the non-governmental organisation held its annual fundraiser dinner at the Pegasus Hotel in celebration of its 31st anniversary of providing charitable support to the less fortunate in Guyana.

The fundraising dinner, in its first year since the COVID-19 pandemic that held the world at a standstill for two years, was met with packed seats and presentations on the organisa-

and donated over 5000 hampers to persons in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six,

tion's upgrades and expected project execution in the coming months.

The crystal-lit ceiling of the Pegasus Hotel reception room set the mood for buffet-style dining, quiet conversations, and an overall relaxing evening.

The reception kicked off with remarks from Chief Executive Officer of Food For The Poor Guyana Inc Kent Vincent, who highlighted the vision of the organisation while also recognising what they have accomplished in their long 31 years of operations in Guyana – with contributions to the Health Ministry, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and health centres across the country and so much more.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Food For The Poor stepped to the plate

the organisation’s new vision as it seeks to expand its outreach and sustainable community development projects to the vulnerable in the hinterland regions.

On Friday, he reiterat-

opment which translates to the transformation of the communities and income generation programmes for the needy,” CEO Vincent said.

However, for this strategy to see successful implications, there must be a partnership between the organisation and other entities, Vincent noted.

“In these changing times, the organisation is refocusing its collaboration with partners, to be more strategic and more intentional to ensure that there is no duplication of efforts and that collaborative partnerships are complimentary.”

Moreover, Vincent shared that the organisation’s projects and outreaches will be extended to the hinterland regions, where he said “many of the poor are located”.

Several projects have already commenced in Region

ed that the organisation has taken a step to refocus its vision and be more strategic in its approach to serving the needy and poor.

“The new vision of the

One (Barima-Waini).

To this end, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Paul Chan-ASue, expressed that the organisation is working on

Attendees at the 31st Annual Fundraising Dinner at the Pegasus

Nine, and 10.

Vincent, earlier in the month, had spoken of the growth of the organisation over the years and the need for all staff to be aligned to

establishing a storage facility in the region that would make it easier for the distribution of items to persons in the hinterland communities.

“We are going to be moving to Region One and we will be working with the people there. The idea is to build a storage area there and from there, distribute in that area, initially. That is one thing that is going to happen,” Chan-A-Sue said.

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud hinted that her Ministry may partner with the organisation on a diaper bank project.

This collaboration awaits discussion between the two organisations. The project aims to provide diapers to the elderly, babies, and persons with disabilities who may require diapers.

“I have no doubt that I’ll find a ready partner in Food

Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud; Food For The Poor Guyana Inc Board of Directors Chairman Paul Chan-A-Sue, and Food For The Poor Guyana Inc Chief Executive Officer Kent Vincent

For The Poor based on the discussion that we are going to continue,” Dr Persaud mentioned.

The Social Security Minister’s brief remarks were followed by the dinner and then by a sweet rendition of “You Are The Reason” by Calum Scott by children, Kevin Eiffel, and Angela Josiah before the organisation launched its volunteer programme, Helping Hands.

The programme aims at creating a space for persons who are willing to partake in charitable work.

The relaunch of the Food For The Poor Guyana Inc website followed, with upgrades to its interface and layout. The website takes a more modern feel with easy

navigation and looks from its previous format.

Meanwhile, concluding the 31st anniversary celebrations, the organisation held its largest outreach since the year began on Saturday.

Persons from North Ruimveldt, Sophia, and Georgetown, on Saturday, amassing over 800 persons, benefited from a Food For The Poor distribution outreach at their Blue Mountain Road, Festival City location.

Items such as rice, flour, canned goods, hand sanitiser, and disinfecting wipes were distributed. In addition, face masks, and personal care items were also handed out to persons.

(Shane Marks)

38 NEWS Greater protection, new technologies needed for seafarers – Min Edghill SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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ewer technologies and greater protection for seafarers should be on the agenda with the country now host to a budding oil sector and the other developments that are trickling in.

These were the sentiments of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during the observance of World Seafarer’s Day on Friday.

“We can’t continue just doing what we did. The voyage then is totally different from the voyage now. Much more is happening. Maybe there is a need for us to engage the insurance industry for greater or a specialised package that could be suitable for people in this industry,” he outlined.

Moreover, he noted that the Government has been analysing ways of boosting the technological makeup

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

of the industry, recognising that many of the vessels are also aged.

“The tools that we give you to work with must also be modernised. The vessels

that we put you on must be modernised. Both in the public sector and private sector. Lots of the vessels are aged. We have been looking at that but I be-

lieve with oil and gas, the provision of logistic services, the engagement with what is taking place in our EEZ, it provides opportunities for more people to be engaged and it would also provide an opportunity for new vessels to come in.”

It was pointed out that when this Administration entered office in 2020, the Maritime Administration Department was not equipped for the oil sector.

This has now been fixed.

The Public Works Minister shared, “There was the need for repositioning the sector to address what were the evolving and current trends. That was 2020. We had found oil in 2015 and MARAD as a regulatory body did not

have an oil and gas division five years later. We now have a dedicated division at MARAD that is dealing with oil and gas.”

As the oil industry grows, more seafarers will become necessary. They will also require training to adequately fill these new responsibilities.

As he stressed the importance of seafarers, Edghill said, “The world as it is right now cannot function without seafarers.

Even if countries around the world did not recognise this, when COVID hit and we couldn’t get ships moving, everybody said this is a really important industry”.

The Government has invested heavily to im-

prove safety in waterways.

Engagement with international organisations such as the International Maritime Organisation is continuing aggressively.

“We want wherever our seafarers and wherever the Guyana flag is carried, that we make Guyana proud and we can be good ambassadors. Years ago, the strongest form of diplomacy was a ship landing in a foreign port…We are very proud of where Guyana is, where Guyana is going and we want when our seafarers land in foreign shores, that they fly the flag of Guyana with conduct, character, speech and everything else that we do, high,” the Minister charged.

Supply of drugs for health sector “on track” for 2022 – CMO

C

CMO Dr Narine Singh

hief Medical Officer, Dr Narine Singh has positioned that the supply of drugs and other pharmaceutical supplies for the public healthcare sector is on track for the year, thereby resulting in a smooth flow of operations.

This was shared during an engagement with media operatives on Friday, on the sidelines of an event.

Generally, complaints would emerge from the sector about the shortage of medicines at hospitals while spoilage would also emerge as another concern.

However, Dr Singh relayed that there have been minimal supplies that have to be disposed of due to expiry dates or spoilage.

“Every year, there’s some amount of expiries of

drugs that don’t get utilised because it came in too late.

Those are a small amount that needs to be disposed of. The supply of drugs is on track for this year. The budget, many of the tenders went out and we started receiving those supplies.

Some of them are standard, so presently, most of the tenders went out for all the drug supplies. We’re just in the phase of receiving them in different batches,” he disclosed.

In 2021, an audit into the health sector found $1.1 billion in expired medical drugs, purchased since the last Administration. The Government would have ordered the audit after over $10 billion in expired pharmaceuticals had to be dumped. The expired drugs

were purchased under the last coalition Government and uncovered when the new Administration took office in August 2020.

At that time, the Health Ministry had to dump over 300 truckloads of expired medication from the Materials Management Unit – the central storage bond of the Health Ministry.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony was quoted as saying that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government inherited a “crisis” in relation to the quantity of expired medication being stored at MMU, and within five years, the Health Ministry had to dump billions worth of expired drugs and materials because of mismanagement.

The Government also entered the office to find shortages of some 156 key medicines and other supplies – which were on the zero-stock level.

To immediately rescue this situation, the Government had to allocate $3.2 billion to make the emergency purchase of drugs and medical supplies. Over $14 billion was also injected into the 2021 budget to purchase drugs.

With a new approach and intervention, Guyana’s supply of pharmaceuticals in the public system was stabilised, providing facilities with the necessary drugs to treat patients and eliminating wastage.

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Top Cop, GGDMA commit to hinterland intelligence A

Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, GGDMA President Andron Alphonso and other officials of the GGDMA

cting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken on Friday during a meeting with the President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Andron Alphonso, at Eve Leary, Georgetown, committed to the recommencement of Hinterland Intelligence.

The meeting was held with the objective of resuscitating the Hinterland Intelligence Committee meeting for information and intelligence gathering with the intention of enhancing the security posture within the hinterland regions.

Commissioner Hicken in renewing the Guyana Police Force partnership and networking with the

Miners Association, said the recommencement of the Hinterland Intelligence Committee (HIC), is expected to convene its first meeting at the end of July.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the HIC was unable to meet for over two years. As such, the GGDMA said it sees the Committee as being extremely important for intelligence sharing and crime-fighting in the hinterland and is happy for the commencement of the meeting.

Just last year the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) established a Regional Intelligence Committee (RIC) aimed at

identifying problems and providing solutions aimed at enhancing residents’ lives.

Regional Chairman Sheik Ayube said the Committee would help to inform a more efficient and effective approach to managing the Region.

This is in keeping with President Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision for inclusive governance starting at the community level.

The Head of State had posited that his Government would focus on community needs to generate “growth opportunities, or growth hubs within a cluster of communities that can generate employment, create sustainable development.”

COVID death toll climbs to 1251 with 2 more fatalities – 111 new infections detected in 1 day

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he Health Ministry has reported that two more persons have lost their lives after being infected with COVID-19 thus taking the country’s death toll to 1251.

Both deaths were recorded on June 22, 2022. They are a 65-year-old male from Region Two and a 64-year-old from Region Three. Their vaccination statuses were unknown at the time of this report.

This number reflects a breakdown of 30,757 males and 36,301 females.

In addition, the released statistics also showed that there are three patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 28 in institutional isolation, 943 in home isolation, and two in institutional quarantine.

Active cases have reached over 950. Recoveries stand at 64,833.

10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

No new infections were reported in the other regions.

To date, a total of 656,996 tests have been conducted across the 10 administrative regions.

Latest vaccination figures show that so far, more than 443,000 or 86.4 per cent of adults have taken a first dose, while over 342,000 or 66.8 per cent of persons 18 years and

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD JUNE 25, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

111

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

28

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

943

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

3

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

2

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

36,301

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

30,757

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

67,058

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

64,833

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

2560

REGION 2

2881

REGION 3

8392

REGION 4

33,297

REGION 5

2465

REGION 6

6465

REGION 7

2472

REGION 8

886

REGION 9

4076

REGION 10

3564

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

443,177 342,918

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1251

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.

However, new statistics released by the Ministry showed that 111 new cases were recorded within a 24-hour period from the 861 samples that were tested.

With the new infections, the confirmed cases moved to 67,058 since the virus was first detected in March 2020.

A breakdown of new cases shows four in Region One (Barima-Waini); 14 in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); eight in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); 61 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 25 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and one in Region

over are fully vaccinated.

For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, just over 25,500 or 35 per cent are fully vaccinated. Vaccination is also available for children within the ages of five and 11 years, hundreds of whom have already received a first dose. In addition, in excess of 67,500

persons have returned for their third-dose booster shots thus far.

According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recent figures, about 537 million confirmed cases were reported globally along with 6.3 deaths.

In the Region of the Americas, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases are pegged at over 160 million with a death toll of 2.7 million.

The World Health Organisation estimates are that between 10 per cent and

20 per cent of COVID patients experience a variety of mid- and long-term effects, collectively known as postCOVID-19 condition or “long COVID”. This can be prevented with vaccination and timely booster shots.

It further related that although post-COVID-19 condition is more common in patients who developed the severe form of the disease, there are reports of individuals who had a moderate illness but experienced some after-effects, mainly respiratory, neurolog-

ical, and psychological. Post COVID-19 functional impairment can limit a person’s ability to perform daily activities, including work or household chores. It can also impact professional performance and hinder social interaction.

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.

40 NEWS

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Teen mysteriously disappears from mining camp in Reg 7

A

worried mother is pleading with the public to help her find her only son, who allegedly disappeared without a trace at the Aruwai airstrip in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) on June 14.

The teen’s mother, Jennifer Henry, said her 16-year-old son, Akeem Bissoon, of A Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was last seen by her brotherin-law, Andrew Harlequin, with whom he was staying at Aruwai airstrip.

In an interview with Guyana Times, the woman said at the time Bissoon

went missing, her brotherin-law claimed he was cooking inside the house.

“My brother-in-law tell us that Akeem was sitting outside at the door and within two to three minutes Akeem disappear and was nowhere. His phone was left there and he find his slipper in the trail,” she said.

The woman said even though her son went missing, her brother-in-law never called to inform her of her son’s disappearance.

She said it was until someone else called her, that she found out that her son was missing.

“He never called and tell

me anything. It was until Wednesday my next sister’s husband called and told me about five that Andrew say that Akeem missing.

So, I asked him [her other brother-in-law] since when and he say today [June 15] mussy about lunchtime.

“Right away I try to get on to Andrew and I couldn’t until in the evening I call him again that’s when he told me Akeem missing. So I ask him when really he missing and he say today [June 15], and I say you sure and I was crying,” she said.

Henry said she began begging the man to tell her Missing: Akeem Bissoon

Live theatre is back with “Link Show 36” next weekend

the truth about her son, and his story changed immediately. “…I beg him to tell me the truth. I said there is a God, you are a big man, talk the truth. I said you know Akeem is my only son.

When I told him that is then he say Akeem missing since yesterday afternoon [June

14] like 5:00 pm.”

The woman said her son had left Georgetown on June 8 and went to Region Seven with her brother-inlaw. She said the teen has been living with Harlequin and her sister since he was three years old.

She said she had left her son with the couple since

they offered to keep him while she worked to provide for her family. “…he ends up liking there, so I let him live with them,” she said.

Henry said since the teen went missing, the Police have not been showing any interest in finding him. “… the Police went to the location for one day, they search and came out back the next day so no proper searching was done. So far, no Police don’t call me.

I’m not getting any proper support or help from anyone. Right now, I’m trying to keep the faith just hoping and praying to find my son alive and I know I will find him,” the worried mother said.

The teen was last seen wearing three-quarter pants, brown boxers, and no shirt. The family is asking anyone who knows the whereabouts of Bissoon to contact the nearest Police station or his mother on 6847056.

140 inmates graduate after completing training in various fields

A

fter a few years of hiatus, the “Link Show” will return for its 36th production at the National Cultural Centre between July 1 and 4, 2022.

The Theatre Company and GEMS Theatre Productions are rearing to go with the cast of 20-plus seasoned actors for the annual satirical review, “Link Show 36”.

The Link Show started in November 1981 and has missed a few years during its 41-year life span, and is now in its 36th production.

It is the longest-running theatrical production and has unreservedly attracted the largest theatre audience in Guyana’s history, with Link Show 25 running for 16 performances in the 2000-seat National Cultural Centre and 9 performances in Berbice, Linden, and Essequibo.

There has been an abundance of material over the last 2 years to satirise in this upcoming production.

Patrons would, once again, be able to sit in the theatre with new seats in the auditorium and enjoy live theatre.

Director Ron Robinson

Scenes of previous Link Shows

Officials of the Prison Service and the graduands

A and Co-Producer Gem Madhoo-Nascimento have assembled a cast consisting of many old-timers and a few new faces.

In the line-up are Mark Kazim, Mark Luke Edwards, Sean Thompson, Sean Budnah, Paul Budnah, Stephen Asif Mohamed, Lee Leung, Rovindra Persaud, Travis McKenzie, Calvin Burnett, and veteran link show actor from 1981- Andre Wiltshire alongside Sonia Yarde, Simone Dowding, Sheron Cadogan-Taylor,

Makini Thompson, Marissa Morgan, Alicia Charles and newcomer to the Link Show La Tisha DaSilva.

This theatrical presentation is partially sponsored by Team Mohamed.

Tickets cost at $3000, $2500 & $2000 and can be uplifted at the National Cultural Centre box office.

The show is expected to commence at 20:00h and patrons are asked to wear masks and sanitise as often as possible. Link Show’s last production was in 2020.

total of 140 inmates from the Lusignan and Mazaruni Prisons have graduated after completing training in various programmes.

According to the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), the programmes are aimed at preparing the inmates for reintegration into society.

The areas of training were agriculture, tailoring, animal husbandry, apiary culture, carpentry, joinery, literacy, art and craft, leather craft, and culinary arts.

The graduation was held on Saturday at the Cecil Kilkenny Training School.

In his remarks at the graduation ceremony, Director of Prions Nicklon Elliot said the Prison Service has an obligation to provide

prisoners with skills to facilitate their reintegration into society.

“Effective rehabilitation programmes within the prisons are important. Not only do they teach inmates a sense of self-worth, but they can also help inmates acquire new skills that can be applied to starting a new life following their release from prison and provide purposeful life goals,” Elliot said.

Elliot stated that the Prison Directorate remains confident that as the prison infrastructure continues to be developed, more inmates will benefit from such rehabilitative training.

The Prison Director made it clear that the rehabilitation of prisoners is an ongoing process.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Prisons (ag), Deoraj Gyandat said the Prison Service continues to adequately prepare inmates, whether it is with skill or educational training so that when they are released back into society, they are productive citizens.

A total of 600 inmates have completed training thus far, with an additional 172 currently in the final weeks of classes.

Earlier this year, the Government increased the budgetary allocation in the area of training for inmates; earmarking a sum of $88.9 million to train prison inmates in an effort to further reduce recidivism and support reintegration through the Fresh Start Initiative.

NEWS

41

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Works commence on US$300M shore base facility for ExxonMobil

The operation is being executed by the main vessel – Zheng He

J

ust days after the sod was turned for the construction of the US$300 million shore base facility for ExxonMobil at Port Vreed-en-Hoop, the dredging of the area commenced on Thursday as per scheduled.

On Saturday, one of the directors of the Guyanese consortium, Azruddin Mohamed, visited the site to check on the ongoing works that are being done.

“We were supposed to start operations on June 23, and I must say that we have commenced with the time schedule… with work ongoing, we expect that the pace would hasten and probably we can complete the first phase before the stipulated timeline,” he told Guyana Times.

Further, he was happy that the workforce comprises locals since it adds value to the project. “We cannot have a Guyanese

project going on and only employ foreigners… indeed foreigners are the experts but having locals on the worksite is also necessary.”

At the sod turning, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat lauded the Guyanese consortium for answering the Government’s call for investments throughout the country.

“I think they must be commended for taking this initiative and answering the call of our Government to form consortiums and joint ventures so that Guyanese can invest in the oil and gas sector. Because we know that it is a very capital-intensive industry.”

“It requires a lot of start-up capital to invest in the oil and gas sector. And that is a challenge for us, in Guyana. And one way to overcome that, is in partnership,” Minister Bharrat

further explained.

He stated that the Government is committed to working with the oil and gas companies to bring benefits to Guyanese. The fact that today, approximately 4000 Guyanese are employed in the sector, is testimony to that.

In an earlier news report, Geert Koch of the Jan De Nul Group had stated that about 100 workers, both foreigners and locals will be recruited to work on the project. As of Saturday, more than 40 persons were employed.

Further, with respect to the operations, he explained that about 2 kilometres of pipeline will be affixed to the vessel which will take the materials from the dredging to be filtered to the area for the land reclamation.

This process, he added, will be a tedious one but he is confident that it will be

Workers on one of the vessels

completed within the specified deadline.

However, after the first phase is completed, the second phase which involves deepening the dredging of the access canal and expanding reclamation will come on stream. Both projects are expected to be completed by 2024.

In April, ExxonMobil Guyana and the Vreeden-Hoop Shorebase Incorporated (VEHSI) signed a 20-year agreement for shore base services to be provided at the port of Vreed-en-Hoop facility to support the US oil giant’s operations offshore Guyana.

VEHSI, which is undertaking Guyana’s first multi-purpose port facility, is a joint venture between a fully-owned Guyanese con-

sortium – NRG Holdings Incorporated, and Jan De Nul Group, a Belgiumbased company that specialises in offshore, marine, civil, environment, and project development.

The consortium includes Hadi’s World Inc, owned by businessmen Nazar “Shell” Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed, Nicholas Boyer of National Hardware Guyana Limited, and Andron Alphonso of ZRN Investments Inc. NRG holds a majority stake of 85 per cent in VESHI, while the remaining 15 per cent is owned by Jan De Nul – the company that will construct the facility.

The multi-million port of Vreed-en-Hoop, which will be located at the Best, West Coast Demerara fore-

shore, will feature an offshore terminal; fabrication, umbilical and spooling yards; a dry dock facility; a wharf and berths, and administrative buildings, among other facilities.

At the signing, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge stated that this shore base facility will allow the company to do more construction-related works, such as fabrication, right here in Guyana to support its offshore operations.

He explained that Exxon has already invested in the Guyana Shore Base Inc (GYSBI) which has enabled them to bring the supply chain for drilling operations and production operations into Guyana almost completely out of Trinidad.

Public Works Minister assesses flooding in Kwakwani

The water levels continue to rise in several areas Minister Edghill engaging residents of Kwakwani

M

inister of Public Works Juan Edghill on Saturday visited Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) to engage with residents who have been severely affected by recent devastating floods in the area due to periodic heavy rainfall.

Minister Edghill made his first stop at Kwakwani Waterfront where he met with affected residents from Lamp Island which is prone to flooding during these periods.

The visit is a part of the Government’s overall re-

sponse to the communities across the country affected by floods, a directive given

by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Flood waters in the various areas of Kwakwani were on Wednesday reported to have risen about two to three feet respectively.

This rise in flood waters came as a result of the outburst of the large accumulation of water at the mouth of the Berbice River (top side), coupled with unprecedented torrential downpours, which has forced several families to evacuate their homes and

relocate to higher ground.

Members of the Region 10 Regional Democratic Council and personnel from the Civil Defence Commission have since been providing relief assis-

tance to residents.

During the same period last year, which saw Guyana facing severe flooding countrywide resulting in millions of dollars in crops, cattle, and land

Mattresses being prepared for distribution

being lost, Kwakwani was among the most severely hit in Region 10.

This resulted in many being evacuated and relo-

cated to shelters set up by authorities. Flooding last year in the region began in early May and continued throughout July.

42

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SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022

Regional

Costa Rica asks IMF for US pressures El Salvador to US$700 million from new extradite wanted MS-13 leaders T Sustainability Trust

C

osta Rica has told the International Monetary Fund (IMF) it is interested in obtaining a nearly US$700 million loan to invest in infrastructure from a newly created fund, the Central Bank said.

Costa Rican authorities told the IMF that the country aims to be the first to secure financing from the IMF's Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST), announced in April, the Central Bank told Reuters on Friday.

"The Government is evaluating the conditions and opportunities to have access

to these resources for infrastructure works," the bank said.

The IMF launched the financing facility with the goal of helping low and middle-income countries tackle long-term challenges such as climate change and pandemics.

The IMF has said it plans to begin lending under the programme by October.

Costa Rica reached a $1.78 billion agreement with the IMF in early 2021 to help the Central American country consolidate its finances after years of mounting debt. The IMF has so far

disbursed nearly US$570 million.

President Rodrigo Chaves, who took office in May just as Costa Rica's debt was equivalent to 66.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has said he plans to strengthen the IMF programme, but has not provided details.

IMF staff met for the first time with Chaves this month, and warned of a likely slowdown in Costa Rica's economy this year amid external pressures including the ongoing pandemic and rising inflation. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Kamina fails in close contest for Commonwealth Secretary General’s post

A

ll week Jamaican officials here for the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) repeatedly said that, unless the sands shifted, Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith would be the next Secretary Generalelect for the 54-nation grouping.

The reference to the sands shifting was an acceptance that countries that had pledged their support for Johnson Smith could change their minds at the last minute.

Well about 11:00 am in Kigali on Friday there was a seismic shift in the sands as the sitting Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland addressed the official opening ceremony of the CHOGM and offered a treat some countries could not resist.

“We have laid the foundations for transformational change and I am determined that, when the role of Secretary General rotates to Africa two years from now, I will hand on the baton with a stronger, more effective, more powerful Commonwealth than

Returned Commonwealth Secretary General Baroness Patricia Scotland (left) with the former Commonwealth chair-in-office Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson (right) and the new chair-in-office, President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, before the start of the official opening ceremony of CHOGM in Kigali on Friday

ever before,” said Scotland.

That announcement, it is believed, caused a number of African countries to abandon Johnson Smith and move their support to Scotland.

An African is scheduled to become the next Secretary General of the Commonwealth in 2024 and there were fears, by countries on the continent, that the takeover date could be shifted to 2026 if Johnson Smith were to be elected to a four-year term, or if it was decided that Scotland was starting a new term, rather than

finishing her second term.

In addition to her commitment to spending only two more years in the job, Scotland wooed some undecided countries with her declaration about her role at the secretariat since taking office in 2016.

Hours later there was an obvious muted celebration among the Scotland backers as news filtered out of the meeting that she had held on to the post, albeit by a razor-thin margin. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

he US State Department on Friday asked authorities in El Salvador to "immediately" extradite leaders of the international criminal gang MS-13 to be put on trial in the United States.

The request is the latest chapter in Washington's increasingly complicated relationship with the Government of President Nayib Bukele.

Patrick Ventrell, the US Charge d'Affaires to El Salvador, requested the extradition of Eliu Melgar, alias "Blue", who has been held in El Salvador since 2018 for allegedly ordering homicides and other crimes

on the US east coast.

"The best way for the Government of El Salvador to show that it is serious about a real, lasting and sustainable solution to reduce gang violence is to extradite the most dangerous leaders," Ventrell said in a press conference.

In January 2021, US prosecutors charged 14 leaders of MS-13 with terrorism.

Authorities in El Salvador, who did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, have declined to provide details on the whereabouts of the gang members. For its part, the country's Supreme

Court of Justice assured in 2021 that it would carry out an "analysis" of extradition requests.

Bukele has clashed repeatedly with the Biden Administration, which has sanctioned several Salvadoran officials close to the President.

On Friday, El Salvador's ambassador to the United States, Milena Mayoga, posted a photo on Twitter of her with President Joe Biden.

"What we ask for is a relationship based on respect, independence, and sovereignty," she wrote, not addressing the extradition request. (Reuters)

Venezuelan migrants in southern Mexico form US-bound caravan

T

housands of Venezuelan migrants stranded in southern Mexico for months set off on a northbound caravan Friday in hopes of reaching the US border.

Many of them have been waiting in the city of Tapachula for a permit from the Mexican Government to transit through the country without being detained by immigration authorities. But with little apparent progress, some said they would take their chances.

"We feel trapped here," said Venezuelan migrant Henry Caceres. "I don't know how we're going to do it, but we're going to find a way to get to the border."

An estimated 6 million Venezuelans have fled economic collapse and insecurity in their home country in recent years, according to United Nations figures. Many have settled in other South American countries but some have travelled north.

Mexico received 5516 asylum applications from

Venezuelans rest as they take part in a caravan after growing impatient of waiting for the humanitarian visa to cross the country to reach the United States, in Tapachula, in Chiapas state, Mexico, June 24, 2022

Venezuelans between January and May this year, according to the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR), the fourth highest among all nationalities.

Others have attempted to enter the United States.

However, according to data from the Department of Homeland Security, there was a sharp decline in the number of Venezuelans apprehended by US officials at the border after the Mexican Government began requiring visas for travellers from

Venezuela in January.

The status of the migrants is complicated because Venezuela refuses to accept deportation flights from Mexico, Francisco Garduño, the head of Mexico's National Immigration Institute, told Reuters this week.

On Friday, the thousands of migrants in the caravan advanced slowly on foot - including Edwin Salazar, who carried his young daughter on his shoulders.

"I want to get to the United States," he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuban court sentences 2 dissident T&T: Family baffled as ex-soldier sets fire artists to prison terms to home with mom, 83, 5-year-old inside

T

he actions of retired Lance Corporal Ian Gross, which culminated in him ending his own life, have left his family puzzled.

Gross was found dead in a cell at the Santa Flora Police Station on Thursday afternoon, a day after he was arrested for setting his house on fire, forcing his elderly mother and five-yearold daughter to flee the house for their lives.

A Police report stated that an officer found him hanging in the cell when he went to give him a meal.

Describing Gross as a disciplined and strong-mind-

ed person, his sister Lisa Williams said her 47-yearold brother retired last year after serving many years in the army.

She said he started a salt fish business, was involved in gardening and was also doing an online University of the West Indies (UWI) course. Gross lived in the upper floor of his two-storey home at Market Street, Palo Seco, while his 83-yearold mother and five-year-old daughter lived downstairs.

Williams explained that on Wednesday night around 11 o’clock, neighbours saw smoke coming from the upstairs area of the house

and raised an alarm. Gross’ mother and daughter managed to escape to safety.

However, Gross had locked the upstairs door.

Neighbours climbed up a tank and helped him out of the house through a window. They used a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze before the Fire Service arrived.

Williams said, “He wasn’t showing no sign of stress, no sign of anything. I don’t know if in the few days what happened, what transpired.

He tell the Police when they reach that he light the house on fire.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

A

Cuban court has sentenced two dissident artists to nine and five years in prison, the Government announced, in a high-profile case that rights groups have slammed as a “sham” that violates free speech.

The activists, Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara and Maykel Castillo, are prominent members of the Havana-based San Isidro Movement, an artists collective that led a number of protests over two years. Many of the group have since left Cuba, alleging government repression.

Otero Alcantara was sentenced to five years in jail for defaming the national flag,

contempt and public disorder, according to a statement from the Cuban Prosecutor’s Office on Friday.

Castillo was sentenced to nine years for similar crimes, as well as assault.

Both men, considered prisoners of conscience by international rights group Amnesty International, have already spent months behind bars, drawing widespread condemnation and calls for their release.

Juan Pappier, a senior Americas researcher with Human Rights Watch, said on Twitter that Friday’s ruling “is a sham that openly violates freedom of expression and association”.

“We demand the imme-

diate and unconditional release of Maykel and Luis Manuel,” Pappier said.

Amnesty International’s Americas director Erika Guevara-Rosas also demanded the pair be released along with “all those imprisoned for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and defending rights in Cuba”.

In a statement, PEN America also denounced the ruling, saying it deals “a blow to artistic freedom in Cuba” as well as to the Cuban artists and activists in the country and abroad “who have fought for the right to express themselves”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022

43

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Nigeria says it will be meeting OPEC+ quota by August

N

igeria’s Oil Minister said on Friday that the country would be able to meet its OPEC production quota by the end of August as the country aims to boost security in its oil industry.

Nigeria is OPEC’s largest production laggard, consistently underperforming its production quotas—by a longshot— since the production cut deal went into effect. According to secondary sources, Nigeria’s crude production slipped in May—the last available data—to 1.262 million bpd. Its May production quota under the OPEC deal was 1.753 million bpd, a shortfall of nearly half a million barrels per day.

Nigeria has struggled for some time with vandalism and theft in its oil sector. Vows to clean up the industry have failed to restore Nigeria’s crude production capacity to its full potential.

“For us in Nigeria, we are at a low point. We are not able to meet our OPEC quota,” Nigerian Oil Minister Timipre Sylva told a media conference, although he stressed that soon they should be able to. “We have given ourselves just about a month to ensure that we can ... we believe that by August we would see some improvement in security,” Sylva added.

Sylva also dispelled the notion that OPEC could turn on spare capacity and pump more, citing capacity concerns. “At this moment, there is little capacity that can be brought to the market.”

The perceived lack of spare capacity among many OPEC members has helped to keep oil prices high in recent months, despite lofty ambitions from the group regarding July production targets, which were set 648,000 bpd higher than their June targets and over a million bpd higher than the May targets—which they aren’t meeting either.

If Nigeria did manage to meet its August production target, it would make a huge difference in the oil markets. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

US President signs 1st major gun reform law in decades

U

S President Joe Biden has signed the first major federal gun reform in three decades, a bipartisan compromise that comes in light of a recent series of mass shootings, including the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Texas elementary school.

The law, deemed the first significant Federal Bill on gun safety in decades, falls short of what is really needed, Biden acknowledged on Saturday, but it will “save lives”, he said.

“While this Bill doesn’t do everything I want, it does include actions I’ve long called for that are going to save lives,” Biden said at the White House before leaving for two major diplomatic summits in Europe.

The Bill includes provisions to toughen background checks for the youngest gun buyers, keep firearms from more domestic violence offenders, and help states put in place red

flag laws that make it easier for authorities to take weapons from people adjudged to be dangerous.

Most of the Bill’s US$13 billion estimated cost will be directed towards bolstering mental health programmes and aid schools, which have been targeted in Newtown, Connecticut, and Parkland, Florida, and elsewhere in mass shootings.

Billions of dollars have also been allocated to crack down on “straw purchasers” – people who buy firearms for people not allowed to own them – and to curb gun trafficking.

However, much tougher measures wanted by Biden and other Democrats did not make it into the Bill, including a ban on military-style rifles often used by the lone gunmen who typically carry out mass shootings. Also absent is a long-time push for mandatory background checks on all gun purchases. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Sievierodonetsk falls to Russia after one of war’s bloodiest fights

R

ussian forces seized full control of the eastern Ukrainian city of Sievierodonetsk on Saturday, both sides said, confirming Kyiv’s biggest battlefield setback for more than a month following weeks of some of the war’s bloodiest fighting.

Ukraine called its retreat from the city a “tactical withdrawal” to fight from higher ground in Lysychansk on the opposite bank of the Siverskyi Donets river. ProRussian separatists said Moscow’s forces were now attacking Lysychansk.

The fall of Sievierodonetsk - once home to more than 100,000 people but now a wasteland -

Ukrainian service members watch while a tank (not pictured) fires toward Russian troops in the industrial area of the city of Sievierodonetsk, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, Ukraine, June 20, 2022

was Russia’s biggest victory since capturing the port

Dozens die trying to cross into Spanish enclave of Melilla

A

t least 23 migrants have died and others were hurt on Friday when a huge crowd tried to cross into Spain’s North African enclave of Melilla, officials from neighbouring Morocco say.

Reports say some of those who died had fallen from the top of a border fence.

Several security personnel and migrants were admitted to hospital for treatment following clashes early on Friday.

It was the first such attempted mass crossing since Spain and Morocco resumed diplomatic ties in March.

The thaw in relations came after Spain supported Morocco’s autonomy plan

for the disputed region of Western Sahara.

Spanish officials say several hundred people tried to break through into the enclave after cutting fencing.

Most were forced back but more than 100 got through and were being processed at a reception centre, they added.

Originally 18 deaths were reported, but officials said on Saturday that five more people had died of their injuries.

Melilla and Ceuta, another Spanish enclave, have in recent years become a focal point for mostly sub-Saharan migrants attempting to reach Europe. (Excerpt from BBC News)

French PM Borne backs enshrining abortion rights in Constitution

F

rench Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said on Saturday she is backing a parliamentary Bill to add abortion rights to the country’s Constitution.

The move comes after the United States Supreme Court’s decision on Friday to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade ruling which recognised a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion and legalised it nationwide.

“For all women, for human rights, we must engrave this acquired right in stone,” Borne wrote on Twitter. “The Parliament must be able to rally very strongly around this bill.”

Her comment came a day after French President Emmanuel Macron said abortion was a “fundamental right for all women.”

The issue is being thrust onto the French political stage at a time when the

country is grappling with the challenge of a highly fragmented Parliament.

Aurore Berge, leader of the Renaissance party in the National Assembly, said the party would draft a law proposal to add abortion rights to the French Constitution.

Macron is under pressure to build compromises in France’s Parliament after a stinging election defeat last week which resulted in a loss of his absolute majority.

The President has since sought to reach out to political opponents, asking them to come up with ideas for the fragmented Parliament to legislate.

Parliament deputy Philippe Ballard, of the farright party Rassemblement National, said his party had no intention to seek to overturn abortion rights in France. (Excerpt from Reuters)

of Mariupol last month. It transforms the battlefield in the east after weeks in which Moscow’s huge advantage in firepower had yielded only slow gains.

Russia will now be hoping to press on and seize more ground on the opposite bank, while Ukraine will hope that the price Moscow paid to capture the ruins of the small city will leave Russia’s forces vulnerable to a counterattack in coming

weeks.

“The city is now under the full occupation of Russia.

They are trying to establish their own order, as far as I know they have appointed some kind of commandant,” Mayor Oleksandr Stryuk said on national television.

Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, told Reuters that Ukraine was carrying out “a tactical regrouping” by pulling its forces out of Sievierodonetsk.

Russia’s Interfax news agency cited a representative of pro-Russian separatist fighters saying Russian and pro-Russian forces had entered Lysychansk across the river and were fighting in urban areas there.

Seeking to further tighten the screws on Russia, US President Joe Biden and other G7 leaders attending a summit in Germany starting today will agree on an import ban on new gold from Russia, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Oslo shooting: Norway attack being treated as Islamist terrorism, Police say

Hundreds of people on Saturday marched in Oslo, chanting: “We’re here, we’re queer, we won’t disappear!”

A

42-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder and terrorist acts after a shooting in the centre of Norway’s capital, Oslo.

Two people died and 21 were wounded early on Saturday in what Police call an “act of Islamist terrorism”.

The shootings were in and near the London Pub, a popular LGBTQ+ venue, the Herr Nilsen jazz club and another pub.

Norway’s Prime Minister told the BBC the suspect was questioned in May, but was not deemed a threat at the time.

The shooting started at about 01:15 local time on Saturday (23:15 GMT Friday), officials said.

Eyewitnesses said the suspect took out a gun from his bag and started firing, forcing terrified people to either throw themselves to the ground or flee.

The attacker was arrested by Police officers - who were helped by bystanders - minutes later. Two weapons were retrieved at the crime scene by Police, one of them a fully automatic gun.

The authorities later said the suspect was a Norwegian national.

Of the 21 injured, 10 were in a serious condition.

The terror alert level in Norway has now been raised to its highest level, though the country’s PST intelligence service said it currently had “no indication” further attacks were likely.

Oslo’s annual gay Pride parade was due to be held on Saturday, and was formally cancelled on Police advice.

But despite that, hundreds of people marched near the scene later in the day, shouting: “We’re here, we’re queer, we won’t disappear!” (Excerpt from BBC News)

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SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022

ARIES (March 21April 19)

You'll attract attention and gain support. Speak up, share your thoughts and make suggestions that will improve your life and encourage you to take action to reach your target. Love is encouraged.

Keep the peace. Be a good TAURUS listener, but don't believe every(April 20thing you hear. Listen to your inMay 20)

ner voice and look for warning signs in investments or joint ventures. Be financially cautious.

GEMINI (MAY 28June 20)

Set high standards and goals, and don't budge. Use your intelligence, intuition and persuasiveness to get what you want. A positive attitude will help you find people who share your optimism.

Listen carefully. Do your CANCER (June 21- research and be careful not to July 22) pass along information that could leave you in an awkward position. Overreacting will make you look bad and lead to regret.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO

Dilbert

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Peanuts

If you reach out to reliable people, you'll get the support and help you need to make a difference. Your generosity will lead others to do things for you in return. Personal gain looks promising.

You may want change, but you'll be met with opposition. Plan your actions privately and leave nothing to chance. Don't jeopardize your reputation or position.

Be modest.

Don't let the little things get to you. Look at everything you have and the people you love, and build a secure and happy life. Trust your intuition to lead you in an extraordinary direction.

Ignoring responsibilities won't ease stress. Face what's on your to-do list, and you'll find a unique way to take care of business and reap some rewards. Prepare to sell what you no longer need.

When you participate in SAGITTARIUS something physically chal(Nov. 23lenging, the rush you get Dec. 21) will boost your ego enough to take on whatever comes your way. Discuss your intentions with a loved one.

Calvin and Hobbes

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Take your time; you'll make a mistake if you act in haste.

By focusing on the unfamiliar, you'll discover something that can help you put your life in perspective. Don't live someone else's dream.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Stop procrastinating. Be a leader, mover and shaker.

Dreams can come true if you are willing to make things happen. Look around you and do what you can to solve problems and inspire others.

PISCES (Feb. 20Mar. 20)

Do your part, but don't let anyone take advantage of you or your kindness. Don't limit what you can do because someone makes you feel guilty or incompetent.

Trust and believe in yourself.

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022

45

Hayley Matthews takes over from Stafanie Taylor as West Indies Women’s Captain

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ricket West Indies (CWI) has announced that Hayley Matthews has been appointed West Indies Women’s Captain.

Matthews, one of the leading allrounders in world cricket, will assume the leadership role from Stafanie Taylor ahead of the next West Indies Women’s Series, expected to be played later this year.

Taylor, the most successful female player in West Indies history, who is ranked among the all-time greats, has led the team for over seven years, since 2015. She was at the helm when West Indies won the ICC

Women’s T20 World Cup in 2016, and earlier this year, when they reached the semi-finals of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.

The CWI Women’s Selection Panel recommendation was ratified at the CWI Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, 24 June. Lead Selector for Women’s Cricket, Ann BrowneJohn, has thanked Stafanie for her years in the role, saying, “The Selection Panel has done a review of the team, including the leadership. After this review, the panel took the decision to recommend that Hayley Matthews takes over the role as

Football’s return to play in Guyana…

FIFA, Concacaf visit Guyana to begin GFF Statutes Revision Process

FIFA Member Association Manager Sofia Malizia and One Concacaf Manager Howard McIntosh meeting with the GFF’s newly-formed Statutes Revision Committee

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IFA and Concacaf have completed a two-day mission in Guyana this week, as part of the consultation process to revise the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) statutes in order to align the GFF’s code of governance with the global and regional governing bodies of football.

This visit has followed a letter from FIFA in May, which informed the GFF that, alongside all of FIFA’s 211 member associations, it was, this year, obliged to update its statutes to meet the mandatory requirements of the higher governing bodies.

“We were delighted to welcome the delegation from FIFA and Concacaf this week, to work towards aligning our statutes

with FIFA and Concacaf in the interest of good governance and accountability,” GFF President Wayne Forde has said. “We look forward to continuing this work through to fruition this year.”

During their visit, FIFA Member Association Manager Sofia Malizia and One Concacaf Manager Howard McIntosh met with the GFF Executive Committee, members of the GFF General Council, the GFF attorney, and a newly-formed Statutes Revision Committee.

FIFA and Concacaf will continue to support the GFF through the revision process by working closely with the Statutes Review Committee and the GFF General Council in the coming weeks.

captain.

“Hayley has made notable progress over the years, serving as Vice-Captain of the West Indies Women’s Team and is the current Captain of her National Team, Barbados. She has matured as a player, and is one of the leading players worldwide, with a good grasp of the game. Given the experience

that she would have gained in both roles, we are confident this is the ideal time for her to step into the role of captain.”

Browne-John added, “We recognise that leading the team for seven years is a considerable achievement to which Stafanie has given huge levels of commitment and energy. We believe Stafanie is a world class performer who will no doubt continue to add tremendous value to the team as one of the top all-rounders in the game.”

West Indies Women’s Team Head Coach, Courtney Walsh, has said: “The Selection Panel felt that it was time to make the change. We figured the timing was right, with the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup coming up early next year. If we were thinking of making any changes, now would be the best time, so that we give the new captain a couple of series under her belt before she enters into a World Cup. “Hayley Matthews is young;

she has longevity in the game, and she can lead the team for a longer time to get the experience, and we are here to support her. For us it’s a winwin, as we will have Stafanie to concentrate on her best cricket and passing on guidance to Hayley as she grows in the role of taking the team forward.”

Hayley Matthews has expressed pride and gratitude in the appointment. She said: “I am both humbled and honoured to be given the opportunity to Captain the West Indies Women’s Team. It is definitely an exhilarating feeling, and I welcome the experience to lead and learn with open arms.

This team has been very close to my heart from the beginning of my professional career eight years ago, and the influence of Stafanie’s leadership throughout those eight years has played a major role in the player I am today. I eagerly anticipate working with the players

to continue building on the progress in which the team has made thus far.”

Matthews added: “I would like to thank Stafanie for her astounding leadership of the team over the years. We’ve accomplished some of our biggest milestones with her at the forefront, and I look forward to continuing playing alongside her.”

Matthews and Taylor have both been among the best players for West Indies. In her career, Taylor has scored 5,298 runs in 145 One-Day Internationals, and 3,121 runs in 111 T20 Internationals. She has also taken 152 wickets in ODIs and 98 in T20Is. Matthews, like Taylor, is a right-handed top-order batter and off-break bowler. She has an impressive international record, with 1,764 runs and 78 wickets in 69 ODIs, and 1,055 runs and 58 wickets in 61 T20Is. (Windies Cricket)

All-star cast assembled as Wimbledon returns A stellar cast of ageing greats has assembled for what could be one of the final times at Wimbledon, as the jewel of the British sporting summer returns.

Many of the world’s biggest names are set to take part in activities at the All England Club.

Leading those names are Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Emerging stars like Emma Raducanu, Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz are also playing.

However, it will be another SW19 tournament, which has a different feel, because of a major global crisis. There are no ranking points available for the players, because Wimbledon, unlike its Grand Slam partners at the French Open and US Open, decided to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing because of the invasion of Ukraine. Daniil Medvedev, the Russian who is the men’s world number one, is the biggest absentee because of the move.

With the 135th edition of the championships starting on Monday, BBC Sport has run through the major talking points in SW19: Can Nadal battle the pain to continue his clean sweep?

Despite thinking last year his career was over because of a chronic foot injury, 36-year-old Nadal has battled back to win the Australian Open and French Open titles this year.

Shortly after winning a record-extending 22nd Grand Slam men’s singles title in Paris, attention quickly turned to Wimbledon and whether Nadal would be able to play.

The Spaniard needed anaesthetic injections to numb

the pain at Roland Garros, saying he “could not and did not want to” continue playing under those circumstances. But after having radiofrequency ablation treatment - which uses heat on the nerve to quell long-term pain - he decided to travel to London.

“It’s obvious that if I am here, it’s because things are going better,” said second seed Nadal. “If not, I would not be here. I’m quite happy about the things, how they evolved. I can’t be super happy, because I don’t know what can happen.”

After playing an exhibition at the Hurlingham Club, Nadal headed to the All England Club, and took part in the first practice session allowed on Centre Court.

Top seed Djokovic, 35, remains the favourite to retain the men’s singles and win a seventh title, which would move him alongside Pete Sampras and one behind Roger Federer’s record.

Federer is not playing, as he is recovering from a knee injury which needed a third surgery in August.

The 40-year-old Swiss has not played since losing in the Wimbledon quarter-finals last year, but plans to make a comeback at the Laver Cup and Swiss Indoors tournament later this year.

Serbia’s Djokovic is tied with Federer on 20 Grand Slam titles, and is aiming to close the gap on Nadal in the continuing battle to finish with the most majors.

Is this a comeback or farewell for Williams?

The plan is for the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion to play in the singles at the All England Club.

Williams, 40, has been given

Rafael Nadal, who has won the men’s singles at the first two majors this year, is making his first appearance at Wimbledon since 2019

a wildcard for the tournament, where she has won seven of her major titles, but has not played singles since she retired injured during her first-round match at Wimbledon last year.

The American made her comeback to the WTA Tour at Eastbourne this week, playing in the doubles alongside Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur. After the pair won their opening match on Tuesday, she said she did not know if this was the start of a longer comeback, or a farewell tour.

“You know what, I’m literally taking it one day at a time,” she said.

Dubbed ‘Onsrena’, the team won again on Wednesday, before pulling out of their semi-final match, citing a knee injury for Jabeur.

Fears Wimbledon would be an ‘exhibition’ proved unfounded.

The ranking points on offer to the players were stripped by the ATP and WTA in response to Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing.

That led to four-time major champion Naomi Osaka saying it could leave the grass-court

Grand Slam tournament feeling like an “exhibition” event.

The 24-year-old Japanese star is not playing, after pulling out because of an Achilles injury, but fears that many of the world’s leading stars would withdraw as a result of the decision have proved unfounded.

Ninety-one of the men’s top 100 and 83 of the women’s top 100 are set to play.

The banning of Russian and Belarusian players has had the greatest effect on the look of the seedings.

Along with US Open champion Medvedev, fellow Russian Andrey Rublev is another top-10 player not present in the men’s draw.

World number two Alexander Zverev is out with the ankle injury which he suffered in the French Open semi-finals.

On the women’s side, Belarusian world number six Aryna Sabalenka is the most notable absentee.

The seedings for Wimbledon now directly follow the world rankings, after previously taking into account past performances on the grass. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022

CG Insurance Women’s Super50…

Barbados beat Jamaica to claim championship Story and Photos By Brandon Corlette

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ed by a responsible halfcentury from Kycia Knight, Barbados successfully defended the CG Insurance Women’s Super50 championship in steamrolling Jamaica by eight wickets (DLS Method) at the Providence stadium in Guyana.

Barbados compiled 120-2 in 23.4 overs, after Jamaica had posted 118-8 in their allotted 26 overs.

Earlier, Jamaica won the toss and opted to bat first. At 12-1, the rains came, and after a lengthy delay that commenced at 10:02h, play was resumed at 14:00h, with the match being reduced to 26 overs. Rashada Williams was the first wicket to fall before the rain delay, to Aaliyah Alleyne.

Keneshia Ferron (11) and Jodi-

Taylor led the batting for Jamaica in a losing cause Ann Morgan (13) added 19 runs for long-on. the second wicket.

Ferron and Taylor added Stafanie Taylor came, and 34 runs for third wicket, taking looked at ease early in her innings, Jamaica to 60-3 after 14.3 overs. as she played delightful shots. The explosive Natasha McLean, While the Barbadians were not who was held back to attack the flawless in the field, Carrington spinners down the order, came and took two screaming catches at struck a six over long-on, but her

GBA serves off tournament for World Badminton Day

Participants in the Total Solutions-sponsored World Badminton Day tournament

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he Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) is celebrating World Badminton Day (July 5th) 2022 in fine style, with a highly competitive tournament.

According to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), World Badminton Day strives to “bring people and communities together to experience fun and inclusive badminton through a variety of active, engaging, and innovative badminton events.”

In choosing its event, the GBA opted for a tournament which is the first of its kind locally. Through support from the Total Solutions, experienced players, and even those from the National Sport Academy’s Badminton Nursery, were able to hit the court in the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall this weekend.

When action commenced in the packed Men’s Doubles’ Round 1, Nkosi Beaton & Matthew Klautky defeated Nathan Morrison & Gabriel Felix 21-10,21-5. The latter two went on to the consolation draw, while Klautky & Beaton advanced to the next round in the main draw.

Akili Haynes & Tyrese Jeffrey defeated Haresh Persaud & Vinai Datt 21-4, 21-4, and the winners advanced to the main draw while the losers participated in the consolation draw.

Haymant Cush Ramdhani & Wen Chen defeated Andrew Browne & Jason Stephney 21-8, 21-10, while Mahender & Manav Sharma overcame Raah Russell & Frank Waddell 21-3, 21-17.

Jaurel Hendricks & Matthew Beharry enjoyed victory over Jedidiah Uwagboe & Juan Ferreira by the margins of 21-01, 21-7. Also tasting victory were Verendra Bhagwandin & Anthony Stephens, who defeated Adeeb Zaman & Nikolas Pollard 21-5, 21-6.

Ajave Singh & Matthew Phang overpowered Aiden Bhagwandin & Zachary Persaud 21-17, 21-11, while Marlon Chung & Jonathan Mangra did the same in their matchup against Matthew Klautky & Nkosi Beaton, winning by 21-9 and 21-11.

Meanwhile, Andrew Browne & Jonathan Debidin gained a walkover to the next round in the main draw.

In Round 2, Jaurel Hendricks & Matthew Beharry defeated Mahender & Manav Sharma, 2111, 21-4.

Over in the Women’s Division, Priyanna Ramdhani & Ambika Ramraj teamed up for a 21-3, 21-7 victory over Alima & Asiya Eastman. Ayanna Watson & Emelia Ramdhani defeated Deandra Assing & Jayde DaSilva 21-13, 21-7; while Priyanka Shivanth & Mishka Beharry overcame Naveah Eastman & Malia Hayley 21-0, 21-4.

Also in winners’ row were Christina Kumar & Anna Perreira, who defeated Alyssa Dick & Naiomi Persaud 21-6, 21-6.

The first game in Round 2 of the Women’s Doubles saw Christina Kumar & Anna Perreira becoming victorious against Miskha Beharry & Priyanka Shivnath 21-14, 21-9.

Results in the Singles’ categories read:

Boys Under-11 Singles Lester Thomas defeated Ashton Ramdhani 21-13 In semifinals, John Thomas defeated Lester Thomas 21-8, and Francis Thomas defeated Francis Manvir Sharma 21-17 Girls Under-11 Singles Eva Bowling defeated Kristen Bowling 21-4 Under-15 Boys Singles Adeeb Zaman lost to Nikolas Pollard 7-21, 21-13, 21-16.

John Thomas lost to Nathan Morrison 21-18, 21-16.

Jaquan Nedd lost to Gabriel Felix 21-15, 21-9.

Under-15 Girls Singles Genieve Bookram lost to Malia Hayley 21-15, 21-9 Mishka Beharry defeated Malia Haley 21-5, 21-4 in the semi-finals. Naveah Eastman defeated Himanshi Kumar in the semi-finals 21-8, 21-11 retired Under-19 Boys Singles Round 1 Zachary Persaud defeated Jedidiah Uwagboe 21-18, 1921, 21-19. Raah Russell defeated Vinai Datt 21-9, 21-23. Frank Waddell defeated Juan Ferreira 21-17, 21-19.

Round 2 Matthew Beharry defeated Zachary Persaud 21-5, 21-5 Jonathan Robinson defeated Raah Russell 21-15, 21-11 Manav Sharman defeated Haresh Persaud 21-10, 21-8 Frank Waddell defeated Jonathan Debidin 21-8, 21-12 Girl’s Under 19 Singles Round 1 Naveah Eastman defeated Genieve Bookram 21-5, 21-8 Alima Eastman defeated Malia Haley 21-12, 21-12. Alyssa Dick gained a walkover from Himanshi Kumar.

Round 2 Mishka Beharry defeated Naveah Eastman 21-4, 21-10 Under-23 Boys Singles Nkosi Beaton defeated Manav Sharma 21-5, 21-12.

Akili Hayens defeated Jonathan Debidin 21-14, 21-7. Tyrese Jeffrey defeated Ajave Singh 219, 21-7.

Under-23 Girls Singles Alyssa Dick defeated Alima Eastman 21-10, 21-7. Mishka Beharry defeated Jayde DaSilva 21-10, 21-7. Priyanna Rmadhani and Priyanka Shivnath gained a bye to the next round.

innings was short-lived, and she departed for 19, caught at long-on with the Jamaica score at 90-4.

McLean and Taylor added 30 runs for the fourth wicket.

Chinelle Henry (07) was run out by the brilliant Matthews at backward point, who scored a direct hit at the non-striker’s end.

Matthews did well to recover, as she tumbled for the save.

With Jamaica reduced to 104-5 in 24.1 overs, the accurate Alleyne then shattered the stumps of Jerona Walcott (02) with the first ball in the final over.

Wicketkeeper-batter Tameka Sanford got off the mark with a boundary, after a misfield by Matthews. The third ball in that

over saw Taylor being run out for a well-made 44 from 57 balls. She struck five fours in her responsible innings.

Alleyne, who bowled two maidens, delivered some Yorkers and created an opportunity to pick up a wicket on the penultimate ball, but the fielder spilled it.

Jamaica ended on 118-8 in 26 overs. Matthews ended with 2-16 in six overs, while Alleyne ended with 2-19 in five overs.

In chasing the target, Barbadians Kayley Matthews and Kycia Knight added 56 runs for the opening wicket in 11.4 overs.

The duo set the tone, but captain Matthews was bowled by the offspinner Howell for 22 from 31 balls.

SCOREBOARD JAMAICA WOMEN BATTING Rashada Williams lbw b Alleyne 1 Keneshia Ferron lbw b Matthews 11 Jodi-Ann Morgan c Carrington b Williams 13 Stafanie Taylor run out 44 Natasha McLean c Carrington b Matthews 19 Chinelle Henry run out 7 Jerona Walcott b Alleyne 2 Tameka Sanford run out 5 Vanessa Watts not out 1 TOTAL (8 wickets, 26.0) (15 extras) 118 FOW: 7/1 (1.6) Rashada Williams 26/2 (7.2) JodiAnn Morgan 60/3 (14.3) Keneshia Ferron 90/4 (21.2) Natasha McLean 104/5 (24.1) Chinelle Henry 112/6 (25.1) Jerona Walcott 116/7 (25.3) Stafanie Taylor 118/8 (25.6) Tameka Sanford

Bowling Shanika Bruce (5-1-28-0) Aaliyah Alleyne (5-2-19-2) Aaliyah Williams (5-0-25-1) Hayley Matthews (6-1-16-2) Shakera Selman (5-0-27-0) BARBADOS WOMEN BATTING Kycia Knight not out 60 Hayley Matthews b Howell 22 Kyshona Knight lbw b Henry 14 Aaliyah Alleyne not out 12 TOTAL (2 wickets, 21.2) (11 extras) 102 FOW: 56/1 (11.4) Hayley Matthews 97/2 (20.1) Kyshona Knight Bowling Chinelle Henry (4-0-22-1) Vanessa Watts (4.4-0-20-0) Stafanie Taylor (4-0-22-0) Jodi-Ann Morgan (4-0-25-0) C Howell (6-0-18-1)

Marslowe overjoyed at return of football to Bartica

…BFA pursuing possibility of acquiring lands for development of playfields

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ootball is back in Bartica!

And President of the Bartica Football Association (BFA), Alden Marslowe, has declared himself overjoyed that the sport can be played.

According to the BFA boss, despite not having league football in the last three years, he is confident there are lots of natural talent in the community. In an interview with this publication, he was asked for his view on the return of football in Bartica, and he replied, “The feeling of having league football on the ground again is one that cannot be described. As the man at the helm of the Bartica FA, I am experiencing a sense of both joy and great responsibility, because our players have waited a long time for a return to play.”

Marslowe went on to state that, in terms of the level of talent, there is a plethora of natural talent in the community. He also made mention that even though there has not been a league in three years, it is still evident that one can still see a reasonable level of play. However, he lamented that there is much more to be done to take their game to a higher level.

When questioned on what he can be done to improve the level of football among the players, Marslowe commented, “Our focus will soon be on coaches’ development. The game must

have teachers and qualified mentors to see a rise in its quality.

So, the BFA is now pursuing a number of capacity-building programmes, with emphasis on coaches’ education.”

As it relates to what can be expected from the BFA as it aims to take football to the next level, Marslowe explained that the best accomplishment the BFA can ever hope for is the consistent playing of the game at all levels for both males and females. He reiterated that, at Bartica, one of the biggest challenges is the availability of facilities for the fulfillment of their mandate. So, while the BFA pushes to promote more games, Marslowe said, “We are also pursuing the possibility of acquiring lands for the development of more playfields.

One ground can never be enough to truly lift our game.”

To the sponsors and general business community, Marlsowe has said, “Football is a worthy pastime for our young people.

It helps to develop both skills and character, and provides an alternative to the negatives in society. The football association does much to promote the sport, but more help is needed.

Partnering with us affords businesses great visibility, because the sport is the most popular in the world. Together, we can make a difference in our community.”

Kycia Knight, who began her innings with blazing boundaries off Henry, kept her foot down and played a crucial knock. Her twin sister Kyshona came and added 41 runs for the second wicket, as Barbados looked in control on 97-2 in 20.1 overs. Kyshona Knight was trapped by Henry after scoring 14, but Alleyne partnered Kycia and the duo ensured no further hiccups in reclaiming their Super50 title.

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FOR SALE FOR SALE!! MITSUBISHI 3 STAGE CRANE CANTER. EQUIPPED WITH A 4M51 ENGINE COUPLED TO 5 SPEED MANUAL GEARBOX. TRAY MEASURING 12FT LENGTH WAS RECONSTRUCTED WITH GREENHEART. TRUCK IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND MAINTENANCE ON POINT. $4,300,000 MILLION NEGOTIABLE. Contact 638 – 4755 or 671 – 8445.

TO RENT Office Space for rent, 3200 Sq Feet – West Bank Demerara (at Aracari Resort, Versailles – between Harbour Bridge and Vreed-enHoop). Phone 264-2946; 626-5290.

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VEHICLE FOR SALE One Toyota Corolla. AE100 G.Touring Wagon. Tel.: 226-4705 Cell: 648-0558.

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022

WI vs Bangladesh: Test series, Game 2 of 2…

47

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mayers’s ton powers West Indies past Bangladesh

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he West Indies have marched into the lead and claimed honours for a second straight day in St Lucia on the back of Kyle Mayers’s second Test match century.

The all-rounder helped the hosts wade through a tricky phase just before lunch, during which they lost three wickets for a run, and by stumps his unbeaten 126* took West Indies to 340 for 5, a commanding lead of 106 with five first innings’ wicket still in hand.

Mayers, who made his name with a famous

Kraigg Braithwaite played a handy knock of 51

double-century on debut in Chittagong, proved to be the scourge of Bangladesh once more on a day the visitors had given themselves a chance for a comeback in the match as well as in the series. At 132/4, West Indies were still 102 runs away from the Bangladesh first innings’ score, and were

in some trouble. Mayers joined forces with vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood (40), and the pair added 116 runs through a wicketless second session that effectively snuffed out the big Bangladesh hope.

The visitors roared back into the contest through a 15ball spell late in the opening session, when they struck thrice after succeeding in their attempts to get the umpires to get the ball changed.

Amid Bangladesh’s bite and bounce, Mayers and Blackwood endured a few rough minutes going into the lunch break, but when play resumed for the second session, the lefth a n d e d Mayers led a calculative counter attack.

H e slashed a boundary off Ebadot Hossain, and then lofted the dangerous Mehidy Hasan for six over his head. That and a pair of leg-bye fours gnawed at the deficit quickly enough for Shakib Al Hasan to withdraw his attacking fielders. That opened up the opportunities for quick strike rotation, which Mayers and Blackwood lapped up.

Mayers hit 27 off the first 29 balls he faced, which included a reprieve of sorts when an outside edge bisected the stationed first slip and the wider third slip fielders. The first 10 overs of the session bought 41 runs, and allowed the batting pair to hunker down and milk the bowling thereafter.

Blackwood played the supporting role in the partnership, but was quick to latch on to any run-scoring opportunities. Mehidy, who used the cross breeze-aided drift to castle half-centurion Kraigg Brathwaite in the first session, proved to be less effective through the second session, forcing Shakib to bring himself on.

The Bangladesh captain, however, proved to be nonthreatening to the batting. The pair bought up the century

Jermaine Blackwood chipped in with 40

dropped anchor alongside him, batting 106 deliveries in the final session for his unbeaten 26. The sixth wicket partnership reached 92 before play ended for the day.

Earlier in the morning, overnight batters Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell completed West Indies’ first century opening stand since

John Campbell scored 45 at the top of the order

stand, and, a little later, moved West Indies into a first innings’ lead.

There was some fight still left in the visitors, and that was due largely to the availability of the second new ball. They produced the second-best phase of the day in the lead up to that 80th over when Mehidy trapped Blackwood LBW in the middle of 29 straight dot balls to start the final session.

Mayers was effectively slowed down too. But that was about all that Bangladesh

managed, as the second new ball undid most of their good work. The hard new ball pinged off Mayers’s bat and the lead swelled. There was a handful of fortuitous boundaries when edges flew between and over onlooking slip fielders, but otherwise Mayers’s off-side game was on point. He ended the day with 15 fours and 2 sixes.

The second of those sixes - a pull over square leg - gave Mayers his second Test ton, and brought the dressing room to its feet. Joshua Da Silva

Kyle Mayers

July 2018, before Bangladesh’s fight back. Shoriful Islam bounced Campbell out before Brathwaite was done in by Mehidy’s drift. Khaled Ahmed used the uneven bounce of the pitch to force two drag-ons in one over, but thereafter the Bangladesh bowling attack was rendered ineffective by the brilliance of Mayers. (Cricbuzz)

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES 1ST INNINGS Kraigg Brathwaite (c) b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 51 John Campbell c †Nurul Hasan b Shoriful Islam 45 Raymon Reifer b Khaled Ahmed 22 Nkrumah Bonner b Khaled Ahmed 0 Jermaine Blackwood lbw b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 40 Kyle Mayers not out 126 Joshua Da Silva †not out 26 Extras (b 5, lb 21, nb 4) 30 TOTAL 106 Ov (RR: 3.20) 340/5 Yet to bat: Alzarri Joseph,

Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Anderson Phillip Fall of wickets: 1-100 (John Campbell, 25.6 ov), 2-131 (Kraigg Brathwaite, 37.1 ov), 3-131 (Raymon Reifer, 38.1 ov), 4-132 (Nkrumah Bonner, 38.6 ov), 5-248 (Jermaine Blackwood, 73.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Shoriful Islam 17-6-67-1 Khaled Ahmed 21-1-77-2 Shakib Al Hasan 18-5-46-0 Ebadot Hossain 19-6-56-0 Mehidy Hasan Miraz 31-8-68-2

GFF Assistant TD Bryan Joseph

Martin Braithwaite (blue bib) exchanging a few passes on the pitch

By Jemima Holmes

T

he opportunity of a lifetime fell into the laps of Guyana’s Under-16 Boys, Under-15 Girls, Senior National players, and many other local players who showed up at the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) National Training Center (NTC) at Providence on Saturday morning.

There, they met and interacted with Danish and Barcelona Forward Martin Braithwaite, who was eager to answer their questions, share

tips, take pictures, and sign autographs.

The grassroots programme, according to GFF Assistant Technical Director Bryan Joseph, did just what it was intended to do for the youths. “We couldn’t miss the opportunity for him to get an opportunity to talk to our young players, because Martin’s story is very similar to what a lot of our young players experience. You know, they need to be pushed a little hard to make it. So, the fact that they have Martin here, we thought it best if we could arrange this

massive event, so that he can have an opportunity to interact with our grassroots kids, our national team players, etc.,” Joseph told this publication exclusively on Saturday.

Aside from allowing players to learn from this professional baller, Joseph disclosed, there were bigger goals for Saturday’s activity.

“Martin is a player, but what is important also is he’s got a massive network. He’s world renowned, he’s got a lot of people who he can link with the Guyana Football Federation,

and those discussions are already taking place.”

Joseph continued, “He’s making some promises to ensure that he helps in every way, including in a technical way, and we believe we can only benefit from all of this.

Again, Martin’s open to help and support the Guyana Football Federation, given that he’s had this opportunity to meet us in person and the love that’s he’s felt from the Guyana people.

“He’s open, and making some promises that once we

start going into the details, I think Guyana football is going to go to the next level,” the Assistant TD opined.

Quizzed about how impactful he believes the sessions were, Joseph was confident that Braithwaite’s presence will do wonders for Guyana’s football future.

Joseph commented, “They’re excited! I saw him try to take a photograph with one of the female teams just now, and all the players are trying to hug him at the same time. So, I know this is going to leave a lasting impression in his mind and the minds of the players.

“What we hope here is that, again, Martin’s visit opens doors and open opportunities for our players. Not only our players, but for the football in this country in general; and I think that has been achieved.”

Joseph also voiced his appreciation for Martin’s representation as the link between the Danish Football Union and the GFF. He remarked, “I’m happy that Martin feels comfortable and feels happy about the reception that he’s gotten in Guyana, and we look forward to these relationships growing over the years.

Obviously, Martin also connects us with the Danish Football Union, so I know that when he gives his feedback, we will also benefit tremendously in terms of where the new partnerships can go.”

Martin Braithwaite arrived in Guyana on Wednesday to visit his father’s homeland, and has subsequently been introduced as the Goodwill Ambassador between the DFU and GFF.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2022

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Martin Braithwaite having a chat with Guyana’s National Under-16 team (Jemima Holmes Photo)

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