Guyana Times -- Thursday, April 28, 2022

RE/MAX opens 1st office in Guyana P12

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4992

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

“Great blessing” of oil taking Guyana into new wave of development …"Guyanese economy in transition" – President Ali in UK

PRICE

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P14 Thieves raid former President’s house

…escape with TV, computers

Page 3

Jury acquits P8 rape accused Cyclist killed in Enmore accident

P11

After evading cops for 4 years, murder accused charged, P8 remanded

Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali in discussion with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson. Also in photo are Guyana’s Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond and UK High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller (OP photo)

Govt to address lack of skilled workers in Regions 5, 6 – VP Jagdeo See story on page 13

Domestic P10 violence victim leads cops to gun

…announces 1000 temporary jobs, 200 small grants for WCB

Continuous registration

Almost 20,000 new eligible voters recorded by GECOM

Construction boom

Motorcyclist succumbs 3 days after ECD accident P11

…says husband threatened to kill her

Page 9

See story on page 7

…46,863 transactions completed as of April 26

Demand for quarry products leads way for US$25M project

Gazetted NRF P7 transactions to be laid in Parliament – Finance Minister

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 “Great blessing” of oil taking Guyana into new wave of development NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Thursday, April 28 – 01:30h-03:00h and Friday, April 29 – 23:59h-04:00h-03:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, April 28 – 15:10h-16:40h and Friday, April 29 – 15:50h-17:20h.

…"Guyanese economy in transition" – President Ali in UK

prosperity of Guyana must be the prosperity of the Region – a region which he said is often overlooked.

On this note, he called for a new perspective and renewed interest in the Region given the present global environment.

“What is needed now is a new development of the relationship and new perspective – a renewed interest in the Caribbean because there is tremendous opportunity and given what is taking place globally, the Caribbean is presenting itself as an interesting solution for investors and investments,” the President said in a release from the

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Heavy rain showers are expected in the early morning hours followed by lightly cloudy skies and sunshine in the late afternoon hours. Expect partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 15:19h reaching a maximum height of 2.55 metres.

Low Tide: 08:54h and 21:09h reaching minimum heights of 0.66 metre and 0.65 metre.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS F

07 08 11

20 24 27

FREE TICKET

15 Bonus Ball

05 08 18 19 20 LUCKY 3

3

9

2

Afternoon Draw

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4

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01 08 11 13 15 17 21 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2022

07 13 14 15 16 13

02 07 13 17 21

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4 Afternoon Draw

FP Afternoon Draw

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5 Evening Draw

FP Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali told scores of UK investors and business leaders about the investment opportunities in the Caribbean, given its tremendous market access.

He made this assertion as he addressed the Caribbean Council’s House of Lords Annual Reception Wednesday evening in London.

He said that as a tourism hub and through its strategic location, the Caribbean has access to more than 220 million people directly or through trade agreements.

“We have complete trade agreements with Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and of course, we are part of the economic partnership agreement,” the Head of State is quoted by the Press and Publicity Unit within the Office of the President as saying.

Tremendous opportunity

DAILY MILLIONS

0

President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the gathering

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$104.50/barrel

-0.78

Rough Rice

$299.394/ton

-0.04

London Sugar

$523.50/ton

+0.58

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1882.40

$1883.40

Low/High Change

$1881.20 -3.60

$1908.20 -0.19%

To illustrate this, he pointed to the Region’s food import bill and the market value of several items therein, including palm oil worth US$142 million; cocoa worth US$48.5 million; spices worth US$10.6 million and beef and beef products worth US$40 million.

The Region’s food import bill, he added, will grow to at least US$10 billion in the immediate future.

The President said that the Region had the capacity to produce what it would consume and it had “an investment framework that allows great competitiveness” which would benefit the business community in the UK and the rest of Europe.

Dr Ali told the group that the Caribbean was already looking to be more self-sufficient and to produce more. He informed them about the 25 per cent reduction in the food importation bill that would be achieved by 2025. He also proudly stated that Guyana has a lead role and a lead responsibility in achieving that

target and would host the inaugural Agri-Investment Forum and Expo this year from May 19-24.

Renewed interest

President Ali reiterated that the development and

Office of the President.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Significant action of fingers turning pages

E

arlier this year, residents of a village on the West Coast of Demerara launched a mobile library with the concept of “bring a book take a book”. Over the years, there have been numerous book mobile libraries, and more so, there was one donated by Rotary Club to the National Library. These are commendable initiatives.

A few decades ago, book mobile libraries, an extension service of the National Library, were scheduled fixtures in parts of the country. The targeted age group of children from out of town who didn’t have access to the National Library looked forward, once a week in many instances, to the arrival of the vehicle laden with a variety of reading materials, be it a pop-up fairy tale, a simple fiction, or something considered more intense for that grouping.

Entering the vehicle evoked a tremendous sense of excitement, after having waited patiently in the orderly lines. The process, accommodated by courteous and helpful staff, was very simple: borrow a book, read and return by the next visit. Crucial to the success of the service was an interest in reading, developed by both the parents and children. Then there was a prevailing passion for reading, which was serviced by various bookshops within the city and by paid book-lending stalls in some municipal markets.

Access to books was therefore not a major issue, affording was a different matter. Also, for many during that period, most, if not all, high school text books needed were provided free by the Government, making it easier for the children, and allowing for more focus. Friendly reading competitions became popular, and probably can be equated to a social media challenge today.

Then children raced for bragging rights as to who first read a particular edition of the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, or the Alfred Hitchcock series. Finishing a series propelled one to the top of the “award podium”. Also popular fictions were the Marvel comic books, Tintin, Archie, Asterix, Mills & Boon, Louis L’Amour, Enid Blyton, to name a few. Inevitably, there were instances when some were caught up in a good book, and teachers had to intervene for the focus to be shifted to studies.

It was all in good stead, as teachers were not as challenged then to get children to read. Interestingly, despite the competitiveness, books were shared among peers, clearly after the holder had the first go. In addition, the children almost seamlessly balanced their school work with their reading passion. Of course, it wasn’t every child, but, by in large, a fairly high number.

One can argue that the children then were not exposed to the plethora of technological devices as evident today. A similar argument can be made about evolutionary advances and the impact on all, including children and their passions. Some have put it bluntly that, as a result of these advancements, more distractions are therefore created today when compared to the past, citing the lack in variety then.

Others would posit that despite the absence of technologyrelated activities, the children in the past played a variety of folk games as part of the process of enjoyment and passing time.

Obviously, while there are compelling arguments from both sides, there is the general concern that the passion for reading has drastically waned, and that today’s children are not reading; either enough or at all. When they do, it appears to be confined to just what needs to be done school-wise.

Again, this is not suggesting every child, as clearly some are involved in extensive reading. Technology, however, does facilitate reading, and even the option of listening to a book. Of course, many would be financially challenged to access, but the bottom line is the option to read is part of the technological evolution. That said, some are adamant in their belief that the very technology is responsible for the seemingly scant interest in reading.

Many are of the opinion that one consequence of that said evolution is the reduction in the number of bookstores and book stalls in some markets. Given that, it may not be inaccurate to state that fewer books are now available today for access. One can easily state that’s an indication of the decline of interest in reading; however, it may be as a result of the impact of technological advances on related businesses.

Whatever the reasons, the book mobile library is an important small step, not just to reach persons who may not have access to books, but one to inspire and drive interest in reading. While it would be challenged by the more attractive technological options, it needs to be encouraged for possible expansion. The benefits of reading may need to be reminded of, and maybe through a national effort, to build the worth of the simple but significant action of fingers turning pages.

President Dr Irfaan Ali speaking about Guyana’s dynamic future at the Caribbean Council’s House of Lords Annual Reception on Wednesday in London (Office of the President photo)

Stateless Ukrainians: No nationality and now, no home

By Kristina Fried

A

s Europe mobilises to accommodate the growing number of Ukrainians fleeing the country – now more than four million – stateless Ukrainians are fighting a losing battle for protection and recognition. Not recognised as nationals by Ukraine or any other state under the operation of its laws, stateless Ukrainians, who number approximately 40,000, are denied access to basic rights and have been the targets of pervasive discrimination as they seek refuge abroad. European States must act decisively within their international legal obligations to ensure protections for all refugees, irrespective of nationality, race, or ethnicity.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, people in former Soviet nations who fell through the gaps of new nationality laws became stateless. Racism and ethnic discrimination left certain minority groups particularly vulnerable. For example, Roma represents one of the largest groups of stateless people in Ukraine – and one of the most discriminated against across Europe.

Lacking a nationality – and the corresponding ability to establish one’s legal identity – has severe consequences. Nationality is often referred to as a “gateway right”, without which access to other basic rights is extremely challenging. Statelessness creates barriers to accessing work, health care, education, and housing, and even to pursuing redress for those rights violations in court. Without a legal identity, it is as though stateless people do not exist.

When stateless people become refugees, these risks multiply. Stateless status – which should alone be grounds for protection – is regularly overlooked in immigration proceedings, despite being a critical factor in the assessment of a refugee or asylum claim.

Where their refugee or asylum claim is denied, stateless people are often indefinitely detained simply because there is no state that recognises them as nationals to which they can be “re-

turned”.

With Europe facing what UNHCR Commissioner Filippo Grandi called “the fastest growing refugee crisis since World War II”, stateless Ukrainian refugees are forced to confront these problems head-on. One stateless Ukrainian woman expressed her fear of leaving, even as her home was bombed: “I’m afraid that if I decided to leave I wouldn’t be able to cross checkpoints or borders because I don’t have documents. I’m also very scared they’d separate me from my children because I have no proof that I’m their mother.”

But the lack of legal protection is not the only problem stateless refugees are facing. Racial and ethnic minorities – such as the Roma, whose intersecting ethnic and stateless identities make them doubly vulnerable to discrimination – are finding it particularly difficult to access the protection they so desperately need. Many have recounted horror stories of waiting for days in camps without food or water, while their Ukrainian citizen counterparts were welcomed with open arms.

States’ lack of comprehensive legal frameworks addressing statelessness – in violation of their international legal obligations – is largely to blame for the chronic disenfranchisement of stateless people.

To be sure, many European States have created safeguards against statelessness. Ten States have a procedure for identifying stateless individuals and conferring a dedicated stateless status. Other States have piecemeal procedures, but no comprehensive framework that allows for both determination and protection. Ukraine’s new framework, adopted in 2021, establishes a stateless status determination procedure and a process for naturalisation.

However, these safeguards do not fully comply with States’ legal obligations, nor do they offer sufficient protection for stateless refugees. As of December 31, 2021, only 55 stateless Ukrainians – out of 737 applicants – have been recognised as stateless.

They will still have to wait three years before they can apply for naturalisation and gain access to their full rights.

Now that process has been interrupted. Meanwhile, most European States, including all but one of Ukraine’s immediate neighbours, lack adequate legal frameworks for the protection of stateless people. Even those with comprehensive frameworks fall short in their implementation, with stateless people – particularly ethnic minorities – unable to access basic rights and vulnerable to detention.

Critically, Europe has excluded stateless individuals from its refugee response plan, which offers immediate protection to Ukrainian nationals and permanent residents. Although Moldova, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania have promised to admit all refugees, including those who are stateless, experts worry that without dedicated protections, stateless refugees will be left behind. Importantly, these ad-hoc policies do not consider that many stateless refugees are at increased risk because of their ethnicity or race – officials have prevented Roma refugees from entering Hungary and Slovakia, and they have experienced widespread discrimination in Moldova.

European States must make the necessary policy and legislative changes to fulfil their legal obligations respecting stateless people. Statelessness is not a new problem in Europe, but as the number of Ukrainian refugees continues to rise, it has taken on a new sense of urgency. Granting stateless Ukrainians immediate, non-discriminatory protection is the first step. But long-term, systemic change is needed to ensure that stateless people across Europe can finally access their most fundamental right – the right to a nationality. (Al Jazeera) (Kristina Fried is a human rights lawyer for the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti and volunteer Attorney with United Stateless, a USbased organisation founded by and for stateless persons to advocate for their rights, and previously worked for the UN Refugee Agency on statelessness)

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 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

Proposal for Indian Arrival Day

Dear Editor, The Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC) fully endorses Ravi Dev’s proposal for May 5 to be declared Indian Arrival Day and a national holiday in Guyana. It’s a long-overdue recognition of the tremendous contributions of people of Indian origin to the unique history, vibrant culture, and economic progress in Guyana.

As we near the 184th anniversary of Indian Arrival in then British Guiana, we pay homage to those who left India for Guyana (Guiana) and other colonies to seek better livelihoods for themselves and

their descendants. While survival under very harsh conditions must have been the primary concern, they persevered to maintain their sense of origin, traditions, culture, accomplishment, recognising and appreciating the sacrifices and achievements made on their behalf.

We also recognise the invaluable contributions made over several generations by persons of Indian origin to the diverse culture and economic development of Guyana.

History has thrown us together, the people of Guyana, and history would look kindly on the success

of our human spirit if it is triumphant in a shared destiny. We were thrown together as commodities for profit, as we forged a new path for our shared destiny. Our past, present and future have become inextricably intertwined.

Together, we have weathered the storms of slavery, indentureship and colonialism to emerge with common and shared aspirations and energy to mould a new nation. Together, we are the “salt and sugar” of Guyana.

This initiative does not, in any way, diminish or compare to the many contributions of other ethnic groups in Guyana, in par-

ticular the descendants of African slaves, who were brought to then British Guiana against their will, yet persevered under inhumane conditions.

It should be noted that several countries with significantly smaller percentages of people of Indian origin celebrate Indian Arrival Day as a national holiday.

Examples: Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname, among others.

Sincerely, Ashook Ramsaran President Indian Diaspora Council International

Is Elton Dharry being rewarded for winning a world title?

Dear Editor, In the past, Guyanese who won a world championship were rewarded with a plot of land and a house.

If I recall correctly,

Lennox Blackmore was given a house/land even when he had won the Commonwealth title.

Others personalities who won a world championship got a house/land.

Now that Elton Dharry has triumphed with a world title, is the Government going to follow precedent and give him his due?

The Sports Minister was quite visible at the

boxing event, but nothing was said about any reward/gift for Dharry, as was done in the past.

Sincerely, Rahman Mohammed

“Great blessing” of oil taking...

Guyana’s leading role

President Ali told the gathering that despite Guyana’s growing oil and gas sector, its economy would be multifaceted.

“We see ourselves as an economy in transition that is allowed this great blessing of oil as a mode of taking us into the transition we so want,” the Head of State said.

The Government, he added, will use the resources to invest in other sectors, including infrastructure expansion; Information and Communications Technology (ICT); tourism; health and education under a “new wave of development”.

Mind-blowing opportunities

Within this context, he said the projection is that Guyana’s oil and gas sector will have a “long future”

which will provide the opportunity to advance the other sectors.

The President also outlined Guyana’s leading role in the environment, climate change mitigation, and vast natural resources including freshwater reserves.

“So when we're going to discuss climate change in the future, Guyana will be on the table; when we discuss oil and gas, Guyana will be on the table; when we discuss freshwater, Guyana will be on the table; when we discuss food sustainability and agriculture, Guyana will be on the table, because we are working towards becoming the breadbasket of the Caribbean.

When we talk about energy sustainability, Guyana will be on the table and when we talk about issues of regional integration. Guyana will be on the table,” Ali de-

clared.

He also spoke about the Government’s plan to reduce the cost of energy by 50 per cent by 2025. “When we do that, we now become competitive with any other producer in the Region”.

Despite Guyana’s huge multifaceted potential, President Ali noted that the most important asset the country possessed was its people. He spoke about his Government’s ‘One Guyana’

FROM PAGE 3

initiative and the mission to include all Guyanese in the country’s development.

The President invited those gathered to travel to Guyana and examine the opportunities for themselves.

“There is a lot of possibility and a lot of resources available through the UK Government. Once you have a big idea, I can tell you, there is an opportunity.”

Ignorance of oil, and the mystery of the missing guest Dear Editor, President Irfaan Ali spoke far and wide, and not just on oil/gas at Tuesday’s Carlton House Investment Seminar in London. In addition to his widely reported discourse on investment opportunities and the need to grab them, he addressed the widespread ignorance within Guyana about oil and the oil economy.

In his words, “Ignorance is a choice”, and is not inevitable. “It is not a condition, but (is) self-imposed”, and some people “choose to preserve ignorance for selfish reasons”. He was very unsympathetic to those who chose not to learn more about the transformation of the country. “Silence is the greatest killer”, he said, but he was happy to leave the levels of knowledge and ignorance “to unravel”.

The President was speaking to a packed room full of potential investors in the ornate setting of the British Academy in Carlton House. The seminar was arranged by the Caribbean Council, and the audience was 90% male,90% white,

with interests ranging from road building to electricity transformers, to vetting procedures for staff, and putative investment partners. Plenty with ‘capital’ on their business card.

The President, one Cabinet Minister, at least two British High Commissioners and four CEOs of companies in Guyana were in attendance.

The most notable and noticed absentee was the newly appointed Guyana High Commissioner to the UK, Rajendra Singh. He was said to be delayed by a ‘court matter’ in New York.

Rather inconvenient at such a gathering of top men (and some women) with money.

President Ali was left to work the room by himself. He did that very well.

Later, in his packed schedule, were a reception on the terrace of the Houses of Parliament and a meeting with the Guyanese diaspora in the UK. The previous President avoided that encounter.

Yours, John Mair

Thursday, April 28, 2022

02:00 03:30 05:00 06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:30 00:00

Movie - Little Ghost (1997) Movie - Bigfoot Family (2020) TVG's Ramadan Special Inspirational Time Cartoons Evening News (RB) Stop Suffering Stay Woke Pioneer Woman Prime Series - Blippi's Educational Adventures for Kids House Hunter Renovation Paternity Court Divorce Court Movie - Dreamer (2005) The Thundermans S2 E9 The Evermoor Chronicles S1 E5 Indian Soaps Lost in Space S2 E6 The Young & The Restless The Cricket Show The Evening News Stop Suffering For Better or Worse S5 E4 Station 19 (ABC) Grey's Anatomy (ABC) The Ranch S3 E1 Whose Line Is It Anyway? S11 E18 Movie - The Ice Road (2021)

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

I

n this fun and easy science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate colours by pulling them apart.

Materials: Paper towel Green food colouring A glass with one inch of water inside Instructions: Tear the paper towel into a long narrow strip.

Put a drop of green food colouring about two inches from the bottom of the strip of paper towel.

Hang the paper towel into the water so that the spot of food colouring is above the water.

GONZALO Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground, long heath, brown furze, any thing. The wills above be done! but I would fain die a dry death.

Exeunt SCENE II. The island.

Before PROSPERO'S cell.

Enter PROSPERO and MIRANDA MIRANDA If by your art, my dearest father, you have Put the wild waters in this roar, allay them.

The sky, it seems, would pour down stinking pitch, But that the sea, mounting to the welkin's cheek, Dashes the fire out.

O, I have suffered With those that I saw suffer: a brave vessel, Who had, no doubt, some noble creature in her, Dash'd all to pieces.

O, the cry did knock Against my very heart.

Poor souls, they perish'd.

Had I been any god of power, I would Have sunk the sea within the earth or ere It should the good ship so have swallow'd and The fraughting souls within her.

PROSPERO Be collected: No more amazement: tell your piteous heart There's no harm done.

MIRANDA O, woe the day!

PROSPERO No harm.

I have done nothing

Wait about 15 minutes.

The original green spot will be gone and a yellow and blue spot should be visible.

How it works: As the food colouring is drawn up the paper towel, the different pigments separate. The reason is the pigments are different weights, travel at different speeds, and thus end up in different places. Chromatography is the technique of separating mixtures.

Make this a science project: Try different colors. Try different types of paper. Try substituting water with vinegar. (sciencefun.org)

but in care of thee, Of thee, my dear one, thee, my daughter, who Art ignorant of what thou art, nought knowing Of whence I am, nor that I am more better Than Prospero, master of a full poor cell, And thy no greater father.

MIRANDA More to know Did never meddle with my thoughts.

PROSPERO 'Tis time I should inform thee farther. Lend thy hand, And pluck my magic garment from me. So: Lays down his mantle Lie there, my art. Wipe thou thine eyes; have comfort.

The direful spectacle of the wreck, which touch'd The very virtue of compassion in thee, I have with such provision in mine art So safely ordered that there is no soul-No, not so much perdition as an hair Betid to any creature in the vessel Which thou heard'st cry, which thou saw'st sink. Sit down; For thou must now know farther.

MIRANDA You have often Begun to tell me what I am, but stopp'd And left me to a bootless inquisition, Concluding 'Stay: not yet.'

PROSPERO The hour's now come; The very minute bids

“A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron” – Horace Mann

thee ope thine ear; Obey and be attentive.

Canst thou remember A time before we came unto this cell?

I do not think thou canst, for then thou wast not Out three years old.

MIRANDA Certainly, sir, I can.

PROSPERO By what? by any other house or person?

Of any thing the image tell me that Hath kept with thy remembrance.

MIRANDA 'Tis far off And rather like a dream than an assurance That my remembrance warrants. Had I not Four or five women once that tended me?

PROSPERO Thou hadst, and more, Miranda. But how is it That this lives in thy mind? What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time?

If thou remember'st aught ere thou camest here, How thou camest here thou mayst.

MIRANDA But that I do not.

PROSPERO Twelve year since, Miranda, twelve year since, Thy father was the Duke of Milan and A prince of power.

MIRANDA Sir, are not you my father?

PROSPERO Thy mother was a piece of virtue, and She said thou wast my

daughter; and thy father Was Duke of Milan; and thou his only heir And princess no worse issued.

MIRANDA O the heavens!

What foul play had we, that we came from thence?

Or blessed was't we did?

PROSPERO Both, both, my girl: By foul play, as thou say'st, were we heaved thence, But blessedly holp hither.

MIRANDA O, my heart bleeds To think o' the teen that I have turn'd you to, Which is from my remembrance!

Please you, farther.

PROSPERO My brother and thy uncle, call'd Antonio-I pray thee, mark me-that a brother should Be so perfidious!-he whom next thyself Of all the world I loved and to him put The manage of my state; as at that time Through all the signories it was the first And Prospero the prime duke, being so reputed In dignity, and for the liberal arts Without a parallel; those being all my study, The government I cast upon my brother And to my state grew stranger, being transported And rapt in secret studies. Thy false uncle-Dost thou attend me?

MIRANDA Sir, most heedfully.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Gazetted NRF transactions to be laid in Parliament – Finance Minister

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government’s publishing of all Natural Resource Fund (NRF) transactions, which were done in the interest of transparency and accountability, would soon be followed by the gazetted transactions being laid in Parliament.

In an interview with this newscast on Tuesday, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh was asked about the recently gazetted inflows

to the Natural Resources Fund. He pointed to the NRF Act, which mandates the release of such information, and noted that the Government was fulfilling its commitment to transparency.

“This is a reflection of the strengthened transparency provisions we have incorporated into the NRF. As you know, the old NRF Act had its deficiencies, including that its governing provisions were exceedingly weak, there was no board

of Directors, the powers and roles and responsibilities were heavily concentrated in the hands of the Minister of Finance.

“We’ve changed all of that significantly. So, what we’re now implementing is the strengthened NRF framework, including, and in particular as it relates to the transparency of the operation,” Minister Singh said.

Making it clear that Government would continue to be transparent about the oil funds, Dr Singh said that the notification would be tabled at the next sitting.

“You would have seen in the Gazette (on Monday) a publication. And at the next sitting of Parliament, that notification will be tabled…

We will, of course, continue to comply with the NRF Act. We will continue to publish in the Official Gazette, as is required.

“And I might add (that) the law requires these notifications to be tabled in the National Assembly, so this

Continuous registration

Almost 20,000 new eligible voters recorded by GECOM …46,863 transactions completed as at April 26

GECOM Commissioner Bibi Shadick

T

he Guyana Elections Commission’s ( G E C O M ’ s ) Continuous Registration Exercise, which concludes at the end of May, has so far resulted in almost 20,000 new, eligible voters being registered.

According to data provided by GECOM Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward, a total of 19,389 new eligible voters were registered as at April 26.

Meanwhile, 15,234 new registrants between the ages of 14 and 17 were recorded by GECOM. There were also 2516 transfers, 4156 changes, 4493 replacements, and 1075 photo retakes processed. All of this amounts to 46,863 in total transactions, after seven weeks of the GECOM workers interfacing with persons across the country.

GECOM PRO Yolanda Ward

GECOM had its statutory meeting on Tuesday.

Speaking with this publication on Wednesday, GECOM Commissioner Bibi Shadick said that most of their discussions on continuous registration dealt with ensuring the smooth progression of the exercise.

“They’re going to try to correct some of the things… the CEO (Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud) promised to liaise… so we dealt mostly with that. And the movement of scrutineers, mobile (registers), that kind of stuff,” she said.

The continuous registration process is necessary to update the List of Electors and pave the way for the hosting of Local Government Elections (LGE). GECOM has said that this registration exercise is of crucial importance to first-time applicants. These are regarded as

those persons who were 14 to 18 years old when they were registered during the 2019 house-to-house exercise.

Any person who will be 14 years or older by October 31, 2022, and is a Guyanese citizen by birth, descent or naturalization, or is a citizen from a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more, can apply for registration, provided that he or she was never registered before.

That person is required to visit the GECOM registration office responsible for their area of residence with the relevant source documents: original birth certificate, valid passport, adoption certificate, or naturalisation certificate in the case of new registration.

For change of name, the original marriage certificate or deed poll with birth certificate is required. Existing registrants who are desirous of updating their records, such as a request to correct or change their names, date of birth, occupation, or update their addresses, are advised that those transactions would also be facilitated during this exercise.

It is also understood that GECOM is looking to have an updated voters’ list in place by October, in order for the LGE to be held. The last time GECOM conducted continuous registration was in 2019, in preparation for the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

TURN TO PAGE 12

A section of the NRF notification

publication fulfills a very important transparency obligation as they relate to the NRF,” the Finance Minister further outlined.

The Gazette notification covers profit oil and royalty deposits from March 2020 to February 2022. While profit oil comes from Guyana’s crude entitlements, royalties are paid on a quarterly basis.

It was only a few days ago that, in keeping with his powers under the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act 2021, President Dr Irfaan Ali appointed five persons to the NRF Board, including Major General (retired) Joe Singh, who will chair the Board.

Also appointed were United Kingdom Member of Parliament (MP) with Guyanese roots, David Lammy, and Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, who cur-

rently served as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Also appointed were the National Assembly nominee Dunstan Barrow, a former bauxite industry official and former MP for the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR); and Ramesh Dookhoo, a longstanding executive of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), who was nominated by the body.

It was explained that Major General Singh had been appointed the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and he and the others are expected to take their Oaths of Office shortly.

Section 3 (1) of the NRF Act 2021, Act No 19 of 2021, which was assented to by President Ali on December 30, 2021, establishes the NRF to manage the natural resource wealth of Guyana for the present and

future benefit of the people, in an effective and efficient manner, and in accordance with the principles of good governance, transparency, accountability, and international best practices, including the Santiago Principles.

Section 5 (1) of the Act provides for a Board of Directors of the Fund comprising not less than three and not more than five members, who shall be appointed by the President, inclusive of a Chairperson.

In accordance with Section 5 (2), these Directors are to be selected from persons who have wide experience in legal, financial, business, or administrative matters, one of whom shall be nominated by the National Assembly and one of whom shall be a representative of the Private Sector.

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IN THE COURTS

After evading cops for 4 years, murder accused charged, remanded

Dead: Taj Andrew Jarvis

T

hirty-three-year-old Damian Bissoon of Shell Road, Kitty, Georgetown, who was wanted for murder committed in 2018, surrendered to the Police on Monday, and has been remanded to prison after being arraigned with the capital offence before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Wednesday.

He was not required

to plead to the indictable charge, which alleges that, on March 30, 2018, he murdered Taj Andrew Jarvis, 27, late of Dowding Street, Kitty. The murder accused, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law George Thomas, has been remanded to prison until May 17, when his matter will be called at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for disclosure of statements.

Reports are that the now dead man and a friend had been walking in the vicinity of Barr and Alexander Streets, Kitty, Georgetown when they were confronted by a knife-wielding man, believed to be Bissoon, who demanded money from them.

Jarvis, however, reportedly replied, “I don’t have no money”. As such, an argument ensued between them, during which the man stabbed Jarvis in his chest.

When Jarvis collapsed to the ground, Bissoon reportedly dealt him several kicks before fleeing.

The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown

T

Murder accused Damian Bissoon

Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Following the killing, Police had issued a wanted bulletin for Bissoon. He surrendered to the Police only

on Monday, April 25, 2022 in the company of his lawyer.

He was then cautioned in accordance with the Judge’s Rules, and he denied killing Jarvis. (G1)

Jury acquits rape accused B

y a majority verdict, a man was on Tuesday acquitted of a rape charge after a trial before Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry and a 12-member

jury at the Sexual Offences Court in Demerara.

Tevin Henry, 27, had been on trial for raping an 18-year-old woman on August 4, 2019, but in a

Fighting for relevance...

majority verdict of 10-2, the jurors found Henry not guilty of the crime. As such, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry discharged him.

The prosecution’s facts

Freed: Tevin Henry

are that the then teen girl had been using a fake Instagram profile when a male messaged her and invited her to a pool party. The male sent a taxi to pick her up from home, but instead of taking her to the pool party, the taxi driver took her to a house at the back of Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD), where another man raped her.

Following a Police report, Henry had been arrested, charged, and placed on $250,000 bail pending the hearing and determination of his trial.

In his defence, Henry denied committing the act, stating that he was at home on the night in question.

State Counsels Caressa Henry and Paneeta Persaud had appeared for the prosecution. (G1)

…in the PNC he PNC seems to’ve become lost in a Twilight Zone.

You know…there’s that feeling they exist, but you just can place them exactly, or determine really what’s going on with them. And this is a party that’s supposed to represent almost 200,000 Guyanese!! The AFC brought in some “top up” crumbs!! The only time we hear about the PNC is after one dust-up or another breaks out among the leadership - or those who want to be in the leadership!!

So, in December, the PNC crossed our radar with the expulsion of David Granger and the election of Aubrey Norton as Leader. In January, there was the War Break to oust Harmon as Leader of the Opposition (LoO); February brought various MPs’ resignations, such as Nicolette Henry and the same Harmon - but post-dated to leave the LoO status quo firmly in place!! In March, Harmon finally resigned, and in April Norton was officially sworn in - as some leaders wondered about their shaky seats! Tensions ran high in the PNC upper tier, since Norton had surrounded himself with a neophyte-filled slate he’d put together, and one that is beholden to him, since they got in on his coattails.

In a seeming conciliatory gesture, Norton announced two “advisers”: Van West-Charles, Burnham’s son-in-law, who lusted to fill the founder-leader’s shoes; and Volda Lawrence, who confessed all her friends are from the PNC, and only they should get Government jobs. Lots of folks praised Norton’s “maturity”. But that’s now been blown to smithereens with Van West’s threat to resign as “adviser”, since Norton hasn’t made himself available for “advice”!! Is an “advisor” an “advisor” if he can’t give “advice”??

Ah…such ontological conundrums!!

Well, Norton was asked a question about his advisors, and he opened his mouth and “story jump out”!! Seems that not getting an opportunity to proffer advice face-toface, Van West had sent an email to Norton, suggesting he could arrange the meeting that Norton had indicated he wanted with President Ali. Now one would suppose Norton would’ve been pleased, since he’d balked at Ali’s suggestion on meeting “in two weeks” to discuss “constitutionallydemanded consultations”.

Norton wanted “wider” discussions, and at a time he’d help set!! Obviously, he wanted to show he was a leader in his own right, and there should be no hint he was being “summoned”!! Touchy and paranoid? But then he was slapped down for decades as not being good enough by the old PNC leaders!! However, Norton explained that Van West had his own agenda: “I reject Mr Van West-Charles’s attempt to use me as a scapegoat to achieve his personal and other ends”!!

Ouch!! But they do say all publicity’s “good publicity”!! …and English Investments President Ali, invited to address some UK investors in the UK, gently chided them for not being “aggressive” enough with the opportunities that’ve been opened up since we’ve been placed on the world’s investment radar after oil was struck. And this is the story of post-independent Guyana in a nutshell, isn’t it? For hundreds of years, Britain was practically the only source of foreign direct investments - as they traded in slaves and our sugar.

But once that was gone, so were they!! They’d say it’s not personal - investments elsewhere generated more profits!!

That’s capitalism for you - no sentiments, just cold profits, thank you!! Anyhow, Pres Ali made a point that should be emphasised not only in London, but in Washington.

While they rail against the Chinese dragon poaching their “backyards”, they’re ignoring the logic of capitalism - which they champion!!

Your Eyewitness hopes there’s some concrete response from these capitals - if for no other reason than to give the Chinese some competition.

And that’s also the logic of capitalism, ain’t it? …in our PSC With the face of corporate Guyana changing so drastically in the new dispensation, shouldn’t the Private Sector Corporation’s board elect some fresh faces to represent the new “One Guyana” business profile??

That’s the logic of capitalism, no?

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Construction boom

Demand for quarry products leads way for US$25M project booming in Guyana, we can provide better and sufficient infrastructure equipment very reasonably and highly efficient. So, we believe we can contribute to this country’s development together,” the CHEC official stated.

Hadi’s World Inc obtained the licences for Kwapau Quarry Areas 1 and 2, and ATANA Quarry Blocks 1 and 2 in the Mazaruni Mining District 3 after receiving the green light from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The project will not only

Hadi’s World Inc Director Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, Company Secretary Azruddin Mohamed and other company officials with CHEC’s Americas Division Director, Dr Zhimin Hu and CHEC’s Regional Business Manager, Sammy Chen following Wednesday’s signing

H

adi’s World Incorporated, a subsidiary of Mohamed’s Enterprise, has partnered with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Guyana Inc to pursue its US$25 million quarry project to cater to the needs of the country’s booming construction sector.

In June 2021, Hadi’s World Inc secured its quarrying licences from the Natural Resources Ministry.

On Wednesday, the company signed a longterm Memorandum of Understanding with CHEC Guyana Inc to establish the quarry along the Mazaruni River in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), where the Chinese company will produce boulders and quarry aggregates for local and foreign construction markets.

The agreement states, “[CHEC Guyana Inc] shall exploit and produce boulders and quarry aggregates owned by [Hadi’s World Inc].”

At the simple signing ceremony, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed explained that with his company undertaking several major infrastructure projects including the Vreed-en-Hoop port facility – in partnership with several local companies and a European construction company, it knows that demand is there.

“We have the NRG’s Vreed-en-Hoop Shorebase Inc (VEHSI – the Guyaneseled consortium undertaking the port facility project)

here, and there are so many other road projects, the [new Demerara River] Bridge, and so on. So, there is the demand for quarry products… we’re going to provide boulders and aggregate for not only the local market but also the foreign market because we’re going to have a lot of projects on board,” he posited.

It was for this reason, according to the businessman, that Hadi’s World took the decision to partner with CHEC to develop the quarry.

“We have been in discussions with CHEC for about one year now, and we have now finally entered into this agreement where we are partners in this huge project… CHEC is the one who would be doing the supplying of quarry products. They’re going to set up the quarry along with Hadi’s World Incorporated,” Mohamed noted.

Meanwhile, the Director of CHEC’s Americas Division, Dr Zhimin Hu, who is based in Panama, noted that the Chinese company has been in Guyana for over 10 years now and understood the market here as well as the demand. This, she pointed out, was the driving force behind the company’s decision to partner with Hadi’s World Inc to operate the quarry.

“We [will] work with Hadi’s, together as a strategic partner, to explore and supply the aggregate, the materials for the construction industry. We believe, along with the economy

bring benefit to the construction sector by supplying operators but will also see the creation of jobs for locals.

Construction on the US$25 million quarry project is expected to start in two months.

CHEC Guyana Inc has been involved in major infrastructure projects in Guyana, both public and private.

The company did the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project and more recently, the new Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre. (G8)

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Domestic violence Sophia man dies Man caught selling ganja arrested victim leads almost 2 weeks cops to gun after being shot …says husband threatened to kill her

The gun that was found in the home following a domestic violence report

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olice in Regional Division Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) unearthed a shotgun on Tuesday in the home of a couple at Katoonarib Village, in Region Nine, while responding to a domestic violence report.

Ranks in the region were informed that a 32-year-old woman of the village was allegedly being abused by her husband and rushed to the scene.

About 15:45h they arrived at the home of the victim, who took the ranks to the kitchen of her one-storey wooden home and pointed out a 20-gauge single-barrel shotgun with serial number 51 on the metal part of the frame.

Police said at the time the gun was braced against a wall next to the gas stove along with a small black canvas bag that contained three 20-gauge empty cartridges.

The woman then indicated to the ranks that the shotgun and empty cartridges were placed there by her 30-year-old husband.

She also told the ranks that her husband, a farmer, had threatened to shoot her with the gun.

As such, the Police ranks took possession of the shotgun and empty cartridges. They were unable to arrest the suspect, who had escaped before they arrived.

The gun has been lodged at the Lethem Police Station.

(G9)

Dead: Yardan Jacobs

A

lmost two weeks after he was shot in Sophia, Greater Georgetown, a 27-year-old labourer succumbed to his injuries.

Dead is Yardan Jacobs of North Sophia who was shot on April 16 while hanging out with a group of persons in the community.

Jacobs died at the Georgetown Public Hospital around 17:00h on Tuesday, Police said.

The victim’s cousin, 29-year-old Steve Bacchus, a businessman, was also shot during the incident.

Reports are that Jacobs was shot to his abdomen while his cousin sustained

a gunshot wound to his lower back.

Based on reports received, Jacobs was at the Tanary area in Sophia hanging out with friends when an argument ensued with another man.

However, Bacchus, Jacob’s cousin, intervened, causing the suspect to get angry. The suspect then whipped out a firearm and discharged several rounds in the direction of the two men.

The suspect then fled the scene.

Police ranks on patrol duty responded and took Jacobs to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted as a patient.

Police had reported that his condition was listed as stable.

Bacchus was taken to the hospital by public-spirited citizens and was also admitted, and his condition was listed as stable too.

After the incident, Police launched a manhunt for the suspect. It is still unclear if the suspect was arrested.

The body of the deceased man is at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

(G9)

The marijuana that was found in the ganja seller’s possession

C

ommander for Regional Division 4B – East Bank Demerara (EBD) – Superintendent Denise Griffith has indicated that between 16:30h and 18:10h on Tuesday, ranks from the division conducted patrols in several communities and a man was arrested in Kuru Kururu after he was caught selling marijuana.

The raids were conducted in Timehri North, Circuitville, Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke, Coverden, and Swan, EBD, among other communities.

While in Kuru Kururu, a man clad in pink pants, a white jersey, and a flap hat was seen collecting money from several persons, which he placed into his pants pocket. He was also observed handing over 'blue Zip-locklike packets' which he would retrieve from a black plastic bag concealed in a PVC pipe affixed to a small derelict wooden building.

Reports are that ranks kept surveillance for about 15 minutes.

The suspect was subsequently confronted by the ranks who retrieved the black plastic bag from the PVC pipe, and a search was conducted in his presence.

Police said during the search they observed that the bag had contained several blue Ziplock bags which had leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

A search was also carried out on the suspect’s person and $55,740 in cash was found in his pants pocket.

The cash comprised five- and one-thousand-dollar bills, along with hundred- and twenty-dollar notes which were suspected to be proceeds from marijuana sales.

The 24-year-old man who claimed that he is from Wismar, Linden was arrested and escorted to the Timehri Police Station, where the illicit substance was weighed in his presence and amounted to 140 grams. It was later placed into an evidence bag, marked, sealed, and lodged.

A probe was further launched. (G9)

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cyclist killed in Enmore accident NWD man remanded for Easter Monday A murder C 29-year-old pedal cyclist was killed in an accident along the Enmore Access Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The accident occurred at about 18:00h on Monday, and involved motorcar PYY 9583, driven by a 27-yearold.

Police said the 27-year-old driver alleges that he was proceeding east along the northern side of the road in the motorcar while the pedal cyclist, who has been identified as Hanchan Basdeo, was proceeding west along the northern side of the road.

The driver claimed that despite twice flashing his vehicle lights as well as using his horn, his vehicle and the cycle collided.

As a result of the collision, the pedal cyclist fell onto the road surface and received injuries about his body.

Dead: Hanchan Basdeo

He was picked up in an unconscious condition by the driver of the said vehicle, and was taken to the Nabaclis Health Centre, where he was seen and examined by a doctor on duty, who treated him and referred him to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

When he arrived at that medical facility, he was further examined and admitted as a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) suffering from injuries to the body.

He succumbed at the hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Breathalyzer tests were conducted on the car driver, but no trace of alcohol was found in his system.

The vehicle and bicycle have been lodged to be examined by a Licensing and Certifying Officer.

The driver is in custody assisting with the investigation. (G9)

Motorcyclist Dredge owner succumbs 3 days slapped with after ECD accident murder charge

R

Dead: Ronaldo Sauldrepaul

onaldo Sauldrepaul, a 29-year-old security officer and resident of the Venezuela Scheme at Melanie, East Coast Demerara (ECD), succumbed on Tuesday evening at a city hospital, where he was receiving treatment for injuries he sustained in a serious accident that occurred last Saturday at about 18:55h on the Plaisance Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

Reports are that Sauldrepaul was proceed-

ing west along the southern driving lane of the Plaisance Public Road on a motorcycle when motorcar PPP 6446 drove north from out of Prince William Street, onto the Plaisance Public Road and into the pathway of the motorcyclist.

The resulting collision caused the motorcyclist to receive injuries about his body. He was assisted by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit, and was subsequently transported to the Woodlands Hospital to seek medical attention.

Police ranks visited the hospital where Sauldrepaul was admitted, and saw him in an unconscious state receiving medical attention.

However, on Tuesday at about 20:00h, Sauldrepaul succumbed to his injuries.

His body has been escorted to a city mortuary to await a PME. The car driver has been placed on $300,000 station bail. (G9)

Remanded: Rawle Bobb-Semple

A

dredge owner who reportedly confessed to killing a 36-year-old woman of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) has been remanded to prison.

Rawle Bobb-Semple, otherwise known as John Wick, was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Crystal Lambert at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, and was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Police have said that murder victim Rodrigues, also called ‘Chinee girl’, of Amerindian descent, was found dead on a track at Papi Landing, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) with a chop wound to her head and several other marks of violence about her body.

Investigators suspect that the woman was killed at some time between April 12 and 13. Police said she had last been seen alive on April 13 in the company of a man. Police suspect that she might have been raped and then killed.

At the time of the discovery of her body, she was clad in a blue blouse and redand-black pants. (G1)

hristopher VanNooten, a 48-yearold mason accused of the Easter Monday murder of 44-year-old Sherwin Smith, appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court charged with that murder, which occurred on April 18.

Van-Nooten, of Barimanobo, Mabaruma, North West District (NWD), was not required to plead to the indictable charge, and was remanded to prison until May 17.

Smith, of Kumaka Waterfront, NWD, was stabbed to death during the Easter weekend celebrations. The incident occurred at the Mabaruma Settlement Ground during an Easter Monday activity.

Reports are that VanNooten, who was armed with a knife, walked up to Smith and stabbed him

Murder accused Christopher Van-Nooten

twice - once to the abdomen and once to the neck. Smith ran to a nearby car, and was rushed to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

A Policeman who was stationed at the compound’s gate witnessed what had transpired and immediately arrested VanNooten. (G1)

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 28,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

RE/MAX opens 1st office in Guyana G

lobally-recognised real estate agency RE/MAX, in collaboration with US Realty, has opened its first location at the MovieTowne at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

Shiv Misir, a representative of RE/MAX, who has been with the company for the past 25 years, has said that apart from selling real estate, the firm is looking to sell the franchise in Guyana.

“We are hoping to grow this business in Guyana, not only in MovieTowne, because we have what you call the master franchise agreement for RE/MAX Guyana.

So, our primary objective, apart from selling real estate, is to sell the franchise in different locations

in Guyana,” he said at the opening on Tuesday.

With the first buyer already securing a location in Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara, the company is looking to set up a number of offices at key locations countrywide by the end of this year.

“We just sold a franchise to a Guyanese. She bought the first franchise, and she’ll be operating out of Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara. Her office will be setting up very soon,” Misir revealed.

“Right now, were looking at somebody for the East Bank; we’re looking at the West Bank, the West Coast, Essequibo, Berbice. We need a few offices around the country, because we’re get-

ting a lot of calls,” he added.

According to Misir, up until now, Guyana was the only country in South America without the presence of RE/MAX. “RE/MAX is the number one real estate organisation in the world. We have a presence in over 110 countries; we have over 8500 offices, about 140,000 agents worldwide, and Guyana was the only country without a RE/MAX presence in South America up until now,” he remarked.

“Our neighbour Brazil, for example, has 500 real estate offices, Venezuela has over 40, and these are our bordering countries. So, we’re here to expand and grow the business, and market RE/MAX throughout

RE/MAX office at MovieTowne, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown

Guyana,” the real estate expert noted.

Misir also stated that the company is looking to offer some level of training for real estate agents, as Guyana does not offer any formal training in this area.

“RE/MAX has agreed to assist in that direction, and I think somewhere towards the end of the year, September/October…we’ll be having a training session. It’s not only meant for agents within the RE/MAX

community, it’s going to be opened to other real estate companies and brokerages in Guyana,” he explained.

“That will be advertised, and we’ll try to give enough notice so whoever wants to come on board for the training, they will be welcomed on board, and hopefully that will be an ongoing thing,” Misir said.

Meanwhile, Uriel Seenarine, Chief Executive Officer of US Realty, has said he is excited about this

collaboration.

“My target market actually here in Guyana is to attract the overseas property owners within the diaspora, so I’m looking to utilise my media in New York in that expansion,” he said.

“This venture here, it’s very special, because it’s my first partnership in 26 years.

So, I found the right partners, so looking to take this to another level…I’m very excited about this!” he said.

(Amar Persaud)

Almost 20,000 new eligible...

More than $750 million has been set aside in Budget 2022 for the preparations to be undertaken by GECOM for the hosting of LGE this year. This money is part of an overall $4.1 billion allocation to GECOM in Budget 2022, and was examined and approved by the National Assembly during its consideration of the 2022 Budget Estimates.

Included in the $783

million for LGE is a morethan-$300 million increase in “other goods and services purchased”, which jumped from $250.8 million in 2021 to $575.9 million in the 2022 Budget. LGE are constitutionally due every two years in Guyana and were last held in 2018. However, given the fiasco that played out following the 2020 General and Regional Elections, the Local Government polls

FROM PAGE 7

were deferred to 2021.

At the last LGE in November 2018, the then People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Opposition had secured 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs). This followed the holding of the LGE in 2016, during which the PPP/C also claimed the majority of the LAAs. The registration exercise will conclude on May 29, 2022. (G3)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt to address lack of skilled workers in Regions 5, 6 – VP Jagdeo …announces 1000 temporary jobs, 200 small grants for WCB

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A section of the gathering

overnment to address the lack of skilled workers in both Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

This is according to Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who on Wednesday hosted a series of meetings in Region Five.

Addressing residents at Bath Primary on Wednesday, the Vice President said despite the number of jobs that were lost when sugar estates were closed in Region Six, and those lost as a result of the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts are still being made to have persons re-employed.

An estimated 50,000 jobs were lost from different sectors during the reign of the previous administration, the majority from the sugar industry. Additionally, between 35,000 and 40,000 persons were made jobless when the country was locked down for about one year.

In the period leading up to March 2020 National Elections, the now ruling Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), while on the cam-

paign trail, had promised to create 50,000 jobs during its five-year term.

The party had promised that sugar workers would have gotten back their jobs.

However, according to the Vice President, there is a lack of skilled labour, and Government is putting things in place to address this. This is being done by offering training for persons. The former Head of State pointed out that while there is a labour shortage in Region Four, Region Five and Six have a shortage of skilled labour.

In this regard, Jagdeo said Government is willing to provide training for up to 500 persons in the eastern end of the region.

A similar commitment was made when the Vice President met with residents at Dundee in the Mahaicony area. On that occasion, he said the training would be provided for persons in that end of the region.

“If you want to be trained to operate heavy-duty equipment or anything like that, we can bring the training programs to you here,” the

Vice President told residents at Bath.

“I said at a meeting in Dundee, ‘If you can find 500 people from this end there doing that, who want to be trained as masons or plumbers, electricians, welders, or heavy-duty equipment operator like a crane or excavator or bobcat, because that’s where you have high-paying potential, how much higher than sugar and everything else, you can earn a significant amount of money if you find 500 of these people. We can set up the training programme right here, right in the communities, where they can come and train the people; because if you have those skills, immediately you earn.”

The training would also be for other jobs, which include construction-based skills. These jobs, he explained, will pay more than is being offered at the sugar industry.

“That is the only way you’re going to get a massive increase in salary. You are not going to get it realistically in the sugar industry. We will keep it alive, but

you will get small increases, and I want to be frank with our comrades, because they know what the state of the industry is now if you’re not because of lack of investment in five years,” Jagdeo noted.

The Vice President said that if persons opt for this training, it is possible for them to gain employment within months.

He also noted that the Port Mourant Training Centre in Region Six would be the country’s National Oil and Gas Institute.

Meanwhile, he said that while the Government is offering people scholarships through the GOAL programme, people can also be employed on a part-time basis, where they can earn $40,000 working ten days per month.

This he said they can do even as they are attending university through the scholarship programme.

“In the month, the next twenty days you can work elsewhere, and I am hoping that people in Region Five

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

make full use of the part-time jobs that we are creating directly from Government so that people can immediately start working”.

Government had recently announced that 3,000 part-time jobs would be provided across the country.

According to Jagdeo, 1000 of those will be in Region Five.

Recently while in Region Six, the Vice President announced that 800 of the part-

time jobs would be going to that region. Government would also make available 200 small grants valuing up to $250,000 for budding entrepreneurs to either start or expand their businesses. According to the Vice President, this financial assistance would be made possible through the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry.

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 28,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Foreign investors offer over US$10M to develop Number 63 Beach

Number 63 Beach

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group of foreign investors are proposing to spend more than US$10 million to develop the Number 63 Beach in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) in order to give the scores of

tourists who flock there every year a better experience.

The investors are registered under the name BCD Number 63 Beach Investment with a Brooklyn, USA address.

BCD Number 63 Beach Investment is a consortium of companies that wants to invest in a resort and entertainment hub at the beach.

The investors on Tuesday met with the

Region Two agriculture sector boosted with 2 new tractors

Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and discussed how to move forward with the initiative.

One of the investors is Kevin Thorpe – the Managing Director of Khonnor Glory Limited.

Another is Verman Badessee of the Badessee Distributors Corp, who says the investors are willing to spend an estimated US$10 million.

“We want full control of the beach where we would have between Numbers 57 to 64 Villages. We would clean the beach daily and maintain the beach. We are asking the Government to bring water and power to a certain point...,” he said.

In its proposal, BCD Number 63 Beach Investment sought to have the Government give a 100 per cent lease for the beach, to provide maps of boundaries for Suriname and Guyana and to fix roads to certain points.

It is also proposing that Government bring in water to a certain point and install lights at certain points while at the same time providing a budget for some solar lighting.

BCD is also proposing that Government approve a Beach Patrol for security and enforcement and also approve the setting-up of a garbage dumpsite for recycling.

While the beach runs along several villages on the Corentyne Coast, it is more accessible at Numbers 62 and 63 Villages making those areas more popular.

Badessee said apart from Government giving the prime part of the beach to the consortium, they also wanted to enter into an arrangement with Government that would ensure restrictions were in place forbidding others to do any building or development on other sections of the beach.

Chamber President Mohamed Rafeek said the organisation was going to take the proposal to government.

Meanwhile, First Lady Arya Ali has included the Number 63 Beach as part of her National Beautification Project and has already commenced constructing a children’s playpark there which, when completed, would be equipped with all the necessary amenities and washroom facilities.

When asked about this as it is within the area the consortium wants given to them, Badessee played down the efforts being made by the First Lady.

Only recently, the Corentyne Chamber had called on Central Government to help the 52/74 Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) manage the beach, noting that the NDC did not have sufficient resources to do so. (G4)

Thieves raid former President’s house …escape with TV, computers

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Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall handing over the keys to Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva as Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit and Regional Health Officer Ranjeev Singh look on

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inister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall on Tuesday handed over two new 80 horsepower John Deere tractors to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Regional Administration to assist with its agricultural programmes.

At a simple ceremony held at the Regional Democratic Council's (RDC) compound, Dharamlall said the $12 million tractors are the latest effort by regional officials to boost the lives of rice farmers in Pomeroon-

Supenaam.

The Local Government and Regional Development Minister noted that the tractors were purchased under the Region's Capital Budget.

He handed over the keys to the brand-new tractors to Regional Chairperson, Vilma De Silva and urged her to ensure that it is used in productive activities that can benefit the region and its farmers.

Minister Dharamlall pointed out that the tractors will especially benefit rice farmers and will be used to rehabilitate access dams leading to rice lands.

Meanwhile, De Silva stated that the handing over of the tractors is timely since Region Two was in need of the machinery. She was particularly pleased that the region has received the machines at a perfect time.

“With two new tractors in our region, Region Two will be boosted at a higher capacity in terms of its agriculture sector. They will assist farmers, especially rice farmers, and make their lives easier. We will make sure that the tractors are cared for and maintained to ensure longevity,” De Silva said.

olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding a break and enter and larceny committed at the house of former President David Granger.

The former Head of State had lived in the house before and shortly after becoming President of Guyana.

Reports are that between 18:45h on April 24 and 05:45h on April 25 at Thorne Drive, D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown, the premises were broken into.

Among the items stolen are a television valued $240,000, a stand valued $7000, four computers valued $320,000, a printer valued $120,000, and a barber set valued $50,000.

Police said on April 24, a security guard who works for the former President secured the premises and went home.

The following day, he returned to the building where he discovered that the door was open and the lock was on the ground.

He immediately began to make checks and discovered that the television was missing.

He contacted the former President who came and made further checks and dis-

covered the rest of the items were missing.

Police said entry to the building was gained through the northern door of the one-storey concrete structure. Investigations are ongoing.

Chetwynd Learning Centre However, the former president does not live at the location. As a matter of fact, in February 2017, in honour of the 94th Birth Anniversary of former Guyanese leader, Forbes Burnham, Granger, opened the Chetwynd Learning Centre at his former residence.

The new centre, located at Lot 5 Thorn Drive, D’Urban Backlands, accommodates three other institutes also established in Burnham’s name; these include the Burnham Educational Scholarship Trust, the Forbes Burnham Research Institute and the Burnham Book Trust.

Chetwynd was the idea of Granger who had “reiterated the call of Burnham to make education a central plan.”

At the opening he had said that he is breathing life into the ideas of the former leader, who believed that ed-

Former President David Granger

ucation should be provided to everyone.

Granger reiterated that education is not an option but should be an entitlement for all.

He had also expressed the hope that similar centres like Chetwynd, would be built in each town, in the near future.

The then President had emphasised that the centre is being opened for the public good and not for political purposes.

Chetwynd is equipped with educational tools such as books and computers.

Photos depicting various points in Guyana’s history decorate the walls of the centre.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Lima Sands gets $136M asphalted road …residents optimistic about community’s development

Asphalting being done in Lima Sands for the first time

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he aesthetics of Lima Sands, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) have been significantly boosted with an 800-metre asphalted road, the first of its kind in the Essequibo Coast community - and residents are now optimistic about the development.

Lima Sands, like many other communities in Region Two, has its history etched in where the plantations in the area were, and depended on the Anna Regina estate for their water.

Previously, the community was identified by loam-surfaced road.

However, years of neglect had caused the main access road to the village to become decorated with potholes and huge craters. Since Lima Sands is predominantly a farming and mining community, trucks often leave their mark while traversing the roads.

Today, the rhetoric has changed, and the community has now benefited from the $136 million asphalted road, and concrete drains have also been constructed on both sides of the halfmile stretch, which, residents explained, is more than just a good look and a smooth drive. They said it is an entire transformation for

The Lima Sands access road before the road development project

the community.

During an interview with Guyana Times, Mohammed, a resident of Lima Sands, said the road would improve the social growth of their community. He also lauded the PPP/C Government for fulfilling its promises after residents’ concerns were raised at various community meetings.

“I’m living in this community for over 10 years, and we complain about the road, [but] it was never fixed. I said to myself that Lima Sands will never get tar road. The condition of the access road back then was very bad; so bad that car drivers complained

about their vehicle jamming and their bumper damaging,” Mohammed related.

Meanwhile, the Headteacher of Lima Sands Primary School, Nadiera Drikpaul, said the road works done would bring much relief to the residents of the community.

She stated, “The journey out of school on the last day of Easter Term 2022 gives hope, seeing this work in progress after many months of plying the journey in agony. I’m trusting the other phase(s) will be acted upon soon, so that by the end of the next term, the one km road in progress here can be joined to another two km

at least… thanks to the administration for the present, and in advance for the phases to come.”

Another resident, Geeta Singh, praised the developments that have been undertaken in the community.

She noted that in addition to the upgraded asphalt road, Lima Sands has also benefited from electricity, water, drainage and irrigation works, and the installation of street lights as well.

“During an outreach in the community by the Ministry of Housing and Water sometime last year, we asked for streetlights in our community. Without hesitation, CH&PA (Central

Housing and Planning Authority) donated 30 street lamps to the community. We are all thankful for the development in our community,” Singh noted.

Those 30 street lights were donated to the community after the issues were raised at a “Dream Realised” Housing Drive in the region last June. During that event, requests were also made by residents for road rehabilitation works and transportation. As a result, an inter-Ministry response was activated, and the Public Works Ministry invested some $136 million to build half a mile of asphaltic road in Lima Sands.

Over $136M in contracts awarded in Region 2 for infrastructure works with the upcoming construction of a health post in Siriki, stating that this facility would provide much-needed and efficient services to resi-

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall and regional officials with the contractors

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esidents living in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) can expect tremendous transformation in the coming months as more than $136.7 million in contracts for various projects were awarded.

The contracts have been awarded to six contractors from the region by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). The signing was done on Tuesday at the Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Boardroom.

Among the projects to be undertaken are the rehabilitation of the Region Two State House, construction of a health post and landing at Pomeroon and a bridge at

Onderneeming, upgrading of community streets, and the extension of Johanna Cecelia Secondary School.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall charged the contractors to complete the projects in an efficient and timely manner.

At the simple contract signing ceremony, he emphasised that the tendering and the bidding processes were transparent and various contractors from within the region are now playing a role in developing communities on the Essequibo Coast.

Detailing the projects, Minister Dharamlall disclosed that David James and Damon Streets would be upgraded at a total cost of $39,648,000 while the

construction of the bridge at Onderneeming along with the construction of the health post and landing at Siriki, Pomeroon would be done to the tune of $49,833,000.

The Local Government and Regional Development Minister further revealed that another $31,022,000 would be spent on the extension of the Johanna Cecelia Secondary School.

Additionally, a $16,290,000 contract was awarded for the rehabilitation of the Region Two State House.

In brief remarks, Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva called on the contractors to ensure that they deliver quality works.

The Region Two Chair was particularly pleased

dents in the hinterland area.

Also present at the signing were Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit; Regional Executive Officer

(REO) Susan Saywack; Regional Engineer Kawan Suchit and Regional Health Officer (RHO) Ranjeev Singh.

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Govt prepared to support a ‘big player’ in tourism sector – Ali …says Guyana’s tourism potential unmatched

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o further expand the country’s tourism potential, President Dr Irfaan Ali said, his Government is ready to support a big player in the sector.

The Head of State made this statement as he highlighted Guyana’s tourism potential during a roundtable discussion attended by several business officials from the UK and the European Union earlier today.

“We need a big player in the market, and I’m telling you the Government is ready to support such a player. We are ready to work on a longterm arrangement in bringing that player into the market,” President Ali is quoted by the Press and Publicity Unit within the Office of the President as saying.

He said, too, that it is imperative that there be a “re-engineering” of the way the industry is seen, and this must be done in a transformational way.

He expressed hope that the discourse would address what is required for Guyana to attain its potential of becoming a major player in the sector.

Country-to-country opportunities

The President acknowledged that sometimes markets are viewed narrowly, and related that he does not believe it is about competition, but rather about countries working together.

“Sometimes, if you look from new lens, markets can be combined to give you a better product; and I think, in the interest of tourism, it is how we combine an exist-

President Dr Irfaan Ali at an investment roundtable discussion in London, England (OP photo)

ing market with a fresh market that continues to build an existing product.”

This, the President said, is something that the Government is actively considering.

To illustrate, President Ali explained that while Sandals Resorts focuses on exotic resorts in the Caribbean that are primarily based on blue water and white sand, the same services could be offered in Guyana while combining Guyana’s product with that of Barbados to offer a whole new product.

“So, you take six days of Sandals Resort: three in Barbados and three in Guyana, and you get two rich experiences. And that is where the real opportunity is,” he said.

The Head of State also noted that South America is the only continent that has a massive forest like the Amazon, which includes countless different species

CSEC, CAPE exams delayed by 3 weeks

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he Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) on Wednesday held an emergency meeting to discuss several matters related to the regional examinations.

Coming out of that meeting, a decision was made to delay the start of the written and practical components of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).

According to a release from the Education Ministry, the examinations will be delayed by three weeks, with the new start date being May 23, 2022, and end on July 1, 2022.

Results are expected to be

released in late August or early September 2022. The delay in the start of the written and practical examinations would not affect the oral examinations, which have already begun.

The Council has also decided to give a two-week extension for the submission of School-Based Assessments (SBA). And students who have already submitted their SBAs can use the additional time to review their work and resubmit.

As had happened in the 2021 examinations, CXC would release the broad topics that would be covered in the Paper Two examinations.

Those topics would be released within the next two weeks.

of flora and fauna. Despite this, he said, the continent does not have a “true nature park”, where people can experience all the different species in the Amazon.

“That is an opportunity that is a low-hanging fruit.

It is an opportunity that, if you have a good player coming in, you can push the

Government to work with you,” he said.

Building Guyana’s brand

President Ali also underscored that brand positioning is a critical component, which is important in separating the country’s brand from those of other countries, and building a niche market.

He explained that, when he was Minister of Tourism, he examined hiking as a niche product, given the fact that Guyana is one of the best destinations for hiking.

Hikers from all over the world would be attracted to Guyana’s potential, including many hikers in Brazil’s northern cities, some of

which are within driving range of the country.

To tap into this market, the President said, the Government is going to develop the Lethem Airport to develop the border town as a hub.

He added that Guyana is also looking to become the number one provider of education in biodiversity and ecological services.

“How do we bring the best professors in the world and let them market Guyana as the premier destination for anyone studying biodiversity and environmental science?

How do we create the country as the premier destination, where an institution exists that gives the best quality education in this sphere? Those are things that will help us tremendously,” he said.

The President has encouraged the businessmen to invest now, since, with the country’s development trajectory, the cost for investment would significantly increase in the future.

“I’m not taking chances” – Agri Minister on City Hall’s preparation for rainy season

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ith the May/ June rainy season approaching, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has said he is not going to depend on the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to put systems in place to prevent flooding in the capital city.

In fact, the Agriculture Minister has said that from Central Government’s end, engineers would be deployed across the city to ensure the pumps and sluices are operable.

“What we have been doing too, around Georgetown area, I’ve asked our engineer to assign three engineers to Georgetown, so they can also monitor, because, over the years, y’all know our problem with the City Council, and I’m not taking chances there too. We are having engineers to monitor these pumps, monitor these outfalls, and looking at these sluices, so they can report on a real-time basis what are some of the problems we’re having, and where we can make interventions,” Mustapha told reporters on Tuesday.

During last year’s May/ June rainy season, accusations of neglect and sabotage were levelled against City Hall after the absence of workers from sluices and pumps had led to flooding throughout the city after a night of heavy rainfall. At the time, Mustapha had explained that, “I received a report that almost all the sluices and pumps in Georgetown were inoperable because the City Council failed to get the

File photo: Vendors packing up and calling it a day after heavy downpour

operators to put on these pumps and open the sluices.

And it seems this is a deliberate ploy to get the city flooded, because, over the last two weeks, we have seen high intensity of rainfall and we had minimal flooding in the city.

“It seems they want to cause problems in the city.

We know for a fact that the City Council has been neglecting the supervision of these infrastructure in the city. So much so that I had to get NDIA to go around and monitor these pumps and these sluices, to see where they are operable.”

Meanwhile, in further expounding on Government’s efforts this year to mitigate the effects of the May/June rainfall, Mustapha explained that works have already begun.

“The May/June season in our country is not a unique season or one-off season.

Now, we’re having rainfall, the rainfall would have already started, and over the last few months, you know for a fact that we’ve been having pumps and sluices and desilting of canals in an ongoing basis. So, it’s not a big preparation for May/ June. We have been doing this right around the year, because we’re having rainfall on a continuous basis. So, what we’ll do, we’ll continue to do those type of work. We have been given instructions to ensure that all the structures are operable, we have things in place in terms of the sluices being serviced, the pumps being serviced, they are on standby to work immediately,” he noted.

Activities are also being undertaken in other areas of the country, the Minister assured.

“The Black Bush Polder area, we’ve started to desilt out there. The outfall is working, but we’re still doing it for the May/June period, and we are looking at any other critical aspect of it.

“Last Saturday I went up the Corentyne, and we had some heavy rainfall on the Corentyne, and there was a request for pumps.

I’ve moved another pump to Number 52/51 area to boost the system that we have there; so, as we are going around seeing the issue, we are making the kind of preparation and putting the system in place so that we can have an effective drainage,” he added.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 7 gets $26.3M Maternal, Over $600M to be spent Child Health Centre on roads in Linden

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill inspecting a section of the road to be done in Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10

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The newly-constructed Maternal and Child Health Centre in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni)

ealth Minister, Dr Frank Anthony recently commissioned a newly-constructed Maternal and Child Health Centre in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The centre was constructed at a cost of $26.3 million.

“This is one of many things that would be happening in this region. We are looking at 16 other health centres, health posts in the region where we’ll be doing some work, we’ll be spending $100 million on those institutions and hopefully, we can make some upgrades,” Dr Anthony is

quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying.

He said such institutions were important to ensuring a healthy population. Without proper care, the Minister said, many complications could occur that could impact the life of a child. “The care that you give to the mother who is pregnant, it is that care, once we do that well, that child will be born a healthy child,” he noted.

Further, while speaking to health workers, Dr Anthony said that “we will work with you to enhance your skills so that we can

improve the quality of service that we are offering”.

Meanwhile, Regional Health Officer, Region Seven, Dr Edward Sagala said the health of mothers and children was not “to play with”. He urged health care workers in the region to continue their hard work and commitment to provide the best services to citizens.

“This is a dream come true; it’s a beautiful building, but infrastructure alone cannot function in a vacuum. It takes people and not just people, it takes people who are committed, dedicated, and passionate,” Dr Sagala said.

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he Public Works Ministry will soon be rolling out a massive infrastructural development programme in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), that will see a number of roads being upgraded in Linden at a cost of more than $600 million.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that Public Works Minister Juan Edghill conducted an inspection of the roads to be done in Industrial Area, Kara Kara, Amelia’s Ward, Silver City and Block 22 on Tuesday.

He was accompanied by Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dwight John and a team of engineers from the

Ministry.

Edghill explained that the interventions were as a result of representations made by residents during Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s outreach in Linden last month. “…

So, I have gone myself to see the state of the roads and the fact of the matter is the state of the roads in Region 10 is horrible, because it’s clear no proper maintenance and rehabilitation was done over the last period, so things have gotten worse,” he noted.

The Minister said the tendering process for the projects would commence shortly, after which works would commence.

Additionally, he said the

Ministry was finalising the programme for sub-district two – Kwakwani, Hururu, and Landersville – and sub-district one – Wismar and Mackenzie – as well as the road to Muritaro and Malali, among others.

In the case of the internal roads in Kwakwani, the Minister noted that the minimum that has to be spent on them is $200 million. Those works will be done as part of the Ministry’s 2022 hinterland work programme.

This year, the sum of $76.7 billion was budgeted in the national budget to improve roads and bridges countrywide.

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Regional

Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela Tourism spurs double-digit unlikely to join Americas growth in Barbados economy summit – US official B

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he Governments of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela are likely to be excluded from the Ninth Summit of the Americas, which will be hosted by the United States in June, a senior US State Department official has said.

“They are unlikely to be there,” US Assistant Secretary of State, Brian Nichols told a small group of reporters on Wednesday, saying the summit of regional leaders would focus on the Western Hemisphere’s democracies.

The comments marked the clearest message that those three governments, all on bad terms with Washington, will be snubbed once the White House releases the invitation list. That announcement would come soon, Nichols added.

His remarks come just days after Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused the Biden Administration of pressuring regional governments to block Cuba from participating in the summit.

“We have learned from various sources that the United States Government has been carrying out intense efforts and exert-

US Assistant Secretary of State, Brian Nichols

ing pressure on countries in the Region to try to exclude Cuba from the IX Summit of the Americas,” Rodriguez wrote on Twitter.

“There is no justification for excluding Cuba or any other country from this event that we have attended the last two editions,” he said.

The US and Cuba last week held their first high-level talks in four years, but tensions persist between the two nations over migration, ongoing American sanctions against the island, and the Cuban Government’s recent crackdown on Opposition protesters.

On Wednesday, Nichols also said there was un-

likely to be a role for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s Government at the summit but said it would be up to the White House to decide whether to invite Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó in his place.

The US and dozens of other countries have recognised Guaidó as Venezuela’s rightful leader and shunned Maduro after accusing him of rigging his 2018 re-election.

But last month, Maduro said he had agreed on an agenda for future talks with US officials after meeting a delegation from Washington in the first such discussions in years.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Families of Colombian victims urge soldiers to reveal who ordered killings

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amilies of victims of extrajudicial executions committed by Colombian soldiers asked perpetrators to reveal who ordered the murders, during the latest public hearing of the country’s transitional justice court on Wednesday.

The so-called “false positive” killings, when soldiers murdered at least 6402 persons and recorded them as guerrillas killed in combat in order to earn promotions and other rewards, are one of Colombia’s most notorious human rights viola-

tions.

Dozens of former officials, including retired General Paulino Coronado, have already admitted their responsibility in the killings, which took place between 2002 and 2008 during the Administration of former President Alvaro Uribe.

One civilian and 10 retired soldiers, including Coronado, testified on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of a series of hearings by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) tribunal in the city of Ocana, in Norte

de Santander province.

They took responsibility and asked forgiveness for the deaths of at least 120 people.

“Don’t take the fall, don’t allow other people to remain free and you stay with this weight, tell us who gave the order to murder our sons,” said Blanca Nubia Monroy, the mother of victim Julian Oviedo.

Many of those killed were lured to Norte de Santander with false promises of work. (Excerpt from Reuters)

arbados’ economy has continued its climb out of recession, growing by 11.8 per cent between January and March mainly because of a big rebound in tourism.

Central Bank Governor Cleviston Haynes, who reported this on Wednesday in his first-quarter press conference at the Courtney Blackman Grande Salle, also said economic growth was also expected to be in double digits for all of 2022, even though the International Monetary Fund (IMF) downgraded its global growth forecast.

Haynes is, however, most

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She lived in the same home as her murdered mother.

Her 13-year-old discovered Jagessar’s body on the floor of the home when she returned home after the first day back to school.

An autopsy at the Forensic Science Centre in St James on Monday found Jagessar died of suffocation and blunt force trauma.

(Trinidad Guardian)

Sita Jagessar

reported.

“The uncertainty that pervades the world economy, as a result of ongoing health-related risks associated with the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, geopolitical events and monetary policy tightening in advanced economies, served as a poignant reminder of the challenges and vulnerability of the domestic economy.”

Haynes also cautioned that “a prolonged war could slow the global economic recovery and affect the revival of the local economy”.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

Calypso Rose, 82, to release single featuring Carlos Santana

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he’s 82 and Calypso Rose, Linda McCartha SandyLewis’s string of firsts in calypso continues.

The calypso legend turned 82 on April 27 and is set to release a new album called “Forever”.

The album’s first single, “Watina”, will feature famed, Grammyaward-winning musician Carlos Santana and will be released on May 20. The Mexican-born, American musician has many awards to his name and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

Posting to her Facebook page on April 27, Rose said she was feeling good and she thanked God for having kept her all these years.

“I miss you my fans all over the world and I think a lot about you, all the time. But don’t worry next month you’ll get a taste of me with Watina my first song of my new album Forever.”

The calypso icon’s manager Jean Michel Gibert said Rose was enjoying the

Ain’t no stopping her now: Linda McCartha Sandy-Lewis, aka Calypso Rose, 82, will release a new single next month and an album in August

day resting comfortably in her Queens, New York home.

“She is having a little gathering with people around her. All morning she has been receiving phone calls from all over the world and she has re-

ceived five bouquets of flowers coming from all over the world like France etc.

“She is really, really happy. She is joking and is really in very good spirits,” he added. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Sanctioned Venezuelan Judge named as President of top court

T&T: DPP orders that daughter be J charged with Jagessar’s murder

he Director of Public Prosecutions has advised Police to charge the daughter of Sita Jagessar, who was found murdered at her Debe, Trinidad home on April 19.

The DPP’s instructions came less than two hours after Jagessar’s funeral on Wednesday.

Melissa Jagessar will face a San Fernando Magistrate today.

concerned about elevated global uncertainty, especially the war in Ukraine, and its potential fallout for tourism, and the conflict’s continued negative influence on food and fuel prices.

“The positive signs of a robust economic recovery as witnessed during the last nine months of 2021 were sustained into the first quarter of the year. A re-emerging tourism sector helped to propel the growth momentum and to stabilise the labour market which registered a low level of jobless claims. However, despite the gains, activity is not yet at pre-COVID levels,” Haynes

udges on Venezuela’s Supreme Justice Tribunal on Wednesday named Gladys Gutierrez – who is under sanction by the United States – as the court’s new president.

Gutierrez is one of 20 Judges that Venezuela’s ruling-party controlled National Assembly appointed to the South American country’s top court earlier this week.

She replaces Maikel Moreno, who held the post as President for five years and has also been sanctioned by the United States.

Both the new Supreme

Court President and her predecessor were sanctioned in 2017 for decisions regarding Opposition lawmakers and what Washington said were actions counter to the rule of law.

Advocacy groups and critics of Venezuela’s Government view the court – which the Assembly recently trimmed from 32 Magistrates to 20, arguing it will speed rulings – as an extension of the country’s ruling party.

“We assume this responsibility, encouraged by the feelings of the people who trust in the Judiciary,” Gutierrez said in a state-

ment made via State television.

She also thanked President Nicolás Maduro for “pushing this new step in perfecting the justice system”.

Gutierrez held the same post between 2013 and 2017.

United Nations investigators said last year Venezuela’s justice system has perpetuated human rights violations as part of a state policy to suffocate opponents of the Maduro Government, accusations which Maduro denies.

(Reuters)

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Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS

Ukraine war: Putin warns against foreign intervention

Oil prices edge up as worldwide supply concerns remain at the fore

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il prices rose modestly on Wednesday owing to ongoing concerns about tight worldwide supply, underscored by another drawdown in US distillate and gasoline inventories.

The market rebounded late in the session after losing ground for most of the day, in part owing to strength in the dollar and as China grapples with fresh coronavirus outbreaks that are sapping demand. However, Russia's move to cut off gas shipments to two European nations added to overall worries about tight energy supply.

Brent crude futures settled up 33 cents to US$105.32 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled up 32 cents to US$102.02 a barrel.

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said crude stocks rose by just 692,000 barrels last week, short of expectations, while distillate inventories, which include diesel and jet fuel, fell to their lowest since May 2008.

The drop in distillate stocks helped boost US heating oil futures to an all-time closing record at more than US$4.67 a gallon. Refiners process crude into diesel, jet fuel and other products, and US refiners have been running at high rates to meet demand, particularly in Europe, a big user of diesel fuel.

Energy markets worldwide are dealing with massive disruptions to supply following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions slapped on Moscow by the United States and its allies.

UK major Shell said it would no longer accept refined oil blended with Russian products, according to trading documents, while ExxonMobil said it had declared force majeure on its Sakhalin-1 operations in the far eastern part of Russia.

This week, Moscow escalated its use of energy as a cudgel against countries opposed to the invasion. Russian energy giant Gazprom said on Wednesday it halted gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland.

"Russia wants the payments in roubles for gas, and the fear is that before long they may want to do the same with oil," said Claudio Galimberti, Senior Vice President of analysis at Rystad.

European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen said Russia was using fossil fuels to blackmail the EU, but added the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe was coming to an end.

The market earlier in the day had been pressured by a rally in the dollar, which hit a five-year high. Since most oil trade is conducted in dollars, a rising greenback makes oil purchases more expensive for holders of other currencies.

China's central bank said it would step up monetary policy support as Beijing races to stamp out a nascent COVID-19 outbreak in the capital and avert the same type of debilitating city-wide lockdown Shanghai has been under for a month. (Reuters)

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President Vladimir Putin said Russia had "all the tools" to respond

ny country trying to intervene in the Ukraine war will face a "lightning-fast" response, Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned.

"We have all the tools noone can boast of... we will

use them if necessary", he said, in what is seen as a reference to ballistic missiles and nuclear arms.

Ukraine's allies have stepped up the supply of weapons, with the US vowing to make sure Ukraine

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War era following Russia's February 24 invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions imposed on Moscow.

Reed, from Texas, was expected to arrive back in the United States on Wednesday night, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said. Senior US officials said the 30-yearold was in "good spirits".

"Today, we welcome home Trevor Reed and celebrate his return to the family that missed him dearly," President Joe Biden said in a statement, not-

President, Ursula von der Leyen said it showed Russia's "unreliability" as a supplier.

The Kremlin said Russia had been forced into the action by the "unfriendly steps" of Western nations.

Gazprom's cut-off follows Poland and Bulgaria's refusal to pay for gas in Russian roubles – a demand made by President Putin in March, which was designed to shore up the faltering currency battered

by Western sanctions.

Putin made his comments speaking to Russian lawmakers in the northern city of St Petersburg on Wednesday. (Excerpt from BBC News)

World Bank: Ukraine war to cause biggest price shock in 50 years

Ukraine is a major exporters of crops such as sunflower oil, but the war has reduced supplies

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he war in Ukraine is set to cause the "largest commodity shock" since the 1970s, the World Bank has warned.

In a new forecast, it said disruption caused by the conflict would contribute to huge price rises for goods ranging from natural gas to wheat and cotton.

The increase in prices "is starting to have very large economic and humanitarian effects", Peter Nagle, a co-author of the report, told the BBC. He said "households across the world are feeling the cost-of-living crisis".

"We're particularly worried about the poor-

US, Russia swap prisoners Reed and Yaroshenko amid war tensions

he United States and Russia swapped prisoners on Wednesday amid their most tense relations in decades over the war in Ukraine, with former US Marine Trevor Reed released in exchange for Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko.

The swap was not part of broader diplomatic talks and did not represent an American change in approach on Ukraine, US officials said. RussianAmerican ties have been at their worst since the Cold

defeats Russia.

Western officials say Russia is being hampered in its efforts in the east.

Last week, Russia launched a major offensive to seize the Donbas region after withdrawing from areas around the capital Kyiv.

But according to one official, Russian forces are "finding it difficult to overcome the staunch Ukrainian resistance and they are suffering losses".

In another development, the European Commission has accused Russia of blackmail after Moscow cut off gas exports to Poland and Bulgaria.

The Commission's

ing the parents' concerns about their son's health.

"The negotiations that allowed us to bring Trevor home required difficult decisions that I do not take lightly," Biden added.

Asked later on Wednesday how he was able to raise the issue of Reed's detention amid the broader tensions with Russia over Ukraine, Biden said, "I did it. I raised it.

I raised it three months ago."

Reed was convicted in Russia in 2019 of endangering the lives of two

Police Officers while drunk on a visit to Moscow. The United States called his trial a "theatre of the absurd".

US officials said Biden commuted the sentence of Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot who was arrested by American special forces in Liberia in 2010 and convicted for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the United States. Russia had proposed a prisoner swap for Yaroshenko in July 2019 in exchange for the release of any American.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

est households since they spend a larger share of income on food and energy, so they're particularly vulnerable to this price spike," the senior economist at the World Bank added.

Energy prices are set to increase more than 50 per cent, pushing up bills for households and businesses, the World Bank says.

The biggest rise will be in the price of natural gas in Europe, which is set to more than double in cost.

Prices are forecast to fall next year and in 2024, but even then will remain 15 per cent higher than they

were last year.

The World Bank said this means that from the lows of April 2020 until the highs of March this year we have seen "the largest 23-month increase in energy prices since the 1973 oil price hike", when tensions in the Middle East sent prices soaring.

Similarly oil prices are expected to remain elevated into 2024 with a barrel of the benchmark measure, Brent Crude, projected to average US$100 this year, something which will lead to widespread inflation.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Humanity’s insatiable greed degrading land around the world – UN

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uman activities are damaging and degrading the lands of the Earth in an unsustainable fashion according to a new United Nations report.

Up to 40 per cent of the global terrain has already been devalued, mainly through modern agriculture.

If nothing changes, then an additional area of land the size of South America will be damaged by 2050.

But if lands are restored and protected, they could help contain climate change and species loss.

This second edition of the Global Land Outlook has been five years in the making, and it examines how the world is managing land resources such as soil, water, and biodiversity.

A major focus is the degradation of the lands of the Earth. This means the actions that are causing the land's overall health to decline, become less fertile, store less carbon, and be able to support fewer species.

The report outlines the damage that's already been done, but also offers hope that improvements in how we manage the land environment can offer a better future.

Right now, around half the world's population is affected by the degradation of our lands.

Just one per cent of farms control 70 per cent of the world's agricultural land, while 80 per cent of all farms are under 2 hectares. (Excerpt from BBC News)

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

(March 21-April 19)

Think matters through. If you act from an emotional impetus, you will make mistakes. Someone will neglect to give you enough information to make a sound decision. Don't reveal your intentions.

Consider what others expect of you and do your best to exceed the mark of excellence. Be true to yourself and your beliefs when dealing with people who have different ideas and opinions.

DILBERT

(April 20-May 20) Take heed of suggestions, but don't rule out what your gut urges you to do when facing a tough decision. With a little discernment, you'll discover a path that can help you reach your goal.

(May 21-June 20) Don't let your emotions create instability. Be open to suggestions and put your energy behind good ideas. A change will turn out better than anticipated and give you the boost you need.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Watch what's happening around you and make sure that you can take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way. Be aware of what others want, but don't let their decisions influence yours.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Invest in something that brings you joy, and it will change your life. Making a move or taking in new scenery will lift your spirits and encourage you to connect with people who share your beliefs.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Think about your lifestyle and domestic environment and what you can do to make improvements. Put together a budget or plan that will help you reach your goal. Organization and discipline will pay off.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Work hard, and what you accomplish will put your mind at ease. You'll develop a masterful plan that will help you better handle your finances, health and contractual matters.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Slow down, look where you are going and think before speaking. Your insight and resources won't let you down if you back your decisions with action.

Organize your space.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Don't let your emotions ruin a good thing. Be a good listener and refrain from taking control. How you treat others and delegate responsibilities will boost your reputation.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Let others fend for themselves while you take care of what's important to you.

Reevaluate how you earn a living and handle money, and you'll come up with a sound plan.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) You can't lose if you act decisively.

Set your sights on what you want and make a beeline in that direction. Energy, enthusiasm and well-thought-out ideas will not disappoint.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

21

Rashid, Tewatia pull off another final-ball heist for Titans

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21-year-old and a 22-yearold made the world sit up and take notice: Abhishek Sharma carved up Rashid Khan, and Umran Malik roughed up Hardik Pandya. The new kids were gunning for the old pros, and it made this game all kinds of breathtaking. The result, if anyone cares, is that Gujarat Titans chased down 196 to beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets.

But honestly, this was way more. This was the IPL at its most vivid, pulse-pounding, heartbreaking best.

Because, in the space of 40 overs, we saw the future of Indian cricket and the enduring

… Umran Malik's five-for goes in vain

greatness of one of the very best in T20 cricket. Rashid actually did the unthinkable twice, bowling his fifth-most expensive spell ever, but then turning around and hitting three sixes in the final over and winning the game off its very last ball.

To get it to that point though, Titans needed Wriddhiman Saha at the top, scoring 68 off 38, and Rahul Tewatia in the middle, plundering an unbeaten 40 off 21.

The most unreal battle Abhishek had come up against Rashid only once before.

But that's in an actual IPL match.

Who knows how many times

SCOREBOARD

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD INNINGS (20 overs maximum) Abhishek Sharma b Joseph 65 Kane Williamson (c) b Mohammed Shami 5 Rahul Tripathi lbw b Mohammed Shami 16 Aiden Markram c Miller b Yash Dayal 56 Nicholas Pooran †c Shubman Gill b Mohammed Shami 3 Washington Sundar run out (Joseph) 3 Shashank Singh not out 25 Marco Jansen not out 8 Extras (w 14) 14 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.75) 195/6 Did not bat: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Umran Malik Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Kane Williamson, 2.5 ov), 2-44 (Rahul Tripathi, 4.6 ov), 3-140 (Abhishek Sharma, 15.1 ov), 4-147 (Nicholas Pooran, 16.3 ov), 5-161 (Aiden Markram, 17.6 ov), 6-162 (Washington Sundar, 18.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohammed Shami 4-0-39-3 Yash Dayal 4-0-24-1 Alzarri Joseph 4-0-35-1 Rashid Khan 4-0-45-0 Lockie Ferguson 4-0-52-0

GUJARAT TITANS INNINGS (Target: 196 runs from 20 overs) Wriddhiman Saha †b Umran Malik 68 Shubman Gill b Umran Malik 22 Hardik Pandya (c) c Jansen b Umran Malik 10 David Miller b Umran Malik 17 Rahul Tewatia not out 40 Abhinav Manohar b Umran Malik 0 Rashid Khan not out 31 Extras (lb 1, w 10) 11 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.95) 199/5 Did not bat: Lockie Ferguson, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Shami Fall of wickets: 1-69 (Shubman Gill, 7.4 ov), 2-85 (Hardik Pandya, 9.2 ov), 3-122 (Wriddhiman Saha, 13.2 ov), 4-139 (David Miller, 15.5 ov), 5-140 (Abhinav Manohar, 15.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-0-33-0 Marco Jansen 4-0-63-0 T Natarajan 4-0-43-0 Washington Sundar 4-0-34-0 Umran Malik 4-0-25-5

these two had sparred in the Sunrisers’ nets? And if events on Wednesday were any indication, they missed out on a massive money-making opportunity.

Charging admission to the nets while those two did battle would have raked in puh-lenty, because the 21-year-old kid kept powing the greatest legspinner in whiteball cricket.

Rashid ended his night with figures of 4-0-45-0. Abhishek was responsible for 34 of those runs, which came at a strike rate of 226, a massive improvement on the figure (107) left-handers usually manage against the Afghanistan ace in this tournament.

Titans had done their homework. They knew Aiden Markram was going a mere 115 runs per 100 balls of spin this season. They brought Rashid on to counter his threat, but Abhishek's presence at the other end completely killed the plan.

There was even a moment that signalled loud and clear that the youngster was picking the ball out of the hand. In the 15th over, when a ball was dropped short on leg stump, Abhishek didn't shape to pull, but instead made room for himself and straight-bat lofted it over cover, because he had seen it was the googly. That one moment exemplified this whole headto-head: Rashid Khan was no mystery to Abhishek Sharma.

The surprise cameo Shashank Singh is 30 years old. It was already 2019 by the time he made his professional debut. This game is cruel enough.

But to start so late…

Except this is the IPL era.

There are 10 franchises with tons

of scouts, whose networks reach the very corners of the country. If you've got talent, you're going to be found.

Shashank strikes at 142 in T20 cricket. He goes nearly a run a ball even in one-day cricket.

He's a born and raised big-hitter, just needed the stage to show it off. Well, here it was.

Lockie Ferguson ran in to bowl the 20th over, and Shashank thumped him for 6, 6 and 6. The first was pure reaction. The ball was full. He drove on the up. Six down the ground. Now the mind games began.

A fast bowler getting hit out of the park usually comes back with a bouncer, and Shashank was waiting for it. Boom! Six over midwicket. A fast bowler leaking runs in the last over goes back to basics. And Shashank, yet again, was waiting for it. Yorker turns into full-toss. Scooped for six over fine leg.

Aiden Markram was supposed to be Sunrisers' pacehitter, and he was, scoring 56 off 40 balls in a third-wicket partnership with Abhishek that contributed 96 off 61. But the innings that took Sunrisers' total all the way up to the stratosphere came from a total unknown.

The most unreal five-for Malik needed only four balls to break through. Until then, everything the Titans touched was ending up on the boundary.

Saha is a deeply underrated batter, especially in the powerplay, where his strike rate of 134.04 has him rubbing shoulders with legends like

Virender Sehwag, Adam Gilchrist and Chris Gayle.

He was single-handedly leading a team with a flawed top three into a winning position. But then Malik came on and broke his opening partner's stumps.

69 for 1. Then he broke Saha's stumps. 122 for 3. Then David Miller's. 139 for 4. And finally Abhinav Manohar's. 140 for 5.

This was a visceral spell of fast bowling. Most of Malik’s spells are because he is all about speed. He runs in from a distance. He explodes into the crease. And the ball comes out as if shot from a cannon. Only the very best batters can handle such a barrage, and even they are no match when a delivery at 150 kph lands in the perfect spot.

Saha was done by an inswinging yorker. Manohar was taken out by one that seamed away off the pitch. Hardik was beaten for pace, the second ball he faced bruising his back shoulder, another one catching him halfway into a pull shot. Let that sink in. Malik caught Hardik and his ferociously quick hands halfway through a shot. He really is that quick

Tewatia time At the end of Malik's spell (40-25-5), ESPNcricinfo's forecaster gave Titans a 12% chance of winning the game. And that was enough to wind Tewatia up.

Dude probably doesn't even get out of bed for a required rate under 12.

It was 17.5 when he sent one of the season's best death bowlers for 12 runs in the 19th

over. T Natarajan missed his yorker by just a few inches, and that was enough for the full-time miracle worker to smash it over deep midwicket for a six.

Sunrisers still had 21 runs to play with in the final over.

And that came down to 15 when Tewatia slog-swept Marco Jansen's first ball for another six. That bent-knee strike is just lethal, and has a range spanning mid-off to square leg. All it takes is the slightest mistake from the bowler, and Tewatia is already under the ball, preparing to send it into orbit.

Then Rashid came on strike with 15 needed off four. And Jansen overpitched. Bam! Back over his head for six.

Even with all that, it came down to Titans needing nine off the last two. Jansen knew this was it. He had to win the game with this ball. His best bet was hiding it from the batter's reach.

Wide yorker. Sliced for six!

Rashid broke the game open with that shot. And he was able to do that because he knows the way a bowler would think in that situation. After that, it was just a matter of those incredible wrists powering the ball over the rope.

Three off one now. Jansen goes slower bouncer, Rashid hooks on instinct. It flies to long leg. Natarajan is there. He leaps.

The entire ground/country holds its breath. A split-second stretches into eternity. The ball beats the fielder by inches, and the game is over.

Except it's not, because we'll all still be living it for years to come. (ESPNCricinfo)

12 teams vying for supremacy Fitness Express boosts Arrowhead League in Gobin Persaud Memorial T/20 …first meet on this weekend

…bowls off on May 5

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n anticipation of its first meet, Fitness Express has signed on as one of the sponsors of the Arrowhead League, which will commence on April 30th at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

At a simple presentation ceremony on Wednesday afternoon, proprietor of the fitness store, Jamie McDonald, disclosed the reason for his support when he highlighted the developmental aspect of the league.

“This league, in the next few years, will help to develop athletics, and when I saw it in the papers, I thought this would be good to be a part of, this is what the athletes need," McDonald shared.

Organiser of the event, Treiston Joseph, expressed his elation at Fitness Express’s backing. "With companies like Fitness Express on board, the overarching goal of moving

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Jamie McDonald of Fitness Express making a presentation to Treiston Joseph in the presence of AAG President Aubrey Hutson

the sport forward is easier to achieve," Joseph stated, while thanking Fitness Express.

Meanwhile, President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson, was also on hand to thank Fitness Express for its support in boosting the local athletics calendar.

Hutson remarked, “This league will help to give

the athletes consistent competition, and that is important.”

The first meet of the Arrowhead league will take place this Saturday, April 30, from 17:00hrs. The League was launched earlier in April with the intention of providing a more competitive Grand Prix in the sport, while working on developmental aspects.

welve teams will compete for top honours when the inaugural Gobin Persaud Memorial Twenty/20 Knockout tournament begins on May 5 at Canal Number Two Sports Club ground, WBD. An entrance fee is not required, but teams stand to walk away with lots of cash and other incentives when the tournament concludes on May 26. The winning team would collect $150,000, a trophy and medals for every team member, while the losing finalist would get $50,000, a trophy and runnerup individual medals.

Additionally, the Player of the Match in the final, the batter with the most runs and bowler with the most wickets would all take away trophies.

Tournament organizers Secharran and Tejpaul Persaud, respective son and grandson of Gobin Persaud,

Gobin Persaud

would also provide match balls and pay match officials for the tournament.

Matches will be played on Sundays and holidays, while the final will be played under floodlights. Teams will use colour clothing, and matches will be played with white balls.

This tournament honours the memory of Gobin Persaud who died on May 6, 2021 at the age of 85 years old.

Persaud had been a founding member of the Cultural Cricket

Club, and had been captain and later president of the club, located at Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara.

Off the field, Persaud had been a former Headmaster at both Endeavour Primary School and Commons Primary School, and had been former secretary of the Vidya Daan mandir. Overall, he had been a very prominent resident of the Canal Number Two Polder community.

The 12 teams participating in the tournament are: Canal Number Two Sports Club, Vive La Force Sports Club, Wales Community Development Council, Sawpit Sports Club, New Windsor Sports Club, Christ Ambassadors Sports Club, Bellevue Sports Club, Rising Stars Sports Club, McGill Super Stars Sports Club, All Youths Sports Club, La Grange All Stars, and Independence Sports Club.

22 GCB/Dave West Indian Imports and Exports U-15 Inter-County tourney continues today THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

D

ue to constant rain and the wet surface at the Number 69 Ground in Berbice, the highly anticipated clash between Berbice and Demerara was abandoned, and only one match was possible in the second round of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Dave West Indian Imports and Exports tourney.

The tournament will continue today, Thursday April 28, with Demerara playing Rising Stars Select Under-15 at Everest, while Berbice will take on Essequibo at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground at Bourda.

In the opening round of the tournament, Berbice defeated the Rising Stars Select team at Number 69 Village, while Demerara got the better of Essequibo at the Imam Bacchus ground at Affiance, Essequibo.

In the second-round lone match, the Rising Stars recorded a fourwicket win against Essequibo at

get good performances under their belts, as the selectors seek to assemble the best team

of the tournament is set for Friday April 29 at GCC Bourda.

(Brandon Corlette)

Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours to host Inter-Schools Kayaking Competition …Competition to be held on May 2

Arif Khan bowled with good steam for Berbice in round one (Brandon Corlette photos)

the Everest cricket ground.

Led by an all-round effort from Jonathon Mentore, Rising Stars chased down the target of 163, Mentore making an unbeaten 29 from 91 balls and taking 2 wickets for 35 runs.

Extras contributed 53 to the Rising Stars’ total, while Arvin Suknaand made 27 and Keron Phillips made 21. Verendra Pooran took 2-15 for Essequibo.

Earlier, Essequibo made 1624 from 50 overs, thanks to a 51run opening stand from Ethon Silas and Omarion Smith. Zandon Rose was the top-scorer for Essequibo with 51 runs from 61 balls, which was decorated with five fours and one six. Nicholas Lovell contributed 38 in an otherwise lacklustre Essequibo performance.

The players will be aiming to

“Cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana…

Rising start Adrian Hetmyer is latest to benfit from this project

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oung rising star Adrian Hetmyer is the latest cricketer to benefit from the project “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana” -- an initiative conceptualised by Kishan Das of the USA and by Anil Beharry of Guyana. He received one pair of batting pads, an arm guard, and a pair of batting gloves.

13-year-old Adrian Hetmyer, an all-rounder who plays for the rapidly progressing Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club, scored three centuries in four innings in the recently concluded BCB/Tenelec Inc Under-15 tournament for teams in Berbice.

The young, prolific righthanded batsman/fast bowler is currently representing the Berbice Under-15 team in the ongoing BCB/Dave West Indian Imports and Exports InterCounty tournament, which will be used to select the national team to participate in the CWI regional tournament.

Hetmyer had a good outing in the first match, scoring 31 runs and taking 2 wickets.

Unfortunately, the second game was washed out. He is the son of former national youth allrounder Seon Hetmyer, and nephew of current West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer.

Speaking on behalf of the classy young player, his father was extremely appreciative of the gesture. Both Das and Beharry are very excited to be associated with the young Hetmyer, and will closely follow his progress.

Total cricket related items collected so far: $130,000 cash, two trophies, 11 pairs of cricket boots, 16 pairs of batting pads, 17 bats, 10 pairs of batting gloves, 19 thigh pads, one wicketkeeping pad, one arm guard, one helmet and five cricket bags.

In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was

to represent Guyana at the upcoming Regional Under-15 tournament. The final match

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lite Kayaking and Nature Tours will be hosting the first ever Inter-Schools Kayaking Competition as part of the Linden Town Week celebrations.

The competition will be launched this Friday at 10h, and regional officials, subject ministers and participants will be present.

An exciting “Exhibition Race” will be staged.

The actual competition, which will be held on Monday May 2nd from 10:00h, has been fully endorsed by the Ministry of Education, and will see participation of all secondary schools in Region 10, along with two guest schools from Georgetown, namely Queen’s College and St. Rose’s High.

The action will commence at the Egbert Benjamin Hall and conclude at the Watooka Guest House, and that race will be followed by a brief presentation of awards and cash prizes. Trophies & cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 schools overall, and the individual top 3 kayakers for each individual category.

This pioneering competition promises to be laced with excitement, adventure, and much anticipated competitive spirit

among all secondary schools in Region 10. The intention of this pioneering event is to highlight the concept of sport tourism, build social cohesion, and catapult Guyana towards the achievement of transformational development and holistically building the ideals of “One Guyana.”

Never before has there been a competition of this nature (connecting sports, ecotourism and education), by which participants compete for a grand prize and “boasting rights”, which promotes healthy competitive attitudes among athletes.

A four-person team is required as the races are: (1) Male category (2) Female category and (3) Relay category consisting of a sprint from the Alumina Plant to the Egbert Benjamin Hall, tagging their partner who

Rain forces abandonment of play in ESCL Over-40 competition

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Adrian Hetmyer with his gears

donated by former national wicket-keeper batsman Sheik Mohamed.

To date, 34 young players from all three counties of Guyana have already benefited from a junior gear bag, two trophies, 10 bats, 9 pairs of cricket shoes, 7 pairs of batting pads, one arm guard and 8 pairs of batting gloves.

In addition, the Rose Hall Estate Cricket Club benefited from a pair of stumps and bails, and two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees, Cotton Tree Die Hard and Rose Hall Estate CC have each received one box of red cricket balls.

Cricket related items, used or new, will be distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country, and club leaders will also assist

to identify talent.

The committee of the project is grateful to Javed and Imran of West Indian Sports Complex, Option Group of USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish Panday of P and P Insurance Brokers, Sean Devers, Trevis Simon, Årïêl J. Tïlkú, Aaron Beharry, Leanna Bachan and Imran Saccoor, Devon Ramnauth, Teddy Singh, Romash Munna, Ravi Etwaroo, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra Harkishun, Allan Mangru, Vishal Mahabir, Sherman Austin, Huburn Evans, Rajendra Daniel Sadeo and Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Sheik Mohamed of Star Sports Awards and Trophies and Ajay Gainda of Cricket Equipment Guyana, Peter Ramkissoon, Rabindranath Saywack, Roshan Gaffoor, Denesh Chandrapaul, Ameer Rahaman and Dr Cecil Beharry.

Distribution will continue.

Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry on 623-6875, or Kishan Das on 1 718-664-0896.

ain last Sunday forced the abandonment of play in the 2022 Essequibo Softball Cricket League’s (ESCL’s) Over-40, 20-Over competition, but the action is set to resume this Sunday with two matches.

According to ESCL Chairman Wakeel Layne, two games were scheduled, but because of the rain, play was not possible, and four teams shared the points.

However, the match between Caribbean Cricket Club and Queenstown Tigers could have been played at Hibernia facility, had the Tigers not failed to take the field, giving Caribbean Cricket Club a win by walkover.

Layne also informed that the semi-final segment is slated for May 15th at a venue to be named.

Six teams are currently participating.

He also notified that the championship game is fixed for May 22nd at the Affiance Number 1 ground, and that match would be preceded by the third-game play-off.

The winners are set

will then kayak to Watooka Guest House. Professional and competent lifeguards will be present throughout the entire journey, lifejackets will be worn by all participants, a medical evacuation team and first responders would also be present (in the water via speedboats) escorting the participants through the race, and Regional Education officials along with PE teachers from each respective school will be accompanying the students to support and cheer them on as they participate in this competition.

The event promises to be unique, rewarding, and trendsetting in an innovative way that would showcase the schools’ athletic talents as they experience “Sport Tourism” through the newly introduced sport: “kayaking.”

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Wakeel Layne

to pocket $100,000 and a trophy, while the runnersup team will take home $50,000 and a trophy as well. The Most Valuable Player in the final would collect $10,000, while $20,000 is up for grabs for the most runs and most wickets respectively in the entire competition. The player with most catches would also be awarded $10,000.

Meanwhile, the two matches to be played this Sunday would see Ravens Sports Club tackling Queenstown Tigers, and Sunrisers Masters and Devonshire Castle Sports Club confronting each other. Venues are to be announced.

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

Phone 264-2946; 626-5290

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

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

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23

"I HAVE HAD ENOUGH," says Hilbert Foster – calls it a day as BCB President – says he has no hard feelings against those who voted against him as CWI Director

By Brandon Corlette

H

aving been replaced as Cricket West Indies Director and stepped down as Vice President of the Guyana Cricket Board, Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) boss Hilbert Foster is set to resign from the presidency of the BCB as well. His resignation would take effect from July 31, 2022.

Foster made this an official announcement on Sunday last at the BCB awards ceremony.

"My third term as President of the BCB is supposed to end on December 31, 2023, but, sadly, I submitted my resignation to the executives of the BCB effective July 31, 2022. The BCB executives have rejected it, but I have had enough. My future is with my family, my church, my club, and to be honest, to prepare for old age,” he declared.

“I want to make quite clear that the BCB under my

Current BCB President Hilbert Foster, former CWI Director and former GCB Vice-President

leadership has never tried to sabotage anyone, or to work against the best interest of our cricket. I want to thank Minister Charles Ramson for his support at the national level, and (I want to thank) the thousands of persons who supported me," Foster said.

He added: "the BCB has rejected my offer, and it still stands. It is my sincere hope that the BCB starts preparing

someone to take on August 1. My baby is the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club.

This year we were knocked out of two competitions, which we should not have.

I don't have the time with my club because I have to rush behind BCB. We were knocked out of the U-15 and U-17, never happen in 31year history, and my priority is with that club."

Although Foster has served as a Cricket West Indies (CWI) Director for only a year, the news of his replacement in that body has shocked many. Foster has said he holds no personal grudge against those who voted against him remaining CWI Director.

"I have no ill feelings, no hatred, for those who voted to remove me as a Director of CWI. I want to express thanks to everyone who has allowed me to serve one year, and I think I did that to the best of my abilities. I wish the Guyana Cricket Board

MCY&S intent on utilising expertise of 1980 Olympic Medalist Mike Parris

M

ichael Parris won three fights at the Summer Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980 on his way to a bronze medal and, more notably, Guyana’s only Olympic medal. Parris downed Nureni Gbadamosi of Nigeria (unanimous), Syria’s Fayez Zaghloul (split decision) and Daniel Zaragoza of Mexico (TKO) in the Round of 32, 16 and quarterfinals respectively.

Although he lost the semifinal bout to Cuba’s Juan Hernandez, Parris had already secured the accolade.

No athlete has since achieved the feat, and Parris is feeling underappreciated in a country that is yet to produce a second Olympic medalist.

In an attempt to both appease Parris’s feelings and address the interest of utilizing Parris’s expertise in future, Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. made a presentation to Parris on Wednesday afternoon, the first step in honouring that acclaimed fighter.

“Michael had said to me that he always felt as though he was never really recognised, ever since he’s gotten his bronze medal. Of course, that is not something that would sit nicely with me, because we’re on a trajectory now, the Ministry, where we’re looking to develop the programmes that will help us to become more competitive on the international level,” Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. shared during the presentation at the Ministry’s Boardroom on Wednesday afternoon.

“So, we’re very happy to have Michael here. Michael stands out as a legend in sport in this country, and

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr, Olympic Medalist Michael Parris, and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle (Jemima Holmes Photo)

the Ministry sees it fit to engage him,” Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, echoed in similar thought.

Highlighting that Parris’s experiences are key to the international success of upcoming athletes, Ramson discussed ways in which he hopes to utilise the expertise of this pugilist.

The Sport Minister indicated, “I want the public to know that we met with Michael and we’re making this presentation to him. It’s going to be a double presentation: we’re going to be having our Sports Conference later this year, slated for around October, and that is when we would want Michael to be featured more prominently in front of all the Sports Associations and Federations.”

“So, this here is just a signal to the public about where the Ministry and the Government of Guyana stands in relation to making this presentation to Michael; and to signal to young people that when

they do well, they should always be recognised,” Ramson Jr. further stated.

For his part, Parris explained that he is not in the business for himself, but rather to give upcoming athletes an example of what they can expect when they excel.

“Indeed, it is an honour to be recognised.

Being a CAC bronze medalist, being Guyana and the Caribbean’s (English speaking) first and only Olympic medalist, I hope this token will help inspire the young men and women to use the opportunity to go and receive medals at the CAC, Commonwealth and Olympic Games, to come back and receive what Michael Parris received,” the Olympic medalist explained.

Parris was presented with a sculpture by a Guyanese artist and a monetary donation on Wednesday afternoon.

Michael Parris is also the recipient of a National Award, the Medal of Service. (Jemima Holmes)

all the best, especially the new President and the new Director.

“I wish the GCB all the success in the future, and they will always have my full support. It is not about Hilbert Foster, it is about our young people," Foster said in an emotional speech.

He also noted that, for the sake of youth development, prayers are required for the success of the GCB. On March 26, 2022, Foster was replaced by Deleep Singh as a CWI Director. Singh is President of the Essequibo Cricket Board, and according to a GCB release, “Mr. Singh’s

election to the position of CWI Director is in keeping with a traditional practice that seeks to alternate director selection. Singh is the first Essequibian to hold this prestigious position of CWI Director since Mr. Beni Sankar some 25 years ago.

Mixed bag for Badminton Pan Am team on first day

G

uyana’s four-member team has served off its campaign at the Pan American Individual Badminton Championships 2022, and has seen a mixed bag of results on the first day of competition.

Commencing in the Men’s singles Round of 64, Tyrese Jeffrey came up against Carlos Rodriguez of El Salvador and the results were 19-21, 21-6, 21-6 in favour of Rodriguez.

However, Narayan Ramdhani gained a bye to the Round of 32, while compatriot Akili Haynes got a walkover.

In the Women’s singles Round of 64, Priyanna Ramdhani suffered a hard-fought loss to Karolina Orellana Ardon of Guatemala. Priyanna is said to have played well, but the match eventually went Ardon’s way 21-13, 21-17.

In the Men’s Doubles Round of 32, Akili Haynes

The Ramdhani siblings in action

and Tyrese Jeffrey came up against Kevin Lee and Tye Alexander Lindeman of Canada, and lost 21-6, 21-9. Narayan Ramdhani teamed up with Trinidadian Nicholas Bonkowsky and gained a bye to the Round of 16.

In Mixed Doubles Round of 64, the Ramdhani siblings defeated Gavin Robinson and Monyata Riviera of Barbados 21-17, 21-17 to

advance to the Round of 32.

Next on the agenda for the Guyanese team, Narayan Ramdhani and Akili Haynes will head into the Men’s Singles Round of 32, the Ramdhani siblings will also compete in the Mixed Doubles, Round of 32, while Narayan Ramdhani would also feature in the Mixed doubles with his Trinidadian partner.

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

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

Page 23

"I HAVE HAD ENOUGH," says Hilbert Foster MCY&S intent on utilising – calls it a day as BCB President – says he has no hard feelings against those who voted against him as CWI Director

expertise of 1980 Olympic Medalist Mike Parris Page 23

Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours to host Inter-Schools Kayaking Competition Pg 22

…Competition to be held on May 2

Fitness Express boosts Arrowhead League …first meet on this weekend

Page 21

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