Guyana Times -- Thursday, December 16, 2021

Jail time, fines coming as Govt looks to clamp down P on property fraud

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…amendments to Power of Attorney laws for debate today Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4863

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

President Ali praises dynamism of landmark Local Content Bill – as SBM Offshore head office opens See story on page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Unvaccinated Region 10 P16 woman is latest COVID fatality …Task Force to clamp down on businesses during holidays - Health Minister

Security officer arrested after $1.2M goes missing from DSL, Massy P14 Man riding electric bike dies in Corentyne accident P10

SBM Offshore General Manager Francesco Prazzo gives President Dr Irfaan Ali and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat a tour of the corporate office (see photo left) of SBM Offshore, Sheriff Street, Georgetown (Office of the President photos)

Discussions with investor into agroprocessing facility well advanced – Ali …investment to create opportunities for hundreds of farmers

Page 7

Row over $120 ends in murder at bus park Amerindian Affairs Ministry PS to be charged for corruption – Crime Chief

$1.5B in contracts inherited from APNU/AFC terminated Page due to poor performance 14 Page 14

P10 Bandit discharges gun after robbing businessman

Page 2

Minibus conductor Morven Nurse (in white) arguing with Paul Junior Lynch (in blue) during the confrontation

Carpenter P15 who told child to steal cell phone charged

Election fraud cases

No Judge and jury – Prosecutor tells court in P8 argument for summary trial

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jail time, fines coming as Govt looks to clamp down on property fraud …amendments to Power of Attorney laws for debate today

G

iven the high instance of fraud involving the use of Power-ofAttorney documents, the Guyana Government will be defending a series of changes to the legislation to strengthen the protection of people’s property, thus making it more difficult for fraudulent transactions to be executed.

The Power of Attorney (Amendment) Bill 2021 was tabled in the National Assembly on Monday, and will come up for debate at to-

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC

day’s sitting.

During his weekly programme – Issues In the News – Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall SC, explained that these changes to the Power of Attorney Act were necessary, especially given the large number of cases whereby persons are defrauded of their property either by persons to whom they have entrusted their Power of Attorney or persons who fraudulently create such

documents.

In fact, only recently the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had called upon the Guyana Government to put systems in place to protect property owners.

“We have had in Guyana an unusually high instance of fraud as it relates to immovable property. Every Guyanese are aware of a story where someone, either living in Guyana or living outside of Guyana, whose property has been defraud-

ed… The Government is responding,” the AG stated.

Among the proposed amendments is one requiring the donor and donee to both appear together personally before a Notary Public or Magistrate with two original photo identification documents each, that is, identification cards, passports or drivers’ licences, as well

as copies of each document to establish their identities. In cases, where the donor is abroad and the donee is in Guyana, then they are both still required to appear before a Notary Public or Magistrate in their respective countries with the required identification documents.

TURN TO PAGE 7

Row over $120 ends in murder at bus park

M

orven Nurse of Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD), a 30-year-old minibus conductor also known as “2pack”, was on Wednesday stabbed to death by another minibus conductor during an argument over $120.

The incident occurred at around 11:00h at the Route 44 Bus Park located at Commerce Street in Georgetown.

Dead: Morven Nurse

Minibus conductor Morven Nurse [in white] arguing with Paul Junior Lynch [in blue] during the confrontation

The Police have said that Nurse and the suspect were at the bus park when an argument erupted between them, during which they began to pelt each other with empty beer bottles and bricks. As the confrontation escalated, the suspect whipped out a knife and stabbed Nurse to his chest.

Nurse ran a short distance before falling to the ground, while the suspect escaped in a minibus.

Nurse attempted to get up and walk, but again fell to the ground. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he died while undergoing surgery.

Eyewitnesses at the scene told this publication that the duo were arguing over $120.

Following the incident, the Police issued a wanted bulletin for the suspect, who has been identified as 27-year-old Paul Junior Lynch.

The suspect Paul Junior Lynch who turned himself in to Police custody

Lynch’s last known address is Lot 1276 Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

However, some hours after a wanted bulletin was issued for Paul Junior Lynch’s arrest for murder, the 27-year-old minibus conductor surrendered to the Police at Brickdam in the company of two attorneys.

Investigations are ongoing. (G9)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Thursday, December 16 – 02:30h-04:00h and 13:30-15:00h and Friday, December 17 – 03:00h-04:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, December 16 – 14:30h-16:00h and Friday, December 17 – 15:00h-16:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers are expected during the day with lightly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Northerly to North North-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 14:45h reaching a maximum height of 2.48 metres.

Low Tide: 08:20h and 20:46h reaching minimum heights of 0.85 metre and 0.71 metre.

Pres Ali praises dynamism of landmark Local Content Bill …as SBM Offshore head office opens

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali has praised the landmark Local Content Bill that would be laid in the National Assembly today, almost two years since oil production started, as a dynamic document that, once passed, would ensure Guyanese get increased opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

The President made these remarks while addressing attendees at SBM Offshore’s opening of its corporate office at Lot 74 Sheriff Street on Wednesday.

While the President acknowledged the criticisms that the Local Content Bill has been a long time coming, he noted that it has arrived through a very thorough process.

“There is a process. Like every sector, there is a process to which we arrive at a position of perfection or a position of… great influence. So, the bill basically reflects this reality, ensuring that there is enough scope through a legislative framework that incentivises investment from the local Private Sector. And enable the local Private Sector to be an important party to the development of the sector, but more importantly an important participant and stakeholder in the opportunities in the sector.

“And these opportunities will advance and graduate as we improve and build capacity and develop the skills and have greater investment in the sector. It offers a clear directional pathway that we can do it; that with the right type of integration and business model, eventually, we can have Guyanese companies offering the service capabilities – through graduated investment, through partnership,” he explained.

Conscious of realities

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

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Crude Oil

$74.48/barrel

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$250.29/ton

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According to the President, this graduated process can be used in having Guyanese who were recruited and trained work on the fabrication of the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels.

“So, as we move to the very important part of the advancement of this sector, I want us to be conscious of the realities, the opportunities and I’m proud of the product that would be the cata-

President Dr Irfaan Ali (left) and SBM Offshore General Manager Francesco Prazzo during the unveiling of a plaque at the new office

lytical directional legislative push for the further involvement of Guyanese.”

Also present at the event was Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat. The Minister spoke of the Government’s push when it comes to local content and its efforts to manage the sector notwithstanding the challenges that have come with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The last two years have been two challenging years for us in Guyana, but through the prudent management of President Ali and his team and also the resilience of companies like SBM and our partners Exxon and others, we would have established ourselves as one of the main players in the oil and gas sector in this hemisphere,” he said.

“And tomorrow will be a day that will be recorded in the history of our country. It is the day when we will present to the National Assembly of our country, our local content bill as well as the amendments to our Natural Resource Fund Act.” According to Minister Bharrat, these two bills speak to the Government’s commitment to not only ensure that Guyanese benefit from the oil and gas sector but that management of the sector is done in an accountable and transparent way.

Commitment

ExxonMobil Country Manager Alastair Routledge also addressed the attendees at the opening, and spoke of SBM’s local content commitment, evidenced by the fact that it set up a local affiliate in Guyana even before Exxon awarded the company the contract to construct the Liza Destiny FPSO – currently producing oil in the Liza field.

“We have to go back and remember that SBM established the local affiliate before ExxonMobil awarded the first contract to them, for the engineering, procurement and construction of the Liza Destiny FPSO. I take that really as a symbol of their commitment to the country and their eagerness to come here, begin recruiting and engage with the workforce,” Routledge said.

SBM Managing Director for Offshore Operations, Oivind Tangen meanwhile spoke of the upcoming projects that ExxonMobil would be implementing and the capacity building SBM would have to do. Additionally, he noted, SBM does not take its responsibility to Guyana lightly.

“We feel it’s an incredible responsibility to be working at the heart of the harvesting of the natural resources of the countries in which we operate. And we do not take this responsibility lightly,” he said. (G3)

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

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

Drunk-driving is fully preventable

T

he holidays are associated with fun and merriment, but for members of the Guyana Police Force, it means working harder to ensure that the citizens are safer. This they are doing through their annual Christmas security plans. When Christmas plans were discussed recently, questions were raised on whether the Police Traffic Department had any plan to make the roads safer over the holidays.

This year has seen many major accidents. During the holidays, we are going to see an increase in the number of traffic offences, all because of increased congestion on the roads. In addition, high stress levels typically associated with the holidays would add to the recklessness on the roads. And for this reason, we are disappointed – as we were last year – at the Traffic Department’s approach to the holiday traffic. For inasmuch as an increase in traffic offences is worrying, it is even more worrying that the probability of accidents and deaths would increase as a result of drunk-driving particularly.

In the lead-up to the Christmas holidays some time ago, we mentioned that the Police would have to be more vigilant for drivers operating under the influence of alcohol. This year, it is necessary to ask if the traffic Police are more prepared this time around to handle the increase in traffic offences - especially drunk-driving. Drunk-driving is one of the most troubling traffic offences. Driving while either intoxicated or drunk is dangerous, and drivers with high blood alcohol content or concentration (BAC) are at greatly increased risk of being involved in car accidents and sustaining highway injuries and/or vehicular deaths.

Every single injury and death caused by drunk-driving is fully preventable. Although the proportion of alcoholrelated crashes locally may not be as significant as they are in other countries, those that occur are still worrying.

Unfortunately, in spite of these concerns, alcoholimpaired driving remains a serious national problem that tragically affects many victims and their families.

The approach to combat drunk-driving is severely lacking; and were the Police more prepared for this battle, then, as the holidays approach, public messages via the media would have been issued to citizens to constantly remind drivers about the impacts of drunk-driving and what the law’s position on it is. Cautioning drivers every time about getting behind the wheel after surpassing the drink limit is necessary, as every year there are scores of young and new drivers who are not familiar with these issues, or the reality of the roads.

With the passage of the drunk-driving law over 10 years ago, implementation of the breathalyser test, and heavier fines for drinking and driving, it was thought that this particular offence would have decreased. These measures would not yield the best results if they are not used in a more holistic plan that aims to make the roads safer. Drivers need constant reminders about the dangers of drunk-driving, and the Police must have plans that proactively seek out drunk drivers before they drive off.

As the Christmas and New Year holidays draw nearer, the Traffic Department is urged to implement more measures to prevent – as much as possible – drivers from drinking and getting behind the wheel. This year has seen far too many deaths, and Christmas makes it even easier for people to die, since alcohol consumption increases and is perhaps higher than it would have been over the rest of the year. The aim should be for an accident-free holiday; and in achieving this, the Police may consider issuing public messages mandating the installation of interlock devices that prevent intoxicated persons from starting a vehicle, vehicle impoundment or immobilisation, and the implementation of an alcohol server training programme.

These measures can make a difference between life and death.

GBTI donated close to 100 gifts for underprivileged children through the Guyana Red Cross in a show of its continued support to the Guyana Red Cross Wreath of Smiles initiative. The gifts will be given to children of Hararuni Village on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

In photo, GBTI Team Members present the gifts to Red Cross representative Tashana Legall (GBTI photo)

Eligible Guyanese were side-lined under APNU/AFC's COVID-19 Relief voucher programme Dear Editor, Most recently, the Audit Office of Guyana launched a special audit on the former APNU/AFC Administration’s COVID-19 pandemic assistance voucher programme for the period March to September 2020.

Under this programme, the former Government provided economic relief to citizens, including supplies and vouchers valued between $25,000 and $32,000.

However, Guyanese who needed assistance were denied. Over 9000 out of 11,000 qualified applicants did not receive vouchers, and these APNU/AFC officials have not explained why. The programme excluded persons in the hinterland regions.

Instead, they were promised hampers, the report stated.

According to the report, the COVID-19 Relief programme was supposed to be for residents of Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10. The application process started in May 2020, and by June of 2020, some 26,283 applications had been received.

One of the report’s findings was that vouchers were distributed to persons in regions not identified for vouchers.

From the evidence that unfolded from the audit, it was clear that while the APNU/ AFC Government was trying to steal an election, they were busy discriminating and penalising Guyanese citizens whom they believed supported the PPP/C political party.

The special audit found, however, that of the 11,098 applicants who were eligible for the relief, only 1814 were shortlisted for verification.

This means that 9284 qualified applicants did not receive vouchers. Further, the Auditor General said no explanation was given as reason.

What every Guyanese needs to know is that during the COVID-19 pandemic Relief vouchers’ distribution process under the APNU/ AFC Administration in 2020, it was uncovered that over 9000 applicants who were eligible to receive vouchers were sidelined under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance Voucher Programme came into operation sometime in March/April 2020. The aim and objective of the programme was to provide economic relief to vulnerable households through the supply of hampers with fresh foods, dry rations, toiletries and sanitation items.

The programme targeted single parents, senior citizens, disabled persons, and persons who suffered a loss of income due to the pandemic.

The programme was funded through the allocation of funds from the budget for the various agencies responsible for the management of the programme for the financial year 2020.

Persons interested in bene-

fiting from the programme were required to register online. Those without internet access were required to contact either the Ministry of Social Protection or the Ministry of Communities to have their application forms completed. Applicants were then shortlisted based on eligibility criteria approved by the Ministry of Finance.

Eligible applicants’ information was verified and approved. Vouchers valued between $25,000 and $32,000 were dispatched by the post office.

Among the many corrupt processes that were discovered were incidents wherein multiple applications were processed for one applicant.

There were also cases where forms of identification were not entered into the database for applicants. It is clear to me that while the APNU/ AFC were putting this country and the Guyanese citizens through the 5 months of post-elections fiasco and saga, they were busy rejecting eligible and vulnerable households of many Guyanese, while ensuring that most of their support base benefit, even though they were not eligible, based on the criteria established.

The writing in on the wall as clear as crystal that the former APNU/AFC Administration didn't care about the Guyanese people when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020. Compare this with the actions of the

People's Progressive Party/ Civic, which took office on August 02, 2020 and immediately put measures in place to support and protect every Guyanese, regardless of one's political affiliation; which clearly demonstrates that Guyanese have finally elected a Government that cares about every citizen.

Our PPP/C elected Government immediately rolled out a universal cash transfer programme, delivering COVID-19 cash grants to every household across the country.

This injected essential liquidity into the household sector, and by extension helped to kickstart a resumption of economic activities.

Most recently, pensioners of Region Ten were able to sustain themselves for an additional month following the rollout of Government’s $25,000 one-off cash grant focused on rendering financial support amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The $25,000 grant benefited some 65,000 pensioners, and placed an additional $1.6 billion of disposable income in the hands of senior citizens.

A Government that cares about its citizens does not deny them and reject them from COVID-19 Relief funds.

APNU/AFC, you are encouraged to take this page out of our PPP/C Administration’s book.

Sincerely, David Adams

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

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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

Pleased with proposed Local Content legislation requirements

Dear Editor, During the final consultation on the Local Content legislation, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) was heartened to learn that many of our concerns were addressed by the Government.

In recent times, our Union has outlined the dominance of foreign labour in the sector, to the detriment of

Guyanese. On several occasions, we have drawn to the public’s attention that Guyanese workers, though qualified and capable, were sidelined and made to undertake roles for which they were more than qualified.

We considered this an affront to our Guyanese working people who, over the years, have amassed considerable skill and experience. We not-

ed that such attitudes hark back to a bygone period, and we could not condone such actions.

The GAWU was therefore pleased that the Government, through the proposed legislation, was seeking to correct this malady. The legislation, we noted, has addressed Guyanese participation not only at the ownership level, but has gone deeper to

A public call to the University of Guyana Dear Editor, I want to express an urgent call to the University of Guyana’s Academic Board to complete the process of certifying potential graduates, hence paving the way for an early graduation ceremony.

Editor, my niece is currently on an online scholarship through the GOAL programme. She is required to provide to the online university the diploma, certificate or official tran-

script for her programme that she completed since August 2021, in order for her to have successful entry. Unfortunately, she cannot progress on this issue since UG has not held graduation as yet for the students of 2021, and the online university is adamant about seeing the student’s certification. Editor, I hope that UG doesn’t hold its graduation in March, as it did in 2021, as this would seriously push my

niece further off her potential academic pathway.

I call for UG to immediately implement a process for students who have immediately matriculated to higher learning outside of UG to be given precedence in the processing of their certifying documents, so that they can continue without any of this red tape.

Regards, Shondell Henry

Race for PNC leadership is like fighting to be captain after Titanic hit the iceberg Dear Editor, The PNC is in a bad place right now. Following its failed attempt to rig the 2020 elections in full view of a watching world, the two top candidates running for Party Leader were leaders of the extreme wing claiming dead people flew to Guyana and voted and sneaked back out, and they have immigration records to prove it.

They refer to the democratically elected PPP as an “installed Government”, so that makes them the “installed Opposition.” These leaders have put themselves in a self-imposed locked box which keeps them on the looney side. Political leaders would have zero credibility when they say such stupid stuff to their followers, thinking everybody would believe such nonsense.

What was worse was the West Berbice incitement of rioting, burning, looting, and pulling out people of Indian descent out of vehicles and brutalising them.

And the PNC leaders did not condemn that, neither did the PPP Government make sure all the perpetrators were charged, although an abundance of video footage exists to identify the perpetrators.

How will the Government side explain that? You would not find anyone who is not a usual PNC supporter who would say the PNC has a chance of getting back in power. The PNC was a dictatorship for 28 years, lost elections to the PPP for 23 years, then got in with

crossover votes in 2015, and proved once and for all that it never transformed itself or repudiated Burnhamism.

It’s in its DNA to be crooked. It shattered the trust of those crossover voters, and it got booted by the PPP in 2020. After the harrowing, draining five months of the failed rigging, people say, “Never again, PNC!” The rigging was the PNC’s iceberg, and its ship is sinking, so fighting to be the PNC Leader now is like fighting to see who would be the captain of the Titanic after it hit the iceberg. It does not matter, the ship is going down, the PNC has no redeeming value; the only thing the PNC has going for it is its “nuisance” value. It is still able to bring out miscreants to do street action; is prone to encourage and condone violence; and its New York agitators encourage from afar to “burn the place down.” (That should win more crossover votes!).

Dr Tara Singh has asked an excellent question in a letter, “Would the New PNCR Leader bring his party closer to State power?” As it is, the answer is no. We want the PNC to be a responsible respected Opposition, with honesty, integrity and decency. Respect the Government. Act with decorum as if you are role models. (Minister Ramson was right!). Dispense with the bully behaviours, and hold the PPP accountable.

That’s why you won 31 seats, and we expect you to do your job in Parliament.

Ask many questions about where is the PPP’s 5-10year Development Plan. Ask many questions about oil and gas, and all those big projects. That’s where corruption happens. Sponsor a bill asking Government to renegotiate the oil and other natural resource contracts that give away our wealth to foreigners. Critique their policies and offer alternative policies. Don’t be quick to jump on the race bandwagon when the issue does not have a race demon in it.

Do you think that stirring up racial agitation wins support from any potential crossover voters? My answer to Dr. Tara is the PNC Leader can bring his party closer to State Power if he apologises to the nation for his party giving away the poor people’s oil resources, and joins the bandwagon for renegotiation of the oil and all natural resources’ contracts. This single action is the highest priority for all Guyana if we want to get more income to drag us out of our persistent poverty.

I believe Mr. Norton is smart enough to understand that renegotiation of the oil and natural resources’ contracts is the only salvation for Guyana, especially the working class, and its own supporters.

Until the PNC side catches some sense, and until they find new, decent, credible leaders, let’s enjoy the circus!

Sincerely, Dr Jerry Jailall

speak to managerial and employment. This requirement, alongside requirements to improve Guyanese participation in the coming years, would undoubtedly allow our workers to have a fair chance to be able to benefit from the sector, and contribute to our development.

We have also highlighted massive disparities in pay and other conditions of work between foreigners and locals. Indeed, it was saddening to learn that our Guyanese were receiving several times less than their foreign counterparts, though they work alongside each other, undertaking practically the same tasks.

Apart from variations in pay, we have reported that foreigners are enjoy other conditions which Guyanese are denied without any rhyme or reason. Our Union was happy to learn that the legislation would impose requirements that foreigners and locals receive equal benefits. This, of course, is an

extension of our Prevention of Discrimination Act, and bodes well for our Guyanese.

During previous consultative exercises, our Union had expressed these concerns.

We charged that Guyanese had every right to benefit from the sector, and we see the Local Content legislation as a pivotal step in this direction. With the expected implementation of the legislation and a shifting to tasks to Guyanese enterprises, we expect to see our workers being treated fairly and equitably. At this time, we are eager to fully review the legislation and to have a greater understanding of the enforcement mechanism. This, we recognise, would give the legislation its true meaning, and bring about the intended benefits.

Though we recognise that the legislation would address some concerns, it does not completely eliminate the challenges workers in the sector are facing. Remuneration and other conditions of work

remain a foremost concern of workers in the sector. The continued disrespect shown to workers of the sector, whether employed by local or foreign enterprises, remains a deep-seated concern of GAWU. Indeed, the workers of the sector, like all workers of Guyana, deserve to be treated fairly and justly. Our Union will continue to speak on behalf of the workers, who continue to be confronted by exploitative relations.

Many workers have confided in us the travails they are enduring and the benefits of which they are being cheated. Indeed, it is simply disheartening that workers in our country are treated in such a disdainful manner.

The GAWU will continue to speak out about the challenges, as we cannot turn a blind eye to the heartlessness that workers are enduring.

Sincerely, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)

GECOM, PPP, Opposition and Local Government Elections

Dear Editor, I have been reading some very interesting letters in the dailies, postings on social media, and on WhatsApp group chats about the need for LGE. The arguments are very strong as to why there is no LGE this year.

In fact, the Opposition blames the PPP Government for not wanting LGE, and also they are solely arguing that the subject minister, the Hon Nigel Dharamlall, MP, and the PPP Government are not prepared to have any LGE elections.

Well, I don’t want to say a lot of what the Opposition is saying, because we all know that they are mentally lazy in making a proper, true and educated statement on many, or maybe all, matters in this country.

The facts remain that the Hon. Dharamlall did state on many occasions that he is ready for LGE. The facts remain that the Government, on many occasions, also said they are ready for LGE. We must all understand that it is not the PPP Government, or any Government or party, or the subject minister who has the authority to conduct the LGE or the GE in this country, but it is solely the Guyana Elections Commission that have to do so. Moreover, if the LGE was going to happen this year, then GECOM needed to have a CEO in place, but it seems the Opposition forgot that the main man to ensure the elections is free and fair and happen accordingly wasn’t in position. Seems the Opposition is living in Wonderland with Alice.

So, it is clear that be-

cause GECOM was without a CEO, the LGE could not have happened, and the Opposition failed to understand that.

Very recently, on the appointment and swearing in of the CEO of GECOM, Mr. Vishnu Persaud, he did indicate to the public that he would work as hard as possible to ensure that LGE happens next year. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Persaud on

his appointment as CEO of GECOM, and I know that the entire country looks forward to free, fair and transparent elections henceforth.

So, let me educate the Opposition that LGE could not have happened without a CEO of GECOM, and therefore neither the subject minister nor the Government should be blamed at all.

Regards, Abel Seetaram

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

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Foundation ◄

Changing fractions to decimals

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decimal is really a fraction expressed in another way. So 10 = 0.4, 18 and 6 100 = 6.18. Decimals are expressed in tenths, hundredths, thousandths, and so on. However, you can convert a fraction into a decimal. Just divide the fraction’s numerator by its denominator.

Materials:

Example: What fraction equals 1 ?

2 .

3 Step 1: 4 = 3 ÷ 4. Set this up as a regular division problem: 4 ) 3 . However, 4 does not go into 3. You need to add a decimal point to the 3 and as many placeholder zeros as necessary for you to divide. You must also use a decimal point in the quotient.

Be sure to line it up with the decimal point in the dividend.

Instructions:

Step 2: Add a decimal point and one placeholder zero. Then add a decimal point to the quotient: 4 ) 3.0 Step 3: Start dividing: .7 4 ) 3.0

2.8 2

Step 4: If you have a remainder, add another placeholder zero: .75 4 ) 3.0

2.8 20 20 0

Step 5: Keep adding placeholder zeros until you have no remainder. If you already have added four placeholder zeros, think about rounding your decimal to the nearest thousandths place.

Remember: A rounded decimal will not exactly equal the fraction you started with.

Exercises: Change fractions to decimals. Round to the nearest thousandth if necessary:

Straws Tape Scissors

Use the scissors to cut the straws so they are all different lengths.

Place the straws together from longest to shortest.

Use the tape to hold the straws together.

Try using your Super Easy Pan Flute by blowing across the top of the straws while moving the pan flute back and forth.

Keep practising and learn to play a song with your Super Easy Pan Flute.

How it works:

As you blow air across the top of the straws, sound is produced by the vibrations that occur. The lengths of the straws determine the different sounds that are created.

Make this a science project:

What happens if you use bigger or smaller straws? What happens if you use things other than straws to build your Super Easy Pan Flute like PVC pipes or cardboard tubes? (scienceisfun.org)

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3

2

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1 1 1 1 1 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6 5 4 3 4 1 1 1 1 1 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 10 7 8 15 9 1 1 1 7 11) 12) 13) 14) 15) 20 100 1000 8

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trip to the Natural Museum ends up zapping the students 100 years into the future.

Write the story of what happened next.

WORD SEARCH

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Discussions with investor into agroprocessing facility well advanced – Ali …investment to create opportunities for hundreds of farmers

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iscussions between the Government of Guyana and an investor into Guyana’s agro-processing sector are well advanced and according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, there will be a number of sustainable opportunities for hundreds of farmers coming out of this partnership.

The President made this revelation during Wednesday’s opening of the SBM office. According to President Ali, he had only just concluded discussions with the investor. In fact, Ali said that the investor was on board and planned to invest capital in setting up infrastructure related to the dairy sector. “…I just concluded a meeting with an investor in the agricultural sector.

And the investor said to me, ‘listen, we’re going to put all the facilities for yogurt, cheese, milk products and everything’,” President Ali

said.

“But we also have, as part of the investment plan, an investment to regenerate the dairy industry and milk production. But we want to hand this document over to the Government and the local farmers to be part of the project. That would create very viable, sustainable opportunities for about 100 farmers, at what I consider to be a very moderate investment portfolio.”

Earlier this year, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest) and a Canada-based company named Amaya Milk Company.

It had been announced that a milk pasteurisation facility would be constructed soon and that some $85 million has already been spent on the necessary equipment to outfit the facility.

Additionally, it had been explained that the compa-

ny would initially produce whole milk and two per cent milk, followed by flavoured milk.

It was also announced in August that a feasibility study for the establishment of a commercially-viable dairy farming operation is currently being undertaken by Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and LR Group of Israel.

The companies said that the operation’s design would see to the supply of fresh cows’ milk to DDL’s Tropical Orchard Products Company Limited (TOPCO) milk plant for pasteurisation and packaging.

Currently, TOPCO is testing the production and packaging of reconstituted milk, which is scheduled to be commercially launched later this month. The study, however, is being undertaken to determine the feasibility of transitioning to the pasteurisation of fresh cows’ milk.

The feasibility study and definition of the scope of the project are scheduled for completion in early 2022.

Moreover, the study forms part of an MoU that was signed between the two companies in June 2020, which provides for collaboration in the development of a dairy farming operation that would include local dairy farmers.

Additionally, the MoU provides for the implementation of strategies to increase the supply of fruits and vegetables from local farmers through the provision of support services that promote best practices in crop selection, cultivation, disease control, harvesting, packaging and transportation to DDL’s TOPCO plant at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Furthermore, the MoU provides for joint pursuance of other commercially-viable projects in Guyana, and the Caribbean Community

President Dr Irfaan Ali

(Caricom) at large that fit into the development priorities of member states, and the region’s efforts to reduce its food import bill and ensure food security.

It had also been announced that a technical team from Israel was expected to visit Guyana early next year to assess and make recommendations on land selection for the dairy farm

Jail time, fines coming as Govt looks to...

The type of ID and ID number are also required to be placed on the Power of Attorney document.

Further, the Power of Attorney document must be signed by both the donor and donee in the presence of the Notary Public or Magistrate along with two witnesses, also in the presence of each other, before the document is signed, sealed, or stamped by the Notary Public or Magistrate. For donors overseas, a separate witness statement can be given.

The amendments further detail that the Power of Attorney document cannot be registered, filed, or recorded in the Deeds Registry uncles the document has copies of two photo identification documents of the donor and donee, and a separate witness statement certified by, signed and sealed or stamped by a Notary Public or Magistrate attached.

In fact, amendments

to the Deeds Registry Act were also tabled to reflect the changes in the Power of Attorney legislation.

Moreover, these changes to the Power of Attorney Act carries a penalty of a fine of $5 million and five years’ imprisonment for those contravening the law.

The fine would increase to $10 million for corporate bodies found liable of committing this act.

This punishment will be imposed on: anyone who wilfully certifies or propounds any false statement relating to a Power of Attorney, or anyone who fails to comply with any of the new requirements; or a Notary Public who is suspended, removed from practice or not on the register but who still performs functions in that capacity.

Similarly, the changes to the Deeds Registry legislation also carry a penalty of a $5 million fine and five years’ imprisonment for those who do not com-

ply with the new requirements when registering, filing and recording a Power of Attorney.

“So, there’s a heavy penalty and we hope that this set of amendments will go a far way in strengthening our law to ensure that people’s property are a little more secured, and it would become now appreciably more difficult to use a Power of Attorney to commit a fraud and not be detected,” the Attorney General contended.

According to Nandlall, during his programme, these measures are necessary since it is often very difficult to retrieve properties that are fraudulently disposed of using the Power of Attorney document. He pointed out that this was especially the case where the donor did in fact assigned the donee as the holder of the Power of Attorney, but without the intention to sell the property in question, even though the document

might have that listed as the purpose.

To this end, the Attorney General is pleading with property owners in Guyana and abroad to constantly check the Official Gazette where transports are required by law to be advertised before they are passed.

Earlier this year, Minister Nandlall has opined that the Official Gazette, which is on-

and a structure for the participation of private farmers in the process. Thereafter, the feasibility study will be finalised.

Israel is considered a global leader in the agricultural sector, including dairy farming, and the project is being designed to utilise best practices and the latest state-of-the-art technology. (G3)

FROM PAGE 2

line-based, should be accessed at public offices countrywide, and even at some commercial entities, as well as be readily accessed through social media platforms. He also mentioned the need to extend the required timeframe for these advertisements, in order to allow persons to access and scrutinise the Gazette.

Further, the Legal Affairs Minister also spoke

of the need to enhance the quality of persons being made Notaries Public, as well as the processes executed at that level.

At the time, he was lamenting, during a Government-televised programme, about the alarming increase in the number of property fraud cases in Guyana and Government’s intention to strengthen the various legislation that prevent such occurrences. (G8)

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Election fraud cases

No judge and jury – Prosecutor tells court in argument for summary trial

Removing the plank…

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Darshan Ramdhani, QC

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iven Guyana’s political divide, former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, former Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and the others who are all charged with electoral fraud will not be given a fair trial by a jury of their peers.

This is the contention of Queen’s Counsel (QC) Darshan Ramdhani, who, along with several Attorneys-at-Law, has been granted a fiat by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, to prosecute the electoral fraud charges against Lowenfield, Myers, Mingo; PNCR Chairman and former Health Minister Volda Lawrence; APNU-AFC activist Carol Joseph-Smith and others.

The more-than-a-dozen matters relating to their conduct over the March 2020 General and Regional Elections are currently before three magistrates – Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, and Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, who all preside at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

During a telephone interview with this publication on Wednesday, Queen’s Counsel Ramdhani said the matters were called on Tuesday before Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus, before whom he advocated for the accused persons to be tried by a Magistrate as opposed to them being tried by a jury before a Judge at the High Court.

Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes, Ronald Daniels and Narissa Leander, who are representing Lowenfield, Myers and others, are asking for their clients to be tried before a jury, given the magnitude of the allegations levelled against them. This means that the Magistrate would have to conduct a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to commit the accused persons.

Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes

Keith Lowenfield

Roxanne Myers

Clairmont Mingo

PNCR Chairman Volda Lawrence

APNU-AFC activist Carol Joseph-Smith

When contacted earlier this year for an update on the charges against Lowenfield, Daniels had said, “The allegation is that he [Lowenfield] has committed fraud against everybody in the country, so the best forum for that is before the High Court, where the jury, as representatives of the people of the country, [would determine] whether fraud has been perpetrated against the country.”

In February, Magistrate Daly ruled that she would proceed with the charges against Myers by way of PI. The DPP appealed the Magistrate’s ruling to the High Court. In October, Justice Franklin Holder upheld the Magistrate’s decision. The DPP has since appealed Justice Holder’s ruling.

So far, Magistrate Daly has decided on conducting a PI, but the Chief Magistrate has ruled that she would hear and determine the matters.

Magistrate IsaacsMarcus, on the other hand, is yet to decide on how she would proceed with the charges before her.

On Wednesday, Hughes issued a press statement in which he quoted QC Ramdhani as saying there can never be a fair jury trial in political matters in Guyana’s High Court due to the country’s political and ethnic divide. Hughes added that the Queen’s Counsel made this statement of “fact” before Magistrate Isaacs-

Marcus: “When you consider the matter, please consider this a relevant fact that these matters are grounded in allegations of elections misconduct and the accused persons cannot be tried fairly in the High Court. No one will ever have a fair trial in the High Court in political matters. We know what the politics of Guyana is like.

Guyana is a politically polarised and ethnically divided society. No jury would be impartial in political matters,” Hughes quoted Ramdhani as telling the Magistrate.

Inaccurate, mischievous

But the QC has dismissed the contents of Hughes’s statement, calling it “inaccurate” and “mischievous”, while noting that he expected better from the prominent lawyer. Ramdhani related that he had indeed told the Magistrate of there being a political divide in Guyana. However, he said, “I made no reference to an ethnic divide”.

The Queen’s Counsel has said he has made an application before Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus for her to hear and determine the matters before her. He noted that the law allows for a Magistrate to try the matters summarily and impose the maximum sentence of one year in prison. Even if the matters are sent to the High Court, he said, a Judge cannot impose a greater penalty than the Magistrate.

Personal biases

Ramdhani reasoned that if these electoral fraud cases are sent to a jury, the panel would most likely comprise of voters who have voted on “both sides of the coin”.

The lawyer therefore questioned, “And you are going to ask these people to put aside their personal biases to determine this case?”

Explaining the nature of the charges, he said it is alleged that several persons have conspired to declare votes in favour of one political party. “…a conspiracy to defraud the voting population of Guyana. We don’t need rocket science to know that there is a political divide in Guyana,” he added.

In light of this, Ramdhani said, he has asked Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus to “keep and try” these matters. His reason for doing so, he noted, is because the Magistrate is a judicial officer, “and as a judicial officer, she is a professional arbiter of facts”. According to him, judicial officers can deal with matters professionally.

The QC added that when Hughes inserted the word “ethnic” into his statement, he completely ignored this.

Ramdhani recalled that there have been three treason trials in Guyana over the last 30 years, some against the ruling PPP and PNCR, and all ended in hung juries, resulting in the accused persons being freed after a while.

TURN TO PAGE 15

…on seeing race in Guyana ace” is a word that gets a lot of traction in Guyana - and not just nowadays. It was invented hundreds of years ago by Europeans to enslave folks in Africa, who were minding their business, and haul them into the Americas to work for free. The “white” race was deemed “superior” to the other races - black, brown, red and yellow - with the black race placed at the bottom of the totem pole. Since then, in Guyana, rather than fighting the white man for imposing such an iniquitous system on us, some of the oppressed became “whiter than white”.

And then tried to oppress the others!

This happened after the abolition of slavery - the most unequal and morally reprehensible social system invented in the history of mankind. Even though the Christian religion had been used to “justify” the white enslavement - claiming Africans were the “cursed children of Ham” - Africans became fervent adherents of that religion!!

Indians who were brought in to replace them in the cane fields, and held on to their Hindu and Muslim religions, were ridiculed for doing “slave work” and practising “pagan religions”!! They also adopted European cultural practices like “suit and tie”; or, for women, the voluminous “cage crinolines” - all to presumably deal with the rigours of the tropical winters!! They aspired to be as close as possible to the whites - with the “Coloured” - products of white raping African slave women - getting closest.

Action, fortunately or unfortunately, but inevitably - produces a reaction. And in the case of Guyana, the Indian immigrants reacted to the scorn of the African and Coloured Guyanese with prejudices of their own. And this has defined relations between the groups into the present. But in the meantime, the African and Coloured Guyanese had been rewarded for accepting the white/ European order and became the gatekeepers for “moving up” in society. Like being teachers, civil servants, doctors, lawyers, and even clerks in a country where the whites were few in number and only dreamt of returning “home”!

Unlike the US - which is used by some as a model of present Guyanese race relations - in Guyana, Independence was granted by the Brits to an AfricanGuyanese-controlled Government. It swiftly moved to institutionalise its rule over the rest of society - especially the majority Indian-Guyanese section! African-Guyanese culture became “Guyanese culture”, the economy was nationalised, and the African-Guyanese elite controlled it plus the Police, Army and Civil Service, which were already African-dominated.

For all intents and purposes, Guyana was as African as Tanzania - which Ujaama Socialism co-op model it adopted.

It didn’t need to follow Idi Amin and expel the “Indians”.

They left “voluntarily” in droves! Race still rules! …from an “elder’s” eye There’s a letter in the press from Burnham’s PM and general strong-man factotum, Hamilton Green, on race relations. He defines himself as “Elder” Green nowadays.

If the title is about his age, shouldn’t that be “Old Man Green”? He wants the Ali Administration to do “things that can heal and not peel when it comes to the two major ethnic groups in Guyana, Afro and Indo-Guyanese.”

They say that with age comes wisdom, but it looks like Green proves the exception. Before giving advice to Ali, wouldn’t dissociating himself from the actions of Mingo et al, which he supported after March 2nd, be “healing”?

One “healing thing” he wants from Ali is that “retired sugar workers and the public servants must share equally in this bounty of oil money, to avoid the appearance of discrimination.”

“Retired” sugar workers? Is that what the “elder” calls the 7000 workers unilaterally FIRED by the PNC? And they’re equivalent to Public Servants, who were INCREASED by 7000? …on those knocking Granger?

In this season of goodwill, let’s wish former President Granger the best as he spends his Christmas in Cuba - for a medical check-up.

They won’t have him to kick around at this Saturday’s Congress.

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

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS Man riding electric bike 50-year-old man who robbed woman caught at roadblock dies in Corentyne accident Q THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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oopnarine Ramoutar, a 67-year-old man who was riding an electric bike along the Number 72 Village Public Road on the Corentyne in East Berbice, is now dead following an accident which occurred with a motor lorry.

Reports are that at around 17:45h on Tuesday 14th December, the motor lorry was proceeding south along the east- The motor lorry that was involved in the accident ern drive lane at a fast rate of speed while the electric cycle was on the road surface, while and taken to the Skeldon proceeding north along the the electric cycle got stuck Public Hospital, where he western drive lane. The rid- under the motor lorry, which was pronounced dead on arer allegedly made a sudden continued driving before rival. right turn and ended up in stopping about 300ft away.

The driver of the lorry inthe path of the truck, which Ramoutar sustained in- volved in the accident has crashed into the bike. juries to his head and about since been taken into Police Ramoutar was flung off his body, and was picked up custody. (G9) his bike some distance away in an unconscious condition

uick action by the Police has led to the arrest of a man who had robbed a woman at her home at Moblissa Highway in Linden, Region 10.

Reports are that, at Chiney Road, Moblissa Highway Linden on Tuesday at around 13:12h, Police arrested a 51-year-old male during a roadblock exercise put into effect after he had robbed a 50-year-old businesswoman.

According to Police, the woman was robbed of $45,000 in cash, a gold wedding ring valued $70,000, a gold finger ring with a white stone valued $40,000, and a Samsung J2 cellular phone valued $45,000.

Police have said that the victim was in her home, and as she opened the door to go outside to do her laundry, she was confronted by the man, who was armed with a knife.

The man grabbed her by the neck, and while pointing the knife in her face, said, “I want the money, or I will kill you.”

The victim told Police that

The items that were stolen from the businesswoman

she became fearful for her life, and handed over her money to the suspect, who then pulled off her rings from her fingers.

The suspect then began demanding more money, but when she insisted that that was all she had, he snatched her phone while she managed to run out of the yard and raise an alarm.

The Police were summoned, but the suspect had

escaped. They then set up a roadblock, and the fleeing suspect was apprehended in a hire car.

A search was conducted and the stolen items were found in his possession, along with $2900 cash. He has been taken into custody.

The articles were shown to the victim, and she has identified them as her property.

(G9)

Bandit discharges gun after robbing businessman

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37-year-old businessman of Canvas City, Wismar, Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) was robbed during the wee hours of Wednesday by two men, one of whom was armed with a gun.

The robbers confiscated from the businessman $200,000 in cash, a gold chain valued $190,000, a gold ring valued $130,000, and a cellular phone valued $120,000.

Reports are that the businessman had secured his business place in the Mackenzie Market at about 21:00h on Tuesday before going to a wake which was being held some 70 metres from

his home. At around 01:20h on Wednesday, as he was heading home, he was accosted by one of the bandits, who held him at gunpoint and ordered him to lie on the ground.

The second bandit then appeared, and together they relieved the businessman of his valuables.

The victim’s cousin then walked into the yard and saw what was happening, and he was also instructed to lie on the ground.

The bandits then made their escape, and in so doing, the gunman discharged a round in the air.

Investigations are ongoing. (G9)

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14 NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$1.5B in contracts inherited from APNU/ AFC terminated due to poor performance been recovered. In the meantime, R Bassoo and Sons has now been tasked with completing the Yarrowkabra school project.

St Rose’s Secondary School

Education Minister Priya Manickchand during a recent visit to the St Rose’s High construction site

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he Auditor General Report of 2020 has found that contracts totalling $1.5 billion, across various Ministries, were terminated last year largely owing to poor performance from the contractors who, in some cases, were awarded the contracts three years prior.

According to the Auditor General’s Report, five contracts were terminated during the period under review as a result of poor performance from the contractor. These contracts include the mammoth $826.7 million contract for the construction of the Yarrowkabra Secondary School.

This contract had been awarded to BK International, but was terminated in November 2020.

Despite the contract being awarded in 2019, the project was beleaguered by delays that saw only five per cent of the works being completed.

In fact, the contract even started off on the wrong foot since the National Procurement Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) awarded the contract to BK from a total of five bids received, despite no details regarding the advertisement, duration for submission of bids or Tender Evaluation Report or Engineer’s Estimate be-

ing provided to the Audit Office. When given a chance to respond, all the Head of the budget agency would say was that the contract was terminated and the relevant documents would be provided.

“Physical verification carried out on the 31 August 2021 revealed that the works were incomplete, and the contractor has demobilised and vacated the site.

The site was secured by personnel attached to a private security firm which was contracted by the Ministry,” the Audit Report said.

“However, the works completed at the time of the physical verification includes clearing, levelling and compacting of the site, construction of reinforced concrete foundations and columns for Blocks C, D, E, F, G and J.” Even more disturbingly, the Auditor General revealed that BK International received an advance payment of $162 million in three parts, representing 19.6 per cent of the contract sum followed by one interim payment of $53.7 million.

According to the Auditor General, the advance payment guarantee and performance bond expired on December 31, 2020, and the advance payment has not

Another beleaguered contract was the $412.3 million contract to construct the St Rose’s Secondary School.

According to the Auditor General, this particular contract was signed on August 8, 2018, with a timeline of 18 months for completion and a defects liability period of three months.

The Auditor General said that the contractor, Courtney Benn Contracting Services received two advance payments of $52.9 million and $28.9 million in 2018 and 2019 respectively, along with several interim payments.

“However, at the time of writing in September 2021 only $13.6 million or 16.6 per cent of the total advanced payment to the contractor had been recovered leaving an outstanding balance of $68.2 million still to be repaid by the contractor.”

Meanwhile, the Audit Office carried out physical verification of the site on September 2, 2021 and found that Courtney Benn had since demobilised and vacated the site. Indeed, the contract was yanked from Courtney Benn Contracting Services and subsequently awarded to Chinese company Shandong Degian International.

As recent as earlier this month, Education Minister Priya Manickchand, accompanied by Ministry officials, paid a visit to the school where it was revealed that work was proceeding on schedule.

Based on the 2020 Audit Report, the State has not had much luck recouping monies.

“The Advance Guarantee

The Yarrowkabra Secondary School building site

?. 1 dated 6 August 2018 for the sum of $52.9 million and Advance Guarantee ?.

2 dated 23 December 2019 for the sum of $29.5 million had since been expired on 1 March 2020 and 31 March 2020 respectively before the date of termination of the

contract on the 2 November 2020,” the Report stated.

“The performance bond valued $105.813 million was valid at the time of termination; however, at the time of reporting in September 2021, there was no evidence that the Ministry had lev-

ied on the bond that has since expired on the 1 March 2021.”

Both contractors in the Yarrowkabra School and St Rose’s fiasco were taken to court by the state, with Courtney Benn Contracting facing a $414 Million lawsuit and BK facing a $718 Million lawsuit for the incomplete St. Roses High school.

Another contract cited by the Auditor General was the one for $321.8 million for the construction of the Health Ministry’s main office building, which was also terminated by the Government. The contract was yanked from Chung’s Global Enterprises.

Amerindian Affairs Ministry PS to be charged for corruption – Crime Chief F

ollowing an investigation that was launched when Amerindian Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Sharon Hicks was reportedly caught in a ‘bribe money’ sting operation, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has received legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali Hack that charges should be laid.

This advice was given on Wednesday afternoon.

Hicks has been at the centre of a bribery allegation over the past two months.

This information was confirmed to Guyana Times

by Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, who said that the DPP has recommended that Hicks be charged with one count of corrupt transaction by an agent.

He noted that the file was being prepared and the charge should be laid today.

Reports are Hicks, of West Bank Demerara (WBD), was arrested at

PS Sharon Hicks

the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, Quamina and Thomas Streets, Georgetown after a businessman made a report to Police that she has been demanding money from him in order for him to receive payment.

The businessman, who owns a security service, claimed that the 42-yearold woman had demanded

money from him before she approved payments for services provided.

He claimed that this was reportedly the practice that his father had to endure but his father has since died and he has taken over the business.

After the matter was reported, marked bank notes were given to the contractor who then paid the PS. It is alleged that after she collected the money, ranks from the Major Crimes Unit swooped down on her office and arrested her.

At the time of her arrest, Permanent Secretary Hicks was reportedly in possession of the envelope with the marked money.

After the arrest, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry in a statement on the matter said that on October 7, 2021 the Permanent Secretary, Hicks was sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of a police investigation. (G9)

Security officer arrested after $1.2M goes missing from DSL, Massy

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security officer attached to Amalgamated Security Services who was stationed at DSL and Massy Distribution outlets in New Amsterdam has been arrested after bags of money went missing from those entities.

Police said on December 2, a cashier at DSL handed over two deposit bags with marked serial numbers to the department while the manager handed over three bags with marked serial numbers to the security officer, who was supposed to deliver them to the bank.

Eight days later, the manager received information that one of the bags containing $200,000 was missing.

As Police investigated, it was also discovered that on December 2, a cashier

The money that was found in the security officer’s home

at Massy handed over nine bags containing cash to the same security officer.

On December 13, Massy also received information from the bank that a bag containing $1,000,000 was missing.

The Police were informed and the suspect

was later arrested, told of the allegation, and cautioned.

A search was conducted of the suspect’s home by a party of Police and $485,000 was found.

The suspect remains in custody as further investigations are underway. (G9)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Carpenter who told child to steal cellphone charged Labourer remanded on D murder charge

Remanded: Shane Samaroo, aka "Travis Cortis" and "Tanta Bai"

A

labourer was on Wednesday arraigned before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court in Region 5 on a charge of murder nearly four months after he had allegedly beat and stabbed a man to death at Bennet Dam, Rosignol, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

Shane Samaroo, also known as ‘Travis Cortis’ and ‘Tanta Bai’, 27, who was arrested for the murder only on Monday, December 13, was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that on August 19, he murdered Faroze Khan, called ‘Eggy’. He has been

remanded to prison until December 20, when his case is to be called at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court.

Samaroo, who had been on the run ever since the killing, was captured on Monday at Black Bush Polder, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

He was arrested by a party of Policemen who went to the location after receiving certain information.

It has been reported that Police went to the location on Sunday, but the suspect escaped into the savannah, leaving the ranks to search the location for more than 12 hours. Samaroo, however, was eventually captured.

A Police report has said that Samaroo’s mother has been arrested on allegations of harbouring a wanted person.

It was reported that, on the day of the killing at Bennet Dam, Rosignol, WCB, Khan was walking past a grocery store when Samaroo allegedly ran out and started lashing him about his body with a piece of wood. When Khan fell to the ground, Samaroo pulled out a knife and stabbed him several times before fleeing.

The injured man was rushed to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. (G1)

No judge and jury...

The Queen’s Counsel said, “One of the reasons why there is a hung jury is that there is a real likelihood that these people [jurors] feel strongly about the political elements of the case…which side am I supporting…”

Against this backdrop, he pointed to the corruption charges against the former Premier of the British Overseas Territory of Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), Michael Misick. Referring to this case as a precedent, Ramdhani said that due to the nature of the charges against Misick, the British Government suspended jury trials in the TCI; trials are only conducted by a Judge alone. Moreover, he said that Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus should really “keep these matters”, because there is a likelihood the matters will not be tried within a reasonable time, due to the backlog in the criminal assizes.

“…we are going to languish in the court system for five years if you have to go through a jury trial,” Ramdhani said. That aside, the QC maintained that jury trials have been part of Guyana’s legal system from time immemorial. He added, “On a daily basis people get a fair trial in the High Court.”

But considering the nature of the charges against Lowenfield and others, Ramdhani noted, one has to consider the issue of jury bias from a legal standpoint.

Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus has instructed him to lay over submissions in support of his position. The case will come up again in the new year.

Lowenfield is facing three counts of forgery and three counts of misconduct in public office. Mingo is facing four counts of misconduct in public office, while Myers has been slapped with two

wayne Barker of Laing Avenue, Georgetown, a 24-year-old carpenter who allegedly instructed a child to steal a cellphone, was on Wednesday charged with larceny and placed on $20,000 bail after appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in that Georgetown Magistrate’s court.

The accused has pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on December 10, at Laing Avenue Georgetown, he stole a cellphone belonging to Ryan McCovey valued at $67,000.

The Police prosecutor told the court that the par-

ties are known to each other, and on the day in question, the men were at a shop when Barker allegedly instructed a 12-year-old boy to “pick up” McCovey’s

phone. The minor picked up the phone and handed it to Barker.

Someone later informed McCovey that the child had picked up his phone, and

the man reported the matter to the Police station. When the Police ranks contacted the child, he told them that he had given the phone to Barker. According to the prosecutor, Barker was later arrested, told of the offence against him, and charged.

The phone has not been found.

With no objection to bail raised by the prosecutor, the Chief Magistrate ordered Barker to post bail in the sum of $20,000. The alleged phone thief has already been served with statements. His next court date is January 10, 2022, when he will appear before city Magistrate Dylon Bess.

Man, woman nabbed with cocaine

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olice on Tuesday arrested a 58-year-old man and a 63-yearold woman at No. 60 Village, Corentyne, Berbice after they were found with 45 grams of cocaine.

The arrest was made between 13:40 and 17:00h, according to Police.

Reports are that ranks were conducting a search in the community for arms, ammunition and drugs when they arrived at the No. 60 Village, Corentyne property and met the female suspect. Upon seeing the Police, the woman handed a transparent glass bottle to the male suspect, who then ran into the house with it.

Police gave chase, and the man threw the bottle into some bushes in the back yard.

FROM PAGE 8

similar charges. Lawrence, on the other hand, has been slapped with two charges of conspiracy to commit fraud.

Joseph-Smith is charged jointly with Mingo for forgery. They have all been placed on cash bail.

Lowenfield’s election report claimed that the then caretaker APNU-AFC coalition Government garnered 171,825 votes while the PPP/C gained 166,343 votes.

How he arrived at those figures is still unknown. The certified results from the recount exercise supervised

by GECOM and a high-level team from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) pellucidly showed that the PPP/C won with 233,336 votes while the coalition garnered 217,920.

The recount exercise also proved that Mingo heavily inflated the figures in Region Four – Guyana’s largest voting District – in favour of the APNU/AFC regime. (G1)

The cocaine that was found during the search

The Police, however, managed to retrieve the bottle, and, in his presence, carried out an examination of its contents. They unearthed two transparent plastic bags with a whitish rock-like substance suspected to be cocaine.

The two persons were told of the offence, and the male claimed ownership of the substance while the female denied ownership thereof. However, they were both arrested and taken to the No. 51 Village Police Station, where the cocaine was weighed and amounted to 45 grams.

The two suspects remain in custody pending charges.

(G9)

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Unvaccinated Region 10 woman is latest COVID fatality …Task Force to clamp down on businesses during holidays - Health Minister

G

uyana’s COVID-19 death toll has climbed to 1,025 after another person who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus died on Wednesday.

This latest fatality is a 68-year-old woman from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), who died on December 15. She had been unvaccinated against the deadly virus, according to the Health Ministry.

Consequently, the COVID-19 death toll for the month of December has gone up to 26.

Meanwhile, the Health Minister also reported on Wednesday that some 66 new COVID-19 cases were detected within a 24-hour period, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 38,684. Of this, however, only 792 are

currently active cases, including nine patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and 783 persons in isolation. That is, 48 in institutional isolation and the other 735 in home isolation. In addition, there are three persons in institutional quarantine.

To date, some 36,867 persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus – 83 more recoveries than the figure reported the previous day.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Guyana last year, some 408,118 persons have been tested, of which 18,247 males and 20,437 females have tested positive to date.

Of the 66 new cases recorded on Wednesday, three are from Region One (Barima-Waini), four are from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-

West Demerara), a whopping 27 are from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), two are from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 26 are from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and the remaining four are from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

No new cases were recorded in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) on Wednesday.

In order to curb the rising number of cases in the country, the Guyana Government launched its COVID-19 vaccination exercise back in February, and is aggressively rolling it out across the various regions in order to achieve herd immunity. The latest vaccination figures show that some 407,341 persons, or 79.4

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD DECEMBER 15, 2021 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

66

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

48

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

735

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

9

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

3

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

20,437

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

18,247

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

38,684

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

36,867

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

407,341

FULLY IMMUNISED

288,315

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

1025

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1694

REGION 2

1574

REGION 3

5179

REGION 4

18,062

REGION 5

1457

REGION 6

3565

REGION 7

1794

REGION 8

622

REGION 9

2476

REGION 10

2261

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

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

per cent of the adult population, have received a first dose vaccine, while 288,315 persons 18 years and older are fully immunised, representing 56.2 per cent of the adult population.

Regarding adolescents, some 29,865 persons, or 40.9 per cent of that demographic, have received their first dose, while 21,107 persons, or 28.9 per cent of the 12-to-17 age cohort, are fully vaccinated.

Booster shots

Meanwhile, the Government commenced administering booster shots last month, after studies around the world show that the efficacy of the vaccines wanes after six months of receiving both doses. So far, some 7,270 booster shots have been administered to the adult population.

According to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, during Wednesday’s COVID-19 update, this figure representing booster shots is going up incrementally.

“So, we expect that this would increase,” he noted.

Persons are encouraged to get immunised, since the COVID-19 vaccine provides a layer of protection against severe symptoms of the deadly virus; and with the new variant Omicron now in circulation, the Health Minister has underscored the importance now more than ever for persons to get their booster shots.

“If you’re boosted, you’ll have a better immunity to

fight off the Omicron variant, because your immunity levels will go up to about the 80s. And so my advice to persons who are 18 years and older and would have received the two doses of your vaccines is to make sure that you go and get your boosters,” Dr Anthony has implored.

The Health Ministry had reported that persons who took the Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccines can use Pfizer as the booster shot; while those who received the Sputnik V would get a Johnson and Johnson dose as a booster, and those with Sinopharm would get another shot of that jab as a booster.

Even as more people continue to get vaccinated, the authorities are urging the public to continue observing all COVID-19 preventative measures, particularly masking in public, social distancing, and frequent hand washing and sanitising.

The measures also include vaccination requirements to access any public building, such as restaurants, places of worship, schools, as well as Government buildings.

There is also a nightly curfew that takes effect from midnight to 06:00h daily.

Warning to businesses

However, in light of the current holiday season, the Health Minister has cautioned businesses to continue to com-

ply with the various measures and guidelines in place to protect against the spread of the virus. He has warned that the National COVID-19 Task Force would be on the lookout for those businesses in breach.

Speaking during Wednesday’s COVID update, Dr Anthony explained that throughout the year, the COVID-19 Task Force, which comprises of various law enforcement bodies, has been clamping down on businesses across the country that are found in breach of the guidelines.

“On a weekly basis, the Task Force would go out and do inspections of businesses; and over last month, they would have written to more than 60 businesses and, in some instances, they shut them down temporarily because of repeated breaches of COVID guidelines,” he has said.

According to Minister Anthony, similar actions would be taken during the upcoming holidays to ensure that Guyana does not see a spike in COVID-19 infections.

“The Task Force would continue to do this during this season, and if persons are not compliant, or if persons are repeat offenders, then certainly the Task Force would take the requisite action as it has been doing before. So, this is an ongoing process and it continues in the month of December,” the Health Minister has posited. (G8)

NEWS

17

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

National minimum wage increase

Private Sector ready but expired Tripartite Committee stalling finalisation – Labour Minister W ith the process for increasing the national minimum wage ongoing since 2019, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton is hoping to have all the legal arrangements finalised before the end of this year especially since officials in the Private Sector have unofficially indicated their readiness to raise employees’ salaries to $60,000.

Shortly after taking office last year, Minister Hamilton had announced the increase in the Private Sector minimum wage.

However, while an order to this effect was made, there was no timeline for its enforcement. This was postponed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on businesses.

But now that it has been a year and the country has been on the path to recovery from the pandemic, the Labour Minister has been planning to reengage the Private Sector on enforcing the increases.

In fact, only last month, he told <<<Guyana Times>>> that he would be meeting with the National Tripartite Committee, which comprises the Private Sector Commission

(PSC) and the labour movement representatives, to finalise the enforcement of an increase in the minimum wage from $44,200 to $60,000 for Private Sector workers.

“Over the last two weeks or so, I have had unofficial conversations or interactions with Private Sector members, senior Private Sector Commission people, who have said to me that the Private Sector is at the position where they’ve agreed that this matter can be concluded,” the Minister told this newspaper on Wednesday.

However, he explained that while he was eager to officially finalise the process, they have encountered an issue, whereby the life of the Tripartite Committee has expired.

“The Chief Labour Officer (Dhaneshwar Deonarine) was attempting to have the meeting convene, when it was recognised that the life of the Tripartite Committee came to an end couple weeks ago.

So, I instructed him to write the parties indicating to them that I want to re-establish the committee, and secondly, to find out from them whether the same

nominees that they had on the previous committee will be their representatives. If not, they could propose new nominees. So, we’re waiting on that and once that has happened, I will convene a meeting of the Tripartite Committee to discuss the matter,” the Labour Minister stated.

Hamilton could not say how long it would take for the Tripartite Committee to be reconstituted, but reiterated that the Chief Labour Officer has already written to the various entities about nominating their representatives.

According to the Labour Minister, he hopes that everybody treats the matter expeditiously so that the new Committee can meet before Christmas so that it can conclude this matter.

“I’m delighted to hear the news coming out of the Private Sector, even though unofficial, and just to make the point that, that was one of the major issues that I, as Minister, I have struggled with for the period. I have been able to successfully do several things including having several collective legal agreements that were languishing for years to conclude among employ-

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton

ers and unions… I think if all of this is concluded, then I would say we’ve had a good year, because this is the only major matter that I have not been able to conclude.”

Last month when Government announced a seven per cent retroactive salary increase for all public sector workers, it sparked conversations about pay in the Private Sector. In fact, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) had called on private businesses

to follow suit in order to attract and retain their workforce.

The public sector minimum wage currently stands at $70,000. The Private Sector’s minimum wage was last increased in 2017 from an hourly rate of $202 to $255, taking the monthly wage from $35,000 to $44,200.

According to the Labour Minister, the increase to $60,000 would only impact about 10 per cent Of Private Sector workers, who are currently being paid below

that wage level.

Nevertheless, Minister Hamilton expressed hope that it does not take this long again before the minimum wage for Private Sector workers is increased again.

“Presently, the Private Sector minimum wage is about $44,000…and so if … the minimum wage goes to $60,000…it will be more than what they presently can get. Importantly, let me say this, as I understand from the Private Sector, this increase, whenever it comes, will only be affecting about 10 per cent of employees in the Private Sector because the Private Sector, they have said to me that 90 per cent of the employees in the Private Sector, they work for more than $60,000 a month,” the Labour Minister explained.

He added that “of course, this will not affect the public sector because the Government long time ago increased the minimum in Government services to $70,000…”

According to the Labour Minister, this increase will, nonetheless, bring significant benefits to those persons who will see a hike in their salaries. (G8)

Omicron can hit fully vaccinated, Oxford study says, as UK prepares for tidal wave of cases T wo doses of the OxfordAstraZeneca or PfizerBioNTech Covid-19 vaccines are substantially less effective at warding off omicron compared to previous variants of the coronavirus, scientists have found.

However, the researchers were optimistic that a booster shot would improve immunity against the new, highly transmissible variant.

In a new study announced on Monday, researchers from the University of Oxford tested blood samples of people 28 days after their second dose of either vaccine.

When omicron was introduced to those samples, scientists reported “a substantial fall” in the neutralizing antibodies that fight off Covid compared to the immune responses seen against earlier variants. The research paper noted that some vaccine recipients “failed to neutralize [the virus] at all.”

“This will likely lead to increased breakthrough infections in previously infected or double vaccinated individuals, which could drive a further wave of infection, although there is currently no evidence of increased potential to cause severe disease, hospitalization or death,” the study’s authors said.

The pre-print study, which is yet to be peer reviewed, was

published on the MedRxiv server.

Gavin Screaton, head of Oxford University’s Medical Sciences Division and lead author of the paper, said in a press release on Monday that the findings should “press home the message that those who are offered booster vaccination should take it.”

“Whilst there is no evidence for increased risk of severe disease, or death, from the virus amongst vaccinated populations, we must remain cautious, as greater case numbers will still place a considerable burden on healthcare systems,” he warned.

“Vaccination induces many arms of our immune system, including neutralizing antibodies and T-cells,” added co-author Teresa Lambe, a professor of vaccinology at the University of Oxford.

“Real-world effectiveness data has shown us that vaccines continue to protect against severe disease with previous variants of concern.

The best way to protect us going forward in this pandemic is by getting vaccines in arms.”

A report published by the U.K.’s Health Security Agency on Friday estimated that two doses of a Covid vaccine were significantly less effective at preventing symptomatic disease through infection from the omicron variant compared to delta. However, the report noted that after a booster dose, vaccines were thought to be 70 to 75% effective at preventing symptomatic infections.

“With previous variants, vaccine effectiveness against severe disease, including hospitalization and death, has

been higher than effectiveness against mild disease,” the UKHSA said. “It will be a few weeks before effectiveness against severe disease with Omicron can be estimated, however based on this experience, this is likely to be substantially higher than the estimates against symptomatic disease.”

In a televised statement on Sunday, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Britain faces a “tidal wave” of Omicron infections, and announced that the country would be speeding up its booster pro-

gram to offer all adults a third dose of a vaccine by the end of the year. The government had previously been aiming to extend its booster scheme to all over-18s by the end of January. Johnson’s statement came after the chief medical officers of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland raised the U.K.’s coronavirus threat level to four — the second highest level — in light of the spread of omicron.

Elsewhere, an Israeli study published on Saturday found that a three-dose course of the Pfizer-BioNTech vac-

cine provided significant protection against the omicron variant. Israel began its booster program in July.

The findings from Israel came after researchers in South Africa found omicron could partially evade the immunity from two shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

The omicron variant, thought to be more infectious than its predecessor delta, was first identified in South Africa in November and has since spread to at least 38 countries around the world and 25 U.S. states. (CNBC)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

Regional

Haiti truck blast death toll rises to 75 as doctors scramble to treat wounded

T

he death toll from a fuel truck explosion in Haiti rose to 75 on Wednesday as doctors scrambled to treat the wounded from an incident that officials say was made more deadly by residents approaching the vehicle in a desperate search for fuel.

Rescue workers recovered 61 bodies at the site of the accident, which took place late on Monday in Haiti’s second-largest city of Cap Haitien, while a director of the city’s main hospital said a further 14 people had died while being treated for wounds.

“We need all the help we can get. The hospital is not used to having so many injured,” said Jean Gracia Coq, medical director at the Justinien University

Hospital.

“The shortages have made people let down their guard and not take the precautions that should be taken with regards to fuel.”

Patients with burns on as much as 50 per cent of their bodies were on the hospital’s porch owing to lack of space inside the facility, Gracia Coq said.

shops nearby, as well as destroying cars and motorcycles on the street.

A witness told Reuters that the fuel truck had flipped over after its driver tried to avoid hitting a motorcycle.

Rescue workers have completed a search of the area, said Frandy Jean, who heads Haiti’s fire bri-

People point to the remains of a person covered by the debris, who was killed after a fuel truck exploded, amid reports that nearby residents had attempted to take fuel from the vehicle before it exploded, in Cap Haitien, Haiti, December 15, 2021

The hospital is accustomed to treating burn victims from explosions in homes, incidents that have involved up to 20 people, Gracia Coq said.

But Monday night’s major blast charred the facades of several homes and

gade for the northern region.

The impact of the blast was worsened because residents were storing fuel in their homes and because some approached the truck when it flipped. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil bribery probe expands to 4 JPMorgan fuel deals

A Brazilian Police investigation of alleged bribery of Petrobras employees to fix the price of fuel sold to JPMorgan Chase & Co by the State-run oil firm has expanded from one deal to at least four over the course of 2011, according to documents and two law enforcement officials.

Previously unreported invoices related to fuel sale agreements between the two companies show one of the alleged intermediaries in the bribery scheme, known as Oil & Gas Venture Capital Corp

(OGVC), received approximately US$150,000 that year from another alleged intermediary named EGR Consultants to facilitate the purchase of roughly 826,000 barrels of fuel oil

by JPMorgan, worth more than US$80 million at the time.

The additional invoices are significant as Brazilian Police have been working to determine if a 305,000-barrel JPMorgan deal facilitated by OGVC and EGR was a one-time arrangement or part of a pattern, which would raise

the stakes of the investigation, according to two law enforcement sources in Brazil, who requested anonymity to discuss an ongoing probe.

Reuters reported in September that Brazil’s federal Police were investigating whether JPMorgan routed bribes via intermediaries to employees on Petrobras’ trading desk in order to secure shipments of fuel at artificially low prices. If true, this would likely violate Brazilian anti-bribery law. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Colombian forces committed “serious” abuses during protests – UN

3-year-old shot in head, S father killed during gun attack on family in Jamaica

A

three-year-old boy is currently in serious condition in hospital after he was shot in the head during an attack on his family on Tuesday evening in the community of Havana Heights in Clarendon, Jamaica.

The boy’s father, who

has been identified as Mark Ricketts, did not survive the attack.

The boy’s mother and his nine-year-old sister have also been hospitalised for their injuries.

It’s reported that the family arrived home sometime after 19:00h and that,

shortly afterwards, explosions were heard.

When the Police arrived, they discovered that the four family members had been wounded.

No motive has yet been established for the attack.

(Jamaica Observer)

Death on flight leaves CAL passengers stranded in Puerto Rico

ecurity forces in Colombia committed “serious” human rights violations during a crackdown on mass protests earlier this year that left dozens dead, the United Nations said in a new report, urging the Government to reform how demonstrations are managed.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights found that Government agents used “unnecessary or disproportionate force” during the protests, which began in April and drew thousands into the streets in anger over a tax reform proposal.

State security forces were guilty of murder, arbitrary detentions, sexual and gender-based violence, and acts of discrimination and racism, the 63-page report said.

The report also urged “the Colombian authorities to take the necessary steps to ensure those in charge of managing protests, in particular the National Police, only resort to dispersal of protesters in strict adherence of international hu-

Demonstrators gather at the Los Heroes monument during a protest demanding government action to tackle poverty, Police violence and inequality, in Bogota, May 28, 2021 [File: Santiago Mesa/Reuters]

man rights norms and standards”, the UN said in a statement.

The UN report was the latest to accuse Colombian Police and security forces of using excessive force during the demonstrations, which saw fierce clashes in some cities in the South American nation.

While the protests were ignited by the proposed tax legislation, protesters widened their demands to include Government action

to address longstanding problems related to education, healthcare, poverty, Police violence and other social issues.

Late last month, Amnesty International accused Colombian Police of “intentionally” targeting protesters, as more than 100 people suffered eye injuries during the unrest, while Human Rights Watch said in June that Police had committed “egregious” abuses.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Chile to elect its next President as very close race wraps up

S

Stranded passengers in Puerto Rico

cores of passengers aboard a Caribbean Airlines flight from Miami to Piarco, Trinidad on Monday, were left stranded for 30 hours in Puerto Rico after an emergency landing there owing to the death of a passenger.

The flight had 146 passengers on board.

CAL’s Flight, BW483, was en route to the Piarco International Airport when about halfway through its journey, around 18:00h on Monday it landed in Puerto Rico after flight stewards

alerted the captain of the medical emergency in which the passenger died.

Guardian Media was told that it was not until 20:15h that passengers and crew members were allowed to disembark the plane and 10 more hours before they got an update.

CAL did not disclose what happened to the aircraft to prevent the passengers from travelling on to Trinidad, but said in a statement that another aircraft was sent to relieve the passengers by midnight

Monday.

However, that aircraft was also unable to leave, due to circumstances outside of the airline’s control.

With every hour that passed, tensions rose among passengers who flooded the counter for answers on when they will be back in the air and on their way to their destination.

Desperation also kicked in for one passenger who was on her way to her father’s funeral.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

C

hileans will elect their next President this weekend – and the country’s north will prove key, analysts say, as two very different candidates compete to win over centrists and disaffected voters.

The runoff election on Sunday pits Jose Antonio Kast, a far-right conservative, against Gabriel Boric, a progressive social democrat, and the Presidentelect will take office on March 11 next year.

Kast, a 55-yearold lawyer and former Congressman, garnered

more votes in the firstround election last month, but Boric, a 35-year-old congressman and former student activist, has since been leading in recent polls.

Voter turnout – and particularly how many younger voters show up – could dictate the election outcome; Kast has the advantage with voters over age 50, while voters under 30 favour Boric.

“I think a lot of people understand the importance of this election,” said Daniela Campos Letelier, a member of the Red de

Politologas, a network of female political scientists.

In their runoff campaigns, both candidates have appealed more to the centre in an attempt to win over a large pool of voters neither secured in the first round. But only one candidate had to shake up his platform, said Campos Letelier.

“The core of [Boric’s] programme remains the same,” she told Al Jazeera. “[Kast] has had to move the compass needle a lot more.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

19

Around the World

reports highest daily COVID OILNEWS OIL NEWS UK cases, “staggering” rise feared Oil edges up on consumer demand, inventory declines

O

il prices edged higher on Wednesday, rebounding from early losses after US inventory data showed strong consumer demand and as the Federal Reserve said it would end its pandemic-era bond purchases in March to slow rising inflation.

Prices had been pressured most of the day owing to ongoing concerns that supply growth will outpace demand next year and worries that COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective against the spreading Omicron variant.

Brent crude futures settled up 18 cents, or 0.2 per cent, to US$73.88 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude ended up 14 cents to US$70.87 a barrel.

The Federal Reserve said it would end its pandemic-era bond purchases in March and begin raising interest rates as unemployment remains low and inflation has risen.

Oil prices rose in line with other risky assets like US equities, which responded positively to the Fed's statement.

US crude inventories sank by 4.6 million barrels last week, and distillate and gasoline stocks also declined, weekly Government data showed. Crude exports picked up sharply, while product supplied by refineries, a signal of consumer demand, hit a record 23.2 million barrels per day.

"The EIA [Energy Information Administration] data was very strong across all elements, record implied oil demand, large draw of crude and oil products," said Giovanni Staunovo, a commodity analyst at UBS. That said, oil analysts anticipate the Omicron variant will curb demand in the coming months. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said preliminary evidence indicated vaccines may be less effective against infection and transmission linked to the Omicron variant, which also carries a higher risk of reinfection.

"As more information comes out about potential lockdowns or travel restrictions as a result of Omicron we could see a pullback from here," said Gary Cunningham, director of market research at Tradition Energy.

US officials said coronavirus cases were on the rise, but the combination of the two-shot vaccine and booster does still neutralise the disease.

Consumers have already started to alter travel plans and airline spending was declining as of last week, Bank of America research showed.

On Tuesday, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said a surge in COVID-19 cases would dent global demand for oil while crude output is set to increase, especially in the United States, and supply is set to exceed demand at least until the end of next year. (Reuters)

Fed signals 3 rate hikes on the cards in 2022 as inflation fight begins

T

he Federal Reserve said on Wednesday it would end its pandemic-era bond purchases in March and pave the way for three quarter-percentage-point interest rate hikes by the end of 2022 as the economy nears full employment and the US central bank copes with a surge of inflation.

"The economy no longer needs increasing amounts of policy support," Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in a news conference in which he contrasted the near-depression conditions at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 with today's environment of rising prices and wages and rapid improvement in the job market.

The pace of inflation is uncomfortably high, he said after the end of the Fed's latest two-day policy

meeting, and "in my view, we are making rapid progress toward maximum employment," a combination of circumstances that has now convinced all Fed officials, even the most dovish, that it is time to exit more fully the pandemic policies put in place two years ago.

The scenario laid out by the central bank in its new policy statement and economic projections envisions the pandemic, despite the spread of the Omicron variant, giving way to a particularly benign set of economic conditions – a "soft landing" in which inflation eases largely on its own, interest rates increase comparatively slowly, and the unemployment rate is pinned to a low 3.5 per cent level for three years.

Some analysts were sceptical. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T

he United Kingdom has recorded its highest daily coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic as a further 78,610 COVID-19 infections were reported, about 10,000 more than the previous high reported in January.

More than 11 million peo-

ple have now tested positive for the disease in the UK, which has a total population of around 67 million.

With a new highly-transmissible Omicron variant of the virus surging across the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned of a “tidal wave” of infections.

However, he suffered a

Hong Kong gears up for “patriotsonly” poll amid boycott calls

Only three of the 153 candidates contesting this year's election openly identify as pro-democracy, according to a news report, marking a dramatic change in the semi-autonomous territory that was roiled by protests calling for greater democracy [Bertha Wang/AFP]

W

ith days remaining for Hong Kong’s legislative elections, candidates are hitting the Chinese-controlled city’s streets canvassing for last-minute votes. But residents say there is little enthusiasm to vote this time.

One woman told Al Jazeera that many voters in Hong Kong see the December 19 poll as a “selection” and not an “election”. That is because electoral reforms – introduced by Beijing earlier this year – mean that only candidates who passed the authorities’ “patriots only” vetting process were allowed to run.

Only three of the 153 candidates contesting this year’s election openly identify as pro-democracy, according to the South China Morning Post, marking a dramatic change in the semi-autonomous territory that was

roiled by protests calling for greater democracy in 2014 and again, in 2019.

“What you see is people giving a very wide berth to candidates,” said the resident, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions.

“No one is taking a pamphlet. People see the candidates on the sidewalk and they cross the road, the same way they cross the road when they see a police station or the national security office.”

Originally set for September of last year, the election for Hong Kong’s legislative council was delayed for more than a year, with authorities citing concern over the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to postpone the vote followed a sweeping crackdown on dissent in China’s freest city. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

People wear face masks while walking in an empty street in London [Alberto Pezzali/AP Photo]

blow to his authority on Tuesday when more than 100 of his lawmakers voted against measures to curb the increasing spread of the disease.

Speaking at a news conference, the British Prime Minister said the doubling rate of Omicron in some regions is now down to less than two days.

He added: “I’m afraid we’re also seeing the inevitable increase in hospitalisations up by 10 per cent nationally week on week and up by almost a third in London.

“But we are also see-

ing signs of hope,” said Johnson, referring to people’s response to an emergency Omicron appeal launched on Sunday.

“I want to say that each and every one of you who rolls up your sleeve to get jabbed is helping this national effort, and I want to thank everyone who has come forward,” he added.

Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, earlier called the Omicron variant “probably the most significant threat” since the start of the pandemic. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Derek Chauvin pleads guilty in George Floyd civil rights case

F

ormer Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin has pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating George Floyd's civil rights.

Chauvin, 45, is serving a state sentence of more than 22 years for murdering Floyd, a 46-year-old black man.

On Wednesday, he reversed an earlier not-guilty plea on the federal charges as part of a deal with US Prosecutors.

The agreement means he will not face trial in January.

It may also result in a lighter federal sentence for Chauvin.

Chauvin, who is white, was convicted this spring on murder and manslaughter charges in Minnesota for kneeling on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes.

The killing of Floyd – captured on a bystander's phone camera – sparked global outrage and a wave of demonstrations against racial injustice and Police use of force.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Russia’s Putin, China’s Xi hail ties amid tensions with West

R

ussian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have held a video meeting, as friction persists in both countries’ relations with the West.

In their opening remarks at the virtual summit on Wednesday, Putin and Xi hailed relations between Russia and China, with the Russian leader declaring them “a proper example of interstate cooperation in the 21st century”.

“A new model of cooperation has been formed between our countries, based, among other things, on such principles as not interfering in internal affairs [of each other], respect for each other’s interests, determination

The conversation has taken place at a moment of high tension in both countries' relations with the West [EPA]

to turn the shared border into a belt of eternal peace and good neighbourliness,” Putin said.

Xi said that the Russian President “strongly supported China’s efforts to protect key national interests and

firmly opposed attempts to drive a wedge between our countries”.

“I appreciate it very much,” the Chinese leader said.

Putin also said that he plans to meet with Xi in per-

son in Beijing in February and attend the 2022 Olympics. “As agreed, we will hold talks and then take part in the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games,” Putin said.

Tensions between Russia and Western countries have escalated in recent months over a Russian military build-up near the border with Ukraine. The Ukrainian Government has accused Moscow of massing tens of thousands of troops in preparation for a possible large-scale military offensive. The Kremlin denies it plans to invade and says the West is gripped by Russophobia. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Say little and do a lot.

Focus on your responsibilities and do the best job possible. Keep your spending to a minimum, and you'll feel less stressed about the future. Be careful of your health.

Refuse to let your emotions lead you down the wrong path.

An offer will give you something to think about. Don't lose sight of your dreams due to a lack of support. Speak up and forge ahead.

You have more opportunities than you think. Check out possibilities and take advantage of a situation that can help you excel. Mingle, network and look for ways to stabilize your future. Let go of the past.

A proposal will grab your attention. Don't dance around the subject or be quick to react, or you may hurt someone's feelings.

Honesty will save you from unnecessary distress.

Take things up a notch.

Keep moving until you are satisfied with the results.

Last-minute shopping, festive events and taking care of year-end paperwork should be priorities.

Don't get all worked up over something inconsequential. Emotions will run high when friends, family or colleagues get together. Simplify matters by maintaining equality and avoiding indulgence.

Take good care of your health, home and family.

Try to get everything done.

Get in high gear and focus on what makes the most sense.

Preparation is critical when it comes to pleasing others.

Emotions will change quickly regarding situations that require cooperation.

Find a way to compromise before things go haywire. Use your intelligence by making an offer that's hard to refuse.

SAGITTARIUS A disciplined attitude will help you get everything (Nov. 23done on time. Be thorough Dec. 21) when it comes to shared expenses and gift-giving. Make sure you are aware of hidden costs.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Jump in, participate and get things done. Tidy up, decorate your space, get into the festive spirit and do something that brings you joy. Home improvement, romance and personal growth are favored.

Control your emotions when dealing with a friend, relative or loved one. If you overreact, take on more than you can handle or make an unpopular change, you will face the consequences.

Touch base with someone who inspires you. Discussions (Feb. 20will prompt you to seek out March 20) people working to achieve similar goals. Sharing ideas will save time and energy and encourage success.

PISCES

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

21

I was told I wouldn't be ODI captain an hour-and-ahalf before SA Test squad was announced – Virat Kohli "I was contacted one-anda-half hours before the selection meeting on December 8 for the Test series," Kohli said of the communication (or lack of it) with the BCCI on the ODI captaincy. "There was no prior communication to me at all from when I announced the T20I captaincy decision until the eighth (of December) where, as I said, I got a call oneand-a-half hours before the selection meeting.

"When I decided to leave the T20I captaincy, and approached the BCCI about my decision, it was received well; there was no offence or hesitation, I wasn't told to reconsider it," Virat Kohli has said. "The Chief Selector [Chetan Sharma] discussed with me the Test team, to which we both agreed, and before ending the call, I was told that the five selectors have decided that I will not be the ODI captain, to which I replied, 'Okay, fine'. And in the selection call afterwards, we chatted about it briefly.

And that's what happened.

There was no communication prior to that at all."

On December 9, Ganguly told PTI that he had requested Kohli to reconsider his decision to step down as

T20I captain. Kohli's clarification has seemed to contradict this assertion.

"When I decided to leave the T20I captaincy, and communicated that…I approached the BCCI first about my decision: that this is my point of view, and these are the reasons due to which I am doing this. It was received in a very nice way," Kohli said. "There was no offence, no hesitation (from BCCI). I wasn't told, ‘You don't leave the T20 captaincy’. Instead, it was received well; I was told it's a very progressive step and in the right direction.

"At the time I told them, 'Yes, I'd like to continue (leading) in Tests and ODIs, unless the office-bearers and selectors feel I shouldn't be doing that responsibility'.

Even that I had clarified on the call at the time. My communication to BCCI was clear since then about what I wanted to do. I gave them the option as well, that if the office-bearers and selectors feel I shouldn't (remain captain in Tests and/or ODIs), then the decision is in their hands.”

ARISE, SIR LEWIS

Kohli also confirmed that he was available for the ODIs in South Africa, and all talk of him opting out

V

irat Kohli has said at a press interaction on Wednesday that he was informed of his removal as India's ODI Captain just one-and-a-half hours before the selection meeting to pick the Test squad for South Africa.

Kohli has also said there had been no communication from the BCCI over the ODI captaincy between September 16, when he announced his decision to step down from the T20I captain-

cy, and December 8, when the South Africa-bound Test squad was named.

At the time, Kohli said, his decision to quit as T20I captain just prior to the World Cup was "received well" and termed as "progressive" by the BCCI top brass.

His words were in sharp contrast with those of BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, which suggested that Kohli was asked to reconsider his decision.

'No communication with BCCI to say I want to rest for SA ODIs'

were "lies", and there wasn't even a suggestion of him skipping the games.

"I was, and I am, available for selection all this time," Kohli said. "You should not be asking me this question; honestly, this question should be asked to people who are writing about these things and their sources, because as far as I'm concerned, I was always available. I have not had any communication with the BCCI to say that I want to rest.

“There were a few things that came out in the past as well, that it was said I was attending some events or something, which was absolutely not true either. All these people who are writing these things and their sources, to me they're absolutely not credible," he said.

On Tuesday, BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal told Times Now that Kohli would be taking a break. "To my understanding, before any decision was taken with regards to captaincy, it was decided that he (Kohli) will be going (to South Africa) for the Test matches only, not for the ODIs. He was wanting it that way because he needed a break," Dhumal has said.

Kohli, however, has categorically stated the opposite.

"As I said, I am available for selection for the ODIs

in South Africa, and I'm always keen to play. This question should be asked to people who are writing about this, writing lies; not to me, because my communication with BCCI on this issue has not happened that I want to rest."

’Nothing can derail me from being motivated to play for India'

Kohli didn't shy away from expressing his disappointment with "things that happen on the outside", but stressed that "nothing can derail me from being motivated to play for India.

"To be prepared for a tour like this and to perform to the best of my abilities, nothing has ever derailed, and nothing can derail, me from that," he said. "A lot of things that happen on the outside are not ideal, and not how one expects them to be, but you have to understand there's only so much that you can do as an individual, and we have to keep things in right perspective and do the things that you can as an individual (that) are in your control.

"I'm very focused. I'm very mentally prepared and very excited to go to South Africa and do the best I can for the team and make the team win." (Taken from ESPNcricinfo and modified)

- Hamilton knighted three days New Zealand vs West Indies to kick after F1 title heartbreak

Lewis Hamilton has been made a Knight Bachelor by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle

L

ewis Hamilton is now Sir Lewis Hamilton after being knighted in recognition of a glittering career in Formula One just days after he controversially lost out on a record eighth title.

Britain’s former world champion has been honoured by the Prince of Wales during a Windsor Castle investiture ceremony on Wednesday.

He was joined by his mother, Carmen Lockhart, and was all smiles as they

posed for pictures in the castle’s quadrangle. The 36-year-old has become the fourth Grand Prix driver to be knighted, following in the footsteps of Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jackie Stewart, and the first to be awarded the honour while still competing.

Hamilton was recognised in the new year’s honours list following a record-breaking 2020 in which he eclipsed Michael Schumacher’s alltime victory tally and em-

ulated the German by winning a seventh world title.

But on Sunday, the Mercedes driver’s Red Bull rival Max Verstappen claimed his first Formula One world title after his season-long battle with Hamilton came down to a highly controversial onelap shootout in Abu Dhabi.

The deployment of the safety car after a late crash at the Yas Marina circuit wiped out the lead Hamilton had built over the Dutchman, and Verstappen had the advantage as he was using fresher tyres.

After the Red Bull driver stormed past Sir Lewis – who missed out on a fifth title in succession – the British driver said on the car radio: “This has been manipulated, man,” but he was later magnanimous in post-race interviews. He told Sky Sports at the time: “Congratulations to Max and his team. I think we did an amazing job this year. Everyone back at the factory and here worked so hard in this most difficult of seasons.” (Guardian)

off 2022 Women's ODI World Cup

H

osts New Zealand will face West Indies in the opening match of the Women's ODI World Cup in Tauranga on March 4. Six-time winners Australia will meet defending champions England at Seddon Park in Hamilton the following day; while India, last edition's runners-up, will face Pakistan in another marquee fixture in Tauranga on March 6.

ICC confirmed that the 31 games will be played across 31 days, with the eight teams competing

for the trophy. Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Wellington are the six cities that will host the tournament. Christchurch will host the final on April 3.

Like the previous edition, the tournament will be played in the league format, where each team will meet the other teams once.

The top four sides will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be played at Wellington and Christchurch on March 30 and 31 respectively. Both the semi-finals and the fi-

nal will have a reserve day in place.

Australia, England, South Africa and India qualified for the global event on the basis of their position in ICC Women's Championship 2017-20, while New Zealand automatically qualified as hosts. After the World Cup qualifying event in Zimbabwe was called off due to the COVID-19 threat last month, Bangladesh, West Indies and Pakistan secured their places on the basis of their team ranking.

This will be the first big women's global event since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The last global women's event played was the Women's T20 World Cup in Australia in March 2020, which the hosts won by beating India in the final.

As a part of their preparation, India are scheduled to play five ODIs against hosts New Zealand before the World Cup. (ESPNcricinfo)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Are Cricket West Indies too lenient with certain players?

-Dr Shallow cites reason for Russell choosing Big Bash over Pakistan series

W

est Indies T20 International team is currently in Pakistan playing a whiteball series. After two matches, the Caribbean men have suffered contrasting defeats.

This T20I team is an inexperienced one, with a host of youngsters and players who are still finding their feet being included in the mix. Some big names opted not to play in this series. The likes of Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Lendl Simmons and Andre Russell opted out for personal reasons. This is according to a Cricket West Indies (CWI) release when the squads to Pakistan were announced.

However, both Simmons and Russell are playing in T20 leagues.

Simmons featured in the recently concluded US Open, where he slammed a century in the semi-finals; while Russell slammed a player-ofthe-match 42 for Melbourne Stars in his first outing.

Russell’s choice to play in the Big Bash has sparked major discussions in the Caribbean, and on Tuesday’s Mason and Guest radio programme,

Dr Kishore Shallow

it was all fireworks. CWI Vice President Dr Kishore Shallow provided the reason why Russell opted not to tour Pakistan, but play in the Big Bash.

“Russell indicated to the Lead Selector that he was mentally fatigued in the bubble; and in the Big Bash League, where he is now, he would not be required to be in a bubble,” Dr Shallow said. “That was the rationale provided to the Lead Selector,” Dr Shallow said.

To this disclosure, popular radio host and cricket commentator Andrew Mason came out with all guns blazing. He said: “Yes, Dr Shallow, they have got to get the opportunity to make money; but there is a word called ‘sacrifice’.”

Mason added that such situations are almost unique to the West Indies.

“The other players don’t do it to their countries, and I am sure Russell is going to be ready to play for us in the World Cup, and we are going to pick him. We cannot continue the foolishness with these guys.”

The response from Dr Shallow might have seemed lenient, but it must be remembered that this Ricky Skerritt-Dr Kishore Shallow-led administration is a player-centric one, which aims to have good relationships with players.

This decision by Russell is perhaps familiar to Caribbean fans, who see these decisions as players choosing the decorated leagues rather than making that sacrifice to play more bilateral series for the West Indies.

(Brandon Corlette)

SCA honours World Cup Under-19 selectees ...Nandu among selectees

Matthew Nandu

SCA President Shiv Persaud

he Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) of Canada has honoured three of its players with plaques and cash.

The players were honoured on Sunday night, December 12, at a simple presentation function held

at Avenue Restaurant and Lounge in Scarborough.

Two of them would be representing Canada while the other would be representing the West Indies at the forthcoming International Cricket Council 50-overs Under-19 World Cup

T

event to be staged in the Caribbean from January 14th to February 5th, 2022.

President of the SCA, Shiv Persaud, told the trio: Matthew Nandu, Ethan Gibson and Arjuna Sukhu, that this is the first step towards what should be a great cricketing career.

Persaud also told them that to play at such a prestigious tournament should encourage them to play the game assiduously and passionately.

Nandu and Sukhu play for Kaieteur International Sports Club in the SCA tournaments, while Gibson turns out for Durham United. Nandu will represent the West Indies, while Sukhu and Gibson would represent the Canadian combination.

Persaud has said his

association is pleased to make this gesture to the young and talented cricketers, who should make the SCA proud during the World Cup extravaganza.

Persaud informed that their selection speaks volumes as well, and demonstrated their cricketing abilities. Each player received a plaque and Cdn$500.

The players’ parents were also on hand, and they thanked the SCA for recognising the youths.

Persaud expressed confidence that Canada can emerge victorious too.

Canada is placed in Group A alongside defending champions Bangladesh, England and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Canada will begin the tournament on January 15th against the UAE at Warner Park Stadium in St. Kitts and Nevis.

West Indies will launch their campaign against Australia at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence in Guyana on the opening day. West Indies are placed in Group D with Australia, Scotland and Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the SCA has also recognised Surendra Seeraj, who will be the Assistant Coach for the Canadian team. Seeraj is an active member of the SCA’s Over-50 competition.

Other SCA executives who attended this presentation ceremony were Abigail Rajkumar, Registrar/ Statistician, and Grounds Coordinator Calvin Alexander.

Andre Russell

NSC makes good on promise to Kaikan community

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle handing over the trophies and medals

T

he National Sports Commission (NSC), through Director of Sport (DoS) Steve Ninvalle, committed several weeks ago to assisting the community of Kaikan in Region 7 (CuyuniMazaruni) with prizes for their upcoming community-based football tournament.

The NSC has kept its promise by fulfilling the request of the Kaikan community to receive a quantity of trophies and medals for their annual Christmas Football competition.

Director of Sport (DoS) Steve Ninvalle travelled to the Region Seven community on Tuesday December 14 to make good on the promise. During a small

presentation ceremony, Ninvalle handed over the trophies and medals to Kaikan Village Toshao Marlon Williams in the presence of resident teacher Nakitta Peters.

Kaikan’s highly anticipated football tournament is expected to commence on Sunday, December 26th and conclude on Friday, December 31st.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

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23

"Don't be too hard on us" -Pooran says of young WI team - says Shepherd is a special player

By Brandon Corlette

T

he Nicholas Pooranled West Indies T20 team will wrap up the T20 International series against Pakistan today (Thursday, December 16) when first ball bowls off at 9:00h Eastern Caribbean time.

Pooran has spoken about the young team, and about the quality of Brandon King and Romario Shepherd, who both did well with the bat in the nine-run defeat on Tuesday.

While he noted that the team is improving and learning on the job, Pooran has said his unit is focused on winning.

Asked about mistakes made in the series thus far, Pooran replied: "If we knew why we make mistakes, we would be the best team in the world. It's cricket, and I can only talk for this bunch of guys here. It is quite a very inexperienced group

in terms of T20 cricket, but that is no excuse. We are learning on the job, so don't be too hard on us."

Pooran has admitted that he made a silly mistake in the shot selection that cost him his wicket.

The left-hander also said the team did well to stay in the game against a highly-ranked Pakistan outfit, even to the point of having a chance to win at the end.

Sharing his sentiments on Brandon King's half-century, Pooran said: "Brandon is someone of high quality. He has been inconsistent at times, but he is trying to find his feet.

He is super talented, and I am very happy in the way he batted, he showed his class. The way he batted was commendable, and it is a good innings, especially against Pakistan in their own backyard."

Pooran proud of Shepherd

From the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to the Abu Dhabi T10 League, Romario Pooran has said his young team is learning and improving daily Shepherd has been Captain Pooran the type of player we need. with him at Guyana in the a revelation in 2021, is very proud of his Every game he turns up, if CPL, and I know how hard and has been improvteammate, whom it is not with bat, it's with he has been working. He is ing game by game. he describes as a ball, or in the field. Sky a very hard worker, and I The Guyanese, who hard-worker, a man is the limit for him. What urge him to set the bar for was the leading wicket-taker in the CPL Romario Shepherd with a big heart, we are seeing on the crick- himself,"Pooran said.

With the next T20 and a special et field right now is speand showed his allcial for a player to come out World Cup set for Australia player. round exploits, has "He is a special play- and give us a chance ev- next year, Pooran has said been a shining light for the West Indies T20 team in er. He has a lot of heart, ery single game with that he is happy with the youngand he does exactly what die-hard spirit. I am very sters who are putting their Pakistan. the team requires. That is proud of him, I have played hands up for selection.

Vengy FC, Renegade, Team Cruel Mohamed’s Enterprise win on Futsal opening night boosts GCC World Cup preparation

Team Cruel had the highest goal tally of the night

Vengy FC outplayed the Stabroek Ballers

T

he long awaited GFFK&S Futsal competition did not disappoint on its Tuesday night launch, as some of the best teams in the shorter format put on a grand show.

The tournament is being played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), and the games, which have been intense, have kept the boisterous spectators on the edge of their seats for the

entire 5-match roster.

Opening the tournament was a fiery encounter between Stabroek Ballers and Vengy FC. The Stabroek Ballers were no match for the Venezuelan expertise of Vengy, as Alberto Hernandez netted 3, Jose Vasquez 2, and Anghelo Rojas 1 for their 6-goal tally. Mark Jhallu’s brace and Shemar Welch’s lone goal comprised the reply for Stabroek in the 6-3 game.

Alexander Village utilised their experience against Avocado Ballerz in the second game, winning 4-2. At the half, Avocado led with two goals from Anthony Carreno and Endrick Perez, but Shem Porter’s brace and one each from Anton Porter and Rolan Junior were enough

to hand Alexander Village the win.

A seven-goal tally from California Square handed them a victory over Generation X. Brandon Solomon, Wesley Greenidge, Levi Canterbury, Tevin Campbell, Antowne Vasconcellos and Meshack Barratt all contributed one to California’s tally, with an own goal from Chancy Babb adding the 7th. Josh Parvattan’s brace accounted for Generation X’s reply.

With the highest goal count of the night, Team Cruel rendered Globe Yard speechless with a 9-0 thumping. It was not the finish that Globe Yard was expecting from the fairly new Team Cruel, as the first half of their encounter ended with a 1-0 score. However, in the second half, it rained goals for Team Cruel. Jemar Harrigan’s hattrick and Tyrice Dennis’s 4 led the way, with Jerome Harrigan and Steven Miller adding one each.

The final game of the night saw a close encounter between Renegade and Agricola. Leading 2-0 at the half, Agricola eventually lost the lead and the game.

Malcolm Miggins, Kevon Ward, Dwayne Wilson and Leo-orion Lovell each found the back of the net once for Renegade’s 4; while Bilaal Jabar, Christopher John and Kevon Bacchus accounted for Agricola’s 3.

The Futsal tournament will continue on Thursday, December 16, at the same venue from 7pm, and then again on Saturday, December 18, at the same time and place.

T

he history-rich Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) will come in for some much-needed and timely upgrade on the back of a $2M donation from Mohamed’s Enterprise on Wednesday.

In a small ceremony, owner of Mohamed’s Enterprise, Nazar Mohamed, handed over the donation to GCC President Timothy Tucker, who is also President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI).

According to the GCC President, the money would be used to fund upgrades to the dressing rooms at the Club’s Bourda location, as stipulated by the International Cricket Council (ICC), so as to allow GCC to meet the necessary standards to host practice matches for the Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 next month.

“The money that was donated is part of the overall money needed for the rehabilitation of the two dressing rooms, in keeping with the recommendations of the ICC,” Tucker explained in a comment invited by Guyana Times Sport. He added, “The total amount of money to restore the dressing room to ICC standards is about $6M, and Mr Mohammed has made a significant contribution towards that.”

With Mohamed’s Enterprise contributing a whopping 1/3 of the needed sum, the GCC has reached out to other business entities for assistance. While the Government of Guyana

is already on board, one other business entity has signalled its willingness to assist.

The GCC President disclosed, “The GCC will handle a portion of it on its own.

The Government has also given GCC commitment as well; and also, we have written to other business entities requesting funding; at least maybe 20 business entities we have written to.

“Mr. Mohamed is the first to respond, and also we’ve gotten a donation from Unique Distributors.

Mr. Frankie Camacho has already made a donation as well,” he concluded.

The Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2022 is scheduled to bowl off on January 14 at the National Stadium at Providence, EBD with an opening encounter featuring the West Indies and Australia. Aside from the National Stadium, the Everest Cricket Club would be hosting official matches in the tournament.

While the GCC would act as a venue for practice matches, practice sessions would reportedly be held at the Demerara Cricket Club and the Police Sports Club Ground.

The teams that would compete in Guyana are expected to arrive as early as January 2, with practice games begin on January 9.

West Indies, Australia, Sri Lanka and Scotland out of Group D would play one official game each in Guyana, while the same would go for India, South Africa, Ireland and Uganda from Group B.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021

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

Vengy FC, Renegade, Team Cruel win on Futsal opening night Page 23

A glimpse of the action between Alexander Village and Avocado Ballers

Mohamed’s Enterprise boosts GCC World Cup preparation

Page 23

“Don’t be too hard on us” Businessman Nazar Mohamed making the presentation to GCC President Timothy Tucker

Page 23

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