Guyana Times -- Thursday, January 27, 2022

Millions allocated to P14 rebuild schools; Police stations destroyed by fire

…new courts, hospitals to be constructed

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

Issue No. 4902

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

People-oriented $552.9B mega-budget to kickstart modernisation …massive funding for roads, bridges, new schools, new hospitals … economy to grow by 47.5%

Monthly income tax threshold now $75,000

Because We Care Cash Grant increased to $25,000 Uniform Cash Grant now $5000 Old age pension Public assistance now $14,000 increased to $28,000 Every dialysis patient to Low-Income Mortgage Loan get up to $600,000 yearly Ceiling increased to $15M for treatment

PRICE

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Fire guts GPL’s caterpillar P16 generator in Anna Regina

Mother of 4 set on fire by husband P13

Berbice boat captain shot in home invasion P12

Cleaner, cheaper energy

Construction on Amaila Falls Hydro Project to start this year …$20B for Gas-to-Energy project; $1.7B for other renewable energy projects …$1.6B set aside for construction, upgrade of GPL transmission lines

$21.1B set Harmon aside for new resigns as four-lane Opposition Demerara Leader River Bridge 6 more COVID-19 deaths recorded Page 2

…“suitable” candidate being examined – APNU/AFC Chief Whip

Teen files $25M lawsuit against P8 CC&PA …claims she slept on cardboard, endured predatory sexual advances

Man who killed friend during drunken brawl jailed for 16 P10 years

Bandits steal dead woman’s jewellery

P12

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Harmon resigns as Opposition Leader …“suitable” candidate being examined – APNU/AFC Chief Whip

A

mid mounting pressure from within the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon has resigned from the post thus making way for party leader Aubrey Norton to take up the role.

This was indicated to Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, in a letter on Wednesday.

Harmon will, nonetheless, remain a Member of Parliament of the APNU/ AFC Opposition.

Norton, who secured a landslide victory at the party’s internal Congress in December 2021, had disclosed earlier this month that the PNCR Central Executive Committee (CEC) has decided that he should also hold the post as Leader of the Opposition.

But Harmon, who lost his bid for the PNCR leadership position to Norton, had been adamant that he should remain in the position, which was given to him by former PNCR Leader, David Granger. Harmon was also not re-elected to the party’s Central Executive Committee – the highest decision-making body of the party.

In fact, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) – the leading party in the coalition Opposition – has

est possible time.

Disappointed

Former Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

even thrown its support behind Harmon retaining the position, stating that “… we have had no reason to question the leadership of Joseph Harmon as Leader of the Opposition.”

However, following a series of meetings over the past two weeks, Harmon announced his resignation on Wednesday.

In a brief statement subsequently, the PNC expressed gratitude to Harmon and thanked him for his service.

The party also said it will address the issue of filling the position of Leader of the Opposition with its coalition partners in the short-

Meanwhile, the APNU/ AFC Members of Parliament in a separate statement also expressed disappointed with this new development.

“We take the opportunity to thank Mr. Harmon for his sterling contribution thus far. In the circumstances, the Members of Parliament will urgently consult with the leadership of their respective parties so that the way forward, and a suitable candidate to assume the important office of Leader of the Opposition can be identified,” the missive detailed.

The statement, which was sent by Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones, also stated that the temporary absence of a Leader of the Opposition is no hindrance to the proceedings of the National Assembly ensuing hence the MPs will continue to function accordingly.

Moreover, at Wednesday’s sitting of the National Assembly, during which the Governmentpresented Budget 2022, House Speaker Manzoor Nadir announced that he will soon be meeting with the APNU/AFC on the election of a new Opposition Leader.

Deputy Speaker Lenox

PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton

Shuman, who is the representative of the joinder list which comprises of A New United Guyana (ANUG), the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and The New Movement (TNM), has indicated that he would not be participating in that process to elect the new Leader of the Opposition.

Harmon’s resignation as Opposition Leader comes one day after he also stepped down as General Secretary of the APNU, while Granger resigned as the party’s Chairman.

APNU’s Chairmanship is now taken up by Norton.

According to a statement from Congress Place,

a meeting was held on Tuesday between Granger, Norton and Harmon. Also attending the meeting were Jaipaul Sharma, leader of Equal Rights and Justice Party, Vincent Henry of the Guyana Action Party, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley of the Guyana Nation Builders and Keith Scott of the National Front Alliance – the other parties that joined the PNC in forming APNU. While Granger’s resignation was accepted with immediate effect, the APNU Executive requested Harmon to stay on for at least 7 days to ensure the smooth transition to a new General Secretary.

On the other hand, Norton is also interested in becoming Representative of the APNU/AFC List of Candidates, a position which is currently being held by Granger, while the Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, is the Deputy Head of the List.

Granger and Harmon had met with Ramjattan and other AFC leaders – Chairman Raphael Trotman; Vice Chair Catherine Hughes and General Secretary of the AFC, David Patterson – on Monday last.

It was at this meeting that it was first communicated that Granger

Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones

would be willing to step down as APNU Chairman.

However, there is still no word on Granger’s status as Representative of the List of Candidates for APNU. Despite Norton being backed by the PNCR Executive for the position of Representative of the List, the APNU had also expressed confidence in Granger and Ramjattan as leaders of the APNU/AFC List.

Ramjattan had previously made it clear that the established procedures must be followed before the Leader of the Opposition or Representative of the List of the APNU/AFC coalition can be changed. (G8)

NEWS

3

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Thursday, Jan 27 – 11:00h – 12:30h and Friday, Jan 28 – 00:30h – 02:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, Jan 27 – 11:55h – 13:25h and Friday, Jan 28 – 13:00h – 14:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 19 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Northerly to North North-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 12:01h reaching a maximum height of 2.36 metres.

Low Tide: 18:14h reaching a minimum height of 0.83 metre.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS O

04 08 09

15 21 26

FREE TICKET

12 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

01 10 12 18 20 LUCKY 3

8

5

4

5

Afternoon Draw

3

0

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01 02 06 08 16 17 21 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2022

02 07 08 13 14 13

03 04 05 09 10

1

1 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

8

7 Evening Draw

2X Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$89.96/barrel

+1.96

Rough Rice

$269.60/ton

-0.56

London Sugar

$499.80/ton

-0.14

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1813.30

$1814.30

Low/High Change

$1812.80 -6.10

$1855.00 -0.34%

People-oriented $552.9B megabudget to kickstart modernisation …economy to grow by 47.5%

By Jarryl Bryan

T

he Government of Guyana, through Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh, on Wednesday presented a mega $552.9 billion budget to the National Assembly that will, for the first time, feature the use of Guyana’s oil revenues.

In his over five-hour long presentation of the budget under the theme “Steadfast Against All Challenges, Resolute In Building Our One Guyana”, Dr Singh announced a slew of measures aimed at increasing disposable income for the general public, but particularly parents and the vulnerable in society.

For one, the “Because We Care” cash grant was increased to $25,000.

Additionally, old age pension has been increased to $28,000 and public assistance payments went from $12,000 to $14,000. According to the Finance Minister, this will benefit 18,000 persons and provide an additional $432 million in disposable income to these individuals “It would be recalled that this grant was unconscionably discontinued by the APNU/AFC. On returning to office, not only have we reintroduced it, but we now propose to increase it from $15,000 to $25,000 per child.

This will place an additional amount of $2 billion in the homes of the same 200,150 children attending both public and private school,” the Finance Minister said.

The Government also increased the unform grant

from $4000 to $5000 per child. According to Dr Singh, this will place $200 million of disposable income in the homes of 200,150 children attending both public and private school.

Cost of living

In a move to address the rising cost of living, Dr Singh meanwhile announced that the Government will be arranging monthly farmers’ markets at locations to be specified in East Berbice, East Coast Demerara, Georgetown, East Bank Demerara, and West Coast Demerara in the first instance, with the possibility of extending to other locations depending on the initial experience.

“This will help our farmers find ready markets for their produce, and help consumers benefit from the price advantage of buying directly from the farmer,” the Finance Minister said, referring to the fact that farmers’ markets are known to provide organic produce at a far cheaper cost than store bought produce.

He also announced that consultations will be held with communities both on the coast and in the hinterland that are most affected by the rising cost of living, on possible interventions to help ease the impact on their pockets. A sum of $5 billion has been set aside to meet the cost of whatever measures are decided on following these consultations.

Other measures intended to lighten the load on the pockets of the average Guyanese, are the Government’s plans to fur-

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

ther lower the excise tax rate on gasoline and diesel from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, which is expected to result in significant reductions in the prices of fuel. In 2021, Government had reduced the excise tax twice – once in February and then again in October.

There will also be significant reductions in the excise taxes for several categories of trucks and pick-ups.

Regarding the importation of new motor trucks of any tonnage for transport of goods (vehicles less than four years old), the Government will remove the 10 per cent excise tax.

The Finance Minister also announced that the 14 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) that currently applies for new trucks will also be removed. In relation to importation of new haulers for pulling containers or similar vehicles for pulling, the Government will also remove the currently applicable 14 per cent VAT rate.

Personal income

Another measure announced by the Government

was the increase in the monthly income tax threshold from $65,000 to $75,000, thereby releasing a total of $1.3 billion into the hands of current taxpayers both in the public and private sectors.

On the personal income and savings front, the Finance Minister announced that the withholding tax on individuals whose total interest returns on their savings fall below $10,000 per annum, will be removed. This, according to the Minister, will encourage persons to save even more.

“Mr Speaker, it would be recalled that a withholding tax is currently charged on interest income earned on deposits in the banking system.

In order to alleviate the impact of this withholding tax on individuals with modest deposits, we are proposing to remove the withholding tax from individuals whose total interest income does not exceed $10,000 per annum.

This measure will cost $30 million and will bring much needed relief to those individuals with modest savings in the bank,” he said.

TURN TO PAGE 7

4

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

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

Risk Management D

ealing with risks has always been part and parcel of the human condition. We are forced to act in a world of uncertainty about whether an event – leading to good or bad outcomes – would occur. As David Hume pointed out centuries ago, we cannot even be absolutely sure that the sun would rise tomorrow, even though it has done so for eons. We can, however, believe that there is a very high probability that it would so rise, because of our experience. So, we measure risks in terms of probability, and if we are prudent, we take efforts to reduce the probability of unfavourable outcomes to our actions and increase the favourable ones.

Risk management has always been integrally connected with survival strategies, ever since early hunters figured out it was better for them to hunt in bands. In commerce, insurance was certainly a major innovation that acted to reduce the dangers of taking risks, as was the decision by Governments to allow the formation of corporations as legal “bodies”. The latter allowed risks to be taken by individuals without their personal assets being threatened. Ever since the financial meltdown of 2008 in the developed countries, “Risk Management” has taken on a higher profile, since it is now accepted that the crisis was precipitated by financial firms practising extremely loose credit risk management.

Guyanese bankers and businesses should take note.

While those man-made risks have brought us low, newer ones, such as global warming, have augmented older risks originating from the workings of Mother Nature.

The extraordinary rainfall over the last year led to massive losses from floods. On global warming, last year the COP26 in Glasgow did not actually give much room for optimism.

The risks of our coastland, including Georgetown, being inundated from rising seas have increased exponentially.

Not much has changed structurally since the “UN Development Report 2014” honed in on “Risk and Opportunity: Managing risk for Development”. The issue of “risk” was placed at the centre of its efforts to stimulate development in the present aura of doubt and uncertainty that pervades the global recovery efforts. There has been, of course, the discovery of over 10 billion barrels of oil off our shores, but that does not alter the fundamental point about managing risks. In fact, Ghana ignored those lessons after they struck oil in 2007, and are still paying for their precipitate excessive borrowing. We might never be able to know the future, but we can reduce uncertainty about it.

As the report noted, there are “the missed development opportunities that arise when necessary risks are not taken.

Pursuing opportunities requires taking risks, but many people, especially the poor, are often reluctant to do so because they fear the potential negative consequences. Failure to act can trap people in poverty, leaving them vulnerable to negative shocks and even less able to pursue opportunities that would otherwise improve their well-being.”

With the world becoming ever more interlinked, leaders in every sphere of activity, but especially those at the helm of States, cannot remain passive in the face of burgeoning risks. They have to change from being “crisis fighters” to becoming “proactive and systematic risk managers”. In our own Caricom, while some countries, such as Guyana, were able to maintain healthy rates of growth even before oil was struck, most of the other members headed in the opposite direction, because they refused to deal with risks posed by their macroeconomic fundamentals, such as debt-GDP ratios.

Maybe they will now take the same advice from the UN: “Protecting hard-won development gains by building resilience to risk is essential to achieving prosperity”. That is true whether one is grappling with natural disasters, pandemics, financial crises, a wave of crime at the community level, or the severe illness of a household’s chief provider. Risk can never be completely eliminated.

But people and institutions can build resilience to risk by applying a balanced approach that includes structural policy measures, community-based prevention, insurance, education, training, and effective regulation.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali attended India’s 72nd Republic Day Anniversary Reception at the National Cultural Centre. He was joined by former President Donald Ramotar, India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K J Srinivasa, and other members of the diplomatic community (OP photo)

Peter should not be taking fall for Paul in CPI position Dear Editor, Guyana's loss of two points on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index 2021 (CPI) poses a few intriguing questions.

Did the arrest of APNU+AFC’s Winston Jordan on charges of Misconduct in Public Office in December 2021 affect the standing of the nation? Has corruption in the Public Sector increased?

Has perception increased? In seeking answers, I first looked at how the country’s score is tabulated and the Global Index compiled.

“The Index scores 180 countries based on perceptions of public sector corruption, using data from 13 external sources, including the World Bank, World Economic Forum, private risk, consulting companies, think tanks, and others. The scores reflect the views of experts and businesspeople.”

What’s the source of this?

What I found was that there was a natural time lag. The Trinidad Guardian’s report on that nation’s movement on the CPI stated Trinidad & Tobago Transparency Institute said the score of countries in 2021 was based on data from the year 2020.

Transparency International’s local arm, Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI), never offered any information on this time gap. Is this a ‘not-so-transparent’ attempt to smear the present People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Administration for Granger’s sins?

The data submitted to TI for 2020 surely included the attempt by APNU+AFC to firstly rig and then brazenly steal Guyana’s National Elections, using Clairmont Mingo’s fictitious numbers and information that Guyana was run without parliamentary oversight (financial and otherwise) for 635 days. This is specifically between the 21st day of December 2018 and the 16th day of August 2020, when $419 billion was expended during that period.

Those two events would suffice to drop Guyana a few points.

However, I would ask if TIGI reported any or all of the scandalous acts

of the APNU+AFC Administration.

Let me give a few examples of what I am talking about.

The Granger Administration began by removing eight (8) containers containing steel owned by BK International from the Ministry of Public Health compound worth millions of dollars. This was done in the first week after the Government had been changed. Further, they gave themselves a 50% pay raise. They fired 192 Amerindian Community Service Officers. They spent over a billion dollars on Durban Park. They gave GRA tax write-offs to companies that financed APNU+AFC’s 2015 campaign.

The APNU+AFC Administration entered the 3-year pharmacy bond contract between the Ministry of Health and the Linden Holding Co. for a house in Sussex Street; that is particularly egregious. They paid $1.7 billion as a settlement to BK International for Haags Bosch without an attempt to defend the Government’s position or the taxpayers’ monies. They made a costly but mysterious wind farm deal with APNU+AFC financier Lloyd Singh.

They procured $605M drugs from Ansa McAl without following the procurement laws as confirmed by the Public Procurement Commission (PPC).

Additionally, they closed several GuySuCo Estates and callously dismissed over 7000 workers. They enabled exorbitant rental of residences for Ministers as policy. Further, Granger made an arbitrary appointment of James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM, in violation of the Constitution. David Patterson, then Minister of Public Infrastructure, handed a sole-sourced $148M contract for feasibility and design studies for the new Demerara River Bridge to Dutch company Lievense CSO. They repaid RUDISA’s (US$16M) claim without any negotiations for a debt repayment schedule, and even though the company owed and appears to still owe millions of dollars in taxes to Guyana.

They issued two fuel licences for the importation of fuel to companies that are made up of persons related to top

officials and relatives of officials of the Government who have no fuel bonds, storage facilities, or offices.

Further, HDM labs medical supplies was handed a sole-sourced ‘emergency’ drug supply contract worth $366.9M from the Government. Valerie Patterson, while serving as Minister responsible for Housing, gave her husband millions of dollars in housing construction contracts. Government contracts were awarded to Cathy Hughes’s company, Videomega, while Hughes was still involved in the day-to-day running of that company.

Winston Jordan et al played an integral part in the APNU+AFC’s attempt to hide the US$18M signing bonus paid by ExxonMobil. APNU+AFC officials authorised NICIL to transfer numerous plots of State land to APNU+AFC officials and cronies.

Further, over 300 want-of-entry vehicles seized by the GRA were sold by Winston Jordan, without going to tender or public auction, to cronies and officials of APNU+AFC. Approval and non-accountability of NICIL and SPU loan of $30B for GUYSUCO. Simona Broomes’s child received a scholarship payment of over $20 million that she did not qualify for, and that payment was made directly into her account instead of to the institution, as per norm.

In light of the preceding and the fact that Winston Jordan’s charges would most likely not be included in the 2021 Index, I can only wonder how much of these events were reported to Transparency International by TIGI, and I would now ask that Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. make public its reports to the parent body for the years 2015 to present.

Further, I ask that they issue an official clarification of the time lag in reportage and calculation of the CPI, as the Trinidad chapter proffered without prompting.

Peter should not be taking the fall for Paul in a matter as important as our CPI position.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

5

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

Ideology guides governance Helping abusers and nation-building

Dear Editor, To properly understand the programmes and policies that a political party intends to implement, one must have a good insight into the nature and scope of that party’s ideology. In the case of the PPPC, the various strands (warp and weft) have been pulled together, and woven into an interesting ideological tapestry that covers and helps to explain its policies and programmes. It is this ideology that is also guiding the preparation of the “One Guyana Development Strategy.”

Having developed this insight, it is noted that the PPPC’s approach to good governance and nation building is guided by its ideology (referred to as GNB), and not by ‘ad hoc’ or ‘piecemeal’ measures. Though the PPPC’s ideological framework has specific core values (like free and fair elections, freedom, individual responsibility, separation of powers, limited government, less taxation, and competition as base for resource allocation and acquisition of political power, etc.), it also allows for adaptations in response to changing needs (like technology, ICT, science, alternative sources of energy, etc.) of the society.

While the PPPC, like the PNCR, had its origin in the first nationalist movement, the subsequent histories of both parties have been diverse, controversial, divisive, depressing, and conflicting, while their respective ideologies have

evolved in different directions. In this analysis, however, references will be generally restricted to the decades of the 21st century (2000s) while focus is given to the PPPC’s ideology relating to good governance.

In the past (second ½ of 20th century), the PPPC had relied upon Marxist principles to guide its approach to governance and nation-building, while it subsequently watched, with trepidation, how the PNC assaulted democracy and nonchalantly installed a dictatorship. Despite the PNC’s belligerence and its trampling upon democracy, the PPP nevertheless rendered critical support in the 1970s for the PNC’s aggressive nationalisation campaign.

Eventually, the PNC Government captured and controlled 80% of the country’s economy.

Since the 1980s, however, the influence of the Soviet bloc had begun to whittle, and democratic values and capitalist ethos began to rise. The PPPC had to move away from its Marxist ideological posture and gradually embrace a new GNB ideology (based on a combination of the Westminster and American models of democracy) of governance and nation-building.

Powered by this new GNB ideology, the PPPC has continued pushing forth market reforms which were initially imposed on the country by the IMF in 1989 under the Presidency of Desmond Hoyte.

I do not believe there will be any reversal of this new GNB ideology. The dialectics of the Guyana experience, combined with changing social reality, have allowed for the incorporation of core ideals, values, and principles into the construction of the GNB ideology; one expression of which is the PPPC’s manifesto. The intensive interactive process (between the PPPC and civil society) in developing the manifesto helped to strengthen several ideological elements (fiscal discipline, separation of powers, transparency and accountability, limited government, free enterprise, etc). This civil society engagement has enabled the PPPC to deem its manifesto a ‘covenant’ (solemn agreement) with the people.

On the question of governance, all the political parties say they want constitutional reform, but their level of commitment to this effort varies widely. In my opinion, the PPPC does not necessarily view constitutional reform as ‘urgent’, and it is more concerned with constitutional compliance. For example, the Carter-Price formula for the appointment of the GECOM Chair, which worked well for over 23 years, was discarded by the PNCR when it unilaterally appointed a Chair, contrary to the constitution, only to be admonished by the Caribbean Court of Justice. If existing constitutional provisions cannot be observed, what sense does it make to infuse more provisions into the Constitution?

Furthermore, it was under the PPPC leadership that some radical and fundamental constitutional changes were instituted in the 2000s, such as the establishment of (i) the five Rights Commission, (ii) a new system of Parliamentary management that allows for inclusivity (e.g., the chair of each sectoral committee is rotated between the PPPC and PNCR), (iii) and a significant reduction in the powers of the Presidency (e.g., restricting the incumbent to hold office for two terms). These and other changes signalled a departure from the Westminster model of democracy and an embrace of components of the American system of democracy, as reflected in the GNB ideology.

Patching up the Constitution through the process of reform would not necessarily be a constructive use of public resources. It is better to rewrite a new Constitution that reflects the existing social and economic conditions, including advances in technology, science, exponential growth of social media, as well as to include stringent constitutional compliance/ penalties. If the purpose of constitutional reform is to institute executive power-sharing, that is hardly likely to be supported by the people, as it would eliminate a fundamental principle of good governance; that is, electoral competition.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

Requirements necessary to strengthen Guyana's engineering needs Dear Editor, In a Guyana Times letter of Jan. 8, Professor Emeritus Budhu reviewed the Auditor General's Reports (AGR) for years 2019 and 2020, and identified a number of problems which the Government has encountered in the construction of its infrastructure projects. He concluded that these problems would continue to fester unless steps are taken to rectify their underlying causes, particularly so since the Govt plans to embark on an ambitious infrastructure programme for its planned double-digit economic growth from the resources generated by the rapidly expanding offshore oil industry.

Professor Budhu's evaluation of some of the problems outlined in the AGR are worthy of consideration for necessary changes. However, he did not dwell on the key issue giv-

en in the AGR, with which he concurred on the underlying cause for the plethora of transgressions and creative corrupt practices in the execution of infrastructure projects across several Government Ministries; which, as he stated, has eroded public trust and is hampering development.

The key issue the AGR noted why many Govt contracts was corruption, with large time and cost overruns and scant oversight because of poor and/or lack of accountability and adequate construction management/supervision, as many of the Government's engineering contracts for a variety of works were executed by several ministries with teams of incompetent, corrupt and unqualified personnel.

Therefore, there is urgent need for the Government to reorganise and consolidate its var-

ious engineering departments with the capability of providing all its engineering needs, and staff those with competent technical and managerial personnel. Before doing so, however, the Govt needs to know what engineering capabilities it has, what its needs are, and how these could be met to adequately satisfy the country's requirements.

Hence there is need for a commission to examine the country's existing engineering capabilities, its requirements in terms of personnel, and ancillary facilities and support associated therewith, such as surveyors, hydrologists, architects, laboratories etc.

The commission should be comprised of experienced personnel, some of whom could probably come from the World Bank, of which Guyana is a member.

It is worth noting that, in the late 1950s and ear-

ly 1960s, the then Ministry of Works and Hydraulics (MW&H) under the Colonial Govt had such an organisation which was responsible for successfully implementing most of the country's development projects, and those are still functioning today. Unfortunately, the MW&H was broken up by successive Governments after Independence, and these splinter teams, located in several other ministries with incompetent and corrupt personnel, have severely weakened the country's engineering capabilities, as many of the competent staff of the MW&H left Guyana for 'greener pastures', and political directives became the order of the day, particularly in the execution and directives of engineering-related works and services.

Yours sincerely, Charles Sohan

Dear Editor, Even as the Ministry of Social Security is making progress in the easy accessibility of reporting domestic abuse, the abusers don’t seem to care. There is an increasing amount of murder/ suicide in domestic violence cases. One would assume that the abuser does not care much for life and living.

The abuser seems to be fixated on “if I can’t have you, no one can”, or “is both ah we go die.”

While I applaud the Ministry for wanting to protect victims and alleviate domestic violence, the real solution to this problem is helping the abuser. Yes, helping the abuser! Emphasis should be placed on developing a centre for prevention of abuse. It is worthy to note that most of the time the victims end up dead, and all efforts to stop abuse by empowering victims go in vain. While it is important to set up and establish shelters for abused victims, and equip them with the tools to be independent, we must also consider that

not many of these victims actually survive abuse.

The sooner we understand that the abuser is responsible for the abuse, and ultimately is the only person who needs changing, the better off we would be in curbing domestic violence. One victim may be able to get out alive, but the abuser’s next victim may not be so fortunate.

Programmes should be developed and made easily accessible in order to help abusers change. I admit that someone can change only if they want to change.

However, increasing awareness and helping abusers realise they can change would save lives. Victims would get to live; abusers would change their ways, and children would grow up with parents.

It is my hope that those in authority who can make a difference would consider all of our options in alleviating domestic violence.

Best Regards, I Ram

Penny wise, pound foolish Dear Editor, Having been the victim of several robberies in the past, it is pure damned nonsense (to borrow a phrase) that the Berbice businessman would still see it fit and proper to send his lone wife along with a lone female employee to the bank with a huge deposit for a lone robber to pounce on them (KN Jan 25).

Businesses have been told repeatedly to engage

proper security when transporting large sums of money. Penny wise, pound foolish comes to mind.

The quick work by law enforcement personnel in capturing suspects is good, and it has been noted that the Commander would now provide Police assistance for these types of transactions.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

6

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Page

◄

Foundation Magnetic slime PLANE GEOMETRY

Test Match Sabina Park

By Stewart Brown

Instructions: Add the bottle of glue, about five ounces, to a mixing bowl.

Stir in about three tablespoons of the iron filings or magnetic powder.

Slowly mix in liquid starch (about two or three ounces) until the desired consistency of slime is reached.

Most recipes required roughly equal parts liquid starch to glue. For this recipe, a little less liquid starch is required.

Once the desired consistency is reached, remove the slime and knead it with your hands.

Now use the magnet to attract the slime.

Proudly wearing the rosette of my skin I strut into Sabina England boycotting excitement bravely something badly amiss.

Cricket. Not the game they play at Lords, The crowd- whoever saw a crowd At a cricket match? – are caged vociferous partisans, quick to take offence.

England sixty eight for none at lunch.

‘What sort o battin dat man?

Dem kaaan play cricket again, praps dem should-a-borrow Lawrence Rowe!’

And on it goes, the wicket slow as the batting and the crowd restless.

‘Eh white bwoy, how you brudders dem does sen we sleep so?

Me pay me monies fe watch dis foolishness? Cho!’ So I try to explain in my Hampshire drawl about conditions in Kent, about sticky wickets and muggy days and the monsoon season in Manchester but fail to convince even myself.

The crowd’s loud ‘busin drives me out skulking behind a tarnished rosette somewhat frayed now but unable, quite, to conceal a blushing nationality.

How it works: The liquid starch and glue combine in a chemical reaction that results in slime. The iron filings easily mix into the slime. When the magnet is near the magnetic slime, the iron filings are attracted to the magnet and pull the slime towards the magnet.

Teacher's Tip

I

n this fun and easy electricity and magnetism science experiment for kids, we’re going to make magnetic slime.

Materials: Glue Liquid starch Iron filings or magnetic powder Magnet

Make this a science project: Try different types of magnets. Try adding different small metal objects to the slime instead of iron filings and see if the magnetic slime behaves the same. Try different types of glue. Try putting the slime in the freezer for several minutes. (sciencefun.org)

“Every student can learn, just not on the same day or in the same way.”

– George Evans

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$21.1B set aside for new 4-lane Demerara River Bridge …$946M for existing Demerara Bridge; $76.7B in total for roads and bridges

T

he new four-lane, fixed span Demerara River bridge, which will form an important link between the East Bank and West Bank of Demerara and alleviate the traffic woes currently faced up the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) has received a $21.1 billion allocation from Budget 2022.

According to Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh, a total of $76.7 billion was allocated out of the $552.9 billion budget for works that will be done on roads and bridges. This $76.7 billion will be divided into $49.2 billion which will be spent on roads and $27.5 billion to be spent on bridges.

“Mr Speaker, with re-

spect to bridges, $21.1 billion is allocated to advance construction of the new, fixed four-lane high span Demerara River bridge, while $946 million has been budgeted to rehabilitate and maintain the aged existing floating bridge,” Dr Singh said.

“Additionally, $4.1 billion is allocated for the re-construction of several bridges along the Kurupukari to Lethem corridor that will support the phased construction of the Linden to Lethem highway.”

Dr Singh also announced that to address the critical needs of bridges, another $173.9 million has budgeted for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of bridges in areas including

Bridge

The construction of the new Demerara River Bridge is slated to start in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The project is expected to be finished within two years.

The bridge will land aback Nandy Park, EBD, and at La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Last year, Cabinet granted its no-objection for China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd to construct the bridge at a proposed cost of US$256.6 million. The contract was awarded based on a Design-Build-Finance (DBF) model with financial

People-oriented $552.9B...

An additional measure announced by the Government is that in 2022, a Dialysis Support Programme will be introduced whereby the Government will finance up to $600,000 per annum worth of dialysis treatment for “each and every dialysis patient” in Guyana. This programme will provide much needed assistance to almost 300 persons with failing kidneys, at a cost of $180 million.

For those who possess life and medical insurance, the Finance Minister announced that the Government is proposing to allow them a deduction from their chargeable income for premiums paid for life and medical insurance up to a maximum of 10 per cent of their income or $30,000 monthly whichever is lower.

Loan ceiling

Singh also stated that since taking office, the Government had announced two increases in the ceiling on low-income loans that may be obtained through commercial banks under the low-income housing loans programme.

The first was from $8 mil-

lion to $10 million and the second from $10 million to $12 million. “I now wish to announce a further increase in the ceiling from $12 million to $15 million. This will make housing loans from commercial banks more affordable to borrowers within that range, and help encourage persons who now have a house lot to proceed to borrow and build,” he said at Wednesday’s budget presentation.

Economy

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister provided both the economic projections for the year and the statistics for last year. According to him, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate puts Guyana within the top percentile of fastest growing economies in 2021 “Mr Speaker, real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by 19.9 per cent, while non-oil GDP is estimated to have grown by 4.6 per cent in 2021, despite the persistence of COVID-19 as well as the impact of the floods. With this rate of overall growth, Guyana is likely to be amongst the three fastest growing econ-

The new bridge will also offer critical connectivity to the new Wales Development Authority, which will be a major centre of productive activity when it comes on stream.

Garden of Eden, Chateau Margot, Beterverwagting, and Cemetery Road.

FROM PAGE 3

omies worldwide in 2021.”

“Real GDP is projected to grow by 47.5 per cent, a rate of growth which no other country in the world is currently projected to achieve in 2022. This reflects the coming into operation of the second FPSO vessel, the Liza Unity, which will significantly ramp up oil production,” the Finance Minister said.

Meanwhile, he explained that the non-oil economy is expected to continue registering strong growth, projected to grow by 7.7 per cent this year.

This, he explained, will be driven mainly by rebounds in rice cultivation and gold mining, as well as continued expansion in construction activity and wholesale and retail trade and repairs.

Of significant importance, Budget 2022 is the first budget that will benefit from financing from the proceeds of Guyana’s new and emerging oil sector. Government plans to withdraw from the Natural Resource Fund and transfer to the Consolidated Fund, a total of $126.7 billion. The Natural Resources Fund currently has a balance of US$607.6 million.

Roads

terms and conditions which would be no less favourable than those submitted in the preferred bidder’s price proposals. The proposed construction cost by China State Construction was in fact the lowest amongst all bidders.

Initially, the Government had pre-qualified nine firms to submit bids for the construction of a two-lane dual carriageway (4 lanes) hybrid cable-stayed centre span bridge with concrete box/T beam girder approach bridge structure.

The pre-qualified firms were invited to submit bids to construct the bridge using a Design-Build-Finance (D-B-F) contract and DesignBuild-Finance-Operate-

Maintain (D-B-F-O-M) contract.

At the pre-bid meeting, held on June 28, 2021, it was agreed that the closing date for submission of bids would be October 5, 2021. Only five of the pre-qualified bidders submitted bids, of which four obtained the required minimum score for the technical proposal.

The new bridge will offer easy connectivity to both the existing East Bank Demerara road as well as the new Diamond-to-Ogle bypass on the eastern side of the river and to the existing West Bank Demerara road and the new Parika-toSchoonord road on the western side of the river.

When it comes to big road projects, $2.3 billion has been set aside for the East Bank-East Coast Demerara road linkage between Ogle and Eccles, while a further $1.1 billion is budgeted to complete the Sheriff StreetMandela Road Network and Expansion Project.

“In relation to roads, key allocations include provisions of: $8.3 billion for the rehabilitation of the Corentyne Main Road from Palmyra to Crabwood Creek; $6 billion for the construction of the Linden-Mabura Hill Road; $3.4 billion for hinterland roads,” he announced.

Meanwhile, $2.6 billion has been set aside for the rehabilitation of the entire Soesdyke-Linden Highway, which has been prone to horrific accidents. Additionally, some $15.2 billion is allocated for the construction and rehabilitation of additional urban and community roads.

(G3)

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Teen files $25M lawsuit against CC&PA …claims she slept on cardboard, endured predatory sexual advances

A

14-year-old girl is suing the State for more than $25 million in damages after she was allegedly held against her will and kept in a cell with adult female prisoners while detained at the East La Penitence Police Station in a narcotics probe.

In the lawsuit filed on her behalf by her older sister, the minor claims that she was kept in a cell with adult female prisoners and subjected to “sexual predatory advances” by other prisoners as well as inhumane conditions.

Against the Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Ann Greene, and the agency itself, the girl is seeking several declarations, including one that Greene breached the duty of care to her imposed by virtue of Guyana’s accession to and ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Through her lawyer, Eusi Anderson, she is also seeking exemplary and punitive damages for what she terms as Greene’s negligence and failure to remove her from custody; costs; interest on all award for damages pursuant to the Law Reform

Child Care and Protection Agency Director Ann Greene

(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, and such further or other order the court deems just.

In the claim filed at the High Court in Demerara, it was stated that between December 3 and 7, 2020, the girl, who was 14 years and 11 months at the time, was held against her will at the Police station in a narcotics investigation.

On December 7, 2020, a bail application and habeas corpus proceedings in favour of the minor were heard by Chief Justice Roxane George and she was thereafter re-

leased into the custody of the CC&PA, the lawsuit details.

The woman claims that during the bail application, Greene informed the Chief Justice that CC&PA was aware of her sister’s detention, having visited the East La Penitence Police Station between December 3 and 7, 2020.

She further claims that Greene informed the court that officers of the CC&PA were making efforts to “persuade” the Police Commander for Georgetown to release her sibling into the custody of the agency since December 3, 2020.

According to the woman, her underage sister was forced to stay in the cell at the station with adult female prisoners, contrary to express provisions of law and duties imposed on Greene and the agency which she heads.

The claim further stated that the girl was subjected to “sleeping in an upright position on a wooden chair, sleeping on a mattress and cardboard on the cold concrete, sexual predatory advances by other prisoners, being foot cuffed to a wooden chair by her ankles for hours and infinite pain and trau-

ma”.

The woman said that the CC&PA observed all the conditions that her sister had to endure except for the sexual advances by other prisoners, and despite these observations being made as early as December 3, 2020, she was left in that state, condition, and place and no efforts were made to forcibly remove her.

In accordance with the Child Care and Protection Act, Andersons contended that the CC&PA had a primary duty, while the Attorney General, who was also named as a respondent in the lawsuit, had a secondary duty to ensure that the statutory duty of care imposed by the Juvenile Offenders Act, the Rights of the Child Convention and the Childcare and Protection Agency Act on them, to his client, was discharged.

In advocating his case, counsel referred to several provisions of the Childcare and Protection Agency Act, in particular, Section 5 (1) (o) which states that Greene and the CC&PA have a duty “to promote the rights of the child and to promote public awareness of those rights”.

The lawsuit is expected to come up shortly.

Demands...

W

…from budget ell, as your Eyewitness pecks away (with one finger!) at his keyboard to get this out, like everyone else, he’s waiting for the Finance Minister (FM) to mosey down Main/High Streets to Public Buildings and deliver his Budget Speech. Today, he’ll be getting two water decanters filled by the staff, so’s to get through his at-least-three-hour speech without croaking!!

And one hopes the PNC and AFC MPs haven’t brought their whistles to accompany the said speech - like they did the last time the FM took the floor on the NCM!!

He’ll need at least THREE decanters of water to speak over that cacophony!!

Anyhow, your Eyewitness is old enough to remember waiting for Budget Speeches back in the Burnham days - along with the rest of the country. Everyone was on tenterhooks to hear what new torture would be invented to squeeze more of their hard-earned earnings into the Government’s coffers! Well, President Ali has assured us that “dis time na lang time”! In this budget - the first one by the Government now that it’s settled down, taken a deep breath, and considered using the money in the NR Fund - he said everyone can expect a lotta goodies to come down the pike.

Expectations are high - and have been stoked by the Opposition, who’re outbidding each other to claim they’ll be responsible for whatever comes their way!! Just this morning, the AFC demanded that the minimum taxable income be raised from the present $70,000 to $100,000.

The PNC - represented by its new leader Norton, who’s now also APNU Leader - jumped in right after with a demand for a $120,000 floor!! By the time of the Speech, maybe Opposition Leader Harmon - who’ll be in Parliament - will come in at $150,000? What the heck, they have nothing to lose - and with Harmon, maybe he’ll score points against Norton more than the PPP??

But the President gave a broad overview of what we are to expect. For sure Clive Thomas ain’t getting the US$5000/Gy$1million he’s been demanding for the pocket of every household in the land!! That’s a helluva lot more than the “chicken in every pot” that FDR promised the Americans during the Great Depression!! But then FDR was a Keynesian, and Thomas is a Marxist-cum-Buxton ideologue!! For ordinary folks, we’re told no new taxes, some relief from inflation (some new grants?) and much stimulants for businesses - who’re expected to hire more workers to put money into THEIR pockets.

Of course, all those infrastructural projects funded by that money might take some time to take off! But none of that will matter to the Opposition.

They’ve been focusing on a 50% increase in Public Servants’ salaries!! …by Granger One long-awaited meeting finally took place between Granger, Harmon, Norton and the APNU top honchos.

There’d been the long standoff between these Opposition worthies ever since the PNC leadership elections - when Granger and his place-holder Harmon were soundly trounced by Norton for the position of PNC Leader. The latter had naively assumed that Granger and Harmon would disappear into the sunset - not necessarily together and holding hands! - and he’d take over as Opposition Leader.

Well, Granger and Harmon did step aside as Leader and Gen Secretary of the coalition respectively. But this isn’t any reason for Norton to sing hosannahs, as he did.

While Harmon later resigned on his own volition as LOO rather than face a humiliating vote, Granger remains the Coalition’s Representative of the list. Meaning, Norton can’t even get into Parliament as an MP to BECOME LOO!!

Granger kept the Representative of the List job…and holds Norton’s fate in his hands!! He has a good excuse, if he resigns, Ramjattan ascends!! …for a fair share It’s clear that Trinidadian Massy’s arrogant attempt to seize a greater share of our oil patrimony hasn’t ceased.

This can only happen when its Chairman announces there will be no application to the CCJ! Let’s launch that Massy boycott!!

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

NEWS

9

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Budget measures to ease the living conditions for Guyanese – PSC Chairman …Budget 2022 marks transformation ascent of country – Shuman

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s third national budget has been lauded as the foundation to not only propel Guyana’s transformational development but also to enhance the lives of its people.

During a five-hour presentation, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh delivered the massive $552.9 billion Budget 2022, themed “Steadfast Against All Challenges, Resolute in Building Our One Guyana”, in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

Among the exciting measures announced is the increase of old age pension to $28,000 and the increase in public assistance to $14,000.

There is an increase in the Because We Care cash grant to $25,000 and an increase in the uniform allowance to $5000. Additionally, the income tax threshold to $75,000 from $65,000.

The Finance Minister also announced the further lowering the excise tax rates on gasoline and diesel from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, which will result in significant reductions in the prices of fuel. Reductions in the excise taxes for the importation of several categories of trucks and pick-ups were also announced as well as the establishment of farmers’ markets.

There was also a slew of tax measures that focus on boosting local businesses’ competitiveness and capacity.

PSC Chairman Paul Cheong

According to Minister Singh, these measures will facilitate the most rapid period of transformation and modernisation ever witnessed in Guyana’s history.

He added too that they are not only aimed at boosting the expansion of the country’s economy but also addresses pertinent issues such as the rising cost of living.

This view was shared

by Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Paul Cheong, who sat through the marathon presentation on Wednesday.

He told <<<Guyana Times>>> afterwards that Budget 2022 is balanced.

“Many things are there to lay the foundation for the development of Guyana. We are happy with the measures in place to ease the living conditions for ordinary Guyanese,” he stated.

According to Cheong, the construction of new public infrastructure such as hospitals and schools will benefit many citizens, while others will see local businesses catapulting.

The PSC Chairman told this newspaper that he was particularly pleased with the measures that “level the playing field for local businesses so they can be more competitive in the oil and gas sector. Also, there were measures to assist [local businesses] in retooling in terms of the trucks and so on.”

“I’m happy fuel price will be reduced because that’s something that has an impact on every single Guyanese lives not only businesses… Those are good measures. A lot of the measures would increase disposal income for people and businesses. So that would

help to grow the economy and businesses, and help to create more jobs and better the environment to all Guyanese,” he added.

Pointing out that budgets are a balancing act, Cheong disclosed that the PSC had submitted a list to the Finance Minister during consultations but said it is understandable that not everything can be granted. One the things that the Private Sector body had put in a request for is certain tax relief measures to alleviate impact of COVID-19 on businesses.

But the Chairman is nevertheless confident that as Guyana’s economy expands, there would be room to do more in the future.

Moreover, Cheong also said he is pleased with the fact that Budget 2022 has been presented this early in the fiscal year so that the programmes can be implemented in a timely manner.

Budget 2022, which is 44.3 per cent larger than last year’s and 36.6 per cent above total expenditure in 2021, is fully financed with no new taxes. In fact, a withdrawal of $126.7 billion from the Natural Resource Fund is being used to finance this year’s massive budget.

According to Minister Singh, Budget 2022 has two main goals, that is, to ensure the urgent development needs of the country are met in the shortest possible time and to guarantee the longterm economic wellbeing of

Opposition MP and Deputy Speaker Lenox Shuman

the nation.

Against this backdrop, Opposition Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker, Lenox Shuman asserted that with Budget 2022, this year will mark the transformational ascent of Guyana.

“I am grateful that that oil resources are being untethered and being used for national development. I think it is important that the NRF Bill [has] gone through.

I don’t think we would have seen the kind of development projected for the country, had we constrained the Government with the NRF Bill,” he stated.

Shuman, whose party – the Liberty and Justice Party – is part of a Joinder List with two other political parties and takes up one seat in the parliamentary Opposition’s side, strongly believes that with the Local Content Law, which

Government passed last month along with the NRF Bill, now operationalised, Guyana’s trajectory will tremendously change going forward.

While noting that there is always the need for more budget allocations, he was especially pleased with Government’s plans for hinterland communities and Indigenous people. This includes $561 million towards Amerindian Land Titling from which some 20 communities are expected to benefit this year.

Additionally, a further sum of $411.2 million will be injected into the procurement of more tractors another 71 hinterland communities to help improve the lives of residents.

Shuman further urged that all stakeholders play their part in operationalising and executing Budget 2022. (G8)

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man who killed friend during drunken brawl jailed for 16 years T wenty-three-year-old Ryan Alberts, called “Murray”, of Yarakita Village, North West District (NWD) was on Wednesday sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment for killing his 19-year-old friend Dalton Emmanuel of Yarakita, NWD on March 29, 2016 during a drinking spree.

Alberts, who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge since last October, appeared before Justice Jo- Ann Barlow at

the Essequibo High Court and admitted to killing Emmanuel in the county of Essequibo on March 29, 2016. He also accepted that he unlawfully assaulted his other friend, Mark Edwards, so as to cause him actual bodily harm on the said day.

State Prosecutor Latifah Elliot stated that, at about 16:00h on March 29, 2016, Alberts and his friends were at the Yarakita playground consuming High Wine. They later left for home, and

while walking, another man approached Edwards.

The two spoke for a short while, after which Emmanuel asked Alberts if he wanted some more High Wine. After taking a shot of the liquor, Alberts and Emmanuel got into a heated argument, during which they chucked each other.

Edwards intervened by telling them to “behave”.

However, Alberts asked Edwards, “What you gon do about it?” Alberts then walked up to Edwards and stabbed him. Thereafter, a fight ensued between Alberts and Emmanuel, during which the latter was stabbed to his abdomen with a pair of scissors.

Emmanuel’s cause of death has been given as perforation of the heart.

At a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Alberts, who appeared in court virtually,

Jailed: Ryan Alberts

expressed how sorry he was for what he had done. In so

doing, he implored the court to have mercy on him.

“I would like to beg the court for mercy. I’m very sorry for what happened. I’m sorry for the life that I take, but I never had the intention of doing these things. I can’t really know what tek place the night; I accept it, and I’m very sorry for what happen.”

His lawyer Ravindra Mohabir, during a plea in mitigation, asked the court to consider his client’s young age, which makes him a good candidate for rehabilitation.

He also highlighted that his client has no antecedents or pending charges.

The lawyer said his client, who has been on remand since 2016, opted to plead guilty at the earliest possible time. According to him, from the outset, Alberts has cooperated with the Police investigation, and even gave a caution statement.

Meanwhile, Justice Barlow, in her sentencing remarks, reminded the convict that his drunken actions resulted in the loss of life and serious injuries to another.

Given that such offences are very prevalent in society, she told Alberts, the court has to impose a custodial sentence to ensure that measures are taken for him to be a “better person” when

he returns to society.

Recounting the facts, the Judge noted that Edwards tried his best to part the fight between the two, and had he been successful, Emmanuel might have still have been alive.

In determining an appropriate sentence for the confessed killer, the Judge considered that Alberts was just over 18 when he committed the offence. She also considered his unblemished criminal record, his early guilty plea, as well as his genuine expression of remorse.

Justice Barlow said alcohol “must have affected” Alberts’s mind, since a large quantity of High Wine had been consumed on the fatal day.

She explained that the use of alcohol leading to drunkenness was already taken into account, since Alberts was indicted for the lesser offence and not murder. The Judge urged the convict to use his time in prison to reflect on what he had done.

“Promise yourself that you will not consume alcohol like that. Because sometimes when we consume alcohol, we don’t know what we are doing. You are a young man, do not see this as the end of your life; see this as an opportunity to make yourself a better person…so that you will not be recognised as a jail man or a man who killed, but as a better person,” Justice Barlow advised Alberts.

In the end, Justice Barlow sentenced Alberts to 16 years in prison on the manslaughter charge. From the sentence, the Judge ordered the prison authorities to make the following deductions: two years for mitigating factors, one-third for the early guilty plea, and time the convict spent in pre-trial custody.

On the wounding charge, he was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. The 16-year and four-year sentences will run concurrently. Alberts will be exposed to counselling for persons who have committed violent offences while intoxicated. (G1)

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fraudulent ‘Guyana-registered’ vessel

AG slams coalition Opposition for “unpatriotic” position

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC

A

ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, has called out the APNU/ AFC Opposition over its unpatriotic position regarding the vessel that was seized at a port in Senegal bearing the Flag of Guyana and carrying three containers of ammunition worth US$5 million.

Following international reports of the seizure, both the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the Government of Guyana last week clarified that the vessel is not registered here.

It was explained that MARAD had entered into an arrangement early last year with a private company, International Maritime Safety Agency of Guyana (IMSAG), but this was scrapped shortly after in

August 2021 after instances of “fraudulent representations and illicit conduct” were found. Hence, the company was no longer authorised to license on behalf of Guyana or authorise them to use the Guyana Flag.

However, the APNU/ AFC Opposition has dismissed the explanation given by Government, saying the Administration is lying to citizens.

But according to Minister Nandlall, the coalition Opposition is using this issue as a political football.

“These people are not representing the Government of Guyana. They are purporting to represent the State of Guyana, and here is where a responsible Opposition – rather than playing cheap and nasty politics and propagandise what is a serious

international issue – they are kicking it around like a political football, blaming the Government,” Nandlall posited during the latest episode of his weekly programme – Issues in the News.

The Legal Affairs Minister went on to remind that it was a MARAD deal and not the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) arrangement. “[MARAD] is a Department of State; they entered into a contract and when the Government learned of it, they were advised to terminate it and they did. But this is a crime, a wrong that was committed against Guyana, and all responsible Guyanese and certainly, leaders, politicians, Members of Parliament should be standing on one ground and saying with one voice that we condemn this. Instead, this grouping is so obsessed with making us look bad and making the Government look bad…

You see the myopic and insular, unpatriotic position that these so-called leaders are taking when Guyana is under attack. They see it fit and proper to score political points on what is a national issue,” Nandlall declared Nevertheless, the Attorney General further outlined that the PPP/C Government is continuing to pursue efforts to ensure

that the rogue company, which apparently continued to register vessels on behalf of the Guyana Government, is sanctioned.

The Guyana Police Force had previously reported that it has reached out to Interpol to assist with the investigation and also to question of one Suneil Kumar, Chief Executive Officer of IMSAG. “This company is rogue, this company is not authorised to do anything on behalf of Guyana, more so, to register ships or license ships… We have severed relations with this company. We have duly informed all the relevant international agencies of this development. The Guyana Police Force has been engaged and has engaged Interpol, and currently efforts are being made to have wanted bulletin issued for principals of this company,” AG Nandlall stated.

Only Monday last, the Government reassured that no effort would be spared to bring the “dubious” company and its owners or affiliates to justice.

“Therefore, we wish to alert all stakeholders – national, regional and international, as we have previously done, that this cabal is neither a representative of the State of the Republic of Guyana, nor the Guyana Flag,” the Government said in a statement.

It added that the fraudulent issuance of registration under the Guyana Flag is a deliberate criminal design to sully the good image of Guyana, which the Government has worked tirelessly to rebuild and maintain, and will not condone it.

“No effort will be spared to ensure that this nation continues to enjoy good relations and the highest re-

gard with the international shipping community. We view the protection of our national interest as sacrosanct, and therefore, our Government is taking all necessary steps to ensure this rogue enterprise led by a Captain Suniel Kumar, and those associated, are appropriately dealt with in accordance with the law,” the Government missive detailed.

The motor vessel, named EOLIKA, has been detained in Dakar, Senegal, and the crew has been arrested after a search by Customs officials there unearthed a number of illegal arms and ammunition.

The Guyana Police Force launched an investigation on Thursday last, during which officials of the MARAD confirmed that the vessel was not registered by any competent authority in Guyana.

(G8)

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice boat captain shot in home invasion A 54-year-old boat captain of Glagsow New Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), was on Monday evening shot to his right arm after two armed bandits invaded his home.

Injured is Edward Ramroop, 54, who is currently a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). Reports are that the incident occurred at about 20:30h on Monday at his Lot 1015 Glasgow New Housing Scheme, Greater New Amsterdam home.

The injured man’s wife, Bibi Zalika Ramroop, said they had just closed their grocery shop when two bandits pounced on them.

“All I hear is one gunshot and he dropped. This thing happen so quick. As soon as he dropped they rush in to me, one with a knife and one with a gun.

One put the knife to me and

Injured: Edward Ramroop

say he want money. They ask me for US dollar. And I say, ‘How I would get US dollars. This is a small business. You can take all that I have in the drawer,’ I tell him, and I pulled the drawer and told him not to do me anything,” the shaken woman related.

She said there was $14,000 in a drawer and the

bandits took it.

Before shooting Samaroo, the bandits demanded cash.

“They had something like a false face. And plus, they had on a face mask,” Ramroop related.

The 57-year-old woman explained that the entire incident lasted for about five minutes before the bandits left. She said since the business has been in operation, it has been robbed twice - the first time they were robbed was about 15 years ago.

“That time they jump through the window and they didn’t get money, but they got a lot of jewellery because at that time I had a lot of jewellery. That time they came with cutlasses and guns.”

The woman called for more Police presence in the area. She was high in her praise for the response by the Police following Monday night’s incident.

Up to press time, no one was arrested. (G4)

Bandits steal dead woman’s jewellery

Shameer Rajab

T

wo armed bandits on Monday carted off with close to $500,000 worth in jewellery belonging to a dead woman. The incident took place at Third Street Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Reports are that at about 20:30h on Monday, two bandits, one armed with a firearm, attacked and robbed Shameer Rajab, an imam of a nearby mosque.

According to Rajab, he

The Third Street Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice house where the robbery occurred

and Joseph Kewley – a tailor who lives with him, were together in the tailor shop after the shop was closed when a stranger approached the yard enquiring about the cost to make shirts and other outfits.

Rajab said he invited the man in so could he could discuss business in the comfort of the tailor shop and opened the door for him.

As he took his seat, Rajab told this publication that he heard a gun being cranked and turned around and saw a small firearm in the man’s hand.

“He is a lefthander, he took the gun and put it to my head and said to go inside with him and not to make any sound.”

According to Rajab, as he and Kewley were being taken into the house, he saw a second intruder going in to the tailor shop and also accompanied them into the house.

“We didn’t see the other fellow before. The one with the gun was wearing a

mask, so I can’t really make him out but I know he is tall and the other one was a bit short and squatty.”

Rajab said the men demanded money and he handed them $70,000 and explained that it was only earlier this month that he had to bury his wife and the month before, a sister-inlaw all who lived there.

“I have a writing desk in the room there and he asked me what is in there and I told him it is papers.

He said ‘open it, open it’.

So, I got the key. One of the drawers had papers and the other one had jewellery - a good set of jewellery about $400,000 to $500,000 in jewellery. It was my wife’s jewellery and a couple of pieces for me also. They took it quickly and no noise.”

As the men were leaving, they locked both Rajab and Kewley in the building and quickly exited.

“So, we didn’t even get to see which direction they went to,” Rajab recounted.

Police have since launched an investigation. (G4)

Mother, son freed on wounding charge

A

woman and her son have been freed on a wounding charge after city Magistrate Dylon Bess ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

In February 2019, Fiona Rodrigues and her 21-yearold son Emanuel Barker were charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding businesswoman Ann Narine on January 5, 2019 at Blygezight Gardens in Georgetown.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charge, and were released on cash bail when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. During their trial, they were represented by Attorneys-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat and Bernard DaSilva.

When their trial concluded on Wednesday, the Magistrate held that the prosecution had failed to prove its case, and thus dismissed the charges against them.

According to reports, on the day in question, Narine

Ann Narine

went to the location to meet Rodrigues’s husband. Upon arrival, she reportedly called out for the man, and was told that he would be there shortly. It was reported that Rodrigues and her son ran out and attacked Narine, relieving her of a large quantity of cash and her cellphone.

It was reported that the injured woman managed to escape, and drove to a private city hospital, where she was treated for bite marks and multiple lacerations.

Based on reports, the injuries, which were inflicted with a broken bottle, required stitches. (G1)

13 Mother of 4 set on fire by husband NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…undergoes mastectomy for damaged breasts

blood, they didn’t do the surgery Monday. They have to do lots of surgeries on her. She is punishing a lot,” Lall said while noting that she last saw her daughter on Tuesday. She said that because of financial constraints she could not travel to Georgetown since it costs her $8000 for a round trip to the Georgetown Hospital.

Meanwhile, the woman’s

Tevita Lall

Tevita Lall, called “Natasha”, in her hospital bed

A

42-year-old mother of four of Number 64 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), is battling for her life after she was set on fire by her husband.

Injured is Tevita Lall called “Natasha”, who underwent emergency surgery to remove her breasts as doctors are trying to save her life. The incident occurred two Fridays ago at her Number 64 Village home.

Her mother, Bamala Lall, said the couple had been having marital issues and the mother of four had said she had enough of the accusations levelled against her by her husband.

At the home of the victim, her mother told this publication that she had a conver-

sation with her daughter after several accusations were levelled at the now injured woman.

“She say, ‘Mummy, wha me nah do, me nah gon accept’”. She added that her daughter said she was going to end the relationship with her husband as she cannot endure any more of his abusive ways.

Following that conversation, the younger Lall asked her mother for something to cook and promised to return with food for her mother.

This newspaper was told that Tevita left her mother’s house and went to her home which is on the opposite side of the street.

As she was about to light the stove, her husband allegedly kicked over the bottle containing kerosene which splashed on her skin and

she caught fire. Neighbours heard her screaming and went to her rescue.

They met the door locked and the screaming woman’s husband was sitting on the verandah but did not open the door for any of the neighbours who were seeking to render assistance to his screaming wife.

“They had to kick down the door and go inside,” the injured woman’s mother related, adding that when her daughter was taken out of the house it was obvious that almost her entire body was burnt.

The injured woman was taken to the Skeldon Hospital but due to the extent of her injures she was transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital before being sent to the Burns Unit of the Georgetown Hospital where she is currently being treated.

“They say she burn 100 per cent of the whole body but 50 per cent damage and she has a 50-50 chance.

They take out all her breasts and things already. They have to do another surgery but because they don’t have

Mother of the injured woman, Bamala Lall

50-year-old husband, Seelall Dipnarine has been charged for attempted murder and was remanded to prison.

The couple has been together for just over two years.

Throughout the relationship, the husband was reportedly extremely abusive towards the woman – even leaving her hospitalised several months ago. (G4)

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Millions allocated to rebuild schools, Police stations destroyed by fire …new courts, hospitals to be constructed

Schools

File photo: North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary School on fire

T

he whopping $552.9 billion 2022 budget will see Government injecting billions of dollars to rebuild several public buildings that were destroyed by fire such as schools and Police stations, as well as construct new structures in-

cluding hospitals and courts across the country.

This was announced by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh during his marathon presentation of Budget 2022 under theme “Steadfast Against All Challenges, Resolute in Building Our

One Guyana”.

According to Minister Singh, this year, the PPP/C Government will continue delivering on its promise of additional schools, hospitals and other public institutions.

The Finance Minister pointed out that the aim is to create an education system that delivers a modern, model, and adaptive learning experience – all a part of President Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision of a world class education for all.

He reminded that Government launched the new Education Strategic Plan for the period 2021 to 2025, presenting the 2030 Vision for the sector, aimed at providing opportunities for equitable access to quality education and lifelong learning for all.

This year some $74.4 billion has been allocation to the education sector to reform the curriculum, expand teacher training, construct new schools, and establish robust systems to take advantage of the finite window of opportunity to educate

File photo: North West Secondary School on fire

each generation.

Of that amount, $6.6 billion will be spent on the “construction, rehabilitation, extension, and maintenance” of educational facilities. This includes the commencement of construction of Prospect Secondary, and reconstruction of North Ruimveldt Multilateral and North-West Secondary

To this end, $2.5 billion has been allocated to expand the Safe City Programme beyond the boundaries of Georgetown.

Dr Singh said this investment will see the entire country being connected to CCTV cameras monitored centrally as well as at Regional Command Centres to be established across the

File photo: Brickdam Police Station on fire

schools, both of which were destroyed by fire last year.

While the North Ruimveldt school fire in June last year was reportedly caused by faulty electrical wires, it was reported that the October 2021 blaze at the North-West school is suspected to be an act of arson.

Additionally, nursery schools at Hydronie, Haslington and Vryheid’s Lust; and primary schools at Bamia/Amelia’s Ward, Kaikan, Karabairu, Zeelugt and Oronoque are slated for construction works.

Further, a number of schools and educational facilities will also be rehabilitated and maintained in 2022.

Stations

Monies have also been budgeted for a multi-storey building to consolidate the operations of the Brickdam Police Station, which was also gutted by fire in October 2021.

Over $400 million, part of the Guyana Police Force’s $4.9 billion for strengthening its assets, will go towards that construction project, which will commence this year.

The Finance Minister went on to underscore the important role of ICT in the State’s security and crime-fighting capabilities.

country. Moreover, satellite phones and body cameras will be acquired to boost operational efficiency across all Regional Divisions.

In addition, $99 million has been budgeted for the resuscitation of 175 targeted community policing groups across rural and hinterland communities, and another $120 million for the training of ranks while additional ranks will be added to ensure greater coverage across communities.

With regards to the Guyana Fire Service, $100 million is allocated for the installation of new fire hydrants in housing areas to ensure adequate water supplies in the event of a fire.

Another $255 million will be invested to procure a hydraulic platform to bolster the agency’s firefighting capabilities, while water bowsers, ambulances and an all-terrain firefighting vehicle will also be procured this year.

Further, $508 million is allocated to continue works on relocating the new Fire Service Headquarters to D’Urban Park, a fire station at Ogle, as well as the construction of a fire station at Wales and facilities at New Amsterdam. Further, a sum of $49.1 million is also allocated towards the repairs and maintenance of fire stations countrywide.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

NEWS

15

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cleaner, cheaper energy

Construction on Amaila Falls Hydro Project to start this year …$20B for gas-to-energy project; $1.7B for other renewable energy projects …$1.6B set aside for construction, upgrade of GPL transmission lines

Guyana Power and Light (GPL) transmission lines

C

onstruction on the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) will start this year, as Government continues to ramp up spending on renewable energy projects as well as upgrades to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) infrastructure.

In his budget speech on Wednesday, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh said the Government has allocated a total of $29.4 billion to the energy sector in 2022.

He spoke of the impending construction of the AFHP, which will begin this year and according to Dr Singh, will finish construction in 2027.

“We have requested, received, and evaluated pro-

posals for this project, and negotiations are underway with the highest ranked company which is an experienced international company. The project will be developed under a BuildOwn-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) arrangement within which the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) will purchase power from the operator under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)… Once operationalised, the facility will significantly reduce the cost of energy for both businesses and households,” Dr Singh said in his speech.

Another energy-related project is the gas-to-shore project, which the Minister assured would be constructed in keeping with transparency and accountability. This project, he said,

will allow the Government to phase out the use of expensive and carbon-intensive heavy fuel oil and is targeted to reduce costs substantially.

“This project encompasses the establishment of a power plant to generate 300MW of power as well as a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant that will cover domestic demand. The project also entails the construction of a 225 km pipeline to transport the guaranteed minimum of 50 mmcfd of natural gas from offshore Guyana to the Wales Development Authority.”

“Ongoing geotechnical and geophysical works for both offshore and onshore operations are advancing with portions already completed.

An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment is expected to be completed by early second quarter of 2022… it is expected that the firm selected would be able to engineer, procure and construct the power plant and NGL plant along with related facilities.

Construction is expected to start in the third quarter of 2022 and will be completed by the fourth quar-

ter of 2024,” the Finance Minister further explained.

Work is also advancing on smaller renewable energy sources, such as the construction of a 1.5 MW hydropower plant at Kumu, and the rehabilitation and upgrade to 700kW capacity of the defunct Moco Moco hydropower plant in Region Nine.

“Over $600 million is budgeted for the construction of both projects in 2022. Additionally, over $170 million has been budgeted for the completion of the 150kW hydropower scheme at Kato and for 30,000 photovoltaic home systems for hinterland and riverine areas,” Dr Singh explained.

“These solar mini-grid and off-grid solutions are our most viable options to ensure unserved and underserved hinterland regions are energised. Likewise, $1.1 billion is budgeted for solar farm interventions in 2022. These include the completion of the 1.5 MW solar farm at Bartica, 0.75 MW at Wakenaam and the 1.0 MW at Lethem. We will also tender for a 0.6 MW solar farm at Leguan and a 0.65 MW farm at Mahdia later this year.”

The Amaila Falls Hydro Project

He also announced that over $450 million has been budgeted to expand and upgrade the hinterland electrification and power generation capacity through the purchase of generators and the expansion of distribution lines When it comes to the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), he explained that the Government has already successfully supported the rehabilitation of over 600 km of medium/low voltage distribution network.

“We have also imple-

mented a ‘transformer module’ in GPL’s customer information system. Both interventions will serve to better manage electricity loss in the grid. In 2022, $1.6 billion is budgeted for the construction of a parallel transmission line linking the Kingston and the New Sophia substations, the upgrade of the existing L5 transmission line, and other works aimed at reducing transmission losses and maintaining desired system voltage levels,” he said.

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fire guts GPL’s Caterpillar Albouystown man remanded for generator in Anna Regina

A

uthorities in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding a fire which erupted at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc power plant at Anna Regina.

Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar said one of the caterpillar generator sets caught fire on Wednesday morning but the blaze has since been extinguished.

The fire of unknown origin stated at about 11:00h.

Officials are still in the process of assessing the damages.

Reports indicate that the damaged equipment is not

ments ago. The Guyana Fire Service was immediately contacted and assisted with extinguishing the fire”.

As a precautionary measure, the remaining units at the plant were taken offline until the fire was extinguished.

“Our engineers have since restarted the engines and are currently working to restore power incrementally to customers on the Coast. GPL wishes to assure customers that the recent incident will not impact the Company’s ability to meet among the new units which were installed in 2019.

An $8.81 billion power plant was commissioned at the Anna Regina location on April 27, 2019.

One year later, it started to experience mechanical problems. Reports were that the number one and number three generators started to develop mechanical problems, forcing GPL engineers to replace them with the standby caterpillar sets that were there as an emergency backup.

This publication understands the generator that was damaged was one of the backup generators.

In a statement on the issue, GPL said “one of the

Caterpillar Units at the Company’s Anna Regina Power Plant caught fire mo-

the generation demand on the Coast.”

robbery charges

A

Andrew Ridley

29-year-old man who is no stranger to the court was remanded to prison on Wednesday for two robbery charges.

Andrew Ridley, 29, of Calendar and James Streets, Albouystown, appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The first charge stated that on January 24, at Calendar and James Streets, Albouystown, Georgetown, armed with a gun, he stole three cell phones, three gold chains, two gold bands, ten rings, and a purse.

All of the items amounted to $4,569,500 and were the property of Carla Stevenson.

The man pleaded not guilty and was remanded to prison. The case will continue on February 16.

Ridley was also accused

and charged with stealing a motorcycle valued at $235,000, on December 13, 2021 at Independence Boulevard, Georgetown, property of Alex Blaire.

He pleaded not guilty.

The owner of the motorcycle told the court that his motorcycle was returned by the accused, but with damages. He said he wanted the bike to be fixed, and Ridley’s family agreed to pay the expenses. That case was also adjourned to February 16.

In 2019, Ridley was sent to prison on two robbery charges. He was also charged twice for assaulting two Police officers who attempted to arrest him.

He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

He was also remanded in 2021 for another armed robbery. (G9)

Taxi driver slapped with illegal gun charge

D

anesh Mahadeo, a 28-year-old taxi driver of La Bonne Intention (LBI) Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, was on Wednesday remanded to prison on a gun-related charge.

It is alleged that on Monday last, Mahadeo was arrested by Police ranks from the Cove and John Police Station and charged with the offences of possession of firearm and possession of ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence.

This is contrary to Section 16 (2)(a) of the Firearm Act, Chapter 16:05.

The man appeared at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday before Magistrate Fabayo Azore and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was nonetheless remanded to prison and the case will continue on March 8.

Just a day ago a 50-yearold man was remanded to prison after Police allegedly found an illegal firearm and ammunition at his Genip Lane, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown home.

Remanded: Danesh Mahadeo

Eustace Thomas, a father of two, appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on January 21, he had a .38 Taurus revolver along with five rounds of .38 ammunition in his possession when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges; he was remanded until February 21.

NEWS

6 more COVID-19 deaths recorded GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD JANUARY 26, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

424

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

166

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

12,762

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

19

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

26

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

31,269

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

26,927

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

58,196

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

44,095

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

2044

REGION 2

2220

REGION 3

7572

REGION 4

29,241

REGION 5

2185

REGION 6

5259

REGION 7

2301

REGION 8

737

REGION 9

3338

REGION 10

3299

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

421,131 309,160

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1154

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.

T

he Health Ministry on Wednesday reported that another six persons who tested positive for COVID-19 have succumbed,

Mahaica) and an 89-yearold woman from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) who all died on January 25.

On January 26, a 71-year-

A total of 424 new cases were detected, taking the total positives recorded to date to 58,196. There are 19 persons in the ICU, 166

3 arrested, charged for littering in Georgetown

T

wo males and a female were arrested in separate incidents and charged for littering in Georgetown.

It has been reported that two of these three persons are vendors, while the other is a homeless man.

The first indecent occurred when the homeless man was caught dumping garbage at Russel Square, Stabroek Market, Georgetown. Caught and arrested, the man identified a female vendor as the person who had paid him to dispose of the garbage. They were both arrested and placed on $20,000 bail. They are expected to be arraigned in court on February 8.

Following those arrests, Police said, another man who has not been identified was arrested on the East Bank of Demerara, and will be charged soon, after having been caught littering.

In a report from the Police Force on Wednesday, it was detailed that despite repeated calls for persons not to litter, the male litterbug was seen dumping gar-

old female of Region 10 along with a 70-year-old male of Region Four died while on January 22, a 42-yearold woman of Region One (Barima-Waini) died.

in institutional isolation, 12,762 in home isolation, and 26 in institutional quarantine. Recoveries stand at 44,095.

Two of the litter bugs

bage by the Meadow Bank wharf.

“He was arrested by a Police rank and escorted to the Ruimveldt Station. He will face the full force of the law,” the report read.

More than a week ago, three persons, including a businessman, were arrested and charged for dumping garbage in the city, just one day after a major clean-up exercise led by President Ali was executed in Georgetown.

Satnarine Bisnauth, a tailor of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo; Jomo Singh of William Street, Kitty; and Wellington Gift of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown are the persons charged for littering. The three men were arrested by the City Constabulary and handed over to the Guyana Police Force. One of the men was caught after Police reviewed video surveillance cameras on Robb Street, Georgetown.

Millions allocated to...

FROM PAGE 14

At the Guyana Prison Service, some $2.3 billion is budgeted towards enhancing prison infrastructure. This includes continuing works at the Lusignan Prison to house both male and female prisoners including a vocational school, an infirmary annex, prison headquarters and command centre.

Simultaneously, works are ongoing at Mazaruni Prison on a second prison block.

Another $88.9 million will be injected into the training of 1400 inmates in areas such as anger management, literacy and numeracy, tailoring, among others.

Hospital

thus taking the death toll to 1154.

The fatalities are a 57-year-old man and a 86-year-old woman of Region Four (Demerara-

17

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Meanwhile, Budget 2022 also includes funds for the construction of new public buildings, such as the public health sector in which $16.1 billion has set aside to launch a major expansion.

This includes $12.4 billion allocated for the design and construction of a state-ofthe-art paediatric and maternal hospital, upgrading of the West Demerara and Bartica regional hospitals, and the construction of six modern regional hospitals

at Anna Regina, Tuschen, Diamond, Enmore, Bath and No 75 Village, Corentyne.

According to the Finance Minister, these regional hospitals are expected to catapult healthcare delivery beyond current levels provided by existing regional facilities as well as to reduce the undue cost and burden of referrals to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

A further $1 billion has been allocated for the upgrading of health centres across all regions, to address critical interventions needed to improve the patient experience. Also this year, $2 billion has been budgeted for medical and non-medical equipment.

Of that amount, some $359.3 million is earmarked for the GPHC, which will allow for the increased use of laparoscopic surgical techniques – serving to improve surgical outcomes and reduce recovery time – and for the introduction of vascular surgery, for the first time.

Courts

Moreover, of the $4.7 billion allocated to build on the

important work and advancement of the justice sector in Guyana this year, $1.3 billion will be expended to support the Judiciary to improve access to justice especially in previously underserved areas.

To this end, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and Vigilance Magistrate’s Court will be completed in 2022, while two additional Magistrate’s Courts and living quarters along the East Bank of Demerara at Timehri and Friendship, will be advanced.

According to the Finance Minister, these investments will increase the number of courts around the country to 46 in 2022, from 41 in 2019.

He added that it will also result in more timely delivery and improved access to the justice system, and reduced costs to citizens.

Further, $250 million has been allocated to improve the criminal justice system this year. The University of Guyana’s Prosecutorial Programme will commence this year, catering for 25 students initially for a duration of thirteen weeks which will increase the number of trained prosecutors. (G8)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Regional

US should boost financing to COVID cases in Americas hit Caribbean nations – Antigua PM highest level on record – PAHO

T

he United States should increase financing and aid to the Caribbean to help the region recover from the pandemic and cope with the growing impact of climate change, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said in an interview.

Countries in the region are facing unsustainable debt loads often equivalent to 100 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), Browne said, adding that many have been relying on loans from China due to favourable terms offered by Chinese banks.

“I feel that the US ought to pay more attention to the Caribbean region in helping us to maintain our standard of living to avoid any mass movement of people,” he said in a telephone interview on Tuesday.

“If people are unable to live in (Caribbean) countries, then clearly they’ll end up on the shores of the United States as refugees.”

China has lent over US$4 billion to Caribbean nations in the last 10 years, according to figures compiled by the Washington-based InterAmerican Dialogue, much of which has gone to finance infrastructure development.

The conditions of those loans are more favourable than even those provided by multilateral agencies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Browne said, adding that borrowing from Chinese banks should not be understood as a political statement.

The Caribbean was disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the IMF, which last year said tourism-dependent countries in the region saw economies contract by 9.8 per cent in 2020.

Many struggle to get aid because multilateral agencies tend to classify them as a middle- or high-income nations based on per-capita GDP measurements, which do not factor in the higher

N

Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne poses for photo in this undated handout picture distributed to Reuters on January 25, 2022

costs facing small island nations or their vulnerability to climate change.

Sustained US support for changing those criteria would provide a significant boost for the Caribbean, Browne said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil sees 2022 public debt as high as 6.4 tln reals, more floating rate debt

B

razil’s outstanding public debt is expected to increase this year to a range between 6 trillion reais and 6.4 trillion reais, a rise of up to 14 per cent on last year’s 5.614 trillion reais (US$1.03 trillion), the Treasury said on Wednesday.

Setting out its 2022 debt forecasts and financing plans, the Treasury said it aims to sell more floating rate debt, amid an aggressive monetary tightening cycle that is increasing official borrowing costs and making the bonds more attractive for investors.

Those bonds are linked

to the official Selic interest rate, set by the central bank, and the Treasury expects them to represent between 38 per cent and 42 per cent of the total stock of debt this year, an increase from 36.8 per cent in 2021.

Since last March, policymakers have raised the interest rate to 9.25 per cent from 2 per cent and have already signalled another 150 basis-point hike in February to combat double-digit inflation in Latin America’s largest economy.

The Treasury acknowledged that its long-term goal is to prioritise fixedrate bonds and infla-

tion-linked bonds. Still it stated that the increase in Selic-linked securities in 2022 will allow it to manage public debt maturity better.

It expects the average maturity of Brazil’s debt profile this year to reach between 3.8 and 4.2 years from 3.8 years in 2021, and for the share of debt maturing over the next 12 months to be between 19 per cent and 23 per cent, compared with 21 per cent last year.

In the long term, the government aims to reduce Selic-linked bonds to only 20 per cent of the total stock. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ew COVID-19 infections in the Americas have reached their highest level since the pandemic began, health officials said, as the highly contagious Omicron variant is now the predominant strain in the region.

During a weekly virtual news briefing on Wednesday, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) said more than eight million new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Americas during the past week, a 32 per cent increase than the previous week.

Some 18,000 deaths also were reported, a 37 per cent increase over the same time period.

PAHO Director Carissa Etienne said the United States continues to have the highest numbers of new infections in the region, despite a recent decrease in overall cases, while deaths were up 107 per cent this week in Central America compared with last week. In Mexico’s southern states, the number of new infections has tripled during the past week.

The new data comes as health systems across the Americas have been feeling the strain of a rapid rise in cases and hospitalisations linked to Omicron. The spike in infections has once again caused staff shortages and forced some hospitals to ration care.

Etienne said Belize is currently reporting the highest rates of new infections in Central America, and infections are rising in Honduras and Costa Rica. In South America, Paraguay and parts of the Guianas are seeing COVID-19 cases double nearly every two days, she added, and infections are especially high in Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador.

Meanwhile, Brazil reported a total case count of 477,000 during the past week – a 193 per cent increase over the prior week, while Haiti and Martinique – where vaccination rates are still low – are continuing to report significant case figures. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Mexicans protest journalist killings, call for protection

M

exican journalists on Tuesday started nationwide protests to denounce the recent murders of three reporters, demanding an end to impunity that has often characterised the killings of their colleagues.

The protests follow the murder of seasoned journalist Lourdes Maldonado on Sunday, some three years after she raised the issue of killings with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and said she feared for her life.

Protesters in the central state of Puebla laid flowers and candles on the street along with signs that read “I’m angry at censorship”, television footage showed, while in the north-

ern state of Chihuahua protesters scrawled on a wall “Journalism is a risk” and drew the face of Maldonado.

Israel Ibarra, president at a Baja California communications college, said if government and society failed to act they would be “complicit” not only in the murders of Maldonado and others but “the murder of freedom of expression in Mexico”.

Mexico is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, and some 145 have been killed between 2000-2021, according to Article 19, an advocacy group.

Mexican journalist networks voted to stage the gatherings, which will coincide with online protest

campaigns.

“It is matter of urgency that state and federal authorities prevent attacks, protect journalists when they are victims, and investigate crimes committed against the press with due diligence,” Article 19 said in a statement.

Maldonado’s murder in the northern border city of Tijuana, where she worked for many years, followed the killings of two other Mexican journalists this month.

Lopez Obrador, who has been criticized for not doing more to protect reporters, said his government would investigate and “clear up this crime to prevent further murders of journalists”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuba says more than 700 charged over anti-Government protests

C Hondurans concerned legislative crisis threatens new Government

O

n the eve of Xiomara Castro’s inauguration as Honduras’ new president, concern was on the rise among her supporters that a worsening legislative crisis could derail her campaign promises and their hope for a better future.

President-elect Castro, the country’s first female leader, is scheduled to be sworn in at midday today, ending a dozen years of governments that oversaw worsening poverty and increasing outward migration, while being accused of corruption and ties to drug traffickers.

Pressure has been grow-

ing to find a way out of a political impasse that resulted in two rival congressional leadership teams.

The rising concerns come after several newly elected lawmakers from Castro’s left-wing Libre party defected on Friday and elected their own congressional leader, Jorge Calix. They rejected Castro’s choice, Luis Redondo, a selection rooted in the political alliance that helped her win the election in November.

Castro called the move a “betrayal”, and said that her party had expelled the 18 lawmakers who defected. The dispute triggered chaotic scenes in

Congress, prompting the United States embassy in Honduras to call for calm and dialogue.

The Latin America Working Group (LAWG), a US-based, non-profit group, said Castro is likely to face “forces of corruption” and organised crime that have infiltrated government structures as well as parts of the private sector.

US Vice President Kamala Harris is set to attend Castro’s inauguration, in a show of US support, and as an effort to find a partner in her task of finding the “root causes” of migration to the US. (Excerpt from Reuters)

uban officials say more than 700 people who took part in anti-government protests last year have been charged with crimes including sedition, vandalism, theft and public disorder.

The public prosecutor’s office said 172 people had already been tried and convicted, without giving details.

Families and activists have criticised the trials as unfair, and say the sentences are disproportionate.

Hundreds of people were arrested after the protests, the largest in decades.

Thousands demonstrated across the Communist-run island last July to voice anger over food and medicine shortages, price increases and the Government’s handling of the pandemic.

The statement by the public prosecutor’s office is the first official confirmation of the trials. In total, 710 people faced charges, it

Thousands joined rare anti-Government protests across the island last July

said, with most of them being held in detention as they await the trials.

The accused include 55 people aged 16-18, as people in Cuba can be prosecuted as adults from the age of 16.

The update came after a number of complaints by families and activists in recent weeks about the lack of transparency of the mass trials and the lengthy prison terms being given.

Justicia 11J, a human

rights group, says penalties for dozens already sentenced have ranged from four to 30 years in jail, including for those accused of sedition, or the act of supporting rebellion against the authorities.

Cuba blames US sanctions for the problems that sparked the protests, and previously alleged that the demonstrations had been financed and instigated by US-based groups. (Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Brent touches $90 a barrel for the 1st time since 2014

O

il markets rallied alongside a broader market rebound while rising tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict caused jitters in the market about potential supply disruptions.

Futures in New York rose as much as 2 per cent with the global benchmark touching US$90 a barrel for the first time in seven years on Wednesday. Inventories at the largest US oil hub fell 1.8 million barrels for the third week in a row. The oil market’s structure has surged in recent days, signalling tight supply.

Prices are also moving on mounting concern over a possible Russian incursion into Ukraine, with US President Joe Biden saying he’d consider sanctioning Vladimir Putin if the Russian leader orders an invasion. While a potential conflict carries large risks for financial markets — especially energy commodities such as natural gas and oil — Goldman Sachs’s base case is for no disruption to supplies.

Crude is having a volatile week, slumping Monday then rebounding Tuesday. Prices are at a seven-year high with demand continuing to recover from the pandemic as mobility picks up. A string of Wall Street banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc have forecast oil will hit US$100 a barrel this year as the global market tightens.

“The market has basically been in persistent undersupply since mid-2020, thanks to OPEC+ cuts and a continued oil demand recovery,” said Helge Andre Martinsen, a senior oil analyst at DNB ASA. “We fully acknowledge that the world is not running out of oil resources, but we might enter an oilmarket squeeze triggered by too little investment and oil demand rebounding quickly.”

Brent for March settlement rose 2 per cent to US$89.97 a barrel at 10:50 am in New York. West Texas Intermediate for March delivery advanced 2 per cent to US$87.30 a barrel.

Also in focus Wednesday is the Federal Reserve’s first policy-setting meeting of the year. Officials are expected to reaffirm their commitment to containing roaring inflation by ending stimulus and raising interest rates over 2022. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Blinken says US responds to Russia's demands, seeks dialogue

T

he United States delivered written replies on Wednesday to sweeping Russian security demands, a key step in a fragile diplomatic process as Russia staged new military drills on land and sea near Ukraine.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the document, handed over in person by US ambassador to Moscow John Sullivan, addressed Russia's concerns and raised those of the United States and its allies.

He told reporters the response sets out a serious diplomatic path forward, should Russia choose it, and has a principled and

Russian President Vladimir Putin attending a meeting in Moscow, Russia January 19, 2022

T

The Biden Administration could attempt to head off China’s WTO-authorised tariffs, but to do so it must revise US countervailing duties, which would increase competition for key US manufacturing sectors like steel and aluminum.

Beijing may now request formal WTO authorisation to retaliate against US goods and services, which could be granted as soon as next month.

The dispute dates back to 2012, when China complained that the US imposed illegal countervailing duties on about a dozen Chinese imports including thermal paper, pipes, citric acid, lawnmowers, kitchen shelving, magnesia bricks, print graphics, solar panels, wind towers, and steel sinks.

The WTO repeatedly ruled against the US in the dispute and subsequently found that the Washington failed to withdraw its illegal countervailing duties in a timely manner. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

trol and confidence-building measures.

Whether President Vladimir Putin is prepared to accept that limited agenda will determine the next phase of the crisis, in which Moscow has massed around 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine while denying it plans to invade.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Interfax news agency, when asked how much time Russia would need to study NATO's response: "We will read it.

Study it. The partners studied our project for almost a month and a half." (Excerpt from Reuters)

LGBT rights: New French law to criminalise 'conversion therapy'

F

rance has passed a new law criminalising the use of socalled "conversion therapy" to attempt to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of LGBTQ people.

The measure was passed unanimously by the National Assembly, 142 votes to 0.

Anyone convicted under the new law could face fines of up to €30,000 (£25,000) and two years in jail.

President Emmanuel Macron praised the move, tweeting that "being oneself is not a crime".

The law had already been overwhelmingly backed in

the French upper house, the Senate, where it was passed by 305 votes to 28, with the conservative Republicans party opposing it.

The bill will now take force in the next 14 days once signed off by Macron.

Laurence Vanceunebrock, an MP with President Macron's ruling En Marche party, sponsored the bill through the assembly and said that the law gave "a strong signal because we are formally condemning all those who consider a change of sex or identity as an illness".

United Nations experts have repeatedly condemned

WTO gives Beijing a $645M tariff weapon Suicide attempts raise alarm over shaming against the US women in Kyrgyzstan he World Trade Organisation granted Beijing a new tariff weapon against the US during a politically sensitive moment for the Biden Administration — almost a year into a tenuous truce in the trade war between the two largest economies.

On Wednesday, a WTO arbitrator in Geneva said China can retaliate against US$645 million worth of annual American exports as part of a decade-old trade dispute over US anti-subsidy duties on Chinese goods.

The amount was much less than the US$2.4 billion that China had initially requested legal authority to target.

While US$645 million pales in comparison to the tariffs China imposed on US$110 billion worth of US goods during the Trump Administration, it still provides Beijing with a new irritant with which to pressure President Joe Biden as he seeks to tamp down inflationary headwinds ahead of midterm elections.

pragmatic evaluation of Moscow's concerns. He added that the United States was open to dialogue.

"Putting things in writing is ... a good way to make sure we're as precise as possible, and the Russians understand our positions, our ideas, as clearly as possible.

Right now, the document is with them and the ball is in their court," he said.

Washington has made clear that Russian demands for NATO to pull back troops and weapons from eastern Europe and bar Ukraine from ever joining are non-starters, but says it is ready to discuss other topics such as arms con-

F

our young women have attempted suicide in a small village of Kara-Balta, just 50km (31 miles) from Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek. An ambulance came on time to save them.

In a suicide note, one of the young women wrote that she decided to take such a desperate step on January 19 because of the threats she had been receiving from men that accused her of prostitution. Those who shamed the women are known.

A self-proclaimed “Committee of the Youth” – a group of young men, gathered in Kara-Balta earlier that day demanding the closure of the local saunas, where the women worked as waitresses. In their view, saunas are a place of sin, where young women sell their bodies.

“We demand the closure of three or four saunas in the city of Kara-Balta. They are engaged in prostitution. For the sake of the fu-

ture of girls and our sisters, we demand that these sinful deeds be stopped. If you do not take action, then we will!” the men said in a message to the president they published online.

Women-shaming is nothing new in the conservative majority-Muslim Kyrgyzstan. The belief that women’s fate is to stay home and bear children is common, and many claim it to be part of the national tradition. The practice of bride kidnapping, the infamous “ala kachuu“, is still carried out.

Kyrgyzstan ranked 82nd in 2019 on the United Nations’ Gender Inequality Index, but over the past several years, women have become more vocal and begun to fight for their rights.

In some cases, the fight meant organising women’s marches and activism.

In more conservative circles, it has meant getting a job or refusal to get married.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

conversion therapy, which can use group sessions, injections, electric shocks and prayer in its attempts to alter LGBTQ people's identities.

France's Equalities and Diversity Minister, Elisabeth Moreno, condemned the practice as "barbaric" and emphasised

that it "very often leaves permanent marks on bodies and minds" of those who are subjected to it.

The new legislation will open a range of avenues to those impacted by the practice, including allowing groups to take civil legal action on behalf of victims.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

UK PM Johnson refuses to resign over lockdown parties

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson walking outside Downing Street in London, Britain, January 25, 2022

B

ritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday rejected opposition calls to resign for attending lockdown parties but accepted that a rule that Ministers should lose their jobs if they had knowingly misled Parliament applied to him.

Johnson, who in 2019 won the biggest Conservative majority in more than 30 years, is braced for the publication of an official investigation into claims that there were multiple boozy Downing Street parties during lockdowns. He told Parliament no rules were broken.

Johnson has given a variety of explanations about the parties: first he said no rules had been broken but then he apologised to the British people for the apparent hypocrisy of such gatherings.

He has denied an allegation he was warned that a "bring your own booze"

lockdown gathering on May 20, 2020, which he says he thought was a work event, was inappropriate.

ITV reported on Monday that Johnson and his now wife Carrie had attended a surprise party of up to 30 people for his birthday in the Cabinet Room at Downing Street in June 2020, when indoor gatherings were banned.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, tipped as a possible future Prime Minister if Johnson is toppled, said Downing Street had not yet been given the findings of the Gray report but that it would come out very soon.

Asked about the claims that Johnson and his staff had partied at the heart of the British state while ordinary people were banned from even bidding farewell to their dying relatives in person, Truss said some of the reports were concerning.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

20

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

(March 21-April 19)

Reach for the stars and refuse to let anyone derail your progress. Dedicate your time to what matters most, and you’ll feel good about who you are and what you’ve accomplished. Be true to yourself.

Change because you want to, not because someone is demanding. Consider your happiness and follow through with your plans. Be original and put your energy to work for you.

DILBERT

(April 20-May 20) Make a decision and stick to it, regardless of what others say. Dedication to your beliefs will be crucial. Don’t overanalyze a partnership; look at the pros and cons, and stick with it or walk away.

(May 21-June 20) An unusual idea or proposal needs careful consideration. Don’t feel rushed or let someone push you in a direction you aren’t ready to pursue. If change is something you desire, start small.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Participate in something meaningful.

Take a leadership position and stand up for your rights. A dedicated approach won’t please everyone, but you should focus on what feels right to you.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Put your emotions on the back burner and be realistic. Engage in positive events and activities that allow you to spend time with people who share your concerns and goals.

CALVIN AND HOBBES (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

A face-to-face encounter is necessary if you want the truth. Shared expenses and responsibilities will pose a problem if equality is lacking. A difficult conversation will be necessary.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Pay attention to what others say. Be part of the conversation, and your words will have an impact. Be bold, take hold and do your part to maintain peace. Let your intuition guide you.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Express your feelings and clear up misunderstandings swiftly. Don’t mince words or believe everything you hear. Be a great leader, and your comments will carry weight.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Reconnecting with old friends will cause you to once again take up bad habits. Think twice before you indulge in something that holds you back. Be proud of your accomplishments and set a good example.

Take a step forward, show passion in your pursuits and strive for perfection, wisdom and compassion. How you treat others will determine the response you receive and how popular you will be.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Someone will misconstrue your colorful way of expressing your thoughts if you are too elaborate. Choose your words wisely and refrain from talking about others. Be kind and considerate.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

21

Chetram Balgobin benefits from project “CRICKET GEAR FOR YOUNG AND PROMISING CRICKETERS IN GUYANA”

N

ational youth cricketer Chetram Balgobin is the latest youth to benefit from the project “CRICKET GEAR FOR YOUNG AND PROMISING CRICKETERS IN GUYANA”.

This talented 19-yearold powerful left-handed batsman, who bowls off-spin as well as medium pace, was selected to represent Guyana at the Under-17 level in Trinidad. He became one of the shining lights, despite a disappointing performance from the team.

He also represented Demerara at the Under-17 and Under-19 levels, and was recently selected to attend the senior national trials held at the historic Albion Sports Complex on

Chetram Balgobin, at left, is receiving the bat from Aaron Beharry

Persaud's half-century highlights day1 despite comeback from Johnson's XI

the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice.

Chetram Balgobin has been presented with a cricket bat on behalf of the project. On receiving the token, he was very thankful for the gesture, and promised to continue working hard on his game.

Aaron Beharry, representing the project, said his dad Anil Beharry has been very impressed with the skills Balgobin has displayed, hence the gift to Balgobin.

Here is a tally of the total cricket-related items collected so far: $40,000 cash, two trophies, two pairs of cricket boots, twelve pairs of batting pads, fourteen bats, nine pairs of batting gloves, and four cricket bags.

To date, 22 young players from the Essequibo Coast, Pomeroon, Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, and in areas in East Canje and the Upper Corentyne in

East Berbice have already benefited from a junior gear bag, two trophies, nine bats, six pairs of batting pads and six pairs of batting gloves.

In addition, the Rose Hall Estate Cricket Club has benefited from receipt of a pair of stumps and bails, and two clubs in the Pomeroon area have benefited from the receipt of two used bats.

This project is an initiative jointly being rolled out

by Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry. It entails cricket-related items, used or new, being distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent-spotting is being done across the country, and club leaders are also assisting to identify talent.

Persons who wish to make a contribution to the project can contact Anil Beharry or Kishan Das.

Beharry and Das take this opportunity to thank the following persons who have contributed to the rollout of this initiative: Javed and Imran of West Indian Sports Complex, Option Group of the USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish Panday of P and P Insurance Brokers, Sean Devers, Trevis Simon, Årïêl J. Tïlkú, Aaron Beharry, Leanna Bachan and Imran Saccoor, Devon Ramnauth, Teddy Singh, Romash Munna, Ravi Etwaroo, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra Harkishun, Allan Mangru, Vishal Mahabir, Sherman Austin, Huburn Evans, Rajendra Sadeo and Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall.

As soon as gear is available, more distributions would be done to deserving athletes. Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry on 623-6875 or Kishan Das on 1-718-6640896.

White-ball series: India vs WI…

Ravi Bishnoi earns call-up for WI series, Hooda picked in ODI squad

L

I

Keemo Paul standing and delivering

t was a day full of events, but the most impressive of them all was the rain, as the GCB’s Best of Best red ball Four-Day Trial commenced at the Providence Stadium, EBD. The encounter saw the Keemo Paul XI batting first, and at the end of play, the Johnson XI were in control.

Nevertheless, a patient knock of 62 from Akshaya Persaud ensured the Keemo Paul XI put a reasonable total on the board.

Despite the obviously gloomy weather, openers Ramon Perez and Trevon Griffith got things started with a couple of boundaries, before

Clinton Pestano bowled a fiery spell

Griffith was trapped LBW for 10

by Clinton Pestano to give the Johnson XI their first wicket.

Perez didn’t last long, as he was run out. Demitri Cameron then rocked the Keemo Paul XI, picking up two more wickets to have the score at lunch reading 44-4.

Between lunch and tea, no cricket was played, as the rain decided that; that was its session, thus when play resumed with the score on 565, Keemo Paul and Akshaya Persaud, who were at the crease, needed to build an innings. The duo took the score to 100-5 as they defied all odds against a pacey Clinton

SCOREBOARD Keemo Paul x1 (1st Innings) T Griffith lbw b C Pestano 10 R Perez run out (A Adams) 6 M Dindyal c L Johnson b D Cameron 14 K Anderson c L Johnson b D Cameron 0 K Savory+ c A Bramble b C Barnwell 6 A Persaud c G Motie b J Sinclair 62 K Paul* c D Cameronb G Motie 36 J Persaud c A Bramble b A Adams 14 K Sinclair lbw b J Sinclair 18 V Permaul not out 5 N Smith not out 0 R Beaton S Sankar

A Nedd Extras 4b 3lb 0w 1nb 0pen 8 Provisional Score For Innings 179 Penalties awarded following Innings 0 Total 179 for 9 Bowling C Pestano Q Torrington G Motie D Cameron J Sinclair C Barnwell A Adams

O-M-R-W 13.0-5-40-1 4.0-1-9-0 15.3-3-29-1 8.0-2-15-2 12.0-2-41-2 6.0-2-16-1 8.0-1-22-1

Akshaya Persaud scored a patient 62

Pestano. Paul played a handy knock of 36, while Persaud held the fort and brought up his half century.

A few more wickets tumbled, and, at the close of play, the Keemo Paul XI were at 179-9, with Veerasammy Permaul and Nial Smith at the crease. Bowling for the Johnson XI, Demitri Cameron took 2-15, Junior Sinclair took 2-41, while Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Adams and Clinton Pestano each bagged one wicket.

eg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi has been called up their third pick. to the senior side for the upcoming whiteRavichandran Ashwin is missing from the ball series against the West Indies. The squads, but as reported by Cricbuzz earlier, BCCI confirmed this on Wednesday (January the off-spinner is unavailable for selection, 26) while announcing the squad. and is undergoing treatment, but his Tamil The selectors have also spun a surprise by Nadu teammate Washington Sundar has made including batting allrounder Deepak Hooda a return after missing out on the South Africa and recalling Kuldeep Yadav, who have both tour with COVID. been picked only in the ODI squad.

On expected lines, Rohit Sharma Kuldeep, on the sidelines for a long time, returns to take charge for the first was handed an opportunity only in Sri Lanka time ever since he was appointed last year, when India were forced the ODI captain. to pick a second- string side.

Pacer Jasprit Bumrah has Pacer Avesh Khan has been been rested for the entire series picked in both the squads, while and allrounder Venkatesh Iyer has the selectors have opted to retain been chosen only in the T20I Bhuvneshwar Kumar only in the T20I squad, having already fetched set-up. the axe in the third and final Ever since having made an ODI in South Africa recently. impression in the 2020 Under-19 Allrounders Hardik Pandya World Cup, Bishnoi's stocks and Ravindra Jadeja remain have managed to rise only sidelined as they continue Ravi Bishnoi as he fared well in the IPL their road to recovery. in the two seasons he has ODI squad:Rohit Sharma played. Ahead of the (C), KL Rahul (VC), Ruturaj mega- auction, the legGaikwad, Shikhar Dhawan, spinner has already Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, been snapped up Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, by new franchise Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Lucknow Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, S u p e r Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Giants Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, a s Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan T20I squad: Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (VC), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Deepak Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Hooda Thakur, Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Harshal Patel. (Cricbuzz)

22

F

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

'Tough enough' Sarwan ready for first CWI selection job

ormer Guyana and West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan is ready, along with the Selection Panel, to select the West Indies team ahead of the India white-ball tour which is slated to begin on February 6 in Ahmedabad.

Sarwan will be working along with new Lead Selector Dr Desmond Haynes. In recent months, a selector’s job has been one receiving lots of backlash from the general public, especially when the team fails.

Asked if he is tough enough for the job of being a selector, Sarwan said: "I have played international cricket for a very long time.

I have had situations where I had my own struggles on the field, in terms of not scoring runs: I was booed in Guyana by 15,000 people; so, I don't think it will come worse than that."

Now 41 years old, Sarwan, the scorer of 15 Test centuries and five ODI centuries, who averaged more than 40 in both formats, has said his objective is to contribute to West Indies cricket and make a difference.

"Nevertheless, the objective is to try and contribute to West Indies cricket, and try and make a difference. And once I do that wholeheartedly and fair, I think that is the

most important thing. Of course, the players will have to be able to perform as well, but, from my perspective, it is important that I give it my best shot as well. Once I do that wholeheartedly, that is the most I can ask for myself," Sarwan said on a recent Sean Devers Sports Watch.

In a recent Cricket West Indies (CWI) release, Sarwan expressed gratitude to the regional board. “I want to thank CWI and everyone involved for giving me this opportunity to again serve West Indies cricket, as a member of the selection panels. I’m passionate about the game of cricket, and especially West Indies cricket, and once asked to contribute, I did not hesitate. I look forward to working with my colleagues, the Most Hon. Dr Desmond Haynes and Mr Robert Haynes, and the two Head Coaches, as well as everyone else involved in the development of this sport we love and respect so much.”

With Sarwan heading to CWI Selection Panel, another individual would now lead the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Selection Panel. An official announcement was not made, but Ravindranauth Seeram may take over the job at the GCB. (Brandon Corlette)

Golden Jaguars in Suriname to prepare for tri-nations’ tournament G

Golden Jaguars Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz

uyana’s senior men’s national team the Golden Jaguars have hit the ground running in Suriname as preparations intensified on Tuesday ahead of a friendly tri-nations’ tournament with the host nation and Barbados, according to Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz.

The Golden Jaguars squad, drawn predominantly from domestic-based players, play Suriname on Sunday, January 30, and Barbados on Tuesday, February 1.

“We have a good spirit and a strong group feeling in the camp, and we intend to make full use of the five days before the two matches on Sunday and Tuesday,” Head Coach Shabazz has said. “This is an important exercise to evaluate our players after being out of international football for a while.

I am eager to see how the guys carry themselves first in the training over here, and then the two matches.”

Shabazz, a Trinidadian leading the squad for its first engagement since taking over in September 2021 for a fourth stint in charge, acknowledged the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on national team activity and preparations, but praised the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) for facilitating the Suriname fixtures as a welcome step back into competition.

"We had a lot of challenges,” he said.

“And at times when players and staff were down with COVID and things looked dim, GFF President Wayne Forde was very supportive, and we are happy that the investment was made and this opportunity created, providing exposure for players.”

Shabazz also thanked the Ministry of Health for its continued support, given the challenges posed by the pandemic. Shabazz has selected a 24-man squad, with defender Thevron Pluck receiving his first call-up.

After a period of absence, Clive Nobrega, Colin Nelson and Jordan Dover also make a return to a selection that features three internationally-based players. National U20 Head Coach Wayne Dover and former national team captain Charles Pollard are supporting Shabazz in the roles of assistant coaches.

Captain Nandu’s century steers West Indies to plate semifinal … Thorne among wickets

Matthew Nandu scored 128

A

lthough they have been knocked out of the ICC U19 World Cup, the West Indies U19 team played their hearts out in their Plate Quarterfinal encounter, in the process thrashing Papua New Guinea by 169 runs.

This success must be credited chiefly to a scintillating 128 knock from Mathew Nandu and the two wickets he took; as well as some aggressive power hitting from Kevin Wickham at the end of the innings, followed

by Isai Thorne’s pacey innings which earned him two wickets as well.

Batting first, the men in maroon got off to a perfect start, as Nandu and Shaqkere Parris shared a solid 155-run partnership. The duo played with brilliance and class as they picked the boundary at will, frustrating the PNG bowlers. Eventually Parris fell for a well-played 64, which included eight boundaries and two maximums.

Nandu, however, continued to rally on. A clutch of wickets fell, but Nandu held firm and played his natural game, eventually bringing up his century - some much-needed

Kevin Wickham scored an unbeaten 61

Isai Thorne bagged 2-30

runs for him in the series.

He then found the perfect partner in reserve batsman Kevin Wickham, who notched up his second half-century in two games. Wickham, in particular, supported Nandu at the other end, as it rained sixes and fours from Nandu’s end.

When Nandu fell for 128 (15*4, 6*2), Wickham persisted in smashing the bowlers to all parts of the ground. In the end, the West Indies posted 317-6 in their allotted 50 overs, Wickham

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES UNDER-19S INNINGS (50 OVERS MAXIMUM) Shaqkere Parris c †Karoho b Kevau 64 Matthew Nandu (c) c Maha b Boio Ray 128 Teddy Bishop b Patrick Nou 15 Kevin Wickham not out 61 Rivaldo Clarke †c Morea b Boio Ray 0 Jordan Johnson c Patrick Nou b Boio Ray 0 Anderson Mahase c Ryan Ani b Maha 0 McKenny Clarke not out 12 Extras (lb 6, nb 2, w 29) 37 TOTAL (50 Ov, RR: 6.34) 317/6 Yet to bat: Nathan Edward, Shiva Sankar, Isai Thorne Fall of wickets: 1-155 (Shaqkere Parris, 28.4 ov), 2-191 (Teddy Bishop, 34.2 ov), 3-298 (Matthew Nandu, 48.2 ov), 4-298 (Rivaldo Clarke, 48.3 ov), 5-298 (Jordan Johnson, 48.5 ov), 6-305 (Anderson Mahase, 49.3 ov) BOWLING Junior Morea Rasan Kevau Barnabas Maha Katenalaki Singi John Kariko Aue Oru Patrick Nou Boio Ray

O-M-R-W 9-0-54-0 9-1-51-1 6-0-47-1 3-0-29-0 6-1-33-0 4-0-27-0 5-0-27-1 8-0-43-3

PAPUA NEW GUINEA UNDER19S INNINGS (TARGET: 318 RUNS FROM 50 OVERS) Christopher Kilapat c †RA Clarke b M Clarke 5 Boio Ray b Edward 0 Peter Karoho †lbw b Sankar 21 Barnabas Maha (c) b Thorne 15 Ryan Ani lbw b Thorne 4 Aue Oru not out 27 Patrick Nou c Mahase b Nandu 15 Junior Morea b Nandu 0 Katenalaki Singi c Parris b Mahase 11 John Kariko b M Clarke 9 Rasan Kevau run out (Thorne) 7 Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 32) 34 TOTAL (37.4 Ov, RR: 3.92) 148 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Boio Ray, 1.1 ov), 2-29 (Peter Karoho, 6.2 ov), 3-56 (Barnabas Maha, 14.6 ov), 4-64 (Ryan Ani, 16.6 ov), 5-65 (Christopher Kilapat, 17.3 ov), 6-102 (Patrick Nou, 25.1 ov), 7-102 (Junior Morea, 25.2 ov), 8-113 (Katenalaki Singi, 28.4 ov), 9-139 (John Kariko, 36.4 ov), 10148 (Rasan Kevau, 37.4 ov) BOWLING Shiva Sankar Nathan Edward McKenny Clarke Isai Thorne Anderson Mahase Matthew Nandu

O-M-R-W 7-3-19-1 4.4-0-25-1 9-1-34-2 5-0-30-2 6-1-25-1 6-2-14-2

Shaqkere Parris scored 64

remained unbeaten on 61 off 48 deliveries, as he crafted an innings which included four towering maximums and three boundaries.

Bowling for PNG, Boio Ray took 3-43, while Patrick Nou, Barnabas Maha and Rasan Kevau each bagged one wicket.

Sent in to bat having to chase a mammoth total, the PNG scoring got off rather slowly, as they took their time chasing a 300+ target, knowing they haven’t surpassed the 100-run mark in the tournament.

Nathan Edward swung the ball in and bagged the PNG’s first wicket, and Shiva Sankar chipped in with one as well, forcing PNG onto the back foot. The PNG batsmen’s scoring rate dropped, but Isai Thorne cartwheeled the stumps of Barnabas Maha to make things even worse for them.

Nandu then brought himself on, and with persistence he bagged two wickets. Thorne also snapped up one more wicket, while McKenny Clarke and Anderson Mahase wrapped up the PNG innings for 148 in 37.4 overs.

The successful WI bowlers were Matthew Nandu with 2-14, Isai Thorne with 2-30, and McKenny Clarke with 2-34. Additionally, Anderson Mahase, Nathan Edward and Shiva Sankar each bagged a wicket.

CLASSIFIED ADS ACCOMMODATIONS Aracari Hotel, West Bank Demerara (Versailles – between Harbor Bridge and Vreed-n-Hoop) – Air Conditioned Comfort. Amenities include TV, Restaurant, Bar, Swimming Pool, Gym. Free Parking, Free WIFI. Spend 7 nights and get 1 Free. Rates from $45 US Breakfast Included. Long term rates available. Phone: 2642946-9 www.aracariresort.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITYRESTAURANT RENTAL West Bank Demerara, (Versaillesbetween Harbor Bridge and Vreedn-Hoop): - Aracari Resort – Turn Key Business. Furnished and equipped.

Covid-19 reduced capacity is 60. Phone 264 2946; 626-5290.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

23

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Betway T20I Series: 3rd match...

Rovman celebrating his maiden T20I century

Powell’s stunning century leads West Indies to 20-run win

By Brandon Corlette in Barbados

A

returning Rovman Powell struck a brilliant century at the Kensington Oval as West Indies defeated England by 20 runs on Wednesday, and now lead the five-match Betway series 2-1.

In the run-fest which produced 31 sixes in total, West Indies posted 224-5 in 20 overs, while England made 204-9 when their 20 overs expired.

Tom Banton hit his best T20I score

was also the third fastest, with Gayle scoring centuries after 47 balls and 50 balls.

After Fabian Allen fell for a golden duck, Romario Shepherd and Kieron Pollard added the final touches to

The Rovman-Pooran show

It was a working day in Bridgetown, but fans came out in their numbers again, and the venue was at its electrifying best. England won the toss and asked West Indies to bat first, and openers Brandon King and Shai Hope departed cheaply.

King, who was bowled by debutant George Garton for a run-a-ball 10, departed at 11-1 in the second over. Hope played a poor sweep shot to part-timer Liam Livingstone and left the crease, caught by keeper Banton at 48-2 in 5.2 overs.

Pooran, however, continued to latch on to the English bowlers with some top shots all around the Oval. He and Powell joined forces and added 122 runs together, the highest third-wicket stand for the West Indies. Pooran, the pocket rocket that he is, reached his fifth T20I fifty in 34 balls that produced an innings of pure class.

Powell, on the other hand, reached his fifty with a brilliant six over extra-cover in 31 balls. West Indies breached the 100-run mark in 64 balls, and the Oval Nicholas Pooran made a blistering 70

Guyanese fans were surrounded by the dominant English fans (Brandon Corlette photo)

struck five sixes and three fours. propel West Indies to Shepherd ended with 3-59, while Pollard had 2-31. West 224-5, the highest toIndies lead the five-match series 2-1. The fourth match tal in T20I cricket at bowls off on Saturday January 29 from 16:00h Eastern Kensington.

Caribbean time.

On a day when England’s bowlers were taken to the cleaners and the ENGLAND INNINGS (TARGET: WEST INDIES INNINGS West Indies struck 16 sixes, Adil Rashid 225 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) was respected by the batsmen, and was the Jason Roy c Holder b Shepherd 19 Brandon King b Garton 10 pick of the English bowlers with 1-25 in Tom Banton † c Holder b Pollard 73 Shai Hope † c †Banton b four overs of leg-spin.

Banton brings fire, Salt peppers boundary

Powell batting during his top knock (Getty Images)

crowd stood on its feet to enjoy the six-hitting show.

Pooran, who made 70 from 43 balls and struck fives sixes and four fours, was dismissed at 170-7 in 16.2 overs, but Rovman’s dominance continued.

He reached his maiden T20I century in 51 balls, but, two balls after that, was brilliantly taken by Livingstone. His fine knock ended with a strike-rate of 201, with 10 sixes and four fours.

Powell became the third West Indian, after Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis, to score a T20I century. Powell’s century

In response, England openers came out with fire in their eyes. Jason Roy slammed two sixes, but his 16-ball 19 came to an end when Shepherd was introduced. James Vince (16) and the belligerent Banton added 46 runs, with Banton being the dominator.

At 79-2, in 7.5 overs, England looked on course to triumph, but West Indies kept chipping away with wickets.

Moeen Ali, who is leading England in this match, fell for another duck to Pollard, who was bowling a top spell, mixing things up. Liam Livingstone came and made only 11, and England were 107-4 in 11.1 overs.

Banton, who kept the Barmy Army cheering, reached his 50 from 29 balls, and watched his partners fall on the other end.

His career-best T20I knock of 73 from 39 balls, decorated with six maximums and three fours, ended when he was removed by Pollard at 129-5 in 12.3 overs.

The West Indies felt in total control, but debutant Phil Salt had other plans. Salt came and peppered the boundary, in the process scoring a scorching fifty. He reached the milestone in 22 balls, but all hope for England was lost when he was bowled by Shepherd for 57 from 24 balls. He

Compliments of:

SCOREBOARD

Livingstone 4 Nicholas Pooran c Livingstone b Rashid 70 Rovman Powell c Livingstone b Topley 107 Romario Shepherd not out 11 Fabian Allen c †Banton b Mills 0 Kieron Pollard (c) not out 9 Extras (lb 4, nb 2, w 7) 13 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 11.20) 224/5 Did not bat: Darren Bravo, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Brandon King, 1.5 ov), 2-48 (Shai Hope, 5.2 ov), 3-170 (Nicholas Pooran, 16.2 ov), 4-210 (Rovman Powell, 18.6 ov), 5-210 (Fabian Allen, 19.1 ov) BOWLING O M R W Reece Topley 4 0 30 1 George Garton 4 0 57 1 Tymal Mills 4 0 52 1 Liam Livingstone 3 0 42 1 Adil Rashid 4 0 25 1 Moeen Ali 1 0 14 0

James Vince c Pollard b Hosein 16 Moeen Ali (c) c Powell b Pollard 0 Liam Livingstone c Hosein b Shepherd 11 Phil Salt b Shepherd 57 Harry Brook c Powell b Holder 10George Garton b Cottrell 2 Adil Rashid run out (†Hope/ Cottrell) 1 Tymal Mills not out 1 Reece Topley not out 2 Extras (w 12) 12 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 10.20) 204/9 Fall of wickets: 1-33 (Jason Roy, 3.2 ov), 2-79 (James Vince, 7.5 ov), 3-87 (Moeen Ali, 8.4 ov), 4-107 (Liam Livingstone, 11.1 ov), 5-129 (Tom Banton, 12.3 ov), 6-174 (Harry Brook, 17.1 ov), 7-186 (George Garton, 18.4 ov), 8-187 (Adil Rashid, 18.6 ov), 9-201 (Phil Salt, 19.3 ov) BOWLING O M R W Sheldon Cottrell 4 0 28 1 Jason Holder 4 0 41 1 Romario Shepherd 4 0 59 3 Akeal Hosein 3 0 36 1 Kieron Pollard 4 0 31 2 Rovman Powell 1 0 9 0

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

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

Betway T20I Series: 3rd match...

Page 23

Powell’s stunning century leads West Indies to 20-run win $2.2B allocated for Sports in Budget 2022

G

Captain Nandu’s century steers West Indies to plate semifinal

… Thorne among wickets

uyana will be stepping into new beginnings in 2022 as, speaking at the Aurthur Chung Conference Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, the Senior Minister within the Office of the President, with responsibility for Finance, the Honorable Dr Ashni Singh, announced an allocation of a whopping 2.2B in the 2022 budget for the continued development of sports.

Compared to 2021, sport has seen its largest allocation of 2.2B; whereas, in 2021, $1.5B had been allocated.

In his presentation, Dr Singh explained that the sports programme aims to ensure that all Guyanese are provided with opportunities to participate in sporting activities, thereby channelling energies, abilities and talents to contribute meaningfully to national development in its various dimensions.

He relayed that, to ensure delivery on the President’s vision of a “bottom-up approach” to the development of sports, Government has striven to strengthen its partnerships with sporting associations, and has continued to place emphasis on community grounds.

Noting that, last year, 25 community grounds across Regions 1 to 7 and 10 were upgraded, Dr Singh has said: “Also, preparatory works have begun for the construction of the multi-purpose sports facilities at Regions 2, 6 and 10…Mr Speaker, $1.4 billion is budgeted in 2022 for sports infrastructure and development, including for the completion of the synthetic tracks in Regions 6 and 10; the multi-purpose sports facilities; the erection of stands at the National Track and Field Centre; rehabilitation

Senior Minister within the Office of the President, with responsibility for Finance, Honorable Dr Ashni Singh

works at the National Stadium to support the Cricket Academy; construction of pavilions at Regions 6 and 10; and the procurement of sports gear.”

Dr Singh has, moreover, clarified that of this amount, $250 million is also budgeted for the continued improvement of the community grounds. Aside from that, the sum of $45.8 million has been allocated for maintenance works to sports facilities, including Mackenzie Sports Club, Kwakwani Recreational Centre, National Aquatic Centre and Colgrain Pool.

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.