Guyana Times -- Thursday, January 6, 2022

70 metre-long ferry for Region 1 to be delivered by October P13 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4881

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

PRICE

ExxonMobil makes 2 more oil discoveries in Stabroek Block See story on page 7

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P16 Recordbreaking 779 new COVID-19 cases detected in 24 hours ...as 2 more from Region 6 die

…“I’m very happy with every additional find Guyana makes” – President Ali

Govt exploring use of at-home COVID test kits …“don’t panic” – Health – President Ali Minister to Guyanese See story on page 3

Cash-strapped M&CC gives workers 10% salary increase

Page 10

$100 VAT INCLUDED

200 healthcare workers across Guyana infected with COVID-19

GECOM resumes distribution of ID Cards from today P2 Pensioner P12 perishes in New Amsterdam fire

Black Bush Polder triple murder

Father, son among 4 to go on trial Monday

P8

Page 9

...GPHC records most cases, but services delivery not affected

5 including Bar Association President tipped for Public Procurement Commission Page 7

P10 G/town High Court temporarily closes due to COVID-19 exposure

Taxi driver jailed for armed robberies P11

Bar Association President Pauline Chase

Former GRA Chairman Rawle Lucas

Former NPTAB Chairman Berkley Wickham

Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin

Rajnarine Singh

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GECOM resumes distribution of ID Cards from today …also restarts production, processing of applications T

he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has resumed the production and distribution of National Identification Cards, which will be made available for persons who had applied for replacements during the period August to October 2021.

This was communicated in a statement from GECOM on Wednesday, which advised that persons who have completed a replacement transaction could uplift their National Identification Cards from the appropriate GECOM Registration Office where the transaction was done.

It was further explained that the distribution takes effect from January , 2022. Additionally, it was noted that the Commission was also resuming its processing of applications for replacement of ID cards.

“In this regard, persons who would have completed a re-

placement transaction are advised that they can uplift their National Identification Card from the GECOM Registration Office, where the transaction was done with effect from 6th January 2022.

The Commission is also advising persons that it has recommenced treating routinely with applications for ID cards replacement,” GECOM said in their statement.

The announcement comes only a few weeks after the appointment of GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud. Persaud, who has over 17 years of experience working at GECOM, emerged as the new CEO following a competitive process which saw some 20 other candidates, including local and foreigners, vying for the top position.

At the time of his swearing-in on December 14, Persaud had said he would now have to get an idea of operations as they currently stand in all the departments. He

said that if there were any projects in the pipeline, he would engage with staff with a view to ensure those projects were completed in a timely manner. One of those projects is likely to have been the distribution of ID cards.

Matters at GECOM’s

Secretariat have been at a virtual stalemate, following the ousting of former GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield, his deputy Roxanne Myers and then Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo in August of last year.

The embattled trio is currently

before the courts facing a number of electoral fraud charges for their alleged attempts to sway the results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections in favour of the then ruling A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

There is also the matter of Local Government Elections (LGE), which Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall had said last month the Government remained committed to holding at the soonest possible time.

The Local Government Ministry was allocated $1.1 billion in the 2021 national budget to facilitate the election. From this amount, $237.7 million was slated to offset the costs of printing 500,000 ballots, among other materials. Some $285.7 million was budgeted for voter education and $135.7 million for the training of elections staff.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Thursday, January 6 – no closure and Friday, January 7 – 09:00h – 10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, January 6 – 06:55h-08:25h and Friday, January 7 – 07:35h – 09:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light rain showers are expected during the day, with cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 07:08h and 19:24h reaching maximum heights of 2.50 metres and 2.58 metres.

Low Tide: 12:56h reaching a minimum height of 0.74 metre.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS K

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2021

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$80.02/barrel

- 0.78

Rough Rice

$263.88/ton

- 0.10

London Sugar

$495.30/ton

- 0.36

Live Spot Gold

…“don’t panic” – Health Minister to Guyanese

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n light of the rush to get tested amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in Guyana, President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that his Government is exploring the use of at-home COVID-19 test kits to prevent gatherings of people at testing sites across the country.

“In many developed jurisdictions now, they are not giving everyone the test as part of their management protocol and they’re encouraging home tests now, the use of home kits as part of their response agenda. This is something we have to look at also; rather than having long lines for PCR; whether we are going to go to the direction where we have the home kits being used more effectively.

And you know, the reliability of the home kits has also improved tremendously through the lifecycle of this pandemic so far,” the President said at an emergency press conference on Wednesday to update the country on the rising COVID-19 cases.

As such, he disclosed that Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has been instructed to review this with his technical team.

The Head of State further told <<<Guyana Times>>>, when asked, that discussions were currently ongoing on whether Government would be procuring and distributing these home kits to households in Guyana.

“A part of exploring [the use of the at-home kits] is exploring the cost associated… and the supply, because there are still issues in the supply chain… and that is what we are analysing now in terms of the home testing, but definitely it is something that is being discussed, because we know… that the need for testing would increase.

Naturally, people are going to become concerned with the slightest of symptoms and they are going to want to be tested,” President Ali related to this newspaper.

“Don’t panic”

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PAY DAY

Govt exploring use of at-home COVID test kits – President Ali

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Nevertheless, it was indicated during Wednesday’s press conference that the country has adequate testing capacity with the National Reference Laboratory being able to conduct at least 2000 PCR tests within a 24-hour period.

Moreover, the various regional hospitals across the country also have testing capability. These are in addition to testing capacities at private institutions.

But Minister Anthony warned against persons swamping testing facilities in a panic, reminding those persons who were exposed to the virus must wait at least five days before getting tested in order to get accurate results.

“If you are exposed and you come immediately to be tested, the test is going to show that you’re negative.

You have to wait a couple

President Dr Irfaan Ali

of days before you get tested. During those days, you need to be in quarantine…

So, don’t go and swamp the testing sites. We see a lot of people showing up at testing sites and…demanding to be tested, but if they do that too early, you’re not going to know what’s your true status,” he stated.

The Health Minister is confident that if persons “pace themselves and don’t panic”, the country will be able to manage this surge in novel coronavirus infections.

COVID-19 cases in Guyana have seen a sharp spike over the past week with new infections reaching as high as more than 700 within a 24-hour period on Wednesday – the highest figure recorded since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus here in March 2020.

Health authorities have attributed this rise in cases to

the Omicron variant, which while not deadly is highly transmissible.

However, there has been criticism by some including the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – the leading party in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) fraction of the coalition Opposition – on what basis Government was operating as though Omicron was here.

But Dr Anthony pointed to various factors such as the rapid rise in cases within a short period, the type of symptoms and low hospitalisation rate, among others, which he says “strongly” suggest the variant is here.

More evidence is the absence of the ‘S gene’ in PCR tests conducted. The Health Minister explained this test targets three specific areas of the virus and with Omicron cases, there is a drop off of the ‘S gene’. Added to this is the fact that Omicron has also spread to nearly all the Caribbean countries.

“So, there are all these features that we have observed, using our collection of data, and because of that we can predict that that is what we have here,” Minister Anthony stressed.

Nevertheless, the Guyana Government has sent samples for genetic testing overseas to officially confirm the presence of Omicron in Guyana. But this process is expected to last at least two weeks with additional time

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

for the results to be ready.

To this end, President Ali contended that his government cannot await the results in order to act.

“So, we are operating based on advice that is here and we are taking action based on that advice. We’ve always spoken about being proactive… and this here too, we are trying to be ahead of the game… As of now, we are in control. We have enough testing kits, we have enough capability, we have enough capacity to manage this situation,” the Head of State argued.

On this note, the President reiterated pleas for persons to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and for those who are qualified to get their booster shots in order to protect themselves from contracting the virus. (G8)

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 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

Mandatory mask-wearing

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or some time now, in spite of the COVID-19 cases, persons have still not been taking seriously the health guidelines issued by the authorities. In some cases, persons just go about their daily routine as if they were not bothered at all. On Wednesday, for the first time in Guyana, there was a record-breaking spike of new infections with 779 persons testing positive for the virus in 24 hours.

We support President Dr Irfaan Ali when he said on Wednesday: “It is still critical that while you are still making up your mind whether you will get vaccinated that you adhere to a self-imposition of mandatory mask wear to minimise the viral load or your exposure.”

In this regard, since August 2021, we supported the move by the Government to make it mandatory for persons to wear masks while out in public. Since then, the health Minister has made it clear that it is not the Government’s intention to have persons locked up or fined for not wearing a mask while out in public. He said that all efforts were being made to educate persons about the need to safeguard themselves and their families from being infected, and to have them voluntarily comply with the guidelines.

Of note, too, is that even in cases where persons choose to wear a mask, they do not do so properly. A face mask should cover the nose, mouth and chin. When not in use, the mask should be safely stowed away, or discarded, and not be placed on any other part of the face or neck.

Mandatory mask-wearing – along with the other preventative measures: handwashing or sanitising, and social distancing – are the key measures to halt the severe impact of COVID-19. With the rise in COVID-19 cases, the Government, along with the various health partners, has wasted no time in stepping up the call for persons to be responsible in their actions to contain the spread of the virus. However, citizens also have a role to play, and they must take that role seriously, or else the country would not be able to win the battle to control the virus.

The fact is that once the health guidelines to contain the spread of the virus are not taken seriously by citizens, the infection rate would continue to climb, and it would take an even longer time for the country to be fully reopened. This, we know, would have severe economic and social impacts on the country.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), masks are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from travelling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. The CDC explains that this is called source control.

“This recommendation is based on what we know about the role respiratory droplets play in the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, paired with emerging evidence from clinical and laboratory studies that shows masks reduce the spray of droplets when worn over the nose and mouth,” the CDC explains.

The CDC notes that COVID-19 is spread mainly among people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet), so the use of masks is particularly important in settings where people are close to each other, or where social distancing is difficult to maintain.

The CDC has recommended that all persons, two years of age and older, wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

It must be noted, too, that COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected. For this reason, it is important that everyone wears a mask in public settings, and practise social distancing.

Everyone wants the virus to be contained, so that they can get on with their daily lives, but this would not be possible if citizens are complacent or continue to ignore the health guidelines. For this reason, we believe that making it mandatory for every person to wear a mask while in public is a step in the right direction.

President Dr Irfaan Ali received a courtesy visit from seven senior students of Yale University on Wednesday at State House. Included in the group was Ashley Anthony, daughter of the Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony. The 22-year-old is reading for a degree in biomedical engineering. The other students are Aaron Jenkins from Alaska; Justin Nguyen and Alex Wallace from California; Chase Finney from Florida; Kelsey Tamakloe from Louisiana and Pirwat Pungagupta from Thailand (OP photo)

Uncivilised behaviour is yet another blatant affront to our democracy

Dear Editor, It was a great coincidence that I wrote a letter to the press on the same day that the Coalition unleashed its trade mark thuggery and hooliganism in the sanctity of the Supreme lawmaking body of the land - the Parliament stating in no uncertain terms that even though there is a change of leadership in the PNC, ‘the leopard cannot change its spots’.

This uncivilised behaviour is yet another blatant affront to our democracy. I would like to now qualify this: It is easier for the leopard to change its spots than the PNC to change its intimidating, bullying and downright gutter politics mentality. The old PNC status quo no doubt can only get worse.

It is power at any and all cost.

That is the way forward for the PNC. The PNC should take a page from the PPP General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo’s leadership. Never once did the PPP use any type of Neanderthal behaviour to get into power.

The PNC is never interested in a compromise, and the greed for power will take precedence over any rational behaviour. Let us look at the Local Content Bill. The Opposition had tabled 14 amendments, and of these amendments, 10 were accepted. The Natural Resources Minister Mr Bharrat was clearly objective and judicious. This Bill was passed without a problem. The Opposition was clearly satisfied. But then they objected vehemently to the passing of the amendments to the National Resources Fund Bill, which by far superseded the NRF Act which they passed as an illegal Government in January 2019, just days after the successful passage of the No Confidence Motion on December, 22nd 2018. This NRF Act was passed on 3rd January, 2019 and Gazetted on 23rd January,

2019. This was real speedy, and without inputs from the then Opposition and the society at large. Indeed, there was an insane haste to get their hands on the oil money.

Let us take a look at the Coalition’s NRF as compared to the PPP/C’s NRF. The Coalition’s NRF Act provided for a Public Accountability and Oversight Committee which consists of 22 members appointed by the President. Unfortunately, when one looks at the functions of this Committee, it would be seen that it is mere window dressing with no real power. It does monitoring, assessing and evaluation, creates reports and submits reports to a large extent. The Minister of Finance is responsible for the overall management of the Fund. This is where the true power lies.

The amended NRF Act provides for the appointment of the Board of Directors, which has governance and management responsibilities. These directors are appointed by the President. The Board is comprised of a minimum of 3 members and a maximum of 5. This removes the sweeping powers from the subject Minister and put them in the hands of persons with ‘wide experience and ability in legal, financial, business or administrative matters’.

One is appointed by the National Assembly and one from the Private Sector.

This Board is in addition to the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee which is comprised of 9 members selected from the National Assembly, the Private Sector, the religious community, organized labour and the professions. This Committee provides non-governmental oversight of the Fund so there are two tiers of transparency and accountability mechanisms, in addition to the audits. Whilst the

Coalition’s NRF provided for a bloated Committee which was in effect useless, the current NRF provides the checks and balances which are vital to transparency and accountability through the Board and the Committee.

Another bone of contention is the withdrawals from the Fund. The Coalition’s NRF ensured that the withdrawal amount is shrouded in complicated details and calculations when Schedule I is analysed. There is no clear-cut calculation apart from being stipulated that the withdrawal should not be in excess of the amount approved by the National Assembly in a fiscal year. The determination of the withdrawals amount is the lesser of the economically sustainable amount and the fiscally sustainable amount.

The former takes into consideration the ‘competitiveness of the economy’, and the latter, the ‘long-term sustainability of the Fund’. Both of these are determined by the Minister of Finance and are vague and subjective. The calculation of the fiscally sustainable amount which is laid out in Schedule I provides no clear-cut calculation as is now provided by the current NRF. The current NRF sets a ceiling on the annual withdrawal from the Fund at US$500 million, and this withdrawal starts from 100% and moves to 75%, 50%, 5% and 3% for the second, third, fourth and fifth deposits of US$500 million. The last 3% is on excess of US$2,500 million. In the current NRF, approval is sought in the National Assembly before monies are transferred to the Contingency Fund. It must be noted that US$500 million is just around GY$105 billion (Guyana dollars) or just about one-third of Guyana’s current Budget. This money is vital to push our socio-economic development of the country, and this

will also benefit future generations. But this is what the Coalition is afraid of. This will make them more irrelevant and dashed into oblivion, given their proven track record for squandering and corruption.

Then it has been much publicised that the current NRF provides for ‘no jail term’ for persons misappropriating from the Fund. This is preposterous and barefaced coming from the Coalition since the ‘Penalties and Offences’ in the current Act is a replica of the NRF Act illegally enforced by the Coalition in January 2019.

I saw APNU protestors holding placards and chanting about ‘thieving’, completely oblivious that the offences and penalties are exactly the same under the current NRF. This is gullibility to the extreme.

This NRF Bill, which is the NRF Act, is by far more superior in terms of transparency and accountability, and the Coalition is cognisant of this fact, but as is expected, they will cry corruption and hope that the masses believe them, inciting and encouraging violence and mayhem to destabilise the Government.

His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali has done an excellent summation of the Coalition’s attitude: ‘They do not regard politics as a contention for better policies and governance; they regard politics as nothing more or less than a battle for power.

That is why we had the display in the National Assembly of violence and intimidation – that is their default strategy; to whip up antagonism and hostility based on misrepresentation, misbehaviour and mischief.

“My brothers and sisters, that is their game. Your Government will not play it.”

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

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A response to Melinda Janki

Dear Editor, I felt I had said enough on the question of judicial criticism in my recent letter, which you published in your newspaper on 3rd January 2022. I, however, feel compelled to add an addendum to my letter, so as to respond to Kaieteur News’ designated “International lawyer” Melinda Janki’s letter published in another newspaper on 4th January 2022.

International lawyer Janki, in her letter, stresses the point that Mr Dharamlall is not a member of the public. He is certainly not a judge.

Pointing to the robes that Mr Dharamlall wears as an MP, a member of the executive and a servant of the public, this international legal luminary concludes that “Mr. Dharamlall has a responsibility to uphold respect for the rule of law, including respect for the judiciary.” But such a disposition is expected of every citizen of Guyana, and no exceptional responsibility is placed on the shoulders of Mr Dharamlall, who I would contend is perfect-

ly entitled to criticise the judges, save for some exceptional comments, which he has commendably withdrawn.

I take the opportunity to point Ms. Janki to an outstanding example of public criticism of the judiciary by a leading member of the executive of the United States of America, none other than the President of the United States himself. In or around January 2010, in an address to the US House of Representatives, and to an audience which included the judges of the Supreme Court of the United States of America, President Obama criticised the judges of that court for their decision to reverse 100 years of legal reform, which decision he contended opened the floodgates to corporate influence on the affairs of the United States Government and on the politics of the State.

His remarks were met with loud applause by congressmen and women, while the Supreme Court judges present squirmed and grimaced.

Ms. Janki, the internation-

alist she is held out to be, must be aware of the description by former Prime Minister Stuart of Barbados, of the judges of the Caribbean Court of Justice as “politicians in robes.”

The other matter I wish to consider as advanced by international lawyer Janki is her contention that criticism of the judiciary must be legitimate. A core feature of legitimate criticism is relevance. Criticism ought not to be wild or whimsical. Mr Dharamlall contextualised his criticism of the majority ruling of the majority ruling of the Court of Appeal.

In that regard, he was both relevant and consequently legitimate.

Ms. Janki is behind in time with respect to judicial criticism. Though wary of repetition, I repeat, for her benefit, the words of Lord Carswell (who must have been well known to Lord Bingham) that “Judges have to be hardy enough to shrug off criticism, even if it is intemperate or abusive, which has happened, even if it is unfair and ill in-

formed….”

Ms. Janki has thrown quotations and references in her letter seemingly without consideration for their relevance.

Her reference to an extract from the Latimer House principles on careful reading does nothing to advance the thrust of her letter. The quote from Lord Bingham is contextually meaningless.

As an aside, without knowing the “domus” of Ms. Janki as an International lawyer, I wonder whether in the jurisdiction where ever she resides, she would be able to say whether Mr. Roysdale Forde and Mr. Joseph Harmon, lawyers from the APNU/PNC, given their advocacy of the invalidity of Parliamentary proceedings because of the absence of a Mace or for the use of a replica of the Mace, would in that jurisdiction be eligible to be considered by international lawyers.

Sincerely, Selwyn Persaud

A state of affairs that does not augur well for well-being of the city Dear Editor, As a citizen of Georgetown, a property owner in the ‘Garden City,’ and a businessperson in our capital, it is necessary for me to visit a number of municipal locations regularly to pay my property rates, to apply for various licences and permits, and to obtain other municipal services.

But my visits to these installations of the Council leave me to wonder whether the Georgetown Municipality is governed by its own laws and conventions in contravention of national policies, or whether they are just a rogue organisation which doesn’t conform to other people’s ideas of how things should be.

In the midst of this worldwide pandemic, where countries and cities all over the globe are rushing to put in place systems for the prevention and mitigation of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Disease 2019 COVID-19, it would seem as though the City Council is oblivious to the need for measures to be put in place to protect the safety and health of their workers, their customers, and the public at large.

At this time, when there is a distinct possibility that present in Guyana are the Omicron, Delta and other variants of the deadly Corona virus, and when there is a serious uptick in infections with active cases surging every day to staggering levels, it is alarming to note that Tom, Dick and Harrylall are allowed to casually saunter into any municipal location for whatever reason without being required to produce a vaccination card, without wearing a mask, without having to wash their hands,

or engage in any other form of hand sanitisation, or without adhering to social distancing recommendations.

I think it is all well and good for the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) to shut down parties and other events that are flouting the COVID-19 regulations, but why don’t they visit and take action at the various municipal markets that are ‘wet markets’, which have been implicated globally in multiple zoonotic outbreaks and which are bustling and teeming with activity involving hundreds if not thousands of persons daily who are not required to sanitise or be temperature tested before entering the facility, and who are being attended to by vendors who have not been vaccinated nor are they wearing masks.

I have spoken to numerous employees of the Georgetown Municipality, and with the exception of one, all the rest say that they are not vaccinated, nor do they have any intention of being vaccinated, as there is no requirement by the administration of the Council for them to be. They said they are not provided with masks, sanitizers or other such personal protective equipment against the virus any more, even though they are required to be out there every day policing the city, managing solid waste, looking after food hygiene, cleaning the markets, drains etc.

One has to wonder how this is even possible with the Council having an entire Public Health Department employing a Medical Officer of Health, Environmental Health Officers, and a Health and Safety Officer. This state of affairs does not augur well

for the health and wellbeing of the city, and needs to be addressed at the double.

Sincerely, Magagula Jackson

Make rectifying nuisance a priority in 2022 Dear Editor, I would be grateful to you for publishing this letter, which not only expresses my total dissatisfaction but that of all the law-abiding citizens of Experiment Village, Bath Settlement, in regard to the daily noise nuisance and the lackadaisical and irresponsible response by the Police at Fort Wellington Police Station.

We, the residents of Experiment, Bath, West Bank Berbice, have been subjected to the most obscene and vulgar music which is being played at deafening decibels and emanating from not only some houses armed with huge music systems, but from cars with the entire trunks retrofitted and burdened with gigantic speakers. May I make it clear that this scenario pertains not only to holidays, but is normal for birthdays, weddings, and even before and after funerals.

Editor, it deludes my understanding how these vehicles are given fitness when they are permanently modified to accommodate this noise nuisance gadget and allowed to violate the laws with impunity.

Anyone who requires music for a function hire these cars, that will position on the street and blast away, disturbing the quiet and peace of anyone within a half-mile radius.

Birthdays are celebrated from the evening until 2 to 3 a.m., and the Police patrol sometimes pass and will never intervene despite being cognisant that this unbearable noise

nuisance is criminal.

Sadly, numerous calls to the Fort Wellington Police station are futile. The usual response is that the patrol is out, or worse, there is no response at all. This has been the situation over the last five years.

Even when the telephone numbers of the perpetrators are given to the Police, there is still no reprieve. Fortunately, on one occasion, when I called the Central Police station, the rank there called the perpetrator and admonished him, and there was a short respite for about an hour, but ignorance then took control and the music was played even louder.

Editor, I am kindly requesting the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the Officer in charge of Fort Wellington Police station starts doing his job in a professional manner in order to curb this noise nuisance which is plaguing an entire village. I am sure that this problem is not peculiar to my village only, but it is a national problem which has been allowed to grow and fester, and now seems to be uncontrollable. Similar situations are posted on Facebook on a regular basis, and lives are lost because the Police are reluctant to enforce the Laws of the Land.

Please let us make rectifying this nuisance a priority in 2022.

Yours sincerely, Narendra Lall

How can a decision which will have a positive impact be such a bad thing?

Dear Editor, Amid rising cases of COVID-19, the Ministry of Education has reopened schools for face-to-face interaction at all levels, with Grade Seven students returning to the classroom next week.

Many people are against this decision, and some have even gone so far as to call the Government, Minister of Education and staff of the Ministry heartless and uncaring. But looking at the bigger picture, how can a decision which would have a positive long-term impact be such a bad thing?

Yes, we know cases are rising, on Wednesday alone, over 700 positive cases were recorded in a 24-hour period. We should look at why this number is so high.

What I can say with certainty is that this is not a result of schools being reopened last Monday.

During the Christmas season, despite several advisories to take precautionary measures and avoid social gatherings, there were a lot of parties across the country. When I say a lot, I mean every day in the month of December there was a celebration somewhere. It was as though COVID-19 had gone on vacation and it was business, well, in this case, partying as normal.

Now, it is not just the bars I am referring to, but there were also family gatherings. I am sure that children were present at these gatherings, and I am also sure that no one was wearing a mask or social dis-

tancing. Also, during the holidays, Main Street was packed with people visiting the many booths at the Christmas Village, or just taking a casual stroll to look at the pretty lights strung along the boulevard.

It was a COVID-19 hotspot, and like I mentioned earlier, no one seemed to care about the pandemic.

Now that schools have reopened their doors to faceto-face learning, persons are against the decision.

It makes me wonder why are parents so uncomfortable with sending their children to school with masks on and COVID-19 measures in place, but seem to have no problem with taking their children out to crowded places during the holiday season.

Do parents think that if they are present, their children wouldn’t contract the COVID-19? Do they think that if sent to school, teachers would go rogue and allow students to walk around without masks, and congregate?

If anything, teachers would ensure the students are protected and adhere to the measures. Parents need to work along with teachers to ensure children receive an education in a safe learning environment.

If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we need to work collaboratively if we are going to beat it.

Sincerely, Anna Maria Perriera

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

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Foundation ◄

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Distributive Property and Identity

he Distributive Property of Multiplication: When you multiply numbers, you may multiply by each separately, and then add their products.

Example: 8 x (4 + 2) = (8 x 4 ) + (8 x 2) 48 = 32 + 16

Multiplication and division are closely related. When you learnt how to divide fractions, you were shown that division was the same as multiplication by a reciprocal. You can use the Distributive Property of Multiplication when you are dividing. But you may only use the Distributive Property when the addends are in the dividend.

Identity elements are numbers in a problem that do not affect the answer.

When adding, the identity element is 0. Any addend or addend + 0 will not change the total. In multiplication, the identity element is 1. Any factor of factors x 1 will not change the product. Subtraction and division do not have identity elements.

Remember: You cannot use the Distributive Property when addends are in the divisor: 90 ÷ (4 + 2) does not = (90 ÷ 4 ) + (90 ÷ 2) because…..

(90 x 1/6 ) does not = (90 x 1/4) + (90 x 1/2) 15 does not = 22.5 + 45 Find the answers to the following problems and tell which property they represent.

Exercises: Identify the property 1) 0 + 5 = 5

3) 23 + 0 = 23

5) 9 + 0 = 9

2) 7 ( 5 + 4) = 7 x 5 +7x4

4) 3 ( 4 + 3 + 4) = 3 x 4 + 3x3 +3x4

6) 100 + 0 = 100

Wednesday’s answers 1) Commutative property of multiplication 2) Commutative property of addition 3) Associative property of addition 4) Associative property

of multiplication 5) Associative property of multiplication 6) Commutative property of multiplication 7) Associative property of addition

8) Commutative property of multiplication 9) Commutative property of addition 10) Associative property of multiplication

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escribe how you celebrated the holidays and what you liked best.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ExxonMobil makes 2 more oil discoveries in Stabroek Block …“I’m very happy with every additional find Guyana makes” – President Ali …as commissioning of Liza Unity on course for 1st quarter 2022

President Dr Irfaan Ali

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ontinuing its productive trend in Guyana’s waters into the new year, oil giant ExxonMobil has announced two oil discoveries offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block – more of the 10 billion barrels recoverable resource estimated in the Block.

ExxonMobil announced on Wednesday that oil was found in the Fangtooth-1 and Lau Lau-1 wells in the Stabroek Block, bringing its number of discoveries in the Block to 27. According to Exxon’s statement, Fangtooth-1 had 164 feet of oil reservoir. The Lau Lau1 well, meanwhile, had 315 feet of oil reservoir.

It was explained that the Fangtooth well was drilled by

the Stena DrillMAX, while the Lau Lau well was drilled by the Noble Don Taylor.

These are two of six drillships supporting exploration and development drilling across the three blocks operated by ExxonMobil offshore Guyana.

In a statement, ExxonMobil’s Senior Vice President of exploration and new ventures, Mike Cousins, noted that the discovery not only increased Exxon’s resource estimates, but added to the company’s understanding of the Block.

“Initial results from the Fangtooth and Lau Lau wells are a positive sign for Guyana and continue to demonstrate the potential for the country’s growing oil and gas sector, ExxonMobil and our co-venturers in the Stabroek Block,” Cousins said.

“The Fangtooth discovery is a successful result of our strategy to test deeper prospectivity, and the Lau Lau discovery adds to the large inventory of development opportunities in the southeast part of the Stabroek Block.

Both discoveries increase our understanding of the resource, our continued confidence in the Block’s exploration potential, and our view that the many discoveries to date could result in up to 10 development projects.”

In a video statement on

October 2021, where the company encountered 243 feet of oil reservoirs. Before that, the company had also found oil at the Pinktail-1 well in September.

The statement also announced that the Liza Unity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which will service Liza Phase two production, is in the process of being commissioned. According to Exxon, production in the second phase is still on course to start in the first quarter of 2022.

Exxon Senior VP Mike Cousins

the find, Exxon Country Manager Alistair Routledge noted that the company’s success in Guyana’s waters was nothing short of extraordinary. Routledge also assured that as the company’s oil finds increased, so too would opportunities for Guyanese to benefit.

“This has been continued success in exploration.

We reached the huge milestone of declaring 10 billion oil equivalent barrels of resources we discovered. That’s in less than six years. To achieve that amount is quite outstanding. We tend to forget this is still a frontier exploration region,” he said.

Exxon’s last oil find was at the Cataback-1 well in the Stabroek Block back in

Pleased with discovery

Also chiming in on the discovery was the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, with President Dr Irfaan Ali expressing pleasure at the discovery during the course of a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

“I’m very happy with every additional find Guyana makes, because it adds to our total base and our ability in advancing the prosperity of our nation and improving our prospects of securing a prosperous future for future generations of Guyanese,” Dr Ali said, also promising to hold a future press conference to deal with the oil sector.

Meanwhile, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat also issued a state-

Exxon Country Manager Alistair Routledge

ment in which he noted the importance of the discoveries in strengthening Guyana’s position as an oil producer. He also recommitted the Government to strengthening oversight and management of the oil resources.

“The Government of Guyana remains confident that these two additional discoveries, which add to the … commercially-feasible finds, will further strengthen Guyana’s position as a country with world-class discoveries of high-quality hydrocarbon,” Bharrat said in the statement.

“Therefore, the Government will continue engaging all stakeholders towards the exponential development of these resources

for all Guyanese while maintaining a social, economic, and environmental balance.”

Meanwhile, Bharrat also welcomed the announcement that the Liza Unity FPSO was on track to commence production in early 2022, while the Prosperity FPSO vessel for the Payara field was undergoing construction in Singapore for a planned production start-up date in 2024.

He noted that with the Liza Unity FPSO’s capacity to produce approximately 220,000 barrels of oil per day and the Liza Destiny FPSO’s current production of approximately 120, 000 barrels of oil per day, Guyana will be an oil- producing economy of approximately 340,000 barrels of oil per day in 2022.

“The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Government of Guyana welcome these two new discoveries offshore Guyana and remain even more committed to the sustainable exploration and development of Guyana’s oil and gas resources,” Bharrat said.

“In this regard, I would like to reassure all Guyanese and stakeholders that this will be undertaken in keeping with international best practices for compliance and transparency within the petroleum sector and to ensure benefits are derived for all Guyanese.” (G3)

5 including Bar Association President tipped for Public Procurement Commission

Bar Association President Pauline Chase

Former GRA Chairman Rawle Lucas

Former NPTAB Chairman Berkley Wickham

uyana is one step closer to having the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) set up, with at least five persons being tipped to be appoint-

ed as Commissioners following the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Sub-Committee on Wednesday.

According to informa-

tion reaching this publication, those five persons are Attorney-at Law Pauline Chase; Economist Rawle Lucas; Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin; Berkley

G

Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin

Rajnarine Singh

Wickham and Rajnarine Singh. In an interview with this publication, PAC Chairman Jermaine Figueira explained that the names will be further discussed next week.

“There might be changes or there might not be changes, if the names are accepted or not. But as it is now, those are the proposed names… the process will have to be followed. And whatever the outcome is, I’ll accept that in the interest of the commission being established to be operational.”

TURN TO PAGE 11

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Black Bush Polder triple murder

Father, son among 4 to go on trial Monday

What’s ahead...

Dead: Puwan Chandradeo

Dead: Jaikan Chandradeo

Dead: Naresh Rooplall

father and son are among four men who will go on trial from Monday for the July 2016 murders of 37-yearold Pawan Chandradeo; his son, Jaikarran Chandradeo, 15; and his brother-in-law

Naresh Rooplall, 33.

Murder accused Carlton Chaitram, also known as ‘Lyma’, 40; his son Jairam Chaitram, 20; Tameshwar Jagmohan, otherwise known as ‘Guana’, 21, and 30-yearold Rakesh Karamchand,

called ‘Go-To-Front’, all of Berbice, were arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a jury at the Berbice High Court.

The quartet denied three counts of murder. It is alleged that between July 20 and 21,

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Murder accused: Carlton Chaitram

Murder accused: Jairam Chaitram

Murder accused: Tameshwar Jagmohan

Murder accused: Rakesh Karamchand

2016 in Berbice, they murdered the two men and the teen boy. Their trial will commence on Monday when State prosecutor Abigail Gibbs calls her first witness.

The lifeless bodies of the Chandradeos and Rooplall were found days after they left their homes to go on a fishing trip in Black Bush Polder, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). Their bodies bore one gunshot wound each.

Autopsies revealed that Pawan Chandradeo, his son, and their relative died as a result of shock and haemorrhage. It was reported that the men were shot with a shotgun. (G1)

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…on the COVID front? our Eyewitness woke up to the news that the US reported over 1 MILLION cases of COVID 19 on a single day - last Monday, the third day of the New Year. That’s all we needed, after being battered for two years by this blasted virus! To paraphrase one king who was supreme over all he surveyed at the time, your Eyewitness raises his hands to the heavens and pleads, “Will no one deliver us from this pestilential virus?”

Now, your Eyewitness is, of course, concerned about what’s playing out in the States. After all, most of his relatives - like the rest of us - are living over there. And they’re “catching” the virus better than Gus Logie ever did with those nicks at silly point, back in the day! But he’s more concerned about us right HERE in our dear mudland, since whatever the US catches, we can be sure we’ll be getting it in spades here before we can say “Rohan “Babulall” Kanhai”!

And lo and behold, our local news declared the next day that our number of COVID cases was 485 - more than four times the previous day’s score, and our highest total ever! It surpassed our peak from last September when we had our last wave. And whether we like it or not, it is a harbinger of what is in store for us. Now, the info we’re getting from the States is that the upsurge in infections is due to the Omicron variant, that’s three times more transmissible than that last Delta variant, but it doesn’t appear it’s as deadly. However, we can’t take this premise for granted where we’re concerned, cause it might be related to their high vaccination rate. 72% have been vaccinated twice, of which 21% have been “boosted”. For us, only 37% have received two jabs, and barely 1.5% got the booster shot.

And if that wasn’t enough bad news, out of France we’ve just been informed that - while Omicron was distinguished by 37 mutations on its spikes, which determine how fast they can get into our cells - a new variant, unofficially dubbed IHU with 46 mutations, has showed up! As to whether it’s more benign or deadlier than Omicron or Delta, we’ll soon know.

Now, your Eyewitness isn’t getting all morbid in doling out all this news about COVID: he just knows his fellow Guyanese. They really need to step up to the crease and score some shots for the nation by getting vaccinated.

Remember when we were warned to eat our food cause kids elsewhere were going hungry?

Well, there are entire countries that want vaccines but just can’t get them. Let herd immunity be our patriotic duty! …in the World Order We had to be living under a rock if we didn’t realise that things are “a changin’” in the World Order. We’ve all been hearing about the rise of China, that’s breathing down the US’ neck on the economic front with their Belt and Road Initiative to tie down trade relations with the rest of the world. But while China’s been in the news, the other East Asian Tigers have continued to eat away at the US manufacturing prowess - right in the heart of America!

We just got news that Toyota displaced GM as #1 car maker in US!! For almost a century, GM represented American manufacturing might, as its galaxy of cars dominated the roads of the world. The saying was, “What is good for GM is good for America”! But Toyota sold 2.332 million vehicles in the US in 2021, compared with 2.218 million for GM. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Hyundai’s U.S. sales last year rose 19% to more than 738,000 vehicles!

Oi Vey!! …on noise Your Eyewitness is all for banning firecrackers because of the effect of their noise on the health and wellbeing off pets.

But he didn’t hear any protests about the GDF’s year end barrage of fireworks? They didn’t upset any pets?

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

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

200 healthcare workers across Guyana infected with COVID-19

...GPHC records most cases, but services delivery not affected

President Dr Irfaan Ali

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he spike of COVID-19 cases in Guyana, attributed to the Omicron variant, has resulted in an outbreak among healthcare workers, 200 of whom have been infected across the country, with majority of these being detected at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

This was disclosed by President Dr Irfaan Ali during an emergency press briefing on Wednesday.

According to the Head of State, approximately 50 doctors, 75 nurses and 41 technicians within the public health sector countrywide have recently contracted the virus. However, more than 70 per cent of the infected

doctors and about 50 per cent of the infected nurses are from the GPHC. President Ali pointed out that the city hospital is more significantly affected because its patient load is much greater than the other public health facilities across the country. But despite this, he noted that service delivery at the GPHC has not been affected.

“We have to understand that Georgetown Hospital is more at risk because they have more traffic, more patient load going to Georgetown hospital…

Whilst most countries now are moving in the direction of cutting off service delivery from the public healthcare

system… We are not heading into that direction because we believe that the system can manage and operate even with the challenge that we have now,” the President explained.

Nevertheless, the Head of State went on to reassure the public that there is no need for panic as a result of this outbreak within the healthcare system, since Government has been able to manage the situation so far.

“I want the population to understand that what we are faced with is what the entire global community is faced with… [But] we still remain in a situation where it’s manageable… all the focus is on managing the healthcare system ensuring that our facilities are there, ensuring that our health personnel are protected to the extent that the healthcare system remains functional,” he outlined.

On this note, President Ali commended the healthcare workers for putting in the hours to ensure service delivery is not affected during this surge in COVID-19 cases.

Operations not affected

Currently, there are two departments – the Obstetrics and Gynaecology (OB/GYN) and the Paediatric – at the GPHC which have seen the most infections.

But according to Director of Medical and Professional

Services at the GPHC, Dr Fawcett Jeffrey, the operations of these departments have not been affected to the extent that service delivery had to be suspended.

As it relates to the OBGYN department, which facilitates referrals from around the country, seven of the 32 doctors attached there have tested positive for COVID. “[OB-GYN doctors] attend to two persons – mother and child – so that’s a very important department… There are lots of doctors and just seven are out of the department now, but we consider it significant because of the role they play in the institution… Many of the doctors in the [Paediatric] Department were affected, but within another five to seven days, most of them would be back out on the job,” Dr Jeffrey noted.

However, the Director of Medical Services explained that in addition to the doctors, some 56 nurses at the GPHC are infected as well.

He pointed out that while this situation does not significantly affect service delivery, it does have an impact on staff and some departments.

“When you have nurses who are out of service, it means sometimes nursing care – it’s not affected, but it means that other nurses will have to go the extra mile to do their jobs… Departments will be affected because they

GPHC’s Director of Medical Services, Dr Fawcett Jeffrey

have such a large turnover [of patients],” he stated.

Nevertheless, Dr Jeffrey disclosed that contingency plan has already been put in place to curb the spread of the virus at the city hospital. These include the use of specific face masks by healthcare workers as well as heightened screening process and stricter visitation protocols.

Protocols for visitation

According to GPHC’s Director of Medical Services, “Even though we try to say the number of you that go to visit your family can negatively impact [curbing] COVID-19. But we have fights at the gate and difficulties because people think they are being restricted from seeing their family members.”

Protocols in place due to the pandemic stipulate that only one visitor per patient is allow in order to ensure social distancing and avoid the possibility of cross-contamination of the virus.

“But people do not understand those things, and we end up with issues at the gate that sometimes even expose our staff more… because when somebody gets heated…they take off their masks so that their voices could be heard more and the virus also spreads more,” he lamented.

Against this backdrop, Dr Jeffrey is imploring members of the public, especially those who visit the GPHC, to cooperate with the staff and adhere to the COVID-19 protocols in place, that would not just protect hospital staff alone, but them as well. (G8)

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cash-strapped M&CC G/town High Court temporarily closes due to COVID-19 exposure gives workers 10% salary increase

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he High Court in Demerara has announced the temporary closure of its courthouse and offices due to exposure to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). In a notice, the Supreme Court of Judicature said that operations will be closed from Wednesday through next Monday.

The notice said the closure is a precautionary measure, given exposure to the virus, and to effect sanitisation of the court building and offices. The Supreme Court noted that the usual precautions and protocols are being adopted at this time. Despite the short-term closure, the work of the court will continue, just as it has been during the pandemic.

According to the notice, urgent matters will be done by way of remote hearings during this period for the Demerara High Court. The filing of urgent and other matters may be effected through the use of the e-filing portal on the Supreme Court’s website (supremecourt.gy).

Persons who have sched-

uled in-person hearings at the court during this period are advised to make contacts with the court’s registrar, deputy registrar, or their Attorneysat-Law. The Demerara High Court registry will resume operations with a skeletal staff from January 10 to 14.

Since Guyana discovered its first COVID-19 case back in March 2020, similar exposures have led to the temporary closure of several courthouses across the country.

Court buildings are regularly sanitised and fumigated.

The Supreme Court has been collaborating with the Health Ministry and the COVID-19 Task Force in the implementation of all established guidelines and protocols to ensure the safe operation of the judiciary.

It has been providing free transportation to and from work for staff, stationing health workers at court entrances, using technology in the conduct of trials, paying for COVID-19 testing for staff, and arranging for vaccines to be made available to staff members of the

Judiciary.

Also, the Supreme Court has arranged webinars for all

staff throughout the country on the effects of COVID-19, responding to the pandemic, and vaccination.

The Judiciary also has a response team in place to deal with the preparedness, response, and interaction with public health agencies.

The team frequently interfaces with the court staff, and reports to the Chancellor of the Judiciary. Given the nature and characteristics of the virus and its potential to disrupt or even halt the functions of the courts, the Supreme Court said there will be strict adherence to safety protocols.

Man to be sentenced for fatally stabbing teen

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wenty-four-year-old Ryan Alberts, otherwise known as ‘Murray’, will be sentenced on January 18 for the 2016 unlawful killing of a 19-year-old gold miner formerly of Yarakita, North West District.

Alberts pleaded guilty to killing Dalton Emmanuel on March 29, 2016 in the county of Essequibo. He also accepted that on the same day, he unlawfully assaulted Mark Edwards so as to cause him actual bodily harm.

Alberts was arraigned before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow.

State Counsel Latifah Elliot is appearing for the prosecution while defence lawyer Ravindra Mohabir is representing the confessed killer.

The Police have said that Emanuel was involved in an

Confessed killer: Ryan Alberts

argument with another man at Yarakita, during which he was stabbed to his abdomen with a pair of scissors.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. (G1)

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orkers of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council have benefited from a 10 per cent salary increase, five per cent of which will be retroactive to January 2021 and five per cent would be paid from January 2022. This increase is applied to workers across the board.

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine on Wednesday announced the 10 per cent pay increase for all city employees.

“The Local Government Commission had written to us for the seven per cent increase like Central Government approved for public servants.

However, the finance committee… had deliberated, and that is how we came up with the five per cent retroactive and five per cent for 2022… it is because of our revenue base.

The city of Georgetown continues to struggle in terms of revenue collection,” Narine told reporters on Wednesday.

He stated that there were a number of entities which owe millions of dollars in property rates to the Council, and this is among the areas from where they were looking to generate revenue.

The Mayor noted that granting this increase to workers was a significant achievement since the City Council was financially constrained.

He explained that the Council’s budget is some $2.6 billion, but much more was needed for City Hall to effectively conduct its operations.

According to Mayor Narine, the money for the increase in wages will come from amnesty being granted

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine

for rates and taxes.

“The increase of revenue due to the amnesty that we called from December to March month end. Currently we have lots of application, and a lot of people are coming forward to pay their taxes….”, he said.

More than 600 workers stand to benefit. They last received an increase in their wages and salaries in 2018.

When asked if the rates and taxes would be increased later this year or next year to sustain the payment of those salary increases, the Mayor did not divulge any information, but rather said that any increase in rates would be decided by the Council.

“This money is already secured, and payments of these monies should be made before the 15th of this month…,” the Mayor stated.

He said City Hall has cleared about $80 million in union dues, but it still owed monies to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). (G9)

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Taxi driver jailed for armed robberies

Jailed: Kwame Jowanza

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35-year-old taxi driver of Retch-Door-Zee, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, who was arrested on January 3 for a series of robberies, has been jailed.

Kwame Jowanza, was arrested after a party of Policemen went to his home and a search was carried

out in his presence. During the search, 14 ladies’ handbags, one fake licence number plate, two Samsung cellphones without Sim cards, one tablet, and one Bluetooth speaker were found in his possession.

Investigators said that on Tuesday at 17:00h, an identification parade was held at the La Grange Police Station and the driver was positively identified by several robbery victims as the person who had robbed them.

As such, he was told of the allegation, and he admitted to committing the offences.

The man reportedly robbed 21-year-old Basmattie Surjpaul, a clerk of Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, on Tuesday at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo; and 23-yearold Melenda Alli, also a clerk of Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, on the same day.

He also robbed 18-year-

The items that were stolen by the accused

old lab technician Budindra Basdeo of Ruimzeight, West Coast Demerara (WCD) on November, 26th last year, at about 07:00h at Ruimzeight Public Road, WCD.

Tamika Bidder, 21, of DeWillem, West Coast Demerara was also robbed on November 26th, 2021, at 06:45h in DeWillem, WCD. On Wednesday he faced

5 including Bar Association President...

According to Figueira, the names were arrived at following the meeting of the PAC Sub-Committee. During the sub-committee meeting, representatives of both the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) sides of the PAC settled on the five names from a list of eight names. Those eight names in turn came from a list of over 20 names.

“That’s a very important commission and even though

names are suggested, there is a possibility that persons might want to have other persons be given greater consideration. But as it is, those are the names.”

Pauline Chase currently serves as President of the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), while Bhagwandin is the former director of the Private Sector Commission (PSC). Up until 2021, Wickham served as the Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board

(NPTAB) and Lucas formerly served as Chairman of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Previously, the PPC had as its members Chairperson Carol Corbin, Ivor English, Nanda Gopaul, Sukrishnalall Pasha and Emily Dodson.

While the life of the commission ended in 2019, Corbin was retained until 2020.

Among the PPC’s key functions are, according to the Procurement Act, to “Monitor and review the functioning of all procure-

three counts of robbery under arms and one count of larceny charges from the person when he appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate

Zamilla Ally-Seepaul. He admitted to the offences and was sentenced to six years, six months imprisonment.

(G9)

ence to regulations and efficiency in procuring goods and services and execution of works; approve of procedures for public procurement, disseminate rules and procedures for public procurement; and recommend modifications thereto to the public procurement entities.”

The PPC has in the past intervened in contracts when there was a discrepancy with the procurement of the contractor. One of the most famous cases of this was the sole sourced consultant for

the design and feasibility study of the new Demerara River Bridge.

The Procurement Commission conducted a probe into the award of the feasibility study and design contract and had flagged the then Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson for requesting from Cabinet that the $148 million contract be sole-sourced. This subsequently resulted in them calling in the Auditor General. (G3)

FROM PAGE 7

ment systems to ensure that they are in accordance with law and such policy guidelines as may be determined by the National Assembly; promote awareness of the rules, procedures and special requirements of the procurement process among suppliers, constructors and public bodies; safeguard the national interest in public procurement matters, having due regard to any international obligations; monitor the performance of procurement bodes with respect to adher-

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pensioner perishes in New Amsterdam fire ...100-year-old workshop destroyed

Dead: Oscar Liddell Sr

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75-year-old man is now dead after a fire of unknown origin

ripped through his home located at Lot 27-34 Pilot Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The fire, which erupted at about 05:30h, also destroyed a workshop that has been in existence for over 100 years.

Dead is 75-year-old Oscar Liddell, a joiner who previously operated a workshop in the bottom flat of his two-storey building. The workshop is now being run by his son Oscar Liddell Jr. The younger Liddell, who lives nearby, said he was asleep at the time of the fire, and was awakened by a neighbour from the next

Oscar Liddell Jr saw his father lying on the bed, but could not get to him

The building was completely destroyed

street calling out indicating that there was smoke coming from the kitchen.

According to Liddell, when he got out of bed and realised what was happening, he went tssssssssssso his verandah and threw the keys to his father’s house to one of the neighbours who had gathered in front of the burning building.

The 38-year-old man said he rushed over to his father’s front door and went inside while a neighbour entered from the back door, but the smoke was very thick.

However, he braved the heat and smoke in an attempt to rescue his father, whom he saw in his bedroom but could not get to him.

“He was on the bed probably already passed out. I just run through the kitchen and push open the backdoor and come downstairs.

Probably the fire was in the ceiling before it come down.

So, when we were upstairs it could have caved in on us,” the man recalled.

Liddell said during his brief stay in the building he was choking as a result of the thick smoke.

He said he does not know what the cause of the fire was, but from all indications, it started in the kitchen.

According to the man, while it is possible that his father might have gotten up to make a hot beverage, the pensioner had no reason to cook.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Fire Service is currently investigating the circumstances which led to a fire.

Reports are that by the time the Fire Service arrived, the entire building was engulfed with a second house just seven feet away and the pensioner in the

burning building.

Liddell said he appreciated the job done by the firefighters, who acted as soon as they arrived at the scene.

“They hook up quick and deal with it fact because we would have lost both houses. When they came, the fire was already in the ceiling, but they did a wonderful job because we would have lost both houses because they are just seven feet apart.

I am not doubting the fact that they did a good job, but it is just the timing from when we called it took about ten minutes and the Fire Station is right over there but other than that they did a good job. We were just seeing a little smoke but the smoke was already inside the house.

When we open the front door and run up, the smoke was already coming down from the ceiling. The kitchen was already burnt right through to the bathroom.

When I hit the kitchen, I could have barely make it,” the joiner said.

The building housed a workshop that came into existence in 1919 and was operated by John Liddell,

who then passed it onto his son who perished in Wednesday’s fire. Over the past ten years, his only son has been running the century-old workshop.

The workshop/joiner shop was one of the first established in the town of New Amsterdam. John Liddell operated the business from 1919 to 1987, when he passed away and then his son took it over and ran the business until his retirement a decade ago.

According to Oscar Liddell Jr he started working in the shop at the tender age of 7-years-old. (seven) “I work through school.

When I come home from school I have to work. I had to be in the shop. My father use to make guitars, spindles and do carvings, wood shoe heels and so forth. I started doing spindles and took over after I was finished school,” Liddell said.

The business has now progressed to furniture manufacturing. Fortunately, there was not extensive damage to the electrical machinery which were situated in the workshop under the house. (G4)

13 70 metre-long ferry for Region 1 to be delivered by October NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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he 70-metre ferry earmarked for Region One (BarimaWaini) that is under construction by an Indian company on a line of credit from India is expected to be delivered by October of this year.

Last year, a keel-laying ceremony was held for the ferry in India, where it is being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). At the ceremony, it had been announced that works on the vessel, which will traverse Region One, were well underway.

The Auditor General Report of 2020, in fact, has further details on the project, since auditors had enquired from the Public Works Ministry about it.

The Ministry informed the auditors that based on the latest progress report, the ferry was scheduled to be delivered by October 2022.

“The Head of Budget Agency stated that after

Officials during the keel-laying ceremony. In the background is the keel of the 70-metre vessel

months of being stalled, the procurement of the New Ocean-Going Passenger and Cargo Ferry Vessel for the North West District was revived in September 2020. Subsequently, all the technical discussions were concluded and a contract signed in January of 2021.

Production of the vessel has

commenced and according to the latest progress report, the ferry is scheduled to be delivered to Guyana

by October 2022,” the report states.

The contract for the ferry was signed between the Transport and Harbours Department and GRSE in January of 2020. Funding

for the ferry was sourced through a $3.6 billion combined grant and line of credit from the Government of India. The ship is designed to carry 276 passengers and 14 crew members, along with 14 cars, two trucks, 10 containers, and four refrigerated containers.

During the keel-laying

ceremony last year, GRSE Chairman and Managing Director, Rear Admiral VK Saxena had spoken of the opportunity the contract presented to his company to leverage its experience and demonstrate its shipbuilding ability to the world.

“The success of this project stands dedicated to the untiring efforts of Team GRSE and synergy among all stakeholders despite of the ongoing pandemic. This vessel aims to create a new benchmark in the field of passenger and cargo movement in Guyana.

“This project is a ssssharbinger for more cooperation between our friendly nations in the maritime domain in near future. GRSE is proud to contribute towards friendly bilateral relations between the two nations,” he had said.

Meanwhile, Maritime A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Department (MARAD)

Director General, Captain Stephen Thomas expressed satisfaction on the progress of the project. According to him, the project is a testament to Guyana’s stable and longstanding partnership with India.

“This project is a distinct enterprise for the Government of Guyana designed to provide smart transportation of passengers and cargo. Catering to the needs of our people, the vessel will prove to be an efficient mode of transport for the passengers and cargo movement in Guyana.

This cooperation with India’s leading shipbuilder GRSE highlights our stable and long-term relationship with India,” he had said.

Also present were Chargé d’Affaires of the Guyana High Commission in India Ronalda EdwardsHoratio, as well as Directors of GRSE and other senior officials of GRSE and the Transport and Harbours Department, Guyana. (G3)

14 NEWS GAWU pickets NIS office over non-payment of benefits M THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

embers of the Uitvlugt Branch of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers' Union were joined by workers of Uitvlugt Sugar Estate in a picketing exercise outside of the National Insurance Scheme’s (NIS) Leonora local office.

According to GAWU, it pursues workers’ matters at the NIS whether they relate to the accessing of benefits, updating of contributions, or obtaining of old age and other pensions.

To this end, the Union’s officer stationed at Uitvlugt would visit the Leonora office, which is charged with responsibility for the area, to follow-up matters.

“Our officer, despite regular visits, has been unable to get any update on the issues he is representing. The NIS office would often indicate that they

Workers have also shared similar occurrences with the Union as well.

One former worker related he has been seeking for several years to obtain his old-age pension, and despite visiting the office almost daily in recent months, he has been unable to have his matter addressed. It is most disheartening that those who contributed to the development of our country are treated in such manner,” GAWU said on Wednesday.

At this time, GAWU added, the Union’s officers stationed across the country as well as its offices in Georgetown and New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are aggregately representing several hundred matters before the NIS. “Our Union continues

Some of the workers outside the NIS Leonora office on Wednesday

could not provide any answer, or, in some instanc-

es, he simply not be provided with any responses.

to regularly write the NIS on matters, and on many occasions, we would receive a response several weeks after our correspondence. We are aware of several matters which we have been seeking to address over several years, and though we continue to follow-up with the Scheme, those matters remain languishing”.

GAWU noted that it has been seeking for some time to engage the NIS directly with a view to bringing matters to a conclusion.

Though the NIS has committed to same, it added, attempts to have engagements convened have been futile. “The GAWU is hopeful that the NIS could improve its service to the thousands of contributors who depend on their benefits,” the Union said.

14-year-old tries to rescue mother during beating by father …woman’s skull fractured, arm broken

T

he efforts of a 14-yearold boy who tried to save his mother from his abusive father were futile, leaving the 31-year-old woman nursing a fractured skull and broken arm, after she was badly beaten by her partner of some six years.

The injured woman, a security guard of Wismar, Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice), has four children with the suspect, who has since been arrested.

Reports are that at about 17:00h on Tuesday, the couple returned home from work together, and immediately went to the side of the house, where they began talking.

Shortly after, the suspect went inside the house and then ventured back outside, where he and his partner

continued their discussion.

The woman then began to speak loudly but the 14-year-old, who was at home at the time, told Police that he did not hear what his mother was saying as he was on his computer.

The teen then heard his mother screaming, and upon rushing outside, he saw his father beating her with a piece of wood.

Police said the teen told them he saw the victim lying facedown, motionless, with the suspect stooping over her with a piece of wood, hitting his mother to the back of her head.

Upon seeing this, the child ran inside the house, grabbed a cutlass and returned to confront his father.

However, the man re-

portedly pelted his son with a piece of wood and then escaped.

The victim’s uncle and nephew were alerted, and they went behind the suspect. Public-spirited persons also joined the chase, resulting in the capture of the suspect, who was given a beating before he was handed over to the Police.

The victim was escorted to the Linden Hospital Complex where she was seen by the doctor and admitted a patient in a critical condition suffering from a fractured skull and a broken left arm.

The suspect was escorted for medical attention, where he was also seen by a doctor on duty, who also admitted him as a patient under Police guard. (G9)

Nabaclis man nabbed with gun, serial number filed-off I

ntel operatives of the Guyana Police Force, along with ranks from 'C' Division, East Coast Demerara (ECD), conducted an operation on Tuesday at a house in Herod Street, Nabaclis, ECD which led to the discovery of one .38 revolver with its serial number filed off.

This led to the arrest of a Nabaclis resident.

The firearm was lodged and the suspect was placed in custody at the Cove and John Police Station pending further investigations.

This discovery came on the heels of the recovery of another unlicensed firearm a day earlier. Police

The firearm that was found at Nabaclis, ECD

said the firearm was found during an intelligence-led Police operation that was conducted in Second Street Campbellville, Georgetown.

They managed to recov-

er an unlicensed .22 pistol without ammunition. The firearm was lodged at the Kitty Police Station and the suspect placed in custody pending charges. (G9)

15 Conducting public sector transactions online among legislative transformations for Guyana – Nandlall A NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

s Guyana embarks on its development agenda, there is need for the country’s laws to be updated to function in a modern nation; as such, Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, has detailed a series of legislation that would be introduced this year to build the legal infrastructure.

During his weekly programme – “Issues In The News” – Nandlall pointed out that the Legal Affairs Ministry has a packed legislative agenda for 2022.

He said that Guyana could not be developed without a modern legal framework in place to facilitate this transformation.

“We will continue to reform our archaic statutory framework and remove from it, the anachronistic elements of our law and replace them with other legislation that is geared to meet the developmental agenda of our country,” he noted.

Among the areas to be reformed is doing business in the public sector.

Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC

According to the Legal Affairs Minister, the aim is to make transactions online-based.

“We have to start to move our transactions to e-transactions in Government. That by itself requires a series of legislation that will allow for us to do transactions online in the public sector. Banking is already being done online in the Private Sector, but we need to transact business in the public sector online. We need to make payments possible online and that requires an overhaul of the accounting infrastructure in the country

supported by relevant legislation to lay the foundation for these transactions to take place electronically,” he explained.

Another area on the agenda is putting in place the legislation to prepare Guyana to produce and package agricultural products for export, especially to fulfil its potential to ‘feed the Caribbean’.

Nandlall pointed out that international standards and requirements for exporting food products were high; hence, the country would have to put legislation in place to modernise production and packag-

Men nabbed with 282g ganja

P

The ganja that was found by Police

olice have arrested two men after they were caught with ganja in their possession in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

Reports are that on Tuesday at around 15:45h at the 70 KM Police Check Point, Region Seven, two males were arrested with 282 grams cannabis sativa.

At the time of the arrest, ranks were performing duties at the Number 70 KM Police Check Point when a red and black Lifan 150 motorcycle bearing no licence plate was stopped.

Ranks said the motorcy-

cle was ridden by one of the suspects, who had a pillion rider.

A search was conducted on the rider and a parcel wrapped with transparent scotch tape was found in his crotch. It was examined and contained a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.

A search was also carried out on the pillion rider and a parcel wrapped with transparent scotch tape was also found in his crotch.

It was also examined, and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was found.

Further searches were carried out on the motorcycle, and another parcel was found under the motorcycle seat. It was examined and Police found more leaves, seeds, stems and cannabis.

They were both told of the offences committed and cautioned individually. Both suspects admitted ownership of the three parcels. It was weighed in their presence and amounted to 282 grams.

The narcotic and motorcycle were subsequently lodged while the suspects were placed in custody pending charges. (G9)

ing of food in order to meet those export thresholds.

To this end, he noted that the Legal Affairs Ministry is currently working on the Food Security and Food Safety Bills.

Moreover, the Legal Affairs Minister also noted that there were a series of bills that would be presented to the National Assembly this year such as the Bail Bill, which would address discrepancies in the granting and refusal of bail in the courts.

Other legislation expected this year include a new Public Health Act, new Mental Health Act, a Suicide Act, a Domestic Violence Act, revamp of the Sexual Offences Act, and a Sexual Harassment Bill.

Additionally, the Minister said efforts would also be made to get the Hire Purchase Bill out of the parliamentary select committee.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , Government will also be introducing a Condominium Bill in the National Assembly. This piece of legislation is being finalised and will be tabled in the coming months.

“That will allow for the establishment of new condominium schemes in

Guyana. A lot of investors want to invest in condominiums, and a lot of the operators within the oil and gas sector have expressed a preference for condominium-style accommodation for the companies. We are going to lay the statutory groundwork and framework for that,” Nandlall revealed.

Meanwhile, the Legal Affairs Minister went on to reassure the public that the constitutional and electoral reform processes, which were manifesto promises of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) will also advance this year.

With regard to constitutional reform, Nandlall said the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform would be the vehicle through which Government would undertake this process. He explained that while a few meetings were held last year, not much was accomplished otherwise owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors.

“Hopefully this year, just after the Budget is read and passed, we will have the constitutional reform agenda kicking in and we can begin the pro-

cess. 2022 will also see the completion of the statutory reforms that we are pursuing in the elections sector,” he asserted.

According to Nandlall, “We have to rectify certain deficiencies in the law that were exploited by those who wanted to rig the 2020 elections…

We made a commitment, both locally and internationally, that we will review the statutory process both at the level of the Representation of the People Act as well as registration process, and we will advance legislative proposals for reforms.”

In November 2021, Government released proposed amendments to the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) for public consultation and feedback in the first phase of the electoral reform process. Those include jail term and other penalties for senior GECOM officials such as the Chief Elections Officers who do not follow the prescribed rules and regulations in the electoral process.

According to the Legal Affairs Minister, another set of proposals are being fine-tuned and will be launched soon. (G8)

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Record-breaking 779 new COVID-19 cases detected in 24 hours …as 2 more from Region 6 die

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD JANUARY 5, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

A

s COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Guyana, the country has seen a record-breaking 779 new infections within a 24-hour period.

This was indicated on the Health Ministry’s updated COVID-19 dashboard for Wednesday. These new infections were detected from some 2600 tests conducted.

The total number of confirmed cases in the country has now jumped to 41,418.

Of this, however, only 2516 are currently active cases.

These comprise five patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 2511 persons in isolation – 66 in institutional isolation and the other 2445 in home isolation.

There are also 10 more persons in institutional quarantine.

Meanwhile, the Health Minister also reported on Wednesday that two more persons who tested positive

for the novel coronavirus have died.

These latest fatalities have been identified as a 62-year-old female, who was unvaccinated and died on Tuesday, and a 70-year-old male, who was fully vaccinated and died on Monday.

They were both residents of Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

With these, the total number of deaths from the virus in Guyana has increased to 1060. The COVID-19 death toll for the year thus far is six.

On the other hand, some 37,842 persons have recovered from the life-threatening disease to date – 46 more recoveries than the figure reported the previous day.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, approximately 435,258 persons have been tested so far and of this, some 19,454 males and 21,964 females were found to be positive.

Of the 779 new cases reported on Wednesday, three were from Region One (Barima-Waini); four cases from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 77 from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); a whopping 523 cases from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 21 from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice); 69 cases from East Berbice-Corentyne; 28 more from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); 37 cases from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and the remaining 17 cases from Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice).

There were no new cases detected in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) within that 24-hour period.

Just before the New Year weekend, the Health Ministry had observed a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases, leaving officials to suspect that the highly-transmissible Omicron variant

779

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

66

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

2445

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

5

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

10

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

21,964

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

19,454

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

41,418

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

37,842

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

1712

REGION 2

1621

REGION 3

5401

REGION 4

19,702

REGION 5

1531

REGION 6

4019

REGION 7

1853

REGION 8

624

REGION 9

2600

REGION 10

2355

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

412,288 297,286

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1060

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.

has spread to local shores.

In fact, since December 28, new infections have jumped from approximately 40 cases to now hundreds on a daily basis.

According to Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, during Wednesday update, “…as we anticipated with Omicron, what we will see because of its contagiousness, is an increase in cases especially if people are not abiding by the public health measures and that is wearing masks and so forth consistently.”

However, while he noted that Government has the capacity to manage this spike in infections from the Omicron variant, Dr Anthony disclosed that they were also monitoring the detection of another new variant in France.

“With this new variant, it has been recently sequenced in France, and they have found that it differs from other existing variants,” he explained.

According to reports, this new variant has 46 mutations and 37 deletions

and was said to be brought to France by someone from Cameroon.

The Health Minister said, “They think that this particular variant is going to behave differently… Right now, in the part of France where they initially discovered it, there were twelve patients now. They estimate close to 955 patients…and they are also seeing in that region, a higher amount of hospitalisation, but all these things, they have to investigate them more thoroughly to see whether it’s directly linked with this new variant that they have discovered, so a lot still has to be done. A lot of information is not known, this is relatively new, so as it’s investigated then we’ll know more.”

Against this backdrop, health authorities are encouraging persons to take necessary precautions to prevent contracting the virus including getting vaccinated and for those eligible, getting their booster shots.

So far, some 412,288 or 80.4 per cent of adults have received a first dose of a

COVID vaccine, of which 297,286 or 58 per cent are fully vaccinated.

For children 12 to 17, some 30,580 or 41.9 per cent have received a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine while 21,833 or 29.9 per cent are fully inoculated.

In terms of booster doses, approximately 13,234 persons have received their jabs thus far.

Meanwhile, persons are also urged to continue observing all COVID-19 preventative measures, particularly masking in public, social distancing and frequent hand washing and sanitising.

Government has since extended the COVID-19 Emergency Measures and Guidelines for another month, until the end of January 2022. These include vaccination requirements to access any public building such as restaurants, places of worship, and schools as well as Government buildings.

There is also a midnight to 04:00h curfew in place.

(G8)

NEWS

17

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Probe launched after prominent lawyer Novak Djokovic: Australia cancels top tennis player's visa attempts to bribe murder witness

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has launched an investigation after a prominent lawyer and his client attempted to bribe a murder witness.

“The Police have arrested a man and are making efforts to contact a prominent Senior Counsel following investigations into a report alleging that they are involved in an attempt to obstruct the course of justice,” the GPF said on Wednesday.

Reports are that the woman is a witness in a matter of murder that is currently before the court. She reported to the Police that the man, who has since been arrested along with the lawyer, had approached her in an attempt to bribe her.

The lawyer and his client reportedly told the woman that the family of the murder accused is offering a large sum of money for her to change a statement she had

given in relation to the matter.

This publication understands that the family offered her $3M, and that the lawyer is from Berbice.

The case in question is the murder committed on Ronette Prince, allegedly by Sheldon Prince, which occurred on December 28, 2016.

Ronette and Sheldon were husband and wife. On the day in question, the man reportedly stabbed her to death.

Caricom condemns assassination attempt on Haitian PM

T

he Caribbean Community (Caricom) has condemned the armed attack on Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry and urged the Haitian authorities to address “this prevailing untenable security situation with urgency”.

According to a police report, at least one person was killed and several others injured in the city of Gonaives as Henry and his entourage left a church service on Sunday that was held to commemorate the country's 218th anniversary of political independence.

Henry's office said on Monday that “bandits and terrorists” had tried to shoot the prime minister at a church in the northern city of Gonaives where the ceremony marking the 218th anniversary of independence was taking place.

“I thank Monsignor Yves Marie Péan, Bishop of Gonaives and Monsignor Victesse Nicolas, Vicar General of the Cathedral who, despite the tense situation that reigned in the city, did their duty, within the framework of the celebration of 218th anniversa-

Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry

ry of national independence, to sing the traditional Te Deum which took place in the church of Saint Charles Borromeo,” Henry said in a statement.

“I would also like to thank the ministers, directors general, representatives of the various state bodies, as well as the local authorities for attending this historic meeting in Gonaives. January 1 is a milestone in our life as a people, a symbol of pride and unity,” he added.

Videos released on social

media show Henry being quickly removed from the area as members of his security engage heavily armed gangs that control the area.

In a statement, Caricom said that the attendance of the Prime Minister of Haiti and his delegation of high officials at the traditional celebration of the anniversary of Haiti's Independence, which includes a Te Deum church service at the Gonaives Cathedral, was disrupted by volleys of automatic weapons in the surroundings of the church. (CMC)

T

ennis star Novak Djokovic has had his visa to enter Australia dramatically revoked on his arrival in Melbourne.

The world number one was held in the city's airport for several hours before border forces announced he had not met entry rules and would be deported.

He has reportedly now been taken to a government detention hotel pending his departure on an outbound flight.

The developments come amid a backlash over a vaccine exemption Djokovic said he got to play in the Australian Open.

Djokovic has not spoken about his vaccination status, but last year he said he was "opposed to vaccination".

Tennis Australia confirmed a medical exemption had been granted for the player "following a rigorous review process involving two separate independent panels" but problems emerged after Djokovic arrived in Melbourne late on Wednesday from Dubai.

In a statement, the Australian Border Force said Djokovic "failed to provide appropriate evidence to meet the entry requirements to Australia, and his visa has been subsequently cancelled.

"Non-citizens who do not hold a valid visa on entry or who have had their visa cancelled will be detained and removed from Australia," it added.

Victoria's acting sports minister tweeted that the state had declined to support his visa application amid the confusion.

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has denied Djokovic is being singled out and said no one was above the country's rules.

At a press conference on Thursday, Mr Morrison said he had been advised that a medical exemption was not

in place for the player's entry and said the evidence provided was "found to be insufficient".

Local reports suggest Djokovic could pursue a legal appeal or apply for a new visa so he can re-enter and play in the tournament.

Reuters reports he was later taken from the airport to a hotel in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton which is used for immigration detention. The facility has been the site of Covid-19 outbreaks and a recent fire, according to local media.

Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt earlier described Djokovic's treatment as "tough" but "fair" and said "it's one rule for all under this Australian government".

But the tennis star's treatment has provoked outrage in his native Serbia. His father, Srdjan Djokovic said his son had been held in a room guarded by police at the airport. "This is not just a fight for Novak, but a fight for the whole world," he said in a statement released to the media.

President Aleksander Vucic said the star was a victim of "harassment" and said that "the whole of Serbia" supported him.

Australia is seeing tens of thousands of Covid-19 cases for the first time after enduring some of the world's strictest restrictions. More than 90% of Australia's over16 population is fully vaccinated, but some people still cannot travel interstate or globally because of current measures.

Many Australians had previously accused the government of allowing the rich and famous to do as they please while ordinary people remained separated from sick and dying loved ones.

The Australian Open begins on 17 January in Melbourne. Djokovic has pre-

viously won the tournament nine times. "Rules are rules," the PM says, about Novak Djokovic being deported.

Scott Morrison is back to talking tough but so far he hasn't explained or answered the glaring questions at the heart of this story.

What is the issue with Djokovic's visa? What's the medical reason for his exemption?

And why had he been given the green light to fly and take part in the Australian Open if there are issues with his visa application? Big enough issues, it seems, for the player to get deported.

Remember, while his vaccine exemption has caused a great deal of anger among Australians - who for months now have been urged to get the jab - Djokovic is not the only player who was granted one.

Tennis Australia said that a handful of the 26 athletes who applied were given an exemption. Who are they?

Why are their cases different from Djokovic's?

There also seems to be a clear disconnect between federal and state government decisions.

The state of Victoria had approved Djokovic to compete in a tournament he's dominated and to defend his title.

On Wednesday, Mr Morrison said it was Victoria's decision to make.

But less than a day later he has changed course to say noone is above the rules.

This decision has sparked anger overseas but the PM is hoping the decision will go down well among Australians.

Mr Morrison has been under immense political pressure over his government's handling of the Omicron variant, amid rocketing numbers of cases and chaos at testing clinics. All with a looming election in the next few months. (BBC)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY JANUARY 6, 2022

Regional

Venezuelan Opposition must recognise Brazil’s Bolsonaro discharged from hospital errors to resume dialogue – Govt after gut blockage cleared V

B

razilian President Jair Bolsonaro was discharged from hospital on Wednesday, two days after being admitted with an intestinal obstruction, his latest health complication from a 2018 stabbing.

“Being discharged now.

Thank you all,” the far-right Brazilian leader posted on Twitter alongside a religious message and a photo of himself and his doctors giving a thumbs-up gesture.

Bolsonaro’s doctor, Antonio Macedo, told reporters the President is recovered and ready to work, adding that he will be on a special diet during the weekend and will not be able to perform vigorous physical activities.

Bolsonaro, who has been in power since 2019 and plans to stand for re-election in a presidential vote scheduled for October, says he will maintain his regular agenda, including a trip to

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro gives a thumbs-up while lying in bed surrounded by medical personnel, in this still image obtained from social media. January 5, 2022 (Twitter/jairbolsonaro via Reuters)

Russia in February.

He was vacationing in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina when he was urgently taken to São Paulo’s Vila Nova Star Hospital in the early hours of Monday after suffering from abdominal pain.

Doctors inserted a nasogastric tube and even considered surgery, but the obstruction was cleared on Tuesday.

A medical bulletin issued on Tuesday evening said the president’s digestive tract was showing signs of recovery, that he was doing well on a liquid diet and that doctors had removed the nasogastric tube.

Bolsonaro has undergone a series of emergency surgeries since being knifed during a campaign event in September 2018. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ex-paramilitaries stand trial for Guatemala civil war rape

F

ive former Guatemalan paramilitaries went on trial on Wednesday on charges of raping 36 women from the Indigenous Achi group from 1981 to 1985 during the Central American country’s decades-long civil war.

The paramilitary Civil Self-Defence Patrols (PACs) were created by the Guatemalan army during the conflict to control the Indigenous population. Since the signing of peace agreements in 1996, they have been accused of serious human rights violations.

“The debate is going to start today, we can’t postpone it,” said Judge Yassmin

Barrios, who presides over a “high-risk court” dedicated to cases of organised crime and corruption where the hearing is being held. She was speaking in response to a request of one of the defence attorneys that the hearing be delayed for another week.

Such courts were created after a UN-backed anti-corruption commission CICIG pushed reforms to investigate organised crime and corruption. CICIG itself was dissolved in 2019 after President Alejandro Giammattei did not renew its mandate.

Prosecutors told the court they had at least 200 pieces of evidence, including testimo-

nies and expert opinions, to present regarding the rapes, alleged to have happened in Baja Verapaz, a department north of Guatemala City.

Several human rights groups hung up blankets and placed flowers outside the court in solidarity with the victims, of Maya origin.

The five former paramilitaries were captured along with three others in 2018, though the Magistrate who initially brought the case against them dismissed the evidence and released them.

One died before being released. After authorities re-captured the remaining ex-soldiers, two were acquitted. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Roberts: TTUTA-THA partnership a win-win

T

T Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) Tobago Officer Bradon Roberts has pledged to work alongside the THA Division of Education, Research and Technology for the improvement of the sector.

Roberts was speaking to Newsday on Wednesday after TTUTA representatives met with officials of the education division the previous day.

Last week Roberts had told Newsday that he was urgently seeking a meeting with THA Secretary of Education, Research and Technology Zorisha Hacket to address some concerns. He claimed to

have made several attempts to schedule a meeting, but had been unsuccessful.

Roberts said he felt optimistic after Tuesday’s meeting.

“It came across well – it was basically to initiate our interactions, set that tone and discuss some of the umbrella issues that policy making can change.”

Some of the umbrella issues, he said included “that interaction with the Teaching Service Commission, with the Ministry; file management – we have a lot of issues where things are not progressing

because files are not handled properly and so forth.

So, systems to put in place to treat with those things were addressed.”

He said the division and TTUTA working together would augur well for everyone.

“TTUTA has always been committed to working with the division. Although there are issues where we would need to advocate to a higher level, but initially, a working relationship with the division would benefit our members and benefit teachers.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

enezuela’s Opposition must abandon hypocrisy and recognise its mistakes if it wants to restart talks with the ruling party, which were suspended in October, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said on Wednesday.

Negotiations in Mexico between Venezuela’s Government and Opposition politicians ground to a halt late last year after Colombian businessman Alex Saab, an ally of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, was extradited to the United States to face money laundering charges.

Talks can begin once

Saab is released and when control of foreign assets is returned to the Government, Rodriguez said at the opening of the ruling party-controlled assembly’s new session.

“Enough with the hypocrisy of dialogue ... if you want talks, show respect, if you want talks free Alex Saab, if you want talks return our gold which you stole,” said Rodrigo, who led the Government delegation in Mexico.

Earlier on Wednesday, Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó had urged a restart to talks to establish fairness guarantees for voters ahead

of the 2024 presidential elections.

“Free and fair elections won’t come alone or for the false words of Jorge Rodriguez,” Guaidó said.

The ruling party took control of the National Assembly in elections last year, but Guaidó and an Opposition commission drawn from those elected to Parliament in 2015, who enacted reforms to extend their own mandate, continue to control Venezuela’s assets abroad, such as US oil refiner Citgo and Colombian fertiliser manufacturer, Monomeros. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Chile’s constitutional assembly elects new President

Maria Elisa Quinteros was elected after nine rounds of voting on Tuesday and Wednesday [Javier Torres/AFP]

T

he Chilean assembly tasked with drafting a new constitution in the South American nation has elected a new president.

After nine rounds of voting on Tuesday and Wednesday, members of the constitutional assembly chose epidemiologist Maria Elisa Quinteros to replace the body’s inaugural president, Indigenous Mapuche professor and activist Elisa Loncon.

The change was provided for in the texts of the 155-member body, which was

elected last year to draft the text to replace Chile’s previous Magna Carta, produced during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

Quinteros got the 78 votes needed to replace Loncon in the post. “We hope to lead this process wisely,” the 40-yearold said.

Quinteros’s victory was welcomed on Wednesday by Chile’s newly-elected president, Gabriel Boric.

“There are times when good and hopeful news emerges from difficult situations

and I believe this is one of them,” Boric wrote on Twitter.

“Count on me President to collaborate 100 per cent with the constituent process.”

The constitutional assembly has nine months, with a possible three-month extension, to draft the new constitution. It must then go to a referendum to be set up by Boric’s Government, which takes office on March 11.

Boric, a 35-year-old former student movement leader, was elected last month after defeating far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast by more than 11 percentage points.

He will be the nation’s youngest president, and has vowed to collaborate with the constitutional assembly while respecting the body’s autonomy.

Although amended during the last decades, the previous version of Chile’s Constitution was widely unpopular and viewed as a source of social inequality. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Mexican teen develops app to help deaf sister communicate

E

strella Salazar, a 17-year-old science whiz from a working-class town near Mexico City, was inspired by her sister to develop an app to help deaf and hard-of-hearing Mexicans communicate more easily.

Salazar’s older sister, Perla, was born with a rare disorder that affects mobility and hearing, called MERRF syndrome. The 25-year-old has undergone close to a dozen surgeries followed by years of physical therapy, and was told by one sign language school that she would be unable to learn to sign owing to her condition.

Salazar, whose academic prowess allowed her to graduate three years early from high school, said that, after seeing the discrimination Perla faced, she asked herself: “What am I

University student Guadalupe Estrella Salazar Calderon, 17, who is developing a signlanguage translation app to connect Mexican Sign Language (MSL) speakers and interpreters with hearing users

doing to help my sister?”

Last year, she started developing an application to connect Mexican Sign Language (MSL) speakers with hearing users – allowing people to shift from sign language to text or

voice, and vice versa.

An estimated 4.6 million Mexicans are deaf or hard-ofhearing, according to Mexico’s statistics agency. There is a chronic shortage of certified MSL interpreters, though many Mexicans act as unofficial interpreters for deaf or hard-of-hearing family members.

Estrella formed a community of nearly 90 participants –- including native speakers and interpreters – to develop the app, called Hands with Voice, which she hopes to launch this year. In recent months, the family has started to learn sign as Perla’s mobility has improved.

“I’m proud of my sister,” said Perla. “And I’ve liked finding a community along the way.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

OILNEWS OIL NEWS

Around the World

Kazakhstan unrest: Government calls for Russian help

R Oil rallies even as

OPEC+ boosts output, US fuel demand dips

O

il prices rose on Wednesday, extending gains even after the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) stuck to an agreed output target rise for February and US fuel inventories surged owing to sliding demand as COVID-19 cases spiked.

Brent crude futures ended up 80 cents, or one per cent, to US$80.80 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures closed up 86 cents, or 1.1 per cent, to US$77.85.

The market pared gains late in the day after the release of minutes from the latest US Federal Reserve meeting that showed policymakers may have to raise rates more quickly than markets anticipated. Oil dropped, following other risk assets like stocks.

US crude stocks dropped by 2.1 million barrels, owing in part to tax incentives for producers to reduce inventories before year-end.

However, gasoline inventories jumped by more than 10 million barrels, and stocks of distillates rose by 4.4 million barrels. Analysts cited soft demand during the last week of 2021 as people hunkered down due to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The United States reported nearly one million new coronavirus infections on Monday, the highest daily tally of any country in the world and nearly double the previous US peak set a week earlier. Overall product supplied, a proxy for demand, fell sharply, though the last four weeks have seen stronger demand than the same period two years ago before the pandemic's onset.

"Implied product demand – particularly for gasoline – slumped, suggesting that the public were cautious about travel in the wake of surging cases of the Omicron variant. These fears are likely to persist for a few weeks yet," wrote Caroline Bain, chief commodities economist at Capital Economics.

OPEC+ producers, which include members of the OPEC along with Russia and others, on Tuesday agreed to add another 400,000 barrels per day of supply in February, as they have done each month since August.

Still OPEC+ will probably struggle to reach that target, as members including Nigeria, Angola and Libya face difficulties ramping up production, Barclays analysts said in a note. Even as the group boosts targets, "actual incremental supplies are likely to be much smaller, similar to the demand effect from Omicron", the bank wrote. (Reuters)

ussian-led military troops will be deployed to help "stabilise" Kazakhstan amid anti-Government demonstrations.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for support from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) as nationwide unrest escalates.

The protests were first sparked by rising fuel prices, but have broadened to include other political grievances.

President Tokayev claimed the unrest was the work of foreign-trained "terrorist gangs".

However, Kate Mallinson, an expert on Central Asia at the foreign affairs think tank Chatham House in London, said the protests are "symp-

Police fired stun grenades at protesters on Wednesday

tomatic of very deep-seated and simmering anger and resentment at the failure of the Kazhak Government to modernise their country and introduce reforms that impact people at all levels".

The President has imposed a nationwide state of emergency that includes an

A

the seizure on January 2 of 199 bricks of cocaine – weighing a total of 214kg – in a vehicle belonging to the Mayor's office in Fachi," OCRTIS spokeswoman Nana Aichatou Ousmane Bako said.

The vehicle had left Fachi and was heading towards Libya for the town of Dirkou when it was stopped on Sunday.

"It's the first time that our country has seized such a big quantity of cocaine," Bako said, adding that the drugs were heading for Europe, where they had an estimated street value of about US$19 million.

The Mayor and his driver were taken to Niger's capital, Niamey, for questioning.

The region is used as a route for multiple types of trafficking – such as moving drugs between South America and Europe and migrant smuggling. (Excerpt from BBC News)

overnight curfew and a ban on mass gatherings and has vowed a tough response to the protests.

In a televised speech in the early hours of Thursday, he said he had sought help from the CSTO – a military alliance made up of Russia and five ex-Soviet States to help

stabilise the country.

Later on Wednesday the CSTO's Chairman, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, confirmed in a statement on Facebook that the alliance would send peacekeeping forces "for a limited period of time".

The US State Department said it was "closely following" the situation in Kazakhstan, with a spokesman urging restraint by authorities and protesters alike.

President Tokayev is only the second person to lead Kazakhstan since it declared independence in 1991. His election, in 2019, was condemned by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) as showing scant respect for democratic standards. (Excerpt from BBC News)

COVID testing policy put under the microscope as Omicron sweeps world

B

ritain and Israel are overhauling their COVID-19 testing policies as Governments seek to reduce the burden on laboratories and struggle with tight supplies of kits amid soaring infection rates fuelled by the

Omicron variant.

This time last year, vaccines offered hope that the pandemic could be over by now. But Omicron has brought new challenges, including overloading public health systems, even if – as

Philadelphia fire: 7 children among 13 dead in apartment blaze

Niger’s Police seize record 200kg of cocaine from Mayor's car local Mayor and his driver have been arrested in a desert in northern Niger with more than 200 kilograms (440lbs) of cocaine in their vehicle, Police say.

The two suspects, who have not been named, were allegedly transporting the drug to Libya after it had been smuggled into the country from Mali.

Niger's drug policing agency said it was the largest quantity of cocaine seized in the West African country.

Drug smuggling and Police seizures are becoming more common in the region.

Niger's Central Office for the Repression of Illicit Drug Trafficking (OCRTIS) said on Wednesday that Police had been aware of a large quantity of cocaine being transported through the country towards Libya, and had been following the trail. "[The investigation] led to

19

many scientists say – it leads to less severe illness than the earlier Delta variant.

Demand for testing kits has squeezed supply. Last week, queues formed outside pharmacies in Spain's capital Madrid in what has become a common scene since Omicron began driving up infections.

Madrid, whose conservative Government has put supporting the hospitality sector at the top of its agenda, is opting for increased testing and no restrictions on socialising.

A surge in demand for tests has led to issues in Italy and Britain. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that 100,000 more PCR

booking slots per day had been made available since mid-December and that capacity had been doubled to 900,000 PCR and LFD test kits a day.

People in England who test positive for COVID-19 on rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests will not need to confirm their results with a follow-up PCR test if they are not showing symptoms, the UKHSA said on Wednesday.

A record-high one in 15 people had COVID-19 in England in the week ending December 31, estimates published by the Office for National Statistics showed on Wednesday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

N Korea unveils 2nd hypersonic missile in fiery test

It is believed there were 26 people in the three-storey block at the time of the fire

A

t least 13 people have been killed and several more have been injured after a fire broke out in an apartment building in the US city of Philadelphia.

At least seven children are among the dead, an official from the Philadelphia Fire Department told reporters.

The blaze began at around 06:00 local time (11:00 GMT) in a public housing block in the north of the city.

Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy told reporters it was one of the worst fires he had ever seen.

"We plan on making sure that this tremendous loss of life did not happen in vain," he said on Wednesday.

He added that eight other residents had managed to escape the building.

It is believed there were 26 people in the three-storey block at the time of the fire.

Officials said that at the last inspection of the building in 2020 there had been four working smoke detectors, but none of them went off during the fire.

Murphy told reporters that while authorities did not currently consider the cause of the fire to be suspicious, there would still be a thorough investigation due to the loss of life.

Speaking during the press conference, the city's Mayor Jim Kenney said: "This is without a doubt one of the most tragic days in our city's history, the loss of so many people in such a tragic way."

"Losing so many kids is just devastating," he added.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

N

orth Korea fired a hypersonic missile this week that successfully hit a target, State news agency KCNA reported on Thursday, its second such test as the country pursues new military capabilities amid stalled denuclearisation talks.

The launch on Wednesday was the first by North Korea since October and was detected by several militaries in the region, drawing criticism from Governments in the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

North Korea first tested a hypersonic missile in September, joining a race headed by major military powers to deploy the advanced weapons system.

Unlike ballistic missiles that fly into outer space before returning on steep trajectories, hypersonic weapons fly towards targets at lower altitudes and can

achieve more than five times the speed of sound – or about 6200 kilometres per hour.

"The successive successes in the test launches in the hypersonic missile sector have strategic significance in that they hasten a task for modernising strategic armed force of the State," the KCNA report said.

In Wednesday's test, the "hypersonic gliding warhead" detached from its rocket booster and manoeuvred 120 km (75 miles) laterally before it "precisely hit" a target 700 km (430 miles) away, KCNA reported.

The test also confirmed components such as flight control and its ability to operate in the winter, KCNA added.

The missile demonstrated its ability to combine "multi-step glide jump flight and strong lateral manoeuvring", KCNA said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Leave nothing to chance.

Use your expertise and knowhow to outsmart and outmaneuver anyone who gets in your way. Having focus will make it difficult for others to interfere in your business.

Do what's necessary and keep moving. If you take time to explain your every move, you'll lose momentum, and someone will make your life difficult and what you are trying to achieve impossible.

Stick to your plans. Follow a direct path and refuse to let emotions stand between you and doing what's best. Someone will take advantage of you if you let them. Stay focused and proceed with discipline.

You'll have some great ideas that come from the heart, but before you pass them along or get started, make sure your plan is foolproof. A wrong move can be costly and stressful.

The way you handle your financial affairs will need revamping if you intend to avoid money worries. Think twice before you sign up for something that has hidden costs. Get the lowdown.

Network and be a good listener, and you'll gain perspective on the possibilities that exist. A dream can turn into a reality if you are inventive and prepared to act.

Discipline and research will come in handy. A targeted, minimal response will have a favorable impact on the outcome of a domestic situation and save you money at the same time.

Concentrate on what you are trying to achieve and keep your words sparse. Giving the wrong impression will cause a rift with someone you want on your side. A steady pace will pay off. Romance is favored.

SAGITTARIUS Move forward cautiously.

Haste makes waste, and (Nov. 23letting your emotions take Dec. 21) charge will lead to mistakes.

Calculate each scenario, and precisely map out your course of action.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

LAST PUBLISHED WORD -- XYLOPHONIC

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

Stand behind your beliefs and refuse to let anyone intervene in your private affairs.

Consider how you can take advantage of a change. Put personal improvements first and make romance a priority.

Don't let a change of plans disrupt your day. Carry on, regardless of the decisions others make. Don't buy something you don't need.

Be smart when it comes to money and whom you trust.

Emotions will be close to (Feb. 20- the surface. Plan to do someMarch 20) thing energetic or time-consuming. The less idle time you have, the easier it will be to avoid getting into trouble or arguing.

PISCES

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

21

Gutsy Dean Elgar has South Africa's nose in front on testing Wanderers pitch

Jasprit Bumrah and Marco Jansen exchanged words in a midpitch confrontation

with the advantage, the morning had brought forth a deluge of runs via Pujara and Rahane. Both men had come into the game with increasing scrutiny about their spots in the XI, and ended up making fifties. They were proactive and on the lookout for runs.

Pujara showed his intent early by whacking an on drive to the longon boundary off Lungi Ngidi in the day's second over - this, after he had already glanced a four at the start of it. It was the sort of ball which Pujara might ordinarily have just pushed to cover. Three

moved it away just enough to catch Rahane's outside edge with the batter unable to prevent his hands following the ball. In his next over, Rabada got one to dart back into Pujara at pace, and trapped him lbw.

Rabada then gave Rishabh Pant a working over in just two balls, beating him outside off first up and then firing a missile that rose up to throat and had the batter in a complete tangle as he fended with his gloves and saw the ball land short of the slips.

Next ball, Pant danced down the

A

sturdy display by South Africa's top order put them in position to level the series against India, ending the fourth day's play on 118 for 2, practically halfway through their chase of 240. Fortunes swung from one team to another during the course of a gripping day's cricket, as India made 266 in their second innings - less than what looked possible when Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were putting together a century stand, but more than seemed probable when India slid to 184 for 6 and then 228 for 8.

South Africa lost Aiden Markram and Keegan Petersen in their chase, but each of the partnerships they have had so far have been substantial, especially in the context of the target.

Markram and Dean Elgar took a leaf out of the Pujara-Rahane book and began aggressively, putting on 47 in ten overs. Elgar and Petersen then added 46, while the unbroken Elgar-Rassie van der Dussen stand has yielded 25 runs in 12.4 overs so far.

Elgar played his usual bloodyminded innings, wearing blows on the body, shrugging off edges and

INDIA 2ND INNINGS KL Rahul (c) c Markram b Jansen 8 Mayank Agarwal lbw b Olivier 23 Cheteshwar Pujara lbw b Rabada 53 Ajinkya Rahane c †Verreynne b Rabada 58 Hanuma Vihari not out 40 Rishabh Pant † c †Verreynne b Rabada 0 Ravichandran Ashwin c †Verreynne b Ngidi 16 Shardul Thakur c Maharaj b Jansen 28 Mohammed Shami c †Verreynne b Jansen 0 Jasprit Bumrah c Jansen b Ngidi 7 Mohammed Siraj b Ngidi 0 Extras (b 16, lb 4, nb 8, w 5) 33 TOTAL (60.1 Ov, RR: 4.42) 266 Fall of wickets: 1-24 (KL Rahul, 6.5 ov), 2-44 (Mayank Agarwal, 11.4 ov), 3-155 (Ajinkya Rahane, 34.6 ov), 4-163 (Cheteshwar Pujara, 36.6 ov), 5-167 (Rishabh Pant, 38.3 ov), 6-184 (Ravichandran Ashwin, 43.3 ov), 7-225 (Shardul Thakur, 49.6 ov), 8-228 (Mohammed Shami, 51.5 ov), 9-245 (Jasprit

overs later, Rahane rose with the ball as Jansen banged it in short outside off, and cut it beautifully over point for six.

Just when South Africa were looking flat, Kagiso Rabada found ferocious rhythm after the first drinks break. He hit the hard length outside off that has made balls rear up on this pitch, and

track and tried to whack Rabada over cover, but only got an edge through to the keeper. With Rabada in the seventh over of his spell and his bowling clearly a cut above the rest, Pant's shot selection might not have been the best.

India had gone into lunch at 188 for 6, but after that Shardul Thakur

came out swinging - and also connecting. There was one topedged six, but five superbly timed fours as Thakur pushed India's lead into the 200 territory. After he was caught on the boundary off Marco Jansen, Hanuma Vihari farmed the strike and went for his shots. Even so, he wasn't always successful in shielding the bowlers, and Bumrah faced down a short-ball barrage from Jansen, in the middle of which there were words exchanged and a mid-pitch confrontation where players had to separate the two men, who were team-mates at Mumbai Indians just three months back.

India's target seemed like a safe one given the nature of the

(iii) The NBFTT Constitution should be revised to ensure that the language and text support the concept of due process. (iv) In order to adhere to the principles of natural justice, it is important that NBFTT follows its Constitution and procedures. (v) Even if reference is made to the FIBA’s Code of Conduct, there should be a clear Code of Conduct governing all conduct at the local level, as well as the penalties for non-adherence. (vi) Persons who have grievances with the National Body should not resort to public displays of disagreement, as this adversely affects the image and operations of the National Body.

No party wins in that scenario.

“Notwithstanding this Order/Judgment of the Tribunal, to date, the NBFTT has failed to comply. The TTOC’s Constitution provides a mechanism for treating with National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) which fail or otherwise refuse to abide by an Order issued by a properly constituted body of the TTOC.” Reference was made to Clause 13 (I) of the TTOC’s Constitution, which states:

“When a member has failed to fulfil his/her or its duties, has infringed the Olympic Charter, the IOC Code of Ethics and/ or this Constitution, or has not respected or implemented the decisions or resolutions of the organs of the IOC, he/ she or it may be subject to the following graduated measures and sanctions (depending on the gravity of the facts and the level of damage or infringement): a. Warning b. Suspension c.

Expulsion.”

It went on to say that the TTOC sought through various correspondence to meet with representatives of the NBFTT in keeping with Section 13 (II) of the TTOC’s Constitution.

Section 13 (II) states: “Decision to pronounce a warning or a suspension is made by the Executive Committee after having given an opportunity to the member concerned to be heard. The Executive Committee shall report accordingly at the next General Meeting.”

According to letter, the TTOC shared that it had given the NBFTT ample opportunities to be heard, however, to date

no one from that organisation has seen it necessary to attend such a hearing, adding also that one of the fundamental roles of the TTOC is to propagate the principles of Olympism at national level within the framework of sports activity.

“This is corroborated by Clause 3 (I) of its Constitution, which states that the TTOC is: ‘To ensure the observance of the Olympic Charter in Trinidad and Tobago, and to comply with and enforce all rules and regulations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as well as the IOC Code of Ethics and the basic universal principles of good governance of the Olympic Movement.”

It continued: “The TTOC has put a process in place to arbitrate disputes involving NSOs and their members, and it is expected that decisions emanating therefrom should be respected. The NBFTT has blatantly disrespected this process, and by its action, this amounts to contempt. Clause II (iii) of TTOC’s Constitution states that members are required to respect and ensure the implementation of the decisions

Dean Elgar took blows on the body, but always found a way to survive

balls whistling past, and always finding a way to survive. Apart from the opening burst where Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami had a rare period of not landing the ball exactly where they wished, India's bowlers kept asking questions of the batters; but until stumps, South Africa's top order weathered them.

While the hosts ended the day

SCOREBOARD

Bumrah, 56.2 ov), 10-266 (Mohammed Siraj, 60.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Kagiso Rabada 20-3-77-3 Duanne Olivier 12-1-51-1 Lungi Ngidi 10.1-2-43-3 Marco Jansen 17-4-67-3 Keshav Maharaj 1-0-8-0 SOUTH AFRICA 2ND INNINGS (TARGET: 240 RUNS) Aiden Markram lbw b Thakur 31 Dean Elgar (c) not out 46 Keegan Petersen lbw b Ashwin 28 Rassie van der Dussen not out 11 Extras (lb 2) 2 TOTAL (40 Ov, RR: 2.95) 118/2 Yet to bat: Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne †, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi Fall of wickets: 1-47 (Aiden Markram, 9.6 ov), 2-93 (Keegan Petersen, 27.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Jasprit Bumrah 10-1-42-0 Mohammed Shami 9-2-22-0 Shardul Thakur 9-1-24-1 Mohammed Siraj 4-0-14-0 Ravichandran Ashwin 8-1-14-1

surface, where some balls were spitting up off a length. But a confident Markram put his failures of this series behind him to play an attacking role in the opening stand.

Thakur continued to have a fantastic Test when he trapped Markram lbw in an over that had two close calls already. R Ashwin then provided an important breakthrough, getting Peterson lbw. He had van der Dussen in some trouble too, and while KL Rahul rotated his bowlers around - the injured Mohammed Siraj bowled the least - and all of them kept things tight, Elgar and van der Dussen survived till stumps.

(Cricinfo)

T&TOC suspends T&T Basketball Federation T

he National Basketball Federation of T&T (NBFTT), for the first time in the history of the sport and as an affiliate to FIBA, the world governing body of the sport since 1958, was suspended by the T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC), yesterday (Tuesday).

In a letter addressed to the NBFTT President Claire Mitchell from the TTOC President Brian Lewis, the Federation head was formally advised that a decision was taken by the TTOC executive to immediately suspend the NBFTT from participating in any approved/sanctioned activities of the TTOC for six months, from yesterday (January 4) to July 4.

It said that the unanimous decision to suspend the NBFTT was based on several events which were listed chronologically.

They are as follows: “On Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 the duly constituted Arbitral Tribunal (Tribunal) of the TTOC arbitrated a dispute involving Mr Keith Clement, Ikenna Joseph and the NBFTT, and following this, the Tribunal ruled as follows: (i) The suspension of

TTOC President Brian Lewis

Mr Clement and Mr Joseph by the NBFTT Board was unconstitutional and should be reversed. (ii) Though the Board of the NBFTT felt that the perceived actions of Mr Joseph and Mr Clement may have warranted disciplinary action, it did not have the right to take such action.

“The process stipulated in the NBFTT Constitution should have been followed.

and resolutions made by the Committee.

“NBFTT by its continued recalcitrance, in the unanimous opinion of the Executive Members of the TTOC, has infringed that said provision.

Accordingly, it is the unanimous decision of the Executive Members of the TTOC to suspend the NBFTT for six months with effect from January 4, 2022 to July 4, 2022. The following are the consequences of the suspension:- (1) NBFTT would not be required to participate in any authorised sporting event of the TTOC either locally, regionally or internationally.”

On October 1, the TTOC had sent an invitation letter to the NBFTT inviting the organisation to a meeting on October 14, however, on the day of the meeting the NBFTT sent a legal letter to TTOC requesting two weeks to prepare a response to the concerns of the TTOC. Guardian Media Sports understands the two weeks ended on October 28 and since then there has been no communication from the NBFTT. (TT Guardian)

22 Venues in great shape with U19 World Cup on horizon A THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

s the days wind down to the opening of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in Guyana, Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) Regional Curator Kent Crafton is a busy man. He says he is pleased with the state of local grounds that would host practice and official matches.

On Wednesday afternoon, at the National Stadium, Providence, he gave a brief overview of the condition of several local grounds, that would be utilised for the marquee international event.

“Preparation has been a bit difficult, especially with the weather conditions we have had, but we have come a long, long way. I’m saying today, after visiting the venues, I’m pleased that we are getting there, and for sure we’ll be ready for our sessions on Friday,” Crafton shared.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CWI’s Regional Curator, Kent Crafton

Crafton, who arrived in Guyana on Monday last, has hit the ground running and has since taken a look at all of the official and practice venues, noting that he is pleased with the work Guyana has been able to pull off.

The Regional Curator even took the time to break down the crucial factors of each ground. Addressing the

grounds being used as practice venues, Crafton disclosed, “I must say those grounds have really improved. I’m quite pleased with how GCC has come along. Actually, this morning, we could have had practice there, if it was scheduled for this morning.”

“DCC, just a little concern, but with the weather we’re having, I’m sure it will dry

Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic creating a buzz as time draws closer

out nicely. Enmore is another ground that has potential.

It has improved a lot, and the drying process is continuing.

By tomorrow, we could be in a playing condition.

“Police ground is always one of the better practice venues, it’s a little bit high on elevation, and I find that it dries really, really nice, and we never had any major concerns about Police actually.”

Moving on to the official match venues, he elaborated, “Everest, they’ve had a long process of working on the outfield, which is paying off right now. It drains really nicely.

So, the major thing now is the final pitch preparation, which is ongoing right now, and I’m really satisfied with Everest.”

“For sure, here at

Providence, a ground that we never had too many issues with, some improvement work has been done since our international games. Some maintenance, which will improve the surface drainage.

So, again too, we’re ready at Providence,” the Regional Curator concluded.

Quizzed by this publication about the pitch conditions in Guyana, Crafton responded that they are on-par and should be fully prepared by tomorrow.

“Right now, the pitch preparation is ongoing and we’re into the final stage of the pitch preparation.

I’m sure you’ve realised the amount of rain we’ve had for the past few weeks, so that means there’s a lot of mois-

ture deep down, through the sections of those pitch blocks.”

Crafton continued, “So, our water on the surfaces were limited, we’re just trying to get it as dry as possible and then most of the venues that will be used on Friday, by tomorrow (today) we’ll be doing some sealing off at the top. Just a light sprinkle at the top and tighten at the top as well as we can,” Practice sessions for the World Cup in Guyana will commence on Friday, January 7, with the first warm-up match on Sunday January 9. The tournament will bowl off on Friday, January 14 at the National Stadium, Providence.

(Jemima Holmes)

GFF Women’s Super-16 Festival…

NAMILCO hands over $500,000 1st prize; Champs GPF urged to build on success

“…major announcements in the coming week,” says Toney

NAMILCO’s Marketing Supervisor, Ms. Alicia Anderson (5th left) gets a hand on the championship trophy from Member of the winning GPF FC team Ms. Sasha James in the presence of NAMILCO Finance Director Mr. Fitzroy McLeod (3rd left), GNWFA President Mrs. Andrea Johnson (2nd Left), Coach, Manager and members of the Police FC team.

“I

Kwakwani were the winners in the ladies’ category when the tournament was officially launched in December

T

he Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic is set to shoot off at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on February 19-20, 2022, and already is emerging as the most anticipated sporting event of 2022, as it is drawing attention from all over the Caribbean and North America.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, when asked his view on the tournament drawing near, founder of the event, Rawle Toney, said, “I actually feel good that the tournament is around the corner. With regards to preparation, its going quite well. A lot of work on the ground to really stand the tournament apart from what it really was in 2019, but more importantly setting it apart from other sporting events in Guyana that would have passed and those coming up after my event. I want to show the distinction between 3x3 basketball and 5v5 and what 3x3 could bring to Guyana and the sport on a whole.”

Toney further noted that despite the tournament hasn’t official commenced, the action and the buzz on social media is there among the basketball fraternity. He explained that currently he is working with the basketball federation to ensure the safety of the players, hence he stated that once the futsal tournament concludes at the Sports Hall this week, he will make the neces-

Ravens won the men’s category

sary announcements regarding the 3x3 tournament.

Toney also boasted that new sponsors will be coming on board as well as major announcements that will spark the interest of fans and players accordingly. He also echoed that with COVID 19 pandemic he is making provision to have the games streamed on television, but assured that it would definitely be streamed online.

As it relates to sponsors, Toney noted that quite a few major announcements could be made in the coming weeks.

However, he related that the idea is to spread the awareness of the sport outside of Georgetown over the next four weeks, as the tournament draws near. Toney explained that there are also some planned events in Linden and he is even considering heading to Berbice as he reiterated that 3x3 rules are different and he has seen the challenges it presents when he invited some players at the launching of the event in December 2021.

“I’ve seen the challenges they had adapting to the

new rules of 3x3 basketball. So, it is to sensitise the game of 3x3 basketball leading up to the tournament on February 19-20, so I will be heading to Linden in the coming weeks to do a media launching and working with sponsors to make it possible and the Guyana Amateur Federation and Guyana Basketball Officials Council to make that one possible as well,” he clarified.

Sixteen teams will be vying for a winner’s purse of $600,000. In 2019, Pitbulls 3.0, behind Ryan Stephney, Jermaine Slatter, Ryan Gullen and Travis Belgrave, edged Team Smooth 22-12 in the finals to walk away with Gy$300,000 and the Rawle Toney 3X3 Basketball Classic Trophy.

The tournament has received sponsorship from Eco Green Services; Junior Sammy Guyana Inc; Marlon Jacobs, aka Freedom Boss; Kabisa Energy Drink; Guyana Breweries Incorporated under its Mackeson Brand, and MVP Sports, among others.

am really happy to see local talent coming through, and you are in the forefront of that, and so I am charging you all to keep that momentum going, keep the local talent developing, keep playing and knocking on the door.”

The words of National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) Finance Director Mr. Fitzroy McLeod to members of the Guyana Police Force Female Team when the company handed over the first-place prize of $500,000 for the just concluded Guyana Football Federation Women’s Super-16 Festival 2021-2022.

Held under the theme, “We Rise Against Domestic Violence”, this inaugural year-end tournament, one of three tournaments the GFF has organised, two of which have been done in association with the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation (Men’s Super-16 Cup and Futsal), attracted 16 teams, with the GPF defeating GT Panthers 4-2 in the final on January 2nd, 2022 at the Leonora Track and Field Facility.

President of the Guyana National Women’s Association (GNWA) which organised the competition, Mrs. Andrea Johnson, was on hand at NAMILCO along with representatives of the GPF FC including Captain Colette Hope and Head Coach Vurlon Mills.

NAMILCO’s Marketing Supervisor Ms. Alicia Anderson chaired proceed-

ings, while also congratulating the members of the GPF FC on a job well done.

McLeod challenged the members to keep on keeping on and building on the success they have earned from this inaugural competition.

“Congratulations on coming out victorious. Even greater congratulations on maintaining the momentum and fighting to the finish so that you could be victorious. I really implore you not to make this be an event and destination in one. Let this be a stepping stone, as you move forward, keep the momentum going; keep aligning yourself with good teams that challenge you, so you can keep building and improving yourself.”

McLeod, a former footballer and strong supporter of the game, posited that as a student and athlete, one must have a teachable spirit, “Listen to advice, try and incorporate that into your game and your development as an overall human being, not just as an athlete.”

Players present, Coach and Manager were all encouraged to spread the word and always strive to be the best.

“Maintain the focus on your goal, develop yourself physically by eating a lot of NAMILCO products, you get the wheat-up in your system, you have the nutrition right, you have to put in the work and you have to put in the study, the mental part of it.

Aim to be total football play-

ers.”

GNWA President Andrea Johnson in her remarks thanked McLeod and NAMILCO for their continued partnership with the GFF, which has been going for many years. Johnson stated that the support for this inaugural Women’s Festival is heartwarming, and she looks forward to building on this initiative.

She promised that in conjunction with her parent body, all look forward to more female football throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.

“I can assure you that we have so much talent here amongst our females that people are not aware of; so, I want to thank NAMILCO for stepping up and tangibly supporting this tournament so that this talent could have come to the fore. Gratitude is extended to you on behalf of my executive and the GFF, and we look forward to your continuous support.”

GFF President Mr. Wayne Forde weighed in on NAMILCO’s backing: “Without any hesitation, Mr. Bert Sukhai offered his commitment to support our girls.

I was delighted by his eagerness to see more investment being channelled towards the development of Women’s Football in Guyana.

It goes without saying that NAMILCO is an enduring partner of the GFF, and we are happy to have taken this historic journey with them.”

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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“We have a very elaborate protocol in place”- Dr Anthony …ICC protocols in place for Guyana leg of U19 World Cup W hile there have been many lingering questions around the hosting of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Under 19 Men’s World Cup in Guyana; President Dr. Irfaan Ali, along with Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony have advised on some of the protocols which would be used for the World Cup teams, staff and fans.

Most notable of these is the alignment of Guyana’s COVID Protocols to that of the ICC, with regard to travelling players.

President Ali, in responding to a question during a virtual COVID-19 related press conference on Wednesday, expressed that there would be no exemptions when it comes to protocols, and that the ICC event would be strictly enforcing the ‘biosecure bubble’ method.

“We have the protocols that are there for all visitors, they are not exempted

from the protocols. And there’s an added layer for the World Cup that is headed

by Dr. Haider Khan,” Guyana’s President shared.

He went on to add, “Also they’re working on the bubble concept. The bubble concept which you’re aware of is in effect for this tournament also.”

On the other hand, the Health Minister told of a regular PCR testing schedule.

“Before they arrive here, they have to be tested, they have to be vaccinated.

Upon their arrival at the airport and getting to the hotel, there’s a second set of testing that is normally done, and this is as per the ICC protocol,” Dr. Anthony said.

“And then during their stay, they’re going to have another set of testing, and before they leave, there’s another set of

testing.

“We have a very elaborate protocol in place,” he declared.

When it comes to the fans, the Health Minister detailed some of the protocols that will be enforced at the tournament venues, which are similar to the protocols utilised for Pakistan’s tour of West Indies in July- August of 2021, when games were played at the National Stadium, Providence.

On this topic, he revealed, “For persons coming to view the matches, you have to produce your vaccination card to show you’re vaccinated. The Task Force will be coming at all the venues to ensure that this measure is enforced.”

The Health Minister went on to disclose that local support staff that will be working at the venues have already been tested. (Jemima Holmes)

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Bent Street, Sparta Boss heading to Futsal final where a number of the older, more experienced players either rode the bench or hung up their boots in pursuit of coaching and mentoring positions. That meant the younger generation of Guyana’s players stood out, with

their youth, agility and speed giving them the upper hand.

In the first game of the night, Sparta Boss took on Leopold Street and made an easy win of it, 7-2. After a few eager passes, Ryan ‘Bom Bom’ Hackett was the first man to find the back of the net for Sparta in the 6th.

Bent Street (Red) approaching the goal

F

utsal powerhouses Sparta Boss and Bent Street will clash in the grand Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF)- Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Futsal Final on Saturday, after two entertaining semifinal matches on Tuesday night.

The tournament is currently in its end stage, and judging by the talent and skill on show in Tuesday’s semifinal games, the final will be nothing short of exciting.

The semifinal marked the turn of the futsal age in Guyana,

Sparta Boss’ Job Caesar fends off his opponents

Hackett returned in the 10th to add another, as the score remained 2-0 into the half.

In the second, it was a full onslaught by Sparta Boss, with their other players showing up to the party. Eusi Phillips found the back of the net in the 23rd, while ‘Bom Bom’ completed his hattrick in the 24th to push the score to 4-0.

For Sparta, Curtez Kellman (30th, 32nd) registered a brace, while Stephen Alfred (34th) had one goal to his name, to push the team to their lucky number 7.

On the other hand, Benjamin Opara (21st) added the first to Leopold’s tally, while Quincy Adams (39th) netted the only other goal.

Meanwhile, the skillful Darron Niles could not find the back of the net, in spite of many close chances, proving that it just wasn’t his night.

In the following game, Bent Street and Gold is Money found themselves locked in a tight contest.

Colin Nelson was the only man to score in the first half, with a goal in the 15th for Bent Street.

One a piece from Cecil Johnson and Marcus Wilson in the 22nd and 26th respectively for Gold is Money, had Bent Street and their supporters on the edge of their seats. That is until Jermin Junor levelled the scores in the 35th.

Heading into extra time, Gold is Money allowed the contest to get away from them, as Randolph Wagner (46th) was the only man to find the back of the net. On the other hand, Daniel Wilson (41st, 49th) pulled off a double strike to hand Bent Street the 4-3 win.

The million-dollar final is scheduled for Saturday, January 8 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue. Aside from the grand prize, the other notable award will be a Hero Motorcycle for the tournament’s MVP. (Jemima Holmes)

DDL plugs over $200,000 'Gritty' Akshaya Persaud highlights opening day into GCF’s Online Chess Programme Guyana Harpy Eagles Trial match...

A supporter at Albion reads the Guyana Times at the lunch interval

By Brandon Corlette at Albion

L

eft-handed batsman Akshya Persaud showed grit and determination with his unbeaten half-century on the first day of the Guyana Harpy Eagles trial match, under clear skies at the beautiful Albion Community

Persaud acknowledges his half-century

ts ers shared the wicke Keemo Paul XI bowl s) oto ph tte rle Co n do collectively (Bran

Centre Cricket Ground.

The small but vocal gathering welcomed the return of competitive cricket in Berbice as Team Johnson’s XI ended the slow day on 188-7 in 91 overs. Persaud top-scored with an unbeaten 54 from 152 balls while a returning

Clinton Pestano stood tall for his unbeaten 24 from 71 balls.

Earlier, Leon Johnson XI won the toss and opted to bat first and openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Raymond Perez (09) had a cautious start adding 27 runs for the first wicket in 14.5 overs.

Perez was the first dismissed by Veerasammy Permaul, caught at mid-off by a diving Mavindra Dindyal.

The young Chanderpaul, who played some delightful shots, did not get value for his runs, as the outer part of the ground was heavy. Kemol Savory (07) came and went cheaply while Chanderpaul inside edged one on the stumps and was cleaned up by opposition captain, Keemo Paul at 46-3 after 27 overs. At lunch, Johnson’s XI reached 47-3.

Vishaul Singh joined skipper Leon Johnson and the duo added 29 runs before Singh (13) was trapped by a full Sylus Tyndallball at 75-4 in 38.5 overs. Before the tea interval, skipper Johnson (25) was brilliantly taken at

covers by Paul, at 88-5, off Qumar Torrington. At tea, Johnson’s XI were 107-5, with the left-hander Persaud on 16 and Jonathan Rampersaud on seven.

Persaud battled along and in the final session, he punched the ball along the ground and added runs to his tally. Rampersaud eventually fell caught behind for a painstaking seven from 45 balls, off the bowling of Seon Glasgow.

Kevin Sinclair joined Persaud and played aggressive but was shortlived, caught at long-off for 16 from 10 balls off the bowling of Ashmead Nedd at 145-7.

Pestano and Persaud added an unbroken 43 runs, batting for more than 22 overs together, to ensure no further hiccups at stumps.

Persaud, who spent 190 minutes at the crease, had reached his halfcentury off 118 balls, and struck four boundaries on the heavy and fairly large outfield. Pestano, who is known for his aggressive strokeplay, showed signs of solidity in his resolute 24, which included one six and one four.

Bowling for Paul’s XI, against a batting line-up that included six of the top seven batsmen being lefthanded, Glasgow had (1-6 in three overs), Tyndall (1-13 in seven overs), Paul (1-17 in nine overs), Torrington (1-15 in seven overs), Veerasammy Permaul (1-43 in 30 overs), Junior Sinclair (1-40 in 17 overs), and Ashmead Nedd (131 in eight overs) had one wicket each.

The second day of the FourDay match will bowl off from 10:00h and the likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Tevin Imlach and Kevlon Anderson will want to start well when Paul’s XI gets an opportunity.

D

emerara Distillers Limited has once again sponsored the Guyana Chess Federation’s Online Chess Programme for the second year.

DDL has sponsored premium licences for 66 junior players on Chesskid.com for the year 2021 amounting to the sum of $210,000.

Previously the company had purchased these licences when the GCF had initially rolled out its Online Chess program in August 2020. This contribution had provided enormous support to the many chess players at the time. ‘Gold’ membership on the Chesskid.com allows children the opportunity to access an unlimited number of chess puzzles, tactical exercises, challenges, educational videos and lessons, among other learning resources. The numerous chess lessons on Chesskid.com teaches from a beginner’s level with fun and interactive videos giving children

the opportunity to learn chess at their own pace from the comfort and safety of their homes. They are also provided with the opportunity to play chess online with other members of the Chesskid.com platform, which provides a rating system for our junior players.

President of the GCF, Frankie Farley, is thrilled about the initiative, and expresses his gratitude to Demerara Distillers Ltd. for their support over the years, and looks forward to a continued partnership. The GCF has been making great strides in developing and increasing participation in chess within the regions. Corporate sponsorship such as this one is much needed, especially for the online platform which has become the main medium for the playing of the game due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The GCF currently has an online membership of over 300 children, of which 200 are active members.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022

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

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“We have a very elaborate protocol in place” - Dr Anthony

Guyana Harpy Eagles Trial match...

'Gritty' Akshaya Persaud highlights opening day

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Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

…ICC protocols in place for Guyana leg of U19 World Cup 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.

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