Guyana Times -- Thursday, March 24, 2022

US Deputy Assistant Secretary to visit Guyana today P10 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4958

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

Ramped-up oil production will allow for accelerated development – Pres Ali Page 3

PRICE

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Teen admits to faking own kidnapping P13 American P12 Airlines admits failure in providing quality service to Guyana …apologises to President for 4-hour flight delay

Man pleads guilty to chopping P11 pregnant woman

…Guyana not in competition with anyone, wants to learn from UAE

Govt removes excise tax on fuel importation ...stakeholders call for prices to drop as early as today

US$1.6M upgraded Shell Service Station at McDoom commissioned Page 14

3 busted with 12lbs of ganja P11

See story on page 7

GECOM’s continuous registration

Almost 7000 new eligible voters registered

Page 2

…EBD transitioning into oil capital of Guyana – Minister Bharrat …exercise going well – Commissioner

Govt, Parliament committed to tackling climate Page change – AG Nandlall tells IPU Assembly 9 …Speaker Nadir calls for binding parliamentary resolution

Electrician dies after crashing into canter P14

US formally accuses Russia of war crimes in Ukraine P17

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GECOM’s continuous registration

Almost 7000 new eligible voters registered …exercise going well – Commissioner

GECOM Commissioner Bibi Shadick

T

he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM), which started continuous registration two weeks ago, is reporting almost 7000 new voters and over 12,000 persons in all being captured.

According to one GECOM Commissioner, this is indicative that the exercise is going well.

Based on figures provided by GECOM, the continuous registration exercise resulted in 12,896 persons being registered and a total of 17,062 transactions. In an interview with Guyana Times, GECOM Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward explained that this fig-

ure includes 6620 persons who are 18 years and older and are therefore eligible to vote.

The remainder was 6276 persons between the ages of 14 and 17 years and they would be provided with identification cards once they have gone through GECOM’s procedures. They will vote when they eventually reach 18 years of age.

Meanwhile, the other transactions included 683 persons who did transfers to new addresses, 1997 who did changes and corrections to their particulars and 1194 persons who did replacement IDs. In an interview with

this publication, GECOM Commissioner Bibi Shadick noted that while the exercise was going well so far, it was early days yet. Shadick pointed out that a surge of persons towards the end of the exercise was likely.

“We get a progress report every week… so far, it’s going well. But I do know people. They don’t go right at the beginning. They know they got 12 weeks, so they’ll wait until 12 weeks are done.

But I do know, too, because I have a law office and people come in to notarise (documents) and so, that people are getting their names in order so that they can go get registered,” she said.

The continuous registration process, which started early in March and is being done at all 28 permanent registration offices, is necessary to update the List of Electors and pave the way for the hosting of Local Government Elections (LGE).

According to GECOM, this registration exercise is of crucial importance to firsttime applicants. These are regarded as those persons who were 14 to 18 years old when they were registered during the 2019 House-toHouse exercise.

GECOM stated at the time that “all such persons

are required to note that their application for registration has been cancelled.

Therefore, those persons are required to reapply for registration during this registration exercise.”

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

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

For change of name, the original marriage certificate or deed poll with birth certificate is required. Existing

registrants, who are desirous of updating their records, such as a request to correct or change their names, date of birth, occupation or update their addresses are advised that those transactions would also be facilitated during this exercise.

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

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

Estimates.

Included in the $783 million for LGE is a morethan-$300 million increase in “other goods and services purchased”, which jumped from $250.8 million in 2021 to $575.9 million in the 2022 Budget.

LGE are constitutionally due every two years in Guyana and were last held in 2018. However, given the fiasco that played out following the 2020 General and Regional Elections, the Local Government polls were deferred to 2021.

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

NEWS

3

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Thursday, March 24 – 22:00h-23:30h and Friday, March 25 – 22:30h-00:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Ramped-up oil production will allow for accelerated development – Pres Ali

…Guyana not in competition with anyone, wants to learn from UAE

Thursday, March 24 – 08:20h-09:50h and Friday, March 25 – 09:40h-11:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers are expected during the day, with cloudy to partly cloudy skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to East NorthEasterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 08:40h and 21:26h reaching maximum heights of 2.45 metres and 2.22 metres.

Low Tide: 14:51h reaching a minimum height of 0.79 metre.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS J

02 16 17

22 25 28

FREE TICKET

09 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

08 10 12 17 23 LUCKY 3

1

0

5

4

Afternoon Draw

8

5

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

02 06 07 08 11 13 15 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

02 06 07 09 17 13

10 11 13 14 15

3

7 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

0

4 Evening Draw

FP Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$122.70/barrel

Rough Rice

$286.83/ton

-0.19

London Sugar

$547.60/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

+0.90

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1944.40

$1945.40

Low/High Change

$1917.40 +0.40

$1950.10 +0.02%

President Dr Irfaan Ali during the panel discussion at the Global Forum LATAM in Dubai with United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and the moderator, retired CNN Business Emerging Markets Editor/Anchor John Defterio

M

aking it clear that Guyana is more focused on its own sustainable development rather than becoming the “next Dubai”, President Dr Irfaan Ali says that the increased revenue that will come with ramped-up oil production will allow for accelerated development in the country.

He made this statement on Wednesday, during the Global Business Forum LATAM that is being held in Dubai under the patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

While sharing a stage with UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Ali said that Guyana wanted even more oil and gas exploration to be done in its waters. And with ExxonMobil expected to ramp up oil production to 1.2 million barrels a day by 2025, the President noted that this would mean more revenue for Guyana’s development.

“We’re looking to move up to 1.2 million barrels per day within the next three, four years. That, of course, is going to help us accelerate development in other areas. And people always say, Guyana has the potential to be (the next) Dubai. That is not what we’re aiming for,” the Head of State said during a panel discussion themed “Lessons in diversification and partnership” at the Dubai Exhibition Centre.

“We want to be the best we can be, learn from the examples of the UAE. Taking the best practices from the UAE. We’re not in competition with anyone. And we don’t want to be in a race with anyone. And this is our global position. We just want to use the best practices to do the best we can do, for our people,” he said.

Reference was also made to the development of a deepwater harbour port with Abu Dhabi Ports in collaboration with Brazil that will give access to the Atlantic, a visa-free waiver programme, and a double taxation agreement.

Dr Ali also used the opportunity to talk up Guyana’s natural resources and their value. He also gave some insight into why Guyana, a resource-rich country, has not been able to develop on par with some of its peers, including those with comparatively fewer natural resources.

“Guyana, as you know, we have forests the size of England, with a forest storing

“We want to be the best we can be, learn from the examples of the UAE. Taking the best practices from the UAE. We’re not in competition with anyone.

And we don’t want to be in a race with anyone. And this is our global position.

We just want to use the best practices to do the best we can do, for our people” – President Dr Irfaan Ali 19 giga tonnes of carbon. And an estimated value in the carbon market of close to US$200 billion. We have a forestry sector with a value of $500 billion in reserve. We have proven gold reserves with a value of more than US$35 billion.

We have a great eco-tourism product.

“The question is, with all of these natural resources and wealth, why hasn’t the country progressed even further? And that is why we’re so strong on issues of democracy and good governance.

Because our country came through a very rough history, pre-1992, where we went through a long period of dic-

tatorship. That led to tremendous economic and social decline,” President Ali said.

According to Ali, they have worked hard to rebuild the economy from the second poorest in the hemisphere to one of the fastest growing economies in the hemisphere, with growth projections of 47 per cent.

The oil-rich Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Exxon, through subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and

CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds the remaining 25 per cent interest.

ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027. The Liza Phase 1 has been producing oil since 2019 and production recently started on the Liza Phase 2 project. It is expected that production will increase to 220,000 barrels of oil per day with the Liza Unity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

The third project – the Payara Development – will meanwhile target an estimated resource base of about 600 million oil-equivalent barrels and was at one point considered to be the largest single planned investment in the history of Guyana.

The Yellowtail development, which will be oil giant ExxonMobil’s fourth development in Guyana’s waters, will turn out to be the single largest development so far in terms of barrels of oil per day, with a mammoth 250,000 bpd targeted. (G3)

4

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 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

“Invest to End TB. Save Lives”

W

orld Tuberculosis Day, which is observed today (March 24 each year), is designed to build public awareness that tuberculosis remains an epidemic in much of the

world.

In the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said on Wednesday that TB deaths have increased by an estimated 3,000 in 2020 compared to 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while about 18,300 children live with the disease in the region, with limited access to diagnosis and treatment.

As the world continues to engage in a fierce battle to contain and fight the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), many countries which had shut off their borders and have been calling on their citizens to heed the health warnings are now slowly trying to reopen. At the moment, fighting the virus is the number one priority for Governments and health authorities, and resources are mostly channelled in this direction. It is no wonder that PAHO on Wednesday made the call for urgent investment in resources, support, care and information for the fight against tuberculosis (TB), as the COVID-19 pandemic reverses gains made against one of the world’s deadliest infections.

March 24 marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease. While the coronavirus pandemic has caused great panic and worry, and brought into focus the capacity of health systems in various countries, the TB epidemic is also a serious health concern which cannot be taken lightly.

The reality is that TB is one of the top 10 causes of death, and the leading cause from a single infectious agent, even though the disease is curable and preventable. For this reason, every opportunity must be used to increase public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB. This year’s theme, ‘Invest to End TB. Save Lives’, aims at conveying the urgent need to invest in financial, human and technological resources to ramp up the fight against TB and achieve the commitments to end TB made by global leaders.

In Guyana, TB cases have declined over the years. The Health Minister, in his TB Day message, said: “Despite being preventable and curable, TB remains a challenge, causing 1.5 million deaths globally every year. This problem is further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted medical services and stagnated or reversed earlier gains. Despite the C-19 Pandemic, the MoH TB Treatment and Care Sites remained open so that patients could access care. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the dedicated TB staff, who have been steadfast in performing their duties despite the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Locally, according to the Health Minister, one of the critical challenges in TB control is the HIV epidemic within the population. Although strong collaboration between the TB and HIV programmes has led to a decline in TB/HIV co-infection rates, HIV remains one of the biggest concerns and underlying causes of TB morbidity and mortality in Guyana. Other challenges include the high prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, high substance misuse among TB patients, and the access to services by isolated hinterland communities.

Of major concern is that the Minister highlighted that, over the years, Guyana has seen the epidemiological shift in the TB epidemic, which is evident mainly among the young working population in both urban and rural areas of the country, which now places a huge burden on TB patients and their families due to catastrophic costs.

Even though Guyana still has a far way to go, this country can boast of tremendous progress made in its fight against TB; and all efforts must be made to ensure these gains are not reversed.

One example of this progress is the collaboration between the Health Ministry and the Human Services and Social Security Ministry in improving the social protection of the less fortunate TB patients, Ending TB will only be achieved with greater collaboration within and across Governments, and with partners from civil society, communities, researchers, the Private Sector and development agencies. This means taking a whole-of-society and multidisciplinary approach in the context of universal health coverage. While fighting the spread of coronavirus is crucial at this time, the battle against TB must also be maintained.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo receives a card from this young man during his two-day outreach to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) (Priya Manickchand photo)

Action required, not talk and platitudes Dear Editor, It is very sad and unfortunate that the Peoples National Congress seeks to talk about improving race relations in Guyana now by pledging its socalled commitment to good governance and fairness in the allocation of state resources.

The PNC party cannot be taken seriously or at its word, because it has had three periods in the Government: from 1964 to 1985 under the rulership of the late President Forbes Burnham, from 1985 to 1992 under the late President Desmond Hoyte, and from 2015 to 2020 under President David Granger. It did absolutely nothing of consequence to improve race relations, deepen social cohesion, or end discrimination. All the previous regime did was talk through the side of its mouth, before it spent $50M to sponsor Buju Banton tickets and concert.

Also, all of the abovementioned elections were fraudulent in nature, processes, or form. The elections from 1964 to 1992 had a suspicion of external forces at work in them for the PNC/R to emerge victorious other than the vote of populists. Also, all of those elections had serious ethnic and racial undertones, because the PNC/R had no shame in its use of racial appeal to get supporters on its side when it came down to the wire.

There was no fairness, no transparency, and no good governance, even though the PNC/R had signalled its commitment to these principles at various time spans, whether out of office or in Government. The rigging of elections each time took on various methods, but culminated in March 2020

with a sustained and direct threat to our democracy.

It is my considered view that the PNC/R is again talking about improving racism in Guyana because the PPP is in power now. The coalition, the APNU/AFC, of which the PNC/R is part, did absolutely nothing to quell the fears of Guyanese for five years, particularly those ethnicities that were considered as not being in power then, like the Indian-Guyanese, Amerindians, Chinese, Portuguese, Europeans, or mixed-Guyanese.

The PNC/R of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 2015 offered no serious solution or lasting remedy for dealing with the ethnic or race problem that rears its ugly head in Guyana at elections time. So, I do not have any confidence in its statement of intent, released on UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

It is just platitudes or talking, but no decisive action is being done, except for what we have witnessed the party leadership engaging in acts of racism, discrimination, and poor governance.

It is a known fact that the PNC/R has discriminated against its supporters and other groupings with the distribution of state resources and opportunities such as land, licences, subventions, and local government budgets. I have seen the countless reports and scandals, with some that have engaged the attention of the courts running to the heart of discrimination and equality of opportunity in Guyana during the reign of the PNC/R. I have no confidence in the PNC/R acting as a responsible political party in Guyana, committed to upholding

the rule of law and Constitution, specifically Article 13, when it engages in deceitful reporting of facts and information; engages in blatant propaganda, and spreads fake news on social media.

The PNC/R cannot be serious about its pledge when it has a mentally lazy and neo-racist in the USA making all manner of racist and discriminatory claims against people of its party, and is utilising the unfounded fears about PPP to organise pickets and protests for his black-supremacist views painted as equality.

When the PNC/R is serious, if ever, I believe it can find a partner in the leaders of the PPP to deal with, once and for all, the issue of racism and discrimination, which does exist in Guyanese society, but not at the alarming rate that the PNC/R is alleging.

Finally, the PNC/R and its paper party, the APNU+AFC Coalition, must end their political and diabolical plot shenanigans using their pseudo concerns about racism and discrimination. We see it for what it is. This empty pledge is nothing but the PNC/R wanting to pull the wool over our eyes.

The PNC/R should start with an admission of the use of rigging in the last elections and apologising. Then and only then would anyone take the PNC/R seriously!

Good try with the statement. The intellectual authors are smart, but not smart enough, because we see right through it.

Yours truly, Michael Younge

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

5

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

Female volleyball matches were Frustrated with forced out of Sports Hall National Parks Commission

Dear Editor, It is unfortunate that, just a few weeks after Guyana and the rest of the world celebrated International Women's Day with much pomp and ceremony on March 8, I must pen a letter about the injustice and disrespect faced by the female volleyball fraternity in Guyana.

The most recent show of disrespect occurred this past Sunday, March 20, when the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) held its first official female volleyball tournament for the year at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

As the eighth match of the day was being played, the tournament was abruptly forced to end, in an embarrassing and disrespectful state of affairs, when the players were told to leave, so that a male futsal group could use the playing area to practice.

How could a male futsal practice time take precedence over an official female volleyball tournament? What is most alarming is not just that the futsal players bullied the women, but that they were told that the instructions to remove came

from the National Sports Commission (NSC).

It is uncertain how the futsal team could have obtained permission to supersede the female volleyball tournament, given that the Guyana Volleyball Federation had prior consent to use the Sports Hall for the tournament.

Six teams participated in the one-day tournament, including teams travelling all the way from New Amsterdam; Hopetown, West Berbice; and St. Cuthbert’s Mission on the Linden Highway. The disrespect digs deep. The humiliated young ladies had to return without their efforts being worth even the travel.

Sunday’s occurrence, however, simply underscores and solidifies a longstanding lack of respect for the female athletes, which has led to the continuous decline and underdevelopment of this sports discipline.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Honourable Charles Ramson Jnr, at the first Guyana Sports Conference, held at the National Cultural Centre in 2021, acknowledged that volley-

ball is one of the twelve core sports disciplines in Guyana. Moreover, it was pledged that female athletes would be given special attention for development, specifically female volleyball athletes.

However, Sunday's event was not reflective of this pledge. There is great concern about the underdevelopment and neglect that female volleyball athletes face in Guyana.

There is very little being done about the level of development and performance of female volleyball in Guyana, notwithstanding the players showing much promise. Often, the male teams are recognized, and compete on a regional level, both junior and senior teams. However, the female athletes are in desperate need of a development intervention to be able to perform competitively at a minimum at the national or regional level.

Globally, much emphasis is given to gender equality and equal accessibility that supports the global Sustainable Development Goals, including equal access to resources for development. Shouldn't female volleyball athletes be

included as a priority for global sports development?

Where is the respect for our young women and the future of the sport that such behaviour and lack of professionalism could occur? Does female volleyball have a place in sports development in Guyana?

Minister Ramson needs to intervene immediately.

The Guyana Volleyball Federation also needs to answer for its role in this lack of development.

Are these leaders designing sports programmes that support female development? What has the Federation done for female volleyball athletes' development for the past five years? Something needs to be done, and now!

Yours respectfully, Concerned Female Volleyball Athlete

Editor’s note: This letter was sent to the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) for a response, and the response was to the effect that, in regard to the unfortunate developments of the day in question, there had been a miscommunication between all the parties involved.

Dear Editor, On December 20, 2019, I was given a letter by the National Parks Commission (NPC) informing me that my services as an employee were terminated. I was advised that, because I was terminated, I was entitled to severance pay and payment in lieu of notice. This is in keeping with the Laws of Guyana and the agreement in force between my union – GAWU – and the NPC. However, the Commission refused to pay me my benefits, and said I was dismissed and not entitled to any benefit. I reported the matter to GAWU, who took it up with the Commission, and then the Ministry of Labour. The Ministry - after several meetings, and after considering representation from GAWU and the NPC - on January 5, 2021, recommended that the Commission honour my ben-

efits.

Despite the Ministry’s recommendation, the Commission has refused to pay me. My union continues to represent me in this matter, and has been given several excuses. The most recent is that any decision on the matter must await the appointment of the NPC Board of Directors.

Editor, I do not know when the Board would be appointed. It is over a year since my union and I have been told that a Board would be appointed. I am appreciative of the efforts of GAWU, who continue to stand with me, but the NPC continues to deny me my rightful benefits. I appeal to your newspaper to publicise my matter for someone in authority to ensure I am given my due benefits.

Yours faithfully, Lennox Stephens

6

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄ Question 1

By Wilson Harris

It is strange Standing here Beneath the whispering trees Far away from the haunts of men.

Tell me, trees!

What are you whispering?

When I am dead I shall come and lie Beneath your fallen leaves…

But tell me, trees!

What are you whispering?

I Wednesday’s answers The area of a triangle is half the base times the height A=½bxh = ½ 14 x 10 = 70cm2

n this fun and easy force and motion science experiment for kids, we’re going to investigate unbreakable thread.

Materials: Wooden cloths hanger Thin wooden stick Two pieces of thread Metal-edged ruler Instructions: Tie one piece of thread to each end of the wooden cloths hanger.

Now, tie the free end of each thread to each end of the wooden cloths hanger so that the wooden stick is suspended below. Do so in a way that the wooden stick hangs about 12 inches below the hanger.

Now hit the stick with the metal edge of the ruler.

The stick will break before the threads.

How it works: Because of inertia, the stick will attempt to remain at rest so much it would rather break than move.

Make this a science project: Try pencils or wooden dowels that are larger in diameter. Try thicker pieces of string or yarn. (sciencefun.org)

They shall bury me Beneath your fallen leaves.

My robe shall be Green, fallen leaves.

My love shall be Fresh, fallen leaves.

My lips shall be Sweet, fallen leaves.

I and the leaves shall be together Never parting…

I and the leaves shall always lie together And know no parting.

It is so strange Standing here Beneath the whispering trees.

Tell me, trees!

What are you whispering?

“If you think education is expensive, try ignorance” — Andy McIntyre

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt removes excise tax on fuel importation …stakeholders call for prices to drop as early as today People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Government has implemented a host of relief measures, including reducing the excise tax on fuel three times within the past year, from 35 per cent to 10 per cent before completing removing it on Wednesday.

In fact, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has already implemented this reduction with immediate effect.

“The Government has given approval for the rates on gasoline and diesel specified under the Excise Tax Act Chapter 82:03 to be re-

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

I

n a move aimed at combating increasing global prices for oil and the impact those increases have been having on the local economy, as well as rising cost of living, the Guyana Government has announced that the excise tax on fuel importation will be reduced to zero – a measure whose benefit it is hoping would be passed on to consumers as soon as possible.

This was revealed by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday during an outreach along the Essequibo Coast.

“Excise tax on gasoline and diesel now reduced from 50% to zero,” VP Jagdeo announced.

Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali, who is currently overseas, subsequently shared on his official Facebook page that this reduction is Government’s response to the increasing trend of fuel prices globally, in order to ease the burden on the Guyanese population.

“In response to the continuous increase in fuel pric-

es on the world market, we have now reduced the excise tax on gasoline and diesel from 50% to zero,” the Head of State noted.

In order to ease the impact of the rising cost of living on Guyanese, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years and recently exacerbated by Russia-Ukraine crisis, the

duced… These rates, which had been reduced from 20 per cent to 10 per cent as a Budget 2022 measure, are now being further reduced to cushion the global increases in fuel prices. As such, with immediate effect, all fuel imported will be subjected to these revised rates as administered by the Customs,

Excise& Trade Operations (CE&TO), GRA,” the revenue agency indicated in a notice on Wednesday.

Benefit must be passed on

However, even with this latest reduction to zero, there are concerns about whether prices at the service stations would be slashed, and when. To this end, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat has implored businesses and operators to ensure this removal of the excise tax on fuel is passed on to the wider public.

“We do hope, and I’m sure the regulatory agencies – Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the Prime Minister’s Office, which en-

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

ergy falls directly under – that they would do some amount of checks and, if possible, enforcement to ensure

that there is compliance and that people actually enjoy the benefit of the zero tax on fuel in Guyana…

“So I want to personally

make an appeal to all service station owners, whether international companies or our own – well, we know GUYOIL (state-owned Guyana Oil Company) will reduce their price - that we ensure that this benefit reach the consumers,” Bharrat said to Guyana Times on the sidelines of the commissioning of the upgraded Shell Service Station at McDoom on Wednesday.

Moreover, the Natural Resources Minister went on to also appeal to public transportation operators such as minibuses and taxis to ensure that they do not increase their fares.

Further, admitting that often times the benefits of certain incentives implemented to bring relief to citizens are not passed on by businesses and operators, Minister Bharrat indicated to this newspaper that Government is hoping to see price reductions at the service stations as soon as Thursday.

TURN TO PAGE 13

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Appeal against 40-year sentence for rape to continue in May

A

rguments in an appeal filed by Julius Branker against his 40-year jail sentence for rape will continue on May 3 at the Guyana Court of Appeal.

Back in February 2018, a jury had found the 44-yearold man guilty of raping a woman at knifepoint, and the sentence was handed down

by Justice Simone MorrisRamlall.

After a trial that had spanned several days at the Demerara High Court, Branker, who resided at Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) prior to his incarceration, had unanimously been found guilty of raping the woman on February 15, 2014.

The evidence had detailed that Branker, armed with a knife, had broken into the victim’s home while she was ly-

Convicted rapist Julius Branker

ing in bed with her toddler son, and had sexually abused her.

But, despite the jury’s verdict, Branker has maintained his innocence. “I am not guilty of this case,” he had said following the announcement of the verdict.

During a sentencing hearing, the court had heard that the victim was struggling to deal with the trauma which flowed from the horrific ordeal.

“Honestly, I forgive him, but you can’t be hurting women so. I get nightmares, I am

always shaking. I remember what happened to me, and it is a shame. I don’t know how to have relationships. I feel nasty, and I cannot get over it. He needs help, and he should turn his life over to Christ,” the rape survivor had said.

In handing down the sentence, Justice Morris-Ramlall had considered the serious nature of the offence, the fact that Branker had broken into the woman’s home in the wee hours of that day, and the fact that he had committed the act in full view of her young son, while threatening to kill her with a knife. In the end, the Judge had admonished Branker to change his life.

In the circumstances of his conviction, the convicted rapist becomes eligible for parole only after serving 35 years of his sentence. (G1)

The battle...

H

…over hair ere it was the Ministry of Education was just trying to show it was cool with the UN exhortation du jour - “International Women’s Day” - and decreed that on this day, all schools could relax their rules on female students’ “hair styles”. Yes…hair styles. Surely, dear readers, you aren’t so advanced in age as to not remember there are strict rules on the appearance of students. And if transgressed, it’s punishment of one sort or another. In your Eyewitness’s days when Sting was setting the trend on hirsute matters, he was put out of class for bringing the good name of the school into disrepute.

Yet today, today, Sting has “CBE” to his name, and there’s a lookalike in 10 Downing St in the person of Boris Johnson. So, things change, don’t they? As to what’s proper in schools - like for the rest of society - was set by the Brits. So, whatever they decided was “fit and proper” was decreed by the headmasters, who ruled the roost like Roman Emperors. They even had their “Prefects” to enforce their decrees!! Anyhow, back to our situation in Guyana, where - from what your Eyewitness can glean the Ministry’s gesture raised up an old ants’ nest.

To wit, when the straight-haired Brits dictated their rules - as usual - they used themselves as the exemplars.

The fly in the ointment, of course, was that half of our population, who have African genes, are born with kinky hair of various textures. And getting that hair straight on a kid (or adults for that matter) to follow those rules takes a lot of doing. It involves a helluva lot of pain for the subject of the ministrations that have to be inflicted! Problem is, even though we’ve been independent since 1966, no one thought to relook at the whole question of what’s “proper” for hair in school. Even though the comedian Chris Rick did a very informative documentary on the subject appropriately titled “Hair”!

So, the Ministry’s well-meaning gesture just pulled the scab off an old, old sore - where a whole lot of pus had built up!! The point made, which outraged folks with kinky hair, was that if the Ministry recognised there was something amiss with the hair rule to’ve relaxed it (pun intended!) for a day, why not scuttle it for all times?? Fair point. But there are also rules in place for straight-haired students - like the Minister said, “Limsie” (real Guyanese word, boi!!), “muff”, plaits etc…

So, the Ministry has conducted a surgery of parents, and will now discuss with teachers for their input before a new regulation incorporating the new consensus is made.

But can there be consensus? Will it be “any hair goes”?? …over “civil society” The struggle over who represents “civil society” continues unabated. Well, we shouldn’t be surprised. If “Politics is war by other means”, then “civil society” is the battleground where the war’s conducted. After all, the politicians get their power from people who make up “civil society”. When democratic government was invented, it was thought that civil society would choose their governors through their votes. If the governors messed up, then “off with their titles” at the next elections.

But a funny thing happened - well, not really HAPPENED, but invented - a bit after WWII. Not coincidentally, when we natives were being granted “independence”. Civil Society which had elected the government - were now told they had to “organise” themselves in groups to protect specific areas of national life. In other words, to form watchdogs over those they elected to government. While your Eyewitness supports civil society groups in principle, they should be transparent on their organisational makeup.

They can’t be like knights who might’ve done some good once, then become hereditary kings!! …over unipolarity The Yanks have prodded Russia into allying with China in an already evolving bi-polar world. So, when asked to dissuade Putin, Chairman Xi could boldly tell Biden: “He who tied the bell to the tiger must take it off.”

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

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

9 Govt, Parliament committed to tackling climate change – AG Nandlall tells IPU Assembly NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…Speaker Nadir calls for binding parliamentary resolution

AG Anil Nandlall, SC

A

ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, has reiterated the Guyana Government’s commitment to continue to take actions and implement policies through the Parliament to tackle climate change.

Nandlall made this remark at the 144th InterParliamentary Union Assembly being held in Bali, Indonesia under the theme: “Getting to zero: Mobilizing Parliaments to act on climate action.”

“Our Government and our Parliament will continue to aggressively enact laws and regulations, promulgate and implement policies on climate change, and promote low carbon development in every area of national life. The time for talk is over. The time for action is now,” the Guyanese AG told the IPU Assembly.

According to the Legal Affairs Minister, indifference and inaction to the climate crisis would lead to definite destruction, especially since the world is far behind its target to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“The coming decade there-

fore must be the decade of decisive action. Climate change affects us all – rich, poor, developed and developing States – but its effects are more severe on the poorest and most vulnerable – especially SIDS and low-lying coastal states.

For us, it is a question of survival,” he posited.

To this end, AG Nandlall called for more ambitious goals to reduce emissions, and for countries to honour their commitments, especially the world’s foremost polluters, who should be made to implement steeper emission cuts.

He also urged that the pledge of US$100B per annum, made one decade ago to support climate action, be met.

Another area the Minister highlighted that is critical to combating climate change is forest preservation.

“Forest-rich countries must be provided with the incentives necessary to keep their forests intact and reduce deforestation and forest degradation. Mindful that deforestation contributes 16 per cent to annual global emissions, and in recognition of the ecosystem and climate services provided by forests, it

Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones

Speaker Manzoor Nadir

is imperative that we finalise the rules for carbon markets and REDD+, so as to properly value tropical forests and the climate services which they provide,” the AG stated.

He informed that Guyana is already a net carbon sink with its 18 million hectares of largely intact forests sequestering approximately 154 million tons of CO2 annually.

With some of the highest forest cover on earth along with one of the lowest deforestation rates, Nandlall noted that the country is part of the ‘Guiana Shield’, which stores about a fifth of the world’s fresh water and about 18 per cent of the world’s tropical carbon, along with extremely high levels of biodiversity and endemism.

“Therefore, Guyana is already playing its part in addressing, and will continue to do so. We will maintain our forests – almost the size of England and Scotland combined, storing 20 gigatons of carbon – as global assets. We will work with local communities in conserving, protecting, and sustainably managing our forests, biodiversity and freshwater supplies.

“We will decouple eco-

is happening but fails to take serious actions to mitigate and stop it.

“Like all countries here, we are at the frontline of the negative impacts of climate change… Guyana is making a commitment, and for us to get to zero, all of us will have to unite and be a hero,” he opined.

Further expressing his satisfaction with countries like South Korea and Zimbabwe implementing parliamentary resolutions, the Guyanese National Assembly Speaker urged that this be replicated globally.

“Guyana will have to pass, at its Parliament, a resolution that will bind its Government and future Governments.

Why? We have a democracy where Government’s change, and when Govt changes, policy changes. The one glue would be to have a resolution of Parliament… and this is a recommendation we want to make to other countries whose parliaments have not done so,” Speaker Nadir stated.

His remarks, however, were followed by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change

nomic growth and emissions through a progressively cleaner energy mix, with the aim of reducing our carbon emissions by 70 per cent by the year 2030. We will invest in lowcarbon opportunities for jobs, ecosystem services, and social inclusion through an expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS),” AG Nandlall asserted.

The current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government in October 2021 launched its revised and expanded LCDS 2030, which sets out an ambitious agenda towards carbon neutrality, among other things. The document is currently out for public consultation, and is slated to be finalised this month end.

However, during his remarks, Speaker of Guyana’s National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, who is leading Guyana’s delegation in Bali, called for countries to institute parliamentary resolutions to bind respective Governments towards climate action.

Nadir pointed out that climate change is like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where everyone knows that it

Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones, who in his presentation to the IPU Assembly spoke about the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) that was developed and implemented by the David Granger-led APNU/ AFC Coalition Government but has since been scrapped and replaced by the PPP/C’s revised LCDS initiative.

Nevertheless, Jones also highlighted Guyana’s vulnerability to climate change as a low-lying state.

“My country Guyana is one of the countries of the world that is vulnerable to Climate Change and rising sea levels. It is important to note that close to 80 per cent of Guyana’s population live in the low-lying coastal regions. The Capital City of Georgetown relies on seawalls for protection,” he stated.

Jones went on to remind that the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in its 2021 report, listed Georgetown as one of nine cities that would be under water by 2030, which he emphasised is only “a mere eight years from now”. (G8)

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US Deputy Assistant Secretary to visit Guyana today U nited States Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti, Barbara A Feinstein is expected to arrive in Guyana today, for a two-day visit that will include meetings with a number of key stakeholders.

According to a statement from the US Embassy, Feinstein is expected to meet with Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, members of the parliamentary Opposition, Caricom officials and members of the Private Sector and civil society.

Feinstein will depart Guyana on March 26. According to the statement heralding her arrival,

Feinstein’s visit underscores the continued importance the United States places on the US-Guyana partnership.

According to her bio, Feinstein is a career member of the Senior Executive Service. Prior to serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti, she had served as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Caribbean Affairs, Haiti, Cuba, Mexico, and Central America with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

She has held various leadership positions within USAID, including Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for

US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti, Barbara Feinstein

Legislative Affairs; Deputy Chief of Staff to Administrator Rajiv Shah, Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor to Acting Administrator Alonzo Fulgham, and Special Assistant to Administrator Henrietta Fore. Other assignments include service with the US Departments of State and Defence.

Feinstein has served on the professional staff of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and the House International Relations Committee of the United States Congress.

She holds a master’s degree in International and Public Affairs from

Princeton University and a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies, Spanish and Portuguese from the University of CaliforniaBerkeley.

According to the State Department, Feinstein speaks Spanish and Portuguese.

Feinstein’s visit follows the visit of other high-profile American officials, such as then US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who visited in 2020 not long after the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government came to power, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of America's development bank, Adam Boehler, who also visited in 2020. (G3)

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man pleads guilty to chopping pregnant woman viously served 17 years in prison for killing his wife was handed a 14-year jail sentence for brutally chopping a woman he had met shortly after his release from the correctional facility.

Neil Archer, a 49-year-old former cane harvester formerly of Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD), when arraigned before Demerara High Court Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, admitted

Richard Mohammed

Dennis Warren

Neil Archer

ichard Mohammed, resident of a Pomeroon community in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), has pleaded guilty to chopping a 23-year-old pregnant woman, severing several of her fingers in the process.

Initially indicted for the offence of attempted murder, the 31-year-old has opted to plead guilty to the offence of felonious wounding, and is slated to be sentenced

by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow on April 7 in the Essequibo High Court.

State Counsel Tiffini Lyken is appearing for the prosecution, while Mohammed is being represented by Attorney-at-Law George Thomas.

Mohammed has admitted that on March 25, 2021, in the county of Essequibo, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded the woman. It was reported that, on the day in question, Mohammed and the woman were engaged in a heated argument, during which he armed himself with a chopper and dealt her several chops about

her body, including to her head. The young woman was six months pregnant at the time, and several of her fingers were reportedly severed in the process. Persons in the community went to the woman’s aid and rushed her to the hospital.

After chopping the woman, Mohammed also set a house on fire, but was later arrested and prosecuted.

It was only on Monday that former cane cutter 42-year-old Warren Dennis admitted to brutally chopping a woman, severing her left hand from the wrist. Dennis, formerly of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was indicted for the offence of attempted murder before Demerara High Court Justice Simone MorrisRamlall.

He admitted that on April 23, 2017, in the county of Demerara, he wounded the woman, who was a Police Constable at the time, with intent to commit murder.

Dennis, who has been

on remand for the past five years, will be sentenced on March 31 following the presentation of a probation report and a victim impact statement.

On the day in question, the woman, then 28, was making her way to give her son his school supplies when she was attacked by the cutlass-wielding Dennis. The incident occurred at Quamina Street, Beterverwagting, ECD. It was reported that Dennis chased the woman into a nearby trench, and chopped her mercilessly, severing her left hand from the wrist. Following the attack, Dennis made good his escape, but was later handed over to the Police by his brother.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, a man who had pre-

R

3 busted with 12lbs of ganja

T

hree persons have been arrested in connection with the discovery of over 12lbs of marijuana at Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The bust was made on Monday by officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) acting on information received. During the operation, the offi-

cers discovered six parcels, and those were subsequently taken to the CANU Headquarters, where the substance was weighed and confirmed to be the illegal drug.

CANU has said that quantity of the drug carries a street value of $6.3M. Three persons, aged 37, 42 and 47, have since been arrested.

that on October 19, 2016, in the county of Demerara, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded the woman with intent to murder her.

While armed with a cutlass on the night of October 19, 2016, he attacked the woman while she was asleep, and chopped her to her neck, hand, back, and other parts of her body. She was saved from Archer’s wrath by her son. During that altercation,

several of that woman’s fingers were severed.

Archer had, in 1997, been given two seven-year prison sentences for attempted murder and wounding with intent respectively, but since those sentences had run concurrently, he had spent only seven years in jail. He had reportedly committed offences against another woman, and had been given those terms of incarceration (G1).

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 24,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

American Airlines admits failure in providing quality service to Guyana …apologises to President for 4-hour flight delay

A

merican Airlines (AA), which was booked to fly President Dr Irfaan Ali and his entourage to the Miami International Airport enroute to Dubai for the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF2022), has apologised for a delay of more than four hours, which it claims was caused by a mechanical failure.

In a letter seen by this publication, addressed to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill; Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Lieutenant Colonel Egbert Field; and Chief Executive Officer of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIA), Ramesh Ghir, AA expressed regret for the delays on flight 1512.

“Unfortunately, this flight incurred a delay of four hours and thirteen minutes due to a mechanical failure. The number one engine failed to start, and remained unresponsive after the application of two air start units,”

AA said in its letter.

“The captain in command of the flight made an announcement from the cockpit to all passengers on board the aircraft at approximately 07:45. The captain then proceeded to communicate directly with the President, where he offered an apology. The President requested to be deplaned at 08:22 and this request was facilitated as quickly as possible,” the airlines said.

It was explained that American Airlines General Manager at CJIA, Sacha Persaud, and the team of lead agents provided updates on the progress of the repairs to several airport executive management officials and liaisons and officials travelling with the President.

“To minimise the delay, our local team at CJIA was in close contact with our operations centre in Fort Worth, Texas. They discussed several options to find an alternate aircraft to complete the

flight while continuing to troubleshoot the mechanical issue on the ground. One viable option was given at 10:12 to utilise the aircraft from the inbound New York-JFK flight.

“Ms Persaud communicated this option to airport management.

There was also a discussion about ferrying an aircraft from Miami in order to complete the flight should the on-ground troubleshooting not succeed, or if the JFK aircraft would not be able to complete the mission,” the airline explained.

AA further related that at 10:58 they were able to

successfully start the engine, and the President and his delegation were informed.

This would not be the end of the ordeal, however, as AA noted that further delays occurred when the plane landed at the Miami International Airport. They even admitted that this was not conveyed to the President and team.

“We own this failure and have taken immediate actions to ensure it does not happen in the future. We have installed a new Regional Manager with oversight for Guyana and there will be changes with-

in our local team. We have implemented a direct line of communication to headquarters, all hubs, and our operations centre, which will ensure that the failures of February 27 are not repeated. Our Government Affairs Manager and local management will provide the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the respective protocol offices with frequent updates should there be a flight delay or any issues in the future,” the airline said in its letter of apology.

“American Airlines is proud to serve Guyana, and we are committed to offering

the best product and service possible, especially when welcoming someone such as His Excellency on board our aircraft. We did not live up to that commitment, and wholeheartedly regret and apologise for the inconvenience caused.”

President Ali is currently participating in the Global Business Forum LATAM in Dubai, which will be attended by several regional leaders, including Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and President of Colombia, Ivan Marquez.

The Global Business Forum LATAM is being held under the Patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The forum is expected to explore how the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) can bolster each other’s economies post-pandemic. (G3)

13 Teen admits to faking Govt removes...

NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM FROM PAGE 7

own kidnapping

A

teenager is in hot water after she admitted to faking her own kidnapping on Monday.

Reports are that the 18-year-old claimed that she was abducted about 13:00h at Jimbo Bridge, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) by persons unknown.

Police in a statement on Wednesday evening said that the teen, who was eventually found at the Kitty seawall, was interviewed at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown by investigators.

During her interview with Police,

the teen said she has been suffering with depression for about five years now and on several occasions inflicted wounds on her body.

Detailing the plan to fake her kidnapping, the teen told investigators that on Monday about 08:00h she contacted one of her friends via cellphone and asked her for a place to stay for a few days “to cool her head”. She said that she told her friend that she was feeling flustered and was drifting further into depression.

According to the teen about 10:00h, she left her home to conduct business for a relative after which she met with

her friend on Main Street, Georgetown who gave her the keys to the house on the EBD and also informed her that a taxi would be waiting on her.

She then proceeded to her friend’s house at Jimbo Bridge, Grove. She stated that while in the house she was feeling mentally and physically tired, so she inflicted injuries on her stomach, legs, arms, and back with her fingernails.

In her statement to the Police, the teen said that on Tuesday, she took a pair of scissors and cut off her hair, and scratched her face because she was feeling the same way. Asked about burn marks visible on her skin, the teen said that she had inflicted those on herself on Sunday with a metal comb.

She told investigators that about 16:45h on Tuesday, she left the house, joined a taxi that was provided to her by her friend, and proceeded to the Kitty seawall, Georgetown in hope that someone would see her and call her parents. She said that it was while at the seawall she decided that she would tell her parents that she had been kidnapped.

Police said that the teen further stated that while on the seawall she saw someone from her church, who called her parents and took her over to Brickdam Police Station. At the station, she told ranks who interviewed her that she had been kidnapped and a probe was launched.

“Well, the announcement was made today [Wednesday], so we would expect that as early as possible [it be implemented]… You know, sometimes gas stations stock up on fuel, so we’re not sure how early some stations will do it, but I know GUYOIL will obviously have to comply, so we’re hoping as early as [today] if it’s possible to see that reduction [in prices at the pump stations]. And I’m sure some of the private operators will follow because of the competition,” he contended.

According to the Natural Resources Minister, Government would continue to look at ways to help cushion the impact of the rising global prices on the local population and economy.

Help to cushion

Meanwhile, following Wednesday’s announcement of the removal of the excise tax on petrol, the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) has urged the relevant state agencies to ensure this benefit is passed on to consumers.

“The Government’s action to reduce the excise tax on gasoline and diesel to zero is most welcome by GOGEC. This action would help to cushion the impact

of the rising cost of fuel at the pump, and will benefit all Guyanese, especially the poor and vulnerable. GOGEC urges the relevant agencies to ensure that this reduction is passed on to the public,” the Chamber’s President, Manniram Prashad, has said.

It was only last week that two other major Private Sector bodies – the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) – called for the removal of the excise tax altogether as a means of helping the population navigate these challenging times.

The prices of a wide range of commodities have significantly increased. Among them are fuel and flour, with the National Milling Company of Guyana Inc (NAMILCO) announcing a hike of 15 per cent on the price of fuel with immediate effect.

Despite the Government this year further lowering the excise tax rate on gasoline and diesel from 20 per cent to 10 per cent – which should have resulted in major savings at the pump – recent global events have sent the prices up, with gas now retailing as high as $246 per litre locally. (G8)

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 24,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US$1.6M upgraded Shell Service Station at McDoom commissioned …EBD transitioning into oil capital of Guyana – Minister Bharrat

S

ol Guyana has upgraded its Shell Service Station at McDoom, Greater Georgetown into a state-of-the-art facility, and according to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, this goes along with the development of the East Bank Demerara corridor as the oil capital of the country.

The updated Shell Service Station, which was done to the tune of US$1.6 million, now includes four spacious pump stations along with a walk-in convenient store.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Wednesday, Minister Bharrat posited that these upgrades of the facility go along with the Guyana Government’s vision to transform the country.

According to Minister Bharrat, the East Bank

Demerara corridor plays an important role in this transition.

“East Bank Demerara is establishing itself very quietly as the oil and gas capital, or the corridor of Guyana.”

This, the Natural Resources Minister stated, is evident in the fact that a number of companies operating in the oil and gas sector have established offices and on-shore operations along the East Bank, including Schlumberger Guyana, Guyana Shore Base Inc, Champion X and Baker Hughes Guyana, among others, including Sol. “Today, adding this new [upgraded] facility to the landscape of the East Bank is indeed keeping with our development trajectory as we move forward as a country and as a people,” he said.

While noting that the

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat joined officials of Sol Guyana to commission the newlyupgraded Shell Service Station at McDoom on Wednesday

Guyana Government welcomes such investments into the local economy and development of the country, the Natural Resources Minister took the opportunity to clarify that the recently established Local Content

legislation is not geared towards blocking foreign investments, as is perceived by some investors.

“I met with a few foreign companies earlier today, and a few of them were of the perception that they may not be able to invest in Guyana, or that they may not be able to operate in Guyana…

[I told them] that, as a Government, we are open to business and that the Local Content Legislation was in no way intended, and will never be intended, to stop investments coming into the country. The Local Content legislation was implemented to ensure that Guyanese benefit from the oil and gas sector.”

In fact, Minister Bharrat stressed, “As a Government and as a people, we welcome foreign investments.

We welcome investments in our country which obviously generate jobs for our local people, transfer of skills and technology, cheaper goods and services and, of course, you pay taxes to the Government. So, the Local Content legislation was in no way designed to hinder or prohibit foreign investments from coming into Guyana.”

Meanwhile, Sol

Guyana General Manager Earl Carribon has said the US$1.6 million upgrades which were completed on time in less than a year, and within budget despite several challenges and setbacks caused by weather and other factors - is one of a series of projects to be undertaken by the company in keeping with its growth strategy in Guyana.

“These investments are investments that would essentially be required to enable us to continue to grow in Guyana, and grow as Guyana grows; and enables Sol to continue to deliver exceptional energy solutions and exceptional customer service to our loyal customers,” the General Manager has said.

Also there at Wednesday’s commissioning ceremony was Sol’s Regional Manager for Guyana and Suriname, Mark Goede, who emphasised Sol’s commitment to contribute to the country’s economic growth and serving customers here.

“We will continue to invest in modern gas stations like Shell McDoom to continue to offer our quality products with the latest technical developments

for convenience and safety for people and the environment,” the Regional Manager has asserted.

Meanwhile, other company officials also attended the commissioning, as well as representatives from the McDoom/Agricola area, who also lauded the company for its contributions towards the development of the community’s landscape.

Only last month, Sol Guyana commissioned a new jetty along the Demerara River at the Rome Terminal in Agricola, Greater Georgetown, where Carribon disclosed that the company plans to invest some US$13.8 million in local projects this year, and a further US$50 million over the next five years.

In fact, the General Manager highlighted some of the previous projects that the company has completed over the years, as well as new developments that are underway that would benefit both customers in the oil and gas and non-oil and gas sectors.

“There are many other investments that we have undertaken or are undertaking…we completed the fuel line from our Rome Terminal to the GYSBI fuel farm to allow for additional fuel berths for offshore vessels,” he noted.

“We have commenced constructing of a new 55k barrel diesel tank here at Rome to better serve our customers both in the oil and gas and non-oil and gas sectors. We are expanding our LPG storage to better meet the expanding demand for LPG/cooking gas,” Carribon added.

The General Manager also noted, “We have broken ground on the Mandela Avenue Service Station, which will be completed by the end of the year.”

Electrician dies after crashing into canter

A

31-year-old man is now dead after the motorcycle he was riding crashed into a canter at the junction of Main and Kent Streets, New Amsterdam at around 22:00h on Tuesday.

Dead is Joshua Inshanally Ramdeen of Overwinning, Greater New Amsterdam, who had worked as an electrician at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.

Eyewitnesses recalled hearing a loud impact, and, upon investigating, observed Ramdeen and a pillion rider lying on the roadway, with the motorcycle being badly damaged.

According to information reaching this publication, the canter’s driver failed to stop and render assistance.

However, this publication understands that the driver had instead visited the Central Police Station, where he reported the matter.

Dead: Joshua Inshanally Ramdeen

Regional Commander Boodnarine Persaud, when contacted, said he has no knowledge of the accident, which occurred in his division. Up to press time, Police

Headquarters also had not released any information on the fatal crash.

This publication understands that both vehicles were travelling at a normal rate of speed when the motorcycle suddenly swerved into the path of the canter.

A breathalyzer test conducted on the driver of the canter has revealed that the level of alcohol in his breath was above the legal limit. A notice of intended prosecution has since been served on the driver.

Reports are that Ramdeen and the pillion rider were taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Ramdeen died on Wednesday while receiving medical attention.

The condition of the pillion rider is unknown at this time.

NEWS

15

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese doctors to get int’l experience to strengthen health sector T

hrough an agreement with the nonprofit organisation Northwell Health, Guyanese doctors would get opportunity to gain international experience and then return to the country and use their newfound knowledge and skills to strengthen the local healthcare sector.

During a recent interview, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony explained that the Guyana Government is currently partnering with several countries and organisations to strengthen the local health sector.

He said the most recent engagement was with a delegation from Mount Sinai just two weeks ago, and the two sides had constructive talks.

“That collaboration is an ongoing one, and they will be helping us with some very specific interventions in the health sector. We also have a partnership with the hospital chain Northwell from the state of New York, and we have signed an agreement with Northwell that allows us to do a number of things. “…they will be able to send doctors to Guyana to work in Guyana, while we

will be able to send some of our doctors over to the US so that they can participate in observerships”, he explained.

Northwell Health is a nonprofit integrated healthcare network that is New York State’s largest healthcare provider and private employer, with more than 74,000 employees in 2020.

Meanwhile, the Health Minister noted that the initiative would help both partners to share experiences and new techniques that are available within medicine.

“For Northwell, they have established what they call a global centre here, and so they will be working closely with us in different areas, to help us to develop the health system here,” he explained.

Dr Anthony has also said the international doctors would not be stationed only at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, but would be posted at regional hospitals as well.

“They were here a few weeks ago, and they have persons from Northwell who are still in Guyana and are on a more longer-term basis. So, we will be having these short-term visits, but we will have physicians and

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD MARCH 23, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

104

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

1

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

12

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,105

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,103

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

63,208

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

61,865

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

O

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

2518

REGION 2

2490

REGION 3

8045

REGION 4

31,250

REGION 5

2378

REGION 6

5739

REGION 7

2422

REGION 8

887

REGION 9

4013

REGION 10

3466

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

437,304 335,181

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

1226

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.

Residents of one of the communities along Mahaicony Creek with Massy Distribution Representative Vinode Persaud

Stuart, representatives of Massy Distribution, were able to access areas stretching from Governor’s Light to First Savannah, passing through communities such as Johanna Creek, Bora Bora, Yarrow Creek, Mora Point, Pine Ground, Gordon Table, and Macuba.

A total of 110 cases of 500ml bottles of Blue Water were distributed to the residents within those areas.

World Water Day 2022 was observed under the

12

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

90 households along Mahaicony Creek receive water donation from Massy

n the heels of World Water Day 2022, Massy Distributions (Guyana) visited the Mahaicony Creek area of Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), where approximately 90 households benefited from a Blue Water distribution exercise.

Chairman of the Mahaica/ Mahaicony/Abary/ Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), Mohamed Rafeeoodeen, and Vinode Persaud and Colin

6

theme: Groundwater, making the invisible visible.

According to the United Nations (UN), World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis.

The UN has said that a core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

other specialists who would stay on for a longer period… as long as three months or six months,” he said.

“They will also be working in specific departments, giving us advice and guiding us and so forth”, he said.

The Government is also partnering with Harvard University in the United States of America to conduct a study on malaria.

Only recently, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, announced that Guyana’s health sector would see a $73B injection for 2022.

This is a part of the Government’s drive to build a modern, world-class healthcare system in Guyana.

The intention, according to the Minister, is not only to ensure the country’s health system meets the needs of Guyanese, but also to transform health into an export service through medical tourism.

COVID-19 update

On that note, the country continues to see a decline in the numbers of COVID-19 cases.

As at Wednesday, Guyana recorded six new cases of the novel coronavirus, taking the total positives detected to date to 53,208.

There is one person in the ICU, 12 in institutional isolation, 104 in home isolation, and 14 in institutional quarantine.

Recoveries stand at 61,865, while the death toll remains at 1,226. (G9)

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

High Court orders GEA to Police seek public’s help to reinstate AFI’s fuel licence ID body found in Region 6

H

igh Court Judge Franklin Holder has ordered the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) to reinstate Atlantic Fuel Inc’s (AFI) licence to import and trade fuel, on finding that the State agency acted unlawfully in cancelling the permit.

This is according to the company’s lawyer Siand Dhurjon, who informed that the ruling was handed down on Tuesday. Former Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) CEO Dr Richard Van WestCharles was the company’s director at the time.

Dhurjon said Justice Holder ruled that the State agency had usurped its powers and acted unlawfully in cancelling AFI’s fuel licence.

On May 12, 2021, AFI filed a lawsuit against the GEA and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mahender Sharma. The suit had sought, among other things, an order of certiorari to quash the decision of the GEA to cancel the licence, and an order of mandamus commanding the GEA to take all steps necessary to reinstate the AFI import/ wholesale licence on the basis that the cancellation was a nullity in law, arbitrary, ultra vires, unreasonable,

irrational, unfair, an abuse of power, based upon no evidence, unconstitutional, oppressive, disproportionate, whimsical, capricious and malicious.

Dhurjon said that Sharma, in an affidavit, deposed that the licence was cancelled on the ground that AFI had committed crimes under regulation 70 of the Petroleum Regulations Act 2014 when it submitted false information to GEA. The GEA CEO, according to the AFI lawyer, submitted that an invoice bearing an incorrect supplier to the GEA had triggered an investigation, the seizure of the company’s fuel, and the cancellation of its fuel import licence.

“However, Justice Holder found that Mr Sharma’s cancellation ‘ran afoul’ of the laws and regulations, and that Mr Sharma did not have the powers of a court to determine that AFI was guilty of breaching Regulation 70 when the summary courts were exclusively statutorily designated to do so under law,” Dhurjon has said.

He said Justice Holder held that any state agency or statutory body ought to act within the powers given by Parliament. He said, “Their role should not be

usurped”. The lawyer added, “At all times, AFI strongly denied that it had any role in creating the false invoice, or any knowledge of the falsity of the invoice.”

He said the cancellation of the company’s fuel licence had effectively shut down its business of importing, trading, and reselling fuel, and had placed it and its employees on the verge of financial ruination.

Dhurjon added that AFI was forced to fire employees, move offices, and borrow money to stay afloat as a result of GEA’s illegal actions.

The lawyer noted that this is the second successful lawsuit against a state agency carried out by AFI. He recalled that on March 15, 2021, Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, had ordered that over 600,000 litres of diesel fuel which were seized and detained jointly by the GEA and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) be released to the company. The Chief Justice had ordered that over $15M in storage fees be paid by the GRA and GEA to AFI, he said.

In an invited comment, Dhurjon remarked that justice has been served, and added that he hopes GEA “will follow its mandate according to law in future”. (G1)

T

he Guyana Police Force is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the body of a male which was found in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

The body is that of a man of African ancestry and is presently at the New Amsterdam Hospital Mortuary awaiting identification and post-mortem examination.

Anyone with information that may lead to the identification of the deceased is asked to contact the Police on 333-2151, 600-9545 or 225-8196. The GPF thanks the public in anticipation of its usual support.

More than a week ago, the body of a female was found on the foreshore be-

The body of a male that was found in Region Six

hind the Marriott Hotel at Kingston, Georgetown.

She was later identified as the Information Technology (IT) Manager

at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital, 57-year-old Jennifer Sweetnam of Lot 8 Barima Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown.

The woman’s body washed ashore last Thursday and was found face down on the beach. A passer-by discovered the body, and the Police were subsequently alerted.

Sweetnam was reported missing by her family and friends after they had learnt that she did not show up for work last Thursday. A search party was launched, but it had proved futile. She was found a day later.

A post-mortem examination was done on her body, and it gave her cause of death as drowning.

China finds 1st black box from crashed jet

C

hinese emergency workers found on Wednesday one of two black boxes from a China Eastern Airlines plane that crashed with 132 people onboard, but US efforts to join the investigation are on hold because of COVID-19 quarantine rules.

The black box device recovered is the plane's cockpit voice recorder, based on an early assessment, a Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) official told a media briefing, adding that the recording material appeared to have survived impact in relatively good shape.

Flight MU5735 was en route from the southwestern city of Kunming to

An aerial view shows scorched land at the site where a China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 plane, flight MU5735, crashed in Wuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, in this still image taken from drone footage March 23, 2022

Guangzhou on the coast on Monday when the Boeing

Rescuers search for the black boxes at the plane crash site in Tengxian county of Wuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, March 22, 2022

737-800 jet suddenly plunged from cruising altitude at about the time when it should have started its descent before landing.

The cause of the crash has yet to be determined.

Most of the jet appears to have disintegrated upon impact, although some debris and human remains have been found.

"An initial inspection showed that the exterior of the recorder has been severely damaged, but the storage units, while also damaged to some extent, are relatively complete," CAAC official Zhu Tao said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

NEWS

17

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US formally accuses Russia of war crimes in Ukraine T

he US has formally accused Russian forces of committing war crimes in Ukraine and said it would pursue accountability “using every tool available”.

The announcement came as Joe Biden left for a trip to Europe to bolster western unity in the face of an increasingly brutal invasion. The secretary of state, Antony Blinken, said that the US had come to its conclusion using both public and intelligence sources.

“Today, I can announce that, based on information currently available, the US government assesses that members of Russia’s forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine,” Blinken said.

“As with any alleged crime, a court of law with jurisdiction over the crime is ultimately responsible for determining criminal guilt in specific cases,” he added, saying the US would continue its efforts to gather evidence and share it with international institutions.

“We are committed to pursuing accountability using every tool available, including criminal prosecutions,” Blinken said.

The announcement follows a week after Joe Biden’s off-the-cuff remark that he considered Vladimir Putin

Bodies are buried in a mass grave on the outskirts of Mariupol, Ukraine (Photograph: Evgeniy Maloletka)

a war criminal, triggering an official protest from the Kremlin, which warned that the comment could cause a breach in bilateral relations.

Asked if the state department designation applied specifically to Putin, Beth Van Schaack, the newly confirmed ambassador at large for global criminal justice, said it would be up to the courts to decide that.

But she added: “There are doctrines under international law and domestic law that are able to reach all the way up the chain of command.”

The state department

did not give details of specific attacks and incidents it considered to amount to war crimes. In his statement, Blinken said: “We’ve seen numerous credible reports of indiscriminate attacks and attacks deliberately targeting civilians, as well as other atrocities. Russia’s forces have destroyed apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure, civilian vehicles, shopping centers, and ambulances, leaving thousands of innocent civilians killed or wounded.

“Many of the sites Russia’s forces have hit have

been clearly identifiable as in-use by civilians,” he said, and pointed to the example of the shelling of Mariupol’s maternity hospital.

Van Schaack said the Mariupol hospital shelling “appears to have been a direct attack upon a civilian object”.

She said she would support making US evidence public, whenever possible.

“I think it’s important to do that,” she said. “Obviously, we have to do a full assessment of the information that’s available to us and make sure that it doesn’t

compromise any means and methods of collection. But I think keeping the world apprised of what’s happening on the ground in Ukraine is extremely important.”

The Ukrainian government and some public figures, including the former UK prime minister Gordon Brown, have called for the creation of a special tribunal on Ukraine specifically to try the Kremlin leadership for launching a war of aggression. Van Schaack was noncommittal on the issue but said “there are some options for accountability even absent a dedicated tribunal”.

“We’re considering all the various options,” she said, pointing to the possibility that cases could be heard by Ukrainian courts, courts in neighbouring countries and the international criminal court (ICC) in The Hague.

The US is not a party to the ICC and has opposed its investigations into crimes committed in Afghanistan and in the Palestinian occupied territories, but it has said it would help the court collect evidence on Ukraine.

The ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, has launched an investigation into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity, and there are a range of other

initiatives aimed at gathering evidence by interviewing refugees after they cross the border and through the forensic examination of the huge volume of video footage uploaded on social media. War crimes experts have said that as the invasion has stalled, and the Russian military has resorted to increasingly desperate means and more unguided munitions, it has become more straightforward to provide evidence for war crimes cases.

It is often hard to pursue accountability from the perpetrators on the ground up through the chain of command to political leadership, but in this case, experts say, the public statements by Putin and his senior officials and the Russian president’s tight control over the campaign would help future prosecutors.

The UN’s international court of justice (ICJ) has already given a provisional ruling, ordering the invasion to halt, as it had seen no evidence to support Moscow’s claim, used to justify the attack, that Ukrainian government forces had been committing “genocide” against Russian speakers in the east of the country. (The Guardian)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

Regional

Jamaican PM tells British Nicaraguan Ambassador to OAS turns on Ortega, denounces “dictatorship” royals island nation wants to be independent N

J

amaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Wednesday told Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate that his country wants to be “independent” and to address “unresolved” issues, a day after protesters called on the United Kingdom to pay reparations for slavery.

The royal couple arrived in Jamaica on Tuesday as part of a week-long tour of former British Caribbean colonies that coincides with Queen Elizabeth’s 70 years on the throne, but have faced public questioning of the British Empire’s legacy.

Their trip comes after Barbados became a republic nearly four months ago by removing the Queen as the sovereign Head of State, a move Jamaica has begun to study and other former British colonies may also pursue.

“There are issues here which as you would know are unresolved,” Holness said during a photo opportunity with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

“But Jamaica is as you would see a country that is very proud ... and we’re moving on. And we intend ... to

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness presents Britain’s Prince William with a bottle of Appleton Estate Ruby during a meeting at his office, on day five of the Platinum Jubilee Royal Tour of the Caribbean, in Kingston, Jamaica, March 23, 2022

fulfil our true ambition of being an independent, fully developed and prosperous country.”

Dozens of people gathered on Tuesday outside the British High Commission in Kingston, singing traditional Rastafarian songs and holding banners with the phrase “seh yuh sorry” – a local patois phrase that urged Britain to apologise.

Jamaican officials have said the Government is studying the process of reforming the constitution to become a republic. Experts

say the process could take years and would require a referendum.

Barbados was able to become a republic relatively quickly, because its Constitution only requires a decision by Parliament.

Jamaica’s Government last year said it will ask Britain for compensation for forcibly transporting an estimated 600,000 Africans to work on sugar cane and banana plantations that created fortunes for British slave holders. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuba says fuel shortages due to spike in demand, troubles at power plant

C

uba’s Government said on Wednesday a spike in demand for fuel, caused in part by the failure of the country’s largest power plant last week, had led to fuel shortfalls at service stations nationwide, prompting hours-long queues for gasoline.

Lines of cars, buses, trucks and motorcycles as long as a kilometre formed at gas stations in Cuba’s capital this week, piling fresh frustration atop a biting economic crisis that has already left food and medicine in short supply across the island. rea more Ruling Communist Party newspaper Granma said Cupet, the national fuel distributor, had been forced to deliver more gas and diesel recently to service stations as well as the country’s backup system of smaller generation

C

“Denouncing the dictatorship of my country is not easy,” he said. “But to continue remaining silent and defending the indefensible, is impossible.”

McFields, a television Journalist who took on his role as OAS Ambassador in November, also said he had resigned from the post.

The Government, which has long argued that opponents of Ortega have been attempting to oust him with foreign support, dismissed McFields’ remarks, saying he did not represent the Government and that his declarations were “not valid”.

The Administration said Nicaragua’s Ambassador to Washington, Francisco Campbell, was now the OAS representative.

McFields also pointed to the closures of Non-Governmental Organisations and curbs on the media, and said elections in the Central American country were “not credible”.

His comments came the same week that a Judge sentenced former presidential candidate Cristiana Chamorro to eight years detention for financial crimes, in a case the Opposition said was politically motivated.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Mottley calls for trade equity for small States

P

rime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has called on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to address inequities in the world trading system that disadvantage small-island developing states such as Barbados.

Delivering the inaugural lecture in a WTO series in Geneva on Thursday, she said there must be “a strong representative voice that monitors and values the impact of the action of the larger States on international trade and a voice that is prepared to speak up in defence of the international trade system”.

In the lecture entitled “Reinventing the Global Order” which she dedicated to the late Barbadian engineer Dr Hugh Sealy, the Prime Minister again made a case for a more equitable deal for countries such as Barbados and called on the WTO to establish a high-level committee to investigate whether the war

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley

on money laundering, the war on tax evasion, the climate crisis and any other such “campaigns” by the larger WTO member countries had not “inadvertently become a war on developing country exporters or a war on small island state exporters”.

“The global order is not working,” Mottley charged, adding that greed continued to motivate too many.

“That we are more concerned with generating profits than saving people

is perhaps the greatest condemnation that can be made of our people globally.

“We continue to have a world that is segregated regrettably, between those whose came first, in whose image the global order is now set. Regrettably, we are seeing a global order in which we live, that is simply the embalming of the old colonial order that existed at the time of the establishment of these institutions.”

(Excerpt from Nation News)

PM eyes full reopening of T&T

plants called into action after the Antonio Guiteras power plant broke down last week.

“The distribution of diesel and gasoline to service centres in the country has been affected in recent days due, among other causes, to an increase in demand,” reported Granma.

The Antonio Guiteras plant came back online Tuesday.

Cupet said it continued

to make “enormous efforts to guarantee the usual supply (of fuel) to the economy and the population”, according to the Granma report.

On Wednesday in Havana, long lines at service stations once again formed early throughout the city.

Tourists driving rental cars were given preferred access to two service stations in the capital, according to local media. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Credit Suisse flags potential hit from Bermuda court ruling redit Suisse Group said on Wednesday that a court in Bermuda was poised to issue a ruling against a local life insurance subsidiary of the Swiss bank that could potentially be worth more than US$500 million.

The bank has been fighting claims by people

i c a r a g u a ’ s Ambassador to the Organisation of American States (OAS) on Wednesday condemned the Government of President Daniel Ortega, accusing it of repressing the political Opposition, human rights abuses, and cracking down on freedom of speech.

Ambassador Arturo McFields said in a video address posted on Twitter by the OAS that he was speaking up on behalf of scores of political prisoners and over 300 people who have died in the country since protests broke out against Ortega in 2018.

seeking compensation for losses caused by former Credit Suisse client adviser Patrice Lescaudron, who was convicted by a Geneva court in 2018 for defrauding customers.

Credit Suisse argued that Lescaudron hid his activity from the bank.

“Credit Suisse has pre-

viously taken reserves against this matter and intends to pursue all available legal actions,” it said in a statement.

It would consider whether further reserves were required as part of first-quarter results due on April 27, 2022. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T

rinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley says in the coming days, he will meet with Health Ministry officials to discuss the full reopening of T&T’s operations, as there has been no-post Carnival spike in COVID-19 cases.

Speaking at a People’s National Movement (PNM) virtual public meeting in San Fernando Tuesday night, the Prime Minister said he has kept a close eye on the number of COVID cases reported since the Taste of Carnival events.

“And I will be minded to tell the country that I see no reason now not to open the country completely,” Dr Rowley said.

“So within the next few days, I will meet with our health team and we will take decisions commiserate with the circumstances in Trinidad and Tobago and compare it to what is happening elsewhere,” he added.

Former Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat (second from right) raises his hand in acknowledgement of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley thanking him for his service during the PNM’s meeting in San Fernando on Tuesday night

However, Dr Rowley said T&T must be cautious, as he said a number of countries have reported massive outbreaks of the virus in recent weeks.

“We have to be mindful, but we can be a whole lot more operational, our economy has come through a very difficult period, but we expect there will be some growth in our economy, those who are requiring Government as-

sistance will get that assistance, those who can help themselves will be encouraged so to do, and we will strengthen our position going forward,” he said.

He urged citizens to ignore any detractors or those with “cocoa in the sun”, saying the country must be grateful for the success that has been coming its way.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil climbs 5% after Russia warns of prolonged pipeline outage

O

il prices rose sharply Wednesday after Russia warned a major oil pipeline could be out of service for more than a month due to storm damage, amplifying supply shortfalls caused by the war in Ukraine.

News of the outage helped drive US oil prices 5.2 per cent higher to settle at US$114.93 a barrel. Brent crude, the world benchmark, jumped 5.3 per cent to US$121.60 a barrel.

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium, a system that carries oil from West Kazakhstan and Russian oil producers to the Black Sea, said in a statement Tuesday that an inspection revealed damage to a marine terminal. The group said some operations are being temporarily suspended to make repairs.

A Russian energy official, quoted by Russian State news agency TASS, said Tuesday that the repair of the marine terminal near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk could take six weeks to two months and may shrink oil exports by about one million barrels per day.

"This is a rather serious timeframe," Pavel Sorokin, Russia's Deputy Energy Minister, was quoted as saying by TASS. He added that a heavy storm damaged at least one of the three oil loading facilities and assessments are ongoing.

The Russian Government and Chevron own stakes in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which carries oil out of landlocked Kazakhstan.

In a statement, Chevron said it was "currently assessing the situation" and directed further inquiries to the pipeline consortium.

"This is quite a significant supply shock," said Ryan Fitzmaurice, energy strategist at Rabobank.

The Caspian outage is adding to concerns about oil supplies from the region following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and sanctions on Moscow by the West. Those penalties have made energy, shipping and financial industries nervous about handling Russian barrels.

"It's becoming increasingly bullish on the supply side — dangerously so," Fitzmaurice said.

Energy markets are on edge. Brent crude oil has surged 24 per cent since closing at US$98.02 a barrel on March 16, though it remains shy of the recent peak of nearly US$139 a barrel set earlier this month.

The disruption comes as Russia's economy is in severe turmoil and the invasion of Ukraine is making little progress.

Analysts have previously warned that Russia could weaponise oil by intentionally holding back supplies in a bid to punish the West.

"The timing is interesting, to say the least," said Fitzmaurice. (Excerpt from CNN)

Afghanistan girls in tears over chaotic Taliban schools U-turn

E

arly this morning, at her home on a hilltop in the west of Kabul, 15-year-old Marzia packed her bag for school, for the first time since the Taliban took power last August.

"I became so, so happy when I heard school was restarting," she told the BBC. "It makes me hopeful about the future again."

Around 200 other girls had also made their way to the Sayed ul Shuhada school, far fewer than usual, as pupils and their families debated whether or not lessons would actually start and whether it would be safe for them to attend.

Since August, in most of Afghanistan, only girls' primary schools have remained open, along with all boys' schools.

Today as a new academic year began, girls' secondary schools were finally expected to re-open along with other institutes.

It felt a particularly poignant moment for students here. Last year more than 90 of their classmates and school staff were killed in an attack by the local affiliate of the Islamic State group.

As they entered the classrooms, the students wiped the dust off the desks, but already some of the teachers were murmuring that, unexpectedly, the school would have to shut down again.

The local Taliban education official forwarded the headteacher a WhatsApp message, saying girls' secondary schools would in fact remain closed until further notice. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Biden arrives in Europe for Ukraine war summits, NATO to bolster eastern flank

R

ussian forces bombed areas of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Wednesday and US President Joe Biden arrived in Brussels for a series of summit meetings on the war while NATO's chief said the alliance was bolstering battle groups in Eastern Europe.

NATO, G7, and EU summits will today discuss the conflict, which began on February 24 and has caused more than 3.6 million refugees to flee the country and already led to the unprecedented isolation of Russia's economy.

Responding to a slew of sanctions that have already frozen assets and hit individuals and firms, President Vladimir Putin said Moscow planned to switch gas sales made to "unfriendly" countries to roubles, alarming international markets.

Biden's visit could also shine light on a dispute with European allies, some of whom are heavily reliant on Russian oil and gas, over whether to impose further energy sanctions.

The issue has been a

Children rest inside an evacuee bus after they fled from Mariupol, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, March 22, 2022

"substantial" topic and the subject of "intense back and forth" in recent days, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.

The US plans to announce more sanctions on political figures and oligarchs, he said.

Biden will start his visit by meeting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who on Wednesday said the alliance would boost its forces in Eastern Europe by deploying four new battle groups – in Bulgaria,

Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. "I expect leaders will agree to strengthen NATO's posture in all domains," he said.

Moscow calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation” that it says is not designed to occupy territory, but to destroy its southern neighbour's military capabilities.

The West says this a baseless pretext for an unprovoked war.

And in a sign of disquiet at home, a veteran aide to Putin, Anatoly Chubais, re-

signed over the war and has left Russia with no intention to return, two sources said. He becomes the first senior official to break with the Kremlin since the incursion.

Although the Kremlin says its operation is going to plan, Russian forces have taken heavy losses, got stuck on most fronts and face supply problems. They have turned to siege tactics and bombardments, causing huge destruction and many civilian deaths.

Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, told reporters on Wednesday that 264 civilians in the city had been killed by Russian attacks.

He later said that one person was killed and two wounded on Wednesday when shells hit a shopping centre parking lot in a northern part of Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday night called on people all over the world to take to the streets today, four weeks since Russia invaded, to demand an end to the war. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Madeleine Albright: 1st female Russia's Putin gets Chinese US Secretary of State dies backing to stay in G20

M

Madeleine Albright

adeleine Albright, a Czech immigrant who went on to become the first female Secretary of State in US history, has died aged 84.

A long-time foreign policy veteran, Albright became America's top diplomat in 1997 during the Clinton Government.

Often hailed as "a champion of democracy", Albright was instrumental in efforts to end ethnic cleansing in Kosovo.

Her death from cancer was confirmed by her family in a statement.

"She was surrounded by family and friends," the statement said. "We lost a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend".

Among those to pay tribute to her after the announcement of her death were former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, who later followed in her footsteps as Secretary of State.

"Few leaders have been

so perfectly suited for the times in which they served," the Clintons said.

"Because she knew firsthand that America's policy decisions had the power to make a difference in people's lives around the world, she saw her jobs as both an obligation and an opportunity."

NATO's current Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said after the announcement that Albright "was a force for freedom" and an "outspoken champion of NATO".

Former US President George W Bush said that Albright "understood firsthand the importance of free societies for peace in our world".

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss tweeted that the world "needs to stand by" Albright's values "more than ever".

Born Marie Jana Korbelova in Prague in 1937 – in what was then Czechoslovakia – Albright was the daughter of a Czechoslovak diplomat who was forced into exile after the occupation of his country by Nazi Germany in 1939.

She moved to the United States in 1948, the same year her family applied for political asylum, arguing that they were unable to return home as opponents of their country's communist regime. She became a US citizen in 1957. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a concert marking the eighth anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, March 18, 2022 (RIA Novosti Host Photo Agency/Alexander Vilf via Reuters/file photo)

R

ussian President Vladimir Putin plans to attend the next G20 summit in Indonesia later this year and received valuable backing from Beijing on Wednesday in a pushback to suggestions by some members that Russia could be barred from the group.

The United States and its Western allies are assessing whether Russia should remain within the Group of Twenty major economies following its invasion of Ukraine, sources involved in the discussions told Reuters.

But any move to exclude Russia would probably be vetoed by others in the group, raising the prospect of some countries instead skipping G20 meetings, the sources said. red more Russia's Ambassador to Indonesia, which currently holds the rotating G20 chair, said Putin intended to travel to the Indonesian

resort island of Bali for the G20 summit in November.

"It will depend on many, many things, including the COVID situation, which is getting better. So far, his intention is... he wants to," Ambassador Lyudmila Vorobieva told a news conference.

Asked about suggestions Russia could be kicked out of the G20, she said it was a forum to discuss economic issues and not a crisis like Ukraine.

"Of course expulsion of Russia from this kind of forum will not help these economic problems to be resolved. On the contrary, without Russia it would be difficult to do so."

China, which has not condemned Russia's invasion and criticised Western sanctions, defended Moscow on Wednesday, calling Russia an "important member" of the G20. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

(March 21-April 19)

Take a trip down memory lane before you jump into something that has blurred your vision. Look at the odds and consider how much you want something before you become entangled in a dodgy situation.

Assess situations. Don’t let your emotions dictate what you do next.

Think matters through and strive to do what’s best for everyone. Don’t rely on uncertain or unpredictable people.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

False impressions will be rampant.

Get the facts before you make a move that can affect your position or reputation. Be aware of regulations and contracts that need to be addressed.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Be careful how you interpret someone’s words or gestures. Look out for your interests and your physical and emotional well-being. Choose your associates wisely. Don’t agree to something unless you’re all in.

An unexpected situation will push you to rethink your strategy. Get out and observe what’s happening, and you’ll get a hint of how to use your skills to get ahead. Take charge of your life.

More action and less complaining will be necessary. Look over your financial or contractual position and implement an adjustment before it’s too late. Stay ahead of the competition.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Showcase what you have to offer.

Networking and setting up meetings will require finesse if you plan to attract attention. Leave nothing to chance; preparation and presentation will be critical.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Consider what’s required to make a desired change. Refuse to let anyone outmaneuver you. Recognize who your friends are, and distance yourself from anyone who is unpredictable.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Learn from experience and trust only firsthand information. Pay attention to detail and how you present yourself.

Your actions will show how reliable you are.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Don’t spread unverified information. A money matter will have emotional implications if you offer a false impression. An unexpected change someone makes will turn out to be beneficial.

Seek out those who have helpful experience. Don’t rely on big talkers or someone who has an emotional hold on you. Put your energy into the projects you enjoy and do well.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Listen to what others say. Find out the rules and regulations before you decide to get involved in something that can affect your position or status.

Take the safe route.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

21

MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Ranking…

Brathwaite advances, Holder drops to number 2 all-rounder

Jason Holder

W

est Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite has gained sixteen spots in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Ranking, moving up to No 27 after scoring 160 and 56* in the

second Test against England in Barbados.

In the all-rounders' chart, Jason Holder has dropped down to No 2, after struggling during the second Test in Barbados.

Holder picked up only one wicket, and aggregated 12 runs in the match.

The latest update in the MRF Tyres ICC Men's Test Player Rankings for batting is headlined by Babar Azam, who has made massive gains after a stunning showing against Australia.

The Pakistan skipper was at his glorious best against Australia during the second Test of the series in Karachi. Batting for almost two days, Babar played a marathon knock of 196 in 425 deliveries as Pakistan

Kraigg Brathwaite

pulled off a sensational draw.

The performance has seen Babar gain three spots, moving up to No 5 in the rankings’ chart.

Other star performers with

the bat from that same match – Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khawaja – have each also taken a massive leap. Rizwan has moved up six spots to be joint

“We’re getting punked!”

– Draymond Green fumes over Warriors’ defeat to Magic

D

raymond Green has said the Golden State Warriors are “playing stupid” after they got “punked” by “one of the worst teams in the league”, the Orlando Magic, on Tuesday.

The Warriors slumped to a third consecutive defeat, going down 94-90 after scoring only 16 points in the final quarter at Amway Center.

Golden State slipped to 47-25, and are third in the Western Conference, with the struggling Magic registering only a 20th win of the season.

Steve Kerr’s Warriors side were once again out of sorts in the absence of the injured Stephen Curry, and Green

pulled no punches with his verdict on their latest loss.

The four-time NBA All-Star said: “I think we’re playing soft, we’re playing stupid; we’re just not playing good b a s ke t b a l l , a n d we’re

getting punked. It’s hard to win a game getting punked. So that’s where we are right now.”

Green added: “In order to execute, that requires a certain level of physicality. We’re not meeting that.

N o

IPL 2022…

Andrew Tye replaces injured Mark Wood at Lucknow Super Giants

T

hree days before the start of IPL 2022, Lucknow Super Giants have brought on board Australia fast bowler Andrew Tye - the IPL 2018 purple cap winner - as a late replacement for the injured England fast bowler Mark Wood.

The 35-year-old Tye has emerged as a specialist death bowler in the BBL for Perth Scorchers. He played a significant part in their title run this season as well, picking up

3 for 15 in the final. Known for his medley of slower balls and yorkers, Tye has picked up 40 wickets in 27 IPL matches at an economy rate of 8.46.

Along with Tye, the Super Giants have IPL 2021’s secondhighest wicket-taker Avesh Khan, Sri Lanka spearhead Dushmantha Chameera, and Ankit Rajpoot as recognised specialist fast bowling options.

They are expected to be backed up by the all-round skills of Jason

Holder, Marcus Stoinis and Kyle Mayers.

Wood was supposed to join the Super Giants after the end of England’s ongoing tour of the West Indies. He has, however, suffered an elbow injury during the course of the first Test, and has been ruled out of action for the foreseeable future.

Super Giants open their IPL campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 28.

(ESPNcricinfo)

disrespect to the Orlando Magic, but that’s one of the worst teams in the league. We can’t match that (physicality) with them. And if you can’t match that with them, you definitely can’t match that going against a great team.”

Head Coach Kerr also gave a frank assessment of Golden State’s shortcomings. He said: “We have to be smarter.

There has to be a level of discipline and accountability, of competitive desire. And I know these are great guys. I love these guys. I know they want to win, but we have to learn how to win. Right now we don’t know how to win.”

(Sportsmax)

No 11, alongside David Warner, after his knock of 104* in the second innings.

Usman Khawaja, who scored 160 and 44* in Karachi, has moved up eleven spots to No 13.

In the bowling charts, Shaheen Afridi has moved down one spot to No 6, after struggling in the Karachi Test, in which he picked up only two wickets in the match. Mitchell Starc, who picked up three scalps in the first innings, has moved up one place to No 15.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins has moved up one spot to No 8, after aggregating three wickets and scoring 34* in the first innings of the Karachi Test.

In the ODI charts, South

African players are the big gainers after their seven-wicket win against Bangladesh in the second match in Johannesburg.

Quinton de Kock, who scored a blistering 41-ball 62, moves up one place to No 3 in the batting charts.

Kagiso Rabada, who picked up his second ODI five-wicket haul, moves up five places to No 8 in the bowling rankings, in which he has broken into the top 10.

There is some good news for Bangladesh though, with Mehidy Hasan gaining four places in the all-rounders' rankings, after a knock of 38 and picking up one wicket in the second ODI. (Taken from the ICC report and modified)

“Something needs to be done,” …Lara saddened by players choosing IPL over Test cricket

West Indian legend Brian Lara

W

ith players choosing to play in the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) over representing their respective countries in Test cricket, West Indies batting legend Brian Lara is urging the International Cricket Council to take the necessary steps to address the vexing issue.

Over the past decade or so, several West Indies players have dropped their ambitions of representing the West Indies at Test cricket for the IPL, where they have earned millions of dollars.

In more recent times, South Africa has been facing similar challenges. Reports indicate that the Proteas could lose all their frontline bowlers for the upcoming Tests against Bangladesh, increasing the prospect of Cricket South Africa fielding a much-weakened team for the series.

The situation has irked Lara, who played 131 Tests for the West Indies, during which he scored 11,953 runs at a healthy average of 52.9. The Trinidadian believes a player’s country should take precedence over all other considerations.

“Playing for the country should come first,” said Lara, who is the strategic advisor and batting coach of the Indian Premier League franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He was speaking during an interview with Sportstar when he also said Test cricket provides chances for players to make a good living.

“Because I played for the West Indies, other opportunities opened up for me. It’s disappointing to see young cricketers leaving Test cricket. The ICC should come up with a rule stating a cricketer must play a certain number of games for his country before he can play in the Twenty20 leagues. Something needs to be done,” he said.

(Sportsmax)

22 Genuine Auto Spares Golf Tourney to tee-off this Saturday THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

T

he Lusignan Golf Club would yet again be hosting the highly-anticipated Genuine Auto Spares golf tournament this Saturday.

The action will commence at 12:30pm, and the format of the game will be medal play over 18 holes.

The first edition of this tournament, hosted on May 15, 2021, had seen Mike Mangal emerging victorious, being able to win best net front nine with a hc 7 net 32 and overall best net – hc 7 gross 74 net 67.

Also recording victories in that tournament were the following persons: Eureka Giddings, best net back nine – hc 31 net 33; second – Jeetindra Dhanpat – hc 8 gross 80 net

Mike Mangal was the winner of the 2021 edition of this tournament

72, and third – Brian Hackett – hc 18 gross 90 net 72. These players will be keen to make their mark in this 2022 edition.

Up for grabs would be prizes from 1st to 4th, overall best net, best net front and back 9, longest drive, and nearest to

pin.

Speaking on behalf of the LGC, President Patanjilee Persaud said, “I’d like to thank Genuine Auto Spares. This is the second year they are sponsoring a golf tournament at the LGC. We’d like them to participate in activities around the club, as we have a very mature and prestigious club, as it is the only golf club in Guyana.

“We are very happy for their sponsorship; they have shown corporate social responsibility by supporting golf at this time.”

Persaud noted that the club is also planning to engage with children and other newcomers to the game. He has invited family members of the sponsors

to come out and enjoy a funfilled day in a safe and friendly environment at the LGC. Presentation of prizes will be done shortly after completion of the game. Players are advised to contact the club to register.

Registration closes at 17:00h (5 pm) on Friday, March 25, 2022. On the day of the tournament, players can uplift LGC President Patanjilee Persaud their scorecards, etc, and proceed to commencement of the game. the allocated tee All COVID-19 protocols box and wait for the blast of the horn, which would signal would be in effect.

Zeeburg Sports Club now affiliate STSC completes under-14 small goal competition of Phoenix Cricket Club of New York …domino competition on Sunday, small goal action first week in April

Sports Organiser Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell

T President of Phoenix CC, Sharma Sookdeo

Yutesh Avi Dhanpaul, Player/Coach/VC of Phoenix CC

he Zeeburg Sports Club of West Demerara in Guyana has, by agreement, become affiliated to the Phoenix Cricket Club of New York in the USA. This agreement of affiliation has been made possible by Avi Dhanpaul, former player/coach of Zeeburg SC, and current

Yutesh Avi Dhanpaul and the late Amrit Rai (Rocky) have also been products of this club. Zeeburg SC is currently The WDCA T20 Champion and the Barakat Brothers T20 Champion, having won both contests back in 2020, before the pandemic.

The first venture will be a donation of 20 uniforms for the

T

player/coach of Phoenix CC, and the President of Phoenix CC, Sharma Sookdeo.

Zeeburg Sports Club is one of the most successful clubs on the West Demerara, producing national youth players such as Andre Seepersaud, Malcom Hubbard, Ronaldo Renee and Kelvin Shewpersaud, to name a few. Senior Demerara players

Zeeburg Club, compliments of Phoenix NY. Zeeburg SC has recently concluded its general election, and Dhanpaul remains President, Robin Manniram is Treasurer, Omar Narine is Assistant Treasurer, Suraj Hiraman is Vice President, Hari Om Narine is Secretary, Club Captain is Ganesh Narine and his Deputy is Mark Jeffers.

Jamaica revises vaccination policy for 2022 CARIFTA Games

A

thletes, coaches and support personnel arriving in Jamaica for next month’s CARIFTA Games will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination. However, in light of the shift in policy, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) is encouraging them to adhere to the accepted safety measures.

“We are pleased to advise that no proof of vaccination for COVID-19 will be required from participants, including athletes, coaches and other support personnel; officials, representatives of the media, volunteers and spectators,” said a statement from the CARIFTA Games LOC on Wednesday.

Notwithstanding the revised

A glimpse of the track action during a previous edition of the games

policy, Chairman of the LOC, Mike Fennell, wants participants to appreciate that the virus has not gone anywhere. "(I) am strongly

recommending and encouraging everyone to continue to practise all the standard safety measures, such as good personal hygiene, wearing of masks, and social

distancing. Please be reminded that the COVID-19 virus is still with us, and due care and attention must be observed by all," Fennell has said.

"We would also like to assure you that we will continue to sanitise all relevant areas at the Athletes Village and the warmup and competition facilities at the National Stadium, and one of our partners for the Games, Konnexx Services, will be undertaking this responsibility as a part of our agreement.

"We remind you to check the current policies for the conditions and protocols required by airlines and those for your own country’s re-entry."

(Sportsmax)

he South Turkeyen Sports Committee (STSC) hosted an under-14, 3-a-side small goal football competition on March 21st at the C Field second block in Sophia. The action saw Team Tyrone Isaacs defeating Team Teon McKenzie 3-1 in the grand finale.

Tyrone Isaacs registered two goals, while Antroa Osborne chipped in with one for the winning team, while Jaquan Osborne was the lone scorer for the losing side.

In the senior segment of the competition Sceon McKenzie defeated John Blair in a penalty shootout, the sudden death goal scorer being Carl King.

Meanwhile, Jamale Bovelle was adjudged the MVP. Trophies and medals were donated by Otto and Johnny Barnwell.

This Sunday, the South Turkeyen Sports Committee will be hosting a domino competition in honour of the late Gordon Primo. Action will be at Sharon Primo’s Hideout located in C Field Sophia. The action will start at 13:00 hrs, and entrance fee is $1000. The trophy is being donated by Sharon Primo and family.

After the domino competition, the committee will proceed to host another small goal football tournament in honour of Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell, who will be celebrating his 76th birthday. The action will be held on April 2-3, 2022 at the Vryheid’s Lust playfield, and will commence at 11hrs on Saturday and 14hrs on Sunday.

Among the teams registered to participate are Vryheid’s Lust, Sophia, Better Hope, Plaisance, Buxton, North East, and Sparta Boss.

The trophies, medals and cash prizes are being donated

by Ken Phillips of Antarctic Maintenance and Repairs; Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore;

Kerwin Perry, Operations Manager of Express GOC; PNP Insurance, and other entities.

CLASSIFIED ADS ACCOMMODATIONS Aracari Hotel, West Bank Demerara (Versailles – between Harbor Bridge and Vreed-en-Hoop) – AirConditioned Comfort. Amenities include TV, Restaurant, Bar, Swimming Pool, Gym. Free Parking, Free WiFi. Spend 7 nights and get 1 Free. Rates from $45 US. Breakfast included. Long term rates available. Phone: 264-2946-9. www. aracariresort.com

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

Phone 264-2946; 626-5290

CAYMAN ISLANDS EMPLOYMENT Upholsterers and Drapery Makers/ Seamstresses NEEDED! Applicants should possess 5 years' experience.

Statutory benefits Inquiries: trimworksttd@outlook.com 1-345929-4038

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

Groups and Excursions welcome.

(Fee applies)- Phone: 264-2946-9.

WANTED Person to cook and manage restaurant in Charity, Essequibo.

Accommodation provided. Attractive Salary. 223-5273/223-5274

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Apex Test series on the line – West Indies, England lock horns in final Test from today

By Brandon Corlette

T

here have been two Test matches, and there have been two drawn encounters. That is the story so far between West Indies and England in the Apex Test series. The final Test is set to bowl off on today, Thursday March 24,

in Grenada, and both teams will have all to play for, vying to clinch that RichardsBotham Trophy.

England are at the bottom of the World Test Championship table, with the Windies directly above them as both sides strive to transform their fortunes in the longest format. For

England, this has been “operation reset”, after a poor Ashes campaign, and for West Indies, this has been “continue to build”.

West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons is hoping to see more good starts from the opening pair in this deciding Test. "That is important for us as a team: to be

Golden Jaguars Head Coach especially impressed with local talent

…announces 23-man team for friendlies

O

n the cusp of their second international friendly tournament for 2022, a quintet of national football players has caught the attention of Golden Jaguars Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz on the basis of their commitment, talent, and leadership qualities.

There has been much talk about the return of an overseasbased trio to the senior men’s national football team, but Shabazz has distanced himself from the notion of “overseas first”, as he expressed high praise for a special group of local players.

Forward Trayon Bobb, midfielders Pernel Schultz, Daniel Wilson, Clive Nobrega, and defender Jeremy Garrett are five players who have especially impressed the Golden Jags Head Coach. Along with 18 other locals and 6 overseas players, they comprise a Golden Jaguars team that would oppose Trinidad and Tobago anwd Barbados in the Courts Caribbean Classic which

Jeremy Garrett during a Golden Jags training session

regard to the composition of the senior men’s national football team.

Turning his attention to the impending Courts Caribbean Classic, in which Guyana will play their first game on Sunday March 27th against Barbados, Shabazz revealed his intentions for the three- team tournament.

"This tri-nation series is an opportunity to give playing time to lads. Mix and match

Trayon Bobb (yellow) in action

begins next Sunday.

Regarding the prized 5, the Head Coach has said, "Total respect to these guys for the commitment and dedication they have shown so far. They have pushed hard to raise their levels, even when my action towards them was just short of abusive.”

Zeroing in on their individual abilities, Shabazz has given reason for his admiration of the local bunch.

"Quincy came in late, but fought for his place like a real jaguar; while Garrett and Wilson in particular have shown good leadership on and off the field,” he explained.

He went on to add, while singling out other local players, "Trayon Bobb and Omari Glasgow have been ferocious in training, and with guys battling hard, the training environment has been intense.”

As such, Shabazz has been quite adamant about his refusal to buy in to the “overseas vs local players” mantra that has been pedalled for quite some time in

able to get those good starts and giving the batsmen a bit of a leeway a bit down the order. I would love for us to get early wickets like we did in the first match in Antigua," Simmons has said.

With the surface at Grenada having some grass, Simmons is uncertain what to expect, since the last time a Test match was played at this venue was in 2015.

Simmons has also clarified the reason for Hosein's inclusion in the West Indies Test set-up. He noted that there is no need for two spinners on the Grenada pitch.

"Akeal is here just like we had Oshane and Obed.

When we see we need to

players, experiment and take risks. We’ve got to see how our tactics at defending deep works.

The quality of our pressing, our possession and attacks,” he explained.

The Golden Jags Head Coach reasoned, "At the end of the day, we want a result, but in friendly internationals, winning or losing has a broader context,” added Shabazz, who is having his fourth stint with the Guyana Golden Jaguars. (Jemima Holmes) Guyana’s team for the Tri- Nation International friendly reads: 1. Akel Clarke (Mt. Pleasant FC, Jamaica) 2. Alex Murray (Santos FC, Guyana) 3. Kevin Layne (Mt. Pleasant FC, Jamaica) 4. Omari Glasgow (Chicago Fire) 5. Jeremy Garrett (GDF, Guyana) 6. Marcus Wilson (Western Tigers, Guyana) 7. Quincy Adams (Western Tigers, Guyana) 8. Clive Nobrega

(Eagles, Guyana 9. Samuel Cox (UK) 10. Pernell Schultz (Police FC, Guyana) 11. Daniel Wilson (Western Tigers, Guyana) 12. Job Caesar (GDF, Guyana) 13. Leo Lovell (Dem Amstel, Guyana) 14. Kelsey Benjamin (GDF, Guyana) 15. Neil Danns (Macclesfield, UK) 16. Javier George (York Utd, Canada) 17. Nathan Moriah Welch (Bournemouth FC, UK) 18. Trayon Bobb (Western Tigers, Guyana) 19. Jamal Pereira (Dem Amstel, Guyana) 20. Tyrell Ondaan (FCU Craiova 1948, Romania) 21. Ryan Hackett (GDF) 22. Shemar Fraser (Police FC, Guyana) 23. Jamanine Beckles (Santos FC, Guyana) Stand by Players: 1. Jemar Harrigan (Police FC, Guyana 2. Kevin Dundas (Dem Amstel, Guyana) 3. Darron Niles (Santos FC, Guyana) 4. Sese Norville (Western Tigers, Guyana) Staff: 1.Jamaal Shabazz, Head Coach 2. Wayne Dover, Assistant Coach 3. Charles Pollard, Assistant Coach 4. Dwain Babb, Assistant Coach/Asst. Trainer 5. Eon Deviera Goalkeeper Coach 6. Dylan Palmer, Trainer 7. Trevor Burnett, Equipment Manager 8. Earl Paul, Equipment Officer 9. Dexter George, Physiotherapist 1 10. Rawle Adams, Team Manager

Root has been in top form

The Head Coach has also been delighted to see Kraigg Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood scor-

Captain Brathwaite is fresh from a marathon effort

do a bit of extra work with some players, we tend to invite them to be around the camp and do the work with the team. Akeal is here because we had a little bit of extra work to do with him, so that is why he is here. He is not added to the squad," Simmons said at a press conference on the eve of the final Test in Grenada.

ing centuries in the same innings, something that has been rare.

England will again be without seamer Ollie Robinson, as he continues to struggle with fitness issues.

The record remains intact, as England have not won a Test series in the Caribbean for 18 years, but have undoubtedly made strides during this tour with an in-

experienced bowling attack.

Kraigg Brathwaite has been the Windies' hero at Kensington Oval, where he showed incredible application and skill in both innings. After batting for 710 minutes for his 160 in the first innings, he scored an unbeaten 56 on the last day in Bridgetown to keep the series level. His efforts have seen saw him rise in the ICC Test rankings by 16 spots to number 27.

After the draw in Barbados, Brathwaite has called for a ‘juicier’ wicket, something the pacers can work with. Brathwaite has scored the most runs in this series: 304 at an average of 101.33. His opposite number, Joe Root, has also been impressive, racking up 284 including two centuries - at an average of 71.

According to reports, Craig Overton is set to return to the Test side. The West Indies have retained the same squad from both Tests, and although a few players have failed, Coach Simmons has said the team has done well overall in the series.

GMR&SC Quarter Mile Return…

Stag Beer, Unitech Solutions, E-Networks ‘board the action’

President of the GMR&SC, Rameez Mohamed

J

ust a handful of days remain before the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC’s) “Quarter Mile Return” drag race meet excites fans at the South Dakota Circuit at Timehri, and competitors, leaving nothing to chance, have already registered more than 30 cars.

This meet is highly anticipated, and Team Mohamed’s camp can make it even more special by just bringing to the equation two cars in their garage that are capable of resetting the current track record.

The garage of Balram Auto Mechanic, along with that of S&D Performance, would provide the stiffest competition for the record holders in the Unlimited category of the meet, while the Surinamese would burn rubber with the

locals for bragging rights in the slower classes.

In a release to the media, head of the GMR&SC, Rameez Mohamed, revealed that tickets went on sale yesterday, and already he projects that they may be sold out soon. He is therefore encouraging patrons to visit ticketing locations to secure their tickets.

Keen on having their brands be part of this premier motorsport event, which has the 592 buzzing, are Stag Beer, Unitech Solutions and E-Networks, which have been announced as the latest sponsors of the event.

Mohamed has thus posited: “Stag Beer and E-Networks have been two of our (GMR&SC) oldest partners, that are always ready to support any event that we have, and we must express

our heartfelt thanks to the entities.”

Meanwhile, he has welcomed Unitech Solutions, and has called for a long and fruitful partnership going forward.

Tickets, costing $2000 for adults and $500 for children, are on sale at the club’s Albert Street & Thomas Lands venue; Mohamed’s Enterprise at 29 Lombard Street, Georgetown; Motor Trend Service Center at Area L Foulis Public Road ECD; West Coast Customs Wash Bay at Vreed-en-Hoop, WCD; Massive Audio at Parika, EBE; Homeline Furnishing at Lot 10 Strand, New Amsterdam, Berbice; Sukhpaul’s Business Enterprise & Auto Sales at Lot 7-8 Strand New Amsterdam, Berbice; and at Sukhpaul’s Service Station at Corriverton, Berbice.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

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

Page 23

Page 23

Apex Test series on the line

Golden Jaguars Head Coach especially impressed with local talent

– West Indies, England lock horns in final Test from today …announces 23-man team for friendlies Page 22

Genuine Auto Spares Golf Tourney to tee-off this Saturday 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.