Guyana Times - Thursday, May 19, 2022

CPL Cricket Carnival kicks off with electrifying concerts next week

P14 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 5013

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

Inaugural Agri-Investment Forum and Expo kicks off today See story on page 3

PPP says will not be distracted

by Opposition’s “unsubstantiated …says APNU/AFC duplicitous on claims” issues of electoral reform, consultations Page 7

Real estate Juveniles agents need can now be to operate charged with with integrity, adults for professionalism certain crimes – Housing Minister GCCI urges Govt not to sign MOU with T&T until trade barriers removed

PRICE

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Disciplinary P2 committee to hear complaints against nurses to be established DPP discontinues private criminal charge against Attorney Nirvan P11 Singh

$1B in fertiliser, homeowners’ assistance will ease cost of P10 living – GMSA Man admits to killing vagrant at Bourda Market

New Juvenile Justice Bill

P13

Page 16

5 charged for DUI on ECD corridor P15

Page 12

2nd chance at secondary education now available to Guyanese P15

Page 9

2 NEWS Disciplinary committee to hear complaints against nurses to be established THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…Nurses and Midwives Act 2019 was unconstitutionally passed

A

ll nurses, midwives and nursing assistants will now be mandated by law to get registered and licensed, following the passage of the Nurses and Midwives Bill 2022 in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The Nurses and Midwives Bill 2022, which replaces the Nurses and Midwives Act of 2019, seeks to establish a Nurses and Midwives Council. It also requires nurses and midwives to be registered and licensed before they can practice their profession.

These registers will be overseen by said council and a list of all registered personnel will be published in the gazette yearly. However, much of the debate veered away from the contents of the new Bill and into the circumstances under which the old one was passed, as several Opposition speakers argued that the old Bill should have been left intact. In his presentation, Attorney General Anil Nandlall explained that the 2019 Act was passed in violation of the Constitution.

Former Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings

“In violation of the Constitution, in violation of the rule of law, they imposed

a legislation on this nation by an ineffective Parliament and by a government that lost the

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

power to do so. And we have a court ruling from the highest court in this land, supporting that position.

“Rather than accept an error was made, or better yet, accept that they acted unlawfully and violated the Constitution, every single member on that side spoke with great gusto, trying to explain and justify the blatant illegality,” Nandlall said.

The Attorney General noted that even though the Bill replaced the 2019 version, it still retained elements of the previous Bill. However, former Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings was still of the view that the old Bill should not have been replaced.

“Mr Speaker, if there is any veracity to the statement that an Act should not be repealed until the current one is passed, then how can this Bill be repealed if according to the members of this PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party/ Civic], it was not duly passed?”

Dr Cummings asked.

The Bill was eventually passed, however, and now awaits the President’s assent.

Among the things the Bill facilitates is the establishment of a five-member disciplinary committee so that persons aggrieved by nursing personnel’s professional misconduct could now make complaints.

The Bill also creates several offences and penalties including, practising nursing and midwifery without being registered and licensed, fraudulently procuring or attempting to procure registration using false or fraudulent representation, and directly or indirectly holding oneself out as being nursing personnel.

The Bill meanwhile sets out the application process for licensing, and states that the issuance of a licence may be refused, and a valid licence may be revoked or suspended. Provision is also made for the re-registration and also appeal against a decision on suspension, revocation, or non-renewal of a licence.

Further, nurses, midwives and nursing assistants are required to renew their licences. Any failure to do so within three months after the expiration date will result in a fine being imposed by the Bill.

Additionally, the Bill has provision for the Minister to make regulations to give effect to the Act and for other specified matters. Provision is also made for the transitional provisions to deal with the current members of the Council. Moreover, the Bill ensures that the funds of the Council are audited annually. (G3)

NEWS

3

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Thursday, May 19 – 04:00h-05:30h and Friday, May 20 – 10:00h-11:00h.

Inaugural Agri-Investment Forum and Expo kicks off today

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, May 19 – 06:25h-07:55h and Friday, May 20 –07:20h-08:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny conditions are expected during the day, with partly cloudy to clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Northerly to North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 06:32h and 19:11h reaching maximum heights of 2.72 metres and 2.47 metres.

Low Tide: 12:40h reaching a minimum height of 0.51 metre.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS N

03 13 14

16 26 28

FREE TICKET

18 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

04 08 13 20 21 LUCKY 3

9

2

2

5

Afternoon Draw

2

6

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01 06 10 11 12 20 21 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

02 09 10 11 16 13

03 06 10 14 17

2

1 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

1

9 Evening Draw

2X Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$110.0 /barrel

Rough Rice

$302.814/ton

0.00

London Sugar

$554.00/ton

-0.22

Live Spot Gold

+0.84

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1815.90

$1816.90

Low/High Change

$1807.10 -1.10

$1825.80 -0.06%

President Dr Irfaan Ali welcoming Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley at State House on Wednesday

S

cores of exhibitors, both local and international, as well as regional leaders will be in Guyana over the next three days for the inaugural AgriInvestment Forum and Expo – the premier event that is being hosted to propel the Caribbean’s drive to reduce its high food import bill and move closer towards food security.

The event will get underway today with a grand opening ceremony at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) after which officials will head to the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where the exhibition will be held over the next three days. It is being hosted by the Government of Guyana and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat under the theme, “Investing in Vision 25 by 2025”.

Additionally, regional agencies are set to participate in a round-table discussion this afternoon following the official opening of the event. The donor agencies will work directly with the Caricom countries to discuss their options and interests.

Regional leaders started arriving in Guyana for the event days ago.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley was the first to land on Guyana’s shores on Tuesday with his delegation. On Wednesday, the Deputy Prime Minister of Bahamas, Chester Cooper and Barbados’s Prime Minister, Mia Motley arrived.

Other Caricom leaders expected to attend the agri forum and expo include Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne; Belize’s Prime Minister, Johnny Briceno; Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit; St Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip Pierre, and Montserrat’s Premier, Joseph Easton Taylor-Farrell. They were slated to arrive in Guyana late on Wednesday.

Moreover, the Agriculture Ministers of

while cutting the colossal food import bill, Guyana will be the hub for potential investment talks this week at the inaugural forum.

More than 250 exhibitors will be on display in booths, with stakeholders from countries such as Jamaica, the United States of America, Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, and Barbados.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha shared during Monday’s update on the event that 82 local agro-processors will be involved. Some 550 delegates – 400 of whom are overseas-based – will be in attendance.

During the event, potential investors and donors will discuss emerging op-

Sessional Conference of the Caricom Heads of Government, a special ministerial taskforce was established and tasked with guiding the transformation of the regional agri-food system towards full commercialisation. A prime focus was to address the rising food import bill and to stimulate investment in agriculture and food production.

By the 33rd InterSessional conference held in March this year, President Dr Irfaan Ali had presented a detailed plan for commercialising the agri-food sector and at the same time, attaining the vision for reducing the food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025. Emphasis was placed

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha met with the Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Chester Cooper and his delegation on Wednesday to discuss several areas of collaboration, such as agriculture and agro-tourism

The Bahamas, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Dominica and Barbados will also be part of this event.

Undertaking the mantle to lead the agri-food agenda for the Caribbean Region

portunities for agriculture in Caricom. A matching of bankable agricultural projects with willing private and public financiers will also advance the food system agenda for the Region.

At the 32nd Inter-

on countries and their respective target areas. The Heads of State had also agreed on an agriculture forum and expo, cementing a platform for investment in the regional agriculture sector. TURN TO PAGE 7

4

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 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

Support systems and productive adulthood

T

here are many social ills affecting the Guyanese society, especially the younger segment of the population, and programmes and support services to help address these issues could never be enough. For example, the use of illegal drugs and alcohol, crime, suicide, domestic and other forms of violence are having a huge negative impact on communities across Guyana. And now, more than ever, there is need for a genuine collaborative approach, with inclusive planning and coordination, wherein volunteerism is a key element, to help find practical and lasting solutions to these many ills.

We are well aware that sometimes young people feel there is no end or solutions to the problems they are facing, and hence they turn to various forms of anti-social behaviours, thereby creating more challenges for an already burdened society.

While the Government must play a crucial role in designing the relevant policies and putting in place the necessary legislative framework and other support mechanisms aimed at addressing these issues, this burden must also be shared by various actors within the society, such as religious groups, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) etc, since such problems affect everyone.

For example, there is hardly any family in Guyana which was never touched directly or indirectly by suicide. Experts have pointed to the fact that about 90% of people who die by suicide had some sort of mental illness at the time of their death.

Many people die by suicide because depression is triggered by several negative life experiences, and the suffering person does not receive effective treatment or support. In many communities across the country, persons are crying out for attention. They need guidance, or simply someone to speak with; many want to find a way out of their misery. However, sometimes accessing that source of help is very difficult.

At present, there are quite a few NGOs, faith-based organisations etc offering such support services, but there is need for more to get involved. Those who are already on board should be commended for the work they are doing. Such work is invaluable, and must be supported and encouraged. A few new organisations are also coming on board, and some are expanding their services offered.

The role of the Private Sector should also never be underestimated. There is need for funding for many crucial programmes aimed at creating better opportunities for young persons, and businesses should step up to the challenge. Such programmes, once effectively implemented, would see our children and young people become well equipped with the necessary skills to develop themselves, and in turn contribute to the overall development of the country.

Former Caricom Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque had some time ago said the majority of victims as well as perpetrators of crimes reported by the Police are young males 18 to 35 years old. This is surely reason to be concerned, as right away one would begin to worry about the kind of future these persons would have, and the contributions they would make to their societies, if any at all.

Certainly, there is a great need for intervention in order to combat the current challenges facing young people. In order to prepare young people for workplace success, job training programmes need to go beyond technical instruction and also teach “life skills” such as communication, reliability, and teamwork. This push to teach youths life skills has been validated by employers who have consistently reported that, above all, they want to hire employees who possess workplaceready skills such as communication, teamwork, motivation and responsibility. Technical skills, they say, can be learned on the job.

We believe that if our young people are to move from the less mature and irresponsible ways of thinking and acting to making more mature and responsible judgments and engaging in activities that are the hallmark of a socially productive adulthood, certain support systems must be provided.

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley and Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali view a steel portrait of Mottley which was done by overseas-based Guyanese artist Paul Jones. Prime Minister Mottley and a delegation from Barbados are in Guyana for the three-day Agri-Investment Forum and Expo, which opens today at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (Office of the President photo)

I am available to make comments to the PAC regarding my tenure as REO

Dear Editor, As the Regional Executive Officer of Region Two, Pomeroon-Supenaam, I was placed in a position where I had to put my trust in other appointed officials. For my success, I became even more dependent on them, because, for the better part of my tour of duty, I operated with a shortage of staff, functioning without a Deputy Regional Executive Officer, much unlike almost all the other regions.

There are certain past situations I cannot recall vividly, but if my signature appears on the document in question, I did what any Regional Executive Officer would do: give my approval on the basis of the assurance of senior regional officials designated to monitor the execution and verify the completion of projects.

Karawab Health Centre is about 30 miles up the Pomeroon River. Strange enough, this is not the first time such a situation has occurred, and the miles away from the Anna Regina office on the coastland, “behind God’s back” in the Pomeroon, seem to be the feeding ground for these “trusted officials”. In the latter case, the discovery was made in the Region, and the money was repaid, but not before I was able to capture the evidence. A copy of the evidence forms part of the information I keep close to me, and it currently “resides” with me overseas.

The ring tone on my telephone is part of the hymnal:

“How great Thou Art” – “God is Good, all the time”.

A journalist once asked me in 2018, in the presence of the then REO of Region 8, why I was getting so many problems in the region. I longed to provide an answer, but nothing hitherto precipitated a response like the contents of Guyana Times’ article, taken in its entirety.

I knew from the commencement of my appointment that, because of the voting patterns, I would be targeted. I remembered the story where, upon my arrival in the region, there was no house prepared for me to live, not even an apartment, and after residing for some time in a room in the old Anna Regina State House, word leaked that one of the cooks suggested that they poisoned me. I was urged to report the matter to the Police.

I later was told by the then Police Commander, Adonis of Essequibo (G) Division, that the matter went to the DPP “for advice”.

Now, let me get to what is the crux of the matter for me, and why I crave your understanding for stating the above: I am embarrassed beyond measure by the article that appeared in Guyana Times, because it can and may be interpreted that I was in collusion to commit an offence. The whole episode is unfortunate, and very sad; the allegations point to persons I know well.

It does not give me pleasure to appear to “show off”, but I need to make mention at this juncture that I attend-

ed university classes in the US, 7½ years in fact, once unknowingly sitting in one of my classes next to the grandchild of a former President of the United States of America, as a 58-year-old man. I also taught at the university level, both in the USA and in Guyana.

My commitment overseas will delay my return to Guyana, and so prevent my appearance at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting to examine the accounts of the 2017 and 2018 budget estimates. I am, however, available to appear virtually to make comments to the PAC regarding my tenure as Regional Executive Officer, Pomeroon-Supenaam Region, for the period under review.

This was communicated last week to the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development; and the Regional Executive Officer of the PomeroonSupenaam Region. My overseas telephone number and/or WhatsApp information have been made available to them.

I have already indicated that, upon my return to Guyana, I would be happy to speak with the appropriate representatives, and to provide them the evidence.

Don’t expect me to go on a mission to expose persons.

I recall that the amount of contracts a contractor received at one sitting was reduced from eleven (11) at one Tender Board sitting in order to allow adequate time to execute the work. This will

be revealed by the Region’s Tender Board records. In this way, the Region not only saved from the awards, but also re-invested the money from the savings. Records at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Regional Development would reveal that the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region saved and re-invested more than six hundred million dollars ($600,000,000.00) in three years towards new projects during my tour of duty in the Region.

Our re-investment of 70 projects in 2017, not originally budgeted for by the Ministry of Finance, may be one of the highest, if not the highest ratio of savings to budgetary allocations ever seen and recorded by a Government budget agency in Guyana. These were executed from money saved through prudent management of contracts.

The Region’s official capital and current savings and investment figures are attached for verification. The Audit Office should take on that research, if not challenge.

And talking about taking too much time to review vouchers! Well, that is why I am now called in to be questioned by the Public Accounts Committee. But I was lucky in December 2018; I intercepted more that 11 million dollars ($11,000,000) in suspected payment vouchers that came to my desk. I sent copies of them off to two of my principals.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 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

Strengthening laws governing drunk driving is most welcome

Hospitals for Indentured

By Guyanese of Indian Ancestry Association

S

tung by the criticisms of the treatment of the first Indian Immigrants in 1838, one reform agreed to for the renewal of immigration in 1845 was for better medical treatment of the Girmitiyas.

In March 1847 an “Ordinance to Provide Medical Treatment and Medicines for Immigrant Labourers” finally passed onto the colony’s statute book. This legislation eventually included: the mandatory provision of hospitals on estates; the registration of medical practitioners; the requirement for inspections; the importance of systems to record patients names, and treatment. Rules, regulations and books of records were going to characterize the delivery of plantation medicine.'** But, it should be remembered, these controls were not designed to prevent migration, but to facilitate migration, a task they successfully assisted in until the abolition of indentureship in 1917.

Estate Hospital in British Guiana, The Illustrated London News, 23 March 1889

The 1847 Medical Ordinance, therefore, should be seen as not only making provision for the better treatment of indentured labourers but re-established in law the authority of the doctor and plantation manager over labourers in matters of health and death..

Estate Hospital in British Guiana, The Illustrated London News, 23 March 1889.

The inadequacy of the 1847 plantation hospital reform can be gleaned from examining the circumstances which demanded further legislative initiatives in 1859 and 1873. In 1863, one report claimed there were 134 hospitals on the plantations that treated 2417 cases of “ulcers, intermittent fever, diarrhea and dysentery.”

No mention was made about malaria.

And even after those “improvements” Medical Inspector of the colony, Dr Alfred D. Williams’ report for the year 1886, exposed the unsatisfactory conditions of the hospitals provided for the care of Indian immigrants. Estate hospitals were found to be “overcrowded, badly designed, not sufficiently ventilated and generally lacking in provisions.” He was severely punished by the administration for his candid report.

Lunatic Asylum

In 1867 the Lunatic Asylum was relocated from Georgetown to “the Fort lands outside New Amsterdam”. In one report between 1875 and 1882 the number of immigrants (Indian, Portuguese and Chinese) committed were three times that of the ex-slave population. The Indentureship experience and its psychological toll literally “drove them mad”.

Berbice Asylum

DID YOU KNOW? •

According to Dr Robert Grieve in change of the asylum, 70% of male Girmitiyas indulged in excessive smoking of ganja.

•

He also wrote, “the East Indian immigrants who have a large proportion of insane amongst them even shortly after their arrival which by some may be ascribed to the grief caused by expatriation or home sickness.”

Dear Editor, The strengthening of the laws governing vehicular homicides and drunk driving is most welcome. It is a piece of legislation that was long coming, and when put into law book, would usher in some sanity to the lawlessness that presently exists on our roads.

This writer is on record calling for this type of legislation to be enacted, since the situation on our roads has gone totally out of control. I have written countless articles calling for stiffer penalties for those who break the law governing proper road use, and, finally, our efforts have paid off.

Now, I have a few reservations as regards the new legislation, and this is as it relates to the owners and operators of liquor stores. This new legislation has placed them in a very awkward position, in that this legislation is actually calling on liquor licensed operators to be Policemen as well as judges of persons purchasing spiritous liquor at their stores.

To begin with, how would I know that someone is intoxicated? Is there a verification process that the liquor licensed owner has to use to ascertain this? And if so, what is the instrument to verify this? Secondly, how would a bar owner be made culpable

of the offence of selling an already drunk patron alcohol?

Does that mean he would have to produce a receipt that he purchased liquor at Bar Owner X’s Shop?

Further, his purchasing liquor at Bar Owner X’s Shop does not logically follow that he was inebriated from the purchase of the liquor there?

The point I am making is that “real rum drinkers” do not stop to drink at one liquor store only, they purchase liquor at several liquor spots.

So, which one out of that long chain of drinking spots that caused him to become impaired would you hold accountable? The first one? The last one? Which one?

Hence the extreme call by some in the wider community to close down all liquor stores would be the only viable option! This is unthinkable by any stretch of the imagination.

So, let’s start by addressing the problem where it really exists; and that is: any legal drinking age person found under the influence and driving should face the full brunt of the law, end of discussion! In my book, as long as you have been impaired, getting behind the wheel of a motorable vehicle and causing an accident, fatal or otherwise, ought to get you the maximum sentence as

I am available to make...

FROM PAGE 4

I did my job, trying to be effective and efficient to give a good account of my stewardship, but at the same time staying out of trouble.

In so doing, I believe I offended persons at various levels – unwittingly. I remember writing President David Arthur Granger and complaining about my work situations, pleading in writing for a transfer.

Actual relief came on January 2, 2019 when I was appointed Ministerial Advisor to the Ministry of Communities. This job allowed me the opportunity to have made a few visits and make relevant enquires of the regions, but more particularly to study their “performance”;

or, in Government’s language, the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). Out of concern, I was moved to write a letter to the then Minister of Communities, and also made public comments, at least at one senior officers’ meeting.

I am calling on the Auditor General of Guyana to conduct an independent forensic audit of the affairs of the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region, not only of the period during which I functioned as Regional Executive Officer, but for a period covering the affairs in the region during the last 10 years.

Sincerely, Rupert Hopkinson Former Region 2 REO

prescribed in the law.

This should also run the scope of compensation for the surviving husband, wife, kids or other dependents. When persons start feeling it in their pockets, this nonsense would stop. Not forgetting that there should be a total revocation of the licences of repeat offenders. The fact is, we don’t want such persons on our roads.

This brings us to the place where the GPF needs a fully computerised system of vehicular licences of all road users.

It means that whenever a suspected driver is pulled over,

the finer details of his road usage can be verified at a glance.

What I am advocating would go a far way in helping the authorities to bring to an end this ongoing car bandit menace. It is also another crime-fighting strategy being strengthened in this new system.

It is my firm view that the new legislation would stem the tide of lawlessness that is on our roads, and bring some stability and decency where road usage is concerned.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Trying to score cheap political points

Dear Editor, As a citizen, I am very glad that President Irfaan Ali has taken the lead in engaging Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton in consultations on the matter of constitutional and statutory appointments.

I am pleased because it seems as though our country is moving politically, just as we have moved socio-economically in just under two years.

The President deserves our admiration for showing the statesmanship to his political adversary, and being cordial throughout the proceedings, despite knowing the false things that Norton has said about him and the PPP altogether in the recent past.

But for the Opposition to be crying foul and saying that the meeting was held in bad faith just goes to show their real intentions concerning meeting the Head of State.

Unfortunately, the Opposition feel that way about the consultations. One would have thought that they

would be open about the entire invitation to meet and discuss the appointments with the President, even if they were going to request more information and time to come up with adequate positions.

Politicising the meeting at his maiden Opposition Leader press conference is nasty, is a breach of protocol, and is trying to score cheap political points. It must never be confused with what is needed for constitutional compliance to occur. It also is repulsive to the civilised political mind as well as the intelligent mind, as there appears to be no confidentiality and respect for information and dialogue.

If the Opposition want to just oppose and criticise, they can go right ahead, but having good faith requires patience and being honest. The Opposition seem to be lacking in this area.

Yours sincerely, Alvin Hamilton

Thursday, May 19, 2022

06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 20:54 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:30 00:00

(Sign on) Inspirational Time Cartoons Evening News (RB) Stop Suffering Stay Woke MasterChef Junior House Hunter Renovation Paternity Court Divorce Court Movie - Step Up Revolution (2012) The Thundermans S2 E21 The Evermoor Chronicles S1 E20 Indian Soaps Richie Rich S1 E2 Inspector Gadget S1 E2 The Young & The Restless The Cricket Show The Evening News Stop Suffering For Better or Worse S5 E12 Broadcasting of CSSP Video TV Advert (Video 6) Station 19 (ABC) Grey's Anatomy (ABC) The Ranch S3 E10 Whose Line Is It Anyway? S12 E12 Sign off

6

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

I

n this fun and easy sound science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate sound by making noisy paper. This is a great sound science activity that easily helps visualise the relationship between mechanical vibrations and the resulting sound. You will easily be able to watch the paper vibrate and hear the sound the noisy paper makes.

Materials:

Two pieces of printer

CONTINUED FROM WEDNESDAY

SCENE I. Before PROSPERO'S cell.

Enter PROSPERO, FERDINAND, and MIRANDA PROSPERO If I have too austerely punish'd you, Your compensation makes amends, for I Have given you here a third of mine own life, Or that for which I live; who once again I tender to thy hand: all thy vexations Were but my trials of thy love and thou Hast strangely stood the test here, afore Heaven, I ratify this my rich gift. O Ferdinand, Do not smile at me that I boast her off, For thou shalt find she will outstrip all praise And make it halt behind her.

“Reading is the key that opens doors to many good things in life.

Reading shaped my dreams, and more reading helped me make my dreams come true.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg

FERDINAND I do believe it Against an oracle.

PROSPERO Then, as my gift and thine own acquisition Worthily purchased take my daughter: but If thou dost break her

paper

Instructions:

Hold the two pieces of paper up in front of your mouth.

Pull the bottom piece out about half an inch.

Blow strongly toward the middle of the two papers.

You may have to adjust your distance from the paper, how hard you are blowing, or how far out the bottom sheet of paper is from the top.

You should hear a loud vibrating noise.

virgin-knot before All sanctimonious ceremonies may With full and holy rite be minister'd, No sweet aspersion shall the heavens let fall To make this contract grow: but barren hate, Sour-eyed disdain and discord shall bestrew The union of your bed with weeds so loathly That you shall hate it both: therefore take heed, As Hymen's lamps shall light you.

FERDINAND As I hope For quiet days, fair issue and long life, With such love as 'tis now, the murkiest den, The most opportune place, the strong'st suggestion.

Our worser genius can, shall never melt Mine honour into lust, to take away The edge of that day's celebration When I shall think: or Phoebus' steeds are founder'd, Or Night kept chain'd below.

PROSPERO

How it works:

As you blow across the paper, a stream of air works its way between the two sheets of paper.

The air cause the paper to start vibrating. The quickly moving paper creates sound waves that travel to your ears as sound.

Watch the differences in the speed of the paper movement as you change the force at which you blow air across the noisy paper and observe the differences in the sound.

Fairly spoke.

Sit then and talk with her; she is thine own.

What, Ariel! my industrious servant, Ariel!

Enter ARIEL ARIEL What would my potent master? here I am.

PROSPERO Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service Did worthily perform; and I must use you In such another trick. Go bring the rabble, O'er whom I give thee power, here to this place: Incite them to quick motion; for I must Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple Some vanity of mine art: it is my promise, And they expect it from me.

ARIEL Presently?

PROSPERO Ay, with a twink.

ARIEL Before you can say 'come' and 'go,' And breathe twice and cry 'so, so,' Each one, tripping on his

Make this a science project:

Use different types of paper like construction paper or cardstock. Adjust the length at which you pull out the bottom sheet of paper. Try adding additional pieces of paper. (sciencefun.org)

toe,

Will be here with mop and mow.

Do you love me, master? no?

PROSPERO Dearly my delicate Ariel.

Do not approach Till thou dost hear me call.

ARIEL Well, I conceive.

Exit PROSPERO Look thou be true; do not give dalliance Too much the rein: the strongest oaths are straw To the fire i' the blood: be more abstemious, Or else, good night your vow!

FERDINAND I warrant you sir; The white cold virgin snow upon my heart Abates the ardour of my liver.

PROSPERO Well.

Now come, my Ariel! bring a corollary, Rather than want a spirit: appear and pertly!

No tongue! all eyes! be silent.

Soft music Enter IRIS

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PPP says will not be distracted by Opposition’s “unsubstantiated claims” …says APNU/AFC duplicitous on issues of electoral reform, consultations I n the wake of Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton’s press conference on Tuesday, in which he called for national consultation on electoral reforms, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has slammed the Opposition for their duplicitousness.

In a statement on Wednesday, PPP/C pointed out that since the issuance of a joint-statement following a meeting between President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Norton, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition has emitted “more of the wild, unsubstantiated and duplicitous claims that are synonymous with the APNU/AFC Coalition.”

According to the PPP/C,

the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR)led APNU/AFC Coalition has failed, over the past six months, to participate in the national process to reform Guyana’s electoral laws, or to submit any recommendations of its own.

“Firstly, the call from the Coalition camp for a comprehensive review of what took place in March 2020 before electoral reforms are addressed is nothing but a delay tactic. Recall that every report from the international Election Observer Missions, including the Caricom team, detailed what took place at the March 2020 Elections.

“Every Guyanese is aware of what took place during the March 2020 electoral process, civil society

is aware, the international community is aware. It would seem that the only ignorant party, by their own claim, is the PNCR/APNU/ AFC,” PPP/C said.

It was also noted that Norton’s call for national consultations involving the public, civil society and the parliamentary political parties is disingenuous, since such consultations on proposed amendments to the Representation of the People’s Act (ROPA) started in November 2021 and are continuing.

The PPP/C also accused the Opposition of even undermining these consultations.

Meanwhile, the Opposition’s contradictory stance on constitutional en-

Inaugural Agri-Investment...

FROM PAGE 3

The Arthur Chung Conference Centre being prepped for today’s opening of the three-day forum and exhibition

“The forum is, therefore, geared towards the promotion, engagement and informed dialogue among key stakeholders along the agrifood value chain of policymakers, development partners, foreign and local private investors, farmers, distributors, and on how investment could be encouraged,” the Agriculture Minister asserted on Monday.

Vast potential

Assistant Secretary General for Trade and Economic Integration at the Caricom Secretariat, Joseph Cox zeroed in on the US$6 billion food import bill for the Region during the press conference, identifying the vast potential for investors to tap into.

“That’s US$6 billion of potential opportunities for the Region that we have to seek to capitalise on. We’re extremely buoyed by the interest that has been shown from countries all over the world and indeed by participants who continue to bombard us at Caricom and Guyana in terms on how they can participate. There is an appetite for it and it is full time that we start to treat with and

confront the opportunities that exist,” the Caricom official stated.

Meanwhile, the threeday exhibition will showcase every aspect of agriculture including live animals, agricultural machinery and aquaculture.

The expo will be opened to the public from 14:00h to 19:00h on Thursday, and from 10:00h to 19:00h on Friday and Saturday.

Road closure

In order to facilitate the event, several major roadways in Georgetown and leading to the Conference Centre will be closed off to regular traffic.

For the ceremonial opening today, Homestretch Avenue will be completely closed off to vehicular traffic from 08:00 to 13:00h, and then again at 18:00h to midnight; while from 11:00h to 16:00h, the Railway Embankment will be closed to traffic proceeding east and west between Conversation Tree Road and UG Road.

On Friday, there will be no vehicular traffic on Main Street between Lamaha and Middle Street, as well as on Carmichael Street between

Middle and New Market Streets from 19:00h to midnight. (G8)

PPP/C General Secretary, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

gagements was also called out. According to PPP/C, Norton arrived for the meeting on May 13 “woefully unprepared”, despite the fact that his own Coalition was involved in previous Parliamentary processes to arrive at the recommendations for the persons to be appointed to the Commissions; for example, the Police Service Commission (PSC).

“Now that additional information has been provided to Mr Norton, a speedy conclusion to the process that would allow for the appointment of the important constitutional bodies is expected,” PPP/C stated.

On the issue of continuous registration, the PPP/C noted that the lie of persons being illegally registered has been repeated at the press conference. However, no evidence was presented when requested.

“When repeatedly asked for evidence, Mr Norton said: ‘I would not say we have actual numbers, because in these things you never know.

And even if we had actual numbers, I don’t know to what advantage to me for us to disclose it at this stage.”

The party noted.

Economic relief measures

On Monday, President Ali had announced a series of groundbreaking measures, ranging from cash grants to households in hinterland and riverine communities to the provision of free fertilisers for farmers, purchased at a cost of a whopping $1 billion.

In the party’s statement on Wednesday, the PPP/C pointed to the contrast between the current governing party and the Opposition party. According to the PPP/C, the party will continue to implement its manifesto, and makes no apologies for enriching Guyanese.

“Further, as has been done with other such relief programmes, the Office of the Auditor General is involved to ensure full accountability and transparency. Mr. Norton would do well to substantiate his interest in transparency (and) accountability before giving voice to wild aspersions. He is encouraged to answer as to: Why the former Coalition Government excluded per-

sons in the hinterland from its COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance Voucher programme.

“The report from the Auditor General made clear that not only did the programme see the exclusion of persons in the hinterland regions, but: over 9,000 out of 11,000 qualified applicants did not receive vouchers; of the 11,000 listed as qualified applicants, less than 2,000 applications were listed for verification; and vouchers totaling $56M were not checked before paying supplier,” the PPP/C also said.

The party also called for the Opposition to explain why a performance audit into the procurement, storage and distribution of COVID-19 supplies by the former Coalition Government during the period March 2020 to August 2020 found that there was a lack of accountability for the more-than-6,000 hampers.

“Importantly, the continued playing of the race-card by the PNCR/APNU/AFC is condemned in the strongest terms. The race-card has been, and continues to be, the only card that the Parliamentary Opposition has to play, given that it has no track record of progress and no track record of delivering for Guyanese on which to stand. Guyanese are urged to be wary of this tactic.

“The People’s Progressive Party has been, and remains, committed to working in the interest of all our people, as we have always done, and will not be distracted by the PNCR-led APNU+AFC Coalition,” the PPP/C stated. (G3)

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Final 2 accused admit to killing elderly Professor

Dead: Professor Pariedeau Mars

T

he last two accused persons in the killing of 75-year-old Professor Pariedeau Mars have changed their notguilty plea to guilty.

Paul Chance and Andre Benjamin, both 21 years old, were indicted for the capital offence of murder when they appeared before Demerara High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon last week on Monday.

As such, a jury was empanelled to hear the matter.

However, on Tuesday, the duo opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter, thereby admitting to killing the elderly man on May 12, 2016, at Prashad Nagar, Georgetown.

Upon the direction of the trial Judge, the 12-member jury returned guilty verdicts in respect of both men. Their sentencing hearing is fixed for June 9, 2022. Justice Kissoon ordered that probation reports be compiled on

both men and that they undergo psychological evaluations.

Back in 2019, 21-year-old Naomi Adams, 23-year-old Nikisha Dover, and 22-yearold Orin McRae, who had been jointly charged, along with Benjamin and Chance, confessed to the crime.

Initially indicted for the capital offence of murder, the trio opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter upon their arraignment before High Court Judge Navindra Singh.

Adams, being the first to confess to the crime, was sentenced to 10 years’ im-

Jailed: Orin McRae

prisonment, while her co-accused, Dover and McRae, were each jailed for 12 years.

It was ordered that the prison authorities deduct the years each of them spent on remand from their sentence.

It was reported that Mars, also known as “Perry” of Bissessar Avenue, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, was

Building...

T

Guilty: Paul Chance (right) and Andre Benjamin

Jailed: Nikisha Dover

Jailed: Naomi Adams

found bound and beaten in his home about 18:30h on May 12, 2016, by his wife upon her return from Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). He was subsequently rushed to a private city hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Investigations revealed that Dover was

known to the now dead professor as she would frequently visit his home. It was further revealed that she conspired with the others to rob the elderly man who was at home alone. An iPhone, cash, laptop, and gaming console were among the items stolen from Mars’ home. (G1)

…a new Caricom? he first ever “Agri Investment Forum & Expo” kicks off today at our Convention Center, and it’s gonna be a biggie!! You can gauge its magnitude and strategic importance by the fact that EIGHT Caricom leaders are jetting in to participate. These folks from tourist islands are used to an exhibition per day (including that of nekkid bodies!!), so this gotta be special to drag them in. So, why’s this event such a big deal??

If for nothing else than for donkey years Caribbean leaders have been moaning and groaning, to no effect, about rising food bills draining their treasuries!! This year, world food prices have skyrocketed, and their “natives” are about to storm the barricades!! Political unrest does tend to focus the minds of politicians wonderfully!! Think Sri Lanka!! This Expo’s their last best chance to at last get in on a plan that can solve their problems.

Ironically, they had the same opportunity exactly 20 years ago. Then President Jagdeo had the lead on food security for Caricom, and came up with a plan dubbed (very creatively!) “The Jagdeo Initiative”. Each territory was asked to use their comparative advantage - eg, we had land, TT had money, Barbados had marketing etc… and collaborate to solve the problem. But guess what??

The Caribbean crab-barrel mentality came to the fore, and thinking that Guyana would benefit most, they all folded their hands and sat on the sidelines!!

Manning from Trinidad - Rowley’s PNM predecessor went so far as to flex his oil wealth by launching 18 “Mega Farms” that would supposedly take care of their needs!!

Well, they all flopped, and now they’re not even back to square one - since their money’s run out and their food bill has ballooned!! Well, let’s see what they’ll do now that Guyana at long last has its own funds (from oil) and can go it alone if necessary.

But it all comes down to leadership, and from what we’ve seen, Barbados’s Mia Mottley is a cut above the rest - now and preceding!! She and Pres Ali seem to be quite simpatico, and your Eyewitness hopes she’ll take a lead in explaining to her peers that “there’s strength in numbers”.

Especially when it comes to taking on a strategic project such as food security for the next century.

Ironically, all of us in Caricom are here because of agriculture - and in fact pioneered agriculture as an industry with our sugar, cotton, coffee and cocoa plantations!! At that time, we were shipping our production (and profits) to the imperial masters. Can’t we now use agriculture to feed ourselves?? Back in the (rigging!) day, Burnham had a slogan: “Produce or perish!”

Maybe his successor could remind the gathered Caricom leaders!! …on protecting democracy We in Guyana owe a great debt to Caricom for saving our democracy in 2020. We don’t have to regurgitate that nasty episode, do we?? What a change they were from the old Caricom that allowed Burnham to rig for two decades.

While our country was destroyed and Guyanese refugees washed up on their shores! Your Eyewitness believes the least we can do - now that eight of their leaders are here is to acknowledge our debt to them.

At a minimum, Mia should get a medal for being so forthright in calling out the riggers! Remember when - on seeing the rigmarole from the PNC camp on challenging the legality of their leader-initiated recount - she declared there were “forces here who didn’t want the recount”??

She was the leader who lent her great moral weight to the stance of Jamaica’s Golding to call a rig a rig!!

Even T&T’s dour Rowley was a prophet with his, “This will not end well”! Let’s big them up!! …on Opposition’s role A hat tip from your Eyewitness to PNC-APNUOpposition Leader Aubrey Norton’s willingness to stiff-arm the extremists and build a democratic culture on that side of the aisle.

His call for national consultations on electoral reform will redound widely.

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 GCCI urges Govt not to sign MoU with T&T until trade barriers removed NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Dr Irfaan Ali and other Guyanese officials meeting with the T&T delegation led by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on Tuesday

W

ith the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, currently in Guyana and already having had a meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali and some of his Cabinet Ministers, at least one Private Sector organisation is calling on the Guyana Government not to sign any agreements with the twin-island Republic until certain trade barriers are removed.

The Trinidadian Head of State and his delegation arrived in Georgetown on Tuesday for a five-day visit, to attend the inaugural AgriInvestment Forum and Expo which will be held from May 19-21 at the Arthur Chung Conference Center.

In a statement on Wednesday, however, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) noted that it is aware of the Guyana Government’s intention to establish and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the T&T Government that would target the areas of agriculture, energy and national security. The Chamber has expressed its objection to such a move, and urges the Guyanese authorities not to sign any such document until the removal of non-tariff barriers (NTB), which are trade restrictions put in place by countries to protect their own local industries.

“The Chamber’s concern comes in light of the fact that there are still many non-tariff barriers (NTBs) implemented by Trinidad and Tobago against Guyana.

These NTBs prevent exports from Guyanese businesses, and by extension inhibit the growth of Guyanese enterprises. Accordingly, the Chamber of Commerce, as it did in 2018 with a previous MoU of a similar nature, strongly urges the Government to refrain from signing any MoU with Trinidad and Tobago until these non-tariff barriers are removed,” the GCCI said in the missive.

According to the Chamber, it has a mandate – as the oldest and largest Private Sector representative organisation in Guyana – to ensure that the concerns

of the enterprises that have continuously expressed difficulties as it relates to doing business in and with Trinidad and Tobago are voiced.

“The Chamber of Commerce therefore reiterates its disagreement with this action by the Government of Guyana, and once again urges that these long-standing NTBs be removed,” the Private Sector body has contended.

This position by the GCCI comes months after widespread public outrage erupted among Guyanese Private Sector stakeholders in January over comments made by the Head of the Caricom Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), who in a leaked email claimed that Guyana’s local content law, which makes provisions for Guyanese persons and Guyanese businesses to benefit from the oil and gas sector at specified percentages, violates certain provisions of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

The issue had also sparked calls for Guyana to consider exiting the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), with GCCI President Timothy Tucker pointing out that Guyana has always been shortchanged within the regional bloc when it comes to trade.

He had published figures on his social media page to show that Guyana imports far more than it exports to the Caribbean region.

“The entire Caribbean refers to Guyana as possibly being the breadbasket of the Caribbean, but yet they have numerous amounts of non-tariff barriers preventing us from attaining that goal… Now, if we’re going to continue along this road, and those countries want to do trade with Guyana, they need to move those barriers and allow Guyana to enter those markets. We’re not asking them to lower their standards, but those are non-tariff barriers; there’s no way to reach a standard to go around that,” Tucker had stated back in January.

At the time, it was highlighted that most of the trade barriers Guyanese businesses face are from Trinidad

and Tobago. It was noted that while the issue has been raised numerous times, both at the Government and Caribbean Community (Caricom) levels, and commitments were made by T&T officials to look into the matter, nothing was ever done to address the challeng-

GCCI President Timothy Tucker

es Guyanese face in not only exporting, but also transiting the shipment of certain products in T&T. Meanwhile, Chairman of the controversial CPSO, Gervase Warner, who had signed the leaked email in

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, and President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali, at State House, Georgetown (OP photo)

his capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Trinidad-based regional conglomerate Massy Group, had told the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian newspaper back in

January that the situation escalated because of the way Guyanese businesses have been treated by the twin-island Republic over the years.

TURN TO PAGE 14

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$1B in fertiliser, home-owners’ assistance will ease cost of living – GMSA …VAT waiver on construction materials, cash grants also praised

T

he Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has lauded the costof-living relief measures that were announced by the President Dr Irfaan Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government.

On Wednesday, the GMSA said the measures announced by the Government -- ranging from the $1 billion in free fertiliser that would be distributed to farmers across the country to the assistance that would be provided to home-owners to construct their homes, and the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on construction material -Government’s initiatives to alleviate the rise in the cost of goods, are commendable, considering the imbalance of supply and demand for goods and services along with the challenges of global freight costs.

GMSA noted that this rise in cost of goods has resulted in daunting impacts to the business community

said.

This is a reference to the Government’s aggressive campaign to dismantle regional barriers to agricultural trade. President Ali has said that in the next four years, with the assistance of more diversified crops, Guyana would aim to reduce Caricom’s food import bill by 25 per cent.

Construction

GMSA President Rafeek Khan

and households alike.

“The injection of $1 billion in fertilizer, which will be distributed cross-country to farmers at no cost, assures of the Government’s commitment to strengthening the resilience and sustainability of the Agriculture Sector,” GMSA has said.

“Agriculture continues to be a major contributor to Guyana’s economic development. This effort will also add scope to farmers who are contributing to exports as Guyana continues along the trajectory of transforming the agriculture sector in Caricom,” the GMSA has

GMSA has also lauded the Government’s efforts when it comes to the construction sector, noting that access to affordable and adequate housing would go far in improving the standard of living of Guyanese.

“The commissioning of the Special Unit to assist potential homeowners with the application and financing process to obtaining a home, the construction assistance facility, and the removal of VAT on sheetrock and concrete boards will especially afford low to middle income earners the opportunity to own their own homes”, the GMSA has said.

According to the GMSA, the removal of VAT on basic construction materials would also assist in bringing down the Construction Sector’s operational costs immensely, as the expanding Oil & Gas Sector results in an increased demand for housing in Guyana.

“The GMSA commends the Government for the pro-

vision of all measures extended, and commits to working collaboratively to the benefit of the business community, citizens, and stakeholders in bringing relief to the associated rise in the cost of living. The GMSA further looks forward to additional innovative ways to manage the effects of inflation in Guyana,” that body has said.

On Monday, President Ali had announced a series of groundbreaking measures, ranging from cash grants to households in hinterland and riverine communities to the provision of free fertilisers to farmers.

Measures

The first initiative he announced was the distribution of a one-off $25,000 cash grant to every household in the riverine and hinterland communities of the country. This measure, according to Ali, would result in $800 million being pumped into the economy, and would cushion the impacts of the rising cost of living.

“The second measure I wish to look at is fertiliser support to farmers. In order to cushion the impact of the rising cost of fertiliser on farmers and to limit the pass through to food prices, my Government will be purchasing 1 billion dollars’ worth of fertiliser for free distribution to farmers for use in planting and replant-

ing activities,” he has said.

According to the President, this initiative is being done “considering that fertiliser accounts for between 15 to 30 per cent of the total operating cost for farmers. This initiative will significantly reduce input cost, and help ensure scaledup production and adequate supply of output, which is critical to maintaining price stability.”

The third measure announced by the Government is the setting up of a special unit to help landowners of both private and Government-owned lots to build their houses. President Ali has said the unit would support applicants with the process of applying to banks for financing, and with the initial phase of construction by releasing the necessary resources. Persons would also have the option of choosing $7 million, $9 million or $12 million house models for the Government to help them build.

The other measure would see the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on additional construction materials until the market stabilises. These include sheetrock and concrete boards.

President Ali has also noted that Government would continue consultations, and would, in the future, make more announcements aimed at bringing further relief to the public. (G3)

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

DPP discontinues private criminal charge against Attorney Nirvan Singh

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC

T

he Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, has discontinued a private criminal charge filed under the Racial Hostility Act against Attorney-atLaw Nirvan Singh.

This comes almost one month after the charge was instituted by Police Constable Shonette Bollers against Singh, whom she has accused of hurling racial slurs at her. The DPP has provided no reason for her decision, other than stating, “In the exercise of the powers conferred on me

by Article 187 (1) (c) of the Constitution…, I hereby discontinue the charge in the above matter.” She did so in her letter of discontinuance dated April 27 to acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

Constable Bollers’s lawyer has since said he became aware of the letter only on Wednesday, when the matter was called for the second time at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The charge had alleged that on March 20, 2022, at Middle and Cummings Streets, Georgetown, by means of words spoken by him in a public place, Singh willfully excited and/or attempted to excite racial hostility and ill-will against Constable Bollers on the ground of her race as an Afro-Guyanese, by using words directed to her and published by him.

After denying the charge, Singh was released on $100,000 bail. He was represented by Attorneys-at-Law George Thomas and Damien

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

Da Silva. In a recent letter to the editor, Singh refuted the allegations levelled against him.

Bollers had alleged that, on the day in question, she was performing duties at the home of former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice (retired) Carl Singh, when his son, attorney Nirvan Singh, approached her and chased her off of the property, forcing her to abandon her post and duties. The Policewoman complained that, in chasing her, the law-

Attorney-at-Law Nirvan Singh

yer spoke to her in an “aggressive and loud manner”, while hurling several racist remarks at her. She said the tirade lasted for about 14 minutes, after which she left the scene and walked a couple of miles to another location in Georgetown in the dark of night alone.

But Singh had denied the allegations, stating, “I wish to say that the racist conduct of which I am accused in no way reflects my philosophy or personal values.

More importantly, it would

be an indictment on my parents and elders, given their efforts to ensure that my upbringing would produce in me a person of the highest moral, ethical, and professional conduct”.

Addressing his alleged attack on Bollers, he had said that he would await the matter being properly determined in court, and had added that he would strive to remain respectful and faithful to his values, to serve his clients from all walks of life with professionalism, and to

use every opportunity to be of service or support to his fellow citizens, regardless of race, class, or creed.

Lawsuit

The cop has since filed a $150 million lawsuit against Singh. She argues that the words uttered by attorney Singh, in their natural and ordinary meaning, were understood to mean that she was not a human being, and by extension not worthy of recognition for her humanity or human dignity. (G1)

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 19,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New Juvenile Justice Bill

Juveniles can now be charged with adults for certain crimes …protections in place for juveniles will remain intact – Govt

T

he National Assembly has passed amendments to the Juvenile Justice Act, which will go towards reducing the backlog of cases and also allow the courts to now charge juveniles alongside adults.

Debates were concluded and amendments passed to the Act on Tuesday.

According to Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, who presented the Bill, the amendments brought are intended to make the courts’ work more efficient.

“At the current time, we have 17 juveniles in custody – 15 males and two females. It represents 0.8 per cent of the total number of persons incarcerated. The particular consideration that we have and the challenge

that we have and I must say, there has been an increase of about 70 per cent in persons who are incarcerated at the moment, in remand or sentenced, there is the challenge of sloth.

“Perhaps in the courts, there are issues of refusal to take cases. And sometimes we know that we are happy with respect to decisions made in the court,” Minister Benn said in his presentation to the National Assembly.

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition was steadfast against the amendments, arguing that it would infringe on the rights of juveniles. Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Vincent Henry was of the view that

the amendments would negatively impact juveniles.

“To try juveniles together with adults will certainly have some negative impacts on their emotional, physical and behavioural well-being. Further, according to the HAQ Centre for Child Rights document, the subject of juvenile justice in different countries, age of criminal responsibility and treatment of juvenile offenders, when a child or young person faces charges for murder or manslaughter, the charge is laid and the preliminary hearing held in youth court,” he said.

Not being tried as adults

Meanwhile, Public Service Minister Sonia Parag emphasised that the amendments did not mean children

The Juvenile Holding Centre in Sophia

would be tried as adults.

According to her, “from the onset, a juvenile is not being tried as an adult. They’re being tried as a juvenile, together with an adult,” Parag

said.

Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr also explained that the Government was committed to maintaining a strong “deterrence” against serious crimes that fall under indictable charges, including murder, treason, rape, and manslaughter.

“The amendment is necessary for us to have in the proper administration of justice, not new to the many parts of the world, and it is based on the representations that have been received, having introduced a new form of administration of justice relating to juveniles,” Ramson Jr highlighted.

“Those…elements are the elements that affect deterrence to which every government…among their top priorities, is to protect the

society. That has always been a high priority,” he further explained.

According to the amendments, if a juvenile has been accused of committing an indictable offence with an adult and “the offence cannot be disposed of summarily, the juvenile may be charged jointly with the adult”, It was explained by the explanatory memorandum of the bill that Section 3 (bi) of the principal Act, which restricts juveniles from appearing before the courts with an adult, will now be offered an exception by the new bill.

“The current criminal justice system often results in witnesses testifying twice, leading to a significant increase in judicial time and expense,” the explanatory memorandum states.

Security guard remanded for shooting man at bar

A

25-year-old security guard of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD) was arrested and later remanded to prison for shooting a man at a bar in the community.

The shooting incident occurred about 02:30h on Sunday at Eclipse Bar, WCD, and has left Ricardo Poloram of De Willem, WCD, nursing injuries to the left side of his neck.

Police said the victim was at the Eclipse Bar imbibing with friends when he went outside to urinate, and upon re-entering the bar, he was confronted by Kadeem Andrews.

An argument ensued which resulted in an altercation during which Andrews allegedly went into a bag and pulled out a handgun before discharging a round in Poloram’s direction. This caused the victim to receive injuries to his neck.

Police said Poloram fell to the ground and was picked up and taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital.

The area was checked for spent shells, but none were found, Police said, adding that several CCTV cameras

Remanded: Kadeem Andrews

were attached to the premises and their footage was reviewed by investigators.

The firearm allegedly used by Andrews – a 9mm Taurus pistol, along with nine matching rounds, was lodged at the Leonora Police Station. Andrews was later arrested and charged.

He appeared at the Leonora Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, charged with Discharging a Loaded Firearm with Intent contrary to Section 55 (a) of the Criminal Law Offence Act, Chapter 8:01.

Presiding Magistrate Zamilla Ali-Seepaul read the charge to him, and he was not required to plead.

The case will continue on June 17, 2022. (G9)

NEWS

13

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 Pandemic

Recruitment of Police trainees still at a halt – Training Officer

T

Guyana Police Force Training Officer Keithon King

he Guyana Police Force’s Training Officer, Keithon King said it has not been able to enlist new members due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which have caused the Force to cancel its recruitment initiatives. This has resulted in no recruitment for over two years.

According to King, while this has hurt numbers, the Police Force is using this time to examine and implement a system that will boost the quality of individuals being allowed to enter the law enforcement entity.

King said apart from the effects of the pandemic, the Force is also looking for quality trainers to train new recruits.

“We are doing other training…we have two batches of Prosecutors presently at the training environment. Also,

a batch of trainer trainers… the reason why we are looking for qualified instructors to fill the gaps to train at the colleges.

“When we select persons to be at the college, they must have some core values in terms of professionalism, they must have that endurance, accountability…they must be prepared to work… training and being an instructor is different. Not everybody can stand in front of a class and deliver,” he said.

In fact, the training officer posited that soon the GPF would not be accepting persons who do not have any academic qualifications. He said the new requirement would be no fewer than three CXC subjects.

“It is going to be tough for them now because we will be looking now, in terms of the acceptance, we will

Man admits to killing vagrant at Bourda Market

Guilty: Marlon Garrett

A

21-year-old man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the fatal stabbing of a vagrant, which occurred in September 2016.

Marlon Garrett, formerly of Albouystown, Georgetown, appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court on Wednesday.

Initially indicted for the capital offence of murder, Garrett, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Ravindra Mohabir, opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter.

He admitted to killing 34-year-old Omesh Chetram of Unity, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on September 11, 2016.

Sentencing for Garrett has

been deferred to June 9, 2022.

The case for the prosecution was led by Senior State Counsel Abigail Gibbs in association with State Counsel Taneisha Saygon and State Counsel Muntaz Ali. Police Headquarters had reported that the killing took place between Bourda and Alexander Streets, Georgetown. It was reported that Garrett had accused Chetram of stealing items from his parent’s stall in the Bourda Market. They eventually got into an argument during which Garrett whipped out a knife and stabbed Chetram in the lower abdomen before escaping.

Chetram was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

(G1)

be looking for certain qualifications, we will be looking at the skillset… we will be looking for the least three subjects CXC. From grade one to the lowest grade, which is grade three,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the GPF is also working on receiving proper accreditation for its colleges.

“We are moving to a different level. We are trying to have the college accredited to the academy stage. We are moving to a higher standard. That is the main reason why certain courses haven’t come on board as yet, it is because we want the colleges to be accredited.”

Only recently, Head of the Force’s Administration Department, Allison Moore had disputed claims that members of the Police Force were “barely literate”. This

was after members of the public voiced concerns about officers of the GPF not being qualified.

Moore said that even though some officers might not be academically qualified, they were capable to conduct their duties.

She highlighted that the Police Force, in collaboration with the Government, has been giving police officers second chances by providing training programmes for them.

As such, she argued that it was up to the individu-

al ranks to prove the public wrong on the topic of literacy. In this light, Moore said so far, there have hardly been ranks who do not try to further educate themselves, by taking advantage of the opportunities that are provided for them.

Only a month ago, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Calvin Brutus said the Force was aiming to improve the quality of Policemen and women in the next 5 to 10 years, through various training.

Training is continuously being provided by the various Police colleges across Guyana, by the University of Guyana (UG), and other institutions.

Collaboration with other Governments also see Police Officers benefiting from a wide range of training opportunities. (G9)

14 NEWS CPL Cricket Carnival kicks off with electrifying concerts next week THURSDAY, MAY 19,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

T

he Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, in collaboration with Hits and Jams Entertainment, on Wednesday unveiled its Genesis and Utopia Band launch, which would be opening one of the country’s events to be hosted, the Caribbean Premier League’s (CPL’s) Cricket Carnival.

Kicking off these exciting activities are a string of concerts slated for May 25– 29. The first concert will be the Cooler Touchdown Party, followed by the Baderation Dancehall Mega Concert, the Eldorado Stinging Nettles Concert, the Stink and Duty J’Ouvert, Eden the gold and white Toga Party, and then the final event: the Soca and Wine Party.

These concerts will be headlined by soca, dancehall and chutney’s latest trending artistes, such as Kes and the Band, Patrice Roberts Skeng, Shaneil Muir, Young Bredda, Gully Ras, cKush, Drew Thoven, Vanilla, Nessa, Vicadi Singh, Tony Cuttz, Ravi B, Kenneth Salick, and Heat Wave and Fame band.

“We want Guyana to

come out, have a good time; it’s gonna be nice, clean entertainment. It’s great fun. We know that we’ve been in for a long time, we’ve coming out now piece by piece, but I think we’ll be able to come out in full fledge come the 25 to the 29,” explained Executive Director of HJ Entertainment, Kerwin Bollers, during the launch.

Since the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions amid a slowdown in infections, the Guyanese party life has been resuscitated, with a variety of concerts and events already being hosted. The CPL Cricket Carnival is considered the most hyped, being highly anticipated not only by cricket fans, but by diehard revellers as well.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr explained that the events would promote and display Guyana’s uniqueness. He also not-

ed that the concerts would prove that the country is capable of hosting worldclass events.

“Guyana is a unique country… As we evolve, as we transition in this period, and the country begins to transform the pride and the uniqueness of Guyanese people, it must show itself to the world in a very elaborate way,” he said.

“The Government of Guyana has established… as part of an overall vision of where we go, of creating this premier destination in the region for world class events.

“It was important decision for us to have made at that time to secure CPL finals and semifinals, and to pair it with the carnival to create this brand call Cricket Carnival,” the Minister further noted.

Executive Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul

Launch of Genesis and Utopia Band Concerts: In photo are Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr, along with Executive Directors of HJ Entertainment Kerwin Boller and Rawle Ferguson and other officials

Baksh, also noted that events of this magnitude not only promote local tourism, but have the ability to improve and enhance coordination, integration and harmony regionally, as well as nationally.

“Important consideration for such an event of this magnitude is its ability to improve or enhance coordination, integration and harmony regionally, as well as nationally,” he said.

“The Cricket Carnival concept and the construct of it will unify people and industries across Caricom region and other countries.

“The concept alone is not only for tourism, but it’s much broader; and this is something I think the Government of Guyana has been leading exceptionally well,” he explained.

Representatives of sponsors of the event, which include Demerara Distillers Limited, Banks DIH Limited, Guyana

Telephone and Telegraph (GTT), Ansa McAL Limited, Church’s Chicken and Fireside Grill and Chill, all expressed their excitement to be part of the events which are showing great promise.

Persons are encouraged to purchase tickets from only the ticketing outlets.

Tickets come with security features such as bar codes, among other things, to avoid being fraudulently produced.

GCCI urges Govt...

FROM PAGE 9

“This did not happen last week, this is decades, scores of years of stuff building up over time… That had nothing to do with that leaked email, that has everything to do with a history of how the Guyanese feel they have been treated by T&T and T&T business, and quite frankly I think it is a great opportunity for us to listen to them, and for us to be part of a healing conversation,” the businessman had opined in the article.

The CPSO had described itself as “the most recently-accredited Associate Institution of the Caribbean Community”, and is to act as the “apex” institution for the

Private Sector in Caricom, with a mandate to contribute to the full implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).

However, major Private Sector representatives in Guyana, including the Private Sector Commission (PSC), have questioned the legitimacy of this body, especially since they were unaware of its establishment.

In fact, the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) met with the Secretary General of Caricom, Dr Carla Barnett, to voice its concerns, and called for the regional bloc to suspend recognition of the CPSO. (G8)

NEWS

15

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2nd chance at secondary education now available to Guyanese

T

he Education Ministry announced on Wednesday that it is offering a second chance to resident Guyanese who have not been able to complete their secondary education under a new initiative titled Get Ready for Opportunities to Work (GROW).

This scholarship programme is being offered to applicants at no cost and will be done under the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL).

According to the Education Ministry, this initiative aims to offer Guyanese, 18 years and over, who never had an opportunity to complete their secondary education or those who obtained fewer than five passes at CSEC/GCE (including Mathematics and English) the opportunity to matriculate to tertiary edu-

cation.

Applicants can either apply for a Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Levels 5 and 6 diploma or a General Education Development (GED) diploma.

The SCQF diploma is a comprehensive preparatory programme to be delivered within a three- to six-month period targeting applicants who have at least completed

Grade Nine of their secondary education or sat the CSEC examination, but did not obtain passes in four subjects.

The students will study seven courses: Communications, Business, Mathematics with Excel, Behavioural Management, Marketing, Introductory Economics, and International Relations. The diploma is internationally accredited and

is offered by the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) in partnership with Jain University, India. The SQA is the national awarding body in Scotland responsible for the development, accreditation and certification of qualifications.

The Education Ministry said that SQA was established and constituted by the Education (Scotland) Act in 1996. Upon completing the programme, students will be able to enrol in bachelor’s degree programmes in humanities, commerce, business and management, computer science and information technology at Jain University or any other university accepting SCQF’s qualifications.

Meanwhile, the GED diploma is offered through Texila American University (Guyana) and other part-

ners. It is an intensive threemonth programme targeting applicants who were unable to write or who did not attain passes in five subjects at the CXC/CSEC level. The GED is equivalent to the United States of America High School Diploma.

Students who choose the GED diploma will be exposed to four core areas: Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts.

On successful completion of the GED programme, students will be able to matriculate to four-year bachelor’s degree programmes at Texila University, Guyana or any other university that accepts GED qualifications.

All classes will be conducted online during evening hours to accommodate students who work during the daytime while examina-

tions will also be conducted online at the end of the programme.

Interested persons can register on the GOAL website (www.goal.edu.gy) or using the GOAL portal: For the SCQF programme: https://govofguyana.smapply.io/prog/scqf_ registration_form_2022 For the GED programme: https://govofguyana.smapply.io/prog/ged_registration_form_2022 To apply, a copy of an applicant’s CSEC results or secondary school report card is required along with a copy of photo ID. They must also have access to a laptop or tablet computer and the Internet.

These programmes fall under the Government’s 20,000 Online Scholarships Initiative.

5 charged for DUI on ECD corridor P olice on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) have arrested and charged five more men during the past week for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Those charged were Feroze Mohamed, 23, of Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown; Rakesh (only name), 40, of Le Ressouvenir, ECD; Anthony Lewis, 29, of Sunflower Street, Melanie, ECD; Vickram Latchman, 26, of David and Lamaha Streets, Kitty, Georgetown, and George Edward, 51, of Annandale Public Road, ECD. The men were all arrested on separate occasions, charged, and processed to attend the Sparendaam and Cove and John Magistrate’s Courts on the ECD. Police said Mohammed was arrested on the Plaisance

Charged: Rakesh (only name)

Public Road, ECD. He was charged and processed to attend the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. Rakesh was arrested on the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Public Road. He was also charged and processed to attend the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Lewis was arrested on

Charged: Anthony Lewis

the Mon Repos Public Road, ECD, and was also charged and processed to attend the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Meanwhile, Latchman and Edward were both caught on the Bee Hive access road, ECD. They were both charged and processed to attend the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court. (G9)

Charged: Vickram Latchman

Charged: George Edward

Charged: Feroze Mohamed

16 NEWS Real estate agents need to operate with integrity, professionalism – Housing Minister THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…as int’l real estate firm Century 21 is launched in Guyana

W

ith the real estate sector in Guyana now up-and-coming, Housing Minister Collin Croal has issued a warning to agents and companies operating in Guyana not to sell to clients dreams when they are not able to deliver on those promises.

The Minister made this remark at the launch of United States-based real estate franchise Century 21, which is one of the world’s largest real estate companies, operating in more than 80 countries across the globe.

Delivering the feature address during the launching ceremony of Century 21, at the Guyana location at Lot 85A Lamaha St, Alberttown, Georgetown on Wednesday, the Housing Minister pointed out that one of the first things potential investors look at when exploring business opportunities locally is the availability of space, and they would therefore consult operators in the real estate industry.

“So, in this way, we can agree that real estate agents and companies are frontlines for the investment chain. You are conduits to business in Guyana, and your interaction with investors determines wheth-

er the business will stay here… Therefore, it is the duty of real estate agents to conduct themselves in a business-friendly or investment-friendly manner; that is, to facilitate and promote integrity and professionalism,” he stated.

According to Croal, this would strengthen the relationship between Guyana and investors. He disclosed that, too often, there are complaints of real estate agents taking advantage of unsuspecting clients, and he admonished operators not to indulge in such a practice.

“We must guard against this. We must avoid selling dreams to clients… I want to use this opportunity to issue a call to the real estate sector… You will be amazed at the amount of information we receive daily. We have already impressions of town houses and condominiums that are touted by various persons.

“But let me warn this sector, persons who are investing their hard-earned money expect to get what they’re promised. In simple terms, don't put a whole roof garden in the picture and then don't even have some grass to show. We are paying attention, and we will do whatever is possible to protect our citizens-investors,”

the Housing Minister posited.

He went on to outline that Government is already playing its part with the recent passing of the Condominium Bill on Tuesday, which outlines a structured and clear policy framework to guide the ownership and management of town houses and condominiums.

Minister Croal also noted that Government, via Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, is currently working on establishing legislation to govern the real estate industry in Guyana.

Only last week, Nandlall met with stakeholders in this regard.

“I want to assure you that our Government is working steadfastly on reforms and to ensure that the way we conduct business is less bureaucratic [and] more efficient. And as a Government, to ensure that we position Guyana even more as the premier investment destination,” he stated.

Nevertheless, the Housing Minister lauded the introduction of the internationally-branded Century 21 real estate franchise in the Guyanese market, which he noted is

From right: Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal and CEO of GO-INVEST, Dr Peter Ramsaroop witnessing the ribbon cutting by the owner of Century 21 Guyana, Chief Samsair, and his family

flushed with opportunities.

Croal has said he expects nothing but excellent service from Century 21 Guyana.

“Investors (especially in the oil and gas sector) want First World standards, and this is where real estate comes in. So, Century 21, with its own expertise and experience in this very area, is very well positioned to deliver beyond not just a satisfactory service to its clients, but also, more importantly, to help with the upliftment of this sector,” he said.

“The standard that we would expect you to set in terms of the principles that govern the real estate industry, even in absence of draconian regulatory authority, our Government

stands ready to help you,” the Housing Minister reassured.

The Century 21 Guyana franchise was acquired by overseas-based Guyanese Chief Samsair, who said he was responding to a call made by President Ali for diaspora members to take advantage of the abundance of opportunities available in the country and play their part in the development of Guyana and its people.

“The economy in Guyana is growing rapidly, mainly because of the oil and gas sector… which, in turn, has seen all the other sectors seeing a great increase in production and productivity, one of which is the real estate industry. So that's where I come in,” he noted.

According to Samsair, he intends to take Century 21 Guyana in all the regions across Guyana where there will be investments, thus creating hundreds of jobs throughout the country for citizens.

The businessman has said his aim is to service the local real estate industry where it is lacking. In this vein, he reiterated the need for laws to be in place to govern.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Dr Peter Ramsaroop, also welcomed this venture and spoke of the abundance of opportunities in the local real estate industry, given Guyana’s unprecedented growth. (G8)

2022 Road Programme…

Countless job opportunities await in Region 6 –Vice Chair

C

ountless job opportunities would become available for registered contractors and private individuals as the Region Six Administration begins its 2022 Road Programme.

The East BerbiceCorentyne region has already started its 2022 Capital Road Programme. Recently, 21 road contracts were signed for works to be carried out throughout the region, and according to Regional Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain, not only registered contractors would benefit.

“We are fortunate to have twenty-one more roads starting shortly. Some have started already, but I have noticed that the weather is against the contractors,” he said.

Hussain who was at the time addressing councillors at a recently held meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), pointed out that Public Works Minister Juan Edghill recently met with contractors and owners

of heavy-duty machinery in the region to discuss the rental of equipment. “…so that they can be a part of the road that will be done with asphalt. They will be hiring contractors and equipment, and purchasing the asphalt from people right here in Region Six,” Hussain pointed out.

This year, the Region has budgeted to spend $275M on its Capital Road Programme.

A further $200M will be spent by the regional administration to repair streets across the Region.

In addition, the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry will be undertaking projects in all eighteen NDCs. The Region is also expected to benefit significantly from the Public Works Ministry, which will be undertaking several major projects in the region this year.

In all, some $3 billion will be expended this year to enhance over 1,000 communi-

ty roads in the East Berbice/ Corentyne Region.

As a result of this, contractors have already been preparing themselves to take advantage. This is according to Region Six Chairman David Armogan. The Chairman alluded to the fact that a new asphalt plant was set up on the East Coast of Berbice, and commenced production one week ago. In addition, there are two other functioning asphalt plants in the Region.

“So, there is another asphalt plant, because there is additional work to be done,” he said.

Armogan also noted that one contractor in the eastern end of the Region is also setting up a new asphalt plant.

“People are setting up these plants knowing the amount of work that has to be done in the Region,” Armogan said.

Meanwhile, some 21 roads are to be rehabilitated in the Region under its Capital Work Programme. (G4)

NEWS

17

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ukraine invasion could cause US to ease a few economic global food crisis, UN warns sanctions against Venezuela

T

R

ussia's invasion of Ukraine could cause global food shortages in the coming months, the UN has warned.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the war had worsened food insecurity in poorer nations due to rising prices.

The world could face famines that last for years if Ukrainian exports are not restored to pre-war levels, he added.

The conflict has cutoff supplies from Ukraine's ports, which once exported vast amounts of sunflower oil as well as cereals such as maize and wheat.

This has reduced the global supply and caused the price of alternatives to soar.

Global food prices are almost 30% higher than the same time last year, according to the UN. Speaking in New York on Wednesday, Guterres said the conflict "threatens to tip tens of millions of people over the edge into food insecurity followed by malnutrition, mass hunger and famine".

"There is enough food in our world now if we act together. But unless we solve this problem today, we face the spectre of global food shortage in the coming months," he added.

He warned that there was no effective solution to the food crisis without reintegrating Ukraine's food production, as well as the fertiliser produced by Russia and Belarus, into the global market.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

Guterres also said he was in "intense contact" with Russia and Ukraine, as well as the US and the EU, in an effort to restore food exports to normal levels.

"The complex security, economic and financial implications require goodwill on all sides," he said.

His comments came on the same day the World Bank announced extra funding worth $12bn (£9.7bn) for projects addressing food insecurity.

The move will bring the total amount available for such projects to more than £30bn over the next 15 months.

Russia and Ukraine produce 30% of the world's wheat supply and - prior to the war - Ukraine was seen as the world's bread basket, exporting 4.5 million tonnes of agricultural produce per month through its ports.

But since Russia launched its invasion in February, exports have collapsed and prices have skyrocketed. They climbed even further after

India banned wheat exports on Saturday.

The UN says around 20 million tonnes of grain are currently stuck in Ukraine from the previous harvest which, if released, could ease pressure on global markets.

While the number of people facing food insecurity had been growing even before the invasion, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, accused Moscow of making a difficult situation even worse on Wednesday.

"Russia has launched a grain war, stoking a global food crisis," Berlin's top diplomat said. "It is doing so at a time when millions are already being threatened by hunger, particularly in the Middle East and Africa."

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the world faced the "greatest global food security crisis of our time" which had been exacerbated by what he called Russian President Vladimir Putin's "war of choice". (BBC)

he United States government is moving to ease a few economic sanctions on Venezuela in a gesture meant to encourage resumed negotiations between the US -backed opposition and the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The limited changes will allow Chevron Corp. to negotiate its license with the stateowned oil company, PDVSA, but not to drill or export any petroleum of Venezuelan origin, two senior U.S. government officials told The Associated Press late Monday.

The officials spoke under the condition of anonymity because the formal announcement had not been made.

Additionally, Carlos Erik Malpica-Flores — a former high-ranking PDVSA official and nephew of Venezuela’s first lady — will be removed from a list of sanctioned individuals, they said.

The moves follow goodwill gestures by Maduro after meeting in March with representatives of the administration of President Joe Biden and a recent gathering in Central America between U.S. officials and the main Unitary Platform opposition coalition to discuss a path forward.

“These are things that … the Unitary Platform negotiated and came to us to request that we do in order for them to be able to return to the negotiating table,” one of the officials said.

Scores of Venezuelans, including the country’s attorney general and the head of the penitentiary system, and more than 140 entities, among them Venezuela’s Central Bank, will remain sanctioned.

The Treasury Department will continue to prohibit transactions with the Venezuelan

government and PDVSA within US financial markets.

Maduro himself is under indictment in the United States, accused of conspiring “to flood the United States with cocaine” and use the drug trade as a “weapon against America.”

Venezuela’s government suspended talks with the opposition in October after the extradition to the U.S. of a key Maduro ally on money laundering charges. Maduro at the time conditioned his return to the negotiating table on the release from custody of businessman Alex Saab, who was extradited from the African nation of Cape Verde.

The negotiations took place in Mexico City under the guidance of Norwegian diplomats. The opposition and the Venezuelan government on Tuesday were expected to announce the resumption of negotiations.

California-based Chevron is the last major U.S. oil company to do business in Venezuela, where it first invested in the 1920s. Its four joint ventures with PDVSA produced about 200,000 barrels a day in 2019, but the US government ordered it in 2020 to wind down production, and since then, it has only been allowed to carry out essential work on oil wells to preserve its assets and employment levels in Venezuela.

Venezuela sits atop the world’s largest oil reserves, yet its political upheaval and economic decline have pushed more than 6 million people to migrate in recent years. About three quarters of those who remain live on less than $1.90 a day, considered the international standard for extreme poverty, and many lack access to clean, running water and

electricity.

The US and other countries withdrew recognition of Maduro after accusing him of rigging his 2018 reelection as president. In his place, they recognized Juan Guaidó, who was head of the then-opposition-dominated congress and remains the leader of the Unitary Platform.

For the past five years, the U.S. has used punishing financial and personal sanctions, criminal indictments and support for clandestine groups in an unsuccessful campaign to remove Maduro and restore what it sees as Venezuela’s stolen democracy.

But in March, US officials traveled to Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, to meet with Maduro after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upended the world order and forced Washington to rethink its national security priorities.

After the meeting, Maduro freed two American prisoners and promised to resume negotiations with his opponents.

The senior US officials said the government will calibrate sanctions based on concrete outcomes at the negotiations and would reimpose them in the event of backsliding in the dialogue process.

Malpica-Flores was once national treasurer and PDVSA’s vice president of finance. He was individually sanctioned in 2017 as the U.S. targeted people associated with Venezuela’s rampant government corruption.

His aunt, Cilia Flores, is one of the most influential members of Venezuela’s government and a constant presence alongside her husband.

Two other nephews of hers are imprisoned in the U.S. on drug conspiracy convictions.

(ABC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

Regional

Cyclone Yakecan batters COVID is rising in the Americas, virus “not going Uruguay and Brazil away anytime soon” – PAHO U C ruguay has been hit by strong winds and high waves as a subtropical cyclone swept through the South American nation.

A 23-year-old man was killed when a tree fell on his house amid gusts of 98 kilometres per hour (61mph) in the capital, Montevideo.

Seaside roads were covered in foam whipped up by the waves.

After battering Uruguay, Cyclone Yakecan moved north to Brazil, where it caused widespread power cuts.

Yakecan, meaning “heaven’s sound” in the Guaraní language, triggered an orange alert – the second highest – in Uruguay.

Roofs were blown off and trees uprooted on the coast and also further inland.

Journalist Leonardo

Seaside roads were flooded in Uruguay’s capital, Montevideo

Pedrouza posted footage of the esplanade in the seaside resort of Punte del Este completely covered in foam.

In southern Brazil, 220,000 homes were left without power as Yakecan blew over trees which in turn cut power lines.

Worst affected was the state of Rio Grande do Sul, to the north of Uruguay.

A boat carrying three

people ran aground during the cyclone on Lake Guaíba in Porto Alegre. A 51-yearold man drowned while the two other men on board managed to swim ashore.

Temperatures have been forecast to plummet in several Brazilian states and there have already been hailstorms in southern Santa Catarina state. (BBC News)

OVID-19 is on the rise again in the Americas as many countries have abandoned measures like masking and social distancing and many lag in vaccination rates, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) said on Wednesday.

Cases in the Americas surged 27.2 per cent last week from the prior one, driven primarily by a spike in infections in the United States, according to PAHO. More than half of a total 918,000 infections came from North America as US cases jumped by 33 per cent to 605,000 in the last week. Infections in North America have now been climbing for the past seven weeks.

PAHO Director, Dr

Carissa Etienne noted that many countries and local governments are giving up measures to protect against the virus and have reopened borders after a period of lower transmission.

“Masking and social distancing have served us well since the start of the pandemic and are still valid measures to lower virus transmission,” she said, adding that Governments should be ready to scale up these measures whenever there is an increase in cases or deaths.

Too many people remain at risk, PAHO said, as only 14 of the 51 countries and territories in the Americas have reached the World Health Organisation’s goal of vaccinating 70 per cent

of their population, she added during a news conference.

PAHO said new COVID-19 infections and deaths in the region have been rising steadily over the past four weeks, with more than 3500 fatalities reported last week.

Central America saw the largest percentage rise in cases, with infections soaring by 80 per cent. In Brazil, the second most populated country in the Americas, infections increased by nine per cent to 120,000.

“It is time to take stock of these numbers and act.

COVID is again on the rise in the Americas,” Dr Etienne said. “The truth is this virus is not going away anytime soon.” (Reuters)

Caricom leaders remain divided on Commonwealth SG Panama to develop largest advanced biorefinery to make C lower-carbon aviation fuel aricom leaders will vote for “a candidate of their choice” when Commonwealth leaders meet in Rwanda next month to choose the next Commonwealth Secretary General.

Caricom Chairman, Belizean Prime Minister John Briceno made this announcement on Tuesday after Jamaica apparently scuttled any attempt by the 15-member grouping to have a consensus candidate for the position, defending its decision to nominate Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson-Smith for the post.

“The Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community maintains that it is still the

turn of the Caribbean to provide a candidate for the position,” Briceno said in a statement.

“In that regard, two candidates from the Caribbean Community have been nominated for the post… (and) Member States of the Community will vote for the candidate of their choice.”

Caricom leaders issued a statement in April indicating they were still divided in their support for the two candidates, including the incumbent, Baroness Patricia Scotland and agreed instead to appoint a sub-committee to delve further into the matter.

Caricom did not announce a date as to when the regional sub-committee of leaders were going to meet with the two Caribbean can-

didates for the post.

Scotland was elected to the post at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) seven years ago in Malta and her re-election is scheduled to take place during the Commonwealth Summit from June 20 to June 25 in Kigali.

The Dominica-born Scotland is the second Secretary General from the Caribbean and the first woman to hold the post.

Last month, Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said he remained “very confident” that Scotland would be re-elected, “and at the end of the day, countries have to vote and we know how elections run”. (Excerpt from CMC)

T&T Government mum on OAS arbitration ruling

T

he Trinidad and Tobago Government remained mum on Tuesday on the outcome of arbitration proceedings against Brazilian construction firm Constructora OAS SA. On Monday, during his contribution to the motion to adopt the report of the Standing Finance Committee in the Lower House, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Roodal Moonilal spoke of the April 16 partial final award of the three arbitrators and the Government having to pay the arbitration award of US$126.3 million.

On Tuesday, Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC, and Minister in the

Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young did not respond to Newsday’s questions on the arbitration matter.

Moonilal asserted the recent ruling in favour of OAS over the wrongful termination of a contract on the Point Fortin to San Fernando Highway would see the Government having to pay TT$1 billion in damages.

He accused the Government, which was a party in the matter, of deliberately hiding this development from the public.

A document purporting to be the disposition page of the ruling said the tribunal had ordered the National Infrastructure

Development Company Ltd (Nidco) to pay OAS a total of US$126265,899.30 “based on the damages and offset determined by the tribunal”.

In a table, under heads of damages/offset/ and amount, the bulk of the award of US$93.2 million was for performance and retention securities. Over US$22.9 million was for sums unpaid for a number of interim payment certificates; and US$5.2 million for materials in stock; temporary works and contractor equipment.

The total award to OAS, of US$127 million, was minus US$706,426.70 awarded to Nidco under the heading “Offset for damages”.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

T

he Government of Panama and energy companies, including SGP BioEnergy, plan to develop a major, advanced biorefinery to increase supply of lower-carbon aviation fuel, the companies said Wednesday.

The move comes as the airline industry seeks to achieve a goal of zero net carbon emissions by 2050 and as Governments worldwide are pressing companies to increase clean energy investment.

The biorefinery in Panama will produce 180,000 barrels per day (2.6 billion gallons per year) of biofuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable marine diesel, when it is complete at the end of 2026.

The project joins a flurry of other announcements from companies that have

Commercial flights at Tocumen International Airport (file photo)

pledged in the last few years to produce SAF. The airline industry is considered harder to decarbonise than other types of transportation, so a massive ramp-up in SAF output will be needed for aviation to reach net zero.

Production will have to rise from an estimated eight billion litres (211 million US gallons) in 2025

to nearly 450 billion litres (119 billion US gallons) in 2050, according to an analysis from the International Air Transport Association.

SAF produces lower emissions than traditional petroleum-based jet fuel by utilising feedstocks including soybean oil, used cooking oil, and tallow, but it is more expensive to produce.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Chile’s Congress approves minimum wage hike

C

hile’s Congress voted to approve an increase in the minimum wage on Wednesday as the Andean country struggles with soaring inflation.

Chile’s Lower House supported adjustments made by the senate and 139 members of the 155-member House voted to approve the 14.3 per cent hike in minimum wage, which now awaits President Gabriel Boric’s signature.

Boric announced his sup-

port for the raise earlier in the day on Twitter and his Government had negotiated the hike with a workers group last month.

The increase will be a two-step hike with the monthly minimum wage going from 350,000 pesos (US$413) to 380,000 pesos ($448) on May 1 and then to 400,000 pesos ($472) on August 1.

There will also be transitional compensation to help

small and medium businesses adjust to the change.

A third hike to 410,000 (US$483) in January 2023 will come into effect if the 12-month inflation rate exceeds seven per cent in December.

Chile, which reported its highest monthly inflation rate in more than 20 years this March, currently has a 12-month inflation rate of 10.5 per cent. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil falls 2.5% as US refiners ramp up output, equities retreat

O

il prices fell 2.5 per cent on Wednesday, reversing early gains as traders grew less worried about a supply crunch after Government data showed US refiners ramped up output, and as crude futures followed Wall Street lower.

Brent crude settled down US$2.82, or 2.5 per cent, at US$109.11 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell US$2.81, or 2.5 per cent, to US$109.59 a barrel.

Both benchmarks gave up early gains of US$2-US$3 a barrel following a change in risk sentiment as equity markets fell, said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Brent remained at an unusual discount to WTI a day after settling below the US benchmark for the first time since May 2020. Traders and analysts cited strong export demand and tightening US crude stockpiles.

US crude inventories fell by 3.4 million barrels last week, Government data showed, an unexpected drawdown, as refiners ramped up output in response to tight product inventories and near-record exports that have forced US diesel and gasoline prices to record levels.

The dollar strengthened and global stocks retreated on concerns about economic growth and rising inflation.

Bearish sentiment also followed reports that the United States is planning to relax sanctions against Venezuela and allow Chevron Corp to negotiate oil licences with State producer PDVSA. "The perception that we could see some more supply coming, Venezuela coming into the market, along with the equity markets, it's causing some profit-taking in a muchneeded technical correction in the crude," said Dennis Kissler, Senior Vice President for trading at BOK Financial.

The European Union's failure to persuade Hungary to lift its veto on a proposed embargo on Russian oil was adding price pressure, although some diplomats expect agreement on a phased ban at a summit at the end of May. Ongoing supply concerns remained supportive. Russian crude output in April fell by nearly nine per cent from the previous month, an internal Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries-plus (OPEC+) report showed on Tuesday, as Western sanctions on Moscow curbed exports.

On the demand side, hopes of further lockdown easing in China boosted expectations of a recovery. Authorities allowed 864 of Shanghai's financial institutions to resume work, sources said, and China has relaxed some COVID test rules for US and other travellers.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

AG Perarivalan: India top court frees killer of ex-PM Rajiv Gandhi

I

ndia's Supreme Court has ordered the release of one of the men convicted of involvement in the 1991 murder of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

AG Perarivalan had spent over 30 years in jail. In 1998, he was given a death sentence, but it was later commuted.

Arrested aged 19, Perarivalan was convicted of procuring batteries that were used in the bomb that kill Gandhi.

The ex-PM was assassinated by a female suicide bomber as he addressed an election rally in Tamil Nadu state.

Gandhi's killing was widely seen as retaliation for his having sent Indian peace-

AG Perarivalan was in prison for more than 30 years

keepers to Sri Lanka in 1987 when he was Prime Minister.

Perarivalan was a supporter of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a rebel group fighting for a separate Tamil state in Sri Lanka.

The rebels were finally defeated by Sri Lankan troops in 2009.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Russia says nearly 700 more Mariupol fighters surrender

R

ussia said on Wednesday nearly 700 more Ukrainian fighters had surrendered in Mariupol, while the United States became the latest Western country to reopen its Kyiv embassy after a three-month closure.

More than a day after Ukraine announced it had ordered its garrison in Mariupol to stand down, the ultimate outcome of Europe's bloodiest battle for decades remained unresolved.

Ukrainian officials declined to comment publicly on the fate of fighters who had made their last stand at the Azovstal steelworks plant, holding out as

Service members of Ukrainian forces who have surrendered after weeks holed up at Azovstal steel works being searched by the pro-Russian military in Mariupol, Ukraine, in this still image taken from a video released May 18, 2022 (Russian Defence Ministry/ Handout via Reuters)

Mariupol was taken over by Russian forces.

"The State is making utmost efforts to carry out the rescue of our service person-

nel," military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzaynik told a news conference. "Any information to the public could endanger that process."

Russia said 694 more fighters had surrendered overnight, bringing the total number of people who had laid down arms to 959.

The leader of pro-Russian separatists in control of the area, Denis Pushilin, was quoted by local news agency DNA as saying the main commanders were still inside the plant.

Meanwhile, Moscow has kicked out diplomats from France, Italy and Spain in retaliation for the expulsion of Russian diplomats from European countries as part of a joint action against Russia’s campaign in Ukraine.

(Excerpt from Reuters and Al Jazeera)

Finland, Sweden apply to join NATO amid Turkish objections

F

inland and Sweden formally applied to join the NATO alliance on Wednesday, a decision spurred by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but face objections from Turkey to an accession process that is expected to take only a few weeks.

Neutral throughout the Cold War, Sweden's and Finland's decision to join NATO is one of the most significant changes in Europe's security architecture in decades, not least because Finland shares a 1300-km (810-mile) border with Russia.

It also reflects a shift in public opinion in

the Nordic region since Russia's February 24 invasion of Ukraine.

"This is a historic moment which we must seize," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a short ceremony at NATO headquarters in which the Swedish and Finnish Ambassadors to the alliance handed over their application letters, each in a white folder embossed with their national flag.

"I warmly welcome requests by Finland and Sweden to join NATO. You are our closest partners, and your membership in NATO will increase

our shared security," Stoltenberg said. The alliance believes the accession of Finland and Sweden will hugely strengthen it in the Baltic Sea. With the applications formally submitted, the Nordic countries and their many backers now face uncertain months where any resistance to their bids must be overcome, with all 30 of NATO's members

needing to approve the enlargement.

Ratification by all allied parliaments could take up to a year, diplomats say.

Turkey has voiced reservations, saying the two countries harbour individuals linked to groups it deems terrorists and hitting out at arms export embargoes imposed on it after its Syria incursion in 2019.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

As COVID cases rise, US health officials mull widening additional booster eligibility

US baby formula shortage: Experts urge parents not to make homebrews

B

randy Sloan was close to tears. The 43-yearold mother of two had reached a breaking point in her desperate search for baby formula when the fifth grocery store she rushed into contained the same as the previous four: empty shelves.

"You feel so defeated because you're supposed to be able to feed your children and you can't because there's nothing there," she told the BBC. Brandy, who has a 15-month-old daughter and a recently adopted twomonth-old son, is among the millions of American families struggling to feed their children amid a nationwide shortage of formula.

Some are so desperate that they are attempting to make their own infant formula substitutes. Google searches for how to make formula at home have increased by 2400 per cent in the last 30 days, according to

Google Trends.

Brandy is sceptical – and for good reason – but it's understandable why some parents feel compelled to ask the question.

Supply chains have been strained throughout the pandemic, but an industry-wide infant formula shortage began to intensify in February when Abbott, a large manufacturer of powdered infant formulas, closed a facility and issued a voluntary recall after finding contamination.

The company has since reached an agreement with US regulators to work to reopen, but cautioned it could take up to two months for products to hit the shelves.

An analysis by the retail research firm Datasembly found that 43 per cent of formula products were unavailable nationwide in the first week of May, and soared even higher in states like Tennessee, Texas, and Iowa.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

H

ealth officials are considering extending the eligibility for a second COVID-19 vaccine booster dose to people under 50 amid a steady rise in cases, with the United States seeing a threefold increase over the past month.

The US Food and Drug Administration had in late March authorised a second booster dose of the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech SE (22UAy.DE) vaccines for people aged 50 and older, citing data showing waning immunity and the risks posed by Omicron variants of the virus.

"With regard to a fourth dose for those under the age of 50, that is going to require action from the FDA, and we're in conversations there," US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director

Rochelle Walenksy said on Wednesday.

Cases have steadily risen over the past five weeks, Walensky said at a White House briefing, with the current seven-day average of daily cases rising 26 per cent from the previous week to 94,000 cases per day and up threefold over the last month. The seven-day average for hospitalisations was up 19 per cent to about 3000 per day and the average for deaths was 275 per day, she said.

"We, of course, must remember that each person lost to COVID-19 is a tragedy and that nearly 300 deaths a day is still far too many," said Walensky.

The US recently passed the grim milestone of one million COVID-19 deaths. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Don't count on others to care for your interests. Find out what's trending and act accordingly. If you follow your heart and pursue what excites you, you stand to gain. Be willing to work hard.

(March 21-April 19) Keep your plans to yourself until you have everything in place. Don't take on too much, as focusing on what's important will lead to better results. Handle an emotional situation promptly.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

Listen to common sense. Buying into something that promises the impossible won't pay off. Take the natural route and choose to work out, eat properly and get enough rest.

(May 21-June 20)

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Take better care of yourself, your reputation and your position. Leave nothing to chance, and don't take on what you cannot finish. Go over details and offer a precise assessment of a situation.

Be open to informative suggestions and talks that spark your imagination.

A unique approach to learning or pursuing something new will lead to an exciting connection. Put on a show.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Take a deep look into your psyche and adjust your lifestyle to maintain emotional stability. Taking care of matters promptly will ensure that things go your way and put your mind at ease.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Refuse to let a problem spin out of control. Look at every angle and adjust as necessary. Handling others with diplomacy will help you reach your objective without causing a disruption.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Start discussions, and you will bring about a worthwhile change. Explaining how you feel and what you expect will encourage others to see things your way.

A unique proposal will entice you.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

Let your passion show. Give your all and do your best, but don't risk your health or emotional well-being. Keep busy and stay focused on what's important to you. A domestic change will pan out.

LAST PUBLISHED WORD -- MOTIVES

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Handle delicate situations with care.

Take a back seat and observe what others do or say. Put more emphasis on physical fitness and making your surroundings more pleasant. Romance is encouraged.

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Restlessness can push you in the wrong direction. Take a moment to rethink your strategy and study the regrets that go along with bad decisions.

Get expert advice.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Refuse to let anyone limit you. Use intelligence to outmaneuver anyone standing between you and what you want. Take pleasure in helping others and following through with your plans.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

21

IPL 2022: Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders…

be unpredictable. Avesh Khan knew this. A lot of bowlers know this. But pulling it off in a live match with everything on the line is a whole other thing.

KL Rahul scored another fifty, and surpassed 500 runs in a season for the fifth time in a row

S

o there was this dude who scored an unbeaten 140, and yet the match-winning innings could have been 40 off 15.

This is the magic of T20.

Lucknow Super Giants batted their entire innings without losing a single wicket, with Quinton de Kock scoring his second IPL century; but it could have become a footnote, because Rinku Singh, with 21 to get in the last over, went 4, 6, 6, against Marcus Stoinis.

Knight Riders were having a day, picking up no wickets but losing two in their first three overs, their chances of victory see-sawing between 96.03% and 0.35%. Rinku took them to the brink of a truly ridiculous result, but in the middle of a game that should have been Super Giants' but was now slipping away rapidly, which is right up there as the worst kind of pressure, Stoinis defended 4 off 3 by picking up two wickets in two balls.

One of them was a barely believable catch from Evin Lewis; it will go down in IPL folklore.

What a way to seal your place in the playoffs.

The takedown

de Kock decimated Knight Riders' mystery spinners, striking at a rate of 183 against Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy.

The trick - and such a simple one it was too - was his ability to sweep the ball.

Wary of bowling too full and playing into that strength, both bowlers pulled their lengths back. But that was the whole point of de Kock's plan, because if there is one shot he plays even better than the sweep, it is the pull. de Kock toyed with the mystery spinners the way they usually toy with opposition batters, sowing doubt in their

And then…

Mohsin Khan bagged 3-20

minds and making them secondguess themselves.

The acceleration

On the occasion of de Kock playing his 50th Test match, his coach, Mark Boucher, said he would go on to play 100 more.

As it turned out, he retired after just four more. Test cricket's loss has been franchise cricket's gain, as de Kock exhibited that most coveted of all batting skills: the ability to take down the opposition's best bowlers.

He was particularly brutal on KKR's designated death bowler Andre Russell, carving him up for 42

Avesh's genius

This is how you construct an over against Andre Russell: Hard length first ball; nearly ends up as a catch at long-on.

Then, with Russell back on strike, short and out of his reach, twice.

Then the yorker, tailing in at the last second, very nearly toppling him off his feet. Then the wide yorker.

Russell is among the scariest six-hitters on the planet. The only way to get the better of him is to

The rookie

For all the uproar around Umran Malik, there is another uncapped Indian fast bowler who has been just as good; perhaps even better.

Mohsin Khan's success proves that even the most in-your-face format of our game has plenty of room for subtlety.

With Knight Riders needing three runs from two balls, Line and length and a hint Marcus Stoinis picked up of seam movement into the back-to-back wickets to seal left-hander brought him his the win for Super Giants first wicket; a crafty, littleslower ball brought him his second; pure steel brought his team a third. Mohsin didn't bowl Sam Billings †st †de Kock b Ravi Bishnoi 36 the ball that claimed the wicket, Andre Russell c Hooda b Mohsin Khan 5 but that just made it all the more Rinku Singh c Lewis b Stoinis 40 special.

Sunil Narine not out 21 Knight Riders were 125 for 3 Umesh Yadav b Stoinis 0 after 12 overs. Nitish Rana had Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 6) 10 smacked 42 off 22 balls, Shreyas TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 10.40) 208/8 Iyer and Sam Billings were going Did not bat: Tim Southee , from both ends, Rahul knew it Varun Chakravarthy was now or never, and went to Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Venkatesh Iyer, his gun bowler, and he delivered 0.4 ov), 2-9 (Abhijeet Tomar, 2.4 ov), a near-perfect 13th over that cost 3-65 (Nitish Rana, 7.1 ov), 4-131 (Shreyas Iyer, 13.4 ov), 5-142 (Sam just two runs. The previous three Billings, 15.4 ov), 6-150 (Andre Russell, had cost 46.

16.4 ov), 7-208 (Rinku Singh, 19.5 Super Giants had an opening, ov), 8-208 (Umesh Yadav, 19.6 ov) and Rahul gambled once more, BOWLING O-M-R-W bringing on the batting allrounder Mohsin Khan 4-0-20-3 Stoinis to tempt the opposition.

Jason Holder 4-0-45-0 Shreyas had no choice; he went Avesh Khan 4-0-60-0 for the big shot, and was caught Krishnappa Gowtham 2-0-23-1 on the boundary.

Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-34-1

SCOREBOARD

LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS INNINGS (20 overs maximum) Quinton de Kock †not out 140 KL Rahul (c)not out 68 Extras (nb 1, w 1) 2 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 10.50) 210 Did not bat: Evin Lewis, Deepak Hooda, Manan Vohra, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder, Krishnappa Gowtham, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi BOWLING O-M-R-W Umesh Yadav 4-0-34-0 Tim Southee 4-0-57-0 Sunil Narine 4-0-27-0 Varun Chakravarthy 4-0-38-0 Andre Russell 3-0-45-0 Nitish Rana 1-0-9-0 KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS INNINGS (Target: 211 runs from 20 overs) Venkatesh Iyer c †de Kock b Mohsin Khan 0 Abhijeet Tomar c Rahul b Mohsin Khan 4 Nitish Rana c Stoinis b Gowtham 42 Shreyas Iyer (c) c Hooda b Stoinis 50

runs in only 15 balls, including five fours and two sixes. de Kock crumpled to his knees after getting to his century - his second in the IPL - first holding his head in his hands, and then punching the DY Patil Stadium turf. But he still wasn't done. From 60 off 44, he ransacked 80 off 26. Nobody could stop him. Not until he'd made his highest score in T20 cricket, set the record for the highest opening partnership in IPL history, and ensured for only the fourth time that a team batting first had completed its full quota of overs without losing a single wicket.

Batting in de Kock's slipstream, KL Rahul made his 34th fifty-plus score in 99 IPL innings, and completed 500 runs in a season for the fifth successive time.

When Russell fell in the 17th over, to another slower one from Mohsin, Knight Riders' chances of victory were less than 1%. They needed 61 off 20 balls.

Rinku and Narine are an unlikely power-hitting pair, but they can still powerhit. Enabled by a steady diet of length balls and yorkers turning into full-tosses, the two left-handers clobbered 40 off 14 deliveries, and took us straight into the twilight zone. Anything could happen.

And so it did. Rinku smoked Stoinis all over the park.

Lewis pulled off a breathtaking one-handed catch after coming in off the cover boundary at full sprint and diving to even get under the ball. And finally, with 3 needed off the last ball, Stoinis demolished Umesh Yadav's stumps. (Cricinfo)

Marcus Stoinis

2-0-23-3

Kouyate (right) and Gueye were both part of the Senegal side that won the country's first African Cup of Nations title in February

P

aris St-Germain's Idrissa Gueye refused to play in a match, to avoid wearing a rainbow symbol in support of LGBTQ+ rights, BBC Sport understands.

The 32-yearold former Aston Villa and Everton midfielder was absent from Saturday's 4-0 win over Montpellier.

PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino has said only that Gueye missed the game for "personal reasons".

The French Football Federation (FFF) has reportedly written to Gueye to clarify why he was absent.

BBC Sport has approached Gueye's representatives for comment.

Crystal Palace's Cheikhou Kouyate and Watford's Ismaila Sarr have posted on social media in apparent support of their Senegal team-mate's stance.

Kouyate posted a picture of himself alongside Gueye on Instagram, with a caption calling Gueye "a real man". Watford winger Sarr posted a picture of

him and Gueye accompanied by three heart emojis and the caption "100%".

In response to Sarr's post, Watford reiterated their commitment to equality and diversity, adding, "This includes the willingness to offer further education and support to any of its employees".

At a news conference on Wednesday, Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira said if his players had posted in relation to Gueye, he would speak to them.

"It's going to be an in-house conversation," he added.

Homosexuality is illegal in Senegal, and is punishable by prison sentences of up to five years.

French top-flight clubs wore rainbow-designed shirt numbers to show their solidarity with LGBTQ+ rights. For the second successive season, clubs in France have been invited to mark May 17 as International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia by wearing rainbow-

Quinton de Kock blasted an unbeaten 140

designed numbers on the backs of their shirts.

In addition to missing Saturday's win over Montpellier, Gueye, who arrived at PSG for £30m in July 2019, missed last year's show of solidarity, citing gastroenteritis, according to Le Parisien newspaper, who first reported the reason for his absence.

The AFP news agency said on Wednesday it had seen a letter from the FFF's ethics board calling on Gueye to explain why he missed Saturday's game. The letter, says AFP, calls for him to "issue a public apology", or to say that the rumours that he refused to play are "unfounded".

The letter reportedly adds that if he did refuse to play, he would be "validating discriminatory behaviour".

PSG said on Wednesday that they were "very proud to wear this shirt".

"The biggest stars of world football were on the field on Saturday, and expressed the club's commitment to the fight against homophobia and all forms of discrimination," it added.

Gueye's stance has been supported by prominent politicians in Senegal.

The country's president, Macky Sall, wrote on Twitter that Gueye's Muslim beliefs must be respected, while Sport Minister Matar Ba wrote that Gueye was backed by his country's people, alongside a picture of the midfielder on pilgrimage to Mecca. (BBC.COM)

22

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

F

ootball swept the nation on Sunday, as all nine of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) regional associations relaunched senior league competitions following

the COVID-19 pandemic.

This has created history, as it is the first time that all regions have kicked off league competitions simultaneously.

The Senior Men’s Leagues (SML) in Bartica, Berbice, East Bank Demerara, East Coast Demerara, Essequibo/Pomeroon, Georgetown, the Rupununi, Upper Demerara, and West Coast Demerara will see 108 teams and approximately 2,700 players competing in about 400 games for regional bragging rights, followed by a national play-off.

The Rupununi Football Association has also relaunched

its Senior Women’s League, which runs on equal billing with the men’s edition.

“Football is back in a huge way, and we are extremely pleased with the huge efforts

our regional associations have put in to make this possible,” GFF President Wayne Forde has said.

“For the first time in our history, all nine regional associations are playing league football at the same time. This shows the strength of unity and collaborative spirit that exists among our community, and just how far we have come in developing football and organising competitions.

The annual delivery of these tournaments across the country will provide opportunities for our youths to showcase their talent, improve their health, and build bridges between our

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

communities.

“It will also ensure that our homegrown talent gets the requisite playing time to grow and reach its potential in the coming years, boosting our

national programmes in the process,” Forde added.

In some of the weekend’s mouthwatering, stand-out fixtures, Fruta Conquerors beat the Guyana Police Force 2-1; Monedderlust drew 1-1 with Rosignol United; Tabatinga held Guyana Rush Saints to a 1-1 draw; and from a thrilling encounter with Hi Stars, Eagles United emerged winners by three goals to two.

“As the season progresses, we urge the public to come out in force and support your teams,” Forde added. “We wish the players, staff, and regional

associations all the best for the coming weeks, and if the first weekend is anything to go by, we look forward to some highly competitive, entertaining football and healthy local rivalries.”

Through its Members

Financial Assistance Programme (M-FAP), the GFF has provided technical support, training, equipment, and financial resources to its regional associations to enable delivery of the leagues. “This is why we

Ashmini Munisar receiving her gifts from Winroy Bakker

T

he final match in the 2022 Essequibo Softball Cricket League (ESCL) Over-40, 20-overs competition is slated for Sunday, May 22, at the Affiance Number 1 ground on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two, Pomeroon-Supenaam.

That match involves the Caribbean Cricket Club clashing with the Sunrisers Masters to determine supremacy, but preceding that championship game is the third-place playoff between Ravens Sports Club and Queenstown Tigers.

In the semi-finals matches played last Sunday at the same venue, Caribbean Cricket Club defeated Queenstown Tigers by ten wickets, while Sunrisers Masters got the better of Ravens Sports Club by seven wickets.

Queenstown Tigers were bowled out for a modest 58 in the 13th over, while Caribbean Cricket Club responded emphatically with 60-0 off four overs. Seasoned batsman Patrick Rooplall led the way with 24, and former senior Essequibo Inter-County player Prashad Mahadeo made 22.

B

Yaseer Mohammed

In Queenstown Tigers’ innings, only Motielall Deepnarine’s 20 made any impression, as Yaseer Mohammed grabbed five wickets for six runs from four incisive overs. He was supported by Jamuna Persaud and Eshwar Singh with 2-10 and 2-17 respectively.

In the other fixture, Ravens reached a competitive 190-9 at the end of their 20 overs, while Sunrisers Masters surpassed the target with three overs to spare.

Gopaul Deen hit a top-score of 73 for the victorious team, while former Essequibo batsman Ravi Beharry struck 68. Jermain Trotman claimed two wickets for 13 runs off three overs.

When Ravens Sports Club batted, the consistent Sugrim Ahiram slammed 75, while veteran softball player Ramesh Narine scored 37.

Shisankar Bissoon took three wickets for 23 runs off three overs, while assistance came from Seon Sankar, who finished with 2-28 (04).

At the end of this final game, the winning side would collect $100,000 and a trophy, and the runners-up would collect $50,000 and a trophy.

erbice and Guyana junior female player Ashmini Munisar and national Under-15 prospect Adrian Hetmyer are the latest cricketers to benefit from this project, an initiative of Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana.

Munisar is a student of the Guyana School of Agriculture, and represented Guyana at the national Under-19 level in 2019 at the tender age of 15. The offspinning all-rounder has been recipient of a gear bag, a bat, a pair of batting pads, a pair of batting gloves, and one helmet.

Hetmyer, a student of the Berbice Educational Institute, is the son of former national youth player Seon Hetmyer and nephew of West Indies star batsman Shimron Hetmyer. He received a bat.

The young Hetmyer recently scored 3 centuries in 4 innings in a Berbice Cricket Board Under-15 tournament, and has had a good outing in the only match he played in the GCB/Dave West Indian Imports/Exports Inter-County Under-15.

He is a classy right-handed batsman and medium pace bowler.

Both Munisar and Hetmyer are from the fast-rising Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club in East Canje, Berbice.

At a simple presentation held recently, Winroy Bakker, representing the donors Romash Munna, former West Indies Under-19 and current USA batsman Gajanand Singh, Kelvin Brijlall and Ravi Etwaroo, all of the USA, said the donors are pleased to give back to young, talented players through this noble initiative. He pledged, on their behalf, continued support.

Munisar and Hetmyer both expressed gratitude, and promised to continue to work hard to make everyone and themselves proud.

The project is happy to assist

created M-FAP,” Forde has said.

“It is designed to put the power in the hands of our members, so that they have all the resources they need to deliver on their mandates.”

Adrian Hetmyer receiving his gift from Winroy Bakker

young players, and has reached out to many promising cricketers and clubs across the length and breadth of Guyana. The hope of the initiative is to assist in producing more cricketers for Guyana and the West Indies.

Total cricket related items collected so far: $130,000 cash, two trophies, 11 cricket boots, 17 pairs of batting pads, 19 bats, 13 pairs of batting gloves, 19 thigh pads, one wicket-keeping pad, one arm guard, six cricket bags and two helmets.

In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket keeper/ batsman.

To date, 36 young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefited from the receipt of three junior gear bag, two trophies, one arm guard, 13 bats, one box, two helmets, 9 pairs of cricket shoes, 9 pairs of batting pads, one bat rubber and 11 pairs of batting gloves.

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

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

The owners of this initiative take this opportunity to thank

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

Thanks to the media for the role, they are playing in promoting this venture. Distribution will continue.

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

CLASSIFIED ADS HOUSE FOR SALE Fully concrete Top and Bottom, 24 x 42 - + 8 FT Extention, 4 12x12 Rooms, $30 Million neg. Contact: 692-7305 or +1 646 972 9267.

VACANCY R.A Soda Factory, Rossignol, West Coast Berbice. Tel.# 330-2399, 330-2852, 656-7456, 6922981. Male and Female Workers, Accountant, Bond Clerk, Machine Operator, Drivers.

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Barbados Pride fielded a star-studded team

By Brandon Corlette in Trinidad

G

uyana Harpy Eagles ended a sunny opening day in their match against the Barbados Pride at 219-4, after 90 overs were bowled at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

In the third round of their Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) Regional Four-Day Tournament, playing against Barbados Pride, Harpy Eagles’ Tagenarine Chanderpaul batted all day to end on 64 not out, while Tevin Imlach scored

his usual attacking mode, and found the boundary on four occasions. Dropped at second slip by Jonathan Carter on 14 off pacer Akeem Jordan, the left-hander did not capitalise on his early life, and five runs

Raymon Reifer.

After that wicket, opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Tevin Imlach dropped anchor, and went to lunch at 68-1, with Imlach on 32 not out and Chanderpaul unbeaten on 11.

fours, and had shared a 94-run second-wicket partnership with Chanderpaul.

At the tea interval, Harpy Eagles were 116-2 after 57 overs.

Minutes after the tea break, captain Leon Johnson attempted to use his feet, but Shane Dowrich was unable to complete the stumping. Johnson, who has been struggling to score big runs, played some aggressive shots, but as soon as he was looking classy, he gifted his wicket to Kraigg Brathwaite, who flighted one, and Johnson fell, caught at mid-off for 37. He had faced 77 balls in an innings that included six fours, and had featured with Chanderpaul in a 58-run partnership.

Akshya Persaud, who had

Tevin Imlach scored his maiden first-class fifty

Leon Johnson looked good, but gifted his wicket to Kraigg Brathwaite

53, his maiden first-class halfcentury, earlier in the day.

Under glorious sunshine at the beautiful Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad, Guyana Harpy Eagles won the toss and opted to bat first, on a good batting pitch with a bit of grass covering. Berbician pacer Demetri Cameron made his debut, while Vishaul Singh and Kevin Sinclair were the players to miss out. The Essequibo duo of Ronsford Beaton and Antony Adams are the reserves.

The aggressive Chandrapaul Hemraj started in

later in his innings, departed for 19 from 20 balls, caught behind off the bowling of

In an earlier incident, looking positive after the drinks break, the right-handed Imlach had played a sweet coverdrive off the first-ball of Roston Chase, and had continued to gain in confidence.

After the lunch break, Imlach was dropped by Carter at backward point on 38, as he attempted to cut a short Jomel Warrican delivery. He continued along nicely, and reached his half-century in the process.

Jordan finally got his reward when Imlach edged one to Shamarh Brooks at second slip, with the score on 114-2 after 53.5 overs. Imlach had made a composed 53 from 148 balls, which included seven

SCOREBOARD GUYANA 1ST INNINGS Tagenarine Chanderpaul not out 64 Chanderpaul Hemraj c Dowrich b Reifer 19 Tevin Imlach c Brooks b Jordan 53 Leon Johnson c Reifer b Brathwaite 37 Akshaya Persaud b Jordan 13 Anthony Bramble not out 21 TOTAL (4 wickets, 90.0) (12 extras) 219 FOW: 20/1 (4.5) Chanderpaul

Hemraj 114/2 (53.5) Tevin Imlach 172/3 (77.3) Leon Johnson, 191/4 (83.5) Akshaya Persaud BARBADOS BOWLING O-M-R-W Raymon Reifer 10-6-17-1 Akeem Jordan 18-7-50-2 Jonathan Carter 18-6-34-0 Keon Harding 9-0-32-0 Roston Chase 16-6-30-0 Jomel Warrican 14-4-36-0 Kraigg Brathwaite 5-1-17-1

Compliments of

been struggling in the recent practice matches in Guyana, made only 13. He was bowled by debutant pacer Jordan at 1914. Chanderpaul watched his partners fall, but in the process, he reached his 11th first-class half-century. On a few occasions, he attempted to dance down the track to the Barbadian spinners, in small signs of aggression.

Wicket-keeper/batsman Anthony Bramble came and looked at his usual aggressive best, ending the day with a six.

Prior to that, he struck three fours in his run-a-ball 21.

Jordan had 2-50 in 18 overs, while Reifer and Brathwaite had

23

Chanderpaul dug deep and dropped anchor

one wicket each. Bramble and Chanderpaul will restart the second day from 10:00h Eastern Caribbean Time.

Summary from other matches: Windwards: 137 all out.

Keron Cottoy 50. Marquino Mindley 5-20. Nicholson Gordon 4-43. <Jamaica:> 118-4. John Campbell 48. Preston McSween 2-38.

Leewards: 308-7. Kieran Powell 139, Amir Jangoo 58.

Jayden Seales 2-35.

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2022

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

Page 23

Tevin Imlach on the go at Queen’s Park

Shabika Gajnabi y celebrating her centur

T

he first match of the GCB Inter-County 50 Overs Female Competition got underway at the National Stadium at Providence, EBD with Berbice United thrashing Essequibo with ease, compliments of centuries from Shabika Gajnabi (129), Katana Mentore (159), and Shenetta Grimmond (101*), which propelled their side to a mammoth

519-3.

At the start of play, Berbice lost Marian Samaroo for a single run, and Essequibo sought to capitalize, but were faced with a 250-plus partnership between Gajnabi and Mentore. The duo picked up boundaries with ease, and Essequibo had no response.

Eventually Gajnabi fell for 129 off 91 deliveries, her innings

Gajnabi was awarded ‘player of the match’ for scorin g 129 runs and taking 3 wickets for 2 runs

Mentore and Gajnabi s compiled 250-plus run for the second wicket

Katana Mentore scored 159

having included 21 boundaries.

But when the important wicket of Gajnabi fell, Mentore carried on with the powerhouse Grimmond, and they upped the ante, with Mentore passed her 150 and continuing to play her shots.

However, when at 159, Mentore was dismissed by Kumarie Persaud, her innings having included 18 boundaries.

Sherica Campbelle then occupied the crease, but only to support Grimmond, who opened her shoulders and flexed her muscles as she blasted an unbeaten 101 off 66 balls, with 11 boundaries at a strike rate of 153.

Campbelle chipped in with 43 off 30 balls as Berbice ended on 519-3 in their allotted 50 overs.

Analeisa D'Aguiar bagged 2-114

and Kumarie Persaud bagged 1-81.

Heading into the chase, Essequibo needed 520 runs off 300 deliveries. For them it was an impossible total, and it soon found them staring down the barrel of a gun. Showcasing that they were not only good with the baat but with the ball as well, the Berbicians’ bowling kept eating away at the Essequibo side,

eventually dismissing them for 38 in 17.3 overs.

No Essequibo player was able to pass the 10-run mark, as Berbice bowlers Shabika Gajnabi, with 3-2; Sherica Campbelle, with 2-9; and Erva Giddings, with 2-15, decimated their innings; while Ashmini Munisar and Shenetta Grimmond each bagged a wicket.

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.