Guyana Times -- Tuesday, April 5, 2022

GDF officer tops UNDP P course in India 10

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

Issue No. 4970

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

Govt working on a holistic immigration policy – President Ali See story on page 3

...says regional integration fundamental to Guyana’s national development

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

16-year- P16 old stabbed to death in Albouystown

GCCI calls for Hicken to be appointed substantive Top Cop P2 Duo charged for terrorising, robbing Kimbia P17 family

President Dr Irfaan Ali along with Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd; Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond; Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud and GO-Invest CEO, Dr Peter Ramsaroop during the meeting

ExxonMobil seeks approval for Uaru+ Project following approval – says ready to go ahead with US$10B Yellowtail project of Yellowtail – production to start in 2025 from One Guyana FPSO Page 7

Mother, 4 P16 children attacked by Africanised bees

Speaker says vacant APNU seats could be filled by next parliamentary sitting

Convicted P8 killer mounts appeal against 70-year jail sentence

April 8 designated National Day of Fasting and Prayers

Fisherman feared dead after falling overboard at Orealla P16

See story on page 11

– Norton says party has written to Granger nominating himself, Volda Lawrence

Construction of homes for 100 families in Region 6 nears completion

Page 12

…argues trial Judge admitted prejudicial evidence

Page 9

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GCCI calls for Hicken to be appointed substantive Top Cop

President Dr Irfaan Ali

T

he Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is calling for Deputy Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken to be appointed as the substantive Commissioner of Police, noting that it has had strong working relations with him.

Last week, President Dr Irfaan Ali, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, appointed Hicken to act in the office of Commissioner of Police. He takes over from acting Top Cop Nigel Hoppie, who has since proceeded on pre-retirement leave.

While the GCCI extended congratulations to Hicken on his new designation, it called for his “full appointment as Commissioner

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

of Police through the due process prescribed in law.”

The GCCI underscored that it believes that Hicken can wholly serve and function as the Commissioner of Police permanently.

The Private Sector body said that it looks forward to the process being undertaken at the earliest possible time with the cooperation of all the necessary parties.

Moreover, it said that it is looking forward to continuing its working relations with Hicken and anticipates consideration of its appeal for him to be made the substantive head of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

According to the GCCI, the corporate community will continue to support the work

of the Police “so that we can build a stronger and safer society”. His appointment took effect on March 30.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Commissioner with responsibility for Operations in August 2020, Hicken was seconded to the Department of Citizenship in 2019 under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

Known for his dynamic style of management, he was also popular during his reign as Commander of A and B Divisions and was well known for his outreaches into communities and interactions with members of the public.

While many are in support of Hicken’s ascension to acting Police Commissioner, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) – the largest party in the APNU/AFC coalition – has threatened to challenge the

constitutionality of his appointment.

Besides arguing that Hicken was not next in line, the PNCR said that Article 211 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana requires that there be meaningful consultation between the President, Opposition Leader, and Chairperson of the Police Service Commission (PSC) on the appointment of the Top Cop. Guyana has been without an Opposition Leader since January when former Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon resigned from the role. PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton, who was elected to the helm of the party in December 2021, is yet to be appointed a parliamentarian.

With there being no Opposition Leader and Chairman of the PSC, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, noted that

Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken

there was no one for the President to consult with on the appointment of the Police Commissioner.

“It’s no fault of the Government or the President that there is no Leader of the Opposition. It’s no fault of the Government or the President that there is no Police Service Commission because the appointment of the Police Service Commission comes through a process that, again, involves consultations with the Leader of the Opposition, and there is no Leader of the Opposition,” he said.

According to him, President Ali acted lawfully when he went ahead and appointed an acting Top Cop in the absence of those he

PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton

has to consult with since the Guyana Police Force cannot be left headless.

He added, “The Police Commissioner is the person who has overall management and superintendence over the Guyana Police Force. He is responsible for the day-to-day management and superintendence of the Guyana Police Force. Therefore, you cannot have a Police Force without a person performing those functions. In that scenario, a President cannot abdicate his responsibility and can’t allow the Police Force that is responsible for the national and domestic security of the country to be without an administrative head”.

TURN TO PAGE 11

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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

Tuesday, Apr 5 – 03:30h – 05:00h and Wednesday, Apr 6 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

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Tuesday, Apr 5 – 06:05h – 07:35h and Wednesday, Apr 6 – 06:30h – 08:00h.

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 20 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 06:39h and 19:04h reaching maximum heights of 2.66 metres and 2.5 metres.

Low Tide: 12:38h reaching a minimum height of 0.56 metre.

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...says regional integration fundamental to Guyana’s national development

T

o support Guyana’s current development trajectory, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday, during the Global Business Leadership Forum, related that his Government is working on a holistic immigration policy.

This, he said, is because the country has found itself in a position where there is a net loss of labour.

“I had a meeting on Friday with the contractors, and they’re all behind schedule now because they can’t find labour. They can’t find workers, and this is a major problem that we’re going to be faced with. Some may say it’s a good problem to have, but it’s a very troubling problem. So, we are working now on a holistic immigration policy, not only for the diaspora but understanding critically what the demand will be in three years, five years and ten years.”

The President added that a leading expert has been hired in the area that will work along with the country’s local team to examine the issue and provide an analysis that will be used to form a policy.

“We need people badly and we need them now, and with the type of infrastructure that we’re investing in, the type of healthcare service we’re investing, the type of education services that we’re investing in, guess what?

Those services, when they’re fully built out in five years to 10 years, will require people to consume the service.”

Further, President Ali stated that regional integration is a fundamental pillar of Guyana’s economic development. He explained that Caricom has “enormous” economic potential and that Guyana is willing to provide a platform through which investors can realise such. He also mentioned upcoming events to facilitate this, including the country’s hosting of the region’s Agriculture Investment Forum in May.

United region

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Govt working on a holistic immigration policy – President Ali

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Ali further stated that although Guyana’s oil and gas sector continues to make the headlines, his Government remains committed to developing “a well-diversified” economy that will lead to a sustainable path to prosperity.

“Not only country prosperity but people prosperity, and a country that brings the region together and contributes significantly to regional prosperity. There is a difference between economic development and financial prosperity. We do not want people to have financial prosperity without economic development.”

The President explained that while trade barriers still exist between Caricom nations in a “major way”, recently, there has been a greater push to remove

President Dr Irfaan Ali

them.

He also used the opportunity to highlight the economic prowess of Guyana’s traditional sectors as well as the issues that the country has faced in the past in realising its development priorities.

“For me, oil and gas is just a catalyst to do the very things that could have been done decades ago.”

People transformation

The Head of State said that one of the most powerful tools that Guyana has produced is its human resources.

“People who are brilliant, people who understand issues and people who are able to not only help Guyana but to go all over the world and shine.”

He said that Guyanese must prepare themselves for the impending opportunities.

“We’re not talking to-

day only about preparing our young people for the oil and gas sector. We want every single primary school student to have elementary training in coding and software development. By the time you get up to secondary school, you must be doing serious work on becoming specialised or becoming specialists in software creation and development.”

He said that school curriculums have to change to reflect the dynamism of the new path that the country is on.

“So, in the people’s transformation, education is the foundational pillar, ensuring that every Guyanese has access to the best possible education…education to develop analytical thinking, education to develop transformational thinking, education to develop not only our understanding of an issue or comprehension of an issue but

our critical thinking path— that is the type of education that we were talking about.”

President Ali also expounded on the country’s healthcare system and said that Guyana is not only aiming to provide the best healthcare to its population but also to the entire Caricom region. He added that the country is also aiming to enhance its education and healthcare systems to earn funds.

The President said that another aspect of transformation is “futuristic transformation”, which will not only encompass building the economy for now and the future but will be driven by, among other things, technology (such as robotics), an energy corridor and food security.

The Global Business Leadership Forum was moderated by Vice President, Government Affairs and Social Impact, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corporation Rhonda Binda and President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation Gary Mar. Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd; Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond; Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud and CEO of GO-Invest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop were also a part of the discussions.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 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

National Day of Fasting and Prayers

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali has called on religious bodies to unite under the banner of “One Guyana” for a National Day of Fasting and Prayers on Friday, April 8.

The Day of Fasting and Prayers is being called at this time as three significant religious observances are overlapping this month – Muslims are observing Ramadan, Hindus are observing Chaitra Navratri, and Christians are observing Lent. This rare occurrence offers a meaningful opportunity for Guyanese from all religious persuasions to come together to pray for Guyana.

As President Ali had noted in his address on Guyana’s 52nd Republic Anniversary on February 23: “while we are a multicultural and multireligious society, there are some common values in our belief system that we must inculcate if we are to build a stronger Guyana that will bring prosperity for all”. Fasting and praying to draw closer to God is one such commonality.

“Religious fasting, first of all, is an act of humility before God, a penitential expression of our need for conversion from sin and selfishness. Its aim is nothing less than helping us to become more loving persons, loving God above all and our neighbour as ourselves. Its purpose, therefore, is the transformation of our total being – mind, body, and spirit,” said Monsignor Charles Murphy, the author of The Spirituality of Fasting, in defining this spiritual practice.

In other words, fasting is not meant to make us feel bad or to prove to ourselves that we are strong enough to resist temptations. Fasting is meant to make us more loving persons. When we fast for a religious purpose, we do so in order to be transformed in God's grace and all of our relationships should flourish as a result.

“Fasting,” Msgr Murphy writes, “cannot achieve these aims unless its focus is on God in prayer and not on ourselves.”

As DeTurris Poust observes in a prayerful meditation on fasting and feasting: “So much of life is out of balance today. Too much, too little, too caught up in the whirlwind.

The world insists we need more, more, more, more, pushing us to grab all we can. But wait. Slow down. Stop.

There is another way, a better way, the only way. Only by emptying ourselves out before God will we find fullness within ourselves.”

The benefits of fasting go beyond the soul. Just as it cleanses and purifies the spirit, bringing us closer to God, it cleanses and purifies the body. When we fast, insulin levels drop and Human Growth Hormone (HGH) increases, boosting fat burning and muscle growth and lowering blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Our cells also initiate important cellular repair processes and change which genes they express, promoting longevity and protection against disease. Fasting helps cleanse the body of waste, including cancer-causing substances, improving the functioning of our hearts, kidneys, and lungs among many other health benefits.

In calling for the National Day of Fasting and Prayers, President Ali is advocating that Guyanese seize the opportunity for religious bodies and persons from all belief systems to join with each other to promote the spirit of togetherness and true health.

“I would like all of us to fast together, pray together, and stay together as “One Guyana”,” he said.

So, let us heed the call so that we may achieve Taqwa (oneness with God, liberation from ignorance, wisdom, and understanding of the mysteries of the majestic universe).

Shawn Phipps, a farmer of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown turned up at the Agriculture Ministry on Monday with a cassava that weighed 36lb. It was pulled from his farm in West Ruimveldt

From curbing consumerism to caring for others, Ramadan has lessons for us all

By Nadeine Asbali

F

or Muslims and non-Muslims alike, the core tenets of the holy month can help us achieve communal and personal change Ramadan is here, and Muslims all around the world have started a monthlong spiritual bootcamp: days spent abstaining from food and drink, and nights passed in prayer and contemplation. Mosques brim with life as they open their doors to the young and the old, familiar faces and new ones standing side by side, reciting the same words as more than a billion others around the globe.

This may be the first Ramadan in two years that we can be together in person, but our homes ache with the absence of those stolen by COVID, and for many this year, iftar meals will be meagre as the costof-living crisis takes its toll.

As Ramadan is celebrated in a nation more fractured than ever, it’s not just Muslims who could do with a little of its spirit. It is a common misconception that Ramadan is all about food.

In truth, it is about starving the body to feed the soul. By temporarily depriving our bodies of what they need, we forge room for spirituality and introspection, generosity and discipline, to blossom in its place.

Maybe we could all do with more of that in our era, where the self is supreme.

Self-care and selfies, selfmade and self-sufficient – we live in an individualistic age where the I comes before the we. The pandemic gave us a brief respite from that, as we clapped on our doorsteps and made small talk with the people we had previously ignored.

But it didn’t last long. We were soon back to avoiding eye contact on the street, and passing homeless people by as if they were invisible.

Ramadan forces Muslims to uphold the importance of community. We share food with neighbours, and give charity within our means: whether a smile to a stranger or cash to those in need.

With the cost-of-living crisis so extreme that people are having to decline produce at food banks because they cannot afford the energy to cook them, imagine if it was the social norm to embody the Ramadan spirit and give so freely that, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, even your left hand doesn’t know what your right has given. Imagine if a family forced to choose between heating and eating opened their door to find a tray of home-cooked food on the doorstep, delivered by an anonymous neighbour.

When poverty is inflict-

ed by the State, manufactured through budget cuts and shifting policy, it falls on us to enact change. A famous Hadith reminds us that nobody can call themselves a Muslim if their own stomach is full while their neighbour is hungry.

What if we all lived by this sentiment? Wealth distribution is fundamental to the Muslim understanding of social justice. We are obliged to donate 2.5 per cent of our wealth above a certain threshold to charity.

Can you imagine the potential for change if the world’s billionaires donated even one per cent of their wealth each year?

The focus for most Muslims during Ramadan is on praying and reciting the Qur’an. Many will gather at mosques for taraweeh (additional prayers during Ramadan) and recite the Qur’an into the early hours.

Prayer has been replaced in our society by its more fashionable derivative, “manifesting”: essentially prayer minus God. Whereas prayer is about submitting yourself to a higher power and striving for self-improvement, manifesting is about speaking what you want into reality. But in our time of mass consumption, does everything have to be about what we want? The pursuit of meaningless things is destroying our planet, fracturing our societies, lining

the pockets of the rich, and enslaving the destitute. A small few consume so much that there isn’t enough for the many. Like the fasting person who has to control their temptation, maybe we could all benefit from curbing our insatiable appetite to constantly acquire more and more.

When our body is starved of sustenance, our true nature reveals itself. Our anger, jealousy and greed are laid bare, and we are forced to grapple with them and overcome them. Popular discourse around self-care asserts that we don’t need to change ourselves – that if others don’t approve, we “cancel” them for our own contentment. But none of us is perfect: to err and to improve are what make us human. When everything revolves around the self, we stop taking accountability, striving to be better.

Ramadan reminds us all that introspection is vital and healthy. Less “what do I want?” and more “how can I be better?”. Through embodying the core tenets of Ramadan, we are forced to examine how we can strive for personal and communal change. And in our increasingly hostile, polarised, and unjust nation, we need that now more than ever. (The Guardian) (Nadeine Asbali is a secondary school teacher in London)

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

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News

Govt, IDB Invest discuss investment opportunities

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enior Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and officials from the Finance Ministry on Monday met with Chief Executive Officer of Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Invest, James Scriven and team to examine the wide range of Private Sector opportunities in Guyana that the Bank can support.

Later in the day, Dr Singh hosted a roundtable meeting with representatives of the Private Sector and Scriven and team to discuss Guyana’s development agenda.

IDB Invest is the private sector arm of the IDB. Its aim is to advance economic development and improve lives by encouraging growth of the private sector. Minister Singh was joined by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill and Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal while the Private Sector team was led

by Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Paul Cheong.

The Government of Guyana has been working aggressively (since its assumption to office in August 2020) to create the conditions for Private Sector-led growth with Government policies designed to create jobs and allow for income generation.

The meeting focused on the wide range of Private Sector opportunities for possible investment by the Bank such as an expansion of trade financing with commercial banks and providing support to mi-

Officials at the meeting at the ACCC on Monday

cro-enterprises.

Additionally, discussions centred on various sectors poised for rapid expansion including oil and gas, agriculture and agro-processing, tourism and Information Communications Technology (ICT) such as the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector. It also allowed for an examination of available financing instruments, various mechanisms and modalities of accessing this financing and examples of how these mechanisms have worked in other countries. IDB Invest offers an array of investment opportunities and provides its clients with customised financing solutions and expert advice, tailored to their specific industry and market.

IDB Invest was formerly known as the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC).

The entity partners with the private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean to finance projects to advance clean energy, modernise agriculture, strengthen transportation systems and expand access to financing.

Financial solutions offered by IDB Invest include trade and supply chain finance, blended finance, guarantees, equity and loans.

On Monday last, during the 2022 annual meeting of the Boards of Governors of the IDB and IDB Invest, held virtually, Minister Singh lauded the commitment of the IDB Group to the continued support to the Caribbean sub-re-

gion. The Minister was speaking on behalf of the Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, the smallest member countries of the IDB Group.

Last week, the Senior Finance Minister hosted a similar roundtable discussion between the World Bank and the private sector, led by Country Director for the Caribbean Lilia Burunciuc and new Resident Representative of the Bank Dilletta Doretti.

That meeting served as an opportunity for dialogue on the Government’s economic objectives and priorities and potential opportunities for World Bank support through its assistance and lending programmes.

The truth will come to light

By Hindus For Selfless Service

C

haitra Navratri is a nine-day festival to Goddess Durga’s nine incarnations and is observed every year after Holi. It is also known as Vasant/ Spring Navratri, that starts on the first day of the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar which falls in March or April. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and each of her nine incarnations is worshipped on successive nights.

Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar and that’s why this Navratri is called Chaitra Navratri. It is also known as Rama Navratri, as Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama usually falls on the ninth day during Navratri festivity.

This year Goddess Durga festival commenced on April 1, 2022, and will conclude on April 10, 2022. The festival celebrates the nine forms of Hindu Goddess Durga and each day is associated with a different colour.

Day 5

Navratri Day Five is dedicated to the worship of Skandamata, the fifth form of NavaDurga. When Goddess Parvati became the mother of Lord Kartikeya (Lord Skanda), she came to be known as Skandamata.

She is also known as Padmasana or Skanda Devi.

Goddess Skandamata rides a ferocious lion and carries the many-headed baby Kartikeya in her lap. The goddess has four hands with the right hand in the Abhaya Mudra. A crescent moon of Lord Shiva can also be found on her forehead. She sits on the lotus flower and because of that Skandamata is also known as Goddess Padmasana. Red-coloured flowers are her favourite.

Dear Editor, Lots have been said about the alleged incident concerning Shawnette Bollers and Nirvan Singh, and all that was spoken and written about, carry a narrative that seems to suggest that Mr Singh is guilty! How ironic.

I attended school with Nirvan Singh and throughout my school life, I have never heard a word depicting narcissism or racism in him.

My memory of him is that he is a wonderful and caring young man who always maintains close relationships with everyone.

The incident with Miss Bollers was an unfortunate one and his father, who is also the former Chancellor of the Judiciary – Justice Carl Singh, issued an apology to her. For me that does not say that Nirvan is guilty of her allegations; when the truth is told then all those who are making it a social and class issue would be surprised. I must commend Justice Singh, a man of his stature, to apologise to her, it shows his humility and magnanimity.

We are all aware that the brothers of prophet Joseph/ Yusuff carried and returned to their father with bloodstained clothes, claiming that

a wolf snatched him while they were playing. Many years later the truth surfaced and he had become one of the Kings of Egypt. All too often the one who screams the loudest has something to hide.

My understanding is that a few days before this incident Miss Bollers was very abusive to Mrs Singh and she is always in the habit of showing attitude and the night of the incident she had Nirvan waiting for over twenty minutes. This is what sparked the incident. Now to be logical, Police in this country have always shown power to citizens. I find it difficult to comprehend that Miss Bollers didn’t say a word.

Every day I drive in Georgetown, I am subjected to racial abuse in the vilest manner “you collie this and you collie that” and all of it is from women of African descent. I would also respond in a similar manner. Does this suggest that I am a racist? I am mixed anyway.

I have also witnessed so many women of Indian descent beaten, robbed and treated in the most disdainful manner by a particular ethnicity “in full view of the world” and not a word of condemnation is said from the

same group that is so passionate about justice for Miss Bollers.

I hope that very soon the facts will become available and it’s not another case of

extortion as we can see in the lawsuit filed for $150 million by her attorney.

Yours truly, Hana Mohamed

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

By Dennis Brutus It is the constant image of your face framed in my hands as you knelt before my chair the grave attention of your eyes surveying me amid my world of knives that stays with me, perennially accuses and convicts me of heart’s-treachery; and neither you nor I can plead excuses for you, you know, can claim no loyalty – my land takes precedence of all my loves.

Yet I beg mitigation, pleading guilty for you, my dear, accomplice of my heart made, without words, such blackmail with your beauty and proffered me such dear protectiveness that I confess without remorse or shame, my still-fresh treason to my country and I hope that she, my other, dearest love will pardon freely, not attaching blame being your mistress (or your match) in tenderness.

I

n this fun and easy force and motion science experiment for kids, we’re going to stab a potato with a straw.

Materials: Straw Potato

Instructions:

Hold the straw in your writing hand.

Place your thumb over the top end of the straw.

Make sure your hand holding the potato is out of the way.

Now thrust the straw straight into the potato with one strong push.

The straw should stab into the potato without bending.

Summary The persona reflects on the image of someone he cares for. This love interest accused him, with their eyes, of breaking their heart. The persona admits that both of them (he and the love interest) can make no excuses for his behaviour because the love interest does not take precedence over his land, or country. Despite this fact, the persona begs for mercy, pleading guilty for being seduced by his love interest’s beauty. This person protects him dearly and he admits that, as a result of this, he has committed treason against his country. He hopes that his country, his other dearest love, will pardon him because he loves both his country and his love interest.

Literary devices

Personification Oxymoron Themes: love, guilt, patriotism, places, desires/ dreams

How it works:

Your thumb will trap air inside the straw. By trapping the air, the air molecules will compress and give your straw strength that keeps it from bending as you stab it through the potato.

Make this a science project:

Try this experiment with different sized straws. Try this experiment with other vegetables and fruits. (sciencefun.org)

“Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes” – Peter Drucker

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ExxonMobil seeks approval for Uaru+ Project following approval of Yellowtail – says ready to go ahead with US$10B Yellowtail Project – production to start in 2025 from One Guyana FPSO

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ith the Guyana Government last week greenlighting ExxonMobil’s fourth development project offshore – the Yellowtail Project – the oil giant is now seeking local authorities’ approval for its fifth developmental project, Uaru+.

Exxon’s Country Manager, Alastair Routledge, announced in a video release that ExxonMobil has submitted an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval for a fifth development in the Stabroek Block where it has already found oil.

“Even as we make this final investment decision for Yellowtail, our team in Guyana has submitted an application for environmental authorisation for a fifth development in the Stabroek Block. Uaru+.”

“This reflects our commitment to steadily and responsibly develop the current resource estimate of more than 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels. These developments and our ongoing exploration success, will enable the continued advancement of our Guyanese workforce and the companies supporting our activities,” he said.

Routledge also revealed that the Guyana Government has already received over US$600 million in direct revenue from Exxon’s operations offshore Guyana. This, he said, will grow quickly as a result of high oil prices and the re-

ExxonMobil Upstream Company President Liam Mallon

cent start-up of the Liza Phase 2 project.

“Revenues from the first two years of operation have been incorporated into the 2022 Government’s budget to support key national projects. ExxonMobil Guyana is ensuring that Guyanese are actively involved in the development of their country’s resource,” Routledge said.

In addition to Yellowtail, Exxon already has approval from EPA for three other projects; the Liza 1 and the Liza 2, which are already producing oil and the Payara development.

ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027.

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil is now ready to go ahead with its fourth project offshore

Guyana, the Yellowtail development which will produce some 250,000 barrels of oil per day, having made its Final Investment Decision (FID), just days after receiving Government and regulatory approval.

In a statement, the company explained that with the Government approvals received for the project, the FID has been made and production will begin in 2025. The statement also contained a quote from ExxonMobil Upstream Company President Liam Mallon, who hailed the partnership that has been forged between ExxonMobil and Guyana.

“Yellowtail’s development further demonstrates the successful partnership between ExxonMobil and Guyana, and helps provide the world with another reliable source of energy to meet future demand and ensure a secure energy transition.

We are working to maximise benefits,” Mallon said.

It is anticipated that the Yellowtail production from the One Guyana Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel will develop an estimated resource of more than 900 million barrels of oil. The $10 billion project will include six drill centres and up to 26 production and 25 injection wells.

So far, ExxonMobil’s ongoing offshore exploration in Guyana has discovered a recoverable resource of more than 10 billion oil-equiva-

lent barrels. The company anticipates up to 10 projects on the Stabroek Block to develop this resource.

“Development of projects and continued exploration success offshore are enabling the steady advancement of Guyanese capabilities and enhanced economic growth. More than 3500 Guyanese are supporting ExxonMobil’s activities in Guyana, an increase of more than 50 per cent since 2019,” the company said in its statement.

“ExxonMobil and direct contractors have spent more than $600 million with more than 880 local suppliers since 2015. More than 3000 Guyanese companies are registered with the Centre for Local Business Development, which was founded by ExxonMobil and its co-venturers in 2017 to build local business capacity and support global competitiveness.”

Exxon Country Manager Alastair Routledge

Back in May 2019, Exxon subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) was granted approval by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to go ahead with its Liza Phase 2

Development offshore Guyana.

The oil company had said that the project will have the capacity to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day. Exxon had also revealed that the Liza Phase 2 development was funded at the cost of some US$6 billion, including a lease capitalisation cost of approximately $1.6 billion, for the Liza Unity FPSO vessel. For the Phase 2 Development, six drill centres were planned, along with approximately 30 wells – 15 productions, nine water injection and six gas injection wells.

The US$9 billion Payara development, the third development, will meanwhile target an estimated resource base of about 600 million oil-equivalent barrels and was at one point considered to be the largest single planned investment in the history of Guyana.

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Convicted killer mounts appeal against 70-year jail sentence …argues trial Judge admitted prejudicial evidence

On the road…

I Convicted killer Rajesh Guyadeen

Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud

Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory

ajesh Guyadeen, 41, called “Bruckmans”, who was in 2018 sentenced to 70 years’ imprisonment for the 2003 murder of Nandram Manohar, is of the view that the Judge who conducted his trial admitted prejudicial evidence. He argued, that this, coupled with the other misdirections the Judge gave to the jury, rendered his conviction unsafe.

Considering this, the convict is asking the Court of Appeal of Guyana to overturn his conviction and jail sentence.

Arguing on Guyadeen’s behalf is Attorney-at-Law Brandon De Santos, while Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Teshana James-Lake is appearing on behalf of the State.

The Court of Appeal recently heard Guyadeen’s appeal against his conviction and sentence and has reserved its decision. Among the grounds of appeal advanced by De Santos was that trial Judge Navindra Singh admitted prejudicial evidence.

For context, he explained that Prosecutrix Abigail Gibbs told the jury that his client “run, run, run”. In her address to the jury, the prosecutor, among other things, had said that Guyadeen fled to neighbouring Suriname after committing the crime and was only arrested some 11 years after.

De Santos contended that whether this is true or

not, it is of little importance in terms of proving the elements of murder. According to the defence counsel, the prosecutrix’s assertion is prejudicial because it “would invite the jury to draw the conclusion that the reason he was running was to get away from any liability he ought to have faced”. He reasoned, “When you say he ‘run, run, run’, as a prosecutor you may have fallen into an error of giving the jury a misconception that he ran away to escape”.

He maintains that his client did not run away.

The defence lawyer said that other inferences could have been drawn from his client’s absence from the jurisdiction. Where other inferences can be drawn from the evidence, De Santos submitted that as a matter of law, the inference most favourable to the accused person must be drawn. While this evidence was prejudicial, he said, “it may have some probative value”.

“When one was to examine what the probative value was, about him running away, it does little, if anything, to establish the ingredients necessary for a murder charge. It may have established the reason why it took so long for the charge to have been brought and for the trial to have commenced. But that is not relevant…in a murder trial you need to have the ingredients for the murder charge led… and this running away as-

pect, in my respectful submission, did little, or anything, in terms of proving the elements of the charge of murder,” Guyadeen’s lawyer submitted.

For her part, Prosecutor James-Lake dismissed De Santos’ contention that the trial Judge did not fairly/ adequately put his client’s defence of alibi to the jury.

She recounted that when called upon to lead a defence, Guyadeen opted to give sworn testimony and called witnesses to support his alibi that he was not in the country at the time of the commissioning of the offence.

In putting Guyadeens’ defence to the jurors, the prosecutor said that the Judge indicated to them that this was a defence of alibi. Apart from summarising Guyadeen’s defence of him being in Suriname at the time of the incident, the prosecutor added that Justice Singh also analysed the evidence of the two witnesses he called in support of his defence.

Considering this, the Assistant DPP insisted that Guyadeen’s defence was extensively put to the jury by the trial Judge. “Equal treatment was given to the prosecution’s case and to the defence’s case,” she argued.

According to her, the trial Judge was “very clear” in his general directions that it was the prosecution that had the burden to prove the

R

Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

elements of the offence.

“The jury would have been clear because we had two cases that were completely opposite: the prosecution was saying that this is the appellant (Guyadeen) that caused the injuries… caused the death… and there we had the defence indicating that no we did not cause the injuries, the appellant was not there on the night.”

To this end, James-Lake submitted that taking the summing up as a whole, the trial Judge dealt adequately with the treatment of the evidence, including the defence of Guyadeen “so that the conviction in this matter ought to remain”.

This appeal was heard by Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory-Barnes and Rishi Persaud.

Reports state that on the night of May 4, 2003, at Unity, Lancaster, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD), Guyadeen and 26-year-old Manohar were at a wedding house when someone alleged that Manohar punctured Guyadeen’s bicycle wheel.

Shortly after, Manohar, called “Nando” was reportedly heard crying out that he had been stabbed.

The injured man was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital. His cause of death was given as perforation of the aorta and kidney as a result of a stab wound measuring some 16 centimetres in length.

According to reports, Guyadeen, who was the prime suspect in the man’s murder, fled the country and had been reportedly hiding out in Suriname.

He reportedly returned to Guyana in December 2013 and was apprehended two months later when Police ranks raided a hotspot where they found him smoking marijuana.

…to heaven or hell? f nothing else, Guyanese can’t complain about their spiritual needs being unaddressed –- especially right now! Hindus kicked off their “Nau Ratri” – nine nights of worshipping the Divine as “Mother” in nine incarnations.

Christians followed with their 40 days of observing Lent in which they’re exhorted to remember the execution of Jesus and his resurrection at Easter. And finally, Muslims have started their month-long fast of Ramadan that’ll end in the festival of Eid ul Fitr.

If everybody observes their religion, your Eyewitness supposes we should see a lowering of the crime, mayhem and angry politics that have now become the norm in our once-fair land. Sadly, he’s gone back to the news reports for the same period from some previous years and doesn’t have much hope of this crime lowering. So, either the criminals aren’t God-fearing or they believe all will be forgiven eventually! They obviously didn’t accompany your Eyewitness to his place of worship where he was assured that whatever he sowed, he’ll certainly reap. With interest!!

But with all this religion in the air, your Eyewitness wondered as to what role it was playing in Europe where Russia had invaded Ukraine and we were just shown some graphic pics of bodies strewn in the streets of a town outside Kyiv – from which the Ruskies have just retreated. Now, your Eyewitness knows he’s gonna be bombarded with all sorts of propaganda from the West ‘cause that’s where he lives.

The Russians would be streaming their version of how the war’s going to their people and allies.

But no matter how we slice it, dice it or even purée it, these horrible actions are inevitable once war breaks out between countries. Never mind, all religions have their version of what makes a “just war” that’s…well…justified.

There ain’t no saints in war and war is hell. In terms of brutality and inhumanity, the Ukrainians have their Azov battalions who’ve vowed not to observe any Geneva Conventions when it comes to the Russians. They’re the ones the Russians have justified their invasion by pointing out they call themselves “nazis”.

For our politics in Guyana, the lesson is we should beware of those pushing confrontation as the way to break a political logjam of their own creation. We had an election that the PNC tried a “ting” … to rig in front of the world.

It failed. Bellicosity and playing “wrong and strong” ain’t the answer. In democracies, elections have been accepted across the world as the means of settling political disputes.

An election’s coming up in three years.

Shouldn’t all parties be wooing constituencies across their divides to win fair and square? Rather than calling for “war break”? …but first, off the ships We all know that prices of the items in our shopping baskets have skyrocketed. We’re hearing it’s because of the war in the Ukraine. But hold it…our goods don’t come from Ukraine! At least not much. But this price rise started long before with the COVID lockdowns and the war simply multiplied whatever was going on. Which is – a phrase we might’ve all heard by now – breakdowns in the “supply chain”.

Over the last four decades that process called “globalisation” has been accelerating at breakneck speed and the “global village” isn’t a metaphor anymore. It’s the real thing. Every country is connected through specialisation of production and trade. But we’re not just trading commodities or manufactured goods – components of these goods now have to reach factories on the other side of the world!

In this “supply chain”, we’ve discovered that container ships are the weak links in getting stuff from country A to country B. Leading to shortages – and price rises!! Any comfort? …to normalcy?

We’re finally coming out of this two-year plus lockdown?

Your Eyewitness used to read about “cabin fever” in northern winters when the enforced lockdown – for a few months – led to mental explosions.

We haven’t done too badly, have we?

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 April 8 designated National Day of Fasting and Prayers NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali is calling on religious bodies to unite under the banner of “One Guyana” for a National Day of Fasting and Prayers on Friday, April 8, 2022.

The day of Fasting and Prayers is being called at this time as three significant religious observances are overlapping this month – Muslims are observing Ramadan, Hindus are observing Chaitra Navratri, and Christians are observing Lent.

This rare occurrence offers a meaningful opportunity for Guyanese from all religious persuasions to come together to pray for Guyana.

President Ali also sees

President Dr Irfaan Ali

this as an opportunity for the religious bodies and persons from all belief systems to join with each other to promote the spirit of to-

getherness.

“I would like all of us to fast together, pray together, and stay together as ‘One Guyana’,” he said.

The National Day of Fasting and Prayers will culminate with a grand interfaith meeting at the National Park in a time of prayer, songs and reflections. Similar activities are expected to be held in other parts of the country.

The President stated that “the ‘One Guyana’ vision springs from our rich multicultural heritage and the need to ensure that our diversity remains a source of strength and not an instrument of division and disaffection”.

The Head of State’s “One

Guyana” initiative also aims to ensure that every citizen

is accorded a dignified existence with due respect for

their rights and with equality before the law.

GuySuCo turnaround

Berbice sugar estates to surpass crop targets for 1st time since 2018 – 54% of sugar targets already completed in Berbice

Albion Sugar Estate, one of the Berbice estates leading the charge

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he Berbice estates of the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) has surpassed 50 per cent of their 2022 1st crop sugar production target and are on course to surpass their crop targets for the first time since 2018.

This was revealed in a statement from GuySuCo, which revealed that these estates are at a halfway point in the crop. It was explained that as of March 31, 2022, the Berbice Sugar Estate produced 54 per cent of its aggregate sugar targets.

In the case of Albion and Blairmont, these estates have produced 5407 and 4447 metric tonnes (MT), respectively.

Meanwhile, Uitvlugt Estate, which is currently out of grinding operations for over four weeks as a result of a mechanical failure, made 66 MT in the limited grinding time.

According to GuySuCo’s acting Factory Operations Director Vijay Gobardhan, sugar production is severely being affected at Uitvlugt Estate. This situation, he alluded, is a result of the failure of the #1 Mill Turbine’s

Reduction Gear Box; a piece of machinery that is essential to the factory’s grinding operations.

Gobardhan further stated that repair works on the damaged gearbox are ongoing. Fabrication was completed on Saturday, April 2, 2022, and the machining aspects of the repairs are currently in progress.

It is anticipated that the testing phase of the repaired gearbox will commence by Friday, April 8, 2022. The Corporation also said it continues to foster close collaboration with all stakeholders inclusive of the Trade Unions to ensure all are fully informed on what is happening in the industry, especially at Uitvlugt.

The vision is to recommence grinding operations at Uitvlugt Estate by Saturday, April 9, 2022. In the statement, GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sasenarine Singh described the situation at Uitvlugt as a bitter shame, noting that the unforeseen occurrences at Uitvlugt, “hath spoiled” the sweet moment of the perfor-

mance on the Berbice estates.

Nevertheless, it was noted that these estates are well on schedule to surpass their respective crop targets for the first time since the 2nd crop of 2018.

Back in March, Albion/ Port Mourant Estate in Berbice had claimed the distinction of being the first sugar estate for the year to surpass its weekly target, an event that is renewing hope and resulting in a bigger payday for workers.

According to a release from GuySuCo, the Albion/ Port Mourant Estate had surpassed its sugar production target for the week ending March 19, 2022, by 7.9 per cent.

“This was the first weekly target surpassed for the year 2022 in the sugar sector.

As a result of this achievement, qualified employees (who worked 80 per cent or more days available for the week) of Albion/Port Mourant Estate will benefit from an additional day’s pay (taxfree),” GuySuCo had said.

Further, the sugar company stated that the target was

surpassed even in the face of challenges posed by the intermittent rainfalls. In fact, almost 30 millimetres of rain fell during the week under question.

This resulted in the estate’s mechanical harvesting being stalled. Despite this, the estate was able to leverage the attendance of the harvesters and increased human productivity.

Last year, GuySuCo had reported that 4300 hectares of sugar cane were destroyed for 2021 due to flooding. This is land equivalent to over 52,000 house lots. GuySuCo was only able to rehabilitate 38 per cent of those damaged canes.

Albion Estate, which was expected to contribute 50 per

GuySuCo CEO Sase Singh

cent of sugar cane cultivation, had a mortality rate of 80 per cent due to the floods. This was cane that would have otherwise been harvested in the first crop of 2022. Berbice estates as a whole had 72 per cent more rainfall than 2020.

So unprecedented is the

flooding that GuySuCo experienced earlier in the year that “the Corporation drained some 4.5 million tonnes of water off the land daily during the 65 days’ flood, which is enough water to fill 2000 Olympic-sized swimming pools”.

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GDF officer tops UNDP course in India G

uyana Defence Force Major Sven Douglas recently returned from New Delhi, India, where he successfully completed the Training of the Trainers for United Nations Deployment Course 02.

The course was conducted over a three-weeks period, from March 14 to April, 1, 2022.

Major Douglas, who was among 19 officers from various countries undergoing training, is the Officer Commanding of the Colonel Ulric Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS); Standard Officer Course 54. Major Douglas graduated with the highest examination score and was awarded the prize for Best Foreign Officer.

High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa has congratulated Major Sven Douglas on successfully completing the United Nations Pre Deployment Training (UNPDT) - Training of the Trainers for United Nations Deployment Course held in New Delhi, India, at the Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK).

The Training of the Trainers for United Nations Deployment Course was designed to enable officers to function effectively within the United Nations environment and train fellow peacekeepers.

Upon successful completion, officers are competent to serve as

Major Sven Douglas

Commanders as part of their military contingents, prepare contingents for the conduct of negotiations in an area of conflict, carry out observation duties, manage checkpoints, and organise convoy protection and escort duties.

The curriculum saw participants being exposed to an array of core focus areas such as the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations - history, evolution and types, legal aspects, mandate and mission and mission analysis, organisa-

tion and role –functioning of joint operations centre and joint mission analysis centre, and thematic subjects such as child protection, protection of civilians, sexual exploitation and abuse, conflicted related sexual violence, civilian-military coordination and quick impact projects amongst others.

“The Government of India is very happy to have facilitated this training to a friendly partner country like Guyana with full funding.

This is part of an ever-increasing partnership with Guyana, especially in the capacity building of GDF with over 19 training slots allotted to Guyana since 2021 (8 officers have finished training in India already in various courses, 2 officers are leaving tomorrow for India while 9 more are due to go later this year),” the High Commission stated in a release to the media.

The Government of India has further added 10 additional slots for the GDF in addition to the above in 2022. This makes the current programme of cooperation with the GDF the largest ever so far between the two countries. India continues to engage with various Governmental institutions in Guyana for skills upgradation and technical expertise enhancement, under its South-South Cooperation model.

GDF Major Sven Douglas and Indian High Commissioner, Dr KJ Srinivasa

Duo awaits sentencing for murdering Linden businessman

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n Friday last, Stafrei Alexander, who is serving a life sentence for attempted murder; and Owen Belfield, were found guilty by a jury of the 2015 murder of Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) businessman, Richard Remington following a trial before Justice Brassington Reynolds at the High Court in Demerara.

Alexander called “Ratty” and “Mad Dog” and Belfield had initially pleaded not

guilty to the joint indictment which stated that they murdered 44-yearold Remington between February 8 and 12, 2015, in the county of Demerara.

Following deliberations which went late into Friday evening, a 12-member mixed jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts for both men. As such, sentencing for the two murder convicts has been deferred to April 22 to allow for the compilation of probation reports in their

favour and victim impact statements.

During the trial, the duo was represented by Attorney-at-Law Adrian Thompson while Senior State Counsel Seeta Bishundial appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh had testified that Remington was shot twice to his right-side temple. He gave the man’s cause of death as gunshot injuries to the head.

Guilty: Stafrei Alexander

Remington’s decomposed remains were found in a clump of bushes along a track in the vicinity of Matthews Lane in Christianburg/ Cholmondeley Hill, Linden.

The now dead man’s relatives had told the Police that he had left his home three days before his body was discovered. They had also opined that he might have been lured into the bushy spot by someone he knew.

Back in 2018, Alexander was found guilty of an attempted murder charge and was sentenced to serve life in prison. On March 23, 2015, in the county of Demerara, he discharged a loaded firearm at Curtis Thom with in-

tent to murder him.

The facts of the case are that the two men were not friends, even though they resided in the same community. On the day in question, Thom had held a christening at his Laing Avenue, Georgetown home to welcome his baby daughter.

When the event concluded and the guests left, Thom went to the back of his yard to clean up and feed the dogs. It was then Alexander walked past him and grumbled something. As Thom was entering his home, he saw Alexander standing next to him holding a shiny gun. Alexander shot him twice and he collapsed to the ground and started to bleed.

The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he underwent surgery and remained a patient for seven weeks.

Alexander was among several high-profile inmates who escaped when a fire destroyed the Camp Street prison back in 2017.

Then in January 2021, Alexander was found not guilty of murdering Terrence Thomas whose body was found floating in the Demerara River. It was alleged that he murdered Thomas between December 8 and 11, 2015, at Linden.

Alexander and Thomas had escaped from the Mackenzie

Guilty: Owen Belfield

Police Station where they were being held for the murder of Linden businesswoman, Shevon Gordon, who was gunned down during a robbery outside her Linden home on April 4, 2015.

It was reported that while in custody, Thomas provided the Police with vital information about the woman’s murder. He was later found dead in the Demerara River in the vicinity of West Watooka, Wismar, Linden.

Alexander, who is awaiting trial for the woman’s murder, was previously sentenced to two years in prison for escaping from lawful custody.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Speaker says vacant APNU seats could be filled by next parliamentary sitting – Norton says party has written to Granger nominating himself, Volda Lawrence

Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir

T

he vacant seats on the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) side of the National Assembly can be filled as early as the next parliamentary sitting. But this depends on how quickly the Opposition moves to fill these seats.

In an interview with the media on Monday, Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir was asked about the vacant Opposition seats in the National Assembly… both of which have been vacant since the end of March.

While two names, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Leader Aubrey Norton, and Volda

Lawrence, have emerged as possible candidates, Representative of the List of Candidates David Granger still has to write Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud as part of the process.

According to Nadir, the two candidates can be sworn in as early as the next sitting but that depends on how quickly the Opposition acts and whether the names can be conveyed formally to him before the sitting.

“I don’t know when Parliament will be convened. If names reach to me before the next sitting of Parliament, those persons will be sworn in… so far, my concern is a transmission from the Speaker to the leader of the list.”

“I haven’t received back anything from the representative of the list. What happens between the representative of the list and GECOM and GECOM and the representative of the list, I can’t say at this time,” Nadir said.

The Speaker also noted that the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition can occur on the very day those new members are sworn in.

All it takes is him convening a meeting of all Opposition Members of Parliament, which presumably includes

Representative of List of Candidates, David Granger

APNU/AFC and the joinder parties represented in the person of Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) Leader Lennox Shuman.

“Once we have the members sworn in, it is the duty of the Speaker to convene a meeting of all the Members of Parliament not on the Government side, to elect a Leader of the Opposition.

And that can happen within minutes after we conclude the first sitting when the new MPs are sworn in. So that would happen, almost immediately afterward,” Nadir explained.

It had previously been reported that Norton and Lawrence, herself a former parliamentarian

GCCI calls for Hicken...

Considering this, he reasoned that provisions in the law, specifically the doctrine of necessity, could be activated to allow for procedures to be undertaken in instances where there is an impossibility to comply with legal requirements.

The Attorney General said that the President was only required to consult with the Opposition Leader and the PSC, but the choice is his – exclusively – to make.

He explained, “The choice of who is to be the Commissioner of Police is one that lies exclusively with the President. In the exercise of that choice, he is to comply with a process… to consult with the Leader of the Opposition, not agree but consult, and to consult with the Chairperson of the Police Service Commission.

That has nothing to do with choice. The choice remains that of the President”.

According to the Attorney General, no one can substitute the President’s choice – not even a Judge. He explained that while there could be political consequences based upon the

Head of State’s choice, there was no legal consequence. The Legal Affairs Minister reminded that former President David Granger had similarly exercised his power to choose when he appointed Leslie James, who was at the time, not the most senior officer in the Police Force, as Police Commissioner.

“But President Granger was entitled to do so since there is no rule or provision that requires the most senior officer to be chosen as

FROM PAGE 2

Top Cop,” Nandlall said.

He noted that while the PNCR has objected to Hicken’s appointment, its coalition partner – the Alliance for Change (AFC) via its Leader Khemraj Ramjattan, who is a former Public Security Minister, seems to have accepted the appointment.

During an interview with an online media outlet, Ramjattan pointed out that the Police Force needed a leader and Hicken would “serve properly”.

and Minister of Public Health under the Granger Administration, have been nominated to fill the vacant seats. These seats became vacant following the resignation of former Opposition Leader Harmon, who officially resigned as an APNU/ AFC Member of Parliament on March 15, and former Education Minister under Granger’s coalition Government, Nicolette Henry, whose resignation took effect on March 31, 2022.

Harmon had contested for leadership of the PNC but lost to Norton who won by a landslide victory. Granger, who was the immediate past leader of the PNCR, did not contest for re-election. In fact, neither Harmon nor Granger was elected to the Central Executive Committee of the party – the highest decision-making body of the PNC. Norton, whose party controls the two vacant seats, already has a mandate from party executives to become Opposition Leader.

This publication meanwhile

PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton

PNCR member Volda Lawrence

made contact with Norton on Monday and he confirmed that the party has already written to Granger, in keeping with the process to fill the vacant seats. Norton also confirmed that both himself and Lawrence were nominated.

“Mr Granger, when he gets it, will (follow the requisite procedures). But yes, the two names are Norton and Lawrence,” Norton, who at the time was in a meeting in Congress Place, explained

to this publication.

The APNU/AFC Opposition accounts for 31 of the 32-seat parliamentary Opposition, while the joinder list comprising of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and The New Movement (TNM) occupies the remaining seat. The governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) holds a one-seat majority in the 65seat House, having won 33 seats.

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 5,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Construction of homes for 100 families in Region 6 nears completion

Construction is wrapping up for homes at Williamsburg/Hampshire

O

ne hundred families can look forward to occupying their homes in the very near future, as housing units under construction at Williamsburg/ Hampshire, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) near completion.

These are the first one hundred homes being built by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) in the region. The project is currently being supervised by engineers attached to the agency.

Each is a two-bedroom flat unit, measuring 600 square feet. They are being built by 13 contractors at a total cost of $750 million. The Central Housing and Planning Authority on Monday informed that infrastructural works have also been ongoing simultaneously and upon completion, the entire scheme will be outfitted

with basic utilities such as electricity and water.

When the project was announced in November last year, officials had noted that 500 persons would be employed in its execution.

The houses are categorised as low-moderate and each will cost $5.5 million. The Housing Ministry had said it would be similar to those being constructed in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) for which persons are required to pay $7.5 million.

Similar contracts were also in the pipeline for houses to be constructed at Fort Ordinance in Region Six. This news comes just after it was announced this week that 2000 persons who were allocated lands in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), will begin the construction of their homes by the end of April 2022. Works including

roads, bridges and culverts are nearing completion in Edinburg, Anna Catherina, Cornelia Ida, Stewartville and Meten-Meer-Zorg. Water distribution and electrical networks are also being installed.

In keeping with its manifesto, the PPP/C Government has given its commitment to delivering 50,000 house lots to Guyanese within its first term in office.

In 2021, the Government surpassed its target of distributing 10,000 house lots to Guyanese through its signature “Dream Realised” housing initiative. Because of the huge demand for housing, coupled with a backlog of applications, the Government, when it got into office, initiated its signature “Dream Realised” housing exercise held in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine, and 10.

In an effort to increase

The interior of one of the houses

the opportunities for low- and moderate-income households to access the social and economic benefits of homeownership, the CH&PA in 2021, constructed over 550 houses for sale in several housing schemes.

Over 350 two-storey elevated homes are being constructed in Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, targeting moderate income households. Similar model homes are also being built in Linden, Region 10.

For the low-income families, 50 low-income homes are under construction in Prospect on the East Bank of Demerara, while an area was identified to commence the construction for another 1000 of these homes in Great Diamond.

Further, under the Adequate Housing and

Urban Accessibility programme, 25 core homes are under construction in Lusten-Rust, Onderneeming, La Parfaite Harmonie, RechtDoor-Zee, and Westminster, targeting vulnerable persons.

Additionally, Government had processed close to 2000 titles and transports in its first year in office, while starting construction on 1000 houses and conducting massive infrastructural work - all part of an over $14 billion investment in the housing sector.

Plans for 2022 include the distribution of 15,000 house lots as well as the continuation of the home improvement and subsidy programme.

A sum of $12.4 billion was set aside in Budget 2022 for the housing sector, which goes towards the development of housing units

and the necessary road network and other infrastructure to support these housing developments. There is also the soon to be completed four-lane bypass road from Mandela to Eccles, which has seen six contractors work on completing the important road link under the auspices of the Ministry of Housing and Water.

The Housing Ministry has also said it would work with other State agencies to make more land available for housing development. These agencies include the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL); the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Land acquisition for housing development will be pursued.

UG completes Phase 1 of Train the Trainers programme for Police Academy

T

he University of Guyana (UG) through its Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning (CoETal) under a Guyana Police Force – University of Guyana multi-year agreement completed Phase One of a Train the Trainers programme for the re-tooling of the Police Academy.

The programme, which was chaired by UG’s Director of Events, Conferences, and Communication, Jainarine Deonauth, was launched on February 28, 2022, and saw 75 Police Training Officers being equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge in pedagogy and andragogy.

The Train the Trainers course commenced on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, and ran for two weeks. The course consisted of 13 modules. Each module provided trainers with a range of knowledge, skills, and competencies related to instructional design, instructional delivery, and assessment – both face-to-face and online. The course aimed to increase the teaching repertoire and build the teaching capacity of the GPF trainers, providing them with strategies, concepts, knowledge, and skills that they can implement in the classroom.

At the launch of the pro-

Senior Police Officers and officials of UG

gramme, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin expressed profound gratitude to the GPF for entrusting UG with conducting such training with its officers.

“Our growing partnership marks the beginning of many of the training programmes we will work with for the Force. This is a training programme we’ve taken very, very seriously; the role that has been given to us as the nation’s State university and also looking at the en-

tire state of the art of what Guyana is likely to have to deal with in the future and understanding that security, safety, and resilience are the centre of anything that we have to do for securing our future,” the ViceChancellor posited.

Further, the ViceChancellor gave kudos to the GPF for pushing and piloting this initiative. Professor Mohamed Martin said, “When we work to train human beings and to give them the skills, attitudes, belief systems, structures, and

other tools and techniques that they need to grow, we are really making a huge investment not only in our lifetime for ourselves but also in the nation’s future.

So, I really wish to commend the senior administration of the Police Force.”

Deputy Commissioner (Administration) (ag), Calvin Brutus, who is in charge of training and development at the GPF noted “It is imperative that we have a cadre of trained instructors to deliver the modules to our policemen and women. We

are working on improving our training as we have recently gotten the approval to recruit and train 700 new members for the Guyana Police Force”.

Providing an overview of why the course is fundamental to the development of the GPF, Brutus noted, “Training is critical because it drives the direction of the Force, it improves the security for the members of the country and it improves our working relationship with each other. But, more importantly, at the end of it, we expect that members of the Force who depart the organisation will have life skills that they can use beyond the Guyana Police Force and be productive citizens to build our country”.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Engagement) of the University of Guyana, Professor Emanuel Cummings explained that it was an excellent initiative for the University and GPF to collaborate on the project.

“Our institution is not here just to provide four or five-year programmes in degrees but also to offer shortterm courses that are relevant, that will create an opportunity for the GPF and security forces in general.”

“Deputy Commissioner, I applaud you, that you were

able to have discussions with the wider University community that has brought us to this juncture… This course will certainly help your trainers to develop and to deliver quality education and quality training programmes to your recruits.

And by extension, help them to be better prepared to deliver effective services in the security system,” Cummings related.

The development and design team was led by UG’s Director of CoETal, Dr Charmaine Bissessar. She led other experts from the University of Guyana – Dr Tamashwar Budhoo, Bonita Hunter, Dr Troy Brown, Ms Phoenix, and Professor Stafford Griffith in designing and delivering the training course.

Instructional delivery topics included: Instructional Strategies, Policing in a Culturally Diverse Background in the Guyanese Setting, Reflexive Praxis, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and Teaching Adult Learners among other things. The course consisted of 3 levels and this is the beginners’ level.

Participants for this course were selected by the Guyana Police Force based on the University of Guyana’s criteria.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Big struggle” to get people vaccinated – Health Minister ...1 new COVID case detected; 4 patients remain in ICU

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he health sector is currently witnessing a downward trend in the number of persons showing up to get vaccinated against COVID-19 thus resulting in a slow immunisation uptake.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Monday stated that it is a struggle to get more persons immunised against the coronavirus. The Ministry has continued its roll out of vaccines for both adolescents and adults, with booster doses available for the latter.

“We have noticed a downward trend where people are not coming to be vaccinated. Right now, it’s a big struggle to get people vaccinated. You’re not going to be protected if you don’t get vaccinated. I just want to keep repeating that point,” said the Minister.

The figures provided by the Health Minister have slightly improved from those released last week.

Vaccination statistics show that 438,399 adults or 85.5 per cent of the adult

population is immunised with a first dose COVID vaccine. Second doses account for 337,197 or 65.7 per cent.

In the adolescent category, 34,324 first doses or 25,037 second doses have been administered. This is equivalent to 47.1 per cent and 34.3 per cent respectively.

Booster doses have been offered by countries since the data shows that immunity from vaccines start to wane after six months of immunisation. In Guyana, only 58,820 persons have taken their booster shots.

Guyana currently has 85 active COVID cases. From this number, 11 persons are seeking treatment in hospitals – nine of which are at the Infectious Diseases Hospital. Four patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Latest statistics released by the Ministry showed that only one person tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

The dashboard showed deaths at 1226 after no fatalities surfaced. Other

stats showed that eight persons are in institutional isolation, 68 in home isolation and seven in institutional quarantine.

Out of the 63,273 persons confirmed positive in the country, 61,967 recovered. A total of 29,139 males and 34,134 females were infected within the past two years. Additionally, 572,003 swabs were processed to detect the virus.

“COVID-19 transmission is really done when someone who is infected with COVID sneezes, coughs or even speaks to somebody who is not infected. If that person is not wearing a mask, then those viral particles can get into their nose or mouth.

Once they breathe it in, that person would get infected.

That is why to interrupt the transmission, it is very important that we wear a mask,” the Health Minister also underscored in his update.

He said a distance of six feet is essential in protecting oneself, since droplets can travel a great distance.

Aerosols or tiny particles

Auxiliary firefighting introduced at Leguan Island

…hydrants to be installed

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD APRIL 4, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

1

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

8

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

4

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

7

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,134

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,139

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

63,273

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

61,967

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

C

2518

REGION 2

2491

REGION 3

8054

REGION 4

31,288

REGION 5

2379

REGION 6

5752

REGION 7

2423

REGION 8

887

REGION 9

4016

REGION 10

3468

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN BE SAFE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

438,399

1226

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

The Fire Chief, officials and other residents after the meeting

conduct firefighting within these remote communities.

While there are plans for the construction of fire stations on these islands, in the interim, volunteers will be trained in firefighting, fire safety and fire prevention. Firefighting equipment including a light pump and hoses will also be provided for the volunteers to be used in the event of a fire.

A team from the Guyana Fire Service will visit the island next week to conduct the training, along with inspections of Government buildings and school visits.

Additionally, Chief Wickham informed the gathering that hydrants will be installed on the island.

It was noted that engineers will be visiting soon to ear-

REGION 1

Wear a face mask.

337,197

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

which remain suspended in air makes it essential to wear a mask indoor or an unventilated space.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or

hief Fire Officer, Gregory Wickham on Monday visited the island of Leguan to meet with residents where the introduction of auxiliary firefighters was brought under focus.

The meeting was conducted at the Neighbourhood Democratic Council in the company of Chairman, Lachhman Dwarkha; Leader of the Leguan Community Policing Group, Mustapha Zaman; representatives of the Guyana Fire Service and several residents.

In his brief remarks, Wickham explained the importance of auxiliary firefighters on the island as well as their roles and responsibilities. Following a recent fire at Wakenaam, the GFS began training persons to

68

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

mark the most suitable locations for placement.

In February, the Guyana Fire Service had announced that 12 persons were trained and equipped with firefighting equipment to tackle fires on the Essequibo Island of Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). This move followed an early morning fire on the island that completely destroyed the home of a 54-year-old businessman, Anil Rambarran.

Fire response from the Essequibo Coast and West Demerara was deployed to the island to put out the blaze. As a result, the Fire Service immediately commenced firefighting training of persons on the island – an initiative which extended to other islands.

needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.

Globally, almost 490

million people have tested positive for the virus and six million have died. In the Americas, more than 150 million confirmed cases have been reported with over 2.7 million deaths.

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 5,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Private Sector important for succession of hemp industry in Guyana – int’l expert ...says will create new dispensation of business people

Neurvana International representative Vidjai Doerga

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he role of the Private Sector in Guyana’s hemp industry is vital for its longevity, according to Neurvana International representative, Vidjai Doerga on Saturday last.

Neurvana International is a global cannabis industries company delivering industry-leading cannabis agronomy, based in Miami.

Doerga, during a virtual panel discussion, highlighted that the Private Sector involvement plays an essential role in the fruition of the hemp industry in Guyana.

He alluded that without assistance from the Private Sector body in Guyana’s hemp industry there would be a molecule of hope for the succession in the new industry.

“It is essentially the Private Sector, if it is not a Private Sector effort it cannot proliferate to the volume of production levels necessary to make Guyana competitive in the world market.”

He added that due to the snowball effect of hemp, it would be beneficial to local markets because of the multiple uses that the plant offers.

“So it’s always something to be understood that hemp as a product can be extremely beneficial to a local market because of the amount of uses that it has, so it can very much become an import replacement crop for a lot of products that are expensive that we have to import so that would be plastic products, rubber products things, like that that are produced in other countries,” Doerga explained.

He reiterated that if the industry is allowed to grow under the Private Sector, it will create a rotation of investments that attracts old and new businessmen and women, leading to the industry’s long-lasting success.

“If the industry is allowed to grow and really proliferate on the basis of Private Sector, entrepreneurship, you know, capitalism, really driving the business people to develop this industry and creating new business people out of it. It is essentially a Private Sector effort that would make it successful to the point there could be an export industry,” he said.

Value added

President Dr Irfaan Ali had said that the Government would be moving in the direction of the value-added aspect that the hemp industry has to offer.

He had said that the industry is not only about hemp production but having the processing and value-added facilities here in Guyana.

In this light, Doerga congratulated President Ali for recognising the importance of value-added products that stem from the production of hemp in Guyana.

He said, “Well this is where I really get my, you know, my hats off to the Government and President Irfaan Ali. That’s really what takes an industry to the next level is doing value-added products – downstream products.”

“If you have a single acre of hemp production aren’t really a single acre of any production, roughly speaking in

terms of industry, let’s call it gauging that we’ve been able to do for Guyana, a farmer would be able to see, let’s say about 8 to 10000 US dollars out of an acre of hemp if he has about 10 acres in production…That number goes and hits a very hard multiplier the moment that processing is added to the mix,” Doerga explained.

In addition, hemp cultivator in the United States, Joshua Steensland said that the different uses of the plant would not only be value-added to the industry, but to the community of farmers and cultivators at large.

“It being able to allow the farmer or the cultivator to work with you know local people who handle those various different parts of the plants it’s really gonna create not just of a value-added to the product itself but to the community in general,” Steensland said.

Both Doerga and Steensland are encouraging the Government to reach out for advice and input from persons who are experienced with the knowledge of the plant.

In this regard, President Ali has already announced his intention to engage ganja planters on the viability of the hemp industry in Guyana.

“I intend to have a meeting soon with all the marijuana growers in this country. I intend to have a meeting and let them understand that there’s a viable future in the hemp industry and bring them into that discussion and move away from the marijuana that has social consequences… It’s only if you deal with reality, you can run a country.

They come with the technical skills, frankly speaking,” the Head of State had said.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall had disclosed last week that the Government is aiming to establish a viable industry with the completion of the first draft of the Hemp Bill and is now reviewing it.

“The Hemp Bill is in first draft and is being considered by the Government, and the Government will determine what the next steps

Hemp cultivator and educator in the United States, Joshua Steensland

are,” Nandlall noted.

The Attorney General explained that the draft Bill is an expansive one that looks at what is being done in other territories around the world. However, he noted that there is not much to take from the Caribbean region since Antigua and Barbuda is the nation with a draft Bill while the others permit the cultivation of hemp through minor amendments to relevant drugs or narcotics law.

Hemp is a botanical class of Cannabis sativa cultivars grown specifically for industrial or medicinal use.

Mike Singh was true ambassador of Guyana – AFC

Mike Singh preparing to bowl at the Prime Minister’s Cup last year

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he Alliance For Change (AFC) has joined Guyana and the cricketing world to mourn the sudden passing of Lakeram “Mike” Singh, businessman and owner of Mike’s Pharmacy.

Singh tragically passed away in Florida on Thursday while participating in cricketing activities.

“The businessman was a true ambassador of Guyana who pursued his love of cricket especially by investing time and his money to sponsor and participate in softball cricketing competitions,” the party penned in a statement.

It went on to say that Singh represented the spirit of Guyanese and was a proud ambassador, who willingly extended his ear and time to all who came knocking.

“His contribution to the medical arena is one that will stay with us forever.

The AFC is deeply saddened and extends condolences to his family, workers and loved ones and the cricketing world. We have indeed lost a true son of the soil.”

Upon receiving the dreadful news that the stalwart and prominent player had succumbed at the age of 62 in Florida, the softball fraternity has been plunged into a state of shock.

Hours after the news began circulating, several players and administrators began paying tribute, stating that Singh has left an indelible mark on the softball cricket scene, not only for his personal performances, but also for his contribution in the form of continual sponsorship.

Singh was representing

his team, Mike’s Wellman, in the 16th edition of the Florida Cup, a three-day softball extravaganza that commenced on Thursday, when he suffered a heart attack. The Guyana-based entrepreneur and father of two had bowled two overs in the Legends category before leaving the field for a quick break, but when he resumed playing, he collapsed.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital in Fort Lauderdale, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Through Mike’s Pharmacy, Singh had sponsored numerous competitions over the past three decades under the auspices of the Guyana Softball Cricket Association (GSCA), Guyana Softball League (GSL), Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association, and the Georgetown Softball League (GSL).

NEWS

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Top Cop urges Police Sergeants to be professional, stop harassing citizens – says everything must be done to forge, strengthen community relationships

Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken addressing the gathering

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cting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken on Monday urged Sergeants within the Guyana Police Force to “serve and protect” with the aim of changing the negative image and perception members of the public have of the Force.

“We need to stop harassing and bullying members of the public, we need to desist from these random and unnecessary traffic stops and searches, we must regain the public’s trust and confidence and we must do everything in our power to rebuild and improve the image of the Force and regain the trust of the people,” Hicken told hundreds of Police Sergeants packed in, and even spilling out of the auditorium at the Police Officers’ Training Centre on Camp Road, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Hicken made it clear that there will be “absolutely no compromise” when it

comes to professionalism and integrity of not just the Sergeants but all members of the Guyana Police Force.

His message was centred on professionalism, integrity, accountability, service, protection, and Police-community relations.

The acting Commissioner also issued a stern warning that non-compliance or non-adherence to any of the issues he touched on will see ranks being disciplined.

He used the word “rotation” throughout his address, reminding ranks that the “only thing that remains constant in life is change” and that ranks (Sergeants) must be able and willing to adapt to changes that will come on stream, including being rotated on a regular basis with a view to developing capacity.

Social ills

“You're going to be judged on every aspect of your work and so profes-

sionalism is paramount,” Hicken stated while alluding to the importance and reason for the Community Policing Groups (CPGs).

“It is important for Sergeants to understand the activities within their span of control to adequately deploy ranks. Focus, however, should be on identifying hotspots, black spots, commercial and other activities, hence the importance of Community Policing Groups,” he posited.

“Recognition will be based on performance. As Sergeants, you are the beneficiaries of change and within the next four or five years, some of you are going to be up here as Officers. Be the change you would like to see,” Hicken posited.

“When you outrank your position, you're going to be promoted and it's not going to be done by favouritism, nor in an ad hoc manner. The process is going to be transparent, guided

Some of the Police Sergeants who attended the meeting on Monday

by the Strategic Planning Unit, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit and the Risk Management Unit which will soon be realised.”

Discipline

However, he made it clear that “discipline is paramount in this organisation.

You are entrusted with decision-making that can affect the lives of members of the public…and one ill decision can create problems out there.”

Strict patrol posture

With focus on the Traffic Sergeants, he posited that information shared should be cascaded to the Corporals, Lance Corporals and Constables with a view to creating efficiency.

Hicken posited “stop and searches” must be in keeping with the established SOPs. “Before, during and after

the search, constant communication must be done with the Operations Room… this posture is to provide guidance to the patrols.”

Traffic posture will see traffic ranks being strategically placed along the corridors and thoroughfare with minimal stops for the production of documents unless it is supervised by an Inspector or Officer.

Infrastructure

Conduciveness at stations must be encouraged and maintained as far as practicable as outlined in the Police Force’s Standing Order.

Infrastructure development is taking place across the twelve administrative regions (divisions) of the Guyana Police Force with a view to creating a conducive atmosphere and building police morale.

“As I said, we're not go-

ing to tell you things that we can’t do. We will be leading from the front and within the next year-and-a-half, we're going to rebuild all the Headquarters and all the Police stations will be spruced up. This is going to create an environment that is conducive to increasing your performance and building morale in the Force,” the Top Cop declared.

In closing, he reminded that policemen and women are products of civil society hence the need to be courteous and true to Force’s mandate of “Service and Protection”.

Among those sharing the head table with the CoP were Deputy Commissioner Operations (ag) Ravindradat Budhram, Head of Special Branch Senior Superintendent Errol Watts and several members of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

40 cases completed at Demerara January Criminal Assizes

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he January session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes commenced on the 11th day of that month with a total of 367 cases listed to be heard. Of these cases, only 40 were completed. Justices Priya SewnarineBeharry, Simone Morris-Ramlall, and Brassington Reynolds sat during this session which ended in late March.

Of the 40 cases, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, presented 30 in the High Court in Demerara while 10 matters were nolle prosequi in writing by her. Of these 30 matters presented, nine were for the offence of murder, 16 were for sexual offences, four for the offence of attempt to commit murder, and one for the offence of manslaughter.

There was a total of 33 accused in relation to these matters. There were seven convictions, nine guilty pleas, 11 formal verdicts of not guilty, three not guilty verdicts by jury, and two hung juries.

Of these 30 cases presented in the High Court, State Counsel Mohamed Muntaz Ali, State Counsel Nafeeza Baig, and State Counsel Latiffia Elliot completed 16 cases in the Sexual Offences Court before Justice Sewnarine-

Beharry.

In three of these cases, the accused were found guilty by jury verdicts. One of them was sentenced to a total of 75 years’ imprisonment for three counts of sexual activity with a child family member. The other two accused are awaiting sentencing.

In one other case, the accused pleaded guilty to the offence of rape of a child under 16 years and he too is awaiting sentence. Another three accused were acquitted by jury verdicts of not guilty. Two others were further remanded after their respective juries failed to reach a verdict. In seven of these cases, the complainants declined

to offer any further evidence, and as such, the trial Judge directed the juries to return formal verdicts of not guilty.

Meanwhile, Senior State Counsel Lisa Cave together with State Counsel Caressa Henry and State Counsel Cecelia Corbin prosecuted 10 matters before Justice Morris-Ramlall. Of these 10 matters, seven were for the offence of murder and three for attempt to commit murder. In one of these murder matters, the trial Judge upheld a no-case submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. In another one, the accused was indicted on two counts, namely, murder and

wounding with intent.

This accused pleaded guilty as charged and was sentenced to life imprisonment for the offence of murder and 12 years on the second count. His sentences are to run concurrently and he becomes eligible for parole after serving 20 years.

In one other matter which had two accused who were indicted together, the number one accused was found guilty by the jury for the lesser offence of manslaughter and sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment. In relation to his co-accused, the trial Judge upheld a nocase submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

In the other four matters, all the accused persons pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter. While three of them were respectively sentenced to 12 years, two years and four months, and nine years’ imprisonment, the other one is awaiting sentence.

Of the three matters for the offence of attempt to commit murder, two of these accused pleaded guilty; one was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment, and the other is awaiting his sentence. The one other accused was found guilty by a jury verdict and is also await-

ing sentencing.

Senior State Counsel Seeta Bishundial together with State Counsel Taneish Saygon and State Counsel Simran Gajraj completed four cases before Justice Reynolds.

Of these four matters, three were for the offence of murder and one for the offence of attempt to commit murder.

In two of the murder trials, the trial Judge upheld no-case submissions and directed the juries to return formal verdicts of not guilty.

In the one other case in which two accused were indicted together, the jury found both accused unanimously guilty. They, too, are awaiting sentencing.

The accused of the offence of attempt to commit murder pleaded guilty and is also awaiting sentence. Ten matters for sexual offences were nolle prosequi by the DPP because the complainants submitted written statements that they did not wish to proceed with their matters.

The Demerara April 2022 Criminal Assizes will commence today with 354 cases listed to be heard. Justice Sandil Kissoon together with Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry are rostered to sit during this session.

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

16-year-old stabbed to death in Albouystown T he family of a 16-year-old boy was plunged into a state of mourning after he was stabbed to death on Monday at Hogg Street and Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, Georgetown.

Dead is Isaiah Smith, also known called “Six” of Middle Road La Penitence, Georgetown.

Police stated that on the day in question at about 14:55h, the now dead young man and others were sitting on a bench in close proximity to the suspect’s dwelling place.

The 45-year-old man reportedly asked the teenag-

Dead: Isaiah Smith

Mother, 4 children attacked

by Africanised bees

ers to remove but the victim refused.

This resulted in an altercation between the suspect and the teenager. It was during the argument that the suspect whipped out a knife and stabbed the victim in the left upper abdomen. The injured young man reportedly ran a short distance on Independence Boulevard before he collapsed.

Smith was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by a taxi driver and a Rural Constable attached to Ruimveldt Police Station, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Crime Scene Unit ranks have since apprehended the suspect and the alleged murder weapon has been recovered. He remains in custody as investigations are in progress.

However, at the scene on Monday evening, several teens told Guyana Times that they were sitting at a small wooden shop, owned by Frazer, on Independence Boulevard, when the man accused them of waking him up.

They stated that he came out of the shop and began ordering them to leave so that he could get

some rest. Smith, who refused, reportedly confronted the suspect and questioned his manner of approach to him and his friends thus resulting in a heated argument.

In retaliating, the suspect stabbed the teen once in his abdomen. The other teenagers related that the injured young man walked a short distance before collapsing in front of a local game shop where he began yelling for the help.

The dead teen’s father, Junior Smith, stated that the suspect followed his injured son while he was struggling for his life and continued stabbing him.

Eyewitnesses posited that it is not the first time that the two have been in an altercation. The suspect is known for his disdain towards the teens in the community. In a video shown to this publication, the suspect was heard hurling death treats at the young teens.

The now dead teenager attended the East Ruimveldt Secondary but dropped out due to the COVID-19 pandemic and worked with small contractors in the community.

Prior, he was a barber.

“He isn’t going to school right now, because after the COVID. When school started, he wasn’t going to school. He was working part-time with these guys who have construction work. He went to spend some time in the bush but he wasn’t making any money. He came back, but I do be taking care of him,” Isaiah’s father said.

Isaiah resided with his father and two siblings.

His father, a single parent, earns a living by barbering and selling doubles.

Isaiah’s father related that the suspect usually engages in confrontations with others in the community, but always gets off, allegedly, due to him presenting his “mad certificate” to the authorities.

He said that prior to the incident with his son, sometime before, the suspect had allegedly assaulted someone in the community with a hammer. The family is calling for justice.

“It’s shocking to me,” the father related, “Life goes on. It’s shocking to lose a son. I just need justice for my son,” the heartbroken father said.

Fisherman feared dead after falling overboard at Orealla

A

The house under which the family was attacked

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30-year-old woman along with her four children are now hospitalised after they were attacked by a swarm of Africanized bees on Sunday at Number 66 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Injured is Sunita Charran, a housewife and four children aged 1, 2, 5 and 8 years old. The incident occurred at about 7:00h, immediately after which they were taken to Skeldon Public Hospital, where they were admitted.

The family had only moved to the house a few days ago. When Guyana Times visited the area on Monday, sluice operator Wadeshkumar Persaud said the family was in the lower flat of the wooden house when they were attacked by the bees.

He explained that they attempted to escape to the upper flat but the swarm of bees followed them. One of the children, he said, collapsed on the stairway.

"When I coming over, I see one of the boys fall down on the landing but I had to run back home and put one some more clothes and a cloak. So when I came back

The Agriculture Ministry destroyed the bees by setting the hive on fire

Wadeshkumar Persaud, the neighbour who went to the family’s rescue

I see the boy lying down on his belly and about one thousand bees of his back.”

Persaud said he went into the house and grabbed the woman and the two children who were in the

house and took them to his house.

The fourth child reportedly ran out of the yard and a swarm of bees also followed. Neighbours lit a tire to create smoke in order to rescue the child. Persaud told this publication that it was he who took the injured woman and her children to the hospital.

Meanwhile, a team from the Agriculture Ministry has since killed the bees by setting them alight.

During the attack, a horse was also stung. The animal has been treated by a vet from the said Ministry.

Up to press time, two of the children were still hospitalised and their conditions are regarded as stable.

fisherman is feared dead after he reportedly fell overboard in the Corentyne River in the vicinity of Orealla village on Sunday.

Missing is 42-year-old Sunny Jagessar of Albert Street Number 79 Village, Corriverton, Berbice.

Based on information received, on the day in question, Jagessar and his employer departed the Springlands foreshore at around 09:00h in a wooden vessel powered by a 40-horsepower outboard engine. They were heading to Orealla village to fish.

However, at about 14:00h, the vessel was at the eastern side of the Corentyne River bank at Orealla when Jagessar – who was positioned at the stern of the boat – fell overboard.

Upon hearing the splash in the water, his colleagues went to check and it was then they realised that he was missing. They immediately started to search for the man but he was not found.

The missing man’s aunt, Nalini Jagessar, said the man has been working in the fishing industry for some eight years.

She explained that on Sunday, the owner of the boat came to her house asking for her nephew. After being told that he was not at home, the man asked her for his mother.

Missing: Sunny Jagessar

“I told him that he don’t have a mother and that he lives with me. He tell me that he hear that Sunny fall out of the boat and they can’t find him. That is all he tell me and he go away.”

The man’s sister, Sabvita Jagessar, related that she was on the seawall looking for her husband who is also a fisherman when she saw the owner of the boat and asked him if they had reported the matter to the Police but he responded in the negative.

“So we go to the Police station at Springlands and I report it and the same time I see ‘Crapo’ who is the boat owner come at the station and after I tell the Police what I hear happen and ‘Crapo’ was right there, the officer pick up the phone and say that he going and call Orealla. He did not even take a statement from any of us,”

she said.

There are reports that Jagessar and his employer were involved in a heated argument three weeks ago.

His aunt noted that it was she who prevented the argument from escalating.

She also stated that based on information received, the argument continued one day before the tragedy.

In light of these reports, family members are calling for a proper Police probe.

“We need justice because my nephew don’t have a mother.”

The aunt stated that her husband travelled to Orealla on Monday to assist with the search.

“He tell me that he see the boat captain and about five other men sit down in a boat. The Police have not arrested him,” she added.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over 220 Region Nine women receive grants to start their own businesses T

he Human Services and Social Security Ministry in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), distributed $11.1 million in “empowerment funds” to 223 residents of Lethem, Region Nine, on Sunday.

The donor grant from Canada was initially meant for participants of the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) but was recently extended to benefit vulnerable citizens across the country.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) spoke with several recipients of the grant who welcomed the initiative wholeheartedly. They said the grant will assist them to pursue their business goals.

Marva Holesworth, a graduate of the WIIN childcare course, said the money will help her to open a day care establishment.

“This is a wonderful opportunity and I am very grateful for it. I am in the process of opening up a day care and this is going to help

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud handing over funds to a resident

me with furnishing and setting up of the day care.”

Sophia Benedict said, “I feel great, this is good for me, very good. I am going to upgrade my kitchen garden and my poultry.”

Shirley George expressed gratitude for the grant, saying it would help her to pursue the dream of becoming an entrepreneur.

“I feel so grateful about this grant because I always want my own business and I applied to do manicure and pedicure. I am happy for this money to buy my tools to start my work. To me, Government is doing this, he (President, Dr Irfaan Ali) is helping people to do their own business, to make them own money rather than

working with people… it is nice.”

Another recipient, Sharla Hernandez shared: “I am very happy to receive a grant. I wasn’t expecting it.

It was a surprise when we got the call and we appreciate the start-up for whatever project each of us are doing. For myself, I have just completed a sewing course and graduated last week.

So, besides that, I already have my machines. I just need to buy some materials.

So, this will come in very useful. That is a part time earning where I can provide for my family, as well.”

Meanwhile, subject Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, who spearheaded the distribution drive, highlighted the many opportunities provided through WIIN. She reiterated the Government’s commitment to empower and upskill women in Guyana.

“It is a commitment by our Government to empow-

Another recipient collecting her cheque from Dr Persaud

er women to ensure that they are not only trained and upskilled, but they have the opportunity for financial empowerment. One of the things that our Government is very specific about is that everything is inclusive, that it is not confined to only one

region or only some people, it is involving all.”

The distribution exercise continues in several communities in Region Eight, including Paramakatoi, Monkey Mountain and Mahdia.

Duo charged for terrorising, robbing Kimbia family

Linden man busted with ecstasy gets bail T

Charged: Winston Bourne

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wenty-five-year-old Winston Bourne, a labourer of Wismar Housing Scheme, Wismar, Linden, on Monday appeared virtually before Magistrate Wanda Fortune to answer to the charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on April 2, 2022, he had a quantity of ecstasy pills at Sunflower Street, Wismar, Linden. He was, however, granted bail in the sum of $35,000.

Police stated that on the day in question at about 23:30h, Police ranks were on mobile patrol duties and whilst in the vicinity of Sunflower Street, Wismar,

The tablets found in Bourne’s possession

Linden, they observed two males conversing on a bridge.

Bourne was reportedly sitting on a black electric scooter and upon seeing the Police, he attempted to drop his scooter and run while the other dropped a haversack he was carrying and made good his escape.

Bourne, Police stated, attempted to dispose of a transparent plastic that was in his hand but failed to do so. The ranks took possession of the plastic bag which was examined in his presence during which several orange and grey tablet-like

substances with the markings of a skull and the word "Fanta" on them were found.

He was cautioned and he replied "What y’all can do for me, I buy these ecstacy to turn over from that man y’all see run away. Things tight with me, what y’all can do for me".

He was then arrested and escorted to the MacKenzie Police Station where the suspected Methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA or “ecstasy”) was weighed in his presence and amounted to 30 grams. He will return to court on May 3, 2022.

wenty-two-yearold David Karran also called “Jack" of Adelphi Village, East Canje, Berbice; and 32-year-old Deol Narrayan also called "Deportee" of Section A No 70 Village, East Canje, Berbice, were on Monday slapped with three counts of armed robbery.

The crime was reportedly committed on a family at Kimbia Village, Upper Berbice River, on March 18, 2022. The duo appeared virtually before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court where the charges were jointly read to them.

They were not required to plead to the indictments and were remanded to prison until April 13, 2022.

It was reported that 33-year-old Ryon Gladstone of Kimbia, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), and his family were terrorised and robbed by armed men who invaded their property.

The businessman, who owns and operates a boating service, was chopped to his back, stabbed to his shoulder, and sustained injuries to his head. In addition, his brother, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law were all beaten by the bandits.

Based on reports received, five armed men invaded the businessman’s premises at about 23:46h and carted off with several pieces of jewellery and an undisclosed sum of cash but not before terrorising the family.

Gladstone’s fiancé, Kayla

Robbery suspect: Deol Narrayan

Fredricks, had reported that he contacted her via WhatsApp stating that he saw masked men, suspected to be bandits, entering their premises.

The woman said she contacted the Police in Region Six but was told they would attend to the matter “in the morning”. At around 09:15h the following day, the ranks were preparing to depart the

Robbery suspect: David Karran

New Amsterdam stelling for Kimbia.

Fredricks related that she contacted several persons in the village who accompanied her fiancé to pursue the bandits but this proved futile.

The armed men reportedly abandoned the boat that they used to travel to the area. The boat was reportedly stolen about a week prior from a resident.

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

Regional

Colombian man pleads not guilty St Lucia court to sentence man to conspiring to kill Haiti’s Moïse convicted in landmark sex abuse case

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A

former Colombian soldier pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges by US Prosecutors that he conspired to commit murder or kidnapping outside the United States in connection with the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

The US Justice Department in January said Mario Palacios was part of a plan initially designed to kidnap Moïse that evolved into an assassination plot after conspirators were unable to find a plane to take Moïse out of Haiti.

Palacios’ attorney Alfredo Izaguirre in a brief hearing in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered the not-guilty plea, and later told reporters that Palacios was not aware of what was being planned.

“He is simply a soldier who was taken from Colombia to Haiti,” said Izaguirre outside the courthouse. “This was orchestrated by other people.”

Moïse Moise was assassinated at his residence in Port-au-Prince on July 7,

wenty years after an employee of a local institution was accused of sexually abusing boys and girls under his care, the court last week convicted the perpetrator on charges of carnal knowledge and remanded him into custody for sentencing in May. The court heard that the man, who was suspended by the learning institution while the investigation was

Mario Antonio Palacios, 43, a Colombian national who was arrested and charged in the United States in connection with the plot to assassinate Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, speaks with Defence Attorney Alfredo Izaguirre during his arraignment at a federal court in Miami, Florida, US, April 4, 2022 in a courtroom sketch

2021. He was shot 12 times.

Palacios was part of a five-man group known as the “Delta Team” that entered Moïse ‘s bedroom to gun him down, according to an August report by the Haitian National Police on the murder. The other four members of that group are in Haitian custody.

Palacios was detained in Jamaica in October and was

being deported to Colombia in January when he agreed, during a layover in Panama, to travel to the United States instead, according to the Justice Department.

The United States has become increasingly involved in the Moïse murder investigation as a probe by the Caribbean nation’s authorities stalls.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

More Chileans now reject new Constitution than support it, polls say

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hilean voters are cooling on a planned new constitution to replace the current Augusto Pinochet-era text, opinion polls on Monday showed, with those opposing the redraft surpassing those who plan to approve it for the first time.

A survey by pollster Cadem shows 46 per cent of respondents would vote against the new text, which is still being drafted by an elected assembly and will face a nationwide referendum this year. That was 13 percentage points higher

than in late January.

Support meanwhile has dropped from 56 per cent to just 40 per cent now, with a sharp recent decline due to voters losing confidence in the process and controversial planned changes to property rights, the structure of Congress, and pension funds.

Chileans voted in 2020 to replace the Andean country’s Constitution that dates back to the military dictatorship of Pinochet. The market-oriented text is seen as having underpinned decades of growth but stoking huge inequality.

A second poll from Activa showed a similar trend with 35.8 per cent of respondents planning to reject the new constitution, 32 per cent supporting it and 32.2 per cent unsure. That was a reverse from 37.7 per cent in support and 31.2 per cent against it earlier in March.

Anger over inequality led to months-long violent protests in 2019, a turning point for the Latin American country that has long been heralded as a bastion of conservatism and free-market economics in the region.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Caribbean Airlines resumes service to Suriname and Curaçao

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aribbean Airlines resumed its service between Trinidad and Suriname from Monday, April 4 and between Trinidad and Curaçao today, April 5.

According to a press release from Caribbean Airlines, flights to Suriname will be three times a week while flights to Curaçao will operate twice weekly.

In a release, the airline said flights to Suriname will operate between Piarco International Airport and the Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport Paramaribo, each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Service between the Curaçao International Airport and the Piarco International Airport will operate twice

weekly, on Tuesday and Friday. The airline’s 737-8 aircraft will fly on both routes.

Caribbean Airlines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Garvin Medera said, “We are delighted to resume regular scheduled service from Trinidad to both Suriname and Curaçao. The schedule to these destinations was built to facilitate convenient connections within the region

and to other countries in the Caribbean Airlines network.”

Medera added: “Caribbean Airlines is also happy to return to these markets with our new 737-8 aircraft which offers state-of-the-art technology and increased levels of comfort, all uniquely packaged to enhance our customer travel experience.”

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

underway, committed the unlawful acts in 1999 and 2000.

Police arrested him in May 2018.

But one of the female victims, now an adult, testified in court against the accused.

The law does not allow the identification of the perpetrator or the publication of information that could identify the victims.

According to the St Lucia

Times, the conviction should send a strong message to people who prey on children.

The online publication quoted a source as saying that the outcome of the case is an indication that there’s no statute of limitations and, that years later, an individual who becomes an adult can cause the Police to investigate someone who sexually abused them as a child. (CMC)

Costa Rica elects political newcomer Chaves as President

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conomist Rodrigo Chaves has won the presidential election in Costa Rica, preliminary results suggest.

The 60-year-old ran on a promise of shaking up traditional party politics in the Central American nation.

With almost all votes counted, he had a lead of more than five percentage points over ex-President José María Figueres.

Turnout was the lowest in decades as voters expressed discontent with Costa Rica’s struggling economy.

José María Figueres, who ran for a second term as President after having held the top job from 1994 to 1998, admitted defeat once his rival’s lead had become too big to be overcome.

Many Costa Ricans said they were looking for a break with the politicians of the past, a

Rodrigo Chaves spent almost three decades at the World Bank

trend which went against Figueres, who comes from one of the country’s most influential political families.

While Chaves is not entirely new to politics –- he did serve in the outgoing Government of President Carlos Alvarado as Economy Minister for six months – he has emphasised his plan to break with what he calls “privileges” of Costa Rica’s established political parties.

Following an at-times

acrimonious campaign, Chaves struck a conciliatory note as his win became clear.

“Tonight, let’s set aside the party colours that can easily divide us,” he told his supporters. “I humbly ask you that we unite beneath the blue, white and red of our national flag.”

Supporters of Chaves took to the streets of the capital, San José, to celebrate their candidate’s win. (Excerpt from BBC News)

As Panama tightens visa rules, Cubans brace for tough journeys

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y the time Natalia and her family were called to enter the Panamanian Embassy in Havana, they had been sleeping on the grass outside for nearly a week.

Natalia, who spoke under a pseudonym for security reasons, had travelled to the Cuban capital in early March along with her mother, aunt and cousin – a long trip from their home in the country’s eastern Las Tunas province. Once inside, they would buy a transit visa to enter Panama.

Natalia and her mother were planning to fly in April to Panama, and then to Nicaragua, from where they would begin their trek to the United States border to apply for asylum on the grounds of political persecution.

Along with Natalia and her family, more than 400 people gathered in front of Panama’s Embassy in Havana on March 9, after a new visa requirement was announced that would make

More than 400 people gathered in front of Panama’s Embassy in Havana on March 9, after a new visa requirement was announced that would make leaving the island more difficult

fleeing the island more difficult. It requires all Cubans to buy a transit visa at the Embassy 15 days before entering Panama.

The requirement was to take effect just a few days after the announcement, throwing into chaos the travel plans of many Cubans who had planned to fly out during the last two weeks of March. After angry residents flooded the embassy area, the Panamanian Government

slightly extended the implementation date until March 15.

Although Panamanian authorities have said the transit visa requirement would be in place for just three months, some Cubans told Al Jazeera they feared more stringent restrictions lay ahead – adding to the constantly evolving hurdles facing Cubans as they attempt to travel beyond their country’s borders.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil jumps over 3% as deaths near Kyiv prompt talk of new sanctions

Zelenskyy says Russian actions in Ukraine make talks harder N egotiations between Moscow and Kyiv have become harder as evidence of alleged atrocities committed by Russian forces in Ukraine has been discovered, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

Speaking on Monday from the town of Bucha in the Kyiv region, where a hastily dug mass grave and bound bodies shot at close range were found in territory retaken from Russian troops, Zelenskyy denounced “war crimes” tantamount to “genocide”.

“It’s very difficult to talk when you see what they’ve done here,” said Zelenskyy, wearing body armour while flanked by military personnel.

“The longer the Russian Federation drags out the meeting process, the worse

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures as he is surrounded

by Ukrainian servicemen while Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Bucha, outside Kyiv, Ukraine

it is for them and for this situation and for this war.”

Moscow has denied allegations that Russian forces killed civilians in Bucha.

Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride, reporting from Bucha, said Zelenskyy

stressed that despite the difficulties, Ukraine must “negotiate … because he reminded the world that this war has to be brought to an end as soon as possible, asking how can this be happening in the 21st century,

here in Europe”.

Moscow has faced accusations of war crimes since Saturday, when images of towns from which Russian forces had withdrawn near Kyiv revealed streets strewn with corpses of what appeared to be civilians, some of whom had seemingly been killed deliberately at close range.

The scale of the killings is still being pieced together. On Sunday, Ukrainian prosecutor general Iryna Venediktova said 410 civilian bodies had been recovered in the wider Kyiv region after Russian troops pulled back.

Russia has claimed that some of the images of dead civilians in Bucha being aired by global news stations were staged. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Nigeria's Kaduna train attack: 168 people still missing

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il prices jumped over 3 per cent on Monday, with investors worried about tighter supply as mounting civilian deaths in Ukraine increased pressure on European countries to impose sanctions on Russia's energy sector.

Global benchmark Brent crude jumped US$3.14, or 3 per cent, to settle at US$107.53 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude rose US$4.01, or 4 per cent, to settle at US$103.28 a barrel. Trading was volatile with both contracts rising after being down more than US$1.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Russian President Vladimir Putin and his supporters would "feel the consequences" of events in Bucha, outside the capital Kyiv, where a mass grave and tied bodies shot at close range were found.

Western allies would agree on further sanctions against Moscow in coming days, he said, though the timing and reach of the new package was not clear.

France's President Emmanuel Macron suggested sanctions on oil and coal, adding there were very "clear clues pointing to war crimes" by Russian forces.

Since Russia's Feb 24 invasion of Ukraine, sanctions and buyers' avoidance of Russian oil have already dented output and raised fears of tighter supplies.

"As the US and EU reduce purchases of Russian oil, it leaves China and India as the main customers that remain and many of the refineries in those countries might be reluctant to purchase Russian oil with the negative public relations associated," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston.

Crude dropped by about 13 per cent last week after President Joe Biden announced a record US oil reserves release and as International Energy Agency members committed to further tapping reserves. Brent crude hit US$139 last month, its highest since 2008.

Saudi Arabia's state oil producer Aramco raised its May official selling price to Asia for its flagship Arab Light crude, according to pricing document seen by Reuters.

"That suggests demand for oil is still very strong, and by doing that it's going to drain oil supplies from the United States and make supplies tighter," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group.

Oil gained support from a pause in talks in Vienna to revive the Iran nuclear deal, which would allow a lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil. Iran blamed the United States for the halt.

Downward pressure came from a truce in Yemen, which could ease threats to supply in the Middle East.

For the first time in the seven-year conflict, the United Nations has brokered a two-month truce between a Saudiled coalition and the Houthi group aligned with Iran. Saudi oil facilities have come under Houthi attack during the fighting.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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ome 168 people are still missing in Nigeria after a deadly attack on a busy train last week, the state rail company said.

It is not clear how many of the 168 have been kidnapped for ransom - some may have gone home without telling the

authorities.

Gunmen blew up a section of track between the capital, Abuja, and the northern city of Kaduna last Monday.

During the ordeal at least eight passengers were killed.

Monday's attack has not been claimed by any group.

Indonesian court sentences teacher to death for raping 13 students

Herry Wirawan (36), a former teacher and founder of an Islamic boarding school, who is accused of raping 13 schoolgirls between 2016 and 2021, sits during his verdict trial at the district court in Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia, February 15, 2022

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n Indonesian court handed down a death sentence on Monday to a teacher for raping 13 girls at an Islamic school, upholding an appeal by prosecutors for the death penalty after he had initially received a sentence of life in prison.

The case of teacher Herry Wirawan has shocked Indonesia and shone a spotlight on the need to protect children from sexual violence in the country's religious boarding schools.

After he was sentenced to life in jail by a court in the city of Bandung in February, prosecutors who had called for the death penalty filed an appeal. "(We) hereby punish the defendant with the death penalty," the Judge said in a statement on Monday posted on the Bandung High Court's website.

Ira Mambo, Herry's lawyer, declined to comment on whether there would be an

appeal, citing a need to see the full ruling from the court.

A spokesperson for the local prosecutor's office also said it would wait to receive the final ruling before commenting.

Between 2016 and 2021, Herry sexually groomed the 13 girls, who were between 12 and 16 years old, and impregnated eight of his victims, a Judge said in February.

Indonesian officials, including the country's Child Protection Minister, had also backed calls for the death penalty, though the nation's human rights commission, which opposes the death penalty, said it was not appropriate.

Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim majority country, has tens of thousands of Islamic boarding schools and other religious schools that often provide the only way for the children of poorer families to get an education. (Excerpt from Reuters)

But the governor of Kaduna state suspects it was the work of Boko Haram Islamists teaming up with a kidnapping gang, and said that rescue operations were under way, while ruling out paying any ransoms.

There were 362 registered passengers on board the train when it was raided, however the Nigerian Railway Corporation has not said whether the 168 people believed to be missing are all customers or if some train staff are among them. It was initially reported there were 970 passengers on board - the reason for the discrepancy is

not clear.

Reuters news agency quotes relatives of some of the missing as saying suspected bandits had contacted them to tell them they were holding their loved ones.

Such gangs have become rife in north-west Nigeria, and Kaduna state is considered the epicentre. Earlier this month, there were reports that Kaduna's airport was attacked.

In the last 24 months in Nigeria alone, armed gangs have killed hundreds of people and forced thousands to flee their homes. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Climate change: IPCC scientists say it's “now or never” to limit warming

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N scientists have unveiled a plan that they believe can limit the root causes of dangerous climate change.

A key UN body says in a report that there must be "rapid, deep and immediate" cuts in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Global emissions of CO2 would need to peak within three years to stave off the worst impacts.

Even then, the world would also need technology to suck CO2 from the skies by mid-century.

After a contentious approval session where scientists and government officials went through the report line by line, the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has now published its guidance on what the world can do to avoid an extremely dangerous future.

First, the bad news - even if all the policies to cut carbon that governments had put in place by the end of 2020 were fully implemented, the world

will still warm by 3.2C this century.

That sort of temperature rise would see our planet hit by "unprecedented heatwaves, terrifying storms, and widespread water shortages".

To avoid that fate, the world must keep the rise in temperatures at or under 1.5C this century, say researchers.

But keeping temperatures down will require massive changes to energy production, industry, transport, our consumption patterns and the way we treat nature.

To stay under 1.5C, according to the IPCC, means that carbon emissions from everything that we do, buy, use or eat must peak by 2025, and tumble rapidly after that, reaching net-zero by the middle of this century.

To put it in context, the amount of CO2 that the world has emitted in the last decade is the same amount that's left to us to stay under this key temperature threshold.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

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DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Don't risk your health trying to impress someone. You are better off preparing by yourself and surprising everyone when you are satisfied with the results.

Confusion may rear its ugly head.

(March 21-April 19) Put your head down and focus on getting things done on time. Don't change direction midstream or let someone distract you. Your reputation is at stake, so work hard.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

An inquisitive attitude will help you figure out what you can and cannot do.

Put everything you've got into what you want most, and you won't be disappointed. Momentum will build.

(May 21-June 20) Check into financial options that will allow you to expand your interests and goals. Gather facts and figures, and don't assume anything. Budget wisely.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Ask reliable people for assistance.

A robust support system will help you avoid unwanted changes or restrictions.

Use your intelligence to develop a workable plan and then get to work.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Take care of your health. Get involved in new prospects that will give you the edge. Attention to detail and strategy will help you overcome any problem you encounter. Don't let emotions interfere.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You'll be privy to inside information. Attend meetings and participate in events that offer a vivid picture of what's to come. Networking and partnerships are in your best interest.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Step outside your comfort zone and size up what's happening. Having a clear picture will give you the wherewithal to decline an offer without hesitation. Use your insight to gain perspective.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Seize the moment, speak freely and put together a strategy that will help you pursue your long-term goals. Don't fall prey to someone with colorful ideas that are costly and unrealistic.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Hone your skills and structure a plan that encourages you to earn your living doing something that brings you joy.

Make domestic changes that incorporate a space conducive to being productive.

LAST PUBLISHED WORD-- FERVENTLY

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) You know the drill and how to get the most out of the least. Stick to your routine, give your all and use your intelligence to make a decision that encourages profit, comfort and convenience.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Mind what others say and how they feel before you bring about a change that can affect your reputation. Getting along will make your life easier. Play fair and try to minimize disruptions.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

21

Avesh, Hooda, Rahul star as Super Giants sink Sunrisers

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eepak Hooda, KL Rahul, and Avesh Khan led the way as Lucknow Super Giants came back from behind with bat and ball to complete a 12-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, continuing the reversal of fortunes for teams batting first in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.

Reduced to 27 for 3 after being sent in, Super Giants recovered to set a target of 170, and Avesh took two powerplay wickets to put them firmly in front. But Sunrisers took the initiative with quickfire knocks from Rahul Tripathi and Nicholas Pooran; at one stage, they needed 27 from 17 balls with six wickets in hand. But Avesh turned it around once again with two wickets in two balls in the 18th over, and two more solid death overs from Andrew Tye and Jason Holder, playing his first game of the season, completed the job.

Washington dominates powerplay Sunrisers didn't open the bowling with Washington Sundar in their first match against Rajasthan Royals, but they had a clear case to do so against Super Giants. One of their openers, Quinton de Kock, was a lefthander, and the other, KL Rahul, has struggled to score quickly against offspin of late, his strike rate against that style of bowling dropping from 176.66 until the end of 2019.

Sundar made an even bigger impact than Sunrisers may have hoped for. He dismissed de Kock by denying him room to hit inside-out, and took out another left-hander in Evin Lewis, who

… Holder bags 3 in last-over heroics

fell in the dangerous pursuit of sweeping every ball from a bowler who targets the stumps incessantly. With Rahul and Manish Pandey – another righthander who starts slowly against spin – taking no chances against him either, Sundar ended the powerplay with figures of 3-0-112.

Romario Shepherd's hard lengths took out Pandey, meanwhile, after he had conceded a six and a four earlier in the over, and Super Giants finished the powerplay at 32 for 3.

A partnership of contrasts In both 2020 and 2021, Rahul came in for plenty of criticism for his low-risk approach in the powerplay and middle overs, which brought him plenty of runs but also left the feeling that his franchise at the time, Punjab Kings, frequently ended up with lower-than-ideal totals even when they didn't lose too many wickets. That approach was more understandable in this game, given the situation Super Giants got themselves into.

At the other end, Hooda adopted a different approach, after taking 12 balls to get his eye in. The rapid Umran Malik bore the brunt of the punishment, with three fours and a six pinging off Hooda's bat. It wasn't that Malik bowled particularly badly: Hooda played some exceptional shots off him, including an open-faced slice to steer a near-yorker past backward point and a whipped six off a short ball angled in to tuck him up for room. There was also a ramped six that the leaping third man fielder – stationed fine for

exactly that shot – got a hand to but could not grab hold of.

Rahul also hit two fours off Malik, and his second and third overs – the 10th and 14th of Super Giants' innings – went for a combined 36. Even with Sunrisers' other bowlers doing decently through this phase, Super Giants' recovery was firmly on track.

the cover point boundary at the start of the fourth over – Avesh got him out, another attempted lap over short fine leg ending up in the hands of the fielder.

Abhishek Sharma, the other opener, fell in Avesh's next over, miscuing an attempted big hit off a slower ball, and Sunrisers ended the powerplay at 40 for 2.

Bhuvneshwar and Natarajan nail the yorkers Malik's poor night forced Sunrisers into using Sundar's fourth over – which they probably were not planning to bowl – in the 17th over. Rahul and Ayush Badoni – who replaced Hooda following his dismissal in the 16th over – took it for 17.

Badoni and Holder then took 17 off Shepherd in the 20th over, but in between, Bhuvneshwar and T Natarajan ensured Sunrisers would not be chasing too steep a target, with expert use of the yorker – if they erred, they sent down low full-tosses rather than half-volleys, and they always followed the batters' movements with their line, ensuring they seldom got room to free their arms. Super Giants only took a combined 15 runs off the 18th and 19th overs, and lost Rahul and Krunal Pandya in the process.

One way, then the other, and back The middle overs seesawed this way and that. Rahul Tripathi clattered 44 off 30, including taking three fours off the eighth over, delivered by Andrew Tye – the highlight a deft ramp over the keeper off a rising short ball. But Krunal took both him and Aiden Markram out, leaving Sunrisers needing 75 off 41 with six wickets in hand and two new batters at the crease.

Pooran began not just slowly but also most unconvincingly, as Ravi Bishnoi beat his outside edge three times in four balls with his wrong'un allied to his across-theleft-hander angle. But he muscled Krunal for a leg-side six in the 14th over and hit Holder for two fours in the 15th, before ending the 16th with a glorious drive to bisect extra-cover and long-off, off Bishnoi, to leave Sunrisers needing 41 off 24. The match was turning once again.

Avesh, part one Sunrisers began their chase solidly enough, getting to 21 for no loss after three overs, with Kane Williamson picking up an eye-catching six behind the wicket with a scoop over the keeper off Holder in the third over.

But just when Williamson's form was beginning to look ominous – he punched Avesh to

Odyssey Sightseeing Tours Guyana 40-over competition set for April 17

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dyssey Sightseeing Tours Guyana Inc 40-Over Cricket Tournament is set to commence on April 17, 2022. It was launched on Sunday at the Company Wharf at Look Out, Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

At the launch, company representative Maureen Codrington handed over the sponsorship cheque to the West Demerara Cricket Association Public Relations Officer (PRO) Avishkar Ramgobin in the presence of Odyssey Tours staff.

Codrington said that the tour company was very excited to be on board with this tournament and was looking forward to very competitive and disciplined cricket. Speaking on behalf of the West Demerara Cricket Association, President Azeem Khan, aka Troy Khan, said the board was very thankful to

Avesh, part two Tye's changes of pace and ability to land the ball wide of the left-handers' hitting arc ensured he only conceded eight runs in the 17th over, with its one boundary coming via a lofted drive from Sundar.

Then, with Sunrisers needing 33 from 18, Pooran miscued a pull off Avesh only for the ball to carry all the way for six. The luck turned two balls later, as Pooran hit a full-

toss straight into long-off's hands.

Then Avesh nicked off Abdul Samad first ball, delivering another blow to Sunrisers' chances, before closing out the over with two dots and a wide, backing the wide line outside off to Shepherd.

Tye delivered another superb over in the 19th, but just when Sunrisers seemed to be slipping out of the contest with 22 required off 8, an attempted yorker turned into a full-toss that Shepherd launched for a straight six.

Sixteen off the last over was possible, though difficult. And it proved even more difficult thanks to the new rule regarding batters

crossing over. Looking to hit the first ball for six, Sundar was caught on the long-on boundary. Where Shepherd may have taken strike next ball in previous seasons, he now had to watch Bhuvneshwar from the other end.

Two singles followed, before Bhuvneshwar holed out. Again, Shepherd could not take strike, and with two sixes needed just to tie the game, the match was all but over. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS INNINGS (20 overs maximum) KL Rahul (c) lbw b Natarajan 68 Quinton de Kock † c Williamson b Washington Sundar 1 Evin Lewis lbw b Washington Sundar 1 Manish Pandey c Kumar b Shepherd 11 Deepak Hooda c Tripathi b Shepherd 51 Ayush Badoni run out (†Pooran/Shepherd) 19 Krunal Pandya b Natarajan 6 Jason Holder not out 8 Extras (lb 1, w 3) 4 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.45) 169/7 Did not bat: Andrew Tye, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Quinton de Kock, 1.4 ov), 2-16 (Evin Lewis, 3.1 ov), 3-27 (Manish Pandey, 4.5 ov), 4-114 (Deepak Hooda, 15.1 ov), 5-144 (KL Rahul, 18.1 ov), 6-150 (Krunal Pandya, 18.4 ov), 7-169 (Ayush Badoni, 19.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-0-25-0 Washington Sundar 4-0-28-2 Romario Shepherd 4-0-42-2 Umran Malik 3-0-39-0 Abdul Samad 1-0-8-0 T Natarajan 4-0-26-2 SUNRISERS HYDERABAD INNINGS (Target: 170 runs from 20 overs) Abhishek Sharma c Pandey

b Avesh Khan 13 Kane Williamson (c) c Tye b Avesh Khan 16 Rahul Tripathi c Ravi Bishnoi b Pandya 44 Aiden Markram c Rahul b Pandya 12 Nicholas Pooran † c Hooda b Avesh Khan 34 Washington Sundar c Rahul b Holder 18 Abdul Samad c †de Kock b Avesh Khan 0 Romario Shepherd c Badoni b Holder 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar c †de Kock b Holder 1 Umran Malik not out 1 Extras (lb 4, nb 1, w 5) 10 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 7.85) 157/9 Did not bat: T Natarajan Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Kane Williamson, 3.3 ov), 2-38 (Abhishek Sharma, 5.1 ov), 3-82 (Aiden Markram, 10.1 ov), 4-95 (Rahul Tripathi, 13.1 ov), 5-143 (Nicholas Pooran, 17.3 ov), 6-143 (Abdul Samad, 17.4 ov), 7-154 (Washington Sundar, 19.1 ov), 8-156 (Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 19.4 ov), 9-157 (Romario Shepherd, 19.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Jason Holder 4-0-34-3 Krunal Pandya 4-0-27-2 Avesh Khan 4-0-24-4 Andrew Tye 4-0-39-0 Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-29-0

Windsor Forest A thrash Belle Vue in T20 match-up

W Odyssey rep Maureen Codrington handing over the sponsorship cheque to West Demerara Cricket Association PRO Avishkar Ramgobin

Odyssey Tours. He promised that the newly-elected executives would give an account of the sponsorship, from which all teams would benefit, from Meten-Meer-Zorg on the West Coast of Demerara to Wales on the West Bank of Demerara.

The tournament will be played with white balls as West

Demerara are set to return to play in the Demerara senior 50over tournament.

Odyssey Tours offers day tour packages to the Essequibo River and Mainstay Resort. The company is located at 171 A Light Street, Bourda, Georgetown.

For further info, do check out its Facebook page and website.

indsor Forest A cricket club, on Sunday at the Meten-Meer-Zorg Ground, took on Belle Vue in a T20 match which they won by five wickets with 14 balls to spare.

Windsor Forest won the toss and allowed their opponents to take first strike.

Belle Vue were restricted for 108 for 8 when their 20 overs had expired. Top-scoring for Belle Vue was Dyal Rajpat with 22 (1x6, 3x4) while Ricardo Adams supported with 14 (3x4). Leading the charge in the bowling department were Kishaun Tracy (2 for 13 from four overs, including a wicket maiden) and Faaood Bacchus with also 2 for 13 from four

Avinash Ganesh chipped in with 31

overs.

In the end, Windsor Forest chased down the total with 14 balls to spare, thanks to an aggressive 32* from Lalta Suknanan, whose innings included three maximums and

Lalta Suknanan aggressive 32

scored

an

one boundary. Also chipping in was Avinash Ganesh with 31 (1x6,3x4). Bowling for Belle Vue were Krishna Singh (2 for 24 from four overs) and Ricardo Adams (1 for 7 from four overs).

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A

ngostura® Chill is proud to announce that the brand has signed a further three-year deal to be the official refreshment partner to the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournament.

For the 2022-2024 seasons, Angostura® Chill will continue to refresh fans at refreshment zones at all T20 matches and all drinks breaks will be named Chill breaks in honour of Angostura® Chill.

Angostura Chill® is the only soft drink in the world made with the legendary Angostura® Aromatic Bitters.

The sponsorship of CPL, which attracted over half a billion viewers in 2021, was instrumental in driving visibility and awareness of the rebrand from Angostura® Lemon Lime and Bitters to Angostura® Chill, and provided a global platform with the vast international viewership which spans cricket fans from the US to UK, Australia to India.

This sparkling nonalcoholic twist on the expected refreshment is made in Trinidad and is very much a Caribbean brand which celebrates the best of the home of carnival, tropical

– Angostura ® Chill which is open to all to enjoy. As we extend the Angostura ® Chill range beyond the classic zesty Lemon, Lime & Bitters and

E Pete Russell, CEO of the Hero CPL, and Kathryna Baptiste Assee, Corporate Secretary at Angostura Ltd celebrate the signing of the new agreement

forests, beaches and like much of the Caribbean, it is home to a good cricket team in the Trinbago Knight Riders.

CPL Commercial Director Jamie Stewart commented, "Angostura is one of the Region’s great brands, proudly Caribbean but truly global.

The innovative Angostura ® Chill products have delighted players and fans alike for the last three years, and it is with great pleasure that we continue this partnership for three more. We look forward to more delicious refreshment from Angostura ® Chill, as together we enjoy the biggest

season yet for “the Biggest Party in Sport”."

Angostura Ltd Corporate Secretary Kathryna Baptiste Assee said: “Angostura ® Chill is a brand from the Caribbean that celebrates the best flavours, energy and attitude of the Caribbean.

And, if there’s one thing that unites all of the Caribbean islands – it is a deep passion for cricket and a good lime.

The CPL T20 is often called the “Biggest Party in Sport” – it is a vibrant, colourful, inclusive expression of our collective Caribbean heritage and, therefore, is such a natural fit for our Caribbean brand

…“The competition was fierce,” says Bowling

xhilarating badminton action took over the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) over the weekend, as the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) hosted the annual Gumdac Easter Badminton Tournament.

Following two days of avid competition, Akili Haynes emerged as winner of the men’s A Division after an intense 21-12, 21-15 final with Tyrese Jeffery, who had to settle for second place. Avinash Odit and Jonathon Mangra were the third-place finishers.

In the A Division women’s singles, a 21-14, 14-21 and 2113 battle went in Anna Perreira’s favour for the win, with Shivanie Persaud finishing second. Ambika Ramraj and Ayanna Watson completed the podium.

Varendra Bhagwandin topped the men’s B Division with a 25-23, 18-21, 21-6 win over second-place finisher Matthew Beharry, while Ajave Singh and Jaurel Hendricks settled for third.

On the distaff side, Perreira took another victory, this time against Mishka Beharry 21-17, 21-9. Priyanka Shivnauth and Watson finished third in this division.

Over in the men’s C Division, Matthew Kluatky clinched the championship after overpowering Nkosi Beaton in an entertaining three sets, 2110, 10-21, 21-14. Third place in this division went to Aiden Bhagwandin and Zachary Persaud.

The women’s C category saw Beharry besting Shivnauth 21-16, 21-12, while Jayde DaSilva and Deandre Assing completed the podium.

Complete list of results: A Division Men’s Singles 1st – Akili Haynes 2nd – Tyrese Jeffery 3rd – Avinash Odit and Jonathon Mangra

The winners’ row

O

puts Angostura ® Chill on the world stage and will make the brand synonymous with the upbeat, collective energy of Caribbean T20 cricket.”

Haynes, Perreira shine at Gumdac badminton tourney

Hackett pips Watkins and Prashad in rainaffected tournament to capture STP title

n Saturday last, the rain threatened to scuttle competition, but with much determination the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) managed to host the STP Investments Inc golf tourney.

Owing to the inclement weather, the tournament was shortened to a ninehole shootout, and in the end, Brian Hackett prevailed ahead of Tom Watkins and Patrick Prashad to end the day on a high.

At the conclusion, the top finishers were Hackett (Handicap 9*, Net 33, Gross 42); Watkins (Handicap 2, Net 34, Gross 36); Prashad (Handicap 5, Net 34, Gross 39) and William Walker (Handicap 5, Net 35, Gross 40). Chipping closest to the pin was LGC Vice President Paton George, while the Longest Drive award went to Rackesh Harry.

tangy Blood Orange and Bitters into other exciting flavours, we’re also expanding the international footprint of the brand. This CPL partnership

In expressing his sentiments at the end of the tournament, LGC Club Secretary Chet Bowling said, “Despite the rain, the tournament was wellattended; we had over 30 persons registered and people endured the rain and played on – again, the resilience of the members.

The competition was fierce as you can see, the winner was able to edge out the other players. It is good to see that companies that are not well-known on the market as such but using the Lusignan Golf Club as a platform to get their message out and demonstrate their corporate social responsibility.”

Bowling further said that he applauded the investment company and was looking forward to working with it in the future. The Club Secretary related that the LGC was

more than just golf, as the players were able to enjoy the facility engaging in games as they waited the weather out. Bowling explained that the entire golfing community was consolidating around the LGC as it was a club of members who were looking to do great things with golf, not only in the sport but with themselves as well.

STP Investments Inc construction company was represented by Project Manager David Harrinarine at the trophy presentation.

He stated that the company supported sports and was proud to partner with the Lusignan Golf Club on account of its direction and support for growing the game of golf in Guyana. Harrinarine noted that STP Investments Inc, therefore, has committed to future sponsorship.

Women’s Singles 1st – Anna Perreira 2nd – Shivanie Persaud 3rd – Ambika Ramraj and Ayanna Watson B Division Men’s Singles 1st – Varendra Bhagwandin 2nd – Matthew Beharry 3rd – Ajave Singh and Jaurel Hendricks Women’s Singles 1st – Anna Perreira 2nd – Mishka Beharry 3rd – Priyanka Shivnauth & Ayanna Watson C Division Men’s Singles 1st – Matthew Klautky 2nd – Nkosi Beaton 3rd – Aiden Bhagwandin & Zachary Persaud Women’s Singles 1st – Mishka Beharry 2nd – Priyanka Shivnauth

3rd – Jayde DaSilva and Deandre Assing Other Results: A Division Men’s Singles Akili Haynes beat Anthony Stephens 21-9, 21-15 Marlon Cheung beat Matthew Beharry 21-14, 21-11 Avinash Odit beat Marlon Cheung 21-18, 21-8 Tyrese Jeffery gained a walkover over Haymant Ramdhani Chet Bowling beat Jaurel Hendricks 21-12, 21, 7 Jonathon Mangra beat Chet Bowling 14-21, 21-12, 21-11 B Division Men’s Singles Matthew Beharry gained a walkover over Jonathan Van Lange Andrew Browne gained a walkover over Manav Sharma Andrew Akeem Brown gained a walkover Ajave Singh beat Jason Stepheny 21-15, 21-7 S Malampattie beat Jonathan Debidin 21-14, 21-5 Anthony Stephens beat Raah Russel 21-9, 21-10 Varendra Bhagwandin beat Jonathon Robinson 21, 20, 21, 13 Jedidiah Uwagboe beat Andrew Browne 21-13, 21-11 Jaurel Hendricks beat Matthew Klautky 21-7, 21-14 Matthew Beharry beat Andrew Akeem Browne 21-3, 21, 3 Ajave Singh beat S Malampattie 21-9, 21 6 Varendra Bhagwandin beat Anthony Stephens 21-19, 21-12 Jaurel Hendricks beat Jedidiah Uwagboe 21-9, 21-6 B Division Women’s Singles Anna Perreira beat Melissa Dow Richardson 21-10, 21-11 Priyanka Shivnauth gained a walkover over Shivanie Persaud Mishka Beharry beat Jayde DaSilva 21-10, 21-10 Ayanna Watson beat Deandre Assing 21-7, 21-8 Anna Perreira beat Priyanka Shivnauth 16-21, 21-19, 21-7 Mishka Beharry beat Ayanna Watson 21-17, 21 15 C Division Men’s Singles Jason Stepheny beat Diarra Thomas 21-12, 21-10 Nkosi Beaton beat Jonathon Debidin 21-15, 21-19 Aiden Bhagwandin gained a walkover over Dave Rojas Haresh Persaud gained a walkover over Manav Sharma

Matthew Klautky beat Nathan Singh 21-13, 21-7 Samuel Haynes beat Andrew Browne 21-18, 21-15 Zachary Persaud beat Jonathon Robinson 21-11, 12-21, 21-11 Andrew Akeem Brown gained a bye Nkosi Beaton beat Jason Stephney 21-14, 21-15 Matthew Klautky beat Samuel Haynes 21-16, 21-16 C Division Women’s Singles Priyanka Shivnauth gained a bye Alimah Eastman beat Melissa Dow Richardson 21-8, 21-17 Deandre Assing beat Akeelah Eastman 21-10, 21-11 Marcia Sharma gained a bye Neishauana Harnarain gained a bye Priyanka Shivnauth beat Alimah Eastman 21-14, 21-6 Jayde DaSilva beat Neishauana Harnarain 21-10, 2114

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

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

Phone 264-2946; 626-5290

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

Groups and Excursions welcome.

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

VACANCY Vacancy exists for one security guard contact 655-6511.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

T

he 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) gets underway on August 30 and the six teams have confirmed their pre-draft retentions and signings of local players for this season’s event. The players are expected to arrive in the Caribbean by August 23.

There were two pre-draft windows for the 2022 season. In the first window, each team could retain up to five Caribbean players with a maximum of two from the top five salary spots.

In the second window, teams were then given an opportunity to sign two more local players. These could be new signings from those who were not retained by other teams or players who appeared for that team in the previous season.

The Trinbago Knight Riders have made two massive signings in the second window bringing in Andre Russell and Nicholas Pooran. Their retentions are Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, and Tion Webster.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Last year’s champions, the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots have retained Captain Dwayne Bravo along with Evin Lewis, Sheldon Cottrell, Sherfane Rutherford, and Dominic Drakes. Their signings are Darren Bravo from the Trinbago Knight Riders and Andre Fletcher from the Saint Lucia Kings.

The Jamaica Tallawahs have retained three players from the squad in 2021, their Captain Rovman Powell and their two leading run-scorers from last season, Kennar Lewis and Shamarh Brooks.

The Tallawahs have signed two new players with Jamaicans Brandon King and Fabian Allen joining the team for the 2022 season. King was with the Guyana Amazon Warriors last year while Allen was on the championship-winning St Kitts & Nevis Patriots side.

The 2021 runners-up, the Saint Lucia Kings have retained last year’s Man of the Tournament, Roston Chase, along with Kesrick Williams, Jeavor Royal, and Alzarri Joseph.

23

The signings for the Kings are local boy Johnson Charles, who joins them from the Barbados Royals, and Mark Deyal, who re-signs having been with the Kings in 2021.

The Barbados Royals have retained their 2021 Captain, Jason Holder, along with Kyle Mayers, Hayden Walsh, Oshane Thomas, and Nyeem Young.

The Royals’ signings are Devon Thomas, who joins them from the Patriots, and Obed McCoy, who was with the Kings in 2021.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors have retained Shimron Hetmyer, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd and Chandrapaul Hemraj. Their signings see Keemo Paul rejoin his home franchise after a spell with the Kings in 2021, and Gudakesh Motie, who was with the franchise last season.

TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2022

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

GAW retain 4; sign Paul, Motie

By Jemima Holmes

W

ith the Hero Caribbean P r e m i e r League (CPL) franchises finalising their retained and signed players, local franchise, the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) have six players already enlisted for the 2022 season.

The teams were given two retention windows, the first to facil-

itate players who they wished to retain from the previous season and the second to sign players from other teams or those who have been with the team in the previous season.

As such, the Guyana Amazon Warriors have come up with explosive batsmen Shimron Hetmyer and Chandrapaul Hemraj, ominous all-rounder Romario Shepherd and Odean Smith for their retentions. Gudakesh Motie, who debuted for the Warriors in 2021, was signed again,

while the GAW franchise took the opportunity to welcome Keemo Paul back home.

Paul spent the 2021 season with the St Lucia Kings.

Giving insight into the Warriors’ retentions was Lead Coach Rayon Griffith, who broke down exclusively with Guyana Times Sport, the redeeming qualities of each player which led to them being retained by the franchise. When quizzed about any intentions to bring more Guyanese cricketers on board, Griffith admitted that was the plan.

About Hetmyer, the Coach said, “Hetmyer, who is always a face of Guyana cricket, didn’t have that bright of a tournament, but he’s from Guyana and you definitely want to give your local players opportunity as well.”

Moving on to Hemraj, his century last year left a mark on the Coach’s memory.

“Hemraj, who scored a century, I mean he’s still growing, he’s still learning his craft, but I believe he could bring something to the table this year. He has been there about three years now and we are expecting good stuff from Hemraj this season,” Griffith related.

Shepherd and Smith, who play similar roles were looked at collectively by the Coach, who said, “Last year CPL, Shepherd and Odean definitely played well.

I thought they bowled well; they actually got 18 wickets each in the tournament, and they bat well. I think they came down well at the lower order and they played some good innings for us.

On the topic of Motie, the Coach shared, “He definitely didn't have the start of the tournament last year. He came in, played a couple of games, played some important roles, picked up wickets at crucial time, and actually he had a good economy rate which was under seven runs, so, we believe that he has a role as well. Gudakesh Motie will definitely be an asset to our line-up.”

Finally, the Coach looked at Paul, who spend a single year away from the Warriors camp in 2021, noting that he was elated to have him back.

“Keemo is always a brilliant cricketer, a cricketer that people love to watch playing. A good all-round-

er, I think his all-round skill brings value to our setup. So, it is good to see that Keemo is back in our set-up.”

With six payers thus far, the Guyana Amazon Warriors have a long way to go to fill their team ahead of the 10th Hero CPL season. Asked about what the remainder of the team will look like, the Lead Coach explained that there was room for more Guyanese players.

“We will do our best to put the best team out there. Those players from Guyana that can fill those roles and play certain roles for the team, so that the team could m e s h , because w e do want a strong team as well,” Griffith stated.

He went on to add, “We do have some players in Guyana which we’ll be looking at.”

The Hero CPL is scheduled for August 30 to September 30, with the final being played in Guyana. In addition, Guyana’s National Stadium, Providence will host seven group matches and three knockout matches during this year’s CPL season.

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