Guyana Times -- Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Massy Group awards winners of poetry competition P17

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

Issue No. 4861

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

Over 9000 eligible applicants denied APNU/AFC COVID-19 grant – AG Report See story on page 3

...multiple applications processed for those successful ...$56M in vouchers not checked before paying suppliers

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Ombudsman resolved 37 of 87 complaints between 2019 and 2020 P17 Jilted lover P2 attacks, injures child's mother after she refuses to reconcile 2 more P13 unvaccinated persons among 3 who succumbed to COVID Election petition dismissal

Ferguson on trial for taking part in illegal protest, obstructing cop P15

President Dr Irfaan Ali took Christmas cheer to several children from Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) during a visit on Monday when he attended the annual Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Christmas Luncheon. During the visit, he also presented gifts to the youngsters at the Mabaruma airstrip upon his arrival

GECOM Bill allowing Police to CEO to be use non-lethal weapons receives bipartisan officially – AFC’s Ramjattan urges Govt sworn in today support to expedite implementation

“Spragga” P15 remanded for attempting to smuggle ganja to Suriname

Page 10

Page 7

Current weather conditions may lead to further flooding in low-lying areas – MoA

Page 16 ...urges citizens to take necessary precautions ...says Govt putting all efforts into minimising flooding

National carrier required before CJIA becomes category 1 airport – GCAA Head P14 Man pleads guilty to killing cousin with arrow P2

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

16 firms issued with firearm licences from Aug 2020 to Sept 2021

A

total of 16 security companies were issued with firearm licences for the period August 2, 2020, to September 28, 2021.

This was announced

by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn in response to a question submitted

by Opposition Member of Parliament Geeta ChandanEdmond.

Chandan-Edmond asked “Can the Honourable Minister state the number of security companies that were issued with firearm licences, since 2nd August 2020 to present?”

No other questions were asked and no other informa-

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

tion was provided. Reports indicate that there are more than 4500 registered pistols, 3000 registered shotguns, and 3047 registered rifles by the Guyanese public.

In October 2021, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall posited that firearm licences should be granted more liberally. He was at the time speaking about the granting of personal firearm licences.

According to reports, there is a three-stage process for firearm licensing.

It begins with an application letter being sent to the Divisional Commander, who assigns a rank to check on the applicant’s character in

his or her community. The application is then sent to the Commissioner’s Office to ensure that the applicant has no previous antecedents or convictions.

The application then goes to the Firearm Licensing Board. It is then decided, at that stage, whether the applicant is fit. If so, the application is sent to the Minister for the final stamp of approval.

Meanwhile, in November, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced that the laws will be amended to ensure there is a higher penalty in place for persons who unlawfully possess firearms.

He said the Government

will grant a period of amnesty for persons in possession of illegal firearms to turn them over. But when this period expires and the amend-

ed law comes into play, the Head of State warned that those individuals will face stiffer penalties.

Jilted lover attacks, injures child’s mother after she refuses to reconcile

A

43-year-old man was taken into custody after he attacked and injured the mother of his child at Kanuku Drive Lethem, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo). The couple has been separated for the past four months.

However, on Sunday at about 16:20h, the 27-yearold victim had returned to Lethem from Georgetown with her brother and as she was waiting at the bus service to collect her suitcase and bags, she saw the suspect riding on a bicycle heading in her direction. As such, she hid from him.

At about 17:30h, she was reportedly at a residence at Kanuku Drive Lethem washing her clothing when the suspect approached her and told her he wanted to reconcile. She, however, refused to do so and it was at that time, he threatened to

kill both her and himself.

Upon hearing this, she became fearful and attempted to flee the scene but he reportedly grabbed her by the hair, picked up a piece of wood, and dealt her a lash to her left arm.

In addition, the suspect armed himself with a “clay brick” and lashed her to the head. She managed to escape and ran over to a variety store where she sought refuge.

The Police were contacted and the suspect was later contacted, told of the allegation and cautioned but he denied committing the act.

The injured mother of one was taken to the Lethem Regional Hospital where she was treated for a broken left arm. She was admitted for observation.

The suspect remains in custody pending charges.

Man pleads guilty to killing cousin with arrow

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man who was charged back in 2019 with fatally stabbing his cousin with an arrow, pleaded guilty to the crime when he appeared at the Essequibo High Court on Monday.

Initially indicted for the March 22, 2019 murder of his cousin, Dave Boyal, 33-year-old David Smith opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. The murder took place at Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni River, Region Seven

Confessed killer: David Smith

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

(Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

On the day in question, Smith and Boyal had an argument at their mining camp. Reports state that Boyal, 19, and other workers were in their hammocks, when Smith, who appeared intoxicated, entered the camp and began cutting them down.

When Boyal intervened to stop Smith, he was stabbed with an arrow. The injured man was rushed to the Bartica Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Smith will return to court on Friday, December 17, 2021, for sentencing.

3 Over 9000 eligible applicants denied APNU/AFC COVID-19 grant – AG Report NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Tuesday, Dec 14 – 01:30h – 03:00h and Wednesday, Dec 15 – 02:00h – 03:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, Dec 14 – 13:25h – 14:55h and Wednesday, Dec 15 – 14:00h – 15:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be light cloud during the day and night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to Northerly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 13:23h reaching a maximum height of 2.23 metres.

Low Tide: 06:54h and 19:23h reaching minimum heights of 0.95 metre and 0.87 metre.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS G

05 15 16

17 26 27

FREE TICKET

04 Bonus Ball

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

01 04 20 23 24 LUCKY 3

6

6

1

8

Afternoon Draw

7

4

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01 02 03 07 09 15 16 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

02 05 08 09 16 13

07 09 10 12 19

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$74.39/barrel

-1.02

Rough Rice

$253.04/ton

-0.26

London Sugar

$511.40/ton

+0.14

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1786.60

$1787.60

Low/High Change

$1781.80 -0.30

$1792.40 -0.02%

...multiple applications processed for those successful ...$56M in vouchers not checked before paying suppliers

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he Special Audit into the distribution of COVID-19 pandemic relief vouchers has uncovered that during the distribution process, over 9000 applicants who were eligible to receive vouchers, were side-lined under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

The Audit Office of Guyana had launched a special audit on the former Administration’s COVID-19 pandemic assistance voucher programme for the period March to September 2020.

Under this programme, the former Government provided economic relief to citizens including supplies and vouchers valued between $25,000 and $32,000.

The special audit found, however, that of the 11,098 applicants who were eligible for the relief, only 1814 were shortlisted for verification. This means that 9284 qualified applicants did not receive vouchers.

Furthermore, the Auditor General said no explanation was given as to the reason.

“People who needed assistance were denied. Over 9000 out of 11,000 qualified applicants did not receive vouchers, and officials have not explained why. The programme excluded persons in the hinterland regions.

Instead, they were promised hampers,” the report stated.

According to the report, the COVID-19 relief programme was supposed to be for residents of Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10. The application process started in May 2020 and by

The unused vouchers left strewn around the office when the Auditor General made physical checks last year

June of that year, 26,283 applications had been received. One of the report’s findings was that vouchers were distributed to persons in regions not identified for vouchers.

Among the hiccups that were discovered were instances where multiple applications were processed for one applicant. There were also cases where forms of identification were not entered into the database for applicants.

“Officials processed COVID-19 vouchers in line with the programme guidelines. However, significant gaps were noted during the conduct of the audit. Officials of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) did not

respond to the audit findings,” the audit report noted.

Additionally, it was found that vouchers totalling $56 million were not checked before paying suppliers. The report showed that this weakness could have resulted in overpayment to suppliers and eligible persons not given much needed relief.

Another shocking finding from the audit was that over 3000 unused vouchers valued at least $90 million were left unsecured on a desk. As a result, the vouchers could have been easily accessed and used to obtain items from suppliers.

“Verification exercise conducted on the 18 August 2020, revealed that over

3000 unused vouchers valued at approximately $90M were left unsecured on a desk and could have been accessed by unauthorised personnel, as shown at Figure 5 below,” the Auditor General found.

“This was as a result of all 5000 vouchers being requisitioned and collected from the stores on 18 June 2020.

However, only 1760 vouchers were needed for the approved applications. As a result, the unused vouchers could have been accessed and used to obtain items from suppliers,” the report also stated.

The Audit Office recommended that the NDMA ensure proper controls are in place for future projects of a similar nature.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance Voucher Programme came into operation in April 2020. The objective of the programme was to provide economic relief to vulnerable households through the supply of hampers with fresh foods, dry ration, toiletries, and sanitation items. The programme targeted single parents, senior citizens, disabled persons, and persons who suffered a loss of income due to the pandemic.

The programme was funded through the allocation of funds from the budget for the financial year 2020 of the various agencies responsible for the management of the programme.

Persons interested in benefiting from the programme were required to register online.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

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

Improper disposal and flooding

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ome parts of Guyana are experiencing flash floods as a result of heavy rainfall being experienced countrywide.

Of note, however, is that Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, who is leading a Cabinet-level Task Force activated by President Dr Irfaan Ali, said on Sunday that some Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) have failed to prepare for any event of excessive rainfall.

This is unacceptable, and more so these NDCs should be made to answer for their lackadaisical behaviour. One photo published by this publication on Monday shows the failure of residents in an East Coast Demerara community to properly dispose of their garbage. The photo shows a canal full of plastic bottles, and demonstrates and highlights that fact that residents of some of the flooded communities must also take responsibility for keeping their areas clean.

Over the years, there has been much talk about climate change and the devastating impact it is having, and is likely to have, on communities and the world as a whole.

In fact, it could be argued that not many persons are educated about the issue, especially as it relates to the kind of impact climate change has on the environment and on individuals themselves. Citizens still do take the issue for granted and do not pay much heed to the various messages about the need to change lifestyle patterns and so on.

Scientists have argued that the planet is indeed threatened by lifestyle patterns of individuals and if persons continue to use resources the way we currently do, the planet’s reserves will be exhausted at an increasingly rapid pace. For many countries, there is still the challenge of getting everyone to not only understand and appreciate the idea of the need to work towards sustainable consumption, but also to take practical steps to move in this direction.

Certainly, governments can set the framework with their policies: set targets, define standards, give incentives to make companies go green. Businesses and industries together with researchers can provide the solutions, but, in the end, the consumers have the power of the purse, whether they buy green products or not.

In essence, achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources. As stated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we dispose of toxic waste and pollutants are important targets to achieve this goal.

Based on statistics, the world’s population is growing rapidly, as more than a billion new people will enter the middle class by 2050. Experts have predicted that if citizens do not change their consumption patterns, the global use of resources will be multiplied by 15, which is considered dangerous for our planet as it would not be able to satisfy the needs of everyone.

At the individual level, every individual does play a crucial role in defining his/her own consumption patterns, and can, in a way, also contribute to the fight against climate change. For example, we can reduce the level of energy utilised and the money that is saved on energy could be used instead to develop climate-friendly technologies and appliances.

Official records show that on a global level, more than 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are related to household consumption. While it is accepted that it is not an easy task to get persons to change lifestyles and to work towards a climate-friendly environment, the task would be much easier if they are educated about the role they can play and the benefits of their own action.

Here in Guyana, we still continue to dump garbage carelessly. For example, persons continue to dispose of plastics and other garbage in a reckless manner resulting in the clogging of drains and trenches, thereby leading to flooding, etc. Flooding over the years has exposed our vulnerability and should serve as a big wake-up call for us to treat the environment differently.

For sure, there is need for more effective public education campaigns on climate change and to highlight the effects of poor environmental practices.

Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu was on Sunday evening crowned Miss Universe 2021 when the pageant was held in Israel. In photo, the new Miss Universe after being crowned by Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza of Mexico

Would the new PNCR Leader bring his party closer to State power?

Dear Editor, Guyanese were hoping that the PNCR internal election would have taken place on Saturday, December 11, 2021, as advertised. However, it was reported over one week ago that the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) had decided, in the interest of democracy and transparency, to postpone the polls until December 18, 2021. The PNCR election has attracted great public attention as never before. The prospect of capturing State power in the future depends heavily on the integrity of the election process and the choice of a visionary leader and supporting team.

The postponement of the election from December 11, 2021, to December 18, 2021, has given rise to speculation. Nominations for officeholders were conducted a month earlier and this should have given the CEC enough time to prepare the logistics, including ballot paper and list of delegates. There is apparently wrangling among party members. One candidate for leader asked, for example, that the PNCR General Secretary be removed from the process. Why? About two weeks ago three members of the Accreditation Committee resigned because they claimed a conflict of interest. And last week a candidate for lead-

er, despite his initial exuberance, withdrew from the race. Do these happenings make way for the re-alignment of delegates’ votes for a particular candidate?

Based on previous election experience, critics wonder if the PNCR team can conduct a free and fair election, as proclaimed!

Guyanese are watching this election closely as it would send a signal how close or far, is the PNCR from the democratic process. A clean election will allow for atonement for past misdeeds and remove some of the darkness that has haunted the party over electoral rigging at the national level. One way to mitigate any fear of electoral malpractice is for the CEC to invite election observers.

Whether the choice of Returning Officer is strategic is uncertain as his role in the 5-month post-election saga has hurt his standing as a GECOM Commissioner. One critic, Alvin Hamilton, wrote: “This man still posits that the Opposition did not lose the Guyana March 2, 2020 elections. He cannot bring himself, against incontrovertible evidence, to admit that the Opposition was engaged in repeated attempts to rig the said elections...”

It was also reported that he was willing to have exCEO Keith Lowenfield submit his fictitious election

results for consideration

by GECOM. It is therefore with some measure of the uneasiness that Guyanese are critically analysing the PNCR election and its outcome.

Notwithstanding these reservations, whoever is chosen to lead the PNCR has a formidable task ahead. Once he decides to walk on the democratic track, he must sort out his party’s relationship with the smaller APNU affiliated parties, particularly the AFC which has indicated that it might leave the APNU coalition. The chosen leader has, among other things, to ensure that a competent opposition, inclusive of shadow ministers are kept abreast with issues and policies. He must create a coherent vision for his party and for the country. There are several other challenges facing the new leadership of the PNCR, including the urgent need to repair his party’s battered national and international image particularly due to the 5-months’ post-election fiasco, which was accentuated by a nebulous claim that the Russians interfered with the 2020 National and Regional Elections.

It would be interesting to know if delegates have a good grasp of each candidate’s political philosophy, perspective, and vision.

Here are some teething is-

sues: (1) Since PNCR operatives have been accusing and demonising Caricom leaders of complicity with the PPP/C just because they support free and fair election results, would the new leader apologise to Caribbean leaders whom they have vilified? (2) Would the new leader apologise to the nation for his party’s leadership behaviour during the 5-months’ post-election saga? (3) Would the new leader recognise the legally elected PPP/C Government, a status recognised by 100 countries, including all western democracies: the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, as well as by international organisations such as Caricom, Organisation of American States, and the Commonwealth? (4) Would the new leader approach the US authorities to restore visas to PNCR operatives who were deemed by the US to be hostile towards democracy? (5) Would the new leader denounce and reject racism and violence as political tools?

The new PNCR leader and team must address urgently the above and other issues if they are going to enhance their chances of winning State power in the future.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

5

News

Govt seeks approval for $26B in supplementary funding from National Assembly – to be debated at Thursday’s parliamentary sitting T he Government of Guyana has presented two financial papers that, together, amount to over $25 billion that seek to cover supplementary funding for expenses ranging from COVID-19 cash grants to purchasing equipment for drainage and irrigation works.

During the 32nd sitting of the National Assembly on Monday, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr Ashni Singh presented the financial papers.

The first paper, Financial paper No 3 of 2021, is seeking approval for supplementary funds from the Contingency fund for current and capital estimates totalling $5.1 billion.

The second paper, Financial paper No 4, is seeking supplementary funds totalling $21.4 billion.

“In relation to the latter two items, that is to say financial paper No 3 and 4 of 2021, I wish sir to name Thursday, December 16, 2021, as the date for the consideration of the two financial papers,” Dr Singh informed the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir.

Financial paper No 3 of 2021 has a voted provision of $592.6 million for subsidies that will go towards the operational expenses at the

Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC).

There is $3.8 billion in current contingency advances granted for the one-off cash grant to severed sugar workers, out-of-crop support for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and operational expenses for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

There are also supplementary amounts for cash grants to private school students. There is also $51.4 million that caters for subsistence and transporting staff for COVID-19 vaccination campaigns.

Under the Home Affairs Ministry, approval for $60.1 million was also sought for works that have to be carried out on the Brickdam Police station, which was razed in a fire back in October. The amounts cover the procurement of eight containerised offices and constructing two entry bridges and gates.

Approval for the remaining sums dealt with additional security charges for the regional administrations throughout the country. In all, approval for $5.1 million in supplementary funding was sought.

Supplementary funding

Meanwhile, supplementary funding is now being sought for a number of Ministries.

Monies are being sought for works that will be done on the Brickdam Police Station and the DPP office

For instance, $4 billion is being sought to clear arrears to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). Another sum of $42.3 million was sought for expenses under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) investment grant for microgrids in the hinterland.

In addition, $434 million was also sought for additional resources to support Amerindian Development projects and programmes, while $755 million was sought for additional resources to purchase drainage and irrigation equipment.

A further $1.6 billion was sought under the IDB loan for the Sheriff-Mandela road project, while $115 million was sought for additional resources for sea and river defence.

This will go towards critical areas on the Essequibo Coast, Leguan, Zeelugt, Mahaicony and Glasgow.

Meanwhile, $100.4 million was sought for payment of stipends to Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) students.

A provision of $7.7 billion was also sought for infrastructural works in new and existing housing areas, as well as construction of the four-lane highway.

There is another provision for $1.1 billion that funding is being sought for to complete upgrades and expansion projects in unserved and underserved areas including metering, as well as works on water treatment plants at Covent Garden, Grove, Friendship and Vergenoegen.

Under the Ministry of Health, $150.5 million is being sought to cover expenses related to medical treatment for approved applicants.

Another $3.3 billion is being sought for medical supplies for COVID-19, medical gas for the

Speaker schools Opposition Leader on Standing Orders – as they clash over private members business

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Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir

peaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir and Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon on Monday clashed over whether issues on the order paper brought by members of the Opposition should have taken precedence over Government business.

Harmon had issued a statement before the start of the sitting, in which he accused the Speaker of denying the Opposition an opportunity to have their business dealt with at the 32nd Sitting of the National Assembly.

“This is the day Opposition business takes precedence. In the event there is no Opposition business, Government business will be dealt with. What the PPP has done is ensure that our main

business be placed on the shelf… the (Government) has sunk to another low by hijacking the rest of the sitting to deal with their business, after 64 days without Parliament,” Harmon accused.

However, Nadir kicked off the sitting by reading directly from the relevant Standing Orders to explain to the Opposition how the business of the chamber is governed. He noted that based on the Standing Orders, Government business takes precedence on every day except every fourth sitting.

“This is to educate members on the Standing Orders.

There has been some criticism by the honourable member of today’s sittings. And I want to draw your attention to Standing Order 24.2. And

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

we can go to school if we want.

And 24.2 reads, subject to the provision of these standing orders, Government business shall have precedence on every day except every fourth sitting, when private members business shall have precedence.”

“And private members business includes any business outside Government, be it committees. And the Opposition in our Parliament is not one party. Private business can come from any Opposition member. (And) 24.3 says Government business shall consist of motions proposed and bills sponsored

by Government, Ministers of parliamentary secretaries and shall be set down in such order as the Government sees fit,” Nadir said.

On the other hand, he noted that private members business shall be set down on the order paper by the clerk, in the order in which they qualify. Nadir explained that when the maturity period for private members business arrives, it is then brought up on the order paper.

“In particular I am accused of not putting certain things on the order paper or reducing this particular sitting, to written replies. Again, I will say, a member decides whether a question will be oral or written. And I, yes, do have some amount of authority to moving questions from oral to written,” he said, but noted that all questions on the order paper were designated for written replies by the very members.

COVID hospital, COVID-19 consumables and reagents.

Another $30.9 million is being sought for cleaning the Infectious Disease Hospital.

Under the Ministry of Home Affairs, a total of $475.5 million is being sought for various expenses including purchasing vehicles for the Guyana Police Force, additional resources to purchase aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle in keeping with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements.

When it comes to the Ministry of Legal Affairs, $56.8 million was sought for expenses under the IDB loan for the Law Reform Commission. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Office, which was damaged by a fire last month, also has a $50 million provision that is being sought.

Another development during the sitting was an amendment to the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) that will streamline the budget process for constitutional agencies being tabled by Minister Singh in the National Assembly.

“The amendments are necessary as they serve to

streamline the budget process particularly in relation to constitutional agencies while simultaneously ensuring the preservation of the independence of the agencies.”

“The bill intends to include amendments such as an amendment to Section 15 of the FMAA to require that an annual budget be proposed to include a motion in compliance with Articles 218 and 222 A of the Constitution,” a release from the Finance Ministry said.

Earlier this year the Full Court, comprising of Justices Brassington Reynolds and Sandil Kissoon, had dismissed Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul et al’s appeal to block the Government from scrutinising the monies requested by various constitutional agencies.

The Opposition had sought a declaration that the inclusion of the agencies as Budget Agencies under the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act Cap 73:02 is wholly inconsistent with the independence and financial autonomy contemplated and provided for in Article 222A in particular and the provisions of the Constitution.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Decimal place value and rounding

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ometimes you will be asked to round a number with a decimal to the nearest whole number. You need to look at the number on the right side of the decimal point. If that number is less than five, keep the whole number as it is. If that number is 5 or greater, add 1 to the whole number.

Tens

Ones

3

2

.

Tenths

Hundredths

Thousandths

6

1

2

In other exercises, you might need to round a decimal to the nearest tenth, the nearest hundredth, or the nearest thousandth. Always look at the number to the right of the place you are rounding to. For example, if you are rounding to tenths, look at the hundredths place. If the number you look at is less than 5, keep the original number, but only to the place you need. If that number is 5 or greater, add 1 to the number in the tenths place.

Example: Round 32.612 to a whole number Step 1: Look at the number to the immediate right of the decimal point: 6 Step 2: Ask yourself: Is that number 5 or greater?

It is.

Step 3: Add 1 to the whole number: 32 + 1 = 33 Example: Round 32.612 to the nearest hundredth Step 1: Look at the place to the right of the hundredth place. (It will be the number in

the thousandths place.)

Step 2: Ask yourself: Is that number 5 or greater?

It is not.

Step 3: Keep the original number, but only to the place you need: 32.61

L

earn how to make do-it-yourself (DIY) magic sand called hydrophobic sand in this fun and easy science experiment.

Materials:

Coloured sand Water-repellent fabric protector Disposable plate or container Plastic spoon Fan Clear plastic cup Water

sand every few hours until completely dry.

Once your hydrophobic sand is dry, fill the clear plastic cup with water.

Place a spoonful of your DIY hydrophobic sand into the water and observe.

Once you are finished with your DIY

Exercises Round to the nearest whole number: 1) 15.050 2) 89.760 3) 55.010 4) 9.560 Round to the nearest tenth: 1) 15.050 2) 89.760 3) 55.010 4) 9.560 Round to the nearest hundredth: 1) 15.050 2) 89.760 3) 55.010 4) 9.560 Round to the nearest thousandth: 1) 15.050 2) 89.760 3) 55.010 4) 9.560

hydrophobic sand, pour off the water and save your sand to enjoy again at a later time.

How it works:

Instructions:

T

urn the pourquoi tale you created on Monday into a comic strip.

Pour a thin layer of coloured sand in the disposable plate or container.

Spray water-repellent fabric protector on the coloured sand until the sand becomes moist.

Use a plastic spoon to mix the coloured sand.

Apply another coat of water-repellent fabric protector.

Place the sand in front of a fan to dry. Use the plastic spoon to stir the

The water-repellent fabric protector coats the grains of sand and causes them to adhere together underwater.

This creates a pocket of air around the sand that keeps it from getting wet.

Make this a science project:

Try coating other fine-grained substances? Try testing your hydrophobic sand in liquids other than water. Use different brands of water-repellent fabric coating to create different batches of DIY hydrophobic sand and observe any differences. (scienceisfun.org)

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bill allowing Police to use non-lethal weapons receives bipartisan support – AFC’s Ramjattan urges Govt to expedite implementation

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here is expected to be less tension between the members of Guyana Police Force (GPF) and civilians with amendments to the Police Amendment Bill 2021 receiving bipartisan support in the National Assembly on Monday.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn presented the bill which will amend the Police Act. According to the Minister, the bill will provide for Police to have non-lethal weapons on their person, including stun guns, night sticks and pepper spray.

This means that Police will not be limited to using guns when there is need to force a suspect to comply.

This will, according to the Minister, go some way to improving interactions between the Police and civilians.

“We identify that we want to avoid situations in which the engagement moves from a scuffle because we have seen these instances on Facebook and other places, where persons have taken the resort of scuffling and even fighting with the Police, resisting arrest and unfortunately in some instances the Police may have to go to what is described as

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

lethal force.”

“We want to avoid the result of having to go to the use of firearms. We want to be able to go through a staged response in respect in the use of force by our Police,” Minister Benn explained to the National Assembly.

Besides Benn’s colleagues, the Government’s move to present this bill received support from the main Opposition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).

Several Opposition speakers rose to support the bill.

Benn’s predecessor, former Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, in fact, urged the Government to ex-

Over 9000 eligible...

Those without internet access were required to contact either the Ministry of Social Protection or the Ministry of Communities to have their application forms completed. Applicants were then shortlisted based on eligibility criteria approved by the Ministry of Finance.

Eligible applicants’ information was verified and approved. Vouchers valued between $25,000 and $32,000 were dispatched by the post office.

The voucher included a flyer showing the list of items that could be obtained from approved supermar-

pedite the implementation of the amendments. He also called for clarity on exactly what kind of non-lethal projectiles are being contemplated in the bill.

“Kinetic impact projectiles. Whatever those are, at least the members of the public security committee in Parliament, I think I’m a member, Geeta (Chandan Edmonds) is a member, we should be told what are these projectiles so we could see.”

“Because we could very well have all these that you regard as non-lethal, being very, lethal. So let us understand it. But please, honourable member, get down to the task of implementing these stages that are going to work in our Police architecture,” he said.

The Amendment also removes Section 25 of the principal Act. This section sought to make provision for the use of DNA information for the purpose of identification.

In addition, The Evidence (Amendment) Bill 2021 was also passed with alterations during the 32nd sitting of the National Assembly of the 12th Parliament, on Monday.

The Bill amends Section 42 of the Evidence Act,

FROM PAGE 3

kets and shops. The vouchers were encashed at supermarkets for the items.

Suppliers submitted encashed vouchers to the Civil Defence Commission for reimbursements. The vouchers were not transferable or redeemable for cash.

Chapter 5:03, to better provide for the role of the officers of the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory and other analysts when required to provide evidence in matters before the courts.

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn who presented the bill stated that Clause 2 of the Bill seeks to modify Section 43 of the Principal Act to include the report of an “evidence officer” as receivable by the court.

He added that the clause also amends subsection (4) to expand the list of objects that can be examined by an analyst to include “hair”.

Additionally, amendments were also made to make receivable as evidence certificates or laboratory examination forms issued by the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory or any other accredited forensic science laboratory, as prescribed by the Minister, by order, after consultation with the Director of the Forensic Science laboratory.

Further, subsection (5) was amended to include a “science officer of the Guyana Forensic Science

Former Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

Laboratory” and to remove “scientific officer of the Guyana Police Force”, while there was the insertion of subsection (6) to include the definition of an “evidence officer”.

“The Evidence Act has some weakness in relation to chain and custody…and so, we propose the insertions of appropriate language to make the legislation more secure so people could proceed with proper handling of evidence,” Minister Benn told the National Assembly.

He reiterated that the intention is to tighten the legislation, taking into account the appropriate use of the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory so that issues relating to crime, and evidence relating could be dealt with aptly at the level of the courts.

Supporting the Bill was Government Member of Parliament, Sanjeev Datadin, who noted that the forensic laboratory was established in keeping with an evolving legislative framework to meet the needs of the country.

The laboratory, he said, is mandated to perform certain duties. However, in order to perform those duties, the personnel must be authorised to do so in accordance with the legislation.

Simultaneously, as science advances and technology improves, changes must be made to the legislation.

Therefore, the amended legislation is timely and must be commended.

Following the one-hour debate, the bill was passed with support from the parliamentary Opposition.

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man gets 12 years for raping girl, 13

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25-year-old man who raped a girl at her 13th birthday party was on Monday sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment at the High Court in Essequibo.

The sentence was imposed by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

In November, a 12-member jury found Kemo Calvin Chase guilty of engaging in sexual activity with the 13-year-old girl in March 2013.

Reports are that Chase and the then teenage girl are known to each other. On the day in question, he attended the young woman’s birthday party after which he went into her bedroom.

There, he told the young lady that he had a “gift” for her. He then held her down and raped her. During a sentencing hearing on Monday,

Convicted rapist Kemo Calvin Chase

the victim, through an impact statement, said that she was frequently raped by Chase.

According to her, every birthday, she is forced to relive the trauma of the incident. She expressed that ever

since she was raped, she feels “hopeless” and “unloved”.

Chase, in his address to the court, maintained that he is innocent of the crime.

He claimed that the victim’s story was fabricated.

His lawyer, Latchmi

Dindayal, during a plea in mitigation, asked the court to give his client a suspended sentence on the ground that he is a good candidate for rehabilitation.

Having considered the nature of the offence, the fact that Chase showed no remorse and the physical and psychological trauma the victim endured, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry found that a custodial sentence would be appropriate in the circumstances.

The Judge, in sentencing the rape convict, considered that he was only 17 when he committed the offence.

She described him as being “young and immature”.

In the end, the Judge handed Chase a 12-year jail sentence. State Counsel Tiffini Lyken presented the case for the prosecutor.

When it rains…

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…it drowns in Guyana hen you cut to the chase, it really hasn’t stopped raining since last November. Yet your Eyewitness had learnt by rote in school: “Guyana has two rainy seasons – May-June and December-January”. But he gotta admit he learnt that many, MANY moons ago!! And since then, his eyes have been opened up to this thing called “Climate Change”.

And rainfall in general being part of the “climate”, he isn’t surprised that its pattern and intensity have changed. Not only here, but across the world. Some get more rain – like us – and some get less – like California.

In one instance, the rain in Canada was described like falling like “a river” as it poured millions of gallons of water in a few hours. Can you imagine the devastation caused?

And isn’t this what the 26 COPS were all about – to plan on how we’ll be dealing with these changes? So what are we to do about this flooding here –- where we live in a trench with a sea wall on the north and a back-dam seven miles to the south? Well, none of this is new, is it? The Dutch, who carved out this coast from the mangrove swamps, understood that living here was always going to be tricky. They’d done this before in their native Holland. And it’s because of their experience, they mandated and built their homes on “posts” or “blocks” at least 4’ high – but more generally ten feet up.

Then they ALWAYS kept the network of drains, canals, kokers, etc, clear of garbage and debris. Folks couldn’t throw their garbage into their drains, but “garbage heaps” that were periodically burnt. But we don’t have to go that far back, do we? How about the “Great Flood” of 2005?? Didn't we learn anything then?

Weren’t there new regulations issued about houses to be built at least 4’ ABOVE the ground? About keeping drains free of garbage – especially all those Styrofoam cups and plates? And weren't the NDCs supposed to be using some of those rates and taxes they collect to keep those drains clean??

But the problem – like everything else in Guyana – is that the moment a crisis is over, we revert to the same ole, same ole! Like when we gripe about politicians not changing, think about the fact that like with our drains, we don’t clean them out regularly!! But seriously folks, shouldn’t we take some responsibility for taking care of our living environment so that we don’t have to be living in flooded filth??

But looking at the immediate future, the Government has to get serious about enforcing the building code and regulations on drainage.

And get cracking on Silica City!! …it pours for the PNC First, there was Comrade Leader (Brigadier rtd) Granger retreating to his Bunker at Pearl, after the plan to imitate his hero Burnham and rig the elections failed ignominiously. All he got for his pains was a new title – “Sanctimonious Gangster”. Then came the attempt to put a brave face to the harsh fact that a new leader had to be found since no one trusted his choice!! Elections at Congress was it!! But this would unleash an element of uncertainty on a party that always depended on “fixing” these matters!! So, we had delays allegedly for COVID and now for “logistical” challenges!!

But with self-interest inevitably rising like do-do to the top, some had to hit the fan!! All of which is sure to damage the image of the party they’ve been desperately seeking to clean up! Three worthies from the Ex-Co had to be removed from the Accreditation Committee.

They couldn’t be trusted not to cook the books for their “godfathers”!! …off comes the gloves!

And with the extra week, the hammer keeps falling.

A top professional and PNC supporter just backed the corruption charges against Jordan – and blamed Harmon also for the wharf giveaway!

What’s next? A confession on the “Mingoing”!?

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

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GECOM CEO to be officially sworn in today V

ishnu Persaud, who was selected as the new Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), will be sworn in today before Chief Justice Roxane George.

Persaud was one of over 15 persons who had applied for the position in October.

He and former Jamaican electoral official Leslie Harrow were shortlisted and interviewed two Mondays ago by the seven-member Election Commission.

When the Commission met on Friday last to discuss and vote on who is the most qualified candidate for the job, its members were trapped in a deadlock as they were equally divided between the two frontrunners.

This prompted GECOM’s Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, to flex her casting vote in favour of Persaud, whom she has since hailed as the most qualified for the job.

In an official statement

Newly-appointed Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud

to the media announcing the selection of Persaud as the new CEO, GECOM said it is hopeful that with his extensive experience in the agency, Persaud will execute the functions of the office of CEO and Commissioner of Registration within the confines of the law and deliver with excellence.

“Mr Persaud is knowledgeable not only with the understanding and management of the work of the CEO’s office and the operational functions of the Secretariat but also with the geography of Guyana’s ten administrative regions,” the statement explained.

Also contributing to her decision to select Persaud for the post was an endorsement letter submitted by former GECOM Chair, Dr Steve Surujbally.

During his tenure at the Commission, Persaud held the post of Public Relations Officer, Deputy Chief Elections Officer for three years, and acted as Chief Elections Officer on several occasions.

Against this backdrop, Justice Singh noted that she had no hesitation in endorsing Persaud’s appointment since “he has the necessary skills, experience, and expertise that makes him eminently qualified to handle the job”.

Persaud, who was em-

ployed as GECOM’s Deputy CEO from 2014 to 2017, was overlooked for the appointment when he sought to return to the position in 2018.

In fact, his non-appointment sparked controversy and even an investigation by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), which had concluded six months after that he was overlooked

and was more qualified than the person who was chosen over him for the position, Roxanne Myers.

The then CEO Keith Lowenfield; his Deputy, Roxanne Myers, and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo were fired from GECOM in August.

The embattled trio is

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

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BNTF allocates US$30.5M to 9 countries as 10th Cycle launched

– Finance Minister congratulates CDB for serving Caribbean for 42 years

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inance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh on Monday congratulated the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for serving the Caribbean Region for the past 42 years. He was at the time speaking at the opening ceremony of the virtual launch of Basic Needs Trust Fund’s (BNTF) 10th Cycle under the theme “Reducing the Incidence of Poverty and Building Resilience, Through an Inclusive Community Development Approach”.

During his remarks, Dr Singh alluded to some of the work the Fund, under the auspices of the Bank has done in the Region while commending the Bank for its commitment to the continuity of BNTF and for securing funds to continue the programme.

“BNTF was created with the express purpose of poverty reduction, and it quickly became well known as the Bank’s flagship poverty reduction initiative. Over the past four decades, interventions have provided access to improved social infrastructure including markets, health posts, resource centres and schools; provided first time access to pota-

ble water; improved roads, bridges and footpaths; and provided certified skills training aimed at enhancing employability and income generation. BNTF initiatives have impacted us all regionally, nationally and most importantly our peoples at the grass roots level,” Dr Singh posited.

The Minister highlighted the fact that as of February 2017, through the first eight BNTF Programme Cycles, over 2750 sub-projects were implemented to directly impact the lives of more than 3 million people across the region. He noted, however, that there still remains a number of challenges in spite of these accomplishments.

“Our Region continues to face a vast multitude of development challenges, some longstanding and others new. These include most immediately the COVID-19 pandemic, which has compounded the pre-existing challenges such as climate change vulnerabilities, infrastructure gaps including in such catalytic areas as transport and energy infrastructure, food security issues, global competitive-

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

ness and gender equality amongst others. These are issues that pose challenges to our Governments and the Bank. Despite these hurdles, we as Participating Countries have worked diligently to maintain macroeconomic stability, jumpstart our respective economies, deliver national objectives and improve the circumstances of our people,” the Senior Finance Minister said.

Further outlining other accomplishments and challenges faced in education, water access and sanitisation, basic community accessing and drainage and human resource devel-

opment (HRD) and livelihoods, Dr Singh noted that under the 10th Cycle, the CDB will continue to invest and focus on these sectors across 9 Participating Countries.

Also speaking at the event, President of the CDB, Dr Hyginus “Gene” Leon alluded to the CDB’s focus on ensuring that its development discussions centre on how the BNTF can strengthen its programme to enhance development outcomes especially given the recent setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This pandemic has underscored our challenges

yet to be resolved, can amplify the impact of shocks that are outside of our control. At the same time, it begs the question of how much more amplification can arise from future shocks if we do not address the compound layering of the impact of COVID-19 and the structural weaknesses that existed before COVID-19. I refer to the poverty, inequality, health and education, economic concentration, low access to affordable financing and inadequate infrastructure challenges of today and the future challenge arising from climate change,” Dr Leon explained.

The CDB President also noted that the launch was quite timely in terms of the end of year period during which it was occurring.

“It is coincidental but quite fitting that this launch is taking place during the Christmas season when focus is on how best to bring hope and goodwill to a world that remains mired in significant economic, social and environmental challenges,” he emphasised.

A total of US$30.5 million has been allocated under the 10th Cycle across the 9 Participating

Countries to implement sub-projects. Interventions will be tailored to empower the poor and vulnerable and strengthen institutional development by integrating SDGs and cross-cutting areas such as gender quality and environmental sustainability.

Guyana began receiving Country Project grants from CDB’s Third Programme in 1993 and has continued to benefit consistently throughout the programmes. Minister Singh concluded that BNTF in Guyana has been a success and the benefits and rewards through the many interventions in community development and the provision of basic needs to citizens, particularly in rural and hinterland areas, are undeniable.

He noted too that looking forward, Guyana intends to build on the lessons learnt and successes from the previous programmes in line with national priorities.

CDB's Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) has for over 40 years invested more than US$300 million to fight poverty and improve the quality of life in the poorest communities in the Caribbean.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 more unvaccinated persons among 3 who succumbed to COVID …906 active cases being monitored

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD DECEMBER 13, 2021 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

14

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

40

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

1433

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

12

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

4

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

20,384

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

18,184

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

38,568

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

36,691

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

398,949

FULLY IMMUNISED

275,126

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

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he Health Ministry has reported that three more persons who tested positive for COVID-19 have succumbed, thus taking Guyana’s death toll to 1023.

Th fatalities include a 54-year-old man from Region 10 and a 79-yearold female from Region Five who died on December 12.

A 75-year-old female from Region Six later succumbed on December 13.

Two of these persons were unvaccinated while the third was partially vaccinated.

However, new statistics provided by the Ministry showed that new infections have been on the decline for the past few weeks with only 14 new cases detected with-

1023

in one day. With the 14 new cases, the confirmed positive cases in the country stand at 38,568.

Statistics further showed that there are 12 patients in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 802 in home isolation, 40 in institutional isolation and four in institutional quarantine.

The data shows that 36,691 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus while 405,104 tests were conducted.

An analysis of new infections showed eight for Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), five in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

No increases were reported in the other regions.

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

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.

In addition, the Health Ministry is currently monitoring over 900 active cases of the novel coronavirus, spanning across the 10 administrative regions.

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1690

REGION 2

1573

REGION 3

5168

REGION 4

18,005

REGION 5

1454

REGION 6

3530

REGION 7

1794

REGION 8

622

REGION 9

2476

REGION 10

2256

However, some are reporting spikes or higher active infections than others.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony outlined during the COVID update on Monday that Regions

Three, Four and Six are leading for active positives.

This, he said, calls for attention to contain the situation.

“We continue to monitor cases across the country. We’ve had, as of now, 906 active cases and we’ve seen most of these cases in Region Four, where we have 406 cases. In Region Six, the cases are going up. We now have 231 cases in Region Six and we also have 129 cases in Region Three. These are regions that we have to pay keen attention to,” said the Minister.

Some 406,072 adults or 79.2 per cent have received a first vaccine dose while second doses are pegged at 286,437 or 55.8 per cent.

For the 12 to 17 age cohort 27,743 or 40.8 per cent have been immunised with a first dose. Of this number, 20,964 or 28.7 per cent are fully immunised.

Meanwhile, 5756 boost-

er doses have been administered. Region Four has seen the highest uptake.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 24), which are in effect until December 31, 2021. This order emphasises the need for everyone, 12 years and older, to get vaccinated against COVID-19; the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

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

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

National carrier required before CJIA becomes category 1 airport – GCAA Head will come down and they will inspect and they will categorise you in whatever category you fall in as I said with the robust oversight by the authority, where we are in safety oversight capability and our compliance, I have no doubt that Guyana could achieve category 1 if given an inspection,” field explained.

The Director noted that if you do not have a locally-based airline but request the inspection from the FAA it will only last for 60 days.

T

he Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Colonel Egbert Field recently explained that before the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) becomes a category 1 airport, the country has to have a national carrier.

“Well as far as I’m concerned, Guyana can acquire category 1 next if we’re inspected, as soon as we are inspected by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), I think we have the capacity, we’re at that level of category 1, the only thing we have

GCAA Director General, Colonel Egbert Field

not been inspected to formally say yes are, and the reason why unless you have an airline based in your country only then can you ask for an inspection for category 1, that airline must be based in your country and willing to fly to North America.”

Category 1 refers to airports that serve all types of scheduled operations of air carrier aircraft that are designed to facilitate 31 passengers, or any large air carrier aircraft as well as any other types of air carrier operations.

“Once that happens, FAA

GNBS lobbies for safe toys during holiday season

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he holiday season is moving apace and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards is cautioning parents and guardians to ensure that toys are safe for children before gifting.

Toys are one of the categories of products monitored by the GNBS under its Product Compliance Programme, especially during the Christmas holidays. This is necessary to ensure that poor quality toys do not get into the hands of children, and for toys on sale to have the required labelling information, outlined in the Guyana Standard Specification for Labelling of Commodities – Part 12: Labelling of Toys and Playthings to guide their use.

According to the standard, labels shall have the name and/or description of the item, country of origin and manufacture, name and address of manufacturer, packer or distributor, and a registered trademark or

trade name. For toys which are inherently hazardous, labels must also include precautionary instructions.

“As the GNBS maintains its monitoring efforts based on the standard, the added vigilance of parents during the purchase and use of toys and playthings can also help to protect children,” it outlined.

It has been underscored that warning labels give important information about how to use a toy and for what ages the toy is most appropriate. Parents are asked to show their child how to use the toy the right way, especially if they cannot figure it out by themselves.

“Make sure all toys and parts are larger than your child’s mouth to prevent choking. Take caution with toys that can be unassembled by children into many tiny pieces. Avoid toys that shoot objects into the air. They can cause serious eye injuries or choking. If such toys are the preference of older children,

make sure they understand the implications. Avoid toys that are loud to prevent damage to your child’s hearing,” it added.

Additionally, consumers are to look for stuffed toys that are well made, making sure all the parts are fitted tightly and seams and edges are secure. It should also be machine washable and any loose ribbons or strings to avoid strangulation should be taken off. Avoid toys that have small bean-like pellets or stuffing that can cause choking or suffocation if swallowed.

“Buy plastic toys that are sturdy. Toys made from thin plastic may break easily. Avoid toys with toxic materials that could cause poisoning???. Make sure the label says “non-toxic”. Avoid hobby kits and chemistry sets for any child younger than 12 years. They can cause fires or explosions and may contain dangerous chemicals. Make sure your older child knows how to safely handle these kinds of toys,” the Bureau also stated.

Electric toys should be “UL Approved” or carry any other certification mark. This can be verified by checking the label.

Meanwhile, age recommendations on toys can be helpful, because they offer guidelines on the safety of the toy, the ability of a child to play with the toy, the needs and interests at various levels of a child’s development.

“If you don’t have an airline and you request the FAA to come and do an inspection just for the sake of category 1, to acquire category 1 and you have no airline in place then having that category 1 it will only last for 60 days, after 60 days it expires because you do not any operations into the US.” “So, it’s like having a Limousine in your garage and you can’t drive it and after 60 days the wheels blow off,” he stated.

Field further stated that he is hoping that someone will step up and help Guyana make a bold step in this direction to achieve category 1 status.

“I’m looking forward to some brave person or persons putting together an airline in Guyana, having it certified by us and I am thinking about an airline flying large aircraft to North America so that we can then apply for the category 1 status.”

India’s Harnaaz Sandhu wins Miss Universe contest held in Israel

South Africa’s Lalela Mswane, India’s Harnaaz Sandhu and Paraguay’s Nadia Ferreira advance to the top 3 during the Miss Universe pageant

T

wenty-one-year-old Harnaaz Sandhu of India has been crowned the 70th Miss Universe, topping a field of some 80 contestants in a pageant that was touched by politics and the pandemic.

The previously reigning Miss Universe, Andrea Meza of Mexico, crowned her successor, a 21-year-old model, early on Monday in the Israeli Red Sea resort town of Eilat.

The pageant included traditional displays of national costumes, swimwear and a series of interview questions to test contestants’ public speaking skills.

The top 10 showed off intricately bedazzled full-length gowns in either gold, silver or bronze.

The Philippines’s Beatrice Luigi Gomez wore an asymmetrical cut dress with one sleeve, highlighting a new tattoo she said “celebrates her womanhood”.

Before Sandhu, two Indians have won the Miss Universe title: Bollywood actresses Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.

Coming in as first runner-up was Miss Paraguay, Nadia Ferreira and in second runner up was Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane.

Boycott calls

The contest also drew attention in recent weeks for other reasons, with several contestants defying pres-

Twenty-one-year-old Harnaaz Sandhu of India has been crowned the 70th Miss Universe

sure to boycott in support of Palestinians.

A grassroots Palestinianled boycott movement had urged contestants to skip the event to protest Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel wrote: “We urge all participants to withdraw, to avoid complicity in Israel’s apartheid regime and its violation of Palestinian human rights.”

The 80 contestants also included Miss Morocco Kawtar Benhalima and Miss Bahrain Manar Nadeem Deyani, whose Muslimmajority nations normalised ties with Israel last year.

In the end, only Indonesia and Malaysia, nations that

do not have diplomatic relations with Israel, did not send a representative, citing the global COVID-19 situation, not Israel’s rights record.

South Africa, which also strongly supports the Palestinian cause, withdrew support for the country’s representative over her participation, citing “atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians”.

The United Arab Emirates, which also normalised ties with Israel last year and where Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a historic visit on Sunday, also not sent a candidate.

But the UAE said that was “due to time constraints” in selecting its national winner. TURN TO PAGE 17

NEWS

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TV show focusing on bullying, Ferguson on trial statutory rape launched Election petition dismissal

for taking part in illegal protest, obstructing cop

APNU/AFC MP Annette Ferguson

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PNU/AFC parliamentarian, Annette Ferguson is on trial for allegedly taking part in an illegal protest outside of the Demerara High Court minutes after the Chief Justice dismissed one of the election petitions filed by the party.

It is alleged that on April 26, she took part in a procession without the necessary permission from the Police or other authority. She is also accused of obstructing a Police officer who was acting in the execution of his duties.

Ferguson, who served as a Minister under the previous APNU/AFC Government, was charged with the of-

fences back in May. She was granted $30,000 bail after pleading not guilty to the charges when they were read to her.

On April 26, scores of APNU/AFC supporters gathered outside the court and marched through city streets following the dismissal of the party’s election petition

by Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC. The Chief Justice had ruled that nothing in the petition had supported the claims of the petitioners as it related to irregularities during the conduct of the March 2020 elections.

Further, she ruled that there were no breaches or violations by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), that would make the election a sham or travesty as was being contended by the petitioners.

Following her ruling, the party’s supporters along with a few of its Members of Parliament (MPs) took to the streets where they protested in front of the High Court.

As a result, several businesses along the commercial districts had closed their doors. After the processions, the MPs along with several of the participants were served summonses to appear in court as it is alleged that permission was not granted for the protest.

Man gets 4 years in jail for chopping uncle

M

agistrate Rochelle Liverpool on Monday sentenced a 20-year-old man to four years’ imprisonment after he found him guilty of chopping his uncle.

Joshua Witter, a construction worker of Dr Miller Street, Triumph, East Coast Demerara (ECD), had been on trial at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court for unlawfully and maliciously wounding his uncle on July 4, 2021.

The prosecutor said that 36-year-old Darrion Witter, a security guard, and his nephew had a misunderstanding on July 3, 2021, over a missing charger adapter.

The court heard that Joshua Witter accused his uncle of taking his property without his permission. The men later had a verbal altercation, during which the construction worker threatened to chop his uncle.

At around 08:00h on July 4, Darion Witter was at home when his nephew sneaked up behind him and fired several chops at him with a cutlass.

The man, the prosecutor

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud with some of the young influencers

T

he Human Services and Social Security Ministry has launched its second episode of “Youth Unfiltered” – a show featuring a group of diverse young people discussing many social issues.

It is a youth-focused show that is completely directed by young influencers and assisted by a team from the Ministry along with Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud The intention is for a new

sions among youths across the country; heightening awareness of their challenges and proposing solutions, as well as offering profiles of young people who have surmounted hurdles and succeeded.

“My first thought was that every Ministry should emulate this,” Young influencer Aliyah Hassan has said. She is among the almost two dozen influencers countrywide who volunteers Dr Persaud adds her personal touch and flair to help perfect the programme

Aliyah Hassan with a fellow young influencer Jeremiah Kalekyezi during the filming of Youth Unfiltered

episode to be released each month with young influencers from all across the country discussing timely topics on the Ministry’s platforms to help ignite healthy discus-

her time towards the programme.

Another young influencer, Jeremiah Kalekyezi believes that the show is “definitely something fresh,” as

there is hardly any other show that relates specifically to youths and the issues surrounding them. “Minister Vindhya has been working with us very closely to ensure the show stays targeted to our young population, even directing some of our shoots personally,” he expressed.

The young influencers would choose a topic among themselves with everyone pouring in fresh thoughts and ideas. The programme has a talent segment, one for trends among youths, and an unfiltered segment in which the youths speak their mind

“Personally, for me, I think that we have achieved this goal of being as unfiltered as possible because it's all coming from the voice of youths and that is not scripted. The Minister gives us full control of our views and expressions,” Ramlochan further commented.

Youth Unfiltered is a 30-minute programme that usually airs on the Ministry’s Facebook page, on E-Networks Channel One and on the National Communications Network (NCN).

“Spragga” remanded for attempting to smuggle ganja to Suriname

Jailed: Joshua Witter

added, received injuries to his right thumb and left foot.

He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted as a patient. Due to the extent of the injuries to Darrion Witter’s right thumb, doctors were forced to amputate it.

The incident was reported to the Police and Jason Witter was arrested and charged. He had been out on bail pending the hearing and determination of his trial.

without a scripted conversation in place.

The most recent episode speaks to bullying and also features a short overview of statutory rape.

“As young influencers, we try to cover these topics as ‘youth like’ as possible, like down-to-earth and casual. It's meant to be a safe space for youths to listen and share their perspectives while reaching out to the public and promoting services that the Ministry offers,” another youth influencer, Savitri Ramlochan, based in Berbice, commented.

Remanded: Jagdeo Ramdass

A

man who attempted to smuggle a quantity of marijuana to neighbouring Suriname via boat was on Monday remanded to prison on a drug trafficking charge.

Jagdeo Ramdass, also known as “Spragga” was ar-

raigned before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.

He denied the charge which stated that on December 8, 2021, he had 684 grams of marijuana in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. His next court date is December 20.

It was reported that on the day in question, ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) intercepted a boat that was preparing to leave for Suriname and discovered parcels of marijuana. According to CANU, ranks acting on information went to Moleson Creek, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), where they conducted a narcotics operation.

During the exercise, officers intercepted a wooden boat suspected of smuggling narcotics to Suriname. The boat was searched in the

The marijuana that was unearthed in the boat

presence of its three occupants, including Ramdass, during which the ganja was found.

The three people were

detained and transported to CANU Headquarters with the cannabis. Following investigations, only Ramdass was charged.

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Current weather conditions may lead to further flooding in low-lying areas – MoA ...urges citizens to take necessary precautions ...says Govt putting all efforts into minimising flooding

I

n light of the persistent rainfall, the Agriculture Ministry is advising citizens residing in low-lying and floodprone areas to take the necessary precautions as the forecast provided by the Hydromet Department predicts that the current weather conditions may lead to further flooding.

The Taskforce that is being headed by Prime Minister, Brigadier (R’td) Mark Phillips, comprises the Ministers of Agriculture, Local Government and Regional Development, Housing and Water, the CDC’s Director General, the Guyana Defence Force’s Chief of Staff, the National Security Advisor, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s Chairman, and the Chief Hydrometeorological Officer.

At the event on Sunday, Minister Mustapha said reports received suggest that all of the drainage structures in affected areas are operable and cautioned persons residing in low-lying areas to take the necessary precautions.

“All of our systems are in place. We have a

The AG visiting a flooded area in East Coast Demerara

number of pumps in various parts of the country. Our sluices are operable so when the tide is up, the pumps are in operation and when the tides go out, we open the sluices.

We’ve also deployed monitoring teams to various parts of the country. Based on the forecast from the Hydromet Office, we will have more rainfall. Those persons living in low-lying areas are advised to take the necessary precautions.

Citizens can rest assured that, from the Government level and at the level of the task force, all efforts are being put in place to minimise flooding.

As it relates to the allocation of resources to

critical areas, Minister Mustapha explained that all pumps are operable and that mobile pumps have all been deployed to affected areas across the country.

“We have permanent pumps in critical areas across the country and those pumps are operable.

We are monitoring those pumps. In Georgetown alone, we have 13 pumps and they are all operable.

Although we have all these systems in place, there will be instances when people will encounter flooding because of the high intensity of rainfall we are experiencing. Where ever there is a need for machinery or other resources we will try

our best to make those resources available.

Last Wednesday, Minister Mustapha along with a team of technical staff from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), visited a number of drainage pumps and sluices in Georgetown following instances of flooding across the City. During his visit, it was discovered that several sluices were not fully opened, thereby restricting the flow of water. It was after the Minister instructed the sluice operators to raise the sluice doors, that there was a noticeable difference in the flow of water into the river.

Meanwhile, Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh told reporters that although it was too early to pronounce on the extent to which persons were affected, tremendous pressure is placed on the Government’s resources when these situations take place.

“It is still relatively early for me to say, in a quantified manner, the extent of the damage. I will say that every time we have these floods it takes a very significant toll on

Minister Susan Rodrigues visiting a resident of Sophia whose home was inundated

our economy. It affects production, particularly agriculture production, and it exerts tremendous pressure on the budget because we’d have to find resources to respond. As a Government we recognise how important it is to protect our coast from these floods, first of all, to equip ourselves to be able to respond to the floods and ultimately to protect and reinforce the coast from such flood events.

Dr Singh went on to say that the Government’s response to flooding can be

characterised as two-fold with the first aspect being an immediate response which involves removing floodwaters from the land as soon as possible, while the second aspect involves developing infrastructure that will enable Guyana’s coast and other flood-prone areas to be more flood resilient. Such infrastructure, he added, includes structures like the Hope Canal and some of the technical works to identify the potential locations and the engineering designs have commenced.

Health Ministry mulls using monoclonal antibodies to fight COVID “Exciting future” ahead for Soesdyke …but cost poses a challenge

I

n exploring new ways of combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Ministry is monitoring the use of monoclonal antibodies and the potential of using it locally.

In Monday’s COVID update, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony outlined that while it is being used in other countries, the drug is quite expensive. Moreover, it works differently depending on which variant is circulating.

“At some point, we’ll try to get it. monoclonal antibodies are very expensive. More recently with the Omicron variant, they’re not working as effectively. Depending on the variant that is circulating, you’ll have to look at what monoclonal antibodies and how they will work,” said the Health Minister.

He noted that one company has managed to create the antibodies with some proven success against the new variant.

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as viruses.

Tixagevimab and cilgavimab are long-acting monoclonal antibodies that are specifically directed against the spike pro-

Health Minister, Anthony

Dr

Frank

tein of SARS-CoV-2, designed to block the virus’ attachment and entry into human cells.

Tixagevimab and cilgavimab bind to different, non-overlapping sites on the spike protein of the virus, the US Food and Drug Administration has reported.

A few days ago, the FDA authorised the use of AstraZeneca's antibody cocktail to prevent COVID-19 infections in individuals with weak immune systems or a history of severe side effects from coronavirus vaccines.

Evusheld is only authorised for adults and adolescents who are not infected with COVID-19 and have not recently been exposed to an infected individual.

It comprises of two

monoclonal antibodies, Tixagevimab and Cilgavimab.

In November, AstraZeneca agreed to supply the US Government with 700,000 doses of Evusheld, which had earlier shown to cut the risk of people developing any COVID-19 symptoms by 77 per cent.

Director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Patrizia Cavazzoni said, “Vaccines have proven to be the best defence available against COVID-19. However, there are certain immune-compromised individuals who may not mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination, or those who have a history of severe adverse reactions to a COVID-19 vaccine and therefore cannot receive one and need an alternative prevention option.”

Pre-exposure prevention with Evusheld is not a substitute for vaccination in individuals for whom COVID-19 vaccination is recommended. The FDA has approved one vaccine and authorised others to prevent COVID-19 and serious clinical outcomes associated with a COVID-19 infection, including hospitalisation and death.

residents in 2022 – Min McCoy

M

inister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy on Sunday last attended an annual Christmas party and tree light-up in the community of Soesdyke on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) hosted by JSB Investments Inc and told the residents that they can look forward to more fruitful work from the Government in the near future.

Attending the small event held to give back to the community, Minister McCoy told the gathering that they can look forward to improvements in their livelihoods in 2022, courtesy of the PPP/C Government.

McCoy thanked JSB Investments Inc for their charitable initiative that will no doubt put a smile on the faces of the boys and girls in the community.

McCoy said that it is initiatives like the one JSB Investments have done that helps communities to grow and support other initiatives. He stressed that it is important for businesses to do their social part in helping communities like Soesdyke.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy

“This business [JSB Investments Inc] helps our children and will be bringing on their faces, smiles and joy for the Christmas season.”

The Minister spoke enthusiastically of the future and told the residents and neighbouring communities that come 2022, they can look forward to things being done by the Government that would benefit the people of Guyana as a whole. “…2022 is ahead of us, and I dare say it’s going to be an exciting year as you have seen what the Government has been about in its programme for development. We have been working hard to make sure that we can create condi-

tions and opportunities for people to do well and to excel,” he said.

McCoy further stated that the Government has also been working hard so that they can take care of situations of the poor, the public servants and all of the people that make up the country.

He added that the Government has been working hard despite the pandemic, putting the safety of the people first.

“We are preparing the ground for the grand development in this country, and so 2022 is going to be an exciting year. And I would love to see every single person here [the people at the event] tonight, every single one of us, enter 2022 knowing that we are going to be a part of an exciting future ahead,” the Minister said.

Stating that Guyana is on a road of great prosperity, it is also up to the people of Guyana, along with the Government to keep ourselves safe and follow the COVID-19 protocols to protect ourselves from being infected by the deadly virus that’s been sweeping the nation.

NEWS

17

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man wanted for murder Ombudsman resolved 37 of 87 nabbed in Black Bush Polder complaints between 2019 and 2020 M T he Office of the Ombudsman received 87 complaints between the period 2019 and 2020, of which 37 of them were resolved. This is according to the information shared in the Report of the Ombudsman, laid in the National Assembly on Monday.

Citizens approach this office when they believe that they have been treated unfairly by a State agency.

The services offered by the Ombudsman’s Office are free and all complaints are dealt with in a timely manner.

“I am authorised to facilitate the citizens’ complaints.

Listening patiently to the complainants is absolutely necessary… Work is done on a continuous basis to foster relationships with personnel in every State agency to ensure efficient resolution of complaints, thus avoiding any escalation,” Justice (ret’d) Winston Patterson indicated in the report.

Of the 87 complaints, 64 were within the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman’s Office while 28 of the aforementioned are still pending with the relevant authorities and 23 were out of the jurisdiction of this officer’s office.

There are six categories under which complaints fall – justified, unjustified, resolved, declined, assistance

Ombudsman, Justice (ret’d) Winston Patterson

renders and referrals.

The report states that many of the complaints received were made by persons who walked in seeking advice and assistance. As a result, much time was spent interviewing complainants, giving on the spot advice and if necessary, referring complainants to the relevant authorities on matters which were not within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

Selected complaints summaries are listed as the wrongful dismissal of a Constable; outstanding benefit for a retiree; denial of old-age pension; wrong dismissal of a Sergeant Major;

India’s Harnaaz Sandhu...

FROM PAGE 14

“Colonialism, racism”

Contestants for the pageant landed in Israel late last month and have since toured sites, sometimes coming under criticism for cultural insensitivity.

In one stop in the Bedouin city of Rahat, the candidates wore robes with traditional Palestinian embroidery while rolling grape leaves – which Gomez tweeted was a “Day in the life of a Bedouin”.

The Bedouin are traditionally nomadic Palestinians who have long complained of discrimination in housing and education by the Israeli Government.

“Colonialism, racism, cultural appropriation, patriarchy, whitewashing, all in one place,” tweeted Ines Abdel Razek of the Palestine Institute for Public Diplomacy, an advocacy group.

In an interview last month, Meza urged contestants to leave politics out of the pageant, saying the gathering was meant to bring together women from different backgrounds.

“When you are in there, you forget about politics, about your religion,” she told The Associated Press news agency at the time.

Sara Salansky, an official with the Israeli Tourism Ministry, said the country was selected to host the contest earlier this year because of Israel’s

successful coronavirus vaccination programme.

The contest suffered a last-minute hiccup with the arrival of the Omicron variant, which forced Israel to close its borders to foreign tourists late last month.

Most of the Miss Universe contestants were already in the country before the new regulations came into effect. But those who came afterwards were given special permission to enter, albeit with a mandatory 72-hour quarantine period.

Throughout the runup to Sunday’s contest, all contestants were tested for the coronavirus every 48 hours and required to obey strict mask requirements.

Amid all the safeguards, France’s contestant, Clemence Botino, tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after arriving in Israel. After 10 days in quarantine, she was declared virus-free last week and allowed to re-join the competition.

Last year’s pageant was delayed due to the pandemic before Meza was crowned in May of this year for her abbreviated tenure.

Participants in the pageant, which was co-owned

by Donald Trump before he became US President, must be between the ages of 18 and 28 and should not be married or have a child.

(Al Jazeera)

and the request for re-computation of benefits.

With respect to the wrongful dismissal of the Constable, it was noted that the complainant was a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) from 2002-2016.

He was interdicted from duty with effect from May 2016 and placed on half-pay under Sector 43A of the Police Act Chapter 16:01 pending the determination of a Summary Charge of “Corrupt Transaction with Agent” contrary to Section 105(2) (a) of Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act Chapter 8:02.

Nonetheless, prior to the determination of the

case before the law court, he was discharged from the GPF with effect from March 2017 by the Commissioner of Police.

The complainant approached the High Court for an Order of Writ of Certiorari and an Order or Writ of Mandamus. The High Court on January 4, 2019, issued a Writ of Certiorari quashing the decision of the Police Commissioner on the grounds of it being unlawful.

In the summary of another complaint, this time against Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), the complainant claimed that he was deprived of one month’s salary upon retirement and six years’ pay for four hours on Sundays and holidays.

Justice Patterson reported that he had contacted the then Ministry of Social Protection’s Labour Department where a complaint was also lodged. One month thereafter, the matter was resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant. The Ombudsman commended the Ministries of Education and Agriculture; the National Insurance Scheme; the Guyana Police Force; the Guyana Defence Force; and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission for promptly replying to the correspondences and for their cooperation.

onths after a wanted bulletin was issued for his arrest, 27-year-old Shane Samaroo also known as “Travis Cortis” and “Tanta Bai” was on Monday nabbed at Black Bush Polder, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Samaroo was wanted for the murder of Feroze Khan also called “Eggy”, who was beaten and stabbed to death at Bennet Dam, Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, on August 19. Samaroo was arrested by a party of policemen who went to the location, acting on information received.

The cops went to the area on Sunday but the suspect reportedly managed to escape into the savannah. Guyana Times understands that after more than 12 hours of searching, the law enforcement officials nabbed the suspect.

The suspect’s mother was also arrested on allegations of harbouring a wanted person.

It was reported that on the day in question, Khan was walking past a grocery store when Samaroo allegedly ran out and started lashing him to various parts of his body.

When he fell to the ground, his attacker then pulled out a knife and stabbed him before fleeing the scene.

Khan’s wife, Sally Ishaak, had told reporters that on the day in question, there was a religious function next door to their home which she attended.

Captured: Shane Samaroo

During that period, she related that her husband was disturbing the proceedings and she advised him to visit his mother. She said Khan left and was seen entering a minibus and was again seen exiting the bus in the busy shopping area.

The mother of three related that it was only moments after speaking to her husband that she received reports of his demise and discarded it as a rumour until three men went to her a short while after, confirming that her husband was stabbed.

She said when she arrived on the scene, Khan appeared to have been dead already.

She said eyewitnesses told her that the suspect, after stabbing the victim, took the money he had in his pockets and fled. According to Ishaak, her husband had left home with $70,000. He was expected to go back to sea one day after his demise.

Massy Group awards winners of poetry competition

In photo sitting (LTR): Jomar Knights – second place winner (senior category), Atishta Seenarine – second place winner (junior category), Renika Anand – first place winner (junior category), and Cheri Frank – first place winner (senior category). Also in the photo are Executives and members of Massy’s Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Committee

T

he Massy Group in Guyana awarded winners of its Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Poetry Competition at a simple award ceremony on December 8, 2021.

On September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day was observed under the theme “Creating Hope Through Action” and in their fight to spread awareness of how serious the issue of suicide is, the company hosted a poetry competition from September

1 through October 10, 2021.

The competition was open to persons between the ages of 11 and 35.

The competition saw fifty-one entries in two categories – the senior category (19-35 years) and the junior category (11-18 years) – from persons who were required to write, recite and upload a poem on suicide prevention and/or mental health on any of Massy’s social media platforms.

The competition yield-

ed four winners, two from each stated category. The two second-place winners of the competition are Jomar Knights (senior category) and Atishta Seenarine (junior category).

Renika Anand and Cheri Frank took the covenant first place in the junior and senior category, respectively.

According to the World health Organisation, some 700,000 people die from suicide every year and it is

the fourth leading cause of death amongst persons between the ages of 15 and 19.

The Massy Group encourages everyone to educate themselves on the telltale signs of suicide, with the intention of reaching out and assisting.

The public is also encouraged to call the lifelines: 223-0001, 223-0009, 6007896, or 623-4444 if they know anyone who may have intention to commit suicide.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

Regional

464 new COVID-19 cases, PAHO urges Caribbean countries 22 more deaths in T&T, to prioritise public investment including 1st case of Omicron W

T

he Trinidadian Health Ministry on Monday reported 464 new COVID-19 cases, including its first case of Omicron, and 22 more deaths.

The new cases were from samples obtained between December 10 and 12 and were the lowest number of cases reported for the month of December thus far.

The total number of active positive cases was 14,154 as of Monday afternoon.

Among the 22 dead were ten elderly men, five elderly women, four middle-aged men and three middle-aged women.

Of this group 15 people had multiple comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease, obesity and a history of strokes while two people had one comorbidity and five people had no known comorbidities.

These deaths brought

the total number of COVID19-related deaths to 2429.

It was also reported that there were 456 recovered community cases.

The update also reported that 653,015 people received their first shot of a two-dose vaccine up to Monday afternoon while 608,683 people received their second dose of a two-dose vaccine and 46,012 people received their only shot of a single dose vaccine. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Police and migrants clash outside Mexico City

A

large group of thousands of migrants from across Latin America, which has slowly been winding its way through Mexico, has clashed with Police.

Sunday’s clash happened as the group approached the capital, Mexico City.

Their plan was to reach the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Catholic pilgrimage site in the capital.

But Police blocked the migrants, saying they should first spend the night at a hostel set up for that purpose, before continuing on their way.

Thousands of people, many from Central America but some from as far away as the African continent, have been crossing Mexico in an attempt to reach the United States to escape the

L

PAHO Director, Etienne

Dr

Carissa

(SAFCI), President Arce Catacora said “the pandemic has revealed the importance of ensuring a robust primary health care system that can respond quickly and effectively”.

Dr Etienne agreed, stating that health systems “must be able to effectively respond to crises while maintaining core functions”.

Yet, she said initial data

suggested that excess mortality and morbidity was rising.

Despite countries committing to universal health in 1978, with the adoption of the Alma-Ata declaration, the PAHO Director highlighted that developments towards health system reform over the decades have been insufficient.

“We have not seen the scale of transformations that we require to ensure that we can provide care for all people, nor the scale in capacity to improve preparedness and response during public health emergencies,” she said.

Dr Etienne said the theme of Universal Health Day 2021, “Leave no one’s health behind: invest in health systems for all”, is only achievable through a primary health care approach, which “provides us with the platform to deliver quality, comprehensive care to all”. (Excerpt from CMC)

Ecuador declares force majeure on all oil contracts The clash happened on the highway between Puebla and Mexico City

poverty and violence of their homelands.

They often gather in groups thousands strong for safety, dubbed migrant caravans.

This particular caravan was walking along the Puebla-Mexico City highway when its way was barred by riot police.

At least a dozen Police

and a number of migrants were injured.

According to Government officials, 550 Police Officers were deployed to escort the migrants on their way through the capital.

The officers said they were attacked first by the migrants, who threw stones and grabbed their shields.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Jamaica likely to extradite Haitian President’s suspected killer to US egal manoeuvres are now under way to have Jamaica extradite Colombian Mario Antonio Palacios to the United States to answer to gun charges.

Palacios, an ex-Colombian army officer, has been described as a key suspect in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, and is also wanted by law enforcement agencies in Haiti and Colombia.

He was arrested in Jamaica on October 11 and convicted of illegally entering the island. He was fined J$8000 or five days in prison and ordered deported.

But before the deportation order was executed, local authorities discovered that Palacios was allegedly linked to the July 7 killing of Moïse, who was beaten and shot multiple times inside his private residence reportedly by 28 mercenaries — 26 of them

ith 46 per cent of countries in the Americas, including the Caribbean, continuing to report disruptions in health service delivery due to the pandemic, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is urging regional countries to urgently prioritise public investment in ensuring resilient health systems postCOVID-19.

Speaking at a high-level event, hosted by Bolivian President Luis Alberto Arce Catacora, to mark Universal Health Day on Sunday, PAHO Director, Dr Carissa Etienne said that maternal and child health, communicable diseases, routine immunisation, and the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases are areas particularly affected by the pandemic.

Highlighting Bolivia’s Community and Intercultural Family Health programme

Colombians.

Since then there has been a diplomatic standoff involving Jamaica, Colombia, and Haiti over who should get custody of the alleged mercenary.

With no extradition treaty in place between Jamaica and either of the two countries, Colombian authorities have argued that he should be deported to his home country, while the Haitians are adamant that he should be extradited to Port-au-Prince where a wanted bulletin had been issued for Palacios, whom it claimed had travelled to the country at least one day before the assassination of Moïse.

Haiti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Claude Joseph, in a letter to Jamaica and Colombia, requested that Palacios be sent to Haiti.

Joseph reportedly requested mutual legal assistance to advance the probe into the assassina-

tion of Moïse.

Jamaican Government officials last month confirmed that documentation was received from Colombia and Haiti seeking to take custody of Palacios, but no decision had been made as to which of the two countries he would be deported or extradited.

But in a twist last week, Jamaica Observer sources indicated that the US was the most likely destination for Palacios, who remains in a maximum-security facility locally.

According to the source, it would be less of a diplomatic headache if Palacios were extradited to the US than if Jamaica were to make a choice between Haiti and Colombia.

An official announcement is expected from the Jamaican Government this week.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

E

cuador declared force majeure on all oil contracts, including exports and imports, as the threat of soil erosion forced the shutdown of the country’s two pipelines that transport crude across the Andes.

The clause, which is invoked to remove liability from failing to honour contracts in the event of disasters, went into effect on Sunday, according to a statement on the website of State-owned oil producer Petroecuador. The country’s Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System and Heavy Crude Pipeline, as well as the Shushufindi-Quito petroleum products pipeline, had to be shut.

Ecuador’s third force ma-

jeure on oil contracts since the two Andean pipelines snapped last year deals a blow to President Guillermo Lasso, who aims to overcome years of stagnant production in the former Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member and more than double output to near one million barrels a day.

River erosion near pipeline infrastructure has accelerated since the nearby CocaCodo Sinclair hydro-electric power plant was inaugurated in late 2016. A landslide in April 2020 severed both crude pipelines, triggering spills and a temporary output cut of almost 60 per cent.

International agencies, in-

cluding the US Army Corps of Engineers, are working to help find a solution to slow the damage from the aggressive erosion.

Petroecuador has begun to shut down production in several fields because the oil can’t be transported and it has limited storage space.

The company owns the TransEcuadorian pipeline, known as SOTE, while the other line, known as OCP, is owned by a consortium of oil companies.

Emergency bypasses are under construction to allow oil pumping to resume.

Petroecuador currently has sufficient fuel stocks to supply the domestic market, according to the statement. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

T&T and Korea strengthen bilateral relations

T

rinidad and Tobago and Korea have moved to strengthen and deepen bilateral relations following a meeting on December 2, between Trinidad and Tobago Foreign and Caricom Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Reita Toussaint and Republic of Korea Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Choi Jong Kun. The meeting occurred while Permanent Secretary Toussaint was on a visit to Korea to participate in the 11th High-Level Forum on the Korea-Caribbean Partnership—the first face-toface high-level diplomatic activity between Korea and the Caribbean region since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An official statement issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea reports that during the meeting, Vice Minister Choi and Permanent Secretary Toussaint discussed

Trinidad and Tobago Foreign and Caricom Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Reita Toussaint (left) and Republic of Korea Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Choi Jong Kun (right) during the meeting (Image courtesy Embassy of the Republic of Korea)

issues of mutual interest including bilateral relations, substantive cooperation, and Korea-Caribbean cooperation.

One of the key outcomes of their discussion is a commitment to expand substantive cooperation in various areas such as public health, digital transition, culture and arts, which is expected to redound to the benefit of businesses in both countries.

According to the release from the Korean Embassy,

“Vice Minister Choi conveyed willingness for future cooperation with Trinidad and Tobago, which is one of Korea’s key partner countries in the Caribbean Community (Caricom). Furthermore, he suggested strengthening cooperation in various areas including industrial innovation and digital agriculture”, given that 2022 marks the 60th anniversary of the independence of Trinidad and Tobago. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil eases on worries Omicron could reduce demand

O

il futures eased on Monday on worries that rising coronavirus cases around the world could reduce crude demand as new doubts emerged about the effectiveness of vaccines against the Omicron variant.

Brent futures fell 76 cents, or 1.0 per cent, to settle at US$74.39 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 38 cents, or 0.5 per cent, to settle at US$71.29.

The Omicron variant, reported in more than 60 countries, poses a "very high" global risk, with some evidence that it evades vaccine protection, according to the World Health Organisation.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries raised its world oil demand forecast for the first quarter of 2022 but left its full-year growth prediction steady, saying the Omicron variant would have a mild impact as the world gets used to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governments around the world, including most recently Britain and Norway, were tightening restrictions to stop the spread of the Omicron variant.

At least one person died in Britain after contracting Omicron, the first publicly confirmed death globally from the swiftly spreading variant.

In China, a major manufacturing province, Zhejiang, was fighting its first COVID-19 cluster this year, with hundreds of thousands of citizens now in quarantine.

"China is the world’s largest importer of crude oil, and those barrels could come under pressure rather quickly if COVID were to spread unchecked in the world’s most populous country," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York.

OPEC and its allies, a group known as OPEC+, will meet on Jan 4 to decide on their output policy.

Iraq's Oil Minister on Sunday said he expected OPEC at its next meeting to maintain its current policy of gradual monthly increases in supply by 400,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister said oil markets could face a dangerous period as reduced investments in exploration and drilling threaten to cut crude production by 30 million barrels per day by 2030.

In the United States, meanwhile, crude output from the Permian basin, the biggest US oil shale formation, is expected to hit a record high in January, according to government data.

In Europe, natural gas prices surged 11 per cent on Monday on colder forecasts and worries that Gazprom PAO's Nord Stream 2 gas pipe from Russia to Germany will remain shut if Russia renews aggression against Ukraine.

That pipeline would help boost supplies of gas in Europe where stockpiles were at extremely low levels for this time of year.

Analysts have said those higher gas prices should support oil demand and prices as European manufacturers and power generators switch from scarce and expensive gas to oil to fuel their facilities.

Traders will also focus this week on monetary policy decisions expected to be taken by the European Central Bank (ECB), the US Federal Reserve, the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan, potentially including early halts to stimulus packages. (Excerpt from Reuters)

19

Around the World

Most reported US Omicron cases have hit the fully vaccinated – CDC

M

ost of the 43 COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron variant identified in the United States so far were in people who were fully vaccinated, and a third of them had received a booster dose, according to a US report published on Friday.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that of the 43 cases attributed to Omicron variant, 34 people had been fully vaccinated.

Fourteen of them had also received a booster, although five of those cases occurred less than 14 days after the additional shot before full protection kicks in.

While the numbers are very small, they add to growing concerns that current COVID-19 vaccines may offer less protection against the highly transmissible new variant.

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has been found through testing in about 22

states so far after first being identified in southern Africa and Hong Kong in late November.

Among the Omicron cases, 25 were in people aged 18 to 39 and 14 had traveled internationally. Six people had previously been infected with the coronavirus.

Most of them only had mild symptoms such as coughing, congestion, and fatigue, the report said, and one person was hospitalised for two days. Other symp-

toms reported less frequently including nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, diarrhea and loss of taste or smell.

The CDC said that while many of the first reported Omicron cases appear to be mild, a lag exists between infection and more severe outcomes. Symptoms would also be expected to be milder in vaccinated persons and those with previous SARSCoV-2 infection. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Two detained after UK boat's fatal collision off Sweden

T

wo people have been detained after a UK cargo ship collided with a Danish boat in the

Baltic Sea off the Swedish coast, killing at least one person.

Prosecutors are investi-

Russia says it may be forced to deploy INF in Europe

R

ussia has said it may be forced to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe in response to what it sees as NATO’s plans to do the same.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Russia’s RIA news agency in an interview on Monday that Moscow would have to take the step if NATO refused to engage with it on preventing such an escalation.

His comments further raised the stakes in an EastWest standoff in which Russia is demanding security guarantees from the West while the United States and its allies are warning Moscow to pull back from what they see as a possible invasion of Ukraine – something Ryabkov again denied was Russia’s intent.

Intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) in Europe were banned under a 1987 treaty agreed between Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and US President Ronald Reagan in what was hailed at the time as a major easing of Cold War tensions. Washington quit the pact in 2019 after complaining for years of alleged Russian vi-

The damage to the upturned Danish boat was clear after it was towed aground by rescuers

Ryabkov's comments further raised the stakes in an East-West standoff in which Russia is demanding security guarantees from the West [Leonhard Foeger/Reuters]

olations.

Ryabkov said there were “indirect indications” that NATO was moving closer to redeploying INF, including its restoration last month of the 56th Artillery Command which operated nuclear-capable Pershing missiles during the Cold War. NATO says there will be no new US missiles in Europe and it is ready to deter new Russian missiles with a “measured” response that would only involve conventional weapons.

But Ryabkov said Russia had a “complete lack of trust” in NATO. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

gating allegations of gross negligence and gross drunkenness at sea involving the UK-flagged Scot Carrier.

Rescue teams searched for hours by sea and air after the much smaller Danish boat, Karin Hoej, capsized.

One of Karin Hoej's crew remains missing.

Officials said a British and a Croatian citizen had been arrested.

A distress call was made at about 03:30 local time (02:30 GMT) on Monday and a spokesman for the Swedish Maritime Administration (SMA) said screams had been heard from the water.

The collision happened between the southern Swedish coastal town of Ystad and the Danish island of Bornholm. Johan Nilsson, in charge of the rescue operation, told Swedish media

the hull of the Danish boat had signs of being completely run over.

The cause of the collision is not yet clear. According to reports, the boats were travelling in foggy conditions with poor visibility.

Prosecutors have opened an investigation into alleged gross negligence at sea, and causing death by gross negligence. The coastguard told the BBC there had been "some criminal suspicions, including gross drunkenness at sea".

Under Swedish law, having a blood alcohol level of 0.02% or more is a criminal offence on the sea as well as on the road, a lower limit than in the UK, where it is 0.05%.

Causing death by gross negligence can carry a prison sentence of up to six years in Sweden. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Thwaites: Antarctic glacier Indian police officers killed in Kashmir rebel attack heading for dramatic change

S

cientists are warning of dramatic changes at one of the biggest glaciers in Antarctica, potentially within the next five to 10 years.

They say a 1000-sq-km floating section at the front of Thwaites Glacier, which until now has been relatively stable, could "shatter like a car windscreen".

US and UK researchers are currently engaged in an intense study programme at Thwaites because of its melt rate.

Already it is dumping 50 billion tonnes of ice into the ocean each year.

This is having limited impact on global sea-levels to-

day, but there is sufficient ice held upstream in the glacier's drainage basin to raise the height of the oceans by 65cm - were it all to melt.

Such a "doomsday" scenario is unlikely to come about for many centuries, but the study team says Thwaites is now responding to a warming world in really quite rapid ways.

"There is going to be dramatic change in the front of the glacier, probably in less than a decade. Both published and unpublished studies point in that direction," said glaciologist Prof Ted Scambos, US lead coordinator for the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC).

"This will accelerate the

pace (of Thwaites) and widen, effectively, the dangerous part of the glacier," he told BBC News.

Thwaites is a colossus.

It's roughly the size of Great Britain, or Florida, and its outflow speed has doubled in the past 30 years.

The ITGC has established how this is happening. It is the result of warm ocean water getting under - and melting - Thwaites's floating front, or ice shelf as it's known.

The warm water is thinning and weakening this ice, making it run faster and pushing back the zone where the main glacier body becomes buoyant. (Excerpt from BBC News)

T

wo police officers have been killed as suspected rebels ambushed a police bus in Indianadministered Kashmir, while about a dozen others were wounded, officials said, just hours after Government forces shot two rebels dead on Monday.

Shortly after darkness fell, attackers sprayed the bus – transporting an unknown number of personnel from the police headquarters in a high-security area of the region’s main city Srinagar – with automatic weapons fire, one officer said.

Police shared the news of the officers’ death on Twitter.

“At least 12 other policemen were injured in the attack, a few of them are in a critical condition,” a police officer, who was not authorised to speak to journalists, told the AFP news agency on condition of anonymity.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and “sought details” of the attack, his office said on Twitter.

Hours before the attack, Indian counterinsurgency police killed two suspected rebels during a brief “chance encounter” at a checkpoint near the city’s military airport, after the suspects fired at them.

Witnesses said the encounter ended within min-

utes, and accused the police of killing the suspects without justification, saying they never fired at the officers.

Police fired tear gas shells as dozens of angry residents, including women, took to the street near the site of the incident, throwing stones at them amid chants of “We want freedom”.

Last week, suspected rebels had shot dead two police officers in the northern Bandipore area of the Kashmir Valley.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan and both rivals claim the region in its entirety. Rebels have been fighting against Indian rule since 1989.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Don’t give in or give up.

Anger will make you look bad. Pour your energy into something worthwhile.

Focus on what you want to do and how you can turn it into a lucrative concern.

Inconsistency will rear its ugly head if you are gullible or lack initiative. Think matters through, budget wisely and don’t let outsiders interfere with your plans.

Be careful what you say and do. Someone in a position of power can make or break your plans. Choose your words carefully and execute your plans with precision.

Set a goal and relay your message with precision.

You stand to gain mentally, physically and financially if you are direct and take control. Romance is favored.

Emotions will stand between you and what you want. If you overreact, take on too much or let someone steal your thunder, you will lose ground. Put your feelings aside and be practical.

It’s up to you to make things happen. Don’t wait for someone to make the first move. Wasted time will lead to disappointment, regret and anger. There is nothing you can’t achieve!

Pay attention to personal matters instead of getting involved in what’s happening to others. A steady pace will lead to the perks you want and the chance to meet people heading down a similar path.

You can take control of any situation if you speak from the heart. An energetic approach will help you build a better life. Let go of the past and finish what you start.

SAGITTARIUS Keep your personal and professional lives separate.

(Nov. 23Indulgent behavior will Dec. 21) make you look bad. Don’t share too much information with your peers, relatives or loved ones.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY'S WORD -- GAITERS

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

Embrace change and make it work for you. Invest time and effort into improving your domestic situation.

An open discussion will lead to positive change. Honesty is the best policy.

Be observant, but don’t interfere. Pushing your beliefs or thoughts on others will backfire. Do what you can without ultimatums.

Put your energy into professional gains.

Don’t get angry; get moving. Take the initiative and (Feb. 20make things happen. A change March 20) in how you approach your livelihood will affect the way others treat you. Be smart and use your skills wisely.

PISCES

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

21

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: “It's been manipulated” – Lewis Hamilton radio message emerges L

ewis Hamilton said over his team radio at the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that the race had been "manipulated", it has emerged.

The Mercedes driver was magnanimous in his interviews after the race, which ended in controversial style after a late-race safety car period.

But on the final lap, after rival Max Verstappen had passed him, Hamilton said: "This has been manipulated, man."

Mercedes have lodged an intention to appeal over the handling of the race.

They lodged two protests on Sunday night, but had both rejected by race stewards.

“A deserved title decided by a questionable call”

They are considering whether to appeal against the decision to back race director Michael Masi's handling of the restarted race, which appeared to be in contravention

of the governing body's own rules and standard protocols.

Mercedes have 96 hours from giving notice of intention to appeal – until around 19:00 UK time on Thursday – to decide whether to go ahead.

Mercedes said on Monday that they were still weighing

Champions League: Chelsea v Lille, Man Utd v Atletico, Man City v Sporting, Liverpool v Inter

their options.

The team have not commented publicly about the events at Yas Marina, but have a sense of injustice at what happened.

This is directed at the handling of the race, and not at Verstappen or Red Bull.

Hamilton did not refer to the safety car situation in his few television interviews after that, and he was not made available to the written media, even though it is a requirement for the top three finishers to appear in an official news conference.

He said Mercedes had "given it everything this last part of the season and never gave up".

Mercedes have decided that it is better not to make public comment while the dust settles from Abu Dhabi and they make up their minds how to proceed.

Part of their consideration will be that it is very uncommon for the FIA court of appeal to overturn stewards' decisions.

A number of other drivers have expressed confusion and scepticism about the way the race was restarted after a late safety-car period.

McLaren driver Lando Norris said: "It was obviously made to be a fight. It was for the TV, of course. It was for the result," Norris said.

"Whether or not it was fair, it was not up to me to decide."

Hamilton was dominating the race ahead of Verstappen and on the way to clinch a record eighth world title when the safety car was deployed with five laps to go.

Verstappen pitted for fresh tyres behind the safety car, while Hamilton did not, and that left the Briton a sitting duck on old tyres when the race was restarted for a onelap shootout on the last lap.

Verstappen passed Hamilton to clinch his first world title.

Seeking to ensure the race did not end behind the safety car, Masi first said lapped cars between the leaders would not be allowed to overtake – it is a

common practice to let them through to avoid them interfering in the racing – and then, following pressure from Red Bull, changed his mind.

But he let only the cars between Hamilton and Verstappen go through, and not those between Verstappen and Carlos Sainz's Ferrari in third, or any others.

Norris said: "Sometimes they let you go, sometimes they don't. It's just 50-50, half the time. But they said that they're not going to let us past, so I was guessing that was a message to say they were just not going to let us past at all.

"To suddenly do it just for the final lap and for a one-lap shootout, I'm a bit surprised by."

Norris's team-mate Daniel Ricciardo said: "I'm honestly just speechless. I don't know what to make of all that, I really don't. I need to see how it all came about."

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc called the decisions "a bit weird". (BBC Sport)

JKR Ariel wins Michael and Son inaugural softball tournament

H

olders Chelsea will play French side Lille in the Champions League last 16 after the draw for the knockout stages took place for a second time.

A "technical problem" caused an error in the initial draw, which UEFA said had been "declared void".

Premier League champions Manchester City face Portugal's Sporting Lisbon while six-time winners Liverpool play three-time winners Inter Milan.

Manchester United face Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.

In the standout tie of the round, 13-time champions Real Madrid come up against French powerhouse Paris StGermain.

Champions League last-16 draw:

* Red Bull Salzburg v Bayern Munich * Sporting Lisbon v Manchester City * Benfica v Ajax * Chelsea v Lille * Atletico Madrid v Manchester United

* Villarreal v Juventus * Inter Milan v Liverpool * PSG v Real Madrid

Why was it redrawn?

In the original draw, Manchester United's ball was pulled out of the pot against Villarreal, but they were ineligible to face each other as they had been in the same group – an eventuality UEFA said the technology should have prevented.

Last season's Europa League winners Villarreal were instead paired with Premier League champions City.

Further confusion appeared to occur when United were excluded from the pot of possible opponents for Atletico Madrid, and Liverpool included instead.

However, United could have played the Spanish side and Liverpool could not, having progressed into the knockout stage from the same group.

UEFA said in a statement: "Following a technical problem with the software of

an external service provider that instructs the officials as to which teams are eligible to play each other, a material error occurred in the draw for the UEFA Champions League round of 16.

"As a result of this, the draw has been declared void and will be entirely redone."

Businessman Michael Ramaiah makes the presentation to Team JKR Ariel

One major change this season...

The first legs will be spread out across February 15, 16, 22 and 23, with the second legs on March 8, 9, 15 and 16.

Chelsea are the only English side to play their first leg at home, with the other three are all away first after winning their groups.

A major change from this season sees the away goals rule removed, so ties level after 180 minutes will go to extra time.

If the teams still cannot be separated after the additional 30 minutes, then it goes to a penalty shootout.

This season's final takes place in St Petersburg, Russia, on May 28. (BBC Sport)

L

David Williams goes big

ed by a Player-of-theMatch performance from David Williams, JKR Ariel emerged as victors in the inaugural Michael and Son (Team Old Broom) softball tournament at Port Mourant Community Centre Ground on Sunday.

Williams’s unbeaten 31 helped Ariel chased down 60 in a four-over contest against Speed Boat.

Batting first, Speed Boat posted 59-3 in four overs, with Greg Singh top-scoring with 26 while Delroy Pereira, who was the best bowler, claimed 2-9. In reply, JKR Ariel posted 61-2 in 3.2 overs, as Williams had support from Quinten Sampson, who made 15. Both batsmen struck huge sixes at the fairly large Port Mourant Ground.

A total of nine teams

played in the tournament with teams from Berbice and Georgetown battling for supremacy. Popular businessman Michael Ramaiah, who is the owner of Michael and Son Business Enterprise, a wholesale/retail beverage depot and shop at Well Street, Miss Phoebe Village, said it was great for him to host this tournament.

"It was an exciting day and it was good to have cricket and it was good to host the event in a great spirit,” Ramaiah said. The businessman disclosed that the event would be held annually at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground. The winning team and runners-up walked away with a host of hampers and prizes along with Presidente Beer. A representative from ANSA McAL assisted in making the presentations.

22

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

All-round Pakistan cripple West Indies to bag comprehensive win

P

akistan were provided a peek into their middle-order future in the absence of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. Haider Ali showed why he's the next big thing, overcoming a slow start before springing the innings to life with a robust 39-ball 68 to set the tone for a dominant batting display.

Pakistan's 200 for 6 was more than sufficient as West Indies unravelled easily against spin. The Karachi faithful went

to be the trigger for a run surge from there. Under his bus were debutant Dominic Drakes, who also struggled for consistency, as Haider raised his half-century with an 83-metre six. It had come off just 28 balls, with Pakistan at 140 for 2 at the 15-over mark. Off the first ball of the 16th, Rizwan was out as Smith's running catch around the ropes at deep midwicket sent him back for 78. A 105-run third-wicket stand had been broken.

Mohammad Rizwan led the charge with 78

SCOREBOARD

PAKISTAN INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Mohammad Rizwan † c Smith b Shepherd 78 Babar Azam (c) c †Hope b Hosein 0 Fakhar Zaman c Brooks b Shepherd 10 Haider Ali c Smith b Drakes 68 Asif Ali c Powell b O Thomas 1 Iftikhar Ahmed c †Hope b Smith 7 Mohammad Nawaz not out 30 Shadab Khan not out 0 Extras (lb 1, nb 2, w 3) 6 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 10.00) 200/6 Did not bat: Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Babar Azam, 0.4 ov), 2-35 (Fakhar Zaman, 4.5 ov), 3-140 (Mohammad Rizwan, 15.1 ov), 4-147 (Asif Ali, 16.3 ov), 5-161 (Iftikhar Ahmed, 17.4 ov), 6-191 (Haider Ali, 19.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Akeal Hosein 4-0-19-1 Oshane Thomas 4-0-38-1 Dominic Drakes 4-0-43-1 Romario Shepherd 4-0-43-2 Odean Smith 4-0-56-1

Nicholas Pooran (c) b Mohammad Wasim 18 Devon Thomas lbw b Mohammad Wasim 2 Shamarh Brooks b Shadab Khan 5 Rovman Powell c Mohammad Nawaz b Shadab Khan 23 Dominic Drakes c Mohammad Nawaz b Haris Rauf 5 Romario Shepherd b Mohammad Wasim 21 Odean Smith b Shaheen Shah Afridi 24 Akeal Hosein not out 1 Oshane Thomas b Mohammad Wasim 1 Extras (w 5) 5 TOTAL (19 Ov, RR: 7.21) 137 Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Brandon King, 1.1 ov), 2-33 (Nicholas Pooran, 3.5 ov), 3-40 (Devon Thomas, 5.2 ov), 4-59 (Shai Hope, 9.1 ov), 5-60 (Shamarh Brooks, 9.4 ov), 6-79 (Dominic Drakes, 12.1 ov), 7-88 (Rovman Powell, 13.2 ov), 8-134 (Odean Smith, 17.6 ov), 9-134 (Romario Shepherd, 18.2 ov), 10-137 (Oshane Thomas, 18.6 ov)

WEST INDIES INNINGS (TARGET: 201 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Shai Hope † lbw b Shadab Khan 31 Brandon King c Babar Azam b Mohammad Nawaz 1

BOWLING Shaheen Shah Afridi Mohammad Nawaz Mohammad Wasim Haris Rauf Shadab Khan

for 21, thereby allowing for a massive finish.

Wasim's rip-roaring spell

First ball: a glorious cover drive on the up. Third ball: a short-arm jab for six.

Enough to demoralise a rookie 20-year- old wanting to impress the team management?

Not Mohammad Wasim.

He responded with pinpoint yorker

Mohammad Wasim bagged four wickets

Rizwan and Haider's recovery

Romario Shepherd bagged two wickets and scored 21 runs

home perhaps wishing for a more even contest.

An eventful start

Babar Azam was out second ball after West Indies elected to bowl.

Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein got one to spin

sharply to take the edge to Shai Hope, the wicketkeeper. Then, Fakhar Zaman fell to Romario Shepherd's change of pace as he toe-ended a slog to long-on. Inside the powerplay, Pakistan were two down and sputtering like a two-stroke engine running on kerosene.

Mohammad Rizwan kept the runs ticking along with timely boundaries, extremely quick on the pull. His picking of lengths against pace was immaculate as he raised a 34-ball half-century.

However, he had to hold his end of the bargain against spin, especially off Hosein, who finished his four overs with 1 for 19 by the 11th over. At that stage, Haider was on 12 off 14, looking for the big hits without being able to hit them clean. Then, like a flick of a switch, it all turned around.

Off the 12th over, he climbed into Odean Smith's medium pace, hitting him for three fours and a six to get his innings going. It proved

Nawaz's finish

Rizwan's exit gave six-hitter Asif Ali the platform to launch into an inexperienced attack, but he managed just 1. With Iftikhar Ahmed too failing, Pakistan needed someone to side with Haider. As it turned out, Mohammad Nawaz did more. His three fours and two sixes blindsided the visitors, who until then were hoping to restrict Pakistan to 180. That was to change, however, as the 19th over by Shepherd went

Haider Ali made 68 in 39 balls

GFF-K&S Super 16 Cup

Tony's Jewellery Establishment sponsors MVP gold ring valued at $520,000

A

s rivalry in the 202122 edition of the Guyana Football Federation-Kashif and Shanghai Super 16 Cup knock-out tournament heats up among the competing teams, the quest to walk away with the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award is set to become more intense with Tony’s Jewellery Establishment of 22 First Street, Alexander Village, coming on board with an attractive reward.

The jewellers have acquiesced to handsomely reward the player winning this accolade with a gold ring valued $520,000 come January 1, 2022. This commitment has already

Tony’s Jewellery Establishment representative Ashley Ally hands over the MVP ring to GFF President Wayne Forde

been cemented in fine gold to GFF President Wayne Forde by Tony’s Jewellery Establishment representa-

tive, Ashley Ally.

In handing over the prize, Ally expressed the company’s joy to be able to

partner with the organisers to make this tournament a memorable one for the winner of the prize.

“We here at Tony’s Jewellery Establishment pride ourselves in creating quality items and are really pleased to be able to bring this quality to an equally-classy tournament in such a huge way. We are confident that the winner of this ring would be very pleased. Our craftsmen have done a fantastic job in creating this attractive ring and the winner will surely wear it with pride for a lifetime,” Ally said.

President Forde expressed gratitude to the management and

staff of Tony’s Jewellery Establishment for their wonderful gesture while assuring that the player who would eventually win the prize would be winning a gem.

“This gesture by your company is really, really appreciated, and on behalf of the GFF and the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, I extend heartfelt thanks.

I can almost feel the excitement moving up a few notches as players will be putting their hands up to claim this prize. The work of the adjudicators would certainly be cut out as we look forward to handing it over to a deserving player,” Forde stated.

O-M-R-W 4-0-35-1 4-0-24-1 4-0-40-4 3-0-21-1 4-1-17-3

to flatten Nicholas Pooran's off-stump as he was late on the shot. Perhaps he underestimated Wasim's pace.

Then, off the second legitimate delivery off his next over, the sixth of the innings, he struck comeback man Devon Thomas flush on his boot. Gone, he didn't even bother reviewing. West Indies were 46 for 3 inside the powerplay.

Nawaz, Shadab apply the choke

With the target already looking beyond reach and the asking rate spiralling by the minute, Nawaz and Shadab Khan spun a web around the batters, using the crease and variations in length superbly to tie the batters down.

Hope was out lbw sweeping, Shamarh Brooks bowled trying to heave into the leg side and Rovman Powell caught brilliantly by a diving Nawaz at long-on.

At 88 for 7, West Indies were in danger of being bowled out well inside 20 overs. However, Smith (24 off 16) and Shepherd (21 off 16) got together to swing their bats for some powerful blows. although they merely served to reduce the margin of defeat. (ESPNcricinfo)

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

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GFF-K&S Super 16

23

Fruta Conquerors, Western Tigers stay alive

…as Ramson Jr announces corporate registry

F

ruta Conquerors and Western Tigers Football Clubs won on Sunday night to stay alive in the tournament, as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Men’s Super 16 Tournament officially opened at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

In addition, Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr had an interesting announcement for corporate Guyana. An initiative, if seen through, will boost corporate sponsorship of sport tremendously in the country.

On the pitch, Fruta Conquerors only needed two strikes to oust their opponents, Berbice All Stars from the straight knockout tournament. Dennis Edwards had the first goal in the 23rd minute, while Jamal Codrington joined the scoring party in the 48th.

Later on Sunday night, Western Tigers played to a goalless second half, in order to restrict Rupununi All Stars in an entertaining encounter.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr

Following a few offside calls, Daniel Wilson was finally able to collect a legal pass and head goal-ward for Western Tigers’ first in the 14th minute.

Trayon Bobb soon added to the tally in the 33rd, but a long shot from Rupununi’s Franklyn Parks in the 41st dimmed the Tigers’ celebrations. The second segment was filled with missed chances as the scores remained on 2-1, in favour of Western Tigers.

Corporate registry Meanwhile during his remarks at the opening cer-

emony, the Sport Minister announced plans to keep corporate Guyana engaged at the Ministry level.

“I would like to take this opportunity as well, to call on corporate Guyana, that the Ministry is now establishing a registry for corporate Guyana, so that when the Ministry and the National Sports Commission (NSC) start to reach out to say that these tournaments [need sponsorship] – tournaments for all the sports that are connected to the sports academy that we’re going to launch in the next few

Daniel Wilson (centre) on the hunt for a goal

days,” the Minister said, taking into account the Super 16 tournament’s vast sponsorship.

He continued, “That when we reach out to them to say that we would encourage you to be part of the success of the sport, the success of the country, the success of the building of young people in this country, that they don’t turn around and say ‘our budget is too tight’.”

As such, Ramson Jr went

on to add, “We see that you are doing well, we see that your corporate environment is expanding and when you have the opportunity to do business in the country and the Government is paying so much emphasis in expanding the business environment for us to be able to see your business grow, that when it comes to enhancing the young people and their opportunities and their prospects for their life, sport and cultural activities

play an important avenue for their development.”

The sponsors for the Men’s Super-16 tournament include KFC, NEW GPC Inc, Mohamed’s Enterprise, BACIF, NAMILCO, MVP Sports, Fitness Express, Grand Coastal Hotel, Pegasus Hotel, Secure Innovations and Concepts, Jai Signs, Tony’s Jewellery, Fireside Grill and Chill, and Cevons Waste Management Inc. (Jemima Holmes)

Campbell ecstatic, can’t Fight against domestic violence on wait to show off hard work front burner for Women’s Super-16

British High Jane Miller

S

Commissioner

ince the tournament’s launch, it was announced that this year’s inaugural Women’s Super-16 event would carry an ever-important slogan – “We rise against domestic violence”.

As the competition officially commenced on Saturday afternoon in St Cuthbert’s Mission, it was realised that this message was more than just an accompanying slogan to the stakeholders involved in the tournament.

Guyana National Women’s Football Association (GNWFA) President Andrea Johnson was the first to verbalise the entities’ commitment during the opening ceremony on Saturday last.

“Under the tagline “We rise against domestic violence”, the Guyana Football Federation and the Guyana National Women’s Football Association, we are saying that it is not okay to abuse your spouse,” Johnson shared with a small crowd gathered at the St Cuthbert’s Ground.

She continued, “We want

GFF President Wayne Forde

our voices to be heard. So, throughout this tournament and beyond, we are saying that we stand against domestic violence.”

Finding delight in the sport’s commitment to a cause was British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, who linked the advocacy to the recently-concluded 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.

The British High Commissioner stated, “And I really love the tagline that you’ve got for this game, “We rise against domestic violence”. And that’s very relevant; I think that you’re aware that the last 16 days has been the international 16 Days of Activism, across the whole world. Yesterday, those 16 days ended and that was Human Rights Day.” “The theme for Human Rights Day was all about inequality, so today we’re celebrating women, we’re celebrating equality, we’re celebrating women having a place in an amazing sport,” Miller went on to add.

“I am a great supporter for ending domestic violence,

so I think it’s great we’re channelling that here.”

Going one further, GFF President Wayne Forde disclosed how his Federation intended to add purpose to the Women’s Super-16 mantra.

Forde noted, “Through this competition, we have the opportunity to show the nation and the Caribbean that women’s football in Guyana is a force to be reckoned with. But at the same time, we also have a responsibility to use this platform to speak out for positive change in our society.”

He went on to detail the Federation’s plan, stating: “As part of our campaign, the GFF is working hard to make football a safe and welcomed place for all women and girls, including safeguarding training for our coaches and administrators with zero tolerance approach to inequality, discrimination and abuse. As well as investing in female-friendly facilities at our National Training Centre in Providence and elsewhere.”

In a call for men to take a stand against domestic violence, Forde also appealed to other sport associations and federations to take a similar stand.

With the campaign “We rise against domestic violence”, the GFF is sending a strong and united message that domestic abuse against women will not be tolerated.

We know there are too many women who live in fear of their partners, the GFF calls on all in our society and, in particular, our men to take a stand against domestic violence,” the GFF boss said.

(Jemima Holmes)

By Timothy Jaikarran

B

odybuilder Emmerson Campbell is aiming to steal the entire show and as many accolades as possible. Time after time. Campbell has proven that there is no challenge that could discourage him because he is always up for the fight. Come this Sunday as the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) is set to host its Seniors Bodybuilding Championships for 2021, Campbell will be pushing in overtime to ensure his name is called among the elite.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, the talented Campbell outlined his plans for the upcoming competition.

How do you feel as Sunday slowly approaches?

I feel great. I can’t wait to step on stage and compete with the guys. It’s been two years since I was able to compete locally and now that fans will be permitted, I can’t wait to show off my hard work

in front of the bodybuilding starved fans. Winning my fifth National Men’s Physique title will be the cherry on top.

How has the pandemic impacted your training?

At the start of the pandemic, it affected my training. Not just mine but all gym goers as the gyms were closed due to the virus. However, now that gyms have reopened, there are no complaints. Prep has been great.

What do you think of your current package?

I think this package is comparable or perhaps even better than my last show in El Salvador. This may be the best one yet. Everyone will see the improvements I’ve made.

What was it like training for the competition? What are some of the things you had to do?

Training for me is the easy part, it’s the hours and hours of cardio along with eating bland food in a caloric deficit is the hard part. However, as you become more and more experienced, it becomes much

simpler. It has not been that difficult lately, to be quite honest.

What do you want to say to your fans?

Walk with your vaccine cards and come see Guyana’s best physiques on stage. It’s going to be a top-class show.

Campbell is a two-time Central America and the Caribbean Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation Championship (CAC) silver and bronze medallist (El Salvador, Dominican Republic and Mexico); fourtime Mr Guyana Men’s Physique Champion; threetime Stage of Champions Men’s Physique Champion; and Darcy Beckles silver medallist (Barbados). He is also a Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and National Sports Commission (NSC) Sports Journalist of the Year, and a certified personal trainer and nutritionist. Approximately 30 athletes would be competing in the different segments of the championships in the Bodybuilding, Bikini, and Men’s Physique categories.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021

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

Rupununi’s Alexander Davidson (13) challenges Western Tigers’ Trayon Bobb (20)

Fruta Conquerors, Western Tigers stay alive Pg 23

…as Ramson Jr announces corporate registry

Campbell ecstatic, can’t wait to show off hard work

Page 22

Page 23

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