Guyana Times -- Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Breaking the chains of drug addiction: Allister and Paul share their stories P14

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

Issue No. 4873

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021

PRICE

Draft Local Content Bill/compliance

Law allows operators, sub-contractors 1-year grace period – Nandlall

…before full force brought against them

See story on page 7

High Alert: CDC monitoring heavy rainfall, flooding See story on page 13

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Charrandas Persaud P16 accredited as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka

1 dead, 1 injured following 2-vehicle P2 & collision 12 …as pedestrian, pillion rider injured in separate accidents

Pensioner P17 appeals 20year sentence for raping 4-year-old girl

…as national, regional Govt agencies respond

“Respect elders” – 8 COVID-19 deaths recorded Page President Ali during over holiday weekend 17 visit to Dharm Shala Fires ravage Berbice, See story on page 3

Buxton, West Ruimveldt homes See stories on pages 10 & 14

Bodyguard P13 shot dead after collecting jewellery from goldsmith PM Mottley P18 announces snap election in Barbados

Archbishop P19 Desmond Tutu: South Africa antiapartheid hero dies

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pedestrian seriously injured Pillion rider injured after running into trailer after motorcyclist

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pedestrian was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital in serious condition on Saturday after he reportedly ran into a trailer at Kwakwani Park Access Street, Berbice River.

The injured man is 52-year-old George LaRose of Kwakwani Park, Berbice River.

Based on information received, a vehicle bearing registration number GZZ 6211 which was pulling trailer TZZ 8941 was proceeding along the

Kwakwani Access Street while LaRose was standing on a grass parapet conversing with several persons in a yard.

As the vehicle passed the said pedestrian, he suddenly turned around and ran into the rear of the trailer thus causing himself to sustain injuries to the head.

He was taken to the Kwakwani Hospital Complex where he was treated and referred to the Linden Hospital Complex, but owing to the severity of his injuries, he was further transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The matter was reported, and the driver of the truck was arrested.

loses control

A

pillion rider was injured on Saturday evening following an accident in the vicinity of the roundabout at Lethem, Region Nine, (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Injured is 27-yearold Jason Barnarco of Paraishara Village, Rupununi.

Police stated that a motorcycle bearing registration number JXR 4276 was proceeding along the centre of the road with Barnarco as the pillion rider at a fast pace.

As the motorcycle approached the roundabout, the driver reportedly lost

control, thus causing the front wheel of the motorcycle to hit the centre of the roundabout.

As a result of the impact, the rider and Barnarco were thrown off the motorcycle onto the roadway and sustained injuries.

However, the rider got up and fled the scene while the pillion rider was picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Lethem Regional Hospital where he was treated and admitted to the medical facility. The Police are on the hunt for the motorcycle rider as investigations continue.

Skeletal remains of housewife found in ECD home

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he skeletal remains suspected to be those of 57-year-old Dhanmattie Paul Deopaul was found in her Dr Miller Road, Triumph, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home on Saturday.

The remains were found by the now dead woman’s brother-in-law who went to visit her. After calling for Deopaul several times and not receiving an answer, the man thought something was amiss and as such, contacted the Police.

Upon their arrival, Police found the remains on the kitchen floor on the lower flat of the home. The remains were then escorted

to Jerrick’s Funeral Parlour where a post-mortem is expected to be conducted to determine if foul play was involved.

Based on information received, the now dead woman lived alone in a two-storey wooden structure and would normally isolate herself from family and friends. Relatives could not say if the woman was ill prior to her passing, but based on preliminary investigations, she had never visited a medical facility.

She was last seen alive about three weeks ago by neighbours. Police have since confirmed that the house was not ransacked.

Investigations are ongoing.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Tuesday, December 28 – no closure and Wednesday, December 29 – 00:30h – 02:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

“Respect elders” – President Ali during visit to Dharm Shala

Tuesday, December 28 – 11:40h-13:10h and Wednesday, December 29 – 12:45h-14:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

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

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 11:40h reaching a maximum height of 2.38 metres.

Low Tide: 17:44h reaching a minimum height of 0.83 metre.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS D

03 04 10

14 15 20

FREE TICKET

17 Bonus Ball

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

07 08 09 12 18 LUCKY 3

8

8

2

4

Afternoon Draw

2

4

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01 04 05 08 12 14 18 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2021

01 02 11 13 15 13

10 11 16 19 21

1

8 Afternoon Draw

FP Afternoon Draw

9

8 Evening Draw

2X Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$78.60/barrel

+3.23

Rough Rice

$260.604/ton

+1.89

London Sugar

$503.30/ton

+0.08

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1812.10

$1813.10

Low/High Change

$1802.70 +0.20

$1814.40 +0.01%

President Dr Irfaan Ali serving Christmas lunch to the residents of the Dharm Shala (Office of the President photo)

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali, along with Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd, on Saturday attended a Christmas luncheon for residents of the Dharm Shala (Home of Benevolence for All Races) at the Lot 140 King Edward Street, Albouystown, Georgetown location.

Dr Ali paid a visit to the residents of the Dharm Shala, proving that his duties are not limited when it comes to serving the people of Guyana, the management of the Dharm Shala said on Sunday.

At the event, the President extended greetings to the residents on behalf of his Government.

Ali stated that his Government is committed to implementing programmes and policies that would benefit the elderly.

“I am very happy to be among you in celebrating not only Christmas but celebrat-

ing this moment in which we give back to our elderly. I want to assure you that in the coming years, we will be working on specific programmes, specific initiatives to ensure facilities like these [the Dharm Shala] are not only supported but the residents are also supported in key and important areas of life, like health care,” the President said while giving a speech to the residents.

He also noted that the residents could expect more social programmes, social support, and welfare programmes.

Ali also expressed how grateful he was to be present at the event while urging persons to respect their elders. “I say to you, all of you respected elders, I am so grateful to be here. It is my honour and I wish you continued good health. I wish you painless days. I wish you an environment in which you can enjoy the blessings of

Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd at the Dharm Shala

older age,” he said.

The Head of State also praised the Private Sector for its continuous embrace of its corporate social responsibility.

“I am so pleased with the role the Private Sector has been playing in our country.

In all the activities I have attended, not only this season but since I assumed office, the Private Sector has been present on the programme in a big way. This tells us that we have a Private Sector now that is keen on corporate social responsibility,” he stated.

Ali, along with Minister Todd and a few others, assisted in serving the Christmas lunch to the residents.

President Ali and the Managing Director of Gaico Construction & General Services Inc also made monetary donations to the organisation.

The lunch was held in the merrily decorated reception area at the Dharm Shala compound. Christmas was provided by famous Guyanese musician CAMO which aided in the festive atmosphere.

Pamela Ramsaroop, who runs the Dharm Shala with her sister, thanked the President for attending the luncheon while providing an overview of the Dharm Shala for the year 2021.

April 21 of this year marked the 100th year of the Dharm Shala’s existence in Guyana. The charitable organisation provides food, clothing, and a bed to persons who are in need, free of cost.

Following the lunch on Saturday, the President distributed gifts to the children of Albouystown, Georgetown, who gathered outside the Dharm Shala during his visit. (G2)

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 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

Reflecting on the past year

T

he advent of the new year has always been a time when people reflect on the past year, perhaps what they have achieved in terms of their personal and professional goals and what they intend to accomplish in the coming year. In Guyana, we have always treated it as a time that we cleansed our houses and got our affairs – financial, business and even familial – in order so that for the rest of the year we will be able to accomplish what we did not manage to accomplish in the previous year.

The New Year is also a time when we make resolutions.

Many have quipped that the New Year resolutions do not last for more than a week or so; but we have known examples of New Year resolutions being very creative and helpful, and we think that everyone could benefit from this experience. It is important that we set realistic targets/goals and work hard towards achieving them.

In our New Year resolutions, we can do no better than to follow what the famous Roman Philosopher-Emperor Marcus Aurelius taught us. In his work, Marcus Aurelius tackled issues like how we should live our lives, what does justice mean, and how can we live with the knowledge that someday we will no longer exist. He taught us that we must treat every day as if it is the last day of our lives.

This means that we must work to the optimum to make a positive difference in our communities and country and maximise our time on earth. We believe that his reflections are still relevant, especially at this time of the year.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, has been in office for just about 16 months and has started brilliantly and is determined never to allow dictatorship to return following what happened in Guyana during the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

It is providing relief to households affected by the health crisis, stimulating small businesses, negotiating with large foreign investors and developing the agricultural industries. The forestry and mining sectors are also being stimulated.

The present political milieu in Guyana clearly indicates that democracy and development go hand in hand and that Guyana is embarking on a period of development which will transform the country into one of the wealthiest and most well-governed and democratic countries in the world.

It is hoped that the country: meaning all stakeholders, including the Government and parliamentary parties, the business community and ordinary citizens, will begin to focus on moving the country forward. Our past experiences are enough to convince us that we cannot risk going through any period of instability.

That said, in spite of the present uncertainties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which has stuck with us since 2020, 2022 should be seen as a year of renewed hope in our country and all that it has to offer.

Additionally, the Government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic compares with the best in the world. We are very hopeful that 2022 will be a year of great things.

With the growing oil sector, our leaders must use this resource to help to create the right environment to allow citizens to be able to live in a free, happy and prosperous country where everyone could be given the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Our politicians should recommit themselves to working with each other for the benefit of the entire nation.

We hope that 2022 will bring happiness, peace and prosperity to every Guyanese, both at home and abroad.

First Lady Arya Ali takes a newborn from a nurse’s arms during a visit to mothers at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Maternity Ward. During the visit, the First Lady delivered special care packages to 10 new mothers at GPHC. Inset are twin babies born on Christmas Day in Berbice. A total of seven babies were born in Berbice

Nation should show that we are tough on crime, criminals Dear Editor, Media houses across Guyana on Christmas Eve night detailed the news of a 36-year-old training officer/ bodyguard of Beharry Group of Companies at Campbell Street, Albouystown, Georgetown who was robbed and murdered along with the death of a 28-year-old man from Middle Road, La Penitence in Georgetown, who was gunned down by two men who were travelling in a white Axio car late Friday night. According to a Police report, the incident occurred around 23:50h on James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

I cannot imagine a child waiting on his/her dad to come home on Christmas Eve with a gift of love, only to find out that daddy was killed by a criminal. What a lifetime memory for that child.

It is clear that the criminals have no regard for the laws of Guyana nor law and order in this country. These recent criminal acts are another way to undermine our Government’s fight against crime.

These horrific crimes, in my opinion, call for the restoration of capital punishment in this country. Murder and other horrific offences are frequently reported in the media as though the criminal doesn’t care and are on a political wagon to let our Government look bad because they are aware that our judicial system has limited punishment for such heinous crimes. The death penalty should be an option for convicted terrorists, mass murderers, serial rapists,

murders during robbery, paedophiles and child killers.

Only one appeal should be allowed, with no right to legal aid, which must be lodged and heard within three months of conviction.

I accept that opponents of the death penalty will disagree with me, maintaining we exist in a more civilised, enlightened and progressive society, but surely a criminal should get what their crime deserves and in cases of murder what their crime deserves is death.

There are some crimes which cannot be forgiven, some individuals who cannot be rehabilitated and are beyond redemption and who do not deserve the privilege of a civilised society.

In recent months, we have had several crimes committed around this country, crimes that are so evil and sub-human, the perpetrators no longer should be considered a member of the human race and deserve no mercy and the ultimate sanction.

As a direct result of the advances in DNA and forensic investigation, there is now no danger of an innocent person being put to death.

From a statistical point of view, over the past decade, criminals who were jailed for life have been handed the same sentence again. Some of these same criminals were given a second life sentence.

Capital punishment was abolished on the understanding that life should mean life.

It is unacceptable that so many serious offenders have been released early to commit further revolting offences.

Murderers must pay the price not just for victims and their families, but for the sake of humanity itself.

I see no point whatsoever in the taxpayer maintaining them in comfort for the rest of their lives in conditions far more civilised than those afforded to their poor forgotten victims.

I hope that the PPP/C Government will find a way in 2022 to deal with these criminals who, over and over, continue to do these acts and allow the Opposition to use them as weapons against

the Government.

There's also the cost of keeping a convicted criminal behind bars for years to consider as well as the victims of crime. We, as a nation, should show that we are tough on crime and tough on criminals as a deterrent to other potential criminals. Safety of the public is paramount under this People's Progressive Party Administration.

Sincerely, David Adams

Tackle the use of firecrackers from every angle Dear Editor, The Region Three Police Commander, Errol Watts, rightly emphasised that “The Guyana Police Force [GPF] will ensure that we robustly enforce all laws with respect to the use of squibs and firecrackers around this time, so that our animals and people can be safer throughout this holiday period and beyond.

Rest assured, I’m going to brief my commissioner and we’re going to ensure that we circulate nationally, instructions for this effort to be intensified so as to bring peace and tranquillity to our animals and safety to our people.”

Let me commend this kind of mindset, as it is already quite late in our Guyanese culture to stem the tide of ‘having dangerous fun at the expense of all others – people, property and

animals”. A recent editorial noted: “Playing with firecrackers is no longer fun.

One of the major concerns about the practice is that citizens cannot distinguish between the sound of a firecracker popping and a gun being fired. With the proliferation of firecrackers during these holidays, gun-toting bandits would have an easy time escaping after committing their acts.” To this aspect, I add that ‘gun-toting’ bandits, in proliferation these days, need not fire; the gun is a commanding weapon and, most times, dictates compliance. What I am quite concerned about are the immediate and lasting effects of these thunderous and highly flammable explosives that are so easy to access in numbers and money (as they seem to be quite affordable).

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021

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

Eager to be rid of divisive politics More systematic, comprehensive method of Hindu teaching required

Dear Editor, The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) last Saturday held its biennial congress in which several persons emerged into leadership positions.

This crop of leaders does not enjoy the confidence of the letter writer.

The Aubrey Norton landslide victory leaves much to be expected. It was Mr Norton, then a PNC executive, who daily embraced and defended electoral fraud and illegality in full view of this nation and, by extension, the world during the infamous five-month rigging attempt. Such is the historical nature of the People’s National Congress Reform in which Mr Norton boasts some 45-plus years of service. This leaves little to be expected.

Many Guyanese are wondering now if the replacement of Mr David Granger brings a different direction from the seemingly lost PNC, a political outfit whose track record both in and out of power is far from impressive.

This new PNC leader is sure to be unelected at any national and regional elections. It would be a herculean task for the PNC to regain its lost support. Most Indo-Guyanese and even others would never support Norton. For a multiracial country like Guyana, the likes of Norton are grossly inadequate when it comes to being able to foster unity and harmony in this beautiful land. This is evidenced by his past actions and utterances.

It was the PNC-led coalition A Partnership for National Unity and its puppet the Alliance For Change, who attempted the most daring electoral rigging in modern history; to the point of annexing power, violating the Constitution, setting a world record, destabilising the business climate, disrespecting the Guyanese people and damaging the image of the country and altogether causing undue hardship and burden in Guyana in the midst of a pandemic.

What this new gener-

ation of young educated Guyanese is interested in knowing is whether this new PNC leadership would accept the legitimacy of the People's Progressive Party/Civic Government.

This nation deserves a disciplined and responsible Opposition and given the irresponsible statements that continuously emanate from the APNU/AFC combined Opposition (in which the PNC controls) and their activists, both at home and abroad, it is clear that the wait for such will be longer.

Any aspirations and/or intentions of the People's National Congress Reform returning to the reins of power, anytime, would be far-fetched and literally impossible. This is based on the PNC’s history and due to the fact that Guyana now boasts a more matured and educated Guyanese population, who are eager to be rid of divisive politics.

Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton

Tackle the use of firecrackers...

FROM PAGE 4

Let us face it. Our people are not only ill-informed, but are unwilling, uninterested or even incapable of understanding the horror of these explosives. We need to realise that firecrackers have severe effects on people with heart disease, respiratory or nervous system disorders. It can also aggravate problems for people suffering from common colds and coughs as well as cause congestion of throat and chest. Overall, infants, elders and the sick require peace and serenity. They are generally weak-hearted and cannot bear sudden shock or trauma. Their lungs and nostrils too are very tender.

Smoke and other gases produced while burning firecrackers could suffocate them to death. It is that serious.

Medically, it is well-established that noise is not just irritating; it can have direct human health impacts.

Indeed, chronic exposure to noise levels above 55dB dramatically increases the risks of heart disease and stroke, while aircraft noise has been shown to impact the development of reading skills in children attending schools close to busy airports. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that in Europe at least a million healthy life

years are lost every year due to traffic noise. Here in Guyana, our bodies are being bombarded daily, and we still remain dormant. We need to wake up.

I followed recently in England, that a baby boy was hit by fireworks and is still suffering from serious burns.

He was taken to hospital after emergency services were called in. The report stated that the infant sustained significant burns, but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. This was just last month, during which three budgies, among 34 belonging to a rescue centre in England, started "panicking and flying around", and suffered from seizures.

Locally, I recall how an Anna Catherina man and his son were severely beaten after a row with two men who were throwing firecrackers in front of their gap. This matter is still left untended. In my street, two vendors publicly sell firecrackers and they are well-supported. What am I to surmise?

I posit that if the GPF really has the will to bring about a change and reverse the ‘fire-cracking’ trend, then it can do so. Officers need to make a deliberate and concerted effort to track down

the sellers, and then in the event firecrackers go off, hunt down those involved and apart from charging them, make sure that the source of the product is investigated.

On a closing note, I want to know what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is doing or if it has any say in this matter.

Yours truly, H Singh

Dear Editor, It is very clear that the advent of political independence did not mean that education was free from colonial influence.

Thousands of years ago, Chanakya said: "People, no matter how wealthy, cannot claim to be free if they are enslaved by a foreign culture." More recently, Bob Marley insisted: “We must free our minds from mental slavery.”

Recently, while composing and contributing submissions with respect to Indo-Caribbean history being included more comprehensively in the CSEC syllabus to the CXC, our group discovered that the Hinduism component of the “Religious Education” subject was also about to be reviewed. Within two weeks, we created a network of volunteers from several Caribbean countries who shared their ideas and produced a proposal that was shared with the CXC Board.

We had to address terms that express the views of other religions but which were alien to Hinduism.

This challenge starts with the fact that this knowledge-based philosophical system called “Hinduism” was not a religion in the first place, with no prophets or founders and not a single book. Other alien concepts like heaven, hell, and sin pervade other religions but also infiltrate the psyche of every student who was exposed to Judeo-

Christian values taught in all Government schools.

This may have been reflected in the fact that only a few students register for the Hinduism option of religious education.

Researchers can confirm the exact number after conducting a survey and provide an explanation for a state of affairs that many Hindu leaders may find embarrassing.

When Indentureship ended in 1917, about half a million Indians had arrived in the Caribbean.

Guyana alone had the largest number of approximately 239,000. Trinidad and Jamaica also had significant numbers but a substantial majority were Hindus. Census figures indicate a gradual reduction of Hindus as a percentage of the total population over the years. Some speculate that if this trend continues in another 50 years, even Guyana and Trinidad will follow other Caribbean islands that witnessed the disappearance of the culture that came with their ancestors from India.

Of all the religions practised in the Region, there is little doubt that Hinduism is perhaps the least understood and it is necessary to teach it properly in the classroom by qualified professionals. While credit must be given to priests and the temples and similar organisations for keeping the culture alive, it is clear that a more systematic and comprehensive

method of teaching is required.

The Caribbean needs intellectual spaces where the Hindu tradition, culture, philosophy, etc, can be debated. Also needed are special libraries with Hindu texts. The sordid hegemonic history must be told and recorded but Hindus cannot continue to see ghosts of colonialism and play victims forever.

No matter if schools are private or public, more parents and teachers need to persuade students to take the CSEC examination.

Everyone must take some pride in global developments supporting cultural practices that may not have been appreciated by many in the Region.

Parents are well-advised to teach their children Dharma as early as possible for society now gives them ample access to Adharma. The social issues resulting from exposure to some sources are numerous, harmful including alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, and even suicide.

The recently formed group, CSEC Hinduism Advocacy Network, plans to produce educational materials or links to the same, to assist students to prepare for the examination.

In addition, they will also be seeking volunteers to teach the subject online.

Sincerely, Caribbean Hindu Advocacy Network

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Understanding percent

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otice the term per cent has the smaller word cent in it. You know cents from dealing with money. Every dollar can be divided into 100 cents, that is 100 hundredths. Therefore, it probably will not surprise you that cent means hundredth. Per means by. A percent is a particular kind of ratio that is used to compare numbers to hundredths. The % sign is used to identify percents. However, a percent is really a decimal that goes to the hundredths place.

A percent can also be expressed as a fraction, with 100 as the denominator.

Example:

1% = .01 = 1/100

25% = .25 = 25/100

Remember: Every percentage can be displayed as a per

centage, a decimal, or a fraction with a de

nominator of 100.

Exercises: Express the following as decimals and fractions 1) 10% = .x = /100

6) 66% = .x = /100

2) 20% = .x = /100

7) 75% = .x = /100

3) 30% = .x = /100

8) 90% = .x = /100

4) 40% = .x = /100

9) 45% = .x = /100

5) 50% = .x = /100

10) 33% = .x = /100

I

t’s a simple craft activity which creates a beautiful centrepiece and also encourages children to think of others by making wishes for them – perfect for this time of year.

You’ll need: Paint Cards or cardboard Glitter a star-shaped cookie cutter scissors hole punch glue – and a tree!

some giving too. They might like to wish something for a special person – perhaps for a sick relative to get better – or something more general.

You might be surprised how thoughtful or creative your children are.

7. Once you’ve helped them to write their wish on their star, you can hang the wishes on your special

wishing tree. We used some twisted branches in a vase for our tree, but a Christmas tree or one growing in your garden (or even your community) would work just as well. You might like to make some extra stars so family and friends can add their wishes too.

Then wait and see which ones come true. (notimeforflashcards.com)

What to do 1. Pour some glue into a shallow dish and dip in the cookie cutter.

2. Press the cookie cutter, paint side down, on to a card or a piece of cardboard cut large enough to accommodate the star. (You can give the cutter a little wiggle if you want a thicker outline) 3. Carefully lift off the cookie cutter to leave a starshaped outline.

4. While the paint is still wet, sprinkle the star with glitter. Leave the star to dry and then gently shake off any excess glitter.

5. Cut around the star with some scissors.

6. Punch a hole in the star and thread on a ribbon. Write ‘I wish…’ on the glitter side.

Then for the magical part – ask each child to think of a wish they could make to bring someone else some joy.

It’s easy for children to see this time of year as all about them getting presents so this is a way for them to do

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Draft Local Content Bill/compliance

Law allows operators, sub-contractors 1-year grace period – Nandlall …before full force brought against them

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ttorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, has revealed that with the law allowing a one-year grace period, operators and sub-contractors in the oil and gas sector in Guyana would be allowed some time before they need to be fully compliant with the Local Content Act, once passed.

He made these comments during a recent interview with the State media, explaining that at present there may not be operators who are compliant and the law recognises the need for a transitionary period.

“Significantly, the law allows an entire year and recognises existing operations.

So, in other words, it’s not as soon as the law passes, it means that all contracts with existing operators will terminate, because remember, they may not satisfy the Act,” Nandlall explained.

“The law recognises all of

that, and allows for transitionary periods as the case may be for existing contractual arrangements not to be affected and to be executed in accordance with pending contracts. But a long period of one year is given for one to get one’s self in order for the Act to apply.”

Once enforcement begins, oil companies will have a hard time ignoring the provisions in the recently-laid Local Content legislation, since sections of the bill propose up to $50 million in penalties for oil companies and sub-contractors who flout its requirements.

The bill has a number of requirements, including requirements for companies to submit local content plans and data on their local content inclusionary efforts. Additionally, in the rare cases where companies have to source labour or supplies outside of the local

content provisions, companies must submit evidence of this need.

Issuance of information that is false or misleading is an offence under the bill that can attract a $10 million (US$50,000) fine upon summary conviction.

Failure to submit the aforementioned local content plans or records under the Act also opens companies up to the possibility of a $5 million fine.

Meanwhile, Guyanese nationals who aid and abet oil companies in breaking the Local Content regulations are also liable to a fine of $5 million in the case of individuals, and up to $10 million in fines in the case of a body corporate.

Following the recent tabling of the bill, it has attracted praise from a number of Private Sector organisations, including the Private Sector

Commission (PSC); the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

The PSC, which is the umbrella representative of the entire Private Sector, extended congratulations to the Government following the laying of the bill and expressed confidence that the legislation would go a far way in developing the capacity of local companies by allowing them to meaningfully participate in the oil and gas sector.

The organisation had also urged local businesses to prepare themselves and develop in a way that would allow them to take full advantage of the legislation. In the same vein, the PSC also committed to working with the Natural Resources Ministry and the Government to maximise

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

the effectiveness of the legislation.

Among the proposals in the bill is the requirement for foreign companies to engage Guyanese and Guyanese-owned businesses at specified and varying levels in at least 40 areas by the end of 2022.

These include 100 per cent exclusive use of Guyanese companies in the provision of immigration support services, work per-

mits, visa applications, visa on arrival, in-water activity permit, custom brokerage services, and ground transportation.

According to the document, this is to ensure “maximum participation of Guyanese nationals and Guyanese companies supplying goods or providing services in the Guyanese petroleum sector; and local capacity development”. (G3)

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

31 Guyanese graduate from HWLS in 2021 A Passing during the holidays… n outstanding group of 31 Guyanese is part of the Hugh Wooding Law School’s graduating class of 2021. Having completed the Legal Education Certificate (LEC) – a prerequisite to practise law in the Commonwealth Caribbean, the majority of them have already been admitted to practise law before the courts of Guyana. And despite being faced with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, they persevered and completed their studies to become Attorneys-at-Law. They are: Nakesha Cosbert, Abhimanya Dev, Alyea Williams, Ama De Clou, Brian Primo, Chandanie Dyal, Christal Amsterdam, Cynthia Ramroop, Delonte De Clou, Gabriel Benn, Hugh Park, Iyanna Butts, Jevon Cox, Kerri Brusch, Khalif Gobin, Kyle Nicholson, Leslin Warden, Marisa Edwards, Melisa Adolphus, Merisa Johnson, Natesha Moseley, Niomi Alsopp, Paneeta Persaud, Shercola Exeter, Thalia Thompson, Fancius Gittens, Aliyyah Abdul-Kadir, Dhaneshwar Deonarine, Caressa Facey Henry, Jermane Alleyne, and Simran Gajraj.

The latter five were among those on the Principal’s Roll of Honour.

In the school’s 2021 Yearbook, its Principal, Miriam Samaru said the Class of 2021 is the first set of graduates in the 48-year history of the Council of Legal Education-HWLS who have completed the two- year-programme fully online. When the COVID-19 virus outbreak was declared a pandemic, she said that, without time to prepare, students had to pack up and return home before borders closed and teaching had to be transitioned from in-person to online via the Zoom platform.

“There is no script, manual, or guidebook that could have prepared anyone for the effects of the pandemic

caused by the COVID-19. It came like a thief in the night dealing deadly blows to anyone with whom it came into contact. It created panic, worry, and disbelief. In the twinkling of an eye, the world had changed and continues to change as we try to return to some measure of normalcy while the pandemic continues,” said Samaru, who has been the school’s Principal since 2008.

According to her, this year’s graduates have displayed their agility and have adapted themselves to the new normal. She noted that at every twist or turn, they were able to pivot, innovate, and create, adapt and respond.

She added, “No longer would they wait for someone else to implement change. They became the change. They are the modern lawyers who are the masters of technology and have proven that they can conquer and challenge. They are Generation Z (GenZers).”

The Principal said that they would be the ones who would help the practice of law evolve and become more efficient. As they venture out into the world of work, Samaru reminded the graduates that they were unique, talented, resilient, agile, and pragmatic. But despite their individual achievements, she told them, “You will be standing on the shoulders of giants in the law who came before you and who have paved the way for you to be a modern Caribbean lawyer with a social conscience.”

Samaru pointed out that they have received an education that is second to none and which has given them the basic skills for the practice of the law. Having been immersed in the law and codes governing the ethics of the legal profession, she encouraged them to go out and become agents of change by following their passion and finding their purpose. “Good luck, be ethical as you go out into practice, do good things and conquer the

world,” said the Principal in her closing remarks.

The Council of Legal Education was created in 1971 and operates three law schools in the Region: the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad – both established in 1973 – and the Eugene Dupuch Law School in The Bahamas, which was established in 1998.

To be admitted to these law schools, persons must have first obtained a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of the West Indies (UWI), the University of Guyana (UG), or a degree in law awarded by a university in a Common Law jurisdiction. Each year, UWI graduates and the top 25 students from UG’s Law Department gain automatic acceptance to the law schools to read for their LEC. Those who are not on the list of 25 graduates and those with non-UWI law degrees can be admitted to the law schools if they are successful in the Council of Legal Education’s annual entrance examination. Once admitted to the law schools, students must then complete two years of study and practical training at one of the three schools

to be qualified to practise as an Attorney-at-Law. The three law schools also offer a six-month transitional programme for Common Law-professionally trained persons. Each year, the Government of Guyana offers fully-funded scholarships to the HWLS. The scholarships are offered through the Public Service Ministry and are open to new and continuing students.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be the holder of a Bachelor of Laws degree with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.3. The applicant must be under the age of 35 and must have obtained the degree within the last five years.

The applicant must also have an acceptance letter from the HWLS. Present students at the HWLS who wish to apply for the scholarship must have passed year one studies with at least three courses passed with Grade A. The HWLS offers the two-year programme at the cost of G$6,516, 427 to Guyanese students. The cost varies for students from other countries. Before the pandemic, students also had to foot the cost of boarding, food, and school-related expenses.

La Penitence man gunned down in Albouystown

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he Police are on the hunt for two males and a white Toyota Axio motor car following the execution of a young man on Friday evening along James Street, Albouystown Georgetown.

The dead man has been identified as 28-year-old Deon Charles of Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown.

Preliminary investigations revealed that on the day in question about 23:50h, the now dead man was standing on James Street when a white Toyota Axio drove up and stopped in front of him.

At that time, two males exited the back seat of the car and approached Charles, soon after which a loud explosion suspected to be a gunshot was heard. Charles reportedly fell to the ground and the two men immediately re-entered the car, which sped off the scene.

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…Bishop Tutu hile the Christmas Holidays are usually a joyous period, the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t the only bad news your Eyewitness got. (Like about neighbouring Trinidad where they’re averaging 27 daily?).

The passing of Bishop Tutu in South Africa was particularly poignant. Here was a man, just 5’ 5” in height who stood tallest for four decades fighting first against White apartheid and then against those in the Black Government who betrayed the promise after Apartheid fell in 1994.

We all knew he’d pass on…after all, he’d long exceeded the biblical “three score and ten” allotment and reached 90. And he’d also been diagnosed with prostate cancer as far back as 1990. But still…he was more than just a man – he represented a moral compass in a world where man’s inhumanity to man had taken its deepest roots. Imagine living in a world where the evil logic of “race and racism” were taken to its bizarre conclusion and human beings were officially classified as “higher and lower” life forms!!

Whites at the top and Blacks at the bottom. Making every other group fight for intermediate positions – decided by Whites – and kicking those below them.

It’s not too well known that Tutu and Mandela were both from the same street in the black township of Soweto. And imagine that street producing two Nobel Prize winners! They pipped our St Lucia with its two Nobels since that’s a whole island!! Anyhow, the two boys chose two different paths to fight the evil Apartheid system they were born into. Mandela became a lawyer and then joined the ANC. And was jailed for his troubles 27 years for choosing violent resistance.

Tutu chose to enter the priesthood – which happened in 1960 –- and then used that platform to wage the struggle against the same injustices, peacefully. As he rose through the hierarchy of the Anglican Church – the Church of England – his bully pulpit became very powerful by the time he became Bishop of Cape Town. And with all the militants either in prison or in camps in neighbouring countries. sometimes it looked like he was fighting a David against Goliath war. He won the Nobel in 1984, which gave his voice – openly calling the Government “Nazis”! – that much more moral force.

After Apartheid fell, he oversaw the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that attempted to offer Reparative Justice to those who had been victimised by the evil system. However, he expressed his great disappointment when the new Black ANC government became an arm of vested interests and many of its leaders became billionaires. His struggle demonstrated that institutions alone can’t remove injustices. Good people are more important!

Bishop Tutu died a disappointed man.

Deon Charles

Charles was picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police later confirmed that a gunshot wound was seen on the left side of the deceased man’s head.

The matter remains under investigation.

…“Father Christmas” Your Eyewitness was never a fan of Santa Claus who was foisted on us by the British –- on whom it was foisted by Queen Victoria after she married the German Prince Albert. Imagine the Brits had to hide the German connection after their World Wars. In 1917, the name of the royal house was changed from the German SaxeCoburg and Gotha to the English “Windsor”. That’s right… the House of Windsor is as German as can be if we go by that REAL Englishman William Shakespeare who asked, “What’s in a name…a rose is a rose” and all that!!

So back to the Chubby fella who supposedly crawl down our chimneys bearing gifts for the kiddies!! We don’t have chimneys here – but don’t the kids wonder how the fella could get past all those grilled windows meant to keep out kick-down-the-door bandits?? Anyhow, hopefully COVID-19 put a halt to all those poor kids lining up to cuddle in Santa’s lap!

And life went on for them, didn’t it? …politics It was only for two days, but with the newspapers not publishing, thankfully the politicians didn’t feel compelled to offer soundbites. To divide the nation.

Could this but continue till the New Year!!

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

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fires ravage Buxton, West Ruimveldt homes Melanie and Campbellville Fire Stations responded.

Upon arriving at the scene, the firemen observed a two-storey wooden and concrete building engulfed in flames. The top floor of the building was occupied by Estwick and Edorl Leitch, while the ground floor was occupied by Carlton Leitch and Odette Cummings.

Despite quick action by the firemen, the house was completely ravaged. Fire officials related that the purported cause of the fire is said to be an overloaded electrical circuit that fed

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East Coast Demerara (ECD) and Rose Street, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

In the first instance, the Guyana Fire Service re-

port that a house was on fire at Lot 169 Rose Street, West Ruimveldt.

Upon arrival, the firefighters saw one flat wooden and concrete building owned and occupied by Jewel Anderson and her family of three was on fire. Again, by the time the fire tenders arrived at the scene, the house was almost gutted.

The cause of the fire was given as a lit mosquito coil that was left unattended. The occupants of both homes were left to make alternative living arrangements.

Police probing rape of Berbice teen

The aftermath of the Company Road fire

everal families were left homeless following two devasting Christmas Day fires at Company Road, Friendship,

back into the distribution panel which sparked and ignited.

In addition, one silver grey Honda motor car bearing registration number PMM 8427 owned by Carlton Leitch was destroyed while a red and black Honda CG150 motorcycle, CE 4927 owned by Lincoln Leitch, was damaged.

Meanwhile, the Fire Service stated that about 8:50h, on Saturday, water tenders from Central and West Ruimveldt Fire Stations responded to a re-

ported that about 21:30h, it received a report of a fire at Lot 45 Company Road, Friendship, ECD and as such, water tenders from the

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he Police have launched an investigation into an alleged rape committed on an 18-year-old girl in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Friday evening.

Based on information received, the victim had left her home unknown to her mother and went out about 22:30h.

She claimed that as she was walking on the road, the 23-year-old suspect came up on his motorcycle and began conversing with her.

Further, she claimed that even though she did not

know the young man, she accompanied him to a bar and they consumed one beer each.

Police further stated that the suspect took the teenager to his workplace where they consumed a few more alcoholic beverages in the company of others. After that, the teenager told detectives that the young man forced her to have sex against her will.

She also accused the young man of stabbing her on her right leg with a screwdriver. The teenager reported the matter to the

Police and she was taken to the hospital where a medical examination was performed. The young man was subsequently arrested.

Meanwhile, on Sunday about 17:30h, detectives visited the alleged scene in the company of the victim and her mother, but while there the teenager revealed that the young man did not stab her, nor did he rape her, but instead she had sex with him willingly.

Further statements have been taken as investigations continue.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

1 dead, 1 injured following 2-vehicle collision in Berbice

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ne taxi driver is now dead while another is hospitalised following a two-vehicle collision on Friday along the Bush Lot Public Road, Berbice.

Dead is 28-year-old Ajay Caramchan of Churchill Street, Springlands, Corentyne, Berbice while the injured man is 26-yearold Vishal Rabinchand of Haswell, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.

Based on reports received, Rabinchand, who was driving hire car HC 4263, was proceeding

The two vehicles that were involved in the fatal collision

along the roadway while Caramchan, who was driving HC 9648, was proceeding in the opposite direction at a fast pace. At the time of the accident, he was reportedly transporting several cases of beer.

The now-dead man reportedly overtook another vehicle and ended up in the path of Rabinchand, thus causing a head-on collision.

As a result, both drivers sustained injuries to their bodies.

They were picked up in a conscious state by public-spirited citizens and

Dead taxi driver, Ajay Caramchan

taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital where they were examined.

Rabinchand was reportedly treated and sent away while Caramchan was transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital for further medical attention but later succumbed to his injuries.

His body is presently at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

G h u s h m a t t i e Caramchan, mother of the dead taxi driver, told sections of the media that her

The interior of Caramchan’s car after the accident

son would usually leave his home around 05:00h for work but on the fateful day, he left earlier without saying goodbye.

She recalled receiving a phone call later that morning, with the person on the other end of the line telling her that her son was involved in an accident and he did not make it. In a frantic state, she received another phone call informing her that he was at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

She noted that she rushed to the hospital but was told that he was in the operating theatre. “About 15 minutes after, a nurse call me and other family and tell we that he had internal injuries and was bleeding heavily and when they start operate on he, he died,” she told the media.

Her other son reportedly died about a year ago. The driver of the other vehicle was arrested as investigations continue.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

High Alert: CDC monitoring heavy rainfall, flooding …as national, regional Govt agencies respond

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mid several reports of communities inundated by floodwaters, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has assured that several Government agencies have been on high alert to respond and provide relief.

On Monday, it was reported that the National Flood Task Force, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the Hydrometeorological Office, Government Ministries, City Engineers and the Mayor's Office, and all Regional Executive Officers (REOs) were actively monitoring the situation.

Hours of rainfall were re-

corded in the early hours of Monday. Guyana Times observed that in the capital city, over one foot of water had accumulated in some areas, making it hazardous for vehicles and pedestrians to traverse. Over at Cuffy Square, Regent Street and its environs, Kitty and several zones, the water was yet to recede.

In Georgetown, all pumps were completely functional.

Engineers will be monitoring them on a 24-hour basis and the NDIA has indicated that the sluices will be opened at intervals.

“Additionally, a team from the Commission will be conducting assessments around

the capital city momentarily. The National Flood Task Force will monitor countrywide reports and weather patterns and will be ready to deploy resources and aid if necessary,” said the Commission.

In the event of flooding, persons are asked to stay

The Square of the Revolution after heavy rains

through contact with these waters. Direct contact with floodwaters can expose persons to several germs that can

of the water as they are most at risk of contracting diseases, and to avoid swimming in canals and trenches.

Bodyguard shot dead after collecting jewellery from goldsmith

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oments after collecting several pieces of jewellery which he had taken to be cleaned at a goldsmith in Campbell Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, a bodyguard attached to the Beharry Group of Companies was shot dead by three bandits.

The dead man was identified as 40-year-old Garfield Newton of Lot 545 Mandela Avenue, Georgetown. Police stated that the incident reportedly took place about 22:00h on Friday.

Based on reports received, on the day in question, Garfield went to his goldsmith at Campbell Street where he collected one silver band, one gold chain and two gold rings.

After collecting the items, he headed toward his company’s motor van bearing registration number GPP 7505, which was parked on Sussex Street, Albouystown.

However, about five minutes later, the goldsmith was informed by a teenager that Newton had been shot and lying on the street. As a result, the goldsmith went out and saw Newton lying motionless on his abdomen.

The EMTs from the Georgetown Public

King Street covered by floodwaters

out of the water and keep food items safe. Water-borne diseases can be contracted

Dead bodyguard, Garfield Newton

Hospital were summoned and they pronounced him dead on the scene. His body was examined and a gunshot wound was seen on his left chest.

One Glock 9mm pistol and two magazines of 15 rounds each belonging to the company along with the now dead man’s cellphone and the jewellery were all missing.

His body was taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home to awaiting a post-mortem.

Meanwhile, based on initial investigations, three males were seen fleeing the scene in a motor car shortly after the incident.

lead to any of these diseases.

Guardians are also asked to keep children especially out

Protective gear should be used along with regular washing of feet after exiting the

waters. If necessary, Vaseline or oil can be applied to form a barrier to protect from the dirty water.

Adding to that, standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes which spread Zika, dengue and chikungunya virus. Fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly with clean water to prevent contamination.

To protect against an electric shock, turn off the main electrical switch and unplug all appliances and move them to safe areas of the home. If electrical wiring damage has been suspected, turn off the main and have it checked by a qualified electrician before turning on back the power.

Residents are advised to remain vigilant and cautious, and to report any further impacts to local authorities or the National Emergency Monitoring System (NEMS) on 600-7500 at any time.

(G12)

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Breaking the chains of drug addiction: Allister and Paul share their stories

By Feona Morrison

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ehind drug and alcohol addiction there are people – those with stories of struggles and triumphs.

Many of these stories go untold. This holiday season will be extra special for Paul Noel Blackman-Busby, 42, and Allister Bess,46 – two recovering drug addicts.

Guyana Times recently sat down with Bess and Blackman-Busby who both shared that they have had enough with their dependency on drugs and knew that they needed help with changing their lifestyle. Though they were caught in the grips of addiction, they are determined to live in recovery, inspiring, and helping others along the way.

They are currently enrolled at the Salvation Army Men’s Social Centre (SAMSC). For over two decades, the Centre, which is located at Lots 6-7 Water Street, Georgetown has been catering to people, in particular men, who are addicted to drugs and alcohol.

The centre’s drug recovery programme is highly guided by its spiritual conscience.

Curiosity

Bess, a father of seven, related that he started using cocaine at age 20 and continued up until three months ago when he surrendered at the SAMSC. Like many others, he succumbed to peer pressure and out of curiosity had his first sniff of cocaine. What came next was his uncontrollable passion to get his hands on the drug since he had the means to do so.

“I started using cocaine through curiosity at the age of 20. I saw my friends doing it and wanted to know what

Major Pierre Antoine

Allister Bess

they were getting out of it.

And that is how it started,” Bess shared during a candid interview. According to him, he was raised in a very loving and caring family, and there was nothing he lacked as a little boy growing up.

“My parents were headteachers and I’m the last [child] and you know the last does be getting what they want and how they want it. I had access to the money to buy the cocaine. It started out as fun, but later down the road, I realised that it started to get worse health-wise and with my family.”

At this point, Bess knew he had to get his life back on track and voluntarily enrolled at the SAMSC. He was eager to be a father to his children, a son to his parents, and a productive citizen in society.

As such, three months ago, he started his third rehab journey having called it quits on two similar attempts in 2003 and 2013, respectively.

Asked why he dropped out of the first two programmes, he shared, “The first two programmes I didn’t decide for myself. At that time, I didn’t see that I had a problem. I always told myself that I can handle it, I can work. I’ve never slept on the road or lost my home; I had my family. I

used drugs, I built a family and I thought everything was good…”

He pointed out that his time so far at the rehab centre has been “very good”. He said, “When I came here, I was more open-minded to my suggestions and what was being taught to me. I had a better chance to look into myself and I had counsellors who were there…I could have had a oneon-one with them if anything was bothering me…”

It has been proven that people abuse drugs/alcohol for varying reasons. According to Bess, while the rehab process helps one to stop using drugs, recovering addicts must adapt ways to “handle themselves”.

He emphasised, “…to deal with society as a whole and to deal with their anger. When you have them there and you don’t let go and you don’t have anyone to talk to, a person could just explode and use drugs. Drugs take everything off for a while. When the drug wears away, it is there again and you keep using drugs just to keep it away.”

Bess, who hails from Essequibo, believes he is on the road to recovery.

Self-medicate

Meanwhile, BlackmanBusby’s addiction to drugs re-

5 homeless after Corentyne Christmas Day fire

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ive persons are now homeless after a fire completely destroyed a Port Mourant, Corentyne house on Christmas afternoon.

At the time of the blaze, no one was at home.

The two-storey building located at Lot 193 Ankerville, Port Mourant, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was occupied by Ravichand Rama and his 30-year-old wife, Reshma Dindyal along with their three children.

Reports are that the couple left home along with their children at midday to visit Dindyal’s parents some six miles away and later received a phone call stating that the house was on fire.

When they arrived home, the entire building was engulfed.

Both the Rose Hall Town Fire Service and the Albion GuySuCo fire department responded.

However, by the time the firefighters arrived, the fire had already started to damage the building on either side of the engulfed home.

The debris after the fire that completely gutted the Ankerville, Port Mourant, Berbice home

Swift action by the firefighters resulted in the blaze being contained to one building.

However, there was slight damage to the two other buildings.

Chandrawattie Deokharan explained that louver panels and a section of PVC guttering were destroyed on her wooden and concrete building.

“I was sitting on the verandah and I smell something burning and I go inside and check and I ain’t see anything and I come back on the veran-

dah and when I watch over there, I see fire,” the pensioner related.

She said she then raised the alarm and neighbours came out but could do nothing since the fire was coming from inside the building which was secured.

The building is owned by an overseas-based Guyanese.

The Fire Service is investigating the fire. The Police have launched a separate investigation based on information that they have received.

(G4)

Dr Andrew Hoyte

Paul Noel Blackman-Busby

sulted in his deportation from the USA where he lived for many years. This musician/ entrepreneur believes that a lack of parental guidance was mainly responsible for his reliance on drugs.

“I just didn’t have that parental guidance. I lost my mother at a very early age, at the age of five. I was living with her… I didn’t have a father for a number of years; I

men have been saved since the existence of the SAMSC. “Specifically those who are drug addicts. Their lives have changed completely and to God, we gave the glory,” he said while noting that 20 men are presently enrolled in the six-month rehabilitation programme.

According to him, the programme consists of various components such as skills

The Salvation Army Men’s Social Centre in Georgetown

met him later in life. It is just a number of parental type of things and having losses and deaths so I self-medicated myself.”

Reflecting on his earlier life, Blackman-Busby said, “I lived in America and I was sent back to Guyana due to incriminating type of things. I’m a remigrant, but I didn’t plan on doing it…So, I came back as a deportee and I have been here for 11 years…just living life.”

The recovering addict related that his time at the rehab centre has been going “very well”. He said that he has been there for seven months and during that time, he was able to do introspection.

“I found what was habit-forming for me and was able to see exactly what I needed to correct in myself. I was very fortunate to have counsellors who were proactive in relation to looking inside and finding what behaviour I needed to change,” Blackman-Busby related.

He articulated that he is very fortunate, thankful, and grateful for the Salvation Army for giving him a second chance at life. Going forward, Blackman-Busby sees himself becoming a salvationist.

“I see myself being successful, taking up various other subjects in relation to music and being an example to fellow Guyanese and persons in the Caribbean.”

Changing lives

Meanwhile, the rehab centre’s Administrator, Major Pierre Antoine, who is also a minister of religion, shared that the lives of scores of young

training, anger management, counselling, relapse prevention, self-esteem, personal threat, steps to recovery, types of addiction, spirituality, and pastoral care. Despite these interventions, there are still cases of relapses, but Major Antoine said that the centre’s success rate is at 75 per cent.

He said, too, that the rehab centre offers counselling to school-age children as young as 12. Upon completing the programme, persons can either go home or get accommodations at the centre’s halfway house.

“The halfway house is to make sure that they do not go back to the same substance,” Major Antoine pointed out, adding that persons are required to sign in whenever they leave or return to the halfway house.

This, he added, is to ensure that the men are reintegrated into their families and society and become socially acceptable and productive citizens.

Currently, there are only two men at the centre’s halfway house.

Disciplinary

Meanwhile, the centre’s Senior Counsellor Reverend D. Andrew Hoyte spoke about the various treatments used.

He explained, “The approach used here is a type of psychotherapy referred to as disciplinary where we use discipline as the process through which the individuals can develop a particular attitude of determination and avoidance and to deal with themselves in terms of self-organisation and management in order to handle and harness their habits.”

This process has prov-

en to be very effective, noted Hoyte who holds a doctorate in counselling. Another module included in the rehab programme is emotional intelligence. Dr Hoyte highlighted that this helps persons to intelligently handle their emotions.

“And to do that means you must be able to say no when there is a need to say no, and yes when there is a need to say yes. Anytime there is something outside of you with the power to tell you how to act and you are acting out of that, there is a problem, and that needs rehabilitation.”

Importantly, Dr Hoyte pointed out “anytime that anyone is coming into a rehabilitation centre, that decision has to foremost be made by the individual himself/herself” .

While it is “excellent” for family members to think their loved ones need to be at a rehab centre, Dr Hoyte pointed that if that individual does not make that decision of their own free will, when they come to the centre, they do not want to stay because they make it very clear “I didn’t make this choice”.

To this end, he said that during the intake process, the centre screens individuals to ensure that they are deciding to change by themselves.

Moreover, the counsellor highlighted that the first four years of a child’s life are very important because it is during this stage that they develop their personality.

He, therefore, cautioned parents, “The hands of the persons in which you place your children are very important. A lot of what our men suffer today is because of what has happened between ages one and four.”

“Parents have to go to work, so they put the children in Aunty's hand, or Mommy’s hand or some friend’s hand, and then when they reach 14 or 15, they start using drugs and you wonder why,” he added.

“But when you come here, I take you through the process, I want to know where your personality is located and how it was before we start to treat you,” Dr Hoyte noted as he outlined his approach to treatment.

Both Major Antoine and Dr Hoyte expressed that the social centre has been doing a very good job in contributing to the development of society.

The centre continues to open its doors to people from all walks of life and even assists those who cannot afford to offset the cost of the programme.

Recognising that a multi-sectoral approach is needed to tackle domestic violence, very soon the Salvation Army Men’s Social Centre will launch a plan to combat this societal scourge. Having worked as a counsellor for over 20 years, Dr Hoyte noted that domestic violence has penetrated Guyana, other Caricom member states, and the rest of the world.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 arrested with ganja Misinformation on COVID vaccine still prevalent among during CANU operations a “large group” – Dr Anthony

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The ganja found at the home in Linden

The cannabis that was found during the operation at the DHB

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he Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) during several operations between Friday and Saturday at Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Wismar, Linden unearthed 2.401 kilograms of cannabis.

CANU, in a release, stated that one man of Mile Extension, Wismar was arrested in the vicinity of the Demerara Harbour Bridge with a salt bag containing five parcels of cannabis.

In addition, another man called “Pappy”, of Half Mile, Wismar, Linden, was arrested after a search at a house in Block 22 Wismar, unearthed several Ziplock bags and a black plastic bag containing a quantity of cannabis concealed in a speaker box.

Both men were arrested and taken to CANU headquarters, where the gan-

ja was weighed. The cannabis discovered at the Demerara Harbour Bridge when weighed amounted to 2.280 grams, while the cannabis discovered in Linden weighed 121.4 grams.

Both men remain in Police custody pending charges.

onths after the launch of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign locally, misinformation is still a significant hurdle for health authorities in their quest to reach herd immunity.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said that quite a significant number of people are still using this misinformation to guide their decision not to get immunised.

“We’re fighting a lot of misinformation that was peddled pertaining to vaccines and unfortunately, there is quite a large group of people who believe this misinformation. Combating something that has been im-

Body found at Mahaica identified as mentally-ill man

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he nude body that was found on Thursday last along the De Hoop Public Road in Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was identified as that of 43-year-old Neville Parbhu, also called “Plunga” of Lusignan, ECD. The body was identified by his cousin, on December 27, who stated that the now dead man was of unsound mind and would walk “all over the place”.

He stated that earlier in the month, Parbhu left home and did not return, but he did not make a Police report since it was normal for the now-deceased man

to go missing for weeks after which he would return.

The cousin stated that on December 26, he was at home with some friends imbibing when he was told that a dead man’s photograph was on social media to assist in the identification of his body.

As such, he and other family members went to the Mahaicony Police Station on December 27, and were taken to the mortuary where they positively identified the deceased as their cousin. A post-mortem is expected to be performed shortly.

On Thursday last, the

Police had stated that acting on information received, a party of ranks went to the De Hoop Public Road and observed an unidentified male lying naked on the side of the road.

Upon inspection of the body, a suspected wound was seen on his forehead, and there were bruises about his body. In addition, his right eye appeared to have been pushed out of its socket, and brain matter was seen on the said road shoulder.

The body was taken to Anthony’s Funeral Home for identification and post-mortem.

bedded in people’s psyche is quite a difficult task. We have to try to get them to understand the importance of this,” he underscored.

Regions Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have seen low vaccine uptake, to which Dr Anthony pointed out that efforts have been made to quash existing myths and raise the numbers.

“We’ve been working on many fronts in these three regions, in all the regions for that matter. I’m hoping that if more community leaders, religious leaders, persons of influence talk to persons…. this sphere of influence to get vaccinated, then more people would be vaccinated.”

Speaking on preparation for a surge with the circulation of the Omicron variant, the Health Minister informed that there is capacity at the facilities. However, the primary goal is to protect the population through vaccination.

“It depends on how many cases we’re talking about.

We certainly have made provision for additional cases.

We have looked at bed capacity, oxygen capacity, ventilators and so forth. At this point, we have adequate facilities in those regions and if we need surplus spaces, persons can be brough to Ocean View Hospital, where we have 195 beds. We would prefer if we vaccinate and keep people safe, rather than them getting hospitalised and have to go through

all these other treatments.”

In the vaccination campaign, over 764,000 doses have been administered.

This number represents some 440,000 first doses and 314,000 second doses.

Booster doses account for over 10,400. For the 12 to 17 age cohort, vaccine uptake stands at 30,198 first doses or 41.4 per cent with 21,503 second doses or 29.5 per cent.

Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) has achieved 100 per cent first dose coverage for children. There are some regions where that figure is extremely low, such as Regions Four (DemeraraMahaica), Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and 10 .

Vaccines used in the campaign include Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Sputnik V and Sinopharm. Persons are encouraged to take their booster shots as well.

A person immunised with Sputnik V can take the Johnson and Johnson vaccine as their booster dose.

Meanwhile, those who took Pfizer and Sinopharm jabs are required to take the same vaccines respectively. For the AstraZenecaimmunised subset, a recommended Pfizer shot can also be taken. These shots are to be taken six months after the first dose.

Persons completely immunised with Johnson and Johnson vaccines can get the same vaccine as a booster dose two months after.

(G12)

First Lady takes cheer to GPHC’s Christmas babies

The Christmas Parade First Lady Arya Ali with one of the Christmas babies and GPHC staffers

I

n keeping with the annual tradition, First Lady Arya Ali visited the Christmas babies who were born on December 25 at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Maternity Ward, taking hampers to the new mothers.

Ten babies were born at the GPHC on Christmas Day – five boys and five girls.

In a statement, the First Lady expressed, “This is what Christmas means for us – spending time with

those we love and showing them in a tangible way how much they mean to us.

As I looked on the little faces of those newborns, I felt a sense of gratitude, that even though it has been a challenging year for many of us, there are still moments like these where we can celebrate together.”

Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran said both the staff and new mothers would look forward to this gesture during the

holidays.

“It’s been a tradition for as long as I can remember.

It’s something that has always been done. Families, even to the staff, look forward for the visit because it gives them that morale boost and the mothers as well. It’s good that you can be remembered even when you’re in the hospital,” he outlined.

Meanwhile, one of the nurses, Nalini Persaud shared her reaction to the initiative as she noted, “Mothers tend to be overjoyed. Having that bundle of joy in your hand at this time

and moreso at Christmas, it is the best feeling in the world…We’re very strong on breastfeeding. We’re a baby-friendly hospital and we want to encourage them to continue to breastfeed and care for their loved ones.”

Previously on Christmas Eve night, more than 1200 smiles we brought to children, including those in institutional care, during a parade. Gifts were distributed through the parade through various sections of the city.

Speaking on the initiative, Ali posted, “I can’t begin to imagine how difficult

Delivering presents to children

this time must be for children who are in orphanages and are unable to spend this very special season with their families. As a young mother, it was important for me to spend some of my time with them and bring cheer to them by surprising them with toys and other goodies. “ The children were able to meet Santa Claus, Mrs

Claus, the Gingerbread man and the Grinch.

“I hope we were also able to lift the spirits of the thousands of people we saw along the journey, after what has been a challenging year for many of us. Finally, I wish to thank our sponsors for making this parade possible,” the First Lady penned.

(G12)

16 NEWS Charrandas Persaud accredited as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…expresses hope for increased bilateral ties

Guyana’s new High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Charrandas Persaud, presenting his credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

G

uyana’s current High Commissioner to India, Charrandas Persaud, has now been accredited as Guyana’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, presenting his credentials to Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Persaud presented his credentials to Rajapaksa on December 21. In a social media post announcing the official appointment, the former Guyana Member of Parliament (MP) expressed hope for a more fruitful relationship between Guyana and Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lanka earns over $4 billion US per year from tourism and is 43 thousand square miles with a population of 21 million. It also has a vibrant coconut industry and its cinnamon is worldwide,” Persaud said.

“Sri Lanka is beautiful and very clean. I hope the bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Guyana can be more vibrant and proactive one,” the new High Commissioner further explained in his social media post.

Guyana first established diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka on July 14, 1974. Prior to

Persaud’s appointment, High Commissioner Dr David Pollard had served as Guyana’s envoy to Sri Lanka from 2019.

Persaud was accredited as High Commissioner to India back in March of this year. He had been living in Canada since fleeing Guyana under the weight of death threats immediately after he used his conscience vote to side with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) during the No Confidence Motion (NCM) of December 21, 2018.

The former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government

argued vehemently but unsuccessfully, first at the National Assembly and then at the High Court, that the motion was not validly passed. Among its arguments was that 33 was not the majority of 65 and that Persaud was not qualified to be in Parliament because he held dual citizenship with Canada.

The coalition Government found success at the Appeal Court, which overturned the no-confidence vote. All the while, the constitutional deadline of March 2019, by which time Granger should have called elections, expired.

But the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which upheld the passage of the NoConfidence Motion, vindicated Persaud.

However, the former APNU/AFC Government found other means of delaying the calling of elections, including the use of Houseto-House Registration. In the meantime, under the former Government, an investigation was pursued by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) into Persaud and whether he was bribed to vote the way he did.

This investigation never went anywhere and there are many who have theorised that it was politically motivated. Persaud returned to Guyana only

after the Government changed hands, making an appearance during

a sitting of the National Assembly in October of last year. (G3)

Mayor Ubraj Narine’s firearm seized

…allegedly fired indiscriminately during alleged domestic dispute

Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine

T

he Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine is under investigation after he allegedly fired his gun indiscriminately during an alleged domestic dispute.

Reports are that the Mayor and his wife were allegedly involved in a heated confrontation in their yard when neighbours called the Police and reported that he

fired off his gun several times.

This newspaper has since confirmed that the Police have since seized the firearm for ballistic testing and the Mayor’s hands have been swabbed for gunpower residue.

Police have also confirmed that the Mayor has since been released on $20,000 station bail pending investigation.

Process for appointing national contract evaluators strengthened …evaluators also undergoing periodic performance reviews

S

ince 2020, the process for appointing evaluators who would be in charge of reviewing contracts at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) has been beefed up to ensure only qualified experts make it through the hiring process.

This is explained in Auditor General Deodat Sharma’s 2020 report, which, among other things, had found that due diligence was not exercised to ensure that persons appointed to evaluation committees by NPTAB were experienced enough for such a role.

“Each Ministerial, Departmental and Agency Tender Board shall nominate for consideration by the National Board, qualified evaluators to serve on Evaluation Committees.

It was noted that a pool of evaluators was created and Evaluation Committees were formed to adjudicate on procurement subject to its jurisdiction.”

“The National Board, however, had not exercised due diligence to ensure that the persons appointed as evaluators had the expertise and expe-

rience as specified in the Procurement Act,” the report stated.

However, the Finance Ministry in its response to the auditors indicated that since the new government took office in August 2020 and a new board for NPTAB appointed on September 29, 2020, the system for recruiting evaluators at the national level has been revamped.

“Previously, the creation of the pool of evaluators was done utilising two methods; interested public servants would submit a letter of application with their CVs attached, or the Senior Procurement Officer at NPTA that was then responsible for the appointment of evaluators would include public servants that would appear to be au fait with Guyana’s public procurement process.

“With the appointment of the new Board in 2020, only the former method is being utilised, which ensures that the evaluators selected are not only experienced, as the latter method catered for but are also experts in the required field,” the Ministry said.

It was further explained

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill (centre) shares a photo with members of the newly-appointed NPTAB Board back in September 2020

that the evaluators undergo periodic performance reviews, which ensure that they not only embody the qualities that got them hired, but they continue implementing them and also display diligence and integrity.

“This new requirement ensures that evaluation reports are completed within the required 14 days, and the decision of the committee is unbiased, qualities that are necessary for the efficient and effective functioning of the procurement process, qualities that were previously lacking

in the public procurement process. NPTAB continues to make efforts to ensure that persons appointed as evaluators have the expertise to perform the tasks,” the Ministry said.

The report also makes mention of the appointment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), noting at the time of reporting no new appointments had been made to the commission since the life of the five-member commission ended in October of 2020.

It was noted, however, that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had ad-

vertised for members.

Among the PPC’s key functions are, according to the Procurement Act, to “Monitor and review the functioning of all procurement systems to ensure that they are in accordance with law and such policy guidelines as may be determined by the National Assembly; promote awareness of the rules, procedures and special requirements of the procurement process among suppliers, constructors and public bodies; safeguard the national interest in public procurement matters,

having due regard to any international obligations; monitor the performance of procurement bodes with respect to adherence to regulations and efficiency in procuring goods and services and execution of works; approve of procedures for public procurement, disseminate rules and procedures for public procurement; and recommend modifications thereto to the public procurement entities.”

The PPC has in the past intervened in contracts when there was a discrepancy with the procurement of the contractor. One of the most famous cases of this was the sole-sourced consultant for the design and feasibility study of the new Demerara River Bridge.

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

17 8 COVID-19 deaths recorded over holiday weekend NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD DECEMBER 27, 2021 UPDATE

Within the course of three days, eight new COVID-19 deaths were reported in Guyana. This has taken the death toll up to 1050.

The fatalities were announced between Saturday and Monday; and included five unvaccinated persons.

On December 27, a 55-yearold man from Region 10 suc-

females. There are 12 patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 32 in institutional isolation, 682 in home isolation and two in institutional quarantine. Some 37,349 persons have recovered while 419,002 tests were processed.

Region-wise, one positive case was reported in Region Two (Pomeroon-

have protected people. The reason why so many persons are alive today is probably because of those vaccines. You would find that persons who have both doses of the vaccines and if they get COVID, they’ll more than likely get a milder form of COVID. If they were not vaccinated, they probably would be in the hospital and

cumbed. Three women from Region Six died on December 25 – a 66-year-old, a 69-yearold and a 76-year-old.

Meanwhile, an 85-yearold woman from Region One; a 68-year-old man from Region Four; and an 84-year-old female from Region Four were the fatalities for December 24. The eight death was a 54-yearold man from Region Three who died since December 13.

Over the three days, COVID-19 cases moved from 39,042 to 39,119. There were

Supenaam), four in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 33 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), nine in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 21 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), five in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and four in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

There was no new case in Regions One (BarimaWaini), Eight (PotaroSiparuni), and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

In the last COVID-19 up-

who knows, they probably would have died.”

In the vaccination campaign, over 764,000 vaccine doses have been administered. This number represents some 440,000 first doses and 314,000 second doses. Booster doses account for over 10,400. For the 12 to 17 age cohort, vaccine uptake stands at more than 30,000 first doses and 21,000 second doses. There are some 100 vaccination sites where persons can get their jabs.

44 infections on Saturday, 21 on Sunday and 12 on Monday.

Currently, cases account for 18,451 males and 20,668

date, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony spoke on the importance of getting vaccinated as he said, “The vaccines have worked and they

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (NO.24), which are in effect

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

12

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

32

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

682

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

6

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

2

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

20,668

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

18,841

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

39,119

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

37,349

REGION 1

1701

REGION 2

1585

REGION 3

5201

REGION 4

18,226

REGION 5

1487

REGION 6

3718

REGION 7

1815

REGION 8

623

REGION 9

2486

REGION 10

2277

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

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

410,076

FULLY IMMUNISED

293,260

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1050

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.

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 six feet of 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 need any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19

Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or

visit us at www.health.gov. gy (G12)

Porter accused of stealing TVs remanded

Pensioner appeals 20-year sentence for raping 4-year-old girl

G

regory Ramkissoon, who was jailed for 20 years in 2019 for raping a four-year-old girl, has filed an appeal against his sentence. He argues that the sentence imposed by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall is severe in all the circumstances of the case.

Ramkissoon, called “Skeage”, had pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual penetration with the child on January 4, 2016, in the county of Demerara. It was reported that he caused the girl to perform oral sex on him.

The 65-year-old convict does not become eligible for parole until serving 15 years of the sentence. The Judge, in sentencing Ramkissoon, had considered the nature and gravity of offence, how the offence was committed as well as his early guilty plea.

Gregory Ramkissoon

In a Notice of Appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, the convict argues that the trial

Judge erred in law when she failed to consider that the offence against him included

lesser encompassing offences for which he had already been previously convicted in the Magistrate’s Court and had completed a sentence of imprisonment.

He further argues that the Judge erred in law by failing to consider whether he could benefit from an expanded version of the autrefois convict plea or whether she could exercise her discretion to stay proceedings or impose a less severe sentence.

He argues, too, that the trial judge failed to examine the possibility of ordering a probation report to consider other relevant factors when passing the sentence.

Additionally, Ramkissoon contends that his then lawyer failed to mitigate the sentence adequately. As such, he believes he deserves a lesser sentence.

(G1)

A

Remanded: Roger Bledman

48-year-old porter, who allegedly broke into a Duncan Street, Georgetown home and stole two televisions, has been remanded to prison.

Roger Bledman was arraigned on a charge of break and enter and larceny when he appeared before Magistrate Rondel Weever at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on November 4, 2021, at Duncan Street, Georgetown, he broke into the dwelling house of Amernauth Dukhi and stole two flatscreen televisions valued at $300,000. Bledman pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Police Prosecutor

told the court that Dukhi secured his home and went out. However, when he returned, he noticed that the door to his home was opened and that the place was ransacked. He made further checks and observed that the televisions were missing. Dukhi then made a report at the Prashad Nagar Police.

A probe was launched and upon reviewing CCTV footage, Police ranks saw Bledman removing the televisions from the house and placing them into a car.

He was later arrested and charged. He is due back in court on January 28, 2022.

(G1)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021

Regional

Trinidad registers highest death “Worst disaster”: At least 20 dead in flooding toll from COVID-19 in December in Brazil’s Bahia state T A t least 20 people have been killed in floods in north-eastern Brazil, local officials said on Monday, as the region braced for more rain.

Home to about 15 million people, weeks of intermittent flooding have intensified in Bahia state in the last two days after a pair of dams collapsed, sending residents scrambling.

“Unfortunately, we’re living through the worst disaster that has ever occurred in the history of Bahia,” the state’s governor, Rui Costa, said on Monday on Twitter, adding that 72 municipalities in Bahia are in a state of emergency.

Teams of rescuers are trying to transport supplies and bring medical care to victims, the Governor also said, but damage to bridges and highways has made those efforts more difficult.

The two dams that collapsed over the weekend were in the cities of Jussiape and Itambe.

Rescue workers have been patrolling in small dinghies around the city of Itabuna, plucking residents from their homes, including some who escaped through second-floor windows.

Manfredo Santana, a spokesperson for Bahia’s firefighting corps, told the Reuters news agency on Monday that emergency workers had rescued 200 people in three towns. The

More than 16,000 people have been left homeless in Brazil’s northeast following weeks of heavy rain [Amanda Perobelli/Reuters]

heavy currents of the swollen Cachoeira River complicated rescue efforts.

“It’s difficult to manoeuvre even with jet skis,” he said. “Rescue teams had to retreat in certain moments.”

Bahia’s civil defence agency said on Monday afternoon that 20 people had died as a result of the floods in 11 separate municipalities.

The state government said a day earlier that more than 16,000 people had been left homeless by the flooding.

In televised remarks, Costa attributed the chaotic scenes in part to “errors that have been committed over the course of years”.

Newspaper O Globo, citing a state firefighting official, reported that authorities are monitoring an

additional 10 dams for any signs they may collapse.

Scrutiny of public infrastructure and urban planning comes just a few years after the collapse of a mining dam in neighbouring Minas Gerais state killed some 270 people.

A Government task force made up of military firefighters and Police has been set up in badly-hit areas of Bahia to help respond to the disaster.

In the state capital of Salvador, weather officials said December rainfall has been six times greater than the average.

The heavy rainfall coincides with La Niña, a weather phenomenon that typically occurs every three to five years and leads to cooler Pacific Ocean temperatures than normal. (Al Jazeera)

rinidad and Tobago registered 610 deaths so far this month from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic making it so far the worst month since the first case was registered in March last year.

Last month, Trinidad and Tobago registered 425 deaths and the Health Ministry in its latest bulletin on Sunday, noted that 30 more people died from the virus pushing the death toll to 2768.

In addition, Trinidad and Tobago registered 465 new confirmed positive cases from samples taken from December 22 to 25 and so

far this month, a total of 18,468 people have tested positive for the virus.

The country has registered 89,829 infections and 70,220 recoveries since March last year.

In November, the country registered 14,032 infections. The authorities said 473 patients are hospitalised as of Sunday.

The Ministry said that so far 659,477 people have received the first dose of a two-dose vaccine regime and 47,921 have received a shot of a single-dose vaccine. It said 66,979 people have received an additional primary dose or booster shot. A total of 664,699

people are now fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has acknowledged that in this pandemic, all citizens, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, hold rights and responsibilities for the care and safety of each other.

“Even as we do this, let us spare a moment of reflection to remember all those families and communities who have experienced the loss of loved ones along the way and for whom the pandemic is more than the daily news, but the source of the pain that they would continue to suffer,” he said.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Mexico to promote job creation schemes in Caribbean, official says

M

exico plans to promote job creation programmes in the Caribbean that President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has rolled out in southern Mexico and parts of Central America to stem migration, a senior Government official was quoted as saying on Monday.

The programmes, “Sembrando Vida” (Sowing Life), a tree-planting drive, and “Jovenes Construyendo el Futuro”, (Youths Building the Future), a work scheme for young adults, are part of Lopez Obrador’s plan to slow migration by helping poor regions like southern Mexico, Guatemala,

Honduras and El Salvador.

“We already have an agreement with Haiti, and we’re in talks with Cuba,” Laura Elena Carrillo, Executive Director of the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (Amexcid), told newspaper El Universal in an interview.

Mexico and Cuba signed a letter of intent on December 22 to implement rural development programmes in Cuba. Those will include the two job-creating schemes, Carrillo said. Mexico signed a similar letter with Haiti in November, and plans to negotiate with the Dominican Republic soon, she told the

paper.

Mexico has earmarked US$31 million for each of the countries currently enrolled in the programmes, though the Caribbean nations are likely to receive somewhat less, Carrillo said.

Apprehensions of undocumented migrants at the US-Mexico border have leapt to record levels this year, with tens of thousands of Haitians and Cubans among them.

Mexico has pressed the United States to invest in development schemes, and the Mexican Government said last month Washington had agreed to contribute to its efforts. (Reuters)

PM Mottley announces Warner pays respects: Tutu was extraordinary snap election in Barbados F

B

arbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced that Barbadians will go to the polls to elect a new Government on January 19, 2022.

In an address to the nation on Monday evening broadcast on her social me-

dia accounts, Mottley said she has advised President Sandra Mason to dissolve Parliament with immediate effect.

Prime Minister Mottley said Nomination Day will be January 3.

She said that the Electoral and Boundaries

Commission would work assiduously to sort the logistics and ensure that Barbadians could go to the polls safely, but yet in their numbers. Out of caution, she said that the hope was for shorter lines and no gathering. (Barbados Today and Loop News)

Argentina braces for new COVID wave as cases rise to highest in almost 6 months

C

onfirmed COVID-19 cases in Argentina almost doubled on Monday from Friday to 20,263 new infections, according to the country’s Health Ministry, the highest daily tally in almost six months as the Omicron variant spreads around the world.

On Friday, the Government had registered 11,181 new cases of the virus. While it publishes daily case counts on weekends,

those numbers tend to be lower than on weekdays.

Argentina’s Government has not said how many of the new cases could be tied to the highly transmissible Omicron variant, which also has been detected in most neighbouring countries.

Paraguay reported its first case on Monday.

The recent spike is still well below Argentina’s record day for new infections.

On July 1 it reported 41,080 new cases, according to

Reuters data.

Still, deaths have not spiked in Argentina, according to the Health Ministry.

The country has vaccinated 70 per cent of its population with two doses and is currently offering booster shots to frontline workers and citizens over 60 years old.

South America in general is the most vaccinated region in the world, following a couple of crushing COVID waves. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ormer FIFA Vice President Jack Warner joined the chorus of voices in Trinidad and Tobago and the rest of the world, that mourned the death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Sunday. Tutu, 90, died from prostate cancer at the Oasis Frail Care Centre in Cape Town, South Africa.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela and Tutu visited T&T in May 2004, as part of South Africa’s lobby to host the 2010 World Cup. Warner played a key role in Mandela’s and Tutu’s visit.

In a statement, Warner said, “I have met the man and it was one of the finest moments for me in history. He was extraordinary human being whose great warmth and humour was just as compelling as his authentic conversations, which reflected his spiritual moorings that made him the champion that he was.”

He also remembered Tutu’s “rhetoric of peace and his narrative of reconciliation [that] made him the leading advocate in his country and one that brought a sense of peace in the land where he

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

practised his ministry”, Warner said the world has lost a great leader and South Africa has lost a true champion.

Warner added that Tutu was an exemplar and his life must be seen “as a reminder of all that we could become and who we should aspire to be”.

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) also paid tribute to the Archbishop on Sunday, describing him as a relentless champion for civil rights and a moral voice against apartheid.

“His compassionate leadership of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission during the sen-

sitive transition period that followed the end of apartheid further elevated his national and global esteem.

“Archbishop Tutu, a Nobel Laureate, will be remembered as an indefatigable fighter for human rights, justice, equality and the environment whose unquestioned integrity cements his legacy as a global icon.”

On his Twitter account, former US President Barrack Obama also praised Tutu for his dedication in fighting inequality and his ability to find humanity in his opponents.

“Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a mentor, a friend, and a moral compass for me and so many others. A universal spirit, Archbishop Tutu was grounded in the struggle for liberation and justice in his own country, but also concerned with injustice everywhere.”

Obama continued, “He never lost his impish sense of humour and willingness to find humanity in his adversaries and Michelle and I will miss him dearly.” (Excerpt from Trinidad and Tobago Newsday)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices rise to highest level in a month as Omicron concerns ease

O

il prices rose more than two per cent on Monday to the highest level since late November on hopes that the Omicron coronavirus variant will have a limited impact on global demand in 2022, even as surging cases caused flight cancellations.

Global benchmark Brent crude rose US$2.46, or 3.2 per cent, to settle at US$78.60 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose US$1.78, or 2.4 per cent, to settle at US$75.57 a barrel. The US market was closed on Friday for a holiday.

Both benchmarks rose on Monday to the highest since November 26. On that day, oil plunged by more than 10 per cent when reports of a new variant first appeared. The benchmarks gained last week after early data suggested that Omicron could cause a milder level of illness.

"Though Omicron is spreading faster than any COVID-19 variant yet, a relatively relieving news is that most people infected with Omicron are showing mild symptoms, at least so far," said Leona Liu, analyst at Singapore-based DailyFX. Britain's Government will not introduce new COVID-19 restrictions for England before the end of 2021, its health minister, Sajid Javid, said on Monday.

More than 1300 flights were cancelled by US airlines on Sunday as COVID-19 reduced the number of available crews while several cruise ships had to cancel stops.

"The disruption to goods and services from isolating workers, notably air travel, seems to be the main fallout so far," Jeffrey Halley, analyst at brokerage OANDA, said of rising Omicron cases. "That is only likely to cause short-term nerves, with the global recovery story for 2022 still on track."

Oil prices have risen over 50 per cent this year, supported by recovering demand and supply cuts by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, collectively known as OPEC+.

Talks resume on Monday between world powers and Iran on reviving Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal. Iran said oil exports were the focus of the talks, which so far appear to have made little progress on boosting Iran's shipments.

Also on investors' radar is the next OPEC+ meeting on January 4, at which the producer alliance will decide whether to go ahead with a planned 400,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) production increase in February.

OPEC+ stuck to its plans at its last meeting to boost output for January despite Omicron. (Reuters)

France announces tighter COVID restrictions amid Omicron surge

F

rance has announced tighter COVID restrictions amid concerns over the Omicron variant.

From January 3, remote working will become compulsory for those who can and public gatherings will be limited to 2000 people for indoor events.

The news comes as France recorded more than 100,000 new infections on Saturday – the highest number reported in the country since the pandemic began.

But the Prime Minister stopped short of implementing a New Year's Eve curfew.

PM Jean Castex told reporters the pandemic felt "like a film without an ending" as he unveiled the new measures at a news conference following a crisis Cabinet meeting.

Health Minister Oliver Véran said the number of coronavirus infections were doubling every two days, warning of a "mega wave" of

new cases.

The new rules also include limits on outdoor public gatherings – which will be restricted to 5000 people – and a ban on eating and drinking on long-distance transport.

Nightclubs will remain closed until further notice, and cafés and bars will be able to provide table service only. Employees who work from home will have to do so at least three days a week.

Mask-wearing will become compulsory in city centres.

The Government is also shortening the length of time between booster shots from four months after the last vaccination to three months.

Across the continent, additional restrictions were announced in Germany and Greece as Governments seek to stem the tide of positive cases.

Both England and Scotland reported record cases over Christmas. (Excerpt from BBC News)

19

Around the World

US President Biden signs US$770B defence bill

U

S President Joe Biden signed into law the National Defence Authorisation Act, or NDAA, for fiscal year 2022, which authorises US$770 billion in defence spending, the White House said on Monday.

Earlier this month, the Senate and the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly for the defence bill with strong support from both Democrats and Republicans for the annual legislation setting policy for the Department of Defence.

"The Act provides vital benefits and enhances access to justice for military person-

US Army 10th Mountain Division soldiers before the signing of the National Defence Authorisation Act at Fort Drum, New York, US, August 13, 2018

nel and their families, and includes critical authorities to support our country's national defence," Biden said in a statement after signing the bill into

Archbishop Desmond Tutu: South Africa anti-apartheid hero dies

S

outh Africa has started a week of mourning to honour anti-apartheid icon and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who died in a Cape Town nursing home on Sunday at age 90.

Bells rang at midday on Monday from the city’s St George’s Anglican Cathedral, where the Nobel laureate had urged South Africans of all races to work together against apartheid. They will toll for 10 minutes at noon for five days.

“We ask all who hear the bells to pause their busy schedules for a moment in tribute to Archbishop Tutu,” said the current Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba.

Meanwhile, people laid flowers at the Cathedral, in front of Tutu’s home in Cape Town’s Milnerton area, and in front of his former home in Soweto, Johannesburg.

Cape Town’s City Hall, Arch for Arch – a monument commemorating Tutu – and the iconic Table Mountain were also illuminated in purple, a nod to the trademark purple clerical shirt the Anglican priest often wore with a white tab collar.

Several events in South Africa are being planned throughout the week to honour Tutu’s life.

On Wednesday, the Diocese of Pretoria and the South African Council of Churches will hold a memorial service in the capital city, Pretoria.

On the same day, Cape Town is set to host an interfaith ceremony, Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller reported from the city, saying the event “speaks to the way the archbishop was viewed in terms of inclusivity”.

Then on Friday, Tutu’s body will lie in state at St George’s before a requiem mass is held there on Saturday morning.

Tutu’s ashes will be buried in a mausoleum in the cathedral.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said flags would be flown at half-staff nationwide and at South African diplomatic missions abroad until the night before Tutu’s funeral service.

“In the days to come, we will mourn this global icon of peace and freedom,” he said in a national address late on Sunday.

law.

The NDAA is closely watched by a broad swath of industry and other interests because it is one of the only major pieces of legislation that becomes law every year and because it addresses a wide range of issues. The NDAA has become law every year for six decades.

Authorising about five per cent more military spending than last year, the fiscal 2022 NDAA is a compromise after intense negotiations between House and Senate Democrats and Republicans after being stalled by disputes over China and Russia policy.

It includes a 2.7 per cent pay increase for the troops, and more aircraft and Navy ship purchases, in addition to strategies for dealing with geopolitical threats, especially Russia and China.

The NDAA includes US$300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides support to Ukraine's armed forces, US$4 billion for the European Defence Initiative and US$150 million for Baltic security cooperation. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Chinese citizens slam Musk online after space station near-misses

C

hinese citizens lashed out online against billionaire Tesla founder Elon Musk's space ambitions on Monday after China complained that its space station was forced to take evasive action to avoid collision with satellites launched by Musk's Starlink programme.

The satellites from Starlink Internet Services, a division of Musk's SpaceX aerospace company, had two "close encounters" with the Chinese space station on July 1 and October 21, according to a document submitted by China earlier this month to the United Nations' space agency.

"For safety reasons, the China Space Station implemented preventive collision avoidance control," China said in a document published on the website of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.

The complaints have not been independently verified.

SpaceX did not immediately

respond to a request for comment.

In a post on China's Twitter-like Weibo microblogging platform on Monday, one user said Starlink's satellites were "just a pile of space junk", while another described them as "American space warfare weapons".

With nearly 30,000 satellites and other debris believed to be orbiting the planet, scientists have urged Governments to share data to reduce the risk of catastrophic space collisions.

SpaceX alone has deployed nearly 1900 satellites to serve its Starlink broadband network, and is planning more.

US space agency NASA was forced to abruptly call off a spacewalk at the end of November, citing risks posed by space debris. Musk tweeted in response that some Starlink satellite orbits had been adjusted to reduce the possibility of collisions. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Somalia’s President suspends Prime Minister amid election spat

P

resident Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed accused Prime Minister Mohammed Hussein Roble of stealing land owned by the Somali National Army (SNA) and of interfering with a Defence Ministry investigation.

“The President decided to suspend [the] Prime Minister … and stop his powers since he was linked with corruption,” the Office of the President said in a statement, accusing Roble of interfering with an investigation into a land-grabbing case.

It added that the marine forces commander was also under investigation for corruption and had been suspended.

In response, Roble said the

Somalian President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (left) and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble (right) have been trading accusations of delaying parliamentary elections [Reuters]

move was unconstitutional and aimed at derailing an ongoing election. He also ordered the security forces to start taking orders from him,

instead of the President.

The steps taken by Mohamed “were an open coup attempt against the Government and the nation-

al Constitution”, Roble said in a statement posted on the Facebook page of Somalia’s State news agency SONNA. This has escalated a power struggle between the two leaders.

The raging, months-long dispute has seen both leaders trade allegations over the holding up of parliamentary elections, and is widely seen as distracting the Government of the Horn of Africa country from fighting an Islamist insurgency.

It will also raise concerns about the prospect of renewed clashes between factions in the security forces allied to each side, prompting the United States to call for calm. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 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)

Listen carefully and observe how others react. Don't feel pressured to make a move if you are unprepared.

Look to someone you respect for advice; you'll get a different perspective.

A change will spark your imagination and push you in a new and exciting direction. Express your desire to make a difference, and someone influential will support you.

What you know may not help you when dealing with your peers if you let your emotions get in the way.

Stick to the truth to avoid trouble and sticky situations.

Protect your reputation.

If you are fun to be with, everyone will want to be with you. Put on a happy face, share memories with a loved one and make plans.

Taking control of your life will ease stress.

Don't feel that you must follow the crowd or bend to someone's persuasive tactics. Change is good only if it improves your life. When in doubt, step back and gain some perspective.

Get in touch with someone who makes you laugh.

Sharing your feelings and plans will encourage you to initiate a stabilizing lifestyle change. Focus on what you need to do.

Emotions will surface regarding domestic matters.

Don't act in haste or say something you'll regret. Bide your time, use your resources and ensure that the changes you make are warranted.

You'll receive mixed messages from friends, relatives and colleagues. Don't rely on others. Do your due diligence, and leave no room for error. Say what's on your mind and get things done.

SAGITTARIUS Research things that will help you get ahead. Learn (Nov. 23all you can and be ready to Dec. 21) stretch your mind. Don't let anger take the reins when progressive action can turn a negative into a positive.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) FRIDAY'S WORD -- BURGEON

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

Take a unique approach to life. Make changes that will clear the path to a brighter future. Put your heart on the line and be honest about your feelings. Set your plans in motion.

Don't believe everything you hear. Check the facts and walk away from any deal that asks for too much and gives too little. Go over personal paperwork to ensure you have everything up to date.

Keep your wallet in a safe place.

The temptation to buy (Feb. 20March 20) things you don't need will be high. Put more emphasis on making personal gains, stabilizing your future and improving your lifestyle.

PISCES

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021

21

Australia thrash feeble England to retain SCOREBOARD Ashes at Melbourne E

ngland surrendered the Ashes on the morning of the third day of the third Test as Australia crushed them by an innings and 14 runs to take an unassailable 3-0 series lead.

Resuming on 314, England were meekly dismissed for just 68 inside 81 minutes, with debutant Scott Boland taking an astonishing 6-7.

Their final five wickets fell in the space of 29 balls as England offered the weakest of resistance in front of a jubilant home crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

England's 68 all out is their lowest total in Australia since March 1904 and their ninth lowest score against them in Tests.

The result means Australia have retained the Ashes after just 12 days of cricket and will be eyeing a 5-0 series win.

The fourth Test will begin in Sydney on 4 January.

Same old for England Even by the low standards England have shown on this tour, this was an abysmal performance.

After being blown away on the evening of the second day, England were always facing a tough task even to make Australia bat again. But no-one could have seen this capitulation coming.

The match was done

before the lunch break, England's batters undone the night before by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins' pace before succumbing to the 32-year-old Boland's relentless accuracy.

England arrived in Australia short of match practice but that is no excuse. They, simply, have not been good enough with the bat.

Root, as he has done all year, has carried England. During the second innings at Melbourne, he went past 1,700 Test runs for the calendar year. England's next best, Rory Burns, has managed 530 in the same period.

Relying on one man, who is also captain, was never going to be

enough.

England made four changes for Melbourne and still put in their worst batting performance of the series.

Their bowling on the second day was the one bright point, with the indefatigable James Anderson and Mark Wood's pace unsettling Australia.

James Anderson claimed 4 for 33 to keep England fighting

However, the same problems that have plagued England with the bat remain. And there seems to be no solution.

Boland rips through England As bad as England's batting has been, Australia's bowling has been superb, Mitchell Starc ripped out in two two balls

with every change they make working in their favour.

It was Boland, brought into the squad as a replacement for the injured Josh Hazlewood, who took them apart at the MCG, albeit he was helped by England's rhythmless batting.

Root and Ben Stokes hit a smattering of boundaries as

the first 15 minutes passed without incident, before a wicked Starc delivery jagged back to bowl Stokes for 11.

When Jonny Bairstow was trapped lbw by Boland, England were 60-6, still trailing by 22 runs and it was then that an innings defeat became more of a reality.

Root, the exhaustion of a long year clear, played a loose shot to send a catch to David Warner at first slip and depart for 28 - which would prove to be England's highest score of the innings.

The rest felt inevitable.

Mark Wood chipped a fuller ball back to bowler Boland, Ollie Robinson edged the same player to third slip before Cameron Green bowled James Anderson to ensure Australia kept their grip on the Ashes urn.

As Australia set off on a socially-distanced lap of

England 1st INNINGS Haseeb Hameed c †Carey b Cummins 0 Zak Crawley c Green b Cummins 12 Dawid Malan c Warner b Cummins 14 Joe Root (c) c †Carey b Starc 50 Ben Stokes c Lyon b Green 25 Jonny Bairstow c Green b Starc 35 Jos Buttler † c Boland b Lyon 3 Mark Wood lbw b Boland 6 Ollie Robinson c Boland b Lyon 22 Jack Leach c Smith b Lyon 13 James Anderson not out 0 Extras (lb 4, nb 1) 5 TOTAL (65.1 Ov, RR: 2.83) 185 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Haseeb Hameed, 1.5 ov), 2-13 (Zak Crawley, 7.2 ov), 3-61 (Dawid Malan, 26.3 ov), 4-82 (Joe Root, 32.6 ov), 5-115 (Ben Stokes, 46.2 ov), 6-128 (Jos Buttler, 51.2 ov), 7-141 (Mark Wood, 55.5 ov), 8-159 (Jonny Bairstow, 58.4 ov), 9-176 (Jack Leach, 63.3 ov), 10185 (Ollie Robinson, 65.1 ov) BOWLING: Mitchell Starc 153-54-2, Pat Cummins 15-236-3, Scott Boland 13-2-481, Cameron Green 8-4-7-1, Nathan Lyon 14.1-3-36-3.

Australia 1st INNINGS Marcus Harris c Root b Anderson 76 David Warner c Crawley b Anderson 38 Nathan Lyon c †Buttler b Robinson 10 Marnus Labuschagne c Root b Wood 1 Steven Smith b Anderson 16 Travis Head c Root b Robinson 27 Cameron Green lbw b Leach 17 Alex Carey † c †Buttler b Stokes 19 Pat Cummins (c) c Hameed b Anderson 21 Mitchell Starc not out 24 Scott Boland c Crawley b Wood 6

honour, England's players retreated to the sidelines, aware that it will take a

Extras (b 2, lb 4, nb 5, w 1) 12 TOTAL (87.5 Ov, RR: 3.03) 267 Fall of wickets: 1-57 (David Warner, 14.1 ov), 2-76 (Nathan Lyon, 19.4 ov), 3-84 (Marnus Labuschagne, 24.3 ov), 4-110 (Steven Smith, 35.1 ov), 5-171 (Travis Head, 55.4 ov), 6-180 (Marcus Harris, 61.1 ov), 7-207 (Cameron Green, 72.5 ov), 8-219 (Alex Carey, 75.3 ov), 9-253 (Pat Cummins, 84.2 ov), 10267 (Scott Boland, 87.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W James Anderson 23-10-33-4 Ollie Robinson 19.2-4-64-2 Mark Wood 19.5 -2 -71 -2 Ben Stokes 10.4-1-47-1 Jack Leach 15-0-46-1 England 2nd INNINGS Haseeb Hameed c †Carey b Boland 7 Zak Crawley c †Carey b Starc 5 Dawid Malan lbw b Starc 0 Joe Root (c) c Warner b Boland 28 Jack Leach b Boland 0 Ben Stokes b Starc 11 Jonny Bairstow lbw b Boland 5 Jos Buttler † not out 5 Mark Wood c & b Boland 0 Ollie Robinson c Labuschagne b Boland 0 James Anderson b Green 2 Extras (lb 5) 5 TOTAL (27.4 Ov, RR: 2.45) 68 Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Zak Crawley, 4.4 ov), 2-7 (Dawid Malan, 4.5 ov), 3-22 (Haseeb Hameed, 10.3 ov), 4-22 (Jack Leach, 10.5 ov), 5-46 (Ben Stokes, 16.5 ov), 6-60 (Jonny Bairstow, 22.5 ov), 7-61 (Joe Root, 24.4 ov), 8-65 (Mark Wood, 26.1 ov), 9-65 (Ollie Robinson, 26.3 ov), 1068 (James Anderson, 27.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mitchell Starc 10-3-29-3 Pat Cummins 10-4-19-0 Scott Boland 4-1-7-6 Cameron Green 3.4-0-8-1

mammoth effort to avoid an Australia clean sweep. (BBC Sport)

Persistent rain washes out day two at Centurion Premier League: Record 103 new COVID cases announced …Clearer weather is expected on days three and four, but there is more rain forecast for day five

P

ersistent rain washed out day two at Centurion, with the umpires calling off play at 1.55pm local time.

There had been overnight rain in the Centurion area, and intermittent showers through the morning and afternoon ensured there was no possibility of play.

The weather relented twice, causing the umpires to announce inspections at 11.30am - with an early lunch taken - and 12.45pm, but rain returned on both occasions to dampen hopes of a resumption.

Clearer weather is expected on days three and four, but there is more rain forecast for day five, meaning there is likely to be further time lost and a diminished chance of a decisive result.

Conditions so far have not been conducive to flurries of wickets, with the pitch playing flat apart from the occasional instance of inconsistent bounce.

SCOREBOARD

INDIA 1ST INNINGS KL Rahul not out 122 Mayank Agarwal lbw b Ngidi 60 Cheteshwar Pujara c Petersen b Ngidi

0 Virat Kohli (c) c Mulder b Ngidi 35 Ajinkya Rahane not out 40 Extras (b 4, lb 4, nb 7) 15 TOTAL (90 Ov, RR: 3.02) 272/3 Yet to bat: Rishabh Pant †, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul

Given the state of the game, the washout has probably caused more frustration in India's camp than South Africa's. At stumps on day one, the visitors had laid a strong platform, moving to 272 for 3 with the centurion KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease, having already put on 73 for the fourth wicket.

Rahul was also involved in stands of 117 for the first wicket with Mayank Agarwal, who made 60, and 82 for the third wicket with Virat Kohli.

Lungi Ngidi was the only

Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj Fall of wickets: 1-117 (Mayank Agarwal, 40.2 ov), 2-117 (Cheteshwar Pujara, 40.3 ov), 3-199 (Virat Kohli, 68.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Kagiso Rabada 20-5-51-0 Lungi Ngidi 17-4-45-3 Marco Jansen 17-4-61-0 Wiaan Mulder 18-3-49-0 Keshav Maharaj 18-2-58-0

wicket-taker for South Africa, ending day one with figures of 3 for 45.

As such, day two's biggest development came off the field, with CSA confirming that Duanne Olivier had missed out on selection owing to the lingering effects of COVID-19, which he tested positive for a few weeks ago, and a hamstring niggle. The leftarm seamer Marco Jansen, chosen in Olivier's place, endured a tough start to his Test career, ending day one with figures of 0 for 61 in 17 overs. (ESPNcricinfo)

A

record 103 Premier League players and staff tested positive for COVID in the seven days up to and including 26 December, new figures show.

The previous weekly league record was 90 cases, announced a week ago.

A total of 15,186 tests were carried out between 20 and 26 December, as the Premier League has reintroduced daily testing of players and staff.

Fifteen English top-flight games have been called off so far during December because of coronavirus cases.

A Premier League statement said: "The Premier League's COVID-19 emergency measures include protocols such as wearing face coverings while indoors, observing social distancing, limiting treatment time, as well as the increased testing.

"The league is continuing to work with clubs to keep people safe by helping mitigate the risks of COVID-19 within their squads. We are also liaising closely with the government, local authorities and supporter groups, while being responsive to any future changes to national or local guidance."

Premier League and EFL clubs opted not to vote for a shutdown following a number of recent postponements

Premier League and EFL clubs recently chose to fulfil festive fixtures despite ongoing COVID-19 disruption.

The Premier League's 20 clubs met last week to discuss the fixture list following a number of postponements.

No vote took place, with two rounds of fixtures remaining in place across five days from 26 December, while the EFL will play games "where it is safe to do so".

Clubs were advised if they have 13 fit players, plus a goalkeeper, they should fulfil their games.

Manchester United were set to visit Newcastle later on Monday to play their first game in

more than two weeks following a COVID outbreak within the squad.

Watford's game against West Ham on Tuesday will also be their first game since a 2-1 defeat at Brentford on 10 December.

Wolves' scheduled trip to Arsenal on Tuesday has been postponed because of COVID-19 cases in the Midlands club's camp, with Leeds United's top-flight game against Aston Villa on Tuesday has also been postponed because of an outbreak at the Yorkshire club.

Several EFL fixtures on 29 and 30 December have been called off too. (BBC Sport)

22

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

West Indies U19s go down by 18 runs to South Africa U19s …In first Youth ODI in St. Vincent SCOREBOARD

W

est Indies U19s went down by 18 runs in the first of their four Youth OneDay-Internationals against South Africa U19s in St. Vincent.

Winning the toss and choosing to field first, the young Windies were excellent in their bowling effort, restricting the South Africans to 146 all out off 34.2 overs.

Opener Jade Smith top scored for South Africa U19s with 34 from 43 balls while his opening partner Ethan Cunningham got 30 from 44 balls.

They were the only two batsmen to pass 20 as leftarm spinner Anderson Mahase was the pick of the bowlers for the West Indies U19s with figures of 4 for 33 from his 10 overs, while off-spinner Onaje Amory and left-arm spinner Jaden Carmichael took three wick-

A glimpse of the Under 19 match

ets each.

Despite a top score of 39 off 33 balls including four fours and three sixes from vice-captain Giovonte Depeiza, the West Indies U19s had a disappointing batting display in reply, only

managing 128 all out from 34.3 overs.

Captain Ackeem Auguste was the second-highest scorer with 27 from 43 balls, while Teddy Bishop also supported with 24 from 44 balls against 3-36 from

Dewald Brevis from his 7.3 overs and 2-5 from Andile Simelane off three overs.

The Windies U19s will be looking to rebound in the second match of the series on Tuesday (today).

(Sportsmax)

Hundreds benefit as RHTY&SC cricket teams host Imran Amjad and Hetmyers sponsored programmes …as massive Christmas project continues

T

RHTYSC executives hand over a donation to Camal Children Home

he twelve cricket teams of Guyana’s most progressive and vibrant youth and sports organisation, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS, over the weekend hosted two major programmes as they streamed ahead with their 2021 Christmas Outreach project. The teams hosted the first-ever Imran McSood and Rena Amjad Educational Programme and the Shimron/Nirvani Hetmyer Christmas Hampers project which benefitted hundreds of youths and families across the Ancient County.

Overseas-based Guyanese business couple Imran McSood and Rena Amjad donated US $3000 to assist hundreds of students in Berbice with educational materials which includes school bags, exercise books, pens, pencils, and rulers among other items.

RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that

ens of the school packages to their counterparts across Berbice including Albion, Port Mourant, Achievers, No 73 Cricket Club, No 72 Cut and Load, Cotton Tree and Bush Lot Cricket Club.

The teams also handed over packages to youths from the St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church of Port Mourant while donations were also presented to the Canaan and Camal Children Homes based in Port Mourant and Chesney respectively. Imran McSood Amjad is the founder of Naglico Insurance, based in St Marteens and is a very successful businessman. He also served as an

RHTY&SC Organising Secretary Keith Hicks hands over a donation of educational packages to executives of the UCCA

over 300 students are expected to benefit under the programme as the club forges ahead with its effort to promote the importance of education under its Say Yes project. Foster, who is also the President of the Berbice Cricket Board, stated that the club was delighted to assist youths with their pursuit of an educational career as it was the foundation of a successful life.

The teams handed over doz-

Independent Director of Cricket West Indies before stepping down earlier this year. He was introduced to Foster by former BCB Secretary Oscar Ramjeet and had sponsored international Cricket Commentator Joseph Reds Perierra visit to the Ancient County for a series of inspirational speeches.

The teams also distributed hundreds of food ham-

pers and special Christmas packages with the support of West indies player Shimron Hetmyer and his wife Nirvani. The club would be sharing out a total of$3.5 million worth of food items with the couple donating $2.2 million.

Additionally, the twelve teams have also started the distribution of one thousand special Christmas packages to single parents and less fortunate families. The packages included apples, wall nuts, biscuits, Smalta, juices, and sweets. National cricketers Guadakesh Motie, Leon Johson and Christopher Barnwell and Hetmyer are among the sponsors of the Christmas Packages . All members of the St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church of Port Mourant received a package along with every child at the Canaan and Camal Children Homes. Members of the church which played a major role in the development of the RHTY&SC also received a special Christmas gift, food hamper, toys for kids while the teams also sponsored a feeding programme and a well-attended Christmas Concert.

RHTY&SC Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu expressed thanks to the Hetmyers and Amjads for their assistance in making the projects successful. The twelve teams of the club are Poonai Pharmacy U12 and 13, Farfan and Mendes U15, Bakewell U17 and Second Division, Pepsi U19 and Intermediate, Vitality Inc Under 23, Metro Females, Namilco Under 21 and First Division.

SOUTH AFRICA UNDER-19S INNINGS (50 OVERS MAXIMUM) Jade Smith lbw b Mahase 34 Ethan-John Cunningham c Auguste b Mahase 30 Valentine Kitime st †RA Clarke b Mahase 10 Dewald Brevis c Auguste b Mahase 14 George Van Heerden (c)c Mahase b Carmichael 16 Michael Copeland c Mahase b Carmichael

2 Kaden Solomons † b Amory 9 Andile Simelane c Depeiza b Amory 14 Matthew Boast c Auguste b Amory 0 Liam Alder not out 1 Kwena Maphaka b Carmichael 0 Extras (b 2, nb 7, w 7) 16 TOTAL (34.2 Ov, RR: 4.25) 146 Fall of wickets: 1-56 (EthanJohn Cunningham, 12.1 ov), 2-78 (Jade Smith, 14.4 ov), 3-89 (Valentine Kitime, 20.6 ov), 4-98 (Dewald Brevis, 22.3 ov), 5-101 (Michael Copeland, 23.5 ov), 6-127 (Kaden Solomons, 27.6 ov), 7-141 (George Van Heerden, 30.6 ov), 8-144 (Matthew Boast, 31.5 ov), 9-145 (Andile Simelane, 33.2 ov), 10146 (Kwena Maphaka, 34.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Johann Layne 3-0-17-0 McKenny Clarke 4-0-28-0 Anderson Mahase 10-2-33-4 Matthew Nandu 3-0-13-0 Onaje Amory 9-1-34-3 Jaden Carmichael 5.2-0-19-3

WEST INDIES UNDER-19S INNINGS (TARGET: 147 RUNS FROM 50 OVERS) Shaqkere Parris st †Solomons b Alder 5 Matthew Nandu b Maphaka 8 Teddy Bishop b Brevis 24 Ackeem Auguste (c) run out (Smith) 27 Rivaldo Clarke † c Van Heerden b Simelane 13 Giovonte Depeiza run out (Boast) 39 Anderson Mahase lbw b Brevis 2 Jaden Carmichael run out (Van Heerden)

1 McKenny Clarke lbw b Simelane 1 Johann Layne c Simelane b Brevis 0 Onaje Amory not out 0 Extras (b 6, w 2) 8 TOTAL (34.3 Ov, RR: 3.71) 128 Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Shaqkere Parris, 3.1 ov), 2-20 (Matthew Nandu, 7.4 ov), 3-70 (Ackeem Auguste, 21.2 ov), 4-121 (Giovonte Depeiza, 30.3 ov), 5-123 (Rivaldo Clarke, 31.3 ov), 6-124 (Jaden Carmichael, 31.6 ov), 7-125 (Anderson Mahase, 32.5 ov), 8-127 (McKenny Clarke, 33.5 ov), 9-127 (Teddy Bishop, 34.1 ov), 10-128 (Johann Layne, 34.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Matthew Boast 7-1-16-0 Liam Alder 10-2-40-1 Kwena Maphaka 4-0-13-1 Michael Copeland 3-0-12-0 Dewald Brevis 7.3-0-36-3 Andile Simelane 3-0-5-2

NBA: Jokic helps Denver beat LA Clippers as COVID hits teams

Denver's Nikola Jokic had 26 points, 22 rebounds and eight assists against the Los Angeles Clippers

N

ikola Jokic's 26 points helped the Denver Nuggets edge to a 103100 win at the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. Will Barton, Davon Reed, Austin Rivers and Monte Morris also all scored double figures for the visitors.

The Cleveland Cavaliers claimed a comfortable 14499 win against a depleted Toronto Raptors as injuries and COVID-19 protocols continued to affect teams throughout the NBA. On his first start of the season, Cavaliers' Kevin Love scored 22 points.

Cleveland have now won seven of their past eight games, while the Memphis Grizzlies broke a three-game losing streak with a 127-102 win at the Sacramento Kings, as the hosts equalled their largest margin of defeat at home this season.

The Detroit Pistons only had nine players - missing 11 and coach Dwane Casey because of injury and COVID-19 protocols - as they lost 144-109 to the San Antonio Spurs.

In Chicago, Zach LaVine returned from a two-game ab-

sence because of health and safety protocols and scored 32 points in the Bulls' 113105 win against the Indiana Pacers.

Joel Embiid's 36 points helped the Philadelphia 76ers to a 117-96 away win at the Washington Wizards, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 31 points in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 117-112 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Returning from an eightgame injury absence, Jimmy Butler had 17 points and 11 rebounds in the Miami Heat's 93-83 win against the Orlando Magic. (BBC Sport)

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GDF, GPF, Den Amstel, Western Tigers into Super-16 semi-final T

he thought of a Lindenbased Men’s Super-16 final was thrown out on Sunday night, as the lone remaining Linden-based team was ousted from the yearend competition, while the

2021 local transfer window came back to haunt Fruta Conquerors; both in two emphatic games in the mining town of Linden.

Meanwhile, previously on Christmas night the Guyana

Police Force (GPF) and Western Tigers also secured semi-final spots, following a double header in Bartica.

The Boxing Day football roster saw Fruta taking on Den Amstel at the

IBA praises Ninvalle, “Shakes” return - Kremlev optimistic of boxing’s development in Guyana and St Lucia

U

mar Kremlev, President of the International Boxing Association (IBA), formally known as AIBA, congratulated Guyanese Steve Ninvalle and David “Shakes” Christopher, on their return to the helm of amateur boxing in Guyana and St Lucia respectively.

Both the St Lucia and Guyana Boxing Associations held their Annual General Meeting (AGMs) and Elections on Monday, December 20, and Christopher and Ninvalle returned unopposed at the end of the voting process.

Kremlev says he remains optimistic about the future of boxing in Guyana and St Lucia under the guidance of Ninvalle and Christopher, while adding that he’s looking forward to meeting the two Guyanese presidents at the next IBA event.

The IBA’s next event is their AGM and Elections in June of 2022, while the Women’s World championship will take place in Turkey.

Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Ninvalle pointed out that “it’s not a coincidence that we had our elections on the same day. Guyana and St Lucia work very closely and we expect, and we have schedule, and we will work towards making boxing better not just in our own two countries, but throughout the Region.”

According to Ninvalle, the GBA and St Lucia Boxing Association had their elections results certified by the IBA, as he explained that “the IBA has a mandate that you must send the minutes of your meeting and send the return from the returning office. So, it’s not that you have an election and

SBA President David “Shakes” Christopher

that’s it; the IBA has to certify your elections. We will ensure that we both work within guidelines and the mandates set out by the IBA.” Looking ahead, with the GBA set to announce a new National Coach, Ninvalle said the plan is to host a series of events around the country, in the process to decentralise the sport.

Ninvalle highlighted that with the GBA planning to send a team to the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Championships in Ecuador in March, their hope is to host an international competition in February.

The returning GBA President was keen to point out his desire of “working closely with other Caribbean nations to help fast-track boxing. There are several Caribbean countries who would want to come here and have their fighters prepare, but we’re also working with them to have a system on how we do our preparations.”

“I’m glad to say the President of the Trinidad Boxing Association (TTBA) is also very much apprised of our developmental plan. Trinidad has some of the best boxers in the English-speaking Caribbean. That could’ve been

seen when they won a bronze medal at the last World Championships,” Ninvalle said.

He added: “Guyana, Trinidad and St Lucia, along with several other Caribbean countries, will be putting our heads together, in order to ensure that we have a developmental plan, that is across the board and to ensure that we do not work in a haphazard or an ad hoc way. It’s a collective approach that we’re having towards developing boxing.”

First Vice President Malissa Parris, daughter of Guyana’s only Olympic medallist Michael Parris, and Seon Bristol (Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer), are the new members of the GBA’s executive Committee, while everyone else would’ve previously served alongside Ninvalle.

Major Gordon Nedd is the Second Vice President, while Carl Graham is the Third Vice President. Stacy Correia is the Association’s Secretary and Dexter Paterson is the Treasurer.

Ninvalle, who also serves as a Vice President of the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC), highlighted that seeing the realisation of the proposed ‘Home for Boxing’ is top priority on the GBA’s agenda.

According to the returning GBA President, while a location is still being deliberated, a timeline of three years is given for the completion of the first-of-a-kind facility in the English-speaking Caribbean.

The approximately $120 million facility, when completed, will have a 20-room dormitory, kitchen area, and a state-of-the-art gym.

Persaud-led LGC registers impactful 2021 despite setbacks

T

he Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), despite the many setbacks it has faced, continued to persevere.

The club, led by the energetic Patanjilee Persaud and committee, has proven the critics wrong and has pulled off some of the most successful tournaments for 2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The club has taken major strides in 2021 as it sought out corporate sponsors to not only make the club better known, but to promote the game of golf as well.

Persaud and committee have done such an excellent job that at the club’s last election in the early part of December, the entire board was reinstated. The action for the club got off to a bang when it hosted its first tournament on February 7, 2021 in the form of the Panko Steel Golf tourney. From there the journey only grew as the club hosted other major tournaments such as the GTT Guyana Open,

LGC President Patanjilee Persaud

MACORP golf tournament, Oasis Cafe-Akamai Trading Tournament just to name a few. With all these major tournaments being held during the year, they were a definite testament to the hard work of the Patanjilee Persaud-led committee as they popularised the game of golf within all reaches in Guyana.

But at one point the club faced a major setback in the form of torrential rain that caused a halt in the sport.

However, they bounced back as they got the grounds up

and running and in better shape than it was before.

The goal of gaining corporate sponsors was never halted as they immediately had sponsors lined up and eager to have their tournament hosted at the most illustrious golf course in Guyana. With all the success that they have reaped for 2021, come 2022 they will be seeking to fulfil other plans such as the installation of a driving range and upgrading of the grounds. Added to that, they have made things work during the COVID-19 pandemic as the members could still enjoy the same atmosphere of golf while following all protocols.

All in all, it is the club’s intention to make golf grow more as a family event as well, whereby people can bring out the entire family to enjoy the sport at the Lusignan Golf Club which is on par to becoming the premier destination for golf in Guyana and the Caribbean.

Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, where the latter won 3-1. Numerous transfers out of the club in 2021 and 2022 finally came back to hurt the Tucville-based Fruta Conquerors, as they could only muster a single goal reply.

Den Amstel played smartly and saw the results of their labour early, with a Gideon Payne goal in the 15th minute. Keanu Laurence followed suit about 10 minutes later but made it a double strike with goals in the 26th and 28th.

The Elite League Champions, Fruta, finally found their footing in the second half, but a lone goal from Rishaun Ritch in the 50th minute was not enough to advance to the semi-final.

Later on, defending champions the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) matched strides with Milerock FC and that resulted in heartbreak for the Linden fans as they witnessed their team succumb on home turf. Milerock had the upper hand with a 25th minute goal from Denzil Fordyce and enjoyed it for quite a while.

With the score at 1-0 in Milerock’s favour in the second half, Sherwin Caesar and Benjamin Opara were subbed into the game in the 50th and proved to be the gamechangers for the soldiers. Caesar found the back of the net twice in the 68th and 83rd, while Opara netted in the

The goal scorers for Wester Tigers FC

The Guyana Police Force’s goal scorers

The Guyana Defence Force FC

78th for GDF’s 3-1 win.

Previously, on Christmas Day, the football action was hosted in Bartica, where the GPF and Western Tigers sealed semi-final berths.

Ann’s Grove Qunicy Barry got Police’s scoring going with an own goal in the 6th, while Police’s Colwyn Dextroy Adams and Jermin Junor added two more to the victorious 3-0 tally.

Western Tigers were the

ones to defeat the home team, Bartica, in the other match.

Kevon Woodley netted a brace while, Trayon Bobb and Quincy Adams contributed one apiece for their 4-0 win.

The Men’s Super-16 semi-finals are expected to be played on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, with the final billed for Saturday, January 1, 2022, both at to-be-determined venues.

(Jemima Holmes)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021

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

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Den Amstel FC

Page 23 Steve Ninvalle GBA President

- Kremlev optimistic of boxing’s development in Guyana and St Lucia

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