Guyana Times -- Tuesday, March 8, 2022

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

Issue No. 4942

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022

President leads way in saluting women on Int’l Women’s Day …PM reminds more needs to be done to achieve gender equality See story on page 3

Guyana makes open call to Caribbean countries for agro-investors Page 7

…25,000 acres of land to be leased; locals, regional investors welcome

3 killed in horrific Essequibo WCD accident Coast See story on page 2

International Women’s Day

man drowns after boat capsizes

Shemlyn Abrams: a seamstress, a teacher, a breadwinner, a strong resilient woman Page 9

See story on page 10

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana’s active COVID-19 cases drop to 277 P16 …7 new cases reported

Progress P17 being made on removing regional trade barriers – Ali …says "coalition of the willing" leading transition from talks to action

Guyana seeking to eliminate "Big 5" neglected infectious P16 diseases by 2027

Over 150 benefit from CIOG P18 EBD medical outreach

Police Force P2 seeking to retrieve monies from overpayment to 95 cops – PAC hears …Committee scrutinises prolonged execution of contracts

US officials fly to Venezuela for talk in apparent bid to further P17 isolate Russia

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police Force seeking to retrieve monies from overpayment to 95 cops – PAC hears …Committee scrutinises prolonged execution of contracts

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he Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday heard that the Guyana Police Force is working to recover monies that were paid to officers for the years 2017 and 2018, in cases of overpayment.

From seven officers being overpaid in 2017, this number hiked to 88 in 2018. In representing the Guyana Police Force, Senior superintendent Calvin Brutus told the Committee that this was due to slothful communication.

Brutus said the Force is making efforts to recover those monies and reduce the occurrence on such an alarming scale.

While ten members have agreed to have monies deduced from their monthly salaries, the Force has written former members that were overpaid and requested that these monies be repaid.

“These overpayments occurred because of the pace at which the information was received at the head office to effect those adjustments…

What we’ve done so far is some members that joined the Force, they have given consent to have monies deducted from their current

Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus

salaries on a monthly basis.”

Brutus added, “We have written letters to former members who were overpaid informing them of the amount they were overpaid and requesting that they make good on repaying those monies within a specified time. Some letters were served; some we could not locate them.”

The Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry has been engaged for further action in relation to those officers who

could not be reached via letter. The Committee was also informed that mechanisms were activated to prevent a recurrence.

“We have also reiterated to the Commanders and Heads of Departments that they enforce the policy of having those reports coming within 72-hour period… and also informing us in an informal way via by way of a cell phone call so that preliminary action can be taken to safeguard against overpayment of salaries.”

In 2021, the Committee had examined the Auditor General’s 2016 findings on the Ministry of Public Security, which noted that the GPF was still to recover some $2.264 million in salaries that were overpaid to employees in the Force between 2010 and 2012.

Contract

The PAC also raised questions and clarifications over the delay in supply of items by a contractor back in 2017 under the then Public Security Ministry, despite being paid in full.

The contractor, who was paid 100 per cent of a $16.9 million contract for supplies to the Guyana Forensic

The PAC meeting on Monday

Laboratory in 2017, was scrutinised after failure to fulfil this obligation in a timely manner.

Caribbean Medical Supplies was awarded a contract by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) valued $16.9 million and paid 100 per cent for drugs and medical supplies for the Guyana Forensic Laboratory. However, $10.8 million in supplies remained outstanding until 2018.

This matter was flagged by the Auditor General in his annual report, and raised by Member of the Public Accounts Committee, Bishop Juan Edghill during Monday’s meeting.

Information provided by the PAC found that there were issues with storage at the forensic lab so a decision was made to provide these items on request but the supplier failed to provide it in a timely manner.

“How could you pay 100 per cent because of a space problem? The supplies were not there. How could you pay?” Edghill questioned.

Audrey Badley of the Audit Office informed that by 2019, only $14.7 million was provided, with the Ministry refunded by the company for the remainder.

A bond was issued for materials that were not supplied.

“The full amount was paid to the supplier. In September

of 2018, only $6 million of supplies were received. So, the supplier failed to supply all the items at that time,” Badley outlined.

A request was made for the contract to be provided to the PAC for further scrutiny. Presently, the Committee was told that the Ministry has put systems in place to build capacity in contract management and timely deliveries.

Opposition Member on the Committee, Juretha Fernandes commented that timely fulfilment of contracts is an issue which has been plaguing the public sector for many years and it must be addressed.

TURN TO PAGE 7

3 killed in horrific WCD accident

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hree persons have died in a horrific accident on Monday night at De Willem, West Coast Demerara (WCD) which was allegedly caused by two cars that were racing.

Up to press time, the identities of the victims were not yet known, but Guyana Times understands that none of them were occupants of the vehicles involved in the accident.

Preliminary reports indicate that two vehicles were racing along the roadway when they collided with each other. One of the vehicles continued on its way while the other spun out of control and slammed into a shop.

In the process, the car

struck down the three persons who were on the road, killing them. This newspa-

per was told that one of the dead persons worked at the shop.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Tuesday, Mar 8 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Wednesday, Mar 9 – 09:00h – 10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, Mar 8 – 07:05h – 08:35h and Wednesday, Mar 9 – 07:45h – 09:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be light rain during the day. Expect light rain and thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to East NorthEasterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 07:52h and 20:17h reaching maximum heights of 2.51 metres and 2.37 metres.

Low Tide: 13:51h reaching a minimum height of 0.73 metre.

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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Rough Rice

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$2005.40 -0.36%

President leads way in saluting women on Int’l Women’s Day …PM reminds more needs to be done to achieve gender equality

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oday marks International Women’s Day and President Dr Irfaan Ali is leading the way on behalf of the Government, in saluting the immensely important role that Guyanese women play in the development and integration of the society.

The Head of State made this affirmation during a press conference held on Sunday at State House, two days before the world celebrates International Women’s Day. President Ali took the time to pay homage to women in general.

According to him, there is a reason women have a specific day dedicated to celebrating their achievements.

“Let me be very clear… there is a reason why a specific day is earmarked for the celebration of International Women’s Day and that is because of the value that women bring to our society and our country.”

“This is because of the integral role women play in building societies and building country. I just want to salute all women in Guyana, the region and around the world, for the strength of character, for the dignity, the honour, the pride, the simplicity, in which they go about every day changing lives, changing countries and changing communities.”

He encouraged those gathered irrespective of gender to recognise not just the contributions but the roles women continue to play. As he put it, the contributions made by women are just part of the integral role they play.

“All of us… we owe it to women everywhere to celebrate, not their contribution; contribution is a minimal approach at looking at this, but celebrating their integral role in the development and integration of societies.”

Guyana joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Women’s Day and joins in celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

This year’s theme is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”.

More to be done

Also celebrating the day was Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips. But while he lauded the contributions made by women, Phillips also noted that much more remains to be done to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

“Once again, we take a moment to observe International Women’s Day. This year, this occasion is being held under the theme “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow” and highlights the contributions of women in the area of climate change, the environment and sustainability.”

“This particular observance serves as just another stark reminder of the long way we must go to achieve gender equality. An assessment of the current injustices faced by women does not paint a pleasant picture: an unbelievable increase in violence against women and girls across the world

brought on by the pressures of the pandemic; rising poverty among women and gross under-representation in decision-making positions are only a few of the challenges that women continue to face globally.”

According to the Prime Minister, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government recognises the importance of women’s empowerment and the provision of equal opportunities for women and girls in Guyana.

In fact, he reminded that the empowerment of women, children and vulnerable groups was enshrined in the PPP/C manifesto, including proposals for incentives and programmes to access microfinance in the commercial banking system, the establishment of women’s micro and small businesses through training, mentoring and grants and increased mainstream participation in governance.

He also noted that since its launch in July 2021, the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) Programme has seen over 1500 women gain access to skills training in various areas; additionally, he said that more than 4000 women will have the chance to start up or enhance their small businesses through the recently launched

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips

“Empowerment Fund”.

“This past weekend, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security hosted its second “We Lift” exhibition, which I had the honour to attend.

That event was a pioneering one. It created a platform for women to display their talents and innovative products, services and ideas,” he said, lauding the dynamism on display during the event.

Phillips also noted that the Government, Private Sector, communities, large groups and individuals – including men – all have a role to play in the drive for gender equality and the empowerment of women.

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Gender equality today

A

s Guyana joins the rest of the world today in celebrating International Women’s Day, discussions are led around gender equality, breaking bias, and empowerment of women.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.”

United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has hailed the ideas, innovations, and activism that are changing the world for the better, and welcomed more women leaders across all walks of life while highlighting the contribution that women have made to ending the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his message, the UN chief said that women and girls have frequently borne the brunt of the consequences of the virus spreading worldwide, which have included girls and women being shut out of schools and workplaces, rising poverty and rising violence, and women doing the vast majority of the world’s unpaid but essential care work.

It is no secret that women worldwide, including those in Guyana, continue to face unacceptable levels of violence in various forms. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that one in three women worldwide has experienced physical and/or sexual violence, mostly from an intimate partner.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further contributed to increasing risks of violence, particularly domestic violence, against women.

As a matter of fact, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards in July 2021 emphasised that Guyana, like many other countries, has seen a rise in domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, while adding that domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, and psychosocial abuse have been part of the ills in society and must not go untackled.

UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed some time ago had detailed the many problems women are faced with during lockdown and made recommendations in relation to various forms of support Governments and other partners could provide to ensure women are able to confront these challenges.

According to Mohammed, women bear the brunt of increased care work during this pandemic. School closures further worsened this burden and placed more stress on women. The disruption of livelihoods and their ability to earn a living – especially for those women who are informal wage workers – decreased access to basic needs and services. This situation increased stress on families with the potential to intensify conflict and violence.

Violence against women and children has tremendous costs to communities and can remain with women and children for a lifetime. If not dealt with effectively, it can also pass from one generation to another.

Over the years, the UN has been pushing countries towards implementing proactive measures to combat domestic violence. These measures have included criminalising genderbased violence; holding massive public awareness campaigns; providing training to equip both men and women to act as first responders and supporting victims of the scourge at the community level.

As a matter of fact, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry in Guyana some time ago launched a campaign, #enoughwiththeviolence.

However, not many women admit to being victims of violence.

Everyone must work in every home, school, office, community in every part of our country to expose violence against women where it exists, support the women, work with the perpetrators, create safe spaces, educate persons, and share solutions.

To remedy the situation facing women around the world, the UN chief in his 2022 IWD message called for guaranteed quality education for every girl, massive investments in women’s training and decent work, effective action to end genderbased violence, and universal health care. Other measures recommended by the UN chief include gender quotas, that could result in the world benefiting from more women leaders.

We endorse this message.

Happy International Women’s Day! #breakthebias

Education Minister Priya Manickchand hands over a stack of text books to a girl in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) over the weekend (Education Ministry photo)

AFHP is an eyesore to many doubters Dear Editor, It is not surprising at all to read that the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has come out and denounced the continued misinformation peddled against the Amaila Falls Hydro Project (AFHP). This kind of anti-Amaila talk has always been around, seemingly from inception, when the current Administration birthed the project some time ago. Now, the MoF has to step forward again, in firmly debunking misinformation that is yet again being peddled in the public domain against this all-important Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

In its statement, the MoF drew attention to “information,” more like a canard, “… and published under the banner of a daily publication, indicating that the Amaila Falls power plant would not supply electricity to Essequibo and Berbice.” I mean, from whence cometh this kind of talk, and from whom? I add “why?”

Personally, I care little for the logistics of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project (AFHP), since for me, what is vital is that Guyana simple move ahead and realise this long overdue ambition. It is most necessary from a financial aspect, and of course, in terms of being climate and environmentally wise, it is the way to go.

Let us back up to December 2016, as many of us seem to forget too conveniently. Back then, the independent assessment of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) did reveal that the only realistic path for Guyana moving towards an emission-free electricity sector is by developing its hydropower potential and the fastest way forward is to maintain the AFHP. The report, compiled by

Norconsult, an engineering and design consultancy firm out of Norway, and which was contracted by the Government of Norway, detailed an “objective and facts-based” assessment of the Project on the agreement of the two Governments, and made some telling statements.

Essentially, the go-ahead was unambiguous, and that was way back in 2016. Part of the statement says that “It is our opinion that BOOT (Build, Own, Operate, Transfer) type public-private partnership model should be maintained for the project implementation.

An internationally well-merited investor and operator in the hydropower industry should be invited to take the majority position and the driving seat (main sponsor) in the project company.” So, irrespective of the means of accomplishing the AFHP, the bottom line is that Guyana must not stall.

When it is all said and done, and when the AFHP is up and running, Guyana will be supplied with electricity “at a cost not exceeding US$0.07737 per kWh, as against what currently obtains, which is also largely fossil fuel-based, at $0.32 per kWh. This must not go on.

We also know that power is not stable in many areas, and the current high cost of electricity continues to affect operating performance for businesses and is a major challenge to the productive sector, as profitability is severely compromised.

My hope is that the opposing voices will be unbiased and quit playing politics and spreading fake news. The well-being of all Guyanese is far too important and our leaders must be candid when it comes to overall betterment of the country.

So “This statement, once

again and much like many other statements coming out of this media house recently, is simply not true. Amaila will supply electricity through Sophia to the national grid for distribution,” the Ministry had to clarify.

It further detailed that that this will include Berbice, which is already connected through the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS).

Additionally, even in advance of Amaila, the Government is already working to deliver approximately 10 megawatts of peak solar power directly to Regions Five (MahaicaBerbice) and Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

“Similarly, the Government is also already working on a project to deliver eight megawatts of solar power to Essequibo. Furthermore, the master plan for the electricity

sector includes linking isolated Essequibo systems with the DBIS by 2026.”

So, I repeat: “From whence cometh this kind of talk, and from whom? And I add why?”

Now there must be more to it, as information is readily available regarding the Government, so that which cannot vie verified and sourced, must be “…dubbed an inaccuracy and be denounced fully…”

I am glad to learn that “Construction on the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) will start this year, as Government continues to ramp up spending on renewable energy projects as well as upgrades to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) infrastructure. The expected completion date is 2027”.

Yours truly, H Singh

GPF needs behavioural science unit Dear Editor, Please permit me to make another call for the establishment of a Behavioural Science Unit in the Guyana Police Force. Recent utterances by Senior Superintendent of Police, Calvin Brutus during the launch of a Train - Trainers' - Course conducted by the Police in collaboration with the University of Guyana has caused me to again renew my call for the establishment of the Unit. According to INews Guyana, Senior Superintendent of Police, Calvin Brutus posited, “The use of force seems to be one area we’re lagging behind, and in that regard, many locations and even some individual members are now currently blacklisted by the US

State Department. Training is one area that will assist us to get beyond the blacklisting so that we can benefit from closer collaboration with the US Embassy.” This statement is quite revealing.

Recently a policeman attached to the SWAT squad was placed before the court for the unlawful shooting to death a civilian at Dartmouth and a Police Corporal appeared before a Magistrate at the Vigilance Magistrate's Court charged with causing death of two youths by dangerous driving.

Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, Messenger and other social media platforms are awash with inappropriate behaviour by policemen at all rank levels.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022

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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

Guyanese will now be assured of a clean and reliable electricity supply Dear Editor, I’ve noted that there appears to be some confusion in the minds of many with regards to the financing of the Amaila Falls Hydro project.

For the purposes of the readers, many of whom I presume are ordinary Guyanese, I offer my understanding of the financing of this project based on what has been put forward by the Government.

Between July 25 to August 15, 2021, there was a public invitation by the Government for proposals to be submitted for the construction of AFHP using two models: Build-Own-OperateTransfer (BOOT) and DesignBuild-Finance (DBF).

This means any company could have submitted proposals.

But this was not the case.

Instead, a total of four companies submitted proposals and the China Railway Group Limited was identified as the most “capable partner” by an evaluation committee and is expected to construct the AFH power station based on the BOOT model.

Under this model, the company will supply electricity to Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc at a cost not

exceeding US$0.07737 per kWh. What does BOOT entail in this instance? What it means is that the cost of the construction of the AFH power station will be borne by the China Railway Group Limited, who would then operate the project for a 20year BOOT period to recoup their investment. But during this period, it will supply

electricity to GPL at around 7 US cents per kilowatt (GPL currently produces electricity at around 30 US cents per kilowatt). At the end of the BOOT period, the project will be handed over to the Government at no cost.

This means that it is the contractor who will foot the bill for the construction of AFHP and not the Guyanese taxpayers. It also means that

electricity cost will be significantly reduced as GPL will be buying it at less than it currently costs to produce and will therefore be selling it back to consumers for less than it currently does. In addition, Guyanese will now be assured of a clean and reliable electricity supply.

Yours truly, Erin Northe

So-called civic groups’ posture on Govt (Pt 1) GPF needs behavioural...

FROM PAGE 4

Dear Editor, I read with interest the long list of civic groups’ criticisms of the Government. I have been following the debates or I should say the concerns raised by the referenced NGOs, commentators alike, and the responses emanating from other sections of civil society; and from Government officials questioning the legitimacy and agenda of these organisations.

However, while the legitimacy; functions and mandates of most if not all of the referenced NGOs, are not to be discounted, I will not get involved in that aspect of the debate on this subject.

Rather, I am treating each of those organisations as a group of individuals with a common modus operandi, who sought to utilise their respective organisations to advocate their collective, individualistic, and singularism agenda, arguably under the pretext of legitimate concerns on the Government’s style of conducting the nation’s business.

Editor, I shall now attempt to highlight the inherent flaws grounded in the groups’ subjective assertions largely on account of their seemingly incapability to critically, empirically, objectively and rigorously substantiate their unfounded assertions.

According to the article, the bodies reportedly said that “there is no longer any official institution or agency which anyone – including those sympathetic to the Administration – can turn for an objective assessment of major issues affecting the future of Guyana”.

To support this view, the NGOs claimed that the Parliamentary Sectoral Committees don’t meet; regional governments and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) have never been allowed to function independently. This statement suggests that the respective NGOs do not fully understand the functions of these committees, and where they need to turn to for an objective assessment of issues.

There are four sectoral committees of the National Assembly, namely: The Natural Resources Committee, the Economic Services Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee; and the Social

Services Committee. These committees have the “responsibility for the scrutiny of all areas of Government policy and administration.

In the exercise of their responsibility, they have the power to examine all policies and administration for each sector to determine whether the execution of Government policy is in consonance with the principle of good governance and in the best interest of the nation.” Further to note, “these committees are regarded as an extension of the National Assembly, limited by the extent of the authority given to them, but governed in the proceedings by the same rules as those which prevail in the National Assembly” (cited from Parliament of Guyana website).

My layman interpretation of this is that if one wishes to have an objective assessment of issues and Government policies, then one has to do so themselves. In this case, it is the NGOs that ought to have the technical capability to conduct their own, independent and objective assessment of issues and public policy. Where those NGOs lack such expertise, they can outsource this from independent professionals on the various subject matters. In the developed world, countries such as the United States have perhaps hundreds of think tanks, academic institutions and universities that provide objective assessments and analyses on public policies for the publics consumption.

In Guyana, there is no dedicated institution or a credible think tank per se, of any sort – even the University of Guyana does not conduct any kind of assessments on a regular basis of public policy and national cross cutting issues. We do have, however, many letter writers, columnists, analysts, armchair and fly by night experts and organisations that oftentimes pass off many mediocre opinionated pieces as analyses.

Notwithstanding, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conducts an annual assessment and analyses through a consultative process on the economic policies of member states. This report known as the IMF Article IV report can be accessed on the institution’s website. This is an exam-

ple of a credible source from an international institution that carries out assessments on public policy, that these NGOs can turn to for guidance. In fact, in the same article the NGOs reportedly criticised the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act. However, the concerned NGOs are probably unaware of the IMF’s recommendations on Guyana’s NRF framework which the amended Act is woefully in compliance in terms of the Fund’s governance structure. The referenced group also went on to register their concern of the “stripping of the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee from the NRF Act. I should point out though that this is not true; as this committee is part of the amended Act albeit in a recalibrated structure and which remained in compliance with international best practice (Santiago Principles).

Another critical contention put forward by the socalled civil society grouping, was one that focused heavily on the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI) wherein the authors sought to attack the appointment of the newly appointed Head of the GYEITI. The group hastened to attack the gentleman by attempting to discredit his credentials and vexatiously implied that the gentleman does not have the requisite qualifications – but failing to acknowledge altogether that this gentleman is a prominent and prolific Guyanese academician who held positions such as the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, and has worked in universities abroad in similar capacities; the gentleman also holds a

PhD, two Master’s degrees and a Bachelor’s degree, and he has authored several publications – thus making him an extremely well qualified candidate without question, for the job at hand.

Ironically and perhaps hypocritically, these very civil groups responded recently to their critics from persons in civil society and Government officials by complaining that the Government and others attacked the messenger rather than the message. Yet, this very group in their original statement did not think twice to ridicule an astute and well-respected Guyanese academician, without providing any credible, cogent and compelling justifications for their opinionated arguments.

The manner in which the referenced civil groups wrote about this individual’s appointment to the GYEITI gives one the impression that it is a grave crime being committed by the Government and that transparency and accountability as far as the work of the GYEITI is concerned, will die a natural death. Again, this picture that this particular grouping is trying to paint is far from the reality and is fraught with a noxious propagandistic narrative.

To that end, the above is suggestive of this particular grouping’s ignorance of the overarching framework, mandate, functions and structure of the GYEITI because if they did, they would understand that regardless of who is appointed as the National Coordinator of the organisation, they cannot deviate from the guiding principles of the organisation.

Sincerely, JC Bhagwandin

Some of the unsavoury videos were even posted by the policemen themselves dressed in uniform. The recent USAID report on the GPF is very instructive. The Police administration appears to be incompetent to quell this sad state of affairs.

It boils down to one word - behaviour.

According to Harold Russell and Allan Beigel, “behaviour is a major phenomenon that the Police must deal with, not only the behaviour of criminals, but also the behaviour of the general public, the behaviour of his family and his own behaviour.

He must learn more of the behaviour and the behavioural science if he is to effectively and safely carry out his job.”

What is needed is a system to identify these problem officers early and take corrective action. Walker et al (2000) suggests, "Early Warnings (EW) systems are data-driven management tools for identifying Police officers with performance problems and for providing some intervention to correct those problems. EW systems have emerged as popular tools for enhancing police accountability. "According

to Arnold (2001)," These systems have, to a limited degree, provided a 'heads up' regarding behavioural problems with Police officers and afford the agency an opportunity to implement remedial action.

“Rhyons and Brewster (2000) cautioned: "An early warning system is not a substitute for good supervision. Instead, it is a tool designed to help good supervisors become better." Here is where a Behavioural Science Unit will fit nicely into play.

Members of the GPF can benefit tremendously from the establishment of a Behaviour Science Unit in the GPF. Such a Unit if properly constituted and well-staffed, not just employing an inexperienced person as a psychologist as was done recently, will go a long way towards influencing acceptable behaviour of policemen at all levels, thereby promoting public confidence in the Force that is sadly lacking.

May God bless the Guyana Police Force.

Yours respectfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

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TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022

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Foundation ◄

Test Questions i) The length of a ribbon is 5/6 metre. How many 1/6 metre pieces can be cut from the ribbon? ii) What would be the perimeter of a square made with four of the 1/6 metre pieces in centimetres and inches? iii) Calculate the area and perimeter of the shapes below. Round to 1 decimal place.

By Valerie Rodway

D

o you think it is possible to put an egg inside a bottle with an opening that is smaller than the egg? In this fun and easy science experiment, we’re going to show you how to put an egg inside a bottle. Being able to do this seemingly impossible task may appear magical but we will show you it’s just science.

Important – This experiment requires adult assistance and supervision due to the use of matches.

Materials:

A bottle with a wide mouth – check to make sure that the egg is slightly larger than the opening of the bottle Hardboiled egg 3 matches Small piece of paper – about one inch by one inch

Instructions:

Place the egg on top of the bottle to demonstrate that the egg will not fit inside.

Now remove the egg.

Drop the piece of paper inside the bottle.

Have an adult assistant strike the three matches together until they burst into flame.

Have the adult quickly drop the matches inside the bottle.

Immediately set the egg onto the top of the bottle making sure it is sitting snuggly.

As the matches go out, observe what happens to the egg.

How it works:

iv) Five packets of macaroni cost $1100. How much will 20 packets cost? v) If a 5% discount is offered on every packet in excess of 10 purchased on Tuesday, what would 20 packets cost on Tuesdays. vi) If each package costs $90 to produce, what is the percentage profit?

The matches heat up the air inside the bottle.

This causes the air to expand and some of it even escapes. Once the matches go out, the air inside the bottle cools and contracts. This lowers the air pressure inside the bottle. The higher air pressure outside of the bottle seems to magically push the egg inside.

Make this a science project:

Are there other ways to reduce the air pressure inside the bottle and cause the egg to go inside? (sciencefun.org)

With humble hearts and heads bowed down In thanks for each new day of toil We kneel before Thine altar, Lord The children of Guyana’s soil.

Great is the task that Thou hast given: Thy will to show, Thy truth to find: To teach ourselves that we are one In thy great Universal mind.

But not in vain we’ll strive to build A new Guyana great and free; A land of glory and of hope, A land of love and unity.

O children of Guyana, rise, Rise up and sing with happy tears: And bless the land that gave you birth, And vow to serve her through the years.

“Focus on doing the right things instead of a bunch of things” – Mike Krieger

WORD SEARCH

Earth, Moon and Sun

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana makes open call to Caribbean countries for agro-investors …25,000 acres of land to be leased; locals, regional investors welcome

President Dr Irfaan Ali along with Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha (left) and Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd at the press conference on Sunday

W

ith some 25,000 acres of arable land available to be leased for agricultural production, the present People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government is making an open call to not only locals but also investors from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to come and invest.

The availability of this land was made clear by President Dr Irfaan Ali, during a press conference on Sunday in which he answered questions from the media on Guyana’s recent participation at the 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom in Belize.

“As you’re aware, we’ve already started this process with a consortium of farmers in Guyana. We’ve started the process on corn production, with the poultry producers. So, we have land that has been identified in that area,” President Ali said.

This is a reference to the 115-acre soya bean and a five-acre corn pilot project in Ebini, Upper Berbice River –

a joint venture between various local and foreign investors, where harvesting only began last year. The venture is aimed at providing all raw materials for the production of livestock and poultry feed for the local sector.

The initiative is being developed by a consortium of investors that includes the owners of Guyana Stock Feed Ltd, Royal Chicken, Edun Farms, SBM Wood, Dubulay Ranch, and Bounty Farm Ltd, along with the Brazilian-owned NF Agriculture. According to Ali, his open call has its roots in an open call made during the tenure of former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

“Now, the 25,000 acres is not the end all. Because I give you the figures earlier, on how much corn will have to be produced for the region. Now Belize is producing some of that already.

Suriname will also be producing some of that. So we’ve made it very clear and this is not only now. We can go back to the Jagdeo initiative on agriculture.”

“An open call was made to Caricom, that Guyana is willing to put the land asset

up and the region can bring in the investment, so that we can catalyse that land in increasing food production.

So this has always been the case of Guyana. And those lands are lease lands. But we are advancing. We’re not waiting.”

According to President Ali, this is also where the regional agriculture investment conference, scheduled to be hosted by Guyana from May 19 to 21, comes in. The investment conference is expected to bring persons from all over the region and facilitate intense discussions between the public and private sectors on investment opportunities.

“That is why the investment forum is coming. So we can highlight our competitive advantage, which is fresh water, arable lands and of course, we have lands in the immediate savannahs and hinterland communities, that we are now looking at.”

“For expanded agriculture and the prospect of meat production. The farmers can be Guyanese, anywhere in the region. And the farmers will come with

File photo: President Dr Irfaan Ali during a tour of the massive soya bean project in Ebini, Region 10, in October 2021

the investment. But it will be a collaborative effort and we’ve already started, in terms of corn.” President Ali said.

Already, the Government has announced plans for Guyana to be a net exporter of soya bean in the next five years. It has been laying the groundworks for revitalising

agriculture since its return to office.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government, in its 2020 Emergency Budget, removed Value-Added Tax (VAT) on agricultural machinery, fertilisers, agrochemicals, and pesticides, making it more feasible for such investments.

Additionally, the Government has reversed land lease fees across all sectors and water charges back to 2014 rates. Last year, President Ali had said that in the next four years, Guyana, via more diversified crops, would be aiming to reduce the Caricom food import bill by 25 per cent.

Police Force seeking to...

“If you go back as far as the Audit Office has been providing and producing audit reports, you will see similar matters – almost identical to each other when it comes to payments being made in full and items not being delivered. We have instances that we have seen and made note of as far back as you can track and trace that some of the items have been written off because

there was no way they could have been recovered.”

She added, “There’s definitely need for us to look at this matter. I have been saying that we need to look at these matters in a holistic way because there’s definitely issues that needs to be fixed in the way the system is operating…Across agencies, we have been dealing with these matters from as far as the au-

FROM PAGE 2

dit office has been doing reports and what we need to endeavour to do is provide a system in which we can safeguard against it.”

Meanwhile, since there was no engagement between the former and current officers of the Ministry to provide answers to the Committee on several matters, they were asked to prepare and return at a later date. (G12)

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese to be among 1st inductees at int’l Blue Water Academy By: Amar Persaud

War…

B

lue Water Shipping, a global provider of all logistics services in modern supply chain management, will soon be launching a training academy which will see two Guyanese being among the first inductees.

This was revealed by Regional Director of the America’s Regional Projects at Blue Water Shipping, Brent Patterson, during a panel discussion at the recently concluded International Energy Conference and Expo 2022 hosted by Guyana last month.

“We are launching the Blue Water Academy glob-

A ally this year. Two of our first inductees will be from Guyana…they will sit here in the office for the first year, go Denmark every two weeks per quarter for train-

ing, come back and during the second year be stationed abroad for one year,” Patterson explained.

These persons could be stationed at the company’s

operations in Singapore, Dubai, Aberdeen, Amsterdam, Denmark, Houston, Rio or Sau Paulo, Patterson further noted.

TURN TO PAGE 10

…or no war? t each stage of history, your Eyewitness is pretty sure the folks then around felt they were quite “civilised”. And were better than those “barbarians in the past” who went around killing each other in futile wars. Like cavemen bopping folks on the head just to take their wives! But there you have it…a new war would break out and the same folks would willingly be mobilised to do their share of killing, pillaging and raping with gusto. Is it something hard wired in us?

Whatever it is, some smart ones decide if you can’t stop wars, you might as well rationalise some of them as “just wars”. Even Christian theologians like St Augustine and St Aquinas got into the act. Christians soldiers could now march to war confident that they were “doing the right thing”!! Remember those Crusades against those nasty Saracens “occupying” the Holy Land? Onward Christian soldiers marching off to war!!

Up to that time, the rules of the (war) game were: “ (1) the war must be declared openly by a proper sovereign authority (eg, the governing authority of the political community in question); (2) the war must have a just cause (eg, defence of the common good or a response to grave injustice); (3) the warring state must have just intentions (ie, it must wage the war for justice rather than for self-interest); and (4) the aim of the war must be the establishment of a just peace.

So, how do Putin’s actions since Feb 24 stack up against those rules – even with the first stipulation? First of all, we know that he’s insisting that what’s going on in the Ukraine isn’t even a “war”!! So, technically since he hasn’t actually declared war, he can keep a straight face and say he’s just clearing out some Nazis in a supposedly independent country!! Now your Eyewitness doesn’t know if Putin actually said it, but his supporters are asking “Isn’t this what the US did in Iraq against Saddam and those Weapons of Mass Destruction?”

But just in case, Putin’s covering his bases. He’s identified his “just cause”, “just intentions” and desire to establish a “just peace”!! Additionally, in modern times, extending the attempt to make “just wars” palatable, there have been two “Conventions” – Hague and Geneva – that added an element of realpolitik. They proposed three principles to govern conduct during war: (1) targets should include only combatants and legitimate military and industrial complexes; (2) combatants should not use unjust methods or weapons (eg, torture and genocide); and (3) the force used should be proportionate to the end sought.

So, we can now understand the investigation of “genocide” by the ICC! …and famines We all know “war is hell”. But sometimes “peace” can be just as bad or even worse!! Take the case of Ukraine which had been incorporated into the USSR in 1922.

When Stalin took over, he decided to do away with the trisectoral economy. He “collectivized” agriculture and sent in his cadres to run mega-farms on behalf of the State!!

The Ukraine had been the breadbasket of the USSR with its steppes/prairies producing wheat like no tomorrow!

All of that went to the dogs by 1932-33 when the Ukraine was plunged into what they call the “Holodomor” – death by hunger!! Over three million persons – more than half of them children perished. Horrifyingly, there were thousands of documented cases of cannibalism – even of their own children!! But let’s not get too upset with Stalin alone. “Civilised” British PM Churchill precipitated the Bengal famine of 1943 with three million deaths when he shipped grain out for his war effort!!

He said the Indians were breeding like rabbits anyway!! …and punishment As mentioned above, the International Criminal Court is investigating whether Russia is violating the rules of war.

Thing is, Russia, Ukraine and the US are all not members of the ICC and refuse to accept its jurisdiction!

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

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

FEATURE

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TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

International Women’s Day

Shemlyn Abrams: a seamstress, a teacher, a breadwinner, a strong resilient woman

Shemlyn Nicola Abrams

By Shane Marks

F

amous American poet, Maya Angelou once said, “I am woman, phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, that’s me.” Phenomenal is just one of the many amazing words that can be used to describe 43-year-old Shemlyn Nicola Abrams, a seamstress, an officer of the law, a caretaker, a breadwinner, a strong resilient woman.

Growing up, Shemlyn’s life was not smothered in glitter and gold, not even silver. She was the last of eight children for her single-parent mother, who did multiple jobs to provide for her and her siblings. She recalled going home after school and being greeted by an empty house as her mother was still out trying to find her next meal.

“Growing up that my mom has so many of us and she was the only one working, to go out there to bring in to feed us. There have times when going to

school, we used to live in Campbellville and I attended New Cornelius Primary in Queenstown, so we had to walk to school in the morning, walk home back at lunchtime to see if there was anything to eat then walk back to school. If you meet home and anything isn’t there, then you would have to wait until she comes home with whatever,” Shemlyn said in a sit-down interview with this publication.

Learn a trade

Shemlyn said that before her mother died, she encouraged her to learn a trade. It was advice Shemlyn took by the horns and never let go of.

Never being a fan of the craft of sewing, Shemlyn, like faith would have it, learnt of a sewing course in her community and her mother encouraged her to take it.

“My mom used to sew, but I never liked it. All I used to do was help her thread the needle. But after my mom took sick with cancer, her last words to me were to go

out there and learn a trade, and after the sewing course came up, I told her, her words to me were ‘go learn it’,” she said.

Her mother never got to see her complete the course, but, to this day, Shemlyn is thankful for her mother’s encouragement and advice.

She has been a seamstress for over twenty years, a staggering milestone many have yet to accomplish.

Counting her stars as lucky, Shemlyn was given the opportunity to get employment at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) as a seamstress in the GPF’s tailor shop as a lance-corporal. She has been employed there for over three years.

“Being a Police, my job at my work is also sewing.

I work at the tailor shop at the Police Tailor Shop, so I sew all the time. I work from Sunday to Sunday,” she said.

The hardworking woman shared that she is the breadwinner of her family since her husband is unable to work as a result of injuries sustained in an accident almost two years ago. She is also assisting to provide for other family members who are experiencing financial difficulties.

“My husband ended up in an accident actually a year and change, home not working. So, I’m always on the go.

Always on the go. I’m providing for me and my husband and the bills. My sister passed away five months ago and I help out towards her mortgage too. I have a brother in Essequibo that is sick [unfortunately Shemlyn’s brother died on Sunday, subsequent to this interview], I help him out with his daughter that is writing CXC from April. I help out there too.

I’m always helping. I’m always giving to others even though it’s not that much,” the mother of one said.

Shemlyn stated that her responsibilities – the ones she does not mind having – and her tough childhood in some way contributed to

her being antisocial. The 43-year-old said that all her focus goes into helping her family and trying to build her sewing business into a well-known establishment.

This craft is what helps pay her bills, she said.

Kindness, giving back

Thanks to putting years of her life into the craft of sewing, Shemlyn is also a sewing instructor, teaching sewing classes to stay-athome moms, and young girls in her community through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) courses.

“I also have a part-time job that I teach sewing classes through BIT, so in my spare time that’s what I do.

I teach students. I teach single parents that are home and aren’t doing anything or

who are working nightshifts that they could be able to come out during the day and learn a trade.”

Shemlyn instructed two courses in 2021 and all the students graduated with a certificate.

This drive to teach others a craft that has brought her such a long way piggy-backed off her mother’s determination to provide for her and her siblings, and also the people that helped her when she was growing up.

She said that when she was younger, she always wanted someone to extend a helping hand to her family, to show them some kindness.

She remembers two neighbours who always made sure that they gave her and her family a loaf of bread.

She strongly believes that a little goes a long way for someone who is in need.

“I think if others don’t have and you can help, help because when I been small, I wish it had others to help us.”

Shemlyn’s one wish for this International Women’s Day is to have an established business that would provide employment for other women just like herself.

So, as I said in the beginning, there are many more words that can be used to define the phenomenal woman that is Shemlyn Nicola Abrams. Through all of her struggles, she continues to fight and persevere. A woman, made with determination, with a goal in sight, can be anything she wants to be.

10 NEWS Guyanese to be among...

Essequibo Coast man drowns after boat capsizes A TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

31-year-old man on Sunday afternoon drowned after the boat in which he was travelling capsized in the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Dead is Muneshwar Persaud called “Ravin”, a carpenter of Walton Hall, Essequibo Coast.

This publication was told that Persaud along with his father-in-law and brother-in-law travelled to Pomeroon in a 10ft wooden boat for a family visit.

However, at about 17:00h the boat began to “take in”

Dead: Muneshwar Persaud

water and eventually submerged as they were returning home.

After the vessel went underwater, the trio began to swim to shore. It was until an hour later that the father-in-law and brother-inlaw reached safety.

At this time, it was realised that Persaud had disappeared.

A search party was launched and the man’s body was pulled from the river.

An investigation has been launched and a post-mortem examination will be conducted soon.

“They will then come back to Guyana with that knowledge. Not only the knowledge for handling the operations but understanding how the oil and gas in the renewables world works, the cultures, the expectations, so that they can bring that back here and share it with our young recruits and share the knowledge they’ve gained to some of the more experienced professional that we have in our staff here,” Patterson revealed.

Blue Water is represented with more than 60 offices worldwide including Guyana. In fact, last month, Blue Water expanded its presence here with its acquisition of the Guyanabased Falcon Logistics.

“The acquisition of Falcon Logistics is a very exciting event in the world of Blue Water. It is yet an-

other substantial commitment in the Caribbean region, and we are pleased to welcome more than 40 new colleagues in Guyana to the Blue Water family,” Thomas Bek, COO, Energy, Port & Projects, Blue Water had noted.

Patterson expressed similar sentiments, noting too that the company is supportive of the country’s local content legislation.

“The right way, the sustainable way to enter a market is to invest in local talent,” he affirmed.

“We’ve been in this [Guyana’s] market for roughly six years, we basically took a copy and paste version from our work in Azerbaijan back in 1996.

There, today, we are the largest locally owned broker freight for order transportation in Baku,” the company rep explained.

FROM PAGE 8

In recent years, Blue Water has strengthened and expanded its activities in Guyana and the Caribbean Region. Blue Water handles large volumes of cargo for the oil and gas sector into Guyana and with the acquisition of Falcon, the company has expanded the range of services to include shore base, warehousing, trucking, laydown management, heavy haulage and lifting project-related business into and out of Georgetown.

Founded in 2013, Falcon is a 100 per cent Guyanese employee company based on strong values and supporting the oil and gas sector in the region. Under the structure of the acquisition, Blue Water Guyana will remain majority Guyanese owned, maintaining full compliance with local content law.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s active COVID-19 cases drop to 277 …7 new cases reported

A

ctive coronavirus cases in Guyana have plunged in just a few weeks, with only 277 reported infections being monitored across the administrative regions.

The active positives follow a breakdown of 143 in Region Four, 21 in Region Eight, 20 in Region Two and 18 in Region One. On Monday, the Health Ministry only reported seven new COVID-19 cases, which added to 63,062 confirmed cases to date. Deaths have remained at 1223.

Along with five patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 14 persons are in institutional isolation, 206 in home isolation and three in institutional quarantine. Recoveries are at 61,607 while 545,873 tests have been processed. Of the 19 hospitalised cases, 18 are at the Infectious Diseases Hospital.

An analysis of Monday’s dashboard showed that from the new infections, one was detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), three

in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), two in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and one in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

In his COVID-19 update, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony reminded that testing is still available at public sites but implied that persons have not been presenting themselves to be swabbed.

“Tests are available across the country at our public facilities and we offer different types of testing. We do the antigen testing using the rapid kits and they are in every region…In addition to that, we are doing PCR and at the National Reference Lab, we can do up to 2000 PCR test per day. People requiring such test to be done can come into one of our testing sites and we’ll take the sample,” he highlighted.

In January, the Ministry changed its policy after it was found that persons were “abusing” the PCR testing service offered by the Ministry. Persons wanting to travel were getting their

tests done in the public sector and not for diagnosis purposes. This remains unchanged whereby for travel, tests should be done in the Private Sector.

Vaccination Meanwhile, vaccination statistics indicate that 434,037 adults or 84.6 per cent have taken their first dose; when compared to 330,729 or 64.5 per cent second dose coverage.

In the 12 to 17 age group, 33,703 or 46.2 per cent took their first doses but 24,433 or 33.5 per cent have taken their second shot.

Booster doses account 52,688 jabs – spanning 1080 in Region One; 2539 in Region Two; 7317 in Region Three; 26,262 in Region Four; 3282 in Region Five; 8690 in Region Six; 566 in Region Seven; 427 in Region Eight; 1947 in Region Nine; and 578 in Region 10.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which empha-

Guyana seeking to eliminate “Big 5” neglected infectious diseases by 2027

B

y the year 2027, Guyana will be working to eliminate five neglected infectious diseases that have been detected locally and continue to affect the population.

The Health Ministry in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) on Monday hosted an Infectious Disease National Action Plan stakeholder consultation, to cover the years 2022 to 2027.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony indicated that while the WHO had identified 20 diseases that need to be eliminated by the next decade, Guyana will be working on five: Filaria, Chagas, Leishmaniasis, Leprosy and Soil-transmitted Helminths.

“I believe that we’ll be able to resolve a lot of these problems in a faster time.

Even this five-year duration that we have, I think we can do it much faster if we have that concentrated focus,” he announced.

With regard to filaria, the Ministry has been able to accomplish mass drug administration and is in the process of assessing whether their targets were accomplished in eliminating the disease. Care is also being offered for patients suffering with the illness.

Dr Anthony emphasised, “I’m hoping in the next three years or so, we can safely say that we have eradicated filaria from Guyana.

That would be a worthy accomplishment because if you look at the history of filaria in Guyana, there have been many attempts and studies that were done but we have never gotten this close to

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

eliminating filaria.”

Chagas is another neglected disease that Guyana has “its eyes on” to prevent patients from developing the chronic nature of the disease. The Health Minister placed his optimism that this disease can be eliminated since cases have been relatively low over the years.

“The absolute numbers are not quite large. It’s relatively small numbers we’re talking about but we have to put mechanisms in place to do early identification and to make sure that when we identify these people, that we can get them treatment…

Once it becomes chronic, it affects people’s heart and a whole host of complications that you can have.”

Eliminating the disease entails breaking transmission and identifying the types of vectors in the country among other factors.

Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease caused by infection with Leishmania parasites and spread by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies,

is also under the Ministry’s radar.

“It is, I think, still present in Guyana. Perhaps we’re not diagnosing it but I think between or near the border with Guyana and Brazil, we have been able to identify various cases. there are other pockets that we have in the country. Again, the absolute numbers are small and therefore if we really put our focus on these things, we would be able to eliminate them. That too, I have lot of confidence that we would get there before the decade is over,” Dr Anthony told stakeholders.

Similarly, the Ministry has made strides in eliminating leprosy at the national level. There are still regional pockets to work on at the regional level.

The fifth, soil-transmitted helminths – relating to intestinal worms that are transmitted through contaminated soil – is the most common and can impact especially children in areas where it is endemic.

The Health Minister added, “Among children, it can lead to retardation of growth, malnutrition, anaemia and we have the medication. We have them in our system. All we have to do is make sure that we deworm children at regular intervals to prevent the chronic effects of these diseases from taking hold.”

Apart from these diseases, he brought into focus the presence of dengue and snake bites; and the need for a robust programme to manage such cases. Over the coming days, stakeholders will work to craft a workable agenda that will assist the Ministry in achieving its five-year target.

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD MARCH 7, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

7

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

14

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

206

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

5

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

3

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,029

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,033

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

63,062

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

61,607

REGION 1

2516

REGION 2

2475

REGION 3

8032

REGION 4

31,171

REGION 5

2372

REGION 6

5718

REGION 7

2421

REGION 8

887

REGION 9

4005

REGION 10

3465

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

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

432,381

FULLY IMMUNISED

328,273

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1223

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.

sise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene.

If anyone is displaying

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

Globally, almost 445 million people have tested positive for the virus and almost six million have died. In the Americas, more than 148 confirmed cases have been reported with over 2.64 million deaths. (G12)

Companies importing radioactive materials have been compliant with regulations – EPA

A

s the country’s oil and gas sector continues to expand, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ensured that the necessary guidelines are followed by industry operators regarding the protection of the environment and citizens.

To further ensure this safety is guaranteed, the EPA has invested in high-quality monitoring equipment.

One such piece of equipment is the Agency’s new “Pack Eye Radiation Detection Backpack” which is able to identify and monitor radiation levels in the air. This device values some $2 million.

During a recent media engagement, EPA’s Environmental Officer Gwenetta Fordyce explained that “with the emerging oil and gas sector, the country has seen an influx of industrial activities as it relates to use of industrial radiographers, radioactive sources, quite a lot of the support companies for the oil and gas sector generally bring in radioactive material.”

“Now this backpack…it allows us to know what radiation levels the general public may be exposed to,” she added.

The equipment also ensures that companies both onshore and offshore are keeping in compliance and

are not harming humans and the environment.

“Guyana is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, so we have received this backpack to aid in our regulatory infrastructure to ensure that we are capable of adhering or ensuring compliance or companies are able to adhere to international best practices to ensure compliance with radiation levels and not necessarily causing harm to human health and the environment.”

The device has already been used at four sites onshore but is yet to be used offshore due to the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, Fordyce explained that even before operators who wish to import radioactive material onshore, can do so, they must receive authorisation from the EPA or the Customs Department.

“Our authorisation pro-

cess when they come in, they are issued with an environmental authorisation or environmental permit. In the environmental permit, there are conditions that these companies must adhere to and once found not in compliance when we do our compliance checks, it’s an issue,” she stated.

“Before even coming into the country, the Agency requests a material safety agreement whereby the company has to demonstrate or they have to show in writing legally, that these waste materials, once their life would have expired, it has to be returned to the manufacturer; if not the manufacturer, the company that it’s actually coming from, because in country, we do not have the capacity to deal with radioactive waste,” she reasoned.

According to Fordyce, so far, all companies importing radioactive material have been in compliance. (Amar Persaud)

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Progress being made on removing regional trade barriers – Ali

…says “coalition of the willing” leading transition from talks to action

P

rogress has been made when it comes to negotiating the reduction of phytosanitary and other trade barriers in the region, with Caribbean Community (Caricom) Member States dubbed the “coalition of the willing” leading the advance from discussions to actions.

Reporting on this progress was President Dr Irfaan Ali, during a recent press conference to give an update on Guyana’s participation at the 33rd InterSessional Heads of State Meeting. According to him, a coalition of the willing are leading the push from dialogue to action, on removing trade barriers.

“One of the things that we’re working on, is the removal of the barriers to trade. And there is a new term being developed, that is the coalition of the willing. Those who are ready to move forward, we are going to work together in advancing this and moving it forward in an accelerated way.”

“And those who need some time to catch up and sometime in the decision making for the removal of these barriers, will be given that time. But the entire

region cannot wait for everyone. We have to advance this,” President Ali said.

President Ali explained that Guyana has been working closely with countries like Belize, Barbados, Suriname, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua, on the issue. He further noted that they have been working on getting trade barriers in Trinidad and Tobago removed, with some success.

“But it calls for a political commitment from the very top. And I’m very pleased to say, that in this Caricom Heads of Government meeting, that political commitment is emerging, as the overwhelming view in terms of the removal of these barriers and the advancement of our common economy,” the President explained.

President Ali had previously declared that his Government would be pursuing an aggressive campaign to dismantle regional barriers to agricultural trade. There have been instances where Guyana’s exports, for instance rice to Jamaica in 2019, was rejected at the port.

On that occasion, the Jamaican Industries,

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry had confiscated 70 metric tonnes of White Cinderella rice from Guyana. This had prompted widespread criticisms centred at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).

The removal of trade barriers will be integral to Guyana’s push, in consort with other Caricom countries, to reduce the region’s food importation bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025. Guyana currently holds lead responsibility for Agriculture, Agricultural

$23M housing office in Lethem to be operational next month

The new regional housing and water office in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)

T

he newly constructed $23 million Housing and Water Ministry regional office in Lethem, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) is expected to be fully operational by April 1, 2022.

The office will house personnel of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

The disclosure was made

by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, who along with Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, and Regional Chairman Brian Allicock toured the facility Friday

last.

The Ministers were at the time conducting a twoday outreach in the region to commission four wells in the South and North Rupununi, respectively.

Croal said the contractor is putting in the final touches on the building, after which it will be furnished so that the relevant personnel can occupy their offices from next month.

He added that the operation of the new facility will see improved services being offered to the people of Lethem and Region Nine as a whole.

“The residents no longer have to wait long periods to get their housing matters sorted out or travel to our

Georgetown office to do so.

Similarly, the issue of water will be addressed in a timelier manner and persons can conduct their business in a comfortable environment,” the Minister said.

Construction of the single flat 20x40 structure started in September last year

by R Kissoon Construction Services.

Since the Government came into office in August 2020, it has been working to decentralise critical services across the country. As such, three housing officers were appointed in in Essequibo, Berbice and Lethem. The Ministry also continues to establish regional housing offices in areas where none exist.

Diversification and Food Security in Caricom and is spearheading the regional body’s quest to reduce its US$5 billion food import bill.

Months after assuming office, President Ali had charged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to assess and address the hurdles related to exporting food and agricultural products to markets within the region. As such, concerns of barriers to trade against exports to some Caricom markets were raised with the Council for Trade and

Economic Development (COTED) last year.

The Ministry subsequently formed a National Working Group on Barriers to Trade against Exports from Guyana. According to the assessment on market access by the working group, most of the challenges found were related to technical measures including sanitary and phytosanitary measures. They also found several technical and administrative regulations that were all hampering the export of Guyanese products.

Against this backdrop,

Guyana had called on Caricom Member States at the COTED meeting to engage in bilateral discussions to iron out trade barriers with a view of expanding intra-regional trade. Similar views were shared by Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Jamaica, and Barbados.

In fact, Guyana and Barbados have since moved forward to minimise the occurrences of these measures that frustrate intra-regional trade with the aim of reducing food importation bills, as part of the overall regional food security plans. (G3)

US officials fly to Venezuela for talk in apparent bid to further isolate Russia

S

enior US officials have flown to Venezuela for rare talks with Nicolás Maduro’s government in an apparent bid to prise the South American country away from its Russian backers after Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

White House and state department negotiators met Maduro representatives in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, on Saturday in what was the first such encounter in years.

Citing anonymous US officials, the New York Times claimed the Biden administration was motivated partly by concern that Russia’s Latin American allies – which include the authoritarian regimes in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela – could become “security threats” if the geopolitical clash with Putin escalated.

Others speculated that the US saw Venezuelan oil as a potential substitute for Russian imports were it to slap sanctions on Moscow as a result of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

Venezuela has the world’s largest oil reserves and its output is currently growing despite US sanctions imposed at the height of the 2019 attempt to topple Maduro.

Reuters said no agreement was reached at Saturday’s talks. However, some experts believe the encounter could signal a significant shift in US policy towards the country, which has been plunged into humanitarian and political crisis since Maduro took power in 2013.

Christopher Sabatini, a senior fellow for Latin America at Chatham House, said the US’s precise objectives were unclear, although damaging Russian interests and multi-billion dollar investments in Venezuela was likely to be high on the list.

“Clearly, they want to really try to blunt Russia’s influence in the hemisphere.

They don’t want any pro-

An Opposition party activist holds a placard showing the face of Vladimir Putin and Nicolás Maduro during a protest in Caracas against the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Photograph: Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images)

jections of power,” Sabatini said, adding: “This is also an opportunity to get the US private sector back into Venezuela and squeeze out the Russians.”

The US cut diplomatic ties with Maduro in 2019 as Donald Trump’s White House backed an ultimately unsuccessful push to drive him from power by recognising a young opposition politician, Juan Guaidó, as president and attempting to provoke a military uprising.

Maduro clung to power in large part thanks to continued economic support from China, Iran and Russia.

Recent months have seen growing hints that the US is changing tack on Venezuela under Biden, although officials insist there will be no sudden lifting of sanctions they say are intended to help restore Venezuelan democracy.

In an interview with the Americas Quarterly podcast last week, Biden’s top adviser on Latin America, Juan Gonzalez, said the US would continue to recognise Guaidó as Venezuela’s rightful leader. However, Gonzalez left no doubt the new administration had ditched the Trump era effort to overthrow Maduro.

“Whereas the previous administration’s theory of change was based on re-

gime collapse, ours is more on the need to recognise that only a negotiation will lead to concrete and sustainable change in Venezuela towards democratic order,” Gonzalez said.

Revealingly, even influential conservative voices who once championed Maduro’s downfall are changing their tune. “We need to rethink everything right now –including not allowing Russia to cozy up to countries near us!” the former Fox Business presenter Trish Regan tweeted on Sunday.

Regan added: “It’s not just US officials meeting in Venezuela right now – it’s also key executives from MAJOR US oil companies, including Chevron. This is real, folks. If agreements are reached, we will replace Putin’s oil with massive reserves from Orinoco region of Venezuela.”

Sabatini said the risk of US efforts to remake its relations with Maduro’s Venezuela was that issues such as human rights and democracy “could get squeezed in the name of realpolitik”.

“That would be tragic given the situation in Venezuela … so it’s going to be a delicate diplomatic balance.” (The Guardian)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022

News

150 benefit from CIOG Safe Space – a community Over EBD medical outreach created for women

S

afe Space is a community created for women; a home away from home. It is meant to give women the opportunity to have a support system in each other.

Safe Space is also a collaborative space where women can rent shelves, racks and stations for their businesses.

The business aspect of Safe Space will be used to fund the community and provide amenities for women.

What fuelled the pursuit of starting Safe Space?

“I always had the instinct to protect others. It just came naturally to me.

Even when I was going through things myself, I’d put it aside to help others because I realised the importance of having a strong support system,” founder of the organisation and feminist Nadine A Jalil-Rahat explained.

“I also knew I had a much better ability to cope with difficulties. When it comes to matters of mental health, women’s right advocacy or any other seemingly hard topic I was always

Founder of Safe Space, Nadine A Jalil-Rahat

vocal especially speaking out on domestic abuse. I’m also surrounded by strong women who make things happen, especially my mom, sister and motherin-law. These women shatter glass ceilings every day with their strength and potential. Lastly, I think that creating a community for women by women is much needed especially to those who feel the need to be a part of same. It always was, but now I have the capacity to do it.”

Nadine elaborated that

together as women we are stronger and can make the true difference.

As the space grows and business blooms, here are some plans Safe Space has in store: * Monthly conferences by highly regarded women in different fields. * Partnership with psychologists who will volunteer some of their time to speaking with women who may need it. * Granting small loans to women who are trying to start a business. * A physical space for women to study, work and socialise.

If you think there are other things that can be done to facilitate a community like this, feel free to send the founder a message. Additionally, if you or someone you know would like to participate in the future plans of Safe Space, feel free to contact same on (592) 649-0275.

Persons at the medical outreach at the Diamond-Grove Market Square, East Bank Demerara

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he Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Sunday held a medical outreach at the Diamond-Grove Market Square, East Bank Demerara.

On Monday, CIOG said that the outreach was supported by the Guyana Cancer Foundation, The

Blood Bank and The National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS). At the event, residents were able to have blood pressure and glucose level testing, access to mental healthcare, overall medical check-ups, provision of over-the-counter and prescription medication.

Despite the heavy rainfall, the medical team was able to provide assistance to ap-

proximately 150 persons inclusive of children, the elderly and physically challenged persons.

Along with the medical care provided, the residents present were issued with packages that catered to basic daily necessities; inclusive of sanitation products, face masks, clothing, diapers, hair and skincare products.

Digicel helps Women Across Differences

W

omen Across Differences (WAD) received a do-

nation for its new Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) location just in time for International Women’s Day. Digicel donated three laptops to the organisation at Digicel’s head office in Kingston, Georgetown.

This donation, according to Digicel, came as a timely reminder and in observance of International Women’s Day and to celebrate the work that WAD is currently doing with women to achieve social transformation.

“We are happy that we can assist and partner with WAD, being able to contribute to the empowerment of women is something that Digicel will always be happy to do,” Digicel Guyana’s CEO, Gregory Dean, said at the simple handing over ceremony.

WAD Coordinator, Clonel Samuels-Boston, who received the donations on behalf of the organisation, mentioned that the timely donation will greatly assist with their works

Digicel Guyana CEO Gregory Dean handing over the donation to WAD Coordinator Clonel Samuels-Boston

at their newly established Ignatius, Kumu & Quarrie sub-offices in Region Nine.

WAD is a national network of women and women’s organisations committed to individual and social

transformation in Guyana and Digicel has over the years partnered with them on various initiatives and programmes, lending support where it is necessary.

(G2)

Wanted bulletin issued for serial robber

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olice on Monday evening issued a wanted bulletin for a Sideline Dam, La Penitence, Georgetown man whom they are seeking for questioning in relation to a number of armed robberies.

Wanted is 33-yearold Ronlee Rampersaud.

According to Police, Rampersaud is wanted for the robberies committed

between May 15, 2021, to December 30, 2021.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Ronlee Rampersaud is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 2267065, 227-1270, 226-7476, 226-7065, 227-9271, 2271611, 227-1149, 227-1270, 225-6940-9, 225-3650, 2261928, 911 or the nearest Police station.

Wanted: Ronlee Rampersaud

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices hit 14-year highs on Russia oil ban talks, Iran deal delay

O

il prices jumped on Monday to their highest levels since 2008 as the United States and European allies considered banning Russian oil imports while it looked less likely that Iranian crude would return swiftly to global markets.

Brent rose US$5.1, or 4.3 per cent, to settle at US$123.21 a barrel, and US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose US$3.72, or 3.2 per cent, to settle at US$119.40 a barrel. During the session, both benchmarks hit the highest since July 2008 with Brent hitting US$139.13 a barrel and WTI US$130.50.

"The bigger picture is that supply disruptions are getting worse," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston. "Nobody wants to touch anything related to Russia."

Global oil prices have spiked about 60 per cent since the start of 2022, raising concerns about global economic growth and stagflation. China, the world's No 2 economy, is targeting slower growth of 5.5 per cent this year.

On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States and European allies were exploring banning imports of Russian oil. The White House on Monday said President Joe Biden has not made a decision on a ban on Russian oil imports.

Oil prices could climb to over US$300 per barrel if the United States and European Union ban imports of oil from Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday.

"We consider US$125 per barrel, our near-term forecast for Brent crude oil, as a soft cap for prices, although prices could rise even higher should disruptions worsen or continue for a longer period," UBS commodity analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

A prolonged war in Ukraine could push Brent above US$150 per barrel, he said.

Analysts at Bank of America said if most of Russia's oil exports were cut off, there could be a shortfall of 5 million barrels per day (bpd) or larger than that, pushing prices as high as US$200.

Russia is the world's top exporter of crude and oil products combined, with exports of around 7 million bpd, or 7 per cent of global supply. Some volumes of Kazakhstan's oil exports from Russian ports have also faced complications.

Meanwhile, talks to revive Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers were mired in uncertainty after Russia demanded a US guarantee that sanctions it faces over the Ukraine conflict would not hurt its trade with Tehran. China also raised new demands, sources said.

Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Tehran would not allow "any foreign elements to undermine its national interests," Iran's state media reported, while the Foreign Ministry said it awaited an explanation from Russia.

France told Russia not to resort to blackmail over efforts to revive the nuclear deal, while Iran's top security official said the outlook for the talks "remains unclear."

Iran will take several months to restore oil flows even if it reaches a nuclear deal, analysts said.

Separately, US and Venezuelan officials discussed the possibility of easing oil sanctions on Venezuela but made scant progress toward a deal in their first high-level bilateral talks in years, five sources familiar with the matter said, as Washington seeks to separate Russia from one of its key allies.

Elsewhere in Iraq, the West Qurna 2 oilfield will resume operations today and production will increase gradually to reach its normal output of 400,000 barrels per day, two oil sources told Reuters on Monday. The oilfield was shut down temporarily for maintenance last month. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Moscow says it will let Ukrainian civilians flee — to Russia

U

krainian officials said a bread factory had been hit by a Russian air strike on Monday as the country's negotiators assembled for talks with Russian officials after previous rounds that brought no respite in the conflict.

The bodies of at least 13 civilians were recovered from rubble after factory in the town of Makariv in the Kyiv region was hit, local emergency services said. Five people were rescued of the 30 believed to have been there at the time. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the reported attack.

Russia earlier offered Ukrainians escape routes to Russia and its close ally Belarus on Monday after weekend evacuation ceasefire attempts failed. In the besieged southern port city of Mariupol hundreds of thousands of people remained trapped without food and water under regular bombardments.

A Ukrainian negotiator urged Russia to stop its assault on Ukraine, which the United Nations said had sent 1.7 million people fleeing to

D

the socio-economic development of the island.

Dominica is among a handful of Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries with CBI programmes.

Dominica said its position to suspend nationals from Belarus and Russia from the CBI programme follows Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and the decision of the United Nations

Central Europe.

"In a few minutes, we will start talking to representatives of a country that seriously believes large-scale violence against civilians is an argument," Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter. "Prove that this is not the case."

Under the Russian offer,

a corridor from the capital Kyiv would lead to Russia's ally Belarus, while civilians from Kharkiv, Ukraine's second biggest city, would be directed to Russia, according to maps published by the RIA news agency.

"Attempts by the Ukrainian side to deceive Russia and the whole ci-

vilised world...are useless this time," the Russian Defence Ministry said after announcing the "humanitarian corridors".

A spokesperson for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the Russian proposal was "completely immoral".

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Boat carrying 300 Haitian migrants capsizes near Florida coast

A

wooden boat carrying hundreds of Haitian migrants capsized in shallow water off the coast of the US state of Florida, officials said, and many needed medical attention.

The United States Coast Guard and other agencies rushed on Sunday to help the group of migrants, which included women and children.

Border Patrol officials said human smuggling was suspected and an investigation was ongoing.

“Multiple agencies responded quickly & worked closely to protect a lot of lives today,” US Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Jason Neiman said in a tweet.

Approximately 300 migrants were aboard the boat, Border Protection Chief

Dominica suspends Russians, Belarusians from CBI Programme ominica has suspended with immediate effect, applications from nationals of Russia and Belarus seeking citizenship under the island’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI).

Under the CBI programme, Dominica grants citizenship to foreign investors who make a substantial investment in

Local residents cross a destroyed bridge as they evacuate from the town of Irpin, after days of heavy shelling on the only escape route used by locals, while Russian troops advance towards the capital, in Irpin, near Kyiv, Ukraine, March 7, 2022

General Assembly (UNGA) to condemn Moscow for its action.

Dominica was among 141 UN Member States that voted last week to condemn Russia and the coordinator of the CBI Unit, Ambassador Emmanuel Nanton said that agents of the programme have been informed. (Excerpt from CMC)

The boat with about 300 migrants aboard got into trouble off the Florida Keys in the US, and 163 persons swam to shore [United States Border Patrol via AP]

Patrol Agent Walter N Slosar said, and 163 persons swam to the shore. Many of the migrants, he said, were in need of medical attention. Coast Guard images showed the boat tilted on its side and a large group of Haitians

draped in towels on the shore.

The development comes amid worsening political and economic conditions in Haiti in the aftermath of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse last July. The situation has the potential to de-

teriorate even further amid a political deadlock over elections.

Interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s term in office ended on February 7, but no new election date has yet been set – setting off a legitimacy crisis and compounding the Caribbean nation’s economic troubles.

Meanwhile, armed gangs have expanded their grip on the country, causing a spike in violence and insecurity.

A growing number of Haitians have been fleeing the country in search of safety and work. Many have headed towards the United States and countries in Latin America. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Thousands of women in El Salvador march for rights

T

housands of women marched in El Salvador's capital on Sunday against the country's total ban on abortions and its high femicide rate.

The country has one of the toughest abortion laws in the world.

Women can be jailed for having an abortion even if their lives are at risk or if they were raped.

The Central American nation is also one of the most dangerous countries to be a woman, with the rate of women murdered among

the highest in the world.

El Salvador's total ban on abortions was introduced in 1998. Since then, dozens of women have been found guilty of "aggravated homicide", even in cases where the woman said she had suffered a miscarriage.

Following campaigns by rights groups, a number of women who were convicted under the 1998 law have been released in recent years. But some still remain in prison and are serving decades-long sentences.

Women at the march demanded that abortions at least be legalised in cases of rape, where the foetus is not viable, or the woman's life is at risk.

Abortion was recently decriminalised in Colombia and in Mexico, and in 2020 it was legalised in Argentina up to the 14th week of pregnancy.

But it remains banned under all circumstances in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Emotions will weigh on your mind.

Get your facts straight. Making assumptions will cost you. Focus on the positive and put your time and effort into personal growth and self-improvement.

(March 21-April 19) Do what’s necessary and don’t look back. Use the element of surprise; keep your plans secret until you are ready to unveil them. Put anger aside and do what pleases you.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

Don’t get lost in someone else’s dream. Think matters through and do what works for you. Follow the path that feels most comfortable and make adjustments that will secure your position.

(May 21-June 20) A creative approach to your responsibilities will help you get things done in a cheerful manner. The impression you make will encourage others to find a way to make a difference.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

Stick to your plan. Don’t deviate because someone is hesitant or confused.

Tie up any loose ends that might slow down your pursuit. Pay attention to your health and well-being, and do something with a loved one.

Make physical changes that leave you feeling good about your appearance.

Information you receive will encourage you to make a move or change the way you think about someone.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Work on a project that adds to your comfort. Express your feelings and make decisions that will bring you closer to a loved one. You can lower your overhead if you share your expenses.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) A friend or relative will have an impact on the decisions you make. Take the initiative by putting some muscle behind something you want to achieve. Work to come up with an innovative plan.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Keep your eye on the ball. Refuse to let someone beat you at your own game.

Slow down, think and do things right the first time. Take care of yourself and treat others with care and respect.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Emotional problems will surface if you make changes at home that someone doesn’t like. Get the go-ahead before you take the liberty to make decisions that affect others.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Pay attention to detail, to how you present yourself and your plans, and to any money or health concerns that arise.

Leave nothing to chance or up to someone else. Do what’s best for you.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Get your money matters in order.

Budget for and initiate your plans. A change will play in your favor and give you hope for better days ahead. Think big, but set boundaries and stay focused.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022

21

“Dad, this doesn't feel real” – Shane Warne's family speak of their pain and loss

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embers of Shane Warne's family spoke of their heartache for the first time on Monday following his death, as an autopsy confirmed he had died of natural causes after a heart attack.

Together, they spoke of the ongoing pain and impossible void left to fill, with his daughter Summer telling of her wish for a tighter final hug and the hurt of their time together being robbed.

His parents, Keith and Brigitte, spoke of their "never-ending nightmare" and "a tragedy we will never come to terms with".

Warne's brother Jason recalled days of travelling to the MCG together to watch Test matches, amid a childhood of wrestling and a lifetime of golf and poker

battles.

"I remember catching the train into the MCG in 1982, sitting in the front row of the Great Southern Stand with our fingers crossed the great Allan Border and Jeff Thomson would get the runs needed to beat England," he said in a statement.

"Who would have thought he would have such a huge impact at the ground

in the years to come and that very stand being renamed in his honour? Amazing life.

Amazing guy."

In a moving statement, Summer said: "Our time was robbed. I want more holidays with you, more laughs where your smile lights up the whole room, more 'goodnight I love you SJ, I'll see you in the morning', more talks about how our days were and just to

West Indies U-19 pacer Shiva Sankar hunts Red Force call-up

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aving represented the West Indies at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 Cricket World Cup in J a n u a r y , Trinidad a n d

“I just need to continue improving myself as an individual.

There’s some

Tobago fast bowler Shiva Sankar has now set his sights on securing a TT Red Force call-up, and by extension, one to the West Indies men’s team.

Sankar, 19, played all six World Cup matches for the maroon and captured nine wickets – the highest among the Region’s stuff I bowlers. West Indies, want to however, won just three improve of their six matches and on in my batting finished 11th. and bowlThey were victorious against Scotland, ing.

Papua New Guinea “It’s Shiva Sankar and Zimbabwe, but always a lost important matchgoal to get es against Australia, selected to the TT senior Sri Lanka and the United team and obviArab Emirates.

Sankar achieved his ously, the WI tournament-best figures of senior team. To achieve this, I 3-17 against Scotland and really plan to also bagged 3-31 against the United Arab Emirates. continue showing He was pleased to feature discipline, continat the U-19 World Cup and ue putting in that believes the experience hard work to improve served as a good motimyself,” he said. vator.

Sankar attend-

ed Vishnu Boys Hindu College and Presentation College, San Fernando.

The only other TT player on the team was Anderson Mahase, a left-arm spinner, who captured four wickets at the tournament.

This was also the team’s first official tournament since the pandemic struck in March 2020.

“It was an enjoyable and great experience. As a team, we didn’t do what we wanted to do and win, but there were a lot of challenges with COVID-19.

But it was definitely a learning experience.

“We bonded very well as a team, because we were training together for the past year. We had a good bunch of guys and we gelled well,” he added.

Three weeks before the World Cup, Sankar tested positive for COVID-19 and was worried the virus would rule him out of his West Indies debut.

Thankfully, he quickly recovered and played an integral role in the team’s overall performance.

“Three weeks before the tournament I tested positive (for COVID-19). It was a mental challenge. It was tough. I was thinking a lot of things. But I took it one step at a time and I was glad I was able to recover from it and able to still compete,” he closed. (TT Newsday)

feel safe when you would hug me and you would let me know how proud you are of me and how much you love me.

Brooke Warne said: "Dad, this doesn't feel real and doesn't make sense that you are not here with us anymore. It doesn't feel right, you were taken away too soon and life is so cruel. I will forever cherish our final memories together laughing and joking around with each other."

Warne's son, Jackson, recalled playing poker, golf and watching football. "But I know all you ever wanted for me is to be happy, no matter what," he said. "You just wanted me to be happy, that's it. So that's what I'm going to do, try to be happy."

Former wife Simone said

Warne "brought a light so great to the world that even after they have gone the light remains".

Following the conclusion of the autopsy, the final plans will now be made to return Warne's body to Australia which is expected to happen today.

The family have accepted the offer of a State funeral ,but will first have a private ceremony before the public are given their chance to pay their respects to Warne. The MCG remains the most likely location for a State memorial service in the coming weeks.

Warne also has a statue outside the MCG to go with the newly-named SK Warne Stand, with flowers, beers, cigarettes and even cans of baked beans placed at his feet this week.

Warne's parents thanked the Victorian Government for its offer of a State funeral and for naming a grandstand after their son, but said they would never get over his loss.

"The night of the 4th of March 2022 is when a never-ending nightmare began for our family," they said. "For that is the date we lost our much loved and admired son, father, brother and uncle, Shane Keith Warne, a tragedy we will never come to terms with.

"To find words to adequately express our sadness is an impossible task for us and looking to a future without Shane is inconceivable. Hopefully, the mountain of happy memories we all have will help us cope with our ongoing grief."

(ESPNcricinfo)

22

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

G

uyana’s aspiring CARIFTA athletes got some muchneeded competition on Sunday at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora, while the older athletes got themselves tuned at the first official meet of the year for the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG).

The “Early Season Classic” also saw the return of Olympian Emanuel Archibald, who lived up to expectations by pulling off the sprint double.

Archibald clocked 10.40s and 21.83s respectively for the 100m and 200m wins. in the 100m dash, he was followed across the line by Akeem Stewart and Loniel Marks both from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), who clocked 10.67s and 10.89s respectively.

Keliza Smith

Marks moved up a podium spot with 21.88s for second in the 200m while Hopetown Flames’ Revon Williams completed the top three with 22.17s.

On the distaff side, Keliza Smith reigned supreme with 11.85s and 24.67s to cop the sprint double. In the 100m, her clubmates Karese Lloyd and Athaley Hinckson clocked 12.01s

and 12.65s for an all-Running Brave podium.

Lloyd was also the runnerup in the 200m with 27.07s while Bladen Hall’s Nalicia Glen crossed the line in 27.09s for third.

Adriel Austin of Running Brave picked up wins in her pet events, the 400m and 800m races. Stopping the clock at 56.73s and 2 minutes 18.54s, Austin enjoyed a personal best run in the 400m.

The 400m was, once again, a Running Brave-dominated race, with Naris McPherson and Attoya Harvey clocking 57.16s and 58.39s respectively to complete the podium.

While Attoya Harvey crossed the line in 2:20.12 for second in the 800m event, Upper

Demerara Secondary Schools’ Hannah Joseph broke into the top three with 2:24.08.

The 1500n event saw Shaqua Tyrell of Christianburg Wismar, taking first place with 4 minutes 54.70s, while Hannah Joseph clocked 5 minutes, 10.24s and Police’s Jelesa Wright 5 minutes 18.56s for third place.

Revon Williams tasted victory in the men’s 400m with a 48.44s run. Trailing behind was Diliza Lyken of Bladen Hall who finished in 49.62s while GDF’s Michael James was third in 50.42s.

Simeon Adams (RB) kept his 800m run under two minutes, clocking 1:57.48 for first place.

Seon Booker (Bladen Hall) and Ronell Newton (Upper Demerara Secondary School)

completed the podium with times of 2:00.35 and 2:01.49.

Newton rebounded for a win in the 1500m race, clocking 4:21.00, in front of second- and third-place finishers Timothy France (4:48.00) and Jamal Warde (4:59.77), both of Ruralites.

Also flexing their skills on Sunday were CARIFTA 2022 qualifiers Wesley Tyndall (RB), who leaped to 6.88m in the long jump and Anisha Gibbons (Ruralites), who had a 32.64m javelin throw.

The AAG, according to President Aubrey Hutson, is considering more meets to provide more qualification opportunities for the CARIFTA athletes.

Mc Gill SC among clubs dissatisfied Cricket icons unveil new Richardswith election of new WDCA body Botham Trophy ahead of Apex Test series

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I

Mc Gill Superstars SC are one of the most successful teams on the West Coast of Demerara

n a statement issued by the Mc Gill Super Stars Sports Club has expressed dissatisfaction over the election of a new West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) executive body, in a statement alleging there was “blatant rigging of the 2022 election” . The elections were held at the Uitvlugt Cricket Ground on March 2, 2022, to elect the body that would govern cricket in West Demerara.

However, the club has claimed that the elections were not free and fair, so it has not

be planned before it actually commenced and the people who were supporting the current administration were allowed to vote while the clubs that had other ideas were barred from voting. The Mc Gill Super Stars SC which has been a part of the WDCA since 1992, some other popular and prominent clubs on the WDCA panel faced the same fate. We, the members of the Mc Gill Super Stars SC along with more than a dozen other clubs, stand against this injustice and the illegally-elected body. We

recognised the newly-elected executive. The Mc Gill Super Stars SC is one of the most successful clubs in the WDCA, boasting 15 WDCA titles, but at last Wednesday’s elections, it was barred from voting. When the club queried why it was being barred, it was told that it had ceased to exist and its name was not on the list of clubs eligible to vote.

However, the club alleged that other clubs that were inactive and have not played cricket for years were allowed to vote while the representatives of the Mc Gill Super Stars SC were not allowed to vote. Many other clubs faced the same fate as they were not allowed to vote as well.

In a statement coming out from the club, it said, “The elections seemed to

want free and fair elections. It’s truly a sad day for this beautiful sport we all love.”

Further, Canal Number Two SC, which was allowed to vote, has stated that it would stand in solidarity with those clubs that were disenfranchised. Mc Gill relayed that clubs such as Crane CC, Den Amstel CC, Anna Catherina MYO CC, Shamrock CC, and MMZ East CC have not been playing cricket or functioning over the last decade but were allowed to vote while clubs such as Cultural CC, McGill Super Stars SC, Rising Stars SC, Wales CDC, Bel West SC, Long Dam SC, Long Pond SC, New Windsor SC, La Grange All Stars SC, and Dynasty SC, etc, were told that they do not exist and hence, were barred from voting.

Some of the competitions

that the Mc Gill Superstars SC have had a successful run in are 1996 West Demerara 40 Overs Inter Club Competition; WDCA NDC 2008 T20 Competition; WDCA NDC 2007 T20 Competition; WDCA 2006 T20 President Cup Competition; WDCA 2007 T20 New Line Aqua Farm Competition; WDCA 2007 40 Overs New Line Aqua Farm Competition; WDCA 2005 40 Overs Competition; WDCA 2004 Kings Jewellery Competition (runners-up); WDCA 2006 New Line Aqua Farm 40 Overs Competition (runners-up); WDCA 2011 Country Side Agri Center T20 Competition (runners-up); Demerara Cricket Board 2008 Hand-in-Hand 40 Overs Competition (runnersup); WDCA 2019 Beacon Cafe 50 Overs Competition (runnersup); WDCA 2017 Agape Lumber Yard T20 Competition (runnersup); WDCA 2014 40 Overs Competition (runners-up) and WDCA 2018 President Cup (runners-up). The club has also won eight private tournaments held on West Demerara.

The full list of clubs that are dissatisfied and are not supporting the current administration are: * Independence SC * All Youths SC * La Grange All Stars SC * Dynasty CC * Mc Gill Super Stars SC * Malvern CC * Rising Stars CC * Christ Ambassadors SC * Sawpit SC * Belle Vue SC * Canal #2 SC * Wales CDC SC * New Windsor SC * Vive La Force CC * Intruders CC * Lochand Stars CC * Cultural CC

ricket icons Sir Vivian Richards and Lord Ian Botham unveiled the new Richards-Botham trophy which will be won by the victors in Test series between West Indies and England men’s teams.

The trophy pays tribute to the two all-time greats – whose rivalry and friendship embody the close relationship and mutual respect between the two sides. The unveiling ceremony was held on Sunday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua ahead of the first Apex Test match which starts today, March 8.

The sparkling new trophy symbolises “courage, friendship and respect” – values that represent the Test cricketing rivalry between West Indies and England, and two legends who best define them – Sir Vivian Richards and Lord Ian Botham. It has an ultra-modern design and consists of an upside-down cup, based on a Georgian rummer, with the joining sphere a cricket ball. One end is a rummer for drinking rum and the other a wine/ ale goblet. The rummer has palm fronds and the ale cup has willow leaves.

The ceremonial idea is that the winning team holding the trophy would have the rummer that represents their team face upward while they held it and it would be ceremoniously turned over when the other team wins.

Test matches between these two rivals date back to 1928 when West Indies made their first trip to England. The teams, under the captaincy of Kraigg Brathwaite and Joe Root, will renew the rivalry with the Apex Test series.

Sir Viv said: “It’s a truly special feeling to have the fantastic trophy named in honour of my great friend Ian and myself. We played a lot together and built a great friendship on and off the cricket field. As I said earlier, I am truly delighted to know that the game that I have shown my love for all my life is naming such a prestigious award in recognition of what I managed to achieve. It’s a beautiful trophy and I want

Sir Vivian Richards alongside Lord Ian Botham

to again thank everyone who came up with this idea and contributed to its creation.”

Lord Botham said: “It’s a great idea and a truly lovely trophy. It really stands out and I’m honoured to have my name on the trophy alongside my friend Sir Viv. The captain who picks up the trophy at the end of the upcoming series will be a happy man.”

Sir Vivian Richards is a fitting tribute for this great rivalry.

We are enthused about the next month of competition, and we hope to make the England fans proud by lifting the Richards-Botham trophy.”

The Apex Test series will feature three Test matches.

The first at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the second Apex Test will be played at

Sir Vivian Richards alongside Lord Ian Botham unveiling the new Richards-Botham Trophy

West Indies Captain Brathwaite said: “We’re really excited and ready for the upcoming Apex Test series against England. This is going to be an amazing three weeks of cricket. It’s extra special too that we’re playing for the new Richards-Botham trophy, a fitting tribute to these two great men. We want to be the first team to get our hands on it and celebrate with our fans.”

England Captain Root said: “Test series between England and West Indies are iconic, and to have a trophy named after arguably the two most outstanding England and West Indies cricketers of all time in Lord Ian Botham and

Kensington Oval, Barbados March 16-20, with the climax in the third Apex Test at the Grenada National Stadium, Grenada March 24-28.

(Windies Cricket)

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West Indies set to lock horns with England today … the camp is confident, says Simmons

West Indies will tackle England today in the Apex Test series. For the men in maroon, they will be aiming to play to their home advantage as England have won but one Test series in the Caribbean in the past 54 years.

Head Coach Phil Simmons, in a press briefing, stated that he was confident in his side as they sought to topple England who have had a horrid Test summer.

According to Simmons, the team are extremely confident as they recently

concluded a five-day camp and were able to focus on different aspects of the game. He mentioned that coming out of the camp in the last couple of days, the

English skipper Joe Root alongside then West Indies skipper Jason Holder during a previous encounter

team seemed confident and would be looking forward to

the series against England.

“I think the only time was in 1994, it’s a case of looking to play the cricket that will put us in a position

to win the series. We’ve been working hard on all the aspects that we need to get together; three grounds – we know them so we are trying to work hard and be ready for everything England can throw at us,” Simmons said.

The absence of James Anderson and Stuart Broad came as a shock to the English fans when they were excluded from the side; however, Simmons believes that his batters can deliver the runs which the bowlers can defend. He related that in the recently-concluded five-day camp it was brought over to the batsmen that they needed to put runs on the board in order for the bowlers to defend; thus, the Windies Head Coach is expectant of good things to

showcase in the series.

As it pertains to the conditions in Antigua, Simmons said, “The condition looks as it always looks, the wicket has some moisture to it, but I don’t know what it’s going to look like when we get to it, but it looks as though it is going to be a good wicket and we have to work hard for our runs and for our wickets. So, it looks a good pitch.”

The last England-Windies home Test in 2019 saw Roston Chase playing a vital role, but with no Chase in the unit, the pressure will fall solely on the shoulders of Veerasammy Permaul, who is the only frontline spinner in the side. Simmons said within the first couple of days, the spinner was expected to play the holding role, noting that he has been bowling very well. The WI Head Coach said he expected the experienced Permaul to

showcase his skills on the third day and possibly win it for the men in maroon.

The series will hold value as according to Simmons, it is crucial to the future of West Indies cricket as they need to start winning series; this will require them to compile a form and bring their best when they take

to the field. “The series is important for West Indies cricket; it is important for the West Indies team and for us as a unit. To win the series, it is important, as this is our first Test series of the year and we want to win to start the year on a good note; it’s very important for that,” Simmons posited.

Under-15 cricketers benefit from Project “Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana”

Ramdhani siblings shine at Provincial championships

B

adminton playing siblings Narayan and Priyanna Ramdhani kept the Guyanese flag flying high over the weekend, as they played to podium finishes in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Badminton Championships (Provincials).

The event was hosted at the Olds College Auditorium, and Saturday (March 5) saw the team competitions being hosted, while the individual tournament was conducted on Sunday (March 6).

Playing for Kings University and Olds College respectively, Narayan and Priyanna gave great meaning to their ACAC All-Conference Awards, which they received last week.

For Narayan, the Male Athlete of the Year, his journey began with a matchup against Sivansh Shivansh, which he won easily 21-12, 21-18. In the quarter-finals, Ramdhani opposed David Jay, and again won in two sets 2112, 21-16.

The older Ramdhani sibling went on to play a tough three-set game in the final, with the gold and title up for grabs. Narayan persevered, defeating Smit Patel 21-18, 9-21, 21-17.

This is the second time in his illustrious college badminton career that Narayan has won the ACAC men’s singles title.

On the other hand, Priyanna missed out on the final in the women’s singles, but rebounded to take bronze in the individual category.

She picked up a first-round

B Priyanna and Narayan Ramdhani show off their accolades from the weekend’s competition

win over Makayla Basque 217, 21-9. Upon moving on to the quarter-finals, Priyanna had another walk in the park, defeating Abbey Taylor 21-8, 21-9.

However, she was not so fortunate in the semi-final round, losing to Jasleen Kaur 21-16, 21-13. Priyanna went on to gain a walk-over from Cecilia Wolski in the thirdplace play-off to cop the bronze medal.

She then carried her team Olds College (who placed fourth in the team tournament) to win five medals at the Championship partnering with Abbey Taylor for the women’s doubles, where they won silver. In the mixed doubles event, the younger Ramdhani sibling partnered with Tye Belanger, for a formidable third-place finish.

In addition to the riveting competition over the weekend, a memorial table was set up and a moment

of silence was observed for the Ramdhanis’ late father, Gokarn at the Provincial Tournament. He had been appointed as Head Coach of the Olds College Broncos team before his untimely death.

Based on their stellar performances at the Provincial Championships, the Ramdhani siblings will go on to compete at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championships, where they will represent ACAC. These championships are scheduled for March 17, 18 and 19, 2022.

Aside from the Canadian collegiate circuit, Narayan and Priyanna are expected to represent Guyana at the Pan American Individual Championships, slated for April 28 to May 1, 2022, in El Salvador. They will compete individually in the singles events and later team up for the mixed doubles category.

Peter Khan receives his gear from DCB and GCB Executive Shawn Massiah

randon Henry and Peter Khan are the latest Under-15 cricketers to benefit from the “Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana” Project.

Henry, who is not currently attached to any cricket club, is a left-arm spinner/righthanded batsman and Khan, of Demerara Cricket Club, is a wicketkeeper/batsman who can also bowl rightarm leg spin. Currently, they are participating in the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Inter-Association Under-15 Tournament, which will be used to select the county teams to participate in the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter- County Tournament. Henry received one pair of cricket shoes and Khan a pair of batting gloves.

The Tournament, after many years, will be played in all three counties. Henry and Khan are having a good tournament so far with their eyes set on the Demerara and Guyana teams.

Anil Beharry, a partner in this initiative, explained that he reached out to the counties through the GCB WhatsApp group, and DCB and GCB Executive Shawn Massiah took up the offer to help the young cricketers.

Brandon Henry receives his donation from Shawn Massiah

The boys thanked Beharry and his partner, Kishan Das for the gear and promised to make good use of the cricket equipment, which will help in their preparation for and participation in the tournament. Beharry, speaking on behalf of the project, which was conceptualised in partnership with Das of the USA, said that they were happy to give to young and talented cricketers and hoped the donation would help them to be better-rounded human beings. He promised to continue to help and develop as many young players as possible in Guyana.

Total cricket-related items collected so far: $40,000 in cash, two trophies, 11 pairs of cricket boots, 15 pairs of batting pads, 15 bats, nine pairs of batting gloves, 18 thigh pads, one wicketkeeping pad, one arm guard and four cricket bags.

To date,30 young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefited from a junior gear bag, two trophies, nine bats, seven pairs of cricket shoes, six pairs of batting pads and seven pairs of batting gloves. In addition, the Rose Hall Estate Cricket Club benefited from a pair of stumps

and bails, and two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees also received one box of red cricket balls each.

Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders will also assist to identify talent.

Beharry and Das took the opportunity to thank Javed and Imran of West Indian Sports Complex, Option Group of USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish Panday of P and P Insurance Brokers, Sean Devers, Trevis Simon, Årïêl J Tïlkú, Aaron Beharry, Leanna Bachan and Imran Saccoor, Devon Ramnauth, Teddy Singh, Romash Munna, Ravi Etwaroo, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra Harkishun, Allan Mangru, Vishal Mahabir, Sherman Austin, Huburn Evans, Rajendra Sadeo and Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Sheik Mohamed of Star Sports Awards and Trophies, and Ajay Gainda of Cricket Equipment Guyana.

Distribution will continue.

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022

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

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West Indies set to lock horns with Ramdhani siblings shine at Provincial England today championships … the camp is confident, says Simmons

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