Guyana Times -- Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Education Ministry launches online P17 training for teachers

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 4410

guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

Strengthening democracy, security against regional threats high on agenda ...as Pompeo prepares to make historic visit to Guyana, other countries See story on page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Success of P7 Tanager Well will open new opportunities – ExxonMobil

Sasenarine P9 Singh appointed CEO of GuySuCo P14 2 more deaths, 74 new COVID-19 cases reported Miner crushed to death by falling tree P11

Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, in discussion with Ambassador of the United States of America to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch (centre) and Director of Caribbean Affairs at the National Security Council, United States of America, Mariju Bofill, in the Office of the Prime Minister, Colgrain House, Camp Street, Georgetown (Office of the Prime Minister photo)

19 houses built since 2018 remain unoccupied – Rodrigues

See story on page 10

…houses overpriced, now infested with termites, mould

APNU/AFC procured veterinary machine for humans at NA Hospital …wasted millions on wrong anaesthetic machine Page 19

Task Force for natural gas management – Minister Page 16

…oil revenues to support tax reductions, targeted cash transfers

2 Lusignan prisoners test positive for COVID-19 P14 P18 Speaker reprimands Sherod Duncan for false remarks about food being poisoned

“Ponzi scheme” operators now being probed for money P5 laundering

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, September 16 – 03:30h – 05:00h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Thursday, September 17 – 04:30h – 06:00h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, September 16 – 15:55h – 17:25h and Thursday, September 17 – 16:35h – 18:05h.

Strengthening democracy, security against regional threats high on agenda

...as Pompeo prepares to make historic visit to Guyana, other countries

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals will prevail during the day. There will be partly cloudy skies and thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South South-Westerly to South SouthEasterly to East South-Easterly to North-Easterly to Northerly to West North-Westerly to Westerly between 1.78 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 16:01h reaching a maximum height of 2.73 metres.

Low Tide: 09:44h and 22:54h reaching minimum heights of 0.47 metre and 0.45 metre.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS I

03 05 14

15 21 26

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FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

09 13 17 22 24 LUCKY 3

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

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Afternoon Draw

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2020

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14 17 18

PAY DAY

SUPER PAY DAY

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2020

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$39.61/barrel

-0.56

Rough Rice

$219.42/ton

+0.99

London Sugar

$357.20/ton

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Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1961.30

$1962.30

Low/High

$1939.40

$1964.20

+5.70

+0.29%

Change

US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo

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he US Department of State on Tuesday said that Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s trip to Guyana and several other countries will highlight the United States’ commitment to defend democracy, combat COVID-19 while revitalising economies in the pandemic’s wake, and strengthen security against regional threats.

According to the State Department, Pompeo will travel to Paramaribo, Suriname; Georgetown, Guyana; Boa Vista, Brazil; Bogota, Colombia; and Plano, Texas, between September 17 and 20, 2020.

In Paramaribo, Secretary Pompeo will celebrate the triumph of democracy by meeting with recently elected Surinamese President Chan Santokhi and his Cabinet to discuss increased bilateral cooperation and opportunities for partnerships in energy and security. While in Georgetown, the US State Department noted that Pompeo will congratulate President Irfaan Ali and his Cabinet, and meet with Caricom Secretary-General Irwin LaRocque. He will reinforce the promise of a values-based US partnership, highlighting opportunities for more responsible and transparent Private Sector investment to increase prosperity for the people of Guyana, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, in Boa Vista, Brazil, Secretary Pompeo will underscore the importance of US and Brazilian support for the Venezuelan people in their time of need by visiting with Venezuelan migrants fleeing the manmade disaster in Venezuela, the US State Department said.

Secretary Pompeo will then travel to Bogota to meet with Colombian President Ivan Duque to discuss the strong partnership our countries share, including in managing the COVID-19 response, promoting mutual prosperity, and tackling the threats to regional security from narcotraffickers, terror groups, and Maduro’s illegitimate

regime.

Pompeo will return to the United States to discuss the Department of State’s priorities at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.

On Tuesday, Pompeo took to his Twitter account where he stated that his upcoming visit to Guyana and other countries in the western hemisphere is to “celebrate and fight for democracy”.

Pompeo said: “Glad to be visiting Suriname, Guyana, Brazil, Columbia and Texas to celebrate and fight for democracy in the Western Hemisphere. Looking forward to strengthening regional partnerships that will benefit the American people.”

Pompeo is scheduled to arrive in Guyana on September 17. Already, his advance team has arrived in the country and the US officials are already in talks with authorities here on the agenda. The US Secretary of State will spend two days in Guyana.

Pompeo is the highest-ranking US Government official to have ever visited Guyana. Pompeo played a prominent role in pushing for democracy in Guyana, during the tumultuous five months following the March 2 elections.

This role included issuing statements urging the then President David Granger to adhere to the results of the elections.

It was Pompeo who announced visa restrictions against Guyanese officials responsible for undermining democracy. He had also

urged President Granger, who at the time was being kept in power by virtue of court cases filed by his party supporters, to step aside.

Earlier this month,

Pompeo had reached out to President Dr Irfaan Ali to extend congratulations and to pledge the support of the US to Guyana on developmental issues.

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

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

Diaspora engagement I

t is indeed refreshing to see that the new Government is once again making moves to re-engage the diaspora community with the aim of getting them to return here and contribute either by working or investing. We have always expressed the view that Guyana has bountiful resources from which all citizens, including those who have moved abroad, can benefit. Similarly, there are, among the Diaspora, enormous resources in terms of skills and investment dollars that Guyana can tap into.

In his Budget speech a few days ago, Public Infrastructure Minister Juan Edghill referred to “indisputable evidence” which suggests that the Guyanese Diaspora is rich in intellectual, human and financial resources, and said the Government would maximise the use of these resources as it seeks to broaden its engagement with various stakeholders to push development forward.

At the micro-level, remittances contribute to a reduction in poverty, as they keep many families from succumbing to the inadequacies of their income. According to the 2019 Annual Report of the Bank of Guyana, the value of remittances stood at US$374 million, the largest contributor to foreign inflows, other than gold.

The potential that lies in Guyana’s Diaspora is vast, and the Government must continue to leverage the expertise, talent and investment potential of such persons. The recent oil discoveries have caused Guyana to be placed in the international spotlight. Just a few days ago, United States oil giant ExxonMobil announced another two more oil finds offshore Guyana – Yellow Tail 2 and Red Tail - bringing the total number of discoveries in the Stabroek Block to 18.

These discoveries reinforce the country’s potential to be able to produce more than 750,000 barrels of oil daily by 2025. While this is good news for the people of this country, the real substance of these major oil finds will come when all Guyanese, both living at home and abroad, are able to benefit from these discoveries, whether directly and/or indirectly.

For sure, Guyanese at home will not by themselves be able to push this level of development, because they are too small in number and do not possess all the skills required to undertake this massive task. There is certainly a shortage of skills in our country. Skills in various fields are badly needed, especially in the oil and gas sector.

Over the years, Guyana has resorted to importing expats to work in our industries and other sectors, and most would know that hiring these expats comes with a high price tag; and thereafter, the money is repatriated to our disadvantage.

There are Guyanese with similar academic qualifications and skills in the Diaspora, who could be engaged to return home to serve in various areas.

The present administration has shown it is cognisant of the huge impact such investments could have on the development of Guyana, and had put in place certain mechanisms to woo Guyanese to return home. For example, the Remigrant Scheme implemented under the PPP Government was designed to give every Guyanese desirous of returning home an opportunity to be exempted from certain taxes etc, once they decide to settle permanently here. A special housing scheme was also established to allow Guyanese returning to build their own homes.

That said, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would need to step up the level of technical support offered to such persons.

Many persons are still unsure of the start-over process due to lack of access to clear guidance etc. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website provides some level of guidance, it is inadequate, and sometimes the necessary follow-up support is absent.

There is no doubt that a bright future is ahead for everyone, especially our young people. Therefore, policies that are geared towards creating greater economic and social development opportunities for our citizens must always be kept on the front burner.

We are pleased that the new Government has brought the issue of diaspora engagement on the front burner again.

These are new and exciting times here, and everyone must be encouraged to take advantage of Guyana’s patrimony.

This Department of Public Information photo shows the scenic Charity, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) waterfront

When you mess with one marine, you mess with all the marines Dear Editor, After a gruesome five months’ struggle to secure a legitimate declaration of the election recount result, GECOM was finally able to confirm Dr. Irfaan Ali as the newly elected President of Guyana, and the PPP/C Party as the legal winner of the general election, based on the tabulated report presented by the Caricom Team.

This was possible only after many court battles and pressure brought to bear by the national and international communities, especially the visa restrictions’ sanctions implemented by the USA through the instrumentality of the Secretary of State, Mr Mike Pompeo, and his “step aside” statement to the then caretaker President, Mr David Granger. After President Ali was sworn in, Mr Pompeo congratulated President Ali on his electoral victory, which reflected a free, fair, credible, and transparent electoral process that respects the rule of law and the will of the Guyanese people. The Secretary of State added that the United States looks forward to working with Guyana to advance shared values, economic prosperity, and security in the region.

Shortly after its installment, the new Government backed a US-led international call for the establishment of a transition Government in Venezuela, for the conduct of free and fair elections. When it did, Guyana received commendation from Pompeo himself, when Pompeo tweeted in mid-August, “Great to see Guyana adds its voice for the call to restore democracy in Venezuela.”

Additionally, the Ali Administration has supported the US in its bid for the Presidency of the Inter-

American Development Bank (IDB).

The Government had thrown its weight behind the US nominee, Mauricio ClaverCarone, who was eventually elected a few days ago, the VP Dr Jagdeo attending virtually and casting Guyana’s vote.

Help was also received from the US to fight the pandemic. With the American company Exxon embarking on its third phase in the oil and gas industry in the Payara Project, the current Government is not signing the contract and wants to engage negotiation for better terms of agreement.

It has been less than two months since the PPP/C Party took over governing this country, and immediately they went to work, wasting no time. So many hidden APNU/AFC Party secrets were revealed from their misadministration, their financial wastage; new discoveries were unearthed, and an abomination of reckless spending and mismanagement. All the departments had to be streamlined, with political appointees relieved and replaced, new board appointments announced for the different utility companies, and an adoption of a fresh approach towards proper governance for the country’s development, which included a sophisticated but innovative $330B Budget presented for the balance of the year, all within record time.

This is too shocking and surprising for the APNU/ AFC Party, because it immediately reduces the burden on the nation, placing dollars in people’s pockets, a great relief measure to the private sector, and a humungous reduction in taxes, especially for the agriculture section. It is so shameful and embarrassing to the APNU/AFC Party that what they couldn’t accomplish in

five years, the PPP/C Party has strategised to make possible in three months.

This obviously exposed the inadequacy of the past administration, its corrupted passions, its shortcomings, and, of course, above all, the avenues whereby the pipes were liquidating the treasury.

Naturally, this didn’t sit well with them. Guyanese from all across the political divide share in this enthusiasm, and began to rejoice, but the merriment was quickly curtailed with the news of the Henry boys’ murder in West Coast Berbice. Although the motive hasn’t been established, the APNU/AFC Party leaders fuelled an uprising with racial innuendos that sparked further deaths, beatings, injuries, looting, robberies, burning, and tremendous damages to the Indian community. Despite all of this, there has not been any retaliation or retribution from the Indo-Guyanese. The Police, though, have confirmed that there was no political motive involved, and the location of discovery was the secondary crime scene and not the primary, therefore verifying that the bodies were transported and conveniently placed on the coconut estate.

It is against this background that the US Embassy has announced that the Secretary of State will be visiting Guyana during September 17/18.

This will be the first time a high-ranking US official will be making an official visit. It will be recalled earlier this year, when he was meeting with Caricom and the various Heads of Government, Guyana was not invited, Mr. Granger being the caretaker President then, and engaged in thwarting democracy. Although the

Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Hugh Todd, did not confirm the agenda or reasons for the visit, there have been numerous speculations and eyebrows are raising throughout Guyana.

He said, “When that prepping team comes, we will have a more formal pronouncement on the details and so forth,” and he explained that there is much to be “mapped out” ahead of Pompeo’s visit. Perhaps, this has wetted the insatiable appetite of many hungry (angry) inquisitors, and is causing some pain and discomfort with many people and in many areas.

Suffice to say that the insensitivity of many irrational behaviours from publicly known bullies have come under the scrutiny of diplomats from the ABCEU. A number of APNU/ AFC Party members and GECOM staff have trampled on the toes of those diplomats, causing them pain, anguish, embarrassment, distrust, and reasons for reservation. Some of them are already in court, and all of them felt that they would get away with all the miscreants and remain untouched while being securely protected and shielded by authorities. This opinion was entertained because they thought that they could have rigged the election and gotten away with their ill-doings, thereby remaining in power illegitimately.

Unfortunately, this scenario did not materialize, and when you mess with one marine, you mess with all the marines. It is said, “The evil that men/women do will live after them.”

Many are spending sleepless nights, wondering and pondering, “If only!”

Respectfully, Jai Lall

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

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NEWS

“Ponzi scheme” operators now being probed for money laundering …bank account opened for refund to investors, but no money deposited

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s investigations continue into the operations of a massive “Ponzi scheme” in Guyana that swindled millions of dollars out of thousands of Guyanese, authorities are still unable to locate any of the money.

In fact, as the probe widens, investigators are now looking at whether the operators – who are currently before the court on almost 60 fraud charges – are involved in money laundering.

“The investigations are expanding and moving in the direction now of anti-money laundering under the AML/ CFT structure. That component of the investigative arm of the State has now been activated,” Attorney General Anil Nandlall announced on Monday.

Yuri Garcia-Dominguez, a naturalised Cuban national, along with his Guyanese wife Ateeka Ishmael, are facing over 50 charges in relation to the unregulated operation conducted under the name Accelerated Capital Firm Incorporated (ACFI).

Through the company, the operators would have collectively received millions of dollars from Guyanese under the guise that the funds would be traded via

Forex and that the investors would receive attractive returns of as high as 50 per cent on their investments on a monthly basis.

However, many Guyanese came forward to reveal – through various platforms – that they have not been receiving their returns on investment, and efforts to withdraw their initial investment from the company were proving futile.

When word of this reached the new PPP/C Government, a high-level task force comprising of the Bank of Guyana, the Financial Intelligence Unit and the Guyana Securities Council, was established to investigate the matter.

The Attorney General, who heads that task force, explained that the couple would have provided information to authorities on the whereabouts of the monies it collected from investors, but the funds cannot be found.

“The accounts given and the companies that were provided that were supposed to be holding this money in various countries, upon investigations, none of these companies were found

Yuri Garcia-Dominguez along with his Guyanese wife, Ateeka Ishmael

to be existing, none of the bank accounts were found to be existing,” Nandlall explained.

No money deposited

Noting that recovering the monies to repay citizens remains the Government’s top priority, Nandlall also pointed out that officials complied with the couple’s request to have a local commercial bank account opened so that they can refund investors.

ACFI, in a statement on August 25, had said the funds necessary to refund the clients are ready to be disbursed; the company said with a bank account, they can transfer funds from its Bitcoin Wallets to repay all investors.

However, even though the account was opened, “not a cent” has been deposited, Nandlall said.

He further explained that the authorities complied with several requests

made by the arrested persons in an effort to recover the monies, including providing them with a computer so that they can “bring back the money”.

When this was done, the Cuban national complained that the internet service at the location where he is being detained was poor and as such, he was unable to conduct the transactions.

As a consequence, he was taken to another facility with high-speed internet service, but yet, the monies have not been returned, Nandlall posited.

“He wants the police now, to sign an agreement with him. The police, obviously, have been advised not to sign any such agreement,” the Attorney General stated.

The current charges before the couple alleged that they obtained varying sums of money, under false pretence, from a number of Guyanese citizens.

While they have been granted bail on some of those charges, they have been remanded to prison on the others. The Attorney General informed that the duo has approached the High Court on a number

of occasions to secure bail, however, their applications have been refused.

He explained that the Cuban national has no movable or immovable asset in the country and that authorities are of the view that he is a flight risk.

“Clearly, once bail is granted, he will skip the jurisdiction,” Nandlall said, explaining searches have been done by investigators in relation to any asset in which the accused might own in Guyana.

“He doesn’t own a single piece of property, not a motor vehicle, not a movable property, and certainly not any immovable property. And no one can provide any sensible information as to the whereabouts of all this money that he amassed from the people of Guyana and people elsewhere,” Nandlall asserted.

He further contended that “it is clear, beyond a shadow of doubt, that these monies were received as part of a fraudulent, criminal enterprise, and that they have been converted to the recipients’ own use, and no one knows where these monies are and there are no assets that the State can hold on to.” (G11)

For $221 million, what did we get from the Ethnic Relations Commission?

Dear Editor, At the end of the reign of the PNC -- defeated in a no-confidence Motion in December 2018 and at the March 2, 2020 elections -Guyana has been more divided than the early racial riots of the colonial 1960s. The five months of the PNC trying to rig the election in front of the whole world, together with the many PNC protests, have created a climate of dissension, division and strife, bordering on civil unrest.

I think it was unwise for the new Government to approve $11+ billion for commissions without questions or debate, including the hefty sum of $221 million for the ERC, and funds for the Judicial Service Commission, which has not functioned recently. There should not be a blanket approval of paying out taxpayers’ money without ongoing reviews of whether we are getting our money’s worth from these commissions, and what is their transformational impact. Poor countries cannot afford to spend money wastefully, without ongoing evaluation and redesigning.

In light of editorials and numerous comments on Facebook blogs calling for the defunding of the ERC, and in light of my own call for the ERC to be replaced by a Diversity/Affirmative Action Commission, I decid-

ed to look deeper, and reviewed the ERC website and FB pages.

The Commission has 10 members – 5 blacks, 4 Indians and 1 Amerindian. The Secretariat has 23 blacks, 5 Indians and 1 Amerindian.

Four of the 5 media monitors are blacks, and 1 appears to be Amerindian. There is a placeholder on the website for a Chief Executive Officer, but no information is provided, so it is not clear if there is one. Since employment is supposed to be an area of focus of the ERC’s work, they must have sensitivity to their own diversity in employment. They must model best practices. (They had done a study on “Employment Practices in the Public and Private Sectors in Region 4”).

The ERC’s website has 9 research reports – 2 from 2005 and 7 from 2007. There are no reports since 2007, but that can be because they may have done reports but not uploaded them, or no reports were done. Maybe the PRO will respond. I am only going by the evidence I see.

There were Annual Reports only for 2004-2007.

For other reports, there was one for “Public Consultation on the Perceived Needs of the African Community” (2007), “Perceived Needs of the Amerindian Community” (2008), “Perceived Needs of

the Chinese Community” (2008), and a report on the “Inter/Intra Community Dialogue (2008). Don’t know if they had done a report on “Perceived Needs of the Indian Community.”

There was a 1-page newsletter of little substance (with mainly pictures) for May 2020. There was none for March and April 2020, nor any since May 2020.

The Calendar of Events has nothing.

In response to my call for scrapping the ERC as is, the PRO explained their work is hampered because they can’t track and find some bloggers.

Could they not find Ms. Volda when Ms. Volda uttered the worst statements anyone can

make, and which I think was the lowest point of the PNC’s reign, the “New Declaration of Sophia” - “The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I could give work to is PNC. And, right now, I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese and ah want one that is PNC”?

I may have missed it, but I do not recall the ERC denouncing this. And how about GECOM refusing to give details about their hiring practices and the ERC doing nothing about that?

Harmon wants Mr. Khan removed for saying groups should use sticks for self-defence, and the ERC promptly reprimanded Khan. The fastest thing the ERC has ever

done is to reprimand Khan twice.

Barrington writes much nonsense, but gets no reprimand from the ERC. Why? How about The ERC Chair himself? The Chair must explain why, just after the first fraudulent election results were announced, and we were dealing with the rigging in court, the Ministry of the Presidency released several pictures of the Chair ushering in Mr. Granger to the Chair’s birthday party at the Ramada.

The Chair has the right to invite whomever he wants to his party, but an ERC Chair needs to be sensitive to these things. I thought it was totally inappropriate and cal-

culated to send some kind of message to the faithful.

I call on the Chair to resign now and/or offer explanations for that. The Chair is a busy man. He already has 2 other jobs: as head of his church and head of the denomination. ERC head is his third job.

In things that matter, the ERC has been missing in action. In its current form, the ERC is useless. That money could have repaved all the roads and concreted the drains in my village of Whim, and the Whim-Bloomfield NDC. That would have been money well spent.

Sincerely, Dr Jerry Jailall

Rejecting all allegations of political persecution

Dear Editor, I wish to respond to a media release by APNU/AFC in relation to my disclosures of the contract details of Amanza Walton-Desir, MP, Ms. Desir, in her presentation in the National Assembly during the ongoing budgetary debates, alleged that the PPP/Civic Administration terminated her employment on political grounds. She was a legal advisor to the Civil Aviation Authority, a statutory body corporate over which I hold Ministerial responsibility, including Parliamentary

responsibility.

The allegations of Ms. Desir are completely false and without any basis whatsoever. It is therefore my duty to respond. Respond I did, for which I have no apologies. I will ignore the personal attacks contained in the media release. It is the modus operandi of the incompetent APNU/AFC. It is their substitute for dealing with the real issues.

APNU/AFC describes Ms. Desir as a public servant. She is not. That is part of their incompetence. They do not know

who is a public servant. They allege that I dismissed Ms. Desir for political reasons. I have no power to dismiss Ms. Desir. She has a contract with the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Authority terminated that contract in accordance with its terms. I simply disclosed the grounds upon which she was dismissed.

As an officer of a public authority, Civil Aviation Authority, Ms Desir is a public officer being paid by public funds and the terms and conditions of her contract, as well as the quality of her per-

formance are all matters to which the public is entitled.

I disseminated that information to the public, which I have a duty to do as the subject minister of that authority. I reject all allegations of political persecution. Of course, Ms. Desir is free to challenge both the termination of her contract and my public disclosures. I wish her well.

Sincerely, Juan A Edghill, MP Minister of Public Works

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

Page

Foundation

SUMMER OF LEARNING

◄

Dividing fractions by fractions

To divide a fraction by another fraction, multiply the first fraction by the reciprocal of the second fraction.

Example: Divide: 2/6 ÷ 3/7 Step 1: Find the reciprocal of the second fraction. The reciprocal of 3/7 is 7/3 .

Step 4: Multiply the denominators: 6 x 3 = 18 Step 5: Write the product: 14/18. The product of that multiplication is also the quotient of the original division problem.

Step 6: Reduce the fraction if possible: 14/18 = 7/9.

When you divide fractions, you will multiply by the reciprocal!

2) 20/1

Exercises: Divide 1) 2/5 ÷ 4/7

3) 20/60 ÷ 13/39

Step 3: Multiply the numerators: 2 x 7 = 14

Tuesday’s answers: 1) 6/1

4) 7/6 ÷ 3/5

5) 2/18 ÷ 1/12

6) 8/5 ÷ 2/6

3) 63/2

4) 96/3 (32/1)

5) 72/1

6) 1/10

DIY Outdoor Sound Wall

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wonderful way for preschoolers to explore sound and rhythm while creating music outdoors!

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n ass was being driven along a road leading down the mountain side, when he suddenly took it into his silly head to choose his own path. He could see his stall at the foot of the mountain, and to him the quickest way down seemed to be over the edge of the nearest cliff. Just as he was about to leap over, his master caught him by the tail and tried to pull him back, but the stubborn ass would not yield and pulled with all his might.

“Very well,” said his master, “go your way, you wilful beast, and see where it leads you.”

With that he let go, and the foolish ass tumbled head over heels down the mountain side.

Preparing a sound wall

Find an old pallet and collect an odd assortment of pots, pans, trays, and wooden spoons to hang up on the pallet. Put any extra pieces on a table.

Try hitting the pots, pans, and trays, with wooden spoons to see the different you can make. (Be warned parents, it is quite noisy!)

WORD SEARCH

Exploring sound

Sometimes you can just make lots of noise, but other times, you can slow down and think more about the different sounds and how you can drum up a beat or a real tune.

FOR CHILDREN

2) 1/6 ÷ 3/9

Step 2: Multiply the first fraction by the second fraction' s reciprocal. 2/6 x 7/3

Remember

Æsop’s Fables

Offering new experiences

You can use different types of tools for tapping or different pots

and pans for making a variety of sounds, or even shakers. (teachpreschool.org)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Success of Tanager well will open new opportunities – ExxonMobil

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il giant ExxonMobil initiated drilling last August at the Tanager-1 well in the Kaieteur Block offshore Guyana, in the greatest depth of water encountered here since oil exploration commenced.

ExxonMobil (Guyana) President Alistair Routledge said on Tuesday that if it was successful, it could unlock vast opportunities for the country and stakeholders.

Speaking during the Caribbean Oil and Gas Virtual Summit (CARIVS), he stated that professionals overseeing the operations were quite “anxious” to witness what would be discovered. This success, however, is by no means assured.

“Our Tanager well, which we started drilling in August, is unique and exciting. In addition to being our first well on the Kaieteur Block, it is also the deepest well in terms of water depth that we’ve drilled in Guyana…If we’re successful, the Tanager well will open a new set of opportunities in the Guyana oil and gas sector,” Routledge disclosed.

The target total depth of 8000 metres will take an estimated 90 days to drill, Westmount Energy Limited had announced. On August 11, Westmount Energy Limited stated that the Stena Carron drillship arrived on location at the Tanager-1 wellsite in the Kaieteur Block to start operations. Westmount Energy Limited’s statement noted that Exxon operated the block with a 35 per cent stake, with Ratio with 25 per cent, Cataleya Energy, 25 per cent, and Hess, 15 per cent being the other owners.

Apart from the Kaieteur Block, Exxon is also preparing for its first well in the Canje Block – expected to be spud by early next year. Along with that, the fourth lift of oil – amounting to one million barrels – will take place soon and the Payara Project is on stream for production in 2024.

The ExxonMobil (Guyana) President said as such explora-

ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge

tion and production continued, the company was seeking to have continued investment in the sector.

“We share an interest not just in safe, responsible production, but also in growing the revenues in oil and gas…

We also share an interest in a stable, predictable, regulatory environment that enables consistent investments. That is how capacity in Guyana will continue to grow. Investment and employment is always highest during the development phase.”

While the exploration and extraction of the recoverable resource may seem like an easy feat, Routledge said a great deal of technology and investments were injected into the operations. To ensure a high possibility of finding oil deposits, a number of technological devices and software have been developed by the oil giant to aid its human resources.

“The foundation for the oil and gas sector in Guyana is pretty impressive. When I think about the past year, however, my key takeaway is that we’re just getting started…The truth is, it is not that easy. A foundation for these discoveries is upfront investment in proprietary seismic data and proprietary technology that ExxonMobil has developed. It’s an incredibly complex process built on decades of experience,” the ExxonMobil President insisted.

Along with the challenges of COVID-19 this year, Exxon was also hindered by an operational issue on the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. During the commissioning phase, they experienced some issues with the system that injects gas and had to flare gas longer than expected.

“The routine flaring will not take place on our operations. It is a necessary safety control process to destroy compounds emitted during the startup and shutdown phases and during non-routine activities. As we continue the commissioning phase, we’ve reduced production rates and conducted a root-cause analysis of the compressor issues,” the senior official assured.

Local constraints

While Exxon has welcomed investments in the sector, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President Nicholas Boyer highlighted some of the challenges linked with the growing oil industry.

While Guyana is poised to become an economic powerhouse in the Caribbean, he said, “the challenges we face in

GCCI President Nicholas Boyer

Guyana include security and environment, institutional capacity, funding of investments, legislations and infrastructural constraints. The Private Sector shares an integral role in shaping the future of this country and we continue to be tenacious in promoting the opening of the oil industry to private enterprises, promoting development and cooperation, as well as communication between Guyanese enterprises and their regional counterparts as well as their international counterparts” .

Through partnership with the State and relevant agencies, the Chamber is hoping to see a reduction of the carbon

footprint associated with oil production.

The GCCI President declared, “Through sustained advocacy and collaboration with our Government and civil society partners, we hope to see minimisation of the carbon footprint of oil production, boosted Private Sector investment and collaboration, and the continued development of an enabling environment for increased Private Sector participation in the oil and gas sector.”

Commitment to Payara

Meanwhile, Routledge, on Tuesday, reaffirmed that the company and its partners were eagerly awaiting Government’s approval of the Payara development project which he said was set for a 2024 start-up.

Like the Liza Phase 2 project, the Payara development is expected to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day when it commences production.

“We are excited about this project and eager to move forward,” Routledge stated.

He noted that while investment projects in all sectors must compete for funding

in these unprecedented times, Payara remained a top priority in the company’s global growth plans.

“We firmly believe that the Payara development concept maximises value for our partners which include the people and Government of Guyana,” he told stakeholders.

He said that in a market where many projects have been postponed or cancelled, Exxon and its partners remained committed to new investments in Guyana.

Recently, the new People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration has engaged international experts with the aim of conducting a review of the project plan before a final go-ahead is given. In this regard, Routledge said that his company was working with the Government to make sure they have all the information they need so that a decision could be made in good time.

The Guyana Government has stated several times that while it wanted investors to feel comfortable and confident here, its foremost interest lay in ensuring that Guyanese also enjoy maximum benefits from the country’s oil resources. (G12)

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Licking his wounds...

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...after being Voldarised ranger’s first outing after his decapitation of the top ranks of the PNC – Volda Lawrence and Aubrey Norton comes to mind – was to file the long-promised “elections petition” in the Courts, after he’d suddenly thrown in the towel in his five-month war of rigging attrition. Kinda like Roberto Duran crying, “No mas! No mas! after being battered by Sugar Ray Leonard!

The week before, however, PNC Chairwoman Volda Lawrence had to appear in the Courts to be charged with elections fraud...and it must’ve been humiliating for the Sanctimonious Gangster to see the handful of PNC supporters who’d turned up to signal their support for him compared to the multitudes that came out for Volda.

Granger must’ve realised that taking control of the PNC – through his proxy Joseph Harmon – was not going to be a cakewalk. Burnham could’ve pulled off such a “night of long knives” in the party without working up even a sweat -- but Granger clearly was no Burnham. Heck! He wasn’t even a Hoyte who’d also done some serious bloodletting after 1985! Georgetown was the heart and soul of the PNC: the sanctum sanctorum! What the heck was he going to do to save face? And with his “League of Coloured People” background, “face” meant a whole lot to him!! And it wasn’t only the lack of support in GTown...prominent PNCites were openly calling, both in the Diaspora and at home, for his removal.

And this was the reason he was so truculent when the next week, the terrible news of the gruesome murder of Joel and Isaiah Henry took him to West Berbice to “commiserate” with the parents. Rather than sympathising with a grieving and angry community, Granger and Harmon chose to cynically and callously politicise the murders to bolster their own sinking fortunes. Granger wildly connected the murders to the political climate – and by extension hauling in the ethnic divisions that have plagued our country for decades. There wasn’t a shred of evidence for his assertion – or for sure, he would’ve made this public.

And the rest, as they say, is history. Murder, mayhem, robberies, beatings, destruction of property, especially vehicles at fiery roadblocks all brought traffic on West Berbice to a halt in the next four days. But as the nation was poised to careen over the precipice, Volda Lawrence stepped up to the crease – in this case Hopetown and – echoing Isaiah’s father – made her now famous call for peace and sanity to PNC supporters.

Which they heeded. And in this way torpedoed any chance of Granger ever salvaging any hope of taking over the PNC. Volda Lawrence has now defeated him twice on the battlefield!! ...in Venezuela Your Eyewitness really can’t understand some Guyanese. Take the lot who’re tearing their hair out over the fate of Maduro and his regime over in neighbouring Venezuela – on some notion that the US’s end game is in sight. And that Secretary Pompeo’s making his swing through our dear mudland, Suriname, Brazil, and Colombia to ask that we be on the side of democracy. Now here’s a leader, who – like Burnham – has embarked on some harebrained scheme to create a “perfect” utopia – and ended up with a dystopia that’s sent six million leaving on foot across their borders!

More to the point, with countries having permanent interests and all that, there’s the small matter of Venezuela laying claim to two-thirds of our country! And still occupying our half of Ankoko Island – which they seized the same year we got Independence. Our interest is to help the Venezuelan people once again enjoy the democratic freedoms we now do – with US help.

And use whatever chance to make the Venezuelans abandon their ridiculous land grab! ...and his “young’un” A damning indictment of Granger’s destruction of good governance, was the revelation that after the GCAA Board reprimanded Amanda Walton-Desir she went directly to him.

And he backed her!

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

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Corentyne fisherman stabbed to death Sasenarine Singh appointed CEO of GuySuCo P

GuySuCo CEO (ag) Sasenarine Singh

New Board Chair Pravainchandra Dave

Vice Chair of GuySuCo’s Board, Anthony Vieira

inancial analyst, Sasenarine Singh has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (ag) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) effective September 14.

This announcement was made by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Tuesday.

Singh holds a Master’s Degree in Finance from Lancaster University, an Executive Post Graduate Diploma from London Business School, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy from the University of Guyana. He is also a qualified Chartered Accountant (ACCA). Singh is a Project Finance Specialist with over 16 years’ experience at turnaround management internationally and possesses tremendous leadership experience at building capacity in teams.

According to the Minister, Singh will lead the conditional survey ahead of the reopening of the shuttered Enmore, Rosehall, and Albion Estates and is ably supported in this task by Vishnu Panday – Skeldon; Aaron Dukhia – Rose Hall, and Dr N K Gopaul, East Demerara Estate (Enmore).

Meanwhile, Government has also announced the appointment of the new Board of Directors for GuySuCo. The Board will be chaired

by Pravainchandra Dave, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Demerara Bank. The vice chair of the Board is former APNU/AFC member, Anthony Vieira.

In the official gazette dated September 10, it is stated that the other members of the Board are Ramesh Persaud; Tarachand Balgobin; Ray Hanoman; Shamira Evans; Mohamed Rafeek and

Desmond Sears. Ex-officio member is Paul Cheong.

Cheong is the Chairman of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) representatives will also sit on the Board.

F

olice are investigating the murder of a Corentyne, Berbice fisherman who died hours after being stabbed at a betting shop.

Dead is John Alexander Yap of Kilcoy Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Reports are that Yap and his wife left home on Friday evening and went to a Superbet outlet at Kilcoy Village. Whilst there, the 21-year-old suspect and Yap had an argument which led to the father of two being stabbed to his chest. Yap was picked up and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was admitted and subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The dead man’s wife, Mineisha Chandralall called “Anjali”, recalled that two weeks ago, the suspect and her husband had an argument over the suspect’s girlfriend plaiting Yap’s hair.

The girlfriend is Yap’s Rakhi sister (Raksha

Dead: John Alexander Yap

Bandhan also called Rakhi, is the Hindu festival that celebrates brotherhood and love where a female ties a bracelet to male’s wrist to honour the relationship between brother and sister.)

According to Chandralall, as she rushed to her husband, she encountered the suspect.

“I ask him what you do that for boy, and he say ‘it get more to do. It not done yet’,” the grieving woman re-

lated.

She said at the time the suspect had a black knife in his hand and what appeared to be blood on his body.

The mother of two recounted that she visited the New Amsterdam Hospital at about 06:00h on Tuesday where doctors informed her that her husband was taken to the operating theatre but succumbed to his injuries.

This newspaper was told that two weeks ago, during a wake for Chandralall’s mother, the two also had an altercation which resulted in Yap being stabbed to the throat.

That incident stemmed from the suspect’s girlfriend plaiting Yap’s hair.

According to Chandralall, the suspect complained to her that her husband was friendly with his girlfriend.

Meanwhile, the police said checks were made for the suspect at his home but he was not located. The suspect lives in the same street as Yap. The couple has two children - aged two and five. (G4)

10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

19 houses built since 2018 remain unoccupied – Rodrigues …houses overpriced, now infested with termites, mould

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he former A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change’s (APNU/AFC) lacklustre achievements in the housing sector was bared for all to see in the National Assembly, as new Minister within the Housing Ministry Susan Rodrigues walked with evidence of the unoccupied, termite-in-

Housing Minister Susan Rodrigues

fested houses the former Government built.

During her budget presentation on Tuesday, Rodriques revealed that 19 houses built in the community of Experiment in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) approximately two years ago, are yet to be occupied. She called it an “experiment” gone horribly wrong and displayed pictures of the state of the houses, to the National Assembly.

“One of the APNU/AFC’s community experience is located at Experiment in Region Five where 19 houses were built some two years ago and until now not one of these have been occupied. The houses built in Experiment was indeed an experiment, Mr Speaker, one that went horribly wrong, leaving CH&PA with a security bill of $23 million and counting,”

An example of mould build-up inside one of the homes

Rodrigues said.

She noted that the project lacked vision and strategy since the houses were not built to target any particular income bracket but was “another brainless approach to housing and the reason they remain unoccupied up to now. The houses have become dilapidated and infested with termites, making them uninhabitable.”

TURN TO PAGE 16

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Coast man Miner crushed to Essequibo charged for killing ex-lover death by falling tree

Dead: Marques Cornelius

A

29-year-old miner of Pomeroon, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), was on Monday crushed to death by a fallen tree at Big Hope, Waini, Region One (Barima-Waini).

Dead is Marques Cornelius, a general manager of Singh’s Mining Operations. According to Police, Cornelius was prospecting at the backdam at about 10:35h when a tree fell and pinned him.

Police said that workers immediately went to help him and upon removing him from under the tree, they observed that he was lifeless with blood exiting his ears. Reports are he was placed in his employer’s vehicle and taken to the 70km Police Outpost. The employees arrived at the station at about 16:00h and were escorted by Police ranks to the Suddie Public Hospital where Cornelius was pronounced dead on arrival at about 18:30h.

Owner of Singh’s Mining, Dileep Singh said he received a call from his son,

Navin Singh, about the incident around 11:00h, when he was informed that some men were clearing an area in the Waini area when the incident occurred.

Singh said his son told him during their telephone call that a tree fell on Cornelius, and workers attached to the mining camp were trying to get the miner out. However, he was later informed that their efforts proved futile.

Reports revealed that Cornelius has been working with Singh’s Mining for the past 15 years. Mother of the dead man, Eva Adams revealed that the miner, who is the youngest of her children, only left for the interior three weeks ago.

Meanwhile, the Labour Ministry on Tuesday said that it has launched an investigation into Cornelius’ death.

“The Ministry of Labour is once again collaborating with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) in conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances of this accident,” the Ministry said in a statement. Arrangements are being made to visit the accident site, the Ministry’s statement also said, adding that it is expected that a report will be prepared which will include recommendations and prevent future recurrence.

Only last Wednesday, a 59-year old pork-knocker lost his life after a mining pit collapsed at Konawaruk Backdam at Whitewater Mountain, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Dead is Donston John.

Reports are he was killed

after rocks caved in on him.

According to reports, John, also called “Rambo” of St Francis Mission, Mahaicony River, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), and a 63-year-old pork-knocker of Kamarang, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), were working as punters with a three-inch pump and their detectors at Whitewater Backdam.

They were, however, joined by two other punters – a 52-year-old of Samantha Point, Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and a 49-year-old man of Wakapao, Pomeroon, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

As the men were working at the edge of a hill, several big rocks reportedly fell on the victim while the others managed to run to safety.

Moments after, the men returned to the scene and after several hours of digging out the debris, the lifeless body of John was pulled. (G9)

Dead: Lunisa Peters

A

42-year-old truck driver of Golden Fleece, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), was on Tuesday remanded to prison for killing his ex-lover.

Nandran Persaud, called “Toppie” or “Floppy”, appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court where the murder charge was read to him by Magistrate Esther Sam.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that on September 9, 2020, at Good Hope, Supenaam, Essequibo Coast, he murdered Lunisa Peters.

Reports are on September 9 at about 23:30h, Persaud visited the 24-year-old woman at her aunt’s home and was allowed inside.

However, while sitting, the woman’s phone rang and when she answered, the suspect heard a male’s voice on the other end of the line and became enraged. He allegedly snatched the woman by her hair and dragged her into the kitchen where he grabbed a knife, took her to the bathroom, and started to stab her about the body.

The woman’s aunt, Meg Matthews, having heard the commotion, raised an alarm after which the suspect left the house and made good his escape on foot.

Peters was taken to the Suddie Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. The mat-

Charged: Nandran Persaud, called “Toppie” or “Floppy”

ter was reported, an investigation was carried out and Persaud was later arrested and charged for the offence.

Matthews said that countless times, her niece would confide in her about the abusive relationship.

After she could not take it any longer, she decided to end it.

The case will continue on September 25 at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court. (G11)

Pirates attack fishing boat in Waini River

A

fishing expedition by a four-man crew along the Waini River, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), turned into a horror story after the men were attacked by pirates.

Reports are the boat, which was captained by a 30-year-old man of Kumaka Water Front, departed Morawhanna village on Saturday, September 12, at about 22:00h.

However, at about 07:00h on Sunday, the crew was awakened by the sound of men on board the vessel.

According to the Guyana Police Force, information re-

ceived indicates that there were five men, two of whom were armed with “long guns”; the suspects were clad in “what appeared to be military uniforms” and they were speaking a foreign language. Police stated that the pirates then took control of the vessel and forced the crew to the bow, where they remained for some 24 hours.

The suspects then

brought onboard their belongings, from a wooden boat they tied onto the captured vessel. The police stated that the suspects then spotted other boats in the area and left in pursuit of them.

Before departing, they relieved the crew of their valuables, including a Plum cell phone valued $16,000.

According to the police, shortly after the suspects disembarked the vessel, the

captain hurriedly started the boat and proceeded to the open ocean to avoid being followed by the pirates.

On Monday, at about 05:40h, the captain and his crew went to the Mabaruma Police Station and made a report. The suspects’ belongings, which were left onboard, were handed over to the police.

Investigations are ongoing.

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2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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14 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 more deaths, 74 new COVID-19 cases reported A

nother two new coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday raised Guyana’s death toll to 58, accompanied with 74 new cases.

The Health Ministry confirmed the deaths, noting that it was reported at midnight on September 14. The latest fatalities are a 75-yearold male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and an 86-year-old woman from Region One (Barima-Waini).

Both persons died while receiving medical care at the facility.

The Ministry said samples were collected from both at the time of admission and were tested positive for COVID-19. Officials have since proceeded to contact all relatives and persons who had contact with the deceased to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance.

Prior to this, one death was reported on Sunday morning as well as two last Friday.

With the 74 new cases, the country’s total figures of positive COVID-19 cases recorded in Guyana climbed to 1958. The data presented a

gender breakdown of 962 males and 996 females being infected with COVID-19. In one day, there has been a reduction of one patient in the designated Intensive Care Unit, which now stands at 15.

There are 533 individuals on home isolation – an additional 23 more.

Notwithstanding, some 49 persons are in institutional isolation and 70 in institutional quarantine. From the confirmed cases, 1302 persons have recovered – an increase of 37.

A regional breakdown of the new cases showed that eight were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), six in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 41 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), 11 in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), four in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), two in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and two in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The other regional figures remain the same with 26 in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 12 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and 29 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Last week, Director of Medical and Professional Services (DMPS) at the Georgetown Public Hospital,

Dr Fawcett Jeffrey responded to the upsurge in deaths within the past month, stating that it is highly linked to comorbidity in patients, which is derived from pre-existing medical conditions.

The health official explained that a closer look at the recent deaths showed that there were no shortag-

es of medical equipment or protective gears for staffers in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU). As the virus progresses, more information has been surfacing about its nature, which has established a link between comorbidity and the death rate.

Some conditions which can cause deterioration of a COVID-19 patient include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart diseases, asthma, cystic fibrosis, cancer, weakened immune system and others.

With the large number of cases confirmed on Tuesday, the Health Ministry advised

Guyanese yet again to observe all protocols provided in the National Emergency Measures, which is in effect until September 30. This includes adherence to the 6 pm to 6 am curfew.

Persons are reminded of the need for correct and consistent use of face masks when leaving their homes, maintaining the six feet physical distance from others and good hand hygiene to reduce the spread of the virus.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or need any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624 6674 immediately. Those with an internet connection can also visit the website at www.health. gov.gy for guidance.

2 Lusignan prisoners test positive for COVID-19

The Lusignan Prison compound

T

wo prisoners of the Lusignan penitentiary on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) have tested positive for COVID-19, and authorities are still trying to trace where they contracted the life-threatening virus.

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels informed in a press release on Tuesday that the two inmates were being held at the Holding Bay. They were tested earlier and the results returned on Tuesday with positive results. Contact tracing has since commenced to curtail a large spread in the prison population.

“The circumstances under which the two prisoners contracted the virus are presently unknown, and contact tracing has begun. All steps are being taken to segregate persons with whom they came into contact. Resources are being gathered to prevent further spread,” Samuels informed.

All persons who are exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19 will be examined and exposed to the Standard Operational Procedures outlined by the Health Ministry, the Prison Services noted.

“Systems are also being put in place to monitor the rest of the prison population and to monitor Prison Officers and staff. Further, the steps taken over the months to prevent coronavirus from the prison will be revisited and expanded where necessary. The Guyana Prison Service wishes to reassure all prisoners and Prison Officers that this matter is being viewed very seriously and that all mitigation strategies are in place

for their protection,” the release further stated.

All admissions are now isolated for 14 days and will be subjected to medical checks before being placed with the general population.

Back in July, a widespread fire at the penitentiary had resulted in the destruction of the entire cell blocks after inmates started rioting for seized contraband to be returned. A total of 286 prisoners were displaced; of which 156 are placed at the Holding Bay. The bay, at that time, housed a total of 581 convicted inmates.

Efforts were taken to transfer 27 of them to the Camp Street penitentiary, 51 to Timehri Prison and another 50 to the Mazaruni Prison.

After the fire, Samuels had noted that overcrowding posed an even more severe challenge, taking into account the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines.

He had noted that the area where the prisoners are kept is overcrowded, despite the transfers.

Last month, new Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn visited the facility where he also stressed the importance of social distancing as one of the main measures to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deemed as a pressing issue, several facilities will be constructed so that social distancing can be practiced and more so, better supervision and management of the prisoners can be ensured.

The Prison Directorate and engineers were also tasked with detailing the development plans for the Lusignan Prison. (G12)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Cocaine found on plane weighs 390kg Jordan out of his mind – T PPP's 2020 Budget shows government of the people

T

he PPP presented its 2020 budget last week in Parliament.

It reversed many taxes, including removing VAT on water and electricity; increased old-age pension; reintroduced and increased cash grants for school children; doubled school uniform vouchers; reintroduced water and electricity subsidies for pensioners; provided for $25,000 COVID-19 cash grant per household; reintroduced annual bonus for the disciplined services; provided $150M for risk allowances for health workers on the COVID-19 frontline; reversed increases for leases on agriculture land; reintroduced subsidies for agricultural and mining equipment; restored zero-rated provisions for hundreds of items; and the list of "goodies" goes on and on. It reminded Dr Leslie Ramsammy everyone why budget time under the PPP Government creates excitement, because people expect "goodies".

Every single household, every business, has something in the budget that increases their cash-flow, and still there is money for big projects.

APNU+AFC and its parent, the PNC, have introduced thirty-three budgets between 1964 and 1992, and between 2015 and 2020. In contrast to the PPP budgets, between 1992 and 2015, and now again in 2020, people always anticipate PNC budgets with fear and anxiety, because they expect the budget to take things from them, to create more burdens for people and businesses. In fact, the oldtime PNC budgets had names, like "pick-pocket" and “choke-androb" budgets.

After the PPP Government presented the 2020 budget in Parliament last week, the former APNU+AFC Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, described the budget as a "private sector" budget, one that erodes the revenue base and pumps up the deficit. Jordan revealed how out of his depth he was as Finance Minister. More importantly, Jordan must have been out of his mind, boasting of his and APNU+AFC's reviled policy of "tax and spend", or, rather, "tax and waste". The revenue base he is talking about is the almost 200 new taxes or increased taxes on the people of Guyana, on ordinary people, on businesses and on industries, which APNU+AFC introduced between 2015 and 2020. Jordan shepherded APNU+AFC's assault on the people of Guyana by increasing taxes that, in 2019, brought in almost $100B in tax revenue. In the five years APNU+AFC were in Government, they brought in more than $400B in taxes, money that was ripped off from people's pockets, reducing the buying power of the people.

What did they have to show for that extra money they took from people's pockets; from the small businesses; from the miners, etc.?

There was no big project that that tax money contributed to. The Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion and modernisation was supported by a loan from the Chinese EXIM Bank, not from taxpayers’ money, and was started under the PPP. Now that the PPP Government is back, it has inherited a project that was reduced in scope, had more money spent on it, and was of a quality that necessitated the new PPP Government spending millions of US dollars to remedy. The East Coast Highway and West Demerara Highway were started under the PPP. In the case of the East Coast Highway, it will have to be completed by the new PPP Government.

These were funded with money the PPP had already mobilised before 2015. The PPP's Sheriff Street expansion saw APNU spending hundreds of millions, but there is nothing to show for it. The Ogleto-Diamond Georgetown-bypass highway never got started. Not a single new hospital or highway, no new school etc. was built with taxpayers’ money. Whatever were built were those things already underway in 2015, and with monies already mobilised by the PPP. They did repair a building, now known as the Ocean View swindle, at a cost of $1.6B, and now the people of Guyana are being told it is owned by a private person. That person is asking for $1.6B to sell the building to the Government. They built a monstrosity at Durban Park at a cost of over $1B, but cannot account for most of the money. They rented a house for more than $200M and called it a medical warehouse. They paid billions for medicines, but in five years, there were always major medicine and medical supplies’ shortages. They signed two contracts for schools at a total contract sum exceeding one billion dollars, and paid mobilisation costs, but construction of neither of the schools has started. They did feasibility studies for the Demerara River Bridge for more than $150M, but there is nothing to show for this. They closed four sugar estates and impoverished more than 40,000 people, while borrowing $30B for GUYSUCO, but cannot show what they did with it. They got $US18M from EXXON, but we still do not know what happened with that money. They paid for a contract for sea defence in Mahaicony, but the work is still to be done. The Deepwater Harbour, the Corentyne River Bridge, the Amaila Hydroelectric Plant were all major projects that were abandoned.

Not only did they collect more taxes from the people, but they took away entitlements that people had. They also borrowed more than US$600M, increasing the debt from US$1.1B to $US1.7B. They also totally spent out the $15B gold reserve at the Bank of Guyana, and built up a $100B overdraft at the Bank of Guyana.

With that track record, Jordan should have just shut his mouth and hide in his closet.

he cocaine found aboard one of the two planes that crash-landed in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), weighs 390 kilograms (kg).

This was announced by the Guyana Police Force on Tuesday.

Authorities found two aircraft, a 206 Cessna and a Beechcraft, at Issano, Region Seven.

On Sunday, three foreign nationals and an aircraft were found in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and on Monday another aircraft was discovered, this time with a large amount of cocaine and a dead man.

The three men are a 38-year-old pilot from Boa Vista; a 29-year-old pilot from Temeremo, Venezuela; and a 35-year-old internet technician from Manaus, Brazil.

According to Regional Commander, Superintendent Deon Moore, the second aircraft was found several hundred yards away from the Nine Miles Airstrip, Issano – where the first one was located.

The police have since confirmed that along with the hu-

The cocaine that was found in the plane

man remains, a large quantity of cocaine was also found in the crashed aeroplane. On Sunday, Police acting on information received proceeded to the airstrip located in the

Middle Mazaruni area and a red and white 206 Cessna aircraft was found.

Ranks, however, questioned the three men via Google Translate, where it was

disclosed that they were heading to Suriname with a second aircraft when it developed mechanical issues.

The men claimed that this forced them to crash land, causing one of the occupants to suffer a fractured right arm and minor bruises about his face.

At the time, while Police could not find the other aircraft, the one discovered was examined but there was no visible damage. Along with the three persons, nothing illegal was found in the aircraft other than a cell phone, satellite phone, identification documents and other items.

Nevertheless, the three men were arrested and taken into custody.

The discovery of the second aircraft was made hours after by the police ranks who went in search of the missing plane.

Investigations are ongoing and the aircraft remains on the ground under Police security.

Back in September 2016, a Joint Services patrol discovered an illegal aircraft hidden just off of the Yupukari Airstrip, Rupununi, with United States registration N-767-Z.

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Task Force for natural gas management – Minister …oil revenues to support tax reductions, targeted cash transfers

G

overnment will be establishing a task force to handle the natural gas aspect of Guyana’s oil resources, in keeping with its mandate to holistically manage the sector in an efficient manner despite prevailing circumstances.

This was announced by Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat during the opening of a three-day Caribbean Oil and Gas Virtual Summit (CARIVS), through a partnership with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and ExxonMobil on Tuesday.

In just a few years, Guyana has transformed into an oil-producing state with the discovery of its vast oil boon, and the new Administration says it does not intend to handle these resources lightly. Through careful manoeuvring, it must benefit the entire population and create a long-lasting effect.

As such, the Minister informed that this task force

will not only ensure that the gas is brought onshore at a faster time, but also to assist with power security.

“We are also in the process of establishing a technical task force on natural gas to ensure that not only that gas is brought to shore in the shortest possible time to reduce our energy insecurities in the power sector, but also have an overall plan for the utilisation and monetisation of gas,” Bharrat indicated.

He mentioned that another early initiative is moving to have the Petroleum Commission Bill passed in the National Assembly so as to effectuate the establishment of the Petroleum Commission and provide the technical institutional framework for enhanced regulation of the sector. This is in addition to the Natural Resources Fund, the Crude Lifting Agreement and a Local Content Policy.

Minister Bharrat said Guyana has carefully examined the resource curse which

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

has befallen other oil-blessed nations and is seeking to prevent this at all costs.

He asserted that the PPP Government will approach the sector in a non-partisan manner, keeping in mind the significant boon attached to the wealth as well as its challenges in management.

There are many examples around the world, he noted,

where developing countries have obtained windfalls from oil and gas but eventually ended up poorer than before.

“The resource curse will not be taken lightly and we will learn from the experiences of others. It must be noted, however, that our work is guided by several pillars which include good governance, increased value extraction, efficiency, improved transparency, accountability, predictability, balance and evidence-based decision making.”

The Minister reiterated that the new Administration is tasked with ensuring that the oil resources create a national impact by generating “immediate and long-lasting” benefits.

He added that the Government also has the task of strategically guiding Guyana’s growth and opportunities so as to create a positive and long-lasting regional and global impact on the developmental efforts of its sister countries in Caricom

and around the world.

“In all of this, we will not lose sight of our most important resource, our people - their needs, their hopes, their right to acquire a quality life to education, health, safety and to a future,” the Minister said.

He told the forum that with the current COVID-19 pandemic, countries must seek immediate ways of overcoming their individual challenges and enable potential opportunities for investment. While some are facing extreme economic hardships, Guyana is on the cusp of unprecedented growth.

ESSO Exploration and Production Guyana Limited would have recently announced the 18th discovery in the Stabroek Block, proving a discovery rate of 90 per cent and an estimated resource base of over eight billion recoverable barrels of oil and substantial volumes of associated gas.

In addressing proper management of the resources, the Administration is seeking to renegotiate the contracts which were finalised under the previous David Granger-led coalition, define legislation on how funds will flow into the Natural Resources Fund and establish a Product Sharing Agreement that is based on industry-wide best practices.

Preventing misuse of funds

In adding to the host of policies to project better advantages, Minister Bharrat said the Government plans on preventing misuse of oil monies by upholding the Santiago Principles of transparency and accountability and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative.

This will be followed by the criminalisation of non-disclosure of receipt of funds from oil revenues, ensuring annual reports from the Government are laid in the National Assembly, regular audits and involving civil society to monitor compliance and accountability.

He added, “Some areas in which oil revenues will be directed are support for job creation, world-class education and healthcare systems, social and economic infrastructure, targeted cash transfer to Guyanese particularly the elderly, children, the poor and other vulnerable groups, strong local content with legislative safeguards, savings for future generations and tax reduction for local businesses and individuals”.

Guyana has already received payment from its first three lifts and two royalty payments totalling over US$144 million. These monies have been deposited into the Natural Resource Fund.

(G12)

19 houses built...

FROM PAGE 10

According to Rodrigues, the 19 houses were collectively priced at $140 million.

She slammed the former Government for their failure to cater to the poor and lower-income earners, noting that one flat house was being sold for $8.5 million under the APNU/AFC’s tenure.

The former Government’s foot-dragging and failure to provide letters of assurances for persons to get mortgages from the banks was also zeroed in on by the Minister.

“Since they were not built to target any specific income bracket, a flat house with three bedrooms (was) being sold for $8.5 million. I’m not sure which low-income earner can afford a flat house for $8.5 million?”

“The coalition was not concerned about whether Guyanese have a roof over their heads, and the former Minister could not be bothered to simply sign letters of assurance so that persons can approach the bank to have their mortgages approved. Only last week, Minister (Collin) Croal signed a huge backlog of letters of assurances, which were applied for years ago under APNU/AFC.” This publication had previously reported that since taking office in 2015, the former APNU/AFC Government had significantly reduced the number of house lots being distributed, as well as their targets, despite the increasing demand by citizens.

In 2016, 2020 house lots

were allocated with the target being a mere 1100 for that year while in 2017, the Annual Report of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) showed that a total of only 1131 house lots were allocated for qualified applicants.

The report stated that the original target of allocations for that year was just a mere 1000. This represented a major decrease in house lot allocations as well as reduced target figures, compared to previous years under the former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

During their previous term, the PPP/C Administration distributed over 100,000 house lots and over 200 core houses were made available to underprivileged families, while a programme for professional groups provided 200 teachers, nurses and policemen with fast track access to loans for home construction.

The 1000 Homes Project was also launched by the CH&PA under the then PPP/C Administration with the Housing Ministry’s TurnKey Houses programme.

Construction began in May of 2014 and by December of 2014, 100 Buttercup Cottages were completed.

New Minister of Housing, Collin Croal has made it clear that the Housing Ministry will be moving towards the distribution of 10,000 house lots over the next year – one of the promises in the PPP/C election manifesto.

NEWS

17

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Education Ministry launches online training for teachers T

he Education Ministry in collaboration with the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the ProFuturo Foundation launched a mass innovation and ICT training that will ensure that all teachers are equipped to deliver quality education to Guyanese students.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand, during her remarks at the virtual launching of the initiative, said that her Ministry heard about the difficulties teachers are experiencing during the pandemic, and has since partnered with the OAS and ProFuturo to provide them with mass training in innovation and ICT. She added that the ProFuturo teachers’ training is aimed at rapidly bringing teachers up to speed with knowledge and skills to allow them to begin delivering learning online, based on sound principles.

The training is divided into two parts - Innovation and ICT - with each track consisting of modules across four levels, basic, intermediate, advanced and professional.

The Education Minister in her address during the launching explained that the duration for all modules is 100 hours, and the training will be delivered on the ProFuturo platform with coaches assigned to groups

Education Minister Priya Manickhand

of 20 teachers to provide support during the learning journey.

“Part one of the programme is about innovation, so if you have a glass, and a bottle, and a cork, and that is all you have in your classroom, how do you use that to deliver your lesson?

It is teaching and reorganising, and revaluating what we have been taught…what we have done is to print the modules...”

For the first part, teachers will get modules and arrangements will be made for them to write their exams and be able to be certified for the second part, which is ICT. Manickchand posited that the training is expected to increase the awareness of methodologies, tools and basic skills needed for

the online delivery of education.

“This will address learning at a distance during COVID-19 and enable teach-

ers to engage in online, hybrid and blended approaches post COVID-19. The training will be done on the ProFuturo’s online plat-

form.”

To ensure all teachers receive free access to the ProFuturo platform, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company and Digicel Guyana have agreed to zero-rate access to all the relevant text-related material required for completing the training modules on the platform.

This means that any teacher that goes on the ProFuturo platform will not have to use their personal data or internet services for the relevant textbased material. In fact, they would not need a data plan. However, supplementary YouTube videos which are not absolutely necessary for completing the training modules will incur data charges.

Local OAS Repre-

sentative, Will Campbell and OAS Washington, USA, Representative, Luis Benitez both applauded the Government for this undertaking. Benitez said he is “thrilled to see Guyana as an example for all the other countries in the Caribbean”.

He added that they hope the project is sustained as the world moves forward into the digital age.

Upon completion of the course, each teacher will receive certification that will be recognised by the Education Ministry.

Teachers who would like to be registered for the training are asked to visit the link: www.education. gov.gy/retoolingteachers.

The Education Ministry will also be reaching teachers through official channels. (G9)

18 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Speaker reprimands Sherod Duncan for false remarks about food being “poisoned”

The inaccurate post made by AFC parliamentarian Sherod Duncan

Sherod Duncan

A

lliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP) Sherod Duncan was reprimanded by House Speaker Manzoor Nadir for a social

media post he made insinuating that coalition Opposition parliamentarians alone have suffered from food poisoning from meals prepared by the caterers for the Parliament of Guyana.

Duncan posted that: “Several APNU+AFC MPs may have been food poisoned by food prepared by Parliament’s caterer(s).

Developing story.”

Speaker Nadir chided the

parliamentarian just before he was slated to present his contributions during Day Two of the 2020 Budget Debates ongoing at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The House Speaker made is clear that other parliamentarians, as well as parliamentary staff, have reported digestion issues after consuming the meals.

“We had an unfortunate occurrence yesterday (Monday)

and many of the members and staff who ate, have had severe intestinal issues. And I note that one member has posted and imputing some other motive,” Nadir stated.

While he did not identify the member he was speaking about, Nadir read the post which was made by Duncan.

“As far as I know, the incident that happened, did not segregate APNU/AFC MPs alone. But it was an occur-

rence which we are investigating,” he explained.

And just before he handed the floor over to the controversial parliamentarian, the National Assembly Speaker expressed that “I trust that that offensive post will be taken down and that members will continue to carry themselves with the decorum with a member of the highest law-making entity in our land.”

The social media post, which was made at around 15:35h, had not been taken down nor amended as of 20:10h on Tuesday.

Duncan has already been under fire for attending the opening of the 12th Parliament even though he was COVID-19 positive.

House Speaker Manzoor Nadir

In fact, he and his colleague Christopher Jones – who also attended the first sitting even though he too was COVID-19 positive – had interacted with the House Speaker, who later tested positive for the virus. (G11)

NEWS

19

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC procured veterinary machine for humans at NA Hospital …wasted millions on wrong anaesthetic machine

D

ay two of the 2020 Budget Debates took a sharp turn on Tuesday, when the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government was accused of sole sourcing and in the process, wasting millions to procure the wrong anaesthetic machine at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

This revelation was made

by Member of Parliament (MP), Dr Vishwa Mahadeo during his contribution to the budget debates. Mahadeo revealed that the machine, which is a new one, has never been used since the former Government procured it. In fact, he explained that it cannot be used, because it is for use on animals.

“Mr Speaker, here’s a shocker; an example of how the APNU/AFC Government functioned: there was a new anaesthetic machine that was bought for millions of dollars – sole-sourced!

veterinary one. He said that four of them were not working and two were fixed by a biomedical engineer.

The other two machines are in the process of being fixed. But with the veterinary machine, he questioned what will happen to the hard-earned taxpayers’ money squandered by the former Government.

“I need the advice of the Attorney General, (as to) who is liable. The supplier, the receiver or someone else.

How do the taxpayers get their monies worth? And on the other hand, as an animal

Government MP, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo

This new anaesthetic machine has never been used, and cannot be used in the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.”

“But do you know, Mr Speaker, why it cannot be used? It cannot be used because it is an anaesthetic

machine that is to be used for veterinary services – to put animals to sleep for surgical intervention!” Mahadeo informed the house.

Mahadeo explained that in total, the PPP Government inherited five anaesthetic machines, including the

activist, I say we shouldn’t treat animals badly. At the same time, we shouldn’t treat human beings like animals.”

Mahadeo also lambasted the former Government for the chronic shortage of medical supplies in hospitals under their tenure. He also hit back at statements made by the Opposition that the PPP appoints square pegs in round holes, pointing out that former Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence had no experience in healthcare.

The New Amsterdam

Hospital has for some time been plagued with controversy. Last year, it was reported that Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr Samantha Kennedy was fired, although the Ministry eventually made a statement denying this.

During a recent visit to Region Six, President Dr Irfaan Ali told reporters that the operations of New Amsterdam Hospital will be investigated in light of the numerous allegations of medical malpractice made against the public health institution. (G3)

20 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese showing deep interest in getting certified on Coursera

F

ollowing an announcement on September 4 that the Education Ministry in partnership with the Commonwealth of Learning will be providing free access to online courses to Guyanese offered by Ivy League and other reputable universities through Coursera, over 24,000 persons have registered.

The initiative that was implemented by the Ministry is aimed at providing Guyanese with the

opportunity to improve their skills and competencies, and to enhance their performance and employability.

According to the Ministry, the initiative will serve to help unemployed Guyanese and those who may need to transition to new occupations.

Reports showed as of Wednesday, September 9, 2020, a total of 24,498 Guyanese have registered on the platform and 161 persons have completed

their courses or graduated.

During the launching of a mass innovation and ICT training for teachers by the Education Education on Tuesday, Education Minister Priya Manickchand said her Ministry has received reports from the Commonwealth of Learning, that Guyana is in the category that has the most learners on that platform.

“What we saw is that some of the courses, and

this is how Guyanese are, some of the courses, that will take two weeks, and two months, people are finishing within two days, or one week. We see a deep interest with persons getting certified on these courses.”

The Minister urged that Guyanese grasp every opportunity that is available to them during this pandemic, given that the world has had to turn to virtual learning, to curb the spread of COVID-19. She said that this opportunity will pro-

vide a vast number of persons in Guyana with quality learning experiences.

The learning platform that is available free of cost, will run until December 31, 2020. The initial deadline for registration of the

courses was September 30, 2020. However, it has been extended to October 31, 2020.

Guyanese that wish to register on the platform can visit the website: www.education.gov.gy/upskill

In break with past, UAE and Bahrain sign US-brokered deals with Israel T

he United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed agreements on Tuesday to normalise ties with Israel, becoming the first Arab states in a quarter-century to break a longstanding taboo, in a strategic realignment of Middle East countries against Iran.

US President Donald Trump hosted the White House ceremony, capping a dramatic month when first the UAE and then Bahrain agreed to reverse decades of ill will without a resolution of Israel’s dispute with the Palestinians.

In front of a crowd of several hundred people on the White House lawn, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed accords with Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan

and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani.

The deals, denounced by the Palestinians, make them the third and fourth Arab states to take such steps to normalise relations since Israel signed peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

The back-to-back agreements mark an improbable diplomatic victory for Trump. He has spent his presidency forecasting deals on such intractable problems as North Korea’s nuclear programme only to find achievements elusive.

Bringing Israel, the UAE and Bahrain together reflects their shared concern about Iran’s rising influence in the region and development of ballistic missiles. Iran criticised both deals.

US President Donald Trump speaks prior to signing the Abraham Accords, normalising relations between Israel and some of its Middle East neighbours in a strategic realignment of Middle Eastern countries against Iran, as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Al Zayani applaud at the White House in Washington, US, September 15, 2020

All three of the Middle East leaders hailed the agreements and Trump’s role in glowing terms, with Netanyahu saying it gave hope to

“all the people of Abraham.”

In a sign that regional strife is sure to continue while the IsraeliPalestinian conflict remains un-

resolved, Palestinian militants fired rockets from Gaza into Israel during the ceremony, the Israeli military said.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

21

CWI sets timelines for consultation and implementation of Wehby Report recommendations C ricket West Indies have established timelines for consultation and implementation of the recommendations of the Wehby Report.

CWI Board of Directors proposed a way forward following a presentation by President Ricky Skerritt of a Board Paper entitled “Governance Reform Report – Next Steps”. The paper called for the Board of Directors, Territorial Boards and their members, and all stakeholders to do all that is possible to stimulate, encourage and facil-

itate the reading, discussion, and consultation of the report, which was widely distributed on August 17,

2020.

According to President Skerritt, Senator Don Wehby has offered to make

Horse that tested positive for cocaine finally disqualified and Noseda fined

A

final, ignominious footnote was added to the Classicwinning career of former trainer Jeremy Noseda on Tuesday when Walk In The Sun, a winner at Lingfield in February 2018, was disqualified for returning a post-race positive for cocaine and one of the performance-enhancing drug’s metabolites.

Noseda, who announced his retirement from training “with immediate effect” in June 2019, was also fined £1500.

Walk In The Sun was a red-hot 1-12 favourite for a novice stakes on February 27, and won by seven lengths.

Rumours started to circulate in March 2018 that the colt had failed a post-race dope test, and Walk In The Sun joined Martyn Meade before his next start in a Group Three at Royal Ascot in June 2018. The same month, it emerged that the banned substance in question was cocaine.

Tuesday’s hearing was conducted via Zoom, and was not open to the media

following an application by Noseda’s legal team for it to be held in private. Noseda, who was represented by solicitor Mark Edmondson, was present, and full written reasons for the disciplinary panel’s finding will be published in due course.

Walk In The Sun ran in the colours of the troubled Phoenix Thoroughbreds operation, which was recently suspended from running horses in Great Britain by the British Horseracing Authority “until further notice”. Noseda trained more than a dozen horses for Phoenix Thoroughbreds in 2017 and the early months of 2018, until a sudden split with the trainer which, as Noseda put it at the time, left him “shocked and surprised”.

Noseda’s big-race wins in a 21-year career include the 2006 St Leger with Sixties Icon, and the Golden [now Diamond] Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot with Soldier’s Tale. He quit training in June 2019, a few months before Amer Abdulaziz, who founded Phoenix in 2017,

was named in November 2019 as a key associate of a defendant in a major money-laundering trial in the United States. Abdulaziz has denied any wrongdoing.

Noseda was introduced to Abdulaziz by his ex-wife Kerri Radcliffe, a bloodstock agent who was responsible for the majority of Phoenix Throughbreds’ initial purchases, including Walk In The Sun. Radcliffe paid a sale record US$1.4 million for the son of Street Sense at the Arqana Breeze-Up sale in France in May 2017, realising a huge profit for the Irish Mocklershill pinhooking operation in the process. Mocklershill had paid just US$15,000 for Walk In The Sun at the Keeneland Yearling sale eight months earlier. In all, she spent more than US$20 million on behalf of Phoenix Thoroughbreds at bloodstock sales in 2017, but herself split with the operation in 2018, a few months after separating from Noseda.

(The Guardian)

himself and other Task Force members available to provide explanations and facilitate constructive discussion on the report’s findings, if needed. The paper encouraged all stakeholders to engage in any consultation they deemed necessary to help pave the path forward towards implementation.

“There will be COVID19-related timing challenges, and likely political headwinds ahead, but I assure all stakeholders and lovers of West Indies Cricket that I will personally champion the important process of CWI Governance Reform, no matter how long it takes, now that CWI has received and distributed

such a pragmatic and doable cricket-centric report from Senator Wehby and his team of highly qualified and experienced advisors,” Skerritt said.

“Hopefully good sense will prevail, and CWI will show the world that we are serious about modernisation and improvement.”

According to the Board paper, the first deadline is for the report reading and consultation process to be completed by Friday, October 16, 2020. But that would depend on the ability of Territorial Boards to effectively consult with their membership under the COVID-19 protocol group gathering limitations.

During the same period,

CWI will be seeking advice on legal processes and actions that would be required to implement the recommendations of the report.

The Board paper also calls for final feedback from CWI Board members and Territorial Boards to be documented and submitted to CWI by the middle of November.

Any resulting suggestions and decision-making, including actual resolutions for change of Articles, should be completed by November 26, and put before an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) which CWI hopes can take place face-to-face by the middle of December 2020.

(Sportsmax)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

Matthews upbeat ahead of T20 series against hosts England

W

est Indies Women cricketer Hayley Matthews says the series against England will provide the Windies with the chance to show they are better than the team that failed embarrassingly at the Twenty20 (T20) World Cup earlier this year.

West Indies, T20 champions in 2016 and semi-finalists two years later, crashed out at the group stage of the 2020 World Cup edition, which was held from February to March in Australia. Their lone victory came against upstarts Thailand, while they suffered losses to Pakistan and England.

The West Indies' final preliminary game — against eventual group winners South Africa — was abandoned due to rain. Australia lifted a record-extending fifth global T20 title after beating India in the final.

“As a team, we want to come out and redeem ourselves after the World Cup, and just show we're not the team that played that World Cup — we are a lot better than that. We would have seen it at the 2016 World Cup, [and] the 2018 World Cup,” Matthews said during a virtual media interaction from the team's base in Derby recently.

Outside of Australia and West Indies, England, this year's semi-finalists, are the only ones to have won the women's T20 crown.

The English women are quite formidable in ‘home’ conditions - something the attacking opener is acutely aware of. However, she feels the extended camp in Derby could work in favour of West Indies, who are guided by interim Head Coach Andre Coley.

“I think they are a very good side; they've obviously shown that over the last couple of years. But, coming down

here, we live at the ground and train at the ground…so we are looking at it and thinking of it as our home ground a little bit.

I think it's going to be a case of playing good cricket overall,” said Matthews, who has played 50 T20I, highlighted by a top score of 107 not out.

“It's always going to be a tough series when we play England at home, but I think we have the talent and skill in the [West Indies] dressing room.

Everyone's hungry and really wanting to go out there and prove everyone wrong about how we did at the World Cup,” the Barbadian continued.

All five upcoming T20 matches between England and West Indies are scheduled to be contested behind closed doors in a biosecure environment at Incora County Ground in Derby from September 21 to 30.

In July, the West Indies men's team lost 1-2 to hosts England in a three-Test series under similar arrangements aimed at reducing the risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus.

Since the World Cup final in March, the women's game has been at a standstill due to the pandemic.

The regional women's tournament

was among competitions affected as Cricket West Indies was forced to shut down numerous events on its calendar.

Matthews, who scored only 26 runs in three innings at the World Cup, told journalists that while the time away from the game was important, she welcomes the return to competitive action.

“I think it was kind of good that everyone has had that mental break, kind of got away from the game and had a look at what we weren't doing so well.

Personally, I was able to get back in the nets for Barbados, and just work pretty hard on my game. [I was] able to sort out some stuff that I saw were going wrong technically. Hopefully, I'm able to go out and execute those skills that I've been working on over the past couple of months,” the batter, who also bowls useful off-spin, said.

“We have been on break for a while now, so just to be able to get going again is obviously very exciting. It's also a very historic tour — it's going to be the first women's tour since the pandemic, so we're just hoping we can get a lot of the other boards, seeing that cricket at this point is feasible, and just get some more cricket go-

ing on around the world,” Matthews urged.

She added: “From the first day we came [arrived in England] we knew what the protocols were. We were told and given everything we needed, so it was just a matter of coming and getting into the training. I think it's been helpful: kind of limits distractions, and you get to focus on the cricket a bit more.

“Obviously, [these are] unusual circumstances, but I think the girls are settling in quite nicely. The ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) has done a really good job of making us feel comfortable since we've been over here.”

Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed, who has played a combined 100 matches in One-Day International and T20 formats, declined the invitation to be a part of the squad to England, due to virus concerns. Matthews argued that the team would be able to cope, despite Mohammed's absence.

“It's unfortunate she wasn't able to be here. She's one of our most experienced bowlers, but I think we have a lot of bowlers in our side. I have no doubt we have enough skill and talent to go out there and execute really well, and be able to restrict the England batters,” she told journalists.

West Indies Squad: Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Hayley Matthews, Aaliyah Alleyne, Cherry Ann Fraser, Natasha McLean, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi, Chedean Nation, Britney Cooper, Sheneta Grimmond, Karishma Ramharack, Shamilia Connell, Chinelle Henry, Kaysia Schultz, Deandra Dottin, Lee Ann Kirby, Shakera Selman. (Jamaica Observer)

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Cadet Officer Khalifa Hale proposes CWI launches 1st virtual Foundation Course in coaching franchise initiative that creates 1000s …as part of new Coaching and Player Development Pathway of jobs and millions for investors

C

By Timothy Jaikarran

W

ith the COVID-19 pandemic currently in effect, sporting disciplines have taken a dip, and tournaments of any sort are not being played as everyone awaits the passing of the deadly virus.

However, in that interim period, Guyana Prison Service Cadet Officer Khalifa Hale has developed a strategy that would benefit the world of sport and potential investors.

This plan would cover every sporting discipline in Guyana, and with investors coming on board, it would see no sport being neglected.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sport, Khalifa was asked about his initiative.

He replied, “I have developed a plan that creates 1000s of jobs through sports. That can reduce crime, empower youth, and allow for more youth involvement in sports.

“I have years of experience in sports (administration) as I'm the officer with responsibility for sports in the Prisons, and I'm a member of the Joint Services Sports Committee, where we deal with the planning and administering of various sports events yearly, most notably the InterServices Annual Swimming and Athletics Championships.

That plan tackles one of the biggest concerns athletes have: the fact that they are not being paid; while it allows investors to own their own fran-

Khalifa Hale chise while receiving returns on their investment. But, for the plan to become a reality, it needs investors on board. I have already interacted with the Minister on this initiative, but investors are key to this becoming a reality,” Khalifa posted.

He went on to state that the initiative is not only aimed at creating thousands of jobs, but also to have a positive impact on our society, as sports are used to stabilise and motivate the lives of Guyanese, especially those poor Guyanese who will now find another path to gain economically.

He noted that this initiative seeks to benefit athletes in several disciplines, while encouraging people to join various associations and federations, as they would now be seeing the economic benefits and the prospect of becoming highly-paid athletes.

For further information on his initiative, Khalifa Hale is inviting persons to contact him on 665-4828 or 610-7886, or his email address klalifahale1988@gmail.com.

ricket West Indies (CWI) has this week launched its first virtual Coach Foundation courses as part of its long-term “Cricket First” strategic plan in building coaching skills around the region through the new Coach and Player Development Pathway.

Four consecutive Foundation Coaching courses, updated and modernised to align with CWI’s Development Pathway, are taking place virtually for over 70 contracted players across the region from September 14-17.

Players such as West Indies white-ball captain Kieron Pollard, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane Dowrich and Roston Chase will be taking their first coaching course, developing their understanding of technical and tactical coaching whilst also learning about nutrition, mental wellbeing and physical development.

Players participating in this Foundation level will get the opportunity to test their coaching prowess and receive the coaching skills and confidence to increase their impact with planned community cricket activities, such as Kiddy Cricket and club and schools programmes.

This also gives CWI the opportunity to identify those players showing an affinity for coaching, which can deliver a potential career beyond playing.

CWI’s Coaching Development Manager Chris

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Brabazon highlighted how these Foundation Courses will significantly benefit the professionalisation of coaching across the region eventually, for the benefit of teams at every level: “CWI is currently developing a world class, West Indian, Coach & Player Development Pathway to formally support

en cricket across the region at all levels. A full suite of CWI coaching accreditation courses from Foundation to Level 3 (High Performance) will be delivered for the first time in 2021.”

The Foundation Course is being delivered to players across the region as follows:

coaches from Foundation to the High-Performance realms of cricket. This initiative is part of a wider CWI strategy to improve and strength-

Following completion of the Foundation level, participating players will then complete the online UNICEF Child Protection Course.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020

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GFF launches refereeing recruitment campaign

...set to launch robust calendar in 2021

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) launched its nationwide refereeing recruitment campaign under the theme “Get Involved” on Tuesday in the boardroom of the GFF Secretariat.

Done virtually, considering the COVID-19 limitations, the launch featured speeches from GFF President Wayne Forde, Technical Director Ian Greenwood; and Head of the Refereeing Department, Dion Inniss.

Dion Inniss said, “I am delighted to announce the start of a national recruitment for our referees; so, the reason we are recruiting, is because we need to grow.

We have our referees that have been officiating games over the years; however, we need new blood, energetic legs into the referees’ programme.

“The age range is 16-25.

You may ask, ‘Why?’, it’s because we are looking to have those persons give us 15 to 20 years of service. So, we want everyone to get involved. Instead of sitting behind your television and judging the game, we want everyone to get involved in the officiating.”

GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood noted that, over the past few years, the GFF has seen tremendous

GFF President Wayne Forde

success in its junior and senior teams. He noted that the GFF would need to ensure the environment in which the players are operating is one of professional standard.

"We need to ensure that the environment has top class referees at every single age group, because recruiting more referees is a fantastic part of our developmental process. We are very excited from our technical point of view. The GFF would invest a lot in infrastructure, coach development, and referee development for our female players, as we want to place special emphasis on our female players." Greenwood explained.

Relating that the GFF is very excited about the programme, he cautioned that referees would have to be committed to the programme, the main aim of which is to ensure there is a massive batch of referees in

Technical Director Ian Greenwood

different administrative regions, which would reduce the workload on referees, and is regarded as better than sending one group of referees to different venues constantly. From this, one would see great results for the game, he said.

Greenwood iterated that Guyana has definitely produced great referees for CONCACAF, and mentioned that the country needs to get back to doing that, but said this result can only come from investing.

GFF President Wayne Forde has urged everyone to be on the lookout for a robust programme staged by the GFF in 2021.

"I can say that those that are already onboard with us, or even planning to join this programme, I can assure you that the GFF would invest in you, so that you can be given the best in your refereeing career, and succeed. We believe that everyone will be

Refereeing Department Head Dion Inniss

given a chance at success, I would like to say to everyone out there, ‘Let’s get involved, because we will be launching a very robust calendar in 2021, once we have a better handle on the COVID-19 situation," Forde related.

The GFF boss noted that the GFF would invest heavily in the development of its officials, and will do its utmost to ensure that everyone succeeds.

National cyclist Wilbert...

However, he started to experience headaches, and returned to the hospital, where a test revealed he had sustained a fractured skull and brain damage. It was concluded that Benjamin would have to be taken to Georgetown to undergo surgery. While one private hospital had no doctor on hand to perform the surgery, Benjamin was taken to the GPHC. It was then that a mix-up occurred.

According to Benjamin’s family members, the staff on the ambulance in which he was being transported realised there wasn’t enough oxygen to last the patient until he got to Georgetown, and the decision was made to go back to the Hospital in Corentyne. However, upon their return the Berbice River Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic, causing a lengthier delay.

Benjamin was eventually taken to GPHC, but succumbed hours prior to his arrival there.

Since his migration, this cyclist used to return frequently to host road races and give back to cyclists and clubs across the country.

FROM PAGE 24

Wilbert Benjamin hands over a bicycle to a young cyclist

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

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GFF launches refereeing recruitment campaign ...set to launch robust calendar in 2021

National cyclist Wilbert Benjamin passes away

See story on page 22

G

uyana’s cycling fraternity was earlier Tuesday plunged into a state of shock and mourning as news of the passing of cycling stalwart Wilbert Benjamin circulated.

Benjamin passed away early on Tuesday morning at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Coming from a family of cyclists (father, uncle, older brother) Benjamin raced to three national school titles in the 80s, and went on to represent Guyana at the InterGuianas, Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), Pan-American and Texaco Games in his transition from junior to senior champion rider.

Aside from being champion cyclist and businessman, Benjamin can be hailed as a philanthropist who often contributed cash or kind to young riders, and to the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) of which he was a member.

He eventually migrated in 1992, where he spent some years in Monserrat before taking up residence in Canada in 1997.

There, he opened the Benjamin Sports Sales & Services, a store which catered to bicycles and other cycling equipment and services.

He later opened the Benjamin Sports Store in Fyrish, Berbice, which catered to not only cycling, but other sporting disciplines.

He also had been the owner of the Benjamin Fitness Gym in Fyrish, Corentyne.

Reports indicate that Benjamin had had an accident in August while making his

Wilbert Benjamin

morning rounds on his bicycle as part of his daily training routine on the Hampshire Public Road. After being struck down by the motor car, the former national cyclist had lost consciousness and had been taken to the Anamayah Hospital on the Corentyne, where he underwent routine tests, including CT scans. The hospital had found no irregularities and the cyclist was discharged someCONTINUED ON PAGE 23 time later.

Matthews upbeat ahead of T20 series against hosts England

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