Guyana Times -- Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Pandemic forced Guyana’s courts to adopt modern technology – CJ

P19 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4971

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

Guyana, Suriname to play key role in crafting Caricom energy policy …as new Surinamese Ambassador – Pres Ali to Guyana accredited See story on page 3

Vacant parliamentary seats

Portfolio shake-ups for APNU/AFC MPs …as GECOM gets green light to extract – Norton names from APNU/AFC list Page 7

PRICE

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P9 Omai accelerating exploration at Wenot with 2nd drill …as company appoints new CFO

Sexual offences lead cases P17 as Demerara Criminal Assizes open

Unpaid Thrift P15 Society payments at Sparta Primary resolved

BK employee slapped with murder charge P9

A truck that was traversing the Mandela Avenue, Georgetown roundabout toppled after failing to properly manoeuvre the roadway. Fortunately, no one was injured

Bandits drop gun, ammo after Linden robbery No space for sexual offences in schools – Manickchand to Education Officers

Mother of 6 dies after being struck down by speeding minibus See story on page 20

See story on page 8

Page 11

P16 Guyana records 10 new COVID-19 cases …5 in ICU

Aunt, nephew injured after bike crashes into bus P11

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Foul play suspected as missing fisherman’s body recovered

T

he body of a 42-yearold fisherman of Corentyne, Berbice, who went missing on Sunday, was on Tuesday morning recovered from the Corentyne River in the vicinity of Orealla, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

However, family members are of the belief that foul play might have been involved in the man’s demise.

Shunny Jagessar, of Albert Street, Number 79 Corriverton, Berbice, who worked as a fisherman, left the Springlands foreshore on Sunday morning with the captain of a wooden vessel powered by a 40-horsepower engine. They were headed to Orealla Village to engage in fishing. Later that afternoon, the captain returned to shore to report that Jagessar had fallen overboard and had gone missing.

On Tuesday morning, Jagessar’s body was recovered from the Corentyne River in the vicinity of Orealla. The body is await-

Shunny Jagessar’s body at the Corriverton seawall on Tuesday

ing an autopsy.

According to the dead man’s aunt, Jagessar and his employer had been involved in a heated argument three weeks ago. His aunt claimed it was she who prevented the argument from further escalating.

Jagessar’s body was taken to Corriverton, where it was handed over to the Police.

“It had a black-and-blue

mark on his back and on his hand,” one family member told this publication.

Meanwhile, the boat captain has been taken into custody and is assisting with the investigation.

When reports reached family members that Jagessar had gone missing, and after they had received certain information, they immediately called for a proper Police probe. (G4)

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Wednesday, Apr 6 – 6:30h – 08:00h and Thursday, Apr 7 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Guyana, Suriname to play key role in crafting Caricom energy policy – Pres Ali …as new Surinamese Ambassador to Guyana accredited

Wednesday, Apr 6 – 06:05h – 07:35h and Thursday, Apr 7 – 07:05h – 08:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Northerly to North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 07:12h and 19:40h reaching maximum heights of 2.54 metres and 2.36 metres.

Low Tide: 13:13h reaching a minimum height of 0.69 metre.

President Dr Irfaan Ali accepting Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname to Guyana, Liselle Blankendal, at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown (OP photo)

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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Change %

Crude Oil

$106.64/barrel

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Rough Rice

$289.13/ton

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$1923.00

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$1917.60 -11.20

$1945.70 -0.58%

uyana on Tuesday accepted a new Ambassador from the Republic of Suriname, Liselle Blankendal when she presented her letters of credence to President Dr Irfaan Ali at the Office of the President.

Guyana and Suriname established bilateral relations in 1975 and have many bilateral ties, including shared infrastructure projects. In his address on the occasion, President Ali hailed this partnership and also pledged his support to the Ambassador in the furtherance of her duties.

“Excellency, your appointment has come at a pivotal and exciting phase in the relations between our two States. Having served in Georgetown, you have the distinct advantage of better appreciating Guyana’s national development agenda and our countries’ shared interests.

“I’m confident that your appointment will provide greater impetus in relations between Guyana and Suriname and will serve to further advance the cooperation agenda that President [Chandrikapersad] Santokhi and I have agreed on,” he said.

Speaking to the strength of Guyana and Suriname’s bilateral ties, which he said have improved since himself and Surinamese President Santokhi took office, President Ali noted that both countries have a key role to play in crafting the Caribbean Community (Caricom) energy policy, which includes the area of renewable energy.

Besides energy, Ali noted that the areas of cooperation between the two States include agriculture, the environment, forestry and infrastructure. When it comes to agriculture, he noted, the two States must continue their combined push for sustainable agriculture.

He also referenced the

plans for the bridge across the Corentyne River, which he said would greatly enhance trade and economic activity, while cementing cultural ties between the two countries.

“Private Sector cooperation remains important for the success of our economic agenda. Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy guides the Government’s transformative agenda for sustainable development,” President Ali said.

“I look forward to partnering with Suriname to pursue initiatives and projects aimed at protecting the environment, mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, and protecting our biodiversity.”

When it comes to the multilateral arena, President Ali noted the importance of

both countries collaborating on making their concerns known about climate change and post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Blankendal, in her statement, spoke of the shared interests between the two countries, from the Corentyne bridge to their common need to collaborate on issues like climate change, food security, and oil and gas.

“As the oil and gas sector is emerging in both our countries, we must ensure that this is carried out in an environmentally-responsible and sustainable manner, beneficial to the people of both countries in order to achieve sustained growth and development.

“We have the same goal and commitment to our cur-

rent and future generations and have agreed to work together. Both Suriname and Guyana are moving in their development towards a sustainable economy that will make the transition from carbon-based energy to green energy,” the Ambassador said.

She also referred to the Guyana-Suriname Private Sector Business Council, which was recently established. According to Ambassador Blankendal, the Council is expected to strengthen economic ties and shared interests between the countries.

Last month, in an effort to deepen trade and bilateral relations, Guyana and Suriname had formally established the 10-member Private Sector Business Council that will be focused on the strengthening of economic ties and initiatives regarding shared interests and the creation of the envisioned Single Market and Economy.

The Guyana-Suriname Private Sector Business Council was set up by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) of Guyana and the Suriname Trade and Industry Association (VSB), having also realised the importance of the involvement of the Private Sector as the engine for growth and development in both countries.

The objectives of the Business Council were shared with Surinamese President Santokhi, during a courtesy visit by the newly-established Council on March 16, in Paramaribo, Suriname. (G3)

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

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

Sexual offences and national database

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espite the presence of a modern law protecting children and women from sexual abuse, there are still many of these cases occurring in society.

Only on Tuesday, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, at the opening of the Criminal Session of the Demerara Assizes, revealed that of the total of 354 criminal cases at this sitting, 174 are for sexual offences.

Greater awareness and education campaigns have led to sexual abuse being widely discussed in society.

Even among children, the subject is now being discussed or taught in a decent manner, primarily because they are victims of sexual abuse.

Child sexual abuse especially raises anger and revulsion in society. Because of the frequency with which child sexual abuse is occurring, children are in dire needed of protection, especially since it is difficult to distinguish a paedophile in our midst. The frightening side to this is that, in many instances, the perpetrator turns out to be someone familiar.

Although people agree that violating children is revolting, there are no systems in Guyana that exposes paedophiles. Since 2017, there have been numerous debates about the establishment of a Sex Offenders Registry. While there has been general agreement and support for such a registry, it is still to be materialised, as numerous hiccups have stymied the process. In failing to have such a registry, not only is the public unaware of who among them are predators, but children are placed at greater risk.

As it stands at the moment, paedophiles can commit their acts, go to prison, get released, and simply rejoin the community as if their offences were frivolous matters.

No alert is given to the public that a paedophile is about to be released from prison, and that he poses a risk to children. Importantly, the nature of paedophiles needs to be understood. Most of them are recidivists, which is why they are kept under close watch even after serving time in prison in many countries around the world.

The authorities must have a system for dealing with paedophiles. What would help significantly is the creation of a national database on paedophiles, detailing every aspect of information about them, and alerting communities to where they are located. In advanced societies, such a database exists for the purposes of warning both parents and children, and protecting the latter. Those societies treat paedophilia seriously, and their authorities can get into trouble for not alerting communities that a paedophile lives in their midst. This is how Guyana should approach paedophilia. As in other societies, paedophilia is a crime that sticks on a person for life, and by right, societies need to be told and warned of them. We need a more serious approach to curbing paedophilia and dealing with paedophiles.

On Tuesday also, Education Minister Priya Manickchand alerted Education Officers that sexual offences at schools will not be tolerated.

To quote the Minister: “Education Officers have been alerted to the fact that there is no space for tolerance, whether deliberate or inadvertent, for sex offences in schools or of schoolchildren. Any education officer who receives a complaint of such nature must immediately report same to the Deputy Chief Education Officer (admin). Failure to make said report will result in condign action. Teachers and school staff should also take note.”

We support the Education Minister in her tough stance against sexual offences while, at the same time, calling for the establishment of a national database on sex offenders, and more so paedophiles, for the sake of protecting children.

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force during the parade to mark the opening of the criminal session of the Demerara Assizes on Tuesday along Croal Street, Georgetown (DPI photo)

Everyone knows 250,000 barrels of oil a day is a good thing for Guyana

Dear Editor, Bharrat Jagdeo’s outreach to Linden seems to have struck a nerve; it prompted GHK Lall to pen a missive suggesting that Jagdeo reminded him of Burnham ‘jarringly’.

Burnham indeed visited Linden (then Mackenzie) so often that they changed the name to suit him; but there is where the similarity ends, for Burnham always spoke in his strongholds and markedly avoided non-PNC areas and crowds. Not so Jagdeo, who is known for walking among the people in every district of Guyana, regardless of historical voting preference/pattern.

That aside, GHK raises some issues that should provoke discussion, and for that I thank him. A comparison between Jagdeo and Burnham is interesting. GHK says “Burnham knew how to deal with the white man”, I concur, Burnham was in the employ of the CIA before he became Prime Minister, and then shockingly continued in that service after his ascension to our highest executive office. Butter did not melt in Burnham’s mouth when he asked for an increase in pay from the CIA; GHK may view this as outsmarting the ‘white man’, but Guyanese know that ‘he who pays the piper calls the tune’.

Burnham betrayed and disgraced himself (and Guyana) by taking money

to further the interests of the CIA as a sitting Prime Minister. So, yes, Burnham knew how to ‘deal’ with the ‘white man’ to get small bread, but the ‘white man’ owned the mouth that ate their bread.

To read the 303 Committee meeting reports detailing Burnham’s greed is sickening, and to see such behaviour championed by GHK Lall is a reminder of how he (Lall) views ethics; it is not forgotten that it was the same GHK Lall who started a capital works project two weeks before the 2020 elections in contravention of the Laws of Guyana.

Burnham also ran up massive international debts, and took ‘the jewel of the British West Indies’ and turned it into the poorest country in the world.

Burnham took ‘the food basket of the Caribbean’ and turned it into a begging bowl. Ironically, it was Bharrat Jagdeo who insisted on the Paris Club accords, and toughed his way through negotiations to reduce Guyana’s external debt by almost US$2 billion during his tenure as President.

If GHK Lall is ‘jarred’ now, he would have been astounded to see Jagdeo travelling to Washington DC alone, not even an aide to fetch his bags; contrast that with Burnham’s entourage of 137, with whom he filled Guyana Airways' only plane to attend the

Non-Aligned Summit.

GHK Lall is a remigrant, and has demonstrated ignorance of what obtained in his absence; Burnham demilitarised the Suriname border in acquiescence with the wishes of that country’s leader.

President Jagdeo took the border dispute to court, and emerged in 2007 with the only border settlement since 1899.

The oil wells that are producing so much for Guyanese every day are a fruit of this labour, and I would inform GHK that the PNC sided with the Surinamese Opposition and against Jagdeo’s decision to approach the courts in this matter.

The US$10 billion Yellowtail development is the largest investment ever made in Guyana’s history, that is an indisputable fact. If GHK Lall were to mount his scooter, tour the length and breadth of Guyana, and convince every person to contribute their entire savings towards investment, it would not equal the amount being spent on Yellowtail.

Even the taxi drivers on Wall Street know that 250,000 barrels of oil a day is a good thing for Guyana and Guyanese; seems odd the ‘analyst’ does not agree.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

How would the National Day be observed?

Dear Editor, April 8 has been declared 'National Day of Fasting and Prayers' under the One Guyana banner and themed 'Pray together, stay together', in recognition of the three major religions having significant observances at this time.

So how is the day to be observed? Would there be a toning down of activities usually associated with the start of the weekend, or gatherings in churches, mosques and temples at a specific hour, or religious

leaders going out to their communities or on national radio and television stations and giving talks and snippets of their respective. Religions and how we can build and foster a better and truer one Guyana or the wearing of a specific colour, say white, which signifies peace on the day?

What it comes down to is each of us playing our small part to make this country, and by extension the world, a better place.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

5

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

Show-of-membership call: Why only Sarabo-Halley?

Dear Editor, In a letter carried in the local press, UK-based Aubrey Norton strongman Norman Browne issued a call for APNU+AFC Parliamentarian Tabitha Sarabo-Halley to provide a breakdown of her party’s membership.

For those who are unfamiliar with what is playing out, Sarabo-Halley was initially allocated an APNU+AFC seat in the National Assembly by virtue of her being a member of the WPA Executive.

After the WPA pulled out of the APNU, SaraboHalley broke ranks with her party and was accommodated by the Granger/ Harmon faction of the PNC/APNU under the Guyana Nation Builders Movement (GNBM), a political party she hurriedly formed, and which exists in name only.

The same scenario played out in relation to Jaipaul Sharma, who was given APNU membership through the Equal Rights and Justice Party (ERJP), another hurriedly formed, non-existent party.

The APNU is largely made up of such entities, apart from the

By Hindus For Selfless Service

C

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

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

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

Day 6 – Ma Katyayani Flowers: Marigold Colour: Red Goddess Katyayani is worshipped in the sixth form of Navdurga. After the havoc created by Mahishasura, Goddess Parvati was born to Katyayana Rishi's family, and hence she is called Katyayani. She is known as the warrior goddess after killing Mahishasura. The red colour for this day of worship signifies beauty and fearlessness. She can be seen riding a lion and carrying a lotus stem and sword in her right hand, and her other two hands are seen in Varada and Abhaya Mudra. She is said to be gifted with the lion by Goddess Gauri.

Devi Sita, Rukmini and gopis of Braj used to worship Goddess Katyayani for the perfect life partner. Ever since, if unmarried girls worship Maa Katyayani, they, too, are believed to get a perfect life-partner.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

PNC; so why is this call to show membership being made only in relation to Sarabo-Halley? The answer is simple: in a recent post on her Facebook page, Sarabo-Halley embarrassed Norman Browne’s handler when she alluded to the absence of any level of discussion in the APNU

on who should be chosen to fill the two vacant APNU+AFC parliamentary seats. It is for this reason that she has been singled out and attacked by Norton’s UK-based hatchet man.

I support Browne’s call, however, and I will go a bit further by extending

it to Mike McCormack in relation to the GHRA and Policy Forum Guyana, Article 13, Red Thread, WPA, and all the other non-existent press release entities sheltering under the banner of ‘civil society.

Sincerely, Thomas Cole

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

By Hazel Simmons-McDonald

I

n this fun and easy force and motion science experiment, we’re going to send some toothpicks travelling with a little bit of water and science.

Bowl 4 toothpicks Liquid dish soap

Materials:

Instructions: Fill the bowl with warm water.

Place the toothpicks in the water so that they form the shape of a square.

Now squirt a drop of liquid dish soap on your finger and then touch the water in the middle of the toothpick square.

This should send the toothpicks ‘travelling’ across the bowl!

Note: To repeat the process, you will need to clean the bowl and use new water and toothpicks.

How it works: The liquid dish soap will break the surface tension of the water. The water molecules will spread out and away from the soap and move toward the edge of the bowl. Since the toothpicks float, they will be carried and “travel” with the water toward the edge of the bowl.

Make this a science project: Try popsicle sticks. Try cotton swabs. Try different temperatures of water (NB: adult supervision is needed for any experimenting that requires the use of hot water).

“To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day” – Lao Tzu

I leave this house box pieces of the five-week life I’ve gathered.

I’ll send them on to fill spaces in my future life.

One thing is left a spray of orchids someone gave from a bouquet one who makes a ritual of flower-giving sent.

The orchids have no fragrance but purple petals draw you to look at the purple heart.

I watered them once when the blossoms were full blown like polished poems.

I was sure they’d wilt and I would toss them out with the five-week litter.

They were stubborn.

I starved them.

They would not die.

This morning the bud at the stalk’s tip unfurled.

I think I’ll pluck the full-blown blooms press them between pages of memory.

Perhaps in their thin dried transparency I’ll discover their peculiar poetry.

Summary The persona seems to be moving out of a house after renting it for a five-week period.

Now, all that remains in her space is an orchid in which she has found no value. This flower was given to her by a friend who compulsively gives flowers as gifts, and thus, she doesn’t think of the orchid as special in any way. So much so, in fact, that she only watered it once when it had been in full bloom. She seems perplexed by its resilience and its refusal to wilt despite only being watered once. She expected this orchid to be merely something she would discard after her period of renting/living in her current house. Just like this ‘five-week life,’ she expects it to wither away and have no further meaning after becoming but an insignificant memory.

The orchid is stubborn, and does not die.

Despite her initial indifference to it, she is drawn to the orchid and its petals and decides to pluck the blooms of the orchid and preserve it between the pages of a book, hoping to one day understand a deeper meaning behind the orchids’ resilience.

Note how the poem is written, broken up into several stanzas with few lines. This reflects how the persona leads a somewhat nomadic lifestyle, considering that she is leaving after only 5 weeks. Thus, her life, like the structure of the poem is broken up into several shorter periods of living in different places. The tone of the poem is reflective.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Vacant parliamentary seats

Portfolio shake-ups for APNU/AFC MPs – Norton

…as GECOM gets green light to extract names from APNU/AFC list Norton also spoke about what factors were involved in the selection of Lawrence to accompany him to Parliament.

Lawrence, who served as Public Health Minister and Minister of Social Services under the former APNU/

Leader of the APNU/AFC List of Representatives, David Granger

W

hile the Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) has been given the green light to extract names from the list of candidates to fill the Opposition vacancies in the National Assembly, People’s National Congress/Reform (PNCR) Leader Aubrey Norton is preparing to take up his role as the country’s newest Opposition Leader.

However, this is not a done deal, as the other person whose name was selected is Volda Lawrence.

Representative of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) List of Candidates, former President David Granger, has already written to GECOM, asking that the names of Norton and Lawrence be extracted from the list. Norton and Lawrence have been selected to fill the vacancies in

PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton

the National Assembly following the controversial resignations of Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon and former MP Nicolette Henry.

Riding on a mandate from the PNC faction of the APNU/AFC, Norton is already preparing to take up the position as the country’s newest Opposition Leader.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Norton said he is of the view that the party must make more use of the Freedom of Information Act. “There are a number of priorities, but I do not want to signal almost immediately what it is I intend to do.

I am going to meet with all our Members of Parliament shortly, and the ideas I have, we will then discuss together and work a way forward”, he said.

“Mind you, it’s not solely the Leader of the Opposition; it has to be a collective effort in which all persons will contribute.

But I do believe that we need to make more use of

Former Chair of PNCR, Volda Lawrence

the Freedom of Information Act,” Norton said.

He was also asked whether there would be any changes to the Opposition parliamentary side, once he is elected as Opposition Leader, such as persons being recalled. According to him, while there would certainly be portfolio changes, he has not considered recalling anyone.

“I don’t know what you mean. If you’re talking about changes in terms of portfolios, yes. There have to be, because at least two persons would have left.

And it seems self-evident to me that there will have to be changes,” he said.

“The question of recall is not something that I’ve put in my head and will determine willy-nilly in advance.

Recall is, as I understand it, based on the party’s lack of confidence in someone. If that situation arises, then as a party we will deal with it,” Norton explained.

AFC Government, is an accountant by profession.

“This is an issue that was discussed at various levels in the party. At one central executive (meeting), I did point out clearly that there is need for a finance person. Additionally, I con-

sulted with (GAP, NFA), even though it is not a prerequisite. Even before that, I also engaged the AFC. So, I think it is the result of a number of processes that I consider important in the process,” he explained.

TURN TO PAGE 13

8 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bandits drop gun, ammo after Linden robbery

A

firearm containing several rounds of matching ammunition was dropped by one of the suspects who were being pursued by a resident after the suspects had reportedly used same to rob a Linden businesswoman.

Based on reports received, a 37-year-old businesswoman of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden was attacked and robbed by two unidentified males on Monday at about 18:52h.

Preliminary reports suggest that the businesswoman was behind the counter of her supermarket when the two suspects, who were

The gun and ammunition found after the robbery

armed with guns, entered the premises and demanded cash and other valuables.

The woman raised an alarm and ran to safety,

while the perpetrators went behind the counter, collected two boxes containing cash and documents, and made good their escape.

A male who heard the commotion went to the businesswoman’s aid, and upon realising what was happening, drove behind the suspects, who were escaping on foot, and managed to hit one of them. The bandit reportedly stumbled, but managed to get up and run away, leaving behind the box containing the documents.

At the scene, one .38 revolver containing two live rounds of 9mm ammunition and three .38 empty casings were recovered.

Police are on the hunt for the two suspects, whom they believe are still in the area.

An explosion of...

P

…jobs – but no workers? resident Ali had to point out the contradiction in all economies that are taking off or reorienting their economic bases. There are job openings all across the country in the infrastructural and construction industries, but the contractors can’t get bodies qualified to fill those jobs. This isn’t surprising, c'ause it’s not rocket science, and the phenomenon was noticeable for the last hundred years. When the horse and buggy were being replaced by motor cars, all those craftsmen in leather and wood weren’t willing to just stand around like robots at assembly lines!!

There was therefore a disjuncture between the horse-and-buggy workers becoming unemployed and car assembly line workers getting employed. For, usually, they weren’t the same bodies. And herein lies the challenge for us. Here, most of our workers are unskilled, labourers in agricultural pursuits, or are unemployed. This includes those seven thousand workers the PNC threw onto the breadline. The instance of the 200 workers displaced when the sugar packaging plant was transferred to Berbice is a good example. The Government has worked with the new metal fabrication plant owners, who’ll try to retrain the displaced workers. But frankly, it’s unlikely there’s gonna be a neat “cancel and replace” operation.

What should’ve happened is that, the moment oil was struck, the PNC should’ve started training programmes across the country to cater to industrialisation and infrastructural development. But they never looked beyond pandering to their already employed base in the Public Service. The PPP has started the GOAL programme, but this is generally “book learning”. While this is important, it has to be matched with a massive expansion of the technical-vocational and educational training (TVET) that we’ve had for years. These are presently transmitted in technical institutes in each of the three counties, and must be cloned quickly.

The Private Sector should also step in – as has happened in other counties. The Government should pay the fees for students that are accepted. Now TVET should also include training to cater to the new lifestyle that will come with higher incomes. Take air conditioning: this will move from being a luxury to a necessity – as in Florida, for instance.

Who’s gonna repair all those ACs when they conk out??

And they WILL conk out - with all manufacturers sticking to the strategy of “planned obsolescence”!! And more motor mechanics. Wiring for electrical connections and smart connectivity would have to be raised to a new level.

In the meantime, we should be very careful about importing “guest workers”, as we know from our own “back-track” experience to other countries, these “guest” workers would never leave.

And we have enough problems already with antagonistic groups! …prayers If it’s one thing we can’t get enough of, it’s prayers for our country. Since a country’s really its people, these prayers are really for ourselves. For hundreds of years, we blamed the European colonials for raping our wealth and keeping us barefooted and hungry. But independence hasn’t made things better, has it? Maybe things have gotten worse? And we know a house divided would certainly fall.

Very early on, we tried working together to get rid of the Europeans, but Burnham and the PNC scuttled THAT even before independence.

And to cling to power, they made us endure twenty loooong years of dictatorship, wherein he used the armed forces to suppress us…and inevitably widened the fissures.

Then came twenty-three years of the PPP, wherein the complaint was “only one side ruling”. And that’s now the mantra with successive PNC and now PPP administrations.

So, prayers certainly can’t hurt. President Ali’s “National Day of Prayer” this Friday prays that the country that prays together stays together. …accusations As your Eyewitness predicted, the accusations by the Ukrainians and the West that the Russians killed civilians at Bucharest have now been countered by the Ruskies, that it was the Ukrainians who did the dirty so they’d be blamed.

Truth is the first casualty of war!!

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

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

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Omai accelerating exploration at Wenot with 2nd drill …as company appoints new CFO

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anadian company Omai Gold Mines Corporation has announced the acceleration of exploration in its Wenot pit in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), where a second drill has been added and has already started working.

In a statement, the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Elaine Ellingham, explained that a second drill has started drilling at the pit since last week. This drill is intended to supplement the work being done by the first one on nearby targets.

“Our focus continues to be on advancing exploration at our 100%-owned Omai Project in Guyana, to cre-

ate tangible value and real growth for our shareholders. We have added a second drill at the Omai Gold Project in Guyana, which started drilling last week.”

“This will allow us to accelerate our work to expand the Wenot resource, while the first drill can continue to explore the additional nearby targets identified by our exploration team,” Ellingham said.

Also announced were the appointments of Sandra Evans as Omai’s interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Igor Zonenschein as Corporate Secretary.

Evans, it was explained, is a Certified General Accountant with 30 years of experience in the energy,

mining and manufacturing industries, both domestically and internationally.

Evans has held senior accounting roles in a number of successful international exploration companies and according to Omai, will be bringing her handson approach to cash management and public reporting.

Zonenschein, meanwhile, is Manager of Governance and Regulatory Affairs with Grove Corporate Services and has served as Corporate Secretary to several TSX, TSXV and CSE listed companies. He holds a BA (Law) and post-graduate certification in International Business Management. In the statement, Ellingham

BK employee slapped with murder charge

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ne day after confessing to the murder of 69-year-old Pitamber Sharma, a truck driver attached to BK International, his colleague, 49-year-old Michael Sooklall, has been charged for the crime.

This is according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, who has said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended that Sooklall be charged with the capital offence.

Sooklall is, as such, expected to be arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates Courts.

In his confession, Sooklall, a manager at BK Quarry and resident of Perth Village, Essequibo Coast, told detectives that, on the night in question, he and Sharma had had a misunderstanding after Sharma had accused him of not taking care of the mandir as the caretaker.

Sharma had then threatened to report the issue to the boss in order to have Sooklalll replaced.

Dead: Pitamber Sharma

This reportedly angered Sooklall, and he retaliated by choking Sharma until Sharma became lifeless.

After committing the act, he dragged the body and threw it into the Mazaruni River.

In addition, the suspect took an Inspector of Police and other ranks to the scene, and showed them where the body was thrown.

It was reported that the

lifeless body of Sharma, of Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was last Thursday pulled from the Mazaruni River. Police reports stated that Sharma had last been seen alive at about 18:00h on March 30, but the next morning at about 07:30h, a security guard saw his body floating in the river.

Police had initially stated that Sharma might have drowned, but a post-mortem examination conducted on his remains gave the cause of death as manual strangulation.

Omai’s Wenot pit in Region 7

also welcomed both of the executives to Omai.

“We are a lean and experienced corporate team that are dedicated to working in the best interest of our shareholders. We welcome Sandra, Igor and Grove Corporate Services, who I have worked with in the past, as we further streamline Omai’s corporate administrative and financial management functions,” she said.

The company further announced a grant of options to acquire 750,000 common shares at a price of $0.12/ share for a period of 5 years in conjunction with the retention of Grove. This grant of options may be subject to regulatory and/or exchange approvals and includes vesting provisions.

Omai had announced in February that it would con-

tinue drilling at its Region Seven location since it believes that even more deposits of gold are available at the Wenot deposit.

Prior to that, the company had filed a technical report with SEDAR, which supports the 16.7 million tonnes of indicated gold and 19.5 million tonnes of inferred gold it had announced the Wenot deposit held back in January.

In this technical report, consultant P&E Misning explained that extending the Wenot deposit is expected to cost US$2.65 million and be completed in the next 12 months. According to the report, it was explained that exploring these targets could provide opportunities for open-pit mining.

In January 2022, Omai Gold Mines had announced the discovery of signifi-

cant gold values during initial trenching and drilling on the Broccoli Hill target at its Region Seven holdings. The company had disclosed that trenching exposed a quartz-rich shear zone with samples assaying 29.3 g/t Au, 7.8 g/t Au, 5.0 g/t Au and 2.2 g/t Au along a 40-metre strike.

Additionally, the first round of drilling on Broccoli Hill, totalling 690 metres, intersected gold mineralisation with four of the six holes returning assays greater than 1 g/t Au and as high as 4.04 g/t Au over 0.9 m and 0.91 g/t over 6.8 m.

Omai Gold Mines, which returned to the Wenot and Fennell pits in 2020 after leaving Guyana in 2015, had announced in December 2020 that it would be pressing forward with a 5000-metre drilling programme.

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NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

No space for sexual offences in schools – Manickchand to Education Officers

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ducation Minister Priya Manickchand has alerted Education Officers within the country that sexual offences at schools will not be tolerated.

On Tuesday, it was pointed out that officers are tasked with responding immediately to such reports and failure to do so will result in retribution.

“Education Officers have been alerted to the fact that there is no space for tolerance, whether deliberate or inadvertent, for sex offences in schools or of school children. Any Education Officer who receives a complaint of such nature must immediately report same to

the Deputy Chief Education Officer (admin). Failure to make said report will result in condign action. Teachers and school staff should also take note,” the Minister shared on her page.

This announcement was made just after social media reports highlighted instances at a secondary school within the confines of Georgetown, where female students complained of inappropriate behaviour from a male teacher.

In February, the trial of former Bishops’ High School teacher Coen Jackson, 43, who was charged with engaging in sexual activity with one of his female stu-

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

dents, commenced before Demerara High Court Judge Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and a 12-person mixed jury.

The particulars of those charges he faced stated that, on four occasions between February, March, April, and

May of 2011, Jackson engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 by abusing a position of trust.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charges, and is being represented by Attorneysat-Law Nigel Hughes and Jerome Khan, while the case for the prosecution is being led by State Counsel Nafeeza Baig, in association with State Counsels Muntaz Ali and Latifah Elliot.

Allegations of Jackson preying on his students and grooming them in preparation for sexual relationships surfaced in 2017. An official complaint was later made at the Education Ministry, and the matter was handed over

to the Police for probing.

The Police instituted charges against Jackson in March 2018. Following a paper committal two months later, he was committed to stand trial for the offence after a city Magistrate ruled that a prima facie case had been made out against him.

Jackson remains on $300,000 bail pending the hearing and determination of this trial.

A chilling discovery of 2020 statistics by the Child Care and Protection Agency found that more than 3000 children in Guyana faced some type of abuse, predominantly sexual abuse for and neglect for boys. (G12)

Aunt, nephew injured after bike crashes into bus

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n aunt and her nephew were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital after they were involved in an accident along the East Bank Demerara (EBD) highway on Tuesday afternoon.

The incident occurred in the vicinity of Rahaman’s Park at Houston, Greater Georgetown, during the afternoon rush hour.

Reports are that the woman, who was riding a

Paramedics attending to the young boy involved in the accident

motorcycle, was about to change lanes without looking in her rear-view mirror when she collided with a minibus. The impact of the minibus forcefully projected the woman and her nephew across the road.

It was during this that the two victims received injuries to their bodies, though, at this time, it is unclear how severe the injuries are.

Guyana Times visit-

ed the scene of the accident, where the young boy, dressed in his school uniform, was lying motionlessly alongside the road while Police and medical professionals tended to him.

Police and medical professionals quickly responded to the scene and rushed the boy and his aunt to the nearest hospital.

An investigation has been launched.

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NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Portfolio shake-ups for...

FROM PAGE 7

Controversial signature

There was, meanwhile, some controversy as it relates to the letter that Granger sent to GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud, since the signature on the letter differs from the official signature Granger used as President; for instance, when he signed various bills into law.

However, it was explained by a spokesperson for Granger that the letter to GECOM carries Granger’s electronic signature, which has always differed from his written one.

“The letter sent to the

CEO is authentic, with an authentic electronic signature of the Representative of the List. It must be noted that, since the beginning of this process, the Representative of the List has used this signature when communicating with the Chief Elections Officer,” a statement sent on behalf of Granger said.

“The Representative of the List has now fulfilled his constitutional duty by submitting the names of candidates to GECOM for consideration, and now wait for further instructions, if any, should be undertaken on his part,” it also said.

Charge

Lawrence has been accused of electoral fraud, and has since been charged following the March 2020 elections.

It is alleged that on March 5, 2020, with intent to defraud, Lawrence uttered a report purporting to be a true declaration of all votes cast in District Four for the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, knowing same to be forged.

The APNU/AFC Opposition accounts for 31 of the 32-seat parliamentary Opposition, while the joinder list, comprising of

A New and United Guyana (ANUG), the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), and The New Movement (TNM), occupies the remaining seat. The governing People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) holds a oneseat majority in the 65-seat House, having won 33 seats.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, has already said the vacant seats on the APNU/ AFC side of the National Assembly can be filled as quickly as the next parliamentary sitting. But this depends on how quickly the Opposition moves to fill those seats. (G3)

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15 Ramsammy’s Ruminations Unpaid Thrift Society payments A tone-deaf, irresponsible at Sparta Primary resolved Opposition weakens participatory democracy A NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

D

id the President breach the Constitution when he appointed a new Police Commissioner without consultation held with the Leader of the Opposition and the Head of the Police Service Commission, as required by the Constitution? It is not in the DNA of the President and in the DNA of the PPP to violate the Constitution. In fact, as the President himself strongly asserted, he acted through the lens of the “Doctrine of Necessity”. The President could not consult with the Leader of the Opposition, since there is no Leader of the Opposition. APNU/AFC has failed to elect a Leader of the Opposition after more than two months.

The President could not have decided on an arbitrary person to consult with in the place of the Leader of the Opposition, since that in itself would have violated the Constitution.

Similarly, the President could not have consulted with the head of the Police Service Commission, since there is no PSC, because the old one Dr Leslie Ramsammy refuses to go. It is embarrassing that a party of more than 60 years cannot accomplish this simple task. The AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, has admitted this.

While this doctrine has been known and used extensively for centuries, most Guyanese became aware of the doctrine in early 2018, when President David Granger invoked the Doctrine of Necessity to appoint Judge James Patterson as GECOM Chairman.

After the then Leader of the Opposition had submitted three lists of candidates with eighteen distinguished Guyanese, David Granger found favour with none of these persons, and decided that he could not await the Leader of the Opposition submitting another list, since the country needed a Chairman of GECOM. In this case, the Doctrine of Necessity was created by a contrived situation. The only reason the vacancy for a GECOM Chair persisted was not that the Leader of the Opposition abrogated his constitutional responsibility. It was caused by the intransigence of the President refusing to appoint one of the candidates given to him via a constitutional process. He had always had his man; he was not going to appoint anyone else to the post.

Unlike the time when Granger appointed Chairman of GECOM, today, there is a real need for the Doctrine of Necessity. There is no Leader of the Opposition because of the recklessness and irresponsibility of the Opposition party. No democracy worth its salt can function effectively without a Leader of the Opposition.

The Constitution says so in the case of Guyana - the Leader of the Opposition must be consulted in the appointment of a number of statutory office holders. Allowing months to go past without addressing this issue is an assault on the Constitution. We also know that the Chancellor and the Chief Justice can be appointed only with the Leader of the Opposition’s agreement. The Doctrine of Necessity has caused Guyana to have only an acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and an acting Chief Justice since 2001.

It is now just over seventy (70) days since Joseph Harmon, Guyana’s worst-ever Leader of the Opposition, resigned his post.

Since that day on January 26, 2022, Guyana has been without a Leader of the Opposition. At the same time, there is a Leader of the PNC, the largest party in the Opposition APNU/AFC, who is frothing at the mouth to take up the position of Leader of the Opposition.

He is unable to do so because he was not considered good enough for Parliament by his own party when the party had to choose MPs in August 2020. But the PNC and APNU/AFC have been unable to fill two vacant MP seats in Parliament.

Nicolette Henry had resigned since February 2022, with an effective date of March 31st. Her body-language at the time she announced her resignation indicated clearly that she had unwillingly resigned, and that it was mostly a forced exit. When Joe Harmon also resigned as an MP on March 15, the two seats became available to place Aubrey Norton as an MP and clear the way for the Leader of the PNC to be appointed as the Leader of the Opposition.

Norton had been elected Leader of the PNC since December 2021. There is nothing that should have prevented Norton from assuming a seat in Parliament, at least since March 15. We have all seen MPs from both parties leaving Parliament and being replaced within days by their party. We have seen this done with the PNC within one day. Charrandas was expelled and recalled from Parliament in December 2018, and replaced immediately with an MP from New Amsterdam named Pilgrim on the same day.

But APNU/AFC has not been able to do the simplest of functions – name two persons from their list to take up vacant positions in Parliament. On April 4th, they eventually did.

The question is: if the PNC and its “creature”, APNU/AFC, cannot complete a simple task like replacing two MPs on a timely basis and electing a Leader of the Opposition, who can trust them to run the country? The period of 2015-2020 already confirmed they are incapable of governing the country. While the PNC is failing its supporters, the PPP is governing a country that is right now the fastest developing country in the world, forcing some PNC MPs to urge the PPP to slow down. Nonsense!

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

n issue of unpaid Cooperative Thrift Society payments to children of the Sparta Primary School in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) that was reported since 2019 has been resolved, the Education Ministry informed on Tuesday.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Education Minister Priya Manickchand would have paid a visit to the region, where the issue of the unpaid monies was highlighted. It was promised that the matter would be addressed.

“Today (Tuesday), 83 students and their parents will be receiving what is rightfully theirs,” the Education Ministry updated.

In October of 2019, it was reported that parents of children attending the Sparta Primary School were calling for a Police investigation into the disappearance of over $7 million from the school’s Cooperative Thrift Society Ltd. Several parents had indicated to this publication that their children’s savings at the school were not going into the account at the bank. When they initially realised that something was amiss, they requested information but none was forthcoming.

Some parents said that their children left the school over three years ago but they only received a small amount of their savings.

Meanwhile, a source at the school had told this publication that the cash disappeared over a period of time and not in one lump sum. According to the

Parents receiving monies owed

source, a person at the centre of the controversy was transferred to another school in the region and is presently repaying the money.

The source added that the money was being repaid in very small sums and in an ad hoc manner. It is for this reason that payments to parents whose children have already left the school, was minimum.

At that time, concerned parents were calling on both the Education Department and the Police to intervene.

Parents had contended that the school’s Cooperative Thrift Society Ltd is a means of teaching children to save and should have been properly managed.

The School Co-operative Thrift society is one made up of students who belong to the same school. The members elect the Committee of Management, who thereafter appoints the officers. These officers are - the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. The Committee manages the society on behalf of the members.

Membership is open to all students of the school in which the co-operative society operates. No member must be under eight years of age. Every member must pay an admission fee as fixed by the co-operative society in accordance with the rules and bylaws. Savings are made once weekly. (G12)

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana records 10 new COVID-19 cases …5 in ICU

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ontinued testing for COVID-19 has resulted in new but reduced detections every day.

On Tuesday, the Health Ministry’s updated dashboard showed 10 new infections.

Other statistics showed deaths remaining at 1226.

There are currently five persons in the Intensive Care Unit, nine in institutional isolation, 68 in home isolation and 19 in institutional quarantine. Active cases are just over 80.

There are 63,283 recoveries after 29,140 males and 34,143 females tested positive. COVID-19 tests have amounted to 572,803 since

the virus was first detected here.

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

“We have noticed a downward trend where people are not coming to be vaccinated.

Right now, it’s a big struggle to get people vaccinated.

You’re not going to be protected if you don’t get vaccinated.

I just want to keep repeating that point,” the Minister was quoted.

Most recent vaccination statistics show that 438,399 adults or 85.5 per cent of the adult population is immunised with a first dose COVID vaccine. Second doses account for 337,197 or 65.7 per cent.

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

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

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

Global figures show that almost 490.8 million people have tested positive for the virus and 6.15 million have died. In the Americas, more than 150.9 million confirmed cases have been reported with over 2.7 million deaths. (G12)

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD APRIL 5, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

10

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

68

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

68

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

5

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

9

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,143

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,140

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

63,283

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

61,975

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

2518

REGION 2

2491

REGION 3

8051

REGION 4

31,290

REGION 5

2379

REGION 6

5760

REGION 7

2423

REGION 8

887

REGION 9

4016

REGION 10

3468

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

438,399 337,197 1226

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sexual offences lead cases as Demerara Criminal Assizes open

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total of 354 cases are listed for hearing at the Criminal Session of the Demerara Assizes, which opened on Tuesday morning. Leading the number of cases is sexual offences.

Justice Sandil Kissoon, together with Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry are scheduled to preside over cases during this session.

With a total of 354 cases listed for hearing, the majority are sexual offences at 174. There are 75 murder cases, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack said.

“Those persons are incarcerated. 174 of those cases are for sexual offences. Sexual offences are prevalent and they contribute to the larger number of cases listed for hearing,” she said.

According to the DPP, investigations in Guyana are

paper-based, and she is hoping to end those files being used to investigate matters.

“They are based on paper files that are compiled by the Police investigations. Files continued, despite COVID, to come to the office for advice.

We continued to give advice, despite the paper continued to be contaminated. As a result, the papers had to be sanitised and this took longer for us to give the advice,” she explained.

She said it has a great effect on the Magistrates’ Courts where all criminal cases are heard. It is then passed on to the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Ali-Hack said for the system to be changed, reliable internet service and trained personnel is needed.

She said that once an electronic system is in place, only the DPP, Police, and judicial system will have access.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack

“I look forward to the digitising of the system whereby we can get to file electronically, we can give advice electronically, and we can continue with the virtual hearing so has to ensure the safety of the staff who are dealing with the files.”

“This not only the staff of the DPP’s office but also the

staff of the court,” she said.

The Assizes commenced on January 11, 2022, and Goal delivery was done by Madam Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall on April 4, 2022, bringing to an end the Demerara-January 2022 Criminal Assizes.

Of these cases, only 40 were completed. Justices Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, Simone Morris-Ramlall, and Brassington Reynolds sat during this session which ended in late March.

Of the 40 cases, the DPP, presented 30 in the High Court in Demerara while 10 matters were nolle prosequi in writing by her. Of these 30 matters presented, nine were for the offence of murder, 16

were for sexual offences, four for the offence of attempt to commit murder, and one for the offence of manslaughter.

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

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

In three of these cases, the accused were found guilty by jury verdicts. One of them

was sentenced to a total of 75 years’ imprisonment for three counts of sexual activity with a child family member. The other two accused are awaiting sentencing.

In one other case, the accused pleaded guilty to the offence of rape of a child under 16 years and he too is awaiting sentence. Another three accused were acquitted by jury verdicts of not guilty.

Two others were further remanded after their respective juries failed to reach a verdict. In seven of these cases, the complainants declined to offer any further evidence, and as such, the trial Judge directed the juries to return formal verdicts of not guilty.

(G9)

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Japan’s $158.2M healthcare enhancement project to reach 10,000 locals

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n injection of $158.2 million in medical supplies for Guyana through the Japanese Government will see 13 hospitals benefitting from enhanced services and most importantly, reaching 10,000 locals.

This forms part of a wider project geared at enhancing healthcare through medical supplies in Guyana, Belize, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. The Government of Japan would have allocated US$4.6 million, and tasked the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to procure the supplies.

October 2021 marked the delivery of the first tranche, and Tuesday’s donation continued the fulfilment of the project. The sum set aside for Guyana was US$791,000, in which four ambulances, diagnostic digital model imaging units, ECG recorders, portable ultrasounds and other critical areas of need were satisfied.

Multi-Country Director at UNOPS, Alejandro Rossi noted, “UNOPS was able to expand the scope of the medical equipment procurement process based on savings obtained, which reverted to the beneficiaries of the donation.

The people of Guyana…the savings obtained allowed to expand

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony receives the items from Japanese Ambassador Tatsuo Hirayama

the procured items between May and June 2022. The Ministry will be receiving the last tranche of the equipment.”

He added, “At this stage, the objective of this project is mainly contributing to the efforts of Guyana in strengthening its health system through the provision of critical medical equipment for the care of patients affected by COVID-19.”

Meanwhile, Japanese Ambassador to Guyana, Tatsuo

Hirayama shared that this successful collaboration will benefit scores of citizens who access services in the public sector. He said not only has Japan assisted individual countries, but agencies such as the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

“We have successfully worked with the Government of Guyana to strengthen the healthcare systems…Since the start of the pandemic, the Government of Japan

has mobilised various kinds of assistance as a demonstration of international solidarity. Japan remains one of the largest contributors to the COVAX facility, having committed US$1 billion to this initiative to support equitable global access to vaccines,” the diplomat underscored.

Guyana was tasked with identifying areas of need, and those items requested were procured. Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony told stakeholders that several areas are already benefitting from the items and vehicles donated.

“When we evaluated what the needs were, we felt that we needed ambulances to transport patients from various locations and more so, in the hinterland locations. That is why we chose ambulances that are off-road vehicles.

They have been sent out to those regions where it would a big difference and a big impact. Those ambulances have started to work and have been working. They have already started providing services to a lot of people here in Guyana,” the Health Minister relayed.

Portable X-ray machines were requested to understand how the COVID variants were affecting lungs. The portable ultrasounds

will be used when health teams visit communities for outreaches.

Overall, the Minister expressed that this addition will enhance care for coronavirus patients.

“This allows when you have to go out on outreaches and so forth, to be able to use them in those settings. We have been able to get better imaging equipment to be able to make better diagnoses. We had also asked for pulse oximeters and these are a little bit sturdier than the ones that you get. We got these because it is important to understand the oxygen saturation of patients,” he detailed.

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guyana, Ye?im Oruç said her agency is ensuring that countries are prepared for this health crisis and any that may arise in the future.

“COVID response has guided the United Nations efforts in the past two years…UNICEF has tried to step up to the challenge of first, responding to this international disaster by education in health sectors; and now trying to bring together all the assets of the United Nations including UNOPS in making sure we continue to keep the momentum on health sectors strengthening and capacity,” Oruç outlined.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pandemic forced Guyana’s courts to adopt modern technology – CJ

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George

T

hough the COVID-19 pandemic came with its challenges, it came with some good, forcing the local courts to adopt modern technology, thereby improving the efficiency of the Judiciary.

When the pandemic hit the shores of Guyana in March 2020, those in the judicial system were tasked with reimagining how to administer justice.

In the past, the judicial system relied almost exclusively on in-person proceedings and paper records to conduct its daily activities.

But on Tuesday it was

highlighted that as a result of the pandemic, the Judiciary is now embracing technology in the conduct of its daily business.

At the ceremonial opening of the Demerara Criminal Assizes on Tuesday, Chief Justice Roxane George listed the positives that emulated in the courts as a result of the pandemic.

“The main positive has been the utilisation of technology to support our court operations. We are focused on building out the technological foundation, that will undergird the operations of the

supreme court. The pandemic has also allowed us to reassess case management in the wider sense so as to provide a more efficient service.”

“In this regard, our website including an e-filing mechanism and a Facebook page was developed. We have benefited from partnerships with the Government of Guyana, the Governments of the United States of America, Britain, and Canada along with the Juris project UNICEF and the National Centre for States Courts…”, she explained.

She added that the Supreme Court is on a transformational trajectory that will see the rolling out of new courts that are technologically advanced.

“We will also enhance the facilities at the older courts.

Going forward, we will have to discuss how we can best continue to utilise virtual hearings because, without a doubt, they are here to stay.”

Expansion

Meanwhile, the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC

during his address, said the pandemic did not only force the courts to adapt to technology, but it led to the expansion of several courts across the regions.

Now that the country is returning to normalcy, Nandlall said the courts should never return to the way things used to be.

“A blend of what was obtained before, coupled with a system which we would have implemented should form an integral part of the new normal, to propel the machinery of justice. Virtual courtrooms have the ability to instanta-

neously transport Judges, Magistrates, and attorneys at law to courtrooms, and when the hearing is over, they are immediately transported back to their home…”.

“We must not abandon it,” he urged.

In an effort to advance access to justice and transform the judicial landscape, the Judiciary recently launched four digital notice boards at the courthouse.

The initiative was the fruition of a partnership between the Judiciary of Guyana and the Canada-funded Judicial Reform and Institutional

Strengthening (JURIST) Project.

The software for the electronic notice boards was developed by a local provider to integrate seamlessly with the new case management system project being developed for the local Judiciary by the National Centre for State Courts, a US-based organisation.

Information is entered into the notice boards daily by the staff of the court which is headed by the Principal Clerk of Court, Sharon Correia.

When the coronavirus struck Guyana in 2020, 14 virtual courtrooms were launched at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara (ECD), in an effort to minimise the threats of exposure to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) while guaranteeing prisoners their constitutional right to a fair and speedy trial.

The initiative was a collaborative effort between the Executive and Judicial arms of Government and saw a total of 33 such virtual courtrooms being established at all the prisons across the coun-

20 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mother of 6 dies after being struck down by speeding minibus

By LaWanda McAllister

T

he children of a 59-year-old market vendor who had been a mother of six were heard screaming in agony as they came face to face with their mother’s lifeless and shattered remains, left sprawled on the roadway after being hit by a speeding minibus.

Debra Salikram, also known as “Aunty Sookie”, a popular food vendor of West Ruimveldt Estate Housing Scheme, was killed at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown on Tuesday morning. The fatal accident occurred at around 06:00h and involved minibus BAB 1155, which was being driven by a 29-yearold man of Supply, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and motorcycle CK 1126, which was being driven by the woman.

Inquiries disclosed that the minibus was allegedly speeding south along the eastern side of the La Penitence Public Road while the motorcyclist was proceeding north along the east-

Dead: Debra Salikram The bus that struck the woman down

ern side of the said road, and it reportedly turned west, into the path of the minibus.

As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist received injuries about her body. An ambulance was summoned, but the motorcyclist was pronounced dead on the scene.

A breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver of the minibus, but no trace of

alcohol was found in his system.

“We need justice!”

Following the accident, Guyana Times visited the home of Salikram and spoke with her husband, Mark Marks, who said his wife had left home early on Tuesday morning to purchase items to prepare for selling when she was hit by the bus.

The man said his wife was on her way home when she was killed.

“We need justice! She was hit in the corner… she was a hard-working person she was loving with people…” he said.

According to the woman’s family, she had been vending for the past 20 years, and would sell at schools and market areas to provide

for her family.

Her daughter Nikita Mars told this publication that now that her mother is dead, everything in their family is over, because their mother was the pillar of their family.

“Now that my mother is dead, everything done. I don’t know how we will continue; I don’t know what we doing… If he know he wrong…he got to get he time…”.

This daughter and her mother had had a very close relationship, and her sudden passing has come as a shock to the family.

“Up to yesterday (Monday) me and me mother went in town buying stuff, and the last I see she was 5:30… she does everything for she grandchildren.

She would buy food, drink, everything for them. She would carry them to school, bring them home…”.

The family said Salikram had had no reason to work, but she did it because she loved what she did, and loved putting smiles on her customers’ faces.

“This is really hard…I can’t believe I saw my mother like that. She lie down there and her body brake up into pieces, all she foot

sprawl. That is a real hard knock she get. All the bike brake up. I heard, and when I go out there, I see her body lie down…,” the daughter has said.

Meanwhile, the woman’s eldest daughter, Sue Ling, who lives in the United States of America, has said she had last spoken to her mother on Monday evening, and she was planning on hosting family members who would be travelling to Guyana soon.

Ling said the last thing she told her mother was that she would be sending some items to her in two weeks’ time for the family holiday.

Hours later, she got a call that her mother was dead.

“I am devastated…she was very happy, and said she can’t wait to see them (her family). She asked me to buy this and that for her, and I was getting up to send it to her in two weeks…”.

Salikram was killed more than three years after her son was killed. In September 2018, Salikram’s 25-year-old son Jason Marks was killed by accident at the corner of Middle and Carmichael Streets, Georgetown. He died while receiving treatment for his injuries.

After 2-year hiatus

Berbice Expo returns in October

CCCC Vice President Imran Hamid (left) and President Mohamad Raffik (right) briefing the media on plans for Berbice Expo 2022

A

fter a two-year hiatus as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the dynamic Berbice Expo and Trade Fair is set to return in October 2022.

Organised by the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC), the event will feature a wide range of exhibitors across the manufacturing, services and retail industries.

The last Berbice Expo and Trade Fair was last held in 2019. That was the event’s 16th edition.

President of the Central Corentyne Chamber, Mohamad Raffik speaking with the media on Monday said the organisation is planning to have the event return this year, during the second week of October.

“Plans have already started,” he told the media.

“But we would like the information to get out there for all the businesses and companies that might be interested. We are hoping that with a break in two years

many would like to see the Expo back.”

Meanwhile, Vice President of the Chamber, Imran Hamid is encouraging all stakeholders to make contact with the Chamber as early as possible.

“Because we expect this Expo to be a very huge one because people are looking forward to it,” he added.

The annual Expo places the spotlight on business entities across Guyana and also serves as a means of strengthening ties between Berbice businesses and those outside of the region.

It also highlights local products and creates opportunities not only for the major manufacturers but the small man as well.

According to the Chamber’s President, letters will be sent to all of the stakeholders outlining what Expo 2022 will be.

The event is also expected to contribute to the tourism sector of the county. (G4)

22

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IPL 2022…

Karthik , Shahbaz inflict first defeat upon Royals A

partnership for the ages between Dinesh Karthik and Shahbaz Ahmed dragged Royal Challengers Bangalore back to life from 87 for 5 in a chase of 170. They eventually inflicted a maiden defeat on early pacesetters Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.

Royals looked on course to successfully defend in their third game with the help of their new recruits, who incidentally were part of RCB not long ago.

Yuzvendra Chahal was the evening's standout bowler with 2 for 15, and played his part in an athletic runout of Virat Kohli; while Saini dismissed Anuj Rawat and

took a diving catch to remove Sherfane Rutherford.

It was the Rutherford wicket that b r o u g h t K a r t h i k (23-ball 44*) and Shahbaz (26-ball 45) together, and they smacked 67 runs in 5.2 overs. Karthik punished his Tamil Nadu and India teammate

R Ashwin as he erred, Shahbaz rose to the occasion by pulling Saini and Trent Boult for sixes at the back end, and RCB completed their

fifth straight win over the Royals in the IPL. It was also their second straight win this season, after opening with a loss.

The prelude

RCB began their chase of 170, courtesy of a positive start from Faf du Plessis and Anuj Rawat, but soon after the powerplay, Sanju Samson turned to Chahal.

Chahal bowled legbreaks landing on middle stump for most of his first over to du

Plessis, but then dragged one outside leg to force a mishit down the ground. Saini then used a slower ball to trap Rawat, who nicked behind to Samson. The two exRCB men had struck

Shahbaz Ahmed and Dinesh Karthik brought RCB back from a dire situation

big blows.

Kohli's battle against Chahal promised premium entertainment, but it didn't last long.

Kohli, at the non-striker's end, tried to take a single that David Willey was not interested in, and an acrobatic run, grab and throw from Samson to Chahal had Kohli walking back for 5.

Next ball, Willey was bamboozled by a Chahal legbreak and was bowled.

From 55 for no loss, Royal Challengers were 62 for 4 in the space of 12 balls.

Rutherford's

SCOREBOARD

RAJASTHAN ROYALS INNINGS (20 overs maximum) Jos Buttler not out 70 Yashasvi Jaiswal b Willey 4 Devdutt Padikkal c Kohli b Patel 37 Sanju Samson (c)† c & b de Silva 8 Shimron Hetmyer not out 42 Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 4) 8 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.45) 169/3 Did not bat: Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Navdeep Saini, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 1.5 ov), 2-76 (Devdutt Padikkal, 9.6 ov), 3-86 (Sanju Samson, 11.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohammed Siraj 4-0-43-0 David Willey 4-0-29-1 Akash Deep 4-0-44-0 W Hasaranga de Silva 4-0-32-1 Harshal Patel 4-0-18-1 ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE INNINGS (Target: 170 runs from 20 overs) Faf du Plessis (c) c Boult b Chahal 29

wicket made it 87 for 5.

Jos Buttler in the main, and Shimron Hetmyer gave Royals good late runs.

Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2022, Mumbai, April 5, 2022.

The partnership

Karthik hammered Ashwin, who up until his final over had gone for only 18. First, he walloped him through backward square, then over long-on, followed by mid-off, and finally third man, for a 21-run over that reignited RCB's hopes.

He then took a toll on Saini with three boundaries through the leg side, and then let Shahbaz flourish.

Shahbaz had taken the back seat to reach 16 in 14 balls before he got moving, too. He struck a six and four each off Prasidh Krishna and Trent Boult, and even though he couldn't finish the game off, the match was practically over at the time of his dismissal.

For Karthik, it was another day to show why a few experts believe he is the most dangerous finisher of IPL 2022. He has not yet been dismissed in the IPL, made 90 runs in 44 balls so far, and used the crease to put bowlers off their mark, maximising his runs behind square.

The first half

It took a scrappy innings from an otherwise fluent Jos Buttler, some counter-punches from Devdutt Padikkal also against his former team - and some big hits from Shimron Hetmyer to lift Royals to 170, after they were asked to bat first.

Padikkal hit two fours and two sixes in his 29-ball 37 from #3, after Willey had dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal early. But he was done in by a slower ball from Harshal Patel, who finished with figures of 1 for 18 in four overs.

Wanindu Hasaranga's four overs were filled with googlies, and Samson was out to one of them cheaply. When Hetmyer walked in at 86 for 3, run scoring was tough with Hasaranga and Harshal squeezing the runs out.

Hetmyer took seven balls

Anuj Rawat c †Samson b Saini 26 Virat Kohli run out (†Samson/ Chahal) 5 David Willey b Chahal 0 Sherfane Rutherford c Saini b Boult 5 Shahbaz Ahmed b Boult 45 Dinesh Karthik † not out 44 Harshal Patel not out 9 Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 6) 10 TOTAL 19.1 Ov (RR: 9.02) 173/6 Did not bat: Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep Fall of wickets: 1-55 (Faf du Plessis, 6.6 ov), 2-61 (Anuj Rawat, 7.6 ov), 3-62 (Virat Kohli, 8.4 ov), 4-62 (David Willey, 8.5 ov), 5-87 (Sherfane Rutherford, 12.3 ov), 6-154 (Shahbaz Ahmed, 17.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Trent Boult 4-0-34-2 Prasidh Krishna 4-0-40-0 Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-39-0 Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-15-2 Navdeep Saini 3-0-36-1 Yashasvi Jaiswal 0.1-0-6-0

to get off the mark, and by the 16th over, Royals had made only 107 with seven wickets in the bank. Interestingly, Buttler - the opener - had faced only 36 of those deliveries and scored 39 up until then.

But the slog-overs push did finally come, with Hetmyer punishing Siraj and Harshal in the 17th and 18th overs, and Buttler creaming back-to-back sixes off Siraj's 19th to reach his fifty in 42 balls.

Right-arm seamer Akash Deep, off whose bowling Buttler was dropped twice in one over in his first spell, then conceded three sixes in the 20th for the current orange cap holder to finish on 70 from 47, and Hetmyer stayed unbeaten too on 42 in 31 balls. (Cricinfo)

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

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

22 A

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

partnership for the ages between Dinesh Karthik and Shahbaz Ahmed dragged Royal Challengers Bangalore back to life from 87 for 5 in a chase of 170. They eventually inflicted a maiden defeat on early pacesetters Rajasthan

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IPL 2022…

Royals at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.

Royals looked on course to successfully defend in their third game with the help of their new recruits, who incidentally were part of RCB not long ago.

Yuzvendra Chahal was the eve-

ning's standout bowler with 2 for 15, and played his part in an athletic run-out of Virat Kohli; while Saini dismissed Anuj Rawat and took a diving catch to remove Sherfane Rutherford.

It was the Rutherford wicket that brought Karthik (23-

ball 44*) and Shahbaz (26-ball 45) together, and they smacked 67 runs in 5.2 overs. Karthik punished his Tamil Nadu and India teammate R Ashwin as he erred, Shahbaz rose to the occasion by pulling Saini and Trent Boult for sixes at the back end, and RCB completed their fifth straight win over the Royals in the IPL. It was also their second straight win this season, after opening with a loss.

The prelude RCB began their chase of 170, courtesy of a positive start from Faf du Plessis and Anuj Rawat, but soon after the powerplay, Sanju Samson turned to Chahal.

Chahal bowled legbreaks landing on middle stump for most of his first over to du Plessis, but then dragged one outside leg to force a mishit down the ground. Saini then used a slower ball to trap Rawat, who nicked behind to Samson. The two ex-RCB men had struck big blows.

Kohli's battle against Chahal promised premium entertainment, but it didn't last long. Kohli, at the non-striker's

SCOREBOARD RAJASTHAN ROYALS INNINGS (20 overs maximum) Jos Buttler not out 70 Yashasvi Jaiswal b Willey 4 Devdutt Padikkal c Kohli b Patel 37 Sanju Samson (c)† c & b de Silva 8 Shimron Hetmyer not out 42 Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 4) 8 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.45) 169/3 Did not bat: Riyan Parag, Ravichandran Ashwin, Navdeep Saini, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 1.5 ov), 2-76 (Devdutt Padikkal, 9.6 ov), 3-86 (Sanju Samson, 11.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohammed Siraj 4-0-43-0 David Willey 4-0-29-1 Akash Deep 4-0-44-0 W Hasaranga de Silva 4-0-32-1 Harshal Patel 4-0-18-1 ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE INNINGS (Target: 170 runs from 20 overs) Faf du Plessis (c) c Boult b Chahal 29

end, tried to take a single that David Willey was not interested in, and an acrobatic run, grab and throw from Samson to Chahal had Kohli walking back for 5.

Next ball, Willey was bamboozled by a Chahal legbreak and was bowled. From 55 for no loss, Royal Challengers were 62 for 4 in the space of 12 balls.

Rutherford's wicket made it 87 for 5.

Jos Buttler in the main, and Shimron Hetmyer gave Royals good late runs. Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2022, Mumbai, April 5, 2022.

The partnership Karthik hammered Ashwin, who up until his final over had gone for only 18. First, he walloped him through backward square, then over long-on, followed by mid-off, and finally third man, for a 21-run over that reignited RCB's hopes.

He then took a toll on Saini with three boundaries through the leg side, and then let Shahbaz flourish.

Shahbaz had taken the back seat to reach 16 in 14 balls before he got moving, too. He struck a six and four each off Prasidh Krishna and Trent Boult, and even though he couldn't finish the game off, the match was practically over at the time of his dismissal.

For Karthik, it was another day to show why a few experts believe he is the most dangerous finisher of IPL 2022. He has not yet been dismissed in the IPL, made 90 runs in 44 balls so far, and used the crease to put bowlers off their mark, maximising his runs behind square.

The first half It took a scrappy innings from an otherwise fluent Jos Buttler, some counter-punches from Devdutt Padikkal - also against his former team - and some big hits from Shimron Hetmyer to lift Royals to 170, after they were asked to bat first.

Padikkal hit two fours and two sixes in his 29-ball 37 from #3, after Willey had dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal early. But he was done in by a slower ball from Harshal Patel, who finished with figures of 1 for 18 in four overs.

Wanindu Hasaranga's four overs were filled with googlies, and Samson was out to one of

Anuj Rawat c †Samson b Saini 26 Virat Kohli run out (†Samson/ Chahal) 5 David Willey b Chahal 0 Sherfane Rutherford c Saini b Boult 5 Shahbaz Ahmed b Boult 45 Dinesh Karthik † not out 44 Harshal Patel not out 9 Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 6) 10 TOTAL 19.1 Ov (RR: 9.02) 173/6 Did not bat: Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep Fall of wickets: 1-55 (Faf du Plessis, 6.6 ov), 2-61 (Anuj Rawat, 7.6 ov), 3-62 (Virat Kohli, 8.4 ov), 4-62 (David Willey, 8.5 ov), 5-87 (Sherfane Rutherford, 12.3 ov), 6-154 (Shahbaz Ahmed, 17.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Trent Boult 4-0-34-2 Prasidh Krishna 4-0-40-0 Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-39-0 Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-15-2 Navdeep Saini 3-0-36-1 Yashasvi Jaiswal 0.1-0-6-0

them cheaply. When Hetmyer walked in at 86 for 3, run scoring was tough with Hasaranga and Harshal squeezing the runs out.

Hetmyer took seven balls to get off the mark, and by the 16th over, Royals had made only 107 with seven wickets in the bank. Interestingly, Buttler - the opener - had faced only 36 of those deliveries and scored 39 up until then.

But the slog-overs push did finally come, with Hetmyer punishing Siraj and Harshal in the 17th and 18th overs, and Buttler creaming back-to-back sixes off Siraj's 19th to reach his fifty in 42 balls.

Right-arm seamer Akash Deep, off whose bowling Buttler was dropped twice in one over in his first spell, then conceded three sixes in the 20th for the current orange cap holder to finish on 70 from 47, and Hetmyer stayed unbeaten too on 42 in 31 balls. (ESPNcricinfo)

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

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

Phone 264-2946; 626-5290

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

Groups and Excursions welcome.

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

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Local football…

23

BFA elections set for today

…BFA boss confident of re-election to post

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he Bartica Football Association (BFA) will be hosting its general elections today at the Bartica Community Centre, in accordance with Article 27 of the Constitution of the BFA. These elections would see BFA President Alden Marslowe and his committee seeking another term in office. In an exclusive interview with Marslowe, he was asked what he thinks of his prospects on seeking another term in office, and he said, “The present Executive

Committee of the BFA, with my leadership, started functioning in January 2019. That year, we managed to run three leagues in different categories: senior, under-17 and under-15, which is an accomplishment not realised at Bartica for many years prior.

“Along with the actual playing of the game, we managed to help the clubs to organise and maintain proper structure, and also to add to their membership by the promotion of youth tournaments.

Today, most of the talents discovered at the youth level

GCB/CWI to conduct coaching education development events on April 6-7 at LBI …Over 40 coaches to gain valuable knowledge and insight

T

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), in collaboration with Cricket West Indies (CWI), will be conducting CWI coaching education development events from 09:00 hours to 17:00 hours on April 6th and 7th at the LBI Cricket facility, East Coast Demerara.

These developmental events are for individuals participating in the CWI Competition Coaching Level One Course (Guyana). This programme includes an online component which commenced on March 22, 2022. It comprises over 40 participants drawn from the three counties.

The practical assessment will be done on April 6 and 7, 2022.

Prior to the commencement of the online component, potential participants were required to undertake the ICC Foundation Coaching and Child Protection courses. Apart from the online and face-to-face components of the course, the potential CWI Level One Coaches are also required to acquire a first-aid certificate and Police clearance as prerequisites to obtaining the CWI Level One Coaching course.

The participants are as follows: Wednesday April 6, 2022:

Keshava Ramphal is one of the facilitators

Kevin McAdam, Deon Carew, Pernell Christie, Rawle Merell, Shaun Massiah, Jason George, Vishnu Ramjeet, Dwayne Benjamin, Sydartha Anandjit, Ajay Gainda, Vicky Rampersaud, Quincy Richardson, Ranole Bourne, Dameon Ross, Wayne Osborne, Nabeel Ali, Surendar Kissoonlall, Gregory Crandon, Gregory George, Rayon De Costa, Parmeshwar Persaud, Nathan Persaud, Stamond Daniels and Heema Singh.

Thursday April 7, 2022: Christopher Barnwell, Tevin Imlach, Virendra Chintamani, Akaze Thompson, Joel Amsterdam, Mirenda Cornelius, Krishna Singh, Orlando Tanner, Jermaine Maxwell, Ryan Shun, Mahendra Algu, Davindra Ramdihal, Keon Joseph, Terry Newton, Imran Baksh, Lakram Lathman, Sharaz Ramcharran, Anthony Bramble, Ravishwar Latif, Rajendra Chandrika, Divine Ross, Nadine Smith, and Romario Samaroo.

The facilitators Keshava Ramphal and Ryerson Bhagoo of Trinidad and Tobago will be ably assisted by tutors Colin Stuart and Julian Moore.

(are) already representing their clubs and the association in the senior matches. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 global pandemic robbed us of the two following years, and so our activities were minimal during 2020 and 2021.”

He noted that in terms of having a high point in his leadership, while it is not easy to single out one, some events come to mind: such as when the under-13 boys reached the semifinals of a national tournament, and drew that match against Georgetown. Marslowe also made mention of watching the players mature, such as the under-15 team in 2019, and the match skills against Elite League team Western Tigers in the 2021 GFF-Kashif & Shanghai Super-16 Tournament.

“Like rediscovering a great crop of female players at Bartica, who display great promise for the future. Like realising our own Academy Training Centre, which caters to teaching the game from grassroots to under-17; and also seeing our Technical Director, Coach Curtis, being recognised to be elected Vice-President of the National Coaches Association, and also called to be a part of the management of a national

youth team which is expected to compete soon in Europe,” he posited.

As it relates to the prospect of being re-elected to the position of President of the BFA, he declared himself one hundred percent confident, as the member clubs are also confident in him and his administration.

The BFA boss relayed that when he got into office, he picked up a dormant association, and, against many challenges, transformed it into a very active one, an association that can be deemed one of the most active and visible associations in the country.

He explained that there are a lot of things that still need correcting now that the nod has been given for a return to play.

Therefore, he posited that football at Bartica would revert to what football at Bartica used to be many years ago.

Marslowe divulged that the Executive Committee can lead the way in that direction, hence there is neither turning back nor moving sideways nor sitting down.

As it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marslowe has said, “Two years of the COVID-19 pandemic was pure agony for

Marslowe and the BFA were able to run three leagues in different categories

the sport and those who love it. Imagine, just when the longawaited rehabilitation of the Community Centre Ground was completed, COVID shut us down.

For me, leading in a situation like that is awkward, because it is hardest to lead when there is nowhere to go.”

Marslowe has showered much praise on the President of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde, and his staff. He explained that Forde’s vision and the programmes being implemented are all nothing short of ground-breaking for the sport in Guyana. He reiterated that for the time he has been leader in the Bartica jurisdiction, he and the BFA

have enjoyed tremendous support from the GFF in many forms: financial, material, capacitybuilding, and in opportunity to serve at the national level, among other things.

Alden Marslowe, the BFA boss, has said, “At this time, we are collaborating to launch the official return to play with a series of mini leagues, which will culminate into national tournaments in the summer. Also, to mention plans for coaches’ education, leadership training, expansion of our Academy Training Centre, and the addition of more clubs to the association. All of a sudden, we are once again excited about the future.”

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

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

Caribbean Premier League cricket…

ecstatic to return to the Guyana Amazon Warriors

By Brandon Corlette

J

udging from the level of excitement being generated in local circles since the names of those retained and signed early for CPL 2022 were announced, one gets the feeling that the signing of a certain Keemo Mandela Angus Paul to the franchise of the Guyana Amazon Warriors is like the return of the biblical prodigal son to the sanctuary of his father’s home.

Paul, a 24-year-old gifted all-rounder who represented St Lucia Kings in CPL 2021, has said “it is a good feeling to return home,” and he is feeling ecstatic.

“It is a very good feeling; I am a bit ecstatic. I did not play for the Warriors last season, but I have signed back this year, so I am feeling real-

ly good. It is really good to be back home, and after seeing the semi-final and final (are) to be played in Guyana, it is also a big motivation, a big booster,” Paul told this daily publication in an exclusive interview.

Paul, who scored only 84 runs and claimed seven wickets in the last season, is thankful for the experience he gained last season from the Faf du Plesis-led team.

“I must say thanks to St Lucia Kings. Last year it was a pleasure to be around the team, and I got to interact with Faf du Plessis, so I definitely learned a few things from there. The atmosphere was good, the vibes were good.

I did not have the kind of tournament that I wanted, but it was really good to be around another franchise and see how

they operate,” he said.

Paul has recently been elevated to the Guyana Amazon Warriors vice-captaincy, and is not shying away from leadership in the T20 format. This mature cricketer, who has experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Australia’s Big Bash League, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the Sri Lankan Premier League, has said he has a lot to offer in the leadership role.

“For me, I always see myself as a leader, I always like to be around the leadership group. I may still be young, but I do not like when people say that I am a youngster or I am a young player. Because I think I played enough cricket to be mature and offer advice. I have gained a lot of experience, and right now I have never felt better in my career.

My body is feeling really good, Having played in 78 T20s, so definitely Paul spoke about the hard yards of work he I see myself as has done over the a leadyears to return er, and I to tip-top would like shape. more leadership roles; and I think I have much more to offer in that role,” Paul explained.

“I have Paul’s had a lot of injuries in journey has the past. I have played been intera lot of cricket, and one rupted by mulinjury came and ‘it’ kept coming. That tiple injuries, was a very tough but the man from period. I had to Essequibo has said buckle down. I he has fully recovered and is feeling got myself a Paul played last season trainer, a in his best shape for St Lucia Kings ever. nutrition-

ist, and I try to put the hard work in - to get up early in the morning and do the work behind the scenes, and it has been coming along good, and I am feeling really, really good, and I am ready to play cricket at the highest level,” Paul explained.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors have retained Shimron Hetmyer, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd and Chandrapaul Hemraj.

The signings see Paul, who rejoined his home franchise after a spell with the Kings in 2021, and Gudakesh Motie, who was with the franchise last season.

CPL 2022 bowls off on August 30, and the final is to be played in Guyana on September 30.

Attoya Harvey dreams of gold at first CARIFTA stint

Attoya Harvey (Jemima Holmes Photo)

By Jemima Holmes

A

Attoya Harvey lighting up the track in the middle distance races (Jemima Holmes Photo)

t sixteen years old, Attoya Harvey is the epitome of resilience.

The teenager, attached to the Running Brave Athletics Club, qualified for the CARIFTA Games in 2020 and 2021, only to deal with the heartbreak of learning that the games would be cancelled because of the prevalence of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

In spite of those disappointments of the previous years, Harvey has again given her all at the Leonora

Track and Field Facility in 2022, where the CARIFTA trials were being held. At the first trials held by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Harvey registered a personal best run in the 1500m race to qualify for the games. She clocked 4.56.83.

Two weeks later, at another trial, Harvey crossed the line in 2.18.06 in the 800m event to book a spot in another race at the games.

The teenager, in a sitdown with Guyana Times Sport, reflected on the uncertainties of the past two

years’ CARIFTA Games, but maintained that she had never lost hope of attending the regional event.

“I was prepared, looking forward to go, but when I heard it was postponed due to COVID-19, I was a bit (disappointed), I didn’t like that, because I was expecting to go and do my best, and then it got postponed.

And then I said that I would push myself the other year to qualify, and I did qualify, and it (was) postponed again. So, it was very sad,” a visibly disappointed Harvey said.

She added, “I didn’t lose hope, cause I still have other goals I want to achieve, like reaching Olympics and other things. So, I didn’t lose hope.”

Being the third consecutive year that the teenager has qualified for the CARIFTA Games, the possibility of actually attending and competing next week is quite exhilarating for Harvey, who expressed her elation.

“I feel very excited, because it’s going to be a great experience going to Jamaica and competing with the…

Jamaicans and the other girls from the different

countries. I feel excited!” a beaming Attoya related to this publication.

When questioned about clocking a personal best on her way to CARIFTA qualification, Harvey figured it was something she could have achieved in both qualifying races. Nonetheless, she is still satisfied with the achievement.

“I feel great! Because I know when I go to Jamaica I would run another personal best, so I feel proud of myself. I know I could have done better, cause my personal best in the 800 is 2:17 and I ran 2:19, so I could have dropped more time.

But I’m still proud,” she enlightened.

However, as a fifth form student, she has to balance the books, with the CSEC examinations approaching.

She described to Evening News Sport what this has been like for her.

“Track and field comes with books too, so I would go to school in the morning to 3, and then have training from 3.30 to about 6 o’ clock; and I have lessons too, in between, so I have to manage both,” she explained.

This up-and-coming athlete has said, “I would do

night studying after training, and I would have Zoom classes as well too.”

As a member of the Running Brave Athletics Club, Attoya credits her coaches for whatever success she has thus fa achieved, highlighting that they have been pushing her to the limit in pursuit of the CARIFTA gold. The teenager doesn’t mind being so pushed, however, since it would all be worth it in the end.

Attoya explained, “Well, in training, coach does be stern on me; so, I have to put in the work. I train on Tuesdays and Thursday, and I have to manage books as well too, so, training does be a bit reasonable.

“I’m very confident, because coach has been talking to me and telling me to go on YouTube and watch Athing Mu, watch her form and take things. So, I’m very confident that I will go out there, do my best and (make) my country proud.

“It would be lovely bringing home a gold medal. (It) would make my coaches, parents and the country proud,” she commented.

The CARIFTA Games are scheduled for April 1618 in Jamaica.

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