Guyana Times -- Wednesday, January 19, 2022

“We’ve lost a great son of the soil” P – PSC Chairman 18

…as a Book of Condolences signed for Dr Yesu Persaud

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

Issue No. 4894

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022

Investments, energy, security to be discussed by Presidents Ali, Bolsonaro, Santokhi See story on page 3

…as multilateral meeting set for Paramaribo on Thursday …Brazilian President to visit Guyana on Friday Budget 2022

Private Sector interested in infrastructure, reduced electricity costs

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Barbados heads to polls today P18

2 teens die in Region 9 P10 accident

Lowenfield’s P19 former assistant makes unsuccessful bid to reverse termination Bleeding P11 pregnant woman refused admission at private hospital

Page 7

Election petition Page goes to CCJ as 9 Appeal Court grants leave, stays decision

PRICE

…after testing positive for COVID-19 Orin Boston shooting

Dartmouth P12 residents block roadway, burn tyres, debris …call for SWAT rank to be charged for murder President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday evening signed a Book of Condolences opened for the late Dr Yesu Persaud at the Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Waterloo Street, Georgetown (OP photo)

5 more COVID-19 deaths recorded …1083 new cases in 24h See stories on pages 13 & 16 …PCR testing reserved only for high-risk cases

Massive fire at Laparkan

CCAC resolved $152M in consumer grievances for 2021 P17

See story on page 2

3 charged for P15 dumping garbage in Georgetown

“We are here, we are going to continue business” – manager …says calamity will not deter company …as Police, Fire Service, insurance companies' probes continue

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Massive fire at Laparkan

“We are here, we are going to continue business” – manager …says calamity will not deter company …as Police, Fire Service, insurance companies’ probes continue ergy drinks, three 40 feet containers containing electrical cables and flex hoses, three electrical transformers and three 40 feet refrigeration containers. In addition, eleven vehicles were also destroyed while five were severely damaged and three others were slightly damaged.

Inventory & temporary bond

By Amar Persaud

G

eneral Manager at Laparkan Trading, Bodhan Nipan is assuring customers and other stakeholders that all efforts are being made to ensure business continues as normal following the devastating fire that destroyed millions of dollars’ worth of items stored in a bond at the Guyana National Industrial Company Incorporated (GNIC).

The fire erupted just before midnight on Sunday at the Lombard Street, Georgetown facility and destroyed a two-storey wooden, concrete and steel

bond which was used by Tropical Shipping Company and Laparkan Trading Company.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS), in a statement on the matter, said Tropical Shipping Company sustained water damage and minor fire damage.

Additionally, propane cylinders, a quantity of barrels containing food stuff, clothing, household appliances and other items were destroyed.

On the other hand, the GFS noted that Laparkan Trading suffered the loss of one Bobcat machine, a quantity of office furniture, gas cylinders, crates of en-

Contacted for an update on the company’s clean-up mission, Nipan explained that they have already secured a temporary bond while employees are working to deal with customers’ queries. He explained that workers are still in the process of stocktaking.

“Well actually from yesterday (Monday), we had a contingency plan put in place, so we placed a contingency plan whereby commercial customers can use the Princes Street entrance to access their cargo, we have the support of the customs office because the officials were here and we met with them briefly to be part of this contingency plan…,” he revealed.

“And we have another bond, it’s a bond that is controlled by GNIC, and we’ve asked them to use that

temporarily as our storehouse until we have resolution to restore the existing bond that was demolished in the fire. So that bond yesterday (Monday) had commenced packing up, cleaning and sterilising, and so forth, we’re hoping at least by midday or 13:00h today (Tuesday) we can start actually destock the containers that were there with cargo for customers, mostly, of course would be commercial customers,” Nipan added.

“Remember we had incoming cargo, we had a couple of vessels that came between the 1st and 14th of January, then the fire occurred on the 16th, so we had couple of vessels that came in…we had cargo that was in the bond that were incoming cargo during that period and we had cargo that was there since in December, we had cargo that was also cleared but was not uplifted by the customer, we had cargo that was placed there and duties were not paid on it yet because the warehouse actually destroyed, it was a bonded warehouse.”

“Bonded warehouse means that the procedures or the standard operating procedures that has to be executed by the customs and

the customs administration has not been fulfilled, which means like the payment of duties, examination of cargo, the basic stuff. So, it was placed in that warehouse which was actually diminished by the fire, so that was both under the care of customs and ourselves here.”

“So, in that warehouse now we had several cargoes, so what we’re doing right now is to do a final list to determine exactly which were the cargo that wasn’t taken

out, which cargo was paid upon and wasn’t removed or which cargo was there and we’re trying to do that to get a netlist or a final list of the actual confinements that were destroyed in the fire.”

“So, we are working on that list. We should have that list ready pretty shortly because the staff has been working with it since yesterday morning, they would have commenced, based on my instructions of course.”

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NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Wednesday, Jan 19 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Thursday, Jan 20 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, Jan 19 – 05:30h – 07:30h and Thursday, Jan 20 – 06:00h – 07:30h.

Investments, energy, security to be discussed

by Presidents Ali, Bolsonaro, Santokhi …as multi-lateral meeting set for Paramaribo on Thursday …Brazilian President to visit Guyana on Friday

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be light rain showers and light cloud during the day. Expect light rain showers at night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 17:36h reaching a maximum height of 2.62 metres.

Low Tide: 11:11h and 23:38h reaching minimum heights of 0.74 metre and 0.6 metre.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS L

06 07 11

15 22 26

FREE TICKET

21 Bonus Ball

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022

DAILY MILLIONS

02 05 09 13 18 LUCKY 3

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6

4

7

Afternoon Draw

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

02 05 07 08 15 17 21 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2022

02 06 08 11 17 13

02 03 05 10 11

8

8 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$87.51/barrel

Rough Rice

$260.33/ton

-0.63

London Sugar

$508.30/ton

+1.13

Live Spot Gold

+1.19

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1812.50

$1813.50

Low/High Change

$1805.00 -1.10

$1821.30 -0.06%

President Dr Irfaan Ali

T

his week will be a packed one when it comes to the Guyana Government’s foreign policy agenda, with President Dr Irfaan Ali due to visit Suriname for bilateral talks with Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, after which Guyana will host the Brazilian President.

According to information coming out of Brazil, President Ali will join the Brazilian and Surinamese Heads of State for a working lunch in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, on Thursday where they will discuss “projects of common interest.”

“The presidential trip occurs in the context of strengthening bilateral relations, in a scenario of resumption of strategic dialogue between the governments and prospects for greater economic and social development in Suriname and Guyana, driven by recent oil and gas discoveries,” a statement from the Ministério das Relações Exteriores (Brazilian Foreign Ministry) said.

It was explained by the Ministry that the three Presidents “will review topics on the bilateral agendas in the areas of trade, investments, energy, infrastructure, security, defence, technical cooperation and regional issues.”

The Ministry noted that following the trip to Paramaribo, Bolsonaro will make an official visit to Georgetown, Guyana, on Friday at the invitation of President Ali. It will be the first time Bolsonaro has visited Guyana, although he has previously met President Ali, such as on the sidelines of the United Nations (UN).

Meanwhile, the Office of the President also sent out a statement regarding the Brazilian Head of State’s visit. According to their statement, the visit of Bolsonaro and his team will last for one day and will feature discussions on developmental issues.

“Discussions will centre on improving economic relations, energy and food security, telecommunications, agriculture, infrastructure integration and the development of a deep-water harbour in Guyana.”

“Since Guyana offers the shortest and quickest access to the Atlantic for significant parts of northern Brazil, a road connection linked to the deep-water port could also serve the interest of both countries,” the Office of the President said.

It was noted by the office that when the two leaders spoke last Monday via teleconference, they had discussed enhancing the partial scope agreement between their nations with the hope of bolstering trade. They had also deliberated on topics for further engagements at the ministerial levels.

Private Sector primed and ready

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Private sector is also primed and ready for the Brazilian President’s visit, with Private Sector Commission (PSC) Chairman Paul Cheong noting that Guyana can benefit tremendously from closer ties with Brazil, in areas ranging from infrastructure to energy. He also referenced the similarities in the agricultural potential in the two countries and said that knowledge can be exchanged in this regard.

“Brazil is our neighbour.

It’s a large country with a large population and mar-

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro

Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi

ket. Guyana, we’re a developing country. There’s a lot we can learn from Brazil.

Agriculture, Guyana has a lot of potential in agriculture. Brazil, we can learn so much from them. Soya bean, Guyana is now embarking on that. Brazil has been doing that for years. And they’ve done research.”

“The linkages between Guyana and Brazil can also create a lot of opportunities, in terms of building a deep-water harbour, the road from Georgetown to Lethem.

A large part of Brazil is landlocked. They don’t have access to port facilities. And we can develop port facilities that can cater to Brazil, but also piggy back on that,”

Cheong said.

Among the projects planned for the Guiana Shield that requires bilateral cooperation between Guyana, Suriname and Brazil is a deep-water harbour that is likely to be built

by Abu Dhabi Ports.

Bridge

Also likely to be on the agenda is the Corentyne River bridge. Already, bids for a feasibility study and preliminary design for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) construction of the bridge were opened last week, with a number of companies tendering their proposals.

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 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

Curbing the menace

M

uch has been said before in this space regarding the minibus code of conduct and the need for a much-desired improvement in the service provided. From all appearances, this well-intended initiative, which was implemented in 2019, has made little or no positive impact on the overall operations of minibuses. If the intention was just for a focus group, then it’s possible some gains may have been made.

The implementation of the code of conduct was never going to be easy, given what had unfortunately become an engrained culture of disrespect for traffic laws and scant regard for passengers’ welfare by many operators. Numerous complaints have been made in the past, and continue to be made, about harassment of passengers by touts.

Touts, who have no investments in the minibuses, demand a sum that they fix from operators in order to solicit passengers for them. In the ensuing competition among them, many passengers, including senior citizens, are tugged back and forth at the various parks. It becomes a nightmare for commuters as all helplessly watch the ill-mannered touts continue their daily reprehensible routine.

It therefore becomes imperative that the Police sustain their crackdown to curb this menace of the touts. The goal is for commuters to be free from harassment in their travel, which can possibly see passengers with a personal choice of bus waiting at their own convenience.

In almost every bus park, there are drivers who adhere to what may exist as a line/turn system of loading. However, there are others operating “special buses” with no regard for such order, and blatantly use selected space to load, which generally conflicts with traffic laws. Indivertibly, it leads to an extension in the waiting time for those in the line.

This concern has been raised over time, with very sporadic intervention seemingly just to appease for a particular moment. Aggrieved operators have alleged that a high number of the “special buses” are owned by influential persons, of which many are from the Police Force. If true, it would probably explain the glaring lack of interest for meaningful intervention, as allegations have been levelled about overloading, loud music, and breach of road licence, to name a few.

This is where a more holistic approach for improvement in the service becomes difficult, unless all operators are treated equally. Some operators have indicated that all can benefit and achieve their daily targets without the harassment and frustration if a systematic approach to loading is implemented, and to which all must abide.

However, abiding seems extremely difficult for some operators, who fragrantly refuse to respect traffic laws and their road service licences.

From all understanding, the road service demarks the various routes through specific streets, as in the city and roadways for other areas. The reality is that unauthorised streets, even though some villages, are used daily and recklessly by some operators in an effort to avoid traffic lights and to race ahead of others.

The official routes have been designed and agreed for a particular purpose, which took safety into consideration. A lack of adherence poses tremendous dangers to residents, including children. It also adds to congestion, and heightens risk for other users.

In addition, undertaking and cutting abruptly into traffic now appear legal aspects of driving. If there are constant crackdowns on the use of unauthorised streets and roadways, and ensuring defaulters feel the brunt of the law, there is a good chance this menace would be curbed. The same goes for undertaking, especially at the approaches of traffic lights.

While the Police can cite challenges in their human resource, there can be no excuse for turning a blind eye when a violation occurs in their presence.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, along with Deputy Commissioner of the Guyana Forestry Commission Tasreef Khan, conducted an inspection of infrastructure that support the forest sector within Kwakwani, Bissaruni, Ituni and Unamco in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice)

Disappointed in Georgetown Mayor and his Councillors Dear Editor, On Saturday 16th January, 2022, President Dr Irfaan Ali took a hands-on approach to eradicate the filth and garbage that had accumulated within Georgetown.

He was fully supported by his Cabinet, the Private Sector Commission, the Joint Services, Commissioner of Police, Chief of Staff of the GDF, and even members of the diplomatic community.

Notably absent were the political Opposition and its elected representatives. This was fully welcomed by the residents of Georgetown, many of whom themselves joined and assisted with the cleaning efforts to restore the beauty of the place once referred to as the garden city. There were over 1500 volunteers supporting the President’s efforts. These right-thinking Guyanese have clearly seen our leader leading by example and from the front. The President clearly has a plan for the capital Georgetown, and by extension the entire Guyana. As demonstrated over the weekend, we saw inclusivity and unity. We saw Guyanese from all ethnic groups participating, and that shows that Dr. Ali's

One Guyana Initiative has been bought into.

On Friday 15th January, 2022, the Mayor of Georgetown, Mr Ubraj Narine, issued a most bizarre statement. He accused the People’s Progressive Party of destabilising Georgetown and attacking local democracy. This blatant untruth leaves much to be desired.

Whilst the Mayor and his political leaders ought not to play politics on matters of importance that stand to benefit and improve the lives of the people, the Mayor, who portrays himself as a leader, started his missive by failing to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Government.

This is not the first time either, whilst on the same hand he called on the same People’s Progressive Party Civic GOVERNMENT, that he doesn’t recognise as legal, for subvention.

This shows clearly something is seriously wrong with the Mayor. To further continue his insanity, the Mayor, reading from a People’s National Congress press statement, alluded that Operation Clean Up demonstrated the PPPC’s efforts to undercut and ignore the local government coun-

cils in our towns and villages. This is furthest from the truth. The Mayor sought to legitimise his stupidity by quoting the Guyana Constitution, specifically Article 71. This is the same Constitution of Guyana that Mr. Ubraj and his political allies have trampled upon and ignored on numerous occasions.

Article 71 says “Local Government is a vital aspect of our democracy, and shall be organised so as to involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live.” In his quest to seek relevance, this PNC MAYOR attempted to score cheap political points through petty politics.

Unfortunately, the political Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change, through its elected Mayor, who controls Georgetown, has taken an unpatriotic position on an initiative that falls directly under the responsibility of the Mayor and City Council. This responsibility has been severely neglected, and as such, the President decided to take action. This was an important idea, as the residents of the

capital city have for years been complaining about the state of the city and the way in which it is managed. Time and time again, this nation has witnessed the political immaturity of the People’s National Congress under the guise of APNU/AFC. We have all seen their disregard and disrespect for the people of Georgetown, and for the people’s wellbeing.

Ironically, it is the People’s National Congress Reform who controls Georgetown, and who have failed again their own supporters. How could the Mayor not support the cleanup campaign? It is the residents of Georgetown who voted the Mayor and his fellow Councillors into office.

The People’s National Congress and the Mayor and City Councillors, whether as APNU/AFC or otherwise, ought to have assisted the Government’s initiative, as it would have been fulfilling their mandate to Georgetowners, and at the same time ensuring they honour their responsibility to the city as elected officials.

Sincerely yours, Adron Pires

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 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

Wholly inaccurate and terribly illogical conclusion Dear Editor, Stephanie Isaacs, in a letter to the Editor caption, “The government continues to remain indifferent towards protecting the people from this virus”, got my attention, and I feel compelled to make a response.

Stephanie and others of her ilk need to know that information is available, and people must seek to be informed regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still very much upon us.

The word from the Ministry of Health is that almost 40% of COVID-19 fatalities for the month were triggered by comorbidities and waning immune systems.

Currently, some questions have been raised as to whether or not some of those reported as having been fully vaccinated may have falsified their vaccination status by way of having a forged vaccination card. Then medical information must be distilled, and this is where I have a few things to say.

First, as reported in the Vanguard, vaccines and the concept of vaccination is as old as the history of medicine, and many years of vac-

cination have shown that vaccines are generally safe and highly effective in disease prevention. The COVID situation is no different. The evidence is abundant, and suggests convincingly that COVID-19 vaccines are very safe and well-tolerated by the majority of those vaccinated. Minor temporary side effects such as fever, pain at the spot of injection, and body weakness, among others, have been reported following vaccination in some persons.

Secondly, again quoting the Vanguard, “It should be emphasised that death from COVID-19 vaccines is very rare. In Europe and America, the death rate due to COVID-19 vaccine is reported to be less than 0.002 percent.” What we must understand is that it is not unusual for people with COVID-19 to die from complications of diabetes or hypertension, which may not be directly related to, or caused by, COVID-19.

The words of many experts state, “Many of these persons who succumb to COVID-19 after vaccination are likely to have lost their

immunity, or failed to develop sufficient immunity after vaccination.” So, although people from all walks of life and ages get COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, a whole lot depends on the kind of work they do, the conditions they live in, and whether or not they have other health problems.

Now, Stephanie is quite an alarmist, stating currently there “…is a new stage of despair and alarm when children end up being fatally affected by this virus, as is happening now.” She adds that, “It is because of the desire of parents to protect their children that there have been appeals to the Government and the Minister of Education to close the schools and resume virtual learning. They have remained staunchly steadfast in their ill-advised and reckless decision not to do so.”

Well, here is more news for her: “Get vaccinated” is the constant call from Health Minister Frank Anthony, who keeps pleading with the nation, especially teachers, eligible students, and I add just about everyone, to be

compliant as regards being fully vaccinated.

Before this, the President himself, Dr. Irfaan Ali, made an impassioned plea, explaining that our only tool to be ahead of all these variants, all the changes, the mutations that we are seeing, is vaccination. If it is that this variant is far more infectious, the only thing that would save us is vaccination. The only thing that would slow hospitalisation is vaccination. The only thing that would slow the death rate successfully is vaccination.” This call came amidst the Omicron outbreak.

For the Stephanie, any genuine worry that schools could help to rapidly spread infections has been eased by a recent study that suggests children under 15 years old are about half as likely as adults to catch and spread the coronavirus. Researchers in Iceland monitored every child and adult in the country who had been quarantined after possible exposure to the virus. Using contact tracing and genetic sequencing to identify links between outbreak clusters, the study of 40,000 people found that

Sherod Duncan has to learn to walk the line responsibly Dear Editor, It is not surprising that Opposition Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan found himself before the court for his latest transgression.

Host of the “In the Ring” talk show, Sherod Duncan would add to the rising cyber-crime court cases worldwide as, since the start of the pandemic, the number of cybercrime-related incidents in the world has risen to record levels.

Steeped in controversy, Mr. Duncan was arrested by the Police, kept in custody for several hours, but was released on bail. He is being accused by IT Manager at the Guyana Elections Commission, Aneal Giddings, over statements that he allegedly made on

his social media talk show.

Mr. Giddings complained to the Cyber Crime Unit that during one of Duncan’s talk shows, he, Giddings, was singled out by Duncan and allegedly referred to as a “jaggabat” and “trench crappo,” two demeaning descriptions that are disrespectful, and so caused him significant emotional distress and humiliation.

This kind of posture from MP Sherod Duncan, that is, of using various platforms in social media to fire invectives and derogatory remarks, typifies him. Back in September last year, Sherod Duncan was publicly chided for his “vile, most repugnant onslaught” against Minister Priya Manickchand. Duncan has repeatedly done this, often attacking many of those

whose political views do not align with that of his and the APNU/AFC. In this latest incident, the Police were obligated to act on the complaint, as is prescribed by the very stringent cyber-crime laws passed by the APNU+AFC when they were in Government, and despite many objections.

I hope his situation

would culminate in some kind of condign treatment from the court. We can’t say whatever we want about people on a platform like Duncan’s and get away with it because of politics.

Duncan has to learn to walk the line responsibly.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

children “can and do get infected, and transmit to others, but they do both less frequently than adults.”

One large new study from South Korea found that children under the age of 10 appear to not transmit the virus very well. A study, published in April by researchers at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston suggests that younger kids haven’t developed the molecular keys that the virus exploits to enter the body and wreak havoc on the respiratory system’s microscopic structures known as ACE2 receptors.

So, reality, coupled with common sense and medi-

cal science, goes in favour of having actual classroom sessions. Our problem here seems to reside with the staff members and not the students, as they have been playing too much politics with the well-being of our students.

Therefore, it is wholly inaccurate and terribly illogical to say, “The Government continues to remain indifferent towards protecting the people from this virus.”

Efforts are still ongoing, and the backing of science is being heeded.

Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton

Dr Yesu Persaud’s contributions to CCWU Dear Editor, A veteran and business stalwart died on January 16, 2022. The Clerical & Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU), on behalf of its executives and members, wishes to extend its deepest condolences to grieving relatives and friends of Dr Yesu Persaud, who gave solidarity to the Clerical & Commercial Workers’ Union in 1962; and, as a result, the union was able to gain recognition at some major firms, such as Sandbach Parker and the Bookers Conglomerate, for many years.

A great friendship and brotherhood was established among Dr Yesu Persaud, the late Gordon Todd and the late George

De Peana.

Dr Persaud’s passing is also a great loss to our beloved country Guyana, as he served at all levels with distinction. He was a stalwart in pioneering a better Guyana and political reconciliation for the citizens of our country.

At the end of life, what matters is not what we bought, but what we built; not what we got, but what we shared; not our competence, but our character; and not our success, but our significance.

May his soul rest in peace!

Yours faithfully, Sherwood Clarke General President, CCWU

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

Converting metric units

H

ow many centimetres are there in six metres? Convert the metres to centimetres to find out!

This table shows some of the relationships between metric units of length, mass, and liquid volume. You can use these relationships to convert between the units.

I

n this fun and easy science experiment for kids, we’re going to explore the water cycle and make a bag full of states of matter.

Materials:

How do you convert between metric units?

To convert between metric units, follow these rules: • To convert from a larger unit to a smaller unit, multiply.

• To convert from a smaller unit to a larger unit, divide.

Let's try an example. Convert 6 metres to centimetres.

You are going from a larger unit to a smaller unit. Multiply by the number of centimetres in a metre: 100.

6×100 = 600

So, 6 metres = 600 centimetres.

Let's try another example. Convert 3000 grams to kilograms.

You are going from a smaller unit to a larger unit. Divide by the number of grams in a kilogram: 1000.

3000 ÷ 1000 =3 So, 3000 grams = 3 kilograms Try a practice question Which is more: 2 kilograms or 2,000,000 milligrams?

Converting metric units with decimals

When you multiply or divide by powers of 10, you can move the decimal point to the left or right. You can use this trick to convert between metric units.

• To convert from a larger unit to a smaller unit, multiply. Move the decimal point to the right.

• To convert from a smaller unit to a larger unit, divide. Move the decimal point to the left.

Let's try an example. Convert 1.25 litres to millilitres.

You are going from a larger unit to a smaller unit. Multiply by the number of millilitres in a litre: 1000. There are three zeros in 1000, so move the decimal point three places to the right.

1.25 → 1250 So, 1.25 litres = 1250 millilitres Here's another example. Convert 56 centimetres to metres.

You are going from a smaller unit to a larger unit. Divide by the number of centimetres in a metre: 100. There are two zeros in 100, so move the decimal point two places to the left.

56 → 0.56 So, 56 centimetres = 0.56 metre 8.9 metres to centimetres 2.4 litres to millilitres 2 metres to centimetres

Convert:

10 litres to millilitres 83,000 grams to kilograms

Ice cube tray Water Food colouring Ziplock bags Masking tape

Instructions:

Fill the ice cube tray with water. Add a drop of food colouring in each section for fun. You can even add several different colours if you like.

Put the tray into the freezer until the water freezes solid.

Remove the tray from the freezer once the cubes have hardened and put four to six cubes inside your Ziplock bag.

Zip the bag closed securely and tape it to a window that will receive lots of sunlight.

Check back frequently

and observe any changes to the ice cubes.

As you probably expect, the ice cubes would eventually melt.

Now, open the bag and reattach it to the window with tape in a way that makes sure the contents do not spill out and that the bag remains open.

Check back daily and eventual the liquid will be gone.

How it works:

When the water freezes it becomes a solid. Once the ice melts, the water returns to its liquid form. Over time, the water will turn into a gas as it evaporates. This entire process is known as the water cycle and it also allows you to observe the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.

Make this a science project:

Try zipping the bag closed and observe what happens. Try adding salt to the water before freezing. (sciencefun.org)

By Gerard Manley Hopkins

The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil; It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?

Generations have trod, have trod, have trod; And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil; And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent; There lives the dearest freshness deep down things; And though the last lights off the black West went Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs — Because the Holy Ghost over the bent World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

Teacher's Tip

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” —Maimonides

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Budget 2022

Private Sector interested in infrastructure, reduced electricity costs A

s Government continues to prepare Budget 2022 to bring it to the National Assembly, the Private Sector is on the lookout for areas of interest to benefit the business community.

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Paul Cheong told media operatives that the needs of the business sector at this time are still being ventilated. However, crucial is allocation for further infrastructural enhancement and efforts to reduce electricity costs for producers.

“We are still fine-tuning that right now. We need to continue with the infrastructure development. We have an infrastructure deficit and to make things better, we need farm to market roads.

I know the Government has a programme to work on the

electricity. We’re hoping that it would kick off even more this year so that the business sector would benefit from reduced costs,” Cheong discussed.

With the persistence of COVID for some two years, he added that tax relief would cushion the rising freight costs currently incurred.

“Taxes, they need to look and examine. I know it’s a balancing act but lots of prices keep rising because of the COVID situation. Freight rates and you see prices keep rising so we look forward to some relief in those areas.”

Otherwise, Cheong pointed out that the pandemic has proven to be a major blow to the Private Sector, where enterprises are also suffering with human resource challenges due to infections.

“This last spike, it has

affected the Private Sector because when people get COVID, they can’t come out to work. When people don’t work, production falls, service quality falls, which is not good for the Private Sector. What we are preaching is that people should get vaccinated and those who are vaccinated should get their booster shot…COVID is a serious thing. We have seen that and we don’t need to say it anymore. Everybody needs to take it seriously.

This is everybody’s business because once you drop your guard and get complacent, we see what happens.”

In preparation for budget, it is customary for Government to engage with the Private Sector on main issues of interests for these stakeholders. Since last year, the Finance Ministry had commenced engaging

officials, moving full steam ahead for this fiscal year.

The much-anticipated Budget 2021 had attracted praise from the business community including the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Guyana, with the policies contained in the $383.1 billion plan lauded for its economically and Private Sector friendly measures.

The PPP/C Government’s budget was deemed healthy to facilitate broad-based and inclusive growth of the economy in terms of job creation, encouraging private investments and more entrepreneurial activities.

Among that budget, highlights the PSC identified were the $6 billion allocation for housing, $53.5

Investments, energy, security to be...

Among the companies were TYPSA in joint venture with Leonhardt, Andra Und Partner GmbH and Firm Engineering NV; Exp Services Inc in joint venture with Pedelta Arcadia and CEMCO; WSP Caribbean Limited and lastly, EGIS. The construction of a bridge linking Guyana and Suriname is a priority project for the governments of both countries as has been reiterated on several occasions by their Excellencies, President Irfaan Ali and President Chan Santokhi.

The Governments of Guyana and Suriname have jointly agreed to realise the construction the Corentyne River bridge using the Public Private Partnership method of procurement with a DBFOM (Design – Build – Finance – Operate – Maintain) model contract.

The deadline for submission of proposals by the shortlist-

ed consultancy firms has been set to December 21, 2021.

In October 2020, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and his Surinamese counterpart, Dr Riad Nurmohamed had visited the site of the proposed Guyana-Suriname river bridge across the Corentyne River.

There were three points of demarcation identified – Moleson Creek and Long Island in the Corentyne River and South Drain in Suriname. Both Ministers planted flags on the Guyana side of the river and then the Suriname side of the river – where the bridge is to be constructed.

After planting national flags of the two countries, Nurmohamed, Edghill and the team of engineers and technical personnel stopped at Long Island in the Corentyne River and also planted flags of the two

countries there.

Then in November 2020, Guyana and Suriname signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of the bridge. The MoU was signed

by Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd, and his Surinamese counterpart, Albert Ramdin, at the Presidential Palace in Paramaribo.

In February 2021, the Governments of Guyana and Suriname had invited companies to submit Expressions of Interest (EoIs) to provide consultancy services for the conduct of a feasibility study and the preparation of detailed designs for the construction of the bridge.

The Corentyne River bridge will not only link the two neighbouring countries, but also open up access to greater economic opportunities beyond them

billion for health and $15.3 billion for public security.

The budget also included $25.6 billion for public infrastructure and removed Value Added Tax and duty on data and ATVs for use in the hinterland.

The PSC had said that it would thereby fuel the construction boom, by including policies like the resuscitation of the housing drive

FROM PAGE 3

into French Guiana, and through the road network being developed into Brazil, and eventually further into South America.

Meeting

PSC Chairman Paul Cheong

and targeting 10,000 house lots. Added to this was the massive infrastructure development that includes hotels, new roads and bridges, shore-based facilities and public and private infrastructure.

Reverting basic food items to the pre-2015 zero-rated status and the reduction of water tariffs to five per cent; reducing the cost of construction and homeownership to achieve the 10,000 house lots target, was seen as a way of lowering the cost of living particularly for the working class.

It also featured no increased taxes – which the population had complained bitterly about under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government. (G12)

Meanwhile, President Ali and a team of Government officials met with a group

of Surinamese investors at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive on Tuesday. The delegation discussed a range of investment opportunities in the hospitality industry and the agriculture sector.

President Ali was joined by Senior Minister

within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond and the Head of the Guyana Office for Investment, Dr Peter Ramsaroop. (G3)

8

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fighters for rights...

M

…MLK onday was MLK Day in the US - and also a Federal Holiday. It’s an acknowledgement of the great man’s signal achievement in galvanising the seminal Civil Rights Movement (CRM) - starting in the 50s - to such heights that, within a decade, the landmark Civil Rights (and Voting Rights) Acts were passed. These Acts outlawed discrimination based on a number of ascriptive features - the main one being race and colour. As important as the ends he sought - that people should be “judged by the content of their character, and not the colour of their skin” - were the means. This was the civil disobedience or “truth force/Satyagraha” method adopted from Gandhi in India to free that country from colonial rule.

As such, MLK was implicitly acknowledging that AfricanAmericans were actually living in an internal “colony” within America; where they were denied basic human rights, like voting, living where they wanted, and having access to all that America offered, like every other citizen.

He noted, “The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jetlike speed toward gaining political independence, but we still creep at horse and buggy toward gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter.”

“Civil Disobedience” meant laws like those, which violated the “inalienable rights” guaranteed by the American Constitution, were to be disobeyed. Like when Rosa Parks simply sat in the front of a bus, and refused to move to the back - as was the rule in the south!! MLK took up that seeming mundane act and brought it to the attention of the world - and America had to back down.

Because he wasn’t making some esoteric argument, but was exposing particular discriminatory ACTS that the world could see for what they were, his boycott of the Montgomery bus system was successful, because folks could not only understand its discriminatory nature, but could do something about it - without harming others. But MLK was more than a one-trick pony, as the Americans would say he was very creative in his civil disobedience. There was a garbage strike in Memphis, a March on Washington, and other marches plus numerous sit-ins. He was willing to go to jail, and used that incarceration to mobilise by writing his famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”. All in all, it was his MORAL stance that made his speak truth to power so effectively.

Taking a different stance at the time was Malcolm X who not only drew his inspiration from a different religious tradition - but advised a more violent, confrontational approach. King stood his ground. He understood that charlatans come in all colours.

And we must avoid those who use hate, hypocrisy, lies, and violence for positive ends. …and systemic hurdles Nowadays, the word “systemic” is ubiquitous - especially “systemic discrimination” or “systemic racism”, in particular.

Now, when a phenomenon’s “systemic”, all it means is it’s not confined to that phenomenon itself - but is a product of the entire SYSTEM. So, if we say there’s “systemic racism”, we mean the racism is embedded in the laws, mores, habits, culture etc of the society, so that racist acts against a particular race are committed without the actor necessarily THINKING about it!!

So how about the PNC accusations that the “PPP is racist” to African-Guyanese systemically? Your Eyewitness believes that such accusations cannot just be scoffed at and dismissed by saying “we’re not racists”. Maybe they don’t know! What has to happen is the persons making the accusation - say that the “flood relief grants” weren’t distributed to African-Guyanese households or villages must identify the particular instances of discrimination.

And the Government must then produce contra evidence - if they can - that the accusations aren’t true.

It can’t remain “he seh, she seh” …in Haiti Maybe the assassination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise will find closure now that the prime suspect, former Haitian Senator John Joseph, was just arrested in Jamaica as was Colombian soldier Marco Palacios - and extradited to the US? Let’s not hold our breath.

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

NEWS

9

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Election petition goes to CCJ as Appeal Court grants leave, stays decision

Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonnette Cummings-Edwards

I

n a decision handed down on Tuesday, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo have been granted leave by the Court of Appeal, to head to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and appeal the court’s decision to hear the election petition filed by Monica Thomas.

Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonnette Cummings-Edwards made the decision to grant Nandlall, SC and Jagdeo – in his capacity as People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary – leave to appeal to the CCJ, the decision of December 21, 2021, to hear the election petition number 99.

In addition to granting leave to appeal to the higher court, the December decision by the Court of Appeal to hear the election petition, will remain stayed until the CCJ makes a determination in the matter. Speaking

to this publication following the decision, Attorney General Anil Nandlall noted that the State always had a right of appeal to the CCJ. “In places where there is a right of appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice, a leave of the Court of Appeal which is requisite, is granted almost automatically. The Caribbean Court of Justice, in earlier judgements, have made that position clear.”

“It is a principle of law that every court has a duty to protect the integrity of legal proceedings that are pending before it. Having regard to those legal principles, I am not surprised that the Court of Appeal granted the leave to appeal, as well as the stay of execution that was being sought,” the Attorney General added.

The applicants were also given 90 days to provide a list of the documents that will be used in the appeal, as well as 90 days to lodge a security of $750,000 with the court. Nandlall gave an idea of what were some of the paperwork that have to be presented to the court, as well as when his side will be looking to file their appeal.

“Know that the procedural hurdles have been cleared, we will file the appeal and the other relevant document, within the shortest possible time… we first have to file the notice of appeal, which will include our grounds of appeal. And then file the records of appeal within 90 days, as ordered by the court,” Nandlall said.

Previously, Nandlall and

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

Trinidadian Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes on behalf of Jagdeo who is the representative of the PPP List of Candidates, had argued to the Court of Appeal that the petition’s dismissal by the High Court due to late service could not be appealed.

The Court of Appeal handed down a 2 to 1 majority ruling that it had jurisdiction to hear an appeal against Chief Justice Roxane George’s decision to dismiss election petition #99 based on improper service/non-service on the second-named respondent, former President David Granger, within the statutorily prescribed time.

The petition which was dismissed on January 18,

The Caribbean Court of Justice

2021, was filed by Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse and challenges the results of the March 2, 2020 national elections with the intent of having Granger declared the duly-elected President.

The majority ruling was delivered by the Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory, SC, while Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud had a dissenting judgement.

In their ruling, Justices Cummings-Edwards and Gregory held that to oust the Appeal Court from hearing the appeal against the Chief Justice’s ruling would defeat the purpose of Article 163 of the Constitution of

Guyana.

As for the Chancellor, while she noted that she considered all the precedence relied on by the Attorney General, she said they failed to invalidate the Court of Appeal’s jurisdiction to hear the appeal.

Meanwhile, Justice Persaud had said that considering the unambiguous language of that constitutional provision, as well as the fact that Justice George did not dismiss the petition on its merits, but rather because of procedural errors, a right of appeal did not lie to the Court of Appeal.

The manner of service is prescribed in Rule 9 (1) of the National Assembly

(Validity of Elections) Rules, which imposes on the petitioners the statutory obligation to effect service within five days after the presentation of the petition.

Having been filed on September 15, 2020, the petition should have been served on Granger five days thereafter, which would have been September 21, 2020, since the fifth day – September 20, 2020 – was a Sunday.

But in Nurse’s affidavit of service, it was stated that the petition, along with the relevant documents, was only served on Granger on September 25, 2020 – five days outside of the statutorily prescribed period. (G3)

10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 teens die in Region 9 accident T wo teen motorcyclists were killed on Monday after the bikes on which they were riding collided with each other along the Karaudarnau

Trail in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Dead are 18-yearold Lennon Wilson of Katoonarib village and 19-year-old Jobe Edwards

of Karaudarnau village, who operated motorcycles NAZ 9974 and NAP 7804, respectively.

Reports are that at about 14:30h on Monday, motorcycle NAZ 9974 was travelling out of a track onto the Karaudarnau Trail whilst the other motorcycle was traversing along the trail, descending a hill at an alleged fast rate of speed.

As the motorcyclist came out of the track and onto the main trail, the two collided.

The teens were flung onto the roadway. They were picked up in an un-

The motorcycles on the roadway following the accident

conscious state and taken to the Aishalton Health Centre where Wilson was

pronounced dead on arrival. Edwards was treated for head injuries and lat-

er referred to the Lethem Regional Hospital where he succumbed. (G9)

11 Bleeding pregnant woman refused admission at private hospital NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…after testing positive for COVID-19

A

private hospital has refused to admit as a patient an eightmonths’ pregnant woman, who was registered with their clinic, after she tested positive for COVID-19.

According to information reaching this publication, the 38-year-old resident of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was registered with the institution’s clinic and on Thursday last, she visited the hospital as per her scheduled check-up date.

After arriving at the hospital at around 08:30h, she did a COVID test, an ultrasound and was examined by a gynaecologist but at around 11:30h, her COVID test result returned as positive.

Distraught by the news, the woman started to “bleed” and fell ill. She requested admission but was told that the hospital cannot accept her. The woman was subsequently referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

GPHC’s Public Relations Officer Jai Lall explained that, “By then, her husband, who was in a state of shock and dismay, tried to control himself. He had to purchase some sanitary pads for his wife to use in order to stop the bleeding. They were both surprised, hysterical, furious and mad with this

unexpected treatment and trauma at this institution.”

On arriving at the GPHC, the expecting mother was immediately admitted to the Isolation Section. Upon seeing her condition, the medical staff began to treat her case as an emergency and on examination, they found that she was in labour.

At around 12:30h, the woman gave birth to a baby boy. This is the couple’s second child together as they already have an eight-yearold son.

The baby’s heart rate was low at birth and he had to be placed in an incubator at the NICU for specialised care.

The mother was discharged and is at home, resting in isolation. The woman’s husband told this

publication that the treatment meted out by the private institution is unacceptable and should be investigated.

He bemoaned that his wife and child could have died due to the failure of the private hospital to admit the woman.

“It’s not fair,” he expressed.

The private hospital in question is the same institution that refused to admit 21-year-old Kherysha Pompey who was told that she was not in labour.

The single mother, who hails from Craig Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, then went to the GPHC, and upon arrival in the taxi, she had already started to give birth to her baby girl.

One of the hospital’s at-

tendants, who had only been on the job for some five months, immediately rushed to the young mother’s assistance until doctors

arrived.

A team of five doctors, who arrived shortly after, were able to successfully deliver the baby in the back-

seat of the car.

The mother and child were subsequently admitted at the GPHC’s Maternity Ward.

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Orin Boston shooting

Dartmouth residents block roadway, burn tyres, debris …call for SWAT rank to be charged for murder

R

esidents of Dartmouth village, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), on Tuesday blocked a section of the Essequibo Coast main road by burning tyres and other debris in protest of the charges laid against a member of the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) Unit.

SWAT member Sherwin Peters was on Friday last charged for manslaughter and released on $1 million bail. However, the protesters on Tuesday were calling for him to be charged for murder.

Boston was shot by the 32-year-old Police Constable on September 15, 2021, during an anti-crime operation.

At the time of the shooting, Police ranks were conducting an anti-crime operation in Division Two (Essequibo Coast) and en-

Dead: Orin Boston

tered Boston’s house to conduct a search for prohibited and illegal items. However, during the search, there was a confrontation between Boston and the rank, resulting in him being shot to his upper left arm.

“We need more justice this cannot done suh ... Look

that man that killed bat get one million dollar bail...that is total nonsense ... He deserves to rot in jail for taking our brother’s life. If proper justice cannot be served we won’t stop protesting and block up this road,” one of the protesters told this publication.

Meanwhile, Regional Commander Denise Griffith on Tuesday said that at about 04:00h residents of Dartmouth village began blocking the village bridge with old tyres and debris and set them alight.

“A Police patrol vehicle arrived shortly thereafter but were unable to control the behaviours of residents... they continue to pack more debris into the fire,” Commander Griffith said.

N e v e r t h e l e s s , Commander Griffith stated that ranks will remain on the ground until normalcy is

Protesters blocking the Essequibo Coast public road during a protest at Dartmouth village

restored.

However, the blocking of the roadway left hundreds stranded since vehicular traffic was brought to a halt.

This is similar to the roadblock in September 2021 when a 29-year-old man was shot.

On Tuesday, persons were forced to disembark public transportation and take a different vehicle and route to pass the area where the roadblock and protest are currently ongoing.

Speaking with the newspaper, Ravin Lall said that

he usually delivers groceries to persons living within Anna Regina to Charity but had his work disrupted as a result of the protest.

“I usually deliver goods to persons living up this side here... I got an order today (Tuesday) to deliver ration for a family living in New Road and this roadblock has affect me because I cannot go over the bridge to do delivery,” Lall said.

Police and ranks from the Guyana Fire Service have been stationed at the scene. (G14)

13 5 more COVID-19 deaths recorded NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD

…1083 new cases in 24h

JANUARY 18, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

1083

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

F

ive fatalities as a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) were announced on Tuesday, and the death toll has now hit 1101.

Four persons died on January 17: a 42-year-old male from Region Four; a 44-year-old female from Region 10; a 78-year-old male from Region One; and a 23-year-old male from Region Four. A 53-year-old male from Region Four later succumbed on January 18.

One was unvaccinated, one was vaccinated and the status of the other three remains unknown.

Infections have been rising continuously, whereby 1083 new cases were reported within one day, according to the Ministry’s dashboard, and the total confirmed cases in the country moved to 53,178.

There are 18 patients in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 181 in home isolation, 1101 in in-

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION stitutional isolation and 11 in institutional quarantine.

The data shows that 39,991 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus while 478,261 tests were conducted.

A breakdown of cases showed 18 positives in Region One (Barima-Waini), 64 in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 166 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 613 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), 65 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 110 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), eight in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), one in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), five in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 33 in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Delta, Omicron variants

In the public health system, 389 beds have been assigned for COVID response – 195 of which are

at the Infectious Diseases Hospital. The specialised facility can also support 152 intensive care patients. At the Georgetown Public Hospital, 14 beds were also set aside for obstetrics patients while regional facilities also have some capacity. There are 141 COVID-related patients across these institutions.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Tuesday pointed out that with the possibility of both the Delta and Omicron variants circulating, the symptoms of the virus have somewhat shifted.

“We believe that we still have the Delta variant and we do have Omicron right now. So, we have a mixture of two variants that are currently circulating in Guyana. The symptoms might be a little different so generally people with COVID would get fever, cough, shortness of breath.

Some people would have a decrease in smell and taste

181 11,887

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

18

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

11

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

28,535

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

24,643

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

53,178

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

39,991

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

1840

REGION 2

1996

REGION 3

6904

REGION 4

26,773

REGION 5

1925

REGION 6

4847

REGION 7

2202

REGION 8

671

REGION 9

3041

REGION 10

2979

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

418,333 305,194

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1101

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.

so these are all typical signs of COVID,” he detailed.

Persons who contracted the Omicron variant have since recorded fatigue, tired-

ness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat, nasal congestion and headache.

Rare symptoms of Omicroninfected persons include

conjunctivitis or persistent abdominal pain – as reported in other countries.

TURN TO PAGE 15

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

15

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

3 charged for dumping Car flips after dropping garbage in Georgetown into pothole, driver President leads cleanup seriously injured posse, Georgetown Mayor and …on $40,000 bail each PNC wallow in obstructionism

K

udos to the President, Public Servants, the GDF, other members of the Joint Services, and the Private Sector for bringing Government and the citizens together for a noble cause. This past weekend, the eyes of the whole nation were on President Irfaan Ali as he led a citizen initiative to take back Georgetown from the stench and ugliness of garbage everywhere.

The President inspired Guyanese, and hopefully, communities across the country would follow President Irfaan’s lead and do their own clean up.

There is already evidence that the effort is stirring a clean-up movement across Guyana. In fact, the President is now asking that, once per month, a weekend is dedicated to cleaning everywhere in Guyana. President Irfaan, as he is now popularly called, is showing he is part of the solution. We must all join him in being part of the solution Dr Leslie Ramsammy too.

Given another opportunity to join in a good cause, the PNC lost no time in defaulting yet again to join in bringing solutions to address a Guyanese problem.

They decided that this good cause was another opportunity to be obstructionist. For them, working in harmony for our country is against their interest. It is foolish, because the President did not only work to clean the city, weeding and using rake to pick up garbage, he also interacted with PNC supporters, showing them that he works each and every day for all citizens of Guyana.

While the PNC Leader and the PNC Mayor hid in their rooms, President Irfaan was working alongside many PNC supporters, making our country look good.

But where were the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor of Georgetown? While the councillors from the PPP were among the citizens cleaning up, the councillors belonging to the PNC, the majority party in the council, were nowhere to be found.

Shamefully, the Mayor and City Council were absent from an initiative to clean up the city they manage, the city they are in charge of, the city they collect tax from. Not only did they boycott the effort, they actually held a press conference the day before, and urged citizens to boycott the initiative.

The Mayor of Georgetown actually took on the role of the official spokesman for the PNC, calling on all Local Government officials and all PNC supporters to boycott the cleanup effort in Georgetown and everywhere else that might be inspired to start cleanup campaigns. This posture is not just shameful, but is reckless and irresponsible. The Mayor of Georgetown became the newest “creature” of a PNC Leader.

The PNC Leader knew this was a dastardly, disgraceful act. He did not have the courage to do it himself, so he sent a “creature”.

The present Leader of the PNC was more than once referred to as a “creature” by previous PNC leaders. He has learnt his lessons well; the Georgetown Mayor wallows in being the Leader of the PNC’s newest creature.

Georgetown, once known as the Garden City, has for more than five decades now earned the reputation of being a dirty city.

The remarkable thing is that the citizens of Georgetown continue to elect the same political party to control the Mayor and City Council. Each year, they collect more and more taxes, but each year the city gets dirtier and dirtier. We are all shamed by the reputation Georgetown has earned, and we all wish to return to those old days when Georgetown was the garden city.

For decades, a PNC-led Mayor and City Council have ruled over the dirtiest city in the region, and one of the dirtiest cities in the world. There is no dispute, no matter what might be our politics, no matter which side we are on; for years, we have been disappointed by the Mayor and City Council, which continue to ignore the garbage that people dump recklessly everywhere in the city. Several efforts have been made by Central Government to help the Mayor and City Council over the years. The Mayor and City Council have had many disputes with garbage collectors over payments, but the City of Georgetown remains one of the dirtiest cities in the world.

Each year, the situation gets worse, but the Mayor and City Council carry on, showing no evidence that they even care.

This past weekend, therefore, President Irfaan Ali - with rake in hand, helping to cleanup Georgetown - showed the world why, each passing day, more and more he has earned the title the “People’s President”. A humble President joined his sisters and brothers to say enough is enough, we must extinguish the stench of garbage in our country. The President led a citizens’ posse to clean-up Georgetown, a task that the PNC-controlled Mayor and City Council have reprehensively defaulted on.

The city is already looking better than it has for decades.

Guyanese must continue to work at transforming Georgetown to the Garden City. The effort to clean up Georgetown must now morph into a cleanup movement across Guyana. While the PNC Leader and the Mayor of Georgetown wallow in the stench of their obstructionism, President Irfaan and the First Lady are leading from the front. Let us all do our part. A clean, beautiful country is our reward.

Satnarine Bisnauth

A

Wellington Gift

businessman and two other men were released on $40,000 bail each on Tuesday for littering along Wellington Street, Georgetown.

Charged were tailor Satnarine Bisnauth of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo; Jomo Singh of William Street, Kitty; and Wellington Gift of North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The men were arraigned before Magistrate Annette Singh for dumping garbage in a public place. They were charged separately for littering at separate locations and pleaded not guilty.

They trio was released on $40,000 bail each and is expected to return to court on February 10.

The three men were arrested by the City Constabulary on Monday

5 more COVID-19...

FROM PAGE 13

“These symptoms, some of which you can get with a flu, once the patient [takes] themselves to the doctor, the doctor would be able to differentiate between flu and what is happening with the patient in the case of COVID-19,” he added.

Vaccination numbers show that 418,333 adults or 81.5 per cent have taken their first dose, with 305,194 or 59.5 per cent completing the second dose. In the adolescent category, that is 12 to 17, 31,861 first doses or 43.7 per cent were administered. Only 22,464 or 30.8 per cent are fully vaccinated. Booster doses stand at 28,727.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect until January 31, 2022.

This order emphasises the need for everyone, 12 years and older to get vaccinated against COVID-19; the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy (G12)

Jomo Singh

afternoon and handed over to the Guyana Police Force.

According to initial Police reports, the men were caught just one day after a major clean-up exercise was executed in Georgetown led

by President Dr Irfaan Ali. Video surveillance cameras on Robb Street, Georgetown, were used to identify one of the men.

Just days before these arrests, Police announced that they were looking for the perpetrator(s) who dumped garbage along Durey Lane, Campbellville, Georgetown.

An investigation was conducted including the reviewing of CCTV cameras, aimed at identifying the person or persons responsible.

(G9)

The car that Shane Alberts was driving

A

22-year-old resident of Hosororo Hill, Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini), is now seriously injured after the car he was driving dropped into a pothole and flipped several times.

Injured is Shane Alberts, who is currently a patient at the Mabaruma Regional Hospital. The man reportedly suffered chest injuries as a result of the accident.

Reports are that Alberts was driving motor car PRR

6521 along the Mabaruma Settlement Public Road when the accident occurred at around 22:30h on Monday.

The driver told investigators that he was travelling at a fast rate of speed when the front-left car wheel went into a pothole. This caused him to lose control of the car, which turned turtle several times before coming to a stop.

Investigations are ongoing. (G9)

16 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

No more discharge certificates for home Caribbean Airlines now isolation patients – Health Minister offering pre-ordered …PCR testing reserved for high-risk cases

W

ith 12,000 active COVID-19 cases being monitored in the system, the Health Ministry has taken a decision to cease the issuance of discharge certificates for home isolation patients after recovery.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony announced on Tuesday that persons are flocking the sites for the discharge certificates and it is challenging to verify each record. As such, those persons who have recovered can return to work.

“There are a number of persons who are coming to the testing site and asking for a discharge certificate.

Now, when we had two and three persons coming, we can go back into the results and be able to issue that certificate. With thousands of persons infected, it is extremely difficult to verify the records to be able to issue discharge certificates for everyone and as of today, we will stop issuing those discharge certificates,” he articulated during the COVID briefing.

Public sector agencies do

not require the certificate and if Private Sector employees require such document, then those workplaces would have to make alternate arrangements. Only patients who are hospitalised with COVID will be issued with a certificate upon their discharge from the medical facility.

“If you are in any one of our regional hospitals or in the Ocean View Hospital, then we will issue you upon discharge, with that discharge certificate. I hope that this becomes clear to people.”

Moving forward, every person to visit the testing site will not be eligible for a PCR test. Dr Anthony pointed out the unlimited use of this type of testing will be restricted to only high-risk cases.

“The Ministry is now going to do PCR only for people who are hospitalised or persons who would come to one of the A&E or outpatient clinics and the clinicians there decides that this person needs a PCR. If somebody is working in a high risk setting and requires a

PCR, then we’ll do the PCR,” he guided.

At the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, 1500 to 2000 PCR tests are processed every day along with 2000 antigen tests. The Health Minister shared that people are showing up to be tested because they might have been exposed to the virus but many are not following the established guidelines.

“If you have been exposed, you can’t come right away to be tested. None of the tests that are available, PCR or antigen, would be able to detect anything.

There is a window period that you have to wait and most people are not observing that. Most people are coming and flocking the site and when they get back their result, obviously, it is going to be negative,” he divulged.

In the case of an antigen test, persons are required to wait at least five days after exposure. He advised that a suspected infected person should quarantine until they are cleared to be tested.

“If people observe that,

we will see that the numbers that we’re getting at the testing site would drop significantly. We want to tell people that if you have symptoms that are associated with COVID, then you should come to one of the testing sites and you can be tested. With symptoms and doing the rapid test, the test result would generally be that you’re positive.” (G12)

meals on flights

C

aribbean Airlines is now offering pre-ordered meals on its

18-year-old female among 2 nabbed with ganja

The ganja that was found in Pouderoyen

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olice ranks in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) netted a 408gram find of Cannabis sativa following an intelligence-led operation at Samaroo Dam, Klein Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.

The cannabis was unearthed on Monday at around 20:30h, Police said.

Two females, aged 18 and 34, are said to be the owners of the drugs.

According to Police, a report from the Police headquarters stated that the ranks went to the proper-

ty where the females were, and a search was conducted on the first bedroom of the house.

During the search, a black bulky plastic bag was found under the bed. It contained several zip lock bags of seeds, leaves, and stems suspected to be Cannabis sativa. Both women were told of the suspicion, cautioned and arrested.

They were later taken to Leonora Police Station where the narcotic was weighed in their presence.

They remain in custody pending charges. (G9)

flights. According to the company, this will give customers more choice and an authentic taste of the Caribbean when they fly.

On Tuesday, the company revealed that customers will be able to select from a range of meals and snacks at affordable prices, which can be bought at the time of booking their flights and up to 36 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Passengers who purchase Economy Flex fares can pre-order meals at no additional cost and Business Class meals remain inclusive.

In commenting on the new service, Caribbean Airlines acting Chief Operations Officer, Nirmala Ramai stated that “2022 is all about re-calibrating what we do and offering our customers a revamped experience. With the pre-order meal service, our customers can choose their own meals from our range of sumptuous offerings. The menu incorporates a fusion of Caribbean and Western cuisine including doubles (curried chickpeas and bara) bake and fish, an array of wraps, delicious options for vegetarians and children.”

Meals will be available for sale via the Caribbean Airlines website, mobile app, reservations, sales and service centre, and travel agents from January 27, for flights from February 1. (G2)

17 CCAC resolved $152M in consumer grievances for 2021 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…electronics, auto industry dominated complaints

T

he Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission in 2021 resolved over $152 million in consumer complaints that were reported, with Region Four securing the highest number of grievances.

By enforcing the Consumer Affairs Act of 2011, the Commission can seek redress for affected consumers in Guyana. As per report, 480 complaints amounting to $211,034,785 were received last year.

“This amount reflected a 101 per cent increase in the dollar value of complaints compared with the previous year 2020,” a statement on Tuesday outlined.

The electronics or electronics services, auto in-

dustry; and appliance and appliance service dominated the categories of complaints. The auto industry accounted for the highest value of complaints at $117,167,673.

Meanwhile, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) generated the highest number of complaints at 350, followed

by Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) with 63, Region 10 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) at 25, and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) at 23.

The Commission inspected 104 businesses in Georgetown, Rosignol, and New Amsterdam for compliance with the Consumer Affairs Act 2011 (CAA).

Thirty-five of the businesses inspected were in confor-

mance, while the other 69 were made aware of their duties under the CAA and were allowed to bring their operations into confor-

mance. Re-inspections will be done in the first quarter of 2022.

A Used Vehicle Standard proposed by the CCAC

to the Guyana National Bureau of Standards was approved by the National Standards Council. CCAC made the proposal following the continuously high number of complaints about purchasing “used vehicles”.

The new Standard is intended to provide consumers with the requisite information which enables them to make informed decisions.

“The Commission will, in 2022, host outreaches in all ten regions in its programme to increase awareness of the Consumer Affairs Act and the role of the Commission,” the missive added.

The CCAC was established under the Consumer Affairs Act of 2011. Its functions include investigating

complaints by agencies and consumers and determining if there has been a contravention of the Competition and Fair-Trading Act of 2006 and the CAA; to take prescribed actions should there be a contravention of the law and eliminating anti-competitive agreements.

It is also responsible for providing information to consumers on their rights and to enable them to make informed choices; to advise the Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce on matters as it relates to the CFTA and the CAA; to institute, participate in, and/ or support proceedings before a court of law, including to bring prosecutions where the Commission deems fit. (G12)

18 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“We’ve lost a great son of the soil” – PSC Chairman …as a Book of Condolences signed for Dr Yesu Persaud

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch

F

ollowing the passing of philanthropist and renowned businessman Dr Yesu Persaud, President Dr Irfaan Ali, members of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the diplomatic community and other Private Sector bodies partook in signing a book of condolence at a small ceremony held at the PSC’s office at Waterloo Street, North Cummings, Georgetown, on Tuesday.

Dr Persaud, who is known for his many strides in the Private Sector of Guyana, passed away at the age of 93 on Monday morning.

Chairman of the PSC, Paul Cheong attended the quiet ceremony along with other members of the Private Sector to share their condolences and he expressed how much they have

British High Commissioner Jane Caroline Miller

learnt from Dr Persaud, how grateful he is for that knowledge, and how committed he is to continue Dr Persaud’s good work.

“Yesu is an icon, he’s a father figure. He’s an inspiration. I mean, you know, he’s a great leader [...] he’s a great team person. He’s a great teacher. His life is an example for all of us in the Private Sector [...] my very early days in the Private Sector Commission, I’ve worked with Dr Persaud while he was Chairman and I’ve learned a lot [...] which still help me up to this day and I will continue,” Cheong said.

Cheong further expressed how much Dr Persaud cared for the people of Guyana, adding that he only wanted to see greatness for the land of Guyana.

“He always have an en-

High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana and Suriname, Mark Berman

High Commissioner of India to Guyana Dr KJ Srinivasa

Current Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Paul Cheong (right), along with the previous PSC Chairmen Manniram Prashad, Captain Gerry Gouveia, Ramesh Persaud, Eddie Boyer, Norman Mc Lean, Desmond Sears, and Nicholas Deygoo, turned out to sign the Book of Condolences in honour of the late Dr Yesu Persaud

couraging word telling you how to develop yourself, how to work and progress in life and you’ve seen that throughout his life and that’s why so many people

adore him. So many people look up to him also because of the type of figure he was. Not only looking out for business but for Guyana as a whole. He’s a true patriot. Whenever there is something to say, he never backed down. He’s always out there in the forefront, battling and fighting for Guyana and the Guyanese people.”

Cheong summed up how great of a loss Dr Persaud is, not only to the Private Sector, but to Guyana as a whole. He urged persons to be thankful for the lessons that he has left behind.

“We’ve lost a great son of the soil but we also need to be thankful for the lessons that he’s left with us,” he said.

Also present at the ceremony was President of the Guyana Oil and Gas

Energy Chamber (GOGEC) Maniram Prashad, who conveyed how greatly missed Persaud will be missed in the Private Sector. “We in the Private Sector have lost a champion. He was a true icon. And we will really miss Yesu for all the good work he has done and all the knowledge he has imparted to us because when I was with him, I was just a young person, I had no knowledge about serious Private Sector leadership or development.

He taught me and I’m happy to say that I came after him as Chairman, and only because what I have learned from him and others like him. Yesu was a champion and we will miss him,” he said.

Also offering kind words

The late Dr Yesu Persaud

about Dr Persaud was Retired Major General of the Guyana Defence Force and former PSC Chairman, Norman McLean. McClean stated that he has always had nothing but respect for Dr Persaud and that nothing has changed.

“I have always held him out as the eldest statesman, and I’ve always referred to him, every time I speak to him as Excellency because I think his performance, his stature and everything he has done was excellent. […]

So, all I can say at this stage is that he had a long life, he had a good life, and may his soul rest in peace,” McLean stated.

Members of the Private Sector took turns in signing in the book of condolences for the late Dr Persaud, leaving behind nothing but words of encouragement.

Dr Persaud, who was a Charted Accountant by profession, solidified himself as one of the leading men in the Private Sector of Guyana.

Persaud co-founded the PSC, held the position of Chairman of the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), and started two companies: Demerara Bank Limited and the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED). Honouring his hard work and dedication to Guyana’s Private Sector, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) dedicated an entire wing to him.

(G2)

Barbados heads to polls today

B

arbados will hold general elections today called by Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the Caribbean nation’s first vote since it became a republic last year by removing the British Queen as its sovereign.

Mottley, whose Barbados Labour Party now controls 29 of the legislature’s 30 seats, in December said the vote would help promote unity in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, which has heavily hit the country’s tourism-focused economy.

Barbados in November removed Queen Elizabeth as Head of State and replaced her with President Sandra Mason in a ceremony coinciding with its Independence Day that included the presence of Britain’s Prince Charles.

Mottley in a campaign

Prime Minister Mia Mottley

speech in the community of Pie Corner on the northeast end of the island on Monday made little mention of the pandemic, focusing instead on public works carried out under her party and berating rivals’ lack of leadership.

Verla De Peiza of the op-

position Democratic Labour Party has called the snap election - called a year and a half before the law requires “alarming to our democracy” and raised questions about the public health risks of the vote and limitations on suffrage of those infected with COVID-19.

Some 5000 people of a population just under 300,000 were in isolation after being infected with coronavirus, according to official figures.

Mottley on Monday said the opposition had filed a court injunction seeking to stop the election.

The lawsuit alleges that the exclusion of people quarantined due to the coronavirus is a violation of voting rights, according to local media reports. (Excerpt from Reuters)

NEWS

19

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Flood-affected farmers

FAO introduces US$136,000 emergency recovery support T

he United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on Tuesday launched its Emergency Response and Early Recovery Support to small holder farmers that were affected by the 2021 mass flooding in both Guyana and Suriname.

This project is geared at providing support for small farmers and institutions in agriculture disaster risk management and flood recovery. Livestock and agricultural resources were handed over to the Agriculture Ministry, comprising of hand tools, seeds, medication and fertilisers to be distributed to affected farmers. This is valued at US$136,000.

Farmers and technical officers also stand to benefit from training to the tune of US$29,000. Over the next two years, they will build capacity in reducing vul-

Minister Zulfikar Mustapha joined FAO’s Dr Gillian Smith in handing over the items to affected farmers with GLDA and NAREI officials in attendance

nerability of farming communities, reducing threat on food security and supporting farming enterprises. These initiatives will unfold in collaboration with the Guyana Livestock

Development Authority and National Agricultural Research and Extension institute (NAREI).

Country representative for the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Dr

Lowenfield’s former assistant makes unsuccessful bid to reverse termination …no progress on filling additional vacancies in GECOM Secretariat

I

t has been revealed that Duarte Hetsberger, the sacked assistant of former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, has met with the Chairperson of GECOM, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, to get his job back.

In fact, this meeting was among the things discussed during GECOM’s statutory meeting on Tuesday. In an interview with this publication, GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj explained that the Commission was briefed in further detail on Hetsberger’s dismissal and his meeting with the Chair last week. “(We discussed) remuneration of scrutineers. The termination of Hetsberger, we got a fuller report on it. The discussion on that is still inconclusive. It hasn’t moved further… basically he had asked to see the Chairman.

So, the Chairman met with him last week,” Gunraj explained.

GECOM, meanwhile, has vacancies for key senior positions within the Elections Secretariat, including Assistant Chief Elections Officer, Chief Accountant, Legal Officer, Logistics Officer and Civic and Voter Education Manager. Even though there are shortlists for these positions, Gunraj noted that the Commission has not gotten around to interviewing the candidates.

Last week, Hetsberger was sacked on allegations that he tampered with a computer belonging to the

Commission.

Hetsberger had served as personal assistant to embattled former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, who was also fired from GECOM for his role in attempting to derail the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

His termination came after the Elections Commission Secretariat’s Information Technology (IT) officers found that the computer system that had been assigned to Hetsberger was completely wiped. According to a reliable source at the Secretariat, this discovery was made during a routine check by the IT Department.

“The IT people were called to power up the systems, and when they did, they found that it had been reset as if it carried no programme.

When they checked to see what happened, they found that all information on the computer was deleted… and since no information was found [on the computer], nobody is able to say what was the nature of the information,” the source had indicated.

Nevertheless, a report detailing this was submitted to the seven-member Election Commission, which took a decision to terminate Hetsberger’s employment effective January 1, 2022.

Meanwhile, Hetsberger, who was initially arrested in 2020 during the Police probe into electoral fraud, was in the news last year after it was revealed that his employment contract was renewed for another three years by Lowenfield

Gillian Smith said they are also looking to build responsiveness, planning and preparedness in the event of future disasters.

“We understand that this is relatively small compared to the commitment that Guyana has already made in terms of supporting farmers and farming communities. We understand, too, that when you look at the contribution to individual farmers, it may look relatively small. But many small farmers, any support that they get makes a huge difference,” she pointed out.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha notified that since the flooding, Government has adapted a robust approach to restore

production of both livestock and crops. That support is presently continuing on the ground.

“The Government and through the Ministry of Agriculture would have already supported and bring relief to approximately 50,000 farmers already.

That process is ongoing across the country. As I am speaking here, our officers are in the field, trying to complete the mopping up exercise.”

The Minister shared that Government has recognised the importance of sustainable food security, not just for Guyana but the region.

Consequently, 2022 will witness the transformation to smart agricultural practices.

Mustapha revealed, “We recognise the importance of agriculture to our economy, to the development of our country. That is why we are not only talking about one sector. We are not only talking about the oil and sector. We recognise that for country to be successful, we have to develop our agriculture sector, to have food security nationally and also to help our sister countries in Caricom.”

Between May and June last year, heavy rains resulted in widespread flooding across the country, affecting thousands of households.

The devastation included submerged buildings and

“We are here...

Former Personal Assistant to the Chief Elections Officer, Duarte Hetsberger

just before he was sent on leave and ultimately fired in August 2021.

This raised eyebrows at the electoral body, since the process reportedly did not follow protocol.

This publication was told that Hetsberger’s contract was supposed to end on December 8, 2021.

Instead, Lowenfield renewed Hetsberger’s contract in June 2021. Lowenfield’s own contract was subsequently terminated on August 12, 2021, along with his Deputy Roxanne Myers and Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo. The trio is before the courts facing a series of electoral fraud charges.

It was reported that the renewal of Hetsberger’s contract breached a stipulation that requires contracted employees to give notice of their intent to renew their contract three months before it is supposed to expire. (G3)

Regarding the vehicles which were destroyed, the Laparkan boss said some belonged to individuals while others were brought in by dealers.

“Some of them (the cars) pertain to dealership. Based on our physical inspection, we saw between 11 to 12 vehicles that were completely engulfed by the fire, which means that just the frame is left there, there were other carts that were scorched, some of individuals, some of belonging to companies or dealers. The fire could have caused some damages to some of the electrical components to different cars, we don’t know for sure, but physically, we saw some cars that were scorched, the paint was actually smeared, some the bumper actually melted,” he explained.

Insurance & compensation

Asked about the process of ensuring affected customers are compensated for their losses, Nipan explained that this will be a challenging undertaking.

“The company does have insurance policies and… we have to assess the situation first to get a comprehensive list of the persons (who are affected). Because some clients, what happens, they would insure their cargo upon shipment, and then some other clients would have not requested it.”

vehicles with adverse effects on crops, livestock and health.

It was noted that the rainfall experienced in May alone was recorded as the second highest level of rainfall across the country in the last 40 years. All 10 administrative regions in Guyana experienced varied levels of flooding, prompting Government to roll out immediate responses.

President Ali had declared it a national disaster.

Following extensive fieldwork, the President had announced in a national address that $7.8 billion in flood relief assistance would be provided for citizens and farmers who were affected in all 10 administration regions by the rains and flooding.

A combined assistance to homestead farmers, kitchen gardens and households for these categories was in excess of $3.5 billion.

When it comes to the livestock industry, assistance was given from subsistence to large scale farmers. More than 2000 farmers were affected by the floods and as such, benefitted from over $600 million in direct transfers. In the livestock industry, assistance was broken down into four categories mainly subsistence farmers, small farmers, medium farmers, and large-scale farmers and more than 2000 farmers were affected. (G12)

FROM PAGE 2

“We actually have meetings currently with the insurance companies, we’re meeting with the Police Force as well as the Guyana Fire Service, they’re keeping us informed…so, hopefully today, I’ll be able to assess what were the amount or what was the cost or who were the customers that were affected in particular, so that we can start to inform them,” Nipan explained.

“Once I have that list finalised, we would know what was confinement and we can come up with an estimate but that list has to be finalised first,” he added.

The Laparkan General Manager further explained that “apart from the customers themselves insuring the cargo, GNIC and Laparkan would have insurance for those facilities as well. So, it’s different policies around, but it’s the reach of their policy.”

“Some customers might take out policies for the car or the vehicle to simply reach in Guyana safe and that’s it. But then there are some that would take out policies to ensure that it reaches their doors safe, that’s till to their homes, which means during the course being here on the wharf and whatever, they are covered. Those are things we need to determine first before we can make a conclusion.”

“Once we have the results

from the Police, from the Fire Service and from the insurance company, we will be better able to deliberate on that with regard to the customers.”

Rebuilding

Once the investigations are completed, the company will work towards rebuilding. In the meantime, they are working to ensure business is not impeded.

“What we are doing, we have indicated to customers, some of the preliminary customers you would have knowledge that their cargo was destroyed and so forth, we have asked them to make their claims, we have a claim form of which the customer can prepare and have it to us,” Nipan explained.

“We are here, we are going to continue business as usual, we’re going to enhance our services in spite of this calamity. We want to reassure the customers that we’re doing everything on our part and in our efforts towards restoration, to normalcy, and improve our service delivery. The matter is currently being investigated by the external sources…and once that investigation is completed, we will be better able to inform the customers. But rest assured that something is happening, we’re making all valiant efforts to have [this] resolved.”

20

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS

Indonesia passes law to relocate capital to Borneo jungle

P

arliament on Tuesday approved a bill to relocate Indonesia's capital from Jakarta to a site deep within the jungle of Kalimantan on Borneo island, the most significant advancement of an idea the country's leaders have been toying with for years.

The new state capital law, which provides a legal framework for President Joko Widodo's ambitious US$32 billion mega project, stipulates how development of the capital will be funded and governed.

"The new capital has a central function and is a symbol of the identity of the nation, as well as a new centre of economic gravity," Planning Minister Suharso Monoarfa told Parliament after the bill was passed into law.

Indonesian Air Force helicopters carrying a big flag fly above high-rise buildings during the country's 76th Independence Day celebrations in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 17, 2021

The initial relocation will start from between 2022 and 2024, with roads and ports prioritised to enable access, with some projects operating as public private partnerships, the Finance Ministry said.

Plans to move the Government away from Jakarta, a megacity of 10 million people that suffers from chronic congestion, floods and air pollution, have been floated by multiple Presidents, but none have made it this far.

Jokowi, as the President is known, first announced his plan in 2019, but progress was delayed by COVID-19.

The new city has a name chosen by him - Nusantara, a Javanese term for the Indonesian archipelago - but no timeframe has yet been set for finalisation of the project, and Jakarta will remain the capital until a presidential decree is issued to formalise the change.

Nusantara would follow in the footsteps of new capitals in other countries, notably Brazil and Myanmar.

It will strengthen supply chains and place Indonesia "in a more strategic position in world trade routes, investment flows, and technological innovation," the Government said in a statement. (Excerpt from Reuters)

EU Parliament elects youngest ever President Metsola

R

oberta Metsola has been elected as the youngest ever President of the European Parliament and the first woman in the role for 20 years.

Metsola, 43, has a record of being anti-abortion, but has billed herself as pro-LGBT rights.

The Maltese national takes over the role from David Sassoli, 65, who died last week after a serious illness.

She is one of three women in the top EU jobs, along with the heads of the European Commission and Central Bank.

But taking questions from journalists on Tuesday, she was asked more than once about her views on women's reproductive rights.

She's been criticised for her voting record on the issue and, in 2015, joined other Maltese MEPs in saying they were "categorically against abortion".

A predominantly Catholic country, Malta is the only EU member state to have a complete ban on abortion.

However, Metsola has insisted she will represent the European Parliament's view on sexual and reproductive

MEPs sang Happy Birthday after Metsola clinched the job on her 43rd birthday

health, rather than her own.

The Parliament has, she said, "repeatedly called for

these rights to be better protected".

"My position is that of the European Parliament."

A member of the centre-right European People's Party, she is a lawyer by training. She's long been part of the Brussels bubble although addressing MEPs she urged the EU to "burst through it".

Her previous jobs have included acting as legal adviser to British politician Baroness Ashton, who was then the EU's top diplomat.

Malta has historic ties with the UK, securing independence in 1964. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Taiwan to pay for Hong Kong to kill 2000 Guatemalan lobbying animals after hamsters in US, Guatemala says contract COVID

T

aiwan has paid for a lobbying contract to promote Guatemala with US officials, Guatemala’s Government said late on Monday, just as Beijing’s efforts to strengthen its diplomatic foothold in Central America are advancing.

The lobbying contract is with Ballard Partners, a firm headed by Brian Ballard, who the company’s website said was a backer of former US President Donald Trump.

According to recent public filings in the United States, the contract is worth US$900,000 and should provide consulting and advocacy “related to the United States Government, including interactions with United States Government officials.”

The step follows Nicaragua’s announcement last month that it had switched allegiance from Taipei to Beijing, and comments made by the incoming President of Honduras during her election campaign last year that she could do

the same.

The lobbying contract also coincides with a period of protracted tension between the Guatemalan Government and the United States, which has raised concerns about efforts to battle corruption in the Central American country.

Earlier this month, the US State Department criticised Guatemala after its Attorney General’s office sought the withdrawal of immunity from prosecution against a prominent Guatemalan Judge recognised for her efforts to fight corruption.

Guatemala is one of a dwindling number of countries with diplomatic ties to US ally Taiwan.

Honduran President-elect Xiomara Castro said during her campaign in September that she planned to establish ties with China. Still, after her election in November, her team backtracked and said she wanted to prioritise ties with the United States.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

H

ong Kong authorities have said that they will kill about 2000 small animals, including hamsters, after several tested positive for the coronavirus at a pet store where an employee was also infected.

The city will also stop the sale of hamsters and the import of small mammals, according to officials from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

The pet shop employee tested positive for the Delta variant on Monday, and several hamsters imported from the Netherlands at the store tested positive, as well.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, animals do not appear to play a significant role in spreading the coronavirus. But Hong Kong authorities said they are not ruling out transmission between animals and humans.

“We cannot exclude the possibility that the shopkeeper was in fact actually infected from the hamsters,”

said Edwin Tsui, a controller at the Centre for Health Protection on Tuesday.

“If you own a hamster, you should keep your hamsters at home, do not take them out,” department director Leung Siu-fai said at a news conference.

“All pet owners should observe good personal hygiene, and after you have been in contact with animals and their food, you should wash your hands.”

“Do not kiss your pets,” he added.

As a precautionary measure, customers who bought hamsters from the store after January 7 will be traced and be subject to mandatory quarantine and must hand over their hamsters to authorities to be put down, officials said.

They said all pet stores in Hong Kong must stop selling hamsters and that about 2000 small mammals, including hamsters and chinchillas, will be killed in a humane manner. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Oil hit 7-year highs as tight supply bites

O

il prices on Tuesday climbed to their highest since 2014 as investors worried about possible supply disruption after attacks in the Middle East added to an already tight outlook.

Brent crude futures rose US$1.03, or 1.2 per cent, to settle at US$87.51 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose US$1.61, or 1.9 per cent, to settle at US$85.43 a barrel.

Both benchmarks touched their highest since October 2014.

Supply concerns mounted this week after Yemen's Houthi group attacked the United Arab Emirates, escalating hostilities between the Iran-aligned group and a Saudi Arabian-led coalition.

After launching drone and missile strikes that set off explosions in fuel trucks and killed three people, the Houthi movement warned it could target more facilities, while the UAE said it reserved the right to "respond to these terrorist attacks."

The strike on a leading Gulf Arab ally of the United States takes the war between the Houthi group and a Saudi-led coalition to a new level, and may hinder efforts to contain regional tensions as Washington and Tehran work to rescue a nuclear deal.

"The damage to the UAE oil facilities in Abu Dhabi is not significant in itself, but it raises the question of even more supply disruptions in the region in 2022," said Rystad Energy's senior oil markets analyst Louise Dickson.

"The attack raises the geopolitical risk in the region and may signal the Iran-US nuclear deal is off the table for the foreseeable future, meaning Iranian oil barrels are off the market, boosting demand for similar grade crude originating elsewhere," Dickson added.

UAE oil company ADNOC said it had activated business continuity plans to ensure uninterrupted supply of products to its local and international customers after an incident at its Mussafah fuel depot.

Also adding to geopolitical price premiums are rising tensions between Ukraine and OPEC+ member Russia.

Supply concerns have been brewing as some producers within the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries are struggling to pump at their allowed capacities under the OPEC+ agreement with Russia and allies to add 400,000 barrels per day each month.

OPEC on Tuesday stuck to its forecast for robust growth in world oil demand in 2022 despite the Omicron coronavirus variant and expected interest rate hikes, predicting the oil market would remain well supported through the year.

In the United States, output in the Permian, the largest US shale basin, will surge to a record in February, according to a monthly forecast from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Tuesday.

Goldman Sachs analysts said they expect oil inventories in OECD countries to fall to their lowest since 2000 by the summer, with Brent oil prices rising to US$100 later this year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Mexican Journalist Margarito Martinez shot dead outside home

A

photojournalist has been found fatally shot in the northern Mexican border city of Tijuana, the latest killing of a media worker in the country.

Margarito Martinez, 49, was found near his home with a fatal gunshot wound to his head on Monday, the security secretariat in the northwestern state of Baja California said in a statement.

Media rights group Yo So Soy Periodista (I Am a Journalist) said Martinez, who reported on Police and crime, had previously received threats from people connected to organised crime.

“Freedom of expression, in all its forms, is a fundamental right of citizens,” the Baja California Attorney General’s Office said in a statement.

The San Diego UnionTribune reported that Martinez, beyond working for local outlets, worked as a fixer for international outlets including the BBC and the Los Angeles Times.

His 16-year-old daughter

heard the gunshot and discovered her father’s body, according to the newspaper.

More than 100 reporters have been murdered in Mexico since 2000, with powerful drug cartels operating in the country often killing to discourage journalists from investigating, or generally reporting on, their dealings and their connections to officials.

Reporters without Borders (RSF) regularly ranks Mexico alongside war-torn countries such as Afghanistan and Yemen as the world’s most dangerous places for news media. Only a fraction of the crimes has led to convictions.

Rights groups have also urged authorities to fully investigate the January 10 attack on journalist and social media activist, Jose Luis Gamboa in the city of Xalapa in the eastern state of Veracruz.

Gamboa was found lying in the street with a stab wound and later died at a hospital.

His body was not identified for days. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022

21

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

A social event or online meeting will offer insight into something you want to pursue. An energetic attitude will help you convince others to lend their support you. Plunge ahead with optimism.

(March 21-April 19) Changing your mind too much will send the wrong message. If you act decisively, people will trust and respect you. Follow your heart and do your own thing; doors will open.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

Take time to make positive domestic changes. Steer clear of people who try to talk you into extravagant behavior or ask you to take on something you cannot handle. Let your experience lead the way. istance yourself from extreme or unhelpful situations. Focus on learning and honing your skills. Applying something you have recently learned will pay off. Romance is on the rise.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

(July 23-Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Gather information that helps you push forward with your plans. Refuse to let anyone talk you into something you don't comprehend or can't afford. If you lose control, it will cost you. Avoid aggressive people.

Pursue things that put a smile on your face. Mix business with pleasure or make a notable change to how you do things. Look for new ways to use your skills, talents and knowledge to get ahead.

You'll accomplish your goal if you stick to basics and remain on course.

Jumping from one thing to another will be your downfall. Refuse to let anyone talk you into doing things differently.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) An emotional situation will result in uncertainty. Don't argue with a friend, relative or colleague. Listen attentively, then go about your business. Do what works for you.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Don't make snap decisions regarding your finances. Joint ventures or shared expenses will be fraught with uncertainty. Taking control of money matters is in your best interest.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Speak from the heart, and you can resolve issues. Trust in your ability to get things done and offer your services to those you know will be grateful and who will return the favor.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Stretch your imagination, and you'll come up with splendid ideas that will benefit you as well as others. Refuse to let anyone interfere with your plans or mess with your emotions.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Go over small details and make adjustments that will address any problems. Expect someone to undermine you if given a chance. Call on people you trust to carry out your plans explicitly.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

22

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022

Simmons implores players to better assess situations ahead of Betway T20I series against England

W

est Indies Senior Men’s Head Coach Phil Simmons says players must be more aware of situations ahead of the Betway T20 International Series against England.

“Each game has a situation.

Every ball is a situation in the game, and we’ve got to be able to assess that situation and know how we have to play in that game.

If you’re 20-3 you play differently than if you’re 40-0. These are the little situations that we need to highlight and win, and that will take us to winning the game,” he said in a press conference on Tuesday.

Simmons also explained that the return of the West Indies to the pinnacle of world cricket would come only with a focus on development at all levels.

“Definitely, things need to be changed at different levels. You don’t become bad batsmen at this level,” he said. He continued on by saying that responsibility lies with coaches at all levels to see to the development of players in the region.

“You come up here thinking you are able to play up here, but things are not going the

way they should, so there must be some sort of responsibility taken from the levels before us, and that’s something that has to be addressed generally as an organisation,” Simmons added.

With that said, Simmons also acknowledged that once players get to the international level, they also have a part to play.

“In saying that, the guys, when

they come up here, need to fight harder. They need to put more effort into wanting to be the best in the world when they come up here,” he added.

The West Indies will play five T20 Internationals against England in Barbados starting on January 22 in the Betway T20 International Series, West Indies v England at Kensington Oval, Barbados.

Match schedule * Saturday, January 22: Betway T20 International * Sunday, January 23: 2nd Betway International * Wednesday, January 26: Betway T20 International * Saturday, January 29: Betway T20 International * Sunday, January 30: Betway T20 International

1st T20 3rd 4th 5th

Indian Premier League 2022…

Lucknow IPL franchise picks up Rahul, Stoinis and Bishnoi

…Rahul also set to be captain of new franchise

K

L Rahul, who will lead India in the ODI series in South Africa, is one of three players who have been picked up by the Lucknow IPL franchise.

Australian allrounder Marcus Stoinis and uncapped Indian legspinner Ravi Bishnoi are the other two.

ESPNcricinfo understands the Lucknow franchise would go into the February auction with a

purse of INR 60 crore - Rahul cost them INR 15 crore, Stoinis INR 11 crore, and Bishnoi INR 4 crore. It has been learnt that Rahul would also captain the franchise.

Rahul, 29, was the first acquisition for the Lucknow franchise, which was bought for INR 7090 crore (US$940 million approx) last October by the RP Sanjiv Goenka Group. One of the most consistent batters in the IPL

since the 2018 edition, Rahul had earlier told his previous franchise, Punjab Kings, where he had been captain the last two seasons, that he wanted a change, and was subsequently released by the management.

Having started his IPL career in 2013, when he was bought

by Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rahul went to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2014, and was traded back to Royal Challengers in 2016, before the Punjab franchise (then Kings XI Punjab) paid INR 11 crore to buy him in the 2018 auction.

While the team has continued to fall short of expectations, Rahul's form has soared. After four seasons with Punjab, Rahul signed off as the leading run-getter for the team, scoring 2548 runs at an average of 56.62, including 25 fifty-plus scores - two of them hundreds -

in just 55 innings.

Rahul scored 26.52% of Punjab's runs in that period, with season aggregates of 659, 593, 670 and 626 respectively between 2018 and 2021, while averaging over 50 in each of those seasons. These are four of the five best season aggregates for any batter for the Punjab franchise in the IPL. However, his runs were also accompanied by a discussion about his strike rate, with several observers pointing out that Rahul's rate of scoring was sometimes counter-productive.

His 670 runs in IPL 2020, in fact, came at a strike rate of 129.34, the lowest of anyone who has made 600-plus runs in an IPL season since the start of the tournament. Even the 626 runs he got in IPL 2021 were scored at a strike rate of 138.80, making Rahul the only batter with two

sub-140 strike-rate tallies in a 600-plus IPL season.

As for Stoinis, Lucknow will be his fourth IPL franchise. He had started in 2015 with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), where he returned in 2020 after being bought for INR 4.8 crore. In the 27 matches he has played for the Capitals, 32-yearold Stoinis scored 441 runs at a strike rate of 142.71, and picked 15 wickets. In between, he had also turned out for Punjab and Royal Challengers.

Bishnoi, who impressed with his performance in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, where he finished as the leading wicket-taker, was one of the most-sought-after uncapped players ahead of this year's IPL auction, with several franchises showing keen interest in him.

That included Punjab, who had won the bidding war for him

with Mumbai Indians in the 2020 auction to bag him for INR 2 crore.

Bishnoi then quickly became the lead spinner for Punjab, and took 12 wickets in 14 matches in his first season; and in 2021, he had 12 wickets from nine matches. Overall, he has an economy rate of 6.95.

The other new IPL franchise, based in Ahmedabad, named their three players of choice yesterday, picking up Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan and Shubman Gill. With both the new teams finalising their players, the cap set by the IPL, the focus shifts to the auction, which is scheduled for February 12 and 13 in Bengaluru. The BCCI, however, is yet to formally inform the franchises about the dates and venue, as it weighs in the pandemic situation across India. (ESPNcricinfo)

Khan (102*) spurs Invaders Masters CARIFTA hoping for spectators to victory over Trophy Stall Masters

The victorious Invaders Masters strike a pose after the games

I

nvaders Masters defeated Trophy Stall Masters by 50 runs in an invitational Over-40 T20 match on Sunday at Reliance Ground on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Invaders Masters, batting first by insertion of the visitors, set a formidable 199-7 off their 20 overs, while Trophy Stall Masters reached 152 for 8 at the end of their overs.

The right-handed batsman

Fazeer Khan hit a belligerent unbeaten 102 for Invaders, which consisted of 11 sixes and three fours. Former Essequibo inter-county player Ramesh Narine supported with 36, and 25 came from ex-Guyana youth

player Beesham Seepersaud.

Off-spinner Lloyd Rooplall grabbed three wickets for 33 runs off his allotted four overs.

When Trophy Stall Masters batted, Hardat Singh made 33.

Two wickets each came from Narine, Seepersaud and skipper Daniels. Khan, named player-ofthe-match, received a trophy, compliments of Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and City Mall.

And Invaders Masters won a five-over softball encounter between the two teams by 41 runs. Invaders tallied 99-1 off their five overs, while Trophy Stall Masters responded with 59-4.

Leading the way for the Invaders was Narine with 73 not out, which included eight towering sixes and two fours.

Lakmikant Narine (unrelated) scored 25.

In Trophy Stall Masters’ innings, Sunil Hardat scored 25, and 21 not out came from Ravendra Madholall.

Each team collected a trophy, while Ramesh Narine was adjudged player-of-the-match. Trophies were donated by Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and City Mall.

President of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association, Mike Sands

O

rganisers of the CARIFTA Games are making plans for spectators to be allowed to travel for the region’s most prestigious junior track and field event.

However, the final decision will be left up to the Government of Jamaica.

President of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association, Mike Sands, said they were constantly meeting with officials in Jamaica, as the Games were

less than 100 days away.

“We are hoping that we would be able to have spectators, because they add to the excitement of any competition. If they say ‘no spectators’, we will have to adapt, but we are trying to make it possible,” Sands told Sun Sport yesterday during a telephone interview.

“Spectators will be determined on the conditions.

Whatever Jamaica tells us to do, we will have to abide by it.

We know the Olympic Games were very successful without spectators, so it’s not like we are going into virgin territory where certain things have not happened before.” (AGB)

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR SALE Tee Shores, Form Boards, Few Ply Boards and some 6” x 6”, 8” x 8”, 5” x 5” Lumbers. Must sell. Going cheap. Contact 501 3706/609 6311.

23 GTTA progressing with implementation of Guyana’s TT Pink Pongsters “My Gender My Strength” programme WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022

T

he programme was launched last year based on the Guyana Table Tennis Association’s (GTTA’s) project proposal for the 2021 edition of “My Gender My Strength.”

This is a member association assistance programme for women’s development in table tennis.

It has been selected by the International Table Tennis Federation among several globally submitted projects, and as one of the association’s programmes proposed to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport of Guyana.

It is the National Sports Commission’s Nursery Academy programme, which seeks to synchronise activities at the nursery and cadet levels of sports, thus creating a foundation for our nation’s athletes as they progress in their disciplines.

“Besides our main objectives of ITTF, ‘My Gender My Strength’ programme, which is increasing female participation in table tennis on and off the court, and strengthening position of women and girls from players to leaders in our sport, we would like to

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

also raise awareness of the importance of gender balance in the MA sports structures, therefore, we support MAs in developing women’s table tennis locally,” the GTTA said in a release.

The National Project of the Guyana Table Tennis Association is one of six projects selected in the Americas, and it is hoped that the initiative would enhance long-term benefits, leave behind the legacy and make a positive impact on women’s table tennis development in Guyana, said Katarzyna Kubas, Head of Development, International Table Tennis Federation.

McKenzie, ITTF Level One coach, and development officer at the Malteenoes Sports Club and the East Bank with over 35 students, and Coach Linden Johnson

cialising, developing hand/ eye coordination, education sessions and motivational engagement by national players and key figures such as Olympian Chelsea Edghill, developing core skills, engaging in friendly competitive activities, and generally having a great time.

Every session will consist of a warm-up, some off-the-table activities, onthe-table exercises, and fun games. The focus is on FUN TT. they will quickly learn to love the great game of table tennis.

The plan is to continue this key initiative, as, over the next few months, orientation sessions utilising the services of our ITTF-trained coaches in regions to coach our students in the fundamental aspect of the games for a minimum of 9 hours

they need to get started – including their very own Guyana TT Pink Pongsters Kidz T-shirt, bat, balls, and activity book/sticker album.

weekly over the period of 3 months in 2022, observing all COVID-19 protocols.

The “Pink Pongsters” would also receive their very own bag, holding everything

many years. The likes of Barbara Jekir, Hodiah and Carol Davidson, Francine Abrams, Bertnell Richards, Chelsea Edghill, Trenace Lowe, Natalie Cummings,

Guyana Context

The programme Guyana’s TT Pink Pongsters “My Gender My Strength” provides the unique opportunity for the GTTA, in partnership with key stakeholders, to establish a programme that is specifically geared and targeted towards the establishment of a national talent-identification programme catering for girls actively participating in the sport of table tennis in Guyana.

Guyana has enjoyed a fair measure of success at the regional and international level with female players/teams very

Execution

The implementation has been progressing over the last few weeks, with Coach Xen Goliath working at the Beterverwagting Primary School with students from the BV community, where over 15 students are engaged. Coach Shavin Green is working in Linden at the Mackenzie High School, where over 10 students are engaged. Coach Candacy

working with the regional schools.

Through a series of sessions, the girls are learning all the basics necessary to enjoy a great game of table tennis; keeping active, so-

Jodyann Blake and Michelle John, among many others, have done well for Guyana at the international level.

However, this is not as a result of any unique, strategic, established or targeted programme implemented by the association, but rather through an ad-hoc system.

It is therefore believed that the institution and implementation of a national talent identification programme that offers training opportunities for young girls would provide the catalyst for participation of more females in the sport of table tennis, leading to the provision of competitive advantage to Guyana in regional competitions in future years to come.

The ITTF’s My Gender My Strength is an annual ITTF developmental programme which seeks to enhance and advance women’s participation in table tennis by supporting ambitious and creative national projects designed for female players, coaches, match officials, administrators, or managers. It ensures maximum women’s participation, combined with high quality and benefits for women’s development in table tennis. It shares sports spirit and highlight a gender balance matter.

The recent success of national table tennis player Chelsea Edghill at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020, the selection of Guyana’s women’s team for the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Busan South Korea, and the team’s performance in four consecutive quarterfinals at the Commonwealth Games among other key performances highlights the opportunities available.

GYMMAF confident in crop of athletes to represent nation at IMMAF World Championships

T

Sensei Troy Bobb

he Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GYMMAF), having hosted a press conference on Tuesday January 18 at the Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, have given an update on Guyana’s participation at the World Championships of the

President of Gavin Singh

the

GYMMAF,

International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) in Abu Dhabi from January 24– 29.

Sharing the feature address at the simple ceremony, President of the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation, Gavin Singh,

said, “Today we are benefiting from the seeds that have been sown since 2017, and the first mixed martial arts competition was held in collaboration with the Amateur Boxing Federation. The federation has spent the last two years preparing and planning. We’ve seized the opportunity that the pandemic presented to ensure we have gotten our accreditation from the official body.”

Singh noted that because of the accreditation, Guyana now has the opportunity to participate in the world championships moving forward; and in the near future, Guyana would be eyeing participation in the Olympics.

Singh declared that the GMMAF have been working assiduously with the Martial Arts Academy of the Guyana Police Force and with the Phoenix Jujitsu Club to as-

certain the quality of athletes that would be sent to represent the nation.

Singh also praised the early vaccination mandate that aided the federation in ensuring their athletes were medically fit in order to qualify for the competition.

“I must also state that our country, the athletes that are representing our country, are not representing our country alone. They will be representing the entire Caribbean; as, of Saturday, we found news that the athletes from Trinidad and Tobago are no longer participating because both coach and athletes have been proven COVID-19 positive. So, as a result, or team is not wearing the team of our beautiful country, but of Caricom”, Singh explained.

According to Sensei Troy Bobb of the Guyana Police

Force Martial Arts Academy, whether in rainfall or sunshine, training had to be conducted. He noted that the team has done some indoor training, and congratulated the team for qualifying for such a big leg of the tournament. Bobb posited that the team is well equipped, everything has been poured into its members, and he is hoping they use everything that has been taught them.

Six Guyanese will be among the 529 athletes from 60 countries participating in the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation’s Amateur World Championships. Renowned Judoka Bruce Fraser will be in charge of the team as Coach, and Corwin D’Anjou will compete in the Men’s Welterweight (77.1kg) division, while Webster Mc Rae will suit-up in the

Middleweight (83.9kg) category. Ijaz Cave and Akeem Fraser would compete in the Men’s Light Heavyweight (93kg) division, Christopher James in the Heavyweight (120.2kg) division, while John Campayne would participate in the Super Heavyweight (300kg) division.

Dr Sawan Jagnarain, Executive Member of the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GMMAF), along with Latoya Collins, president of the Guyana Police Force Martial Arts Academy, and Sports Journalist Rawle Toney, will also be part of the contingent that would depart on Thursday January 20 for the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) Capital.

The event will be broadcast live globally on immaf. tv.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022

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

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