Guyana Times -- Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Cuba grants approval for non-stop flights between Georgetown & Havana P10

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

Issue No. 5040

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022

Sweeping changes must be made at GuySuCo – President Ali Page 3

...says mechanisation of estates must be accelerated

President Dr Irfaan Ali along with Agriculture Ministry’s Director General, Madanlall Ramraj; Agriculture Ministry Permanent Secretary Delma Nedd and Director of Projects at the Office of the President, Marcia Nadir-Sharma

Republic Bank Ltd approves loans for new homeowners with no down payment

See story on page 7

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana discusses opportunities in renewable energy, aviation with India P11

Buxton man arraigned for murder of P2 Lethem cook

– as Home Construction Assistance Facility Programme launched in Reg 6

Amazonia Mall embarks on P18 multimilliondollar expansion

G/town resident killed after P2 mining pit collapses at Micobie backdam Officers of the Guyana Police Force on Tuesday morning conducted random searches at the Tutorial High School and the Richard Ishmael Secondary School along Woolford Avenue, Georgetown. Similar activities are expected to be conducted at other schools that have been identified by the Education Ministry (Education Ministry photo)

“Myopic thinking will “Because We Care” get us nowhere” – Ali grant could increase to defends initiative to give over $50,000 by 2025 land to Bajan farmers – Min Manickchand Reg 10 residents remain resilient as floodwaters continue to rise See story on page 9

Page 17

Page 19

COVID-19 claims 2 more lives – 83 new infections detected in 24h

P19

"Hot Skull" admits killing Better P15 Hope pensioner

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

G/town resident killed Buxton man arraigned for murder of Lethem cook after mining pit collapses K at Micobie Backdam

Dead: Donald Gouveia

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64-year-old gold miner lost his life on Monday after a mining pit collapsed at Micobie Backdam in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). The dead man has been identified as Donald Gouveia, also known as “Danny”, of Subryanville, Georgetown.

Following the incident, a team of Police ranks from the division travelled to the location to launch an investigation.

Police stated that on the day in question at about 12:00h, Gouveia and three workers were working in the mining pit which is about 70ft deep. Whilst doing so, the western wall of the pit reportedly collapsed and, in the process, completely covered Gouveia while the three others were partially covered.

His co-workers Keith James, Frencivaldo Santos, and Junior Daniels were as-

sisted out of the collapsed pit by other workers who were alerted of the incident.

However, after some time, Gouveia was pulled from under the debris in an unconscious state. An injury was observed above his left eye.

He was rushed to the Micobie Health Centre where he was treated and immediately referred to the Mahdia District Hospital.

On his arrival at the medical facility, Gouveia was pronounced on arrival.

His body is presently at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting post-mortem. The three workers and others at the mining camp were questioned as Police continue their investigations.

Back in February, Christopher Bumbury of Pakera, Matthew’s Ridge, North West District (NWD), met his demise after the mining pit in which he was working collapsed. The incident took place at Highwood Backdam, Region One (Barima-Waini), NWD. It was reported that the 58-year-old man and another worker were reportedly digging gravel at the bottom of the mining pit when it collapsed, pinning him in the process while the other worker managed to escape unhurt.

An alarm was raised, and other workers rushed to aid Bumbury, but by the time he was pulled from under the debris, he was already dead.

eron Hope of Middle Street, Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was arraigned for the murder of 26-yearold Mariam Edwards at Kumung Kumung Backdam, Puruni River, when he appeared before Magistrate Crystal Lambert at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

He was not required to plead to the indictment which stated that between June 8 and 9, he murdered Edwards. As such, he was remanded to prison until June 30, 2022.

Based on information received, Williams was employed as a cook in the Kumung Kumung Backdam.

Her employer had stated that on the evening of June 8, after he and his crew had returned to camp, they realised that Edwards was missing and her quarters ransacked.

Upon enquiring, they

Murder suspect Keron Hope

were told by a boat operator that he had dropped Hope to their camp during the day.

As a result, the employer and several others confronted Hope and reported the matter to the Police.

Upon arrival in the Backdam, Hope was handed over to the Police and upon being questioned, he took

them a short distance away from the camp where they found the body of Edwards.

It was lying face up in the water.

She was clad in only a black bra and her neck bore hematoma-like marks.

Both the body and the suspect were taken to Bartica.

The suspect was placed in custody and during interrogation, he admitted to paying the deceased to have sex with her on two previous occasions.

However, on June 8, he told detectives that they had sex for the third time after which, she reportedly told him that, that would have been the last time. He admitted that he became angry and choked Edwards until she became motionless after which, he dumped her body in the river.

He further stated that he returned to her camp and took 21 pennyweights of raw

Murdered: Mariam Edwards

gold which was in her purse.

Meanwhile, an autopsy performed on the body revealed that the woman died as a result of “manual strangulation compounded by blunt trauma to the head”. The post-mortem examination was conducted on Monday by Dr Nehaul Singh.

Lone gunman robs couple, escapes with motor car

O

n Monday evening a driver was robbed of his motor car while his wife and a friend were reportedly robbed of a few items while they were hanging out in front of the Asha Supermarket at New Road, Vreeden-Hoop, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

The robbery occurred at about 21:15h.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Tuesday, the wife of the driver whose car was stolen explained that her husband was robbed of his motor car with registration number PRR 314.

The woman, Katija Saltaur, said while sitting at the business place, a man who was armed with a gun pulled up, held them at gunpoint and body searched them.

“He [the bandit] went to my hus-

The car that was hijacked

band and pat him down. By the time they turn to me, the grill by the supermarket was halfway open and the

owner of the business place who is my friend slipped inside and locked the grill. She left her phone outside and he picked it up and he search me.”

“He carry away $20,000 and he jump in my husband’s car and he drive away with the car,” she explained.

The woman said the matter was immediately reported to the Police and they reached out to the media for assistance in finding the car. The following day, based on information received by Police, the woman, her husband, and the cops went to a house in Rasville, Georgetown, where the car was found.

“They take the car till over to Georgetown and when we go to the place, we in see nobody,” the woman said. So far, no one has been arrested for robbery, and Police have since launched an investigation.

3 Sweeping changes must be made at GuySuCo – President Ali NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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Wednesday, June 15 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Thursday, June 16 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

...says mechanisation of estates must be accelerated

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High Tide: 17:25h reaching a maximum height of 2.62 metres.

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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GuySuCo staff during the meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday

xpressing the need for sweeping changes at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday charged officials at the corporation to improve efficiency and accelerate their timelines for mechanisation on the estates.

The President, accompanied by the Agriculture Ministry’s Director General, Madanlall Ramraj; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Delma Nedd and Director of Projects at the Office of the President, Marcia NadirSharma, met with approximately 180 senior officials of GuySuCo at State House, Main Street, Georgetown.

During the meeting, the President emphasised that it cannot be “business as usual anymore” and there must be sweeping changes.

According to him, the corporation does not belong to any individual or group, but to the country.

“We are not investing all of these resources in GuySuCo for failure. The restructuring and strengthening of GuySuCo is not a joke.

When we said we want to make this industry viable, it is not a mystery.”

“Success does not start with money, success starts with the right attitude, success starts with teams, success starts with people and if we can’t get this fundamentally right, then we have no hope of being successful— absolutely no hope of being successful,” President Ali posited.

An issue that was raised during the meeting was the high turnover rate for field workers. But when told by estate managers from Albion and Blairmont that their plans envision a 60 per cent increase in mechanisation and the use of specialised tractors by 2026, the President noted that their time span must be slashed to 2024.

“I know the problem, I understand the problem and that is why we have to accelerate this mechanisation,” the President said, tasking the Board of Directors and senior managers of the corporation to organise a sub-committee that will

analyse the corporation’s objectives as soon as possible.

The President also tasked the senior officials to have a weekly management meeting, in order to improve communication and management. He noted that the corporation will not advance if people have different visions. Additionally, he urged the senior officials to visit all of the estates and speak to all of the employees.

“People depend on us, and I depend on you. At the end of the day, the buck stops at my Office. The same exercise conducted this morning at the senior level I want to be conducted at the estate level and junior staff level.”

“I want all personality issues in this organisation to be stripped today… an organisation requires collective thinking and action,” he said, also urging the senior officials and managers to be humble in the execution of their duties.

Despite recommenda-

tions from a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) commissioned by the then President David Granger, the APNU/AFC Administration closed the Wales, East Demerara, Rose Hall and Skeldon sugar estates, sending some 7000 workers on the breadline.

When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration assumed office in August 2020, efforts were made to reopen these estates. From October 2020 to date, over 1380 persons were hired/rehired to work in the sugar industry.

Back in February of this year, GuySuCo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sasenarine Singh had assured that the often cashstrapped entity will not be a burden on the Guyana Government forever. In fact, he had said that GuySuCo will be fixed within five years.

According to Singh, the organisation has a five-year strategic plan which will see the reduction of production

costs and increased profits – which will eventually make the entity “cash neutral”.

“With a good strategic plan, the right amount of resources at the right time and when I’m talking about resources, I’m talking about capital, talent, machinery… this industry is fixable within four years,” Singh expressed.

“GuySuCo is not going to be a drain on the Government forever and that is why this strategic plan clearly has a road map whereby GuySuCo will become cash neutral in the near future,” he added.

The five-year strategic plan aims to improve the mechanising of all the estates such as the refurbishing of generators across the industry, the building of 250 new punts, the creation of a new packaging plant at Albion which will begin this year, the expansion of the packaging plant at Blairmont, among other initiatives.

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 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

Violence among youths

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uyana’s most important resource is its human capital and people. This country simply cannot progress without sustained focus on lifting the standard of living of its people, through increased socio-economic investments in projects which will have positive effects on their livelihoods and ability to create and store wealth for their families over the next decade or more. A national strategy must be devised to respond to those social ills which threaten the life expectancy, overall health, productivity, happiness, and safety of the Guyanese people.

Guyana must work assiduously with key stakeholders at home, within the region, and further afield to ensure that a new culture is created, wherein young people are encouraged to develop creative industries and newer forms of technology that would see them being actively involved in the overall developmental thrust of the economy.

They must be convinced that in order for them to lead satisfying and long lives in the future, they must work now to create the world that they want to live in, through the establishment of goals, standards, and innovative ideas that would be useful and applicable to the changing times ahead.

In short, young people must also be indoctrinated in the art of philosophy and the science of ethics and acceptable conduct, so that they can easily appreciate the notions of equity, social justice, and fairness. They must be properly schooled by their superiors — who are leaders in our society today, including their parents, teachers, and community elders — to stand against all forms of discrimination, racism and gender victimisation.

Sadly, enough emphasis is not been placed on the aforementioned approaches to improving the quality of life of Guyanese, and young people in general.

As of late, there has been a stark increase in the levels of youth crime in our society, and, most recently, in schools, where children were seen attacking each other with cutlasses. In one instance, a gun was found on a student at a city secondary school. This has called for the suspension of schools and the intervention of the Police, Education officials, and stakeholders.

Only recently, the Minister of Education stated that there needs to be a holistic approach to deal with the situation – one that has to involve the religious community, Police and other organisations.

On the same issue, President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Mark Lyte, has issued a warning that this sort of behaviour of our children has to be clipped in the bud. He also stated that if we allow the situation to escalate, our school system would resemble those in the Western Hemisphere, where children and teachers are killed.

As such, Lyte suggested that in face of this violent behaviour of our teenagers, especially boys, teachers would soon have to protect themselves.

This form of behaviour would lead to teenage offenders being written off at a young age, regardless of hard circumstances or minor offences. In spite of success in developing opportunities for young people over the past 51 years, we hope more focus would be placed on preventing youth crime, as it can have the potential to affect our country’s trajectory.

Even in the Guyana of old, when it was acknowledged that a stronger support system fostered respect for self and others at school, in the home and at church, there were a few who strayed into deviant behaviours.

With a changing social network, a weakened family structure, and the addictive lure of social media, is it any wonder that we see more youths today being led down the wrong path?

Exposure to violence and sexual deviance poses a huge threat to young people’s lives and moral make-up. It is widely acknowledged that the tree should be bent from young. If poor training is not arrested in its tracks at a tender age, it can spiral out of control and result in serious crimes that affect the whole country. And we, as a society, can no longer afford to turn a blind eye, harping on the fact that “something must be done”, but not willing to do the work, help mentor a young person, or press the political class to enact crucial policies to change the tide.

This beautiful triple-drop waterfall is called Apora-way-aka and is hidden away not far from the village of Paruima along the Kamarang River in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). This Duane Haly photo depicts the story of a young girl who has lost her love, and waits every day at the falls in hope that he may return one day

Disability grant is reflective of a maturing, all-inclusive nation Dear Editor, “Registration for children’s disability grant” rings a very necessary and positive move across Guyana. So, from the onset, I congratulate the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, which is working through the National Commission on Disability (NCD), to make this entire process a reality.

This is a one-off grant, but I feel very strongly that much more is in the offing as regards children 18 years and under who are living with disabilities. I note that the requirement is that parents and guardians would have to have them -- the disability victims -- registered with the NCD, as only some are already in the database.

Again, I heap kudos on those who are at the forefront of this venture. Let me emphasise that this is not a ‘Guyana’ thing, as such.

We need to know that, at the global level, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is to “… promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.”

The word from the Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, is that she is “eager to get the process underway…and highlighting that this exercise is geared at capturing every single child living with a disability.”

Humane and noble this attitude is, and it fits right into the general framework

of the Government, as it is reflective of a Guyana that is committed to the betterment of the lives of persons living with disabilities.

What is nice to note is that the idea is not about handouts, as I see that “the Ministry is already in the process of completing a training centre for persons with disabilities, and has already begun providing training for persons living with disabilities.” Why? This is so because the goal is that, wherever and whenever possible, get persons with disabilities to be independent as much as possible. This, as we all know, would be a big boost to their dignity and human worth.

Already, there is a significant improvement in the catering for these less fortunate, as the Government has upped the ante regarding its commitment to serving and supporting persons living with disabilities, including children, as exemplified in providing free assistive aids, including wheelchairs, white canes, and hearing aids, and free technical, vocational, and ICT training.

I recall that a major outcome of the International Year of Disabled Persons was the formulation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the General Assembly on 3 December 1982. This has to do with a global strategy to enhance disability prevention, rehabilitation, and equalisation of opportunities, which pertains to full participation of persons with disabilities in social life and national development.

The WPA, at the time,

had also emphasised the need to approach disability from a human rights’ perspective. This must sink into us. It is that “Equalisation of opportunities is about the achievement of full participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of social and economic life.” So, issues concerning persons with disabilities should not be treated in isolation, but

within the context of normal community services.

Let us rally behind the Minister. Those with disabilities must be seen and treated with utter human respect, and be catered for at every level. It goes far beyond the $100,000.

Yours truly, H Singh

Charity starts at home Dear Editor, For Barbados to refer to a US$50,000 home as low-income housing is a slap in the face for all Guyanese.

Our school children are on free meals, and yet the Government is offering land to people from Barbados to do farming. As the saying goes, “Charity starts at home”.

Until our people can feed themselves, then and only then should we consider providing external help to other nations. Most of our population is less well off than those from Barbados. The current strategy being taken with PNC’s ally is not the best use of our resources.

Instead, the approach should be to first help our citizens get stronger. The parents of the children on free meals are in more need of a helping hand than those from the well-off island of Barbados.

The Guyanese construction company helping Barbados is well known, and has a good reputation.

I am sure it would represent us well. Given that its team would be overseas, and taking into account the current

shortage of skilled labour, the call by His Excellency to recruit from Mexico is an opportunity awaiting.

Fortunately, I do have experience in construction in Mexico in both industrial (meeting international requirements) and residential settings, and know of some very good companies and personnel that could be of service to our nation. If an opportunity presents itself, the vacuum left by the local team and the skilled labour shortage can be filled.

The only request I would have is that we are allowed to incorporate local talent, so they may learn from the Mexicans.

With a focused effort from the Government, our people have an opportunity to take care of themselves and their families. Let’s all remember that Guyana is for Guyanese first and foremost. This will ensure that our homeland remains ours, and is a source of our sustainable independence at the individual level, the family level, and the national level.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022

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News

400 consumer complaints received annually – CCAC Director …compliance certification launched

C

omplaints reaching the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) have been on the rise in recent years, with an annual tally of 400 reports being filed.

CCAC Acting Director Anil Sukhdeo made this disclosure on Tuesday during the launching of its compliance certification for businesses.

The CCAC has a track record of some 85 per cent resolution rate, ranging between $100 million to $200

million. They are also set to increase inspections to 1000 annually.

“Over the years, we have moved from receiving little to no complaints, less than 100 per year, to receiving and resolving with success,” relayed.

The certification will now indicate to consumers, the businesses where quality products are sold. It will also attribute to consumer confidence in the population.

The certificate can be given through business in-

spections of applications for voluntary compliance. These certificates are to be renewed every year.

Inspections include the utilisation of a compliance checklist, verification of receipt books and warranty document, assessment to identify any areas of CCAC breaches, and inspection of items being sold. Where it is proven that a business is in conformance, the supplier will be issued with a conformity form and subsequently, a Compliance Certificate.

Stakeholders pose for a photo op at the launching of the CCAC Compliance Certification

Nepotism, cronyism and favouritism are of the highest order at City Hall Dear Editor, I observed in the press recently that the Prime Minister, Brig (r’td) Mark Phillips, met with the Mayor and a delegation from the Georgetown Municipality, once more to attempt to alleviate the suffering of residents across the city, who are once again plagued by flooding caused in no small measure by the mismanagement of the city’s drainage and other infrastructure.

And though this is a commendable initiative by the Prime Minister, he needs to understand that he is, as they say in Guyana, “flogging a dead horse”.

It is no accident that, in spite of the enormous assistance -- financial, material, and other -- provided by the Central Government, the city is in such a decrepit condition. The Georgetown

Municipality is in a vegetative, paralysed and nugatory state quite simply because of incompetence, corruption, and indolence. Nepotism, cronyism and favouritism are of the highest order at City Hall. No other Local Government agency across the world could have so many friends and family members working together, all square pegs in round holes. It seems as though the criteria for getting a job there is knowing someone, or being related to someone there.

Just imagine: Councillors sat and squabbled for decades over trivial matters, while City Hall crumbled into its current ruinous state. The Central Government had to rush in and rebuild it.

They needed an administrative building, and the Government had to finance it. A grant was given to

them to repair the Stabroek Market Clock, but they never fixed it, and the grant was forfeited. The market itself had rehabilitation works done under an IDB-funded project, and not its own money. The City Police Training Centre is in a ramshackle state despite the Council claiming to have spent $47 million rehabilitating it. The Abattoir, which got damaged as a result of an accident, got repaired by a private entity, but is still basically non-functional. The Le Repentir Cemetery is a jungle; the Kitty Market, another financial black hole, is yet to be completed; the Promenade Gardens, a public park, is closed to the public; and the Day Care Centres are all shuttered.

The Council no longer builds or maintains roads or bridges in the city; the City

Police Bicycle Patrol is dead; stray animals are no longer rounded up; and public health inspection of yards is no longer done.

So, what does the City Council use all of the hundreds of millions of dollars it collects each month from property rates, stall rentals, licences, container and other fees for?

It spends it on itself, doling out fat cat salaries that amount to well over a hundred million dollars a month; paying for needless public relations services; and paying a whopping amount to contractors, while Georgetown remains in a deplorable state.

Why is the Local Government Commission allowing this?

Faithfully, Magagula Jackson

Why is the NPTAB so controlled???

Dear Editor, As it is known, I am an ‘old head’ in the security industry and in tendering.

My experience is enormous, and having been around for a long time in the security industry, business and general commerce, I have seen a lot of things and understand a lot of things.

I find it strange that, upon delivering a tender document sealed and all in the tender box, we are now being stopped from taking a photograph as evidence that the documents are being dropped in the box at so and so time.

After someone’s tender document disappeared from the box ‘as they alleged,’ I instructed my staff that whenever they deliver a document in the box, take

a photograph or two.

Why would they at the Ministry stop the taking of photographs? I was made to understand that other representatives of companies were also taking photographs of their deposits.

In my opinion, this is great insurance and evidence of depositing the documents.

Should the document not be available upon the opening of the box, photographic evidence would be there to prove it was deposited.

I believe that this instruction to stop the photographing of the deposits is not wise, and causes people to become suspicious that there may be some kind of skullduggery being cooked up. I had a case a number of years ago where our entire document disappeared

from the box. When I spoke to the then chairman of the Central Tender Board, he doubted that there could be any kind of corruption, deceit or favouritism.

The fact is, that gentleman was a real gentleman, and I know that he would never get himself involved in such despicable activities. There was at that time a fellow who believed that the Government at that time owed him all the Government security contracts. He also had a lot of friends in high places with connections. He was always known to be manipulative, dishonest, tricky, and one who never paid PAYE taxes and NIS was the achieved culprit.

I do not want to lament more on this, but to ask

that the Ministry of Finance, which supervises the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), should pass an edict where people have the right to photograph their envelopes being deposited into the tender box. It is a simple request, and as one who has been around for a long time and knows so much, I think I am in the right to be very suspicious of persons, especially if they would stop such a petty thing as taking photographs.

Over to you, Honourable Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr Khan Sr

Roshan

Sukhdeo noted, “What we have come to recognise is that there is nothing firmly given to these suppliers who pass these compliance tests that we have had. What we were doing is giving them a mark of recognition so that when consumers enter those premises, they know that this is an apt business that is compliant with the Consumer Affairs Act.” He added, “So when you enter that establishment, you know that you’re safe in terms of your shopping, you’re entitled to a refund within seven days, entitled to exchange etc. So you can shop with that confidence.”

The Private Sector

Commission’s Vice President, Ryan Alexander, has lauded this move as a way of guaranteeing a higher level of service for Guyanese.

“We are happy to see the rollout of this certificate programme. We think it is a junction where we not only want to ramp up the type of service that we offer to the general public but there is the new oil and gas industry that requires a lot of these types of certifications…We think that it all speaks well for a more improved service for the general public and the companies coming into Guyana,” the private sector official commended.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Republic Bank Ltd approves loans for new homeowners with no down payment – as Home Construction Assistance Facility Programme launched in Reg 6

Delinda Fraser like many others is now pre-qualified for a housing loan

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epublic Bank Limited in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on Tuesday started approving home loans for persons without having them make a down payment as equity. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the bank and the Housing and Water Ministry through the Home Construction Assistance Facility Programme (HCAFP).

The programme allows persons to complete their transactions so they can be pre-qualified for a loan. At the launch of the initiative on Tuesday in New Amsterdam and Corriverton, persons were given on-the-spot pre-qualification by Republic Bank Limited - once the necessary documents were presented and the applicant satisfied the eligibility criteria for the programme.

The Home Construction Assistance Facility Programme (HCAFP) is the brainchild of President Dr Irfaan Ali. Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal explained that it is a part of the Government’s housing drive which seeks to accelerate home ownership for Guyanese.

In addition, it addresses the challenges faced by Guyanese families who have acquired house lots but are unable to build their homes, due to inaccessibility to financing.

“First of all, there are a number of criteria that you have to

can select one of three categories of units available. These are two-bedroom flat units costing $7 million, three-bedroom flat units for $9 million and three-bedroom elevated units at $12 million.

In explaining the difference between the HCAFP and other housing drives that are being rolled out by the Housing Ministry, Croal said in this case the land is being used as equity.

“The land will be used to be that initial sum that the banks normally ask for when you are taking a loan or a mortgage. So, you can have a minimum of zero dollars saving but once you show that you pre-qualify and can pay X amount per month and they are satisfied with the duration of years, you can pre-qualify because the same amount you pay monthly for your rent will go towards your monthly mortgage.”

Regional Bank manager Imran

Royan Abrams meeting with bank officials at Tuesday’s launch

satisfy; you have to own the land and this is not only relevant to the Housing Ministry programme (the Ministry of Housing lots) it is also relevant to private owners. So, if you are a private land owner and you want to be able to construct your own home, this is an enabling programme to do that. The bank can look at your situation and pre-qualify you based on the information you provide,” Croal explained.

Under the HCAFP, applicants

Sacoor stated that the financial institution fully supports the initiative while noting that the initiative is been viewed as a low-cost mortgage initiative.

“Customers can access up to $15 million to build their homes.

The rates are as low as 4.15 – 5.95 per cent and the repayment period are within 15 – 30 years.

In explaining the 5 per cent down payment, Sacoor pointed out that a $10 million loan will attract

A first-time homeowner selects a lot number

a $500,000 equity.

“Practically we are reaching out to persons who are interested in acquiring home ownership.”

He further stated that instalments are between $35,000 and $67,000 under the programme.

Delinda Fraser, who pre-qualified for a housing loan, noted that she was given a house lot at Kilcoy/ Chesney Housing Scheme on the Corentyne but due to certain circumstances, she was unable to construct her home.

“I will like to say thanks to the Government of Guyana for assisting people with low income and who cannot afford to construct their homes.”

Another beneficiary, Royan Abrams, applied for the moderate-income home which is $5.5 million. He explained that the process at the launch on Tuesday was simple.

“They asked some basic questions. The process was very smooth. I spoke with the officials from Republic Bank and at the end of it I was approved,” Abrams said.

On May 16, Dr Ali announced a series of new measures to boost the housing and construction sector including the establishment of a Home Construction Assistance Facility and the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on specific construction materials.

Under the assistance facility, President Ali had explained that Government will support the applicant through the process of applying for bank financing, to meet

the cost of constructing the home and would also look at helping in the initial phase of construction by releasing resources to expedite the construction process and help in bringing the banks and the homeowners together so that persons own their own homes faster.

The initiative has already been launched in the capital city Georgetown, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Meanwhile, 30 families from Region Six will soon be occupying their new homes at Ordinance Fortland, as construction progresses. The first-time homeowners on Tuesday were allowed to select their lot number during an allocation exercise at the New Amsterdam RDC compound.

Director of Operations Denise King Tudor, Regional Housing Officer Kristina Muthusami and the team led the exercise as the allottees continued the documentation process.

The allottees who have been in the housing database for a long while had indicated their interest in built units.

A total of 100 single flat two-bedroom units are currently under construction at Ordinance Fortland, with another 100 completed at Williamsburg/Hampshire.

Also, another 59 units will be constructed at Williamsburg/Hampshire as the Ministry continues its mandate to provide affordable housing for all.

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The unkindest cut...

Y

…to the PNC

our Eyewitness was absolutely floored when he read about the spanking new PNC headquarters on the Agricola Public Road being burglarised. Oh tempora!!

Oh mores!! What’s the world coming to?? Is there no sense of loyalty any longer? Geez…Agricola’s as PNC a village as you can get in all Guyana, isn’t it? Isn’t that what we learnt from that infamous, secretly-taped conversation between a certain big one from the PNC (let’s call him “B”) and a then big one in the Police Force, who later became a PNC Minister (Let’s call him “F”)?

In June 2005, gunmen led by Rawlins had invaded a house in Second Street, Agricola and had dragged David Barrow, called ‘Gurple’, out of the house and hacked his head off. Gurple’s 16-year-old girlfriend, Shamika Boyce, was shot as she lay on a bed; while a deportee, Paul Persaud, called ‘Yankee’, was shot under the front stairs.

On February 27, 2006, after 15 gunmen had killed three security guards at the Two Brothers Gas Station, they then entered Agricola, where they shot and killed an elderly couple in their beds, internet café manager Fenton Rudder and Assistant Town Clerk Lavern Garraway-Scott, and Taxi driver Cecil Duncan. And this 8-person massacre is what precipitated the conversation that identified Agricola as PNC territory: F: (Muffled)… watch the move good, but yuh all ain't mek no statement about them eight people wa dead, you know.

B: No, I don't check pun da PR thing, but ah gon gaffa find out from them in the morning.

F: You all shoulda been the fus people fuh run in deh.

That is a Black people community.

B: Well, boy…

F: And them criminals gone and slaughter them people in deh.

B: Well, I suppose when deh need them men, nobody ain't running out (pause) You know how it go…and…

F: Yuh all shoulda been fuh de fust set a people…

B: And yuh ain't get the facts about wha going on?

F: People screaming…(muffled)…yuh ain’t want facts, is you people dead.

B: I mean, is you help me out when you seh is Ashmin them.

F: Bannuh! Bannuh! I… B: You give me information.

F: I, I deliberately turn the thing away…

Well, are things so different since 2006 that the PNC can’t get no respect?? Is this a sign that their support in the villages - not to mention the “hoods” – has all evaporated?

Now most crimes are committed by the younger set…so, maybe it’s that demographic that’s decamped?

Your Eyewitness has heard that the PPP’s dynamic Min of Culture’s been spending lots of time with those Agricola youths – along with those in Buxton, Den Amstel and Melanie.

New political landscape opening up? …in the schools If there was one good thing that came out of our colonial past, it was the respect students inculcated for teachers. It really came out of the respect for education by our foreparents - who came out of slavery, and later indentureship - as the tool to deliver real emancipation. As such, your Eyewitness was very disappointed to read about the attacks on teachers by students in certain city schools. And of the weapons these students now tote around!

But let’s face it…this kind of behaviour is coming straight outta Compton and other American inner city ghettoes. Sadly, it’s the culmination of the glorification of that ghetto culture by youths, and it has taken over the schools in what are now called “hoods”. It started with the misogynic Gangsta Rap that glorified violence – and influenced Dancehall singers like Elephant Man, Vybz Kartel etc and now Skeng – as the first step. Look what happened in Jamaica – which had the same colonial background as we.

We gotta get this out from the roots!! …from the AFC Geez…you’d think that after Moses parted the PPP’s Red Sea in 2011 and 2015 to give the AFC the cred to have the PNC court them into office, he’d at least get an honourable mention!! Ingrates!!

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

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

NEWS

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“Myopic thinking will get us nowhere” – Ali defends initiative to give land to Bajan farmers P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has defended his decision to allocate several acres of Guyana’s land to be utilised by Barbadian farmers as the two countries seek to push the regional food security agenda.

Whilst in Barbados in May for the Agro Fest Expo, the Guyanese Head of State announced that the Black Belly Sheep Initiative between the two Caribbean nations will be expanded so that Bajan youths would have access to lands in Guyana to boost production.

“We are setting aside 50 acres of land to be owned by young people as part of the Black Belly Sheep Project in Guyana, 50 acres to be owned by persons with disability, 50 acres to be owned by single parents, women and importantly, 50 acres that will be owned by your young people here in Barbados,” President Ali had stated while noting that the farms will be working together in an integrated way to supply the Barbados market.

In further expanding on his vision, President Ali had explained that “we are working on training your butchers here so that they can do the best cuts, and Barbados can work on creating that logistics hub of moving these products on along the market chain. These are the types of initiatives that will create a long-term sustainable relationship to what we are advancing and the path we are taking.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley at the Diaspora meeting on Saturday in Los Angeles, California

However, following his announcements, several persons took to social media to criticise the initiative.

President Ali has since responded to those naysayers during a recent interactive session with members of the Guyanese diaspora in Los Angeles, California, USA. Referencing the criticisms he saw on social media, President Ali pointed out that “when I went to Barbados, what I saw, I saw an entire parish where the farmers were Guyanese, where the farmers were given land by Barbados to farm…where the Government of Barbados is investing in infrastructure

to help them.”

According to President Ali, “myopic thinking will not take us anywhere”. He also warned that Guyana “cannot go forward as a loner”.

Earlier in his address to the Guyanese diaspora, President Ali had reasoned that Guyana must be known for its humility regardless of its oil wealth. This is a message the Guyanese leader continues to emphasise.

He had previously contended that the prosperity of Guyana translates to the prosperity of the entire Caribbean region.

Speaking of the growing relationship between Guyana and Barbados,

President Ali recalled the “enormous” and “life-changing” support he has received from Prime Minister Mia Mottley since his ascension to the Office of the President of Guyana.

President Ali referred to Motley as a symbol of “strength” and “humility”, noting that these are the types of leaders Guyana must surround itself with.

He explained that his vision is to create a movement where “the people of this

region, wherever you are, must be proud to be part of …the people of this region must see themselves connected to each other.”

“We must not race to see who is better than each other,” President Ali posited while adding that regional leaders must work to create “win-win” situations for all of its people.

And this, he indicated, is what he and PM Mottley have been doing.

“We don’t spend so much time together, Prime Minister Mottley and I because we like to lime, 90 per cent of the time we spend with each other is to strategise on what to do next,” President Ali explained.

He had previously noted that the model that

Barbados and Guyana is building can be replicated for success across the entire region. He had previously cautioned that for this approach to be successful, countries in the region cannot see themselves as competitors.

“We have to see ourselves as a singular collective, a singular partner working together for one common goal and vision, that is, to give the best possible opportunity to the people of our country, to bring prosperity to the people of our country, to put food on the tables of our people in this region at a less cost – at a sustainable cost and in a much healthier fashion,” President Ali had said. (Devina Samaroo)

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cuba grants approval for non-stop flights between Georgetown & Havana

T

he Government of Cuba has granted approval to Suriname’s Fly AllWays Airlines to operate non-stop flights between Georgetown and Havana.

This new arrangement will see Fly AllWays operating every Saturday out of the Cheddi Jagan International

The José Martí International Airport, Cuba

Airport (CJIA), Timehri, to the José Martí International Airport with the return flight fixed for the evening of the same day.

The schedule from the airlines will be in the public domain very soon.

The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) had already given permission for Fly AllWays to travel this route, and so it was left for the Cuban Civil Aviation Authority to issue the necessary permission and protocols for this arrangement to move forward.

During this week, Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, Halim Majeed, is expected to meet with the Cuban authorities, together with Fly AllWays representative Hoeblal Ravind, who is presently in Cuba assist-

ing in the smoothing out of some remaining wrinkles.

Ambassador Majeed has been in contact with President/Owner of the airline, Amichand Jhauw who is excited about this achievement, for it lays the basis for the opening of more business opportunities between and among entrepreneurs from Suriname, Guyana, and Cuba.

The inaugural flight from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to the José Martí International Airport is expected to wing off on Thursday.

The general plan is to ensure that the passenger flights move forward successfully so that a scheduled cargo flight can next be instituted in continuing relations with Cuba.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana discusses opportunities in renewable energy, aviation with India

P

ublic Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill is currently on an official visit to India, where renewable energy and other matters of interest have been discussed with his counterpart.

The high-level meeting between Guyana’s Public Works Minister and India’s Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy, Shri RK Singh, took place on Monday, as the two countries aim to further strengthen bilateral relations.

Discussions surrounded Guyana’s push towards affordable, renewable energy and the avenues the Government is taking for this, which includes: the Gas-to-Energy Project, the new LCDS 2030 Project, the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, and solar and wind farms.

Minister Singh shared India’s experiences on renewable energy and power generation and was keen on enhancing knowledge sharing and capacity building between Guyana and India.

Minister Edghill is currently in India for the launch ceremony of the new ferry vessel for the Northwest District, which takes place in Kolkata,

Minister Juan Edghill with India’s Minister of Power, Shri RK Singh

India, today.

Guyana’s delegation includes Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, Charrandas Persaud; Chairperson of the Transport and Harbours Department, Rosalinda Rasul; Chief Transport Planning Officer, Patrick Thompson and First Secretary-Guyana High Commission to India, Ronalda Edwards Horatio.

The LCDS is the brainchild of former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Under President Dr Irfaan Ali, an updated LCDS has been launched. The Government has announced plans to resuscitate the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.

Meanwhile, the gas-toshore project includes the construction and operation of the pipeline from the Exxonoperated Stabroek Block offshore Guyana to the onshore NGL plant. A second component of the project will be a power plant that will be constructed by the Guyana Government and will use the gas produced to generate electricity to feed into the national grid.

With a timetable to deliver rich gas by the end of 2024 and the NGL plant to be online by 2025, works are progressing on getting the project off the ground. The scope of the US$900 million gas-to-

shore project consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipelines from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil.

Additionally, the construction on the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) will start this year, as Government continues to ramp up spending on renewable energy projects as well as upgrades to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) infrastructure.

The project will be built under the BOOT model (BuildOwn-Operate-Transfer), which will see the Guyana Power and Light buying power from the company at no more than US7.7 cents per kilowatt.

The AFHP was first identified in 1976 by the Canadian company “Monenco” during an extensive survey of hydroelectric power potential in Guyana.

Various studies have since jus-

tified and strongly supported the construction of the AFHP. The revival of the 165-megawatt Amaila Falls Hydropower Project was one of the promises made by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) in its manifesto. The project was initiated under the previous PPP/C Administration but was scrapped by the coalition Administration which had controlled the National Assembly by a one-seat Opposition majority.

The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project was the flagship of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). Amaila was expected to deliver a steady source of clean, renewable energy that would have been affordable and reliable, and was envisioned to meet approximately 90 per cent of Guyana’s domestic energy needs while removing dependency on fossil fuels.

Aviation

The Public Works Minister also met with India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Jtotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday.

The two officials discussed advancing cooperation on aviation matters, including technical cooperation and the promotion of international air services between Guyana and India.

It was also agreed that efforts will be made to conclude the technical negotiations in short order on the Air Services Agreement between Guyana and India, with an aim to signing same on the side-lines of the upcoming ICAO Ministerial Meeting in Montreal, September 2022.

The Ministers also discussed the exploration of possible options that may remove the incumbents to the visa requirements and allow for direct air linkage between New Delhi and Georgetown and ultimately the rest of Caricom.

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NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations “Hot Skull” admits killing Better Hope pensioner Hypocrisy of the WPA – suddenly S rediscovering dictatorship

O

and shared governance

n June 13th, Guyana and the world remembered a true Guyanese hero – Walter Rodney, who was murdered 42 years ago by a thuggish PNC Government. Shamefully, Rodney’s own party, far from extolling Rodney’s virtues, used the occasion to display their trademark hypocrisy, foolishness, and feigned embrace for democracy and shared governance, choosing a narrative clearly intended to bamboozle the Guyanese people. One would have thought they would use the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of Rodney’s murder to make some amends to the Rodney family for the WPA’s reprehensible blocking of the Commission of Inquiry, and for their failure during 2015 and 2020 to publish the findings of the commission.

They even supported the PNC in opposing that official cause of death as assassination, and wanted to keep the cause of death as “misadventure”. They betrayed Rodney, again.

It is the PPP that is in the Dr Leslie Ramsammy forefront to correct the injustice done to Walter Rodney. Last year, the PPP changed the death certificate to properly reflect that Rodney was assassinated. His children’s books – Lakshmi Out of India, and Kofi Baadu Out of Africa - are now compulsory reading in schools, and the National Archives will now be the Walter Rodney National Archives. How can a bunch of people who called themselves a political party talk about justice and democracy and shared governance when they would not even pretend to care about justice for their founder-leader, a man revered around the world; and instead leave it to the PPP, a party they hate, to do so?

This past week saw the WPA trying desperately to hoodwink the Guyanese people again. On the 42nd anniversary of the murder of Walter Rodney, his party issued a statement pledging to help create an organised, multi-racial, multi-class, multi-party movement to resist dictatorship and to create a new political order based on power-sharing.

For those who immediately asked themselves if this was a joke, it is understandable. But far from being a joke, this is sheer hypocrisy, a total hoax, and it is reprehensible. It is a sordid attempt to bamboozle the people of Guyana. But, as far as the citizens are concerned, the WPA has been irrelevant for a long time, having been consumed by the PNC. Far from fighting racialism, they promote it; far from sharedgovernance, between 2015 and 2020, they supported dictatorship.

Imagine, other than a passing reference, they barely mentioned Walter Rodney’s name in their statement. Instead, the charlatans in the WPA used the occasion of the anniversary of the murder of Rodney to pledge to resist the PPP. Make no mistake, the small group of persons, who cannot hold a congress because they do not have enough people to fit into a single room, has so much rage against the PPP that they chose to, instead, renew their desperate call for resisting the PPP, making no attempt to hide their hatred for the PPP. They are not interested in fighting dictatorship; they only want to resist the PPP. The truth is: the original WPA that was fight against dictatorship died when Walter Rodney was brutally murdered. The WPA’s homage to their founder-leader was to then join the PNC in a coalition to establish a dictatorship.

They not only aided and abetted the dictatorship that was building up between 2015 and 2020, they became a part of the most brazen and ugly attempt to rig an election between March 2 2020 and August 2, 2020. This is their legacy. The WPA was not just a bystander during the desperate and aggressive effort to derail the Constitution before and after the December 21st, 2018 No-Confidence Motion.

Where was the WPA’s reverence for the Constitution when David Granger arbitrarily appointed Justice James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM, rejecting the nominations of eighteen distinguished Guyanese; and when Granger tried to derail the Constitution with his attempt to sidestep consultations with the Leader of the Opposition to appoint a Chancellor and a Chief Justice?

Do they think we have forgotten that they aided and abetted Granger in disregarding the No-Confidence Motion? And they cannot really seriously think any Guyanese has forgotten the reprehensible support for the brazen attempt to rig the March 2020 elections. In fact, one of their most active commentators urged people to burn the ballot boxes and to cancel the elections, so that APNU/AFC could retain the Government.

On the anniversary of Walter Rodney’s murder, the WPA had little to nothing to remember or say about Walter Rodney. Instead, they used his death anniversary as an excuse to demand power-sharing.

The handful of people, mostly hate-filled people who often speak about Afro-Guyanese must only support Afro-Guyanese businesses, must explain why power-sharing was not a viable option between 2015 and 2020. Suddenly, power-sharing is the only option for Guyana, according to the WPA, whose interest in shared governance is ignited only when the PPP is in Government.

These are the very same people who forgot about constitutional reforms between 2012 and 2020, when the Constitutional Reform Committee of Parliament, under the control of APNU/AFC, met no more than four times for a period of less than thirty minutes in total.

The WPA was not bothered about the scant regard the Granger-led APNU/AFC had for constitutional reform.

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

herwin Clarke, aka “Hot Skull,” who initially pleaded not guilty to murdering David Ramkissoon back in August 2016 at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Tuesday admitted to committing the act.

Clarke, of South Better Hope, who was on trial for the offence before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member jury at the Georgetown High Court, opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

As such, Justice Kissoon directed the jury to return a formal verdict of guilty to manslaughter. The accused will return to court on June 30 for sentencing.

Murder accused Sherwin Clarke, called “Hot Skull”

On Thursday last, the murder accused, who is being represented by Attorney-atLaw Damien Da Silva, was arraigned before Demerara High Court Judge Sandil

Kissoon. A mixed 12-member jury heard that Clarke killed the pensioner during the course of a robbery at the 76-year-old man’s home.

The State was represented by prosecutor Muntaz Ali. Ramkissoon was found by his son Anand Ramkissoon on August 21, 2016, who, along with his wife and two children, also lived with his father. He found his father’s body facing the wall in a sitting position in a pool of blood. An undisclosed amount of cash was missing from the home.

It was reported that following the discovery of the pensioner’s body, footprints were seen in the mud at the back of his yard, leading to

Killed: David Ramkissoon

an alleyway. Along with the footprints, drops of blood were spotted, and they led to a shack located a short distance from the slain man’s house.

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Sacked Deputy CEO files $70M defamation claim against Shuman, Guyana Times

Former DCEO Roxanne Myers

S

acked Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers has launched a defamation lawsuit against Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lenox Shuman, his Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and Guyana Times newspaper.

The latter three are "Hereinafter referred to as the defendants”.

Myers, through her lawyer, Eusi Anderson, is seeking $70 million over an article titled: “Jimmy James no longer will serve in the capacity as LJP representative”, authored by Shuman/ LJP and published in Guyana Times on January 22, 2021.

It is Myers’s contention that certain defamatory

words were published about her in a letter to the editor which was published in the newspaper’s print and online formats.

According to Myers, the letter portrayed her as one who acted ultra vires in her then capacity as DCEO as it pertains to the March 2020 National Elections.

In the article, Myers said, she is accused of not acting on a request made by the LJP for the replacement of a candidate representing the political party on the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

The former election official argued that the allegations made against her mandated that a mind not intent on malice afford her some manner of due process to hear and confront the allegations against her and be invited to make a comment.

Further, she contended that the words published about her were untrue, malicious, penned in undiluted falsehood, and have caused substantial hurt and diminished her image in the eyes of and minds of the Guyanese public.

By the publication, she said that her reputation has been seriously injured and that she has been subject to ridicule.

Apart from damages,

volvement in the attempt to rig the March 2020 General and Regional Elections in favour of the then caretaker APNU/AFC Government.

The former GECOM employees and some members of the APNU/AFC coalition are currently facing several electoral fraud charges,

including for misconduct in public office, conspiracy to defraud and forgery at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. They are out on bail.

Essequibo pensioner dies after collapsing on ferry Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lenox Shuman

Myers is asking the High Court to grant a permanent injunction restraining the defendants whether by their servants and/or agents from further publishing or causing to be published by any means whatsoever the words complained of in the article.

In August 2021, Keith Lowenfield, Myers and Clairmont Mingo were terminated from their posts as Chief Elections Officer (CEO), DCEO and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer, respectively.

The decision was taken after GECOM Commissioners met to discuss the future of the trio following their alleged in-

Dead: Teekram Singh

Singh on the floor while persons stand around him

mergency Medical technicians were called onboard the Sabanto Ferry on Monday after a pensioner collapsed and later died.

Dead is 63-year-old Teekram Singh of Jacklow, Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

At the time of the incident, the boat was about to cross from Supenaam to Parika.

Reports are the man was on his way to the capital city where he was about to undergo dialysis treatment.

According to family members, Singh was reportedly left lying on the floor for some time after he collapsed, and was attended to more than an hour later.

One relative told Guyana Times that after they were informed that Singh fell un-

E

conscious on the boat, they rushed to the scene, but when they arrived the man was already dead.

This publication was told that instead of persons on the boat rendering assistance, they were seen taking photos and videos of Singh as he lay there. His body is currently at the Suddie Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

NEWS

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“Because We Care” grant could increase to over $50,000 by 2025 – Min Manickchand

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s (PPP/C) widespread electoral campaign for the 2020 elections promised that each child would receive $50,000 at the end of their term in office, under the “Because We Care” cash grant, but Education Minister Priya Manickchand has hinted that this figure could surpass the initial allotment.

During a social media

programme on Monday evening, the Education Minister stated that the “Because We Care” cash grant will be increased to at least $50,000 by 2025.

“So, the Government had said very clearly, the PPP as a party and the PPP as a Government when we did this in 2014, that it was the beginning of a cash grant programme that we were doing for children and that each year it would rise until

it reaches $50,000, so there was always that conversation, that promise, that was the commitment that we would raise this incrementally, year after year until it reached at least $50,000,” Manickchand related.

The “Because We Care” cash grant initiative was first introduced in 2014 and saw each public-school child benefitting from $10,000.

However, the initiative came to a halt by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government but was reinstated in 2020 after the PPP went back into office.

In addition to resurrect-

ing the programme, the PPP/C increased the value of the cash grant to $15,000.

This was alongside the $4000 uniform grant, meaning every child received a total of $19,000.

This year, the “Because We Care” cash grant will be increased to $25,000 while the uniform grant will jump to $5000, resulting in each child getting $30,000.

“We came in immediately, we promised to get on the campaign trail that we were going to reinstitute the cash grant and then raise it until it became $50,000 per child. [The] first year we give $15,000, second year

we’re giving $25,000 that’s this year and before the end of our term it will be at least $50,000, it could very well be more,” the Minister said.

Last year, the Government, through the Ministry of Education, distributed over $3.2 billion in the “Because We Care” cash grant and the school uniform and supplies grant to 172,000 children in the public school system, prior to the expansion of the initiative to 17,000 private school children to the tune of $320 million.

In addition to the cash grant, the Education Minister stated that in

September, when the new school term begins, every Grade Six student will receive free breakfast.

The Education Minister revealed that “every Grade 6 child come September for the first time in this country will get breakfast from the Government of Guyana, a nutritious healthy breakfast that is consistent and reliable made by persons in the community, things like black eye and Channa, roti and curry and egg balls and so on, so things that children can not only get a full stomach on and learn more but also nutritious healthy meals.”

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Amazonia Mall embarks on multimillion-dollar expansion

Amazonia Mall owner Ramnaresh Sarwan

A

lmost one year after it opened its doors to the public, the Amazonia Mall is embarking on a multimillion-dollar expansion amid growing demand for more services to be added to the entertainment complex located at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Construction works are currently ongoing to establish a new two-storey wing to the existing structure to accommodate an additional 8 to 12 new stores.

The mall currently offers a wide range of attractions including the Caribbean Cinemas and a variety of food outlets and stores.

Former West Indies cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan – who is the proprietor of the estab-

The steel structure being erected at the Amazonia Mall

Extended parking area at the Amazonia Mall

lishment – spoke with Guyana Times about his vision for the expansion.

“We’ve got an 11,500sqft store which will be going upstairs (of the new building) which is a home store, which we’re very excited about, they are a Trinidadian-based company. Of course, we have got about 8 to 12 stores downstairs, which will include a boutique, I know for sure a dentist will be here as well. There are a couple of other stores that we don’t want to let out as yet. There will also be a courtyard section where we will have an outdoor bar, mostly for drinks and for more finger food,” Sarwan explained.

The entrepreneur noted that all of the spaces are already taken. “It’s just a matter of how we distribute them now because there’s been quite a lot of interest and it’s just a matter of who we sign and bring on board now,” he explained.

one thing to have a facility but I think it’s important also that you bring a level of service to people and I think that is what we have been trying to do here,” the former cricketer added, noting that at Amazonia Mall, they strive to upkeep a high standard.

The expansion of the mall is expected to be completed

Plans are also in place to expand the mall’s parking lot to facilitate over 400 vehicles.

This mega expansion, Sarwan explained, stems from the demand for new exhibits and the positive feedback from the public coupled with the country’s current development boom.

“There’s been a demand, of course, and I think with the solid development that is happening on the East Bank of Demerara and of course throughout Guyana, I think it was only fitting to contribute, something that we always thought was important.”

“It was always meant to be a U-shaped building, but unfortunately, there wasn’t enough parking. But, of course, now we were able to get more parking,” Sarwan pointed out.

“If we were not confident that there wasn’t a demand, we wouldn’t have expanded…it’s

by August and all tenants are expected to be settled in by December.

“We will be handing over our section of work by August so the tenants will have majority of their work to complete probably in another three months or so. So, a lot will be hinging on them in terms of when we do open,” Sarwan noted.

Meanwhile, in addition to the expansion, Amazonia Mall will soon have a new restaurant that will offer Thai and Indian cuisines.

“We also will be doing an Indian and Thai restaurant here at the mall…within two months, we’re hoping to have it. We’re targeting CPL, so that will be our timeframe,” Sarwan added.

Upon opening its doors to the public in July 2021, Sarwan had explained that his vision for the mall took ten years of development.

At the launching ceremony, President Dr Irfaan Ali lauded the former cricketer on his successful business venture, assuring that his Government is moving in a direction that will add value to Amazonia Mall and other businesses along the East Bank corridor. (Amar Persaud)

PNCR calls for subsidies to further counter rising fuel prices

– wants Govt to compensate fuel suppliers to bring down costs

The price for gas at Shell

Rubis’ price for gas

he excise tax on fuel has gone from 50 per cent in 2021 all the way down to zero today. According to the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), however, the Government should take the next step of subsidising fuel suppliers.

During Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton’s press conference on Tuesday, PNCR member Elson Lowe made the call for fuel subsidies on behalf of his party. While he noted that excise tax on fuel has already been slashed to zero, the party wants to see further steps taken.

“We are calling on the Government to bring the price of gasoline down now and insulate Guyanese from any further price increases. This can be done through a continuation of the existing excise tax policy. This means implementing a negative excise tax.”

“The Government should ensure gas prices do not increase above a determined level by compensating suppliers for any price increases where the excise tax reductions have already been exhausted,” Lowe also said.

According to Lowe, this will help bring down the price for a wide cross-section of goods and reduce the cost of living. He was of the view that as an oil producer, Guyana can afford to compensate suppliers.

Since taking office, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government has taken a number of measures to bring down the cost of fuel.

The excise tax on gas and diesel was lowered last year from 50 per cent to 35 per cent. It was

subsequently lowered to 20 per cent.

In March of this year, when the excise tax was at 10 per cent, the Government further announced that it was being slashed to zero. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo meanwhile said at a press conference last month that the Government has done all it can to lower the price of fuel.

“You know the excise was at fifty per cent and we reduced it to zero. That is what we have done and that is what we could have done. There isn’t anything else we can do at this stage because that is the only thing the Government uses to collect in terms of revenue and it is at zero, down from 50 per cent,” Jagdeo had said.

T

Fuel prices

Fuel prices around the world have spiked, as a consequence of global events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine this year. When this publication made checks on Tuesday, it was to see that gas prices are currently approaching $300 per litre at most local stations.

At State-owned GuyOil, the price is currently at $269 per litre. Both Rubis and Shell (fuel save gasoline) are meanwhile selling gas at $279 per litre. This is a sharp contrast from back in March 2022, when GuyOil was selling gas at $203 per litre and both Rubis and Shell were selling gas at $204 per litre.

Major Private Sector bodies like the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC), had called

State-owned GuyOil’s current gas prices

for the removal of the excise tax altogether as a means of helping the population navigate these challenging times.

The prices of a wide range of commodities have significantly increased. Among them are fuel and flour, with the National Milling Company of Guyana Inc (NAMILCO) announcing a hike of 15 per cent on the price of flour earlier this year.

At the time the excise tax had been slashed to zero, there had been concerns about whether prices at the service stations would be slashed, and when.

To this end, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat had implored businesses and operators to ensure this removal of the excise tax on fuel is passed on to the wider public.

“We do hope, and I’m sure the regulatory agencies – Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the Prime Minister’s Office, which energy falls directly under – that they would do some amount of checks and, if possible, enforcement to ensure that there is compliance and that people actually enjoy the benefit of the zero tax on fuel in Guyana.”

“So I want to personally make an appeal to all service station owners, whether international companies or our own – well, we know GuyOil will reduce their price – that we ensure that this benefit reach the consumers,” Bharrat further told Guyana Times.

Moreover, the Natural Resources Minister had also appealed to public transportation operators such as minibuses and taxis to ensure that they do not increase their fares.

19 Reg 10 residents remain resilient as floodwaters continue to rise NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A

s the heavy downpour continues across Guyana, several villages in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) continue to be severely affected.

This was confirmed by Public Information Officer (PRO) at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Patrice Wishart, on Tuesday during a telephone interview.

The flooded areas include Kwakwani, Sabaru, Old England, Siberian and Maria Elizabeth.

“Water levels are rising in Kwakwani and Sabaru, where homes and farmlands are inundated. Buildings in Old England and Siberian are also impacted by the floods. Water levels in Maria Elizabeth have receded,” Wishart explained.

He related that it contin-

ues to rain intermittently in the region, however, no shelter has since been put in place but will be if the need arises.

He stated that among those seriously affected are livestock farmers.

“Persons have reported that crops and livestock have been seriously affected, one farmer reported a loss of at least 100 chickens,” he stated.

“The CDC is working with the regional authorities to monitor and assess the situation. Once the assessments are complete, relief supplies will be dispatched to those in need,” Wishart added.

Meanwhile, residents of Kwakwani, primarily those at Lamp Island and some sections of the Waterfront, continue to navigate inundated roadways, playgrounds and,

Flooded areas in Kwakwani, Region 10

yard spaces caused by the unprecedented torrential downpours.

Guyana Times was informed that as a result of continuous rainfall over the past weekend, floodwaters rose some two inches subsequent to the receding of a fair amount of floodwaters after experiencing better weather conditions for a short period.

While no shelters are prepared for evacuees at this time, 98 per cent of residents located at the inundated Lamp Island, are showing some level of resilience as the floodwaters continue to slowly rise. “We will just watch it for now,” several residents told Guyana Times when contacted.

Several parents hinted that their children contracted the flu, coupled with vomiting

and diarrhoea.

Kwakwani has been facing severe flooding since early in May. Back in 2021, around this same period, Kwakwani was one of the worst-hit areas during the country-wide flooding, which affected thousands of Guyanese and destroyed millions in crops, cattle, and farmlands.

Floodwaters at one point even reached 12 ft in the area, which forced a number of residents to evacuate, while some took to shelters that were put in place.

Hundreds of hampers were distributed to residents during this period by the CDC and regional authorities, however, flooding continued throughout June back then and continued even in July.

2 busted with ganja during CANU operation

T

The ganja that was intercepted

wo men were taken into custody after they were intercepted with a quantity of ganja during an operation by the Customs

COVID-19 claims 2 more lives - 83 new infections detected in 24h

T

wo more persons who were tested positive for COVID-19 have succumbed, the Health Ministry reported on Tuesday. This has taken the death toll to 1242.

The fatalities are an unvaccinated 88-year-old female from Region Four, who died on June 11; and a 94-year-old man from Region Three, who died on June 13.

However, new statistics provided by the Ministry showed that 83 new cases were detected thus taking the confirmed cases to 66009 – 30,320 males and 35,689 females.

According to the Health Ministry, two persons remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 17 in institutional isolation, 789 In home isolation and two in institutional quarantine. Recovered cases stand at 63,959. Meanwhile, some 646,713 tests have been processed.

An analysis shows new cases dispersed among eight administrative regions, with one in Region One (BarimaWaini); 19 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 17 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 53 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); 11 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); two in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); two in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 12 in Region

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD JUNE 14, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

83

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

17

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

789

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

2

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

2

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

35,689

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

30,320

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

66,009

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

63,959

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

2532

REGION 2

2736

REGION 3

8312

REGION 4

32818

REGION 5

2461

REGION 6

6186

REGION 7

2456

REGION 8

886

REGION 9

4072

REGION 10

3550

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

441,071 340,572

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1242

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.

10 (Upper Berbice).

There were

Demerarano

report-

ed hikes in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Zeroing in on the higher transmission rate on Monday, Health Minister,

Dr Frank Anthony had stated that “Right now, we are monitoring. We know that if people are not abiding by the precautions that we have established, then people are going to get infected. The subvariant that is circulating is likely the B.A.2 subvariant of Omicron and this is highly infectious.”

“If people are in close proximity to someone who is infected, they would get infected themselves. Even if you had a previous infection but with another variant, then with this particular strain of the virus, you can get reinfected. What we’re advising people is to make sure they take the precautions, especially if they are in an indoor environment.”

Mask wearing, social distancing, and proper sanitisation practices are still to be maintained.

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

Global figures show that 533 million people have tested positive for the virus and 6.3 million have died. In the Americas, more than 159 million confirmed cases have been reported with over 2.7 million deaths.

Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) in Orange Walk, Georgetown on Tuesday.

Akeem Henry, 25, of Bent Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown and Ryan

Arrested: Akeem Henry

Marks, 27, who has no fixed place of abode, were arrested in the vicinity of Bourda Market, with a bag containing several “brick-like” par-

Arrested: Ryan Marks

cels.

As such, they were taken to the CANU headquarters where the parcels of cannabis were weighed and amounted to 2.650 kilogram with a street value of $800,000.

The men are expected to be charged later in the week.

20

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

(March 21-April 19)

Back away from drama and focus on what you need to accomplish.

Overreacting will put a costly dent in your reputation, position or status. Think before you act, and say only what’s necessary.

Change what isn’t working for you.

Don’t put up with people or situations that drain you. Don’t dismiss or hide your ideas. Look for an affordable way to achieve your objective.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

Apply for something, take advantage of an opportunity, mix business with pleasure and network your way to success. Don’t believe everything you hear, and get what you want in writing.

(May 21-June 20) Cutting back and minimizing your expenditures will put your mind at ease and give you the wiggle room you require to xraise your earning potential.

Opportunity will knock.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

An emotional situation will wreak havoc on your plans. Don’t overspend, exaggerate or let anger set in when moderation and peace of mind will make things better. Avoid risky situations.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Make changes that showcase how versatile you are. How you present yourself to those around you will affect your reception. Love yourself, and others will see you through the same lens.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Make your surroundings more comfortable, but don’t overspend. You’ll find a discrepancy in your financial papers or when sharing expenses. Catch up; leave nothing to chance or unfinished.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Travel, sign up to learn something new or update your image. Making a change will encourage you to get out more. Don’t take on any responsibilities you can’t handle. Get out and be happy.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

You’ll attract interesting people, but don’t put your trust in them. Show your intelligence, and know when to say no or move on to more critical tasks. Consider making changes at home.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Put your energy into something that encourages better health and self-improvement. A physical change will help you leave the past behind. Choose peace and love over chaos.

YESTERDAY'S WORD -- PAILLETTE

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Don’t let anyone ruin your plans.

Keep your intentions secret until you are confident that nothing will stand in your way. Dig in and do the groundwork.

Home improvement is encouraged.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Stop dreaming and start doing. Call in those you can trust to do things your way. A change of heart will give you a different perspective regarding lifestyle and love. Embrace what feels right.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022

21

CSA tour of India: T20I series, game 3 of 5…

Bhuvneshwar's squeeze worked - Bavuma was caught at mid-on as he tried to clear the in-field off Axar. Hendricks edged Chahal, but the chance didn't carry to slip, before he swung at a Harshal slower ball and was caught at mid-off to end the powerplay on 38 for 2.

No middle-order hero this time

I

Yuzvendra Chahal (left) claimed 3 for 20 in his four overs

ndia needed their players to step up and put in a big performance to stay alive in the five-match T20I series, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Yuzvendra Chahal and Harshal Patel did just that.

Gaikwad and Kishan shared 97 -- India's highest opening stand against South Africa in T20Is -- with each scoring half-centuries.

Gaikwad posted a career-best 57 to set India up for a strong total, before Chahal and Harshal each took three wickets to give India a comprehensive win.

South Africa's defeat was only their second in the last 15 T20Is, and their first in the previous eight matches while chasing. They needed a strong start and someone to bat through, but were 38 for 2 in the powerplay, and no-one scored more than Heinrich Klaasen's 29.

India's spinners applied significant pressure for the first time in the series, on the slowest surface so far. Chahal and Axar Patel gave away only 45 runs between them for seven wickets, to give Rishabh Pant his first win as captain.

Five fours…

India were off to a solid but unspectacular start, until Anrich Nortje came on to bowl the fifth over, and Gaikwad got hold of him. Nortje started in signature fashion - short - but also bowled it wide, and Gaikwad only had to stand and cut to find the boundary.

Nortje delivered the next ball on a length, and Gaikwad charged down and lofted him over mid-on, prompting Nortje to default back to the bouncer.

His third ball came in viciously from outside off, and took the grille of Gaikwad's helmet and raced to the thirdman rope. Gaikwad was given the runs, but they were later taken away as leg-byes, even as he had to have a concussion test. He was cleared to continue, and seemed just fine, as he flicked away Nortje's follow-up, a full ball, through midwicket.

Nortje moved his line closer to the stumps for the fifth

ball, but Gaikwad made room and opened the face of the bat late to steer the ball to short third man. Tabraiz Shamsi was stationed there, and although he would have had to make good ground to take the catch, he should have stopped the ball going through his hands and to the boundary.

Gaikwad swung and missed the sixth ball, as Nortje saved some face. Gaikwad went on to bring up his fifty off 30 balls.

Shamsi vs Shreyas

Shreyas Iyer, who has yet to look entirely convincing in this series, scored his first runs in this innings with a top edge off Nortje that went for six. Shreyas was much more in control of his next runs when he skipped down the track to launch Shamsi over mid-off. The spinner had already been hit for 23 runs in his first two overs, and was not having as good a time as he would have liked to celebrate his 50th T20I. But he thought he had turned things around when, three balls later, Shreyas was given out lbw as he tried to sweep. Shreyas reviewed immediately, with replays indicating that he had gloved the ball.

Just when Shamsi may have thought his night wouldn't improve, Shreyas swept again, but didn't keep it down, and Nortje timed his jump perfectly at square leg to take the catch.

required running in from deep backward point when Pant, on 4, slashed at a wide Dwaine Pretorius delivery. He got to the ball, but it popped out of his hands. van der Dussen's drop had only cost two runs when, later in Pretorius's over, Pant again lofted the seamer over the offside, and Bavuma ran back from mid-off to take the catch.

Pandya's let-off was more costly. He went on to score 31 runs, and help India take 41 off the last five, to push the total over 175.

Without Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram, the spotlight was always going to shine brightly on South Africa's opening pair and their strike rates.

Temba Bavuma and Reeza Hendricks's career strike-rates sit at 121.75 and 121.44 respectively, and both struggled to get going against a classic Bhuvneshwar Kumar opening spell. He swung the ball both ways to deliver two overs for seven runs, but was taken off

by Pant, who has developed a habit of replacing bowlers who are applying pressure.

It's not like South Africa to put down chances, and it's even less like Miller and Rassie van der Dussen, but they were both guilty of mistakes. Miller's was the simpler of the two: when Hardilk Pandya, on 1, sliced Shamsi on the off side, and

Harshal Patel bagged 4-25

INDIA INNINGS (20 overs maximum) Ruturaj Gaikwad c & b Maharaj 57 Ishan Kishan c Hendricks b Pretorius 54 Shreyas Iyer c Nortje b Shamsi 14 Rishabh Pant (c)†c Bavuma b Pretorius 6 Hardik Pandya not out 31 Dinesh Karthik c Parnell b Rabada 6 Axar Patel not out 5 Extras (lb 4, w 2) 6 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.95) 179/5 Did not bat: Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal Fall of wickets: 1-97 (Ruturaj Gaikwad, 9.6 ov), 2-128 (Shreyas Iyer, 12.6 ov), 3-131 (Ishan Kishan, 13.4 ov), 4-143 (Rishabh Pant, 15.5 ov), 5-158 (Dinesh Karthik, 18.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Kagiso Rabada 4-0-31-1 Wayne Parnell 4-0-32-0 Anrich Nortje 2-0-23-0 Dwaine Pretorius 4-0-29-2 Tabraiz Shamsi 4-0-36-1 Keshav Maharaj 2-0-24-1 SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS (Target: 180 runs from 20 overs) Temba Bavuma (c) c Avesh Khan b AR Patel 8

big, but he could only get the ball as far as Axar at extra cover, to all but end South Africa's chase in the 15th over.

Reeza Hendricks c Chahal b HV Patel 23 Dwaine Pretorius c †Pant b Chahal 20 Rassie van der Dussen c †Pant b Chahal 1 Heinrich Klaasen †c AR Patel b Chahal 29 David Miller c Gaikwad b HV Patel 3 Wayne Parnell not out 22 Kagiso Rabada c Chahal b HV Patel 9 Keshav Maharaj c Karthik b Kumar 11 Anrich Nortje run out (†Pant/Kumar) 0 Tabraiz Shamsi c Avesh Khan b HV Patel 0 Extras (b 1, lb 1, w 3) 5 TOTAL 19.1 Ov (RR: 6.83) 131 Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Temba Bavuma, 3.6 ov), 2-38 (Reeza Hendricks, 5.6 ov), 3-40 (Rassie van der Dussen, 6.5 ov), 4-57 (Dwaine Pretorius, 8.6 ov), 5-71 (David Miller, 10.6 ov), 6-100 (Heinrich Klaasen, 14.5 ov), 7-113 (Kagiso Rabada, 16.4 ov), 8-126 (Keshav Maharaj, 18.2 ov), 9-131 (Anrich Nortje, 18.5 ov), 10-131 (Tabraiz Shamsi, 19.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-0-21-1 Avesh Khan 4-0-35-0 Axar Patel 4-0-28-1 Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-20-3 Harshal Patel 3.1-0-25-4

India proceeded to secure their biggest victory (in terms of runs) over South Africa in T20Is. (Cricinfo)

NBA Finals: Game 5 of 7…

Poor in the powerplay

Two drops and some damage

he only had to hold on, but couldn't. van der Dussen's

van der Dussen was dismissed for a single when he was caught behind off a Chahal delivery that turned away from him as he tried to cut, and, two overs later, Pretorius went in a similar way; but it was only when Miller was done in by a slower ball from Harshal that South Africa's middle order was opened up for the first time in the series.

Wayne Parnell came in at #7, with South Africa needing 109 runs from nine overs. He had Klaasen at the other end, but Chahal had the final say.

In his final over, Chahal tossed it up, inviting Klaasen to go

SCOREBOARD

D

Green hails Wiggins as man for the big occasion as Warriors take control

raymond Green has described Andrew Wiggins as “a player you want in the big occasions”, after his star turn in Game 5 of the NBA Finals put the Golden State Warriors on the cusp of championship glory.

Wiggins contributed 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Klay Thompson had 21 points as the Warriors scored a 10494 win against the Boston Celtics on home court to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

It was a particularly valuable contribution from Wiggins in the context of an off night for superstar Stephen Curry, who had scored 43 points in the Game 4 triumph in Boston. Curry had 16 points, and laid on eight assists, but surprisingly went 0-for-9 from three-point range, ending his record run of at least one three in a postseason game at 132, and ending his streak of regular and post-season combined at 233.

Green has conceded that Wiggins has had to grow in stature with the Warriors, but says he is now the kind of player to excel on the big occasions.

"I think he started to feel it out, but coming into this year, he was an All-Star starter for

a reason," Green said. "He defended very well, he scored the ball very well, and really just plugged right in. Like it wasn't like, 'Oh, you need to call a set for him every time'.

He's kind of been getting it.

He's continued to do that.

"I think the bigger the challenge has been that we've thrown in front of him, the bigger he's responded. You want a guy like; that when the stage gets big, they respond and play their best basketball, and that's what he's been doing."

Wiggins was able to reflect on a special moment, and said the celebrations from the likes of Klay Thompson at his performance were a sign of the "love" among the roster.

"It's something I dreamt about for sure, being in the league, and this is the ultimate stage; it doesn't get big-

ger than this. I was out there being aggressive. It was a good game," Wiggins said.

"That's (the celebrations) love. That's what makes it all work. We all support each other, and we want to see each other do good and succeed. That's why we're here," Wiggins has said.

Asked how he earned the respect of his team, Wiggins added: "Before I even got here, they have been great.

You know things that worked for them, and I feel like I'm pretty easygoing; so, I just came in here and, hoop, I'm playing basketball, and I'm playing hard, and I feel like people respect that. And I'm just trying to win.

"At the end of the day, no matter what it takes or whatever they need from me, I'm here to help them win."

(Sportsmax)

22

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CONCACAF Nations League 2022/2023…

Haiti scores 6 to punish Jags again

The Golden Jags have lost both CNL matches to Haiti this season uyana’s Golden Jaguars being one down at the half to charge on the field. had hoped for an succumbing to a 6-0 defeat at Jeremy Garrett and Kelsey improvement of their the hands of the Grenadiers, Benjamin finally got a start, fortunes on Tuesday evening in a game that was a must-win alongside Leo Lovell, Samuel when they again played against if they were to finish at the top Cox, Quincy Adams, Torell Haiti, opponents who had of Group B, League B, of the Ondaan, Nathan Moriah-Welsh, humiliated them in Guyana a CONCACAF Nations League Stephen Duke-McKenna and few nights prior; but not much 2022/2023.

Emery Welshman. was different in this encounter, Guyana’s starting lineup Surprisingly, Guyana’s except that while they were looked starkly different from Golden Boy Omari Glasgow was able to keep it tidy in the first their last game in the Land of on the bench, as was Trayon half, their second half play was Many Waters, with the most Bobb. a disaster. notable changes being those of In spite of whatever personal Playing at the Olimpico the captain and the man in the thoughts that may prevail about Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo nets. Akel Clarke got the nod Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz’s Domingo, Dominican Republic, to don the gloves, while the starting team, they did well to the Golden Jaguars went from experienced Neil Danns took hold off the Haitians for most of

G

Football’s return to play in Guyana…

4 games lined up, as Milo U18 returns this Saturday, June 18

Petra’s Troy Mendonca and Jackie Boodie and Milo Brand Manager Rajinda Lall are flanked by participants of the Milo U18 Football tournament

H

aving been abruptly halted at the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic in March of 2020, the Milo Boys’ Under 18 Football tournament never got to see its completion that year. However, in 2022, the tournament will be resumed with ‘a few tweaks here and there’.

For 24 school football teams, June 18 will be D-Day, as they take their only shot at progressing through the ranks. The continuation of the Milo tournament will see a straight knockout format being employed, with July 10 set for the coveted finals.

Prior to a team briefing on Tuesday afternoon, Milo’s Brand Manager, Rajinda Lall, expressed the company’s elation at the resumption of the tournament, while highlighting a vested interest in youth development.

“Nestle, under its Milo Brand, along with Beepat, is proud to resume sponsorship of the Milo Under-18 Tournament, which came to an unexpected halt in 2020 owing to the Coronavirus. I know this is a highly anticipated tournament, as our youths can’t wait to get back out on the field after two years of lockdown; and, for us, it is a signal that we are returning to some sort of normalcy,” the Milo Brand Manager shared.

He added, “Nestle and

Beepat (are) always happy to be part of youth development in sports, and tournaments of (this)

Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca nature provide that platform where athletes can represent our country at the senior level.”

Petra’s Co-Director, Troy Mendonca, has shed some light on the temporary format of the Under-18 tournament.

“As soon as we got the chance and opportunity to return to play, we wanted to complete this tournament as part of our commitment to our sponsor,” the Petra Co-Director declared.

Shifting focus to the tournament’s format, which is moving from round-robin to straight knockouts for 2022 only, Mendonca said, “What

we’ve decided, because of the fact that a lot of players who would have participated in the tournament then wouldn’t be with us this time around, and to make it even shorter, we decide that we’re going to complete the tournament through a knockout format.

“Of course, we would have used the points’ standings we had then to come up with our fixture,” he informed.

About the positive impact he hopes the tournament would make, Mendonca shared with the students present, “We, at Petra, we rather see you out here playing the sport than being engaged in other issues that (are) not related to school, and that (are) not related to sport.”

St. Stanislaus vs St. John’s College, West Ruimveldt Secondary vs Vergenoegen Secondary, Bishops’ High vs Charlestown Secondary, and Bladen Hall Secondary vs Carmel Secondary are the clashes set for Saturday, June 18, beginning at 12.30pm at the Ministry of Education Ground in Georgetown.

Every participating school has been presented with two unmarked balls and one Milo-branded ball for training purposes by the Petra Organisation. (Jemima Holmes)

the first half. It was only by way of an infraction did Haiti set the foundation for their first goal.

Taking the free kick was Derrick Etienne Jr, but taking a shot off the rebound for the goal was Alex Christian, giving Haiti the advantage in the 39th.

Given that the score was 5-2 at the same juncture in their previous encounter, Guyana could say their first half was well executed.

At the top of the second, Kelsey Benjamin picked up a yellow card, and minutes later, Mondy Prunier netted Haiti’s second. Then the unthinkable happened for Guyana: the victim of another yellow card call, Benjamin was out on a red, and Guyana were down to 10 men.

With their captain also now on the bench, Haiti opened the

flood gates against the Golden Jaguars. Simonsen Jeppe Friborg made it a 3-0 game, and one minute later, in the 64th, the pair of Glasgow and Bobb were entering the game in place of Ondaan and Cox. Prunier added Haiti’s fourth goal in the 76th, while Carnejy Antoine (87th, 89th) stunned Guyana with a brace in the final minutes of the game to worsen the blow on the Golden Jaguars.

The Golden Jaguars will now look to their two remaining Group B matches in 2023 in order to seal a spot in the qualification round of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, at best.

But in order to do so, the Golden Jaguars would need to win their home and away games against Montserrat and Bermuda, whom they have already defeated.

Lee to replace Meusa in Olympiad team going to India

T

he Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has named a replacement for one of its players in the Olympiad Team going to Chennai, India in July 2022.

Candidate Master Wendell Meusa, who recently won the National Open Chess Championship, has indicated to the GCF management his withdrawal from the team, and he would be replaced by 19-year-old Ethan Lee, who would be competing in the Open category at the World Chess Championships.

President of the GCF, Mr. Frankie Farley, was next in line to fill the replacement, but opted out of playing, as he himself would be representing the GCF as the delegate for the FIDE Congress, which takes place at the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad.

The FIDE Congress is held every two years to coincide with the Olympiad, and here the new President of FIDE is elected.

Lee, who recently won the National Junior Qualifiers and came second in the Junior National

Championship, gained the 7th highest points, behind Farley, in the Grand Prix selection system for the Open category. Farley has declared that the opportunity given to Lee is well deserved, and that

Lee would gain much experience in the international arena.

Lee will be going as the reserved player, replacing Roberto Neto. Neto will now be playing on Board 4, with CM Taffin Khan, FM Anthony Drayton and Loris Nathoo on Boards 1 to 3 respectively.

Other members of the team are the players in the Women’s category: Sasha Shariff, Pooja Lam, Jessica Callender, Anaya Lall and Nellisha Johnson, with National Instructor Davion Mars as team captain for the Open category, and Head of Delegation being Mrs. Jaishree Lam. Slovenian Grand Master Georg Mohr will be preparing the team prior and during the Olympiad by providing coaching services as granted by FIDE. He will be the team captain for the Women’s Team.

Chennai, the venue for the Chess Olympiad -- the first ever to be held in India -- is referred to as the chess capital of India. It is a 382-year-old city boasting a rich culture, with historical and traditional places and modern medical and engineering amenities.

The GCF wishes the entire team best of luck, and urges them to perform to the best of their abilities.

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Slingerz is back! a giant step in the development of local football. I particularly like the fact that the word ‘development’ is used in this forum, and to remind us that we can never truly develop sport in Guyana if we do not have consistent and timely investment in local sports.”

Head Coach Vurlon Mills, in announcing his current 19-man squad, shared why he knows what it takes to build a Slingerz outfit.

“I’ve played with Slingerz in the past, and I understand what is required of Slingerz to be the best team in Guyana. We train

Slingerz FC President, Javid Ali

Slingerz FC Head Coach, Vurlon Mills

He went on to add, “Slingerz, over the years, along with Alpha United, have certainly raised the bar and raised expectations in Guyana for the local sport.”

With Slingerz’ return, and current participation in the West Demerara Football Association’s (WDFA’s) Senior Men’s League, the team already has players and a technical team ready to go.

hard consistently, and I’ve always said this to my players, ‘Slingerz’ success isn’t dependent on the quality of players that we had, but is dependent on the work that we did every morning when we go out to work’,” Mills said.

He went on to list the team, which includes Goalkeepers Shawn Adonis and Prince Forde; Defenders Kevin Dundas, Quincy

A look at the Slingerz FC kits, as the players are flanked by the coaching team: Vurlon Mills, Earl O’Neil, Dwayne Jacobs and Errol Baird

By Jemima Holmes

S

lingerz FC, in a blaze of glory, went dormant over 5 years ago during its reign as national champion. In 2022, in a similar blaze of glory, and hunting the top spot of the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA), Slingerz has returned with a point to prove.

Slingerz President Javid Ali is not only intent on resurrecting a winning team that became champion of the first Stag Elite League, but also a team that would help to alleviate Guyana’s selection woes for the national squads.

“Safe to say Slingerz is back. It feels good to be back in football.

It’s a great pleasure to witness the reintroduction of Slingerz FC to competitive football in Guyana.

I think (that) together we’re sharing in this exciting prospect for the continued development of football in Guyana,” Ali said during his remarks at the Slingerz relaunch ceremony, done at the Racquet Center on Woolford Avenue on Tuesday afternoon.

About his intentions for the team, Ali disclosed, “This relaunch is a testimony to doing our part. We see the need for competition in development and preparation for Guyana national team, as it allows for the professional players that are always ready for international games. Guyana’s football needs

to reduce its dependency on two full professional teams, which is GPF and the Guyana GDF, and to ensure more players can receive their monthly income to dedicate their day-to-day activities to football.

“This (would) increase the pool of fit-and-ready players for the national team, and reduce the risk of overreliance on international and part-time players,” the Slingerz boss has further stated.

West Demerara Football Association president Trevor Williams welcomed the team with open arms, and is especially intrigued by its plans to invest in players.

Williams remarked, “This is

23

Adams, Jerome Harrigan, S h a k e m Welcome, Simeon Moore and Clevon Murray; Midfielders Clive Nobrega, Vincent Chidera, Kvist Paul, Hector Azaton, Recardo Halley, Dexroy Adams and Martrim Martin; and forwards Samuel Garnett, Noron Barrow, Delon Lanferman and Deon Alfred.

“If you notice, our squad is comprised of senior, experienced players with youth players,” Mills added about his team’s composition.

Aside from Mills as Head Coach, Earl O’Neil will be the Assistant Coach, with Dwanye Jacobs and Errol Baird making up the remainder of the technical team.

In addition, Forrester’s Lumber Yard and Building Complex is the first major sponsor that would be throwing support behind the Slingerz FC. Slingerz FC will be in action this evening against Uitvlugt Warriors in the WDFA Senior Men’s League from 8pm at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, WCD.

Jamaica crowned CWI T20 Blaze Champions …Barbados settle for second, T&T third

Chinelle Henry bowled with pace and accuracy as she bagged 1-3 in her 3 overs

By Timothy Jaikarran

A

ction in the fifth and final round of the CWI T20 Blaze saw some drama, with Jamaica eventually emerging as winners, while Barbados copped second place and Trinidad and Tobago third place.

For both Barbados and Jamaica, the results were tight, as, on Monday, Barbados defeated Jamaica to remain table-toppers.

But in a twist of tales, Trinidad and Tobago defeated Barbados in their final game, to have the equation opened, and Jamaica needed to win to claim the title.

Stafanie Taylor supported with 56

And Jamaica did not disappoint, they practically destroyed their opponents to stand their ground and claim the coveted T20 Blaze title.

Jamaica v Windward Islands

In this encounter, a rampaging Jamaica attacked from ball one. Despite Rashada Williams being run out for six, Stafanie Taylor and Natasha McLean went on a rampage, putting together a whopping 145-run partnership to frustrate their opponents. McLean, being the more aggressive player, was able to score 83 off 54 deliveries at a strike rate of 153.7. Her innings included nine boundaries and three towering maximums.

Taylor, on the other hand, played a supporting role with 56 off 51 deliveries. When both players were dismissed, it was already over 18.2. The Windward ladies managed to bag three quick wickets to put a halt to the Jamaican innings, but the damage was already done, and Jamaica ended on 170-5.

Bowling for the Windward Islands, Saneldo Willett took 2-31 and Amanda Edwards took 2-11.

Heading into the chase, Jamaica didn’t have to fight hard. As a matter of fact, defending 171 was child’s play. With pacey bowling from Chinelle Henry and a good spin bowling attack, the Jamaicans forced their opponents to play Test cricket. At the end of the 20 overs Windward Islands

could only afford 46-3, Shawnisha Hector remained unbeaten on 17 off 31, and Saneldo Willett made 16 off 40 balls.

Bowling for Jamaica, Chinelle Henry took 1-3, Neisha-Ann Waisome took 1-9 and Corrine Howell took 1-13.

Barbados v T&T

The battle was fierce in game one, as both teams gave their all on the field. They each pulled out all the stops, as one team wanted to lift the trophy while the other wanted to cement themselves in third position.

Batting first, Trinidad were off to a horrid start, losing Lee-Ann Kirby for a golden duck, Britney Cooper for 22, and Karishma Ramharack for 7 off 21 balls, to have them at 39-3.

Reneice Boyce (14) got them to 68-4, but Hayley Matthews struck at key intervals in the game to pin the Trinidadians down.

Anisa Mohammed and Rachael Vincent dug deep to put together a resistant partnership of 34, and when Mohammed was dismissed by Shakera Selman for 20, Vincent rallied along and remained unbeaten on 22, but Trinidad could muster only 108-7 off their allotted 20 overs.

Bowling for Barbados, Shakera Selman took 2-30, Hayley Matthews took 2-25, Shanika Bruce took 1-15 and Aaliyah Williams took 1-12.

In the chase, Barbados needed 108 off 120 balls, and it seemed as though the Bajans

would have won their game easily, but Trinidad had other plans. They cranked up the heat early, and Kycia Knight was the first wicket to fall, compliments of Kirby.

Matthews then struck a few lusty blows, but departed for 18 off the bowling of Kamara Ragoobar.

Ragoobar then returned to bag another wicket to pin the Bajans down, but there was no fairytale story here, as the Trinidadians continued to chip away at Barbados. More so, when the equation dropped to 42 off 21 balls, Anisa Mohammed’s three wickets proved vital to keep Barbados at bay, restricting them to 89-7 in their 20 overs.

Bowling for Trinidad and Tobago, Anisa Mohammed took 3-11, Kamara Ragoobar took 2-16, Lee Ann Kirby took 1-15 and Karishma Ramharack took 1-11.

sponsors Guyanese bodybuilders …also sponsors Wakenaam & Leguan Circle Tennis Teams

Azruddin Mohamed handing over the sponsorship cheque to GBBFF president Keavon Bess

T

eam Mohamed’s continue to throw their support behind young, aspiring athletes in the sporting fraternity, thus giving them the opportunity to showcase their talent and skills on the international stage.

This time around, Team Mohamed’s have sponsored three Guyanese bodybuilders – Roger Callender, Emerson Campbell and Yusuf Khan - to participate in the Central America and Caribbean Body Building Championships slated for Barbados between July 27 and

One of the schools that Team Mohamed’s have sponsored

Natasha McLean blasted a quickfire 83

August 1, 2022.

The sponsorship includes airfare, meals, transportation and accommodation for the three athletes. The sponsorship cheque was uplifted by the three athletes and President of the Guyana Body Building and Fitness Federation, Keavon Bess, at Mohamed’s Houston Estate on Monday.

In addition, the businessman has sponsored the Wakenaam and Leguan Secondary Schools Male and Female Circle Tennis teams in the ongoing Inter-Secondary School Circle Tennis Tournament in Region Three. The sponsorship covers transportation costs for the two schools to travel to the coastland to participate in the competition. Also, meals for the more-than-500 children who participated in the tournament were taken care of by the generosity of Team Mohamed’s.

The finals of this tournament are scheduled for this Friday.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022

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

Slingerz is back!

Page 23

Forrester’s Deandrea Yansen presenting a sponsorship cheque to Slingerz President Javid Ali in the presence of players and staff of the club

Jamaica crowned CWI T20 Blaze Champions sponsors Guyanese …Barbados settle for second, T&T third

bodybuilders

Guyanese bodybuilders Roger Callender, Emerson Campbell and Yusuf Khan pose with Azruddin Mohamed

Page 23

…also sponsors Wakenaam & Leguan Circle Tennis Teams

Jamaica are now the CWI T20 Blaze Champions

Page 23

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