Guyana Times --Saturday, December 19, 2020

GMSA, Go-Invest P10 sign jointventure MoU Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4504

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

ICJ has jurisdiction to hear GuyanaVenezuela border ...removal of Venezuelan controversy threat finally in sight See story on page 2

Unity shown on border controversy should transcend into Guyana’s development – President Ali

See story on page 7

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

P14 Govt examining concerns over COVID-19 cash grant distribution – President …2-tier system to be used for transparency

P12 Active COVID-19 cases decrease to 629 ERC told to P14 “stand up” in the face of wrongdoings, injustice

Small quantities of marijuana

President Dr Irfaan Ali and several Ministers and representatives of the local team involved in the border controversy case led by former Foreign Minister and Guyana’s Agent, Carl Greenidge, as well as members of Civil Society organisations viewing the landmark decision by the World Court at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown on Friday

3500 house lots distributed within 4 months …1800 more in 2 days See story on page 5

President awards 3 scholarships to soldiers

See story on page 3

…says housing, improved healthcare high on agenda for GDF

Mothers are leading perpetrators of child abuse – CPA finds Page 15

Cabinet approves decision to remove custodial sentencing P8 Rose Hall P10 Town gets new Mayor, Deputy

COVID-19 pandemic shutdown

Canada helping 3 Indigenous ecolodges to reopen

P14

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ICJ has jurisdiction to hear Guyana-Venezuela border controversy ...removal of Venezuelan threat finally in sight

T

he International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ruled, by a 12-4 majority, that it has jurisdiction to entertain the 2018 application filed by Guyana concerning the validity of the Arbitral Award of 1899 and the definitive settlement as it relates to the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

This now paves the way for the World Court to hear the substantive case filed by Guyana, in which it is seeking a final and binding judgment to reinforce that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties, and legal affirmation that Guyana’s Essequibo region, which contains much of Guyana’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

The majority ruling was handed down by President of the ICJ, Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf on Friday morning in the Peace Palace at The Hague, Netherlands.

Justice Yusuf said the Court concluded that it has

jurisdiction to entertain Guyana’s claims concerning the validity of the 1899 Award about the frontier between the two countries.

“The Court, by 12 votes to four, finds that it has jurisdiction to entertain the Application filed by the Co-operative Republic of Guyana on 29 March 2018 in so far as it concerns the validity of the Arbitral Award of 3 October 1899 and the related question of the definitive settlement of the land boundary dispute between the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” the President of the World Court stated in the majority decision.

Claims after 1966 Geneva Agreement

However, the World Court also ruled unanimously that it does not have jurisdiction to entertain Guyana’s claims arising from events that occurred after the signature of the 1966 Geneva

ICJ President, Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf

Agreement between the two neighbouring countries.

The ICJ had held its first public hearing of the border controversy case via video conference on June 30, 2020, to hear arguments on whether it has jurisdiction to adjudicate the case on the long-standing border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

Venezuela has laid claim

to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass in the Essequibo region and a portion of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in which more than eight billion barrels of oil have been discovered.

After the failed Good Offices process to resolve the border controversy between the two neighbouring countries, Secretary General of the United Nations, António

Guterres, in January 2018 had “chosen the International Court of Justice as the means that is now to be used for its solution”.

Two months later, Guyana filed its application to the ICJ in March 2018, asking for a final pronouncement on the validity of the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899.

However, the Government of Venezuela has claimed, in a letter dated June 2018 to the World Court, that the UN SG exceeded his authority under the 1966 Geneva Agreement when he referred the case to the ICJ, and therefore the court lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the matter.

On this basis, Venezuela has indicated that it will not participate in the proceedings.

But the ICJ President in his ruling declared that while Venezuela is not participating in the proceedings, the court’s decision is binding on both parties and that it can join the proceedings in the substantive case.

Guyana, Venezuela consented

In addressing the Venezuelan Government’s contention of the court’s jurisdiction, Judge Yusuf further explained in the ruling that both Guyana and Venezuela consented to judicial settling when they signed the Geneva Agreement since the judicial process via the ICJ is one of the “means” available to the Secretary General in determining the controversy.

To determine this, he said the Court examined whether the two countries gave their consent to the judicial settlement of the controversy. “…the Geneva Agreement refers to a decision by a third party with regard to the choice of the means of settlement. The Court, therefore, begins by ascertaining whether the parties conferred on that third party, in this instance the Secretary General, the authority to choose, by a decision which is binding on them, the means of settlement of their controversy.”

The ICJ further considered whether the decision of the UN SG is binding. This, according to the ICJ President, was asserted in the wording of Article IV, paragraph 2, of the Geneva Agreement which states that the parties “shall refer the decision… to the Secretary General”.

“The Court considers that this wording indicates that the parties made a legal commitment to comply with the decision of the third party on whom they conferred such authority, in this instance the Secretary General of the United Nations. It then notes that the object and purpose of the Geneva Agreement is to ensure a definitive resolution of the controversy between the parties. In view of the foregoing, the Court considers that the parties conferred on the Secretary General the authority to choose, by a de-

cision which is binding on them, the means to be used for the settlement of their controversy.”

SG’s choice/authority

Another point that was examined by the World Court is whether the parties consented to the Secretary General’s choice of judicial settlement of the controversy. Given that the Geneva Agreement refers to Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations, which includes judicial settlement as a means of dispute resolution, the Court found that the parties accepted the possibility of the controversy being settled by that means.

It noted that had they wanted to exclude such a possibility, then the parties could have done so during their negotiations or set out specific means of settlement so as to omit judicial settlement.

“In light of the above, the Court concludes that the parties consented to the judicial settlement of their controversy,” Justice Yusuf ruled.

Moreover, the 16-Judge panel also considered whether the consent given by the two countries to use judicial settlement is subjected to the condition that the Secretary General must follow the order in which the means of settlement are listed in Article 33 of the United Nations Charter.

On this point, the ICJ President said the Court found that the ordinary meaning of this provision indicates that the Secretary General is called upon to choose any of the means listed in Article 33 of the Charter but is not required to follow a particular order in doing so.

Additionally, the Court concluded that by conferring on the Secretary General the authority to choose the appropriate means of settlement of their controversy, including the possibility of recourse to judicial settlement by the International Court of Justice, Guyana and Venezuela consented to its jurisdiction.

“The text, the object and purpose of the Geneva Agreement, as well as the circumstances surrounding its conclusion, support this finding. It follows that the consent of the parties to the jurisdiction of the Court is established in the circumstances of this case,” Judge Yusuf contended in Friday’s ruling.

Guyana’s legal team for the border controversy case is headed by Sir Shridath Ramphal and includes several local and international professionals.

Guyana will now have to await the ICJ to set a date for case management to hear its substantive application. According to Guyana’s agent on the case, former Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge, the team has already begun strategising and is in a state of readiness for whenever the matter is called up. (G8)

NEWS

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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President awards 3 scholarships to soldiers …says housing, improved healthcare high on agenda for GDF

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hree ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Friday received scholarships from Commander-inChief, President Irfaan Ali, who had previously promised same to the ranks.

The Head of State presented Corporal Ryan Jordan, Lance Corporal Nikolai Moore and Private Michael Yarde with scholarships at the GDF Annual Christmas Lunch at Base Camp Ayanganna.

During a visit to the border community of Kaikan, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), last week, President Ali had announced that three of the ranks stationed there would benefit from University of Guyana scholarships.

“We were in Kaikan and I asked the soldiers from among themselves to select who they thought were priority in gaining scholarships… They selected these three officers and for this, I thank them,” the President said on Friday.

He underscored the significance of giving them the power to select their peers, which he said will contribute to empowering the unit to make decisions collectively. He stressed too that this approach will help to foster an environment in which ideas could be shared through constructive and strategic discussions.

In addition, the Commander-in-Chief posited that the award of these scholarships is just the tip of the iceberg and that the soldiers will benefit from many other opportunities moving forward.

“We have set aside a special number of training opportunities... this time it is not top-down, this time the units will select who they believe is not only most qualified but who they think should be given the priority. This is the way we are going forward,” he asserted.

Emphasising the importance of responding to the educational aspirations of the ranks, the President, as was done recently at a similar event hosted by the Guyana Police Force, further assured the army ranks that they will benefit from his Administration’s 20,000 scholarships that will become available from next year.

Commander-in-Chief President Irfaan Ali, and Chief-of-Staff Brigadier (ag) Godfrey Bess with the three scholarship recipients

“I want you to know we will have a special programme to ensure that you benefit from these scholarships,” he stated, while noting that this will be done based on merit and performance of ranks.

Moreover, President Ali went on to reassure hundreds of ranks at Friday’s luncheon that they would also benefit from programmes designed to enhance the quality of their lives.

One such programme the Head of State men-

tioned is a special housing initiative for soldiers.

“We see you owning your own house lots… own your own homes and come next year we are going to commence this process… I’ve already asked the Ministry of Housing to come up with a special housing programme that… sees you owning your own house,” he disclosed.

According to the President, the ranks will benefit from a specially tailored housing programme that will be implemented

from their headquarters so that they will not have to “join the lines,” thus ensuring a hassle-free process.

Meanwhile, President Ali also acknowledged that one of the key concerns of the ranks is access to better healthcare.

“We are working on a programme to enhance the healthcare for every citizen. I am also talking to the Chief of Staff to see ways in which we can facilitate easier access to healthcare for you the ranks of the GDF,” he noted.

The Commander-inChief stressed too that continuous training opportunities will also be part of their overall development. He reasoned that these opportunities will be provided not only to improve the institution but also to move it forward.

“We have some exceptional talent, great brainpower in the Guyana Defence Force but we have to utilise that talent and our brainpower for national development. And I’ll assure you this is the direction we are going to go towards,” the Head of State noted.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

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

Keeping children safe T

he World Health Organisation (WHO), in collaboration with UNICEF, UNESCO, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children, and the End Violence Partnership, earlier this year stated that half of the world’s children, or approximately 1 billion children, are each year affected by physical, sexual or psychological violence, suffering injuries, disabilities and death because countries have failed to follow established strategies to protect them.

The report – Global Status Report on Preventing Violence Against Children 2020 – is the first of its kind, charting progress in 155 countries against the “INSPIRE” framework, a set of seven strategies for preventing and responding to violence against children.

The report signals a clear need in all countries, including Guyana, to scale up efforts to implement these strategies. While 88% of the countries surveyed have key laws in place to protect children against violence, less than half of countries (47%) said these were being strongly enforced. It is therefore clear that having the policy framework in place is not enough, there is a serious challenge as it relates to implementation.

The data for the report was compiled through a survey administered between 2018 and 2019, with responses from over 1000 decision-makers from 155 countries. The INSPIRE strategies launched in 2016 call for the implementation and enforcement of laws; changing norms and values to make violence unacceptable; creating safe physical environments for children; providing support to parents and caregivers; strengthening income and economic security and stability; improving response and support services for victims; and providing children with education and life skills.

The report also includes the first ever global homicide estimates specifically for children under 18 years of age – previous estimates were based on data that included 18- to 19-year-olds. It finds that, in 2017, around 40,000 children were victims of homicide.

Of the INSPIRE strategies, only access to schools through enrollment showed the most progress, with 54% of countries reporting that a sufficient number of children in need were being reached in this way. Between 32% and 37% of countries considered that victims of violence could access support services, while 26% of countries provided programmes on parent and caregiver support; 21% of countries had programmes to change harmful norms; and 15% of countries had modifications to provide safe physical environments for children.

Although a majority of countries (83%) have national data on violence against children, only 21% used these to set baselines and national targets to prevent and respond to violence against children.

According to the report’s findings, about 80% of countries have national plans of action and policies, but only one-fifth have plans that are fully funded or have measurable targets. A lack of funding, combined with inadequate professional capacity, is likely a contributing factor and a reason why implementation has been slow.

The report also noted that stay-at-home measures, including school closures, have limited the usual sources of support for families and individuals such as friends, extended families or professionals.

This further erodes victims’ ability to successfully cope with crises and the new routines of daily life.

Spikes in calls to helplines for child abuse and intimate partner violence have been observed.

And while online communities have become central to maintaining many children’s learning, support and play, an increase in harmful online behaviours, including cyberbullying, risky online behaviour, and sexual exploitation, have been identified.

WHO has underlined the need for global action to ensure that the necessary financial and technical support is available to all countries.

It notes also that monitoring and evaluation are crucial to determining the extent to which these prevention efforts are effectively delivered to all who need them.

Dr Howard Taylor, a representative of End Violence Partnership, puts it this way: “Ending violence against children is the right thing to do, a smart investment to make, and it’s possible…We can and must create a world where every child can thrive free from violence and become a new generation of adults to experience healthy and prosperous lives.”

Like WHO and other partners, we believe that it is time to fully fund comprehensive national action plans that would keep children safe at home, at school, online, and in their communities.

Christmas Cheer: Education Minister Priya Manickchand and Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond on Friday spread the Christmas cheer to children of Karasabai, North Rupununi Savannahs, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). Both ministers distributed cash in hand to parents, which was increased from $2000 to $4000 per child, to purchase school supplies (Education Ministry photo)

The year 2020: A time when everything changed

By Nick Bryant

M

y mum called it. Long before planes had been grounded. Long before hospitals became places to fear. Long before 2020 had become a byword for all that was wrong – the worst year ever.

Back then, China and cruise-ships remained the epicentres of the outbreak.

My sense early on was that 2020 would go down in history, but as the year when we finally awoke to the enormity of the climate emergency. The Australian bushfires that dominated the New Year headlines were the kind of catastrophic event that would separate the past and the future into the before and the after.

The images coming out of Sydney were jolting and alarming: of the shells of the Opera House shrouded in smoke; of the residents of one of the planet’s most liveable cities going about their daily lives wearing masks.

Soon, however, those pieces of fabric would appear in every city on every continent, as a guard against a different kind of respiratory threat. The mask not only became an emblem of the year, but also of a frightening new age.

We had entered what were billed as the roaring Twenties with muffled mouths, and a sense of inner dread. Dystopian films and literature, of the kind that became strangely popular at the start of the pandemic, ask of us the question, could it happen here? 2020 provided the answer. Yes. It was a year when time seemed to collapse in on itself; when days were sometimes hard to tell apart; when weeks seemed to merge; when timelines seemed constantly to shift. Life would return to normal in a matter of weeks, we first thought.

Then months. Or maybe it would be years.

In the meantime, we adapted to the new reality, turning living rooms into offices and bedrooms into classrooms. For many, the morning commute came to be measured in metres not miles. And many didn’t even have to travel that far. Our workplaces could often fit neatly in the palms of our disinfected hands.

The handshake was ban-

ished, and so, too, were hugs, at the very moment when we needed them most. In this time of enforced estrangement, heavy with so much sadness and bereavement, maybe all of us have suffered a form of affection deficit disorder.

Yet the paradox of social distancing was that it engendered a new intimacy. Many of us have spent more time with our immediate families.

And perhaps the privatisation of our lives has made us more outgoing. Maybe you’ve shared the same experience of reconnecting with people you hadn’t heard from for years, sometimes even decades.

Online reunions became a form of virtual refuge. In seeking out long lost friends from the past, we briefly escaped the present. Nostalgia of the nationalistic kind has become such a driver of modern-day politics, but this was about personal reminiscence – evoking the days when we could travel together, watch sport crowded shoulder-to-shoulder in the stands, sit in the same pews at weddings and funerals.

From our mask-covered mouths came a new vocabulary – a patois of the pandemic. New terms such as social distancing. New verbs, such as “to zoom.” New colloquialisms, such as “to Facewine”.

Then there were the new pastimes. Men of a certain age felt the need to experiment with artisanal bread, and to digitally document every loaf they baked on social media.

But what I’m describing here is COVID viewed from the lofty vantage point of privilege, the coronavirus lifestyle of the fortunate few.

For millions of families, 2020 wasn’t the year of the sourdough, but rather the time they struggled to put bread on the table. Here in New York, we saw immigrant families queuing for five hours to receive the most meagre of rations – a sandwich and a pot of apple sauce.

In the suburbs, we saw middle-class families waiting all day for a food parcel in their high-end cars –- BMWs, Mercedes, upmarket SUVs. On the subway, we watched homeless people turn carriages into dormitories, such was their fear of spending the night in overcrowded shelters.

Just as poverty became a propagator of the pandemic, the

pandemic became a propagator of poverty.

It was a year when we’ve been forced to act locally, but have been reminded constantly of the global picture – hospitals in northern Italy that looked like something out of a Renaissance hell-scape; the Pope peering out from his balcony on to an empty St Peter’s Square; the medievalism of those mass graves in New York.

But at a time when the world cried out for multilateralism, we’ve witnessed unilateralism on steroids. The search for new drugs and treatments has sometimes resembled the Cold War space race. We’ve been introduced to the concept of “vaccine nationalism”, where governments focus myopically on inoculating their own people at the cost of the global good.

In its 75th year, the United Nations has largely been sidelined, its Security Council paralysed once more by the great power rivalry between Washington and Beijing. But neither of the world’s strongest nations, the United States or China, had the ability or the inclination to assert global leadership individually.

As for the World Health Organisation, the UN’s lead agency, it became ensnared in pandemic politics, facing criticism that it wasn’t tough enough on China, and hit by the withdrawal of funding from Washington, its largest donor.

There was a strong body of evidence to suggest that countries run by female leaders handled the crisis more expertly. Angela Merkel’s Germany, Jacinda Ardern’s New Zealand, Tsai Ingwen’s Taiwan, and Mette Frederiksen’s Denmark.

By contrast, countries governed by Presidents and Prime Ministers who had surfed the populist wave with a macho swagger often did poorly.

Donald Trump’s America, Jair Bolsonaro’s Brazil, and Boris Johnson’s Britain. The virus could not be sloganeered away.

In the balance of global power, 2020 has seen a shifting of the plates. To watch America’s response was to witness its national decline play out in real-time. The Trump Administration’s management of the outbreak may come to be seen as the most catastrophic domestic policy failure of the

past 100 years.

COVID exposed so many of America’s long-term ailments.

Conversely, the effects of a virus that originated in China seem only to have emboldened Beijing. Just watch the way it has recently flexed its muscles against Australia, whose crime in the minds of Xi Jinping was to lead calls for an international inquiry into the causes of COVID-19.

If this is to be the Chinese century, then the “China virus”, as Donald Trump called it, will have hastened its march towards pre-eminence, if only because of its crippling effect on America.

COVID has shone a spotlight on other trans-national threats. As well as a pandemic, the world has contended with an infodemic. We’ve been confronted by the metastasising effect of misinformation, the scourge of the online world.

And what of globalisation?

There’s been a lot of talk of the death of worldwide interconnectedness. But it feels like a re-run of the “end of history” thesis in the 1990s, the premature celebration of the triumph of Western liberal democracy. Just as globalisation went into top gear after the defeat of Soviet communism, it would come as no surprise if it returned to maximum velocity after the taming of the coronavirus.

From a personal perspective, I find it impossible to look back on 2020 as the worst year ever. Even though my wife and I were infected with the virus.

Even though one night in particular we feared the ambulance sirens we heard ceaselessly outside our windows would soon be at our door.

Because only a matter of months later, in the same bedroom where she had struggled to draw enough breath to finish a sentence, Fleur gave birth to our baby daughter, Honor. Our COVID baby. Our curfew baby, born while anti-racism protests were swirling in the streets down below.

Our 2020 baby.

So these have been seasons of intense and conflicted emotions. Of dread and desire; of fear and joy. Forever we will remember 2020, mindful of those who lost their lives, thankful for the magic of new life, and grateful for making it to the end. (Excerpt from BBC News)

NEWS

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3500 house lots distributed within 4 months …1800 more in 2 days

A woman pulls a lot number during the “Dream Realised” housing initiative at the Guyana National Stadium

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Ministers Collin Croal and Susan Rodrigues with some individuals who recently acquired land titles

he Housing and Water Ministry has managed to allocate 3500 house lots since the People’s Progressive Party/Civic took office four months ago – which is half of the amount that was issued during the last Administration’s five-year stint.

On Friday and today, another 1800 will be issued through the Ministry’s “Dream Realised” initiative, in collaboration with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA). This is in an effort to reduce the backlog of 70,000 housing applications in the system.

Scores of applicants went to the Guyana National Stadium to secure their titles, as private insurance companies, contractors and banking agencies also participated to assist stakeholders. Lands were allocated in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Housing and Water

Minister, Collin Croal said these initiatives bring people closer to owning a home, despite challenges from the

Minister within the Housing Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, listening to the concerns of one of the many persons who attended the “Dream Realised” housing initiative on Friday

COVID-19 pandemic.

“Many of you have been waiting all these years for an allocation and I’m sure along the way you were frustrated at the time which it has taken…Indeed, we have to make up for the lost time and keep pace with the demand for housing by our citizens. So, despite the chal-

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lenges that COVID-19 has brought, our Government has a mandate to meet its target of allocating 50,000

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house lots over the next five years,” Croal stated.

Meanwhile, also speaking at the launching ceremo-

ny on Friday, Minister within the Housing Ministry, Susan Rodrigues shared that they would have inherited operations with no strategic housing policy. As such, work begun immediately to kickstart the distribution of house lots, as well as restore lost confidence in Government.

“All of the odds were against us when we took office in August of this year. People had lost confidence in Government.

People had lost confidence in the Ministry of Housing because of the previous Administration’s own admission that hey only allocated 7000 house lots in five years. In our first four months in office, we have allocated half of that,” the Minister highlighted.

The new Administration is seeking to allocate some 50,000 house lots in its first term, which will amount to 10,000 per year. Rodrigues

T

he body is the chariot, buddhi (intelligence) is the charioteer, desires are the roads through which it is drawn by the rope of sensual attachments, m o k s h a (liberation) is the goal, and Moola-ViratSwarupa (the primal-all-pervasiveDivine) is the Master in the chariot. The car which you carry about has to be treated thus.

Instead, people are wildly milling round and round in dreary circles from birth to death, pulled by wishes, or pushed by needs. No milestones on the pilgrim road are crossed, no bridges are negotiated, and no progress is registered. The very process of the journey is ignored.

You may say that progress is possible only through My grace; but though My Heart is soft as butter, it melts only when there is some warmth in your prayer. Unless you make some disciplined effort or undertake some sadhana, grace cannot descend on you. The yearning and the agony of unfulfilled aim melts My Heart. That is the Avedana (anguish) that wins grace. (Divine Discourse, Jan 13, 1969)

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation

once again committed Government’s assurance in fulfilling this mandate.

“Now is the time for action and delivery…and assure that you made no mistake in electing our Government into office,” she asserted.

More than $1 billion will be injected into the Region Three housing sector in 2021 through an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)funded project. Funds were committed for La Parfaite Harmonie, Onderneeming, West Minister, Recht-DoorZee, Lust-en-Rust and Schoonord.

The IDB project, which is slated to commence in January 2021, will target infrastructural elevation in existing housing areas to make them more appealing to prospective homeowners and create more sustainable communities.

Minister Rodrigues had disclosed earlier this month

that the works would cover the construction of three playgrounds and 50 core houses and at least 500 subsidies would be granted to qualifying prospective homeowners. Additionally, she noted the inclusion of light-emitting diode (LED) lights aimed at enhancing safety features in the communities, road construction, and upgrades, as well as water distribution networks.

Also, on the Ministry’s agenda for housing development are expansion and upgrades of existing housing areas including Stewartville, Edinburgh, Anna Catherina, Tuschen and Zeelugt.

Further, Region Three is also set to benefit from a US$100 million water treatment project for which the Government is securing funding. That should increase water treatment capacity on the coastland from 52 per cent to 90 per cent. (G12)

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

Page

Foundation

Sound and volume vibrations science experiment

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his sound and volume vibrations science experiment can be done while enjoying a variety of music! It’s a fun and easy learning activity.

Materials: Radio or CD player with music Large glass bowl Plastic wrap Rubber band Pieces of tissue paper Directions: NB: Please be advised this is a very loud experiment.

1. Place a piece of plastic wrap on the top of a glass bowl and straighten as best as possible. Wrap a rubber band around the plastic wrap to hold it in place. Gently pull on the plastic wrap under the rubber band to make a very tight fit onto the bowl.

2. Crumble up a few small pieces of tissue paper and set them onto the plastic wrap.

3. Place the bowl next to a speaker and play music. Is the paper moving? Turn up the volume: Now what happens? Try another type of music: What level of volume makes the tissue paper move?

experiment!

4. Take it one step further! Line up tissue paper balls and guess which will fall off first.

This science experiment is a great way to help kids of all ages understand sound and volume vibrations. Have fun experimenting with different noises and music to see how the tissue paper bounces. You kids will love having fun with this

Concepts demonstrated: Sound vibrates air. The sound from the speakers makes the air vibrate which makes the plastic wrap on the bowl vibrate. This makes the light pieces of tissue paper bounce around.

Since music is so different, no two songs sound the same or make the food wrap vibrate at the same volume.

Which songs/musical genres make the most vibrations?

(Excerpt from premeditatedleftovers.com)

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

T

wo men were traveling in company through a forest, when, all at once, a huge bear crashed out of the brush near them.

One of the men, thinking of his own safety, climbed a tree.

The other, unable to fight the savage beast alone, threw himself on the ground and lay still, as if he were dead. He had heard that a bear will not touch a dead body.

It must have been true, for the bear snuffed at the man’s head awhile, and then, seeming to be satisfied that he was dead, walked away.

The man in the tree climbed down.

“It looked just as if that bear whispered in your ear,” he said. “What did he tell you?”

“He said,” answered the other, “that it was not at all wise to keep company with a fellow who would desert his friend in a moment of danger.”

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Unity shown on border controversy should transcend into Guyana’s development – President Ali …Opposition urges Guyanese to stand together as case proceeds

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uyanese leaders across the political divide on Friday welcomed the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it has the jurisdiction to hear the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy case, calling this a “great victory” for all Guyanese.

President Dr Irfaan Ali was joined by Cabinet Ministers and representatives of the local team involved in the border controversy case led by former Foreign Minister and Guyana’s agent, Carl Greenidge, as well as members of Civil Society organisations for a viewing of the landmark decision by the World Court at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The ICJ ruled via a 12-4 majority decision that it has jurisdiction to entertain the March 2018 application filed by Guyana concerning the validity of the Arbitral Award of 1899 and the definitive settlement of the land boundary dispute between Guyana and Venezuela.

This now paves way for the hearing of the substantive case in which Guyana is seeking a final and binding judgment to reinforce that the 1899 Award remains valid and binding on all parties, and a legal affirmation that Guyana’s Essequibo region, which contains much of Guyana’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

Immediately after the World Court’s decision, President Ali called and thanked Sir Shridath Ramphal, who led Guyana’s arguments at a hearing in June and Attorney Paul Reichler of international law firm, Foley Hoag, who also represented Guyana.

Guyanese unite The Head of State subsequently addressed the gathering at the ACCC, during

Greenridge and the legal team that presented our case before the ICJ. On this issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity, we stand together as a nation and we trust that as the case moves to the next stage that we continue to stand on common ground,” the Opposition Leader stated.

On the other hand, the Alliance For Change (AFC) – the minority party in coalition – at a separate press briefing on Friday, also echoed similar sentiments.

Definitive resolution

President Dr Irfaan Ali chats with former Foreign Minister and Guyana’s Agent, Carl Greenidge after the ICJ ruling

which he lauded the court’s decision and all those who played an integral role in the border controversy case, which he said took hard work and dedication from many persons over many years.

According to President Ali, this case has transcended political affiliation and brought Guyanese together – something he hopes can be applied to other areas for Guyana’s development.

“We have always stood together, we have always recognised together, and demonstrated to the international community together that we are one and that we are united on our sovereignty and borders…This victory is testimony to what we can achieve as a people when we are united and this should be a healing point for our country. There is no compromise on our sovereignty, we are together on this and it is in this same spirit, I think we should be together on the development and future of our country,” he posited.

With the way now paved for the substantive case to proceed, the Guyanese leader expressed hope that Venezuela, which did not

participate in the proceedings, would reconsider its position so that there is a final and complete settlement of the border controversy between the two countries.

The Head of State also called on Guyanese to continue to support the legal team in unity and bring international attention to Guyana’s case.

“Previous Governments, leaders; previous Presidents would’ve all said our greatest strength is when we’re united, our greatest hope is when we’re united. The best we can achieve in the future must be and will be when we’re united. This case is just an example of that unity,” President Ali asserted.

Stand together

Meanwhile, the APNU/ AFC Opposition on Friday also welcomed the ruling and applauded the efforts of Guyana’s legal team to achieve this victory.

At a virtual press conference shortly after the decision was handed down, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon underscored the need for Guyanese to stand together on this cause.

“APNU/AFC congratulates the leadership of Carl

President awards 3...

This is why, President Ali explained, there is a clear outlined strategy for enhanced roles for ranks of the GDF and officers in community development; and overall national development.

He stressed that the ranks will become part of the national security architecture and will be utilised to give logistical support to the Government.

“I want to assure you that we have already started the discussion on how we can make things better, and whilst I have had a lot of this discussion at the top, be assured that in the com-

ing year I’ll be visiting all the units to hear from you, to listen to you and to understand your perspective on the improvement of the Guyana Defence Force.”

Further, the President told the ranks that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government was still able to provide a two-week tax-free bonus that will be paid before the end of the year.

He proclaimed that this will only improve because “there is no other direction for our country and our people than a forward, upward direction”.

The President charged

FROM PAGE 3

the ranks to not only recommit to Guyana, but also their oath of office, to the people and to give their best to the country and citizens.

“I have seen the respect and regard the population give the uniform you wear, the honour they give the uniform you wear. But equally, we must earn and show we uphold our oath, we must earn and show that we also bring dignity and honour to the uniform we wear. And I ask you today to recommit yourself to the country,” the Commander-in-Chief stated.

Meanwhile, at the ACCC on Friday morning, Guyana’s agent on the border controversy case, Carl Greenidge, said they are pleased that the case has been accepted by a forum which can ensure a definitive resolution of the controversy that has bedevilled both Guyana and its Spanish-speaking neighbour.

“The issue has been characterised by endless and interminable repetition of pro-

I

cesses and arguments, and in the background whilst these interminable exchanges have taken place, Guyana has lost territory, investments and the opportunity to improve the wellbeing of its people. So, you will understand why I’m especially appreciative of the court’s decision in essence says in the first instance that the court accepts the contention of the Guyana legal team that the court has the powers to consider the case, and we look forward to the consideration of the substance of the case after this,” Greenidge stated.

Moreover, Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd also remarked that this is not just a victory for Guyana and its people but multilateralism as well.

“We committed to this process at the multilateral level, and we’re thankful that at that level global governance has been upheld and we’ve seen it at the ICJ [Friday] morning. We respect the Venezuelan people

Sir Shridath Ramphal, who led Guyana’s arguments at the ICJ hearing in June 2020

but we also have to protect our territorial integrity and our sovereignty. And this by no means, would affect how we feel about the people of Venezuela. We love the people of Venezuela. We want the best for them as well but we have to protect our self-interest in internal systems and this is how we’ll go about it by using the correct process and instruments,” Todd noted.

The Foreign Minister also reiterated the PPP/C Government’s commitment to approach this matter in an inclusive way. (G8)

Correction

n an article published on December 18, 2020 headlined: “President Ali confers AG, Timothy Jonas, Jamela Ali with silk”, Guyana Times inadvertently stated that Ali has 21 years of service as an attorney.

However, in fact Ms Ali has 31 years of service.

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Small quantities of marijuana

Cabinet approves decision to remove custodial sentencing Investigations…

A ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall said Cabinet has approved the decision to amend the law to remove custodial sentencing for small amounts of marijuana and is deliberating on the quantity that would not attract custodial sentencing.

The Attorney General made this disclosure during a recent interview on NCN television.

However, the AG said the APNU/ AFC coalition, in a desperate attempt to gain political points, had submitted a bill to the National Assembly seeking to amend sections of the Narcotics Act. They aim to have jail time removed for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The Attorney General said this “is nothing but a political gimmick. I say so because what they are doing there is simply reacting to the fact that we have made it public.”

AG Nandlall said the main Opposition tries to make everything political but failed to amend the bill during their five years in office.

In 2016, the bill to amend the Narcotics Act was first laid in Parliament by AFC member, Michael

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Carrington. The Attorney General pointed out that the then Government did not attempt to have it debated or pushed on the agenda because the APNU foiled it.

“The President at the time, Mr Granger, I believe, rejected it. So now that they see that the PPP is pushing it and that we have galvanised great support for the measure, they come now foolishly trying to present themselves as the one to table the bill for the first

time in the Parliament,” he said.

During a recent press conference, the AG said the removal of custodial sentencing for small amounts of marijuana is a manifesto promise the PPP/C Administration intends to keep.

The Government is being guided by the statistics provided by the Director of Prisons on the number of inmates incarcerated for marijuana possession, to determine the quantity that could be exempt from custodial sentencing.

Agricola man appeals 80-year jail time for murder of taxi driver

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n Agricola, East Bank Demerara resident who was sentenced to 80 years’ imprisonment back in 2015 is challenging his conviction and jail term at the Court of Appeal. Following a trial before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara, Balram Singh, 50, was found guilty of the January 2010 murder of taxi driver, Bhomeshwar Sukhdeo. Balram Singh subsequently filed an appeal.

Following a Case Management Conference (CMC) on Friday, the Appeal Court announced that it will commence hearing arguments in the case on January 25, 2021, at 9

Murder convict: Balram Singh

am. Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes and Ronald Daniels

are appearing for the murder convict. State Counsel Diana Kaulesar-O’Brien is appearing for the prosecution. The appeal will be heard by the Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory.

Media reports are that Sukhdeo was killed between January 19 and January 27, 2010. He was kidnapped and robbed of his vehicle.

His charred remains were discovered in Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD), days after he had gone missing.

He was reportedly shot to the head and his body burnt.

After he was convicted, an expressionless Balram

Murdered: Bhomeshwar Sukhdeo

Singh maintained that he had not murdered anybody.

In a caution statement given to the Police by Balram Singh, he admitted that he and an associate murdered the father of two. He told detectives that his associate shot Sukhdeo to the left side of the neck with a .38 revolver and later dumped his body. The convict related that on January 19, 2020, he and his associate went to Georgetown. He said that while he waited, his associated returned in a white car driven by Sukhdeo.

According to the caution statement, they then drove to Agricola where Bhomeshwar Sukhdeo was told to stop. It was then Singh said his associate pulled out a gun from a haversack he was carrying and shot Sukhdeo to the head.

They then drove the dead man’s vehicle to Eccles, EBD, where they dumped his body in the bushes. They later retrieved the body from Eccles and took it to Mocha where they dumped it.

…into crimes he visit of the Argentine Forensic Anthropologist to the sites of the Berbice youths’ murders reminded your Eyewitness of those motorists whose cars break down and they immediately lift up their hoods and look inside. Do even one percent of those fellas know what’s under a hood, to know what’s going on; or, more to the point, what’s NOT going on? That women don’t EVER do this ritual alerts you to what’s behind it: the insistence of men that they KNOW what makes things click!

Your Eyewitness carefully scrutinised the pictures of the Forensic Anthropologist - along with the GHRA zoneman outfit and the pot salt lawyer - carefully scrutinising the muddy ground where the bodies of the Henry boys had been found. The mud was so deep that the fancy 4-wheel vehicle that the investigators came in had to de dragged out by a tractor. His Google search had informed him that Forensic Anthropologists “Assist law enforcement with the location and recovery of human remains at crime scenes.

Cleans the bones, so that they may be examined. Analyse skeletal remains to establish the biological profile of the individual.”

Since all these identification details were never questioned, he wondered exactly what new details about the “age, sex, stature, ancestry and unique features of the skeletons” the Forensic Anthropologist could detect.

Especially when continuous rain had washed away any blood or any other evidence that might’ve been left. Not to mention that countless investigators, curious villagers, and cynical reporters had been tramping over the site since the murders had occurred more than three months ago.

Now, your Eyewitness isn’t going to second guess a trained Forensic Anthropologist, since he doesn’t know how much training he must’ve had in examining muddy crime scenes in backdams. But he certainly knows GUYANESE backdams, and he’s willing to bet dollars to donuts that the “site visit” by the high-powered team was more of a photo-op than anything else. Just like when the Rodney COI visited the scene of the great man’s assassination 35 years later. THEY certainly didn’t go to Bent St to look for evidence! And while we’re at it, isn’t it time that the Report be finally released from the embargo Granger placed on it?

Anyhow, back to the Argentine Forensic Anthropologist who was brought in at a cost of US$3000. He now wants access to the evidence the GPF collected. Now, very frankly, your Eyewitness doesn’t see anything wrong with this request…and hopes it was accommodated. But your Eyewitness is pretty sure that there were no other bones found that needed to be identified etc.

Other DNA on clothing etc? That’s done by any forensic lab. No need to engage expensive trained Forensic Anthropologists. …in selling guns Your Eyewitness viewed a video of former Public Security Minister Ramjattan being asked about allegations that he’s the “high AFC Executive” who was reportedly selling more than a hundred gun licences for at least $1,000,000 a pop!

First of all, your Eyewitness was relieved that the man who thought he’s be Prime Minister by now didn’t let out one of his signature “Haul yuh ass!” expressions; but, then, he seemed to have reserved that greeting for reporters from THIS newspaper.

But after listening to the very, very agitated and gesticulating former Minister insisting that the owners of the on-line news outfit and the Muckraker who broke the story will be hearing from his lawyers, all your Eyewitness could say was, “Methinks he doth protest too much!”

As a fella who practised at the criminal bar, he would’ve cautioned many of his clients not to overdo the “innocent plea”. After all, every crook says the same thing!

And listeners will figure he’s just blowing smoke up their nether orifice! …by the ERC Well, the ERC seems to be frantically trying to justify its $220 million annual budget. Fresh from hosting its “national conversation on ethnic relations” - which was neither “national” nor a “conversation” – it’s investigating an alleged incendiary comment from another AFC executive.

Yeah, right!!

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

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10 NEWS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Hall Town gets GMSA, GO-Invest sign Rose new Mayor, Deputy joint-venture MoU

GMSA President Shyam Nokta and CEO of GO-Invest Peter Ramsaroop displaying the signed MoU

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he Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) have formalised a mechanism of cooperation to facilitate business development support including timely access to incentives for the manufacturing and services sectors, promoting joint ventures and partnerships between local and foreign investors, and undertaking joint activities aimed at investment promotion.

GMSA President, Shyam Nokta is quoted by a release from GO-Invest as saying that the MoU is timely considering the imminent expansion of Guyana’s economy and the opening up of the country to investments, both local and foreign.

In the past, he noted local businesses have experienced frustration in accessing support and incentives and “we hope through this partnership this could be addressed. Considering the focus being placed on local content, we are keen to work with GO-Invest to ensure there is partnering of foreign investors with local businesses. Importantly too is the need to address the uneven playing field in the oil and gas sector where Guyanese businesses have not been able to fully benefit from the concessions and incentives that foreign companies are able to benefit from,” Nokta said, adding that this is a major area of concern the GMSA will be taking up with GOInvest so as to allow Guyanese businesses to compete in oil and

gas and not be displaced in other sectors.

Meanwhile, CEO of GO-Invest, Peter Ramsaroop at the engagement said that the MoU between the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) and the GMSA represents a substantial revitalised commitment to the support for the development of the manufacturing and services sectors.

“We have recognised that the year 2020 has been an extremely difficult one for the manufacturing and services sectors. GOInvest will continue to work to ensure the local Private Sector benefit from the oil and gas sectors and more so to promote and encourage joint venture opportunities between local and foreign investors.”

Additionally, he said that GOInvest will strive to diligently promote and market locally produced goods and services, and advocate for the equitable treatment for both local and foreign investors as is catered for under the laws of Guyana, adding that through the MoU, GO-Invest aims to collaborate with the GMSA to resolve bottlenecks and difficulties currently facing investors in the areas of trade and investment.

One of the first initiatives under the MoU, the release stated, is the convening of an investors’ forum between GO-Invest and GMSA early in the new year targeting Guyanese businesses across sectors. The purpose of the forum is to raise awareness of the incentives and investment support being offered by Government and to allow for discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing local businesses.

Mayor Dave Budhu (left) and Deputy Mayor Roydell Lewis

By Andrew Carmichael

A

new Mayor and Deputy were on Wednesday morning elected to serve Rose Hall Town, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) for the next year since, at the elections, the outgoing Mayor was not nominated to serve another term.

The new Mayor is 38-year-old Dave Budhu and the new Deputy Mayor is Roydell Lewis. The other towns in Region Six – New Amsterdam and Corriverton – have already held their elections and both Mayors and their Deputies were re-elected.

On Wednesday, outgoing Mayor of Rose Hall Town Chattergoon Ramnauth along with some other Councillors walked out of the meeting following the election.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, it was revealed that the municipality is in financial deficit. Councillor Vijay Kumar Ramu, who also once served as Mayor, expressed alarm at the news of the municipality being $8 million in debt, noting that two years ago he left a municipality which was prospering. He was also very critical of the Council’s solid waste management.

Meanwhile, the new Mayor said he wants to develop the entire town-

ship. He assured citizens that the Council will be working for them.

“We will try to address the solid waste. Right now it is getting out of hand. I will get to the drawing board with the Superintendent of Works.

We have to get some equipment in place. We had a good plan between 2016 and 2018, now that I am in the position, I want to guarantee the residents of the township that we will ensure that solid waste will not be a problem; or such a big problem any longer,” Budhu said.

He admitted that the town also has difficulties tackling its drainage and irrigation system which will be rectified over time.

“I ask the residents to bear with us and we will get the drainage rectified.”

Asked about plans in place to generate revenue now that it has been revealed that the Town Council is in debt, the newly appointed Mayor said those plans could not be disclosed at this point in time.

“We do understand that the Council is in a financial situation.

There are projects that we have in mind which will generate income.

However, I will not disclose those projects now, I have to discuss it with the Council first before [disclosing them],” the new Mayor told reporters.

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12 NEWS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Active COVID-19 cases decrease to 629 A

total of 6076 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in Guyana, after 34 new cases were recorded on Friday. However, active cases have dropped to 629.

The Health Ministry’s dashboard showed the death toll remaining at 159, the latest of which was a 56-yearold female from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) who died while receiving care at a medical facility on Thursday.

There are six persons in the Intensive Care Unit, 35 persons in institutional isolation, 588 in home isolation and 19 in institutional quarantine. As of present, 5288 patients have completely recovered.

Some 3143 males and 2933 females tested positive thus far while 35,367 individuals were tested for the novel coronavirus.

A breakdown showed that new cases were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Region Four

(Demerara-Mahaica), Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The cases in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remain at 298, 183 and 291 respectively.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony gave some insight on how contact tracing is conducted in Guyana after a person tests positive, noting that information is taken from all angles to determine who might be potentially infected.

“When somebody tests positive, what we want to determine is all the persons they would have been in contact with. So, we will interview them to get a sense of who have been close with you, who has been home with you, have you been working, who are your workmates, how do you travel from home to work,” the Minister shared during the COVID-19 update.

He shared that it is dif-

ficult to successfully trace a person’s whereabouts when information is withheld from health officials. For this, pos-

itive patients must remain truthful to protect others and prevent a larger spread.

“What we are trying to

do is establish how many infected persons this person may have been in contact with and for how long and whether or not during this period they were using their masks…All of that can have an impact on transmission…

If people withhold information from us, then it’s difficult for us to do such contact tracing.”

Contact tracing is shown to slow the spread of COVID-19 by identifying people that may have been exposed to the virus and monitoring their health for signs and symptoms.

This week, it was announced that the first set of COVID-19 vaccines acquired

by Guyana will be used to immunise frontline healthcare workers as the first batch is expected in 2021. This is approximately three per cent of the vaccines needed to immunise the population.

Guyana has been identified as one of the countries eligible for coverage under COVAX, a body of organisations including the World Health Organisation (WHO) that will ensure there is

equal access to and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines when it becomes available on the market. Some 20 per cent of Guyana’s vaccines will be distributed through this mechanism.

The holiday season is less than one week away and the Health Minister has already given his final warning on Friday, emphasising the need for people to keep their families safe by adhering to the guidelines.

Correction

In relation to the article published in Guyana Times on December 18, 2020, under the headline “RT-PCR test not accepted for travel purposes”; the Health Ministry has clarified that the “Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction test is the required gold standard testing”.

However, the Rapid Test PCR test would not be accepted, since it is an antigen test. The public should take note of these individual tests, since laboratories can refer to rapid tests as RTPCR. (G12)

Rewa Eco-Lodge, Wanderlust Adventures to join tourism reopening

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he Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) on Friday announced that Rewa Eco-Lodge and Wanderlust Adventures GY have received conditional approval, joining nine other businesses that can reopen following the national COVID-19 measures.

Rewa Eco-Lodge is located at the Rewa and Rupununi Rivers in the North Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

The GTA was listed as an essential service under the latest COVID-19-gazetted measures. This development

ensures the inspection team can easily access regions and locations that were previously inaccessible, in order to ensure that businesses are up and running again in a safe way.

Businesses that receive conditional approval are reminded to maintain the protocols as outlined by the Guyana Tourism Authority and the nationally gazetted measures.

Failure to adhere to these measures would result in the revocation of the conditional approval tied to the COVID-19 measures.

Proprietor of Wanderlust

Tours, Roslyn Sewcharran expressed her gratitude upon being granted conditional approval, as it is seen as the start to recovery from the pandemic.

“I cannot wait to assist in the recovery, rebuilding and bouncing back of tourism in Guyana,” she expressed.

The GTA, in its bid to continuously assist businesses to ensure that they are ready for a safe reopening, has ramped up its training and inspection initiatives throughout tourism-focused communities in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara),

Rewa Eco-Lodge, North Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)

Five (Demerara-Mahaica), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

There is a two-step process that all tourism businesses are expected to follow in order to receive their official approval for reopening.

It entails submission of the business’s written Standard Operating Procedures to the GTA for a desk review and on-site inspection to verify the implementation of the SOPs and approval by the GTA. Domestic and international travellers are recommended to use only approved tourism busi-

nesses to book and plan their tour activities. The others include Baganara Island Resort, Hurakabra River Resort, Rock View Lodge, Waikin Ranch, Elite Kayaking & Nature Tours, Atta Rainforest Lodge, Iwokrama River Lodge, Sloth Island Nature Resort and Arrowpoint Nature Resort.

Anyone who chooses to go on tour with a business that has not been assessed and approved by the GTA is putting themselves and their tour group at risk.

The GTA has indicated that lodges have shared that there is strong interest by

domestic travellers to venture out to experience nature, especially after being confined to their homes for several months.

Recognising the level of interest in travel, GTA Director Carla James has said that “as tourism businesses receive the conditional approval for reopening, the GTA will roll out a marketing campaign to drive the demand and bookings, so businesses that have been closed for more than eight months can start to generate revenue and re-employ staff who were affected by the pandemic and the lockdowns.” (G12)

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt examining concerns over COVID-19 cash grant distribution – President …2-tier system to be used for transparency

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday stated that Government will be examining the concerns of the public as it relates to the distribution of the COVID-19 cash grant, as the Office of the Auditor General continues to ensure the monies are properly disbursed.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Head of State said the Auditor General has already been requested to conduct an audit of the $25,000 per household cash grant and more so, to ascertain if any household did not receive the COVID-19 funds.

“This benefit is for every single qualifying household.

In some regions where the households got and there was a tenant, for example, the pink form was filled,” the President shared.

The President disclosed that he requested that the Finance Ministry, Human Services Ministry and the Auditor General examine the concerns that have been raised on social media and

by Opposition personnel with regards to persons not receiving the cash grants.

He further explained that a two-tier system has been implemented to ensure

President Irfaan Ali

enhanced transparency; the Auditor General will go back house to house, to ensure that the houses match the payments that were made.

After this, there will be another check of the pink slips to ensure that those are actual households.

“In that process, too, if there was any household that was missed, they can definitely contact the team,” he said.

The Head of State explained to the media that a number will also be published for members of the public to alert the relevant authorities if households were missed in the distribu-

tion process.

Last week, Auditor General Deodat Sharma told the media that the Finance Ministry had consultations with his office on the necessary protocols that must be followed. Since then, officers within the Audit Office have been dispatched to various regions where the payments are being made to monitor the exercise. He noted that anyone who was facing issues with receiving the grant could contact the Office to enable an immediate investigation.

“We are working with them. We are looking at procedures and witnessing some of the areas where these payments are made. I must say that if anybody has any issue that they’ve not been getting their $25,000, feel free to contact the Audit Office and we can further investigate in the present day,” Sharma was quoted as saying.

On September 7, President Ali had announced that every household would receive the cash grant to cushion the effects of the pandemic. Distribution began on September 29. Some $4.5 billion was set aside for the relief programme. (G12)

ERC told to “stand up” in the face of wrongdoings, injustice

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali has said that the Ethnic Relations Commission needs to take responsibility and to stand up in the face of wrongdoings, which the body failed to do following the March 2 General Elections.

The Head of State made this statement on Thursday while fielding questions on his Government’s non-participation in the ERC’s National Conversation which was held on December 14 and 15, under the theme “Understand.

Respect.

Unite: Bridging the Ethnic Divide”.

“The question, first of all, has to be understood in context… I think that the Government has made it very clear that one of the pressing issues we faced over the last five months was that of an elections,

File photo: Cash grant delivery officers being escorted by Police during one of their community distribution exercises

COVID-19 pandemic shutdown

Canada helping 3 Indigenous eco-lodges reopen

Caiman House Eco-lodge

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when democracy was under threat. Every single stakeholder in Guyana agrees that democracy was under threat, but ERC did not issue a single statement, the ERC went hiding,” the Head of State said.

The President lamented too on the lack of consultation with regards to the participants and the pre-

senters for the event. He noted that the courtesy of an invitation was not extended to the Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Gail Teixeira.

“How did you arrive at the names? …The same questions the Guyanese people are asking, how did they determine who made the presentation? How did they come up with the theme?

You can’t just pop up a name. There has to be some sort of consultation, some sort of dialogue… I am not shy about speaking about these matters.”

President Ali pointed to the fact that there were individuals involved in the discussion who were also part of the process to derail democracy.

He maintained that his Government is committed to governance through a consultative process.

he High Commission of Canada continues to support Indigenous communities in Guyana during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the launch of the project “Restarting Tourism: Establishing Health and Safety Protocols for Eco-Lodges to Resume Operations During COVID-19”.

This project will support Indigenous community-based eco-lodges to safely bring tourists back to their communities after a 9-month COVID-imposed hiatus and also provide best practices that can be useful to others within the sector.

In March 2020, the tourism industry in Guyana was brought to a standstill as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent closure of the airports. This severely affected Indigenous communities in Guyana’s tourism regions whose primary source of income is tourism.

With the recent announcement of approvals in Guyana to restart the industry, the “Restarting Tourism: Establishing Health and Safety Protocols for Eco-Lodges to Resume Operations during COVID-19” project was formulated to provide staff, villagers, transportation providers and tour operators

at the identified eco-lodges with the training needed to operate during COVID-19.

The project, which is being executed by Wilderness Explorers Guyana, will work with the Rewa, Surama and Caiman House Eco-lodges.

Training will include staff safety, guest safety, sanitation practices and emergency care, along with the transferring of knowledge for the community and other staff within their lodges and neighbouring lodges which is essential for long term success.

Training sessions will be done at the Atta Lodge, located in the Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve. The project will also work closely with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) and the Health Ministry to ensure that the lodges are locally and internationally COVIDcompliant and the protocols are sustainable for the sector. The training will be timely and beneficial to the communities to strengthen their position as viable eco-tourism service providers as more attention continues to be placed on the sector.

At the conclusion of the training, each participating lodge will receive a manual to take back to their communities to be used as a reference guide on health and

safety protocols. Each lodge will also receive cleaning and sanitisation supplies to support the implementation of sanitisation practices at their facilities.

At the High Commission, Charge d’affaires, Janine Cocker, said: “Canada is pleased to support this effort to ensure both safety and economic security of communities that have worked hard to build up their tourism industry.”

Project activities are scheduled to commence in early January and be completed by April 2021.

This project aligns with the Government of Canada’s support for economic resilience in vulnerable communities. The High Commission has worked with many Indigenous communities in the past to support economic development.

This includes a partnership to establish the Paramakatoi Food Processing Training and Research facility that produces Sundried Tomato Ketchup and Sundried Tomato Salad Dressings and supporting two farine factories in Wowetta and Moco Moco, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) to promote food security and enterprise development amongst women agro-processors.

NEWS

15

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mothers are leading perpetrators of child abuse — CPA finds F

ifty-one percent of child-abuse cases investigated by the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) between January and October 2020 were perpetrated by mothers, while fathers accounted for 26 percent of the recorded cases. Step-parents accounted for eight per cent and relatives accounted for six percent.

This is according to the Human Services Ministry, and was revealed during the CPA’s annual staff conference, which was held virtually under the theme, “We are in this together: working with children and families in the New Normal for 2021”.

This revelation comes days after an East Berbice (Region Six) mother was arrested and admitted to hitting her six-year-old daughter several times in the head with a piece of wood. The child was found in an unconscious state in a swampy area near her Goed Bananen Land home, and was hospitalised for several days. She has since

Head of CPA, Ann Greene

regained consciousness, but is still hospitalised.

Giving the countrywide statistics, the Ministry said that Region One (BarimaWaini) recorded the highest rate for all categories of child abuse, with 17.8 per 1000 children; followed

by Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) with 15.2 per 1000 children, and Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) with 15.1 per 1000 children.

Head of the CPA, Ann

Man on bail for statutory rape

til the hearing and determination of the Preliminary Inquiry.

Telford was also ordered by the court not to make contact with the 12-yearold virtual complainant.

The case will continue on January 7, 2021.

A

Rape accused: Triston Telford

21-year-old was on Friday released on $150,000 bail after he was charged with statutory rape. Triston Telford was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that between December 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018, at Georgetown, he engaged in sexual penetration with a girl under the age of 16.

He was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. As a condition for bail, Telford has to report to the Alberttown Police Station every Thursday un-

Greene, told the staff conference that while neglect was the highest form of abuse, followed by sexual abuse, there was a decrease in child abuse reports for January to October 2020, when compared to the corresponding period in previous years.

“The total child abuse reports for the period [Jan to Oct] was 2,761, as against 3,757 in 2019 and 4,368 in 2018. This represents a 26.5% decrease when compared to the previous year (2019), but this by no means signals a decrease in child abuse. It is more under-reporting due to children being more confined to the home environment,” Greene explained.

She added that already there are trends surfacing that highlight women and children are at greater risk of abuse and harm in the home at this time of the pandemic, when they are out of public view and in lockdown situations with abusers. “To think of a man setting fire to the house when his wife and two lovely young daughters are inside, and burning them alive. I have not yet wrapped my head around that…. Then to learn of the child that is fighting for her life in the hospital, after being lashed on the head and tossed in the swamp reportedly by her mother.

These are the latest of the number of horror stories that gripped our attention during the year,” Greene

said.

The Ministry’s statement on Friday noted that the CPA found the contributing factors for child abuse during COVID-19 were stress, anxiety, economic uncertainty, mental health, and addiction; and according to Greene, the Agency and the Ministry have recognised that increased services and assistance for children and families at the community level are needed, and those are going to be reflected in the work programme for 2021.

Meanwhile, the Agency’s social workers were applauded for their hard work despite the many challenges they face, including high caseloads. Describing them as the “unsung heroes” for children’s welfare, the Director pledged to “develop strategies to deal with these challenges”.

“Accordingly, we will be using new approaches to combat same in the new budget. We will be working towards reducing the caseloads by lobbying to get more key staff, by getting all the vacant positions filled, and by extending the Partnership Development Programme - getting more NGOs, CBOs, FBOs and other civil society groups and key service agencies to join forces with the Ministry, ensuring there is enough services and supports available to meet the psychosocial needs of vulnerable children and families,” she added.

CPA’s 2021 work programme

According to Greene, the CPA will be concentrating on providing assistance to families by increasing services and social network support systems at the

community level in 2021.

One such strategy to effect positive changes is a family-centered and strengthbased approach.

“This approach involves building positive partnerships with the family, and identifying their strengths and building on it. It is based on the idea that all families are different and there is no right way to do things; so (we will be) working in partnership with the family and assisting them in their culture patterns to make their own decisions,” Greene explained.

Also high on the CPA agenda is the prevention of separation of children, and to return children from children’s homes and orphanages to their families if they can; and if they cannot, then provide them with a family through the Adoption Service.

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Detention of 26 Haitians

Case touches on “very important” issues – CJ …to proceed with matter despite unknown whereabouts of Haitians

D

espite calls by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, for the dismissal of the case challenging the constitutionality of the detention of 26 Haitians, whose whereabouts are now unknown, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George on Friday said that she will go ahead and rule in the matter.

The Chief Justice underscored that the case touches on “very important” issues that need to be ventilated for future guidance and to prevent the possibility of a recurrence.

She has fixed January 27, 2021, for ruling and/or clarification.

Nandlall had requested for the case to be thrown out, arguing that it is now academic since the foreign nationals who were ordered deported, cannot be located. He told the court that the Haitians have illegally left the jurisdiction, which has now confirmed the suspicion of the authorities.

Also, he said Allandres Archer, the person who filed the constitutional proceedings on behalf of them, cannot be found.

According to the Attorney General, he has written to their lawyer, Darren Wade, requesting confirmation that his cli-

ents - 10 men, nine women and seven children - have left the jurisdiction or for him to present them before the court. Wade is yet to respond as he claimed he only received the letter 10 minutes before the start of Friday’s proceedings.

The lawyer requested an extension in time “to get all the evidence together” since the time given to respond was too short. “No, the time could not be short because you considered this a situation or a case that required some urgency and that is why I fixed the timelines that I did,” Justice George said in upbraiding Wade.

The lawyer is seeking several declarations, including one that his clients’ constitutional rights were violated as they were kept in custody beyond the 72 hours without an extension from the High Court.

He is also seeking another declaration that his clients' rights to liberty were violated when they were unlawfully detained by the State pending deportation at the Hugo Chavez Rehabilitation Centre.

But the Chief Justice asked Wade, “How can the court make declarations for persons who are no longer within the jurisdiction of

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George

the court? The entire basis of your application is founded on whether the deportation orders should have been granted or not.”

Future guidance

“These are some important questions that have to be answered to my mind in the context of this case for the future guidance because we don’t want this to be happening again… If somebody is a prohibited immigrant, they are a prohibited immigrant. But the question is the procedures have to be followed…,” Justice George said while noting that the issues are not “necessarily academic.”

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

According to her, after perusing the submission filed by the State, many questions are still unanswered. For one, she said that the State submitted that while at the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters, it was ascertained that the address the Haitian nationals had given to immigration officers was incorrect.

“I am trying to understand that at what point were the subjects [Haitians] no longer considered to be victims of trafficking. And at what point it was determined that they were prohibited immigrants and were they advised and told

of that fact?” she asked the Attorney General.

The State is contending that the Haitian nationals are prohibited immigrants pursuant to Article 47 of the Constitution and that Wade seeking to invoke the fundamental right provision is flawed since Haitians are not considered Commonwealth citizens under this provision.

According to the Attorney General, Article 47 only applies to citizens of Guyana, the Commonwealth, and other countries listed therein. Haiti, he said, is not included among those territories, which makes them aliens.

The State is further contending that the foreign nationals were victims of human trafficking. But according to the Chief Justice, there is no evidence that the State provided them with certain support and intervention as prescribed in the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act. According to Justice George, the State produced evidence that Archer was associated with one of the addresses provided by the Haitians, and from his application, it appears that he made all the arrange-

ments for them to come to Guyana. In this regard, she pointed out that it is a relevant issue whether the Haitians should have been given a right to be heard before the deportation order was granted.

Justice George said that under Section 16 of the Immigration Act, an immigration officer is permitted to do certain things if they consider somebody as a prohibited immigrant. “They can turn them back, or give them a certain amount of time to leave the country and they have a right to appeal…cause them to be arrested and taken before a Magistrate.”

The Attorney General has indicated to the court that all its questions regarding the Haitian nationals will be answered in written submissions which will be laid over by January 15, 2021.

It was on December 1, 2020, that Principle Magistrate Sherdel Issace Marcus issued the deportation order against the Haitians for their violation of Guyana’s immigration laws. Two days later, the Chief Justice granted a conservatory order suspending the deportation order until the court rules in the matter.

SYMPTOMS

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF? Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

Fever People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice. They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.

If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people.

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

Muscle pain

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have New loss of taste mild illness. or smell

NEWS

17

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Appeal Court orders retrial for accused in Plaisance bus driver’s murder

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he Guyana Court of Appeal on Friday ordered a retrial for 35-year-old Orin Jerrick, who had been convicted and sentenced to 28 years’ imprisonment for the unlawful killing of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara minibus driver Gavin Fiffee.

Jerrick was initially charged with murdering the 31-year-old father of two on July 13, 2014. Following a trial in 2016 before Justice Navindra Singh, he was found guilty of the lesser count of manslaughter by a jury.

Media reports are that on July 31, 2014, Jerrick stabbed Fiffee at the Plaisance minibus park, Georgetown. It was reported that on the day in question, Fiffee was loading his minibus when Jerrick began urinating on the wheel. As a result, the now dead man confronted him and an argument ensued. During the ordeal, Jerrick pulled out a knife and stabbed the man to the upper right chest.

An injured Fiffee was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation by public-spirited citizens but succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention. A few days later, Jerrick surrendered to the police. Dissatisfied with the

ruling of the High Court, Jerrick mounted an appeal against his conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal.

Claiming several errors in law were made by the trial Judge, Jerrick, through his lawyer Nigel Hughes, contended that his conviction was unsafe and should be set aside. Deliberating on the matter were Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards and Justices of Appeal Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory.

In delivering the ruling of the Court, the Chancellor upheld Hughes’ contention that the trial Judge misdirected the jury on the issue of self-defence. Deeming this ground of appeal as having

merit, the Chancellor said: “to our mind, this issue was not adequately dealt with, it was insufficient.”

While the Judge guided the jury on the law about self-defence, the Appeal Court pointed out that the Judge still went wrong in his summation.

“But where the trial Judge went wrong, it would appear to us in his summation to the jury the trial judge put it over in such a way that it was the deceased person who would have had to had the benefit of self-defence rather than the accused person.”

According to her, the statement given to the police by Jerrick and his testimony in his defence both raised the issue of self-defence. But according to the Chancellor, both statements were not addressed by the trial Judge.

It was noted by the Chancellor that when considering the issue of self-defence, the trial Judge did not say to the jury what they should have done if the issue of self-defence arose in the circumstances and how they must treat with the issue of doubt. Noting that no burden is placed on Jerrick by law to prove that he acted in self-defence, the Chancellor pointed out that

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

their congregants coming to church and getting infected. So, we all need to abide by these guidelines; and once we do so, we all will be safe.”

When the fourth phase of Guyana’s reopening started in August, places of worship were allowed to restart in-person worship, prayers, weddings and funerals with strict guidelines. Attendance was restricted to 25 per cent of the building capacity, and in the case of multiple services, the sanctuary had to be cleaned and sani-

nomination of Christianity, they may have similar arrangements in place; but, again, we want to urge people to take these precautions seriously,” the minister is quoted as saying in a Department of Public Information release.

He added: “I don’t think anybody would like to have

tised before and after every assembly. Each gathering was also limited to 45 minutes’ duration, and congregants had to be outfitted with masks and avoid handshaking and other forms of physical contact.

These guidelines remain in place.

Orin Jerrick

Dead: Gavin Fiffee

it is for the prosecution to prove that he was not acting in self-defence in the circumstances.

“We [Appeal Court] are of the view that the trial Judge did not properly put

Jerrick’s defence of self-defence and he was thereby robbed of the benefit of that defence,” Justice Cummings Edwards held.

The Chancellor said that in his unsworn statement Jerrick said, “I am innocent of this. I rely on the statement that I give to the police. I was in Georgetown at the car park at Avenue of the Republic when I went to the back of the bus by the back wheel to urinate.

As I stood there, the driver of the bus and several others armed themselves with knives and cutlasses and came and attack me, firing chops and trying to bore me while snatching my gold chain weighing 101 pennyweights. All I did was tried to defend myself by trying

GTT supports AmCham’s annual Christmas Drive

Curfew must be observed for Christmas church services

M

embers of the Christian community are being urged to take extra precautions when attending church services this Christmas season.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has said that, in addition to obeying the COVID-19 precautionary measures at all times, churches must also observe the 22:30h curfew.

“Our guidelines are very clear; and that is: we have a curfew that starts from 10:30 in the night, and therefore persons who are normally accustomed to having mass later on, they’ll have to adjust to these guidelines,” he said during Thursday’s COVID-19 update.

Anthony said that, for Catholic churches, the Vatican has provided special guidelines for services and meetings. Other denominations may consider similar alternative arrangements.

“Like, on Christmas Day, instead of having maybe one mass, they are now permitting that you can do more than one mass with smaller gatherings of people, so that everybody who was desirous of going to church can do so in a safe environment.

And I guess for other de-

to block some of the chops.

As a result, I received several chops to my hands, face, neck. I was unarmed at the time.”

In examining this unsworn statement, the Chancellor stated, “Nowhere in the summing up did the trial Judge discuss this statement.”

According to her, the trial Judge was duty-bound to explain and analyse this statement for the jury’s benefit since it formed part and parcel of Jerrick’s case.

As a consequence, the Court, in allowing the appeal, set aside the conviction for manslaughter and ordered that Jerrick be retried for murder at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

Business Lead - Hilton Wong presents AmCham representative Sarah Shaffie with GTT’s donation to AmCham’s Christmas Drive

T

he Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) has provided support to the annual Christmas Drive led by the American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AmCham), to the benefit of seven orphanages across the country this year.

Chief Executive Officer at GTT, Justin Nedd, who serves as Chamber Vice President, commended the Chamber body for its initiative - since it will add cheer and meet the needs of many vulnerable children.

“Christmas is a season of giving. I am heartened to know that this Drive will not only touch the lives of children in one orphanage but several orphanages; this year, more than ever, we need to band together to actively tackle our societal needs,” Nedd stated.

“This year the Chamber is not just supplying toys, its members are also meeting some of the daily needs of the children and that is truly commendable; it is

without hesitation that we contributed to this special effort,” he added. GTT is an active member of AmCham Guyana.

President of AmCham Guyana, Zulfikar Ally extended gratitude to GTT

for its generous donation. “I wish to thank GTT for providing personal care items and gifts for AmCham Guyana’s children Christmas Gift Drive.

It shows the Company’s continued commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility activities in Guyana and we look forward to continue working with GTT to give back to Guyanese especially those who are in need. A heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for the holidays to the GTT family,” he said.

The AmCham team along with other donors will commence the Christmas Drive this week. The orphanages include the St Joseph Bosco Orphanage, Shaheed Orphanage, Camal Home, Bal Nivas and Canaan Full Gospel Children’s Home, A Sanctuary Children’s Home and Hauraruni Girls Home.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

Regional

US issues fresh Venezuela- PM vows not to vote at OAS related sanctions over until Guaidó rep goes alleged fraudulent elections

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he United States on Friday imposed sanctions on two people and a company it says played a role in fraudulent elections in Venezuela, keeping up the pressure on socialist President Nicolas Maduro even as US President Donald Trump’s term nears a close.

The US Treasury Department said it blacklisted Venezuelan biometric technology company ExCle Soluciones Biometricas CA, which it said provided goods and services used by the Maduro Government to hold parliamentary elections earlier this month.

The United States, the European Union and

more than a dozen Latin American countries said last week they would not recognise the results of a parliamentary election in Venezuela on Dec 6, which saw allies of Maduro win a majority.

“The illegitimate Maduro regime’s efforts to steal elections in Venezuela show its disregard for the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement on Friday.

Also targeted were two individuals the Treasury said acted for or on behalf of Ex-Cle Soluciones Biometricas CA, targeting dual Argentine and

Italian national Guillermo Carlos San Agustin and Venezuelan Marcos Javier Machado Requena.

The move freezes any US assets of the company and people and generally bars Americans from dealing with them.

The Trump Administration has waged a campaign of sanctions and diplomatic measures in an effort to oust Maduro, whose 2018 re-election was considered a sham by most Western countries.

Maduro has accused the United States of trying to overthrow him to gain control over Venezuela’s oil resources. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T

Venezuela Opposition Leader Juan Guaido

rinidad and Tobago will not participate in voting during any matter of the Organisation of American States (OAS) until it reinstates a representative from Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro’s regime and removes the representative of his political challenger Juan Guaidó.

“We go to the meetings but we not voting on any resolutions or supporting any resolutions where the people who are sitting there representing countries are not proper,” Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said on the

issue on Thursday.

Rowley made this clear while addressing the media during the post-Cabinet press briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, as he declared his displeasure at OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro’s statements on recent incidents involving Venezuelan migrants in relation to T&T. Rowley said Almagro was a public servant and should not allow his personal opinion to become the position of the OAS. He replayed a clip for the media from back in 2017, when he

had returned from a meeting in Chile, where he had called for Almagro’s removal over his stance on the Venezuela political situation.

“The head of the OAS has no right engaging in derogatory conversation with the Head of any Government anywhere in the region,” Rowley said.

“Today is Venezuela, tomorrow is T&T. We are a member, but we are not a sheep.”

The Prime Minister will soon sit as Chairman of Caricom in January but said that he did not need the joint strength of the other regional members to stand against the current OAS leadership Rowley said while this country’s highest court had deemed Maduro to be President by virtue of that ruling, the Opposition had kept pushing the dialogue that he (Rowley) was supporting Maduro although he was not legitimate. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Gas, marbles and lead pellets: Peru protest deaths turn spotlight on Police violence UWI, Trinidad researchers begin

R

uben Guevara was marching in teargas-filled streets in Lima in November when he was hit in the face by what felt like a gas canister, severely damaging his right retina.

“We were protecting people who had already fallen to the ground and Police kept moving forward and shooting straight at us,” said Guevara, 32, a father of two.

Guevara was one of millions of Peruvians who marched against interim President Manuel Merino last month. After just five days in power, and faced by intense protests in Lima that led to the deaths of two demonstrators and some 200 injuries, Merino resigned.

The reaction by Police to the protests in the capital has ignited a debate about Police brutality, which human rights advocates say has historically been more common in the country’s interior, where low-income Peruvians have a harder time demanding accountability.

At least 20 demonstrators were shot with lead pellets

coronavirus genome sequencing project

A

Demonstrators clash with Police during protests that led to the resignation of Peru’s interim President Manuel Merino, in Lima, Peru November 12, 2020. Picture taken November 12, 2020

or glass marbles during the Lima protests, according to medical records, interviews and information compiled by the local Human Rights Coordinator. On Thursday, Human Rights Watch said there was “credible and solid” evidence that such ammunition had been used by the Police.

At least half a dozen of those injured were hospitalised for over three weeks. A third person died in protests in northern Peru earlier this month.

Jorge Vasquez, a pathologist in Lima who examined the body of one of those killed in the protests, as well as victims of a deadly nightclub stampede in August that was sparked by a police raid, said the number of deaths he was seeing as a result of Police actions had increased this year.

Police in Lima had caused “deaths that didn’t need to happen,” he said, adding that in his opinion police were “getting out of control.”

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Mexico records lowest number of murders in nearly 3 years

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exico recorded the lowest number of murders in the month of November in nearly three years, Mexican officials announced on Friday, but 2020 could still narrowly surpass last year’s unprecedented number of murders nationwide.

Acting Security

Secretary Ricardo Mejia said November registered 2670 murders, the lowest monthly figure since President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office.

The November figure is the lowest monthly total since February 2018, when 2445 murders were recorded.

Mejia said the mur-

ders last month were concentrated in six states: Guanajuato, Baja California, Chihuahua, Jalisco, Michoacan, and the state of Mexico.

Despite the monthly drop, for the full year, Mexico may yet narrowly surpass the 34,670 murders recorded in 2019.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

team of researchers from the St Augustine campus of The University of the West Indies (UWI), has embarked on a project to analyse coronavirus genomes from infected individuals.

The exercise will enhance the capacity to identify different lineages of the virus and monitor mutations in order to track the virus’ spread, distinguish between local and newly imported cases, and to better understand the virus and our immune system’s response to it.

“The important thing,” said project lead Christine Carrington, a professor of molecular genetics and virology at The UWI St Augustine’s

Faculty of Medical Sciences, “is that whole genome sequencing of the virus can provide epidemiological insights that can inform public health responses. The nanopore sequencing technology we are using is very rapid. The data is available in real-time, so the insights gained are actionable.”

Titled COVID-19: Infectious disease Molecular Epidemiology for Pathogen Control and Tracking (COVID-19: IMPACT), the project involves extracting and sequencing genomes of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) from patient samples.

Genomes are the “hereditary blueprint” of all liv-

ing organisms, including viruses, written on a strand of ribonucleic acid (RNA) in so-called RNA viruses like SAR-COV-2. RNA viruses frequently undergo mutation and by tracking these changes scientists are able to gather important data about diseases and their spread.

This project which is funded by a grant from the UWI-Trinidad and Tobago Research, Development and Impact (RDI) Fund can make an important contribution to the national COVID-19 response as Trinidad and Tobago seeks to balance public health with the need to boost economic activity. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

PAHO urges support for Caricom for “front of package” warnings against unhealthy food

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he Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has called for support for the Caricom Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) proposal to put front-of-package nutritional warnings on food products, which have been shown to help people make healthier dietary choices.

The labelling allows consumers to correctly, quickly, and easily identify foods that are excessive in fats, sugar, and sodium (salt) – all of which are linked to noncommunicable diseases such as

heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

The CROSQ proposal, which is under review

by Caricom member states, suggests adopting front-ofpackage labelling that meets PAHO thresholds for excessive fats, sugars, and sodium.

“People living in the Caribbean still do not have access to simple and easily understood information about whether food products contain excessive and potentially harmful amounts of sugars, sodium or fats,” said Anselm Hennis, Director

of PAHO’s Department of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health.

“The need to know about these food products is even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, as persons with NCDs are at greater risk of becoming severely ill or dying from COVID-19.”

“In the Caribbean, about one-third of the population is at such a risk,” he continued.

“They must be extra careful to avoid products excessive in sugars, sodium, saturated fats, trans fats or total fats.” (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

19

Around the World WHO investigators heading to China in early January Oil at 9-month high to probe virus

OILNEWS OIL NEWS

above $52 as vaccine rollout continues

O

il hit a nine-month high on Friday and was headed for a seventh straight weekly gain as investors focused on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and looked past rising coronavirus cases across the world.

Pfizer has applied for approval in Japan for its vaccine, which is being used in the United Kingdom and the United States. US Vice President Mike Pence said US approval for Moderna’s shot could come later on Friday.

Brent crude was up 59 cents, or 1.2 per cent, at US$52.09 at 1:37 EDT (1737 GMT) after touching US$52.25, its highest since March. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up 61 cents at US$48.97 after reaching US$49.18, its highest since February.

“Oil prices are very healthy under the circumstances,” said Bjornar Tonhaugen of Rystad Energy. “Market euphoria has not stopped really.”

US lawmakers are trying to agree on a coronavirus relief package but a new potential roadblock emerged as some Senate Republicans insisted on language ensuring that expiring Federal Reserve lending programmes cannot be revived.

“We see further expansion in risk appetite that will likely be driven by a possible US stimulus agreement and a continued flow of favourable news regarding coronavirus vaccines,” said Jim Riterbusch, President of Ritterbusch and Associates in Galena, Illinois.

Even so, surging virus case numbers in major economies and new movement restrictions in Europe are impacting the immediate prospects for oil demand. The number of US cases rose by at least 239,018 on Thursday.

Oil gained support this week from weekly US supply data showing crude inventories fell by 3.1 million barrels, more than expected.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, known as OPEC+, are supporting the market by slowing the pace of a planned increase in supplies next year.

OPEC+ plans to add 500,000 barrels per day of supply in January and will meet in early January to decide on next steps. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A logo is pictured outside a building of the World Health Organization (WHO) during an executive board meeting on update on the coronavirus outbreak, in Geneva, Switzerland, February 6, 2020

W

orld Health Organisation (WHO) officials said on Friday an international team led by the UN agency would be going to China in the first week of January to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mike Ryan, WHO’s top emergency expert, said international experts would go to the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the first cases of COVID-19 were detected last December.

“We still don’t have a takeoff date because we are working on the logistics around visas and flights. We do expect the team to be going there in the first week of January.

There will be quarantine arrangements,” Ryan told a

news conference.

“The team will visit Wuhan, that’s the purpose of the mission. The point of the mission is to go to the original point at which human cases were detected. They’ll fully expect to do that,” he added.

WHO officials also said that three-quarters of cases were occurring in the Americas, and thanked Canada for committing to donate vaccine doses to other countries.

Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead on COVID-19, said the agency was in touch with South African researchers who identified a new variant of the SARS-CoV2 virus.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Yemen's President, separatists announce Many killed in blast at new power-sharing central Afghanistan Government religious gathering T

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n explosion at a religious gathering in central Afghanistan has killed at least 15 civilians and wounded 20 others, the country’s Interior Ministry said, adding that children may be among the victims.

Those killed and wounded were attending a Quran recitation ceremony on Friday.

Initial information suggested that explosives were placed in a motorised rickshaw in a district of central Ghazni province, Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said.

According to the Ministry, the explosion occurred at 2 pm local time [09:30 GMT].

Provincial governor spokesman Wahidullah Jumazada said initial in-

vestigations suggested the blast occurred when children gathered around a man who was riding the motorcycle and selling items. Jumazada said the Quran recitation ceremony was nearby.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the incident.

Ghazni is among the most volatile provinces in Afghanistan. Taliban militants control half of the districts in the province and most of the remaining districts are contested.

Violence in Afghanistan has spiked in recent months even as the Taliban and Afghan Government negotiators meet in Qatar to hammer out a peace deal that could put an end to decades of war. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

he Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen announced on Friday a new power-sharing Cabinet that would include southern separatists in the internationally-recognised Government, part of a deal to end a power struggle between the nominal allies.

The Government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, based in the southern port of Aden, and the separatists are allies within the coalition, which has been at war against the Iran-aligned Houthis that have controlled the capital Sanaa since 2014.

However, the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) declared selfrule in Aden earlier this year, and the two sides have been fighting in the south, complicating UN efforts to forge a permanent ceasefire in the overall conflict.

Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik was reappointed to Head the new Cabinet,

which includes five Ministers from Yemen’s biggest political blocs, including the STC and Islah party, a statement from Hadi’s office said.

The new Government followed two weeks of separation of forces and redeployment of troops in the south that would see their return to battlefronts with the Houthis in the north and to outside Aden, the heavily disputed port city.

The clashes within the anti-Houthi camp were one factor holding up United Nations efforts to negotiate a nationwide ceasefire to pave the way for a resumption of political negotiations, last held in December 2018, to end the wider war.

The conflict, widely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has killed more than 100,000 people and caused what the United Nations says is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US fraternities busted for “largescale” drug ring

U

S prosecutors have charged 21 people, including current and former university students, with operating a cross-country drug ring within fraternities.

Officials in North Carolina alleged that the fraternities, which are male student social clubs, trafficked huge quantities of drugs from California.

The group allegedly used encrypted apps to funnel over US$1.5 million (£1.1 million) in profit.

"This is not the situation where you have single users, where you have a 19-yearold sipping a beer or you have someone who is taking a puff of a joint on the back porch of a frat house," said US Attorney Matthew GT Martin at a news conference on Thursday.

"These are 21 hardened drug dealers."

Those arrested range in age from 21 to 35, prosecutors said. At least 11 of them had enrolled in North

Carolina universities including Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Appalachian State University. Seven have already pleaded guilty to some of the charges.

Officials say many of the drug deals were conducted behind closed doors in fraternity houses - "frat houses" - and involved the sale of cannabis, cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, mushrooms, steroids, human growth hormones and other street drugs.

Among the charges they face are conspiracy to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to distribute marijuana and distribution of a controlled substance within 1000 feet (305m) of a public or private college or university.

The investigation began in 2018, with prosecutors later finding that drug sales were being conducted within the Gamma Delta, Kappa Sigma and Beta Theta Pi fraternity groups. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Pakistan alleges India preparing for “surgical strike”

The two countries frequently accuse each other of sponsoring armed groups or planning attacks against the other

P

akistan’s Government has alleged that India is preparing to launch a “surgical [military] strike” on Pakistani soil and has called for the international community to help de-escalate the situation between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Speaking to the press in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi on Friday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi warned that Pakistan would retaliate if attacked.

“I have learned through our intelligence sources and they have picked up this information that India is planning a surgical strike against Pakistan,” said Qureshi.

“This is a serious development and I also have knowledge that they have tried to seek tacit approval from important players who they consider to be their partners.”

The two countries have fought three full-scale wars since gaining independence

from the British in 1947, with tensions remaining high in the relationship in the intervening periods.

Both have been on a high state of military alert since a standoff in February 2019 that saw India bomb territory just inside Pakistan’s borders and Pakistan shoot down an Indian fighter jet.

Pakistan later returned the pilot of the downed fighter aircraft, helping to reduce the immediate tensions.

Foreign Minister Qureshi warned that Pakistan would strike back at India “a notch above” if attacked.

India’s government did not offer any immediate comment on the allegations.

Pakistan’s national security adviser Moeed Yusuf said Pakistan had obtained “very specific and reliable intelligence” of the Indian plans to launch strikes.

The two countries frequently accuse each other of sponsoring armed groups or planning attacks against the other. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Stick to the script, and expect the same in return.

Honesty will be essential if you plan to get things done.

A contract, joint venture or move will pay off if you go through the proper channels.

A promise may be difTAURUS ficult to collect. Don’t let (April 20your emotions take charge May 20) if uncertainty regarding your position or status arises. Do something to ease stress.

DILBERT

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PEANUTS

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CALVIN AND HOBBES

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SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

The information you receive will be misleading. Ask questions, get what you want in writing and don’t be afraid to walk away. Evaluate a joint venture with rigor and a clear head.

There are deals to consider and money to be made. An innovative plan will pay off, and a chance to make a professional move is apparent. Take on a project that requires creative thinking.

Don’t rely on others to do things for you. If you take an energetic approach, you’ll reach your goal in record time. Celebrate your victory with a loved one.

It will be challenging to know what to do based on the information you receive.

Don’t give in to someone trying to push you in a questionable direction. Walk away if something doesn’t feel right.

Tackle unfinished tasks and get them out of the way before someone complains. Put your energy to work, and structure your day to ensure that you reach your goal.

Be realistic about your plans and how you implement them. Look for innovative ways to interest people who have something worthwhile to contribute. A change to the dynamics of a relationship will prove eventful.

A change at home will require transparency if you want it to unfold without a hitch. Don’t keep secrets or be hesitant to question someone aloof or vague.

Romance is favored.

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Take a passionate approach to whatever you do.

Refuse to let anyone get you down or stand in your way.

Anger will be a waste of time, so channel your energy into something that counts.

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Slow down, take a break and catch your breath. Give yourself time to think about your priorities. Change is worthwhile only if it brings you joy and peace of mind.

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Heightened emotions will cause uncertainty. Consider your options, and if nothing looks good, take a pass and wait for something better to come along. Don’t make a move for the wrong reason.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

India v Australia: 1st Test

21

Soccer union survey shows…

wish to Ashwin’s four-for helps Players continue taking a knee, despite fans booing India gain healthy lead

A

valiant, unbeaten 73 from skipper Tim Paine was not enough for Australia to prevent conceding a lead for the first time in a day-night Test.

That India finished 53 ahead was thanks to a collective bowling effort led

by R Ashwin’s four-wicket haul.

Australia staged a fightback, with Paine stitching together important stands with the lower order, which saw Australia move from 111/7 at one stage to 191 all out. The skipper first started to counter-attack with the help of Mitchell Starc (16), before taking on the lead role. Driving, sweeping and reverse-sweeping his way to a quick 50, Paine provided the right response to Australia’s predicament,

despite the inherent risk it carried.

Australia benefited through dropped chances that were a consistent feature throughout the innings, but did not manage to nullify the advantage Ashwin

SCOREBOARD INDIA 1st Innings Prithvi Shaw b Starc 0 Mayank Agarwal b Cummins 17 Cheteshwar Pujara c Labuschagne b Lyon 43 Virat Kohli (c) run out (Hazlewood/Lyon) 74 Ajinkya Rahane lbw b Starc 42 Hanuma Vihari lbw b Hazlewood 16 Wriddhiman Saha † c †Paine b Starc 9 Ravichandran Ashwin c †Paine b Cummins 15 Umesh Yadav c Wade b Starc 6 Jasprit Bumrah not out 4 Mohammed Shami c Head b Cummins 0 Extras (b 2, lb 8, nb 7, w 1) 18 TOTAL (93.1 Ov, RR: 2.62) 244 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Prithvi Shaw, 0.2 ov), 2-32 (Mayank Agarwal, 18.1 ov), 3-100 (Cheteshwar Pujara, 49.4 ov), 4-188 (Virat Kohli, 76.6 ov), 5-196 (Ajinkya Rahane, 80.4 ov), 6-206 (Hanuma Vihari, 83.2 ov), 7-233 (Ravichandran Ashwin, 89.3 ov), 8-235 (Wriddhiman Saha, 90.3 ov), 9-240 (Umesh Yadav, 92.2 ov), 10-244 (Mohammed Shami, 93.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mitchell Starc 21-5-53-4 Josh Hazlewood 20-6-47-1 Pat Cummins 21.1-7 -48-3 Cameron Green 9-2-15-0 Nathan Lyon 21-2-68-1 Marnus Labuschagne 1-0-3-0 AUSTRALIA 1ST INNINGS Matthew Wade lbw b Bumrah 8 Joe Burns lbw b Bumrah 8 Marnus Labuschagne lbw b Yadav 47 Steven Smith c Rahane

b Ashwin 1 Travis Head c & b Ashwin 7 Cameron Green c Kohli b Ashwin 11 Tim Paine (c)† not out 73 Pat Cummins c Rahane b Yadav 0 Mitchell Starc run out (Shaw/†Saha) 15 Nathan Lyon c Kohli b Ashwin 10 Josh Hazlewood c Pujara b Yadav 8 Extras (lb 3) 3 TOTAL (72.1 Ov, RR: 2.64) 191 Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Matthew Wade, 14.1 ov), 2-29 (Joe Burns, 16.6 ov), 3-45 (Steven Smith, 26.6 ov), 4-65 (Travis Head, 34.4 ov), 5-79 (Cameron Green, 40.3 ov), 6-111 (Marnus Labuschagne, 53.3 ov), 7-111 (Pat Cummins, 53.6 ov), 8-139 (Mitchell Starc, 60.1 ov), 9-167 (Nathan Lyon, 66.5 ov), 10-191 (Josh Hazlewood, 72.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Umesh Yadav 16.1-5-40-3 Jasprit Bumrah 21-7-52-2 Mohammed Shami 1-4-41-0 Ravichandran Ashwin 18-3-55-4 INDIA 2ND INNINGS Prithvi Shaw b Cummins 4 Mayank Agarwal not out 5 Jasprit Bumrah not out 0 TOTAL (6 Ov, RR: 1.50) 9/1 Yet to bat: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha †, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Prithvi Shaw, 3.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mitchell Starc 3-1-3-0 Pat Cummins 3-2-6-1

had given India earlier.

Ashwin’s rhythm was set in his first over of the series when he had Steve Smith nicking to slip against a quicker, straighter one.

After a mighty sprint in celebration, Ashwin settled down to produce a top-class spell. He had Travis Head beaten in flight to have him caught and bowled, and then troubled debutant Cameron Green throughout his 24ball stay, before a Virat Kohli stunner at mid-wicket gave Ashwin his third wicket of the innings.

While Marnus Labuschagne rode his luck, having been dropped twice over the course of his 46, he found little support from the other end. The luck finally ran out in the final session when Umesh Yadav trapped him LBW with one that kept low. Yadav raised India’s hand again by getting Pat Cummins caught off a snorter in the same over, before Paine managed to land a few counter- punches.

Earlier, India had managed to land some counter-punches themselves after starting the day in timid fashion, being bowled out in just 25 balls. Umesh Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah started with consistent lines outside off that enabled four maiden overs on the trot against Australia’s new-look opening pair of Joe Burns and Matthew Wade.

Both batsmen countered the lines with discipline, leaving the ball alone, although India went a touch too wide and short at times.

With the opening stand looking steady, Australia looked set to take control of the opening session, but Jasprit Bumrah, in his second spell, corrected his lines by attacking the stumps more often.

It resulted in both openers being trapped LBW, with

DRS decisions supporting the umpire’s call on both occasions.

These blows helped offset Australia’s advantage in the first session, wherein they picked up the last four Indian wickets for just 11 runs. R Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha were looked upon by their team to extend their stand and get India close to 300.

However, Ashwin fell first, nicking Pat Cummins’s away-going delivery in the first over of the day without adding to his overnight score. Saha, off the first ball he faced in the day, chased a wide one from Mitchell Starc to nick behind as well, thus kickstarting the collapse.

A wildly swinging Umesh and less than comfortable Shami provided no resistance in the first innings.

However, India ended the day in stark contrast, with nightwatchman Jasprit Bumrah seeing out eleven balls and remaining unbeaten, after Prithvi Shaw was bowled for the second time in the match, to ensure that India’s advantage did not get dented any further.

(Cricbuzz)

E

nglish soccer players are “overwhelmingly in support” of continuing to take a knee as an act of solidarity against racial inequality, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) said on Friday.

The players’ union consulted members on whether they wanted to continue taking a knee after a series of incidents in which fans booed the gesture; and the union wanted to know how the leagues, clubs and players could best express the anti-discriminatory message. The result of the survey showed the players “support continuing this act of solidarity, despite any adverse responses that may be received”.

A number of Millwall, Colchester United and

Cambridge United fans had booed their players taking a knee before kickoff in the past two weeks, and the union said there had been a lack of leadership for the English Football League (EFL) players, who have been left in a “difficult position” following the recent negative crowd reaction at several matches.

PFA equalities executive Jason Lee said the initiative had been player-led from the outset. “The purpose of the discussions and survey was to make sure that we were continuing to represent what the players wanted on this issue,” he said. “We can now take this position forward with authority when in dialogue with media, clubs and the EFL.” (Reuters)

Rashford hits double

– as Man United defeat Sheffield United in Premier League game

M

anchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was frustrated by his side's "sloppy start", but praised their "brilliant football" as they moved to sixth in the Premier League with a comeback victory over bottom club Sheffield United.

Marcus Rashford's double ensured the visitors maintained their perfect away record in the Premier League this season, but it came after a horrific start and a late scare.

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson, playing against his former club, gifted the Blades an opener after five minutes

when forward Oliver Burke blocked his clearance, allowing David McGoldrick to tap in.

John Fleck missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0, and it proved costly, as Solskjaer's side dominated for much of the match against the winless Blades.

Rashford equalised after 26 minutes, his powerful strike from Victor Lindelof's through ball giving Aaron Ramsdale no chance; and Anthony Martial ended his 491-minute goal drought by collecting Paul Pogba's pass and beating Ramsdale at the second attempt.

Then Rashford appeared to have made things

comfortable nine minutes after the break by shooting under the diving Ramsdale following a swift counter attack.

But there was late concern when McGoldrick headed in from a corner for the hosts with three minutes left, and Henderson then saved Lys Mousset's shot.

"We played some brilliant football between their first goal and their second goal,” said Solskjaer. “The end was a bit too uncomfortable for my liking. We never make it easy for ourselves. The start was sloppy and slow, and I'm surprised by this, because we showed them videos and it happened again. It was a test for Dean after making a mistake like this, but he passed with flying colours."

Victory moves Manchester United to within a point of fourth-placed Leicester City, while Chris Wilder's Blades have made the worst start to a season in top-flight history after 13 games, and remain nine points from safety.

(Adapted from BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

DCB U-19 Inter-association...

Test debut half-century “unreal”, CLASSIFIED ADS FOR SALE says Joshua Da Silva

Georgetown emerge champions as rain – but vows the journey has just begun cancels final round J

H

aving recorded comfortable wins in two rounds of the Demerara Cricket Board Under-19 InterAssociation cricket tournament, Georgetown emerged champions of the competition after the third and final round matches were abandoned due to persistent rainfall.

The final round of matches would have featured Georgetown opposing East Bank at Everest, and East Coast opposing West Demerara at Enmore.

East Bank had won the first round by five runs, while Georgetown had taken a comfortable win by 101 runs. Georgetown had won the second round won by a comfortable nine wickets, while bad light had stopped the other fixture, between East Bank and West Demerara.

Alvin Mohabir has emerged star player of the short tournament, scoring a half-

GT U-19 captain Dwayne Dick receiving the Championship Trophy from TDO Admin Assistant Kavita Yadram

century in the opening round and registering a five-wicket haul in the second round.

This tournament was useful in preparing the Demerara

Under-19 players for the impending Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County Under-19 tournament which is set for January 2021.

US Open 2020 cricket…

Cavaliers defeat US Allstars as Hemraj, Imran, Stewart shine

Navin Stewart bagged 3 wickets

T

he Somerset Cavaliers, continuing their top form, have registered their second win in as many matches in the US Open 2020 cricket tournament. On this occasion, they defeated the US Allstars by 9 runs, thanks to the efforts of Guyana’s very own Chandrapaul Hemraj, who contributed with both bat and ball, and Ali Imran and Navin Stewart, who registered impressive performances.

Batting first, the Cavaliers lost the burly Kenar Lewis for 12, but his opening partner Chandrapaul Hemraj played the role of anchor and got his team off to a decent start. His impactful contribution of 43 runs off 35 balls, which included 2 boundaries and 3 maximums, set the tone for the Cavaliers’ innings.

And when the wicket of Hemraj had finally fallen, Ali Imran blasted a quickfire 49 runs off 30 balls, which included one boundary and 4 maximums. This, together with Andre Russell’s 19 and Gudakesh Motie’s 14, propelled the Cavaliers to 154-7 in their allotted 20 overs.

Bowling for the Allstars,

Andre Russell scored 19 and picked up 2 wickets

Rajesh Sharma took 2-21, Zishawn Qureshi took 3-35, and Ali Khan took 1-31.

Needing 158 for victory, the Allstars had the worst possible start to their innings, as they lost Qureshi to Fidel Edwards for a golden duck; and although a few mini partnerships were put Chandrapaul Hemraj scored 43 and together, those did littlepicked up a wicket to influence the eventual outcome of the game. in with one wicket each, to Bowling for the Cavaliers, ensure the final nail was driven Navin Stewart was most in the coffin of the Allstars. effective in restricting the In the end, the Allstars Allstars team. When Jaskashan were bowled out for 145-8, Malothra came to the crease, and lost the game by 9 runs. he gave the Allstars hope as he The Cavaliers’ Navin Stewart smacked a patient 53, but as he returned figures of 3-23; Andre was looking to carry on, Andre Russell, 2-16; Fidel Edwards, Russell dented the innings even 1-26; Gudakesh Motie, 1-29; further by picking up a couple of and Chandrapaul Hemraj, 1-17. wickets. To make matters worse, The Cavaliers now have two Hemraj and Motie then chipped wins from two games played.

oshua Da Silva described the achievement of scoring a half century on Test debut as unreal, but the Trinidadian is not resting on his laurels as he knows the work required to be consistent at international level.

After making three in the first innings Da Silva struck 57 in the second innings of the final Test match against New Zealand in Wellington, last weekend. The righthander’s knock did not help the West Indies as the regional team were comprehensively beaten by an innings and 12 runs.

Da Silva, 22, was one of few bright sparks as West Indies suffered a 2-0 defeat in the two-match series. Da Silva travelled to New Zealand as a reserve, but was drafted into the squad as first choice wicket-keeper Shane Dowrich returned to the Caribbean because of personal reasons after the first Test.

“It was an unreal feeling, words can’t really describe the moment. I’m still trying to process it actually happened,” Da Silva told Newsday in a Whatsapp message, on Wednesday.

On Wednesday he was still travelling from New Zealand back to Trinidad after the series ended on Sunday.

After the experience in New Zealand, Da Silva knows his journey has just begun in his quest to be a West Indies player.

“It just showed me how much harder I have to work if I want to be consist e n t at that l e v el. It’s not easy, it takes a lot of physical

and mental strength.”

Despite his individual achievement, Da Silva was hopeful of a West Indies victory. “Of course it was a bitter-sweet feeling. Would have loved to win the game, but I wouldn’t say it took away from the moment.” It was a disappointing batting performance by West Indies with five half centuries and one century being scored.

Da Silva, captain Jason Holder, fast bowler Alzarri Joseph, opener John Campbell and middle order batsman Jermaine Blackwood scored fifties. Blackwood was the only batsman to score a century. Fast bowler Chemar Holder also had a creditable showing on Test debut grabbing two wickets in one inning.

“I always knew Chemar was a quality bowler and very happy he got to showcase his skills at the highest level. He had a fantastic debut, picked up key wickets at important times and asked a lot of questions with the ball. (He) wasn’t too bad with the bat either, (I) should have stayed with him in both innings,” Da Silva said.

In both innings, Da Silva and Chemar batted together with the former being dismissed first.

Da Silva had to face a quality quartet of New Zealand fast bowlers which included Neil Wagner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and player of the series Kyle Jamieson.

“It was quite the challenge. They don’t let up, always coming for your wicket. Very rarely do you get a bad ball.

They ask a lot of questions and always have a plan.”

(T&T Newsday)

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

West Indies Women selectee Schultz motivated, and hopeful of international debut after I got that call-up, I sacrificed my job," she said.

Speaking about her maiden tour with t h e West Indies t o the United Kingdom, and the conditions under which cricket is

By Brandon Corlette

K

aysia Schultz, the 23-year-old Guyanese left-arm spinner, remains motivated and hopeful of an international debut for the West Indies Women team.

Schultz was a member of the West Indies Women's squad that toured England; unfortunately, she did not get an opportunity to debut. In a recent interview with this publication, Schultz disclosed that she is still motivated and hopeful, and the drive to work hard is still within her.

Born in Bartica, the township of Region 7, Schultz spoke about her journey in cricket and her aspirations therein: to remain disciplined and consistent, and to evolve into a bowling all-rounder for the West Indies Women’s Team.

"Cricket was ‘my thing’ ever since. Growing up, playing in the streets with the

boys even though I did not know much about the hardball aspect of the game, I used to go home to a whipping and a half," Schultz said.

She disclosed that her career began with wind ball cricket in school, and she had experience playing against Barbados. Her friend and DCB team mate Lashana Toussaint introduced her to the hard-ball aspect of the game, and the first club for which she played was the

‘Stars on Show’ tape ball tournament to be held on January 1 and 3, 2021 – registration closes on December 30, 2020

By Timothy Jaikarran

C

ome January 1 and 3, 2021, the National Park Tarmac will be set ablaze when Pure Entertainment presents its ‘Stars on Show’ tape ball tournament.

This event, a 7-a-side, 6-over tape ball tournament, would be a definite thriller, as many players would be exposed to some action after that long break occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coordinator of the event, Dexter George, told this publication, “This is actually the third year we are hosting a tournament of this kind. We held the first edition in 2018, (when) we saw the Village Rams winning, and in 2019 we saw the Vnet Vipers taking home the trophy against the Village Rams; so, Village Rams are one of the more consistent teams. Some of the other teams expected are Vnet Vipers, Eccles Allstars ( a n d ) Strikers, just to name a few.

“We also

have on board sponsors such as Hand in Hand Mutual Insurance Company, Vnet Communications and Banks DIH, among others.”

George says he is eager to see, between Eccles and Village Rams, the rivalry that stemmed from the 2019 edition, in which the Rams chased down 128 in their 6 overs against Eccles, who are reputed to be one of the most dominant tape ball teams in the country.

He noted that the Rams are also currently one of the leading tape ball teams in the country, as they have gone on to win countless trophies.

He is therefore anticipating ‘fire’ from the commencement of the competition, especially since the winning team thereof will pocket $120,000 while the runner-up team will take home $60,000. The manof-the-match in the final will take home $5000, and the player who scores the fastest 40 of the competition would be awarded $5000.

An added feature of the competition would see a batsman being rewarded with $1000 for every time he is able to hit the SMAASH Me target set up on the ground on the given day.

The tournament will commence promptly at 09:00 hrs, and the registration fee for participation is $10,000. Persons interested in obtaining further information are invited to contact tournament coordinator Dexter George on 671-0458.

GNIC. "I trained, and never took anything for granted. I continued to work hard, and here I am," she declared.

Great achievements are usually born of great sacrifices, and that has been the Kaysia Schultz experience when she sacrificed her job to play the sport she loves. One of her fondest memories is the moment she received a callup for the West Indies training camp. "Three months

played in England, Schultz disclosed that she had to adapt as quickly as possible.

"It was really an eye opener to witness different strategies of the game," she disclosed.

Describing how she dealt with the COVID-19 restrictions, Schultz said she had not expected this pandemic, but

as time progressed, she put systems in place to keep herself fit and ready to play the game she loves.

The left-arm spinner is seeking consistency in her cricket, which requires self-discipline and hard work. She is also hoping to work on her all-round game and evolve into a bowling all-rounder.

"In life, you will always face challenges, but as long as you embrace it, that is what makes you. Just trust in your abilities, work hard and believe in yourself.

Once you believe in yourself, you are almost there," Schultz explained in a message to young, aspiring female cricketers.

She expects that she would one day reap the benefits of the hard work she is sowing in a West Indies debut.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

West Indies Women selectee US Open 2020 cricket…

Schultz motivated, and hopeful Cavaliers defeat of international debut Page 23

US Allstars as Hemraj, Imran, Stewart shine Pg 22

DCB U-19 Inter-association...

Georgetown emerge champions as rain cancels final round Page 22

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