Guyana Times --Thursday, December 24, 2020

P2

Ministers Ashni Singh, Oneidge Walrond sworn in as MPs Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4509

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020

611 cheques worth over $2B kept by David Patterson's Ministry …money should have been refunded to Consolidated Fund – AG Page 12

Finance Minister schools APNU/AFC on Govt spending

Page 3

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

300 GuyOil workers P16 on “sit-in” …Union chided for ignoring collective bargaining agreement

2 busted P17 with narco in Berbice

P15 Guyana records 2 more COVID-19 related deaths

…after Granger-led Govt left treasury empty 5 years later

…42 new cases

Guyana still Govt extends waiting on CCTV COVID-19 relief banking measures system purchased

by APNU/AFC to June 2021 Contractor hired by APNU/AFC for Kato Hydropower project yet to be mobilised Page 10

Page 17

8-year-old Linden boy found dead

P13 Sexual assault of student

Convicted P15 teacher on bail pending appeal

See story on page 7

…contract at risk, assessment being done — President Ali

Murder accused recaptured after escaping from Lusignan Prison

…ganja plant, wine, tattoo machine unearthed in raid

Page 13

Gunning down of granny

Quartet serving 81 years wants conviction quashed P15

2 NEWS Ministers Ashni Singh, Oneidge Walrond sworn in as MPs S THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

enior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh was on Wednesday morning sworn in as a Member of Parliament (MP).

That was his first appearance in the 12th Parliament since his appointment on November 5, 2020.

Dr Singh was sworn in as Minister by President Dr Irfaan Ali. He had served as Finance Minister under the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration.

The Finance Minister is currently gearing up to present the first full-year National Budget of the Aliled Government in the first quarter of 2020.

In a statement on Wednesday, Dr Singh posited that Budget 2021 would

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh taking his oath during his swearing-in ceremony as an MP

outline Government’s medium and long-term priorities including its vision for the country over its five-year term.

“The manifesto outlines a lot of our major initiatives and big projects that will be

our main departure points.

In addition, we are hoping also to try to streamline the Budget so that the expenditure that we incur is more efficient as well. We’ve highlighted the fact that our predecessors in office were a lot

more extravagant in spending in certain areas and we are hoping to streamline some of that spending, not necessarily eliminate it, but to channel it into more productive areas… that will contribute in a more meaningful and direct way to both stimulating growth in the economy and improving people’s lives,” Minister Singh elaborated.

Meanwhile, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond was also re-sworn in as a Government MP at Wednesday’s sitting of the National Assembly.

This was after acting Chief Justice Roxane George earlier this month declared that Walrond’s previous appointment in August was unlawful and she was not a lawful member of the 12th Parliament

Minister Oneidge Walrond was sworn in again on Wednesday as a Government MP

of Guyana owing to her dual citizenship status.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall had conceded that Government recognised that Minister Walrond’s appointment may have collided with the Constitution as she was still a citizen of the USA at the time she was

sworn in as Minister and parliamentarian in August.

Nonetheless, Nandlall had disclosed that the Government has already taken steps to have this constitutional breach rectified by having Walrond re-sworn in as Minister on December 1, 2020. (G8)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, December 24 – 01:00h-02:30h and 12:00h13:30h and Friday, December 25 – 01:30h-03:00h and 12:30h- 14:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, December 24 – 12:45h-14:15h and Friday, December 25 –13:15h- 14:45h.

Finance Minister schools APNU/AFC on Govt spending …after Granger-led Govt left Treasury empty

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

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Light rain showers should prevail during the day.

Light cloudy conditions are expected during the night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Westerly to East NorthEasterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 12:28h reaching a maximum height of 2.23 metres.

Low Tide: 05:55h and 18:28h reaching minimum heights of 1.02 metres and 0.99 metre.

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Wednesday’s National Assembly sitting, where the Opposition MPs were at the ACCC but joined virtually

positor at the Central Bank with an amount totalling $16 billion in the aggregate of Government’s bank accounts in the Central Bank”, he said.

Contending that the Coalition’s overdraft is “even bigger”, the Finance Minister

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

F

inance Minister Dr Ashni Singh on Wednesday schooled former Junior Housing Minister in the APNU/AFC coalition administration, Annette Ferguson, on the financial management and functioning of Government.

He was at the time responding to Ferguson, who had asked how much monies the Coalition Government had left in the Consolidated Fund, and where the new PPP/C Administration got funds from for the 2020 emergency budget as well as for the COVID-19 Cash Relief initiative.

Dr Singh informed the House that the Consolidated Fund was empty when the PPP/C took office on August 2,2020.

“No monies were remaining in the Consolidated Fund as of that date. In fact, Mr Speaker, the Consolidated Fund account was in overdraft in the amount of $78.7 billion. And I might add, Sir, that that amount would not have reflected, as of that date, cheques that were issued but had not yet been cleared, and therefore would not yet be reflected in the bank balance,” he stated.

The Finance Minister further pointed out that if the overall picture of Government’s accounts at the Central Bank were taken into consideration, the net overdraft left by the Coalition regime would be a staggering $93 billion. Again, he explained that this does not cover the aggregate of cheques that would have been issued on those bank accounts and are yet to be cleared.

Dr Singh noted that this $93 billion net overdraft should be contrasted with the last PPP/C Government’s net position when it demitted office in April 2015.

Opposition MP Annette Ferguson

“The [last PPP/C] Government was a net de-

reminded that this accumulation of overdraft was previously flagged by a number of commentators, including international agencies such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 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

NIS and efficiency

O

ver the past years, there have been mounting complaints of various kinds against the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). These complaints have been varied, from contributors’ claims taking a very long time to be processed, to incomplete or poor record keeping which has resulted in contributors’ payments not being properly accounted for, to general complacency of the agency.

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh recently registered the Government’s “grave concern” about the situation, and urged the new Board to take immediate action in finding solutions to the challenges which have plagued the organisation for several years now.

Minister Singh related the Government’s grave concern at the number of complaints received from contributors about delays in receiving their benefits and entitlements, sometimes as a result of incomplete records of their contributions to the Scheme. As such, he tasked the Board with addressing this problem immediately with a view to ensuring that public satisfaction with the level of service provided by the NIS improves urgently.

While the intention of the agency is indeed genuine, there is a general perception that it could operate with more efficiency and effectiveness in terms of meeting the expectations of the various stakeholders, especially contributors to the Scheme. While thousands of persons have benefited or are currently benefiting from the agency, several others have reported that they were made to endure a great deal of hassle in their engagement with the agency.

According to the organisation’s website, the NIS is a social security organisation which has as its Mission: To establish and maintain a system of Social Security through which enough income is secured to take the place of earnings when such are interrupted by sickness or accident, To provide for retirement through age or sudden death of a breadwinner, and to meet exceptional expenses as those concerned with birth and death and, To ensure that monies collected which have to be used for future payments are invested in such a manner that the economy of the country would reap maximum benefit.

The mission of the agency is clear, and the Board and management must continuously review its operational procedures and explore ways in which efficiency and effectiveness could be improved. They may want to consider having periodic public engagements to find out what are the pressing concerns of its members, who are paying or have paid into a system and expect to reap benefits in a timely manner.

These regular public engagements would allow managers and senior officials to resolve issues on the spot, and would provide the agency an opportunity to have firsthand regular feedback from citizens as to what areas need to be improved.

Just a few days ago, the President himself, during a governmental outreach in Region 2, was bombarded with complaints against the agency, and it was only after he instructed that the management of NIS immediately work to resolve the issues that action was taken. This should have never been the case, as it portrayed the agency as one that is not very proactive.

The concerns raised by the residents of Region 2 mirror those of citizens in all regions of Guyana. It is hoped that the new Board will get down to business and immediately work to alleviate the problems confronting the Scheme, especially in relation to contributors’ records being in order and claims being processed in a speedy manner.

Additionally, the issue in relation to the financial situation of the Scheme and bringing it to a level of viability is also of utmost importance. It would be good if the Board were to undertake a detailed assessment of the present financial situation of the agency, and draft a paper as to how it intends to turn around same.

The bottom line is that the nation has had enough excuses from NIS about its failings. We certainly agree with the President that all State agencies must strive to operate at the highest level of efficiency and professionalism, and be fair to everyone who seeks to engage their services.

Arriving and departing passengers were treated to Guyanese Christmas delicacies at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA photos)

GECOM, please act promptly and restore righteousness in our electoral system Dear Editor, The Private Sector Commission’s call on GECOM to take appropriate disciplinary action against any staff of GECOM who commits a misconduct in the execution of her/his contractual and legal obligations and duties, thereby cleansing its Secretariat, must be highly commended.

This call is long overdue, and has widespread national support, with the clear understanding that criminal prosecution for wrongdoing must be perused in the Courts - High Court, and if necessary, in the Court of Appeal and the CCJ while simultaneously applying employment sanctions.

GECOM cannot hide behind

criminal charges being prosecuted in the Courts; that is indeed separate and apart from personnel management and work discipline.

The letter written by Joshua Singh, published in three of the daily newspapers on 21 December 2020 under the title: “Is GECOM in Gross Dereliction of Duty for Not Taking Disciplinary Action”, sets out clearly the legal and contractual position in dealing with personnel management and discipline of staff for gross misconduct, and for good and sufficient cause. Singh sets out clearly the conduct on the job that constitutes justification for decisive and prompt disciplinary action

by GECOM in the following

words: “Good and sufficient cause include refusal to carry out lawful instructions on a timely basis, providing fictitious and fraudulent information and reports to the employing authority, misconduct, inefficiency, dilatory tactics, insubordination, and unprofessional conduct and behaviour in the execution of contractual and statutory duties”.

Joshua Singh must be applauded for reminding GECOM (with lawyers on the Commission) of its management responsibility, and asking that it wake up from its long slumber. As stated by the PSC’s statement, the removal of those who committed contractual em-

ployment breaches must be effected to build public confidence, impartial independence, integrity and professionalism of the remaining and new staff. They must resist any undue political and other influences to direct their legal and professional obligations and service to the nation, given the long history of political interference in the electoral processes.

GECOM, please act promptly and restore righteousness in our electoral system, for the good and in the national interest, and redeem this nation from international shame.

With thanks, Samuel J Goolsarran

Misguided ideas on COVID-19 cash grant Dear Editor, We all are on the same page when it comes to the amount placed on the amount earmarked for the COVID-19 cash grant. We can all agree that this sum should have been substantially higher, let us say four times higher than what is stipulated. I am of that view, judging from the fact that times are very hard.

However, one has to be sympathetic to the Government’s side of the coin, and realise that times are also tough for them too, they have to take care of an entire country with very many issues, pressing and urgent.

Be that as it may, the Government have been entrusted with the task of ensuring that the money is delivered to the households that need it, and it does not

get wasted in frivolous nonsense or fall into the hands of undeserving individuals.

This is the prime objective of the payout plan.

Now, here is where the rubber hits the road, and there are two glaring misconceptions we have to clear up. In the first place, some folks are of the opinion that this money is to be given to the heads of households, and not to individuals of households. This misguided idea had to be dealt with swiftly, so that there could be a smooth flow of the cash payout. So, the Government had to put plans in place to stem that widespread discontent that has gripped the country.

To this end, there was the implementation of the pink slip, which meant that the original payout to head

of house lot or household had to be amended. This, in its truest sense, ironed out the anomaly that there is only one head in a household. A typical case in point is several households live in one house. Now, filling out that pink slip meant there would be some delay in the payout process as follow up checks will have to be made on the claimants. This brought angry outbursts from some members of the public, who insisted that the officers pay them first, then do whatever background checks they may want to carry out.

But as much as I am in sympathy with the pink slip folks, I am also sympathetic to the Government, knowing fully well that crooks abound, many when these cash payouts are made and the present process is no dif-

ferent, with so many persons laying claim to their rights to being a household head. From experience, I know those slippery crooks will get around the system and get through; some of them did.

The cash payout is not perfect, and with the present system of loopholes, some legitimate recipients were bound to suffer. But I am confident that the authorities will find a way in getting that much needed package to those who most need it.

The second aspect of discontent is a political and racial issue, and I will not dwell on that, only dismissing it as another attempt of an Opposition’s decorated hogwash.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020

5

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

Nandlall leads as SC in law reports

Dear Editor, I salute Attorney General Anil Nandlall for his legal skills, as displayed in the judicial matter of the power of the political executive to appoint “Silks” or Senior Counsel.

Nandlall prevailed in his arguments in a precedent-setting ruling handed down by the High Court judge.

The country and the diaspora welcome the judgment of the court that the President has the power to appoint Silk, as indeed all the heads of Government did in Guyana, going back to the dictator Forbes Burnham and all heads of Government in the Anglophone Caribbean and Commonwealth. It settles the issue of who has power to confer Silk.

Many lawyers in the Caribbean and the diaspora salute the AG on this judicial victory, and on his appointment of the appendage of SC to his name, which is long deserved, since his stint as AG during the Ramotar Presidency. I laud his contributions to jurisprudence.

Hardly anyone has contributed more to the legal profession since 2012 than Nandlall.

An injustice has been corrected with this SC recognition by President Irfaan Ali. I also wish to congratulate Mr. Timothy Jonas and Ms Jamela Ayesha Ali, no relationship with President Ali. I have not had the privilege of interacting with the Silk appointees. Ms. Ali did not have much presence in the media.

Jonas and Nandlall illustrated

their legal brilliance and support for democratic principles during the five-month ordeal when the APNU-led coalition tried to rig the election. And a year before that, Nandlall and Jonas also distinguished themselves in court when they challenged the legitimacy of the Granger administration and appointments made in violation of the constitution, challenges made all the way to the CCJ, which ruled in the challengers’ favour. Jonas and Nandlall have been indefatigable fighters for democracy, in addition to being outstanding and highly respected members of the bar. They really stood out when democracy was trampled upon. Everyone I conversed with said they deserved SC for their achievements and activism.

The AG argued masterly why the President has the power to appoint Silk. He lucidly clarified the power of appointment of Silk for the public and the legal profession. As he noted, it is a tradition going back to some five hundred years of history, when the monarchy, as head of Government, assumed such appointment power, which was later invested in the political executive.

When the Queen was head of state, the political executive made recommendations and QC was granted. With Guyana becoming a republic, SC has replaced QC. Such authority rests in the head of Government throughout the Caribbean. The AG convinced the Judge with his cogent arguments that power to confer

Year of Call

Name

Number of Reported Cases in WIR and LRC

Neil Aubrey Boston

1982

4

Charles John Ethelwood Fung-A-Fat

1983

0

Alison Roxanne George-Wiltshire

1990

4

Clifton Mortimer Llewelyn John

1952

14

Rafiq Turhan Khan

1984

2

Vidyanand Persaud

1976

11

Rosalie Althea Robertson

1983

0

Claudette Margot Cecile Singh

1973

2

Basil Williams

1983

0

Josephine Whitehead

1979

0

Kalam Azad Juman Yassin

1971

8

Fitz Le Roy Peters

1981

11

Andrew Mark Fitzgerald Pollad

1987

2

Stephen Fraser

1985

7

Carole James-Boston

1985

0

Robert Ramcharran

1979

2

Rajendra Poonai

1988

14

Shalimar Ali-Hack

1990

7

Jamela Ayesha Ali

1989

9

Mursaline Bacchus

1975

5

Roysdale Alton Forde

1997

8

Stanley Moore

1970

4

Timothy Jonas

1996

8

Mohabir Anil Nandlall

1998

16

silks rests in the executive.

Ms. Jamela Ali needs to be recognised for her integrity and respect for democratic principles. She rejected the SC appointment under President Granger, who was a caretaker after December 21, 2018.

A caretaker ruler lacks moral and constitutional authority to issue Silk. Out of principle and respect for law, Ms

Ali rejected her appointment.

President Ali must be applauded for his magnanimity in restoring SC to Ms. Ali. For her behaviour alone, she is worthy of the appendage.

The President must also be saluted for placing his instruments of appointment in abeyance from Oct 30 out of respect for the court’s interpretation of his power to make such

appointments. Ali gave deference to the court, not acting arrogantly. He held his hand till the court ruled, before handing out the instruments of appointment. This is quite unlike his predecessor, who was criticised for taking a collision course with the judicial branch of Government. Democracy and rule of law held supreme under Dr Irfaan Ali. Many lawyers and academics felt Granger contaminated the process in appointing Silk. They criticised him for inserting patronage, rather than on merit in the process. His appointees caused great disquiet among the Bar. Most were not known.

Jonas had challenged the President’s (Granger) power to issue SC. Lawyers felt Jonas should have challenged the process of selecting, and some of the appointees, rather than the President being invested with such power. Many of those who were granted Silk under Granger did not distinguish themselves before the court.

One way of measuring a lawyer’s contribution to jurisprudence is to examine how many cases that lawyer has appeared in leading law reports – Commonwealth Law Report (54 countries) and West Indian Law Report (15 countries). Only substantive, precedent-setting cases and lawyers making the creative arguments are listed in these reports. I did some research from 2015 to now. Nandlall was the leading advocate in WILR. His name was reported

16 times, as opposed to zero for Basil Williams. Several others on whom Granger conferred Silk also scored zero in the law reports. Next to Nandlall, Llewelyn John, a member of the bar since 1952, tied with Rajendra Poonai, receiving the second highest number of 14 report. Jonas, at the bar since 1996, was cited in 8 reports, with Ali, at the bar since 1989, being cited in 9 reports.

From 2015, the reports show that Nandlall has been the youngest lawyer with the least years in practice, but he is the most accomplished in reported cases among lawyers in Guyana, if not the Caribbean.

This speaks volumes of his legal skills, putting him head and shoulder above other lawyers even many with longer years of experience.

Nandlall also made significance contributions in Parliament. He presided over several very important pieces of legislation, empowering rights and respect for the Constitution. In addition, as AG between 2012 and May 2015, he revised laws of Guyana, completing the last set of law reports published.

He also finished the law revision started by his predecessors Doodnauth Singh and Charles Ramson – that came to be known as Nandlall Edition of the Laws.

The awarding of Silk to the three is truly deserving, an acknowledgement of achievement and knowledge of law.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

You don’t have to have money to show love at “Christmas”

Dear Editor, I bring you greetings of peace, hope and goodwill on this occasion of (COVID-19) Christmas.

Christmas fills a deep yearning in the human spirit: a yearning for togetherness, harmony, peace, love and unity. Human beings were designed for fellowship and friendship. Christmas takes us back to those true values; to the real meaning of life. It clears away the clutter and noise of our everyday lives and focuses our attention on the things that really matter: A right relationship with our Creator; bonding with our families and friends; caring for those less fortunate; and cherishing the weak and vulnerable.

It is so easy, in the cut and thrust of life, to get absorbed in ourselves and in our own pursuits. Sometimes families and friends are sacrificed on the altar of our quest to get ahead. Sometimes we forget the kindnesses, the acts of graciousness, and the compassion which should really characterise our lives.

Christmas reminds us of all of this, and gives us an opportunity, yet again, to recommit to the things of lasting value.

Occasionally, we become nostalgic and talk about old

time Christmas, but today I want to tell you about my vision of Christmas in a future Guyana. Guyanese, we can build, and a Christmas reality we can create with God’s help.

I have a vision of a Christmas wherein each person exemplifies Jesus’s ethic of love for neighbour, and there is peace and goodwill towards everyone. It is a vision of a Guyana which prizes cooperation and collaboration over confrontation and conflict. My vision is one in which concern for the poor and vulnerable is inculcated in each child, and becomes infused in our culture; a vision which will see all of us truly embracing the concept that we are one people, not a nation of political tribes. I have a vision of a Christmas which not only catches us in a good mood, as one song celebrates, but which finds all our men loving, cherishing and protecting their spouses and children, not destroying them.

I have a vision of peaceful communities, where people look out for one another’s interests and are actively engaged in spreading the Christmas spirit of peace; a vision in which our economic prosperity would be equitably shared, providing a solid foundation for our children

and inspiring hope in our youth that they can achieve all their dreams right here in this dear land of ours.

Faith drives out fear. The message of Christmas is that God wants the best for us, and He doesn’t want us to be afraid of anything. God wants to prosper us and give us a good future, but we have to believe that with faith, hope and love, we can exemplify the true reason for the season.

At this time, let us especially remember those in the hospital and those sick at home. Let us remember those who have lost loved ones during the year, as well as those who are lonely and depressed. Let us reach out and touch somebody.

Make someone’s Christmas memorable this year; you don’t have to have money to show love. Your words of encouragement

and upliftment, your smile, your generosity of spirit, can warm hearts. Go over to a shut-in and give a helping hand. Reach out to a child.

Call up some family member you might not have been in touch with for some time.

Mend fences. Call someone from whom you might have been estranged. Pass on the love that Jesus has passed on to you. Spread the joy of Christmas. It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year. Let others experience that in your presence this Christmas season.

Today, I salute all those who sacrifice being with their own families to care for and protect others, especially those in the essential services.

Merry Christmas to our senior citizens, who have given so much to us. We honour you this Christmas. We thank you for your devoted service

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and for all you have invested in our lives. This is also the season for thanksgiving.

We thank God for the gift of His Son Jesus Christ, and our own gift-giving is a small reflection of this Supreme Gift.

S

From me and my family to you and yours: we wish you a merry and meaningful Christmas.

Sincerely, David Adams

at is the Existence Principle, the ‘IS’ that is the basic truth of the Universe.

Align with the Truth, the Sat in you, the Satya (Reality) on which the Mitya (false) is imposed by minds that do not see light. By dwelling in that Sat, the flame is lit, light dawns, darkness flees, and the Jnana Bhaskara (Sun of Realisation) rises. When there is hard rock below, you have to bore deeper for tapping the underground pure water. Softer the subterranean soil, quicker the success. Make your heart soft, then success is quick in sadhana. Talk soft, talk sweet, talk only of God - that is the process of softening the subsoil. Develop compassion, sympathy; engage in service, understand the agony of poverty, disease, distress and despair; share both tears and cheers with others. That is the way to soften the heart and help sadhana to succeed! (Divine Discourse, May 10, 1969)

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020

Page

Foundation

By Clement Clarke Moore

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; “Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!

On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT! (teachervision.com)

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Contractor hired by APNU/AFC for Kato Hydropower Project yet to be mobilised …contract at risk, assessment being done – President Ali

The President noted that this was important for human development and for the advancement of each community. Indeed, it was the PPP/C in a previous Administration that inaugurated the Hinterland Electrification Unit, dedicated to bringing power to unserved areas in Guyana.

In July 2019, when the former Government was still

watt hydropower plant at the Chiung River at Kato Village, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni). The US$2,250,880 contract for the design, supply, and installation of the plant was awarded to B&J Civil Works under the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

The hydropower plant was supposed to use the Kato Waterfalls at the Chiung River (close to Kato Village) to

metres away. An electronic facility, as well as transmission lines, was also expected to be installed.

The contract signing at the then Public Infrastructure Ministry took place in September 2019. It was understood that the project would have run for a period of 18 months, with a 12-month defects and liability period after the project was completed

President Dr Irfaan Ali at Kato in Region Eight

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ork on the Kato, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) Hydropower Project, for which the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government signed a contract last year, is yet to begin and according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, the project is potentially at risk.

The President made this revelation while on a trip to

Kato on Tuesday. In his engagement with residents, he noted that when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government entered office in August of this year, it was to find that the contractor had not even mobilised at the site.

“The hydro project that was earmarked for Kato has faced many difficulties. We had difficulties when we came into office. We examined it.

The contractor was not mobilised. And the project is at risk,” President Ali said.

“We are presently doing an assessment of that. But part of our energy plan for Guyana is to ensure that every community has access to energy. Whether it’s mini hydros, whether it’s solar or the coastland investment in natural gas, our focus is to ensure every single community has access to energy.”

Finance Minister schools...

However, after this response from the Finance Minister on the state of the public purse when the APNU/ AFC demitted office, Ferguson followed up by asking where the monies for the $330 billion 2020 Emergency Budget which the PPP/C presented in September just one month after taking office - came from.

Finances in dismal state of disarray

But even after Minister Singh explained that these were largely revenues generated by the state daily from services offered, along with grants and loans obtained through regional and international donor partners, the Opposition MP again enquired about the source of the $4.5 billion for Government’s COVID-19 Relief programme, which was also included in the budget.

“Can the Honourable Minister say where exactly these monies, the 4.5 billion that is being distributed as COVID Relief funds to the Guyanese people, where those monies came from… If is the Consolidated Fund or which other fund…,” the former Minister, who had joined Wednesday’s sitting via zoom, questioned.

In response, Dr Singh declared, “For a long time, I tried to understand how the public finances could’ve been left in such a dismal state of disarray. I now understand. The pieces of the puzzle are finally falling into place, sir, because such a display of lack of understanding of the way in which the public finances work could only have resulted in complete and absolute mismanagement of the public purse over the last five years.

“I could be clearer, sir: All of the expenditure provided in the budget and appropriated in the

Appropriation Act is financed by the traditional sources of financing of budget and expenditures around the world.

Firstly, Government revenues are being collected every day…

Secondly, Government grants being received, where we have partnerships with external agencies that we might be eligible for, and we might draw down on Government grants.

Thirdly, there is domestic and external borrowing. We borrow for fiscal purposes both domestically and externally. And so all of the expenditures in the budget is financed by one or all of these sources… It is beyond my humble faculties to break these down into simpler terms.”

Falsehood

Moreover, the Finance Minister called out the Opposition MP for trying to create a falsehood of the former APNU/AFC Government leaving behind resources that were used for the cash relief programme.

“The honourable member and her Government were more preoccupied with holding onto power illegally than with bringing relief to the people, and it is an absurdity to come to this House and try to suggest that this $4.5 billion is somehow being distributed by a pool of resources that was left so graciously by our predecessors in office. Quite the opposite sir! When the Honourable Member and her Government finally relinquished the reins of Government, which they were so desperately holding on to, we inherited a staggering overdraft in the public purse,” he asserted.

In fact, beyond the overdraft accumulated, Minister Singh disclosed that the PPP/C had also found a number of other significant sourc-

FROM PAGE 3

es of indebtedness by several State agencies and entities.

He pointed to the fact that several Government agencies owe in excess of $12 billion to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc – a situation he says has translated into “grave financial distress” for the power company.

“Those numbers are not counted in the overdraft.

Obviously, they’re not counted in the debt numbers that are reported, but they constitute liabilities of the state,” the Minister asserted.

Another such liability Dr Singh pointed to is the $30 billion Bond taken by the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) to finance the operation of the cash-strapped Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Of that amount, some $17 billion has been drawn already, and according to the Finance Minister, Government will have to cover the cost of the bond if NICIL fails to fulfill the payments.

Opposition at ACCC virtually

Some of the members turned up at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where Parliament sittings are being held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on Wednesday morning, but did not sit in the session. Instead, they picked up their documents from their assigned seats in the dome and retreated to one of the Conference rooms, from where some members joined the sitting via zoom.

However, after one of the Opposition MPs had asked a question virtually from right at the Conference Centre Building, Government Chief Whip, Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira, raised a point of order on the issue, pointing

Former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson with other officials and a representative of B&J Civil Works last year after the contract signing

in power, it was announced that a $450 million contract was awarded for the supply and installation of a 150-kilo-

provide electric power to the Kato Secondary School, the village of Kato, and the village of Paramakatoi some 18 kilo-

to ensure that the contractor would correct any faults at his own expense.

out that this was not in keeping with the arrangements that were made for members to attend the sitting virtually.

“It’s a rather strange occurrence today that Members of the Opposition are in a room in the building… and are participating virtually…. In fact, this is a form of boycott yet participation. I think this House should not condone that. If they’re in this building, they should be in

this House to speak… It is not to be abused by the Opposition, sitting in this building and using the internet and everything in another room… This is beyond what is acceptable in this House,” the Government Chief Whip contended.

House Speaker Manzoor Nadir, who had previously indicated that 20 MPs had asked to join virtually, subsequently announced that Members would

henceforth not be allowed to join the sitting while present at the Conference Centre.

“Persons who are in the Arthur Chung Conference Centre – the place that has been designated for the sittings of the National Assembly – ought to be present in the dome… After today, if you are here present, I won’t allow your participation virtually,” Speaker Nadir declared. (G8)

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Opposition claims Parliamentary Secretaries’ appointments breach Constitution

Parliamentary Secretary to the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, Sarah Browne

Parliamentary Secretary to the Agriculture Ministry, Vickash Ramkissoon

n his latest court action, Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones is contending that the appointments of Sarah Browne and Vickash Ramkissoon as non-elected Members of Parliament (MPs) and Parliamentary Secretaries to the Amerindian Affairs and Agriculture Ministries respectively were done in breach of the Constitution of Guyana.

According to proceedings filed in the High Court, Jones is contending that Browne and Ramkissoon cannot be appointed as non-elected MPs since they were named on the List of Candidates presented by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic for the March 2, 2020 General

and Regional Elections.

This, he contends, makes them elected members of the National Assembly, since their names were extracted from the party’s list. As such, he argues, they are not valid and legal members of the National Assembly, and are not validly appointed Parliamentary Secretaries.

In the submissions filed, it has been stated that Article 103 (3) of the Constitution provides that not more than four Ministers and two Parliamentary Secretaries shall be appointed by the President from among persons who are qualified to be elected as members of the National Assembly.

I

Jones has further submitted that Article 186 (1) states that Parliamentary Secretaries may not be appointed from among persons who are elected members of the National Assembly, or are qualified to be elected as such members.

Additionally, he has stated in his submissions that Article 183 (3) states that a Parliamentary Secretary who was not an elected member of the Assembly at the time of his appointment shall (unless he becomes such a member) be a member of the Assembly by virtue of holding the office of Parliamentary Secretary but shall not vote in the Assembly.

The APNU/AFC MP has said he has been advised by Attorney Roysdale Forde, SC, and verily believes, that Browne and Ramkissoon are elected members of the National Assembly under Article 60 (2), which provides for Members of Parliament to be elected under the system of proportional representation.

Jones is arguing that under Article 103 (3) and Article 186 of the Constitution, Browne, and Ramkissoon are not valid and legal members of the National Assembly, and are not validly appointed Parliamentary Secretaries of the Government, because they are on the party’s List of Candidates.

Change...

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Opposition MP Christopher Jones

Noting that Browne and Ramkissoon continue to be members of the National Assembly, Jones is asking the court to grant an Order compelling Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, to prevent them from sitting in and participating in the business of the National Assembly. “…as a member of the National Assembly, it is right and proper that I insist and demand that there be full compliance with the Constitution,” Jones has said in an affidavit in support of his application. He is also asking the court to award him costs. A date for hearing this matter is likely in the new year.

Nothing unconstitutional

Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira had told this publication that there is nothing unconstitutional with the appointments of Browne and Ramkissoon. On September 15, 2020, when they were appointed, Teixeira had explained that constitutional reforms in 2009 provide for four technocrat Ministers and two Parliamentary Secretaries.

According to the veteran politician, Parliamentary Secretaries can be appointed from MPs who are elected [on the party’s list], or from persons who are eligible to be MPs. “So, you can have an MP who is a Parliamentary Secretary and one who is not.”

“The ones that are not elected MPs [not on the party’s list], they are allowed to sit in Parliament (to) speak but not vote.”

She had further explained that, in the past, Pauline Sukhai, now Amerindian Affairs Minister, was an MP and a Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry she now heads. She said that current Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, was an MP and a Parliamentary Secretary in the Health Ministry.

This latest court action comes two weeks after Chief Justice Roxane George had ruled that the appointment of Oneidge Walrond as Tourism Minister and Member of Parliament was unlawful, since she was a citizen of the United States when she took the oath of office.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall had conceded that her appointment was done in breach of the Constitution, and the Government has since taken steps to have this rectified by having Walrond retake the respective oath of office.

Article 155 prohibits dual citizens from being elected as members of the National Assembly.

…PNC dinosaurs here was, this week, another anniversary than the Dec 21 NCM that tolled the PNC’s ejection from office - the 18th anniversary of former President and PNC leader Desmond Hoyte’s passing, on Dec 22, 2002. The former was received with deathly silence by the PNC, while the latter brought out David Granger from his (latest) lengthy hibernation to Seven Ponds, where Hoyte is interred.

Rather than telling it like it is on the life on Hoyte, Granger - as is his wont - used the occasion to sanctimoniously justify his illegitimate hold on the PNC leadership. Trying to justify his literal “helicoptering” to the position by Robert Corbin, Granger claimed the latter was following Burnham who’d brought in Hoyte as a new face.

“Forbes Burnham saw the need for change after the first term in office ended with the 1968 General Elections and Guyana prepared to embark on a course to become a republic. The majority of ministers from the original cohort changed.”

This, of course, is a complete crock. Hoyte had been brought into the Elections Commission in 1967 to oversee the rigging of the 1968 elections! And Burnham dumped most of the former Ministers since he wanted veterans like Carter and Kendall, with followings, out of the way - and the UF Ministers had resigned in protest in any case!

Granger’s next bit of self-serving revisionism was to claim it was “change” that made Burnham choose Hoyte as Prime Minister after Reid left in 1984. Really? It wasn’t “change”, but fear that his assumed successor Hamilton Green had grown too big for his britches!!

But unlike Corbin, who plucked Granger from obscurity outside the party hierarchy, Hoyte - as even Granger conceded - held a wide number of portfolios in Government between 1968 and 1984. But what Granger didn’t say was that after Hoyte rigged the 1985 elections even bigger than Burnham, he pointedly passed over Granger to head the army! Instead, he chose Joe Singh who was Granger’s junior - and from the lowly Guyana National Service to boot!! The shame!! Hoyte didn’t just jettison Burnham’s failed socialism, but also all the Burnhamites - of which Granger was a card-carrying member - in all sections of the Government and state.

In his peroration, Granger unctuously intoned: “Change is as necessary a part of politics as it is of life. Those who do not change become dinosaurs, irrelevant and eventually extinct. Change is as necessary a part of politics as it is of life. If we do not adapt to new circumstance, new challenges and new responsibilities, we cannot survive, much less overcome.”

Yet Granger refused to change the PNC leaders’ compulsion to rig and treat their party as their personal fiefdom.

As a dinosaur, he must go! …in Public Infrastructure Surely, dear reader, you know the old saw as to what constitutes “news”: “if a dog bites a man, that’s not news, but if a MAN bites a dog, THAT’s news, baby!” Well, the report that Minister of Public Infrastructure Juan Edghill has forced the Chinese contractor to agree to spend an additional US$9million to get some of what had been originally contracted for at the CJIA has gotta be BIG NEWS!!

Compare this to the PNC and their Public Infrastructure man James Patterson, who whined that the Contractor just wouldn’t listen to him - even as they spent an additional US$12M over the US$138M the PPP contracted to spend in 2011. When the PPP returned into the saddle in August, not only did Edhill read the Riot Act to the Contractor - but President Ali personally took a trip to the airport and drew a line in the sand.

And as we can see...the contractor had to fall into line.

Why? The PPP hadn’t received “something” under the table! …and COVID-19 Even if we hadn’t done basic biology in high school, we should know viruses mutate, since we’re told every year there’s a “new strain” of the flu virus.

So, expect more mutations than the new British strain.

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

9

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

5 years later

Guyana still waiting on CCTV system purchased by APNU/AFC T

his month marks five years since the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government spent $19 million to purchase Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) cameras and according to Auditor General Deodat Sharma, they are yet to be delivered.

In his 2019 report, which was released on Wednesday, the Auditor General noted that the CCTV system was purchased since 2015 for the National Intelligence Centre and had not been delivered up to the time of the report.

“However, it was noted that the Ministry had

engaged the Attorney General’s office on this matter,” the Auditor General wrote in his report, adding that the then Ministry of the Presidency, since renamed the Office of the President, had informed him that it was following up with the Attorney General’s chambers on the matter.

In his recommendations, the Auditor General urged the Head of the Budget Agency to follow up with the Attorney General’s office on the matter and to ensure that an update on the fiveyear matter was submitted.

These very CCTV cameras, which were purchased in December 2015 with monies taken from the Contingency Fund for an “emergency”, were subject to questions in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament back in 2017.

At the time, the

Five years later, the CCTV cameras purchased by the former Government are yet to be delivered

Ministry of the Presidency’s Permanent Secretary, Abena Moore was called to give account for the status of the undelivered equipment, which was sole sourced from US company Moonblink Communications.

While she had insisted that the contract, was an

emergency one, then PAC member and Opposition parliamentarian Juan Edghill (who is now the Minister of Public Works) had at the time disagreed with her.

He had noted that the contract could not have been such an emergency if over

a year had passed without the items being delivered.

December 31, 2017 marked over two years since the contract was signed. It is further understood that the company has since declared bankruptcy.

There are strict rules governing the Contingency Fund. But in the 2015 Auditor General report, it was found that Government made withdrawals that totalled over $900 million from the Fund. Besides the money for the CCTV cameras, monies were also used for expenses related to the Army, the D’Urban Park Project, and the infamous Sussex Street bond.

According to Section 220 (1) of the Constitution of Guyana, “Parliament may make provision for the establishment of a Contingencies Fund and for authorising the Minister responsible for finance to make advances from that Fund if he is satisfied that there is an urgent need for expenditure for which no other provision exists.”

Section 220 (2) goes on to say that “Where any advance is made from the Contingencies Fund, a supplementary estimate shall, as soon as practicable, be laid before the National Assembly by Prime Minister or any other Minister designated by the President for the purpose of authorising the replacement of the amount so advanced”.

In addition, Section 41 (3) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability (FMA) Act states, “The Minister, when satisfied that an urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen need for expenditure has arisen – (a) for which no monies have been appropriated or for which the sum appropriated is insufficient; (b) for which monies cannot be reallocated as provided for under this Act; or (c) which cannot be deferred without injury to the public interest, may approve a Contingencies Fund advance as an expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund by the issuance of a drawing right.”

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

611 cheques worth over $2B kept by David Patterson’s Ministry

…money should have been refunded to Consolidated Fund – AG

T

he former Public Infrastructure Ministry has been redflagged by Auditor General Deodat Sharma for breaking the law by keeping 611 cheques worth over $2 billion on hand instead of refunding the money to the Consolidated Fund at year end.

According to the Auditor General in his 2019 report, audit checks in January of this year had found that the Ministry, which was at the time headed by David Patterson, had checks on hand that were mostly drawn prior to December 2019.

However, this is a breach of the Fiscal Management and Accountability (FMA) Act 2003.

“Section 43 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act requires all unspent balances to be returned and surrendered

to the Consolidated Fund at the end of the fiscal year,” the Auditor General said in his report.

To make matters worse, the Appropriation Accounts were overstated by $2.078 billion, a continuation of a trend since the Ministry’s Appropriation Accounts were also overstated in 2018, that time by $732.7 million.

The Auditor General also noted that “123 of the 332 cheques drawn from December 31, 2019 to January 3, 2020, had insufficient supporting documents attached. The 123 cheques totalled $865.2 million.”

It was pointed out that those 123 cheques totalled 66 per cent of the total value of cheques drawn within that period. The Auditor General found that the basis for these transactions could not be determined.

Former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

In the Ministry’s response, they noted that four cheques totalling $590,000 were returned to the Finance Ministry so that they could be changed to the Accountant General and refunded to the Consolidated Fund – still only a fraction of the total cheques.

The Ministry noted, how-

ever, that the remaining cheques were collected by their intended payees. The Audit Office, in its recommendations, urged the Ministry to ensure full compliance with the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. The former APNU/AFC Government has been repeatedly flagged by the Audit Office for breaching the FMA Act, whether it was from not returning monies to the Consolidated Fund or making unauthorised withdrawals from the Fund.

In his 2016 report, the Auditor General had found that the then Government made withdrawals from the Contingency Fund in excess of $900 million – withdrawals which did not comply with the FMA Act. Again, it was the former Public Infrastructure Ministry that was found to be

Auditor General Deodat Sharma

the main culprit. According to the statement of receipts and payments from the Contingency Fund, the former Public Infrastructure Ministry was responsible for withdrawals totalling more than $400 million.

It was noted that two withdrawals were made on behalf of the former Public

Infrastructure Ministry in order to make outstanding payments for works on the controversial D’Urban Park Project: $256.7 million on July 14, 2016, and $150 million on April 25, 2016.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was also cited in that report. In one instance, $20 million was taken to offset expenses incurred in procuring maps, writing material and ink to “aid in the development of orders and other related documents in support of the 46th Republic and 50th Independence anniversary and Operation Dragnet”.

A further $35 million was withdrawn to supplement money needed for the anniversary celebrations, and to service GDF vehicles for Operation Dragnet, a Joint Services’ intelligence-led operation which was carried out in 2016.

NEWS

13

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Murder accused recaptured after escaping from Lusignan Prison … ganja plant, wine, tattoo machine unearthed in raid

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25-year-old murder accused was on Wednesday evening recaptured after escaping from the Lusignan Prison on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) early that morning.

Ishaka John, of Lot 109 A Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, who was on remand, was recaptured around 20:00h on the Railway Embankment at Mon Repos, the village after Lusignan when heading to Georgetown.

John had been observed on the fence by prison officers as he was making his escape.

This prompted the officers to fire several shots in his direction in an effort to deter and apprehend him, but this proved futile as he dodged the bullets and dashed to freedom.

Recaptured escapee: Ishaka John

It is unclear if the prisoner was injured in the process.

Contraband items

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday, ranks of the GPF and the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) seized a num-

ber of contraband items from the Lusignan Prison.

Among the items seized are a quantity of improvised weapons, a tattoo machine, eight containers of homemade wine, and a Guinness bottle.

8-year-old Linden boy found dead

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olice in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are probing an incident whereby an eight-yearold boy of South Amelia's Ward, Linden was discovered dead outside his home on Tuesday.

According to Police, the child was at home with his parents and siblings and about 13:30h they went for a nap, leaving him in his room. However, about 17:30h, checks were made to the child’s room by his mother ,but he was not seen. Further checks were conducted in the yard and he was found near an animal pen with a jersey near his body. He was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) where he

was pronounced dead on arrival. The body is presently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination as investigations continue. (G13)

Other items seized were a bag of sugar, 22 lighters, 15 cellular phones, seven phone batteries, a quantity of wires, a bottle of pepper, a screwdriver, and a vandalised landline phone.

A marijuana plant was also confiscated.

Just recently, two men — Donald Baird, 40, of Lot 22 Hardina Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, and Phillip Jhagroo, 46, of Lot B 3 Goed Intent, Leguan, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), who were wanted by the Police for armed robbery and murder ,escaped from the Lusignan Prison.

Reports are on the day in question, the two men escaped from the prison between 01:28h and 01:48h, but

Some of the contraband items that were found at the Lusignan Prison

the Officer in Charge, Superintendent Alstan Scott reported them missing at 05:20h.

In a statement, Police said an improvised rope made of bedsheets was seen

hanging from the southwestern corner of the prison fence which prompted a physical muster, where it was discovered that the prisoners were unaccounted for.

Following their escape, the GPF, along with prison officers, have been searching for the men, but they are yet to be found.

Investigations are ongoing.

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FIU flags over 12 pyramid Former Govt rewarded delinquent contractor with extensions schemes in Guyana

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he Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has received reports of more than a dozen pyramid schemes operating here, defrauding Guyanese of their hard-earned cash.

Director of the FIU, Matthew Langevine, has said these organisations are operating different types of unauthorised and unlicensed financial activities, intended to defraud persons.

“You know, in Guyana, we have had major pyramid schemes being identified, and so the FIU has been actively involved with other agencies in terms of getting an understanding and information regarding the amount of money involved, the persons involved, and supporting the investigations with financial data,” the FIU Director said.

Langevine said some of the proposals offered by the operations “are not practicable, not reasonable, and we believe that it is all in an effort to scam individuals of their hard-earned currency.”

He added that the FIU has been actively involved in supporting all the different investigations. “(We) believe that we have

Director of the FIU, Matthew Langevine

had a lot of success in that regard, and we may have served to help to reduce the number of losses that persons were likely to have had if there was not a very proactive and consistent effort by law enforcement,” he said.

The Attorney General’s Chambers have been actively pursuing justice for thousands of Guyanese who were caught up in a local Ponzi Scheme operated by the Accelerated Capital Firm Incorporated (ACFI).

Government, in August, received thousands of complaints from citizens after they were cheated out of their

savings. A Police investigation saw the operator and his wife arrested and charged with over 30 counts of fraud.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, recently said the Government would be strengthening laws to address investment fraud, as the lack of this legislation has affected prosecution of the largest Ponzi scheme operators in the country.

Meanwhile, Langevine said the FIU has also noted the use of social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook by persons to scam others.

“Because of the pandemic, I think persons are more inclined to be at home and using those forms of platforms, and so criminals have been seeing that as an opportunity to (reach out), and have been reaching out to individuals and have been orchestrating all kinds of financial scams,” he said.

The FIU has been collaborating with institutions regionally and internationally to effectively deal with the threats that are surfacing, he said.

Works have since been restarted on Hunter Street, Georgetown under a new contractor, after weeks of inactivity

C

ontractors who breach their contracts and execute shoddy work are penalised and have monies deducted from their contract fees, with some even having their contracts terminated.

The former Government, however, chose to reward with more extensions a contractor who continuously flouted his contract deadlines, and even abandoned the work site.

This particular contractor, Surrey Paving and Ideal Engineering, was contracted in May 2019 to do construction work on Hunter Street, Georgetown to the tune of $86.6 million. Surrey Paving has since received $35 million in total payments, and was supposed to complete the project in December 2019, but according to the 2019 report of the Audit Office of Guyana, the contractor failed to advance the project, resulting in a haphazard and unfinished road.

“The contractor failed to pursue the works diligently, yet the Ministry granted three extensions of time, in-

stead of taking action against the defaulting contractor. Moreover, the completion date was extended from December 11, 2018 to March 13, 2020, then to July 17, 2020, and finally to August 7, 2020,” the report states.

“The third extension was granted even though the Ministry, via letter dated July 9, 2020, highlighted to the contractor that he was performing poorly and that the site was abandoned on December 16, 2019 and construction never began again for five weeks,” Auditor General Deodat Sharma also wrote.

According to the scope of works, the contractor was supposed to construct a pedestrian sidewalk with concrete drains between Front Road and Daisy Street, as well as Water Lilly Street and Mandela Avenue on the eastern side of the carriageway.

Surrey Paving was also supposed to widen the road shoulders, construct a concrete drain at the western side, and construct a concrete

road with an asphaltic surface.

A visit to the site by this publication on Wednesday revealed that work has since restarted on the street. This publication understands that the work has restarted under a new company, Vieira 66 Logistics.

Meanwhile, issues have also been raised with the method of procurement used by the former government to engage the previous contractor. According to the Auditor General, there is no information regarding when the works were advertised, the duration for the submission of bids, or even information on how many bids were received.

“Only the contractor’s form of bid, dated December 20, 2019, was seen. The tender evaluation report was also not presented for audit examination. As such, we could not confirm whether tendering and award of the contract was in accordance with the Procurement Act of 2003,” the Auditor General said.

15 Guyana records 2 more COVID-19-related deaths NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…42 new cases

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s at December 22, 2020, Guyana has recorded two additional coronavirus-related deaths, taking the total number of fatalities to 162, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The victims have been identified as an 88-yearold man from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and a 68-year-old woman from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica). Both persons died while receiving medical attention at one of the Ministry’s COVID-19 facilities.

Additionally, the Health Ministry has said that 42 new cases of the deadly virus have been recorded, which takes the total confirmed cases to 6,258.

Four persons are currently warded in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and a breakdown of the total number of cases shows that 3,237 males have contracted the virus, while 3,021 women have tested positive.

Based on the daily dashboard, 5,448 persons have recovered, while 28 are in institutional isolation and 616 are isolating at home.

Some 36,660 tests have been conducted thus far, and 16 persons remain in institutional quarantine.

A breakdown has shown that 11 new cases were detected in Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica), 16 in Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice); 2 in Region 8 (PotaroSiparuni), and 13 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-

Demerara); 303 in Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne); 537 in Region 7 (CuyuniMazaruni) and 396 in Region 9 (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).

Just Tuesday, the Ministry announced the death of a 73-year-old man from Region 5 (MahaicaBerbice).

He died on Monday while receiving care at a medical facility, and his death has been the ninth for the month of December.

COVI-CURB

Berbice).

There are still 931 cases in Region 1(Barima-Waini);

186 in Region 2 (PomeroonSupenaam); 442 in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West

Gunning down of granny

Quartet serving 81 years wants conviction quashed

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Murder convicts: Kevin October and Cleon Hinds

rwin and Cleon Hinds, Roy Jacobs, and Kevin October, who were each sentenced to 81 years’ imprisonment for the 2011 murder of 72-yearold Clementine FiedtkouParris, who was gunned down at her Robb Street, Georgetown residence, are asking the Guyana Court of Appeal to quash their conviction and sentence.

The men were arraigned this week before Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud.

The matter, which was set for case management conference (CMC), has been deferred until January 28, 2021 as two of the murder convicts, Kevin October and Roy Jacobs, were unrepresented by counsel.

Attorney-at-Law Mark Conway appeared on behalf of Cleon Hinds. The lawyer informed the court that the convict's family said the appeal, which was filed in

Murdered: Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris

2015, came up “sudden,” and they are requesting some time to retain counsel.

Orwin Hinds is being

Murder convict: Ray Jacobs

Murder convict: Orwin Hinds

represented by Attorney George Thomas.

In light of the men’s circumstances, Justice Cummings-Edwards informed the men to make arrangements to have counsel retained and properly briefed, so that the court can proceed with hearing the matter.

According to the charge the men face, on June 30, 2011, they murdered Fiedtkou-Parris pursuant to an arrangement whereby money was intended to be passed from one person to another. The elderly woman was shot and killed on that night at her 42 Robb Street, Georgetown home.

Media reports are that two men had gone to the woman’s home asking for ‘auntie’. When the elderly woman emerged from her

bedroom, one of them pulled out a gun and shot her several times to her upper body.

They fled the scene in a waiting motorcar while the elderly woman was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

It is believed that a bitter dispute over a property might have been the motive for her killing.

Following trial before Justice Navindra Singh in 2015, the four men were found guilty of the crime by a 12-member jury. Justice Singh imposed the 81-year prison term on each of them, and ordered that they do not become eligible for parole until after serving a minimum of 45 years.

Despite the guilty verdict, they had all professed their innocence.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Tuesday told the National Assembly that Government has been working diligently to assess the COVID-19 situation and develop reasonable, logical ways of dealing with the effects the pandemic has had on the lives of citizens and the economy.

In a Department of Public Information report, the Prime Minister said Operation COVI-CURB has been effective in engaging the public and raising awareness of the disease.

Operation COVI-CURB was implemented by the National COVID-19 Task Force to educate the populace about the disease and reinforce the importance of adhering to the preventative COVID-19 measures.

“With the involvement of Members of the Joint Services and volunteers across the country, a multi-sectoral, inter-agency approach form of collaboration was taken to make the operation a very successful one. The education along with enforcement has seen improvement in the way persons respond to the coronavirus at all levels, and by that, I mean from businesses and organisations right down to civilians,” the Prime Minister is quoted as saying.

He noted that though challenges exist, the Government will continue to tackle the pandemic in the best way possible from every angle, to ensure the safety of citizens first.

“But at the same time,

taking into consideration the fact that we need to keep our economy running, so that families can take care of themselves and people can get back to work in a safe environment,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

Sexual assault of student

Convicted teacher on bail pending appeal

M

ohammed Wazir Khan, the private school teacher who last month was found guilty of sexually assaulting one of his female students, has been placed by High Court Judge Priya SewnarineBeharry on $250,000 bail pending appeal.

As a condition of his bail, he has been ordered to lodge his passport with the Police.

Following trial before Magistrate Leron Daly, Khan was found guilty of the charge, which stated that on March 9, 2019, he engaged in

Mohammed Wazir Khan

sexual activity with a child under the age of 16, thereby abusing a position of trust.

According to the facts of the case, Khan braced the young girl with his penis and squeezed her breasts and buttocks. In addition to his custodial sentence, Khan was ordered to pay a fine of $1 million.

However, through his lawyer, Khan filed an appeal, asking that his conviction and sentence be set aside. The convict is arguing, among other things, that the magistrate showed un-

constrained human emotion with the victim’s evidence, which created an unfair trial. He is also arguing that the Magistrate erred in law when she considered that there was a “strong suspicion” that he may well in fact have committed the offence.

According to Khan’s lawyer, this suspicion could not justify upholding a conviction in all the circumstances of the case.

Further, Khan is requesting that the court set an early date for the hearing of his appeal.

New strain

Recent reports have confirmed that a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, has been found in the United Kingdom. This has resulted in stricter coronavirus restrictions being implemented in London and other areas. There are over 23 known mutations, a worrying factor in the global community.

Speaking about this issue, the Health Minister said, “As more investigations are done, we’ll probably get a better picture of what’s happening…

A number of countries have moved to stop air traffic between themselves and the UK. So, we had discussions with CARPHA yesterday, and we’re trying to get a consensus of a Caribbean position, how to react to this.

Our advice from CARPHA is that we should wait a little bit to see what is happening, and get scientific information before we make a decision.”

There are two Caribbean countries that have proceeded to restricting flights from the UK; they are Jamaica and Grenada.

news@guyanatimesgy.com

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Charrandas Persaud attends National Assembly sitting …confronted by APNU/AFC MP

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ormer A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud made an appearance at Wednesday’s sitting of the National Assembly at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

His appearance raised questions since members of the public are not permitted to physically view the proceedings in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former APNU/AFC parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud at Wednesday’s sitting of the National Assembly at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

Persaud rose to prominence following his “yes

vote” on a no-confidence motion against the APNU/

AFC Government on the night of December 21, 2018.

He had departed Guyana immediately for Canada on the night the coalition Government crumbled, out of fear for his life.

Persaud returned to Guyana following the swearing-in of Dr Irfaan Ali as President of Guyana on August 2, 2020.

On Wednesday, he was confronted by Opposition Member of Parliament

Charrandas Persaud being confronted by Opposition MP Sherod Duncan in the lobby of the ACCC

(MP), Sherod Duncan and there was an exchange of

words between the two in the lobby of the ACCC.

20-year sentence for murder convict upheld

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he 20-year jail sentence imposed on Clevon Romeo for the October 24, 2012 murder of businessman Herman Ramnarine of Lima, Essequibo Coast was on Wednesday affirmed by the Guyana Court of Appeal.

In 2014, a 12-person jury had found Romeo guilty of killing the 56-year-old businessman, and Romeo was sentenced to 20 years in prison by Justice Franklyn Holder at the Suddie High Court. Through his lawyer, Romeo later filed an appeal, asking the court to set aside and/or reverse his conviction and sentence.

Clarification/correction

During a recent court hearing, defence counsel Dexter Todd informed the court that there were some challenges with this matter, and proffered the court an apology.

He said that at some time in 2015 or 2016, his services

were terminated by Romeo’s family, and they had taken all the statements in the file.

According to the lawyer, when he received the record of appeal from the court, he began making attempts to contact the convict’s family to ascertain whether they had retained a new lawyer for the case, and how the matter would be proceeded with.

“I was not able to reach the family…I heard from a relative in the community that there might be some financial challenges…” Todd informed the court.

Todd has nevertheless said he is prepared to assist Romeo in whatever way he could, and has asked the court for two weeks to file submissions.

Based on those submissions, Guyana Times previously reported, Todd told the court that efforts made to contact Romeo’s lawyers for legal fees have proven futile.

However, what the law-

Murder convict: Clevon Romeo

yer submitted was that he was attempting to make contact with the family to get directions on how they would proceed with the matter.

State Prosecutor Natasha Bakker asked that the appeal be dismissed on the basis that a Notice of Abandonment/Withdrawal of appeal was contained in the records.

“I’m now being made aware that there is such a record,” Todd said in re-

ply, adding that there is not much that counsel can do concerning the Notice of Abandonment. He, therefore, asked the court for an order that the 20-year sentence would take effect from the date of conviction in 2014.

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, in dismissing the appeal, said Romeo’s sentence would be reduced to reflect the time he spent on remand awaiting trial. In so doing, Justice Cummings-Edwards cited a ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in the case of Romeo Da Cost Hall v The Queen, in which the regional court held that full credit should be granted for

Murdered: Herman Ramnarine

the time an accused person had spent in pre-trial custody.

The Appeal Court further ordered that the sentence would take effect from

the date of conviction. In the end, the court dismissed the appeal, affirming the conviction and sentence.

According to reports, Ramnarine was found lying motionless in his home by his wife, who had managed to free herself after she was tied up by armed bandits.

The man had injuries to his head, and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

It was reported that the woman was at home when she was confronted by two men, one of whom was armed with a cutlass. Police, in a statement, had said the men took away an undisclosed sum of cash and a quantity of jewellery before fleeing.

300 GuyOil workers on “sit-in” …Union chided for ignoring collective bargaining agreement

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ome 300 Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) workers went on a “sit-in” on Wednesday, after negotiations for a salary increase ended abruptly when their union chose to move to industrial action instead of proceeding with the protocols of the collective bargaining agreement.

The workers are represented by the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU), which has been in negotiations with GuyOil for an increase in wages.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle rebuked the Union for its ac-

Chief Labour Officer Charles Ogle (right) and CCWU President Sherwood Clarke

“We had a conciliation meeting and we are at a stalemate presently: the company is offering nothing and the Union is asking something… I wrote the

GuyOil Gas Station

tions, saying that it did not adhere to the labour protocols.

According to Ogle, the CCWU went against the labour laws the moment it did not inform management that it was going on a sit-in or a strike. He stated that the Union was aware that it must inform management first before doing such.

Union for them to come in… they didn’t inform me or they didn’t inform management.

The Union is saying it is a sit-in and the management is saying it is a strike,” the Chief Labour Officer said.

Ogle added that he informed CCWU President Sherwood Clarke on Monday that he needed to “hold his hands”, because the Labour Ministry has intervened in

the matter. However, Ogle revealed that Clarke still went ahead with the strike action.

“I checked with them and I am monitoring the situation. I even checked with the parties to see if there have been any movements, if the Union is lowering their proposal or if the company is offering something because if the parties don’t move, then there is no way we can solve the problem,” he said.

According to the Chief Labour Officer, the Union is asking for an eight per cent increase based on appraisal or five per cent across the board.

The Union and GuyOil were in negotiations since July 2020, and the Union agreed to all the fringe benefits. Guyana Times was informed that the proposal was on the table since then.

The Union has since said that it was engagement. It is still unclear how long the strike action will last.

NEWS

17

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt extends COVID-19 relief banking measures to June 2021

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s the Guyana Government continues to explore ways to relief the burden caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on citizens, it has announced the extension of the banking measures for another six months.

In a communique sent to the various commercial banks in Guyana – a copy of which was seen by Guyana Times – Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr Gobind Ganga, indicated that all COVID-19 measures that were agreed to in August 2020 are now extended until June 30, 2021.

“The Bank of Guyana continues to monitor the developments surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on households and the business sector, and is prepared to take all necessary steps to protect the safety and soundness of the finance system,” Dr Ganga detailed in the missive.

Back in August, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced a series of measures agreed with the local banking sector to ease the burden on citizens. These include lowered interest rates and an extension of the moratorium on loan payments.

This means that customers with mortgages and other loans would be spared the financial burden of servicing those loans during the

BoG Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga

pandemic. In addition, their loans would not be classified as non-performing, ensuring that they do not default.

“Commercial banks agreed to offer general concessional reductions of interest rates of one per cent and up to two per cent on customer loans below $10 million until December 30, 2020. The existing lending rate ranges between 6.5 per cent and 16 per cent.

Some commercial banks have agreed to apply special treatment to the interest accrued during the moratorium period,” the President had explained.

“Commercial banks have agreed to waive all bank

charges, including ATM and Merchant Bank charges, to encourage more out-of-bank transactions as well as… transactions by senior citizens,” he noted, adding that these measures will not impact the soundness of the banking sector.

The Head of State had also announced that the Bank of Guyana would relax certain requirements that would allow banks to cushion their losses and increase liquidity by $9.4 billion. These requirements are set out in the 13 guidelines that the BoG uses to regulate financial institutions.

He pointed out that the Bank of Guyana would relax sections 14 and 15 of the Supervision Guideline Number Five until December 2020.

“Additionally, a waiver is being given to section 13 of Supervision Guideline Number Five. The relaxation of stringent statutory measures is intended to result in direct benefits for customers to banks, by giving the financial institutions the ability to operate with more flexibility.”

Section 13 states that, “the hardcore of an overdraft facility shall be converted into a term loan, which specifies a fixed repayment programme.

“To facilitate review of overdraft facilities, a li-

censed financial institution shall maintain an analysis sheet for each account,

2 busted with narco in Berbice

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anks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) have made a major narcotics seizure during an operation conducted in East Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

The operation was conducted on the Upper Corentyne between Number 62 and Number 75 villages. In one instance, CANU ranks discovered a “salt bag” containing a large quantity of marijuana, and two persons were arrested in relation to that find.

The entire operation conducted by the anti-narcotics officers along the Upper Corentyne has yielded a total of 8.5 kilogrammes of marijuana; 16.3 grammes of Ecstasy; 28 Ecstasy pills; 9.9 grammes of cocaine, and 18.1 grammes of methamphetamine.

Over the past recent weeks, CANU has made several major drugs’ finds during operations held across the country. In fact, earlier this month, anti-narcotics ranks intercepted over 50 kilograms of cannabis in a hire car at Moleson Creek, Corentyne.

The driver and a young male passenger have been taken into custody.

Then, last Saturday, CANU ranks discovered 85.804 kilograms of cannabis at a house at Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The narcotics found by CANU ranks during the operation in Berbice

Several persons were arrested for that find.

CANU Head James Singh had said the Unit has been further widening its grasp across the country, more particularly in Berbice, Essequibo and other key locations.

Singh posited that the Unit’s key aim is to disrupt smuggling routes.

“CANU is extending its operations across the country - Berbice, Essequibo. The aim is to disrupt the routes and to also deter persons.

We are not waiting at the airports or wharves, we are coming where you feel

comfortable; we are not going to allow any community to become contaminated, we are working closer with the community polic-

ing groups and other agencies. We want to continue to build public confidence and trust,” the CANU Head has said.

showing monthly balances and a summary of movements, indicating the total amount and number of deposits and withdrawals, and the accruals and repayments of interest charges.”

Section 14 of Supervisory Guideline Number Five speaks to a renegotiated loan which has been refinanced or rescheduled because of a borrower’s inability to repay. Among the stipulations in the section is that a commercial loan cannot be renegotiated more

than twice over the life of the original loan, and that a mortgage cannot be renegotiated more than twice in five years.

Meanwhile, section 15 stipulates that an account shall be written off three months after it is classified as a loss, unless there is a significant improvement which shows that there can be a recovery within the next six months. It also sets out that a record of bad debts must be kept for monitoring purposes. (G8)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020

Regional

1st batch of COVID-19 vaccines Caribbean-born scientist worked on Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrives in Latin America

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T

he first formally-approved batch of COVID-19 vaccines to arrive in Latin America was met by ceremonies befitting a VIP on Wednesday: flags, television cameras and dignitaries lined up along the runway.

A DHL flight touched down at Mexico City’s international airport and ground crew unloaded the first batches of ultra-cold vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech.

“Today is the beginning of the end of that pandemic,” said Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, one of the officials who came to see the plane land.

Mexico expects to receive 1.4 million doses of the PfizerBioNTech product by the end of January.

The first vaccines were due to be given to health workers in Mexico City and the northern city of Saltillo starting today.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he would press for the vaccine to be used in additional

A soldier participating in a drill, before the start of the roll-out of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Mexico [Edgard Garrido/Reuters]

areas as officials seek to reach workers at nearly 1000 hospitals treating coronavirus patients nationwide.

Senior citizens and people with chronic illnesses are due to be next in line to receive vaccinations.

Mexico has recorded a total of 1.3 million COVID-19 infections and 119,495 deaths related to the disease, the fourth-highest death toll worldwide.

Shipments of the Pfizer vaccine are scheduled to ar-

rive in some other Latin American nations this week, and vaccine candidates from other producers have already arrived in Brazil and some other nations pending formal approval by their health authorities.

Brazil’s Health Ministry expects to have at least 150 million doses of vaccines against COVID-19 available in the first half of 2021, with a third or more coming from a Chinese company. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Earthquake jolts parts of Trinidad

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t 14:48h, an earthquake of 3.9 magnitude struck northwest of Port of Spain, Trinidad, according to the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI SRC).

The quake was located at 10.904°North and 61.768°West, and at a depth of 42.72 kilometres.

The minor earthquake was widely reported felt across the northern half of Trinidad, with several per-

sons reporting a rumble before a quick jolt. Such reports were more common across north-western areas of Trinidad.

Quakes of this magnitude do not typically produce damage.

Following Wednesday afternoon’s earthquake, residents in NorthCentral Trinidad, located in Maracas, St Joseph and Five Rivers, Arouca, reported small cracks developing on their homes.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Maradona autopsy shows no drink or illegal drugs

A

rgentine football star Diego Maradona did not consume alcohol or illicit narcotics in the days before his death, an autopsy released on Wednesday said.

Maradona, who died in November aged 60, had taken seven different medicines to treat depression, anxiety and other ailments, but “there was no presence of [illegal] drugs,” a judicial official told the Reuters news agency.

The autopsy, which was based on blood and urine samples and released by the Buenos Aires Scientific Police, said Maradona had problems with his kidneys, heart, and lungs.

Investigators are looking into various facets of his death that rocked Argentina and the wider footballing world and have not ruled out wrongful death.

Argentine football star Diego Maradona did not consume alcohol or illicit narcotics in the days before his death, an autopsy revealed [David Moir/ Reuters]

The more detailed autopsy confirmed the results of one carried out immediately after his death that said the former Boca Juniors and Napoli player died from “acute pulmonary edema

secondary to exacerbated chronic heart failure with dilated cardiomyopathy.”

In an angry broadside at her father’s critics, Maradona’s daughter Gianinna said the autopsy showed “a result compatible with cirrhosis of the liver”.

The charismatic 1986 World Cup winner, who was regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, had battled alcohol and drug addiction for much of his life.

A judge last week ruled that Maradona’s body cannot be exhumed or cremated in case DNA is needed at a later date for use in paternity or other cases.

Maradona has five recognised children and six with filiation requests. They are part of a complex inheritance process under way in Argentina. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

lot has been written already, and more needs to be said, of the Caribbean-born doctor, Dr Michelle Chester, who delivered the first COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine in the US and of the Caribbean-born nurse, Sandra Lindsay, who was the first in the US to receive the shot. But few know that one of the scientists who helped create the much-needed COVID-19 vaccine, BNT162b2, was also born in the Caribbean region.

Pfizer’s principal research scientist, Vidia Surendra Roopchand, was born in Guyana and News Americas recently caught up with him exclusively to get his thoughts now that the vaccine has become a reality.

Asked how he feels to be making history as an immigrant and a Caribbean immigrant from Guyana, as part of the team to deliver the first vaccine to possibly help curb the COVID-19 virus, Roopchand said: “It was a humbling experience more than anything else!”

“I also feel honoured and fortunate that I was able to contribute to the team effort that delivered the first COVID-19 vaccine to the world,” added the 53-year-old scientist, who grew up on the tiny island of Wakenaam, lo-

Pfizer’s principal research scientist, Vidia Surendra Roopchand

cated in the Essequibo River.

He credits his educational foundation and life experiences in the Caribbean and Guyana. “This is also an American story, I have represented Guyana and Caribbean in this effort, but it is also an embodiment of the American dream and the great things that are possible in America,” he added.

Asked for his message to immigrants and people of colour who because of past history, are hesitant about the vaccine and taking it when it becomes more widely available, Roopchand said that “for every successful vaccine that I have worked on during my career at Pfizer, I have

always asked myself the following question. ‘Would I take this vaccine, and would I recommend this vaccine to a loved one?”.

“The answer to this question has always been a resounding ‘Yes,’” he said. “I will take this vaccine and I will recommend this vaccine to any of my loved ones. My wife is taking it today (Dec. 21, 2020), at her hospital (NYP Bronxville).”

The top Pfizer scientist revealed that the development of the BNT162b2 vaccine has been “thorough and transparent to the regulatory agencies around the world”. (Excerpt from News Americas Now)

Record 22 candidates to square off in Peru’s April presidential election

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eruvians will choose their next president from a record 22 candidates vying for the country’s top job in the April 2021 election, with a soccer goalkeeper leading the race over an ex-president and the daughter of former strongman Alberto Fujimori.

The national elections authority said on Wednesday that applications to be included on the ballot were submitted electronically due to coronavirus restrictions.

Among the candidates are

Keiko Fujimori, leader of a right-wing party in her third attempt to govern the Andean country once presided over by her father, former nationalist President Ollanta Humala, left-wing candidate Veronica Mendoza and moderate economist Julio Guzman.

The candidate leading in the opinion polls is former national soccer team goalkeeper George Forsyth, with 18 per cent support. He is followed

by Guzman with eight per cent, Mendoza with seven per cent and Fujimori with seven

per cent.

The previous record high number of Peruvian presidential candidates was the 20 that ran in 2006. The country has had four presidents since 2016 owing to a series of corruption scandals and political battles between the executive branch and Congress.

According to a survey by the firm Ipsos Peru released in mid-December, 32 per cent of Peruvians said they would not support any candidate or that they do not know who to vote for on April 11. (Reuters)

Jamaican couple who found sanctuary in churches walk free after ICE drops deportation case

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amaicans Oneita and Clive Thompson, who spent two years living in Philadelphia churches to avoid deportation, have had their case dropped by United States (US) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

USA Today reported that the couple said they received notice from last week that the agency would support their case to stay in the country.

The story was first reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, which reported that the couple had spent a total of 843 days in Philadelphia churches.

The couple had gained attention as one of many undocumented families that sought refuge in churches after President Donald Trump came into office.

USA Today reported that the couple went to the US in 2004 to flee gang violence.

Federal officials denied them asylum, but they were given permission to work. In 2018, the Thompsons, who have five children, received a notice to leave the country.

The report said The New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, a faith-based immigrant advocacy group,

supported the Thompsons and helped them find refuge.

The report said volunteers helped write letters to federal and state officials seeking support. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the US, the Thompsons hosted fundraisers where Oneita would cook traditional Jamaican dishes to raise money to pay legal fees and the mortgage for the house they left behind in New Jersey.

In the US, ICE agents are stopped from taking action in houses of worship, hospitals, and schools. (Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices stabilise as mutant virus appears to spread

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il steadied near US$47 a barrel in New York after coming under pressure from signs of increased US supply and the resurgence of the pandemic.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures recouped earlier losses, though it remained about four per cent down this week. The American Petroleum Institute (API) said US crude inventories rose by 2.7 million barrels last week, according to people familiar with the data. That would be the second weekly increase in three if confirmed by official figures due later on Wednesday.

A suggestion by President Donald Trump that he might not sign a stimulus bill into law also weighed on financial markets.

The new COVID-19 strain – which is possibly already in the US, Germany, France and Switzerland – is raising the risk of more stay-at-home measures that would sap energy demand.

The United Kingdom is considering putting more people under a severe lockdown to halt its spread.

“Jitters surrounding the new strain of the virus remain front and centre,” said Stephen Brennock, an analyst at PVM Oil Associates Ltd. “The spectre of fresh restrictions now hangs over Europe together with the prospect of a drawn-out recovery.”

The threat to near-term demand from the virus mutation has rippled across crude markets.

Brent’s prompt time-spread has moved back into contango, a bearish market structure where near-dated prices are cheaper than later-dated ones. Global demand for oil liquids will not return to pre-virus levels until early or mid-2022, according to Gazprom Neft PJSC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alexander Dyukov. (Excerpt from Bloomberg)

Tennessee emerges as new COVID-19 epicentre in US as pandemic rages

A NY Fire Department staffer gets vaccinated

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ennessee emerged on Wednesday as an epicentre of the latest COVID-19 surge as US political leaders sought to guard against a highly-contagious variant sweeping across Britain.

The southern state averaged nearly 128 new infections per 100,000 people over the last seven days, the highest state rate in the country, according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. It was followed by California at 111 new cases per 100,000 residents.

“Our state is ground zero for a surge in COVID-19 and we need Tennesseans to (do) their part,” Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said on Twitter with a graphic stating: “Tennessee cannot sustain another holiday surge.”

Public health officials believe that Americans travelling and gathering for the Thanksgiving holiday contributed to the latest explo-

sion in cases.

All told 31 US states have reported a grim record in new COVID-19 infections for December as hospitalisations and deaths also spiral. More than 194,600 new cases were confirmed on Tuesday alone.

Americans who saw a ray of hope in the release of two vaccines in December learnt of an even more transmissible coronavirus variant spreading in the United Kingdom, which has not been fully tested against the inoculations.

The United States, unlike many nations worldwide, has not banned travellers from Britain.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said that international travellers would be required to quarantine for 14 days and to provide contact information. Sheriff’s deputies will make visits to enforce the order on those arriving from Britain. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Trump vetoes “unconstitutional” defence bill

U

S President Donald Trump has vetoed a US$740 billion defence spending bill that passed Congress this month.

Trump is objecting to provisions that limit troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and Europe and remove Confederate leaders' names from military bases.

He also wanted it to repeal a liability shield for social media companies.

Lawmakers passed the measure with an overwhelming majority and could override the President's rejection.

Bills passed by Congress need a president's signature to become law. On rare occasions, a president may

President Donald Trump said the defence bill was a "gift to China and Russia"

choose to veto – or reject -legislation because of some policy disagreement.

Lawmakers can override a presidential veto by mustering two-thirds of votes in both chambers of Congress – the House of

Representatives and the Senate – allowing the bill to become law despite a presidential veto.

If Congress does not override Trump's veto in this case, it would be the first time in 60 years

that the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) does not become law.

Trump called the 4500page act, which has been nearly a year in the making, a "gift to China and Russia".

"Unfortunately, the Act fails to include critical national security measures, includes provisions that fail to respect our veterans and our military's history, and contradicts efforts by my administration to put America first in our national security and foreign policy actions," he said in a statement.

The president also said the bill's measures to limit bringing troops home was "bad policy" and "unconstitutional". (Excerpt from BBC News)

Priest and nun jailed for murder of convent sister

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Catholic priest and nun have been sentenced to life in prison for the killing of another member of their convent in India nearly 30 years ago.

Father Thomas Kottoor and Sister Sephy were convicted on Tuesday of murdering 21-year-old Sister Abhaya in 1992, and destroying evidence of the kill-

ing.

The pair killed her after she came across them engaged in illicit sexual activity.

Local Police originally thought the young nun had taken her own life.

But further investigations were launched following suspicions about her death from family and campaign-

ers.

Sephy, 55, has not publicly commented on the ruling, but Kottoor, 69, insisted he was innocent.

"I have done no wrong.

God is with me," he told local media outside court on Wednesday, when he was sentenced.

A third priest, Fr Jose Poothrikkayil, was accused

by prosecutors of also having an illicit relationship with Sephy. He was arrested and charged over the murder in 2008, but later acquitted due to a lack of evidence.

Sr Abhaya's body was found in a well at St Pius X convent in Kottayam, a city in southern India. (Excerpt from BBC News)

HK court grants tycoon Jimmy Lai bail in national security, fraud case

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Hong Kong court granted HK$10 million (US$1.3 million) bail on Wednesday to media tycoon Jimmy Lai, the highest-profile pro-democracy activist charged under the city’s new national security law on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces.

An immediate appeal by the prosecution was then denied on the same day.

Lai is one of the financial hub’s most ardent critics of Beijing, while his

Jimmy Lai

Next Media group is considered one of the key remaining bastions of media

freedom. He was arrested in August when about 200 Police Officers raided the newsroom of his Apple Daily tabloid.

Lai, 73, who had been in custody since December 3, is also charged with fraud related to the lease of a building that houses Apple Daily.

The security law - -which punishes what Beijing broadly defines as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in jail – has

been condemned by the West and human rights groups as a tool to crush dissent in the semi-autonomous, Chineseruled city.

Authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing say the law is necessary to plug gaping holes in national security defences exposed by months of sometimes violent anti-Government and anti-China protests that rocked the global financial hub last year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Gunmen kill more than UK and EU “haggling”, as hopes for Brexit trade deal rise 100 in attack in Ethiopia's Benishangul-Gumuz region

T

he European Union and the United Kingdom are continuing talks on post-Brexit trade, amid mounting speculation that they are close to agreeing a deal.

BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said it was looking "very likely" the two sides were "heading towards" an agreement.

But this was "not signed and sealed", with "haggling" going on, she added.

Disputes over fishing rights and business competition rules remain the key hurdles to reaching a deal.

An EU official close to the talks said: "It is crunch time. But talk of a deal announcement is premature."

And a Downing Street source said it was "possible but far from certain" that an agreement could be secured later on Wednesday.

The two sides have until December 31, when the UK leaves EU, to reach a deal and then get it approved – or ratified – by parliamentarians.

If this does not happen by then, they could place import taxes on each other's goods, potentially affecting prices.

UK chief negotiator Lord Frost and Stephanie Riso, a senior member of the EU team, are understood still to be in discussions in Brussels.

EU sources said UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had also been in contact in an attempt to break the deadlock before the expected pause in negotiations for Christmas. (Excerpt from BBC News)

G

unmen killed more than 100 people in a dawn attack in the western BenishangulGumuz region of Ethiopia on Wednesday, the Human Rights Commission said, as residents described fleeing the latest deadly assault in an area bedevilled by ethnic violence.

The attack occurred in the village of Bekoji in Bulen county in the Metekel zone, the state-run Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said in a statement, an area where multiple ethnic groups are living.

Africa’s second-most populous nation has been grappling with regular outbreaks of deadly violence since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was appointed in 2018 and accelerated demo-

cratic reforms that loosened the State’s iron grip on regional rivalries.

Elections due next year have further inflamed simmering tensions over land, power and resources.

In a separate part of the country, Ethiopia’s military has been fighting rebels in the northern Tigray region for over six weeks in a conflict that has displaced close to 950,000 people. The deployment of federal troops there has raised fears of a security vacuum in other restive regions.

Ethiopia is also fighting an insurgency in the Oromiya region and faces long-running security threats from Somali Islamist militants along its porous eastern border.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

20

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Put your energy into something meaningful. Enjoy the festivities without overspending. Make arrangements with someone close to you. Romance is in the stars, and new adventures await.

Preparation, intelliTAURUS gence and putting your en(April 20ergy where it counts will May 20) help you reach your goal.

Emotions will be difficult to control. Don’t let insecurity set in because of what someone says or does.

Don’t go overboard tryGEMINI ing to please others with lav(May 21- ish gifts or be disappointed if June 20) someone doesn’t reciprocate.

Last-minute shopping will lead to overspending. Buy fewer things. Offer your love and thoughtfulness.

An intelligent move on CANCER your part will give you the (June 21edge. What you have to ofJuly 22) fer will lead to unexpected rewards. A partnership looks promising. Listen to the concerns of others.

DILBERT

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Go over the pros and cons of a situation before you decide to get involved.

You can minimize emotional turmoil. Distance yourself from negativity, and concentrate on being and doing your best.

Open up to close friends and relatives. You will receive information that will help you make decisions that will improve your life.

An unexpected opportunity will arise.

Don’t get involved in other people’s problems. If someone makes demands, offer suggestions, not your time or money. Look for a way to express your feelings to a loved one.

A new beginning is heading your way. Don’t take someone’s word as truth.

Verify facts, and leave no room for error when making plans. Procrastination will not help you reach your goal.

Look at the big picture.

SAGITTARIUS Reach out to someone who (Nov. 23shares your dream. Make Dec. 21) plans to boost your morale. A personal change will lead to romance. Find something exciting to talk about with loved ones.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Let others know what you are thinking and what you want. Believe in your ability and push forward until you reach your goal.

Reach out to your loved ones and celebrate.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

When unsure, stop and rethink your strategy. Be careful how you deal with friends and relatives. Be mindful of the difficulties that others are experiencing. Strive to take better care of your health.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Talk of change will lift your spirits. Share plans with people you haven’t seen in some time. Consider innovative ways to use your skills in the new year.

Alleviate uncertainty.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020

21

Who will be the extra Test spinner on Bangladesh tour?

Jomel Warrican

By Brandon Corlette

T

he West Indies Test squad has been selected, and the official announcement is expected very shortly. It was made evident that an extra spinner will be in the Test squad to tour Bangladesh in January 2021.

During recent Test matches, Rahkeem Cornwall and Roston Chase were the spinners.

With Bangladesh known for more spin-friendly conditions, an extra spinner would be required. Who will be that extra spinner in the Windies squad?

Examining some of the spinners in the Caribbean, the first name that comes to mind, to partner Chase and Cornwall in the squad, is Veerasammy Permaul, who ironically

made his Test debut in Bangladesh.

Jomel Warrican, another left-arm spinner, was in the reserve list that toured England.

In the 2020 Regional 4-Day which concluded back in March 2020, Permaul took 50 wickets, the most by any bowler. Akeal Hosein, another left-arm spinner, took 36 wickets, while Cornwall took 30 wickets.

Bishoo, who suffered a knee injury, last played a Test match back in 2018 in Bangladesh, but he seems to be off the selection radar.

After Permaul's last Test, he played 55 firstclass matches and took 290 wickets. He has a best bowling figure of 8 for 18; a best match haul figure of 15 for 77; and has taken 18 five-wicket hauls and seven 10-wicket hauls at an average of 16.90.

Permaul has played in 121 first-class matches, and has taken 536 wickets.

He has a best bowling figure of 8-18 at 20.65, with 29 five-wicket hauls.

Meanwhile, Warrican has taken 261 wickets in 67 first-class matches at an average of 20.3, with 17 five-wicket hauls. In the two first-class matches against New Zealand A, Fabian Allen and Hayden Walsh Jr. were the spinners, but, in challenging spin conditions, they struggled.

In this upcoming tour to Bangladesh, the spinners who are expected to play would each have opportunity to spin the ball and make a name for themselves.

However, since the time of the great Lance Gibbs, not many West Indies spinner dominated Test cricket for an extended period. The modern era has seen Guyanese leg-spinner Bishoo ranked fourth as the leading wicket-taker; behind Lance Gibbs, Sonny Ramadhin, and Alf

Rahkeem Cornwall

Valentine. Bishoo has participated in 36 Test matches and has taken 117 wickets, with four five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket match haul.

A look at West Indies Test spinners since Gibbs

Gibbs may remain as the leading wicket-taker among spin bowlers for the West Indies. He accounted for 309 Test wickets in 79 Test matches, capturing 18 five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls.

Some may say the modern West Indian spinners are not given a fair opportunity at the Test level, but the likes of Permaul, Sulieman Benn, and Shane Shillingford each failed to cement a place in a Test side.

Permaul played six Test matches, and in the 11 innings that he bowled, he picked up only 18 wickets, with no five-wicket haul.

Benn had a decent run, with 26 matches from which he picked up 87

wickets; but he lacked consistency, which his bowling average of 39.10 proves.

Shillingford was among the dangerous spin bowlers when he played Test cricket, but he was reported for a suspect action.

Shillingford, who is still playing regional cricket, has 70 Test wickets in 16 matches, along with six five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket match hauls.

In contrast, other Test nations, such as Australia, India and Sri Lanka, have produced great spin bowlers in the modern era. The likes of Carl Hooper and Roger Harper were decent spinners in their time, but were considered part-time spinners.

Besides Chase, who is among the current Test spinners? Cornwall played three Test matches and has 13 wickets. Gibbs’s haul of 309 wickets is more than a million miles away for the current West Indies Test spinners.w

T

he Humanitarian Volunteer Network have found a unique way of supporting their goal to assist underprivileged children and orphans - teaming up with one of the fastest growing sports in the country: Golf.

Medical student Kimberly Jaikarran saw the opportunity when she was introduced to the Nexgen Golf Academy, and quickly encouraged Dr Dolapo Ipinniwa, head of HVN Guyana, to utilise the Golf Association's influence to assist them in providing a wonderful Christmas for the Hope Enmore Orphanage.

Present at the simple handover ceremony done at the Nexgen Golf Academy on Woolford Avenue was Nexgen President Aleem Hussain, Kimberly Jaikarran and Eva Naa Lomoley Engmann of the HVN, and Hope Enmore Orphanage Director Kenneth Finlayson.

Finlayson was extremely grateful for the donation, and said, "On behalf of Hope Children’s Home, we want to say, ‘Thank you!’ for the timely effort you have put in to bring Christmas cheer to the children. We know they will enjoy this, as this gesture will enhance the life of everyone. We just

Kimberly Jaikarran hands over the items to Kenneth Finlayson, Director of the Enmore Children's Home

want to thank you, and pray you have a great holiday."

Jaikarran thanked the Golf Association and all of the generous contributors who braved traffic and bad weather to bring their donations to the Academy.

"Mr Hussain was extremely helpful in coordinating with us to offer free golf lessons to all our donors, and has agreed to let them all come back for a second chance due to the (unfavourable) weather. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the per-

sons who have donated towards our Send a Portion project.

“We were happy to bless the children of the orphanage, and bring joy to their hearts in this festive season."

The Golf Academy and Guyana Golf Association have been extremely active in charitable events and in donating to worthy causes.

They plan to increase their activities in the months ahead. In fact, there will be a bake sale by the UG Economics group on the

President of the GGA and Nexgen Golf Academy, Aleem Hussain with Kimberly Jaikarran and Eva Naa Lomoley Engmann who are members of the HVN

29th December, and participants would also receive a chance to play unlimited golf.

For more information on the Humanitarian Volunteer Network and

their charter, goals, or how to become a volunteer, please contact Dolapo Ipinniwa on 681-5890 or Kimberley Jaikarran on 617-2722.

The lighted driving

Range at Nexgen Golf Academy on Woolford Avenue is available for all types of activities and is open daily until 8 pm.

You can contact them on Facebook or 645-0944.

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020

It’s time for Bonner to get his chance at Test cricket, says Junior Bennett

F

ormer Jamaica cricket coach Junior Bennett believes the fragility of the West Indies batting line-up could see Nkrumah Bonner make his Test debut in the upcoming series against Bangladesh.

Bonner, 31, was a member of the reserve group of players for the summer tour of England and the recent trip to New Zealand.

The Caribbean side lost 1-2 and 0-2 respectively, with the batting found woefully wanting during both series, giving rise to calls that the Jamaican middle-order batsman is long overdue for his big break.

“The selection panel must be thinking about giving Bonner a chance in the next series, based on his performances in the last first-class season and the fact that he toured with the team to England and New Zealand and did not get an opportunity,” Bennett told the Jamaica Observer.

The proposed tour of Bangladesh, comprising three One Day Internationals and two Tests, is scheduled to run from late January to mid-February.

In last season’s domestic four-day chaAmpionship, Bonner scored

two centuries in 13 innings for Jamaica Scorpions. The right-hander’s tally of 523 runs at an average of 58.11 is his best in regional cricket.

A highlight was the manner in which he gathered his runs, displaying plenty of composure and expertise alongside immense technique, at times under challenging circumstances.

“Our batting is still a major concern, and I think Bonner is capable of holding our middle order together. Bonner has the ability to concentrate for long periods of time, therefore he can hold the middle-order batting together, where we are losing a cluster of wickets,” e x -

chairman of selectors for Jamaica Scorpions.

Bennett also noted that recent Test debutants Chemar Holder and Joshua D a Silva made compell i n g cases

when they were given opportunity in the second of the two-Test series in New Zealand.

Da Silva was inserted in the team for the second Test after the injury withdrawal of wicketkeeper/batsman Shane Dowrich. The 22-year-old Trinidadian made a classy 57 in the second innings.

The Barbadian Holder, also 22, stepped in for ace pace bowler Kemar Roach, who had to return home for personal reasons, and did his credentials no harm.

He claimed 2-110 in New Zealand’s 460 all out.

“Both Da Silva and Holder gave a good account of themselves on debut. I think they gave the selection panel a lot to think about,” said the

former Jamaica coach.

Da Silva grabbed the attention of West Indies

plained Bennett, who has served as

selectors last season. He aggregated 507 runs in 12 innings for Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, including a career best 113 not out and an eye-catching average of 50.7.

Holder, an integral bowler at the back end of the 2016 Under-19 World Cup as West Indies won the title, has been in impressive form in first-class cricket, dating back to the unofficial Test series against India “A” in the Caribbean last year. He claimed 15 wickets in three matches against the vaunted batting of the visiting team.

The long-limbed pacer was incessantly accurate and threatening during the domestic four-day competition, grabbing 36 wickets at 18.91 apiece for Barbados Pride.

“I was not surprised by the Holder situation, because when I saw him in the last first-class season, he was very impressive as he bowled with decent pace and control. I have not seen Da Silva in action, but I’ve followed his progress, and he seems to be very consistent,” Bennett told the Observer. ( J a m a i c a Observer)

Injured David Warner excluded from bio-bubble for 2nd Test I

njured batsman David Warner has been excluded from Australia’s biosecure bubble for the second Test against India in Melbourne, starting on 26 December.

In the four-Test series, Australia won the first match by eight wickets.

Warner is missing the Test because of the groin injury that kept him out of last week’s series opener in Adelaide. In line with the team’s “bio-security protocols”, paceman Sean Abbott is also out, after he left the bubble as w e l l

for treatment of an injury.

“While neither player has been in a specific hotspot as outlined

by NSW Health, C r i c k e t Australia’s bio-security protocols do not allow them to re-

join the squad in time for the Boxing Day Test,” said governing body Cricket Australia.

The players will not be replaced in the squad for the

Melbourne Test, making it likely that Australia will stick with the makeshift opening partnership of Joe Burns and Matthew Wade.

It remains unclear whether a COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney, that has led to state border closures,

will affect the third Test, which is due to start there on 7 January.

“I know Cricket Australia (are) doing everything in their power to have the Test match in Sydney, but we’ll know more in a couple of days,” said off-spinner Nathan Lyon. “Fingers crossed, it’s in Sydney, but more importantly, hopefully, everyone stays safe and can have a decent Christmas.”

(BBC Sport)

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

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Who will be the extra Test spinner on Bangladesh tour?

Pg 21

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