GUYANA TIMES - FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4606

FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana saved $488M with installation of solar panels on Govt buildings – GEA Head

4 deaths, 126 new COVID-19 cases recorded in 24 hours P17 …death toll now skyrockets to 235

MoF staff dies, 3 others injured in Mabura P19 accident

See story on page 3

...more than 39MW of solar power expected over next 3 years

$2.3B in contracts awarded for Eccles-to-Mandela 4-lane Highway See story on page 5

Taxi driver P16 who drove getaway car in teen’s killing gets 5 years

More weapons, contraband unearthed P2 during joint operation at Lusignan Prison

“I feel pleased I kill he now” – suspect in murder of WCB pensioner tells brother Page 11

Jagdeo James Bond, businessmen applies granted bail on conspiracy for stay of to defraud charges $20M judgement in Ferguson’s libel case …wants lawsuit dismissed for nonShady NICIL land deals

P19 Ex-cops execute daring daylight robbery on ECD supermarket

Page 13

Page 9

…former NICIL Head also charged, no-show at court

compliance with High Court rules

Scrap metal trade to resume next week P18 – Govt sets up unit to look over operations

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

More weapons, contraband unearthed during joint operation at Lusignan Prison were unearthed at the New Amsterdam Prison. Among the items found were seven improvised weapons, a quantity of razor blades, and two grams of cannabis.

Additionally, ranks also discovered one cellular phone, 20 lighters, pepper sauce and two cellphone chargers.

Prior to the search at New Amsterdam, 26 knives,

The improvised weapons and other items found on Thursday

M

ore illegal items were unearthed at the Lusignan Prison and adjoining quarantine section on Thursday following a joint operation between the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) and the Joint Services to address smuggling at the penitentiary.

Based on reports, the operation lasted two hours within the confines of the prison.

During the raid, 17 improvised weapons, four met-

al spoons, 18 cigarettes, one cellular phone, one memory card, 10 lighters, two broken mirrors, three phone chargers, one earpiece, and six bottles of fermented wine were found.

Additionally, 144 packets and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be those of cannabis were found. The suspected cannabis amounted to 125 grams.

All items were taken to the Vigilance Police Station and lodged.

The fermented wine found in the prison during the raid

Only on Tuesday, acting Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot stated that joint operations between the GPS and the Joint Services would primarily address the smuggling of contraband items into the various penitentiaries.

He related that after realising the amount of skulduggery that is taking place at the prisons, a decision was taken to conduct frequent searches with the hope of putting a dent in the

smuggling ring.

Elliot explained that the implementation of the raids has been helping to reduce the number of improvised weapons, phones, and cannabis among other items being found. When asked to comment on possible collusion between inmates and prison officers, he had stated, “Based on intelligence, yes, this have been happening, that is why we are working to reduce that… that is why these searches are being conducted to retrieve whatever items are within the prisons”.

Over the past month, the Joint Services have unearthed almost 100 improvised weapons along with large quantities of ganja, razor blades, cigarettes, metal objects, and lighters.

Previously on Monday, a raid was conducted where a number of contraband items

44 “jukas”, 19 lighters, six pairs of scissors, 12 cellphones, two SIM cards, two memory cards, five razor blades, a quantity of cellphone parts, 10 cellphone chargers, a quantity of metal objects, a quantity of wires, and 83 small transparent ziplock bags containing ganja were found during a search at Lusignan Prison.

Teen feared drowned during outing with friends

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ifteen-year-old Adyemi Azeez, a former student of Abrams Zuil Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast, has gone missing after he went swimming with his friends at the Onderneeming beach on Thursday.

Based on reports received, the teen and some of his school friends had gone to the home of another student at Onderneeming, where they cooked and relaxed a bit.

However, at about 13:00h, they left and went to the Onderneeming beach, where the now missing teen and three other friends went into the water. The water was reportedly rough, and due to the current, the lads were pulled further into the river.

Upon realising their plight, Azeez and his friends called out for help. At that time, the others who were not in the water scrambled

Missing: Adyemi Azeez

to assist their friends. They managed to pull three of the teens out of the water to safety, but Azeez reportedly went underwater and disappeared.

The matter was reported to the police, and a search party was formed. Despite several hours of searching, the teen’s body was not recovered.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, April 2 – 09:00h-10:30h and Saturday, April 3 – 09:30h-11:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Berbice – Friday, April 2 – 07:30h-09:00h and Saturday, April 3 – 08:20h-09:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions are expected throughout the day, with cloudy skies and light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 07:38h and 20:13h reaching maximum heights of 2.66 metres and 2.43 metres.

Low Tide: 13:43h reaching a minimum height of 0.58 metre.

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$63.60/barrel

+0.09

Rough Rice

$236.484/ton

- 0.32

London Sugar

$423.40/ton

+0.81

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1730.30

$1731.30

Low/High Change

$1710.40 0.00

$1731.80 0.00%

Guyana saved $488M with installation of solar panels on Govt buildings – GEA Head …more than 39MW of solar power expected over next 3 years

G

uyana Energy Agency (GEA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Mahender Sharma has disclosed that Guyana has saved some $488 million in energy costs, with the installation of solar panels on Government buildings across the country over the past seven years.

Speaking at a webinar hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Guyana, on “Renewable Energy and Guyana Opportunities for Investment”, Dr Sharma disclosed that in addition to saving over $480 million, GEA’s solar panel project has also resulted in the elimination of some 6023 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

“Over the last seven years, we would have facilitated the installation of more than five megawatts (MW) of new solar panels on a total of 291 Government buildings – when we look at all of the programmes at a national scale – resulting in almost half a billion dollars in annual savings simply by displacing energy from the grid and environmental benefits in the form of carbon dioxide emissions avoided on an annual basis,” the GEA Head noted.

According to Dr Sharma, these are largely grid-connected systems and because they do not always require storage batteries, the costs are further lowered.

The GEA has recently completed the first national 400-kilowatt (kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) farm at Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) and according to the CEO, efforts are underway to establish similar facilities in other regions.

This project is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and will see solar farms set up in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-

Siparuni); Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and Leguan in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

“The solar farms at Bartica and Lethem have already been tendered and are likely to be completed by the end of this year if there’re no major issues. A third and a fourth solar farm – one at Mahdia and one at Leguan – will be tendered later in this year. We’re now completing the environmental assess-

looking at other solar technologies such as solar-powered street lights. He noted that they have seen a lot of success with the solar street lighting programme particularly in remote hinterland areas.

“It is an integrated system with the solar panel at the top, the batteries at the middle and the lights at the bottom. So, even if there is a power outage from the grid, the light will stay on in the community. We’ve done these

GEA CEO, Dr Mahender Sharma

The design for the Lethem solar PV farm

ment at Mahdia,” Dr Sharma explained.

The GEA is also looking at establishing another three new solar farms in Linden, Essequibo and Berbice.

Moreover, only in January, the Agency also installed a 72kW solar micro-grid at Moraikobai, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), which has increased the number of hours of electricity the community received. Moraikobai previously got only four hours of electricity, but with the solar micro-grid and battery support, that number has risen to up to 12 hours.

Dr Sharma went on to say that the GEA has also been

at a number of locations across the country,” the GEA Head added.

Meanwhile, in addition to the seven solar farms that will come onboard, Dr Sharma also disclosed that the GEA would be executing 10 solar mini-grids across the country as well. The tenders for many of these are already out.

In summarising all of these projects, the GEA Head outlined that in the next three years, there would be approximately 39MW of new solar power generated from the farms and mini-grids.

These initiatives are in keeping with the

Government’s push towards having a sustainable renewable energy mix that would not only reduce Guyana’s fuel import bill, but also reduce the cost of electricity in the country – something that has been a hindrance in the commercial sector. Also included in this mix are hydro, wind, and natural gas.

In fact, the Dr Irfaan Aliled Administration is looking to capitalise on the offshore oil production activity by bringing the gas to shore.

When gas-to-shore pipelines hit Guyana’s shoreline, at the former Wales Estate, this will add some 200250MW of power to the national grid by 2023.

US oil major ExxonMobil, which operates the Stabroek Block with other partners, said that around 30 to 35 million cubic feet of natural gas would be required for the gasto-shore project. Data from Norwegian research company Rystad Energy has indicated that less than 20 per cent of the 1.8 billion Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) discovered last year was gas.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021

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

Good Friday in COVID-19 pandemic

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oday, as Christians around the world commemorate the suffering of Jesus Christ and his death on the Cross, the world remains under seige by the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19).

Good Friday is a quiet day, with no celebration, as Christians are reminded of the brutality Jesus suffered at the hands of the worldly authorities.

Fewer Christians will be in church today, because of public health orders around the world to limit gatherings in order to help contain the spread of COVID-19 and protect the public.

Christians in Guyana will join in observing Good Friday.

During disasters like COVID-19, which threaten humanity, it will be underscored that God – no matter what form we serve or believe - is still sovereign. However, that does not mean that we can be reckless and disregard genuine health advice in the name of faith. According to the Gospel, Jesus was betrayed by Judas on the night of the Last Supper, commemorated on Holy Thursday.

As Christians remember the life and eventual crucifixion of Jesus Christ, one must also consider that the church is a hospital for sinners, and not an exclusive club for saints; and, as such, it is where people seek refuge when in need of “spiritual fixing”.

With all the weight and pressures of their world weighing down on their minds, people expect the church – Christian, Hindu, Muslim, etc - to provide answers which no other institution can provide.

COVID-19 has now forced churches to be more creative in the way they reach people, with some hosting virtual services. Archbishop Peter Comensoli of Melbourne, Australia brought home this point when he said in an interview, “Forget about the future, it’s happening already…in this last week alone, the shift between doing things in one particular way to now doing things differently is quite extraordinary.”

One important concept, Comensoli said, is to keep in mind that the opportunity the church has now “is not just to move what we already did onto an online platform, but to find genuinely different ways of evangelising, of reaching out to people.”

The church, whether home here in Guyana or anywhere else in the world, plays an important public service role. COVID-19 has now certainly changed the dynamics of that role.

Religion, more so religious leaders, are taking faith online to ensure that God’s word gets to the millions stranded by the pandemic. Good Friday - the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary - is generally observed in a very quiet and solemn way, as Christians reflect on His suffering and death on the cross.

This year, as we reflect on Christ’s life, we must also remember and say a prayer for health workers around the world, who are putting their lives at risk to save millions of lives.

We must be grateful to them for their sacrifice.

We must also say a prayer for those who have lost their lives to this pandemic.

COVID-19 reminds us that we cannot function alone, and as such, we must remember that we all depend on each other.

Therefore, we all can play our part and adhere to the health requirements and social distancing, as we gather in our limited numbers. Too many lives have already been lost to this deadly virus. During this time of darkness, let us act responsibly.

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand on Thursday commissioned a Smart Classroom at the Leonora Secondary School in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). It is the first Smart Classroom to be commissioned in the region

APNU/AFC totally responsible for shortages and expired drugs Dear Editor, Unable to immediately respond to the stunning revelation of the massive disposal of expired medicines, the Leader of the Opposition, Joe Harmon, has finally resorted to outright fabrications.

Let us be clear: the PPP Government inherited a situation with massive medicine and medical supply shortages.

The Materials Management Unit (MMU) at Diamond, in August 2020, was in a position to supply between zero and less than 10% of the medicines and supplies being requested by the regions. Today the MMU is in a position to supply between 81 and 100% of what the regions are requesting.

The MoH has made significant progress in regularising the supply chain, far ahead of the schedule for complete regularisation by June 2021.

Since August 2020, more than $3B worth of expired medicines and medical supplies have been disposed of. All of those medicines and medical supplies were acquired/ purchased by the APNU/AFC Government.

The recent disposal of expired medicines had been ongoing for several years, with the accumulated amount between 2016 and 2021 being approximately $10B. The PPP Government has, since August 2020, been engaged in an aggressive procurement programme to ensure regularisation of the supply chain, which had totally collapsed in the last five years. During this aggressive procurement programme, the PPP Government has procured medicines and medical supplies from companies in good standing. None of the compa-

nies that have been awarded contracts is on any restrictive list at this time. All medicines have been procured by either selective tendering or open competitive bidding.

After a lengthy period of total silence, the Leader of the Opposition was forced to respond to the disgraceful revelation that almost $10B of medicines and medical supplies have had to be discarded between 2015 and 2021 because they had expired. His absurd response was that all those medicines were left in the system by the PPP/C Government. He also somehow linked the expiration to contracts awarded to Western Scientific, a Trinidad and Tobago-based company.

The Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon, is completely “out to sea”, totally misinformed, or absolutely lying. All the discarded medicines and medical supplies were procured between 2015 and 2020. As far as Western Scientific is concerned, and the allegation that Western Scientific was banned by the IDB, Harmon again deliberately misinformed the public. If he was not lying, he was misinformed and he should hold accountable those that provided him with fake information.

Western Scientific has had a long engagement with Government, spanning more than two decades. The IDB’s restriction of Western Scientific from bidding in IDB-funded projects was removed since October 2018.

What is relevant is that, throughout the period in which Western Scientific was prohibited from bidding for IDB-funded projects, the APNU/AFC administra-

tion continued to award contracts to Western Scientific.

In fact, from a quick examination of the records, Western Scientific was awarded at least 25 significant contracts by the APNU/AFC administration in 2018 (2), 2019 (10) and 2020 (13).

Strangely, APNU/AFC awarded and signed 5 contracts with Western Scientific on May 2, 2020, amounting to $936M. Similarly, in January 2020, they signed 5 contracts with Western Scientific on the same day, worth more than $900M. Even more strangely, APNU/AFC’s 2018 contracts with Western Scientific were signed in September 2018, but the IDB restriction was not removed until October 2018.

The PPP Government inherited many of those contracts, and had to honour them. Those contracts were signed by the APNU/AFC Government, and were awarded through both sole-sourcing (mostly) and competitive bidding processes. If Western Scientific was banned from the procurement process, how come APNU/AFC signed those contracts with them?

Western Scientific has continued to respond to tenders that have been made since August 2020, and has been awarded contracts based on competitive bidding during the new PPP administration.

Since August 2020, no contract has been awarded to any company that is on any restrictive list.

The ill-informed response of the Leader of the Opposition to the revelation that billions of dollars’ worth of medicines and medical supplies had been dumped is an attempt to cover up the truth. It is either

that he misinformed the nation because he was deliberately fed with erroneous information, or that he totally lied.

Either way, it is irresponsible for a Leader of the Opposition to behave in such a manner.

The truth hurts, but we must confront it. The fact is that APNU/AFC totally mismanaged the supply chain. It is a large part of its failure between 2015 and 2020.

At the time of taking over in August 2020, medicines and medical supplies, including much-needed COVID-19 PPE, were in chronic shortage. The shortages were massive, and the MMU was able only to supply between 0% and less than 10% of the requested medicines and medical supplies. This is despite the Diamond Warehouse and other storage sites had been filled to the brim, but with either expired medicines or supplies not usable in the health sector. Each region was forced to procure, at high cost, the medicines and supplies they needed. The Regions expended all their resources, but were unable to meet their needs.

The MoH has, since August 2020, been regularising the system, and can now inform the nation that the MMU is able to meet 81% of the overall needs of the regional health system, thus reducing the need for RDC procurement.

As indicated before, we are hopeful that, by June, 2021, the MMU would be in a position to meet all the needs of the regions for medicines and supplies.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy Former Health Minister

NEWS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$2.3B in contracts awarded for Eccles-to-Mandela 4-lane Highway

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he Housing and Water Ministry on Thursday signed several contracts to the tune of $2.3 billion for works to be done on the four-lane highway that would link Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) to Mandela Avenue in Greater Georgetown, and provide an alternative access road that would ease traffic congestion along the EBD corridor.

The project, being carried out by the Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), would see construction of the country’s first fully concreted fourlane highway, with dual carriageways of two lanes each and jointed reinforced concrete pavement.

Works to be done include land clearing, drain cleaning; construction of 5.4 kilometres of earthen drains and 200 metres of reinforced concrete drains; construction of box culverts, construction of 2.8 kilometres of carriageway, with parking lanes; installation of solar street lights; and construction of 12 heavy-duty composite bridges.

While the new four-lane highway was designed inhouse, the contractors to execute the project were drawn from Guyana, Brazil and Trinidad. Works would commence on April 14, and are

expected to be completed by December 10, 2021.

Works have been divided into six lots: Lot 1- Eccles, East Bank Demerara; Lot 2Agricola, Greater Georgetown; Lot 3– Rome, Greater Georgetown; Lot 4– Houston South, Lot 5- Houston North, Greater Georgetown; and Lot 6 – South Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown.

The contracts signed on Thursday are with Guyamerica Construction Incorporated to the tune of $555 million; MTSUL Construcoes Limited, M and P Investment Incorporated and Cobra Eireli for $364.4 million; Puran Bros Disposal Incorporated for $360.2 million; Collin Talbot Contracting Services and Eron Lall Civil Engineering Works for $256.7 million; Aronco Services Incorporated for $471 million, and JS Guyana Incorporated for $352.4 million.

At the signing ceremony, CH&PA’s Chief Executive Officer Sherwyn Greaves admonished the contractors to put more than their best foot forward, since the concrete highway is sort of a “test tube” for the country.

The CH&PA Head has charged the contractors to commence their work on time, and move apace so that the project can be delivered within

Housing Minister Collin Croal and Minister Susan Rodrigues, along with CH&PA CEO Sherwyn Greaves; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Andre Ally and contractors at Thursday’s signing

the timeframe given.

Also speaking at the contract signing was Housing Minister Collin Croal, who noted that the contracts signed would complement the 199 contracts signed with some 78 contractors for infrastructural works in new and existing housing schemes, and for the construction of homes. Those contracts are valued at some $14 billion.

“We are particularly pleased to be part of the signing of these contracts, because this is now a new area under our work programme, and it shows growth. And I want to commend the Project Department for how far they have moved in being able to implement the project,” Croal declared.

He outlined that a major part of developing new housing schemes is creating access.

“When we are (finished) with these six contracts; that is, from Eccles to Mandela complemented with the stretch from Great Diamond to Eccles, we are speaking about 18,800 beneficiaries that directly, or households that are within the remit of our housing schemes along that stretch of the East Bank.

“When you multiply that per household and take into consideration that the additional persons from other parts of the East Bank, persons who may come across the bridge from the West Coast and West Bank that don’t use this connecting road as an ingress and egress, then the relief that will

be brought to bear and persons along that side of Georgetown will be significant, reducing travel time and allowing us to open new connecting areas,” the Housing Minister posited.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Housing Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, added that the housing sector is advancing rapidly, and this is aimed at ensuring the PPP/C Government’s manifesto promise of delivering 50,000 house lots is fulfilled.

According to Rodrigues, this new four-lane highway would not only change the physical infrastructure of the country, but transform the lives of thousands of Guyanese. Some $1 billion has been allotted in Budget 2021 to advance the project.

The Eccles-to-Mandela Highway was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali in January when he visited the proposed sites for the road.

The Head of State had noted at the time that this project would ease congestion along the EBD corridor.

Dr Ali, whose PhD is in urban and regional planning, has said this is all part of the Government’s drive to transform Guyana’s infrastructure and link communities.

This four-lane highway will connect to another road project currently underway from Diamond to Eccles, EBD, providing an alternative access in key communities such as Prospect, Herstelling and Mocha. That road, which Minister Croal recently told this newspaper is almost completed and will be commissioned by the Head of State sometime this month, will run from Sixth Avenue in Diamond to the Mocha Access Road, and then on to the Windsor Estate Road that leads on to the Eccles Landfill Site Road.

These projects are being executed simultaneously with the India-funded Bypass Road Project which would link the East Bank corridor to the East Coast of Demerara, creating a new highway in the backlands.

Amalia Falls déjà vu Parking at Merriman Mall

Dear Editor, For some weeks now, our media was inundated with articles about the proposed “Gas to Shore” power plant. VicePresident Jagdeo has been taking the brunt of the attacks by the critics.

It reminds me of the “Amaila Falls Project” which was frustrated by similar daily attacks from the Opposition and the regular critics. This was even when all - I repeat, all - the information was shared with the Opposition parties, who had no suggestions nor criticisms when the Government representatives met them on more than one occasion. Yet the APNU voted against it in the National Assembly, and Blackstone, the US investor, walked away from the project. That was a sad day for this nation.

Many of those who were screaming against Amalia then have resumed their attacks on this new project.

What is amazing are the shouts that no study was done. Clearly, no one in Government is so irresponsible as to not have studies done on such a project. I have no doubt that feasibility studies have been done or are in the process of being done, and the results are very positive; so much so that they have generated confidence in Government’s officials to state that the project would be beneficial.

That is not hard to understand if we look at the price of fuel alone. I believe the Government is being conservative when it says that the price of gas would be half as much as heavy fuel oil. From

speaking to persons familiar with generating power from gas, I believe that savings on fuel would be much greater than what the Government has stated.

This means that we could save more than US$150M per year in fuel cost. That alone suggests that we should vigorously peruse the project without undue delay.

The argument that it would encourage investments in manufacturing and processing has been made already, and need not be repeated again. We need just to emphasise that we can expect vigorous economic activities once we have cheap energy due to increased employment and greater production.

Apart from just generating power, much more can be done with the gas. Liquid gas would be produced and sold cheaply on the local market. All of these would earn Guyana substantial revenues.

The Vice President has been pilloried for using the term that, from the financial position, it’s “a no-brainer”.

I think he is right even if it cost US$1B to construct. The prospects and benefits would show that the payback on the investment could be relatively very short because of the high profitability of the project.

I feel compelled to point this out, since our country and our people have lost a lot because of similar attacks on the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project. We have been deprived of having cheap energy, and that has retarded growth in our economy and prevented the country from lifting more people out of pov-

erty.

This project has even greater possibilities and benefits for our country than Amaila did.

Let us not allow the same fate to happen to this gas-toshore project that Amaila suffered. It would be a great tragedy.

Knowing the PPP/Civic as well as I do, I’m sure that as more concrete information becomes available, it would be shared with the public. Then I have no doubt that we would all agree that taking the decision to proceed is really not difficult.

Hopefully, we would be able to convince the “Doubting Thomases”.

Donald Ramotar Former President

Why? Dear Editor, Why has Caricom not made any statement on, much less condemn, the Myanmar coup and its awful fallout, as citizens are murdered on a daily basis by the army?

Where does Guyana stand on this issue?

Why has Caricom not made any statement on, much less condemn, the genocidal campaign by China against the Uighur people?

Where does Guyana stand on this issue?

Oftentimes, silence says so much more than words, and can be interpreted as acceptance, if not complicity.

Sincerely, Annan Boodram

Dear Editor, The decision to allocate space on the Merriman Mall for the Sleepin Hotel and Casino’s customers to park should be seen as a practical and progressive move by the Mayor and City Council.

It addresses issues of severe congestion that many residents of the area have complained about.

The fact is that this hotel and casino was approved in a time when issues to do with parking and proper town planning were not being properly discussed.

It is hoped that similar projects would now be required to follow basic regulations used in many other cities worldwide before being approved. There is going to be tremendous development in and around the city on the back of the oil sector’s activities, and if it is the case that developers cannot meet such requirements, then they need to look elsewhere.

Georgetown should ideally become like downtown Paramaribo or Old Panama City, with an emphasis on preserving its green spaces and historic buildings.

But the present reality is whether you like it or not this hotel and casino is there, and so finding a solution was the correct way forward.

The initiative would also see much needed revenue accruing for the City administration, which continues to struggle with the issue of businesses refusing to pay their rates.

I hope the President and the Private Sector can talk

out on this subject. If not, the names of chronic defaulters should be published.

Furthermore, this move by the Mayor and City Council is another indication that it wishes to move beyond the stagnation of years past; and, wherever possible, to work along with the central Government and businesses to make Georgetown a more comfortable place to live.

The joint work on a bridge at Hogg and Sussex Streets,

Albouystown, and the recent meeting between the Mayor and the President, which saw a commitment of $100 million in taxes from central Government, can only be seen as positive steps.

Political differences remain but, in the end, residents of Georgetown must come first, and their welfare is the prime responsibility of the Mayor and City Council.

Yours sincerely, Lynn Nicholas

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2021

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Foundation ◄

Page

Question 1

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

A

thrush was feeding on a myrtle tree and did not move from it because its berries were so delicious.

A fowler observed her staying so long in one spot, and having well bird-limed his reeds, caught her.

The thrush, being at the point of death, exclaimed, “O foolish creature that I am! For the sake of a little pleasant food I have deprived myself of my life.”

WORD SEARCH

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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man remanded for beating, burning ex-lover, sister

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ajin Allen, 20, of Lot 22 Wismar, Linden, who had reportedly burned and assaulted the mother of his children along with her sister, has been remanded to prison until April 19 after appearing before Linden Magistrate Wanda Fortune on Thursday at the Wismar Magistrate’s Court.

Allen has been charged with felonious wounding.

The charge states that on March 29, 2021, at Lot 22

Wismar, Linden, Allen unlawfully and maliciously wounded Manisha Singh and Sunita Singh.

It has been reported that Allen launched an attack on his ex-lover Manisha Singh and her sister Sunita Singh.

Manisha and Allen have been separated for some time now, and he has custody of the three children.

It is being alleged that, on the day in question, Manisha and her sister visited Allen’s Wismar home,

where they picked up the children and took them out.

When they returned the children to their father’s home that same afternoon, matters took a turn for the worse.

The Police say that Manisha and the suspect were involved in a heated argument after she reportedly refused to give him the password to her phone. The argument turned violent, resulting in him assaulting her. Allen also attacked and

burnt the woman’s younger sister, who at the time had attempted to intervene in the matter.

The two women were discovered lying in the yard in an unconscious state, covered in blood. They were rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex by neighbours.

Following the incident, Allen turned himself in at the Mackenzie Police station and was subsequently charged.

Man found guilty of raping 11-year-old girl

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n a majority verdict on Thursday, a jury found Adriane Sewdeen guilty of raping an 11-yearold girl. Indicted on two counts of rape, Sewdeen has been found guilty on one count. That count detailed that on July 9, 2018, he engaged in sexual penetration of the underage girl.

Sewdeen had initially

pleaded not guilty to that charge following his arraignment before Justice Gino Persaud at the High Court in Essequibo.

Following the 11-1 guilty verdict, the rape convict was remanded to prison, and will return to court for sentencing on April 30, 2021.

The case for the prosecution was presented by

State Counsel Lisa Cave.

According to the facts, on July 9, 2018, Sewdeen’s wife had taken one of their three children to a graduation ceremony and had left the 11-year-old schoolgirl behind. When Sewdeen returned home from work, he reportedly took the girl into a bedroom and raped her.

The other charge against him had alleged

that during May 2018, he engaged in sexual penetration of the said girl. He was acquitted by the jury on this charge.

In that case, it was alleged that the girl’s mother had left her in the care of Sewdeen and his wife.

When his wife went out, it was alleged, Sewdeen returned home and committed the act.

Slip slidin’ away…

A

…on crime fter a magnificent struggle, we were lucky enough to witness the voice of our people being given its due worth, democracy triumph, and the PNC fail in their shameless attempt to steal yet another election. Some of us dared to hope that, at long last, we’d be allowed to break the shackles of poverty and fear that had kept us at each other’s throats for so long. But it doesn’t look like we’re gonna be that lucky.

As Paul Simon wrote around the time when Burnham was unleashing his doctrine of “party paramountcy and “cooperative socialism”, we seem to be once again, “Slip slidin’ away/ Slip slidin’ away/ You know the nearer your destination/ The more you’re slip slidin’ away.” And more than anything else, it’s because the PNC adjust won’t accept a Guyana in which they don’t have absolute power. So, rather than accepting the results of the elections - which practically every country in the world had done after the reports of their observers - they’re fomenting resentment and racial hatred by insisting that the elections were rigged by the PPP!!!

Even after they were forced to accept the elections’ results and demit office, PNC leaders Granger and Harmon insisted - with ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE - that the Henry cousins’ murder was “political”, which in Guyana means “racial” - and leads to racial violence, as it did in W. Berbice.

But there was another subsequent murder - of young Haresh Singh - yet no one said it was “racial”, and there were no riots.

And this brings us to the present, when a brother of one of the murdered Henrys was arrested for the murder of an elderly neighbour, who’d been briefly detained for the earlier murders and was then released.

We’re informed that the man was cursed, his house stoned, and he had to flee for his life in the months after his arrest and release. He’d returned only a week ago to his home when he was brutally chopped and killed. Was it revenge? Was it payback time? We don’t know, and it’s for that reason that we can’t afford to speculate about the killing being “political”, as Granger and Harmon had done with the killing of the Henrys. This would be opportunistic, incendiary and cynical.

Similarly, we have to be careful when discussing or reporting on the Fagundes assassination or the choke-androb crimes that are also increasing. It’s always possible that we’re “slip slidin’” into the chasm into which we’d been pushed following the PNC’s disputing the 1997 elections results - which the PPP was shown to’ve won.

We know that the Police haven’t been receiving the most flattering press recently. But they’re the ones mandated to protect us when the world’s falling apart. …the Opposition Leader’s dignity This new virtual news world is a godsend to news junkie like your humble but curious Eyewitness! There ARE silver linings behind dark clouds? Yesterday, he saw Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon and a PNC parliamentary delegation open themselves to questions - after they’d condemned what they called “PPP blunders”.

Harmon (to no one’s surprise) played the race card when he claimed that Guyana’s Fifth 12.5% profit share lift of oil on Feb 5 had been sold “below the market price”. The statement, being made almost two months later - after one of the operators had sold a tanker of its share of the oil to India - was to suggest that Guyana had also sold its oil-share to India at below market price!!

But questioned by reporters, he couldn’t even quote the publicly quoted Brent price of Feb 5 - US$59.48/barrel - nor concede that Guyana had sold the oil directly!! He just blustered!

Perhaps because it would’ve shown Guyana had gotten a PREMIUM of US$2/barrel?

Chump!! …into irrelevance Your Eyewitness has noticed that the bunch of (mostly from “foreign”) activists who’d been flagellating the Government to “renegotiate” Trotman’s oil contract have been struck dumb after he reminded them of the latter’s “stability clause”.

They’re now riding the “gas-to-shore” pipeline!

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

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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jagdeo applies for stay of $20M judgement in Ferguson’s libel case …wants lawsuit dismissed for non-compliance with High Court rules

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

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ice President Bharrat Jagdeo has applied to the High Court asking for an interim order staying the enforcement of a $20 million default judgement awarded against him to former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government Minister Annette Ferguson, who filed a libel suit against him in January 2020.

The application has been made before the very Judge who ruled in Ferguson’s favour, Justice Sandra Kurtzious.

In court documents seen

by Guyana Times, Jagdeo is also asking for an order setting aside the judgement and another order dismissing Ferguson’s lawsuit.

On March 11, 2021, Justice Kurtzious pursuant to Part 12:01 (2) (d) of the Civil

Procedure Rules (CPR) of the Supreme Court of Judicature rendered the default judgement after Jagdeo failed to file a defence within the required time.

Given that the lawsuit was filed in January 2020, and that no action was taken

by Ferguson until February 24, 2021 when she applied for a default judgement, Jagdeo, through his lawyer, Devindra Kissoon, is contending that the case should have been dismissed for delay in accordance with Part 13 of the High Court rules.

Moreover, he argues that his lawyers were not informed that Ferguson had applied for such a judgement.

As a result, Jagdeo argues that the order for a default issued by Justice Kurtzious is improper and irregular. “For this reason alone, it is respectfully submitted that the [judgement] Order be set aside and the Statement of Claim dismissed. [Ferguson] has not fulfilled the requirements necessary for the grant of a default judgement,” Jagdeo’s counsel argues.

According to Kissoon, Ferguson failed to inform the Court that she has filed identical proceedings against Guyana Times arising out of the same comments made by his client. In the statements, Jagdeo allegedly questioned her acquisition of land and the construction of her home.

Since Ferguson’s claim was for an unspecified sum

Attorney-at-Law Devindra Kissoon

in damages, Jagdeo argues that the Court should not have issued a default judgement sum, but rather invite his lawyers for an assessment of same.

Not be penalised

Shortly after the filing of the lawsuit, Kissoon said that Jagdeo retained Anil Nandlall, SC, the current Attorney General, to represent his interest. The lawyer added that Nandlall drafted a defence in this matter before January 27, 2020, but owing to several reasons, the defence was not filed.

Kissoon deposes that at the time the defence was due, Nandlall was legal adviser to Jagdeo, who was at the time Leader of the Opposition, and was also a senior member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) who was responsible for large portions

of the Party’s campaign for the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Even after the elections concluded, Kissoon added that Nandlall continued to be extensively and exclusively engaged in matters relating to elections, including acting as lead counsel in elections-related litigation, as well as matters involving a recount of votes.

“These tasks resulted in Mr Nandlall inadvertently failing to file the defence though drafted. This inadvertence was not due to neglect, but rather a combination of unusual and exceptional circumstances, which caused counsel to simply be unable to comply with the time limits established by the rules.”

Additionally, Kissoon submitted that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the shuttering of Nandlall’s law office for several months and the subsequent relocation of files. Because of this, the lawyer stated that Nandlall did not discover that the defence, though drafted, was not filed.

According to Kissoon, “[Jagdeo] ought not to be penalised for law office inadvertence.”

Moreover, counsel added that the Court itself did not sit for most of 2020 because of the pandemic, with matters being adjourned or held in abeyance, which is still the case today. Jagdeo’s lawyer submitted a draft of the defence at the time of the filing

Former APNU/AFC Government Minister Annette Ferguson

of this application for a stay of the judgement.

Not defamatory

Kissoon is arguing that his client has a real prospect of successfully defending the lawsuit against him since the statements made by him were not defamatory and the defences of justification, fair comment, qualified privilege, and the provisions of the Defamation Act Cap 6:03 apply.

The lawyer said that the alleged statements made by his client, when taken in context, were not defamatory, false, or malicious as is being alleged by Ferguson. “The Statement of Claim contains no facts which set out how [Ferguson’s] reputation has been lowered or affected in any material way by the articles.

“In any event, it is clear from the facts alleged in the Statement of Claim that the comments concerned the distribution of State land and the conduct of public officials, which are matters of public interest and matters concerning the discharge of public functions, [Jagdeo], a constitutional office holder, being entitled to bring these matters to the public’s attention,” Kissoon puts forward.

Taking this into consideration, he submits that Jagdeo acted “reasonably and responsibly”. Maintaining that he has a complete defence against the suit, Jagdeo is now asking the Court to allow him to lead evidence that will establish that his statements were not defamatory or untrue.

Given the length and complexity of the issues in the matter, the sum of damages claimed by Ferguson, the overriding objective of the CPR and the interests of justice, assuming the Statement of Claim is not dismissed, Jagdeo’s lawyer contends that it would be prejudicial to deny him an opportunity to be heard by serving and filing his defence given that he has already been sanctioned by the Court.

Kissoon has told the Court that his client’s application is urgent, since the judgement has been entered and Ferguson may seek to enforce the judgement at any time, which warrants an immediate stay being granted.

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“I feel pleased I kill he now” – suspect in murder of WCB pensioner tells brother

Suspect: Mark Anthony Henry

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he prime suspect in the murder of 68-year-old Surijdeo Deochand, also called “Sarjee”, had reportedly confessed to his brother that he murdered the pensioner as revenge for the gruesome deaths of his brother, Joel Henry, and his cousin, Isaiah Henry.

Mark Anthony Henry surrendered to the Police on Wednesday shortly after they had issued a wanted bulletin for his arrest in relation to the murder.

His brother, Hencosey Henry has since told detectives during interrogation that his brother had admitted to killing the pensioner on March 30, 2021 at his Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB) home.

He detailed that he was at home when he received a telephone call from his sister, who informed him that the suspect, Mark, was behaving in a disorderly manner. He was reportedly “pelting bricks” at the now dead man’s house.

As such, he confronted his brother who was at the time armed with a cutlass yelling “dem kill we brother and we ain’t get justice”.

The suspect reportedly attacked his brother, but he managed to pin him to the

Dead: Surijdeo Deochand Murdered: Joel and Isaiah Henry

ground for a short period.

The man managed to escape and ran to Number Four Village, WCB. Further, the brother told the Police that after Mark ran away, he went to the home of the now deceased man where he observed blood on the ground.

Guyana Times was told that based on Police investigations, on the day in question, the suspect was in the company of others consuming alcohol, but left after spending some time.

Police investigations further revealed that about 17:03h, Mark Henry returned to the drinking spot wearing a pair of blue three-quarter pants and was bare-footed.

The pants reportedly had spots of blood while his back and feet had red sand.

At the time, he was armed with a 12-inch cutlass with chipped edges and shouted at the top of his voice, “ I just chop up that one Sarjee…I chop out he neck and face… he kill me brother and now I feel pleased I kill he now.”

A file is being prepared to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice on the way forward.

The pensioner’s bloodied body was discovered in his home on Tuesday with multiple chop wounds.

It was reported that a relative had gone to check on Deochand, who lived alone, after she received information that he had been chopped and needed to be taken to the hospital to seek medical attention. When the relative arrived at the elderly man’s house, she reportedly called out to him, but there was no answer.

The woman then pushed open the main door and found Deochand lying in a pool of blood with several chops to his body. He was

From left: Vinod Gopaul, Akash Singh, and Anil Sancharra

taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police later confirmed that there was one wound on the left side of his face, one to the back of his head, one to the side of his left hand, and one on the right hand which completely severed three fingers.

Deochand had been among a group of men initially arrested in September last year after the mutilated bodies of 16-year-old Isaiah Henry and 19-yearold Joel Henry were discovered in the backlands of Cotton Tree, WCB – almost two days after they had left their Number Three Village

home to pick coconuts.

Nineteen-year-old Akash Singh, called “Monkey,” of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); his stepbrother, 33-year-old Anil Sancharra, called “Dan Pole” and “Rasta,” of D’Edward Village, WCB; and 34-yearold Vinod Gopaul, called “Magga”, of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice were charged for the brutal murders of the Henry cousins.

The murders of the Henry cousins had sparked protests across several villages along the WCB corridor, where commuters were beaten and robbed. With roads blocked, some vehi-

cles were also torched.

Then days later, on September 9, 17-year-old Haresh Singh was found murdered at the Number Three Village backlands. It is suspected that his death was in retaliation for the murders of Isaiah and Joel, since he was related to one of the persons initially held by the Police for the cousins’ murders.

However, the Police are yet to make any breakthrough in that case.

According to the confession from Singh, the murder of the Henry cousins stemmed from a destroyed ganja farm in the West Berbice backlands.

12 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pensioner busted with over 10lbs of ganja in suitcase

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gents of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Wednesday arrested a 64-year-old man with more than 4.5 kilograms ( 10 pounds) of compressed marijuana in his possession.

The illegal substance was reportedly found in a suitcase that he was pulling along

Hadfield and Water Streets, Georgetown.

The man of Bagotsville, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was reportedly in the vicinity of the old bank near the Stabroek Market when he was intercepted and the suitcase searched.

Inside the suitcase were

nine parcels of compressed cannabis which when weighed amounted to 4.508 kilograms.

In addition, two small ziplock parcels containing 12 grams of ganja were also found in his pants pocket along with an undisclosed sum of cash.

The man was taken into custody pending charges.

Several parcels of cannabis were found in the suitcase

The suitcase that was being pulled by the pensioner

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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Shady NICIL land deals

James Bond, businessmen granted bail on conspiracy to defraud charges

…former NICIL Head also charged, no-show at court

Inc – which each leased 15 acres of land from NICIL at an annual rate of US$11,700 – flipped those lands to a Chinese national for just $100.

In the case of Arken Group, the proprietor of that company leased 20.8 acres of land for an annual fee of US$16,224, and had his address listed as the same as Bond’s. It was revealed that Bond then received US$1 million for the property after it was flipped to a local oil and gas company.

Attorney-at-Law James Bond

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ormer Executive Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Attorney-at-law James Bond, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday to answer a charge of conspiracy to defraud the State - in connection with leasing state lands at Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Former Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Colvin Heath-London, has also been similarly charged, but in absentia, since he is out of the jurisdiction.

Also similarly charged were: Director of the A-Z Pharmaceuticals Medical Supplies and Equipment Inc, Eddie Doolal, and Principal of the Arken Group Inc, Jermaine Richmond.

None of these defendants was required to plead to the indictable charges read to them.

The Police have stated that between August 1, 2017 and November 30, 2020, at Georgetown, Heath-London and Bond conspired together and with others to defraud NICIL, its sole shareholders and the Government of property interest in land; namely, the grant of a lease of land known as Plot A17, A18, A19 Plantation Peters Hall, EBD, owned by the said NICIL, without the necessary board and Cabinet approval to do same, and for purposes other than that of NICIL. It has also been alleged that Heath-London, Bond, and Doolal, between August 1, 2017 and November 30, 2020, at Georgetown, conspired together and with others to defraud NICIL, its sole shareholders and the Government of property interest in land; namely,

the grant of a lease of land known as Plot A7, A8, A20 Plantation Peters Hall, EBD, owned by the said NICIL, without the necessary board and Cabinet approval to do same, and for purposes other than that of NICIL. The final charge stated that Bond, HeathLondon, and Richmond, between August 1, 2017 and November 30, 2020, at Georgetown, conspired together and with others to defraud NICIL, its sole shareholders, and the Government of property interest in land; namely, the grant of a lease of land known as plot A1, A2, A3, A4 Plantation Peters Hall, East Bank, Demerara, owned by the said NICIL, without the necessary board and Cabinet approval to do same, and for purposes other than that of NICIL. Bond was placed on bail in the sum of $150,000,

Eddie Doolal

Jermain Richmond

while Richmond and Doolal were each ordered to post $100,000 bail. The men will make their next court appearance on April 19, 2021.

Bond was represented

by Attorneys-at-law Darren Wade and Patrice Henry.

Bond is the lawyer who had represented three companies that are at the centre of the Peter’s Hall land investigation – Life 1 Pharms Incorporated, A-Z Pharmaceutical Medical Supplies and Equipment Inc, and Arken Group – in the drafting of leases by NICIL for the lands.

Shortly after the PPP/C assumed Government in August 2020, a thorough probe was conducted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SPCU) in the matter, and it was revealed that several irregularities had occurred.

During the investigations, Bond and his co-accused were questioned. The principals of the company reportedly told the Police that Bond arranged the sale of the lands, after which he found a buyer and was paid.

It is being alleged that

Bond received some $60 million from each of them.

The leases were controversial since they were in contravention of the stipulations regarding the disposal of State lands, which stipulate that when State lands are leased, the lease must state that the lessee must not part with possession of the land without the consent of the State.

However, in this case, both Life 1 Pharms Incorporated and A-Z Pharmaceutical Medical Supplies and Equipment

Former NICIL Head Colvin Heath-London

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

25,000 doses of Sputnik-V vaccine Police destroy ganja fields during exercise in Berbice River to arrive in Guyana today – 3 in custody pending charges

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consignment of 25,000 doses of Sputnik-V vaccine, out of the 200,000 purchased by the Government, is expected to arrive in Guyana today. The jabs, manufactured by Russia, will arrive at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri, EBD. In total, Government has spent some US$4 million to acquire the total tranche, at a cost of US$20 per dose.

The agreement was first announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali one week ago. He has stated that the Government cannot put a price tag on the health of the citizenry.

“It’s very expensive, but it is an expense that we can’t spare.

The health of the population is very critical. This will call for some adjustments in the budget and so on, but, as I said, we are not sparing any expenses on this.

We are working on making the resources available to ensure every single Guyanese is vaccinated,” the Guyanese Leader was quoted as saying.

Further, President Ali has told reporters that Government has already established a supply chain and storage facility in anticipation of the arrival of these vaccines next week.

In fact, Government has also engaged the Private Sector to add to its current storage capacity.

The vaccination campaign commenced with frontline health workers and was thereafter ex-

T

he Police have destroyed three cannabis fields that were discovered during a drug eradication exercise at Saint Lust, Berbice River on Wednesday.

Based on reports received, the operation commenced at about 6:30h and lasted for several hours. On the day in question, upon approaching one of the suspected marijuana farms, the Police saw three males working in the fields,

tended to persons 60 years and over, before becoming available to persons 40 years and over.

More than 36,000 persons in Guyana have to date been vaccinated.

President Ali has posited that authorities are working aggressively to secure more COVID-19 jabs, so that the country can achieve herd immunity.

This week, the COVAX facility also delivered 24,000 AstraZeneca vaccines to Guyana – the first tranche until 100,800 doses are consigned to support the local vaccination programme.

The doses, manufactured by SK Bioscience of South Korea, arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport after being dispatched by PAHO’s Revolving Fund - responsible for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines for the countries of the Americas.

It is the first phase of deliveries for Guyana, with more vaccines expected to arrive succes-

sively during 2021. According to the first round of allocations, Guyana is expected to continue receiving doses through May until it reaches 100,800, the amount specified by the global mechanism.

In this first round of vaccine allocation, all COVAX participating countries will receive doses to vaccinate between 2.2 and 2.6 per cent of their population. The only exceptions are Small Island Developing States, which will receive an allocation of vaccines to cover between 16 and 20 per cent of their populations, due to the high logistical cost of delivering small quantities of vaccines.

Thus far, Guyana’s vaccination programme has been led by 80,000 vaccines from India, 20,000 Sinopharm doses from China, and 3000 through the Barbadian Government. To date, over 31,000 persons have received their first dose.

One of the ganja farms

and quick response by the Police led to their arrest.

While on that farm, another one was discovered close by. The two farms, according to the Police, were about 13 acres in size and contained about 40,000 cannabis plants. An ad-

The shotgun cartridges

dition 1,000 plants were found in a nursery, and an estimated 50,000 seeds were also unearthed in a camp that was found on these farms. Moreover, two 12-gauge shotgun cartridges along with 40lbs of dried cannabis were found.

The plants and the camps were subsequently destroyed by fire.

Meanwhile, the three men who were arrested were escorted to the Kwakwani Police Station along with the cartridges and samples of the cannabis plants. The men were placed in custody while the exhibits were lodged.

Further searches were carried out in another area, and another field was found. This one reportedly measured about one acre and contained roughly 3000 plants, with each plant measuring between four and five feet in length.

This farm also housed an abandoned camp, which also was destroyed by fire.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt working to modernise legislative infrastructure – AG tells Medical Council

Attorney General Anil Nandlall meeting with the delegation from the Medical Council of Guyana on Thursday

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ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall on Thursday met with representatives of the Medical Council of Guyana and a number of issues were discussed, including creating a draft bill with the aim of modernising related legislative infrastructure.

The Council and the

Drafting Department of the Legal Affairs Ministry will collaborate to establish the bill, which will be circulated for consultation with all stakeholders.

The meeting, however, was requested by the Medical Council with the aim of overhauling the Medical Practitioners Act of 1991 and the Code of

Conduct and Standards of Practice Regulations 2008.

The body had complained that the legislation and Regulations were defective in many respects, including that they make it very difficult for the Medical Council to take disciplinary action against medical practitioners who may be guilty of professional misconduct

and malpractice. It was also emphasised that there were major inconsistencies between the Act and the Regulations, which may have made the Regulations ultra vires. Further, the Act is four decades old and has become outdated.

The Attorney General thanked the Medical Council delegation for their initiative and expressed his awareness of the deficiencies identified. He also related his personal experiences when as a lawyer in private practice, he lodged many complaints with the Council for and on behalf of victims

of alleged medical malpractice but they were never investigated owing to the said deficiencies.

Nandlall stated that he has filed several claims in the courts over the past six years for medical negligence, some of which were still in the system and some were settled with the State having to pay millions of dollars.

He lamented the many reports in the media alleging medical negligence resulting in the loss of lives, without anyone being held responsible or culpable.

He reminded the team

that the Government of Guyana was committed to modernising the entire legislative infrastructure, including that of the health sector and would happily work with all stakeholders in this vital endeavour.

The delegation from the Medical Council was led by its Chairman, Dr Navindranuth Rambaran; Legal Advisor, Attorney-atLaw Kamal Ramkarran and Secretary Juanita Johnson.

Also present at the meeting was Senior Drafting Consultant in the Attorney General’s Chambers, Ananda Dhurjon.

16 NEWS Taxi driver who drove getaway car in teen’s killing gets 5 years M FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

elroy Doris, who confessed that he was the driver of the getaway car in the killing of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD) cosmetologist Ashmini Harriram, was on Thursday sentenced to five years in prison on a manslaughter charge.

Initially indicted for the murder of 19-year-old Harriram, Doris, 34, had earlier pleaded guilty to the lesser offence after he was arraigned before Justice Brassington Reynolds.

State Prosecutor Tyra Bakker told the court that on the day in question, Harriram, also known as “Monisha Harriram”, and her cousin were walking along the Lusignan Public Road, when they noticed a burgundy Toyota 212 motor car bearing registration number PRR 8370 parked along the road.

A few minutes later, the teenager was shot to her head, and the car drove off.

Doris was arrested for the murder on September 2, 2014, and gave Police a caution statement in which he admitted to being the getaway driver. A post-mortem examination revealed that Harriram died as a result of respiratory failure and gunshot injuries to the spine.

During a sentencing hearing on Thursday, a probation officer disclosed that Doris seemed remorseful for his actions.

According to the probation officer, Doris, who resided at Bent Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown before his incarceration, was described as a well-mannered individual by residents in the community. The probation officer disclosed that officials at the

Confessed killer: Melroy Doris

Lusignan Prison, where he is being kept, also shared similar sentiments.

Meanwhile, relatives of the now-dead woman in an interview with the probation officer shared that they missed her and hoped that justice would be served.

In sentencing the confessed killer, Justice Reynolds considered his age, domestic circumstances, and the fact that he was a first-time offender.

Moreover, the Judge took into consideration the nature and manner in which the offence was committed, Doris’s early guilty plea, his expression of remorse, the observations made by the probation officer, as well as the plea of mitigation made by Senior Counsel Stanley Moore on his behalf.

According to the High Court Judge, there was nothing in the evidence that revealed that Doris was directly involved in the killing, neither was he the shooter. In arriving at an appropriate sentence for Doris, Justice Brassington started at a base of 12 and a half years.

From that, seven years were deducted for the time

Murder accused: Lennox “Two Colours” Wayne

the confessed killer spent on remand awaiting trial. The Judge further deducted half of a year, for his early guilty plea, favourable probation report, and plea of mitigation made by his lawyer among other factors.

As a result of the deductions, Doris’s sentence was reduced to five years.

Meanwhile, Lennox Wayne, called “Two Colours”, who was jointly charged with Doris for the teen’s murder, is still awaiting trial for the offence. Wayne and Doris were first tried for the offence in 2017. That trial, however, ended in a hung jury.

Accordingly, the trial Judge ordered a retrial.

According to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Wayne had, in November 2020, indicated to the State that he wanted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter. The murder accused, however, changed his decision, the DPP Chambers disclosed.

Reports are that Wayne was not pleased with the plea deal being offered.

Wayne was first charged with the murder in 2014 and

was remanded to prison.

In the meantime, his lawyers – Nigel Hughes and Ronald Daniels – have since filed a constitutional motion asking for a permanent stay of the murder proceedings against their client.

Among other things, Wayne is also suing the State for more than $100,000 in damages for a breach of his fundamental right to a fair trial within a reasonable time as guaranteed under Article 144 of the Constitution of Guyana.

In court documents,

Dead: Ashmini Harriram

Wayne deposed that four years later, he was yet to be

brought before a Judge and jury for the retrial to commence. According to the murder accused, although his name had been listed on the Demerara Criminal Assizes for retrial in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, his case has not been called.

He is also seeking a declaration that his fundamental right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time has been breached as a result of the lengthy delay in his retrial.

Justice Navindra Singh will rule on the constitutional motion on May 6, 2021.

19-year-old vanishes after leaving barbershop

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he family of 19-yearold Joel Skeete of Lot 329 King Street, Republic Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD) is soliciting the public's assistance to locate him after he disappeared on Wednesday evening.

Skeete is described as 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds. His mother, Lorenza Griffith, has told Guyana Times that her son was last seen on Wednesday at about 19:00h wearing a dark red jersey and a pair of dark grey jeans.

She said he had gone to his regular barbershop at the Harbour Bridge Mall for a haircut, and at about 19:00h, he reportedly left the barbershop and was seen flagging down taxis to be taken home.

Griffith explained that her son would usually use a taxi to get home from the barbershop since the area where they live is prone to robbery.

“He would usually walk over the road from the barbershop and then walk to the taxi service by Nandy Park Entrance. For safety reasons, we have agreed that he should take a car, because there have been instances of people being robbed while walking in,” Griffith explained.

Griffith has explained that she became worried when she made attempts to contact him on his mobile phone without success. She says her son is a fulltime University of Guyana student who is usually at home most of the time. She posited that it is unlike him not

Missing: Joel Skeete

to come home.

“He’s a very quiet child, he likes to be on his computer,” she added.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Joel Skeete is kindly being asked to contact his mother Lorenza Griffith on 2336368, or to inform the nearest Police station.

NEWS

17

FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

4 deaths, 126 new COVID-19 cases recorded in 24 hours …death toll now skyrockets to 235 ...Joint Services to monitor Easter weekend activities

Task Force is enforcing guidelines for the Easter holiday weekend, and has informed that no activities would be allowed in public places.

A statement from that secretariat indicated that the measures have been put in place from April 2 to April 4. Easter activities at parks, creeks, lakes, beaches and resorts are prohibited.

Meanwhile, non-religious celebrations in the form of shows, parties, limes and wet fetes are also forbidden.

Events held at churches, inclusive of mass, services and cultural programmes, are to operate at 40 per cent capacity.

“Churches are encouraged to utilise their outdoor spaces, where available. Persons are encouraged to observe Easter activi-

T

he Health Ministry announced on Thursday that four other persons have succumbed to the deadly coronavirus disease, thus taking the death toll to a whopping 235.

The latest fatalities are a 91-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); an 84-year-old woman from Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) and a 62-year-old man from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). They all died while receiving care at a medical facility.

New statistics provided by the Health Ministry have shown that 126 new COVID-19 cases were detected during a 24-hour period. This has now taken the confirmed cases thus far to 10,375 – 5299 males and 5076 females.

The stats also showed that 12 persons remain in the designated Intensive Care

Unit (ICU), 907 in home isolation, and 64 in institutional isolation. Another 21 persons are also in institutional quarantine.

So far, 9159 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus, while 91,231 have been tested.

From the new cases, eight were detected in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 27 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); an alarming 62 in Region Four (Demerara Mahaica); six in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice); 17 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); one in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); one in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and four in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The cases remain at 1028 in Region One (Barima-Waini) and 440 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Thursday urged persons to report businesses which are non-compliant

with the national guidelines.

This extends to persons who are facilitating house parties and other gatherings.

“If people know that there are businesses that are evading these measures, they should report them to the Police so that the Police can take action. There is another category of people that advertising house parties, where people gather in the homes and those kinds of things.

If we get that information, the Police would also act on that,” the Minister urged.

He lamented that some persons are yet to grasp the gravity of flouting the measures and the repercussions which it brings to the entire country and citizenry.

“It’s crazy! In a pandemic, you want to bring all kinds of people into your home to have a party? Is that so important at this stage in the pandemic than protecting people’s health? I sometimes marvel at the people that are doing this, because it’s obvious to me that they don’t understand the conditions in which we are living in right now…All these actions would have implications,” he declared.

Easter measures

The National COVID-19

ties within their home circles. The traditional public restrictions in observance of Good Friday must be adhered to,” the Task Force noted.

These guidelines have emerged as a result of health and security concerns, and are intended to allow for limited participation in Easter activities to curtail COVID-19 infections. The Joint Services has already planned COVI-CURB patrols nationwide to enforce these guidelines.

Apart from these specific measures, the national COVID-19 emergency measures are also in place, warranting full compliance. The national curfew remains in place from 22:30h to 04:00h (4:00am to 10:30pm) for the month of April.

Restrictions remain in

place on visiting, hosting, or attending private parties, wakes, clubs, receptions, and any other social activity, including going to the cinema.

The measures also stipulate the wearing of masks, social distancing, along with frequent sanitising and handwashing to curb the spread of the disease.

However, exemptions are given to children under the age of eight; where a person is in a vehicle, vessel or aircraft alone; and in any other accommodation alone.

‘Operation Covicurb’ entails the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) executing the Health Ministry’s mandate to flatten the curve by focusing on education, moral suasion, and enforcement measures.

Pump attendants arrested for allegedly staging robbery at service station

T

wo female pump attendants attached to a service station at Meten-Meer-Zorg on the West Coast of Demerara were arrested, and were expected to be charged with robbery that was committed on Wednesday evening.

According to Police, about 19:17h on the day in question, there was a power outage in the area which lasted for about five minutes. During that time, the women claimed that a male rode up on a bicycle and relieved them of cash and other valuables.

They told Police that the men robbed them of

$132,796 and took off. Upon the restoration of power, the two attendants reported what had transpired to their neighbours and as such, the robbery was reported to the Police.

Soon after, the propri-

etor was informed of the alleged incident. The two ladies were taken into custody and an investigation was launched. Based on evidence gathered, it is believed that the women staged the robbery.

18 NEWS

FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Scrap metal trade to be resumed next week — Govt sets up unit to look over operations

M

inister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, announced that Government has taken a decision to resume the scrap metal trade as of next Thursday.

During a meeting with scrap metal dealers on Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Walrond detailed that an internal unit has been assembled at the Ministry to facilitate this move, and it will be backed by an external interagency department.

“There is also going to be an external unit that deals with the inspection that will comprise members of the Guyana Police Force, CANU (Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit), Guyana Revenue Authority; and GTT, E-Networks and Digicel – who are the major providers for telecommunications and stakeholders in this sector,” the Minister outlined.

According to the Minister,

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond

the trade was closed after Government took office last year, owing to numerous identified gaps within the operation. As such, an assessment and restructuring were needed to ensure there is secure trading and that goods are protected. Standard operating procedures have also been refined.

“We took this long to try to

get it right, to make sure that we fill as many gaps that we saw existed in the previous operation of the trade. We believe it’s a work in progress, but we have something that we feel can prevent some of the banes in the existence of this industry,” she highlighted.

“For now, there are some 20 licensed traders in the country (who) will now be able to export scrap metals.”

Minister Walrond indicated that no potential operator would be engaged at present.

Terms of the trade identify that CANU should be notified prior to loading of containers onto vessels; scanned containers must be stored in an area with 24h CCTV surveillance, and all containers must be scanned, regardless of destination.

Shippers must sign a contract to ensure that all required procedures are followed, and any breach would result in strict penalties, including revocation of licenc-

A scrap metal site at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt

es.

Another recommendation is that containers being exported must be fitted with a welded-on lock box, and that containers must be packed from authorised yards.

In regard to CANU’s role, CANU would peruse customs documents submitted by the shipper, verify shipper is present, and photograph containers before and after being loaded. The unit would also be tasked with examining the empty container, and sealing

it in the presence of the shipper. The container will then be escorted and scanned by officers, also in the company of the shipper.

After this scanning is completed, the sealed container would be escorted to a designated wharf by CANU and officers from other agencies. While waiting to be loaded onto the vessel, periodic checks would be carried out for any evidence of tampering.

If the sealed contain-

er does not depart the designated wharf within seven days, it would be escorted by CANU to be scanned again in the presence of authorities.

While some concerns were raised by dealers in relation to these proposed requirements, authorities have mandated that many of the new guidelines are non-negotiable in an effort to curtail any untoward event. Some serious concerns would be considered, followed by necessary changes.

Belgium cocaine bust…

CANU actively pursuing wanted man – James Singh ...says regional and int’l counterparts assisting to track down suspect

T

he Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) is still actively pursuing wanted businessman Marlon Primo in connection with the massive Belguim drug bust after he had gone missing since last November.

Speaking with the media on Thursday, CANU Head James Singh said regional and international counterparts are on the lookout for Primo, for whom a wanted bulletin has been issued lo-

cally. He urged the suspect to turn himself in to law enforcement and provide the necessary information needed.

“We’re still looking for him. We’ve gone above and beyond asking his family and asking anyone who knows his whereabouts if he is still alive, and (we’re) worried about his safety and security. (We advise him) to come in to us and we can hear what he has to say.

“Everyone is looking for

Cocaine unearthed in the Belgium bust

him. They’re looking for him in Europe (and) across the region. A bust of that nature, we would want to know who is involved; so, he is a person that has that information,” Singh expressed.

In previous reports, CANU had notified that Primo is a resident of Lot 701 Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and of 69 Atlanticville. He is also the proprietor of MA Trading, located at 35 Factory Road, Paradise, ECD. At the time in question, the Brussel Times had reported that Belgian authorities had intercepted a vessel that allegedly left Guyana in September with a whopping 11.5 tonnes of cocaine – the largest drug bust ever.

It was reported that counter-narcotics prosecutors had tracked the transatlantic journey of the cocaine from Guyana, on the northeast-

ern coast of South America, and had seized it upon its arrival at the Port of Antwerp, Belgium.

Federal prosecutors have told Belgian media that this is “the largest overseas drug bust ever worldwide” with an estimated street value of €900 million, or US$1.06 billion. The drugs were disguised as scrap metal and placed inside a steel container which was, in turn, packed into a sea container and loaded into a transatlantic vessel.

According to the report, prosecutors were able to track down the cocaine following the dismantlement of a drug trafficking gang led by a former Belgian counter-narcotics chief, a circumstance which revealed the existence of tight-knit links between criminal gangs and counter-narcotics and law enforcement officials.

The reports stated that

three Police officers, a port manager and a lawyer were among some 20 other criminals arrested as part of an operation targeting the “well-structured” criminal organization, suspected of orchestrating large and “regular” drug shipments from South America to Belgium.

However, the record-breaking shipment was expected by law enforcement officials as it is suspected it left the port of Guyana after the drug gang’s arrest in Belgium, with drug gangs unable to intercept it once at sea, De Standaard reported.

Later, Singh had said investigations revealed that this huge quantity of the drug was imported to Guyana from another country, after which it was stockpiled and then loaded into the container, and ultimately onto the vessel which reportedly left Guyana in September.

In December, the Guyana Revenue Authority was able to identify within its network persons who were responsible for deleting images, dates and times from the container scanners.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Primo is asked to make contact with CANU Headquarters on 227-3507 or 226-0431. Two scrap metal dealers have already been arrested and questioned in relation to the shipment.

Jamaica bust

Meanwhile, in relation to the Jamaica drug bust last month, the CANU Head said there were some gaps identified within operation.

Narcotics Police in

Wanted: Marlon Primo

Jamaica had unearthed over 300lbs of cocaine in containers shipped from Guyana which contained rice and logs. Reports out of Jamaica stated that the illegal substance was found in the containers at the Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited (KFTL).

According to reports, the drug was found in two of six trans-shipment containers that arrived on the island from Guyana. Jamaica Observer reported that while searching the containers, Police, accompanied by members of the Jamaica Customs Contraband Enforcement Team, found a total of 122 packages of the drug in the containers.

They said each package was compressed with cocaine.

When weighed, the quantity amounted to approximately 307 pounds and the estimated street value was given as US$6.59 million.

“In terms of Jamaica, we realise that there were some procedures that (needed) to be upgraded, and I can say openly that we had some lapses, which we have documented. We have submitted a report, and we hope that that will be implemented very soon,” Singh explained.

NEWS

19

FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ex-cops execute daring daylight robbery on ECD supermarket

T

Suspect: Floyd Daniels

Suspect: Nicholas Blackman

wo ex-Police Officers were on Thursday arrested minutes after they executed a daring daylight robbery on the GST 2 Supermarket located at Success Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The suspects were identified by Police as Nicholas Blackman, 26, of Bamai Drive, Linden and Floyd Daniels, 27, of Sancho Street, Golden Grove, ECD. Based on reports received, a 20-year-old security guard attacked to the OSPEC International Security Firm was approached by the two suspects – one of whom identified himself as a Police

Officer and requested to check his firearm.

The security officer reportedly complied and upon handing over the 9mm pistol which contained five live rounds of ammunition, he was held at gunpoint.

One of the suspects took the security officer to the end of the supermarket and placed a knife to his neck while his accomplice relieved a 46-year-old businesswoman of an undisclosed sum of cash.

After committing the robbery, they escaped in a red Toyota Spacio motor car bearing registration number PXX 8809.

The Police were immedi-

Some of the items found in the getaway car

ately summoned and their swift response led to the arrest of the two perpetrators.

The car was searched during which one pair of Army trousers, a vest and boots were discovered. In addition, one black, green and grey jersey, burgundy pants, one pair of Police pants, one grey jersey, one handcuff with key, one cream knife, two Samsung cellphones, one pair of blue sunshades, one certificate of birth, one identification card, one certificate of vehicle registration, fitness, one GTM Insurance card, one security

The getaway car

The firearm and ammunition taken from the security officer

badge, and a bunch of keys were also found in the car.

Further, the firearm that was taken away from the security guard was recovered in a black haversack that was being carried by one of the bandits. The Police stated that a quantity of cash was found on the second perpetrator.

They were arrested and escorted to the Beterverwagting Police Station, where they were processed.

Detectives are presently reviewing Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) footage of the robbery.

Unrealistic local content targets can have negative consequences – Exxon ...says its local content strategy largely aligns with Govt's draft policy

A

s the Guyana Government pushes to have a Local Content Policy (LCP) that would see Guyanese playing a greater role in advancement of the petroleum sector, United States oil major ExxonMobil has cautioned that unrealistic local content targets can have negative consequences.

This is according to President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge.

Guyana recently concluded its consultation phase on the revised draft Local Content Policy and invited stakeholders to submit their comments and feedback on the document.

In a statement on Thursday, the US oil giant said it has made submissions to the Government, and reaffirmed its commitment to implementing effective initiatives to help build a globally competitive workforce and supply base.

Routledge pointed out in the missive that when driving local content in one sector, it is essential that actual and projected national capacities are taken into consideration to avoid negatively impacting other sectors of the economy.

“Prior experience around the globe demonstrates that overly aggressive local content regulations and mandates can have unintended negative consequences on the development of projects, industry, and the broader economy,” the ExxonMobil Guyana President posited.

Similar sentiments were expressed by the oil company’s Local Content Advisor Devon Seeram, who pointed out that legislation and regulations must be flexible to evolve with such an evolving economy.

He noted, “We are working together with the Govt to en-

sure that the policy that’s enacted continues this growth, rather than inadvertently stifle the growth. We have key concerns about unrealistic targets in the legislation.”

According to Seeram, companies in the oil and gas supply chain have doubled in the past three years. He added that Exxon works closely with its prime contractors to ensure that they are equally committed to developing local content, and tracks that their local content plans are effectively implemented. “[We] submit local content plans annually which detail how each company plans to develop and utilise qualified Guyanese nationals and suppliers for the upcoming year,” he said.

Seeram further outlined that where appropriate, these plans also include a threeyear outlook of planned workforce as well as business opportunities that are published via the Centre for local business development’s supplier registration quota. This way, Guyanese companies can prepare to tap into the opportunities.

In addition to this, ExxonMobil and its contractors are also obligated to do robust quarterly reporting as a method of monitoring and evaluating the progress made regarding local content against objectives outlined in the plans submitted.

“Since our first discovery in 2015, we have made significant progress creating jobs, growing the number of local suppliers we work, with and increasing our local spending… Guyanese businesses and ExxonMobil have succeeded in building local content together, and we believe that additional progress

is both possible and necessary as the oil and gas sector continues to grow,” Seeram stressed in the missive.

Meanwhile, Routledge went on to point out that ExxonMobil Guyana has not only made significant process on local content, but has exceeded expectations in this regard.

It was noted that the total Guyanese workforce supporting Exxon’s overall operation is more than 2,300, while in excess of $77.6 billion has been spent directly on over 800 Guyanese companies for goods and services ranging from food to engineering.

Nevertheless, Thursday’s statement outlined that ExxonMobil Guyana’s progress is aligned with the strategic objectives of the Government’s Local Content Policy.

“We are committed to growing local content that will generate broad and sustainable economic development while supporting safe development of the nation’s oil and gas resources… We are pleased that the Government continues to seek broad input and collaboration to develop an approach suited to Guyana’s unique situation and national development objectives,” said the ExxonMobil Guyana President.

Routledge added that, “Local content policy or legislation should be informed and supported by appropriate economic, labour and industrial baseline studies.”

The revised policy document seeks to put into context the current and evolving state of Guyana’s oil and gas sector, and to enable an improved level of local business participation therein through addition of value, access to oppor-

tunities, and capacity building for Guyanese within the energy sector.

The Natural Resources Ministry, in a recent missive, disclosed that the consultations over the past three weeks have seen more than 180 public and private sector agencies involved directly or indirectly in the growth and development of Guyana’s hydrocarbon sector were facilitated.

Among the key objectives of the Local Content Policy

are to enhance the skills and competencies of Guyanese citizens; promote maximum use of Guyanese in the petroleum sector workforce; maximise the use of locally sourced goods and services in the petroleum sector; enhance the capacity of Guyanese businesses and supply chains to become internationally competitive; enhance and make world-class the training, technology, innovation and research and development base of Guyana just to scratch the surface.

President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge

MoF staff dies, 3 others injured in Mabura accident

A

The vehicle that was involved in the accident

senior staffer within the Ministry of Finance (MoF) was on Thursday killed while three others were injured after the vehicle in which they were travelling turned turtle on the 111 Miles Mahdia trail, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The dead man has been identified as Pretiapaul Jaigobin, 54, of Low Lands, Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) while those injured are Nand Singh, 44, of 111 Miles Mahdia; Franky Wessel Trotz, 29, of MetenMeer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD) and Ravie Gayadeen, 25, of Zeelugt, WCD.

Based on reports received, the accident occurred about 15:00h and involved a Toyota Tundra motor vehicle bearing registration number GTT 1936 about five kilometres away from the Mabura Police Outpost.

At the scene, Trotz reportedly told Police that he was in the cab of the vehicle which was heading to Mabura when the driver allegedly lost control, causing it to topple several times before coming to a halt.

At the time of the accident, a resident of Mahdia, David Adams, was passing and he rendered assistance.

Singh, Gayadeen, and

Dead: Pretiapaul Jaigobin

Jaigobin were escorted to Mabura Health Centre where they treated and referred to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC). However, upon their arrival in Linden, Jaigobin was pronounced dead on arrival while Singh and Gayadeen were admitted.

Their condition is regarded as stable. An investigation has been launched into the fatal accident.

Jaigobin, who also served as an executive member of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB), was only recently elected Treasurer of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).

20

FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

Show compassion, but don’t let anyone push you in (March 21a negative direction. Believe April 19) in your ability to get things done. Self-improvement will boost your ego and confidence.

Romance is favored.

ARIES

Accept change readily, and look for the positive in what(April 20ever situation you face. Base May 20) your words on facts, not on opinions. Put your energy behind the changes that come your way and embrace them.

TAURUS

DILBERT

Your emotions may get in GEMINI the way today. Think twice be(May 21- fore you say something inapJune 20) propriate. A kind and considerate gesture will work well.

Personal improvement, better relationships and love are in your best interest.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Administrative dealings will be frustrating. Don’t leave anything to the last minute. Invest your time and money in self-improvement.

Steer clear of places that pose a health threat.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

You need an outlet that will allow you to blow off steam.

Don’t let the changes others make bring you down. Focus on what you can do, and follow a path that feels like a good fit.

Romance is on the rise.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Refuse to get into an argument with someone you live with or work alongside.

Keeping the peace will give you the freedom you need to do your own thing. You’ll learn something very valuable.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Take on a project that will result in a better, wiser and happier you. Pour your energy into being your best, and you will discover the power of confidence and knowing what you want.

SCORPIO

Emotional spending won’t make you feel better. Look for a creative outlet that challenges you. Balance and equality will encourage success. Invest in yourself and your future.

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Be careful what you say.

SAGITTARIUS Having a spat with a loved (Nov. 23one will take the wind out Dec. 21) of any romantic plans you might have. Focus on being playful, loving and mindful of others.

Follow the money. Go over CAPRICORN your spending habits, look at (Dec. 22your overhead and find a way Jan. 19)

to cut corners. Don’t give in to someone coaxing you to be lavish. A lifestyle change should ease stress, not increase it.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Someone will offer invalid information that will lead to emotional stress.

Take the initiative and focus on fitness, health and being at the top of your game. Choose romance over conflict.

An argument will leave PISCES you emotionally distraught.

(Feb. 20March 20) Put your energy into making a difference, not a disturbance, and you will gain powerful insight into the best way to outmaneuver a rival.

FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021

21

BCB congratulates its members on GCB posts I

n total, five Berbicians have been elected to various posts at the recently held Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) elections.

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has congratulated its members on their respective election to the Executive and Selection Committees of the GCB. BCB President Hilbert Foster has been elected Vice President (Cricket Development),

Rabindranauth Saywack has been elected Vice President (Cricket Administration), Dr. Cecil Beharry has been elected GCB Assistant Treasurer, Anil Beharry has been elected Technocrat Member (with voting rights) and Andre Percival has been elected Chairman of the Junior Selection Committee.

Guyana Cricket Board Vice President (cricket development) Hilbert Foster

Below is the BCB statement.

“Over the last three years, the fortune of Berbice Cricket

Tennis bodies urge hesitant players to get vaccinated for COVID-19

Guyana Cricket Board Vice President (cricket administration) Rabindranauth Saywack

T Andrey Rublev is among several players who have said they do not want the COVID-19 vaccine

S

ome of the world's top tennis players have said they do not want to receive a coronavirus vaccine, triggering a major debate within the sport.

Both the ATP and WTA governing bodies have called for players to be immunised, but insist they would not force them to be vaccinated.

Leading stars in both the men's and women's game including Novak Djokovic and Elina Svitolina - have expressed skepticism over COVID-19 vaccines.

Last year, Djokovic said he was "opposed to vaccination" before embarking on a controversial exhibition tour in Serbia and Croatia that was attended by fans. The tennis star and three other players later tested positive for the virus.

He subsequently claimed his comments about vaccinations had been taken out of context in the media. He said, "My issue here with vaccines is if someone is forcing me to put something in my body.

That I don't want".

In recent weeks, the de-

bate over the vaccine has intensified. Health bodies, including the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency, have repeatedly said the benefits of the vaccine outweigh any risks.

What have players said?

During press conferences at this week's Miami Open, journalist Ben Rothenberg quizzed a number of players about whether they planned to get a vaccine.

World number eight, Aryna Sabalenka, told a press conference that she did not "trust" the jab.

"They just make it like really quick, and there wasn't enough time to test it and to see what can happen," she said. But she added that if she had to take it, she would.

"It's tough to say, but I don't really want it yet, and I don't want my family to take it," she said.

Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina has said she had spoken with friends who told her to "wait a little while longer to see how it

goes".

"For now, it makes almost like no sense to do something that has been tested for such a short period of time. I will probably wait for now," she said.

Following the comments, the WTA released a statement saying it would "continue to educate our players on the various vaccines, along with the benefits of getting vaccinated."

"The WTA believes in, and (would) encourage everyone to get a vaccine," the statement said.

In the men's game, top 10 player Andrey Rublev said: "For the moment, (the vaccine) doesn't really give you any privilege". He said players would still have to remain in a bubble while attending tournaments.

"If you ask me if I can choose and I can have an option, I will not do it," he disclosed.

The ATP issued a statement on Tuesday saying it "recommends COVID-19 vaccination based on scientific evidence supporting the health benefits and protection provided". (Adapted from BBC Sport)

he Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) are considering whether to allow squads of more than 23 players at this summer's European Championship.

The matter was raised at Wednesday's Executive Committee meeting, where it was also confirmed that a rule allowing five substitutes to be used per team would be extended for the tournament.

With coronavirus cases rising across Europe, some coaches feel bigger squads

has changed due to the hard work, personal sacrifice and dedication of the entire BCB executives, and we are confident that Guyana would benefit from their wisdom.

“Our President, Hilbert Foster, has also been appointed as a Director of Cricket West Indies (CWI), making him the first full time director from the Ancient County. Mr. Foster has worked beyond the call of duty for cricket, and BCB is also confident that West Indies Cricket would be

richer for his presence.

“We have also nominated former national coach Albert Smith to be a Senior Selector.

“We want to reassure all Guyanese that all of the executives are committed to working hard for the overall development of our country.

“Congrats are also extended to President Bissoondyal Singh and the rest of his executives. Please be assured that you have all our total support.

Thankfully, the dark days are behind us.”

UEFA consider bigger squads for Euros after ‘five subs’ rule confirmed

would be needed to cover the chances of positive tests within a camp, given there is no scope to postpone matches.

No decision has been made, and it is not clear whether additional players would stay with the main squad, or be placed on a standby list.

It is one of several complications that still need to be worked on.

European football's governing body is, by next Wednesday, due to receive guidance from each of the 12

host venues about their ability to host matches and the potential crowd numbers. This would determine whether the competition can proceed as planned, or if some hosts would need to be dropped.

In addition, travel exemptions are required for match officials, who are due to have a pre-tournament training camp in Turkey, and - potentially - media given, as it stands, no country could reach the semi-finals without having to play in at least two destinations. (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021

Kraigg Brathwaite made 85 to complete a good Test with the bat

Holder and Brathwaite added a vital partnership

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set up a steep final day for Sri Lanka

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strong batting performance in the second innings have put West Indies in pole position going into the fifth day. Half centuries from Kraigg Brathwaite (85), Jason Holder (71*) and Kyle

was trapped in front by a Suranga Lakmal delivery that wasn't quite as short as he had anticipated.

But that aside, he helped add 82 crucial runs for the third wicket with Brathwaite, after

while Brathwaite totalled 85 from 196 before he fell to a Chameera delivery that stayed low.

Sri Lanka openers safely negotiated nine overs, but a greater challenge awaits them on Friday. (cricbuzz)

Jermaine Blackwood is removed for another low score

Mayers (55) allowed them to declare their innings and set Sri Lanka a steep target of 377 runs from a minimum of 116 overs for victory.

With the first match drawn, a fascinating finish to the second and final Test could be in store.

Before the West Indies batting performance, it was the bowling that cleaned Sri Lanka up for 258; all it took was 20 minutes. Kemar Roach struck twice inside three balls to claim the final two wickets and have the West Indies secure a 96-run lead.

Pathum Nissanka, unbeaten overnight on 49, got to his fifty, but didn't quite have an answer for Kemar Roach's short balls, notably on a track where most batsmen have struggled to time the hook and the pull.

Nissanka being caught at short leg brought Vishwa Fernando to the crease, who lasted only two balls against Roach's two-card trick: short ball followed by a full one that trapped him lbw.

Later, Kyle Mayers experienced similar troubles facing short balls from Dushmantha Chameera, but the 28-year-old lived a rather charmed life en route to his half-century, with plenty of mistimed shots falling safe.

It is telling that he

West Indies, with only 58 on the board, had lost John Campbell, and Jermaine Blackwood who was promoted in the absence of injured Nkrumah Bonner.

While Campbell fell in familiar fashion, edging Lakmal to the keeper, Blackwood was undone by a short ball from Chameera.

In an unfortunate incident, left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya had to be taken off the field by stretcher after he put in a slide to stop the ball and hurt his left leg.

Dhananjaya de Silva stepped up in his absence, bowling a total of 28 overs at an economy of under three.

On the other side of the lunch break, West Indies further solidified their position in the Test match by adding 104 runs for the loss of one wicket. Kyle Mayers and Kraigg Brathwaite added 61 runs in the wicketless first hour, but it wasn't without close shaves. To go with Mayers's struggles against the short ball, Brathwaite was dropped at short leg by Oshada Fernando on 34.

To make things worse for Sri Lanka, Brathwaite and Holder played contrasting innings in a stand of 87 for the fourth wicket, as West Indies tightened their grip on the Test by the run.

Holder hit seven boundaries in his 88-ball 77 not out,

SCOREBOARD WI 1st Innings 354 all out SL 1st Innings 258 all out WI 2nd Innings 280-4d Kraigg Brathwaite (c) b Chameera 85 John Campbell c †Dickwella b Lakmal 10 Jermaine Blackwood c †Dickwella b Chameera 18 Kyle Mayers lbw b Lakmal 55 Jason Holder not out 88 Joshua Da Silva † not out 20 Extras (b 2, lb 12, nb 6, w 1) 21 TOTAL (72.4 Ov, RR: 3.85) 280/4d Did not bat: Nkrumah Bonner, Alzarri Joseph, Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-14 (John Campbell, 6.4 ov), 2-58 (Jermaine Blackwood, 19.5 ov), 3-140 (Kyle Mayers, 43.6 ov), 4-227 (Kraigg Brathwaite, 65.5 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W Suranga Lakmal 14-3-62-2 Vishwa Fernando 12.4-1-49-0 Dhananjaya de Silva 28-3-81-0 Dushmantha Chameera 18-0-74-2 SRI LANKA 2ND INNINGS (TARGET: 377 RUNS) Lahiru Thirimanne not out 17 Dimuth Karunaratne (c) not out 11 Extras (nb 1) 1 TOTAL (9 Ov, RR: 3.22) 29 Yet to bat: Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Niroshan Dickwella †, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Embuldeniya, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando BOWLING O-M-R-W Kemar Roach 4-0-18-0 Jason Holder 3-2-3-0 Rahkeem Cornwall 2-0-8-0

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Narine, Gaskin, Rodrigues shine at latest chess tournament

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW! Ricardo Narine championed the highest-rated division

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he Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) continues to keep children active in the sport with the use of the online chess platform ‘Chesskid.com’, which is utilised to host tournaments from the comfort of the home.

Over the past weekend, the GCF was able to host another tournament, which attracted in excess of 30 competitors.

Hosted on Saturday March 27, that tournament was divided in three categories, based on the players’ ratings. The categories were Beginners (0 to 900), Intermediate (901 to 1100) and Over 1100.

Neal Rodrigues

The Beginners (0 to 900) rating division was championed by Faraa Gaskin of Marian Academy, who secured 5.5 points. Completing the podium positions were Nandram Lall with 5 points, and Josh Rodrigues.

In the Intermediate section (901 to 1100), Marian Academy’s Neal Rodrigues led the pack with 4 points attained. Julian Mohabir of School of the Nations finished second, and Noah Rahaman of The Bishops’ High School copped third place. Both finished with 3.5 points.

Expectedly, the Over 1100 category saw the most fireworks, with a tighter

Faraa Gaskin in action

competition to emerge at the top. When it was all over, Ricardo Narine of Queen’s College played unbeaten to cop a perfect 7 points.

Second place went to Raveon Adonis, while Mahir Rajkumar of Mae’s Schools finished third.

The tournament was conducted by John Lee, and according to GCF officials, the objective of getting the beginners familiar with tournament conditions was met.

It has been said that the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has been successful in increasing the number of players in competitive chess through its “chess in schools” programme.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Sanasie withdraws from race for the CWI Presidency …says new GCB executive is illegal

I

n a surprising twist of events on Thursday, former Guyana Cricket Board Secretary Anand Sanasie has announced that he would be withdrawing his bid for the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Presidency.

“After deep reflection and consultations with my advisors, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy for Presidency of CWI. I will shortly write to the Corporate Secretary to advise her accordingly.

“Consequently, I take this opportunity to extend congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Ricky Skerritt, since he will be uncontested,” Sanasie wrote in an official missive.

The recently ousted GCB Secretary’s withdrawal, however, did not come without a number of objections since he expressed his concern about the current state of the CWI and the Guyana Cricket Board.

“Following recent developments, I have reassessed my candidacy for the position of the President of Cricket West Indies (CWI).

I remain deeply concerned at the manner in which events unfolded recently both at the Cricket West Indies level and at the level of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).”

The statement went on to allege, “At CWI, there was an attempt to hold an Annual General Meeting and Presidential and VicePresidential Elections without critical requirements outlined by the Articles of Association being complied with. This attempt, until it was thwarted at the last minute, remains cause for serious concern by those who have an interest in good governance of CWI. “A major scandal was averted by the judicious and prudent actions of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and the Guyana Cricket Board to save CWI global embarrassment and ridicule.

“Even though I was personally aware of the likely consequences at my home base, doing the right thing was never a question for me or the GCB.” Sanasie’s qualms over the GCB came in tandem with his position on the election that was conducted on Monday last, which resulted in the ascension of Bissoondyal Singh as President.

On this matter, he claimed the agenda was pushed by Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr., whom he also believes had meddled at the level of the Regional body.

“Unjust, irregular, imprudent and hasty actions taken by the partisan and compromised Minister of Sport in Guyana, Mr. Charles Ramson Jr, have led to dubious GCB elections being held and a new group purporting to be the new executive installed.

Guyana’s Anand Sanasie

“I am advised by my legal team that those elections cannot withstand judicial scrutiny, which may arise and which have every possibility of prevailing.

“It should also be noted that the court-ordered Demerara Cricket Board election is very likely to be set aside.

Prior to the GCB elections, Minister Ramson had three meetings with the CWI President and a select group of Directors, from which the GCB-nominated Directors were excluded despite their objection on the one occasion when they were aware of the meeting.

“The actions of Minister Ramson at all material times were deeply partisan and prejudicial in favour of those who seek control of the GCB for political and personal purposes, and (were) clearly intended to give my opponent an advantage in the CWI Elections.

“The Minister’s unpatriotic action supported and enabled my opponent to undermine my candidacy.”

The remainder of Sanasie’s missive went on to state, “Consequently, I take this opportunity to extend congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Ricky Skerritt, since he will be uncontested.

I urge that more deliberate efforts be made to strengthen the finances of CWI, and to improve in the areas of prudent fiscal management, accountability and transparency.

“I also urge that greater respect be accorded to Territorial Boards, and that there is considerably more inclusivity in executive decision-making and corporate governance.

“I also extend a special thank you to Mr. Hope for his work and dedication to this campaign, and certainly for answering the call to serve.

“Finally, I personally extend heartfelt thanks to the many persons in Government, across Guyana, throughout the Caribbean and further afield who supported my candidacy, and the team of persons who worked tirelessly behind the scenes on my campaign.

“I thank the GCB and BCA for reposing confidence in my leadership and nominating me, and all the Directors and friends of CWI who encouraged me to contest. I remain in service to cricket, as has been a life-

long dedication, and I will continue to fight against any political control of the GCB.” Additionally, Sanasie’s running mate, Barbados Cricket Association’s Calvin Hope, also issued a statement on his and Sanasie’s behalf.

That missive read: “Given the unfortunate circumstances leading up to and recent events in Guyana regarding the Guyana Cricket Board, one of the six

(6) Full Members of CWI, together with the refusal by the leadership of CWI to uphold the highest standards, long-standing traditions and rules for governing the administration of West Indies Cricket, we, Anand Sanasie and Calvin Hope, having distanced ourselves from such action of CWI, have decided to withdraw our respective candidacies for President and Vice President in the CWI election scheduled to take place at CWI 22nd Annual General Meeting on 11th April, 2021.

“We, however, wish to express gratitude to the Guyana Cricket Board and the Barbados Cricket Association for nominating and supporting us to run for the respective positions in CWI. “Our gratitude is also extended to our advisors, supporters and the various news Media and the CWI Full Member Territorial Boards for the time and interest given to us during the past

Calvin Hope of Barbados

weeks, and for the positive reviews of our Future-Proof – Inclusive -Transformative – FIT MANIFESTO “Operation Rescue” of West Indies Cricket.

“We remain firmly committed to, and passionate about, cricket, and to focusing on what is in the best interest of the administration of West Indies Cricket. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Guyana Cricket Board and the Barbados Cricket

Association for nominating and supporting our intentions to run for the respective positions within CWI. “We also thank our advisors, supporters, members of the media, and the CWI Full Member Territorial Boards for their time and positive interest given to us over the past weeks.

“We retain our pioneering spirit, and look forward to a bright future for cricket in the West Indies.”

National Cycling Championships tipped for late May – COVID-19 Task Force approval pending

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he Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) has disclosed three dates in late May for the hosting of the National Cycling Championship.

However, hosting of the three-legged race is dependent on approval from the National COVID-19 Task Force.

According to the release on the GCF Facebook pafe, the proposed dates are May 22, 23 and 30, with the format being Time Trial, Senior Road Race and Junior/Female/Veteran Road Race.

Date: May 22, 2021

Race: Time Trials (All categories) Course: Linden/ Soesdyke Highway Distance: 10 miles Description: Just after the first toll station, the race will start on the lefthand side facing north, and proceed to the junction for the finish Race Time: 07:30h Date: May 23, 2021 Race: Senior Road Race Course: Georgetown to Linden/Soesdyke Highway to Georgetown Distance: 100 miles Description: The race will start at Banks DIH

Main Office (Rotunda), proceed to the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway (50 miles up), and return to Banks DIH Main Office for the finish Race Time: 07:30h Date: May 30, 2021 Race: Junior/Female/ Veteran Road Race Course: Mahaica Loop Distance: To be determined (Will be confirmed and announced soon) Description: The race will start at KK Gas Station, proceed west to Unity Junction, and turn east along the Mahaica Old Road. Riders will then exit by the Mahaica

Bridge, and turn west to proceed along the Mahaica New Road to KK Gas Station to complete one lap. This race will be in the form of a criterium, and the various categories will have different laps to complete accordingly.

Race Time: 07:30h The Guyana Cycling Federation said registration for each event will close 30 minutes before the start time, and later entrants will not be permitted to race. All rules will be enforced, especially gear restrictions for Juniors, the Federation added.

FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 2021

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

National Cycling Championships tipped for late May

Pg 23

– COVID-19 Task Force approval pending

Pg 23

Sanasie withdraws from race for the CWI Presidency

…says new GCB executive is illegal

Pg 22

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