Guyana Times - Friday, December 10, 2021

Local Content, Sovereign Wealth Fund Bills to be tabled in National Assembly on Monday P15

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

Issue No. 4857

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

GECOM “unable” to host LGE this year – Chair tells Govt

See story on page 3

PNCR postpones Congress due to transparency concerns in leadership election

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Drug trafficker jailed, fined P10 $2M

Imbaimadai miner found guilty of rape P8

See story on page 7

Tourism sector should never be subjected to “political manoeuvring” – President Ali …agitated over cancellation of GuyExpo, Building Expo, Guyana Festival

See story on page 2

A cultural presentation during the Guyana Tourism Authority's Annual Awards Gala (Tourism Ministry photo)

Berbice man dies after being set on fire with stove Page 12

GTT, GOGEC sensitising students on oil & gas opportunities See story on page 17

Friends fined for stabbing man with beer P15 bottles 16 Days of Activism against GBV

P16

Sexual harassment: A woman’s dress mode is no excuse

P13 Five unvaccinated persons new COVID-19 deaths

Man missing for 14 days found dead P14

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Tourism sector should never be subjected to “political manoeuvring” – President Ali …agitated over cancellation of GuyExpo, Building Expo, Guyana Festival

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s Guyana seeks to build world-class tourism products, President Dr Irfaan Ali contends that the tourism industry should not be subjected to political manoeuvring as he recalls the many thriving initiatives that were discontinued under the previous Administration.

Speaking at the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Annual Awards Gala

on Wednesday evening, President Ali posited that tourism was one of the sectors that have nothing to do with politics.

“The greatest mistake one can make is try to politicise the tourism sector,” he opined.

According to the Head of State, tourism transcends boundaries and cultures.

Hence, he called on stakeholders to ensure that their

efforts were not politicised.

“I went through some period of agitation because in my brief stint in the Ministry of Tourism [in the previous PPP/C], we tried to create some products that I think are critical. I want all of us in this room to commit that whatever we develop in this sector, whatever products we are branding in this sector, that they are never subject to political manoeu-

vring,” he urged.

The President outlined that marketing Guyana as a tourism destination should unleash a sense of pride and patriotism from all Guyanese.

Pointing out that every major tourism-based country around the world has a national festival, the President recalls major events such as the ‘Guyana Festival’ and other exhibi-

President Dr Irfaan Ali

tions that attracted thousands of attendees not only from within the country but beyond.

“In three nights and three days, we had more than 173,000 persons walking through the National Stadium. We had special flights branded for the Guyana Festival. After investing so much time and effort and money, where is that product?... We started the Rupununi Music Festival. Again, a lot of effort, time and commitment went into the developing of that product. Where is that product today? A lot can be said about GuyExpo itself.

But GUYEXPO as a product was unleashing the potential of Guyana and trust me, a lot of Guyanese came back during GuyExpo. Ask the guys in the entertainment industry about the spending during that period. Where is GuyExpo?

Building Expo – completely financed by the Private Sector. In five nights, more than 400,000 Guyanese passed through Building Expo, not Guyanese here alone,” the Guyanese leader stated.

According to President Ali, all of these major events were taking off at a time when Guyana was not even

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

known yet for its oil and gas reserves, which were first discovered in commercial quantities in mid-2015.

“People were coming for GuyExpo, Building Expo, Guyana Festival. There was nothing political about any of these events. They were developed with the strong advocacy of you – the people who work day and night in this sector,” he asserted.

To this end, the Guyanese leader contended that there must be fundamental principles established for the tourism sector that whenever a product is created, it is done in the interest of improving and promoting Guyana’s budding tourism industry and not for any political party – whether ruling or not.

“Whenever the democratic will of the people comes into play and you have new vision, it is ok to add to the product. Just, for God’s sake, do not destroy the product. Add as much, broaden as much, strengthen as much – do that! That is within your mandate. We are forever going to be in a cycle like this if we don’t understand this,” he stressed.

President Ali further stated that his Government’s vision for tourism is to be the number eco-destination in this part of the region, second to none. But he noted that in order for this to happen, there needed to be a collective unleashing of resources among stakeholders – both private and public.

The Head of State reiterated that his administration was committed to support such initiatives that would result in sustainable development of the industry.

He pointed out that Guyana was currently benefiting from a unique advantage that the oil and gas sector brought – visibility on the international stage. He said this extraordinary level of visibility that the oil and gas sector brought would be used to make every single sector in Guyana competitive, including tourism. (G8)

NEWS

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Friday, December 10 – 09:30h-11:00h and 23:00h-00:30h and Saturday, December 11 – 10:00h-11:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, December 10 – 09:10h-10:40h and Saturday, December 11 – 10:25h-11:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light to thundery showers are expected during the day and into the evening followed by cloudy skies. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to North NorthWesterly between 1.34 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 09:19h and 21:41h reaching maximum heights of 2.20 metres and 2.24 metres.

Low Tide: 15:10h reaching a minimum height of 1.06 metres.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS I

03 06 08

18 23 28

FREE TICKET

04 Bonus Ball

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

03 08 12 23 24 LUCKY 3

7

3

6

9

Afternoon Draw

8

4

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01 06 11 16 18 19 21 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021

02 03 09 11 17 13

05 09 10 11 14

6

9 Afternoon Draw

3X Afternoon Draw

0

5 Evening Draw

2X Evening Draw

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$73.84/barrel

Rough Rice

$249.66/ton

-1.55

London Sugar

$513.70/ton

+1.60

Live Spot Gold

-0.78

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1778.20

$1779.20

Low/High Change

$1773.40 +2.60

$1788.70 +0.15%

GECOM “unable” to host LGE this year – Chair tells Govt

…says local Govt polls will be held after appointment of new CEO

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he much-anticipated Local Government Elections (LGE), which were scheduled for this year, have officially been postponed since the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is currently in the process of filling several senior posts, including that of the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) and is, therefore, not in a state of readiness to host any elections.

This was confirmed by Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

Last week, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall had written to the GECOM Chair asking her to confirm that the LGE could not be held this year so that the necessary local authority bodies could be officially informed and the subject minister could take the necessary actions as required by law.

In response, Justice Singh, in a letter dated December 3, 2021 which was seen by Guyana Times, indicated that GECOM was aware of its legal requirement to hold the local Government polls this year.

However, she explained that since the Commission was currently without a Chief Elections Officer, who is required by law to manage the conduct of elections in Guyana, the electoral body was “unable” to have the elections held at this point in time.

“As you are aware, the Commission is currently working to conclude the hiring process of the Chief Elections Officer and other senior management staff.

Please be assured that as Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission, I will

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

communicate with you on the timeline at which Local Government Elections could be held when the Chief Elections Officer is hired,” the GECOM Chair further stated in her missive to the AG. Moreover, Justice Singh further reassured that the Elections Commission was working to resolve this issue within the shortest time.

These senior posts within GECOM became vacant after former CEO Keith Lowenfield, his deputy Roxanne Myers and former Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo were fired for attempts to sway the results of the 2020 General and Regional Elections. They are currently before the courts facing electoral fraud charges.

Only Monday last, the seven-member Elections Commission interviewed the two shortlisted candidates – former Deputy CEO Vishnu Persaud and former Jamaican electoral official Leslie Harrow.

Meanwhile, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall has already written to the various local authority bodies including

Regional and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils as well as Town Councils to inform them of the impracticability of hosting the LGE this year, given GECOM’s unpreparedness.

After assuming office in August 2020, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government had reassured that local Government polls would be held and had even set aside some $1.1 billion in GECOM’s 2021 budget for the hosting of LGE. This sum includes $237.7 million for the printing of 500,000 ballots and other election materials as well as $285.7 million for voter education and $135.7 million for the training of elections staff.

In fact, President Dr Irfaan Ali, during a press conference a few months ago to mark his Administration’s one-year anniversary in office, had said local Government polls was still on Government’s agenda and GECOM needed to advise on its readiness.

But the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition has been maintaining that while it wanted

LGE to be held, the voters’ list needs to be cleansed. The coalition is also pushing for a House-to-House registration exercise to be conducted.

Meanwhile, Oppositionnominated Commissioner at GECOM, Vincent Alexander, had said during a television programme last month that if the LGE were not held this year, then they could be postponed until the fourth quarter of 2022. He had explained that when LGE were not held as constitutionally due, Parliament in the past had postponed the elections for one year.

LGE are constitutionally due every two years in Guyana and were last held in 2018. However, given the elections fiasco that played out following the 2020 General and Regional Elections, the local Government polls were deferred to this year.

At the last LGE in November 2018, the then PPP/C Opposition secured 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs). This followed the holding of the LGE in 2016, during which the PPP/C also claimed the majority of the LAAs. After the 2018 LGE, GECOM spent over a year trying to get ready for snap elections that should have been held within three months of the then APNU/ AFC Government falling to a No-Confidence Motion in December 2018.

Those elections were finally held over a year later on March 2, 2020, but were then followed by a tumultuous five-month electoral impasse. The results were eventually declared by GECOM on August 2, 2020, after local and international pressure.

(G8)

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 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

Responsible behaviour during the holidays

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e are currently in the height of the festive season, and, as expected, there would be merry-making at the various workplaces, at people’s homes, or at other social gatherings. Due to the numerous parties, it is also a time when some persons would increase their level of alcohol intake. Like in everything else, though, it is always wise for one to exercise good judgment when he/ she is indulging, since there can be serious consequences for behaving irresponsibly.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol kills a whopping three million people worldwide each year — more than AIDS, violence and road accidents combined. WHO’s Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health presents a comprehensive picture of alcohol consumption and the disease burden attributable to alcohol worldwide. The alcohol death rate for Guyana is high, and globally, the country is ranked 70.

Even more worrying was when former Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/ WHO) Resident Representative in Guyana, Dr William AduKrow, disclosed startling statistics about the prevalence of children using alcohol on a regular basis here. He pointed to a survey which revealed that of the scores of 14-year-old students interviewed, 39.2 per cent of them reported that he/she had consumed at least one alcoholic beverage within a 30-day period.

A whopping 79 per cent of the students who participated in the survey stated that they had consumed their first alcoholic beverage before the age of 14.

Additionally, the survey shows that, even among adults, the statistics focused on alcohol consumption are soaring - 36 per cent.

The negative effects of drinking too much alcohol can be divided into short-term and long-term. The short-term effects of drinking too much alcohol are loss of judgment, loss of coordination, blurred vision, slurring of speech, and loss of balance. These negative effects can cause one to make bad decisions while being under the influence. The long-term effects include loss of brain cells, liver failure, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer, epilepsy, nerve damage, and heart failure. If the abuse of alcohol does not cause immediate problems, then excessive use over a period of time can cause major problems down the line.

Further, alcoholism contributes to a range of social problems; for example, there has been an increase in cases of domestic and other forms of violence in our society. Official statistics show that one in four Guyanese women has been physically abused in a relationship.

In addition, alcoholism contributes to suicide, which has been, and continues to be, a major social problem in Guyana. Official statistics show that suicide deaths average between 150 and 200 annually.

Also, one cannot ignore the countless number of road deaths in recent months. The newspapers’ pages are splashed almost every week with reports of fatalities and injuries due to reckless and irresponsible behaviour of motorists; some of this is due to driving under the influence of alcohol.

The effects of alcohol abuse are well known. Citizens should therefore be encouraged to make better judgment in every situation in the interest of themselves, families and community. While it is not our intention to place the blame of all our problems on alcohol, one cannot dispute the fact it is indeed a contributory factor to some of the social ills we face in our country today.

We urge all stakeholders to redouble their efforts and step up the campaign to spread more awareness and education about the dangers of alcohol abuse. While the Government must play a crucial role in designing the relevant programmes and policies and putting in place the necessary legislative framework aimed at addressing the harmful use of alcohol, this burden must also be shared by other stakeholders; such as religious groups, the Private Sector, and other non-governmental organisations (NGO) etc. The statistics referred to above are very alarming, and should be used as a wake-up call for the authorities to take the appropriate action.

GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess sharing out gifts as he led a team for Soldiers’ Day Christmas cheer at Base Camp Jaguar located in the border community of New River, East Berbice, Corentyne, Region Six (GDF photo)

Guyana will be self-sufficient in food

Dear Editor, The systematic and scientific manner in which agriculture is being competently managed is a guarantee that Guyana would never suffer from the Dutch Disease; which, simply put, is the total or partial neglect of the other sectors due to the booming oil and gas sector. This Government’s policies on agriculture are commendable and beyond any condemnation, quite unlike its predecessor’s.

The Honourable Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, at his fourth capacity-packed outreach in Region 6, made it abundantly clear that the achievements which agriculture have made in just over a year have once again catapulted Guyana as the leader in food production in Caricom. The Minister not only boasted that Guyana would close the 40% gap in food imports by 2025, but outlined carefully-crafted and achievable strategic plans.

He explained to his packed audience that new roads would be opened which would give farmers access to thousands of hectares of virgin arable lands.

This is already in the making. This will boost the production of rice and other crops, such as citrus, and create employment.

He gave some examples: The backlands of #52 and #58 Villages up to the Canje Creek and Moleson Creek in Region 6. I could recall that a similar plan to build an all-weather road at 52-58 Village was given to the former Minister of

Agriculture, and a discussion was held with a largescale farmer in Berbice, but the project was unceremoniously dumped. The Coalition was simply not interested in the agriculture sector; they had a fixation on oil and gas.

This was most definitely a guaranteed recipe for the Dutch Curse. But the Coalition ignored the mass condemnation and criticisms. Even today, the Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, brags about the ‘competence’ of Noel Holder.

He always sees things in a distorted manner.

There are volumes which can be written about the deliberate decimation of the agriculture sector by the Coalition.

In addition, the Minister outlined the ongoing progress in the cultivation of high-value crops, such as broccoli and cauliflower, and the establishing of agro-processing plants in various regions. In this regard, there are numerous major investors who are engaging the Government.

He also emphasised the need to change the perception of agriculture, and get young people involved in the many lucrative ventures available in the sector.

He also outlined the many infrastructural development plans in the pipeline, such as the deep-water harbour, the road to Brazil, the installation of new pumps, and the building of a Hope-size canal between Adventure and #43 Villages. Like any invest-

ment, there is a timeline after which it would bear dividends, and the Minister made a commitment that his Ministry and all the others would work together with all farmers to ensure that the objectives of his Ministry, both short and long-term, would be achieved.

In conclusion, the agriculture sector was not only neglected by the Coalition,

but there were deliberate acts and omissions to annihilate it, since Coalition leaders saw the sector as PPP-based and a threat which must be eliminated. The former President, David Granger, had made it clear that ‘rice farming is private business’; just read between the lines.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Why can’t City Hall maintain one good thing?

Dear Editor, Well, the Christmas season is here, and downtown Georgetown looks very festive, especially the illuminated Main Street at night.

There are busy sidewalks filled with shoppers, congested streets due to the large increase in vehicles in the country, and itinerant vendors hustling everywhere.

The Guyana Police Force has implemented a Christmas Policing Plan, and has revealed that there would be Police patrols on foot, bicycles, motorcycles, and in vehicles. The public welcomes this, as, during the holidays, there is always the risk of robberies, simple larceny, larceny against businesses and patrons, congestion and accidents, especially in downtown Georgetown.

However, what is disappointing is that citizens have not heard of a similar plan from the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown, nor are they

seeing City Constables in the markets, on the streets, or in the shopping hubs.

Sometime ago, the United States Department of State, through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), donated some 30 quality Police mountain bikes and accessories to the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown, and provided special training to a number of City Constabulary officers at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to that, the Georgetown Constabulary broke new ground and established its own Bike Patrol Unit, back in 2008, with the acquisition of eight quality Police mountain bikes, and were assisted in the setting up of the Unit and training of its officers by trainers who came to Georgetown from the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) in the US. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

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

Municipalities should not be collecting fees for services they fail to provide

Dear Editor, Finally, some relief has been brought to the citizens of Georgetown, who have been battered by the Mayor and City Council over the years with their arbitrary, punitive, and now proven unlawful imposition of some outrageous new taxes, fees and fines.

The recent judicial decision which now prohibits the City from imposing a fee or charge for the issuance of a certificate enabling the transfer of a property un-

der the Deeds Registry Act is both timely and most welcome.

It was also very encouraging to learn that those who paid such fees following July 8th, 2015 are now entitled to a refund.

For far too long, the City Council have been allowed to operate as though they are above the law, or are indeed the law of the land.

They seem to harbour the misguided view that Council meetings are comparable to Parliament, where they per-

form a legislative function and can pass laws which are not in sync with the nation’s laws.

For years now, when preparing their yearly budgets, rather that trim their expenses to match the revenue to which they are entitled, they instead conjure up all sorts of spurious new taxes, fees and fines, which they have been getting away with in large measure because citizens are not inclined to take them to court.

Just look at the contain-

er fees; the parking meter system; the maintenance fee to assist with the general good upkeep of the cemeteries; the weekly $100 fee for the collection of garbage from city homeowners; commercial-waste fee on all businesses; the new fees which are affecting salons, barber shops, and other forms of cosmetology, just to name a few.

It should be noted that a lot of these are already built in to the property rates that are being collected, which results in double-taxation.

Once-powerful WI team’s shocking performance Dear Editor, The West Indies senior cricket team was humiliated in the just concluded tour to Sri Lanka. More serious was that the defending 2021 ICC World Cup champions failed miserably to even advance from the ‘play-offs’ in the ICC World Cup. It was indeed very much anticipated that the team that was selected to play in the World Cup would only be able to participate in the tournament. The administrators, and particularly the coach and selectors, did not offer any explanation for their choices.

The once powerful West Indies team’s performance was so disgraceful that they are not a certainty to play in the upcoming 2022 ICC World Cup Championship.

West Indies are scheduled to play Pakistan three One Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals during this month. While the West Indies team selected to play in Pakistan do not include some of those pensioners who were selected to participate in the last World Cup, the team on paper certainly look much inferior to the powerful Pakistan team.

The team will be under Shai Hope as the captain.

Hope is not even a certainty to play if he is not captain, while the tried-and-tested Nicholas Pooran will be his deputy on tour. The batting looks very feeble on paper. Darren Bravo, who was a standby passenger in the World Cup, will be the certainty batsman

in the team.

It will be interesting to follow the performance of Shamarh Brooks on tour.

Young Justin Greaves and the experienced Roston Chase, will have to be at their best. The three all-rounders, Raymon Reifer, Ramario Shepherd and Odean Smith, are the future of West Indies cricket. The spinners are Hayden Walsh Jr, Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie.

It is interesting to know that this team will have to play against the might of one of the best batsmen in the world, Babar Azam. However, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, along with Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, not to name the others, are hot favourites to humiliate the West Indies.

Cricket fans and supporters in the Caribbean will be looking at the West Indies team playing against Pakistan only to have more stress and frustration.

As we move into 2022, the home team is scheduled to play the powerful English team in a Test series. All eyes will be on the team that will be selected to play against the powerful visitors. The batting in the last Test series was so poor that not a single West Indian player was able to score a century, or even average fifty.

Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite was in a sea floating. While vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood was a total failure. Nkrumah Bonner was at a loss. The West Indies

team was humiliated by 187 runs in the first Test match, and by 164 runs in the second. It is better for us to forget about what took place in that Test series.

However, the bowling of Veerasammy Permaul and Roston Chase was encouraging. West Indies cricket des-

perately need the intervention of the Caribbean leaders. The quality of cricket that we are seeing around the world is far superior than the mere participation that the West indies team are engaged in.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Why can’t City Hall...

FROM PAGE 4

Why are we not seeing 38 City Constabulary Officers riding around downtown Georgetown now for the holidays? Probably in teams of two each. There are many benefits to having a Police officer on a bicycle, with the most often one mentioned being visibility and mobility. This same mobility also adds a “stealth” advantage to bike patrols, as against patrol vehicles. An officer on a bike is much smaller, quieter, and can go places that

are not easily accessible to patrol vehicles. Also, a person fleeing from an officer generally can’t outrun an officer on a bike.

The Georgetown City Constabulary led the way with this very worthwhile initiative, that the citizens appreciated and welcomed.

Why can’t City Hall maintain the one good thing that their City Constabulary pioneered?

Sincerely, Jermain Johnson

And I might add that, quite unlawfully, they no longer serve property owners with demand notices, yet still they are charging persons interest.

But most alarming is that many of the services that the Georgetown Municipality should be providing for the fees they collect, they don’t.

For example, they don’t build or maintain roadways in Georgetown; they hardly have food hygiene services or meat processing services being offered at the abattoir; they have relinquished providing day care services in the city; just look at the sorry state of the cemeteries; they don’t build or maintain

bridges; they don’t deal with stray animals on the streets; they are not maintaining parapets or drains; they did not even maintain City Hall, their headquarters. So, what do they do with all these fees they collect?

The citizens should no longer be led by their noses, but seek to verify the legitimacy of fees and charges they are requested to pay, and I encourage those who paid the fee for the issuance of a certificate enabling the transfer of a property since July 8th, 2015 to go in and claim their refunds.

Sincerely, Debra Gibson

GPL’s electricity theft excuse

Dear Editor, The old and tired reason of “electricity theft” is again being proffered by the Guyana Power and Light Inc as an excuse for its inability to offer a salary increase. It would appear the 2020 increase made in 2021 is all the company is prepared to offer at this time.

Is the company doing all it can and explor-

ing all ways and means to make an offer, or is it a done deal, and the employees are left to become collateral damage because of theft and vandalism, ageold complaints which successive administrations of the company have not been able to tackle with any degree of achievement?

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Problem-solving with proportions

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here are many kinds of proportion problems that you may run across in the real life. Just remember the basic steps:

Example: Step 1: Express your proportion problem using two ratios.

Step 2: Use your proportion problem to set up an equation. Then cross-multiply.

Step 3: To find the unknown number, divide both sides of the equation by the same known number.

Exercises: Solve 1) Rihanna wants to expand her grass-cutting business. She currently cuts 18 yards with 6 workers. How many workers will she need if she plans to cut a total of 100 yards?

2) If a bus can travel 50 kilometres on 1.5 litres of diesel, how far can it travel on 8 litres?

3) John studies 3 hours each week day for 5 subjects, how many hours would he need to study if he took 8 subjects?

4) Each cashew tree in Farmer Rodrigues’ farm bears 80 kilograms of fruit each harvest. If there are 30 trees, how many kilograms will he expect each harvest?

5) It takes John nine minutes to inflate the wheels of the 3 bicycles belonging to his brothers. How long will it take to inflate the wheels of 15 bicycles?

6) Seema plans to save the money her mother gives her to take the bus to and from home every day, to buy a bicycle. If the bicycle costs $25,000 and Seema gets $300 in bus fare per day, how long will it take her to save the money needed?

H

ow inventive are you? Write a description of an invention that you would make in order to protect yourself or a loved one from coming to harm. (startwithabook.org)

Continued from Thursday

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Writing instructions for the Kitty ow it gets exciting. It's time for Kitty to learn how to draw her first shapes.

Remember from the Introduction how you taught your friend to draw a square and a triangle using steps and angles? Go to the Motion category and take a look at the elements that begin with "Move" and "Turn".

That's exactly what you did when you walked the path of the square and the triangle –you moved and turned, moved and turned, moved and turned, over and over again until you completed the shape. So you know you're going to need those two elements in your list of instructions.

Move the "Move" and "Turn" elements to the centre panel and type in some starting values, like 60 steps and 90 degrees, just to get started. You will change these values during your testing.

But how do you make Kitty do something over and over again?

That's where the Control category can help you. Look at the "Repeat" element. Any instructions you put inside the repeat element will be repeated again and again!

Move the "Repeat" element to the centre panel and type in a starting value of 20 (indicating to repeat 20 times). You will change this value during your testing.

Arrange the "Move," "Turn," and "Repeat" elements in a way that you think will make Kitty draw shapes. Hint: Notice the white space between the "Repeat" element's golden shape –do you think that will help you use this block? You can stuff as many blocks inside there as you want and they will all be repeated the number of times that you have set.

It's not time to test just yet.

First, you need to make Kitty put the pen away and move herself out of the way after she is done drawing, so that you can see what shape she has made.

Go back to the Pen category and drag over the Pen Up element, which means "Take your pen off the paper, Kitty!"

To get her to move out of the way, you want to move her to a coordinate that is away from her drawing, like the red circle shown in the graph several steps above. Use the "Go To x:__y:__" element in the Motion category again to get her to move out of the way.

Finally, you want Kitty to look at her masterpiece, not up in the sky or down at the ground.

Choose the "Point in Direction..." element from the Motion category to get her to look right. Leave the number as is, reading 90 (which means 90 degrees).

(Kristin Strong, Science Buddies)

WORD SEARCH

7 PNCR postpones Congress due to transparency concerns in leadership election NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

C

iting the need for transparency and democracy, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) on Thursday decided to postpone for another week its 21st Biennial Congress, which was set for this Saturday, December 11.

This decision was made by the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) at a meeting on Thursday.

In a brief statement, the PNCR explained that this move was in the interest of “ensuring transparency, democracy and fairness to all its members, delegates and officials”.

According to the party, the Congress will now be held on Saturday, December 18, 2021.

It was reported that the postponement is based on a recommendation made by the Chief Election Officer for the Congress, Vincent Alexander, who cited the Accreditation Congress Committee’s lack of preparedness for the event, initially scheduled for this weekend.

This new development regarding the hosting of Congress comes just one week after party members Annette Ferguson, Ganesh Mahipaul and Carol Smith-Joseph were made to step down from the Congress Committee last week over concerns of conflict of interest. Ferguson and Mahipaul – both APNU/ AFC Opposition Members of Parliament – along with Smith-Joseph, have all publicly endorsed candidates who are contesting to become the next PNCR Leader.

While Smith-Joseph has thrown her support behind front runner Aubrey Norton, the two parliamentarians have endorsed Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon.

Moreover, Mahipaul is in the race for the PNCR Chairmanship. Harmon had indicated that if he wins leadership, he would make Mahipaul the next General Secretary of the PNCR. The PNCR had said that the trio “…accepted the position of the CEC and withdrew from the Accreditation Congress Committee.”

At the time, however, it was noted that work of the Accreditation Congress Committee was significantly advanced, and that the withdrawal of the trio would not

delay completion of its work in time for the hosting of the Biennial Delegates Congress on December 11.

There have been mounting concerns over the electoral process of the upcoming congress. Party member Dr Richard Van West-Charles, who is also vying for the leadership post, had previously called for current General Secretary Amna Ally to recuse herself from the post to allow for transparency and accountability in the election process. He had also alleged there were efforts by some to sway the PNCR membership to vote in a particular manner.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of last month’s Nominations Day proceedings, Candidate Norton had contended that once the rules are followed, there is nothing to be worried about regarding the internal electoral process.

“Elections are won when ballots are in the box and the winner is declared… In any election, one has to put mechanisms in place to ensure irregularities don’t occur…the rules have been well established, and therefore if the rules are followed, there should be no irregularities whatsoever,” Norton had told reporters at Congress Place.

There are four candidates in total vying for the PNCR leadership – Joseph Harmon, Aubrey Norton, Dr Richard Van West-Charles and Basil Williams. In addition to electing a new Leader to replace the incumbent Leader, former President David Granger, party members would be voting for a new Chairperson, since incumbent Chair Volda Lawrence would not be con-

tending to retain her post.

Lawrence has also de-

clined nomination for the Leader position. She, along

with Carl Greenidge, Basil Williams and Sharma Solomon, received nominations for the post. However, only Williams has accepted his nomination.

Meanwhile, candidates for the chairmanship post include Christopher Jones, Simona Broomes, Roysdale Forde, Shurwayne Holder and Amanza Walton-Desir.

The PNCR – leading party in the A Partnership for National Unity faction of the APNU/AFC Coalition Opposition – has been embroiled in an internal divisive power struggle since the party’s loss at the 2020 General and Regional Elections after just one term in executive office, which

was dramatically cut short when one of its own members supported a no-confidence motion brought by the then PPP/C Opposition.

Hence, there has been mounting pressure for Congress to be held to elect new leadership.

At the party’s last biennial congress in 2018, Granger was re-elected Leader for a second time after the post was uncontested.

Stage 1 of this upcoming congress will see elections being held for the Leader, Chairman, Vice Chairpersons and Treasurer.

In the second stage, there will be an election for the members of the Central Executive Committee. (G8)

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Imbaimadai miner found guilty of rape

O

dingo Emanuel, called ‘Dingo’, has been found guilty of raping a woman on August 10, 2018 in Essequibo.

A 12-member jury in Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry’s court at the Essequibo High Court unanimously found the 48-yearold miner, of Imbaimadai Landing, Upper Mazaruni River, guilty of the offence, committed on a 36-year-old woman.

In light of this guilty verdict returned by the jury on Thursday, the convicted rapist has been remanded to prison pending sentencing, which is scheduled for February 7, 2022.

He was represented by Attorney-at-Law Lachmi Dindayal, while State Counsel Tiffini Lyken appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

It was reported that at

Convicted rapist Odingo Emanuel

about 22:30h on August 10, 2018, the woman had attended a friend’s wake, which was held a short distance from her reputed husband’s home. The woman then began looking for her partner, and asked whether anyone

at the wake had seen him.

It was then, according to reports, that Emanuel told her to check at the man’s home.

Upon her arrival at that home, the victim noticed the door half-open, and she went straight to the bedroom. She

heard a noise coming from the front door, and as a result, she left the bedroom and went to the door, where she reportedly came face to face with Emanuel, who was already inside the house.

It was reported that when the woman enquired why Emanuel was at the house, he ran towards her, threw her on the bedroom floor, and proceeded to engage in sex with her against her will.

The woman began to scream and scratch the accused in his face, and her reputed husband came to her rescue and dragged the man off of her.

A report was made, and the accused was arrested.

The now-convicted Emanuel had been placed on $250,000 bail pending the determination of his trial before the High Court. (G1)

To consult or not...

T

…with Indigenous Peoples? here’ve been persistent claims by several representative groups from the South Rupununi - including the the South Rupununi Development Council (SRDS) - that they haven’t been consulted by the government before they made their latest decision to resume mining in the Marudi Mountain. Now even though your Eyewitness is a coastlander, even he knows about this dispute that’s been going on for years. The mining was even halted for a while and permission for resumption only recently granted by the GGMC. But from what he can see, the root of the dispute is really about how the government sees “development” versus some of the residents of the South Rupununi. From the government’s perspective, they see mining as one of the means to “fast track” development in that part of the country. Which is conceded to be one of the poorest and least developed - especially as compared with the coast.

Bringing home the (abysmal) state of affairs since we coastlanders ain’t exactly living the life of Riley!!

The protesting residents concede that while the mining may bring some benefits, these are going to be just transitory and certainly sustainable. Mining being a “slam bam, thank you ma’am” kind of business and all!!

What to do with the devastated mountain and rivers after all the miners leave? But just as significant to these local folks is that they stoutly maintain that the government is completely oblivious to the MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE of the Marudi Mountain to their culture.

And this is an ignorance that most of us coastlanders share since we - including the Ministers and other officials who descend into the Rupununi for “consultations” - come to the table with a completely different world view. To wit that “hey! if there’s gold in them thar hills then let’s start digging, baby!!” It’s like with the riposte to those who want to leave our oil under the Atlantic…what’s the matter with these people?? But in the opinion of the protestors, the Mountain and its surroundings aren’t just a jutting piece of rock. In the Wapishan people’s culture they hold sacred significance. And from a more practical side, is the source of pure water and home to many animals that are hunted for food.

There’ve been some letters in the press pointing out that most of the “small miners” are from the South Rupununi - albeit not from the immediate vicinity. And that the folks protesting have their own (unidentified) interests.

Now from where your Eyewitness sits (on the coast), the government’s gonna have to get used to this notion of “consultation” as we embark on transforming our economy.

Even if it holds up the (development) drive a mite.

It’s called getting “buy in” in a democracy. …overseas Guyanese Your Eyewitness returns to the PNC’s insistence that the 2020 National Elections were rigged by the PPP. And that the Voters List helped facilitate their dirty deed. They point to the fact that there were 661,378 qualified voters in a population of 750,000!! Now they know, and every Guyanese knows that this bulge is caused by overseas Guyanese not taken off the list since they remain Guyanese citizens with the right to vote.

To clean up the list then, would mean new house-tohouse registration… But the Courts said this violated the constitution when James Paterson HtH order would’ve inevitably disenfranchised overseas Guyanese. The PPP had pointed out that such a process would’ve also delayed the elections. Your Eyewitness suggests that if the PNC’s serious about a new voters list, they should introduce a Private Member’s Bill calling for the constitution to be changed to remove the right of overseas Guyanese to vote.

At a minimum those overseas social media extremists will be shocked out!! …the LJP Leader of the LJP says the PPP reneged on their commitment to him to consult with Indigenous Peoples on the Marudi Mountain mining. But with the PPP getting 7070 votes in Rupununi to LJP’s 277, doesn’t this undercut his credentials?

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

9

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice men busted with $12.5M in ganja remanded

T

wo men of Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), who were nabbed with $12.5M worth of marijuana at a roadblock in Weldaad, West Coast Berbice (Region 5) earlier this week, were on Thursday remanded to prison.

Twenty-three-year-old Emmanuel Luther, a taxi driver of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, and 23-yearold Demarqis Henry, a welder of Ordinance Fort Lands in East Canje Berbice, were on Thursday arraigned before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that, on December 5, 2021, at Weldaad Public Road, West Coast Berbice (Region

Remanded: Emmanuel Luther and Demarqis Henry

5), they had in their possession 113 kilogrammes, 636

grammes of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

These two accused drug traffickers will make their next court appearance before the Weldaad Magistrate later in December 2021.

A Police report has said the men were intercepted in motorcar PYY 9885 at a Police roadblock at Weldaad Public Road, WCB. The male passenger had immediately exited the motorcar and walked away. As a result, he was apprehended and searched, but nothing illegal was found on his person. The same routine, when conducted on the driver, unearthed nothing illegal.

Police ranks then searched the car and found seven bulky parcels containing a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis. The Police brought this to the attention of the driver and he admitted to owning the drug. He was therefore told of the offence committed, cautioned, and arrested, during which he told Police that he was hired by the passenger. In the end, Police arrested both men and took them to the station, where the narcotic was weighed. (G1)

Drug trafficker jailed, fined $2M

A

man who has been convicted of trafficking a quantity of marijuana was on Thursday sentenced to three years in prison and fined $2M by Magistrate Peter Hugh.

Floyd Adonis, 35, called ‘Bull Boy’, of 109 Gravis Street Rosignol, West Coast Berbice (WCB), was on trial at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court for trafficking 4,535 grammes of marijuana on May 20, 2021.

The Court prosecutor told the court that, on May 20, Adonis boarded a minibus with a bulky bag, which

he gave a tout to put under the conductor’s seat.

Police ranks intercepted the bus at Fort Wellington Public Road, West Coast Berbice (WCB), and when they opened the bag, they found a quantity of leaves, stems, and seeds suspected to be cannabis sativa.

As such, Adonis was arrested, told of the allegation, and cautioned; but he denied owning the illicit drug. He was then escorted to the Police station, where the cannabis was weighed in his presence. He was later charged. (G1)

11

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice man dies after being set on fire with stove A

27-year-old man has succumbed to injuries he received weeks after he was pelted with a lit kerosene stove.

Dead is Sheldon Simon of Lot 126 Number Two Village, East Canje, Berbice.

He was reportedly burnt on November 6 and died on Saturday, December 4.

His mother is calling for justice, saying he is her

third son to have been murdered.

According to his mother, Nandranie Sookra, she saw her son on fire, but did not recognise him even after he plunged into a trench.

She told Guyana Times that the incident occurred after her sleeping son was roused by a commotion in the yard and got up; as he stepped outside the door, a lit stove was thrown on him.

Simon’s mother: Nandranie Sookra

Sookra said she saw someone covered in fire run-

ning out of the yard and plunging into a trench, but at the time she did not know it was her own son until she was told that persons wanted to assist him, but the perpetrator was standing in the area.

She said she picked up her phone and acted as if she was calling the Police and shortly after, the car light of a vehicle was seen coming down the street.

“And then they run away and is so them boys pick him up, and carry him to his sister,” Sookra said.

Simon was subsequently taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital and later transferred to the burns unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he remained until his demise.

Sookra said she was told that her son had contracted pneumonia.

“I go the next morning and I see him blowing short like he panting for breath, so I called the doctor and asked him what is going on and he said it is the pneumonia and he got cold around his lungs. Then they tell me that they have to transfer him upstairs to the ICU [Intensive Care Unit].”

Sookra said her son and the suspect had an ongoing feud. She showed this publication a document that indicated that Simon was attending a clinic. The document said he was being treated for multiple stab wounds.

The 52-year-old Sookra said he earlier received nine

Dead: Sheldon Simon

stab wounds from the suspect.

Meanwhile, Police were able to arrest the suspect and on November 10, Romario Rohit, 26, a bulk crane operator, appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh charged with attempted murder.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was granted bail in the sum of $180,000.

The matter was adjourned to today.

Sookra said that three of her six children have been murdered.

“I want justice for my children. Is three of me children dead and I want justice, I ain’t get justice for none. One dead in the pi-

rate attack in Suriname, one juke up and dead in Georgetown, and this other one get bun up and dead.

I want justice right now.

I don’t want money, that can’t bring back my children. I want justice,” the woman told this publication.

In May 2018, pirates attacked four fishing vessels in Surinamese waters and 20 fishermen went missing.

Sookra’s 19-year-old son, Ralph Anthony Coachman, was one of them.

On August 1, 2012, her 20-year-old son, plantain chip vendor Jermaine Simon was fatally stabbed while walking along America Street in the capital city. (G4)

NEWS

13

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

5 unvaccinated persons new COVID-19 deaths GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD DECEMBER 9, 2021 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

69

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

47

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

822

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

14

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

1 20,302

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

18,100

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

38,402

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

36,505

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

405,043

FULLY IMMUNISED

284,870

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

1014

GET MEDICAL ADVICE ON COVID-19 FROM MOH 24/7 HOTLINE NUMBERS: 2311166; 226 7480; 624 6674; 624 2819; 624 3067 OR 180/181.

F

ive unvaccinated persons who contracted the novel coronavirus have died, hiking Guyana’s death count from the virus to an alarming 1,014.

Those deaths were announced by the Health Ministry on Thursday.

On December 9, a 61-year-old male from Region Four, a 58-yearold male from Region Five, a 58-year-old female from Region Four, and a 79-yearold male from Region Two succumbed. A 71-year-old male from Region Two died on December 8. This now brings the total deaths for December to 14.

Additionally, 69 new cases were detected in one day.

From the 38,402 total confirmed cases since March 2020, 18,100 are males and the remaining 20,302 are females.

There are 14 persons in the Intensive Care Unit

(ICU), 47 in institutional isolation, 822 in home isolation, and one in institutional quarantine. For now, there are 36,505 recovered cases.

Since March 2020, some 401,972 tests were conducted.

Data shows that the new positives were dispersed among eight regions, with two in Region One (BarimaWaini), two in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), four in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 24 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), seven in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 19 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), eight in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and three in Region 10 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). No new cases were reported in Regions Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1685

REGION 2

1571

REGION 3

5151

REGION 4

17,943

REGION 5

1443

REGION 6

3475

REGION 7

1791

REGION 8

621

REGION 9

2475

REGION 10

2247

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

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

Wash your hands or use handsanitizer If you have any symptoms, call the COVID-19 Hotline.

Vaccination

Vaccination coverage for adults is 405,043 first doses, or 79 per cent of the adult population. Second doses are pegged at 284,870, or 55.5 per cent of the adult population. For those between the ages of 12 and 17, some 20,849 persons, or 28.6 per cent, are fully vaccinated.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has cautioned that the gap between first and second doses in the COVID-19 vaccination needs to be bridged, as it could leave many persons vulnerable.

“There are still lots of people who have not taken their first dose vaccines, and we can see that in every re-

gion. Some regions are worse off than others. Regions 10, Eight and Two continue to lag behind in terms of administration of first dose vaccine… From the numbers we have seen, there is that gap between first and second doses, and we want to close that gap by encouraging more people to get their second dose vaccination. If we don’t close that gap, then people would remain vulnerable, because they wouldn’t get the full benefits of the vaccine,” he articulated during Thursday’s COVID update.

For a country to achieve herd immunity, between 80 and 85 percent of persons resident therein must be completely vaccinated.

With emergence of the new Omicron variant, the Health Minister has said, there might be a revision of this threshold.

“From these mutations, they’re postulating that a lot of things can happen. One is that Omicron is more transmissible, meaning that people can get infected quite easily, and some people who had COVID can get reinfected.

Apart from transmissibility of the Omicron variant, they also are now looking into whether this variant would cause more severe disease. It takes some time before that assessment can be done,” Dr Anthony has said.

TURN TO PAGE 14

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man missing for 14 days found dead

Dead: Rackesh Ramcharran

R

ackesh Ramcharran, called ‘Bull’ and ‘Baby’, a 25-yearold father of one, who went missing some 14 days ago, was yesterday found dead in the backlands of the community in which he resided, Number 11 Village, West Coast Berbice, This Region 5 (Mahaica/

Berbice) resident had been reported missing since November 25, and his father and wife had shared different stories about where he had left to go.

However, it is believed that he died by suicide.

Rackesh’s father Devanand Ramcharran told this publication that his daughter-in-law had said that his son had left home and had not returned, but this daughter-in-law is claiming that her husband had left to go to his father’s house.

Somwatie Ramcharran, 25, said her husband Rackesh had left home, and she did not try to contact him or his parents even after he did not return that night. She told this publication that, the following day, his father called the home asking for his son.

According to the mother of one, a search party had been formed and had gone looking for her

missing husband, and on Wednesday she was told that the body of a man was found hanging from a tree in the backlands of Number 11 Village.

The senior Ramcharran explained that the Police called him and asked him to go and see if he could identify the body, and when he did go, he recognised that it was his son. “…from the clothes that he was wearing. The shirt is a shirt that I gave to

him…and I asked the undertakers to go into his pocket and see if he has his bank card, and they went into his pocket and took out the card and sanitise it; and when they open it, it had his bank card and his ID card,” he related.

After the couple got married in December 2015, they had lived with the Ramcharrans for a few months and then moved to live with Somwatie’s parents and siblings. (G4)

Somwatie Ramcharran

5 unvaccinated persons...

Recent studies of vaccine effectiveness and the new variant suggests taking the booster dose for increased immunity. The uptake of booster doses has seen a steady increase, with latest figures showing a 4,448 uptake.

On the topic of vaccine mixing, Dr Anthony has noted that this allows for bet-

ter efficacy. “Scientifically, it has been shown that if you mix and match the vaccine, that you can get better efficacy. That’s really the driving reason for people to mix and match. We have seen that done, and there are now probably 20 studies that would have verified that when you mix and match, you get better outcomes,” he

FROM PAGE 13

clarified.

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

minded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures, which emphasise: the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand-hygiene. (G12)

NEWS

15

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Local Content, Sovereign Wealth Fund Bills to be tabled in National Assembly on Monday T he PPP Government will on Monday table several important Bills in the National Assembly, including the Local Content Bill, the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, and the Human Organ Transplant Bill.

Describing it as an exciting parliamentary agenda, Attorney General Anil

Nandlall, SC, reminded the public of the Government’s lawmaking plans during his weekly Facebook Live programme ‘Issues in the News’.

He said that Monday’s sitting of the National Assembly would commence at 10:00h sharp, so that the National Assembly would have the entire day to do the people’s business.

Apart from the foregoing Bills, the Government would also be tabling Bills for amendments to the Power of Attorney Act, the Deeds Registry Authority Act, and the Condominium (Regulation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. Nandlall has said that Bills relating to law and order would also be tabled, if

Friends fined for stabbing man with beer bottles

T

olsieram Sookdeo and Kumar Isrie, the two friends who were found guilty of wounding a man with beer bottles, were each fined $25,000

by Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court.

Isrie, 26, of Section I, Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), and Sookdeo, 24, of Section D, Bush Lot Village, WCB, had denied the charge which stated that on January 1, 2021, they unlawfully and maliciously wounded

Kavanchan Ramkissoon.

According to the Police prosecutor, Sookdeo was previously charged in relation to stabbing Ramkissoon to the abdomen. Ever since that incident, the two men would frequently get into verbal altercations.

On the day in question, Ramkissoon was imbibing at a shop at Bush Lot, WCB, a short distance away from where Sookdeo was drinking.

Sookdeo then went over to Ramkissoon, and shortly after, a heated argument en-

sued between them.

Isrie then began pelting Ramkissoon with beer bottles, and Sookdeo lashed Ramkissoon several times to the head with a beer bottle. Isrie then stabbed Ramkissoon in the back with a broken beer bottle.

Following the fight, a report was made to the Police station and the duo was arrested and charged.

Failure to pay the fine will see Isrie and Sookdeo each serving two months in prison. (G1)

Regional rum producers to tackle irresponsible drinking

T

he West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers’ A s s o c i a t i o n (WIRSPA) has recommitted efforts to lead action on promoting responsible drinking in the region, and reducing the negative effects of irresponsible drinking.

This month, directors of the regional rum industry met virtually for one of the scheduled biannual board meetings of WIRSPA. Producers from territories as far south as Suriname and Guyana and as far north as Belize and the Dominican Republic would traditionally meet in one of the member countries, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting was pivoted online.

On Thursday, the association said in a statement, “Producers also took the time to recommit themselves to focusing on collaborative actions around promoting responsible drinking, and working in partnership with stakeholders and particularly regional governments on reducing excessive drinking and the physical and societal harms associated with it.”

The various regional brands continue to make significant advances in this regard, including engaging the hospitality indus-

Chairman of WIRSPA and Head of DDL, Komal Samaroo

try on the issues and the modernising of their product labels to advise on calorie content; against driving under the influence, underage drinking, and drinking during pregnancy.

Participating members also shared a common story across domestic markets, of the negative impact of COVID on the economic activity, supply chain and logistics, and on tourist arrivals, with the latter beginning to see an upturn in the last six weeks.

Despite variations in the respective territories, the

overall picture points to another challenging year for the region and the sector.

Komal Samaroo, Chairman of WIRSPA and Head of the regional conglomerate Demerara Distillers, pointed out, “This year has proved far more challenging than expected, due to the continuing effect of the pandemic and the tremendous challenges faced by producers in their supply chains, with long delays in obtaining raw materials and massive increases in transport costs… These issues look to continue into 2022, and require producers to invest more to ensure uninterrupted supply capacity.”

This time around, representatives from Belize, Grenada and Haiti respectively were officially welcomed recently to the board of WIRSPA. Amanda Perdomo of Travellers Liquors, Kirk Seetahal of Grenada Distillers, and Delphine Gardere of Rhum Barbancourt sat at their first board meeting as their countries transitioned from associate membership to full membership. St. Kitts was appointed as an associate member at the same meeting.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

not on Monday, by the end of the year.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) has reported that Government’s Local Content Bill calls for the near takeover of oil operations by locals.

In order to improve the

fiscal management of the country’s natural resources, the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill will restructure the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) Act which was passed by the previous APNU/AFC Government.

The amendments to the Power of Attorney Act were made to guard against the increasing incidents of property fraud. In a judgement delivered in February, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) called on Guyana to urgently reform the Deeds Registry Authority Act. It was reported that the amendments to the Condominium (Regulation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act will, among other things, allow persons who have purchased duplexes or condominiums from the State to receive the titles to their properties.

Meanwhile, the Human

Organ Transplant Bill is expected to improve the standard of healthcare in Guyana.

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony had explained that the legislation would allow for the advancement of transplantation in Guyana, which can better serve the Caribbean region. He said that it is long overdue.

The Government has also already said that it has a packed legislative agenda for 2022, which would see Bills being tabled for amendments to the Sexual Offences Act, the Domestic Violence Act, and the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act. Only last week, Nandlall said these Acts would each undergo a complete overhaul.

The Restorative Justice Bill is also expected to be laid in the National Assembly in the new year.

(G1)

16 NEWS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

16 Days of Activism against GBV

Sexual harassment: A woman’s dress mode is no excuse

By Jemima Holmes

‘S

weetsing off’ is a practice that has become so common in Guyanese culture that it would be safe to go as far as to say it is too common, too degrading, too vulgar.

From a very young age, sometimes even before they hit puberty, young girls ready their minds to ignore the cat-calls from men twice their age whenever they set foot out of their homes.

While a proper response to cat-calling would be to ignore it, the vile, verbal abuse that usually follows whenever these types of men are ignored is an experience that every woman wishes she could forget.

Some men ‘undress women with their tongues’.

More often than not, the comments that are thrown at women on a daily basis stem from the way women dress. “The dress tight and nice”, “That short skirt showing out them juicy legs”, “That top cut nice to show out your chest”, and the list goes on and on.

On many occasions, it gets more degrading by the second.

As if words weren’t bad enough, there have recently been numerous instances when the excuses for raping women were based on their dress at the time of the incident. “She was dressed this type of way, it was inviting”, or “The clothes she had on were tempting me”.

Case in point is that such behaviour has no proper ex-

Alison Barkie

cuse.

As 16 Days of Activism 2021 come to an end today, it is important to highlight that the common excuse for sexual harassment and abuse of women and girls is in fact not a valid excuse.

Accountable

Professional Social Worker Akilah Doris agrees, noting that perpetrators need to be held accountable for their despicable actions.

“I don’t believe that the way a woman dresses, or even a man dresses, should be an invitation to any form of unacceptable behaviour.

We have to be held responsible and accountable for our own choices. I believe when the Word says ‘Yield not into temptation’, there

is an acknowledgement that temptation is ever present, and we should not give in to it,” Doris shared during a panel discussion at the St. Sidwell’s Parish at the start of 16 Days of Activism.

She further stated, “To say ‘I did this because of the way you dressed’ is unacceptable. We have to exercise more self-control that that, and not, as we say in the professional world, gaslight other people; that is: blame other people for our poor choices.”

While assessing the topic, the Social Worker made it clear that the notion of ‘harassment’ is heavily dependent on the way it is taken by the said victim. For instance, there are many women who positively respond to cat-calls. This

does not mean that the action cannot be considered harassment.

However, in the case where a woman or girl is offended by the same catcalls, she has every right to denounce what she may then perceive as ‘harassment’.

“The truth is, we are beautiful people. We’re beautiful and unique in our own ways, and persons will look at us; women will look at men, men will look at women. When we act on those impulses, when we act on those thoughts that we have, then it can be perceived as a form of sexual harassment,” Doris said.

She went on to explain this perception by stating, “When you internalise that as offensive and the behaviour is continued, then that can be regarded as sexual harassment, and there can be grounds for the perpetrator to be prosecuted with that.

“Now, there are persons who take it as a compliment, so there is a thin line between regarding it as compliment or regarding it

as a form of harassment. So, it all depends on the receiver. How am I internalising what is said and how I feel about it?

Looking is not the issue, it’s the action behind the looking,” she explained.

While the Social Worker was careful to highlight that the identification of harassment rests on the way the victim receives such, she was adamant in her belief that such behaviour is still unacceptable.

“The problem is not paying a woman a compliment; the problem is pursuing a woman to make her feel uncomfortable. For example, cat-calling. You’re walking in the streets and you can’t walk peacefully without being hustled, as we would say, and being told about how you look and what people would like to do to you,” the Social Worker enlightened.

“That is a form of harassment, and we really need to condemn it. It’s not okay,” she said.

As such, she made a call for these occurrences to be

Akilah Doris

stamped out, not only in public places, but also in professional spaces. Doris posited, “We always advocate within the workplaces, ‘Keep it professional’.

Don’t get comfortable complimenting your colleagues about how they dress and how they look; just keep it professional, because one day it can become offensive.”

Refrain from shunning

Also giving her opinion on the topic of a woman’s dress and how it may or may not invite harassment, Deputy Branch Leader of the St Sidwell’s Mothers’ Union, Alison Barkie, looked at it from the church’s perspective, noting that it is important to refrain from shunning women because of their dress code.

“I have seen people come to church in something that I may not wear to church, but what if that is what they have to wear to come to church? Isn’t the most important thing getting them here, where they may hear something that very day that can change their lives?” Barkie explained.

She went on to add, “If they wear something and they come, don’t turn them away, don’t look down on them, because you could be adding to their distress.”

Doris also weighed in with a Christian perspective, noting, “While I do not believe that, as believers in Christ, we should not be

tempting anyone, I do not subscribe necessarily to the view that the way a woman dresses…invites any form of sexual abuse, harassment of assault.”

Going further, Doris highlighted that the ‘modesty’ most men - or even women - crusade for as a remedy to sexual harassment is entirely subjective. After all, women should be allowed to wear whatever makes them feel comfortable, and should not have to worry about the backlash they may receive for any outfit.

“I do believe (that) in a tropical climate as ours, wearing a whole lot of clothing can be very uncomfortable. I do believe that we need to be modest, but then again, that is subjective, and people need to be given the freedom to express themselves in a way that does not infringe upon the rights or privileges of other people,” Doris clarified.

When it comes to harassment in the church, Doris stated, “I believe the church can hold its members accountable, whether it’s males or females.”

There is much more that can be said about the causes and effects of sexual harassment with regard to dress code, but it would be important to remember that women - and in some cases men - are subjected to filthy remarks even when they are fully clothed and covered.

Other times, it is the shape of their bodies that comes into focus, an attribute that no woman can control. As such, if these factors are out of women’s hands, then the ‘control’ in question should be exercised on the part of the perpetrator.

Whether it is dressing at home, in public, in the church, or even body types and attributes, there is no excuse for sexual harassment or abuse. There is no time and no place where a woman would beg to be treated in such a degrading way.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GTT, GOGEC sensitising students Software being sourced to complete COVID-19 vaccine on oil & gas opportunities

GTT CEO Damian Blackburn

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hroughout the coming months, senior secondary school students in Guyana would be sensitised on the potential careers which they can pursue in the oil and gas sector, with the broader vision of fostering local content.

This “Fuelling Guyana’s Future” programme has been organised by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company in collaboration with the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), and is geared at developing local content and inspiring future careers in the oil and gas industry.

This massive training programme will cover a 14-month period throughout Guyana, and will cover over 50 schools and 1,000 students. President of GOGEC, Manniram Prashad, has said while there are talks surrounding the potential of Guyana’s booming oil sector, youths are not aware of the opportunities which exist.

“All we’re talking about is 120,000 barrels per day, environment, 10-billion-barrel reserves.

Nobody is explaining to these youthful minds the concept and what really is it for Guyana. That is why I’m happy that GTT is a perfect example of good corporate social responsibility and what they can do,” he asserted.

The President of ExxonMobil, Alistair Routledge, has added that, along with direct benefits, many other indirect sectors and opportunities would stem from the oil industry, and people should be educated on this concept.

“Bringing insight and education to the youth in the country is critical. Demystifying a new industry is a super concept. We need all the help we can to bring a level of insight, to educate people across the country, to show them what opportunities exist, not just directly in the oil and gas industry, but the revenues and investments that are coming are going to spawn all kinds of opportunities. We need to help the youths understand what those look like…The future of sustainable development in Guyana are the people.”

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of GTT, Damien Blackburn, added that these discussions are critical at this juncture of Guyana’s development in the sector.

“It’s not enough to just think it’s going to happen; you have to go out and do something. You have to go out and talk to the fifth form students, university stu-

booklet digitalisation

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GOGEC President Manniram Prashad

dents, about the opportunities that are in their grasp. If we don’t do that, they won’t know,” the CEO opined.

ExxonMobil has 24 oil discoveries offshore Guyana, which will see Guyana’s reserves exceeding ten billion oil-equivalent barrels. Recent discoveries and ongoing projects continue to contribute to the advancement of the Guyanese economy, with more than 2,850 Guyanese now supporting the company’s project activities.

In August, Guyana received payment for its seventh oil lift to the tune of US$79,617,561.87, the largest single oil payment the country has received to date.

The Natural Resources Ministry has stated that the aforementioned payment was for 1,047,820 barrels of oil which were extracted from the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel on July 3, 2021. (G12)

ecords of COVID-19 vaccination booklets have already been digitalised and the Health Ministry is now awaiting the appropriate software to complete this process.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony shared that a team of individuals has been making progress with the digitalisation – which will provide ease of access when doing business or gaining entry to places where vaccination is required.

Talks are continuing with the Indian Government pertaining to the software and when these discussions wrap up, authorities will bring the process to finality.

Dr Anthony said in a recent COVID-19 update, “Right now, we have digitalised the records, but we need to import it into a software so that you can easy reference and so forth…The Ministry has put together a team. We have about 10 persons who are working on digitalising those records and that work is continuing. We are working to ensure that we can get an appropriate software and we have been in discussions with the Indian Government, pertaining to COVID. Those discussions have not been concluded as yet, but it’s ongoing. We are hopeful that once those discussions conclude, we would be able to get the software.”

The Ministry had engaged the Government of India on an agreement that would see Guyana having access to the COVID-19 Vaccine Intelligence Network (CoWIN) software, which would allow the production of electronic vaccination cards.

CoWIN is a vaccination tracking software that was developed by India and is currently being used in over 70

countries around the world, including those from Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It has been reported that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had directed officials to create an open-source version of the platform and give it free of cost to any country that wants it.

Presently, there are still instances of persons purchasing vaccination cards as opposed to taking the vaccines. This, the Health Minister reiterated, could be dangerous especially if the individual contracts the virus and doctors were misguided by their stated vaccination status.

“If we get the names of the people who would have purchased such cards, the Police obviously would be pursuing them. They would be charged for obtaining a fraudulent document or a false document. That’s something that the Police would be doing. It’s a dangerous activity that they’re engaged in, because imagine somebody in possession of a fake vaccination card, if that person gets sick and come into the hospital and they have a severe form of COVID, then doctors might falsely believe because they’ve vaccinated, they would have produced antibodies.”

The Guyana Police Force is actively working to arrest and prosecute any person guilty of this offence by acting on information provided.

The Minister said, “It is going to be a challenge with the fake cards circulating and not knowing the true status of the person. Nevertheless, if we get the names of those persons who have purchased the cards, the Police would be interested so that they can prosecute these persons.”

18

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

Regional

US slaps sanctions on foreign Chile’s Pinera signs historic same-sex marriage bill into law officials for alleged corruption, El Salvador bristles C T

he US Treasury Department on Thursday targeted foreign Government officials and companies it accused of corruption, including senior figures in El Salvador and Guatemala involved in their countries’ COVID-19 responses.

Thursday’s action, the latest in a series of sanctions announcements in the week of President Joe Biden’s democracy summit, targeted 15 individuals and entities across countries in Central America, Africa, and Europe, the Treasury said.

“Corrupt acts take resources from citizens, undermine public trust, and threaten the progress of

those who fight for democracy,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

Those targeted include El Salvador’s chief of Cabinet, Martha Carolina Recinos De Bernal, who the Treasury alleges headed a scheme to award inflated contracts as part of the country’s coronavirus response, and a Guatemalan health official suspected of engaging in misappropriation of funds.

Sanctions were also applied by the State Department against Osiris Luna and Carlos Marroquin, two El Salvador officials who a day earlier were accused by the Treasury of leading, facilitating and organising a number of secret

meetings with incarcerated leaders of the MS-13 and Barrio-18 gangs.

El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, hit back on Twitter, writing: “These daily accusations seem absurd.”

“It is clear that the United States Government does not accept collaboration, friendship or alliance,” he said.

In a sign of deepening tensions with Washington, Bukele also tweeted screenshots of private WhatsApp messages he exchanged with Jean Manes, former Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in El Salvador, who left her post last month as ties deteriorated.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

hile’s centre-right President Sebastián Piñera signed into law a bill legalising samesex marriage on Thursday, days after it was approved

by Congress in a historic vote.

The law “puts all love relationships between two people on an equal footing”, Piñera said at a ceremony at La Moneda Government palace together with LGBT activists, representatives

of civil society, legislators, and officials.

Lawmakers passed the law Tuesday, in a milestone for the conservative South American nation after a decade-long legal battle and with the country delicately poised ahead of a crossroads election this month.

Chile has long had a conservative reputation even among its strongly Roman Catholic peers

in Latin America. Still, most Chileans now support same-sex marriage and have shown signs of becoming more liberal on social and cultural issues in recent years.

Civil unions have been permitted in Chile since 2015, which affords samesex partners many but not all the benefits of married couples, like the right to adoption. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaica tops travel website’s list of preferred travel destinations

Venezuela’s Maduro plans to replace Oil Minister El Aissami – sources

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Venezuelan Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami

enezuelan President Nicolás Maduro plans to replace Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami – a key ruling party official who also serves as Venezuela’s OPEC representative and board member of the State oil company – because of health issues, eight sources close to the decision said.

In recent weeks, El Aissami’s health has deteriorated, which could render him unable to fulfil his ministerial duties at least tem-

porarily, according to the sources, all of whom asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The Minister – who is credited with helping Venezuela weather US sanctions – recently underwent major surgeries, according to three of the people.

Four of the sources said that Maduro may appoint his ally Asdrubal Chávez, a cousin of the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who is State-run

Petroleos de Venezuela’s (PDVSA) current President, as oil Minister, at least temporarily.

Chávez previously served as oil minister and president of PDVSA’s US subsidiary Citgo Petroleum.

A final decision about whether to name a replacement to handle El Aissami’s other Government responsibilities has not been taken, the sources said.

PDVSA, the Oil Ministry and the Information Ministry did not respond to requests for comment on the health of the Minister and Maduro’s plans.

El Aissami could not immediately be reached for comment.

The official’s possible suspension from duties follows a shakeup in PDVSA that removed key officials who had worked with El Aissami in several divisions and subsidiaries, including its maritime arm and the supply and trading department, three of the sources said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

I

YS Falls

t is no secret that Jamaica has long been an ideal getaway destination for tourists. But according to Forbes Magazine, “the picturesque Caribbean island, boasting lush topography of mountains, dazzling rainforests and reef-lined beaches”, is now leading the world for being in demand, as cited by Travel Agent Central.

The travel trade website is reporting that Jamaica leads the world in demand and capacity.

According to the site’s statistics, when it comes to demand (searches for the

destination), the island leads the rest of the world by 18 per cent. Jamaica’s demand stands at 38 per cent to 24 per cent for the rest of the world.

In terms of capacity (air seats flown or scheduled), Jamaica stands at 65 per cent when compared to 44 per cent for the rest of the world.

Forbes Magazine reports that a large part of Jamaica’s demand is due in part to the island’s top-notch hospitality “kicking into full gear” once more with “hotels, resorts, and restaurants rolling out

Mottley pays special tribute to Cuba

PDP deputy becomes THA Chief Secretary

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r o g r e s s i v e Democratic Patriots (PDP) deputy leader Farley Augustine was sworn in Thursday as the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and there are hints Augustine may also be THA’s Secretary for Finance and the Economy.

It’s confirmed that PDP political leader Watson Duke won’t be in charge of the Finance Division.

While Duke was tipped recently to be deputy Chief

Secretary, concerns have now arisen about potential for conflict of interest following Wednesday’s announcement by the Public Services Association, which Duke heads, that he’ll continue union duties, though without remuneration.

The event follows Monday’s THA election where the PDP shattered the People’s National Movement’s 21-year control of the Assembly, winning 14 of the 15 seats.

Tuesday’s recounts

in two seats left the results unchanged, the Elections and Boundaries Commission confirmed.

On Wednesday, PNM officials hinted that consideration “is being given” in the camp to having defeated Tobago PNM Council leader Tracy DavidsonCelestine appointed the councillor for the PNM in the new THA. There are, however, mixed views on this given the magnitude of Monday’s defeat. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

the red carpet for visitors”.

Still, while the warmth of the people is a huge attraction, the luxury lifestyle magazine says the island’s “true beauty” lies in the “mix of people who call the island their home”.

“When you visit Jamaica you’ll meet friendly smiling faces and a people endowed with an innate spirit of hospitality. Jamaicans are loud and joyful, effervescent and exuberant, with an energy that is felt worldwide through their music and culture,” it shared. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley

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rime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has paid tribute to the countries which established diplomatic relations with the Caribbean Community (Caricom), especially Cuba.

It was on December 8, 1972, that Caricom countries told the world they were against the isolation and trade embargo against Cuba.

“Today (Wednesday), as we celebrate the 49th anni-

versary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between four newly-independent Caribbean States and the Republic of Cuba, it is important to reiterate that despite the progress made, we still have much work to do,” Mottley said on the anniversary.

She noted that when the leaders of Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Guyana decided that they would send a message to the world that the isolation of Cuba was wrong and they would no longer be a part of it, they were establishing a philosophy that said fairness and equity would govern the relationships of their nations with all others. (Nation News)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Omicron: WHO concerned rich Oil settles lower as China developer downgrades add to fears of demand outlook

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il prices settled lower on Thursday on fears about the economic outlook in the world's biggest oil importer following ratings downgrades to two Chinese property developers, and after some Governments took measures to fight the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Brent crude futures settled down US$1.40, or 1.9 per cent, to US$74.42 a barrel, backing off a session high of US$76.70. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down US$1.42, or two per cent, at US$70.94 after hitting a peak of US$73.34.

On Thursday, ratings agency Fitch downgraded property developers China Evergrande Group and Kaisa Group to "restricted default" status, saying they had defaulted on offshore bonds, while a source said that Kaisa had started work on restructuring its US$12 billion offshore debt.

The news "exacerbates the Chinese GDP growth fears and ultimately could impact the oil-buying appetite of the world's biggest crude customer", said Rystad Energy analyst Louise Dickson.

On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed tougher COVID-19 restrictions in England, saying people should work from home where possible, wear masks in public places, and show COVID-19 vaccine passes for entry to certain events and venues.

"Although laboratory tests showed that the Pfizer vaccine has a neutralising effect on Omicron ... new measures are being introduced to try to stop the spread of the virus," said Tamas Varga of oil brokerage PVM. Denmark also plans new restrictions, including closure of restaurants, bars and schools, while China has halted group tourist trips from Guangdong.

South Korea has registered record infections while cases remain elevated in Singapore and Australia.

The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped last week to the lowest level in more than 52 years amid an acute shortage of workers, according to new data published by the US Labour Department.

"The oil market doesn't always respond well to good economic news either, because it could prompt the Federal Reserve to tighten monetary policy," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC in New York.

Markets were buoyed by comments from BioNTech and Pfizer that a three-shot course of their COVID-19 vaccine could protect against infection from the Omicron variant.

The Omicron outbreak sparked a 16 per cent slump in Brent prices from November 25 to December 1. More than half of the drop has been recouped this week, but analysts say a further recovery could be limited until Omicron's impact is clearer.

US inventory data released on Wednesday also weighed on prices.

Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed that crude inventories were down by 240,000 barrels last week, much less than analysts in a Reuters poll had expected, with stocks at the Cushing delivery hub in Oklahoma rising by 2.4 million barrels.

Fuel stocks also rose by a combined 6.6 million barrels, the data showed. (Reuters)

countries could hoard vaccines T

he World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed concern that wealthy countries will start to hoard COVID vaccines in response to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant.

It said this could threaten supplies to nations where most people are still unvaccinated.

Some rich countries are accelerating the roll-out of a booster shot in response to Omicron.

There are concerns that vaccines are less effective against the variant.

Recent studies of the Pfizer/ BioNTech vaccine showed it produced far fewer neutralising antibodies against Omicron than against the original strain, but that this deficit could be reversed by the booster.

However, the WHO says administering primary doses should be the priority.

WHO vaccine director Kate O'Brien urged richer nations

to continue donating vaccine doses and shipments to underserved countries to address what had become a dangerous inequity in access.

"As we head into whatever the Omicron situation is going to be, there is risk that the global supply is again going to revert to high-income countries hoarding vaccines," she said.

Supplies to the global vaccine-sharing programme Covax have increased in recent months.

Russia keeps tensions high over Ukraine while waiting for next Biden move

Servicemen are seen near the village of Zolote, disengagement area of Government and Russian-backed rebel troops, in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, Ukraine, November 2, 2019

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ussia kept up a barrage of hostile rhetoric towards Ukraine on Thursday and compared the crisis there to the most

dangerous moment of the Cold War as it waited for US President Joe Biden to invite it to possible talks with NATO countries.

The Russian Foreign Ministry accused Ukraine of moving heavy artillery towards the front line of fighting with pro-Russian separatists in the east of the former Soviet republic and failing to engage in a peace process.

The events in the Donbass, or the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine, now "resemble genocide", TASS State news agency quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying on Thursday.

A Ukrainian warship headed towards the Kerch Strait, which separates Russia and its annexed peninsula of Crimea, and did not react to a Russian request to change its course, the Russian intelligence service (FSB) said of events that happened earlier on Thursday.

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alty of up to three years in prison. Given Smollett's lack of previous convictions, experts have said a lighter sentence or probation is likely.

The jury of six men and six women reached its decision one day after deliberations began.

The trial stemmed from an incident nearly three years ago, in January 2019, when the former Empire television show star told police he was the victim of an attack. (Excerpt from BBC News)

The Ukrainian vessel later headed back, Interfax reported, citing FSB. The Ukrainian Defence Minister said it was a searchand-rescue ship with no weapons on board.

"Negotiations on a peaceful settlement have practically hit a dead end," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told reporters, referring to the seven-year conflict between Ukrainian and separatist forces in the eastern Donbass region.

The Ministry's Twitter feed, quoting Zakharova, said: "With the support of NATO countries pumping the country with weapons, Kyiv is building up its contingent on the line of contact in Donbass."

(Excerpt from Reuters)

US Senate passes Republican bill to overturn Biden vaccine mandate

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he Democraticcontrolled US Senate on Wednesday approved a Republican measure that would overturn President Joe Biden's COVID-19 vaccine-ortest mandate for private businesses, with two Democrats joining Republicans to back the initiative.

The 52-48 vote sends the legislation to the Democraticled House of Representatives, where it faces strong headwinds, while Biden has threatened to veto it.

The legislation would overturn administration rules ordering businesses with 100 workers or more to require

vaccinations or coronavirus testing for millions of employees.

The measure was not subject to Senate rules that require 60 of its 100 members to agree on most legislation, meaning it could pass with just a 51-vote simple majority. Two Senate Democrats –

Jussie Smollett: Actor found China guilty of Uighur genocide guilty of lying about attack in Xinjiang, tribunal rules S actor Jussie Smollett lied to Police about being the victim of a racist, homophobic assault, a Chicago jury has found.

At trial this week, Smollett, 39, stood by denials that he staged the attack against himself.

Prosecutors countered there was "overwhelming evidence" that the actor had lied to Chicago Police.

He was found guilty on Thursday of five of six counts of felony disorderly conduct.

Each count carries a pen-

But world health officials fear a repeat of a shortfall of tens of millions of doses which occurred in the middle of this year, partly as a result of India suspending exports during a surge in cases.

Dr O'Brien said it was possible that additional doses might provide added protection against Omicron, but there was as yet little evidence they were needed to protect against severe disease. (Excerpt from BBC News)

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he Chinese Government has committed genocide, crimes against humanity and torture against Uighurs and other minorities in its western province of Xinjiang, an unofficial and independent UK-based tribunal has ruled.

Sir Geoffrey Nice, QC, the head of the Uighur Tribunal and prominent human rights lawyer, said the Chinese Government has targeted the Muslim Uighur population with forced birth control and sterilisation policies in order to reduce the group’s popula-

tion.

“The tribunal is satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the People’s Republic of China, by the imposition of measures to prevent births intended to destroy a significant part of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang as such, has committed genocide,” said Nice, who also led the prosecution of former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic on war crimes and genocide.

He added that “this vast apparatus of State repression could not exist if a plan was not authorised at the highest

levels”.

The tribunal does not have Government backing and the power to sanction or punish China. But experts say that it will help to galvanise Governments around the world to hold China accountable for abuses.

The Chinese Government has repeatedly denied that officials have committed abuses in Xinjiang, and has been unwilling to conduct investigations or allow independent international monitors to do so. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Jon Tester of Montana – joined 50 Republicans in voting for the bill.

The initiative underscores the intense political opposition facing Administration efforts to combat COVID-19 at a time when health officials are trying to contain the highly contagious Omicron variant.

"I have always supported a vaccine mandate for federal employees and the military, because maintaining essential services and military readiness the Federal Government provides is a matter of national importance," Manchin said in a statement following the vote.

"However, I do not support any Government vaccine mandate for private businesses. It is not the place of the Federal Government to tell private business owners how to protect their employees from COVID-19 and operate their businesses," he said.

Manchin added he was fully vaccinated and had received a booster shot, and encouraged all Americans to do the same.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

20

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Share and learn. A change due to someone's recommendation will lead to an exciting opportunity. Network and share information, and everyone will benefit, but be careful with personal data.

You can make a move or change, but don't go over your budget. Excess of any kind will make you look bad. Do the work and make a difference.

Don't get into an emotional funk because someone mistreats you. Show everyone how resilient and capable you are. Communicate honestly and directly, and you'll outmaneuver any rival.

Avoid getting involved in gossip or someone's enticing antics. The more energy and effort you put into your obligations, the more satisfying the rewards. A romantic evening is favored.

You'll be pulled in different directions if you let others take control. Know when to say no and when to speak up, and do your own thing. Listen to your heart and make wise decisions.

You'll gravitate toward movers and shakers, but that's no reason to leave out the people who have propped you up and pushed you forward.

Mix the old with the new and make positive changes.

Be a participant. Don't sit back when you have so much to offer. Let your voice lead the way and your ideas flourish. Act, and you'll command attention. Do what comes naturally.

Look for the real deal; trying to replace something too soon or without enough thought will cause stress.

Take your time and use your imagination, and you will find the right fit.

SAGITTARIUS An emotional incident will lead to confusion. Don't (Nov. 23miss out on an opportunity Dec. 21) because you cannot let go of the past. Be open to suggestions, and you will discover a way to move forward.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Offer your insight, suggestions and affection to others, and the results will lift your spirits and open doors to something new and exciting. Be a participant.

If you don't like something, make changes. Put force behind your ideas and see matters through to the end. Thoughts followed by actions will help you reach your target.

You're in dreamland.

Before starting something (Feb. 20new, make sure your ideas March 20) are sound. Put everything in place before you start bragging. Personal improvements help you move forward.

PISCES

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

21

The Ashes series…

Head’s century piles pain on England after SCOREBOARD Warner, Labuschagne fifties T

ravis Head thumped a little reward. century in a session Halfway through the day, to rip the game Australia were ready to make away from England England pay, as their calamitous after they briefly start to this series had turned clawed their from bad to worse. Australia way back into were 166 for 1 with Warner the contest and Labuschagne having following another passed England’s firstmorning of selfinnings’ total on their destruction. own, with Head made Wa r n e r the joint thirdh a v i n g fastest Ashes century, survived being bowled off 85 balls, and off a no-ball, dropped became the first to at slip, and missed being score a Test century in run-out. a session at the Gabba, A rare mistake from to torch any hopes Labuschagne opened the England had after door for England to keep the Australia had lost 4 for door ajar, thanks to a superb 29 in the afternoon to spell from Robinson, only for lead by just 48, with Head to all but slam it shut.

Travis Head five wickets in hand.

He tore into England’s weak Australia finished links, thumping a struggling the day with a lead of 196 and Stokes for three boundaries in an three wickets in hand, with Head over to get his innings going. He still unbeaten on 112. then latched onto Jack Leach, just Head’s century came on the as Labuschagne and Warner had back of a supreme 156-run stand earlier in the day, hammering him earlier in the day from David with lofted strikes over long-on Warner and Marnus Labuschagne, and powerful cuts and pulls. with Warner making an eventful Leach took 1 for 95 from 11 94 while Labuschagne made a overs, which did include four masterful 74 in difficult batting overthrows as England unravelled. conditions to set the game up.

Head brought up his third Ollie Robinson bowled century against the second new superbly to take 3 for 48, but ball with a superb drive down limped off with a hamstring injury the ground, and celebrated to late in the day, while Ben Stokes a standing ovation. Head had also battled a leg issue and a host entered the Test as the last man of no-ball problems, including picked for Australia, having beaten bowling Warner on 17 when he Usman Khawaja for the No. 5 spot, overstepped. Mark Wood also and might have cemented his bowled whole-heartedly all day for place long term.

England only have themselves to blame for their predicament.

Warner could have been out on 17, 48 and 60. England bowled well in the first session without much luck, as they induced a host of false strokes from Australia’s batters, but only claimed one wicket.

Marcus Harris’s lean run in Test cricket continued, as he edged Robinson to slip for just 3. None of the 16 deliveries he faced until then would have hit the stumps, but the slips cordon was ready and waiting for the eventual chance after he had played and missed a number of times.

But while they may rue their luck in some ways, England were culpable in a variety of ways.

Stokes added his name to a long list of culprits who have dismissed Warner off a no-ball, and has been guilty of doing it previously. The mistake was made worse when it was revealed he had bowled three no-balls in the lead-up without being called, and 14 in total in the session, as the third umpire was unable to intervene due to a technology issue.

Rory Burns added to his dismal Test match by dropping a simple chance off Warner at slip on 48.

He also should have been run-out on 60 after he clipped a ball off his toes and took off, only for Haseeb Hameed to stop it. Warner slipped and dropped his bat as he groped for safe ground, but Hameed’s throw missed the stumps.

Warner played 30 false shots in all, including the chipped drive to mid-off which saw him fall six runs short of his 25th century. But his 94

was invaluable to Australia’s cause, and just one run short of his entire 2019 Ashes series’ tally.

Labuschagne’s innings was every bit as good as Head’s. In tough conditions, he left the ball with incredible judgement, and pounced on anything loose. He and Warner waited and waited, absorbing long spells of quality fast bowling, particularly from Wood, before Joe Root finally had to turn to Leach. They assaulted him with a premeditated attack, taking 31 from his first three overs. Labuschagne and Warner shared their fifth century stand and become the second-fastest Australian duo behind Don Bradman and Bill Ponsford to reach 1000 runs together, doing so in just 11 partnerships.

Labuschagne’s loose cut off Leach cost him a certain century,

L

Algeria winger register his first Napoli goal since April 2019.

Ryan Bertrand was at fault as Luciano Spalletti’s side extended their lead, playing Andrea Petagna onside, with the forward in turn squaring for Eljif Elmas to tap home.

But the Foxes responded in superb fashion, with Jonny Evans driving in an immediate response after a free-kick was only partially cleared, and Kiernan DewsburyHall levelling matters with a superb left-foot volley from the edge of the penalty area.

However, another defensive lapse from a Leicester side, whose last clean sheet came on the opening day of the Premier League season, proved decisive.

Bertrand, Harvey Barnes and Timothy Castagne were all guilty of not marking tightly enough, as Giovanni di Lorenzo picked out Elmas, who allowed the ball to run across his body before driving it into the bottom right corner.

Familiar failings cost Foxes Leicester travelled to Italy in the knowledge that several permutations, including a defeat, could have seen them advance,

while Napoli knew that only a win would suffice.

And while Napoli shook off some patchy Serie A form to achieve their objective, Leicester’s struggle for consistency, and the passive defending which has underlined an underwhelming campaign so far, continued.

On paper, the Foxes’ strong starting XI, including the likes of Youri Tielemans and Jamie Vardy, looked more than capable of having the measure of a side shorn of Kalidou Koulibaly, Victor Osimhen and Lorenzo Insigne among others.

But there was little evidence of that on the pitch, bar a 20-minute period at the end of the first half, when they recovered from a two-goal deficit.

While James Maddison struck a post and Evans emerged as the only Leicester defender worthy of credit, they have now conceded two goals or more in five of their past six matches, and worryingly also have a combination of COVID-19 cases and illness in the squad to contend with. (BBC Sport)

then Wood had Steven Smith caught behind with express pace, before Robinson returned after tea for two wickets in two balls. He deceived Warner with some extra bounce as he miscued to mid-off, before Cameron Green shouldered arms and lost his off stump to a ball that nipped back off the seam. It was just reward for Robinson who

Josh Hazlewood Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Marcus Harris, 5.2 ov), 2-166 (Marnus Labuschagne, 47.2 ov), 3-189 (Steven Smith, 52.6 ov), 4-195 (David Warner, 55.2 ov), 5-195 (Cameron Green, 55.3 ov), 6-236 (Alex Carey, 64.4 ov), 7-306 (Pat Cummins, 75.6 ov) BOWLING

O-M-R-W Chris Woakes 20-7-56-1 Ollie Robinson 18-8-48-3 Mark Wood 20-4-57-1 Ben Stokes 9-0-50-0 Jack Leach 11-0-95-1 Joe Root 6-0-29-1

had bowled magnificently without luck.

Alex Carey made just 12, pulling Chris Woakes straight to midwicket as Australia’s lead looked set to be kept well under 150. But Head put paid to that, as Robinson limped off with a hamstring and Stokes limped through his final spell.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Verstappen says he is treated differently from other drivers

Either Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen will be crowned world champion this weekend

Leicester knocked out of Europa League M

eicester City were made to pay for their slack defending as hosts Napoli advanced in the Europa League at their expense.

The Foxes had started the evening in pole position to advance from Group C, but will now drop into the Europa Conference League knockout playoffs in February.

A dramatic conclusion to the evening saw Leicester almost given a late reprieve because of events over 1,000 miles away in Poland, when a stoppage time penalty was awarded to Legia Warsaw in their fixture against Spartak Moscow.

But Tomas Pekhart’s spot-kick was saved by Spartak goalkeeper Aleksandr Selikhov, to ensure his side progressed as group winners instead of slipping down to third.

Leicester Manager Brendan Rodgers will be aware his side contributed heavily to their own downfall against an injury-ravaged Napoli side.

Adam Ounas’s early goal set the tone for an error-strewn display, with Caglar Soyuncu’s ill-advised pass beginning the passage of play that saw the

Australia 1st Innings David Warner c Stokes b Robinson 94 Marcus Harris c Malan b Robinson 3 Marnus Labuschagne c Wood b Leach 74 Steven Smith c †Buttler b Wood 12 Travis Head not out 112 Cameron Green b Robinson 0 Alex Carey †c Pope b Woakes 12 Pat Cummins (c) c Hameed b Root 12 Mitchell Starc not out 10 Extras (b 4, lb 4, nb 4, w 2) 14 TOTAL (84 Ov, RR: 4.08) 343/7 Yet to bat: Nathan Lyon,

ax Verstappen has said he is treated differently from other drivers when it comes to the rules on fair racing.

His comments raise the stakes at the start of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, where Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton will race to decide this year’s Formula 1 title.

Verstappen has said: “It seems other drivers do the same things and only I get a penalty. The only thing I ask is that it’s fair for everyone. That’s not the case.”

The Red Bull driver was given three different penalties at last weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for offences he was deemed to have committed while racing against Hamilton’s Mercedes.

One was for overtaking while off the track, one was for forcing Hamilton off the circuit, and one was for braking in front of him and causing a collision.

Hamilton emerged the winner from a dramatic and controversial race to enter the final race of the season at Yas Marina level on points with Verstappen. Whoever finishes ahead on Sunday will win the title - it would be a record eighth for Hamilton, and Verstappen’s first.

Verstappen cited two other incidents in Jeddah in which he said other drivers had done the same thing and not been penalised.

He insisted that, in his mind, he had not broken any rules with regard to fair racing.

“For me, I was not wrong,” Verstappen said. “Only I was ‘wrong’; other people got nothing.

We were both off the track.

Somehow they judged it was my fault, which I don’t agree with, and the other penalty as well I don’t agree with. And then afterwards he pushed me off the track and he even looks at me and pushes me off the track edge and he only gets a warning for that.”

Before the weekend, Race Director Michael Masi has highlighted in his event notes clauses in F1’s regulations that give governing body the FIA the power to take points off drivers if they transgress.

These refer to “any infringement of the principles of fairness in competition, behaviour in an unsportsmanlike manner, or attempt to influence the result of a competition in a way that is contrary to sporting ethics”.

This has been seen as a warning to both drivers not to engage in any dirty driving in their title fight.

Hamilton said this move by the FIA was “fair”, adding: “Hopefully, they won’t need to be used, and we have a great race.”

Verstappen has said: “I know what’s in the sporting code. There has been nothing added for this weekend.”

Verstappen added that he would not change his approach to racing for this weekend, despite being penalised in Jeddah.

“Why should I change when others are allowed to race like that? Everyone should be allowed to race like that,” he said.

Asked if he trusted Verstappen, Hamilton said: “I do believe everyone here racing comes to win. I would like to believe everyone wants to do it the right way. I don’t even let that creep into my mind.”

Hamilton has said of the rules over what is permitted in terms of side-by-side battling: “For me, it’s quite clear.”

And asked whether he believed Verstappen was “crazy”, as he had said over the team radio in Jeddah, Hamilton said: “Look, when we’re in the races, we say all sorts of things, because when you’re in the heat of the moment, adrenalin is on the edge. It’s a figure of speech. We racing drivers are all a bit crazy to do the things we do and take the risks we do.”

And he said he was giving no thought to the idea that he could break the record he shares with Michael Schumacher for world titles.

“It just feels like another championship for me,” Hamilton said. “I don’t look at it as a multiple. Every year you start from ground zero and you are focused on winning. I don’t turn up with (number) one on my car, I turn up with 44; and I don’t consider myself the champion, I consider myself the one fighting for the championship.” (BBC Sport)

22

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

‘Fit Santa’ Fagundes running for a cause A

little over two weeks ago, distance athlete Jonathan Fagundes shocked his peers and onlookers alike by showing up to participate in the South American 10K Road Race fully clad in a Santa Claus suit, complete with the beard.

It was a spectacle that was much too early for the impending Christmas season.

At the time, there was no explanation offered regarding Fagundes’s attire, and this had left many puzzled, especially on whether the athlete was serious about winning the race while clothed in the restrictive outfit.

Upon querying, Guyana Times Sport has been able to ascertain Fagundes’s motive, which has all to do with raising awareness for underprivileged youths, and encouraging others to take up the sport. This accomplished athlete, who has recent accolades like a win at the Yarrowkabra 10K race and a second placement at the St Cuthbert’s Half-Marathon, told this publication that his show on November 21 at the SA 10K race was aimed at rediscovering his roots.

“For the most recent race, South American 10K Road Race, I felt best to remind myself of why I’m running, and

Jonathan Fagundes

to just have fun, as well as to influence others to enjoy the sport in addition to my activism,” Fagundes revealed.

He added, “I’m a very passionate athlete, and I’m driven to giving my all, and that includes living a clean and decent life. I have had to self-motivate in order to break barriers. In view of this, I feel it’s my obligation to pass on the lessons learnt to help motivate the youths, so they don’t have to do it alone.”

Giving this publication an overview on what he hopes to achieve through his activism, Fagundes shared, “I wish to promote sports from the junior level, as well as to encourage them to stay in

school. Stay away from drugs, and instead have them focus on building healthy lifestyles that would help ensure they have a healthy, fit and fruitful future.”

The athlete emphasised on the integral role that sports can play in developing youths into productive citizens, a goal that he hopes to achieve through encouraging them to take up athletics.

On that note, Fagundes added, “Sports play a major role in teaching the youths discipline, hard work, how to lose and how to win. (It) forces them to take an account of their mental and physical health, and results in healthy habits. These habits culti-

Jonathan Fagundes posing with his children after completing the SA 10K as ‘Fit Santa’

vated by sports develop and strengthen the youths and result in overall more grounded and productive adults.”

It is by no measure a secret that Fagundes’s advocacy would not do the job on its own. As such, the athlete shared how he thinks other

athletes can make a play for cause.

“I think other athletes can take a page out of my book and use their voices at the podium and during off-times to speak to the youths, encouraging them through sharing personal struggles, wins and

satisfaction that they have received from being involved in sports,” Fagundes said.

“School visits or zoom calls during school sessions can be an avenue that athletes, including myself, can do.”

On that note, Fagundes went on to detail the visibility that his ‘Fit Santa’ run has had, and how corporate entities have been mobilising alongside his cause.

“Since my debut as Fit Santa at the South American 10K Road Race, three companies have approached me: The New India Assurance Company T&T Limited has sponsored Fit Santa to host a radio programme to promote physical and mental health, diet and exercise. The New India Assurance Co T&T Ltd, Guyana International Energy Conference & Expo 2022, and A + Tech Solutions have also sponsored Fit Santa to do a food drive during this Christmas season, to feed the less fortunate and homeless,” the athlete disclosed to this publication, giving an idea of just how quickly his cause has caught on.

Those who wish to join the ‘Fit Santa’ cause are being urged to make contact with ‘Fit Santa’ himself on telephone number 642-4714.

Paul Hall appointed interim Head Coach of Reggae Boys following ‘Tappa’ Whitmore’s sacking …Blaine appointed Reggae Girlz interim Head Coach

P

aul Hall has been appointed Head Coach of Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz, following the sacking of Theodore Whitmore on December 9, the Jamaica Football Federation has confirmed. Hall will be in charge for the remainder of

the 2022 World Cup qualifiers that resume early next year.

“Bearing in mind that the World Cup campaign is still ongoing, the JFF has decided to appoint former Assistant (Coach) Paul Hall to lead until the World Cup

cycle ends,” a statement from the JFF read.

“The JFF wishes to thank Mr Whitmore for the work that he has put in with the team over the years.”

JFF President Michael Ricketts confirmed Hall’s appointment earlier to-

West Indies Women’s squad homeward bound after lengthy COVID hold-up

T

he West Indies Women’s squad will begin their journey home from Oman starting on Friday, December 10, after quarantining in Oman for 11 days.

The quarantine requirement followed the cancellation of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) Women’s Cricket World Cup qualification tournament in Zimbabwe, where the West Indies Women had already successfully begun their qualification pursuit with early victories.

New and more severe global restrictions against travellers from a number of African countries, including Zimbabwe, have forced the ICC to abandon the tournament prematurely and to send competing teams home as quickly as possible.

The squad, along with eight other international squads, was flown to Oman by an ICC private charter, with a short stopover in Namibia.

Oman was used as a staging area for the West Indies Women’s squad while they awaited an available route home.

Cricket West Indies (CWI)

CEO Johnny Grave has expressed CWI’s gratitude to the ICC and Oman Cricket for safely assisting and accommodating the West Indies team.

Grave said: “We are pleased to confirm that the West Indies Women’s squad will soon be making their way back home.

We want to thank them for their patience and understanding as we worked with our counterparts at the ICC and Oman Cricket to facilitate their return at the earliest opportunity.

“We want to express our appreciation to the ICC, Oman Cricket, and our operations team, who have worked tirelessly to ensure everyone was comfortable and remained safe.”

Head Coach Courtney Walsh has said, “The team is relieved by the good news that we will be home with our families before Christmas. The sudden cancellation of the Qualifiers, and (the) transition period in Oman, has been mentally taxing on the entire team, both for the players and management staff. As a management group, we tried to ensure that the players re-

mained in a positive frame of mind. Our Strength and Conditioning Coach created a fitness challenge for all of us to participate in for the duration of the quarantine period, as it was something to take our minds off what was happening.

“I must say thanks to our Team Manager, the ICC, and Oman Cricket for all their logistical work in ensuring we’re on our way home as quickly as possible.”

The players and team management are expected to arrive at their various West Indian home territories over the course of the next few days.

Following the termination of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, ICC announced that the West Indies Women, along with Pakistan Women and Bangladesh Women, secured the final three qualification spots for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup by virtue of the existing ICC Women’s ODI rankings. The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup will be played in New Zealand from March 4 to April 3, 2022.

Vin Blaine

Paul Hall

day, saying, “Paul is the new Head Coach. We have had discussions with Paul, and he is willing and ready.

Everything is in place for him to take over.”

Hall is no stranger to the Reggae Boyz. He was a member of the team that historically qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, along with other English-based players Fitzroy Simpson, Deon Burton and Robbie Earle. Hall joined the coaching staff in June on a parttime basis, while still being employed by the English club Queen’s Park Rangers.

The decision to fire Whitmore stems from a recommendation from the JFF’s Technical Committee, who voted almost unanimously to fire him after what has been a disappointing final-round campaign in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

After eight games, Jamaica has seven points and lies sixth in the eightteam table. Jamaica has only

one win so far, after wasting glorious opportunities to defeat the United States at the National Stadium in Kingston in November, and Costa Rica a few weeks earlier.

Reggae Girlz appointment

Veteran coach Vin Blaine has been appointed interim Head Coach of Jamaica’s women’s senior team.

Blaine replaces Hubert Busby Jr, who was suspended from the position after allegations of sexual misconduct emerged regarding his involvement with a Vancouver Whitecaps player back in 2011. The matter is under investigation by Major League Soccer.

“Mr Blaine is vastly experienced, having served as Head Coach of said aggregation (Reggae Girlz) for an extended period. He is tasked with preparing and guiding the team throughout the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, which starts in

February,” the JFF said in a statement on Thursday.

Blaine, a former Technical Director of the Harbour View Football Club, comes to the post following a stint as the Director of Football and Coach Education with the US Virgin Islands Soccer Association. He was also the Technical Director of the Grenada Football Association. (Sportsmax)

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

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Amazon Jaguars' fitness test…

23

Imlach the fittest, Coach Crandon disappointed at mixed results

Coach Crandon was disappointed with the mixed results

By Brandon Corlette

G

uyana Amazon Jaguars conducted its fitness Test on Thursday morning at the Leonora Track and Field Centre, West Coast Demerara.

Head Coach of the Amazon Jaguars, Esuan Crandon, has

said some 21 players turned up to do the yo-yo test and the 40-metre sprint, and he noted that he was a bit disappointed at the mixed results shown by some of the players.

He also disclosed that, based on the results, not all the players have been putting in independent fitness work.

While Crandon did not disclose specific fitness results, this publication has been informed that 25-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Tevin Imlach was the fittest man, running 60 in the yo-yo test.

“I am a little bit disappointed. We would have done one previous fitness test on

West Indies arrive in Pakistan for white-ball series

This West Indies squad is somewhat understrength, with regulars Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Andre Russell and Lendl Simmons opting out of the tour for personal reasons. Former skipper Jason Holder is being rested, while Fabian Allen and Obed McCoy are out because of injuries.

Last week, Captain Kieron Pollard also withdrew from the competition because of a hamstring injury, leaving the Twenty20 leadership to Nicholas Pooran and the

T

Nicholas Pooran

he West Indies cricket team arrived in Pakistan on December 9 for a visit which local officials in Pakistan hope would scotch bitter memories of a New Zealand tour abandoned on security grounds.

West Indies will play three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals, all in the port city of Karachi, starting on Monday December 13.

This is their first visit since 2018.

A Pakistan official has said a 26-member party had flown in to Karachi early Thursday, before being escorted by heavy security to the team hotel.

The series comes three months after New Zealand quit its first tour to the country in 18 years, following a security alert shortly before the opening match. That was followed by England’s decision to withdraw visits by its men’s and women’s teams scheduled for October.

Romario Shepherd

Pakistan officials have been furious with the cancellations, arguing security measures were lock-tight.

The cricket-mad nation endured a long spell without a visit from an international team, following a terror attack on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009.

Pakistan had been forced to play its home international matches abroad - mostly in the United Arab Emirates until 2015, when normal service tentatively resumed.

ODIs to Shai Hope.

Four players: Akeal Hosein, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes and Odean Smith, have joined the team later on December 9. The three T20Is are on December 13, 14 and 16, while the ODIs will be on December 18, 20 and 22.

Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have said the cricketers would quarantine at the hotel until their coronavirus tests return negative.

July 20 and we saw a few guys regress. We saw a couple of guys that were able to maintain and get better. We have been getting some mixed results that we have been looking at. It is a work in progress, and guys must take it (fitness) a bit more serious and do stuff on their own,” Crandon told this publication.

“It is obvious that players are batting the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are not restricted to work on their fitness independently. With the Regional 4-Day tournament set for early February 2022, the players must be in tip-top shape.

“It tells me that not a lot of them have been doing stuff on their own, doing their personal work and so on. It leaves a lot more to be desired. It is just (about) guys taking more responsibility and more ownership with regards to their

fitness, and there is not a lot of time to go, in terms of the Regional 4-Day tournament,” Crandon added.

“I do not want to take more of my time to get players fit to play. That should not be the way, they should be fit coming into this period, which is now for them to improve their cricketing skills so they can be well prepared for the tournament coming up,” the Amazon Jaguars Head Coach noted.

During the past week, Chairman of Selectors for the Guyana franchise, Ramnaresh Sarwan, raised the minimum fitness level to 45. Appearing virtually at the Guyana Cricket Board press conference, Sarwan noted that fitness is important.

“Fitness has become such a social media rant, and the players themselves are the ones that need to take the

responsibility to resolve the problem. It is written there, they are aware of it, so I would encourage them to try and do that,” Sarwan has said.

Among the contracted players who did the fitness test are captain Leon Johnson, Kevin Sinclair, Anthony Bramble, and Kevlon Anderson. The other notable players are overseas, while Shimron Hetmyer, who is in Guyana, was not at the fitness test.

The Amazon Jaguars contracted players are: Kevlon Anderson, Christopher Barnwell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shimron Hetmyer, Leon Johnson, Gudakesh Motie, Keemo Paul, Veerasammy Permaul, Romario Shepherd, Vishaul Singh, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Anthony Bramble, Keon Joseph.

Inniss hails ‘Year-end’ legacy as football returns today

By Jemima Holmes

T

he year 2021 has not seen much local sport, and football is no exception. Aside from an international tournament here and there, and ‘unsanctioned’ events, there has been a drought in the sport since the ‘Bounceback’ Football final on January 1.

Now unofficially commencing today, teams from across Guyana will fight to stay alive in the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Men’s Super-16 football tournament, while the female version of that event will get underway on Saturday, as the entities hope to regale fans with enough football entertainment to make up for the year.

While fans and players alike are looking forward to the year-end football action, the executives within the GFF are equally hyped up.

One such person is Executive Committee member Dion Inniss, who spoke about the tournament’s legacy, especially in the Christmas season.

“The GFF-Kashif and Shanghai tournament and its forerunners have always been an eagerly anticipated tournament on the football calendar. My recollection as a player, match official, and now an administrator is that this tournament has always been coupled with the festive activities, one that you’re always looking forward to,” Inniss shared with other executives, stakeholders, players and media during a GFF reception on Friday last.

GFF executive member Dion Inniss

“My hope is that this tournament can once again become a permanent fixture on the tourism calendar of Guyana. I have very fond memories of January 1 at MSC: packed to capacity, people on the fence and the rafters looking over and overflowing.”

Inniss touched on the effect of the pandemic on the sport, highlighting that the expectation of those involved is visible as time winds down.

“This pandemic has had a very debilitating effect on football, and I see this tournament returning really at a very timely moment, and we will ensure that the members of the public have a good product,” he said.

“We see this tournament and its return acting as a catalyst to getting back football to where it once was.

You know, that eagerness to want to participate, not only the players but the referees. Only today, I was at the National Training Center, getting ready, honing our skills for this eagerly anticipated tournament,” he added.

The GFF executive mem-

ber also had words of praise for Guyana’s female players, positing that their Super-16 tournament would do well to prepare the females for a packed international calendar in 2022.

“I must say that the Women’s tournament this year, which is a stand-alone tournament, is quite timely. Next year our women will be very busy. We have a number of tournaments: the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the Under-17,” Inniss stated.

He further stated, “At this time, I think it would be an opportune time to congratulate the National Women’s Under-17 team who performed quite creditably recently.”

The Men’s Super-16 action will commence at the Leonora Track and Field Facility this evening with a showdown between West Demerara All Stars and the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) from 7pm. Meanwhile, St Cuthbert’s Mission will take on Swan FC in the first female fixture on Saturday, beginning at 3pm.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021

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

Imlach the fittest, Coach Crandon disappointed at mixed results

Page 23

Tevin Imlach (with blue shorts only) was again as fit as a fiddle

Inniss hails ‘Year-end’ legacy as football returns today Page 23

Page 23

Romario Shepherd

Flashback! A look at last year’s ‘Bounceback’ tournament

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