Guyana Times - Friday February 12, 2021

Omai begins core drilling at Wenot Pit P12 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4557

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021

No greater moment for us to stand as one – President Ali tells 12th Parliament — "One Guyana Commission" to be launched guyanatimesgy.com

— reassures of Govt’s commitment to fulfil manifesto promises

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

2 more die from COVID-19, death toll stands at 184

…43 new cases detected from 261 tests P16

Housewife P18 allegedly electrocuted by illegal connection

Page 3

Minibus driver feared drowned during outing in P19 Linden

Frontline workers vaccinated as Guyana begins immunisation against COVID-19 See story on page 13

Suriname-Guyana backtrack route tragedy

Search continues for missing woman

Attempts to rig elections

Magistrate orders PI into misconduct charges against GECOM’s Deputy CEO – boat Captains, 1 other arrested in Suriname See story on page 19

Page 17

India approves US$50M bypass road from Ogle to Eccles Page 7

President P11 exhorts GDF to deter all external threats …says Guyana will be "no puppet to foreign power"

DPP recommends manslaughter charge for teen who fatally shot best friend P15 Berbice man sentenced to life for rape, murder of P10 13-year-old boy Take advantage of Exxon’s “Greater Guyana Initiative” – GOGEC tells Guyanese P18

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, February 12 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Saturday, February 13 – 04:30h – 06:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, February 12 – 16:45h – 18:15h and Saturday, February 13 – 05:20h – 06:50h.

No greater moment for us to stand as one – President Ali tells 12th Parliament

– "One Guyana Commission" to be launched – reassures of Govt’s commitment to fulfill manifesto promises

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light cloud will be followed by sunshine from the mid-morning hours. Cloudy skies are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 17:16h reaching a maximum height of 2.68 metres.

Low Tide: 10:50h and 23:14h reaching minimum heights of 0.65 metre and 0.55 metre.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2021

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

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SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$61.14/barrel

-0.54

Rough Rice

$231.66/ton

-0.10

London Sugar

$470.00/ton

-1.98

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1821.20

$1822.20

Low/High Change

$1819.30 -3.50

$1848.40 -0.19%

President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing Parliament The Commander-in-Chief inspecting the Guard of Honour at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Thursday, before he delivered his inaugural address to the 12th Parliament

By Vahnu Manikchand

W

ith Guyana on the cusp of massive transformation in the coming years, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday stressed that the prosperity of this new economic era cannot happen without national unity and the collective effort of all stakeholders.

The Head of State made this remark during his inaugural address to the 12th Parliament at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where sittings are being held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Ali told Members of Parliament (MPs) that they are being looked at – both the Government and the Opposition – to see whether they will serve the people’s interests faithfully, deliver good governance and accountability, and strive to make their lives better, as was promised.

Noting that Guyanese elected the parties represented in the Assembly, the President called for national unity among all stakeholders, regardless of political affiliation. “[The people] want us to be partners in serving the country, not adversaries in pulling it apart. That is not to say that they did not expect us to disagree, or that they did not anticipate that we would differ. But they do not expect us to differ at their expense, or to disagree to their detriment,” he noted.

However, the Head of State noted that, in order to take the country to a haven of progress, prosperity and peace, there needs to be political maturity that puts, at all times, the national interest and the people’s welfare above everything else.

“There has never been a greater moment when we, as Guyanese, need to stand as one to secure the benefits of our natural resources and to protect our sovereignty – the right to make decisions in our national interest – and our territorial integrity… Stop being defined by race. Stop being defined by politics. Start being defined by our one nationality and by our common love for our one country. Let us lift it up together and, by doing so,

let us lift up each other and ourselves as ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’,” the President posited.

Despite the Head of State’s calls for Guyanese to stand as one in the interest of the country, the APNU/AFC Opposition Members boycotted his inaugural address to

Establishment of One Guyana Commission

To this end, he announced the establishment of a ‘One Guyana Commission’ to be headed by Prime Minister retired Brigadier Mark Phillips.

The President disclosed that the Prime Minister will soon introduce an Act in the National Assembly to this effect.

Thursday’s parliamentary address by the Head of State saw special invitees in attendance, such as local stakeholders and members of the diplomatic community

the Parliament.

Nevertheless, President Ali pointed out that the credo and vision of his Government is “nation building” and oneness and inclusion.

This Commission will seek to undertake the practical steps to cement the ‘one society’ approach, encompassing and respecting the diversity from which Government’s

“oneness” springs.

“The work of the Commission would be countrywide, and it would listen to the free expressions of all voices concerning ways in which every Guyanese can honour their ancestral heritage while giving the highest regard to our blended Guyanese civilisation,” the Head of State noted.

Among the matters that the Commission would address, the President added, are education on the country’s history; religions; ensuring equal opportunities for education, employment and entrepreneurship; and the institutional strengthening of the existing Ethnic Relations Commission to make it more effective.

Moreover, President Ali contended that Guyana has, for too long, been held ransom to the ambitions of partisan politics and the narrowness of partisan ambition. As such, he noted that it is time to set those two impostors aside and embrace the patriotic duty towards the country and its people – something which he says his Government has already done.

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 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

Budget 2021 T

oday is Budget Day 2021, and already there is great anticipation by Guyanese about the measures that will cushion and better the lives of every citizen.

Already a burden has been taken off the shoulders of all citizens when Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo announced that there will be no increase in taxes, but, rather, Budget 2021 will be pro-poor and pro-entrepreneur. The issue of increased taxes, which was forced by the former APNU/ AFC Government during the period 2015-2020, had led to Guyanese complaining bitterly about the burden of such imposition. Already, the PPP/C Government, in its emergency budget, has removed the heavy taxation measures inherited from the former Government. It is commendable that despite numerous constraints, the new Government was able to pass a $330 billion budget in September, 2020. That budget addressed the needs of the ordinary citizen, battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the business community that suffered a double whammy, since they also had to deal with the previous anti-business ANPU/AFC regime.

Again, there is expectation and confidence that the Budget that will be presented today by Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, will continue to deliver commitments and undertakings that the PPP/C had outlined in its manifesto.

As a matter of fact, Dr Singh himself already assured that manifesto is the Government’s contract with the people of Guyana.

Cementing the fact that today’s Budget will significantly impact the lives of Guyanese, President Dr Irfaan Ali, in his address to the 12th Parliament on Thursday, gave some insights on what good initiatives Guyanese can expect today. These include the expansion of the country’s road system, including a bypass road with connections to Mocha, Eccles and the Demerara Harbour Bridge. The transformative infrastructural projects: a deep water harbour at the Berbice estuary; support to shore-based facilities; support to private investment that will see new branded hotels; support to agriculture that will see mega-investments in large scale agriculture; opening up of new lands through the construction of farm-to- market access roads; commencement of the Linden-to-Lethem road; fourLane highway from Georgetown to Timehri; commencement of the Parika-to-Goshen Road Link to Bartica; upgrade and development of new all-terrain road links from Timehri to Bartica; upgrade of regional airports; building of new ferries; the construction of a four-lane link between Mandela and Diamond, with interconnection to the existing highway to reduce travel time; completion of the new Demerara River Bridge; construction of a new superhighway from Schoonard to Parika. The Corentyne River Bridge and its benefits for the Private Sector in enlarging markets, expanding the scale of business and increasing employment were also highlighted by the Head of State.

As this newspaper had positioned previously, from what we have seen so far, the economic policy of this PPP/C Government has been very inclusive and well-thought- out.

There is no doubt that the Government inherited numerous economic burdens from the previous Government, but has steadily moved forward.

We are confident that, with this Budget, the economy would demonstrate a major turnaround, and this positive effect will trickle down to ordinary citizens. This newspaper therefore supports President Ali’s statement at the conclusion of his address to the 12th Parliament that “there is no end to the manifesto tasks that lie ahead, for there is no end to the efforts we must make for the homeland. We all want Guyana to be for each of us and all of us – and for the generations that will follow. To build that home, it would not be right for us to forget or neglect our obligations beyond our shores – in the Caribbean community, in the Americas, in the world of small states, and in global affairs. For we are not an island unto ourselves.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali, along with Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier, Mark Phillips, taking the salute upon his arrival on Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where he officially addressed members of the 12th Parliament

Progress made so far in agri sector (Part 2)

Dear Editor, There has also been a push for the development of high-earning non-traditional crops. Budget 2020 had several incentives for the cultivation of corn and soya bean. NAREI has also intensified its efforts to promote the cultivation of a number of high income-earning non-traditional crops like broccoli and cauliflower. The agency has conducted several sensitisation programmes to help farmers prepare or transition their land for the cultivation of these superfoods.

With the challenges faced in the aquaculture sector, His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali recently announced that Government will soon launch an aquaculture master plan. Heads of Missions from countries with thriving aquaculture industries have been engaged, and specialists from these countries have been invited to work with Government to develop a plan best suited for Guyana.

As it relates to the sugar industry, since taking office, Government has been working to ensure positive changes are made within the sector. After taking office, Government immediately put systems in place to get things up and running at GuySuCo. An initial investment of $3B was made

by Government to reopen the Rose Hall, Skeldon, and Enmore estates. An additional $4B was later injected into the sector to recapitalise the estates at Blairmont, Albion, and Uitvlugt. Operational assessments were carried out at each of the estates, and it was determined that the estates that were still allowed to operate were operating at 60% ca-

pacity.

Government made it clear that the first step for GuySuCo was to get it to a place where it can break even in terms of its production. A comprehensive plan for GuySuCo has since been developed, and is currently at the level of Cabinet for review.

It would be remiss of me to omit the fact that GuySuCo has also rehired hundreds of workers, most of whom were callously placed on the breadline when the estates were closed by the previous administration.

Shortly after taking office, Minister Mustapha sought Cabinet’s approval for $29M to commence rehabilitation works to several access dams in Regions Two, Three, Five, and Six. These works were considered urgent, as some 91,580 acres of rice fields were under threat due to inaccessible dams. Farmers would’ve suffered millions in losses if the Minister did not immediately put systems in place to carry out those works.

He then made recommendations, and Cabinet again approved the release of an additional $98 million to conduct urgent repairs on critical infrastructure in the MahaicaMahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority, which is the largest agriculture scheme in the country. This injection saw the clearing of over 252 drains, and benefited approximately 96,000 acres of rice land in the area, and over 2300 farmers’ families within the Abary-Berbice and the Mahaica-Mahaicony blocks.

Mr. Editor, 12 of the 32 promises for the agriculture sector contained in the

manifesto have already been achieved. The rates for land rentals and drainage and irrigation charges have been reversed to what they were in 2014, and agriculture machinery and inputs no longer attract value added tax. The Minister has also resumed the seed and acoushi ants bait distribution project.

In his first letter, the writer said, “Other than clearing some drains and quickly tending to flooding in several areas, nothing much has been happening in agriculture”. What the writer should be made aware of is that Government had made it clear that the 2020 budget was an emergency budget. In the agriculture sector, budget 2020 was designed to provide funds to carry out emergency works and prepare the sector for the transformative projects that would materialise once Budget 2021 is passed, and over the next five years.

Below is a list of 10 other meaningful interventions: 1. An initial sum of Gy$2.6M was spent to assist Essequibo rice farmers with paddy bug infestation.

2. Paddy Bug Action Units were established in five Regions.

3. Panama was finally engaged in regard to the outstanding $1.9B owed to Guyana for shipment of rice.

4. Noting the effects climate change is having on cultivation, a ‘Smart Agriculture Initiative’ was launched, so that farmers can procure shade-house materials at a cost price from NAREI. 5. A Vaisala Automatic Weather Station was installed at Saxacalli.

6. Assistance has been

given to several farmers’ groups, like the Woodley Park Women’s Cash Crop Farmers Group, to help them with expanding their cultivation.

7. A $63M Fertiliser testing Lab has been commissioned.

8. Two new coconut nurseries have been established to decentralise access to quality planting materials.

9. Assistance in the form of fertilisers, chemicals, and other planting materials has been given to flood-affected farmers in the Pomeroon. And 10. Three contracts totalling $174M have been signed for the construction of a water conservancy in West Watooka, Region 10.

I encourage the writer to exercise patience and await the passage of Budget 2021.

The proposed budget for the Ministry of Agriculture was developed to kick-start the sector. Several transformative projects and developmental investments have been included, and Guyanese can rest assured that Guyana’s agriculture sector will thrive.

In conclusion, I wish to extend an invitation to the writer to meet with the Honourable Minister if this letter lacks clarity in any way. He can also use the opportunity to present some facts on the claims made about demanding “taxes” on contractors, as I am unaware of this, and cannot make a pronouncement at this time because no names or concrete information was given.

Yours sincerely, Janell Cameron Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Agriculture

PPP/C must be praised for reintroducing school vouchers

Dear Editor, On behalf of the thousands of Guyanese who can now breathe a breath of fresh air, I would like to thank the PPP Government for correcting this wrong that the APNU+AFC Coalition Government had done to the very poor and middle-class people of this country by

cutting the School Voucher Assistance programme.

This move, of cutting the programme from the Education Ministry, still makes my blood boil, as it was the struggling families that were hurt the most, who wanted to safeguard their children’s education by sending them to school, re-

gardless of the sometimes stressful and challenging environment.

I heard the APNU+AFC say it was political in nature, because only supporters of the PPP were benefiting.

That is rubbish and foolishness. Everybody who wanted, or was eligible for the cash grant, was given same,

regardless of their race or religion.

The reintroduction of the School Voucher Programme this year will be especially special, because of COVID-19 pandemic, which is still eating away at all of the gains made in education.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 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

History unkind to those Waste-to-energy would who supported rigging be a blessing to Guyana

Dear Editor, History would not be kind to those who defended or were complicit in the March 2 attempted electoral fraud and/or supported the regime. The same holds true for those who participated in and or supported Forbes Burnham’s rigging and his dictatorship. The ABCE countries and Caribbean leaders saved Guyana from the establishment of another dictatorship, perhaps along the lines of the one institutionalised by Burnham.

As I travel around Guyana, reflecting upon the Burnham regime, I am reminded that Shridath S. Ramphal, Mohamed Shahabuddeen, Joshua Chowrimootoo, Vibert Parvattan, Sase Narain, Steve Narine, Vincent Teekah, Cammie Ramsaroop, Seeram Prashad, Ranji Chandisingh, Harry Lall, Gowkarran Sharma and a few others served Burnham’s dictatorship at a time when the country was suffering. An ethnic apartheid-like system was being institutionalised. As explained to me, some of these characters did it for survival or opportunistic reasons, and others for status and fame. People say they sold their souls for roti. They were all considered as pariahs in the Indian community.

Several prominent Indians were offered positions by Burnham, but

they walked away from the offers to preserve their integrity. Unlike those who sold their souls, the honourable men did not attain global fame or status, but people respected them. The latter included Sir Fenton Ramsahoye and Balram Singh Rai. Both were offered the Attorney General position

by Burnham, and they both declined.

They could not associate themselves with an unsavory character. Both were brilliant lawyers and scholars par excellence. They both studied in England.

As an old-timer commented, “When it came to law, Ramphal, Shahabuddeen, and the Luckhoos can’t even poojay Balram and Fenton.

They can’t even wash Balram and Fenton feet when it came to integrity.

They did not sell their souls”.

Both Fenton and Balram had a falling out with Jagan over strategy. Burnham did recognise Rai’s brilliance. In a speech to supporters, in commenting on the break between Rai and Jagan, Burnham stated: “The most brilliant star of the PPP would be leaving”. He enticed Rai to come over and join him. Rai was not like the nimakharams who embraced Burnham for personal survival.

Instead of linking up with Burnham, Rai and Ramsahoye parted

ways from Jagan. Rai formed a party, but was rejected at the polls by Indians, polling just 1500 votes, and he left for England. Rai could have contested the 1968 elections, but he recognised election rigging was coming, and did not wish to lend credence to fraud.

Rai recognised he lacked support to defeat Jagan, and would not have emerged as leader. Fenton left for Trinidad, where he established the Hugh Wooding Law School. Neither one opposed Jagan after they left Guyana.

In the late 1980s, Fenton linked up with patriots abroad, including this writer, to lobby for free and fair elections. Balram did not involve himself again with Guyana’s political affairs, but he did warn when he was leaving Guyana that the country would descend into a dictatorship for choosing the wrong political leaders.

Aside from Fenton and Balram, there were several Guyanese who rejected Burnham’s offers and instead fought against the dictatorship. Also, several Guyanese fought against last March’s rigging. They were heroes.

History won’t be kind to those who were silent or endorsed the rigging.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Gas-to-shore a good investment for cheaper electricity Dear Editor, The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Government has identified the former Wales Sugar Estate, West Bank Demerara, as the site for establishing the power generation plant. When gas-to-shore pipelines hit Guyana’s shoreline, this location makes economic sense, as it would open avenues for greater development in an area that was depressed by the APNU/AFC in the last five years.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, on Tuesday February 9, announced plans for the associated Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and other critical studies to be undertaken this year, and promised that all details would be made public. Jagdeo said financial estimates for the venture were pegged at somewhere between US$500 million and US$800 million, depending on the size of the pipeline, the geotechnical surveys, etcetera.

The Government’s transformative gas-to-shore project is underway, and is set to be completed by 2023. The main objective is to transport sufficient gas from the Stabroek block’s petroleum operations to supply some 200-250 megawatts of energy to the national grid, leading to a significant reduction in electricity costs.

Reducing the cost of energy would not only make the country more competitive, but we could export more, with the objective of having a trade balance surplus; but we would also save foreign exchange, because we spend more than $500 million a year to import fuel. So, if the gas-to-shore would mean that we would get cheaper electricity, we would be pushing industrialisation and reducing manufacturers’ cost.

It also means we are going to save millions in fuel import.

It is important to have a cleaner energy source that can easily be flipped on and off when needed.

In a recent roundtable held by Latin American Finance Ministers on Guyana’s financial future, our Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, said the Ali Administration would use the project to reduce energy costs for the people.

Guyana’s current electricity system is unstable, and is largely dependent on heavy fuel oil, rising electricity tariffs, and hurting the competitiveness of its industries. The successful implementation of this gas project would help the Government fulfill its plan of halving energy costs.

The gas can also produce ammonia and fertilisers such as urea, growing Guyana’s petrochemical sector.

It is fundamental, however, for the Government to implement the proper regulatory and financial frameworks to prevent corruption, political cronyism, and environmental lapses.

The PPP/C Government also believe that the gas-to- power project would allow them to decarbonise our own generational mix. By switching from heavy fuel oil to natural gas, while simultaneously adding renewable energy to the grid, the PPP/C Administration would ‘clean’ its energy sources.

This is similar to what is happening in China, which has vowed to be carbon neutral by 2060, despite being responsible for 28 percent of the global CO2 emissions in 2020. Transitioning from coal to gas is part of China’s plan. This shift should be modelled, to an extent, by oil majors seeking to reduce their carbon emissions and diversify their as-

set base.

Although this specific project would be funded by the Government of Guyana, in certain instances, the financing would come from the oil majors. Instead of punishing them for volatile crude price, credit agencies should be rewarding these companies for their efforts to decarbonise their operations.

Providing majors with continuous access to cheap credit would allow the companies to invest more in low-carbon technologies. If their ratings are downgraded, they will have to pay more to access money, forcing them to abandon riskier climate-friendly ventures.

This is the time to push the market leaders in the right direction by incentivising greener development and asset prioritisation. Guyana’s gas-to-shore project is a good place for Exxon to start.

Vice President Jagdeo indicated that, as the Government works to bring cheaper energy in the short term, it is working on plans for the adoption of renewable energy in the long term.

It is to this end that he said that monies from Norway’s forest pact Guyana would use to fund a solar project for the Essequibo and Linden. “We will be working on renewable energy, and that is why we will restart discussions for Amaila Falls very soon, to add to the mix,” of renewable energy.

There will be a significant amount of solar, although it is not baseload, because you need battery storage. The Government will put in a small amount of storage to keep the spinning reserve.

Use solar, gas and hydro in the future for Guyana’s development.

Sincerely, David Adams

PPP/C must be praised for...

This programme is good for Guyana, and is a ray of hope for many, as the grants are aimed at providing support to parents and increasing their disposable income, while in turn increasing enrollment and attendance rates in schools.

This initiative, I understand, was the first of its kind in the Caribbean Region. The grants are expected to provide relief for approximately

187,000 students in the system, and are therefore expected to channel a $1.87 billion allocation.

I hope that with the likelihood of the budget being presented on Friday, the Government would increase the voucher programme substantially, thereby honouring its promise.

I want to implore the Government to continue being a government that

FROM PAGE 4

cares for its citizens. Do not take taxes away from your citizens and not give them directly something to help those struggling families to make ends meet. The distribution of wealth works better with tangible benefits of good management that flow from the public purse.

Sincerely, Alvin Hamilton

Dear Editor, The idea of “waste-to-energy” is truly an endearing one to my heart, and one that could potentially contribute to the growth and development of our wonderful and glorious country, Guyana; especially now that we have a fully democratic Government of the people, by the people, for the people.

In my view, our Government, with its current leadership of our nation and peoples, is truly the work of the Universal Creator. This team, combined with the leadership of the world at large, who all played a pivotal role in saving our democracy, democratic norms, and the sanity of our people from the obvious hands of tyrannical persons in despotic hunger for power and personal aggrandisement, is nothing short of admiration and applause.

Editor, the point of this missive is to highlight the principles of “waste-to-energy.” Waste-to-energy is the process of generating energy in the form of electricity from the primary treatment of waste. It is something that could revolutionise our country. My goal here is not to browbeat our Government to go for the model that my colleagues have proposed, but to go for what is best for Guyana. I have done a variety of studies on this industry, and I can proudly say that this initiative would eliminate most of our garbage problems.

As is well known, the garbage situation in our country is not only dangerous, but the eyesore is unfavourable to our tourism. Our cities, like Georgetown, Corriverton, New Amsterdam, and others, not only smell, but it makes us look uncultured, unrefined, and not ready for serious growth and development to become a First or Second World country.

In one of my previous articles, “Man: the destroyer of its own habitat,” published in various print media on January 17th, 2021, I indicated that man is the only creature on earth that intentionally destroys his/ her own environment on which he/ she depends for survival. As a follow-up to the aforementioned article, this article serves to educate my fellow Guyanese about how waste can be turned into energy, and how it can help our people to handle our personal garbage more efficiently.

Editor, Mr. President, the Government of Guyana, friends and families, it is unfortunate that we currently manage our waste to destroy our environment, the health of our people, and our natural, blessed freshwater resources that are the elixir of life. Transmission to energy is not typically a lucrative undertaking, such as the purchasing of electricity from an electrical power supplier. However, the goal of this project is to remove trash/garbage with minimal air contaminants that will in no way impact human life, animals, or life in general. The electricity is a by-product of scientific combustion that removes, as we know, waste and/or garbage. This concept, which is not known by most people, also includes the removal of slush that blocks sewer and drainage systems. All this slush is useful money in the waste-to-energy principle.

Once we have a system for collecting plastics, vegetable waste with paper and wood waste will be collected separately, and segregated in the process of conversion. All grass cut in the botanical gardens and elsewhere can be part of this energy. Rice husks can be used as well as plantain and banana suckers, and every other possible green object can be easily converted.

Cardboard boxes, sawmill dust that is all deposited in our oceans, damaging our beaches and making us look amateurish and not ready for growth by destroying our ecosystem, will be removed. All of this would add to the cocktail of rubbish to be consumed by the factory. One of the by-products of this energy conversion is compost, which could lead to additional revenue.

At this time, I implore our Guyanese people to handle their waste more efficiently. I will give my own personal example: In my home, we try to ensure that all of our waste paper, including used newspapers, scrap paper, waste stationery, and waste that would normally be burned, along with our grass cutting, the waste leaves of banana trees, fruit and vegetable leaves, skins, onion skins, and even hair and fingernails, when all is cut, all go into our compost bin. This is then turned into useful fertilizer, which is so rich and costs nothing. When well-managed, it creates a fertiliser called compost, which contains nutrients so rich that if you do not combine it with another substance, it could burn the plants.

Rice husks or earth, for example, can be mixed in equal parts and placed around the roots of the plant. In simpler terms, one bag of earth and one bag of rice husks can be mixed to one bag of compost, so as to dilute its strength. You can build up any kind of old poultry pen, throw it under a tree or shade, or collect in a bin, and after a while, you can begin to see dark soil at the bottom. It is called humus, and it could be used by itself for cultivation, gardening, and environmental protection. It must be noted also that weeds do not typically grow on compost.

The compost must be kept damp, and holes must be punched into the compost to allow air to circulate and excess water to drain. This keeps the temperature ideal for composting to occur.

I pointed out above that our garbage, when turned into this valuable by-product of electricity, would not be as inexpensive to sell as if one were buying electricity from a company that produces electricity, while at the same time polluting the atmosphere with its gas emissions. This is where the profitability lies. The money saved from waste management, burning, and damaging of our environment would be an incentive for waste-to-energy investment.

It must be noted that it is difficult to expect a foreign investor to spend all this money to get rid of our garbage, on which we spend tens of millions of dollars a year, and expect them to fund all of them, and then hand it over to the Government of Guyana after twenty years. I do not think this is right and proper.

My understanding, also, is that tendering for such a supplier would attract some countries that are known to tender below the cost and offer poor quality goods, facilities, and warranties, while the Government of Guyana would be left with large white elephants, so to speak, as we have seen with our huge glass factory years ago and the Skeldon Sugar Estate.

At this juncture, I thank the Government of Guyana for seeing my colleagues from South Korea and me, and I ask them to think wisely about this initiative. I am also proud of the Government’s vision and determination for a gas-to-shore project that would undoubtedly change all lives for the better of our country, while making us more prosperous.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan Sr

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021

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Foundation ◄

Æsop’s Fables

Thursday’s answers

1) (i) answer: Step 1: Determine the rule governing the sequence of numbers.

You can do this by figuring out, first of all, the differences: 2 – 5 = 3; 5 – 10 =; 10 – 17 = 7 So, the differences seem to correspond to the sequence of odd numbers starting with 3 Step 2: Test your idea by adding the next odd number in the sequence – 9 to the last number 17: 9 + 17 = 26 Insert 26 on the blank slot, then check to see if it fits the sequence.

Step 3: Using the odd-number sequence, determine which odd number should be added to 50.

First, determine the previous odd number: 37 -50 = 13 So, the next odd number should be 15. 50 + 15 = 65

FOR CHILDREN

26 and 65 will complete the sequence 1) (ii) answer: Step 1: Determine the LCM of 6 and 9: 3 Step 2: Add 10 to 3: 13 2) answer: 24 ÷ (4 + 8) does not = 24 ÷ 4 + 24 ÷ 8 (24 x 1/12) does not = (24 x 1/4) + (24 x 1/8) 2 does not = 6 + 3

A Materials:

lift up the drawing.

Swirl the water around to make the picture dance and move.

Instructions:

The marker leaves behind mixture of pigments and a type of alcohol mixed together. The alcohol dissolves and the pigments are left behind as a solid. Glass is so smooth that the solid slides right off when it gets wet!

A glass plate, bowl, or picture frame Dry erase marker Water Draw a simple picture on the glass. A stick figure is a good one to start with.

Pour water onto the plate or into the bowl slowly to

How does it work?

number of flies were attracted to a jar of honey which had been overturned in a housekeeper’s room, and placing their feet in it, ate greedily.

Their feet, however, became so smeared with the honey that they could not use their wings, nor release themselves, and were suffocated.

Just as they were expiring, they exclaimed, “O foolish creatures that we are, for the sake of a little pleasure we have destroyed ourselves.”

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

India approves US$50M bypass road from Ogle to Eccles

President Irfaan Ali

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he Government of India has approved the new scope of works for the redesigned bypass road project that would link the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) at Ogle to Haags Bosch in Eccles, on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

Back in 2015, the Indian Government had provided a US$50 million Line of Credit (LOC) for the road link that was initially slated for Ogle to Diamond, EBD. However, the project cost was driven up to over $208 million by the previous APNU/AFC regime and the project was at a standstill since 2019.

However, when the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government took office in 2020, it redesigned the project into two phases to fit the LOC – first from Ogle to Haags Bosch road, which is about 48-50 per cent of the project, and then from Haags Bosch to Diamond – in order to fit the US$50 million LOC. Because of these changes in the scope of the project, additional approvals were required from New Delhi, and

after several months, this has been obtained.

This was according to President Dr Irfaan Ali during his inaugural address to the 12th Parliament on Thursday.

“We’ve been able, in just six months, to bring forward the approval of the new fourlane highway from Ogle to Eccles, funded by the Indian Government, by almost one year. Today we received the news that all of the approval has been given in India, and we are moving to the procurement stage. This is a project that was delayed for almost seven years. Today, we are on the journey of accomplishing this and bringing relief to the people of Guyana,” the President stated.

Previously, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K.J. Srinivasa, had told <<Guyana Times>> that once approval is given for the new scope of works, the processes of Requests for Proposals and tendering would commence.

The bypass road will create a new highway in the backlands, thus allowing for an alternative route to the

No greater moment...

“We are at a decisive moment in our history, with a greater opportunity than previous Parliaments to make our country a better place than it has ever been. This is the honour and the challenge that time and events have laid at our door. We must – each of us – live up to it. The people of Guyana expect us to not spend our time squabbling and bickering. They want us to find common ground on which we can build a nation in which they are safe and their children’s future is secure.

I pledge myself to that task, and I urge every representative in the National Assembly to join me in striving for its fulfilment,” Ali implored.

Fulfilling manifesto promise

The Head of State’s address to Parliament comes on the heels of today’s presentation of the 2021 National Budget – his administration’s second budget in just five months since taking office.

Without pre-empting the much-anticipated Budget presentation, President Ali went on to outline insights of

FROM PAGE 3

his administration’s development plan, and targets that will be pursued over the next five years in fulfillment of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s manifesto.

These include, but are not limited to, infrastructure transformation, human resources development, expansion of the energy and technology sectors, as well as improved social services.

“We will support businesses, we will support the Private Sector, we will support workers. Let me be clear: every single worker, public sector worker; whether you are nurses, doctors, members of the judiciary, I assure you (that) by the end of our fifth year, not only will you be better off from a salary perspective, but the benefits, the society in which you live, and the services that will be delivered to you would enable you to live a good life, a great life in Guyana,” he asserted.

According to President Ali, “There is no end to the manifesto tasks that lie ahead, for there is no end to the efforts we must make for the homeland.”

country’s two main thoroughfares.

This project will see a total of 26 kilometres of road being constructed with links to connect key communities in Georgetown and along the East Bank of Demerara.

These include Diamond, Mocha and Eccles, all on the East Bank; and Aubrey Barker Road in Georgetown.

These connections will prove crucial in diverting traffic.

In addition to the twophase road from Ogle to Diamond, the Guyana Government is also looking to further extend the road to Timehri to provide an alternative access to the country’s main airport, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Previously asked whether the Indian Government would also fund this third phase of the bypass road project, High Commissioner Srinivasa had said, “These are things which are still under conversation between the two countries…”

Meanwhile, Government has undertaken several new

road projects along the EBD corridor to ease the heavy traffic congestion.

Currently, works are ongoing for another alternative road connecting Diamond and Eccles on the EBD corridor in order to ease the traffic congestion. The new alternative road will run from Sixth Avenue, Diamond to the Windsor Estate Road that leads on to the Eccles Landfill Site Road. This will form a

connection through the new Herstelling Housing Scheme and other schemes that are being developed along the EBD corridor. The project is slated to be completed by April 2021.

Additionally, a second road is being constructed between Eccles and Mandela Avenue, which will be completed later this year in November.

Last month, President

Ali had explained that these projects are all part of the Government’s drive to transform Guyana’s infrastructure and link communities. “[This] is part of urban planning too. And we’re also working with the Police to ensure that we have security measures, lighting, Police presence and everything. Not only to have infrastructure, but to make sure it is safe,” the Head of State had noted.

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Inquiring minds…

E

…from Buxton via Georgia usi Kwayana’s a very interesting fellow, to say the least.

Now almost 96 years old, he knows of what he speaks when he declared in his most recent letter: “I see myself as one of the contributors to whatever has developed in present day Guyana, whether good or bad”.

He was why SOCU decided to withdraw the charges they’d laid against Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington for NICIL selling some lands on the East Coast. Since none of us, dear readers, was around when Kwayana plunged into politics back in the 1940s, it might be useful to give a short recap of his claim to fame.

Skipping past him being a founder of the PPP, he rose to notoriety for the role he played after the famous split between Jagan and Burnham - to stir up racial sentiments.

Initially a supporter of Jagan, he decided that the PPP in general, and Jagan in particular, were anti-African. He started the now venerable (if cynical) tradition of the PNC to look at every action of the PPP through racial lenses.

Pretty soon - by the 1961 elections - the once united nation had been torn asunder into “Indian and African” camps, where it still remains. If you’re wondering what happened to “social cohesion” in the wake of the PNC’s last rigging attempt, just ask Eusi Kwayana! He midwifed racial politics in our country.

And we return to his latest question about Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington. We say “latest” because, after remaining stubbornly mute over the course of the six months while the PNC tried to hold on to power through Mingo’s manipulations on a stained bedsheet, he suddenly found his pen!

When questioned about that silence, he claimed he didn’t have “evidence” of Mingo’s perfidy!! He wanted a “smoking gun” since clearly the discrepancy between Mingo’s numbers and those from the other party’s SOPs didn’t satisfy him! Your Eyewitness now wonders whether he has “hard” evidence of wrongdoing by Singh and Brassington - since SOCU chose to withdraw the charges.

It’s more than passing strange that Kwayana didn’t question why SOCU hadn’t proceeded with their charges FIVE YEARS AFTER LAYING THEM!! SOCU, of course, was run by Kwayana’s colleague Clive Thomas, and supported by ASCRIA’s Tacuma Ogunseye and Eric Phillips. Also, he hasn’t chosen to question the PNC’s land sales - for far lower prices than the lands sold by Singh and Brassington.

But let’s face it…Kwayana is merely remaining true to form - as a person who has race on his brain. He accepts that SOCU has the discretionary right to make the decision it did - but yet questions them.

Doesn’t he want to know why Granger hasn’t released his SOPs? …and twisted minds Following diligently in the footsteps of Kwayana, to stir up racial animosity in our country, is the “leader for life” of the TUC. In his latest missive, referring to the suspended operations by BCCI, he claims, “Their (The PPP’s) disparity in treatment of sugar versus bauxite workers is very stark and tantamount to economic injustice against a category of workers which has the hallmark of ethnic, political and social retaliation.”

All Guyana knows what he’s implying, since “sugar workers” mean “Indian Guyanese” and “Bauxite workers” mean “African Guyanese”. He ignores that, as soon as the PPP took office, they met with BCCI, and Labour Minister Hamilton warned: “If RUSAL says they are not here, the conversation changes. But if they are an investor that is operating in Guyana, then the game plan will have to be different from what it was over the past several years…No company or expatriate will come and establish modern day plantations in Guyana!”

Did he warn the PNC of “disparity of treatment” when they closed 4 estates? …on Barbados’s magnanimity A hat tip to Mia Mottley and Barbados for sharing their COVID-19 vaccine with us. Modest as it is, at least we can begin to protect our brave, exposed, frontline health workers.

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

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice man sentenced to life for rape, murder of 13-year-old boy A

31-year-old man was on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment for the abduction, rape, and murder of a 13-year-old boy in September 2017.

The life sentence was handed down by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Berbice High Court.

Three weeks ago, the accused, Hillary Edwards, of Kortberaadt, East Bank Berbice (EBB), was found guilty by a mixed jury for the rape and murder of 13-year-old Leonard Archibald of Sisters Village, EBB. In handing down the sentence, Justice MorrisRamlall said Edwards would not be eligible for parole until serving 27

Convicted rapist and murderer Hillary Edwards

years in jail. Additionally, she ordered that he receive counselling four times annually during the period of his incarceration.

Reports are that between September 17 and September 24, 2017, Edwards sodomised Archibald, and in the process killed him.

One of the prosecution’s main witnesses, Constable Beharry Jaigopaul had told the court that Edwards had given a confession statement during which he admitted to luring the child to his home and then committing the act and later throwing him into the Berbice River with his hands and feet bound.

But Edwards has maintained his innocence.

However, in a probation report, Welfare Officer Maisie Shepherd explained that Edwards has a history of inappro-

Murdered teen: Leonard Archibald

priate actions against boys between the ages of five and 16.

In one case, she told the court that Edwards had lured two teenagers into the backdam to fish.

One of the boys reported that upon their arrival, Edwards aggressively bullied him into having sex-

ual intercourse. She said the boy was severely beaten and punched to his jaw and ribs causing him to lose consciousness.

When he regained consciousness, he was tied with a rope to the tree.

However, he managed to escape.

In yet another instance Shepard told the court, Edwards took another teen into the backdam and then bullied and threatened him with a cutlass and knife, stating that they must have sexual intercourse. That teen also escaped.

The probation officer also disclosed that in one instance, the convicted rapist had sex with a fiveyear-old boy in the presence of his mother.

In addition, the officer said she interviewed residents of the community who said that since the incarceration of Edwards

in September 2017, they have not received any reports of missing persons or missing teenager.

She also said that the accused was put out of his house for making sexual advances to his younger brother.

It was reported that on September 17, 2017, family members waited for Archibald to come home to have dinner in celebration of his father’s birthday, but he never showed up.

The child’s body was subsequently pulled from the Berbice River with missing limbs.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times understands that numerous matters were reported to the Sisters Village Police Station, however, nothing was seemingly ever done to aggressively investigate the crimes. The State’s case was presented by Tuana Hardy.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President exhorts GDF to deter all external threats …says Guyana will be “no puppet to foreign power”

President Ali and Prime Minister Phillips pose for a photo with Army Chief Godfrey Bess and GDF ranks

C

President Dr Irfaan Ali

ommander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Thursday charged ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to deter all external threats that may be imminent, in light of recent incursions by foreign powers on the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

He was at the time giving the feature address at the Force’s Annual Conference at the National Cultural Centre, which was also attended by Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips and other dignitaries.

The President highlighted that while Guyana seeks peaceful relations with its neighbours, it will not tolerate any action which threatens national security and sovereignty.

“We are keen on promoting good neighbourly relations. Guyana has no expansionist ambition. We covet no one’s territory or resources. Our Defence Policy will be guided by our desire for peace and in pursuit of protecting our national patrimony, and deterring external threats and acts of aggression. While we are a peaceful state, no one should underestimate our resolve at protecting our territory

and safeguarding our national sovereignty. Let not our peaceful intent be mistaken for weakness.”

His comments come amid recent reports that the Venezuelan military had infiltrated Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone and detained several Guyanese fishermen for over two weeks.

Meanwhile President Ali spoke on the transformation which will take place in order to build a smarter Defence Force. These plans will be guided by a National Defence Policy and supported by four different pillars.

“A stronger Force does not necessarily mean a larger force. We’re building a smarter defence force, with emphasis on increased use of technology and intelligence, so that we can know what is occurring on our borders and within our territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone. We’ll be enhancing the capabilities of the Force to respond to threats to our territory and our people, including responses to emergencies and natural disasters,” the Head of State posited.

Aircraft and marine vessels will be sourced for the army, allowing for increased surveillance over the local

territory. Notwithstanding, policies will also take shape to better the lives of these ranks, thereby enabling a highly-motivated defence mechanism.

“Whenever ranks have to worry about their wellbeing and that of their families, it subtracts from the dedication to the job. The country’s Defence Policy is there-

fore aimed at improving the well-being of the members of the Force and their loved ones. I have already committed to providing more scholarships and training

opportunities for ranks. I have also said that we will launch a special housing programme for soldiers,” he outlined.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Omai begins core drilling at Wenot Pit T

he Canada-based Omai Gold Mines Corp has commenced the first phase of diamond core drilling at the Omai Project in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

It was noted that the 5000-metre drill programme would focus on expanding the open-pit potential of the historical past-producing Wenot Pit, where previous drilling had demonstrated the potential for similar grades and thicknesses of gold extending below the current pit.

The drilling, combined with the logging and assaying of 6000 metres of historical core, is expected to accelerate a new mineral resource estimate planned for late 2021.

During the first quarter of this year, environmental baseline, metallurgy, and hydrology studies are expected to commence.

Historical data and geophysics along with new geologic modelling suggest multiple relatively untested targets for evaluation by trenching and drilling on the licence.

In a statement on Thursday, Omai Gold Mines Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mario Stifano said: “We are very excited to kick off our initial 5000 metres of drilling, especially after extending mineralisation 150 metres below the historical pit with multiple high-grade assays, including 9.1 grams per tonne gold over 14 metres, as part of our programme of logging and sampling of 6000 metres of unassayed recovered historical core.

We look forward to testing the extent of gold mineralisation below Wenot and reporting on our results in the coming months.”

A single rig with two shifts will initially be deployed at the potential drill sites.

Under former management, Cambior, the Omai gold mine historically produced 3.7 million ounces of gold from the Fennell and Wenot open pits. But experts have posited that this has hardly scratched the surface and that Omai is far from mined out.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Frontline workers vaccinated as Guyana begins immunisation against COVID-19

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he Health Ministry on Thursday commenced the distribution of the first doses of the CovidshieldAstraZeneca vaccines to frontline health-care workers in Guyana.

A pharmacist attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital, Brinnet Bernarai was first to receive the vaccine which was administered by Nurse Vidya Etwaru.

In addition to Bernarai, the remaining frontline workers attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital and the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown will receive the vaccine.

Among the recipients was Dr Fawcett Jeffrey, Director of Medical and Professional Services (MPS) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

His jab was administered by Nurse Edoll Ainsworth at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, where at the end of the day, 317

Pharmacist Brinnet Bernarai gets the first jab of COVID-19 vaccine in Guyana. The vaccine was administered by Nurse Vidya Etwaru

doses were distributed.

After receiving the vaccine, Dr Jeffrey told Guyana Times that the shot would protect himself and others he interacted with on a daily basis.

“Taking the vaccine wasn’t painful. It was like any other little stick … and you would have noticed that I took the vac-

cine and I’m still standing. So, it, therefore, means it’s not detrimental,” he explained.

Medical Registrar Dave Persaud who has been working at the COVID-19 ICU unit for the past nine months also received his shot after which he stated that working at the facility has definitely been challeng-

President exhorts GDF...

Protecting EEZ

Meanwhile, Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, gave his strong assurances that all resources necessary would be deployed to protect Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). He positioned that external threats have occurred in ‘worrisome’ magnitude.

According to him, sovereign rights must be protected ‘at all cost’.

“We must be cognisant that the possibility of internal threats continues to exist while external threats have taken on what could be described as worrisome proportions, where physical incursions have occurred in our

Exclusive Economic Zone to the extent that Guyanese fisherfolks have been illegal intercepted…Guyana’s entire Exclusive Economic Zone must be protected at all cost.”

While Guyana has pledged to use diplomacy as its first line of defence, he noted that the Force would seek to enhance its water, air and land patrols.

“We, as a sovereign country, are at this time engaged in several critical situations, which could have major consequences, depending on the approach adopted. We are acutely aware of the number of hurdles we face, and are likely to face in the near future, with respect

FROM PAGE 11

to our peaceful existence with our continental neighbours,” Bess underscored.

Moving into challenges, he highlighted a few areas which pose new threats to the country. Bess said the Force must be better equipped to detect and mitigate these security issues.

“We also have significant challenges with new and emerging transnational threats as we combat global narcotrafficking, trafficking in persons, continuous illegal crossing of our borders, migration crisis, and we’ve also seen the discovery of illegal airstrips in our territory.” (Rupa Seenaraine)

ing as he has witnessed many patients succumbing to the virus.

As such, he has accepted the vaccine in an effort to safeguard himself as he continues to perform his duties.

He too expressed that the vaccination process was painless and further urged his colleagues and the general public to be receptive when their time came to receive the shot.

“In my view, it’s a game-changer and is certainly lifesaving… Now to additionally have a vaccine, hopefully, this would help to curb the pandemic and specifically in our case Guyana,” Persaud expressed.

Meanwhile, Dr Tracey Bovell expressed that she was also grateful to be among the group of health-care workers to take the vaccine.

“If I am to say one thing, it is to ensure you get vaccinated, because that is your contribution to flattening the curve.”

She, however, urged that persons should continue to follow all COVID-19 guidelines despite the vaccine becoming available in Guyana.

“You still have to use your face covering, avoid crowds.

Wash your hands, sanitise your hands, ensure that you always protect yourself,” Dr Bovell stressed.

In relation to the deployment of the vaccine, Dr Ertenisa Hamilton, Director of Primary Health Care, explained that vaccination would be done in waves.

“According to our National

A dose of the Covidshield-AstraZeneca vaccine

Vaccine Deployment Plan, our priority groups would be health-care workers, our Joint Services and other frontline workers, our elderly, and persons with comorbidities,” Dr Hamilton explained.

She noted that with the small number of vaccines currently available in Guyana, the goal is to vaccinate as many health-care workers who are in direct contact with patients that have COVID-19, followed by the vaccination of the other priority groups as more vaccines are procured.

“This marks the beginning of the turnaround of this pandemic in Guyana, because our intention is to ensure we reach herd immunity,” Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony posited.

He further explained that herd immunity is only possible if at least 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated.

He noted that the immunisation programme began at the Georgetown Public Hospital, because it has served many infected persons.

He further urged the media to assist with putting forward the information surrounding vaccination to prepare and educate the population as the Government continued to secure more vaccines.

The vaccination programme began following the receipt of 100,000 doses of the Covidshield-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday from Barbados.

The vaccine is taken in two doses with the second dose being administered eight to 12 weeks after the first.

These vaccines will be administered to some 1400 frontline health workers while the CARICOM Secretariat will use 200 doses to vaccinate 100 persons.

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NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

No signs of variants in Guyana’s COVID-19 samples – CARPHA

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he Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPA) has announced that no variants of COVID-19 were detected in the samples that were sent for gene sequencing a few weeks ago.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Thursday stated that this was communicated to him on Wednesday evening by officials at the agency.

“CARPHA informed us that the 10 samples that we sent to them, they have been able to complete the gene

sequencing and they haven’t found any of the new variants that are currently talked about, that is the one first discovered in UK, the one in South Africa and the one next door (Brazil),” Dr Anthony stated.

Nevertheless, he said they would continue to send samples for analysis in order to determine if any of the new strains were circulating locally. The Minister also emphasised that the level of vigilance should not diminish.

‘In a way, this is good

news but that does not mean that we have to decease our vigilance, because

DPP recommends manslaughter charge for teen who fatally shot best friend

Ever since her son met his demise, Panday has been calling for justice. Now that her son’s best friend has been charged, she said, “I leave it in the hands of the DPP, the Police, and the lawyers.”

Dead: Rockey Sawh

The dead boy’s mother, Amrita Panday

he office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended that the 16-year-old lad accused of fatally shooting his best friend be charged with manslaughter under the Juvenile Justice Act (JJA).

Rockey Sawh, 15, a former student of Cummings Lodge Secondary School, was shot dead by his best friend during a sleepover on November 17, 2020, at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

The now-dead boy resided at Lot 45 David Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

It was reported that the 16-year-old suspect invited Sawh over to his home and the two friends had a meal about 18:00h on the night in question. After eating, the teen suspect reportedly breached the lock on a wardrobe where a licensed .32 Taurus pistol owned by his father was secured.

Police said that after retrieving the gun, the teen then showed it to Sawh and accidentally pulled the trigger. As a result, Sawh was shot to the right side of his head and fell to the ground.

He was reportedly left in the house as the suspect was

taken away by his mother.

According to Police, at the time of the accident, the suspect’s parents were not at home. A .32 Taurus pistol along with seven live matching rounds, a spent shell, and 149 .32 rounds were retrieved from the crime scene.

Following the shooting, the 16-year-old suspect was arrested and subsequently released on $100,000 station bail pending investigations. Police had sent a file to the office of the DPP for advice in November 2020.

The DPP’s office, however, instructed the Police to have a probation report compiled on the suspect before charges could be recommended.

Meanwhile, the dead boy’s grieving mother, Amrita Panday, when contacted on Thursday, said that the Police have informed her that the suspect in her son’s killing would be charged. The woman said that she was awaiting information on his court date.

Panday, however, could not give a definite answer on whether she would attend the court hearing. “I am not well. I am still thinking about my son,” she cried.

T

we’ll still have to continue taking samples and sending them out just to get a sense of what is circulating here in Guyana,” he said.

New variants of the COVID-19 virus have been circulating in several countries thus sparking efforts

by Government to conduct gene sequencing. This is to detect whether these strains are circulating locally, but Guyana is not equipped with such resources. Dr Anthony had said that the Health Ministry has since facilitated discussion with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and

the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to work out an arrangement.

Some of the new strains are said to be highly-transmissible.

“We’re looking at several options, one of which is sending 10 samples per month to CARPHA so that they can do the sequencing. In addition to that, we’re working through PAHO to be able to send samples to CDC. Hopefully, through these arrangements and analysis of the sequencing, we’ll be able to at least have some sense on the types of variants that are circulating in Guyana,” the Minister had stated.

In the past weeks, two variants were detected in Brazil, causing Guyana to cease all border travel and flights. There is tighter security at the border regions, with routine patrols by the Joint Services to prevent any illegal crossings from the neighbouring country.

There were reports of a more transmissible strain of the coronavirus, which was

detected first in the United Kingdom but has already spread to the United States.

Health officials in South Africa had also disclosed the detection of another strain.

At the end of January, PAHO had informed that three variants of the SARSCoV-2 virus were detected across 14 countries in the Americas. PAHO Incident Manager Sylvain Aldighieri had asked local authorities to strengthen activities to monitor the virus and expand surveillance.

“Mutations are an expected part of the spread of any virus…That’s why we’re asking national and local authorities to continue to strengthen existing disease control activities, including monitoring COVID-19 closely. We need epidemiological surveillance, including expanding regional genomics surveillance, outbreak investigation, and contact tracing. Where appropriate, we need to adjust public health and social measures to reduce transmission,” Aldighieri had noted.

16 NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 more die from COVID-19, death toll stands at 184 …43 new cases detected from 261 tests

T

wo more Guyanese have succumbed to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the death toll to 184.

The latest victims are two men – an 83-year-old from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) and a 90-year-old from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice). They both died on Wednesday while receiving care at a medical facility.

On Tuesday, an 82-yearold woman from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) died from the virus. She had succumbed at her home, but a test was done posthumously after the body arrived at a medical facility and a positive result was returned.

New statistics provided by the Ministry show that 43 new cases were detected during a 24-hour period from a total of 261 tests conducted. The total number of positive cases from March 2020 to present stand at

8135. This total comprised 4230 males and 3905 females.

Seven persons remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with 37 persons in institutionalised isolation, 768 in home isolation and 28 in institutional quarantine. A total of 7157 persons have recovered from the virus.

Regionally, two new cases were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini); two in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 24 in Demerara-Mahaica; four in Mahaica-Berbice; two in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); three in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and seven in Upper Demerara-Berbice.

The cases in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remain at 232, 243, and 412 respectively.

Meanwhile, Health

Minister, Dr Frank Anthony has expressed great satisfaction in the way health workers have responded to the COVID-19 vaccine administration – a process which started on Thursday.

During the COVID-19 update, he explained that senior doctors and officials within the medical institutions have come forward to get their jabs, which is a positive indication for the Ministry. This is just the start as several tranches of vaccines are expected to arrive in Guyana this month and in the first week of March.

“The response has been tremendous and I am extremely pleased that a number of the senior doctors, who understand the importance of this, has also come forward and taken the vaccines...Of course, there are many others who joined the team in coming out, and I

think that’s good, because now people understand the

importance of vaccines. I just want to assure everyone that we are getting in more vaccines. This is just the start and we are going to get more doses,” Dr Anthony explained.

He said in immunising frontline workers, both private and public sector personnel will benefit. There are also plans for greater collaboration with private medical centres.

“We will be collaborating with the Private Sector so to ensure that we can develop some sites at their facility.

I think this is all good. This

is all exciting news…This will mark the beginning of the end of the pandemic in Guyana,” Dr Anthony said.

The Health Ministry continues to urge all Guyanese to observe the curfew and protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which are in effect until February 28, 2021. This order emphasises, among other things, the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask, the importance of maintaining six feet of physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Persons displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or in need of any additional information are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www. health.gov.gy.

Woman who stabbed pensioner sent for mental evaluation

T

Injured: Collin Heiliger

he woman who allegedly stabbed her lover, 67-year-old Collin Heiliger in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was sent to the National Psychiatric Hospital for a mental evaluation.

This was confirmed

by Regional Commander Jairam Ramlakhan, who stated that the 43-year-old woman was taken to the medical institution after she was arrested.

It was reported that on Monday, Heiliger was stabbed to his abdomen at his Pilot Street home during an argument with the woman.

On the day in question, the woman reportedly turned up at his home, but shortly after, he exited the house and ran to a neighbour with stab wounds to his abdomen.

The woman was later seen washing blood off of the floor near the front door.

After doing so, she went to the injured man’s father and took breakfast for him. There, she reportedly told the man that she had stabbed his son.

The woman was subsequently arrested when she turned up at the New Amsterdam Hospital, where Heiliger was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

According to the Commander, investigators were on Thursday able to get a statement from the suspect while the injured man remained hospitalised.

His condition is listed as stable.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Attempts to rig elections

Magistrate orders PI into misconduct charges against GECOM’s Deputy CEO

Special Prosecutor Attorneyat-Law Glenn Hanoman

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n a ruling handed down on Thursday, Senior Magistrate Leron Daly has ruled that a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) will be conducted into the two counts of misconduct in public office against Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) Roxanne Myers.

This is according to Myers’s lawyer Nigel Hughes, who explained that the Magistrate upheld submissions proferred by him for the charges to be made indictable.

This means that the presiding Magistrate will now conduct a PI to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to commit Myers to stand trial at the High Court.

Hughes informed that Special Prosecutor Ganesh Hira has given notice

Technology Officer Enrique Livan, APNU/AFC activist Carol Joseph, and People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Chairperson, former Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence.

Given the magnitude of the allegations levelled against Lowenfield, Mingo, Myers, and others, Hughes had laid over submissions to the court, asking that the matters be tried in the High Court. During a previous interview, Attorney-atLaw Ronald Daniels said, “The allegation is that he [Lowenfield] has committed fraud against everybody in the country, so the best forum for that is before the High Court, where the jury, as representatives of the people of the country, (would determine) whether fraud has been perpetrated against the country.”

The more than 25 matters are currently before three magistrates – Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and Magistrates Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus and Leron Daly.

While Magistrate Daly has decided on what mode the charges against Myers will take, the Chief Magistrate and Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus are yet to rule on whether to hear the matters summarily and dispose of them in the Magistrates Courts, or conduct a PI to determine if there is sufficient evidence for them to face trial at the High Court.

Delay justice

Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes

of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) intention to appeal the decision of Magistrate Daly. The matter will be called again at a later date for report.

Myers was not required to plead to the indictable charges, which stated that, during the period March 4 and 14, 2020, she wilfully misconducted herself in declaring fraudulent results for the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

She has been placed on $300,000 bail in relation to both charges.

The DPP has hired a team of special prosecutors to prosecute the electoral fraud cases against Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, DCEO Myers, GECOM clerks Denise Bob-Cummings and Michelle Miller, Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, GECOM Elections Officer Shefern February and Information

One of the Special Prosecutors, Attorney-atLaw Glenn Hanoman, had explained that Hughes’s application for the matters to remain indictable would not only cause the matter to be prolonged in the courts, but also put the accused at risk of facing more severe sentencing, including life sentences.

“Usually, defence lawyers will always prefer a summary trial, because the magistrates have a statutory maximum penalty that they can impose, that is, five years; whereas, if you go to a judge and jury, you can get life imprisonment… So, I believe that the applications by the defence are really meant to delay justice rather than for any other proper purpose,” he said.

Moreover, Hanoman pointed out that the individual matters can also be consolidated and heard together in the lower court, since they all have the same witnesses and evidence. He added that such matters have never been in the High Court before.

Other charges

Shortly after the PPP/C Government took office on August 02, 2020, the Police instituted charges against Lowenfield and others.

Lowenfield is facing three counts of forgery and three counts of misconduct in public office. He has been placed

PNCR

on $300,000 bail. Mingo is facing similar charges; in fact, four of them. He was ordered to post bail in the sum of $600,000.

Lawrence, on the other hand, was slapped with two charges of conspiracy to commit fraud at the March 02, 2020, General and Regional

Elections. She was placed on bail. Joseph is charged jointly with Mingo for forgery. Meanwhile, Livian is facing fraud charges, while February is accused of conspiring to commit fraud. They have all been placed on bail.

Lowenfield’s report claimed that APNU/AFC co-

alition garnered 171,825 votes while the PPP/C gained 166,343 votes. How he arrived at those figures is still unknown. The certified results from the recount exercise supervised by GECOM and a high-level team from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) pellucidly

showed that the PPP/C won with 233,336 votes while the coalition garnered 217,920.

The recount exercise also proved that Mingo heavily inflated the figures in Region Four – Guyana’s largest voting District – in favour of the then caretaker APNU/AFC regime.

18 NEWS Housewife allegedly electrocuted by illegal connection FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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La Retraite, West Bank Demerara (WBD) woman was on Wednesday found dead in her yard suspected to have been electrocuted by an illegal electricity connection.

The dead woman has been identified as 21-yearold housewife Yashoda Andrews, also called “Debbie”.

Her motionless body was found about 15:37h holding a black telephone cable.

Based on reports received, the Police were summoned to the La Retraite squatting area by residents who reported that the body of a woman was seen lying motionless in her yard.

Upon arrival at the scene, the Police found the woman lying facedown.

There were no marks of violence about her body.

However, a black telephone cable was seen next to the body. Neighbours reportedly told Police that the now dead woman was seen lying

do with myself right now.

Debbie wasn’t to dead like that. Debbie was a nice person to me, anything I want she does give to me.” he stated.

Cooper described Andrews as a loving mother and wife who would

The yard in which Yashoda Andrews, called “Debbie”, met her demise

in her yard holding the said cable in her hand.

The cable was reportedly removed from her hand by persons who found the body.

The body was eventually removed from the scene and taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home, where it awaits a post mortem.

The woman’s grieving partner, Calvin Cooper, when contacted, told <<<Guyana Times>>> that they shared a five-year rela-

tionship and he was currently unsure of what the future held for himself and their nine-month-old daughter.

He recalled that he was at work when he received the dreaded call.

“I went to work and I left she home. I give she a hug and a kiss and I tell her ‘I gone, baby’. Is when I went working I get a call about five o’clock time saying Debbie dead,” the grieving man explained.

The distraught Cooper said the wire that electrocuted his wife was an illegal connection set up by his neighbours.

“The wire attached to my neighbour house, they thieving current. The wire run side of me house and like she went fixing something and the current shock she and nobody went there to save Debbie life. I dealing with this real rough and I don’t even know what to

be missed tremendously.

Andrews leaves to mourn her husband, daughter, siblings, and parents.

An investigation has been launched into the incident by the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL).

Take advantage of Exxon’s “Greater Guyana Initiative” – GOGEC tells Guyanese

T

he Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) is throwing its support behind the “Greater Guyana Initiative”, which was announced by Stabroek Block partners ExxonMobil, Hess, and CNOOC Limited to support and expand capacity building.

As part of its local content mandate, ExxonMobil Guyana, along with its Stabroek Block partners, has made a $20 billion investment in Guyanese over the next 10 years.

ExxonMobil Guyana President Alistair Routledge said on Tuesday that the investment was aimed at expanding local capacity-building efforts and promoting sustainable economic development in Guyana.

As such, the Chamber said in a statement, “This is a landmark Corporate Social Responsibility initiative for Guyana and we are anticipating this initiative will see a greater transformation for all of Guyana, businesses and the livelihood of its citizens…

GOGEC is willing to work along with EXXON and its partners to implement and help businesses and the citizens of Guyana to realise the significant benefits from Greater Guyana Initiative.”

GOGEC President Manniram Prashad believes that this multi-faceted approach will not only significantly educate and grow the Guyanese workforce but also boost competitiveness of local businesses.

“We encourage Guyanese to take full advantage of this initiative to build our human capacity and capitalise on the new and expanded economic opportunities. GOGEC is the main Private Sector organisation that has been seen as the nexus between the EXXON, Guyana Private Sector [and] Government,” he said.

The investment is fully funded by the Stabroek Block operating partners and is not cost recoverable.

Routledge explained that the initiative started with months of discussions with key stakeholders in order to gain an understanding of the existing capacity and

GOGEC President Manniram Prashad

the areas where these funds could make a difference as part of Guyana’s transformative journey.

He added that Exxon and its offshore co-venturers will choose capacity-building projects to fund in consultation with local, regional, and national stakeholders. These programmes are expected to be aligned with the country’s overall development objectives.

“It is a part of our longterm broad commitment to local content and responsible development of the oil and gas resources of Guyana,” he noted.

Additionally, third-party experts including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) will be enlisted to implement initiatives and assess the programme’s effectiveness.

Already, three local entities – the University of Guyana, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council and the Centre for Local Business Development – have received funds and are carrying out programmes as part of the Greater Guyana Initiative.

“Our goals and programmes will evolve over time and include public health initiatives and activities in each of the regions. Over the life of this innovative initiative, my colleagues and I are looking forward to sharing how these programmes and projects will benefit people in Guyana and give people the tools to access new and expanded economic activities,” Routledge had asserted.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Suriname-Guyana backtrack route tragedy

Search continues for missing woman — boat Captains, 1 other arrested in Suriname

F

amily members and friends are sparing no efforts in their search for the body of 48-year-old Sharida Hussein, who is feared to have drowned while she was returning home to Guyana from Suriname via a backtrack route on Monday evening.

Hussein is one of three persons who went missing after they had disembarked from the boat in waist-deep water.

Following hours of searching on both land and sea, family members and friends were unable to locate Hussein’s body.

Hussein, called “Sherry”, of Pilot Street, New Amsterdam, reportedly contacted her 19-year-old son on Monday evening to inform him that she had been dropped off at Number 63 Beach where the water was waist-deep and it was dark.

She was not heard from since.

It was subsequently revealed that two other persons had also been dropped off at the same location at the same time.

The other two individuals

Still missing: Sharida Hussein

Dead: Alwin Joseph

Dead: Babuni Harrier

were identified as 75-yearold Babuni Harrier, called “Doris”, of Number Two Village, East Canje and 31-year-old Alwin Joseph of Suriname. Their bodies were discovered on Wednesday.

The seashore along nearby villages was combed again on Thursday in search of the missing woman. Searches were also conducted in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Corentyne River, but all came up empty.

Regional Commander Jairam Ramlakhan, in an

invited comment, explained that the Police have been assisting with the search.

He related that the two Captains who operated the boat that made the trip on Monday evening were arrested, along with another person. They remain in the custody of Surinamese authorities as investigations continue.

The Regional Commander further stated that since the incident occurred in Guyana's waters, local investigators would likely speak with the boat operators.

However, reports coming out of Suriname indicate that the duo could be charged for a number of offences, including breach of COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Commander Ramlakhan noted that local investigators would still pursue all avenues to find answers and bring closure to this case.

It was reported that the three passengers, along with their baggage, were dropped off at a sandbank in the Atlantic Ocean which the Boat Captain mistook for the Number 63 Beach.

Man to face Judge, Man on trial for murdering jury for murdering Venezuelan national mother-in-law A

Murder accused: Linden Junior Isaacs

A

28-year-old security officer, Linden Junior Isaacs was on Thursday committed to stand trial at the High Court in Demerara for murdering his mother-in-law, Velma Pickering.

At the close of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI), Magistrate Alisha George ruled that a prima facie case was established against the accused. When asked if he wanted to lead a defence, Isaacs responded in the negative.

Accordingly, the Magistrate committed him to stand trial for the offence at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes. The PI was conducted at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Isaacs, of Strathspey Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara (ECD), is accused

Dead: Velma Pickering

of murdering his mother-inlaw on May 11, 2020 at Lot 257 South Vryheid’s Lust, ECD. It was reported that on the day in question, the accused visited his motherin-law’s house, where she admonished him about his attitude towards her daughter. This led to a heated argument. According to Police, the man attacked the woman and dealt her several stabs about her body with an ice pick. She attempted to escape, but collapsed in a neighbour’s yard.

The 58-year-old woman was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Three days before the incident, the Police had issued a bulletin for Isaacs for unlawfully wounding Shamar Roberts, a resident of Buxton, ECD.

25-year-old man is presently on trial before Justice Gino Persaud and a 12-member jury at the High Court in Suddie for the November 19, 2016 murder of Henry Mendonca, a Venezuelan national.

Tony Rampersaud, formerly of Eteringbang, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), pleaded not guilty to the murder indictment presented against him by State Prosecutor Lisa Cave. According to the facts, Rampersaud and Mendonca, who both resided in Venezuela, came to Guyana on the day in question and were drinking at the Eteringbang Landing.

However, an argument ensued between the two

Murder accused: Tony Rampersaud

and Rampersaud allegedly broke a bottle and stabbed Mendonca to his abdomen.

The injured man was taken to San Martin Hospital in Venezuela, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Minibus driver feared drowned during outing in Linden

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minibus driver of Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown is feared drowned at one of the ‘blue lakes’ in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The incident occurred around 12:30h on Thursday.

Reports are that the minibus driver, Eusi Lindo, along with his girlfriend and a busload of persons, travelled to the town to visit the ‘blue lakes’ – a popular tourist attraction.

The friends reportedly

A ‘blue-water lake’ in Linden

ventured to the lake in the vicinity of Richmond Hill, Mackenzie, which stretches to the Kara Kara area.

The man and his girlfriend reportedly ventured into one of the lakes until the water level reached their shoulders. The missing man’s partner said she turned away for a moment and suddenly heard “splashing sounds”.

She explained that she saw her boyfriend splashing in water and she thought he was pretending to drown.

Feared dead, Eusi Lindo

The woman further related that Lindo grabbed onto her, and they both went under the water. However, she managed to swim to shore, but her boyfriend never surfaced.

Regional Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter said the Police visited the scene, but they were not equipped to dive into the lake to search for the man.

He noted, however, that the man’s friends were taken into custody for questioning. An investigation has been launched.

20

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Expect a mix-up due to misinterpretation. You’ll have to be articulate to ensure you get your point across and your requests handled adequately. Leave nothing to chance.

Take your time, look at every angle and make changes based on what’s best for you.

How you go about your responsibilities will tie into an opportunity that comes your way.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Be sure that the changes you want to make are financially sound. Don’t jeopardize your position or reputation to impress someone. Opportunities exist, but picking the right one will be crucial.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

SUDOKU

Don’t take anything or anyone for granted. If you want to get things done, work alone. Expect to be contradicted if you get into a debate; be amicable.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Focus on change. The effort you put in to improve your lifestyle, financial situation and professional circumstances will help you achieve your goal.

You’ll have plenty of innovative ideas. Develop a partnership that will make it easier for you to reach your goal. Do some research in order to find out what’s trending.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Overspending will be tempting.

Crunch the numbers before you decide to take on debt. Look for a way to get what you want for less, and you will avoid an argument.

SCORPIO

You’ll be faced with opposition, discord and uncertainty if you have neglected to take care of personal matters. Stop procrastinating; start taking care of unfinished business.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Don’t let someone get in SAGITTARIUS your way or mislead you.

(Nov. 23Focus on your goal, and surDec. 21) round yourself with like-minded people. An opportunity to make money doing something you enjoy will come your way.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) YESTERDAY'S WORD -- MEDIOCRE

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Put time and effort into home, family and positive adjustments that will bring you closer to your loved ones. Fixing up your surroundings and adding to your comfort and convenience are favored.

Make your point clear when dealing with a friend or relative, but don’t let your temper escalate. How well you deal with controversy will be crucial. A romantic gesture will enhance your love life.

Focus on change. The effort you put in to improve your lifestyle, financial situation and professional circumstances will help you achieve your goal.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021

21

BCB Cricket Season 2021…

Campbelle, Gajnabi and Grimmond sponsor female cricket tournament in Berbice

– Foster urges Under-19 team to be good ambassadors of the county

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he list of cricketers giving back to the game in the Ancient County continues to grow, with three West Indies Women players coming on board. Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond and Shakiba Gajnabi would be sponsoring a 40-over cricket tournament for females later in the year.

Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster met with these players on Wednesday last, and they readily agreed to his request in regard to giving back to the game which has made them household names across the West Indies. The BCB is the only county board in Guyana to invest in its female players, and also to organise tournaments for them.

Rose Hall Town Metro, the defending champions, would be heavy favourites to retain their title, but can expect strong challenges from West Berbice and from New Amsterdam/ Canje.

The strong RHT Metro Team would include four West Indies players and a number of national and Berbice players. In that team are Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, Shakiba Gajnabi, Erva Giddings, Plaffina Millington, Dian Prahalad and Marian Samaroo.

The West Berbice Team would be spearheaded

by Kantana Mentore and Devona Frank, while the New Amsterdam/Canje Team would be led by former West Indies

all-rounder Tremayne Smartt, Ashnini Munisar, Ameera Adrams, Nirveera Ramnauth and Jamie Campbelle.

The tournament is expected to start after the inter-county tournament currently being played has ended, and would be the second for females in the county after the Nand Persaud & Co Ltd 30-Over Cup. Foster has expressed thanks to the three female cricketers for sponsoring the tournament.

Incidentally, they are all members of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club Metro Team.

Campbelle, speaking on behalf of the trio, has said they are delighted to contribute to Berbice cricket, as the county

Priyanna Ramdhani pays courtesy call on Sport Minister Ramson

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uyana’s premier female badminton player, Priyanna Ramdhani, on Wednesday paid a courtesy call on Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S) Charles Ramson Jr., in order to bring the Sport Minister up to speed on her progress in the sport.

Priyanna, who is currently a student athlete as part of the Badminton Scholarship Programme at the Olds’ College in Alberta, Canada, is currently on Vacation in Guyana, and has used the time to further not only her personal achievements, but that also of the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA).

The 19-year-old badminton prodigy is currently pursuing Business Management & Sports Management qualifications.

While in Guyana, Ramdhani played an integral role in the launch of the “Air BadmintonThe new Outdoor Game” programme, being one of the players on hand to teach new players and students about the fairly new version of the exhilarating sport.

The meeting between Ramdhani and Ramson comes as another venture of the Sport Minister to reach out to Guyana sports administrations and athletes. The Minister has been meeting with sports associations on a monthly basis, for updates and to create a plan in fostering each sport.

Among Priyanna’s personal achievements are the following: Guyana Current National

Priyanna Ramdhani and Charles Ramson Jr took a photo opportunity after their meeting

Senior Ranking No.1 AB Canada Current Olds College Ranking No.1 AB Canada Current ACAC Ranking No.2 Canada Current CCAA National Ranking No.4 ACAC Academic Athletic Award (AB Canada) 2019-20 CCAA & ACSC National Scholar Award (AB Canada) 2019-20 ACAC All Conference Award (AB Canada) 2019-20 Rookie of the Year Olds College (AB Canada) 2019/2020 4-Time Athlete of the Week Olds College (AB Canada) 201920 Caribbean International Under-19 Ranking No.1 (Triple Champion) 2019 Caribbean Regional Under-17 Ranking No.1 (Triple Champion) 2018 Caribbean International Under-19 Ranking No.1 (2018)

Caribbean International Open Ranking No.2 (2018) Caribbean Regional Junior Age Group Champion (20072018) Central American & Caribbean Games QuarterFinalist (2018) South American Youth Games Ranking No.4 (2017) Pan Am Junior Championships Bronze Medalist (2010-2012) Guyana’s Junior Sportswoman of the Year 2011 Guyana’s Runner-up Junior Sportswoman of the Year 2012 Guyana’s Junior Sportswoman of the Year 2018 Guyana’s Team Captain at the World Juniors 2018 Guyana’s Team Member at the World Juniors 2015 Participated at the Pan Am Games 2015 & 2019 Highest World Junior Ranking No. 92 (2019)

has invested heavily into their careers.

She hailed Foster as a huge influence in their career, and also as their mentor and role model. She said it is her hope that more females would follow in her footsteps and play for the West Indies.

Foster, replying, has said it is always very pleasing when players support the board in its initiatives, and he hailed the trio for paying it forward.

Meanwhile, this vibrant BCB President on Wednesday

also met the selected Berbice Under-19 Team which has been selected to participate in the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board Under-19 tournament, and urged them to be good ambassadors of the Berbice brand. Foster spoke on the importance of personal discipline, having a positive attitude, working hard, and team unity.

He reminded the players in the presence of their parents that they would be representing the legacy of Rohan Kanhai, Basil

Butcher, Joe Solomon, Alvin Kallicharran and Roy Fredericks.

He warned that no act of indiscipline would be tolerated and announced that the MVP of the tournament for Berbice would receive a financial prize of $25,000 under the Shimron/ Nirvani Hetmyer Trust Fund. He also handed over face masks, face shields and hand sanitisers to the teams as part of the BCB COVID-19 protection campaign.

Each of the players received a Berbice Inter-County cap.

CG Insurance Regional Super50 Cup…

Red Force thump Jamaica Scorpions

– as Evin Lewis slams century

A

ggressive West Indies opener Evin Lewis slammed a brilliant century to lead the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to a five-wicket win against Jamaica Scorpions in the CG Insurance Regional Super50 tournament in Antigua.

Red Force won the toss and elected to field first; and on the back of Brandon King’s 97, Scorpions posted 258-6 in 50 overs. King’s 97 came off 114 balls, and was decorated with six fours and three sixes.

Rovman Powell made 43, while Andre McCarthy, who featured in a 116-run partnership with King, chipped in with 40.

Anderson Phillips claimed 3-66 in 10 overs.

In reply, Red Force lost Lendl Simmons for a duck when he was trapped by Sheldon Cottrell. Lewis then dominated a 112-run partnership with Jason Mohammed (28) to set up the chase. Lewis slammed seven sixes and eight fours in his 92ball 107.

The sage Darren Bravo and the exciting Nicholas Pooran, who from 29 balls scored a shotfilled 43 that included six fours, added 62 runs together for the fourth wicket.

Captain Kieron Pollard came and went for one, being caught and bowled by McCarthy, but Ramdin (11) and Bravo’s unbeaten run-a-ball 59 ensured a comfortable Red Force win with 55 balls remaining. Dennis Bulli was expensive with 2-84 in 9.5 overs.

Carty hits century in Hurricanes-Pride clash Keacy Carty came to the party for the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, and in the process

notched his maiden List A century, as the home team Brandon King powered their way past the Barbados Pride on Wednesday night. He made a sensational 123 not out in the Leewards’ total of 305-6, which overhauled Barbados's 301-8 and secured their first win with just three balls to spare.

In an epic contest which produced over 600 runs for 14 wickets off 99.3 overs, Carty's Captain magnificent performance - Hurricanes’ which came off 125 balls and Devon Thomas said: “We talked included nine fours and three about getting a big partnership sixes - earned him the CG and one of the top order Insurance Man-of-the-Match batsmen have to bat straight award. It gave the Leewards four through. When I went in to bat, I vital points, and left Barbados told Carty we couldn’t out at this winless after two matches and at time, we have to take the risk.

He played it out well, despite the bottom of the table.

The 23-year-old, who was the struggles. Losing the first a member of the West Indies game put a bit of pressure on Under-19 World Cup-winning the team, so we knew we had squad of 2016, showed his skills to do better than we did in the with a number of breathtaking previous game.”

Earlier, fast bowler Quinton shots to all part of the ground.

The most memorable was a full- Boatswain bagged 4-62 in 10 blooded pull through midwicket overs to limit the Bajans, after off Jason Holder, which took him they looked like they could reach close to 350. He picked to triple figures.

He had a 98-run partnership up his second four-wicket haul with Nitish Kumar, who made a in two matches, and this led polished 41 to follow up his 112 to a middle-order collapse for in the opening match against Barbados, as they slipped from 244-2 in the 42nd over to 299Windward Islands Volcanoes.

Hayden Walsh Jr. played 8 in the final over. He was well a major part in the Leewards’ supported by leg-spinner Walsh, win, as he struck three towering who had 3-75.

Shamarh Brooks and sixes in scoring 28 from just nine Jonathan Carter put on a balls in the late stages, when partnership of 160 runs for the Leewards were faced with an asking rate of close to 13 the third wicket, after openers per over. With the Leewards in Zachary McCaskie and Justin trouble at 231-5 in the 45th over, Greaves added 82 in quick the left-handed Walsh added 42 time. Carter made 58 from 91 off just three overs with Carty, deliveries, which included four and that greatly revived the fours and a six, while Brooks scored 96 off 88 balls, with eight contest.

Speaking with CWI Media, boundaries and a six.

22

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PUPPIES FOR SALE Bonner and Blackwood struck up a partnership

Jermaine Blackwood carving one out

Bangladesh celebrating

WI v Bangladesh: Day 1, Test 2

SERVICE

Windies fight back on a slow day – Bonner stars with 74* T he first day of the second Test between the West Indies and Bangladesh in Dhaka would make neither side too happy; neither would it make them too sad.

West Indies had the opportunity to dominate after lunch, having made 84 for 1 in the morning session. Their early advantage dissipated when the Bangladesh seam bowlers struck thrice in a post-lunch session that saw only 62 runs scored.

But after tea, West Indies' middle order displayed enough grit to absorb everything Bangladesh threw at them, restoring parity to the contest after 90 overs. At stumps, the visitors finished day one on 223 for 5, the least number of runs scored on the first day of any Test at the venue.

There were three stars on the day. Nkrumah Bonner, unbeaten on 74, was West Indies' rescuer-in-chief.

Swing bowler Abu Jayed (2 for 46) - who replaced Mustafizur Rahman in the XI - was the stand-out quick.

And left-arm orthodox spinner Taijul Islam (2 for 64) earned his rewards by exerting control and ensuring pressure was never released from one end.

With the West Indies having opted to bat, openers Kraigg Brathwaite (47) and John Campbell (36) put on 66 for the first wicket, with the latter doing the bulk of the scoring in the partnership.

With Brathwaite holding up one end, Campbell was more attacking, hitting five fours and a six before his dismissal in the 21st over.

The dismissal, on its part, was a contentious one. Taijul was introduced as second change, and in his first spell, he got a full ball to angle in from around the stumps and hit Campbell's front leg. Umpire Sharfuddoula then raised his finger, but Campbell reviewed. TV umpire Gazi Sohel checked to see if the ball had grazed the bottom edge of the bat during Campbell's sweep, but felt there was no bat involved, despite the tiniest of spikes on UltraEdge.

The spike, however, could also have been generated by other sounds picked up by the stump mic, and he upheld the on-field decision.

A few balls later, a seemingly dissatisfied West Indies coach Phil Simmons could be seen talking to the reserve

umpire Masudur Rahman near the boundary line, perhaps wanting to know more about how the TV umpire reached his decision.

That was the only moment of joy for Bangladesh in the first session, wherein they otherwise struggled with the ball. Jayed, the lone frontline seamer, was wayward in his first spell.

Although he got the ball to swing away from the righthand batsmen, his inconsistent lines early on allowed Brathwaite and Campbell to begin positively.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who shared the new ball, occasionally missed his length, and was regularly put away behind square on either side. Like Miraz, first-change Nayeem Hasan found turn, but didn't challenge either batsman's edge.

Full balls were defended

by Brathwaite, but when the same was offered to Campbell, he attacked the 'V' down the ground.

Jayed, however, redeemed himself in the second session when he went back to his most potent delivery the full ball. His stock ball, in the early 130kphs, was not troubling West Indies in the morning, but in the afternoon he looked to pitch the ball, now significantly older, up to the batsmen. That troubled No. 3 Shayne Moseley for enough time, such that when Jayed offered a full and wide ball from around the stumps in the 34th over, he was tempted to drive.

The loose, off-balance shot from Moseley ended in an inside edge onto leg stump. He was out for 7.

That brought in Mayers, the double-centurion from the first Test. He looked comfortable against spin, but Jayed's persistence with the around-the-stumps angle earned him a second wicket.

It was another full and wide ball, with a hint of swing, that brought out the drive from Mayers and resulted in an edge to Sarkar at wide first slip for 5.

Sandwiched between the two Jayed wickets was Kraigg Brathwaite's dismissal, who was out three short of a 21st Test fifty. Part-timer Soumya Sarkar - who replaced the injured Shadman Islam in the line-up - was rewarded when Brathwaite tried to cut a ball that was too close to his body, only to edge it to Najmul Hassan Shanto at first slip.

Those three wickets

meant the West Indies had slipped from 84 for 1 to 142 for 4.

But West Indies fought back thereafter, courtesy of a 62-run fifth-wicket stand between Bonner and Jermaine Blackwood (28). They ensured West Indies did not lose a fourth wicket in the post-lunch session by adding 30 before the break. And after tea, they nudged the spinners around to keep the run rate ticking. The longer they batted, the more comfortable they looked.

But Blackwood then played Taijul with hard hands in the 72nd over, and the full ball popped off the bat in the air for the spinner to hold on to a return catch.

It was a dismissal that came against the run of play, reducing West Indies to 178 for 5.

That brought Bonner's contribution to the fore even more. Early on, he played the spin bowlers with ease, and was not in a hurry to look for boundaries. He patiently dead-batted balls that were not in his scoring zone, and when the bowlers erred, he put them away. That template, of selecting his shots on the merit of each delivery, took him to his second succes-

sive fifty.

But there were still 18 overs to go when Blackwood was dismissed, and in Da Silva, Bonner found a partner who had the temperament to see off the day without any more casualties.

Together they looked to find the gaps, picking up singles and twos with minimal risk.

Bonner was also incorrectly deemed lbw late in the 79th over, but he swiftly reviewed to have the decision overturned.

Bonner and Da Silva seemed unperturbed against the second new ball too.

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Jayed's late, short spell brought no wickets. That made Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque go back to spin from both ends. With extra bounce and significant turn from the rough, the batsmen reined in their attacking shots to see off the day with five wickets still in the bank.

It was an attritional day of Test cricket, a classic of sorts. Both teams had to work hard for their rewards, and will believe that whichever team dominates the first session of day two could get a stranglehold on this contest.

(Adapted from ESPNcricinfo)

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SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES 1ST INNINGS Kraigg Brathwaite (c) c Shanto b Soumya Sarkar 47 John Campbell lbw b Taijul Islam 36 Shayne Moseley b Abu 7 Jayed Nkrumah Bonner not out 74 Kyle Mayers c Soumya Sarkar b Abu Jayed 5 Jermaine Blackwood c & b Taijul Islam 28 Joshua Da Silva † not out 22 Extras (lb 2, nb 2) 4 TOTAL (90 Ov, RR: 2.47) 223/5

Yet to bat: Rahkeem Cornwall, Alzarri Joseph, Jomel Warrican, Shannon Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-66 (John Campbell, 20.4 ov), 2-87 (Shayne Moseley, 33.2 ov), 3-104 (Kraigg Brathwaite, 41.1 ov), 4-116 (Kyle Mayers, 47.5 ov), 5-178 (Jermaine Blackwood, 71.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Abu Jayed 18-5-46-2 Mehidy Hasan Miraz 22-5-39-0 12-1-42-0 Nayeem Hasan Taijul Islam 30-5-64-2 8-1-30-1 Soumya Sarkar

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW!

Cricket Zone USA supports Speaker’s Cup International Softball cricket tourney

R

avi Etwaroo, proprietor of the popular sporting goods store USA Cricket Zone, has provided support to the recently launched inaugural Speaker’s Cup International Softball cricket tournament.

The tournament, which will be played over the Easter weekend: from April 2 to April 4, 2021 in Georgetown, is organised by the Everest Cricket Club. USA Cricket Zone's sponsorship is in the form of a brand new E4 cricket bat branded by Guyanaborn Etwaroo. The bat will be raffled as one of the prizes up for grabs at a grand fundraising event.

The raffle will be drawn on the final day of the inaugural tournament, with proceeds going directly to the club’s youth programme.

The tournament will be hosted by the Everest Masters Cricket Team, in partnership with the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir, in two categories: Masters Over 45 and Legends Over 50, with sixteen teams expected to participate, including six from

Flashback: Ravi Etwaroo posing with Kevin Sinclair and Kevin Darlington

overseas.

Attractive cash prizes and trophies are up for grabs, along with man-of-the-match award for each preliminary game, final, and player-of-the-tournament.

Etwaroo has said he is pleased to be part of this tournament, and wishes for a long and fruitful relationship with the Club. He added that he is very happy to be

given the opportunity to be part of this event.

The Everest Cricket Club has expressed its gratitude to Ravi Etwaroo, and looks forward as well for a long and fruitful relationship.

All COVID-19 regulations will be in place. The finals will be played at the picturesque Everest Cricket Ground.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

23 Batting in focus as Guyana, Leewards clash today T FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021

he Guyana Jaguars and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, both fresh from a win against the Barbados Pride in the ongoing CG Insurance Regional Super50 tournament, will lock horns today, Friday February 12, from 13:30h, at the Coolidge Cricket Ground i n

Guyana's Ashmead Nedd will play for the Hurricanes

Antigua.

The Hurricanes have pulled off a stunning win against the Pride, chasing a big total of 302 on the back of Keacy Carty's unbeaten 123.

Although defeating the Pride, the Jaguars had scored only 235 runs in 41.4 overs.

For the Jaguars, the aim is to bat collectively in that full quota of 50 overs.

According to Carty, player of the match in the Hurricanes-Pride clash, he will be looking to produce a similar kind of in-

nings against the Guyana Jaguars.

“I will look to do a similar kind of job in the next match and the others to come.

We are confident, and this win will give us a big boost,” he declared.

Jaguars captain Leon Johnson has said the Jaguars

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

have to take each game as it comes; and this match against the Leeward Islands will pose a different challenge, as it will be about execution on the day.

Shimron Hetmyer scored 80 in the first match, but departed with more than 20 overs remaining in the innings. Romario Shepherd’s 5 8 a n d

Assad Fudadin

Chandrapaul Hemraj’s 35 were other notable contributions from the Jaguars’ batsmen, who had lost their way in that encounter.

Without doubt, the Jaguars’ bowling unit looks formidable with the spin trio of Kevin Sinclair, Gudakesh Motie and Chandrapaul Hemraj. Important to note in this Hurricanes-Jaguars clash is that Guyanese native Ashmead Nedd is representing the Hurricanes.

Two Hurricanes batsmen have

leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr has been expensive, and will be aiming to come good in this encounter.

Shimron Hetmyer and his team mates will be aiming to score triple figures, a n d produce a complete batting performance t h a t was

scored centuries in this tournament - Canadian Nitesh Kumar and young Keacy Carty.

Paceman Quinton Boatswain picked up eight wickets in the two matches, while West Indies Chandrapaul Hemraj

lacking in their opening match.

Hurricanes squad reads: Devon Thomas (captain), Montcin Hodge (v/captain), Amir Jangoo, (wk), Ross Powell, Kieran Powell, Keacy Carty, Nitish Kumar, Hayden Walsh Jr, Jeremiah Louis, Sheno Berrige, Quinton Boatswain, Colin Archibald, Nino Henry, Ashmead Nedd and Terrance Ward.

Jaguars squad reads: Leon Johnson (captain), Shimron Hetmyer (vice-captain), Assad Fudadin, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Kemol Savory, Christopher

Barnwell, Keon Joseph, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Ramaal Lewis, Nial Smith, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Akshaya Persaud and Tevin Imlach. (Brandon Corlette)

Athletics back on Copa Airlines rewarding a Hole-in-One for Valentine's track on Sunday! C W

ith the requisite permission finally in hand, the Athletics Association of Guyana will - this Sunday, February 14 - host their first meet of the year at the Track and Field Facility at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

The AAG were supposed to get a move on last weekend, but the lack of timely response from the National COVID-19 Task Force had hindered their plans.

Now President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson, is expecting lots of excitement from the nation’s speedsters as they begin a busy year.

“Well, I honestly expect great competition. A lot of our athletes have been training for a long time.

And like what’s happening around the world, people are opening back to competition in a secure way. We, too, plan to do the same,” Hutson told <<Guyana Times Sport>> during a telephone interview on Thursday afternoon.

In that discussion, he revealed, “You know, sanitisation is our key, key issue here to deal with, especially (in regard to) the long and triple jumps.”

The AAG has strict plans in place for the meet, in keeping with the COVID-19 Guidelines set out by the Task Force.

“We plan, every time an athlete lands in that pit, to actually spray it out before a next athlete goes into it.

We're gonna do the temperature checking of every athlete as they come into the venue. (As a) matter of fact, every person that will come into the venue, whether athlete, official or coach,” Hutson explained.

Further, he disclosed

AAG President Aubrey Hutson

that the Association is looking to conduct a livestream of the event to appease athletics fans who would not be allowed in the Leonora Track and Field Facility.

“We're putting plans in place (in regard to) this live stream, and so we are asking, kindly, that the fans stay away; you will not be permitted to come in,” he explained.

Hutson is confident that the athletes will put out great performances in both the track and field events.

One event that he has a close eye on is the 100M sprint, which is first up on the schedule.

“We expect great performances. You know, the 100 metres looks like it is going to be exciting. A lot of the athletes looking to check to see where they are in terms of performances, so they could know what they can do with limited time left between now and July for the Olympics,” Hutson noted.

The AAG President added, “So this first developmental meet is the start of great things that we expect from Guyanese athletes this year.”

The athletics action is slated to begin at 10am sharp. (Jemima Holmes)

opa Airlines have set the bar high by setting their first prize as a chance to win a Roundtrip ticket to any destination they fly during their HOLE-inONE golf competition which starts on Friday.

Interested golfers, or even the ordinary man, would be tasked with visiting the Nexgen Golf Academy on Woolford Avenue (Scouts Association Ground) from 4-7 pm Friday to Sunday, and hit a ball into the hole in one shot in order to fly away on their dream trip with one of the world's largest airlines.

Copa Airlines, The Guyana Golf Association, and Nexgen Golf Academy will also bring the Hole in One contest to Berbice, Linden, Essequibo and Leonora as a part of the grand promotion of the game.

Anyone can participate,

with the competition being divided into four categories: women, children, beginners’ men and experienced golfers.

Additionally, for the entire month of February, patrons can get a free shot at winning a ticket (one try per person). The sponsors will provide everyone with access to equipment and balls to take part in the contest, and even provide a lesson for anyone who wants to try.

This is the first of many activities planned by Copa Airlines and the Guyana Golf Association to bring golf to every school and re-

gion across the country in their stated goal of making the sport, a fully COVID-19 compliant activity and a household game.

With multiple innovative 3-hole courses planned for various regions, more and more exciting events will be held, and GGA President Aleem Hussain feels confident that golf will become a major sport that would rival cricket and football in a very short time.

"Guyanese youths have incredible talent, and only lack facilities and opportunities to play golf; something that we are focusing on providing. The Ministry of Education has done something amazing, opened up

the sport to children, a programme now being copied by other countries."

Hussain has pointed out that Melissa DowRichardson, former Assistant Director of Sports, Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture, in 2019 highlighted the fact that golf was on the CXC/ CAPE syllabus. that jumpstarted the creation of a programme which was fully realised over the past few months by the Allied Arts Unit, CEO of the Secondary Schools, and Minister of Education.

With teaching programmes currently underway in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10, and a national rollout scheduled for August, it's only a matter of time before every household would have a golf player and all Guyanese will have access to a sport that was previously only seen on television.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021

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

Pg 23

Page 23

Batting in focus as Guyana, Athletics back on Leewards clash today track on Sunday!

WI v Bangladesh: Day 1, Test 2 Pg 22

Windies fight back on a slow day – Bonner stars with 74*

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