Guyana Times - Friday January 15, 2021

P15

First Lady pushes for investors to demonstrate corporate social responsibility Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4529

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

Govt to construct 1000 houses in Linden – President Ali tells stakeholders ...says ... says jobs will be created to increase disposable income Page 3

...hints ... hints at training for Region 10 youths in hospitality sector

3 charged for Henry cousins’ murders, to make court appearance today

One of the three suspects: Vinod Gopaul

Page 7

Joel Henry

Isaiah Henry

— murders stemmed from destroyed ganja farm — suspects lead Police to prime murder scene

Trapped woman perishes in Little Diamond fire Page 9

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: Guyana-Venezuela border controversy case

ICJ to P5 hold case management session today

P12 49 new COVID-19 cases recorded from 455 samples

Market vendor terrorised, robbed by P8 armed bandits

GNBS destroys over 4000 lowquality electric switches P13 Linden man arraigned P10 for Mabura multimilliondollar robbery — slapped with other robbery charges

2 years' jail for farmer busted with 2 lbs ganja P14

— neighbours say “fire was too much” to rescue her

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, January 15 – 04:30h-06:00h and Saturday, January 16 – 04:30h-06:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, January 15 – 05:50h-07:20h and Saturday, January 16 – 06:25h-07:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny conditions in the early-morning hours should be followed by light to heavy rain, which will prevail into the night, with instances of thunder Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to Easterly 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

between

High Tide: 05:56h and 18:09h reaching maximum heights of 2.52 metres and 2.64 metres.

Low Tide: 11:42h reaching a minimum height of 0.69 metre.

Govt to construct 1000 houses in Linden – President Ali tells stakeholders

...says jobs will be created to increase disposable income ...hints at training for Region 10 youths in hospitality sector

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resident Irfaan Ali on Thursday announced the construction of 1000 houses in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The Head of State made the announcement during a stakeholder consultation with members of Cabinet at Watooka Complex in the mining town.

President Ali, who was accompanied by a number of Government Ministers and State Agency representatives, met with a number of groups and organisations to listen to and address various issues surrounding mining, youth development, logging,

President Irfaan Ali and members of his Cabinet during an engagement with youths in Linden

development of the family.

Housing is a critical component in the development of communities”, Ali said.

Job creating

President Ali addressing stakeholders in Linden on Thursday

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021

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COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

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farming and housing, among other areas.

The President, in his address, told residents that Government is working along with the Private Sector and the financial institutions to soon make the 1000 homes project a reality.

“One of the projects which we’re going to embark on very shortly with the Private Sector is the construction of a thousand homes in Linden… and we’re looking as far as possible to get the materials from Linden itself, to get you engaged. So, if you have the lumber yards and the sawmills and the block makers and so on…the Minister of Housing and his team will be coming to engage the young people, women, to see how we can bring people together as a group. If you have masons, if you have carpenters… If you don’t have the capacity, we will try very quickly to train persons also, bring in the technical people, and engage you in the construction of these homes.

That is something that we are working on with the bank and with the Private Sector to commence very shortly here in this Region”, President Ali disclosed.

In response to the issues of squatting and inaccessibility of land, which were outlined as issues plaguing the community by Regional Chairman Deron Adams, the President assured that Government would place focus on the housing sector, to meet the needs of the people.

He also outlined plans

to increase the access to land as well as to transform these into assets to raise community value. This, the President noted, will in turn bring economic wealth to the people of the Region.

“The Regional Chairman rightfully pointed out how important housing is. Housing is a critical component in the

President Ali also indicated that creating employment is critical to the region, and as such, the Government will work to create jobs and to increase disposable incomes.

Ali further stated that Government will ensure that the call centre becomes operationalised and also to work with the telecommunication sector to improve bandwidth in Linden.

In addition, he noted that the Agriculture Ministry will engage farmers to develop a master plan to increase productivity. On this note, he related that the Private Sector has a critical role to play to develop and advance the lives of citizens, as he assured that Government is a friend in development.

“My Government has made it very clear that our only intention is to serve the people of this country, and serve all the people of this country…the people of Region 10 can rest assured that you have a President and a Cabinet and a Government who are ready to fulfill their mandate and commitment in uplifting your lives and making your lives better…,” the Head of State pointed out.

President Ali and his team also met with youths across Region 10, to whom he outlined plans to launch a program for 20,000 online scholarships to assist young people all across the country.

Training for youths

He also spoke of creating an initiative for youths to be trained in the hospitality sector, while noting that there is need to start training for future needs of the country.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 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

Rebuilding confidence in GECOM

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ith Local Government Elections being constitutionally due this new year, and the hearing of the election petitions pending, the focus will continue to be on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for quite a long time to come.

It is no secret the general view is that public trust in the GECOM Secretariat has been eroded significantly following the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, hence there should not even be any question regarding the need for the entire Secretariat to be fixed before it engages in any activity in relation to holding an election; whether it is house-to-house registration, updating the National Register of Registrants’ Database etc.

The President himself – being the candidate who was forced to wait five months before he was declared the winner of the March 2 polls, even though it was clear that his party had won – has stated firmly that GECOM cannot undertake another election without first fixing the system itself, which must deliver those elections to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.

However, the Opposition APNU/AFC coalition is pushing to have the elections held with the current lot of officials at GECOM, whom we understand are still on the job although they are currently before the courts facing electoral fraud charges.

The APNU/AFC coalition has already irresponsibly called on the Government to hold the Local Government Elections in 2021, and promised to increase pressure on the Government to ensure this is done; but, at the same time, that coalition is completely ignoring the widely held view that there is a lack of trust in the Secretariat to run off the elections.

While we acknowledge the need to ensure Local Government Elections are held to allow citizens to choose their local representatives, no right-thinking person would agree to participate in elections with the current crop of leaders at the Secretariat.

Further, like many stakeholders, we believe there is need for electoral and constitutional reforms to avoid “brinkmanship” and a recurrence of the high level of political crisis that gripped the country from March to August of this year.

However, we support the view that such a process must be driven through consultation, with citizens getting an opportunity to have a say in the changes they would like to see implemented.

The time has come for all stakeholders to seriously commence talks regarding reforming GECOM, meaning its entire operational structure, starting with the manner in which the Chairman and Commissioners are appointed and the way the Secretariat functions.

It is clear that a major stakeholder, the Government, has lost confidence in the current CEO and other senior staff of the organisation. Some have expressed the view that those persons have no role to play in the Secretariat due to their conduct in the recent elections.

As an independent constitutional body, GECOM enjoys financial, functional and operational autonomy; and, like every agency which is financed with public funds, must be held accountable for its actions.

The President was very much on point when he had outlined that, as a country, Guyana must put the necessary safeguards in place at the Secretariat, since “that is the system that would give you the end product”.

He had highlighted that while the composition of the GECOM Commission is one issue that would have to be addressed, what occurred post-March 2 polls goes beyond the Commission, as the electoral machinery itself was compromised. It was on this basis that the Government announced that it would take steps to have an international Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the events that occurred during and after the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

Because of the nature of the work it does, due to its constitutional mandate, GECOM must always strive to build public trust. Its officers must be seen as credible and working on behalf of the nation in every respect. In essence, every stakeholder in the country must have confidence in the organisation’s ability to carry out its mandate in a manner that could withstand public scrutiny. GECOM must be fixed.

First Lady of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, HE Arya Ali, on Thursday met with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Peter Ramsaroop, to discuss areas for future collaboration. In this photo, the First Lady shows Ramsaroop an artist’s impression of one aspect of her National Beautification Project, which is currently being undertaken

Guyana needs to be wary of so-called foreign experts pronouncing on its economic affairs Dear Editor, Guyana needs to be wary of the many so-called foreign experts who are seeking to dominate the local press and pronounce on Guyana’s economic affairs. To this end, particular reference is made to the commentaries of Tom Sanzillo, Director of Financial Analysis at the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), and Gerard Kreeft, another socalled energy transition advisor.

Tom Sanzillo sought to argue - without any facts or any real analysis – that the gas-to-shore project is a recipe for bankruptcy. His analysis was carried widely in the Kaieteur News on several occasions, to the extent that other so-called experts are relying on this flawed and disingenuous work of the IEEFA, which is being propagated widely in Guyana.

Gerard Kreeft recently made such reference, and also sought to argue that Guyana’s promised billions is an illusion.

Both experts are completely out of their depth, because there is no illusion in regard to Guyana’s oil deal. The reality is such that Guyana has a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with Exxon, of which Guyana’s take is 50% profit share and 2% royalty. So, there is no illusion; the contract and profit share are real.

As far as Tom Sanzillo is concerned, I have recently challenged his work at the IEEFA, offering a detailed

response in which my counter analysis concluded that Tom Sanzillo and the IEEFA seem to lack the capacity to conduct any credibly sound and robust analysis on the Guyana case study, and any sort of reasonable comprehension of the ‘country context’ from the many different dimensions – some of which were alluded to herein. Palpably, there are many variables omitted and/or ignored from the analyses with respect to Guyana’s macroeconomic framework, the development trajectory, the political economy, investors’ confidence, and Guyana’s capability on these fronts.

The analyses by the institute, therefore, are undoubtedly weak and are not cogent.

This response was carried in parts in my weekly column, “Economy & Finance”, in <<Guyana Times>> on Sunday January 3, 2021 and Sunday January, 10, 2021; the third part will be carried on Sunday January 17, 2021. The full response was also emailed directly to the IEEFA for Tom’s attention.

For those who are interested in reading my detailed analyses in response to the IEEFA’s report on Guyana, the report can be accessed on my website at https://jbconsultancy.info/ compilation-of-jbs-full-response-to-tom-sanzillo-director-of-financial-analysis-atieefa-on-guyanas-oil-gas-sector-open-debates-parts-12-3/.

The local press further referenced Gerard Kreeft’s work, in which he published an article in the

Africa Oil+Gas report titled “Whisky Galore: Developing an Energy Roadmap for Guyana”, in November, 2020. In his article, Gerard ignored some important contexts. If one were to examine his piece, one would quickly observe that though the article was titled “Developing an Energy Roadmap for Guyana”, the article in no way speaks to a road map; rather, it was heavily critical of ExxonMobil, chronicling some of the challenges the company experienced, which resulted in its poor financial performance. By doing so, Gerard went on to argue that Guyana is ExxonMobil’s cash cow as a result of the company’s declining financial performance over the years.

It should be mentioned that nothing is wrong with Guyana being the cash cow for ExxonMobil.

Gerard did not explain to his readers, though, that the global oil industry is one that is heavily capital intensive, and, by its very nature, is an extremely risky business. For example, imagine you are an investor who invested over US$500 million in exploration cost only to find zero crude. That is US$500 million that has to go down as sunk cost. Not only is the nature of the oil industry business one that is highly risky, but this is compounded by high regulatory costs in other countries whose industries are heavily regulated, and of course risks of oil spills, which are also very costly to oil companies. ExxonMobil, unfortunately, has not been spared

the manifestations of such risks over the years, and has borne the costs that come with it. One must understand that these are factors that are beyond the control of ExxonMobil, coupled with the demand and supply dynamics that impact oil price volatility as well.

In his ramblings, Gerard seems to favour ‘Total’ over ExxonMobil because of its perceived greener business model over Exxon. This is where Gerard has erred fundamentally, by ignoring context altogether. As a Guyanese people, we must be reminded that oil exploration activities have been conducted for more than two decades by various companies, and they were all unsuccessful explorations.

ExxonMobil, on the other hand, was determined to not give up on Guyana, and with persistence, it secured the 1999 contract, and 16 years after, it struck oil in commercial quantities. Had it not been for ExxonMobil, Guyana would not have been an oil producing country today.

It is ExxonMobil’s shareholders who took on the risks and invested their funds. One has to ask: How many investors are prepared to invest billions of U.S dollars - not knowing whether there is oil there or not – and to collect dividends from that investment 20 years after, from the time of exploration to drilling and extraction of the crude, before it can be sold. Then, another three to four years to recover the initial investment.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy case

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News

ICJ to hold case management session today T he International Court of Justice (ICJ) will host a case management session today to set the tone to hear the border controversy case between Guyana and Venezuela.

During this hearing, the World Court, which is located at The Hague, Netherlands, is expected to decide on the time to be allocated for the different elements of the hearing – presentation by the two sides and responses, then deliberation by the judges.

Guyana’s Agent in the matter, Carl Greenidge, had stated that none of these elements could take a year each, and if Venezuela continues to abstain from participation, at least two elements would be suppressed.

As such, Greenidge noted that he does not think the second leg of the ICJ hearing should take more than two to three and a half years.

“The average time between the lodging of the complaint and the decision by the Court was 4.9 years.

As might be expected, the actual time taken is a function

of the complexity of the case, and of course whether or not it is contested. Guyana’s application was filed on March 29, 2018. On the foregoing basis alone, there is no reason to expect another decade of deliberations or pleadings. It is true that some cases have taken as long as nine years to be completed.

However, Guyana is not at

cision that it has jurisdiction to entertain the application filed by Guyana concerning the Arbitral Award of 1899, which sets out the boundary between Guyana and its neighbour, Venezuela.

On June 30, 2020, the ICJ, which has its headquarters in the Netherlands, heard oral arguments via video conference from

The International Court of Justice

the commencement of the process, we are already two and a half years into it,” Greenidge, a former Foreign Affairs Minister, had stated.

On December 18, the ICJ ruled in a 12-4 majority de-

Guyana’s legal team headed by Sir Shridath Ramphal on the question of its jurisdiction to adjudicate in the matter.

The case is premised on a border controversy between

Guyana and Venezuela in which the Spanish-speaking country has laid claim to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass in the Essequibo region, and a portion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in which more than eight billion barrels of oil have been discovered.

After a failed Good Offices process between the two neighbouring countries, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres in 2018 referred the border controversy matter to be resolved by the World Court.

Two months later, Guyana filed a case seeking a final and binding judgment that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties, and legal affirmation that Guyana’s Essequibo region, which contains much of Guyana’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

However, the Government of Venezuela has claimed, in a letter dated June 2018 to the World Court, that the UNSG exceeded his authority under

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

the 1966 Geneva Agreement when he referred the case to the ICJ, and therefore the court lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the matter. On this basis, Venezuela has indicated that it will not participate in the proceedings.

But ICJ President, Judge Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, explained in the ruling almost two weeks ago that both Guyana and Venezuela have consented to judicial settling when it signed the Geneva Agreement, since the judicial process via the ICJ is one of the means

available to the SecretaryGeneral in determining the controversy.

With a date for the case management hearing set, the World Court is now preparing to hear Guyana’s substantive application.

Greenidge had previously stated that Guyana’s legal team for the Border Controversy case, which is led by Sir Shridath Ramphal and includes several local and international professionals, had started strategising since before the December 18 ruling, and is in a state of readiness for when the matter is called up.

Meanwhile, Sir Shridath, one of Guyana’s two coagents, is responsible for coordinating the inputs of the legal counsel and advocates.

In addition to being internationally renowned as a negotiator, he brings unique first-hand experience of the specific technicalities, policies and events surrounding negotiation of the Geneva Agreement and the deliberations of the related Mixed Commission which are so central to the Court case.

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Guyana needs to be wary of so-called foreign experts...

Further to note, owing to the now burgeoning oil and gas sector, Guyana’s average Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) annually pre oil was US$260 million. Post oil production in 2019, FDIs amounted to US$1.7 billion, which is an increase of US$1.4 billion or 536% from what Guyana’s normal average level of FDIs was before becoming an oil producing country. So, these are some of the important contexts that one must not ignore and one must not forget.

Gerard also erred with regards to the Production Sharing Model and how the investment is treated in terms of recovery. Like Tom

Sanzillo, Gerard has it wrong – that is, the Government will owe ExxonMobil US$20 billion by 2025. The Government of Guyana will not owe Exxon a single cent.

The Government did not invest a single cent in the resource development. It is Exxon shareholders’ monies that were invested and continue to be invested, of which the costs will be recovered from the sale of crude, and the Government gets a profit share plus royalty.

Editor, in a subsequent letter I will address the issue of what might be the modus operandi of the IEEFA and self-made experts like Gerard Kreeft, as I have al-

ready exhausted the word limit in this missive.

Gerard Kreeft’s article can be accessed here: https://africaoilgasreport.com/2020/11/ in-the-news/whisky-ga-

lore-developing-an-energy-roadmap-for-guyana/.

I will end by saying that up to the point of writing, a local media house has been trying to engage Tom Sanzillo to a public one-on-

one debate on the issues his Institute wrote about and my detailed response to him.

I am still awaiting Tom’s confirmation. In my subsequent letter, we will find out why Tom and Gerard are

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unlikely to accept such challenge.

Yours faithfully, JC Bhagwandin Principal Consultant/ Financial Analyst

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Foundation ◄

1) a) Friday b) Monday

c) 10 more hot dogs were sold on Sunday than Monday.

2)

FOR CHILDREN

b) The range of the data = 34 – 0 = 34 c) 12 8)

a) December b) 108.3 tickets were sold per month c) September

3) a)

b)

4)

Æsop’s Fables

a) b) c)

Grades of 65% in English and 51% in Maths coincide with the most hours of TV watched Grades of 95% in English and 90% in Maths coincide with the least amount of TV watched Flour products More students prefer cereal By 7 percent

5)

The Guyana Police Force has recorded several accidents over the last eight days: 1, 4, 5, 4, 12, 4, 8, 9, with each number representing a daily total. a) 5.875 b) 4 c) 4.5

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6) John’s Teammates Basketball Scores Stems

Leaves

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0 2 5 6 7 8 9

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0 1 2 2 7 8 9

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0 3 3 6 9

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9)

7) a)

he North Wind and the Sun had a quarrel about which of them was the stronger. While they were disputing with much heat and bluster, a traveller passed along the road wrapped in a cloak.

“Let us agree,” said the Sun, “that he is the stronger who can strip that traveller of his cloak.”

“Very well,” growled the North Wind, and at once sent a cold, howling blast against the traveller.

With the first gust of wind the ends of the cloak whipped about the traveller’s body. But he immediately wrapped it closely around him, and the harder the Wind blew, the tighter he held it to him. The North Wind tore angrily at the cloak, but all his efforts were in vain.

Then the Sun began to shine. At first his beams were gentle, and in the pleasant warmth after the bitter cold of the North Wind, the traveller unfastened his cloak and let it hang loosely from his shoulders. The Sun’s rays grew warmer and warmer. The man took off his cap and mopped his brow. At last he became so heated that he pulled off his cloak, and, to escape the blazing sunshine, threw himself down in the welcome shade of a tree by the roadside.

WORD SEARCH 10) a) 9/17 b) 16/17

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 charged for Henry cousins’ murders, to make court appearance today

– murders stemmed from destroyed ganja farm – suspects lead police to prime murder scene

Isaiah Henry

Joel Henry

fter months of intense investigations, the Guyana Police Force on Thursday received legal advice to charge three suspects who are currently in custody for the gruesome murders of cousins, 16-year-old Isaiah Henry and 19-year-old Joel Henry.

On September 6, 2020 the mutilated bodies of Isaiah and Joel Henry were found in the backlands of Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice – almost two days after they had left their Number Three Village, WCB home to pick coconuts in the backlands, but never returned home. Their butchered bodies were found in clumps of bushes partially covered in mud, after relatives went in search of them.

On Thursday, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) advised investigators to charge 19-year-old Akash Singh, called “Monkey,” of Zeelugt,

East Bank Essequibo (EBE); his stepbrother, 33-yearold Anil Sancharra, called “Dan pole” and “Rasta,” of D’ Edward Village, WCB; and 34-year-old Vinod Gopaul, called “Magga,” of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice.

These suspects are expected to be arraigned this morning at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for the heinous crime which took place between September 5 and 6, 2020.

Legal advice was sought after ranks from the GPF’s Major Crimes Unit had secured a video confession from Singh regarding the murders of the Henry cousins.

Guyana Times understands that Singh was arrested on Sunday last after Police received information.

The others were then taken into custody the following day. This newspaper understands that, upon seeing the Police, Gopaul attempt-

A

ed to escape but was eventually apprehended.

Both he and Sancharra have remained silent, Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Wendell Blanhum, told reporters on Thursday evening.

The Crime Chief had facilitated a group of reporters to view Singh’s confession video, given the sensitivity of the issue. Guyana Times had reported on Thursday that the Police have secured a confession, but persons, including some relatives of the murdered teenage boys, are skeptical about the arrests. In fact, one relative, while speaking to this newspaper, had questioned the connection between the suspects who live in Essequibo and the other who lives on the Corentyne.

However, in addition to the video confession from Singh, the Police also obtained statements from two separate persons, including a relative to whom he had confessed to killing the “two boys” on separate occasions.

In the hour-long confession video, Singh told the Police that he had accompanied Anil and “Magga” to the West Coast Berbice backlands sometime in August to cultivate cannabis. He said Anil and Magga had obtained the ganja from someone.

They then left the area and returned in September, but when they arrived at the farm, it was destroyed along with a makeshift camp and food items they had left behind. Singh told the Police that everything

Govt to construct 1000...

On this note, the President encouraged youths to work on projects that will benefit them, their communities and to an extent the country.

Meanwhile, Ali is keen on getting the local stakeholders involved in construction of the 1000 homes project. He noted that the labour and material must be sourced from the region.

This, he said, would have a more lasting impact in the community’s development.

The President also promised to encourage Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr to visit and interact with every youth group in Linden, as he made calls for constructive thinking and for youths to be integrated into the vision of the country.

He urged youths to ensure that they work on strong local content, build

a master plan, and to think outside of the box. “If you have a product, we can help you to market it”, he said.

Youths also voiced concerns on a number of issues affecting them, and were given opportunity to present solutions.

Multi-purpose facility

Additionally, Minister Ramson, in relating his vision for culture, youth and sport, announced that there will be major expansion for the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground within the next 5 years, as well as construction of a multi-purpose facility.

Ramson said the ICT sector would expand over the next few years. He said training, entrepreneurship and education are important components of youth development. The team

FROM PAGE 3

also met with members of the region’s agriculture sector, members of religious organisations, members of the Private Sector, and doctors.

Residents also got an opportunity to consult with the President and Cabinet members on issues affecting them.

This was the President’s third outreach since taking office last August. While similar exercises were hosted in Region 6 and Region 2, President Ali said Region 10 is the first region where the entire Cabinet was deployed. The President noted that there will be more consultations in the coming week, as various Ministers will visit communities in the region over the next 10 days to listen to, and address, issues and concern to residents.

was sprayed with gramoxone – a chemical herbicide.

According to Singh, Magga and Anil started to use indecent language and decided to go to the individual they had collected the ganja plants from. But on the way, they met the man’s workers who said their ganja was destroyed and weeds stolen, and started to assault them.

However, the three suspects related that their farm was also damaged, and took them there to prove it.

Singh said that they were then taken to the man who had given them the ganja plants, and while there, both Magga and Anil declared that they will “chop up” whoever destroyed their crop.

At that point, Singh said, the man told them that two “wicked black boys” does go in the backdam and destroy their “things”, and eat out their foods.

The suspect said that they spent the night there, and the following morning, when they woke up, he again heard the other two suspects scheming about what they will do to whomever destroyed the ganja farm.

He said some time after, while he was in the camp, he heard Magga and Anil’s voices. There were other voices as well, and as such, he went to check who they were speaking with.

Singh told investigators that he saw Magga and Anil with two boys, and gave descriptions matching the Henry cousins. He said the four of them were smoking weed and communicating when Magga raised the issue about the damaged weed. It was at that time that the “two boys” looked at each other and started to laugh.

According to Singh, Magga then said to them that “I talking about my things being destroy and “y’all laughing, y’all gon feel pain”.

Singh said at that point the “tall one” get up and Magga dealt him a chop to the neck with a cutlass and he started to bleed. The suspect added that Anil then chop the second boy to his neck also. He related that the two men kept firing chops about the bodies of the two young boys.

Singh said the boys’ bodies started “trembling” and then Anil and Magga turned to him to say that if he (Singh) does not join them, they will also kill him.

Singh related that he

Vinod Gopaul

took a cutlass and started chopping at the two teens, and he marked an ‘X’ on the forehead of one of the boys while Anil did the same to the other boy.

He then told the Police that Anil and Magga left the camp with the bodies on a horseback, while he stayed back at the camp.

This is consistent with initial Police findings that the area where the bodies of the teenage bodies were found was not the prime crime scene, but they were merely dumped there.

After his confession, Singh took investigators to the camp, and he pointed out where the murders took place.

According to the Crime Chief, only someone who is familiar with the area could have found the camp.

In the meantime, investigators are working aggressively to tie up the loose ends to ascertain the veracity of Singh’s confession.

Meanwhile, the Police say Gopaul, called Magga, is a known character with criminal background dating back to his teenage years.

He was first taken into prison at the age of 14 back in 2004, when he was accused of murdering his father, whom he reportedly shot dead.

Then in August 2007, Gopaul was among 18 prisoners who escaped from the New Amsterdam Prison. He was recaptured not long after in East Bank Berbice, but escaped a second time in June 2011. He was 19 at the time, and was among

four prisoners who fled the New Amsterdam Prison.

He was rearrested during a Police dragnet.

The cops had raided his home, and after seeing the Police, he made an attempt to escape by fleeing into the backlands, but ended up running into the Police dragnet.

More recently, however, Gopaul was sentenced to 18 months in his absence. He was then arrested in May 2019 during a cordon-andsearch exercise, and at the time had 15 grams of cannabis in his possession. He was also wanted for questioning in a narcotics’ trafficking matter.

Additionally, Gopaul was also wanted for questioning in relation to several matters of robbery under arms.

The murders of the Henry cousins had sparked protests across several villages along the West Coast Berbice corridor, where commuters were beaten and robbed. With roads blocked, some vehicles were also torched.

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

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

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Market vendor terrorised, robbed by armed bandits

P

olice are on the hunt for four men in connection with the armed robbery committed on a Bourda Market vendor on Thursday.

According to information received, 45-year-old Hazrat of Ruby Back, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was at his stall along Alexander Street when the incident unfolded about 03:30h.

The four men reportedly approached him on pedal cycles; one of them was armed with a handgun and the others brandished knives. Hazrat related that the gunman pointed the gun at him and instructed him to remain quiet.

They reportedly demanded money, but the victim resisted and was assaulted by the men.

He sustained injuries to his

A section of the Bourda Market

face and other parts of his body.

Fearful for his life, the vendor handed over $40,000 in cash and one mobile phone.

After committing the robbery, the men made good their escape on their cycles.

After the men left, the victim reportedly contacted the Police and reported the robbery. When law enforcement

responded, checks were made around the area but there were no signs of the suspects.

Investigations are continuing.

Marketplaces have emerged as a common target for robbers, given the high level of trade and lack of security or surveillance.

At the ending of 2020, vendors who trade around the

Stabroek Market area had voiced concerns about the increase in robberies there.

According to them, this has had an impact on sales in the area, and persons were now diverting their patronage owing to the criminal element.

Regional Commander Simon McBean had also informed that Police were recording a decrease in robbery reports in the area. However, he said this might have been so, as a result of robberies not being reported.

Since for years the Stabroek Market area has been known for robberies, he said Police have deployed six foot patrols and five bicycle patrols in the area, that is in conjunction with their motorcycle and vehicle patrols.

Lessons...

W

...from the impeachment e’ve always been told that the US and UK were our exemplars of democracy. It would therefore be remiss of your Eyewitness if he didn’t try to glean some lessons from what went down in Washington DC last week. The first lesson was really old lesson…but, somehow, we’d been persuaded over the years that the US had moved beyond its import.

The lesson was delivered by James Madison, one of the founders of the American Republic, and one of its early presidents. He said, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”

The point he was making is that (unfortunately) men are inherently warped - whether in their minds or their morals. And once we hand over power to them, they’ll always be tempted to succumb to their baser inclinations.

That’s just the way the cookie crumbles: the fault lies not in our stars, but in our very nature. So, as Madison advises, we must ensure we have mechanisms in place to make sure our elected representatives - from the President to the rat catcher - follow the straight and narrow. The latter, of course, is what the Constitution spells out, and demands there be institutions to enforce them.

Everything we saw up north we’ve seen in spades here in Guyana. We don’t have to regurgitate the sordid history of the PNC’s rape of democracy since 1964, do we?

And it gets worse whenever they’re out of office, when they actually went on a full out assault using riots and armed gangsters! When Trump defined us less developed countries as “shithole” countries, he knew of what he spoke because, as we say, “It takes one to know one”!!

But we can turn the tables on such stereotyping only if we now ensure that the reflexive incendiary actions of the PNC against democracy are dealt with firmly and condignly. We again call for Granger and Harmon to be brought to justice for their political incitement of the West Berbice riots that led to hundreds being assaulted, robbed, harassed, molested etc. They stoked the cultural, social and political anxieties of thousands of their constituency by asserting - WITH ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE - that they and their party were the victims of electoral fraud, and the killings were politically motivated.

We have to curb their baser instincts that has done so much damage to our democracy.

Jail them! …on political crimes Continuing with the fallout from the insurrection in Washington, it should be instructive to our local law enforcement as to how their counterparts over there are dealing with the matter. First of all, the entire Capitol is now being treated as a crime scene, and the videos of Trump’s address to his supporters has been deconstructed to show exactly how he encouraged the attack. What have the Police done with Granger and Harmon’s address at No 3 Village? Has he been questioned as to why he concluded the murders were politically motivated?

Incitement to violence is a crime.

Secondly, background investigations have revealed that the entire invasion of Capitol Hill was planned.

Have our Police investigated the role that Reg 5 PNC activists (and a lawyer) played in provoking the “protests” immediately after the bodies were discovered? All posts, tweets and live streaming of the invasion are being analyzed to identify who did what to whom in the frenzied melee. Folks all across America are being arrested.

And in Guyana? …on Police work Lest it be thought your Eyewitness isn’t appreciative of our Police, let him offer a hat tip to them for cracking the case of the millennium - the murders of the Henry cousins.

Now, onto Harish’s murder.

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

9 Trapped woman perishes in Little Diamond fire NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– neighbours say “fire was too much” to rescue her

A

Dead: Krystle Chung

young woman was burnt to death on Thursday after she was trapped in her bedroom while her Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara house was ravaged by an early morning fire.

The dead woman has been identified as 26-year-old Krystle Chung of Lot 8 Little Diamond Public Road, EBD. The fire reportedly started at some time before 06:00h on the day in question. Based on reports received, the fire might have started in the now dead woman’s bedroom in the upper flat of the two-storey wooden and concrete structure.

“This morning, morning we heard a racket around something to six. So, my husband open the door and go out and then come say, ‘Aunty Molly house in fire.’

When I look out, I saw black smoke coming from the top at the roof, through the zinc, and then couple minutes after, we started seeing fire coming through the windows and the window glass started breaking and stuff,” Kishanti, a neighbour, told Guyana Times.

At the time, persons had already started to gather at the scene. This newspaper understands that the now

The destroyed house on the Little Diamond Public Road Chung’s distraught mother and sister being comforted by family members

dead woman; her parents, Ronald Chung and Camille Liladri, called “Molly”, and younger sister Ariane, were asleep in the top flat of the house, while a male tenant was in the bottom flat. The occupants were reportedly alerted by passersby who noticed smoke emanating from the building.

Another neighbour, Viola Patterson, related that she was not at home at the time of the fire, but was informed by a cousin, who was passing at the same time, about what transpired.

“They saw smoke and then they noticed a garbage truck stopped and the men ran inside the yard. That’s when they realised that a house was on fire and they hurriedly get to the scene.

They said the garbage collector… and he banged on the doors until he got the attention of the [father]. The man came down and the place was already filled with smoke, but he keep running up and down the steps. Only three of them came out… the old-

er daughter was trapped in the bedroom,” the woman related.

Patterson said that the family would usually lock the doors of their bedrooms and, “I don’t know if it was the smoke or fire, or what, trapped the door and it just wasn’t opening… So, she burnt to death.”

Guyana Times was told that the fire started at the front of the house, and it is suspected it either started in the young woman’s room, which was the first room on the right side of the house, or just outside her room.

Meanwhile, another neighbour, Navin, who had rushed to the family’s assistance, told reporters that their efforts to rescue the trapped woman proved futile.

“We couldn’t get to tek she out of there at all… We couldn’t get to do nothing.

The fire been too much. The fire like it start from she room, and we go to her assistance but we couldn’t get to do nothing,” he recalled.

According to the neigh-

Undertakers taking away the young woman’s charred remains

bour, even the Fire Service also “did their best”.

“Them come quick and them man do them job with whatever they coulda do, but the house get in flames too quick. Them fireman try them best, but they couldn’t do nothing,” the man related.

After fire fighters had managed to put out the blaze, the upper half of the 26-year-old woman’s burnt body was seen hanging from the front-right side of the house where the walls had collapsed. Chung’s charred remains were subsequently

removed by undertakers, as distraught family members along with others watched helplessly. The surviving family members only sustained minor burns about their bodies.

Investigations are being conducted to determine the cause of the fire. However, one neighbour recounted that Chung’s mother had said she woke up about 03:00h to use the washroom and the house was heated but nothing else was amiss, so she went back to bed.

This is the second fatal fire since the year started. Only last Thursday, a 90-year-old man, Rupert Mc Lean Williams, perished in an early morning fire in the Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD.

10 NEWS Linden man arraigned for Mabura multimillion-dollar robbery FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; slapped with other robbery charges

T

hirty-year-old Colis Jerrick, of Lot 21 Third Alley, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), was on Thursday charged for several robberies, including the one committed on a businesswoman and her husband at 47 Miles Mabura.

Jerrick made his appearance at the Linden Magistratesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Courts where he pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, and was granted bail in the sum of $220,000 by Magistrate Wanda Fortune.

The Police stated that on November 24, 2020, at 47 Miles Mabura, the defendant robbed Tessa and Leroy Couchman of $2 million and other articles.

It was further alleged that on November 23, 2019, at Wisroc, Linden, he robbed Oswin Skeete of $30,000.

Further, he was also charged for the robbery com-

Robbery accused: Colis Jerrick

mitted on Clifton Headley of a one Honda XR motorcycle valued $450,000, property of Darrell George. The cases have been adjourned to January 19, 2020.

It was reported that on November 24, 2020, the 49-year-old Couchman and her husband went about their business and when

they arrived home that evening, they were confronted by an armed man brandishing a firearm.

He demanded that the businesswoman hand over her belongings while his accomplice waited outside on a motorcycle.

The armed man discharged several rounds into the air as he relieved the woman of a bag containing $3.4 million, a quantity of raw gold valued $800,000, and a wedding band valued $80,000.

After committing the robbery, the men escaped on the motorcycle. The couple later discovered that their home had been ransacked and two smartphones, along with a GPS, were missing.

The matter was reported and based on information received, Police ranks went to a location in Mabura where they saw a parked black XR motorcycle without registration plates.

The items that were recovered from the suspect

As the Police ranks continued to search the area, a male was seen and he reportedly discharged several rounds at the ranks who attempted to apprehend him.

Nevertheless, he was cornered and caught. He was subsequently identified as a 30-year-old pork-knocker of Wismar, Linden.

A search of his person unearthed a black haversack containing $2.33 million, a digital scale, two cellphones, and one .38 Special Revolver

with five live rounds of ammunition.

Meanwhile, the black XR motorcycle found at the scene was identified as the one that was reported stolen by a 30-year-old plant operator of Buck Hill, Wismar Squatting Area a day prior to the robbery.

Motorcyclist injured after colliding with pick-up

A

motorcyclist was on Wednesday admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital following an accident along the Goed Fortuin Public Road, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

The injured man was later identified as 20-year-old Zebbelon Cadogan of Middle Street, Pouderoyen, WBD. Based on reports received, the cyclist was heading in the same direction and closely behind a motor pick-up driven by a 27-yearold male of Goed Fortuin.

However, the driver of the pick-up reportedly attempted to make a right

turn and in the process, the motorcyclist collided with the right-side front door of the vehicle.

Cadogan was reportedly knocked off his motorcycle and crashed into a parked motor car. He ended up in a nearby trench. The injured man was picked up in a conscious state and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, but he was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted.

The driver of the motor pick-up was detained and was currently assisting with the investigation.

NEWS

11

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Backlog at Appeal Court a “significant problem” – Attorney General country to a standstill in civil cases, and it caused persons in the criminal justice system to spend years and years in prison, incarcerated sometimes for offences they were later found not guilty of.”

Joined hands

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

T

he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government intends to confront the large delays and backlogs across the judicial system, especially at the Court of Appeal, where the situation, according to Attorney General Anil Nandlall, is a “significant problem.”

Nandlall made this disclosure during his weekly programme, “Issues in the News.”

For close to two decades, the Attorney General reminded, the backlog of cases has “characterised” the Judiciary. He noted that the delay has resulted in massive miscarriages of justice, and although the backlog has been cleared in the civil division of the High Court, there remains stagnation in the Criminal Assizes, the Court of Appeal, and the Magistrates’ Courts.

“But, in my view, the Court of Appeal remains a significant problem, and we have to work on getting that backlog reduced in the same way that we tackled the backlog in the High Court,” Nandlall asserted.

The previous backlog, he added, “virtually brought the wheels of justice in this

As the backlog grew, the judiciary needed to adopt ways of becoming more efficient.

Recognising this as far back as since 2006, Nandlall said, the previous PPP/C Government and the judiciary joined hands in a series of mechanisms, strategies and undertakings to tackle this issue head-on.

According to the Attorney General, immeasurable measures were implemented.

Among them he outlined were judges being paid separately and overtime to deal with the backlog of cases, more judges being appointed, mediation and conciliation being introduced, specialised courts being established, and a series of legislation being passed to introduce new measures designed to alleviate the backlog and to add speed to the sloth in the system.

There was also the promulgation of new rules of court, and the introduction of electronic equipment to record the testimonies of witnesses. “…having had discussions with the judiciary and the practising Bar, the backlog which burdened the High Court for so many years has now disappeared finally. We have succeeded in removing that backlog,” he noted.

Against this backdrop, he praised many judges, Chancellors of the Judiciary, Chief Justices, past Finance Ministers and Attorneys General who helped in making this a reality. He explained that the backlog was a national problem which fundamentally affected the judiciary.

But not only that, according to the Attorney General, “It caused a loss of confidence in investors, it caused economic stagnation, it caused grave financial loss to individuals, companies and the State.”

He said, “The cases that are now in the system are cases that are flowing and moving every day. Hopefully, we will not go back to that backlog, we have to continue to be innovative.”

With this problem out of the way, Nandlall disclosed, dedicated efforts are needed to address the backlog at the Court of Appeal. He noted that this is very important, as there is no backlog at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

“So, when a case finishes in the High Court, it takes a tremendously long time for the appeal to be heard at the appellate court level. Once it is heard at the appellate court level, then it moves on to the CCJ, where it is disposed of fairly quickly. The bottleneck is at the Court of Appeal, and once that drain is clogged, then the fact that the High Court is now freed up makes no sense, because you still have a clogging in the system coming from the Court of Appeal,” he explained.

The Attorney General said that the recent establishment of Container Courts will bring immeasurable speed to the system. The January 2021 Demerara Criminal Assizes is currently in progress. With a whopping 342 cases listed to be heard, with the majority concerning murder and sexual offences, only three judges have been rostered to sit.

For far too long, accused persons, especially those on remand for murder, have complained about the delays in the hearing of their preliminary inquiry trials.

Those convicted of murder

have also vented frustrations at having to wait five years or even more before their appeals are heard. This, they all contend, infringes on their constitutional right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time, as guaranteed under Article 144 of the Constitution of Guyana.

Shortage of judges

The findings of a recent United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report highlighted that backlog in cases that have been plaguing the criminal justice system for years is because there is, among other things, a shortage of judges.

The report noted that while there is no shortage of criminal attorneys-atlaw, there are only 14 of the expected 20 High Court Judges, and three of the expected five Court of Appeal Judges.

“If the present cadre of judges is not increased, then the issue of backlogs will not be addressed. It is recommended that further

options for increasing the human resource capacity, including for judicial legal research assistants, judges, prosecutors, and trained mediators, be explored,” the report stated.

Whilst the assignment of temporary judges has been used in the past in the Court of Appeal, this is not seen as a permanent solution, the report further noted.

Rafiq Khan, SC, and Dr Christopher Bulkan were the last two temporary judges to be appointed to the Court of Appeal. They were appointed to the post in January and February 2018 respectively.

President of the Guyana Bar Association, Attorneyat-Law Teni Housty, had previously told Guyana Times that the functions of the Court of Appeal were accelerated with the appointment of the two temporary judges.

No JSC

The life of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the constitutional body responsible for the

appointment of judges, except for the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice, expired in 2017.

Shortly after the PPP/C Government took office in August 2020, Nandlall announced that Government was working to swiftly reconvene the JSC, as there have been mounting calls for the appointment of more judges.

Nandlall had blazed the previous APNU/AFC Government, which he called out for deliberately failing to appoint key constitutional agencies, in particular the JSC. He said this demonstrated that the Coalition did not understand how a democratic society should function.

In a previous interview with this publication, Guyana Bar Association President Teni Housty underscored that the administration of justice is being hindered due to the absence of the JSC, and expressed hope that the body would be reconvened promptly.

12 NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man on trial for murdering 49 new COVID-19 cases recorded from 455 samples relative at Annandale

F

rom a total of 455 swab samples, 49 returned positive results for the novel coronavirus on Thursday.

The new statistics were provided in the Health Ministry’s dashboard and showed that there were now 6745 confirmed cases – 3462 males and 3283 females – with 170 deaths. The latest virus-related fatalities were confirmed on Monday, following the deaths of two men.

Four patients remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 54 in institutional isolation and 43 in institutional quarantine. There are also 449 persons in home isolation.

Some 6068 of those infected have recovered.

To date, Guyana has tested 42,782 individuals.

Of the new cases, one was confirmed in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 10 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 19 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), nine in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), six in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and three in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The cases in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remain constant at 978, 219 and 403 respectively.

On Thursday, Health

Minister, Dr Frank Anthony spoke of the ongoing efforts to reinforce the response to COVID-19 in regional hospitals, as the country continues to report new positive cases.

“In regional hospitals, we have given them additional equipment such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators, and other things that they would need, providing them with the right PPEs [Personal Protective Equipment] and so

forth. This is an effort to equip them so that if they have persons that need hospitalisation, they would be able to take care of those patients.”

Zeroing in on the higher number of deaths and cases among men, the Minister said it could be linked to the risks that they take instead of following the guidelines.

However, there is no study locally to determine what are other contributing factors.

“The challenge that you have: there is probably risk taking. We know generally that men sometimes don’t pay attention to the proper use of masks or sanitising and so forth. Maybe that can be a contributing factor. We haven’t done a study per se to determine what might be these factors, but generally we have seen men undertaking more risk-taking kind of behaviour,” Dr Anthony explained.

The United Kingdom has enforced a ban on travellers entering the country from South America and Portugal, due to a newly-identified strain of the virus in neighbouring Brazil. This is in effect from today, January 15.

The ban applies to individuals who travelled from or passed through Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela within the past 10 days.

New strains have already been detected in the UK and South Africa, and have spread as far as the United States.

For this, South and Central American countries such as Panama, Chile, Brazil and Guatemala have already restricted travel from the UK. Argentina and Uruguay have closed their borders to foreign nationals.

Murder accused: Shafeek Mohammed

Murdered: Ramkarran Mohanlall

hafeek Mohammed is presently on trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury for the February 3, 2016 murder of his relative, Ramkarran Mohanlall.

He has pleaded not guilty to the capital indictment presented by State Prosecutor Teriq Mohammed.

Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat is appearing for the murder accused. When the matter continued on Thursday, Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh; several Police ranks and relatives of the murder accused and the deceased were called on to testify. So far, about 12 witnesses have given evidence in the trial, which is being held virtually at the Demerara High Court.

During his testimony, Dr Singh said that there were

several incised wounds and lacerations on Mohanlall’s body. According to the doctor, the incised wounds could have been inflicted with a sharp object such as a knife.

The pathologist opined that the lacerations could have been inflicted with a blunt object such as a hammer.

It was reported that Mohanlall was involved in an argument with Mohammed, his wife’s brother-in-law, during which he was stabbed to his chest, groin, neck, and right arm. The killing occurred at Annandale on the East Coast of Demerara.

An injured Mohanlall was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital. It was reported that the two men had been at odds for several years, which sometimes led to the Police being summoned.

S

13 GNBS destroys over 4000 low-quality electric switches T NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

he Product Monitoring Department of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has destroyed 4800 imported light switches, which were inadequately labelled and lacked the required certification mark.

The items were destroyed on Wednesday in the presence of GNBS inspectors.

The items, which were imported by a city importer, were inspected since November 26, 2020 and were found to be not in compliance with requirements of the national standard. In the absence of the requisite certification mark and labelling, the importer was required to provide the GNBS with an authentic test certificate indicating that the light switches meet quality requirements.

The importer was unable

to do so and hence, the necessary steps were taken to destroy the substandard items.

The GNBS, as of February 1, 2020, commenced the monitoring of a number of electrical fittings and equipment based on the requirements of 31 mandatory national standards.

These electrical products include decorative lighting products; lamp holders; armoured cables; panel board; knife switches; conduit, tubing, and cable fittings; surge protector devices; moulded-case circuit breakers; moulded-case switches and circuit-breaker enclosures; cord sets and power-supply cords; thermoset-insulated wires and cables; attachment plugs and receptacles, and dry-type general purpose and power transformers.

Importers and dealers of these products are required

The substandard light switches that were destroyed by the GNBS

to take the necessary steps to ensure their products meet the respective requirements.

Products monitored by the GNBS are flagged for examination at the time of importation.

Inspectors also visit sale outlets across the country to examine products which are offered for sale to ensure compliance. Importers and dealers are required to take the necessary corrective actions when substandard products are encountered by the GNBS inspectors.

Adding electrical fittings and equipment to the list of products monitored by the GNBS means that all such items are strictly monitored to ensure users, including homeowners, are protected from substandard products.

Surveillance inspections will be intensified by the GNBS at sale outlets in the coming

weeks.

Importers and dealers are urged to purchase a copy of the relevant national standards from the GNBS to familiarise themselves with the requirements. This will allow them to buy products that are in compliance with labelling and quality specifications.

Lastly, the GNBS encourages importers to provide timely redress to their customers regarding defective products purchased.

The GNBS also monitors domestic electrical/electronic appliances, weighing and measuring devices, textiles, garments, footwear, safety helmets, safety matches, new and used tyres, gas stoves, cigarettes, PVC pipes, furniture, Christmas tree and decorative lighting outfits, cellular phones, and gold jewellery.

Fmr Guyana Goldfields worker still to be compensated for worksite injury

A

lmost three years ago, then Guyana Goldfields employee Cleveland Jacobs suffered a fall at his place of employment after the step of a truck broke and to date, he remains in an incapacitated state without any form of compensation from the company.

He needs to undergo another surgery to fix complications caused by the injury, but is not in a financial position to offset the expenses.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Thursday, Jacobs recalled that on May 22, 2018, he was working at the warehouse and as he disembarked the truck, the step broke, causing him to fall

Former Guyana Goldfields employee Cleveland Jacobs

backwards. Apart from receiving injuries to the head, one of his legs was caught in the step – resulting in a frac-

tured patella (knee cap).

He was admitted at the Medical Arts Centre to undergo surgery and was discharged. Along with physiotherapy, the man said he underwent a second surgery in November 2018 to remove enforcement wires in the knee.

He returned to work three months later in February 2019, but was subsequently given a redundancy letter in May of the same year.

Now, Jacobs needs to undergo another operation but he was still to receive financial compensation from Guyana Goldfields.

“I do not have anything against the company. I need

help and there is no animosity towards the company for what had happened to me.

No actual financial compensation was given. The company reached out to me and that was in the collective agreement that once a worker gets injured on the job, the company takes care of the expenses. But the actual compensation package was never given,” he said He is asking for such to be done, since his condition

is deteriorating and he cannot afford to stand the cost for the procedure. He resides in New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), and transportation to get medical attention in Georgetown compounds the expenses.

“At this point in time, I think I should be compensated for my injury, because I’m in a lot of pain and financially, I’m not doing so well.

There is a lot of pain. I don’t

even venture out on the road, because the knee is wobbling and I don’t want a further injury.”

He added, “It could cost as much as $20,000 per day to come see a doctor. I’m not in that position, but I know that the foot will require a third surgery based on what is taking place at the moment.”

Guyana Times reached out to the company for a comment on the matter, but its efforts proved futile.

14 NEWS Hard Rock reopens with 40% indoor dining capacity FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

H

ard Rock Café Guyana, located at Movietowne at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, on Thursday announced it has reopened its doors to cater for 40 per cent indoor dining, in compliance with recommendations from health authorities.

The facility was ordered to close by the National

COVD-19 Task Force (NCTF) last Sunday, as customers were being accommodated inside of the building for dining purposes. As part of the current national measures, only outdoor dining, curbside pickup, and delivery was allowed.

However, Hard Rock noted in a statement that in order to keep guests and team members safe, it

has implemented stringent guidelines. Under the “Safe and Sound” programme, the highest level of safety, sanitation, food handling and employee training is promised.

As part of the new protocol, all guests and team members will be required to participate in a temperature screening process before entering the Café. The compa-

Hard Rock Café

ny has dedicated a team to regularly sanitise frequently-touched areas, inclusive of restrooms, tables, seating, menus and door handles. In addition to hand sanitising, staffers will be wearing masks and gloves throughout the restaurant.

“The health and safety of guests, team members, and their families has always been Hard Rock's highest priority. As we continue to navigate this new way of life, we are committed to providing a safe and healthy dining environment for our guests and team members,” Hard Rock said.

The national measures

will last until January 31 – unless earlier terminated, extended or amended by notice of the Health Minister after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions.

From 04:00h to 21:30h, stakeholders will still be able to access outdoor dining at a restaurant with tables six feet apart and a maximum of four persons who are three feet apart per table.

Persons are still required to wear a mask covering the nose and mouth when in public. The only exemptions are given to children under the age of eight, when a per-

son is in a vehicle, vessel or aircraft alone or any other accommodation alone.

The Task Force has also written several business establishments which have violated the guidelines through their operations.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony had noted that if these actions continued, action would be taken.

Last November, some 42 businesses were issued warnings for breaching the national measures.

A final warning, the Secretariat said, was also issued to 20 other businesses that were operating outside the requisite guidelines.

2 years’ jail for farmer busted with 2 lbs ganja

D

elon Rose, 28, was on Thursday handed a two-year jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to trafficking 1048 grams (two pounds) of marijuana.

The custodial sentence was imposed by Magistrate Wanda Fortune presiding at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Rose, of Hururu Mission and De Veldt, Upper Berbice, was charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of traffick-

Jailed: Delon Rose

ing. It was previously reported that on January 12, 2021, Police ranks stopped a minibus and conducted a search on its passengers and their personal belongings.

The vehicle was en route to Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

During the search on the vehicle, Police unearthed 30 bags containing cannabis in a five-gallon bucket.

Rose admitted to owning the drug, and was arrested and charged.

NEWS

15

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

First Lady pushes for investors GTT provides more ways for Blaze sign-up to demonstrate corporate G social responsibility

First Lady Arya Ali (third right) and GO-Invest CEO Peter Ramsaroop (third left) and their respective teams in discussion on areas for future collaboration

F

irst Lady Arya Ali on Thursday met with Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Peter Ramsaroop to discuss areas for future collaboration.

With foreign companies lined up at Guyana’s doors, the First Lady underscored the need for these potential investors to recognise their role in helping to improve the lives of the Guyanese people.

“Foreign investment, in any part of the world, can be a very good thing. What must accompany that investment though is a conscious effort to give back to the country and people you are benefiting from,” she noted.

As such, the First Lady charged the CEO to ensure that when companies express their interest in investing in Guyana, they must be made aware of specific areas where they can give back.

She explained that one area of focus should be employing persons with disabilities. “For instance, we need to look at how we can engage these companies to guarantee employment for persons with disability. A quota system can be introduced where, perhaps for every 50 employees, at least two must be persons with disability,” she suggested.

She also pitched her adopt-an-orphanage idea, where her office is seeking to have businesses cover the expenses for underfunded orphanages for a minimum of six months.

“So we have to look at incorporating these things into our agreements with foreign and even some local companies. At the end of the day, we must ensure that all of Guyana is taken care of,” the First Lady stressed.

She also provided an overview of her National Beautification Project, which seeks to provide a ‘face-lift’ for Guyana, as the

country prepares for massive economic transformation and an influx of tourists.

For his part, Ramsaroop expressed his desire to work closely with the Office of the First Lady to support those initiatives.

He highlighted too that GO-Invest ensured that it prioritised corporate social responsibility when engaging potential investors.

“When we engage potential investors, we make sure that we discuss how they can fulfil their corporate social responsibility. Many of these companies are happy to do it. They want to invest, not just to make a profit, but to improve the lives of people,” the CEO revealed.

The CEO also added that any effort made to enhance the scenic qualities of Guyana – as is being done with the National Beautification Project – will receive the full support of GO-Invest.

TT is now providing more ways to register for its high-speed Blaze Internet service at no additional cost. This is made possible through collaboration with a number of external vendors.

Public Relations Manager Jasmin Harris said this partnership with vendors was to increase the reach of its customers in Blaze-ready areas.

“These partnerships give our customers options – in addition to online and instore applications – they can simply visit these vendors to apply for this service,” Harris said.

She explained that Blaze is now powered by Plume HomePass, which is a solution that works with the

service to replicate a WiFi signal to ensure the best service experience in every corner of a customer’s home.

Stakeholders now have the option to select Plume pods when applying for the service.

Customers can now register for the Blaze service at Gizmos and Gadgets, Unnique Innovations, Leading Technology, Future Vision, Cell Phone Shack, Viscom Electronics, Net 2 Go, the Community Pharmacy, Telco Solutions, Mobile Wizard, T&J DVD Club, Sensation and Arshad Jewellery outlets. Further information on locations and contact details for these partners is available at http://gtt.gy/BlazePartners.

Last October, GTT ex-

GTT Public Relations Manager Jasmin Harris

tended its Blaze services to Corriverton and Skeldon in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). The Blaze service is already offered in areas like Parika, Grove, and Diamond among others.

16 NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

National Cane Farmers Committee

New Board briefed on Govt’s plans for GuySuCo A griculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Tuesday met with the newly-appointed Board of Directors for the National Cane Farmers Committee (NCFC) to discuss their role in the execution of Government’s plans for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Mustapha, in his address, highlighted that restoring GuySuCo was part of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government’s 2020-2025 Manifesto promises and as such, provided the framework for the Government policies that are to be implemented.

“One of those promises was to open the closed sugar estates and bring the sector to profitability. We’ve started already and, as a result, a number of cane farming committees have signalled their readiness to come back on stream. I’ve had meetings with the Upper Corentyne Cane Farming Committee, as well as cane farming committees from Bloomfield and

ing at the small business initiative and this Board can make representation for farmers to have access to small loans to invest in their farms. Last year, we had $100 million in that fund from the budget and hopefully in the new budget, we can have more funds so that cane farmers can tap into those resources,” Minister Mustapha said.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

Letter Kenny. I hope this Board can play a major role in helping to resuscitate all those dormant cane farming committees across the country,” Minister Mustapha said.

He noted that since the current Administration has assumed office, approximately $7 billion has been diverted into the sugar in-

dustry to facilitate the reopening of the closed estates and to provide capital for the estates that are still running.

However, in order to balance funding and provide a continuous flow of capital, the Government intends to develop public-private partnerships for the industry.

“Government is also look-

The general duties of the committees entail developing programmes and schemes for the promotion and expansion of cultivation of sugar cane and making representations to the Minister about any matters pertaining to the maintenance and the development of the industry.

Members of the Cane Farmers Committee Board

include Roy Hanoman Singh (Chairman); Ravindra Punwa; Prakash Singh; Suresh Amichand; George Jervis; Lall Piterahdaun; Permdat Becchand; Pawan Persaud; Gavin Ramnarine; Christopher Vandeyar; Pradeep Chanda; Premraj Ramraj; Derrick Venture; Sam Persaud Naik; Arine Mc Lean; Seepaul Narine and Rabindranauth Prashad.

port had set a tentative date of June 2021 as the resumption of physical classes.

Back in March 2020, UG’s Tain and Turkeyen campuses were forced to transition to “safe mode” having all classes conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The institution’s entire academic calendar had to be revised owing to the rise of the novel coronavirus.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the University received over 7000 applications for entry into the 2020-2021

academic year, the highest in its history.

As such, it developed an online registration process that allowed students to email their documents and certificates in order to be accepted. The University had also hosted its orientation virtually on October 27, 2020.

Classes commenced virtually for the academic year on November 6, 2020.

UG currently has a student population of close to 9000.

Governmental Organisation (NGO), the GRC continues to render assistance to persons whose lives are disrupted by any form of disaster – natural or manmade – wherever it occurs throughout the 10 regions of Guyana.

The GRC continues to provide almost 100 per cent coverage for all fires occurring in the country and

much-needed assistance to persons irrespective of colour, creed, religious background, or political affiliation.

The NGO has expressed sincere gratitude to a number of sponsors for their continued donations and support throughout the period.

To date, the GRC has also assisted in a number of welfare cases.

University of Guyana to remain in “safe mode”

T

he University of Guyana has confirmed that the institution remains in “safe mode” and all courses for the 2020/2021 academic year will continue online.

The University’s administration is said to be monitoring the current circumstances surrounding the virus and will update students as to the next step via its website.

This announcement has come a mere three days after the University’s annual re-

Huawei Technologies Ltd makes donation to GCOPD GRC assists 6 families devastated by fire H uawei Technologies Limited has recently donated 15 media pads to the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD).

The media pads will be used in virtual education and training programmes within the organisation.

Physical attendance to educational programmes has been impacted as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19). As such, all GCOPD programmes are

now being executed virtually leading to a demand for Internet-ready devices for the trainees and students.

To support Persons with Disabilities’ continuity of learning, the organisation reached out to Huawei Technologies for the provision of devices to assist its members.

The management of GCOPD has expressed its gratitude to Huawei Technologies for the donation. It further high-

lighted that the devices would ensure Persons with Disabilities who are in remote areas of Guyana are able to access virtual education and training programmes.

GCOPD is the umbrella body that represents the majority of organisations focusing on Persons with Disabilities of all types across Guyana, working in the areas of advocacy and capacity building.

T

he Guyana Relief Council (GRC) has assisted six families comprising a total of 30 persons who were affected by fire during the period October to December 2020.

These families are from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

As a charitable Non-

17 Orealla–Siparuta residents call for removal of toshao R NEWS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

esidents of the Upper Corentyne riverine community of Orealla/Siparuta on Thursday called for the removal of the toshao, Carl Peneux, who is accused of a number of corrupt and discriminatory practices.

In addition, the residents have accused the official of not working in the best interest of the two Amerindian communities.

In the first step of removing Peneux, the residents have dispatched a signed petition to Minister of

Some of the residents during the protest on Thursday

The deplorable condition of the road

Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai. However, to reinforce their position, some of the villagers staged a peaceful picketing exercise.

The villagers have listed several reasons that warrant the removal of the toshao. These include inaccurate financial records, and failure to meet with residents to apprise them of decisions taken on behalf of the communities.

Guyana Times was told that the last community meeting was held in

February 2020, and had to come to an abrupt end after the records produced by the captain were found to be inaccurate. The toshao has since refused to hold a community meeting, and blames the pandemic for not doing so. As a result, several residents had penned a letter to the toshao, requesting a meeting with him, but he had refused their request.

Not satisfied with the response, the villagers met with Minister Sukhai, who later dispatched a letter to Peneux advising him to

meet with five concerned residents, heads of departments and religious leaders.

That meeting never materialised, and he was accused of being disrespectful for not carrying out the orders of the minister.

As such, a motion of no confidence was moved against him, and the petition was sent to minister.

The residents accuse him of making his own rules and imposing sanctions.

Further, he decides who travels in and out of the villages, even in case of medi-

cal emergencies.

Meanwhile, over 200 residents signed the petition asking for the subject minister to intervene.

The toshao’s term in office comes to an end in May, 2021, but the residents are holding out that they have no confidence in him.

One villager, Percy Peneux, explained that one of the major concerns for them is the construction of a road that would link the two Amerindian communities.

“We brought this matter to the attention of the toshao

from the time that we detected the faults. I personally would have made mention on several occasions to different councillors from Orealla and from Siparuta.”

Some $123 million was budgeted for the construction of the road.

Peneux said the road is in a deplorable state, thus making it impossible for persons and vehicles to traverse.

The $123M budgeted for the road does not include any money for the material, since the loam comes from the savannah right where the road is being constructed.

The APNU/AFC Government had made an agreement with Orealla and Siparuta village councils to compensate them for the loam. Villagers are now suspicious over a new agreement between the village and the contractor, since most of the revenue earned

by the villages come from the sand which is being sold.

This, Peneux added, has is riddled with discrepancies.

“Now they have barges that they go to take the sand. We would have done some investigations into the amount that they would carry per load, and when we would have done some calculations mathematically, will you realise that the volume of sand that they carry is approximately two times more than the amount that they pay for,” the villager added.

In the Amerindian Act of 2006, it is stated that the toshao should adequately represent the community, providing advice and directions.

The toshaos are also expected under law to provide good governance in their respective communities. The actions of the toshao, residents state, are clearly not in the best interest of the people.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

Regional

Brazil’s Amazonas state Warning issued about shark sightings in the Caribbean running out of oxygen T as COVID-19 surges

T

he Brazilian state of Amazonas is running out of oxygen during a renewed surge in COVID-19 deaths, its government said on Thursday, with media reporting that people on respirators were dying of suffocation in hospitals.

The state has made a dramatic appeal to the United States to send a military transport plane to the capital city Manaus with oxygen cylinders, Amazonas Congressman Marcelo Ramos said.

“They took my father off the oxygen,” Raissa Floriano said outside the 28 de Agosto hospital in Manaus, where people protested that relatives suffering serious cases of COVID-19 were being unhooked from ventilators for lack of oxygen.

Sobbing, Floriano said she was looking for an oxygen cylinder to save her 73-year-old father Alfonso.

Brazil is home to the world’s second-deadliest coronavirus outbreak after the United States, and Manaus was one of the first Brazilian cities struck by a spiralling death count and case load

The state has made a dramatic appeal to the United States to send a military transport plane to the capital city Manaus with oxygen cylinders, Amazonas Congressman Marcelo Ramos said

from the first wave of the pandemic last year.

With emergency services pushed to breaking point, Governor Nelson Lima announced a 19:00h to 06:00h statewide curfew to stop the spread of coronavirus in a devastating second wave.

Health authorities said oxygen supplies had run out at some hospitals and intensive care wards were so full that scores of patients were being airlifted to other states.

To make matters worse, a new variant of the virus was detected in Japan on Sunday

in four people who had come from Amazonas.

Researchers have not established how infectious or lethal the variant is, but biomedical centre Fiocruz said it had detected the virus in a 29-year-old woman who had already tested positive nine months earlier.

The neighbouring state of Pará announced on Thursday it was banning travel boats coming down the river from Amazonas, citing a rise in cases and the identification of the new variant. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy (MMABE) IN Barbados on Thursday informed the public that there have been sightings of sharks in neighbouring Caribbean islands.

In a statement, the Ministry said that while there have been no reports of sharks in Barbadian waters, all sea bathers, watercraft operators, fishermen and all others using the sea are asked to exercise great caution when doing so.

In addition, sea bathers are advised not to swim alone or in deep waters where possible.

“All persons operating boats and other vessels in the sea are advised to ensure they are functional; their batteries are fully

charged; radios are working; and they have additional safety equipment on board.”

The Ministry has asked persons who believe they have seen or encountered a shark to notify officials immediately.

“Please provide as much

detail as possible, including locations and times. The Ministry wishes to emphasise that this is a serious matter and, therefore, only serious concerns should be reported. The public’s attention to this matter is greatly appreciated,” the Ministry said. (CMC)

pressed their condolences on social media.

Vilela was elected in November while he was in an induced coma on a ventilator in hospital. He did not find out he’d won the election until his son told him once the 71-year-old had wo-

ken up from the coma.

Maguito Vilela’s family had already been hit hard by coronavirus when he was taken to hospital in October.

His two older sisters had died FROM COVID-related complications within 10 days of each other.

Brazil is one of the worst-affected countries in the world with the second highest death toll after the United States.

Brazilian health officials are expected to meet on Sunday to decide on whether to allow two vaccines – the one developed

by Oxford University and AstraZeneca and another by China’s Sinovac – for emergency use. If approved, vaccines could be offered three to five days later, health officials said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Goiânia Mayor elected while in coma dies of COVID

Trinidad: Hitman killed by off-duty cop

A

suspected hitman was shot and killed by an off-duty Police Officer along the Lady Chancellor Hill in St Ann’s, Trinidad on Wednesday night.

Police said the man, identified as Franklyn De Freitas, was shot dead after he and two of his accomplices attempted to shoot the officer as he was jogging.

Details are still sketchy,

but Guardian Media understands that De Freitas and his accomplices were in a car, licensed PBZ 2192, which pulled alongside the off-duty officer while he was jogging along the hill, which is a popular sport for fitness enthusiasts, around 19:00h.

The occupants of the vehicle reportedly shot at the officer, who immediately drew his licensed firearm and re-

turned fire at the suspects.

De Freitas, of Rich Plain, Diego Martin, was hit and died on the scene, but the other two suspects abandoned the car and ran away.

Police Officers responding to the incident subsequently launched a manhunt and another suspect, who was also shot, was found soon afterwards. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Mayor Maguito Vilela

T

he Brazilian city of Goiânia is mourning the death of its mayor, Maguito Vilela, from complications related to COVID-19.

Fellow politicians and members of the football club he supported have ex-

Mottley, 7 others get COVID-19 vaccine Mexico to seek G20 action after Trump social media bans B

arbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said a short while ago that she was among eight people who recently received a vaccine for coronavirus (COVID-19).

Mottley said Health Minister Jeffrey Bostic, Attorney General Dale Marshall and five medical frontline workers also received the vaccine.

“My arm is a little sore, but, other than that, I am in good shape,” she said.

The Prime Minister said she was due to receive the second vaccine in a few weeks, as are the others.

Additionally, Mottley said an emergency supply of vaccines for frontline workers and the most vulnerable may become available through the COVAX facility by the end of January.

Mottley was speaking during a live press briefing on Thursday. Minister Bostic, Senior Medical Officer of Health, Dr Anton Best and

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley

head of the Harrison Point Isolation Facility, Dr Corey Forde gave updates during the press conference. Head of the Health Communications Team, Ambassador Elizabeth Thompson also participated.

The Prime Minister said Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator Dr Jerome Walcott had been working “feverishly” this week to access other vac-

cines.

She repeated the explanation that accessing vaccines for small States can be challenging and it was necessary to form partnerships to get the benefit of pricing, hence working with the COVAX facility.

Mottley said that Government was exploring a number of possibilities in order to provide herd immunity.

One of these options is the African Medical Supplies Platform. Mottley said she was contacted by the coordinator on Wednesday after 270 million doses of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines were secured for the African continent. The vaccines were secured mainly from Pfizer, Astra-Zeneca and Johnson & Johnson. The offer was made for Caricom to be involved.

Mottley said she made the proposal to Caricom and they have two weeks to respond to the African group.

(Nation News)

M

exico said Thursday that it was seeking joint action by G20 nations against censorship by social networks following the suspension of US President Donald Trump’s accounts.

Trump’s access to social media has been largely cut off since a violent mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol in Washington on January 6.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has repeatedly criticised social media, including Facebook and Twitter, for banning Trump.

The left-wing populist said that while it was wrong to incite violence, this “cannot be a reason to suspend freedom of expression”.

Lopez Obrador told reporters that he would make a proposal on the matter at the next meeting of the Group of

20 nations.

Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Mexico had already made contact with like-minded countries including Germany and France, as well as Governments in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called the social media ban on Trump “problematic” while French Economy and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said digital giants should

not be left to regulate themselves.

Social media operators say Trump could have used his accounts to foment more unrest in the run-up to US President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.

Twitter chief Jack Dorsey acknowledged that the ban set a “dangerous” precedent and represented a failure to promote healthy conversation on social networks, but defended it as the right decision. (Excerpt from AFP)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices rise on new stimulus hopes

O

il prices were up on Thursday afternoon despite new and extended lockdowns that promise to slow any oil demand rebound that was expected for 2021.

At 16:07h EST, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was trading at US$53.61 per barrel, up US$.70 (+1.32 per cent) on the day. Brent crude was trading up US$0.28 (0.43 per cent) on the day at US$56.30.

This comes even as China locks down more than 22 million citizens amid a new wave of COVID-19, on top of announcements that there will be extended curfews in France that will last 12 hours of the day, beginning on Saturday.

In fact, Europe’s oil demand has failed to start the year with any sort of bang, slumping 1.76 million barrels per day so far this month, according to Rystad Energy, as road use in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Spain fell 37 per centlast week compared with pre-virus levels.

Bolstering oil prices, particularly WTI, is the hope that the incoming Biden Administration will quickly push through yet another round of stimulus payments in the amount of US$1400 per person. This will add onto the current US$600 payments that are being distributed now.

Also serving as a catalyst for rising prices are analyst rumours of a tightening of supply, despite the persistently low oil demand. Crude oil inventories in the United States were down for the second week in a row, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on Wednesday.

Still, gasoline and distillate inventories are growing, even though production for the fuels is also down.

The market is now hoping that an influx of cash will prop up this sluggish demand.

Both benchmarks are trading at an 11-month high.

(Oilprice.com)

Trump impeachment: Republicans clash as Senate trial looms

U

S Republicans in Congress are deeply divided after 10 members split with their party to impeach President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

Congresswoman Liz Cheney, the third-ranking House Republican, is facing calls to resign her party leadership role after her vote to impeach.

The lawmakers that voted against Trump face threats of violence, and have increased security, they say.

It comes as Trump prepares to leave office and faces a trial in the Senate.

The House of Representatives voted by 232 votes to 197 on Wednesday to impeach Trump for allegedly inciting rioters who stormed the Capitol last week.

The FBI has warned of possible armed protests planned for Washington DC and all 50

Leading Republican Liz Cheney (right) with Democrat Jamie Raskin in Congress on Wednesday during the debate on impeaching President Trump, January 13, 2021

US state capitals in the runup to Democratic Presidentelect Joe Biden's inauguration on Wednesday.

Cheney, a Wyoming Congresswoman whose father was Vice President to Republican George W Bush, faced immediate calls to resign after voting to impeach Trump for inciting insurrection against the US

Government.

"I'm not going anywhere.

This is a vote of conscience," said Cheney, after Trump's conservative defenders in Congress called for her to quit.

"It's one where there are different views in our conference. But our nation is facing an unprecedented, since the Civil War, constitutional crisis," she told reporters on

Wednesday, as Trump was impeached for a historic second time.

Another Republican has said he and several colleagues have purchased body armour and have been forced to change their normal routines after receiving threats of violence.

"It's sad that we have to get to that point, but you know our expectation is that someone may try to kill us," Michigan Republican Peter Meijer told MSNBC on Thursday.

"We don't know what's going to happen next. We weren't expecting for the Capitol to get overrun for the first time in 200 years," he said.

"And so in this unprecedented environment with an unprecedented degree of fear, of divisiveness and hatred, we have to account for every scenario." (Excerpt from BBC News)

Uganda: Vote count under way after hotly-contested election

U

gandans have voted under heavy security and an Internet blackout in an election pitting veteran leader Yoweri Museveni against a former pop star Bobi Wine after one of the bloodiest campaigns in years.

Voting in Kampala took place under heavy military and Police presence on Thursday, with no reports of violent incidents making their way through the com-

munications shutdown.

Vote counting is under way after polling stations closed as people turned out in droves to make their mark in an historic, hotly-contested election in which Museveni’s reign is said to be strongly tested.

Long lines of voters snaked out of polling stations in the capital, a stronghold for an Opposition galvanised by Bobi Wine despite a campaign scarred by deadly crack-

downs.

There are 17.7 million registered voters and results are expected within 48 hours.

Turnout looked robust, based on footage from polling stations broadcast by private TV channels.

After polls closed at 18:00h local time, hundreds of Bobi Wine supporters in Kampala returned to their polling stations to heed his call to “protect the vote” by watching the

count.

At the station where Bobi Wine voted, security forces chased his supporters away.

He took to Twitter shortly after voting was finished to announce his and his wife’s phone were blocked.

“I know this is to stop me from communicating to our agents and coordinators,” he added, asking his supporters to be vigilant. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

“We have a tremendous level of alignment, not just with the United States but with allies around the world, to continually bring up the question of the coercive diplomacy that China is increasingly using,” Trudeau said in an interview at the Reuters Next summit that aired on Thursday.

“We must all stand together because who knows whose citizens might be next?”

China detained the two men after Canadian Police picked

up Huawei Technologies Co Ltd’s Chief Financial Officer, Meng Wanzhou on a US arrest warrant. She is under house arrest in Vancouver as she fights extradition.

Syrine Khoury, a spokeswoman for Foreign Minister Marc Garneau, said Canada had obtained agreements involving increased family and consular access to the two men in recent months, but gave no details.

case said that since October, consular visits had been restored to levels seen before the pandemic. The families of the two men had also spoken to them once by phone, said the person, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation.

Khoury also said Canadian immigration officials had allowed Meng’s family members to visit her. Canada has strict travel restrictions to combat the coronavirus.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

COVID-19: French PM Castex announces tighter curfew Canada's Trudeau urges unified front against China detentions, says all nations vulnerable F rench Prime Minister Jean Castex has announced a new evening curfew will begin nationally across France starting at 18:00 (17:00 GMT) on Saturday.

The move is a tightening of a curfew already in place since December, which restricts movement from 20:00-06:00.

Announcing the measure on Thursday, Castex described the country's situation as "worrying" with infections remaining at a "high plateau".

He also announced new restrictions for people arriving into the country.

France has so far recorded more than 69,000 coronavirus deaths – the seventh-highest death toll in the world.

The new national curfew will stay in place for at least 15 days and means everyone must be at home, unless they are returning from school or work, by 18:00 every day.

All shops and businesses will have to close when the curfew begins, except for emergency services.

The tighter evening restriction was already in place in some hard-hit eastern regions of the country before Thursday's announcement and, according to the French Scientific Council, has led to infection rates slowing.

However, some people have criticised the curfew, claiming that it will create larger groups of people, all trying to get home in time before it comes into force.

All those arriving from outside the EU will now have to test negative for the virus within 72 hours before their travel into France, and then isolate for seven days and test negative again, Castex said.

The border controls are partly to limit the extent to which new mutant strains of the virus spreading abroad can become dominant in France. There is particular concern over the more transmissible variant first detected in the United Kingdom – which the French Health Minister says now accounts for about 1-1.5 per cent of new cases nationally.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

C

anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged nations around the world to maintain a unified front against Chinese detentions of foreign citizens, saying every country was vulnerable.

Trudeau made his remarks as China offered more consular access to two Canadian men it arrested in December 2018 and charged with spying. Canada has repeatedly called on its partners to press Beijing for their release.

A person familiar with the

North Korea shows off new submarinelaunched missiles after rare party congress

N

orth Korea displayed what appeared to be a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) at a parade on Thursday night, State media reported, capping more than a week of political meetings with a show of military might.

Clad in a leather coat and fur hat, leader Kim Jong Un smiled and waved as he oversaw the parade in

Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung Square, photos by State media showed.

The parade featured rows of marching soldiers, as well as a range of military hardware including tanks and rocket launchers.

At the end, a number of what analysts said appeared to be new variants of shortrange ballistic missiles and SLBMs rolled into the square on trucks.

“The world’s most powerful weapon, submarine-launch ballistic missiles, entered the square one after another, powerfully demonstrating the might of the revolutionary armed forces,” news agency KCNA reported.

North Korea has test-fired several SLBMs from underwater, and analysts say it is seeking to develop an operational submarine to carry the missiles.

Photos released by State media showed the SLBM was labelled Pukguksong-5, potentially marking an upgrade over the Pukguksong-4 that was unveiled at a larger military parade in October.

The parade in itself was not intended to be a provocation but was a worrying sign of Pyongyang’s priorities, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

20

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

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ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Your enthusiastic attitude may not mix well with someone struggling to take care of responsibilities. If you take the pressure off others, you will get help in return. Personal growth is apparent.

Take a position of leadership. What you do to ease stress for others will be recognized and rewarded. Update your image, and spend more time exercising to ensure you remain healthy.

Look for the good in everything and everyone. How you see situations and others will make it easier for you to make better decisions. A unique partnership will head in an exciting direction.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Look for practical, convenient opportunities. If someone applies pressure or makes you feel uncomfortable, back away and move on to something else. Take it easy when possible.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Incorporate what you learn into your everyday life.

Starting a hobby or signing up for a class will put you in touch with someone who enjoys the same things you do.

Romance is apparent.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Take better care of yourself. Refuse to let someone push you around or put demands on you. Consider what makes you happy, and pursue people and activities that bring out the best in you.

SCORPIO

A friend or relative will confuse you. Find out where you stand before you make a decision that can influence the dynamics of a relationship. Look for a unique way to use your living space.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

You’ll release stress and tension if you do something physical. A good workout will help you distance yourself from a situation that has left you feeling uncertain. Time is on your side.

Keep your thoughts to SAGITTARIUS yourself. Something someone does or says will remind (Nov. 23you of an incident you exDec. 21) perienced a long time ago.

Learn from the experience and watch your back.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Patience will pay off.

Getting along with others will make your life easier, but don’t let someone push you around. Allow others the chance to spout off, but don’t lose sight of your plan and how you want to proceed.

Keep your eye on the ball. Don’t give in to someone if it will prevent you from reaching your goal.

Look at every angle of a situation before you take action.

A physical change will fetch attention -- some favorable, some not so much. Be happy that you have the freedom to do what makes you feel good. Do what you see fit, and others will fall in line.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

21

Floyd Reifer appointed West Indies Under-19 Head Coach …Windies commence preparation as ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2022 hosts C

ricket West Indies (CWI) on Wednesday named Floyd Reifer as the new Head Coach of the West Indies “Rising Stars” Under-19 team. The former interim West Indies Head Coach, and current Head Coach of the West Indies Emerging Player & High Performance programmes, will lead the development of the squad as they prepare for the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup, to be played in the Caribbean in early 2022.

Reifer was chosen because of his impressive track record in building and coaching successful development teams,

including the UWI Blackbirds, the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC), the West Indies Emerging Players, and the West Indies A Team.

As a former interim Head Coach for the senior team, and as batting coach for the recent tour of England, Reifer’s experience and knowledge are perfectly suited to help young West Indians understand what is needed for them to achieve global standards.

He is also a former batting coach for the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, and is the current Head Coach of the Jamaica Tallawahs

in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Speaking on his appointment, Reifer said: “It is great to be coaching the young players of the West Indies and trying to guide them as we prepare for the World Cup at home. I am excited to have already begun the work, and I’m sure the young men are also very enthusiastic. In speaking to many of the possible team members, they are all eager to start the programme. They have not been playing much cricket, due to the COVID-19 situation, so it is great that CWI has started

to put the preparation in place for our team a year out from hosting the World Cup.” Reifer added: “We have solid plans. The programme we have in place is science-and-technologybased and it looks at all aspects of their game, including cricket fundamentals and personal development. It is very intense, and (is) based on creating an ‘elite athlete’ with a professional mindset. We have held meetings with coaches and the Territorial Boards, and they are all happy with the direction we are going.

Within that programme, we hope to have High Performance training camps during the year,

the annual Under-19 Rising Stars tournament in the summer, followed by hosting the South Africa U19s for five One-Day matches in the Caribbean.”

Jimmy Adams, CWI’s Director of Cricket, said: “I am happy that we have been able to appoint Floyd to lead our Under-19 programme and take the lads through to the World Cup early next year. The opportunity fits perfectly, given his remit as our High-Performance Head Coach, a role in which he has successfully overseen our HighPerformance squads in the recent past, including Emerging Players and ‘A’ teams.”

Adams added: “I would also like to thank Graeme West, who coached the U19 team in the last three campaigns, including winning the tournament in 2016. Graeme will continue to be involved in his current role as High Performance Manager.

He will provide valuable support for Floyd in the planning and execution of the programme all the way through to the World Cup next year.”

Floyd Reifer is a highly qualified, Australian Cricket Board (ACB)-certified Level Three Coach, whose leadership experience includes being a former West Indies captain.

Andy Murray tests positive for coronavirus Stats performance data of former before Australian Open begins NBA MVP James Harden, Kevin That means he won’t be able tournament, so the to play in the warm-up events Durant and Kyrie Irving

F

ormer world number one Andy Murray’s participation at the Australian Open is in doubt, after the Briton tested positive for coronavirus.

The 33-year-old Scot was set to fly out to Melbourne on a chartered flight arriving there over the next 36 hours.

Instead, he remains in quarantine and is isolating at home in London.

Murray, who is said to be in good health, remains hopeful he would be allowed to travel safely at a later date and compete as planned.

The five-time Australian Open runner-up pulled out of last week’s ATP event in Delray Beach as he wanted to “minimise the risks” of catching a transatlantic flight to Florida.

The Australian Open will start on 8 February at Melbourne Park, three weeks later than usual, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Players must test negative before taking one of the 15 chartered flights - which have been put on by tournament organisers and will operate at 25% capacity - to Australia. Once they have arrived, they will have to pass a series of COVID tests during a 14-day quarantine in Melbourne before the Grand Slam.

Murray’s planned appearance at Melbourne Park would come two years after he played there in what he feared would be his final match as a professional. At 123rd in the world, Murray is ranked too low to gain direct entry into the

three-time Grand Slam champion has been given a wildcard.

M u r ray was able to play only seven official matches in 2020, because of a lingering pelvic injury and the five-month suspension of the tours because of the pandemic.

The Scot is among a number of players to have their plans disrupted.

American Madison Keys, who reached the Australian Open women’s singles semifinals in 2015, said she would not be playing in Melbourne after testing positive for coronavirus.

World number two Rafael Nadal is travelling to Melbourne in search of a record 21st Grand Slam men’s singles title, without coach Carlos Moy, who has decided to stay at home in Spain with his family because of the health situation.

World number three Dominic Thiem’s coach Nicolas Massu has also not travelled, after a positive COVID test, Thiem’s father Wolfgang told Austrian newspaper Kurier. ’Change of year, but not a change of luck’

– analysis by Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent A change of year does not appear to have brought about a change of luck for Andy Murray.

He is now hoping he would be given permission to arrive in Melbourne late - and outside the window Tennis Australia painstakingly negotiated with the Victorian state Government.

If he does get the green light to travel, having completed selfisolation in the UK and returned a negative test, he will still have to spend 14 days in quarantine on arrival.

the week before the Australian Open. But it would keep alive his hopes of playing in the first Grand Slam of the year, as players will be allowed out of their rooms to practise for five hours a day during quarantine.

Sandgren allowed to fly despite positive test American player Tennys Sandgren, meanwhile, boarded a charter plane to Melbourne despite testing positive for coronavirus.

The world number 50, a twotime Australian Open quarterfinalist, tweeted that after testing positive in November he had returned another positive on Monday and might not be able to fly on Wednesday.

But Australian Open organisers said his medical file had been reviewed by Victoria state authorities and he had then been cleared to fly.

They explained that players are only allowed to enter Australia with proof of a negative test done just before departure, or “with approval to travel as a recovered case at the complete discretion of an Australian Government authority”.

Sandgren tweeted that he had been ill in November but was “totally healthy now”.

“My two tests were less than eight weeks apart,” he wrote. “There’s not a single documented case where I would be contagious at this point.”

Lisa Neville, minister for police and emergency services, tweeted: “Tennys Sandgren’s positive result was reviewed by health experts and determined to be viral shedding from a previous infection, so he was given the all clear to fly.

“No-one who is COVID positive for the first time - or could still be infectious - will be allowed in for the Australian Open.” (BBC Sport)

The James Harden saga is set to end Harden will reportedly swap the Houston Rockets for the Brooklyn Nets in a mega trade, reuniting with Kevin Durant and teaming up with Kyrie Irving.

The Philadelphia 76ers were reportedly frontrunners to bring the former NBA MVP to the 'City of Brotherly Love', but Daryl Morey refused to part with franchise pillar Ben Simmons and others.

Instead, the Nets reportedly sent Caris LeVert – later traded to the Indiana Pacers as Victor Oladipo was dealt to the Rockets – and four first-round draft picks plus four pick swaps to Houston, in a deal also involving the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Nets also gave up Taurean Prince and talented center Jarrett Allen, who were sent to the Cavaliers, and Rocketsbound forward Rodions Kurucs.

It puts an end to a messy divorce between Harden and Rockets, after the disgruntled eight-time All-Star made no secret of his desire to depart, as his frustrations boiled over postgame on Tuesday – sparking criticism from team-mates John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins.

Attention is now turned to Brooklyn's new super team and how Harden fits alongside Durant and Irving – if and when he returns from his personal absence – in first-year head coach Steve Nash's quest to deliver a championship to the Nets.

Harden, who is eyeing a maiden NBA title, had called Houston home since 2012, guiding the Rockets to two Western Conference Finals and three semi-final appearances

after his acquisition from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The 31-year-old sharpshooter was team-mates with Durant at the Thunder between 2009 and 2012, and brings a high volume of three-point and freethrow attempts to Brooklyn, not to mention a dominant scorer, which the Nets have rarely had.

Harden attempted the most three-pointers in 2019-20 with 843, and he also topped t h e freethrow

James Harden

attempts category at 800. Prince topped Brooklyn's 3PA list with 431, while Spencer Dinwiddie stepped to the line on 446 occasions.

In terms of individual seasons averaging 30.0-plus points, Harden boasts three seasons, while Durant has two. The Nets have none. John Williamson's high of 29.5 points per game in 1977-78 (in just 33 games) is the closest.

In each of the past three seasons heading into the 202021 campaign, Harden had earned the NBA scoring title. Durant has claimed four honours, compared to the Nets' all-time haul of nil after Keith Van Horn finished fifth in 1998-99. Harden and

Durant have won seven of the past 11 scoring crowns.

Harden brings a resume with a lot of wins and postseason experience, as did Irving and Durant as former NBA champions with the Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors respectively. The Nets have lost in the first round in back-to-back seasons, while not since 2003 have they featured in the Finals.

Harden boasts a team win percentage of 64.9 in regularseason games in which he has played, while he has amassed 128 playoff appearances.

The issue of Harden signing for the Nets is centred on possession and distribution, given he, Durant and Irving are ball carriers.

Looking at the highest usage percentage – an estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while he was on the floor – since 2014-15 to get an idea of how the Nets could make it work with the trio, and Harden (second, 35.3 per cent), Durant (eighth, 29.6 per cent) and Irving (ninth, 29.4 per cent) rank in the top 10. The NBA average is 20.0 per cent.

In 2019-20, points scored by Harden and points scored off his assists averaged 52.4 per game.

It followed 53.9 in 2018-19, 51.3 in 2017-18 and 56 the season previous.

That marked four successive seasons with 50-plus points per game created, tying Oscar Robertson (1963-64 to 196667) for the longest streak in NBA history.

Harden averaged 34.3 points, 7.5 assists and 6.6 rebounds per regular-season game for the Rockets, who lost in the Western Conference semi-finals at Walt Disney World Resort, in 2019-20.

(Adapted from Sportsmax)

22 Superbly fit Jaguars record encouraging numbers at fitness test

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

– Hetmyer exempted from test due to concussion issues Story and photos By Brandon Corlette

A

s the Guyana Jaguars continue their preparation for the Regional Super50 Cup that is set to bowl off on February 7 in Antigua, some of the country’s finest cricketers assembled at the Leonora Track and Field Centre for an intense fitness session.

According to Guyana Jaguars Head Coach Esuan Crandon, the players produce encouraging numbers in the fitness assessment despite some of the players did n o t

produce the numbers expected of them, but the players will get better.

“Guys were doing their work under my watch and under the guidance of Nel Barry Jr. who produced the training programme, so I was satisfied,” Crandon said.

Crandon said that, over the years, Tevin Imlach, Trevon Griffith, Leon Johnson and Kevlon Anderson, among others, have been outstanding during these fitness assessments.

Imlach achieved a rare feat, hitting 60 in the beep test. It is the first time it has been achieved in the history of Jaguars’ fitness sessions.

West Indies batting star Shimron Hetmyer was given exemption from this fitness assessment due to his concussion issues, and he will be assessed in a matter of days when he is released from the medical panel.

The Head Coach also highlighted the improvements of pacer Nial Smith. With a strong batch of players available for selection to

J

personally to lead the West Indies team. It is a great honour and achievement for myself.

“Growing up, you always want to play for the West Indies, but leading the Caribbean team, it is a great feeling. Sometimes things come in different ways. I just have to grab this opportunity and make the best use of it, and lead the team to the best of my ability,” he said.

What is of real concern though, particularly for Mohammed, is the lack of match practice in recent months. His last competitive match was back in March in the domestic fourday competition, and he had not played in the CPL either. So, most of his focus remains on the next week or so, when he will have to get back into rhythm through practice sessions and a warm-up game on January 18.

“I haven’t played a game for a couple of months. We have been doing some practice with the T&T senior team. The couple of days here will be very important for preparation.

I want to hit as many balls as I can, find the middle of the bat as soon as

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Devendra Bishoo, Assad Fudadin and Jonathan Foo

the Jaguars 15-man squad that is set to be announced soon, fitness will always be a criterion for selection.

Meanwhile, newbies on the block, Demetri Cameron and Mavindra Dindyal, had good numbers in their maiden fitness assessment with the Jaguars.

As the Super50 looms, Crandon said, he is of view that the Jaguars currently have access

Captain Jason Mohammed eyes long-term West Indies berth ason Mohammed has said his comeback into the West Indies team after more than two years, with the added bonus of being named the ODI captain, is his opportunity to regain his place when the main players are back.

Mohammed last played when Bangladesh toured the West Indies in August 2018, but his return was made possible after several top WI players pulled out of this tour.

“I have been out for two years now,” Mohammed said. “I have a role in leading the team, but personally, I look forward to the challenge. It is a good opportunity for me to have a good series and put my hands up for when the full-strength team is back, so I can really get my place back in that team.

“It won’t be difficult to motivate myself. I want to be playing international cricket. It is a huge role being the leader of the Caribbean team. There’s no added pressure, because playing as a captain is something I have been accustomed to doing. I just want to enjoy the series and turn around the stats (against Bangladesh).”

Mohammed has captained West Indies in four matches: an ODI against England in 2017 and in three T20Is during their 2018 Pakistan tour. This is a slightly similar circumstance, where top players pulled out and the CWI went for Mohammed to lead the side. Still, he said, it’s a proud moment.

“This is the second time that I am captaining (a full series). I am quite happy to do it. It is a great opportunity for me

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possible, and look forward to enjoy three good games of the series,” he said.

Mohammed would also have to pick a playing XI from a squad of several uncapped cricketers. West Indies are also taking on a Bangladesh side that includes four of their most experienced cricketers, including the returning Shakib Al Hasan.

“Inexperience or not, it is always difficult to pick your final XI. Obviously, the coach and myself and the other staff have to take the decision to put the best team in the park, which is ideal for the condition. It is going to be difficult selecting the XI for the first time. There are a lot of good, exciting talent within the group. There aren’t a lot of senior guys in the team. There’s a lot of youngsters in the team.

My job will be to try to make them as calm and relaxed as possible. I want to try to guide the young bowlers (the) best possible (assistance) in the field.

I think everyone understands their game well at this level. I have to make sure they execute the plans,” he said.

Mohammed has said a bit of help from the inspirational Clive Lloyd has fired them up.

“It is coming from one of our greats. Obviously, those are the sort of thing you want to hear.

There’s a lot of negative talk going around. When you hear someone like Clive Lloyd, he puts a great belief within you.

With a World Cup coming up, it is an opportunity for all of us to try to put our hands up, firstly to get in the original team, when the full squad is back. We have a chance to go into the World Cup. It has inspired the team, and hopefully we can back his wisdom.” (ESPNcricinfo)

Head Coach Esuan Crandon with Richie Looknauth and Kemol Savory

to the best players in the country from whom to select that final 15-man squad.

Besides Crandon, the fitness assessment was supervised by Julian Moore and Colin Stuart.

The Jaguars will continue their preparation for the upcoming Regional Super50 Cup with three practice matches set for the upcoming week at LBI. The three practice games, featuring squads led by Leon Johnson and Shimron Hetmyer, will now be played on January 18, January 21, and January 23 at the same LBI venue, all starting at 9:00h.

The squads for the practice matches are as follows.

Hetmyer’s team comprises Chandrapaul Hemraj, Raymond Perez, Kevlon Anderson, Shimron Hetmyer (Captain), Sherfane Rutherford, Akshaya Persaud,

Kemol Savory, Bhaskar Yadram, Kevin Sinclair, Demitri Cameron, Keon Joseph, Clinton Pestano, Anthony Adams, Vishaul Singh, Mavindra Dindyal, Steven Sankar, Sachin Singh and Ricardo Adams.

Johnson’s team comprises Trevon Griffith, Tevin Imlach, Leon Johnson (Captain), Jonathan Foo, Christopher Barnwell, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Quinton Sampson, Gudakesh Motie, Ramaal Lewis, Nial Smith, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Devendra Bishoo, Andre Stoll, Totaram Bishun, Richie Looknauth and Kelvin Umroa.

Veerasammy Permaul and Raymon Reifer will be on West Indies duty, while Keemo Paul will be otherwise engaged in cricket duties, Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) has noted.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

Aston Villa v Everton match postponed because of COVID-19

A

ston Villa’s Premier League game at home to Everton on Sunday has been postponed because of ongoing COVID-19 issues at the club. The Villa training ground remains closed after a coronavirus outbreak.

A Premier League statement said that a “significant number” of Villa players and staff remained in isolation.

It went on: “As a result, the Premier League Board has agreed to Aston Villa’s request to postpone their match on Sunday.”

Villa, who already have three games in hand on some clubs in the league, are due to play Manchester City on Wednesday. That game was originally scheduled to take place on the opening weekend of the season, but was postponed because of City’s progress in last season’s Champions League.

One of the matches they have in hand - the game at home to Newcastle, which was postponed from 4 December after the Magpies’ own coronavirus outbreak - has been rescheduled to Saturday, 23 January.

Villa’s COVID-19 outbreak meant that no first-team players were available for the FA Cup third-round tie against Liverpool last Friday.

The West Midlands club had to field a starting XI composed of seven under-23 players and four from the under-18s, and they lost 4-1 at Villa Park.

Speaking about footballers celebrating, Julian Knight, chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said: “Some of the scenes we have seen have been brainless and give out an awful message.” (BBC Sport)

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

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Hetmyer to sponsor three cricket tournaments for BCB in 2021

– as he pays it forward

“I

am delighted to be a part of the development of Berbice Cricket, as I am very impressed by the direction it is heading, and because I fully understand the importance of giving back to the county, where it all started”.

Those were the words of West Indies cricketer Shimron Hetmyer to President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Hilbert

Foster, as he continued his investment in the development

of Berbice Cricket.

To the surprise of BCB President Hilbert Foster, the 24-year-old middle order batsman handed over a total of $200,000 for the hosting of 2 one-day grassroots cricket tournaments at the Rose Hall Canje and Young Warriors grounds respectively.

The BCB, under Foster’s leadership, has set itself the goal of hosting at least 10 such tournaments as part of its efforts to renew the passion of clubs after almost one year’s break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These tournaments would be played without spectators as the BCB observes the COVID-19 guidelines of the Government of Guyana.

Foster has said the BCB is seeki n g to assist some clubs to attract younger players to their membership, to inspire them to be more proactive, and to give them opportunity to win a BCB tournament. Most of the tournaments in the county are won by the dom-

Hetmyer handing over sponsorship to Hilbert Foster

inant clubs RHTY&SC, MS, and Albion, and this has affected the morale of some clubs, as they find it very difficult to compete against the more organised clubs.

Those clubs would also be in a position to take home very lucrative cash prizes.

The BCB has already raised funds for tournaments at the following venues: Bush Lot Farm, Whim, Port Mourant, Fyrish, Chesney, No 19 Kendall’s Union, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Edinburgh, and Bush Lot Village in West

Coast Berbice.

The BCB has among its sponsors Mahendra and Vishal Nagamootoo, Troy Halley and Narsingh Deonarine.

The tournaments played at the Canje and Young Warriors grounds would see three teams playing for the Shimron Hetmyer Challenge Cup and a cash prize. Hetmyer also announced that he would renew his sponsorship of the BCB Intermediate tournament which he had sponsored in 2019.The tourna-

BCB President commits to taking Upper Corentyne cricket to another level

ment was not played in 2020 due to the ongoing COVID pandemic. Sponsorship for that tournament would be $300,000, and clubs would be allowed a maximum of four first division players per match.

Foster and Hetmyer have

23

also discussed other areas of cooperation, and more announcements are expected shortly. The BCB President handed over a collection of BCB and RHTY&SC publications to Hetmeyer, and also presented him with a special award.

This powerfully built player was unable to attend the Brian Ramphal Awards Ceremony on December 27th. Fellow national players Veerasammy Permaul, Anthony Bramble. Nial Smith, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair and former Test player Clayton Lambert were also honoured for their contribution to cricket.

Foster expressed gratitude to Hetmyer for supporting the BCB and Berbice cricket. He noted that the board had named 2021 the Year of Investment, and it is very pleasing to observe the massive outpouring of support from former and current players.

GFF warns local ballers against unsanctioned Halendineo

– urges teams to follow COVID-19 guidelines when season restarts

P

resident of the vibrant Berbice Cricket Board, Hilbert Foster, and the BCB Public Relations Officer last Wednesday met with Executives of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association and representatives of the association’s 29 members at an outdoor meeting held at the Scottsburg Community Centre in Corriverton.

The President was invited by the UCCA as part of his outreach programme to inform clubs on the latest development in Berbice cricket and his administration’s plans for the sub-association.

Foster informed that the BCB would be hosting at least 3 different tournaments for all clubs in the area at the second division level, while countywide tournaments would be played at the under 13,15,17,19,21,23 levels along with second division, intermediate, first division and female levels. He also assured the teams that the BCB would be hosting two mini cricket academies to coach a total of 60 youths –30 from Moleson Creek to No 73 Village and another 30 from No 72 to No 43 Village.

BCB President Hilbert Foster

The BCB coaches would also be sent to clubs like Line Path CC, #73, Scottsburg and the Rama Krishna Academy, which have junior teams registered with the board. At least 24 youth cricketers from the sub-association would receive assistance in the form of cricket gear, uniforms, or a bicycle, while every club would collect a box of balls as part of a comprehensive developmental programme.

Educational materials would also be published to educate youths on the game.

The President has committed to taking Upper Corentyne to another level in 2021, but cautioned clubs that, to do so, they would

have to be prepared to not only work hard but also to observe the strict COVID-19 regulations set down by the board for the restarting of the game. These rules include no spectators at venues, mask wearing in the pavilion and social distancing.

Foster announced that teams which fail to follow the COVID-19 guidelines would be disbarred from tournaments, as his administration would be adopting a no-nonsense attitude, as lives would be at stake.

The President also disclosed rules for the 2021 season, including the opening of a transfer season for players from the January 1st of to the 28th of February of each

year. He also announced that the board would allow one player from out of Berbice to play at the senior level per match, once that player has had no international match for the last five years. The UCCA season is expected to bowl off late next month with a round robin 40 overs tournament, followed by a knockout 20/20 cup.

The finals of the multi million dollars Price are Right tournament would also be played shortly after been delayed for close to a year.

Foster hailed the outstanding leadership of UCCA President Dennis D’Andrade and Vice President Sydney Jackman over the last three years. He noted that their leadership has transformed the body into the best run sub association in the country.

The visiting delegation handed over a quantity of trophies, face masks, face shields and educational posters to the teams. The BCB President also handed over four educational packages to the family of injured cricketer Retesh Haimchand. Mr Foster had committed to providing the children with a cricket bat, food hamper and educational packages and over the last month.

T

he Guyana F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF) has taken note of the recent announcement by an entity called ‘Halendino Sports’, which was carried in another section of the media (Kaieteur News article) titled “Halendino Sports to host trials” on January 14, 2021.

The GFF, in a missive on Thursday, sought to make it clear to all members of the football community that Halendino Sports is not affiliated to the Federation, and that this activity has not been approved or sanctioned by the Federation. As such, no registered member of the Federation is authorised to participate in this activity.

Under the GFF Constitution, and in the interest of good governance, player safety and professional standards, GFF members are au-

thorised t o particip a t e only in officially sanct i o n e d

events.

Any participation in unsanctioned activities may result in punitive action, including suspension.

Further, at this time, any on-field activity must be reviewed and approved by the National COVID-19 Task Force before permission is granted by the Federation. As such, the GFF is urging the football community to continue to observe and adhere to COVID-19 regulations and protocols as ordered by the Government of Guyana to protect the health and wellbeing of the general populace during the pandemic.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

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

Superbly fit Jaguars record encouraging numbers at fitness test

– Hetmyer exempted from test due to concussion issues

Page 23

Page 22

Hetmyer to sponsor three cricket tournaments Page 23 for BCB in 2021

GFF warns local ballers against unsanctioned Halendineo – as he pays it forward

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