Guyana Times - Friday, July 30, 2021

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Issue No. 4724

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021

“Unusually” high river level causes flooding in Eteringbang, Region 7 …businesses, households severely affected

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Aircraft overshoots airstrip, crashes in Region 7 P11

Page 3

Firearms Act, regulations P9 should be updated – new unit …set to tackle gun, ammo trafficking

Pedal cyclist killed in Berbice P16 accident

2 Venezuelan women die in Alberttown fire …13 homeless See story on page 10

APNU/AFC bid to save election petition

Mahdia accident

Dead: Maria Alejandra Patiño Benjamin & Lina Maria Texidor Alonso

1st set of draft Electoral Reforms completed – AG

Appeal Court questions whether dismissed petition should be heard by Full Court Govt in negotiations to secure COVID-19 vaccines for children See story on page 12

Pages 15 & 17

…2 more deaths, 57 new cases recorded

WCD man charged over death of Finance Ministry P17 employee

Page 7

Travellers with mixed vaccines allowed entry P into Guyana – 9 Health Advisor Passenger P15 robbed, chopped by bus conductor

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FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Friday, July 30 – 09:30h-11:00h and Saturday, July 31 – 10:00h-11:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, July 30 – 08:30h-10:00h and Saturday, July 31 – 09:20h-10:50h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions are expected throughout the day, with light rain showers and instances of thunder followed by clear skies. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Westerly to South-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 08:46h and 21:04h reaching maximum heights of 2.38 metres and 2.33 metres.

Low Tide: 14:41h reaching a minimum height of 0. 87 metre.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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Crude Oil

$76.05/barrel

Rough Rice

$244.98 /ton

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$451.40/ton

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$1714.70 - 0.40

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“Unusually” high river level causes flooding in Eteringbang, Region 7 …businesses, households severely affected

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everal businesses and houses in the hinterland community of Eteringbang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) are currently inundated after the “unusually” high river resulted in rising water levels on Thursday.

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on Thursday said that it received reports that flood waters have risen significantly in Eteringbang.

According to preliminary reports, the CDC revealed that some 10 commercial establishments and at least three households have been impacted.

“Early assessments also indicate that waters have risen to approximately three feet in some parts and continue to rise,” the Commission said.

However, Region Seven Chairman Kenneth Williams told the Guyana Times that while the water was about three feet initially, by late Thursday afternoon the levels had risen to approximately six feet.

“Up to about 5 o’clock [17:00h] the water was rising. The information is that it was about three or four feet above normal levels but at 5 o’clock, this has increased to about five or 6 feet above normal level,” the Chairman noted.

According to Williams, the floods were caused by high tides and not rainfall.

“It’s unusual high tides, it’s not rain… Unusual water levels in the river just rose today… But people [who are affected] are moving to higher grounds,” he told this newspaper on Thursday evening.

Nevertheless, the Region Seven Chairman was confident that the water level would recede by this morning.

The CDC, in its missive, indicated that the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region is expected to endure rainfall throughout the night and towards the end of the week. It noted that these rainfall is estimated to measure as much as two inches during a 12-hour period.

According to Chairman Williams, if this is the case then it would spell trouble for the community of Eteringbang.

“If the water levels continue to rise and there is extensive rainfall, then more than likely we will see some amounts of inundation. So, I’m praying that the levels in the river go down and if it rains, we will have some sort of respite,” he posited.

The Regional Chair noted that by this morning, he

will have a better assessment as to the situation on the ground as to whether it was a “flash-flood or it’s going to continue”.

Williams disclosed that Eteringbang had experienced similar occurrences in recent weeks but the water levels were not as high as they got on Thursday.

Meanwhile, during the May-June heavy downpour that saw high-levels of flooding across the country and even in some communities in Region Seven, it was noted that Eteringbang was also inundated. But according to the Chairman, the water levels there were not as severe as

other communities in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region that were flooded such as Waramadong and Jawalla.

Nevertheless, the CDC on Thursday said it is working with the Regional Authorities in Region Seven to monitor the developing situation. The Commission further noted that it is prepared to dispatch relief supplies and an assessment team to Eteringbang if the need arises.

The last time the mining community of Eteringbang experience severe flooding was in August 2019 following persistent rainfall over a few days.

Between May and June this year, heavy rains resulted in widespread flooding across the country, affecting some 30,000 households. The devastation includes submerged buildings and vehicles with adverse effects on crops, livestock and health.

It has been noted that the rainfall experienced in May alone was recorded as the second highest level of rainfall across the country in the last 40 years. The situation had led President Dr Irfaan Ali to formally declare the flooding a national disaster.

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FRIDAY, JULY 30, 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

Rehabilitating prisoners

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n today’s society, even children are committing some of the most heinous crimes imaginable, inclusive of physical attacks, oftentimes leading to murder.

There is absolutely no excuse for the commission of criminal activities, but there is great scope for redemption and rehabilitation of prisoners.

Most young people, who have been inculcated with a moral compass and consequently adhere to discipline will adjust accordingly, but there are some youths who have no guiding force or role model pointing them in the right direction. This group finds it preferable to pick up a weapon and try to extract quick riches from the unwary, even if they have to kill to obtain the spoils of their forays into criminality.

They, subsequently, most often become hardened criminals who have no compunction for their actions and often display no compassion for their victims, indiscriminately depriving them of their property, money, and lives without thinking of the devastation they wreak on the families, especially vulnerable dependents, such as elderly parents and children.

Having perfected the art of escape after the execution of their crimes, oftentimes when they are caught after a long career of theft and murder, they are treated as ‘first-time offenders’, figuratively rapped on the knuckles by bleeding hearts of some judicial officials and with minimum punishment.

Incarceration, especially with hard labour, is meant to act as a deterrent to engagement in criminal activities in civil societies, and this should ideally work concurrently with rehabilitation to reintegrate prisoners into families, communities, and the society at large. It is the general consensus that prisoners should be treated humanely.

They were caught committing their crimes, while many criminals have been getting away without discovery.

During his tenure, retired Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine, created synergies to make the prison system more aligned to rehabilitation rather than punishment.

He incorporated new programmes in the prison system to create a dynamic whereby prison was no longer somewhere merely to lock away people found guilty of aberrant behaviour, but where the inmates could be guided, directed, and encouraged to change their thinking and attitude into more positive, achievementoriented directions. That change was a work in progress throughout Erskine’s tenure as initially Officer-in-Charge of the Georgetown Prison, and then Director of Prisons.

The changes wrought by the forward, humanistic thinking of Erskine were multi-faceted and transformational.

One of the programmes he set in motion was the identification and employment of a skilled bank of prisoners who were at least risk of escaping or engaging in additional criminal activities.

The prisoners were thus enabled to earn an income, part of which provided for his/her own needs; the needs of relatives, including young children left defenceless as their mothers struggle to take care of their prerequisites for survival. Some saved for their own upkeep upon their release, because the world knows that for a person with a prison record finding employment is a difficult feat.

However, there are those who are considered beyond human redemption, because they have become so hardened in their hearts that opportunities for atonement go begging. In these cases, protective services have to be vigilant that these persons are completely assured of their restored sense of right and wrong, and their intention to continue to adhere to the laws of the land.

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues chats with some students at the Albion Primary School where she went to distribute the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) (DPI photo)

More shore bases welcomed

Dear Editor, I welcomed the news that another shore base will be constructed at the mouth of the Demerara River, near Vreed-en-Hoop (GT Jul 28) in addition to the one by Tristar in the Malgre Tout, Versailles area. Shore bases are critical for the nascent oil and natural gas industry. It is expected to contribute significantly to the Guyanese economy in the coming years. The exploration, drilling, and extraction of oil and gas offshore in deep water needs a lot of onshore support services of which Guyana lacks required capacity. Currently, there are only one or two companies providing onshore services to the offshore oil industry in Guyana.

These two bases cannot meet the current total demand, and the duopoly results in higher-than-normal charges to service the oil companies. In terms of fees, information reveals that the two shore bases charge substantially higher fees for the 110 miles shipping distance from East Bank to locations in the Stabroek Block given that the alternative would be to go to bases in Trinidad some 400 miles away. The Guyana fee structure considers what oil companies would pay for shipment of goods from Trinidad some four times the journey to the offshore base.

More bases could, therefore, potentially lead to lower costs. And Guyana needs more bases to meet the current and increasing demand of the oil companies as oil production is being ramped up from the current 120K BPD to six times that amount in four years

and double that amount five years later. So, more shore bases are definitely needed.

And more bases lead to competition that would inevitably lead to lower prices for services. In addition, large amounts of money would be spent in the billions of dollars, creating jobs, putting money in the tax coffers, and raising GDP benefiting the total economy.

The two onshore bases are on the East Bank, very close to the busy Georgetown area. Both are constrained by space requirements and the East Bank Demerara is congested and has traffic issues. The Government should, therefore, encourage construction of shore bases on the West Bank or West Coast and other locations away from the overcrowded city. Exxon should also give preference to use shore bases away from the heart of the city.

A shore base is currently being constructed at Versailles, West Bank

by Tristar. It is the only fit-for-purpose shore base in Guyana. Government should offer all the support Tristar needs to expedite construction to quickly get the shore base operationalised. The same should be done for other shore bases; the consortium putting up a shore base at the mouth of the Demerara River should also be supported. More shore bases result in job creation.

It is understood that Tristar’s base is being designed to international standards and will be specific to the oil and gas industry and its needs, which emphasise safety of operations.

Moreover, Tristar is 100%

owned by Guyanese whose interests and patriotism are towards Guyana, particularly in uplifting communities on the West Bank that were neglected since 2016.

Tristar is owned by Krishna Persaud whose roots are in West Dem. More shore bases on the West Bank or West Coast or elsewhere would lead to an end of the duopoly. Competition among bases that would result in: 1) lowering cost of doing business in the Guyana oil industry; 2) hundreds of millions of dollars of investment that would create hundreds if not thousands of jobs; 3) Use of local contractors in construction and operations that in turn would lead to integration in the oil

and gas supply chain of local companies; 4) Greater local content in the oil business – aligned with Government’s policy; 5) high value work that is currently undertaken in in Trinidad would be shifted to Guyana 6) substantial socioeconomic benefits to the West Bank and West Coast Demerara region; 7) Resuscitation of economic activities and commerce in the Wales area that has been negatively impacted by the closure of the sugar factory; revival of business in the West Demerara region, among other benefits.

Yours truly, Dr Vishnu Bisram

Questions for Hamilton Green

Dear Editor, In mid-June of this year, Mr Hamilton Green was exposed by Ryhaan Shah, when she posited questions to him. Green, at the time, was trying to intimate that we need to grasp ‘racist’ PPP/C lessons from a massacre of African-Americans.

His attempt to do so resided in reference to the “Sun Chapman” explosion, which he is laying at the feet of the PPP/C. Well, he was told, and as we all know the “Sun Chapman” incident was fully and independently investigated by the then colonial Police, and they concluded

that there was nothing evidential as to the PPP’s involvement in the incident.

Now, in that same ‘racegame,’ Hamilton Green is trying ‘his thing’ again. In his July 28 Stabroek News’ letter, a few days ago, he put forward that “… if State sees need for ethnic balance in security forces, then this must permeate all aspects of society.”

He says that “… if the State apparatus believes in the utility and necessity for ethnic balance, then such a philosophy must permeate and saturate all aspects of our society.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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

Denouncing smear campaign by SBF Director

Dear Editor, Embattled Director of SBF International Inc and SBF Petroleum Inc, Dorwain Bess continues to malign the character and professionalism of officers of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) while simultaneously portraying himself as an individual who has scant regard for the legal processes of Guyana.

Even though some of these matters are sub-judice and we have been restrained from commenting on them, as Chairman I have noted that Bess, through a series of articles published in the Kaieteur News, presented convenient half-truths and blatant misrepresentations in attempting to paint the GEA as a villain in his fallacious tale of woe and victimisation.

Having been provided a detailed summary as to the history of the companies Lynwil International Trading Inc, SBF Petroleum Inc and SBF International Inc and their operations throughout the period of the companies’ Importing Wholesale Licence and comparing the information provided by Bess in his various interviews, I am left puzzled as to the true intent behind his public outbursts and protestations.

Whether through the Journalist’s editorialisation of the KN article dated July 26, 2021 or Bess’ false account of the sequence of events, attempts by Bess to portray the GEA as being involved in vindictive, high-handed, conspiratorial actions against his company are easily proved inaccurate by following the written paper trail of communications concerning the company’s eventual eviction from the Christianburg facility.

Bess claimed to have had conversations with a former Director of his company, with the Director referencing charges against Christopher Jones and an attempted hostile takeover which was followed by the “sudden” investigation of the lease by GEA and refusal of GRA and GEA staff to conduct marking at the terminal.

A check of any media outlet’s reporting would show that the incident with

Christopher Jones occurred in the latter part of August 2020. The incident involving the refusal of entry to GEA and GRA staff occurred much earlier on May 29, 2020. SBF was written to about refusal of entry and requested to provide an updated lease on June 10, 2020 and Omai informed the GEA of the altered lease by letter dated June 30 but received on July 7, 2020. The Notice Before Cancellation was issued on August 13, 2020 after the GEA had already received confirmation from Omai’s Director about the lease’s authenticity.

For the first time, Bess in the KN article dated July 19, 2021 has claimed that the company knowingly submitted an altered lease to the GEA to support his application for an Importing Wholesale Licence, an admission never once made in the 30 days within which he and his company were provided to show cause why his company’s Importing Wholesale Licence should not be cancelled.

Bess also admitted in the KN article dated July 26, 2021 that even before the effective cancellation of his company’s licence, the company had been evicted from the Christianburg site and had no permission from the EPA to bunker fuel from one vessel to the other despite being informed by GEA of the need to obtain same months prior.

What he omitted to say was that at that time, the company had no other authorised storage facilities for the continuation of its business as an importer and, therefore, provided no cause why the licence should not be cancelled.

It should be noted that the company utilised the said eviction as an excuse to the EPA as to why it was unable to complete the clean-up and restoration activities required by that entity following a spill of 59,000 litres of diesel at the site. In fact, this failure to comply with the conditions of the withdrawal of a previous Prohibition Notice resulted in that Notice regaining effect.

Nowhere in his many articles has Bess stated this.

Bess claims that his com-

pany SBF International (or perhaps SBF Petroleum as the distinction between the two is negligible) has constructed large facilities and the articles published are accompanied by photographs of multiple red storage tanks standing on red soil. Bess, on behalf of SBF, has to date submitted no documents to the Agency with regard to this storage site, despite being aware of the documents needed to support an application for a licence. In fact, the site appears to be leased to another company Alpha Petroleum Trading Inc of which Bess was a former Director. Persons familiar with the requirements for safe bulk storage of fuel can simply examine the photos displayed and determine whether the site in fact appears ready for fuel storage.

Bess on two consecutive days submitted applications for Importing Wholesale Licences on behalf of SBF International Inc and Alpha Petroleum Trading Inc. Despite being from two different companies, the applications were almost identical in their contents, claiming to utilise similar suppliers and storage facilities. A further startling connection between the two companies was revealed in the KN article dated July 22, 2021 where one Marlon Campbell of the “Osher International IDG Bank & Trust” was quoted as making statements concerning SBF’s licence cancellation.

Another similarly titled company, Osher International Banking & Trust supplied a letter of intent signed by one Marlon Campbell, to provide funding to the tune of millions of United States dollars to another Director of Alpha for investments to Guyana.

The stark similarity in the names and barely noticeable distinctions have not gone unnoticed by the vigilant and diligent staff of the GEA. Though very little information can be found about the capacity of this “international bank” to source and provide such significant funds to Bess, SBF, Alpha or any other entity, its very public and emphatic support for an

individual is quite unlike the posture taken by the many publicly-recognised and accredited international funding agencies with which the GEA and other entities have interacted.

As Chairman, I was requested to meet with another Director, Vincent Firth, of Alpha Petroleum, who said that if a licence was not granted to SBF and granted to Alpha instead, he would immediately transfer the licence from Alpha to SBF. In this meeting on April 22, 2021, Firth claimed that he was the sole financier of SBF. In what appears to be an attempt at negotiating away the illegalities committed by SBF, Firth offered to withdraw SBF’s court action against GEA challenging the licence’s cancellation if the Agency “restored” SBF’s licence. In this meeting, Firth even went so far as threatening to launch an aggressive public campaign against the GEA and Dr Sharma if the licence to SBF was not restored. This I interpreted as an attempt to blackmail the GEA. On seeking clarity as to the relationship between the two entities considering the overt similarity in their applications, the GEA received two letters, one from Bess and Firth containing almost identical language that Bess was just a Consulting Director of Alpha, which was the business of Firth, and that SBF was really Bess’ business, with which he shared a Directorship with one Dannel Munroe.

As what may be viewed as an attempt to paint a picture of distance between the two companies, Firth claimed that Bess had resigned as a Director of Alpha; however, checks in the Commercial Registry showed that its Directors remained the same.

It was not until after the GEA requested incorporation documents from Firth showing the change in Directors, that changes were made to the records in the registry. The shareholding of the company also changed showing Firth as the sole shareholder, while Bess and a named Attorney-

Questions for Hamilton...

Then he proceeds to suggest racial imbalance, favouring Indians, in the following: use and allocation of State lands for forestry and mining; licences for the importation and sale of pharmaceuticals, allied goods and equipment; the importation and sale of groceries and foodstuff; licensing for firearms, etc; importation of motor vehicles and heavy equipment; and awarding of multi-million contracts for large infrastructural works.

Green claims that in “the cases above and in many other areas, Afro-Guyanese constitute less than three per cent of those controlling the above significant sectors

and services”.

My question: “How come no one has heard of legitimate complaints from the actual Afro-Guyanese”? Also, there is a public way that these areas are accessed, and each has its stipulations. There are standard requirements for applications to be made for every category Green listed. I add that during the tenure of A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change, nothing changed in those areas. Is it fair then for me to say that even APNU/AFC discriminated against AfroGuyanese?

Why a person or groups of persons gravitate towards a place or profession has

nothing specifically to do with any kind of racial discrimination. If Green were to check the statistics, right in the US, he will discover that even the prison system has an imbalance in racial numbers, and this has nothing to do with racial discrimination. He can look at school ‘drop-outs’ too, and the same will obtain; there is no parity when race and numbers are aligned. People make choices, good or bad, based on a number of elements, and we have to accept this and live with it.

Hamilton Green should offer a response to Ryhaan Shah. She was asking on the behalf of many, expla-

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nations for the following: the race riots of the 1960s; the political assassination of Father Darke and Dr Walter Rodney; the riot of 1992 to try to overturn a legitimate election after nearly 28 years of PNC dictatorship; Hoyte’s “slow fyah, mo fyah” campaign; the Buxtoncentred terrorism to try and overturn a legitimate PPP Government; and the PNC’s anti-democratic antics of election riggery, and their targeted attacks on IndianGuyanese just last year.”

Many of us await his responses to those.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

at-Law were previously the only two Directors.

While Bess claims to have several employees on the breadline, two service stations on the West Coast of Demerara bear the names SBF Petroleum on their canopies. What Bess has not revealed is that one of those gas stations is leased to Alpha Petroleum and not SBF as the canopy may portray. The other gas station is in fact unlicensed despite the GEA requesting the owner to regularise the station’s status. Had the GEA and its officers been as vindictive as Bess claims, the Agency would not have exercised the great leniency it has and Bess and/or his company would be facing their third criminal charge for unlicensed operations. Of note, contrary to what was said by Bess on July 26, 2021, GEA has not instituted a private criminal charge against his company for the altered lease.

All charges relate to unlicensed operations, including the wholesaling of gasoline which the company was never licensed to import or sell.

While Bess made much ado about “having to fight tooth and nail to get [fuel] released” to him, he is no doubt aware that the many checks and balances put in place not only by the GEA but also the GRA were to ensure that all the fuel imported by his company was taxed appropriately and marked effectively. Naturally, he would have had to report the movement of vessels carrying unmarked fuel, to prevent the sudden disappearance of this product before the request’s legal compliance. This would no doubt be of concern to all citizens, including KN, which on April 20, 2018, published an article titled “Authorities Seize Ship with Smuggled Fuel” concerning a shipment of fuel aboard the Jubilee, a vessel owned by Bess’ compa-

ny.

The GEA granted Import Licences to small dealers in an attempt to broaden the sources of fuel, generate income and jobs, and create competition within the downstream sector; however, this presented new challenges for the Agency in monitoring the said sector. As a result, additional internal controls were created with the objective of ensuring that all fuel of standard quality was appropriately taxed, marked and distributed to consumers across the country. While this may have placed additional requirements on the smaller importers, a necessary balance had to be struck. SBF’s operations on varying occasions appeared to create new challenges for the Agency; however, we continued to work with them to address same.

The GEA is sympathetic with the employees of SBF whose jobs were lost as a result of the callous acts of its employer; however, GEA calls on those employees, if they are indeed so, to examine the past and present actions of the company and view all facts with objective eyes.

The Board of Directors and Agency will not allow threats of baseless lawsuits, reports to the local and international media, and penning of letters to international representatives and bodies to sway the Agency from enforcing the law. Bess and all others are advised to focus their efforts on the legal means available for dispute resolution rather than engaging in continuous smear campaigns.

The Board of Directors will continue to review and provide guidance to the Agency to ensure fairness, transparency, accountability, and compliance with the law.

Sincerely, Jerome Khan Chairman, GEA Board

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Foundation ◄ Past NGSA questions

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1st set of draft Electoral Reforms completed – AG

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government is moving apace with the much-anticipated electoral reforms and the first instalment of the draft reforms has already been drawn up.

This was revealed by Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, during the latest edition of his weekly programme – Issues In The News.

According to Nandlall, the draft document is currently with the party’s leaders for review.

“We have the electoral reforms. I’ve churned out one set of drafts already and that is with our political leaders. They are consulting on that and soon that will be made public,” the Legal Affairs Minister said during his programme.

Guyana Times understands that once all the draft documents are in place, it will be sent to stakeholders for review.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had previously explained that once completed, the draft amendments would be sent to the various political parties including the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition, civil society bodies, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the international community for review. They will

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC

also be available for the public to give their input before being finalised and presented in the National Assembly, where again they will be debated by both the Government and parliamentary Oppositions.

The need for both electoral and constitutional reforms was underscored following last year’s March 2 General and Regional Elections, which led to a five-month tumultuous impasse before the Irfaan Aliled PPP/C Government finally took office on August 2, 2020.

There were concerted efforts by the former governing APNU/AFC and some GECOM officials to undermine democracy after elections were held.

It was previously report-

ed that the Representation of the People Act (RoPA), which contains laws specific to the conduct of elections and election-related issues in Guyana, is being ironed out to remove ambiguous provisions and include penalties for persons attempting to carry out electoral fraud.

In fact, during a previous programme last month, Nandlall had said that the ongoing reform of the electoral laws in Guyana is intended to tighten the legal process and rectify the deficiencies that led to the post-election events in 2020. He had pointed out that these reforms were not intended to create any electoral advantage in favour of any political party.

Instead, the Legal Affairs Minister said: “They are all intended to tighten our legal process, to tighten the laws as well as to rectify all the deficiencies we have seen exploited by the likes of [embattled Returning Officer Clairmont] Mingo and [Chief Elections Officer Keith] Lowenfield at the last elections. So that in future elections, we ought not to have such reoccurrence. So, all the lacunas, all the gaps, all the ambiguities, all the areas that were cause for concerns and cast doubts in people’s minds, we are going to clarify all of that in the law.

So, the law should be very clear.”

Another important component of the reforms would be the hiring process at the Elections Commission, Nandlall had said.

CEO Lowenfield, his deputy Roxanne Myers and RO Mingo, along with other

PPP/C won the elections, but it took the firmness of local and regional courts, the resilience of GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh and threats of sanctions from the international community led by the United States before former President David Granger fi-

GECOM staff, are currently before the courts facing electoral fraud charges over last year’s polls.

Mingo had heavily inflated the figures from Region Four – Guyana’s largest voting district – to give the APNU/AFC coalition a lead over the PPP/C. Meanwhile, Lowenfield, with the support of Myers, presented false figures to the GECOM Commission for declaration as official results of the elections.

However, a 33-day recount showed that the

nally stepped aside and allowed President Ali to be sworn in.

While the cases against the trio are pending in the court, the three Governmentnominated Commissioners have filed two motions at the level of the seven-member Commission to have Lowenfield and Myers removed from the Elections Secretariat in light of their actions following the March 2020 polls.

Minister Nandlall contended last month these senior GECOM officials should

have already been removed.

“In any other society, in any normal society, a motion or motions ought not to have been required for the dismissal of these three miscreants. The world saw what they did, we saw what they did, courts ruled, condemning what they did and declaring what they did as illegal and unlawful. In those circumstances, they ought to have been dismissed without cause instantaneously upon the declaration of the [elections] results. But Guyana is not a normal place and GECOM is not a normal institution,” he had asserted.

At a GECOM meeting last month that was scheduled to debate the motions against the CEO and DCEO, who were both sent on administrative leave, the three Opposition-nominated Commissioners had walked out of the meeting causing it to lose quorum. A subsequent meeting was deferred.

Since then, however, Lowenfield has approached the High Court to block Government Commissioners Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shadick from voting on the motions seeking his dismissal.

Nandlall last week said the CEO was embarking on a “futile journey” with this lawsuit. (G8)

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Justice…

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…for Police he Police is the most visible symbol of the essence of the State: it has the power to inflict the ultimate sanction on citizens. This is a very intoxicating power and as most Guyanese know to their cost, it’s been much abused. For which the Government is blamed, since from the colonial time through the PNC’s 28-year dictatorship, they used the Police to keep the population in thrall.

Even if the PPP wanted to follow suit, it’s always been constrained by the Police being staffed and commanded by officers supporting the PNC. And this isn’t coincidental, since the PNC under Burnham never rectified the colonial composition of the GPF – even the ICJ recommended as a precondition for gaining independence. Now this isn’t just an idle figment of your Eyewitness’ imagination: up to the ‘90s, in the public breakdown of the votes of the Disciplined Forces, the PNC consistently received 85% of their votes.

So, the opprobrium on the Police is generally justified – as we can see from the number of cases and complaints outstanding against serving ranks. But this doesn’t mean ALL members of the GPF are unprofessional and aren’t doing their best to enforce the law without fear or favour.

So it’s the duty of we the people to encourage this tendency in the force so that hopefully it will become its dominant tendency.

So when it’s shown that particular Policemen might’ve been given a bad name and hanged for it, we should highlight it. And such an instance occurred recently when two Police Ranks (male and female) were totally exonerated from the accusation and charge that they had used a baton to anally rape a prisoner, Colyn Harding. This allegation back in Jan 2014 of the act allegedly done in Nov 2013 created a huge stir when as usual the PNC and AFC and their minions got involved from a “human rights” angle.

Problem was, the fella made the rape claim long after doctors had examined him, determined he had a hernia with complications – and treated same. He never mentioned any baton rape to the doctors. The Police Complaints Authority investigated and found no evidence for the rape, but recommended charges for assault which were instituted and thrown out in Court. A cousin who’d claimed she witnessed the rape never came forward to testify. She tried to get a piece of the action by claiming that she’d been kicked in the stomach by Policemen and suffered a miscarriage. But never brought charges!

Finally, 7 years later, Harding never showed up for the final hearing on costs. Your Eyewitness hopes the strident backers who flew him to Jamaica will now pay those costs.

The cops must be recompensed also.

…(finally) for Americans For the last 5 decades, America spent TRILLIONS of its greenbacks to wage wars to save the world for democracy (against those Commies!), against drugs any terrorism, etc. Sadly, those wars seem to sustain each other! For instance, fighting against commies in Afghanistan and Columbia resulted in those locales becoming the major supplies of – respectively – heroin and cocaine to the world. With the US the major customer. It was a vicious circle!

How to jump off? Well, Biden seems determined to have a stab at it. He’s already decided to pull all US troops out of Afghanistan – the last battleground for democracy.

And even though it’s obvious that the “democratic” govt will be overrun, he doesn’t seem to be backing away from his decision.

Rather he’s just worked out a bipartisan deal to spend US$1trillion on America’s decrepit infrastructure. This will create millions of jobs which will pump money into their economy to hopefully create a virtuous cycle.

Something the PPP’s doing here already.

…for the Jamaicans Jamaicans are noted for their creative cultural industry – and producing world-class athletes. But seems they’re finally moving into the modern economy. A Jamaican firm “itel” just bought out Guyanese “Emerge BPO” –- which works as a back office for US firms.

Ital!!

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

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Firearms Act, regulations Travellers with mixed allowed entry into should be updated – new unit vaccines Guyana – Health Advisor …set to tackle gun, ammo trafficking A A new unit has been established by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn to clamp down on the trafficking of firearms and ammunition through a National Action Plan for the Firearms Roadmap.

The unit referred to a national team is said to have collectively agreed that the Firearms Act, along with the relevant norms and regulations, should be updated.

Additionally, the National Action Plan for the firearms roadmap will see top priorities being given to the developing and the enhancement of training in surveillance firearms detection at the port and border crossings, creating and enhancing domestic software and e-platforms to facilitate intelligence gathering, information exchange among national and regional law enforcement entities and crime mapping, and to create/update national weapons inventories Benn and research officer Jasmin Louisy had participated in a virtual meeting with the United Nations Seventh Biennial Meeting of States on the programme of action on attempts to prevent, combat and eradicate illicit trade of small arms and light weapons.

A joint side event by UNLIREC and the United Nations Development Programme’s South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (UNDP SEESAC) saw the implementation of two regional documents – the Western Balkans Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control Roadmap and the Caribbean Firearms

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

Roadmap.

Guyana, he said, has committed to the Development for the Roadmap for implementing the Caribbean Priority Actions on the Illicit Proliferation of Firearms and Ammunition across the Caribbean in a sustainable manner by 2030.

They include implementing the Regional Roadmap for Addressing Caribbean Priority Actions on the Illicit Proliferation of Firearms and Ammunition across the Caribbean by 2030; collaboration with regional stakeholders such as the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) to facilitate training and capacity building for Member States and collaboration with international stakeholders such as the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) who deal with transnational organised crime.

In April of this year, the minister had led a vir-

tual meeting between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states and representatives of the United States Bureau of ATF and HSI in regards to firearms trafficking in the CARICOM region, where it was reviewed and approaches to urgently deal with the issue and its related manifestations were identified.

Benn stated that Guyana appreciates the opportunity to participate in this significant initiative, and encourages other Caribbean countries to get on board.

The Caribbean Firearms Roadmap serves as a renewed effort in curbing gun crime in the Caribbean.

Members of this newly constructed unit are Permanent Secretary, Mae Toussaint Jr Thomas; Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum; Research Officer and The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC)’s Focal Point, Jasmin Louisy; Foreign Service Officer II at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Sosheena Parmanand; Inspector of Police at the Criminal Investigation Department, Richard Frank; Assistant Superintendent at the Immigration Department, Troy Benn; Officer Commanding Ordinance at the Guyana Defence Force, Captain Stephen Castor; Group Leader at the Customs Authority, Ramond Young, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Natasha Backer, and Technical Officer at the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit, Ron Marks.

mid global travel concerns surrounding persons who have received mixed vaccines, Health Advisor, Dr Leslie Ramsammy has explained that those persons – once they are fully inoculated – would be allowed to enter Guyana.

“As long as they have a double dose,” the Health Advisor noted.

Mixing vaccines means administering one brand of vaccine for a patient’s first shot, followed by a vaccine made by a different manufacturer for the second dose.

Several ongoing studies are investigating the effects of mixing coronavirus shots. Data has been released from mixed trials in Spain and the United Kingdom, which suggest that mixing vaccines leads to a strong immune re-

sponse and sometimes outperforms two doses of the same vaccine.

In Germany, a third study also revealed that the immune response of mixing coronavirus doses was better than two AstraZeneca shots and as good as or better than receiving two doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

Several countries, including Bahrain, Bhutan, Canada, Italy, South Korea, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, have begun mixing vaccines as policy.

But those persons who are fully inoculated via mixed vaccines are facing many challenges with global travel, as many countries are not recognising the mixed vaccines policy.

In particular, a significant number of Canadians have been vaccinated with mixed doses and are finding it difficult to travel to vari-

ous countries which do not recognise the mixed vaccine method.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had said he was working with other countries to make sure rules for fully-vaccinated Canadian travellers were consistent.

“We’re going to continue to work with the international community to make sure that people who are fully vaccinated in ways that Canadians recognises as safe and effective are also recognised around the world,” the Prime Minister had stated.

Already, the Government of Barbados recently updated its travel protocols to allow persons with mixed vaccines to be categorised as fully vaccinated, and, therefore, be granted entry into the country.

10 NEWS

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 Venezuelan women die in Alberttown fire T

wo Venezuelan women tragically lost their lives on Thursday morning in a fire that ravaged an apartment complex at Lot 136 Fifth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown.

Based on reports, the women were trapped in the apartment and were screaming for help, but firefighters were unable to gain entry owing to the intensity of the blaze.

Dead: Maria Alejandra Patiño Benjamin & Lina Maria Texidor Alonso

Pedal cyclist injured in WCB hit and run

T

he Police are on the hunt for a black minibus following a hit-and-run accident along the Bath Public Road, West Coast Berbice (WCB) on Wednesday which has left

one man injured.

The injured man is 34-year-old Davanand Manroop of Waterloo Bath, WCB. Based on information received, on the day in

question, around 15:40h, the pedal cyclist alleged that he was riding along the footpath of the said road when he observed a black minibus overtaking another vehicle on a bridge at a fast pace.

The minibus then reportedly collided with him.

As a result of the collision, he fell to the road surface where he sustained injuries about his body. The driver of the minibus fled the scene.

The pedal cyclist was picked up in a conscious state by public-spirited citizens and taken to Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where he was treated and admitted for observation in stable condition.

Dead are 25-year-old Lina Maria Texidor Alonso and 44-year-old Maria Alejandra Patiño Benjamin.

A third person who was also trapped in the building managed to escape without injuries.

When Guyana Times arrived on the scene, the flames had already been extinguished.

However, Fire Chief Kalamadeen Edoo told reporters that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) was informed of the fire around 08:46h and responded with three units – one from Alberttown Fire Station and two from the Central Fire Station.

An ambulance was also dispatched.

The Fire Chief said that firefighters struggled to gain entry to the building to control the blaze, since the complex was fully barred with metal grilles.

“On arrival, it was observed that the first floor of the two-storey building was engulfed. Immediately, firefighting mode was put into operation where it was difficult for firefighters to get access into the building because the entire building was grilled.

“We had to break the door, when we broke that door, there were two doors: the grille door and the wood door…as the firefighters enter the building, that is where they discovered one

The scene of the fire at Alberttown, Georgetown

of the bodies that was lying on the bed, and the other one was at the back of the building,” the Fire Chief explained.

At the scene, neighbours indicated that they heard the women screaming for help. They also criticised the Fire Service for not being better equipped or prepared to gain entry into the building to rescue the women.

This newspaper understands that several foreign nationals were living at the apartment complex. The Fire Service has since said that the top floor of the building was severely damaged while the ground floor suffered water damage leaving a total of 13 persons homeless. The cause of the fire is not known.

Investigations are ongoing.

(G9)

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Aircraft overshoots airstrip, Bandits rob Rose crashes in Region 7 Hall Superbet outlet

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A

team from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has been dispatched to Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) on Thursday following an aircraft accident at Aricheng airstrip. This was confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Egbert Fields who told the Guyana Times that the accident occurred late Wednesday afternoon.

He also confirmed that the aircraft registered to Roraima Airways overshot the runway as it was taking and ended up in a clump of bushes. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was shuttling fuel.

“All I can say at this time, that it was the pilot and one passenger…none of them were injured but the aircraft did sustain some damage…our team is expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident,” Fields noted.

In addition, he added that a team will also brief the minister on the accident and more so, the cause of same. When contacted, founder and owner of the Roraima Group of Companies, Gerry Gouveia related that he is awaiting the details from the GCAA who travelled into the area on Thursday.

He added that based on preliminary inquiries, the aircraft did not receive se-

The aircraft after the accident on Wednesday

vere damage but confirmed that it ran off the end of the airstrip as it was about to take off. Gouveia also related that no one was injured in the accident.

This is the third aircraft over the past few weeks to have been involved in an accident. On this note, GCAA’s Director General stated that based on the reports from the accident, he will have to see what is common and then act on same.

He recalled that in the past, there were issues with respect to procedures in the shuttle program and some revised measures had to be put in place. “With respect to the recent accidents, we will have to assess the reports and I will have to determine the common cause of the accident and make the necessary recommendation.”

Following the previous two accidents, Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill has ordered that the two recent hinterland aircraft accidents be investigated with support from other agencies.

The first accident involved a Cessna Caravan belonging to Jags Aviation of BK Group of Companies ran off the Eteringbang runway, Region Seven. A similar incident occurred at the Kamarang airstrip due to the disintegration of a

Cessna plane’s propeller upon take off. The plane’s private operator is Orlando Charles.

Referring to the incident at Eteringbang, Minister Edghill said the investigation will have to take a multi-sectoral approach, including assistance from the Guyana Police Force. The aircraft was discovered to have been carrying mercury, a restricted substance, for which the aviation service was not authorised to transport. The Minister said the mercury was removed from the aircraft before the inspection was conducted.

In relation to the Kamarang accident, the Minister said news of a disintegrated propellor is shocking, and begs the question of maintenance.

“So, the officers of the GCAA who were responsible for inspecting and authorising these aircraft to be operated based upon their maintenance and servicing compliance responsibilities would also come up for scrutiny because these are very serious issues.

Our passengers and Guyanese and foreigners must always feel safe every time they board an aircraft for a destination. And it is the responsibility of the regulatory body, the GCAA to ensure that every air service provider is operating in keeping with the law and is in full compliance.”

Minister Edghill has also instructed aerodrome operators to ensure all hinterland aerodromes are safe for landing and take-off.

wo masked and armed men executed a daring robbery on a Superbet outlet at Transformer Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice on Wednesday evening.

Police investigations revealed that on the day in question about 20:10h, a 32-year-old female cashier attached to the establishment was attending to a customer when two masked men dressed with dark clothing entered the shop.

At the time, one of the men were armed with a crowbar, while the other was armed with an unknown object. However, they ordered the male customer to lay face down on the ground inside the shop.

Fearful for his life, the customer complied and it was then the perpetrator who was armed with the crowbar ordered the cashier to open the inner door. Also fearful for her life, the cashier complied.

The man then instructed the woman to hand over all the cash. She, however, pointed them to a box where the cash was kept. As such, the bandit reportedly collected the cash which amounted to $35,500 after which he and his accomplice made good their escape on foot.

After the men left, the Police were contacted and an investigation was launched.

This incident came on the heels of a robbery at a Superbet location in Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), just a week ago.

It was reported that a 17-year-old male allegedly went to the location, where he snatched the cashier’s phone and $10,000 in cash and tried to escape.

During his bid to escape, the teenager was cornered by public-spirted citizens who tied him up and subsequently handed him over to the Police. (G9)

12 NEWS

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC bid to save election petition

Appeal Court questions whether petition should be heard by Full Court C

ontinuing a preliminary hearing on its jurisdiction to hear an election petition dismissed for procedural irregularity, the Guyana Court of Appeal on Thursday questioned whether the right of appeal in this matter lies with the Full Court.

Election petition #99, which was filed on September 15, 2020, was dismissed on January 18 by acting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, as a result of the petitioners – Brennan Nurse and Monica Thomas’ – failure to effect service on the second-named respondent, former President David Granger within the prescribed time.

With the election petition, Nurse and Thomas were seeking to invalidate the results of the March 2020 National Elections, which they contend were conducted in violation of the laws. Based on the polls, they argued that it is Granger who should be declared the duly-elected President of Guyana.

As such, they further petitioned to have the court nullify the declaration of People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Presidential

Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards

Candidate Irfaan Ali as President. They are now appealing the acting Chief Justice’s ruling to the Court of Appeal.

No jurisdiction argument

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, and Douglas Mendes, SC, who are representing President Dr Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo – who are among the named respondents – argued that the appellate court has no jurisdiction to hear the case.

But Roysdale Forde, SC, and John Jeremie, SC, who appear for the petitioners, argued that the court does have jurisdiction to entertain the matter under Article 123 of the Constitution and the Court of Appeal Act. However, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud on Thursday, questioned whether the appeal on the procedural issue could have gone to the Full Court.

“No, it could not have gone to the Full Court,” Nandlall said in response to a question posed by Justice Persaud. Because of the special and unique jurisdiction conferred upon the High Court to hear an election petition, Nandlall argued that the Civil Procedure Rules and Full Court Act have no application in this case.

The Attorney General added, “That is why every case dealing with an election petition… You will see a whole recitation of the historical orientation because it was a power only exercised by Parliament. It was a Parliamentary power, not a

Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory

judicial power, so you cannot disconnect the historical evolution of the jurisdiction from its current state.”

At a previous hearing, the Attorney General had reasoned that Article 163 of the Constitution bestows upon the High Court a peculiar jurisdiction to hear such matters. He, therefore, urged the appellate court to strike out the appeal as there is no statutory or constitutional jurisdiction given to that court to hear an election petition dismissed for procedural impropriety or any other reason

not stated in Article 163 (1).

He said that Article 163 constitutes the complete code of how election petitions are to be determined, lists the types of issues that are to be raised by an election petition, and also limits the grounds upon which appeals flow from the determination of those issues.

“Article 163 limit appeals to be filed from decisions coming from the High Court that are commenced by an election petition only to the determination of the questions identified in the Article.”

“The learned Chief Justice in her ruling struck out the petition on the ground that there was non-service.

In her written decision, her honour stated that service within the time prescribed is a condition precedent to the hearing and determination of an election petition,” he submitted.

Given the foregoing, he said that the Chief Justice held that the High Court has no jurisdiction to proceed to hear and determine the petition if one of those conditions precedent is not complied with. According to

Justice of Appeal Rishi Persaud

Nandlall, “In this case, the question was service and the court dismissed the petition on those grounds.”

He added, “The court never determined the questions which the petition raised to be determined which are the questions raised in Article 163 (1) from which Article 163 (3) says an appeal lies to the Court of Appeal upon the determination of those questions or orders consequential to the determination of those questions.”

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NEWS

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FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over 150 Anna Regina roadside vendors relocated to Bush Lot car park …Mayor, Vice Chair pledge to improve conditions

Vendor Harnandan

Ulex Austin

before relocation.

Ulex Austin, a 67-yearold from the Pomeroon, explained that she has been vending at Anna Regina for over three decades now and it is her only source of income. She said that her earnings from selling ground provisions and fruits have been able to support her family.

“It ain’t nice, the condition here to sell like fruits and some people who sell clothes and so it isn’t too nice. If they could concrete it, it would be much better and I don’t know if they would cover it, because they

“unsanitary” and pose as a health risk. Additionally, she is concerned with the number of vendors to be relocated and the very little space in the parking lot.

Another one of the vendors, Harnandan told Guyana Times that he has been vending nursery plants there for about 7 years now.

“I am a pensioner and I doing that (vending) for a lil back up, because the pension money not sufficient to maintain my family and myself because of sickness take way all that money. Me sick and me wife sick so this money can’t do. You got do

Anna Regina Mayor Rajendra Prabhulall meeting with the vendors

ing a meeting with the vendors on Wednesday told the Guyana Times that the tar-

By Lakhram Bhagirat

M

ore than 150 roadside vendors in the township of Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have been removed to facilitate road expansion works, but those vendors are decrying the condition of the new relocation spot.

The Mayor and Town Council, in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council, converted the Bush Lot car park into a tarmac to house the vendors. However, when Guyana Times visited on Wednesday, there were several pools of water lining the tarmac and after a short bout of rainfall, the entire area quickly accumulated water. Additionally, there were several mounds of cow faeces along with cows, goats

The relocation spot

and sheep grazing nearby.

Most of the vendors would vend either fresh vegetables and ground provisions or other food items.

They are contending that the area is unsanitary for them to ply their trade and urging the authorities to ensure that it is properly fixed

The entrance to the Bush Lot car park

say we cannot build no stand here. We got to use umbrella,” she said.

The pensioner said that the vendors have no issue with moving to facilitate the expansion of the road, but they would prefer to be relocated to a spot that is not

a side wuk to get lil money,” he related.

The pensioner said that the new spot was not ideal since it will be cramped and serves as a haven for illness.

“We wouldn't do that”

Anna Regina Mayor Rajendra Prabhulall, follow-

mac would be adequately prepared to house the vendors by today. At the time when he made the comment, there were several pools of water and cow faeces on the tarmac along with the entrance being impassable.

There were no works ongoing and Prabhulall relat-

ed that the works stopped to facilitate a meeting, but promised that they would resume following the meeting and on Thursday.

“Up to yesterday, the Regional Administration worked on pools of water we saw there. Their work is not completed yet. After these spots are marked out, the Region will still have to do some work to get this water off, and also to have some more crusher run in these low areas. This is not quite what we want or require.

We are looking in the future that if this place can be paved so it can be used for more than one purposes for the vending and also for other activities as well. So we are going to make this place good by Friday. Don’t worry, we won’t do that to the vendors and leave them exposed, we have to flex,” he said.

TURN TO PAGE 17

14 NEWS Congestion at passport office due to “peak” season – Immigration Dept FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…expedited passports possible with additional fees

D

eputy Chief Immigration Officer Superintendent Dennis Stephen has said that the months of July and August is considered to be a “peak” period and therefore, the line at the Central Immigration Office located in Georgetown is expected to be lengthy.

He made this disclosure during Tuesday’s edition of “Police and you”, a weekly “What we find is that especially in the period of July/August a lot of persons may want travel. That is the reason why you find there is large amount of persons,” Stephen explained.

“However, the passport office is also decentralized.

We have an office in Linden, we also have an office in Berbice. So, persons can be free to apply their also, we

also have facilities for persons can able to receive or uplift their passport at various ports,” he further stated.

He advised that persons make use of the other offices during this period when uplifting their passports.

Additionally, he stated that if persons are desirous of an immediate passport, they would be required to visit the Central Office.

“We have the expedite passport that means a person that would like to have their passport immediately, what we do, we interview that applicant to prove that the reason for them to have that immediate passport and if they’re on the grounds that the information that they give is authentic then we provide that service to them and that passport would be available to them

with a cost of $26,000 and that passport will be issued to them within two hours,” he explained.

The Deputy Chief also highlighted that they also cater for persons who are physically challenged persons as well as pensioners.

He stated that they facilitate persons with disabilities and those have priori-

ties.

“If a person is above the age of 65 and that person did not travel for the past 6 months, they are entitled for a passport also the immedi-

ate passport,” he highlighted.

He however noted that, COVID -19 systems are still in effect and the immigration office has to abide by the guidelines set out.

“Because of the COVID pandemic, we have to observe the social distance.

Social distance is very important and what we find the immigration department will have to observe those protocols.”

He further went on to say “however the administration of the Guyana Police Force would’ve seen it fit to only accept 100 persons or applications per day and

what we did, we divided those 100 applications into 2 parts. We accept 50 persons at seven in the morning and 50 persons at 10:30 in the morning,” he stated.

“We also provide a waiting area that would be the further north of the immigration office. Persons who would like to remain from those 100 persons because we also cater for persons as far as Essequibo and the islands,” he said.

The Deputy Chief further explained that person that are uplifting passports are required to do so at 09:30h the morning to 13:30h.

“Unusually” high river...

While the water has significantly receded, flood victims are now grappling with the impacts. Preliminary assessments were carried out by several state agencies to ascertain the extent of the destruction caused by the floods.

Additionally, a team from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) was here last month to conduct a Detailed Damage Sector Assessment and is expected to submit its report soon.

On the sidelines of an event last week, President Ali disclosed that preliminary findings from these two reports show the scale of the floods, which not only affected Guyana but neighbouring Suriname and Brazil as well.

“I think the scale of the floods has been enormous in terms of damage to crops to livelihood to households.

I think just the magnitude and scale of just the economic lost and the financial loss has been enormous and that you will see glaring in the report,” he posited.

Meanwhile, Government is also now trying to get a socio-economic impact as-

sessment done.

“We’re trying to get ECLAC (the United Nation’s Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) to give us some final help,” the President said adding that announcements will subsequently be made regarding financial assistance to flood victims.

Last month, government received approval from the National Assembly for $10 billion in supplementary funding for the provision of flood relief interventions, including repairs to infrastructure and supporting recovery in the productive and household sectors.

FROM PAGE 3

According to the Head of State, a lot roadways were damaged by the floods especially in the hinterland regions. He revealed that even the mining sector, which was also heavily impacted by the floods, are complaining about the damages to infrastructure not just from the floods but also by overweight trucks.

He noted that government will have to look at implementing weight guidelines and regulations. In addition, drainage is another critical area that government will also have to look at in order to enhance the output capacity. (G8)

NEWS

15

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Passenger Govt in negotiations to robbed, chopped secure vaccines for children by bus conductor

T

he Guyana Government is actively engaged in negotiations with various organisations in an attempt to source vaccines for children.

“We are in negotiations to see whether or not we will get those vaccines and when we get those vaccines, we want to offer it to the children population,” Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony disclosed on Thursday.

Currently, only the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines gone through clinical trials and have been given emergency authorisation for children between the ages of 12 and 18.

“We have been working with a number of partners to get vaccines that will be appropriate for children,” the health minister added.

As of Wednesday, all of the children who were hospitalised with Covid-19

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

at the National Infectious Diseases hospital have been discharged.

Health authorities had revealed in January that over 500 children were infected with the virus since the first case was detected in Guyana in March 2019.

To date, three children in Guyana have died as a result of the virus. They are an 11-year-old cancer patient, a 16-year-old and a 17-yearold.

President Dr Irfaan Ali had said whenever the country receives these vaccines,

Appeal Court questions...

they will go towards children.

The health minister had told the National Assembly in June that the US manufacturers had explained they will be unable to supply these vaccines until 2022.

“We have had discussions with Pfizer to try to acquire vaccines for Guyana.

Unfortunately… Pfizer told us that they would not be able to give us vaccines until 2022…We have also had discussions with Moderna to try to source vaccines for Guyana. Similarly, we got a similar answer. And therefore, we would not be able to get Moderna until 2022,” Dr Anthony had revealed.

Guyana is currently administering the Sputnik V, Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines to its population.

A small portion of the Moderna vaccines were also offered following a donation from a US organisation.

FROM PAGE 12

A

s such, Nandlall argued that with those questions having not been determined, there is no right of appeal in any other statute nor the Constitution upon which lawyers for the petitioners can hinge their appeal.

Rejected contention

The Senior Counsel rejected Forde’s contention that when matters determined by the High Court do not fall under Article 163 an aggrieved party can file an appeal under the court’s ordinary jurisdiction.

“And he [Forde] says, that Justice George’s ruling since it did not determine the questions and not caught within the traditional election jurisdiction created under Article 163, he bifurcates and creates a new jurisdiction,” Nandlall said.

The Attorney General noted that in over 200 years of jurisprudence, no court has ever interpreted Article 163 in the manner in which Forde is.

“The election jurisdiction, the reason why it is regarded as peculiar, extraordinary, exclusive, limited, these are the very characteristics that prevent any other rules or any other act or any other legislation to come and be part of the election laws jurisprudence,” the Attorney General added.

Full Court

Justice CummingsEdwards then asked whether in the absence of any further provisions under Article 163 (4), in terms of filing an appeal, given the fact that the rules of the High Court specifically set out the procedure, if this matter should be properly entertained by

the Full Court.

Responding to her question on Thursday, Nandlall said, “If we accept that this is a special jurisdiction, that this is an election court…

When it sits to hear an election petition it is an election court, it is a special court exercising that special jurisdiction. The authorities in the Caribbean have established clearly that the Civil Procedure Rules, that the High Court Act do not apply…. Only that which applies is the Constitution.”

According to him, the jurisdiction to hear an election petition is constitutionally rooted, and this is so throughout the Caribbean.

For example, he pointed out that Jamaica has amended its laws to allow for the Civil Procedure Rules to apply in limited ways to the election jurisdiction.

“But that came by a special amendment,” the Attorney General noted. He, however, said that this is not so in Guyana. “The National Assembly (Validity) of Elections Act has to be ex-

amined to see if it confers jurisdiction on the Full Court.

And in my examination of same-both the Act and the Rules, I cannot [make] out such an interpretation,” the Attorney General noted.

The matter comes back up again on October 26, when other lawyers, including Jeremie, will make submissions regarding the Chancellor’s question. The Court of Appeal is also hoping to conclude arguments on the preliminary issue of jurisdiction that day.

Non-service

Election petition #99 was dismissed owing to non-compliance with effecting service as prescribed under Section 8 of the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Act and Rule 9 of the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Rules.

The manner of service is prescribed in Rule 9 (1) of the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Rules, which imposes on the petitioners the statutory obligation to effect service within

five days after the presentation of the petition.

Petition #99 having been filed on September 15, 2020, should have been served on the former President five days thereafter which would have been September 21, 2020, since the fifth day – September 20, 2020 – was a Sunday.

However, in the affidavit of service of Nurse it was stated that the petition, along with the relevant documents, was only served on Granger on September 25, 2020 – five days outside of the statutorily prescribed period. (G1)

A

26-year-old man is left hospitalised after he was robbed and chopped about his body by a minibus conductor on Sheriff Street, Georgetown.

Guyana Times understands that the victim was in a Route 48-route minibus on Friday last when he attempted to pay the conductor, and another man, who is allegedly the friend of the conductor, took some money he had in his possession.

The man reportedly began begging that they returned his money but they refused.

However, while on Sheriff Street as the man attempted to exist the bus, the conductor and his friend began assaulting him.

The conductor then armed himself with a cutlass and as the 26-year-old

man attempted to fight him off he was chopped about his body.

In a video seen by the publication, the conductor could be seen running across the road with the cutlass in his hand.

At the time, the victim was seen lying motionless at the corner of the road.

The conductor then began chopping the man about his body, while public spirited citizens ran to his rescue.

The conductor and his accomplice then took away the man’s phone and other items from his pocket. Public spirited persons called for an ambulance which took the victim to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

A report was subsequently made to Police managed to apprehend one of the suspects. (G9)

Man on bail for exposing his genitals in public

A

57-year-old man was on Wednesday released on $200,000 bail after he was charged with exposing his genitals in public.

Charged is Clyve Lewis.

He was charged contrary to Section 28 (2) (b) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 08:03.

Lewis appeared virtually before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge. The case was adjourned to August 18. (G1)

Charged: Clyve Lewis

16 NEWS Guyanese will enjoy “great standard” of living from oil industry – House Speaker FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…as new T&T engineering, contracting company opens in Guyana

“O

ur Guyanese society will ensure that we are going to enjoy a great standard of living which will be equivalent to firstworld standard in a nottoo-distant future.”

Those were the words of House Speaker Manzoor Nadir as he talked of the significant economic growth Guyana will gain from its booming oil and gas sector.

He was on Thursday making remarks at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome Trinidad and Tobago-headquartered Asequith Engineering and

Asequith’s Managing Director, Fayard Hosein

and supplies.

Its showroom is at Lot 4 Cummings Street and North Road, Bourda, Georgetown.

Nadir told the company’s directors that they are

A section of the company’s showroom at Cummings Street and North Road, Bourda, Georgetown

Contracting Limited to Guyana.

Asequith Guyana will be providing several services to the oil and gas sector, especially in the area of industrial safety equipment

entering into a highly competitive industry. But although this is the case, he posited that Guyana wants to create economic opportunities for companies within the Region and extra-re-

gionally and to see them grow significantly.

Speaking to the skillset of locals, he shared, “Guyanese craft people craftspeople pride themselves in being among the best anywhere.” On this note, he warned the directors that this is not going to be a free ride for their company.

The House Speaker disclosed that when it comes to techvoc training and the skills for the oil and gas sector, Guyana has a significantly improved educational sector which is putting out several persons with certification. “So don’t come into Guyana feeling that it’s unprepared for where we are going. I would advise checking with the National Accreditation Council to see what we have…”

Nadir said that Guyana is looking forward to friendly competition.

Meanwhile, the com-

pany’s Managing Director Fayard Hosein said, “We would like to help build the local economy. We would like help to build the community around us. We would like to share with our experiences…We would like to share our knowledge [and] employ the local persons to be part and parcel of this,” “One of the most paramount importance in the oil and gas industry is safety,” Hosein said, adding that Asequith Guyana will be one of the best safety supply stores in the country.

He, however, pointed out that this is just the first phase of many ventures the company will pursue in Guyana. Hosein disclosed that in Trinidad, the company does a lot of work in the oil and gas indus-

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir

try “we do a lot of work offshore and onshore.”

According to him, phase two is a larger approach whereby the company will train and educate locals.

He added, “We have welders, fabricators, fitters, craft personnel that we could educate and they can share their knowledge with the local content.”

“We can help with that

development.

We would like to demonstrate that to you,” he assured. While he is confident of the company’s abilities to deliver, Hosein said the company is looking to collaborate with local companies.

Asequith Engineering & Contracting Ltd is family-owned and has been in existence for some 25 years. (G1)

27 GDF officer cadets promoted to ensigns

Pedal cyclist killed in Berbice accident

A

Some of the officer cadets who were promoted to ensigncy

A

The motor car and bicycle following the accident

pedal cyclist was on Thursday killed on Nigg Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) after he was struck down by a car.

Dead is 59-year-old Mohabir Ramnarine, of Albion, Corentyne, Berbice.

Reports are that the accident occurred at about 11:30h as motor car PLL 9976, driven by a 50-year-old man, was proceeding west along the southern drive lane of Nigg Public Road at a fast rate of speed.

Police disclosed that the pedal cyclist was proceeding in the said direction ahead of the motor car when the motor car collided with the rear wheel of the pedal cycle.

As a result, the pedal cyclist hit the left side window screen of the car and subsequently fell onto the road surface causing

him to receive injuries about his body.

He was picked up in an unconscious state by Police ranks and was escorted to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, but later succumbed while receiving treatment.

An investigation has been launched.

batch of 27 officer cadets has been promoted to Ensigncy, signalling their transition to the second year of training to pursue officership.

This is according to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Wednesday, which in a release stated that Chiefof-Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess and Commanding Officer of the Training Corps (ag) Lieutenant Colonel Lorraine Foster decorated the potential officers with their new badges of rank. This was done during a parade held in their honour at the Colonel Ulric Pilgrim Officer Cadet School (CUPOCS) Drill Square, Base Camp Stephenson, yesterday.

This batch is the fourth to benefit from an improved and restructured Standard Officer Course, extending the range of knowledge and skills training for potential Officers. Beginning in 2017, the GDF stated that the course was developed from 12 to 24 months, allowing students to complete

academic training for an Associate Degree in General Studies from the University of Guyana. The Associate Degree includes introductory courses in Macroeconomics and Statistics, Development Psychology, Supervisory Management, CounterTerrorism training and Foreign Policy.

In his address to the Ensigns, Brigadier Bess said he was pleased with their determination to stay the course despite all the difficulties and adversities.

The 27 students are from a batch of 44 who commenced the training. Some withdrew, while others failed to achieve the required standards. “I want you to feel a sense of accomplishment today that you have done what so many other could now.

You commenced your training during a global pandemic and many of you have to battle the physical effects of COVID 19 in addition to the rigours of training. I applaud your resilience. You are tougher, stronger, physically and mentally fitter

and better prepared for your second phase of training on your journey to officership,” the Chief-of-Staff was quoted by the GDF as saying.

Bess urged the Potential Officers to promise themselves to ensure that they are amongst those whom the President will commission in another year after completing their final training phase. “There will be no shortcuts and failure to achieve set standards will result in you not being commissioned. Continue to do your best! Do not become complacent! You have not yet arrived! Phase two has only just begun, so remain steadfast in your determination to complete this final leg of your journey,” Brigadier Bess urged the Ensigns.

Nineteen of the newly-promoted ensigns are new members of the GDF. Four are from the Guyana Police Force, two from the Guyana Prison Service and two from the Guyana Fire Service.

One of the cadets is also from the Guyana National Cadet Corps.

NEWS

17

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 more COVID-19 deaths, 57 new cases recorded T

wo more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died, according to the Ministry of Health on Thursday.

These latest fatalities are a 65-year-old male from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) and a 67-year-old female from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). They both died on Wednesday while receiving care at medical facilities.

With these, the total

hours from 1326 tests conducted.

The total number of confirmed cases in Guyana is now 22,373, but only 863 of these are currently active cases. These include 15 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit and the other 848 persons in isolation, that is, 62 of them in institutional isolation and the remaining 786 persons in home isolation.

There are also four additional persons in institu-

Since the outbreak of the pandemic in Guyana last year, 223,187 persons have been tested so far for the novel coronavirus of which 11,456 females and 10,916 males were positive cases.

A breakdown of the 57 new COVID-19 cases detected shows that Region Four continues to account for the highest number of confirmed cases and has now surpassed the 10,000 mark.

Of Thursday’s new cases, one was from Region

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD JULY 29 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

57

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

62

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

786

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

15

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

4

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

11,456

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

10,916

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

22,372

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

20,974

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

249,908

FULLY IMMUNISED

136,919

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

535

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1297

REGION 2

626

REGION 3

2538

REGION 4

10,019

REGION 5

755

REGION 6

1869

REGION 7

1279

REGION 8

380

REGION 9

2072

REGION 10

1537

es from the East BerbiceCorentyne region, one each from Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and the remaining four cases from Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) recorded no COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, according to Thursday’s COVID-19 dashboard.

In order to curb the rising number of cases in the country, the Guyana Government launched its COVID-19 vaccination exercise back in February and is aggressively rolling it out in the various regions in order to achieve herd immunity.

So far, over 50 per cent of the adult population has

been received their first dose of the vaccine and recent data puts this figure at some 249,908 persons.

Meanwhile, fully immunised persons in the country stand at approximately 136,919 of the population who are 18 years and older.

Persons are encouraged to get immunised since the COVID-19 vaccine gives full protection against death.

In fact, health authorities have disclosed that no one who is fully vaccinated with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccines have been hospitalised or died from the virus.

Nevertheless, as more people continue to get vaccinated, authorities are urging the public to continue observing all COVID-19

preventative measures, particularly masking in public, social distancing and frequent hand washing and sanitising. The measures also include a 22:30h (10:30 pm) to 04:00h (4 am) national curfew that is in effect until July 31, 2021.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of Thursday, some 195,885,929 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 4,189,148 deaths.

WHO also reported on Thursday that in the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 76,584,467 while the death toll in the Region has gone up to 1,999,953. (G8)

Over 150 Anna Regina...

FROM PAGE 13

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

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

number of deaths from the pandemic in Guyana has gone up to 535. The death toll for the month of July is now at 56.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry also reported on Thursday that 57 new COVID-19 infections were recorded over the last 24

tional quarantine, according to the Ministry’s updated COVID-19 Dashboard on Thursday.

On the other hand, some 20,974 persons have recovered from the life-threatening disease – 124 more recoveries than the figure reported the day before.

One (Barima-Waini), three cases from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 10 from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), a whopping 27 cases from the DemeraraMahaica region, eight from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), two more cas-

Mahdia accident

WCD man charged over death of Finance Ministry employee

T

hree months after Pritipaul Jaigobin, an Economic and Financial Analyst at the Finance Ministry, was killed in an accident at Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), a 43-year-old man was on Wednesday charged with causing his death.

Nand Singh, of West Coast Demerara (WCD), was brought before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on April 4, he drove a motor vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of

Dead: Pritipaul Jaigobin

Jaigobin.

Singh was granted $200,000 bail and he will return to court on August 13.

Police said that the ac-

cident occurred at around 15:00h.

It was reported that Jaigobin died after the black Toyota Tundra he and other Ministry officials were travelling in toppled several times. Singh, who was the driver of the vehicle, reportedly lost control of it.

The occupants of the vehicle received injuries and were rushed to the Mabura Health Centre.

Jaigobin was among those transferred to the Linden Hospital Complex for treatment. He was pronounced dead on arrival. Jaigobin was also the Treasurer of the Guyana Cricket Board. (G1)

The relocation spot on Thursday afternoon

The Mayor further related that the Regional Administration is tasked with the proper construction of the tarmac.

Notice of relocation letters were sent to vendors on July 15, 2021, in keeping with the municipality’s vision for the town. Prabhulall said that the decision to relocate to Bush Lot came out of a meeting with the vendors and officials.

“We have chosen to develop this in collaboration with the Regional Administration so the vendors will be placed here. Those that are on the road side that want to continue their vending will be given a spot 10x10 here and even those with vehicle that sell also will be coming here. So we are catering to like 157 vendors that are on the roadside and this includes the market road, the region road, and the main roadway, where we have the pavement and so on,” he related.

He added that there are also over 130 vendors who utilise the roadside that have stalls in the markets and encouraged them to

Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oudit

occupy those stalls rather than ply their trade on the road.

However, many of the vendors are refusing to go back into the market because it requires infrastructural upgrades and most customers would shop on the roadside.

Collaboration

Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oudit told this publication that repairs have been executed on the markets so that vendors

could go back and occupy those stalls.

“Based on the amount of person vending there will be an additional 55 that we have to find areas to vend.

So that is why we decided to use the Bush Lot tarmac.

Well, it wasn’t in that too good condition so we had to use our machine to do some levelling. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to complete it yesterday (Tuesday), but we’ll be sending a machine to do some levelling because we understand that there is some waterlogging on site,” Oudit said.

He added that they are also working with the Guyana Water Incorporated to install some standpipes to service the vendors once they have been allocated a spot.

Despite the assurances from both the Mayor and Vice Chairman, when Guyana Times visited again on Thursday, the area remained the same – the craters filled with water, cow faeces and restricted access.

The only difference was that vendors had already marked their spots.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021

Regional

St Vincent expects over 200 cruise calls Thousands protest in Guatemala demanding President’s resignation S

T

housands of Guatemalans took to the streets in protest on Thursday, lighting fires and blocking roads across the Central American country, to demand the resignation of President Alejandro Giammattei after the firing of a well-known anti-corruption Prosecutor.

The protests have gained momentum since Guatemala’s Attorney General Maria Porras last week removed anti-graft fighter Juan Francisco Sandoval as Head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity (FECI), a move that drew condemnation from Washington.

Sandoval, who left Guatemala last weekend, said he was fired after the Attorney General prevented him from trying to investigate corruption cases with links to Giammattei. The President has denied being involved in corruption.

In an interview with a local television channel last weekend, Porras said she always acted with transparency. “(Sandoval) exercised selective justice since he tried

Mayan Indigenous people block a road as they take part in a protest demanding the resignation of Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei and Attorney General Maria Porras, in San Cristobal Totonicapan, Guatemala, July 29, 2021

to prosecute people of opposite ideology,” she said.

In Guatemala City, a crowd of thousands of people marched from the presidential palace to the Attorney General’s office holding signs that said “Giammattei, Resign.”

Demonstrators set fire to tyres and threw paint over Police deployed to protect Government buildings.

“Today we are in front of the presidential palace, but a President does not live here: a traitor does,” said Samuel Pérez, an Opposition law-

maker who joined protesters.

The demonstrations in the capital were part of a national strike called by Indigenous leaders, social groups and student organisations to demand the resignations of Giammattei and Porras.

Across the impoverished nation of 17 million people, protesters blocked traffic at major intersections and marched with banners calling for the departure of the President, elected two years ago. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaica supported postponement of OAS meeting on Cuba

J

amaica is among 18 Caricom countries and other regional members of the Organisation of American States (OAS), whose threatened boycott led to the postponement of an OAS meeting on the current situation in Cuba, which was scheduled for Wednesday.

The OAS announced Wednesday that the meeting was postponed after it had become obvious that it would not be able to proceed owing to the imminent lack of a quorum from among its 33 Member States.

An earlier Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC)

report suggested that only 13 Caricom States had decided to boycott the meeting. However, it was confirmed Wednesday night that Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Bolivia and Argentina had also reported that they would not support the planned meeting of the OAS Permanent Council.

Asked last night whether she was aware of the reports that the decision was taken by 13 Caricom nations and excluded Jamaica, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith said that

the mix-up may have resulted from the fact that Jamaica’s Ambassador to the OAS Audrey Marks had been tied up in another meeting while the consultations were taking place among the Caricom Ambassadors.

Senator Johnson Smith said that Jamaica’s position was always that the country would join in the consensus against the virtual meeting, but that the letter to the OAS administration had been sent before obtaining Jamaica’s response from Marks.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Rights group calls for moratorium on the use of spyware in Mexico

A

rights group on Thursday called on the Mexican Government to suspend all use of surveillance spyware until robust and transparent regulations are put in place that respect human rights.

Of the more than 50,000 phone numbers that a collaboration of 17 media organisations and a rights organisation found were selected for surveillance by clients of the Israeli tech firm NSO Group, 15,000 were in Mexico.

Politicians from across the political spectrum, Journalists, human rights activists, Judges and doctors were allegedly targeted for spying between 2016

and 2017, according to the investigation. In Mexico, 27 Journalists and activists were possibly targeted.

And at least 50 people linked to the leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, back when he was a candidate for President – including his wife, children, drivers and even his cardiologist – were on the list.

“We are calling on Governments to suspend the purchase and use of instruments of surveillance until adequate regulations that respect human rights are put in place,” Edith Olivares Ferreto, Executive Director of Amnesty International Mexico, said during a virtual

news conference on Thursday.

“We hope that the revelation of the magnitude of illegitimate surveillance and impunity that operates in the NSO Group and its clients will lead to a revision of the accounts and to the regulation of an opaque sector,” she said.

Amnesty International, a United Kingdom-based rights group, provided technical assistance to the “Project Pegasus” investigation.

Researchers say their analysis found that “mass and selective surveillance” has been taking place in Mexico that unjustly targeted activists and Journalists. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

t Vincent and the Grenadines is expecting 224 cruise calls this season after having none last year.

The first cruise ship, Seaborne Odyssey, is expected to call at Port Elizabeth next on August 7, Tourism Minister Carlos James said, noting that the ship was hoping to call every other Saturday until October.

“This is, of course, the early stages and we are expecting to see more calls being added to St Vincent and the Grenadines as a destination. We anticipate additional calls and, of course, this is subject to, as I stat-

ed very early, the caveat as it relates to what transpires with COVID-19, both locally and internationally,” he said.

“We can be announcing this today and the next four, five months we are announcing that we have to go back to the drawing board because of some development in the international market. There is limited movement of people which affects cruise calls to our destination. But, so far, we have roughly 224 calls listed for St Vincent and the Grenadines this season.”

The Minister said that of those calls, 14 are inaugu-

ral.

“And I think this is a tremendous achievement for our destination,” James said.

He noted that the cruise ships were calling despite the COVID-19 pandemic and the explosive eruption of the La Soufrière volcano earlier this year.

“This is positive news for us and this can only augur well for stakeholders in the industry and in terms of our economy and I am looking forward to seeing those 14 first-time vessels to our destination.” (Excerpt from CMC)

Trinidad and Tobago reaches initial COVID-19 vaccination target

T

rinidad and Tobago has achieved its initial goal of fully vaccinating 188,000 people by August 31.

As of Thursday, 189,273 people have received both doses of a World Health Organisation (WHO)approved vaccine.

Speaking at Wednesday’s Health Ministry COVID-19 media conference, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said a new target would now be set, as the first one had been based on the availability of vaccines at the time.

As of Thursday at 16:00h (4 pm), 376,226 people had received their first vaccine dose. Of these, 91,849 received the AstraZeneca vaccine, 284,177 Sinopharm, and 200 the Pfizer vaccine.

The Health Ministry’s

In this July 26 file photo, members of the public register before getting vaccinated at the Southern Academy of the Performing Arts (SAPA) in San Fernando

COVID-19 update on Thursday also said one COVID-19 death had been recorded in the last 24 hours, while 233 new cases were detected from samples taken from July 25-28.

The update said one elderly woman with comorbidities died of COVID-19, bringing the death toll to

1057.

There are 5849 active cases. Since March 2020, there have been 38,247 cases, of which 31,341 have recovered.

There are 311 patients in hospital, three more than on Wednesday.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Johnny Ventura: Dominican merengue legend dies aged 81

I

conic Dominican singer Johnny Ventura has died of a heart attack at the age of 81.

Ventura, whose career spanned six decades, shot to fame after forming a merengue and salsa orchestra called the “combo show”.

The band was considered one of the most significant groups in the musical history of the Caribbean nation.

Merengue, which draws on African and Spanish influences, is both a genre of music and a partner dance style.

Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader declared three days of mourning after Ventura’s death.

Abinader also said that the singer – known affectionately as “El Caballo Mayor”, or Big Horse – would posthumously receive military honours.

According to a report

Johnny Ventura’s legendary career spanned six decades

from the hospital that treated him, Ventura collapsed while having lunch in the northern city of Santiago de los Caballeros.

He did not respond to resuscitation efforts, the Clinica Unión Medica added.

The artist made more than 100 albums in his lengthy music career, and was awarded six Latin Grammys.

He later pursued a career in politics, becoming

the Mayor of the capital Santo Domingo.

Ventura, who was born Juan de Dios Ventura Soriano on March 8, 1940, was married for more than 50 years and had seven children.

The Dominican Ministry of Culture tweeted: “We join in the pain that overwhelms [Ventura’s] family in these difficult times. His legacy will live on forever in his songs and Dominican culture.” (BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil rises as US supplies tighten and dollar weakens

O

il prices rose on Thursday, with global benchmark Brent topping US$75 a barrel, as supplies in the United States further tightened after shrinking to the smallest levels since January 2020.

Brent crude oil futures advanced US$1.31, or 1.75 per cent, to settle at US$76.05 per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures settled US$1.23, or 1.7 per cent, higher at US$73.62 per barrel.

Data from information provider Genscape indicated that the inventories at the Cushing, Oklahoma storage hub have continued to draw, traders said on Thursday. Cushing stockpiles were seen at 36.299 million barrels by Tuesday afternoon, down 360,917 barrels from July 23.

The Cushing inventory data came a day after the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that domestic crude inventories fell by 4.1 million barrels in the week to July 23.

Cushing, delivery point for the benchmark US oil futures contract, has had seven consecutive stockpile draws.

“Crude oil is still running off of a sugar high off of yesterday’s US inventory numbers,” said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York. The market got an additional boost from a weaker US dollar and signals from Iran that no nuclear deal was imminent, Yawger said.

In June, Brent topped US$75 a barrel for the first time in more than two years, before falling back sharply this month on fears about the rapid spread of the Delta variant of coronavirus and a compromise deal by leading oil producers to increase supply. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Defrocked US Cardinal charged with assault and battery

Tunisia’s turmoil continues as President sacks more officials

T

unisia has lurched further into political uncertainty after President Kais Saied dismissed more officials, just days after he sacked the Prime minister, froze Parliament and assumed executive powers.

After suspending Parliament and sacking Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi on Sunday, and firing the Defence and Justice Ministers a day later, Saied ordered the dismissal of several top officials late on Tuesday.

The 63-year-old president, a former law lecturer and political newcomer who won a landslide 2019 presidential election victory, issued decrees sacking a long list of senior Government officials, including the Army’s

Tunisia is also beset by a crippling economic crisis and surging COVID infections [Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters]

Chief Prosecutor.

On Wednesday, he dismissed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of national television channel Wataniya.

In addition, he has lifted the parliamentary immu-

nity of lawmakers and assumed judicial powers. He has also ordered an investigation into three political parties suspected of receiving foreign funds before the elections in 2019.

Key civil society groups

warned in a joint statement against any “illegitimate” extension of Saied’s 30-day suspension of Parliament, and demanded a timeline for political action.

Sam Kimball, a Journalist in Tunis, told Al Jazeera Saied claims that close to US$5 billion have been looted from the country by various means.

“He says he’s got a list of several hundred people who are accused of looting the country’s wealth – those largely being politicians and Members of Parliament whose immunity he removed on Sunday night,” Kimball said.

“He [Saied] said the country is not a beggar country and deserves a better future.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Malta responsible for Journalist’s death – inquiry

A

public inquiry into the assassination of Maltese investigative Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has found the State responsible for her death.

The report said the State had failed to recognise risks to the reporter's life and take reasonable steps to avoid them.

Caruana Galizia died in a car bomb attack near her home in October 2017.

An investigation led to PM Joseph Muscat's resignation in 2019 after his close associates were implicated.

However, he has denied corruption allegations.

Called a "one-woman

Wikileaks", Caruana Galizia uncovered networks of corruption in the country and abroad.

Aged 53 when she died, she spent 30 years as a Journalist. She relentlessly accused Maltese politicians and other officials of corruption in her popular “Running Commentary” blog.

She was a harsh critic of Government. In 2017, she effectively triggered an early election by publishing allegations linking Muscat to the Panama Papers scandal, which exposed the use of tax havens by the rich.

Caruana Galizia's family sought an independent public

inquiry into her murder.

Muscat gave it the goahead, a few months before he resigned.

In the last two years, the inquiry has heard from dozens of witnesses, including investigators, politicians and Journalists.

In its conclusions, written up in a 437-page report, it

said the State had "created an atmosphere of impunity, generated by the highest echelons".

It cited an "unwarranted closeness" between big business and Government. The report also made recommendations to improve laws and better protect Journalists in Malta. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Afghanistan: Flash flooding kills dozens in remote province

COVID-19: Biden tells states to offer US$100 vaccine incentive as cases rise

Former US Roman Catholic Cardinal Theodore McCarrick was defrocked by the Vatican in 2019

A

former US Roman Catholic Cardinal has been charged with the sexual assault of a 16-year-old in the 1970s.

Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked by Pope Francis after an abuse inquiry in 2019, now faces indecent assault and battery charges in Massachusetts.

He is the highest-ranking US Catholic official to face criminal sex abuse charges, the victim's Attorney says.

The former Washington DC Archbishop has previously said he had "no recollection" of any alleged abuse.

In the new lawsuit, McCarrick is accused of groping and abusing the boy, who has not been named, for years.

According to court documents, first reported by the Boston Globe newspaper, the man alleging the

abuse told investigators that McCarrick had been a family friend.

He claimed one alleged incident took place during his brother's wedding reception at Wellesley College in Massachusetts in 1974.

The victim said McCarrick led him into a room and fondled him. Following the incident, the priest allegedly told the man to recite prayers to be redeemed of his "sins".

In 2019, McCarrick was defrocked after an investigation into decades of sexual abuse allegations against him. He became the most senior Catholic figure to be dismissed from the priesthood in modern times.

The Vatican's 450-page report included testimonies and dozens of letters and transcripts from Vatican and US church archives.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

U

S President Joe Biden has called for states to give US$100 to the newly-vaccinated in an effort to address flagging jab rates amid virus surges.

The President also issued a strict new vaccine requirement for US federal workers, the nation's largest workforce with some two million people.

The order requires employees to show proof of vaccination or be subjected to mandatory testing and masking.

It serves as guidance for private businesses hoping to return to office.

Speaking from the White House on Thursday, Biden said that the new measures and incentives are a result of rising numbers of the highly contagious Delta variant, made worse by a "pandemic of the unvaccinated".

Biden added that the US$100 incentive may seem unfair to already vaccinated Americans, but "we

all benefit if we can get more people vaccinated".

The funding for these payments would come from the President's US$1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

He said that the Federal Government would also be "fully reimbursing" small or medium-sized businesses that provide workers paid time off to get vaccinated.

Last month, a study showed that over 99 per cent of COVID-19 deaths have been among the unvaccinated.

Just under half of the country is fully vaccinated, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Nearly 70% of adults have received at least one jab.

"You don't need to die," Biden said while announcing the new rule for Government civilian workers. Biden noted the policy would not result in any Government workers losing their jobs if they chose to not get vaccinated. (Excerpt from BBC News)

File photo: Villagers use shovels to clear mud after flash floods killed at least 162 people in Afghanistan in August 2020

P

eople in a remote part of eastern Afghanistan were buried under mud and debris when heavy rain brought flash floods during the night.

Children and women are said to be among the victims in Kamdesh, with at least 60 people dead and dozens more missing, and many homes destroyed.

The disaster zone is held

by Taliban militants fighting the Government.

Talks are being held to try to let rescue teams enter the area which is hard to reach in normal times.

Afghan officials gave a death toll of 60, but the Taliban say 150 people died in the flooding, the Associated Press news agency reports.

Meanwhile, Taliban assassinations of Afghan pilots detailed by Reuters this month mark another "worri-

some development" for the Afghan Air Force as it reels from a surge in fighting, a US Government watchdog said in a report released on Thursday.

At least seven Afghan pilots have been assassinated off base in recent months, two senior Afghan Government officials told Reuters, part of what the Islamist Taliban says is a campaign to see US-trained Afghan pilots "targeted and eliminated".

As the United States prepares to formally end its 20-year military mission in Afghanistan on August 31, Taliban insurgents are quickly seizing territory once controlled by the US-backed Government of President Ashraf Ghani, raising fears they could eventually try to take the capital Kabul. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Spend more time figuring out what's best for you. Devote less time to people trying to push you in a direction you don't want to go. Discipline and patience will pay off.

Make your own opportunities.

Don't let your emotions TAURUS stand between you and the (April 20- right decision. Look at every May 20) angle, and you'll come up with a plan that will help you eliminate conflict with a friend, relative or peer.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Look for more significant opportunities to use your skills and knowledge to advance. Update your resume and qualifications to suit the current market. Pay attention to seniors and superiors.

Keep your emotions tucked away until you have sufficient information to make a wise decision. Spend more time making self-improvements and less time trying to change someone.

Say yes to what makes you happy; it will help you get what you want. Say no to negativity and situations holding you back. Shake off the past and focus on how to resolve issues.

Put your time and money where they will bring the highest returns. Customizing your skills will prove cost-efficient and help you overcome any competition or challenge that comes your way.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Make arrangements with a loved one to discuss your plans and put together a timetable that will ensure you spend more quality time together. Mix business with pleasure.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Keep life simple, your plans doable and your dreams reachable. Focus on personal improvement, moderation and adjusting whatever isn't working for you. Let your actions speak for you.

Limit financial maneuSAGITTARIUS vers.

Don't follow what some(Nov. 23one else is doing or get inDec. 21) volved in something that will help someone other than yourself. Do your own thing.

Caution is a must!

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Take a moment to evaluate what's happening around you.

Show sympathy toward friends and family, but don't feel obligated to bail them out. Put your time, effort and cash into personal and financial growth.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Confusion will set in if you try to follow in someone's footsteps. Consider your alternatives and eliminate anything that can lead to loss or an emotional standoff. Use your skills and words wisely.

PISCES

Do things differently.

Find a use for your skills, and create an atmosphere that puts your mind at ease. Focus on love, relationships and positive people. Romance is in the stars.

(Feb. 20March 20)

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021

21

Hasaranga leads the way with 4-for as Sri Lanka claim 2-1 series win L

eg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga terrorised batters right through his four overs, Dasun Shanaka picked up two wickets through the early middle overs, and Dushmantha Chameera kept the pressure on with the new ball and at the death, to reduce a severelydepleted India batting order to 81 for 8 in their 20 overs.

Against the worst XI India

fielded (they were forced to dip into their net-bowling reserves in this game, after Navdeep Saini was injured in the last match), Sri Lanka produced perhaps their best bowling and fielding performance of the series. This was a worn, turning surface, so 81 wasn't as modest a total as it might read.

Still, Sri Lanka's batters chased it comfortably, getting

SCOREBOARD Wanindu Hasaranga 4-0-9-4 INDIA INNINGS Akila Dananjaya 4-0-11-0 (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Dasun Shanaka 4-0-20-2 Ruturaj Gaikwad lbw b PWH de Silva 14 SRI LANKA INNINGS (TARGET: Shikhar Dhawan (c) c 82 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) DM de Silva b Chameera 0 Avishka Fernando c & Devdutt Padikkal lbw b Chahar 12 b Mendis 9 Minod Bhanuka † lbw Sanju Samson † lbw b Chahar 18 SERVICE b PWH de Silva 0TAXI Sadeera Samarawickrama Nitish Rana c & b Shanaka 6 b Chahar 6 Bhuvneshwar Kumar c Dhananjaya de Silva not out 23 Shanaka b PWH de Silva 16 WANTED Wanindu Hasaranga not out 14 Kuldeep Yadav not out 23 219-5000, 227-2100 Extras (lb 4, w 5) 9 Rahul Chahar c †Bhanuka b Contract Cars TOTAL (14.3 Ov, RR: 5.65) 82/3 Shanaka 5Wanted: Tel: 614-6202 Did not bat: Pathum Varun Chakravarthy c Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Karunaratne b PWH de Silva 0 Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Chetan Sakariya not out 5 Karunaratne, Dushmantha Extras (w 3) 3 Chameera, Akila Dananjaya TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 4.05) 81/8 BOWLING O-M-R-W Did not bat: Sandeep Warrier Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-0-9-0 BOWLING O-M-R-W Varun Chakravarthy 3.3-0-15-0 Dushmantha Chameera 4-0-16-1 Sandeep Warrier 3-0-23-0 Chamika Karunaratne 2-0-12-0 Rahul Chahar 4-0-15-3 Ramesh Mendis 2-0-13-1 Kuldeep Yadav 2-0-16-0

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home with 33 balls and seven wickets to spare. This was their first T20 International series victory since 2019, and their first ever against India in a bilateral series.

Hasaranga runs riot India had already been dented twice when Sri Lanka's best bowler came to the crease.

Shikhar Dhawan had edged Chameera to wide slip in the first over, before offspinner Ramesh Mendis got Devdutt Padikkal lbw in the fourth. Then came Hasaranga, who was celebrating his 24th birthday, to deliver perhaps the definitive over of the innings. Fourth ball, he hit Sanju Samson in front of middle stump with a fast legbreak, the batter not bothering to review after clearly missing his across-the-line shot. Two balls later, Hasaranga slipped in a straighter one that bounced a bit, and hit Ruturaj Gaikwad's pads with a delivery that would have clipped the top of leg stump.

Later, he was just as effective against India's long tail, having Bhuvneshwar Kumar caught at extra-cover, then Varun Chakravarthy at short midwicket.

He finished with figures of 4 for 9

Sunisa Lee takes gymnastics all-around gold as Simone Biles watches from stands

Simone Biles (second from right) cheered on Lee from the stands with her United States team-mates

A

merican Sunisa Lee took Olympic gymnastics all-around gold as defending champion Simone Biles watched from the stands after withdrawing to prioritise her mental health.

The 18-year-old Olympic debutant, who helped the USA win team silver on Tuesday, finished on 57.433.

Brazil's Rebeca Andrade won silver and Russian Angelina Melnikova bronze.

Jessica Gadirova's 10th place was the best result ever by a British woman in the event.

Andrade's score of 57.298 secured Brazil's first-ever women's gymnastics medal at the Games, while Melnikova took bronze with 57.199.

"It's my first world ranking, so I know where I am and where I stand," said 16-yearold Gadirova, whose twin

Olympic gold medallist Sunisa Lee

sister Jennifer finished 13th.

"Over the years hopefully, I will just grow. I've got a few days to rest the legs up, ready for the floor final [on Monday]."

The twins helped Great Britain win a historic team bronze on Tuesday, and Jennifer may yet join Jessica in Monday's floor final if Biles withdraws.

Biles withdrew from the team final on Tuesday and later announced she would not compete in the all-around final either, but the fourtime Olympic gold medallist enthusiastically cheered on her fellow gymnasts from the stands.

The 24-year-old has yet to confirm whether she will compete in the individual apparatus finals, which start on Sunday, saying she will take "each day as it comes".

After Biles withdrew from the team final, Lee said the Olympic star "carries the team basically", but the teenager has shown she is ready to take star billing.

Lee broke her foot in June 2020, but concerns over her floor routine after the injury proved unfounded as the American's score of 13.700 was enough for gold in a highly-competitive final.

American Cup-winning artistic gymnast Katelyn Ohashi said on BBC Radio 5 Live that Lee had proved "she's a real competitor", adding: "She's followed in the footsteps of Simone."

Brazil's Andrade has had her own injury struggles, with the 22-year-old suffering a third serious knee injury in four years in 2019.

She led at the halfway stage, but errors on the floor – her final apparatus – saw Lee pip her to gold. (BBC Sport)

from his four overs – the best of his career.

Shanaka turns the screws in the middle overs India were understandably cautious after Hasaranga's first over had left them 25 for 4, but even with batters attempting largely safe shots, Shanaka managed to wangle out two wickets to turn India's top-order collapse into a crisis. He took an outstanding return catch, throwing himself to his left to

intercept a lob from Nitish Rana, after the batter had pushed at a slower ball too early. Later in the innings, he bowled a bouncer at Rahul Chahar, whose attempted ramp shot went high into the air for wicketkeeper Minod Bhanuka to get under. Shanaka finished with 2 for 20 from his four.

Chahar gives India a sniff Even on a turning pitch, this always felt like an indefensible score. It was thanks to Chahar,

and the big spin he generated with his legbreak, that the chase was even slightly interesting. He took a return catch off Avishka Fernando in the final over of the powerplay, then later turned one past the bat of Minod Bhanuka to get him lbw. His third wicket was from a topspinner that Sadeera Samarawickrama was late on, and let clatter into his stumps. Chahar finished with 3 for 15 – the second-best figures in the game.

DDS takes Sri Lanka home again Both the last two matches were made for Dhananjaya de Silva's style of T20 batting, with modest totals to chase.

He ensured he stuck around until the winning run came for the second night in succession, remaining 23 not out off 20 balls. Hasaranga was at the crease with him, having hit 14 off nine. (ESPNcricinfo)

Hamilton and Vettel speak out over Hungary anti-LGBTQ+ law

F

ormula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have spoken out against Hungary's new antiLGBTQ+ law.

The country is holding a referendum on a law which includes a ban on the depiction or promotion of homosexuality and gender change to under-18s.

Hamilton said: "It is unacceptable, cowardly and misguiding for those in power to suggest such a law."

Vettel said: "I find it embarrassing for a country in the EU to vote on laws like this."

The European Parliament voted in favour of taking action over the new law earlier this month. MEPs said the new legislation breached "EU values, principles and laws".

The Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, has said the policy is a matter for Hungary, not "Brussels bureaucrats".

Ahead of the country's grand prix this weekend, Hamilton said in a post on Instagram that he "wanted to share my support for those affected by the Government's anti-LGBTQ+ law".

The seven-time F1 champion added: "Everyone deserves to have the freedom to be themselves, no matter who they love or how they identify.

"I urge the people of Hungary to vote in the upcoming referendum to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. They need our support more than ever.

"Please show love for those around you, because love will

always win."

Vettel wore trainers with a rainbow design on them to the Hungaroring track for Thursday's media and preparation day.

The German four-time champion added: "Everyone is free to do what they want and that is the point.

"We have had so many opportunities to learn in the past and I can't understand why you are struggling to see people should be free to do what they like, love who they like.

"It is along the lines of live and let live. It is not for us to make the law, but just to express the support for those who are affected by it."

The law has become a controversial issue within sport.

European football's governing body Uefa refused a request

by Munich's Mayor to light up the city's football stadium i n

rainbow colours before Germany's match against Hungary in the Euro 2020 Championship.

But Germany Captain Manuel Neuer was allowed to wear his rainbow captain's armband during the game.

Earlier this month, Hungary were ordered to play their next three home games behind closed doors after Uefa found their supporters guilty of discriminatory behaviour during Euro 2020.

”For the first time, I felt I didn't stand alone” Hamilton said statements issued by F1 and the drivers' body the Grand Prix Drivers' Association condemning the racist abuse he received online after his collision with title rival Max Verstappen in the British Grand Prix showed "the steps we have taken" on the issue.

Hamilton said: "I felt for the first time that I didn't stand alone in the sport. For all the other 27 years or whatever it is that I have been racing, no one would ever say anything. When it happened in 2007, no one said anything."

Hamilton said the backing he received was "amazing to see" but said the abuse was "nothing new for me".

He added: "There is no room for that sort of abuse, but if I have to be on the receiving end of that in this industry for people to be aware, then that is part of my journey, that's why I'm here." (BBC Sport)

22 Man Utd friendly at Preston called off after COVID outbreak

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021

M

anchester United's pre-season friendly at Preston on Saturday has been called off after "small number of positive" COVID-19 cases were identified at the Premier League club.

United drew 2-2 against Brentford on Wednesday and detected cases following routine testing of the first team.

Individuals are now isolating pending the results of further tests.

United say they have cancelled the game at Preston as a "precautionary measure based on COVID protocols".

A mixture of both players and staff are in isolation after conducting lateral flow tests.

United said in a statement: "At this stage, we do not expect further disruption around our forthcoming matches, but we will continue to follow Premier

Manchester United played Brentford in a friendly on Wednesday

League protocols in this regard."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side's only remaining friendly scheduled before the start of

the season is against Everton on August 7, a week before they begin their Premier League campaign against rivals Leeds.

United say any supporters who purchased tickets for the Preston game will be given a full refund.

On Thursday, Nottingham

Forest were forced to cancel Saturday's pre-season game against Burnley at the City Ground because of COVID-19 cases at the club.

On the same day, Norwich City's pre-season game against Sheffield United was also cancelled because of a "small number" of cases in the Canaries' squad.

Earlier this month, Arsenal withdrew from the Florida Cup after a "small number" of their touring party tested positive for coronavirus.

Newcastle will have no senior goalkeeper for Sunday's friendly against York after Karl Darlow tested positive for COVID-19 and must isolate for 10 days.

Due to being in close contact with Darlow, Mark Gillespie and Freddie Woodman must also do the same, while Martin Dubravka is injured. (BBC Sport)

Tokyo Olympics: Caeleb Dressel take gold; Simone Biles in gymnastics stands

A

merican Sunisa Lee won gymnastics all-around gold as defending champion Simone Biles celebrated in the stands following her withdrawal from the event.

The United States also enjoyed success in the pool on day six of Tokyo 2020, with Caeleb Dressel continuing his pursuit of six gold medals by earning his first individual Olympic title.

The 24-year-old will become one of the most successful athletes at an individual Games if he succeeds in winning all six events he takes part in.

Meanwhile, conversations about well-being in sport continued after golfer Rory McIlroy backed Biles, who has so far pulled out of the team and all-around finals in order to prioritise her mental health.

The four-time major winner said he was "impressed" with the 24-year-old for putting her mental well-being first after her decision to withdraw from the all-around final.

"Just as I thought Naomi Osaka was right to do what she did, I 100 per cent agree with what Simone is doing as well."

McIlroy spoke to the media after he shot a twounder-par 69 in the first round of the men's Olympic golf tournament.

"I'm certainly very impressed, especially with those two women to do what they did and put themselves first," he said.

"I'm glad that at least the conversation has started... it's not taboo anymore."

In baseball, Israel suffered heartbreak in their Olympic debut as South Korea secured a 6-5 walk-off win in a dramatic extra innings.

Lee “follows in Biles' footsteps” After 18-year-old Lee took gold, American former artistic gymnast Katelyn Ohashi described her as "a real

out on a medal in 2012, when she finished fourth.

"During the final, when the fifth shooter went out, I thought I don't want to be one more time in fourth place, so I have to make it," she said.

"This isn't my first Olympics, but this is the first medal for me

The leading countries in the medal hunt

competitor" and said "she's followed in the footsteps of Simone".

Lee took top spot with one apparatus to go after an impressive beam routine, and concerns over her floor routine after she broke her foot in June 2020 proved unfounded as the American's score of 13.700 was enough for gold.

Dressel stays on course for 6 golds At the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, Dressel stormed to victory in the men's 100m freestyle.

It is his second gold of the Games, having been part of the US 4x100m freestyle relay team, and his fourth Olympic gold in all, but this is his first individual Olympic title.

He could win as many as six golds in Tokyo, with the 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle to come, and the expectation he will be named in two further relay teams.

Day six's medal races in the pool concluded with a thrilling women's 4x200m freestyle final, with China breaking the world record to win gold.

Their time of seven minutes 40.33 seconds was just enough to hold off the American quartet anchored by 1500m freestyle champion Katie Ledecky.

Pre-race favourites Australia had to settle for bronze.

Caeleb Dressel

There was more gold for China as Zhang Yufei took the women's 200m butterfly title.

Zac Stubblety-Cook of Australia won gold in the men's 200m breaststroke and American Robert Finke won the men's 800m freestyle final, being held at the Olympics for the first time since an 880-yard race in 1904.

More athletes isolating Positive coronavirus tests continue to disrupt the Games, with reigning pole vault world champion Sam Kendricks the latest athlete affected.

Three Australian athletes are in isolation after being considered close contacts of Kendricks, although they have since returned negative PCR test results.

The athletics competition starts today.

“Small but very proud” The tiny nation of San Marino has a population of just over 34,000 – but it now has its first-ever Olympic medallist.

Alessandra Perilli scooped a bronze in the women's trap shooting, having just missed

and for my country. We are a small country but very proud."

Perilli's achievement means San Marino becomes the leastpopulous nation ever to win an Olympic medal, superseding triathlete Flora Duffy's gold for Bermuda earlier this week.

Olympic champion fears mother's wrath After winning their nation's first-ever rowing medal at Rio 2016, Irish brothers Gary and Paul O'Donovan became local celebrities in their home town of Skibbereen.

Their amusing, nonchalant interviews even earned them a spot on Graham Norton's chat show soon after the Olympics.

The younger of the brothers, Paul, has returned to Olympic rowing, and with the help of new lightweight double skulls partner, Fintan McCarthy, has improved on the silver medal he won in Rio. The pair, who are the reigning world and European champions, broke away from closest challengers Germany in the home stretch to win in six minutes 6.43 seconds.

It is Ireland's first gold medal since Kate Taylor's boxing victory in 2012 and the nation's first rowing gold.

Speaking to Irish television after the race, O'Donovan joked that he would probably have to accept his mother's phone calls now.

"I've been ignoring her here all the while, so she will be fairly annoyed when I get home."

Asked about how it felt to hear the Irish national anthem played, O'Donovan said: "There is a great tune to it, I really enjoyed it. But I was very hot and tired and stuff after the race, so I couldn't concentrate. I could barely get the words out myself!"

Nigerian federation “bears responsibility” for ineligible athletes Ten Nigerian athletes who had already arrived in Tokyo and were preparing for the start of the Olympic track and field events on Friday, have been banned from competing by the Athletics Integrity Unit.

The ruling was made because of insufficient outof-competition drug testing, an oversight that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria said it would take full responsibility for.

The 10 athletes were among 20 competitors from "high-risk" nations who failed to meet requirements, World Athletics' independent antidoping arm said on Thursday.

With athletics accounting for 13 of the 25 medals won

by Nigeria at all Olympic Games, including two of their three gold medals, this latest incident has caused an uproar in the country.

Beijing 2008 long jump silver medallist Blessing Okagbare has criticised the Federation for "fighting over power" and forgetting the athletes. (BBC Sports)

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23 Tickets selling like hot cakes: Berbice fans excited FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Brandon Corlette

C

ricket is set for a grand return to Guyana when West Indies take on a strong Pakistan outfit on Saturday, July 31; Sunday, August 1 and Tuesday, August 3 at the National Stadium at Providence. A total of 40 per cent capacity fully-vaccinated fans are allowed in the Stadium, and the sales of tickets has been positive.

In the Ancient County of Berbice, tickets are selling like hot cakes at Imran and Son, Rose Hall Town. <<<Guyana Times Sport>>> visited the location and

Owner of Imran and Son, Imran Hamid (Brandon Corlette photos)

Tickets are available at the popular Imran and Son establishment in Rose Hall Town

spoke to the owner, Imran Hamid and some of the excited fans who booked their ticket to the Stadium.

When it comes to cricket, Berbicians secure a special place in their hearts for this lovely game. Hamid noted that the return of crick-

et has brightened the spirits of Berbicians. "Tickets selling like hot cakes since morning. Since COVID, people had nowhere to go, so the

“Indescribable” – Guyana's Edghill bursting with pride after historic Olympic table tennis achievement

G

uyana’s Chelsea Edghill has confessed to bursting with pride after becoming the first female table tennis player from the English-speaking Caribbean to play at the Olympic Games.

The former Caribbean women’s under-21 champion made her Olympic Games debut last Saturday, defeating her opponent Sally Yee of Fiji in the preliminary round.

Edghill won that battle emphatically, beating Yee 11-5, 4-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-8.

However, the 24-yearold then suffered a straight-sets defeat at the hands of 17-year-old Yubin Shin of South Korea, in round one of the women’s singles on Saturday.

Overwhelmed by the feat, the Guyanese international shared her experience with SportsMax.tv.

“It was a very happy and emotional feeling to be the first Guyanese to play in the Olympics for table tennis, it’s a huge honour and a huge feat,” Edghill said.

“I am really happy and elated to be able to accom-

plish such a feat; it’s indescribable how it feels. I am full with pride, I am very proud to represent Guyana and touch the stage, and very proud of the history I made for Guyana,” she

added.

Edghill and swimmer Andrew Fowler were Guyana’s flag bearers at the opening ceremony in Tokyo, Japan,last Friday.

(Sportsmax)

cricket has brightened the spirit."

Ticket sales began at the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) office on Wednesday, but ticket sales commenced in Berbice on Thursday morning. When asked what was the reason for the delay, Hamid said: "I think they don't want the tickets to be duplicated, there was something in printing, so we had the tickets Wednesday night."

He also disclosed that cricket fans from New York have already made their reservations and they are heading to Guyana on special flights just to watch the cricket at Providence.

"People calling from New York for tickets, this morning a man send a representative to buy 20 tickets and he is coming in from a flight on Friday (today)," Hamid explained.

Meanwhile, excited Berbice fans are eager to see a high-quality contest between the star-studded West Indies team and the skilful Pakistan team. Ryan Tulsie said he was excited to take his family after he purchased four tickets. "I am

very excited, especially to take my family, the two little boys who have not experienced cricket, so I am taking them to see how Gayle, Pollard and Simmons will hit the ball."

Another fan said he was confident of West Indies winning, but he noted that T20 cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty. The first T20 International match between West Indies and Pakistan ended in no result with rain playing spoilsport in Barbados. The two teams will play the final three matches of the series in Guyana.

For fans to get a ticket and gain access to the Stadium, they must adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.

The ticket office location is at the main entrance to the Guyana National Stadium and Health Ministry officials will be on hand to validate vaccination documentation and check tickets and ID. Fans will need to present their ID, cricket ticket and vaccination documentation to be allowed entry.

Fans will need to wear face masks at all times and so-

cial distance in the stadium. Fans will be accommodated in all stands, but will not be admitted to the grass mound. No re-entry is allowed if fans leave the venue. Under-18s will not be allowed entry.

Fans will be able to purchase tickets for themselves, friends and family members. Tickets will be available from 09:00h to 17:00h (9:00am to 5:00pm) on non-match days and 07:00h to 11:00h (7:00am to 11:00am) on match days at the three venues across Guyana.

Additionally, with vendors not available in the stadium, fans will be allowed to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks. The following list of restrictions must be adhered to for entry into the ground on match day: Fans can bring in coolers of a size that can fit under their seat (12x12x12). Any ice in coolers must remain bagged to allow security inspection of coolers. Glass bottles of any kind are not allowed.

Alcohol of any kind is not allowed. No knives, sharp metal objects, or firearms.

Guyana’s Sport Academy nears fruition

A

thletes in Guyana are much closer to witnessing the birth of the country’s first Sport Academy system. This is according to Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle.

Back in February, out of sport’s $1.5 billion budget, $320 million had allocated for professional athletes and coaches. That was later revealed to be the financing for Guyana’s first-ever Sport Academy.

While subject Minister Charles Ramson Jr had explained the nature of the academy and its purposes, Director Ninvalle gave the most recent update on the structure that would see the entities investing in elite athletes and nurseries for the younger crop.

“Also, our Ministry will be having much more consultations with sports disciplines,” Ninvalle shared as he explained how the entities will be able to formulate the most suitable programme.

He added, “As a matter of fact, the Honorable Minister, Charles Ramson Jr, would have started an initiative that would see much more being injected into nurseries and elite sports in Guyana.”

Dropping some hints on what he described as a “structured” programme, the Director of Sport expressed that he expected it to achieve longevity.

“This is something that

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle

the Minister will be divulging quite soon, but with the structure that the National Sports Commission and by extension, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MoCYS) has for sports now, I personally think sports will be going a very, very far way than it was before.”

“So, in the near future, we’ll be seeing much different ways in which sport is being administrated from the point of view of the MoCYS and the NSC,” he noted.

Still on the topic of consultations with the various sport associations, in sharing another benefit of the meetings, Ninvalle revealed that it was his aim to ensure that Associations did not have to worry about finances in the coming year.

“To date, we have met with almost all the associations – basketball, football,

almost every association.

And this is not a one-off stop, we keep engaging with them .

“We’ve even started now consulting with associations to find out what are some of the big ticketed items they have for next year, so we can try to see how best it is that we can include that in our budget. So, that next year will be much easier year for them than this year,” the Director of Sport explained.

He concluded, “So, it’s a work in progress and it does not end in 2021. It started in 2021 and will continue right through.”

On Wednesday, the MoCYS, through its social media platform, revealed that Guyanese cricket legend Shivnarine “Tiger” Chanderpaul is already on board and has committed to working with the “soon-tobe-established” Academy.

FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021

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

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