Guyana Times - Friday June 4, 2021

P13

CIOG donates $1.5M in relief hampers Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4668

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

Electoral fraud

PRICE

SoPs for Regions 1 to 5 handed over to Police – AG …says rogue GECOM officers should have been immediately fired See story on page 3

4 new COVID-19 deaths take CANU intercepts Guyana’s fatalities to 400 $10M in Page 7

…spike recorded across Region 9

ganja en route to Suriname

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

CXC awards CSEC, CAPE P17 top performers …QC awarded School of the Year for 7th consecutive year

GRA wrongfully classified Land Cruiser as “passenger vehicle” − High Court P9

Page 12

Over 200 farms destroyed amid flooding in Region 8 Page 2

Beware of romance, P10 package delivery scams – FIU warns Flooding in Region 2

Pomeroon P13 farmers call for relief as millions in crops damaged …no reports of waterborne diseases

…water levels continue to rise in Kamarang “Big men must Ex-KN reporters leave them allege “abuse” alone” − Judge by publisher to child rapist …receives 18-year jail sentence Glenn Lall Page 14

See story on page 15

Kaneville P11 family terrorised, robbed during home invasion Chinese couple beaten after P11 accusing men of shoplifting

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over 200 farms destroyed amid flooding in Region 8 …water levels continue to rise in Kamarang

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai speaking with floodaffected residents of El Paso

M

ore than 200 farms have been destroyed amid major flooding in several parts of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

This is according to Regional Chairman Headley Pio, who told Guyana Times on Thursday that assessments were still ongoing to determine the full extent of the floods and corresponding damage.

However, from reports

Floodwaters rising at Kamarang, Region Seven

garnered thus far, he noted that more than 130 farms were now waterlogged from heavy rainfall in Bamboo Creek.

At Paruka, some 30 small farms have been affected while at Kopinang, in excess of 100 farms are under water.

The Regional Chairman said he was yet to receive reports about the situation in Chenapau, Kato, and Monkey Mountain.

El Paso is possibly the hardest-hit community in the region, with houses completely submerged as the Potaro River overflowed. Water levels had reached some five feet.

This newspaper was told that the water is slowly receding.

The flooding left the homes of six families completely underwater. The flooding also caused one side of the Tumatumari Hydropower Station to break. The roads

are completely flooded and are currently closed; the only access to El Paso is by boat.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai has already visited El Paso where relief hampers were distributed to residents. She is expected to visit other affected areas in the region. Residents of El Paso were in high praise of the prompt response from the Government.

“It is good to know that we

received such quick response.

The Minister visited the next day after she was informed about the flooding,” one resident said.

Another added that the empathy shown and the support given were most welcome.

According to another resident, “in the past when certain Government Ministers came, priority was only given to their supporters…Minister Sukhai did not approach things in that manner and we commend her for her approach.”

Kamarang

Meanwhile, over at Kamarang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), more than 50 plots of farmland have already been devastated by floods as water levels continue to rise.

This is according to Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams, who told this publication that the situation in the village was constantly being monitored by officials.

He revealed that the floods have so far affected more than 24 acres of land belonging to 58 farmers whose major crops are ground provisions and vegetables.

The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has already distributed some 79 hampers to the villagers while the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) continues to assist with relief efforts.

Other villages in the region are also reeling from the effects of flooding such as Isseneru and Puruni.

Heavy rainfall expected

The Guyana Hydrometeorological Service has said that the current heavy, persistent rain being experienced may not end until mid-July/August.

In an interview on Wednesday with the National

Communications Network, Head of Climatology at the Hydromet Office, Khomalchand Dhiram said the end of the rainy season was different in the northern and southern parts of Guyana. He explained that in northern Guyana, the transition out of the rainy season usually occurred in mid-July. In the southern part of Guyana, the transition occurs in August.

Chand said Guyana and other countries in the Americas are exiting the La Niña phase. This, along with the El Niño phase, is a climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean that can affect weather worldwide.

During La Niña events, trade winds are even stronger than usual, pushing more warm water toward Asia. Off the west coast of the Americas, upwelling increases, bringing cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface.

Meanwhile, Chief Hydromet Officer, Dr Garvin Cummings revealed that the above-normal rainfall dates back to December 2020 – with the exception of February 2021.

“There were excessive amounts of rainfall which means that the soil is saturated. Really, during May 25-31, 2021 was really the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back because then the soil is oversaturated, hence, the situation that we are in now,” he said.

Dr Cummings said what was unique about this year, when compared to 2005 when Guyana suffered the devastating ‘Great Flood’ was that the severe weather was not isolated to any geographical space. He was quick to note, however, that the current weather has placed “severe pressure” on the system, as well as mitigation efforts.

TURN TO PAGE 7

NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Friday, June 4 – 01:00h-02:30h and 12:30h-14:00h and Saturday, June 5 – 01:30h-03:00h and 13:00h-14:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, June 4 –12:45h-14:15h and Saturday, June 5 –13:25h-14:55h.

Electoral fraud

3

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SoPs for Regions 1 to 5 handed over to Police – AG

…says rogue GECOM officers should have been immediately fired

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers and light rain showers are expected during the day and night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to South South-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 12:26h reaching a maximum height of 2.20 metres.

Low Tide: 18:24h reaching a minimum height of 0.98 metre.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS J

08 09 14 15 18 23 02

FREE TICKET THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021

Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

03 13 15 22 26 LUCKY 3

6

2

9

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Afternoon Draw

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

03 07 10 13 14 18 20 SUPER

PAY DAY

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$71.31/barrel

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Rough Rice

$239.094 /ton

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London Sugar

$459.60/ton

-1.05

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

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$1867.10

$1868.10

Low/High Change

$1856.50 -3.70

$1906.20 -0.20%

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

CEO Keith Lowenfield

DCEO Roxanne Myers

RO Clairmont Mingo

tatements of Poll (SoPs) from five of the 10 Administrative Regions have been handed over to a team from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as investigations continue into attempts to commit electoral fraud at the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

This is according to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, who revealed that the SOPs from Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have already been handed over to the Police.

“We have finished all the Statements of Poll. When I say finish, I mean they were photocopied by the Registrar [of the Supreme Court], certified and handed over to a delegation representing the DPP and the Commissioner of Police. This delegation consists of a lawyer, two senior Police ranks, an accountant, and another person trained in the area of statistics,” Nandlall said during his weekly social media programme – Issues In The News.

According to the Attorney General, they are hoping that by the end of Friday all the SOPs from Regions Six through 10 would be certified and handed over to the state. He added that the handing over process is being video-recorded in order to ensure “no wickedness” is being conducted.

“The statements of poll have not yet been fully examined, but from all indications, they seem to be the authentic statements of poll.

So, they are being kept at a safe place – the location of which I will obviously not disclose, and they are under protection of the state,” he stated.

DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, and Commissioner of Police Nigel Hoppie had filed an application requesting certified copies of the SoPs and Statements of Recount (SoRs). Then on May 27, Chief Justice

Roxane George ordered that the SOPs, which were being held from public view by the custodian, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, be handed to the DPP and the Police Commissioner to be used to prosecute charges filed against officials at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) including Lowenfield.

However, the CEO had staunchly opposed the release of the electoral documents and had even filed counter proceedings to block the SOPs from being made public.

Lowenfield, his deputy, Roxanne Myers, embattled Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo, as well as other GECOM staff are currently before the courts facing electoral fraud charges. 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.

Only earlier this week, Government’s three Commissioners at GECOM tabled motions for the dismissal of Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo.

S

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 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

Guardians of our own destiny

W

orld Health Organisation (WHO) statistics show that cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for over nine million deaths. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer are the most common types of cancer in men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer are most common among women.

The WHO has pointed out that the cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families, communities and health systems. Many health systems in low- and middle-income countries are least prepared to manage this burden, and large numbers of cancer patients globally do not have access to timely, quality diagnosis and treatment. However, according to WHO, in countries where health systems are strong, survival rates of many types of cancers are improving, thanks to accessible early detection, quality treatment, and survivorship care.

What is very worrying is the fact that the number of cancer deaths could increase by over 50 per cent by 2030 if immediate global action is not taken, especially in the low- and middleincome countries, where most of the deaths are likely to occur.

The statistics regarding cancer and its impact on individuals and societies tell a sad tale. However, it should motivate us to work harder for better results.

It should be noted that between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of cancer cases could be prevented, and one-third of cancer cases could be cured through early diagnosis and treatment.

The sad thing, however, is that the medicines, technologies and services are not widely available in low- and middle-income countries, and this results in most of the premature cancer deaths each year.

In Guyana, cancer is one of the leading causes of death, and we, as guardians of our own destiny, should continue to make arduous efforts in our campaign to reduce the number of persons dying from this disease. For example, individuals could assist in the prevention of cancer by doing simple things, such as making sure they eat a healthy diet; engage in regular, adequate physical activity; and overall, maintain good health. Research has shown that physical inactivity is linked to breast and colon cancers. WHO’s Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health detail how differing amounts and intensities of physical activity for all age groups can help reduce Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including some cancers.

It is also worth noting that the World Cancer Research Fund/ American Institute for Cancer Research has advised that cancer could be prevented if persons could be as lean as possible without becoming underweight; be physically active for at least 30 minutes each day; and avoid sugary drinks, among other things.

The three main cancers in Guyana are breast cancer, cervical cancer, and prostate cancer. Earlier this year, the Health Ministry stated that Guyana is leading the list of countries in the Region of the Americas for reported cases of cervical cancer.

This is according to statistics provided by the Health Ministry, showing that there was an age-standardised incidence rate of 32.7 per 100,000 women in 2018. The statistics for 2019 and 2020 are not available as yet.

This type of cancer is easily prevented through regular screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions, but far too many women ignore the pre-testing option, and seek medical advice and treatment only when they begin to develop signs of illness. In many cases, indications of physical illness or signs of discomfort often suggest that the cancer is at an advanced stage. Persons should, therefore, be encouraged to have regular tests done, since pre-symptoms are not that evident.

The Health Ministry and NGOs such as the Cancer Society and leading Private Sector bodies such as GTT must be commended for the work they are doing in spreading awareness and encouraging persons to get screening, etc. These efforts must be stepped up with involvement and funding from more stakeholders, so that the impact could be more far-reaching.

We can never overstate the importance of having more public awareness and education campaigns about the disease, with the aim of changing lifestyles and getting persons to do regular testing so that treatment could be administered before the disease becomes life-threatening.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand shares a photo with Guyana’s top Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate(CSEC) Examinations performers on Thursday during CXC’s award ceremony (Education Ministry photo)

Senility, or just plain race-baiting?

Dear Editor, Vincent Alexander must be fading in memory and intellect, or maybe he is just the very epitome of what he is accusing others of being. The man is claiming that the (supposed) “Planned dismissal of Lowenfield, Myers, (and) Mingo (is)racially motivated.”

First, I want Mr Alexander to study the statement by the Chair of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, on the electoral crisis following Guyana’s General and Regional Elections, held on 2 March 2020. This statement was made public on June 30, 2020 The great lady was saddened as (up to that time) more than 100 days had passed “and yet there was no declared result. She explained that “from the very beginning, we have been clear and said consistently that every vote must count, and every vote must be made to count in a fair and transparent way.” The big ‘but’ was that she noted there was “… a level of gamesmanship that has left much to be desired, and has definitely not portrayed our Caribbean region in the best light. This is definitely NOT our finest hour, and we MUST NOT shy away from that reality.”

This I want Alexander to ponder over: “The Caribbean Community (Caricom) is concerned at reports that the Chief Elections Officer has

submitted a Report to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) which is contrary to the directions given by the Commission, and which does not reflect the results of the recount process as certified by the very staff of the Guyana Elections Commission and witnessed by representatives of the political parties.”

Let us remember that the numbers and their certification were also witnessed by the said Caricom Observer team, and it was the team’s “…unshakeable belief that the people of Guyana expressed their will at the ballot box on March 2, and that the results of the recount certified as valid by the staff of GECOM led to an orderly conclusion on which the declaration of the results of the Election would be made.”

That is why the question is still valid: “On what grounds and by what form of executive fiat does the Chief Elections Officer determine that he should invalidate 1 vote, far less over 115,000 votes, when the votes were already certified as valid by officers of the Guyana Elections Commission in the presence of the political parties? Should this kind of clear-cut malfeasance go unpunished? And when the condign treatment is judicially meted out, is that racism?

The lady reiterated in a most unambiguous manner that “any attempt to provide numbers different from those certified by the

staff of GECOM has left many in shock, and wondering what next will happen to frustrate the will of the Guyanese people.

Second case in point goes back to August 2020, when the then former Deputy Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud won damages to the tune of $4 million in a defamation lawsuit against the Guyana Chronicle, its former Editor-inChief Nigel Williams, and Opposition-nominated Elections Commissioner Vincent Alexander, according to a judgment handed down by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

The gist of that matter was that the former Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Vishnu Persaud, was rejected from being rehired on the grounds of his past performance, his alleged history of faking his qualifications to the commission…’ He (Justice Patterson (illegally appointed, I must add)) objected to Vishnu based on past performance, based on the other candidate having better qualifications, and based on the history of misrepresentation of qualifications to the commission’, longstanding commissioner Vincent Alexander told the Guyana Chronicle.”

(See the Guyana StandardAug 19, 2020).

Now look at this.

Instead of a retraction of the article and an apology, [Alexander] defended the statements as true in spite of plain evidence to the

contrary. Please note: the “in spite of plain evidence to the contrary.”

The summary of this is that Alexander has no moral uprightness to deem anyone as racist or as a liar.

But I must ask him what was behind the appointment of Roxanne Myers as Deputy CEO, even though Persaud was more qualified for the post. Then, in the case currently regarding the possible dismissal of Lowenfield, Myers, (and) Mingo, Alexander opines that “This move is obviously a ploy that has been on their (PPP/C) agenda for some time. It is not something new. I do not associate it with the elections. I think the elections is the moment that they are using.”

I close by asking readers to revisit the many misdemeanours from the trio during the post March 02, 2020 Guyana Elections.

I also back the desire of the Caricom Observer team: We insist that to maintain GECOM in its present form would be a tragedy for the nation and the people of Guyana.

We therefore urge the immediate rethinking of the structural organisation of GECOM, particularly with respect to selection of the commissioners (this includes you, Mr Alexander); We need a political audit of GECOM - its successes and failings, and the factors contributing to this - both the commission and its administrative arm.

Yours truly, Matthew Hendrix

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

5

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Heartened by efforts to address Taking swipe at sugar industry with conduct of elections officials

Dear Editor, The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) welcomes efforts by a section of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to address, at last, the unbecoming conduct of Chief Elections Officer, alas meaningfully, Mr Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Ms Roxanne Myers; and Region #4 Returning Officer Mr Clairmont Mingo during the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The Federation, on several occasions, had advanced that serious actions should be taken against these three

(3) individuals.

The trio were at the centre of the elections controversy which engulfed the nation for five (5) months.

We hold that had they and their sponsors succeeded, the gains our nation recorded since the restoration of democracy would have vanished, as Guyana would have been seen as a pariah in the democratic world.

The conduct of GECOM officials represented probably the most naked attack on our democracy and the rights of our people. It is our view that personnel of such character should be nowhere close to the elections machinery ever again.

The three, by their conduct, have, in our view, demonstrated a lack of impartiality. They have shown not only Guyanese, but indeed the world, the depths they would descend to thwart the will of the Guyanese people. Their flagrant disrespect to decisions of the Court and the Commission ought not to be countenanced. As a law-abiding, democratic, and freedom-loving society, such behaviour is simply intolerable, and they must be held responsible for their actions.

We trust that good sense would prevail, and the Commission would act decisively. We hold that it would

send a strong message and signal that there is no tolerance for individuals and/ or groupings who seek to besmirch our democratic character.

At this time, too, we reiterate our previously expressed sentiments for electoral reform that would promote an accountable, unambiguous, and transparent elections machinery. The FITUG would, at an appropriate time, make its views on these matters known.

Sincerely, Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG)

Finally! GECOM has gumption to initiate removal of infamous trinity

Dear Editor, GECOM Commissioners have finally found the gumption to move a motion for the removal of the infamous trinity, consisting of Lowenfield, Mingo and Myers, for their respective roles in attempting to rig the 2020 elections in favour of the APNU coalition.

It has been repeatedly stated that GECOM, as an autonomous institution, is empowered to conduct its own internal investigation on all personnel on its payroll for misconduct as it relates to lack of transparency, impartiality, and fairness in the conduct of their core business of conducting

national and local government elections. This motion should have been tabled since the aftermath of the election’s fiasco, but as the old adage goes, better late than never.

On recently reflecting on our 55 years of independence, it struck me that over fifty percent of those years had been haunted by the dark spectre of electoral rigging. What a colossal tragedy in our narrative of self-government, given the wasted years, wasted talents, and opportunities lost due to the suppression of democracy and the rigging of elections.

This is the fundamental

reason why we must collectively never allow the likes of Lowenfield et al to ever again entertain the thought of tampering with elections, given the fragility of our democracy. The full weight of

GECOM’s disciplinary action for their removal would definitely be a victory for free and fair elections.

Yours sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin

Doubtful forward movement will happen any time soon

Dear Editor, While motions for the dismissal of the famous GECOM trio have been tabled, it is doubtful any forward movement would happen any time soon.

Why? As has seen happened during the long five months, the Chair will not

act as long as the court cases are ongoing.

Will they now be interdicted from duty? They were not when charged, so it is doubtful they will now.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

no apparent basis Dear Editor, GTUC General Secretary Mr Lincoln Lewis, in a letter appearing in a section of the media on June 02, 2021 under the title “GWI must provide reasons why they cannot afford to keep these workers”, in expressing his views regarding GWI’s decision to terminate workers, has decided to take a swipe at the sugar industry for no apparent basis.

This is a continuation of similar remarks Mr Lewis had made about the industry as he seeks to find red herrings to justify his contentions.

We acknowledge and respect Mr Lewis’s advancement of solidarity with the affected workers. We, too, are disheartened by the GWI’s decision, but we see no rhyme nor reason to use it at a launching pad to argue as the GTUC General Secretary does.

His reference to the sugar industry appears to be the pursuit of some ethnic rationale. As a trade unionist, Mr Lewis knows that genuine labour representatives do not apply lenses to germane workers’ issues.

The GTUC General Secretary, in justifying his stance, shared that others held the sugar industry’s benefits from some unique, maybe favourable, treatment. We, unfortunately, do not harbour similar views, and cannot agree with Mr Lewis. We hold that the industry is no different from other sectors which are similarly benefiting from State support to enhance

their efficiency and effectiveness. Yet it appears the sugar industry is scapegoated for no apparent reason other than to advance some warped perspective, and possibly to engender ideas of divisiveness.

Our Union holds that the support to the industry is not without good reason. Indeed, it is generally known that the Granger Administration deliberately starved the industry of resources, and in the process, weakened it considerably. In such context, it requires support towards its resuscitation. We have not been shy in expressing that we believe the industry has all possibilities for success.

Certainly, given the opportunities available, we ask rationally why they should not be pursued?

Genuine leaders are not ostriches with their heads in the sand, but are rational thinkers who seek to advance development and well-being of their people.

We do not believe we can ignore the varied and various contributions of the sugar industry. Those are visible to the naked eye, and do not warrant any extensive examination. Therefore, we find the apparent divisive attempts disturbing and disconcerting.

The seeming attempt to pull down the industry, and by extension the thousands who depend on it, to advance one’s narrative cannot, and should not, be condoned.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine President GAWU

6

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Question 1

Thursday’s answers

a) 1, 3, 5, 15 b) 890, 818 i) 100 c) 20 oranges would cost $500.

10m = 500, 20o≤ = 10m

2(500/10) x 20

On the

Grasshopper and Cricket Step2

By John Keats Step3 The Poetry of earth is never dead: 6 When all the birds are faint with the hot sun, And hide in cooling trees, a voice will run From hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead; That is the Grasshopper’s—he takes the lead In summer luxury,—he has never done With his delights; for when tired out with fun He rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed4.

The poetry of earth is ceasing never: On a lone winter evening, when the frost Has wrought a silence, from the stove there shrills The Cricket’s song, in warmth increasing ever, And seems to one in drowsiness half lost, The Grasshopper’s among some grassy hills4.

Remember Read it Think about the title Find out who is the speaker Think about the mood and tone Paraphase the poem Determine the theme

WORD SEARCH

7 4 new COVID-19 deaths take Guyana’s fatalities to 400 NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…spike recorded across Region 9

F

ifteen months into the pandemic locally, Guyana’s coronavirus death toll has hit 400 after four more persons succumbed.

The Health Ministry announced the latest deaths as those of a 71-year-old male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and an 81-year-old male from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), who died on Tuesday, while on Wednesday, a 67-year-old female and an 88-year-old male – both from Region Four – also succumbed to the disease.

For the month of June, four persons have died. It follows an alarming spike in deaths whereby 97 persons died in May – the deadliest month for Guyana.

There were also 119 new cases reported on Thursday, raising the total confirmed cases to 17,376. There are 17 patients in the COVID-19

was from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 16 from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 46 from Region Four; seven from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 13 from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 26 from Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) and 10 in Region 10.

In Regions One (BarimaWaini), Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), the figures remain unchanged at 1131, 1223, and 365 respectively.

Spike in Region 9

Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 103 in institutional isolation and 1783 in home isolation.

Additionally, seven persons were placed in institutional quarantine. Some 15,073 positive cases have since recovered.

Of the new cases, one

Communities across Region Nine have recently been under the microscope as COVID-19 cases there have spiked, prompting health officials to test and monitor in order to flatten the curve.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony informed

Over 200 farms destroyed...

FROM PAGE 2

Flood relief items that were distributed at El Paso, Region Eight

“We may have seven days of continuous rainfall.

But there are indications that we may have consecu-

tive days of dryness as well.

While the forecast is suggesting above-normal rainfall, above what we would

usually get, [when] we compare this year to the longterm average, we see that we exceeded that in some cases by 50-60 per cent, and in some cases, approaching to 100 per cent. Note that we are just starting in June, so the rainy season is now peaking.”

In terms of the Hydromet Office’s capacity, Dr Cummings noted that the biggest challenge is being able to effectively communicate not only the amount of rainfall, but its impact.

Notwithstanding this, he pointed out that recent investments by the Government have aided in scaling-up the Hydromet Office’s forecast capacity.

in Thursday’s coronavirus briefing that cases have spiked near the Rupununi River and Rewa Village.

Other communities which initially reported cases have seen a drop in positives. Between Sunday and Thursday this week, a total of 159 cases were detected in the region.

“In Region Nine, there’s a mixed set of cases in a sense.

There are some communities where we have identified cases earlier and those cases have dropped over the last week or so. We now see spikes in the Rupununi River, so at Apoteri, there are a number of cases there.

We have seen an increase in cases in Rewa,” Dr Anthony shared.

According to the Minister, monitoring will continue and those persons who are negative will be vaccinated against the virus.

“The increase in cases that we’re now seeing in the region is primarily because of these two communities.

We have teams that went in. They have done testing, monitoring and for those persons who are negative, we are able to offer them the vaccine. We have been doing vaccination in those areas as well.”

Vaccination

Thus far, 205,944 persons or 42.3 per cent of the adult population have received their first jab while 72,045 or 14.8 per cent have been fully immunised.

Regionally, 46.6 percent of the adult population in Region One have received their first vaccine, 40.3 per cent in Region Two, 42.3 per cent in Region Three, 43.2 per cent in Region Four, 46.5 per cent in Region Five, 50.2 per cent in Region

Six, 42.3 per cent in Region Seven, 27.5 per cent in Region Eight, 40.5 per cent in Region Nine and 12.4 per cent in Region 10.

“The two regions that are outliers are really Region 10 at 12.4 per cent and Region Eight at 27.5 per cent. We have to do quite a lot of work in these two regions.

One of the challenges right now with Region Eight is the flooding that we have there. In Region 10, we have known about the persistent problem that we have there with vaccine hesitancy,” the Health Minister said.

He added, “The geographic layout is also challenging, because it’s quite mountainous and so in normal times, it’s difficult to reach some of the communities. This now has been compounded with the rains, so it’s quite a challenge.”

Dr Anthony cautioned

that it was important to take all precautions while travelling, since there is no mandated immunisation to board a flight as yet. Until this is in place, the immunisation status of people remains unknown – an indication that travellers should be cautious.

“You don’t know who would be sitting next to you.

You don’t know how many persons boarding the plane would have been vaccinated. As it is now, it’s not a requirement to have a vaccine passport …In the Americas, we haven’t been doing that as yet although there have been discussions on that. If we move towards a vaccine passport, then you can be assured of the people in the plane. As of now, because there isn’t a requirement, you still have to take all the precautions,” the Health Minister underscored. (G12)

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FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Essequibo Coast pump attendant charged for murder N

ankishore Persaud, a pump attendant of Anna Regina Housing Scheme, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) was on Wednesday remanded to prison on a murder charge.

The 56-year-old man appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court where he was not required to plead to the charge which stated that on February 26, 2020, he killed Arvin Toolsie Mayhilall. The case was ad-

Murder accused: Nankishore Persaud

journed to June 23, 2021.

Reports are that after Mayhilall died, relatives were told that he had fallen from a bench at Zorg and his prone body was discovered in the late evening by residents.

However, his mother, Jaiwantie Mayhilall had always maintained that her son was murdered, prompting an investigation.

The post-mortem report revealed that Mayhilall died as a result of trauma to his head and a fractured spine.

Dead: Arvin Mayhilall

Court clerk charged for attempting to pervert justice

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typist clerk attached to the Suddie Supreme Court has been slapped with a charge of attempt to pervert justice and appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Mariano Persaud, 37, of Zorg, Essequibo Coast, ap-

peared before Magistrate Esther Sam and pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that she attempted to pervert the course of the justice committee on public justice. The defendant was initially charged on February 26, 2020 after she allegedly told Ramkumar

Charged: Mariano Persaud

Singh, Adrian Chung, and Drikcpaul Gobin to lie to the Police.

The charge stemmed from a Police investigation into the death of Arvin Toolsie Mayhilall of Zorg, who tragically lost his life.

The case was adjourned to June 23, 2021.

Back to basics...

T

…across the board his bout of heavy rainfall is really exposing a basic problem we have in our dear land of Guyana.

We’ve papered it over for the longest while, but it’s now clear for all to see - and this is our refusal at all levels to do our bit to make our society work. Take the garbage that’s blocking up our drains. How did it get there? Someone had to have thrown it there, no? How difficult is it for us to place our garbage in bins? Your Eyewitness once stood at the corner of Jamaica Ave and Parsons, in Queens, and saw a Guyanese woman (he knew her by her accent) walk half a block to dump her Wendy’s triple cheeseburger wrapper in a bin. If she were in Guyana, she’d drop that wrapper right there in the street.

And we can extend that “doan-kay-damn” (don’t give a damn) attitude to everything we do: whether it’s our weeders leaving grass on the roadsides, or the garbagemen not picking up our garbage in the city; or our koker watchmen going to sleep on the job, or the supervisor who doesn’t check on the performance of his workers; or the Engineer not ensuring all the pumps are in working condition BEFORE the rainy season begins. And we’re only talking about how our drainage system gets clogged up!

Did you ever consider, say, the work ethic of the local Guyanese “superintendents” who replaced the “white” overseers in the sugar industry? Even though we all cussed out the white men for “driving” us in the fields, do these locals even GO into the fields today to ensure that tasks are performed? How come we used to build ferries at GNIC (then “Sprostons”), yet today we can’t even turn out a ballahoo?

But send these same folks to New York or Toronto, and they get the “best worker” award within a year! Why is this so? At some deep level, it has to be a kind of self-contempt that translates into a national collective contempt. We just don’t feel we’re worth the trouble to do the right thing even when we’re paid to do so. But when we are in “foreign”, we knock ourselves out because they are higher beings and are worth the effort.

We, of course, were taught this self-contempt during the colonial period…but, 55 years after independence, you’d think we would’ve “freed ourselves from mental slavery” by now, wouldn’t you? But the PNC, who succeeded the Brits, just saw themselves taking the latter’s place. It was “substitution” in the old order, not “subversion” of that order.

Remember Burnham in his jodhpurs riding his horse at Hope Estate? …in foreign policy There’s no question that China’s convinced the US is in the position of Britain after WWII: exhausted, exhausted and ready to be replaced by the new superpower in the block the USA. China, of course, thinks it’s their century unfolding.

They’ve always called themselves the “Middle Kingdom” which wasn’t a geographical notion, but a geopolitical one.

They were the centre of a world that revolves around it like satellites.

Economically, China is supposed to surpass the US as the nation with the largest GDP. But it would know that economic clout doesn’t automatically translate into equivalent political clout. That takes military might! And secondly, it would also know that the #1 militarily- dominant US isn’t going to roll over and play dead. While China may now control the South China Seas, it can’t project that power across the Pacific, for example.

So, we’re going to see a confrontation between the economic and military behemoths on who’ll rule the roost.

Guyana should remember in whose backyard we exist. …on chthonic forces of disorder OK…OK, dear Reader. You don’t have to go to your dictionary. “Chthonic” - pronounced “thä-nik” - simply refers to “denizens of the underworld”.

In other words, it describes the PNC in its rigging, bullying mode!

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

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GRA wrongfully classified Land Cruiser as “passenger vehicle” – High Court

GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia

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n East Coast Demerara (ECD) businessman has won a lawsuit he filed against the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) over its wrongful classification of his 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser as a passenger vehicle. As a consequence of that classification, he had been required to pay almost $14 million in taxes and duty on the vehicle.

In March 2020, cattle farmer Mohamed Shaw Jahan named the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia as respondents in a High Court action he filed, in which he maintained that the vehicle he had imported from the United Kingdom is a light goods vehicle and should attract only about $1.8M in duty and taxes.

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Justice Damone Younge declared that the GRA had wrongfully classified the vehicle, which she declared is a goods vehicle that fell under tariff heading 8704.

As such, the Judge granted an order of mandamus, compelling GRA to classify the vehicle as such, and to accept the $1,871,457 in taxes and duty already paid by the businessman.

7 days to comply

The GRA has been given seven days to comply with the court’s order. Justice Younge also ordered the tax agency to take all steps necessary to release Jahan’s vehicle, and to reimburse him the costs of storing it at the John Fernandes Terminal.

The GRA has also been ordered to bear the costs of the lawsuit.

Since its arrival in Guyana on December 20, 2020, Jahan had been un-

able to clear the vehicle owing to the duties being demanded by the GRA. In the circumstances, the Land Cruiser was left at the terminal, thereby incurring storage costs.

In Jahan’s lawsuit, drafted by Attorney-at-law Siand Dhurjon, the businessman insisted that the vehicle was classified as a “light goods vehicle” at the time of its purchase back in October 2020, and should attract only around $1.8 million in taxes and duty. The GRA had, however, insisted otherwise.

According to Attorney Dhurjon, because the Land Cruiser is a special model, with only two seats, two doors, two ventilating windows, a flatbed cargo area to the rear, and a barrier between the cargo area and the driver’s area, it is “exclusively qualified to be a goods vehicle”.

The lawyer had maintained that any classification of the vehicle as a passenger vehicle would be an erroneous misclassification and a misapprehension of the Common External Tariff found in Schedule 1 of the Customs Act, the Harmonised System Classification Codes, and the World Customs Organisation’s Explanatory Notes on the issue.

In an affidavit in support of his claim, Jahan had stated, “When a vehicle is permitted to be registered as a goods vehicle, it is granted a very favourable tax treatment.”

Dhurjon, in an invited comment following the Judge’s ruling, has said, “This is believed to be the first case of its kind in Guyana. The learned Judge went to the extent of physically viewing the vehicle in person before arriving at her decision.”

According to Attorney Dhurjon, during the court proceedings, GRA’s lawyers admitted that the agency “has no written policy, guidelines or information available from their office on what features/criteria they would accept or deny to classify a vehicle as a goods vehicle.”

Dhurjon has said that different employees of the GRA would give contradictory information on what they would and would not accept as a goods vehicle, as opposed to a passenger vehicle.

Mohamed Shaw Jahan’s 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser

“Mr Statia submitted that the presence of two receptacles in which cups could be placed and what they called ‘sports rims’ on the vehicle indicated that the vehicle was a passenger vehicle,” the lawyer has said.

Prior to instituting the lawsuit, Dhurjon disclosed, his client had, on many occasions, sought the intervention of Statia over the wrong classification of the

enclosed 2,800cc diesel van as a “vehicle principally designed for the transport of persons”. That intervention never materialised, he said.

“Mr Jahan was referred to another officer of the GRA, who maintained the erroneous position that the vehicle is a passenger vehicle. A ‘Classification Committee’ of the GRA later sustained such a ruling in a vague letter sent to Mr Jahan,” the lawyer stated. (G1)

10 NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Beware of romance, package delivery scams – FIU warns T

he Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Guyana is warning the public against the rise of package delivery and romance scams, in which persons are actively involved with international partners to defraud locals.

On Thursday, the agency informed that these package delivery or romance scammers emerged prominently during the COVID-19 pandemic, targeting persons via social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The methodology used by these fraudsters is to befriend unsuspecting persons and after building trust with their “new friend” or “love interest”, promising the intended victim some form of assistance. This, in most instances, is supposedly a package containing valuable gift items such as designer clothing, jewellery, televisions, cell phones, and other electronic devices.

“The victim is usually contacted by a local associate of the scammer, confirming the arrival of the package and requesting their personal contact and other information.

The intended victim is subse-

quently contacted again and requested to deposit money to a specified local bank account or send via a money transfer agency (MTA),” the FIU stressed.

Victims are then advised that a payment is required to cover brokerage fees, customs duties, penalties and/ or shipping charges for the package. Once the payment is made, the scammers discontinue all contact with the victim. In some instances, requests are made for additional payments, for various reasons which may sound plausible to unsuspecting individuals.

The public has since been cautioned, “If you or someone you know is approached via email, Facebook, WhatsApp, SMS, etc, and promised gifts or COVID-19 related financial or other assistance, Beware! This may be a SCAM. Do not share any personal information, transfer or deposit money into the bank account of persons you meet online and do not know very well. If you believe that you are a victim of the ‘Romance or Package Delivery Scam’, report it immediately to the nearest Police Station.”

In February, a Nigerian man, who was allegedly part of an international criminal network that befriended women on Facebook and promised lavish gifts, was charged with obtaining monies by false pretence.

Uche Raymond Okoye, also known as Uche Parker, was slapped with 11 charges and appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

According to those charges, between October and November 2020, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained $6,059,900 from Suruj Dei Balkaran, and $50,000 from another woman by falsely claiming that he had pack-

ages intended for them.

During that time, he in-

formed them about the supposed packages containing the latest gadgets and electronic devices. He reportedly told the women that he would be sending the items, and that they would need to contact a representative who would clear the packages and deliver them.

The representative he referred to was himself, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Prosecutor had stated.

The Nigerian sent the women a WhatsApp number on which he could be contacted about the transactions.

It is alleged that the women paid the monies as they expected the packages, but, every time, Balkaran was told of some complications and instructed to send more cash via bank transfers and Western Union. She reportedly sent monies on 10 different occasions.

Previously in November, Okoye had appeared at a city court and pleaded not guilty to two counts of obtaining money by false pretence, one count of demanding money by menace, and one count of illegal entry into Guyana. (G12)

SoPs for Regions...

According to Nandlall, 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 asserted.

The GECOM Chair, retired Justice Claudette Singh, has given Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo 14 days to respond to the allegations in the respective motions filed against them. A date is likely to be set thereafter for the motions to be heard and debated at the level of the seven-member Elections Commission.

But Nandlall noted,

“I don’t understand how GECOM operates in this way. In my view, a vote should’ve been taken immediately, and these people should be dismissed. And the vote should be unanimous. Unanimity is what would have prevailed in the ordinary course of things.”

This comes as the three Opposition-appointed commissioners have objected to the PPP motions. As such, the Attorney General called out the Opposition Commissioners for supporting the conduct of these three embattled GECOM officials.

“Vincent Alexander, Desmond Trotman and Charles Corbin are three Commissioners of GECOM, and they have seen nothing wrong with what Mingo has done, with what Lowenfield has done, and with what Myers has done… So you’re dealing with abnormal people and abnormal circumstances, and therefore you have to tread cautiously, and what would ordinarily be courses of conduct will be matter of course type

FROM PAGE 3

of conduct in most society, in Guyana it’s different,” Nandlall posited.

Meanwhile, Alexander was quoted in an article by Demerara Waves that this move to have GECOM trio removed has nothing to do with the elections, but was racially motivated.

In response to his claims, Pro-Government Commissioner Sase Gunraj, during a live programme on Thursday evening, condemned Alexander’s resort to race.

“Alexander and his two cohorts on the Commission not finding any faults, in fact they thought what Lowenfield did was excellent. They never faulted this, they never found fault with what Mingo did. But come now, when these motions are tabled, to say that they are racially motivated… If you look at the comments, not only Alexander, but if you look at the entire Opposition and their comments, it’s nothing else but race… they have failed to see reason,” Gunraj contended.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Kaneville family terrorised, Chinese couple beaten after accusing men of shoplifting robbed during home invasion ter the victim insisted that he did not have any more money.

The Police were contacted, and the injured man was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was treated and sent away.

The Police are investigating the robbery, but no one has as yet been arrested.

A

family of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara (EBD) has reportedly been robbed by five armed men during a home invasion that occurred at about 02:30h on Thursday.

Based on reports received, a 52-year-old driver and his family had retired to bed at about 21:00h on Wednesday, but were awakened by repeatedly loud banging on the western door of their house at about 02:30h on Thursday.

When the man went to investigate, he was confronted by five men in the living room area of his home. Two of the men were armed with cutlasses, and one was armed with a handgun. The perpetrators had reportedly forced their way into the house by breaking the door to gain entry.

P

olice are on the hunt for two men who reportedly assaulted two Chinese nationals at Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) on Wednesday.

Police have said that on the day in question, at about 19:30h, two men entered a supermarket owned by the Chinese couple and pretended that they were purchasing items. After the two men

had spent some time without showing up at the counter, the Chinese nationals accused them of attempting to shoplift.

This led to a heated argument, which quickly escalated into a scuffle between the men and the Chinese nationals, during which one of the men armed himself with an iron pipe and death the Chinese nationals several blows about their bodies.

After beating the Chinese

nationals with the pipe, this man reportedly jumped on a motorcycle and made good his escape, while the other man escaped on foot.

The Police were summoned, and an investigation has been launched.

The injured couple were taken to the Linden Hospital Complex, where they were admitted as patients. Their condition is listed as serious but stable. The police are yet to make an arrest.

cal examination conducted proved that she was sexually active. As such, the predator was arrested and charged.

Reports of child rape continue to increase, based on information released by the Guyana Police Force. Thus far for 2021, there have been several allegations of rape committed on underage girls by grown men, including close relatives.

In some instances, it has been reported that the rape resulted in pregnancy. In

late February, a close relative of a 10-year-old girl was arrested by the Police after he allegedly raped her while she was left in his care.

The child was reportedly left unconscious after the incident.

It was reported that after the man committed the act, he reportedly threatened to kill the child if she reported the matter to anyone.

Nevertheless, the violated child confided in her grandmother, who immediately lodged a report at the nearest Police station.

The Police have said the child alleged that, on April 6, she was sexually assaulted. She immediately informed a parent, who subsequently reported the matter to Police. At the time of the report, checks were made for the suspect, but he was not found.

23-year-old confesses to raping teen One of the bandits dealt the man a chop to his head even as they demanded cash and other valuables.

Fearful for his life, the man handed over $220,000 in cash.

The bandits further ransacked the home, during which they confiscated one 43-inch Samsung television set, six birds, three handbags, three silver chains, three silver rings and two mobile phones.

Not satisfied with their booty, the armed men demanded more cash, but the victim reportedly told them that he did not have any more at home.

In retaliation, the bandits beat the man about his body with the cutlasses, and also threatened to shoot him.

They eventually left af-

A

23-year-old man has been taken into custody on Wednesday after he reportedly confessed to raping a 14-year -old girl in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

The Police have said that after the man had committed the act on Wednesday, the matter was reported and he was subsequently arrested. He was told of the allegation, and admitted to same, and as such, he remains in custody to assist with the investigations.

Only last month, a close family member of an 11-year-old girl was taken into custody for allegedly raping her on several occasions in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Based on reports received, the sexual assaults were committed between August 2020 and May 2021.

It has been reported that the sexual predator would continuously have sex with the child, who would report same to her mother.

However, her mother would reportedly scold her for reporting the matter to her.

After the complaints to her mother had fallen on deaf ears, the child reportedly confided in another family member, and the matter was reported to the Police.

The child was taken to the hospital, where a medi-

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FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CANU intercepts $10M in ganja en route to Suriname

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gents of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Wednesday intercepted 80 kilograms of ganja during an operation at Goat Dam, Line Path Skeldon, Corriverton Corentyne, Berbice.

Based on information received, at about 17:30h on the

day in question, a team from CANU travelled to the area after receiving information, with the expectation of looking for persons transporting several bags of ganja.

Two hours later, the agents noticed three individuals within a cane field walking towards them, and, as such, the

officers emerged from their position, identified themselves, and shouted to the said individuals not to move.

The individuals reportedly dropped the bags they were carrying and escaped through the cane field.

“The officers did not pursue the individuals due to

The ganja that was intercepted on Wednesday during an operation by CANU

a canal separating the dam from the cane field. The officers searched the area where the men were seen, and noticed ten (10) bulky parcels wrapped in transparent plastic,” CANU stated in a release to the media.

Upon examining the parcels, the ganja was unearthed.

The parcels were removed, and, when subsequently weighed, amounted to 80 kilograms of ganja, which has a street value of $10 million.

The operation, CANU noted, has been ongoing for the past four days, and members of the team that participated in the operation have been commended for the patience and professionalism they displayed. It is suspected that the ganja was heading to Suriname for resale.

The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit, along with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Police Force, continues to carry out operations to stem the flow of narcotics across Guyana’s borders, and also to work with Community Police Groups in various communities to ensure that “drug blocks” do not

become established.

Less than two weeks ago, a green and white Beechcraft Bonanza plane, carrying registration number PT-SRR, crash-landed in the Amerindian community of Orealla on the Corentyne River in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) after encountering difficulties. On board were 450 kilograms of cocaine.

At the time of the crash, two Brazilian nationals were on board the aircraft, one being the pilot. The men reportedly told residents of Orealla that they were travelling and visiting several areas to do sport fishing and other leisure activities, but had encountered difficulties with the weather. They further claimed that the aircraft was almost out of fuel, and they had gotten lost after circling the area for some time.

However, the men were subsequently accosted by Police ranks, who questioned them about their presence in the area. They then took the ranks to the aircraft, where a search conducted unearthed a quantity of cocaine.

With a street value of about US$30,000 per kilogram, the estimated cost of the drug is $2.9 billion.

Shortly after the discovery, ranks of the Disciplined Forces and agents of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) were mobilised and dispatched to the scene from Camp Ayanganna via the GDF’s Bell 412 helicopter.

CANU has reported that from all indications and information received, the aircraft was heading to Suriname.

However, in addition to the 450 bricks of cocaine which each weighed one kilogram, two Global Positioning Systems, one radio set, three smartphones, two identification cards, and the registration documents of the aircraft were found at the crash site. The aircraft, according to CANU officials, was reportedly heading to Suriname.

The two men, Salim Nobrega De Alimser, 60, and Andre Pereira, 30, were arraigned before Magistrate Alex Moore for trafficking in narcotics and illegal entry, and have been remanded to prison until June 22, 2021.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CIOG donates $1.5M in relief hampers …as Human Services Ministry moves to assist vulnerable flood victims

The CIOG has contributed non-perishable food items for affected Guyanese

T

he Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) has donated 300 relief hampers for Mahaicony and the Black Bush Polder areas, valued at $1.5 million as widespread flooding continues across the country.

At the handing-over of the items to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), CIOG’s Shaikh Moeen-ulHack expressed, “We have more than 2000 boxes of cereal and biscuits, which

hopefully will be of benefit for the people who have suffered as a result of the floods and we wish to commend the CDC for their efforts in providing relief … and the Government of our country for their proactive approach in getting relief food stuff, sanitisers, et cetera, to the people of our country.”

Meanwhile, in efforts to relieve residents across Guyana who were impacted by heavy rainfall and flooding, the Human Services

and Social Security Ministry has partnered with several businesses to put together food hampers and other supplies.

Subject Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud and a team are planning to reach out to some communities, paying special attention to the elderly, children, women, and those who have been displaced by flooding.

According to a statement on Thursday, the care packages prepared for residents

include children’s hampers, care and hygiene supplies for women and girls, water, cleaning supplies, and food items.

Relief efforts are slated to commence with Kwakwani, one of the severely-affected areas in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The Ministry has partnered with AmCham along with other supporting organisations.

“We will continue to expend every effort to assist families and persons hard hit by flooding as their lives, in many cases, have been upturned and they have suffered immeasurable losses and serious damage to property and crops. It is these trying moments that must bring all Guyanese together to help and support each other,” Persaud said.

She expressed concern that while the residents may be able to receive immediate help, they would also be in need of long-term assistance since many homes have been submerged.

“Guyanese are suffering now and we are seeing how warm their hearts are, because everyone is here to help; coming together here shows we are indeed ‘One Guyana’ when we really need

Preparing hampers at the Human Services Ministry

to be,” Permanent Secretary Shannielle Hoosein-Outar commented.

Numerous Private Sector entities have contributed to the cause.

Meanwhile, the CDC on Wednesday dispatched additional relief supplies to bolster support at the four shelters set up in Region 10. A total of 57 persons are currently being housed at the

shelters set up at Kwakwani Primary School, Kwakwani Secondary School Hostel, Aroaima Nursery School and Hururu Community Centre.

The CDC said that with support from the Local Government organs, it would continue to monitor the situation and assist as needed.

Flooding in Region 2

Pomeroon farmers call for relief after millions in crops damaged …no reports of waterborne diseases

that document to the Agriculture Ministry, and by extension the Government, for assistance.

Ramdatt, however, has said the Regional Administration is monitoring works being done by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) in Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast and in other areas.

The remedial works are expected to prevent the recurrence of flooding in the future.

Ramdatt has declared that there are no reports of significant flooding along the Essequibo Coast, since the sluices and drainage pumps are working around the clock.

Regional Health Officer Dr. Ranjeev Singh has confirmed that there has been no report of any out-

REO Devanand Ramdatt and an official monitoring remedial works ongoing along the Essequibo Coast

Residents collecting cleaning detergents

C

ash crop farmers along the Upper and Lower Pomeroon River in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), who are affected by prolonged flooding in their communities, are soliciting relief in the form of fertilisers, chemicals and other planting materials.

Guyana Times understands that the farmers had invested millions of dollars in their crops, but those are all now under floodwaters. As a result of the severe flooding, due to heavy downpours, officials of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) are assessing the

situation with the aim of lending the farmers support.

Region Two Executive Officer (REO) Devanand Remdatt has disclosed that the water has begun to recede, but he said there are some areas where the water continues to inundate the land. He said the water could become contaminated and eventually result in the spread of waterborne diseases.

Further, Ramdatt related that the Toshaos of the affected villages have requested that a document be drafted with respect to the impact of the floods. They would forward

The Reliance Pump Station in operation

break of waterborne disease resulting from the floods.

Dr Singh has said a medical team is currently on a three-day outreach to several Amerindian com-

munities along the Pomeroon River, to provide medications in case of a possible outbreak of such diseases.

Dr. Singh explained that residents of Siriki, Kabakaburi, Abrahams Creek, St. Minica/

Karawab and Lilydale have been fully educated on means to treat waterborne diseases.

He added that the Regional Environmental Officers would ensure that medicines, ointments and other medications are available at the various health posts in case persons begin suffering from rashes, diarrhoea, vomiting, or other flood-related illnesses.

“I advised residents, especially in the most affected areas, to continue to practice good hygiene; boil water before use, or add chlorine into drinking water, and also practice foot-baths on a daily basis. However, more detergents and chlorine will be sent by the Ministry of Health to affected communities in the Pomeroon River. The Regional Health Service will ensure that the region has adequate medical supplies on hand in an event of an outbreak,” Dr. Singh added.

The medical outreach would continue until Friday.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Big men must leave them alone” - Judge to child rapist …receives 18-year jail sentence “I dropped out of school because I was not only mocked by classmates, but also by teachers, because I became pregnant. I felt all alone and scared for my life because this man was still free after what he did to me” – Rape victim

“R

emoving you from society, at least for a while, is the least that a court can do in its attempt at joining forces with the rest of civil society to combat, if not overturn, the scourge of rape, incest, and other deplorable forms of sexual violence being meted out to women and children in our beloved country.”

Those were the words said to 32-year-old child rapist Damon Assanah

by High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds.

On Thursday, the High Court Judge sentenced Assanah, called “Devil,” to 18 years’ imprisonment for what he described as a “heinous and barbaric crime” committed on a young girl.

Assanah, of Victoria, East Coast Demerara, who fathers a four-year-old daughter, has unanimously been found guilty by a jury last month of raping a 13-year-old girl between November 1 and 31, 2015.

The crime took place in Demerara.

Following the jury’s verdict, sentencing for Assanah was deferred until Thursday to facilitate the

presentation of a probation report and victim impact statement.

Assanah is known to the teenager, who is now 19.

Between January 1 and 31, 2015, he called the girl’s mother’s phone and asked the girl to meet him downstairs. They met at the back of her yard next to a turtle pen.

While there, he instructed the girl to get undressed.

He took off his pants, after which he told the child to bend over. When she complied, he raped her.

In October 2015, the teenager’s mother sent her to the shop to purchase an item.

On her way there, she met Assanah, who held on to her hand and placed her in his car. The man then drove off to his home, where he raped the girl again. He also raped the girl between November 1 and 31, 2015.

In early December 2015, the girl was attending school when she started to vomit. Her mother was called in. The girl was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was made to undergo a blood test. The test con-

firmed that she was seven weeks’ pregnant; the pregnancy was later aborted.

The girl later confided in her mother about what had transpired between her and Assanah. He was subsequently arrested and prosecuted.

“Big men must leave them alone”

“Real men bow their heads in shame at such conduct,” the judge said to the convict, who appeared in court via Zoom. “You have brought disgrace to the real men in your village,” the Judge said to Assanah, adding that only God knows why a man of his standard of living could succumb to carnal cravings.

He reminded the father of one that he chose to defile the young girl in the most despicable way, not once, not twice, but three times. From the findings of the probation report, the Judge noted that Assanah displayed no remorse for his actions. In this regard, the Judge informed Assanah that under the laws of Guyana, a girl under the age of 16 cannot consent to sexual intercourse.

“And so adult males, big men, must leave them alone. We must cut our eyes on them…. they were referred to as jail baits, as they are,” the Judge said as he reprimanded Assanah for his actions, which have left the teen traumatised.

Further, the Judge said to Assanah it is ironic that

he would father a little girl soon after committing these bastardly offences.

“It left me feeling depressed”

In a victim impact statement that was read aloud in court by a counsellor, the teenager said, “What I went through after being raped has really impacted my life. After being raped by someone whom I have known all those years…

Sometimes I felt as if I cannot trust anyone close to me anymore. This has had a negative impact on my life. It left me feeling really depressed.

“He [Assanah] returned to the streets and dragged my name through the mud with his friends and family, telling them what he did to me, and all the blame was cast on me, saying I wanted it. He then tried to torment me and my late mother. My mom and I were so ashamed to walk the road.

We would always take another direction to get to or from home in order to avoid him. Every time he saw me and my mom, he would grab his crotch and sing songs.

“I dropped out of school because I was not only mocked by classmates, but also by teachers, because I became pregnant. I felt all alone and scared for my life because this man was still free after what he did to me,” the rape victim related.

She added, “My mother once fought for this matter for me, her only child…

It so happened that during

Child rapist Damon Assanah, called “Devil”

the process she passed away. But I want to thank God for answering my prayers…My mom can rest in peace knowing that justice has been served.

“I would like to see this man put away for a long time, so he can no longer torment me or (do) what he did to me to another girl.”

Combat scourge

In an effort to combat the scourge of sex crimes against women and children, Justice Reynolds told Assanah that removing him from society, at least for a while, is the least the court can do.

“Removing you from society, at least for a while, is the least that a court can do in its attempt at joining forces with the rest of civ-

il society to combat, if not overturn, the scourge of rape, incest, and other deplorable forms of sexual violence being meted out to women and children in our beloved country.”

While Justice Reynolds credited Assanah for rising against his childhood struggles, he further told the convict, “You get absolutely no credit for the barbaric way in which you breached the trust of [the girl]. And the reckless disregard which you displayed for her bodily integrity.”

Throughout his trial, Assanah was represented by Attorney-at-law Ravindra Mohabir, while the case for the Prosecution was presented by State Counsels Sarah Martin and Nafeeza Baig. (G1)

15 Ex-KN reporters allege “abuse” by publisher Glenn Lall I NEWS

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

n light of allegations of verbal and mental abuse made by two former reporters of Kaieteur News, who took to social media on Wednesday to highlight what they described as a toxic workplace under publisher Glenn Lall, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) has been called upon to pronounce on or look into the matter.

However, GPA President Nazima Raghubir has emphasised that the entity is just an association and an advocacy body, and not a union.

She pointed out that the option is there for reporters in such situations to take private action in the courts or take the matter to the Labour Ministry.

Reporters Kemol King and Mikaila Prince, who resigned from Kaieteur News earlier this year, made social media posts talking about their experience working at the publication. They described the company as its own “toxic, abusive, manipulative monster” and as a “gruesome and dehumanising working environment” in separate posts on their social media accounts.

King wrote, “My mental health is still recovering from the Kaieteur News environment… If I decided to sit and

Kaieteur News publisher Glenn Lall

write all the horrible things my friends and I had to deal with, it would take days.

Glenn Lall may see himself as a god among men, but I will no longer allow him to abuse and disrespect me.”

He shared a screenshot of a WhatsApp text message sent to him purportedly by Lall, who called him a “lowlife”.

“I will not compromise my integrity, to prop up paper and ad sales at the expense of truth and accuracy.

It almost broke me, having to sit in on that radio show, in complicit silence, while he told this country whatev-

er was sensational enough, no matter how far removed it was from the truth,” King said of Lall, whose newspaper has been extensively reporting on Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

Meanwhile, Prince in her post stated, “I refuse to take disrespect from Glenn Lall any longer; I refuse to stay silent, let him verbally abuse me without any repercussions. Today, I will show you all the monster that is Glenn Lall.”

Like her colleague King, Prince who is likewise employed at a State media entity, said she too was called a “lowlife” by Lall and also shared screenshots of messages reportedly sent by the businessman.

Nevertheless, Raghubir, who herself is a veteran Journalist in Guyana, told Guyana Times that she has been providing support to both Prince and King. She added that prior to leaving Kaieteur News, the two reporters had reached out to the Press Association, and support was provided to them.

According to the GPA President, if the reporters want to speak with a specialist for counselling, this option was still available. She

we will do so without fear, favour, or intimidation that it is upsetting,” the GPA Head asserted.

No formal report

Ex-KN reporter Kemol King

said too that she advised both King and Prince to reach out to a lawyer to pursue legal avenues in their allegations against their former employer.

Raghubir pointed out that it was difficult for the GPA to deal with industrial matters ***which are within the remit of the Labour Ministry***.

She added that the remarks allegedly made by the publisher are indeed upsetting and not the type of action one would want to condone, especially from a publisher.

“However, we are not a union and we will continue to lobby for a free press and

Linden family adopts Paediatric Ward at Linden Hospital

Administrator Michelle Bollers and others look on as the ceremonial ribbon is cut to open the rehabilitated ward

T

he Paediatric Ward at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) was recently adopted by the family of a former

McClintock. Funding was provided by the family for the rehabilitation of the ward as well as the purchase of equipment and medical supplies.

away in 2019.

“Her family members, Sheila, Jocelyn and Selwyn McClintock, ensured her vision was made a reality by providing the necessary resources for the ward to be transformed into a more child-friendly atmosphere,” the LHC noted in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Medical Superintendent, Dr Joseph London thanked the family on behalf of the hospital’s management for the effort and resources which were channelled into the transformation of the unit.

He also emphasised the significant impact which the initiative would have on the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people of

Part of the renovated section of the hospital

nurse.

That section of the hospital was recently rehabilitated in honour of the late Clementina “Shirley”

McClintock was a former resident of Silvertown, Wismar, Linden, who served for over 40 years as a nurse in paediatrics. She passed

Region 10.

At a brief handover ceremony, Shirley McClintock thanked the supervisor of the Paediatric Ward,

Jennifer Melville-Nelson and the nurses for the excellent job done in transforming the ward. She noted that while her family provided the funds, it was the staff attached to the unit who dedicated their time and energy to complete the rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, when contacted on Thursday, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton told this publication that there were no formal reports made to the Ministry in relation to this issue, so he could not intervene. But the Minister did note that he has been following the developments via social media.

He condemned Lall for breaking foundational rules of journalism and for his “reprehensible” actions against the two young reporters.

Nevertheless, Minister

Ex-KN reporter Mikaila Prince

Hamilton said that if the matter did come to his office, it would be dealt with.

Drinking buddies injured in brawl O

ne miner is suffering a fractured skull while another is nursing injuries to his head following a brawl at 28 Miles UNAMICO Backdam, Upper Berbice River, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) on Wednesday.

The injured men are 41-year-old Troy Castillo of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) and 21-year-old Kelvin Roberts of Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) The Police have said that one day prior to the brawl, the two men were at a birthday party when an argument broke out between them, after it was alleged by Castillo that Roberts had thrown something into his drink.

However, on Wednesday, at about 5:30h, Castillo was

brushing his teeth when Roberts attacked him with a piece of wood, dealing him one blow to the head.

Although injured, Castillo managed to take away the wood from Roberts and dealt him one blow to his head in retaliation.

The brawl between the two men came to a halt after their colleagues intervened.

The injured men were taken to the Kwakwani Hospital, where Castillo was admitted a patient and is in a stable condition, while Roberts, who suffered a fractured skull, has been referred to the Linden Hospital Complex where he has been admitted. His condition is listed as stable.

The matter was reported to the Police, and an investigation is underway.

16 NEWS APNU/AFC appeal dismissal of 2nd election petition A FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

n appeal was lodged on Tuesday at the Guyana Court of Appeal by lawyers for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) challenging Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George’s dismissal of the party’s second election petition. Known as Petition #88, it was filed by Claudette Thorne and Heston Bostwick.

The petition, which was dismissed on April 26, 2021, sought to have the results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections invalidated on the ground of serious non-compliance with the Constitution of Guyana and electoral laws as it relates to GECOM’s conduct of those elections.

The petitioners had contended that Section 22 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act and Order #60, also known as the Recount Order, were in violation of the Constitution.

However, in dismissing the petition, the acting Chief Justice held that the petitioners failed to present evidence to support that the conduct of those elections contravened the Constitution and electoral laws.

She held that neither Section 22 of the Recount Order were ultra vires the Constitution. Justice George reasoned that Article 162 of the Constitution fully empowered GECOM to take whatever actions were necessary to conclude the elections, including embarking on a recount of all ballots.

“Given the difficulties, it does appear that it would not have been prudent for GECOM to declare the results in the peculiar circumstances that accompanied the completion of the process of the March 2 Elections. A combination of Article 162 (1) (b) of the Constitution and Section 22 confer the power upon GECOM to issue this or-

der, if GECOM considered it necessary or expedient to ensure impartiality, fairness and compliance… as regards the election process,” she had said.

Erred

But coalition lawyers in their appeal are contending that “the learned Judge erred in law when she ruled that Section 22 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act 2000 and Order #60 made thereunder were not in violation of the Constitution”.

According to the lawyers, by virtue of their application towards the declaration of the results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, both Section 22 and Order #60 which flowed directly from Article 162, were in conflict with and/or contravened Article 177 of the Constitution.

In court documents seen by this publication, they further contended that Justice George again erred in law when she found that Order #60 was a mechanism to allow for the recount to be conducted by expanding the recount provisions in the Representation of the People Act. The petitioners submitted that the acting Chief Justice further erred in law when she failed to find that the mechanisms set out in Order No #60 amounted to a substantial variation from the Representation of the People Act and consequently could not be said to have “merely modified” the said Act. Besides that, the lawyers have argued that Justice George also erred in law when she ruled that the petitioners did not produce evidence which claimed that the elections were not lawfully conducted. Like before the High Court, they have gone to the appellate court arguing that there was no need for the production of any evidence ex-

cept the declarations of the Returning Officers and the recount figures.

The petitioners, among other things, argue that Justice George erred in law when she rejected the evidence before the court which established that there was a difference in the recorded figures for the political parties in the Official Gazette dated August 20, 2020, in which results were declared pursuant to Order #60 from a letter by Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield to GECOM’s Chairperson, Retired Justice Claudette Singh.

ordered that the SoPs and SoRs remain in the custody of the Registrar until all appeals have been completed or a court otherwise orders.

FB commentator charged for causing Charles Ramson Jr emotional distress

SoPs, SoRs

Moreover, they are contending that the acting Chief Justice erred in law when she ordered that the Statements of Poll (SoPs) and Statements of Recount (SoRs) generated from the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections be held with the Registrar of the Supreme Court for safekeeping.

“The Learned Judge erred in law when she ordered that the Registrar of the Supreme Court is to keep in safe custody the [SoPs and SoRs] until further order of the Court,” they said, adding that she further erred in law when she

Both of APNU/AFC’s election petitions have now been dismissed by the acting Chief Justice. In January, Justice George also dismissed APNU/

AFC’s election petition #99, which was filed by Brennan Nurse and Monica Thomas for non-compliance with effecting service on President David Granger.

An appeal has been filed against this ruling. Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, has filed a motion asking that the appeal be struck out. Therein, Nandlall submitted that there is no statutory or constitutional jurisdiction conferred on the Court of Appeal to hear an election petition dismissed for procedural impropriety or any other reason not stated in Article 163 (1) of the Constitution.

The Court of Appeal will open arguments on the matter on June 14. (G1)

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Charles Ramson Jr

S

ocial media talk show host Gavin Matthews who is accused of calling Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr a terrorist and murderer was on Thursday charged for causing him emotional dis-

tress.

He was released on $100,000 bail following his appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Matthews, 43, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on March 25, 2021 at Georgetown, he used a computer system to cause damage to the reputation of Minister Ramson. The charge was instituted under Guyana’s Cyber Crime Act. The defendant who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade will return to court on June 10, 2021.

According to reports, on the day in question, Matthews was live on Facebook when he made the remarks about the Minister.

In the video, Matthews hurled a series of allegations against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, while

Charged: Gavin Matthews

criticising Ramson Jr’s affiliation with the ruling party.

Matthews was arrested back in April by ranks of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters. He was subsequently released on $100,000 station bail pending investigations.

NEWS

17

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CXC awards CSEC, CAPE top performers …QC awarded School of the Year for 7th consecutive year

Education Minister Priya Manickchand presenting the award to Bhedesh Persaud for Most Outstanding Overall Candidate at CSEC

T

he Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) on Thursday awarded the Regional top performers at the 2020 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examination (CSEC) during a virtual awards ceremony.

Bhedesh Persaud of Queen’s College received the award for the Most Outstanding Overall Candidate at CSEC and the Most Outstanding Candidate in the Sciences, while Zane Ramotar, also of Queen’s College, received the Dennis Irvine Award for the Most Outstanding Overall Candidate for CAPE. He also received the award for the Most Outstanding Candidate in Natural Sciences at CAPE. The Education Ministry said Nyron Seoukienandan of St Rose’s High School received the award for the Most Outstanding Candidate in Business, while Anthony Sukra of the New Amsterdam Secondary School received the award for

Most Outstanding Candidate for Technical and Vocational Studies. Shania Sattaur of

Regional Top Performers came from the school.

Principal Jackie Benn-Ralph said it is the seventh consecutive year that the school has received the Best Overall School award in one or both examinations.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand, in her address, said she was pleased to see Guyanese students receiving awards for individual subject areas. She said the awards are an indication that the country has invested a lot in the education system, and made a lot of strides to see results now.

She said that efforts need to be made to ensure that wherever students go to school in any of

Chief Education Officer Dr Marcel Hutson presenting the award for Most Outstanding Candidate in Natural Sciences at CAPE to Zane Ramotar

the Brickdam Secondary School received the award for the Most Outstanding Candidate in Principles of Accounts sponsored by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Meanwhile, Queen’s College received the award for Best Overall School at CAPE and CSEC as both

the Administrative Regions, once they apply themselves to work and receive the necessary parental support, they can do well and access tertiary education in a variety of fields.

The Education Ministry, in a release, said Zane Ramotar, who was asked to deliver a response during

Canal man arrested after illegal shotgun found at his home

P

olice on the West Bank of Demerara on Thursday morning arrested a 47-year-old man after an illegal shotgun and matching cartages were found at his home.

The discovery was made at some time around 09:30h at the suspect’s Sans Souci, Canal Number 1 Polder, WBD, home.

Based on reports, a party of Policemen, acting on information received, went to the suspect’s home. Upon arrival, the ranks made contact with the man and told him of the reason for their visit. As a result, a search was conducted on the premises in the presence of the suspect and his wife.

During the search, it was observed that a table contained a hidden compartment. The Police say they discovered two objects made of metal and wood which appeared to be components of a firearm.

Also unearthed was a transparent plastic bag containing eight (8) cartridges.

The suspect was ques-

The illegal shotgun and cartages found at the suspect’s house

tioned whether he is a licensed firearm holder, and he responded in the negative. He was then cautioned, arrested and taken to the

La Grange Police Station, where he was placed in custody.

Investigations are in progress.

Thursday’s ceremony for his award, said this past academic year has been the strangest year in recent history for everyone in the Caribbean and the world at large. However, despite the many trials and tribulations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Region has done its best in

overcoming the bad days and succeeding in every endeavour.

He commended CXC for maintaining tradition by hosting the awards ceremony.

The Awards Ceremony was hosted in Antigua and Barbuda, but participants and awardees from the oth-

er territories joined via Zoom, and were presented with their awards by officials within the respective countries.

Guyana’s awardees and Education Officials joined the ceremony from the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

Linden double murder

DPP recommends Police conduct further probe The Director of Prosecutions (DPP) has advised Police in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) to conduct further investigations into the deaths of 58-year-old Leonard Reece and his 36-year-old nephew Ronald Wong, whose bodies were found at Three Friends Mines last Saturday following a chopping incident.

This is according to Regional Commander Superintendent Hugh Winter: Police in Linden had sought legal advice on the way forward pertaining to the discovery of the men’s bodies.

It was highly suspected that they had both chopped each other to death. It is believed that the two were involved in a fight at some time between 01:15h and 03:00h on Saturday. Their bodies were discovered by neighbours who rushed over to the home after an alarm was raised by Reece’s differently-abled son.

Two persons from the community were taken into custody for questioning by Police, but they were released on Monday.

Police, in a statement issued on Saturday, said Wong, who was of unsound mind, was released from prison

The house where the chopping incident occurred on Saturday last

during the month of April, after he was convicted of attempted murder.

Following his release, he went to live with Reece, who would usually cook for him. Police said that Reece’s brother of Three Friends Mines, who also lives at Industrial Area, Mackenzie, Linden, received a phone call at about 01:30h from his niece, who told him that his nephew chopped his brother, Leonard.

He then called his brother-in-law, who related the same story to him. He subsequently went to the Mackenzie Police Station and made a report.

According to the Police, the Chairman of Three Friends-Coomacka Mines,

who lives about two houses away from the men, said that at about 01:15h, while she was asleep, she was awakened by sounds coming from Reece’s house.

She related that she immediately went out on her verandah, where she saw the man’s son jump through a window and shout, “Murder!” twice in a loud tone of voice.

She immediately raised an alarm, and other neighbours went to Reece’s house and made the gruesome discovery.

Police said Reece’s body had several wounds, and was covered in blood in the house, while Wong’s body was found in a paddle boat in the nearby river, lying face down with several wounds.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

Regional

Cuba criticised over rapper Calls grow for strike in Nicaragua after Opposition jailed for “resistance” Leader detained A

Cristiana Chamorro talks to the media outside the Interior Ministry, where she was notified of an investigation

A

group representing Nicaraguan political prisoners and the mothers of those killed protesting President Daniel Ortega’s authoritarian Government called Thursday for a national strike after the house arrest of Opposition Leader Cristiana Chamorro.

Nicaraguan Police stormed into Chamorro’s home on Wednesday, dramatically escalating a political battle ahead of November elections in which veteran leftist Ortega is seeking to

maintain his tight grip on power.

“A national strike is better than a bullet,” said Grethel Gomez, standing in front of Chamorro’s house, where the family members of political prisoners came to show their solidarity with the 66-year-old detained politician.

Nicaragua’s Government did not respond to a request for comment.

Earlier this week, the Attorney General – a staunch Ortega ally – formally sought Chamorro’s

disqualification from holding public office due to the criminal investigation launched against her, and a Judge immediately signed off. She has been accused by Prosecutors of money laundering and a lesser citation of misrepresentation, charges she has denied.

While Chamorro can appeal the disqualification, a reversal is unlikely due to Ortega’s influence over the courts.

Prohibiting Chamorro from running drew condemnation from US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, who described it as an assault on free and fair elections.

Chamorro had recently emerged as a possible unity candidate who could possibly rally a fractured Opposition in the November vote to defeat Ortega, the 75-year-old leftist who has been in power since 2007 and aims to be re-elected in November for the third consecutive time, after ruling in the 1980s.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Toddler and man die as building collapses in Rio de Janeiro

Firefighters search for more survivors after pulling some from the debris of a four-floor building that collapsed overnight in the Rio das Pedras slum of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early Thursday [Bruna Prado/AP Photo]

A

four-storey building collapsed in western Rio de Janeiro before dawn Thursday, killing at least one infant and one adult and damaging nearby residences, the city’s fire department said. Four people were rescued from the debris.

The irregular construction consisted of four small homes built atop one another. A spokesperson for the fire department said.

City officials confirmed to The Associated Press in an email that the structure had no licence.

Irregular constructions have long plagued Brazil.

Latin America’s largest nation is suffering through one of the world’s worst outbreaks of coronavirus.

The accident that occurred about 03:00h in Rio das Pedras, a working-class neighbourhood, underscored the difficulties authorities run into trying to tamp down on illegal con-

structions in areas run by paramilitary gangs.

Paramilitary groups, commonly referred to as “militias” in Brazil, made up of former firefighters, Police and soldiers, often take control of public land and build illegal housing to

rent informally. Many people choose to live in such residences because they are cheaper.

“With me, militias are not going to build any more crap in this city,” Rio Mayor Eduardo Pães said Thursday.

Police killed 25 people last month in a raid on suspected drug traffickers in one of Rio’s largest slums, the Jacarezinho favela.

According to Rio’s Department of Conservation, since January more than 180 irregular buildings have been demolished in the West Zone alone, and more than 150 notifications were also issued. A notification is the first step towards demolition, the department said.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Cuban dissident rapper who co-authored a viral song denouncing the communist Government has been in prison for two weeks, a friend said Thursday after the singer was allowed to make his first phone call.

Maykel Osorbo, who co-produced the track “Patria y Vida” (“Fatherland and Life”) is accused of crimes that include “resistance” and “contempt”, his friend Camila Lobon told AFP via WhatsApp. The 37-year-old artist “was able to call after 14 days without being able to make a telephone call, and told us” where he was, she said.

The US Embassy in Cuba retweeted a message from Samantha Power, administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), criticising the detention of Osorbo “and many other artists who dare to demand human rights.

“They must end this ill-fated attempt to silence free thought and debate,” she said.

USAID faced criticism in 2014 when an Associated Press investigation found the agency used Cuban rappers “to break the information blockade” and build a network of young people seeking “social change”, according to documents.

But the AP said the op-

Trinidad and Tobago goes on UK’s COVID-19 red travel list

C

ome Tuesday, Trinidad and Tobago will be put on one of the United Kingdom’s travel lists of countries whose residents will have to undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine.

The country is now on the amber list. Vaccinated travellers to the UK from any amber country or territory must follow certain rules 10 days before getting there.

The rules include taking a COVID-19 test and booking, paying for travel tests after

arriving in the UK and filling out a passenger locator form, the Department of Transport published on its website.

Travellers from amber countries are allowed to quarantine at home or wherever they are staying for 10 days and must take another test on, or before, day two and day eight of their arrival.

However, the UK Travel Department said T&T would move to the red list on June 8.

Only British or Irish nationals, or those with resi-

E

arm draped over his shoulder. The incident alarmed many given Bolsonaro’s open nostalgia for the nation’s 1964 to 1985 military dictatorship and his cosy relationship with some elements of the armed forces, many members of which hold key positions in his Government.

Army Chief Paulo Sergio Nogueira de Oliveira, himself appointed by Bolsonaro in March, made the deci-

dence rights in the UK, will be permitted entry from countries on the red list.

The rules for vaccinated travellers from red-list countries or territories, even those who made a transit stop in a red-list country, include taking a COVID-19 test, booking a quarantine hotel package, which includes two tests and completing a passenger locator form ten days before arrival there. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Jamaica: Political ombudsman gets ammunition in push for more teeth

B

uoyed by recommendations from a group which participated in a review of the September 2020 General Election campaign, Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown is preparing a legislative submission to take to the political directorate to give her office more teeth.

The Office of the Political Ombudsman (OPO) is a commission of Parliament established to conduct investigations in accordance with the provisions of the Political Ombudsman (Interim) Act, 2002. But the OPO has no

power to sanction politicians deemed to have broken the rules.

Coming out of a review of the campaign leading to the September 3, 2020 General Election, several legislative changes have been recommended for the OPO. These include a recommendation that the OPO should be entrenched in the Jamaican Constitution and that more power needs to be granted to the Political Ombudsman (and possibly its youth arm) to hold politicians accountable for their actions on behalf of all

Brazilian Army exonerates General criticised for appearance with Bolsonaro duardo Pazuello, a Brazilian Army General who ruffled feathers among many officials and fellow military officials for appearing at a campaign rally with President Jair Bolsonaro, will not be disciplined, the Army said in a Thursday statement.

Pazuello appeared at a political rally for Bolsonaro in May, where he spoke with the right-wing leader’s

eration was amateurish and profoundly unsuccessful.

Osorbo is not known to have been involved, and many of the artists knew nothing of the operation.

The pro-Government website Cubadebate, citing Interior Ministry sources, said Osorbo was in provisional detention “accused of the crimes of attack, public disorder, and escape of prisoners or detainees, which he committed on April 4, 2021”.

On that date, residents of the San Isidro neighbourhood, where Osorbo lives, gathered on his street to prevent Police from arresting him on his way to go shopping. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

sion to absolve Pazuello of wrongdoing in an internal military proceeding.

“Regarding the participation of General Eduardo Pazuello in an event carried out in the city of Rio de Janeiro, on May 23, 2021, the Army Communications Center informs that the commander of the army analysed and took in the arguments presented in written form and orally by the official in question,” the Army

said in the statement.

“During this process, the existence of a disciplinary transgression by General Pazuello was not established.”

Pazuello was also Brazil’s Health Minister from September until late March. On Tuesday, he was nominated by Bolsonaro to a Cabinet position within Brazil’s Secretariat of Strategic Affairs. (Reuters)

Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown

Jamaicans.

It was also recommended that there be a strengthening of the OPO’s capacity to investigate matters of breaches of the Political Code of Conduct and complaints which it might receive.

A further recommendation is that the existing legislation should be strengthened, “to give the Political Ombudsman more autonomy and greater authority for reporting, investigation, enforcement, monitoring and prosecution so compliance could be improved, and the authority should include making recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecutions for prosecution”. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil steady after mixed US crude inventory report

O

il prices steadied on Thursday following two straight days of gains that took oil futures to highs not seen in a year, after weekly US crude stocks fell sharply while fuel inventories rose more than expected.

Brent futures settled at US$71.31 a barrel, down 4 cents after touching its highest since May 2019 earlier in the session.

US crude settled at US$68.81 a barrel, losing two cents. The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude prices rose as high as US$69.40, the strongest since October 2018, after gaining 1.5 per cent in the previous session.

US crude inventories dropped by 5.1 million barrels last week, compared with expectations for a decrease of 2.4 million barrels, while gasoline stocks grew by 1.5 million barrels and distillate stockpiles jumped by 3.7 million barrels.

"They burned through a lot of crude oil though, and we had builds in gasoline and distillate," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho in New York. "You don’t want to be burning that much crude and then the customers don't want it." (Excerpt from Reuters)

Global COVID-19 vaccinesharing plan announced

by White House

Biden expands US investment ban on Chinese firms

U

S President Joe Biden is set to ban Americans from investing in dozens of Chinese tech and defence firms with alleged military ties.

The new executive order will come into effect on August 2, hitting 59 firms including communications giant Huawei. The list of firms will be updated on a rolling basis.

The move expands an order previously issued by ex-President Donald Trump.

US President Joe Biden

Netanyahu, battling for political life, attacks deal to unseat him

I

sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday scorned as “dangerous” and “left-wing” a cross-partisan coalition cobbled together by his rivals to unseat him, even as the nationalist named to lead it echoed his hard line on the Palestinians.

Netanyahu, facing the prospect of an end to his 12year run as premier, mounted the social media attack the day after centrist Opposition Leader Yair Lapid's announcement, about 35 minutes before a Wednesday night deadline, that he had

succeeded in forming a governing coalition.

Under the deal, nationalist Naftali Bennett, 49, a former Defence Minister and a high-tech millionaire, would become Prime Minister and hand over the post to Lapid, 57, a former TV host and Finance Minister, in about two years.

A parliamentary session, in which the Government can be approved by a simple majority, could be up to 12 days away, far-right politician Avigdor Lieberman, a member of the new coalition, said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Sudan protesters mark 2nd anniversary of Army sit-in crackdown

T

the Caribbean, seven million for Asia, and five million for Africa. The doses mark a substantial – and immediate – boost to the lagging COVAX effort, which to date has shared just 76 million doses with needy countries.

The remaining 25 per cent will be kept in reserve for emergencies and for the US to share directly with allies and partners.

The White House said six million doses will be directed to Mexico, Canada, and South Korea, West Bank and Gaza, Ukraine, Kosovo, Haiti, Georgia, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Yemen, as well as for United Nations front-line workers.

In a tweet on Thursday, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that during a phone call Vice President Kamala Harris pledged that the US would ship one million of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to Mexico. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

sanctions imposed on it by the US in 2019 have had a major impact on its mobile phone business.

The US took action amid claims that the company posed a security risk and last July, and the United Kingdom said it would exclude the company from building its 5G network.

The new list of companies barred from US investment will update one from the Department of Defence.

"We fully expect that in the months ahead... we'll be adding additional companies to the new executive order's restrictions," the White House said.

It comes as the surveillance of citizens, including Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region in particular, has come under scrutiny. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Hong Kong Police to try to stifle any commemoration of Tiananmen crackdown

T

housands of Hong Kong Police are expected to surround a central park and patrol the city's streets today to prevent people from gathering to commemorate the 1989 crackdown by Chinese troops in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

Critics say the heightened vigilance from authorities is a marked departure from Hong Kong's cherished freedoms of speech and assembly, bringing the global financial hub closer in line with mainland China's strict controls on so-

ciety.

The former British colony, promised a high degree of autonomy from Beijing upon its return to Chinese rule in 1997, has traditionally held the world's largest vigil for the Tiananmen victims.

Police have banned the vigil for a second year in a row, citing the coronavirus. It did not say whether commemorating Tiananmen would breach a sweeping national security law China imposed in 2020 to set its most restive city onto an authoritarian path. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Belarusian Journalist confesses on TV

The long-awaited vaccine-sharing plan comes as demand for shots in the US has dropped significantly as more than 63 per cent of adults have received at least one dose, and as global inequities in supply have become more glaring [Steven Senne/AP file photo]

he Administration of United States President Joe Biden has announced its plans to share with the world a stockpile of 25 million unused COVID-19 vaccine doses.

The White House said on Thursday 75 per cent of those doses will go to the United Nations-backed COVAX global vaccine sharing programme, while the rest will go directly to allied nations and partners.

“As long as this pandemic is raging anywhere in the world, the American people will still be vulnerable,” Biden said in a statement.

“And the United States is committed to bringing the same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have demonstrated at home.”

Of the 25 million doses, the White House says about 19 million will go to COVAX, with approximately six million for Latin America and

Even before the official announcement, China suggested it would retaliate.

Under the new order, US investors will be banned from buying or selling publicly-traded securities for other companies including the China General Nuclear Power Corporation, China Mobile Limited and Costar Group.

It expands the previous list from 31 firms to include surveillance companies and is aimed at ensuring "US persons are not financing the military industrial complex of the People's Republic of China," one White House official said.

"The prohibitions are intentionally targeted and scoped to maximise the impact on the targets while minimising harm to global markets," the official added.

Huawei recently said that

Sudanese protesters take part in a march calling for justice for those killed in a military crackdown on protesters in June 2019 [File: Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters]

T

housands of Sudanese have rallied in Khartoum on the second anniversary of a bloody crackdown by security forces on a large pro-democracy sit-in in the capital, demanding justice for dozens of people killed.

The June 3, 2019 crackdown on the protest camp outside the military headquarters in Khartoum, and others elsewhere in the country, came weeks after the military overthrew long-time President Omar al-Bashir after months of protests against his nearly 30-year rule.

Protest organisers, who had initially gathered to resist al-Bashir’s rule but

stayed after his removal to demand a transition to civilian, say security forces killed at least 128 people during the violence. Many saw the incident as a turning point in the relationship between the military generals, who have denied ordering the killing, and the protest movement.

The transitional military-civilian government that currently rules Sudan established an independent committee in 2019 to investigate the crackdown, which also involved what activists describe as a campaign of rapes and sexual misconduct by troops ordered by the military to crush the pro-democracy movement. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Relatives of the journalist said the interview was conducted under duress

B

elarusian Journalist Roman Protasevich, who was arrested in Minsk after being taken off a diverted flight last month, has appeared in a tearful interview on State television.

In the interview, he confessed to organising anti-government protests and praised President Alexander Lukashenko.

Protasevich's family say the interview was conducted under duress.

The reporter, 26, was editor of the Opposition Nexta

channel on the Telegram messaging app until last year.

He was put on a list of "individuals involved in terrorist activity" last year.

Mass protests erupted across Belarus after longtime leader Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory in a 9 August presidential election widely condemned as rigged, and a crackdown followed.

The protests have been curbed and Opposition Leaders have been sent to prison or into exile.

In the interview broadcast on Thursday evening, Protasevich admitted to attempting to topple Alexander Lukashenko and said that he was speaking to the television channel by choice.

He said that he had criticised President Lukashenko a lot, but "began to understand that he was doing the right thing and I certainly respect him".

At the end of the interview, he burst into tears and said he hoped one day to marry and have children. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Keep your message simple and to the point. Be prepared to walk away from anyone looking for a fight or a chance to criticize you.

Don't lose sight of the truth or hesitate to ask questions.

Pay attention to TAURUS responsibilities, and leave (April 20- nothing to chance. Look at the May 20) cost involved before you take on a project that has potential pitfalls. An unexpected opportunity will entice you.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

Live up to your promises. Stick to the truth and respectfully decline to get involved with anyone who is talking about doing the impossible. Be smart and handle matters with confidence.

Don't stress over something you cannot change.

Shake it off and learn from the experience. Pay attention to what you can do to make your life and the world around you better.

Deal with stress by doing LEO something geared toward im(July 23proving your strength and Aug. 22) agility. Good health will lift your spirits and encourage you to work hard. A realistic financial approach is encouraged.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Someone will charm you into something that isn't financially feasible if you aren't careful. If you want to lend a helping hand, offer your time or services, not your hardearned cash.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Put your heart and soul into whatever you do. The results you get will be impressive and will give you a competitive edge. Be gracious and humble; it will sweeten your success.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Don't limit what you can do. Set your sights on your destination of choice, and don't stop until you are happy with the results you get.

Amazing opportunities are within reach.

Take nothing for grantSAGITTARIUS ed. Verify information before (Nov. 23passing it along. Protect your Dec. 21) reputation and meaningful relationships. Set goals and high standards. Make positive lifestyle adjustments.

Anger will not help a sit-

CAPRICORN uation you face with a friend (Dec. 22or relative. Take a moment Jan. 19) to rethink your strategy, and choose to give others the same freedom you expect in return.

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

Hard work will pay off. A change you make at home will give you the space to do something creative. Put your energy where it counts; you'll turn something you enjoy doing into a lucrative pastime. Protect your money and possessions.

Take matters into your hands if you don't trust some(Feb. 20one to do things your way. An March 20) emotional matter will require common sense. Personal improvement is encouraged, and honesty is necessary.

PISCES

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

21

Linden schools included in GTTA developmental drive …ITTF Coach Shavin Greene enthusiastic

E

ight schools in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) have benefited from the receipt of table tennis equipment when the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) teamed up with the Linden Table Tennis Steering Committee and the Region 10 Department of Education, Mr. Lindley Langhorne and Coach Shavin Greene.

The beneficiary schools are: Christianburg Secondary, Harmony Secondary, Wisburg Secondary, Kwakwani Secondary New Silver City Secondary, Linden Foundation Secondary, Mackenzie High and Christianburg Primary.

The provision of equipment which forms part of the GTTA’s strategic decentralisation plan is to provide resources to aid in accelerating the growth and structure of table tennis in the region, and to provide students from the nucleus of

schools earmarked for equity and access to sport as part of a developmental plan.

ITTF Level One Coach and Coaching Instructor Shavin Greene, who is also General Secretary of the Linden Table Tennis Steering Committee, with support from the Region 10 Department of Education, immediately commenced working with the students over the past few weeks, orienting then to the fundamentals of the game, in addition to assisting students undertaking CSEC and CAPE with their physical education SBA projects, following the COVID-19 Guidelines.

Green, who coaches National Cadet Champion Ebo Mc Neil, outlined that the provision of the equipment is truly a significant boost for the sport in Linden, “since we now have the facilities to conduct training programmes for the students at these

Chase 45* guides Hamilton XI to three-wicket win

R

oston Chase scored a composed, unbeaten 45 to guide Jahmar Hamilton XI to a three-wicket win in the Best v Best 4-Day trial match in St Lucia.

Resuming the day on 2184, Hamilton XI finished on 3137 in 94.5 overs, scoring the 93 runs before the close of the first session.

Chase and Keron Cottoy combined to register an unbroken 61-run partnership, which ensured the victory.

Cottoy scored an unbeaten 19 while Chase's knock of 45 came off 50 balls and included six fours and two sixes.

Paul Palmer and Raymon Reifer resumed the day, but the left-handed duo failed to score big.

Palmer was the first wicket of the day, at 237-5, ending a 50run stand with Reifer. The lefthanded Jamaican was caught at the wicket by Kyle Mayers who bowled a long spell.

Two runs later, Reifer fell to Rahkeem Cornwall for a

composed 32, following up his first-innings half-century.

Captain Hamilton played a loose drive and fell for nine in the process. Cornwall finished with 3-99 in 32 overs, while Mayers had 2-36 in 17 overs.

Obed McCoy and Veerasammy Permaul each had one wicket.

Shai Hope’s 79 and 106 were the highlight of the match, while Kieran Powell raised his hands for selection with a composed 95 and scoring 20 in the first innings.

Worrying signs for the West Indies came when Shannon Gabriel left the field with a hamstring injury. Young Jayden Seales and Chase each impressed with four wickets, while Nial Smith had three in the first innings of the Best v Best trial match.

The West Indies selectors would meet to select the Test squad that would face South Africa from June 10 at the Darren Sammy National Stadium. The South African arrived on June 1, and will play a two-day practice match from this weekend.

schools in the comfort of their environment”.

He added, “We would be able to create school teams (for) inter-house and interschools’ competitions at the various age groups, and at the Steering Committee level, be able to have a nucleus of students whom we can identify for further training, talent identification and development, and representation of the region

with a view to possible national selection”.

He outlined that the students were truly ecstatic at being able to have the facilities to practise and play the sport, and it was heartening to see the number of female players practising and signing up for the sport at the Linden Foundation Secondary.

Part of the plan is to have the Mackenzie High and the Christianburg Secondary made

into two hubs in the region.

“One of the key areas that I have discussed with the GTTA President is for us to look at how we can commence targeting a few of the larger primary schools in the region, so we can commence unearthing the talents at a younger age - an initiative which he indicated he has slated for development.

Green also discussed the further training of teachers

and hosting of ITTF coaching certification programmes to certify more coaches in the region and outside of the region, which he said is key to getting persons to assist with coordinating, managing and supporting the sport in the region.

Greene further outlined that he and the committee are exploring options to keep the members and students.

Naomi Osaka and mental health in sport: What next after French Open stance?

N

aomi Osaka's shock withdrawal from the French Open has raised questions over news conferences and their impact on mental health for athletes.

Osaka pulled out of Roland Garros on Monday, a day after tournament organisers fined the four-time grand slam champion and threatened her with more severe sanctions for refusing to attend mandatory media conferences.

The 23-year-old world number two and Japanese star had opened up about her mental health problems, revealing in a statement she has had "long bouts of depression" since claiming the 2018 US Open.

While her WTA and ATP Tour colleagues voiced their support, Osaka's stance has sparked controversy, though more importantly it has highlighted the growing issue of mental health problems in sport.

"I think it's a very important stance because it really highlights how sport has really looked at challenging issues through either the paradigm of sport or business," World Players Association executive director Brendan Schwab told Stats Perform. "Here, there is a very simple rule put in place that athletes have to attend post-match media conferences in order to promote visibility around the sport and then to promote the commercial interests of the sport. But that rule is put in place without any due diligence being done as to the risks with that on athletes or athlete health and safety.

"If we look at health and safety, we have to look at not only physical health but mental health and wellbeing. There is a very clear rule but it's going to impact athletes differently.

The tournament organisers and sports bodies need to understand they have this proactive duty and to be aware of those impacts, and where their rule is going to have a harmful impact, they need to just adjust their procedures and requirements accordingly."

German great Boris Becker voiced his concerns for Osaka's future following her decision to

quit the French Open in Paris.

A six-time slam winner, Becker told Eurosport: "I always believed the media was part of the job. Without the media, there is no prize money, no contracts, you don't get half the cake. I hated the media and I didn't like talking to journalists, but you had to do it.

"Now she is pulling out of the tournament altogether because she can't cope with it and that raises much bigger questions for me. If she can't cope with the media in Paris, she can't cope with the media in Wimbledon or the US Open. So I almost feel like her career is in danger due to mental health issues."

It is a view shared by many past and present tennis players – news conferences are part and parcel of the job. But are they?

"I think everyone would agree that is an important part of the job, but certainly not an essential part. The essential part of the job is performing as a player. But we cannot ask people to perform in circumstances where it's unsafe. It may be safe for some and unsafe for others," said Schwab.

"As in this case, there is an understanding that a particular player has a pre-condition or certain vulnerability, not to respond to that is inexcusable.

It's certainly no defence to say it's safe for other people. That is why we need a real deep understanding of mental health.

"It's really important to see it as an occupational issue. A sporting place is not an ordinary workplace. It is a workplace which has heightened pressure.

Therefore, the likelihood of there being adverse mental health impacts are greater. It's not going

to affect everyone equally and sports bodies need to be smart enough to understand that fact."

Schwab added: "For Naomi's incredibly courageous stance here, there will be other players for which withdrawal is not an option and they will continue to face the workplace and pressures associated with that and therefore exacerbating the harm they're already experiencing."

The World Players Association is the leading voice of organised players in the governance of world sport. It brings together 85,000 players across professional sport through more than 100 player associations in over 60 countries.

As mental health becomes more prevalent in a professional sports environment amid the growing physical and emotional demands, Schwab said: "What our Players Associations do is they run player development and wellbeing programmes. The more sophisticated of those programmes would actually have employees and experts who are engaged by the player associations but often based in the teams or club environment, so the players know they can access them, they are proximate to the players so they can access tailored advice and support.

"Mental health is one of those things but there are many other issues that players will have to deal with. The athletic career itself is short-term and precarious, so there is constant effort being made to ensure players are developing holistically, they're pursuing education and other opportunities."

As Schwab voiced his disapproval of the "blanket rule" to post-match commitments,

the Australian shed light on how the World Players Association prepares athletes for the media.

"Certainly part of our development programmes, we will provide what we call induction programmes so that the players go through what they will expect in terms of their athletic career, so they can excel as athletes and in the job," he said. "Clearly, dealing with the media is a very important part of those programmes, but you have to be really careful to ensure this isn't a 'onesize-fits-all' approach. Player associations have a common interest with sports bodies to maximise the interest in the sport and commercial viability so the players can share in their wealth, but the impact is dispiriting.

"If we look at the way players are being trained physically, physical loads are being tailored based on the individual athletic capacity of certain players. Physical health is not the only health and safety concern we have to be worried about. Players have different vulnerabilities in terms of mental health and therefore it makes absolute sense for sports bodies to tailor their commitments, so they don't unnecessarily expose more vulnerable players than others. A blanket rule, like in this case, where athletes feel vulnerable and are at risk of an adverse health consequence should not be imposed.

"I really do believe the tournament organisers, Roland Garros in particular, exacerbated that harm when they started to promote the fact that other players were comfortable to do the press conferences in order to put pressure on Naomi, and clearly that has proven to be incredibly counterproductive… if the starting point is not a recognition of their proactive duty to provide a safe workplace and that safe workplace means understanding the physical, mental and the wellbeing risks holistically and then tailoring for the particular needs of players individually, then these kind of problems will likely reoccur."

(Sportsmax)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

No shifting of CPL dates to accommodate IPL – CWI

in terms of hosting, Warne said the IPL is a powerhouse, but as good as the IPL is to create elite sport, it Commercial Director of Cricket also takes away West Indies, Dominic Warne from international cricket in ommercial Director of Cricket West terms of the timings.

"Of course, if that is anIndies (CWI,) Dominic Warne, is confi- other window to complete dent of safely hosting the it, everyone wants to see it Caribbean Premier League completed, but I think the (CPL) in St Kitts and CPL has a very good plan.

Nevis from August 28 to Together, they have been working with St Kitts to September 19.

While the remainder of host everything safe, and the Indian Premier League I think everyone is trying (IPL) is set to return on to squeeze days around in September 18, and reports this congested calendar, indicate that the Board of rather than move, cancel Control for Cricket in India or postpone things," Warne (BCCI) are requesting CWI said.

According to the Indian to advance the start of the CPL, CWI are yet to con- Express, the Borad of firm changes to the “big- Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)is trying to congest party in sport”.

When asked on the vince Cricket West Indies Mason and Guest radio to advance the start of the programme on Tuesday if Caribbean Premier League CPL would be in trouble by a week or 10 days in or-

C

der to ensure a seamless bubble-to-bubble transfer of players for the IPL’s resumption in the UAE come September.

Suspended midway into its 14th season owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the BCCI approved the resumption of the lucrative Indian Premier League in the UAE in the middle of September.

The CPL is scheduled to get underway from August 28, with the final to be played on September 19, while the remaining part of IPL is likely to be held from September 18 to October 10, not leaving the players with any time to settle down.

“We are in talks with Cricket West Indies. We are hoping that if CPL can be finished a few days in advance, it would help in bubble-to-bubble transfer of all players to Dubai, and in time to complete the mandatory three-day quarantine,” a BCCI source that

is privy to the development told PTI on Sunday.

If the BCCI and CWI fail to reach an agreement over dates, some of the biggest players could miss the initial few matches, or maybe the first half of the IPL. The big names involved in both the T20 leagues are

Mumbai Indians’ five-time IPL-winning influential all-rounder Kieron Pollard, the swashbuckling Chris Gayle, seasoned all-rounder Dwayne Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran, Fabian Allen, Sunil Narine, and Trinidad and Tobago coach

Brendon McCullum, who is also at the helm of affairs in the Kolkata Knight Riders.

The upcoming edition would be the CPL’s ninth season, and would feature some of the format’s biggest superstars from across the world.

– Hutson praises 4X100 team and other athletes

By Jemima Holmes

U

pon the return of some of the locally based athletes from the South American Senior Athletics Championships, President of the Athletics Association of Guyana, Aubrey Hutson, had nothing but commendations to shower on them, following their historic medal haul.

With a focus on Guyana’s first Men’s 4x100m outing, which went well, Hutson underscored the significance during a media engagement on Thursday.

“Two of the athletes are local based, two of them based overseas, and the two that are based overseas one is in Jamaica and the other one is in the USA. I think we need to give compliments to the coach who went along with this team, in first and foremost setting it in terms of the order. And also, the athletes themselves for executing themselves over a short period of time of being together,” the AAG President gushed.

He continued explaining, “What this has done, this would have improved the ranking of Guyana as a four by one country, not necessarily athletes, because when they go out there and compete as a relay team, they compete for Guyana, so, we could grab another four, and they will still have the same recognition as this four would have had.

“So, it's a kind of a selfless gesture to go there and com-

pete for your country and be able to bring home a bronze medal for Guyana. Guyana now has moved up in the threshold and the Ranking of World athletics of having a good four-by-one team,” Hutson declared.

The other athletes were not absent from Hutson’s praises, as he commended them for their personal achievements.

“I think every athlete who went out there did something great for themselves. There are those who would have earned medals, and those who would have given us their season bests, and that kind of stuff,” the Athletics boss shared.

In a bid of gratitude, he said, “Well, once again, I must thank the Ghana Olympic Association under the stewardship of Mr. Juman Yassin for the kind of support that he would have given to us the Track and Field Association.”

In addition to Hutson, present at the gathering were athletes and Team Manager Kenisha Headley, who noted that the team was an easy one to work with.

“Our team was very success successful because the entire team went out with a plan, they went out with their goal, managing this team was not a very difficult task, because each individual athlete had a personal goal that they would have set for themselves going into these games,” Headley told the media.

“So, my tasks as a man-

ager, was just to ensure that they were in their events, in their events on time, made sure that they were comfortable in their environment, both at the hotel and at the track and they just went out there and they execute.”

Speaking about his experience, in his first outing as a National athlete, Noelex Holder, assured that he is ready to get out on the international circuit again.

“Going into the event, I felt at home there. Though, I was meeting some of the athletes for the first time before like I've known him all my life. So going into the event, it

was comfortable and throughout it was a great experience.

I'm grateful for the opportunity. And waiting to go again,” an elated Holder shared.

Also donning his bronze medal from the relay, Akeem Stewart chronicled the experience as a valuable one.

“I think the experience that we have gained there can only propel us to do better. The aim was to attend the gold medal. However due to slight mishaps we were placed down to bronze which is still in my book a very good accomplishment. Seeing this is our first major four by one representing Guyana,”

Stewart said.

While Devaun Barrington was unable to make the podium, he was quite satisfied with his achievements.

“Having not competed at high level for almost two years, and going out there and achieve just outside of my personal best was a good stepping stone, it shows to me as Mr. Hutson would like, like to say, age is just a number. And I want to again thank the AAG for having the faith in me, for having shortlisted me.”

The athletes’ next outing on the track will come on the weekend of June 18-

20, as they participate in Guyana’s Senior Track and Field Championships. Theis competition is expected to be used as a points earner for the July 23- August 8 Tokyo Olympics.

And, on the word of Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) President K.A. Juman Yassin, any athlete that qualifies for the international event, will see sponsorship from the GOA. “And I want to say that any athlete who qualifies and who goes on their own, to any meet to qualify. Once they qualify, GOA will cover their expenses,” Yassin assured.

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Golden Jags ‘focused’ ahead of must-win games

‘F

ocus’ seems to be the main component of the Golden Jaguars’ game plan heading into the second half of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers today.

Guyana’s Senior Men’s National Football Team will embark on the first of two remaining World Cup Qualifying matches in the Group stage, as they seek to move on to the next round of qualification.

However, with Guyana sitting at fourth place in Group F, two wins on the trot is necessary for the Golden Jaguars.

According to Head Coach Marcio Maximo, focus and professionalism will be key for the home squad.

“For me, it’s a test of concentration, test of professionalism; and I’m very surprised with the players, because we don’t have any problems with discipline issues here or lack of concentration in what we are doing. So, they are completely focused in the competition,” the Head Coach shared, during a pre-match media engagement on Thursday.

Speaking to the objectives that the team currently holds, Maximo highlighted that winning the two games is more important than accumulating goal difference.

“Our first objective before making a lot of goals, is winning the game.

Because if you win tomorrow (today) we go to 6 points, Puerto Rico just have 4, and against Puerto Rico, if we beat them, we don’t need the score to advantage, because I think that we should start

step by step.”

He emphasised, “The first target, we should win the game, definitely, tomorrow (today) and against Puerto Rico, to keep our chances alive.”

O n t h e topic of the

Captain Matthew Briggs

team’s sporadic training and travelling, the Head Coach was adamant that it was fruitful and the team remains confident.

“We have seen very high intensity in training and great commitment from the players,” said Maximo. “We are very

optimistic that we can take some positive results in St. Kitts. We know it’s going to be a challenge, but everyone has high confidence about hitting our targets.”

Reiterating what the Head Coach had to say, new Captain Matthew Briggs also touched on the importance of the team remaining focused, while trying to build momentum ahead of the upcoming Gold Cup. “I found that it has been an easy transition, to be honest.

For me, as being one of the leaders in the group, I found that it has been the easy way for me to step in to this role.

The players have been very accepting,” Briggs said initially about his first stint as captain.

Moving to his thought on the upc o m ing matches, he commented, “Football is football.

And we all have to stay switched on, we have to prepare in the right way, I don’t think it’s going to affect us going into the Gold Cup. I think football is momentum-based, so right now, we’re focusing on this first game against St. Kitts and we’ll take it from there.

“We’re going there to win and when we win that game, we go into the next game and son on.”

As the man with the task of leading the team, Briggs is hopeful that his squad can play positively without worrying.

23

Head Coach Marcio Maximo

“How I think I’m going to approach captaining the team is to obviously lead the team to a win. But for me I feel like when we played in the past, maybe we played with a lot of stress on our shoulders, trying too hard, like we need to win, which is good but I want to instill in the team ‘play with no pressure’.”

The Golden Jaguars will face off with host team St Kitts and Nevis at 4pm on Friday, June 4. After which, they will take on Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

June 8, at the same time.

Guyana currently sits at fourth place in Group F, moving down one following Puerto Rico’s recent win over the Bahamas. While St Kitts leads the Group

with 6 points, Trinidad and Tobago and Puerto Rico currently have four, Guyana three points and the Bahamas as yet to win an encounter.

The Golden Jaguars’ team reads: Akel Clarke, Shawn Adonis, Kai McKenzie- Lyle, Miguel Scarlett, Matthew Briggs (C), Liam Gordon, Terrence Vancooten, Nicholai Andrews, Bayli Spencer-Adams, Kevin Layne, Nathan MoriahWelsh, Javier George, Daniel Wilson, Job Caesar, Marcus Wilson, Pernell Schultz, Stephen DukeMcKenna, Keanu Marsh Brown, Omari Glasgow, Kelsey Benjamin, Osafa Simpson, Trayon Bobb and Emery Welshman.

(Jemima Holmes)

Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer to feature when PSL resumes on June 9 T

Shimron Hetmyer

he Guyanese duo of Sherfane Rutherford and Shimron Hetmyer are among the West Indians set to participate in the resumption of the Pakistan Super League on June 24 in Abu Dhabi.

Despite speculation in recent days that the PSL was going to be moved to Sharjah, the sixth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will resume from June 9, with the final match set to be played on June 24.

This compressed schedule means there will be as many as six double-headers, with the early games starting at 5pm Abu Dhabi time and the evening matches at 10pm local time. Single matches will start at 8pm.

The remaining league games will be played from June 9 to 19, the Qualifier and first Eliminator on June 21, the second Eliminator on June 22, and the final on June 24.* The fate of the tournament had been hanging in the balance for the last two weeks, with several challenges around logistical arrangements and, more crucially, pending approvals from Abu

– final set for June 24

Dhabi Government. One of the main roadblocks was getting the necessary exemptions for the production crew from India and South Africa to land in the UAE. The delay in their visas and then clearances for chartered flights caused a delay, as they are meant to undergo 10 days in quarantine on arrival.

The seven-day isolation period for players and staff who arrived in the UAE via chartered flights from Pakistan ended on June 2, but a delay in the arrival of the production crew forced the PCB to rejig the schedule. The tournament was earlier meant to start not later than June 5, and Sharjah had been considered as an alternative venue because the quarantine rules are not as strict as in Abu Dhabi.

"Since its inception in 2016, the HBL PSL has embraced and overcome numerous challenges, only to emerge as a stronger and competitive league yearon-year," Wasim Khan, the PCB chief executive, said in a statement.

"The enhancement and credibility of the brand remains critical to the PCB,

and I am pleased that we have continued to take decisive actions in the face of ongoing pressures and major challenges outside of our control over the last 10 days.

Everyone has worked tirelessly to find solutions and a way forward, and I am delighted that we are now in a position to announce the complete schedule.

"There was a consensus between the PCB and the franchises that it was imperative to complete the remaining matches in 2021, so that we have a clean 2022 [for the next season]. Now, after overcoming all obstacles through due diligence and careful planning, I believe we have collectively achieved the desired objective that was set in March following the postponement.

“The PCB has had lengthy negotiations with the Abu Dhabi Government to stage the tournament in the Emirate, and got clearances too recently, but the resumption has not been as smooth as it was expected. Over the last 15 days, the PCB even came close to postponing the event further, but the board has now managed to put

most of the pieces together and finalise on June 9 as the resumption date.

“One of the biggest challenges was to wrap up the league before June 22, as the Pakistan squad was set to fly to England on June 23, which was later changed to June 25 after the ECB agreed to delay the start of the bilateral tour to accommodate the PSL. But there will be no change in the dates of the matches, with the first game of the tour, an ODI in Cardiff, set to be played on July 8.

“The squad will land in Manchester from where they will be transported to Derby for the mandatory 10-day isolation period and training session. They will then move to Cardiff on two days before the first ODI. "We are grateful and thankful for the support and backing we have received from the UAE and Pakistan Governments. I would like to thank the England & Wales Cricket Board for their flexibility, the Emirates Cricket Board, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, as well as all the franchise owners for backing our approach and supporting our decision-making."

Overall, over 300 personThere are still nel - both from Pakistan and over seven personnel, overseas - are in Abu Dhabi including players and support staff, waitand a majority of them (other ing for their visas. than the ones from India and (ESPNcricinfo) South Africa) have already completed their quarantine. Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars completed their quarantine and started training on Wednesday, while the other four sides will start training from today.

Players and player support personnel, who have completed the mandatory seven-day Sherfane room isolation and returned Rutherford three negative tests, are allowed to integrate with their sides and participate in training sessions.

The PCB had arranged chartered flights for arriving in the UAE, but those who were left behind due to visa glitches were made to fly through commercial flights, including Quetta Gladiators' Sarfaraz Ahmed, who, along with a few other individuals, was not allowed to board a commercial flight from Lahore and Karachi to Abu Dhabi via Doha last Sunday. They flew a day later to take a different route via Bahrain.

FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 2021

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

Page 22

Pg 22

– Hutson praises 4X100 team and other athletes

No shifting of CPL dates to accommodate IPL – CWI

Golden Jags ‘focused’ ahead of must-win games

Inaugural GCB U-19 50-Over Franchise Tournament postponed

T

See story on page 23

he inaugural Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Under-19 One Day 50Over Franchise Tournament has been postponed until further notice. The postponement is due to the current inclement weather, which is expected to severely affect the players’ opportunity to showcase their talents.

The GCB has said it remains committed to completing the tournament as soon as the weather conditions consistently become more suitable for play.

All individuals who were expected to play the respective roles in the effective conduct of the remaining matches are hereby accordingly informed

of this postponement.

The first round was severely affected by rain, and was set to play today, but the GCB issued a release on Thursday evening in which it noted the postponement.

All matches that were initially set to be played at the National Stadium, Providence have been realized through GCB’s partnership with General Marine, Tropical Spring, 4R Bearings and Trophy Stall.

The Tournament includes three teams - Falcons, Eagles and Amazon Hawks - which are being captained

by Matthew Nandu, Zeynul Ramsammy and Marvan Prasad respectively.

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