Guyana Times - Friday March 19, 2021

Charrandas Persaud accredited Guyana’s High Commissioner to India

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

Issue No. 4592

P13

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021

Jagdeo refutes APNU/ AFC’s accusation of victimisation against Afro-Guyanese See story on page 3

...says young Afro-Guyanese are losing out on opportunities based on lies peddled by coalition

Sugar workers to receive Weekly Production Incentives Page 10

Construction of US$20M Marriott Courtyard at CJIA starts May month-end Page 9

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

2 more die from COVID-19, death toll now 212 P11 …120 new cases recorded in 24h, 77 detected in Region 4

4 soldiers P2 dismissed over rape allegation in Mabaruma — others to face disciplinary action

4 seismometers installed to monitor earthquake activities in P14 Region 9 …116 buildings damaged in January’s quake

— as final agreements signed with Marriott International

Premature baby dies after delivery at city hospital

...young mother wants answers P15

GRDB to assist low-producing rice farmers to increase yields

EU States to resume Child rapist slapped with 47AstraZeneca year prison sentence vaccine rollout Page 8

Page 19

…farmers laud Govt’s drainage initiatives P16

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

4 soldiers dismissed over rape allegations in Mabaruma – others to face disciplinary action

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our ranks attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who were accused of raping a female in Mabaruma, North West District (NWD), Region One (BarimaWaini) were dismissed following the completion of a Board of Inquiry (BoI) that was established to investigate the allegation. In addition, the others who were implicated are facing disciplinary action.

This was revealed by the GDF in a release to the media on Thursday.

“The Board of Inquiry convened to investigate the circumstances which led to an allegation of rape being levelled against Guyana Defence Force ranks in Mabaruma, Region One, has led to disciplinary actions taken against two officers and four other ranks,” the statement said.

Further, it was stated that the BoI found that the ranks breached operational orders while deployed on border duty. “Four of these ranks have since been dismissed and the disciplinary

process is ongoing against the others,” the GDF added.

The Force also stated that three of the dismissed soldiers were charged and appeared in court in relation to the rape allegation.

Further action against the fourth, however, is awaiting the recommendation of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force are bound by the values and standards of the Force, and, as such, their conduct and

professionalism are of paramount importance. The defence and security of the nation and our citizens are tasks which the Force will always aim to execute with the highest moral, ethical and professional standards,” the GDF reiterated.

The allegation of rape was reported in February.

While the details surrounding the incident are not available, the GDF had stated that the five accused ranks were being interrogated by the Police.

Back in October 2018, two soldiers – Rawlston Reid, 22, of Dochfour Housing Scheme and Isaiah Rawlins, 21, of Wisroc, Linden – allegedly raped a 26-year-old female in Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

It was reported that on October 13, 2018, the two soldiers, who were placed on $300,000 bail each when they appeared in court, had forceful sex with the woman.

The woman was at the time with her boyfriend at

a community centre ground eating chips when they were approached by the soldiers, who were known to them.

The couple were ordered to have sex for the soldiers to see and when they refused, they were beaten and robbed. The woman’s boyfriend was forced to watch the entire ordeal before they stripped him of his gold chains worth $180,000.

The men have since been dismissed from the military.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 19 – 09:00h-10:30h and Saturday, March 20 – 09:30h-11:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 19 – 07:00h-08:30h and Saturday, March 20 – 07:35h-09:05h.

Jagdeo refutes APNU/AFC’s accusation of victimisation against Afro-Guyanese ...says young Afro-Guyanese are losing out on opportunities based on lies peddled by coalition

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunshine is expected throughout the day, with clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 19 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Elisabeth Harper, PS at Foreign Affairs Ministry

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

High Tide: 07:47h and 20:16h reaching maximum heights of 2.48 metres and 2.34 metres.

Low Tide: 13:47h reaching a minimum height of 0.75 metre.

Alfred King, PS at Education Ministry

Derrick Cummings, PS at OPM

Delma Nedd, PS at Agriculture Ministry

Melissa Tucker, PS at Culture, Youth & Sport Ministry

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS O

03 04 07

09 18 19

22

FREE TICKET THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

04 05 09 13 17 LUCKY 3

2

1

3

7

Afternoon Draw

0

3

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01

02

06

09

10 19 21 SUPER PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2021

06 07

09 14 15

08 10

11 15 16

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$63.28/barrel

-7.46

Rough Rice

$234.954/ton

+0.08

London Sugar

$456.00/ton

-0.55

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1732.70

$1733.70

Low/High Change

$1718.80 -3.80

$1753.90 -0.22%

Prema Roopnarine, PS at Local Government Ministry

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ice President Bharrat Jagdeo has refuted claims being made by the APNU+AFC Coalition that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is on a witch hunt against AfroGuyanese.

During an appearance on a GlobeSpan 24x7 programme on Wednesday night, Jagdeo posited that the Opposition Coalition is using this charge of vindictiveness against AfroGuyanese as a means to cover up corrupt acts.

“When we talk about corruption, we’re not saying Afro-Guyanese are corrupt.

Any race – Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese – can be corrupt… They didn’t say anything when the Government sued BK [owned by Brian Tiwari] to recover [prime Kingston, Georgetown, properties] that we believe were sold way below the value… We sued Larry Singh [for undelivered $369 million in guns and ammunition]. We sued the other guy, Maraj (of S Maraj Contracting Services) for breach of a

Soyinka Grogan, PS at Public Service Ministry

Joylyn Nestor-Burrowes, PS at Legal Affairs Ministry

$413 million contract for rehabilitation of the Leguan Stelling, but nobody says anything. But if you only go after an Afro-Guyanese, it becomes racist,” the VP contended.

The latest accusation by the Opposition of victimisation against AfroGuyanese was made just last week when the former Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys

Joslyn McKenzie, PS at Natural Resources Ministry

Commission, Trevor Benn, was arrested and charged for misconduct in public office over the sale of lands on the East Coast of Demerara.

Jagdeo has pointed out that, in addition to the transaction breaching the State Lands Act, the former GL&SC Head never had the authority to sell any land, which is a power invested only in the President.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 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

NCDs and COVID-19

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he COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impacts on individuals and communities as a whole are yet another stark reminder that both the health authorities and citizens must continue to take very seriously the issue of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

Based on what the medical professionals have found so far, the majority of the persons who have died due to contracting COVID-19 had some kind of underlying heath complications, many of which are related to NCDs. Guyana’s COVID-19 death rate at the moment is 212. For a small population such as ours, this is quite disturbing, to say the least.

The Government previously pointed out several critical areas in the nation’s healthcare delivery were ignored to a large extent, and this is why renewed efforts have to be made to bring all levels of the health sector up to par, including putting effective and efficient systems in place to tackle NCDs. According to PAHO/WHO, people with underlying health conditions, such as NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer, have a higher risk of contracting severe COVID-19 disease, and are more likely to die from COVID-19.

Risk factors for NCDs can make people more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with COVID-19. For example, smokers may have reduced lung capacity which would greatly increase risk of serious illness.

PAHO/WHO has suggested that informing populations about these health risks posed by COVID-19 is critical. In addition, health services need to be adapted to maintain essential NCD services to ensure continuity of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to poor lifestyle choices, such as tobacco use, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, NCDs have resulted in large numbers of people falling sick and dying.

In 2007, CARICOM leaders signed what they described as the “ground-breaking” Port of Spain Declaration, aimed at uniting countries to stop the epidemic of NCDs. The declaration was recently evaluated by a team of regional and international experts.

Sometime last year, leading health expert Dr Alafia Samuels had disclosed that, based on a study, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago were found to have the highest mortality for premature cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the Americas.

In relation to Guyana’s case, while there have been some positive moves in tackling NCDs, such as finalising the Tobacco Control Legislation etc., some experts believe that enough is not being done in the fight against NCDs. It could be recalled that there was an NCD strategy in the years 2003-2008, and again in the 2008-2015, which outlined a comprehensive and effective programme to fight NCDs. It is not clear if these are still being used as a guide by health authorities.

Former Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy was quoted in this newspaper as saying that some of the crucial programmes that were previously in place to tackle NCDs appear to have been reduced or totally abandoned during the tenure of the previous administration. Dr Ramsammy, in particular, had pointed to the aggressive education and awareness campaigns that were very much visible some years ago. Also, community health fairs and school programmes and other initiatives which were used to address issues such as positive lifestyles had become less visible.

These are all useful strategies in ensuring the message of healthy lifestyles continues to reach everyone in every community across the country. From all indications, some of these measures are being taken, but they are being done in a limited fashion.

We believe that discussions surrounding NCDs should constantly be kept on the national development agenda, where serious efforts are made at all levels to reduce the large numbers of persons suffering or facing death. On this basis, there is need for more collaborative efforts among all stakeholders.

That said, while the various stakeholders are involved in the battle to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, it is hoped that they will redouble their efforts to effectively address NCDs and their risk factors with a medium to long term vision.

His Excellency, Dr Irfaan Ali and Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday received a courtesy call from Head of Delegation and Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM), Paet Urmas and other EU representatives.

The group, which also included Deputy Chief Observer Alexander Matus; and Political Analyst Michael Lidauer along with EU High Commissioner to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Canto.

The diplomats “can see clearly now” because they have “feelings” Dear Editor, It was reported that Leader of the Opposition (LOO), Mr. Joseph Harmon, played host on Wednesday in his office to meet with Mr. Mark Berman, the Canadian High Commissioner. Joining him was Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, Leader of the Alliance for Change (LAF).

The delegation also consisted of other party members Amanza Walton-Dezir and Geeta Chandan-Edmond, who recently made a spectacle of herself with unladylike remarks, not befitting of honourable members of the distinguished Parliament.

Having had similar rendezvous with the United States and United Kingdom diplomats, Mr. Harmon remarked, “It is important that the High Commission understands the way we see things, and understands the way our supporters feel.” For once Mr. Harmon spoke an iota of truth, and must be commended for his sincerity.

Of course, the diplomats of all three powerful nations can see things thru the lenses of the APNU/AFC Party.

The nation cannot forget being spectators in the front seat, observing the attempted rigging of the election to defraud the nation from declaring the rightful winner, and trying to prevent the APNU/AFC-mandated interlocutor, CARICOM, from confirming the legitimate election recount result.

APNU/AFC saw to it that their appointed stogies and servants desperately frustrated the smooth process of GECOM’s work by sabotaging the procedure and delaying a legal declaration by some five months. The brave diplomats were seeing with the eyes of the rogue party

the clumsy misdemeanors of Mr. Bingo to contaminate and misappropriate the votes to the rightful and respectful parties. Numbers do add up, and accountability demands a mathematical balance, something which the nescient Bingo failed to appropriate.

The diplomats used the glossy eyes of the APNU/ AFC Party to peruse the distressed Lowenfield making a last-minute effort to frustrate the Chair of GECOM, preventing her from concluding a long-drawn-out process and announcing the legitimate winner of the election, the PPP/C party.

Three fruitless chances to change the outcome of the election by using the art of “mumbo-jumbo” mathematics only revealed the callousness and maniacal way of thinking of villainous jokers employed in a circus. Yes, not only the Canadian, the US and the UK diplomats witnessed these events through the eyes of the APNU/AFC Party, but the live televised transaction became a window to the entire world, and the national, regional and international community, witnessed this diabolic drama, which caused quite a trauma to drain the patience of the world.

Yes sir, Canada, the US, the UK and the rest of the world do understand the way the APNU/AFC Party sees things, quite clearly and vividly. In fact, their 20/20 vision is so perfect that they had no alternative but to applaud and support the US when the United States imposed visa sanctions on all the under-miners of democracy in Guyana.

Mr. Harmon, the international community applied

the lyrics of Jimmy Cliff’s song, “I can see clearly now”, to establish a firm stand not to support the APNU/AFC Party led by Mr. Granger in their corruptive election position, when they tried to deny the will of the people.

Sure, Canada is no fool, nor are the US and the UK. The diplomats have hearts, and they can empathise with the poor people of Guyana, suffering in poverty. The diplomats have a mind of their own, and they can make valuable and distinctive calls when it comes to being right and wrong, honest and dishonest, lawful and unlawful. They have brains of their own to decipher who is loyal to integrity and who is royal to collusion. They have feelings to grasp and gasp when they are being manipulated and when they are not being treated with diplomacy. They have a dignity to maintain, and not be pushed around, and when to walk because, “enough is enough.” They have feelings to understand when the supporters of any political party are being taken for a ride, and when politicians try to pull the wool over the eyes of the people.

They understand when supporters of a party are being led astray, led in the dark, led to a hole dug by their leaders; coerced, dictated, controlled, used and abused.

The diplomats fully understand how supporters feel when their high and mighty leaders leave them out in the cold without a blanket and for them (the chosen few) to enjoy the “good life” only.

Oh yes, the diplomats understand how the diehards feel by being “let down” by their leaders when they tried to con their way through the back door to retain politi-

cal power and financial control at the cost of the man in the street. You bet, the diplomats understand how the APNU/AFC supporters felt when Mr. Granger, Mr. Harmon, Mr. Ramjattan, Mr. Nagamootoo, Amanza and, oh yes, Geeta ChandanEdmond subscribed to bring shame and disgrace to their nation when they didn’t know what constitutes the half of 65; that Patterson’s appointment was illegal, and the CARICOM recount result was legitimate.

The diplomats understand how ashamed those supporters felt to know that the APNU/AFC Party tried to make a fool of the entire world with their disgraceful performance, thereby becoming a laughing stock to the world.

Yes sir, Mr. Harmon, the diplomats are, after all, human beings, and they have eyes to see like you and the APNU/AFC do. The eyes of the Opposition party are not the only eyes for others to see through. The eyes of the entire world saw what was meant by “For Your Eyes Only.”

Nothing more than “Feelings” the diplomats have for the APNU/AFC supporters, because they understand how they feel and they (the diplomats) cry, sympathise and empathise with them. Regardless, the sanctions will remain, that the diplomats will see clearly to; and, yes Mr. Harmon, “nothing personal, no hard feelings.” That’s just the way business is done when you do not play fair and square.

Welcome to the world of politics.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

5

News

Former High Court staff in custody over transport fraud for Eccles property – hunt on for individual to whose name land was transferred

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former employee of the High Court Registry is now in Police custody assisting with an investigation into the fraudulent transfer of a prime property situated by the public road at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) into the name of a so-farunknown person.

The property, a double-lot - Lots B and C, Eccles - is owned by Rohit Lall, but when he went to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to pay rates and taxes, he was informed that the property had been transferred to one Mohamed Wazir of Fourth Street Herstelling, EBD. Upon further enquiry, Lall found out that the transport had been passed via Court Order granted by former High Court Justice Jainarayan Singh in September 2008 following an application filed by Mohamed Wazir.

The matter has since been reported to the Police, and legal actions have been initiated by Lall to recover his property and have it transferred back in his name.

The probe has led Police to arrest the 37-year-old former staffer of the High

The fake ID card in the name of Mohamed Wazir that was used to get property transferred

Court Registry who is attached to a realty firm.

He is the person who took the transport in Mohamed Wazir’s name to the Eccles NDC along with photocopies of Wazir’s Identification Card to effect the name change in the records there.

He told Police at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters that the transport and photocopied ID were given to him by someone called “Max” to take to the NDC. He claimed that he has known Max since 2009, but he could not give Max’s full name nor contact information.

He claimed that he had gone to the Deeds Registry and verified the transport was genuine before taking

it to the NDC. Further, the man told investigators that he had never seen Wazir, or known anything about him.

The 37-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday morning, and remains in custody as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times understands that investigators had checked for Wazir at the address given, but had been informed that no one by that name is living there.

A source close to the investigation told this newspaper that the ID card that was used to conduct the transaction is fake.

“It’s a bogus ID Card so we don’t know who’s the person really, other than

the photograph on the ID (which the Police believe could be the individual in question),” the officer indicated.

Further, he related that the Police had applied for all the court documents and the court order in relation to this transaction, but all those records have reportedly disappeared from the system.

“Some skullduggery happened at the court and that order was granted, and so the property was transferred in this Wazir person’s name… But we are looking at all angles, meaning every single step that was taken to get this court order and to get this transport [in the name of Wazir].

Everybody who is part of it we are going to investigate,” the investigator told this newspaper.

This probe comes on the heels of the Government working to strengthen the various legislation to prevent property fraud, which has had an alarming increase in Guyana.

In fact, this case involving the Eccles property was brought to light by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, during a recent appearance on the ‘Government in

Action’ programme, when he addressed the issue and spoke of some of the measures that are being contemplated to protect property owners from fraud.

Nandlall said on Tuesday that in this case, the property owner, Lall, is fortunate that he got wind of what was happening and intervened before the property could have gotten into the hands of a third party, who could be protected as an innocent purchaser.

The Legal Affairs Minister has said he believes there is an integrated conspiracy at work in committing these frauds. He noted that no one person could pull this off.

“I asked the Crime Chief to do a full-blown investigation into this matter, and to examine it at every link of the chain. If there is a Notary Public involved who may have executed a Power of Attorney, investigate that component of the transaction. Obviously, the matter was filed at the Deeds Registry, investigate that component. Investigate the officers at the Deeds Registry. If it was advertised in the Official Gazette, then let the investigation go (there) as well, and let us see where the fraud ac-

tually took place,” Nandlall stated.

Though property fraud has been happening for some time now, the issue rose to the fore following a recent Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling in another property fraud case.

The CCJ has recommended that Guyana’s legal framework be strengthened.

“We have now, supported by a call from the CCJ, examined the system; examined both the administrative apparatus as well as the statutory framework, and see how we can improve the system both in terms of the law as well as in terms of the processes, administratively, (which) have to be executed when a transport moves from one hand to another,” Minister Nandlall noted.

He went on to say, “I hope that this investigation by the Police will be thorough and will unearth the type of evidence which not only can yield a conviction or convictions in the courts, but can assist myself, as a Minister with responsibility for the Deeds Registry and responsibility for the legal sector, to strengthen both; because both are critical, that is, the Law and the agency that administers it.”

NY Guyanese group Harnessing the power condemns attack on Asian of the church to end domestic abuse -Americans in the US

Dear Editor, The New York Guyana Democracy Project (NYGDP) has issued a statement condemning, in the strongest words, the senseless, violent attacks against Asians, mostly Chinese-Asians, in various states and, more recently, Koreans in the Atlanta area.

Clearly, the victims were attacked just because of their ethnicity, says NYGDP. IndoGuyanese and other IndianAmericans were known to be victims of racial attacks.

A gunman shot and killed eight women at three massage spa parlours in Atlanta, Georgia on the evening of Tuesday March 16, with six of the victims being of Asian descent. Asians have a strong presence in the spa industry in America.

A White American was arrested for the brutal attacks targeting Asian-owned businesses, and he confessed to the shootings. Anti-Asian hate incidents have increased over the last few years. American politicians - including the President, Vice President, and Speaker of the US House of Reps – have also condemned

the recent spate of attacks on Asians.

The NYGDP, in its release, lamented this latest attack on Asian-Americans, which has already resulted in several casualties since the pandemic began just over a year ago.

NYGDP notes that “there is a long history of various forms of physical and verbal attacks on Asians, including IndianAmericans, Indo-Guyanese, and other Indo-Caribbean nationals. There has been a history of casual and overt prejudice, scapegoating, and other forms of racism against immigrants of colour, Asians and Indians in particular in the USA. “We salute the AsianAmerican people and other immigrant groups for their immense contributions to culture, growth and development of America, and for their resilience in standing up to hate”.

The statement adds: “Targeting of people on account of their appearance or ethnicity violates their integrity and decency, and is against the law of the US as well as basic human rights. During the last year, Asian- Americans

not only have to keep safe from the virus, but also have faced increased violence and harassment fuelled by prejudice, hatred, and xenophobia.

America must stand united against hate. And we all must co-operate to stay safe from the virus. Attacking AsianAmericans will not end the virus or stop its spread”.

The statement also urges “Guyanese and other groups to build bridges with Asians and people of other ethnicities and nationalities (in order) to combat prejudice. It encourages people to continue to stay safe from the coronavirus and to take the vaccine to combat it”.

The organisation’s President, Dr. Tara Singh, stated: “The attacks against people on account of ethnicity (are) vile. There must be zero tolerance for the kind of violence in Georgia and other attacks on Asian-Americans.

Everyone must be treated with tolerance and respect regardless of ethnicity, nationality, colour, and the like.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor, Experts on domestic abuse from across the global church hosted an online webinar on “The Status of Women” this week. It was held at the United Nations Commission.

They explored how Christians in many settings are responding to gender-based violence.

A drama about teenage girls in Nigeria, plus insights into peace work in Ethiopia, local church work in Pakistan, and a national campaign in the UK, helped to build a picture of what is happening on the ground. The latest research on the persecution of women highlighted how domestic violence is a key weapon used against women.

The webinar “Harnessing the Power of the Church to End Domestic Abuse” was organised by the Women’s Commission of the WEA, Open Doors, the Anglican Communion, Girls Brigade International, and Restored UK. It was broadcast live on Feb 19th, and is now available on online channels.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke earlier this week about the urgent need to address violence

against women. He said it was vital for peace in homes and society that we no longer “minimise or push aside” the terrible impact of the abuse of women and girls.

WEA women have been involved in the CSW for a number of years, wanting to be a Christian voice on issues like persecution, trafficking, and poverty. Amanda Jackson, Director of the Women’s Commission, says, “We want to show that Christians are active in communities, encouraging and training women. Christian faith is at the heart of the lives of 500 million women, and we want to amplify their voices and their amazing work.”

This year, one of the themes of the CSW is the elimination of violence against women. Mandy Marshall, who hosted the webinar, is an expert on the causes, impact and solutions to abuse. She says, “Christian churches have not always protected women, but there is a fresh sense that the church has a valuable role to play in releasing women from abuse and the injustice of inequality. We want churches to be equipped to support victims

of abuse, and to deal with the perpetrators.”

All the speakers at the webinar are part of a new global Christian network on violence against women and girls, called CNEDA (Christian Network to End Domestic Abuse). Christian groups on the ground have struggled to respond to the pandemic of domestic abuse linked to COVID: women and men with years of experience in helping victims wanted support and resources. CNEDA was born.

The UN CSW runs online from March 14-28. Each year, the formal meetings assess progress on the equality of women and girls in areas like education, jobs, health access and government. The COVID crisis is widely acknowledged to have deeply impacted women. They have more work at home; they are 40% more likely to have lost their jobs; there has been disruption to health services; and, because families are much more restricted to home, domestic abuse has escalated. Over 85% of victims of domestic abuse are women.

Sincerely, Joy Wilson

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FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Æsop’s Fables

Question 1:

Thursday’s Answers 1a)

Selling Price (SP) = $12,000 Discount = 10% Mark will pay 100% –10% = 90% of the SP = $12,000 ÷ 100 x 90 = $10, 800

1bi)

Ramona pays a $4500 downpayment plus 6 monthly payments of $1500 each So she pays $4500 + $1500 x 6 = $4500 + $9000 = $13,500

FOR CHILDREN

1bii) Ramona pays $13,500 and Mark pays $10,800

So Ramona pays $13,500 – $10,800

more than Mark = $2700 1biii) That $2700 is a currently unknown

percentage of the $10,800 paid by Mark.

To find that percentage,

divide $2700 by $10,800 and multiply the

result by 100

So, $2700 ÷ 10,800 x 100 = 25%

Materials:

3 containers Pipettes (you can also use squirt bottles or straws to transfer) Baking Soda Oranges or any kind of acidic fruit Small Cups 1/4 teaspoon 1/2 cup

Instructions:

Make your own pH Indicator by boiling red cabbage and extracting the pigment or even cranberry juice.

Pour equal amounts of the pH Indicator in the 3 different containers.

One jar will be labelled as your control. Since it will only contain water, it should ideally have a pH of 7 (neutral).

Mix approximately ¼ tsp of baking soda with ½ cup water in a small cup.

Use your pipette or straw to transfer your baking soda mixture into one of the pH indicator jars. Notice and observe any colour changes.

Use your fruit and mash it up to extract some juice. Pour the juice into the last indicator jar and notice a colour change.

Compare the jars and have a discussion about the difference between acids and bases and the pH scale.

As a fun way to conclude, use some of the fresh acidic fruit juice and mix it with some baking soda and notice a reaction occur. You should notice bubbles. After you observe, you can dip a piece of their the fruit in a small amount of baking soda and eat it. They will be able to notice the bubbles forming in their mouth. (This is one of the coolest parts of this whole experiment).

A

How it works:

In the presence of water, citric acid [C6H8O7] and sodium bicarbonate [NaHCO3] (aka baking soda) react to form sodium citrate [Na3C6H5O7], water, and carbon dioxide [CO2]. (sciencefun.org)

philosopher witnessed from the shore the shipwreck of a vessel, of which the crew and passengers were all drowned.

He inveighed against the injustice of providence, which would for the sake of one criminal perchance sailing in the ship allow so many innocent persons to perish.

As he was indulging in these reflections, he found himself surrounded by a whole army of ants, near whose nest he was standing.

One of them climbed up and stung him, and he immediately trampled them all to death with his foot.

Mercury presented himself, and striking the philosopher with his wand, said, “And are you indeed to make yourself a judge of the dealings of providence, who hast thyself in a similar manner treated these poor ants?’

WORD SEARCH

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FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jagdeo refutes APNU/AFC’s...

Table 2: Permanent Secretaries under the PPP/C Government

Table 1: Permanent Secretaries under the APNU/AFC Government

“President [David] Granger never gave Trevor Benn the authority to sell lands. He never gave him that authority. That authority has to be gazetted. This guy sold a number of plots to people way below the value. So, apart from the value (of the land), he committed an illegal act. They should be condemning him, but now they’re protesting that it’s victimisation…

APNU should say, ‘The party did not approve this, our Government did not approve this’. But now he becomes a victim of the People’s Progressive Party,” the VP noted.

According to Jagdeo, almost all the lands on the East Coast of Demerara that were given away by the Coalition, while it was squatting in office following the December 2018 passage of the No Confidence Motion against it, have been recovered from both Indo- and Afro-Guyanese.

In fact, he reminded that

this was in keeping with a pledge he had made even before the March 2, 2020 Elections which got his party into office.

“Before the elections, I said, ‘Lands and Surveys, NICIL (National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited), we know of the illegal transactions, we’re coming after them’. Now, when we go after them, it’s discrimination and marginalisation and victimisation. But even if we forget about all these illegalities and allow these people to go with the loot, they will find some other reason to shout victimisation or discrimination,” the Vice President asserted.

Moreover, Jagdeo outlined that it is a similar situation with the electoral officials who have been charged for electoral fraud at last year’s polls.

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, and embattled Region Four

FROM PAGE 3

Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo are before the courts, along with several party members of the PNCled APNU faction of the Coalition, for their role in attempting to derail Guyana’s democracy.

“Now, every single person knows that they committed illegalities. It just so happens that they are Afro-Guyanese. But these are people that we fought against (their) illegalities… The Caribbean Court of Justice said this guy (Lowenfield) was acting like a lone ranger. They hid the Statements of Poll, criminal behaviour. This is not an indictment of Afro-Guyanese, it is against those who committed elections fraud, and if there are Indo-Guyanese who’re in that too, they too should face the consequences. So, in the future, nobody again will want to do that when they see these people face the consequences,” Jagdeo asserted.

The Vice President went

Name of Ministry

Permanent Secretary

Minister / (s)

1

Ministry of Home Affairs

Mae Toussaint Jr Thomas

Robeson Benn

2

Ministry of Agriculture

Delma Nedd

Zulfikar Mustapha

3

Ministry of Health

Malcolm Watkins

Dr Frank Anthony

4

Ministry of Legal Affairs

Joylyn Nestor-Burrowes

Anil Nandlall SC

5

Ministry of Amerindian Affairs

Sharon Hicks

Pauline Sukhai

6

Ministry of Education

Alfred King

Priya Manickchand

7

Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport

Melissa Tucker

Charles Ramson Jr

8

Ministry of Public Works

Vladim Persaud

Juan Edghill, Deodat Indar

9

Ministry of Natural Resources

Joslyn McKenzie

Vickram Bharrat

10

Ministry of Human Services & Social Security

Shannielle E Hoosein-Outar

Dr Vindhya Persaud

11

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development

Prema Roopnarine

Nigel Dharamlall, Anand Persaud

12

Office of the Prime Minister

Derrick Cummings

Brig Ret’d Mark Phillips, Kwame McCoy

13

Office of the President

Abena Moore

HE Irfaan Ali, VP Bharrat Jagdeo

14

Ministry of Finance

SK Lall

Dr Ashni Singh

15

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Elisabeth Harper

Hugh Todd

16

Public Service

Soyinka Grogan

Sonia Parag

17

Ministry of Labour

Bishram Kupprn

Joseph Hamilton

on to say that the most racist Government in Guyana’s modern history has been the APNU+AFC. He reminded that the Coalition fired nearly 2000 Amerindians from the Community Support Officers (CSOs) programme when it took office in 2015.

He said while this was the biggest act of discrimination against Indigenous people in this hemisphere in recent decades, no one said anything about that.

Jadgeo, who previously served as President for two terms, also drew attention to the closure of the three sugar estates, affecting some 7000 workers – most of whom are Indo-Guyanese.

He further noted that the Coalition accuses the PPP/C of being racist when under its previous 23-year rule, Afro-Guyanese predominated the Public Service and headed many State entities – a practice which has continued even in its current term.

“This group, in an attempt to paint the PPP as racist, talks about AfroGuyanese not finding a place in the Public Service. Of the Permanent Secretaries that the APNU had, not a single Indo-Guyanese. Look at the composition of the Permanent Secretaries that we have now. It looks like Guyana,” the VP noted.

Guyana Times investigated the former’s President statement and discovered that his claim was completely factual, as substantiated in the Table 1, which are the Permanent Secretaries under the APNU/AFC’s Government versus the Permanent Secretaries under the PPP/C’s Government in Table Two. The Vice President added that, “The people who are the most racist, who thrive on racism, they have the most self-righteous ways of accusing others of racism. That

is what is happening, and they’ve gotten away with it for a very long time because people in Guyana like to tiptoe around these issues.”

Further, the VP Jagdeo explained that these claims against the PPP/C are not only affecting the Government but also young Afro-Guyanese, who are being hindered from tapping into opportunities.

“When you reach out to the communities and you go to a community where people are primed by saying the guy who’s coming is racist and discriminating against everyone, then it sets up a kind of suspicion in the villages and the communities when you want to engage young people. It harms them. They are reluctant to engage.

They are reluctant to explore the opportunities. I want young Afro-Guyanese kids see us as their Government too. They must explore every scholarship option, every job option,” he stated.

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Child rapist slapped with 47- year prison sentence

I

vor Laud was on Thursday slapped with a 25-year prison sentence after a jury found him guilty on two counts of rape committed on an underage girl.

The man, in his late 30s, was on trial for the offence before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the High Court in Demerara.

Between March 1 and 31, 2015, and between August 1 and 31, 2017, in the county of Demerara, he engaged in sexual penetration of the girl when she was just eight and 10 years old respectively.

The facts of the matter are that between March 1 and 31, 2015, Laud would invite the young girl over to his home under the pretence of having something to give

Child rapist: Ivor Laud

to her.

The girl followed him into the house, and they went into the bedroom,

where he placed her to lie on a bed and pulled down her pants and underwear. In her statement to the Police, the young girl detailed that Laud instructed her to hold his penis. It was reported that Laud then inserted his penis into the girl’s vagina.

After committing the act, the girl said, she saw a whitish substance on his penis, and he then told her to go home and “wash up”, and so she did. In August 2017, Laud performed oral sex on the girl, after he called her over to his home.

At the time of the incidents, no one else was at his home. Laud also had a wife and children.

During a sentencing

hearing on Thursday, State Counsel Sarah Martin asked the court to impose a sentence that would reflect the serious nature and prevalence of the offence.

Prosecutor Martin also asked the court to consider the negative impact the situation has had on the victim’s life.

She also asked the court to take into consideration the fact that Laud had taken away the child’s innocence, and in return expressed no remorse, even after he was convicted.

For her part, Attorneyat-law Rachael Bakker, who represented the convict begged for leniency.

TURN TO PAGE 11

Street Politics…

O

…by the PNC ne of Eric Williams’s famous statements, when he launched the 30-year-long reign of the PNM in Trinidad back in 1956, was: “fighting in the streets is over, and politics in Parliament will now begin”. Sadly, for us in Guyana, his contemporary, Burnham, who’d escalated his “fighting in the streets” in Guyana to a literal racial civil war to get into power, never weaned his party to confine politics to the civilised rules of Parliament.

In fact, with the PNC and Burnham rigging elections from 1968 to 1985 by bringing in the army to seize ballot boxes and murdering civilians in the process, they expanded the arena of violence. Parliamentary democracy for the PNC was always interpreted cynically - with a wink and a blow to the solar plexus of the other political players.

Some killings by Police “encounters” (Koama/Dublin), or with planted bombs in walkie-talkies (Rodney), or arbitrary torture after framed up charges (the De Willem 15) were examples of politics they practised while in power.

When they were ousted after 28 years, the PNC’s violent street politics returned without skipping a beat and Guyana knew no peace between 1997 and 2008. Then there was hope they’d learnt a lesson - that violence can careen out of control and consume us all. They recalibrated, changed their name to APNU, went into a coalition with the AFC, and returned to power. But it soon became clear they just couldn’t keep on the straight and narrow. The folk wisdom predicts that once canines start “sucking eggs”, they just can’t stop!

And so the PNC returned to their rigging ways; and when that was stymied, have now refused to practise Parliamentary politics. Ever since Aug 2nd, if it’s not the courts, it’s the streets with their clenched fists and incendiary, race-based rhetoric.

In the last couple of days, they’ve been protesting outside of CID headquarters because the former Chair of the GL&SC, Trevor Benn, had been hauled in for questioning over some transactions the Police claimed were dodgy.

He’d already been charged - like others - for some other transactions after the identical Police questioning. So, your Eyewitness can only conclude that the PNC have a problem when the Police follow their SOPs in dealing with suspected law-breakers. So, they want the Police to make an exception for Benn?

But we know what’s going on, don’t we? All of this simulated righteous indignation is just playing to the PNC’s gallery, to rile them up and precipitate the violence in the streets that’s been their trademark since the 1960s.

Your Eyewitness hopes that the PNC’s constituency have learnt their lesson after sixty years of being used as cannon fodder.

And launch a new democratic party! …and serial killings So, we have another serial killing in the US, this time in Atlanta, where a 21-year-old white dude shot and killed 8 persons - including 6 Asian women. “Oh no! So, when will this stop?” was your Eyewitness’s first thought. And his answer to himself was, “Not in my lifetime”, because this was a racial crime, and even after all the protests in the States over the past year against race hate, this ain’t going away soon. And this is the clear and present danger with the PNC racialising politics here in Guyana.

The fella said that it wasn’t “race”, but “sexual addiction”.

And so, the next question is: “Why kill just Asian women?”

Was he addicted to Asian women? And this is where race comes in. After the wars fought on Asian soil, starting with the Philippines in 1898, then Japan in 1945, Korea in 1950; Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos etc from the sixties, many white American males have a fetish for Asian women.

They’re seen as docile and pliable. …and pavement politics The Mayor met with vendors to get them to buy into his plan to bring some order into the pandemonium that reigns on the city pavements.

Your Eyewitness’s latest foray into town shows nothing’s changed. Next move?

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

NEWS

9

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Construction of US$20M Marriott Courtyard at CJIA starts May month-end – as final agreements signed with Marriott International

Guyana Marriott CEO Eduardo Reple signing the Agreements with Denise Bassoo and Roy Bassoo

T

he final agreements have been signed between Marriott International and Cardinal Investments Inc in regard to the construction of a Marriottbranded Courtyard hotel costing US$20 million at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and works are expected to commence by the end of May. Operation of this Courtyard hotel is being undertaken by Cardinal Investments Inc, whose owner is businessman Roy Bassoo.

The four agreements that were signed last Thursday are: (i) Hotel Management Agreement; (ii) Licence and Royalty Agreement; (iii) International Services Agreement; and (iv) Technical Services Agreement. Marriott International was represented by General Manager of the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Eduardo Reple.

Bassoo later told Guyana Times on Thursday that with these agreements now signed, he would be going ahead with construction of the 140-room hotel, which would be undertaken by his own construction company, R. Bassoo & Sons

Construction. Works are expected to be ongoing for approximately two years.

“We anticipate starting construction by the third week in May, (at) almost month end. It will run for about 24 months, and the hotel is expected to open in early 2023…

We will be constructing it, Bassoo Construction; we have 26 years’ experience in construction, but, of course, there will be specialised phases that we will have to sub-contract,” Bassoo noted.

According to the businessman, there will be at least 150 workers, both local and foreign, working on the project, and the construction process will be supervised by Marriott International throughout.

“We will be building to Marriott’s standards, and so each phase will have to be vetted by Marriott,” Bassoo further told this newspaper.

Meanwhile, at last week’s commemorative handing over of the agreements, done at the Guyana Marriott in Kingston, the copies thereof were presented by Reple to the businessman’s wife, Denise Bassoo, who is the Corporate Secretary of Cardinal Investments Inc.

Reple used that opportunity to commend Cardinal Investments Inc for their “pioneering vision” in pursuing a new Marriott International Hotel in Guyana.

Also witnessing the handing over of documents were Public Works Minister Juan Edghill; Chief Investment Officer of GO-Invest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop; and advisor to the project company, Winston Brassington.

Minister Edghill has said he recognises the development of this hotel as a “Kairos moment” in Guyana’s hospitality sector. He said, “Development has an expiry date, and so we must take advantage of the opportunities presented to us right now”, and that “investments made by the Private Sector spearhead development”, and “when businesses thrive, the country as a whole can also reap the rewards.”

As a frequent traveller, the Minister further underscored the urgent need for a hotel at the CJIA, in light of the growing business opportunities in Guyana.

Meanwhile, Dr Ramsaroop has said he “is exuberant to expedite the commencement of this project, as it will be

the first major airport hotel in Guyana, and dramatically improve the calibre of Cheddi Jagan International Airport.”

Moreover, he said, the hotel would be a one-minute drive from the entrance of the CJIA, and is expected to accommodate airline crews and staff, business personnel, diplomats, and other travellers.

As such, he said, this development would “facilitate the ease of doing business for investors, and establish convenient accommodations for tourists.”

The GO-Invest Head went on to say that “…the project is fully supported by the Government of Guyana, and this is the second Marriott International Hotel in Guyana since its inception under the previous PPP/C administration, and will continue to provide outstanding hotelier services under a reputable and longstanding developer, Bassoo Building and Civil Engineering Contractors.

“We are thrilled to bring the Courtyard by Marriott brand to Guyana, and further expand our portfolio in the market,” Chief Development Officer of Marriott International Caribbean and Latin America, Laurent de Kousemaeker, remarked. He added, “The collaboration with Cardinal Investment, Inc was key to forging the deal, which will give business travellers and other visitors additional choices in the destination.”

The Courtyard by Marriott at the CJIA will be the second

Design of the Courtyard by Marriott to be built at the CJIA

Marriott International brand in the country, and the hotel brand of choice for ambitious and enterprising guests who see business travel as a driver of personal fulfillment and professional growth.

Courtyard provides opportunities for guests to pursue both their personal and professional passions on the road. With more than 1,200 locations in over 53 countries and territories, Courtyard is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott’s award-winning travel program.

Cardinal Investments Inc. is the special purpose company created by Roy and Denise Bassoo, that will design and construct the 140room Courtyard by Marriott hotel at the CJIA on 2.5 acres of land leased from the government.

In December, GO-Invest executed an MOU for the project in line with incentives being granted for all new projects. Financing for the project will come in part from syn-

dicated financing led by Republic Bank.

That same month it was announced that R. Bassoo and Sons had entered into initial agreements with Marriott International and the Government of Guyana to design and build the hotel.

These agreements follow the company’s response to the Government’s request for proposal (RFP) and include a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Marriott International, a completed market study by Hotel Valuation Services (HVS), one of the foremost hotel valuation firms, and a conceptual design

by Urbahn Architects (New York’s 2019 Design Firm of the Year).

Republic Bank of Trinidad and Tobago has also made an indicative offer of financing.

Republic Bank has arranged over US$100 million in financing for other real estate projects in Guyana, including Movietowne, the Pegasus Corporate Offices and Suites, and the Georgetown Marriott hotel.

10 NEWS Sugar workers to receive Weekly Production Incentives FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

T

housands of workers employed by the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s three operating estates will now receive Weekly Production Incentives (WPI), commencing with this first crop.

In a statement on Thursday, the sugar company noted that the incentives would be paid by March 20, 2021. WPI is one of several initiatives in place to boost employees’ productivity.

This incentive was implemented on May 13, 1989 replacing the monthly bonus initiative, which was paid for achieving the estates’ set weekly production targets. It was stopped two years ago, but the hiatus has now ended.

At the Blairmont and Uitvlugt Estates, some 3600 qualified employees are expected to receive an additional two days’ pay as WPI, having surpassed their weekly production targets on March 5 and March 12.

Similarly, at Albion Estate, 3300 qualified employees will receive one day’s pay for surpassing their weekly target on

March 5, 2021. Albion’s recent achievement has brought an end to its WPI drought experienced since 2019.

The payment of a WPI is based on the individual estate's achievement of 100 per cent or more of its weekly target. Once the targets are achieved, qualified employees on the estate will receive one day's pay. If the estate's achievement is 130 per cent or more of its target, then qualified employees on the estate will receive two days' pay.

“Qualified employees will be receiving their WPI along with other incentives

as the Corporation forges ahead with production to achieve the first-crop target of 42,608 MT (metric tonnes0 sugar,” GuySuCo revealed in its statement.

According to Chief Industrial Relations Manager Deodat Sukhu, “The employees are aware that in order to qualify for this incentive, they have to work, at a minimum, four days of the week. It is noticeable that when we have built momentum and the factories achieve their targets, the motivation that you have from that momentum continues to drive the operational chain of

the industry and the likelihood of having an incentive achieved and paid as the momentum continues over the following weeks.”

Mohamed Rafeek Yusuf, a long-serving cane harvester at the Blairmont Estate opined that the WPI provides encouragement to hardworking staffers to continue along this line.

“It boosts the workforce to come out in large numbers. It is a way of improving production. You find over the years when the WPI was not being achieved, the turnout get very poor, people lose interest of the work.

The WPI will boost production and turnout. I feel it is something good. I believe strongly this is good,” he said.

Another cane harvester, Sachin Sooknandan added, “It will be better for us; we are going to be more motivated, because my colleagues are already talking about working harder to make the day’s pay. This is really nice and we are glad if it can continue so it will benefit the people in the country. I feel really good what the Government is

doing and what we getting right now is really good.”

In order for the Corporation to achieve its sugar production target of 42,608 metric tonnes within the cropping period of 12 weeks, Albion Estate has

to produce 21,573 metric tonnes; Blairmont – 12,404 metric tonnes and Uitvlugt – 8631 metric tonnes.

At three weeks of production, some 10,135 metric tonnes of sugar were produced.

6 arrested following discovery of illegal firearm

S

ix persons have been taken into custody following the discovery of an illegal gun.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) did not state when the discovery was made.

However, it was explained that Police Officers made the discovery when

they intercepted a motor car at New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

A search was conducted and the gun was found under the driver’s seat.

All of the occupants of the vehicle were arrested.

Investigations are ongoing.

NEWS

11

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 more die from COVID-19, death toll now 212 …120 new cases recorded in 24h, 77 detected in Region 4 W ith two more COVID-19 fatalities, Guyana’s death toll has risen yet again to 212.

The Health Ministry on Thursday announced the deaths of two males – both aged 66, from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). They died on Thursday while seeking medical attention at a designated facility.

The two deaths came in quick succession after the death of a 42-year-old male from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) on Wednesday and the death of a 66-yearold woman from Region Four on Tuesday. The Ministry has expressed condolences to the relatives of the dead men and explained that it would monitor their relatives.

Of the 1107 swabs that were taken for analysis on Thursday, 120 returned positive results for COVID-19 thus bringing the total confirmed cases to 9442 – 4856 males and 4586 females.

Some 8430 have since recovered.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

New statistics provided by the Ministry revealed that seven persons remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with 46 in institutional isolation, 747 in home isolation, and eight in institutional quarantine.

Guyana has tested 79, 415 persons thus far.

The new cases were detected across seven administrative regions, with one in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); 11 in Region Three; a whopping 77 in Region Four; eight in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); three in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 17 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-

Child rapist slapped...

FROM PAGE 8

When given a chance to address the court, a crying Laud maintained that he was innocent. He, nevertheless, begged the trial judge to have mercy on him, since he is the sole breadwinner for his family.

In handing down her sentence, Justice Barlow weighed the aggravating and mitigating factors, the facts of the matter, and a victim impact statement.

The only mitigating factor the court found was the fact that Laud was a firsttime offender. The aggravating factors including the manner in which the offenc-

es were committed, and the fact that Laud had breached a position of trust, since he knew the young girl since she was a toddler. The Judge also considered the prosecutor’s submissions.

In the end, Justice Barlow sentenced Laud to 22 years’ imprisonment on the first rape charge, and 25 years on the second one. The sentences are to be served concurrently. Further, the judge ordered that Laud be made to undergo counselling for persons convicted of sexual offences committed on children.

Mazaruni) and three in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

The cases in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remain at 1025, 246, and 436 respectively.

This week, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony stated that for Guyana to lower the age requirements to access the COVID-19 vaccine, there has to be a constant supply for the continuation of the exercise.

The Government’s vaccination programme targets frontline workers, health workers, and the elderly mainly because they are considered to be the most at risk.

The Minister said that the above 60 age requirement

was linked to the fact that those persons were more at risk and an assessment of the fatality trend showed that older persons were falling victim to the virus.

Dr Anthony had added that the challenge was to ensure that the country has an adequate supply of vaccines and they have been working to ensure that the flow of vaccines is constant. He informed that they were also expecting some vaccines through the COVAX mechanism and once those arrive, there would be a reassessment.

Meanwhile, the curfew which forms part of the national COVID-19 measures, will remain the same throughout March, that is from 22:30h (10:30pm) to 04:00h (4am). The national COVID-19 measures also clearly outline that flights from Brazil are prohibited until further notice.

No one is permitted to host or attend a private party, wake or vigil, meeting, fraternity or any other social activity, or go to a club, banquet hall, bar, public swimming pool or water park or cinema except for drive-in movies. Gyms are to operate at 50 per cent capacity while

sporting events are only permitted with approval from the Health Minister.

Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, tiredness, diarrhoea, pains, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell. The more serious symptoms are difficulty breathing or shortness of

breath, chest pain and loss of speech or movement. If persons are experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with a COVID-19 positive person, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.

12 NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

225 TIP cases recorded in 2020 – Police Officers receive training to detect, deal with problem

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he Human Services and Social Security Ministry on Tuesday reported that a total of 225 cases of human trafficking were recorded in 2020.

It was revealed at a workshop earlier in the week aimed at educating traffic ranks to enable them to identify cases of Trafficking In Persons (TIP). The one-day training session was held at the Officers’ Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown.

Senior Probation and Social Services Officer Denise Ralph noted that after the training, the ranks were expected to identify TIP cases and refer them to the relevant authorities, including the Human Services and Social Protection Ministry.

“These very skills will be able to help you combat human trafficking, because we know that human trafficking is a heinous crime. We all need to get on board because we not only work in isolation, but we work

The ranks who attended the TIP training

in collaboration with the Ministerial Task Force and Non-Governmental Organisations…,” she related.

Meanwhile, Counter-Trafficking in Persons Unit (C-TIPU) Coordinator Tanisha WilliamsCorbin related that the 225 cases of TIP that were recorded in 2020 were high, taking into account Guyana’s

population.

“It may sound like a small number, but when you take into consideration Guyana’s population, you can understand why it’s very concerning that in a small country like Guyana, we identify 225 suspected victims of human trafficking. That is just for one year and those are just the re-

ported ones, what about those that went unreported?”

She added that the Ministry and Ministerial Task Force have, over the years, been working assiduously to combat human trafficking, and this training was one of their many initiatives.

Williams-Corbin told the ranks

that the training course was developed back in 2019 – when the Ministry realised the need to have specialised training for traffic ranks.

“We saw the need for this ,because we recognised that majority of the victims who were seen at the time, were transported on our roadways.

What really took us to the drawing board…is that we actually had a victim of trafficking who was rescued.

She said that daily she would traverse over the Harbour Bridge….one day the vehicle was stopped by traffic ranks and she tried to get the attention of the officer but he was not picking up what she was saying,” the C-TIPU Coordinator said.

Meanwhile, GPF Training Officer, Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus explained the programme would be a continuous one ,since members of the Police Force were considered frontline workers and first responders.

NEWS

13

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

India offers fully-funded Charrandas Persaud accredited Guyana’s High scholarships to Guyanese U Commissioner to India

Guyana’s new High Commissioner to India, Charrandas Persaud presented his credentials to President of India, Shri Ramnath Kovind on Thursday

F

ormer Member of Parliament Charrandas Persaud has presented his credentials to President of India, Shri Ramnath Kovind, as Guyana’s new High Commissioner.

The event took place on Thursday in a virtual ceremony in New Delhi.

Persaud, in 2018, voted in favour of the then Opposition-sponsored NoConfidence Motion that evicted the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) from Government.

It was reported that after he cast his vote, Persaud received threats from his former comrades, and, as such, he fled the country to Canada, and returned in 2020, when the PPP/C took office.

Persaud had told reporters that when the historic motion was tabled, he was forced to side with his ‘conscience’ in voting against his party.

Persaud represented Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) in the National Assembly, and was a member of the Alliance For Change (AFC), which joined with the coalition of five parties in APNU to contest and win the May 2015 General and Regional elections. He became a Parliamentarian in May 2015, when the Government was sworn in.

He recalled joining the AFC because he thought that he could have played a role in helping to develop the country and, more particularly, bridge the racial divide.

In a recent interview, the newly appointed Guyanese High Commissioner to India stated that “did not happen, because all we did as AFC…and that’s why now they are so dismantled, they are so disorganised… They don’t know what to do, because they have been shortchanged by the PNC”.

Turning his attention to the five-month protracted delay in announcing

the results of the March 2 polls, Persaud expressed that Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon and former President Granger should apologise to the nation over their party’s attempts to derail the country’s democracy.

“I even challenge David Granger and Joe Harmon to admit to the people that they were wrong to the people; that they lied, because the Statements of Poll were clear that they lost the elections. The only thing they have to do now is to admit to the people…not just to their own supporters, but to the nation.”

According to Persaud, the APNU/AFC cannot be part of the “social bridging” of Guyana unless they “admit to the lies that they have committed, the lies that caused [the] country to be tortured for at least twenty-two months”.

Meanwhile, Persaud related that while he is happy to be back in Guyana, he is still conscious of the fact that his safety is of paramount importance.

Looking ahead, he said: “I am very happy to be back here, and I want to contribute…I know I can contribute towards the development of not just Guyana, but the lives of people in this country, and that was lacking in the Government that I was part of, and so I did my best to change it.”

Persaud had sided with the then Opposition PPP/C and voted in favour of a NoConfidence Motion, resulting in the six-party coalition Administration being crumbled.

But the APNU/AFC had moved to the courts to challenge the validity of the NoConfidence Motion on the basis of Persaud’s dual citizenship and that 34 votes were needed instead of the 33 in the 65-member National Assembly for the successful passage of the motion.

However, after many months of legal battle, the

Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), in June 2019, upheld the ruling of Guyana’s High Court that the motion brought against the Granger-led APNU/AFC Administration was validly passed with the votes of 33 members.

nder the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarship Scheme 20212022, the Government of India is offering fully-funded scholarships to Guyanese.

Nine scholarships are available under this programme for Guyanese nationals, with tuition, stipend, contingent grant, house rent allowance/ accommodation, thesis, dissertation expenses and return international airfare for undergraduate, post-graduate, and post-doctoral research courses.

The Council does not offer admission in medical/ paramedical (nursing/ physiotherapy/anesthesia etc.) nor fashion courses.

Prospective applicants must read all the guidelines before applying for a course.

ICCR Scholarship guidelines can be viewed on the ICCR portal at: http://a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in/assets/site/ docs/Policy%20Guidelines. pdf.

Applicants are advised to visit the websites of preferred universities/ institutes and do thorough research of courses offered, eligibility criteria, and general information about

New Delhi, India (PC: Harri/Fotolia)

each preferred university/ institute before applying for admission.

They should ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria for the course, and should submit all relevant documentation as required by the universities/institutes in addition to the basic certificates mentioned in the online application form.

Applications are to be filled at http://a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in/home/register A recent passport size photograph should be uploaded on the application form.

Copies of all academic qualifications, certificates, and mark sheets, including those

relating to school-leaving examination, along with a certificate of physical fitness in the prescribed form, recommendations/character certificates from existing school as required by the universities, and certified copy of bio-data page of applicant’s valid passport are to be uploaded also.

A printed and signed copy of the application along with copies of all documents uploaded on the portal are also to be submitted to the High Commission of India not later than April 20, 2021.

The High Commission of India is encouraging all eligible Guyanese nationals to avail themselves of these scholarships.

14 NEWS

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

4 seismometers installed to monitor Duo on trial for gold earthquake activities in Region 9 miner’s murder …116 buildings damaged from January’s quake

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our seismometer stations have been installed to consistently monitor ground movements in the Deep South area of the Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), following a devastating 5.9 magnitude earthquake in January.

Since that earthquake struck, the University of Sao Paulo Seismic Center has been working with the local Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and the Public Works Ministry to assess the situation and record data of the current activities.

The earthquake - with a shallow depth of 10 kilometres and an epicentre near Boa Vista in the Brazilian State of Roraima, which borders Lethem - mainly affected the communities such as Katoonarib and

Damage that was caused to the adobe structures as a result of the earthquake

Sawariwaru.

During a briefing on Thursday, it was highlight-

ed that seismometers were installed at high points to collect data since March 5,

2021. The devices are recording earthquakes of smaller magnitudes that are manifesting every day.

According to Daniella Assing of the Geological Services Division of the GGMC, there were difficulties in locating elevated points to install the seismometers.

Nevertheless, officials will be sent to collect data over the coming week, and a fifth station is expected to be installed shortly.

The aim is to record and study the aftershock, since it will occur along the same rupture; interpret ground cracks, and identify secondary ruptures.

Professor Marcelo Sousa de Assumpcao noted that earthquakes are extremely rare in Guyana, given its tectonic location, and he is certain that none will occur in the near future. Moreover, the permanent displacement will not gravely impact close surroundings.

Meanwhile, Head of Inspectorate at the Public Works Ministry, Heidi Gillette, outlined that adobe buildings made primarily from clay bricks suffered severe damages when compared to wooden and concrete structures. In most cases, the walls completely collapsed. Some 47 structures were damaged in Sawariwaru and another 119 in Katoonarib.

Days after the earthquake hit, residents of Katoonarib had said they continued to hear “rumbling sounds”. The South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) had explained that “residents living around the area had not been able to sleep well at nights since the tremor, and reports were also made about cracks on the ground that were slowly widening.

Based on assessments conducted to determine the extent of the damage from the earthquake, it was concluded that Region Nine – which shares a border with Brazil – was the hardest-hit location in Guyana.

– another for the murder of Kaneville man during home invasion

Murder accused Roberto Miggins

Murder accused Rayan Carter

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hree men are presently on trial at the Demerara High Court on separate murder charges.

Rayan Carter, 24, of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), is on trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a jury for the murder of a machine operator who was shot and killed during a robbery at his home.

The charge against Carter states that between December 13, 2017 and January 13, 2018, in the county of Demerara, he murdered 30-year-old Ishwar Ramanah, called “Jack,” of Kaneville, EBD during the course of a robbery. Carter has pleaded not guilty to the offence.

It has been reported that Ramanah was injured after he was shot to his abdomen when two armed men invaded his home just after midnight on December 13, 2017. He died while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital on January 13, 2018.

During the robbery, the machine operator was relieved of a gold chain valued at $40,000 before the bandits made good their escape. The injured man had been taken for emergency attention at a medical facility, and had undergone surgery, but succumbed one month later.

Reports are that the Police were able to recover a spent shell casing at the

Dead: Ishwar Ramanah

crime scene. Carter was subsequently arrested by Police ranks and placed on an identification parade, where he reportedly was positively identified.

In the other case, Roberto Miggins, called “Hot Skull,” and Quasi Benjamin, called “Rambo”, are on trial before Justice Brassington Reynolds for the murder of gold miner Hilton Smith, which occurred on October 14, 2016 at Mazawini Backdam, Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD).

They, too, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

Based on reports, Smith, called “Hilary”, of Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) was shot and killed after a group of men with high-powered rifles pounced on a mining camp and opened fire. This forced workers to run for cover in the nearby bush.

The gunmen reportedly took away a quantity of raw gold. After the gunmen left, Smith’s body was discovered with several gunshot wounds.

In June 2019, Miggins and Benjamin were acquitted of the October 2016 murder of Mario Pozzer, a Brazilian gold miner. The men were discharged after the trial judge upheld no-case submissions made by their lawyers, and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

According to reports, the bullet-riddled body of Pozzer was discovered at 10 Miles, Port Kaituma, next to the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) he used to get to and from his mining camp.

NEWS

15

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Premature baby dies after delivery at city hospital

...young mother wants answers

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family of Bent Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown is demanding answers after a young woman lost her newborn at a private hospital.

On Wednesday, family members lashed out at the well-known medical facility for being more concerned about making money rather than saving lives.

Twenty-year-old Tamera Leslie, a teacher of Lot 53 Bent Street Wortmanville, Georgetown, is calling on the Health Ministry to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of her newborn daughter. It was the young mother’s first child, and she told this publication that it has been a terrifying experience.

Leslie explained that she started to experience labour pains and decided to visit the Georgetown Hospital, but when she arrived, she was made to wait for some time, and, as such, she made a decision to seek private medical care.

The woman recalled that when she arrived at the private hospital, she was taken into a room, where she was

questioned by a doctor on duty. She said that, shortly after, she was seen by a midwife in a separate room, who continued to question her.

Leslie recalled that she was put to lie down, and the nurse began examining her.

At that time, she was told that she was in active labour, and that her child, the membrane and her water bag were intact.

Shortly after, she said, she was told that the mucus plug had come out, and the baby’s head was downwards, and she was ready to deliver.

“She told me that I have to push the baby out, and I told her, ‘No problem’. She asked me how much months I am at, and I told her six months. She then watched at me and told me that I have to deliver the baby, but she is not going to live. I left baffled at why the baby was not going to live…,” the woman said.

The teacher posited that she was instructed to push as soon as she got a contraction, and she complied.

“While I was pushing, she took her finger and was moving it around and pulling.

Tamera Leslie, mother of dead baby

I know that isn’t supposed to be, especially if the baby head was down. I can’t be pushing and you pulling at the same time. Apparently, she didn’t expect the baby to be so big, so she stopped and then she told me to start pushing again,” Leslie explained.

Leslie said that after the nurse delivered her newborn daughter, she placed the infant on a blanket. Leslie insists that at that time the newborn was breathing.

“The baby was breathing.

I saw my baby breathing, because I saw her foot was moving and rib cage was go-

ing in and out, so I know that she was breathing… She put her on the blanket, she started wrapping her, and she was still breathing. When she was finished, she put the baby next to me and she said that the hospital doesn’t keep dead babies; what I will do with it”, Leslie said.

The young woman related that she explained to the midwife that she was not sure what to do, since it was her first pregnancy.

She claimed that during the entire episode, the nurse’s phone kept ringing, and she would stop to take the call.

Leslie further highlight-

ed that after the midwife had delivered the baby, the nurse informed her that the baby had died.

“She didn’t even take me to the delivery room, because that is where they would usually have the oxygen and the incubators… My baby was alive, but how they put it over on the paper was like it was a still birth”.

The young woman contended that employees at the hospital repeatedly questioned whether the family could pay for certain services before they were administered or offered.

In fact, she said, the nurse asked if the family could afford to pay for an incubator, which would have helped to save the infant’s life.

“She kept asking me if I can afford to stay a night here, and get the incubator and so on. In my mind, I am saying, ‘Why is she focusing on if I can afford it? If I couldn’t afford it, I wouldn’t have gone to private’.”

The woman added that her daughter was not confirmed dead by a doctor, and the hospital refused to give her any document to confirm

the child’s death.

She said she was told that she cannot get any official confirmation because the child does not have a name, and she was not a part of the hospital’s clinic.

The family is demanding answers, and they are calling for better oversight into how private healthcare facilities are operating.

Meanwhile, when contacted Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Narine Singh related that he was not aware of the incident, but noted that in cases of maternal deaths, hospitals are required to produce a report within 24 hours.

“If it is an infant, they have to report it, but we haven’t received a report about it. Now that it (is) all over the media, we will ask them to submit a report. When they send that report, we will then launch an investigation”, he said.

Dr Narine added that other than waiting on the hospital to send a report, the family of the dead child can make a complaint at the Ministry of Health, and they will take it from there.

16 NEWS GRDB to assist low-producing rice farmers to increase yields FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…farmers laud Govt’s drainage initiatives

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he Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) was instructed to work with low-yielding rice farmers throughout the country in order to help them achieve greater harvests next crop.

GRDB Director General Madanlall Ramraj tasked the Board with this new undertaking during a Field Day at Cane Grove, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) earlier this week. He indicated that while some farmers are producing up to 60 bags per acre, some are below par with 45 bags per acre. This is while using the GRDB-60 paddy – a superior variety in the country.

“While we are having farmers producing 40, 45, 50 and in some instances 60 bags per acre, this farm is about 45 bags per acre we estimated today. This is a premier variety – the GRDB-60. It means that there is still a lot of work to be done,” Ramraj explained.

As a result, he highlighted that for the low-yielding farmers, a comparative analysis must be prepared in order to increase produc-

tion across the country.

“I’m tasking the GRDB and every extension officer must work with one low-yielding farmer across the country from the land preparation to do a comparative analysis and work with them to ensure that their production increases at the end of the crop,” the Director General posited.

With this being addressed, Ramraj pointed to the paddy bug issue – a persistent challenge in recent years. For this, the official said a long-term solution must be found.

“We have yet to completely address the paddy bug issues. While the damage has been between two to three per cent in some regions; in Region Two, it is about 13 to 15 per cent damage. Farmers still are suffering from the existence of paddy bug. Years come, years ago, we are still to have a concrete way of addressing it. We have to come up with the plan,” the Director General stressed.

Government has maintained that it intends to double rice production within the next five years and has been working with farmers to improve their production with improved infrastructure and technology over the past seven months.

Ramgolam Singh, a rice farmer from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), credited some of his success to the massive amount of drainage and irrigation works that has been done since the new Administration took office.

"Over the last six months, there has been a mass improvement in drainage and irrigation. If you go

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and GRDB Director General Madanlall Ramraj inspect crops during the Field Day

in every area in our Region, whether Black Bush Polder or 52-74 Crabwood Creek, in the front lands, there are several machines…We are seeing a lot of improvement under this new Government because of their commitment to producing food to feed the nation and internationally. Already we are seeing that the price for paddy has gone up a little and the millers in Region Six have upped their price from $45,000 per tonne to $50,000 per tonne,” Singh said.

Some farmers from Region Two, however, said that they had yet to achieve these quantities, but remain optimistic that with good crop husbandry, this could be achieved.

While offering remarks, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said he was pleased with the reports of the high levels of production in most of the rice-producing Regions.

The Minister also said that Government would continue to work with farmers to improve their cultivation and production levels.

“We at the Ministry are working to have consisten-

cy in our yield levels across the country. We must not have an average of 50 bags per hectare in one Region and then 20 bags in another Region. We must refocus our efforts to ensure we employ the kinds of agricultural practices required to achieve higher yields.

Government will also continue to give funds for more research in the sector. If we want to achieve these higher yields, we cannot continue to do things in the same way,” he encouraged.

Farmers were told that the management of the GRDB was being revamped to better serve their needs and those of other stakeholders of the sector.

Mustapha also instructed the Board to procure portable moisture testing instruments to carry out on-thespot testing of paddy, after farmers continued to complain of unfavourable moisture readings for their paddy at the mills.

Noting the success and importance of the event, Minister Mustapha also charged the Board with executing three additional field day exercises before the end of the current crop.

NEWS

17

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Postal Union rejects measly Timeka Marshall leads blood drive in Linden salary increase by GTT — persons urged to donate to fill existing need — writes Chief Labour Officer requesting conciliation G T

he Guyana Postal and Telecommunication Workers’ Union (GPTWU) said it remained appalled by the proposal submitted by GTT in relation to the increase in wages and salaries for workers.

According to Union, GTT has offered an acrossthe-board increase of one per cent in wages and salaries to unionised employees from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, and a measly increase of one and a half per cent for October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022.

The membership supports the Union’s proposal of 13.5 per cent and 11 per cent respectively since over the past five years, GTT has only offered an average of three and a half per cent to its long-serving and dedicated employees.

The GPTWU said, however, GTT has rejected its proposal, and as such, it has been forced to write the Chief Labour Officer requesting conciliation.

“Emanating from the first meeting held on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, it is apparent, at least up to the point of adjournment, the company was not prepared to offer its dedicated, long-serving employees any increase in wages, salaries, and it now becomes obvious that the mantra “together we rise” is a camouflage,” the GPTWU

The GPTWU headquarters

said in a statement to the press.

The Union said that biennially, it would meet with GTT’s management to negotiate wages and salaries, and allowances. It said that GTT has within its employ, highly skilled, dedicated, and long-serving employees who continue to stand and support the company in the face of competition.

The GPTWU added, “The parity of what exists within GTT compared to other companies with a skilled labour force is disheartening.

For decades, increments remain stagnant. Movements within the salary scales appear to be dormant. Salary cuts ranging between five to 10 per cent were implemented for a period of six months (May to October 2020) during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Union noted that

the management of GTT must be cognisant of the reality that Guyana was now an oil-producing nation, and the demand today for experienced and highly skilled labour was much greater. It further noted that this could pose a significant challenge for the company, since local and international companies continue to seek out the cream of the crop that exists.

“The membership is aware that the company continues to make huge profits; profits derived from their hard work and dedication to the tasks. This was evident before the COVID-19 pandemic, and presently. None of the technical departments within the company were closed and members of staff continued to work, with reduced income throughout a six-month period without hesitation or complaint.”

uyanese singer Timeka Marshall on Thursday led a blood donation drive organised through the Health Ministry’s National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) and the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC).

The initiative, which was conducted at the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), was organised in an effort to fill the need which currently exists for safe and effective blood for transfusions.

Speaking at the event, donor attendant Trinese Miller encouraged members of the public to donate while noting that the public’s response was dim.

She nevertheless assured the public that the process is simple and just requires answers to few questions.

Donor attendant Cassie Jordan noted, too, that persons might be skeptical about donating during the pandemic, but assured that the process is safe.

“Why we’re doing this blood donation today is because, as you know, we’re in need of blood. There’s a pandemic going on…accidents… pregnant mothers, children with cancer…and your one donation not only saves one person, but it saves three lives….

At the end of the day, you feel good about donating your one unit of blood”, she said.

Timeka Marshall donating blood on Thursday

Miller noted there are also benefits to persons donating blood.

“For people that donating the blood, some of them may trouble (be suffering) from high blood pressure, so that helps to regulate the pressure, and it helps with cholesterol and calories”, she said.

She added that it also replenishes red blood cells, which decrease your chances of having a heart attack, as she also reassured that donating blood during the pandemic is safe.

“We would’ve liked to see more persons (donating blood) …donating during the pandemic is safe…We’re following all the COVID guidelines.

We sanitise after a person is finished donating. We wear our masks, we also encourage

the persons that are coming to donate to wear their masks and sanitize as well”, Miller said.

The initiative is expected to be hosted regularly.

Meanwhile, Marshall noted that it was her first-time donating blood, and that she was proud to have contributed to the process of saving a life. She also emphasised that the process was quite simple.

“As humans, we may, at some point in our lives, go through something where we may be in need of blood, and we’ve all heard about blood shortage. At least for me, if I ever was in need, I would love for there to be enough blood to help save my life… It’s definitely something I would love to do a lot more in the future”, the songstress said.

Guyana receives $2M in protective Guyana to benefit from US$35M equipment from Israel

maritime training institution

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he Atlantic Ventures Inc (AVI) has partnered with Alexarya Corporation International of India to establish Atlantic-Alexarya Maritime Development Guyana (AAMDG) Inc, with a common purpose of developing Guyana’s growing maritime industry by constructing the Caribbean’s first Marine and Off-Shore Training Institute.

The facility is presently being constructed at Friendship on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

The maritime institute will focus on teaching practical skills to high-calibre seafarers to meet the highest standard of professionalism required in the ever-changing and demanding shipping industry.

The three main academic programmes offered to applicants at AtlanticAlexarya Marine and Offshore Institute are the Pre-Sea Training, Officers Training and the Post-Sea Training.

In addition, a residential facility is available within the grounds of the Institute. Applications are open to individuals not limited to Guyana but from

AAMDG Executives discussions

along with Government officials after

around the Caribbean region.

Upon completion, graduates will be awarded with accredited certificates that will prepare them for careers both on and off shore as seamen, Chief Officers, Captains, merchant marines, or any other job in the marine industry locally and internationally.

This joint venture will see developments in excess of US$35 million within the next five years.

AAMDG will not only facilitate a Marine and Offshore Institute, but plans are already in place for the construction of a shipyard and dry dock to be used for ship building, ship repairs,

and complete ship management.

The tourism sector will also benefit from this largescale investment through the development of river cruise and floating hotels in Guyana’s waters, along with worldwide vessel registrations being done through the company.

Meanwhile, the team from AAMDG has met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GO-Invest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, Public Works Ministers Juan Edghill and Indar Deodat, and Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) Director General Stephen Thomas.

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n Thursday, Guyana received a donation of $2 million worth of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the Government of Israel, to aid in the fight against COVID-19.

Since the pandemic struck the world back in 2020, Israel has made efforts to share resources globally to combat the virus.

The donation – which comprises 100,000 surgical masks, 4600 shoe covers, 4600 surgical caps, 1000 surgical gowns, 5000 KN95 and 20 pulse oximeters – was welcomed by the Georgetown Public Hospital.

During the handing-over ceremony, Health Advisor, Dr Leslie Ramsammy conveyed gratitude on behalf of the Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and the country at large for the timely and generous donation.

He related that the present Health Minister was among the first group of persons to benefit from the relationship between the Governments of Israel and Guyana.

“Dr Anthony graduated with his Master’s in Public Health after studying in Israel and today he is our Minister,” Dr Ramsammy

noted.

Furthermore, he added that the donation of the PPE was a sign of a growing relationship between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the President of the Caribbean Israel Leadership Coalition (CILC), Dr Andre Thomas highlighted that the world was currently facing an unprecedented crisis.

“This can only mirror in the eyes of some people, what happened during World War II and the effect and the displacement it had on general life” he explained.

Nevertheless, Dr Thomas noted that through it all, there has been immense cooperation between nations as they strive to combat the virus universally.

Also speaking at the ceremony was the Israeli Ambassador to Panama, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, Reda Mansour.

The Ambassador posited that the modest donation of the PPE was the sign of the beginning of a fruitful relationship between Guyana and Israel.

“There is a lot to be done here [Guyana], especially in the health sector. Israel is a health leader and we also like to share our “know-

how” in this field… I’m hoping with the health system in Guyana, this will be the first step that will open many other doors of cooperation,” he explained.

Mansour noted that the pandemic has been a historic and symbolic moment for the international community.

On this note, he added that the pandemic has shown that borders have no meaning.

“Something that happens in the other side of the world can affect our nations within hours or days...

We’re hoping that this epidemic will teach us to cooperate more, we will open channels of communication,” he explained.

He further explained that Israel has been sharing vaccines and findings globally, in order to benefit countries and their populations during the pandemic.

Moreover, Mansour noted that Israel was working to strengthen ties and to enhance its relationship with Caricom Member States.

“We want to be in daily contact with you, we want to see in which issues of development we can help and we want to work together to improve the living conditions of all people through sharing of resources,” Mansour related.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021

Regional

Brazil struggles with lack of ICU LaRocque receives 1st Ambassador doctors as pandemic worsens of Kenya to Caricom

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s Brazil’s coronavirus outbreak spirals out of control, the country is facing a dangerous new shortage, threatening to drive fatalities even higher: a lack of staff in Intensive Care Units (ICUs).

Some medical professionals are burned out after months of gruelling, soul-sapping work. Others are simply unable to keep up with the endless flow of critical COVID-19 patients pushing the country’s health-care system to the brink.

“Intensive care doctors are a commodity in short supply,”, Brazilian Medical Association (AMB) President César Eduardo Fernandes told Reuters on Wednesday.

“There’s no way to meet this brutal, catastrophic demand.”

Driven by an infectious new variant, a lack of containment measures, a chaotic federal response and a patchy vaccine rollout, Latin America’s biggest country has become the epicentre of the global pandemic. More than 284,000 Brazilians have died from COVID-19 since

Health worker Debora Castro da Silva treating a COVID-19 positive patient at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Hospital São Paulo in São Paulo, Brazil, March 17, 2021

the start of the pandemic – the highest death toll outside the United States.

Brazil is now accounting for one in every six coronavirus infections reported worldwide, according to a Reuters tally.

It has posted record daily deaths and caseloads this week, even as many countries are beating back the coronavirus with immunisation drives, creating a political crisis for President Jair Bolsonaro and isolating

Brazil internationally.

The country’s health system is buckling, according to the Fiocruz biomedical institute, as ICUs in 25 of 26 states and the federal district are filled beyond 80 per cent capacity. Nineteen state capitals have passed 90 per cent capacity.

On Thursday, the city of São Paulo, Brazil’s affluent business hub, recorded its first death of a patient waiting for a bed in an ICU. (Excerpt from Reuters)

aricom on Thursday accredited the first Ambassador of Kenya to the regional bloc.

Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque, in receiving the credentials of Anthony Mwaniki Muchiri, said the occasion added a new chapter to the 2019 milestone year when Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta visited Jamaica and Barbados, and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley paid a reciprocal visit to Kenya.

A statement from Caricom said during Kenyatta’s visit, he also had discussions with the then Caricom Chairman, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet of St Lucia. The Caricom and Kenyan Foreign Ministers also engaged each other.

“One of the positive outcomes of the visit and those discussions is the provision

by Kenya of office space in Nairobi to accommodate Caricom representation,” LaRocque said during the accreditation ceremony.

“Prime Minister Mottley

The first Kenyan Ambassador to Caricom, Anthony Mwaniki Muchiri (left), and Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque

accepted the generous offer during her visit and arrangements are being finalised so that the office could be occupied in the near future. I look forward to signing the tenancy agreement in the coming weeks,” he added.

The statement said Caricom and Kenya were also actively considering a draft Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of a Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism between the two sides. This in recognition of the significant scope for stronger col-

laboration, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, people-to-people exchanges, and sustainable development.

Plans for Kenya to host a Caricom and Africa Summit in 2020 had to be put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Caricom Heads of Government have also agreed to seek collaboration with the African Union (AU) to co-sponsor a proposed summit with European Heads of Government on the issue of reparations. (Excerpt from Nation News)

World Bank provides US$150M for Trinidad: PDP calls for mediators COVID-19 recovery in Jamaica in power-sharing meeting

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fter power-sharing talks between itself and the People’s National Movement (PNM) flopped on March 17, the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) is suggesting independent mediators be part of future meetings.

In a March 18 release, the party said it was “dis-

appointed” with the first face-to-face meeting and suggested another meeting took place on March 22, at the Assembly Legislature Building. ” Notwithstanding the turn of events, we now call on all 12 Assemblymen to return to the negotiation table; this time with the inclu-

sion of independent mediators,” the release said.

It also noted that both parties should work out the temporary Government arrangement to allow the Tobago Autonomy Bill to be passed in Parliament, triggering fresh elections in Tobago. (Trinidad Guardian)

Mexico warns OAS not to interfere in Bolivia’s internal affairs

Former President Jeanine Anez is accused of participating in a coup to overthrow longtime leader Evo Morales in 2019 [File: Reuters]

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exico’s Foreign Ministry has criticised the Organisation of American States (OAS) for what it described as interference in the internal affairs of Bolivia, where a former President was recently detained on charges of fomenting a coup.

The rebuke of the Washington-based association of Governments across

North and South America followed several duelling statements after the Bolivian Government last weekend imprisoned former President Jeanine Anez along with two of her former Ministers it accused of participating in a coup to overthrow long-time leader Evo Morales in 2019.

Anez, who took over as President when Morales re-

signed following pressure from the military, denies the allegations and says she is the victim of political persecution.

A conservative former Senator, Anez began a fourmonth pre-trial detention on Monday.

The arrest of Anez, who was in power for less than a year after the removal of the left-wing leader, Morales, sparked criticism from the OAS and human rights groups that say judicial channels are being abused for political ends.

In its statement on Wednesday, the OAS called for “credible and impartial trials” and stressed what it described as worsening political interference and corruption in Bolivia’s judicial system.

The statement from Mexico’s Foreign Ministry urged the OAS to refrain from “making unilateral pronouncements in the name of all Member States”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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he World Bank has approved financing of US$150 million for the Jamaica COVID-19 Response and Recovery Development Policy Loan.

According to the Bank, this quick-disbursing financing will help the Government protect the poor and vulnerable, support sustainable business growth and job creation, and strengthen policies and institutions for resilient recovery.

“COVID-19 has had widespread socio-economic impacts and affected every Jamaican, especially the most vulnerable. This financing contributes to Jamaica’s efforts to manage the impact of the crisis and move forward towards a resilient recovery. The operation supports the expansion of the country’s social protection programmes to benefit women and men disproportionately affected by the crisis and introduces a social pension for the elderly. It also supports measures for the

recovery of affected businesses,” said World Bank Resident Representative for Jamaica and Guyana, Ozan Sevimli.

Noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to Jamaica’s deepest economic contraction in decades owing in part to the drop in tourism earnings, which account for more than 30 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, and one third of jobs, the Bank said the loan also includes initiatives to

help firms cope with the economic shock, such as through measures like the provision of grants and cash transfers to affected businesses.

It will support reforms to strengthen financial institutions for sustainable economic recovery and greater climate resilience and support Jamaica’s climate change priorities, including the adoption of stronger commitments on greenhouse gas emissions, the Bank said.

(Jamaica Observer)

Barbadian man shot and killed in Chicago

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5 1 - y e a r - o l d Barbadian man was shot and killed in Chicago’s West Side on Sunday morning.

WGN in Chicago says Merlyn McCallister was walking the family dog when he was shot around 07:00h. His wife of 25 years, Rosie, heard the three shots and went outside to see the dog pacing and her husband

lying on the ground.

He was shot in the abdomen.

McCallister was taken to Loyola Hospital where he passed away later that same day.

The couple raised their three children in the North Major district where he was shot.

McCallister migrated from Barbados in 1989 and

worked in construction since the 1990s. His wife was puzzled by the incident. She said he did not drink, smoke or do drugs; he worked, helped neighbours, and walked the dog.

She appealed to anyone with knowledge of the incident.

A Go Fund Me has been set up to help the family.

(Nation News)

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil sees biggest singleday loss since April 2020

O

il prices began crashing on Thursday afternoon, falling nearly nine per cent.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slid 8.68 per cent to US$58.99 per barrel by 4:04pm ET, while Brent had slipped 8.01 per cent to US$62.55 per barrel. It is the biggest drop in absolute terms since April 2020, when oil slipped into negative territory.

Analysts have been volleying predictions during the recent price rally, with bulls signalling there is more room to run, making proclamations of a coming supercycle. Others, more cautious in their outlooks, have warned for a couple of weeks that the optimism present in the oil markets were unjustified.

The recent rally was largely on the back of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries-plus (OPEC+) production cuts—or rather, the fact that they agreed to hold production steady in April, instead of ramping up production as the market had anticipated. The passing of the third round of stimulus in the United States had also bolstered oil market sentiment.

But a rising dollar, increased crude inventories in the US, growing fears of a resurgence in coronavirus cases and vaccine safety concerns in Europe have proven worthy adversaries.

Those concerns are linked directly to oil demand resurgence. And markets were viewing this demand picture as less favourable on Thursday, as shown by crude futures which show the market backwardation is waning.

WTI’s front-month contract is once again trading at a discount to the following month.

WTI crude April contract is now trading at US$59.46 per barrel, while the May contract is trading at US$59.57. WTI’s April contract is now down US$5.14 on the day.

This is the fifth day in a row for oil price declines and the biggest drop in absolute terms since April 2020. (Oilprice.com)

COVID-19: Paris in lockdown as France fears “3rd wave”

Some 1200 people are said to be in intensive care in hospitals across Paris

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he French capital Paris is set to go into a month-long COVID-19 lockdown as the country fears a third wave.

Another 15 regions in the country will also be placed under the same measures from midnight today.

These measures will not be as strict as the previous lockdown, Prime Minister Jean Castex said, with people allowed to exercise outdoors.

France has recorded more than 35,000 new cases within the past 24 hours.

Castex said a "third wave" of infections in the country was looking increasingly likely.

The situation in Paris is particularly worrying with 1200 people in intensive care there, more than at the peak of the second wave in

November, Health Minister Olivier Veran said.

Under the new measures, non-essential businesses will be forced to close, but schools will remain open.

People will be allowed to exercise outdoors within 10km (six miles) of their home and are not allowed to travel to other parts of the country unless they have a valid reason. Those in the affected areas will have to fill out a form to explain why they have left their homes.

France's nationwide curfew will remain in place.

However, it will begin an hour later at 19:00h (18:00 GMT), taking into account the longer hours of daylight.

Fears of a third wave come as the French government faces criticism for its slow vaccine rollout. (Excerpt from BBC News)

EU States to resume AstraZeneca vaccine rollout

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he European Union's leading states are to restart their roll-out of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine after Europe's medicines regulator concluded it was "safe and effective".

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) reviewed the jab after 13 EU States suspended use of the vaccine over fears of a link to blood clots.

It found the jab was "not

associated" with a higher risk of clots.

Emer Cooke, the agency's executive director, told a news conference: "This is a safe and effective vaccine."

"Its benefits in protecting people from COVID-19 with the associated risks of death and hospitalisation outweigh the possible risks."

Germany, France, Italy, and Spain said they would resume using the jab.

It is up to individual EU states to decide whether and when to re-start vaccinations using the AstraZeneca vaccine. Sweden said it needed a "few days" to decide.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday called on countries to continue using the vaccine, and is due to release the results of its own review into the vaccine's safety today.

The agency's investigation focused on a small number of cases of unusual blood disorders. In particular, it was looking at cases of cerebral venous thrombosis –- blood clots in the head.

Decisions to suspend use of the vaccine sparked concerns over the pace of the region's vaccination drive, which had already been affected by supply shortages.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Global warming could cut over 60 countries' credit ratings by 2030, study warns

A

new algorithm-based study by a group of United Kingdom universities has predicted that 63 countries – roughly half the number rated by the likes of S&P Global, Moody’s and Fitch – could see their credit ratings cut because of climate change by 2030.

Researchers from Cambridge University, the University of East Anglia and London-based SOAS looked at a “realistic sce-

nario” known as RCP 8.5, where carbon and other polluting emissions continue rising in coming decades.

They then looked at how the likely negative impact of rising temperatures, sea levels and other climate change effects on countries’ economies and finances might affect their credit ratings.

"We find that 63 sovereigns suffer climate-induced downgrades of approximately 1.02 notches

by 2030, rising to 80 sovereigns facing an average downgrade of 2.48 notches by 2100," the study here released on Thursday said.

The hardest hit countries included China, Chile, Malaysia, and Mexico which could see six notches of downgrades by the end of the century, as well as the United States, Germany, Canada, Australia, India, and Peru that could see around four.

“Our results show that

virtually all countries, whether rich or poor, hot or cold, will suffer downgrades if the current trajectory of carbon emissions is maintained.”

The study also estimated that as rating cuts usually increase countries’ borrowing costs in international markets, the climate-induced downgrades would add US$137–US$205 billion to countries’ annual debt service payments by 2100. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US, China kick off “tough” talks in Alaska with rare public rebukes

T

he United States and China levelled sharp rebukes at each other’s policies in the first high-level, in-person talks of the Biden Administration on Thursday, with deeply strained relations of the two global rivals on rare public display during the meeting’s opening session in Alaska.

The United States is looking for China to change its behaviour if it wants to reset sour relations, but Beijing has said Washington is full of illusions if it thinks it will compromise.

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan opened their meeting with China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi and State Councillor Wang Yi in Anchorage, fresh off of

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (second right), joined by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (right), speaks while facing Yang Jiechi (second left), director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office, and Wang Yi (left), China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister, at the opening session of USChina talks at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska, US, March 18, 2021

Blinken’s visits to allies Japan and South Korea.

“We will ... discuss our

deep concerns with actions by China, including in Xinjiang, Hong Kong,

Taiwan, cyberattacks on the United States, economic coercion of our allies,” Blinken said in unusually blunt public remarks at the top of the first meeting.

“Each of these actions threaten the rules-based order that maintains global stability,” he said.

Sullivan said the United States did not seek conflict with China, but would stand up for principles and friends.

Yang launched into a long speech, lashing out about what he said was the United States’ struggling democracy and poor treatment of minorities.

The two sides appear primed to agree on very little at the talks, which were expected to continue today.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Military tightens grip in Myanmar as more international sanctions loom

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housands of opponents of military rule in Myanmar marched in the town of Natmauk, the birthplace of revered national hero Aung San, on Thursday in defiance of a crackdown by security forces, local media reported.

Demonstrations also took place in other towns and cities, with security forces killing three people, an activist group said. The authorities placed further restrictions on Internet services, ham-

Protesters run during a crackdown on anti-coup protests at Hlaing Township in Yangon, Myanmar, March 17, 2021.

pering protesters’ ability to organise.

The move left Myanmar more isolated just as the European Union prepared to impose sanctions on the military over the February 1 coup that ousted the elected Government of Aung San Suu Kyi – the daughter of Aung San. Security forces have used increasingly violent tactics to suppress daily demonstrations. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021

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ARCHIE

Keep your mind on what’s important. Be re(March 21- sponsible and finish what April 19) you start. Keep your cool, and refuse to get into an argument. Putting your energy where it counts will bring you the highest return.

ARIES

Your best bet is to carry on with your responsibil(April 20ities, regardless of what othMay 20) ers decide to do. Today is about what you accomplish, not convincing others to do things your way.

TAURUS

DILBERT

Stretch your imagination, GEMINI (May 21- but don’t let gullibility be your June 20) downfall. Look for opportunities to show off what you have to offer without giving someone the chance to take control or steal your ideas.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Associate with people who have as much to offer as you do. Strive for equality at work, and don’t feel you have to pick up and follow someone you don’t agree with or like.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

If you don’t like a situation you encounter, step away. Your happiness is up to you, so make a point to surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Learn all you can and follow a path that’s in your best interest. Use your skills to improve your lifestyle and your relationships. Home improvements should make your life better, not more stressful.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Complete your responsibilities, and move on to pastimes that encourage you to relax and enjoy the people you love most.

Refuse to let anyone back you into a corner or push you into an emotional argument.

Think matters through and make changes that will help you put an end to uncertainty. It’s time to focus on what’s possible and look for creative ways to build a life that offers you peace of mind.

Look at every angle. Don’t SAGITTARIUS promise anything you cannot (Nov. 23deliver. Refuse to let someDec. 21) one’s emotional manipulation affect you. Stick to a plan that works for you, regardless of what others want you to do.

Stand up for your be-

CAPRICORN liefs. Offer insight, hope and (Dec. 22help to people who are open Jan. 19) to turning over a new leaf.

Walk away from emotionally draining situations and seek out positive people.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Listen and learn. Don’t take part in conversations that will promote more harm than good. Be positive, diligent and committed, and your reputation will precede you.

Live and let live. Stay out PISCES of other people’s business, (Feb. 20- and keep others from interMarch 20) fering in yours. Distance yourself from aggressive and unpredictable situations, and focus on making positive changes.

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021

21

Yadav, bowlers help India make it 2-2 I

ndia broke the trend of win toss-bat second-win game, squeezing out a thrilling eightrun win in the fourth T20I against England on Thursday after being asked to bat first. The two teams will now head into the final game with the series 2-2.

There was high drama and great skill on display with bat and ball, and a spot of umpiring controversy in a match that packed plentiful action in 20 overs across both innings.

In his first time batting for India, Suryakumar Yadav made a splash few will forget, topscoring with a rollicking 57 off 31 that turbo-charged India's start.

His innings and his dismissal will vie for headline space with each other, though.

Yadav was rattling along at more than 11 runs per over when he top-edged a sweep to deep backward square leg, where Dawid Malan got to the ball even as it was dipping down.

Numerous replays later, Yadav was adjudged out, with the third umpire ruling that there wasn't enough evidence to overturn the on-field soft signal of 'out'.

Yadav's departure in the 14th over left the game delicately poised, but Shreyas Iyer launched into perhaps his best T20I innings yet, with a sparkling 37 off 18 that gave India a total that was above par, even though this was the best batting pitch of the series and there was dew around.

England's reply progressed in fits and starts, Jason Roy shrugging off a slow start to lay into the bowling, and then Ben Stokes unleashing his power at the back end; but India's bowlers showed excellent control with a ball that was getting wetter, sticking to their lengths and varying their pace.

England's chase looked in control when Stokes was blazing away, but a double-wicket over from Shardul Thakur sent back Stokes and Eoin Morgan, swinging the momentum decisively India's way.

A glimpse of Dawid Malan's controversial catch to dismiss Suryakumar Yadav

by the time he had pirouetted.

As statements of intent go, it was tough to top that one.

Yadav continued with the same intent, if not at the same strike rate, but his bustle meant India had an ingredient that had been missing in their two defeats batting first in the series: a non-sputtering scoreboard up top. Yadav was imperious while driving, expertly skilful in manipulating the field when scoring runs behind the wicket, and nerveless in his shot-making.

If there were any butterflies about batting in an India shirt for the first time, they were well hidden. softly signalled out Sam Curran was brought on for his first over in the 14th of the innings, and his first ball was swept disdainfully over fine leg.

Yadav attempted to repeat that shot next ball, but only got a top edge. Malan ran forward and grabbed the ball very low, while still going forward with palms facing down. The decision was referred to the third umpire, with the soft signal on-field being 'out'.

Replays seemed to suggest the ball had touched the turf,

The Hardik Pandya gambit Virat Kohli gambled by throwing Hardik Pandya the new ball, and Pandya responded by bowling two overs in the powerplay while giving up only five runs.

Jason Roy took nine balls to get off the mark, and at the other end, Bhuvneshwar Kumar removed Jos Buttler in the third over. Roy got a couple of streaky

Stokes smashes, Shardul strikes England's depth meant they were still not out of it, even when the asking rate ballooned to almost 12 an over, with the team 79 for 3 in 11 overs. Stokes, who hasn't quite hit his batting stride so far in the series, started less than fluently, but a mow down the ground that went at light speed off Sundar at the start of the 12th over kicked him into high gear.

Stokes began to find his timing and his range, while Jonny Bairstow was doing the same after an indifferent start.

Even after Bairstow fell to Rahul Chahar - given an opportunity instead of Yuzvendra Chahal in this game - Stokes didn't slow down.

With England needing 46 from the last four, and Stokes having Eoin Morgan alongside, the visiting side were favourites.

Thakur changed that within two balls, having both men caught mis-hitting slower balls. Thakur, who had shown an excellent

with Malan not having any fingers underneath it, but third umpire Virender Sharma ruled there w a s n ' t enough conclusive

repertoire of slower balls in the third T20I, brought his variety into play once again, and was difficult to line up.

Once England had lost both Stokes and Morgan, India didn't let the advantage slip.

(ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD INDIA INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Rohit Sharma c & b Archer 12 KL Rahul c Archer b Stokes 14 Suryakumar Yadav c Malan b Curran 57 Virat Kohli (c) st †Buttler 1 b Rashid Rishabh Pant † b Archer 30 Shreyas Iyer c Malan b Archer 37 Hardik Pandya c Stokes b Wood 11 Shardul Thakur not out 10 Washington Sundar 4 c Rashid b Archer Bhuvneshwar Kumar not out 0 Extras (lb 5, w 4) 9 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 9.25) 185/8 Did not bat: Rahul Chahar Fall of wickets: 1-21 (Rohit Sharma, 3.4 ov), 2-63 (KL Rahul, 7.4 ov), 3-70 (Virat Kohli, 8.4 ov), 4-110 (Suryakumar Yadav, 13.2 ov), 5-144 (Rishabh Pant, 16.2 ov), 6-170 (Hardik Pandya, 18.5 ov), 7-174 (Shreyas Iyer, 19.1 ov), 8-179 (Washington Sundar, 19.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W 4-1-39-1 Adil Rashid 4-0-3-4 Jofra Archer Mark Wood 4-1-25-1 4-0-41-0 Chris Jordan 3-0-26-1 Ben Stokes

Sam Curran

1-0-16-1

ENGLAND INNINGS (TARGET: 186 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Jason Roy c Yadav b Pandya 40 Jos Buttler † c Rahul b Kumar 9 Dawid Malan b Chahar 14 Jonny Bairstow c Washington 25 Sundar b Chahar Ben Stokes c Yadav b Thakur 46 Eoin Morgan (c) c Washington Sundar b Thakur 4 3 Sam Curran b Pandya Chris Jordan c Pandya b Thakur 12 Jofra Archer not out 18 Adil Rashid not out 0 Extras (lb 2, w 4) 6 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.85) 177/8 Did not bat: Mark Wood Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Jos Buttler, 2.5 ov), 2-60 (Dawid Malan, 7.5 ov), 3-66 (Jason Roy, 8.5 ov), 4-131 (Jonny Bairstow, 14.5 ov), 5-140 (Ben Stokes, 16.1 ov), 6-140 (Eoin Morgan, 16.2 ov), 7-153 (Sam Curran, 17.6 ov), 8-177 (Chris Jordan, 19.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-1-30-1 4-0-16-2 Hardik Pandya 4-0-42-3 Shardul Thakur Washington Sundar 4-0-52-0 4-0-35-2 Rahul Chahar

Tokyo Games creative head quits over 'Olympig' insult

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Suryakumar Yadav hitting his first ball in international cricket for a six (BCCI)

Yadav begins with a bang He had waited for a long time to make his debut for India. He waited some more before he got to actually bat. And when he did, he ensured his first time batting for India wouldn't be forgotten.

With Jofra Archer - one of England's two thunderbolt deliverers - pounding in a 144 kph back-of-length ball at his ribs, Yadav coolly moved inside the line, and hoicked a pull shot over fine leg, front leg in the air

evidence to overturn the soft signal, and Yadav had to go.

It could have derailed India's innings, but Iyer came out and peppered the square and straight boundaries with elan, not only ensuring the run-rate or morale didn't flag, but also keeping India on course for a winning total. The surge at the death was reined in slightly towards the end, as Archer finished with T20I best figures of 4 for 33, while Mark Wood was menacingly impressive once again in his 1 for 25.

boundaries away before breaking free when Washington Sundar came on.

What India's bowlers did well though, was in not letting England string together a sequence of heavy-duty overs. When England looked like stepping on it, the bowlers reined them back in.

Pandya bowled his third and fourth overs well-spaced-out, one in the middle and one at the death, but each time his changes of pace foxed batsmen.

He ended with 2 for 16 in four overs in a game where the average run-rate was over nine. What England might have thought of as the bowler they could target turned into one who had the most economical figures in the match.

okyo Olympics' creative chief has resigned after suggesting that a female comedian could appear as an "Olympig", in the latest setback for the Games.

Hiroshi Sasaki said plus-size entertainer Naomi Watanabe could wear pig ears at the opening ceremony.

He later apologised and admitted his remarks were "a huge insult" to her. Ms Watanabe has yet to respond.

The incident comes after ex-Games president Yoshiro Mori was forced to quit for making sexist remarks.

"There was a very inappropriate expression in my ideas and remarks," Mr Sasaki said in a statement released through the Games’ organising committee.

Tokyo Olympics creative head Hiroshi Sasaki will resign after making derogatory comments about a comedienne

"I sincerely apologise to her and people who have felt discomfort with such content."

Ms Watanabe, 33, is one of Japan's most famous comedians, and is known for her celebrity impersonations and body positivity advocacy work.

In recent years she has spearheaded a body positive movement called "pochakawaii", which translates to "chubby and

cute", and in 2014 she started one of Japan's first brands to offer plus-size clothing.

Mr Sasaki, 66, who is in charge of the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, had made the suggestions involving Watanabe last year via a group chat on messaging app Line. The proposal was immediately rejected by his colleagues, who told him it was inappropriate.

His resignation came shortly after weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun reported his remarks on Wednesday.

Organisers have said that current Games president Seiko Hashimoto had planned to address the matter at a news conference on Thursday.

Former Olympian and Japan's ex-Olympics minister Ms Hashimoto was appointed Games President last month after Mr Mori sparked backlash when he said that women talk too much. He also said that meetings with many female board directors would "take a lot of time".

Since taking on the role, Ms Hashimoto has pledged to make gender equality a top priority at the Games, adding 12 female directors to the organising committee's executive board. (BBC Sport)

22 RHTY&SC cricket teams continue to make a positive difference in Berbice

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he ten cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS, continue to make a huge difference in the Ancient County of Berbice.

The teams: Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Poonai Pharmacy 12, Under 13, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under 19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, NAMILCO Under 21 and First Division, over

the last three weeks have assisted several cricket clubs, the Berbice Cricket Board and religious organisations as part of their community outreach programme.

The teams are mandated every year by the club’s management to make a positive difference in the lives of others as part of their personal development programme and also as brand ambassadors of the different sponsors of the

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers…

COVID-19 restrictions, injuries prove challenging for T&T

T

RHTY&SC Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu handing over items to Mayor of Rose Hall Town, Dave Budhu

Club member Surendra Kissoonlall handing over donation to Mr Outar of Glasgow South Cricket Club

rinidad and Tobago's senior national football team will be minus several of their key players based in Europe and the United States for the FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches against Guyana and Puerto Rico.

At a press conference at the Media Room of the Ato Boldon Stadium on Wednesday, coach Terry Fenwick lamented the team's difficult position ahead of its opening match against Guyana on March 25 and then in the Dominican Republic three days later (March 28) in Puerto Rico, either due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions or injuries.

"It's a difficult situation," Fenwick described it as, noting that back at home over-lapping defender Alvin Jones will also be unavailable after picking up an injury in Monday's friendly game against Defence Force.

Also, missing is the new Columbus Crew signing Kevin Molino, who has a hamstring injury.

However, Sheldon Bateau, who plays for Mechelen in the Belgian Pro League will provide a key presence in the central defence for the team in the Guayna match, along with the experience of Aubery David, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Neval Hackshaw and Joven Jones.

According to Fenwick, who named a squad of 26 players: “A lot of the European guys will not be able to play in Puerto Rico so obviously that is a big concern, so our administration and technical staff this afternoon will iron out and organise the numbers that

we need to travel with in case we have to use more local players for the Puerto Rico game coming up only three days after the game against Guyana across the road.”

It is also understood that midfielders Andre Boucaud and Daniel Phillips, defender Bateau, forward Levi Garcia and goalkeeper Nicholas Frenerup cannot play the Puerto Rico game because the European countries which these players ply their trade face quarantine restrictions to enter United States territory.

However, Fenwick will have steady defensive midfielder, captain Khaleem Hyland in his side, as well as a hard-working squad of players, some of whom got the opportunity to play against the United States in the friendly match on January 31 in Orlando Florida, USA that ended 7-0 in the US favour.

According to Fenwick: "I want to be able to put men out on the pitch. Guys who are prepared to go out there and get a good result for T&T, sticking together and keeping everything at arm's length."

The T&T team will leave on Thursday for the Dominican Republic, still hoping to at least get a friendly match and any opposition. They are in Group F of the qualifiers with Puerto Rico, Bahamas and St Kitts/Nevis, needing to win the group to advance.

After playing the Guyanese on March 25, they face Puerto Rico (March 28) away, Bahamas on June 5 (away), before they face St Kitts/Nevis at home. (TT Guardian)

club. Among the organisations that benefited were the Berbice Cricket Board, Kildonan Cricket Club, Glasgow South Cricket Club, Topoo Hindu Mandir, Rose Hall Town Council, and the St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church.

The teams donated three special prizes to the Kildonan and Glasgow South Cricket teams for the hosting of a fundraising raffle for each club.

The Glasgow South CC was only recently formed and had approached the RHTY&SC for assistance, while the Kildonan CC, under new leadership, is seeking to return to its former glory.

The Topoo Hindu Mandir had sought and received a volleyball net for the mandir youth section. The BCB received a donation of trophies to assist it to host cricket tournaments, while 80 cricket clubs received more than $300,000 worth of score books.

The St Francis Xavier Roman

Catholic Church received a financial donation, while the teams also obtained five special prizes worth about fifty thousand dollars for a fundraising raffle for the church’s graveyard fencing project.

In their ongoing effort to assist the Mayor and Town Council to develop Guyana smallest township, the ten teams handed over security torch lights, clocks, a cordless phone, stationery, and a financial donation to purchase some items for the council’s security office.

The Chesney Mandir received a large foamboard on request, while the Bal Nivas Home for Children received a set of softball cricket bats and balls. Members of the team also visited the home recently to teach the boys at the home how to play the game.

Three senior citizens requested financial assistance for medical care and were assisted, while the teams also

provided food hampers to dozens of residents across the county who had sought their assistance. The teams and club management also installed close to 30 street lights in the township as part of their Say No to Crime project, and are currently working on a special project to distribute more than 1,000 kites to less fortunate children for Easter 2021.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that it was very important for RHTY&SC, MS, to learn the benefits of making a positive difference and to continue the club’s tradition of reaching out to other organisations in times of need.

Captain of the Pepsi Under 19 team, Jonathan Rampersaud, has expressed pleasure at being able to assist his fellow Berbicians. The 17-year-old University of Guyana student has said that one of the benefits of being a RHTY&SC member was been able to reach out and touch the lives of others.

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Arsenal lose, but progress to Europa league Quarterfinals

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rsenal were given a scare by Olympiakos but had enough from the first leg to beat the Greek side on aggregate and reach the Europa League last eight.

Leading 3-1 from the game in Greece, the Gunners were comfortable throughout the first half in London.

Some nerves began to show after Youssef El-Arabi's shot found the net via a deflection off Gabriel to give the visitors hope of repeating last season's shock - when they knocked the Gunners out of the Europa League in the last 32 by scoring in the final minute of extra time at Emirates Stadium.

However, Olympiakos were unable to build on El-Arabi's goal as Arsenal managed the remainder of the tie adequately to progress, helped by a red card shown to Ousseynou Ba for dissent late on.

They will discover their quarter-final opponents when the draw is made in Switzerland at 12:00 GMT on Friday.

Arsenal disappointing but achieve their objective Arsenal have developed a habit of making life hard for themselves under Mikel

Arteta.

Once again, they were their own worst enemies at Emirates Stadium with a tame and occasionally sloppy secondleg display that offered the incentive to their opponents.

Thankfully for the Gunners, most of the heavy lifting for this win had been done in the first leg in Pireas, where late goals from Gabriel and Mohamed Elneny made amends for some poor defending which allowed the Greek side to briefly regain parity in the tie.

That frailty at the back resurfaced again in London, though, with Dani Ceballos' loose pass allowing the Greek side to set up El-Arabi for his goal.

The Morocco striker could also have scored before then to offer an earlier incentive to the visitors, but Bernd Leno's save made amends for the lax

defending that allowed him to get within sight of the target from a long ball.

The poor Gunners

defending was allied with a profligacy in attack.

Pepe could have settled the tie for good after beating the onrushing keeper but saw his subsequent finish from an angle deflected just wide by a covering defender.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, recalled after being left out of Sunday's north London derby win over Tottenham for breach of "prematch protocol", could have had a hat-trick and certainly should have taken at least one of the numerous good chances that came his way.

Arteta has called for his side to demonstrate better game management - and while the Spaniard was visibly angered by some of the choices his side made after the

deadlock had been broken, he can take some satisfaction from the fact they were able to draw the sting out of the Greek champions after El-Arabi scored.

The fight had already drained somewhat from Olympiakos, but Ba's dismissal - courtesy of a second yellow for throwing the ball down in disgust following a foul eradicated it.

It was a far from perfect display but more than enough to ensure that the Gunners remain in the hunt for a European trophy and the sought-after prize of a Champions League place that comes with it. (BBC Sport)

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sri Lanka-CWI President's XI clash ends in draw after day 2 fifties from Mayers, Chase

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he two-day warm-up only eight and his 102match between Sri run partnership with Lanka and Cricket Darren Bravo (30), West Indies President's who failed to add XI ended in a draw at the to his overnight Coolidge Cricket Ground score, concluded in Antigua.

Resuming at 111-2.

Mayers and the day on 103-1, CWI President's XI reached a Chase added 76 decent 294 all out in 81.2 runs for the overs. In Sri Lanka second fourth wicket.

Mayers innings, they were 56-0 when the match ended in was aggresa draw on Thursday after- sive in his approach, noon. a In addition to Shai scoring Hope, with 68, Kyle Mayers fluent 57 (57) and Roston Chase from 66 (52) highlighted the bat- b a l l s . ting for the West Roston Chase Indians. Hope, who resumed the day on 60, added

Captain Chase, who had four wickets in the first innings, showed why he should be selected for the first Test against Sri Lanka, scoring a brisk 52 from 81 balls as the President's XI posted 294.

O f f spinner

Dananjaya DeSilva bagged 3-26, while left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya had 3-69.

Paceman Suranga Lakmal warmed up well with 2-14 in ten overs as the Sri Lankans aim to preserve his body.

In Sri Lanka's second innings, the openers look settled with captain Dimuth Karunarante scoring an unbeaten 27 and Lahiru Thirmanne made 23 when the match ended. The Sri Lankans will now focus on the first Test which bowls off on Sunday March 21 in North Sound Antigua.

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Dananjaya DeSilva took three wickets for Sri Lanka

Fowler, Seaton ‘miss the whistle’ in Argentina

BCB Grassroot tournaments 2021...

Canje Titans takes home Appiah Challenge Championship

The Canje Titans CC pose with the Mukesh Appiah Trophy

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he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) continues to push ahead with its packed 2021 Cricket Season with the hosting of another two grassroot tournaments. The Lillian Nandu Memorial Challenge Cup was played at the historic Port Mourant Ground while the Mukesh Appiah Grassroot Cup was hosted at the Kendall’s Union N0.19 Ground.

With the successful hosting of the two tournaments, the BCB has now successfully completed nine of the ten grassroot tournaments, it had announced one month ago. The objectives of the tournaments are to bring back the passion for the game after an absence of over a year, to identify new talents and to allow smaller clubs an opportunity to win

a BCB cricket title.

Over at the No.19 Kendall’s Union Ground, Canje Titans created history by winning their first ever BCB title by defeating Kendall’s Union Sports Star by 20 runs in the Mukesh Appiah Grassroot Challenge Cup. In the opening game, Canje Titans defeated Kendall’s Union C.C while Kendall’s Sports Star got pass No1 Road CC. Canje Titans batted first in the finals and amassed 123 for 7 from fifteen overs. Clifton Lindee top scored with 53 and received support from Imran Harrianadass 26. S. Baker 2 for 14 and F. Cuttie 2 for 17 was main bowlers for the Kendalls Union Sports Club.

Needing to score 124 from 15 overs to win their first

ever BCB title Kendall’s Union team was dismissed for 103 all out in 14.2 overs as Imran Hoosein 2 for 30, Cleshawn Cort 2 for 25 and M. Malcolm 3 for 19 bowled well for Canje Titans. Only S. Baker 17, E. Garnett 26 and R. Baker 11 offered any resistance to the visitors, who celebrated their first ever BCB title in fine style.

BCB Secretary Angela Haniff expressed gratitude to Arjune Nandu and Mukesh Appiah for their support. She stated that the one remaining tournament would be played off this weekend at the Bush Lot Village ground.

Bush Lot United , Bush Lot Rising Star, Achievers and Dedward CC would clash for the Troy Halley Challenge Cup.

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Leon Seaton

here is still work to be done on the part of the Guyanese swimming pair of Andrew Fowler and Leon Seaton, as they hope to make the mark for this year’s Tokyo Summer Olympics.

The pair, this week, tested their skills at the Confederación Sudamericana de Natación (CONSANAT) South American Swimming and Diving Championships, which they are hoping to use as preparation for (and possibly a qualifying opportunity) for the July- August Games.

Their campaign which commenced on Tuesday, was not as impressive as they’d hope but Fowler and Seaton are yet to compete in another event today, before wrapping up their stint at the Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Their third and final event will be the Men’s 50m Butterfly, after they participated in the 50m and 100m Freestyle earlier in the week.

The locals first competed in the Men’s 100m freestyle but failed to improve on their timing as they seek to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Seaton turned in a time of 56.05s while Fowler stopped

Andrew Fowler

the clock at 56.33s. Prior to the race, Seaton entered with a seed of 55.27s while Fowler’s best time was 54.10s.

However, none of those times were sufficient enough to hit the Olympic Standard for the event which is set at 48.57s.

In that race, Venezuelan’s Quintero Valero won in a time of 49.57s ahead of Brazil’s Peixoto Martins (49.70s) and Valero’s teammate, Mestre Vivas, who was third with a time of 49.82s. The race which had 25 competitors saw Seaton and Fowler finish in 23rd and 24th, respectively.

Their second event was the 50m Freestyle which was won

by Argentine Rober Strelkov in a time of 24.39s while Brazilians Melo Baganha (25.54s) and Dias Perseguin (24.55s) were second and third.

In that event, Fowler stopped the clock at 27.48s while Seaton swam a time of 28.62s, both failing to beat their seeds of 26.45s and 28.41s; another performance that place them in the cellar position. The qualifying standard for the 50m Freestyle is a staggering 22.01s.

Meanwhile, the qualifying standard for the 50m Butterfly in 51.96s. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has set the deadline for qualification to the games at May 30, 2021.

It is believed that the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) will look into having the pair, along with Jamila Sanmoogan, embark on other qualifying stints with a goal of reaching the July 23 to August 8 Olympic Games.

FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 2021

Sri Lanka Page -CWI 21 President’s XI clash ends in draw after day 2 fifties from Mayers, Chase

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

Fowler, Seaton ‘miss the whistle’ in Argentina Page 21

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