Guyana Times - Friday November 27, 2020

Chile pledges support to Guyana in developing "successful" agro-industry – Ambassador Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4482

P17

THE BEACON OF TRUTH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

Agreements in security, agriculture sectors inked with Brazil

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Man gets 20 years for killing pensioner P5 during sex act

Page 3

P5 Prisoners stabbed during argument at Lusignan Prison

...Guyana-Brazil road link back on agenda ...Guyana-Brazil — Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro to visit Guyana, next year

President of Guyana Dr Irfaan Ali in discussion with the visiting Brazilian delegation at the Office of the President on Thursday. Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Ernesto Araújo is at centre

President Ali announces 2-week bonus for health-care workers See story on page 9

Jagdeo urges Diaspora to capitalise on “enormous opportunities” from booming oil sector Page 7

Another company returns State land to NICIL

— says receiving land put it in an “uncomfortable” position

Good Intent woman stabbed to death — 4-year-old-granddaughter by drug-addict son found unconscious Page 10

Page 20

James Bond admits Police never asked him to take P19 lie detector test — but denies receiving millions for EBD lands

GDF recruit dies during training P15 exercise

Suriname- P8 based Guyanese busted with cocaine at CJIA remanded Police destroy $3.4M in ganja during raids in Berbice River — guns, ammunition seized

P2

2 NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police destroy $3.4M in ganja during raids in Berbice River – guns, ammunition seized

P

The cartridges that were found during the raids

olice have destroyed an estimated $3.4 million in ganja during eradication exercises conducted in the Berbice riverine community of Gatetroy and DeVeldt villages in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The raids, lasting more than 15 hours, were made on Wednesday by a team of ‘B’

Division Police ranks.

Reportedly acting on information received, they travelled to a house at DeVeldt Village on the eastern bank of the Berbice River, and when they arrived, they saw a man running away from the building. Ranks reportedly gave chase, but the man escaped in some bushes.

One of the camps destroyed at Gatetroy

However, a search was conducted on the premises, and several guns and

rounds of ammunition were found concealed under the floor boards of the house. The

The guns that were unearthed under the floorboards

A quantity of the illegal plants destroyed by Police

items found include one double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun, one 20-gauge shotgun, one .32 shotgun, and two OPS air guns. In addition, nine 12-gauge, one 20-gauge, and five .32 cartridges were found at the location. The firearms and ammunition were confiscated and subsequently taken to the Central Police Station as investigations continue.

Ranks then travelled to Gatetroy Village, where a partly harvested marijuana field and camps were discovered. The field consisted of approximately three hundred plants measuring between four and six feet in height.

The Police have said that the illegal plants destroyed have an estimated value of $3.4M. The camps found at Gatetroy were also destroyed.

Police ranks come under attack at Stabroek Market, 2 suspects arrested

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Police trying to maintain order at Stabroek Market

anks of Regional Police Division # 4 ‘A’ came under attack on Wednesday evening when they attempted to arrest a suspect at Stabroek Market, Georgetown.

Based on reports received, at about 18:25h, a mobile patrol unit was conducting a routine drivethrough in the area when ranks observed an individual who was wanted by the Police for allegedly assaulting a peace officer and for resisting arrest.

However, as the ranks attempted to arrest the suspect, a human cordon was made around him, preventing the ranks from effecting the arrest.

A large crowd that was attracted to the commotion started to hurl missiles at the Police ranks, result-

ing in the patrol commander receiving injuries to his back and neck. In addition, the patrol vehicle belonging to the Guyana Police Force was damaged, and several other ranks sustained minor injuries.

The ranks were forced to discharge several rounds in the air in an attempt to control the situation and to prevent innocent bystanders from being injured by the missiles being thrown.

Shortly after, a 39-yearold vendor of Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and a 17-year-old unemployed man, both of whom were seen throwing missiles at the ranks and the patrol vehicle, were arrested. They remain in Police custody and are expected to be arraigned in court today.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, November 27 – 02:30h-04:00h and 13:30h-15:00h and Saturday, November 28 – 03:00h-04:30h and 13:30h-15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, November 27 – 14:30h-16:00h and Saturday, November 28 – 15:00h-16:30h.

Agreements in security, agriculture sectors inked with Brazil

...Guyana-Brazil road link back on agenda — Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro to visit Guyana, next year

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light to thundery showers in the mid-morning to mid-afternoon hours followed by sunny conditions. Partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to Southerly between 1.34 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 14:44h reaching a maximum height of 2.50 metres.

Low Tide: 08:19h and 20:41h reaching minimum heights of 0.80 metre and 0.69 metre.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020

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COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

US$ $48.61/barrel $226.044/ton $404.10/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change % +1.54 +1.36 +0.85

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1807.40

$1808.40

Low/High Change

$1805.60 -2.70

$1819.90 -0.15%

President Dr Irfaan Ali (left) and Brazil’s Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo (Office of the President photo)

Guyana. This agreement, the “Technical Feasibility Studies for the Installation of Optical Network from Boa Vista, Brazil to Georgetown, Guyana”, recognises the importance of establishing digital connectivity infrastructure between the two countries.

An agreement was also signed between Guyana’s Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit and Brazilian Police. This will go towards the fight against illicit activities and organised crime through the exchange of information and expertise.

When it comes to agriculture, it was agreed that the two countries would increase collaboration in the sector, in-

By Jarryl Bryan

C

ontinuing the trend of the flurry of overseas interest in Guyana, Brazil’s Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo on Thursday paid a working visit to Guyana. And in the wake of meetings with top Government officials, it was decided that the two countries should increase collaboration in a number of areas.

Minister Araújo and team touched down in Guyana on Thursday morning, after which the members met with President Dr. Irfaan Ali and members of his cabinet, including Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, Public Infrastructure Minister Juan Edghill, and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn.

During the ensuing discussions, a review was done of all the existing joint partnerships between the two countries. One partnership that had been lagging was the Guyana-to-Brazil road link, for which the British had provided funding for the design.

The Linden-to-Lethem road, a key link between Guyana and Brazil, with the potential to boost trade, is at present little more than an unsurfaced trail that deteriorates in rainfall. As such, the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF) programme, administered through the CDB, was expected to provide funding for the first phase of the road, from Linden to Mabura Hill, as well as a crossing at Kurupukari.

The fund has in fact allocated a total of £53.2 million to Guyana to fund several projects, including the road.

With the 2018 no-confidence motion and the former Government’s delay in calling elections, these developmental projects were put on pause. But at Thursday’s meeting between the Guyana and Brazil delegations, it was agreed to resume discussions to complete the project and implement an International Road Transport Agreement.

It was further agreed that discussions would be advanced for more collaboration in health, energy, security and trade.

For instance, it was agreed that there would be

Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd (right) welcoming his Brazilian counterpart

greater collaboration between health officials in both countries, aimed at tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

In energy, the two sides agreed to advance discussions on energy cooperation, including environmental aspects, through the exchange of technical missions and information.

A number of agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) were signed, including a MOU for a fibre-optic network from Brazil to

cluding technical cooperation in pest and disease management. One example of this is the ongoing joint Carambola Fruit Fly (CFF) monitoring activities.

Meanwhile, Guyana and Brazil have also agreed that there would be more political coordination and talks on regional issues, and a technical committee meeting would be convened to discuss trade.

For instance, a Technical Committee Meeting under the Partial Scope Agreement

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro

will be convened with a view to expanding trade and investment. There will also be a meeting of the Guyana/ Brazil Group on Consular Cooperation in January 2021.

It has, moreover, been revealed that the President of Brazil, HE Jair Bolsonaro, will be visiting Guyana next year. Bolsonaro, who was elected President of Brazil in 2018, was one of the many world leaders who had called on the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government to accept the election results.

Guyana and Brazil established diplomatic relations on August 26, 1968. Cooperation between the two countries covers a broad range of areas, including trade, health, agriculture, transport and security matters.

Already, President Ali has hosted a number of high-profile persons in Guyana, including incumbent United States (US) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Suriname President Chan Santokhi, and Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Juma Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

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

Sustaining the HIV/AIDS fight

A

head of World AIDS Day, which will be observed on 1 December, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released a report which shockingly revealed that approximately once every hundred seconds, a child or young person under the age of 20 was infected with HIV last year.

This is indeed quite alarming, and should serve as a wakeup call for governments and international health partners to take urgent steps to combat childhood HIV. According to the report, prevention efforts and treatment for children remain some of the lowest among key affected populations, and in 2019, a little less than half of children worldwide did not have access to lifesaving treatment.

The report states that nearly 320,000 children and adolescents were newly infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and 110,000 children died of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) last year.

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore was quoted as saying that children are still getting infected at alarming rates, and they are still dying from AIDS. This was even before COVID-19 interrupted vital HIV treatment and prevention services, putting countless more lives at risk.

According to UNICEF, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened inequalities in access to life-saving HIV services for children, adolescents and pregnant mothers everywhere, and there are serious concerns that one-third of high HIV burden countries could face coronavirus-related disruptions.

Data from the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) cited in the report shows the impact of control measures, supply chain disruptions, lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), and the redeployment of healthcare workers on HIV services.

According to the report, paediatric HIV treatment and viral load testing in children in some countries fell by between 50 and 70 per cent, and new treatment initiation by between 25 and 50 per cent in April and May, coinciding with partial and full lockdowns to control the novel coronavirus.

Further, it stated that health facility deliveries and maternal treatment were also reported to have been reduced by 20 to 60 per cent, maternal HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation by 25 to 50 per cent, and infant testing services by approximately 10 per cent.

“Though the easing of control measures and the strategic targeting of children and pregnant mothers have successfully led to a rebound of services in recent months, challenges remain, and the world is still far from achieving the global 2020 paediatric HIV targets,” UNICEF states.

Back in July, UNAIDS had said that HIV targets set for 2020 would not be reached, owing in part to deeply unequal access to antiretroviral therapy and service disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNAIDS had also warned that the remarkable achievements made in the fight to end AIDS have not been shared equally within and between countries. It had pointed out that missed targets have resulted in more than 3.5 million HIV infections and 820,000 AIDS-related deaths since 2015 than if the world was on track to meet the 2020 targets. And the global AIDS response could be set back by 10 years or more if COVID-19 disrupts HIV services.

According to the report, the world is far behind in preventing new HIV infections. Some 1.7 million people were newly infected, reflecting more than three times the global target.

Guyana has made some amount of progress in the HIV/AIDS fight, but the health authorities must not become complacent.

In order to sustain the advances made, the Government and international donor partners need to put more money and effort into ensuring that their HIV programmes can be sustained. More needs to be done to address the prejudice and social inequities that operate to make some people both more vulnerable to HIV infection and less likely to access prevention, testing, treatment and care services.

World AIDS Day brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic. The day provides an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic, and to encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in high prevalence countries and around the world.

It is our hope that, even in the midst of a pandemic, the issue of HIV/AIDS would be given much prominence, and renewed efforts would be made to combat the dreaded disease.

Acting British High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency Ray Davidson on Thursday paid a courtesy call on Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn at his Brickdam, Georgetown office. Minister Benn was accompanied by Home Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Mae Toussaint Jr Thomas

Reason to give thanks to America Dear Editor, This is a long weekend in America: Americans are observing Thanksgiving, which normally is officially observed on the fourth Thursday of the month of November.

It is a festival that American immigrants since the Pilgrims of the 1600s began as a means of giving thanks to the Lord for a successful year.

Initially, it was for the harvest, and to thank the Indigenous People for aiding the early immigrants (The native people have almost been decimated, and their history of abuse by Europeans is well documented). Over the years, the festival took on different meaning. Every immigrant group in America, including Guyanese, uses the occasion to praise the Lord for their success in their new homeland.

The festival began with the traditional family turkey dinner and cranberry sauce made from the harvest, along with corn, vegetables, bread, etc; but it has taken on a different flavour with each immigrant group.

Almost every family hosts a dinner on Thanksgiving Day, a national holiday, or takes a turn at hosting this dinner over the next three days (Friday thru Sunday).

Those who cannot afford to host a dinner, or lack a home, enjoy a dinner organised by volunteers at a church or community cen-

ter, sometimes over four days. Several Guyanese church groups have hosted dinners for the less fortunate in Queens and Brooklyn.

Guyanese observed the traditional American Thanksgiving Day with family reunions, church service, feasts, and charitable offerings, but on a smaller scale as a result of the COVID. Guyanese have reason to give thanks to America, which has been welcoming to them since the early days of Burnham’s dictatorship, going back to 1966. Since their arrival in the US, Guyanese have been very thankful for their presence and well-being in the U.S, and they have made Thanksgiving a Guyanesetype holiday as well, merging the holiday as part of the Guyanese culture.

Guyanese have attained high levels of achievement in various fields, and have acquired homes, started businesses, owned vehicles, etc. after only a few years in the country. Other groups take over a decade to record these achievements, and many don’t pursue home ownership. In addition, some Guyanese have shared part of their earnings with the poorer sections of American society.

The holiday really grew out of the harvest home celebrations of England. It is a day set aside annually

to give thanks for the harvest and the blessings of the past year. This tradition began with the arrival of the earliest European immigrants in North America, the Pilgrims, in 1621. And every wave of immigrants since, including recent arrivals like the large Guyanese community settled, has joined in the celebration by adding its own ethnic flavour (of food, music, garb) to giving thanks and to the traditional meals, music, drinks and entertainment.

Guyanese-Americans have good reason to give thanks to America, a country that began to accept them during the difficult authoritarian years of Burnham’s misrule.

America has been kind and very receptive to them. For the most part, they have “made it” in America, living a much higher standard of life than in Guyana.

Once they land in the US, they shed the lackadaisical attitude of life in Guyana and quickly become very hard-working people who do not depend on government handouts for their survival. Many even have two jobs and pursue higher education.

Guyanese are, for the most part, success stories, and are one of the highest income groups in the US. Overall, they contribute a lot more in taxes than in the benefits they receive.

Many have also become

successful entrepreneurs in a very short time after arrival, and many are enrolled in colleges and universities and are joining the ranks of professionals, earning some of the highest salaries in the nation.

Indo-Guyanese are among the highest income earners in America, just behind Indian-Americans.

They see Thanksgiving as an occasion for family reunion and big joyous dinners. And relatives normally take turns at hosting dinner over a four-day period from Thursday to Sunday. The thanksgiving dinner normally includes baked or roasted turkey, pumpkin pie, baked sweet yams, corn, cranberry jelly, and salad (including sugar beets). Guyanese normally supplement the meals with the traditional ethnic dishes they enjoy in Guyana.

All religious denominations observed Thanksgiving Day, including Muslims and Hindus.

By observing the festival, Guyanese are participating in a mainstream American festival, and not only in Phagwah, Deepavalli, Eid, and Qurbani. They give thanks for the progress they have made in America, realising their dreams and sharing their skills, talents, wealth and resources in making America a richer place to live.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

5

News

The Haitian people: sadly and Prisoners stabbed during argument at Lusignan Prison badly in need of a champion

By Sir Ronald Sanders

H

The Lusignan Prison

T

wo inmates of the Holding Bay at the Lusignan Prison were injured on Thursday after they got involved in a heated argument that led to a fight. Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, said the incident occurred at about 10:27h.

Officer in charge of the Lusignan institution, Senior Superintendent of Prisons Deoraj Gyandat, reported that the prisoners involved were Diquan Hamilton, who is currently serving a two-year sentence for attempted robbery, and Shadrack King, who is serving two years for robbery.

The argument they had quicky escalated into a fight. An alarm was raised, and both prisoners were taken to the prison infirmary, where it was discov-

ered that King had received a stab wound to his left forearm while Hamilton was nursing a single penetrating wound to the left lateral thorax.

Hamilton was referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical attention. He has been admitted for twentyfour-hour observation. His injury is considered non-life-threatening.

The Police were immediately informed of the incident, and an investigation has been launched.

In August, 40-year-old Shawn Peters who had been on remand for larceny of articles was attacked and chopped by four other inmates at the Lusignan Prisons. He died while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, had said that that altercation had stemmed from a grievance between the suspects and the victim before they were imprisoned.

He had added that review of the CCTV footage from the location and other CCTV footage obtained had allowed the Administration to positively identify the perpetrators of that fatal incident.

Samuels had also disclosed that, along with the murder weapons, an additional 111 improvised weapons and nine cellular phones had been found in the Lusignan Prison. That prison has been on lockdown since March, and inmates are not allowed visitors.

Man gets 20 years for killing pensioner during sex act

J

Bibi Keniez

aipaul Hitlall, a 45-yearold fisherman formerly of Sea View, Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was on Thursday sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for the October 2016 unlawful killing of 65-year-old Bibi Keniez.

Initially indicted for the capital offence, Hitlall, also known as “Latta”, had opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Arraigned before Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara High Court earlier this week, Hitlall had pleaded not guilty to the charge. A 12-person jury was empanelled and his trial commenced. The court had to conduct a voir dire, and it was during that procedure that Hitlall made certain statements. As a result, he opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

It was reported that when Bibi Keniez was found, the

mother of three, who had lived in a one-bedroom house made of zinc sheets in the Cornelia Ida Squatting Area of the West Coast of Demerara, had 21 stab wounds about her body. Her skirt was pulled up to her neck, and her underwear was missing. Her son had found her body in a hammock in the home after he had gone there to take food for her.

During a sentencing hearing, the dead woman’s son told the court that his mother did not deserve to die in the manner in which she did. The young man was very emotional during his address to the court.

In his address, Hitlall said he was very sorry for what he had done, and he begged the family of the deceased for forgiveness.

State Prosecutor Tyra Bakker asked the court to impose a sentence that would reflect the nature and gravity of the offence. She pointed out that Hitlall was known to the elderly woman, and that she had been violated in the sanctity of her home.

In the end, Justice Singh sentenced Hitlall to 20 years’ imprisonment and made no deductions for time spent on remand.

In 2019, Hitlall was sentenced to 20 years in jail after he was found guilty of raping a woman in her mid-20s back in 2016. He had committed that crime also at Cornelia Ida, WCD. The media had reported that on the day in question,

Jaipaul Hitlall

the woman was making her way home when she stopped at the seawall along Cornelia Ida to wash off dog faeces from her footwear.

Hitlall attacked the woman from behind and dragged her into the ankle-deep waters, where he and the woman were involved in a scuffle, during which she stabbed him with a pocket knife she had in her possession.

Hitlall, however, overpowered the woman and had sex with her against her will. The man then threw the woman into a boat and had sex with her again. He subsequently realised that he knew the woman, and begged her not to make a report to the Police.

Hitlall even accompanied the woman to the roadside after she agreed not to tell anyone.

However, she made a report to the Police station on the following day.

uman rights and constitutional violations in Haiti have been ignored for too long by the Organisation of American States (OAS).

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has also avoided dealing with incendiary political issues in Haiti.

Meanwhile, more suffering is being piled on the poor people of Haiti, whose body count from malnutrition and organised violence continues to grow.

Against this background, it is not surprising that Haitians are seeking every means of escape from their homeland.

In desperate situations, criminals take advantage of the vulnerable. Thus, a brisk trade has begun in trafficking young Haitians – this time into the Caribbean. Evidence of this is the discovery by Police in Guyana on November 7 of 26 Haitians, including two boys and five girls, who were being transported to the Brazilian border by a human trafficking ring.

Both the OAS and Caricom are obliged under their charters and declarations to call to account Member States whose governments act unconstitutionally or take actions that violate the human, civil, and political rights of their people.

The two organisations were active and vocal throughout the five-month impasse in the Guyana elections, from March to August this year, and afterwards. During that entire period, the constitutional and electoral situation in Haiti was worse. But not a word of condemnation of the Haitian Presidency was uttered by either body.

Haitian President Jovenel Moïse has been running the country by decree with no elected Parliament since 2019, amid accusations of corruption, protests, and the deployment of the military which has been accused of atrocities.

The Chair of Caricom did publicly declare, in January 2020: “Caricom is deeply concerned at the continuing unsettled political, economic, humanitarian and social situation in its Member State Haiti. Indeed, we are particularly concerned about the several incidents of violence and the associated and tragic loss of life.” Since then, Caricom said nothing more.

Yet, four months later, in its April 2020 update on Haiti, the World Food Programme said that almost four million Haitians need urgent food assistance, and that at least one million of those are suffering from severe hunger. President Moïse has been closemouthed about the gangs that, according to the Miami Herald’s Jacqueline Charles (a Haitian expert), “have been on a rampage in poor neighbourhoods — kidnapping, raping and killing at will”.

An editorial in the Trinidad Express Newspaper pointed out on November 25, “The US position is particularly hypocritical in the context of its backing of Haitian President, who has been ruling by decree since dismissing Parliament, and who continues to preside over unending human rights abuses and the rise of Tonton Macoute-style death squads.”

It is well known in the OAS that it is the US Government that is principally behind no action on Haiti by the Organisation whose Secretary General, Luis Almagro, has been ardent in calling out other countries, particularly Venezuela and Nicaragua, on human rights. The US and the “Lima Group” of countries in the OAS have been dependent on Haiti’s vote to secure the bare majority needed to secure adoption for controversial resolutions against the Venezuelan and Nicaraguan Governments. Hence,

Sir Ronald Sanders

the suffering of the poor people of Haiti is ignored.

Whether by coincidence or cooperation, on the same day – October 29 – US Under Secretary of State, David Hale, and Secretary General Almagro urged Moïse to hold “overdue legislative elections as soon as possible”. Moïse has ignored them, continuing to operate with untrammelled power, including by making appointments of personal loyalists to key posts in violation of the Constitution, which requires such appointments to be approved by the Senate.

Recently, he has appointed the Commander of the Armed Forces, the Head of the Police Force, the Governor of the Central Bank, and the Chairman of the National Credit Bank. The holders of these offices were all appointed without the senatorial ratifications required by the Constitution. Consequently, they are not vested with the administrative and financial independence necessary to carry out their duties as guaranteed under the Constitution. They are instruments of the President, vulnerable to his sole dictates.

Unrest and violence continue as groups demonstrate against corruption and call for elections. The Police have been active in breaking up protests, reportedly shooting dead one protester and injuring two more on November 18.

Even within the Police Force, protesters exist. A secret group called “Fantom 509” has been actively protesting poor wages and conditions. The recently-appointed Police Commissioner, Leon Charles, commanded his officers to confront and lock up colleagues who are “Fantom 509” members.

On Friday, October 30, President Moïse officially put the Constitution of Haiti “on hold”. He formed a committee to “revise” the draft of a new constitution, which, reportedly, was drafted by persons appointed by him. In any event, the President has no authority to modify, reform, or change the Constitution.

This unconstitutional behaviour is yet another dangerous threat to democracy and political stability in Haiti if it continues unchallenged. It violates both the Charter of the OAS and the InterAmerican Democratic Charter. It is also inconsistent with the Caricom Charter of Civil Society. At the very least, they should rebuke Moïse for his violations of the Constitution.

It is unlikely that between now and January 20, when US President-elect Joe Biden assumes the Presidency, that there will be any movement by the US Government – by itself or in the OAS – to address the plight of the Haitian people. Nonetheless, the OAS – and Caricom within it – should act.

The Haitian people are not a political problem; they are human beings sadly and badly in need of a champion.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

Page

Foundation ◄

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

Changing from customary units to metric units Use the chart below to help you convert customary units to metric units. The values may not be exact in all cases but approximations. Milk and fruit juices sometimes include labels that express their liquid volume in fluid ounces. 1 fluid ounce = 29.574 millilitres.

Length

Liquid volume

Weight

1 inch = 2.54 centimetres

1 cup = 0.237 litre

1 ounce = 28.35 grams

1 foot = 0.305 me-

1 pint = 0.473 litre

1 pound = 0.454 kilogram

1 quart = 0.946 li-

1 ton = 1000 kilograms

tre tre

1 yard = 0.914 me-

tre

1 mile = 1.609 ki1 gallon = 3.785 lilometres tres

Example: 6 yards = how many millimetres?

Step 1: Find yards on the chart above: 1 yard = 0.914 metre

Step 2: Multiply 6 x 0.914 = 5.484m.

Step 3: Multiply the number of metres x 1000 to find millimetres: 5.484 x 1000 = 5484 So 6 yards = 5484mm Exercises: Calculate 1) 6ft = ______m 2) 0.5gal = _____l 3) 1200lb = ______kg 4) 100yd = _____m 5) 200oz = ____ g 6) 450m = _________ km Thursday’s answers 1) 200g = ____0.2__kg 2) 30kg = _____30,000,000_____ mg 3) 300mg + 1200g = ______1200.3____ g 4) 10g + 4500mg = _____0.0145 kg 5) 10g + 100kg = ____ 100,010______ g 6) 450mg + 55kg = __55,000.450_______ g

The Serpent & the Eagle A

serpent had succeeded in surprising an eagle and had wrapped himself around the eagle’s neck. The eagle could not reach the serpent, neither with beak nor claws. Far into the sky he soared trying to shake off his enemy. But the serpent’s hold only tightened, and slowly the eagle sank back to earth, gasping for breath.

A countryman chanced to see the unequal combat. In pity for the noble eagle he rushed up and soon had loosened the coiling serpent and freed the eagle.

The Serpent was furious. He had no chance to bite the watchful countryman. Instead he struck at the drinking horn, hanging at the countryman’s belt, and into it let fly the poison of his fangs.

The countryman now went on toward home. Becoming thirsty on the way, he filled his horn at a spring, and was about to drink. There was a sudden rush of great wings.

Sweeping down, the eagle seized the poisoned horn from out his saviour’s hands, and flew away with it to hide it where it could never be found.

WORD SEARCH

7 Jagdeo urges Diaspora to capitalise on “enormous opportunities” from booming oil sector NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Jainarine Deonauth

W

ith Guyana set to become an energy powerhouse in the Region following discoveries of massive oil and gas resources, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is adamant that there are enormous opportunities available in the private sector for the country’s huge diaspora.

“We have a growing private sector…unlimited opportunities, and the first preference should go to our people, who live here in Guyana and who live abroad. So, they (diaspora) have to start looking and engaging here, setting up businesses, getting into services, coming down now and doing joint ventures,” Jagdeo said during a recent interview programme with Globespan.

Pointing to strict Local Content Legislation in the making, the Vice President posited that the Government is currently shaping an oil and gas sector wherein there is “a huge margin of preference for Guyanese.”

“It doesn’t matter where you live, here or abroad, some of the services can only be outsourced to Guyanese.

So, if you have professionals etc, and if there is a minimum amount of spending that the oil and gas companies have to do to pursue to qualify in Guyana, then that spending will go to Guyanese,” Jagdeo declared.

He noted that the investments by Exxon alone would be upwards of 20 billion US dollars.

“We are trying to shift the industry that services the oil and gas sector into Guyana, so our oil and gas sector is not serviced from

Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.”

The VP explained that if Guyana has support services, that would be another 40 billion US dollars in investment. He noted that represented therein are huge opportunities for young Guyanese professionals and Guyanese investors from abroad as a whole.

“We want our people to come to have the preference,” the VP declared.

Commenting on the issue of members of the diaspora who have expressed an interest to serve in the public sector, Jagdeo noted that there is a mistaken impression that the Government sector can absorb a large number of people.

“There are not that many opportunities in Government, and there are large numbers of people in the diaspora…in a Ministry, you need 5, 6, 7 technical people, not hundreds.”

He also bemoaned the fact that very often the salary requirements of such persons are way above what is offered locally.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo noted that, currently, there is the structure being built by the Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to have a more meaningful engagement with the diaspora.

On this basis, he revealed that the Government is hoping to establish a Diaspora Desk in the major capitals, where there are large numbers of Guyanese residing.

He added that the heads of the various missions will be briefed on their approach to the issue of diaspora engagement, so that their work would be in line with

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

what the current administration is hoping to accomplish.

The Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), in a recent report, stated that Guyana’s emigration rate, which skyrocketed in the 1960s due to the hardships created by the then Peoples National Congress (PNC) Government, is one of the highest in the world, numbering about 30,000 annually.

The report, ‘The Guyanese Diaspora’, which was authored by Michael Matera, Linnea Sandin and Maripaz Alvarez, provides a comprehensive analysis of the Guyanese diaspora and suggests a framework within which this valuable asset could be utilised for the benefit of both the diaspora and their home country.

According to the report, the first-generation immigrant Guyanese diaspora today is estimated to be around 550,000 worldwide, not including their descendants.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

Administration has expressed its desire to work collaboratively with the diaspora, stating that they, too, have a stake in the development of their home-

land.

“We must welcome back to their homeland our diaspora, who played such a positive and constructive role in defence of our democracy,” President Dr Irfaan Ali had said when he was sworn in on August 2. “My Government intends to embrace Guyanese abroad as we enlist them here at home,” Dr Ali had asserted.

The major oil discoveries have caused Guyana to be placed in the international spotlight, and many Guyanese in the diaspora have expressed an interest in returning to work or invest here.

Chief Economist for Smith’s Research & Gradings, Scott B. MacDonald, recently ex-

pressed that Guyana’s economy is tipped to perform extremely well and ride through the COVID-19 pandemic in better shape than practically any other economy on the planet.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation recently announced that it has begun taking active steps to make it easier for the country’s large diaspora to return to their homeland either to work or invest.

On this basis, the Ministry has launched a Remigration Brochure which seeks to fill the information and other support gaps which have prevented persons in the past from starting the process to return ‘home’.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Suriname-based Guyanese busted with cocaine at CJIA remanded

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orty-two-yearold Tommy Ann Bunbury, a Suriname-based Guyanese who was on Monday intercepted by agents of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport was remanded to prison by a city magistrate on Thursday.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on November 23, 2020, she had 1.948 kilograms of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. She appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It was reported that the accused is a food vendor at downtown café Wiek Straat Paramaribo, Suriname, and resided at Condor Straat #1 Paramaribo. She hails from Lot 10 Victoria Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Tommy Ann Bunbury

The mother of seven has been residing in Suriname for the past six years and

would periodically return to Guyana to fulfil immigration obligations.

On November 23, CANU officers carried out a search on the suspect, who was an outgoing passenger on an Eastern Airlines flight to JFK International Airport, New York.

During the search of Bunbury’s two suitcases and a carry-on, the cocaine was found concealed in a number of objects including a hardcover book, handbag, make-up kits, deodorants, nail polish covers, mascara, and permanent markers.

Upon the discovery of the illegal substance, the woman was cautioned, told of the offence, and arrested.

She and her belongings were subsequently transported to CANU’s headquarters where the illicit substance was extracted and weighed. Bunbury will return to court on December 23, 2020.

Spreading…

A

…culture? merica’s inexorable spread of its culture across the world has earned the sobriquet “McDonaldization”; courtesy, of course, of those ubiquitous Golden Arches that have now served more than 15 billion burgers - double the population of the world! Excepting Guyana! Yet, ironically, your Eyewitness saw all kinds of ads in the papers advertising “Thanksgiving menus” in restaurants on that quintessentially American event!

Now, you’d have thought that Thanksgiving would be pretty tough to export. After all, it’s tied to a specific event in American history: the landing of their “Puritan Fathers” at Plymouth Rock in what is now Massachusetts. they were what we would nowadays call “Christian religious fundamentalists” fleeing a European backlash. They’d encountered the “Indigenous Peoples”, whom they dubbed “Red Indians”, and who generously offered them their native food - pumpkin, wild turkey, etc. This didn’t deter them from forcibly displacing the natives from their land, and even eventually exterminating them.

But they started celebrated the occasion of their arrival as THANKSGIVING - feasting on the same food items the long-gone Indigenous Peoples had shared with them. And here we are in Guyana now celebrating “Thanksgiving”?!! Oh, the irony!!

Now, there’s nothing wrong in giving thanks, but your Eyewitness’s point is this: Can’t we do it in a way that comes out of OUR culture, especially since, from 1970, our governments have been trying to convince us that we’re doing this by celebrating Republic Day with Mashramani? What does this tell us about the success of our effort at “nation building” when, after 50 years, we so willingly accept instead the trademark “American” occasion? We might as well go along with those loonies who’re clamoring for us to become the 51st American State, shouldn’t we?

What makes the adoption of Thanksgiving even more cringeworthy is that it’s so contemptuous of the feelings of our own Indigenous brothers and sisters.

The Americans have done a good job of hiding the origins of Thanksgiving, but shouldn’t we be a bit more sensitive? What’s especially egregious is the way the “woke” crowd in Georgetown have latched on to this latest import. What next? Raising the Conservative flag in the National Park?

C’mon people! We know that, in the grand scheme of things in the world at large, we might not matter much; but with oil scheduled to hit 1 million barrels production per day, shouldn’t we start showing at long last that we’re capable of not being blown over by even the slightest breeze that blows from the north?

But then, even Mashramani is a cheap imitation of Carnival, which we cogged from Trinidad, isn’t it? …rigging?

Donald Trump and a significant number of Republicans are convinced that Biden and the Democrats have rigged their Nov 3 elections. In Guyana, this state of affairs has precipitated a most curious reaction. The PNC and their camp followers have uniformly mocked the moves by the President and Republican lawyers to move to the courts to prove their claim. Yet, here in Guyana, they’ve made the identical claim, and have made the identical move!

What gives? Is it that they’re still upset that the Trump administration was the one - along with the rest of the world! - that insisted democratic procedural norms be followed after our elections? And which saw the PPP assuming office? Well, there IS that…but there’s more in the mortar than the pestle can pound!

The PNC knows they were “trying a thing” with the Mingo rigging; and after they were caught with their hands in the ballot boxes, so to speak, they switched gears and concocted the “voting anomalies” they’ve lodged in our courts.

Their ridiculing of Trump and the Republicans simply reveals their own guilty consciences at their brazen effort to once again cuckold the Guyanese people!

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

NEWS

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Ali announces 2-week bonus for healthcare workers

President Irfaan Ali and other officials at the launch of the modernised Leonora Cottage Hospital as part of the Smart Health Care Facilities project

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday announced that all healthcare workers will benefit from bonuses before the end of the year.

“All healthcare professionals will benefit from a two-week bonus paid before the end of the year as part of the response to the pandemic,” the President announced.

He was at the time delivering remarks during the launch of the retrofitted Leonora Cottage Hospital as part of the “SMART” Health Care Facilities project.

The Head of State noted that all healthcare workers will be classified as ‘frontline workers.’

“Some months ago, almost as soon as we assumed office, there was a strike among nurses. In addressing that strike, I said, ‘We all have democratic rights, but we also have a duty and an oath depending on what career we take’. And I said to the nurses and doctors that we understand their complaint, but we must have patience…I promised that the Government will address this issue before the end of the year. And we also backed that promise up by setting aside $150 million in the budget to support these professionals in the pandemic”, the President said.

President Ali noted that, initially, the health officials were trying to decide how to differentiate between frontline workers and those who are second- or third-line workers.

“We have been able to cut programmes and to find additional resources beyond the $150 million. And this afternoon, I want to say that we will consider every healthcare professional as frontline,” the President said.

The President assured the gathering that, as the economy grows, conditions will get better. He said that, come next year, special resources would be set aside for educational courses in the field of health care, public health nursing, nursing assistant, pharmacists.

“Health and education

are key foundations on which the society will advance,” the President said.

The President also announced that over $1B will be allocated in the 2021 national budget to upgrade the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

“You gave us the mandate by trusting us to lead this country, and we have a duty to honour that trust.

We have a duty to respect that trust and, importantly, those who may not have supported that mandate on Election Day, we have a duty to win your trust; so that, together in a unified way, we are definitely going to build a stronger Guyana,” the President said.

Shortly after the new Government assumed office, healthcare workers began protesting for better pay and benefits in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Emergency Budget for 2020 presented by the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) had already allotted $150M for frontline workers, who are those healthcare professionals that deal solely with COVID-19 patients.

But the healthcare workers, during their protests, wanted all healthcare professionals – not just those on the frontline – to benefit from better conditions.

As such, President Ali explained that these bonuses will be paid to all healthcare workers, not just those on the frontline.

Meanwhile, the Head of State reminded healthcare workers that they will also be benefiting from the $25,000 per household COVID-19 relief grant, a slew of tax reductions, and their children will benefit from the $4,000 per child school uniform vouchers and the $15,000 per child cash grant.

Additionally, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry had also announced that it would be expanding its childcare assistance programme to provide free child care to frontline workers who are providing an essential service or key public services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Good Intent woman stabbed to death by drug-addict son – 4-year-old-granddaughter found unconscious

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he community of Good Intent, West Bank Demerara (WBD) has been plunged into a state of shock after an elderly woman was reportedly murdered by her son.

The woman’s four-yearold granddaughter was also discovered in an unconscious state.

The dead woman has been identified as 62-yearold Jennifer “Judith” Anderson of Lot 21 Murphy Street, Good Intent.

According to information received, the in-

Dead: Jennifer "Judith" Anderson

The body being removed from the scene

The house where the woman was discovered

cident occurred between Wednesday and Thursday.

Anderson was last seen alive by her daughter on Wednesday, but her body was discovered on Thursday just after midday, sending shockwaves through the small village.

The elderly woman lived with her four-yearold granddaughter and the 38-year-old suspect. Police said it was alleged that the suspect was a drug addict and would normally steal items from the deceased.

When Guyana Times visited the scene, another son, Mark Anderson, who lives in another house on the same property, recalled being contacted by someone about 12:00h and told that his mother had not been seen for the day.

Upon hearing this, the man rushed over to his mother’s home and called out to her, but there was no answer. He went into the house and it was then he saw the motionless body of his mother lying face down on the floor in her bedroom next to a wardrobe, buried in clothes.

“All I know is I come

and reach her dead. When I came home, I search for her and I just see she lay down there dead, so I don’t know what really happened…

The wardrobe clothes went on her. We don’t know what play out until the post-mortem is done,” he related.

The Police were immediately summoned to the scene and the evidence therein was processed.

The body was examined for any marks of violence, and several small circular injuries were seen on the face and chest. Checks were made for the suspect, but he was not contacted.

The West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) confirmed the death of Anderson after her body was transported there. The young child was treated at the medical facility and upon regaining consciousness, she was sent away.

Relatives of the dead woman were still processing their loss. The suspect, a mason, remains in hiding, and Police have launched a manhunt for him. The body of the elderly woman is awaiting a post-mortem at the Ezekiel Funeral Home.

Coffee Bean Café celebrates 10th Anniversary. Seeta and Narvini Dewnath started the Coffee Bean Café on Church Street on November 27, 2010.

The mother and daughter pair has served the Guyanese populace with pride and dignity over the past 10 years. Over the years, the business has empowered many women to develop their potential. As such, the management expressed its immense gratitude to all its supporters for the love shown for the past 10 years.

Coffee Bean Café is your home away from home and serves breakfast all day, healthy salads, wraps, sandwiches, grilled items and a variety of coffee beverages.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Ali urges Private Sector in Guyana, Suriname to “step up” G

uyana’s president, Dr Irfaan Ali, is confident that the governments of Suriname and Guyana have the political will to enable the private sector in both countries to expand and grow.

The Head of State gave this assurance on Wednesday evening during a reception with the Suriname Private Sector to culminate his three-day State Visit to the neighbouring nation.

“Our task as policymakers is to ensure we create the environment, an enabling environment and framework, so that the private sector can flourish and grow; so that we can create opportunities for the private sector to expand… I want to assure you tonight that we have the political will, and we have established the political framework to get it done.

And with your help, we can move it rapidly forward.”

President Ali pointed to the pace and coordination between the two countries on the Corentyne River Bridge project. He urged the private sector representatives to make the necessary linkages and connections to strategically benefit from such development.

“We want to see local content in that. We want to see the local private sector from Guyana and Suriname stepping up aggressively. Don’t wait on companies to meet you, you have a high commission and ambassadors here.”

He explained that while such projects may seem

President Irfaan Ali addressing a Private Sector event on Wednesday evening in Suriname

“overwhelming”, working in partnership would eventually build capacity, technological capability, and experience, which would then enable the private sector to grow.

Winning economies

President Ali announced that the two Heads of State are already in discussion to twin the economies of their respective states, thereby achieving economies of scale. This, he said, would also reduce and remove existing hurdles and barriers to trade.

“The time has come, and sometimes the media will not capture the essence of the story; but I want to as-

sure you that, in Guyana and in Suriname, we have the political will. We already discussed twinning our tourism product, making it easier for visitors to come to Guyana and Suriname, we have a huge diaspora.”

He said that also high on the agenda are discussions to improve security between the two countries.

President Ali also emphasised that both Guyana and Suriname, as natural resource-based countries, understand that to avoid the Dutch disease, the economy must be broad-based and diversified.

The Guyanese Head of State further explained that in order to take advantage

of the distinctly competitive edge the two countries have in regard to food security in the region and Caricom, it is imperative to “achieve the synergies” and push the market together.

“We are not in competition. Every company has to have a competitive feature, that is how business is; but we are in cooperation mode,” he said.

Consortiums are the future

On this note, President Ali said that while the two countries do not have a long history of working in a consortium, the future requires this, given the investment potential.

“The future requires

companies to come together; for individual investors to come together and form consortiums that can go after the larger projects. Crossborder consortiums, national consortiums, these are all things that we must ponder on.”

He then urged the Private Sector representatives to be bold enough to not only embrace, but to defend the development agenda, particularly if it brings benefits to the people.

The Private Sector, he emphasised, is heavily integrated into the political system, and therefore must find its voice when things go right.

President Ali assured all that his presence and that of President Santokhi at the event signal their commitment to building the necessary networks and connections to move the integration forward.

“It is to let you know that we are serious and we are ready. We are bold enough to confront the challenges and the changes that are necessary; And this, I think, is what is important in confronting the future, the opportunities, the challenges and the threats that we face.”

The President also announced that he has already advised his Cabinet to remove all the bureaucracy in regard to collaborating and doing business.

In closing, he pointed to the benefits of a collaborative relationship moving forward.

“Guyana was able, seven years ago, to negotiate the largest carbon credit deal per capita in the world with The Kingdom of Norway.

Imagine if we had done it together, both Guyana and Suriname would have benefited. So, in reflection, we have to see where we could have done things better and together to bring greater benefits to the people. At end of the day, it is the people who must benefit and see the positive change.” (Office of the President)

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15 Tuschen man GDF recruit dies during found dead on bed training exercise NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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he lifeless body of a 54-year-old man was found on his bed inside an apartment that he occupied at Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) on Wednesday.

Azad Khan was last seen about 07:00h by his landlord before he left for work.

However, about 17:30h, when his landlord returned home and attempted to contact Khan, his efforts proved futile.

Thinking that something was amiss, the landlord looked through the bedroom window of the apartment Khan was renting and saw him lying motionless.

An alarm was raised and

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Police were summoned to the scene. The body was examined by detectives, but no marks of violence were found. However, Police observed matter regurgitated from the stomach on his bed and in his mouth.

Khan was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty. His body was subsequently taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home to await a post-mortem. The investigations continue.

young recruit of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) died on Thursday at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he fell ill during training in the Basic Recruit course.

He has been identified as 20-year-old Orwin Reynolds.

The GDF in a statement explained that the recruit was deemed fit for military training by the Force’s Medical Officer having successfully

passed the Army’s Medical Examination.

However, two weeks into training, Reynolds started complaining of feeling unwell and was treated according to his symptoms

by GDF medical personnel.

The GDF said all internal protocols for the delivery of medical care were followed prior to his transfer to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where Reynolds later succumbed.

The GDF did not reveal the cause of death, but ex-

Dead: Orwin Reynolds

tended condolences to the parents, siblings, and other relatives of the dead recruit.

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana records 40 new COVID-19 cases in 24h — infrastructure to manage pandemic to be enhanced

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orty new COVID-19 cases were confirmed on Thursday, which raise the total positives in Guyana to 5276.

The Health Ministry’s dashboard showed deaths

remaining at 149, with 2733 males and 2543 females contracting the virus thus far.

There are seven persons in the Intensive Care Unit, 100 persons in institutional isolation, 768 on home isola-

tion, and 49 in institutional quarantine.

Thus far, 4252 persons have recovered from the virus.

A breakdown shows one new case being recorded

in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) one in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), four in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), 26 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), one in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), three in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) and two in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Cases in Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Five (Mahaica-Berbice) remain at 844 and 40 respectively.

Response capacity and infrastructure to manage the coronavirus pandemic locally will be enhanced after grants were issued to Guyana by the Inter-

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

American Development Bank and World Bank to the tune of US$22 million and US$7.5 million respectively.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony announced on Thursday that these funds will be used to enhance the country’s re-

sponse to COVID-19. This includes resources, monitoring, evaluation and developing laboratory units across the country.

“With the World Bank’s $7.5 million, $7 million is focused on the response itself, with $500,000 being available for monitoring, evaluation and management of that particular project. We’re looking at developing and strengthening our laboratory capacity, not just centrally, but in the regions as well…We want to improve contact tracing so that if there’s anybody that is positive, we can trace all the people they’ve been in contact with. We’re looking at improving hospital capacity,” he outlined.

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NEWS

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Chile pledges support to Guyana to develop “successful” agro-industry – Ambassador

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hilean Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Patricio Becker, has put forward areas in which his government could provide assistance to Guyana to trade agricultural products on the international market.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Thursday, the envoy related that Chile has placed great emphasis on food safety and, more so, produce that can be exported.

Presently, the sector contributes extensively to their foreign exchange – an advantage which he said Guyana can also capitalize on. He shared that Guyana is blessed with abundant lands and favourable weather conditions which can sustain a successful agroindustry.

“We have, in Chile, food safety that allows us to import, export and create a very successful fruit industry. We export all kinds of fruit to the United States, Europe and Asia. I tend to ask, ‘Why Guyana cannot have that?’.

We have very nice lands here, also we have great weather to produce tropical fruits.

That is one that we can have in the future to create agrobusinesses, an agroindustry, and that would be very successful,” Ambassador Becker relayed.

Globally, the demand for food is expected to increase by a whopping 50 percent by 2050, taking into account a population increase and other enabling factors.

Chile’s main agricultural products include grapes, whole milk, apples, tomatoes, wheat, maize and potatoes, among others. There are over 13,000 hectares of organic land, with some 550 organic farms operating in the country.

Almost 80 per cent of the organic good produced is exported, as the industry is supported by Government through the Agriculture Ministry. Major domestically organic products include fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil and wine – all of

Chilean Ambassador to Guyana, Patricio Becker

which are exported. With research, they are seeking to improve these standards and expand the sector.

He said that, besides Guyana, his country is seeking to develop a better relationship with countries across the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

“We are very interested to develop a closer relation with Guyana, and also other

Caribbean countries. Now we have embassies in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Guyana. We have many programmes to cooperate these countries and CARICOM.” The Guyana Government has already recognised the importance of its agriculture sector, which was evident with the reopening of sugar estates upon taking office in August 2020, along with the removal of high fees for farmers.

Some time ago, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha voiced that after the coronavirus pandemic ends, the agriculture sector will still be there to drive the economy.

He had said that while the unprecedented impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt not only in public health systems, but in the economy, it has amplified Guyana’s awareness of the importance of food security.

Noting that Guyana is a food-secure country, he said that it met the global hun-

ger targets in 1996 of the World Food Summit, and in 2000 of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Guyana produces 59 per cent of the food it consumes, which means that its food-import dependence is 41 per cent. However, he added that it was Government’s intention to reduce this import dependence by creating an enabling environment for an efficient and competitive local manufacturing sector.

He further disclosed that the agriculture sector, both public and private, is struggling to deal with the impact of the pandemic. While he said there was no major problem of availability of food, supply-chain interruptions and loss of income are being experienced.

A survey on food security found a decline in farmers’ income on average of 2050 per cent; farmers reported difficulty accessing agricultural inputs – seeds and planting materials, and fer-

tiliser and pesticides; prices of seeds/fertilisers are higher than usual, and seed varieties/planting material and fertilisers and pesticides regularly used are not available.

It further found that input suppliers and food traders recorded lower sales owing to business restrictions and client’s restrictions and higher operating costs of agri-businesses; and food traders recorded a decline in customers, with the level of sales consequently decreasing, while experiencing difficulties transporting produce in the last three months.

In light of this, Minister Mustapha was quoted as saying, “We must focus on ways to expand, shift agriculture from primary producer to value-added, to reduce the 41 per cent dependence on imports, which include processed products, dairy products, grains such as corn and soybean, etc. This expansion will aid in the reduction of our domestic food import bill of $45 billion.”

18 NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GTT launches Blue 3 other witnesses testify as PI into Friday promotion murder of Linden man continues

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TT on Wednesday launched its Blue Friday Promotion which will provide customers with a FREE 5GB data plan, plus discounted prices on the Alcatel 1 LTE and BLU G70 LTE handsets as well as 10 per cent off the Amazon Fire Stick device.

Additionally, customers who purchase any of these handsets will receive 5GB of data free when they top

up $2000 or more. The free data is valid for 30 days.

“We want customers to know that this amazing Blue Friday promotion is legit. Around this period, we would see an increase of reports on scams and we do not want our customers to fall prey to such,” said GTT Public Relations Manager Jasmin Harris.

“Constantly, we would remind our customers to visit our promotions page

on our website at https:// www.gtt.co.gy/promotions or call 0488 to ensure promotions are legit. This promotion is very much authentic, and we hope our customers take advantage of these reduced costs,” Harris added.

The Blue Friday promotion, which is valid from November 25 to November 28, 2020, will be available at any GTT Retail Store nationwide.

Man fined for threatening to “squeeze the life out” of another

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chainsaw operator who hails from Linden was on Tuesday fined $10,000 by Magistrate Wanda Fortune after he was found guilty of the offence of making use of threatening language.

The defendant – 45-year-

old Mark Semple of 917 Block 22, Wismar – was not present at the Linden Magistrate’s Court when the verdict was handed down.

The prosecution indicated that Semple threatened Roy Kingston using expletives and told him that he

would “squeeze the life out of him”.

The incident occurred on Saturday, October 24 at Block 22. If the defendant fails to pay the $10,000 fine, he will be subjected to an alternative two-week prison sentence.

Murder accused: Lennox Leon Estwick

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s the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of Ian “OJ” Williams continue at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, three other witnesses testified before Magistrate Wanda Fortune.

Lennox Leon Estwick is on trial for the September 28, 2019 murder, which took place at Lovers’ Lane, Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden.

It was reported that Williams was shot dead during an ambush while his then pregnant girlfriend was injured.

However, on Tuesday, witnesses Wendy Wilson and Constables S McIntosh and K Conway testified in relation to their involve-

Dead: Ian “OJ” Williams

ment with the case. So far, 11 witnesses have testified.

It is alleged that Estwick unlawfully murdered the 24-year-old man who resided at Lot 4 Wisroc Housing Scheme, Wismar, Linden.

His girlfriend, who survived the shooting, was shot twice.

It was reported that the shooting stemmed from a “gang war”.

On the day in question, Williams reportedly drove to a location at Lovers’ Lane, Amelia’s Ward after receiving a telephone call from his girlfriend requesting that he pick her up from a party.

As she entered the vehicle, the car came under attack. Williams reported-

ly attempted to escape the scene, but the gunmen gave chase. During the chase, the gunmen continuously shot at the car.

Williams and his girlfriend were shot multiple times as they attempted to abandon their damaged vehicle. Williams subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

The father of two was the cousin of ex-cop Teon Allen, also called “Spoil Child”, who was allegedly the leader of a gang in Linden. Allen is presently on remand for the murder of his girlfriend in the mining town and numerous other offences.

The PI was adjourned until December 10.

NEWS

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

James Bond admits Police never asked him to take lie detector test — but denies receiving millions for EBD lands

lease must state that the lessee must not part with possession without the consent of the State.

However, in this case, both Life 1 Pharms Incorporated and A-Z Pharmaceutical Medical Supplies and Equipment Inc – which each leased 15 acres of land from NICIL at an annual rate of US$11,700 – flipped those lands to a Chinese na-

A

Businessman Eddie Doolall

ttorney-at-law James Bond, who was implicated by two businessmen as the man who arranged the leasing and sale of several plots of land from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), has come out in denial of the allegations.

In a statement on Thursday, Bond denied claims made by businessmen Eddie Doolall and Avalon Jagnandan that he received $60 million from each. Bond, who was detained by the Police a few days ago, noted that Jagnandan’s particular claim of paying these monies at a lawyer’s office can be refuted.

“In Avalon Jagnandan’s case, (the allegation) that he requested a receipt and I refused. Further, (that) he paid these monies at a lawyer’s office. Of course, (these) could be easily refuted, and I have told the Police how they could refute them,” Bond said. “(They claimed) that since 2017 they gave me their letters of interest to take into NICIL. Again, easily debunked. The other is signing of documents in

Businessman Avalon Jagnandan

my office. What force could make men I have made rich trade in their loyalty at an instant?” he asked.

A few days ago, Bond had claimed that when he arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Police had asked him to take a lie detector test to respond to the allegations made against him.

The Police had come out in denial of this, making it clear that Bond was not asked to take a lie detector test. In his statement on Thursday, Bond admitted that the Police did not ask him to take a polygraph test. According to him, he had made a mistake.

“From the time I walked in, I requested that a polygraph machine be made available. ASP Reid can attest to this fact. I was told of three allegations, and I gave three statements under caution. I wrote my own statements. The post where I said the Police asked me to submit to a polygraph test was a typo,” he said.

“I will be vindicated. I know they intend to charge myself and Mr. London and use (the two businessmen) as witnesses, but I will prevail. Thank you for your

support, it means a lot to myself and family,” Bond said in closing.

Bond was the attorney who represented the three companies at the centre of the Peters Hall land investigation – Life 1 Pharms Incorporated, A-Z Pharmaceutical Medical Supplies and Equipment Inc and Arken Group – in the drafting of leases by NICIL. Jagnandan, proprietor of Life 1 Pharms Incorporated, and Doolall of A-Z Pharmaceutical Medical Supplies and Equipment Inc were already questioned by the Police in relation to the flipping of the lands.

Both men, in their statements to Police, implicated Bond as the person who arranged the sale of the lands. Both men have similar stories of being told by Bond to apply to NICIL for the land, after which a buyer was found by the former Member of Parliament and money paid over to him.

The leases were controversial in nature since they were in contravention of the stipulations regarding the disposal of State laws, which stipulate that when State lands are leased, the

Linden teacher allegedly commits suicide at GPHC

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Linden teacher reportedly took her own life allegedly while being hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), according to family members.

The deceased, 26-yearold Keisha Wilson reportedly died after seeking medical attention at the institution on Tuesday evening.

Family members have alleged that the mother of one left her home in Linden on Monday, claiming that she was going to conduct a “test” at the Dead teacher: Keisha Wilson medical facility. cide’ watch.

However, they told A family member alleged Guyana Times that Wilson was later admitted to the that the woman was placed hospital later in the evening in a room with “mentallyand was allegedly on ‘sui- ill” patients following her

admission.

One relative further related that they were later informed that the teacher had committed suicide and an investigation had been launched.

Relatives explained that the now dead woman appeared to be in good spirits apart from a few “depressing posts” she recently made on social media.

Only recently, this publication understands, the now dead woman confided in an aunt about “giving up”.

A post-mortem is expected to be performed on her body today.

Attempts to get a comment from the Public Relations Department of the medical facility proved futile.

Attorney-at-Law James Bond

tional for just $100.

In the case of Arken Group, the proprietor of that company leased 20.8 acres of land for an annual fee of US$16,224, and had his address listed as the same as Bond’s. It was revealed that Bond then received US$1 million for the property after it was flipped to a local oil and gas company

Agricola fatal accident

Mother says now dead son left home to attend “fowl fight”

T

he family of 34-yearold Kevin Monderson, of Lot 16 Tucville Squatting Area, Georgetown who died after being struck down by a truck at Agricola, Greater Georgetown on Tuesday last is still in a state of shock and disbelief.

When Guyana Times visited the dead man’s house on Thursday, his mother related that her son left home in the wee hours of Tuesday to attend a “cock-fighting match” in Agricola, but he never returned home.

It was later in the afternoon his relatives received the news that he had been struck down and was in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

They reportedly visited him at the hospital that evening, but he succumbed to his injuries the following day.

It was reported that Monderson was struck down by the truck which was heading to Georgetown about 07:00h. At the time, the third lane for northbound traffic was activated.

The driver told investigators that while in the vicinity of Agricola ‘roadhead’, he observed a man standing on the median, but the man suddenly attempted to cross the road without paying attention to the southbound traffic.

As such, he walked into the path of the truck, thus causing a collision. As a result, he fell to the roadway, and the truck’s rear right wheel ran over both of his legs.

He was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the GPHC in critical condition. He had also suffered

Dead: Kevin Monderson

severe head injuries, and internal bleeding.

He died while being treated in the Emergency Unit of the medical facility.

Following the accident, the driver of the truck was taken into custody.

Guyana records 40 new COVID-19...

FROM PAGE 16

He said there are mechanisms in place to determine how the money would be disbursed, and that a management team is currently working with the other counterparts.

“There is a structure that we have to work with, and we have a project management unit that is going to be working with the IDB team to unlock the resources. These are standardised procedures that we have to go through, so we have the team that is working on that.”

In the meanwhile, Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures (NO. 10), which are in effect until November 31, 2020. This order emphasises, among other things, the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need

for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or

need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately, or visit us at www.health.gov.gy.

20 NEWS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Another company returns State land to NICIL ...says receiving land put it in an “uncomfortable” position

E

ven as the chips from the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government’s giveaway of State lands continue to fall, another company has decided that the wisest thing to do is return the land it received.

Caribbean Marketing Enterprises Incorporated (CMEI) is the latest company to return land it received from the National industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), claiming that receiving the land in the circumstances it did has put it in an “unfamiliar and uncomfortable” position.

In a statement on Thursday, ERES Capital Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mike Elliott, who is a partner in CMEI, announced that the company would be returning the 21 acres of land at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) that it received under the former Government with the intention of investing in hotels.

The company recounted that it first tried to purchase the Marriott Hotel, which the former Government initially tried to sell, back in 2016.

However, its pitch for the hotel was unsuccessful. It was then that it engaged NICIL on buying real estate in the Ogle area in close proximity to one of its major clients.

“Admittedly, this was a very lengthy, tedious and transparent pro-

Looking comfortable: Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan (far left) with the principals of CMEI at the sod-turning ceremony in February 2020. Mike Elliott is in the centre

cess with its fair share of frustrations coupled with ongoing costs and redundant paperwork. Notwithstanding these issues, we were finally able to complete acquisition of 21 acres of real estate in the Ogle area.

“The conclusion of this process was timed with post-elections delay in Guyana and the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. These combined conditions have placed us in a very unfamiliar and uncomfortable position,” the company said.

According to the executive, these circumstances, coupled with its support and goodwill for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, have seen the company choose to give up its 21 acres of land to NICIL, with the return of capital.

“These actions are based on our recognition that the Government of Guyana has the best interests of Guyanese at heart. As US nationals, some with Guyanese heritage, we are confident on the way forward and

believe our multinational team and associated partners can be a worldclass partner for Guyana.

“We have committed to support the Government as they embark on the journey to develop Guyana and improve the lives of the people.

As this new process unfolds, ERES/ CMEI would like to have discussions with the Government regarding our development plans, services, and investments and the way forward,” the company added.

CMEI, which comprises a group of foreign investors, was planning to construct at least two “international flagship” hotels on the land. It even conducted a sod-turning ceremony on February 19, which featured then Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

The former Government rushed the deal through to completion within days of the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

The 21 acres of land NICIL sold to CMEI is just one of the many deals brokered by the former APNU/AFC Government despite losing a NoConfidence Motion back in December of 2018, which meant that it was supposed to be in caretaker mode, not entering into large-scale transactions.

But when it comes to land, it has been revealed so far that the former APNU/AFC Government vested almost 100 acres of prime State land

along the ECD to various companies.

The total value of the lands the former Government handed out along the East Coast was $2.9 billion. But NICIL, which is supposed to ensure Guyana gets the best value for privatised State assets, only received approximately $64 million in payments.

Other than CMEI, five companies which benefited from these questionable land deals have since surrendered the land back to NICIL. The companies that are known to have returned the lands to the State are Navigant Builders Incorporated – the developers of Windsor Estates; Cardiology Services Incorporated; the Corum Group; American Marine Services Incorporated and Supergraphics Enterprise.

In all of these cases, the firms have expressed a desire to work with the new PPP/C Administration to get the necessary and proper approvals needed to pursue their respective developmental goals.

The Government of Guyana has already called in the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate the ECD land deals.

Colvin Heath-London, who presided over NICIL as its CEO at the time these lands were sold, has already been detained and questioned by the Police as it relates to land transactions under his tenure.

Siparuta under complete lockdown after GHDS to host Kartik another 20 new COVID-19 cases detected Purnima Aarti on Sunday at Kitty Seawall

T

The health centre at Siparuta

he Orealla/Siparuta Village Council on Thursday evening took a decision to completely lock down the village of Siparuta from 6:00h today, Friday.

The decision was taken after a whopping 20 new COVID-19 cases were recorded at that Amerindian

Settlement, located in the Corentyne River in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne). The total number of cases in the community stands at 50.

The Village had previously recorded 20 positive cases from 72 tests.

Meanwhile, its sister village of Orealla has nine con-

firmed cases.

Following the outbreak at Siparuta, head of the Region 6 COVID-19 Task Force, David Armogan, said authorities were trying to test everyone in the two Amerindian communities. Orealla has a population of about 1500 and Siparuta’s population is about 400.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Toshao Carl Peneux noted that the Village Council met on Thursday evening and took the decision to lock down the village of Siparuta. He explained that the Council currently has the capacity to deliver food hampers to residents.

Peneux had earlier stated that persons from Siparuta who were tested positive with the novel coronavirus had not been adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines as set out by the Ministry of Health.

A gate has been constructed across the Terrakulli Bridge which links the villages of Orealla and Siparuta. This, Peneux highlighted, is being guarded by Police officers to prevent persons moving from one village to the other.

Region Six recorded 24 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, which has taken its total to 156.

GPF warns Guyanese of scams by alleged Nigerians

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday issued a warning to citizens, particularly females, about a scam involving persons pretending to be Nigerian.

In a statement, the GPF said the modus operandi observed was that the mastermind would send a Facebook request to the intended victim, and after being accepted, he would subsequently request a phone number for communication via WhatsApp. “As time progresses, the mastermind, who is apparently residing overseas expresses an amorous interest in the intended victim and indicates that he would be sending some gifts, including jewellery,” the Police explained.

The release added that the victim would receive a phone

call from the suspect now pretending to be a shipping company employee, informing that the package has arrived, but custom officials have scanned same and observed that it contains money and have threatened prosecution.

“At this juncture, the intended victim is informed that she would have to pay various sums of money to a number of the individuals in order to avoid prosecution, and uplift the box. These monies are to be sent to identified persons through money transfer services or a post office,” the Police statement said.

Once the victim sends the monies, the mastermind is never heard from again and the victim is defrauded of the money sent.

The Kartik Snaan or Kartik Purnima at the seawalls last year

K

artik Snaan or Kartik Purnima will be observed on Sunday, November 29, 2020 by the Hindu community.

This sacred day is observed by fasting, prayers, and puja at the foreshores across the country.

Traditionally, Ganga Ma and Bhagwan Shiva are worshipped. It is a day for internal purification, cleansing, and reflection and a reminder to rid oneself of negative energies and qualities.

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) will be holding Kartik Purnima Aarti on Sunday from 16:30h at the Kitty Seawall and foreshore, opposite the roundabout.

To avoid crowding and congestion, aarti will be done at 17:30h, 18:00h, and 18:30h with consistent kirtan, bhajans and prayers.

The organisation has advised persons to wear their masks and maintain six feet of social distancing when attending the ceremony.

Sanitisers will be provided.

Strict COVID-19 protocols will be observed. The GHDS is encouraging persons not to

crowd the area, but to maintain a free flow by coming at staggered times within the period. The organisation would like persons to bring their thalis/diyas to participate in the aarti.

As part of its drive to encourage a clean and healthy environment, the GHDS reminds the Hindu community to keep the seawalls, foreshores and water in their pristine state.

“We are appealing to persons not to leave cloth, plastic, flags or any other item which is not biodegradable on the seawalls and foreshores after their puja. Offer flowers, leaves and fruit and other bio-degradable items in the deeper waters so that they will not be washed ashore,” the GHDS stated in a release.

Hindus are urged to be conscious of their external and internal environment and to be very conscious of their responsibility to keep their surroundings before and after puja clean and tidy and in no way to contribute to pollution of the waterways, foreshores and seawalls.

The Dharmic Sabha wishes everyone a blissful and divine Kartik Purnima.

guyanatimesgy.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

21

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Look at your finances and sort out what it’s going to cost to get what you want.

An investment will change the way you live. Don’t give in to uncertainty. Do your research.

Dive into something that TAURUS excites you. Take a look at (April 20how you can exploit a situMay 20) ation to improve your position, status or reputation. A meaningful relationship can help you get what you want.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Evaluate your relationships, and consider who is right for you. Information you receive will push you to update personal documents and to prepare for upcoming changes.

Promote what you intend to do, and stand by your word. Forge better relationships with people who share your objectives. A romantic gesture will bring you closer to a loved one.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Don’t feel that you must change how you do things just because someone else does; be yourself and do what feels right. Don’t let anyone confuse or mislead you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

The information you pick up will verify something that you expected all along.

Put the changes you want to make in motion, and start a dialogue with a loved one.

Romance is favored.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Finish what you start.

If you leave something undone, you’ll have to answer for any delays. Don’t put pressure on others or bend to someone’s whims.

Make plans to do something healthy.

SCORPIO

You’ll have plenty on your mind. Don’t confuse yourself by trying to do everything at once. Structure your day to maximize productivity. Plan something special for you and a loved one.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Stay close to home, and make yourself comfortable.

Move things around to give yourself the space you need to pursue a project you want to start. Keep your intentions secret.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Take an interest in home and family. An open dialogue will give you a better understanding of what others want and how best to maintain balance in meaningful relationships. Romance is featured.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Structure your time carefully. Look for ways to use your attributes to help you get ahead. Your efforts will not go unnoticed. Don’t let a last-minute change upset you. Go with the flow.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

How you express yourself will make an impression on someone who can help you. A unique idea or plan will encourage you to update your skills. Romance is favoured.

22

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

17-year old Naeem Khan named BCB/Zulfikar Mustapha Agriculture Scholarship awardee

1

7-year-old Naeem Khan named BCB/Zulfikar Mustapha Agriculture Scholarship awardee Seventeen-year-old Naeem Khan of Belvedere, Corentyne created history on Saturday last when he was selected to be the first awardee of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/ Zulfikar Mustapha Educational Scholarship.

An aspiring all-rounder, Khan plays cricket for the famous Albion Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCCC)

and the Chesney Cricket Club (CCC). This tall off-spin bowler attended the New Amsterdam Secondary School (Multi) and obtained passes in ten subjects.

BCB President Hilbert Foster has hailed the awarding of this scholarship as another redletter day in the development of cricket in the county, and the start of major things to come. The BCB, he proudly stated, is the first cricket board in Guyana to award an educational scholarship, and this is because it values the

importance of education to the overall development of youths.

Education is the cornerstone of a successful future, Foster declared as he called on all cricketers in the Ancient County to place emphasis on it.

He noted that an educated mind assists youths to think on their feet, enabling them to obtain jobs easily and to take care of themselves after their cricketing careers come to an end.

As BCB President, Foster had approached Minister Mustapha

Virat Kohli troubled by “a lot of uncertainty and lack of clarity” on Sharmas’ injuries

I

ndia captain Virat Kohli has said the entire episode surrounding the injuries of Rohit and Ishant Sharma has been "very confusing", and has been exacerbated by a "lot of uncertainty and lack of clarity".

Speaking on the eve of India's ODI series opener against Australia, Kohli said that, ideally, both Rohit and fast bowler Ishant Sharma should have been in Australia to complete recovery from their respective injuries, which would have allowed them to play in the Test leg of the tour.

Both players were ruled out of the first two Tests of the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which is scheduled to start with the day-night Test in Adelaide on December 17.

Speaking on the situation around Rohit's injury, Kohli said that, initially, the senior batsman was ruled out when the squads for Australia tour were picked in October.

"Before we had the selection meeting in Dubai, we had got an email, two days before that, which said that he is unavailable for selection (as) he has picked (up) an injury during the IPL," Kohli said at the virtual media briefing on Thursday in Sydney.

"And it mentioned there was a two-week rest-and-rehab period.

“The pros and cons and the implications of the injury (have) been explained to him, and he understood that, and he was unavailable for selection. That was the information we got on mail before the selection meeting.

“After that, he played in the IPL, so we all thought he would be on that flight to Australia, which he wasn't.

And we had no i n fo r m a t i o n whatsoever on the reason… why he is not travelling

with us."

Having sat out four matches for the Mumbai Indians during the league phase of the IPL, Rohit had made a successful return, and was adjudged the Player of the Match in the final, wherein he helped the Mumbai Indians to an unprecedented fifth IPL title.

However, he was not part of the Indian contingent that flew directly from Dubai to Sydney on November 11. Instead, Rohit returned to Mumbai to cater to what ESPNcricinfo understands were personal reasons. Last week he flew to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to work on his fitness.

Incidentally, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had told the Week, an Indian magazine, that Rohit had been "70% fit".

According to Kohli, the Indian team management was recently informed that Rohit would be next "assessed" on December 11 at the NCA, six days before the first Test.

"And after that, the only other information officially we have received on mail is that he is in the NCA, and he's been assessed and he'll be further assessed on December 11. So, from the time that the selection meeting happened to the IPL finishing now, when this email came about his assessment at the NCA, there has been no information, there has been lack of clarity.

We have b e e n

playing the waiting game on this issue for a while now, which is not ideal at all. So, yeah, it's been very confusing. There has been a lot of uncertainty and lack of clarity around the situation.”

Ideal Kohli also agreed that it would have been ideal for both Rohit and Ishant Sharma to complete their rehab in Australia, similar to what is obtaining in wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha's case.

Saha, who was originally named in the Test squad, hurt both his hamstrings in the first week of November while playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. However, the selectors retained Saha after receiving the nod from the BCCI medical team, which was confident that he would regain fitness in time for the Test series, where he is one of the two wicketkeepers, along with Rishabh Pant.

"Yeah, (it) definitely would have increased the chances of both of them playing Test matches," Kohi said. "Someone like Saha, who also had an injury during the IPL and is here and doing rehab with the team…we are aware of his progress, and he is on the right path to make sure that he is fit and available in time to play the Test series.

“And same would have been the case with Ishant and Rohit as well. It would have given them a chance to get themselves fit and be available for the start of the Test series.

"Yeah, right now, there is so much uncertainty on whether they are going to be able to make it; if they are going to be able to make it at all, or not. It definitely would have been very helpful in them getting fit if they were here and doing the rehab, just like Saha is with the team to get fit for the Test series."

(Modified from an ESPNCricinfo article)

BCB Assistant Secretary Ameer Rahaman handing over the scholarship cheque to Naeem Khan in the presence of his parents and representatives of the BCB and Albion CC

for sponsorship of a scholarship to the University of Guyana at the cost of $200,000. The Minister had readily agreed, but requested that the scholarship be in the agricultural field.

The BCB invited cricketers from across the county to apply for the scholarship. The following criteria was needed: the applicant must be a member of a cricket club, and must have a solid CSEC performance. The applicant must submit proof of acceptance into the University of Guyana.

The BCB received five applications, and after careful consideration by a special committee established by the board, Khan was selected. He would read for a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. The scholarship is worth $200,000 for the first year, and Foster has committed to its renewal if Khan achieves a GPA score of 3.0.

The BCB President also disclosed that great effort would be placed in obtaining another two or three educational

scholarships for cricketers to attend the University of Guyana. Foster has said that the fields to be covered would be public communications, public management, and marketing.

The BCB, he said, would also assist cricketers to complete their educational career by assisting the less fortunate ones with bicycles, educational materials, footwear and school bags in a joint project with the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club.

The BCB for all of its Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 tournaments in 2021, would make it compulsory for a player to be attending school if he/she wants to participate.

Foster also used the opportunity to express gratitude to Minister Mustapha for his support, and hailed him as a longtime supporter of Berbice Cricket.

Naeem Khan has expressed gratitude to the BCB and to Minister Mustapha for their support, and pledged that he would make them proud of him.

Brathwaite sublime as West Indies on top

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“stumps” score of 353 for three tells a succinct story of the opening day of the second New Zealand A fixture against the West Indies in Queenstown.

After West Indies skipper Darren Bravo had elected to bat in the first-class four-dayer, NZ A were in for a long day in the dirt as the touring side’s top order piled serious partnerships onto the board.

The opening pair of Kraigg Brathwaite and John Campbell made a start that was full of intent, putting on the first century stand inside the first 21 overs. But when the score reached Nelson's - 111 however, superstition struck in the form of the first wicket.

Blair Tickner had fired one through Campbell's middle stump to collect his wicket for the second time in as many innings, but not before the lefthander had punched 45 off 62 deliveries, this time to help get early momentum for his side.

New Zealand A were happy to have broken the opening partnership, but they had to dig deep and sweat hard to prise apart the following pair.

Brathwaite was joined by his captain shortly before lunch, and the two quickly settled in for a 189-run stand for the second wicket.

Brathwaite had already notched up a half-century at near run-a-ball pace, and Bravo followed suit with a more measured 90-ball effort that carried the visitors through to

tea without further loss.

Brathwaite had reached three figures by then: the 27-yearold's 23rd first-class century, after more than three and a half hours in the middle.

He just kept going.

His third 50 flew off just 80 balls, hitting his 150 before drinks in the last session. Now Bravo himself was closing in, but after hours of near fruitless toil, NZ A finally had another wicket

to celebrate when he mistimed spinner Rachin Ravindra on 93. It was a frustrating exit for Bravo after nearly four hours of application, but at 300 for two, the West Indies were already in a strong position.

Brathwaite lost another partner several overs later when Michael Rae had Shamarh Brooks caught at 322/3, but Brathwaite himself wouldn't budge. He tickled a single off Rae to bring up the West Indies’ 350, and was then within 17 runs of a double century.

He carried his bat throughout the remainder of the day to stay on 183 not out at the close of play. The West Indies are to resume Day Two at 353 for three. (NZ Cricket)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

GCB/Tropical Springs O-40 T20 tournament…

Regal Masters dominate Sandpipers with 10-wicket win – RP Construction Legends edge to victory

RP Construction Legends completed a win over West Demerara Mavericks

Anthony Ifill was dominant with bat and ball

By Brandon Corlette

T

he Regal Masters were too hot to handle on a cool afternoon at the Everest Cricket Club, where

sive 10-wicket win against Sandpiper Masters in round 4 of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Tropical Springs Water O-40 tournament.

match in this round, RP Construction Legends defeated West Demerara Masters by three wickets at Enmore.

Due to the wet-outfield and early morning showers, the first game at Everest, between Everest Masters and WD Mavericks, was washed out, while the first match at the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club saw Bel Air Rubis Ultra Tec taking a walk-over against KV Construction Masters, who have withdrawn from the tournament.

ted 10 overs.

Alvin Charran and Bhupendra Deokie each made 10 runs, but Regal bowlers were impressive.

Bowling with impressive pace, Ifill struck gold, and ended with magical figures

43-0 in only 3.5 overs. Ifill, who struck a 28* that was laced with three huge sixes, was in a hurry as he slammed 26 runs in an over bowled by Parmanand Deokie.

The pugnacious Ifill and his opening partner Eion

Regal Masters v Sandpiper Masters

Eion Abel and Ifill were smooth operators between the wickets

they registered a comprehen-

In

the

other

possible

Led by an all-round effort from Anthony Ifill, who struck a blistering 28 and grabbed 3-2 in two overs, the Regal Masters showed they were the better team.

Regal won the toss and opted to field first on a partly wet outfield and moist pitch.

At 15:15h, Sandpipers took the strike but never got their foot on the gas and were restricted to 39-6 in their allot-

Conrad Boele bowling as Alvin Charran looks on

of 3-2 in two overs, including one maiden. Chien Gittens grabbed 1-6 in his two overs.

In pursuit of this tiny total of 40 from 10 overs, Regal Masters attained victory on

Abel were quick between the wickets, while the Sandpiper Masters looked jaded.

Abel sealed the match in style with an authoritative shot through cow-corner.

Regal Masters have now registered their second win.

One match was washed out by the rain for the men in green.

RP Construction Legends v WD Masters

Batting first, Masters posted 95-8 in 20 overs, with Sudesh Persaud scoring an unbeaten 20 while Roy Fernandes and Ramesh Thakur each contributed 18 runs. In a disciplined bowling effort for RP Construction Legends, Chatterpaul Singh claimed 2-9 in three overs.

In response, Legends reached 98-7 in 19.1 overs, and won with three wickets in hand and five balls to spare.

Rohan Mangal led the charge with an unbeaten 37 that was decorated with three fours and one six. Steve Haripaul's 2-10 was insufficient to prevent the Legends’ victory.

The tournament will continue on Saturday November 28 at the Jai Hind ground in Berbice.

Rodrigues reflects…

10 years on from the Lady Jags’ historic Gold Cup Qualification

“L

ooking back on it now ten years later, sometimes I find myself reflecting. Like if I had a little bit more support and resources in many areas, imagine what we might have accomplished beyond that. We might have been the first Caribbean women’s program to make it to a World Cup. But, in hindsight, it’s 2020.”

Those were the musings of Former Lady Jags Head Coach Mark Rodrigues as he reflected on Guyana’s dominance over Cuba in 2010 in a game that bought the country’s first ticket to the Gold Cup. Rodrigues, who led the team to their first Women’s Gold Cup, reflected on the successes of the determined batch on the 10th anniversary of their participation in the qualifiers - an expe-

Former Lady Jags Head Coach Mark Rodrigues

rience that was both bitter and sweet.

While Rodrigues highlighted the challenges they faced leading up to the win, like the horrible treatment they received in an away game in Cuba, he noted that he is still stunned by the expectations that were surpassed.

“It feels pretty amazing,

because when I launched the program at the end of 2008/beginning of 2009, and officially launched it in June 2009 in Turks and Caicos, I had an idea of what I’d hoped would come out of it, and it exceeded my own expectations and that of a lot of other people,” he said.

Another challenge that had to be overcome, he highlighted, was the young crop of players from which a historic performance was expected.

“When we got to the Gold Cup in 2010, those players were ranged between 16 and 22. The average age that came in that point in time was 18 and a half, and we’re heading in to play against these professional players.

“But I constantly preached to them that what we’re doing is bigger than

us,” Rodrigues posited.

Looking at the current state of the Lady Jags setup, Rodrigues is confident that they can replicate such historic performances with the right agenda. As such, he commended the programs that are currently in place.

One thing that helped to boost the spirits of the Guyanese team was the crowd that boisterously cheered on the team in sup-

port.

Reflecting, the former Head Coach said, “We had not experienced any crowds like this for any games in Guyana, so they knew what was on the line. Guyana knows what’s on the line, and they’re out here to support you, they’re your twelfth player, so let’s use that twelfth players and go out there and make history,” he said.

“And I kept drumming

that to them, ‘Let’s make history!’ ‘Let’s make history!’ ‘This is your opportunity to create for Guyana, it will never be forgotten, you will be the first ever to do it, it can never be taken away from you’,” Rodrigues echoed.

“I was crying like a baby,” Rodrigues said of the moment Guyana sealed their 3-1 win over Cuba at the National Stadium at Providence.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

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

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Rodrigues reflects…

10 years on from the Lady Jags’ historic 17-year old Naeem Khan named BCB/Zulfikar Gold Cup Qualification Mustapha Agriculture Scholarship awardee Pg 22

Pg 23

GCB/Tropical Springs O-40 T20 tournament…

Regal Masters dominate Sandpipers with 10-wicket win

– RP Construction Legends edge to victory

See story on page 22

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