Guyana Times - Monday, April 5, 2021

100 not out!!!

Corentyne P woman thanks God for life — urges younger generation to 14

live in peace and harmony

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4608

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021

PRICE

Gas-to-shore project

Natural gas will boost reliable electricity supply as Guyana prepares for massive transformation – GEA Head Page 3

In 1 year, Guyana records 218 COVID deaths; then 25 more in last 10 days

Page 13

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P12 36 cases disposed of in 1st quarter

by Demerara Criminal Assizes

1 injured in P13 2-vehicle collision at Good Hope

Bandits caught on camera P9 splitting loot

EBB residents P16 decry deteriorating state of bridges — say thousands affected

— 40 new cases detected Sunday — 40,000 persons to be vaccinated this week

Duo robbed at gunpoint while dining at WBD restaurant

No information on teenager who disappeared after leaving — gunmen cart off over $3.5M in items barbershop Page 2

Govt invites bids to construct core homes in Sophia

Albouystown man nabbed with ganja during roadblock P12

Page 14

Page 7

Man fined $15K for breaching P8 COVID curfew

2 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Duo robbed at gunpoint while dining at WBD restaurant – gunmen cart off over $3.5M in items

P

olice are now on the hunt for two men who robbed two patrons at gunpoint of a whopping $3.5 million worth of gold jewellery, cash and other valuables while they were dining on Sunday evening.

The incident took place between 20:15h and 20:30h, at Hong Xiang restaurant, which is located at Lot 15 Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

According to reports received, Navindra Kooblall, a 34-year-old boat captain

of La Grange Old Road, WBD, was dining along with Leon Dyal, a 33-yearold sales representative of Aron Street, Goed Fortuin, at a Chinese restaurant when the gunmen attacked them.

Kooblall was reportedly relieved of six gold chains valued $2,145,000, two gold rings valued $220,000, one gold band valued $400,000 along with an iPhone 11 Pro Max cell phone valued $320,000, one Samsung A17 cell phone valued $150,000

An image from the CCTV footage showing the bandits relieving the victims of their valuables

and US$1500.

Meanwhile, Dyal was relieved of one Samsung A50 cellular phone valued at $60,000 along with $155,000 in local currency and US$200. The entire ordeal was captured on the CCTV cameras that are placed at strategic locations on the premises.

From the CCTV footage, one of the suspects was seen pulling the chains from the victim’s neck while his accomplice targeted Dyal.

Following the robbery, the two armed men made good their escape in their getaway car - a white 212 motor vehicle.

After the robbery, Police arrived at the scene and conducted a search for the perpetrators but no one was seen. Nevertheless, Police said thus far, several per-

sons have been questioned.

On Thursday, a 54-yearold businessman was robbed at gunpoint at his Calendar Street property.

Based on reports received, the man was sitting in front of his business place when one of the perpetrators entered his shop and as he was making his way out, he attacked the victim and snatched off the gold chain that he was wearing at the time.

The gold chain weighed about 40 pennyweights.

However, the businessman said he had attempted to open a pepper spray, but the armed bandit whipped out a handgun and pointed it at him. The other perpetrator then relieved the businessman of his two cellular phones. They both escaped on foot.

Miner busted with ganja in Berbice

A

miner who hails from Vryheids Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was arrested on Saturday after he was found with a quantity of ganja at Golden Fleece, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

Police acting on information received swooped down on the house at Golden Fleece and found the suspect hiding in a clump of bushes.

Upon seeing the ranks, the man started to run but he was subsequently apprehended by The cannabis that was found the ranks, who gave in the miner’s possession chase. legal plant.

At the time of He was told of the offence his arrest, he was carrying a blue and black haversack and arrested. The cannawhich, when searched, re- bis was weighed in his presvealed two bulky transpar- ence and amounted to 1560 ent parcels containing the il- grams.

NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, April 5 – 00:30h – 02:00h and 11:30h – 13:00h and Tuesday, April 6 – 01:00h – 02:30h and 12:30h – 14:00h.

Gas-to-shore project

Natural gas will boost reliable electricity supply as Guyana prepares for massive transformation – GEA Head

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, April 5 – 11:15h – 12:45h and Tuesday, April 6 – 12:45h – 14:15h.

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be light rain during the day. Thundery showers will prevail at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly to NorthEasterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 10:51h reaching a maximum height of 2.51 metres.

Low Tide: 17:16h reaching a minimum height of 1.07 metres.

SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS D

10 11 13

14 19 22

FREE TICKET

28 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

03 04 06 11 26 LUCKY 3

0

6

6

DRAW DE LINE

09

10

13

14

17 20 21 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

01 09 13 15 17 13

02 07 08 09 16

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$63.60/barrel

+0.09

Rough Rice

$236.57/ton

+0.04

London Sugar

$423.40/ton

+0.81

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1727.20

$1728.20

Low/High Change

$1726.30 -3.10

$1731.90 -0.81%

3

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GEA CEO, Dr Mahender Sharma

W

ith the gas-toshore project expected to add some 200-250 megawatts of energy to the national grid, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr Mahender Sharma believes that bringing the natural gas from offshore operations will significantly boost reliable power supply in the country.

“The intention here is to have sufficient security of [power] supply, and having natural gas as forming the backbone, the baseload for our supply provides that level of reliability of supply. It reduces the price volatility that we face with heavy fuel oils that we’re currently dependent on,” Sharma contended during a recent webinar hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Guyana on renewable energy and investment opportunities.

He was at the time responding to a question on Guyana having “24x7 reliable power supply” for both industrial and domestic use.

The Guyana Government is aiming to have the gas-to-energy project implemented by 2024, piping natural gas being produced at the Liza field in the Stabroek Block over 120 miles to shore for power generation. The former Wales Estate on the West Bank of Demerara has been identified as the landing site for the pipelines.

With Guyana generating at nearly 17 to 20 cents per kilowatt/hour, the Irfaan Ali-led Administration anticipates that this project would cut the cost of electricity by more than half.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during a February press conference disclosed that Government is looking to undertake a number of studies prior to kicking construction off. He explained that studies including geotechnical, geophysical and Environmental Impact Assessments will have to be conducted before works start.

“No pipelines are being built now… After all of this has been done, we will move forward with the construction phase of the pipeline.

So, we’ve a good year, possibly a year and a half away

from constructing any pipeline,” Jagdeo had stated.

United States oil major, ExxonMobil, which is operating the Stabroek Block along with several partners, has said that around 30 to 35 million cubic feet of natural gas would be required for the gas-to-shore project.

Data from Norwegian research company, Rystad Energy, had indicated that less than 20 per cent of the 1.8 billion Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) discovered last year was gas.

Meanwhile, the GEA Head further explained that Guyana’s power grid can be further enhanced with the addition of more renewable sources of energy especially given that the demand will skyrocket as a result of the massive economic transformation the country will be undergoing in the coming years.

“Bringing hydropower into that mix and catering for what that increase demand look like, and bringing in some of the intermittent sources like solar and wind to help supplement that, adds to the [power] security that we’re looking for,” Sharma added.

However, he noted that many factors need to be taken into consideration when it comes to reliable power generation including the functioning of generators, age of the generators, the fuel stock that they use, the transmission and distribution network, and the reliability of substations among others.

“So, there [are] many elements that need to happen and we need to invest a lot more in networking our grid, in creating more redundant circuits. So, if

Gas from the Liza field offshore Guyana will be piped onshore to generate power

we’re maintaining one circuit, we can switch you to an alternate circuit so that you can have that [constant supply of power without interruptions]. A lot of that has to be done because the loads are growing,” the GEA Head posited.

While Guyana has been struggling over the years to stabilise its power supply, Director of Industrial Energy Division at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) – a global think tank on renewable energy and sustainable development, Dr G Rudra Narsimha Rao said the country has come a long way in this regard. Now, he pointed out, focus should be on reducing the high cost of electricity which has been identified as one of the major hindrances to commercial activities for years.

“Reliability wise, you have to compare what is there five years back or 10 years back to today. Today, we’re eyeing reliable power supply. I’ve been here for [the] past 12 years and I can see that what I used to

see in 2012/2013, we are in the best way. We’re managing the system and the grid is also being supported…

Even GPL (Guyana Power and Light) is giving schedules for maintenance… Our issue is not the reliability of power supply today. Today, our main issue is cost and how to bring down the cost.

That is what we’re all trying to target; the renewable energy situation and bringing down the cost,” said Dr Rao, who was the webinar’s guest speaker.

Dr Rao has been in Guyana since under former President Donald Ramotar’s regime, working on behalf of TERI with Guyanese authorities in the area of climate change and energy.

In addition to the gas-toshore project, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration is also looking to revive the 165-MW Amaila Falls hydroelectric project, which was shelved by the APNU/ AFC Administration. This Government said it will further reduce the cost of electricity in Guyana.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Happy Easter

C

hristianity commemorates its belief of the resurrection – that is, the ‘rising from the dead’ – of Jesus Christ, three days after he had been crucified on Good Friday. The changing date of the festival annually, reminds us of the antiquity of the religion and harks back to a time when events were commemorated according to phases of the moon. Easter was established as falling on the first Sunday after the full moon following the northern hemisphere's vernal equinox. While Easter’s central message remains constant, COVID-19 protocols might temper some of its observances reviewed below.

In the Caribbean, the pre-Lenten Carnival is a raucous prelude to the solemnity of Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. But in its spread across the world, the festival has acquired unique expressions in almost every country Christianity is practised. In Rome where the Christian religion took early root under the guidance of Peter, who was a direct disciple of Jesus, Holy Week events in the Eternal City include a ceremony in which the Pope washes the feet of a dozen men at a service commemorating Christ's gesture of humility to his apostles. This gesture is replicated by the local Catholic Bishop in Guyana.

One of the strangest ‘innovations’ in commemorating Easter’s commemoration of the sacrifice of Jesus is found in the Philippines. Filipinos take part in bloody rituals in which half-naked penitents whip their backs with blades and bamboo sticks. Many Filipino Catholics perform religious penance during the week leading up to Easter as a form of worship and supplication. These rites are believed to cleanse the sins of the devotees, cure illnesses, and even grant wishes. Devotees walk barefoot in sweltering heat, stopping every few hundred yards at makeshift altars while local residents recite texts narrating Jesus Christ's suffering. The Catholic Church in the Philippines has tried to distance itself from the tradition, calling it "unChristian", but to no avail.

Oftentimes, the customs do not seem to have any connection to the underlying message of the festival, but they have become so traditional that to the natives, Easter would not be Easter without them. These are the ‘secular’ aspects of Easter. Decorated Easter eggs are quite common in the western European countries and those countries such as the US where their descendants form the dominant group. They also have ‘egg rolling’ games.

Interestingly, while we were a British colony, we do not seem to have picked up the Easter egg tradition – as did Barbados and Jamaica. Eggs here are only used for eating!

In Colombia, the turtle-egg omelettes, iguana soup, and fried capybara are the traditional Easter dishes.

The hot cross bun, which has a venerable history – even predating European Christianity, is a fixture and a favourite of peoples from all religions during the Easter season. In the British Caribbean, stretching from Guyana to Bermuda, we have also picked up kite flying in the weeks before Easter Sunday – building to a peak on Easter Monday, which is always a public holiday. For Guyanese, outside the Christian faith, Easter is firmly identified with kite flying.

Some say that the tradition was started to demonstrate the ascension of Christ to heaven, but there is no conclusive evidence to verify this.

One interesting belief that has crept into our local practices in Guyana is that one should not work on Good Friday. Disobeying this stricture, it is predicted, would result in an accident or some other mishap. The Bartica Regatta is fast developing into a local Easter event that is identifiably “Guyanese”. After our imitation of the pre-Lent Trinidad Carnival, maybe we might consider adopting the T&T Easter tradition of “Beating the Bobolee”.

The Bobolee is an effigy of Judas Iscariot made out of old rags and then left out to be beaten by passersby as symbolic punishment for Judas' betrayal of Christ.

Interestingly, of recent, the Bobolees have been made to resemble local politicians. The beatings are now done more enthusiastically.

Happy Easter, Guyana.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues took time out on Saturday to interact and distribute kites to children of Swan, Linden-Soesdyke Highway, Herstelling and Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara. In photo, a lad receives a kite from the Minister

Oil conversation and the Diaspora Dear Editor, With so many anticipations, proposals, suggestions, doubts, uncertainties, concerns, questions and queries arising to shroud the transparency of the oil industry, one salient fact remains remarkably opaque and firmly unchallenged. David Granger, Raphael Trotman and the entire APNU/AFC party signed a lopsided contract riddled with propensities advantageous only to Exxon. Trotman was wined and dined at the expense of Exxon in Texas and anyone can logically conclude what obviously transpired.

The cabal agreed to sell out the rights and interests of Guyana; they denied Guyanese from being awarded revenues enjoyed by other countries as per international standard; that party enriched the new colonial master and shackled Guyanese to a different sovereignty, saddling us with their expenses and leaving us with mere pittance as handout. APNU/AFC party accepted a paltry US$18 million signing bonus and further hid that from the public, only confessing after being caught and exposed.

That contract may be renegotiated but only if Exxon agrees to that request.

But because of the binding clauses, Exxon will not shoulder anything detrimental to its welfare or bear any cost that will affect its interest. One concrete conclusion Guyanese can walk away with from this sweetheart deal is that the APNU/AFC party must not be trusted ever again to negotiate for the interest of Guyana and represent Guyanese to bargain for their welfare. They will certainly sell out our birthrights and only serve their personal interest. This is an established fact as evidenced by the oil contract and history has established a paper trail documenting their corrupt methodology as being their legacy. As such, any fair-minded Guyanese will unhesitatingly refuse to accept the APNU/AFC leadership and will not agree to be governed by that party ever again.

A question to ponder is, how dependent are the “reli-

able” data sources pertaining to published information regarding the ramifications of the oil industry? Are we being fed both sides of the story and are we being educated in-depth or partially spoon-fed? Everyone has their own agenda and is serving a different master and purpose! The original problem was created from doubts at the very inception. The issuance of shares for blocks were clouded and shrouded. Sales and transfers are beyond Guyana’s control and knowledge with no return to the coffer.

Raphael Trotman was wined and dined in Texas at the behest and expense of Exxon.

To sign an absurd contract and ignore all expert warnings and professional advice and without the knowledge of Guyanese paints a glowing picture of high speculation. It’s an open secret who got what from the contract; one that handcuffs the hands of Guyanese; one that shackles the feet; one that hangs an albatross on the neck; one that leaves the blind at the edge of a pit; one that creates a monster all over again as a new colonial master. It’s not a matter of the Government can’t or wouldn’t renegotiate, but, the problem of the ridiculous clauses stipulated and agreed to by the greed and selfish APNU/AFC party, bearing unfavourable repercussions!

The gas-to-shore project is already riddled with controversial speculations, reservations and provides little transparency. But it also envisages high anticipation and mutual benefits, whether declared or undeclared. Unless the public is meticulously enlightened and kept abreast perpetually as per each step, doubts and despairs will determine how detrimental any diversion will dictate.

A factor grossly being overlooked is that oil failed to generate a net US$300 million in revenue last year. The money gained is secured in a Natural Resource Fund kept by the New York Federal Reserve Bank and awaiting legislation regarding its withdrawal and usage.

Whether it’s sitting accumulating interest only is uncertain.

Now, in comparison, remittances received from the Diaspora surpassed this amount, without any expense incurred by the Government.

This large sum of money has already been channelled and filtered down directly to the pockets of Guyanese and recycled in the economy of the nation, benefitting all and sundry, directly and indirectly. Whether it is productively and carefully utilised is another matter, but hopefully not wasted on unnecessariness. Consideration should be encouraged and entertained by the Government to harness monetary input from the Diaspora and invest this capital in a fund that can be productive for the benefit of needy communities. Other countries, India for example, have capitalised tremendously on such an idea.

There are approximately 500,000 related Guyanese overseas. Using a hypothetical case as surmised by Dr Tara Singh, if 500,000 contribute US$10 in a year, or, if 1 per cent ie 5000 invest US$1000 each in this scheme, it will account for US$5 million converted to G$1.1 billion. Now, this money could be managed by the Government to expedite significant projects identified, and help Guyanese living in areas which are in need of dire help, desperate and urgent care and attention. The initiative lies with the Government to reach out to the Diaspora. This is one area which should not be ignored but explored. The Dutch Disease is not a myth but a potential reality.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

A forensic audit of GFC is needed

Dear Editor, Since taking office in August 2020, the new Administration, quite rightly, took stock of several Ministries/Commissions notably the then Ministry of Public Infrastructure; The Demerara Harbour Bridge Asphalt Plant, and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC). The audit revealed mass irregularities and fraud involving former Government Ministers and senior officials; however, there was no mention of an audit of Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), a revenue collecting agency unable to pay staff in 2019/2020.

Over a decade ago, a prominent sawmilling enterprise was found in possession of exporting seals/stamps of GFC and GRA (Guyana Revenue Authority). That matter was swept through the “back door” to my knowledge without any investigation. The parliamentary opposition will not demand an audit of GFC, it will reveal their incompetence and

skullduggery during their period 2015-2020.

Lately, the Honourable Minister of Natural Resources spoke of increasing the availability of State forest to local and foreign investors for exportation, and glossed GFC of issuing 300 sawmill licences annually over the past ten years. A check with GFC revealed that instructions were given to withhold information regarding the amount of operable sawmills; relevant information for the public should not be suppressed.

Is the Honourable Minister deceptive or purposely misled?

I hope it’s neither. GFC must clarify the amount of operable sawmills. The Administration failing to enforce an audit of GFC will only influence the thought that Government and Opposition are in collusion of protecting their maladministration from exposure.

A forensic audit of GFC is needed.

Sincerely, Gerald Schomburgh

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021

5

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

VP Jagdeo and lawyer Anil Nandlall should be excused for non-filing Dear Editor, I would like to offer some observations on how courts, particularly in the USA, would treat the application to overturn the High Court default judgement handed down

by Justice Sandra Kurtzious, ordering Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo to pay the former Housing Minister, Annette Ferguson, more than $20 million in damages for libel.

The judgement should be reversed, and a real trial held, on the following jurisprudential grounds, generally classified as “excusable neglect.”

(1) The matter was not decided on the merits, and hence cannot be said to be a valid judgement, especially since the court did not explain how it arrived at the $20 million in damages. Ex parte judgements, as this one is, are cloaked in secrecy and suspi-

cion, having been obtained without hearing the other side’s evidence and arguments and abrogates the audi alteram partem rule, a firmly established rule of common law that a Judge or anyone exercising a judicial function must hear both sides of every case. Every party must have his day in court. This was not afforded Mr Jagdeo, who has since demonstrated that he was very eager to defend the case.

(2) Mistake, inadvertence, surprise, or excusable neglect of the party who failed to defend himself in the case can be established by the defendant Jagdeo. Courts in the US have been accepting the unprecedented COVID pandemic as a legitimate excuse, and granting reversals and/or stays of judgements accordingly.

(3) VP Jagdeo can also

argue that the delay was caused by the collateral consequences of the epic struggle waged by him, his lawyer Mr Anil Nandlall, SC, the Caricom community, the United States, the European Union, Britain, Canada, The Carter Center, and other international groups, agencies and organisations, for the restoration of the right of the Guyanese people to freely elect a Government of their choice. Fair-minded people in Guyana and around the world, Opposition Leaders, world leaders and others denounced the initial results, released by the elections council. In short, this fundamental subversion of democracy and the rule of law would presumptively have been deemed to permeate the legal system, and affords another valid excuse for the defendant’s omissions to file his

defence.

(4) The fact that an injunction seeking to muzzle the then Opposition Leader was earlier denied by the High Court seems to suggest that the plaintiff’s case may not have merit.

Truth is a complete defence to an action like this. If the statement at issue is substantially true, a defamation claim cannot succeed because a citizen and/or newspaper have the right to publish truthful information even if it injures another’s reputation. The defence of “fair comment on a matter of public interest,” may also be a possible defence.

This case can be summarily disposed of if the public records regarding land ownership confirm that the former Minister owns three plots of land at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD),

which she acquired while in Government. Of course, acquisition of properties and assets beyond one’s salaries have also triggered successful criminal prosecution in many parts of the world, including against mobsters and racketeers.

Some prosecutors have convinced juries of criminal liability based on circumstantial evidence to show increases in net worth that do not match an individual’s income, and therefore could only have come from ill-gotten gains, such as bribes, thefts, misappropriation etc.

In a murder case I prosecuted in 1983, I used this type of argument to convict two males who lured the deceased, Mr Jeeboo, to the backdam, under the pretext to “see how his crop is developing.” When they returned at sunset without him, and could offer no

plausible explanation for his disappearance, his dead body was the inescapable result of murder, based on circumstantial evidence.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if two cats and a healthy mouse go into a forest, and only the two cats return, and cannot explain why the mouse was found dead, you can be sure, and draw the reasonable conclusion, that the cats killed the mouse.” Even their lawyers, the brilliant Doodnath Singh and Bernard DeSantos, SCs, could not save them from this logical theory.

The law can be a slippery slope.

Sincerely, Albert Baldeo (Former Senior State Counsel, Prosecutor, Police Legal Advisor and Magistrate in Guyana)

The Kurupukari area is an option for Guyana’s development Dear Editor, The beautiful area of Kurupukari can be considered one of the best options for the future development of Guyana. It is centrally located in Guyana and in close proximity to Iwokrama tropical forest which both His Excellency President Hoyte and His Excellency President Dr Jagan have endorsed as an example and gift to the world for sustainable habitat.

In the heart of our beautiful country where many Amerindian tribes still call home and have a history that goes back thousands of years, this location would be exceptional for the responsible development of our country. Maintaining the environmental integrity of the location while building a sustainable city of the future will allow for the native community to maintain

their way of life and enable the efficient and effective management of our country.

This central location also allows for excellent border control and maintenance of our sovereignty. It will be a great location from which to expand regional management and establish a capital that is less vulnerable to the ever-changing climate.

Given its close proximity to the Linden-Lethem highway, increasing trade with our neighbouring countries and improving the use of available natural resources no longer will suffer from the coastal focus that has hindered investment in the interior of the country.

The Kurupukari area is also a great location for bird watching and a full immersion experience in ecotourism, which can be easily showcased in the interior location of our country. The

history of unsustainable balata bleeding in the area can serve as a great lesson learned from unsustainable exploitation of our Earth’s resources and will add value to the story and purpose of the Guiana Shield which a capital in the Kurupukari area will represent.

The city centre could boast an expansive green space with a plaza and cultural centre that has both indoor and outdoor stages allowing for the various Amerindian tribes to showcase their culture while embracing the tourist industry. Museums, libraries, schools and universities in the city centre will also allow for the exploration of our rich Amerindian heritage and provide opportunities to learn more about our planet, its climate, animals, plants and nature in general. The inclusion of nature parks will bring family fun

back into focus with nature tours and eco-friendly recreational activities.

Moving just beyond the centre of the city a focus can be added to allow for crafts, art and restaurants which offer the multi-ethnic flavours of Guyana. The hotels and conference facilities should be just beyond the restaurant realm to allow for easy access to accommodations while keeping the necessary comforts and essentials within walking distance.

This leads us to an area of essentials a bit further out from the city centre which includes banks, markets, health clinics, department stores and malls. Venturing even further away from the culturally rich centre of the city we should add the necessary support that comes with an efficient city that takes care of and protects its citizens. This is where the

Several diplomatic positions to be filled Dear Editor, It is now eight months since the Irfaan Ali Administration took over though five months delay because of a move to manipulate the elections results, there is a lot of work to be done besides cleaning up the mess created by the Granger/ Nagamootoo coalition. Most important is the appointment of High Commissioners and Ambassadors. This is crucial since overseas diplomats are important to “sell” the country to the commercial world especially at this time when Guyana is raking in billions because of the oil boom.

Appointments have to be made in Brazil, South Africa, China, Kuwait, Canada and the United Kingdom. London has been without a High Commissioner for 18 months since the resignation of APNU/AFC Hamley Case and over a year in Ottawa since another of David Granger’s nominee, Clarissa Riehl, quit.

Bayney Karran, a PPP/C

named diplomat was fired by the coalition Government in January last year. Bayney, an attorney-at-law by profession, was a diplomat for 17 years having served in Washington and Beijing. He is back in Georgetown working as a senior executive with an oil company.

The Irfaan Ali Government announced that Samuel Hinds, 78, a chemical engineer who graduated from the University of New Brunswick, who served as Prime Minister for a total of more than 30 years and briefly as President of the Co-operative, to be the new Ambassador to the United States and OAS replacing Dr Riyad Insanally, a highly qualified career diplomat who holds two master’s degree and a doctorate from Harvard University. He also speaks French and Spanish fluently.

No announcement was made if Dr Insanally, who is in his mid-sixties, will be

posted to another country and this raises eyebrows because of his vast experience having served in Georgetown, and Washington and was Trade Adviser to the Guyana High Commission in London and Commercial Representative of the Guyana Sugar Corporation. Meanwhile, Dr Vishnu Bisram, a well-known Guyanese-born pollster and columnist who is based in New York said Hinds is a model leader and extremely honest, who has consistently spoken out against rigged elections and will be an excellent diplomat.

Meanwhile Guyanese in London are not too happy about the inordinate delay in the appointment of a High Commissioner which was without one for 18 long months...it was pointed out that despite the delay, the Irfaan Ali Administration took office eight months ago and should by now be in a position to fill the vacancies in the overseas mis-

sions. However, Government sources contend that serious consideraton will have to be taken in selecting suitable persons to fill the positions.

It is important that the candidates have the capacity to discuss trade and commerce and ways and means to attract investors to Georgetown. I gather from sources in Georgetown that the administration is considering the appointment of a woman of Chinese heritage to be the Ambassador in Beijing.

The diaspora in Canada was advocating for Charrandas Persaud to be appointed as the High Commissioner in Ottawa, but he was posted to India. I do not think he could be appointed since he is a Canadian citizen.

Charrandas will no doubt do a good job in Delhi. He is a Hindu and was a keen follower of the Indian culture since he was a kid.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

courts, Police headquarters, fire brigade headquarters, religious facilities and hospitals can be placed. Beyond this 4th outer realm from the city centre, we can add the governance structure that allows for the development of national administration across the ten regions. This would include our various Ministries, the Office of the President and his residence and those of key Government officials. Beyond this 5th realm, housing developments can be established followed by manufacturing and then environmentally friendly farming areas which support the city and export initiatives that can leverage the transportation network on the outskirts of the city. The core of the renewable energy grid which supports the nation overall can be estab-

lished a bit further out to ensure safety and an opportunity for its expansion as the nation continues to develop. Finally, in the 10th outer realm, the military and prisons can be located beyond the core of the renewable energy grid to ensure the safety and protection of the capital.

These are a few ideas to consider as we embark on a game-changing national development plan. Choosing a location for the heart of our national development plan, followed by the establishment of a clear timeline and strategic plan for our nation’s long-term development continues to be a top priority that must be addressed as we leverage the resources currently available.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

6

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021

Foundation ◄

Page Question 1

a) If the price of a dress is $17, 000, what would the VAT (charged at 14%) be? Calculate the total amount paid for the dress. b) If a discount of 10% is offered if three or more dresses are purchased, what would Mora pay for four dresses for her nieces? Determine the cost price of each dress if the seller makes 20% profit?

Friday’s answers 1 a.

1 b.

prime prime

5 a.

5 b.

23 × 5 34

2 a.

2 b.

22 × 13 2×3×7

6 a.

6 b.

prime 22 × 23

3 a.

3 b.

2×3×7 25

7 a.

7 b.

2×5×7 5 × 13

4 a.

4 b.

23 × 5 2 × 37

8 a.

8 b.

23 × 32 2×3×5

By John Keats

O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms, Alone and palely loitering?

The sedge has withered from the lake, And no birds sing.

O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms, So haggard and so woe-begone?

The squirrel’s granary is full, And the harvest’s done.

I see a lily on thy brow, With anguish moist and fever-dew, And on thy cheeks a fading rose Fast withereth too.

I met a lady in the meads, Full beautiful—a faery’s child, Her hair was long, her foot was light, And her eyes were wild.

I made a garland for her head, And bracelets too, and fragrant zone; She looked at me as she did love, And made sweet moan

Q

uilts can weave a story through imagery, colour, and pattern.

Imagine a quilt that tells the story of Easter.

What colours, patterns, and images would it have, and why?

You can use a simple 9-square template, which you can create by dividing a plain sheet of paper into a grid of 3 squares by 3 squares like this:

or make your own pattern.

Write four or five sentences explaining the story of the quilt. (Adapted from startwithabook.org)

I set her on my pacing steed, And nothing else saw all day long, For sidelong would she bend, and sing A faery’s song.

She found me roots of relish sweet, And honey wild, and manna-dew, And sure in language strange she said— ‘I love thee true’.

She took me to her Elfin grot, And there she wept and sighed full sore, And there I shut her wild eyes With kisses four.

And there she lullèd me asleep, And there I dreamed—Ah! woe betide!— The latest dream I ever dreamt On the cold hill side.

I saw pale kings and princes too, Pale warriors, death-pale were they all; They cried—‘La Belle Dame sans Merci Thee hath in thrall!’

I saw their starved lips in the gloam, With horrid warning gapèd wide, And I awoke and found me here, On the cold hill’s side.

And this is why I sojourn here, Alone and palely loitering, Though the sedge is withered from the lake, And no birds sing.

Questions: What is the poem? How did you know what it was about?

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt invites bids to construct core homes in Sophia T he Government of Guyana has invited bids from contractors to construct core homes financed by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) in Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

According to the particulars of the contract tender, bidders are invited to bid for the construction of core homes in Sophia, Georgetown, in lots one to five. Their bids must be submitted by April 13, 2021.

The tender notes that funding was received from the IDB’s Road Network Upgrade and Expansion Programme, Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility. According to the contract, each lot has a construction period of 150 days.

“Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding procedures specified in the IDB’s Policies for the Procurement of Works and Goods Financed by the IDB and is open to bidders from all countries as defined in the guideline,” the tender stipulates.

The national housing development plan for 2021 includes the construction of 1000 homes for low-income earners in areas such as Cummings Lodge, Prospect, Providence, Little

in Region 10.

In November 2018 when applications were opened for core houses, it was reported that this project was designed to specifically benefit households that live on lots valued at $92,000 or less and were regularised or developed by the CH&PA, applicants must also be earning $75,000 or less per month.

The homes were expected to be completely concrete and not more than 400 square feet. Upon completion, a sanitary block, as well as electrical and plumb-

Examples of core homes

Diamond, Great Diamond, Onderneeming, Wales, Ordinance, Fortlands, Hampshire, Williamsburg and Amelia’s Ward. Another 100 is set aside for the hinterland communities.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government is mobilising to distribute a total of 10,000 house lots to Guyanese in 2021, in keeping with their manifesto promise to deliver 50,000 lots within their first term in office.

This was revealed

by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal during the Budget Debates. He outlined that this is aimed at clearing the existing application backlog that currently stands at over 70,000. A

number of land titles will also be issued throughout the year.

“This year, for 2021 alone, we intend to allocate 10,000 house lots, a minimum of 7000 land titles to citizens, many of whom have been waiting for years to own their own homes. Let the House be reminded that in just four months in office, 3600 house lots and 413 titles were handed over to citizens,” the Minister had told the National Assembly.

The areas which will be developed for these allocations include Onderneeming in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); Tuschen, Zeelugt, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Minster, Lust-en-Rust, Belle West

in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Farm, Covent Garden, Providence, Prospect, Perseverance, Peters Hall, Good Hope, Mon Repos, Non Pariel, Hope South, Hope Estate in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Bath Settlement, Hope, Experiment in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Ordinance, Kilcoy, Chesney in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); Culvert City in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); and Amelia’s Ward, Linden,

ing works, would be conducted.

Applicants under this programme were required to deposit $100,000 to secure further funding from the Government.

Under the previous PPP Administration, over 100,000 house lots were distributed and over 200 core houses were made available to underprivileged families, while a programme for professional groups provided 200 teachers, nurses and policemen with fast-track access to loans for home construction.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man fined $15K for breaching COVID curfew

T

wenty-seven-year-old Akash Ramkissoon of Queenstown, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for allegedly breaching the stipulated COVID-19 guidelines.

Ramkissoon appeared before Magistrate Ann McLennan where he was charged under section 2(1)(b) of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 11) No 198/2020 contrary to section 21 (2) of the Public Health Ordinance Chapter 145.

It is alleged that on February 23, at Guyana

Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), Albert Street and Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, he hosted a private party.

The defendant plead-

ed guilty and told the court that he works at the bar but on the day in question, there was no private party.

Ramkissoon further told Magistrate McLennan that

the bar was already closed when the Police had visited the said location and arrested the patrons who were still on the outside.

However, the Police prosecutor told the court that on the day in question, officers made the arrest at 01:15h.

He explained that ranks arrived at the location and saw the party in progress.

They reportedly contacted Ramkissoon and the patrons were asked to disperse.

Ramkissoon, on the other hand, was cautioned and escorted to the Alberttown Police Station where he was charged and fined.

The battle is joined...

T

...by GPSU? he GPSU just issued the first salvo in launching the “war break” promised during the campaign by then Minister of Finance Winston Jordan. They warned that even though they’d requested a “conference” with the Ministry of Public Service to negotiate wages, salaries, allowances, etc... they’re being “ignored”. Now lest your Eyewitness be accused of being an alarmist, all he asks is you, Dear Reader, cast back your minds as to how previous “war breaks” were triggered.

And as we were advised by Julie Andrews in “The Sound of Music”, we have to start at the very beginning. That’s when Burnham and the PNC introduced political violence to get their way in politics in the (in)famous “80-day strike”.

This was called by the TUC in 1963, but surprisingly backed by the Civil Service Association (CSA) which, up to then, had maintained a supercilious hauteur on grubby matters like trade unions and strikes. And the Civil Service has never been the same again. Probably because of its new bareknuckles style, its name was changed from “Civil” Service to “Public” Service. It was now very public about not being civil!!

Fast forward to the PPP returning to office after its 28 years in the wilderness, when under IMF “conditionalities”, Hoyte started pruning the top-heavy institution. The PPP stopped that cold – but did they get any credit – even as their revenues were stretched servicing the humongous debt they’d inherited? Not that you’d notice after they supported the PNC’s street protests to ostensibly and ostentatiously demand massive wage increases! Eventually, the Armstrong Commission gave them a 36% hike in salary and a slew of benefits!

And so the process was repeated with cynical regularity over the years – holding the PPP hostage through their control of the Administrative apparatus of governance – always to further the PNC agenda. All of this came to a screeching halt, of course, when the PNC returned to office in 2015. Even though the APNU had promised them (in writing) a massive pay increase which never materialised!

So, now that the PPP is back, of course the GPSU – as a stalking horse for the PNC – is girding its loins for battle. And what do they want? Nothing much: just a 50% increase in salaries, Travelling Allowance; Subsistence Allowance; Meal Allowance; Uniform Allowance; Housing Allowance; Reintroduction of key and critical allowances like Superannuation Benefits; Recreational Facilities; child care centres and a subvention of G$10,000,000 to fund Trade Union Education programmes throughout the country.

Now, even though the Govt has set aside $10B for wage contingencies, surely, you’re not naive enough to believe this is the CAUSE of the coming war?

Nah... it’s just the OCCASION! ...against COVID-19?

As your Eyewitness has been warning with raised arms to the heavens, he does so once again this Easter Monday – that we the people have to stop being so irresponsible about the COVID-19 threat. It’s not a matter of “pulling up our socks” – that concerns only our appearance – while observing COVID-19 precautions will literally save our lives.

If the upward trend in DEATHS isn’t a wakeup call, then you’re putting yourself in danger of not waking up at all. By March 25, a year after our first death, we had 218 fatalities at an average of nearly 19 per month. Since then, we have had 25 deaths in 10 days!! This is very frightening! All we’re hearing is that there is a rise in deaths? And now youths are dying.

Why? Are there new more virulent variants? How will we ever know if – as the MoH says – CARPHA isn’t testing our samples any longer?

What’s the COVID Task Force doing?! ...this Easter Your Eyewitness’s simple test today to check if at least some citizens are modifying their behaviour in view of the COVID-19 pandemic is to note the number of kites over his neighbourhood.

Cut to almost zero!

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

NEWS

9

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana on course to surpass Venezuela in oil production – economist predicts 700,000 barrels per day by 2025

W

ith its current production of 100,000 barrels of oil per day, Guyana could very well surpass its next-door neighbour Venezuela, once an oil-producing powerhouse, when it comes to oil production.

This is according to an S&P Global Platts report, which quoted Inter American Development Bank (IDB) Energy Economist Lenin Balza who was at the time speaking at a Platts Petroleum and Energy Virtual conference focused on the Americas.

"I believe we can see Guyana producing more than 700,000 b/d by 2025. If Guyana continues this trend, it is going to surpass Venezuela [...] of course Venezuela has its own problems right now," he said.

Venezuela has steadi-

The oil blocks offshore Guyana

Bandits caught on camera splitting loot

T

wo thieves who committed a series of robberies in the Stabroek area recently were caught on camera sorting the stolen items.

In closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage seen by this publication, the two men, one clad in a blue T-shirt, blue jeans and a blue hat, and the other in three-quarter coloured pants and a white T-shirt, were seen walking into a compound that had a CCTV camera.

At the time, one of the suspects had in his possession a black shoulder bag which contained the alleged stolen items. From the look of things, the men were not aware that there was a camera in the yard.

The suspect who was wearing the white T-shirt, after entering the yard, stooped on the ground and emptied the bag with the loot.

Money, a few documents and jewellery were among the items that were in the bag.

After emptying the bag, the suspects were seen splitting the money, after which they were both were seen trying to sort out the jewellery.

The men then placed the documents back into the bag and hid it behind an old refrigerator in the compound before leaving the scene.

Nevertheless, when contacted on Sunday, Regional Commander Simon Mc Bean said he was unaware of the video that was circulat-

The men who were seen in the CCTV footage

ing on social media but more so, he was not aware that a robbery was recently committed in the Stabroek Market area.

ly turned up its rhetoric when it comes to its claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region and maritime zone, where the oil production is taking place, since oil was discovered in the Stabroek Block by ExxonMobil in 2015.

In recent months, Guyana has been forced to endure a ramping up of aggression by the Venezuelans, including incursions into Guyana’s maritime and airspace. The most recent of these incursions was earlier this month, when two Russian-made Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jets belonging to Venezuela flew over the Region Seven village of Eteringbang.

This occurred a little over

a month after Venezuela illegally detained 12 local fishermen in Guyana’s maritime space. The vessels, Lady Nayera and Sea Wolf, and their crews were operating off the coast of Waini Point in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) when they were intercepted by a Venezuelan naval vessel illegally traversing Guyana’s waters.

After local and international outcry that included Venezuela being summoned to the Organisation of American States (OAS) Permanent Council, the fishermen were released and returned home.

S&P Global Platts meanwhile, also referenced another of Guyana’s neighbours, Brazil, in discussions about oil and gas. In a recent Platts report, it was pointed out that Brazil has to now compete with Guyana and Uruguay in order to secure oil investments from around the globe.

“The current scenario requires flexibility because Brazil now faces competition for oil investments from countries around the globe, including neighbours such as Guyana and Uruguay, officials said. The two countries both plan licencing sales in 2021, with Guyana drawing intense interest after ExxonMobil made 18 discoveries in the Stabroek Block,” the report stated.

Guyana, with US oil giant ExxonMobil as the operator, began producing oil on December 20, 2019, in the

Stabroek Block. Guyana’s oil revenues are being banked in the New York Federal Reserve Bank, where it is earning interest.

ExxonMobil has also established an ambitious oil exploration plan for 2021 offshore Guyana. Over the past few weeks, Exxon, the only company to have found and started producing oil in local waters, has been making preparations to drill simultaneous deepwater wells in both the Stabroek and Canje Blocks.

And prior to January month-end, Exxon was producing 130,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). However, in the latter part of January, the company had announced that it was experiencing technical problems with the seal on its Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel’s flash gas compressor. The problem resulted in Exxon having to reduce its production to 120,000 bpd and also conduct routine flaring.

Canadian-owned CGX Energy also has plans to drill wells this year. Its Kawa1 well, which is earmarked for the Corentyne Block, will be drilled to a depth of approximately 6500 metres in 370-metre-deep water.

On the other hand, its Makarapan-1 exploration well will be drilled in the Demerara Block to a total depth of approximately 3500 metres in water depth of approximately 1000 metres.

10

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PAID ADVERTISMENT

11

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

36 cases disposed of in 1st quarter by Demerara Criminal Assizes

A

total of 36 cases were disposed of at the January sitting of the Demerara Criminal Assizes, according to a statement from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The session commenced on January 12, 2021, with 342 cases listed to be heard.

Of these 36 matters, the DPP presented 23 in the High Court of Demerara.

The other 13 matters were nolle prosequi in writing by the DPP. Of the 23 matters, 14 were for murder, eight for sexual offences, and one for attempt to commit murder with an alternate count of felonious wounding.

There were 29 accused

in relation to these matters.

There were four convictions, three formal verdicts of not guilty, eight hung juries, eight not guilty verdicts by jury, and five guilty pleas.

Before Justice Navindra Singh, eight cases were presented for murder.

In three of these cases, the juries returned hung and the accused were remanded back to prison to await new trials. In the other five matters, one of which had two accused who both pleaded guilty, they were respectively sentenced to 39 and 29 years’ imprisonment.

In another two, one accused was sentenced to 60 years’ imprisonment after

the jury found him unanimously guilty, while the other one pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and was sentenced to seven years and 11 months’ imprisonment.

In one of the other two cases, the Trial Judge upheld a no-case submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

The accused in the other one was acquitted by the

jury with a unanimous verdict of not guilty.

Another eight matters for sexual offences were presented before Justice JoAnn Barlow in the Sexual Offences Court. In two of these cases, the accused were both found guilty by the jury. One accused who was indicted on two counts of rape of a child under 16 years was sentenced to 22 years on the first count and 25 years on the second count. These sentences will run concurrently.

The other accused was sentenced to 21 years’ imprisonment. Four accused were acquitted by jury verdicts while in the other two cases, the juries returned hung. The accused in the latter cases are awaiting a retrial. Seven matters were presented before Justice Brassington Reynolds.

Six of the matters were for murder, and one for attempt to commit murder with an alternate count of felonious wounding. The accused who was indicted for attempt to commit murder with the alternate count of felonious wounding was found guilty of the latter offence. He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and the complainant accepted compensation of $500,000 in court.

In three of the six murder matters, the accused

were all acquitted. Two of the acquittals were by jury verdicts, while in the other matter, the Trial Judge upheld a no-case submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. In one of the murder cases, the two accused who were indicted together were found not guilty by the jury.

In the other three matters, two accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter. One of them was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, the other is awaiting sentencing. A murder trial is still in progress before Justice Reynolds.

Of the 13 nolle prosequi matters by the DPP, 12 were for sexual offences and another for trafficking in narcotics. In 11 of the sexual offences matters, the complainants submitted written statements that they did not wish to proceed with their matters.

In the other case, the accused died while awaiting trial. In the other matter for trafficking a narcotic substance, the accused was committed to stand trial 24 years ago and the witness could not be located. The April Demerara Criminal Assizes will commence on Tuesday, April 6, 2020; 329 cases are listed to be heard.

Justice Sandil Kissoon and Justice Brassington Reynolds are rostered to sit.

Albouystown man nabbed with ganja during roadblock

The cannabis leaves and stems that were found on the handle of the motorcycle

A

resident of James Street Albouystown was arrested on Sunday after a quantity of ganja was found on the handle of the motorcycle he was riding.

Police said a party of Police ranks were carrying out a cordon and search exercise on the Enmore Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), when they intercepted the man who was on motorcycle CK 7505.

A search was conducted on his persons as well as the motorcycle during which a quantity of cannabis was found on the left handle of the said motorcycle in a black plastic bag.

He was told of the offence committed, cautioned, arrested and escorted to the Cove and John Police

Station where the narcotic was weighed in his presence and amounted to 22 grams.

The suspect remains in custody pending charges.

A few weeks ago, two persons were arrested following a Police operation in several locations in Georgetown. It was reported that two men on a motorcycle were intercepted along Ruimveldt Public Road.

As such, the ranks carried out a search on them and found one .38 revolver special firearm with three matching rounds of ammunition in the crotch of the pants of the pillion rider.

The serial number on the firearm was reportedly filed off.

They were both arrested and subsequently charged.

NEWS

13

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

In 1 year, Guyana records 218 COVID deaths; then 25 more in last 10 days – 40 new cases detected Sunday – 40,000 persons to be vaccinated this week

G

uyana recorded its first COVID-19 death on March 25, 2020 and in one year, a total of 218 persons fell victim of the deadly virus. But then, within 10 days in the second year, a staggering 25 deaths were recorded thus taking the death toll to a whopping 243.

In the past three days, 10 persons succumbed while receiving treatment at various medical facilities.

In fact, the Health Ministry has reported that six persons – four males and two females – died on Saturday, April 3, 2021.

These include a 28-year-old from Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); an 81-year-old from Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni); a 73-yearold from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and a 62-year-old from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) along with the two females, an 83-year-old and a 52-yearold – both from DemeraraMahaica.

It was reported that on Friday, April 2, a 45-yearold female from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and a 26-year-old male from

Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) also died. Two other persons, both males – a 62-year-old from Region Three and a 45-yearold from Region Four – died on Thursday, April 1.

These 10 deaths were all recorded within the first four days of the month of April. In March, some 36 persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus died, thus making it the second deadliest month since the virus surfaced in Guyana. The deadliest month was September 2020 with 38 fatalities.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Guyana has gone up to 10,580 as of Sunday. This is after 40 more persons tested positive for the virus from some 928 tests that were conducted within a 24-hour period.

Active cases in the country are now 1161 with 12 of them being patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 1149 persons in isolation, that is, 74 in institutional isolation and the other 1075 in home isolation.

There are also 10 persons in institutional quarantine.

While the COVID-19 death toll continues to climb, the number of persons who have recovered from the life-threatening disease has also increased. A total of 9250 persons have recovered to date – 35 more recoveries than the figure reported the previous day.

Guyana has thus far tested some 93,465 persons for the novel coronavirus, of which 5402 males and 5178 females were found to be positive.

Of the 40 new cases detected on Sunday, one was from Pomeroon-Supenaam, a whopping 21 cases from Region Four, eight from East Berbice-Corentyne; nine from Region Seven and one case from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The figures in the other five regions remained the same.

Meanwhile, in order to curb the spread of the virus and reduce the country’s death toll, Guyana continues to aggressively roll out its vaccination campaign.

According to the Health Ministry on Sunday, since the exercise commenced in February, some 40,468

1 injured in 2-vehicle collision at Good Hope

A

yet to be identified man is now hospitalised following a two-vehicle collision at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Sunday.

Based on reports gathered, the accident involved a motor car and a pick-up.

Guyana Times understands that the car was negotiating a right turn when it collided with the pick-up.

The driver of the car reportedly suffered broken bones and lacerations about his body. With the assistance of public-spirited citizens, he was rushed to the hospital where he was admitted a patient and is presently undergoing medical treatment.

Efforts to contact Regional Commander Khali Pareshram proved futile.

One day ago, a female Special Constable stationed at the Central Police Station and attached to the office of the Director of Public

The vehicles that were involved in the accident at Good Hope

Prosecutions (DPP) was admitted a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital after she was struck off her bicycle by a motor car driven by a 21-year-old man of Mayor and Town Council Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Maricella Bruce, 48, of Tucber Park in New Amsterdam, Berbice, was reportedly riding along Main

Street, New Amsterdam, when the car reportedly collided with her. As a result of the collision, the pedal cyclist fell onto the road’s surface where she received injuries on her face – above her right eye.

She was taken to New Amsterdam Public Hospital where she was treated and admitted a patient.

COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the country including several second doses.

Last week, Guyana surpassed 3000 vaccinations in a day on three occasions.

The highest number of vaccinations were recorded in the three largest populated regions --- Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne and Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, respectively.

The least numbers were recorded in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), followed

by Region 10 and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). Only these three regions have recorded less than 1000 vaccinations so far.

Nevertheless, the Ministry is looking to ramp up the vaccine rollout and has set a target of 40,000 first dose jabs to be administered along with several hundreds of the second dose. As such, more than 100 fixed-site and mobile teams will be administering first and second doses of the vaccine starting on Tuesday, April 6.

File photo: Doctor-in-charge, Orealla and Siparuta Health Centres, Dr Kester Persaud receiving his vaccine

Persons who are 40 years and older are eligible to receive the jab. These include all health workers, teachers, members of the Joint Services, public servants as well as Private Sector employees.

So far, Guyana has received 3000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from Barbados, another 80,000 doses of the same vaccine from India and 20,000 doses of Sinopharm from China.

More recently, the country received its first tranche of COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX facility – 24,000 doses of AstraZeneca, and then 25,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine, which Government purchased through the United Arab Emirates (UAE), from Russia. This batch of the Russia-manufactured jab is part of a 200,000 order Guyana has made to the tune of US$4 million.

14 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

100 not out!!! Corentyne woman thanks God for life – urges younger generation to live in peace and harmony

A

Corentyne woman has become Guyana’s latest centenarian. Sumitre Saju also called "Mai" of No 60 Village Corentyne, Berbice, celebrated the milestone on Saturday.

As she celebrated her special day, she thanked the Almighty for providing her with health and strength so that she could live to see her 100th birthday.

She had a simple celebration with two of her offspring and four grandchildren. The others, who reside overseas, nevertheless, sent warm messages with tons of love and affection.

“I feel alight and I can remember things,” she told the

Sumitre Saju also called "Mai"

media.

“God had to do it. He blessed me, make me so I can live long. By his grace, I live so long. Meself na know how me live so long, but I believe that God guide and protect me.”

Saju was born in East Canje where she lived for several years before moving to Bloomfield on the Corentyne. She then got married to Lawrence Bharat and their union produced nine children - two of whom are now dead.

She and her family then relocated to No 60 Village where she currently resides.

The centenarian, who has a good memory, recalled working in the sugar estate to provide for her children.

“Me chop grass, me burn cane, meh cut cane… When them burn the cane and deh nah get sufficient workman, dem does carry dem lady.”

In her younger days, she teamed up with her husband to plant a garden with mostly vegetables. She also fished to provide meals for their children.

“Me does do all thing before but now it is about six months now I give up because ah fall in one hammock and get hard knock at me back… but me can still light me lil stove. Me can make porridge. Me can cook something fuh eat. Me does walk round all about.

Me nah sit down one place.

Ah me alone ah live hay suh meh have to do things for mehself.”

To date, Saju does not have any health problems except for a slight hearing impediment. However, someone would wash her clothing once a week. Besides, one of her sons who lives in the area would frequently check on his mother along with the kind-hearted neighbours.

On a normal day, the elderly woman would take a shower early in the morning after which she prepares her breakfast but before eating, she goes to her alter to thank

The centenarian doing her chores in her kitchen

the creator. She explained that she would then prepare her lunch.

Oftentimes, her son would drop off lunch for her when she does not feel like cooking.

Meanwhile, she advised the young generation to have friends who are good to them and to live in peace, stay

away from violence and at all times, live in harmony.

“They should do good and you have to keep good company and to live in love.”

Mai has 44 grandchildren; 69 great-grandchildren; 51 great-great-grandchildren and 71 great-great-greatgrandchildren.

(Andrew Carmichael)

No information on teenager who disappeared after leaving barbershop

P

olice are still searching for 19-yearold Joel Skeete, a University of Guyana (UG) student who disappeared after leaving a barbershop at the Demerara Harbour Bridge Mall about five days ago.

Skeete, of Republic Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD), went missing on March 31 while waiting on transportation to head home.

When contacted on Sunday, Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Siwnarine told Guyana Times that so far, CCTV footage has been recovered from the Harbour Bridge Mall and Government cameras located at the Harbour Bridge.

“It basically picked up him leaving the Mall heading towards the bridge but after that, we are not sure if he joined any vehicle at the bridge or if he crossed,” the Commander stated.

He added that initially, the barber was detained, however, he was released after the footage showed that Skeete had indeed left the barbershop.

The Commander further stated that they were unable to identify any close friends of the teen who would have been in contact with him on the day he disappeared. At this time, the Commander stated that the Police are exploring every possible lead.

Skeete is about 6 feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds.

On the day of his disappearance, his mother, Lorenza Griffith, had re-

Missing: Joel Skeete

ported that her son was last seen at about 19:00h wearing a dark red jersey and a pair of dark grey jeans.

She said he had gone to his regular barbershop at the Harbour Bridge Mall for a haircut, and at about 19:00h, he reportedly left the barbershop and was supposed to have been heading home.

Griffith explained that her son would usually use a taxi to get home from the barbershop since the area where they live is prone to robbery. She added that she became worried when she made attempts to contact him on his mobile phone without success.

The worried mother related that her son is a fulltime University of Guyana student who is usually at home. She posited that it is unlike him not to come home.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Joel Skeete is kindly being asked to contact his mother Lorenza Griffith on 2336368 or to inform the nearest Police station.

FEATURE

15

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A

rich legacy of empowering youth and women: Sandra Tularam shares her story As a young woman growing up, Sandra Tularam was faced with many challenges.

These challenges, she related, made her feel as though she would never reach her full potential.

However, being the determined, persistent woman she is, Tularam has achieved quite a lot for herself; and this is only the beginning. But who is Tularam?

Aside from being a devoted Hindu, she is a psychologist, television/radio producer, and peace ambassador.

She is also the founder/ president of the Youth and Empowerment Movement a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

As the name suggests, the NGO’s mission is to enlighten youth and women on how they can achieve their fullest potential and im-

Sandra Tularam with President Irfaan Ali

sional career in 1990 and has also gained tremendous working experience.

She has held posts at the State Planning Secretariat, Guyana Management Institute, Distribution Services Limited, the Department of International Development, the Mental Health Unit, and the British High Commission in Guyana.

Along the way, she ensured that she qualified herself academically. Apart from holding a degree in

in 2017. “I didn’t realise that I was counselling prisoners.

I use to go to the prisons and meet with British prisoners in Guyana. I had my counselling capacity since then but I didn’t realise it until I started pursuing studies in psychology.”

Besides visits to various prisons, her working career saw her travelling to countries such as Suriname, Brazil, the USA, Peru, and Canada just to name a few.

Presently, on a part-time basis, she counsels adolescents

Sandra Tularam with students from Linden

prove communities by fostering peace, love, and harmony.

“I come from a Hindu background with a rich legacy. My great grandfather, Mahipat Maraj, was a Brahmin and Pandit as well.

He came from India as an indentured labourer. I try to upkeep my religion and culture because I honour this rich background,” Tularam shared.

“I learned about simplicity from my father. I think my father was the most humble and simple person I have ever met in my life. I am thankful for the values my mother instilled in me.

I would talk to young girls about the importance of upholding their values and culture.”

She started her profes-

Psychology, she also has a diploma in tourism and several other certificates from short courses and seminars.

Love helping them

“In my entire career, I think my last portfolio as Entry Clearance Assistant and Consular Officer at the British High Commission was the most challenging and rewarding. This position allowed me to interact directly with visa applicants at the British High Commission and dealing with British nationals which included British prisoners who were located at different prisons in Guyana.”

Part of her job was to counsel these prisoners. But Tularam did not realise that she was doing this until she started studying psychology

and children with various psychological issues.

She also offers counselling to adults.

Giving a little insight into her profession, Tularam explained, “As psychologists, we go to the root cause of the problem and we study the cognition and behavioural patterns of our clients. It is not an easy job. When talking with rape victims, this is where I have to detach my emotions from the client. I want to help people; I love helping them.”

Tularam has dealt with many rape cases which include young children.

Charitable work

“I love to do charity work.

I started charity work in the 1990s with the Sai Baba Centre,” she added. Her in-

volvement in charitable work has been influenced by the late Princess of Wales, Lady Diana.

When it comes to spiritual enlightenment, she believes that knowledge is limitless.

As such, she was a very active member in several organisations like the Rama Krishna Mandir, Brahma Kumaris, Sai Baba, Mother Om Mission, MEL organisation, Art of Living, Transcendental Meditation and SIGFA Guyana.

After gathering great knowledge from these respective spiritual organisations, with the help of six other women, she formed her NGO. She explained that she always finds herself engaging in promoting peace, love, and unity among youth, Hindus, and

Guyanese people.

She does this through empowering seminars/talks and radio and television programmes. To date, she has hosted and produced these programmes; Youths of Today, Art of Living, Hinduism in a Changing World, and Psycho Neurobics.

The Youths of Today can be found on Facebook where she had interviewed some very influential personalities.

Tularam said that she established her radio talent with two radio programmes at the National Communications Network (NCN) and Radio Galaxxy in Paris, France with Enlightening Moments and Ishq Ke Sargam – The Music of Love.

She is now at the National Television Network (NTN) with the radio programme: “Discovering You – Awakening Your Inner Power”.

Presently, she is continuing her philanthropic work by travelling to various parts of Psychologist Sandra Tularam

Guyana and empowering youth and young women, and touching the lives of many through the NGO, as well as the radio and television programmes.

Support

“I need to reach out more to our people/our girl children on a wider basis but unfortunately I'm not getting the support even though I did reach out to certain relevant authorities. I'm trying my best with my radio programme but I also need businesses to sup-

port this programme.”

According to her, “Being a woman and standing on your own feet is not easy. I will continue my best to do

A devoted Hindu

what I can in my own little way for our people and our girl children. “What I find in Guyana in most cases, is that if you do not come from an influential background, you are being left down. I

had to work hard on myself and my character.”

In this regard, she noted, “We need to help grow Guyana. We need to build our youths. I have different kinds of people on the radio programme. I am a patriot of Guyana. I think we women should have more support for this. I am an advocate for women.” On this note, she appealed to businesses and Government agencies to lend sponsorship to the radio programme.

Tularam’s motto is: “Life is not an easy journey and there will always be many obstacles in your way that sometimes make you feel disappointed or frustrated. But regardless of what impediments may come your way, always be focused, stay humble, simple, and work towards your goals with determination. For goodness always triumph!”

16 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

First smart classroom commissioned in Region 3

A

s the Ministry of Education continues to embark on a journey to improve the delivery of education in Guyana, a smart classroom was commissioned on Thursday last at the Leonora Secondary School in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

The facility is the first smart classroom to be commissioned in the region, and was commissioned by Education Minister, Priya Manickchand.

The Minister, without a

The smart classroom that was commissioned last week

doubt, was elated that the first smart classroom was commissioned in Region Three.

She noted, however, that soon, additional smart classrooms will be installed at other identified schools in the region such as the West Demerara Secondary School, the Parika-Salem Secondary School and Leguan Secondary School.

The Minister said that the education sector must continue to cater to the needs of the various generations of stu-

Major transformation in store for Lima Sands – Minister Croal and Regional Development Ministry and the Public Works Ministry have committed to facilitate the necessary road works in the area.

With respect to land titles/

ing persons waiting over the years.”

This initiative was welcomed by the residents who noted that they are eager to have the land titles issues

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal addressing the residents of Lima Sands last week

H

ousing and Water Minister, Collin Croal during his recent visit to the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), told residents of Lima Sands that the village will soon experience tremendous transformation.

He told residents at a meeting that his Ministry will make house lots accessible to them as well as asphalted roads and ensure street lights are installed along the main access road by the end of the year. He also said efforts are being made to have a security outpost in the area by yearend.

However, he stated that the Ministry is working to pro-

vide at least 30 street lamps to the community in April while noting that the Public Works Ministry has committed to provide additional assets towards street lighting.

He also noted that the street lights will enhance security in the area. The Minister, however, would have recorded all the concerns of residents and promised that by mid-month, the team will revisit the area to address some of these concerns.

He also dealt with several other issues outside of his portfolio, but promised to engage the relevant Ministers and agencies of Government.

However, he stated that the Local Government

Lima Sands residents at the meeting

transport, the Minister noted that he is well aware that persons have been waiting for a long time for their documents which can cause some frustration but noted that mechanisms are being put in place to deal with this issue at the earliest.

“According to my timeline, I am committed by the end of April, the housing unit will be doing a lot of visits and verification so by the end of July, a number of transports and title can be issue to outstand-

sorted out.

Meanwhile, the meeting was attended by Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva, Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit and Prime Minister’s Representative Arnold Adams.

A teach demonstrates how to use the Smart board

dents. Minister Manickchand explained that such a facility is important in this era where technology is becoming more advanced.

She stated that in cases where some schools do not have a specialist teacher in a particular subject area, a teacher from the Leonora Secondary School can assist those students by conducting lessons virtually without having to travel to the other school that needs his or her tutelage.

The Minister added that teachers will be trained to use the facility, and there have been many initiatives to incorporate Information Technology (IT) into the classroom but not many of those projects were taken seriously to put the education sector in a position to deliver education online when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Teachers who would have stepped up to the challenge during the pandemic were commended by the Minister.

Nevertheless, Regional Chairman of Region Three, Ishan Ayube said that he is also happy that the education sector is progressing.

He said that the teachers

and students need to grasp the opportunity and utilise the facility to its fullest while adding that the Regional Democratic Council will continue to work assiduously to ensure programmes and policies are being executed in the region in an accountable manner.

Also, Regional Education Officer of Region Three, Devindra Persaud said that the smart classroom has come at a time when the region needs such a facility. He assured those in attendance that the classroom will be taken care of and used for its intended purpose.

Following the ceremonial commissioning, attendees were treated to a demonstration as to how the smart classroom will work.

Just last week, the Ministry of Education commissioned smart classrooms at the Brickdam Secondary School and the East Ruimveldt Secondary School.

All classrooms will have an interactive board, a television that allows teachers and students to connect remotely, and motion and voice-activated cameras complete with a face recognition feature.

EBB residents decry deteriorating state of bridges – say thousands affected

M

The current state of the bridge at Edinburgh, EBB

ore than 3000 residents of Glasgow New Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice, are affected due to a broken bridge in Edinburgh. The bridge was in a deplorable state but about two weeks ago, its condition worsened.

The bridge is the main access to the scheme which is gazetted as a part of New Amsterdam. Vehicle operators have reportedly made several complaints to the Mayor and Town Council about the situation but nothing was done.

In fact, the municipality back in 2018 had promised that a new bridge would have been constructed under the APNU/AFC Administration but this never materialised.

Residents have since blamed the heavy-laden lor-

ries for the current state of the bridge.

About one kilometre away, there is another bridge that gives access to the scheme but according to reports, that bridge is also in a terrible state. It was recently repaired by a group of taxi drivers who have to ply that route on a daily basis to make their living.

On Thursday last, the issue was again raised at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) by Councillor Colin Moore.

He reiterated the urgent need to repair the dilapidated structures. Moore said the Regional Administration must take up the responsibility since it has jurisdiction over the region including the East Bank of Berbice.

On this note, Regional

Chairman David Armogan told the meeting that the issue has been raised with the Public Works Ministry. A team from the Ministry had visited the area and now has to recommend a way forward.

“I have been speaking with Minister Edghill and reported that both bridges are in a bad shape. He is in the process of trying to get a contractor to get the two bridges repaired.”

Armogan pointed out that he was informed that the cost to build each bridge is between $17 million and $20 million.

Meanwhile, the Chairman explained that the project cannot be undertaken at this time since the construction of the bridges fall under capital projects that have to be budgeted for.

FEATURE

17

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

HEALTH TIPS CONTACT DERMATITIS

triggered it in order to avoid contact dermatitis in the future.

RISK FACTORS FOR CONTACT DERMATITIS

* Age: More common with age * Sex: females * Atopic dermatitis * Genetic factor

SYMPTOMS OF CONTACT DERMATITIS

Dr Tariq Jagnarine Fam Med, Endocrinology/ Diabetes

M

ost people experience the unpleasant itching of contact dermatitis at least once in their lifetime. While most people do not experience a major allergic reaction, the effects of contact dermatitis can be unpleasant until they subside. When a person’s skin comes into contact with an irritating substance, they may develop an itchy or burning rash. This reaction is known as contact dermatitis.

TYPES OF CONTACT DERMATITIS

While contact dermatitis can seem like it develops out of nowhere, there are several common types: * Irritant contact dermatitis is the most common type of contact dermatitis.

It happens when the skin touches an irritating chemical, experiences too much friction, or makes contact with heat. * Allergic contact dermatitis is caused by an allergic reaction or by the immune system overreacting to a substance or chemical.

Contact urticaria, also known as hives, is a less common type of allergic contact dermatitis that occurs immediately after exposure to an allergen. * Occupational contact dermatitis occurs in certain professions where the workers may come into repeated, frequent exposure to irritants or allergens, such as rubber, latex, or chemicals. These people include healthcare workers, hairdressers, and food servers among many others. * Photocontact dermatitis occurs after a person comes into contact with an irritant or allergen and the area of contact subsequently receives sun exposure that causes a reaction.

In all of these cases, an itchy or burning rash appears either immediately or within a few days. It is important that people treat the rash and know what

In nearly all cases of contact dermatitis, a rash will develop after exposure to an allergen or irritant. In most cases of contact dermatitis, the rash will be red, itchy, and may sting. If exposure to an irritant or allergen continues, the skin may become dark and leathery.

Additionally, some types of contact dermatitis have the following symptoms: * Blisters * Dry, cracked, and flaky skin * Red rash * Burning sensation * Pain or itching * Swelling To distinguish between types of contact dermatitis, a person should pay attention to when the symptoms start.

When contact dermatitis develops due to an irritant reaction, symptoms can occur immediately upon contact with the irritant.

Ulcers may also develop in severe cases, which allows the person to identify the triggering irritant.

In cases of photocontact dermatitis, the rash only appears once an individual is exposed to sunlight.

COMMON TRIGGERS

Triggers vary from person to person and according to the type of contact dermatitis. It is important to know what triggers a reaction in order to avoid contact with the substance in

* Avoiding scratching the infected area to help prevent infections In extreme cases, a person may need to see a dermatologist, allergist, or other healthcare professional.

They can prescribe ointment, creams, or prescription drugs to treat contact dermatitis.

the future. The following are some of the most common triggers for the different types of contact dermatitis.

Allergic reaction triggers include: * * Rubber * Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac * Medications applied to the skin * Fragrances in soap * Tanning agent found in leather products * Skin cream * Deodorant * Shaving cream * Latex * Nickel or gold jewellery * Citrus fruit * Cosmetics * Perfume * Hair dye In most cases, allergic reactions do not occur on the first contact with the substance. On first contact, the person tends to gain a sensitivity to the irritant.

Only with a second exposure will the person develop a rash or other symptoms.

Irritant reaction triggers include: * Pepper spray * Bleach * Hand sanitiser * Battery acid * Detergent * Kerosene * Drain and other cleaners Irritant reactions are not limited to toxic or more corrosive substances. In some cases, frequent exposure to the same substance causes reactions. For example, people who frequently wash their hands may develop an irritant response to the soap they use.

PREVENTION

Photocontact reaction triggers may include: * Shaving cream * Skin ointment * Certain oils * Certain medications Photocontact reactions occur less often than allergic or irritant reactions. For the reaction to occur, a person needs to be exposed first to the substance and then to the sun. An individual who uses a cream before bed may never know they are photosensitive to the product because it is absorbed well before contact with the sun.

TREATMENT

In most cases, the rash and other reactions will disappear after exposure to the substance has ended. The rash may take some time to

heal and fully go away. For example, a rash from poison ivy often lingers because the oils from the plant have seeped into the skin. Once the oil is gone, the rash clears up.

It is best for a person to avoid contact with substances identified as causing contact dermatitis.

If contact is made, it is a good idea to clean the area with some mild soap and water to potentially prevent a rash developing. Most treatment options involve home remedies.

They include: * Applying anti-itch ointments to the infected skin - steroid creams * Oatmeal bath (or similar) * Antihistamine drugs

In most cases, prevention is as simple as avoiding the substance or object that caused the contact dermatitis in the first place.

For example, a person who develops a rash after coming into contact with poison ivy should try to avoid the plant. However, a person may not know what caused the reaction. If the exact cause is unknown, a person may want to record things they come in contact with to help determine what might be causing the reaction. Often, a person may not consider that a change in skincare products may be the source of the irritation.

An allergist may be able to identify the allergen or irritant from a list of substances the person came in contact with over the previous 24 to 48 hours. In other cases, the allergist can use skin tests to help determine the cause of a reaction.

If persons start to experience the symptoms above along with swelling of the eyelids, tongue, shortness of breath - contact a healthcare provider immediately.

Have a wonderful Easter and stay safe from allergens.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021

Regional

Colombia to extend COVID T&T: 178 return to Venezuela by boat restrictions as cases rise T C

olombia will extend coronavirus restrictions based on Intensive Care Unit (ICU) occupancy rates, President Ivan Duque said on Sunday, amid rising case numbers.

The Andean country, which has recorded more than 2.4 million coronavirus cases and nearly 64,000 deaths, has so far administered nearly 2.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

The Government has repeatedly warned people not to lower their guard during the Easter holidays – traditionally a popular travel period – and put in place weekend curfews.

“It’s clear that ... some municipalities have shown increases in recent weeks and there also exists the risk of a new national increase in the coming weeks,” Duque said in remarks broadcast on social media. “We must act, prevent, and take appropriate decisions.”

The capital of Bogotá and the cities of Manizales, Armenia, Tunja, Barranquilla, Monteria, Leticia and Pereira are under observation for in-

he National Security Ministry of Trinidad and Tobago repatriated 178 Venezuelans on Friday after they asked to be returned home.

The group left via boat on Friday during an Immigration Division managed project in collaboration

T

In February, a repatriation flight from Piarco to Caracas, organised by the Venezuelan Government, took 96 Venezuelans home.

Since then, the Venezuelan Embassy in Port of Spain has continued to receive requests for the repatriation flights. (Trinidad Newsday)

Peru reports new COVID deaths record ahead of elections People wearing face masks walk on a bridge during rush hour before the start of a mandatory total isolation decreed by the mayor’s office, amidst an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bogota, Colombia, January 7, 2021 (file photo)

creasing cases and deaths, Duque said, while Medellin, Cali, Santa Marta and Barranquilla are also being watched for decreasing ICU capacity.

Curfews based on ICU capacity will be in place from today and continue through April 19, he said.

Cities with an ICU occupancy of above 85 per cent will have a curfew from 18:00h (6pm) through 05:00h (5am), while those with between 80 per cent and 85 per cent capacity

will have curfews beginning at 20:00h (8pm).

Shopping and other activities will be regulated by ID numbers, Duque added.

Those who travelled over the holiday to areas with high contagion should self-isolate for at least seven days upon returning home, Duque added.

Colombia held a gradually loosened five-month national lockdown between March and September of last year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaica: PNP calls on Finance Minister to release funds promised to assist the nation’s poores

he Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is calling on the Finance Minister, Dr Nigel Clarke to honour the commitment he gave in Parliament in closing the Budget Debate, that a sum of J$2 million would be provided to each constituency to ease the hardships facing the most vulnerable during the weekend lockdowns.

with the Coast Guard and the Venezuelan Government, said the Ministry in a media release on Saturday.

Relatives of the returnees said some were in a hurry to return to their country, and many have been waiting for the trip since last November.

In a statement on Sunday, Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Julian Robinson, said, “Since the Minister made the announcement, our constituents have been inundating us with requests and we have not received anything in this regard.”

“The Minister promised that the funds would be available in time to facilitate assistance before the

long Easter weekend lockdown. Nothing has come and no update has been provided,” he continued.

He said the Opposition was calling on the Minister to update the Members of Parliament and the public as “none of the 14 PNP MPs has received the promised allocation to assist their constituents”.

(Jamaica Observer)

Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the innovative project will accelerate the ambition of the Cuban Government’s contribution to the Paris Agreement.

It will enhance ecosystem-based adaptation approaches for 1300 kilometres of coastline across 24 municipalities and also provide an important basis of support for the implementation of the “State Plan to Manage Climate Change ‘Tarea Vida’ (Life Task)”.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Latin America and the Caribbean notes Cuba is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

It says while the Cuban Government has made impressive gains towards sustainable development, coastal erosion, flooding, saline intrusion, drought and sea-level rise, threaten these hard-won economic and social gains.

“Impacts from these climate drivers pose an existential threat to coastal settlements and communities.

With funding from the Green Climate Fund and support from UNDP, this new project will provide valuable inputs to the Government’s work under Tarea Vida. Together these efforts will help vulnerable populations adapt to risks brought on by climate change,” said Dr Odalys Goicochea, Director, General Environment Directorate of CITMA. (Excerpt from CMC)

Senior citizens wait to receive a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Lima, Peru, on March 23 [Sebastian Castaneda/Reuters]

P

eru has registered its highest single-day total of coronavirus-related deaths, as millions of people across the South American country prepare to head to the polls to elect a new President and Congress next weekend.

The country’s Health Ministry said 294 deaths were recorded on Saturday, up from a previous record of 277 deaths reported in August.

More than 5600 new COVID-19 cases also were reported in Peru, with the country among several in Latin America struggling to contain a recent surge in infections spurred in part by new, more easily transmissible strains of the virus.

Neighbouring Chile recently postponed a vote to elect an assembly to write a new Constitution owing to the rise in coronavirus infections, but Peru is moving ahead with plans to hold its elections on April 11.

An opinion poll released on Thursday by Datum Internacional found that populist presidential frontrunner Yonhy Lescano had consolidated his lead over five other candidates vying for second place ahead of a likely June runoff.

Lescano, from the Popular Action party, had 12.1 per cent support, putting him atop the group of 18 candidates, but far short of the 50 per cent needed to avoid a

second round.

The poll showed Keiko Fujimori, daughter of imprisoned ex-President Alberto Fujimori, with 7.9 per cent support; former football goalkeeper George Forsyth at 7.4 per cent, and ultra-conservative Rafael Lopez Aliaga with 7.2 per cent.

Liberal economist Hernando de Soto had 6.5 per cent and left-wing candidate Veronica Mendoza had 5.7 per cent.

The COVID-19 pandemic has ravaged the economy in Peru, which has witnessed political turmoil during the past year amid corruption allegations against former President Martin Vizcarra.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Cuba’s coast resilience project benefits UWI COVID-19 task force shifting gears from multi-million US dollar grant

A

coastal resilience project along Cuba’s south coast has benefited from US$23.9 million that was recently approved by the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

GCF financing will be provided during the project’s first eight years and will complement US$20.3 million of dedicated financing that will be provided by the Government of Cuba for the implementation of an ecosystem-based adaptation approach for coastal protection.

The 30-year “Mi Costa” project will enhance climate resilience for over 440,000 Cubans and protect vulnerable coastal habitats.

Delivered by the Environment Agency of the Cuban Ministry of

C

hair of the COVID-19 task force of the University of the West Indies, Professor Clive Landis says with the Region now centred on rolling out vaccination programmes, the task force over the coming weeks will be shifting its focus from the public health aspect of the pandemic to the societal issues it has birthed.

“The taskforce is quite a big body, it doesn’t just consist of scientists like epidemiologists and virologists and zoologists, but we also have psychologists, psychiatrists, communications experts, economists and so what you will be seeing more and more is that our focus is going to shift gradually from supporting the public health aspect which is currently very much focused on the

vaccine rollout and will start taking on some of the societal issues which are now playing out as the pandemic goes on for over a year,” Landis, a leading Caribbean immunologist said.

He was speaking during last week’s virtual panel discussion hosted by the task force themed “Mind the Education Gap – Schooling in the Caribbean During COVID-19”.

Professor Landis said the closure of schools, some for well over a year and the impact on students has consumed the body.

The task force, which was formed just ahead of the pandemic reaching Caribbean shores after first being discovered in Wuhan, China in December 2019, aims to leverage the University’s knowledge and experts to

Chair of the COVID-19 task force of the University of the West Indies Professor Clive Landis (Photo contributed)

assist the Caribbean in its readiness and response to the virus outbreak. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Power play: India wields oil “weapon” to cut dependence on Saudi

W

hen India’s Government last month asked refiners to speed up diversification and reduce dependence on the Middle East - days after OPEC+ said it would maintain production cuts - it sent a message about its clout and foreshadowed changes to the world’s energy maps.

It was a move that had been in the works for years, fuelled by repeated comments from Indian Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who in 2015 called oil purchases a “weapon” for his country.

When the Organisation of Oil Exporting Countries and Major Producers (OPEC+) extended the production cuts into April, India unsheathed that weapon. Indian refiners plan to cut imports from the Kingdom by about a quarter in May, sources told Reuters, dropping them to 10.8 million barrels from monthly average of 14.7-14.8 million barrels.

Oil secretary Tarun Kapoor, the top bureaucrat in the Ministry, told Reuters that India is asking state refiners to jointly negotiate with oil producers to get better deals, but declined to comment on plans to cut Saudi imports.

Pradhan, who sees high oil prices as a threat to India’s recovering economy, said he was saddened by the OPEC+ decision. India’s fuel import bill has rocketed, and fuel prices – inflated by Government taxes imposed last year - have hit records.

The International Energy Agency forecasts India’s consumption to double and its oil import bill to nearly triple from 2019 levels to more than $250 billion by 2040.

An Oil Ministry official, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the OPEC+ cuts have created uncertainty and made it difficult for refiners to plan for procurement and price risk.

It also creates opportunities for companies in the Americas, Africa, Russia and elsewhere to fill the gap.

If India is successful, it will set an example for other countries. As buyers see more affordable choices and renewable energy becomes increasingly common, the influence of big producers like Saudi Arabia could wane, altering geopolitics and trade routes.

India’s oil demand has risen by 25 per cent in the last seven years - more than any other major buyer - and the country has surpassed Japan as the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer.

The country has already curbed its reliance on the Middle East from more than 64 per cent of imports in 2016 to below 60 per cent in 2019.

That trend reversed in 2020, however, when the pandemic pummelled fuel demand and forced Indian refiners to make committed oil purchases from the Middle East under term contracts, shunning spot purchases.

As India shifts gears again after Pradhan’s call for faster diversification, refineries are looking for new suppliers, the Oil Ministry official said.

Costly refinery upgrades that allow for the processing of cheaper, heavier oil grades have encouraged importers to seek out far-flung sources.

In past years, refiners have jointly negotiated oil deals with sanctions-hit Iran, which offered free shipping and price discounts, and now plan to do the same with other producers.

Since the break with Saudi Arabia began, Pradhan has had meetings with United Arab Emirates’ Minister of State and Chief Executive of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC), Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, and US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to strengthen energy partnerships.

A separate Indian Government source said the Government expects Iranian sanctions to ease in three to four months, potentially offering India a cheaper alternative to Saudi oil.

Although Indian importers will scoop up increasing volumes of attractively priced global grades, most analysts expect the Middle East to remain India’s primary oil supplier, mainly because of lower shipping costs.

India’s Oil Ministry is working with refiners on a framework to jointly negotiate terms with suppliers.

On Thursday, Saudi Arabia and OPEC+ agreed after discussions with US officials to ease oil curbs beginning in May. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman conceded that the production cuts had put state oil company Aramco “in some difficulty with some of its partners.”

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Indonesia: At least 44 killed by flash floods and landslides

A

t least 44 people have been killed after flash floods and landslides swept an island in Indonesia’s easternmost province on Sunday morning.

Hours before people woke up to celebrate Easter Sunday, torrential rain resulted in flash floods in the Catholic-majority Flores Island.

Mud inundated homes, while bridges and roads in the eastern end of the island were destroyed.

“There are 44 people dead with nine injured” in East Flores regency, and “many … are still under the mud”, National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Raditya Jati told AFP news agency.

Rescue officials expect

An elderly villager and her grandson stand in floodwaters in front of their damaged home in the village of Haitimuk in East Flores

the death toll to rise as they are struggling to reach the remote and worst-hit area in East Flores regency because of rains and strong waves.

Jati added that extreme weather is expected to con-

tinue in the coming week.

Separately on Sunday, flooding killed two people in Bima city in the neighbouring province of West Nusa Tenggara, according to the disaster control agency.

Dams in four subdistricts

also overflowed, submerging nearly 10,000 houses following a nine-hour downpour, said Jati.

Indonesia’s weather agency said a tropical cyclone nearing the Savu Straits, between the southern part of Nusa Tenggara province and East Timor’s north coast, could be bringing more rain, waves and winds.

Fatal landslides and flash floods are common across the Indonesian archipelago during the rainy season.

Deforestation is often a cause of landslides, according to environmentalists.

The country’s disaster agency has estimated that 125 million Indonesians – nearly half of the country’s population – live in areas at risk of landslides. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Taiwan Transport Florida declares state Minister to step down of emergency over after deadly train crash toxic wastewater leak

T

aiwan’s Transport Minister said on Sunday he would step down after he and the manager of a construction site whose truck slid onto rail tracks causing a catastrophic train crash accepted responsibility for the disaster.

Lin Chia-lung, in a statement on his Facebook page, said he would step down once the initial rescue work had come to an end, adding he “took full responsibility”.

“I should have accepted all the criticism over the past few days, but we have not done well enough,” he said.

Premier Su Tseng-chang’s office said prior to the announcement that Lin had made a verbal offer to resign, but Su had rejected it for the time being, saying efforts for now should focus on rescue and recovery.

In the island’s worst rail accident in seven decades, 50 people have been confirmed

dead after a packed express train carrying almost 500 passengers and crew slammed into the truck near the eastern city of Hualien on Friday, causing it to derail and the front part to crumple.

The truck that the train hit had slid down a sloping road onto the track just outside a tunnel. Officials are investigating the manager of the construction site, Lee Yi-hsiang, whose truck is suspected of not having its brakes properly applied.

On Sunday, Lee read out a statement apologising for what happened as police took him away from his residence.

A Hualien court said on Sunday evening it had ordered that Lee be detained for two months, saying there was a risk he may destroy evidence. After questioning by the Judge and evidence from prosecutors, he is suspected of causing death by negligence, it said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

A

state of emergency has been declared in Florida after a leak from a large pond of toxic wastewater in Tampa Bay. More than 300 homes in the area have been evacuated, and a motorway near the Piney Point reservoir has been closed.

On Sunday Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the water was not radioactive and was "primarily saltwater" from a dredging project mixed with "legacy process water and storm water runoff".

The priority was to prevent a "real catastrophic flood situation", he said.

Officials said the 77-acre (31-hectare) reservoir holds millions of gallons of water containing phosphorous and nitrogen from an old phosphate plant.

The pond where the leak was found is in a stack of

phosphogypsum, a radioactive waste product from the manufacture of fertiliser.

Attempts to repair the leak late on Friday, by plugging the hole with rocks and other materials, were unsuccessful.

DeSantis declared the state of emergency on Saturday.

On Sunday he said water was being pumped out of the pond at a rate of 33 million gallons a day. Other workers have been charting the path to control the flow of the water.

Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes told a press conference that there were concerns the water could flood the area, which is mostly agricultural.

By declaring a state of emergency, funds can be released to send more pumps and cranes to the area.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Jordan accuses Prince Hamzah of plot to destabilise kingdom

T

he former crown prince of Jordan is accused of trying to mobilise tribal leaders against the Government, the country's Deputy Prime Minister said.

Prince Hamzah bin Hussein worked with "foreign entities" to destabilise the state, Ayman Safadi said.

The prince had earlier released two videos to the BBC, claiming he was being held under house arrest.

He denied conspiracy, but accused Jordan's leaders of corruption and incompetence.

Sixteen people, including a former adviser to King Abdullah and another member of the royal family, were arrested on Saturday for allegedly threatening security.

In his videos, Prince

Hamzah, the king's half-brother, said he had been told he could not go out or communicate with people.

The move is thought to follow a visit by the prince to tribal leaders, where he is said to have garnered some support.

His mother, Americanborn Queen Noor, has said she is praying for what she called innocent victims of "wicked slander".

Responding to the fallout on Sunday, Safadi said Prince Hamzah had used the videos to distort facts and incite empathy, according to the state news agency, Petra.

He told a news conference that the prince had been liaising with foreign parties about destabilising the country and

Prince Hamzah, pictured with Princess Basmah in 2011, is a keen sky-diver

had been being monitored for some time.

Regional powers including Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have voiced support for King Abdullah in the wake of the operation.

Tensions within the royal household had been visi-

ble for some time, Jordanian journalist Rana Sweis told the BBC. But some commentators said the prince's criticism of corruption in the kingdom struck a chord with many in the country. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

A passionate approach to living your dream will bring (March 21you the satisfaction you deApril 19) sire. Set high standards and goals, and jump in and do your part. Positive action will lead to opportunity.

ARIES

Change begins with you.

Don't let indecisiveness bog (April 20you down. Don't feel the need May 20) to do everything all at once.

Pace yourself, and stick to your budget. Embrace change with confidence.

TAURUS

DILBERT

Hard work will pay off.

GEMINI Don't take a shortcut that (May 21someone recommends. Pay June 20) attention to detail if you want to outperform the competition. You need to be smart and careful.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Slow down. Don't take an unnecessary risk. Deal with complex issues directly. If you let someone take charge, it won't be easy to control the outcome. Be open to suggestions.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

You have more power than you realize. Don't let others stand in your way. Work to increase your value, skills and knowledge. Surround yourself with people who can help you.

Take notes, hone your skills and push ahead. Pay attention to what's going on around you and the people you work alongside. It's essential to keep up with technology.

PEANUTS

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Put your energy into something that will help you boost your chances of advancement. Pay attention to what's going on at home, and nurture meaningful relationships.

SCORPIO

Listen carefully. Be careful when dealing with joint endeavors or shared expenses. Too much of anything will hold you back. Focus on personal growth, and try to work alone if you can.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Keep your emotions SAGITTARIUS out of money matters.

(Nov. 23Overspending to please Dec. 21) someone won't work out.

Don't make promises you cannot keep. Be supportive, honest and practical.

Don't mix business with CAPRICORN pleasure. Someone will try to (Dec. 22take advantage of you. Avoid Jan. 19)

unsavory situations that put you in harm's way. Make changes that will replace obstacles with opportunities.

FRIDAY'S WORD - ALIENATE

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Spend money only on what's necessary. Use common sense when dealing with people who want you to make a questionable change. Put more time and effort into physical fitness.

Discipline will pay off.

Get involved in a cause or PISCES exciting project. Refuse to let (Feb. 20March 20) someone or something from your past disrupt your plans.

Focus on your needs, not on someone's demands.

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021

21

Fakhar Zaman's 193 not enough for Pakistan as series level SCOREBOARD S

outh Africa survived an astonishing onslaught from Fakhar Zaman to secure a series-levelling 17run win against Pakistan in Johannesburg.

Zaman's 155-ball 193 was heroic, a one-man show in the truest sense of the word because no other Pakistani managed more than 31 in a chase of 342. It is the highest score in a chase in One-Day International (ODI) cricket history, and the second highestever in a losing cause. Zaman also surpassed Herschelle Gibbs' 175 to record the highest individual score at the venue.

After several stutters, South Africa did manage to get over the line, thanks to a commanding batting performance spearheaded by the top order. Captain Temba Bavuma top-scored with 92, while Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller each brought up half-centuries, allowing South Africa to post 341 in the face of a listless bowling effort from the visitors.

Pakistan were never really in the chase right until the final 15 overs; once Zaman brought up his first ODI hundred in two years, he would run riot. Despite finishing with the highest score by a Pakistani in ODI cricket in South Africa, it always looked like an unassailable task, and in truth, proved so by some distance in the end.

Pakistan have never chased a total of this magnitude in ODI cricket, and a daunting challenge became even tougher

when Imam-ul-Haq, one of the protagonists for the side at SuperSport Park, fell in the second over. For a brief while, Pakistan looked to have course-corrected with a 63-run partnership that exuded easy elegance from the bats of both Azam and Zaman. But Pakistan's bane on Friday, Nortje, would return to haunt them once more, exploiting a vulnerability against the short ball that brought about the seismic wicket of Azam in his first over.

Two balls later, he would dismiss Mohammad Rizwan, and just like that, Pakistan's most inform batsmen had been taken out of the equation.

It was an uncharacteristic innings through the middle from Zaman, as he reined in his belligerent instincts while the middle order crumbled around him. Danish Aziz was no match for Nortje's short lengths, while Shadab Khan and Asif Ali had little to contribute. Around that time, Zaman decided to go hell for leather once more, bringing up a 70-ball half-century with a colossal six over square leg.

That point on, the shackles were off, and even as wickets fell and the asking rate rose, runs off Zaman's bat came freely. In what seemed like a flash, he had brought up a hundred, and farmed the strike while plundering South Africa's bowlers, particularly the spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. Bavuma persisted with him for an over too many even as Zaman singled him out and at one point struck five sixes in six balls off the

spinner, bringing a ballooning asking rate back under control.

The central problem at this point for Pakistan was there were three number 11s at the other end, with Shaheen, and then Rauf, unable to turn the strike over reliably enough.

Zaman was forced to take on eve-increasing responsibility, turning down singles in a contest where every run was priceless.

Thirteen runs off the 48th over brought the equation down to 38 off 12, and individual records were tumbling. By now, Zaman had overtaken Herschelle Gibbs' 175 in that famous chase of 434, 15 years ago, posting the highest individual score at the Wanderers. In the present, a disciplined penultimate over from Andile Phehlukwayo only allowed seven. A direct hit from long off from the first ball of the final over finally put an end to Zaman's resistance, and South Africa were home and dry at last.

Conditions were quite similar to the one at Centurion two days ago. Azam called correctly again and elected to field on a belter. But this time, there was no sedate start from Aiden Markram, who set the tone with a classy cameo in the first powerplay, his 34-ball 39 ensuring Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain were unable to build much pressure early on. Once he fell, driving on the up off Faheem Ashraf, de Kock took more of a leadership role.

Haris Rauf was smashed for a six over fine leg and a boundary

in the same over, while neither he nor Bavuma allowed Shadab, whose nosediving form shows little sign of recovering, to settle.

Even Afridi, brought back a little earlier than Pakistan might have planned owing to the lack of wickets that fell, suffered punishment in his second spell, with de Kock taking 18 runs off his two overs.

There was little incision at the top from Pakistan, and while the rawness of Hasnain means there will be ups and downs, he was especially indifferent on Sunday. While Bavuma and the irrepressible van der Dussen were in full flow, Pakistan looked like they had reverted to going through the motions; discussions between Captain and bowler were few and far between, and slot balls and full tosses abounded.

Van der Dussen brought up his half-century with a sweep to midwicket, following it up with another six and four off the hapless Hasnain. But with the South African going after just about every ball by this stage, he would hole out in the same over to long on, his 37-ball 60 having pushed what looked like a 300 total past 330. Bavuma was unselfish at the other end, continuing to go for high-risk shots even as a first hundred as captain beckoned, and found deep midwicket just eight short of the milestone.

By this time, Pakistan's sloppiness was infectious, as Ashraf leaked 13 off one ball when a no-ball and the free hit were dispatched for six by David

SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS (50 OVERS MAXIMUM) Quinton de Kock † b Haris Rauf 80 Aiden Markram c Asif Ali b Faheem Ashraf 39 Temba Bavuma (c) c Babar Azam b Haris Rauf 92 Rassie van der Dussen c Faheem Ashraf b Mohammad Hasnain 60 David Miller not out 50 Heinrich Klaasen c Haris Rauf b Shaheen Shah Afridi 11 Andile Phehlukwayo c Faheem Ashraf b Haris Rauf 3 Kagiso Rabada not out 1 Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 3) 5 TOTAL (50 Ov, RR: 6.82) 341/6 Did not bat: Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi Fall of wickets: 1-55 (Aiden Markram, 9.3 ov), 2-169 (Quinton de Kock, 30.1 ov), 3-270 (Rassie van der Dussen, 41.4 ov), 4-306 (Temba Bavuma, 46.2 ov), 5-317 (Heinrich Klaasen, 47.5 ov), 6-322 (Andile Phehlukwayo, 48.6 ov) BOWLING Shaheen Shah Afridi 10-1-75-1 Mohammad Hasnain 10-0-74-1 Faheem Ashraf 9-0-62-1 Haris Rauf 10-0-54-3 Shadab Khan 9-0-64-0 Danish Aziz 2-0-11-0

Miller whose 27-ball 50 further damaged the visitors. Rauf did manage to pick up a couple of late wickets that slowed South Africa in the final few overs, but Miller would compensate

GABF announces FIBA WCPQ roster...

PAKISTAN INNINGS (TARGET: 342 RUNS FROM 50 OVERS) Imam-ul-Haq c Markram b Ngidi 5 Fakhar Zaman run out (Markram) 193 Babar Azam (c) c Bavuma b Nortje 31 Mohammad Rizwan † c Klaasen b Nortje 0 Danish Aziz c †de Kock b Nortje 9 Shadab Khan lbw b Shamsi 13 Asif Ali c Markram b Phehlukwayo 19 Faheem Ashraf c †de Kock b Phehlukwayo 11 Shaheen Shah Afridi c & b Rabada 5 Haris Rauf not out 1 Mohammad Hasnain not out 12 Extras (b 1, lb 8, nb 1, w 15) 25 TOTAL (50 Ov, RR: 6.48) 324/9 Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Imam-ulHaq, 1.6 ov), 2-70 (Babar Azam, 10.4 ov), 3-71 (Mohammad Rizwan, 10.6 ov), 4-85 (Danish Aziz, 14.6 ov), 5-120 (Shadab Khan, 24.3 ov), 6-186 (Asif Ali, 33.5 ov), 7-205 (Faheem Ashraf, 37.4 ov), 8-273 (Shaheen Shah Afridi, 44.5 ov), 9-312 (Fakhar Zaman, 49.1 ov) BOWLING Kagiso Rabada 10-2-43-1 Lungi Ngidi 9-0-66-1 Andile Phehlukwayo 10-0-67-2 Anrich Nortje 10-1-63-3 Tabraiz Shamsi 7-0-60-1 Aiden Markram 4-0-16-0

for it by plundering 19 off Afridi's final over. In a game that ultimately only ended in a 17run win, it turned out every one of those late blows would come in handy. (ESPNcricinfo)

Rose to lead, Delroy James to serve as Co-Captain G

uyana’s Head Coach, Junior Hercules has decided on his final 12-man roster for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Americas Pre-Qualifiers in San Salvador, El Salvador.

The national team boss has included as much size as possible while parading some of the country’s most promising young talents.

The 2018 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Most Valuable Player (MVP), Stanton Rose will captain the team with support from 2019 BCL CoCaptain and Intercontinental champion Delroy James. The lone naturalised player – Deylon Bovell from Berkley College – will make his debut. The up-andcomers who will gain valuable experience are Israel Yaw and Yonnick Tappin.

Coach Hercules commended all invited players for their dedication to the national cause and thanked them for their efforts.

The accompanying delegation will include:

• Junior Andrew Hercules – Head Coach • Dennis Clarke – Assistant Coach • Alex Graham – Head of Delegation • Dr Dennis Bassier – Team Doctor • Akeem Fraser – Physiotherapist • Warren Wilson – COVID-19 Compliance Officer Team Guyana will begin their campaign against Nicaragua on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 21:00 GYT.

Guyana’s Game Schedule:

• Game 1: Thursday, April 15 – 21:00 GYT – Guyana v Nicaragua • Game 2: Friday, April 16 – 18:00 GYT – Jamaica v Guyana • Game 3: Saturday, April 17 – 21:00 GYT – Guyana v El Salvador • Game 4: Sunday, April 18 – 18:00 GYT – Costa Rica v Guyana All Guyana games will be broadcast via E-Networks E1 Channel.

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021

Cricket fraternity saddened at passing of Pretipaul Jaigobin T

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB); Berbice Cricket Board (BCB); Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) and Albion Community Centre Cricket Club (ACCC) have expressed their condolences at the passing of Pretipaul Jaigobin, who was recently elected Treasurer of the GCB and served as Economic Advisor and Financial Analyst, attached to the Finance Ministry.

Below is the joint message from the GCB and DCB: It was with profound sorrow that the staff and the recentlyelected Executives of both the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) learnt of the vehicular accident on Thursday, April 1, 2021 that resulted in the tragic death of Pretipaul Jaigobin, the Treasurer of both Boards.

Pretipaul was reportedly travelling from Mahdia to the Ministry of Finance after completing a COVID-19 assignment when the accident occurred. He was an Economic and Financial Analyst of the European Union Task Force Unit of that Ministry.

Jai, as he was popularly known, was well liked and respected; his congeniality, humility and sense of humour endeared him to many. Pretipaul had been an active and trusted cricket administrator for over 20 years with a vast knowledge of the game, especially in relation to cricket records and statistics.

His contributions to the deliberations and decisions at cricket meetings, especially on financial issues and effective governance were invaluable. Jai had a special affinity for youth cricket. His professional approach helped in the stimulation of affirmative action in cricket administration. He was constantly looking at ways to improve the accounting and marketing procedures.

He had previously served on the GCB as the Assistant Treasurer during the period 2009 to 2011. In May 2011, shortly after a particularly tumultuous meeting of the GCB Executive Committee, he was badly burnt with acid by an unknown assailant and spent 42 days in the Georgetown Hospital.

Jai was a stalwart and contributed immensely

Pretipaul Jaigobin during the long struggle for accountability and legality at both the GCB and the DCB. In February of this year, he was elected Treasurer of the DCB at the court-supervised elections of that Board.

On March 29, 2021, he was elected Treasurer of the GCB at the elections convened by the Cricket Ombudsman in accordance with the Guyana Cricket Administration Act, No 14 of 2014. It is sadly ironic that Jai died just after so much was achieved after that long struggle.

Pretipaul’s passing is a tremendous loss to the wider cricket fraternity. It is with heartfelt grief that the Executives of the GCB and the DCB and the staff members extend sincere sympathy to his family, relatives, and friends. Please be assured that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of bereavement.

Below is the statement from BCB President and GCB Vice President Hilbert Foster: He was the last person I spoke to as we departed the election venue on Monday last.

His final words would always be in my memory; "travel safe my friend, we have so much work to do." If I knew those were to be your final words to me, I would have stayed a little longer with you and cherished your presence a little longer. Losing you just after your dream was achieved, Jai, is very

difficult and my knees felt weak when our President told me about your death.

I have a strong faith in God, but for a few seconds, I questioned why he took you away so soon when the journey had just started. I guessed he wanted a special angel in heaven to guide the process and to watch over us.

It was a privilege to know you.

On Sunday, we spoke a long time before and after the elections.

You had so many ideals to share with us and your input into our first executive meeting revealed a thinking, progressive … mind.

You suffered the most but despite your injuries. you never one day showed any passion for revenge. Rest in peace, my friend, and please watch down on us as we seek to fulfil your vision for Guyana cricket. You died while working for our country and the less fortunate.

On behalf of every one of us you left behind so soon, I want to assure you that we would work hard to make sure that Guyana cricket would rise to the top again and we would make sure that your memory would live on forever.

Thanks for the privilege of being a friend and we would all try to be role models to your kids in your absence. On behalf of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club and the Berbice Cricket Board, I would like to express our sympathies to his wife, children, and family. Please be assured of our love, friendship, and support during these difficult times. May the soul of Pretipaul Jaigobin rest in peace and rise in eternal glory with God. The President, executives and members of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club also in a release expressed their deep sadness at the tragic death of Jaigobin, calling his passing very depressing. “…. we at the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club would like to express our sincere condolences to his family, other relatives, the President and Executives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Ministry of Finance. Although death is inevitable, it is never easy to lose a loved one; however, we must console ourselves that God knows the best and readjust our minds to embrace such situation.

We pray that God will comfort his family and loved ones during this very difficult period and may his soul Rest in Peace.”

LGC remembers Colin Ming as a pillar, stalwart of the game

M

embers of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) spent Saturday afternoon reminiscing on the contributions and bonhomie of Colin Ming, the brother of Stanley Ming, who died suddenly on April 2, 2021 in a vehicular accident.

Among them was current Captain Patrick Prashad, who had known Ming since they were in primary school together in Kitty. Prashad recalled many hours working with Ming on the club’s constitution, relating that his friend was an extreme stickler for details on any matter.

His knowledge covered all areas of the game – be it the rules, the proper swing technique and issues such as drainage and the correct soil conditions for the greens.

Importantly, he was the primary ‘caregiver’ for the often temperamental equipment used to look after the course and was always on hand to make repairs. It was especially poignant that the greens mower broke down on Saturday, perhaps in mourning. Immediately, the question was who would look after it now? Ming was also remembered as a person of uncompromising principles by family friend Hilbert Shields, who said he always saw issues in black and white and perhaps this was why he did not feel comfortable ever running for the club presidency. However, his contributions delivered with little fanfare have been manifold. His generosity in helping members improve their game was

The late Colin Ming

also noted.

Ming himself was a solid low-teens handicap

golfer with a reliable drive off the tee and impeccable chipping and putting based on correct technique. And he was a hard man to beat, grinding it out to many of his colleagues’ frustration. With his understanding of the fundamentals, he could have become a ‘single digit’ at any time; however, he had many other interests and would often disappear for months to go fishing or to help with squash or motor racing. With COVID-19, he had not been up to the course for perhaps a year.

But last Monday to many members’ surprise and delight, he showed up to play, and they reported he was his good-natured and jovial self, including singing the Patsy Cline song referencing the same when his opponents’ games “fell to pieces”.

On the 19th hole, he was always excellent company and was often seen up at the club late playing dominoes with the same competitiveness and cunning as golf.

It was agreed that at some convenient time in the future, the club would hold a memorial tournament in full recognition of his contributions.

Finally, as members sat under the tree on Saturday, the sun dipping below the horizon, the bar staff brought out a $1000 note, which she said Ming had left for Prashad who had beaten him in the game on the previous Monday. It was remarked that even in death he had honoured his debts.

CLASSIFIED ADS SERVICES Solutions to All problems such as – Domestic, Job, Relationships such as :- Marriage , Love Relations. Removal of blockages and Bad Luck. Call for Appointment – 592 696 8222.

Address: Georgetown or Vreed-enHoop.

Master Sanjeev Hc Solve Problems – Love, Marriage, Relationships, Money, Business, Job, Generation, Crush, Bring back Ex-Lover, Blockages, Bad Luck, Jealous and more. Contact : 592 633-2394. Address : Campbellville, Georgetown.

TAXI SERVICE

GR Taxi

227-1982, 225-7878 219-5000, 227-2100 Wanted: Contract Cars Tel: 614-6202

VACANCY One (1) Security Guard. Male.

From 4pm to 7am in the morning.

Contact: Sookraj Jewellery: 223-6156/612-2125.

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW!

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

RoaringRomelloCrawfordstormstovictory

Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

lad from Number One Road said he was aiming to register wins. He said he recently began training and was slowly peaking.

The race had 16 sponsors in total and two minor accidents; it was the first in the Ancient County for the 2021 season, and was hailed a success. According to cycling coach Randolph Roberts, this race and the others to follow will prepare the Berbice riders for the national cycling championships.

The title sponsors, the Sukhpauls, were delighted with the showing of the cyclists, and this race marked the second Sukhpaulsponsored event. The next race in the Ancient County is set for May 2, with that event being the Crawfordsponsored race.

O

ne of Berbice’s finest cycling talents, Romello Crawford weathered the storm on a rainy Sunday morning on the Corentyne highways to take top honours in the Mohabir Baljeet Sukhpaul memorial cycling race. Crawford stopped the clock of the 46-mile race at two hours one minute.

Owing to persistent rain across the Ancient County, the race pedalled off from 09:00h at the Sukhpaul Gas Station in New Amsterdam, and finished at the Corriverton Sukhpaul Gas Station. Crawford was tagteamed by the Hicks brothers, but that proved insufficient as he won the intense sprint against the older Hicks, Andrew, who finished second.

Young David Hicks came in third while Mario Washington rode in fourth and Jason Cameron came in fifth.

Crawford took four sprint prizes while David and Andrew had three sprint prizes each.

In the veterans’ category, Syborne Fernandes took the top spot while Fitzroy Tang came in second.

The cyclists at the presentation ceremony with the sponsors

In the junior category, David Hicks, who came in third overall, emerged as the victor while Mario Washington (second) and Jeremiah Joseph (third) rounded out the top three. Richard Crandon and Raj Mootoo were the top two juveniles.

After the race, the

champion cyclist credited his experience and class for the result. Crawford said that conditions were terrible in the cold breeze. He noted that the Hicks brothers tried to tagteam him, but he overcame that battle to emerge as victor. With a host of racing events set for April-May, the

23

BCB 2021 cricket season...

Sandeep and Son Poultry Farm, Kascon Engineering latest sponsors

S

W

est Indies Coach Phil Simmons praised the effort of his batsmen following the Test series against Sri Lanka. He said the West Indies batsmen are starting to pull their weight after the bowlers carried the team for years.

The two-match series ended in a 0-0 draw with both matches being played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua. Five West Indies batsmen ended with an average of over 50 – Captain Kraigg Brathwaite, Kyle Mayers, Nkrumah Bonner, Jason Holder, and Rahkeem Cornwall.

Brathwaite and Bonner both cracked centuries during the series. There were also two half-centuries each from Mayers and Cornwall and one apiece from Holder and Brathwaite.

Speaking to Cricket West Indies media, Simmons said the highlight in the series was batting to save the first Test match on the final day. Chasing an improbable 375 for victory, West Indies closed on 236-4 with Bonner leading the way with an unbeaten 113.

“The biggest takeaway is we could bat on a fifth-day pitch to save a game, to draw a Test match. It is something that we have not done for a while and we needed to make sure we were able to do it. I think that is the biggest thing in this (series) and then the attitude of the team keeps growing, the attitude of guys wanting to make runs, wanting to score hundreds. It was good to see the Captain getting a hundred after a long, barren period,” he noted.

Simmons said the batsmen provided valuable support to the bowlers. “I think the important thing now is that everybody is looking to occupy the crease, people are looking to bat for long periods…the batting has stood up in the last four Test matches and this is the great thing, because before that the bowling was carrying us.”

Simmons highlighted the batting contributions of Cornwall and Alzarri Joseph at the end of innings during the Sri Lanka and Bangladesh series. Prior to the Sri Lanka series, West Indies defeated Bangladesh 2-0 in a two-match Test series in Bangladesh.

Speaking more about the batting, Simmons said, “In every series you are not going to get every batsman firing. One series you will get two or three (and in) the next series you might get a different two or three. The important thing is that the team is batting as a team and every Test match, somebody is standing up; every Test match, somebody is looking to get a hundred or a big score and we’ve been graced with that in the last four Test matches…the batting is coming to the fore now.”

Opener John Campbell and Vice Captain Jermaine Blackwood struggled during the series scoring 68 runs and 42 runs respectively. Simmons said the wickets in the Caribbean need to improve.

“I think we, from a country standpoint, need to get better wickets where we could have Test matches that would create a result. Even if we had lost a Test match after it’s gone to the fifth day, you will still think we have done well to get to the fifth day.” (T&T Newsday)

ponsorship for cricket tournaments in the Ancient County of Berbice continues to pour in as the 2021 cricket season steams ahead under very strict COVID-19 guidelines.

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB),which has set itself a target of 40 tournaments in 2021, has to date hosted 18 finals over the last two months. The latest sponsors to come on board are Sandeep and Son Poultry Farm and Kascon Engineering Ltd. Sandeep Ramdass of Sandeep and Son Poultry Farm would be sponsoring an Under-23 tournament for clubs across the Ancient County while Kascon Engineering Ltd would sponsor a 20/20 tournament for teams in the New Amsterdam/ Canje/East Bank Area.

BCB President Hilbert Foster hailed the Sandeep Ramdass and Son Poultry Farm Under-23 competition as another milestone in the history of Berbice cricket as it would complete the cycle of tournaments for junior cricketers. The cycle would start at the Under-13 level and progress to Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21 and Under-23.

The BCB President noted that many players leave the game after the Under-19 level as they feel that their career have no future. The hosting of Under-21 and Under-23 tournaments, Foster stated, is intended to correct that situation and to assist in the development of the players.

Players like Kevin Sinclair, Adrian Sukhwa, Sylus Tyndall, Keith Simpson, Kevin Umroa, Jetendra Outar, Karran Arjpaul, Anthonio February, Kevlon Anderson, Leon Swammy, Garfield Benjamin, Brandon Corlette, Marvan Prashad, Seon Glasgow, Javed Karim, Trevon Stanislaus,

Sandeep Ramdass hands over the sponsorship to BCB Public Relations Officer Simon Naidu

Nigel Deodat, Chris Harry, Shamal Angel, Rampertab Ramnauth, Isiah Thorne, Alex Algoo, Gourav Ramesh, Chanderpaul Govindhan, Abdul Ramsammy, Zeynul Ramsammy, Jeremy Sandia, Mahendra Gopilall, Reaz Karim, and Leon Cecil are all expected to play in the tournament.

Teams expected to participate would include Rose Hall Town Vitality Inc, Albion, Port Mourant, Radha Krishna Foundation, RH Canje, Young Warriors, Tucber Park, Edinburgh, Blairmont, Achievers and Bush Lot United.

The second tournament sponsored by Kascon Engineering Inc would be for teams in the New Amsterdam/ Canje area and forms part of the BCB grassroot cricket developmental programme.

The BCB President had committed his administration to hosting a minimum of three cricket tournaments for each of the five sub-areas: Berbice River, New Amsterdam/ Canje, Lower Corentyne/ Central Corentyne, West Berbice and Upper Corentyne.

The BCB/Kascon Engineering

tournament will be a 20/20 knockout one with a total of 16 clubs participating.

They would include Kendall Union CC, Kendall’s Union Sports Star, RH Canje, YWCC, Pathfinders CC, Canje Titans, Good Banana Land, Betsy Ground, Mount Sinai, Tucber Park, Guymine and Sisters. Foster disclosed that the tournament would start on Sunday, April 11 and was expected to be completed in four weeks. Teams involved in the tournaments are required to observe the BCB COVID-19 guidelines.

No spectators would be allowed in the venue and players would have to wear face masks in the pavilion and practise social distancing. Foster expressed gratitude to sponsors Sandeep Ramdass and Rafeek Kassim for their support. He noted that Berbice cricket was undergoing a remarkable period and this includes the hosting of numerous tournaments at the different levels. Both businessmen expressed delight to be associated with Berbice cricket and indicated that they would likely be long-term sponsors.

MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021

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

See story on page 21

GABF announces FIBA WCPQ roster...

Rose to lead, Delroy James to serve as Co-Captain

Roaring Romello Crawford storms to victory

Page 23

Page 23

Romello Crawford left Andrew Hicks behind in his dust

Syborne Fernandes claimed the top spot in the veteran category

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.