Guyana Times - Monday, November 16, 2020

Guyana withdraws recognition of de facto Arab State — Morocco hails Guyana as 14th P3

regional State to do so since 2010

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

Issue No. 4471

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

Guyana Police Force launches Christmas Policing Plan Page 9

School vouchers Specialty Hospital Project now still doubled, on 160,000 agenda children – Indian diplomat Page 12

to benefit Guyana records 139th COVID-19 death, 29 new cases

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana remains committed to P9 protecting forests – Natural Resources Minister

Unidentified man killed P11 by speeding garbage truck Suspected TIP victims placed in protective care P13 Police on hunt for businessman in EBD land P7 giveaway

...will make Guyana a hub for medical tourism Page 11 See story on page 2

GWI acquires $120M well drilling rig for hinterland regions Page 7

Access to P14 Baracara a nightmare owing to thick vegetation

$220M in ganja destroyed P9 along Berbice River

2 NEWS Guyana records 139th COVID-19 death, 29 new cases MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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he Ministry of Health announced that Guyana recorded its 139th COVID-19 related death as of Saturday, November 13, 2020.

Additionally, 29 new cases of the potentially deadly virus have been recorded.

The 47-year-old woman from Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) died while receiving treatment at one of the COVID-19 facilities.

The Ministry has expressed its sincerest condolences to the family of the deceased and promised to make every effort to provide all the necessary support to the family.

Officials of the Ministry have contacted all relatives and persons to facilitate contact tracing and rapid assistance to everyone who

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

may have been exposed to the now-deceased person.

The Ministry is also appealing to the general public to respect the confidentiality of the deceased and her family,

and to allow them to mourn their tragic loss in peace.

The Ministry in its daily statistics report said that there are currently nine persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit. So far, there are 60 persons in institutional isolation and 838 in home isolation. On the other hand, there are 65 persons in institutional quarantine.

With respect to the 29 new cases, one was recorded in Region One; 10 in Region Four; three in Region Six; two in Region Eight and 13 in Region 10.

The Health Ministry continues to urge all Guyanese to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures, which will guarantee the safety of all.

Persons are asked to implement the consistent use of face masks when leaving their homes. Also, they are asked to pay keen attention to the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

On Friday, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony stated that the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is expected to issue new guidelines for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Those new guidelines

that PAHO would issue, we will certainly look forward to see them and see how we can incorporate them in our existing guidelines.”

The Health Minister further highlighted that in addition to the PAHO guidelines, Guyana has been looking at some of the principles of global scientific centres. He said local doctors receive articles from the foremost medical journals, such as The Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine.

“Our doctors have been receiving those articles, to

ensure that our treatment protocols and other measures follow the latest science and guidelines. I think so far, we have been working very closely with what is happening in research and trying to implement that here,” Dr Anthony stated.

The Ministry has worked with PAHO and some consultants in Washington to host a webinar for local doctors. The webinar was based on guidelines that the World Health Organisation (WHO) issues pertaining to certifying and classifying COVID-19 deaths. Minister

Anthony said the webinar should give local doctors a better understanding of how to certify those types of deaths.

Nevertheless, the Minister said Guyana will adopt the new guidelines where appropriate.

Meanwhile, persons displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or in need of any additional information are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 231-1166, 2267480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health. gov.gy.

NEWS

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, November 16 – 03:30h – 05:00h and Tuesday, November 17 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, November 16 – 16:45h – 18:15h and Tuesday, November 17 – 05:35h – 07:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Expect sunny intervals and thundery showers during the day. There will be partly cloudy skies and light rain at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Southerly to South-Easterly to Easterly to East North-Easterly to North-Easterly to North North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 17:11h reaching a maximum height of 2.92 metres.

Low Tide: 10:46h and 23:14h reaching minimum heights of 0.46 metre and 0.3 metre.

Guyana withdraws recognition of de facto Arab State – Morocco hails Guyana as 14th regional State to do so since 2010 T

he Government of Guyana has communicated its intention to withdraw its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), a partially recognised de facto State that has laid claim to the non-self-governing territory of Western Sahara.

This was made known in a communique from the Kingdom of Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan expatriates.

Morocco also claims the Western Sahara territory.

In the communique, it was revealed that Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry wrote to the Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, informing him that “the Government of Guyana will no longer recognise the so-called SADR.” Bourita was also informed by the Foreign Minister, Hugh Todd, that Guyana, which first recognised SADR in 1979, "will provide its full support to

Foreign Minister Hugh Todd

the efforts of the United Nations to achieve a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution.”

According to the Moroccan Foreign Affairs Ministry, Guyana’s withdrawal is further testament to SADR’s lack of recognition at the global level. It was explained that Guyana

is the 14th country in South America and the Caribbean to have withdrawn its recognition of SADR since 2010.

“Thanks to the impetus given by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, the international dynamic of support for the Moroccanness of the Sahara continues, to the extent of the erosion of recognition of the ghostly "republic", noting that 164 countries across the world do not recognize the so-called ‘SADR’,” the communique said.

The vast deserts of Western Sahara were formerly colonised by Spain, but are now disputed by Morocco and SADR. Morocco claims the majority of the territory and annexed it in 1975. But the Polisario Front, a rebel group in Western Sahara, has been fighting to force Morocco out.

Guyana’s derecognition of SADR comes amid reports of unrest in Western Sahara, which recently saw Polisario leader Brahim Ghali declaring an end to

Moroccan Foreign Nasser Bourita

Minister

the 29-year ceasefire they had with Morocco.

The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, had cause to express “grave concern” regarding the unrest and UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric recently reiterated calls for de-escalation of the conflict.

Suspected TIP victims placed in protective care

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he Human Services and Social Security Ministry on Sunday clarified that persons who are victims and survivors of trafficking are never placed in Police custody but in the care of the Ministry.

This clarification followed the Guyana Police Force revealing on Saturday last that 49 persons were detained and placed in custody following a human trafficking operation conducted on Friday night at a guest house and hotel in Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

In fact, the Ministry said the victims are instead safeguarded by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry’s CounterTrafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Unit.

“On November 13, an operation conducted by members of the Guyana Police Force with support from the

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Human Services Ministry rescued 19 adult females suspected to be victims of human trafficking from an establishment in Region Three (3). Three children were also rescued”, the police had stated in a release.

According to the Ministry, the women and children are now in protective care while the perpetrators remain in Police custody and are assisting with the investigations.

“It is apt to note that the

Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2005 guarantees the safety and protection of all victims and ensure their rights are respected and not violated”, the Ministry said.

Just recently, Police reported that 35 Venezuelan women and two children were among 49 persons detained by the police in a human trafficking operation conducted at a guest house in Parika.

Police said during an op-

eration conducted by ranks of the Police Force and staff of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, searches were conducted at a guest house, where the police rescued nine Venezuelan women.

Members of the public are encouraged to report all suspicious TIP activities to the Ministry’s TIP hotline on 227-4083, 623-5030 or 624-0079 (Spanish hotline).

Persons can also visit TIP Guyana’s Facebook page.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

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

Cultural Diversity I

n our “Land of Six Peoples”, we should appreciate the following UNESCO statement on cultural diversity.

“Human beings have forever invented and exchanged cultural elements; hence cultural diversity has ever been a part of human experience. Such exchanges come in the wake of historical contacts with other local or regional groups, bringing some of them closer or causing conflicts of domination between them. Thus, the world does not consist of a mosaic of cultures but of a constantly-changing river of cultures, with its different currents forever mingling.

All human beings share the capacity to create cultures, which means they have a common creative potential. This is not to say that they all have or will have the same culture, and this is so for the very reason that they are creative.

The huge growth of new communication technologies over the past two decades has brought many parts of the world into close communication and may well fulfil the promise of a ‘global village’. Many people feel that this will lead to forced cultural homogenisation. However, no limits can be placed on people’s creativity and capacity to alter their ways of being. Therefore, we can expect a continuing vitality of human cultural diversity. Fears of cultural uniformity are groundless because it is impossible to stem the flow of a river.

The persistence and renewal of diversity present new challenges in the contemporary international context, however. At the same time that globalisation is creating new opportunities for cultural exchange, new forms of intolerance and aggression are appearing. Xenophobia and racism, ethnic wars, prejudice, stigmas and segregation and discrimination based mainly on ethnicity and gender are generating violence and suffering almost everywhere.

All these phenomena amount to a refusal to recognise others as full human beings entitled to the same rights as one’s self. Those responsible use ‘difference’ as an excuse for intolerance, hatred, and the annihilation of others.

Many also use ‘difference’ as an excuse for violent political struggles without realising that a barrier that protects from the outside may well imprison from the inside.

The faster pace and huge volume of global inter-action have prompted a greater awareness of cultural diversity.

While it has given wider scope to the expression of such diversity, it has also permitted the representation of differences such as hierarchy, domination, and conflict. In fact, one could look at the human trajectory as the history of different answers to the same questions. How do people behave towards those of a different community? How should they behave?

People, however, do not all have an equal capacity (or freedom) to choose. Inequality of access to resources, political power, information, and the media strongly condition that capacity. These differences apply not just to individuals but also to groups. The representation of cultural differences as hierarchical conflict rather than as creative diversity reflects this inequality. This is at the base of what we understand to be cultural injustice.

Often, cultural injustice is blurred beneath definitions of diversity that turn norms into essentialist, never-changing values outside history and fixed by racial or even genetic characteristics. In fact, cultural diversity results from the inherent capacity of human beings to build creatively on the cultural legacies transmitted to them, thereby adding diversity to their ways of life. This continuous flow of variations can be halted only if invention, imitation, or innovation are totally forbidden, as has happened in some world cultures. But then the human spirit, which is one of boundless creativity, has been killed.

Diversity usually clusters around a cultural core for geographical, historical or other reasons, so that a cultural boundary is deliberately marked that separates one cultural group from another. Now that cultural groups are repositioning themselves within this three-dimensional map, many people would like to know how such cultural diversity originated and what its dynamic is in our contemporary world.

In this photo, Zayd Ali is held by his mother, First Lady Arya Ali as he pays attention to the sparkle. This photo was taken at State House on Saturday evening as the Head of State held a simple ceremony to celebrate the festival of lights

The road to a bright future Dear Editor, Even with two per cent royalty, we could have a bright future. It up to our President and his Administration.

The President should adopt a brave, bold and aggressive approach in charting a new vision for Guyana.

As conditions change and opportunities arise, it is only appropriate to adapt to these changes and get aggressive in formulating new strategies.

The President should direct that no new borrowing should take place from foreign countries or entities where the overhead costs such as fees and commissions should exceed five per cent. At least 95 percent of the funds should be at the exclusive disposal of his Administration which can be directed to value for money activities.

The lender should have no role in determining who should do the feasibility study, preliminary design, detail design and implementation. The Government should be free to hire whomever it wishes based on its procurement laws.

The lender should have no role in determining where supplies and materials are sourced. The Government should have total control over its trading relationships.

The lender should not be entitled to any concessions.

The project being financed should not be entitled to any concessions. The project must be costed - paying its share of duties and taxes like everybody else.

The lender and the contractors selected should not be entitled to hire foreign workers. They must first advertise locally and if they cannot source the person, then they can go abroad. When hiring from abroad, members of the Guyanese Diaspora must be given priority.

All foreign workers must be subject to Visa/Work Permits same as would apply in their country and all relevant taxes same as local employees.

Interest rates and repayment terms on loans must be

aggressively negotiated. We must decide.

We are not begging, we are borrowing.

So why should they line up to lend to Guyana?

Right now, the big money in the world is earning almost zero per cent interest and subject to inflation at the same time. In some countries, they even earn negative interest. Lending to Guyana at any interest rate will be better than many other options available to them.

Lending to Guyana is safe and secure. We have oil. Lots of it. At an average of US$40 per barrel, we are worth a ton of money. This is what we have to leverage to provide safety and security to lenders.

We should be able to leverage our Natural Resources Fund and future earnings from oil to obtain the best terms and conditions for loans.

This would require that certain decisions be taken with respect to the Natural Resources fund: 1. Immediately retain the services of a wealth management company to actively manage the fund to maximise growth and earnings.

2. While such a company will charge up to half percent (0.5 per cent) management fee, such a company should be able to guarantee a minimum growth of 9 per cent to 15 per cent per year.

3. The fund should be used to guarantee loans.

4. The fund should be used to service loans/debt.

5. Funds needed for loan servicing should not exceed annual earnings of fund for the first 10 years. While this may be seen as a constraint, if you do the projections, you will see that it will more than meet the development needs of the country.

6. Assuming that 2020 is year 1 with a fund worth 200M, given the current plans with Lisa 2 and Payara, after 10 years the fund should conservatively be worth US$16.2B; and at 9 per cent earnings per year, it would have generated earnings of

US$4.4B; and can earn at least US$1.2B in year 10.

The President, having the opportunity to serve 2 terms, can embark on this 10 year programme to take us from rags to riches. And this is with just 3 current approved 3 wells.

There is another more important source of funding available to Guyana. We can leverage the Natural Resources Fund to issue guyana savings bonds.

We should start off by issuing 7-year development bonds which will on maturity double in value. If held to maturity, the effective interest rate will be 10.4 per cent compounded annually. Guyanese investing in these bonds will be exempt from any taxes when cashing their bonds on maturity. All other investors will be subject to 20 per cent tax on the income portion of the bond.

By creating the right conditions, you can have more money coming from the diaspora than you will know how to handle.

You need to fix the procedural problems we currently have with the banks. Let me explain: 1. My sister in Crabwood Creek wants to send me some money. The bank will not allow her to wire the money into my account unless I contact their bank and my bank and confirm that I am ok with the transaction.

2. She decides to ask for a Bank Manager’s Cheque for the amount. This was denied.

3. The amount was $600,000.

4. Then you have the business with having to identify yourself to the bank every year; regardless of the amount in your account or the type of transactions you conduct.

Concerns for money laundering in Guyana is no different than in other countries. Yet other countries do not have the same problems which restrict our ability to conduct business. This is a solvable problem.

You also have to decide to

facilitate US$ transactions.

Your savings bonds must be in US$. Redemption of bonds will be in US$. You will have to allow all persons the right to maintain US$ accounts in Guyana. You will have to allow online transactions for the transfer of funds to and from the US$ accounts.

The diaspora in North America is made up of mostly skilled and entrepreneurial persons who have accumulated significant capital over the years. These same people have a soft spot for Guyana which is demonstrated by the amount of remittances this country receives including the shipment of barrels of personal items for friends and families.

Development bonds that double in 7 years tax-free for Guyanese will attract a lot of investment. Your need to borrow from other lenders will be significantly reduced.

A major hurdle for this programme to become a success is the application of Property Tax on amounts greater than $40 million or US$200,000. Property tax must be abolished so that the diaspora can bring back money without having to worry about having it taxed for no particular reason. It is common knowledge that many businesses and individuals in Guyana accumulate their wealth in foreign lands; primarily to avoid the dreaded property tax. It is a disincentive to investing in Guyana and accumulating wealth in Guyana.

Tax property at the local NDC level and get rid of the property tax as it is currently applied.

We do not have to be satisfied with 2 per cent royalty, but that is what we have and if we manage it right, we can become a prosperous country.

Nothing can stop us from trying to improve on the 2 per cent but in the meantime, we should manage the 2 per cent right.

Be safe.

Yours respectfully, Sase Shewnarain

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

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

The influence of alcohol in soca & chutney music Dear Editor, Credence should be given to all those who are concerned about the impact the usage of “alcohol” in the world of chutney and soca music is having on our family lives and our cultures.

But while these discourses continue unabated and with much fervour, we should also look at the impact most of the new Bollywood movies are having on our family lives and culture.

Music is the embodiment of life and death. It is the lifeblood of society. Its presence can be felt in temples, churches, during religious occasions and a myriad of occasions in society.

But what makes music so conjuring; it arouses interest and is pleasurable.

For the Hindus and the Hindu community in addition to music being interesting and pleasurable; music is unique. We have inherit-

ed our music from our past generations using traditional instruments, but with the advent of technology and the emergence of the new generation, the traditional instruments are gradually being phased out and the approach to music has taken a detour.

Today, with the advent of chutney and soca music and the incorporation of modern lyrics to include popular dance beats appear to be more palatable to the younger generation.

But the references of rum to the lyrics of these songs have been met with apprehension. It is indicated that these songs propagate rum drinking, and are said to be influencing youths into criminal and other forms of behaviours.

Today, we live in a materialistic society, where money is first and foremost in the minds of everyone, let

alone the very big corporations that prey on the public to buy their products. In the alcohol industry, alcohol advertising and marketing have a significant impact on our lives, especially the youths of today. In the United States, of which the Caribbean Hindu community is part of this demographic society, a national study published in January 2006 concluded that greater exposure to alcohol advertising contributes to an increase in criminal behaviours and crimes among underage youths.

Though the reference of “rum” in the chutney and soca songs can be construed as advertisement, it is dwarfed by the $2 billion spent on alcohol advertising on television, radio, billboards and the major newspapers yearly in the United States; not forgetting the Caribbean.

But while rum drinking should not be condoned, prior to the introduction of “rum” in lyrics to chutney and soca music, rum drinking was prevalent in the West Indies, especially in the sugar plantation.

I can vividly remember many of the sugar workers, after receiving their weekly salaries on Friday evenings, migrated to their favourite rum shops, inserted their quarters in the nearby music system and played their favourite Rafi, Lata and Asha songs. And before the night came to an end, they would be fully inebriated and sauntered home only to unleash their wrath towards their wives and children. This undoubtedly had a negative impact on the family down the road.

But while much emphasis is also placed on alcohol, soca and chutney music, we should also pay attention to

Dear Editor, The Small Business Bureau (SBB), having been established by the previous PPP/C Administration, has an important role to play in Guyana’s long-term economic development. The growth and development of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) is of paramount importance in developing economies like Guyana to not only contribute to growth in GDP, but also, the creation of employment, and improved livelihood of our people through the creation of wealth and prosperity, inter alia, sustainable development.

Access to financing is typically difficult for SMEs owing to a series of limitations with respect to the businesses themselves and by extension the management and owners of the said enterprises. In respect of the technical limitations of businesses – most SMEs lack crucial expertise in the industry within which they operate such as sound financial management practices and particularly cash flow management. These, therefore, inevitably disqualify such entities from accessing financing through the commercial banks. Moreover, this is even compounded in light of the underdeveloped nature of Guyana’s financial market as well.

The very nature of microfinancing and that of venture capital firms, which are the ideal institutions that are structurally designed to propel the growth, emergence and development of SMEs are largely non-existent in Guyana

except for the Institute of Private Enterprise and Development (IPED). It is this kind of institutional framework, therefore, that I envisage the Small Business Bureau can bridge in the form of a hybrid of these two types of institutional frameworks in order to achieve its mandate with a very high level of success rate – that is, to function both as a microfinance institution and a venture capital firm.

It is against this background that I am of the strong view that the SBB can be overhauled structurally and repositioned. As it is currently, the SBB administers a revolving fund of US$5 million through a local commercial bank where that fund is used as partial security to incentivise the commercial bank(s) to lower the interest rates on loans extended to SMEs. Notwithstanding, this is not suffice given the limitations and lack of incentive by commercial banks to invest more technical resources to ensure the success of SMEs or more particularly new ventures.

It is this gap that the SBB needs to bridge and hereunder mentioned are some of my thoughts to strategically achieve these goals: (i) The SBB needs to do more in terms of extending technical support to SMEs and applicants seeking to establish new business ventures in close working collaboration with the banks. In so doing, it needs to develop its training and development capacity to entrepreneurs in the area of business strategy and decision making, finan-

cial management and other key areas in management training. This should be in the form of a mandatory six weeks course and/or ongoing training and support; (ii) The SBB needs to work with all the chambers and business support organisations across the length and breadth of the country to provide support, build capacity and offer its products and services to entrepreneurs throughout the country. A memorandum of understanding can be established with these organisations in this regard; (iii) The SBB needs to obtain additional funding apart from the US$5 million revolving fund from the GRIFF funding mechanism to about US$20 million. Additional funding can be accessed through MSMEs funding programmes through the Caribbean Development Bank, InterAmerican Development Bank and the World Bank; (iv) A larger percentage of the funding can then be allocated towards grants so that more potential entrepreneurs can benefit from grants after having undergone the requisite mandatory training in business, financial management and entrepreneurship by the SBB; (v) The SBB also needs to function as a venture capital firm wherein for new ventures where grants and/ or loans are being extended, to have a strong technical team to manage these portfolios in conjunction with the banks and to provide ongoing technical managerial oversight to ensure a high-

er success rate of new ventures benefiting from the SBB’s pool of funding, for at least one year. After this period, all SMEs can continue to benefit from other technical support as they pursue successful growth strategies; and (vi) Finally, for now, more financial institutions need to come on board to administer the SBB funding programme for SMEs to achieve greater access and expediency.

Editor, I am particularly elated to publish this piece because admittedly, I had the distinct privilege to have met with the Hon Minister of Tourism, Industry & Commerce and our discussion largely surrounded the SBB. Moreover, I have read recently with great interest the SBB is now working to widen its service across the regions by way of working with regional chambers.

I am extremely happy with the implementation of such an initiative especially against the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic and financial impact on small businesses; and, given the importance of an institution such as the SBB. Further, I am of the strong view that the time has come where the SBB as an institution needs to evolve to play a larger development financing role in order to successfully achieve its mandate and contribute to achieving equitable economic development within the framework of a wider spectrum.

Importance of SBB, need for it to evolve as an institution

Yours faithfully, JC Bhagwandin

SEE ADDITIONAL LETTERS ON PAGE 17

the Bollywood film industry. From the very inception, Bollywood has been the entertaining capital for most of the countries in Asia with special reference to the Caribbean Hindu community. But today, the quest for such a status is slowly going into oblivion.

Today, these new Hindi movies are plagued with violence that are negatively impacting the Caribbean Hindu community, in particular the younger generation. Studies have shown that violence in movies can instil fear in young children, which can lead to repeated nightmares. Violence in movies can also lead to an increase in aggressive behaviours in children. In addition, there is always the possibility that children will try to mimic the aggressive and violent behaviours they have seen in movies.

It is for these reasons families in the Caribbean Hindu community are exercising caution in choosing what new Hindi movies the children are allowed to watch.

There is also a deep sense of disgust in the Caribbean Hindu community as to where these new Hindi movies are heading. They are plagued with scantily clad women and vulgar dancing, gruesome promiscuity, extreme vulgarity and high sexual innuendoes that permeate the Bollywood film industry. Today, to sit in a family group and enjoy a Hindi movie is a thing of the past.

Most of the new releases can now be only seen in closed doors in the absence of children and grandchildren. Very sad indeed!

In retrospect, it is pathetic to know that Draupadi, despite her questionable character in Hindu mythology, has fought against being disrobed in the great epic “The Mahabharata” to preserve the chastity of women. But today, in most of the new Hindi movies, what Draupadi had fought for is greatly compromised.

The negative impact of rum in the various cultures is very apparent.

Most religions discourage the use of alcohol, let alone the Hindu culture, which is the basis of this article.

Thus, it is vividly stated in the Bhagavad Gita, and I quote "If you drink, you may do wrong things out of your consciousness".

In addition, the present-day violence and promiscuity in Bollywood films are not only against the long Indian traditions; they are also degrading and diminishing our true cultural identity. They are also affecting our young generation adversely. To save our young generation from these deprivations and degenerations, some suitable result actions are required to be initiated urgently. Let us not stand and watch, but instead, voice our opinions in what ways we can.

Sincerely, Mani Jadunauth

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

Page

Foundation ◄

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

T

he customary units of weight (that is the units commonly used) are ounces (oz); pounds (lb) and tons.

1 pound = 16 oz 1 ton = 2240 lb You can compare these units to each other.

To complicate matters further, a ton may relate to two different weights. In the United States, they measure by the US Ton or short Ton, while the British Ton, known as an Imperial Ton or long Ton is heavier.

A short Ton, the US customary version, is equal to 2000 pounds A long Ton, the mostly outdated Imperial Ton, is equal to 2240 pounds A tonne, also known as a metric Ton, is equal to 1000kg, (or 2204.6 pounds)

3) 250 ounces is how many pounds?

4) 2 pounds is how many tonnes?

5) 22 tonnes is how many pounds?

6) 67.5 pounds is how many ounces?

7) A 350-pound man weighs how many tonnes?

8) 6000 ounces is how many tonnes?

Friday’s answers 1) 8 pints

Example:

How many ounces are in four pounds?

Step 1: You know that there are 16 oz in one pound. So multiply the number of ounces in one pound by four.

Step 2: 16 x 4 = 64 ounces in four pounds.

The standard units of measurement that should be used in Guyana are the metric measurements. It is necessary to know customary units of weight to convert them to metric units.

Exercises: Convert

1) 20 pounds is how many ounces?

2) 6 gallons

A

3) 48 quarts 4) 250 pints 5) 80 cups 6) 168.75 quarts 7) 2.156 gallons 8) 14,4000 cups

2) 28 tonnes are how many ounces?

A

dding music into the home or classroom environment is so important to do. Music is a wonderful, powerful tool for learners.

Materials:

Tissue box cube Construction paper for covering the cube Labels for each side For the “simple tunes” song cube, cover the tissue box with construction paper and adda label for each of the possible simple songs. Be sure to fill the song cube with easyto-learn songs that you can quickly find the heart beat in, like: B-I-N-G-O Clap, Clap, Clap Your Hands The More We Get Together London Bridge Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star (or The Alphabet Song)

Using the Song Cube

Toss the cube to see which song you will find the beat to. Sing the song and find the beat. Sing the song slowly as you begin to discover the beat. Adjust the tempo of the song as you master clapping/moving to the beat. (Adapted from pre-kpages.com)

little hungry mouse found his way one day into a basket of corn. He had to squeeze himself a good deal to get through the narrow opening between the strips of the basket. But the corn was tempting and the mouse was determined to get in. When at last he had succeeded, he gorged himself to bursting. Indeed he became about three times as big around the middle as he was when he went in.

At last he felt satisfied and dragged himself to the opening to get out again. But the best he could do was to get his head out. So there he sat groaning and moaning, both from the discomfort inside him and his anxiety to escape from the basket.

Just then a weasel came by. He understood the situation quickly.

"My friend," he said, "I know what you've been doing. You've been stuffing. That's what you get.

You will have to stay there till you feel just like you did when you went in. Good night, and good enough for you."

And that was all the sympathy the poor mouse got.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police on hunt for businessman in EBD land giveaway – after detention, release of Delta Security boss

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he Guyana Police Force is currently seeking businessman Avalon Jagnandan, who along with Delta Security boss Eddie Doolal, were reportedly the beneficiaries of two of a slew of questionable land deals made by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

This is according to a source close to the investigation and it comes following Friday’s detention

Businessman Eddie Doolal was detained and questioned on Friday

of Doolal. This publication understands that Doolal, who was the Director of A-Z Pharmaceutical Medical Supplies when it received the land in question, was released by the police on Sunday.

It was revealed last month in sections of the media that in 2018, A-Z Pharmaceuticals leased three plots of land at Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara, for US$11,700 a year from NICIL. The company then

GWI acquires $120M well drilling rig for hinterland regions

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal quenches his thirst with water produced by the new well drilled in Culvert City, Region Nine

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uyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has acquired a $120 million well drilling rig for the hinterland regions through funding from the Government of Guyana.

This rig was procured from Fox Trading, out of Brazil and has the capacity to drill beyond 150 metres in depth, within a period of less than two weeks.

Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal on Saturday commissioned the rig in the South Central Rupununi village of Shulinab in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), where drilling is underway.

This additional well being drilled will result in the extending of the service to residents in the community that do not have access to safe water. GWI will also be working along with the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) for the installation of a new distribution network, elevated storage tanks, and upgraded photovoltaic systems which will provide 24 hours of service to 95 per cent of the community.

Minister Croal stressed that the purchase of the rig was a worthwhile investment, noting that the drilling of wells in the hinterland will now cost a max-

Minister Croal and a team of GWI and regional officials at the well drilling site in Shulinab

imum of one-third of the previous cost.

“It also helps us to map out the entire region and we can do it in a structured and systemic way of having our needs assessment to see where wells are required and send the rig in, have it done quickly under 2 weeks to do the actual drilling then move on to another community while we do the pipe laying exercise,” he added.

The subject Minister said that he is very confident that the drilling done with the new rig will be successful, while alluding to failed drilling attempts in the past. He attributed this confidence to GWI’s improvements in the areas of technical capacity and equipment.

“We have a commitment that right across our country, whether in the coastland or in the hinterland, we have a duty to ensure that we bring safe water delivery to your communities and if you’re in clusters, to your homes,” he told Shulinab residents.

He added that in addition to delivering water to communities, it is also important to ensure that the water is of good quality.

Prior to the drilling in Shulinab, the new rig was used to drill a new well in Culvert City, Region Nine.

This will provide more than 1200 residents within the community of Culvert City and the surrounding areas within the township of Lethem with improved water service. The GWI team will also be providing the communities of Shea and Annai in Region Nine with new wells before the end of 2020 so as to improve the water supply system in these communities.

After completion of the new wells in Region Nine, GWI is aiming to mobilise the drilling equipment to Region One to undertake the drilling of wells within the communities of Mabaruma, Wauna, White Water and Khans Hill which are scheduled to be undertaken in 2021.

transferred the land to one individual for a mere $100.

Jagnandan, meanwhile, was reported to be the principal behind Life 1 Pharms Incorporated, when it also leased a total of 15 acres of land, also at Peters Hall, for a similar sum of US$11,700.

Like A-Z Pharmaceutical, this land was also transferred to the same individual for $100.

There have long been reports of a land grab on the EBD, in the vicinity of the Ogle/Diamond bypass road.

Additionally, NICIL and former Finance Minister Winston Jordan continued to vest land to multiple persons in the midst of the controversy that followed the March 2 General and Regional Elections.

The former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government also vested almost 100 acres of prime State land at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), to eight different companies. All told, the total value of the lands is some $2.9 billion, but NICIL received only approximately $64 million in payments.

Caribbean Marketing Enterprise Incorporated (CMEI) received 21 acres of land, valued at $632.8 million, after paying a total of

Businessman Avalon Jagnandan

$19.4 million. Cardiology Services Incorporated received eight acres of land, valued at $240 million, after paying $15 million.

S u p e r g r a p h i c s Enterprise received five acres, valued at $175 million, after paying $8.9 million. And BK Marine Incorporated, which is owned by well-known contractor Brian Tiwarie, received 2.5 acres with an offer price of $202.6 million, for $20.2 million.

Three companies – Navigant Builders, American Marine Services, and Guyana Oil Company Limited (GuyOil) – didn’t make any payments at all but were vested with lands.

However, all three – along with other companies – have since signalled their

intention to return the land.

It had previously been announced that Government has sought legal advice, and will be initiating legal proceedings against Jordan and the recently sacked NICIL Head Colvin Heath-London over their involvement in the giveaway of prime State lands.

Moreover, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had recently stated that Government will not only go after those companies that were illegally vested with lands and are now refusing to return same to the State but also after those officials under the previous APNU/AFC Administration who were involved in giving out large tracts of prime lands.

8 NEWS “Jinga Harry” arrested for allegedly shooting at Police, GRA officers MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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Arrested: Harrielall Motilall

fter being arrested and charged on multiple occasions for having in his possession an illegal firearm and discharging a loaded firearm in public places, businessman Harrielall Motilall called “Jinga Harry” was over the weekend arrested for allegedly opening fire on enforcement officers of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Guyana Times was informed that the GRA enforcement officers came under fire on Saturday morning at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD), while they were searching a bond which allegedly belongs to Motilall.

Reports are the officers were responding to reports of smuggling and as such, they travelled to the bond at Mahaica on Friday

night, where the illegal operation was underway.

However, while attempting to intercept persons with the items, the businessman opened fire.

A police source told this publication that after the officers came under fire, ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were called in to provide assistance.

The smugglers were reportedly using high-powered rifles to shoot at the law enforcers. No one was injured in the process.

However, this led to an investigation which resulted in the seizure of several rounds of ammunition suspected to be used by an AK-47 at the scene.

A number of vehicles and other items suspected to have been smuggled into Guyana were also seized by the GRA officers.

According to Police, Motilall was arrested and is assisting with investiga-

tions.

In 2018, the 60-yearold businessman of 1112 Helena No 1, Mahaica, ECD, was arrested and sentenced to prison after he had discharged a loaded firearm in a public place in July 2014.

He was sentenced to spend two years in prison in absentia at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

In September of this year, Motilall was arraigned for a 2019 incident, where he discharged a loaded firearm when he appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on the ECD. Police stated that on September 15, 2020, at Unity Foreshore, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD), he discharged a loaded firearm with intent at Kim Calistro, an officer of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU).

Duo slapped with rape charge granted bail

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wo men were on Thursday granted bail by Magistrate

Wanda Fortune when they appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court to answer to statutory rape charges.

Twenty-year-old Shabeer Chapman of Block 22, Wismar, Linden, was charged with the offence of rape of a child under 16 years which allegedly occurred between March 31 and February 1, 2020.

He was not required to plead to the charge when it was read to him but was

granted bail in the sum of $200,000 and the case was adjourned to December 14 for the filing of statements.

In addition, 30-year-old Shurlon Daniels of Central Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden, was also charged with the offence of rape of a child under sixteen years, which allegedly occurred between June 1 and August 31, 2019, at Central Amelia’s Ward. He was not required to plead.

He too was granted bail in the sum of $200,000 on the condition that he lodges his passport and report every first Monday to the Police Headquarters at Mackenzie. His case was adjourned to December 14 for the filing of statements.

Desperately seeking...

Y

...the PNC our Eyewitness is getting a tad worried about the PNC. He’s quite aware that after almost a year of COVID-19 lockdown, a lot of folks have sunken into depression. Cabin fever writ large! Is this why the runnerup party is only heard from so desultorily and sporadically after their March 2 rigging heist? Or are they, perchance, embarrassed – or even ashamed – about the said attempt?

But what makes their silence even more inexplicable to your Eyewitness is that, with so many PNCs around, you’d think they’d be so aggressive in promoting their iteration that the media would have to fight them off with a stick – or several sticks! Yes, you got that right – there’re several PNCs right now. How do we count different versions?

Well, we could do worse than start with Aubrey Norton and his iteration. Aubrey’s been around for donkey years, but for some reason he’s always been not even the bridesmaid – just the water boy. When he was made PNC Chair back in the day, Desmond Hoyte summarily banished him from the position. When questioned as to why he did so, he said that Norton was merely his “creature”.

Not as in “the Creature from the Black Lagoon”, as many persons snickered, but that he was someone the Leader appointed. But the “creature” label unfortunately stuck!

Up to then. Some had figured he might’ve been groomed into Desmond Hoyte’s Hamilton Green – Burnham’s goto thug.

Well, like Freddy (the one from the Halloween series!), Norton keeps coming back...and back. You remember him taking on Volda Lawrence for the Chairmanship of the Georgetown PNC branch in 2009 and being soundly whupped? He later showed up at the 2011 Congress at Congress Place to run against David Granger for the Leadership role. That’s chutzpah! The man really sees himself as leadership material! So, this is why your Eyewitness is taken back that he’s the invisible man now, when the PNC really needs some direction.

Then there’s Volda. As the incumbent Chairman of the PNC, how could she take her exclusion from the PNC MP brigade to Parliament lying down? She’s been there in the PNC trenches of Georgetown for the longest while and clawed her way to the top. It’s clear that her support-base is quite intact as seen from the turnout she got when she showed up in Court to face rigging-related fraud charges.

So, why her silence – especially after seizing the moral high ground from Granger on his WCB incitement?

And, of course, there’s Granger – who became Leader via the aforementioned rigged internal election in 2011.

But with his abysmal record, one can understand his reticence – and silence! ...satisfaction No...your Eyewitness isn’t about to belt out The Rolling Stones old “I can’t get no satisfaction”! He might be a lot of things, but a leering Mick Jagger he ain’t! But seriously, folks, isn’t it about time that these scientists start giving us some better news about the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine? No matter how you cut it, slice it, or dice it, the quality of life has certainly deteriorated. And your Eyewitness isn’t no party animal.

But like all humans, he’s a social being – as old Aristotle conceded way back in time. Social as in needing human relationships to not only keep him entertained but actually to give his life meaning. What this COVID-19 has done is to hurtle our life into the Bladerunner era without any preparation. Are all our social needs to be satisfied virtually? Well, it ain’t working for your Eyewitness!

But he does see the irony of mankind who’s able to send men to the moon and back.

Yet unable to fight off an entity that’s not even “alive”! ...relevance What is it with this letter-writer with the alphabetsoup name – GHIJK Lall? Can’t he get a life?

Or is he hoping the PPP will appoint him to some board just to ship him up? Like the PNC did?

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

9 Guyana Police Force launches Christmas Policing Plan NEWS

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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he Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Sunday launched its countrywide Christmas Policing Plan aimed at ensuring the security and safety of citizens during the festive season.

The Force’s specific policing plan will end on January 15, 2021, and will see an intensified focus on crime and traffic in all policing divisions with increased Police presence in the business/ shopping centres and communities generally.

In the heightened intelligence-led operations, ranks will be involved in foot, bicycle, vehicular, mounted, canine and marine patrols, roadblocks and traffic con-

Police ranks at the launch on Sunday

trols while maintaining vigilance in relation to the continued enforcement of the COVID-19 regulation.

Public Relations Officer

of the Force, Assistant Police Commissioner, Royston Andries-Junor explained that during the conduct of these special polic-

Police ranks on pedal cycles patrolling the streets

ing activities/arrangements for the Christmas holiday season, the Police Force will look forward to the support and cooperation from mem-

bers of the business community, private security agencies and other stakeholders and especially members of the public.

“The Force at this time is reiterating its caution to motorists to refrain from speeding and driving under the influence and to comply with the 5 Cs of driving - care, caution, common sense, courtesy and consideration,” Andries-Junor explained.

Also, members of the public, while shopping, or engaged in other business activities during the Christmas season, are reminded to be alert and aware of their surroundings, carrying only what may be necessary to complete their specific transaction and where possible consider alternative options of paying for merchandise.

Guyana remains committed to protecting $220M in ganja destroyed along Berbice River forests – Natural Resources Minister

– as country encouraged to continue pursuing LCDS green development path

“W

e, therefore, recognise that the VPA offers significant benefits for Guyana which go beyond addressing illegal logging and trade issues. It helps us to maintain and improve our international reputation, as a responsible forest nation through appropriate strategies,” he added.

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Guyana Gregory Quinn, who spoke during the opening, lauded the Iwokrama protected forest initiative. He also encouraged the country to continue pursuing the Low Carbon Development

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

Strategy, a strategy that guides Guyana’s economic

ther pursue this and submit an enhanced national contribution COP 26.”

In 2009, Guyana had signed a historic forest protection accord with Norway which saw the country receiving payments for sustaining its rainforests to absorb global carbon emissions. A total of US$250 million were to be paid to Guyana over a five-year period.

Under Guyana’s LCDS, some US$200 million was paid over, and the final tranche was released in December 2019. However, Norway had put a stop to the money under the former

The Government was also encouraged to continue pursuing the LCDS and the green development pathway it offers

Strategy (LCDS) and to engage the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 26) on the offsetting carbon emissions.

“Guyana dedicated its Iwokrama forests for the purpose of conservation and experimental research into sustainable utilisation.

Since 1997, Iwokrama has been a unique reserve of 371,000 hectares of rainforest,” Quinn explained.

“More recently, various governments have committed to a green development pathway through various strategies and indeed in the last few days, the Government reaffirmed the Low Carbon Development

and socio-economic development, using a green growth plan. We encourage the Guyana Government to fur-

A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government during the 2020 election con-

troversy.

One of the flagship projects under the LCDS was the Amaila Falls Hydro (AFH) Project, which was expected to deliver electricity to Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, and its second-largest town, Linden, by an electric transmission line.

It would have assisted Guyana Power and Light to get adequate power. When the Government changed in 2015, however, the project was put on the back burner. LCDS itself was replaced by the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS).

Recently, former Head of the Office of Climate Change, Shyam Nokta had lauded the current Government on its efforts to rekindle Guyana’s partnership with Norway through the LCDS. “I’m very pleased that President Irfaan Ali has recommitted to the LCDS and the partnership with Norway because it presents a very good opportunity for Guyana to continue to show leadership and innovation on this very important global issue as we have done through the LCDS and this partnership,” Nokta had asserted while being conferred with the 500th Discovery of the Strait of Magellan award.

The cannabis plants that were eventually destroyed

One of the camps found on Friday

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s Police continue their eradication exercise in the Berbice River, a whopping $220 million worth of ganja was destroyed.

According to the police, ranks on Friday conducted a narcotics eradication exercise at Haraculli Creek in the Berbice River when the discovery was made.

During the more than 13 hours operation, the team found and destroyed approximately forty thousand can-

nabis plants on the twelveacre cultivation with a street value of about $220 million.

Additionally, Police also discovered a six-acre plot of land that was prepared for cultivation and about sixty kilograms of harvested cannabis and three camps.

The fields, camps and dried cannabis were all destroyed. No arrests were made but efforts are currently being made to trace the ownership of the land with a view of instituting charges.

10 NEWS

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Employment of Town Clerk, other staff

City Hall wants High Court to order LGC to use Mayoral Committee recommendations

Georgetown Narine

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Mayor

Ubraj

he Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC) has asked the High Court to order the Local Government Commission (LGC) to act on recommendations submitted by the Special Human Resources Management Committee (SHRMC) of Mayor Ubraj Narine in connection with the employment of key staff to fill vacant positions within the municipality.

The court action was filed by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Attorneys-at-law Roysdale Forde and Olayne Joseph.

The lawyers are challenging a decision made by the LGC set out in a letter dated October 22, 2020, to the acting Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick.

In the missive, the LGC informed the GM&CC that it did not approve the hiring of Sherwin Benjamin as Town Clerk; Samuel Parris as Assistant Town

Clerk; John Douglas as City Treasurer; Danielle Anthony as Legal Officer, Kabila Hollingsworth as Deputy City Engineer and Lyndon Scott as Supervisor Building Inspector.

In appealing the decision of the LGC to the High Court, the GM&CC is contending that the decision of the LGC is not only bad in law but also unreasonable, having regards to the evidence. The Council also contended that the actions of the LGC amount to abuse and improper use of powers vested in the Commission.

In an affidavit in support of the application, Jerrick claimed via a letter dated April 23, 2018, that Secretary of the LGC, Nickalia Pryce wrote to the then Town Clerk, Royston King on the procedures to be followed when filling va-

cancies at the Council.

She claimed that in a letter dated July 3, 2020, Pryce wrote to her granting permission of the LGC to advertise the existing vacancies within the Municipality of

Acting Town Jerrick

Clerk

Sherry

Georgetown.

However, on September 2, 2020, the acting Town Clerk added Pryce sent another letter and this time stated that “The Commission wishes to remind the Council of the LGC

“Method of Employment for all Local Government Organs” which states that the Local Government Commission in keeping with Section 19 of the Local Government Commission Act 2013 (delegation of

LGC Chairman Mortimer Mingo

powers) has agreed to delegate to you and all other local government organs, the authority of recruitment (advertising shortlisting and interviewing). The local government organs shall ensure that an officer of the Local Government Commission is present during the shortlisting and interviewing process.

Pryce added that given its statutory obligation, the LGC is urging her to comply with the Method of Employment procedure regarding the recruitment process for filling the vacancies of Town Clerk, Assistant Town Clerk, City Treasurer, Chief Constable; Deputy Chief Constable, Legal Officer, Supervisor Building Inspector, and Deputy City Engineer.

Further, the letter stated that the LGC would be the observer of the procedure for the appointments.

As a result, she stated that the Special Human Resources Management Committee (SHRMC) of Mayor Narine met on September 24 and 25, 2020.

The SHRMC, she said, conducted interviews for all the vacant positions while

adding that the Committee concluded and recommended that the aforesaid persons be employed within the GM&CC. According to the acting Town Clerk, at an Extra-Ordinary Meeting of Mayor Narine on October 9, 2020, the report from the SHRMC was considered.

Jerrick submitted that on October 9, 2020, she wrote to Chairman of the LGC, Mortimer Mingo requesting that the LGC approve the recommendations made by the SHRMC for the individuals to be employed in the respective vacant positions.

However, the LGC’s Secretary informed the acting Town Clerk that the Commission did not approve the recommended persons.

Having regards to all of the above, the M&CC is asking the High Court to grant an order setting aside the decision made by the LGC; alternatively, an order compelling the Local Government Commission to consider and approve the recommendations set out in the SHRMC report of Mayor Narine; such further and or other order as may be deemed just and costs.

Police intensify manhunt for suspects in Ruimveldt teen’s murder

Dead: Adrian Purlette

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anks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have intensified their

hunt for two suspects who are wanted in connection with the murder of 18-yearold Adrian Purlette of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Regional Commander Simon McBean told Guyana Times that two of the teen’s murderers are yet to be apprehended but the police are doing everything to track them down.

Following Purlette’s murder, one teenager was arrested and charged with the heinous crime. It is almost one month since the incident took place and the others who were implicated in the murder are still on the run.

On October 21, Purlette was stabbed during an argument over money at D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown. He, however, died on October 22.

It was reported that the now dead teen was visiting a friend’s house at Hoopie Lane, between D’Urban and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, when three men turned up at the location and demanded money from him.

The dead teen reportedly told them that he had no money but his angered the men and a heated confrontation ensued.

Police reports said that as the teenager was leaving the area, the men followed him, during which he was dealt several stabs to his body.

The injured teen was found by a friend, who heard him calling out for assistance. He was found lying in a pool of blood and was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

NEWS

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Specialty Hospital Project still on agenda – Indian diplomat – will make Guyana a hub for medical tourism

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ith the former Administration, A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), scrapping the Specialty Hospital Project back in 2017, the Indian High Commissioner has indicated that the idea of Guyana getting such a facility is still in the cards.

“So, the idea of a specialty hospital is still there so we are to see whether it will be a line of credit or a private participation. So, these are the thing which we are working with the Ministry of Health at this time,” High Commissioner Dr KJ Srinivasa stated on Friday.

The US$18 million project, which was being funded by the India Export/ Import (EXIM) Bank via a line of credit (LOC), was dropped in 2016 after the contracted company, Fedders Lloyd Corporation Limited – which was handpicked by the coalition Administration – was blacklisted by the World Bank until 2020 over fraud

Indian High Commissioner, Dr KJ Srinivasa

and corrupt practices.

The Guyanese Government subsequently announced that the project was “dead” in May of 2017 by then Finance Minister, Winston Jordan.

The Indian diplomat said that the line of credit was initially for the construction of the specialty hospital but after the APNU/ AFC scrapped the project, the funds were diverted to upgrading three regional

facilities in Regions Two, Three and Seven.

“We were ready with that and when the new Government came in, they also agreed with that proposal and they said let’s not go back to the drawing board let’s finish with this and if we still need a specialty hospital we will start working on the proposal. We want to finish these three hospitals. Parallelly, we are also working on various possibilities for the specialty hospital,” he related.

The special hospital project started under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration (PPP/C) and back in 2012, the contract was awarded to India-based company, Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited.

However, citing instances of alleged fraud and delays, the Donald Ramotar Administration in 2014 announced that it had terminated the contract with the India-based company and subsequently filed a lawsuit against it for failing to hon-

Unidentified man killed by speeding garbage truck

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n unidentified man was on Sunday morning killed by an allegedly speeding garbage truck along the Stewartville Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Based on reports received, the accident took place at about 08:30h and involved a garbage truck belonging to Pooran Brothers Disposal Inc. Guyana Times understands that the truck bearing registration number GSS 3519 was proceeding along the Stewartville Public Road at a fast rate of speed, when the man, who was under a bush shed, allegedly ran onto the roadway and into the path of the vehicle.

The driver of the motor lorry told Police that upon seeing the man, he attempted to apply brakes to avoid hitting him, but his efforts proved futile, thus causing a collision.

The unidentified man reportedly fell onto the roadway and sustained injuries about his body. He was picked up and taken to the Lenora Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor on duty.

Following the accident, the truck’s driver was taken into custody at the Leonora Police Station. A breathalyser test was carried out on him, which showed no trace of alcohol in his system.

An investigation has been launched into the fatal accident.

Dead: Shemar Nathaniel Nurse

On Friday evening, 21-year-old pedal cyclist Shemar Nataniel Nurse of Number Eight Village, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), was killed after he was struck by a motor car.

It was reported that Nurse was proceeding along the No 8 Public Road while the car was heading in the opposite direction.

The driver in his statement to Police claimed that Nurse made a sudden right turn from behind a motor lorry and into the path of the car.

Nurse was hit and thrown onto the car’s bonnet and then to the windscreen before falling on the roadway. He was picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited persons and rushed to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A breathalyser test conducted on the driver showed that he was not under the influence.

our its obligations.

While in the Opposition, both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC), before they collated, were against the project and upon their assumption to office in 2015 following their victory at the General and Regional Elections, they decided to scrap the project, which had already expended some US$4 million on preliminary works.

The coalition Government then approached India to divert the remaining $13.8 million towards improving the country’s primary healthcare service by upgrading three public hospitals across the country.

Hub for medical tourism

The PPP/C regime, at the time of conception, was hoping that the specialty hospital would be a catalyst in creating “health tourism” here in Guyana by pulling foreigners and overseas-based Guyanese to Guyana.

The Indian diplomat told Guyana Times that such a facility is needed in Guyana because it not only provides specialised care to patients but also increases the possibility of the country becoming a hub for medical tourism.

“I think if Guyana gets that specialty hospital it will be an attractive hub for medical tourism. In fact, India has – people will deem it a bit humourous – we have a visa called medical tourism visa…it’s a medical tourism visa where people actually go to India

Artist’s impression of the 250-bed specialty hospital to be constructed at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown

for elective surgeries, treatments, consultations and do tourism also and then come back that’s why it is called medical tourism and people actually, you know, they go in droves from many countries across the world,” Dr Srinivasa said.

In a previous interview with Guyana Times, Dr Srinivasa’s predecessor, Venkatachalam Mahalingam, had expressed disappointment in the scrapping of the transformative project.

This is especially with the upcoming economic development the country is about to experience as a result of the oil boom.

Mahalingam, who ended his five-year tour in Guyana last year, had stressed the need for such a facility in Guyana.

Citing the lack of specialty healthcare in Guyana, now Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony at an election rally in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), promised to restart the Specialty Hospital Project

when the party returns to power.

“We will return to one of the PPP/C’s flagship programmes and that is we are going to build a specialty hospital,” Dr Anthony had declared to thousands of supporters.

Just last month he revealed that there is significant local and foreign interest from the Private Sector in constructing specialty hospitals in Guyana.

“In terms of specialty hospital, apart from maybe Government investing, there has also been a lot of interest from the Private Sector, locally and foreign, to invest in developing specialised services.

So, we are very favourable to such investments. And we’re hoping that we can start working with those Private Sector companies to start realising them. And if there are others who want to come in, we’ll be happy to review and offer advice and see how we can enable them to invest,” Dr Anthony had said.

12 NEWS

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

School vouchers now doubled, 160,000 children to benefit

Education Minister Priya Manickchand hands over one of the vouchers to a student on Friday

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s promised by the Irfaan Ali-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, the allowance for school uniform vouchers from January 2021 has been doubled.

In September, President Ali had promised that a slew of measures would be implemented following the presentation and passage of the emergency budget for the remainder of the 2020 fiscal year.

On Friday, however, the Government launched its national uniform/school supply programme in several regions across Guyana.

Some of these include Regions One, Five, Eight, and 10.

At the launch, it was noted that more than 160,000 school children across the country will receive a $4000 uniform and school supplies voucher to assist with the purchasing of school supplies and uniform.

The PPP/C Government increased the voucher from $2000 to $4000, representing a 100 per cent increase.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand at the launch told parents that she is pleased that they can get some financial as-

sistance. She said at a time when the world and the country are confronting a pandemic, the vouchers are going to be extremely helpful.

The vouchers can be redeemed at stores across the country. They cannot be redeemed for cash but must purchase what they are intended for. Vouchers can be uplifted at schools on dates and times provided by individual schools.

During Minister Manickchand’s visit to Region Five on Friday, vouchers were distributed at the No 8 Primary, Abary Primary, Mahaicony Primary and Nursery, Dora Point Nursery, Gordon Table Primary, Mora Point Primary, Karamat Primary, Mortice Primary and Nursery, Strathcapmbell Primary and Nursery, Perth Nursery, West End Nursery, Biaboo Primary and District No 10 Nursery and Primary Schools. At these locations, 573 vouchers were distributed to primary school students while 160 pupils at the nursery level received vouchers.

In 2014, Minister Manickchand launched the “Because We Care” project which issued vouchers to parents for each child in the public school system.

It was implemented with the aim of providing support to parents with school-age children and increasing their disposable income, with a view to raising enrolment and attendance rates.

However, in 2015 when the A Partnership for

Minister Manikchand distributing vouchers in Region 10

National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC)

Government took office, they scrapped the project

and displaced thousands of students and parents.

NDIA, CDC assess flooding, erosion in Region 10

Officials inspecting the deteriorating Coomacka Bridge

with personnel from the Public Works Ministry.

Checks were also conducted on the Coomacka Bridge where Flatts advised that it be put into the RDC budget to be rehabilitated since it was noted that the bridge has severely deteriorated.

The team also visited the Coomacka beach which, over the years, has suffered from massive erosion. A section of the Burnham Drive road at Mackenzie, Linden, which was affected by massive erosion, was also amongst the areas assessed.

Hundreds of residents across the Region 10 community have been affected by recent flash floods as intense rainfalls continue. According to Craig, assessment teams were deployed to affected communities to accurately capture

n light of massive flooding and erosion across Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), a high-level team of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) recently visited Linden and other communities including Coomacka to conduct an assessment on the ground.

Members of the team included NDIA Chief Executive Officer Frederick Flatts, Director General of the CDC Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig and several engineers.

The team conducted the assessments along with Regional Chairman Deron Adams, Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Works Committee Eleze BenjaminHall and Councillor Hugh Stephens.

During the visit, the team updated the Regional Chairman and his team on

the impact of the weather on public and private infrastructure in the community prior to the visits.

In Linden, the hardest-hit households were on the Wismar shore at First, Second and Third Alleys. Overall, over 360 residents were affected by the floods according to the Regional Chairman.

I

The eroded Coomacka beach

efforts being made to address seasonal flooding which is currently being experienced in Coomacka and other areas including Linden.

The Regional Chairman also took the NDIA team to several areas at Wismar and Mackenzie, which he noted require emergency attention to correct massive erosion.

Prior to this, Adams also did similar assessments

13 20 persons employed as CIIP workers in Berbice NEWS

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New GEA Board of Directors installed — PM charges members to set stage for development of energy sector

Regional Chairman David Armogan, Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain workers on the East Bank of Berbice

A

Prime Minister Mark Phillips and members of the new GEA Board

P

rime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips recently installed a new Board of Directors at the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), during a simple ceremony at his office.

from the Board that will set the stage for the development of the sector going forward.

“The Guyana Energy Agency will be playing a very important role as we seek to make available in-

tions of the GEA. The GEA will be expanding its role and we spoke about the energy mix, we look forward to working with the existing staff of the GEA, we recognise that they are people with a wealth of experience

n additional 20 persons were employed to serve the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP) in New Amsterdam, Region Six, (East Berbice-Corentyne).

In 2016, the APNU/AFC Administration had reduced the number of CIIP workers servicing the town by almost 75 per cent. They were responsible for clearing parapets and collecting solid waste among other duties.

Residents of Glasgow New Housing Scheme told Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall at a recent outreach that the municipality has been neglecting their community.

The community, <<<Guyana Times>>> understands is one of eight constituencies in the township which has a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) representative on the coalition-led Council.

Residents have since cried victimisation on the grounds.

As a result of the neglect, thick vegetation has taken over many of the drains

while the roads in the community were not upgraded for at least half a decade.

As such, Dharamlall promised that CIIP workers would be dispatched to the community as soon as possible.

In order to ensure this, Dharamlall said the workers would fall directly under the Regional Administration and not under the leadership of the municipality.

Another neglected community is Mount Sinai, commonly referred to as Angoy’s Avenue, which has about 15,000 residents.

Regional Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain told <<<Guyana Times>>> that ten CIIP workers have been employed by the regional administration to work in the Mount Sinai area. Those workers, he said, will be responsible for enhancing that area.

The employment of the twenty additional CIIP workers in New Amsterdam comes on the heels of the employment of 12 persons, including a supervisor, from the community of Mara, East Bank Berbice.

and newly-appointed CIIP

The employment of those workers followed a recent community meeting with Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha at which residents and farmers highlighted that vegetation had been encumbering the road shoulders.

However, at a simple ceremony to reintroduce the project to the Upper East Bank of Berbice, the CIIP workers signed their contracts.

“We know several years back we had 50-odd workers; after the new Government took over, the programme died in this area. We as the Government are trying to create employment while trying to enhance communities, so we [are] trying to ensure that in every area, we build some amount of working-class people who are unemployed to facilitate the enhancement of communities,” Hussain said, adding: “The persons that will be in this area to do the CIIP work will help the economy of Mara since the persons were not employed; we try as best as possible to choose persons that are unemployed,” the Vice Chairman related.

False reporting from regional officials will be dealt with – Minister Dharamlall

L PM Phillips addresses the members of the new Board

The new Board is chaired by lawyer and former Member of Parliament, Jerome Khan and include Deputy Chief Executive Officer of GEA, Gayle VhmoBest (ex-officio); Vivian Lam; Ramesh Ghir; Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon Howell, and Tracy Gibson.

The Prime Minister told the new members that the energy sector has a major role to play in the development of Guyana, especially towards renewable energy, and that he expects a substantial amount of work

creased and reliable energy to the people of Guyana, not only from the traditional fossil fuel or the natural gas project, but what I consider to be important and more sustainable is the thrust towards renewable energy for Guyana.”

The new Chairman said that he was honoured to have been chosen and encouraged by the Prime Minister’s direction.

“I am heartened by the comments made by the Prime Minister… with respect to the role and func-

and institutional knowledge” the new Chairman said.

CEO of GEA, Dr Mahender Sharma, an ex-officio member, said that he was pleased with the appointment of the new Board.

“We are blessed to have a wide set of new skills available to us…the GEA has a very large mandate ahead of it and the Prime Minister articulated what is expected of us, in terms of fulfilling the energy diversification efforts of the Government of Guyana.”

ocal Government and Regional D e v e l o p m e n t Minister, Nigel Dharamlall said the Government will take appropriate actions against those who provided false information about projects geared for regional development.

He added that this is a serious offence which will not be overlooked, as it has not only denied taxpayers value for their money but also delayed national development.

The Minister reportedly stated that he has examined information about projects undertaken by regional administrations over the past five years, but that information differs from what is captured in the Auditor General’s Report.

“After viewing the information, we requested

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall

that some changes were required because some projects were skewed in some way or the other so for us as a Government, we would like broad base investment across the region,” he told

DPI. Dharamlall added that this approach will not only assist in job creation but the circulation of money, thus boosting the country’s economy, as envisioned by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. “As a Government, we require such work to be created and that is why the budget was created that way...

Even the issue of discrimination and victimisation to become something of the past. We require full cooperation from our residents and communities in the administration of the regions,” he added.

The Ministry was allocated $53.25 billion in this year’s emergency budget which will provide financial and technical support for projects to ensure adequate service to the population.

14 NEWS

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Farmers’ market introduced to help small businesses W

ith the aim of kickstarting Guyana’s economy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesswoman Diane Chin has introduced a new concept - Almond Tree Farmers’ Market - to assist small businesses.

Chin reportedly recognised that many small businesses have suffered as a result of the pandemic and thought that the initiative would bring some ease to the businesses.

“I was like why don’t we do a farmers’ market in Guyana, we have so much to offer. We have so much talent here and so much that we can produce, and because this is a COVID year, it has given people the opportunity to do the things they have always wanted to do”, she said.

The market is expected to run for four Saturdays starting from November 14, until December 5, 2020,

Owner of Kraftia’s, Marlloyd Kyte

from 07:00h to 13:00h, and will be held at Lot 229 Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown, Georgetown. So far, 48 businesses have indicated their interest.

“Some people wanted to be here so badly that they agreed to share spaces with another, because some busi-

ness have just a few things, but they wanted an opportunity to present what they have to the public… and with the media that is supporting, then their business is not only here, their business is all the way out there.”

Chin said the market will create a lively community space for the sale of homegrown, organic, repurposed, eco-friendly handcrafted products among other items.

Meanwhile, four of the market’s stalls were given to children between the ages of 8 and 14, as part of Chin’s Encouraging Early Entrepreneurship (EEE) programme. The market also featured live music by local musicians including Drummer Chucky.

The owner of Kraftia’s, Marlloyd Kyte, said “I think this is a great initiative, I must say thanks to Miss Diane for having us here. I love the idea of the farmers’

“I welcome an initiative like this… during the pandemic we had a lot of downtime to ourselves and some of [us] realised that we can do these things. It gives an opportunity for us to meet fellow artisans, craftsmen,

Access to Baracara a nightmare owing to thick vegetation

Owner of Eco Solutions Nibidi Schwiers

market… persons are coming out, and I am very grateful for the persons that supported the business today”.

Also, co-founder of Nature Works, Christopher Singh said his company produces eco-friendly utensils and looks forward to being a small change toward big actions.

Gun, ammo found in car intercepted

by Police in NA

T

he driver and five occupants of a motor car were in the wee hours of Sunday detained after an unlicensed .38 revolver and two live rounds of ammunition were found under the driver’s seat.

Based on reports received, ranks of a mobile Police patrol intercepted the white Canina 212 motor car about 02:00h along Main Street, New Amsterdam and conducted a search.

It was during the search the unlicensed firearm and ammunition were discovered.

As a result, the driver, a 35-year-old construction worker of Stanleytown, NA, along with a 20-year-old female nurse of Angoy's Avenue; a 17-year-old female, also of Angoy's Avenue; a 23-yearold sanitation worker of Stanleytown; a 25-yearold carpenter also of Stanleytown, and a 26-yearold male of Nicolay Street, NA Berbice were taken into custody.

The Police have since seized the firearm and ammunition as investigations continue.

The gun and ammunition that were found under the driver’s seat

Linden health-care professionals benefit from COVID-19 training – HAP makes US$10,000 donation to LHC

H

ealthcare professionals attached to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) benefitted from a “COVID-19 response” train-

and farmers, local producers of local stuff”, he said.

Persons who are interested in being a part of the farmers’ market are asked to contact Sinclair on telephone numbers 697-2463 or 623-7240.

A total of 25 healthcare workers were educated on topics including COVID-19 symptoms, contact tracing, family health and practices for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 cases,

Speedboats after getting stuck in the grass in the Canje River

A

ccess to the village of Baracara situated 52 miles up the Canje River, Berbice in now a nightmare due to heavy vegetation that blocked some sections of the waterway thus making it almost impossible for boats to traverse.

The journey which is expected to take just over three hours could end up taking two days. The thick vegetation was recently cleared as part of the maintenance but the grass has now formed mats covering several meters of the water top.

In addition, the cut grass can also damage seines and fishing pens.

Speed boats can get out in a day or two but larger boats will take weeks to travel the distance from Wel-te-Vreeden to the estuary of the Canje River and ultimately flows into the Berbice River.

Residents of Baracara are now claiming that the clearing of the waterway can take up to year end.

The Amerindian set-

roon village in Guyana. A group of escaped slaves settled in Baracara in the early 19th century, and occupied both the east and west banks of the Canje River.

Village Chairman, Eustace Joseph related that it is always difficult for residents in the community. He explained that the grass is normally cut twice a yearonce in June and another, in December.

However, it is only during this period that the River becomes blocked.

“Presently now the water is low and the water is washing and falling, when it is the May/June season it is one way out. But right now, the grass goes and comes back and during this period it would spend a very long time in the River.”

He said it is very difficult for them when they have to travel in cases of emergencies. “But we have gotten accustomed to this because we live here for a number of years.”

Joseph explained that the heavy rainfall would

Members of the US Embassy handing over the donation to an official of LHC

Health professionals at the training last week

ing workshop, organised and conducted by the United States (US) Embassy’s Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP).

amongst others.

The facilitators of the training workshop included Dr Robert Guido and Assistant Medical

Specialists Tonya Salada and Steryling Lang.

According to a statement from the LHC, the training workshop aimed at enabling both the US Embassy’s HAP team and Linden medical professionals to have discussions on unique health challenges faced by each group as it relates to their practices.

As such, the groups also exchanged techniques necessary for expanding their treatment options.

The medical professionals fur-

ther discussed topics such as immediate trauma treatment for conditions like the Heimlich Manoeuver, chest compressions, tourniquets as well as the effective use of splints on broken appendages.

Additionally, the US Embassy’s HAP team delivered US$10,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) which included masks, gowns and disinfecting sprays to the medical institution.

Two men use sticks to push aside grass to enable movement of their boat

tlement depends primarily on New Amsterdam for trade. Most of the residents would make trips to New Amsterdam on a monthly basis to sell their produce and purchase much needed supplies.

For some, the round trip takes more than one week and for others, even longer.

Baracara is the only ma-

cause the water level to raise and this ultimately assist to push the grass out of the River faster.

Meanwhile, fishermen who ply their trade between at the head of the Berbice River also experience difficulties but are waiting patiently at the end of the year when the grass is cleared.

NEWS

15

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Small Business Bureau working to widen services

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SBB, Dr Lowell Porter

T

he Small Business Bureau (SBB) is expanding its services countrywide to ensure that clients and prospective clients continue to benefit as the economy recovers and Guyana shifts into a new COVID-19 normal.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SBB, Dr Lowell Porter told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the Bureau plans to open “help desks” in more locations across the regions to make access easier.

“In some cases, we partner with the Town Councils, the RDCs or the regional chambers and we set up a help desk right there so persons can go there. The same questions they can ask there. The same forms they

collect here, they could have there,” he said.

While the SBB’s work programme has been affected by the pandemic, it is currently visiting all the regions to meet small business owners and prospective clients.

“We are trying to create what we call ‘a one-stopshop’ so instead of you having to do the registration, then you have to go to the training; whenever we have a training [for] the business plan writing, we are going to do that at every location on the same day or if it takes two days we are going to do it,” Dr Porter explained.

Thus far, the SBB rep-

Small Business Bureau (SBB)

Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) communities.

“Once we leave there, we are going to come back with all the relevant documentation to present it to the grant committee if you have

Brochures created to educate the small business owners on the services provided

resentatives have visited Regions Two, Three and Seven. In the new week, the team will visit several Upper

applied for a grant, so that a grant can be processed,” he said.

The CEO is urging per-

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

sons who want to go into business to do their research and ensure that the product or service they want to provide is viable.

“We are here to help but we don’t work with charity, so it has to be for profit.

So, as long as your business is viable and it shows that there is profit in there, we want to make it happen for you. Come in to us, let’s talk about how we can help, I’m not saying we have all the answers but let’s start working together,” he said.

Small business owners interested in contacting the Small Business Bureau can visit their office at Lot 1 Penitence Street, Georgetown, or call telephone numbers 2268120/23/33.

Information is also available online at http://sbb.gov.gy while emails can be sent to sbppguyana@gmail.com.

McCoy calls for teamwork to improve broadcasting countrywide – visits Region Nine radio stations

G

uyanese can exp e c t major changes in the daily production at Government radio stations countrywide over the next five years, according to Minister within Minister Kwame McCoy during a visit to Radio Paiwomak the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public munication, and the people Affairs, Kwame McCoy when can benefit a lot by knowing he met radio broadcasters in what is taking place.”

Further, McCoy stressed Region Nine over the weekthe need for professional perend. He met with broadcastsonnel on board. This can be ers at Aishalton, Lethem and achieved through training, Paiwomak radio stations. he explained.

The Minister had a firstNoting there is room for hand experience of the operimprovement, he commendations at several locations, ed the ongoing operations at while he listened to conthe broadcasting outposts. cerns raised by the staff. He “You have the will to do said Government is ready to much more and there is intransform the communicadication that you want to do tion sector. much more; you understand Coming into Government, the Minister said the the objectives of having the National Communications radio stations and [meeting] Network (NCN) was in a the need of the community.”

Since taking office in “run-down” state and the August, the Public Affairs Government has plans to reMinister has visited and asvamp the entity. sessed several State-owned “Radio in these parts of communication entities and the country is absolutely imhas commenced rearranging portant. People depend on it most for a better outcome. for information and they rely A retreat for NCN’s reon it heavily for other purgional managers is planned poses. We got to pay more atfor next weekend to put totention to the radio stations gether ideas and outline here, so that you will be able workable strategies for 2021. to have this means of com-

SYMPTOMS

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

Fever People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice. They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.

If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people.

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

Muscle pain

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have New loss of taste mild illness. or smell

16 NEWS

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Diabetes Awareness Month…

Blood sugar testing is imperative in diagnosis

By Dr Shivannie Vanada Persaud

D

iabetes Mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, refers to a group of illnesses called metabolic disorders which leads to the presence of high levels of sugar (blood glucose) in the bloodstream, a condition called hyperglycemia.

With diabetes, there is either a deficiency in the secretion of insulin meaning that your body is not making enough of it or an inadequacy of insulin action meaning a decline in your body’s response to it.

Glucose has a very important role in providing your body with adequate energy so that you can function continuously daily. Your brain in particular is glucose-dependent and is unable to store it. Your brain demands glucose for fuel so that you can capably think, learn and remember. Red blood cells, the lens of the eyes, the renal medulla (the inner region of the kidney) and your muscles wholly rely on glucose for energy.

Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas and plays a vital role in regulating blood sugar levels by allowing glucose into the cells so that it can be used for energy, and by instructing the liver, muscle and fat cells to store the excess glucose, which can be used later when there is a higher demand for energy.

The World Health

Organisation (WHO) says, “Diabetes prevalence has been rising more rapidly in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries and … diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in 2016”. In an older analysis (2014), they found worldwide there were 422 million adults diagnosed with diabetes.

There are multiple types of diabetes. However, the forms which are most known are: Type I and Type II of which the latter is most common. The destruction of pancreatic beta-cells appears to be consistent with all forms.

The WHO says these cells are incapable of renewing after the age of 30 years.

Type I Diabetes occurs when the body fails to produce insulin owing to the destruction of the beta-cells by the immune system and onset is common in childhood and early adulthood. Risk factors include certain genetic haplotypes and unknown environmental factors (exposure to viral illnesses).

Type II Diabetes is caused by insulin resistance and mostly associated with but not limited to being overweight or obese. Risk factors include history of first-degree relatives such as a parent; ethnicity (Afro-Caribbean, South Asian and Hispanic); history of diabetes during pregnancy (Gestational Diabetes); having given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 lbs or 4 kg; Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Dr Shivannie Persaud

and age. Your risk increases as you get older probably owing to a sedentary lifestyle, physical inactivity, being overweight, or obesity.

The progression of Type II Diabetes is slow and symptoms may be absent during the initial period simply because your body is able to compensate. However, as the disease progresses, you will become symptomatic.

Significant signs and symptoms include excessive thirst and hunger; frequent urination; blurred vision; marked weight loss; notable tiredness and fatigue; slow healing of sores, cuts and wounds; frequent urinary tract and yeast infections and erectile dysfunction in men.

Screening and early diagnosis are vital in the efficient management of diabetes, thereby preventing complications and ensuring longevity. There are numerous walking diabetics among us who are not presented with symptoms due to the slow pace of progression of

this disease. Persons who are unable to recognise common signs and symptoms and persons who are reluctant to seek help owing to fear of the ‘white coat’ or needles are prevalent. Nevertheless, everyone who has risk factors and those who are presented with symptoms should visit a doctor to screen for diabetes.

Blood sugar testing is imperative in diagnosis.

While you cannot prevent Type I Diabetes nor can you control certain risk factors such as age and family history in Type II, making changes to one’s way of life by maintaining a healthy weight, getting active, eating healthy, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can help to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.

Management for diabetes encompasses a multidisciplinary approach which involves (I) lifestyle modification such as: consuming a healthy balanced diet.

Diabetics are advised to embrace a diet which includes lots of vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, lean meats such as chicken and turkey, and small portions of fruits.

It is wise to avoid high-carb foods such as white rice or bread, sugar-filled baked goods and beverages, and sweet treats such as chocolate and ice cream as well as red meat, and processed and canned foods. It is also recommended to have smaller portions of food and to eat six times per day in order to

maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Participating in daily physical activity is critical; as are maintaining a healthy weight according to your Body Mass Index (BMI) and avoiding use of tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption and use of illegal drugs.

Additionally, it is of great importance to protect your feet by wearing soft, comfortable footwear both in your home and outside, never walking bare feet and constantly inspecting your feet for cuts, pricks or bruises, which lead to a high incidence of leg amputations among diabetics.

Pharmacological management comprises use of medication to help control blood glucose levels as well as control other chronic illnesses such as hypertension, heart disease or kidney disease if present; annual or semi-annual check-ups to assess glycemic control, and prevent or prolong end-organ damage to organs such as the eyes, kidneys, and heart as well as diabetic foot problems. These complications are usually silent until far advanced.

During these visits, your doctor will request a series of tests checking how well your blood sugars have been controlled, how well your heart and kidneys are working; cholesterol levels are important too.

Your health-care provider will also indicate fundoscopy and retinal imaging to check the status of your eyes.

Often enough as this disease

progresses, one might have to change medications or switch to insulin all of which cannot be done without regular check-ups.

World Diabetes Day is celebrated universally and is devoted to spreading awareness of risks and management of Diabetes Mellitus as well as supporting people who live with this disease worldwide. It is celebrated on November 14 every year in commemoration of Sir Frederick Grant Banting, a Canadian physician, Nobel Prize winner and co-discoverer of insulin, who was born on November 14, 1981.

This year’s theme: “The Nurse and Diabetes” is dedicated to raising awareness of the significant role of nurses in helping diabetic patients.

All things considered, I would like to urge the general public to seek medical services as it relates to screening for Diabetes Mellitus by making a doctor’s appointment and discussing blood glucose testing.

Early diagnosis is of the utmost importance since it leads to healthier outcomes and prevents serious complications. To our diagnosed population with diabetes, I would like to encourage you to continue taking optimum measures in controlling this illness and to keep in mind that the health-care system, including health-care providers, supports you and will continue to do so.

To our nurses, I say thank you.

HEALTH TIPS: DIABETES IN ADOLESCENTS WORLD DIABETES DAY - "DIABETES: NURSES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE" (Part 2) care providers. The World Diabetes Day 2020 theme is "Diabetes: Nurses make the difference" to highlight the crucial role that nurses play in supporting people living with diabetes

Dr Tariq Jagnarine Family Medicine, Endocrinology and Diabetes

E

ach year, World Diabetes Day is commemorated on the 14th November, to raise awareness about the disease, the impact on people’s health and wellbeing and the effective strategies that can be used to prevent and control it. This year is a unique one with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused many challenges, including for people living with diabetes and for their health

• TYPE 2 DIABETES The main symptoms of type 2 diabetes include: • Urinating more often, especially at night • Increased thirst • Tiredness • U n e x p l a i n e d weight loss • Itching around the genitals, possibly with a yeast infection • Slow healing of cuts or wounds • Blurred vision as a result of eye dryness • Development of dark, velvety patches of skin, called acanthosis nigricans and a sign of insulin resistance.

• Polycystic ovary syndrome is another condition frequently associated with insulin resistance, though it is not a sign of diabetes but 50% of the cases develop diabetes eventually.

COMPLICATIONS One of the most serious consequences of undiagnosed type 1 diabetes is Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

• DKA When a child does not receive treatment for type 1 diabetes, they may develop DKA. Type 2 diabetes can also lead to DKA, but this is rare. DKA is a severe and life threatening condition that requires immediate treatment. If insulin levels are very low, the body cannot use glucose for energy. Instead, it begins to break down fat for energy. This leads to the production of chemicals called ketones, which can be toxic at high levels. A build-up of these chemicals causes DKA, wherein the body becomes acidic.

Early diagnosis and effective management of diabetes can prevent DKA, but this is not always possible. DKA is more common among children with an incorrect, and therefore delayed, diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

TYPE 2 DIABETES COMPLICATIONS Without treatment, type 2 diabetes appears to progress faster in young people than in adults.

Younger people also seem to have a higher risk of complications, such as • Kidney Failure • Eye disease – Diabetic retinopathy • High blood pressure • High cholesterol levels, • Heart Problems Type 2 diabetes in children often occurs with obesity, which may contribute to these risks been higher.

Obesity affects the body’s ability to use insulin, leading to abnormal blood sugar levels. Because of this, early detection of type 2 diabetes and attention to managing overweight and obesity in younger people are crucial. This may include encouraging children to follow a healthful diet and get plenty of exercise.

DIAGNOSIS Any child with signs

or symptoms of diabetes should see a doctor for screening. This may consist of a urine test to look for sugar in the urine or a finger-prick blood test to check the child’s glucose levels.

The National Institute for Health Care and Excellence recommend testing children for diabetes if they: • Have a strong family history of type 2 diabetes • Have obesity • Are of Black or Asian family origin • Show evidence of insulin resistance, such as acanthosis nigricans The outcomes for children with type 1 or type 2 diabetes improve greatly with early detection.

Prevention It is not currently possible to prevent type 1 diabetes, but type 2 diabetes is largely preventable.

The following steps can help prevent type 2 diabetes in childhood: • Maintain a moderate weight: Overweight increases the risk of devel-

oping type 2 diabetes, as it increases the chance of insulin resistance.

• Stay active: Keeping physically active reduces insulin resistance and helps manage blood pressure.

• Limit sugary foods and beverages: Consuming lots of foods that are high in sugar can lead to weight gain and problems with insulin function. Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet — with plenty of vitamins, fibre, and lean proteins — will lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes rates in childhood and adolescence are rising. Type 1 diabetes is much more common in young people than type 2 diabetes, but the rates of both types are increasing worldwide. In most cases, people can manage the symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes with a healthful diet, regular exercise, and medications.

When they control the condition well, people with diabetes can live full and healthy lives.

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

17

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

Why “mythology” and not “history”? Why do employees Dear Editor, Two newspaper pieces (Guyana Times, 11/14/2020) – one, the Indian High Commissioner, Dr KJ Srinivasa’s interview on Diwali, and the other, IAC’s Diwali message – caught my attention. In both the interview and the message, the words mythology and mythological have been used to characterise things Hindu and Indian.

Dr KJ Srinivasa used the word mythology two times with reference to “Hindu mythology” and the other “Indian mythology.” In the first instance, he is reported to have said, “in Hindu mythology, Diwali also signifies the path from ignorance to knowledge with the very lighting of the diya – which brings light to the dark.”

Secondly, Dr Srinivasa is quoted as saying, “In Indian mythology, the celebration of Diwali originates on the day that Lord Rama returns from Lanka after defeating Ravana.”

Depending on how one uses the word, it could be extremely problematic and oftentimes derogatory which is exactly how it is used by “Indian copycat post-modernists and the Indian anti-Hindu brigade in their resistance to the inclusion of the Ramayana and Mahabharata in the high school curriculum and university programmes. We know that before archaeology unearthed rock-solid evidence of the existence of a temple in Ayodhya to mark the birthplace of Lord Rama, the whole thing was

dismissed as mythology by the same band of scholars and activists.

It is also known that many of the 19th and 20th-century founders of what is known as Indology were German scholars with strong Protestant affiliation, as Vishwa Adluri and Joydeep Bagchee have shown in their masterpiece, The Nay Science: A History of German Indology (2014).

A number of them would later on go on to identify with and support Hitler’s Nazism. While these great scholars had no problem of accepting everything biblical as “history”, Hinduism was essentially the stuff of myth and mythology.

The Oxford English Reference Dictionary defines the word myth as: (1) A traditional narrative usually involving supernatural or imaginary persons and often embodying popular ideas on natural and social phenomena etc. (2) Such narratives collectively. (3) A widely held but false notion.

(4) a fictitious person, thing or idea. (5) An allegory.

In popular usage, myths and mythologies often refer to things and stories that have no basis in truth, things and persons that are fictional versus factual or historical, though from a sheer objective point of view, we see how history and fact versus myth and mythology are conveniently used for self and other respectively. The scholars mentioned above, while speaking about the historicity of Jesus in a stable,

would have no qualms referring to Krishna’s birth in a prison as myth or mythology.

While I can’t see how the “path from ignorance to knowledge” can be called mythology however one may choose to define the word, it will be interesting to know exactly in what sense does the Indian High Commissioner use the word in his interview. Is the return of Rama from Lanka Indian mythology as he suggests or Indian history?

Now the IAC. It seems to regurgitate the same message year after year stating, “Diwali is associated with several mythological stories, one of them dealing with the belief of Hindus that on the day of Diwali, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, King of Lanka, and that the people of Ayodhya celebrated his return by lighting thousands of diyas.”

Two points need to be examined here. One, the organisation states categorically as a matter of fact that Diwali is associated with mythological stories.

The second point has to do with Lord Rama’s return from Lanka. It is not stated with the same categorical certainty as the association of Diwali with mythological stories. It is merely what Hindus believe. It is mythological.

I thought it would be constructive to see how the IAC presents its messages with respect to other religions.

Its 2019 Easter message,

for example, was supremely disdainful and disrespectful of the Christian understanding of the event, as the IAC sought to present an Islamic perspective on Jesus and on the death and resurrection. Why members of the Christian community in Guyana were not up in arms against this travesty is beyond me.

But in its Eid-ul-Adha 2020 message, one sees a completely and radically different approach. With respect to Hinduism and Christianity, the IAC states what it thinks Hindus and Christians believe. Hindus believe Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. Christians believe that Jesus was crucified on the cross. But with respect to Eid–ul–Adha instead of saying what Muslims believe it to be, the IAC states as a universal fact that it, “is a time for believers to learn the value of self-denial by making a sacrifice of the things they love, to Almighty God.” Similarly, there is nothing mythological about Ibrahim’s great act of submission. It too is presented as a universal fact. How come Diwali is associated with mythological stories, but the readiness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son is not? What does the IAC mean by mythological? Will it consider the stories of a flying horse or birds raining down stones, history or mythology?

Sincerely, Swami Aksharananda

Kudos to Commander Watts

Dear Editor, I was flabbergasted as I watched the video of a young man supposedly from Region Three attacking the Commander of Region Three because he was performing his duties to protect us. As the video progressed, there was some serious accusation against the Commander and members of the Police Force and I am not in agreement of their conduct, but I am a little dismayed at the way in which the host of the video addressed the Commander and the President, showing no respect by addressing them by their names. I would say the man vented his anger out of utter frustration, but my humble opinion is that they are either ignorant or disrespectful.

This is the second time I've had cause to pen a letter in support of Commander Watts’ action, whilst there's some who are not in agreement of his actions, most people I have spoken to are

very supportive of the way he's executing his duties in Region Three. It's unwarranted for the man to be disrespectful like that.

Editor, Guyana is in a peculiar position due to the COVID-19 and if anyone noticed, there is a tremendous increase in the infection rate and deaths. Based on what I've been hearing, Commander Watts has been tormenting the bars, rum shops and anywhere that is having gatherings and he, personally, is present when some of these operations are taking place.

Without a doubt, hadn't he been so vigilant, I am quite sure that the infection and death rates would have been worst. For that, I am grateful for Commander Watts’ way of handling the Region. I have three children and relatives living in this Region. I, in their interest, have to ensure my conduct does not encourage anyone to risk their life by going against the rules.

Finally, Editor, it's my understanding that the curfew is to ensure people are home by that time. Not to wait until then and go home at the exact time. The lady in the video is conducting a business that somewhat encourages people to venture out of their house at night, and if she's serious about playing a helping hand with this fight against the COVID-19, she would have seen to arrange herself in a manner that she could conduct her business at an earlier time.

Based on what was being

said in the video, liming is going on, and that is totally wrong. Many are of the view that COVID-19 is transmitted when the place is cold or at nights, so why would you risk your health/life and that of others? Travelling to a few places around Guyana, most people are in their house by six o'clock. I am quite sure, many that are claiming of being harassed are not essential workers, but hell-bent of being disrespectful to the rule of law.

Sincerely, Sahadeo Bates

endure hardships?

Dear Editor, I would like to bring to the forefront, some injustices that are being faced by the working class. While there are institutions that can deal with these issues, very rarely anything substantial comes out of it. From where I sit, I have seen injustice meted out to the working class and the “lower class” in society. Forgive me for using the term “lower class,” however, it is necessary to get my point across. I have seen employees being taken advantage of in the most horrendous ways. I will paint a picture with a few examples without naming names.

Some employees’ salaries are being withheld for months with no explanation given. Some employees are being forced to work under inhumane conditions while the employers sit in their air-conditioned offices.

Health and Safety regulations are rarely ever being adhered to. Why do employees endure these hardships, one may ask? The answer is very simple, it is because many times they feel they have no other option but to endure it since they have families to maintain, and it is not as if jobs are being created.

From where I sit, I have had the unfortunate experience of witnessing the poor being exploited. I have seen employees being injured on the job because proper safety gears weren’t provided and proper health and safety protocols not being followed.

Employees are placed on a contract where no NIS and

PAYE is paid. Some even lose their jobs just for enquiring. In some cases, tax returns aren’t submitted because employers aren’t provided with the necessary information for the returns to be filed. When employees turn up requesting information about deductions made, they are being told that records are no longer available!

Employers sometimes are so concerned with profits that they fail to ensure their employees' well-being is taken care of. Many workplaces fail to meet the basic requirements for health and safety standards, yet they are allowed to operate, putting the lives of their employees at risk. But there are bodies set up to address these concerns aren’t there?

One would like to believe so, however, these bodies fail to effectively address the many issues faced by employees for the simple reason that a buck is passed here and there and along the way.

Imagine the value placed on human life!

I would not go as far as to blame any one Administration since this has been ongoing for decades. The system has failed our people who aren’t “privileged!” It is my hope that the allegations brought to the attention of the authorities in GRA, NIS, Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Home Affairs are taken seriously and properly investigated and not just brushed aside.

Yours truly, I Ram

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

Regional

Peru’s interim President Mexico reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases, nears 100,000 deaths resigns after protest deaths spark fury M

P

Peru’s interim President, Manuel Merino

eru’s interim President, Manuel Merino, resigned on Sunday, leaving the country in limbo and without a leader after lawmakers demanded he step down following the deaths of two people in protests over the sudden ouster of his predecessor.

Merino had been in office for less than a week, after Peru’s Congress voted last Monday to remove Martin Vizcarra as President over bribery allegations, which he

denies. Lawmakers met late on Sunday afternoon to determine who should be the country’s next President, or at least, how he or she might be chosen.

In a televised speech at midday, Merino, the former Head of Congress who had led the push to impeach Vizcarra, asked his Cabinet to remain in place to assist in the transition. He said his resignation was “irrevocable” and called for “peace and unity”.

Peruvians poured onto

the streets on Sunday afternoon to celebrate Merino’s departure, waving flags, chanting and banging pots. But the announcement, nonetheless, plunges Peru deeper into uncertainty and legal disarray as lawmakers now wrestle with who will take his place.

Thousands in Peru had staged some of the country’s largest protests in decades – mostly peaceful but increasingly marred by clashes – since Congress voted to remove Vizcarra as President.

Just minutes before Merino announced he would step down, Congress President Luis Valdez said all of the country’s political parties had agreed he should resign. If he declined, Valdez said, lawmakers would launch impeachment proceedings.

The latest political shakeup comes as Peru, the world’s number two copper producer, battles the coronavirus pandemic and what is expected to be its worst economic contraction in a century. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil’s municipal elections to signal where country is headed

J

oao Santana is an admirer of United States President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

So when he decided to run for City Councillor in the Brazilian municipal elections, which were held countrywide on Sunday, he adopted a moniker: Donald Trump Bolsonaro.

“Bolsonaro and Trump think alike and defend the same principles I believe in: family, country and church,” Santana told Al Jazeera.

It is common for candidates in local elections to pick nicknames for their campaigns and Santana wanted to be sure voters in Brusque

– a city in the southern state of Santa Catarina – knew he stands for conservative values.

He added that the nickname, which is stamped on all of his election pamphlets and used in television and radio campaign advertisements, has helped his candidacy stand out among 500,000 city council candidates and 19,000 mayoral candidates in more than 5,570 Brazilian municipalities.

“When Trump or Bolsonaro opens his mouth, it’s front-page news. What better publicity could I get?”

Santana is also not alone; at least 150 city council candidates in Sunday’s munic-

ipal elections named themselves after Bolsonaro and his political rival, leftist former President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva, who governed Brazil from 2003 to 2011 and was imprisoned for a year on corruption charges.

The elections will be the first time Brazilians cast their ballots since Bolsonaro, a far-right populist, came to power in 2018. Analysts say the municipal vote cannot be considered a referendum on the President’s first years in office – but it certainly provides a strong signal for where Brazil is headed and where the Government stands. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

As Hurricane Iota nears Central America, experts predict more climate-linked migration

H

urricane Iota is rapidly gathering strength as it barrels toward Central America, a region still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Eta, and experts predict this year’s unprecedented storm season will force more people to migrate.

As of 13:00h EST (1800 GMT) Sunday, Hurricane Iota was about 507 kilometres (315 miles) off the Nicaraguan-Honduran coast, packing maximum sustained winds of 145 kph (90 miles per hour), according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).

“The hurricane is expected to bring potentially catastrophic winds, a life-threat-

ening storm surge, and extreme rainfall impacts to Central America,” the NHC warned.

Authorities are warning that Hurricane Iota could exacerbate the massive destruction wrought

by Hurricane Eta, which slammed into the region two weeks ago, causing flooding and mudslides that destroyed crops and killed scores of people across a huge swath from Panama to southern Mexico.

The unprecedented 2020 hurricane season comes as Central America is facing an economic crisis linked to the coronavirus pandemic, with experts warning the compounding hardship could

fuel a new round of migration from the region.

“Increased movements across borders are now more likely, including of people fleeing violence and persecution,” said Giovanni Bassu, the regional representative for Central America and Cuba for the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), in a statement on Friday.

The UNHCR said that climate change was increasing the intensity of both rain and droughts across Central America, and that “such phenomena can exacerbate poverty and conditions of insecurity which continue to drive people to flee their communities”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

exico has surpassed one million coronavirus cases, according to top health officials and recorded nearly 100,000 confirmed deaths.

Mexican Director General of Health Promotion, Ricardo Cortes Alcala announced on Saturday that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Mexico now stood at 1,003,253, with at least 98,259 deaths from COVID-19.

The country has the world’s fourth-highest death toll from the virus after the United States, Brazil and India, according to an AFP news agency tally based on

official figures. It also has the 11th-highest number of infections.

Critics blame the increasing COVID-19 toll on the Government’s refusal to follow internationally accepted practices in pandemic management, from face mask-wearing to lockdowns, testing and contact tracing.

Assistant Health Secretary Hugo LopezGatell has previously said any wider testing would be “a waste of time, effort and money” and face masks “an auxiliary measure to prevent spreading the virus”.

Since the pandemic began, Mexico has managed to administer only about 2.5

million tests to its citizens; only seriously ill people get tested in Mexico. Testing only 1.9 per cent of the population since the pandemic began has made it hard, if not impossible, to effectively trace contacts, catch outbreaks early or identify asymptomatic cases.

Meanwhile, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador almost never wears a mask, and Lopez-Gatell only occasionally does.

The Government earlier declared a lockdown on March 23, although essential economic activities remained open, with no penalties for non-compliance.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Jamaica’s honorary consul in Scotland to chair slavery review group

T

he City of Edinburgh Council has appointed Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Scotland, Sir Godfrey “Geoff” Henry Oliver Palmer, OBE, as independent chair to lead the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Group.

The group will review the appropriateness of certain historical structures throughout the city, such as statues and street names, which commemorate the lives of individuals with close links to slavery.

Sir Geoff has been a leading campaigner for the recognition of black history in the general discourse on British History, and in par-

Sir Godfrey Henry Oliver Palmer, OBE (file photo)

ticular Scotland’s links to Britain’s colonial past.

In welcoming Sir Geoff’s appointment, Jamaica’s

High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Seth George Ramocan, said “we are elated at this announcement which is most deserving”.

“We are certain that with his expertise and decades of experience, Sir Geoff’s chairmanship will bring a meaningful outcome for the Review Group,” he added.

Sir Godfrey Palmer is a distinguished Jamaicanborn scientist and was appointed Jamaica’s first Honorary Consul in Scotland in 2018.

He is also a 2020 recipient of the Jamaican national honour, the Order of Distinction (Commander Class). (Jamaica Observer)

T&T Policeman charged for not wearing mask in public

T

rinidad and Tobago Police Commissioner Gary Griffith has ordered that a Police Officer be issued with a TT$1000 ticket for breaching the Public Health Ordinance Regulations by not wearing a mask in public.

The unidentified officer, who was on duty in the capital on Friday with other officers, was seen not wearing a mask.

“We are here to lead by example. We are here to ensure that everyone adheres to the regulations. We cannot be seen breaching the said regulations,” Griffith said, adding that he had also asked for a report as to why the Police Officer was brandishing a sophisticated weapon in public without the POLICE insignia on his clothing.

Griffith said he wants the public not only to be responsible but to be logical.

“There is a reason why persons are not allowed in the bars, because you are trying to avoid close prox-

imity to other persons. But if 50 persons are not allowed in a bar, but the 50 persons instead go outside on the pavement, it poses a greater risk and health factor to you and others, because you are now converging in a much tighter space than in the bar,’ Griffith said, adding that “the law was made to stop people from being in the bar, but by you going on the outside, is making it even worse.

“It gives me no pleasure to try to enforce these laws

and to cause persons to lose $1000. So all I ask persons is just to adhere to the regulations. I am going to intensify it. It will include a 180 about-turn to what took place at the beaches last weekend.

“I have comprehensive operational plans throughout the beaches, especially at Maracas where I was informed that persons were coming out of the water and sitting on the beach without masks. Persons would be given tickets.

(Excerpt from CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil majors aren’t worried about a Biden presidency

T

he US oil and gas industry has been fretting about the implications of a Biden presidency on the sector in view of Joe Biden’s energy plan to favour renewables development and ban new oil and gas leases on federal lands. Yet, oil industry executives and professionals have said in recent days that a President Biden would not be as devastating to US oil and gas as doomsayers fear.

Sure, Biden’s plan to fight climate change with a pivot to renewables and a pledge for net-zero emissions in the power sector by 2035, as well as a ban on fracking on federal lands, will impact the level of US oil and gas production in the coming years.

However, the ambitious climate plan of a Biden Administration will likely have to be watered down, especially if Republicans keep the Senate majority, with this race to be decided in January run-offs in Georgia, analysts say.

Meanwhile, oil industry executives said on the ADIPEC Virtual 2020 Strategic Conference this week that the energy transition and the so much hyped “net zero” would not happen overnight and that policymakers would have to take into account the cost of the transition and understand the mix of energy sources and technologies better, before jumping to promises to please the progressive base.

“Talking about climate is often like talking about religion with some politicians. They don’t actually understand the complexities of the energy system very much and that’s never very satisfying,” Bob Dudley said during an ADIPEC panel moderated by CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick.

During the same panel, Occidental Petroleum’s CEO Vicki Hollub said any new regulations from a Biden Administration would most probably be “workable” for the industry and expressed hope that the oil sector and the Administration would find ways toward “collaboration” in the future US energy policies.

If Biden bans new leasing in federal waters, the impact will be more significant than onshore, according to Ed Crooks, Wood Mackenzie’s Vice-Chair – Americas.

Another sector in the industry that could see a significant impact under Biden is pipeline infrastructure, with the Administration likely creating new hurdles for developers of oil and gas pipelines and export facilities because it would want to include the emissions impact in federal reviews, according to WoodMac’s Crooks.

Reductions of methane emissions and a ban on new leases on federal lands and waters could be enacted without Senate support, via Executive Orders, although the methane regulations will face a tough battle in the courts, Wood Mackenzie’s analysts said this week.

The oil and gas industry is “still an important source of tax revenue for certain states and a big employer – not least in New Mexico and Pennsylvania, key Democratic wins.

There’s a delicate balance to be struck between nursing oil and gas through its current crisis and tightening the screws to align with the Democratic fossil fuel goals,” they noted. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

COVID-19: Normal life back next winter, says vaccine creator

T

he impact of a new COVID vaccine will kick in significantly over summer and life should be back to normal by next winter, one of its creators has said.

Prof Ugur Sahin, BioNTech co-founder, also raised hopes the jab could halve transmission of the virus, resulting in a "dramatic reduction in cases".

Last week, BioNTech and co-developers Pfizer said preliminary analysis showed their vaccine could prevent more than 90 per cent of people from getting COVID-19.

About 43,000 people took part in tests.

In an interview on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show, Prof Sahin said he expected

further analysis to show the vaccine would reduce transmission between people as well as stop symptoms developing in someone who has had the vaccine.

After the announcement of the world's first effective

vaccine came on Monday, Sir John Bell, regius professor of medicine at Oxford University, suggested life could be back to normal by spring.

However, Prof Sahin said it would take longer.

If everything continued to go well, he said, the vaccine would begin to be delivered at the "end of this year, beginning of next year".

He said the goal was to deliver more than 300 million doses worldwide by next April, which "could allow us to only start to make an impact".

He said the bigger impact would happen later, adding: "Summer will help us because the infection rate will go down in the summer and what is absolutely essential is that we get a high vaccination rate until or before autumn/winter next year."

Prof Sahin said it was essential that all immunisation programmes were completed before next autumn.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

val Asia-Pacific trade pact in 2017.

President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) shortly after taking office. The deal was to involve 12 countries and was supported by Trump's predecessor Barack Obama as a way to counter China's surging power in the region.

Negotiations over the RCEP began in 2012. The deal was signed on Sunday on the sidelines of a meet-

ing of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), hosted by Vietnam.

Officials took turns signing copies of the agreement and showing them off on camera at the virtual summit.

Leaders hope that the deal will help to spur recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

India was also part of the negotiations, but it pulled out last year over concerns that lower tariffs could hurt

local producers.

Signatories of the deal said the door remained open for India to join in the future.

Members of the RCEP make up nearly a third of the world's population and account for 29 per cent of global gross domestic product.

The new free trade bloc will be bigger than both the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement and the European Union. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Debretsion Gebremichael, Tigray Regional President, attends the funeral ceremony of Ethiopia's Army Chief of Staff Seare Mekonnen in Mekele, Tigray Region, Ethiopia, June 26, 2019

tives in Tigray “by itself” but did not specifically address Debretsion’s claims.

Last week, Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed told Reuters: “We are not part of the conflict.”

The US State Department’s top diplomat for Africa, Tibor Nagy, denounced the attacks by Tigrayan forces on Eritrea and condemned what he called their “efforts to internationalize the conflict in Tigray”.

Abiy launched the campaign in Tigray on Nov 4 after accusing local forces of attacking federal troops based in the northern state, which borders Eritrea and Sudan

and is home to some 5 million people.

The Government accuses Tigray’s leaders of treason and says its military operations are aimed at restoring the rule of law. Tigrayans dominated the governing coalition before Abiy, an Oromo, came to power in 2018. They say he has marginalised them since, which Abiy denies.

The conflict has killed hundreds on both sides and threatens to destabilise other parts of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. At least 20,000 Ethiopians have fled into Sudan, the United Nations said on Sunday.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

and popular vote victory as legitimate. Cries of “Stop the Steal” and “Count Every Vote” continued despite a lack of evidence of voter fraud or other problems that could reverse the result.

After night fell, the relatively peaceful demonstrations in Washington turned from tense to violent. Videos posted on social media showed fistfights, projectiles

thrown and club-swinging as Trump supporters clashed with those demanding they leave.

A variety of charges, including assault and weapons possession, were filed against those arrested, officials said. Two police officers were injured and several firearms were recovered

by Police.

One person was stabbed

BioNTech's Ugur Sahin: "I'm confident that...we could have a normal winter next year"

RCEP: Asia-Pacific countries form world's largest trading bloc

F

ifteen countries have formed the world's largest trading bloc, covering nearly a third of the global economy.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is made up of 10 Southeast Asian countries, as well as South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The pact is seen as an extension of China's influence in the region.

The deal excludes the US, which withdrew from a ri-

In escalation of Ethiopia war, Tigray leader says his forces fired rockets at Eritrea

T

he leader of Ethiopia’s rebellious Tigray region confirmed on Sunday that his forces had fired rockets at the airport in Eritrea’s capital, a major escalation that raises fears of a wider war in the Horn of Africa region.

Accusing neighbouring Eritrea of sending tanks and thousands of troops into Tigray in support of an Ethiopian Government offensive, Debretsion Gebremichael said his forces were under attack “on several fronts.”

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed tweeted Sunday that Ethiopia was more than capable of achieving its objec-

Violence erupts as thousands rally behind Trump in Washington, DC

S

upporters of US President Donald Trump fought on the streets of Washington, DC, with counter-demonstrators early on Sunday with several fistfights, at least one stabbing and 20 people arrested.

Several other cities on Saturday also saw gatherings of Trump supporters unwilling to accept Democrat Joe Biden’s Electoral College

and rushed to a trauma centre, a spokeswoman for the city fire and emergency medical services department said. The Washington Post newspaper reported the stabbing occurred amid a melee between Trump supporters – some carrying batons – and counter-protesters that broke out about 8 pm (01:00 GMT). (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Dig deep and get the facts TAURUS before you make a life-alter(April 20ing decision. Protect your May 20) reputation and position.

Avoid joint ventures. Certain matters will be very complicated, so tread carefully.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Seek out like-minded people. Romance is encouraged. Take the high road, regardless of what others do. Teaming up with a partner is recommended, as long as you both see eye-to-eye.

You’ll be fighting a losing battle if you can’t see all sides of a situation. Look for innovative ways to work with the opposition and make a difference. Take control.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Take action, get things done and follow through with the promises you make.

Be a leader, not a follower, and the outcome will favor you. Romance is featured.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Don’t let emotional problems interfere with your job or ability to make decisions.

Stay focused on what’s essential, and make stability a priority. Fight uncertainty.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Rely on facts, truth and the people who have never let you down. Refuse to give in to unrealistic demands.

Separate yourself from people who don’t share your values.

SCORPIO

Do things your way. Do what’s right for you, not what everyone else wants you to do. Change begins with a healthy mind and a passionate heart.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

LAST PUBLISHED WORD - DOMICILE

Make peace of mind your objective. Taking pride in and enjoying what you do is essential. Choose love over discord. Listen to what others have to say, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

The improvements you make will impress a loved one. Discipline will help you reach your goal. Moderation will be essential to avoid loss. Put the past behind you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Follow through with your plans. Embrace what lies ahead and discard what no longer matters. Live in the moment. A domestic change will lead to renewed energy.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Evaluate your life, and consider what you can do to improve your situation.

Focus on home, family and finances. A romantic gesture will bring you closer to a loved one.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Consider what you want and how best to deal with your responsibilities. Look for reliable people who can contribute to your plans, and use persuasive tactics to get them on board.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

21

Hamilton seals historic 7th title with peerless wet-weather victory in Turkey FORMULA 1 DHL TURKISH GRAND PRIX 2020

Race results

POSITION

1 Lewis HAMILTON Mercedes

2 Sergio PEREZ Racing Point

3 Sebastian VETTEL Ferrari

4 Charles LECLERC Ferrari

5 Carlos SAINZ McLaren

A

stunning drive from Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton in the Turkish Grand Prix gave him his 10th victory of the season – and, more crucially, saw him claim

the seventh driver’s title of his career, to equal the record of Michael Schumacher, as Racing Point’s Sergio Perez and Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel completed the podium af-

Kell Brook beaten by Terence Crawford in 4 rounds in title fight

Kell Brook (left) could not recover from a right hand in the fourth

T

erence Crawford retained his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) world welterweight title by beating Briton Kell Brook in four rounds in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion Brook, 34, was caught by a right hand from the American and had to take a standing eight count in the fourth.

Crawford then landed a flurry of shots before the referee stepped in and stopped the fight.

The win means 33-year-old Crawford is unbeaten in 37 fights. He had not fought since December 2019, while Brook, who started well, last fought in February 2020. "I was trying to gauge the distance. He had good distance," said Crawford, who beat Britain's Amir Khan in April 2019. "I was trying to find my rhythm. That is why it was so competitive at first. I couldn't get my shots off."

Crawford said he was "looking to secure" a fight with eight-weight world champion Manny

Pacquiao from the Philippines. "We were close to securing a Pacquiao fight prior to this fight, but, being that COVID was getting out of hand and fans couldn't attend the fight, we had to put a halt to it," he said. "Now, we going to go back to the drawing board and try to revisit that fight."

In September, Pacquiao's special assistant said the 41-year-old was in talks to fight Irish former Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC) world champion Conor McGregor in 2021. Brook, who was not working with regular trainer Dominic Ingle because of the coronavirus pandemic, instead had Carlos Formento in his corner.

"I got caught with a shot I didn't see," said Brook, from Sheffield, whose three losses in his 39-fight career have been against Crawford, Gennady Golovkin and Errol Spence Jr. "I have always said that if I am in a fight, and am going to lose, I am going to go out on my shield." (BBC Sport)

TIME 1:42:19.313 +31.633s +31.960s +33.858s +34.363s

ter a thrilling race in Istanbul.

Hamilton had started the race in sixth, risen to third midway through the first lap and then dropped back to sixth by the end of Lap 1 after an error at Turn 9. But a decision to change his intermediate tyres just once saw Hamilton drive a masterful race to claim victory by over 25 seconds from Perez.

The win alone was enough to claim championship #7, but it was even more assured after a disastrous race for Valtteri Bottas – the only man who could have stopped Hamilton winning the title – who spun four times en route to a P14 finish.

Behind Hamilton, a dramatic last lap saw Perez overtaken by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc for P2, only for Leclerc to overcook it at Turn 12, with Perez retaking second as Vettel made it through on his team-mate to claim a first podium of the season.

POINTS 25 18 15 12 10

Leclerc was left to cross the line P4 ahead of the McLaren of Carlos Sainz, while a spin-filled afternoon for the Red Bull pair left Max Verstappen and Alex Albon P6 and P7 at the flag, ahead of the second McLaren of Lando Norris.

Norris had claimed that place after a late pass on the second Racing Point of Lance Stroll, who’d secured a brilliant maiden pole position on Saturday and led much of the early part of the Grand Prix, only for his race to unravel after a difficult third stint on intermediate tyres. That left him ninth at the flag, as Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo completed the podium.

For all that though, all eyes were on Hamilton, who was in tears as he was congratulated on his slow-down lap, after well and truly cementing himself into Formula 1’s record books. (F1)

Man Utd have the mentality to be league champions, says Fernandes M

anchester United may not have the resources that some of their Premier League rivals do, but the fallen giants of English soccer still possess the mentality to end their title drought in the competition, midfielder Bruno Fernandes said.

United last claimed the league title in the 2012-13 season under Alex Ferguson and have endured a frustrating period since, with rivals like Manchester City and Liverpool building teams capable of dominating the league.

United finished third in the league last season and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Europa League with Fernandes, who arrived at the club in January, playing a key role.

“For me, it doesn’t matter about the other teams. People may say they’re better than us, they have a better first XI than us, guys

who come from the bench are better. People can say what they think, I don’t care,” Fernandes said on the UTD podcast.

“For a club like United, it’s a long time since we won the Premier League. It’s too long, I think. So you have to have in your mind – all the players, all the staff – we’re here to win. And I think we have that mentality.

“I came to Manchester to win trophies.

You’re playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. This club has made history in the past, an amazing history.”

United have made a disappointing start to the current season, and sit 14th after three victories, three defeats, and a draw from their opening seven games.

They take on promoted West Bromwich Albion next Saturday as action resumes following the international break. (Reuters)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

4th Prime Minister’s Cup set for November 27-29 …PM Phillips issues order for women’s league in 2021

PM Phillips delivers a ball at the opening launch of the tournament Prime Minister Mark Phillips receives his jersey

Former Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he fourth edition of the highly-anticipated Prime Minister’s Cup T20 competition was launched on Sunday, November 15, 2020 at the Everest Cricket Club located on Carifesta Avenue.

This tournament will be held in collaboration with the Georgetown Softball League, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry.

This event will feature three categories: namely, the Masters Over-50, Masters Over-45, and the

All-Stars. It will run from November 27-29 at different grounds in Georgetown, but the finals will be held at the Everest Cricket Ground.

Over $1 million in cash and prizes will be up for grabs.

In opening the launching ceremony of the tournament, Georgetown Softball Cricket League Incorporated (GSCL) President Ian John said, "It’s important that we welcome you; we have had teams from Florida, Canada and even Guyana in the past. With COVID, these things couldn't become a reality and since March nothing was even

Ian John

played. Nevertheless, we have lucrative prizes for the teams, and it is imperative that the participating teams honour the time, as we are hoping to have the finals in daylight. All these things wouldn’t be possible without the sponsors and I would like to thank them."

Also present was former

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, who stated that as a former Minister it was important to let these activities continue. He noted that this would get young people less involved in misconduct and preoccupied. He went on to relay that he was happy that the tournament has been given the greenlight.

In his remarks at the launch, Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, boasted of his love for the sport. He related that the game of cricket fostered unity, camaraderie and discipline.

“Softball cricket is my game; I am an enthusiast. I am happy to be here. This event has brought together thousands and provided many opportunities. This year will be no different, but with an added plus of bringing much added and social relief to everyone as we face this pandemic. Sport and

Watching Gayle lift Kings XI was Lara's favourite IPL moment W

Chris Gayle

est Indies legend Brian Lara has picked watching T20 star Chris Gayle during the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 season as his highlight of the tournament.

Despite Gayle's team not making the play-offs, few would argue with Lara’s choice. The 41-year-old began the season looking on from the bench for Kings XI as the team struggled to a 1-and-7 start. The results meant they were rooted to the bottom of the table with little hope of advancing to the play-offs.

Gayle’s introduction saw the team embark on a fivegame winning streak, finding themselves just outside the top four. Perhaps the highlight of the tournament individually for Gayle came with a whirlwind 99 against

Rajasthan Royals. The batsman was dismissed on 99 by England bowler Jofra Archer, but prior to that made history as the first player to club 1000 T20 sixes. Despite the Kings XI just missing out on the play-offs, Lara believes Gayle deserved special commendation for rallying the team and in the process entertaining the fans.

“I think the Universe Boss – Chris Gayle. The reason being that if there were 50-60,000 people watching, it was more when he arrived in the tournament at the second half,” Lara told Star Sports’ Cricket Live.

“His performances and how he got Kings XI Punjab going and almost getting there. I think it’s just been amazing watching him and the turnaround of Kings XI Punjab.” (Sportsmax)

other activities help us with relief.

“Cricket is deeply rooted in Guyana’s history. As you know, we have produced some of the best cricketers. We have started with softball, and it is safe to say cricket is Guyana's sport, as we can see the pride that we hold with our own Guyana Jaguars and Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Tournaments like these build relationships that last for a lifetime, camaraderie, unity and discipline are all traits this game supports.

Our government is proud to be a part of this tournament and this is a partnership we are happy to see grow. I would like to issue and order that for 2021 we will have a women's league as part of the Prime Minister’s Cup. Best of luck’ everyone,” PM Phillips said.

The first prize for the Masters Over-50 is $200,000, while the runners-up will receive $50,000. The man of the match in the final will receive a trophy, and the man of the series will receive a 50-inch 4k smart flatscreen TV valued at $120,000.

In the Masters Over-45 category, the winners will

pocket $200,000 and the runners-up $50,000; while the man of the match in the finale will receive a trophy and the man of the match will carry away a brand new 50-inch smart TV valued at $100,000.

In the All Stars category (open to all ages), the winners will pocket a handsome $200,000; the runners-up $50,000; the man of the match in the final will receive a trophy; and the man of the series will receive a 40-inch smart TV valued at $70,000.

Among the sponsors of this year’s tournament are Banks DIH, Chung's Global, Danny Persaud (Youtuber) It’s our life ARD, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop, Price Chopper Store, Star Party Rentals, P&P Insurance, Dyna’s Embroidery, Caribbean Airlines, Crown Mining Supplies, and Dinar Trading.

The tournament will be live-streamed on Facebook, NCN and YouTube. No entrance fee is being charged, as the participating teams will have to provide uniforms and lunches for their teams.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

BCB semi-professional league to expose Berbice talent to Amazon Warriors set-up — says President Foster

By Brandon Corlette

B

erbice is gifted with talented cricketers, some of whom have gone on to represent the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The likes of Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, and Kevin Sinclair are the latest Berbice players to play for the Guyana Amazon Warriors while the likes of Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Jonathan Foo, Clinton Pestano,

to play the game. "While we are not encouraging young players to play T20 cricket, we may be looking at a possibility to see no Under-15 or Under-17 player involved in the T20 league to make sure they are not passionate about T20 cricket at a young age,"

RHT will have the services of Kevin Sinclair (Brandon Corlette photos)

Albion will have some seasoned campaigners

With the historic Berbice Cricket Board SemiProfessional League (BCB SPL) on the horizon, Board President Hilbert Foster revealed that this league, which would be based across the Ancient County, would expose Berbice talent to the Guyana Amazon Warriors set-up.

Gajanand Singh, Anthony Bramble, Keon Joseph, and Assad Fudadin are all active players of Berbice origin who have had a taste of the CPL. This BCB SPL will aim to add more players from the Ancient County to that CPL roster. The BCB boss noted that he was hoping that more players would have a passion

Foster explained.

For the opening season, the tournament would be played on a knockout basis with 12 teams set to be featured. These teams are: Combined Upper Corentyne; Port Mourant; Rose Hall Town (RHT) Namilco Thunderbolt Flour; Albion; Rose Hall Canje; Young

“No doubt about Keemo's talent”

— Estwick convinced Paul will bloom once he gets chances

W

est Indies Bowling Coach Roddy Estwick does not believe there should be any doubting the talent of all-rounder Keemo Paul, but believes it is crucial to see the player getting more red ball cricket under his belt.

The 24-year-old Paul has been included in a 15man Test squad to face New Zealand this month. The player was previously invited for the team’s tour of England, but, along with Darren Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer, declined to participate for health reasons.

His selection has not been entirely without controversy, with some believing the player to be too inconsistent to play Test cricket, particularly with the way he bowls.

Estwick believes, however, that a few of those inefficiencies come down to not playing the format enough.

“Keemo is very talented player; obviously he hasn’t

played First-Class cricket for a while because he has been with the West Indies and on the T20 circuit.

It’s good to have him back to see where he is at. We have two FirstClass games coming up to see where he is at,” Estwick told members of the media.

“We know the talent of Keemo Paul; there is no doubt about that, a wonderful talented player. He reminds me of someone like the late Keith Boyce from Barbados who represented the West Indies – very athletic fielder, good mover, excellent timer of the ball,” he added.

“Remember Keemo is only 24, so it’s about how hard you work and how

much preparation you put in. Once Keemo can do that and he can get FirstClass cricket under his belt, there is no doubt about his talent. The last time he played a full First-Class season, he got 40-odd FirstClass wickets.” (Sportsmax)

Warriors; Tucber Park; Police; Blairmont; West Berbice; East Bank Berbice and Berbice River.

It would be the first time that East Bank Berbice and Berbice River would be playing in a BCB First- Division tournament. Each team will have the luxury of having one player from outside Berbice.

Each player and team official would receive a financial stipend per match, with the amount rising for every match in the tournament.

With the BCB benefiting from $1 million that was donated by its Patron, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, a combined prize package of $1 million has been proposed, with the winner taking home $500,000 in a grand final that will be played at Albion. These prizes will be in addition to per-

sonal prizes each player will take home.

Additionally, Foster said the match officials such as scorers will be expected to earn from this T20 league.

The venues to be used are those of Albion, Number 69 Vikings, Rose Hall Canje and Port Mourant, with two matches being played at one venue per match day.

The organisers are expected to cover the cost of cricket balls, transportation, meals, umpires, and scorers, while the final is expected to be broadcast live via Facebook and radio, with local television stations possibly broadcasting the event. One of the highlights of the tournament would be a Say No/Say Yes campaign by the 12 teams.

The main objectives would be to get youths to Say No to Drugs and Yes to Education.

The BCB President expressed confidence that all of the plans would fall into place. Meetings with potential sponsors were ongoing, and Foster disclosed that several major companies have already indicated great interest.

Funds raised from the hosting of the tournament would be used to expand the county coaching programme, assist weaker First-Division clubs, and players as well as host the regular cricket tournaments at the junior, female, and senior levels.

The likes of Hetmyer, Bishoo, Permaul, Fudadin, Shepherd, Sinclair, Foo, Bramble, Pestano, Nial Smith, Joseph, Kevlon Anderson, Royston Crandon, Gudakesh Motie, and Delbert Hicks are expected to feature in this league.

Remember the name? King Carlos returns to the BBL

B

ig-hitting West Indies allrounder Carlos Brathwaite will return to Sydney for KFC BBL|10 after becoming the Sixers' third international signing for the summer.

Brathwaite, who played four games in magenta in BBL|07, joins England pair Tom Curran and James Vince as the defending champs' three overseas players for this season and looks set to be with the franchise from the beginning of the tournament, which begins for the Sixers on December 10 against the Hurricanes.

The Sixers had been chasing another West Indian, Nicholas Pooran, but the left-hander was this week signed by the

Melbourne Stars for a six-game stint over the Christmas and New Year period.

Braithwaite, the 32-year-old Barbadian, is best remembered for his six-hitting heroics that sealed the West Indies 2016 World T20 title against England.

However, Sixers Coach Greg Shipperd pointed to Brathwaite's instant impact during his previous time with the side.

"We were struggling three seasons ago and Carlos joined as a replacement player and we finished four from four, and he contributed greatly to our rebalance," Shipperd said.

"Carlos is a man who embraced our on- and offfield endeavours, so we are keen to have him back in the fold and contributing his experience to our chase for consistency and another shot at a title."

Brathwaite completes Sydney’s 19-man roster, although the club could call in another international replacement for Curran, who is set to be unavailable until after

Christmas owing to quarantine requirements following England’s tour of South Africa.

Brathwaite’s most recent T20 cricket came in the Caribbean Premier League in September, in which he took 10 wickets in 11 matches for Jamaica Tallawahs, despite enduring a lean season with the bat.

The Sixers look to be wellstocked for all-rounders in BBL|10, with Brathwaite joining Englishman Curran, new recruit Dan Christian and the club's leading wicket-taker, Sean Abbott, whose involvement will likely be dictated by international duties.

The Sixers last week announced Australia quick Mitchell Starc had signed with the club after a six-summer hiatus from the Big Bash, with the left-armer likely to be available for the final three round matches and finals.

Sydney Sixers squad: Sean Abbott; Jackson Bird; Carlos Brathwaite (WI); Dan Christian; Tom Curran (ENG); Ben Dwarshuis; Jack Edwards; Mickey Edwards; Moises Henriques (C); Daniel Hughes; Hayden Kerr; Nathan Lyon; Ben Manenti; Stephen O'Keefe; Josh Philippe; Lloyd Pope; Jordan Silk; Mitchell Starc and James Vince (ENG). (Cricket Australia)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

BCB semiprofessional league to expose Berbice talent to Amazon Warriors set-up See story on page 23

— says President Foster

4th Prime Minister’s Hamilton seals historic 7th title Cup set for with November 27-29 peerless See story on page 22

See story on page 21

wetweather victory in Turkey

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