Guyana Times - Monday, April 25, 2022

Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation to equip GPF with another computer centre

P13 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4989

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

Govt focus on transitioning to renewable energy, LCDS “timely” – US Ambassador …says Guyana in a unique position to leapfrog other countries Page 3

Gas-to-shore project

5 dwellings may be relocated along pipeline path – EIA Page 2

…Exxon to support Govt in developing resettlement strategy

Over $50M in CWC farmers complain of lack of adequate food sourced drainage, insufficient from Reg 3 by market for produce oil companies every month – Pres Ali

Closed sluice door results in flooding after heavy rainfall along Corentyne Page 12

…NDC claims cannot afford to pay operator

Page 11

PRICE

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

‘Survey’ with 20% response rate cannot reflect Guyanese views on electoral P9 reform – Teixeira …says IRI ‘findings’ lack integrity

Cashier charged for stealing over $1.7M from employer P8 Employee, P11 taxi driver on $600,000 bail for breaking into city store

NGO providing hope, opportunity for Berbicians to obtain a skill Fisherman P12 charged for wounding tenant

3 new COVID-19 cases detected P in Regions 2, 4 16

2 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Gas-to-shore project

5 dwellings may be relocated along pipeline path – EIA …Exxon to support Govt in developing resettlement strategy

T

Examples of residence near temporary MOF

he recently published Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the much-touted gas-to-shore project that was submitted for approval will see some five residential/dwelling properties having to be relocated.

This is according to the document. The project – both offshore and onshore components – will have a range of potential impacts on the physical, biological (marine, freshwater, and terrestrial), and socioeconomic environment but these impacts have been mostly classified within the “minor” and “negligible” margins, that is, not likely to have any adverse effects.

However, the EIA report did highlight that there could be potential displacement and relocation as a result of the gas-to-shore project which would have direct impact on lives. This includes “…one suspected residential property within the planned onshore pipeline route approximately 175 metres south of the shore crossing; and four dwellings currently located within 500 metres of the heavy haul road and temporary MOF (material offloading facility) facilities.”

The offshore pipeline is approximately 220 kilometres of a subsea pipeline that will run from the Destiny and Unity Floating,

Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block.

Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara shore, the pipeline will continue approximately 25 kilometres to a natural gas liquids processing plant (NGL Plant) at Wales, West Bank Demerara. The pipeline is expected to transport some 50 million standard cubic feet per day (mscfpd) of dry gas to the NGL Plant.

It was noted in the assessment, which was done

by ExxonMobil’s local affiliate – Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) – that the Guyana Government is responsible for any project-related land

acquisition. But the United States oil giant has reassured of working along with Government in addressing this issue.

“Based on observations it is evident that household structures in this area range from corrugated metal buildings to more established structures that appear to be constructed of concrete and timber. A limited number of non-residential outbuildings

are also present… The displacement and relocation of these persons – and the loss of any assets or improvements associated with their use of the land in this area – is recognised as a project impact. Although relocation would be a one-time event, the expected consequence will be significant for the affected households, who are expected to lack formal land tenure and display a high

degree of vulnerability.”

“EEPGL will support the Government of Guyana to develop and implement a Resettlement and Livelihood Restoration Strategy aligned with international standards; on the basis of this mitigation, the residual impact is considered to be of Moderate significance.”

TURN TO PAGE 15

NEWS

3

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Monday, Apr 25 – No closure and Tuesday, Apr 26 – 00:30h – 02:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, Apr 25 – 12:40h – 14:10h and Tuesday, Apr 26 – 13:30h – 15:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily

WEATHER TODAY

There will be light rain showers and light cloud during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 12:41h reaching a maximum height of 2.2 metres.

Low Tide: 06:12h and 18:50h reaching minimum heights of 1.13 metres and 0.94 metre.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS H

06 13 16

18 22 27

FREE TICKET

19 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

04 11 17 18 20 LUCKY 3

8

9

3

8

Afternoon Draw

8

Govt focus on transitioning to renewable energy, LCDS “timely” – US Ambassador …says Guyana in a unique position to leapfrog other countries

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government’s focus on transitioning Guyana’s energy from fossil fuels to renewables, is a timely one considering the global context of global warming and the local need for reliable energy.

This was according to the United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, when she participated in a recent round table discussion on energy that was facilitated by the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).

Ambassador Lynch reserved praise for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which the Government plans to go out on country wide consultations for. The LCDS 2030 vision has four components, which are: 1) to manage water and other resources properly; 2) adapting to climate change; 3) producing clean energy, and 4) aligning with global climate and biodiversity goals.

According to her, the transition requires careful planning and execution.

“For the most part, each of these initiatives were conceived of and executed as standalone projects.

The Government’s efforts to focus its renewable energy plans and package them as part of the Low Carbon Development Strategy are timely and needed because the task at hand truly does require careful planning and execution,” Ambassador Lynch said.

“The Private Sector of course has a voice and a role to play in this strategy and you have an ally in the United States Government, and our private sector. To

3

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01 05 08 12 18 19 21 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2022

01 10 13 15 16 13

02 07 13 17 21

2

7 Afternoon Draw

3X Afternoon Draw

8

6 Evening Draw

2X Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$106.65/barrel

Rough Rice

$289.8/ton

-0.65

London Sugar

$530.50/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

-1.58

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1927.40

$1928.40

Low/High Change

$1925.10 -4.90

$1936.30 -0.25%

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch

the many businesses in attendance today, if you are interested in finding US solutions for your renewable energy needs our commercial team is happy to help facilitate those connections.”

According to the diplomat, not only are renewables needed to decarbonise the energy sector to address global warming, but in a place like Guyana the transition is needed to improve the country’s access to reliable electricity, and in turn improve business.

However, an important part of transitioning to renewable energy is upgrading the present Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) used by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), which depends on Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO).

“While Guyana’s emis-

sions are tiny compared to major emitters, Guyana is in a unique position to leapfrog other economies and invest directly in renewable energy. I’d argue that the relatively small size of Guyana’s emissions and energy demand offers a unique opportunity,” Ambassador Lynch said.

“Guyana currently lacks grid tie-in legislation, which would allow for private businesses to sell excess renewable power to the power grid. What’s more, the grid itself needs to be stable. It requires modernisation with redundancies so that if one power line fails you don’t get rolling blackouts for large portions of the grid.”

The Ambassador said that an updated grid must also be able to handle power fluctuations and adjust for

the ebbs and flows of various kinds of power, including renewable energy and unexpected disruptions.

Guyana is seeking, through the new LCDS, a continuous flow of carbon finances.

Between 2015 and 2019, Guyana had earned US$250 million from Norway for its low deforestation rates under the original LCDS. Guyana still has 99.5 per cent of its forests intact.

With 18.4 million hectares of largely pristine forests storing 5.31 gigatons of carbon, officials estimate that Guyana could earn upwards of US$300 million by selling its carbon credits on the global market.

A carbon credit is a tradable permit or certificate that allows the holder of the credit the right to emit a stated tonnage of carbon dioxide or an equivalent of another greenhouse gas. Countries and companies that exceed their permitted limits can purchase carbon credits from other nations that have low emissions such as Guyana.

Guyana’s 18.4 million hectares of largely pristine forest stores approximately 5.31 gigatons of carbon.

Back in April 2021, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced that Guyana signed a letter of intent with US-based non-profit organisation (NGO), Emergent Finance Accelerated Inc, to market the country’s carbon credits through a credit contract – a deal that could earn the country millions of US dollars. (G3)

4

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

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

Rising prices

A

n International Republican Institute (IRI) poll released last week showed that inflation has become a worry for a wide cross-section of Guyanese in both rural and urban areas. Inflation, of course, can broadly be defined as rising prices of goods which translate into a fall in the value of the currency.

Twenty-six per cent – a shade over one quarter – of the 1500 persons surveyed said the increase in their cost of living was “serious”. This observation, however, had long been made by the Government and, as was pointed out to them, was due primarily to supply-chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic which were then given a boost by the disruptions precipitated by the Ukraine War. Not that it improves our situation, but in pointing out that due to the identified factors, inflation has now become a global concern, maybe we can better appreciate that the solution is not completely in our hands. Energy prices have been most volatile and contributed inordinately to the global price increases.

Even in the US, which is the third largest exporter of oil, prices have jumped 8.5 per cent to compound the empty supermarket shelves in some localities. As one report pointed out, “Consumers around the world are paying much higher prices for basics like shelter, food, and gasoline as Russia’s Ukraine invasion further snarls supply chains and cuts off access to oil and food exports.

After a pandemic-related wave of higher prices, the conflict is now pushing global inflation past six per cent.

US and other central banks are increasing interest rates to reduce money supply.

China and India may need to switch to cheaper cooking oil, whose prices have surged 70 per cent in some cases. In Senegal, Muslims are breaking their Ramadan fast with fish instead of meat, which has become unaffordable for many, and Mexico is trying to coordinate with the US on reducing food prices. Gasoline prices, meanwhile, have shot up past US$10 a gallon in Hong Kong, and the International Energy Agency is warning of a global energy crisis.” Since fertilisers are produced from petroleum products, the latter shortages also exacerbate agricultural food supplies.

In its budget presentation, the Government had already allocated $5 billion to deal with the threat to the livelihoods caused by the spike in cost of living especially for those in the lower income brackets. Before the Ukraine disruptions, the Government had announced a welter of measures to put money directly into the pockets of the disadvantaged. These included the removal of VAT on water and electricity and a freeze on their prices. A $30,000 school uniform cash grant and a 10 per cent increase in pensions would also have been useful.

On the supply side, the Government has introduced farmers’ markets in several locations in the country so as to remove the middlemen and their markup between farmers and consumers.

However, these are all short-term measures to deal with the emergency nature of the inflationary pressures.

What is needed beyond them are medium- and longterm responses to make our economy more resilient and less subject to the vagaries of international disruptions.

With Guyana now becoming a petroleum producer, the Government should grant approval (subject to all legal requirements, of course) to one or more of the six applications for modular refineries that have been received according to reports. Previously, there were concerns raised about the polluting possibilities of such a venture but the vulnerability of our populace to the impact of fuel price increases outweighs these.

In the medium term, the Government has already presciently launched a Caricom food security initiative.

President Ali, who is the Caricom lead in Agriculture announced a “Caricom Sustainability Agriculture Credit Facility” that will be offering up to US$100 million in financing through Republic Bank for the development of the agriculture sector. Within five years, the initiative aims to satisfy 25 per cent of Caricom’s US$6 billion food bill – which includes ours. Longer term, the gas-toshore project should not only supply cheaper natural gas but also the production of urea that can be used in the agricultural sector.

A young Buddhist monk arranges an LED light as part of Earth Day celebrations at the Wat Dhammakaya Buddhist temple in Pathum Thani province, north of Bangkok (AFP)

The Russia-Ukraine war: An opportunity for nuclear disarmament?

By Patrick Gathara

T

he Russian invasion of Ukraine is hardly the first time a nuclear power has attacked a non-nuclear nation. That raises questions about the arguments for non-proliferation.

If nuclear-weapon states can use their weapons to threaten the rest of us, or even hide behind them while launching conventional attacks on non-nuclear states, then a central pillar of nuclear non-proliferation is gone. But there is another crucial element of the non-proliferation regime that the invasion should focus attention on. And that is the requirement under Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty for nuclear-weapon states “to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control”.

To date, nuclear-weapon states have shown much less eagerness in complying with this requirement to completely disarm compared with the zeal they have exhibited in enforcing the obligations of non-nuclear states. A good example is the sanctions on Iran imposed by nations like the United States, the United Kingdom and France, though they themselves are in violation of

the NPT. The unspoken (and racist) presumption behind the treaty was that existing nuclear powers (and their friends) were the only ones who could be trusted with weapons of such destructive power.

Leaving them in the hands of the s******e nations of the rest of the world, with their tinpot dictators and tribal wars, would eventually end with global radiological disaster. However, the supposedly more rational northern nations would never dream of using them. Well, Vladimir Putin has put an end to that.

Not only has he threatened to attack countries that openly join in the fighting in Ukraine with nuclear weapons, but more and more, we are urged to seriously consider previously unlikely scenarios of tactical nuclear weapons being deployed by the Russians to smash Ukrainian resistance. “For US officials and world leaders, discussions of how to respond to a limited nuclear attack are no longer theoretical,” The Associated Press news agency said in a report earlier this month. But this is not the first time the world has been terrorised by the prospect of nuclear weapons in the hands of a deranged ruler of the socalled “developed” world.

Almost since the day Donald Trump took power in the US in January 2017, concerns were being raised about his authority to order a nuclear

attack. By the end of his term, so worried were US generals that, according to the book Peril by The Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, the banana-exporting republic’s top military official not only secretly called his counterpart in China to promise advance warning if the US was to launch an attack, but also ordered nuclear control officers to check with him regardless of the orders they received from the commander-in-chief.

None of this engenders confidence in the ability of declared nuclear powers to exercise responsible stewardship over their weapons. While many may point to the fact that there has been no nuclear war in the last half-century, since the NPT came into force, the fact is it only takes one crackpot with access to, and willingness to use nuclear weapons, to launch a global catastrophe. The very same arguments employed to prevent proliferation apply, with perhaps even more force, to nuclear-armed countries.

Writing in Foreign Affairs, Mariana Budjeryn argues that the current conflict in Ukraine, which gave up the nuclear arsenal it inherited from the USSR, is a turning point.

“If Ukraine beats back the Russian invasion, then countries may come to place less stock in nuclear weapons, potentially paving the way for a world in which no one has the power to unleash nu-

clear Armageddon.” On the contrary, if Ukraine loses, that would be another nail in the coffin for non-proliferation and disarmament.

However, I doubt that a Ukraine win would increase the willingness of the US and other declared nuclear weapons powers to disarm. Despite their nice words regarding Article VI, including most recently a joint statement in January, it has long been clear that there is little willingness to do so.

In September 2009, then-UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband noted that the vision articulated by then-US President Barack Obama five months earlier in Prague of a nuclear-free world “is a very long-term goal which may outlive his children, not just himself”. Tellingly, Miliband added that the nuclear powers “reject unilateral nuclear disarmament … precisely because the world cannot end up in a situation where responsible powers get rid of their weapons, but the danger of nuclear proliferation by other powers remains”.

But one might very well ask, who are the “responsible powers”. A decade earlier, during the 2000 NPT Review Conference, a report by John Burroughs, executive director of the New York City-based Lawyers’ Committee on Nuclear Policy, shows how the nuclear powers brazenly colluded to eliminate the possibility of ever having to comply with Article VI. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

5

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

Guyana is not only about oil and gas

Dear Editor, Good news, but not at all surprising. I am speaking here of the fact that “There is “renewed interest” in Guyana’s agri sector,” and this is not only the word of Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, it is quite evident to any candid observer and follower of happenings in Guyana.

This really bodes well for the country, and I have good reasons for saying this.

Fur sure, this “renewed interest” shows that Guyana is not ‘hell-bent’ on oil and gas exclusively, as some want people to believe. No doubt, Guyana is heading towards becoming a top brass when it comes to the oil industry, but the country has a lot of prospects in other sectors, namely agriculture, that are complementing its fast-paced development.

The Guyanese Government is right at the forefront of this momentous undertaking, thus increasing the

confidence level among local and international investors to start their business in the country. Just a bit on agriculture, and where Guyana sits.

The Guyana land mass in total is 215,000 square kilometres and it is far from the path of typhoons, and its tropical climate and topography, endowed with fertile soils can produce varied crops that are not found in countries that have a cooler climate. It is no surprise why the country is known to be food secure with high sufficiency in producing crops and meat. That is why the agriculture sector is a major export earner, contributing around 16 per cent to the country’s GDP in 2020 alone and accounts for the importation of $1.8 billion of dairy products annually.

This is divine - a real haven that all Guyanese can and must benefit from.

So, it is great that in terms of the potential of the agriculture industry,

the Government is strongly supportive in ensuring that agriculture be among its top priority, and thus leading to a diversified economy.

The potential is huge Guyana’s agriculture sector offers possible investments in abattoirs and packing houses, canning and packing of fruits and vegetables, cattle ranching, corn and soya bean production, dairy operation and products, integrated farms, meat processing, organic farms, pig and poultry rearing, roses production, seafood and fish processing, and value-added coconut processing.

So, yes, it is true that the magnitude of Guyana’s booming oil industry is garnering more attention and investment opportunities each day, but agriculture is also stepping up as another industry of interest in the region. Let us go to the Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, who

has emerged as quite a pioneer.

He just met with residents of Crabwood Creek, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and shared that the sector is beginning to make waves again, with potential for continued economic growth even after oil resources are depleted. He stated that “We have seen a renewed interest in our agriculture sector. We are an oil and gas producing country. ‘Oil and gas’ is taking the attention in the country and investors. (but) I think agriculture is also taking the attention and making waves in this part of the world. This shows our Government’s commitment towards this sector, because we recognise its importance to our country’s development.”

Just embrace these cash crops have been expanded in recent months but non-traditional crops were also undertaken; high-value crops like broc-

The Russia-Ukraine war: An...

Despite giving an “unequivocal undertaking … to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals”, US negotiators advised Russia to “maintain on ‘constant’ alert a ‘large, diversified, viable arsenal’, sufficient to mount an ‘annihilating counterattack’ in response to a US first strike”. Of course, the US could then use the same argument to justify keeping its own arsenal.

In fact, the nuclear powers continue to present the reduction of nuclear warheads as a step towards disarmament. But this is sleight of hand. Nuclear arms reduction has actually become a substitute for disarmament. In his

2009 address to the United Nations General Assembly, then-British PM Gordon Brown proposed a “grand global bargain between nuclear weapon and non-nuclear weapons states” in which “all nuclear weapons states … reciprocally play their part in reducing nuclear weapons as part of an agreement by non-nuclear states to renounce them”.

He then falsely declared that this was “exactly what the Non-Proliferation Treaty intended”, suggesting Article VI’s disarmament requirement was fulfilled by a Britain with three nuclear subs rather than four. Whatever the outcome, the Ukraine war is unlikely, by itself, to increase the appetite for dis-

armament. However, that does not mean it does not present an opportunity.

For the last half-century, the NPT has been primarily concerned with stopping more countries from getting nuclear weapons.

The Ukraine conflict opens up the possibility of a more inclusive conversation on disarmament that recognises that a nuclear-free world should not be an aspiration with an indefinite

FROM PAGE 4

timeline. With the Tenth NPT Review Conference scheduled for August, it should be an opportunity to shine the spotlight on the dangers posed by the refusal of nuclear weapons states to disarm. (Al Jazeera) (Patrick Gathara is a communications consultant, writer, and award-winning political cartoonist based in Nairobi.)

coli, cauliflower and carrot are to be cultivated this year with the construction of 300 shade houses; and corn and soya cultivation had set out an aim to expand to 3000 acres this year and 25,000 within three years. I can go on, but I will just remind readers about the origin of all of this.

Back in January of this year, the Government set aside over $28.7 billion towards the rapid growth and development in Guyana’s agriculture sector. According to Dr Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for finance, the Government wants to ramp up domestic production, agro-processing capabilities and work to remove historic barriers and impediments to intra-regional trade. This, he detailed, has a great ending, that is, “Then we can be self-sufficient to produce our own feed because we want to develop the livestock sector too. As a country, we are

looking at different ways to reduce the food import bill and you in the agriculture sector, have that important role to play to help us to develop this sector and have food security.” Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha summed it up real nicely, saying that “We are moving on. We are not only stagnated in one type of crops. We are consolidating, expanding and ensuring that there is more yield per acre in the crops that are planted.” For example, in Region Six, yield for rice has increased to 6.5 tonnes per acre from 2.6 tonnes per acre. Some 65,000 acres are cultivated but authorities are actively seeking to open more lands.

Commendations are indeed in order for the principals in the agriculture sector - I see industriousness, innovation and intensity of efforts.

Yours truly, H Singh

Support for designated day for Indian Arrival Dear Editor, I write to support Mr Ravi Dev’s call for May 5 to be designated Indian Arrival Day, as it is in Trinidad. Guyana’s largest ethnic community, who have contributed immensely to the country, should be given its due.

Doing so would in no way conflict with the noble “One Guyana” initiative.

When people feel undervalued or underappreciated, it breeds many social problems.

Yours faithfully, Sieyf Shahabuddeen

6

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

I

n this fun and easy weather science experiment, we’re going to explore why there is spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Materials:

Medium-sized Styrofoam ball from the craft store Lamp with the shade removed Pencil, bamboo skewer, or knitting needle Sharpie or marking pen

Instructions:

Mark the top of the ball with the letter N. Mark the bottom of the ball with the letter S. Draw a circle around the middle of the ball to represent the equator.

Set the lamp in the middle of a room.

Push the pencil through the N and S marks on the ball.

Now tilt the N slightly toward the lamp.

Turn on the lamp and observe what parts of the ball are illuminated.

Be sure to note the wall toward which the ball is pointing. You will need to point the ball toward this wall for the remainder of the demonstration.

Now move 90 degrees from the spot of your original observation.

Observe which parts of the ball are

By Martin Carter This is the dark time, my love, All round the land brown beetles crawl about.

The shining sun is hidden in the sky Red flowers bend their heads in awful sorrow.

This is the dark time, my love, It is the season of oppression, dark metal, and tears.

It is the festival of guns, the carnival of misery.

Everywhere the faces of men

illuminated at this location.

Move another 90 degrees and observe.

Now move the final 90 degrees and observe.

How it works:

Certain seasons have longer and shorter days, not because of the Earth’s distance from the sun, but because of the tilt of the Earth.

Earth's tilted axis causes the seasons.

Throughout the year, different parts of Earth lamp. Try holding the ball closer to receive the Sun's most direct rays. So, the lamp. (sciencefun.org) when the North Pole tilts toward the Sun, it's summer in the Northern Hemisphere. And when the South Pole tilts toward the Sun, it's winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

Make this a science project:

Try tilting the Styrofoam ball differently and observe any changes.

Try holding the ball further from the

are strained and anxious.

Who comes walking in the dark night time?

Whose boot of steel tramps down the slender grass?

It is the man of death, my love, the strange invader Watching you sleep and aiming at your dream.

Summary This poem is written in the context of the pain and suffering associated with war, and specifically the struggles of Guyana during British

Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.” – Confucius

colonisation in 1953. At that point, the Constitution had been suspended to allow Britain to send soldiers into Guyana to crush the uprising of the people.

1) Write your own summary of the poem 2) Analyse the following lines: “This is the dark time, my love,” “All round the land brown beetles crawl about.”

“The shining sun is hidden in the sky Red flowers bend their heads in awful sorrow.”

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over $50M in food sourced from Reg 3 by oil companies every month – Pres Ali

President Dr Irfaan Ali

L

ocal content and the sourcing of goods and produce in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), sees persons in the region’s food supply chain making over $50 million per month, with supply boats purchasing their goods for the oil companies operating in the Stabroek Block.

This was revealed

by President Dr Irfaan Ali, while at a GAICO Construction Inc commissioning ceremony for a dredge. According to the President, who himself hails from Region Three, everyone in the supply chain benefits from this local content.

“I was speaking to some of the suppliers for the supply boats, that go out to the rig. And when you check

what they buy from Region Three in the markets, in food supplies, water. They spend more than $50 million here every month, in the market.”

“More than $50 million every month, buying produce and supplies. Who benefits? It is the farmers.

It is the small retail stores.

It is the supermarkets,” the President said.

In referring directly to the US$7.5 million dredge (part of an overall US$25 million investment) being commissioned by GAICO, President Ali noted the significance of the project across sectors.

“So, it is very important we understand the linkages that this development brings. And then, agriculture. We are going to make Guyana a food production

hub for this region,” the President explained.

“There’s no second guessing that. Guyana is going to become a food production hub. But we have challenges. We have climate change, rising sea levels, we have unpatterned rainfall. We have to deal with those challenges.”

According to President Ali, these challenges are being addressed with the establishment of three direct outfalls from the backlands to the Atlantic. He also noted that flooding is a perpetual problem in the Pomeroon, Abary, Mahaica and Mahaicony.

The Local Content Act was passed late last year.

It mandates that oil and gas companies operating in Guyana, as well their contractors and sub-contractors must procure from Guyanese companies by the end of 2022, 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services; 90 per cent janitorial services, laundry and catering services; 95 per cent pest control services; 100 per cent local insurance services; 75 per cent local supply of food; and 90 per cent local accounting services. These are just some of the 40 different services outlined in

The Liza Destiny FPSO, which is producing oil for Exxon in the Liza field

the first schedule.

The Act also sets out the establishment of a Local Content Secretariat, which allows locals to register their businesses and their individual skill sets. This is so there is a ready-made pool of skills and services to draw from, when opportunities become available in the sector.

There are two portals.

One register deals with supplier registration and the other deals with employment registration.

Applicants have the option of submitting their applications in either electronic or hardcopy form. Once their applications are submit-

ted, applicants will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a reference number, after which a review process will start.

The Act goes hand in hand with the Government’s drive to increase agricultural production and the export of Guyana’s goods throughout the region. President Dr Irfaan Ali had declared that his Government would be pursuing an aggressive campaign to dismantle regional barriers to agricultural trade and that in the next four years, with the assistance of more diversified crops, Guyana would aim to reduce Caricom’s

food import bill by 25 per cent.

Guyana will meanwhile be hosting the inaugural Agri-Investment Forum and Expo at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) from May 19 to 21 to bring together producers, importers and exporters, investors and other players to promote and improve the region’s productivity and resilience of its agri-food systems. The event will be held under the theme: “Investing in Vision 25 by 2025”.

The two principal objectives of the event are matching bankable agricultural projects with available private and public financing, and making potential investors and other stakeholders aware of new and emerging opportunities in Caricom agriculture, including technological and logistical solutions.

It will focus on specific areas in the food value chain including: primary production (farm and field); agro processing (including post-harvesting and marketing); logistics (distribution, shipping, air cargo), and infrastructural development, including in the areas of finance and technology. (G3)

8 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cashier charged for stealing over $1.7M from employer

Charged: Amrita Dharampaul

A

28-year-old cashier who was employed by Nexlink Communications was charged with embezzling over $1.7 million from the internet provider company.

Amrita Dharampaul of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was released on $200,000 bail following her appearance on Friday before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that between September 8, 2021, and October 21, 2021, at Church Street, Georgetown, while being employed by the com-

pany, she stole the total sum of $1,745,513.

The matter continues on May 20. The Police prosecutor told the court that during the period mentioned in the charge, Dharampaul was tasked with receiving payment for internet services from customers. However, the company began noting a reduction in payment and caused an audit to be conducted. Also, a check was done on Dharampaul’s work computer and a number of payment irregularities were observed.

The company also reviewed Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) for the period in question which showed her placing monies from the cash register into her jacket. When confronted with the evidence by her employers, Dharampaul denied the allegation.

As such, a report was made against her to the Police which led to her being arrested and charged.

Earlier this month, Sheneka Morgan of Plaisance, ECD, was charged with embezzling over $200,000 from her employer. She was released on $100,000 bail. Morgan, who also appeared before Magistrate Daly, plead-

The journey…

Y

Charged: Sheneka Morgan

Charged: Solana Wills

ed not guilty to the charge which stated that on March 30, while being employed as a clerk or servant at Betting Court, Norton Street, Georgetown, she received on behalf of her employer $221,861 which she converted to her own use and benefit.

While out on bail, Morgan is required to report to the Brickdam Police Station Criminal Investigations Department (CID) every Monday until the hearing and determination of her trial.

The court heard that Morgan worked as the company’s cashier and was re-

sponsible for receiving money for the placement of bets.

On the day in question, a check was conducted on her computer which revealed $221,861 as cash on hand.

However, the prosecutor said that Morgan had no money in her possession. As such, a report was made to the Police.

According to the prosecutor, when told of the offence committed, Morgan admitted to crediting bets which she was not permitted to do. She is due back in court on June 3.

Then last month, Solana Wills, 31, who is accused of embezzling over $3 million while she was employed as a supervisor at Leibrands Financial Management and Tax Consultancy, was charged.

It is alleged that between August 1 and December 20, 2021, at D’Urban Street, Georgetown, while being a clerk or servant, she fraudulently embezzled $3,134,290 in cash, received or taken into possession by her for or on account of her employer.

The Police prosecutor related that, besides receiving funds from clients on behalf of the company, Wills was also tasked with ensuring that clients pay their employees’ National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions. Between the periods mentioned in the charge, the company’s clients had handed over monies to Wills to pay their employees’ statutory deductions. The woman, however, allegedly stole the monies. A report was filed against her with the Police, and following investigations, she was arrested and charged.

Wills, who pleaded not guilty to the six charges, was released on $200,000 bail.

(G1)

…not taken our Eyewitness’s eyes had popped when he heard (not through the grapevine or from one of those social media mushrooms) but from one of our more reliable dailies that Secty of State Blinken was coming to Guyana. Even though (to their credit) they did say it was from a “source” since they were specific enough to say the visit would be in June, your Eyewitness bought it, hook, line and sinker. And then Secty Blinken did fly down to Panama just last week to deal with those waves of refugees from everywhere who were heading up north. He wanted them headed off. So, Ukraine wasn’t preempting his travel!

But we were just informed by the local US Embassy in a terse release: “No Imminent Plan for US Secretary of State to visit Guyana” - The US Embassy wishes to advise that there is no such visit planned at this time. In the event of such a high-level visit, the US Embassy would inform and coordinate with the Government of Guyana, The US-Guyana relationship is important, and the United States continues to share a strong bilateral partnership with Guyana. The US Embassy is proud to continue furthering our productive partnership”.

Now while some may’ve been crestfallen, all is not lost. After all, we were assured that while we may not be besties with the US – like Britain and their “special relationship” – OUR “relationship is important”. And sure it is!! Aren’t we the last big oil play that’ll deliver some 15 billion barrels of oil to the US at a time when everybody and their uncle have now seen that weaning off oil isn’t going to be so painless as was thought??!! And more to the point, didn’t we save the blushes of one of the top US corporations that was just kicked off the Dow Jones because the market figured that “oil could spoil”?!! With our light crude coming in at one of the lowest costs in the world (don’t even MENTION “fracking”!!), the said oil major literally was blasted out of the red, on the strength of our production.

It announced earlier this month that “it’s first quarter earnings could top a seven-year quarterly record, with operating profits from pumping oil and gas alone of up to $9.3 billion.” Now if that’s not enough incentive to earn a visit from Blinken, what else is? It used to be said that what is good for GM is good for America but with the Nips overtaking Detroit, “Big Oil” might be substituted.

The flag has to be raised to signal support, no?? It’s the lobbying, baby!!

So let’s note the release only said the visit “isn’t imminent”!! …to Brazil Your Eyewitness had sworn a while back that if he heard about the “potential benefits” of the GeorgetownLinden-Lethem Highway one more time he’d scream!!

And scream he did when he read that “Director of the Department of International Co-operation at Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Forbes July, said in Bonfim, last Wednesday, “Linden-Lethem corridor will be a game-changer for Guyana and Brazil.””

This (goddamn) Highway has been touted since 1977 when Burnham visited Brazil. The Georgetown-Lethem Highway had just been completed by the Americans as a sop to Burnham’s cleaving to their side in the then very hot “Cold War”. Every successive government and President – Hoyte, Jagan, Janet, Ramotar, Granger, and now Ali have been making announcements. But no Highway!! How many promises can an Eyewitness take?

With the contract signed and the financing in place with that Brazilian company, he issues an edict that like the “Dark Lord”, this highway’s name must not be mentioned!!

…of good intentions Sri Lanka suffering an economic meltdown and is now on IMF life support – where the cure is always worse than the disease.

All because it decided to “go green” with organic agriculture and banned all synthetic fertilisers!!

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

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

NEWS

9

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

‘Survey’ with 20% response rate cannot reflect Guyanese views on electoral reform – Teixeira …says IRI ‘findings’ lack integrity

P

arliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira said ‘findings’ from the national public opinion poll conducted by the International Republican Institute (IRI) on Guyana’s electoral reform lack integrity and do not reflect the views of Guyanese.

Teixeira said that any poll conducted in Guyana that involves humans, must go before the Health Ministry’s Ethics Committee. In this regard, no request was made nor approval granted, the DPI reported.

On April 13, 2022, the IRI revealed its ‘findings’ from data it claimed was collected here between January 4 to 24, 2022, which state that a high per cent of Guyanese believe electoral reforms are necessary.

According to the body, the poll was conducted

in all regions of Guyana, through face-to-face interviews in respondents’ homes.

The IRI claims that the samples consisted of some 1500 Guyanese adults with a response rate of 20 per cent.

Teixeira in the DPI report stated that a survey conducted with a 20 per cent response rate cannot answer for all Guyanese, noting that after thoroughly assessing the survey, it only leaves one to consider whether the questions were asked in a way persons could clearly interpret.

She stressed that one must be convinced that a survey is done according to ethical, scientific and technical issues and that the methodology and the integrity of the survey must be above board.

“We are concerned how it is managed and because of COVID-19 that wheth-

er other means of ensuring that the sample that was used effectively so that people in Guyana between January 4 and 24, who were being sampled were able to answer,” the Minister noted.

Teixeira pointed out that 11 per cent of the sample, equivalent to 165 persons above 18, reported that they are not registered to vote in an election, while a further 29 per cent said they did not vote in the 2020 elections.

“So how can you be coming up with a survey response that says that people were not registered to vote when in fact, they were below the age of 18.

These are questions that come up when we look at the responses in the document,” she stressed.

The Minister added that there is a whole host of odd questions in the survey, pointing to one which

asked about whether people would vote in the Local Government Elections regarding the candidate.

“Well first of all we don’t have Local Government Elections, and secondly because elections haven’t been called for Local Government Elections, one doesn’t know who the candidates are or who they will be, so how do you know how to answer that question?”

They were questions also on whether persons believed there was voter discrimination which, Minister Teixeira deemed, “very ambiguous”, explaining that “voters’ discrimination and voters feeling that someone may have discriminated against them, by making comments on an ethnic basis are not the same thing.

Voters’ discrimination is very specific in its meaning where they don’t have access to the ballot, they

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira

don’t have access to the polling station, because they are being prevented from doing that based on the function of the Guyana Elections Commission and the way the polling stations were managed on election day,” she added.

And there were no such claims of persons being discriminated during the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, the Minister pointed out. In fact, the observers had declared the day as peaceful.

The document disclosed that four per cent of the samples was taken from Region One, six per cent from Region Two, 14 per cent from Region Three, 42 per cent from Region Four, seven per cent from Region Five, 15 per cent from Region Six, two per cent from Region Seven, two per cent from Region Eight, three per cent from Region Nine and five per cent from Region 10.

With Region Four occupying the largest space on the IRI survey’s geographical map, Government is yet to locate at least one of the persons who participated in the exercise, the Minister noted.

10 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MoU between BIT, GAICO & US firms

Work ongoing to provide training opportunities in oil & gas for BIT grads – Labour Minister I n the wake of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and local and international companies, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton has assured that work continues on ensuring training opportunities in the oil and gas sector for the graduates.

Hamilton gave this assurance while attending Saturday’s commissioning of the Malavi dredge

by GAICO Construction Incorporated, one of the companies that signed the MoU at the International Energy Conference and Expo in February of this year.

“One of the important things we have been doing, is discussing how we transition young people, to be trained in new career paths. And that is a conversation myself and Komal, we have regularly,” Hamilton said.

“And you would note that during the oil and gas conference, the Board of Industrial Training and GAICO, with two of its overseas partners, we signed an MoU so that we can help young people to develop their skills, coming out of the training we do

File photo: Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton (centre) with representatives from the four entities that signed the MoU back in February of this year

at the Board of Industrial Training.”

Besides GAICO Construction Inc and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), the other signatories at the expo were US companies, Myer and Hargrove. According to Hamilton, operationalising the MoU continues as a work in progress.

“And that MoU is in place and we will continue to work on it to ensure that the people we train at the level of the Board of Industrial Training, they

can experience training opportunities in the oil and gas sector, to make their contribution,” Hamilton explained.

The MoU, which was signed by representatives of the four entities at GAICO’s booth at the Expo, which was hosted at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, secures the commitment of the foreign companies to form an International Apprentice Programme.

This programme will see skilled Guyanese being

trained and certified at the highest levels in the United States in order to prepare them to fully capitalise on the opportunities in the local oil and gas sector.

Vice President – Business Development at Myer Companies, Bradley Myer had explained that this partnership alliance is geared towards bringing Guyana’s welding and fabrication skillset up to international standards.

“We found that there is great local content here in Guyana and we can

play our part in helping to bring out that local talent and truly help local content come along to compete worldwide,” he told reporters.

Myer had also noted that the signing sets the framework for these training activities, and in the next 60 days the partners will be working together in order to iron out the details of the programme.

“For us and our part, it means bringing Guyanese talent to Alabama and training them at our fa-

cility for a time period of roughly four months, but even those details need to be completely ironed out, and then come back here to the shores of Guyana fully certified amongst the best, really, in the world as far as American Building Society Certifications [go],” he explained.

This was the second MoU that GAICO Construction signed during the four-day International Energy Conference and Expo. The local construction company had previously inked another agreement with US-based end-to-end commissioning services company, Rev1 Energy, to boost GAICO’s capacity in bidding for major projects in the oil and gas industry and other sectors.

Additionally, the MoU with Myer and Hargrove was the second one signed

by GAICO. Last August on sidelines of the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, GAICO entered into a partnership the two US companies to work together towards the development of projects in Guyana while also enabling the transfer of skills and technology for the development of the Guyanese workforce in the growing oil and gas sector. (G3)

NEWS

11

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CWC farmers complain of lack of adequate drainage, insufficient market for produce …more Govt support assured

G

overnment has committed to providing more support for Crabwood Creek (CWC) farmers.

The commitment was made by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during a meeting with the farmers on Saturday.

The farming community of rice, cash crop and cattle farmers explained that several issues were affecting their operations and development in their respective industries.

Among some of the concerns raised during the meeting was the lack of adequate drainage which farm-

ers said will adversely affect their crop if not urgently addressed with the impending May-June rains.

According to the

Agriculture Minister, a long boom excavator will be deployed to CWC within one week to have canals cleared.

The Minister also com-

Employee, taxi driver on $600,000 bail for breaking into city store

Charged: Helton King

Charged: Dion Chan

enior Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday released two men on $300,00 bail each for the offence of break and enter and larceny. Helton King, 33, of Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and Dion Chan, a 35-yearold taxi driver of Remus Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown, were arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where they were jointly charged

with the crime.

It is alleged that on April 19, at 100-101 Regent Street, Georgetown, while being in the company of each other, they broke into the E-Zone Shopping and stole $2.3 million in items belonging to Paul Pantin.

King is an employee of the store. The two accused were also ordered to lodge their passports with the court pending the determination of their trial. The

S

matter has been adjourned to May 27. The Police prosecutor related that on the day in question at around 17:30h, King along with Chan entered the store but did not leave after closing hours.

They were then seen on Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) wandering around the store and then exiting from the roof with a bulky black plastic bag.

They then entered Chan’s white Toyota Fielder wagon that was parked in front of the store. King was arrested the next morning after reporting sick for work.

Based on information received from King, Police later arrested Chan, who had $130,900 in his possession. Police are currently on the hunt for two other men allegedly involved in the break-in. Back in 2016, Chan was charged along with a teen boy after Police discovered an unlicenced gun and matching ammunition in his car. (G1)

mitted that a canal leading from the Canje River with be established which will allow for better irrigation of all far lands in that community.

“So, that you would have your own irrigation canal.

I am hoping that within a short space of time we can set up that canal for you. We are looking at other infrastructure and to work along with you for us, one of the more important sectors in our country is the agriculture sector.”

Agriculture, Mustapha said, must be seen as one of the main pillars of Guyana’s economy.

He also undertook to have engineers examine the possibility of activating a sluice and or look into the construction of a new sluice to drain a section of the community.

He outlined several interventions to be taken by the various departments of the Agriculture Ministry to ensure that those farmers get maximum benefits from the Government’s continued support to the sector.

Collaboration

Farmers also sought the intervention of the Agriculture Ministry and asked for assistance to find markets for their produce.

Some cash crop farmers, on occasions, find difficulty finding markets that offer a reasonable price for their produce.

Arrangements are now being made to have the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) work with them.

The New GMC promotes the sale and consumption of locally produced and man-

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha listening to concerns being raised by farmers (Agriculture Ministry photos)

ufactured non-traditional agricultural produce and products and supports the development of micro and small agri-businesses by providing market and marketing information on market opportunities locally, regionally and internationally.

It also provides a match-making service linking buyers and sellers and advises on the availability of produce, freight and other marketing matters.

Flood relief grants

Meanwhile, during Saturday’s meeting, farmers complained that many of them are still to benefit from Government’s flood relief grants. Some received their grants last year while others have been receiving them as the year progresses.

“Every one of you, who we promise will get your flood relief. Please bear with us but we have the list of the names of those who are still to receive and those cheques are being processed. What has happened is that people are claiming that some persons who did not qualify for the grant were given, so now we have to have out officers to do the verification. That

process has been finished and the Ministry of Finance is preparing the cheques,” Mustapha told the farmers.

According to the list which was made available, 97 cash crop farmers, 47 cattle farmers and 6 rice farmers are still to receive their flood relief grants.

The farmers also called for a new road to link CWC to the Canje River which they say will open up thousands of acres of land.

“Let us put it in order of priority and we will work with that. We will not come and impose anything on you all. We want you the residents and farmers of Crabwood Creek to tell us what you need because you all are using the infrastructure that we are building and you must know what is needed,” the Minister pointed out.

Currently, the Government is constructing a new all-purpose farmto-market road at Number 58 Village which will link the Canje River with the Corentyne River at that point. Government is seeking to open up State lands to ensure small farmers have access to it. (G4)

12 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 25,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Closed sluice door results in flooding after heavy rainfall along Corentyne …NDC claims cannot afford to pay operator

S

everal hours of continuous rainfall resulted in some Corentyne villages being flooded on Saturday and Sunday.

Among the hardest hit were Numbers 36 and 52 Villages. Both villages are situated in different Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

At Number 36 Village,

Residents of Numbers 36 and 52 Villages, Corentyne, experiencing flooding

some residents say that their entire backyards which they use for farming have been inundated.

Most of those residents utilise their backyards to cultivate vegetables which they sell at the Port Mourant market to earn a living.

Some residents had as much as seven inches in their homes after the rainfall of Saturday. Many

have reported that electrical appliances were destroyed. Some say theirs was damaged.

“This is dry weather and a little rainfall and look what happen here,” one resident said while standing in several inches of water in his living room.

“Every time you talk to the NDC about digging the drains, they saying that they don’t have machines,”

another resident told this publication.

Meanwhile, at Number

to the canal because another sluice was closed.

During a meeting with

ceived a proposal from someone requesting $20,000 to operate the

A resident points to the level at which the floodwater was in his yard

52 Village, a sluice was not opened during the rainfall which resulted in water accumulating on farmlands.

The 52-74 NDC had allegedly refused to pay the sluice operator additional sums to operate a small sluice that takes water to the main drainage canal.

As a result, even though the main sluice is opened, water from some sections of the village could not get

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Saturday, the sluice attendant told the Minister that he has not been operating that sluice since the NDC had asked another person to operate it and they were refusing to offer him additional money to operate a second sluice.

According to the Overseer of the Number 52/74 NDC, the NDC re-

sluice and since the NDC could not afford that sum, the sluice remained closed.

However, on Saturday morning the sluice was opened after residents started complaining of rising floodwaters in their cultivation area.

The NDC has promised to revisit the issue of paying an operator for the smaller sluice. (G4)

Fisherman charged for wounding tenant

A

fisherman was released on $50,000 bail for allegedly inflicting grievous bodily harm to his tenant.

Ghansham Ramrattan was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday. He pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on March 18, at Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he inflicted grievous bodily harm on Abdool Rasheed.

The court heard that the two men are known to each other since Rasheed

rents one of the accused’s properties. On the day in question, the prosecutor said that the virtual complainant came home and began using a series of expletives toward his landlord. He then picked up a brick and rushed toward his landlord who pushed the gate, causing him to fall onto the brick. As a result, Rasheed lost two of his teeth. When he got up, a fight ensued between him and Ramrattan. The injured man filed a report and following investigations, Ramrattan was arrested and prosecuted. (G1)

Charged: Ghansham Ramrattan

NEWS

13

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation to equip GPF with another computer centre

Computer centre at OTC

T

he Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation which recently handed over a newly constructed computer centre to the Wismar Police Station in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), has already identified the next area to be equipped with another centre.

On Saturday, the organisation announced that the next computer centre is set to be constructed at the Regional Headquarters, New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), which will be the sixth centre constructed by the foundation for Guyana Police Force (GPF).

This, according to Information Technology Consultant and a member of the foundation, Nardio Singh, will cement the GPF and the foundation’s almost 10 years of collaboration. “…we’re now doing the logistics works the design so I would say that probably end up in September/ October.”

There are also introductory discussions to have a similar centre in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) but these deliberations are at an infancy stage.

Singh stated that the foundation’s collaboration with the GPF started after the organisation noticed the law enforcement agency did not have the necessary technological skills and equipment that would critically be needed in the Information Technology era of the future.

“We saw that the

Members of the foundation and GPF

Guyana Police Force didn’t have the technological skills and the resources and we thought it was

members of GPF but also for the members of the community who would also receive free training there

most appropriate to forge a partnership with them.

In 2012, June, we built the first computer centre at the Felix Austin Police College in Berbice.”

“There were no computers then so it would have been difficult for the policemen and women today to have the skills if they don’t have the computer.

Not only having the computer but having the kind of high-end quality training to go with that,” he explained.

The Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation later constructed centres at the Richard Faikall Police College, Suddie, Essequibo Coast, Region Two; the GPF Officers Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown; and a Cyber centre, at the Police Headquarters, Eve Leary Georgetown.

Some of these centres are not exclusively for the

in many different areas of Information Technology.

The Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, based in the United States, has been contributing to Guyana for last 12 years and has also collaborated with the University of Guyana (UG) - Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Centre for Behavioural Science - which is currently officially called the School of Psychology, as well as the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) to equip them with a computer centre.

The IT specialist further explained that each centre is equipped with the latest in technology.

“We never short-change these centres. In fact, on this trip, also what we did is with these centres we remove all the old computers and we put in brand new computers and brand-new monitors,” he said.

“So, we’re hitting the education side, we’re hitting the religious side and we’re the Police side; all together are pillars of society,” Singh highlighted.

Meanwhile, Jay Sobhraj, one of the founding members of the foundation, explained that he just wanted to give back to his country.

“We are all Guyanese by birth of course, our roots are here so, we believe in giving to our home, our mother land Guyana…

that’s the main reason we see need, we see longevity and most importantly sustainability and we’re very particular with. We start something we maintain it to the end,” he said.

The foundation has on average has donated four and half million US dollars in initiatives like their computer centres.

“We will continue plan and keep maintaining it and keep it going but rightly as said we don’t try to

jump into 3 or 4, 5 different centres. Finish one first and when it’s up and running then we look at other areas,” Sobhraj related.

The Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation has been around for some 15 years and has also executed similar initiatives in New York, helping to better educate the Guyanese diaspora, which is in line with their motto “Education is the Great Equalizer”.

(Amar Persaud)

14 FEATURE

MONDAY, APRIL 25,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NGO providing hope, opportunity for Berbicians to obtain a skill

Participants who benefitted from a culinary skills training course

D

ozens of persons in Berbice have benefitted from practical skills training provided by the non-governmental organisation, Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc, as the body aims to change the fortunes for persons in the Ancient County by offering a skill set and a second chance to make a living.

Over the years, persons have benefitted from training provided in the areas of sewing, cooking, culinary

arts, cake-decorating, information technology and electrical installation. “We even had a doctor who enrolled in our cosmetology training because she wanted to learn that particular skill,” head of the mission, Suresh Sugrim told Guyana Times recently.

Sugrim said the body has been assisting the less fortunate in Guyana for years but he noted that while in the past the body provided funding to persons to offset

costs which have been beyond their pockets, the organisation decided that it should boost its services by providing services to persons via training sessions.

He said the vision of the Humanitarian Mission has always been to serve but he noted that that while providing handouts to those in need may change someone’s life, it does not provide an opportunity for them to move forward.

In August 2015, after

several years of construction, the training facility finally opened its doors.

Sugrim said more than 173 individuals graduated from the facility at Ankerville, Port Mourant, in 2021 and during that year the organisation upped its ante by introducing information

Nail technician course participants during a training session

have generously donated towards the worthy cause.

From the inception, persons 13 years and older have benefitted from the train-

This teenager who was awaiting her CXC results decided to enrol in the sewing training course offered by the centre

technology and hospitality training. “The persons who did not have an opportunity now have something,” he said.

Free training

Sugrim explained that while most of the training has been undertaken free of cost, the body decided to pay its trainers, who number more than 75, a small stipend since such persons were dedicating much of their time free of cost.

Noting that most of the trainers are women, Sugrim said too that the organisation survives on donations from its local and international partners and according to him, such persons

ing provided by the entity.

Participants hail from areas along the Corentyne Coast stretching as far as Skeldon and New Amsterdam In terms of future plans of the facility, Sugrim said that the organisation will be looking for individuals to undertake welding and electrical training among other fields. He said too that there are plans to undertake training sessions with persons who are not literate.

Feedback

Sugrim said that since the mission started its skills training programmes, many of the graduates have started their own businesses.

Some persons have start-

ed and have fully functional cake-decorating businesses, cosmetology, and cooking as well as sewing businesses. Some of the participants told Guyana Times that the programme offered by the Port Mourant facility has changed their lives.

Sugrim noted too that a number of females have taken up the challenge of learning trades which are not necessarily taken up by females. “We break the gender base mould whereby we have females in the electrical installation classes who are learning and getting the adequate knowledge for that field,” he said.

He noted too that while most of the participants have been females, a number of males have been enrolled in the programmes over the years. These include persons who are now barbers with businesses.

“They are now able to do something worthy,” he added. It was noted too that a medical doctor decided to enrol in the cosmetology programme several weeks ago since according to her, she wanted to learn more about that field. “Imagine I have a degree in medicine and I do not know anything about taking care of my own face and applying make-up, so this is a plus for me, it is a bonus and I have learnt a great lot,” she noted during a video presentation at the training centre recently.

According to the organisation’s Facebook page, it will empower people to achieve their fullest status of independence through life skills education. “We are passionate about helping each person to attain the lofty quality of life possible by breaking the cycle of poverty and expanding their human dignity and selfworth to improve their station of life,” the organisation states. (Alva Solomon)

NEWS

15

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Smile Train Centre resumes operations in Guyana A

fter a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Smile Train Centre has now resumed its operations at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The Centre specialises in surgical procedures that assist many children with cleft lips and palates.

A cleft lip is an opening in the upper lip, whereas a cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth.

These conditions restrict the facial structure from completely closing during a child’s development.

According to a statement released by the GPHC, many children with cleft lips and palates are unfortunately stared at, ridiculed, and at times neglected for their appearance and speech. Further, these children, who may be intellectually gifted may not be exposed to the same opportunities as their peers because of their parents’ reluctance to send them to school or expose them to

Recovery nurse Joanne Berube, Plastic Surgeon Dr Louise Laberge, Anaesthetist Dr Arturo, Plastic Surgeon Dr Shilindra Rajkumar the Smile Train Team – share a photo with one of their patients

the public.

This local Smile Train team is headed by Dr Shilindra Rajkumar and his team which includes doctors from the departments of plastic surgery,

paediatrics, maxillofacial surgery, and anaesthesia, along with a competent core team of theatre and ward nurses.

This team has restored the smiles of 31 children

5 dwellings may be relocated...

FROM PAGE 2

Physical relocation

Moreover, the EIA further outlined that in addition to physical relocation, this project would also have minor impact on land ownership and/or tenure during the construction and operations stages. This could see a change in the nature of land ownership or tenure for all or part of a property, parcel, or land use area.

Specifically, a 12.2-metre-wide permanent rightof-way (RoW) will be established for the operation and maintenance of the onshore pipeline. The land that will be used for this permanent RoW will be restricted, therefore, growing crops or construction of any structures will not be permitted there.

“The legal formation of the RoW may result in changes to existing private property boundaries and/or the details of licences, leases, permits, or other tenures related to the use of affected public lands. The RoW crosses populated areas in the vicinities of Crane, Canal 1, and Canal 2… Although the RoW will be minimal in width and largely aligned with the existing canals and drainage channels, in the absence of specific information about private properties or other land tenures, this assessment considers that the impact on land ownership and/or tenure will be of Minor significance during the Construction and Operations stages.”

Despite these resettlement issues, the EIA stat-

ed that the current pipeline route was the closest one, amongst the various alternatives considered, to the NGL site and this would require the least existing road improvements as well as the least environmental impact.

Nevertheless, it was noted that these and other potential impacts are reduced through the suite of embedded controls that will be incorporated into the project design and execution.

“These same embedded controls contribute to the lower significance ratings for the other potential impacts assessed for planned project activities. Additionally, the consultants have recommended a suite of mitigation measures to reduce potential impact significance to as low as reasonably practicable.”

EIA report

Last week, ExxonMobil – through EEPGL – submitted the EIA report to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), seeking its approval for the gas-to-shore project in which the US oil major is injecting some US$1.3 billion and wants to see the inclusion of women in the construction of the facility.

The gas-to-shore project includes the construction and operation of the pipeline from the Exxonoperated Stabroek Block offshore Guyana to the onshore NGL Plant. A second component of the project will be a power plant that will be constructed by the Guyana Government and will use

the rich gas produced to generate electricity to feed into the national grid thus potentially lowering costs and improving power efficiency in the country.

The purpose of the EIA is to provide the factual and technical basis required by the EPA to make an informed decision on EEPGL’s Application for Environmental Authorisation for the Project.

Following the receipt of the EIA earlier this week, the EPA has since given a 60-day timeline for the public to make submissions on the project.

When the EPA grants the Environmental Authorisation to EEPGL and its co-venturers in the Stabroek Block – Hess Guyana Exploration Limited and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited – construction is likely to commence soon after receiving all other approvals. In fact, the oil company is targeting August this year to start the preparation of the NGL Plant site. The entire construction process will take some three years hence rich gas is expected to be delivered onshore by the end of 2024, and the NGL Plant to be operational by mid-2025.

The gas-to-shore project, which has a 25-year lifespan, is expected to employ up to 800 workers during the peak construction stage, as well as some 40 full-time workers during the operations stage, and another 50 workers during the decommissioning stage. (G8)

through 38 cleft procedures since its inauguration in September 2019. These surgeries have been carried out on three separate surgical missions with the second and third being delayed by two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The last surgical mission which was undertaken between April 8 to 11, 2022, saw 13 patients: seven lips and six palates were operated on under the guidance of Smile Train Plastic Surgeon Louise Laberge and Anaesthesiologist Dr Richard Raker.

The Smile Train team is currently in the process of planning its fourth mission which is expected to take place in September

2022. Currently, the team is undertaking active recruitment throughout the ten administrative regions of Guyana to identify potential patients and refer them to the GPHC’s Plastic Surgery Department.

When a patient is identified, the parents/guardians are contacted and the plans for care and surgery are made and all questions by the guardians are addressed in person or via telephone for outlying regions. The parents are then provided with a contact number for the doctors in the programme so their concerns can be addressed as they arise, and patients are referred to the specialist doctors if needed.

As the surgery dates approach, patients from the hinterland who require assistance with transportation are contacted through their respective regional health services and supported by DeSinco Trading, who make all the necessary provisions for transportation, including flights, from the hinterland to the hospital.

The patient’s preparation continues with the combined efforts of the plastic surgery, paediatrics, and anaesthesia teams to ensure that the patients are optimised for surgery and receive the necessary procedures safely. However, surgeries are not the only aim of the Caribbean’s only established cleft centre, but the holistic care of the patient which caters to their developmental needs.

In this regard, three elements will be added to the programme this year including, orthodontics for implants and alignment of the teeth, speech therapy to improve the pronunciation of words for communication, and nutrition to assist with the patient’s growth and development.

Smile Train is an international charity that was established in 1999 and has a reputation for its work in 87 countries across the globe. This organisation works with the notion of “teaching a man to fish” and aims to achieve every aspect of care for children that have cleft lips and palates.

16 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 new COVID-19 cases detected in Regions 2, 4 A

mere three new COVID-19 cases were detected within a 24-hour period from some 395 tests conducted.

This now takes the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana to 63,416, according to Sunday’s updated COVID-19 dashboard.

However, only 83 of these are currently active cases including one patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 82 persons in isolation, that is, two in institutional isolation and the remaining 80 persons in home isolation.

Another 13 persons in institutional quarantine.

The COVID-19 death toll in the country remains at 1228 with the last fatality recovered since April 13 when a 76-year-old male from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) died. He was fully vaccinated.

To date, some 62,105 persons have recovered after contracting the life-threatening disease – 13 more recoveries than the figure reported the previous day.

Meanwhile, since the outbreak of the novel coro-

navirus in Guyana over two years ago, a total 591,033 tests have been conducted countrywide and of this, some 29,189 males and 34,227 females were found to be positive.

Of the three new cases recorded on Sunday, one was from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and the other two cases from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

There were no new cases in the other eight regions across the country within the reporting 24hour period.

This declining trend in COVID-19 cases has resulted in the Guyana Government last month removing most restrictions as the country moves to recover from the pandemic and return to normalcy.

But while mandates such as masking in public and social distancing are no longer in place, health authorities are still encouraging persons to get vaccinated, and for those who are qualified to get their booster shots, in order to add a layer of protection against the virus.

Latest figures show that so far, more than 439,616 or 85.7 per cent of

adults have taken a first dose and of that amount, some 338,785 or 66 per cent of persons 18 years and over are fully vaccinated.

For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, approximately 34,475 or 47.3 per cent of them have received their first dose, while some 25,217 or 34.6 per cent of them are fully immunised.

In addition, in excess of 61,347 persons have returned for their booster shots thus far.

According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recent figures, some 505,817,953 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 6,213,876 deaths.

In the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 152,265,980 while the death toll in the region has gone up to 2,717,108.

As it relates to vaccination against COVID-19, the WHO also reported that a total of 11,324,805,837 doses have been administered worldwide. (G8)

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD APRIL 24, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

3

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

2

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

80

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

1

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

13

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,227

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,189

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

63,416

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

62,088

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

2519

REGION 2

2495

REGION 3

8061

REGION 4

31,373

REGION 5

2381

REGION 6

5781

REGION 7

2423

REGION 8

887

REGION 9

4025

REGION 10

3471

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN BE SAFE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Wear a face mask.

439,616 338,785

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1228

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

Wash your hands or use handsanitizer If you have any symptoms, call the COVID-19 Hotline.

GET MEDICAL ADVICE ON COVID-19 FROM MOH 24/7 HOTLINE NUMBERS: 2311166; 226 7480; 624 6674; 624 2819; 624 3067 OR 180/181.

Businesses are “fortunate” with Guyana’s management of COVID-19 – Jaxx Director …as restaurant launches new brunch menu

K

nown for its colourful collection of mouth-watering dishes, Jaxx International Grill launched its new Brunch Menu on Saturday, with an array of options.

The idea for the new exciting menu option, according to Dachin Group of Companies Director Ryan Chin, has been

Jaxx International Grill Brunch Menu

something in the making for a long time. He said that the idea was conceptualised by himself and the managers of Jaxx International Grill, with inspiration even being drawn from their guests.

“It’s actually been something that we’ve planned for quite some time. We wanted something that would give

another dimension to Jaxx.

Breakfast is something that has been trending a lot internationally, Sundays when used to be that kind of deadish day. It’s something that we together with my other managers, ideas from even guests,” Chin said.

Chin explained that he did not just want to recre-

ate another breakfast menu – a popular trend being practiced by many international restaurants – he wanted to create something that would add to the Jaxx experience.

“We sat down, planned it, we didn't want to bring something that was just a regular breakfast, that you know, we wanted to get the experience

“We are very fortunate that the way Guyana handled the pandemic. I mean, this is just from my opinion, but it was a lot more [good] to the economy. I can actually simply talk that because I also have restaurant and business in Trinidad and it was definitely a lot more, I guess, productive here. Obviously, the beginning stages that affected everybody, they [businesses] had the immediate shutdowns, but it’s been opened up, and the restrictions that they have are still pro-business. So, business has been fairly steady in contrast to what we have in Trinidad and I think that’s been a plus. Now things fully open now, it can only build better from here,” – Dachin Group of Companies Director when you come to Jaxx. So, we didn’t just want to recreate… We wanted to really do something a little more different,” he said.

Before the execution of the Brunch Menu, Chin related that the pandemic slowed the motion of everything he had planned. Luckily, the restaurant survived, however, it is a work in progress, according to Chin.

“Of course, I mean, everything else, obviously we had plans, the pandemic kind of slowed a little bit of that progression down. It’s gotten now and better… but it’s a work in work in progress.”

Further, the Director noted that he was fortunate with respect to how the COVID-19 pandemic was handled in Guyana.

He revealed that the Jaxx International Grill in Guyana, compared to the one in Trinidad, exhibited more progress during and after the

pandemic.

“We are very fortunate that the way Guyana handled the pandemic. I mean, this is just from my opinion, but it was a lot more [good] to the economy. I can actually simply talk that because I also have restaurant and business in Trinidad and it was definitely a lot more, I guess, productive here.

Obviously, the beginning stages that affected everybody, they [businesses] had the immediate shutdowns, but it’s been opened up, and the restrictions that they have are still pro-business.

So, business has been fairly steady in contrast to what we have in Trinidad and I think that’s been a plus. Now things fully open now, it can only build better from here,” Chin revealed.

The Jaxx International Grill Brunch Menu will be available at its MovieTowne location.

NEWS

17

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fewer migrants seeking asylum in T&T – UNHCR …Venezuelans voluntarily returning to homeland

S

tatistics from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Port-of-Spain show that fewer migrants are seeking asylum in T&T. This is due to secondary movement among the migrants which means they move on to other countries where they think conditions could be better.

The UNHCR does not track cross-border movements. Its statistics are based on monthly figures for individuals who have approached its partner, Living Water Community, seeking asylum here. That data shows that from a peak of 517 individuals in April 2021, there has been a general downward trend in the numbers of people seeking asylum.

The fewest number of asylum seekers approached Living Water Community last December 2021. Since then, the numbers have gradually increased, averaging in the mid-200s in the first quarter of this year.

“While Venezuelans are the majority of people who seek asylum in Trinidad and Tobago, the figures reflected in this chart include all nationalities.

“Regionally, UNHCR has observed an increase in secondary movements (movements from the country of

asylum to another country) among refugees and asylum-seekers who are searching for security and stability, as a result of COVID-19’s socio-economic impact on prospects for local integration in host countries,” the agency said in a note to the Sunday Guardian.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives and livelihoods of refugees and migrants, especially those employed in the service and informal sectors, which were most affected by restrictions implemented to mitigate the spread of the virus.

“Now that restrictions have for the most part been lifted in T&T, UNHCR is hopeful refugees and migrants will now be able to find sustainable employment.

“UNHCR is grateful to

Afghanistan will not tolerate “invasions,” Defence Minister says

A

fghanistan's acting Defence Minister said on Sunday that the Taliban administration would not tolerate "invasions" from its neighours after protesting against airstrikes it says were conducted by neighbouring Pakistan.

The comments come after the Taliban administration blamed Pakistan for airstrikes that officials say killed dozens in Kunar and Khost provinces.

Pakistan, which has not confirmed any involvement in airstrikes inside Afghanistan's borders, said the two countries are "brotherly countries".

"We are facing problems and challenges from both the world and our neighbors, the clear example is invasion by them in our territory in Kunar," said Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, acting Afghan Defence Minister, at a ceremony in Kabul commemorating the anniversary of the death of his father, Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar.

"We can't tolerate the

invasion. We have tolerated that attack. We tolerated that because of national interests, next time we might not tolerate it," he said.

Pakistan's foreign office spokesperson said when asked for comment on Yaqoob's comments that Pakistan hoped for long-term engagement with Afghanistan to secure peace.

The Taliban administration's Foreign Ministry last week called in Pakistan's ambassador to protest against the strikes. Local officials said the strikes by Pakistan military helicopters killed 36 people.

The United Nation's children's agency head in Afghanistan said that 20 children were killed in airstrikes in Khost and Kunar on April 16.

Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August, there have been numerous standoffs along the 2600km (1615-mile) border with Pakistan - drawn by British colonial rulers and disputed by Kabul. (Excerpt from Reuters)

the Government of T&T for allowing refugees and migrants access to COVID-19 vaccinations, an important step in helping the country return to normal.

“UNHCR continues to advocate for inclusion and integration of refugees and migrants within their host communities and works closely with partners and stakeholders, including state agencies, to ensure people who are forced to flee can live in safety and with dignity.”

In recent months there has been a trend of Venezuelan migrants who had sought refuge in T&T returning to their country.

Last year there were several repatriation exercises, a joint effort between the Venezuelan and T&T governments, in which hundreds of Venezuelans voluntarily returned to their homeland.

Help for migrants

Head of Office for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Jewel Ali said while some Venezuelans are leaving the

country, others are coming in and it is difficult to give statistics for how many are currently in the country.

She said the IOM, an inter-governmental organisation, reviews legislation that affects migrants, provides training and offers services for migrants such as providing food and other basic items.

She assured that the organisation will continue to assist refugees to have a better life in this country.

“People have continued to come, some have continued to leave,” Ali said.

“I would say, as one of the agencies responding, we have been able to deliver food support. The year before last, about 70 per cent of migrants lost their jobs because of COVID and last year it was about 66 per cent. That’s significant.

“People need jobs and food. Rent is also expensive and some migrants are being underpaid. We tend to use food vouchers. Last November/December we distributed 2,000 vouchers to Trinidad and Tobago nationals and also migrants.”

Ali said the IOM, which is funded by the US Government, will continue to provide support to all nationalities.

The Living Water Community said in a statement that with the reopening of T&T’s borders there has been a general increase in the number of recently arrived migrants seeking asylum and access to its social services.

“Those returning to their countries of origin have been due largely to the rising cost of living and as such being unable to meet basic needs including food and rent.

“Many leave and return to their home countries to then transit to another country such as Guyana, Colombia and Brazil where they hope to get access to legal work opportunities and education for their children.”

Co-ordinator of the La Romaine Migrant Support Group Angie Ramnarine said she does not have exact statistics but from her observation working with migrants, the trend is that many are returning home

and then possibly moving on to other countries.

“There is a significant number wanting to go back home. Trinidad and Tobago’s economic situation is tight.

“This is more the older generation of migrants who have been here for over three years who probably earned and saved enough to go back. At the same time, we are seeing newer faces coming in so it is a fluid situation,” Ramnarine said.

Venezuelan registrations The National Security Ministry has granted an extension to December 31, 2022, of the validity of work permits for Venezuelan nationals who registered between March 8 and April 9, 2021.

Permits were granted to 16,523 Venezuelans in May 2019. In August 2020, they were extended until December of that year as a result of the pandemic.

In January 2021, a second six-month extension and re-registration were announced. More than 13,800 Venezuelans re-registered in 2021. (T&T Guardian)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

Regional

Caribbean reaffirms Escazú Thousands of farmers stage antiAgreement as fundamental tax protest in Argentine capital tool for healthy environment T

T

he Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) says the 12 States party to the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean — known as the Escazú Agreement — as well as observer countries who participated in the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 1) have approved of a political declaration reaffirming the treaty as a driving force for sustainable development.

ECLAC said delegates also reaffirmed the treaty as “a crucial governance tool for the development of better public policies in the Region, with a view to ensuring a healthy environment for present and future generations”.

In total, ECLAC said more than 780 delegates from countries, international and regional organisations,

ECLAC said delegates also reaffirmed the treaty as “a crucial governance tool for the development of better public policies in the Region

panellists and civil society representatives participated, either in person or virtually, over the three days of the meeting (from April 20-22).

More than 290 people also followed each day of the live broadcast over different channels, ECLAC said.

It said the final day of the COP 1 of the Escazú Agreement included a high-level segment in celebration of the first anniversary of the treaty’s entry into force

and International Mother Earth Day, both celebrated on April 22, moderated by Mario Cimoli, ECLAC’s acting Executive Secretary.

In his opening remarks, Cimoli underscored that commemorating International Mother Earth Day in the context of COP 1 of Escazú is “a particular moment, a unique time to debate, look back at history and see how we can improve”.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Low morning turnout for PNM Tobago internal election

A

s of 11:00h on Sunday, just 107 People’s National Movement (PNM) Tobago Council members turned out to cast their ballots in the party’s internal elections on Sunday.

Sources told Newsday the Canaan Multipurpose Facility registered the highest number of voters at that time – 47.

It was followed by Bishop’s High School with 18 voters, Mt Grace Community Centre with 16 and Roxborough Anglican School, 11.

Hope Anglican School had

13 voters while Parlatuvier Multipurpose Facility had just two.

Polling stations were opened at 08:00h and were expected to close at 18:00h.

The party is in rebuilding mode after a 14-1 defeat in the THA elections four months ago.

At the last PNM internal elections in January 2020, approximately 5000 members voted in a four-way battle for leadership.

Former Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis is unopposed for leadership in this election.

Meanwhile, PNM PRO candidate Shomari Hector was involved in a car accident along Milford Road, Bon Accord, Tobago, on Sunday morning.

Hector is one of 12 candidates unopposed in the party’s internal election on Sunday. It is unclear whether he was able to vote prior to the accident.

Details are sketchy, but Hector is said to be in stable condition at the Scarborough General Hospital. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Vincentian activist calls for reparations

T

he St Vincent and the Grenadines Government Saturday gave a red-carpet welcome to two members of the Britain’s royal family, but a small group of protesters registered their objection to the visit and instead called for reparation for African slavery.

At the Argyle International Airport, Prince Edward, 58, and his wife, Sophie, 57, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, were greeted by acting Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel, as Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves is off island undergoing medical attention in Venezuela.

Governor General, Dame Susan Dougan, who is the Queen’s Representative, as well as Opposition Leader Godwin Friday, other Government and Opposition lawmakers were also present at the airport as steel band music welcomed the royals whose visit to the Commonwealth Caribbean forms part of the

activities marking Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, 70 years on the throne.

But the pomp and ceremony was overshadowed by a small group of protesters calling on Britain to apologise for its role in the African slave trade as well as to pay compensation.

“The African holocaust is one of the greatest holocausts, if not the greatest holocaust,” Ideisha Jackson, 47, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) She said that while some

people might not agree, “we know what our forefathers went through; it’s in our DNA. “We feel their pain and every time I talk about African brothers and sisters who had to struggle for survival in these ships and work for many years — 400 years of slavery — and still up to this day, we are not compensated.”

Jackson noted that at the end of the slave trade, it was the slave masters, rather than the slaves who were compensated.

(Excerpt from CMC)

housands of Argentine farmers protested in Buenos Aires on Saturday against President Alberto Fernandez, whose policies to contain food prices to curb rampant inflation have been criticised by the agricultural sector.

Argentina is one of the world’s top food exporters and the sector is key to Latin America’s third-largest economy.

Protesters waved Argentinian flags and rode tractors onto a road in front of the Casa Rosada presidential palace in the capital. It is rare for farmers to protest in Buenos Aires, as they usually hold

such demonstrations in rural areas.

Fernandez has intervened in the grains and meat sector, at one point limiting how much meat producers could export in order to prioritise domestic supply.

Protesters held signs reading: “We pay for roads but instead get swamps” and “lower the taxes”.

They also issued their demands for a reduction in taxes in a letter to the Government that was read at the protest and later provided to the media.

“We have a simple demand: we are no longer willing to fund the rope that is being used to choke

us,” the letter read.

The protest was not organised by a specific organisation.

Taxes rose under former President Mauricio Macri, a conservative, and have continued to rise under Fernandez, a leftist. A 12 per cent tax is levied on wheat and corn exports, which rises to 33 per cent in the case of soy, flour and cooking oil exports.

Argentina has battled extremely high inflation for years – it hovered around 50 per cent in 2021 – making food policy a particularly delicate task for the Government. (Excerpt from Reuters)

SKNLP calls for fresh elections

T

he General Directorate of the National Office of Civil Aviation (OFNAC) in Haiti has banned all private aircraft from flying as the investigation continues into Wednesday’s crash of a small plane on a road that killed at least five people and injured several others.

The OFNAC said it was advising owners and users of private aircraft that they are prohibited from flying until further notice, giving no indication as to how long the ban would be in effect.

The investigation comes amidst media reports that the Cesna 207 with the registration HH-FAH that crashed on a street in Carrefour on Wednesday, was operating illegally.

Media reports quote OFNAC Director, Laurent Joseph Dumas, as saying that the private plane which regularly provided the Port-au-Prince to Jacmel connection had been operating without a

SKNLP Leader, Dr Terrance Drew

permit to carry out commercial flights.

The plane had taken off from Port-au-Prince at 3:44 pm (local time) bound for Jacmel, but it developed engine trouble and the pilot made a distress call 20 minutes into the flight.

The pilot, Amado R Gutierres, a foreign national, survived the crash but died at the Diquini hospital. The plane crash also resulted in the death of a motorcycle taxi driver and seriously injured

five people after it struck a bus.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry has said he was “deeply saddened” at the accident and extended “sympathies to the families of the victims.

“I have instructed the competent authorities, in particular OFNAC, to immediately launch an investigation to determine the causes of this tragic accident which is mourning the entire country,” he added. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Pressure on CXC to push back exams

A

s the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) holds firm in its decision to execute May-June examinations from next week, more pressure is being placed on it to push them back.

The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT); Caribbean Coalition for Exam Redress; Barbados National Council of ParentTeacher Associations (BNCPTA); and Minister of Education in Jamaica,

Fayval Williams have called on the regional body to be flexible and postpone Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) tests as students were “ill-prepared”.

According to the Jamaica Information Service, Williams even called for an urgent meeting with the Chairwoman of Caricom’s Council

for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), who is Barbados’ Minister of Education, Kay McConney.

The request came after Jamaica’s National Secondary Students’ Council conducted a survey between February 23 and March 8 which revealed that out of the 2812 students surveyed, 1754 said they needed additional time to prepare for the exams. (Nation News)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Chinese oil demand set for 1.2 million bpd plunge in April

O

il demand in the world’s top crude oil importer, China, is expected to decline by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in April from a year ago—the largest hit to demand since the Wuhan lockdowns at the beginning of the pandemic, Bloomberg reported on Friday, quoting sources with inside knowledge of the Chinese energy industry.

China’s gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel demand is set for a 20 per cent plunge this month compared to the consumption in April 2021, Bloomberg’s sources say, as authorities continue to pursue a “zero COVID” policy imposing strict lockdowns, including one that has been going for weeks for 26 million residents in the financial center Shanghai.

Gasoline demand is expected to be hit the worst, as millions of people are confined to their homes, while agricultural activities are partly offsetting the drop in diesel demand that comes from reduced trucking industry demand.

Mostly because of the Shanghai lockdown, demand for gasoline in eastern China has already plummeted by some 40 per cent so far in April, Chinese oil executives told Bloomberg.

Shanghai authorities announced on Friday that they would tighten the already severe restrictions, including placing electronic door alarms to prevent COVID-infected people from leaving and evacuating people to disinfect their homes.

China’s refiners are expected to lower their refinery runs in April at the biggest scale – by 900,000 bpd – since the beginning of the pandemic as new COVID-related lockdowns weigh on fuel consumption.

Last week, both OPEC and the International Energy Agency (IEA) cited weakened Chinese demand as a key factor – alongside the Russian war in Ukraine – in their reduced forecasts of global oil demand.

Oil demand is expected to average 99.4 million bpd this year, the IEA said, cutting its 2022 demand outlook by 260,000 bpd to reflect the return of severe lockdowns in China. OPEC also slashed its oil demand growth estimate for 2022 by nearly 500,000 bpd on the back of lower expected global economic growth with the Russian war in Ukraine and the return of COVID lockdowns in China. (Excerpt from Oilprice. com)

EU chief to seek closer military, trade and tech ties on India visit

T

he European Union's chief executive will seek to increase sales of European military equipment to India and relaunch talks on a free trade deal when she meets India's Prime Minister in New Delhi today, a senior EU official said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's visit is part of Western efforts to encourage India to reduce its ties to Russia after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, and follows a trip last week by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

"There are a whole host of Western leaders reaching out to India right now to see what alternatives we can provide," the senior EU official said.

"The key is that we want to bring forward this relationship, work on technology together and bring India into our camp, that's the main message of our visit," the of-

ficial said.

Von der Leyen arrived in India on Sunday for a twoday official visit, her first as President of European Commission.

India has not explicitly condemned the Feb 24 invasion

by Russia, its biggest supplier of military hardware.

Von der Leyen aims to agree with India's premier, Narendra Modi, to set up a new trade and technology council similar to an EU-US model, which could discuss digital privacy, regulation of technology companies and social media platform supervision, the senior EU official said.

India, the world's second-most populous country with nearly 1.4 billion people, is seen by the EU as a crucial ally to help manage China's rise from a benign trading partner to a rival power with a growing military presence.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Orthodox Easter celebration marred by war and division in Ukraine

W

aiting for a priest to give an Easter blessing at St Michael’s Monastery, a golden-domed cathedral with sky-blue walls in central Kyiv, Olha Liforenko had some thoughts about Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“When I look at Putin, I don’t see a human. I see nothing but dead meat,” the 75-year-old said.

Facing drizzling rain and gusts of frigid wind, the red-haired Liforenko waited patiently with a friend on Saturday for a priest to bless the Easter eggs and homemade sweet cakes she had brought to this place of worship ahead of Orthodox Easter.

Their conversation at the church turned to the horrors of the Russian invasion, particularly shelling

Believers near the St Michael’s Monastery in Kyiv

in Obolon, a northern district of Kyiv – and their sentiments echoed those of Ukraine’s Orthodox Church leader, Metropolitan Epiphanius.

On Sunday – the day that Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter – the war in Ukraine entered its third month.

At 43 years old, Epiphanius is one of the

youngest leaders of one of the world’s youngest churches – the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

Kyiv’s centuries-old ecclesiastical subjugation to the Orthodox Patriarchy of Moscow was ended by the Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew, when Epiphanius was elected in 2018 as primate of the independent church of Ukraine.

But the emergence of a new church, independent of the Moscow patriarchy, has also deepened the religious divide in Ukraine.

Ukrainian intelligence previously summoned some of the pro-Moscow priests for questioning, and their names and personal information were featured in Myrotvorets (or Peacemaker), a Ukrainian website that has close ties to law enforcement agencies and hackers and that publishes an online dossier of thousands of pro-Moscow figures in Ukraine.

Russia’s war on Ukraine has only further antagonised the divided clergy.

Ukrainian clerics have also called on their followers to stay away from pro-Moscow Orthodox churches. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

France's Macron wins re-election, Shanghai: Green fences baffle locked down residents dodges political earthquake

Green fences seal entrances to shops and housing units on a Shanghai street

A

uthorities battling Shanghai's latest COVID outbreak have installed fences to restrict the population's movement.

Green barriers have appeared without warning outside buildings where those inside are forbidden from leaving.

One resident told the BBC a green fence appeared inside his locked-up compound three days ago without any explanation.

For weeks Shanghai's 25 million-strong population has been shut in their homes while officials try to contain the city's worst COVID surge to date.

Images of workers in white hazmat suits sealing entrances to the city's housing blocks and closing off streets with green fencing have spread in recent days on Chinese social media.

Many of the fences, which are around two-metres tall, were installed around buildings designated as "sealed areas" where at least one person has tested positive for COVID-19.

Everyone living inside a

"sealed area" is forbidden from setting foot outside their homes whether or not they have the virus.

It was not immediately clear why officials have began constructing the fences.

A notice dated April 23 from one local authority being shared online said it was imposing "hard quarantine" in some areas.

While some city officials have been installing fences, others have been busy trying to block a popular video highlighting the impact of the city's lockdown on its residents.

The six-minute montage features unverified audio clips of the local population criticising inadequate food supplies and complaining about medical conditions.

"We haven't eaten for days now," one person can be heard pleading in the video.

Public criticism of Government policies is rare in China, but in the past few weeks some Shanghai residents have posted complaints on social media sites. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Supporters of French President Emmanuel Macron, candidate for his re-election, react after results were announced in the second round vote of the 2022 French presidential election, near Eiffel Tower, at the Champs de Mars in Paris, France April 24, 2022

F

rench President Emmanuel Macron defeated his far-right rival Marine Le Pen on Sunday by a comfortable margin, securing a second term and heading off what would have been a political earthquake.

Cheers of joy erupted as the results appeared on a giant screen at the Champ de Mars park at the foot of the Eiffel tower, where Macron supporters waved French and EU flags. People hugged each other, danced and chanted "Macron!".

European leaders also welcomed the news that pro-European Union Macron and not nationalist eurosceptic Le Pen had won.

Pollsters projected Macron securing around 58.5 per cent of the vote.

Such estimates are normally accurate but may be fine-tuned as official results come in.

Le Pen, who at one stage of the campaign had trailed Macron by just a few points in opinion polls, quickly admitted defeat but vowed to

keep up the fight, with parliamentary elections looming in June.

"I will never abandon the French," she said to supporters chanting "Marine!

Marine!"

Macron can expect little to no grace period after many, especially on the left, only voted for him reluctantly to block the far-right from winning. Protests that marred part of his first mandate could erupt again quite quickly, as he tries to press on with pro-business reforms.

The nature of Macron's second term will be heavily influenced by the outcome of parliamentary elections in June.

Sunday's victory for Macron was immediately hailed by allies as a reprieve for mainstream politics that have been rocked in recent years by Britain's exit from the European Union, the 2016 election of Donald Trump and the rise of a new generation of nationalist leaders. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

(March 21-April 19)

Tidy up loose ends. Don't give anyone a chance to disrupt your plans.

Maintain focus and keep your goals simple. Don't put your money or health at risk. Patience will pave the way to success.

Share your story while accommodating others. Participation will encourage you to explore options that haven't been available in the past. Step into the future with optimism and courage.

DILBERT

(April 20-May 20) Do it yourself if you want something done. Counting on others will lead to disappointment and anger. Avoid competitions with people who don't play fair.

Practice moderation and honesty.

(May 21-June 20) Display what you have to offer.

Diversity and spontaneity will attract attention and support. An investment or joint venture looks promising. Greater opportunity is heading your way.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

You'll be tempted to follow someone's lead, but you must first consider the ramifications. A disciplined attitude will help you stay on track and minimize loss. Hard work will pay off.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Keep an open mind. You'll receive information that can change how you live.

Discuss your thoughts and intentions with someone close, and you'll come up with an acceptable plan.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Concentrate on what you are trying to achieve. Refuse to let others' actions slow you down or cost you mentally or financially. Pay attention to living expenses and time-sensitive payments.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) You'll understand what others want if you step back and look at the big picture. Think outside the box to come up with an innovative plan. Personal gain is apparent. You can solve problems today.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

You'll face opposition if you are stubborn or overbearing. Work behind closed doors so you can complete your tasks without interference. Avoid manipulation.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Rethink your long-term plan and adjust your course of action. Bring about a change at home that will improve your relationships with loved ones and make your surroundings more convenient.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Plod along until you get the results you want. Put your heart and soul into something meaningful, and you'll gain a new perspective. Don't feel obligated to follow in someone's footsteps.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Don't show your emotions when dealing with colleagues or competitors.

Know what others expect of you and stay ahead of any deadlines you face.

Refuse to let sensitive issues throw you off guard.

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

21

KL Rahul slams another century as Mumbai lose eighth match

T

Krunal Pandya kisses Kieron Pollard after dismissing him

he Mumbai Indians batting line-up fizzled out yet again to slump to their eighth straight loss of the season. The only team still without a win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 was chasing 169 on their home ground, Wankhede Stadium, after a lion-hearted KL Rahul century. On a ground with short boundaries, dew in the evening and strong crowd support, 169 was gettable.

Mumbai have chased down bigger targets in far-less friendly conditions.

But such as it has been this year, Mumbai slipped from 49 for 0 to 67 for 4 and once their top four was back with dejected looks in the dressing room, all their hopes rested on Kieron Pollard again. They needed nearly two runs a ball – 102 off 52 – when he walked out, and even though Tilak Varma showed signs of becoming a future star with his 38 off 27, the asking rate kept soaring and Mumbai fell short by 36 runs.

Is that you, Mumbai?

For some time it looked like Super Giants had swapped their shirts with Mumbai. The hosts' bowlers had turned up with a performance we had barely seen in the tournament so far and the Super Giants batters were barely able to score. Rohit bravely gave the second over to rookie Hrithik

fell for low scores while trying to collect late runs.

All this while, Rahul did what no Mumbai batter could – bat deep. He moved to 29 off 30 balls before taking off against the fast bowlers, especially when

Rahul collected three fours backto-back off Unadkat to race to 94 and then belted Meredith for two sixes in the last over for his 61-ball century, which was his second of the season, third against Mumbai and fourth in all

over.

It brought together Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma at 58 for 3 but two overs later, Rahul gave the ball to Badoni who had never bowled in a T20 before. His second ball brought him the big wicket of Suryakumar, who mistimed a whip to cover and neither Rahul, who took the catch, nor the Wankhede crowd could believe what had unfolded.

Pollard and Tilak stitched a stand of 57 in which Tilak took on Bishnoi for big sixes and Holder for backto-back fours, but once Lucknow got the better of Mumbai again

If not for the back-to-back fours that Rahul crunched in the third over off Daniel Sams, Super Giants may not even have reached the 32 for 1 that they did at the end of the field restrictions.

Rahul's stellar form v Mumbai continues Single-handedly, he lifted the run rate over six after the powerplay. Single-handedly, he kept picking boundaries to not let the run rate drop below seven, even though wickets fell around

they pitched it short. He started with a six over midwicket off an Unadkat slower ball. Then came back-to-back fours – a pull and a cut – against Meredith. Even Bumrah struggled to stop him - which is actually par for the course in the IPL – as Rahul sped away to a 37-ball fifty.

Super Giants' biggest over was the 13th, bowled by Sams, which saw two sixes from Rahul

IPL cricket.

He finished unbeaten on 103, being in control for 85 per cent of his shots and even though he had to score over 61 per cent of Super Giants' runs on his own, it eventually proved to be enough.

That is you, Mumbai ESPNcricinfo's predictor gave Mumbai a near 50 per cent chance of chasing down 169. But

Pollard got two wickets with the ball

KL Rahul showed his class again

Shokeen, whose flat offbreaks conceded just four runs, Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Quinton de Kock for 10 on the very next ball after seeing him get a life at deep backward square leg, and Riley Meredith and Jaydev Unadkat stifled Rahul and the number three Manish Pandey.

KL Rahul slammed his second century against Mumbai this season

him.

And single-handedly, he chaperoned his team to a competitive total.

Pandey fell for a run-a-ball 22, Marcus Stoinis came out at number four but found deep midwicket for a duck, Krunal Pandya was done for 1 by a cutter from Pollard, and Deepak Hooda and Ayush Badoni also

and five wides as well, but Sams also got the big wicket of Stoinis with a slower one.

Krunal fell two balls later when Rohit slipped in two quiet overs of Pollard's cutters but Rahul was unfazed. From 126 for 5 after 16 overs, he went after Bumrah again by waiting deep in the crease for the yorkers, collecting two fours, one over point and the other through cover.

Bumrah bowled an impeccable 19th over, hitting the blockhole consistently, but

Ishan Kishan unusually defended his way to 3 off 12 and eventually fell for 8 off 20 when he bottomedged Ravi Bishnoi to de Kock's boot and the ball lobbed to Jason Holder at slip.

Rohit did the bulk of the scoring early on and took Mumbai to a steady 43 for 0 after the powerplay but they slipped suddenly when Dewald Brevis found third man off leftarm quick Mohsin Khan for 3 and Rohit went for a wild slog sweep against Krunal for a simple catch to short third man in the next

he mistimed Holder to deep midwicket, Mumbai's chances fell further. They needed 44 from 12, Pollard was on a run-a-ball 17, and Dushmantha Chameera's 19th over full of wide yorkers for just five runs pretty much sealed the match. (ESPNcricinfo)

Rohit Sharma is having a poor campaign as skipper

SCOREBOARD LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS INNINGS (20 overs maximum) Quinton de Kock † c Sharma b Bumrah 10 KL Rahul (c) not out 103 Manish Pandey c Meredith b Pollard 22 Marcus Stoinis c Tilak Varma b Sams 0 Krunal Pandya c Shokeen b Pollard 1 Deepak Hooda c Brevis b Meredith 10 Ayush Badoni c Pollard b Meredith 14 Jason Holder not out 0 Extras(lb 2, w 6) 8 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.40) 168/6 Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Quinton de Kock, 3.6 ov), 2-85 (Manish Pandey, 11.5 ov), 3-102 (Marcus Stoinis, 12.5 ov), 4-103 (Krunal Pandya, 13.1 ov), 5-121 (Deepak Hooda, 15.3 ov), 6-168 (Ayush Badoni, 19.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Daniel Sams 4-0-40-1 Hrithik Shokeen 2-0-11-0 Jasprit Bumrah 4-0-31-1 Riley Meredith 4-0-40-2 Jaydev Unadkat 4-0-36-0 Kieron Pollard 2-0-8-2 MUMBAI INDIANS INNINGS (Target: 169 runs from 20 overs) Ishan Kishan † c Holder

b Ravi Bishnoi 8 Rohit Sharma (c) c sub (K Gowtham) b Pandya 39 Dewald Brevis c Chameera b Mohsin Khan 3 Suryakumar Yadav c Rahul b Badoni 7 Tilak Varma c Ravi Bishnoi b Holder 38 Kieron Pollard c Hooda b Pandya 19 Daniel Sams c Ravi Bishnoi b Pandya 3 Jaydev Unadkat run out (Holder/Pandya) 1 Hrithik Shokeen not out 0 Jasprit Bumrah not out 0 Extras(lb 2, w 12) 14 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 6.60) 132/8 Fall of wickets: 1-49 (Ishan Kishan, 7.1 ov), 2-54 (Dewald Brevis, 8.3 ov), 3-58 (Rohit Sharma, 9.4 ov), 4-67 (Suryakumar Yadav, 11.2 ov), 5-124 (Tilak Varma, 17.5 ov), 6-131 (Kieron Pollard, 19.1 ov), 7-132 (Jaydev Unadkat, 19.3 ov), 8-132 (Daniel Sams, 19.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohsin Khan 4-0-27-1 Dushmantha Chameera 4-0-14-0 Jason Holder 4-0-36-1 Krunal Pandya 4-0-19-3 Ravi Bishnoi 3-0-28-1 Ayush Badoni 1-0-6-1

22

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Legendary cricketers inspire Berbice youths on historic weekend

From left: Dr Desmond Haynes, Roland Butcher, Sir Andy Roberts, and Jimmy Adams Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), over the weekend, hosted legendary cricketers Dr Desmond Haynes, Sir Andy Roberts, Jimmy Adams, and Roland Butcher.

The hosting of these legends was hailed as a success for many, and the former players credited BCB President Hilbert Foster for his work in the Ancient County.

Sir Andy and Butcher conducted three-day cricket clinics at Albion, while Adams and Dr Haynes inspired and interacted with cricketers and parents present at Albion on Saturday. All four of the legends were present at the BCB awards ceremony that saw a host of cricketers and personnel being recognised for their outstanding services.

Speaking at Albion on Saturday, Adams, who is the

Director of Cricket at Cricket West Indies (CWI), shared his journey in cricket, and spoke about his method and hunger for batting over long periods.

Further, he emphasised the importance of reading.

"You can't bat for two hours in a match and train for two hours, you have to put in extra work," Adams said.

The Jamaican, who played 54 Tests and averaged 41, noted that the selection process for the emerging players camp has not yet begun. "The selection process has not started yet; we are hoping that in the next few weeks, we will get that process completed and get that information through to the territory," Adams said.

He also spoke about Kieron Pollard's recent retirement: "I can only speak as the Director of Cricket. I was a bit surprised that he was choosing to retire now, but having that conversation with him, I totally understand his reason. Like

most people in the Caribbean I wish him all the very best in whatever venture he goes into and for as much cricket he has left in him, I wish him all the success."

Meanwhile, Dr Haynes, who is the current Lead Selector of the West Indies Men's team, charged the youngsters present at Albion to work hard to achieve success. Dr Haynes scored two centuries at Albion and was regarded as arguably the best opening batsman.

"Kraigg Brathwaite has in his house a net, where he used to get guys bowl at him, and then he get a bowling machine and then we used to put a bed, so there will be no noise to disturb the neighbour. He may not be the most attractive batsman, but look at the commitment, look at someone that was determined to be the best that he can be," Dr Haynes disclosed.

"We all want success, but

Shepherd, Campbelle named BCB players of the year

W

All the awardees at the BCB ceremony

est Indies players Shemaine Campbelle and Romario Shepherd won top honours at the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) awards ceremony held Sunday afternoon at the St Francis Community Developers Hall in Rose Hall Town.

Campbelle, who scored two half-centuries at the recent International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's World Cup was recognised and awarded as the top female player in Berbice while Shepherd, who had good showings for the West Indies, was named the best male player.

Shepherd's wife, Terencia Shepherd received the award

on behalf of her husband. This ceremony was special, with four former international players present, each of them legends in their own right – Sir Andy Roberts, Dr Desmond Haynes, Jimmy Adams, and Roland Butcher.

All the Berbician players who represented West Indies at the junior, female and senior levels were also given awards.

Other Berbician players and officials that received awards were Rampertab Ramnauth, Jaimee Campbell, Adrian Hetmyer, Trisha Hardat, Christopher Deeroop, Ashmini Munisar, Winston Smith, Ingram Johnson, Isai

Thorne, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Kevin Sinclair, Roshan Gaffor, Jaipaul Heeralall, Julian Moore, Leslie Solomon, Vemen Walters, Sydney Jackman, Dennis D’ Andrade, Omarnauth Outar, Ravindranauth Kissonlall, and Keith Hicks.

Cricket clubs were also rewarded. Representatives of Albion, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Canje, Cotton Tree Cricket Club, Port Mourant Cricket Club, D’ Edward Cricket Club, Upper Corentyne -- No 72 Cut and Load, and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club were also honoured.

Berbice cricketers and parents paying attention to the legends

we want it too easy. We don't intend to work at it. The reason Sir Andy is here trying to make sure he can get more fast bowlers. Young people’s mentality today is that fast bowling is hard work. A lot of people don't want that hard

work. Look at India, they are producing some fast bowlers big as Jimmy, and these guys are bowling fast. So, it must be something they are doing, or the love for the sport, or their personal development they are interested in them-

selves to get better, that they are becoming a force to reckon with," Dr Haynes said.

The four legendary cricketers also engaged with cricket coaches and administrators in the Ancient County.

Fraser-Pryce targeting 10.5, possibly 100m world record this season R e-stating her intentions to prolong her career until the 2024 Games in Paris, two-time Olympic 100m gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is targeting 10.5, perhaps 10.4 seconds in the blue-ribbon sprint.

The 35-year-old FraserPryce revealed her revised objectives after coasting to a second-place finish over 200m at the Velocity Fest meeting at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday evening. The 2013 200m world champion ran 22.79 after easing down 50m from the finish line in the race won

by Bahamian Athonique Strachan in 22.55.

“The aim was to come out here today and get a run in. I haven’t raced in a while, so I was definitely good to come and get a good run,” said the fourtime 100m world champion before revealing what her new goals are, having achieved one of her goals of running 10.60 last season.

“10.6 after having that season l a s t year

has definitely opened a new door for me in terms of the dreams and the goals I am chasing this season. I am looking forward to running 10.5 and possibly 10.4, so that’s the aim and I think I am on my way to doing that, I just have to continue to trust that God will give me the strength, trust the Coach and just continue to put in the work,” she said.

Fraser-Pryce added her training has been going well, especially now that her training group at Elite Performance has grown over the past season with like-minded athletes Olympian Julian Forte and Rushell Clayton and the 2019 World Championship 400m hurdles bronze medallist among others.

“It’s good. It’s good to have training partners that have a similar mindset in terms of the work and what is required to be successful. To have teammates like those, you come to training in the morning, you’re feeling a little down or something

is not happening, the work ethic also motivates you to put that work in. The vibe is good, the environment is good.

“It’s a great group and I am really in an expectant mood for them as clubmates.”

CLASSIFIED ADS ACCOMMODATIONS Aracari Hotel, West Bank Demerara (Versailles – between Harbor Bridge and Vreed-en-Hoop) – AirConditioned Comfort. Amenities include TV, Restaurant, Bar, Swimming Pool, Gym. Free Parking, Free WiFi. Spend 7 nights and get 1 Free. Rates from $45 US. Breakfast included. Long term rates available. Phone: 264-2946-9. www. aracariresort.com

BUS SERVICE Need a bus? Call Us. Matthews Bus Service and Tours. Call: 6392663/673-2348.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES Restaurant for Rent – West Bank Demerara (at Aracari Resort, Versailles – between Harbor Bridge and Vreed-en-Hoop). Turn Key Business. Covid-19 Reduced Capacity 60; furnished and equipped.

Phone 264-2946; 626-5290

ENTERTAINMENT Swimming Pool Family Fun & Picnic – Crystal Clear Pool. Kids and Adult Sections. Very Safe. Aracari Resort : West Bank Demerara (Versailles, between Harbor Bridge and Vreeden-Hoop)- Every Weekend. DJ Music.

Groups and Excursions welcome.

(Fee applies)- Phone: 264-2946-9.

TOURS Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce cruising to 22.79 at the Velocity Fest meeting at the National Stadium in Kingston

Independence Weekend, May 26th – 29th. Call: 639-2663/673-2348.

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

W

President Irfaan Ali interacting with boxing fans

atched by Head of State, Dr Irfaan Ali; a host of Government Ministers and boxing enthusiasts, Guyanese boxer Elton Dharry won the WBC Super Flyweight International title at the “Road to Redemption” boxing event held at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Dharry, a US-based fighter, fought Panamanian boxer Orlando Penalba

Elton Dharry in full flow

Down but not out. Dharry bruised but not beaten

and won the feature clash, while Guyanese boxer Dexter “The Kid” Marques fought Panamanian boxer Gilberto Pedroza, and

23

lost the WBC Flyweight International Silver belt.

In the main event, the judges’ scores read 97-92, 94-93, 99-92 in favour of

Dharry. Before the fights began, President Ali mingled and interacted with fans and spectators gathered at the venue.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd; Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr; Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton; other Government officials and members of the diplomatic community joined the Head of State at the matches.

Gilberto Pedroza upon arrival

Dexter “The Kid” Marques lost to Pedroza

Organisers express gratitude Ricardo Narine is new to sponsors of recent Easter national junior chess champion Sunday horse race

I

Ricardo Narine v Ethan Lee in the play-off match

Flashback: The winning moment for Santa Cruz Lady

T

he Easter Sunday horse race meet was a success story.

Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, that event marked the return of horse racing after two years, and thousands of supporters were present at the event, which saw Santa Cruz Lady of Jagdeo Racing Stables winning top honours.

A host of sponsors made this event possible, and the organisers expressed gratitude towards these donors. The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo); businessman Fazal Habibulla; Banks DIH; Kascon Engineering; A Sawh Mechanic Shop; Sandeep Poultry Farm; Sunil Poultry Supply; Jumbo Jet Auto Sales; AJM; K Jagdeo Contractors and Sunil Pet Shop were the sponsors of the event.

What happened at the event The recent race meet took place under sweltering sunshine, with the feature event, which was the G Class and Lower, being won by Santa Cruz Lady of Jagdeo Racing Stables to

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh along with the winners of the feature event and sponsors

clinch the $300,000 cash prize and trophy that was donated

by Banks DIH and presented by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh.

Earlier, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha was on the ground.

The pre-race favourite, Golden Dancer of Karibee Racing Stables ran out of gas as Goodwill Boy, another horse from Jagdeo Racing Stables, finished ahead.

The first race of the day, which was the L Class and Lower category, saw Red Star walking away with the first prize of $120,000 that was donated

by Kascon Engineering and the trophy from Sunil Pet Shop.

In the second race of the day, the Class non-Starter saw the pre-race favourite, Charandass living up to expectations, with a crushing win against Skittles,

Big A, and Cat Eye in that order.

Charandass picked up the $120,000 first-place prize that was donated by Anil Sawh and the trophy from Brian Ramsaywack and Family of Number 56 Village.

In race three, which was the three-year-old Guyana Bred horses event, Maximus walked away with the $160,000 cash price and trophy that was donated by Habibulla Farm and Butchery. Glamorous Star and Blazing Royalty were the other finishers in the top three.

Meanwhile, in race four, which was the four-year-old Guyana Bred horses event, Trump finished first and was awarded the GuySuCo trophy and $160,000 from AJM Enterprise and Jumbo Jet. Candy Boy came second in that race, while He’s a Prince came third.

t was a tense play-off on Saturday, April 23, between title contenders Ethan Lee and Ricardo Narine, with each young player eager to take home the victory.

After a nine-round junior championship battle, Lee and Narine were tied in the top position at 6.5 points each. This meant the duo had to go on to a play-off for the title. Lee has been playing chess for over a decade while Narine has been in the sport for approximately seven years, and neither of them held a national title prior to this year.

Narine is a former Queen’s College student, who now attends the University of Guyana pursuing a degree in Computer Science. Lee is a former student of Marian Academy, who is currently enrolled with the GOAL scholarship programme pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering. It was an intense back-and-forth over the board at the decisive play-off event, with neither player ready to concede the title without a fight. By random selection, 17-year-old Narine was placed on the white pieces against

19-year-old Lee on black in a 15-minute rapid match.

Lee is well-known for dominating longer formats of the game and demonstrated this by winning the match against Narine. “I feel that my performance overall was good,” said Narine after the match. “However, in the first game (15-minute rapid), I felt that I made a few inaccuracies which Ethan capitalised on.”

When they went on to the 10-minute match with Lee now on the white pieces, Narine won bringing the points to a draw. “In the second game, I felt that the opening surprised Ethan which assisted me in gaining a winning position,” said Narine.

This brought them into the third and final game of win minutes where Narine won the match and the title.

“In the final game, I corrected the inaccuracies made in the first match and came through with the win.

The time controls really helped with the overall outcome of the play-offs. Ethan put up an excellent fight, making it all the more satisfying,” the new champ said.

It has been a major life goal for Narine to win a Junior National Title since he first started playing chess competitively.

After a few close calls with defeat over the last two weeks, Narine has emerged victorious.

“After my losses against Keron (Sandiford)and Kyle(Couchman), I thought that I was in for a rough tournamentbut I pulled it together at the end and managed to come back. However, after the first play-off game I felt really nervous about losing 2-0.

“But I pulled it together in the end and managed to reverse sweep.”

The play-off format consisted of three games p— a 15-minute game, a 10-minute game and a 5-minute game, where two best of three decided the champion. This method has been consistently implemented in the past to determine the national champion for both senior and junior titles.

The play-off was supervised

by Irshad Mohamad, FIDE Arbiter, Tournament Director and past President of the Guyana Chess Federation.

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2022

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

Pg 23

Elton Dharry poses with the belt in the presence of Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr, Guyana Boxing Board of Control President Peter Abdool and others at Providence

Pg 23

Pg 22

Legendary cricketers Organisers express gratitude inspire Berbice youths to sponsors of recent on historic weekend Easter Sunday horse race GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.