Guyana Times - Monday April 4, 2022

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Botanical Gardens, zoo to reopen today Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4969

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

Govt receiving feedback on RoPA amendments – Teixeira …says response remains low Page 9

Guyana’s passport ranked above Jamaica's, Suriname's on global index …allows visa-free/visa-on-arrival travel to 87 countries

Power surge leads to fire, Rice miller to invest Linden home destroyed US$2M in sandpit mining Page 13

projects in Berbice

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Countrywide consultations on LCDS 2030 to begin soon – Bharrat P2

2 slapped with DUI charges P8

Page 3

…2 homeless

PRICE

Page 7

…to create jobs, supply materials for shore bases & infrastructural works

Berbice miner accused of killing teen girl freed P8 Poor leadership in schools P12 gave birth to management training course – trainer After 2 years of COVID-19 restrictions

Ukraine war: Bucha Street (near Kyiv) littered with burned-out tanks, hundreds of bodies ...UN chief calls for independent probe

Ceremonial P8 opening of Demerara Criminal Assizes resumes after 2 years Every driver should have first aid knowledge – GPF P10

Page 17

First draft of Hemp Bill completed, under consideration – AG See story on page 11

Education P11 Ministry seeks to reduce "handdelivered" mail to HR Dept …teachers can now submit documents electronically

2 NEWS Countrywide consultations on LCDS 2030 to begin soon – Bharrat MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

he Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 will be tabled in the National Assembly only after it has been subjected to as wide consultations as possible. In fact, more countrywide consultations are expected to be launched soon.

This is according to Natural Resource Minister Vickram Bharrat, in a recent interview. According to the Minister, the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) and the various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have all been playing their part in the process.

“I’m part of the multi-stakeholder committee, headed by President Ali. We would have met

(March 28), as a matter of fact, again. And there will be a series of consultations throughout the entire country. The President has ordered that we must go out.

Including Cabinet members too. The members of the multi-stakeholder group, the various NGOs that are involved, must go out and consult with all interested groups. Especially in the hinterland regions.”

“So very soon, you would see the teams fanning out to the different regions, to hold those consultations. I know a few were held already. One in Annai and one in deep South Rupununi. So, there will be many more. So, from that process you would know that we haven’t set a timeline yet as to when it will be

tabled. Because we have to go through the consultation process,” Minister Bharrat said.

He further explained that the team is currently drafting the schedule for those consultations to be held.

That being said, Minister Bharrat cautioned that they would not stop short of consulting because they’re pushing to reach a deadline.

“We want to ensure that all groups are engaged and consulted with. We haven’t set a fixed timeframe. But we’re saying that these consultations must be completed first, before we can move to actually setting a deadline,” he explained.

The LCDS 2030 seeks to create a new low-carbon economy in Guyana by establishing incentives which value the world’s ecosystem services, and promote these as an essential component of a new model of global development with sustainability at its core. In Guyana’s case, it is about harnessing the value of the country’s ecosystem services to build a longterm, low-carbon diversification opportunity.

Guyana, along with a number of other countries, gave its full support at the United Nations 26th Conference of Parties (COP26), held in Glasgow, Scotland, to play its part in protecting against climate

change, In fact, over 130 leaders, representing more than 90 per cent of the world’s forests, have committed to work together to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 in the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use. Countries have also committed to the funding pledge of US$12 billion between 2021 and 2025 to finance forest-related matters.

The LCDS was first launched on June 8, 2009, with the revised version being published in May 2010.

This version was subsequently launched in March 2013. The new draft is intended to continue and build upon the work started in 2008.

Between the period of 2009 to 2015, Guyana earned US$212.52 million in forest service payments from Norway, to be invested in the LCDS. This has created low-carbon jobs; enabled Amerindian villages to receive legal titles for communal lands; rehabilitated the Cunha Canal to protect against flooding; and started to equip Amerindian and hinterland communities with renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The Government also plans to put at least 8 mil-

lion carbon credits on the market for sale by July of this year. 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 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)

NEWS

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Monday, Apr 4 – 03:30h – 05:00h and 10:00h – 11:00h and Tuesday, Apr 5 – 03:30h – 05:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, Apr 4 – 05:40h – 07:10h and Tuesday, Apr 5 – 06:05h – 07:35h.

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 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 06:09h and 18:31h reaching maximum heights of 2.74 metres and 2.62 metres.

Low Tide: 12:06h reaching a minimum height of 0.47 metre.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS C

01 19 20

25 26 28

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FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022

DAILY MILLIONS

02 04 12 19 26 LUCKY 3

6

5

4

5

Afternoon Draw

1

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

04 05 06 07 10 13 15 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2022

01 02 08 10 13 13

01 03 10 11 21

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3 Afternoon Draw

FP Afternoon Draw

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4 Evening Draw

FP 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

$107.67/barrel

-0.22

Rough Rice

$288.72/ton

+0.17

London Sugar

$538.40/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1925.50

$1926.50

Low/High Change

$1913.00 -0.10

$1927.70 -0.01%

Guyana’s passport ranked above Jamaica's, Suriname's on global index …allows visa-free/visa-on-arrival travel to 87 countries

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ith its 61st ranking and an overall medium mobility score, Guyana’s passport is ranked over a number of countries in the region when it comes to visa-free travel, including neighbouring Suriname, Jamaica and Cuba.

This is according to Visaindex, which is owned and operated by Guide consultants, in their 2022 rankings. It was explained that the ranking gives Guyana visa-free access to 52 countries, including Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ghana, Ireland, Qatar, Russia and Singapore, in addition to visa on arrival access to 35 destinations.

Visa on arrival means a visa granted to travellers by port authorities, after the traveller would have already landed. Among the countries granting this to Guyana are Armenia, Bahrain, Egypt, Kenya and Nepal. Meanwhile, one country, Sri Lanka, requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) “This grants it an overall medium mobility score… this limit instant travel opportunities to selected destinations. Guyanese passport holders require a visa to enter about 141 destinations. Some countries where a visa is required are the entire European Union, the United States and Australia,” the index explained.

In explaining the methodology, the index said that the Guyana passport ranking relative to other global passports is calculated by adding up the number of countries that allow Guyana passport holders

to enter without a visa and those that allow Guyana passport holders to enter by obtaining a visa on arrival or an electronic travel authorisation (eTA).

“Altogether, Guyana passport holders can enter a total of 87 destinations – either without a visa, through a visa on arrival, or via an eTA. As a result, the Guyana passport ranks 61 in the world,” they explained.

At number 61, Guyana tops other Caribbean countries like Jamaica (ranked at 62 with 86 destinations), Suriname (ranked at 68 with 78 destinations),

the Dominican Republic (ranked at 77 with 67 destinations) and Cuba (ranked at 81 with 63 destinations).

Meanwhile, the highest ranked South American countries are Argentina and Chile, both tied at number 19 with 173 destinations. Barbados is the highest ranked Caribbean country at number 24 with 163 destinations.

Guyana has of recent been pushing for an end to visa requirements for travelling to countries like the United Kingdom (UK).

Last year, Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd had used the occasion of a vis-

iting trade delegation from the United Kingdom (UK), to meet with them and push for, among other things, the removal of visa restrictions for Guyanese to travel to the UK. The delegation had comprised of Britain’s Deputy Trade Commissioner (HMDTC) for Latin America and the Caribbean Department for International Trade (DIT) Spencer Mahoney, British High Commissioner to Guyana Jane Miller, Caribbean Regional Director for DIT Laura Ferguson and Guyana’s Country Director of the Department of International Trade at the High Commission, Sherwyn Naughton.

During the engagement, Todd had highlighted that the political agenda of the Government of Guyana and the United Kingdom aligns well as both Administrations firmly uphold the pillars of democracy, good governance, and transparency.

He also informed the delegation that the Government of Guyana is on a quest to create an environment that is conducive to business, as it recognises the importance of “ease of business” in attracting investors to Guyana.

It was also not lost on the group that Guyana’s economy is set to undergo a transformation in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), owing to the oil wealth. Despite these developments and Guyana being a part of the Commonwealth, a visa restriction is still in place for travel to the UK. (G3)

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 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

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Polarization and politics

ometimes it is salutary to cast a wider view to better grasp local challenges that may appear intractable. If there are commonalities elsewhere, it suggests that the problems may be systemic not idiosyncratic and require change at a fundamental level. The following is excised from an essay, “Democracy and the polarization trap” by Professor Robert Talisse, with US politics in mind. We have inserted “Guyana” for “USA” in the excerpt, to emphasise the commonalities and analytical insight.

“According to a nuanced view, the problem of polarization consists neither in the intensification of partisan animosity, nor in the abandoning of common ground. Rather, it has to do with the sources of animosity and intransigence, and how they create a self-reinforcing loop of political dysfunction.

To see this, we must distinguish political polarization from belief polarization.

Political polarization is a measure of the ideological distance between opposed parties. When it is severe, the common ground between opponents recedes, resulting in the familiar logjams, standoffs, inflexibility, and resentment.

Belief polarization (also called group polarization) is a cognitive phenomenon that besets likeminded groups.

Roughly, interaction with likeminded others transforms us into more extreme versions of ourselves. When surrounded by allies, we come to embrace more radical formulations of our ideas. Our more extreme selves are also overly confident, so we become less responsive to counter-evidence, more dismissive of criticism, and more ready to engage in risky behaviour on behalf of our views.

Belief polarization also causes us to develop negative feelings towards those unlike ourselves. As we grow to regard their ideas as naïve, irrational, and unfounded, we come to see them as craven, untrustworthy, and benighted.

Thus, as we shift towards political extremity, we come more fully to define ourselves and others in terms of partisanship, dividing the world into political allies and foes. Eventually, politics expands beyond policy ideas into entire lifestyles.

In Guyana today, the size of one’s family, the interior of one’s home, where one buys groceries, and what one does on vacation are all tightly indicative of one’s politics. Everyday activities have become expressive of one’s political identity, and thus of one’s contempt for the out-group. Meanwhile, partisan rifts barely track actual policy disagreements. For example, citizens across the spectrum tend to agree that the minimum wage should be raised and that steps should be taken to create affordable housing for low- and middleincome families. A cross-partisan majority also thinks that politics is too heavily influenced by money.

The two forms of polarization form a self-reinforcing loop.

When citizens are divided into partisan tribes, living separate lives and each fixated on contempt for the other, politicians are incentivized to amplify cross-partisan hostility. And because the citizenry is divided over lifestyle choices rather than policy ideas, office holders are released from the usual electoral pressure to advance a legislative platform. They can gain re-election simply on their antagonism. Governing and campaigning strictly by stoking hostility and contempt for the other side become prudent strategy.

As politicians amplify their rifts, citizens are cued to further segregate. This foments additional belief polarization, which in turn rewards political intransigence among parties and officials. Democracy gets submerged in the merely symbolic and tribal. As a result, our capacities for responsible citizenship – specifically, our aptitude for navigating political disagreement – atrophy. We become enamoured with the profoundly antidemocratic view that democracy is possible only among people who are just like ourselves.

That’s the nuanced story. It doesn’t claim that “both sides” have deserted the common ground. It doesn’t assign equal blame to both parties. It is consistent with the view that one major political party in Guyana has embraced antidemocratic ideals. The nuanced story asserts only that the dysfunction of polarization lies in the interaction between well-established cognitive forces and institutional features of democracy. The claim is not that deep partisan rifts are intrinsically bad, but rather that polarization is degenerative of the capacities of responsible citizenship.

In observation of Occupation Safety and Health Month, the Labour Ministry, in collaboration with several other ministries, law enforcement agencies and the Private Sector, hosted a walk on Sunday, themed: “Act Together to Build a Positive Safety and Health Culture” (Labour Ministry photos)

Aubrey Norton must respect authority and Guyana’s institutions Dear Editor, Leading up to, and since the March 2020 General and Regional Elections, the new PNCR Chairman, Aubrey Norton, has habitually unleashed several scathing attacks on Justice Claudette Singh, Chairwoman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). His sustained approach of this relentless attitude against many of our key institutions is evidenced by public remarks laden with condemnation of the decision of our courts, the Caribbean Court of Justice, and more recently disparaging criticisms of President Ali’s appointment of Clifton Hicken as Commissioner of Police (ag).

These, without a doubt, have been callous, wanton, without merit, lacking justification, and deserving of vehement condemnation.

Certainly, the adopted posture is one-track, and is also known to have realized a heavy frictional position within the PNCR Leadership, which lends itself to the testimony of the extended period it is taking for the replacement of Ms Nicolette Henry and Mr Joseph Harmon as representative Members of Parliament.

This does not auger well for objective or constructive engagements, as they highlight the PNCR's akin syndrome of non-objectivity in their selection to oppose and denunciate in an attempt to gain convenient visibility.

The frequent accompanying lack of candor from the PNCR and the ‘two-bit’ sup-

porting groupings making up the APNU camp suggest that these shallow interventions merely target the attraction of publicity. Likewise, the voluminous silence of the three-membership civil society group in these critical areas presents a pale picture of impartiality.

In comparison with other logical observers and commentators, these continuous clumsy, contemptuous, and ‘wishy-washy’ remarks are certainly exposing an infantile mentality. Please permit me, therefore, to defragment a bit on these two areas for want of necessary public clarification.

Norton’s thunderous silence concerning the evidence-fuelled and corrupt behaviour of those PNCR underlings from among the GECOM officials now facing charges for electoral fraud emphasises why he should be silent in the first place. One cannot plead the so-call ‘fifth amendment’ and suddenly expect the world to see them as rudimentary, transparent, and correct.

As the new PNC Leader, Norton did not hesitate to criticise the appointment of Vishnu Persaud as the Chief Executive Officer of GECOM. This is although the process followed the procedures governed under the constitutionally guaranteed autonomy of GECOM and included the participation of APNU’s designated Commissioners.

The Guyanese people are now calling on the PNC General Council to come out and oppose Norton's unwant-

ed criticism of the imminent Justice Claudette Singh.

Furthermore, the so-called Civil Society and Article 13 Group must now let the nation know if they too are in support of all these provocative loose statements that are being spurted from this loosed creature called Norton.

Editor, please permit me to touch on President Ali’s choice of Mr. Clifton Hicken, who has all the necessary credentials, as acting Commissioner of Police. It is known that in appointing a Commissioner of Police, the Constitution provides that the “Commissioner of Police and every Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be appointed by the President, acting after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and Chairperson of the Police Service Commission, after the Chairperson has consulted with the other members of the Commission”. His Excellency President Ali has recently reiterated his commitment to this process when the time arrives.

The proceeding on pre- retirement leave by the previous acting Commissioner, Mr Nigel Hoppie, has created a vacancy that must be filled, albeit temporarily at the President's discretion in the key constitutional agency.

The life of the previous Police Service Commission has expired, after being initially suspended by the President for justified reasons affecting consultation, and its resuscitation has been deferred due to challenges still to be decided in the Courts.

Further, it is not surprising that since the resignation of Mr. Harmon, Guyana is still without a Leader of the Opposition. Perhaps the present Leader of the PNC lacks the necessary leadership qualities to convince his peers in the executive of his party. Mr. Norton’s aspiring parliamentary rise to this position is preceded by some concerns evidenced by the slow decision-making of his party. He was previously kicked out of Parliament by the PNC, and also radically booted out during his earlier tenure in the position of General Secretary of the Party.

This apparent lack of respect by many who have significant influence in the PNC seemingly lends to stronger measures of uncertainty, and impedes meaningful consultation. Before Norton continues his rants and attacks on our institutions, and PPPC General Secretary Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, whose ilk he could never measure up to, he may be better served by fighting internally to earn the respect of his party peers, who may approve of his struggles to get back as a second-string parliamentarian.

Guyana, under the PPP/C, is doing extremely well. This nation needs to stay united and work together to build itself stronger and better.

However, our people must respect our Constitution, our leaders, and our institutions.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

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

Guyanese, do not be distracted by self-serving persons

Dear Editor, “There are people out there who are not captured by any safety net, things are unbelievably hard for them and we have to work harder to give them help now and create opportunities.” This is what Priya Manickchand said after her first day of Operation Recovery, an exercise by her Ministry to seek out children who were absent from the NGSA mock exams and those who were absent from school for a prolonged period. Anyone claiming to be an ‘activist’ should share/endorse these sentiments; therefore, it is repulsive to see a few working assiduously against Guyanese interests whilst claiming that title.

To ask Barbadian PM Mia Mottley to shut down the oil & gas sector before it delivers on its promise of betterment for all Guyanese is (in my view) treasonous and an affront to the nation which is on a path to becoming among the wealthiest (per capita) in the

world; the betrayal is especially keen to the vulnerable. That the list of persons who signed the missive is populated by the comfortable middle class who all power their lives by fossil fuel is simply salt in the wound. There was the proud boast from Trinidad that they have been an oil-producing nation for over 120 years, which is longer than Alfred Bhulai & Janet Bulkan (the oldest signatories) have been alive and yet I never saw a letter asking anyone to shut down the oil industry in the twin-island republic; I don’t see a resignation letter from another signatory, a company that specialises in building and maintenance of fossil fuel generating sets, none on the list lives ‘off the grid’, their children enjoy the benefits of fossil fuel electricity.

Sadly, these armchair activists are not the worst offenders against our nation.

Local Content Laws were finally passed on December 29, 2021, six years and seven

months after the announcement of the commercial discovery by ExxonMobil. Before the law was enacted, there was the noticeable exclusion of local companies and workers in the rapidly developing sector, voices were raised from all quarters to get the Granger Administration to protect Guyanese interests to no avail.

With the legislation mandating all companies operating in the extractive sector to comply with Act, it is appalling to learn that Guyanese are working with foreign companies in nefarious attempts to bypass the local content provisions; some well-known activists/lawyers/ accountants fume daily about the Liza PSA and then advise companies to issue a class of unpaid shares that accrue no dividend but can show that over 50 per cent of the shares in a company are owned by Guyanese. What these persons may not be aware of is that if/ when those foreign companies are held criminally responsible for making false statutory dec-

larations it is common practice for them to in turn bring suit against the advisors.

Editor, environmental issues are important to all of us but so is our daily bread; the Low Carbon Development Strategy remains the gold standard for the entire world and it includes growth and sustainability for all Guyanese. There is a real danger that environmental concerns will be dismissed by the public when the realisation comes that the “environmentalists” are anti-poor in their agenda of no gold mining, no logging, no oil, no, no, no. There is a window of opportunity to make use of oil production and its proceeds for the benefit of Guyanese; we cannot allow ourselves to be distracted by the those who are self-serving in our midst. I draw on the words of Ghanaian visionary Kwame Nkrumah “forwards ever, backward never”.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

Guyana is a blessed land

By Hindus For Selfless Service

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haitra Navratri is a nine-day festival to Goddess Durga’s nine incarnations and is observed every year after Holi. It is also known as Vasant/ Spring Navratri, that starts on the first day of the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar which falls in March or April. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and each of her nine incarnations is worshipped on successive nights.

Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar and that’s why this Navratri is called Chaitra Navratri. It is also known as Rama Navratri, as Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama usually falls on the ninth day during Navratri festivity.

This year Goddess Durga festival commenced on April 1, 2022, and will conclude on April 10, 2022. The festival celebrates the nine forms of Hindu Goddess Durga and each day is associated with a different colour.

Day 4

Goddess Parvati is believed to be immanent in the centre of the sun and liberates energy to the universe and hence took the avatar of Maa Kushmanda. It is said that she is as radiant as the sun and possesses healing powers. She is represented riding a lioness and has eight hands. She has Kamandal, Dhanush, Bada, and Kamal in the right hands and Amrit Kalash, Jap Mala, Gada, and Chakra in the left hands in that order.

Colour: Red Flower: Jasmine Mantra: Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah

Dear Editor, Guyana is a blessed land to be observing a religious celebration from each of the three mainstream religions, namely, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam, simultaneously.

Christians are observing the period of Lent (to culminate with Good Friday and Easter); Hindus are observing Navratri (to conclude with Ramnaumi); Muslims are observing Ramadan (to finish with EidAl-Fitr). Significantly important is the mutual element of fasting which is factored into all three occasions in order to realise the goal of achievement and satisfaction. The other concept of denying oneself something that brings pleasure is also advocated, i.e., having to “give up something.” This doctrine of abstention may be converted into different forms of doing away (temporarily) from something materially tangible or intangible. The more popular ones may be a particular food or drink, smoking, sexual gratification or a hobby.

There are guided restrictions on the amount of food intake and the type of food to be consumed also, in particular, meat.

While those in good health and of qualifying age are not prohibited from the practice, those medically affected and the very young are not expected to adhere to any compliance and are forgivingly exempted. All three events promote a sense of a better wellbeing and possibly giving the body organs a chance to rest, repair and recuperate.

More greens, vegetables and fruits are sold and vendors do brisk business on a faster turnover. Yes, this can also encourage higher prices to suit the demand and creating some degree of scarcity. The cost of fish, eggs and meat play out to a different scenario and may level off. You can gain, health wise, with the correct discipline. On the contrary, as more sweetmeats for dessert are displayed and eaten, this may pose a challenge as a health risk for consideration.

The ambience of fewer social activities in terms of pleasurable communion is generated. As a result, there is less sale and consumption of alcohol

(cigarettes) and visiting bars, rum shops and night clubs.

Such lower demand does not influence the price for these items though. With less night traffic and intoxicated drivers, maybe, road accidents and the fatality figure may be of interest to the statisticians for this period.

Are the roads safer during this period? How less abusive do families, relatives, friends, colleagues and associates become?

The sociologists may be reading between the lines to analyse violent behaviour and other repercussion as this period of leniency unfolds itself in society. The choice of music may be re-prioritised and the sensitivity of volume and high decibel may be a conscious reconsideration. Psychologists may have a field day pondering on if these religious programmes affect the loudness and lateness of music.

Are neighbourhoods less disturbed? Do people listen to less lurid (bawdy) lyrics, softer intonations, melodies of appeasing nature and songs that motivate more responsible behaviour and goodliness (Godliness)?

Psychiatrists may be looking at behavioural pattern to determine whether or not robbers and thieves still ply their trade or go on vacation during this “holy” period. Does the country experience less stealing and cheating as more “Sunday Best” is worn, thus safety and security is less prominent and promiscuous with the Police Department?

Perhaps, another hallmark is the demand for the individual to pray daily. There is more turnout at the churches, mosques and mandirs throughout all the different communities. Prayer is one of the pillars of foundation for all religions.

This also spurs the sale of more fashionable outwear as the appropriate garments are sought after in the stores along with matching jewellery and footwear. Business certainly picks up! Pandits, maulvis and priests are kept busier as more religious functions are held and their services are in demand.

Is there any conversation from bad to good, good to better and better to best? The reverse is certainly not anticipated!

Brotherly and sisterly relationship takes a turn for the better and even neighbours experience a higher sense of gratification for appreciation. The love of mankind becomes synonymous with Spring as the flowers bloom to beautify the place with scent and sight.

Not to outdo all the before mentioned ingredients of love, compassion and kindness, is the remarkable attitude of becoming charitable or giving more in larger quantity and quality not only to the needy and less fortunate, but also, to the various established institutions and organisations which dedicate their services towards the care and compassion of the underprivileged. During this time, people would delve deeper into their pockets and become generous to give willingly towards the creditable welfare of those impoverished from the luxuries in life and perhaps, only enjoying the basic necessities to survive. Providing meals, distributing clothes and giving money represent some of

the selfless and not selfish demeanour in which people construe the act of blessedness.

This essential aspect of deliberation reflects moral dignity and gratefulness for caring by sharing. Guyana joins the rest of the world as a God-fearing nation where the majority of its inhabitants preach or practice the customs and traditions as dictated by one of the many religious beliefs. Most do predominantly contribute towards some philosophical teachings and are guided by generations of cultural upbringing. Our ancestors provided many rules and regulations, but, this era of modernisation does not necessarily comply with ancient antecedents and so we witness a degree of laxity creeping into the arteries and avenues to determine a degradation of unacceptable pervasiveness. Is Guyana a safer and better place during this festive season of religious holiness?

Yours respectively, Jai Lall

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

By Olive Senior Birdshooting season the men make marriages with their guns My father’s house turns macho as from far the hunters gather All night long contentless women stir their brews: hot coffee chocolata, cerassie wrap pone and tie-leaf for tomorrow’s sport. Tonight the men drink white rum neat.

In darkness shouldering their packs, their guns, they leave We stand quietly on the doorstep shivering. Little boys longing to grow up birdhunters too Little girls whispering: Fly Birds Fly.

In this fun and easy magic science experiment, we’re going to use an optical illusion to make it appear a straw is bending.

Water Glass Straw

Materials:

Instructions: Fill the glass about halfway with water.

Now put the straw into the glass of water.

Observe the straw from the top, sides, and bottom of the glass.

When you observe the straw from the sides of the glass, it appears to be broken or bent.

Saturday’s answer

How it works: Refraction causes the straw to look bent and sometimes it can even appear to be broken. Light usually travels in a straight line to our eyes, but when the light goes through the water, it slightly changes direction. So, as we look at the straw in the glass, the light from the top part of the straw travels straight to our eyes whereas the part of the straw that’s underwater has light that is refracted since it travels through the water before it reaches our eyes.

Make this a science project: Try different sized glasses. Try writing messages and hold them behind the glass. Try putting different sized and shaped items in the glass. (sciencefun.org)

Summary

As the poem’s title suggests the poem “Birdshooting Season” shows the rituals surround bird shooting season and the happenings in a house when both men and women prepare for the season. The poem is narrated by what seems to be a child member of the household as he/she tells the happenings in preparation for the hunt, thus the poem is told as he/she reflects on the activities in his/her household, men getting ready to go shooting while the women are inside preparing to make the food and children watching.

Figurative Devices: Metaphor, Imagery Possible Themes: Gender roles, children’s curiosity, childhood experiences and nature

“A ‘genius’ is often merely a talented person who has done all of his or her homework” – Thomas Edison

WORD SEARCH

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Rice miller to invest US$2M in sandpit mining projects in Berbice …to create jobs, supply materials for shore bases & infrastructural works

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ice milling company Nand Persaud and Company Limited is getting into the business of supplying not just the oil and gas sector, but also the construction boom unfurling in the County of Berbice.

The Group of companies, which is chaired by Rajendra Persaud, has applied for environmental approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order to develop two sand, loam and laterite open mining pits, which together will cost approximately US$2 million.

It is also seeking mining permits from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to develop the open pit mines the Mapenna project, which will be located on the left bank of the Corentyne River and the Manakaburi project, which will be located on the left bank of the Berbice River. According to the rice miller, there is a good potential for profitable fill material.

“Presently fill materials are being sourced from up the Essequibo and Demerara Rivers to supply the demand in Berbice. This has not only delayed works but has driven up the cost of construction in Berbice significantly,” the company explained in the documents.

“Given the planned development in Berbice, ie several shore bases, the

An artist’s impression of CGX’s deep-water harbour

Guyana-Suriname bridge, etc, there is a definite need for the establishment of adequate mines in Berbice to support these construction projects with fill material.

The area selected has several favourable factors for development, such as accessibility by sizeable vessels and adequate resources for extraction.”

Meanwhile, it was explained that both projects will each create 30 jobs during construction and 20 jobs during the actual operation. It was emphasised that the company will hire local persons, including women, based on their experience and skills to support the construction, operational, and closure phases of the project.

Canadian-owned company CGX Energy Incorporated is currently developing a deep-water port project, the first of its kind in Guyana, which is being constructed at

Seawall Village, Corentyne, to the tune of US$80 million.

CGX’s subsidiary, Grand Canal Industrial Estates (GCIE) Inc, has been engaged in civil works related to the construction of the facility.

In February, CGX Executive Chairman, Dr Suresh Narine had said that when completed, the port itself will have an offshore supply component to facilitate all the traditional services for the oil and gas sector, including the supply of materials, cement, fuel and even storage.

However, he had noted that in addition to the oil and gas sector, the deep-water port facility will support the region’s vast agricultural activities by offering container imports and export services. This will be done at a multi-purpose terminal that will feature a grading facility, a containerised facility, and a specialised

Proposed alignment of the Corentyne River bridge and approach roads

cargo facility by the end of 2023.

Of the allocated 30 acres of land on the eastern bank of the Berbice River, the deep-water port facility is being constructed on a 20acre lot and is designed to have a wharf platform and trestle access.

The CGX deep-water harbour project has been in the works since 2010, when the company secured a 50year lease on the property. But it was not until late 2020 that GCIE began advertising for a number of senior positions related to the deep-water harbour project.

Meanwhile, the Governments of Guyana and Suriname have collaborated to construct a Corentyne River bridge using the Public Private Partnership method of procurement with a DBFOM (Design – Build – Finance – Operate – Maintain) model contract.

The construction of the bridge linking Guyana and Suriname is a priority project for the Governments of both countries as has been reiterated on several occasions by their Excellencies, President Irfaan Ali and President Chan Santokhi.

The Corentyne River

bridge will not only link the two neighbouring countries, but also open up access to greater economic opportunities beyond them into French Guiana, and through the road network being developed into Brazil, and eventually further into South America.

With the commitment to bridge Guyana and Suriname over the Corentyne River within five years, this project is expected to open up the pathway for other major developmental projects including the much-anticipated deep-water harbour project in Guyana.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

After 2 years of COVID-19 restrictions

Ceremonial opening of Demerara Criminal Assizes resumes Blame game…

A fter a two-year hiatus because of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremonial march-past done by ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to mark the opening of the various sessions of the Demerara Criminal Assizes will resume on Tuesday.

Apart from this, there will also be a march around the outer skirts of the High Court in Demerara

by Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George, SC, other Judges of the Supreme Court of Judicature, Director of Public Prosecutions Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC and members of the Bar. Thereafter, there will be a ceremony in celebration of law week. Tuesday’s activities will be livestreamed via the Supreme Court of Judicature’s website (https://supremecourt. gy/) and on the National Communications Network.

Days after Guyana recorded its first COVID-19 case on March 11, 2020, the Judiciary indefinitely suspended all in-person hearings, including jury trials in the counties of Demerara, Essequibo and

N

File photo: High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds inspecting the guard of honour during the opening of the April 2019 session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes

Berbice.

In September 2020, the Judiciary issued its Practice Directions which paved the way for jury trials to resume on October 6, 2021. But the traditional ceremonial march-past remained suspended. The Practice Directions were aimed at preserving the right of an accused to a fair trial within a reasonable time and maintaining the integrity of the judicial process.

With the proceedings being conducted for the most part by audio/video link (Zoom), the in-person attendance of the prosecutors and defence counsel were optional. While accused persons on remand

2 slapped with DUI charges

also appeared via video/ audio link, the attendance of accused persons on bail were subjected to directions of the court and social distancing requirements. Witnesses residing locally were given the option to testify in person or via Zoom. Those residing abroad testified by audio/ visual link. The Practice Directions remain enforced. In mid-March, the Government lifted several COVID-19 restrictions, including proof of vaccination to enter public buildings, and the restrictions on social gathering. The wearing of face masks is no longer mandatory but encouraged when in public. Since the removal of the national curfew and COVID-19 measures, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said there has been a decline in COVID-19 deaths, cases, the number of persons

presenting themselves for testing and vaccination.

Meanwhile, the cases listed for hearing at the April session are for the offences of murder, manslaughter, sexual offences, attempt to commit murder, inflicting grievous bodily harm, trafficking narcotics, abduction, obtaining money by false pretence, conspiracy to commit a felony, robbery under arms, conspiracy to commit murder, wrongful confinement for ransom and accessory after the fact.

Males are predominantly the accused in the case of the sexual offence which include carnal knowledge of a girl under 15, carnal knowledge of a girl under 12, buggery, rape, indecent assault of a male, sexual activity with a child family member, sexual activity with a child by abusing a position of trust, sexual assault and incest. (G1)

2 arrested for BK driver’s murder

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Stephen Singh

Shazad Khan

wo persons were charged for failing the breathalyser tests that were administered by the ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Charged are Shazad Khan, 26, of St Martyr Ville, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD); and Ricardo Stephen Singh, 19, of Better Hope, ECD. Police said Khan was stopped on the Mon Repos Public Road, ECD, while Singh was stopped on the Beterverwagting Public Road, ECD. Khan, when stopped, was found with 175 per cent micrograms of alcohol in his breath, while Singh was found with 185 per cent micrograms in his breath.

The duo was arrested, charged, and processed

to attend the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

Just a few weeks ago three persons were arrested and charged for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Those charged were Ion Degonge, 42, of Lot 385 Swamp Section Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice; Troy Gonsalves, 33, of Industry, ECD, and Parmanand Sharma, 33, of Area H Top Flat Cummings Lodge, ECD. They were all stopped on the Sparendaam Public Road, ECD. Degonge, when stopped, was found with 250 per cent micrograms of alcohol in his breath, Gonsalves was found with 189 per cent micrograms, while Sharma had 142 per cent micrograms of alcohol in his breath. (G9)

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olice in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) have arrested two persons in connection with the murder of the 69-year-old male driver of La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD), who was murdered last week in the region.

While details on the murder remain sketchy, Guyana Times was told that the suspects were arrested on Friday last, and are assisting Police with their investigation.

Dead is Pitamber Sharma. He was employed at BK Quarries as a truck driver.

Reports are that he was allegedly strangled to death and thrown into the Mazaruni River.

Police stated that on Wednesday last, the man was at BK Quarries where he was last seen alive at around 18:00h. However, on Thursday at around 07:30h, a security guard saw him floating in the river.

A report was made to the Bartica Police Station

Dead: Pitamber Sharma

and the body was examined by the Police; however, no marks of violence were observed.

In an initial report, Police had ruled that he may have drowned but a post-mortem examination conducted on his remains gave the cause of death as manual strangulation.

The post-mortem was conducted by Doctor Nehaul Singh in the presence of his sister after which the body was handed over to relatives for burial. (G9)

…and Granger ow that Granger’s dragged out the naming of the Opposition Leader three months and counting… the same people who loved him for holding out on the elections results for five months are cussing him out something stink and dutty!! Life’s a bitch, ain’t it?? Well, like somebody much wiser than your Eyewitness said, “if you can’t please everybody, you might as well please yourself!!” And it looks like Granger’s pleasing nobody but himself!!

Your Eyewitness can’t believe that this man who could do anything but walk on water (maybe he did that too?) to PNC supporters has been reduced to receiving such nasty shade or worse from every Tom, Dick or Harriet from here to New York. Especially from New York, where they clatter away like rodents from behind their keyboards. “Coward” was the kindest curse for bowing to world censure that the jig (of the rig!) was up!!

Poor Granger…after all the dropping on his knees at the drop of a cap to buttress his God-fearing qualities?

It couldn’t have been easy at his age. And his avuncular, simpering smile even when he was being insulted at the Pegasus walkout and had to strike his nonchalant “who’s bothered” pose? His clenched jaw was a dead giveaway for the one-time General whose mere raised eyebrows cause platoons to quiver!! Oh.. how the mighty has fallen for the cause of these ingrates!!

Anyhow, the blame game continues unabated even though Granger just explained he was simply following the rules set down by the laws of the land. But the cussing-out is maybe poetic justice? The PNC and their leaders have always cited the laws of the land with a knowing wink to each other. And even a snicker!! Can Granger blame them after – for instance – insisting he didn’t know that PNC agent was challenging the recount he’d decided on when it became clear they would lose the elections?? Wink, wink!!

So, your Eyewitness wonders when this blame game’s gonna stop? Will it be like Kanye’s (well, he’s now just “Ye”, but we know who your Eyewitness is referring to, don’t we?) epic, narrative riff on the blame game between him and his ex?? “Let's play the blame game, I love you more/ Let's play the blame game for sure. Let's call out names, names, I hate you more/ Let's call out names, names, for sure. We walk away like strangers in the street.

Gone for eternity, we erased one another. So far from where we came with so much of everything/How do we leave with nothing”??

And that’s the question, isn’t it? In this blame game, is the new PNC leadership determined to leave Granger with nothing?

…on drilling for oil As your Eyewitness has been saying who wouldn’t have wanted a better oil contract?? But jeez, if you want renegotiation why not file a case and bring in Trotman to testify who told him to sign along the dotted line in the Lone-Star State? But like a broken record (yes, you young’uns, songs used to come from spinning vinyl “records” that could break!!), some well-intentioned Don Quixotes jump into the fray to plug for “renegotiation” every day of the week including Sundays. Shouldn’t these fellows attend Church to pray for their demands to come true?

Anyhow, their latest bout of foot-stamping was occasioned by the Environmental Board taking five working days to review 6000+ pages of the revised Yellowtail impact study for the latest approval. Now, rather than complimenting the Board for performing that Herculean task – especially when one of those five days was Phagwah! – they’re being pilloried.

Maybe they should have taken five months? But the renegotiators should’ve supplied a dirty bed sheet!! …on the war It’s rather surprising the number of Western “experts” who’re insisting the West is to be blamed for the Ukraine War. The Russian Bear had to react to maintain selfrespect.

But this just demonstrates the West’s democratic credentials!

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 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt receiving feedback on RoPA amendments – Teixeira …says response remains low

Parliamentary Affairs Governance Minister Teixeira

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and Gail

he Guyana Government is still open to feedback on its proposed changes to the Representation of the People Act (RoPA) as well as recommendations on how to further strengthen the legislation.

According to Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira, they continue to receive comments and recommendations from persons. She explained that those that were submitted over the past three months are already being examined to ascertain whether they can be included amongst the amendments to the Act. “I haven’t closed off the comments and feedback…

But we’re looking at the amendments that came in. We’re looking back at the changes that we made with the proposed amendments and comments [that came in] to see how those fit in and whether we should amend the draft Bill based on the comments received,” the Minister noted.

Teixeira indicated that there is no timeline as yet as to when they will wrap up this process and proceed with the next stage, that is, to prepare a final draft of the RoPA amendments to submit to the National Assembly.

However, the Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister explained that feedback has not been as forthcoming as anticipated.

So far, the only political party that made submissions was A New and Unity Guyana (ANUG) – which is one of the three small parties that comprise the Joinder List that currently holds an Opposition seat in the National Assembly.

Proposed amendments were also received from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

However, Teixeira revealed that last week, Oppositionnominated Commissioner at GECOM, Charles Corbin submitted some comments through the elections body.

She pointed out that

there has been no official feedback from the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition itself.

Nevertheless, there has also been feedback from Guyanese overseas as well as individuals living here; small civil society groups, the Guyana Consumers Association and the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

“Those are being considered now… There is a group of us working on this including the Attorney General Chambers. So, we have brought all the feedback we’ve got and there is a team looking at this; looking at these comments and looking at those that are acceptable, those that may be corrections, those that might be policy changes that we have to consider. But this is a team effort,” Minister Teixeira asserted.

At a press conference last month, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo reiterated the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s committed to working with stakeholders including all political parties to strengthen the laws surrounding the conduct of elections in order to remove discretion and the room for capricious behaviour by any elected official.

Jagdeo said this assurance was given to United States Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti, Barbara Feinstein, who had visited Guyana two weeks ago.

“We will have to have the policy discussions to see which of the amendments are useful, that would enhance transparency and accountability on the part of GECOM. And trust me, if they will do that and they don’t confer an advantage to any political party, we’re open to inclusion on the final draft. So, we’re going through that process now,” the Vice President told reporters.

In an effort to prevent the recurrence of the historic March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections that resulted in a five-month political impasse caused by blatant rigging attempts, the PPP/C Government last November released a host of proposed changes to RoPA for public consultation before the document is finalised and taken to the National Assembly.

It had indicated that it wanted to have the widest possible engagement with stakeholders including the various political parties on the proposed amendments to RoPA. An overhaul of the country’s electoral laws can see the Chief Elections Officer

(CEO) at the Election Commission facing as much as life imprisonment for committing fraud, while others can similarly face hefty fines and jail time for any related offence.

The draft updated electoral laws also outline a clear process for the request

of a recount, including empowering the Chairman of GECOM to grant that request.

Under the proposed laws, the CEO must post the District Tabulation Forms on the Commission’s website as soon as he receives them from the Returning Officers.

Other persons involved in the electoral process can face fines as high as $10 million, and can equally be jailed for life if they breach any provision as outlined in the proposed updated Act. The immediate former CEO of GECOM, Keith Lowenfield; his Deputy

Roxanne Myers, and the Returning Officer for Region Four at the last polls, Clairmont Mingo, were terminated last August for their role in efforts to derail democracy at the 2020 elections. The trio is also currently before the court on a raft of electoral fraud-related charges.

While the firing of these three senior officials and a general overhaul at the Elections Secretariat were met with much satisfaction by stakeholders, it is widely agreed that much more needs to be done to restore public confidence in GECOM especially as it gears up to hold Local Government Elections (LGE) this year.

10 NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Every driver should have first aid knowledge – GPF W ith the increasing number of accidents that occur around Guyana, traffic officer attached to the Diamond Police Station on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), Inspector Maniram Jaganandan said every driver should make it mandatory to have some knowledge of first aid.

He said this should be the first thought when pur-

chasing a vehicle or even applying for a driver’s licence.

“When you go to purchase your driver’s licences package, the first aid book is there, the alcohol book is there, the highway code is there and the defensive driving book is there. It is very important because a simple first aid method in minor injuries can assist a person by stopping the

bleeding,” he said.

Jaganandan further underscored that there are instances where drivers or public-spirited citizens have no knowledge of first aid and would try to assist accident victims, but cause them even more bodily harm.

He said this can occur if the victims are held wrong, or touched in places that would cause extensive dam-

Scissors-toting robbery accused on $40,000 bail

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24-year-old father of three who is accused of robbing a man of $4000 was released on $40,000 bail when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

Miguel Blackman of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on March 29, at Cornhill Street, Georgetown, while armed with a pair of scissors, he robbed Trevor Graham of $4000.

The court prosecutor told the court that Blackman and the virtual complainant are known to each oth-

Robbery accused: Blackman

Miguel

er but they are not friends.

At around 10:30h on the day in question, Graham was walking in the vicinity of the Timehri minibus park when Blackman

walked up to him from behind and pushed him into a bus. The prosecutor said that Blackman pulled out a red handled pair of scissors from the waist of his pants and pointed it to Graham before relieving him of his valuables.

According to the prosecutor, Graham ran for safety into a Route 42 minibus. Shortly after, he saw Blackman walking on the park and pointed him out to the Police. When Police ranks arrested Blackman, $1650 was found in his pants pocket. In the end, the robbery accused was granted $40,000 bail. He was instructed to make his next court appearance on May 13. (G1)

Traffic Officer, Inspector Maniram Jaganandan

age to their bodies. The traffic officer added that if drivers take the time to study the first aid book when applying for their licences, they would know this.

Jaganandan suggested that if a driver does not study the first aid book that is provided by the Police Force, he or she should try to get first aid lessons.

“There is the St John’s Ambulance Brigade, there are places you can go to learn first aid lessons… so you can [have] basic knowledge on what to do,” he advised.

In addition, he alluded to the fact that while there are persons who are always willing to help at accident scenes, there are some who only use the opportunity to publicise it on social media,

instead of lending a helping hand.

“You would see videos from time to time of accident scenes, and you would hear a person shouting for help, and all you would see is persons over them with their cell phones videoing them. They do this instead of assisting those persons…”, he said.

He said he also believes that there might be persons who have first aid knowledge at some accident scenes but refuse to render assistance.

“It is so sad to say but that is the reality.”

As it relates to the traffic congestion on the East Bank corridor, the traffic officer said that can cost the life of someone who needs immediate medical attention.

He said the closest medical facility on the East Bank is the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, and there is usually traffic to get there.

“From the Diamond junction, going back south on the Soesdyke junction its one lane north, and one lane south… it is a challenging situation because if an accident occurs early in the day, and the traffic is busy there, we have to try our best to get there.”

“Time is very essential because the fastest you get the person from the accident scene to get medical attention, it’s better for the person because you can minimise a lot of things,” he explained.

Only a few months ago, the Guyana Police Force, on an episode of Police and You, pointed out that whenever there is a vehicular accident, instead of people helping the victims, they would steal from them.

According to Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Stan Gouveia, people usually pretend to be helping the victims, when in fact they are trying to gain access to their valuables.

Items such as cell phones, wallets, jewellery, and other valuables are taken from the victims under the pretext of assisting them. Vehicles involved in accidents are also looted before help is sought. (G9)

Berbice miner accused of killing teen girl freed

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hirty-nine-year-old Wickroy Mitchell of Berbice walked out of the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court, Region One (Barima-Waini) a free man after a murder charge against him was discharged by Magistrate Kevon Bess due to insufficient evidence.

On November 19, 2020, Mitchell called “Shatta” was charged and remanded to prison for the murder of a 16-year-old girl which occurred between November 15 and 16, 2020, at Coanna Backdam, Five Star, North West District (NWD).

Mitchell’s lawyer, Leslie Sobers, disclosed that the prosecution’s case was based “almost entirely” on an alleged confession statement from his client. At the end of a voir dire, he said that the court declared the caution statement inadmissible.

According to the lawyer, there were several other material inconsistencies in

Discharged: Wickroy Mitchell

the prosecution’s evidence, including the evidence of the dead girl’s mother, whom he said was not “convincing” in her testimony and contradicted herself.

Sobers said that the Preliminary Inquiry into the alleged murder commenced in February, noting that the testimony of the prosecution’s sole eyewitness proved to be manifestly unreliable under cross-examination.

Police investigation re-

vealed that on November 15, 2020, the now dead teen and her mother were consuming alcohol at a shop in the area. They were reportedly in the company of several persons. About 15:00h on the said day, the mother and daughter became heavily intoxicated, but insisted on purchasing more alcohol. They reportedly bought a quarter bottle of alcohol and some rice after which they left in the company of a man with whom they were imbibing.

According to the owner of the shop, the teen’s mother returned to the shop later in the day and spent some time. At around 07:30h the following day, the body of the teen was found lying in a motionless state behind the home she shared with her mother.

An alarm was raised and ranks from the Matthews Ridge Police Station were contacted. Her cause of death was given as manual strangulation. (G1)

11 First draft of Hemp Bill completed, under consideration – AG NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

W

ith the aim of establishing a viable industry here, the Guyana Government has completed the first draft of the Hemp Bill and is now reviewing it.

This is according to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC, during last week’s edition of his programme – Issues In The News.

According to him, there is a lot of interests being demonstrated, both in and out of Guyana, on the establishment of the relevant legislation to lay the foundation for a viable hemp industry here.

“The Hemp Bill is in first draft and is being considered by the Government, and the Government will determine what the next steps are,” he noted.

The Attorney General explained that the draft Bill is an expansive one that looks at what is being done is other territories around the world. However, he noted that there is not much to take from the Caribbean region since Antigua and Barbuda is the nation with a draft Bill while the others permit cultivation of hemp through minor amendments to relevant drugs or narcotics law.

“We are going in a far

more advanced and sophisticated stage. We are creating an entire Bill that will have an entire governance structure and will also prescribe the relevant technical levels that will determine legality for hemp and will also regulate the way hemp will be cultivated, the areas that hemp will be cultivated at and how one would qualify to cultivate,” Nandlall pointed out.

He added, “It’s a work in progress but it will be one of the most advanced pieces of legislation of its type and should be in Parliament very shortly.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali has repeatedly talked about the benefits that a lucrative hemp industry can bring for Guyana.

In fact, during his address to the Police Officers’ Conference last month, the Head of State said that the country can develop a viable hemp industry by exploiting and capitalising on the value-added aspects of the plant.

“The hemp industry is not only about hemp production, but it is about having the processing and value-added facilities here in Guyana and these are industries that can generate jobs, these are industries that have high value return,” he noted.

President Ali had previously disclosed, at a press

briefing last month, his intention to meet marijuana farmers on the possibility of them taking advantage of the hemp industry. He said it is a legal way for them to make money.

“It is a net gain for the country, and I want to have that conversation and I think that it is the responsibility of the President to lead in some of these areas in creating the level of trust for the transformation that is required. So, yes this is an industry that can also help in at-risk communities,” the President told reporters.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) had reported that according to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Centre, industrial hemp is from the plant species Cannabis sativa and has been used worldwide to produce a variety of industrial and consumer products.

Hemp is a source of fibre and the oilseed is grown in more than 30 nations.

Some uses for hemp include rope, textiles, clothing, shoes, food, paper, bioplastics, insulation, and biofuel.

It is rich in protein, unsaturated fats, fibre, minerals and vitamins. Hemp protects the brain, boosts heart health, reduces inflammation, improves skin conditions and relieves rheumatoid arthritis.

Hemp seeds are particu-

larly rich in healthy fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that are known for improving heart health by reducing cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides.

Additionally, the results of the 2021 Hemp Acreage and Production Survey in its National Hemp Report which shows data of hemp grown in the open and under protection in the United States (US), stated that the value of US hemp production in the open totalled $712 million.

The value of production for hemp that was grown under protection in the US totalled $112 million.

Further, the Global Industrial Hemp Markets Report 2021-2028, published by GlobeNewswire in November 2021, states that the global industrial hemp market size is expected to reach US$12.01 billion by 2028 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 16.2 per cent from 2021 to 2028. (G8)

Attorney General & Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC

Education Ministry seeks to reduce “hand-delivered” mail to HR Dept

…teachers can now submit documents electronically

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he Education Ministry on Sunday announced that all documents which would normally be “hand-delivered” to the Human Resources Department of the Ministry at 21 Brickdam, Georgetown, pertaining to upgrade in status, transfer, secondment, etc should be emailed to hr@moe.gov.gy.

According to the Education Ministry, as soon as the email is sent, an automatic receipt will be sent to the sender’s email to acknowledge receipt of the mail. To process emails faster, the subject of the email should include the region the teacher is from, the nature of the matter and the teacher’s name.

In its notice on Sunday, the Education Ministry said that each document sent will be processed in three working days.

“If more time is required, then the Human

Resources Department will communicate with the concerned party and advise of such. This system seeks to reduce the need to travel to Georgetown to deliver a letter,” the Ministry said, adding that using a digi-

tal system will ensure that correspondences are no longer misplaced. It is expected that a similar system will be implemented by all Education Departments across the country in a short while.

12 NEWS Poor leadership in schools gave birth to management training course – trainer MONDAY, APRIL 4,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…as more teachers graduate with Education Management Certificate

Trainer Maydha Persaud speaking at the graduation ceremony on Friday

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nother batch of teachers have graduated from the Education Management Certificate course (EMC) in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

At the eleventh graduation and prize-giving ceremony at Anna Regina Secondary School (ARMS) on Essequibo Coast, master trainer Maydha Persaud said the training started in 2020.

Persaud, a retired Head Master, said it has been recognised and agreed that one of the key factors influencing effectiveness is the nature and quality of the leadership and management provided by each school Head.

As such he told the gathering, including Heads of Departments (HOD), that the Head is said to be the heart of an institution and

the leadership style of the individual is the heartbeat.

He said an effective Head must instil in the staff that good teaching is about substance and treating schoolchildren as consumers of knowledge.

Persaud said the Education Ministry is providing enormous financial material and human resources, but in many cases, the output is far below what is expected.

According to Persaud, a survey was conducted to ascertain the poor performance in some schools and it found that one of the factors responsible is the leadership displayed by many Heads. Persaud added that it is against that backdrop the Education Ministry, through the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), embarked on the

Education Management Certificate course, in an attempt to improve school performance and meet the needs of children.

“The course was introduced to Guyana in 2000, as a joint effort of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Ministry of Education, started in Region Two as a pilot project. It is the brainchild of the Commonwealth of Learning and was first conducted in Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, all in Africa.” Persaud noted

Success of course

Speaking on the achievements of the course, Persaud mentioned that the management course was taken to Belize and then brought to Guyana.

“In 2000, it was piloted in Region Two for 30 head Teachers and the master trainers were from Guyana and Canada and the outcome was a resounding success... since 2003, the course has been undergone by school administrators in all 10 regions under the management of the NCERD Director and conducted by Regional Master Trainers,” Persaud informed the graduands.

The trainer also noted that it is of 18 months duration and spawns five school terms and he said it is very beneficial, already resulting in improved school discipline and examination results. Persaud said the course qualification is

Valedictorian Vishnu Narine and second-best graduating teacher, Sareena Seemangal

also used for senior promotions and is given six points which are equal to that of a Certificate in Education at the University of Guyana

(UG).

Delivering the charge to the certified graduates was the second-best graduating teacher, Sareena

Seemangal. She charged the teachers to be good teachers and managers in their school system.

Vishnu Narine of Aurora Secondary School achieved the position of the best graduating teacher and as such received a number of trophies for his outstanding performance. Additionally, Sareena Seemangal copped the second position and is the best graduating teacher of Batch 9. She also received a number of trophies for her excellent performance.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were the Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit, Regional Education Officer Nigel Richards, and the various District Education Officers. (G14)

Assuria celebrates 10th anniversary with opening of Anna Regina branch

Assuria Managing Director and General Manager Yogindra Arjune

Assuria’s newest branch at Anna Regina, Region Two

ssuria Guyana General and Life Insurance Companies celebrated ten years of insurance service in Guyana with the opening of its newest location at Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The company's office is located in the bottom flat of the Builder's Hardware General Supplies and Construction store in the township of Anna Regina.

Assuria General and Life Insurance company began operations in Guyana in April 2012 and established its newest office in Essequibo to focus on new business and population growth in the region.

Assuria (GY) is a subsidiary of Assuria (NV), the largest insurance company in Suriname, and has been in business since 1889 when the Dutch insurance company established its first subsidiary in Suriname.

During an interview, Managing Director and

General Manager Yogindra Arjune told this publication that the opening of the office in Essequibo fits the company’s overall growth strategy to increase its market share and further stated that it will be advantageous for customers in the region to have easy access to the company’s products and services.

He also said that the company was established in Georgetown on April 1, 2012, offering quality insurance products with value pricing. Assuria offers insurance packages in motor, fire, residential, life, health, travel, group, marine, liabilities, bonds, pension, tailored for all stakeholders, and in the oil and gas industry - backed with strong reinsurers support.

"Persons visiting or contacting our office can freely ask about our new AMER extension to protect themselves as a driver, they can find out about our ten for twelve and five for six motor insurance options and

A

also new and more options for glass breakage protection. However, we value feedback from our supporters and customers, we listen to their needs and concerns and have been able to tailor special insurance packages to suit their needs such as our GTU plan for teachers and the serve and protect plan for members of the armed services," Arjune said.

He added that later in the year the company will be opening its brand-new head office in Georgetown, which will culminate its 10th anniversary celebrations.

Additionally, Assuria has recently launched its "Dream Realised Packages" in support of the Central Housing and Planning Authority. The package was launched in order to realise citizens' dream of owning their own home, by offering as much as a 50 per cent discount on residential insurance on a oneyear premium. (G14)

NEWS

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Power surge leads to fire, Active COVID-19 cases now Linden home destroyed at 84 after 5 new infections …2 homeless

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The debris from the completely destroyed house

power surge in First Alley Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), led to a fire which has left several homeless.

According to the Guyana Fire Service, it was alerted about a fire at Lot 55 First Alley Wismar, Linden at about 11:44h on Sunday.

The one floor wooden and concrete house, which was completely destroyed was owned by 99-year-old Marverine Drewley and occupied by 66-year-old Joel Drewley.

According to the Fire Service, the purported cause of the fire is an electrical power surge, which caused substandard electrical wiring to overheat. “…this caused the thermostat of the refrigerator to fail and subsequently overheated the compressor which ignited nearby combustible materials,” the Fire Service said in a statement on Sunday evening.

According to the Fire

Fire Service has reminded citizens to be cautious and to follow safety measures to prevent the occurrence of a fire.

Some important measures, it said, includes, “ensure all appliances are turned off and unplugged before leaving a room or building. Never leave children unattended or within the reach of fire starters and flammable items.

Never leave cooking unattended. Always keep chil-

T

APRIL 3, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

5

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

8

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

Service, also affected by the blaze was a two-storey wooden and concrete house located at Lot 58 First Alley Wismar, Linden, owned by 87-year-old Dannly Saul and occupied by himself and his family of nine.

“Five meters of the Southern wall was severely damaged due to radiated heat from the building of origin,” the Fire Service said.

Meanwhile, the Guyana

dren a safe distance from the cooking area. Desist from overloading electrical sockets eg Overloading of drop cords and power strips with various appliances.”

It has also recommended the installation of smoke detectors and the use of fire extinguishers in homes and businesses so that persons can be prepared and alerted in the event of a fire.

In a notice on Sunday, it was announced that the Botanical Gardens and the Zoological Park and Wildlife Rescue Centre, Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, will reopen to the public today.

In March 2020, with

the deadly coronavirus being confirmed in Guyana, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) and the National Parks Commission (NPC) had announced the closure of the recreational facility.

72 4

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

18

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,134

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,138

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

63,272

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

61,962

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

Botanical Gardens, zoo to reopen today

he Botanical Gardens and Guyana Zoological Park will reopen today after being closed for over two years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions that were imposed.

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD

FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

2518

REGION 2

2491

REGION 3

8051

REGION 4

31,287

REGION 5

2379

REGION 6

5752

REGION 7

2423

REGION 8

887

REGION 9

4016

REGION 10

3468

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

432,381 328,273

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1226

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.

F

ive more persons have tested positive for novel coronavirus within a last 24-hour period, according to the Health Ministry’s updated COVID-19 dashboard on Sunday.

This now takes the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana to 63,272.

However, only 84 of these are currently active cases including four patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining persons in isolation, that is, 72 in home isolation and the other 8 in institutional isolation.

There are also another 18 persons in institutional quarantine.

So far this month, there has been no fatality from the virus hence the COVID-19 death toll in the country remains at 1226.

Additionally, the total number of recoveries from the life-threatening disease to date is 61,962.

Meanwhile, since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Guyana over two years ago, a total 571,790 tests have been conducted countrywide and of this, some 29,138 males and 34,134 females were found to be positive.

Of the five new cases detected on Sunday, one was from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and the remaining four cases from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

There were no new cas-

es in the other eight regions across the country within the reporting 24-hour 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 438,224 or 85.4 per cent of adults have taken a first dose and of that amount, some 336,871 or 65.7 per cent of persons 18 years and over are fully vaccinated.

For adolescents between

the ages of 12 and 17, approximately 34,309 or 47 per cent of them have received their first dose, while some 25,008 or 34.3 per cent of them are fully immunised.

In addition, in excess of 58,340 persons have returned for their booster shots thus far.

According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recent figures, some 486,761,597 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 6,142,735 deaths.

In the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 150,709,372 while the death toll in the region has gone up to 2,700,130.

As it relates to vaccination against COVID-19, the WHO also reported that a total of 11,054,362,790 doses have been administered worldwide.

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MONDAY, APRIL 4,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Operation Clean-Up”: Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy participated in a clean-up at exercise Grove Main Road, East Bank Demerara (DPI photos)

Indian High Commissioner, Dr KJ Srinivasa joined in the clean up exercise

NEWS

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

No 63 Beach management committee to be established before Easter activities

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management committee will soon be established to care for and manage the No 63 Beach, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), in time for the upcoming Easter Day activities.

This decision follows concerns raised by Commander Boodnarine Persaud, regarding recent traffic congestion involving over 250 vehicles there. It was relayed that these vehicles were nearly washed away, due to high tide.

The Commander said that this incident reinforces his belief that further development works need to be undertaken to ensure beachgoers’ safety. To prevent any recurrence, he recommended the construction

File photo: Number 63 Beach

of more entrances there to ease the flow of traffic.

“We have to also realise that we do not have any lighting system on the beach, and we are still responsible for security as there is no other security

service there to assist the Police stationed there to ensure persons’ safety,” the Commander is quoted by DPI as saying.

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond agreed

that the beach’s current condition is not ideal especially when a large number of persons is expected to fly kites and partake in other Easter activities.

She charged the Regional Democratic

Kwakwani Hospital benefits from donation of an ambulance

Attorney General Anil Nandlall with officials from the community of Kwakwani

A

ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC, on Friday witnessed the handing over of an ambulance to the Kwakwani Hospital by the Kwakwani Natural

Resources Organisation (KNRO) at Independence Park, Kwakwani, Region 10.

Secretary for the KNRO, Lamuel Carmichael handed the keys of the vehicle to the doctor in charge of

and a driver attached to the Kwakwani Hospital.

In an invited comment to DPI, the Attorney General, on behalf of the Health Ministry and the people of Kwakwani, thanked the organisation for their gener-

ous contribution.

He observed that just recently, this very organisation donated some $15 million towards the rehabilitation of a school in the community and thus far has made over sixty-five million dollars ($65 million) in similar contributions to various endeavours in the community.

In lauding the efforts of this organisation, Nandlall acknowledged the important role that they are playing as a corporate citizen in not only taking from the resources in the community but also giving back to the community and the people in kind.

He emphasised that civil, civic, and non-governmental organisations must continue to partner with the Government in improving the quality of life of our citizens in a quest to create a better society.

Council (RDC) to partner with relevant stakeholders to establish a management committee to conduct some immediate work at the beach ahead of the holiday, DPI reported.

“We know that putting Government, and I am speaking about Local Government in charge to make the system efficient and not make people frustrated when they come to experience Berbice and more so the beach, is needed right now and we have seen this work in other regions so I want to see everyone involved including the Neighbourhood Democratic Council,” Walrond is quoted as saying.

Walrond said that while it is not possible to under-

take the complete vision for the beach at present, this is the beginning of what residents will benefit from.

Regional Chairman David Armogan committed to the Minister’s request.

“We will put together the committee very quickly, at least before the end of next week and so they can get to work in terms of what has to be done because we do not have a lot of time now, but for the time being some of the works identified, we can do that as a region,” he said Last year, First Lady Arya Ali visited the beach to examine ways that it can be enhanced and beautified much like what is being done at the Georgetown Seawall.

16 NEWS Dominica urges Commonwealth countries to re-elect Scotland MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

D

ominica has called on the 54-member Commonwealth grouping to re-elect its General Secretary, Baroness Patricia Scotland, for a second consecutive term, saying that despite the challenges of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and climate change, she has “laid a solid foundation to look at solutions for our countries in the future”.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, in a letter to the Commonwealth Governments, recalled that the Dominican-born Scotland, who was first appointed to the position in 2015, had a mandate “to reform the Commonwealth Secretariat and to advocate and to be a voice for those of our countries without a voice”.

“In her first term she delivered on reform and on change; she delivered on partnerships and innovation for the benefit of our countries; she delivered on good offices and democracy. She successfully braved the challenges of the climate crisis and of the COVID-19 pandemic and has laid a solid foun-

dation to look at solutions for our countries in the future,” Skerrit said in his letter dated March 23, a copy of which has been obtained by the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

Scotland is the second Secretary General from the Caribbean and the first woman to hold the post.

Last Friday night, Jamaica announced that its Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith had been nominated to contest the position at the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit to be held in Rwanda, June 20-25, with Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne describing Jamaica’s move as a “monumental error”.

In its statement announcing that JohnsonSmith would be seeking to replace Scotland, the Office of the Prime Minster in Jamaica described her as “eminently qualified for the post” and that she has “held several crucial leadership posts both regionally and internationally.

“Her qualifications for the post of Secretary General, including her

Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland

high moral character, diplomatic and political acumen, proven competence, and commitment to the work of the Commonwealth, make her an excellent candidate,” the statement added.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in supporting his senior Minister for the position, said “she will bring a wealth of experience to the position, and is committed to international public service, with special regard for sustainable development, gender and the interests of small states”.

However, Browne

warned that “those who seek to divide and rule, are encouraging Jamaica to present a candidate in opposition to the current Secretary General, who is serving on a Caricom rotation”.

Browne told CMC that “Jamaica was party to a recent Caricom consensus endorsing the re-election of Baroness Scotland” for the position.

“I think Jamaica’s proposed candidature for Commonwealth Secretary General, is a monumental error, which could only serve to divide the Caribbean”.

Browne said that “as an integration movement, the reliability of our decisions should be preserved to keep our region united and strong”.

“Our consensus decisions should never be broken without overwhelming cause; that will not undermine the unity of our integration movement, or violate the treaty provisions.”

“The issue of Baroness Scotland’s dominant nationality is a now moot point. The reality is, she was born in Dominica, with Antiguan & Barbudan lineage. She is a Caribbeaner, she is a member of our Caricom family deserving of the respect, solidarity and protection against those who seek to vilify and emasculate her,” he added.

At the end of their March 1-2 Inter-sessional summit held in Belize, Caricom leaders issued a communique in which they “expressed their overwhelming support for the re-election of Scotland foe the position”.

In his letter to the Commonwealth leaders, Skerrit said while he had hoped to discuss the

re-election of Baroness Scotland in 2020 with them, the COVID-19 pandemic had occasioned the postponement of the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit.

Skerrit said he was now attaching the Commonwealth Secretary’s report of 2021, entitled “A Commonwealth Working For All”, that “highlights the accomplishments in her first term and the period of her extension during the pandemic as well as the work that will be consolidated and undertaken in her second term.

“The Caribbean Community of which Dominica is part, has remained consistent in its support for Baroness Scotland….

“I firmly believe it is in the interest of the Commonwealth to continue on this track record of achievement and, therefore, it remains my distinct pleasure to herby present the Right Honourable Patricia Scotland to be confirmed for a second term as Commonwealth Secretary General,” Skerrit wrote in his letter. (CMC)

NEWS

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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ukraine war: Bucha Street (near Kyiv) littered with burned-out tanks, hundreds of bodies A

suburban avenue in Bucha became one of the first graveyards for Russia's hopes of encircling and entering Kyiv and then deposing the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The moment came two or three days after the first Russian forces crossed into Ukraine on 24 February, when Ukrainian forces destroyed a column of Russian tanks and armoured personnel carriers moving through the town of Bucha to the city of Kyiv.

The convoy was destroyed in one of the first of many Ukrainian ambushes that stopped the Russian advance dead.

Our BBC team was able to get to Bucha because during Friday the final Russian soldiers pulled out, as part of what the Kremlin has presented as a calm and rational decision to concentrate on the war in eastern Ukraine.

Moscow says, without proof or any reliabil-

ity, that its war aims in central Ukraine have been achieved, and they never included capturing Kyiv.

The truth is that unexpectedly fierce and well organised Ukrainian resistance stopped them outside the capital, and the evidence includes the rusting and twisted wreckage of the column that still lies where it was destroyed on that suburban street.

Two or three weeks into the war the Russian invaders ran out of momentum.

On the street in Bucha you can see why.

Elite troops from Russia's airborne forces rode into the town in armoured vehicles light enough to be carried by aircraft. They came from Hostomel airport, a few miles away, which had been attacked and seized

by Russian paratroopers landed by helicopter on the first day of the invasion.

Even then, there was fierce resistance from Ukrainian forces.

When the column moved through Bucha on the way to Kyiv, they had a harsh awakening.

The road is narrow and straight, an ideal place for an ambush. Witnesses said the Ukrainians attacked the convoy with Bayraktar attack drones bought from Turkey. Other neighbours said Ukrainian territorial defence volunteers were also in the area.

However they did it, the lead vehicles and the ones bringing up the rear were knocked out and imprisoned the others. The wreckage has not been touched. Belts of 30mm cannon shells lie on the grass verge, along with many pieces of dangerous and damaged abandoned ordnance.

Young conscripts ran away, begging, local people said, not to be turned over to Ukrainian territorial defence. A man of around 70 who called himself uncle Hrysha, said: "I felt sorry for them. They were so

young, 18 to 20, with their whole lives ahead of them."

It looks as if Russians, as they prepared to pull out of Bucha, had no such pity. At least 20 dead men were lying in the street as Ukrainian troops entered the town. Some of them had their hands tied behind their backs. The mayor said they had buried 280 people in mass graves.

A few civilians who stayed said they had tried to avoid the Russians. They set up wood fires outside their Khrushchev-era flats, cooking on them outdoors because their gas, power and water were cut.

Volunteers are bringing supplies in from Lviv in western Ukraine, and from countries far from the war, geographically at least.

"This is the first bread we've had in 38 days," said a woman called Maria, looking at a plastic bag with some modest looking buns inside. Her daughter Larysa showed me round the Soviet-built apartment

building.

Many of the people who had left for safer areas, or abroad, had bolted shut security doors. The Russians removed them by ripping out the concrete lintels and door posts.

A few miles away, the trail of devastation leads to Hostomel airport. Russian airborne troops tried to use it as a base for a push into Kyiv.

The world's largest transport plane was destroyed early on. The roof of the enormous hangar built for it was so riddled with a constellation of shrapnel holes. The plane itself, known by the Ukrainian word for dream (Mriya), lies there broken-backed, big chunks of fuselage and engine in places around it.

Its fate is a parable of what is happening to Ukraine.

An enormous amount of national pride was invested in the aircraft, as a symbol of Ukraine's ability to make big projects all round the world. (BBC)

Killing of civilians in Buchaand Kyiv condemned as "terrible war crime"

R

ussia stands accused of “terrible” war crimes, as western leaders condemned the killings of unarmed civilians in Bucha and the surrounding areas of Kyiv in alleged atrocities that prompted fresh demands for tougher action against Moscow.

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said the Kremlin-ordered attack on his country amounted to genocide, after local officials reported scores of civilians had been killed in the towns of Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel near the capital.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine’s refusal to be subdued to Russia was the reason “we are being destroyed and exterminated”, describing the war to the US network CBS as “the

torture of the whole nation”.

Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dymtro Kuleba, said Russia was “worse than Isis”.

Witnesses of alleged atrocities in Bucha told the Guardian that Russian soldiers, who have now withdrawn from the area, had fired on men fleeing the town, and had killed civilians at will.

Taras Schevchenko, 43, said Russian soldiers had refused to allow men to leave through a humanitarian corridor, instead shooting at them as they fled across an open field. Bodies, he said, were scattered on the pavements, with some of those killed having been “squashed by tanks … like animal skin rugs”.

Shevchenko’s mother, Yevdokia, 77, said she had

witnessed an elderly man who had challenged a Russian soldier being shot dead as his wife stood next to him. “They shot him dead, and ordered the woman to leave,” she said.

The accounts could not be independently verified.

Reporters from Agence France-Presse saw at least 20 bodies, all in civilian clothing, strewn across a single street in the town of Bucha on Friday. One had his hands tied behind his back with a white cloth, and his Ukrainian passport left open beside his body. “All these people were shot,” Bucha’s mayor, Anatoly Fedoruk, told AFP, adding that a further 280 bodies had been buried in mass graves in the town.

The UN secretary general, António Guterres, said: “I am

Civilian deaths in Ukraine: UN chief calls for independent probe

U

nited Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday said he was "deeply shocked" by images of dead civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha, and he called for an independent investigation that "leads to effective accountability."

Guterres posted his comments on Twitter a day after witnesses and officials said that Russian troops killed almost 300 civilians as they withdrew from the town near Kyiv.

"I am deeply shocked by the images of civilians killed in Bucha, Ukraine," Guterres said, joining Western officials in expressing outrage.

"It is essential that an independent investigation

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

leads to effective accountability," he said.

The Russian defense ministry denied that Russian forces killed civilians in

Bucha, saying that videos and photographs of bodies were "yet another provocation" by the Ukrainian government. (The Daily Star)

deeply shocked by the images of civilians killed in Bucha, Ukraine. It is essential that an independent investigation leads to effective accountability.”

The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, said the killings added to evidence of Russian war crimes, while the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, expressed shock about the “terrible and horrifying” footage from Bucha. “Streets littered with bodies. Bodies buried in makeshift conditions. There is talk of women, children and the elderly among the victims,” Scholz said The British ambassador to Ukraine, Melinda Simmons, said it was clear that rape had been used as a weapon of war by Russian forces. She said: “Women raped in front of their kids, girls in front of their families, as a deliberate act of subjugation. Rape is a war crime.”

Germany’s vice-chancellor, Robert Habeck, condemned the killings of civilians in the town of Bucha as a “terrible war crime [that] cannot go unanswered” and called for a strengthening of sanctions. The country’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said the images from Bucha were “unbearable”.

“Putin’s frantic violence is wiping out innocent families and knows no bounds,” she wrote on Twitter, adding that those responsible for war crimes must be held to account.

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, described the killings at Bucha as “a punch to the gut” and joined western allies in vowing to document the atrocities to hold the perpetrators to account.

The head of the European Council, Charles Michel, said he was shocked by “haunting

images of atrocities committed by [the] Russian army in liberated region of Kyiv”, adding that “further EU sanctions and support are on their way”.

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she was “appalled by reports of unspeakable horrors in areas from which Russia is withdrawing”. An independent investigation was urgently needed, she said, and “perpetrators of war crimes will be held accountable”.

Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s foreign minister, pledged France would work with Ukrainian authorities and the international criminal court (ICC) “to ensure these acts don’t go unpunished and that those responsible are being sent to trial and convicted”.

Johnson, who spoke on Saturday to Zelenskiy, said the UK “will continue to step up military, economic and diplomatic support, including further ramping up sanctions

to increase the economic pressure on Putin’s war machine, while Russian troops remain on Ukrainian territory”.

He said the murder of innocent civilians in Irpin and Bucha was “yet more evidence that Putin and his army are committing war crimes in Ukraine”. The Russian president’s invasion was failing, Johnson added, and Ukrainian forces’ resolve had “never been stronger”.

Russia for its part tried to paint the situation in Bucha as somehow representing a “provocation” by Ukraine intended to disrupt peace talks.

The Kremlin’s foreign ministry said Russia was seeking a UN security council meeting on the matter. Russia denied responsibility for the Bucha killing of civilians. Its defence ministry described the photos and videos as “another staged performance by the Kyiv regime”, echoing a similar claim made after the bombing of a children’s and maternity hospital in Mariupol. (Excerpted from The Guardian)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

Regional

Costa Ricans to pick US Coast Guard seizes US$243M president in run-off between in illegal drugs in Caribbean outsider, former leader T

C

osta Ricans cast their ballots in a run-off election Sunday, choosing between an anti-establishment outsider and former leader to be the next head of the Central American country as it grapples with debt woes and social discontent.

Final polling gave economist Rodrigo Chaves, a former longtime World Bank official, a slight lead over former President Jose Maria Figueres. Chaves had 41 per cent of support, while Figueres was seen with 38 per cent, with many voters still undecided, according to a poll by the University of Costa Rica published Tuesday.

Chaves, who also briefly served as Finance Minister for outgoing President Carlos Alvarado, came second in an initial vote in February. Seen as a renegade, he has vowed to shake up the ranks of the political elite, even pledging to use referendums to bypass Congress to bring change.

“If the people go out to vote, this is going to be a sweep, a tsunami,” a confident Chaves said after casting his ballot on Sunday.

Costa Rican presidential candidates Jose Maria Figueres of the National Liberation Party (PLN) (left) and Rodrigo Chavez of the Social Democratic Progress Party (PSL) (right) during a debate ahead of the April 3 presidential election runoff, at the Universidad Latina in San Jose, Costa Rica, March 29, 2022

Figueres, whose father was also President for three separate terms, campaigned on his experience and family political legacy. He has promised to lift post-coronavirus pandemic economic growth and boost green industries in the environmentally-progressive nation.

“Let’s vote with joy, respecting the preferences of each person, but reinforcing our democratic system,” Figueres told reporters after voting.

Going into the election, some voters said they were

lukewarm on both candidates, whose political careers have been tainted by accusations of wrongdoings.

Chaves faced allegations of sexual harassment during his tenure at the World Bank, which he denied. Figueres resigned as Executive Director of the World Economic Forum in 2004 amid accusations in Costa Rica that he had influenced State contracts with the telecoms company Alcatel, a case that was never tried in court. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T Judiciary confirms acting registrar’s exit

Questions have been raised surrounding the acting Registrar of the Supreme Court and her taking up a position at a Port of Spain law firm although she is said to be on vacation from the Judiciary.

On Friday, a notice welcoming acting Registrar Kerri-Ann Oliverie to the firm of Al-Rawi, Haynes Soo Hon and Co surfaced while an internal memo from the Judiciary suggested she was on vacation.

Judges and court staff on April 1 were informed in an internal memo that Oliverie was on vacation leave and acting Deputy Registrar Raymond Roberts will act in the substantive position from April 1 to May 31.

On Sunday, the Judiciary said the move was not unusual.

Friday’s internal memo, signed by Court Protocol and Information manager Carl Francis, wished Oliverie “an enjoyable vacation” and also sent “every good wish” to Roberts during his acting appointment.

On Friday, sources in the Judiciary said Oliverie informed some judges she had resigned. It was also confirmed she will be joining the law firm owned by

he United States Coast Guard on Saturday said that the crew of its cutter Dauntless, on Friday, offloaded at its Coast Guard Base Miami Beach, more than US$243 million in illegal narcotics seized in the Caribbean Sea. The US Coast Guard said the Dauntless crew seized about 8500 pounds of cocaine and apprehended 13 suspected drug smugglers with Dominican Republic and Colombian nationalities following a 45-day patrol in the Caribbean Sea. “The Dauntless’ crew worked alongside multiple

US Coast Guard assets and international assets, including the HNLMS Friesland of the Royal Netherlands Navy to interdict the illegal drug smuggling ventures,” the US Coast Guard said.

“The Coast Guard’s strong international partnerships, counter threats in the maritime domain, protect each of our countries from transnational organised crime, and work to stabilise and promote good governance in the region,” said Lieutenant Paul Puddington, a District Seven duty enforcement officer.

“We are thankful for coor-

dinated efforts across the US Coast Guard, the Department of Defence, Customs and Border Protection, as well as our international partners from the Netherlands and throughout Central and South America,” he added.

The US Coast Guard said the fight against drug cartels in the Caribbean Sea requires “unity of effort in all phases from detection, monitoring and interdictions, to criminal prosecutions by international partners and US Attorneys’ Offices in districts across the nation”. (Excerpt from CMC)

At least 12 dead in Ecuador prison violence

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t least 12 prisoners died and another 10 were injured during a gang confrontation at a prison in Ecuador, the Government said on Sunday, in a new episode of prison violence in the Andean country.

Violence in Ecuadorean prisons, which the Government says is related to gang disputes over drug trafficking, killed 316 people last year.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights says the system is blighted by State abandonment and the absence of a comprehensive policy, as

well as poor conditions for inmates.

The confrontation at the El Turi prison in the city of Cuenca took place early on Sunday, Interior Minister Patricio Carrillo told Journalists.

Prisoners were trying to gain control of the prison’s interior, he said.

“Up to now 12 victims have been tallied on the exterior part and in the interior parts work is still being done and an evaluation being made,” Carrillo said.

“There is an organisation that wants to have absolute power in the interior of the prison and there

are some cells which have rebelled against them,” he said.

The Government is adopting measures to regain control of the prison, Carrillo added. Some 800 Police and military personnel as present there, the Government said earlier on Sunday.

About 90 inmates were evacuated after the incident, 10 of whom were injured, the head of the penitentiary system, Pablo Ramirez said.

There were no reports of escaped inmates, the Government said. (Reuters)

Caricom and Canada discuss challenges facing the region

T

The notice welcoming Attorney Kerri-Ann Oliverie to the law firm of Al Rawi Haynes Soo Hon and Co

Mona Nahous Al-Rawi, wife of former Attorney General, now Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Faris Al-Rawi, at which former senior State Attorney Zelica Haynes-Soo Hon is also a managing partner.

The welcome notice from the firm read, “Al Rawi, Haynes Soo Hon and Co welcomes Kerri-Ann Oliverie to our team of attorneys.

“Kerri-Ann is a welcome addition to our firm

and brings with her over ten years’ experience in the areas of family, probate, wills, estate planning and mediation. Kerri-Ann will lead the family, probate and estate planning section of the firm.”

While some in the Judiciary said her resignation was confirmed to them by her, others said they were under the impression she was on vacation as the internal memo suggested.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

rinidad’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Amery Browne recently participated in the second Caricom-Canada Foreign Ministers’ group meeting at which the “dynamic partnership between Caricom and Canada” was reaffirmed, a release from his Ministry said on Sunday.

The meeting, held virtually, was co-chaired by Belize’s Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration Minister Eamon Courtenay and Melanie Joly, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister.

The release said Caricom and Canada also renewed their commitment to joint action to address the challenges facing the Region including climate change and the war in Ukraine.

“Discussions focused on regional security and stability, with Minister Browne speaking on behalf of the region on the topics of strengthening the ongoing collaboration between Caricom member states and Canada in the areas of border security, combatting drug and human trafficking as well as the impact of natural disasters on the region.”

The release also said the

Trinidad’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Amery Browne

meeting identified areas of cooperation in the joint advocacy for the needs of the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), tackling development challenges, strengthening democracy and promoting shared values.

“One of these key areas is leading on global efforts on financing for development and advancing the sustainable development goals.”

The Ministry said Ministers discussed building a resilient and sustainable economic recovery following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with

particular attention being paid to the Caricom’s ability to access concessional financing for development projects and reducing the debt burden.

They also identified increased trade and investment between Canada and Caricom as one of the methods to stimulate economic growth and development, with an emphasis on sustainability, green infrastructure, agriculture, technology and energy, all of which will be reflected in an upcoming Canada Caricom trade mission.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices set to open after largest weekly fall in 2 years

O

il futures were set to open for Asian trade on Sunday, after both Brent and US crude benchmarks posted their biggest weekly falls in two years last week as the United States announced the largest ever release from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Both contracts settled down around 13 per cent for the week. On Thursday, US President Joe Biden announced a release of 1 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil for six months from May, which would amount to 180 million barrels.

On Friday, member countries of the International Energy Agency committed to another coordinated oil release in an extraordinary meeting, according to Japan's Industry Ministry.

Still, "when you look at the release from the SPR, there are still a lot of questions about how they're going to get all that oil out of there," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group. "We'll have to wait and see."

Trade has been volatile since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in late February.

Energy markets worldwide were roiled and prompted concern about global supply when sanctions imposed on Russia over the invasion disrupted oil supplies and drove oil prices to nearly US$140 a barrel, the highest in about 14 years.

Some bearish news over the weekend could add some relief to prices.

The Russian State-owned energy giant Gazprom said on Sunday it was continuing to supply natural gas to Europe via Ukraine in line with requests from European consumers.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has welcomed the announcement of a UN-brokered truce in Yemen and the halt of all military operations there and on the Saudi-Yemeni border, the UAE's State news agency WAM reported on Saturday. The Iran-aligned Houthi group, which has been fighting a coalition including the UAE in Yemen, also welcomed the truce. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Islamophobia rises in France as presidential election nears

T

he question of Islam has long been a thorn in the French establishment’s side. With France on the cusp of presidential elections, far-right views have permeated mainstream public discourse on the Muslim community, immigration, and security.

For Anasse Kazib, the country’s series of measures and laws in recent decades have sought to curtail the Muslim way of life under the guise of fighting “terrorism” and “Islamism”.

The 35-year-old Marxist railway worker and son of Moroccan immigrants ran as a far-left candidate for the first round of French presidential elections on April 10. But he fell short of gathering the required 500 sponsorships from elected officials to appear on the ballot, and said the reaction to his candidacy by the establishment was based on fear and hostility.

While he is proud to be a descendant of immigrants, and to be a worker and hail

from a working-class area, he did not mince his words when asked where Muslims fit in French society.

“The French identity does not include the Muslim community,” he said. “They never respected us as French people. They want to decide how French we are.”

While the Government claims its legislation is intended to strengthen France’s secular system, critics say it unfairly singles out the Muslim community and restricts religious freedom.

France has an estimated 5.7 million French Muslims, the largest Muslim population in western Europe.

But according to academic researchers, the discrimination, racial violence, and reactionary politics against the community have prompted many of them – particularly those who are highly educated – to emigrate from France in order to seek better job opportunities and more freedom.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Shanghai asks entire city to selftest for COVID as frustration grows

S

hanghai on Sunday ordered its 26 million residents to undergo two more rounds of tests for COVID-19 as public anger grows over how authorities in China's most populous city are tackling a record coronavirus surge.

Residents should selftest on Sunday using antigen kits and report any positive results, Shanghai Government officials told a news conference, while a nucleic acid test would be conducted citywide on Monday.

"The main task is to completely eliminate risk points and to cut off the chain of transmission so that we can curb the spread of the epidemic as soon as possible," said Wu Qianyu, an inspector from Shanghai Municipal

Police and security members in protective suits stand outside cordoned-off food stores following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Shanghai, China, March 29, 2022

Health Commission.

Essentially all of China's financial capital is locked down after the city began curbing movement in its eastern districts last Monday, extending the re-

strictions to the entire city days later Shanghai's lockdown has massively disrupted daily life and businesses, even as healthcare workers and volunteers work round the

clock trying to test the entire population and supply residents with groceries.

China's COVID caseload remains low by international standards, but spikes in places like Shanghai are testing its previously successful approach of stamping out the virus through strict curbs and aggressive testing and tracing.

Most of Shanghai's infections have been asymptomatic, according to official data, but China's "dynamic clearance" approach requires authorities to test, trace and centrally quarantine all positive cases.

Shanghai on Sunday reported 7788 daily locally transmitted asymptomatic cases, up from 6501 the day before, while symptomatic cases rose to 438 from 260. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Taliban bans drug Pakistan heads for early cultivation, including election amid move to remove PM Imran Khan lucrative opium

An Afghan man works on a poppy field in Jalalabad province April 17, 2014

T

he Taliban announced on Sunday a ban on the cultivation of narcotics in Afghanistan, the world's biggest opium producer.

"As per the decree of the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, all Afghans are informed that from now on, cultivation of poppy has been strictly prohibited across the country," according to an order from the Taliban's supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada.

"If anyone violates the decree, the crop will be destroyed immediately and the violator will be treated according to the Sharia law," the order, announced at a news conference by the Ministry of Interior in Kabul, said.

The order said the production, use or transportation of other narcotics was also banned.

Drug control has been one major demand of the international community of the Islamist group,

which took over the country in August and is seeking formal international recognition in order to wind back sanctions that are severely hampering banking, business and development.

The Taliban banned poppy growing towards the end of their last rule in 2000 as they sought international legitimacy, but faced a popular backlash and later mostly changed their stance, according to experts.

Afghanistan's opium production - which the United Nations estimated was worth US$1.4 billion at its height in 2017 - has increased in recent months, farmers and Taliban members told Reuters.

The country's dire economic situation has prompted residents of south-eastern provinces to grow the illicit crop that could bring them faster and higher returns than legal crops such as wheat.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Imran Khan, elected in July 2018 vowing to tackle corruption and fix the economy, remains popular with some voters, even though a lot of his public support has been lost as a result of rocketing inflation and ballooning foreign debt

P

akistan's President has dissolved Parliament - a step towards early elections following an attempt to remove PM Imran Khan from office.

It comes after Parliament's Deputy Speaker refused to hold a vote of no-confidence the PM was expected to lose.

Khan claims the US is leading a conspiracy to remove him because of his criticism of US policy and other foreign policy decisions he has taken.

Opposition politicians ridiculed the allegation, and the US has denied it.

Imran Khan visited Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin as Russia was launching the invasion of Ukraine. He has previously criticised America's "War on Terror".

The BBC's Secunder Kermani said the Prime Minister is widely regarded as having come to power with the help of Pakistan's army, but now observers say they have fallen out.

His political opponents seized the opportunity to demand the no-confidence vote after persuading a number of his coalition partners to defect to them.

On Sunday, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told MPs that Pakistani officials had been told of "an operation for a regime change by a foreign government".

This, he said, went against the Constitution and the Deputy Speaker chairing the session - a close ally of the Prime Minister - proceeded to declare the vote unconstitutional.

The opposition are furious.

They have filed a petition to the country's Supreme Court, which is assessing whether the decision not to allow a vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister is valid.

Heavy security has been deployed around Government buildings and across the capital, Islamabad. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

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DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Assess personal situations. Refuse to let anyone disrupt your plans or momentum. Avoid places and events that pose a threat to your health or finances. Speak up for yourself.

(March 21-April 19) Look for the good in everyone and everything. Attitude will make a difference when dealing with situations that can affect your livelihood and your ability to get the things you need.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

Offer only what you know you can deliver. Put everything you've got into a plan you believe in or something meaningful to you. Learn by watching others to avoid making an unnecessary mistake.

Get things done on time. What you do will be more influential than what you say. Take a unique approach to how you deal with money and health matters. A lifestyle change is favored.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Keep an open mind, and you'll learn something valuable. A conversation with an expert will encourage you to slow down and pay closer attention to detail.

Stick to what you know and trust.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Mix and match, and you'll come up with an idea that strikes a chord with someone who can help you. Don't worry about the changes going on around you.

Take care of your responsibilities.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Take time to enjoy a precious moment. Share your intentions with someone you want to hang out with more.

Don't go into debt to prove a point or impress someone.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) You'll be faced with changes at home or involving partnerships. Listen carefully and consider how to satisfy everyone's needs without disrupting your long-term plans.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Participate and learn. Question anything you don't understand or that seems unrealistic. A short trip, meeting or educational pursuit will help you adjust your plans to fit trends.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

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SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Look for unique ways to invest or use your money to increase your profits.

Raising your assets and lowering your liabilities will ease stress and give you more time to do the things you most enjoy.

Sit tight if you aren't prepared. You have time to get your ducks in a row.

Refuse to let someone's impatience cause you to rush. Choose the pace that feels most comfortable.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Get your facts straight and your documents in order. The changes you make will draw attention and buy you the help you require to get things done in a timely fashion.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

21

All-round Livingstone consigns CSK to 3rd straight loss C

hennai Super Kings' winless start to the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) continued into a third game as the defending champions this time fell apart after opting to chase.

Punjab Kings claimed the spoils in the royal rumble at Brabourne Stadium, their second victory set up by Liam Livingstone's boundary-fuelled 60 from 32 balls, and then a sparkling start with the ball from debutant seamer Vaibhav Arora, who claimed figures of 2 for 21 as Super Kings tumbled to 23 for 4 inside the powerplay.

Despite an early trend for sides winning while chasing, this was the third game in a row in which a total was successfully defended. Super Kings were perhaps the happier side at the halfway mark, after dragging Kings back from a score of 109 for 2 with one ball of the 10th over to go, but the signs that their innings might not be the expected stroll were there when Chris Jordan, who claimed 2 for 23 with an excellent death-bowling display, noted with surprise the lack of evening dew.

Needing to go at nine an over on a Brabourne surface that had looked good for batting, Super Kings

Liam Livingstone claimed two wickets

game was all but over as a contest.

From 36 for 5, Super Kings were indebted to Shivam Dube's 30-ball 57 for keeping them clinging to the tails of the asking rate.

But Livingstone struck twice in two balls to continue a fine night's work and when MS Dhoni was ninth out at the start of the 18th over, caught behind for a laboured 23 off 28, the jig really was up.

Livi lets fly

Picked up for a price of

two overs had left Kings 14 for 2.

Livingstone's aggression was the chief reason for Kings posting the second-highest powerplay score of the season so far (Super Kings have conceded the top two). Leftarm swing bowler Mukesh Choudhary bore the brunt of it, conceding 34 runs from the 12 balls delivered to Livingstone – his third over alone costing 26.

Three times Livingstone made room to thrash sixes to the short leg-side bound-

Super Kings should have removed Livingstone in the first over after the powerplay, however. Having danced down to crash Ravindra Jadeja's first ball into the sightscreen for his fourth six, he sliced the final ball of the over straight to short third – but Rayudu, despite having time to settle under it, shelled a simple chance. In the next over, a thin edge down the leg side off Dwaine Pretorius was held by Dhoni, only for the keeper to ground the ball in his glove tips as he dived to his left.

Livingstone duly brought up his first IPL half-century, from 27 balls, a couple of overs later, via a top-edged swat at Bravo that sailed over fine leg.

The Englishman's previous highest score in the competition was 44 off 26 balls, made in his second match for Rajasthan Royals in 2019, and he had gone nine innings without passing 25 since then.

CSK tighten up

Odean Smith removed Ambati Rayudu

were quickly in trouble as the Punjab Kings seam attack punched holes in their top order. Kagiso Rabada, Arora and Arshdeep Singh all struck in the powerplay, and when Ambati Rayudu was acrobatically caught by another debutant, wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma, off a vicious Odean Smith lifter in the eighth over, the

11.5 crore INR (US$1.53 million) in February's auction, following a stellar year in T20 competitions around the world, Livingstone was still waiting for a performance to match his billing at the IPL. He finally produced under the lights in Mumbai, taking the attack back to Super Kings after wickets in each of the first

ary – one of them a 108-metre monster – while also crashing Choudhary for fours down the ground, over cover (twice) and past short third.

With Shikhar Dhawan finding his groove by taking three boundaries off Dwayne Bravo's introductory over, Kings were up and running at 72 for 2 after six.

A 95-run stand between Livingstone and Dhawan had Kings on track for the 200-plus score that they possibly needed to feel safe.

But after Dhawan miscued Bravo to the edge of the cover ring from the final ball of the 10th over, and Livingstone was this time taken by Rayudu at short third in Jadeja's next, the innings stuttered towards an unsatisfactory conclusion in the face of some solid death bowling from Jordan, playing his first game for Super Kings, and Pretorius.

Jordan had started well, avoiding the early carnage to send down two powerplay overs at a cost of 13

runs. He then picked up 2 for 10 while bowling the 16th and 18th, repeatedly hitting a yorker length and forcing Shahrukh Khan and Smith to unsuccessfully take on the longer leg-side boundary. Sharma's cameo aside, Kings lacked a batter to finish the innings off, managing to cobble 71 for 5 from their last 10 overs.

Epitomising the champions' struggles has been the form of Ruturaj Gaikwad, last season's orange cap winner. For the third match in a row, Gaikwad lasted just four balls and didn't manage to get past 1; here he might have been caught off both his second and third balls, before Rabada eventually coaxed a thick outside edge to slip from the final ball of the second over. With Robin Uthappa caught off a leading edge two balls later, Moeen Ali chopping on in the fifth and Jadeja also bowled off an inside edge, Super Kings had made the sort of horror start from which their chase could never recover.

Kings’ debutants shine

Discussion before Kings' third game had centred on how they might get Jonny Bairstow into their side.

In the end, the experienced England batter wasn't needed, and it was two men

handed their IPL caps before the toss that stood out. Sharma made a confident start with the bat, swiping his second ball, from Moeen, for six and landing similar blows on Choudhary and Jadeja in a sparky 26 off 17; he later added a stunning grab to dismiss Rayudu, and was the prime mover in Kings reviewing to have Dhoni caught down the leg side off Rahul Chahar.

Arora, meanwhile, shone during an opening spell in which he bowled his four overs off the reel. The 24-year-old made the new ball move both ways, having Rayudu taken at midoff in his second over before inducing a drag-on from Moeen in his third, after which his figures read 2-012-2. Arora-ing success, you might say. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD PUNJAB KINGS INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Mayank Agarwal (c) c Uthappa b Mukesh Choudhary 4 Shikhar Dhawan c Jadeja b Bravo 33 Bhanuka Rajapaksa run out (Jordan/†Dhoni) 9 Liam Livingstone c Rayudu b Jadeja 60 Jitesh Sharma †c Uthappa b Pretorius 26 M Shahrukh Khan c Pretorius b Jordan 6 Odean Smith c Bravo b Jordan 3 Kagiso Rabada not out 12 Rahul Chahar c Bravo b Pretorius 12 Vaibhav Arora not out 1 Extras(lb 1, w 13) 14 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 9.00) 180/8 Did not bat: Arshdeep Singh Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Mayank Agarwal, 0.2 ov), 2-14 (Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 1.2 ov), 3-109 (Shikhar Dhawan, 9.6 ov), 4-115 (Liam Livingstone, 10.4 ov), 5-146 (Jitesh Sharma, 14.5 ov), 6-151 (M Shahrukh Khan, 15.4 ov), 7-161 (Odean Smith, 17.1 ov), 8-176 (Rahul Chahar, 18.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mukesh Choudhary 4-0-52-1 Chris Jordan 4-0-23-2 Dwayne Bravo 3-0-32-1 Ravindra Jadeja 4-0-34-1 Dwaine Pretorius 4-0-30-2 Moeen Ali 1-0-8-0

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS INNINGS (TARGET: 181 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Robin Uthappa c Agarwal b Arora 13 Ruturaj Gaikwad c Dhawan b Rabada 1 Moeen Ali b Arora 0 Ambati Rayudu c †Sharma b Smith 13 Ravindra Jadeja (c) b Arshdeep Singh 0 Shivam Dube c Arshdeep Singh b Livingstone 57 MS Dhoni † c †Sharma b Chahar 23 Dwayne Bravo c & b Livingstone 0 Dwaine Pretorius c Arshdeep Singh b Chahar 8 Chris Jordan c Livingstone b Chahar 5 Mukesh Choudhary not out 2 Extras (nb 2, w 2) 4 TOTAL (18 Ov, RR: 7.00) 126 Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Ruturaj Gaikwad, 1.6 ov), 2-14 (Robin Uthappa, 2.2 ov), 3-22 (Moeen Ali, 4.4 ov), 4-23 (Ravindra Jadeja, 5.3 ov), 5-36 (Ambati Rayudu, 7.3 ov), 6-98 (Shivam Dube, 14.5 ov), 7-98 (Dwayne Bravo, 14.6 ov), 8-107 (Dwaine Pretorius, 15.5 ov), 9-121 (MS Dhoni, 17.1 ov), 10-126 (Chris Jordan, 17.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Vaibhav Arora 4-0-21-2 Kagiso Rabada 3-0-28-1 Arshdeep Singh 2-0-13-1 Odean Smith 2-0-14-1 Rahul Chahar 4-0-25-3 Liam Livingstone 3-0-25-2

22

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana Fight Night: Road to Redemption…

Contracts inked, Ninvalle eager for return of professional boxing

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he contracts are now set in stone, as professional boxing makes its grand return on Saturday, April 23, 2022, with the Guyana Fight Night: Road to Redemption event.

Organised by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), the event has received the support of the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, and by extension, the National Sports Commission (NSC), and is set for the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

With just three weeks to go before the mixture of local, regional and international pugilists take the ring, the contracts were signed on Friday afternoon at GBBC President Peter Abdool’s office (Abdool and Abdool, Georgetown).

The signing, however, did not come without the

GBBC President Peter Abdool (standing centre) and Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle (standing right) look on as boxers sign their Road to Redemption contracts

Regal capture Florida Cup double

A

swashbuckling innings from Eric Thomas backed up by tight bowling saw Regal Legends defeating Toronto Blizzards by 79 runs in the final of the Over-50s category of the 2022 edition of the Florida Cup in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. The other Regal team in the threeday tournament, Regal Masters defeated SVC Corriverton by 67 to take the Over-40 title in sunny conditions, also at the Brian Piccolo Park.

Regal Legends won the toss and were off to a bad start.

At the halfway stage of their innings, they were 57 for 4 with Captain Mahendra Hardyal (04), Ramesh Narine (00), Unis Yusuf (10) and David Harper (17) all back in the hut, compliments of Rabindra Parasnauth with magical figures of 4-0-9-3.

After the resumption following the 10-over water break, Regal Legends soon lost Mohendra Arjune for 22 (4x3) in the 12th over at 65 for 5 and were in danger of being bowled out. At that stage, the Canadians were well ahead, but then the power hitters from Guyana walked to the crease.

Eion Abel was the first to take a liking to the bowling, hitting 28 (4x1, 6x3) from 11 balls to accelerate the scoring rate. But it was Thomas who knocked the wind out of the sails of the Blizzards. The powerful left-handed batsman hit six sixes in the 16th over bowled

by Desmond Chumney in a display of power hitting never seen before. In all, “Tamo” hit nine sixes and one four from 14 balls for the top score of 62 to hand the advantage back to Regal Legends. Thomas was then bowled in the 17th over at 158-7 which was par for the championship match. However, Regal Legends were not done.

Rudolph Baker smashed a 14ball cameo of 33 (4x1, 6x4) to finish the innings on a high at 196 for 9.

Bowling for the Blizzards, Shazam Baksh was expensive, but picked up 4-48 to support Parasnauth on a green top.

In reply, the Blizzards

– Kingsmen take Open title

Chien Gittens was the big winner on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale

openers put on 53 runs for the first wicket in 6.5 overs before things started to fall apart. Laurie Singh got the breakthrough when Sunil Dhaniram was sent back for 32 (4x4, 6x2) from 19 balls followed by the brilliant runout of Shivnauth Seeram for 19 at 53 for 2. It was the point of no return for the Canadians and they were eventually bowled out for 117 in 17.4 overs.

Singh finished with 2-24 while Ramesh Narine was the pick of the bowlers with 4-17 with support from Captain Hardyal with 2-22. Regal Legends played unbeaten in the tournament to lift another overseas title. Narine was named best bowler, best batsman and Most Valuable Player of the tournament while Thomas was the Player of the Match in the final.

In the Over-40s final, on the back of half-centuries from Chien Gittens and Lennox Mark, Regal Masters beat SVC Corriverton by 67 runs to complete the Regal double.

Gittens carried his bat to finish on 76 not out (4x8, 6x1), but it was a pugnacious knock from Lennox “Assassin” Mark that took the match away from SVC Corriverton. Mark hit eight towering sixes and a solitary four to finish on 63 from 17 balls.

SVC Corriverton picked up wickets at regular intervals – with Samuel Kingston (17);

Mohamed Ayume (16) and Khemchandra Dindyal (0) departing in short order – to keep the scoring in check until the 98-run fifth-wicket partnership between Gittens and Mark. Sydney Jackman Jr (1-16) and Feroze Karimullah (142) were the successful bowlers for SVC Corriverton, who were then limited to 121 for 6 from their 20 overs. Karimullah returned to hit the top score of 37, but no other batsman passed 17 to threaten the target. Tyrone Sanasie wrecked the SVC innings with 3-20 while Gittens had 1-14.

Gittens later collected three individual prizes: Player of the Match, Most Valuable Player of the Tournament and most runs in the tournament. Bowler of the Tournament was Kayume Mohammed of South Florida Masters.

In the Open category, Kingsmen All-Stars, led by former Guyana and West Indies youth player Zamal Khan, defeated South Florida All Stars by eight wickets in the final match of the day which was watched by about 1200 spectators.

At the presentation ceremony, John Ramsingh speaking on behalf of Regal champion teams and the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL), said their sides played the tournament in honour of Lakeram “Mike” Singh of Mike’s Wellman.

Ramsingh said the teams

dedicated the victories to the late great “Mike”, who died in the line of cricketing duty, doing what he loved.

This year's Florida Cup was the 16th edition of the tournament, which was organised by the South Florida Softball Cricket League (SFSCL) led by President Dave Singh and assisted by former President Anoop Basdeo. The threeday tournament started last Thursday with 22 teams in the three categories.

trading of threatening words between opponents, who have promised first-round knockouts, among other thrills, come April 23.

Guyanese internationallyranked boxer Elton Dharry will headline the sevenfight card as he challenges Orlando Penalba of Panama for the World Boxing Council (WBC) International Super Flyweight Title. Dharry comes with a history of 25 wins, 6 losses, and a draw, while the undefeated Panamanian has 11 wins and a draw to his name.

Also set to trade punches with a Panamanian opponent is Guyana’s Dexter “The Kid” Marques in the co-main event. Marques and Panama’s Gilberto Pedroza will be locked in a flyweight bout.

In the accompanying bouts, Imran “Magic” Khan will battle Anthony Narine in a six-round middleweight contest while James Moore and James Walcott duke it out in a four-round light heavyweight encounter.

A junior middleweight bout is set to feature Quincy Gomes and Barbados’s Charwin Estwick while debutants Richard James and Stephen D Silva have their go at each other. A late addition to the fight card, popular social media personality Laured Stewart will trade punches with Romeo Norville in a four- round light heavyweight bout.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, at the signing, lamented the long wait for professional boxing, but praised the way in which

Abdool’s GBBC opted to return.

“This is something that we eagerly jumped on: professional boxing has not been with us for a very long time and the Ministry and, by extension, the Government of Guyana, we see it fit to assist in this way,” Ninvalle shared.

He continued, “We know from the track record and what Mr Abdool has said, we’re in for a very exciting time. Guyana is opening up and we’re opening up with a bang and this is just fitting that we’ll be returning to professional boxing with such a card.”

Turning his attention to the list of bouts, Ninvalle relished the inclusion of Guyana’s Dharry.

“I myself, from way back, I know what to expect from Elton Dharry and him headlining this card says just how serious Mr Abdool and his entire team is about bringing back professional boxing to what we all know it was,” the Director of Sport stated.

In his remarks, Abdool promised half-time entertainment featuring Guyana’s artistes in a bid to show off the country’s talent.

“We are going to try our best, within the context of boxing to highlight Guyana as best as we possibly can. I think it’s about time the world had a good, hard look at us. So, in conjunction with the Ministry, we hope that boxing can be used as a vehicle to highlight our beautiful country,” the GBBC President explained.

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY 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 Ray Victor with the winning trophy

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enior national basketball player Ray Victor was crowned King of the Courts on Saturday evening after defeating the 2020 champion Jason Edwin of the British Virgin Islands.

The competition, which was organised by Steve Parrilon, was held at the Jeffrey Caines Arena in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin

Islands (BVI).

The basketball competition featured representatives from 12 Caribbean territories including St Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, Guyana, St Maarten, St Eustatius, Philippines, the Dominican Republic, US Virgin Islands (USVI), Tortola, and Virgin Gorda. (More details in Tuesday's publication)

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.

VACANCY Vacancy exists for one security guard contact 655-6511.

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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Mario Washingto

erbician Andre “Padlock” Green continued his good showing this cycling season when he registered another victory.

“Padlock” emerged as victor in the lucrative Hell in the Cell Kaieteur Attack 55-mile cycle race along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, stopping the clock in two hours, 32 minutes, and 15 seconds.

Green, who is a member of the Kaieteur Attack Cycling Club, was followed

by Team Evolution's Curtis Dey (second); Walter Grant-Stuart (third);

Paul DeNobrega (fourth); Kemuel Moses (fifth) and Christopher Griffith (sixth) in the senior category.

More than 35 starters took centre stage and contested along Soesdyke Junction, before proceeding to Silver Hill along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, and then heading towards Splashmins Hill for the finish.

In the junior category, Berbician Mario Washington was the top rider, followed by David Hicks and Shurwin Sampson. In the female category, Team Evolution's

Denise Jeffery emerged as the winner, followed

by Marcia Dick and Clavicia Spencer.

The females rode for 40 miles, and Jeffrey stopped the clock in one hour, 31 minutes and 23 seconds.

In the veterans’ under-50 category, GrantStuart was the top rider, followed by Robin Persaud and Ian Jackson. Talim Shaw came second in the over-50 category, while Ian

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Andre “Padlock” Green

was the winner. This race was sponsored and organised by the Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycle Club, and friends of the club also sponsored the event.

(Brandon Corlette)

Essequibo Cricket Board launches New York Tri State cricket team to visit Coaching Development and Guyana from April 8 High-Performance Clinic

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Members of the Essequibo Cricket Board at the presentation along with GCB President Bissoondyal Singh

he Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) recently launched its inaugural Coaching Development and HighPerformance Clinic at the Imam Bacchus Learning Resource Centre, Affiance, Essequibo Coast.

This is part of the Board’s plan to build coaching capacity and to track players’ performance on and off the field over a period of time.

Facilitating the programme was Level III Coach and Guyana Harpy Eagles data analyst Keshava Ramphal, who will be assisted by former Essequibo player and Guyana Harpy Eagles Assistant Coach Ryan Hercules and Child Protection personnel Brandon Ramlall.

Twenty potential coaches will benefit from

the coaching programme while cricketers from the Under-15, 17 and 19 levels along with female players will be part of the HighPerformance Clinic.

The coaching education programme will be conducted over a threeday period and will focus on coaching philosophy, teaching technical skills, coaching styles and constraints, workshops on different aspects of the game, child protection, and practical skills.

Essequibo Cricket Board President Deleep Singh expressed gratitude to Ramphal and his team for assisting in building back cricket in Essequibo and explained the importance of coaches in developing players to represent teams locally, nationally and internationally. He further stated that coach-

ing was the first priority for ECB since it was very difficult to develop players at all the levels with only two Coaches.

The recently-appointed Director of Cricket West Indies said he was happy to serve at the West Indies level and would work diligently to ensure players were well represented.

Also present at the launch were Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Chairperson Vilma De Silva; Region Two Vice Chairman Humace Oodit; Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President Bissoondyal Singh and other members of the GCB. The GCB Head said he was very pleased with the work of the Essequibo Cricket Board thus far.

As part of a promise made at the ECB elections in January, Singh, through

the Guyana Cricket Board, donated cricket gear to the tune of $4 million to area committees in Essequibo and once again signalled his commitment to assist in fixing the roof of the Essequibo Cricket Hostel as well as donate a brandnew bowling machine to the county.

Additionally, Regional Chairperson De Silva lauded the efforts of the ECB in its quest to return cricket to its glorious days and pledged her administration’s support towards the development of the sport in the region.

Head Coach Linden Fraser

Captain Utkarsh Srivastava

he New York Tri State team will visit Guyana between April 8 and April 18 for a series of cricket matches across Guyana against various teams. The team will arrive on April 8 and play their first 50-over match the following day, April 9, in Berbice.

The first match will be played against a Berbice Under-17 Select team at Albion followed by a match against a Berbice Under-15 team on April 10 at the same venue. The New York Tri State team will then travel to the city and play a Combined Under-17 team on April 12 at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Bourda. On April 13, an Essequibo Under-17 team will lock horns with the United States-based team at Everest.

The fifth 50-over match of the New York Tri State tour to Guyana will be against a Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) XI, at Demerara Cricket Club (DCC). A day-night fixture is set for April 15 when a Transport and Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) combined team will battle the New York side in a 30over contest at MYO. On April 16 and April 17, a two-day match is

billed for DCC, where the New York Tri State team will gain play a GCA XI. The team will then depart Guyana on April 18 after the fruitful string of matches conclude.

The day-and-night match starts at 16:00h and dinner break is at 18:00h -18:40h, with the second team’s innings from 18:40h to 21:00h.

The two-day match starts at 10:00h and ends at 18:00h for 100 overs daily (lunch is 12:00h-13:40h, tea is 15:40h-16:00h and the final session is 16:00h to 18:00h). All 50-over matches start at 09:30h and end at 17:30h (lunch is 13:00h to 13:40h).

The New York Tri State touring party comprises: Utkarsh Srivastava (Captain); Adil Shivakumar (Vice Captain); Anirudh Bolisetty; Tanish Dongre; Akshay Garg; Arvind Marella; Mihir Patwardhan; Ansh Rai; Alvin Sammy; Saharsh Shwethan; Ruhan Swar and Abhiram Yeruva with Wesley King (Manager); Lloyd Dixon (Assistant Manager); Linden Fraser (Head Coach); Tracy Glasgow (Liaison Officer) and Akaze Thompson (Statistician).

MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2022

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

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Essequibo Cricket Board launches Coaching Development and High-Performance Clinic

Regal Masters and Regal Legends after winning the Florida Cup double on Saturday at the Brian Piccolo Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Regal capture Florida Cup double – Kingsmen take Open title

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